An abrasion-resistant and broadband antireflective silica coating by block copolymer assisted sol-gel method.

PubMed

Zou, Liping; Li, Xiaoguang; Zhang, Qinghua; Shen, Jun

2014-09-02

A double-layer broadband antireflective (AR) coating was prepared on glass substrate via sol-gel process using two kinds of acid-catalyzed TEOS-derived silica sols. The relative dense layer with a porosity of ∼10% was obtained from an as-prepared sol, while the porous layer with a porosity of ∼55% was from a modified one with block copolymer (BCP) Pluronic F127 as template which results in abundant ordered mesopores. The two layers give rise to a reasonable refractive index gradient from air to the substrate and thus high transmittance in a wide wavelength range, and both of them have the same tough skeleton despite different porosity, for which each single-layer and the double-layer coatings all behaved well in the mechanical property tests. The high transmittance and the strong ability of resisting abrasion make this coating promising for applications in some harsh conditions. In addition, the preparation is simple, low-cost, time-saving, and flexible for realizing the optical property.

Improving Block-level Efficiency with scsi-mq

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Caldwell, Blake A

2015-01-01

Current generation solid-state storage devices are exposing a new bottlenecks in the SCSI and block layers of the Linux kernel, where IO throughput is limited by lock contention, inefficient interrupt handling, and poor memory locality. To address these limitations, the Linux kernel block layer underwent a major rewrite with the blk-mq project to move from a single request queue to a multi-queue model. The Linux SCSI subsystem rework to make use of this new model, known as scsi-mq, has been merged into the Linux kernel and work is underway for dm-multipath support in the upcoming Linux 4.0 kernel. These piecesmore » were necessary to make use of the multi-queue block layer in a Lustre parallel filesystem with high availability requirements. We undertook adding support of the 3.18 kernel to Lustre with scsi-mq and dm-multipath patches to evaluate the potential of these efficiency improvements. In this paper we evaluate the block-level performance of scsi-mq with backing storage hardware representative of a HPC-targerted Lustre filesystem. Our findings show that SCSI write request latency is reduced by as much as 13.6%. Additionally, when profiling the CPU usage of our prototype Lustre filesystem, we found that CPU idle time increased by a factor of 7 with Linux 3.18 and blk-mq as compared to a standard 2.6.32 Linux kernel. Our findings demonstrate increased efficiency of the multi-queue block layer even with disk-based caching storage arrays used in existing parallel filesystems.« less

Neutronic reactor

DOEpatents

Lewis, Warren R.

1978-05-30

A graphite-moderated, water-cooled nuclear reactor including a plurality of rectangular graphite blocks stacked in abutting relationship in layers, alternate layers having axes which are normal to one another, alternate rows of blocks in alternate layers being provided with a channel extending through the blocks, said channeled blocks being provided with concave sides and having smaller vertical dimensions than adjacent blocks in the same layer, there being nuclear fuel in the channels.

Reduction of shunt current in buffer-free IrMn based spin-valve structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocaman, B.; Akdoğan, N.

2018-06-01

The presence of thick buffer layers in magnetic sensor devices decreases sensor sensitivity due to shunt currents. With this motivation, we produced IrMn-based spin-valve multilayers without using buffer layer. We also studied the effects of post-annealing and IrMn thickness on exchange bias field (HEB) and blocking temperature (TB) of the system. Magnetization measurements indicate that both HEB and TB values are significantly enhanced with post-annealing of IrMn layer. In addition, we report that IrMn thickness of the system strongly influences the magnetization and transport characteristics of the spin-valve structures. We found that the minimum thickness of IrMn layer is 6 nm in order to achieve the lowest shunt current and high blocking temperature (>300 K). We also investigated the training of exchange bias to check the long-term durability of IrMn-based spin-valve structures for device applications.

Performance enhancement of perovskite solar cells with Mg-doped TiO{sub 2} compact film as the hole-blocking layer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Jing; Qin, Minchao; Tao, Hong

2015-03-23

In this letter, we report perovskite solar cells with thin dense Mg-doped TiO{sub 2} as hole-blocking layers (HBLs), which outperform cells using TiO{sub 2} HBLs in several ways: higher open-circuit voltage (V{sub oc}) (1.08 V), power conversion efficiency (12.28%), short-circuit current, and fill factor. These properties improvements are attributed to the better properties of Mg-modulated TiO{sub 2} as compared to TiO{sub 2} such as better optical transmission properties, upshifted conduction band minimum (CBM) and downshifted valence band maximum (VBM), better hole-blocking effect, and higher electron life time. The higher-lying CBM due to the modulation with wider band gap MgO and themore » formation of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxides together resulted in an increment of V{sub oc}. In addition, the Mg-modulated TiO{sub 2} with lower VBM played a better role in the hole-blocking. The HBL with modulated band position provided better electron transport and hole blocking effects within the device.« less

Organic photosensitive optoelectronic device having a phenanthroline exciton blocking layer

DOEpatents

Thompson, Mark E [Anaheim Hills, CA; Li, Jian [Los Angeles, CA; Forrest, Stephen [Princeton, NJ; Rand, Barry [Princeton, NJ

2011-02-22

An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device, having an anode, a cathode, and an organic blocking layer between the anode and the cathode is described, wherein the blocking layer comprises a phenanthroline derivative, and at least partially blocks at least one of excitons, electrons, and holes.

A Molecular Beam Deposition of DNA Nanometer Films

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

device structure consists of ITO/PEDOT:PSS (50 nm)/NPB (30 nm)/ Alq3 (40 nm)/BCP (20 nm)/ Alq3 (10 nm)/Li:Al, while the Bi- OLED has an additional DNA...layer; DNA- CTMA is an electron blocking layer (EBL); NPB is used as hole transport layer; Alq3 is used for both the electron transport layer and the...N,N’-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N’- bis(phenyl)benzidine)], Alq3 [tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum] and BCP [2,9- Dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10

Polystyrene-block-Poly(ionic liquid) Copolymers as Work Function Modifiers in Inverted Organic Photovoltaic Cells.

PubMed

Park, Jong Baek; Isik, Mehmet; Park, Hea Jung; Jung, In Hwan; Mecerreyes, David; Hwang, Do-Hoon

2018-02-07

Interfacial layers play a critical role in building up the Ohmic contact between electrodes and functional layers in organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells. These layers are based on either inorganic oxides (ZnO and TiO 2 ) or water-soluble organic polymers such as poly[(9,9-dioctyl-2,7-fluorene)-alt-(9,9-bis(3'-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene)] and polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE). In this work, we have developed a series of novel poly(ionic liquid) nonconjugated block copolymers for improving the performance of inverted OPV cells by using them as work function modifiers of the indium tin oxide (ITO) cathode. Four nonconjugated polyelectrolytes (n-CPEs) based on polystyrene and imidazolium poly(ionic liquid) (PSImCl) were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The ratio of hydrophobic/hydrophilic block copolymers was varied depending on the ratio of polystyrene to the PSImCl block. The ionic density, which controls the work function of the electrode by forming an interfacial dipole between the electrode and the block copolymers, was easily tuned by simply changing the PSImCl molar ratio. The inverted OPV device with the ITO/PS 29 -b-PSImCl 60 cathode achieved the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.55% among the synthesized block copolymers, exhibiting an even higher PCE than that of the reference OPV device with PEIE (7.30%). Furthermore, the surface properties of the block copolymers films were investigated by contact angle measurements to explore the influence of the controlled hydrophobic/hydrophilic characters on the device performances.

NEUTRONIC REACTOR

DOEpatents

Fermi, E.

1960-04-01

A nuclear reactor is described consisting of blocks of graphite arranged in layers, natural uranium bodies disposed in holes in alternate layers of graphite blocks, and coolant tubes disposed in the layers of graphite blocks which do not contain uranium.

Investigation of depth-of-interaction (DOI) effects in single- and dual-layer block detectors by the use of light sharing in scintillators.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Seiichi

2012-01-01

In block detectors for PET scanners that use different lengths of slits in scintillators to share light among photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), a position histogram is distorted when the depth of interaction (DOI) of the gamma photons is near the PMTs (DOI effect). However, it remains unclear whether a DOI effect is observed for block detectors that use light sharing in scintillators. To investigate the effect, I tested the effect for single- and dual-layer block detectors. In the single-layer block detector, Ce doped Gd₂SiO₅ (GSO) crystals of 1.9 × 1.9 × 15 mm³ (0.5 mol% Ce) were used. In the dual-layer block detector, GSO crystals of a 1.9 × 1.9 × 6 mm³ (1.5 mol% Ce) were used for the front layer and GSO crystals of 1.9 × 1.9 × 9 mm³ (0.5 mol% Ce) for the back layer. These scintillators were arranged to form an 8 × 8 matrix with multi-layer optical film inserted partly between the scintillators for obtaining an optimized position response with use of two dual-PMTs. Position histograms and energy responses were measured for these block detectors at three different DOI positions, and the flood histograms were obtained. The results indicated that DOI effects are observed in both block detectors, but the dual-layer block showed more severe distortion in the position histogram as well as larger energy variations. We conclude that, in the block detectors that use light sharing in the scintillators, the DOI effect is an important factor for the performance of the detectors, especially for DOI block detectors.

Layer-by-layer strippable Ag multilayer films fabricated by modular assembly.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Chen, Xiaoyan; Li, Qianqian; Song, Kai; Wang, Shihui; Chen, Xiaoyan; Zhang, Kai; Fu, Yu; Jiao, Yong-Hua; Sun, Ting; Liu, Fu-Chun; Han, En-Hou

2014-01-21

We have developed a new method to fabricate multilayer films, which uses prepared thin films as modular blocks and transfer as operation mode to build up multilayer structures. In order to distinguish it from the in situ fabrication manner, this method is called modular assembly in this study. On the basis of such concept, we have fabricated a multilayer film using the silver mirror film as the modular block and poly(lactic acid) as the transfer tool. Due to the special double-layer structure of the silver mirror film, the resulting multilayer film had a well-defined stratified architecture with alternate porous/compact layers. As a consequence of the distinct structure, the interaction between the adjacent layers was so weak that the multilayer film could be layer-by-layer stripped. In addition, the top layer in the film could provide an effective protection on the morphology and surface property of the underlying layers. This suggests that if the surface of the film was deteriorated, the top layer could be peeled off and the freshly exposed surface would still maintain the original function. The successful preparation of the layer-by-layer strippable silver multilayer demonstrates that modular assembly is a feasible and effective method to build up multilayer films capable of creating novel and attractive micro/nanostructures, having great potential in the fabrication of nanodevices and coatings.

Bright Visible-Infrared Light Emitting Diodes Based on Hybrid Halide Perovskite with Spiro-OMeTAD as a Hole-Injecting Layer.

PubMed

Jaramillo-Quintero, Oscar A; Sanchez, Rafael S; Rincon, Marina; Mora-Sero, Ivan

2015-05-21

Hybrid halide perovskites that are currently intensively studied for photovoltaic applications, also present outstanding properties for light emission. Here, we report on the preparation of bright solid state light emitting diodes (LEDs) based on a solution-processed hybrid lead halide perovskite (Pe). In particular, we have utilized the perovskite generally described with the formula CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x) and exploited a configuration without electron or hole blocking layer in addition to the injecting layers. Compact TiO2 and Spiro-OMeTAD were used as electron and hole injecting layers, respectively. We have demonstrated a bright combined visible-infrared radiance of 7.1 W·sr(-1)·m(-2) at a current density of 232 mA·cm(-2), and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.48%. The devices prepared surpass the EQE values achieved in previous reports, considering devices with just an injecting layer without any additional blocking layer. Significantly, the maximum EQE value of our devices is obtained at applied voltages as low as 2 V, with a turn-on voltage as low as the Pe band gap (V(turn-on) = 1.45 ± 0.06 V). This outstanding performance, despite the simplicity of the approach, highlights the enormous potentiality of Pe-LEDs. In addition, we present a stability study of unsealed Pe-LEDs, which demonstrates a dramatic influence of the measurement atmosphere on the performance of the devices. The decrease of the electroluminescence (EL) under continuous operation can be attributed to an increase of the non-radiative recombination pathways, rather than a degradation of the perovskite material itself.

Polymeric microcapsules assembled from a cationic/zwitterionic pair of responsive block copolymer micelles.

PubMed

Addison, Timothy; Cayre, Olivier J; Biggs, Simon; Armes, Steven P; York, David

2010-05-04

Using a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach, this work presents the preparation of hollow microcapsules with a membrane constructed entirely from a cationic/zwitterionic pair of pH-responsive block copolymer micelles. Our previous work with such systems highlighted that, in order to retain the responsive nature of the individual micelles contained within the multilayer membranes, it is important to optimize the conditions required for the selective dissolution of the sacrificial particulate templates. Consequently, here, calcium carbonate particles have been employed as colloidal templates as they can be easily dissolved in aqueous environments with the addition of chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Furthermore, the dissolution can be carried out in solutions buffered to a desirable pH so not to adversely affect the pH sensitive micelles forming the capsule membranes. First, we have deposited alternating layers of anionic poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-block-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)] (PDMA-PDEA) and cationic poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)methacrylate-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (PDEA-PMAA) copolymer micelles onto calcium carbonate colloidal templates. After deposition of five micelle bilayers, addition of dilute EDTA solution resulted in dissolution of the calcium carbonate and formation of hollow polymer capsules. The capsules were imaged using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which shows that the micelle/micelle membrane is sufficiently robust to withstand dissolution of the supporting template. Quartz crystal microbalance studies were conducted and provide good evidence that the micelle multilayer structure is retained after EDTA treatment. In addition, a hydrophobic dye was incorporated into the micelle cores prior to adsorption. After dissolution of the particle template, the resulting hollow capsules retained a high concentration of dye, suggesting that the core/shell structure of the micelles remains intact. Finally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of dried capsules confirmed complete removal of the sacrificial inorganic template. As far as we are aware, this is the first demonstration of LbL assembled capsules composed entirely from responsive block copolymer micelles. The results presented here when combined with our previous findings demonstrate that such systems have potential application in the encapsulation and triggered release of actives.

Method for generating small and ultra small apertures, slits, nozzles and orifices

DOEpatents

Khounsary, Ali M [Hinsdale, IL

2012-05-22

A method and device for one or more small apertures, slits, nozzles and orifices, preferably having a high aspect ratio. In one embodiment, one or more alternating layers of sacrificial layers and blocking layers are deposited onto a substrate. Each sacrificial layer is made of a material which preferably allows a radiation to substantially pass through. Each blocking layer is made of a material which substantially blocks the radiation.

Pile construction

DOEpatents

Johnson, Alfred A.; Carleton, John T.

1978-05-02

A graphite-moderated, water-cooled nuclear reactor including graphite blocks disposed in transverse alternate layers, one set of alternate layers consisting of alternate full size blocks and smaller blocks through which cooling tubes containing fuel extend, said smaller blocks consisting alternately of tube bearing blocks and support block, the support blocks being smaller than the tube bearing blocks, the aperture of each support block being tapered so as to provide the tube extending therethrough with a narrow region of support while being elsewhere spaced therefrom.

Effect of an Extra Hydrophobic Resin Layer on Repair Shear Bond Strength of a Silorane-Based Composite Resin

PubMed Central

Mohammadi, Narmin; Bahari, Mahmoud; Kimyai, Soodabeh; Rahbani Nobar, Behnam

2015-01-01

Objectives: Composite repair is a minimally invasive and conservative approach. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an additional hydrophobic resin layer on the repair shear bond strength of a silorane-based composite repaired with silorane or methacrylate-based composite. Materials and Methods: Sixty bar-shaped composite blocks were fabricated and stored in saline for 72 hours. The surface of the samples were roughened by diamond burs and etched with phosphoric acid; then, they were randomly divided into three groups according to the repairing process: Group 1: Silorane composite-silorane bonding agent-silorane composite; group 2: Silorane composite-silorane bonding agent-hydrophobic resin-silorane composite, and group 3: Silorane composite-silorane bonding agent-hydrophobic resin methacrylate-based composite. Repairing composite blocks measured 2.5×2.5×5mm. After repairing, the samples were stored in saline for 24 hours and thermocycled for 1500 cycles. The repair bond strength was measured at a strain rate of 1mm/min. Twenty additional cylindrical composite blocks (diameter: 2.5mm, height: 6mm) were also fabricated for measuring the cohesive strength of silorane-based composite. The data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey’s test (α=0.05). Results: Cohesive bond strength of silorane composite was significantly higher than the repair bond strengths in other groups (P<0.001). The repair bond strength of group 3 was significantly higher than that of group 1 (P=0.001). Conclusion: Application of an additional hydrophobic resin layer for repair of silorane-based composite with a methacrylate-based composite enhanced the repair shear bond strength. PMID:27559348

Ultrafast and Ultrasensitive Gas Sensors Derived from a Large Fermi-Level Shift in the Schottky Junction with Sieve-Layer Modulation.

PubMed

Cheng, Ching-Cheng; Wu, Chia-Lin; Liao, Yu-Ming; Chen, Yang-Fang

2016-07-13

Gas sensors play an important role in numerous fields, covering a wide range of applications, including intelligent systems and detection of harmful and toxic gases. Even though they have attracted much attention, the response time on the order of seconds to minutes is still very slow. To circumvent the existing problems, here, we provide a seminal attempt with the integration of graphene, semiconductor, and an addition sieve layer forming a nanocomposite gas sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity and ultrafast response. The designed sieve layer has a suitable band structure that can serve as a blocking layer to prevent transfer of the charges induced by adsorbed gas molecules into the underlying semiconductor layer. We found that the sensitivity can be reduced to the parts per million level, and the ultrafast response of around 60 ms is unprecedented compared with published graphene-based gas sensors. The achieved high performance can be interpreted well by the large change of the Fermi level of graphene due to its inherent nature of the low density of states and blocking of the sieve layer to prevent charge transfer from graphene to the underlying semiconductor layer. Accordingly, our work is very useful and timely for the development of gas sensors with high performance for practical applications.

Auger-generated hot carrier current in photo-excited forward biased single quantum well blue light emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espenlaub, Andrew C.; Alhassan, Abdullah I.; Nakamura, Shuji; Weisbuch, Claude; Speck, James S.

2018-04-01

We report on measurements of the photo-modulated current-voltage and electroluminescence characteristics of forward biased single quantum well, blue InGaN/GaN light emitting diodes with and without electron blocking layers. Low intensity resonant optical excitation of the quantum well was observed to induce an additional forward current at constant forward diode bias, in contrast to the usual sense of the photocurrent in photodiodes and solar cells, as well as an increased electroluminescence intensity. The presence of an electron blocking layer only slightly decreased the magnitude of the photo-induced current at constant forward bias. Photo-modulation at constant forward diode current resulted in a reduced diode bias under optical excitation. We argue that this decrease in diode bias at constant current and the increase in forward diode current at constant applied bias can only be due to additional hot carriers being ejected from the quantum well as a result of an increased Auger recombination rate within the quantum well.

Organic photosensitive cells having a reciprocal-carrier exciton blocking layer

DOEpatents

Rand, Barry P [Princeton, NJ; Forrest, Stephen R [Princeton, NJ; Thompson, Mark E [Anaheim Hills, CA

2007-06-12

A photosensitive cell includes an anode and a cathode; a donor-type organic material and an acceptor-type organic material forming a donor-acceptor junction connected between the anode and the cathode; and an exciton blocking layer connected between the acceptor-type organic material of the donor-acceptor junction and the cathode, the blocking layer consisting essentially of a material that has a hole mobility of at least 10.sup.-7 cm.sup.2/V-sec or higher, where a HOMO of the blocking layer is higher than or equal to a HOMO of the acceptor-type material.

Temperature-triggered micellization of block copolymers on an ionic liquid surface.

PubMed

Lu, Haiyun; Akgun, Bulent; Wei, Xinyu; Li, Le; Satija, Sushil K; Russell, Thomas P

2011-10-18

In situ neutron reflectivity was used to study thermally induced structural changes of the lamellae-forming polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) block copolymer thin films floating on the surface of an ionic liquid (IL). The IL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, is a nonsolvent for PS and a temperature-tunable solvent for P2VP, and, as such, micellization can be induced at the air-IL interface by changing the temperature. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning force microscopy were used to investigate the resultant morphologies of the micellar films. It was found that highly ordered nanostructures consisting of spherical micelles with a PS core surrounded by a P2VP corona were produced. In addition, bilayer films of PS homopolymer on top of a PS-b-P2VP layer also underwent micellization with increasing temperature but the micellization was strongly dependent on the thickness of the PS and PS-b-P2VP layers. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Room-temperature processed tin oxide thin film as effective hole blocking layer for planar perovskite solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Hong; Ma, Zhibin; Yang, Guang; Wang, Haoning; Long, Hao; Zhao, Hongyang; Qin, Pingli; Fang, Guojia

2018-03-01

Tin oxide (SnO2) film with high mobility and good transmittance has been reported as a promising semiconductor material for high performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, ultrathin SnO2 film synthesized by radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) method at room temperature was employed as hole blocking layer for planar PSCs. The room-temperature sputtered SnO2 film not only shows favourable energy band structure but also improves the surface topography of fluorine doped SnO2 (FTO) substrate and perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) layer. Thus, this SnO2 hole blocking layer can efficiently promote electron transport and suppress carrier recombination. Furthermore, the best efficiency of 13.68% was obtained for planar PSC with SnO2 hole blocking layer prepared at room temperature. This research highlights the room-temperature preparation process of hole blocking layer in PSC and has a certain reference significance for the usage of flexible and low-cost substrates.

Electrophoretic build-up of alternately multilayered films and micropatterns based on graphene sheets and nanoparticles and their applications in flexible supercapacitors.

PubMed

Niu, Zhiqiang; Du, Jianjun; Cao, Xuebo; Sun, Yinghui; Zhou, Weiya; Hng, Huey Hoon; Ma, Jan; Chen, Xiaodong; Xie, Sishen

2012-10-22

Graphene nanosheets and metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been used as nano-building-blocks for assembly into macroscale hybrid structures with promising performance in electrical devices. However, in most graphene and metal NP hybrid structures, the graphene sheets and metal NPs (e.g., AuNPs) do not enable control of the reaction process, orientation of building blocks, and organization at the nanoscale. Here, an electrophoretic layer-by-layer assembly for constructing multilayered reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/AuNP films and lateral micropatterns is presented. This assembly method allows easy control of the nano-architecture of building blocks along the normal direction of the film, including the number and thickness of RGO and AuNP layers, in addition to control of the lateral orientation of the resultant multilayered structures. Conductivity of multilayered RGO/AuNP hybrid nano-architecture shows great improvement caused by a bridging effect of the AuNPs along the out-of-plane direction between the upper and lower RGO layers. The results clearly show the potential of electrophoretic build-up in the fabrication of graphene-based alternately multilayered films and patterns. Finally, flexible supercapacitors based on multilayered RGO/AuNP hybrid films are fabricated, and excellent performance, such as high energy and power densities, are achieved. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Synthesis of layered double hydroxide nanosheets by coprecipitation using a T-type microchannel reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pang, Xiujiang; Sun, Meiyu; Ma, Xiuming

The synthesis of Mg{sub 2}Al–NO{sub 3} layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets by coprecipitation using a T-type microchannel reactor is reported. Aqueous LDH nanosheet dispersions were obtained. The LDH nanosheets were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and particle size analysis, and the transmittance and viscosity of LDH nanosheet dispersions were examined. The two-dimensional LDH nanosheets consisted of 1–2 brucite-like layers and were stable for ca. 16 h at room temperature. In addition, the co-assembly between LDH nanosheets and dodecyl sulfate (DS) anions was carried out, and a DS intercalated LDH nanohybrid was obtained. To the bestmore » of our knowledge, this is the first report of LDH nanosheets being directly prepared in bulk aqueous solution. This simple, cheap method can provide naked LDH nanosheets in high quantities, which can be used as building blocks for functional materials. - Graphical abstract: Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets were synthesized by coprecipitation using a T-type microchannel reactor, and could be used as basic building blocks for LDH-based functional materials. Display Omitted - Highlights: • LDH nanosheets were synthesized by coprecipitation using a T-type microchannel reactor. • Naked LDH nanosheets were dispersed in aqueous media. • LDH nanosheets can be used as building blocks for functional materials.« less

Effects of TiO2 electron blocking layer on photovoltaic performance of photo-electrochemical cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bin, Jae-Wook; Kim, Doo-Hwan; Sung, Youl-Moon; Park, Min-Woo

2014-06-01

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have used transparent conductive Fluorine-doped SnO2 (FTO) glass/porous TiO2 layer attached using dye molecules/electrolytes (I-/I3-)/Platinium-coated FTO glass configuration. In this work, prior to the coating of nanoporous TiO2 layer on FTO glass, a dense layer of TiO2 film with a thickness of less than ∼100 nm was deposited directly onto the FTO as an electron blocking layer by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Under 100 mW/cm2 illumination at AM 1.5, the energy conversion efficiency (η) of the prepared DSC with electron blocking layer of 80 nm thickness was 6.9% (Voc = 0.67 V, Jsc = 12.18 mA/cm2, ff = 0.63), which is increased by 1.3% compared to the typical cell without electron blocking layer.

Block coordination copolymers

DOEpatents

Koh, Kyoung Moo; Wong-Foy, Antek G; Matzger, Adam J; Benin, Annabelle I; Willis, Richard R

2014-11-11

The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.

Block coordination copolymers

DOEpatents

Koh, Kyoung Moo; Wong-Foy, Antek G.; Matzger, Adam J.; Benin, Annabelle I.; Willis, Richard R.

2012-12-04

The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.

Block coordination copolymers

DOEpatents

Koh, Kyoung Moo; Wong-Foy, Antek G; Matzger, Adam J; Benin, Annabelle I; Willis, Richard R

2012-11-13

The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.

Lateral amorphous selenium metal-insulator-semiconductor-insulator-metal photodetectors using ultrathin dielectric blocking layers for dark current suppression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Cheng-Yi; Pan, Fu-Ming; Lin, Jian-Siang; Yu, Tung-Yuan; Li, Yi-Ming; Chen, Chieh-Yang

2016-12-01

We fabricated amorphous selenium (a-Se) photodetectors with a lateral metal-insulator-semiconductor-insulator-metal (MISIM) device structure. Thermal aluminum oxide, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited silicon nitride, and thermal atomic layer deposited (ALD) aluminum oxide and hafnium oxide (ALD-HfO2) were used as the electron and hole blocking layers of the MISIM photodetectors for dark current suppression. A reduction in the dark current by three orders of magnitude can be achieved at electric fields between 10 and 30 V/μm. The effective dark current suppression is primarily ascribed to electric field lowering in the dielectric layers as a result of charge trapping in deep levels. Photogenerated carriers in the a-Se layer can be transported across the blocking layers to the Al electrodes via Fowler-Nordheim tunneling because a high electric field develops in the ultrathin dielectric layers under illumination. Since the a-Se MISIM photodetectors have a very low dark current without significant degradation in the photoresponse, the signal contrast is greatly improved. The MISIM photodetector with the ALD-HfO2 blocking layer has an optimal signal contrast more than 500 times the contrast of the photodetector without a blocking layer at 15 V/μm.

Ion blocking dip shape analysis around a LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jalabert, D.; Zaid, H.; Berger, M. H.; Fongkaew, I.; Lambrecht, W. R. L.; Sehirlioglu, A.

2018-05-01

We present an analysis of the widths of the blocking dips obtained in MEIS ion blocking experiments of two LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures differing in their LaAlO3 layer thicknesses. In the LaAlO3 layers, the observed blocking dips are larger than expected. This enlargement is the result of the superposition of individual dips at slightly different angular positions revealing a local disorder in the atomic alignment, i.e., layer buckling. By contrast, in the SrTiO3 substrate, just below the interface, the obtained blocking dips are thinner than expected. This thinning indicates that the blocking atoms stand at a larger distance from the scattering center than expected. This is attributed to an accumulation of Sr vacancies at the layer/substrate interface which induces lattice distortions shifting the atoms off the scattering plane.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jiang, Zhenyu, E-mail: jiangzhenyu1201@hotmail.com, E-mail: jianxu@engr.psu.edu; Liu, Yan; Mo, Chen

In an attempt to suppress the dark current, the barrier layer engineer for solution-processed PbSe colloidal quantum-dot (CQD) photodetectors has been investigated in the present study. It was found that the dark current can be significantly suppressed by implementing two types of carrier blocking layers, namely, hole blocking layer and electron blocking layer, sandwiched in between two active PbSe CQD layers. Meanwhile no adverse impact has been observed for the photo current. Our study suggests that this improvement resides on the transport pathway created via carrier recombination at intermediate layer, which provides wide implications for the suppression of dark currentmore » for infrared photodetectors.« less

Conjugated block copolymers: A building block for high-performance organic photovoltaics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Changhe

State-of-the-art organic photovoltaics rely on kinetically trapped, partially phase-separated structures of donor/acceptor mixtures to create a high interfacial area for exciton dissociation and networks of bicontinuous phases for charge transport. Nevertheless, intrinsic structural disorder and weak intermolecular interactions in polymer blends limit the performance and stability of organic electronic devices. We demonstrate a potential strategy to control morphology and donor/acceptor heterojunctions through conjugated block copolymer poly(3-hexylthiophene)- block-poly((9,9-dioctylfluorene)-2,7-diyl-alt-[4,7-bis(thiophen-5-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole]-2',2''-diyl) (P3HT-b-PFTBT). Block copolymers can self-assemble into well-ordered nanostructures ideal for photovoltaic applications. When utilized as the photovoltaic active layer, P3HT-b-PFTBT block copolymer devices demonstrate thermal stability and photoconversion efficiency of 3% well beyond devices composed of the constituent polymer blends. Resonant soft X-ray scattering (RSOXS) is used to elucidate the structural origin for efficient block copolymer photovoltaics. Energy tuning in soft X-ray ranges gives RSOXS chemical sensitivity to characterize organic thin films with compositionally similar phases or complicated multiphase systems. RSOXS reveals that the remarkable performance of P3HT-b-PFTBT devices is due to self-assembly into nanoscale in-plane lamellar morphology, which not only establishes an equilibrium microstructure amenable for exciton dissociation but also provides pathways for efficient charge transport. Furthermore, we find evidence that covalent control of donor/acceptor interfaces in block copolymers has the potential to promote charge separation and optimize the photoconversion process by limiting charge recombination. To visualize the nanostructure in organic thin films, we introduce low energy-loss energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) as an important alternative approach to generate contrast from differences in optoelectronic properties and enable chemical imaging of organic materials. The widely-studied polymer/fullerene system is used as a test sample to demonstrate the application of this technique for structure characterization in the active layer of organic solar cells. In addition, well-ordered equilibrium nanostructures and covalent control of donor/acceptor interfaces make P3HT-b-PFTBT an excellent model for studying the effect of crystalline texture in the active layer on charge transport and photovoltaic performance. Solvent additives are applied to induce a drastic texture change from mainly face-on to edge-on orientations in crystalline P3HT domains of block copolymer thin films. We find that P3HT- b-PFTBT block copolymer devices demonstrate similar optimal performance, regardless of the dramatic changes in the predominant crystalline orientations adopted in P3HT domains. Our results provide further insights into the molecular organization required for efficient charge transport and device operation.

SAQP and EUV block patterning of BEOL metal layers on IMEC's iN7 platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekaert, Joost; Di Lorenzo, Paolo; Mao, Ming; Decoster, Stefan; Larivière, Stéphane; Franke, Joern-Holger; Blanco Carballo, Victor M.; Kutrzeba Kotowska, Bogumila; Lazzarino, Frederic; Gallagher, Emily; Hendrickx, Eric; Leray, Philippe; Kim, R. Ryoung-han; McIntyre, Greg; Colsters, Paul; Wittebrood, Friso; van Dijk, Joep; Maslow, Mark; Timoshkov, Vadim; Kiers, Ton

2017-03-01

The imec N7 (iN7) platform has been developed to evaluate EUV patterning of advanced logic BEOL layers. Its design is based on a 42 nm first-level metal (M1) pitch, and a 32 nm pitch for the subsequent M2 layer. With these pitches, the iN7 node is an `aggressive' full-scaled N7, corresponding to IDM N7, or foundry N5. Even in a 1D design style, single exposure of the 16 nm half-pitch M2 layer is very challenging for EUV lithography, because of its tight tip-to-tip configurations. Therefore, the industry is considering the hybrid use of ArFi-based SAQP combined with EUV Block as an alternative to EUV single exposure. As a consequence, the EUV Block layer may be one of the first layers to adopt EUV lithography in HVM. In this paper, we report on the imec iN7 SAQP + Block litho performance and process integration, targeting the M2 patterning for a 7.5 track logic design. The Block layer is exposed on an ASML NXE:3300 EUV-scanner at imec, using optimized illumination conditions and state-of-the-art metal-containing negative tone resist (Inpria). Subsequently, the SAQP and block structures are characterized in a morphological study, assessing pattern fidelity and CD/EPE variability. The work is an experimental feasibility study of EUV insertion, for SAQP + Block M2 patterning on an industry-relevant N5 use-case.

Biological effects of blocking blue and other visible light on the mouse retina.

PubMed

Narimatsu, Toshio; Ozawa, Yoko; Miyake, Seiji; Kubota, Shunsuke; Yuki, Kenya; Nagai, Norihiro; Tsubota, Kazuo

2014-08-01

To elucidate the biological effects of blocking fluorescent light on the retina using specific blocking materials. Seven- to 8-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into three groups and placed in one of the three boxes: one blocked ultraviolet and violet wavelengths of light (violet blockade), one blocked ultraviolet, violet, blue and some other visible wavelengths (blue-plus blockade), and one allowed most visible light to pass through (control). They were then exposed to a white fluorescent lamp for 1 h at 5.65E-05 mW/cm(2) /s. After treatment, the electroretinogram, retinal outer nuclear layer thickness and retinal outer segment length were measured. In addition, retinal apoptotic cells were quantified by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling assay and c-Fos messenger RNA, and protein levels were measured by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analyses, respectively. The blue-plus blockade group retained a significantly better electroretinogram response following light exposure than the control or violet blockade groups. The blue-plus blockade group also exhibited greater outer nuclear layer thickness and greater outer-segment length, and fewer apoptotic cells after light exposure than the other groups. The c-Fos messenger RNA and protein levels were substantially reduced in the blue-plus blockade group and reduced to a lesser extent in the violet blockade group. The blockade of blue plus additional visible wavelengths of light was most effective in protecting the retina from light-induced damage. The blockade of violet light alone was also effective in reducing intracellular molecular responses, but these effects were not sufficient for attenuating retinal degeneration. © 2013 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Simplified efficient phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes by organic vapor phase deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfeiffer, P.; Beckmann, C.; Stümmler, D.; Sanders, S.; Simkus, G.; Heuken, M.; Vescan, A.; Kalisch, H.

2017-12-01

The most efficient phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are comprised of complex stacks with numerous organic layers. State-of-the-art phosphorescent OLEDs make use of blocking layers to confine charge carriers and excitons. On the other hand, simplified OLEDs consisting of only three organic materials have shown unexpectedly high efficiency when first introduced. This was attributed to superior energy level matching and suppressed external quantum efficiency (EQE) roll-off. In this work, we study simplified OLED stacks, manufactured by organic vapor phase deposition, with a focus on charge balance, turn-on voltage (Von), and efficiency. To prevent electrons from leaking through the device, we implemented a compositionally graded emission layer. By grading the emitter with the hole transport material, charge confinement is enabled without additional blocking layers. Our best performing organic stack is composed of only three organic materials in two layers including the emitter Ir(ppy)3 and yields a Von of 2.5 V (>1 cd/m2) and an EQE of 13% at 3000 cd/m2 without the use of any additional light extraction techniques. Changes in the charge balance, due to barrier tuning or adjustments in the grading parameters and layer thicknesses, are clearly visible in the current density-voltage-luminance (J-V-L) measurements. As charge injection at the electrodes and organic interfaces is of great interest but difficult to investigate in complex device structures, we believe that our simplified organic stack is not only a potent alternative to complex state-of-the-art OLEDs but also a well suited test vehicle for experimental studies focusing on the modification of the electrode-organic semiconductor interface.

Nanosized amorphous calcium carbonate stabilized by poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymers.

PubMed

Guillemet, Baptiste; Faatz, Michael; Gröhn, Franziska; Wegner, Gerhard; Gnanou, Yves

2006-02-14

Particles of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), formed in situ from calcium chloride by the slow release of carbon dioxide by alkaline hydrolysis of dimethyl carbonate in water, are stabilized against coalescence in the presence of very small amounts of double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) blocks. Under optimized conditions, spherical particles of ACC with diameters less than 100 nm and narrow size distribution are obtained at a concentration of only 3 ppm of PEO-b-PAA as additive. Equivalent triblock or star DHBCs are compared to diblock copolymers. The results are interpreted assuming an interaction of the PAA blocks with the surface of the liquid droplets of the concentrated CaCO3 phase, formed by phase separation from the initially homogeneous reaction mixture. The adsorption layer of the block copolymer protects the liquid precursor of ACC from coalescence and/or coagulation.

WE-E-18A-01: Large Area Avalanche Amorphous Selenium Sensors for Low Dose X-Ray Imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scheuermann, J; Goldan, A; Zhao, W

2014-06-15

Purpose: A large area indirect flat panel imager (FPI) with avalanche gain is being developed to achieve x-ray quantum noise limited low dose imaging. It uses a thin optical sensing layer of amorphous selenium (a-Se), known as High-Gain Avalanche Rushing Photoconductor (HARP), to detect optical photons generated from a high resolution x-ray scintillator. We will report initial results in the fabrication of a solid-state HARP structure suitable for a large area FPI. Our objective is to establish the blocking layer structures and defect suppression mechanisms that provide stable and uniform avalanche gain. Methods: Samples were fabricated as follows: (1) ITOmore » signal electrode. (2) Electron blocking layer. (3) A 15 micron layer of intrinsic a-Se. (4) Transparent hole blocking layer. (5) Multiple semitransparent bias electrodes to investigate avalanche gain uniformity over a large area. The sample was exposed to 50ps optical excitation pulses through the bias electrode. Transient time of flight (TOF) and integrated charge was measured. A charge transport simulation was developed to investigate the effects of varying blocking layer charge carrier mobility on defect suppression, avalanche gain and temporal performance. Results: Avalanche gain of ∼200 was achieved experimentally with our multi-layer HARP samples. Simulations using the experimental sensor structure produced the same magnitude of gain as a function of electric field. The simulation predicted that the high dark current at a point defect can be reduced by two orders of magnitude by blocking layer optimization which can prevent irreversible damage while normal operation remained unaffected. Conclusion: We presented the first solid state HARP structure directly scalable to a large area FPI. We have shown reproducible and uniform avalanche gain of 200. By reducing mobility of the blocking layers we can suppress defects and maintain stable avalanche. Future work will optimize the blocking layers to prevent lag and ghosting.« less

Numerical Analysis of Convection/Transpiration Cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glass, David E.; Dilley, Arthur D.; Kelly, H. Neale

1999-01-01

An innovative concept utilizing the natural porosity of refractory-composite materials and hydrogen coolant to provide CONvective and TRANspiration (CONTRAN) cooling and oxidation protection has been numerically studied for surfaces exposed to a high heat flux, high temperature environment such as hypersonic vehicle engine combustor walls. A boundary layer code and a porous media finite difference code were utilized to analyze the effect of convection and transpiration cooling on surface heat flux and temperature. The boundary, layer code determined that transpiration flow is able to provide blocking of the surface heat flux only if it is above a minimum level due to heat addition from combustion of the hydrogen transpirant. The porous media analysis indicated that cooling of the surface is attained with coolant flow rates that are in the same range as those required for blocking, indicating that a coupled analysis would be beneficial.

High-efficiency non-blocking phosphorescent organic light emitting diode with ultrathin emission layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Jacky; Helander, Michael G.; Wang, Zhibin; Chang, Yi-Lu; Lu, ZhengHong

2012-09-01

Non-blocking Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Diode (NB-PHOLED) is a highly simplified device structure that has achieved record high device performance on chlorinated ITO[1], flexible substrates[2], also with Pt based phosphorescent dopants[3] and NB-PHOLED has significantly reduced efficiency roll-off[4]. The principle novel features of NB-PHOLED is the absence of blocking layer in the OLED stack, as well as the absence of organic hole injection layer, this allows for reduction of carrier accumulation in between organic layers and result in higher efficiencies.

Thermoelectric properties of FeAs based superconductors, with thick perovskite- and Sm-O fluorite-type blocking layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, S. J.; Shimoyama, J.; Ogino, H.; Kishio, K.

2015-11-01

The transport properties (electrical resistivity, Hall and Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity) of iron based superconductors with thick perovskite-type oxide blocking layers and fluorine-doped SmFeAsO were studied to explore their possible potential for thermoelectric applications. The thermal conductivity of former compounds depicts the dominated role of phonon and its value decreases rapidly below the Tc, suggesting the addition of scattering of phonons. Both the Seebeck coefficient (S) and Hall coefficient (RH) of all samples were negative in the whole temperature region below 300 K, indicating that the major contribution to the normal state conductivity is by electrons. In addition, the profile of S(T) and RH(T) of all samples have similar behaviours as would be expected for a multi-band superconductors. Although the estimated thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of these compounds was much lower than that of practically applicable thermoelectric materials, however its improvement can be expected by optimizing microstructure of the polycrystalline materials, such as densification and grain orientation.

Ectoderm exerts the driving force for gastrulation in the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis.

PubMed

Takata, H; Kominami, T

2001-06-01

How the ectodermal layer relates to the invagination processes was examined in the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis. When the turgor pressure of blastocoele was increased, invagination was completely blocked. In contrast, an increase in turgor pressure did not affect elongation of the gut rudiment in the regular echinoid Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Rhodamine-phalloidin staining showed that the distribution of actin filaments was different between two species of embryos. In S. mirabilis gastrulating embryos, abundant actin filaments were seen at the basal cortex of ectoderm in addition to archenteron cells, while the intense signal was restricted to the archenteron in H. pulcherrimus. To investigate whether actin filaments contained in the ectodermal layer exert the force of invagination, a small part of the ectodermal layer was aspirated with a micropipette. If S. mirabilis embryos were aspirated from the onset of gastrulation, invagination did not occur at all, irrespective of the suction site. Even after the archenteron had invaginated to one-half of its full length, further elongation of the archenteron was severely blocked by suction of the lateral ectoderm. In contrast, suction of the ectodermal layer did not affect the elongation processes in H. pulcherrimus. These results strongly suggest that the ectodermal layer, especially in the vegetal half, exerts the driving force of invagination in S. mirabilis.

Inverted bulk-heterojunction solar cell with cross-linked hole-blocking layer

PubMed Central

Udum, Yasemin; Denk, Patrick; Adam, Getachew; Apaydin, Dogukan H.; Nevosad, Andreas; Teichert, Christian; S. White, Matthew.; S. Sariciftci, Niyazi.; Scharber, Markus C.

2014-01-01

We have developed a hole-blocking layer for bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on cross-linked polyethylenimine (PEI). We tested five different ether-based cross-linkers and found that all of them give comparable solar cell efficiencies. The initial idea that a cross-linked layer is more solvent resistant compared to a pristine PEI layer could not be confirmed. With and without cross-linking, the PEI layer sticks very well to the surface of the indium–tin–oxide electrode and cannot be removed by solvents used to process PEI or common organic semiconductors. The cross-linked PEI hole-blocking layer functions for multiple donor–acceptor blends. We found that using cross-linkers improves the reproducibility of the device fabrication process. PMID:24817837

ZnS/Al2S3 Layer as a Blocking Layer in Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vafapoor, Borzoo; Fathi, Davood; Eskandari, Mehdi

2017-12-01

In this research, the effect of treatment of the CdS/CdSe sensitized ZnO photoanode by ZnS, Al2S3, and ZnS/Al2S3 nanoparticles as a barrier layer on the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cell is investigated. Current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics show that cell efficiency is enhanced from 3.62% to 4.82% with treatment of a CdS/CdSe/ZnS sensitized ZnO photoanode by Al2S3 nanoparticles. In addition, short- circuit current density (J sc) is increased from 11.5 mA/cm2 to 14.8 mA/cm2. The results extracted from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that charge transfer resistance (R ct) in photoanode/electrolyte interfaces decreases with deposition of Al2S3 nanoparticles on CdS/CdSe/ZnS sensitized ZnO photoanodes, while the chemical capacitance of photoanode (C μ ) and electron lifetime (t n) increase. Also, results revealed that cell performance is considerably decreased with the treatment of the AL2S3 blocking layer incorporated between ZnO nanorods and CdS/CdSe QDs.

ZnS/Al2S3 Layer as a Blocking Layer in Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vafapoor, Borzoo; Fathi, Davood; Eskandari, Mehdi

2018-03-01

In this research, the effect of treatment of the CdS/CdSe sensitized ZnO photoanode by ZnS, Al2S3, and ZnS/Al2S3 nanoparticles as a barrier layer on the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cell is investigated. Current density-voltage ( J- V) characteristics show that cell efficiency is enhanced from 3.62% to 4.82% with treatment of a CdS/CdSe/ZnS sensitized ZnO photoanode by Al2S3 nanoparticles. In addition, short- circuit current density ( J sc) is increased from 11.5 mA/cm2 to 14.8 mA/cm2. The results extracted from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that charge transfer resistance ( R ct) in photoanode/electrolyte interfaces decreases with deposition of Al2S3 nanoparticles on CdS/CdSe/ZnS sensitized ZnO photoanodes, while the chemical capacitance of photoanode ( C μ ) and electron lifetime ( t n) increase. Also, results revealed that cell performance is considerably decreased with the treatment of the AL2S3 blocking layer incorporated between ZnO nanorods and CdS/CdSe QDs.

Quasi-Steady Evolution of Hillslopes in Layered Landscapes: An Analytic Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glade, R. C.; Anderson, R. S.

2018-01-01

Landscapes developed in layered sedimentary or igneous rocks are common on Earth, as well as on other planets. Features such as hogbacks, exposed dikes, escarpments, and mesas exhibit resistant rock layers adjoining more erodible rock in tilted, vertical, or horizontal orientations. Hillslopes developed in the erodible rock are typically characterized by steep, linear-to-concave slopes or "ramps" mantled with material derived from the resistant layers, often in the form of large blocks. Previous work on hogbacks has shown that feedbacks between weathering and transport of the blocks and underlying soft rock can create relief over time and lead to the development of concave-up slope profiles in the absence of rilling processes. Here we employ an analytic approach, informed by numerical modeling and field data, to describe the quasi-steady state behavior of such rocky hillslopes for the full spectrum of resistant layer dip angles. We begin with a simple geometric analysis that relates structural dip to erosion rates. We then explore the mechanisms by which our numerical model of hogback evolution self-organizes to meet these geometric expectations, including adjustment of soil depth, erosion rates, and block velocities along the ramp. Analytical solutions relate easily measurable field quantities such as ramp length, slope, block size, and resistant layer dip angle to local incision rate, block velocity, and block weathering rate. These equations provide a framework for exploring the evolution of layered landscapes and pinpoint the processes for which we require a more thorough understanding to predict their evolution over time.

Topographic, optical and chemical properties of zinc particle coatings deposited by means of atmospheric pressure plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallenhorst, L. M.; Loewenthal, L.; Avramidis, G.; Gerhard, C.; Militz, H.; Ohms, G.; Viöl, W.

2017-07-01

In this research, topographic, optical and chemical properties of zinc oxide layers deposited by a cold plasma-spray process were measured. Here, zinc micro particles were fed to the afterglow of a plasma spark discharge whereas the substrates were placed in a quite cold zone of the effluent plasma jet. In this vein, almost closed layers were realised on different samples. As ascertained by laser scanning and atomic force microscopic measurements the particle size of the basic layer is in the nanometre scale. Additionally, larger particles and agglomerates were found on its top. The results indicate a partial plasma-induced diminishment of the initial particles, most probably due to melting or vaporisation. It is further shown that the plasma gives rise to an increased oxidation of such particles as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis of the resulting mixed layer was performed. It is shown that the deposited layers consist of zinc oxide and elemental zinc in approximately equal shares. In addition, the layer's band gap energy was determined by spectroscopic analysis. Here, considerable UV blocking properties of the deposited layers were observed. Possible underlying effects as well as potential applications are presented.

Extrinsic germanium Blocked Impurity Bank (BIB) detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krabach, Timothy N.; Huffman, James E.; Watson, Dan M.

1989-01-01

Ge:Ga blocked-impurity-band (BIB) detectors with long wavelength thresholds greater than 190 microns and peak quantum efficiencies of 4 percent, at an operating temperature of 1.8 K, have been fabricated. These proof of concept devices consist of a high purity germanium blocking layer epitaxially grown on a Ga-doped Ge substrate. This demonstration of BIB behavior in germanium enables the development of far infrared detector arrays similar to the current silicon-based devices. Present efforts are focussed on improving the chemical vapor deposition process used to create the blocking layer and on the lithographic processing required to produce monolithic detector arrays in germanium. Approaches to test the impurity levels in both the blocking and active layers are considered.

Molten metal holder furnace and casting system incorporating the molten metal holder furnace

DOEpatents

Kinosz, Michael J.; Meyer, Thomas N.

2003-02-11

A bottom heated holder furnace (12) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (30) having sidewalls (32) and a bottom wall (34) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (36). A furnace insulating layer (42) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (36). A thermally conductive heat exchanger block (54) is located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber (36) for heating the supply of molten metal. The heat exchanger block (54) includes a bottom face (65), side faces (66), and a top face (67). The heat exchanger block (54) includes a plurality of electrical heaters (70) extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block (54), and further extending through the furnace insulating layer (42) and one of the sidewalls (32) of the storage vessel (30) for connection to a source of electrical power. A sealing layer (50) covers the bottom face (65) and side faces (66) of the heat exchanger block (54) such that the heat exchanger block (54) is substantially separated from contact with the furnace insulating layer (42).

Highly reliable top-gated thin-film transistor memory with semiconducting, tunneling, charge-trapping, and blocking layers all of flexible polymers.

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Hwang, Sun Kak; Kim, Kang Lib; Lee, Ju Han; Cho, Suk Man; Park, Cheolmin

2015-05-27

The core components of a floating-gate organic thin-film transistor nonvolatile memory (OTFT-NVM) include the semiconducting channel layer, tunneling layer, floating-gate layer, and blocking layer, besides three terminal electrodes. In this study, we demonstrated OTFT-NVMs with all four constituent layers made of polymers based on consecutive spin-coating. Ambipolar charges injected and trapped in a polymer electret charge-controlling layer upon gate program and erase field successfully allowed for reliable bistable channel current levels at zero gate voltage. We have observed that the memory performance, in particular the reliability of a device, significantly depends upon the thickness of both blocking and tunneling layers, and with an optimized layer thickness and materials selection, our device exhibits a memory window of 15.4 V, on/off current ratio of 2 × 10(4), read and write endurance cycles over 100, and time-dependent data retention of 10(8) s, even when fabricated on a mechanically flexible plastic substrate.

Organimetallic Fluorescent Complex Polymers For Light Emitting Applications

DOEpatents

Shi, Song Q.; So, Franky

1997-10-28

A fluorescent complex polymer with fluorescent organometallic complexes connected by organic chain spacers is utilized in the fabrication of light emitting devices on a substantially transparent planar substrate by depositing a first conductive layer having p-type conductivity on the planar surface of the substrate, depositing a layer of a hole transporting and electron blocking material on the first conductive layer, depositing a layer of the fluorescent complex polymer on the layer of hole transporting and electron blocking material as an electron transporting emissive layer and depositing a second conductive layer having n-type conductivity on the layer of fluorescent complex polymer.

Effective algorithm for routing integral structures with twolayer switching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazarov, A. V.; Shakhnov, V. A.; Vlasov, A. I.; Novikov, A. N.

2018-05-01

The paper presents an algorithm for routing switching objects such as large-scale integrated circuits (LSICs) with two layers of metallization, embossed printed circuit boards, microboards with pairs of wiring layers on each side, and other similar constructs. The algorithm allows eliminating the effect of mutual blocking of routes in the classical wave algorithm by implementing a special circuit of digital wave motion in two layers of metallization, allowing direct intersections of all circuit conductors in a combined layer. However, information about the belonging of the topology elements to the circuits is sufficient for layering and minimizing the number of contact holes. In addition, the paper presents a specific example which shows that, in contrast to the known routing algorithms using a wave model, just one byte of memory per discrete of the work field is sufficient to implement the proposed algorithm.

Comparative study of CAVET with dielectric and p-GaN gate and Mg ion-implanted current blocking layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandal, Saptarshi; Agarwal, Anchal; Ahmadi, Elaheh; Mahadeva Bhat, K.; Laurent, Matthew A.; Keller, Stacia; Chowdhury, Srabanti

2017-08-01

In this work, a study of two different types of current aperture vertical electron transistor (CAVET) with ion-implanted blocking layer are presented. The device fabrication and performance limitation of a CAVET with a dielectric gate is discussed, and the breakdown limiting structure is evaluated using on-wafer test structures. The gate dielectric limited the device breakdown to 50V, while the blocking layer was able to withstand over 400V. To improve the device performance, an alternative CAVET structure with a p-GaN gate instead of dielectric is designed and realized. The pGaN gated CAVET structure increased the breakdown voltage to over 400V. Measurement of test structures on the wafer showed the breakdown was limited by the blocking layer instead of the gate p-n junction.

Efficiency of solution-processed multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes using charge blocking layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasparek, Christian; Rörich, Irina; Blom, Paul W. M.; Wetzelaer, Gert-Jan A. H.

2018-01-01

By blending semiconducting polymers with the cross-linkable matrix ethoxylated-(4)-bisphenol-a-dimethacrylate (SR540), an insoluble layer is acquired after UV-illumination. Following this approach, a trilayer polymer light-emitting diode (PLED) consisting of a blend of poly[N,N'-bis(4-butylphenyl)-N,N'-bis(phenyl)-benzidine] (poly-TPD) and SR540 as an electron-blocking layer, Super Yellow-Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (SY-PPV) blended with SR540 as an emissive layer, and poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) as a hole-blocking layer is fabricated from solution. The trilayer PLED shows a 23% increase in efficiency at low voltage as compared to a single layer SY-PPV PLED. However, at higher voltage, the advantage in current efficiency gradually decreases. A combined experimental and modelling study shows that the increased efficiency is not only due to the elimination of exciton quenching at the electrodes but also due to suppressed nonradiative trap-assisted recombination due to carrier confinement. At high voltages, holes can overcome the hole-blocking barrier, which explains the efficiency roll-off.

Chaotic Mountain Blocks in Pluto’s Sputnik Planitia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singer, Kelsi N.; Knight, Katherine I.; Stern, S. Alan; Olkin, Catherine; Grundy, William M.; McKinnon, William B.; Moore, Jeffrey M.; Schenk, Paul M.; Spencer, John R.; Weaver, Harold A.; Young, Leslie; Ennico, Kimberly; New Horizons Geology, Geophysics and Imaging Science Theme Team, The New Horizons Surface Composition Science Theme Team

2017-10-01

One of the first high-resolution Pluto images returned by New Horizons displayed a collection of tall, jagged peaks rising out of the large nitrogen ice sheet informally known as Sputnik Planitia (SP). This mountain range was later revealed to be one of several along the western edge of SP. The mountains are several hundred broken-up blocks of Pluto’s primarily water ice lithosphere and some retain surface terrains similar to the nearby intact crust surrounding SP. Water ice with some fractures or porosity is likely >5% less dense than solid N2 ice at Pluto’s temperatures. Thus it is possible the blocks are, or were, floating icebergs or at least partially suspended to the point that some blocks appear to be tilted as if they have faltered (Moore et al., 2016, Science, 351, 1284-1293).We analyze four mountain ranges on the western edge of SP and compare to chaotic terrains on Europa and Mars. The blocks on Pluto have angular planforms but we characterize their size using block surface area converted to an equivalent circular diameter. Topography was used to define block extents. The blocks range in size from 3-30 km in diameter, with a mode of ~8-10 km. Blocks range from 0.2-3.8 km in height, and block height generally increases with block diameter. One or more dark layers can be identified in a few scarp faces, and are at a similar depth to each other and to layers seen in fault and crater walls elsewhere on Pluto. A large N-S trending fault system runs tangential to SP and may be the source of crustal disruption on the western side.On Europa and Mars block sizes vary greatly between different chaos regions, but Conamara Chaos has an average block size of ~5 km in diameter, smaller than that typically seen on Pluto. Also the blocks often transition into fractured terrain still connected to the surround lithosphere at the periphery of the chaos regions. The source regions for the blocks are more obvious on Europa and Mars. Additionally the block heights on Europa and Mars generally do not increase with block size. Thus, the main mechanism of crustal breakup is likely different between these bodies.

Abrupt GaN/p-GaN:Mg junctions grown via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, Anchal; Gupta, Chirag; Alhassan, Abdullah; Mates, Tom; Keller, Stacia; Mishra, Umesh

2017-11-01

An improvement in the suppression of surface riding of magnesium from p-GaN:Mg into subsequent layers was achieved via low temperature flow modulation epitaxy. In particular, the slope of the Mg concentration drop was reduced to 5 nm/dec for a growth temperature of 620 °C — the lowest value ever reported for metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The electrical quality of the top layer was verified by creating a two-dimensional electron gas on top of the buried p-GaN layer, which exhibited a mobility of 1300 cm2 V-1 s-1. In addition, layers grown using flow modulation epitaxy were shown to block the propagation of Mg more efficiently than samples in which an ex situ wet etch was used.

A new method for fabrication of diamond-dust blocking filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collard, H. R.; Hogan, R. C.

1986-01-01

Thermal embedding of diamond dust onto a polyethylene-coated Al plate has been used to make a blocking filter for FIR applications. The Al plate is sandwiched between two Mylar 'blankets' and the air between the layers is removed by means of a small vacuum pump. After the polyethylene is heated and softened, the diamond dust is applied to the polyethylene coating using a brush. The optimum diamond dust grain sizes corresponding to polyethylene layer thicknesses of 9-12 microns are given in a table, and the application of the blocking filter to spectrometric measurements in the FIR is described. An exploded view diagram of the layered structure of the blocking filter is provided.

Effect of pH on the structure and drug release profiles of layer-by-layer assembled films containing polyelectrolyte, micelles, and graphene oxide.

PubMed

Han, Uiyoung; Seo, Younghye; Hong, Jinkee

2016-04-07

Layer by layer (lbl) assembled multilayer thin films are used in drug delivery systems with attractive advantages such as unlimited selection of building blocks and free modification of the film structure. In this paper, we report the fundamental properties of lbl films constructed from different substances such as PS-b-PAA amphiphilic block copolymer micelles (BCM) as nano-sized drug vehicles, 2D-shaped graphene oxide (GO), and branched polyethylenimine (bPEI). These films were fabricated by successive lbl assembly as a result of electrostatic interactions between the carboxyl group of BCM and amine group of functionalized GO or bPEI under various pH conditions. We also compared the thickness, roughness, morphology and degree of adsorption of the (bPEI/BCM) films to those in the (GO/BCM) films. The results showed significant difference because of the distinct pH dependence of each material. In addition, drug release rates of the GO/BCM film were more rapid those of the (bPEI/BCM) film in pH 7.4 and pH 2 PBS buffer solutions. In (bPEI/BCM/GO/BCM) film, the inserted GO layers into bPEI/BCM multilayer induced rapid drug release. We believe that these materials &pH dependent film properties allow developments in the control of coating techniques for biological and biomedical applications.

Steady evolution of hillslopes in layered landscapes: self-organization of a numerical hogback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glade, R.; Anderson, R. S.

2017-12-01

Landscapes developed in layered sedimentary or igneous rocks are common across Earth, as well as on other planets. Features such as hogbacks, exposed dikes, escarpments and mesas exhibit resistant rock layers in tilted, vertical, or horizontal orientation­s adjoining more erodible rock. Hillslopes developed in the erodible rock are typically characterized by steep, linear-to-concave slopes or "ramps" mantled with material derived from the resistant layers, often in the form of large blocks. Our previous work on hogbacks has shown that feedbacks between weathering and transport of the blocks and underlying soft rock are fundamental to their formation; our numerical model incorporating these feedbacks explain the development of commonly observed concave-up slope profiles in the absence of rilling processes. Here we employ an analytic approach to describe the steady behavior of our model, in which hillslope form and erosion rates remain constant in the reference frame of the retreating feature. We first revisit a simple geometric analysis that relates structural dip to erosion rates. We then explore the mechanisms by which our numerical model of hogback evolution self-organizes to meet these geometric expectations. Autogenic adjustment of soil depth, slope and erosion rates enables efficient transport of resistant blocks; this allows erosion of the resistant layer to keep up with base level fall rate, leading to steady evolution of the feature. Analytic solutions relate easily measurable field quantities such as ramp length, slope, block size and resistant layer dip angle to local incision rate, block velocity, and block weathering rate. These equations provide a framework for exploring the evolution of layered landscapes, and pinpoint the processes for which we require a more thorough understanding to predict the evolution of such signature landscapes over time.

Efficient Performance of Electrostatic Spray-Deposited TiO2 Blocking Layers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells after Swift Heavy Ion Beam Irradiation.

PubMed

Sudhagar, P; Asokan, K; Jung, June Hyuk; Lee, Yong-Gun; Park, Suil; Kang, Yong Soo

2011-12-01

A compact TiO2 layer (~1.1 μm) prepared by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) and swift heavy ion beam (SHI) irradiation using oxygen ions onto a fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) conducting substrate showed enhancement of photovoltaic performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The short circuit current density (Jsc = 12.2 mA cm(-2)) of DSSCs was found to increase significantly when an ESD technique was applied for fabrication of the TiO2 blocking layer, compared to a conventional spin-coated layer (Jsc = 8.9 mA cm(-2)). When SHI irradiation of oxygen ions of fluence 1 × 10(13) ions/cm(2) was carried out on the ESD TiO2, it was found that the energy conversion efficiency improved mainly due to the increase in open circuit voltage of DSSCs. This increased energy conversion efficiency seems to be associated with improved electronic energy transfer by increasing the densification of the blocking layer and improving the adhesion between the blocking layer and the FTO substrate. The adhesion results from instantaneous local melting of the TiO2 particles. An increase in the electron transport from the blocking layer may also retard the electron recombination process due to the oxidized species present in the electrolyte. These findings from novel treatments using ESD and SHI irradiation techniques may provide a new tool to improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs.

Efficient Performance of Electrostatic Spray-Deposited TiO2 Blocking Layers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells after Swift Heavy Ion Beam Irradiation

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

A compact TiO2 layer (~1.1 μm) prepared by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) and swift heavy ion beam (SHI) irradiation using oxygen ions onto a fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) conducting substrate showed enhancement of photovoltaic performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The short circuit current density (Jsc = 12.2 mA cm-2) of DSSCs was found to increase significantly when an ESD technique was applied for fabrication of the TiO2 blocking layer, compared to a conventional spin-coated layer (Jsc = 8.9 mA cm-2). When SHI irradiation of oxygen ions of fluence 1 × 1013 ions/cm2 was carried out on the ESD TiO2, it was found that the energy conversion efficiency improved mainly due to the increase in open circuit voltage of DSSCs. This increased energy conversion efficiency seems to be associated with improved electronic energy transfer by increasing the densification of the blocking layer and improving the adhesion between the blocking layer and the FTO substrate. The adhesion results from instantaneous local melting of the TiO2 particles. An increase in the electron transport from the blocking layer may also retard the electron recombination process due to the oxidized species present in the electrolyte. These findings from novel treatments using ESD and SHI irradiation techniques may provide a new tool to improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. PMID:27502653

Tunable PhoXonic Band Gap Materials from Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers and Colloidal Nanocrystals (NBIT Phase II)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-12

their application in sensors and as displays. We found that the thermochromic behavior of a lamellar block copolymer poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine...the solution pH. The findings of this work provide the basis for understanding and controlling the properties of thermochromic block copolymers...by the glassy PS layers . The glassy layers completely constrain the lateral expansion of the P2VP gel block and the dislocation defect network that

Activity-dependent regulation of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity in the developing visual cortex.

PubMed

Catalano, S M; Chang, C K; Shatz, C J

1997-11-01

NMDA receptors have been implicated in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the developing visual cortex. We examined the distribution of immunocytochemically detectable NMDAR1 in visual cortex of cats and ferrets from late embryonic ages to adulthood. Cortical neurons are initially highly immunostained. This level declines gradually over development, with the notable exception of cortical layers 2/3, where levels of NMDAR1 immunostaining remain high into adulthood. Within layer 4, the decline in NMDAR1 immunostaining to adult levels coincides with the completion of ocular dominance column formation and the end of the critical period for layer 4. To determine whether NMDAR1 immunoreactivity is regulated by retinal activity, animals were dark-reared or retinal activity was completely blocked in one eye with tetrodotoxin (TTX). Dark-rearing does not cause detectable changes in NMDAR1 immunoreactivity. However, 2 weeks of monocular TTX administration decreases NMDAR1 immunoreactivity in layer 4 of the columns of the blocked eye. Thus, high levels of NMDAR1 immunostaining within the visual cortex are temporally correlated with ocular dominance column formation and developmental plasticity; the persistence of staining in layers 2/3 also correlates with the physiological plasticity present in these layers in the adult. In addition, visual experience is not required for the developmental changes in the laminar pattern of NMDAR1 levels, but the presence of high levels of NMDAR1 in layer 4 during the critical period does require retinal activity. These observations are consistent with a central role for NMDA receptors in promoting and ultimately limiting synaptic rearrangements in the developing neocortex.

The effect of implant design and bone quality on insertion torque, resonance frequency analysis, and insertion energy during implant placement in low or low- to medium-density bone.

PubMed

Wang, Tong-Mei; Lee, Ming-Shu; Wang, Juo-Song; Lin, Li-Deh

2015-01-01

This study investigated the effect of implant design and bone quality on insertion torque (IT), implant stability quotient (ISQ), and insertion energy (IE) by monitoring the continuous change in IT and ISQ while implants were inserted in artificial bone blocks that simulate bone of poor or poor-to-medium quality. Polyurethane foam blocks (Sawbones) of 0.16 g/cm³ and 0.32 g/cm³ were respectively used to simulate low density and low- to medium-density cancellous bone. In addition, some test blocks were laminated with a 1-mm 0.80 g/cm³ polyurethane layer to simulate cancellous bone with a thin cortical layer. Four different implants (Nobel Biocare Mk III-3.75, Mk III-4.0, Mk IV-4.0, and NobelActive-4.3) were placed into the different test blocks in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The IT and ISQ were recorded at every 0.5-mm of inserted length during implant insertion, and IE was calculated from the torque curve. The peak IT (PIT), final IT (FIT), IE, and final ISQ values were statistically analyzed. All implants showed increasing ISQ values when the implant was inserted more deeply. In contrast to the ISQ, implants with different designs showed dissimilar IT curve patterns during the insertion. All implants showed a significant increase in the PIT, FIT, IE, and ISQ when the test-block density increased or when the 1-mm laminated layer was present. Tapered implants showed FIT or PIT values of more than 40 Ncm for all of the laminated test blocks and for the nonlaminated test blocks of low to medium density. Parallel-wall implants did not exhibit PIT or FIT values of more than 40 Ncm for all of the test blocks. NobelActive-4.3 showed a significantly higher FIT, but a significantly lower IE, than Mk IV-4.0. While the existence of cortical bone or implant designs significantly affects the dynamic IT profiles during implant insertion, it does not affect the ISQ to a similar extent. Certain implant designs are more suitable than others if high IT is required in bone of poor quality. The manner in which IT, IE, and ISQ represent the implant primary stability requires further study.

Layer-by-layer assembly of two-dimensional materials into wafer-scale heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Kibum; Lee, Kan-Heng; Han, Yimo; Gao, Hui; Xie, Saien; Muller, David A.; Park, Jiwoong

2017-10-01

High-performance semiconductor films with vertical compositions that are designed to atomic-scale precision provide the foundation for modern integrated circuitry and novel materials discovery. One approach to realizing such films is sequential layer-by-layer assembly, whereby atomically thin two-dimensional building blocks are vertically stacked, and held together by van der Waals interactions. With this approach, graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides--which represent one- and three-atom-thick two-dimensional building blocks, respectively--have been used to realize previously inaccessible heterostructures with interesting physical properties. However, no large-scale assembly method exists at present that maintains the intrinsic properties of these two-dimensional building blocks while producing pristine interlayer interfaces, thus limiting the layer-by-layer assembly method to small-scale proof-of-concept demonstrations. Here we report the generation of wafer-scale semiconductor films with a very high level of spatial uniformity and pristine interfaces. The vertical composition and properties of these films are designed at the atomic scale using layer-by-layer assembly of two-dimensional building blocks under vacuum. We fabricate several large-scale, high-quality heterostructure films and devices, including superlattice films with vertical compositions designed layer-by-layer, batch-fabricated tunnel device arrays with resistances that can be tuned over four orders of magnitude, band-engineered heterostructure tunnel diodes, and millimetre-scale ultrathin membranes and windows. The stacked films are detachable, suspendable and compatible with water or plastic surfaces, which will enable their integration with advanced optical and mechanical systems.

Layer-by-layer assembly of two-dimensional materials into wafer-scale heterostructures.

PubMed

Kang, Kibum; Lee, Kan-Heng; Han, Yimo; Gao, Hui; Xie, Saien; Muller, David A; Park, Jiwoong

2017-10-12

High-performance semiconductor films with vertical compositions that are designed to atomic-scale precision provide the foundation for modern integrated circuitry and novel materials discovery. One approach to realizing such films is sequential layer-by-layer assembly, whereby atomically thin two-dimensional building blocks are vertically stacked, and held together by van der Waals interactions. With this approach, graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides-which represent one- and three-atom-thick two-dimensional building blocks, respectively-have been used to realize previously inaccessible heterostructures with interesting physical properties. However, no large-scale assembly method exists at present that maintains the intrinsic properties of these two-dimensional building blocks while producing pristine interlayer interfaces, thus limiting the layer-by-layer assembly method to small-scale proof-of-concept demonstrations. Here we report the generation of wafer-scale semiconductor films with a very high level of spatial uniformity and pristine interfaces. The vertical composition and properties of these films are designed at the atomic scale using layer-by-layer assembly of two-dimensional building blocks under vacuum. We fabricate several large-scale, high-quality heterostructure films and devices, including superlattice films with vertical compositions designed layer-by-layer, batch-fabricated tunnel device arrays with resistances that can be tuned over four orders of magnitude, band-engineered heterostructure tunnel diodes, and millimetre-scale ultrathin membranes and windows. The stacked films are detachable, suspendable and compatible with water or plastic surfaces, which will enable their integration with advanced optical and mechanical systems.

Generic approach for synthesizing asymmetric nanoparticles and nanoassemblies

DOEpatents

Sun, Yugang; Hu, Yongxing

2015-05-26

A generic route for synthesis of asymmetric nanostructures. This approach utilizes submicron magnetic particles (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4--SiO.sub.2) as recyclable solid substrates for the assembly of asymmetric nanostructures and purification of the final product. Importantly, an additional SiO.sub.2 layer is employed as a mediation layer to allow for selective modification of target nanoparticles. The partially patched nanoparticles are used as building blocks for different kinds of complex asymmetric nanostructures that cannot be fabricated by conventional approaches. The potential applications such as ultra-sensitive substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have been included.

A method of the up or down layer development of class II oil reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fulin; Zhao, Yunfei; Fang, Yanjun; Yang, Tao; Gui, Dongxu; Wang, Gang; Feng, Chengcheng

2018-06-01

During the 13th five-year period, class II reservoirs of DaQing Oilfield first layer series development will be fully completed, secondary up or down layer development is facing new well drilling or the use of old we ll pattern network method chosen, need to determine development mode of oil block. In this paper, the system economy model is established, the up and down oil layer of the block is considered as one system, and through the comparison of the two models that new well drilling or the use of old well pattern, we can determine the development mode of the block. And take b1ddd block as an example, determine the block need to use what method to develop in different oil prices. Result show when the oil price is 40/bbl, using exiting well to production, when oil price is 70/bbl., using new drilling development model. The method to fill the theory and methodology on selection about reservoir development mode, can provide technical support for DaQing Oilfield the 14th five-year planning and long-term planning.

Application of poly (p-phenylene oxide) as blocking layer to reduce self-discharge in supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tevi, Tete; Yaghoubi, Houman; Wang, Jing; Takshi, Arash

2013-11-01

Supercapacitors are electrochemical energy storage devices with high power density. However, application of supercapacitors is limited mainly due to their high leakage current. In this work, application of an ultra-thin layer of electrodeposited poly (p-phenylene oxide) (PPO) has been investigated as a blocking layer to reduce the leakage current. The polymer was first deposited on a glassy carbon electrode. The morphology of the film was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the film thickness was estimated to be ˜1.5 nm by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The same deposition method was applied to coat the surface of the activated carbon electrodes of a supercapacitor with PPO. The specific capacitance, the leakage current, and the series resistance were measured in two devices with and without the blocking layer. The results demonstrate that the application of the PPO layer reduced the leakage current by ˜78%. However, the specific capacitance was decreased by ˜56%, when the blocking layer was applied. Due to the lower rate of self-discharge, the suggested approach can be applied to fabricate devices with longer charge storage time.

4P-NPD ultra-thin films as efficient exciton blocking layers in DBP/C70 based organic solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, Bhushan R.; Liu, Yiming; Qamar, Talha; Rubahn, Horst-Günter; Madsen, Morten

2017-09-01

Exciton blocking effects from ultra-thin layers of N,N‧-di-1-naphthalenyl-N,N‧-diphenyl [1,1‧:4‧,1″:4″,1‴-quaterphenyl]-4,4‴-diamine (4P-NPD) were investigated in small molecule-based inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) using tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene as the electron donor material and fullerene (C70) as the electron acceptor material. The short-circuit current density (J SC) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the optimized OSCs with 0.7 nm thick 4P-NPD were approximately 16% and 24% higher, respectively, compared to reference devices without exciton blocking layers (EBLs). Drift diffusion-based device modeling was conducted to model the full current density-voltage (JV) characteristics and external quantum efficiency spectrum of the OSCs, and photoluminescence measurements were conducted to investigate the exciton blocking effects with increasing thicknesses of the 4P-NPD layer. Importantly, coupled optical and electrical modeling studies of the device behaviors and exciton generation rates and densities in the active layer for different 4P-NPD layer thicknesses were conducted, in order to gain a complete understanding of the observed increase in PCE for 4P-NPD layer thicknesses up to 1 nm, and the observed decrease in PCE for layer thicknesses beyond 1 nm. This work demonstrates a route for guiding the integration of EBLs in OSC devices.

Energetics and crystal chemistry of Ruddlesden-Popper type structures in high T(sub c) ceramic superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dwivedi, Anurag; Cormack, A. N.

1990-01-01

The formation of Ruddlesden-Popper type layers (alternating slabs of rocksalt and perovskite structures) is seen in these oxides which is similar in many respects to what is seen in the system Sr-Ti-O. However, it was observed that there are some significant differences, for example the rocksalt and perovskite blocks in new superconducting compounds are not necessarily electrically, unlike in Sr-Ti-O systems. This will certainly render an additional coulombic bonding energy between two different types of blocks and may well lead to significant differences in their structural chemistry. In the higher order members of the various homologous series, additional Cu-O planes are inserted in the perovskite blocks. In order for the unit cell to electrically neutral the net positive charge on rocksalt block (which remains constant throughout the homologous series) should be balanced by an equal negative charge on perovskite block. It, thus becomes necessary to create oxygen vacancies in the basic perovskite structure, when width of the perovskite slab changes on addition of extra Cu-O planes. Results of atomistic simulations suggest that these missing oxygen ions allow the Cu-O planes to buckle in these compounds. This is also supported by the absence of buckling in the first member of Bi-containing compounds in which there are no missing oxygen ions and the Sr-Ti-O series of compounds. Additional results are presented on the phase stability of polytypoid structures in these crystal chemically complex systems. The studies will focus on the determination of the location of Cu(3+) in the structures of higher order members of the La-Cu-O system and whether Cu(3+) ions or oxygen vacancies are energetically more favorable charge compensating mechanism.

A High-Lift Building Block Flow: Turbulent Boundary Layer Relaminarization A Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bourassa, Corey; Thomas, Flint O.; Nelson, Robert C.

2000-01-01

Experimental evidence exists which suggests turbulent boundary layer relaminarization may play an important role in the inverse Reynolds number effect in high-lift systems. An experimental investigation of turbulent boundary layer relaminarization has been undertaken at the University of Notre Dame's Hessert Center for Aerospace Research in cooperation with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. A wind tunnel facility has been constructed at the Hessert Center and relaminarization achieved. Preliminary evidence suggests the current predictive tools available are inadequate at determining the onset of relaminarization. In addition, an in-flight relaminarization experiment for the NASA Dryden FTF-II has been designed to explore relaminarization at Mach and Reynolds numbers more typical of commercial high-lift systems.

Middle Stone Age stratigraphy and excavations at Die Kelders Cave 1 (Western Cape Province, South Africa): the 1992, 1993, and 1995 field seasons.

PubMed

Marean, C W; Goldberg, P; Avery, G; Grine, F E; Klein, R G

2000-01-01

Die Kelders Cave 1, first excavated under the direction of Franz Schweitzer in 1969-1973, was re-excavated between 1992 and 1995 by a combined team from the South African Museum, SUNY at Stony Brook, and Stanford University. These renewed excavations enlarged the artefactual and faunal samples from the inadequately sampled and less intensively excavated lower Middle Stone Age (MSA) layers, increased our understanding of the complex site formation processes within the cave, enlarged the hominid sample from the MSA deposits, and generated ESR, TL, and OSL dates for the MSA layers. Importantly, these new excavations dramatically improved our comprehension of the vertical and lateral characteristics of the MSA stratigraphy. Surface plotting of the MSA layers has led to the identification of at least two major zones of subsidence that significantly warped the layers, draping some along the eroding surface contours of major blocks of fallen limestone roof rock. A third zone of subsidence is probably present in the older excavations. Dramatic roof falls of very large limestone blocks occurred at least twice-once in the middle of Layer 4/5 where the roof blocks were only slightly weathered after collapse, and at the top of Layer 6 where the blocks weathered heavily after collapse, producing a zone of decomposed rock around the blocks. Many of the sandy strata are cut by small and localized faults and slippages. All of the strata documented by Schweitzer's excavations are present throughout the exposed area to the west of his excavated area, where many of them thicken and become more complex. Layer 6, the thickest MSA layer, becomes less diagenetically altered and compressed to the west. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Neutronic reactor construction

DOEpatents

Huston, Norman E.

1976-07-06

1. A neutronic reactor comprising a moderator including horizontal layers formed of horizontal rows of graphite blocks, alternate layers of blocks having the rows extending in one direction, the remaining alternate layers having the rows extending transversely to the said one direction, alternate rows of blocks in one set of alternate layers having longitudinal ducts, the moderator further including slotted graphite tubes positioned in the ducts, the reactor further comprising an aluminum coolant tube positioned within the slotted tube in spaced relation thereto, bodies of thermal-neutron-fissionable material, and jackets enclosing the bodies and being formed of a corrosion-resistant material having a low neutron-capture cross section, the bodies and jackets being positioned within the coolant tube so that the jackets are spaced from the coolant tube.

Improvement of a block co-polymer (PS-b-PDMS) template etch profile using amorphous carbon layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, JiSoo; Oh, Jong Sik; Sung, DaIn; Yim, SoonMin; Song, SeungWon; Yeom, GeunYoung

2017-03-01

Block copolymers (BCPs) are consisted of at least two types of monomers which have covalent bonding. One of the widely investigated BCPs is polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS), which is used as an alternative patterning method for various deep nanoscale devices due to its high Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ), such as optical devices and transistors, replacing conventional photolithography. As an alternate or supplementary nextgeneration lithography technology to extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), BCP lithography utilizing the DSA of BCP has been actively studied. However, the nanoscale BCP mask material is easily damaged by the plasma and has a very low etch selectivity over bottom semiconductor materials, because it is composed of polymeric materials even though it contains Si in PDMS. In this study, an amorphous carbon layer (ACL) was inserted as a hardmask material between BCP and materials to be patterned, and, by using O2 plasmas, the characteristics of dry etching of ACL for high aspect ratio (HAR) using a 10 nm PDMS pattern were investigated. The results showed that, by using a PS-b-PDMS pattern with an aspect ratio of 0.3 0.9:1, a HAR PDMS/ACL double layer mask with an aspect ratio of 10:1 could be fabricated. In addition, by the optimization of the plasma etch process, ACL masks with excellent sidewall roughness (SWR,1.35 nm) and sidewall angle (SWA, 87.9˚) could be fabricated.

Photovoltaic performance of block copolymer devices is independent of the crystalline texture in the active layer

DOE PAGES

Guo, Changhe; Lee, Youngmin; Lin, Yen -Hao; ...

2016-06-15

The electronic properties of organic semiconductors are strongly influenced by intermolecular packing. When cast as thin films, crystalline π-conjugated molecules are strongly textured, potentially leading to anisotropic charge transport. Consequently, it is hypothesized that the orientation of crystallites in the active layer plays an important role in charge extraction and organic photovoltaic device performance. Here we demonstrate orientation control of molecular packing from mostly face-on to edge-on configurations in the active layer of P3HT- b-PFTBT block copolymer photovoltaics using 1-chloronaphthalene as a solvent additive. The effect of molecular orientations in P3HT crystals on charge transport and solar cell performance ismore » examined. We find that optimized photovoltaic device performance is independent of the crystalline texture of P3HT. Our observations provide further insights into the molecular organization required for efficient charge transport and overall device efficiencies. That is, the dominant crystal orientation, whether face-on or edge-on, is not critical to organic solar cells. Furthermore, a broad distribution of crystallite orientations ensures pathways for charge transport in any direction and enables efficient charge extraction in photovoltaic devices.« less

Lateral interactions and non-equilibrium in surface kinetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menzel, Dietrich

2016-08-01

Work modelling reactions between surface species frequently use Langmuir kinetics, assuming that the layer is in internal equilibrium, and that the chemical potential of adsorbates corresponds to that of an ideal gas. Coverage dependences of reacting species and of site blocking are usually treated with simple power law coverage dependences (linear in the simplest case), neglecting that lateral interactions are strong in adsorbate and co-adsorbate layers which may influence kinetics considerably. My research group has in the past investigated many co-adsorbate systems and simple reactions in them. We have collected a number of examples where strong deviations from simple coverage dependences exist, in blocking, promoting, and selecting reactions. Interactions can range from those between next neighbors to larger distances, and can be quite complex. In addition, internal equilibrium in the layer as well as equilibrium distributions over product degrees of freedom can be violated. The latter effect leads to non-equipartition of energy over molecular degrees of freedom (for products) or non-equal response to those of reactants. While such behavior can usually be described by dynamic or kinetic models, the deeper reasons require detailed theoretical analysis. Here, a selection of such cases is reviewed to exemplify these points.

Total Internal Reflection Ultrasonic Sensor for Detection of Subsurface Flaws: Research into Underlying Physics

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-24

layere, which was a thin plate bonded to a solid block of fused quartz. The plate was also made of fused quartz so the entire “assembly” may be... thin plate and a block of fused quartz. Residues of the lacquer Quartz plate Metal strip Epoxy layer Block of quartz Fig. 2.4.4. Specimen...depth therefore it was made as a combination of two pieces of fused quartz, a block and a thin plate , and a foreign inclusion between them. The plate was

Organic photosensitive devices using subphthalocyanine compounds

DOEpatents

Rand, Barry [Princeton, NJ; Forrest, Stephen R [Ann Arbor, MI; Mutolo, Kristin L [Hollywood, CA; Mayo, Elizabeth [Alhambra, CA; Thompson, Mark E [Anaheim Hills, CA

2011-07-05

An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device, having a donor-acceptor heterojunction of a donor-like material and an acceptor-like material and methods of making such devices is provided. At least one of the donor-like material and the acceptor-like material includes a subphthalocyanine, a subporphyrin, and/or a subporphyrazine compound; and/or the device optionally has at least one of a blocking layer or a charge transport layer, where the blocking layer and/or the charge transport layer includes a subphthalocyanine, a subporphyrin, and/or a subporphyrazine compound.

Polyester polymer alloy as a high-performance membrane.

PubMed

Igoshi, Tadaaki; Tomisawa, Narumi; Hori, Yoshinori; Jinbo, Yoichi

2011-01-01

Polyester polymer alloy (PEPA) membrane is developed as a synthetic polymermembrane. It consists of two polymers - polyethersulfone (PES) and polyarylate (PAR).The pore size in membrane can be controlled by a blend ratio of PES and PAR. One unique characteristic is that PEPA membrane has three layers of a skin layer on the inner surface, a porous layer in the membrane, and a skin layer on the outer surface, respectively. The permeability of water and substances is controlled by the skin layer on the inner surface. PEPA membrane dialyzer can be adequately considered as a high-performance dialyzer. Furthermore, the skin layer on the outer surface can block endotoxin from the dialysis fluid side. PEPA membrane can therefore be used as an endotoxin-retentive filter. The other unique characteristic is that each amount of albumin loss or β2-microglobulin removal can be controlled by an additive amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone. This means that the PEPA dialyzer can be clinically used to meet the conditions of the patient. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Digital modulation of the nickel valence state in a cuprate-nickelate heterostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wrobel, F.; Geisler, B.; Wang, Y.; Christiani, G.; Logvenov, G.; Bluschke, M.; Schierle, E.; van Aken, P. A.; Keimer, B.; Pentcheva, R.; Benckiser, E.

2018-03-01

Layer-by-layer oxide molecular-beam epitaxy has been used to synthesize cuprate-nickelate multilayer structures of composition (La2CuO4)m/LaO /(LaNiO3)n . In a combined experimental and theoretical study, we show that these structures allow a clean separation of dopant and doped layers. Specifically, the LaO layer separating cuprate and nickelate blocks provides an additional charge that, according to density-functional theory calculations, is predominantly accommodated in the interfacial nickelate layers. This is reflected in an elongation of bond distances and changes in valence state, as observed by scanning transmission electron microscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Moreover, the predicted charge disproportionation in the nickelate interface layers leads to a metal-to-insulator transition when the thickness is reduced to n =2 , as observed in electrical transport measurements. The results exemplify the perspectives of charge transfer in metal-oxide multilayers to induce doping without introducing chemical and structural disorder.

Release-rate calorimetry of multilayered materials for aircraft seats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fewell, L. L.; Duskin, F. E.; Spieth, H.; Trabold, E.; Parker, J. A.

1979-01-01

Multilayered samples of contemporary and improved fire resistant aircraft seat materials (foam cushion, decorative fabric, slip sheet, fire blocking layer, and cushion reinforcement layer) were evaluated for their rates of heat release and smoke generation. Top layers (decorative fabric, slip sheet, fire blocking, and cushion reinforcement) with glass fiber block cushion were evaluated to determine which materials based on their minimum contributions to the total heat release of the multilayered assembly may be added or deleted. Top layers exhibiting desirable burning profiles were combined with foam cushion materials. The smoke and heat release rates of multilayered seat materials were then measured at heat fluxes of 1.5 and 3.5 W/sq cm. Choices of contact and silicone adhesives for bonding multilayered assemblies were based on flammability, burn and smoke generation, animal toxicity tests, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Abrasion tests were conducted on the decorative fabric covering and slip sheet to ascertain service life and compatibility of layers.

Au-coated 3-D nanoporous titania layer prepared using polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer nanoparticles.

PubMed

Shin, Won-Jeong; Basarir, Fevzihan; Yoon, Tae-Ho; Lee, Jae-Suk

2009-04-09

New nanoporous structures of Au-coated titania layers were prepared by using amphiphilic block copolymer nanoparticles as a template. A 3-D template composed of self-assembled quaternized polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (Q-PS-b-P2VP) block copolymer nanoparticles below 100 nm was prepared. The core-shell-type nanoparticles were well ordered three-dimensionally using the vertical immersion method on the substrate. The polar solvents were added to the polymer solution to prevent particle merging at 40 degrees C when considering the interaction between polymer nanoparticles and solvents. Furthermore, Au-coated PS-b-P2VP nanoparticles were prepared using thiol-capped Au nanoparticles (3 nm). The 3-D arrays with Au-coated PS-b-P2VP nanoparticles as a template contributed to the preparation of the nanoporous Au-coated titania layer. Therefore, the nanoporous Au-coated titania layer was fabricated by removing PS-b-P2VP block copolymer nanoparticles by oxygen plasma etching.

Effects of hydraulic retention time and bioflocculant addition on membrane fouling in a sponge-submerged membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Deng, Lijuan; Guo, Wenshan; Ngo, Huu Hao; Du, Bing; Wei, Qin; Tran, Ngoc Han; Nguyen, Nguyen Cong; Chen, Shiao-Shing; Li, Jianxin

2016-06-01

The characteristics of activated sludge and membrane fouling were evaluated in a sponge-submerged membrane bioreactor (SSMBR) at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (6.67, 5.33 and 4.00h). At shorter HRT, more obvious membrane fouling was caused by exacerbated cake layer formation and aggravated pore blocking. Activated sludge possessed more extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) due to excessive growth of biomass and lower protein to polysaccharide ratio in soluble microbial products (SMP). The cake layer resistance was aggravated by increased sludge viscosity together with the accumulated EPS and biopolymer clusters (BPC) on membrane surface. However, SMP showed marginal effect on membrane fouling when SSMBRs were operated at all HRTs. The SSMBR with Gemfloc® addition at the optimum HRT of 6.67h demonstrated superior sludge characteristics such as larger floc size, less SMP in mixed liquor with higher protein/polysaccharide ratio, less SMP and BPC in cake layer, thereby further preventing membrane fouling. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Onion-like microspheres with tricomponent from gelable triblock copolymers.

PubMed

Zhang, Ke; Gao, Lei; Chen, Yongming; Yang, Zhenzhong

2010-06-01

Onion-like functional microspheres with three alternate layers were obtained by aerosol-assisted self-assembly of a functional block copolymer, poly(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PTEPM-b-PS-b-P2VP). Through self-gelation reaction occurred in the PTEPM layers, organic/inorganic hybrid functional spheres with highly ordered concentric curved lamellar structure were prepared. Using these hybrid onion-like microspheres as templates, gold ions were entrapped into the P2VP layers and then gold nanoparticles located in each P2VP layers were formed by a reduction. By dispersing in acidic water, the onion-like polymeric spheres were broken and, as a result, sandwich-like nanoplates with curved morphology were obtained. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Performance evaluation for 120 four-layer DOI block detectors of the jPET-D4.

PubMed

Inadama, Naoko; Murayama, Hideo; Ono, Yusuke; Tsuda, Tomoaki; Hamamoto, Manabu; Yamaya, Taiga; Yoshida, Eiji; Shibuya, Kengo; Nishikido, Fumihiko; Takahashi, Kei; Kawai, Hideyuki

2008-01-01

The jPET-D4 is a brain positron emission tomography (PET) scanner that we have developed to meet user demands for high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. For this scanner, we developed a four-layer depth-of-interaction (DOI) detector. The four-layer DOI detector is a key component for the jPET-D4, its performance has great influence on the overall system performance. Previously, we reported the original technique for encoding four-layer DOI. Here, we introduce the final design of the jPET-D4 detector and present the results of an investigation on uniformity in performance of the detector. The performance evaluation was done over the 120 DOI crystal blocks for the detectors, which are to be assembled into the jPET-D4 scanner. We also introduce the crystal assembly method, which is simple enough, even though each DOI crystal block is composed of 1,024 crystal elements. The jPET-D4 detector consists of four layers of 16 x 16 Gd(2)SiO(5) (GSO) crystals and a 256-channel flat-panel position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (256ch FP-PMT). To identify scintillated crystals in the four-layer DOI detector, we use pulse shape discrimination and position discrimination on the two-dimensional (2D) position histogram. For pulse shape discrimination, two kinds of GSO crystals that show different scintillation decay time constants are used in the upper two and lower two layers, respectively. Proper reflector arrangement in the crystal block then allows the scintillated crystals to be identified in these two-layer groupings with two 2D position histograms. We produced the 120 DOI crystal blocks for the jPET-D4 system, and measured their characteristics such as the accuracy of pulse shape discrimination, energy resolution, and the pulse height of the full energy peak. The results show a satisfactory and uniform performance of the four-layer DOI crystal blocks; for example, misidentification rate in each GSO layer is <5% based on pulse shape discrimination, the averaged energy resolutions for the central four crystals of the first (farthest from the FP-PMT), second, third, and 4th layers are 15.7 +/- 1.0, 15.8 +/- 0.6, 17.7 +/- 1.2, and 17.3 +/- 1.4%, respectively, and variation in pulse height of the full energy peak among the four layers is <5% on average.

An alternative method for sampling and petrographically characterizing an Eocene coal bed, southeast Kalimantan, Indonesia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moore, T.A.

1990-01-01

A study undertaken on an Eocene age coal bed in southeast Kalimantan, Indonesia determined that there was a relationship between megascopically determined coal types and kinds and sizes of organic components. The study also concluded that the most efficient way to characterize the seam was from collection of two 3 cm blocks from each layer or bench defined by megascopic character and that a maximum of 125 point counts was needed on each block. Microscopic examination of uncrushed block samples showed the coal to be composed of plant parts and tissues set in a matrix of both fine-grained and amorphousmore » material. The particulate matrix is composed of cell wall and liptinite fragments, resins, spores, algae, and fungal material. The amorphous matrix consists of unstructured (at 400x) huminite and liptinite. Size measurements showed that each particulate component possessed its own size distribution which approached normality when transformed to a log{sub 2} or phi scale. Degradation of the plant material during peat accumulation probably controlled grain size in the coal types. This notion is further supported by the increased concentration of decay resistant resin and cell fillings in the nonbanded and dull coal types. In the sampling design experiment, two blocks from each layer and two layers from each coal type were collected. On each block, 2 to 4 traverses totaling 500 point counts per block were performed to test the minimum number of points needed to characterize a block. A hierarchical analysis of variance showed that most of the petrographic variation occurred between coal types. The results from these analyses also indicated that, within a coal type, sampling should concentrate on the layer level and that only 250 point counts, split between two blocks, were needed to characterize a layer.« less

Modulation of AMPA receptor mediated current by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in layer I neurons of rat prefrontal cortex

PubMed Central

Tang, Bo; Luo, Dong; Yang, Jie; Xu, Xiao-Yan; Zhu, Bing-Lin; Wang, Xue-Feng; Yan, Zhen; Chen, Guo-Jun

2015-01-01

Layer I neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) exhibit extensive synaptic connections with deep layer neurons, implying their important role in the neural circuit. Study demonstrates that activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) increases excitatory neurotransmission in this layer. Here we found that nicotine selectively increased the amplitude of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated current and AMPA/NMDA ratio, while without effect on NMDA receptor-mediated current. The augmentation of AMPAR current by nicotine was inhibited by a selective α7-nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA) and intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA. In addition, nicotinic effect on mEPSC or paired-pulse ratio was also prevented by MLA. Moreover, an enhanced inward rectification of AMPAR current by nicotine suggested a functional role of calcium permeable and GluA1 containing AMPAR. Consistently, nicotine enhancement of AMPAR current was inhibited by a selective calcium-permeable AMPAR inhibitor IEM-1460. Finally, the intracellular inclusion of synthetic peptide designed to block GluA1 subunit of AMPAR at CAMKII, PKC or PKA phosphorylation site, as well as corresponding kinase inhibitor, blocked nicotinic augmentation of AMPA/NMDA ratio. These results have revealed that nicotine increases AMPAR current by modulating the phosphorylation state of GluA1 which is dependent on α7-nAChR and intracellular calcium. PMID:26370265

Nanopatterned articles produced using surface-reconstructed block copolymer films

DOEpatents

Russell, Thomas P.; Park, Soojin; Wang, Jia-Yu; Kim, Bokyung

2016-06-07

Nanopatterned surfaces are prepared by a method that includes forming a block copolymer film on a substrate, annealing and surface reconstructing the block copolymer film to create an array of cylindrical voids, depositing a metal on the surface-reconstructed block copolymer film, and heating the metal-coated block copolymer film to redistribute at least some of the metal into the cylindrical voids. When very thin metal layers and low heating temperatures are used, metal nanodots can be formed. When thicker metal layers and higher heating temperatures are used, the resulting metal structure includes nanoring-shaped voids. The nanopatterned surfaces can be transferred to the underlying substrates via etching, or used to prepare nanodot- or nanoring-decorated substrate surfaces.

Non-native three-dimensional block copolymer morphologies

DOE PAGES

Rahman, Atikur; Majewski, Pawel W.; Doerk, Gregory; ...

2016-12-22

Self-assembly is a powerful paradigm, wherein molecules spontaneously form ordered phases exhibiting well-defined nanoscale periodicity and shapes. However, the inherent energy-minimization aspect of self-assembly yields a very limited set of morphologies, such as lamellae or hexagonally packed cylinders. Here, we show how soft self-assembling materials—block copolymer thin films—can be manipulated to form a diverse library of previously unreported morphologies. In this iterative assembly process, each polymer layer acts as both a structural component of the final morphology and a template for directing the order of subsequent layers. Specifically, block copolymer films are immobilized on surfaces, and template successive layers throughmore » subtle surface topography. As a result, this strategy generates an enormous variety of three-dimensional morphologies that are absent in the native block copolymer phase diagram.« less

Non-native three-dimensional block copolymer morphologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rahman, Atikur; Majewski, Pawel W.; Doerk, Gregory

Self-assembly is a powerful paradigm, wherein molecules spontaneously form ordered phases exhibiting well-defined nanoscale periodicity and shapes. However, the inherent energy-minimization aspect of self-assembly yields a very limited set of morphologies, such as lamellae or hexagonally packed cylinders. Here, we show how soft self-assembling materials—block copolymer thin films—can be manipulated to form a diverse library of previously unreported morphologies. In this iterative assembly process, each polymer layer acts as both a structural component of the final morphology and a template for directing the order of subsequent layers. Specifically, block copolymer films are immobilized on surfaces, and template successive layers throughmore » subtle surface topography. As a result, this strategy generates an enormous variety of three-dimensional morphologies that are absent in the native block copolymer phase diagram.« less

[The role of BCP in electroluminescence of multilayer organic light-emitting devices].

PubMed

Deng, Zhao-Ru; Yang, Sheng-Yi; Lou, Zhi-Dong; Meng, Ling-Chuan

2009-03-01

As a hole-blocking layer, 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BCP) is usually used in blue and white light electroluminescent devices. The ability of blocking holes of BCP layer depends on its thickness, and basically holes can tunnel through thin BCP layer. In order to know the role of BCP layer in electroluminescence (EL) of multilayer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), in the present paper, the authors designed a multilayer OLED ITO/NPB/BCP/Alq3 : DCJTB/Alq3/Al and investigated the influence of thickness of BCP on the EL spectra of multilayer OLEDs at different applied voltages. The experimental data show that thin BCP layer can block holes partially and tune the energy transfer between different emissive layers, and in this way, it is easy to obtain white emission, but its EL spectra will change with the applied voltages. The EL spectra of multilayer device will remain relatively stable when BCP layer is thick enough, and the holes can hardly tunnel through when the thickness of BCP layer is more than 15 nm. Furthermore, the stability of EL spectra of the multilayer OLED at different applied voltages was discussed.

Enhancement of resistive switching properties in Al2O3 bilayer-based atomic switches: multilevel resistive switching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishwanath, Sujaya Kumar; Woo, Hyunsuk; Jeon, Sanghun

2018-06-01

Atomic switches are considered to be building blocks for future non-volatile data storage and internet of things. However, obtaining device structures capable of ultrahigh density data storage, high endurance, and long data retention, and more importantly, understanding the switching mechanisms are still a challenge for atomic switches. Here, we achieved improved resistive switching performance in a bilayer structure containing aluminum oxide, with an oxygen-deficient oxide as the top switching layer and stoichiometric oxide as the bottom switching layer, using atomic layer deposition. This bilayer device showed a high on/off ratio (105) with better endurance (∼2000 cycles) and longer data retention (104 s) than single-oxide layers. In addition, depending on the compliance current, the bilayer device could be operated in four different resistance states. Furthermore, the depth profiles of the hourglass-shaped conductive filament of the bilayer device was observed by conductive atomic force microscopy.

Multi-layered nanocomposite dielectrics for high density organic memory devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Moonyeong; Chung, Kyungwha; Baeg, Kang-Jun; Kim, Dong Ha; Kim, Choongik

2015-01-01

We fabricated organic memory devices with metal-pentacene-insulator-silicon structure which contain double dielectric layers comprising 3D pattern of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) and block copolymer (PS-b-P2VP). The role of Au NPs is to charge/discharge carriers upon applied voltage, while block copolymer helps to form highly ordered Au NP patterns in the dielectric layer. Double-layered nanocomposite dielectrics enhanced the charge trap density (i.e., trapped charge per unit area) by Au NPs, resulting in increase of the memory window (ΔVth).

Thin film electronic devices with conductive and transparent gas and moisture permeation barriers

DOEpatents

Simpson, Lin Jay

2015-07-28

Thin film electronic devices (or stacks integrated with a substrate) that include a permeation barrier formed of a thin layer of metal that provides a light transmitting and electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrical conductive layer is formed on a surface of the substrate or device layer such as a transparent conducting material layer with pin holes or defects caused by manufacturing and the thin layer of metal is deposited on the conductive layer and formed from a self-healing metal that forms self-terminating oxides. A permeation plug or block is formed in or adjacent to the thin film of metal at or proximate to the pin holes to block further permeation of contaminants through the pin holes.

Simplified and quick electrical modeling for dye sensitized solar cells: An experimental and theoretical investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Andrade, Rocelito Lopes; de Oliveira, Matheus Costa; Kohlrausch, Emerson Cristofer; Santos, Marcos José Leite

2018-05-01

This work presents a new and simple method for determining IPH (current source dependent on luminance), I0 (reverse saturation current), n (ideality factor), RP and RS, (parallel and series resistance) to build an electrical model for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrical circuit parameters used in the simulation and to generate theoretical curves for the single diode electrical model were extracted from I-V curves of assembled DSSCs. Model validation was performed by assembling five different types of DSSCs and evaluating the following parameters: effect of a TiO2 blocking/adhesive layer, thickness of the TiO2 layer and the presence of a light scattering layer. In addition, irradiance, temperature, series and parallel resistance, ideality factor and reverse saturation current were simulated.

The fabrication of highly ordered block copolymer micellar arrays: control of the separation distances of silicon oxide dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Hana; Park, Soojin

2010-06-01

We demonstrate the fabrication of highly ordered silicon oxide dotted arrays prepared from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) filled nanoporous block copolymer (BCP) films and the preparation of nanoporous, flexible Teflon or polyimide films. Polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) films were annealed in toluene vapor to enhance the lateral order of micellar arrays and were subsequently immersed in alcohol to produce nano-sized pores, which can be used as templates for filling a thin layer of PDMS. When a thin layer of PDMS was spin-coated onto nanoporous BCP films and thermally annealed at a certain temperature, the PDMS was drawn into the pores by capillary action. PDMS filled BCP templates were exposed to oxygen plasma environments in order to fabricate silicon oxide dotted arrays. By addition of PS homopolymer to PS-b-P2VP copolymer, the separation distances of micellar arrays were tuned. As-prepared silicon oxide dotted arrays were used as a hard master for fabricating nanoporous Teflon or polyimide films by spin-coating polymer precursor solutions onto silicon patterns and peeling off. This simple process enables us to fabricate highly ordered nanoporous BCP templates, silicon oxide dots, and flexible nanoporous polymer patterns with feature size of sub-20 nm over 5 cm × 5 cm.

The fabrication of highly ordered block copolymer micellar arrays: control of the separation distances of silicon oxide dots.

PubMed

Yoo, Hana; Park, Soojin

2010-06-18

We demonstrate the fabrication of highly ordered silicon oxide dotted arrays prepared from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) filled nanoporous block copolymer (BCP) films and the preparation of nanoporous, flexible Teflon or polyimide films. Polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) films were annealed in toluene vapor to enhance the lateral order of micellar arrays and were subsequently immersed in alcohol to produce nano-sized pores, which can be used as templates for filling a thin layer of PDMS. When a thin layer of PDMS was spin-coated onto nanoporous BCP films and thermally annealed at a certain temperature, the PDMS was drawn into the pores by capillary action. PDMS filled BCP templates were exposed to oxygen plasma environments in order to fabricate silicon oxide dotted arrays. By addition of PS homopolymer to PS-b-P2VP copolymer, the separation distances of micellar arrays were tuned. As-prepared silicon oxide dotted arrays were used as a hard master for fabricating nanoporous Teflon or polyimide films by spin-coating polymer precursor solutions onto silicon patterns and peeling off. This simple process enables us to fabricate highly ordered nanoporous BCP templates, silicon oxide dots, and flexible nanoporous polymer patterns with feature size of sub-20 nm over 5 cm x 5 cm.

Reaction products and oxide thickness formed by Ti out-diffusion and oxidization in poly-Pt/Ti/SiO 2/Si with oxide films deposited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Changhong; Huang, Dexiu; Zhu, Weiguang; Feng, Yi; Wu, Xigang

2006-08-01

In the paper, we present experimental results to enhance the understanding of Ti out-diffusion and oxidization in commercial poly-Pt/Ti/SiO 2/Si wafers with perovskite oxide films deposited when heat-treated in flowing oxygen ambient. It indicates that when heat-treated at 550 and 600 °C, PtTi 3+PtTi and PtTi are the reaction products from interfacial interaction, respectively; while heat-treated at 650 °C and above, the products become three layers of titanium oxides instead of the alloys. Confirmed to be rutile TiO 2, the first two layers spaced by 65 nm encapsulate the Pt surface by the first layer with 60 nm thick forming at its surface and by the next layer with 35 nm thick inserting its original layer. In addition, the next layer is formed as a barrier to block up continuous diffusion paths of Ti, and thus results in the last layer of TiO 2- x formed by the residual Ti oxidizing.

Sinabung Volcanic Ash Utilization As The Additive for Paving Block Quality A and B

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sembiring, I. S.; Hastuty, I. P.

2017-03-01

Paving block is one of the building materials used as the top layer of the road structure besides asphalt and concrete. Paving block is made of mixed materials such as portland cement or other adhesive materials, water and aggregate. In this research, the material used as the additive of cement and concrete is volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung, it is based on the results of the material testing, Sinabung ash contains 74.3% silica (SiO2). The purpose of this research aims to analyze the behavior of the paving blocks quality A and B with and without a mixture of Sinabung ash, to analyze the workability of fresh concrete using Sinabung ash as an additive in concrete, and to compare the test results of paving blocks with and without using Sinabung ash. The samples that we made consist of four variations of the concrete mix to experiment a mixture of normal sample without additive, samples which are mixed with the addition of Sinabung ash 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the volume of concrete/m3. Each variation consists of 10 samples of the concrete with 28 days curing time period. We will do the compressive strength and water absorption test to the samples to determine whether the samples are in accordance with the type needed. According to the test result, paving blocks with Sinabung ash and curing time reach quality A at 0%, 5% and 10% mixture with the compressive strength of each 50.14 MPa, 46.20 MPa and 1.49Mpa, and reach quality B at 15%, 20 %,25% mixture with curing time and 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% mixture without curing time. According to the absorption values we got from the test which are 6.66%, 6.73%, 6.88%, 7.03%, 7.09% and 7.16%, the entire sample have average absorption exceeding SNI standardization which is above 6% and reach quality C. Based on compressive strength and absorption data obtained Sinabung ash can’t fully replace cement as the binder because of the low CaO content.

Centimeter-Scale 2D van der Waals Vertical Heterostructures Integrated on Deformable Substrates Enabled by Gold Sacrificial Layer-Assisted Growth.

PubMed

Islam, Md Ashraful; Kim, Jung Han; Schropp, Anthony; Kalita, Hirokjyoti; Choudhary, Nitin; Weitzman, Dylan; Khondaker, Saiful I; Oh, Kyu Hwan; Roy, Tania; Chung, Hee-Suk; Jung, Yeonwoong

2017-10-11

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as molybdenum or tungsten disulfides (MoS 2 or WS 2 ) exhibit extremely large in-plane strain limits and unusual optical/electrical properties, offering unprecedented opportunities for flexible electronics/optoelectronics in new form factors. In order for them to be technologically viable building-blocks for such emerging technologies, it is critically demanded to grow/integrate them onto flexible or arbitrary-shaped substrates on a large wafer-scale compatible with the prevailing microelectronics processes. However, conventional approaches to assemble them on such unconventional substrates via mechanical exfoliations or coevaporation chemical growths have been limited to small-area transfers of 2D TMD layers with uncontrolled spatial homogeneity. Moreover, additional processes involving a prolonged exposure to strong chemical etchants have been required for the separation of as-grown 2D layers, which is detrimental to their material properties. Herein, we report a viable strategy to universally combine the centimeter-scale growth of various 2D TMD layers and their direct assemblies on mechanically deformable substrates. By exploring the water-assisted debonding of gold (Au) interfaced with silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), we demonstrate the direct growth, transfer, and integration of 2D TMD layers and heterostructures such as 2D MoS 2 and 2D MoS 2 /WS 2 vertical stacks on centimeter-scale plastic and metal foil substrates. We identify the dual function of the Au layer as a growth substrate as well as a sacrificial layer which facilitates 2D layer transfer. Furthermore, we demonstrate the versatility of this integration approach by fabricating centimeter-scale 2D MoS 2 /single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) vertical heterojunctions which exhibit current rectification and photoresponse. This study opens a pathway to explore large-scale 2D TMD van der Waals layers as device building blocks for emerging mechanically deformable electronics/optoelectronics.

A Study on Field Emission Characteristics of Planar Graphene Layers Obtained from a Highly Oriented Pyrolyzed Graphite Block

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

This paper describes an experimental study on field emission characteristics of individual graphene layers for vacuum nanoelectronics. Graphene layers were prepared by mechanical exfoliation from a highly oriented pyrolyzed graphite block and placed on an insulating substrate, with the resulting field emission behavior investigated using a nanomanipulator operating inside a scanning electron microscope. A pair of tungsten tips controlled by the nanomanipulator enabled electric connection with the graphene layers without postfabrication. The maximum emitted current from the graphene layers was 170 nA and the turn-on voltage was 12.1 V. PMID:20596315

Supercurrent in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions with heavy metal interlayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satchell, Nathan; Birge, Norman O.

2018-06-01

The length scale over which supercurrent from conventional BCS, s -wave superconductors (S ) can penetrate an adjacent ferromagnetic (F ) layer depends on the ability to convert singlet Cooper pairs into triplet Cooper pairs. Spin-aligned triplet Cooper pairs are not dephased by the ferromagnetic exchange interaction and can thus penetrate an F layer over much longer distances than singlet Cooper pairs. These triplet Cooper pairs carry a dissipationless spin current and are the fundamental building block for the fledgling field of superspintronics. Singlet-triplet conversion by inhomogeneous magnetism is well established. Here, we describe an attempt to use spin-orbit coupling as an alternative mechanism to mediate singlet-triplet conversion in S-F-S Josephson junctions. We report that the addition of thin Pt spin-orbit-coupling layers in our Josephson junctions significantly increases supercurrent transmission, however the decay length of the supercurrent is not found to increase. We attribute the increased supercurrent transmission to Pt acting as a buffer layer to improve the growth of the Co F layer.

Genetics algorithm optimization of DWT-DCT based image Watermarking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budiman, Gelar; Novamizanti, Ledya; Iwut, Iwan

2017-01-01

Data hiding in an image content is mandatory for setting the ownership of the image. Two dimensions discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT) are proposed as transform method in this paper. First, the host image in RGB color space is converted to selected color space. We also can select the layer where the watermark is embedded. Next, 2D-DWT transforms the selected layer obtaining 4 subband. We select only one subband. And then block-based 2D-DCT transforms the selected subband. Binary-based watermark is embedded on the AC coefficients of each block after zigzag movement and range based pixel selection. Delta parameter replacing pixels in each range represents embedded bit. +Delta represents bit “1” and -delta represents bit “0”. Several parameters to be optimized by Genetics Algorithm (GA) are selected color space, layer, selected subband of DWT decomposition, block size, embedding range, and delta. The result of simulation performs that GA is able to determine the exact parameters obtaining optimum imperceptibility and robustness, in any watermarked image condition, either it is not attacked or attacked. DWT process in DCT based image watermarking optimized by GA has improved the performance of image watermarking. By five attacks: JPEG 50%, resize 50%, histogram equalization, salt-pepper and additive noise with variance 0.01, robustness in the proposed method has reached perfect watermark quality with BER=0. And the watermarked image quality by PSNR parameter is also increased about 5 dB than the watermarked image quality from previous method.

Charge transport model in solid-state avalanche amorphous selenium and defect suppression design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheuermann, James R.; Miranda, Yesenia; Liu, Hongyu; Zhao, Wei

2016-01-01

Avalanche amorphous selenium (a-Se) in a layer of High Gain Avalanche Rushing Photoconductor (HARP) is being investigated for its use in large area medical imagers. Avalanche multiplication of photogenerated charge requires electric fields greater than 70 V μm-1. For a-Se to withstand this high electric field, blocking layers are used to prevent the injection of charge carriers from the electrodes. Blocking layers must have a high injection barrier and deep trapping states to reduce the electric field at the interface. In the presence of a defect in the blocking layer, a distributed resistive layer (DRL) must be included into the structure to build up space charge and reduce the electric field in a-Se and the defect. A numerical charge transport model has been developed to optimize the properties of blocking layers used in various HARP structures. The model shows the incorporation of a DRL functionality into the p-layer can reduce dark current at a point defect by two orders of magnitude by reducing the field in a-Se to the avalanche threshold. Hole mobility in a DRL of ˜10-8 cm2 V-1 s-1 at 100 V μm-1 as demonstrated by the model can be achieved experimentally by varying the hole mobility of p-type organic or inorganic semiconductors through doping, e.g., using Poly(9-vinylcarbozole) doped with 1%-3% (by weight) of poly(3-hexylthiopene).

NEUTRON-IRRADIATED STRUCTURES

DOEpatents

Ashley, E.L.; Ashley, J.W.; Bowker, H.W.; Hall, R.H.; Kendall, J.W.

1959-02-01

A moderator structure is described for a nuclear reactor of the heterogensous type wherein a large mass of moderator is provided with channels therethrough for the introduction of uranium serving as nuclear fuel and for the passage of a cooling fluid. The structure is comprised of blocks of moderator material in superposed horizontal layers, the blocks of each layer being tied together with spaces between them and oriented to have horizontal Wigner growth. The ties are strips of moderator material, the same as the blocks, with transverse Wigner growth, disposed horizontally along lines crossing at vertical axes of the blocks. The blocks are preferably rectangular with a larger or length dimension transverse to the directions of Wiguer growth and are stood on end to provide for horizontal growth.

Nanopatterned articles produced using reconstructed block copolymer films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Russell, Thomas P.; Park, Soojin; Wang;, Jia-Yu

Nanopatterned surfaces are prepared by a method that includes forming a block copolymer film on a substrate, annealing and surface reconstructing the block copolymer film to create an array of cylindrical voids, depositing a metal on the surface-reconstructed block copolymer film, and heating the metal-coated block copolymer film to redistribute at least some of the metal into the cylindrical voids. When very thin metal layers and low heating temperatures are used, metal nanodots can be formed. When thicker metal layers and higher heating temperatures are used, the resulting metal structure includes nanoring-shaped voids. The nanopatterned surfaces can be transferred tomore » the underlying substrates via etching, or used to prepare nanodot- or nanoring-decorated substrate surfaces.« less

Method of producing nanopatterned articles using surface-reconstructed block copolymer films

DOEpatents

Russell, Thomas P; Park, Soojin; Wang, Jia-Yu; Kim, Bokyung

2013-08-27

Nanopatterned surfaces are prepared by a method that includes forming a block copolymer film on a substrate, annealing and surface reconstructing the block copolymer film to create an array of cylindrical voids, depositing a metal on the surface-reconstructed block copolymer film, and heating the metal-coated block copolymer film to redistribute at least some of the metal into the cylindrical voids. When very thin metal layers and low heating temperatures are used, metal nanodots can be formed. When thicker metal layers and higher heating temperatures are used, the resulting metal structure includes nanoring-shaped voids. The nanopatterned surfaces can be transferred to the underlying substrates via etching, or used to prepare nanodot- or nanoring-decorated substrate surfaces.

Universal Strategy To Reduce Noise Current for Sensitive Organic Photodetectors.

PubMed

Xiong, Sixing; Li, Lingliang; Qin, Fei; Mao, Lin; Luo, Bangwu; Jiang, Youyu; Li, Zaifang; Huang, Jinsong; Zhou, Yinhua

2017-03-15

Low noise current is critical for achieving high-detectivity organic photodetectors. Inserting charge-blocking layers is an effective approach to suppress the reverse-biased dark current. However, in solution-processed organic photodetectors, the charge-transport material needs to be dissolved in solvents that do not dissolve the underneath light-absorbing layer, which is not always possible for all kinds of light-absorbing materials developed. Here, we introduce a universal strategy of transfer-printing a conjugated polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), as the electron-blocking layer to realize highly sensitive photodetectors. The transfer-printed P3HT layers substantially and universally reduced the reverse-biased dark current by about 3 orders of magnitude for various photodetectors with different active layers. These photodetectors can detect the light signal as weak as several picowatts per square centimeter, and the device detectivity is over 10 12 Jones. The results suggest that the strategy of transfer-printing P3HT films as the electron-blocking layer is universal and effective for the fabrication of sensitive organic photodetectors.

Traffic sign recognition based on deep convolutional neural network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Shi-hao; Deng, Ji-cai; Zhang, Da-wei; Du, Jing-yuan

2017-11-01

Traffic sign recognition (TSR) is an important component of automated driving systems. It is a rather challenging task to design a high-performance classifier for the TSR system. In this paper, we propose a new method for TSR system based on deep convolutional neural network. In order to enhance the expression of the network, a novel structure (dubbed block-layer below) which combines network-in-network and residual connection is designed. Our network has 10 layers with parameters (block-layer seen as a single layer): the first seven are alternate convolutional layers and block-layers, and the remaining three are fully-connected layers. We train our TSR network on the German traffic sign recognition benchmark (GTSRB) dataset. To reduce overfitting, we perform data augmentation on the training images and employ a regularization method named "dropout". The activation function we employ in our network adopts scaled exponential linear units (SELUs), which can induce self-normalizing properties. To speed up the training, we use an efficient GPU to accelerate the convolutional operation. On the test dataset of GTSRB, we achieve the accuracy rate of 99.67%, exceeding the state-of-the-art results.

Clustering network layers with the strata multilayer stochastic block model.

PubMed

Stanley, Natalie; Shai, Saray; Taylor, Dane; Mucha, Peter J

2016-01-01

Multilayer networks are a useful data structure for simultaneously capturing multiple types of relationships between a set of nodes. In such networks, each relational definition gives rise to a layer. While each layer provides its own set of information, community structure across layers can be collectively utilized to discover and quantify underlying relational patterns between nodes. To concisely extract information from a multilayer network, we propose to identify and combine sets of layers with meaningful similarities in community structure. In this paper, we describe the "strata multilayer stochastic block model" (sMLSBM), a probabilistic model for multilayer community structure. The central extension of the model is that there exist groups of layers, called "strata", which are defined such that all layers in a given stratum have community structure described by a common stochastic block model (SBM). That is, layers in a stratum exhibit similar node-to-community assignments and SBM probability parameters. Fitting the sMLSBM to a multilayer network provides a joint clustering that yields node-to-community and layer-to-stratum assignments, which cooperatively aid one another during inference. We describe an algorithm for separating layers into their appropriate strata and an inference technique for estimating the SBM parameters for each stratum. We demonstrate our method using synthetic networks and a multilayer network inferred from data collected in the Human Microbiome Project.

Clustering network layers with the strata multilayer stochastic block model

PubMed Central

Stanley, Natalie; Shai, Saray; Taylor, Dane; Mucha, Peter J.

2016-01-01

Multilayer networks are a useful data structure for simultaneously capturing multiple types of relationships between a set of nodes. In such networks, each relational definition gives rise to a layer. While each layer provides its own set of information, community structure across layers can be collectively utilized to discover and quantify underlying relational patterns between nodes. To concisely extract information from a multilayer network, we propose to identify and combine sets of layers with meaningful similarities in community structure. In this paper, we describe the “strata multilayer stochastic block model” (sMLSBM), a probabilistic model for multilayer community structure. The central extension of the model is that there exist groups of layers, called “strata”, which are defined such that all layers in a given stratum have community structure described by a common stochastic block model (SBM). That is, layers in a stratum exhibit similar node-to-community assignments and SBM probability parameters. Fitting the sMLSBM to a multilayer network provides a joint clustering that yields node-to-community and layer-to-stratum assignments, which cooperatively aid one another during inference. We describe an algorithm for separating layers into their appropriate strata and an inference technique for estimating the SBM parameters for each stratum. We demonstrate our method using synthetic networks and a multilayer network inferred from data collected in the Human Microbiome Project. PMID:28435844

Gas Classification Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks.

PubMed

Peng, Pai; Zhao, Xiaojin; Pan, Xiaofang; Ye, Wenbin

2018-01-08

In this work, we propose a novel Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) tailored for gas classification. Inspired by the great success of DCNN in the field of computer vision, we designed a DCNN with up to 38 layers. In general, the proposed gas neural network, named GasNet, consists of: six convolutional blocks, each block consist of six layers; a pooling layer; and a fully-connected layer. Together, these various layers make up a powerful deep model for gas classification. Experimental results show that the proposed DCNN method is an effective technique for classifying electronic nose data. We also demonstrate that the DCNN method can provide higher classification accuracy than comparable Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods and Multiple Layer Perceptron (MLP).

Gas Classification Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

PubMed Central

Peng, Pai; Zhao, Xiaojin; Pan, Xiaofang; Ye, Wenbin

2018-01-01

In this work, we propose a novel Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) tailored for gas classification. Inspired by the great success of DCNN in the field of computer vision, we designed a DCNN with up to 38 layers. In general, the proposed gas neural network, named GasNet, consists of: six convolutional blocks, each block consist of six layers; a pooling layer; and a fully-connected layer. Together, these various layers make up a powerful deep model for gas classification. Experimental results show that the proposed DCNN method is an effective technique for classifying electronic nose data. We also demonstrate that the DCNN method can provide higher classification accuracy than comparable Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods and Multiple Layer Perceptron (MLP). PMID:29316723

Intensity Distribution of the Three-Wave Diffraction from Dislocation Epitaxial Layers in the Reciprocal Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kyutt, R. N.

2018-04-01

The three-wave X-ray diffraction in strongly disordered epitaxial layers of GaN and ZnO is experimentally investigated. The charts of the intensity distribution in the reciprocal space are plotted in coordinates q θ and q ϕ for the most intensive three-wave combination (1010)/(1011) by means of subsequent θ- and ϕ-scanning. A nontrivial shape of the θ-sections of these contours at a distance from the ϕ center of reflection is revealed; it is different for different samples. For the θ-curves at the center of reflection, we observed a common peak that may be approximated by the Voigt function with a power-low decrease in the intensity at the wings; the decrease law (from-4.5 to-5.0) is found to be considerably greater than that for the similar curves of two-wave diffraction and not depending on the dislocation density and distribution in layers. In some films we observed a coarse-block structure; in addition, it follows from the distribution in the reciprocal space that these blocks are turned with respect to each other around a normal to the surface, which allows us to suggest the existence of low-angle boundaries between them, consisting exclusively of edge dislocations.

Production and Engineering Methods for CARB-TEX (Trade Name) Batteries in Fork Lift Trucks

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-12-01

Temperature Batteries Tellurium Tetra Chloride Battery Pilot Line TO ABSTRACT (Contfinue on reverse side !I mvc.esy mid Identify by block number) This...chloride -1- as the electrolyte, and a tellurium tetrachloride additive. The porous carbon cathode is an aggregation of active carbon particles which have...energy storage using the Helmholtz double-layer princi- ple. However, after treating the carbon with the tellurium tetrachloride additve, the carbon

Conference on Semi-Insulating III-V Materials (2nd), held 19-21 Apr 82, Evian (France),

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-28

Dist Special 19. KEY WORDS (Continue on reverse side If neceary mud Identity by block numb ) Semiconductor devices Field effect transitors Integrated...doped GaAs sub- 4 strates. The results showed no The catalog of defects includes statistically significant differ- vacancies, interstitials, anti...orientation also had high level profiles of GaAs active transconductance. In addition,the statistical scatter-uni-layers and their correlation to o m

Phosphorene-directed self-assembly of asymmetric PS-b-PMMA block copolymer for perpendicularly-oriented sub-10 nm PS nanopore arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ziming; Zheng, Lu; Khurram, Muhammad; Yan, Qingfeng

2017-10-01

Few-layer black phosphorus, also known as phosphorene, is a new two-dimensional material which is of enormous interest for applications, mainly in electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, we for the first time employ phosphorene for directing the self-assembly of asymmetric polystyrene-block-polymethylmethacrylate (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymer (BCP) thin film to form the perpendicular orientation of sub-10 nm PS nanopore arrays in a hexagonal fashion normal to the interface. We experimentally demonstrate that none of the PS and PMMA blocks exhibit preferential affinity to the phosphorene-modified surface. Furthermore, the perpendicularly-oriented PS nanostructures almost stay unchanged with the variation of number of layers of few-layer phosphorene nanoflakes between 15-30 layers. Differing from the neutral polymer brushes which are widely used for chemical modification of the silicon substrate, phosphorene provides a novel physical way to control the interfacial interactions between the asymmetric PS-b-PMMA BCP thin film and the silicon substrate. Based on our results, it is possible to build a new scheme for producing sub-10 nm PS nanopore arrays oriented perpendicularly to the few-layer phosphorene nanoflakes. Furthermore, the nanostructural microdomains could serve as a promising nanolithography template for surface patterning of phosphorene nanoflakes.

Elucidating the charge carrier separation and working mechanism of CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x) perovskite solar cells.

PubMed

Edri, Eran; Kirmayer, Saar; Mukhopadhyay, Sabyasachi; Gartsman, Konstantin; Hodes, Gary; Cahen, David

2014-03-11

Developments in organic-inorganic lead halide-based perovskite solar cells have been meteoric over the last 2 years, with small-area efficiencies surpassing 15%. We address the fundamental issue of how these cells work by applying a scanning electron microscopy-based technique to cell cross-sections. By mapping the variation in efficiency of charge separation and collection in the cross-sections, we show the presence of two prime high efficiency locations, one at/near the absorber/hole-blocking-layer, and the second at/near the absorber/electron-blocking-layer interfaces, with the former more pronounced. This 'twin-peaks' profile is characteristic of a p-i-n solar cell, with a layer of low-doped, high electronic quality semiconductor, between a p- and an n-layer. If the electron blocker is replaced by a gold contact, only a heterojunction at the absorber/hole-blocking interface remains.

Dilute group III-V nitride intermediate band solar cells with contact blocking layers

DOEpatents

Walukiewicz, Wladyslaw; Yu, Kin Man

2015-02-24

An intermediate band solar cell (IBSC) is provided including a p-n junction based on dilute III-V nitride materials and a pair of contact blocking layers positioned on opposite surfaces of the p-n junction for electrically isolating the intermediate band of the p-n junction by blocking the charge transport in the intermediate band without affecting the electron and hole collection efficiency of the p-n junction, thereby increasing open circuit voltage (V.sub.OC) of the IBSC and increasing the photocurrent by utilizing the intermediate band to absorb photons with energy below the band gap of the absorber layers of the IBSC. Hence, the overall power conversion efficiency of a IBSC will be much higher than an conventional single junction solar cell. The p-n junction absorber layers of the IBSC may further have compositionally graded nitrogen concentrations to provide an electric field for more efficient charge collection.

Dilute Group III-V nitride intermediate band solar cells with contact blocking layers

DOEpatents

Walukiewicz, Wladyslaw [Kensington, CA; Yu, Kin Man [Lafayette, CA

2012-07-31

An intermediate band solar cell (IBSC) is provided including a p-n junction based on dilute III-V nitride materials and a pair of contact blocking layers positioned on opposite surfaces of the p-n junction for electrically isolating the intermediate band of the p-n junction by blocking the charge transport in the intermediate band without affecting the electron and hole collection efficiency of the p-n junction, thereby increasing open circuit voltage (V.sub.OC) of the IBSC and increasing the photocurrent by utilizing the intermediate band to absorb photons with energy below the band gap of the absorber layers of the IBSC. Hence, the overall power conversion efficiency of a IBSC will be much higher than an conventional single junction solar cell. The p-n junction absorber layers of the IBSC may further have compositionally graded nitrogen concentrations to provide an electric field for more efficient charge collection.

Unsaturated hydraulic behaviour of a permeable pavement: Laboratory investigation and numerical analysis by using the HYDRUS-2D model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turco, Michele; Kodešová, Radka; Brunetti, Giuseppe; Nikodem, Antonín; Fér, Miroslav; Piro, Patrizia

2017-11-01

An adequate hydrological description of water flow in permeable pavement systems relies heavily on the knowledge of the unsaturated hydraulic properties of the construction materials. Although several modeling tools and many laboratory methods already exist in the literature to determine the hydraulic properties of soils, the importance of an accurate materials hydraulic description of the permeable pavement system, is increasingly recognized in the fields of urban hydrology. Thus, the aim of this study is to propose techniques/procedures on how to interpret water flow through the construction system using the HYDRUS model. The overall analysis includes experimental and mathematical procedures for model calibration and validation to assess the suitability of the HYDRUS-2D model to interpret the hydraulic behaviour of a lab-scale permeable pavement system. The system consists of three porous materials: a wear layer of porous concrete blocks, a bedding layers of fine gravel, and a sub-base layer of coarse gravel. The water regime in this system, i.e. outflow at the bottom and water contents in the middle of the bedding layer, was monitored during ten irrigation events of various durations and intensities. The hydraulic properties of porous concrete blocks and fine gravel described by the van Genuchten functions were measured using the clay tank and the multistep outflow experiments, respectively. Coarse gravel properties were set at literature values. In addition, some of the parameters (Ks of the concrete blocks layer, and α, n and Ks of the bedding layer) were optimized with the HYDRUS-2D model from water fluxes and soil water contents measured during irrigation events. The measured and modeled hydrographs were compared using the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) index (varied between 0.95 and 0.99) while the coefficient of determination R2 was used to assess the measured water content versus the modelled water content in the bedding layer (R2 = 0.81 ÷ 0.87) . The parameters were validated using the remaining sets of measurements resulting in NSE values greater than 0.90 (0.91 ÷ 0.99) and R2 between 0.63 and 0.91. Results have confirmed the applicability of HYDRUS-2D to describe correctly the hydraulic behaviour of the lab-scale system.

Thermal Performance of Aircraft Polyurethane Seat Cushions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kourtides, D. A.; Parker, J. A.

1982-01-01

Aircraft seat materials were evaluated in terms of their thermal performance. The materials were evaluated using (a) thermogravimetric analysis, (b) differential scanning calorimetry, (c) a modified NBS smoke chamber to determine the rate of mass loss and (d) the NASA T-3 apparatus to determine the thermal efficiency. In this paper, the modified NBS smoke chamber will be described in detail since it provided the most conclusive results. The NBS smoke chamber was modified to measure the weight loss of material when exposed to a radiant heat source over the range of 2.5 to 7.5 W/sq cm. This chamber has been utilized to evaluate the thermal performance of various heat blocking layers utilized to protect the polyurethane cushioning foam used in aircraft seats. Various kinds of heat blocking layers were evaluated by monitoring the weight loss of miniature seat cushions when exposed to the radiant heat. The effectiveness of aluminized heat blocking systems was demonstrated when compared to conventional heat blocking layers such as neoprene. All heat blocking systems showed good fire protection capabilities when compared to the state-of-the-art, i.e., wool-nylon over polyurethane foam.

Role of the electron blocking layer in the graded-index separate confinement heterostructure nitride laser diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bojarska, Agata; Goss, Jakub; Stanczyk, Szymon; Makarowa, Irina; Schiavon, Dario; Czernecki, Robert; Suski, Tadeusz; Perlin, Piotr

2018-04-01

In this work, we investigate the role of the electron blocking layer (EBL) in laser diodes based on a graded index separate confinement heterostructure. We compare two sets of devices with very different EBL aluminum composition (3% and 12%) and design (graded and superlattice). The results of electro-optical characterization of these laser diodes reveal surprisingly modest role of electron blocking layer composition in determination of the threshold current and the differential efficiency values. However, EBL structure influences the operating voltage, which is decreased for devices with lower EBL and superlattice EBL. We observe also the differences in the thermal stability of devices - characteristic temperature is lower for lasers with 3% Al in EBL.

Investigation of threading dislocation blocking in strained-layer InGaAs/GaAs heterostructures using scanning cathodoluminescence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, J. J.; Zou, J.; Moon, A. R.; Cockayne, D. J. H.

2000-08-01

Threading dislocation glide relieves strain in strained-layer heterostructures by increasing the total length of interface misfit dislocations. The blocking theory proposed by Freund [J. Appl. Phys. 68, 2073 (1990)] predicts the thickness above which gliding threading dislocations are able to overcome the resistance force produced by existing orthogonal misfit dislocations. A set of wedge-shaped samples of InxGa1-xAs/GaAs (x=0.04) strained-layer heterostructures was grown using molecular-beam epitaxy in order to test the theory of dislocation blocking over a range of thicknesses within one sample. Scanning cathodoluminescence microscopy techniques were used to image the misfit dislocations. The cathodoluminescence results confirm the model proposed by Freund.

A Semiautomated Multilayer Picking Algorithm for Ice-sheet Radar Echograms Applied to Ground-Based Near-Surface Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onana, Vincent De Paul; Koenig, Lora Suzanne; Ruth, Julia; Studinger, Michael; Harbeck, Jeremy P.

2014-01-01

Snow accumulation over an ice sheet is the sole mass input, making it a primary measurement for understanding the past, present, and future mass balance. Near-surface frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radars image isochronous firn layers recording accumulation histories. The Semiautomated Multilayer Picking Algorithm (SAMPA) was designed and developed to trace annual accumulation layers in polar firn from both airborne and ground-based radars. The SAMPA algorithm is based on the Radon transform (RT) computed by blocks and angular orientations over a radar echogram. For each echogram's block, the RT maps firn segmented-layer features into peaks, which are picked using amplitude and width threshold parameters of peaks. A backward RT is then computed for each corresponding block, mapping the peaks back into picked segmented-layers. The segmented layers are then connected and smoothed to achieve a final layer pick across the echogram. Once input parameters are trained, SAMPA operates autonomously and can process hundreds of kilometers of radar data picking more than 40 layers. SAMPA final pick results and layer numbering still require a cursory manual adjustment to correct noncontinuous picks, which are likely not annual, and to correct for inconsistency in layer numbering. Despite the manual effort to train and check SAMPA results, it is an efficient tool for picking multiple accumulation layers in polar firn, reducing time over manual digitizing efforts. The trackability of good detected layers is greater than 90%.

A study on amphiphilic fluorinated block copolymer in graphite exfoliation using supercritical CO2 for stable graphene dispersion.

PubMed

Kim, Young Hyun; Lee, Hyang Moo; Choi, Sung Wook; Cheong, In Woo

2018-01-15

In this study, poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PTFEMA-b-PVP) was synthesized by stepwise reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization for the preparation of graphene by the exfoliation of graphite nanoplatelets (GPs) in supercritical CO 2 (SCCO 2 ). Two different block copolymers (low and high molecular weights) were prepared with the same block ratio and used at different concentrations in the SCCO 2 process. The amount of PTFEMA-b-PVP adsorbed on the GPs and the electrical conductivity of the SCCO 2 -treated GP samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and four-point probe method, respectively. All GP samples treated with SCCO 2 were then dispersed in methanol and the dispersion stability was investigated using online turbidity measurements. The concentration and morphology of few-layer graphene stabilized with PTFEMA-b-PVP in the supernatant solution were investigated by gravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Destabilization study of the graphene dispersions revealed that the longer block copolymer exhibited better affinity for graphene, resulting in a higher yield of stable graphene with minimal defects. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Caveolin-1 regulates chemokine receptor 5-mediated contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to dermal fibrosis

PubMed Central

Lee, Rebecca; Perry, Beth; Heywood, Jonathan; Reese, Charles; Bonner, Michael; Hatfield, Corey M.; Silver, Richard M.; Visconti, Richard P.; Hoffman, Stanley; Tourkina, Elena

2014-01-01

In fibrotic diseases caveolin-1 underexpression in fibroblasts results in collagen overexpression and in monocytes leads to hypermigration. These profibrotic behaviors are blocked by the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (CSD) which compensates for caveolin-1 deficiency. Monocytes and fibroblasts are related in that monocytes are the progenitors of fibrocytes (CD45+/Collagen I+ cells) that, in turn, are the progenitors of many fibroblasts in fibrotic tissues. In an additional anti-fibrotic activity, CSD blocks monocyte differentiation into fibrocytes. We studied a mouse fibrosis model (Pump Model) involving systemic bleomycin delivery that closely models scleroderma (SSc) in several ways, the most important of which for this study is that fibrosis is observed in the lungs, skin, and internal organs. We show here that dermal thickness is increased 2-fold in the Pump Model and that this effect is almost completely blocked by CSD (p < 0.001). Concomitantly, the subcutaneous fat layer becomes >80% thinner. This effect is also blocked by CSD (p < 0.001). Even in mice receiving vehicle instead of bleomycin, CSD increases the thickness of the fat layer. To study the mechanisms of action of bleomycin and CSD, we examined the accumulation of the chemokine receptor CCR5 and its ligands MIP1α and MIP1β in fibrotic tissue and their roles in monocyte migration. Fibrocytes and other leukocytes expressing CCR5 and its ligands were present at high levels in the fibrotic dermis of SSc patients and Pump Model mice while CSD blocked their accumulation in mouse dermis. Migration toward CCR5 ligands of SSc monocytes and Pump Model bone marrow cells was 3-fold greater than cells from control subjects. This enhanced migration was almost completely blocked by CSD. These results suggest that low monocyte caveolin-1 promotes fibrosis by enhancing the recruitment of fibrocytes and their progenitors into affected tissue. PMID:24966836

Improving the performance of AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes using electron blocking layer with a heart-shaped graded Al composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, M. R.; Park, T. H.; Lee, T. H.; Lee, B. R.; Kim, T. G.

2018-04-01

We propose a design for highly efficient AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) using a heart-shaped graded Al composition electron-blocking layer (EBL). This novel structure reduced downward band bending at the interface between the last quantum barrier and the EBL and flattened the electrostatic field in the interlayer between the barriers of the multi-quantum barrier EBL. Consequently, electron leakage was significantly suppressed and hole injection efficiency was found to have improved. The parameter values of simulation were extracted from the experimental data of the reference DUV LEDs. Using the SimuLED, we compared the electrical and optical properties of three structures with different Al compositions in the active region and the EBL. The internal quantum efficiency of the proposed structure was shown to exceed those of the reference DUV LEDs by a factor of 1.9. Additionally, the output power at 20 mA was found to increase by a factor of 2.1.

THE 4-AMINOPYRIDINE IN VITRO EPILEPSY MODEL ANALYZED WITH A PERFORATED MULTI-ELECTRODE ARRAY

PubMed Central

Gonzalez-Sulser, Alfredo; Wang, Jing; Motamedi, Gholam K.; Avoli, Massimo; Vicini, Stefano; Dzakpasu, Rhonda

2010-01-01

Epileptiform discharges recorded in the 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in vitro epilepsy model are mediated by glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling. Using a 60-channel perforated multi-electrode array (pMEA) on corticohippocampal slices from 2 to 3 week old mice we recorded interictal- and ictal-like events. When glutamatergic transmission was blocked, interictal-like events events no longer initiated in the hilus or CA3/CA1 pyramidal layers but originated from the dentate gyrus granule and molecular layers. Furthermore, frequencies of interictal-like events were reduced and durations were increased in these regions while cortical discharges were completely blocked. Following GABAA receptor blockade interictal-like events no longer propagated to the dentate gyrus while their frequency in CA3 increased; in addition, ictal-like cortical events became shorter while increasing in frequency. Lastly, drugs that affect tonic and synaptic GABAergic conductance modulate the frequency, duration, initiation and propagation of interictal-like events. These findings confirm and expand on previous studies indicating that multiple synaptic mechanisms contribute to synchronize neuronal network activity in forebrain structures. PMID:20955719

Adsorption of copolymers at polymer/air and polymer/solid interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oslanec, Robert

Using mainly low-energy forward recoil spectrometry (LE-FRES) and neutron reflectivity (NR), copolymer behavior at polymer/air and polymer/solid interfaces is investigated. For a miscible blend of poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile) copolymers, the volume fraction profile of the copolymer with lower acrylonitrile content is flat near the surface in contrast to mean field predictions. Including copolymer polydispersity into a self consistent mean field (SCMF) model does not account for this profile shape. LE-FRES and NR is also used to study poly(deuterated styrene-block-methyl-methacrylate) (dPS-b-PMMA) adsorption from a polymer matrix to a silicon oxide substrate. The interfacial excess, zsp*, layer thickness, L, and layer-matrix width, w, depend strongly on the number of matrix segments, P, for P 2N, the matrix chains are repelled from the adsorbed layer and the layer characteristics become independent of P. An SCMF model of block copolymer adsorption is developed. SCMF predictions are in qualitative agreement with the experimental behavior of zsp*, L, and w as a function of P. Using this model, the interaction energy of the MMA block with the oxide substrate is found to be -8ksb{B}T. In a subsequent experiment, the matrix/dPS interaction is made increasingly unfavorable by increasing the 4-bromostyrene mole fraction, x, in a poly(styrene-ran-4-bromostyrene) (PBrsbxS) matrix. Whereas experiments show that zsp* slightly decreases as x increases, the SCMF model predicts that zsp* should increase as the matrix becomes more unfavorable. Upon including a small matrix attraction for the substrate, the SCMF model shows that zsp* decreases with x because of competition between PBrsbxS and dPS-b-PMMA for adsorbing sites. In thin film dewetting experiments on silicon oxide, the addition of dPS-b-PMMA to PS coatings acts to slow hole growth and prevent holes from impinging. Dewetting studies show that longer dPS-b-PMMA chains are more effective stabilizing agents than shorter ones and that 3 volume percent dPS-b-PMMA is the optimum additive concentration for this system. For a dPS-b-PMMA:PS blend, atomic force microscopy of the hole floor reveals mounds of residual polymer and a modulated contact line where the rim meets the substrate.

Enhancement of P3HT organic photodiodes by the addition of a GaSe9 alloy thin layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siqueira, M. C.; Hoff, A.; de, C., Col; Machado, K. D.; Hümmelgen, I. A.; Serbena, J. P. M.

2017-08-01

We report on gallium-selenium alloy (GaSe9) thin films simultaneously functioning as both blocking layer and active layer on poly(3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT)-based organic photodiodes in order to enhance device performance. In addition to improved transport of the photogenerated charge carriers, GaSe9 films also contribute to light absorption on a different wavelength interval than that of P3HT. Three different devices are compared: ITO/GaSe9/Al, ITO/P3HT/Al and ITO/P3HT/GaSe9/Al, with the last one presenting a lower dark current density (0.90 μA cm-2), higher ON/OFF current ratio (61) and fastest response under AM 1.5 light irradiance. The observed responsivity is 7.3 mA W-1 and is almost linearly dependent on irradiance in the range 0.6-60 W m-2. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 135% and specific detectivity of 16.7 × 1011 Jones at 390 nm incident light wavelength are obtained.

On the origin of the electron blocking effect by an n-type AlGaN electron blocking layer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Zi-Hui; Ji, Yun; Liu, Wei

2014-02-17

In this work, the origin of electron blocking effect of n-type Al{sub 0.25}Ga{sub 0.75}N electron blocking layer (EBL) for c+ InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes has been investigated through dual-wavelength emission method. It is found that the strong polarization induced electric field within the n-EBL reduces the thermal velocity and correspondingly the mean free path of the hot electrons. As a result, the electron capture efficiency of the multiple quantum wells is enhanced, which significantly reduces the electron overflow from the active region and increases the radiative recombination rate with holes.

Block copolymer modified surfaces for conjugation of biomacromolecules with control of quantity and activity.

PubMed

Li, Xin; Wang, Mengmeng; Wang, Lei; Shi, Xiujuan; Xu, Yajun; Song, Bo; Chen, Hong

2013-01-29

Polymer brush layers based on block copolymers of poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEGMA) and poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) were formed on silicon wafers by activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP). Different types of biomolecule can be conjugated to these brush layers by reaction of PGMA epoxide groups with amino groups in the biomolecule, while POEGMA, which resists nonspecific protein adsorption, provides an antifouling environment. Surfaces were characterized by water contact angle, ellipsometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm the modification reactions. Phase segregation of the copolymer blocks in the layers was observed by AFM. The effect of surface properties on protein conjugation was investigated using radiolabeling methods. It was shown that surfaces with POEGMA layers were protein resistant, while the quantity of protein conjugated to the diblock copolymer modified surfaces increased with increasing PGMA layer thickness. The activity of lysozyme conjugated on the surface could also be controlled by varying the thickness of the copolymer layer. When biotin was conjugated to the block copolymer grafts, the surface remained resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption but showed specific binding of avidin. These properties, that is, well-controlled quantity and activity of conjugated biomolecules and specificity of interaction with target biomolecules may be exploited for the improvement of signal-to-noise ratio in sensor applications. More generally, such surfaces may be useful as biological recognition elements of high specificity for functional biomaterials.

Flow Separation

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-11-01

PLENUM CHAMBER 4 DIFFUSER 2 FIXEn NOZZLE BLOCK 5 MODEL i MOVABLE NOZZLE BLOCK 6 SUPPORT Fig. 3. Trl-Color Filter ...boun- dary layer ( Model 2) to examine scaling effects. Special attention was paid to the phenomenon of flow separation in three dimensions...consequence. Special attention should be paid to the difference in scale of an average boundary layer thickness between Model 1 and 2. Because

A bio-inspired microstructure induced by slow injection moulding of cylindrical block copolymers.

PubMed

Stasiak, Joanna; Brubert, Jacob; Serrani, Marta; Nair, Sukumaran; de Gaetano, Francesco; Costantino, Maria Laura; Moggridge, Geoff D

2014-08-28

It is well known that block copolymers with cylindrical morphology show alignment with shear, resulting in anisotropic mechanical properties. Here we show that well-ordered bi-directional orientation can be achieved in such materials by slow injection moulding. This results in a microstructure, and anisotropic mechanical properties, similar to many natural tissues, making this method attractive for engineering prosthetic fibrous tissues. An application of particular interest to us is prosthetic polymeric heart valve leaflets, mimicking the shape, microstructure and hence performance of the native valve. Anisotropic layers have been observed for cylinder-forming block copolymers centrally injected into thin circular discs. The skin layers exhibit orientation parallel to the flow direction, whilst the core layer shows perpendicularly oriented domains; the balance of skin to core layers can be controlled by processing parameters such as temperature and injection rate. Heart valve leaflets with a similar layered structure have been prepared by injection moulding. Numerical modelling demonstrates that such complex orientation can be explained and predicted by the balance of shear and extensional flow.

Analysis of the abnormal voltage-current behaviors on localized carriers of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well from electron blocking layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nam, Giwoong; Kim, Byunggu; Leem, Jae-Young; Lee, Dong-Yul; Kim, Jong Su; Kim, Jin Soo

2013-11-01

The effect of an electron blocking layer (EBL) on the V — I curves for GaN/InGaN multiple quantum wells is investigated. For the first time, we found that the curves intersected at 3.012 V, and we investigated the reason for the intersection. The forward voltage in LEDs with a p-AlGaN EBL is larger than it is without the p-AlGaN EBL at low injection currents because the Mg-doping efficiency for the p-GaN layer is higher than that for the p-AlGaN layer. However, the forward voltage in LEDs with a p-AlGaN EBL is smaller than it is without the p-AlGaN EBL at high injection currents because the carriers overflow from the active layer when the injection current increases in LEDs without a p-AlGaN EBL, in case of LEDs with a p-AlGaN EBL, the carriers are blocked by the EBL.

The improvement of GaN-based LED grown on concave nano-pattern sapphire substrate with SiO2 blocking layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Jyun-Hao; Huang, Shyh-Jer; Su, Yan-Kuin; Huang, Kai-Wen

2015-11-01

In contrast to convex nano-pattern sapphire substrates (NPSS), which are frequently used to fabricate high-quality nitride-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs), concave NPSS have been paid relatively less attention. In this study, a concave NPSS was fabricated, and its nitride epitaxial growth process was evaluated in a step by step manner. A SiO2 layer was used to avoid nucleation over the sidewall and bottom of the nano-patterns to reduce dislocation reformation. Traditional LED structures were grown on the NPSS layer to determine its influence on device performance. X-ray diffraction, etched pit density, inverse leakage current, and internal quantum efficiency (IQE) results showed that dislocations and non-radiative recombination centers are reduced by the NPSS constructed with a SiO2 blocking layer. An IQE twice that on a planar substrate was also achieved; such a high IQE significantly enhanced the external quantum efficiency of the resultant device. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the SiO2 blocking layer proposed in this work can enhance the performance of LEDs.

Nanoscale Multigate TiN Metal Nanocrystal Memory Using High-k Blocking Dielectric and High-Work-Function Gate Electrode Integrated on Silcon-on-Insulator Substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Chi-Pei; Luo, Cheng-Kei; Tsui, Bing-Yue; Lin, Cha-Hsin; Tzeng, Pei-Jer; Wang, Ching-Chiun; Tsai, Ming-Jinn

2009-04-01

In this study, a charge-trapping-layer-engineered nanoscale n-channel trigate TiN nanocrystal nonvolatile memory was successfully fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. An Al2O3 high-k blocking dielectric layer and a P+ polycrystalline silicon gate electrode were used to obtain low operation voltage and suppress the back-side injection effect, respectively. TiN nanocrystals were formed by annealing TiN/Al2O3 nanolaminates deposited by an atomic layer deposition system. The memory characteristics of various samples with different TiN wetting layer thicknesses, post-deposition annealing times, and blocking oxide thicknesses were also investigated. The sample with a thicker wetting layer exhibited a much larger memory window than other samples owing to its larger nanocrystal size. Good retention with a mere 12% charge loss for up to 10 years and high endurance were also obtained. Furthermore, gate disturbance and read disturbance were measured with very small charge migrations after a 103 s stressing bias.

Versatile antifouling polyethersulfone filtration membranes modified via surface grafting of zwitterionic polymers from a reactive amphiphilic copolymer additive.

PubMed

Zhao, Yi-Fan; Zhang, Pei-Bin; Sun, Jian; Liu, Cui-Jing; Yi, Zhuan; Zhu, Li-Ping; Xu, You-Yi

2015-06-15

Here we describe the development of versatile antifouling polyethersulfone (PES) filtration membranes modified via surface grafting of zwitterionic polymers from a reactive amphiphilic copolymer additive. Amphiphilic polyethersulfone-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PES-b-PHEMA) was beforehand designed and used as the blending additive of PES membranes prepared by phase inversion technique. The surface enriched PHEMA blocks on membrane surface acted as an anchor to immobilize the initiating site. Poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA) were subsequently grafted onto the PES blend membranes by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The analysis of surface chemistry confirmed the successful grafting of zwitterionic PSBMA brushes on PES membrane surface. The resulted PES-g-PSBMA membranes were capable of separating proteins from protein solution and oil from oil/water emulsion efficiently. Furthermore, the modified membranes showed high hydrophilicity and strongly antifouling properties due to the incorporation of well-defined PSBMA layer. In addition, the PES-g-PSBMA membranes exhibited excellent blood compatibility and durability during the washing process. The developed antifouling PES membranes are versatile and can find their applications in protein filtration, blood purification and oil/water separation, etc. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enhancing the performance of blue GaN-based light emitting diodes with double electron blocking layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Yao; Liang, Meng; Fu, Jiajia

2015-03-15

In this work, novel double Electron Blocking Layers for InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells light-emitting diodes were proposed to mitigate the efficiency droop at high current density. The band diagram and carriers distributions were investigated numerically. The results indicate that due to a newly formed holes stack in the p-GaN near the active region, the hole injection has been improved and an uniform carriers distribution can be achieved. As a result, in our new structure with double Electron Blocking Layers, the efficiency droop has been reduced to 15.5 % in comparison with 57.3 % for the LED with AlGaN EBL atmore » the current density of 100 A/cm{sup 2}.« less

Superconductivity in REO0.5F0.5BiS2 with high-entropy-alloy-type blocking layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sogabe, Ryota; Goto, Yosuke; Mizuguchi, Yoshikazu

2018-05-01

We synthesized new REO0.5F0.5BiS2 (RE: rare earth) superconductors with high-entropy-alloy-type (HEA-type) REO blocking layers. The lattice constant a systematically changed in the HEA-type samples with the RE concentration and the RE ionic radius. A sharp superconducting transition was observed in the resistivity measurements for all the HEA-type samples, and the transition temperature of the HEA-type samples was higher than that of typical REO0.5F0.5BiS2. The sharp superconducting transition and the enhanced superconducting properties of the HEA-type samples may indicate the effectiveness of the HEA states of the REO blocking layers in the REO0.5F0.5BiS2 system.

The influence of anatase-rutile mixed phase and ZnO blocking layer on dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2nanofiberphotoanodes

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

High performance is expected in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that utilize one-dimensional (1-D) TiO2 nanostructures owing to the effective electron transport. However, due to the low dye adsorption, mainly because of their smooth surfaces, 1-D TiO2 DSSCs show relatively lower efficiencies than nanoparticle-based ones. Herein, we demonstrate a very simple approach using thick TiO2 electrospun nanofiber films as photoanodes to obtain high conversion efficiency. To improve the performance of the DSCCs, anatase-rutile mixed-phase TiO2 nanofibers are achieved by increasing sintering temperature above 500°C, and very thin ZnO films are deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) method as blocking layers. With approximately 40-μm-thick mixed-phase (approximately 15.6 wt.% rutile) TiO2 nanofiber as photoanode and 15-nm-thick compact ZnO film as a blocking layer in DSSC, the photoelectric conversion efficiency and short-circuit current are measured as 8.01% and 17.3 mA cm−2, respectively. Intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy measurements reveal that extremely large electron diffusion length is the key point to support the usage of thick TiO2 nanofibers as photoanodes with very thin ZnO blocking layers to obtain high photocurrents and high conversion efficiencies. PMID:23286741

Directed Self-Assembly on Photo-Crosslinked Polystyrene Sub-Layers: Nanopattern Uniformity and Orientation

PubMed Central

Koh, Haeng-Deog; Kim, Mi-Jeong

2016-01-01

A photo-crosslinked polystyrene (PS) thin film is investigated as a potential guiding sub-layer for polystyrene-block-poly (methyl methacrylate) block copolymer (BCP) cylindrical nanopattern formation via topographic directed self-assembly (DSA). When compared to a non-crosslinked PS brush sub-layer, the photo-crosslinked PS sub-layer provided longer correlation lengths of the BCP nanostructure, resulting in a highly uniform DSA nanopattern with a low number of BCP dislocation defects. Depending on the thickness of the sub-layer used, parallel or orthogonal orientations of DSA nanopattern arrays were obtained that covered the entire surface of patterned Si substrates, including both trench and mesa regions. The design of DSA sub-layers and guide patterns, such as hardening the sub-layer by photo-crosslinking, nano-structuring on mesas, the relation between trench/mesa width, and BCP equilibrium period, were explored with a view to developing defect-reduced DSA lithography technology. PMID:28773768

Enhancement of resistive switching properties in Al2O3 bilayer-based atomic switches: multilevel resistive switching.

PubMed

Vishwanath, Sujaya Kumar; Woo, Hyunsuk; Jeon, Sanghun

2018-06-08

Atomic switches are considered to be building blocks for future non-volatile data storage and internet of things. However, obtaining device structures capable of ultrahigh density data storage, high endurance, and long data retention, and more importantly, understanding the switching mechanisms are still a challenge for atomic switches. Here, we achieved improved resistive switching performance in a bilayer structure containing aluminum oxide, with an oxygen-deficient oxide as the top switching layer and stoichiometric oxide as the bottom switching layer, using atomic layer deposition. This bilayer device showed a high on/off ratio (10 5 ) with better endurance (∼2000 cycles) and longer data retention (10 4 s) than single-oxide layers. In addition, depending on the compliance current, the bilayer device could be operated in four different resistance states. Furthermore, the depth profiles of the hourglass-shaped conductive filament of the bilayer device was observed by conductive atomic force microscopy.

Exciplex formation and electroluminescent absorption in ultraviolet organic light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qi; Zhang, Hao; Zhang, Xiao-Wen; Xu, Tao; Wei, Bin

2015-02-01

We investigated the formation of exciplex and electroluminescent absorption in ultraviolet organic light-emitting diodes (UV OLEDs) using different heterojunction structures. It is found that an energy barrier of over 0.3 eV between the emissive layer (EML) and adjacent transport layer facilitates exciplex formation. The electron blocking layer effectively confines electrons in the EML, which contributes to pure UV emission and enhances efficiency. The change in EML thickness generates tunable UV emission from 376 nm to 406 nm. In addition, the UV emission excites low-energy organic function layers and produces photoluminescent emission. In UV OLED, avoiding the exciplex formation and averting light absorption can effectively improve the purity and efficiency. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 1.2% with a UV emission peak of 376 nm is realized. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61136003 and 61275041) and the Guangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China (Grant No. 2012GXNSFBA053168).

Flexible single-layer ionic organic-inorganic frameworks towards precise nano-size separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yue, Liang; Wang, Shan; Zhou, Ding; Zhang, Hao; Li, Bao; Wu, Lixin

2016-02-01

Consecutive two-dimensional frameworks comprised of molecular or cluster building blocks in large area represent ideal candidates for membranes sieving molecules and nano-objects, but challenges still remain in methodology and practical preparation. Here we exploit a new strategy to build soft single-layer ionic organic-inorganic frameworks via electrostatic interaction without preferential binding direction in water. Upon consideration of steric effect and additional interaction, polyanionic clusters as connection nodes and cationic pseudorotaxanes acting as bridging monomers connect with each other to form a single-layer ionic self-assembled framework with 1.4 nm layer thickness. Such soft supramolecular polymer frameworks possess uniform and adjustable ortho-tetragonal nanoporous structure in pore size of 3.4-4.1 nm and exhibit greatly convenient solution processability. The stable membranes maintaining uniform porous structure demonstrate precisely size-selective separation of semiconductor quantum dots within 0.1 nm of accuracy and may hold promise for practical applications in selective transport, molecular separation and dialysis systems.

Mode jumping of split-ring resonator metamaterials controlled by high-permittivity BST and incident electric fields

PubMed Central

Fu, Xiaojian; Zeng, Xinxi; Cui, Tie Jun; Lan, Chuwen; Guo, Yunsheng; Zhang, Hao Chi; Zhang, Qian

2016-01-01

We investigate the resonant modes of split-ring resonator (SRR) metamaterials that contain high-permittivity BST block numerically and experimentally. We observe interesting mode-jumping phenomena from the BST-included SRR absorber structure as the excitation wave is incident perpendicularly to the SRR plane. Specifically, when the electric field is parallel to the SRR gap, the BST block in the gap will induce a mode jumping from the LC resonance to plasmonic resonance (horizontal electric-dipole mode), because the displacement current excited by the Mie resonance in the dielectric block acts as a current channel in the gap. When the electric field is perpendicular to the gap side, the plasmonic resonance mode (vertical electric-dipole mode) in SRR changes to two joint modes contributed simultaneously by the back layer, SRR and BST block, as a result of connected back layer and SRR layer by the displacement current in the BST dielectric block. Based on the mode jumping effect as well as temperature and electric-field dependent dielectric constant, the BST-included SRR metamaterials may have great potentials for the applications in electromagnetic switches and widely tunable metamaterial devices. PMID:27502844

Two-layer-atmospheric blocking in a medium with high nonlinearity and lateral dispersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osman, M. S.; Abdel-Gawad, H. I.; El Mahdy, M. A.

2018-03-01

Herein, the extended coupled Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation (CKPE) with lateral dispersion is investigated for studying the atmospheric blocking in two layers. A variety of new types of polynomial solutions for the CKPE is obtained using the unified method. Furthermore, we use the Hamiltonian systems with two degrees of freedom to discuss the stability of the obtained solutions through the bifurcation diagrams.

From dots to doughnuts: Two-dimensionally confined deposition of polyelectrolytes on block copolymer templates

DOE PAGES

Oded, Meirav; Kelly, Stephen T.; Gilles, Mary K.; ...

2016-07-05

The combination of block copolymer templating with electrostatic self-assembly provides a simple and robust method for creating nano-patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers over large areas. The deposition of the first polyelectrolyte layer provides important insights on the initial stages of multilayer buildup. Here, we focus on two-dimensionally confined “dots” patterns afforded by block copolymer films featuring hexagonally-packed cylinders that are oriented normal to the substrate. Rendering the cylinder caps positively charged enables the selective deposition of negatively charged polyelectrolytes on them under salt-free conditions. The initially formed polyelectrolyte nanostructures adopt a toroidal (“doughnut”) shape, which results from retraction of dangling polyelectrolyte segmentsmore » into the “dots” upon drying. With increasing exposure time to the polyelectrolyte solution, the final shape of the deposited polyelectrolyte transitions from a doughnut to a hemisphere. In conclusion, these insights would enable the creation of patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers with increased control over adsorption selectivity of the additional incoming polyelectrolytes.« less

From dots to doughnuts: Two-dimensionally confined deposition of polyelectrolytes on block copolymer templates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oded, Meirav; Kelly, Stephen T.; Gilles, Mary K.

The combination of block copolymer templating with electrostatic self-assembly provides a simple and robust method for creating nano-patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers over large areas. The deposition of the first polyelectrolyte layer provides important insights on the initial stages of multilayer buildup. Here, we focus on two-dimensionally confined “dots” patterns afforded by block copolymer films featuring hexagonally-packed cylinders that are oriented normal to the substrate. Rendering the cylinder caps positively charged enables the selective deposition of negatively charged polyelectrolytes on them under salt-free conditions. The initially formed polyelectrolyte nanostructures adopt a toroidal (“doughnut”) shape, which results from retraction of dangling polyelectrolyte segmentsmore » into the “dots” upon drying. With increasing exposure time to the polyelectrolyte solution, the final shape of the deposited polyelectrolyte transitions from a doughnut to a hemisphere. In conclusion, these insights would enable the creation of patterned polyelectrolyte multilayers with increased control over adsorption selectivity of the additional incoming polyelectrolytes.« less

Blocking, descent and gravity waves: Observations and modelling of a MAP northerly föhn event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Qingfang; Doyle, James D.; Smith, Ronald B.

2005-01-01

A northerly föhn event observed during the special observational period of the Mesoscale Alpine Programme is investigated based on observational analysis and numerical modelling. The focus of this study includes three dynamical processes associated with mountain perturbations and their interactions, namely, windward flow blocking, descent and warming on the lee side, and mountain waves. Observations indicate the presence of a deep weak-flow layer underneath a stable layer, associated with Alpine-scale blocking. Satellite imagery reveals a föhninduced cloud-free area to the south of the Alps, which is consistent with flow descent diagnosed from radiosondes and constant-volume balloons. Moderate-amplitude stationary waves were observed by research aircraft over the major Alpine peaks. Satellite images and balloon data indicate the presence of stationary trapped-wave patterns located to the north of the Alpine massif.Satisfactory agreement is found between observations and a real-data COAMPS simulation nested to 1 km resolution. COAMPS indicates the presence of trapped waves associated with a sharp decrease of Scorer parameter above a stable layer in the mid-troposphere. Underneath the stable layer, moist low-level flow is blocked to the north of the Alps. The warm air in the stable layer descends in the lee and recovers its altitude over a relatively short horizontal distance through a hydraulic jump.Blocking reduces the effective mountain and hence significantly reduces mountain drag. A simple empirical formula for estimation of the effective mountain height, he, is derived based on numerical simulations. The formula states he/hc = (h/hc), where h is the real mountain height and hc is the critical mountain height to have flow stagnation.

Cation Ordering within the Perovskite Block of a Six-layer Ruddlesden-Popper Oxide from Layer-by-layer Growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Lei; Niu, H. J.; Rosseinsky, M. J.

2011-03-01

The (AO)(A BO3)n Ruddlesden-Popper structure is an archetypal complex oxide consisting of two distinct structural units, an (AO) rock salt layer separating an n-octahedra thick perovskite block. Conventional high-temperature oxide synthesis methods cannot access members with n > 3 , butlowtemperaturelayer - by - layerthinfilmmethodsallowthepreparationofmaterialswiththickerperovskiteblocks , exploitinghighsurfacemobilityandlatticematchingwiththesubstrate . Thispresentationdescribesthegrowthofann = 6 memberCaO / (ABO 3)n (ABO 3 : CaMnO 3 , La 0.67 Ca 0.33 MnO 3 orCa 0.85 Sm 0.15 MnO 3) epitaxialsinglecrystalfilmsonthe (001) SrTiO 3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition with the assistance of a reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED).

Two innovative solutions based on fibre concrete blocks designed for building substructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pazderka, J.; Hájek, P.

2017-09-01

Using of fibers in a high-strength concrete allows reduction of the dimensions of small precast concrete elements, which opens up new ways of solution for traditional construction details in buildings. The paper presents two innovative technical solutions for building substructure: The special shaped plinth block from fibre concrete and the fibre concrete elements for new technical solution of ventilated floor. The main advantages of plinth block from fibre concrete blocks (compared with standard plinth solutions) is: easier and faster assembly, higher durability and thanks to the air cavity between the vertical part of the block, the building substructure reduced moisture level of structures under the waterproofing layer and a comprehensive solution to the final surface of building plinth as well as the surface of adjacent terrain. The ventilated floor based on fibre concrete precast blocks is an attractive structural alternative for tackling the problem of increased moisture in masonry in older buildings, lacking a functional waterproof layer in the substructure.

SC'11 Poster: A Highly Efficient MGPT Implementation for LAMMPS; with Strong Scaling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oppelstrup, T; Stukowski, A; Marian, J

2011-12-07

The MGPT potential has been implemented as a drop in package to the general molecular dynamics code LAMMPS. We implement an improved communication scheme that shrinks the communication layer thickness, and increases the load balancing. This results in unprecedented strong scaling, and speedup continuing beyond 1/8 atom/core. In addition, we have optimized the small matrix linear algebra with generic blocking (for all processors) and specific SIMD intrinsics for vectorization on Intel, AMD, and BlueGene CPUs.

Structural Evolution of Low-Molecular-Weight Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene Diblock Copolymer Thin Film

PubMed Central

Huang, Xiaohua

2013-01-01

The structural evolution of low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene (PEO-b-PS) diblock copolymer thin film with various initial film thicknesses on silicon substrate under thermal annealing was investigated by atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, and contact angle measurement. At film thickness below half of the interlamellar spacing of the diblock copolymer (6.2 nm), the entire silicon is covered by a polymer brush with PEO blocks anchored on the Si substrate due to the substrate-induced effect. When the film is thicker than 6.2 nm, a dense polymer brush which is equal to half of an interlamellar layer was formed on the silicon, while the excess material dewet this layer to form droplets. The droplet surface was rich with PS block and the PEO block crystallized inside the bigger droplet to form spherulite. PMID:24302862

The influence of Na+ and Ca2+ on the migration of colloids or/and ammonia nitrogen in an unsaturated zone medium.

PubMed

Li, HaiMing; Wei, JinBu; Ge, YaChao; Wang, ZhanQuan; Wang, Ye; Li, YingLong

2016-11-01

This experiment was conducted with an indoor sand-column device, the migration of colloids with the presence of Na + and Ca 2+ and the migration of ammonia nitrogen with the presence of Na + , Ca 2+ or/and colloids was studied. The results showed that the migration of colloids was influenced by the ion valence state, different ions with different valence could block the migration of colloids. In addition, the blocking effect of bivalent ions was more obvious than that of monovalent ions. In the presence of Na + and Ca 2+ , the R d value of the ammonia-nitrogen migration process were 1.01 and 1.41, respectively, which indicated that bivalent ions have a greater blocking effect on ammonia-nitrogen migration than monovalent ions. Colloids could also block the ammonia-nitrogen migration, and R d value in the ammonia-nitrogen migration process was 1.17. Moreover, the presence of Na + /colloids and Ca 2+ /colloids could enhance the blocking effect on the ammonia-nitrogen migration, and resulting the R d values at 1.20 and 1.52, respectively. The cohesion of colloids caused by the compaction of its electric double layer with those ions added maybe the key causes of those blocking. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Flexible strategy for immobilizing redox-active compounds using in situ generation of diazonium salts. Investigations of the blocking and catalytic properties of the layers.

PubMed

Noël, Jean-Marc; Sjöberg, Béatrice; Marsac, Rémi; Zigah, Dodzi; Bergamini, Jean-François; Wang, Aifang; Rigaut, Stéphane; Hapiot, Philippe; Lagrost, Corinne

2009-11-03

A versatile two-step method is developed to covalently immobilize redox-active molecules onto carbon surfaces. First, a robust anchoring platform is grafted onto surfaces by electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts in situ generated. Depending on the nature of the layer termini, -COOH or -NH(2), a further chemical coupling involving ferrocenemethylamine or ferrocene carboxylic acid derivatives leads to the covalent binding of ferrocene centers. The chemical strategy using acyl chloride activation is efficient and flexible, since it can be applied either to surface-reactive end groups or to reactive species in solution. Cyclic voltammetry analyses point to the covalent binding of ferrocene units restricted to the upper layers of the underlying aryl films, while AFM measurements show a lost of compactness of the layers after the chemical attachment of ferrocene centers. The preparation conditions of the anchoring layers were found to determine the interfacial properties of the resulted ferrocenyl-modified electrodes. The ferrocene units promoted effective redox mediation providing that the free redox probes are adequately chosen (i.e., vs size/formal potential) and the underlying layers exhibit strong blocking properties. For anchoring films with weaker blocking effect, the coexistence of two distinct phenomena, redox mediation and ET at pinholes could be evidenced.

HOLE-BLOCKING LAYERS FOR SILICON/ORGANIC HETEROJUNCTIONS: A NEW CLASS OF HIGH-EFFICIENCY LOW-COST PV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sturm, James

This project is the first investigation of the use of thin titanium dioxide layers on silicon as a hole-blocking / electron-transparent selective contact to silicon. The work was motivated by the goal of a high-efficiency low-cost silicon-based solar cells that could be processed entirely at low temperature (300 Degree Celsius) or less, without requiring plasma-processing.

From Kondo lattices to Kondo superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimozawa, Masaaki; Goh, Swee K.; Shibauchi, Takasada; Matsuda, Yuji

2016-07-01

The realization of new classes of ground states in strongly correlated electron systems continues to be a major issue in condensed matter physics. Heavy fermion materials, whose electronic structure is essentially three-dimensional, are one of the most suitable systems for obtaining novel electronic states because of their intriguing properties associated with many-body effects. Recently, a state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy technique was developed to reduce the dimensionality of heavy electron systems by fabricating artificial superlattices that include heavy fermion compounds; this approach can produce a new type of electronic state in two-dimensional (2D) heavy fermion systems. In artificial superlattices of the antiferromagnetic heavy fermion compound CeIn3 and the conventional metal LaIn3, the magnetic order is suppressed by a reduction in the thickness of the CeIn3 layers. In addition, the 2D confinement of heavy fermions leads to enhancement of the effective electron mass and deviation from the standard Fermi liquid electronic properties, which are both associated with the dimensional tuning of quantum criticality. In the superconducting superlattices of the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn5 and nonmagnetic metal YbCoIn5, signatures of superconductivity are observed even at the thickness of one unit-cell layer of CeCoIn5. The most remarkable feature of this 2D heavy fermion superconductor is that the thickness reduction of the CeCoIn5 layers changes the temperature and angular dependencies of the upper critical field significantly. This result is attributed to a substantial suppression of the Pauli pair-breaking effect through the local inversion symmetry breaking at the interfaces of CeCoIn5 block layers. The importance of the inversion symmetry breaking in this system has also been supported by site-selective nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which can resolve spectroscopic information from each layer separately, even within the same CeCoIn5 block layer. In addition, recent experiments involving CeCoIn5/YbCoIn5 superlattices have shown that the degree of the inversion symmetry breaking and, in turn, the Rashba splitting are controllable, offering the prospect of achieving even more fascinating superconducting states. Thus, these Kondo superlattices pave the way for the exploration of unconventional metallic and superconducting states.

Aortic remodeling after transverse aortic constriction in mice is attenuated with AT1 receptor blockade.

PubMed

Kuang, Shao-Qing; Geng, Liang; Prakash, Siddharth K; Cao, Jiu-Mei; Guo, Steven; Villamizar, Carlos; Kwartler, Callie S; Peters, Andrew M; Brasier, Allan R; Milewicz, Dianna M

2013-09-01

Although hypertension is the most common risk factor for thoracic aortic diseases, it is not understood how increased pressures on the ascending aorta lead to aortic aneurysms. We investigated the role of angiotensin II type 1 receptor activation in ascending aortic remodeling in response to increased biomechanical forces using a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mouse model. Two weeks after TAC, the increased biomechanical pressures led to ascending aortic dilatation and thickening of the medial and adventitial layers of the aorta. There was significant adventitial hyperplasia and inflammatory responses in TAC ascending aortas were accompanied by increased adventitial collagen, elevated inflammatory and proliferative markers, and increased cell density attributable to accumulation of myofibroblasts and macrophages. Treatment with losartan significantly blocked TAC-induced vascular inflammation and macrophage accumulation. However, losartan only partially prevented TAC-induced adventitial hyperplasia, collagen accumulation, and ascending aortic dilatation. Increased Tgfb2 expression and phosphorylated-Smad2 staining in the medial layer of TAC ascending aortas were effectively blocked with losartan. In contrast, the increased Tgfb1 expression and adventitial phospho-Smad2 staining were only partially attenuated by losartan. In addition, losartan significantly blocked extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and reactive oxygen species production in the TAC ascending aorta. Inhibition of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor using losartan significantly attenuated the vascular remodeling associated with TAC but did not completely block the increased transforming growth factor-β1 expression, adventitial Smad2 signaling, and collagen accumulation. These results help to delineate the aortic transforming growth factor-β signaling that is dependent and independent of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor after TAC.

Crystal Identification in Dual-Layer-Offset DOI-PET Detectors Using Stratified Peak Tracking Based on SVD and Mean-Shift Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Qingyang; Dai, Tiantian; Ma, Tianyu; Liu, Yaqiang; Gu, Yu

2016-10-01

An Anger-logic based pixelated PET detector block requires a crystal position map (CPM) to assign the position of each detected event to a most probable crystal index. Accurate assignments are crucial to PET imaging performance. In this paper, we present a novel automatic approach to generate the CPMs for dual-layer offset (DLO) PET detectors using a stratified peak tracking method. In which, the top and bottom layers are distinguished by their intensity difference and the peaks of the top and bottom layers are tracked based on a singular value decomposition (SVD) and mean-shift algorithm in succession. The CPM is created by classifying each pixel to its nearest peak and assigning the pixel with the crystal index of that peak. A Matlab-based graphical user interface program was developed including the automatic algorithm and a manual interaction procedure. The algorithm was tested for three DLO PET detector blocks. Results show that the proposed method exhibits good performance as well as robustness for all the three blocks. Compared to the existing methods, our approach can directly distinguish the layer and crystal indices using the information of intensity and offset grid pattern.

Broadband pH-Sensing Organic Transistors with Polymeric Sensing Layers Featuring Liquid Crystal Microdomains Encapsulated by Di-Block Copolymer Chains.

PubMed

Seo, Jooyeok; Song, Myeonghun; Jeong, Jaehoon; Nam, Sungho; Heo, Inseok; Park, Soo-Young; Kang, Inn-Kyu; Lee, Joon-Hyung; Kim, Hwajeong; Kim, Youngkyoo

2016-09-14

We report broadband pH-sensing organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) sensing layers. The PDLC layers are prepared by spin-coating using ethanol solutions containing 4-cyano-4'-pentyl-biphenyl (5CB) and a diblock copolymer (PAA-b-PCBOA) that consists of LC-philic block [poly(4-cyano-biphenyl-4-oxyundecyl acrylate) (PCBOA)] and acrylic acid block [poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)]. The spin-coated sensing layers feature of 5CB microdomains (<5 μm) encapsulated by the PAA-b-PCBOA polymer chains. The resulting LC-integrated-OFETs (PDLC-i-OFETs) can detect precisely and reproducibly a wide range of pH with only small amounts (10-40 μL) of analyte solutions in both static and dynamic perfusion modes. The positive drain current change is measured for acidic solutions (pH < 7), whereas basic solutions (pH > 7) result in the negative change of drain current. The drain current trend in the present PDLC-i-OFET devices is explained by the shrinking-expanding mechanism of the PAA chains in the diblock copolymer layers.

Observation of nanometer-sized electro-active defects in insulating layers by fluorescence microscopy and electrochemistry.

PubMed

Renault, Christophe; Marchuk, Kyle; Ahn, Hyun S; Titus, Eric J; Kim, Jiyeon; Willets, Katherine A; Bard, Allen J

2015-06-02

We report a method to study electro-active defects in passivated electrodes. This method couples fluorescence microscopy and electrochemistry to localize and size electro-active defects. The method was validated by comparison with a scanning probe technique, scanning electrochemical microscopy. We used our method for studying electro-active defects in thin TiO2 layers electrodeposited on 25 μm diameter Pt ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs). The permeability of the TiO2 layer was estimated by measuring the oxidation of ferrocenemethanol at the UME. Blocking of current ranging from 91.4 to 99.8% was achieved. Electro-active defects with an average radius ranging between 9 and 90 nm were observed in these TiO2 blocking layers. The distribution of electro-active defects over the TiO2 layer is highly inhomogeneous and the number of electro-active defect increases for lower degree of current blocking. The interest of the proposed technique is the possibility to quickly (less than 15 min) image samples as large as several hundreds of μm(2) while being able to detect electro-active defects of only a few tens of nm in radius.

Heat insulating device for low temperature liquefied gas storage tank

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Okamoto, T.; Nishimoto, T.; Sawada, K.

1978-05-02

Hitachi Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd.'s insulation method for spherical LNG containers solves various problems associated with insulating a sphere's three-dimensional curved surface; equalizing the thickness of the insulation, insulating the junctions between insulation blocks, and preventing seawater or LNG from penetrating the insulation barrier in the event of a rupture in the tank and ship's hull. The design incorporates a number of blocks or plates of rigid foam-insulating material bonded to the outer wall; seats for receiving pressing jigs for the bonding operation are secured to the outer wall in the joints between the insulating blocks. The joints aremore » filled with soft synthetic foam (embedding the seats), a moistureproof layer covers the insulating blocks and joints, and a waterproof material covers the moistureproof layer.« less

REACTOR MODERATOR STRUCTURE

DOEpatents

Fraas, A.P.; Tudor, J.J.

1963-08-01

An improved moderator structure for nuclear reactors consists of moderator blocks arranged in horizontal layers to form a multiplicity of vertically stacked columns of blocks. The blocks in each vertical column are keyed together, and a ceramic grid is disposed between each horizontal layer of blocks. Pressure plates cover- the lateral surface of the moderator structure in abutting relationship with the peripheral terminal lengths of the ceramic grids. Tubular springs are disposed between the pressure plates and a rigid external support. The tubular springs have their axes vertically disposed to facilitate passage of coolant gas through the springs and are spaced apart a selected distance such that at sonae preselected point of spring deflection, the sides of the springs will contact adjacent springs thereby causing a large increase in resistance to further spring deflection. (AEC)

Stress Coupling Relationship between Mantle Convection and Seismogenic Layer in Southeastern Tibetan Plateau and its Geodynamic Implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiang, H.

2015-12-01

The lithospheric stress states and interlayer coupling interaction is of great significant in studying plate driven mechanism and seismogenic environment. The coupling relationship between mantle convection generated drag stress in the lithospheric base and seismogenic layer stress in the crust represents the lithospheric mechanical coupling intensity level. We calculate the lithospheric bottom mantle convection stress field of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau using 11~36 spherical harmonic coefficients of gravity model EGM2008. Meanwhile we collect and organize the focal mechanism of 1131 earthquakes that occurred from 2000 to now in Sichuan-Yunnan region. The current seismogenic layer stress and stress field before Lushan earthquake are calculated by the damping regional stress tensor inversion. We further analyze the correlation between the two kinds of stress fields, then discuss the relation between mechanics coupling situation and strong earthquakes in different regions. The results show that: (1) Most of Sichuan-Yunnan region is located in the coupling and decoupling intermediate zone. Coupling zones distribute on the basis of block, the eastern South China block has strong coupling, and the coupling phenomenon also exists in parts of the northern Tibet block, Balyanlkalla block in the northwest and southwest Yunnan block. The decoupling mainly occurs in Songpan-Ganzi block, connecting with the strong coupling South China block and Longmenshan fault zone is their boundary. (2) We have analyzed seismogenic mechanism, then proposed the border zone of strong and weak coupling relation between mantle convection stress and seismogenic layer stress exists high seismic risk. The current coupling situation shows that Longmenshan fault zone is still in the large varying gradient area of coupling intensity level, it has conditions to accumulate energy and develop earthquakes. Other dangerous areas are: Mingjiang, Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe, the Red River, Nantinghe fault zone and their neighboring areas.

A system architecture for a planetary rover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, D. B.; Matijevic, J. R.

1989-01-01

Each planetary mission requires a complex space vehicle which integrates several functions to accomplish the mission and science objectives. A Mars Rover is one of these vehicles, and extends the normal spacecraft functionality with two additional functions: surface mobility and sample acquisition. All functions are assembled into a hierarchical and structured format to understand the complexities of interactions between functions during different mission times. It can graphically show data flow between functions, and most importantly, the necessary control flow to avoid unambiguous results. Diagrams are presented organizing the functions into a structured, block format where each block represents a major function at the system level. As such, there are six blocks representing telecomm, power, thermal, science, mobility and sampling under a supervisory block called Data Management/Executive. Each block is a simple collection of state machines arranged into a hierarchical order very close to the NASREM model for Telerobotics. Each layer within a block represents a level of control for a set of state machines that do the three primary interface functions: command, telemetry, and fault protection. This latter function is expanded to include automatic reactions to the environment as well as internal faults. Lastly, diagrams are presented that trace the system operations involved in moving from site to site after site selection. The diagrams clearly illustrate both the data and control flows. They also illustrate inter-block data transfers and a hierarchical approach to fault protection. This systems architecture can be used to determine functional requirements, interface specifications and be used as a mechanism for grouping subsystems (i.e., collecting groups of machines, or blocks consistent with good and testable implementations).

Inversion and Application of Muon Tomography Data for Cave Exploration in Budapest, Hungary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molnár, Gábor; Surányi, Gergely; Gábor Barnaföldi, Gergely; Oláh, László; Hamar, Gergö; Varga, Dezsö

2016-04-01

In this contribution we present a prospecting muon-tomograph and its application for cave exploration in Budapest, Hungary. The more than 50 years old basic idea behind muon tomography is the ability of muon particles, generated in the upper atmosphere to penetrate tens of meters into rocks with continuous attenuation before decay. This enables us placing a detector in a tunnel and measure muon fluxes from different directions and convert these fluxes to rock density data. The lightweight, 51x46x32 cm3 size, muon tomograph containing 5 detector layers was developed by Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary. A muon passing at least 4 of the 5 detector layers along one line are classified as unique muon detection. Its angular resolution is approximately 1 degree and it is effective up to 50 degrees off zenith. During the measurement campaign we installed the muon detector at seventeen locations along an abandoned, likely Cold War air raid shelter tunnel for 10-15 days at each location, collecting large set of events. The measured fluxes are converted to apparent density lengths (multiplication of rock densities by along path lengths) using an empirically tested relationship. For inverting measurements, a 3D block model of the subsurface was developed. It consisted of cuboids, with equal horizontal size, equal number in every line and in every row of the model. Additionally it consisted of blocks with different heights, equal number of blocks in every column. (Block height was constant in a column, but varied from column to column.) The heights of the blocks in a column were chosen, that top face of the uppermost blocks has an elevation defined by a Digital Elevation Model. Initially the density of every model blocks was set to a realistic value. We calculated the theoretical density length for every detector location and for a subset of flux measurement directions. We also calculated the partial derivatives of these theoretical density length values with respect to the densities of every model block. This is the Jacobian of the problem and these values were proportional to the path length in the respective block. A regularized least squares solution returns the corrections of the densities of the blocks. If the corrected density of a block is significantly smaller than the typical rock density of the subsurface, the block is dedicated as a cave. According to our results a supposed cave exists some 7 meters above the tunnel. This work has been supported by the Lendület Program of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (LP2013-60) and the OTKA NK-106119 grant. Gergely Gábor Barnaföld and Dezsö Varga thank for the support of the Bolyai Fellowship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The 4-aminopyridine in vitro epilepsy model analyzed with a perforated multi-electrode array.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Sulser, Alfredo; Wang, Jing; Motamedi, Gholam K; Avoli, Massimo; Vicini, Stefano; Dzakpasu, Rhonda

2011-06-01

Epileptiform discharges recorded in the 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in vitro epilepsy model are mediated by glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling. Using a 60-channel perforated multi-electrode array (pMEA) on corticohippocampal slices from 2 to 3 week old mice we recorded interictal- and ictal-like events. When glutamatergic transmission was blocked, interictal-like events no longer initiated in the hilus or CA3/CA1 pyramidal layers but originated from the dentate gyrus granule and molecular layers. Furthermore, frequencies of interictal-like events were reduced and durations were increased in these regions while cortical discharges were completely blocked. Following GABA(A) receptor blockade interictal-like events no longer propagated to the dentate gyrus while their frequency in CA3 increased; in addition, ictal-like cortical events became shorter while increasing in frequency. Lastly, drugs that affect tonic and synaptic GABAergic conductance modulated the frequency, duration, initiation and propagation of interictal-like events. These findings confirm and expand on previous studies indicating that multiple synaptic mechanisms contribute to synchronize neuronal network activity in forebrain structures. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lithium-drifted silicon detector with segmented contacts

DOEpatents

Tindall, Craig S.; Luke, Paul N.

2006-06-13

A method and apparatus for creating both segmented and unsegmented radiation detectors which can operate at room temperature. The devices include a metal contact layer, and an n-type blocking contact formed from a thin layer of amorphous semiconductor. In one embodiment the material beneath the n-type contact is n-type material, such as lithium compensated silicon that forms the active region of the device. The active layer has been compensated to a degree at which the device may be fully depleted at low bias voltages. A p-type blocking contact layer, or a p-type donor material can be formed beneath a second metal contact layer to complete the device structure. When the contacts to the device are segmented, the device is capable of position sensitive detection and spectroscopy of ionizing radiation, such as photons, electrons, and ions.

A two-dimensional DNA lattice implanted polymer solar cell.

PubMed

Lee, Keun Woo; Kim, Kyung Min; Lee, Junwye; Amin, Rashid; Kim, Byeonghoon; Park, Sung Kye; Lee, Seok Kiu; Park, Sung Ha; Kim, Hyun Jae

2011-09-16

A double crossover tile based artificial two-dimensional (2D) DNA lattice was fabricated and the dry-wet method was introduced to recover an original DNA lattice structure in order to deposit DNA lattices safely on the organic layer without damaging the layer. The DNA lattice was then employed as an electron blocking layer in a polymer solar cell causing an increase of about 10% up to 160% in the power conversion efficiency. Consequently, the resulting solar cell which had an artificial 2D DNA blocking layer showed a significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency compared to conventional polymer solar cells. It should be clear that the artificial DNA nanostructure holds unique physical properties that are extremely attractive for various energy-related and photonic applications.

Bioinspired Synthesis of Well-Ordered Layered Organic-Inorganic Nanohybrids: Mimicking the Natural Processing of Nacre by Mineralization of Block Copolymer Templates.

PubMed

Voet, Vincent S D; Kumar, Kamlesh; ten Brinke, Gerrit; Loos, Katja

2015-10-01

The unique mechanical performance of nacre, the pearly internal layer of shells, is highly dependent on its complex morphology. Inspired by the structure of nacre, the fabrication of well-ordered layered inorganic-organic nanohybrids is presented herein. This biomimetic approach includes the use of a block copolymer template, consisting of hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) lamellae covered with hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), to direct silica (SiO2 ) mineralization. The resulting PVDF/PMAA/SiO2 nanohybrid material resembles biogenic nacre with respect to its well-ordered and layered nanostructure, alternating organic-inorganic phases, macromolecular template, and mild processing conditions. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Hybrid Grid Techniques for Propulsion Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koomullil, Roy P.; Soni, Bharat K.; Thornburg, Hugh J.

1996-01-01

During the past decade, computational simulation of fluid flow for propulsion activities has progressed significantly, and many notable successes have been reported in the literature. However, the generation of a high quality mesh for such problems has often been reported as a pacing item. Hence, much effort has been expended to speed this portion of the simulation process. Several approaches have evolved for grid generation. Two of the most common are structured multi-block, and unstructured based procedures. Structured grids tend to be computationally efficient, and have high aspect ratio cells necessary for efficently resolving viscous layers. Structured multi-block grids may or may not exhibit grid line continuity across the block interface. This relaxation of the continuity constraint at the interface is intended to ease the grid generation process, which is still time consuming. Flow solvers supporting non-contiguous interfaces require specialized interpolation procedures which may not ensure conservation at the interface. Unstructured or generalized indexing data structures offer greater flexibility, but require explicit connectivity information and are not easy to generate for three dimensional configurations. In addition, unstructured mesh based schemes tend to be less efficient and it is difficult to resolve viscous layers. Recently hybrid or generalized element solution and grid generation techniques have been developed with the objective of combining the attractive features of both structured and unstructured techniques. In the present work, recently developed procedures for hybrid grid generation and flow simulation are critically evaluated, and compared to existing structured and unstructured procedures in terms of accuracy and computational requirements.

Co-optimization of lithographic and patterning processes for improved EPE performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maslow, Mark J.; Timoshkov, Vadim; Kiers, Ton; Jee, Tae Kwon; de Loijer, Peter; Morikita, Shinya; Demand, Marc; Metz, Andrew W.; Okada, Soichiro; Kumar, Kaushik A.; Biesemans, Serge; Yaegashi, Hidetami; Di Lorenzo, Paolo; Bekaert, Joost P.; Mao, Ming; Beral, Christophe; Larivière, Stephane

2017-03-01

Complimentary lithography is already being used for advanced logic patterns. The tight pitches for 1D Metal layers are expected to be created using spacer based multiple patterning ArF-i exposures and the more complex cut/block patterns are made using EUV exposures. At the same time, control requirements of CDU, pattern shift and pitch-walk are approaching sub-nanometer levels to meet edge placement error (EPE) requirements. Local variability, such as Line Edge Roughness (LER), Local CDU, and Local Placement Error (LPE), are dominant factors in the total Edge Placement error budget. In the lithography process, improving the imaging contrast when printing the core pattern has been shown to improve the local variability. In the etch process, it has been shown that the fusion of atomic level etching and deposition can also improve these local variations. Co-optimization of lithography and etch processing is expected to further improve the performance over individual optimizations alone. To meet the scaling requirements and keep process complexity to a minimum, EUV is increasingly seen as the platform for delivering the exposures for both the grating and the cut/block patterns beyond N7. In this work, we evaluated the overlay and pattern fidelity of an EUV block printed in a negative tone resist on an ArF-i SAQP grating. High-order Overlay modeling and corrections during the exposure can reduce overlay error after development, a significant component of the total EPE. During etch, additional degrees of freedom are available to improve the pattern placement error in single layer processes. Process control of advanced pitch nanoscale-multi-patterning techniques as described above is exceedingly complicated in a high volume manufacturing environment. Incorporating potential patterning optimizations into both design and HVM controls for the lithography process is expected to bring a combined benefit over individual optimizations. In this work we will show the EPE performance improvement for a 32nm pitch SAQP + block patterned Metal 2 layer by cooptimizing the lithography and etch processes. Recommendations for further improvements and alternative processes will be given.

Layer Additive Production or Manufacturing of Thick Sections of Ti-6Al-4V by Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Y. Y.; Gulizia, S.; Fraser, D.; Oh, C. H.; Lu, S. L.; Qian, M.

2017-10-01

Selective electron beam melting (SEBM) is an established layer additive manufacturing or production process for small-to-medium-sized components of Ti-6Al-4V. Current literature data on SEBM of Ti-6Al-4V are, however, based principally on thin-section (<1″; mostly <0.5″) samples or components. In this research, 34-mm-thick (1.34″) Ti-6Al-4V block samples were produced through use of default Arcam SEBM parameters and characterized versus section thickness. High densities (99.4-99.8%) were achieved across different thick sections, but markedly inhomogeneous microstructures also developed. Nonetheless, the tensile properties measured from 27 different thickness-width positions all clearly satisfied the minimum requirements for mill-annealed Ti-6Al-4V. SEBM produced highly dense thick sections of Ti-6Al-4V with good tensile properties. Large lack-of-fusion defects (80-250 µm) were found to be mainly responsible for variations in tensile properties.

Broadband Pillbox Antennas.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-09-21

Identify by block number) - FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP Double layer pillbox antennas Triple layer pillbox antenna The possibility of designing very broadband... Design .................... 1 Broadband Feed De gn ........................................... 2 Ex mental Simulation of Double Layer Pillbox...5 REFERENCES ................................................... 6 APPENDIX - COAXIAL TO WAVEGUIDE JUNCTION DESIGN

Strong signatures of high-latitude blocks and subtropical ridges in winter PM10 over Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garrido-Perez, Jose M.; Ordóñez, Carlos; García-Herrera, Ricardo

2017-10-01

This paper analyses the impact of high-latitude blocks and subtropical ridges on daily PM10 (particulate matter ≤ 10 μm) observations obtained from the European Environment Agency's air quality database (AirBase) for the winter period of 2000-2010. The response of the pollutant concentrations to the location of blocks and ridges with centres in two main longitudinal sectors (Atlantic, ATL, 30°-0° W; European, EUR, 0°-30° E) is examined. In particular, EUR blocking is associated with a collapse of the boundary layer as well as reduced wind speeds and precipitation occurrence, yielding large positive anomalies which average 12 μg m-3 over the whole continent. Conversely, the enhanced zonal flow around 50°-60° N and the increased occurrence of precipitation over northern-central Europe on days with ATL ridges favour the ventilation of the boundary layer and the impact of washout processes, reducing PM10 concentrations on average by around 8 μg m-3. The presence of EUR blocks is also concurrent with an increased probability of exceeding the air quality target (50 μg m-3 for 24-h averaged PM10) and the local 90th percentiles for this pollutant at many sites in central Europe, while the opposite effect is found for ridges. In addition, the effect of synoptic persistence on the PM10 concentrations is stronger for EUR blocks than for ATL ridges. This could benefit the predictability of PM10 extremes over wide areas of the region. Finally, we have found that the combined or isolated effect of both synoptic patterns can partly control the interannual variability of winter mean PM10 at many sites of north-western and central Europe, with coefficients of determination (R2) exceeding 0.80 for southern Germany. These results indicate that the response of the particulate matter (PM) concentrations to large-scale circulation patterns is stronger than previously reported for Europe and other mid-latitude regions.

EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Block Groups

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This EnviroAtlas dataset is the base layer for the Austin, TX EnviroAtlas area. The block groups are from the US Census Bureau and are included/excluded based on EnviroAtlas criteria described in the procedure log. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

An inhomogeneous thermal block model of man for the electromagnetic environment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chatterjee, I.; Gandhi, O.P.

An inhomogeneous four layer block thermal model of a human body, composed of 476 electromagnetic-sensitive cubical cells has been developed to study the effects of electromagnetic radiation. Varying tissue properties defined by thermal conductivity, specific heat, blood flow rate and metabolic heat production are accounted for by equations. Peripheral cell temperature is weight-averaged for total cell volume and is thereby higher than actual skin temperature. During electromagnetic field exposure, additional factors considered are increased blood flow rate caused by vasodilation and sweat-induced heat loss. Hot spots have been located in the model and numerical results are presented. Subjected to planemore » wave iradiation, the model's sweating and insensible perspiration cease and all temperatures converge. Testing during electromagnetic hyperthemia shows all temperature body parts to increase approximately at the same rate.« less

Production of lunar fragmental material by meteoroid impact.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marcus, A. H.

1973-01-01

The rate of production of new fragmental lunar surface material is derived theoretically on the hypothesis that such material is excavated from a bedrock layer by meteoroid impacts. An overlaying regolith effectively shields the bedrock layer from small impacts, reducing the production rate of centimeter-sized and smaller blocks by a large factor. Logarithmic production rate curves for centimeter to motor-sized blocks are nonlinear for any regolith from centimeters to tens of meters in thickness, with small blocks relatively much less frequent for thicker (older) regoliths, suggesting the possibility of a statistical reverse bedding. Modest variations in the exponents of scaling laws for crater depth-diameter ratio and maximum block-diameter to crater diameter ratio are shown to have significant effects on the production rates. The production rate increases slowly with increasing size of the largest crater affecting the region.

A case study of sea breeze blocking regulated by sea surface temperature along the English south coast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweeney, J. K.; Chagnon, J. M.; Gray, S. L.

2013-09-01

The sensitivity of sea breeze structure to sea surface temperature (SST) and coastal orography is investigated in convection-permitting Met Office Unified Model simulations of a case study along the south coast of England. Changes in SST of 1 K are shown to significantly modify the structure of the sea breeze. On the day of the case study the sea breeze was partially blocked by coastal orography, particularly within Lyme Bay. The extent to which the flow is blocked depends strongly on the static stability of the marine boundary layer. In experiments with colder SST, the marine boundary layer is more stable, and the degree of blocking is more pronounced. The implications of prescribing fixed SST from climatology in numerical weather prediction model forecasts of the sea breeze are discussed.

A case study of sea breeze blocking regulated by sea surface temperature along the English south coast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweeney, J. K.; Chagnon, J. M.; Gray, S. L.

2014-05-01

The sensitivity of sea breeze structure to sea surface temperature (SST) and coastal orography is investigated in convection-permitting Met Office Unified Model simulations of a case study along the south coast of England. Changes in SST of 1 K are shown to significantly modify the structure of the sea breeze immediately offshore. On the day of the case study, the sea breeze was partially blocked by coastal orography, particularly within Lyme Bay. The extent to which the flow is blocked depends strongly on the static stability of the marine boundary layer. In experiments with colder SST, the marine boundary layer is more stable, and the degree of blocking is more pronounced. Although a colder SST would also imply a larger land-sea temperature contrast and hence a stronger onshore wind - an effect which alone would discourage blocking - the increased static stability exerts a dominant control over whether blocking takes place. The implications of prescribing fixed SST from climatology in numerical weather prediction model forecasts of the sea breeze are discussed.

Optimized plasma etch window of block copolymers and neutral brush layers for enhanced direct self-assembly pattern transfer into a hardmask layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brakensiek, Nickolas; Xu, Kui; Sweat, Daniel; Hockey, Mary Ann

2018-03-01

Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) is one of the most promising patterning technologies for future lithography nodes. However, one of the biggest challenges to DSA is the pattern transfer by plasma etching from BCP to hardmask (HM) because the etch selectivity between BCP and neutral brush layer underneath is usually not high enough to enable robust pattern transfer. This paper will explore the plasma etch conditions of both BCPs and neutral brush layers that may improve selectivity and allow a more robust pattern transfer of DSA patterns into the hardmask layer. The plasma etching parameters that are under investigation include the selection of oxidative or reductive etch chemistries, as well as plasma gas pressure, power, and gas mixture fractions. Investigation into the relationship between BCP/neutral brush layer materials with varying chemical compositions and the plasma etching conditions will be highlighted. The culmination of this work will demonstrate important etch parameters that allow BCPs and neutral brush layers to be etched into the underlying hardmask layer with a large process window.

49 CFR 393.122 - What are the rules for securing paper rolls?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... be loaded on a layer of paper rolls beneath unless the lower layer extends to the front of the vehicle. (2) Paper rolls in the second and subsequent layers must be prevented from forward, rearward or lateral movement by means as allowed for the bottom layer, or by use of a blocking roll from a lower layer...

Balancing high gain and bandwidth in multilayer organic photodetectors with tailored carrier blocking layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hammond, William T.; Mudrick, John P.; Xue, Jiangeng, E-mail: jxue@mse.ufl.edu

2014-12-07

We present detailed studies of the high photocurrent gain behavior in multilayer organic photodiodes containing tailored carrier blocking layers we reported earlier in a Letter [W. T. Hammond and J. Xue, Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 073302 (2010)], in which a high photocurrent gain of up to 500 was attributed to the accumulation of photogenerated holes at the anode/organic active layer interface and the subsequent drastic increase in secondary electron injection from the anode. Here, we show that both the hole-blocking layer structure and layer thickness strongly influence the magnitude of the photocurrent gain. Temporal studies revealed that the frequency responsemore » of such devices is limited by three different processes with lifetimes of 10 μs, 202 μs, and 2.72 ms for the removal of confined holes, which limit the 3 dB bandwidth of these devices to 1.4 kHz. Furthermore, the composition in the mixed organic donor-acceptor photoactive layer affects both gain and bandwidth, which is attributed to the varying charge transport characteristics, and the optimal gain-bandwidth product is achieved with approximately 30% donor content. Finally, these devices show a high dynamic range of more than seven orders of magnitude, although the photocurrent shows a sublinear dependence on the incident optical power.« less

Organ printing: from bioprinter to organ biofabrication line.

PubMed

Mironov, Vladimir; Kasyanov, Vladimir; Markwald, Roger R

2011-10-01

Organ printing, or the layer by layer additive robotic biofabrication of functional three-dimensional tissue and organ constructs using self-assembling tissue spheroid building blocks, is a rapidly emerging technology that promises to transform tissue engineering into a commercially successful biomedical industry. It is increasingly obvious that similar well-established industries implement automated robotic systems on the path to commercial translation and economic success. The use of robotic bioprinters alone however is not sufficient for the development of large industrial scale organ biofabrication. The design and development of a fully integrated organ biofabrication line is imperative for the commercial translation of organ printing technology. This paper presents recent progress and challenges in the development of the essential components of an organ biofabrication line. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Can contaminant transport models predict breakthrough?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peng, Wei-Shyuan; Hampton, Duane R.; Konikow, Leonard F.; Kambham, Kiran; Benegar, Jeffery J.

2000-01-01

A solute breakthrough curve measured during a two-well tracer test was successfully predicted in 1986 using specialized contaminant transport models. Water was injected into a confined, unconsolidated sand aquifer and pumped out 125 feet (38.3 m) away at the same steady rate. The injected water was spiked with bromide for over three days; the outflow concentration was monitored for a month. Based on previous tests, the horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the thick aquifer varied by a factor of seven among 12 layers. Assuming stratified flow with small dispersivities, two research groups accurately predicted breakthrough with three-dimensional (12-layer) models using curvilinear elements following the arc-shaped flowlines in this test. Can contaminant transport models commonly used in industry, that use rectangular blocks, also reproduce this breakthrough curve? The two-well test was simulated with four MODFLOW-based models, MT3D (FD and HMOC options), MODFLOWT, MOC3D, and MODFLOW-SURFACT. Using the same 12 layers and small dispersivity used in the successful 1986 simulations, these models fit almost as accurately as the models using curvilinear blocks. Subtle variations in the curves illustrate differences among the codes. Sensitivities of the results to number and size of grid blocks, number of layers, boundary conditions, and values of dispersivity and porosity are briefly presented. The fit between calculated and measured breakthrough curves degenerated as the number of layers and/or grid blocks decreased, reflecting a loss of model predictive power as the level of characterization lessened. Therefore, the breakthrough curve for most field sites can be predicted only qualitatively due to limited characterization of the hydrogeology and contaminant source strength.

Geologic Structures in Crater Walls on Vesta

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittlefehldt, David W.; Beck, A. W.; Ammannito, E.; Carsenty, U.; DeSanctis, M. C.; LeCorre, L.; McCoy, T. J.; Reddy, V.; Schroeder, S. E.

2012-01-01

The Framing Camera (FC) on the Dawn spacecraft has imaged most of the illuminated surface of Vesta with a resolution of apporpx. 20 m/pixel through different wavelength filters that allow for identification of lithologic units. The Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIR) has imaged the surface at lower spatial resolution but high spectral resolution from 0.25 to 5 micron that allows for detailed mineralogical interpretation. The FC has imaged geologic structures in the walls of fresh craters and on scarps on the margin of the Rheasilvia basin that consist of cliff-forming, competent units, either as blocks or semi-continuous layers, hundreds of m to km below the rims. Different units have different albedos, FC color ratios and VIR spectral characteristics, and different units can be juxtaposed in individual craters. We will describe different examples of these competent units and present preliminary interpretations of the structures. A common occurrence is of blocks several hundred m in size of high albedo (bright) and low albedo (dark) materials protruding from crater walls. In many examples, dark material deposits lie below coherent bright material blocks. In FC Clementine color ratios, bright material is green indicating deeper 1 m pyroxene absorption band. VIR spectra show these to have deeper and wider 1 and 2 micron pyroxene absorption bands than the average vestan surface. The associated dark material has subdued pyroxene absorption features compared to the average vestan surface. Some dark material deposits are consistent with mixtures of HED materials with carbonaceous chondrites. This would indicate that some dark material deposits in crater walls are megabreccia blocks. The same would hold for bright material blocks found above them. Thus, these are not intact crustal units. Marcia crater is atypical in that the dark material forms a semi-continuous, thin layer immediately below bright material. Bright material occurs as one or more layers. In one region, there is an apparent angular unconformity between the bright material and the dark material where bright material layers appear to be truncated against the underlying dark layer. One crater within the Rheasilvia basin contains two distinct types of bright materials outcropping on its walls, one like that found elsewhere on Vesta and the other an anomalous block 200 m across. This material has the highest albedo; almost twice that of the vestan average. Unlike all other bright materials, this block has a subdued 1 micron pyroxene absorption band in FC color ratios. These data indicate that this block represents a distinct vestan lithology that is rarely exposed.

Operational stability of electrophosphorescent devices containing p and n doped transport layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Andrade, Brian W.; Forrest, Stephen R.; Chwang, Anna B.

2003-11-01

The operational stability of low-operating voltage p-i-n electrophosphorescent devices containing fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium as the emissive dopant is investigated. In these devices, Li-doped 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) served as an n-type electron transport layer, or as an undoped hole blocking layer (HBL), and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane doped 4,4',4″-tris(3-methylphenylphenylamino) triphenylamine served as a p-type hole transport layer. The glass transition temperature of BPhen can be increased by the addition of aluminum(III)bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinato)4-phenylphenolate (BAlq), resulting in improved morphological stability, thereby reducing device degradation. When thermally stable BAlq was used as a HBL in both p-i-n and undoped devices, the extrapolated operational lifetime (normalized to an initial luminance of 100 cd/m2) of the p-i-n and undoped devices are 18 000 and 60 000 h, respectively, indicating that the presence of p and n dopants can accelerate device degradation.

Difference between blocking and Néel temperatures in the exchange biased Fe3O4/CoO system.

PubMed

van der Zaag, P J; Ijiri, Y; Borchers, J A; Feiner, L F; Wolf, R M; Gaines, J M; Erwin, R W; Verheijen, M A

2000-06-26

The blocking temperature T(B) has been determined as a function of the antiferromagnetic layer thickness in the Fe3O4/CoO exchange biased system. For CoO layers thinner than 50 A, T(B) is reduced below the Néel temperature T(N) of bulk CoO (291 K), independent of crystallographic orientation or film substrate ( alpha-Al2O3, SrTiO3, and MgO). Neutron diffraction studies show that T(B) does not track the CoO ordering temperature and, hence, that this reduction in T(B) does not arise from finite-size scaling. Instead, the ordering temperature of the CoO layers is enhanced above the bulk T(N) for layer thicknesses approximately less than or equal to 100 A due to the proximity of magnetic Fe3O4 layers.

Highly efficient phosphorescence from organic light-emitting devices with an exciton-block layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikai, Masamichi; Tokito, Shizuo; Sakamoto, Youichi; Suzuki, Toshiyasu; Taga, Yasunori

2001-07-01

One of the keys to highly efficient phosphorescent emission in organic light-emitting devices is to confine triplet excitons generated within the emitting layer. We employ "starburst" perfluorinated phenylenes (C60F42) as a both hole- and exciton-block layer, and a hole-transport material 4,4',4″-tri(N-carbazolyl) triphenylamine as a host for the phosphorescent dopant dye in the emitting layer. A maximum external quantum efficiency reaches to 19.2%, and keeps over 15% even at high current densities of 10-20 mA/cm2, providing several times the brightness of fluorescent tubes for lighting. The onset voltage of the electroluminescence is as low as 2.4 V and the peak power efficiency is 70-72 lm/W, promising for low-power display devices.

Numerical analysis and comparison of three types of herringbone frame structure for highway subgrade slopes protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Yihua; Tang, Saiqian; Xu, Yang; Mao, Kunli

2018-04-01

In order to obtain mechanical response distribution of herringbone frame structure for highway subgrade slopes protection and select the best structure type, 3D numerical models of three types herringbone frame structure were established and analyzed in finite element software ANSYS. Indoor physical model of soil slope protected by herringbone frame structure was built and mechanical response of the frame structure was measured by loading tests. Numerical results indicate slope foot is the stress most disadvantageous location. Comparative analysis shows that structure composed of mortar rubble base layer and precast concrete blocks paving layer is the best one for resisting deformation and structure with cement mortar base layer and precast concrete blocks paving layer is the best one for being of low stress.

The Structure of the Onega Downthrown Block and Adjacent Geological Objects According to the Microseismic Sounding Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danilov, Konstantin B.

2017-07-01

The geological structure of the major part of the Arkhangelsk region in the North-West Russia has been poorly studied. In the present work, the microseismic sounding method was, for the first time, used to carry out a detailed geological-geophysical survey in the region. The particles motion study confirmed the results of mathematical modeling of the smallest imaged heterogeneity and resolution of the method. The microseism stability study allowed to determine the amount of error of the microseismic sounding method which is 1-2 dB. Two geophysical cross sections of the north-eastern and south-western boundaries of the Onega downthrown block were studied. The method was shown to allow obtaining seismic images with a high precision in the horizontal direction at relatively low costs in terms of time and finances. The obtained data provided additional information about the structure of the crust, which was consistent with the known geological and geophysical information for the surveyed area. Based on the data, it was concluded that the main reasons of the dissonance of geological information were most likely the division of the downthrown block into the northern and southern blocks and horizontal displacement of the layer to the North at a depth ranging from 3 to 5 km. It was suggested that the most active tectonic processes, including eruptions of ancient volcanoes, occurred in the northern block. Two benches at the studied downthrown block were allocated at the depths of 5 and 10 km.

Three-Tone Chemical Patterns for Block Copolymer Directed Self-Assembly

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williamson, Lance D.; Seidel, Robert N.; Chen, Xuanxuan

Chemical patterns for directed self-assembly (DSA) of lamellaeforming block copolymers (BCP) with density multiplication can be fabricated by patterning resist on a cross-linked polystyrene layer, etching to create guide stripes, and depositing end-grafted brushes in between the stripes as background. To date, two-tone chemical patterns have been targeted with the guide stripes preferentially wet by one block of the copolymer and the background chemistry weakly preferentially wet by the other block. In the course of fabricating chemical patterns in an all-track process using 300 mm wafers, it was discovered that the etching process followed by brush grafting could produce amore » three-tone pattern. We characterized the three regions of the chemical patterns with a combination of SEM, grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), and assessment of BCP-wetting behavior, and evaluated the DSA behavior on patterns over a range of guide stripe widths. In its best form, the three-tone pattern consists of guide stripes preferentially wet by one block of the copolymer, each flanked by two additional stripes that wet the other block of the copolymer, with a third chemistry as the background. Three-tone patterns guide three times as many BCP domains as two-tone patterns and thus have the potential to provide a larger driving force for the system to assemble into the desired architecture with fewer defects in shorter time and over a larger process window.« less

DNA as an Optical Material

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

the electron blocking function of the DNA layer; electroluminescence occurs in either the AlQ3 (green) or NPB layer (blue) layers. Source: J. A...been observed for sev- eral fluorescent materials with different HOMO/LUMO levels, including AlQ3 (green emission) and NPB (blue emission). OLEDs

Highly improved photo-induced bias stability of sandwiched triple layer structure in sol-gel processed fluorine-doped indium zinc oxide thin film transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dongha; Park, Hyungjin; Bae, Byeong-Soo

2016-03-01

In order to improve the reliability of TFT, an Al2O3 insulating layer is inserted between active fluorine doped indium zinc oxide (IZO:F) thin films to form a sandwiched triple layer. All the thin films were fabricated via low-cost sol-gel process. Due to its large energy bandgap and high bonding energy with oxygen atoms, the Al2O3 layer acts as a photo-induced positive charge blocking layer that effectively blocks the migration of both holes and V o2+ toward the interface between the gate insulator and the semiconductor. The inserted Al2O3 triple layer exhibits a noticeably low turn on voltage shift of -0.7 V under NBIS as well as the good TFT performance with a mobility of 10.9 cm2/V ṡ s. We anticipate that this approach can be used to solve the stability issues such as NBIS, which is caused by inescapable oxygen vacancies.

An electron-deficient small molecule accessible from sustainable synthesis and building blocks for use as a fullerene alternative in organic photovoltaics.

PubMed

McAfee, Seth M; Topple, Jessica M; Payne, Abby-Jo; Sun, Jon-Paul; Hill, Ian G; Welch, Gregory C

2015-04-27

An electron-deficient small molecule accessible from sustainable isoindigo and phthalimide building blocks was synthesized via optimized synthetic procedures that incorporate microwave-assisted synthesis and a heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling, and direct heteroarylation carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. The material was designed as a non-fullerene acceptor with the help of DFT calculations and characterized by optical, electronic, and thermal analysis. Further investigation of the material revealed a differing solid-state morphology with the use of three well-known processing conditions: thermal annealing, solvent vapor annealing and small volume fractions of 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) additive. These unique morphologies persist in the active layer blends and have demonstrated a distinct influence on device performance. Organic photovoltaic-bulk heterojunction (OPV-BHJ) devices show an inherently high open circuit voltage (Voc ) with the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) cells reaching 1.0 V with 0.4 v/v % DIO as a processing additive. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Strong signatures of high-latitude blocks and subtropical ridges in winter PM10 over Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ordonez, C.; Garrido-Perez, J. M.; Garcia-Herrera, R.

2017-12-01

Atmospheric blocking is associated with persistent, slow-moving high pressure systems that interrupt the eastward progress of extratropical storm systems at middle and high latitudes. Subtropical ridges are low latitude structures manifested as bands of positive geopotential height anomalies extending from sub-tropical latitudes towards extra-tropical regions. We have quantified the impact of blocks and ridges on daily PM10 (particulate matter ≤ 10 µm) observations obtained from the European Environment Agency's air quality database (AirBase) for the winter period of 2000-2010. For this purpose, the response of the PM10 concentrations to the location of blocks and ridges with centres in two main longitudinal sectors (Atlantic, ATL, 30˚-0˚ W; European, EUR, 0˚-30˚ E) is examined. EUR blocking is associated with a collapse of the boundary layer as well as reduced wind speeds and precipitation occurrence, yielding large positive anomalies which average 12 µg m-3 over the whole continent. Conversely, the enhanced zonal flow around 50˚-60˚ N and the increased occurrence of precipitation over northern-central Europe on days with ATL ridges favour the ventilation of the boundary layer and the impact of washout processes, reducing PM10 concentrations on average by around 8 µg m-3. The presence of EUR blocks is also concurrent with an increased probability of exceeding the European air quality target (50 µg m-3 for 24-h averaged PM10) and the local 90th percentiles for this pollutant at many sites, while the opposite effect is found for ridges. In addition, the effect of synoptic persistence on the PM10 concentrations is particularly strong for EUR blocks. Finally, we have found that the effect of both synoptic patterns can partly control the interannual variability of winter mean PM10 at many sites of north-western and central Europe, with coefficients of determination (R2) exceeding 0.80 for southern Germany. These results indicate that the response of the particulate matter (PM) concentrations to large-scale circulation patterns is stronger than previously reported for Europe and other mid-latitude regions. These findings can be exploited in the future to evaluate the modelled response of air quality to circulation changes within chemical transport models (CTMs) and chemistry-climate models (CCMs).

Doped Y.sub.2O.sub.3 buffer layers for laminated conductors

DOEpatents

Paranthaman, Mariappan Parans [Knoxville, TN; Schoop, Urs [Westborough, MA; Goyal, Amit [Knoxville, TN; Thieme, Cornelis Leo Hans [Westborough, MA; Verebelyi, Darren T [Oxford, MA; Rupich, Martin W [Framingham, MA

2007-08-21

A laminated conductor includes a metallic substrate having a surface, a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the surface of the metallic substrate, the biaxially textured buffer layer comprising Y.sub.2O.sub.3 and a dopant for blocking cation diffusion through the Y.sub.2O.sub.3, and a biaxially textured conductor layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer.

The frictional properties of a simulated gouge having a fractal particle distribution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Biegel, R.L.; Sammis, C.G.; Dieterich, J.H.

1989-01-01

The frictional properties of a layer of simulated Westerly granite fault gouge sandwiched between sliding blocks of Westerly granite have been measured in a high-speed servo-controlled double-direct shear apparatus. Most gouge layers were prepared to have a self-similar particle distribution with a fractal dimension of 2.6. The upper fractal limit was varied between 45 and 710 ??m. Some gouges were prepared with all particles in the range between 360 and 710 ??m. In each experiment the sliding velocity was cyclically alternated between 1 and 10 ??ms-1 and the coefficient of friction ??m and its transient parameters a, b and Dc were measured as functions of displacement. In addition to the particle size distribution, the following experimental variables were also investigated: the layer thickness (1 and 3 mm), the roughness of the sliding surfaces (Nos 60 and 600 grit) and the normal stress (10 and 25 MPa). Some of the sample assemblies were epoxy impregnated following a run so the gouge structure could be microscopically examined in thin section. We observed that gouges which were initially non-fractal evolved to a fractal distribution with dimension 2.6. Gouges which had an initial fractal distribution remained fractal. When the sliding blocks had smooth surfaces, the coefficient of friction was relatively low and was independent of the particle distribution. In these cases, strong velocity weakening was observed throughout the experiment and the transient parameters a, b and Dc, remained almost constant. When the sliding blocks had rough surfaces, the coefficient of friction was larger and more dependent on the particle distribution. Velocity strengthening was observed initially but evolved to velocity weakening with increased sliding displacement. All three transient parameters changed with increasing displacement. The a and b values were about three times as large for rough surfaces as for smooth. The characteristic displacement Dc was not sensitive to surface roughness but was the only transient parameter which was sensitive to the normal stress. For the case of rough surfaces, the coefficient of friction of the 1 mm thick gouge was significantly larger than that for the 3 mm thick layers. Many of these observations can be explained by a micromechanical model in which the stress in the gouge layer is heterogeneous. The applied normal and shear stresses are supported by 'grain bridges' which span the layer and which are continually forming and failing. In this model, the frictional properties of the gouge are largely determined by the dominant failure mode of the bridging structures. ?? 1989.

Temperature and anion responsive self-assembly of ionic liquid block copolymers coating gold nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Junbo; Zhao, Jianlong; Wu, Wenlan; Liang, Ju; Guo, Jinwu; Zhou, Huiyun; Liang, Lijuan

2016-06-01

In this paper, double hydrophilic ionic liquid block copolymers (ILBCs), poly poly[1-methyl-3-(2-methacryloyloxy propylimidazolium bromine)]- block-(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PMMPImB- b-PNIPAAm) was first synthesized by reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and then attached on the surface of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) via a strong gold-sulfur bonding for preparing hybrid nanoparticles (PMMPImB- b-PNIPAAm-@-Au NPs). The hybrid NPs had a three layers micelle-like structure, including a gold core, thermo-responsive inner shell and anion responsive outer corona. The self-assembling behavior of thermal- and anion-response from shell and corona were respectively investigated by change of temperature and addition of (CF3SO2)2N-. The results showed the hybrid NPs retained a stable dispersion beyond the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) because of the space or electrostatic protecting by outer PMMPImB. However, with increasing concentration of (CF3SO2)2N-, the micellization of self-assembling PMMPImB- b-PNIPAAm-@-Au NPs was induced to form micellar structure containing the core with hydrophobic PMMPImB-(CF3SO2)2N- surrounded by composite shell of Au NPs-PNIPAAm via the anionresponsive properties of ILBCs. These results indicated that the block copolymers protected plasmonic nanoparticles remain self-assembling properties of block copolymers when phase transition from outer corona polymer.

Surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes by direct encapsulation with varying dosages of amphiphilic block copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Xueping; Li, Jie; Kong, Liang; Wang, Yong

2015-08-01

Encapsulation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by amphiphilic block copolymers is an efficient way to stabilize CNTs in solvents. However, the appropriate dosages of copolymers and the assembled structures are difficult to predict and control because of the insufficient understanding on the encapsulation process. We encapsulate multiwalled CNTs with polystyrene-block-poly (4-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) by directly mixing them in acetic acid under sonication. The copolymer forms a lamellar structure along the surface of CNTs with the PS blocks anchoring on the tube wall and the P4VP blocks exposed to the outside. The encapsulated CNTs achieve good dispersibility in polar solvents over long periods. To increase our understanding of the encapsulation process we investigate the assembled structures and stability of copolymer/CNTs mixtures with changing mass ratios. Stable dispersions are obtained at high mass ratios between the copolymer and CNTs, i.e. 2 or 3, with the presence of free spherical micelles. Transmission electron microscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis determine that the threshold for the complete coverage of CNTs by the copolymer occurs at the mass ratio of 1.5. The coated copolymer layer activates the surface of CNTs, enabling further functionalization of CNTs. For instance, atomic layer deposition of TiO2 produces conformal thin layers on the encapsulated CNTs while isolated TiO2 bumps are produced on the pristine, inert CNTs.

Using tethered triblock copolymers to mediate the interaction between substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chern, Shyh-Shi; Zhulina, Ekaterina B.; Pickett, Galen T.; Balazs, Anna C.

1998-04-01

Using scaling analysis and a self-consistent field (SCF) theory, we compress two copolymer-coated surfaces and isolate conditions that yield multiple, distinct minima in the interaction profile. We focus on planar surfaces that are coated with ABC triblock copolymers. Tethered to the surface by the last monomer in the C block, the copolymers are grafted at relatively low densities. The surrounding solution is a poor solvent for both the A and C blocks, and is a good solvent for the B blocks. Through scaling theory, we pinpoint the parameters that yield two minima in the interaction profile. The SCF calculations reveal the changes in the morphology of the polymers as the layers are compressed. Through both studies, we determine how the morphological changes give rise to the observed surface interactions. The results provide guidelines for creating polymer-coated colloidal systems that can form two stable crystal structures. Such systems could be used for bistable, optical switches. The findings also yield a prescription for creating systems that exhibit additional minima in the free energy of interaction.

Flood-Emplaced Blocks in Holden Crater

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-10-21

This image from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows blocks of bright, layered rock embedded in darker material that are thought to have been deposited by a giant flood that occurred when Uzboi Valles breached the rim of Holden Crater.

Multifunctional MgO Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Guo, Xudong; Dong, Haopeng; Li, Wenzhe; Li, Nan; Wang, Liduo

2015-06-08

A multifunctional magnesium oxide (MgO) layer was successfully introduced into perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to enhance their performance. MgO was coated onto the surface of mesoporous TiO(2) by the decomposition of magnesium acetate and, therefore, could block contact between the perovskite and TiO(2). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy showed that the amount of H(2)O/hydroxyl absorbed on the TiO(2) decreased after MgO modification. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of the perovskite with MgO modification revealed an enhanced photoelectric performance compared with that of unmodified perovskite after UV illumination. In addition to the photocurrent, the photovoltage and fill factor also showed an enhancement after modification, which resulted in an increase in the overall efficiency of the cell from 9.6 to 13.9 %. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed that MgO acts as an insulating layer to reduce charge recombination. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Lateral variations of thermo-rheological structure in SE Tibet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, X.; Gong, W.

2017-12-01

The structure and geodynamics in SE Tibet is important to developing a full understanding of tectonic evolution of the Tibetan plateau. To investigate the lithospheric structure and deformation, we present thermo-rheological models for two transects across SE Tibet. The thermal models are determined by the heat flow and P-wave velocity models. Based on thermal models, the rheological models are constructed in the weak and strong cases where the lower crust is felsic or mafic granulite and the lithospheric mantle is wet or dry peridotite. The thermal models show an obvious high-temperature anomaly within the lithosphere beneath the Chuandian block. Strong lateral heterogeneity is present in the rheological modeling and corresponds to variations of thermal models. The Chuandian block demonstrates a lower level of lithospheric strength than its neighboring regions, which is in accord with the seismogenic layer distribution. Combining with a joint analysis of SKS splitting and GPS data, the crust and mantle is decoupled at a depth below the topmost mantle in SE Tibet. The strong crust beneath the South China plate and Indochina block has two brittle load-bearing layers in the crust, indicating the system is mechanically coupled. The crust beneath the Emeishan igneous province also has two brittle load-bearing layers, but the brittle deformation is restricted to the topmost 10 km of the upper and lower crust. In contrast, only one brittle load-bearing layer resides in the upper crust with the lower crust contributing little to the lithospheric strength at the location where low-velocity-high-conductivity zones have been recognized within the crust in the Chuandian block. This indicates that the crust beneath the Chuandian block becomes decoupled, as evidenced by the crustal anisotropy pattern.

Numerical Simulations of Slow Stick Slip Events with PFC, a DEM Based Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, S. H.; Young, R. P.

2017-12-01

Nonvolcanic tremors around subduction zone have become a fascinating subject in seismology in recent years. Previous studies have shown that the nonvolcanic tremor beneath western Shikoku is composed of low frequency seismic waves overlapping each other. This finding provides direct link between tremor and slow earthquakes. Slow stick slip events are considered to be laboratory scaled slow earthquakes. Slow stick slip events are traditionally studied with direct shear or double direct shear experiment setup, in which the sliding velocity can be controlled to model a range of fast and slow stick slips. In this study, a PFC* model based on double direct shear is presented, with a central block clamped by two side blocks. The gauge layers between the central and side blocks are modelled as discrete fracture networks with smooth joint bonds between pairs of discrete elements. In addition, a second model is presented in this study. This model consists of a cylindrical sample subjected to triaxial stress. Similar to the previous model, a weak gauge layer at a 45 degrees is added into the sample, on which shear slipping is allowed. Several different simulations are conducted on this sample. While the confining stress is maintained at the same level in different simulations, the axial loading rate (displacement rate) varies. By varying the displacement rate, a range of slipping behaviour, from stick slip to slow stick slip are observed based on the stress-strain relationship. Currently, the stick slip and slow stick slip events are strictly observed based on the stress-strain relationship. In the future, we hope to monitor the displacement and velocity of the balls surrounding the gauge layer as a function of time, so as to generate a synthetic seismogram. This will allow us to extract seismic waveforms and potentially simulate the tremor-like waves found around subduction zones. *Particle flow code, a discrete element method based numerical simulation code developed by Itasca Inc.

Failure Analysis of Overhanging Blocks in the Walls of a Gas Storage Salt Cavern: A Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tongtao; Yang, Chunhe; Li, Jianjun; Li, Jinlong; Shi, Xilin; Ma, Hongling

2017-01-01

Most of the rock salt of China is bedded, in which non-salt layers and rock salt layers alternate. Due to the poor solubility of the non-salt layers, many blocks overhang on the walls of the caverns used for gas storage, constructed by water leaching. These overhanging blocks may collapse at any time, which may damage the tubing and casing string, and even cause instability of the cavern. They are one of the main factors threatening the safety of caverns excavated in bedded rock salt formations. In this paper, a geomechanical model of the JJKK-D salt cavern, located in Jintan salt district, Jintan city, Jiangsu province, China, is established to evaluate the stability of the overhanging blocks on its walls. The characters of the target formation, property parameters of the rock mass, and actual working conditions are considered in the geomechanical model. An index system composed of stress, displacement, plastic zone, safety factor, and equivalent strain is used to predict the collapse length of the overhanging blocks, the moment the collapse will take place, and the main factors causing the collapse. The sonar survey data of the JJKK-D salt cavern are used to verify the reliability and accuracy of the proposed geomechanical model. The results show that the proposed geomechanical model has a good reliability and accuracy, and can be used for the collapse prediction of the overhanging blocks on the wall of the JJKK-D salt cavern. The collapse length of the overhanging block is about 8 m. We conclude that the collapse takes place during the debrining. The reason behind the collapse is the sudden decrease of the fluid density, leading to the increase of the self-weight of the overhanging blocks. This study provides a basis for the collapse prediction method of the overhanging blocks of Jintan salt cavern gas storage, and can also serve as a reference for salt cavern gas storage with similar conditions to deal with overhanging blocks.

Influence of different TiO2 blocking films on the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chenxi; Luo, Yudan; Chen, Xiaohong; Ou-Yang, Wei; Chen, Yiwei; Sun, Zhuo; Huang, Sumei

2016-12-01

Organolead trihalide perovskite materials have been successfully used as light absorbers in efficient photovoltaic (PV) cells. Cell structures based on mesoscopic metal oxides and planar heterojunctions have already demonstrated very impressive and brisk advances, holding great potential to grow into a mature PV technology. High power conversion efficiency (PCE) values have been obtained from the mesoscopic configuration in which a few hundred nano-meter thick mesoporous scaffold (e.g. TiO2 or Al2O3) infiltrated by perovskite absorber was sandwiched between the electron and hole transport layers. A uniform and compact hole-blocking layer is necessary for high efficient perovskite-based thin film solar cells. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of TiO2 compact layer using various methods and its effects on the PV performance of perovskite solar cells. TiO2 compact layer was prepared by a sol-gel method based on titanium isopropoxide and HCl, spin-coating of titanium diisopropoxide bis (acetylacetonate), screen-printing of Dyesol's bocking layer titania paste, and a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique via hydrolysis of TiCl4, respectively. The morphological and micro-structural properties of the formed compact TiO2 layers were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The analyses of devices performance characteristics showed that surface morphologies of TiO2 compact films played a critical role in affecting the efficiencies. The nanocrystalline TiO2 film deposited via the CBD route acts as the most efficient hole-blocking layer and achieves the best performance in perovskite solar cells. The CBD-based TiO2 compact and dense layer offers a small series resistance and a large recombination resistance inside the device, and makes it possible to achieve a high power conversion efficiency of 12.80%.

Low dark current photovoltaic multiquantum well long wavelength infrared detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, C. S.; Wen, Cheng P.; Sato, R. N.; Hu, M.

1990-01-01

The authors have, for the first time, demonstrated photovoltaic detection for an multiple quantum well (MQW) detector. With a blocking layer, the MQW detector exhibits Schottky I-V characteristics with extremely low dark current and excellent ideality factor. The dark current is 5 times 10(exp -14) A for an 100x100 square micron 10 micron detector at 40 K, 8 to 9 orders of magnitude lower than that of a similar 10 micron MQW detector without blocking layer. The ideality factor is about 1.01 to 1.05 at T = 40 to 80 K. The measured barrier height is consistent with the energy difference between first excited states and ground states, or the peak of spectral response. The authors also, for the first time, report the measured effective Richardson constant (A asterisk asterisk) for the GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction using this blocking layer structure. The A asterisk asterisk is low approx. 2.3 A/sq cm/K(exp 2).

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR CENSUS 2000

EPA Science Inventory

This data layer represents Census 2000 demographic data derived from the PL94-171 redistricting files and SF3. Census geographic entities include blocks, blockgroups and tracts. Tiger line files are the source of the geometry representing the Census blocks. Attributes include ...

Fabrication of nanocrystal ink based superstrate-type CuInS₂ thin film solar cells.

PubMed

Cho, Jin Woo; Park, Se Jin; Kim, Woong; Min, Byoung Koun

2012-07-05

A CuInS₂ (CIS) nanocrystal ink was applied to thin film solar cell devices with superstrate-type configuration. Monodispersed CIS nanocrystals were synthesized by a colloidal synthetic route and re-dispersed in toluene to form an ink. A spray method was used to coat CIS films onto conducting glass substrates. Prior to CIS film deposition, TiO₂ and CdS thin films were also prepared as a blocking layer and a buffer layer, respectively. We found that both a TiO₂ blocking layer and a CdS buffer layer are necessary to generate photoresponses in superstrate-type devices. The best power conversion efficiency (∼1.45%) was achieved by the CIS superstrate-type thin film solar cell device with 200 and 100 nm thick TiO₂ and CdS films, respectively.

Effects of two-step Mg doping in p-GaN on efficiency characteristics of InGaN blue light-emitting diodes without AlGaN electron-blocking layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, Han-Youl; Lee, Jong-Moo

2013-05-01

A light-emitting diode (LED) structure containing p-type GaN layers with two-step Mg doping profiles is proposed to achieve high-efficiency performance in InGaN-based blue LEDs without any AlGaN electron-blocking-layer structures. Photoluminescence and electroluminescence (EL) measurement results show that, as the hole concentration in the p-GaN interlayer between active region and the p-GaN layer increases, defect-related nonradiative recombination increases, while the electron current leakage decreases. Under a certain hole-concentration condition in the p-GaN interlayer, the electron leakage and active region degradation are optimized so that high EL efficiency can be achieved. The measured efficiency characteristics are analyzed and interpreted using numerical simulations.

Fire resistant aircraft seat materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trabold, E. L.

1978-01-01

The establishment of a technical data base for individual seat materials in order to facilitate materials selections is reviewed. The thermal response of multi-layer constructions representative of the basic functional layers of a typical future seat is examined. These functional layers include: (1) decorative fabric cover; (2) slip sheet (topper); (3) fire blocking layer; (4) cushion reinforcement; and (5) cushioning layer. The implications for material selection for full-scale seats are discussed.

The role of elasticity in simulating long-term tectonic extension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olive, Jean-Arthur; Behn, Mark D.; Mittelstaedt, Eric; Ito, Garrett; Klein, Benjamin Z.

2016-05-01

While elasticity is a defining characteristic of the Earth's lithosphere, it is often ignored in numerical models of long-term tectonic processes in favour of a simpler viscoplastic description. Here we assess the consequences of this assumption on a well-studied geodynamic problem: the growth of normal faults at an extensional plate boundary. We conduct 2-D numerical simulations of extension in elastoplastic and viscoplastic layers using a finite difference, particle-in-cell numerical approach. Our models simulate a range of faulted layer thicknesses and extension rates, allowing us to quantify the role of elasticity on three key observables: fault-induced topography, fault rotation, and fault life span. In agreement with earlier studies, simulations carried out in elastoplastic layers produce rate-independent lithospheric flexure accompanied by rapid fault rotation and an inverse relationship between fault life span and faulted layer thickness. By contrast, models carried out with a viscoplastic lithosphere produce results that may qualitatively resemble the elastoplastic case, but depend strongly on the product of extension rate and layer viscosity U × ηL. When this product is high, fault growth initially generates little deformation of the footwall and hanging wall blocks, resulting in unrealistic, rigid block-offset in topography across the fault. This configuration progressively transitions into a regime where topographic decay associated with flexure is fully accommodated within the numerical domain. In addition, high U × ηL favours the sequential growth of multiple short-offset faults as opposed to a large-offset detachment. We interpret these results by comparing them to an analytical model for the fault-induced flexure of a thin viscous plate. The key to understanding the viscoplastic model results lies in the rate-dependence of the flexural wavelength of a viscous plate, and the strain rate dependence of the force increase associated with footwall and hanging wall bending. This behaviour produces unrealistic deformation patterns that can hinder the geological relevance of long-term rifting models that assume a viscoplastic rheology.

Emplacement mechanisms of contrasting debris avalanches at Volcán Mombacho (Nicaragua), provided by structural and facies analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shea, Thomas; van Wyk de Vries, Benjamin; Pilato, Martín

2008-07-01

We study the lithology, structure, and emplacement of two debris-avalanche deposits (DADs) with contrasting origins and materials from the Quaternary-Holocene Mombacho Volcano, Nicaragua. A clear comparison is possible because both DADs were emplaced onto similar nearly flat (3° slope) topography with no apparent barrier to transport. This lack of confinement allows us to study, in nature, the perfect case scenario of a freely spreading avalanche. In addition, there is good evidence that no substratum was incorporated in the events during flow, so facies changes are related only to internal dynamics. Mombacho shows evidence of at least three large flank collapses, producing the two well-preserved debris avalanches of this study; one on its northern flank, “Las Isletas,” directed northeast, and the other on its southern flank, “El Crater,” directed south. Other south-eastern features indicate that the debris-avalanche corresponding to the third collapse (La Danta) occurred before Las Isletas and El Crater events. The materials involved in each event were similar, except in their alteration state and in the amount of substrata initially included in the collapse. While “El Crater” avalanche shows no signs of substratum involvement and has characteristics of a hydrothermal weakening-related collapse, the “Las Isletas” avalanche involves significant substratum and was generated by gravity spreading-related failure. The latter avalanche may have interacted with Lake Nicaragua during transport, in which case its run-out could have been modified. Through a detailed morphological and structural description of the Mombacho avalanches, we provide two contrasting examples of non-eruptive volcanic flank collapse. We show that, remarkably, even with two distinct collapse mechanisms, the debris avalanches developed the same gross stratigraphy of a coarse layer above a fine layer. This fine layer provided a low friction basal slide layer. Whereas DAD layering and the run-outs are roughly similar, the distribution of structures is different and related to lithology: Las Isletas has clear proximal faults replaced distally by inter-hummock depressions where basal unit zones are exhumed, whereas El Crater has faults throughout, but the basal layer is hidden in the distal zone. Hummocky forms depend on material type, with steep hummocks being formed of coherent lava units, and low hummocks by matrix-rich units. In both avalanches, extensional structures predominate; the upper layers exclusively underwent longitudinal and lateral extension. This is consistent with evidence of only small amounts of block-to-block interactions during bulk horizontal spreading. The base of the moving mass accommodated transport by large amounts of simple shear. We suggest that contractional structures and inter-block collisions seen in many other avalanches are artifacts related to topographic confinement.

Thulium-170 heat source

DOEpatents

Walter, Carl E.; Van Konynenburg, Richard; VanSant, James H.

1992-01-01

An isotopic heat source is formed using stacks of thin individual layers of a refractory isotopic fuel, preferably thulium oxide, alternating with layers of a low atomic weight diluent, preferably graphite. The graphite serves several functions: to act as a moderator during neutron irradiation, to minimize bremsstrahlung radiation, and to facilitate heat transfer. The fuel stacks are inserted into a heat block, which is encased in a sealed, insulated and shielded structural container. Heat pipes are inserted in the heat block and contain a working fluid. The heat pipe working fluid transfers heat from the heat block to a heat exchanger for power conversion. Single phase gas pressure controls the flow of the working fluid for maximum heat exchange and to provide passive cooling.

Seismic motion in urban sites consisting of blocks in welded contact with a soft layer overlying a hard half-space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groby, Jean-Philippe; Wirgin, Armand

2008-02-01

We address the problem of the response to a seismic wave of an urban site consisting of Nb blocks overlying a soft layer underlain by a hard substratum. The results of a theoretical analysis, appealing to a space-frequency mode-matching (MM) technique, are compared to those obtained by a space-time finite-element (FE) technique. The two methods are shown to give rise to the same prediction of the seismic response for Nb = 1, 2 and 40 blocks. The mechanism of the interaction between blocks and the ground, as well as that of the mutual interaction between blocks, are studied. It is shown, in the first part of this paper, that the presence of a small number of blocks modifies the seismic disturbance in a manner which evokes qualitatively, but not quantitatively, what was observed during the 1985 Michoacan earthquake in Mexico City. Anomalous earthquake response at a much greater level, in terms of duration, peak and cumulative amplitude of motion, is shown, by a theoretical and numerical analysis in the second part of this paper, to be induced by the presence of a large (>=10) number of identical equi-spaced blocks that are present in certain districts of many cities.

Properties of hot-rolled sheets from ferritic steel with increased strength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perlovich, Yu.; Isaenkova, M.; Dobrokhotov, P.; Stolbov, S.; Bannykh, O.; Bannykh, I.; Antsyferova, M.

2017-10-01

Sheets from ferritic steel 3 mm thick with increased strength after thermal hardening were studied by use of various X-ray methods and mechanical testing. Rolling of steel was carried out at 1100°C with rather great reductions per pass, so that plastic deformation of metal spread by the significant distance from the surface. The texture of sheet proved to have two sharply different layers: the inner layer of ˜40% thick with the usual rolling texture of BCC metals and the external layer with the rolling texture of FCC metals. At that, within the intermediate layer the texture is weakened. Texture formation within the external layer is conditioned by the process of dynamical deformation ageing: interstitial impurities from atmosphere block dislocations, prevent from their slip and at increased temperatures promote their collective climb. As a result, the direction of lattice rotation as well as the final rolling texture change. Due to texture layering, by impact testing of the sheet the plane of crack propagation must be changed when this crack reaches the inner layer, and then an additional energy for its further movement is required. Thermal hardening of the sheet retains the type of rolling texture, though results in some its scattering, but at the same time the breaking point of steel grows twice owing to formation of intermetallic particles.

Growing Embossed Nanostructures of Polymer Brushes on Wet-Etched Silicon Templated via Block Copolymers

PubMed Central

Lu, Xiaobin; Yan, Qin; Ma, Yinzhou; Guo, Xin; Xiao, Shou-Jun

2016-01-01

Block copolymer nanolithography has attracted enormous interest in chip technologies, such as integrated silicon chips and biochips, due to its large-scale and mass production of uniform patterns. We further modified this technology to grow embossed nanodots, nanorods, and nanofingerprints of polymer brushes on silicon from their corresponding wet-etched nanostructures covered with pendent SiHx (X = 1–3) species. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the topomorphologies, and multiple transmission-reflection infrared spectroscopy (MTR-IR) was used to monitor the surface molecular films in each step for the sequential stepwise reactions. In addition, two layers of polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) brush nanodots were observed, which were attributed to the circumferential convergence growth and the diffusion-limited growth of the polymer brushes. The pH response of PMAA nanodots in the same region was investigated by AFM from pH 3.0 to 9.0. PMID:26841692

Growing Embossed Nanostructures of Polymer Brushes on Wet-Etched Silicon Templated via Block Copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Xiaobin; Yan, Qin; Ma, Yinzhou; Guo, Xin; Xiao, Shou-Jun

2016-02-01

Block copolymer nanolithography has attracted enormous interest in chip technologies, such as integrated silicon chips and biochips, due to its large-scale and mass production of uniform patterns. We further modified this technology to grow embossed nanodots, nanorods, and nanofingerprints of polymer brushes on silicon from their corresponding wet-etched nanostructures covered with pendent SiHx (X = 1-3) species. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the topomorphologies, and multiple transmission-reflection infrared spectroscopy (MTR-IR) was used to monitor the surface molecular films in each step for the sequential stepwise reactions. In addition, two layers of polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) brush nanodots were observed, which were attributed to the circumferential convergence growth and the diffusion-limited growth of the polymer brushes. The pH response of PMAA nanodots in the same region was investigated by AFM from pH 3.0 to 9.0.

Responsive block copolymer photonics triggered by protein-polyelectrolyte coacervation.

PubMed

Fan, Yin; Tang, Shengchang; Thomas, Edwin L; Olsen, Bradley D

2014-11-25

Ionic interactions between proteins and polyelectrolytes are demonstrated as a method to trigger responsive transitions in block copolymer (BCP) photonic gels containing one neutral hydrophobic block and one cationic hydrophilic block. Poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) blocks in lamellar poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer thin films are quaternized with primary bromides to yield swollen gels that show strong reflectivity peaks in the visible range; exposure to aqueous solutions of various proteins alters the swelling ratios of the quaternized P2VP (QP2VP) gel layers in the PS-QP2VP materials due to the ionic interactions between proteins and the polyelectrolyte. Parameters such as charge density, hydrophobicity, and cross-link density of the QP2VP gel layers as well as the charge and size of the proteins play significant roles on the photonic responses of the BCP gels. Differences in the size and pH-dependent charge of proteins provide a basis for fingerprinting proteins based on their temporal and equilibrium photonic response. The results demonstrate that the BCP gels and their photonic effect provide a robust and visually interpretable method to differentiate different proteins.

Efficient methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells with active layers from 300 to 900 nm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Momblona, C.; Malinkiewicz, O.; Soriano, A.

2014-08-01

Efficient methylammonium lead iodide perovskite-based solar cells have been prepared in which the perovskite layer is sandwiched in between two organic charge transporting layers that block holes and electrons, respectively. This configuration leads to stable and reproducible devices that do not suffer from strong hysteresis effects and when optimized lead to efficiencies close to 15%. The perovskite layer is formed by using a dual-source thermal evaporation method, whereas the organic layers are processed from solution. The dual-source thermal evaporation method leads to smooth films and allows for high precision thickness variations. Devices were prepared with perovskite layer thicknesses ranging frommore » 160 to 900 nm. The short-circuit current observed for these devices increased with increasing perovskite layer thickness. The main parameter that decreases with increasing perovskite layer thickness is the fill factor and as a result optimum device performance is obtained for perovskite layer thickness around 300 nm. However, here we demonstrate that with a slightly oxidized electron blocking layer the fill factor for the solar cells with a perovskite layer thickness of 900 nm increases to the same values as for the devices with thin perovskite layers. As a result the power conversion efficiencies for the cells with 300 and 900 nm are very similar, 12.7% and 12%, respectively.« less

Bridging Nano- and Microtribology in Mechanical and Biomolecular Layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomala, Agnieszka; Göçerler, Hakan; Gebeshuber, Ille C.

The physical and chemical composition of surfaces determine various important properties of solids such as corrosion rates, adhesive properties, frictional properties, catalytic activity, wettability, contact potential and - finally and most importantly - failure mechanisms. Very thin, weak layers (of man-made and biological origin) on much harder substrates that reduce friction are the focus of the micro- and nanotribological investigations presented in this chapter.Biomolecular layers fulfil various functions in organs of the human body. Examples comprise the skin that provides a protective physical barrier between the body and the environment, preventing unwanted inward and outward passage of water and electrolytes, reducing penetration by destructive chemicals, arresting the penetration of microorganisms and external antigens and absorbing radiation from the sun, or the epithelium of the cornea that blocks the passage of foreign material, such as dust, water and bacteria, into the eye and that contributes to the lubrication layer that ensures smooth movement of the eyelids over the eyeballs.Monomolecular thin films, additive-derived reaction layers and hard coatings are widely used to tailor tribological properties of surfaces. Nanotribological investigations on these substrates can reveal novel properties regarding the orientation of chemisorbed additive layers, development of rubbing films with time and the relation of frictional properties to surface characteristics in diamond coatings.Depending on the questions to be answered with the tribological research, various micro- and nanotribological measurement methods are applied, including scanning probe microscopy (AFM, FFM), scanning electron microscopy, microtribometer investigations, angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and optical microscopy. Thoughts on the feasibility of a unified approach to energy-dissipating systems and how it might be reached (touching upon new ways of scientific publishing, dealing with over-information regarding the literature and the importance of specialists as well as generalists in tribology) conclude this chapter.

Investigations of Heat Transfer in Vacuum between Room Temperature and 80 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hooks, J.; Demko, J. A.; E Fesmire, J.; Matsumoto, T.

2017-12-01

The heat transfer between room temperature and 80 K is controlled using various insulating material combinations. The modes of heat transfer are well established to be conduction and thermal radiation when in a vacuum. Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) in a vacuum has long been the best approach. Typically this layered system is applied to the cold surface. This paper investigates the application of MLI to both the cold and warm surface to see whether there is a significant difference. In addition if MLI is on the warm surface, the cold side of the MLI may be below the critical temperature of some high temperature superconducting (HTS) materials. It has been proposed that HTS materials can serve to block thermal radiation. An experiment is conducted to measure this effect. Boil-off calorimetry is the method of measuring the heat transfer.

Novel technique of abdominal wall nerve block for laparoscopic colostomy: Rectus sheath block with transperitoneal approach.

PubMed

Nagata, Jun; Watanabe, Jun; Sawatsubashi, Yusuke; Akiyama, Masaki; Arase, Koichi; Minagawa, Noritaka; Torigoe, Takayuki; Hamada, Kotaro; Nakayama, Yoshifumi; Hirata, Keiji

2017-08-27

A 62-year-old man who had acute rectal obstruction due to a large rectal cancer is presented. He underwent emergency laparoscopic colostomy. We used the laparoscopic puncture needle to inject analgesia with the novel transperitoneal approach. In this procedure, both ultrasound and laparoscopic images assisted with the accurate injection of analgesic to the correct layer. The combination of laparoscopic visualization and ultrasound imaging ensured infiltration of analgesic into the correct layer without causing damage to the bowel. Twenty-four hours postoperatively, the patient's pain intensity as assessed by the numeric rating scale was 0-1 during coughing, and a continuous intravenous analgesic was not needed. Colostomy is often necessary in colon obstruction. Epidural anesthesia for postoperative pain cannot be used in patients with a coagulation disorder. We report the use of a novel laparoscopic rectus sheath block for colostomy. There has been no literature described about the nerve block with transperitoneal approach. The laparoscopic rectus sheath block was performed safely and had enough analgesic efficacy for postoperative pain. This technique could be considered as an optional anesthetic regimen in acute situations.

Scalable Wrap-Around Shuffle Exchange Network with Deflection Routing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monacos, Steve P. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

The invention in one embodiment is a communication network including plural non-blocking crossbar nodes, first apparatus for connecting the nodes in a first layer of connecting links, and second apparatus for connecting links independent of the first layer, whereby each layer is connected to the other layer at each point of the nodes. Preferably, each one of the layers of connecting links corresponds to one recirculating network topology that closes in on itself.

Embedded top-coat for reducing the effect out of band radiation in EUV lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Ke; Siauw, Meiliana; Valade, David; Jasieniak, Marek; Voelcker, Nico; Trefonas, Peter; Thackeray, Jim; Blakey, Idriss; Whittaker, Andrew

2017-03-01

Out of band (OOB) radiation from the EUV source has significant implications for the performance of EUVL photoresists. Here we introduce a surface-active polymer additive, capable of partitioning to the top of the resist film during casting and annealing, to protect the underlying photoresist from OOB radiation. Copolymers were prepared using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and rendered surface active by chain extension with a block of fluoro-monomer. Films were prepared from the EUV resist with added surface-active Embedded Barrier Layer (EBL), and characterized using measurements of contact angles and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Finally, the lithographic performance of the resist containing the EBL was evaluated using Electron Beam Lithography exposure

Thin film electronic devices with conductive and transparent gas and moisture permeation barriers

DOEpatents

Simpson, Lin Jay

2013-12-17

A thin film stack (100, 200) is provided for use in electronic devices such as photovoltaic devices. The stack (100, 200) may be integrated with a substrate (110) such as a light transmitting/transmissive layer. A electrical conductor layer (120, 220) is formed on a surface of the substrate (110) or device layer such as a transparent conducting (TC) material layer (120,220) with pin holes or defects (224) caused by manufacturing. The stack (100) includes a thin film (130, 230) of metal that acts as a barrier for environmental contaminants (226, 228). The metal thin film (130,230) is deposited on the conductor layer (120, 220) and formed from a self-healing metal such as a metal that forms self-terminating oxides. A permeation plug or block (236) is formed in or adjacent to the thin film (130, 230) of metal at or proximate to the pin holes (224) to block further permeation of contaminants through the pin holes (224).

High Infrared Blocking Cellulose Film Based on Amorphous to Anatase Transition of TiO2 via Atomic Layer Deposition.

PubMed

Li, Wenbin; Li, Linfeng; Wu, Xi; Li, Junyu; Jiang, Lang; Yang, Hongjun; Ke, Guizhen; Cao, Genyang; Deng, Bo; Xu, Weilin

2018-06-27

A high IR-blocking cellulose film was designed based on an amorphous to anatase transition of TiO 2 using atomic layer deposition (ALD). This transition was realized at 250 °C, at which the cellulose is thermal stable. Optimized ALD condition of 250 °C and 1200 cycles give us an excellent heat insulator, which could significantly reduce the enclosed space temperature from 59.2 to 51.9 °C after exposure to IR lamp for 5 min.

Highly improved photo-induced bias stability of sandwiched triple layer structure in sol-gel processed fluorine-doped indium zinc oxide thin film transistor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Dongha; Park, Hyungjin; Bae, Byeong-Soo, E-mail: bsbae@kaist.ac.kr

In order to improve the reliability of TFT, an Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} insulating layer is inserted between active fluorine doped indium zinc oxide (IZO:F) thin films to form a sandwiched triple layer. All the thin films were fabricated via low-cost sol-gel process. Due to its large energy bandgap and high bonding energy with oxygen atoms, the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer acts as a photo-induced positive charge blocking layer that effectively blocks the migration of both holes and V {sub o}{sup 2+} toward the interface between the gate insulator and the semiconductor. The inserted Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} triple layer exhibits amore » noticeably low turn on voltage shift of −0.7 V under NBIS as well as the good TFT performance with a mobility of 10.9 cm{sup 2}/V ⋅ s. We anticipate that this approach can be used to solve the stability issues such as NBIS, which is caused by inescapable oxygen vacancies.« less

Differential erosion and the formation of layered yardangs in the Loulan region (Lop Nur), eastern Tarim Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yongchong; Xu, Lishuai; Mu, Guijin

2018-02-01

Yardangs are a type of wind-sculpted landform which generally form in hyper-arid regions. Several factors affect the development of yardangs, and the relative importance of these factors likely varies with differences in regional environmental factors. In the Loulan region of Lop Nur, wind dynamics are the principal factor affecting the development of yardangs. However, layered yardangs, which have undergone a unique form of differential erosion, are common in the region. These erosional landforms differ from typical yardangs which are eroded solely by abrasion and deflation. We conducted field and laboratory investigations of layered yardangs to determine their origin. The results indicate that there are two types of strata comprising the yardangs: uncompacted sand-silt layers, with a lower carbonate content; and compacted clay-silt layers, with a higher carbonate content. Both types of strata are horizontal and occur in alternating layers. This type of structure enables the wind to more easily erode the less resistant sand-silt layers at different heights, leaving the more resistant compacted clay-silt layers relatively intact. Eventually the undercut remnant clay-silt layers collapse once the weight of the suspended strata exceeds their elastic resistance (more than 90% of the fallen blocks have length/thickness ratios between 1.2 and 2.5). Therefore, in addition to wind dynamics, the lithology and structure of the strata are important factors affecting the development of the layered yardangs. This type of differential erosion accelerates the development of the yardangs in the Loulan region.

Synthesis and controlled self-assembly of UV-responsive gold nanoparticles in block copolymer templates.

PubMed

Song, Dong-Po; Wang, Xinyu; Lin, Ying; Watkins, James J

2014-11-06

We demonstrate the facile synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) functionalized by UV-responsive block copolymer ligands, poly(styrene)-b-poly(o-nitrobenzene acrylate)-SH (PS-b-PNBA-SH), followed by their targeted distribution within a lamellae-forming poly(styrene)-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) block copolymer. The multilayer, micelle-like structure of the GNPs consists of a gold core, an inner PNBA layer, and an outer PS layer. The UV-sensitive PNBA segment can be deprotected into a layer containing poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) when exposed to UV light at 365 nm, which enables the simple and precise tuning of GNP surface properties from hydrophobic to amphiphilic. The GNPs bearing ligands of different chemical compositions were successfully and selectively incorporated into the PS-b-P2VP block copolymer, and UV light showed a profound influence on the spatial distributions of GNPs. Prior to UV exposure, GNPs partition along the interfaces of PS and P2VP domains, while the UV-treated GNPs are incorporated into P2VP domains as a result of hydrogen bond interactions between PAA on the gold surface and P2VP domains. This provides an easy way of controlling the arrangement of nanoparticles in polymer matrices by tailoring the nanoparticle surface using UV light.

Unraveling the Driving Forces in the Self-Assembly of Monodisperse Naphthalenediimide-Oligodimethylsiloxane Block Molecules

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Block molecules belong to a rapidly growing research field in materials chemistry in which discrete macromolecular architectures bridge the gap between block copolymers (BCP) and liquid crystals (LCs). The merging of characteristics from both BCP and LCs is expected to result in exciting breakthroughs, such as the discovery of unexpected morphologies or significant shrinking of domain spacings in materials that possess the high definition of organic molecules and the processability of polymers. Here we report the bulk self-assembly of two families of monodisperse block molecules comprised of naphthalenediimides (NDIs) and oligodimethylsiloxanes (ODMS). These materials are characterized by waxy texture, strong long-range order, and very low mobility, typical properties of conformationally disordered crystals. Our investigation unambiguously reveals that thermodynamic immiscibility and crystallization direct the self-assembly of ODMS-based block molecules. We show that a synergy of high incompatibility between the blocks and crystallization of the NDIs causes nanophase separation, giving access to hexagonally packed columnar (Colh) and lamellar (LAM) morphologies with sub-10 nm periodicities. The domain spacings can be tuned by mixing molecules with different ODMS lengths and the same number of NDIs, introducing an additional layer of control. X-ray scattering experiments reveal macrophase separation whenever this constitutional bias is not observed. Finally, we highlight our “ingredient approach” to obtain perfect order in sub-10 nm structured materials with a simple strategy built on a crystalline “hard” moiety and an incompatible “soft” ODMS partner. Following this simple rule, our recipe can be extended to a number of systems. PMID:28380290

Fire resistant aircraft seat program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fewell, L. A.

1979-01-01

Foams, textiles, and thermoformable plastics were tested to determine which materials were fire retardant, and safe for aircraft passenger seats. Seat components investigated were the decorative fabric cover, slip covers, fire blocking layer, cushion reinforcement, and the cushioning layer.

Stacked organic photosensitive devices

DOEpatents

Forrest, Stephen; Xue, Jiangeng; Uchida, Soichi; Rand, Barry P.

2007-03-27

A device is provided having a first electrode, a second electrode, a first photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength .lamda..sub.1 and a second photoactive region having a characteristic absorption wavelength .lamda..sub.2. The photoactive regions are disposed between the first and second electrodes, and further positioned on the same side of a reflective layer, such that the first photoactive region is closer to the reflective layer than the second photoactive region. The materials comprising the photoactive regions may be selected such that .lamda..sub.1 is at least about 10% different from .lamda..sub.2. The device may further comprise an exciton blocking layer disposed adjacent to and in direct contact with the organic acceptor material of each photoactive region, wherein the LUMO of each exciton blocking layer other than that closest to the cathode is not more than about 0.3 eV greater than the LUMO of the acceptor material.

Distribution of blocking temperatures in nano-oxide layers of specular spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ventura, J.; Araujo, J. P.; Sousa, J. B.; Veloso, A.; Freitas, P. P.

2007-06-01

Specular spin valves show enhanced giant magnetoresistive (GMR) ratio when compared to other, simpler, spin valve structures. The enhancement of GMR results from specular reflection in nano-oxide layers (NOLs) formed by the partial oxidation of the pinned and free layer. These oxides forming the NOL order antiferromagnetically (AFM) below a temperature T ˜175 K. Here, we study the effects of the pinned layer magnetization and its domain structure on the AFM ordering of the NOL by performing field cooling measurements with different cooling fields (H0). We observe enhanced (reduced) exchange field and magnetoresistive ratio for H0>0(<0), i.e., parallel (antiparallel) to the pinned magnetization. These measurements allowed us to confirm the existence of a wide distribution of blocking temperatures (TB) in the NOL of specular spin valves, having a maximum at T ≈175 K, and extending to NOL regions with TB as low as 15 K.

Pneumatically Actuated Miniature Peristaltic Vacuum Pumps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldman, Sabrina; Feldman, Jason; Svehla, Danielle

2003-01-01

Pneumatically actuated miniature peristaltic vacuum pumps have been proposed for incorporation into advanced miniature versions of scientific instruments that depend on vacuum for proper operation. These pumps are expected to be capable of reaching vacuum-side pressures in the torr to millitorr range (from .133 down to .0.13 Pa). Vacuum pumps that operate in this range are often denoted roughing pumps. In comparison with previously available roughing pumps, these pumps are expected to be an order of magnitude less massive and less power-hungry. In addition, they would be extremely robust, and would operate with little or no maintenance and without need for oil or other lubricants. Portable mass spectrometers are typical examples of instruments that could incorporate the proposed pumps. In addition, the proposed pumps could be used as roughing pumps in general laboratory applications in which low pumping rates could be tolerated. The proposed pumps could be designed and fabricated in conventionally machined and micromachined versions. A typical micromachined version (see figure) would include a rigid glass, metal, or plastic substrate and two layers of silicone rubber. The bottom silicone layer would contain shallow pump channels covered by silicone arches that could be pushed down pneumatically to block the channels. The bottom silicone layer would be covered with a thin layer of material with very low gas permeability, and would be bonded to the substrate everywhere except in the channel areas. The top silicone layer would be attached to the bottom silicone layer and would contain pneumatic- actuation channels that would lie crosswise to the pump channels. This version is said to be micromachined because the two silicone layers containing the channels would be fabricated by casting silicone rubber on micromachined silicon molds. The pneumatic-actuation channels would be alternately connected to a compressed gas and (depending on pump design) either to atmospheric pressure or to a partial vacuum source. The design would be such that the higher pneumatic pressure would be sufficient to push the silicone arches down onto the substrates, blocking the channels. Thus, by connecting pneumatic- actuation channels to the two pneumatic sources in spatial and temporal alternation, waves of opening and closing, equivalent to peristalsis, could be made to move along the pump channels. A pump according to this concept could be manufactured inexpensively. Pneumatic sources (compressors and partial vacuum sources) similar those needed for actuation are commercially available; they typically have masses of .100 g and power demands of the order of several W. In a design-optimization effort, it should be possible to reduce masses and power demands below even these low levels and to integrate pneumatic sources along with the proposed pumps into miniature units with overall dimensions of no more than a few centimeters per side.

Switchable silver mirrors with long memory effects† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4sc01912a Click here for additional data file. Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Park, Chihyun; Seo, Seogjae; Shin, Haijin; Sarwade, Bhimrao D.; Na, Jongbeom

2015-01-01

An electrochemically stable and bistable switchable mirror was achieved for the first time by introducing (1) a thiol-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode for the stabilization of the metallic film and (2) ionic liquids as an anion-blocking layer, to achieve a long memory effect. The growth of the metallic film was denser and faster at the thiol-modified ITO electrode than at a bare ITO electrode. The electrochemical stability of the metallic film on the thiol-modified ITO was enhanced, maintaining the metallic state without rupture. In the voltage-off state, the metal film maintained bistability for a long period (>2 h) when ionic liquids were introduced as electrolytes for the switchable mirror. The electrical double layer in the highly viscous ionic liquid electrolyte seemed to effectively form a barrier to the bromide ions, to protect the metal thin film from them when in the voltage-off state. PMID:28936310

Impact of implanted phosphorus on the diffusivity of boron and its applicability to silicon solar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schrof, Julian; Müller, Ralph; Reedy, Robert C.

2015-07-28

Boron diffusivity reduction in extrinsically doped silicon was investigated in the context of a process combination consisting of BBr3 furnace diffusion and preceding Phosphorus ion implantation. The implantation of Phosphorus leads to a substantial blocking of Boron during the subsequent Boron diffusion. First, the influences of ion implantation induced point defects as well as the initial P doping on B diffusivity were studied independently. Here, it was found that not the defects created during ion implantation but the P doping itself results in the observed B diffusion retardation. The influence of the initial P concentration was investigated in more detailmore » by varying the P implantation dose. A secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of the BSG layer after the B diffusion revealed that the B diffusion retardation is not due to potential P content in the BSG layer but rather caused by the n-type doping of the crystalline silicon itself. Based on the observations the B diffusion retardation was classified into three groups: (i) no reduction of B diffusivity, (ii) reduced B diffusivity, and (iii) blocking of the B diffusion. The retardation of B diffusion can well be explained by the phosphorus doping level resulting in a Fermi level shift and pairing of B and P ions, both reducing the B diffusivity. Besides these main influences, there are probably additional transient phenomena responsible for the blocking of boron. Those might be an interstitial transport mechanism caused by P diffusion that reduces interstitial concentration at the surface or the silicon/BSG interface shift due to oxidation during the BBr3 diffusion process. Lifetime measurements revealed that the residual (non-blocked) B leads to an increased dark saturation current density in the P doped region. Nevertheless, electrical quality is on a high level and was further increased by reducing the B dose as well as by removing the first few nanometers of the silicon surface after the BBr3 diffusion« less

Nanobiotechnology with S-layer proteins as building blocks.

PubMed

Sleytr, Uwe B; Schuster, Bernhard; Egelseer, Eva M; Pum, Dietmar; Horejs, Christine M; Tscheliessnig, Rupert; Ilk, Nicola

2011-01-01

One of the key challenges in nanobiotechnology is the utilization of self- assembly systems, wherein molecules spontaneously associate into reproducible aggregates and supramolecular structures. In this contribution, we describe the basic principles of crystalline bacterial surface layers (S-layers) and their use as patterning elements. The broad application potential of S-layers in nanobiotechnology is based on the specific intrinsic features of the monomolecular arrays composed of identical protein or glycoprotein subunits. Most important, physicochemical properties and functional groups on the protein lattice are arranged in well-defined positions and orientations. Many applications of S-layers depend on the capability of isolated subunits to recrystallize into monomolecular arrays in suspension or on suitable surfaces (e.g., polymers, metals, silicon wafers) or interfaces (e.g., lipid films, liposomes, emulsomes). S-layers also represent a unique structural basis and patterning element for generating more complex supramolecular structures involving all major classes of biological molecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, glycans, nucleic acids, or combinations of these). Thus, S-layers fulfill key requirements as building blocks for the production of new supramolecular materials and nanoscale devices as required in molecular nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, biomimetics, and synthetic biology. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aerodynamics of a translating comb-like plate inspired by a fairyfly wing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Seung Hun; Kim, Daegyoum

2017-08-01

Unlike the smooth wings of common insects or birds, micro-scale insects such as the fairyfly have a distinctive wing geometry, comprising a frame with several bristles. Motivated by this peculiar wing geometry, we experimentally investigated the flow structure of a translating comb-like wing for a wide range of gap size, angle of attack, and Reynolds number, Re = O(10) - O(103), and the correlation of these parameters with aerodynamic performance. The flow structures of a smooth plate without a gap and a comb-like plate are significantly different at high Reynolds number, while little difference was observed at the low Reynolds number of O(10). At low Reynolds number, shear layers that were generated at the edges of the tooth of the comb-like plate strongly diffuse and eventually block a gap. This gap blockage increases the effective surface area of the plate and alters the formation of leading-edge and trailing-edge vortices. As a result, the comb-like plate generates larger aerodynamic force per unit area than the smooth plate. In addition to a quasi-steady phase after the comb-like plate travels several chords, we also studied a starting phase of the shear layer development when the comb-like plate begins to translate from rest. While a plate with small gap size can generate aerodynamic force at the starting phase as effectively as at the quasi-steady phase, the aerodynamic force drops noticeably for a plate with a large gap because the diffusion of the developing shear layers is not enough to block the gap.

Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes formed by solution processed red emitters with evaporated blue common layer structure.

PubMed

Cho, Ye Ram; Kim, Hyung Suk; Yu, Young-Jun; Suh, Min Chul

2015-10-30

We prepared highly-efficient solution-processed red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with a blue common layer structure that can reasonably confine the triplet excitons inside of the red emission layer (EML) with the assistance of a bipolar exciton blocking layer. The red PHOLEDs containing EML with a 7 : 3 ratio of 11-(4,6-diphenyl-[1,3,5]triazin-2-yl)-12-phenyl-11,12-dihydro-11,12-diaza-indeno[2,1-a]fluorene (n-type host, NH) : 4-(3-(triphenylen-2-yl)phenyl)dibenzo[b,d]thiophene (p-type host, PH) doped with 5% Iridium(III) bis(2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinolinato-N,C2')tetramethylheptadionate (Red Dopant, RD) produced the highest current and power efficiencies at 23.4 cd/A and 13.6 lm/W, with a 19% external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd/m(2). To the best of our knowledge, such efficiency was the best among those that have been obtained from solution-processed small molecular red PHOLEDs. In addition, the host molecules utilized in this study have no flexible spacers, such as an alkyl chain, which normally deteriorate the stability of the device.

Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes formed by solution processed red emitters with evaporated blue common layer structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Ye Ram; Kim, Hyung Suk; Yu, Young-Jun; Suh, Min Chul

2015-10-01

We prepared highly-efficient solution-processed red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with a blue common layer structure that can reasonably confine the triplet excitons inside of the red emission layer (EML) with the assistance of a bipolar exciton blocking layer. The red PHOLEDs containing EML with a 7 : 3 ratio of 11-(4,6-diphenyl-[1,3,5]triazin-2-yl)-12-phenyl-11,12-dihydro-11,12-diaza-indeno[2,1-a]fluorene (n-type host, NH) : 4-(3-(triphenylen-2-yl)phenyl)dibenzo[b,d]thiophene (p-type host, PH) doped with 5% Iridium(III) bis(2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinolinato-N,C2’)tetramethylheptadionate (Red Dopant, RD) produced the highest current and power efficiencies at 23.4 cd/A and 13.6 lm/W, with a 19% external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd/m2. To the best of our knowledge, such efficiency was the best among those that have been obtained from solution-processed small molecular red PHOLEDs. In addition, the host molecules utilized in this study have no flexible spacers, such as an alkyl chain, which normally deteriorate the stability of the device.

Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes formed by solution processed red emitters with evaporated blue common layer structure

PubMed Central

Cho, Ye Ram; Kim, Hyung Suk; Yu, Young-Jun; Suh, Min Chul

2015-01-01

We prepared highly-efficient solution-processed red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) with a blue common layer structure that can reasonably confine the triplet excitons inside of the red emission layer (EML) with the assistance of a bipolar exciton blocking layer. The red PHOLEDs containing EML with a 7 : 3 ratio of 11-(4,6-diphenyl-[1,3,5]triazin-2-yl)-12-phenyl-11,12-dihydro-11,12-diaza-indeno[2,1-a]fluorene (n-type host, NH) : 4-(3-(triphenylen-2-yl)phenyl)dibenzo[b,d]thiophene (p-type host, PH) doped with 5% Iridium(III) bis(2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)quinolinato-N,C2’)tetramethylheptadionate (Red Dopant, RD) produced the highest current and power efficiencies at 23.4 cd/A and 13.6 lm/W, with a 19% external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd/m2. To the best of our knowledge, such efficiency was the best among those that have been obtained from solution-processed small molecular red PHOLEDs. In addition, the host molecules utilized in this study have no flexible spacers, such as an alkyl chain, which normally deteriorate the stability of the device. PMID:26514274

Solution-processed multilayer polymer light-emitting diode without intermixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasparek, C.; Blom, P. W. M.

2017-01-01

The intermixing of two emissive layers in a four-layer solution-processed polymeric light-emitting diode with a hole injection, two emissive layers, and one hole-blocking layer is investigated. The relative emission of both emissive layers is measured and compared to a calculated recombination profile across the device using drift-diffusion simulations. A good agreement between the measured and calculated relative emission was found, supporting that there is no intermixing in the two emissive materials.

Polyelectrolyte/Graphene Oxide Barrier Film for Flexible OLED.

PubMed

Yang, Seung-Yeol; Park, Jongwhan; Kim, Yong-Seog

2015-10-01

Ultra-thin flexible nano-composite barrier layer consists of graphene oxide and polyelectrolyte was prepared using the layer-by-layer processing method. Microstructures of the barrier layer was optimized via modifying coating conditions and inducing chemical reactions. Although the barrier layer consists of hydrophilic polyelectrolyte was not effective in blocking the water vapor permeation, the chemical reduction of graphene oxide as well as conversion of polyelectrolyte to hydrophobic nature were very effective in reducing the permeation.

Improving security of the ping-pong protocol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zawadzki, Piotr

2013-01-01

A security layer for the asymptotically secure ping-pong protocol is proposed and analyzed in the paper. The operation of the improvement exploits inevitable errors introduced by the eavesdropping in the control and message modes. Its role is similar to the privacy amplification algorithms known from the quantum key distribution schemes. Messages are processed in blocks which guarantees that an eavesdropper is faced with a computationally infeasible problem as long as the system parameters are within reasonable limits. The introduced additional information preprocessing does not require quantum memory registers and confidential communication is possible without prior key agreement or some shared secret.

Advanced CD-SEM solution for edge placement error characterization of BEOL pitch 32nm metal layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charley, A.; Leray, P.; Lorusso, G.; Sutani, T.; Takemasa, Y.

2018-03-01

Metrology plays an important role in edge placement error (EPE) budgeting. Control for multi-patterning applications as new critical distances needs to be measured (edge to edge) and requirements become tighter and tighter in terms of accuracy and precision. In this paper we focus on imec iN7 BEOL platform and particularly on M2 patterning scheme using SAQP + block EUV for a 7.5 track logic design. Being able to characterize block to SAQP edge misplacement is important in a budgeting exercise (1) but is also extremely difficult due to challenging edge detection with CD-SEM (similar materials, thin layers, short distances, 3D features). In this study we develop an advanced solution to measure block to SAQP placement, we characterize it in terms of sensitivity, precision and accuracy through the comparison to reference metrology. In a second phase, the methodology is applied to budget local effects and the results are compared to the characterization of the SAQP and block independently.

Aminosilanization nanoadhesive layer for nanoelectric circuits with porous ultralow dielectric film.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhongkai; He, Yongyong; Yang, Haifang; Qu, Xinping; Lu, Xinchun; Luo, Jianbin

2013-07-10

An ultrathin layer is investigated for its potential application of replacing conventional diffusion barriers and promoting interface adhesion for nanoelectric circuits with porous ultralow dielectrics. The porous ultralow dielectric (k ≈ 2.5) substrate is silanized by 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) to form the nanoadhesive layer by performing oxygen plasma modification and tailoring the silanization conditions appropriately. The high primary amine content is obtained in favor of strong interaction between amino groups and copper. And the results of leakage current measurements of metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor structure demonstrate that the aminosilanization nanoadhesive layer can block copper diffusion effectively and guarantee the performance of devices. Furthermore, the results of four-point bending tests indicate that the nanoadhesive layer with monolayer structure can provide the satisfactory interface toughness up to 6.7 ± 0.5 J/m(2) for Cu/ultralow-k interface. Additionally, an annealing-enhanced interface toughness effect occurs because of the formation of Cu-N bonding and siloxane bridges below 500 °C. However, the interface is weakened on account of the oxidization of amines and copper as well as the breaking of Cu-N bonding above 500 °C. It is also found that APTMS nanoadhesive layer with multilayer structure provides relatively low interface toughness compared with monolayer structure, which is mainly correlated to the breaking of interlayer hydrogen bonding.

Cu/Cu2O nanocomposite films as a p-type modified layer for efficient perovskite solar cells.

PubMed

Chen, You-Jyun; Li, Ming-Hsien; Huang, Jung-Chun-Andrew; Chen, Peter

2018-05-16

Cu/Cu 2 O films grown by ion beam sputtering were used as p-type modified layers to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with an n-i-p heterojunction structure. The ratio of Cu to Cu 2 O in the films can be tuned by the oxygen flow ratio (O 2 /(O 2  + Ar)) during the sputtering of copper. Auger electron spectroscopy was performed to determine the elemental composition and chemical state of Cu in the films. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the valence band maximum of the p-type Cu/Cu 2 O matches well with the perovskite. The Cu/Cu 2 O film not only acts as a p-type modified layer but also plays the role of an electron blocking buffer layer. By introducing the p-type Cu/Cu 2 O films between the low-mobility hole transport material, spiro-OMeTAD, and the Ag electrode in the PSCs, the device durability and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were effectively improved as compared to the reference devices without the Cu/Cu 2 O interlayer. The enhanced PCE is mainly attributed to the high hole mobility of the p-type Cu/Cu 2 O film. Additionally, the Cu/Cu 2 O film serves as a protective layer against the penetration of humidity and Ag into the perovskite active layer.

Extremely enhanced photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells by sintering mesoporous TiO2 photoanodes with crystalline titania chelated by acetic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Bo-Tau; Chou, Ya-Hui; Liu, Jin-Yan

2016-04-01

The study presents a significant improvement on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) through incorporating the crystalline titania chelated by acetic acid (TAc) into the mesoporous TiO2 photoanodes. The effects of TAc on the blocking layer, mesoporous TiO2 layer, and post-treatment have been investigated. The TAc blocking layer displays compact construction, revealing superior response time and resistance to suppress dark current compared to the blocking layer made from titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP). The power conversion efficiency of DSSCs with the TAc treatment can reach as high as 10.49%, which is much higher than that of pristine DSSCs (5.67%) and that of DSSCs treated by TTIP (7.86%). We find that the TAc incorporation can lead to the decrease of charge transfer resistance and the increase of dye adsorption. The result may be attributed to the fact that the TAc possesses high crystallinity, exposed (101) planes, and acid groups chelated on surface, which are favorable for dye attachment and strong bonding at the FTO/TiO2 and the TiO2/TiO2 interfaces, These improvements result in the remarkable increase of photocurrent and thereby that of power conversion efficiency.

Planar varactor frequency multiplier devices with blocking barrier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lieneweg, Udo (Inventor); Frerking, Margaret A. (Inventor); Maserjian, Joseph (Inventor)

1994-01-01

The invention relates to planar varactor frequency multiplier devices with a heterojunction blocking barrier for near millimeter wave radiation of moderate power from a fundamental input wave. The space charge limitation of the submillimeter frequency multiplier devices of the BIN(sup +) type is overcome by a diode structure comprising an n(sup +) doped layer of semiconductor material functioning as a low resistance back contact, a layer of semiconductor material with n-type doping functioning as a drift region grown on the back contact layer, a delta doping sheet forming a positive charge at the interface of the drift region layer with a barrier layer, and a surface metal contact. The layers thus formed on an n(sup +) doped layer may be divided into two isolated back-to-back BNN(sup +) diodes by separately depositing two surface metal contacts. By repeating the sequence of the drift region layer and the barrier layer with the delta doping sheet at the interfaces between the drift and barrier layers, a plurality of stacked diodes is formed. The novelty of the invention resides in providing n-type semiconductor material for the drift region in a GaAs/AlGaAs structure, and in stacking a plurality of such BNN(sup +) diodes stacked for greater output power with and connected back-to-back with the n(sup +) GaAs layer as an internal back contact and separate metal contact over an AlGaAs barrier layer on top of each stack.

Vertical Scan (V-SCAN) for 3-D Grid Adaptive Mesh Refinement for an atmospheric Model Dynamical Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andronova, N. G.; Vandenberg, D.; Oehmke, R.; Stout, Q. F.; Penner, J. E.

2009-12-01

One of the major building blocks of a rigorous representation of cloud evolution in global atmospheric models is a parallel adaptive grid MPI-based communication library (an Adaptive Blocks for Locally Cartesian Topologies library -- ABLCarT), which manages the block-structured data layout, handles ghost cell updates among neighboring blocks and splits a block as refinements occur. The library has several modules that provide a layer of abstraction for adaptive refinement: blocks, which contain individual cells of user data; shells - the global geometry for the problem, including a sphere, reduced sphere, and now a 3D sphere; a load balancer for placement of blocks onto processors; and a communication support layer which encapsulates all data movement. A major performance concern with adaptive mesh refinement is how to represent calculations that have need to be sequenced in a particular order in a direction, such as calculating integrals along a specific path (e.g. atmospheric pressure or geopotential in the vertical dimension). This concern is compounded if the blocks have varying levels of refinement, or are scattered across different processors, as can be the case in parallel computing. In this paper we describe an implementation in ABLCarT of a vertical scan operation, which allows computing along vertical paths in the correct order across blocks transparent to their resolution and processor location. We test this functionality on a 2D and a 3D advection problem, which tests the performance of the model’s dynamics (transport) and physics (sources and sinks) for different model resolutions needed for inclusion of cloud formation.

The Impact of Development and Sensory Deprivation on Dendritic Protrusions in the Mouse Barrel Cortex

PubMed Central

Chen, Chia-Chien; Bajnath, Adesh; Brumberg, Joshua C.

2015-01-01

Dendritic protrusions (spines and filopodia) are structural indicators of synapses that have been linked to neuronal learning and memory through their morphological alterations induced by development and experienced-dependent activities. Although previous studies have demonstrated that depriving sensory experience leads to structural changes in neocortical organization, the more subtle effects on dendritic protrusions remain unclear, mostly due to focus on only one specific cell type and/or age of manipulation. Here, we show that sensory deprivation induced by whisker trimming influences the dendritic protrusions of basilar dendrites located in thalamocortical recipient lamina (IV and VI) of the mouse barrel cortex in a layer-specific manner. Following 1 month of whisker trimming after birth, the density of dendritic protrusions increased in layer IV, but decreased in layer VI. Whisker regrowth for 1 month returned protrusion densities to comparable level of age-matched controls in layer VI, but not in layer IV. In adults, chronic sensory deprivation led to an increase in protrusion densities in layer IV, but not in layer VI. In addition, chronic pharmacological blockade of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) increased protrusion density in both layers IV and VI, which returned to the control level after 1 month of drug withdrawal. Our data reveal that different cortical layers respond to chronic sensory deprivation in different ways, with more pronounced effects during developmental critical periods than adulthood. We also show that chronically blocking NMDARs activity during developmental critical period also influences the protrusion density and morphology in the cerebral cortex. PMID:24408954

Performance of sand and shredded rubber tire mixture as a natural base isolator for earthquake protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bandyopadhyay, Srijit; Sengupta, Aniruddha; Reddy, G. R.

2015-12-01

The performance of a well-designed layer of sand, and composites like layer of sand mixed with shredded rubber tire (RSM) as low cost base isolators, is studied in shake table tests in the laboratory. The building foundation is modeled by a 200 mm by 200 mm and 40 mm thick rigid plexi-glass block. The block is placed in the middle of a 1m by 1m tank filled with sand. The selected base isolator is placed between the block and the sand foundation. Accelerometers are placed on top of the footing and foundation sand layer. The displacement of the footing is also measured by LVDT. The whole setup is mounted on a shake table and subjected to sinusoidal motions with varying amplitude and frequency. Sand is found to be effective only at very high amplitude (> 0.65 g) of motions. The performance of a composite consisting of sand and 50% shredded rubber tire placed under the footing is found to be most promising as a low-cost effective base isolator.

Thermal Assessment of Swift BAT Instrument Thermal Control System in Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Michael K.

2005-01-01

THE BAT is the primary instrument on the Swift spacecraft. The Swift mission is part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Medium-Size Explorer (MIDEX) Program, and is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). It is designed to detect gamma ray burst over a broad region of the sky in a low Earth orbit of 600-km altitude and quickly align the telescopes on the spacecraft to the gamma ray source. It was successfully launched into orbit on November 20, 2004. The Swift mission is a first of its kind of multi-wavelength transient observatory for gamma ray burst astronomy. Its mission life is 2 years. The inclination is 22 deg maximum. The spacecraft bus voltage to the instruments is in the 24 V to 35 V range. The instruments will be turned off when the voltage is below 27 V. The BAT is mounted to the optical bench through five titanium flexures. The BAT has been developed at GSFC. Its telescope assembly consists of 256 Detector Modules (DMs) in the Detector Array. There are 16 Detector Array Blocks. Each Block holds 16 DMs, 3 Block Voltage Regulator (BVR) units and 3 Block Command & Data Handling (BCDH) units. The power dissipation of each Block has been measured to be 13 W. Therefore the total power dissipation of the 16 Blocks is 208 W. The DAP is 1.3 m (4.3 ft) x 1 m (3.3 ft), accommodates all the 16 Blocks. It also provides the mounting surface and the positional stability for the Blocks. The DMs are located at the top (+X side) of the DAP and is enclosed by graded-Z shields on the sides and a coded mask at the top. The BVRs and BCDHs are located at the bottom (-X side) of the DAP. Eight Blocks are located at the front (-Z side or radiator side) of the DAP, and eight are located at the rear (+Z side) of the DAP. The DMs and top of DAP are insulated with a 7-layer multi-layer insulation (MLI). There is a 5.08 cm (2 in) x 5.08 cm (2 in) MLI cutout over each Block heater controller so that heat radiates from the heater controller to the mask. The exterior of the mask, graded-Z shields and bottom of DAP is insulated with a 15-layer MLI.

Abrasion of Candidate Spacesuit Fabrics by Simulated Lunar Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaier, James R.; Meador, Mary Ann; Rogers, Kerry J.; Sheehy, Brennan H.

2009-01-01

A protocol has been developed that produced the type of lunar soil abrasion damage observed on Apollo spacesuits. This protocol was then applied to four materials (Kevlar (DuPont), Vectran (Kuraray Co., Ltd.), Orthofabric, and Tyvek (DuPont)) that are candidates for advanced spacesuits. Three of the four new candidate fabrics (all but Vectran) were effective at keeping the dust from penetrating to layers beneath. In the cases of Kevlar and Orthofabric this was accomplished by the addition of a silicone layer. In the case of Tyvek, the paper structure was dense enough to block dust transport. The least abrasive damage was suffered by the Tyvek. This was thought to be due in large part to its non-woven paper structure. The woven structures were all abraded where the top of the weave was struck by the abrasive. Of these, the Orthofabric suffered the least wear, with both Vectran and Kevlar suffering considerably more extensive filament breakage.

Quasiparticle band structures and interface physics of SnS and GeS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malone, Brad; Kaxiras, Efthimios

2013-03-01

Orthorhombic SnS and GeS are layered materials made of earth-abundant elements which have the potential to play a useful role in the massive scale up of renewable power necessary by 2050 to avoid unmanageable levels of climate change. We report on first principles calculations of the quasiparticle spectra of these two materials, predicting the type and magnitude of the fundamental band gap, a quantity which shows a strong degree of scatter in the experimental literature. Additionally, in order to evaluate the possible role of GeS as an electron-blocking layer in a SnS-based photovoltaic device, we investigate the band offsets of the interfaces between these materials along the three principle crystallographic directions. We find that while the valence-band offsets are similar along the three principle directions, the conduction-band offsets display a substantial amount of anisotropy.

Fast and accurate metrology of multi-layered ceramic materials by an automated boundary detection algorithm developed for optical coherence tomography data

PubMed Central

Ekberg, Peter; Su, Rong; Chang, Ernest W.; Yun, Seok Hyun; Mattsson, Lars

2014-01-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful for materials defect analysis and inspection with the additional possibility of quantitative dimensional metrology. Here, we present an automated image-processing algorithm for OCT analysis of roll-to-roll multilayers in 3D manufacturing of advanced ceramics. It has the advantage of avoiding filtering and preset modeling, and will, thus, introduce a simplification. The algorithm is validated for its capability of measuring the thickness of ceramic layers, extracting the boundaries of embedded features with irregular shapes, and detecting the geometric deformations. The accuracy of the algorithm is very high, and the reliability is better than 1 µm when evaluating with the OCT images using the same gauge block step height reference. The method may be suitable for industrial applications to the rapid inspection of manufactured samples with high accuracy and robustness. PMID:24562018

Clays as possible catalysts for peptide formation in the prebiotic era

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paecht-Horowitz, M.

1976-01-01

From the point of view of prebiotic synthesis, clays might have performed functions of concentration, catalysis, and protection of molecules. The degrees of polymerization obtained, when amino acid adenylates are added to montmorillonite suspensions in water, are much higher than those obtained by polymerization in the absence of such a clay. In addition, they are of a discrete spectrum, usually multiples of 6 or 7, and reach values of up to 40 mers. In the absence of clay a continuous spectrum of degrees of polymerization is obtained, and usually up to 4-6 mers only. Copolymerization in the absence of clays yields mostly random copolymers, in their presence mostly block copolymers are obtained. Optical density measurements show that after adsorption has taken place on the clay, stacking of its layers occurs. Polymerization starts only after these stacked layers have been formed

Merging seismic and MT in Garden Valley, Nevada

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Telleen, K.E.

1986-04-01

In the northern part of Garden Valley, Nevada, a 1978 regional seismic program encountered a large area of poor to no-reflection data. Surface geology suggested that a large high structure might underlie the valley floor, and that shallowly buried basalts were causing the poor data. The implied strongly layered structure of electrical resistivity - resistive basalt on conductive Tertiary clastics on resistive paleozoic carbonates - formed an ideal theater for the magnetotelluric method. In 1984, Conoco acquired 48 magnetotelluric sites on about a half-mile grid. These data supported the presence of a buried high block in the Paleozoic rocks andmore » allowed confident mapping of its outlines. In addition, the magnetotelluric survey showed a thin, shallowly buried resistor coextensive with the seismic no-reflection area. In 1985, a high-effort repeat of the earlier no-reflection seismic line confirmed the high block, improved the fault interpretation, and provided weak guidance on the depth of the targeted Paleozoic rocks. Because Garden Valley's Paleozoic stratigraphy differs negligibly from that at nearby Grant Canyon field, the high block constitutes an attractive prospect - possibly the first one found in Nevada due largely to magnetotelluric surveying.« less

Hiding Electronic Patient Record (EPR) in medical images: A high capacity and computationally efficient technique for e-healthcare applications.

PubMed

Loan, Nazir A; Parah, Shabir A; Sheikh, Javaid A; Akhoon, Jahangir A; Bhat, Ghulam M

2017-09-01

A high capacity and semi-reversible data hiding scheme based on Pixel Repetition Method (PRM) and hybrid edge detection for scalable medical images has been proposed in this paper. PRM has been used to scale up the small sized image (seed image) and hybrid edge detection ensures that no important edge information is missed. The scaled up version of seed image has been divided into 2×2 non overlapping blocks. In each block there is one seed pixel whose status decides the number of bits to be embedded in the remaining three pixels of that block. The Electronic Patient Record (EPR)/data have been embedded by using Least Significant and Intermediate Significant Bit Substitution (ISBS). The RC4 encryption has been used to add an additional security layer for embedded EPR/data. The proposed scheme has been tested for various medical and general images and compared with some state of art techniques in the field. The experimental results reveal that the proposed scheme besides being semi-reversible and computationally efficient is capable of handling high payload and as such can be used effectively for electronic healthcare applications. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Research on the key technology of update of land survey spatial data based on embedded GIS and GPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dan; Liu, Yanfang; Yu, Hai; Xia, Yin

2009-10-01

According to the actual needs of the second land-use survey and the PDA's characteristics of small volume and small memory, it can be analyzed that the key technology of the data collection system of field survey based on GPS-PDA is the read speed of the data. In order to enhance the speed and efficiency of the analysis of the spatial data on mobile devices, we classify the layers of spatial data; get the Layer-Grid Index by getting the different levels and blocks of the layer of spatial data; then get the R-TREE index of the spatial data objects. Different scale levels of space are used in different levels management. The grid method is used to do the block management.

Effects of Mg-doped AlN/AlGaN superlattices on properties of p-GaN contact layer and performance of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Al tahtamouni, T. M., E-mail: talal@yu.edu.jo; Lin, J. Y.; Jiang, H. X.

2014-04-15

Mg-doped AlN/AlGaN superlattice (Mg-SL) and Mg-doped AlGaN epilayers have been investigated in the 284 nm deep ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) as electron blocking layers. It was found that the use of Mg-SL improved the material quality of the p-GaN contact layer, as evidenced in the decreased density of surface pits and improved surface morphology and crystalline quality. The performance of the DUV LEDs fabricated using Mg-SL was significantly improved, as manifested by enhanced light intensity and output power, and reduced turn-on voltage. The improved performance is attributed to the enhanced blocking of electron overflow, and enhanced hole injection.

Charge-Retraction Time-of-Flight Measurement for Organic Charge Transport Materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wallace, J.U.; Young, R.H.; Tang, C.W.

This describes an all-electrical technique, charge-retraction time-of-flight (CR-TOF), to measure charge carrier mobility through an organic layer. Carriers are injected and accumulated at a blocking interface, then retracted. The retraction current transient is nearly indistinguishable from a traditional time-of-flight photocurrent. The CR-TOF technique is validated by measurement of the hole mobility of two well-known compounds, 4,4',4"-tris[N-(3-methylphenyl)-N-phenylamino]triphenylamine and 4,4'-bis[N-1-napthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl, utilizing 1,3,5-tris(N-phenylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-benzene as a hole-blocking layer.

Device for thermal transfer and power generation

DOEpatents

Weaver, Stanton Earl [Northville, NY; Arik, Mehmet [Niskayuna, NY

2011-04-19

A system is provided. The system includes a device that includes top and bottom thermally conductive substrates positioned opposite to one another, wherein a top surface of the bottom thermally conductive substrate is substantially atomically flat and a thermal blocking layer disposed between the top and bottom thermally conductive substrates. The device also includes top and bottom electrodes separated from one another between the top and bottom thermally conductive substrates to define a tunneling path, wherein the top electrode is disposed on the thermal blocking layer and the bottom electrode is disposed on the bottom thermally conductive substrate.

Efficiency improvement of green light-emitting diodes by employing all-quaternary active region and electron-blocking layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usman, Muhammad; Saba, Kiran; Han, Dong-Pyo; Muhammad, Nazeer

2018-01-01

High efficiency of green GaAlInN-based light-emitting diode (LED) has been proposed with peak emission wavelength of ∼510 nm. By introducing quaternary quantum well (QW) along with the quaternary barrier (QB) and quaternary electron blocking layer (EBL) in a single structure, an efficiency droop reduction of up to 29% has been achieved in comparison to the conventional GaN-based LED. The proposed structure has significantly reduced electrostatic field in the active region. As a result, carrier leakage has been minimized and spontaneous emission rate has been doubled.

Effects of injection nozzle exit width on rotating detonation engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jian; Zhou, Jin; Liu, Shijie; Lin, Zhiyong; Cai, Jianhua

2017-11-01

A series of numerical simulations of RDE modeling real injection nozzles with different exit widths are performed in this paper. The effects of nozzle exit width on chamber inlet state, plenum flowfield and detonation propagation are analyzed. The results are compared with that using an ideal injection model. Although the ideal injection model is a good approximation method to model RDE inlet, the two-dimensional effects of real nozzles are ignored in the ideal injection model so that some complicated phenomena such as the reflected waves caused by the nozzle walls and the reversed flow into the nozzles can not be modeled accurately. Additionally, the ideal injection model overpredicts the block ratio. In all the cases that stabilize at one-wave mode, the block ratio increases as the nozzle exit width gets smaller. The dual-wave mode case also has a relatively high block ratio. A pressure oscillation in the plenum with the same main frequency with the rotating detonation wave is observed. A parameter σ is applied to describe the non-uniformity in the plenum. σ increases as the nozzle exit width gets larger. Under some condition, the heat release on the interface of fresh premixed gas layer and detonation products can be strong enough to induce a new detonation wave. A spontaneous mode-transition process is observed for the smallest exit width case. Due to the detonation products existing in the premixed gas layer before the detonation wave, the detonation wave will propagate through reactants and products alternately, and therefore its strength will vary with time, especially near the chamber inlet. This tendency gets weaker as the injection nozzle exit width increases.

A S-Layer Protein of Bacillus anthracis as a Building Block for Functional Protein Arrays by In Vitro Self-Assembly.

PubMed

Wang, Xu-Ying; Wang, Dian-Bing; Zhang, Zhi-Ping; Bi, Li-Jun; Zhang, Ji-Bin; Ding, Wei; Zhang, Xian-En

2015-11-18

S-layer proteins create a cell-surface layer architecture in both bacteria and archaea. Because S-layer proteins self-assemble into a native-like S-layer crystalline structure in vitro, they are attractive building blocks in nanotechnology. Here, the potential use of the S-layer protein EA1 from Bacillus anthracis in constructing a functional nanostructure is investigated, and apply this nanostructure in a proof-of-principle study for serological diagnosis of anthrax. EA1 is genetically fused with methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH), to degrade methyl parathion and provide a label for signal amplification. EA1 not only serves as a nanocarrier, but also as a specific antigen to capture anthrax-specific antibodies. As results, purified EA1-MPH forms a single layer of crystalline nanostructure through self-assembly. Our chimeric nanocatalyst greatly improves enzymatic stability of MPH. When applied to the detection of anthrax-specific antibodies in serum samples, the detection of our EA1-MPH nanostructure is nearly 300 times more sensitive than that of the unassembled complex. Together, it is shown that it is possible to build a functional and highly sensitive nanosensor based on S-layer protein. In conclusion, our present study should serve as a model for the development of other multifunctional nanomaterials using S-layer proteins. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ionic polymer-metal composite actuators based on triple-layered polyelectrolytes composed of individually functionalized layers.

PubMed

Lee, Jang-Woo; Yoo, Young-Tai; Lee, Jae Yeol

2014-01-22

Ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators based on two types of triple-layered Nafion composite membranes were prepared via consecutive solution recasting and electroless plating methods. The triple-layered membranes are composed of a Nafion layer containing an amphiphilic organic molecule (10-camphorsulfonic acid; CSA) in the middle section (for fast and large ion conduction) and two Nafion/modified inorganic composite layers in the outer sections (for large accumulation/retention of mobile ions). For construction of the two types of IPMCs, sulfonated montmorillonite (MMT) and polypyrrole (PPy)-coated alumina fillers were incorporated into the outer layers. Both the triple-layered IPMCs exhibited 42% higher tip displacements at the maximum deflections with a negligible back-relaxation, 50-74% higher blocking forces, and more rapid responses under 3 V dc, compared with conventional single-layered Nafion-IPMCs. Improvements in cyclic displacement under a rectangular voltage input of 3 V at 1 Hz were also made in the triple-layered configurations. Compared with single-layered IPMCs consisting of the identical compositions with the respective outer composite layers, the bending rates and energy efficiencies of both the triple-layered IPMCs were significantly higher, although the blocking forces were a bit lower. These remarkable improvements were attributed to higher capacitances and Young's moduli as well as a more efficient transport of mobile ions and water through the middle layer (Nafion/CSA) and a larger accumulation/retention of the mobile species in the outer functionalized inorganic composite layers. Especially, the triple-layered IPMC with the PPy-modified alumina registered the best actuation performance among all the samples, including a viable actuation even at a low voltage of 1.5 V due to involving efficient redox reactions of PPy with the aid of hygroscopic alumina.

Observed Human Errors in Interpreting 3D visualizations: implications for Teaching Students how to Comprehend Geological Block Diagrams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bemis, K. G.; Pirl, E.; Chiang, J.; Tremaine, M.

2009-12-01

Block diagrams are commonly used to communicate three dimensional geological structures and other phenomena relevant to geological science (e.g., water bodies in the ocean). However, several recent studies have suggested that these 3D visualizations create difficulties for individuals with low to moderate spatial abilities. We have therefore initiated a series of studies to understand what it is about the 3D structures that make them so difficult for some people and also to determine if we can improve people’s understanding of these structures through web-based training not related to geology or other underlying information. Our first study examined what mistakes subjects made in a set of 3D block diagrams designed to represent progressively more difficult internal structures. Each block was shown bisected by a plane either perpendicular or at an angle to the block sides. Five low to medium spatial subjects were asked to draw the features that would appear on the bisecting plane. They were asked to talk aloud as they solved the problem. Each session was videotaped. Using the time it took subjects to solve the problems, the subject verbalizations of their problem solving and the drawings that were found to be in error, we have been able to find common patterns in the difficulties the subjects had with the diagrams. We have used these patterns to generate a set of strategies the subjects used in solving the problems. From these strategies, we are developing methods of teaching. A problem found in earlier work on geology structures was not observed in our study, that is, one of subjects failing to recognize the 2D representation of the block as 3D and drawing the cross-section as a combined version of the visible faces of the object. We attribute this to our experiment introduction, suggesting that even this simple training needs to be carried out with students encountering 3D block diagrams. Other problems subjects had included difficulties in perceptually recognizing variations in layer thicknesses, difficulties in recognizing an internal structure from the visible cues on the block walls, difficulties in mentally constructing objects and intersections that were not perpendicular, and difficulties in keeping track of the number of folds of a layer, and thus, the number of intersections of the layer with the bisecting plane. All of these problems suggest that web-based games giving mass practice with these variations in block diagram representations are likely to give any person appropriate skills in their interpretation. The time to complete the drawings and the errors in the drawings were also correlated with quantifiable properties of the diagrams, e.g., number of layers, number of folds in the layers, angle of bisection of the plane, etc. These will be used in further research to organize the training from easy to hard problems following what is known already about mass practice and developing abstracted skill sets. The plan is to also make the training adaptive, that is, to provide practice in those areas where an individual user is having the most problems.

Insertion of NiO electron blocking layer in fabrication of GaN-organic heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Junmei; Guo, Wei; Jiang, Jie'an; Gao, Pingqi; Bo, Baoxue; Ye, Jichun

2018-03-01

We report the fabrication of a NiO thin film on top of an n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The electron-blocking capability of NiO in a hybrid organic/inorganic heterostructure consisting of n-GaN/NiO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is discussed. Surface morphology, crystallography orientation, bandgap, and fermi level information of NiO films were investigated in detail. A rectifying property consistent with the proposed band diagram was observed in the current-voltage measurement. Theoretical analysis also demonstrated the effective electron blocking due to band alignment and a more balanced carrier distribution inside the GaN region with NiO inserted into the n-GaN/PEDOT:PSS heterostructure. This work provides a promising approach to the fabrication of high-efficiency hybrid optoelectronic devices.

Velocity and Density Heterogeneities of the Tien-Shan Lithosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabitova, T. M.; Lesik, O. M.; Adamova, A. A.

The Tien-Shan orogene is a region in which the earth's crust undergoes considerable thickening and tangential compression. Under these conditions the lithosphere heterogeneities (composi tion, rheological) create the prerequisites for the development of various phenomena of tectonic layering (lateral shearing, different deformation of layers). To study the distribution of velocity, density and other elastic parameters, the results from a seismic tomography study on P-wave as well as S-wave velocities were used. Using empirical as well as theoretical formulas on the relationship between velocity, density and silica content in rocks, their distribution in the Tien-Shan's lithosphere has been calculated. In addition, other elastic parameters, such as Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio and coefficient of general compressions have been determined. Zoning of different types of crust was carried out for the region investigated. The characteristics of the "crust-mantle" transition have been investi gated. Large blocks with different types of the earth's crust were distinguished. Layers with inverse values of velocity, density and shear and Young modulus are revealed in the Tien-Shan lithosphere. All of the above described features open new ways to solve geodynamics problems.

Inhalation toxicology. V., Evaluation of relative toxicity to rats of thermal decomposition products from two aircraft seat fire-blocking materials.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1985-11-01

Two fire-blocking layer (FBL) materials, designed to delay the thermal decomposition of polyurethane foam seat cushions during an aircraft cabin fire, were evaluated for the relative toxicity of their gaseous combustion products. Each materials was t...

Better Seals for Vacuum Bags

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penn, B.; Clemons, J. M.

1983-01-01

Roller tool spreads even layer of adhesive. Tool easily constructed from metal, plastic, or wood. Sewing-thread spool serves as roller, nail as axle, and jigsawed block of wood as handle. Tool rolled and pressed against plastic film to assure even layer of adhesive around periphery.

Double-layered liquid crystal light shutter for control of absorption and scattering of the light incident to a transparent display device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huh, Jae-Won; Yu, Byeong-Hun; Shin, Dong-Myung; Yoon, Tae-Hoon

2015-03-01

Recently, a transparent display has got much attention as one of the next generation display devices. Especially, active studies on a transparent display using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are in progress. However, since it is not possible to obtain black color using a transparent OLED, it suffers from poor visibility. This inevitable problem can be solved by using a light shutter. Light shutter technology can be divided into two types; light absorption and scattering. However, a light shutter based on light absorption cannot block the background image perfectly and a light shutter based on light scattering cannot provide black color. In this work we demonstrate a light shutter using two liquid crystal (LC) layers, a light absorption layer and a light scattering layer. To realize a light absorption layer and a light scattering layer, we use the planar state of a dye-doped chiral nematic LC (CNLC) cell and the focal-conic state of a long-pitch CNLC cell, respectively. The proposed light shutter device can block the background image perfectly and show black color. We expect that the proposed light shutter can increase the visibility of a transparent display.

The Keck keyword layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conrad, A. R.; Lupton, W. F.

1992-01-01

Each Keck instrument presents a consistent software view to the user interface programmer. The view consists of a small library of functions, which are identical for all instruments, and a large set of keywords, that vary from instrument to instrument. All knowledge of the underlying task structure is hidden from the application programmer by the keyword layer. Image capture software uses the same function library to collect data for the image header. Because the image capture software and the instrument control software are built on top of the same keyword layer, a given observation can be 'replayed' by extracting keyword-value pairs from the image header and passing them back to the control system. The keyword layer features non-blocking as well as blocking I/O. A non-blocking keyword write operation (such as setting a filter position) specifies a callback to be invoked when the operation is complete. A non-blocking keyword read operation specifies a callback to be invoked whenever the keyword changes state. The keyword-callback style meshes well with the widget-callback style commonly used in X window programs. The first keyword library was built for the two Keck optical instruments. More recently, keyword libraries have been developed for the infrared instruments and for telescope control. Although the underlying mechanisms used for inter-process communication by each of these systems vary widely (Lick MUSIC, Sun RPC, and direct socket I/O, respectively), a basic user interface has been written that can be used with any of these systems. Since the keyword libraries are bound to user interface programs dynamically at run time, only a single set of user interface executables is needed. For example, the same program, 'xshow', can be used to display continuously the telescope's position, the time left in an instrument's exposure, or both values simultaneously. Less generic tools that operate on specific keywords, for example an X display that controls optical instrument exposures, have also been written using the keyword layer.

Secondary barrier construction for vessels carrying spherical low temperature liquefied gas storage tanks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Okamoto, T.; Nishimoto, T.; Sawada, K.

1978-05-16

To simplify and thus reduce the cost of the secondary barrier for spherical LNG storage tanks onboard ocean-transport vessels, Japan's Hitachi Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., has developed a new secondary-containment system that allows easy installation directly on the cargo hold's bottom plate beneath the spherical tank. The new system comprises at least two layers of rigid-foam synthetic resin sprayed on the hold plates and covered by a layer of glass mesh and adhesive. Alternatively, the layers of synthetic resin, glass mesh, and adhesive are applied to plywood attached to the hold plates by joists, thus forming an air spacemore » between the secondary barrier and the hold plates. Where the hold plates have a multisurface construction, (1) laminated rigid urethane foam blocks are butted end-to-end and are bonded to each other and to the plywood sheets at the corners between adjacent hold plates, (2) the spray-formed layers are applied between the blocks, and (3) the entire assembly is covered by a protective layer of glass mesh and adhesive.« less

Impact of Coagulant and Flocculant Addition to an Anaerobic Dynamic Membrane Bioreactor (AnDMBR) Treating Waste-Activated Sludge.

PubMed

Kooijman, Guido; Lopes, Wilton; Zhou, Zhongbo; Guo, Hongxiao; de Kreuk, Merle; Spanjers, Henri; van Lier, Jules

2017-03-23

In this work, we investigated the effects of flocculation aid (FA) addition to an anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor (AnDMBR) (7 L, 35 °C) treating waste-activated sludge (WAS). The experiment consisted of three distinct periods. In period 1 (day 1-86), the reactor was operated as a conventional anaerobic digester with a solids retention time (SRT) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 days. In period 2 (day 86-303), the HRT was lowered to 18 days with the application of a dynamic membrane while the SRT was kept the same. In period 3 (day 303-386), a cationic FA in combination with FeCl₃ was added. The additions led to a lower viscosity, which was expected to lead to an increased digestion performance. However, the FAs caused irreversible binding of the substrate, lowering the volatile solids destruction from 32% in period 2 to 24% in period 3. An accumulation of small particulates was observed in the sludge, lowering the average particle size by 50%. These particulates likely caused pore blocking in the cake layer, doubling the trans-membrane pressure. The methanogenic consortia were unaffected. Dosing coagulants and flocculants into an AnDMBR treating sludge leads to a decreased cake layer permeability and decreased sludge degradation.

Structure of 18R shifted hexagonal perovskite La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} revisited by neutron diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, Fengqi; Kuang, Xiaojun, E-mail: kuangxj@glut.edu.cn

The structure of 18-layer shifted B-site deficient hexagonal perovskite La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} compound has been re-examined by neutron powder diffraction. Structural analysis reveals that La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} compound adopts a 18R octahedral-tilted structure with LaO{sub 3} layer stacking sequence of (hhcccc){sub 3} in space group R{sup {sup -}}3, in contrast with the previously proposed R3m. La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} demonstrates partially ordered Mg cation distribution with a preference on the central octahedral sites over the outer octahedral sites in the cubic perovskite blocks isolated by the single vacant octahedral layers between the two consecutive hexagonal layers. The instabilitymore » of the La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} on alumina ceramic substrate at high temperature and its dependencies of cell parameters and permittivity were characterized as well. - Graphical abstract: 18-layer shifted hexagonal perovskite La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} adopts octahedral-tilted structure in R{sup {sup -}}3 and demonstrates partially ordered Mg distribution in the cubic perovskite blocks isolated by the vacant octahedral layers. - Highlights: • Neutron diffraction reveals an octahedra-tilted structure in R{sup {sup -}}3 for La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18}. • Mg/Ti distribution in La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} is partially ordered in the perovskite blocks. • Instability of La{sub 6}MgTi{sub 4}O{sub 18} on alumina ceramic at high temperature is demonstrated.« less

Simple single-emitting layer hybrid white organic light emitting with high color stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, C.; Lu, Z. H.

2017-10-01

Simultaneously achieving a high efficiency and color quality at luminance levels required for solid-state lighting has been difficult for white organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Single-emitting layer (SEL) white OLEDs, in particular, exhibit a significant tradeoff between efficiency and color stability. Furthermore, despite the simplicity of SEL white OLEDs being its main advantage, the reported device structures are often complicated by the use of multiple blocking layers. In this paper, we report a highly simplified three-layered white OLED that achieves a low turn-on voltage of 2.7 V, an external quantum efficiency of 18.9% and power efficiency of 30 lm/W at 1000 cd/cm2. This simple white OLED also shows good color quality with a color rendering index of 75, CIE coordinates (0.42, 0.46), and little color shifting at high luminance. The device consists of a SEL sandwiched between a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer. The SEL comprises a thermally activated delayer fluorescent molecule having dual functions as a blue emitter and as a host for other lower energy emitters. The improved color stability and efficiency in such a simple device structure is explained as due to the elimination of significant energy barriers at various organic-organic interfaces in the traditional devices having multiple blocking layers.

Electrochemical growth of CoNi and Pt-CoNi soft magnetic composites on an alkanethiol monolayer-modified ITO substrate.

PubMed

Escalera-López, D; Gómez, E; Vallés, E

2015-07-07

CoNi and Pt-CoNi magnetic layers on indium-tin oxide (ITO) substrates modified by an alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) have been electrochemically obtained as an initial stage to prepare semiconducting layer-SAM-magnetic layer hybrid structures. The best conditions to obtain the maximum compactness of adsorbed layers of dodecanethiol (C12-SH) on ITO substrate have been studied using contact angle, AFM, XPS and electrochemical tests. The electrochemical characterization (electrochemical probe or voltammetric response in blank solutions) is fundamental to ensure the maximum blocking of the substrate. Although the electrodeposition process on the SAM-modified ITO substrate is very slow if the blocking of the surface is significant, non-cracked metallic layers of CoNi, with or without a previously electrodeposited seed-layer of platinum, have been obtained by optimizing the deposition potentials. Initial nucleation is expected to take place at the pinhole defects of the C12-SH SAM, followed by a mushroom-like growth regime through the SAM interface that allows the formation of a continuous metallic layer electrically connected to the ITO surface. Due to the potential of the methodology, the preparation of patterned metallic deposits on ITO substrate using SAMs with different coverage as templates is feasible.

Antiparallel pinned NiO spin valve sensor for GMR head application (invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinarbasi, M.; Metin, S.; Gill, H.; Parker, M.; Gurney, B.; Carey, M.; Tsang, C.

2000-05-01

NiO antiferromagnetic material possesses certain advantages for spin valve applications and has attracted considerable attention. Some of the key advantages are its insulating properties, very high corrosion resistance, less sensitivity to composition, and its low reset temperature. This material, however, has a low blocking temperature which prevents its application to simple spin valve designs. The use of this material in spin valve structures required significant improvements in thermal stability, blocking temperature, and the spin valve design. In the present study, the blocking temperature and the blocking temperature distribution of the NiO films have been improved by depositing the films reactively using ion beam sputtering. A number of improvements in the processing method and deposition system had to be made to allow full NiO spin valve deposition for mass production. Another critical part was the use of antiparallel pinned design in place of the simple design to improve the thermal stability of the NiO spin valves as read elements at disk drive temperatures. The selection of the ferromagnetic pinned layers and the Ru spacer thickness in AP-pinned spin valves has significant impact on the behavior of the devices. These spin valves are all bottom type, NiO/PL1/Ru/PL2/Cu/Co/NiFe/Ta, where the metallic portion of the spin valve is deposited on top of the NiO AF layer. The PL1 and PL2 are ferromagnetic layers comprising NiFe and Co layers. Read elements have been made using these spin valves that delivered areal densities of 12 Gbit/in. These topics and other improvements which resulted in successful use of NiO spin valves as GMR heads in hard disk drives will be discussed.

Highly efficient inverted polymer solar cells based on a cross-linkable water-/alcohol-soluble conjugated polymer interlayer.

PubMed

Zhang, Kai; Zhong, Chengmei; Liu, Shengjian; Mu, Cheng; Li, Zhengke; Yan, He; Huang, Fei; Cao, Yong

2014-07-09

A cross-linkable water/alcohol soluble conjugated polymer (WSCP) material poly[9,9-bis(6'-(N,N-diethylamino)propyl)-fluorene-alt-9,9-bis(3-ethyl(oxetane-3-ethyloxy)-hexyl) fluorene] (PFN-OX) was designed. The cross-linkable nature of PFN-OX is good for fabricating inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) with well-defined interface and investigating the detailed working mechanism of high-efficiency inverted PSCs based on poly[4,8-bis(2-ethylhexyloxyl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithio-phene-2,6-diyl-alt-ethylhexyl-3-fluorothithieno[3,4-b]thiophene-2-carboxylate-4,6-diyl] (PTB7) and (6,6)-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend active layer. The detailed working mechanism of WSCP materials in high-efficiency PSCs were studied and can be summarized into the following three effects: a) PFN-OX tunes cathode work function to enhance open-circuit voltage (Voc); b) PFN-OX dopes PC71BM at interface to facilitate electron extraction; and c) PFN-OX extracts electrons and blocks holes to enhance fill factor (FF). On the basis of this understanding, the hole-blocking function of the PFN-OX interlayer was further improved with addition of a ZnO layer between ITO and PFN-OX, which led to inverted PSCs with a power conversion efficiency of 9.28% and fill factor high up to 74.4%.

Development of high resolution phoswich depth-of-interaction block detectors utilizing Mg co-doped new scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Takahiro; Yamamoto, Seiichi; Yeom, Jung-Yeol; Kamada, Kei; Yoshikawa, Akira

2017-12-01

To correct for parallax error in positron emission tomography (PET), phoswich depth-of-interaction (DOI) detector using multiple scintillators with different decay times is a practical approach. However not many scintillator combinations suitable for phoswich DOI detector have been reported. Ce doped Gd3Ga3Al2O12 (GFAG) is a newly developed promising scintillator for PET detector, which has high density, high light output, appropriate light emission wavelength for silicon-photomultiplier (Si-PM) and faster decay time than that of Ce doped Gd3Al2Ga3O12 (GAGG). In this study, we developed a Si-PM based phoswich DOI block detector of GFAG with GAGG crystal arrays and evaluated its performance. We assembled a GFAG block and a GAGG block and they were optically coupled in depth direction to form a phoswich detector block. The phoswich block was optically coupled to a Si-PM array with a 1 mm thick light guide. The sizes of the GFAG and GAGG pixels were 0.9 mm x 0.9 mm x 7.5 mm and they were arranged into 24 x 24 matrix with 0.1 mm thick BaSO4 as reflector. We conducted the performance evaluation for two types of configurations; GFAG block arranged in upper layer (GFAG/GAGG) and GAGG arranged in upper layer (GAGG/GFAG). The measured two dimensional position histograms of these block detectors showed good separation and pulse shape spectra produced two distinct peaks for both configurations although some difference in energy spectra were observed. These results indicate phoswich block detectors composed of GFAG and GAGG are promising for high resolution DOI PET systems.

Three-dimensional lithospheric electrical structure of Southern Granulite Terrain, India and its tectonic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patro, Prasanta K.; Sarma, S. V. S.; Naganjaneyulu, K.

2014-01-01

crustal as well as the upper mantle lithospheric electrical structure of the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) is evaluated, using the magnetotelluric (MT) data from two parallel traverses: one is an 500 km long N-S trending traverse across SGT and another a 200 km long traverse. Data space Occam 3-D inversion was used to invert the MT data. The electrical characterization of lithospheric structure in SGT shows basically a highly resistive (several thousands of Ohm meters) upper crustal layer overlying a moderately resistive (a few hundred Ohm meters) lower crustal layer which in turn is underlain by the upper mantle lithosphere whose resistivity shows significant changes along the traverse. The highly resistive upper crustal layer is interspersed with four major conductive features with three of them cutting across the crustal column, bringing out a well-defined crustal block structure in SGT with individual highly resistive blocks showing correspondence to the geologically demarcated Salem, Madurai, and Trivandrum blocks. The 3-D model also brought out a well-defined major crustal conductor located in the northern half of the Madurai block. The electrical characteristics of this south dipping conductor and its close spatial correlation with two of the major structural elements, viz., Karur-Oddanchatram-Kodaikanal Shear Zone and Karur-Kamban-Painavu-Trichur Shear Zone, suggest that this conductive feature is closely linked to the subduction-collision tectonic processes in the SGT, and it is inferred that the Archean Dharwar craton/neoproterozoic SGT terrain boundary lies south of the Palghat-Cauvery shear zone. The results also showed that the Achankovil shear zone is characterized by a well-defined north dipping conductive feature. The resistive block adjoining this conductor on the southern side, representing the Trivandrum block, is shown to be downthrown along this north dipping crustal conductor relative to the Madurai block, suggesting a northward movement of Trivandrum block colliding against the Madurai block. The lithospheric upper mantle electrical structure of the SGT up to a depth of 100 km may be broadly divided into two distinctly different segments, viz., northern and southern segments. The northern lithospheric segment, over a major part, is characterized by a thick resistive upper mantle, while the southern one is characterized by a dominantly conductive medium suggesting a relatively thinned lithosphere in the southern segment.

Multilayer block copolymer meshes by orthogonal self-assembly

PubMed Central

Tavakkoli K. G., Amir; Nicaise, Samuel M.; Gadelrab, Karim R.; Alexander-Katz, Alfredo; Ross, Caroline A.; Berggren, Karl K.

2016-01-01

Continued scaling-down of lithographic-pattern feature sizes has brought templated self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) into the forefront of nanofabrication research. Technologies now exist that facilitate significant control over otherwise unorganized assembly of BCP microdomains to form both long-range and locally complex monolayer patterns. In contrast, the extension of this control into multilayers or 3D structures of BCP microdomains remains limited, despite the possible technological applications in next-generation devices. Here, we develop and analyse an orthogonal self-assembly method in which multiple layers of distinct-molecular-weight BCPs naturally produce nanomesh structures of cylindrical microdomains without requiring layer-by-layer alignment or high-resolution lithographic templating. The mechanisms for orthogonal self-assembly are investigated with both experiment and simulation, and we determine that the control over height and chemical preference of templates are critical process parameters. The method is employed to produce nanomeshes with the shapes of circles and Y-intersections, and is extended to produce three layers of orthogonally oriented cylinders. PMID:26796218

Development and myogenesis of the vermiform Buddenbrockia (Myxozoa) and implications for cnidarian body plan evolution

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The enigmatic wormlike parasite Buddenbrockia plumatellae has recently been shown to belong to the Myxozoa, which are now supported as a clade within Cnidaria. Most myxozoans are morphologically extremely simplified, lacking major metazoan features such as epithelial tissue layers, gut, nervous system, body axes and gonads. This hinders comparisons to free-living cnidarians and thus an understanding of myxozoan evolution and identification of their cnidarian sister group. However, B. plumatellae is less simplified than other myxozoans and therefore is of specific significance for such evolutionary considerations. Methods We analyse and describe the development of major body plan features in Buddenbrockia worms using a combination of histology, electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Results Early developmental stages develop a primary body axis that shows a polarity, which is manifested as a gradient of tissue development, enabling distinction between the two worm tips. This polarity is maintained in adult worms, which, in addition, often develop a pore at the distal tip. The musculature comprises tetraradially arranged longitudinal muscle blocks consisting of independent myocytes embedded in the extracellular matrix between inner and outer epithelial tissue layers. The muscle fibres are obliquely oriented and in fully grown worms consistently form an angle of 12° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the worm in each muscle block and hence confer chirality. Connecting cells form a link between each muscle block and constitute four rows of cells that run in single file along the length of the worm. These connecting cells are remnants of the inner epithelial tissue layer and are anchored to the extracellular matrix. They are likely to have a biomechanical function. Conclusions The polarised primary body axis represents an ancient feature present in the last common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria. The tetraradial arrangement of musculature is consistent with a medusozoan affinity for Myxozoa. However, the chiral pattern of muscle fibre orientation is apparently novel within Cnidaria and could thus be a specific adaptation. The presence of independent myocytes instead of Cnidaria-like epitheliomuscular cells can be interpreted as further support for the presence of mesoderm in cnidarians, or it may represent convergent evolution to a bilaterian condition. PMID:22594622

Glass Polarization Induced Drift of a Closed-Loop Micro-Accelerometer.

PubMed

Zhou, Wu; He, Jiangbo; Yu, Huijun; Peng, Bei; He, Xiaoping

2018-01-20

The glass polarization effects were introduced in this paper to study the main cause of turn-on drift phenomenon of closed-loop micro-accelerometers. The glass substrate underneath the sensitive silicon structure underwent a polarizing process when the DC bias voltage was applied. The slow polarizing process induced an additional electrostatic field to continually drag the movable mass block from one position to another so that the sensing capacitance was changed, which led to an output drift of micro-accelerometers. This drift was indirectly tested by experiments and could be sharply reduced by a shielding layer deposited on the glass substrate because the extra electrical filed was prohibited from generating extra electrostatic forces on the movable fingers of the mass block. The experimental results indicate the average magnitude of drift decreased about 73%, from 3.69 to 0.99 mV. The conclusions proposed in this paper showed a meaningful guideline to improve the stability of micro-devices based on silicon-on-glass structures.

Glass Polarization Induced Drift of a Closed-Loop Micro-Accelerometer

PubMed Central

He, Jiangbo; Yu, Huijun; Peng, Bei; He, Xiaoping

2018-01-01

The glass polarization effects were introduced in this paper to study the main cause of turn-on drift phenomenon of closed-loop micro-accelerometers. The glass substrate underneath the sensitive silicon structure underwent a polarizing process when the DC bias voltage was applied. The slow polarizing process induced an additional electrostatic field to continually drag the movable mass block from one position to another so that the sensing capacitance was changed, which led to an output drift of micro-accelerometers. This drift was indirectly tested by experiments and could be sharply reduced by a shielding layer deposited on the glass substrate because the extra electrical filed was prohibited from generating extra electrostatic forces on the movable fingers of the mass block. The experimental results indicate the average magnitude of drift decreased about 73%, from 3.69 to 0.99 mV. The conclusions proposed in this paper showed a meaningful guideline to improve the stability of micro-devices based on silicon-on-glass structures. PMID:29361685

Graded porous inorganic materials derived from self-assembled block copolymer templates.

PubMed

Gu, Yibei; Werner, Jörg G; Dorin, Rachel M; Robbins, Spencer W; Wiesner, Ulrich

2015-03-19

Graded porous inorganic materials directed by macromolecular self-assembly are expected to offer unique structural platforms relative to conventional porous inorganic materials. Their preparation to date remains a challenge, however, based on the sparsity of viable synthetic self-assembly pathways to control structural asymmetry. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of graded porous carbon, metal, and metal oxide film structures from self-assembled block copolymer templates by using various backfilling techniques in combination with thermal treatments for template removal and chemical transformations. The asymmetric inorganic structures display mesopores in the film top layers and a gradual pore size increase along the film normal in the macroporous sponge-like support structure. Substructure walls between macropores are themselves mesoporous, constituting a structural hierarchy in addition to the pore gradation. Final graded structures can be tailored by tuning casting conditions of self-assembled templates as well as the backfilling processes. We expect that these graded porous inorganic materials may find use in applications including separation, catalysis, biomedical implants, and energy conversion and storage.

Ice Core Records of West Greenland Melt and Climate Forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graeter, K. A.; Osterberg, E. C.; Ferris, D. G.; Hawley, R. L.; Marshall, H. P.; Lewis, G.; Meehan, T.; McCarthy, F.; Overly, T.; Birkel, S. D.

2018-04-01

Remote sensing observations and climate models indicate that the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) has been losing mass since the late 1990s, mostly due to enhanced surface melting from rising summer temperatures. However, in situ observational records of GrIS melt rates over recent decades are rare. Here we develop a record of frozen meltwater in the west GrIS percolation zone preserved in seven firn cores. Quantifying ice layer distribution as a melt feature percentage (MFP), we find significant increases in MFP in the southernmost five cores over the past 50 years to unprecedented modern levels (since 1550 CE). Annual to decadal changes in summer temperatures and MFP are closely tied to changes in Greenland summer blocking activity and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures since 1870. However, summer warming of 1.2°C since 1870-1900, in addition to warming attributable to recent sea surface temperature and blocking variability, is a critical driver of high modern MFP levels.

Effect of blocking tactile information from the fingertips on adaptation and execution of grip forces to friction at the grasping surface.

PubMed

Bilaloglu, Seda; Lu, Ying; Geller, Daniel; Rizzo, John Ross; Aluru, Viswanath; Gardner, Esther P; Raghavan, Preeti

2016-03-01

Adaptation of fingertip forces to friction at the grasping surface is necessary to prevent use of inadequate or excessive grip forces. In the current study we investigated the effect of blocking tactile information from the fingertips noninvasively on the adaptation and efficiency of grip forces to surface friction during precision grasp. Ten neurologically intact subjects grasped and lifted an instrumented grip device with 18 different frictional surfaces under three conditions: with bare hands or with a thin layer of plastic (Tegaderm) or an additional layer of foam affixed to the fingertips. The coefficient of friction at the finger-object interface of each surface was obtained for each subject with bare hands and Tegaderm by measuring the slip ratio (grip force/load force) at the moment of slip. We found that the foam layer reduced sensibility for two-point discrimination and pressure sensitivity at the fingertips, but Tegaderm did not. However, Tegaderm reduced static, but not dynamic, tactile discrimination. Adaptation of fingertip grip forces to surface friction measured by the rate of change of peak grip force, and grip force efficiency measured by the grip-load force ratio at lift, showed a proportional relationship with bare hands but were impaired with Tegaderm and foam. Activation of muscles engaged in precision grip also varied with the frictional surface with bare hands but not with Tegaderm and foam. The results suggest that sensitivity for static tactile discrimination is necessary for feedforward and feedback control of grip forces and for adaptive modulation of muscle activity during precision grasp. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Morphology and Surface Energy of a Si Containing Semifluorinated Di-block Copolymer Thin Films.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrestha, Umesh; Clarson, Stephen; Perahia, Dvora

2013-03-01

The structure and composition of an interface influence stability, adhesiveness and response to external stimuli of thin polymeric films. Incorporation of fluorine affects interfacial energy as well as thermal and chemical stability of the layers. The incompatibility between the fluorinated and non-fluorinated blocks induces segregation that leads to long range correlations where the tendency of the fluorine to migrate to interfaces impacts the surface tension of the films. Concurrently Si in a polymeric backbone enhances the flexibility of polymeric chains. Our previous studies of poly trifluoro propyl methyl siloxane-polystyrene thin films with SiF fraction 0.03-0.5 as a function of temperature have shown that the SiF block drives layering parallel to the surface of the diblock. Here in we report the structure and interfacial energies of SiF-PS in the plane of the films, as a function of the volume fraction of the SiF block obtained from Atomic Force microscopy and contact angle measurement studies. This work is supported by NSF DMR - 0907390

Characterization of the Boundary Layers on Full-Scale Bluefin Tuna

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

NUWC-NPT Technical Report 12,163 30 September 2014 Characterization of the Boundary Layers on Full-Scale Bluefin Tuna Kimberly M. Cipolla...Center Division Newport, under Section 219 Research Project, “Characterization of the Boundary Layers on Full-Scale Bluefin Tuna ,” principal...K. Amaral (Code 1522). The author thanks Barbara Block (Stanford University), head of the Tuna Research and Conservation Center (TRCC) at the

Low-dislocation-density epitatial layers grown by defect filtering by self-assembled layers of spheres

DOEpatents

Wang, George T.; Li, Qiming

2013-04-23

A method for growing low-dislocation-density material atop a layer of the material with an initially higher dislocation density using a monolayer of spheroidal particles to bend and redirect or directly block vertically propagating threading dislocations, thereby enabling growth and coalescence to form a very-low-dislocation-density surface of the material, and the structures made by this method.

Investigation of upwind, multigrid, multiblock numerical schemes for three dimensional flows. Volume 1: Runge-Kutta methods for a thin layer Navier-Stokes solver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cannizzaro, Frank E.; Ash, Robert L.

1992-01-01

A state-of-the-art computer code has been developed that incorporates a modified Runge-Kutta time integration scheme, upwind numerical techniques, multigrid acceleration, and multi-block capabilities (RUMM). A three-dimensional thin-layer formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is employed. For turbulent flow cases, the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic turbulence model is used. Two different upwind techniques are available: van Leer's flux-vector splitting and Roe's flux-difference splitting. Full approximation multi-grid plus implicit residual and corrector smoothing were implemented to enhance the rate of convergence. Multi-block capabilities were developed to provide geometric flexibility. This feature allows the developed computer code to accommodate any grid topology or grid configuration with multiple topologies. The results shown in this dissertation were chosen to validate the computer code and display its geometric flexibility, which is provided by the multi-block structure.

NUCLEAR REACTORS

DOEpatents

Long, E.; Ashley, J.W.

1958-12-16

A graphite moderator structure is described for a gas-cooled nuclear reactor having a vertical orlentation wherein the structure is physically stable with regard to dlmensional changes due to Wigner growth properties of the graphite, and leakage of coolant gas along spaces in the structure is reduced. The structure is comprised of stacks of unlform right prismatic graphite blocks positioned in layers extending in the direction of the lengths of the blocks, the adjacent end faces of the blocks being separated by pairs of tiles. The blocks and tiles have central bores which are in alignment when assembled and are provided with cooperatlng keys and keyways for physical stability.

Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles as an Effective Bioadhesive to Bond Collagen Containing Composite Gel Layers for Tissue Engineering Applications.

PubMed

Attalla, Rana; Ling, Celine S N; Selvaganapathy, Ponnambalam Ravi

2018-03-01

Additive manufacturing via layer-by-layer adhesive bonding holds much promise for scalable manufacturing of tissue-like constructs, specifically scaffolds with integrated vascular networks for tissue engineering applications. However, there remains a lack of effective adhesives capable of composite layer fusion without affecting the integrity of patterned features. Here, the use of silicon carbide is introduced as an effective adhesive to achieve strong bonding (0.39 ± 0.03 kPa) between hybrid hydrogel films composed of alginate and collagen. The techniques have allowed us to fabricate multilayered, heterogeneous constructs with embedded high-resolution microchannels (150 µm-1 mm) that are precisely interspaced (500-600 µm). Hydrogel layers are effectively bonded with silicon carbide nanoparticles without blocking the hollow microchannels and high cell viability (90.61 ± 3.28%) is maintained within the scaffold. Nanosilica is also tested and found to cause clogging of smaller microchannels when used for interlayer bonding, but is successfully used to attach synthetic polymers (e.g., Tygon) to the hydrogels (32.5 ± 2.12 mN bond strength). This allows us to form inlet and outlet interconnections to the gel constructs. This ability to integrate hollow channel networks into bulk soft material structures for perfusion can be useful in 3D tissue engineering applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Globally Convergent Methods for Solving Coefficient Inverse Problems for Time Dependent Maxwell Equations

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-19

geode (heterogeneous): Rock two spherical layers and air inside 13 Blind A piece of rock Rock 14 Blind A plastic bottle filled with coffee grounds... Coffee grounds 15 Blind A ceramic mug Ceramic 16 Blind A cylinder and a block at 3 cm separation Metal/Metal 17 Blind An aluminum can and a block Metal...2.5 cm 1.0 1.52 1.31 (outer) (two layers) 1.25 (inner) 1.28 (average) 13 Rock 2.0 cm 2.3 cm 1.0 1.34 1.34 14 Coffee grounds 2.0 cm 2.5 cm 1.0 1.46

Memory effects in annealed hybrid gold nanoparticles/block copolymer bilayers

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

We report on the use of the self-organization process of sputtered gold nanoparticles on a self-assembled block copolymer film deposited by horizontal precipitation Langmuir-Blodgett (HP-LB) method. The morphology and the phase-separation of a film of poly-n-butylacrylate-block-polyacrylic acid (PnBuA-b-PAA) were studied at the nanometric scale by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The templating capability of the PnBuA-b-PAA phase-separated film was studied by sputtering gold nanoparticles (NPs), forming a film of nanometric thickness. The effect of the polymer chain mobility onto the organization of gold nanoparticle layer was assessed by heating the obtained hybrid PnBuA-b-PAA/Au NPs bilayer at T >Tg. The nanoparticles' distribution onto the different copolymer domains was found strongly affected by the annealing treatment, showing a peculiar memory effect, which modifies the AFM phase response of the Au NPs layer onto the polar domains, without affecting their surfacial composition. The effect is discussed in terms of the peculiar morphological features induced by enhanced mobility of polymer chains on the Au NPs layer. PMID:21711674

Nanomagnetism study of highly-ordered iron oxide nanocrystal assemblies fabricated by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique.

PubMed

Zhang, HaiTao; Bao, NiNa; Yuan, Du; Ding, Jun

2013-09-21

Iron oxide nanocrystals are ideal building blocks for the construction of flexible nanodevices whose performance can be modulated by controlling the morphology of isolated particles and their organizational form. This work demonstrates the fabrication of high quality Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) nanocrystal assemblies with limited overlapping and higher coverage by systemically and combinatorially optimizing the parameters of compression pressure and quantity of spread nanocrystals. Monodispersed iron oxide nanocrystals with a diameter of 11.8 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5 in trioctylamine with the presence of oleic acid. Multilayer nanocrystal assemblies were obtained through a layer-by-layer (LBL) process by repeating the transfer procedure after their hydrophilicity had been improved via treatment in a UV-ozone oven. The quality of nanocrystal assemblies was investigated by UV-vis spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The nanomagnetism for the nanostructures of different combination manners was studied systemically by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). A lower superparamagnetic blocking temperature was found in the monolayer Fe3O4 nanocrystal assembly. The superparamagnetic blocking temperature in magnetic nanocrystal assemblies could be tuned through modifying the interparticle interactions among the interlayer and intralayers by controlling the layer number of the assemblies.

Thermal performance of aircraft polyurethane seat cushions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kourtides, D. A.; Parker, J. A.

1982-01-01

Measurements were conducted on 7.6 x 7.6 cm samples of polyurethane seat cushion material in a modified National Bureau of Standards smoke density chamber to simulate real life conditions for an onboard aircraft fire or post-crash fire. In this study, a non-flaming heat radiation condition was simulated. Two aluminized polymeric fabrics (Norfab 11HT-26-A and Preox 1100-4) and one neoprene type material in two thicknesses (Vonar 2 and 3) were tested as heat blocking layers to protect the urethane foam from rapid heat degradation. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were performed to characterize thermally the materials tested. It was found that Vonar 2 or 3 provided approximately equal thermal protection to F.R. urethane as the aluminized fabrics, but at a significant weight penalty. The efficiency of the foams to absorb heat per unit mass loss when protected with the heat blocking layer decreases in the heating range of 2.5-5.0 W/sq cm, but remains unchanged or slightly increases in the range of 5.0-7.5 W/sq cm. The results show that at all heat flux ranges tested the usage of a heat blocking layer in aircraft seats significantly improves their thermal performance.

Enhanced light extraction efficiency of GaN-based light-emittng diodes by nitrogen implanted current blocking layer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Yong Deok; Oh, Seung Kyu; Park, Min Joo

Highlights: • A nitrogen implanted current-blocking layer was successfully demonstrated. • Light-extraction efficiency and radiant intensity was increased by more than 20%. • Ion implantation was successfully implemented in GaN based light-emitting diodes. - Abstract: GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a nitrogen implanted current-blocking layer (CBL) were successfully demonstrated for improving the light extraction efficiency (LEE) and radiant intensity. The LEE and radiant intensity of the LEDs with a shallow implanted CBL with nitrogen was greatly increased by more than 20% compared to that of a conventional LED without the CBL due to an increase in the effective currentmore » path, which reduces light absorption at the thick p-pad electrode. Meanwhile, deep implanted CBL with a nitrogen resulted in deterioration of the LEE and radiant intensity because of formation of crystal damage, followed by absorption of the light generated at the multi-quantum well(MQW). These results clearly suggest that ion implantation method, which is widely applied in the fabrication of Si based devices, can be successfully implemented in the fabrication of GaN based LEDs by optimization of implanted depth.« less

Strongly nonlinear dynamics of electrolytes in large ac voltages.

PubMed

Højgaard Olesen, Laurits; Bazant, Martin Z; Bruus, Henrik

2010-07-01

We study the response of a model microelectrochemical cell to a large ac voltage of frequency comparable to the inverse cell relaxation time. To bring out the basic physics, we consider the simplest possible model of a symmetric binary electrolyte confined between parallel-plate blocking electrodes, ignoring any transverse instability or fluid flow. We analyze the resulting one-dimensional problem by matched asymptotic expansions in the limit of thin double layers and extend previous work into the strongly nonlinear regime, which is characterized by two features--significant salt depletion in the electrolyte near the electrodes and, at very large voltage, the breakdown of the quasiequilibrium structure of the double layers. The former leads to the prediction of "ac capacitive desalination" since there is a time-averaged transfer of salt from the bulk to the double layers, via oscillating diffusion layers. The latter is associated with transient diffusion limitation, which drives the formation and collapse of space-charge layers, even in the absence of any net Faradaic current through the cell. We also predict that steric effects of finite ion sizes (going beyond dilute-solution theory) act to suppress the strongly nonlinear regime in the limit of concentrated electrolytes, ionic liquids, and molten salts. Beyond the model problem, our reduced equations for thin double layers, based on uniformly valid matched asymptotic expansions, provide a useful mathematical framework to describe additional nonlinear responses to large ac voltages, such as Faradaic reactions, electro-osmotic instabilities, and induced-charge electrokinetic phenomena.

Effect of mo Content on Microstructure and Properties of Laser Cladding Fe-BASED Alloy Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiaoli, Ma; Kaiming, Wang; Hanguang, Fu; Jiang, Ju; Yongping, Lei; Dawei, Yi

Mo alloying Fe-based coating was fabricated on the surface of Q235 steel by using 6 kW fiber laser. The effects of Mo additions on the microstructure, microhardness and wear resistance of the cladding layer were studied by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Vickers hardness tester and M-200 ring block wear tester. Research results showed that the microstructure of Mo-free cladding layer mainly consisted of matrix and eutectic structure. The matrix was martensite and retained austenite. The eutectic structure mainly consisted of M2(B,C) and M7(C,B)3 type of eutectic borocarbides. With the increase of Mo content, there was no significant change in the matrix. However, the eutectic structure was transformed from M2(B,C)- and M7(C,B)3-type borocarbides into M2(B,C)-, M7(C,B)3- and M23(C,B)6-type borocarbides. When the content of Mo is 4.0wt.%, the Mo2C-type carbide appear on the matrix, and parts of the borocarbide networks are broken. The change of microhardness of the cladding layer was not obvious with the increase of Mo content. But the increase of Mo content increases the wear resistance of the cladding layer. The wear resistance of cladding layer with 4.0wt.% Mo is 2.4 times as much as the cladding layer which is Mo-free.

Influence of additional heat exchanger block on directional solidification system for growing multi-crystalline silicon ingot - A simulation investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarajan, S. G.; Srinivasan, M.; Aravinth, K.; Ramasamy, P.

2018-04-01

Transient simulation has been carried out for analyzing the heat transfer properties of Directional Solidification (DS) furnace. The simulation results revealed that the additional heat exchanger block under the bottom insulation on the DS furnace has enhanced the control of solidification of the silicon melt. Controlled Heat extraction rate during the solidification of silicon melt is requisite for growing good quality ingots which has been achieved by the additional heat exchanger block. As an additional heat exchanger block, the water circulating plate has been placed under the bottom insulation. The heat flux analysis of DS system and the temperature distribution studies of grown ingot confirm that the established additional heat exchanger block on the DS system gives additional benefit to the mc-Si ingot.

Self-aligned blocking integration demonstration for critical sub-40nm pitch Mx level patterning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raley, Angélique; Mohanty, Nihar; Sun, Xinghua; Farrell, Richard A.; Smith, Jeffrey T.; Ko, Akiteru; Metz, Andrew W.; Biolsi, Peter; Devilliers, Anton

2017-04-01

Multipatterning has enabled continued scaling of chip technology at the 28nm node and beyond. Selfaligned double patterning (SADP) and self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) as well as Litho- Etch/Litho-Etch (LELE) iterations are widely used in the semiconductor industry to enable patterning at sub 193 immersion lithography resolutions for layers such as FIN, Gate and critical Metal lines. Multipatterning requires the use of multiple masks which is costly and increases process complexity as well as edge placement error variation driven mostly by overlay. To mitigate the strict overlay requirements for advanced technology nodes (7nm and below), a self-aligned blocking integration is desirable. This integration trades off the overlay requirement for an etch selectivity requirement and enables the cut mask overlay tolerance to be relaxed from half pitch to three times half pitch. Selfalignement has become the latest trend to enable scaling and self-aligned integrations are being pursued and investigated for various critical layers such as contact, via, metal patterning. In this paper we propose and demonstrate a low cost flexible self-aligned blocking strategy for critical metal layer patterning for 7nm and beyond from mask assembly to low -K dielectric etch. The integration is based on a 40nm pitch SADP flow with 2 cut masks compatible with either cut or block integration and employs dielectric films widely used in the back end of the line. As a consequence this approach is compatible with traditional etch, deposition and cleans tools that are optimized for dielectric etches. We will review the critical steps and selectivities required to enable this integration along with bench-marking of each integration option (cut vs. block).

Developing ecological criteria for prescribed fire in South Florida pine rockland ecosystems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Snyder, James R.; Ross, Michael S.; Koptur, Suzanne; Sah, Jay P.

2005-01-01

The pine rocklands of South Florida, characterized by a rich herbaceous flora with many narrowly endemic taxa beneath an overstory of south Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa), are found in three areas: the Miami Rock Ridge of southeastern peninsular Florida, the Lower Florida Keys, and slightly elevated portions of the southern Big Cypress National Preserve. Fire is an important element in these ecosystems, since in its absence the pine canopy is likely to be replaced by dense hardwoods, resulting in loss of the characteristic pineland herb flora. Prescribed fire has been used in Florida Keys pine forests since the creation of the National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR), with the primary aim of reducing fuels. Because fire can also be an effective tool in shaping ecological communities, we conducted a 4-year research study which explored a range of fire management options in NKDR. The intent of the study was to provide the Fish and Wildlife Service and other land managers with information regarding when and where to burn in order to perpetuate these unique forests. In 1998 we initiated a burning experiment in a randomized complete block design. Three treatments were to be carried out in a single well-defined block in each of two characteristic understory types during each year from 1998 through 2000. One understory type was characterized by a relatively sparse shrub layer and a well-developed herb layer ('open'), and the second had a dense shrub layer and poorly developed herb layer ('shrubby'). The three burn treatments were: (a) summer burn, (b) winter burn, and (c) no burn, or control. Three 1- ha plots were established in each block, and randomly assigned to the three treatments. Though the first year experimental burns were carried out without incident, constraints posed by external factors, including nationwide and statewide prohibitions on prescribed burning due to wildfires in other regions, delayed the experimental burns and precluded collection of postburn data on one third of the burns. Ultimately we burned only eleven plots, three in winter and eight in summer, over a four-year period from 1998 to 2001. Vegetation was sampled in a stratified, nested design within 18 plots. Trees were sampled in a 1.0-ha plot, shrubs in twenty 50-m2 circular (radius 4 m) subplots within the tree plot, and the herb layer in four circular 1-m2 quadrats (radius 0.57 m) within each subplot. The amount of fuel in the shrub layer was estimated by applying regression models to plant dimensional data, and ground layer fuel was estimated by a harvest method. The effects of Key deer herbivory on regeneration of the understory pine rockland plant community after fire was studied by monitoring inside and outside exclosures established within two of the six blocks. Pine trees constituted more than half (53.3%) of the biomass, but understory fine fuels comprised a surprisingly high proportion of total aboveground biomass. In the three blocks in which paired summer and winter burns were successfully conducted, the summer burns were more intense than the winter burns as judged by our indicators of fire intensity. Because of the differences in fire intensity between seasons, it was not possible to say whether observed differences in vegetation response between summer and winter burns were due to season or to fire intensity. The mortality of South Florida slash pine trees was greater after the summer burn than the winter burn in each block, but other vegetation responses were rarely as consistent. For instance, Metopium showed less recovery after summer burns in two blocks and after the winter burn in the third block. Moreover, there were instances in which alternative growth stages of the same species responded differently. Adult palms succumbed more frequently to summer than winter burns, and mortality of Coccothrinax exceeded that of Thrinax. In contrast, small palms recovered more readily after summer burns than winter burns. High in

Kinematic analysis of melange fabrics: Examples and applications from the McHugh Complex, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kusky, T.M.; Bradley, D.C.

1999-01-01

Permian to Cretaceous melange of the McHugh Complex on the Kenai Peninsula, south-central Alaska includes blocks and belts of graywacke, argillite, limestone, chert, basalt, gabbro, and ultramafic rocks, intruded by a variety of igneous rocks. An oceanic plate stratigraphy is repeated hundreds of times across the map area, but most structures at the outcrop scale extend lithological layering. Strong rheological units occur as blocks within a matrix that flowed around the competent blocks during deformation, forming broken formation and melange. Deformation was noncoaxial, and disruption of primary layering was a consequence of general strain driven by plate convergence in a relatively narrow zone between the overriding accretionary wedge and the downgoing, generally thinly sedimented oceanic plate. Soft-sediment deformation processes do not appear to have played a major role in the formation of the melange. A model for deformation at the toe of the wedge is proposed in which layers oriented at low angles to ??1 are contracted in both the brittle and ductile regimes, layers at 30-45??to ??1 are extended in the brittle regime and contracted in the ductile regime, and layers at angles greater than 45??to ??1 are extended in both the brittle and ductile regimes. Imbrication in thrust duplexes occurs at deeper levels within the wedge. Many structures within melange of the McHugh Complex are asymmetric and record kinematic information consistent with the inferred structural setting in an accretionary wedge. A displacement field for the McHugh Complex on the lower Kenai Peninsula includes three belts: an inboard belt of Late Triassic rocks records west-to-east-directed slip of hanging walls, a central belt of predominantly Early Jurassic rocks records north-south directed displacements, and Early Cretaceous rocks in an outboard belt preserve southwest-northeast directed slip vectors. Although precise ages of accretion are unknown, slip directions are compatible with inferred plate motions during the general time frame of accretion of the McHugh Complex. The slip vectors are interpreted to preserve the convergence directions between the overriding and underriding plates, which became more oblique with time. They are not considered indicative of strain partitioning into belts of orogen-parallel and orogen-perpendicular displacements, because the kinematic data are derived from the earliest preserved structures, whereas fabrics related to strain partitioning would be expected to be superimposed on earlier accretion-related fabrics.Permian to Cretaceous melange of the McHugh Complex on the Kenai Peninsula, south-central Alaska includes blocks and belts of graywacke, argillite, limestone, chert, basalt, gabbro, and ultramafic rocks, intruded by a variety of igneous rocks. An oceanic plate stratigraphy is repeated hundreds of times across the map area, but most structures at the outcrop scale extend lithological layering. Strong rheological units occur as blocks within a matrix that flowed around the competent blocks during deformation, forming broken formation and melange. Deformation was noncoaxial, and disruption of primary layering was a consequence of general strain driven by plate convergence in a relatively narrow zone between the overriding accretionary wedge and the downgoing, generally thinly sedimented oceanic plate. Soft-sediment deformation processes do not appear to have played a major role in the formation of the melange. A model for deformation at the toe of the wedge is proposed in which layers oriented at low angles to ??1 are contracted in both the brittle and ductile regimes, layers at 30-45?? to ??1 are extended in the brittle regime and contracted in the ductile regime, and layers at angles greater than 45?? to ??1 are extended in both the brittle and ductile regimes. Imbrication in thrust duplexes occurs at deeper levels within the wedge. Many structures within melange of the McHugh Complex are asymmetric and record

Highly Flexible Superhydrophobic and Fire-Resistant Layered Inorganic Paper.

PubMed

Chen, Fei-Fei; Zhu, Ying-Jie; Xiong, Zhi-Chao; Sun, Tuan-Wei; Shen, Yue-Qin

2016-12-21

Traditional paper made from plant cellulose fibers is easily destroyed by either liquid or fire. In addition, the paper making industry consumes a large amount of natural trees and thus causes serious environmental problems including excessive deforestation and pollution. In consideration of the intrinsic flammability of organics and minimizing the effects on the environment and creatures, biocompatible ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires are an ideal building material for inorganic fire-resistant paper. Herein, a new kind of free-standing, highly flexible, superhydrophobic, and fire-resistant layered inorganic paper has been successfully prepared using ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires as building blocks after the surface modification with sodium oleate. During the vacuum filtration, ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires assemble into self-roughened setalike microfibers, avoiding the tedious fabrication process to construct the hierarchical structure; the self-roughened microfibers further form the inorganic paper with a nacrelike layered structure. We have demonstrated that the layered structure can significantly improve the resistance to mechanical destruction of the as-prepared superhydrophobic paper. The as-prepared superhydrophobic and fire-resistant inorganic paper shows excellent nonflammability, liquid repellency to various commercial drinks, high thermal stability, and self-cleaning property. Moreover, we have explored the potential applications of the superhydrophobic and fire-resistant inorganic paper as a highly effective adsorbent for oil/water separation, fire-shielding protector, and writing paper.

Surface modifications of photoanodes in dye sensitized solar cells: enhanced light harvesting and reduced recombination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxena, Vibha; Aswal, D. K.

2015-06-01

In a quest to harvest solar power, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have potential for low-cost eco-friendly photovoltaic devices. The major processes which govern the efficiency of a DSSC are photoelectron generation, injection of photo-generated electrons to the conduction band (CB) of the mesoporous nanocrystalline semiconductor (nc-SC); transport of CB electrons through nc-SC and subsequent collection of CB electrons at the counter electrode (CE) through the external circuit; and dye regeneration by redox couple or hole transport layer (HTL). Most of these processes occur at various interfaces of the photoanode. In addition, recombination losses of photo-generated electrons with either dye or redox molecules take place at the interfaces. Therefore, one of the key requirements for high efficiency is to improve light harvesting of the photoanode and to reduce the recombination losses at various interfaces. In this direction, surface modification of the photoanode is the simplest method among the various other approaches available in the literature. In this review, we present a comprehensive discussion on surface modification of the photoanode, which has been adopted in the literature for not only enhancing light harvesting but also reducing recombination. Various approaches towards surface modification of the photoanode discussed are (i) fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/nc-SC interface modified via a compact layer of semiconductor material which blocks exposed sites of FTO to electrolyte (or HTL), (ii) nc-SC/dye interface modification either through acid treatment resulting in enhanced dye loading due to a positively charged surface or by depositing insulating/semiconducting blocking layer on the nc-SC surface, which acts as a tunneling barrier for recombination, (iii) nc-SC/dye interface modified by employing co-adsorbents which helps in reducing the dye aggregation and thereby recombination, and (iv) dye/electrolyte (or dye/HTL) interface modification using additives which provides surface passivation as well as positive movement of the nc-SC Fermi level owing to negative charge at the surface and hence improves light harvesting and reduced recombination. Finally, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches towards high-efficiency DSSCs.

Geomorphology of the Arteara Holocene rock-avalanche deposit, Gran Canaria Island

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yepes, Jorge; Lomoschitz, Alejandro

2010-05-01

Abundant slide deposits cover the southern ravines of Grand Canary. These are mainly volcanic debris avalanches consisting of rock slides and debris slides. The main course of the Fataga ravine is entrenched 600m into the Phonolite Formation. At Arteara an accumulation of large reddish blocks has been characterised covering the right side of the ravine. The deposit has a surface area of 0.565 km2 and has been dated as a Holocene rock avalanche, because of its good state of conservation. The blocks cover a previous relief formed by a rock slide with a surface area of 1.236km2 and thought to be Pleistocene. The whole of the deposit is covered at its head by an active scree sequence. The rock slide deposit varies in thickness from 25m to 100m and has head and foot zones. The flanks are indicated by tributary streams with an arching course and anomalous confluence with the main ravine. Several fragmented rocky wedges can be seen at the head with local tilting against the slope. In addition, an elongated depression has formed coinciding with the fracture through the rocky wedges. This depression is partially masked by the rock avalanche deposits. The slide scar is hidden behind the rocky wedges, coinciding with the col between the Morro Garito and the erosion surface defined at the top of the Phonolite Formation. The foot of the rocky slide is affected by an incipient drainage network at present masked by the rock avalanche. These palaeochannels show the presence of several reactivation episodes that would have broken up the foot of the rock slide into several bodies. There is a mass of broken rock on the northern flank, presumably caused by a rock slide movement. There is a mass of disorganised rock in the central sector of the foot, probably caused by a debris slide-slump movement, as suggested by an elongated depression, the deformation of the layers and a reappearance of the deposit in the distal zone. This second gravitational deposit collided with the opposite side, where some remains can still be recognised. This was later covered by a layer of ordered rubble from the left bank. Blockage of the main course gave rise to an alluvial-torrential plain of boulders and gravels along the section upstream from Arteara. A network of braided channels has developed on this plain. At present, the advance of the rising erosion has cut through the slope deposit and is dismantling the alluvial-torrential plain. The rock avalanche defines an elongated tongue in the direction of flow, of varying thickness (1-15m) and L/H = 2.47 (displacement/total fall=1325m/535m), reappearing at the foot (Hr=15m). In general, the rock avalanche is adapted to the previous slide, although it has small overspill lobes on the lateral flanks. The low angle of friction deduced (=21.47°) agrees with the high mobility estimated from the L/H ratio and is due to the existence of a previous relief defined by the rock slide and the lubrication provided by the ignimbrite. This easily weathered material must have made up the gravel layer over which the lava blocks moved. The rock avalanche deposit varies widely in size and is structured in bands of loose blocks with a bimodal distribution (0.1-3m3; 10.30m3) and low selection. The blocks lie on a layer of loose, flat, angular gravels. The blocks are angular and show numerous signs of impact, including split and fragmented blocks, faces with conchoidal fractures, chipped edges and broken corners. The movement of the rock avalanche would have been a swift, dry granular flow. The avalanche would have had a leap component at the head, turbulent flow in the intermediate corridor and laminar flow in the distal zone. The leap component is identified by the accumulation of blocks in crests transversal to the flow and the presence of megablocks aligned with the flow. The turbulent component is identified by the chaotic accumulation of blocks in the palaeochannels and overspill lobes covering the flanks. The laminar component is identified by the bimodal distribution of blocks as concentric propagation waves. The available data are not sufficient to suggest a link between the rock avalanche and freeze-melt processes. However, evidence from several humid-subtropical episodes in the Quaternary suggests undermining of the scarp and triggering of the previous rock slide. The subsequent variation in the state of tensions on the shelf and the penetrating nature of the thermal retraction diaclases would justify the detachment of an approximately 2.82*106m3 block.

Modeling thermal performance of exterior walls retrofitted from insulation and modified laterite based bricks materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wati, Elvis; Meukam, Pierre; Damfeu, Jean Claude

2017-12-01

Uninsulated concrete block walls commonly found in tropical region have to be retrofitted to save energy. The thickness of insulation layer used can be reduced with the help of modified laterite based bricks layer (with the considerably lower thermal conductivity than that of concrete block layer) during the retrofit building fabrics. The aim of this study is to determine the optimum location and distribution of different materials. The investigation is carried out under steady periodic conditions under the climatic conditions of Garoua in Cameroon using a Simulink model constructed from H-Tools (the library of Simulink models). Results showed that for the continuous air-conditioned space, the best wall configuration from the maximum time lag, minimum decrement factor and peak cooling transmission load perspective, is dividing the insulation layer into two layers and placing one at the exterior surface and the other layer between the two different massive layers with the modified laterite based bricks layer at the interior surface. For intermittent cooling space, the best wall configuration from the minimum energy consumption depends on total insulation thickness. For the total insulation thickness less than 8 cm approximately, the best wall configuration is placing the half layer of insulation material at the interior surface and the other half between the two different massive layers with the modified earthen material at the exterior surface. Results also showed that, the optimum insulation thickness calculated from the yearly cooling transmission (estimated only during the occupied period) and some economic considerations slightly depends on the location of that insulation.

Boundary Layer Studies on a Spinning Tangent-Ogive-Cylinder Model

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-07-01

ca) An experimental investigation of the Magnus effect on a seven caliber tangent-I ;’ ogive- cylinder model in supersonic flow is reported. The...necessary and Identify by block number) Three-Dimiensional Boundary Layer Compressible Flow Body of Revolution Magnus Effects Boundary Layer...factors have resulted in renewed interest in the study of the Magnus effect . This report describes an experimental study of the effects of spin on

Materials Design for Block Copolymer Lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweat, Daniel Patrick

Block copolymers (BCPs) have attracted a great deal of scientific and technological interest due to their ability to spontaneously self-assemble into dense periodic nanostructures with a typical length scale of 5 to 50 nm. The use of self-assembled BCP thin-films as templates to form nanopatterns over large-area is referred to as BCP lithography. Directed self-assembly of BCPs is now viewed as a viable candidate for sub-20 nm lithography by the semiconductor industry. However, there are multiple aspects of assembly and materials design that need to be addressed in order for BCP lithography to be successful. These include substrate modification with polymer brushes or mats, tailoring of the block copolymer chemistry, understanding thin-film assembly and developing epitaxial like methods to control long range alignment. The rational design, synthesis and self-assembly of block copolymers with large interaction parameters (chi) is described in the first part of this dissertation. Two main blocks were chosen for introducing polarity into the BCP system, namely poly(4-hydroxystyrene) and poly(2-vinylpyridine). Each of these blocks are capable of ligating Lewis acids which can increase the etch contrast between the blocks allowing for facile pattern transfer to the underlying substrate. These BCPs were synthesized by living anionic polymerization and showed excellent control over molecular weight and dispersity, providing access to sub 5-nm domain sizes. Polymer brushes consist of a polymer chain with one end tethered to the surface and have wide applicability in tuning surface energy, forming responsive surfaces and increasing biocompatibility. In the second part of the dissertation, we present a universal method to grow dense polymer brushes on a wide range of substrates and combine this chemistry with BCP assembly to fabricate nanopatterned polymer brushes. This is the first demonstration of introducing additional functionality into a BCP directing layer and opens up a wide slew of applications from directed self-assembly to biomaterial engineering.

Asymmetric block copolymer membranes with ultrahigh porosity and hierarchical pore structure by plain solvent evaporation.

PubMed

Yu, H; Qiu, X; Behzad, A R; Musteata, V; Smilgies, D-M; Nunes, S P; Peinemann, K-V

2016-10-04

Membranes with a hierarchical porous structure could be manufactured from a block copolymer blend by pure solvent evaporation. Uniform pores in a 30 nm thin skin layer supported by a macroporous structure were formed. This new process is attractive for membrane production because of its simplicity and the lack of liquid waste.

Asymmetric organic-inorganic hybrid membrane formation via block copolymer-nanoparticle co-assembly.

PubMed

Gu, Yibei; Dorin, Rachel M; Wiesner, Ulrich

2013-01-01

A facile method for forming asymmetric organic-inorganic hybrid membranes for selective separation applications is developed. This approach combines co-assembly of block copolymer (BCP) and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) with non-solvent induced phase separation. The method is successfully applied to two distinct molar mass BCPs with different fractions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs. The resulting hybrid membranes exhibit structural asymmetry with a thin nanoporous surface layer on top of a macroporous fingerlike support layer. Key parameters that dictate membrane surface morphology include the fraction of inorganics used and the length of time allowed for surface layer development. The resulting membranes exhibit both good selectivity and high permeability (3200 ± 500 Lm(-2) h(-1) bar(-1)). This fast and straightforward synthesis method for asymmetric hybrid membranes provides a new self-assembly platform upon which multifunctional and high-performance organic-inorganic hybrid membranes can be formed.

Embedded sensor having an identifiable orientation

DOEpatents

Bennett, Thomas E.; Nelson, Drew V.

2002-01-01

An apparatus and method is described wherein a sensor, such as a mechanical strain sensor, embedded in a fiber core, is "flagged" to identify a preferred orientation of the sensor. The identifying "flag" is a composite material, comprising a plurality of non-woven filaments distributed in a resin matrix, forming a small planar tab. The fiber is first subjected to a stimulus to identify the orientation providing the desired signal response, and then sandwiched between first and second layers of the composite material. The fiber, and therefore, the sensor orientation is thereby captured and fixed in place. The process for achieving the oriented fiber includes, after identifying the fiber orientation, carefully laying the oriented fiber onto the first layer of composite, moderately heating the assembled layer for a short period in order to bring the composite resin to a "tacky" state, heating the second composite layer as the first, and assembling the two layers together such that they merge to form a single consolidated block. The consolidated block achieving a roughly uniform distribution of composite filaments near the embedded fiber such that excess resin is prevented from "pooling" around the periphery of the fiber.

Ca/Alq3 hybrid cathode buffer layer for the optimization of organic solar cells based on a planar heterojunction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Jouad, Z.; Barkat, L.; Stephant, N.; Cattin, L.; Hamzaoui, N.; Khelil, A.; Ghamnia, M.; Addou, M.; Morsli, M.; Béchu, S.; Cabanetos, C.; Richard-Plouet, M.; Blanchard, P.; Bernède, J. C.

2016-11-01

Use of efficient anode cathode buffer layer (CBL) is crucial to improve the efficiency of organic photovoltaic cells. Here we show that using a double CBL, Ca/Alq3, allows improving significantly cell performances. The insertion of Ca layer facilitates electron harvesting and blocks hole collection, leading to improved charge selectivity and reduced leakage current, whereas Alq3 blocks excitons. After optimisation of this Ca/Alq3 CBL using CuPc as electron donor, it is shown that it is also efficient when SubPc is substituted to CuPc in the cells. In that case we show that the morphology of the SubPc layer, and therefore the efficiency of the cells, strongly depends on the deposition rate of the SubPc film. It is necessary to deposit slowly (0.02 nm/s) the SubPc films because at higher deposition rate (0.06 nm/s) the films are porous, which induces leakage currents and deterioration of the cell performances. The SubPc layers whose formations are kinetically driven at low deposition rates are more uniform, whereas those deposited faster exhibit high densities of pinholes.

On the AlxGa1-xN/AlyGa1-yN/AlxGa1-xN (x>y) p-electron blocking layer to improve the hole injection for AlGaN based deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Chunshuang; Tian, Kangkai; Fang, Mengqian; Zhang, Yonghui; Li, Luping; Bi, Wengang; Zhang, Zi-Hui

2018-01-01

This work proposes the [0001] oriented AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diode (LED) possessing a specifically designed p-electron blocking layer (p-EBL) to achieve the high internal quantum efficiency. Both electrons and holes can be efficiently injected into the active region by adopting the Al0.60Ga0.40N/Al0.50Ga0.50N/Al0.60Ga0.40N structured p-EBL, in which a p-Al0.50Ga0.50N layer is embedded into the p-EBL. Moreover, the impact of different thicknesses for the p-Al0.50Ga0.50N insertion layer on the hole and electron injections has also been investigated. Compared with the DUV LED with the bulk p-Al0.60Ga0.40N as the EBL, the proposed LED architectures improve the light output power if the thickness of the p-Al0.50Ga0.50N insertion layer is properly designed.

Crust-mantle Coupling Seismogenic Mechanism in Sichuan-Yunnan Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiang, H.; Pei, L. S.; Yuan, Z. W.; Dong, L. S.

2016-12-01

The intracrustal weak zone controls strength of interaction between crust and mantle, restricts coupling relationship between lithospheric layers, and also affects mode of interaction between blocks. This effect can be analyzed in terms of comparing deformation and stress in different depth. The paper is based on GPS time series data that provided by 81 base stations from 1999 to 2015 to compute velocity field. Combining previous SKS shear wave splitting data, we analyze deformation characteristics of horizontal direction. The lithospheric bottom mantle convection stress field of the Sichuan-Yunnan region is calculated using 11 36 spherical harmonic coefficients of gravity model EGM2008. Meanwhile the focal mechanism of 1131 earthquakes that occurred from 2000 to now in Sichuan-Yunnan region is collected and organized. Through the above systematic research, this article argues that uneven development of the stress is the key of strain energy accumulation. And vertical coupling relationship of different layers greatly influences interaction of blocks. There is stress delamination in blocks which exist the intracrustal weak zone, stress of edge area changes significantly in horizontal and vertical directions, and seismic risk of crust above the weak layer is higher. We choose 81 stations from research area ,download the coordinate time series and use the monadic linear regression analysis to obtain the stations' average speed as shown in figure 1(a).the continuous variation of the velocity vector diagram.When in the process of communication, SKS wave divided into polarization direction and anisotropy of the parallel to the axis of symmetry fast slow wave and vertical wave through anisotropic medium. Fast wave polarization direction is considered to be the mantle peridotite in the crystal lattice advantage under the local stress direction, reflect the deformation of the upper mantle; Time delay of torsion wave reflect the characterization of anisotropic layer thickness and strength. This paper collected Wang Chunyong etc. [1], Chang Lijun provided in [2], such as literature research of 130 stations in the area of SKS shear wave splitting parameters (as shown in figure 1 (b)). From picture 1(c), Northwest Yunnan block and Lhasa block GPS crustal deformation direction are consistent.

Inverted bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells with the transfer-printed anodes and low-temperature-processed ultrathin buffer layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itoh, Eiji; Sakai, Shota; Fukuda, Katsutoshi

2018-03-01

We studied the effects of a hole buffer layer [molybdenum oxide (MoO3) and natural copper oxide layer] and a low-temperature-processed electron buffer layer on the performance of inverted bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells in a device consisting of indium-tin oxide (ITO)/poly(ethylene imine) (PEI)/titanium oxide nanosheet (TiO-NS)/poly(3-hexylthiopnehe) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methylester (PCBM)/oxide/anode (Ag or Cu). The insertion of ultrathin TiO-NS (˜1 nm) and oxide hole buffer layers improved the open circuit voltage V OC, fill factor, and rectification properties owing to the effective hole blocking and electron transport properties of ultrathin TiO-NS, and to the enhanced work function difference between TiO-NS and the oxide hole buffer layer. The insertion of the TiO-NS contributed to the reduction in the potential barrier at the ITO/PEI/TiO-NS/active layer interface for electrons, and the insertion of the oxide hole buffer layer contributed to the reduction in the potential barrier for holes. The marked increase in the capacitance under positive biasing in the capacitance-voltage characteristics revealed that the combination of TiO-NS and MoO3 buffer layers contributes to the selective transport of electrons and holes, and blocks counter carriers at the active layer/oxide interface. The natural oxide layer of the copper electrode also acts as a hole buffer layer owing to the increase in the work function of the Cu surface in the inverted cells. The performance of the cell with evaporated MoO3 and Cu layers that were transfer-printed to the active layer was almost comparable to that of the cell with MoO3 and Ag layers directly evaporated onto the active layer. We also demonstrated comparable device performance in the cell with all-printed MoO3 and low-temperature-processed silver nanoparticles as an anode.

Friction and dynamics of rock avalanches travelling on glaciers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Blasio, Fabio Vittorio

2014-05-01

Rock avalanches travelling on glaciers often exhibit effective friction coefficient lower than those on a rocky terrain. After briefly considering some data of rock avalanches on glaciers, the physics of sliding of solid objects on icy surfaces is reviewed, and a model is put forward for the mechanics of rock avalanche sliding on ice accounting for the formation of a natural lubricating layer. It is suggested that at the beginning of the flow of a rock avalanche, friction results from rocky blocks ploughing on ice. As the erosion continues, a gouge of ice particles results, which clogs the interstices between blocks and may partially melt as a consequence of the production of frictional heat. This conceptual model is numerically investigated for a slab travelling on ice. The results show an increase in mobility as a function of slab thickness, travelled length, and the gravity field, in agreement with case studies. The results are useful to interpret the peculiar features of rock avalanches travelling on icy surfaces such as digitations, out-runner blocks, and longitudinal furrows. The lubrication theory for landslides on ice proposed here may provide a framework for understanding landslides on Earth and for future modelling; in addition, it may help elucidate the presence of similar landslide deposits on the surface of Mars.

Blocking effect and numerical study of polymer particles dispersion flooding in heterogeneous reservoir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Weiyao; Li, Jianhui; Lou, Yu

2018-02-01

Polymer flooding has become an effective way to improve the sweep efficiency in many oil fields. Many scholars have carried out a lot of researches on the mechanism of polymer flooding. In this paper, the effect of polymer on seepage is analyzed. The blocking effect of polymer particles was studied experimentally, and the residual resistance coefficient (RRF) were used to represent the blocking effect. We also build a mathematical model for heterogeneous concentration distribution of polymer particles. Furthermore, the effects of polymer particles on reservoir permeability, fluid viscosity and relative permeability are considered, and a two-phase flow model of oil and polymer particles is established. In addition, the model was tested in the heterogeneous stratum model, and three influencing factors, such as particle concentration, injection volume and PPD (short for polymer particle dispersion) injection time, were analyzed. Simulation results show that PPD can effectively improve sweep efficiency and especially improve oil recovery of low permeability layer. Oil recovery increases with the increase of particle concentration, but oil recovery increase rate gradually decreases with that. The greater the injected amount of PPD, the greater oil recovery and the smaller oil recovery increase rate. And there is an optimal timing to inject PPD for specific reservoir.

Impact of implanted phosphorus on the diffusivity of boron and its applicability to silicon solar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schrof, Julian, E-mail: julian.schrof@ise.fraunhofer.de; Müller, Ralph; Benick, Jan

2015-07-28

Boron diffusivity reduction in extrinsically doped silicon was investigated in the context of a process combination consisting of BBr{sub 3} furnace diffusion and preceding Phosphorus ion implantation. The implantation of Phosphorus leads to a substantial blocking of Boron during the subsequent Boron diffusion. First, the influences of ion implantation induced point defects as well as the initial P doping on B diffusivity were studied independently. Here, it was found that not the defects created during ion implantation but the P doping itself results in the observed B diffusion retardation. The influence of the initial P concentration was investigated in moremore » detail by varying the P implantation dose. A secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of the BSG layer after the B diffusion revealed that the B diffusion retardation is not due to potential P content in the BSG layer but rather caused by the n-type doping of the crystalline silicon itself. Based on the observations the B diffusion retardation was classified into three groups: (i) no reduction of B diffusivity, (ii) reduced B diffusivity, and (iii) blocking of the B diffusion. The retardation of B diffusion can well be explained by the phosphorus doping level resulting in a Fermi level shift and pairing of B and P ions, both reducing the B diffusivity. Besides these main influences, there are probably additional transient phenomena responsible for the blocking of boron. Those might be an interstitial transport mechanism caused by P diffusion that reduces interstitial concentration at the surface or the silicon/BSG interface shift due to oxidation during the BBr{sub 3} diffusion process. Lifetime measurements revealed that the residual (non-blocked) B leads to an increased dark saturation current density in the P doped region. Nevertheless, electrical quality is on a high level and was further increased by reducing the B dose as well as by removing the first few nanometers of the silicon surface after the BBr{sub 3} diffusion.« less

TMN: Introduction and interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pras, Aiko

An overview of Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) status is presented. Its relation with Open System Interconnection (OSI) systems management is given and the commonalities and distinctions are identified. Those aspects that distinguish TMN from OSI management are introduced; TMN's functional and physical architectures and TMN's logical layered architecture are discussed. An analysis of the concepts used by these architectures (reference point, interface, function block, and building block) is given. The use of these concepts to express geographical distribution and functional layering is investigated. This aspect is interesting to understand how OSI management protocols can be used in a TMN environment. A statement regarding applicability of TMN as a model that helps the designers of (management) networks is given.

Dark Materials on Olympus Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-01-23

This image from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) shows blocks of layered terrain within the Olympus Mons aureole. The aureole is a giant apron of chaotic material around the volcano, perhaps formed by enormous landslides off the flanks of the giant volcano. These blocks of layered material have been eroded by the wind into the scenic landscape we see here. The map is projected here at a scale of 25 centimeters (9.8 inches) per pixel. [The original image scale is 28.3 centimeters (11.1 inches) per pixel (with 1 x 1 binning); objects on the order of 85 centimeters (33.5 inches) across are resolved.] North is up. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22181

Microphase separation in random multiblock copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Govorun, E. N.; Chertovich, A. V.

2017-01-01

Microphase separation in random multiblock copolymers is studied with the mean-field theory assuming that long blocks of a copolymer are strongly segregated, whereas short blocks are able to penetrate into "alien" domains and exchange between the domains and interfacial layer. A bidisperse copolymer with blocks of only two sizes (long and short) is considered as a model of multiblock copolymers with high polydispersity in the block size. Short blocks of the copolymer play an important role in the microphase separation. First, their penetration into the "alien" domains leads to the formation of joint long blocks in their own domains. Second, short blocks localized at the interface considerably change the interfacial tension. The possibility of penetration of short blocks into the "alien" domains is controlled by the product χ Nsh (χ is the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter and Nsh is the short block length). At not very large χ Nsh , the domain size is larger than that for a regular copolymer consisting of the same long blocks as in the considered random copolymer. At a fixed mean block size, the domain size grows with an increase in the block size dispersity, the rate of the growth being dependent of the more detailed parameters of the block size distribution.

Additive Manufacturing of Molds for Fabrication of Insulated Concrete Block

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Love, Lonnie J.; Lloyd, Peter D.

ORNL worked with concrete block manufacturer, NRG Insulated Block, to demonstrate additive manufacturing of a multi-component block mold for its line of insulated blocks. Solid models of the mold parts were constructed from existing two-dimensional drawings and the parts were fabricated on a Stratasys Fortus 900 using ULTEM 9085. Block mold parts were delivered to NRG and installed on one of their fabrication lines. While form and fit were acceptable, the molds failed to function during NRG’s testing.

Improving hole injection efficiency by manipulating the hole transport mechanism through p-type electron blocking layer engineering.

PubMed

Zhang, Zi-Hui; Ju, Zhengang; Liu, Wei; Tan, Swee Tiam; Ji, Yun; Kyaw, Zabu; Zhang, Xueliang; Hasanov, Namig; Sun, Xiao Wei; Demir, Hilmi Volkan

2014-04-15

The p-type AlGaN electron blocking layer (EBL) is widely used in InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for electron overflow suppression. However, a typical EBL also reduces the hole injection efficiency, because holes have to climb over the energy barrier generated at the p-AlGaN/p-GaN interface before entering the quantum wells. In this work, to address this problem, we report the enhancement of hole injection efficiency by manipulating the hole transport mechanism through insertion of a thin GaN layer of 1 nm into the p-AlGaN EBL and propose an AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN-type EBL outperforming conventional AlGaN EBLs. Here, the position of the inserted thin GaN layer relative to the p-GaN region is found to be the key to enhancing the hole injection efficiency. InGaN/GaN LEDs with the proposed p-type AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN EBL have demonstrated substantially higher optical output power and external quantum efficiency.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of parent misfit-layered cobalt oxide [Sr₂O₂] q}CoO₂

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chou, Ta-Lei; Chan, Ting-Shan; Chen, Jin-Ming

Here we present a comprehensive X-ray absorption spectroscopy study carried out at Co-L₂,₃, Co-K, O-K and Sr-K edges for the parent misfit-layered cobalt oxide phase [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂; comparison is made to another misfit-layered oxide [CoCa₂O₃]₀.₆₂CoO₂ and the perovskite oxide LaCoO₃. A high-quality sample of [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ was obtained through ultra-high-pressure synthesis using Sr₃Co₂O₆ and Sr(OH)₂∙8H₂O as starting materials. Different dosages of KClO₃ were mixed with the raw materials as an oxygen source and tested, but it was found that the window for the redox control of [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ is rather narrow. From Co-K and Co-L₂,₃ spectra a mixed III/IV valence state is revealedmore » for cobalt in [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂}CoO₂, but the average valence value is a little lower than in [CoCa₂O₃]₀.₆₂CoO₂. Then, Sr-K spectrum indicates that the [Sr₂O₂] double-layer block in [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ clearly deviates from the cubic SrO rock-salt structure, suggesting a more complicated coordination environment for strontium. This together with a somewhat low Co-valence value and the fact that the phase formation of [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ required the presence of Sr(OH)₂∙8H₂O in the high-pressure synthesis suggest that the [Sr₂O₂] block contains ---OH groups, i.e. [Sr₂(O,OH)₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂. - Graphical abstract: [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ obtained through high-pressure synthesis is a parent of misfit-layered cobalt oxides, such as [CoCa₂O₃]₀.₆₂CoO₂ or [M mA₂O 2+m] qCoO₂ in general. Our comprehensive X-ray absorption spectroscopy study shows that both [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ and [CoCa₂O₃]₀.₆₂CoO₂ possess mixed III/IV valence cobalt, but the average Co-valence is a little lower in the former. This is tentatively believed to be due to OH --- groups replacing part of O²⁻ ions in the [Sr₂O₂] layer block. Highlights: • [Sr₂O₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂ is a parent of misfit-layered cobalt oxides. • It is obtained by ultra-high-pressure synthesis from Sr₃Co₂O₆, Sr(OH)₂∙6H₂O and KClO₃. • Co-K and Co---L XANES spectra reveal lower than expected Co-valence value. • Sr-K XANES spectrum indicates that the [Sr₂O₂] block is not of simple rock-salt structure. • This block most probably contains ---OH --- groups, i.e. [Sr₂(O,OH)₂]₀.₅₂CoO₂.« less

The design of cathode for organic photovoltaic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, De; Shi, Feng; Xia, Xuan; Li, Ye; Duanmu, Qingduo

2016-11-01

We have discussed the effect of the residual gas in the Al metal cathode deposition process and consequently influence the performance of organic photovoltaic devices (such as organic photoelectron detector or solar cell). We believe that the origin of degradation in Jsc and FF from the Al cathode device should be the formation of AlOx in the C60-Al interface, which contaminate the interface and plays a role like an energy barrier that block the charge collect process. To solve this problem the Ag and Alq3 layer had been inserted before the Al. Owing to the advantageous of Alq3 and Ag layer, the device which Al cathode prepared at a lower vacuum condition exhibits a comparable performance to that device which Al cathode deposited in regular situation. As an additional benefit, since the introducing of Alq3/Ag layer in the VOPc/C60 organic photovoltaic device performs a better near-infrared response, this phenomenon has been confirmed by means of both simulation and experimental data. So the design of our new cathode structure provides a degree of freedom to modulate the light absorption for organic photovoltaic devices in short-wave and long-wave.

Experimental validation of microseismic emissions from a controlled hydraulic fracture in a synthetic layered medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roundtree, Russell

A controlled hydraulic fracture experiment was performed on two medium sized (11" x 11" x 15") synthetic layered blocks of low permeability, low porosity Lyons sandstone sandwiched between cement. The purpose of the research was to better understand and characterize the fracture evolution as the fracture tip impinged upon the layer boundaries between the well bonded layers. It is also one of the first documented uses of passive microseismic used in a laboratory environment to characterize hydraulic fracturing. A relatively low viscosity fluid of 1000 centipoise, compared to properly scaled previous work (Casas 2005, and Athavale 2007), was pumped at a constant rate of 10 mL/minute through a steel cased hole landed and isolated in the sandstone layer. Efforts were made to contain the hydraulic fracture within the confines of the rock specimen to retain the created hydraulic fracture geometry. Two identical samples and treatment schedules were created and differed only in the monitoring system used to characterize the microseismic activity during the fracture treatment. The first block had eight embedded P-wave transducers placed in the sandstone layer to record the passive microseismic emissions and localize the location and time of the acoustic event. The second block had six compressional wave transducers and twelve shear wave transducers embedded in the sandstone layer of the block. The intention was to record and process the seismic data using conventional P-wave to S-wave difference timing techniques well known in industry. While this goal ultimately not possible due to the geometry of the receiver placements and the limitations of the Vallene acquisition processing software, the data received and the events localized from the 18 transducer test were of much higher numbers and quality than on the eight transducer test. This experiment proved conclusively that passive seismic emission recording can yield positive results in the laboratory. Just as in the field, this provides one of the best far field (away from the well bore) measurements to assess hydraulic fracture behavior. It also provides a calibration tool to extend laboratory results to field scale endeavors. The identification of strong microseismic activity at stress states far below fracture initiation confirms that rocks are critically stressed meta-stable materials and that microseismicity is caused by stress changes, not fractures directly. Advancements are necessary to fully exploit the potential of the microseismic method in laboratory sized samples. Both processing and visualization enhancements are necessary to realize the full benefits of this promising technology in the laboratory environment.

Program EAGLE User’s Manual. Volume 3. Grid Generation Code

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-01

15 1. ompps.te Grid Structure ..... .. .................. . 15 2. Block Interfaces ......... ...................... . 18 3. Fundmental ...in principle it is possible to establish a correspondence between any physical region and a single empty rectangular block for general three...differences. Since this second surrounding layer is not involved in the grid generation, no further account will be taken of its presence in the present

Interlocking wettable ceramic tiles

DOEpatents

Tabereaux, Jr., Alton T.; Fredrickson, Guy L.; Groat, Eric; Mroz, Thomas; Ulicny, Alan; Walker, Mark F.

2005-03-08

An electrolytic cell for the reduction of aluminum having a layer of interlocking cathode tiles positioned on a cathode block. Each tile includes a main body and a vertical restraining member to prevent movement of the tiles away from the cathode block during operation of the cell. The anode of the electrolytic cell may be positioned about 1 inch from the interlocking cathode tiles.

Electrically and chemically tunable soft-solid block copolymer structural color (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Cheolmin

2016-09-01

1D photonic crystals based on the periodic stacking of two different dielectric layers have been widely studied due to their potential use in low-power reflective mode displays, e-books and sensors, but the fabrication of mechanically flexible polymer structural color (SC) films, with electro-active color switching, remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate free-standing electric field tunable ionic liquid swollen block copolymer films. Placement of a polymer/ionic liquid (IL) film-reservoir adjacent to a self-assembled poly(styrene-block-quaternized 2vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-QP2VP) copolymer SC film allowed the development of R, G and B full-color SC block copolymer films by swelling of the QP2VP domains by the ionic liquid associated with water molecules. The IL-polymer/BCP SC film is mechanically flexible with excellent color stability over several days at ambient conditions. The selective swelling of the QP2VP domains could be controlled by both the ratio of the IL to a polymer in the gel-like IL reservoir layer and by an applied voltage in the range of -3V to +6V using a metal/IL reservoir/SC film/IL reservoir/metal capacitor type device.

Applications of Alginate-Based Bioinks in 3D Bioprinting.

PubMed

Axpe, Eneko; Oyen, Michelle L

2016-11-25

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is on the cusp of permitting the direct fabrication of artificial living tissue. Multicellular building blocks (bioinks) are dispensed layer by layer and scaled for the target construct. However, only a few materials are able to fulfill the considerable requirements for suitable bioink formulation, a critical component of efficient 3D bioprinting. Alginate, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, is clearly the most commonly employed material in current bioinks. Here, we discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the use of alginate in 3D bioprinting by summarizing the most recent studies that used alginate for printing vascular tissue, bone and cartilage. In addition, other breakthroughs in the use of alginate in bioprinting are discussed, including strategies to improve its structural and degradation characteristics. In this review, we organize the available literature in order to inspire and accelerate novel alginate-based bioink formulations with enhanced properties for future applications in basic research, drug screening and regenerative medicine.

Applications of Alginate-Based Bioinks in 3D Bioprinting

PubMed Central

Axpe, Eneko; Oyen, Michelle L.

2016-01-01

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is on the cusp of permitting the direct fabrication of artificial living tissue. Multicellular building blocks (bioinks) are dispensed layer by layer and scaled for the target construct. However, only a few materials are able to fulfill the considerable requirements for suitable bioink formulation, a critical component of efficient 3D bioprinting. Alginate, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, is clearly the most commonly employed material in current bioinks. Here, we discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the use of alginate in 3D bioprinting by summarizing the most recent studies that used alginate for printing vascular tissue, bone and cartilage. In addition, other breakthroughs in the use of alginate in bioprinting are discussed, including strategies to improve its structural and degradation characteristics. In this review, we organize the available literature in order to inspire and accelerate novel alginate-based bioink formulations with enhanced properties for future applications in basic research, drug screening and regenerative medicine. PMID:27898010

Review and assessment of the HOST turbine heat transfer program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, Herbert J.

1988-01-01

The objectives of the HOST Turbine Heat Transfer subproject were to obtain a better understanding of the physics of the aerothermodynamic phenomena occurring in high-performance gas turbine engines and to assess and improve the analytical methods used to predict the fluid dynamics and heat transfer phenomena. At the time the HOST project was initiated, an across-the-board improvement in turbine design technology was needed. Therefore, a building-block approach was utilized, with research ranging from the study of fundamental phenomena and analytical modeling to experiments in simulated real-engine environments. Experimental research accounted for 75 percent of the project, and analytical efforts accounted for approximately 25 percent. Extensive experimental datasets were created depicting the three-dimensional flow field, high free-stream turbulence, boundary-layer transition, blade tip region heat transfer, film cooling effects in a simulated engine environment, rough-wall cooling enhancement in a rotating passage, and rotor-stator interaction effects. In addition, analytical modeling of these phenomena was initiated using boundary-layer assumptions as well as Navier-Stokes solutions.

Cold-spray coating of hydroxyapatite on a three-dimensional polyetheretherketone implant and its biocompatibility evaluated by in vitro and in vivo minipig model.

PubMed

Lee, Jae Hyup; Jang, Hae Lin; Lee, Kyung Mee; Baek, Hae-Ri; Jin, Kyoungsuk; Noh, Jun Hong

2017-04-01

PEEK is a bioinert material that does not chemically bind to native bone tissue and thus formation of natural bone-like hydroxyapatite (HA) coating layer on PEEK has been an important challenge to improve biocompatibility and to preserve mechanical property of PEEK. Among various coating techniques, cold-spray coating method is suitable to form stable HA coating layer on PEEK while maintaining their chemical properties, because it can be conducted in relatively low-temperature range. Therefore, in this research, we used cold-spray coating method to form a thick layer of HA on the topographically complex PEEK substrates with periodic ridges on the surface and implanted in iliac bone defects of minipigs which is known to be similar with human body system. In addition, PEEK cage for clinical usage was coated with HA and inserted in the lumbar intervertebral disc space of minipig. We observed higher ALP activity, calcium production, and BSP production of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the HA-coated PEEK implants than the bare PEEK group in in vitro test. In addition, two-dimensional histological analysis and three-dimensional micro CT analysis demonstrated that implantation of complex shape of HA-PEEK hybrid implant in in vivo minipig model resulted sufficient biocompatibility and osseointegration for further clinical applications. Notably, due to the enhanced stability of PEEK cage induced from HA coating layer, osseointegration rate of the small HA blocks loaded inside the PEEK cage was also significantly improved which indicates overall increased fusion rate and adherence of the HA-coated PEEK cage. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 647-657, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cardiac myocyte diversity and a fibroblast network in the junctional region of the zebrafish heart revealed by transmission and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy.

PubMed

Lafontant, Pascal J; Behzad, Ali R; Brown, Evelyn; Landry, Paul; Hu, Norman; Burns, Alan R

2013-01-01

The zebrafish has emerged as an important model of heart development and regeneration. While the structural characteristics of the developing and adult zebrafish ventricle have been previously studied, little attention has been paid to the nature of the interface between the compact and spongy myocardium. Here we describe how these two distinct layers are structurally and functionally integrated. We demonstrate by transmission electron microscopy that this interface is complex and composed primarily of a junctional region occupied by collagen, as well as a population of fibroblasts that form a highly complex network. We also describe a continuum of uniquely flattened transitional cardiac myocytes that form a circumferential plate upon which the radially-oriented luminal trabeculae are anchored. In addition, we have uncovered within the transitional ring a subpopulation of markedly electron dense cardiac myocytes. At discrete intervals the transitional cardiac myocytes form contact bridges across the junctional space that are stabilized through localized desmosomes and fascia adherentes junctions with adjacent compact cardiac myocytes. Finally using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, segmentation and volume reconstruction, we confirm the three-dimensional nature of the junctional region as well as the presence of the sheet-like fibroblast network. These ultrastructural studies demonstrate the previously unrecognized complexity with which the compact and spongy layers are structurally integrated, and provide a new basis for understanding development and regeneration in the zebrafish heart.

Effect of PEG-PDMAEMA Block Copolymer Architecture on Polyelectrolyte Complex Formation with Heparin.

PubMed

Välimäki, Salla; Khakalo, Alexey; Ora, Ari; Johansson, Leena-Sisko; Rojas, Orlando J; Kostiainen, Mauri A

2016-09-12

Heparin is a naturally occurring polyelectrolyte consisting of a sulfated polysaccharide backbone. It is widely used as an anticoagulant during major surgical operations. However, the associated bleeding risks require rapid neutralization after the operation. The only clinically approved antidote for heparin is protamine sulfate, which is, however, ineffective against low molecular weight heparin and can cause severe adverse reactions in patients. In this study, the facile synthesis of cationic-neutral diblock copolymers and their effective heparin binding is presented. Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PEG-PDMAEMA) block copolymers were synthesized in two steps via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using PEG as a macroinitiator. Solution state binding between heparin and a range of PEG-PDMAEMA block copolymers and one homopolymer was studied with dynamic light scattering and methylene blue displacement assay. Also in vitro binding in plasma was studied by utilizing a chromogenic heparin anti-Xa assay. Additionally, quartz crystal microbalance and multiparametric surface plasmon resonance were used to study the surface adsorption kinetics of the polymers on a heparin layer. It was shown that the block copolymers and heparin form electrostatically bound complexes with varying colloidal properties, where the block lengths play a key role in controlling the heparin binding affinity, polyelectrolyte complex size and surface charge. With the optimized polymers (PEG114PDMAEMA52 and PEG114PDMAEMA100), heparin could be neutralized in a dose-dependent manner, and bound efficiently into small neutral complexes, with a hydrodynamic radius less than 100 nm. These complexes had only a limited effect on cell viability. Based on these studies, our approach paves the way for the development of new polymeric heparin binding agents.

Phase behavior of block copolymers in compressed carbon dioxide and as single domain-layer, nanolithographic etch resists for sub-10 nm pattern transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandler, Curran Matthew

Diblock copolymers have many interesting properties, which first and foremost include their ability to self-assemble into various ordered, regularly spaced domains with nanometer-scale feature sizes. The work in this dissertation can be logically divided into two parts -- the first and the majority of this work describes the phase behavior of certain block copolymer systems, and the second discusses real applications possible with block copolymer templates. Many compressible fluids have solvent-like properties dependent on fluid pressure and can be used as processing aids similar to liquid solvents. Here, compressed CO2 was shown to swell several thin homopolymer films, including polystyrene and polyisoprene, as measured by high pressure ellipsometry at elevated temperatures and pressures. The ellipsometric technique was modified to produce accurate data at these conditions through a custom pressure vessel design. The order-disorder transition (ODT) temperatures of several poly(styrene-bisoprene) diblock copolymers were also investigated by static birefringence when dilated with compressed CO2. Sorption of CO2 in each copolymer resulted in significant depressions of the ODT temperature as a function of fluid pressure, and the data above was used to estimate the quantitative amount of solvent in each of the diblock copolymers. These depressions were not shown to follow dilution approximation, and showed interesting, exaggerated scaling of the ODT at near-bulk polymer concentrations. The phase behavior of block copolymer surfactants was studied when blended with polymer or small molecule additives capable of selective hydrogen bonds. This work used small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to identify several low molecular weight systems with strong phase separation and ordered domains as small as 2--3 nanometers upon blending. One blend of a commercially-available surfactant with a small molecule additive was further developed and showed promise as a thin-film pattern transfer template. In this scenario, block copolymer thin films on domain thick with self-assembled feature sizes of only 6--7 nm were used as plasma etch resists. Here the block copolymer's pattern was successfully transferred into the underlying SiO2 substrate using CF4--based reactive ion etching. The result was a parallel, cylindrical nanostructure etched into SiO2.

Kinetic Migration of Diethylhexyl Phthalate in Functional PVC Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fei, Fei; Liu, Zhongwei; Chen, Qiang; Liu, Fuping

2012-02-01

Plasticizers that are generally used in plastics to produce flexible food packaging materials have proved to cause reproductive system problems and women's infertility. A long-term consumption may even cause cancer diseases. Hence a nano-scale layer, named as functional barrier layer, was deposited on the plastic surface to prevent plasticizer diethylhexyl phthalate's (DEHP) migration from plastics to foods. The feasibility of functional barrier layer i.e. SiOx coating through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process was then described in this paper. We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze the chemical composition of coatings, scanning electron microscope (SEM) to explore the topography of the coating surfaces, surface profilemeter to measure thickness of coatings, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to evaluate the barrier properties of coatings. The results have clearly shown that the coatings can perfectly block the migration of the DEHP from plastics to their containers. It is also concluded that process parameters significantly influence the block efficiency of the coatings. When the deposition conditions of SiOx coatings were optimized, i.e. 50 W of the discharge power, 4:1 of ratio of O2: HMDSO, and ca.100 nm thickness of SiOx, 71.2% of the DEHP was effectively blocked.

Locking mechanisms in degree-4 vertex origami structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Hongbin; Li, Suyi; Xu, Jian; Wang, K. W.

2016-04-01

Origami has emerged as a potential tool for the design of mechanical metamaterials and metastructures whose novel properties originate from their crease patterns. Most of the attention in origami engineering has focused on the wellknown Miura-Ori, a folded tessellation that is flat-foldable for folded sheet and stacked blocks. This study advances the state of the art and expands the research field to investigate generic degree-4 vertex (4-vertex) origami, with a focus on facet-binding. In order to understand how facet-binding attributes to the mechanical properties of 4-vertex origami structures, geometries of the 4-vertex origami cells are analyzed and analytically expressed. Through repeating and stacking 4-vertex cells, origami sheets and stacked origami blocks can be constructed. Geometry analyses discover four mechanisms that will lead to the self-locking of 4-vertex origami cells, sheets, and stacked blocks: in-cell facet-binding, inlayer facet-binding, inter-layer facet binding, and in-layer and inter-layer facet-bindings. These mechanisms and the predicted self-locking phenomena are verified through 3D simulations and prototype experiments. Finally, this paper briefly introduces the unusual mechanical properties caused by the locking of 4-vertex origami structures. The research reported in this paper could foster a new breed of self-locking structures with various engineering applications.

Study on the integration of layered water injection technology and subdivision adjustment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yancui

2018-06-01

With oil many infillings, thin and poor reservoir exploitation changes gradually to low permeability, thin and poor reservoir development characteristics of multiple layers thickness, low permeability, in the actual development process, the General Department of oil layers of encryption perforation long thin and poor mining, interlayer contradiction more prominent, by conventional layered water injection that can alleviate the contradiction between layers to a certain extent, by the injection interval and other factors can not fundamentally solve the problem, leading to the potential well area key strata or layers is difficult to determine, the layering test and slicing technology is difficult to adapt to the need of tap water control block. This paper through numerical simulation using the conceptual model and the actual block, it has a great influence on the low permeability reservoir of different stratified water permeability combination of permeability technology and application limits, profit and loss balance principle, low oil prices on the lower series of subdivision technical and economic limit, so the reservoir subdivision reorganization, narrow wells mining, reduce the interference between layers, from the maximum fundamental improvement of layered water injection efficiency. At the same time, in order to meet the needs of reservoir subdivision adjustment, subdividing distance with water, a small interlayer wells subdivision technology for further research in the pickup, solved using two ordinary bridge eccentric water regulator with injection of two layers, by throwing exercise distance limit card from the larger problem, the water distribution card size from 7.0m to 1.0m, and the testing efficiency is improved, and provide technical support for further subdivision water injection wells.

Towards lightweight and flexible high performance nanocrystalline silicon solar cells through light trapping and transport layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, Zachary R.

This thesis investigates ways to enhance the efficiency of thin film solar cells through the application of both novel nano-element array light trapping architectures and nickel oxide hole transport/electron blocking layers. Experimental results independently demonstrate a 22% enhancement in short circuit current density (JSC) resulting from a nano-element array light trapping architecture and a ˜23% enhancement in fill factor (FF) and ˜16% enhancement in open circuit voltage (VOC) resulting from a nickel oxide transport layer. In each case, the overall efficiency of the device employing the light trapping or transport layer was superior to that of the corresponding control device. Since the efficiency of a solar cell scales with the product of JSC, FF, and VOC, it follows that the results of this thesis suggest high performance thin film solar cells can be realized in the event light trapping architectures and transport layers can be simultaneously optimized. The realizations of these performance enhancements stem from extensive process optimization for numerous light trapping and transport layer fabrication approaches. These approaches were guided by numerical modeling techniques which will also be discussed. Key developments in this thesis include (1) the fabrication of nano-element topographies conducive to light trapping using various fabrication approaches, (2) the deposition of defect free nc-Si:H onto structured topographies by switching from SiH4 to SiF 4 PECVD gas chemistry, and (3) the development of the atomic layer deposition (ALD) growth conditions for NiO. Keywords: light trapping, nano-element array, hole transport layer, electron blocking layer, nickel oxide, nanocrystalline silicon, aluminum doped zinc oxide, atomic layer deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, electron beam lithography, ANSYS HFSS.

A New Supramolecular Route for Using Rod-Coil Block Copolymers in Photovoltaic Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mezzenga, Raffaele; Sary, Nicolas; Richard, Fanny; Brochon, Cyril; Leclerc, Nicolas; Leveque, Patrick; Audinot, Jean Nicolas; Heiser, Thomas; Hadziioannou, Georges; Berson, Solenn

2010-03-01

We propose a new supramolecular strategy to blend together rod-coil poly(3-hexylthiophene)-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P3HTP4VP) block copolymers and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The P4VP and PCBM are mixed together by weak supramolecular interactions, and the resulting materials exhibit microphase separated morphologies of electron-donor and electron-acceptor rich domains. The microphase segregated P3HT-rod domains act as electron-donating species and the homogeneous P4VP block:PCBM blend acts as the electron-acceptor domain. We describe the photovoltaic performance of standard and inverted devices whose active layer is composed thereof and show the effect of finely engineering the interfacial properties of the active layer to obtain competitive photovoltaic performance with superior thermal stability. (1) N. Sary, F. Richard, C. Brochon, N. Leclerc, P. Leveque, JN Audinot, S. Berson, T. Heiser, G. Hadziioannou, R. Mezzenga, Adv. Mater. in Press (2010)

Lubiprostone decreases mouse colonic inner mucus layer thickness and alters intestinal microbiota.

PubMed

Musch, Mark W; Wang, Yunwei; Claud, Erika C; Chang, Eugene B

2013-03-01

Lubiprostone has been used to treat constipation through its effects to stimulate Cl(-) secretion, resulting in water and electrolyte secretion. Potential associated changes in intestinal mucus and the colonizing bacteria (microbiome) have not been studied. As mucus obstructions may play a role in cystic fibrosis, the hypothesis that lubiprostone alters intestinal mucus and the microbiome was investigated. Ion transport studies were performed ex vivo. For mucus and microbiome studies, mice were gavaged daily with lubiprostone or vehicle. Mucin from intestinal sections was analyzed in Carnoy's fixed tissues stained with Alcian blue. Microbiome composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. Lubiprostone stimulated short circuit current in all mouse intestinal segments after both serosal and mucosal additions, albeit at lower concentrations in the latter. Current was Cl-dependent and blocked by mucosal diphenylcarboxylic acid, serosal bumetanide, and serosal Ba(++). The CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh172 had a marginal effect. Mucus near epithelial cells (inner layer mucus) was not present in the small intestine of any mice. Proximal colon inner mucus layer was thicker in ∆F/∆F compared with +/∆F and +/+ mice. Lubiprostone decreased inner mucus layer thickness in both proximal and distal colon of all mice. Furthermore, lubiprostone altered the intestinal microbiome by increasing abundance of Lactobacillus and Alistipes. Lubiprostone activates non-CFTR Cl(-) secretion and alters the colonic inner mucus layer, which is associated with changes in the composition of the enteric microbiome.

Lubiprostone Decreases Mouse Colonic Inner Mucus Layer Thickness and Alters Intestinal Microbiota

PubMed Central

Musch, Mark W.; Wang, Yunwei; Claud, Erika C.

2013-01-01

Background Lubiprostone has been used to treat constipation through its effects to stimulate Cl− secretion, resulting in water and electrolyte secretion. Aim Potential associated changes in intestinal mucus and the colonizing bacteria (microbiome) have not been studied. As mucus obstructions may play a role in cystic fibrosis, the hypothesis that lubiprostone alters intestinal mucus and the microbiome was investigated. Methods Ion transport studies were performed ex vivo. For mucus and microbiome studies, mice were gavaged daily with lubiprostone or vehicle. Mucin from intestinal sections was analyzed in Carnoy’s fixed tissues stained with Alcian blue. Microbiome composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. Results Lubiprostone stimulated short circuit current in all mouse intestinal segments after both serosal and mucosal additions, albeit at lower concentrations in the latter. Current was Cl-dependent and blocked by mucosal diphenylcarboxylic acid, serosal bumetanide, and serosal Ba++. The CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh172 had a marginal effect. Mucus near epithelial cells (inner layer mucus) was not present in the small intestine of any mice. Proximal colon inner mucus layer was thicker in ΔF/ΔF compared with +/ΔF and +/+ mice. Lubiprostone decreased inner mucus layer thickness in both proximal and distal colon of all mice. Furthermore, lubiprostone altered the intestinal microbiome by increasing abundance of Lactobacillus and Alistipes. Conclusions Lubiprostone activates non-CFTR Cl− secretion and alters the colonic inner mucus layer, which is associated with changes in the composition of the enteric microbiome. PMID:23329012

Ni foam supported quasi-core-shell structure of ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets through electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly as high rate-performance electrodes of supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yapeng; Yang, Chenhui; Que, Wenxiu; He, Yucheng; Liu, Xiaobin; Luo, Yangyang; Yin, Xingtian; Kong, Ling Bing

2017-11-01

Supercapacitor, as an important energy storage device, is a critical component for next generation electric power system, due to its high power density and long cycle life. In this study, a novel electrode material with quasi-core-shell structure, consisting of negatively charged few layer Ti3C2 nanosheets (FL-Ti3C2) and positively charged polyethyleneimine as building blocks, has been prepared by using an electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly method, with highly conductive Ni foam to be used as the skeleton. The unique quasi-core-shell structured ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets provide an excellent electron channel, ion transport channel and large effective contact area, thus leading to a great improvement in electrochemical performance of the material. The specific capacitance of the binder-free FL-Ti3C2@Ni foam electrodes reaches 370 F g-1 at the scan rate of 2 mV s-1 and a specific capacitance of 117 F g-1 is obtained even at the scan rate of 1000 mV s-1 in the electrolyte of Li2SO4, indicating a high rate performance. In addition, this electrode shows a long-term cyclic stability with a loss of only 13.7% after 10,000 circles. Furthermore, quantitative analysis has been conducted to ensure the relationship between the capacitive contribution and the rate performance of the as-fabricated electrode.

Damage-Survivable and Damage-Tolerant Laminated Composites with Optimally Placed Piezoelectric Layers

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-11-13

AD-A269 879 Damage-Survivable j and Damage-Tolerant Laminated Composites .4.. with Optimally placed Piezoelectric Layers Final Report No. 1 S. P...Damage Surviable and Damage-Tolerant Laminated Composites With Optimally Placed Piezoelectric Layers 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) S.P. Joshi, W.S. Chan ൕa...block number) The main objective of the research is to assure that the embedded sensors/actuators in a smart laminated composite structure are damage

Hybrid Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon-on-Sapphire

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-23

on-SOS devices mounted on a copper heat sink. The liquid crystal thermal absorber is attached to block mid-IR emission from any sections of the laser...directions. 2. Statement of the problem studied Short-wavelength infrared (SWIR, ~1-3 m) photonics systems based on silicon-on- insulator (SOI...Table 1. Layer type Layer thickness and doping Thickness (nm) Doping (cm-3) InP substrate 350000 Semi- insulating InP buffer layer 2000 2.00E

A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effect of the Addition of the Mandibular Block to Cervical Plexus Block for Carotid Endarterectomy.

PubMed

Kavrut Ozturk, Nilgun; Kavakli, Ali Sait; Sagdic, Kadir; Inanoglu, Kerem; Umot Ayoglu, Raif

2018-04-01

Although the cervical plexus block generally provides adequate analgesia for carotid endarterectomy, pain caused by metal retractors on the inferior surface of the mandible is not prevented by the cervical block. Different pain relief methods can be performed for patients who experience discomfort in these areas. In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of mandibular block in addition to cervical plexus block on pain scores in carotid endarterectomy. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Training and research hospital. Patients who underwent a carotid endarterectomy. Patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 (those who did not receive a mandibular block) and group 2 (those who received a mandibular block). The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the mandibular block in addition to cervical plexus block in terms of intraoperative pain scores. Intraoperative visual analog scale scores were significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.001). The amounts of supplemental 1% lidocaine and intraoperative intravenous analgesic used were significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively). Patient satisfaction scores were significantly lower in group 1 (p = 0.044). The amount of postoperative analgesic used, time to first analgesic requirement, postoperative visual analog scale scores, and surgeon satisfaction scores were similar in both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to complications. No major neurologic deficits or perioperative mortality were observed. Mandibular block in addition to cervical plexus block provides better intraoperative pain control and greater patient satisfaction than cervical plexus block alone. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Competing Structural Instabilities in the Ruddlesden–Popper Derivatives HRTiO 4 (R = Rare Earths): Oxygen Octahedral Rotations Inducing Noncentrosymmetricity and Layer Sliding Retaining Centrosymmetricity

DOE PAGES

Sen Gupta, Arnab; Akamatsu, Hirofumi; Brown, Forrest G.; ...

2016-12-06

We report the discovery of noncentrosymmetry in the family of HRTiO 4 (R = Eu, Gd, Dy) layered oxides possessing a Ruddlesden-Popper derivative structure, by second harmonic generation and synchrotron x-ray diffraction with the support of density functional theory calculations. These oxides were previously thought to possess inversion symmetry. Here, inversion symmetry is broken by oxygen octahedral rotations, a mechanism that is not active in simple perovskites. We discover a competition between oxygen octahedral rotations and sliding of the octahedral perovskite blocks at the OH layers. For the smaller rare earth ions, R = Eu, Gd, Dy, which favor themore » octahedral rotations, noncentrosymmetry is present but the sliding at the OH layer is absent. For the larger rare earth ions, R = Nd and Sm, the octahe-dral rotations are absent, but sliding of the octahedral blocks at the OH layer is present, likely to optimize the hydrogen bond length arising from the directional nature of these bonds in the crystal structure. The study reveals a new mechanism for inducing noncentrosymmetry in layered oxides, and chemical-structural effects related to rare earth ion size and hydrogen bonding that can turn this mechanism on and off. In conclusion, we construct a complete phase diagram of temperature versus rare earth ionic radius for the HRTiO 4 family.« less

Competing Structural Instabilities in the Ruddlesden–Popper Derivatives HRTiO 4 (R = Rare Earths): Oxygen Octahedral Rotations Inducing Noncentrosymmetricity and Layer Sliding Retaining Centrosymmetricity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sen Gupta, Arnab; Akamatsu, Hirofumi; Brown, Forrest G.

We report the discovery of noncentrosymmetry in the family of HRTiO 4 (R = Eu, Gd, Dy) layered oxides possessing a Ruddlesden-Popper derivative structure, by second harmonic generation and synchrotron x-ray diffraction with the support of density functional theory calculations. These oxides were previously thought to possess inversion symmetry. Here, inversion symmetry is broken by oxygen octahedral rotations, a mechanism that is not active in simple perovskites. We discover a competition between oxygen octahedral rotations and sliding of the octahedral perovskite blocks at the OH layers. For the smaller rare earth ions, R = Eu, Gd, Dy, which favor themore » octahedral rotations, noncentrosymmetry is present but the sliding at the OH layer is absent. For the larger rare earth ions, R = Nd and Sm, the octahe-dral rotations are absent, but sliding of the octahedral blocks at the OH layer is present, likely to optimize the hydrogen bond length arising from the directional nature of these bonds in the crystal structure. The study reveals a new mechanism for inducing noncentrosymmetry in layered oxides, and chemical-structural effects related to rare earth ion size and hydrogen bonding that can turn this mechanism on and off. In conclusion, we construct a complete phase diagram of temperature versus rare earth ionic radius for the HRTiO 4 family.« less

DNA Immobilization and Hybridization Detection by the Intrinsic Molecular Charge Using Capacitive Field-Effect Sensors Modified with a Charged Weak Polyelectrolyte Layer.

PubMed

Bronder, Thomas S; Poghossian, Arshak; Scheja, Sabrina; Wu, Chunsheng; Keusgen, Michael; Mewes, Dieter; Schöning, Michael J

2015-09-16

Miniaturized setup, compatibility with advanced micro- and nanotechnologies, and ability to detect biomolecules by their intrinsic molecular charge favor the semiconductor field-effect platform as one of the most attractive approaches for the development of label-free DNA chips. In this work, a capacitive field-effect EIS (electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor) sensor covered with a layer-by-layer prepared, positively charged weak polyelectrolyte layer of PAH (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)) was used for the label-free electrical detection of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) immobilization and hybridization. The negatively charged probe single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules were electrostatically adsorbed onto the positively charged PAH layer, resulting in a preferentially flat orientation of the ssDNA molecules within the Debye length, thus yielding a reduced charge-screening effect and a higher sensor signal. Each sensor-surface modification step (PAH adsorption, probe ssDNA immobilization, hybridization with complementary target DNA (cDNA), reducing an unspecific adsorption by a blocking agent, incubation with noncomplementary DNA (ncDNA) solution) was monitored by means of capacitance-voltage and constant-capacitance measurements. In addition, the surface morphology of the PAH layer was studied by atomic force microscopy and contact-angle measurements. High hybridization signals of 34 and 43 mV were recorded in low-ionic strength solutions of 10 and 1 mM, respectively. In contrast, a small signal of 4 mV was recorded in the case of unspecific adsorption of fully mismatched ncDNA. The density of probe ssDNA and dsDNA molecules as well as the hybridization efficiency was estimated using the experimentally measured DNA immobilization and hybridization signals and a simplified double-layer capacitor model. The results of field-effect experiments were supported by fluorescence measurements, verifying the DNA-immobilization and hybridization event.

Additives to local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks: Evidence, limitations, and recommendations.

PubMed

Bailard, Neil S; Ortiz, Jaime; Flores, Roland A

2014-03-01

The therapeutic rationale, clinical effectiveness, and potential adverse effects of medications used in combination with local anesthetics for peripheral nerve block therapy are reviewed. A wide range of agents have been tested as adjuncts to peripheral nerve blocks, which are commonly performed for regional anesthesia during or after hand or arm surgery, neck or spine surgery, and other procedures. Studies to determine the comparative merits of nerve block adjuncts are complicated by the wide variety of coadministered local anesthetics and sites of administration and by the heterogeneity of primary endpoints. Sodium bicarbonate has been shown to speed the onset of mepivacaine nerve blocks but delay the onset of others. Epinephrine has been shown to prolong sensory nerve blockade and delay systemic uptake of local anesthetics, thus reducing the risk of anesthetic toxicity. Tramadol, buprenorphine, dexamethasone, and clonidine appear to be effective additives in some situations. Midazolam, magnesium, dexmedetomidine, and ketamine cannot be routinely recommended as nerve block additives due to a dearth of supportive data, modest efficacy, and (in the case of ketamine) significant adverse effects. Recent studies suggest that administering additives intravenously or intramuscularly can provide many of the benefits of perineural administration while reducing the potential for neurotoxicity, contamination, and other hazards. Some additives to local anesthetics can hasten the onset of nerve block, prolong block duration, or reduce toxicity. On the other hand, poorly selected or unnecessary additives may not have the desired effect and may even expose patients to unnecessary risks.

Functionalized Silk Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-10

properties, such as toughness, biocompatibility and biodegrability. Trends in spider silk-like block copolymer secondary structure and assembly behavior...to construct transistors on ultrathin sheets of polyimide . Briefly, the doped silicon nanomembranes were transfer printed onto a film of polyimide ...layer of polyimide was used to encapsulate the active devices. Dry etching the polymer layers completed the fabrication of an array of isolated

Biotronics

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-01

BLOCKING LAYER IN ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODES ............................70 2.3.1 Materials Used for the Fabrication of BioLEDs...optical losses. Using a lower molecular weight DNA-based biopolymer as the top and bottom cladding layers in an NLO polymer EO modulator, we were able...application, these new biopolymer -based materials have been used for many types of electronic and photonic applications. Even with growing research

In situ coagulation versus pre-coagulation for gravity-driven membrane bioreactor during decentralized sewage treatment: Permeability stabilization, fouling layer formation and biological activity.

PubMed

Ding, An; Wang, Jinlong; Lin, Dachao; Tang, Xiaobin; Cheng, Xiaoxiang; Li, Guibai; Ren, Nanqi; Liang, Heng

2017-12-01

Gravity-driven membrane filtration systems are promising for decentralized sewage treatment due to their low energy consumption and low maintenance. However, the low stable permeability/flux is currently limiting their wider application. With the ultimate goal of increasing permeability, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coagulation (in situ coagulation and pre-coagulation) on the performance of a gravity-driven membrane bioreactor (GDMBR) during treatment of synthetic sewage. Results show that in situ coagulation significantly increased permeability (more than two-fold); however, no stabilization of permeability occurred over the whole operation, when non-coagulated and pre-coagulated reactors were compared. The high permeability observed was attributed to the accumulated aluminium floc in the reactor, which prevented formation of fluorescent microbial metabolites (aromatic and tryptophan proteins, as well as fulvic acids), and further avoided membrane pore blocking. In addition, the surface porosity of the fouling layer was improved (from 11.2% to 32.4% for non-coagulated and in situ coagulated reactors). The unstable permeability was possibly associated with lower biological processes within the fouling layer. These might include lower adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and lower fluorescent metabolites from the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) caused by the accumulated Al (compared with the control). On the other hand, pre-coagulation improved the level of stable permeability compared with the control (80 versus 40 L/m 2 h bar), mainly because pre-coagulation decreased the EPS content and also maintained high ATP content of the fouling layer. In addition, both coagulation processes reduced the total filtration resistance, mainly the hydraulically reversible resistance and cake layer resistance, which could lower the cleaning frequency. Overall, coagulation could greatly increase the removal efficiency and improve the GDMBR permeability, which would make the process suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chirped-Superlattice, Blocked-Intersubband QWIP

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunapala, Sarath; Ting, David; Bandara, Sumith

2004-01-01

An Al(x)Ga(1-x)As/GaAs quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP) of the blocked-intersubband-detector (BID) type, now undergoing development, features a chirped (that is, aperiodic) superlattice. The purpose of the chirped superlattice is to increase the quantum efficiency of the device. A somewhat lengthy background discussion is necessary to give meaning to a brief description of the present developmental QWIP. A BID QWIP was described in "MQW Based Block Intersubband Detector for Low-Background Operation" (NPO-21073), NASA Tech Briefs Vol. 25, No. 7 (July 2001), page 46. To recapitulate: The BID design was conceived in response to the deleterious effects of operation of a QWIP at low temperature under low background radiation. These effects can be summarized as a buildup of space charge and an associated high impedance and diminution of responsivity with increasing modulation frequency. The BID design, which reduces these deleterious effects, calls for a heavily doped multiple-quantum-well (MQW) emitter section with barriers that are thinner than in prior MQW devices. The thinning of the barriers results in a large overlap of sublevel wave functions, thereby creating a miniband. Because of sequential resonant quantum-mechanical tunneling of electrons from the negative ohmic contact to and between wells, any space charge is quickly neutralized. At the same time, what would otherwise be a large component of dark current attributable to tunneling current through the whole device is suppressed by placing a relatively thick, undoped, impurity-free AlxGa1 x As blocking barrier layer between the MQW emitter section and the positive ohmic contact. [This layer is similar to the thick, undoped Al(x)Ga(1-x)As layers used in photodetectors of the blocked-impurity-band (BIB) type.] Notwithstanding the aforementioned advantage afforded by the BID design, the responsivity of a BID QWIP is very low because of low collection efficiency, which, in turn, is a result of low electrostatic- potential drop across the superlattice emitter. Because the emitter must be electrically conductive to prevent the buildup of space charge in depleted quantum wells, most of the externally applied bias voltage drop occurs across the blocking-barrier layer. This completes the background discussion. In the developmental QWIP, the periodic superlattice of the prior BID design is to be replaced with the chirped superlattice, which is expected to provide a built-in electric field. As a result, the efficiency of collection of photoexcited charge carriers (and, hence, the net quantum efficiency and thus responsivity) should increase significantly.

Compact conscious animal positron emission tomography scanner

DOEpatents

Schyler, David J.; O'Connor, Paul; Woody, Craig; Junnarkar, Sachin Shrirang; Radeka, Veljko; Vaska, Paul; Pratte, Jean-Francois; Volkow, Nora

2006-10-24

A method of serially transferring annihilation information in a compact positron emission tomography (PET) scanner includes generating a time signal for an event, generating an address signal representing a detecting channel, generating a detector channel signal including the time and address signals, and generating a composite signal including the channel signal and similarly generated signals. The composite signal includes events from detectors in a block and is serially output. An apparatus that serially transfers annihilation information from a block includes time signal generators for detectors in a block and an address and channel signal generator. The PET scanner includes a ring tomograph that mounts onto a portion of an animal, which includes opposing block pairs. Each of the blocks in a block pair includes a scintillator layer, detection array, front-end array, and a serial encoder. The serial encoder includes time signal generators and an address signal and channel signal generator.

Space Charge Free Photodiodes

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-03

materials such as strained layer superlattice and HgCdTe . ___ ;,·~--·- 15. SUBJECT TERMS infrared , IR, detector , unipolar barrier, nBn 16. SECURITY...current and noise in infrared detectors . Unipolar barriers can be made in either of two types: hole-blocking or electron-blocking barriers. Our work has...SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ---- - - .. 14. ABSTRACT A new type of infrared detector is designed and experimentally demonstrated, which uses "unipolar barriers

Wind-tunnel experiments of turbulent flow over a surface-mounted 2-D block in a thermally-stratified boundary layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Markfort, Corey; Porté-Agel, Fernando

2014-11-01

Turbulent flows over complex surface topography have been of great interest in the atmospheric science and wind engineering communities. The geometry of the topography, surface roughness and temperature characteristics as well as the atmospheric thermal stability play important roles in determining momentum and scalar flux distribution. Studies of turbulent flow over simplified topography models, under neutrally stratified boundary-layer conditions, have provided insights into fluid dynamics. However, atmospheric thermal stability has rarely been considered in laboratory experiments, e.g., wind-tunnel experiments. Series of wind-tunnel experiments of thermally-stratified boundary-layer flow over a surface-mounted 2-D block, in a well-controlled boundary-layer wind tunnel, will be presented. Measurements using high-resolution PIV, x-wire/cold-wire anemometry and surface heat flux sensors were conducted to quantify the turbulent flow properties, including the size of the recirculation zone, coherent vortex structures and the subsequent boundary layer recovery. Results will be shown to address thermal stability effects on momentum and scalar flux distribution in the wake, as well as dominant mechanism of turbulent kinetic energy generation and consumption. The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Swiss National Foundation (Grant 200021-132122), the National Science Foundation (Grant ATM-0854766) and NASA (Grant NNG06GE256).

A 3D Poly(ethylene glycol)-based Tumor Angiogenesis Model to Study the Influence of Vascular Cells on Lung Tumor Cell Behavior

PubMed Central

Roudsari, Laila C.; Jeffs, Sydney E.; Witt, Amber S.; Gill, Bartley J.; West, Jennifer L.

2016-01-01

Tumor angiogenesis is critical to tumor growth and metastasis, yet much is unknown about the role vascular cells play in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro models that mimic in vivo tumor neovascularization facilitate exploration of this role. Here we investigated lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells (344SQ) and endothelial and pericyte vascular cells encapsulated in cell-adhesive, proteolytically-degradable poly(ethylene) glycol-based hydrogels. 344SQ in hydrogels formed spheroids and secreted proangiogenic growth factors that significantly increased with exposure to transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a potent tumor progression-promoting factor. Vascular cells in hydrogels formed tubule networks with localized activated TGF-β1. To study cancer cell-vascular cell interactions, we engineered a 2-layer hydrogel with 344SQ and vascular cell layers. Large, invasive 344SQ clusters (area > 5,000 μm2, circularity < 0.25) developed at the interface between the layers, and were not evident further from the interface or in control hydrogels without vascular cells. A modified model with spatially restricted 344SQ and vascular cell layers confirmed that observed cluster morphological changes required close proximity to vascular cells. Additionally, TGF-β1 inhibition blocked endothelial cell-driven 344SQ migration. Our findings suggest vascular cells contribute to tumor progression and establish this culture system as a platform for studying tumor vascularization. PMID:27596933

An Intelligent Neural Stem Cell Delivery System for Neurodegenerative Diseases Treatment.

PubMed

Qiao, Shupei; Liu, Yi; Han, Fengtong; Guo, Mian; Hou, Xiaolu; Ye, Kangruo; Deng, Shuai; Shen, Yijun; Zhao, Yufang; Wei, Haiying; Song, Bing; Yao, Lifen; Tian, Weiming

2018-05-02

Transplanted stem cells constitute a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurological disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that a negative microenvironment, particularly one characterized by the acute inflammation/immune response caused by physical injuries or transplanted stem cells, severely impacts the survival of transplanted stem cells. In this study, to avoid the influence of the increased inflammation following physical injuries, an intelligent, double-layer, alginate hydrogel system is designed. This system fosters the matrix metalloproeinases (MMP) secreted by transplanted stem cell reactions with MMP peptide grafted on the inner layer and destroys the structure of the inner hydrogel layer during the inflammatory storm. Meanwhile, the optimum concentration of the arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptide is also immobilized to the inner hydrogels to obtain more stem cells before arriving to the outer hydrogel layer. It is found that blocking Cripto-1, which promotes embryonic stem cell differentiation to dopamine neurons, also accelerates this process in neural stem cells. More interesting is the fact that neural stem cell differentiation can be conducted in astrocyte-differentiation medium without other treatments. In addition, the system can be adjusted according to the different parameters of transplanted stem cells and can expand on the clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of this neurological disorder. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A 3D Poly(ethylene glycol)-based Tumor Angiogenesis Model to Study the Influence of Vascular Cells on Lung Tumor Cell Behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roudsari, Laila C.; Jeffs, Sydney E.; Witt, Amber S.; Gill, Bartley J.; West, Jennifer L.

2016-09-01

Tumor angiogenesis is critical to tumor growth and metastasis, yet much is unknown about the role vascular cells play in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro models that mimic in vivo tumor neovascularization facilitate exploration of this role. Here we investigated lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells (344SQ) and endothelial and pericyte vascular cells encapsulated in cell-adhesive, proteolytically-degradable poly(ethylene) glycol-based hydrogels. 344SQ in hydrogels formed spheroids and secreted proangiogenic growth factors that significantly increased with exposure to transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a potent tumor progression-promoting factor. Vascular cells in hydrogels formed tubule networks with localized activated TGF-β1. To study cancer cell-vascular cell interactions, we engineered a 2-layer hydrogel with 344SQ and vascular cell layers. Large, invasive 344SQ clusters (area > 5,000 μm2, circularity < 0.25) developed at the interface between the layers, and were not evident further from the interface or in control hydrogels without vascular cells. A modified model with spatially restricted 344SQ and vascular cell layers confirmed that observed cluster morphological changes required close proximity to vascular cells. Additionally, TGF-β1 inhibition blocked endothelial cell-driven 344SQ migration. Our findings suggest vascular cells contribute to tumor progression and establish this culture system as a platform for studying tumor vascularization.

Sodiation kinetics of metal oxide conversion electrodes: A comparative study with lithiation

DOE PAGES

He, Kai; Lin, Feng; Zhu, Yizhou; ...

2015-08-19

The development of sodium ion batteries (NIBs) can provide an alternative to lithium ion batteries (LIBs) for sustainable, low-cost energy storage. However, due to the larger size and higher m/e ratio of the sodium ion compared to lithium, sodiation reactions of candidate electrodes are expected to differ in significant ways from the corresponding lithium ones. In this work, we investigated the sodiation mechanism of a typical transition metal-oxide, NiO, through a set of correlated techniques, including electrochemical and synchrotron studies, real-time electron microscopy observation, and ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We found that a crystalline Na₂O reaction layer thatmore » was formed at the beginning of sodiation plays an important role in blocking the further transport of sodium ions. In addition, sodiation in NiO exhibits a “shrinking-core” mode that results from a layer-by-layer reaction, as identified by ab initio MD simulations. For lithiation, however, the formation of Li anti-site defects significantly distorts the local NiO lattice that facilitates Li insertion, thus enhancing the overall reaction rate. These observations delineate the mechanistic difference between sodiation and lithiation in metal-oxide conversion materials. More importantly, our findings identify the importance of understanding the role of reaction layers on the functioning of electrodes and thus provide critical insights into further optimizing NIB materials through surface engineering.« less

Kinetic control of block copolymer self-assembly into multicompartment and novel geometry nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yingchao; Wang, Xiaojun; Zhang, Ke; Wooley, Karen; Mays, Jimmy; Percec, Virgil; Pochan, Darrin

2012-02-01

Micelles with the segregation of hydrophobic blocks trapped in the same nanoparticle core have been produced through co-self-assembly of two block copolymers in THF/water dilute solution. The dissolution of two block copolymer sharing the same polyacrylic acid PAA blocks in THF undergoes consequent aggregation and phase separation through either slow water titration or quick water addition that triggers the micellar formation. The combination and comparison of the two water addition kinetic pathways are the keys of forming multicompartment structures at high water content. Importantly, the addition of organic diamine provides for acid-base complexation with the PAA side chains which, in turn, plays the key role of trapping unlike hydrophobic blocks from different block copolymers into one nanoparticle core. The kinetic control of solution assembly can be applied to other molecular systems such as dendrimers as well as other block copolymer molecules. Transmission electron microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, light scattering have been applied to characterize the micelle structures.

Hole injection and electron overflow improvement in InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes by a tapered AlGaN electron blocking layer.

PubMed

Lin, Bing-Chen; Chen, Kuo-Ju; Wang, Chao-Hsun; Chiu, Ching-Hsueh; Lan, Yu-Pin; Lin, Chien-Chung; Lee, Po-Tsung; Shih, Min-Hsiung; Kuo, Yen-Kuang; Kuo, Hao-Chung

2014-01-13

A tapered AlGaN electron blocking layer with step-graded aluminum composition is analyzed in nitride-based blue light-emitting diode (LED) numerically and experimentally. The energy band diagrams, electrostatic fields, carrier concentration, electron current density profiles, and hole transmitting probability are investigated. The simulation results demonstrated that such tapered structure can effectively enhance the hole injection efficiency as well as the electron confinement. Consequently, the LED with a tapered EBL grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition exhibits reduced efficiency droop behavior of 29% as compared with 44% for original LED, which reflects the improvement in hole injection and electron overflow in our design.

All-ion-implanted planar-gate current aperture vertical Ga2O3 MOSFETs with Mg-doped blocking layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Man Hoi; Goto, Ken; Morikawa, Yoji; Kuramata, Akito; Yamakoshi, Shigenobu; Murakami, Hisashi; Kumagai, Yoshinao; Higashiwaki, Masataka

2018-06-01

A vertical β-Ga2O3 metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor featuring a planar-gate architecture is presented. The device was fabricated by an all-ion-implanted process without requiring trench etching or epitaxial regrowth. A Mg-ion-implanted current blocking layer (CBL) provided electrical isolation between the source and the drain except at an aperture opening through which drain current was conducted. Successful transistor action was realized by gating a Si-ion-implanted channel above the CBL. Thermal diffusion of Mg induced a large source–drain leakage current through the CBL, which resulted in compromised off-state device characteristics as well as a reduced peak extrinsic transconductance compared with the results of simulations.

The barrier to misfit dislocation glide in continuous, strained, epitaxial layers on patterned substrates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Watson, G.P.; Ast, D.G.; Anderson, T.J.

1993-09-01

In a previous report [G. P. Watson, D. G. Ast, T. J. Anderson, and Y. Hayakawa, Appl. Phys. Lett. [bold 58], 2517 (1991)] we demonstrated that the motion of misfit dislocations in InGaAs, grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy on patterned GaAs substrates, can be impeded even if the strained epitaxial layer is continuous. Trenches etched into GaAs before growth are known to act as a barrier to misfit dislocation propagation [E. A. Fitzgerald, G. P. Watson, R. E. Proano, D. G. Ast, P. D. Kirchner, G. D. Pettit, and J. M. Woodall, J. Appl. Phys. [bold 65], 2220 (1989)]more » when those trenches create discontinuities in the epitaxial layers; but even shallow trenches, with continuous strained layers following the surface features, can act as barriers. By considering the strain energy required to change the length of the dislocation glide segments that stretch from the interface to the free surface, a simple model is developed that explains the major features of the unique blocking action observed at the trench edges. The trench wall angle is found to be an important parameter in determining whether or not a trench will block dislocation glide. The predicted blocking angles are consistent with observations made on continuous 300 and 600 nm thick In[sub 0.04]Ga[sub 0.96]As films on patterned GaAs. Based on the model, a structure is proposed that may be used as a filter to yield misfit dislocations with identical Burgers vectors or dislocations which slip in only one glide plane.« less

Preconditioned conjugate gradient wave-front reconstructors for multiconjugate adaptive optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilles, Luc; Ellerbroek, Brent L.; Vogel, Curtis R.

2003-09-01

Multiconjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) systems with 104-105 degrees of freedom have been proposed for future giant telescopes. Using standard matrix methods to compute, optimize, and implement wave-front control algorithms for these systems is impractical, since the number of calculations required to compute and apply the reconstruction matrix scales respectively with the cube and the square of the number of adaptive optics degrees of freedom. We develop scalable open-loop iterative sparse matrix implementations of minimum variance wave-front reconstruction for telescope diameters up to 32 m with more than 104 actuators. The basic approach is the preconditioned conjugate gradient method with an efficient preconditioner, whose block structure is defined by the atmospheric turbulent layers very much like the layer-oriented MCAO algorithms of current interest. Two cost-effective preconditioners are investigated: a multigrid solver and a simpler block symmetric Gauss-Seidel (BSGS) sweep. Both options require off-line sparse Cholesky factorizations of the diagonal blocks of the matrix system. The cost to precompute these factors scales approximately as the three-halves power of the number of estimated phase grid points per atmospheric layer, and their average update rate is typically of the order of 10-2 Hz, i.e., 4-5 orders of magnitude lower than the typical 103 Hz temporal sampling rate. All other computations scale almost linearly with the total number of estimated phase grid points. We present numerical simulation results to illustrate algorithm convergence. Convergence rates of both preconditioners are similar, regardless of measurement noise level, indicating that the layer-oriented BSGS sweep is as effective as the more elaborated multiresolution preconditioner.

Transonic Navier-Stokes wing solution using a zonal approach. Part 1: Solution methodology and code validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flores, J.; Gundy, K.; Gundy, K.; Gundy, K.; Gundy, K.; Gundy, K.

1986-01-01

A fast diagonalized Beam-Warming algorithm is coupled with a zonal approach to solve the three-dimensional Euler/Navier-Stokes equations. The computer code, called Transonic Navier-Stokes (TNS), uses a total of four zones for wing configurations (or can be extended to complete aircraft configurations by adding zones). In the inner blocks near the wing surface, the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations are solved, while in the outer two blocks the Euler equations are solved. The diagonal algorithm yields a speedup of as much as a factor of 40 over the original algorithm/zonal method code. The TNS code, in addition, has the capability to model wind tunnel walls. Transonic viscous solutions are obtained on a 150,000-point mesh for a NACA 0012 wing. A three-order-of-magnitude drop in the L2-norm of the residual requires approximately 500 iterations, which takes about 45 min of CPU time on a Cray-XMP processor. Simulations are also conducted for a different geometrical wing called WING C. All cases show good agreement with experimental data.

Recent Rise in West Greenland Surface Melt and Firn Density Driven by North Atlantic SSTs and Blocking Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osterberg, E. C.; Graeter, K.; Hawley, R. L.; Marshall, H. P.; Ferris, D. G.; Lewis, G.; Birkel, S. D.; Meehan, T.; McCarthy, F.

2017-12-01

The Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) has been losing mass since at least the early 2000s, mostly due to enhanced surface melt. Approximately 40% of the surface melt currently generated on the GrIS percolates into the snow/firn and refreezes, where it has no immediate impact on GrIS mass balance or sea-level rise. However, in situ observations of surface melt are sparse, and thus it remains unclear how melt water percolation and refreezing are modifying the GrIS percolation zone under recent warming. In addition, understanding the climatic drivers behind the recent increase in melt is critical for accurately predicting future GrIS surface melt rates and contributions to sea-level rise. Here we show that there have been significant increases in melt refreeze and firn density over the past 30-50 years along a 250 km-long region of the Western Greenland percolation zone (2137 - 2218 m elevation). We collected seven shallow firn cores as part of the 2016 Greenland Traverse for Accumulation and Climate Studies (GreenTrACS), analyzed each for melt layer stratigraphy and density, and developed timescales for each based on annual layer counting of seasonal chemical oscillations (e.g. δ18O, dust, and biogenic sulfur). The cores indicate that refrozen melt layers have increased 2- to 9-fold since 1970, with statistically significant (p < 0.05) linear trends at the five southernmost core sites. Comparisons of two GreenTrACS cores to co-located PARCA cores collected in 1998 reveal significant (p < 0.05) increases in density averaged over the top 10 m of firn ranging from 32-42 kg/m3. Recent density increases closely correspond with the locations of refrozen melt water. We use output from the MARv3.7 Regional Climate Model to assess climatic forcing of surface melt at GreenTrACS sites, and find significant summer-to-summer correlations between melt generation and the frequency of blocking high pressure centers over Greenland (represented by the Greenland Blocking Index; GBI), and with North Atlantic sea surface temperatures (represented by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation; AMO). Thus, future surface melt rates in Western Greenland depend on the complex evolution of the GBI and AMO under anthropogenic forcing, both of which remain poorly constrained in 21st century model projections.

Pattern uniformity control in integrated structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Shinji; Okada, Soichiro; Shimura, Satoru; Nafus, Kathleen; Fonseca, Carlos; Biesemans, Serge; Enomoto, Masashi

2017-03-01

In our previous paper dealing with multi-patterning, we proposed a new indicator to quantify the quality of final wafer pattern transfer, called interactive pattern fidelity error (IPFE). It detects patterning failures resulting from any source of variation in creating integrated patterns. IPFE is a function of overlay and edge placement error (EPE) of all layers comprising the final pattern (i.e. lower and upper layers). In this paper, we extend the use cases with Via in additional to the bridge case (Block on Spacer). We propose an IPFE budget and CD budget using simple geometric and statistical models with analysis of a variance (ANOVA). In addition, we validate the model with experimental data. From the experimental results, improvements in overlay, local-CDU (LCDU) of contact hole (CH) or pillar patterns (especially, stochastic pattern noise (SPN)) and pitch walking are all critical to meet budget requirements. We also provide a special note about the importance of the line length used in analyzing LWR. We find that IPFE and CD budget requirements are consistent to the table of the ITRS's technical requirement. Therefore the IPFE concept can be adopted for a variety of integrated structures comprising digital logic circuits. Finally, we suggest how to use IPFE for yield management and optimization requirements for each process.

Structural transition with thickness in films of poly-(styrene-b-2vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) diblock copolymer/homopolymer blends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Vindhya; Kramer, Edward; Hur, Su-Mi; Fredrickson, Glenn; Sprung, Michael

2009-03-01

In multilayer thin films of spherical morphology block copolymers, the surface layers prefer hexagonal symmetry while the inner layers prefer BCC. Thin films with spherical morphology of PS-b-P2VP blends with short homopolymer polystyrene (hPS) chains have an HCP structure up to a thickness n* at which there is a transition to a face centered orthorhombic structure. Using grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy we show that that n* increases from 5 to 9 with increase in hPS from 0 to 12 vol%. For thicknesses just below n* the HCP and FCO structures coexist, but on long annealing HCP prevails. We hypothesize that the PS segregates to the interstices in the HCP structure reducing the stretching of the PS blocks and the free energy penalty of HCP versus BCC inner layers. Self consistent field theoretic simulations are being carried out to see if this idea is correct.

Multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes by blade coating method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tseng, Shin-Rong; Meng, Hsin-Fei; Lee, Kuan-Chen; Horng, Sheng-Fu

2008-10-01

Multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes fabricated by blade coating are presented. Multilayer of polymers can be easily deposited by blade coating on a hot plate. The multilayer structure is confirmed by the total thickness and the cross section view in the scanning electron microscope. The film thickness variation is only 3.3% in 10cm scale and the film roughness is about 0.3nm in the micron scale. The efficiency of single layer poly(para-phenylene vinylene) copolymer Super Yellow and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO, deep blue) devices are 9 and 1.7cd/A, respectively, by blade coating. The efficiency of the PFO device is raised to 2.9cd/A with a 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD) hole-blocking layer and to 2.3cd/A with a poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(4,4'-(N-(4-sec-butylphenyl))diphenylamine)] elec-tron-blocking layer added by blade coating.

Cathode buffer composed of fullerene-ethylenediamine adduct for an organic solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimoto, Yoshinori; Akiyama, Tsuyoshi; Fujita, Katsuhiko

2017-02-01

We developed a fullerene-ethylenediamine adduct (C60P-DC) for a cathode buffer material in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells, which enhance the open-circuit voltage (V oc). The evaporative spray deposition using ultra dilute solution (ESDUS) technique was employed to deposit the buffer layer onto the organic active layer to avoid damage during the deposition. By the insertion of a C60P-DC buffer layer, V oc and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were increased from 0.41 to 0.57 V and from 1.65 to 2.10%, respectively. The electron-only device with the C60P-DC buffer showed a much lower current level than that without the buffer, indicating that the V oc increase is caused not by vacuum level shift but by hole blocking. The curve fitting of current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics to the equivalent circuit with a single diode indicated that the decrease in reversed saturation current by hole blocking increased caused the V oc.

Geology of the Zambales ophiolite, Luzon, Philippines

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rossman, D.L.; Castanada, G.C.; Bacuta, G.C.

1989-01-01

The Zambales ophiolite of western Luzon, Philippines, exposes a typical succession of basalt flows, diabasic dikes, gabbro and tectonized harzburgite. The age established by limiting strata is late Eocene. Lack of evidence of thrust faulting and the general domal disposition of the lithologie units indicate that the ophiolitic rocks are exposed by uplift. Highly complex internal layered structures within the complex are related to processes developed during formation of the ophiolite and the Zambales ophiolite may be one of the least disturbed (by emplacement) ophiolitic masses known. The exposed mass trends north and the upper surface plunges at low angles (a few degrees) to the north and south. The chemistry and composition of the rocks in the northwest part of the Zambales area (Acoje block) is distinct from that in the southeastern segment (Coto block). The Acoje block, according to Evans (1983) and Hawkins and Evans (1983), resembles (on a chemical basis) arc-tholeiite series rocks from intra-island arcs and the rocks in the Coto block are typical back-arc basin rock series. The present writer believes that the ophiolite composes a single genetic unit and that the changes in composition are the result of changes that took place during the initial formation. The gabbro probably formed below a spreading center in an elongate, in cross section, V-shaped, magma chamber. The gabbro is estimated by the writer to be less than 2 km thick and may be less than 1 km in places. Numerous erosional windows through the gabbro in the northern and eastern side of the Zambales area show that the gabbro remaining in those areas is likely to be only a few hundred meters thick. Harzburgite is exposed to a depth of about 800 m in the Bagsit River area and this may be the deepest part of the ophiolite accessible for study on which there is any control on depth. A transitional zone, about 200 m thick lying between the gabbro and harzburgite, is composed of serpentinized dunite. Commonly the dunite contains disseminated sulfide minerals and at the Acoje Mines, platinum-group elements. A compositional layering within the gabbro is in places cumulate in the lower part of the unit but may have formed by nucleation higher up on the relatively steep sides of the magma chamber. A widespread gneissic banding in the gabbro forms large mappable structures which are many times more complex than is the disposition of the major rock units. These structures are believed to be the result of extensive slumping in the magma chamber. The structure produced by the cumulate layering merges with the gneissic banding, commonly without discernible change in attitude. This tectonic layered structure crosses the gabbro-peridotite boundary at any angle without seeming to disturb the original rock distribution. At greater depths below the boundary (ca. 800 m), the harzburgite contains low dipping banding, which probably reflects the result of differential movement within the mantle. Chromite occurs almost exclusively in a zone that generally lies no more than 200-300 m below the gabbro-peridotite boundary. Refractory-grade chromite is found in this zone below the olivine gabbro in the Goto block and as low-grade metallurgical grade chromite below norite in the Acoje block. At Acoje Mines the chromite is present in layers in dunite, which the writer interprets as being distributed in a zone along the gently dipping (ca. 25??) gabbro-peridotite boundary. The steeply dipping (ca. 60-80 ?? ) individual layers lie en echelon along the boundary at an angle (ca. 50 ?? ) to the contact. At Coto the chromite forms large discontinuous masses in the lowest dunite and in the uppermost harzburgite. Except for the chromite present as layers at Acoje, the regional tectonic layering crosses the chromite deposits without structural deviation. The chromite deposits and associated peridotite may be cumulate in origin, but have been modified to such an extent that cumulate textures are gener

Service-Oriented Architecture Approach to MAGTF Logistics Support Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

Support System-Marine Corps IT Information Technology KPI Key Performance Indicators LCE Logistics Command Element ITV In-transit Visibility LCM...building blocks, options, KPI (key performance indicators), design decisions and the corresponding; the physical attributes which is the second attribute... KPI ) that they impact. h. Layer 8 (Information Architecture) The business intelligence layer and information architecture safeguards the inclusion

Restraint deformation and corrosion protection of gold deposited aluminum mirrors for cold optics of mid-infrared instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchiyama, Mizuho; Miyata, Takashi; Sako, Shigeyuki; Kamizuka, Takafumi; Nakamura, Tomohiko; Asano, Kentaro; Okada, Kazushi; Onaka, Takashi; Sakon, Itsuki; Kataza, Hirokazu; Sarugaku, Yuki; Kirino, Okiharu; Nakagawa, Hiroyuki; Okada, Norio; Mitsui, Kenji

2014-07-01

We report the restraint deformation and the corrosion protection of gold deposited aluminum mirrors for mid-infrared instruments. To evaluate the deformation of the aluminum mirrors by thermal shrinkage, monitoring measurement of the surface of a mirror has been carried out in the cooling cycles from the room temperature to 100 K. The result showed that the effect of the deformation was reduced to one fourth if the mirror was screwed with spring washers. We have explored an effective way to prevent the mirror from being galvanically corroded. A number of samples have been prepared by changing the coating conditions, such as inserting an insulation layer, making a multi-layer and overcoating water blocking layer, or carrying out precision cleaning before coating. Precision cleaning before the deposition and protecting coat with SiO over the gold layer seemed to be effective in blocking corrosion of the aluminum. The SiO over-coated mirror has survived the cooling test for the mid-infrared use and approximately 1 percent decrease in the reflectance has been detected at 6-25 microns compared to gold deposited mirror without coating.

A simulation for gravity fine structure recovery from low-low GRAVSAT SST data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estes, R. H.; Lancaster, E. R.

1976-01-01

Covariance error analysis techniques were applied to investigate estimation strategies for the low-low SST mission for accurate local recovery of gravitational fine structure, considering the aliasing effects of unsolved for parameters. A 5 degree by 5 degree surface density block representation of the high order geopotential was utilized with the drag-free low-low GRAVSAT configuration in a circular polar orbit at 250 km altitude. Recovery of local sets of density blocks from long data arcs was found not to be feasible due to strong aliasing effects. The error analysis for the recovery of local sets of density blocks using independent short data arcs demonstrated that the estimation strategy of simultaneously estimating a local set of blocks covered by data and two "buffer layers" of blocks not covered by data greatly reduced aliasing errors.

Regenerator cross arm seal assembly

DOEpatents

Jackman, Anthony V.

1988-01-01

A seal assembly for disposition between a cross arm on a gas turbine engine block and a regenerator disc, the seal assembly including a platform coextensive with the cross arm, a seal and wear layer sealingly and slidingly engaging the regenerator disc, a porous and compliant support layer between the platform and the seal and wear layer porous enough to permit flow of cooling air therethrough and compliant to accommodate relative thermal growth and distortion, a dike between the seal and wear layer and the platform for preventing cross flow through the support layer between engine exhaust and pressurized air passages, and air diversion passages for directing unregenerated pressurized air through the support layer to cool the seal and wear layer and then back into the flow of regenerated pressurized air.

Electrical control of superparamagnetism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamada, Kihiro T.; Koyama, Tomohiro; Kakizakai, Haruka; Miwa, Kazumoto; Ando, Fuyuki; Ishibashi, Mio; Kim, Kab-Jin; Moriyama, Takahiro; Ono, Shimpei; Chiba, Daichi; Ono, Teruo

2017-01-01

The electric field control of superparamagnetism is realized using a Cu/Ni system, in which the deposited Ni shows superparamagnetic behavior above the blocking temperature. An electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) with the Cu/Ni electrode and a nonmagnetic counter electrode is fabricated to examine the electric field effect on magnetism in the magnetic electrode. By changing the voltage applied to the EDLC, the blocking temperature of the system is clearly modulated.

Survey of Malware Threats and Recommendations to Improve Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems Version 1.0

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-01

not normally blocked by enterprise firewalls . • Some malware exploited zero-day vulnerabilities as well as attempted to exploit vulnerabilities for...servers, receiving updates, and exfiltrating data. Firewalls are routinely configured to block incoming connections while malware within a target...implemented with layers of technical security controls (e.g., ICS-aware firewalls ) to control network traffic and prevent the spread of malware . Intrusion

Homogeneous-oxide stack in IGZO thin-film transistors for multi-level-cell NAND memory application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Hao; Wei, Yehui; Zhang, Xinlei; Jiang, Ran

2017-11-01

A nonvolatile charge-trap-flash memory that is based on amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin film transistors was fabricated with a homogeneous-oxide structure for a multi-level-cell application. All oxide layers, i.e., tunneling layer, charge trapping layer, and blocking layer, were fabricated with Al2O3 films. The fabrication condition (including temperature and deposition method) of the charge trapping layer was different from those of the other oxide layers. This device demonstrated a considerable large memory window of 4 V between the states fully erased and programmed with the operation voltage less than 14 V. This kind of device shows a good prospect for multi-level-cell memory applications.

GERICOS: A Generic Framework for the Development of On-Board Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plasson, P.; Cuomo, C.; Gabriel, G.; Gauthier, N.; Gueguen, L.; Malac-Allain, L.

2016-08-01

This paper presents an overview of the GERICOS framework (GEneRIC Onboard Software), its architecture, its various layers and its future evolutions. The GERICOS framework, developed and qualified by LESIA, offers a set of generic, reusable and customizable software components for the rapid development of payload flight software. The GERICOS framework has a layered structure. The first layer (GERICOS::CORE) implements the concept of active objects and forms an abstraction layer over the top of real-time kernels. The second layer (GERICOS::BLOCKS) offers a set of reusable software components for building flight software based on generic solutions to recurrent functionalities. The third layer (GERICOS::DRIVERS) implements software drivers for several COTS IP cores of the LEON processor ecosystem.

Application of low energy ion blocking for adsorption site determination of Na Atoms on a Cu(111) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, R.; Makarenko, B.; Bahrim, B.; Rabalais, J. W.

2010-07-01

Ion blocking in the low keV energy range is demonstrated to be a sensitive method for probing surface adsorption sites by means of the technique of time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectroscopy (TOF-SARS). Adsorbed atoms can block the nearly isotropic backscattering of primary ions from surface atoms in the outmost layers of a crystal. The relative adsorption site position can be derived unambiguously by simple geometrical constructs between the adsorbed atom site and the surface atom sites. Classical ion trajectory simulations using the scattering and recoiling imaging code (SARIC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide the detailed ion trajectories. Herein we present a quantitative analysis of the blocking effects produced by sub-monolayer Na adsorbed on a Cu(111) surface at room temperature. The results show that the Na adsorption site preferences are different at different Na coverages. At a coverage θ = 0.25 monolayer, Na atoms preferentially populate the fcc threefold surface sites with a height of 2.7 ± 0.1 Å above the 1st layer Cu atoms. At a lower coverage of θ = 0.10 monolayer, there is no adsorption site preference for the Na atoms on the Cu(111) surface.

Two-dimensional phase separated structures of block copolymers on solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sen, Mani; Jiang, Naisheng; Endoh, Maya; Koga, Tadanori; Ribbe, Alexander

The fundamental, yet unsolved question in block copolymer (BCP) thin films is the self-organization process of BCPs at the solid-polymer melt interface. We here focus on the self-organization processes of cylinder-forming polystyrene-block-poly (4-vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer and lamellar-forming poly (styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene) triblock copolymer on Si substrates as model systems. In order to reveal the buried interfacial structures, the following experimental protocols were utilized: the BCP monolayer films were annealed under vacuum at T>Tg of the blocks (to equilibrate the melts); vitrification of the annealed BCP films via rapid quench to room temperature; subsequent intensive solvent leaching (to remove unadsorbed chains) with chloroform, a non-selective good solvent for the blocks. The strongly bound BCP layers were then characterized by using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering, and X-ray reflectivity. The results showed that both blocks lie flat on the substrate, forming the two-dimensional, randomly phase-separated structure irrespective of their microdomain structures and interfacial energetics. Acknowledgement of financial support from NSF Grant (CMMI -1332499).

Integrating new Storage Technologies into EOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Andreas J.; van der Ster, Dan C.; Rocha, Joaquim; Lensing, Paul

2015-12-01

The EOS[1] storage software was designed to cover CERN disk-only storage use cases in the medium-term trading scalability against latency. To cover and prepare for long-term requirements the CERN IT data and storage services group (DSS) is actively conducting R&D and open source contributions to experiment with a next generation storage software based on CEPH[3] and ethernet enabled disk drives. CEPH provides a scale-out object storage system RADOS and additionally various optional high-level services like S3 gateway, RADOS block devices and a POSIX compliant file system CephFS. The acquisition of CEPH by Redhat underlines the promising role of CEPH as the open source storage platform of the future. CERN IT is running a CEPH service in the context of OpenStack on a moderate scale of 1 PB replicated storage. Building a 100+PB storage system based on CEPH will require software and hardware tuning. It is of capital importance to demonstrate the feasibility and possibly iron out bottlenecks and blocking issues beforehand. The main idea behind this R&D is to leverage and contribute to existing building blocks in the CEPH storage stack and implement a few CERN specific requirements in a thin, customisable storage layer. A second research topic is the integration of ethernet enabled disks. This paper introduces various ongoing open source developments, their status and applicability.

A Fully Integrated Sensor SoC with Digital Calibration Hardware and Wireless Transceiver at 2.4 GHz

PubMed Central

Kim, Dong-Sun; Jang, Sung-Joon; Hwang, Tae-Ho

2013-01-01

A single-chip sensor system-on-a-chip (SoC) that implements radio for 2.4 GHz, complete digital baseband physical layer (PHY), 10-bit sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter and dedicated sensor calibration hardware for industrial sensing systems has been proposed and integrated in a 0.18-μm CMOS technology. The transceiver's building block includes a low-noise amplifier, mixer, channel filter, receiver signal-strength indicator, frequency synthesizer, voltage-controlled oscillator, and power amplifier. In addition, the digital building block consists of offset quadrature phase-shift keying (OQPSK) modulation, demodulation, carrier frequency offset compensation, auto-gain control, digital MAC function, sensor calibration hardware and embedded 8-bit microcontroller. The digital MAC function supports cyclic redundancy check (CRC), inter-symbol timing check, MAC frame control, and automatic retransmission. The embedded sensor signal processing block consists of calibration coefficient calculator, sensing data calibration mapper and sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter with digital decimation filter. The sensitivity of the overall receiver and the error vector magnitude (EVM) of the overall transmitter are −99 dBm and 18.14%, respectively. The proposed calibration scheme has a reduction of errors by about 45.4% compared with the improved progressive polynomial calibration (PPC) method and the maximum current consumption of the SoC is 16 mA. PMID:23698271

Acoustic Data Processing and Transient Signal Analysis for the Hybrid Wing Body 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bahr, Christopher J.; Brooks, Thomas F.; Humphreys, William M.; Spalt, Taylor B.; Stead, Daniel J.

2014-01-01

An advanced vehicle concept, the HWB N2A-EXTE aircraft design, was tested in NASA Langley's 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel to study its acoustic characteristics for var- ious propulsion system installation and airframe con gurations. A signi cant upgrade to existing data processing systems was implemented, with a focus on portability and a re- duction in turnaround time. These requirements were met by updating codes originally written for a cluster environment and transferring them to a local workstation while en- abling GPU computing. Post-test, additional processing of the time series was required to remove transient hydrodynamic gusts from some of the microphone time series. A novel automated procedure was developed to analyze and reject contaminated blocks of data, under the assumption that the desired acoustic signal of interest was a band-limited sta- tionary random process, and of lower variance than the hydrodynamic contamination. The procedure is shown to successfully identify and remove contaminated blocks of data and retain the desired acoustic signal. Additional corrections to the data, mainly background subtraction, shear layer refraction calculations, atmospheric attenuation and microphone directivity corrections, were all necessary for initial analysis and noise assessments. These were implemented for the post-processing of spectral data, and are shown to behave as expected.

The immediate large-scale dendritic plasticity of cortical pyramidal neurons subjected to acute epidural compression.

PubMed

Chen, J-R; Wang, T-J; Wang, Y-J; Tseng, G-F

2010-05-05

Head trauma and acute disorders often instantly compress the cerebral cortex and lead to functional abnormalities. Here we used rat epidural bead implantation model and investigated the immediate changes following acute compression. The dendritic arbors of affected cortical pyramidal neurons were filled with intracellular dye and reconstructed 3-dimensionally for analysis. Compression was found to shorten the apical, but not basal, dendrites of underlying layer III and V cortical pyramidal neurons and reduced dendritic spines on the entire dendritic arbor immediately. Dendrogram analysis showed that in addition to distal, proximal apical dendrites also quickly reconfigured. We then focused on apical dendritic trunks and explored how proximal dendrites were rapidly altered. Compression instantly twisted the microtubules and deformed the membrane contour of dendritic trunks likely a result of the elastic nature of dendrites as immediate decompression restored it and stabilization of microtubules failed to block it. Subsequent adaptive remodeling restored plasmalemma and microtubules to normal appearance in 3 days likely via active mechanisms as taxol blocked the restoration of microtubules and in addition partly affected plasmalemmal reorganization which presumably engaged recycling of excess membrane. In short, the structural dynamics and the associated mechanisms that we revealed demonstrate how compression quickly altered the morphology of cortical output neurons and hence cortical functions consequently. (c) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cancer Cell Glycocalyx Mediates Mechanostransduction and Flow-Regulated Invasion

PubMed Central

Qazi, Henry; Palomino, Rocio; Shi, Zhong-Dong; Munn, Lance L.; Tarbell, John M.

2014-01-01

Mammalian cells are covered by a surface proteoglycan (glycocalyx) layer, and it is known that blood vessel-lining endothelial cells use the glycocalyx to sense and transduce the shearing forces of blood flow into intracellular signals. Tumor cells in vivo are exposed to forces from interstitial fluid flow that may affect metastatic potential but are not reproduced by most in vitro cell motility assays. We hypothesized that glycocalyx-mediated mechanotransduction of interstitial flow shear stress is an un-recognized factor that can significantly enhance metastatic cell motility and play a role in augmentation of invasion. Involvement of MMP levels, cell adhesion molecules (CD44, α3 integrin), and glycocalyx components (heparan sulfate and hyaluronan) were investigated in a cell/collagen gel suspension model designed to mimic the interstitial flow microenvironment. Physiologic levels of flow upregulated MMP levels and enhanced the motility of metastatic cells. Blocking the flow-enhanced expression of MMP actvity or adhesion molecules (CD44 and integrins) resulted in blocking the flow-enhanced migratory activity. The presence of a glycocalyx-like layer was verified around tumor cells, and the degradation of this layer by hyaluronidase and heparinase blocked the flow-regulated invasion. This study shows for the first time that interstitial flow enhancement of metastatic cell motility can be mediated by the cell surface glycocalyx – a potential target for therapeutics. PMID:24077103

Adsorbed Polymer Nanolayers on Solids: Mechanism, Structure and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sen, Mani Kuntal

In this thesis, by combining various advanced x-ray scattering, spectroscopic and other surface sensitive characterization techniques, I report the equilibrium polymer chain conformations, structures, dynamics and properties of polymeric materials at the solid-polymer melt interfaces. Following the introduction, in chapter 2, I highlight that the backbone chains (constituted of CH and CH2 groups) of the flattened polystyrene (PS) chains preferentially orient normal to the weakly interactive substrate surface via thermal annealing regardless of the initial chain conformations, while the orientation of the phenyl rings becomes randomized, thereby increasing the number of surface-segmental contacts (i.e., enthalpic gain) which is the driving force for the flattening process of the polymer chains even onto a weakly interactive solid. In chapter 3, I elucidate the flattened structures in block copolymer (BCP) thin films where both blocks lie flat on the substrate, forming a 2D randomly phase-separated structure irrespective of their microdomain structures and interfacial energetics. In chapter 4, I reveal the presence of an irreversibly adsorbed BCP layer which showed suppressed dynamics even at temperatures far above the individual glass transition temperatures of the blocks. Furthermore, this adsorbed BCP layer plays a crucial role in controlling the microdomain orientation in the entire film. In chapter 5, I report a radically new paradigm of designing a polymeric coating layer of a few nanometers thick ("polymer nanolayer") with anti-biofouling properties.

Multifunctional Nitrogen-Doped Loofah Sponge Carbon Blocking Layer for High-Performance Rechargeable Lithium Batteries.

PubMed

Gu, Xingxing; Tong, Chuan-Jia; Rehman, Sarish; Liu, Li-Min; Hou, Yanglong; Zhang, Shanqing

2016-06-29

Low-cost, long-life, and high-performance lithium batteries not only provide an economically viable power source to electric vehicles and smart electricity grids but also address the issues of the energy shortage and environmental sustainability. Herein, low-cost, hierarchically porous, and nitrogen-doped loofah sponge carbon (N-LSC) derived from the loofah sponge has been synthesized via a simple calcining process and then applied as a multifunctional blocking layer for Li-S, Li-Se, and Li-I2 batteries. As a result of the ultrahigh specific area (2551.06 m(2) g(-1)), high porosity (1.75 cm(3) g(-1)), high conductivity (1170 S m(-1)), and heteroatoms doping of N-LSC, the resultant Li-S, Li-Se, and Li-I2 batteries with the N-LSC-900 membrane deliver outstanding electrochemical performance stability in all cases, i.e., high reversible capacities of 623.6 mA h g(-1) at 1675 mA g(-1) after 500 cycles, 350 mA h g(-1) at 1356 mA g(-1) after 1000 cycles, and 150 mA h g(-1) at 10550 mA g(-1) after 5000 cycles, respectively. The successful application to Li-S, Li-Se, and Li-I2 batteries suggests that loofa sponge carbon could play a vital role in modern rechargeable battery industries as a universal, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and high-performance blocking layer.

Solution-Processed Ultrathin TiO2 Compact Layer Hybridized with Mesoporous TiO2 for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Jeong, Inyoung; Park, Yun Hee; Bae, Seunghwan; Park, Minwoo; Jeong, Hansol; Lee, Phillip; Ko, Min Jae

2017-10-25

The electron transport layer (ETL) is a key component of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and must provide efficient electron extraction and collection while minimizing the charge recombination at interfaces in order to ensure high performance. Conventional bilayered TiO 2 ETLs fabricated by depositing compact TiO 2 (c-TiO 2 ) and mesoporous TiO 2 (mp-TiO 2 ) in sequence exhibit resistive losses due to the contact resistance at the c-TiO 2 /mp-TiO 2 interface and the series resistance arising from the intrinsically low conductivity of TiO 2 . Herein, to minimize such resistive losses, we developed a novel ETL consisting of an ultrathin c-TiO 2 layer hybridized with mp-TiO 2 , which is fabricated by performing one-step spin-coating of a mp-TiO 2 solution containing a small amount of titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) (TAA). By using electron microscopies and elemental mapping analysis, we establish that the optimal concentration of TAA produces an ultrathin blocking layer with a thickness of ∼3 nm and ensures that the mp-TiO 2 layer has a suitable porosity for efficient perovskite infiltration. We compare PSCs based on mesoscopic ETLs with and without compact layers to determine the role of the hole-blocking layer in their performances. The hybrid ETLs exhibit enhanced electron extraction and reduced charge recombination, resulting in better photovoltaic performances and reduced hysteresis of PSCs compared to those with conventional bilayered ETLs.

Enhanced photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si solar cells by insertion of a MoS₂ thin film.

PubMed

Tsuboi, Yuka; Wang, Feijiu; Kozawa, Daichi; Funahashi, Kazuma; Mouri, Shinichiro; Miyauchi, Yuhei; Takenobu, Taishi; Matsuda, Kazunari

2015-09-14

Transition-metal dichalcogenides exhibit great potential as active materials in optoelectronic devices because of their characteristic band structure. Here, we demonstrated that the photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si Schottky junction solar cells were significantly improved by inserting a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown, large MoS2 thin-film layer. This layer functions as an effective electron-blocking/hole-transporting layer. We also demonstrated that the photovoltaic properties are enhanced with the increasing number of graphene layers and the decreasing thickness of the MoS2 layer. A high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 11.1% was achieved with the optimized trilayer-graphene/MoS2/n-Si solar cell.

Ungulate browsers promote herbaceous layer diversity in logged temperate forests

USGS Publications Warehouse

Faison, Edward K.; DeStefano, Stephen; Foster, David R.; Motzkin, Glenn; Rapp, Josh

2016-01-01

Ungulates are leading drivers of plant communities worldwide, with impacts linked to animal density, disturbance and vegetation structure, and site productivity. Many ecosystems have more than one ungulate species; however, few studies have specifically examined the combined effects of two or more species on plant communities. We examined the extent to which two ungulate browsers (moose [Alces americanus]) and white-tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus]) have additive (compounding) or compensatory (opposing) effects on herbaceous layer composition and diversity, 5–6 years after timber harvest in Massachusetts, USA. We established three combinations of ungulates using two types of fenced exclosures – none (full exclosure), deer (partial exclosure), and deer + moose (control) in six replicated blocks. Species composition diverged among browser treatments, and changes were generally additive. Plant assemblages characteristic of closed canopy forests were less abundant and assemblages characteristic of open/disturbed habitats were more abundant in deer + moose plots compared with ungulate excluded areas. Browsing by deer + moose resulted in greater herbaceous species richness at the plot scale (169 m2) and greater woody species richness at the subplot scale (1 m2) than ungulate exclusion and deer alone. Browsing by deer + moose resulted in strong changes to the composition, structure, and diversity of forest herbaceous layers, relative to areas free of ungulates and areas browed by white-tailed deer alone. Our results provide evidence that moderate browsing in forest openings can promote both herbaceous and woody plant diversity. These results are consistent with the classic grazing-species richness curve, but have rarely been documented in forests.

High-throughput preparation of complex multi-scale patterns from block copolymer/homopolymer blend films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Hyungmin; Kim, Jae-Up; Park, Soojin

2012-02-01

A simple, straightforward process for fabricating multi-scale micro- and nanostructured patterns from polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer in a preferential solvent for PS and PMMA is demonstrated. When the PS-b-P2VP/PMMA blend films were spin-coated onto a silicon wafer, PS-b-P2VP micellar arrays consisting of a PS corona and a P2VP core were formed, while the PMMA macrodomains were isolated, due to the macrophase separation caused by the incompatibility between block copolymer micelles and PMMA homopolymer during the spin-coating process. With an increase of PMMA composition, the size of PMMA macrodomains increased. Moreover, the P2VP blocks have a strong interaction with a native oxide of the surface of the silicon wafer, so that the P2VP wetting layer was first formed during spin-coating, and PS nanoclusters were observed on the PMMA macrodomains beneath. Whereas when a silicon surface was modified with a PS brush layer, the PS nanoclusters underlying PMMA domains were not formed. The multi-scale patterns prepared from copolymer micelle/homopolymer blend films are used as templates for the fabrication of gold nanoparticle arrays by incorporating the gold precursor into the P2VP chains. The combination of nanostructures prepared from block copolymer micellar arrays and macrostructures induced by incompatibility between the copolymer and the homopolymer leads to the formation of complex, multi-scale surface patterns by a simple casting process.A simple, straightforward process for fabricating multi-scale micro- and nanostructured patterns from polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer in a preferential solvent for PS and PMMA is demonstrated. When the PS-b-P2VP/PMMA blend films were spin-coated onto a silicon wafer, PS-b-P2VP micellar arrays consisting of a PS corona and a P2VP core were formed, while the PMMA macrodomains were isolated, due to the macrophase separation caused by the incompatibility between block copolymer micelles and PMMA homopolymer during the spin-coating process. With an increase of PMMA composition, the size of PMMA macrodomains increased. Moreover, the P2VP blocks have a strong interaction with a native oxide of the surface of the silicon wafer, so that the P2VP wetting layer was first formed during spin-coating, and PS nanoclusters were observed on the PMMA macrodomains beneath. Whereas when a silicon surface was modified with a PS brush layer, the PS nanoclusters underlying PMMA domains were not formed. The multi-scale patterns prepared from copolymer micelle/homopolymer blend films are used as templates for the fabrication of gold nanoparticle arrays by incorporating the gold precursor into the P2VP chains. The combination of nanostructures prepared from block copolymer micellar arrays and macrostructures induced by incompatibility between the copolymer and the homopolymer leads to the formation of complex, multi-scale surface patterns by a simple casting process. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: AFM images of PS-b-P2VP/PMMA blend films and cross-sectional line scans. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr11792d

Increase of rotation angle of soil layers during plow operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasilenko, VV; Afonichev, D. N.; Vasilenko, S. V.; Khakhulin, A. N.

2018-03-01

One of the advantages of plowing is the ability of the plow to hide the weed seeds deep into the soil. The depth of the embankment exceeds 10-12 cm, from there the weeds can not rise to the surface of the soil. They perish halfway. But for this, it is necessary to wrap the soil layers at an angle close to 180 °. Modern ploughs can not turn the layers of soil at an angle of more than 135 °, therefore the plow is required to be equipped with additional working elements. The aim of the study is to create an adaptation to the plow to expand the furrow before laying the next soil layer. In a wide furrow, the formation will completely tip, the previous layer will not interfere with it. The device is a set of vertical shields. Each shield is fixed behind the working body of the plow. It is installed with an angle of attack of 20-25 ° to move the previous layer to expand the furrow by 10-12 cm. The model and industrial samples of the plow have shown improved agrotechnical indicators. The average angle of the formation rotation was 177 °, the burial of plant residues in the soil increased from 61 to 99%. The field surface with blocks more than 5 cm decreased from 36.3 to 13.4%, the height of the ridges decreased from 7 to 4 cm. The force of soil pressure on the shield was measured by a strain gage. It is 130-330 N depending on the depth of processing and the speed of movement. The increase in power costs for the four-hull plow was 190-750 W. The coulters on the plow are unnecessary, and this saves energy more than its increase for shields.

Research on Mechanisms and Controlling Methods of Macro Defects in TC4 Alloy Fabricated by Wire Additive Manufacturing.

PubMed

Ji, Lei; Lu, Jiping; Tang, Shuiyuan; Wu, Qianru; Wang, Jiachen; Ma, Shuyuan; Fan, Hongli; Liu, Changmeng

2018-06-28

Wire feeding additive manufacturing (WFAM) has broad application prospects because of its advantages of low cost and high efficiency. However, with the mode of lateral wire feeding, including wire and laser additive manufacturing, gas tungsten arc additive manufacturing etc., it is easy to generate macro defects on the surface of the components because of the anisotropy of melted wire, which limits the promotion and application of WFAM. In this work, gas tungsten arc additive manufacturing with lateral wire feeding is proposed to investigate the mechanisms of macro defects. The results illustrate that the defect forms mainly include side spatters, collapse, poor flatness, and unmelted wire. It was found that the heat input, layer thickness, tool path, and wire curvature can have an impact on the macro defects. Side spatters are the most serious defects, mainly because the droplets cannot be transferred to the center of the molten pool in the lateral wire feeding mode. This research indicates that the macro defects can be controlled by optimizing the process parameters. Finally, block parts without macro defects were fabricated, which is meaningful for the further application of WFAM.

Display screen and method of manufacture therefor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dubin, Matthew B. (Inventor); Larson, Brent D. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A screen assembly that combines an angle re-distributing prescreen with a conventional diffusion screen is disclosed. The prescreen minimizes or eliminates the sensitivity of the screen assembly to projector location. The diffusion screen provides other desirable screen characteristics. The prescreen is preferably formed by a collection of light transmitting and refracting elements, preferably spheres 80, partially embedded in a light blocking layer. Toward the back of the spheres 80 are effective apertures 82 where the light blocking layer 81 is absent or at least thinner than in other regions toward the side of the spheres. The projected image enters spheres 80 through the effective apertures 82, and exits the spheres 80 centered orientationally about the normal to the lens axis. The re-oriented light rays then enter the diffusion screen for viewing.

Heave, settlement and fracture of chalk during physical modelling experiments with temperature cycling above and below 0 °C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murton, Julian B.; Ozouf, Jean-Claude; Peterson, Rorik

2016-10-01

To elucidate the early stages of heave, settlement and fracture of intact frost-susceptible rock by temperature cycling above and below 0 °C, two physical modelling experiments were performed on 10 rectangular blocks 450 mm high of fine-grained, soft limestone. One experiment simulated 21 cycles of bidirectional freezing (upward and downward) of an active layer above permafrost, and the other simulated 26 cycles of unidirectional freezing (downward) of a seasonally frozen bedrock in a non-permafrost region. Heave and settlement of the top of the blocks were monitored in relation to rock temperature and unfrozen water content, which ranged from almost dry to almost saturated. In the bidirectional freezing experiment, heave of the wettest block initially occurred abruptly at the onset of freezing periods and gradually during thawing periods (summer heave). After the crossing of a threshold marked by the appearance of a macrocrack in the upper layer of permafrost, summer heave increased by an order of magnitude as segregated ice accumulated incrementally in macrocracks, interrupted episodically by abrupt settlement that coincided with unusually high air temperatures. In the unidirectional freezing experiment, the wet blocks heaved during freezing periods and settled during thawing periods, whereas the driest blocks showed the opposite behaviour. The two wettest blocks settled progressively during the first 15 freeze-thaw cycles, before starting to heave progressively as macrocracks developed. Four processes, operating singly or in combination in the blocks account for their heave and settlement: (1) thermal expansion and contraction caused heave and settlement when little or no water-ice phase change was involved; (2) volumetric expansion of water freezing in situ caused short bursts of heave of the outer millimetres of wet rock; (3) ice segregation deeper in the blocks caused sustained heave during thawing and freezing periods; and (4) freeze-thaw cycling caused consolidation and settlement of wet blocks prior to macrocracking in the unidirectional freezing experiment. Rock fracture developed by growth of segregated ice in microcracks and macrocracks at depths determined by the freezing regime. Overall, the heave, settlement and fracture behaviour of the limestone is similar to that of frost-susceptible soil.

Large herbivore grazing affects the vegetation structure and greenhouse gas balance in a high arctic mire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falk, Julie Maria; Schmidt, Niels Martin; Christensen, Torben R.; Ström, Lena

2015-04-01

Herbivory is an important part of most ecosystems and affects the ecosystems’ carbon balance both directly and indirectly. Little is known about herbivory and its impact on the carbon balance in high arctic mire ecosystems. We hypothesized that trampling and grazing by large herbivores influences the vegetation density and composition and thereby also the carbon balance. In 2010, we established fenced exclosures in high arctic Greenland to prevent muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from grazing. During the growing seasons of 2011 to 2013 we measured CO2 and CH4 fluxes in these ungrazed blocks and compared them to blocks subjected to natural grazing. Additionally, we measured depth of the water table and active layer, soil temperature, and in 2011 and 2013 an inventory of the vegetation density and composition were made. In 2013 a significant decrease in total number of vascular plant (33-44%) and Eriophorum scheuchzeri (51-53%) tillers were found in ungrazed plots, the moss-layer and amount of litter had also increased substantially in these plots. This resulted in a significant decrease in net ecosystem uptake of CO2 (47%) and likewise a decrease in CH4 emission (44%) in ungrazed plots in 2013. While the future of the muskoxen in a changing arctic is unknown, this experiment points to a potentially large effect of large herbivores on the carbon balance in natural Arctic ecosystems. It thus sheds light on the importance of grazing mammals, and hence adds to our understanding of natural ecosystem greenhouse gas balance in the past and in the future.

Long-term modifications of synaptic efficacy in the human inferior and middle temporal cortex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, W. R.; Lee, S.; Kato, K.; Spencer, D. D.; Shepherd, G. M.; Williamson, A.

1996-01-01

The primate temporal cortex has been demonstrated to play an important role in visual memory and pattern recognition. It is of particular interest to investigate whether activity-dependent modification of synaptic efficacy, a presumptive mechanism for learning and memory, is present in this cortical region. Here we address this issue by examining the induction of synaptic plasticity in surgically resected human inferior and middle temporal cortex. The results show that synaptic strength in the human temporal cortex could undergo bidirectional modifications, depending on the pattern of conditioning stimulation. High frequency stimulation (100 or 40 Hz) in layer IV induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of both intracellular excitatory postsynaptic potentials and evoked field potentials in layers II/III. The LTP induced by 100 Hz tetanus was blocked by 50-100 microM DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, suggesting that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors were responsible for its induction. Long-term depression (LTD) was elicited by prolonged low frequency stimulation (1 Hz, 15 min). It was reduced, but not completely blocked, by DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, implying that some other mechanisms in addition to N-methyl-DL-aspartate receptors were involved in LTD induction. LTD was input-specific, i.e., low frequency stimulation of one pathway produced LTD of synaptic transmission in that pathway only. Finally, the LTP and LTD could reverse each other, suggesting that they can act cooperatively to modify the functional state of cortical network. These results suggest that LTP and LTD are possible mechanisms for the visual memory and pattern recognition functions performed in the human temporal cortex.

Biocompatible Polysiloxane-Containing Diblock Copolymer PEO-b-PγMPS for Coating Magnetic Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Chen, Hongwei; Wu, Xinying; Duan, Hongwei; Wang, Y. Andrew; Wang, Liya; Zhang, Minming; Mao, Hui

2009-01-01

We report a biocompatible polysiloxane containing amphiphilic diblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (PEO-b-PγMPS), for coating and stabilizing nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Such amphiphilic diblock copolymer which comprises both a hydrophobic segment with “surface anchoring moiety” (silane group) and a hydrophilic segment with PEO (Mn=5000 g/mol) was obtained by the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using the PEO macromolecular chain transfer agent. When used for coating paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), copolymers were mixed with hydrophobic oleic acid coated core size uniformed IONPs (D=13 nm) in co-solvent tetrahydrofuran. After being aged over a period of time, resulting monodispersed IONPs can be transferred into aqueous medium. With proper PγMPS block length (Mn=10,000 g/mol), polysiloxane containing diblock copolymers formed a thin layer of coating (~3 nm) around monocrystalline nanoparticles as measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments showed excellent T2 weighted contrast effect from coated IONPs with a transverse relaxivity r2=98.6 mM−1s−1 (at 1.5 Tesla). Such thin coating layer has little effect on the relaxivity when compared to that of IONPs coated with conventional amphiphilic copolymer. Polysiloxane containing diblock copolymer coated IONPs are stable without aggregation or binding to proteins in serum when incubated for 24 h in culture medium containing 10% serum. Furthermore, much lower level of intracellular uptake by macrophage cells was observed with polysiloxane containing diblock copolymers coated IONPs, suggesting the reduction of non-specific cell uptakes and antibiofouling effect. PMID:20161520

Synthesis and characterization of Zn-Ti layered double hydroxide intercalated with cinnamic acid for cosmetic application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yong; Tang, Liping; Ma, Xinxu; Wang, Xinrui; Zhou, Wei; Bai, Dongsheng

2017-08-01

The use of sunscreen is recently growing and their efficacy and safety must be taken into account since they are applied on the skin frequently. In this work, an organic ultraviolet (UV) ray absorbent, cinnamic acid (CA) was intercalated into Zn-Ti layered double hydroxide (LDH) by anion-exchange reaction. ZnTi-CA-LDH, a new type of host-guest UV-blocking material has been synthesized. Detailed structural and surface morphology of ZnTi-CA-LDH were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and TEM. ZnTi-CA-LDH exhibits a superior UV blocking ability compared to pure CA and ZnTi-CO3-LDH. The thermal stability of the intercalated ZnTi-CA-LDH was investigated by TG-DTA, which showed that the thermostability of CA was markedly enhanced after intercalation into ZnTi-CO3-LDH. The EPR data showed greatly decreased photocatalytic activity compared to common inorganic UV blocking agents TiO2 and ZnO. Furthermore, the sample was formulated in a sunscreen cream to study the matrix protective effect towards UV rays.

Multi‐layered inhibition of Streptomyces development: BldO is a dedicated repressor of whiB

PubMed Central

Chandra, Govind; Findlay, Kim C.; Buttner, Mark J.

2017-01-01

Summary BldD‐(c‐di‐GMP) sits on top of the regulatory network that controls differentiation in Streptomyces, repressing a large regulon of developmental genes when the bacteria are growing vegetatively. In this way, BldD functions as an inhibitor that blocks the initiation of sporulation. Here, we report the identification and characterisation of BldO, an additional developmental repressor that acts to sustain vegetative growth and prevent entry into sporulation. However, unlike the pleiotropic regulator BldD, we show that BldO functions as the dedicated repressor of a single key target gene, whiB, and that deletion of bldO or constitutive expression of whiB is sufficient to induce precocious hypersporulation. PMID:28271577

Dynamic tuning of plasmon resonance in the visible using graphene.

PubMed

Balci, Sinan; Balci, Osman; Kakenov, Nurbek; Atar, Fatih Bilge; Kocabas, Coskun

2016-03-15

We report active electrical tuning of plasmon resonance of silver nanoprisms (Ag NPs) in the visible spectrum. Ag NPs are placed in close proximity to graphene which leads to additional tunable loss for the plasmon resonance. The ionic gating of graphene modifies its Fermi level from 0.2 to 1 eV, which then affects the absorption of graphene due to Pauli blocking. Plasmon resonance frequency and linewidth of Ag NPs can be reversibly shifted by 20 and 35 meV, respectively. The coupled graphene-Ag NPs system can be classically described by a damped harmonic oscillator model. Atomic layer deposition allows for controlling the graphene-Ag NP separation with atomic-level precision to optimize coupling between them.

Microstructural study of brass matrix internal tin multifilamentary Nb3Sn superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banno, Nobuya; Miyamoto, Yasuo; Tachikawa, Kyoji

2018-03-01

Zn addition to the Cu matrix in internal-tin-processed Nb3Sn superconductors is attractive in terms of the growth kinetics of the Nb3Sn layers. Sn activity is enhanced in the Cu-Zn (brass) matrix, which accelerates Nb3Sn layer formation. Here, we prepared multifilamentary wires using a brass matrix with a Nb core diameter of less than 10 μm and investigated the potential for further Jc improvement through microstructural and microchemical studies. Ti was added into the Sn cores in the precursor wire. Microchemical analysis showed that Ti accumulates between subelements consisting of Nb cores, which blocks Sn diffusion through this region when the spacing between the subelements in the precursor wire is a few microns. The average grain size was found to be about 230 nm through image analysis. To date, matrix Jc values of 1470 and 640 A/mm-2 have been obtained at 12 and 16 T, respectively. The area fraction of Nb cores in the filamentary region of the precursor wire was about 36.3%. There was still some unreacted Nb core area after heat treatment. Insufficient Ti diffusion into the Nb3Sn layers was identified in the outer subelements. These findings suggest that there is still room for improvement in Jc.

Passivation of black phosphorus saturable absorbers for reliable pulse formation of fiber lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Na, Dongsoo; Park, Kichul; Park, Ki-Hwan; Song, Yong-Won

2017-11-01

Black phosphorus (BP) has attracted increasing attention due to its unique electrical properties. In addition, the outstanding optical nonlinearity of BP has been demonstrated in various ways. Its functionality as a saturable absorber, in particular, has been validated in demonstrations of passive mode-locked lasers. However, normally, the performance of BP is degraded eventually by both thermal and chemical damage in ambient conditions. The passivation of BP is the critical issue to guarantee a stable performance of the optical devices. We quantitatively characterized the mode-locked lasers operated by BP saturable absorbers with diversified passivation materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or Al2O3, considering the atomic structure of the materials, and therefore the hydro-permeability of the passivation layers. Unlike the BP layers without passivation, we demonstrated that the Al2O3-passivated BP layer was protected from the surface oxidation reaction in the long-term, and the PDMS-passivated one had a short-term blocking effect. The quantitative analysis showed that the time-dependent characteristics of the pulsed laser without passivation were changed with respect to the pulse duration, spectral width, and time-bandwidth product displaying 550 fs, 2.8 nm, and 0.406, respectively. With passivation, the changes were limited to <43 fs, <0.3 nm, and <0.012, respectively.

Improving the Stability of Metal Halide Perovskite Materials and Light-Emitting Diodes.

PubMed

Cho, Himchan; Kim, Young-Hoon; Wolf, Christoph; Lee, Hyeon-Dong; Lee, Tae-Woo

2018-01-25

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have numerous advantages as light emitters such as high photoluminescence quantum efficiency with a direct bandgap, very narrow emission linewidth, high charge-carrier mobility, low energetic disorder, solution processability, simple color tuning, and low material cost. Based on these advantages, MHPs have recently shown unprecedented radical progress (maximum current efficiency from 0.3 to 42.9 cd A -1 ) in the field of light-emitting diodes. However, perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) suffer from intrinsic instability of MHP materials and instability arising from the operation of the PeLEDs. Recently, many researchers have devoted efforts to overcome these instabilities. Here, the origins of the instability in PeLEDs are reviewed by categorizing it into two types: instability of (i) the MHP materials and (ii) the constituent layers and interfaces in PeLED devices. Then, the strategies to improve the stability of MHP materials and PeLEDs are critically reviewed, such as A-site cation engineering, Ruddlesden-Popper phase, suppression of ion migration with additives and blocking layers, fabrication of uniform bulk polycrystalline MHP layers, and fabrication of stable MHP nanoparticles. Based on this review of recent advances, future research directions and an outlook of PeLEDs for display applications are suggested. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Passivation of black phosphorus saturable absorbers for reliable pulse formation of fiber lasers.

PubMed

Na, Dongsoo; Park, Kichul; Park, Ki-Hwan; Song, Yong-Won

2017-11-24

Black phosphorus (BP) has attracted increasing attention due to its unique electrical properties. In addition, the outstanding optical nonlinearity of BP has been demonstrated in various ways. Its functionality as a saturable absorber, in particular, has been validated in demonstrations of passive mode-locked lasers. However, normally, the performance of BP is degraded eventually by both thermal and chemical damage in ambient conditions. The passivation of BP is the critical issue to guarantee a stable performance of the optical devices. We quantitatively characterized the mode-locked lasers operated by BP saturable absorbers with diversified passivation materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or Al 2 O 3 , considering the atomic structure of the materials, and therefore the hydro-permeability of the passivation layers. Unlike the BP layers without passivation, we demonstrated that the Al 2 O 3 -passivated BP layer was protected from the surface oxidation reaction in the long-term, and the PDMS-passivated one had a short-term blocking effect. The quantitative analysis showed that the time-dependent characteristics of the pulsed laser without passivation were changed with respect to the pulse duration, spectral width, and time-bandwidth product displaying 550 fs, 2.8 nm, and 0.406, respectively. With passivation, the changes were limited to <43 fs, <0.3 nm, and <0.012, respectively.

Preconditioned conjugate gradient wave-front reconstructors for multiconjugate adaptive optics.

PubMed

Gilles, Luc; Ellerbroek, Brent L; Vogel, Curtis R

2003-09-10

Multiconjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) systems with 10(4)-10(5) degrees of freedom have been proposed for future giant telescopes. Using standard matrix methods to compute, optimize, and implement wavefront control algorithms for these systems is impractical, since the number of calculations required to compute and apply the reconstruction matrix scales respectively with the cube and the square of the number of adaptive optics degrees of freedom. We develop scalable open-loop iterative sparse matrix implementations of minimum variance wave-front reconstruction for telescope diameters up to 32 m with more than 10(4) actuators. The basic approach is the preconditioned conjugate gradient method with an efficient preconditioner, whose block structure is defined by the atmospheric turbulent layers very much like the layer-oriented MCAO algorithms of current interest. Two cost-effective preconditioners are investigated: a multigrid solver and a simpler block symmetric Gauss-Seidel (BSGS) sweep. Both options require off-line sparse Cholesky factorizations of the diagonal blocks of the matrix system. The cost to precompute these factors scales approximately as the three-halves power of the number of estimated phase grid points per atmospheric layer, and their average update rate is typically of the order of 10(-2) Hz, i.e., 4-5 orders of magnitude lower than the typical 10(3) Hz temporal sampling rate. All other computations scale almost linearly with the total number of estimated phase grid points. We present numerical simulation results to illustrate algorithm convergence. Convergence rates of both preconditioners are similar, regardless of measurement noise level, indicating that the layer-oriented BSGS sweep is as effective as the more elaborated multiresolution preconditioner.

Multiple Controls on the Paleoenvironment of the Early Cambrian Marine Black Shales in the Sichuan Basin, SW China: Geochemical and Organic Carbon Isotopic Evidence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S.; Zhang, G.; Dong, D.; Wang, Y.

2016-12-01

In order to understand the paleoenvironment of the Early Cambrian black shale deposition in the western part of the Yangtze Block, geochemical and organic carbon isotopic studies have been performed on two wells that have drilled through the Qiongzhusi Formation in the central and southeastern parts of Sichuan Basin. It shows that the lowest part of the Qiongzhusi Formation has high TOC abundance, while the middle and upper parts display relative low TOC content. Redox-sensitive element (Mo) and trace elemental redox indices (e.g., Ni/Co, V/Cr, U/Th and V/(V+Ni)) suggest that the high-TOC layers were deposited under anoxic conditions, whereas the low-TOC layers under relatively dysoxic/oxic conditions. The relationship of the enrichment factors of Mo and U further shows a transition from suboxic low-TOC layers to euxinic high-TOC layers. On the basis of the Mo-TOC relationship, the Qiongzhusi Formation black shales were deposited in a basin under moderately restricted conditions. Organic carbon isotopes display temporal variations in the Qiongzhusi Formation, with a positive excursion of δ13Corg values in the lower part and a continuous positive shift in the middle and upper parts. All these geochemical and isotopic criteria indicate a paleoenvironmental change from bottom anoxic to middle and upper dysoxic/oxic conditions for the Qiongzhusi Formation black shales. The correlation of organic carbon isotopic data for the Lower Cambrian black shales in different regions of the Yangtze Block shows consistent positive excursion of δ13Corg values in the lower part for each section. This excursion can be ascribed to the widespread Early Cambrian transgression in the Yangtze Block, under which black shales were deposited.

Mesozoic Compressional Folds of the Nansha Waters, Southern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, R.; Liu, H.; Yao, Y.; Wang, Y.

2017-12-01

As an important part of the South China Sea, the southern margin of the South China Sea is fundamental to understand the interaction of the Eurasian, Pacific and Indian-Australian plates and the evolution of the South China Sea. Some multi-channel seismic profiles of the Nansha waters together with published drillings and dredge data were correlated for interpretation. The strata of the study region can be divided into the upper, middle and lower structural layers. The upper and middle structural layers with extensional tectonics are Cenozoic; the lower structural layer suffered compression is Mesozoic. Further structural restoration was done to remove the Cenozoic tectonic influence and to calculate the Mesozoic tectonic compression ratios. The results indicate that two diametrically opposite orientations of compressive stress, S(S)E towards N(N)W orientation and N(N)W towards S(S)E orientation respectively, once existed in the lower structural layer of the study area and shared the same variation trend. The compression ratio values gradually decrease both from the north to the south and from the west to the east in each stress orientation. The phenomena may be related to the opening of the proto-South China Sea (then located in south of the Nansha block) and the rate of the Nansha block drifted northward in Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous, which had pushed the Nansha block drifted northward until it collided and sutured with the Southern China Margin. Thus the opening of the present-day South China Sea may be related to this suture zone, which was tectonically weakness zone.Key words: Mesozoic compression; structural restoration; proto-South China Sea; Nansha waters; Southern South China Sea; Acknowledgements: The work was granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41476039, 91328205, 41576068 and 41606080).

SSMNG Software Service Manager: A Scalable Building Blocks Architecture for PUS Services & FDIR Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisio, Giovanni; Candia, Sante; Campolo, Giovanni; Pascucci, Dario

2011-08-01

Thales Alenia Space Italy has carried out the definition of a configurable (on mission basis) PUS ECSS-E_70- 41A see [3] Centralised Services Layer, characterised by:- a mission-independent set of 'classes' implementing the services logic.- a mission-dependent set of configuration data and selection flags.The software components belonging to this layer implement the PUS standard services ECSS-E_70-41A and a set of mission-specific services. The design of this layer has been performed by separating the services mechanisms (mission-independent execution logic) from the services configuration information (mission-dependent data). Once instantiated for a specific mission, the PUS Centralised Services Layer offers a large set of capabilities available to the CSCI's Applications Layer. This paper describes the building blocks PUS architectural solution developed by Thales Alenia Space Italy, emphasizing the mechanisms which allow easy configuration of the Scalable PUS library to fulfill the requirements of different missions. This paper also focus the Thales Alenia Space solution to automatically generate the mission-specific "PUS Services" flight software based on mission specific requirements. Building the PUS services mechanisms, which are configurable on mission basis is part of the PRIMA (Multipurpose Spacecraft Bus ) 'missionisation' process improvement. PRIMA Platform Avionics Software (ASW) is continuously evolving to improve modularity and standardization of interfaces and of SW components (see references in [1]).

Facile Fabrication of Composite Membranes with Dual Thermo- and pH-Responsive Characteristics.

PubMed

Ma, Bing; Ju, Xiao-Jie; Luo, Feng; Liu, Yu-Qiong; Wang, Yuan; Liu, Zhuang; Wang, Wei; Xie, Rui; Chu, Liang-Yin

2017-04-26

Facile fabrication of novel functional membranes with excellent dual thermo- and pH-responsive characteristics has been achieved by simply designing dual-layer composite membranes. pH-Responsive poly(styrene)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymers and polystyrene blended with thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogels are respectively used to construct the top layer and bottom layer of composite membranes. The stretching/coiling conformation changes of the P4VP chains around the pK a (∼3.5-4.5) provide the composite membranes with extraordinary pH-responsive characteristics, and the volume phase transitions of PNIPAM nanogels at the pore/matrix interfaces in the bottom layer around the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT, ∼33 °C) provide the composite membranes with great thermoresponsive characteristics. The microstructures, permeability performances, and dual stimuli-responsive characteristics can be well tuned by adjusting the content of PNIPAM nanogels and the thickness of the PS-b-P4VP top layer. The water fluxes of the composite membranes can be changed in order of magnitude by changing the environment temperature and pH, and the dual thermo- and pH-responsive permeation performances of the composite membranes are satisfactorily reversible and reproducible. The membrane fabrication strategy in this work provides valuable guidance for further development of dual stimuli-responsive membranes or even multi stimuli-responsive membranes.

Enhanced Electro-Static Discharge Endurance of GaN-Based Light-Emitting Diodes with Specially Designed Electron Blocking Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chunxia; Zhang, Xiong; Guo, Hao; Chen, Hongjun; Wang, Shuchang; Yang, Hongquan; Cui, Yiping

2013-10-01

GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with specially designed electron blocking layers (EBLs) between the multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and the top p-GaN layer have been developed. The EBLs consist of Mg-doped p-AlGaN/GaN superlattice (SL) with the layer thickness of p-AlGaN varied from 1 to 10 nm and the layer thickness of p-GaN fixed at 1 nm in this study. It was found that under a 2000 V reverse bias voltage condition, the electro-static discharge (ESD) yield increased from 61.98 to 99.51% as the thickness of p-AlGaN in the EBLs was increased from 1 to 10 nm. Since the ESD yield was 97.80%, and maximum value for LEDs' light output power (LOP) and minimum value for the forward voltage (Vf) were achieved when the thickness of p-AlGaN in the EBLs was 9 nm with a 20 mA injection current, it was concluded that the p-AlGaN/GaN SL EBLs with the combination of 9-nm-thick p-AlGaN and 1-nm-thick p-GaN would be beneficial to the fabrication of the GaN-based LEDs with high brightness, high ESD endurance, and low Vf.

Wrinkle-Free Hydroforming of Wire Mesh

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fadness, J.

1986-01-01

Plastic films lubricate workpiece so it deforms smoothly. Thin layers of plastic below top die and above bottom die ensure wire screen slides as shaped by hydroforming. Plastic layers are 0.0043 in. (0.11 m) thick. Preformed to contours of dies and final workpiece. New method of hydroforming fine-wire-mesh heat-shield screens eliminates wrinkles and marks. Prevents screen from being damaged and pores from becoming blocked.

Antisoiling Coatings for Solar-Energy Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cuddihy, E. F.; Willis, P.

1986-01-01

Fluorocarbons resist formation of adherent deposits. Promising coating materials reduce soiling of solar photovoltaic modules and possibly solar thermal collectors. Contaminating layers of various degrees of adherence form on surfaces of devices, partially blocking incident solar energy, reducing output power. Loose soil deposits during dry periods but washed off by rain. New coatings help prevent formation of more-adherent, chemically and physically bonded layers rain alone cannot wash away.

Reinforcement of subarachnoid block by epidural volume effect in lower abdominal surgery: A comparison between fentanyl and tramadol for efficacy and block properties

PubMed Central

Mohan, Atiharsh; Singh, Preet Mohinder; Malviya, Deepak; Arya, Sunil Kumar; Singh, Dinesh Kumar

2012-01-01

Background: Epidural volume extension (EVE) is claimed to increase the block height and decrease the dose requirement for intrathecal drug. However, almost all studies have been done in obstetric population and none actually compares the effect of additional drugs added to epidural volume. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five (ASA I and II) patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups. All groups received intrathecal 10 mg bupivacaine; two groups received additional 10 ml of normal saline epidurally with 25 mg tramadol or 25 mg of fentanyl. Groups were than compared for maximal block height, rate of sensory block regression to T10, and motor block regression to Bromage scale of 0. Time to first analgesia and adverse effects were also compared among the three groups. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five (ASA I and II) patients scheduled for lower abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups. All groups received intrathecal 10 mg bupivacaine; two groups received additional 10 ml of normal saline epidurally with 25 mg tramadol or 25 mg of fentanyl. Groups were than compared for maximal block height, rate of sensory block regression to T10, and motor block regression to Bromage scale of 0. Time to first analgesia and adverse effects were also compared among the three groups. Results: Groups with EVE had statistically significant higher block height, with a significant faster regression that the control group. However, both fentanyl and tramadol groups were inseparable in respect to motor or sensory block regression. Fentanyl group had maximal time to first analgesia, followed by tramadol and control groups. Hemodynamic alterations were also more common in EVE groups. Conclusion: EVE can increase the block height significantly, but it seems to be limited only to the physical property of additional volume in epidural space and fentanyl or tramadol do not seem to differ in their ability to alter block properties. PMID:25885615

Morphology, directed self-assembly and pattern transfer from a high molecular weight polystyrene-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane) block copolymer film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Li-Chen; Bai, Wubin; Fernandez Martin, Eduardo; Tu, Kun-Hua; Ntetsikas, Konstantinos; Liontos, George; Avgeropoulos, Apostolos; Ross, C. A.

2017-04-01

The self-assembly of block copolymers with large feature sizes is inherently challenging as the large kinetic barrier arising from chain entanglement of high molecular weight (MW) polymers limits the extent over which long-range ordered microdomains can be achieved. Here, we illustrate the evolution of thin film morphology from a diblock copolymer of polystyrene-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane) exhibiting total number average MW of 123 kg mol-1, and demonstrate the formation of layers of well-ordered cylindrical microdomains under appropriate conditions of binary solvent mix ratio, commensurate film thickness, and solvent vapor annealing time. Directed self-assembly of the block copolymer within lithographically patterned trenches occurs with alignment of cylinders parallel to the sidewalls. Fabrication of ordered cobalt nanowire arrays by pattern transfer was also implemented, and their magnetic properties and domain wall behavior were characterized.

Rate-Compatible LDPC Codes with Linear Minimum Distance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, Dariush; Jones, Christopher; Dolinar, Samuel

2009-01-01

A recently developed method of constructing protograph-based low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes provides for low iterative decoding thresholds and minimum distances proportional to block sizes, and can be used for various code rates. A code constructed by this method can have either fixed input block size or fixed output block size and, in either case, provides rate compatibility. The method comprises two submethods: one for fixed input block size and one for fixed output block size. The first mentioned submethod is useful for applications in which there are requirements for rate-compatible codes that have fixed input block sizes. These are codes in which only the numbers of parity bits are allowed to vary. The fixed-output-blocksize submethod is useful for applications in which framing constraints are imposed on the physical layers of affected communication systems. An example of such a system is one that conforms to one of many new wireless-communication standards that involve the use of orthogonal frequency-division modulation

Polarimetry of Pinctada fucata nacre indicates myostracal layer interrupts nacre structure.

PubMed

Metzler, Rebecca A; Jones, Joshua A; D'Addario, Anthony J; Galvez, Enrique J

2017-02-01

The inner layer of many bivalve and gastropod molluscs consists of iridescent nacre, a material that is structured like a brick wall with bricks consisting of crystalline aragonite and mortar of organic molecules. Myostracal layers formed during shell growth at the point of muscle attachment to the shell can be found interspersed within the nacre structure. Little has been done to examine the effect the myostracal layer has on subsequent nacre structure. Here we present data on the structure of the myostracal and nacre layers from a bivalve mollusc, Pinctada fucata . Scanning electron microscope imaging shows the myostracal layer consists of regular crystalline blocks. The nacre before the layer consists of tablets approximately 400 nm thick, while after the myostracal layer the tablets are approximately 500 nm thick. A new technique, imaging polarimetry, indicates that the aragonite crystals within the nacre following the myostracal layer have greater orientation uniformity than before the myostracal layer. The results presented here suggest a possible interaction between the myostracal layer and subsequent shell growth.

Polarimetry of Pinctada fucata nacre indicates myostracal layer interrupts nacre structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metzler, Rebecca A.; Jones, Joshua A.; D'Addario, Anthony J.; Galvez, Enrique J.

2017-02-01

The inner layer of many bivalve and gastropod molluscs consists of iridescent nacre, a material that is structured like a brick wall with bricks consisting of crystalline aragonite and mortar of organic molecules. Myostracal layers formed during shell growth at the point of muscle attachment to the shell can be found interspersed within the nacre structure. Little has been done to examine the effect the myostracal layer has on subsequent nacre structure. Here we present data on the structure of the myostracal and nacre layers from a bivalve mollusc, Pinctada fucata. Scanning electron microscope imaging shows the myostracal layer consists of regular crystalline blocks. The nacre before the layer consists of tablets approximately 400 nm thick, while after the myostracal layer the tablets are approximately 500 nm thick. A new technique, imaging polarimetry, indicates that the aragonite crystals within the nacre following the myostracal layer have greater orientation uniformity than before the myostracal layer. The results presented here suggest a possible interaction between the myostracal layer and subsequent shell growth.

Efficient Planar Perovskite Solar Cells Using Passivated Tin Oxide as an Electron Transport Layer.

PubMed

Lee, Yonghui; Lee, Seunghwan; Seo, Gabseok; Paek, Sanghyun; Cho, Kyung Taek; Huckaba, Aron J; Calizzi, Marco; Choi, Dong-Won; Park, Jin-Seong; Lee, Dongwook; Lee, Hyo Joong; Asiri, Abdullah M; Nazeeruddin, Mohammad Khaja

2018-06-01

Planar perovskite solar cells using low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) of the SnO 2 electron transporting layer (ETL), with excellent electron extraction and hole-blocking ability, offer significant advantages compared with high-temperature deposition methods. The optical, chemical, and electrical properties of the ALD SnO 2 layer and its influence on the device performance are investigated. It is found that surface passivation of SnO 2 is essential to reduce charge recombination at the perovskite and ETL interface and show that the fabricated planar perovskite solar cells exhibit high reproducibility, stability, and power conversion efficiency of 20%.

Perovskite solar cells in N-I-P structure with four slot-die-coated layers

PubMed Central

Burkitt, Daniel; Searle, Justin

2018-01-01

The fabrication of perovskite solar cells in an N-I-P structure with compact titanium dioxide blocking, mesoporous titanium dioxide scaffold, single-step perovskite and hole-transport layers deposited using the slot-die coating technique is reported. Devices on fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass substrates with evaporated gold top contacts and four slot-die-coated layers are demonstrated, and best cells reach stabilized power conversion efficiencies of 7%. This work demonstrates the suitability of slot-die coating for the production of layers within this perovskite solar cell stack and the potential to transfer to large area and roll-to-roll manufacturing processes. PMID:29892402

EPA Region 1 - Map Layers for Valley ID Tool (Hosted Feature Service)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Valley Service Feature Layer hosts spatial data for EPA Region 1's Valley Identification Tool. These layers contain attribute information added by EPA R1 GIS Center to help identify populated valleys:- Fac_2011NEI: Pollution sources selected from the National Emissions Inventory (EPA, 2011).- NE_Towns_PopValleys: New England Town polygons (courtesy USGS), with Population in Valleys and Population Density in Valleys calculated by EPA R1 GIS, from 2010 US Census blocks. - VT_E911: Vermont residences (courtesy VT Center for Geographic Information E-911).

3D Visualization of Sheath Folds in Roman Marble from Ephesus, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wex, Sebastian; Passchier, Cornelis W.; de Kemp, Eric A.; Ilhan, Sinan

2013-04-01

Excavation of a palatial 2nd century AD house (Terrace House Two) in the ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey in the 1970s produced 10.313 pieces of colored, folded marble which belonged to 54 marble plates of 1.6 cm thickness that originally covered the walls of the banquet hall of the house. The marble plates were completely reassembled and restored by a team of workers over the last 6 years. The plates were recognized as having been sawn from two separate large blocks of "Cipollino verde", a green mylonitized marble from Karystos on the Island of Euboea, Greece. After restoration, it became clear that all slabs had been placed on the wall in approximately the sequence in which they had been cut off by a Roman stone saw. As a result, the marble plates give a full 3D insight in the folded internal structure of 1m3 block of mylonite. The restoration of the slabs was recognized as a first, unique opportunity for detailed reconstruction of the 3D geometry of m-scale folds in mylonitized marble. Photographs were taken of each slab and used to reconstruct their exact arrangement within the originally quarried blocks. Outlines of layers were digitized and a full 3D reconstruction of the internal structure of the block was created using ArcMap and GOCAD. Fold structures in the block include curtain folds and multilayered sheath folds. Several different layers showing these structures were digitized on the photographs of the slab surfaces and virtually mounted back together within the model of the marble block. Due to the serial sectioning into slabs, with cm-scale spacing, the visualization of the 3D geometry of sheath folds was accomplished with a resolution better than 4 cm. Final assembled 3D images reveal how sheath folds emerge from continuous layers and show their overall consistency as well as a constant hinge line orientation of the fold structures. Observations suggest that a single deformation phase was responsible for the evolution of "Cipollino verde" structures. Furthermore the XY plane of all analyzed sheath folds was orientated perpendicular to the layering of the marble, indicating a compressional component during shear deformation. This study sheds light on the general evolution and possible interpretation of sheath folds, currently still subject of debate, and on the structural evolution of "Cipollino verde", which is still used in modern architectural design. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of the slabs helps in the interpretation and reconstruction of Roman stone saws. For future applications this work could serve as an excellent 3D test set for geologic reconstruction methodologies and interpolation algorithms. The results presented could only be obtained by close cooperation of workers in geology and archaeology.

Semi-automatic spray pyrolysis deposition of thin, transparent, titania films as blocking layers for dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells.

PubMed

Krýsová, Hana; Krýsa, Josef; Kavan, Ladislav

2018-01-01

For proper function of the negative electrode of dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells, the deposition of a nonporous blocking film is required on the surface of F-doped SnO 2 (FTO) glass substrates. Such a blocking film can minimise undesirable parasitic processes, for example, the back reaction of photoinjected electrons with the oxidized form of the redox mediator or with the hole-transporting medium can be avoided. In the present work, thin, transparent, blocking TiO 2 films are prepared by semi-automatic spray pyrolysis of precursors consisting of titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) as the main component. The variation in the layer thickness of the sprayed films is achieved by varying the number of spray cycles. The parameters investigated in this work were deposition temperature (150, 300 and 450 °C), number of spray cycles (20-200), precursor composition (with/without deliberately added acetylacetone), concentration (0.05 and 0.2 M) and subsequent post-calcination at 500 °C. The photo-electrochemical properties were evaluated in aqueous electrolyte solution under UV irradiation. The blocking properties were tested by cyclic voltammetry with a model redox probe with a simple one-electron-transfer reaction. Semi-automatic spraying resulted in the formation of transparent, homogeneous, TiO 2 films, and the technique allows for easy upscaling to large electrode areas. The deposition temperature of 450 °C was necessary for the fabrication of highly photoactive TiO 2 films. The blocking properties of the as-deposited TiO 2 films (at 450 °C) were impaired by post-calcination at 500 °C, but this problem could be addressed by increasing the number of spray cycles. The modification of the precursor by adding acetylacetone resulted in the fabrication of TiO 2 films exhibiting perfect blocking properties that were not influenced by post-calcination. These results will surely find use in the fabrication of large-scale dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells.

Protograph LDPC Codes Over Burst Erasure Channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, Dariush; Dolinar, Sam; Jones, Christopher

2006-01-01

In this paper we design high rate protograph based LDPC codes suitable for binary erasure channels. To simplify the encoder and decoder implementation for high data rate transmission, the structure of codes are based on protographs and circulants. These LDPC codes can improve data link and network layer protocols in support of communication networks. Two classes of codes were designed. One class is designed for large block sizes with an iterative decoding threshold that approaches capacity of binary erasure channels. The other class is designed for short block sizes based on maximizing minimum stopping set size. For high code rates and short blocks the second class outperforms the first class.

Secondary barrier construction for low temperature liquefied gas storage tank carrying vessels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Okamoto, T.; Nishimoto, T.; Sawada, K.

1978-12-05

A new LNG-cargo-tank secondary barrier developed by Japan's Hitachi Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., offers ease of fabrication, simple construction, improved efficiency of installation, and protection against seawater ingress as well as LNG leakage. The secondary barrier, intended for use below spherical LNG tanks, consists of unit heat-insulating block plates adhesively secured to the bottom plate of the ship's hold, heat-insulating filling members stuffed into the joints between the block plates, and a protective layer formed on the entire surface of the block plates and the filling members. These unit block plates are in the form of heat-insulating members ofmore » the required thickness, preformed into a square or trapezoidal shape, particularly in the form of rigid-foam synthetic-resin plates.« less

Three-dimensional fit-to-flow microfluidic assembly.

PubMed

Chen, Arnold; Pan, Tingrui

2011-12-01

Three-dimensional microfluidics holds great promise for large-scale integration of versatile, digitalized, and multitasking fluidic manipulations for biological and clinical applications. Successful translation of microfluidic toolsets to these purposes faces persistent technical challenges, such as reliable system-level packaging, device assembly and alignment, and world-to-chip interface. In this paper, we extended our previously established fit-to-flow (F2F) world-to-chip interconnection scheme to a complete system-level assembly strategy that addresses the three-dimensional microfluidic integration on demand. The modular F2F assembly consists of an interfacial chip, pluggable alignment modules, and multiple monolithic layers of microfluidic channels, through which convoluted three-dimensional microfluidic networks can be easily assembled and readily sealed with the capability of reconfigurable fluid flow. The monolithic laser-micromachining process simplifies and standardizes the fabrication of single-layer pluggable polymeric modules, which can be mass-produced as the renowned Lego(®) building blocks. In addition, interlocking features are implemented between the plug-and-play microfluidic chips and the complementary alignment modules through the F2F assembly, resulting in facile and secure alignment with average misalignment of 45 μm. Importantly, the 3D multilayer microfluidic assembly has a comparable sealing performance as the conventional single-layer devices, providing an average leakage pressure of 38.47 kPa. The modular reconfigurability of the system-level reversible packaging concept has been demonstrated by re-routing microfluidic flows through interchangeable modular microchannel layers.

Multiple charge density wave states at the surface of TbT e 3

DOE PAGES

Fu, Ling; Kraft, Aaron M.; Sharma, Bishnu; ...

2016-11-01

We studied TbTe 3 using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in the temperature range of 298–355 K. Our measurements detect a unidirectional charge density wave (CDW) state in the surface Te layer with a wave vector consistent with that of the bulk q CDW = 0.30 ± 0.01c*. However, unlike previous STM measurements, and differing from measurements probing the bulk, we detect two perpendicular orientations for the unidirectional CDW with no directional preference for the in-plane crystal axes (a or c axis) and no noticeable difference in wave vector magnitude. In addition, we find regions in which the bidirectional CDW statesmore » coexist. We propose that observation of two unidirectional CDW states indicates a decoupling of the surface Te layer from the rare-earth block layer below, and that strain variations in the Te surface layer drive the local CDW direction to the specific unidirectional or, in rare occurrences, bidirectional CDW orders observed. This indicates that similar driving mechanisms for CDW formation in the bulk, where anisotropic lattice strain energy is important, are at play at the surface. Furthermore, the wave vectors for the bidirectional order we observe differ from those theoretically predicted for checkerboard order competing with stripe order in a Fermi-surface nesting scenario, suggesting that factors beyond Fermi-surface nesting drive CDW order in TbTe 3. As a result, our temperature-dependent measurements provide evidence for localized CDW formation above the bulk transition temperature T CDW.« less

Pore pressure control on faulting behavior in a block-gouge system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Z.; Juanes, R.

2016-12-01

Pore fluid pressure in a fault zone can be altered by natural processes (e.g., mineral dehydration and thermal pressurization) and industrial operations involving subsurface fluid injection/extraction for the development of energy and water resources. However, the effect of pore pressure change on the stability and slip motion of a preexisting geologic fault remain poorly understood; yet they are critical for the assessment of seismic risk. In this work, we develop a micromechanical model to investigate the effect of pore pressure on faulting behavior. The model couples pore network fluid flow and mechanics of the solid grains. We conceptualize the fault zone as a gouge layer sandwiched between two blocks; the block material is represented by a group of contact-bonded grains and the gouge is composed of unbonded grains. A pore network is extracted from the particulate pack of the block-gouge system with pore body volumes and pore throat conductivities calculated rigorously based on the geometry of the local pore space. Pore fluid exerts pressure force onto the grains, the motion of which is solved using the discrete element method (DEM). The model updates the pore network regularly in response to deformation of the solid matrix. We study the fault stability in the presence of a pressure inhomogeneity (gradient) across the gouge layer, and compare it with the case of homogeneous pore pressure. We consider both normal and thrust faulting scenarios with a focus on the onset of shear failure along the block-gouge interfaces. Numerical simulations show that the slip behavior is characterized by intermittent dynamics, which is evident in the number of slipping contacts at the block-gouge interfaces and the total kinetic energy of the gouge particles. Numerical results also show that, for the case of pressure inhomogeneity, the onset of slip occurs earlier for the side with higher pressure, and that this onset appears to be controlled by the maximum pressure of both sides of the fault. We conclude that the stability of the fault should be evaluated separately for both sides of the gouge layer, a result that sheds new light on the use of the effective stress principle and the Coulomb failure criterion in evaluating the stability of a complex fault zone.

Beautiful Blocks of Bedrock

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-06-01

This image captured by NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft targets a 3-kilometer diameter crater that occurs within the ejecta blanket of the much older Bakhuysen Crater, a 150-kilometer diameter impact crater in Noachis Terra. Impact craters are interesting because they provide a mechanism to uplift and expose underlying bedrock, allowing for the study of the subsurface and the geologic past. An enhanced color image shows the wall of the crater, which exposes layering as well as blocks of rock. There is a distinctive large block in the upper left of the crater wall, generally referred to as a "mega-block." It is an angular, light-toned, highly fragmented block, about 100 meters across. Several smaller light-toned blocks are also in the crater wall, possibly of the same rock type as the "mega-block." Ejecta blocks are thrown outward during the initial excavation of a crater, or are deposited as part of the ground-hugging flows of which the majority of the ejecta blanket is comprised. Through images like these, we are able to study the deeper subsurface of Mars that is not otherwise exposed. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20728

Fgf Signaling is Required for Photoreceptor Maintenance in the Adult Zebrafish Retina

PubMed Central

Hochmann, Sarah; Kaslin, Jan; Hans, Stefan; Weber, Anke; Machate, Anja; Geffarth, Michaela; Funk, Richard H. W.; Brand, Michael

2012-01-01

Fibroblast growth factors (Fgf) are secreted signaling molecules that have mitogenic, patterning, neurotrophic and angiogenic properties. Their importance during embryonic development in patterning and morphogenesis of the vertebrate eye is well known, but less is known about the role of Fgfs in the adult vertebrate retina. To address Fgf function in adult retina, we determined the spatial distribution of components of the Fgf signaling pathway in the adult zebrafish retina. We detected differential expression of Fgf receptors, ligands and downstream Fgf targets within specific retinal layers. Furthermore, we blocked Fgf signaling in the retina, by expressing a dominant negative variant of Fgf receptor 1 conditionally in transgenic animals. After blocking Fgf signaling we observe a fast and progressive photoreceptor degeneration and disorganization of retinal tissue, coupled with cell death in the outer nuclear layer. Following the degeneration of photoreceptors, a profound regeneration response is triggered that starts with proliferation in the inner nuclear layer. Ultimately, rod and cone photoreceptors are regenerated completely. Our study reveals the requirement of Fgf signaling to maintain photoreceptors and for proliferation during regeneration in the adult zebrafish retina. PMID:22291943

High-throughput preparation of complex multi-scale patterns from block copolymer/homopolymer blend films.

PubMed

Park, Hyungmin; Kim, Jae-Up; Park, Soojin

2012-02-21

A simple, straightforward process for fabricating multi-scale micro- and nanostructured patterns from polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer in a preferential solvent for PS and PMMA is demonstrated. When the PS-b-P2VP/PMMA blend films were spin-coated onto a silicon wafer, PS-b-P2VP micellar arrays consisting of a PS corona and a P2VP core were formed, while the PMMA macrodomains were isolated, due to the macrophase separation caused by the incompatibility between block copolymer micelles and PMMA homopolymer during the spin-coating process. With an increase of PMMA composition, the size of PMMA macrodomains increased. Moreover, the P2VP blocks have a strong interaction with a native oxide of the surface of the silicon wafer, so that the P2VP wetting layer was first formed during spin-coating, and PS nanoclusters were observed on the PMMA macrodomains beneath. Whereas when a silicon surface was modified with a PS brush layer, the PS nanoclusters underlying PMMA domains were not formed. The multi-scale patterns prepared from copolymer micelle/homopolymer blend films are used as templates for the fabrication of gold nanoparticle arrays by incorporating the gold precursor into the P2VP chains. The combination of nanostructures prepared from block copolymer micellar arrays and macrostructures induced by incompatibility between the copolymer and the homopolymer leads to the formation of complex, multi-scale surface patterns by a simple casting process. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012

Surface functionalization of quantum dots with fine-structured pH-sensitive phospholipid polymer chains.

PubMed

Liu, Yihua; Inoue, Yuuki; Ishihara, Kazuhiko

2015-11-01

To add novel functionality to quantum dots (QDs), we synthesized water-soluble and pH-responsive block-type polymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymers were composed of cytocompatible 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer segments, which contain a small fraction of active ester groups and can be used to conjugate biologically active compounds to the polymer, and pH-responsive poly(2-(N,N-diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA)) segments. One terminal of the polymer chain had a hydrophobic alkyl group that originated from the RAFT initiator. This hydrophobic group can bind to the hydrophobic layer on the QD surface. A fluorescent dye was conjugated to the polymer chains via the active ester group. The block-type polymers have an amphiphilic nature in aqueous medium. The polymers were thus easily bound to the QD surface upon evaporation of the solvent from a solution containing the block-type polymer and QDs, yielding QD/fluorescence dye-conjugated polymer hybrid nanoparticles. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the QDs (donors) and the fluorescent dye molecules (acceptors) was used to obtain information on the conformational dynamics of the immobilized polymers. Higher FRET efficiency of the QD/fluorescent dye-conjugated polymer hybrid nanoparticles was observed at pH 7.4 as compared to pH 5.0 due to a stretching-shrinking conformational motion of the poly(DEAEMA) segments in response to changes in pH. We concluded that the block-type MPC polymer-modified nanoparticles could be used to evaluate the pH of cells via FRET fluorescence based on the cytocompatibility of the MPC polymer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Beating the curse of dimension with accurate statistics for the Fokker-Planck equation in complex turbulent systems.

PubMed

Chen, Nan; Majda, Andrew J

2017-12-05

Solving the Fokker-Planck equation for high-dimensional complex dynamical systems is an important issue. Recently, the authors developed efficient statistically accurate algorithms for solving the Fokker-Planck equations associated with high-dimensional nonlinear turbulent dynamical systems with conditional Gaussian structures, which contain many strong non-Gaussian features such as intermittency and fat-tailed probability density functions (PDFs). The algorithms involve a hybrid strategy with a small number of samples [Formula: see text], where a conditional Gaussian mixture in a high-dimensional subspace via an extremely efficient parametric method is combined with a judicious Gaussian kernel density estimation in the remaining low-dimensional subspace. In this article, two effective strategies are developed and incorporated into these algorithms. The first strategy involves a judicious block decomposition of the conditional covariance matrix such that the evolutions of different blocks have no interactions, which allows an extremely efficient parallel computation due to the small size of each individual block. The second strategy exploits statistical symmetry for a further reduction of [Formula: see text] The resulting algorithms can efficiently solve the Fokker-Planck equation with strongly non-Gaussian PDFs in much higher dimensions even with orders in the millions and thus beat the curse of dimension. The algorithms are applied to a [Formula: see text]-dimensional stochastic coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo model for excitable media. An accurate recovery of both the transient and equilibrium non-Gaussian PDFs requires only [Formula: see text] samples! In addition, the block decomposition facilitates the algorithms to efficiently capture the distinct non-Gaussian features at different locations in a [Formula: see text]-dimensional two-layer inhomogeneous Lorenz 96 model, using only [Formula: see text] samples. Copyright © 2017 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

Optimization of aircraft seat cushion fire blocking layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kourtides, D. A.; Parker, J. A.; Ling, A. C.; Hovatter, W. R.

1983-01-01

This report describes work completed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - for the Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center. The purpose of this work was to examine the potential of fire blocking mechanisms for aircraft seat cushions in order to provide an optimized seat configuration with adequate fire protection and minimum weight. Aluminized thermally stable fabrics were found to provide adequate fire protection when used in conjunction with urethane foams, while maintaining minimum weight and cost penalty.

Fluorescence enhancement through the formation of a single-layer two-dimensional supramolecular organic framework and its application in highly selective recognition of picric acid.

PubMed

Zhang, Ying; Zhan, Tian-Guang; Zhou, Tian-You; Qi, Qiao-Yan; Xu, Xiao-Na; Zhao, Xin

2016-06-18

A two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular organic framework (SOF) has been constructed through the co-assembly of a triphenylamine-based building block and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). Fluorescence turn-on of the non-emissive building block was observed upon the formation of the 2D SOF, which displayed highly selective and sensitive recognition of picric acid over a variety of nitroaromatics.

Layer by Layer Growth of 2D Quantum Superlattices (NBIT III)

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-28

building quantum superlatticies using 2D materials as the building blocks. Specifically, we develop methods that allow i) large-scale growth of aligned...superlattice and heterostructures, iii) lateral and clean patterning of 2D materials for atomically-thin circuitry and iv) novel physical properties...high precision and flexibility beyond conventional methods. Moreover, it provides the solutions for current major barrier for 2D materials (e.g

Ship Wakes Generated in a Diffuse Internal Layer

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-01

can enhance wake detectability by increasing the surface flows. One example is the reflection of natural waves from a ship hull. A wave carries...be observed using satellite borne optical sensors and high resolution radar. Their existence implies the presence of significant internal layers. The...The principal factors associated with the ship appear to be its principal dimensions (length, beam and draft), its block coefficient and its speed

Sealing Penetrating Eye Injuries Using Photo-activated Bonding

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

block this light from reaching the iris. The human iris contains melanin in the stromal layer and in a pigmented epithelial layer on the...posterior surface. When the melanin absorbs green light, the light (electromagnetic) energy is converted into thermal energy. If the rate of light energy...varies the standard is not clear. The distribution and amount of melanin and vasculature in the iris differs from that of the retina; consequently

Building blocks for the development of an interface for high-throughput thin layer chromatography/ambient mass spectrometric analysis: a green methodology.

PubMed

Cheng, Sy-Chyi; Huang, Min-Zong; Wu, Li-Chieh; Chou, Chih-Chiang; Cheng, Chu-Nian; Jhang, Siou-Sian; Shiea, Jentaie

2012-07-17

Interfacing thin layer chromatography (TLC) with ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) has been an important area of analytical chemistry because of its capability to rapidly separate and characterize the chemical compounds. In this study, we have developed a high-throughput TLC-AMS system using building blocks to deal, deliver, and collect the TLC plate through an electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization (ELDI) source. This is the first demonstration of the use of building blocks to construct and test the TLC-MS interfacing system. With the advantages of being readily available, cheap, reusable, and extremely easy to modify without consuming any material or reagent, the use of building blocks to develop the TLC-AMS interface is undoubtedly a green methodology. The TLC plate delivery system consists of a storage box, plate dealing component, conveyer, light sensor, and plate collecting box. During a TLC-AMS analysis, the TLC plate was sent to the conveyer from a stack of TLC plates placed in the storage box. As the TLC plate passed through the ELDI source, the chemical compounds separated on the plate would be desorbed by laser desorption and subsequently postionized by electrospray ionization. The samples, including a mixture of synthetic dyes and extracts of pharmaceutical drugs, were analyzed to demonstrate the capability of this TLC-ELDI/MS system for high-throughput analysis.

Mussel-inspired nano-building block assemblies for mimicking extracellular matrix microenvironments with multiple functions.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenming; Jia, Zhanrong; Jiang, Yanan; Li, Pengfei; Han, Lu; Lu, Xiong; Ren, Fuzeng; Wang, Kefeng; Yuan, Huiping

2017-08-03

The assembly of nano-building blocks is an effective way to produce artificial extracellular matrix microenvironments with hierarchical micro/nano structures. However, it is hard to assemble different types of nano-building blocks, to form composite coatings with multiple functions, by traditional layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly methods. Inspired by the mussel adhesion mechanism, we developed polydopamine (PDA)-decorated bovine serum albumin microspheres (BSA-MS) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA), and assembled them to form bioactive coatings with micro/nano structures encapsulating bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). First, PDA-decorated nano-HA (nano-pHA) was obtained by oxidative polymerization of dopamine on nano-HA. Second, BMP-2-encapsulated BSA microspheres were prepared through desolvation, and then were also decorated by PDA (pBSA-MS). Finally, the nano-pHA and pBSA-MS were assembled using the adhesive properties of PDA. Bone marrow stromal cell cultures and in vivo implantation, showed that the pHA/pBSA (BMP-2) coatings can promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and benefited for osteoinductivity. PDA decoration was also applied to assemble various functional nanoparticles, such as nano-HA, polystyrene, and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. In summary, this study provides a novel strategy for the assembly of biofunctional nano-building blocks, which surpasses traditional LbL self-assembly of polyelectrolytes, and can find broad applications in bioactive agents delivery or multi-functional coatings.

Blocking the Formation of Zn2+/Dye Complexes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Inserting CdS Quantum Dots into Sandwich Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yunfei; Liu, Chunling; Yang, Lili; Wei, Maobin; Lv, Shiquan; Sui, Yingrui; Cao, Jian; Chen, Gang; Yang, Jinghai

2018-06-01

ZnO NRAs are grown on ITO substrates by a simple chemical method. CdS QDs were deposited on ZnO NRAs by SILAR. N719 was synthesized by dipping method. J-V analysis indicates that by inserting a layer of CdS QDs, the conversion efficiency of DSSCs was improved obviously. The device with CdS QDs shows the higher conversion efficiency due to the three reasons: (1) CdS QDs enhanced adsorption spectra of DSSCs in the visible region; (2) CdS QDs block the formation of Zn2+/dye complex, it is beneficial for electros transport from dye to ZnO photoanode. It is the key to obtain higher conversion efficiency; (3) FRET dynamics exists by the introduction of CdS QDs.

Membranes. Metal-organic framework nanosheets as building blocks for molecular sieving membranes.

PubMed

Peng, Yuan; Li, Yanshuo; Ban, Yujie; Jin, Hua; Jiao, Wenmei; Liu, Xinlei; Yang, Weishen

2014-12-12

Layered metal-organic frameworks would be a diverse source of crystalline sheets with nanometer thickness for molecular sieving if they could be exfoliated, but there is a challenge in retaining the morphological and structural integrity. We report the preparation of 1-nanometer-thick sheets with large lateral area and high crystallinity from layered MOFs. They are used as building blocks for ultrathin molecular sieve membranes, which achieve hydrogen gas (H2) permeance of up to several thousand gas permeation units (GPUs) with H2/CO2 selectivity greater than 200. We found an unusual proportional relationship between H2 permeance and H2 selectivity for the membranes, and achieved a simultaneous increase in both permeance and selectivity by suppressing lamellar stacking of the nanosheets. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

CsFe3(SeO3)2F6 with S = 5/2 Cube Tile Lattice.

PubMed

Lu, Hongcheng; Kageyama, Hiroshi

2018-05-21

A layered iron selenite fluoride CsFe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 1 was hydrothermally synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that 1 has a trigonal ( P3̅ m1) lattice, where [Fe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 ] - blocks of three iron sublayers are separated by Cs cations. Within the block, only Fe(2)F 6 and Fe(1)O 3 F 3 octahedra are magnetically connected via superexchange Fe(1) -F -Fe(2) pathways, giving an S = 5/2 cube tile (dice) lattice. At low magnetic field, 1 exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at ∼130 K, where ferrimagnetic cube tile layers are arranged in a staggered manner. At low temperatures, we observed a field-induced transition to a ferrimagnetic state with a one-third magnetization plateau.

Balancing the Electron and Hole Transfer for Efficient Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes by Employing a Versatile Organic Electron-Blocking Layer.

PubMed

Jin, Xiao; Chang, Chun; Zhao, Weifeng; Huang, Shujuan; Gu, Xiaobing; Zhang, Qin; Li, Feng; Zhang, Yubao; Li, Qinghua

2018-05-09

The electron-blocking layer (EBL) is important to balance the charge carrier transfer and achieve highly efficient quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Here, we report the utilization of a soluble tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride-modified poly( p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (TBS-PBO) as an EBL for simultaneous good charge carrier transfer balance while maintaining a high current density. We show that the versatile TBS-PBO blocks excess electron injection into the quantum dots (QDs), thus leading to better charge carrier transfer balance. It also restricts the undesired QD-to-EBL electron-transfer process, which preserves the superior emission capabilities of the emitter. As a consequence, the TBS-PBO device delivers an external quantum efficiency (EQE) maximum of 16.7% along with a remarkable current density as high as 139 mA/cm 2 with a brightness of 5484 cd/m 2 . The current density of our device is higher than those of insulator EBL-based devices because of the higher conductivity of the TBS-PBO versus insulator EBL, thus helping achieve high luminance values ranging from 1414 to 20 000 cd/cm 2 with current densities ranging from 44 to 648 mA/cm 2 and EQE > 14%. We believe that these unconventional features of the present TBS-PBO-based QLEDs will expand the wide use of TBS-PBO as buffer layers in other advanced QLED applications.

On the use of ground penetrating radar to detect rebar corrosion in concrete structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eisenmann, David; Margetan, Frank J.; Ellis, Shelby

2018-04-01

Two new studies are summarized in this paper. In the first, we compare recent GPR measurements on the same bridge to those obtained in 2012. The newer measurements use both the 1.6 GHz antenna used in the earlier work and an alternative higher frequency antenna (2.6 GHz). We discuss similarities and differences between the old and new results at 1.6 GHz, and also summarize the effect of the frequency change on the newer measurements. Many factors can contribute to the strength of the GPR echo seen from a given rebar, including the rebar's length, its distance from and tilt angle relative to the antenna, and the location and size of the metal-loss region. In the second section of the paper we discuss new laboratory measurements to systematically investigate these geometric effects. In 2016 we studied such effects using a simplified measurement setup where only an air layer separated the antenna from the rebar. Here we discuss similar measurements simulating rebar embedded in concrete. For our concrete "phantom" we use a layer of moist sand in between two parallel concrete blocks. When the moisture content is properly chosen, the EM properties of sand are similar to those of cured concrete. The block/sand/block sandwich then serves as a concrete-like medium in which a rebar can be inserted and readily repositioned. Results of GPR measurements using this new sandwich approach are reported and compared with those of the earlier "air layer only" measurements.

Fe{sub 2.5}[BP{sub 2}O{sub 7}(OH){sub 2}][PO{sub 3}(OH)][PO{sub 3}(O{sub 0.5}OH{sub 0.5})] · H{sub 2}O, a new phosphate-borophosphate with a microporous structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Belokoneva, E. L., E-mail: elbel@geol.msu.ru; Dimitrova, O. V.

2015-05-15

A new phosphate-borophosphate Fe{sub 2.5}{sup 3+}[BP{sub 2}O{sub 7}(OH){sub 2}][PO{sub 3}(OH)][PO{sub 3}(O{sub 0.5}OH{sub 0.5})] · H{sub 2}O, space group P12{sub 1}/n, is obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Blocks (Fe{sup 3+}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}){sup 15−} consisting of vertex-sharing (Fe1,Fe2)O{sub 6} octahedra and six PO{sub 4} tetrahedra are distinguished in the structure of the new phase, which was determined without preliminary knowledge of the chemical formula. Such blocks are known for many phosphates (borophosphates), germanates, gallates, and silicates. Blocks form layers connected by BO{sub 4} tetrahedra into a framework with large pores reaching ∼9.5 Å, which are occupied by water molecules. The out-of-layer octahedral positionmore » of the Fe3 atom is split and occupied statistically. The anion radical is characterized as a phosphate-borophosphate: it consists of two isolated PO4 tetrahedra and a borophosphate soro group [BP{sub 2}O{sub 7}(OH){sub 2}] first found in NaIn[BP{sub 2}O{sub 8}(OH)]. A layer of octahedra is characterized by higher local symmetry corresponding to the orthorhombic group Pm2{sub 1}n.« less

New geophysical electromagnetic method of archeological object research in Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hachay, O. A.; Khachay, O. Yu.; Attia, Magdi.

2009-04-01

The demand to the enhanced geophysical technique and device, in addition to the precise interpretation of the geophysical data, is the resolution of the geophysical complex research, especially by the absence of priory information about the researched place. Therefore, an approach to use the planshet method of electromagnetic induction in the frequency geometry was developed by Hachay. et al., 1997a, 1997b, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2005. The method was adapted to map and monitor the high complicated geological mediums, to determine the structural factors and criteria of the rock massif in the mine subsurface. The field observation and the way of interpretation make the new technology differ from other known earlier methods of field raying or tomography (Hachay et al., 1997c, 1999, and 2000).The 3D geoelectrical medium research is based on the concept of three staged interpreting of the alternating electromagnetic field in a frame of the block-layered isotropic medium with inclusion (Hachay 1997a, and 2002); in the first stage, the geoelectrical parameters of the horizontal block-layered medium, which includes the heterogeneities, are defined. In the second stage a geometrical model of the different local heterogeneities or groups inside the block-layered medium is constructed based on the local geoelectrical heterogeneities produced from the first stage after filtering the anomalous fields plunged in the medium. While in the third stage, the surfaces of the searched heterogeneities could be calculated in account of the physical parameters of the anomalous objects.For practical realization of that conception the system of observation for alternating electromagnetic field with use of vertical magnetic dipole was elaborated. Such local source of excitation and regular net of observations allows realizing overlapping by different angles of observation directions. As incoming data for interpretation, three components of modules of three components of magnetic field are used. For the case on surface observations the data are measured on the Earth's surface at the set of distances between the source and receiver as a function of frequencies. The measurements of the module of three components of the magnetic field vertical and two horizontal: one directed to the source and second perpendicular to that direction are provided in the frame of planshet for the fixed net with fixed step and fixed length of the planshet's side. In the frame of profile observations the planshet become to a band or a line and the length of the band or the line is a base of observations or an array. For the variant of the wide profile (band) the source of excitation is located at the beginning of the array on the profile, which is parallel to the measuring profile. We shall call that a wide array. It moves systematically with a fixed step of meters. For the variant of an usual profile the source is located on the measuring profile and the moving of the oscillator is similar. For the variant of a planshet survey the source is located into the center of the planshet using the fixed net of observation. Then the planshet array moves systematically with overlapping usually on the half of the planshet.The interpretation is made in a frame of n-layered model for each array and planshet location. After that each point of the planshet is associated with one and only column of layers thicknesses and corresponding fixed column with resistance of the medium in that layers. Gathering information of all planshets together we obtain a many-valued function of each point - distribution of thicknesses and resistances of the medium layers. Then we calculate the average value for these distributions for each point of the observation set. Thus we obtain the unique distribution of thicknesses of horizontal layers and resistances, which corresponds to the medium model as a cylinder with vertical generatrixes and with a rectangle at the bottom and with a point of observation located in its center. Thus we change over layered model to a block-layered model. Then, gathering the values of thicknesses and resistances for all points of observation, located on one and the same profile we obtain the file of an average cross-section along the profile.The next step is combining the neighboring blocks with close-range values of resistance to one block. That operation is made according to the fixed scale of resistance. The second stage of interpretation is used to define the geometrical characteristics of conductive inclusions and their equivalent moments, which are proportional to the ratio of the conductivity difference in the host rock and in the inclusion to the conductivity in the host rock. Here the approximation principle is used for alternating electromagnetic fields. The initial model of the inclusion is a current line of fixed length. That approximation construction is used for fitting of the average parameter of geoelectrical heterogeneity, which is calculated and located to each point of the profile (Hachay O.A. et all. 2002).The first problem: to found the tomb of Ptolemey in Alexandria. That work is provided by NRIAG together with the Aphine University. The historical and archeological work was provided during a long time. In that moment when we had been asked to do our research on that object it must be needed to show more precisely the place of that tomb on the territory of the ancient royal garden in Alexandria. NRIAG had developed electro prospecting works using radar and vertical electric soundings. With use of our results on the archeological object it had been choose a more precise place for the borehole and for next excavation. The results of drilling showed, as it was forecasted, that from the depth 7m on the showed picket of the observed profile it had been revealed stone objects which differ from the limestones sandstones. The drilling was achieved on 20-th of april 2008.

Block algebra in two-component BKP and D type Drinfeld-Sokolov hierarchies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Chuanzhong, E-mail: lichuanzhong@nbu.edu.cn; He, Jingsong, E-mail: hejingsong@nbu.edu.cn

We construct generalized additional symmetries of a two-component BKP hierarchy defined by two pseudo-differential Lax operators. These additional symmetry flows form a Block type algebra with some modified (or additional) terms because of a B type reduction condition of this integrable hierarchy. Further we show that the D type Drinfeld-Sokolov hierarchy, which is a reduction of the two-component BKP hierarchy, possess a complete Block type additional symmetry algebra. That D type Drinfeld-Sokolov hierarchy has a similar algebraic structure as the bigraded Toda hierarchy which is a differential-discrete integrable system.

Interrogating the superconductor Ca- 10(Pt 4As 8)(Fe 2-xPt xAs 2) 5 Layer-by-layer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Jisun; Zhu, Yimei; Nam, Hyoungdo

2016-10-14

Ever since the discovery of high-Tc superconductivity in layered cuprates, the roles that individual layers play have been debated, due to difficulty in layer-by-layer characterization. While there is similar challenge in many Fe-based layered superconductors, the newly-discovered Ca 10(Pt 4As 8)(Fe 2As 2) 5 provides opportunities to explore superconductivity layer by layer, because it contains both superconducting building blocks (Fe 2As 2 layers) and intermediate Pt 4As 8 layers. Cleaving a single crystal under ultra-high vacuum results in multiple terminations: an ordered Pt 4As 8 layer, two reconstructed Ca layers on the top of a Pt 4As 8 layer, andmore » disordered Ca layer on the top of Fe 2As 2 layer. The electronic properties of individual layers are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), which reveals different spectra for each surface. Remarkably superconducting coherence peaks are seen only on the ordered Ca/Pt 4As 8 layer. Our results indicate that an ordered structure with proper charge balance is required in order to preserve superconductivity.« less

Interrogating the superconductor Ca10(Pt4As8)(Fe2-xPtxAs2)5 Layer-by-layer.

PubMed

Kim, Jisun; Nam, Hyoungdo; Li, Guorong; Karki, A B; Wang, Zhen; Zhu, Yimei; Shih, Chih-Kang; Zhang, Jiandi; Jin, Rongying; Plummer, E W

2016-10-14

Ever since the discovery of high-T c superconductivity in layered cuprates, the roles that individual layers play have been debated, due to difficulty in layer-by-layer characterization. While there is similar challenge in many Fe-based layered superconductors, the newly-discovered Ca 10 (Pt 4 As 8 )(Fe 2 As 2 ) 5 provides opportunities to explore superconductivity layer by layer, because it contains both superconducting building blocks (Fe 2 As 2 layers) and intermediate Pt 4 As 8 layers. Cleaving a single crystal under ultra-high vacuum results in multiple terminations: an ordered Pt 4 As 8 layer, two reconstructed Ca layers on the top of a Pt 4 As 8 layer, and disordered Ca layer on the top of Fe 2 As 2 layer. The electronic properties of individual layers are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), which reveals different spectra for each surface. Remarkably superconducting coherence peaks are seen only on the ordered Ca/Pt 4 As 8 layer. Our results indicate that an ordered structure with proper charge balance is required in order to preserve superconductivity.

The crystal structures of BiTeO 3I, NdTeO 3X (X=Cl, Br) and Bi 5TeO 8.5I 2: some crystal chemistry peculiarities of layered Bi(Ln)Te oxyhalides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berdonosov, Peter S.; Charkin, Dmitry O.; Kusainova, Ardak M.; Hervoches, Charles H.; Dolgikh, Valeriy A.; Lightfoot, Philip

2000-09-01

Four new layered oxyhalides related to the Sillen family have been prepared and characterized by Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. BiTeO 3I and NdTeO 3Br both adopt tetragonal symmetry, space group P4/ nmm (for BiTeO 3I, a=4.10811(8), c=27.988(1) Å; NdTeO 3Br, a=4.06603(7), c=26.922(1) Å, at 25°C). The structures are composed of triple and double fluorite-related mixed metal oxide layers separated by single and double halogen layers, in the sequence MTe 2O 5XXMTe 2O 5XM 2O 2X, which may be represented by the symbol X 13X 13X 22, where the subscript signifies the number of halogen layers and the superscript the number of metal sublayers within the fluorite block, by analogy with Sillen's notation. The double fluorite layers are occupied exclusively by Bi, whereas there is an ordered arrangement of Bi/Te within the triple fluorite layers, with Te exclusively occupying the outer sublayers of the block. NdTeO 3Cl adopts an orthorhombically distorted form of this structure type, space group Pmmn, a=4.08096(8), b=4.03441(8), c=25.7582(7) Å at 25°C. Bi 5TeO 8.5I 2 adopts a distorted, non-centrosymmetric version of the simpler X 13 structure type, space group Cmm2, a=5.6878(3), b=5.7230(3), c=9.7260(6) Å, consisting of single halogen layers sandwiched between triple fluorite layers, in which there is partial ordering of the Bi/Te cations.

Photoresponsive Molecular Memory Films Composed of Sequentially Assembled Heterolayers Containing Ruthenium Complexes.

PubMed

Nagashima, Takumi; Ozawa, Hiroaki; Suzuki, Takashi; Nakabayashi, Takuya; Kanaizuka, Katsuhiko; Haga, Masa-Aki

2016-01-26

Photoresponsive molecular memory films were fabricated by a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembling of two dinuclear Ru complexes with tetrapodal phosphonate anchors, containing either 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine or 1,2,4,5-tetra(2-pyridyl)benzene as a bridging ligand (Ru-NP and Ru-CP, respectively), using zirconium phosphonate to link the layers. Various types of multilayer homo- and heterostructures were constructed. In the multilayer heterofilms such as ITO||(Ru-NP)m |(Ru-CP)n , the difference in redox potentials between Ru-NP and Ru-CP layers was approximately 0.7 V, which induced a potential gradient determined by the sequence of the layers. In the ITO||(Ru-NP)m |(Ru-CP)n multilayer heterofilms, the direct electron transfer (ET) from the outer Ru-CP layers to the ITO were observed to be blocked for m>2, and charge trapping in the outer Ru-CP layers became evident from the appearance of an intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band at 1140 nm from the formation of the mixed-valent state of Ru-CP units, resulting from the reductive ET mediation of the inner Ru-NP layers. Therefore, the charging/discharging ("1"and "0") states in the outer Ru-CP layers could be addressed and interconverted by applying potential pulses between -0.5 and +0.7 V. The two states could be read out by the direction of the photocurrent (anodic or cathodic). The molecular heterolayer films thus represent a typical example of a photoresponsive memory device; that is, the writing process may be achieved by the applied potential (-0.5 or +0.7 V), while the readout process is achieved by measuring the direction of the photocurrent (anodic or cathodic). Sequence-sensitive multilayer heterofilms, using redox-active complexes as building blocks, thus demonstrate great potential for the design of molecular functional devices. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Lithospheric Decoupling and Rotations: Hints from Ethiopian Rift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muluneh, A. A.; Cuffaro, M.; Doglioni, C.; Kidane, T.

2014-12-01

Plates move relative to the mantle because some torques are acting on them. The shear in the low-velocity zone (LVZ) at the base of the lithosphere is the expression of these torques. The decoupling is allowed by the low viscosity in the LVZ, which is likely few orders of magnitudes lower than previously estimated. The viscosity value in the LVZ controls the degree of coupling/decoupling between the lithosphere and the underlying mantle. Lateral variations in viscosity within the LVZ may explain the velocity gradient among tectonic plates as the one determining the Ethiopian Rift (ER) separating Africa from Somalia. While it remains not fully understood the mechanisms of the torques acting on the lithosphere (thermally driven mantle convection or the combination of mantle convection with astronomical forces such as the Earth's rotation and tidal drag), the stresses are transmitted across the different mechanical layers (e.g., the brittle upper crust, down to the viscous-plastic ductile lower crust and upper mantle). Differential basal shear traction at the base of the lithosphere beneath the two sides of the East African Rift System (EARS) is assumed to drive and sustain rifting. In our analysis, the differential torques acting on the lithospheric/crustal blocks drive kinematics and block rotations. Since, ER involves the whole lithosphere, we do not expect large amount of rotation. Rotation can be the result of the whole plate motion on the sphere moving along the tectonic equator, or the second order sub-rotation of a single plate. Further rotation may occur along oblique plate boundaries (e.g., left lateral transtensional setting at the ER). Small amount of vertical axis rotation of blocks in northern ER could be related to the presence of local, shallower decollement layers. Shallow brittle-ductile transition (BDT) zone and differential tilting of crustal blocks in the northern ER could hint a possibility of detachment surface between the flow in the lower crust relative to the brittle crust above. Our study suggests that kinematics of crustal blocks in the ER is controlled by Africa and Somalia plates interaction at different scale and layers.

Structural Color for Additive Manufacturing: 3D-Printed Photonic Crystals from Block Copolymers.

PubMed

Boyle, Bret M; French, Tracy A; Pearson, Ryan M; McCarthy, Blaine G; Miyake, Garret M

2017-03-28

The incorporation of structural color into 3D printed parts is reported, presenting an alternative to the need for pigments or dyes for colored parts produced through additive manufacturing. Thermoplastic build materials composed of dendritic block copolymers were designed, synthesized, and used to additively manufacture plastic parts exhibiting structural color. The reflection properties of the photonic crystals arise from the periodic nanostructure formed through block copolymer self-assembly during polymer processing. The wavelength of reflected light could be tuned across the visible spectrum by synthetically controlling the block copolymer molecular weight and manufacture parts that reflected violet, green, or orange light with the capacity to serve as selective optical filters and light guides.

Hierarchical self-assembly of hexagonal single-crystal nanosheets into 3D layered superlattices with high conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Yulun; Shen, Yuhua; Yang, Liangbao; Han, Bin; Huang, Fangzhi; Li, Shikuo; Chu, Zhuwang; Xie, Anjian

2012-05-01

While the number of man-made nano superstructures realized by self-assembly is growing in recent years, assemblies of conductive polymer nanocrystals, especially for superlattices, are still a significant challenge, not only because of the simplicity of the shape of the nanocrystal building blocks and their interactions, but also because of the poor control over these parameters in the fabrication of more elaborate nanocrystals. Here, we firstly report a facile and general route to a new generation of 3D layered superlattices of polyaniline doped with CSA (PANI-CSA) and show how PANI crystallize and self-assemble, in a suitable single solution environment. In cyclohexane, 1D amorphous nanofibers transformed to 1D nanorods as building blocks, and then to 2D single-crystal nanosheets with a hexagonal phase, and lastly to 3D ordered layered superlattices with the narrowest polydispersity value (Mw/Mn = 1.47). Remarkably, all the instructions for the hierarchical self-assembly are encoded in the layered shape in other non-polar solvents (hexane, octane) and their conductivity in the π-π stacking direction is improved to about 50 S cm-1, which is even higher than that of the highest previously reported value (16 S cm-1). The method used in this study is greatly expected to be readily scalable to produce superlattices of conductive polymers with high quality and low cost.While the number of man-made nano superstructures realized by self-assembly is growing in recent years, assemblies of conductive polymer nanocrystals, especially for superlattices, are still a significant challenge, not only because of the simplicity of the shape of the nanocrystal building blocks and their interactions, but also because of the poor control over these parameters in the fabrication of more elaborate nanocrystals. Here, we firstly report a facile and general route to a new generation of 3D layered superlattices of polyaniline doped with CSA (PANI-CSA) and show how PANI crystallize and self-assemble, in a suitable single solution environment. In cyclohexane, 1D amorphous nanofibers transformed to 1D nanorods as building blocks, and then to 2D single-crystal nanosheets with a hexagonal phase, and lastly to 3D ordered layered superlattices with the narrowest polydispersity value (Mw/Mn = 1.47). Remarkably, all the instructions for the hierarchical self-assembly are encoded in the layered shape in other non-polar solvents (hexane, octane) and their conductivity in the π-π stacking direction is improved to about 50 S cm-1, which is even higher than that of the highest previously reported value (16 S cm-1). The method used in this study is greatly expected to be readily scalable to produce superlattices of conductive polymers with high quality and low cost. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: SEM, and TEM images. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr30743j

Metal Organic Framework-Templated Chemiresistor: Sensing Type Transition from P-to-N Using Hollow Metal Oxide Polyhedron via Galvanic Replacement.

PubMed

Jang, Ji-Soo; Koo, Won-Tae; Choi, Seon-Jin; Kim, Il-Doo

2017-08-30

Facile synthesis of porous nanobuilding blocks with high surface area and uniform catalyst functionalization has always been regarded as an essential requirement for the development of highly sensitive and selective chemical sensors. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as one of the most ideal templates due to their ability to encapsulate ultrasmall catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) in microporous MOF structures in addition to easy removal of the sacrificial MOF scaffold by calcination. Here, we introduce a MOFs derived n-type SnO 2 (n-SnO 2 ) sensing layer with hollow polyhedron structures, obtained from p-n transition of MOF-templated p-type Co 3 O 4 (p-Co 3 O 4 ) hollow cubes during galvanic replacement reaction (GRR). In addition, the Pd NPs encapsulated in MOF and residual Co 3 O 4 clusters partially remained after GRR led to uniform functionalization of efficient cocatalysts (PdO NPs and p-Co 3 O 4 islands) on the porous and hollow polyhedron SnO 2 structures. Due to high gas accessibility through the meso- and macrosized pores in MOF-templated oxides and effective modulation of electron depletion layer assisted by the creation of numerous p-n junctions, the GRR-treated SnO 2 structures exhibited 21.9-fold higher acetone response (R air /R gas = 22.8 @ 5 ppm acetone, 90%RH) compared to MOF-templated p-Co 3 O 4 hollow structures. To the best of our knowledge, the selectivity and response amplitudes reported here for the detection of acetone are superior to those MOF derived metal oxide sensing layers reported so far. Our results demonstrate that highly active MOF-derived sensing layers can be achieved via p-n semiconducting phase transition, driven by a simple and versatile GRR process combined with MOF templating route.

Selective inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase 2 in vivo is antiinflammatory and nonulcerogenic.

PubMed Central

Masferrer, J L; Zweifel, B S; Manning, P T; Hauser, S D; Leahy, K M; Smith, W G; Isakson, P C; Seibert, K

1994-01-01

We have examined the role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in a model of inflammation in vivo. Carrageenan administration to the subcutaneous rat air pouch induces a rapid inflammatory response characterized by high levels of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes in the fluid exudate. The time course of the induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein coincided with the production of PGs in the pouch tissue and cellular infiltrate. Carrageenan-induced COX-2 immunoreactivity was localized to macrophages obtained from the fluid exudate as well as to the inner surface layer of cells within the pouch lining. Dexamethasone inhibited both COX-2 expression and PG synthesis in the fluid exudate but failed to inhibit PG synthesis in the stomach. Furthermore, NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, and indomethacin, a nonselective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, blocked proinflammatory PG synthesis in the air pouch. In contrast, only indomethacin blocked gastric PG and, additionally, produced gastric lesions. These results suggest that inhibitors of COX-2 are potent antiinflammatory agents which do not produce the typical side effects (e.g., gastric ulcers) associated with the nonselective, COX-1-directed antiinflammatory drugs. Images PMID:8159730

Membrane-Assisted Growth of DNA Origami Nanostructure Arrays

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Biological membranes fulfill many important tasks within living organisms. In addition to separating cellular volumes, membranes confine the space available to membrane-associated proteins to two dimensions (2D), which greatly increases their probability to interact with each other and assemble into multiprotein complexes. We here employed two DNA origami structures functionalized with cholesterol moieties as membrane anchors—a three-layered rectangular block and a Y-shaped DNA structure—to mimic membrane-assisted assembly into hierarchical superstructures on supported lipid bilayers and small unilamellar vesicles. As designed, the DNA constructs adhered to the lipid bilayers mediated by the cholesterol anchors and diffused freely in 2D with diffusion coefficients depending on their size and number of cholesterol modifications. Different sets of multimerization oligonucleotides added to bilayer-bound origami block structures induced the growth of either linear polymers or two-dimensional lattices on the membrane. Y-shaped DNA origami structures associated into triskelion homotrimers and further assembled into weakly ordered arrays of hexagons and pentagons, which resembled the geometry of clathrin-coated pits. Our results demonstrate the potential to realize artificial self-assembling systems that mimic the hierarchical formation of polyhedral lattices on cytoplasmic membranes. PMID:25734977

Membrane-assisted growth of DNA origami nanostructure arrays.

PubMed

Kocabey, Samet; Kempter, Susanne; List, Jonathan; Xing, Yongzheng; Bae, Wooli; Schiffels, Daniel; Shih, William M; Simmel, Friedrich C; Liedl, Tim

2015-01-01

Biological membranes fulfill many important tasks within living organisms. In addition to separating cellular volumes, membranes confine the space available to membrane-associated proteins to two dimensions (2D), which greatly increases their probability to interact with each other and assemble into multiprotein complexes. We here employed two DNA origami structures functionalized with cholesterol moieties as membrane anchors--a three-layered rectangular block and a Y-shaped DNA structure--to mimic membrane-assisted assembly into hierarchical superstructures on supported lipid bilayers and small unilamellar vesicles. As designed, the DNA constructs adhered to the lipid bilayers mediated by the cholesterol anchors and diffused freely in 2D with diffusion coefficients depending on their size and number of cholesterol modifications. Different sets of multimerization oligonucleotides added to bilayer-bound origami block structures induced the growth of either linear polymers or two-dimensional lattices on the membrane. Y-shaped DNA origami structures associated into triskelion homotrimers and further assembled into weakly ordered arrays of hexagons and pentagons, which resembled the geometry of clathrin-coated pits. Our results demonstrate the potential to realize artificial self-assembling systems that mimic the hierarchical formation of polyhedral lattices on cytoplasmic membranes.

3-D dumbbell-like LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials assembled with nano-building blocks for lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, Won-Hee; Lim, Sung-Jin; Kim, Won-Keun; Kwon, HyukSang

2014-07-01

Dumbbell-like microsphere carbonate precursors including multi-transition metal components (Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3CO3) assembled with nano-building blocks were synthesized by urea-assisted solvo/hydrothermal method, and layered cathode materials (LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2) were subsequently prepared using the similarly shaped carbonate precursors for Li-ion batteries. For the synthesis of hierarchical microsphere structures, the partial addition of viscous organic solvent (e.g. ethylene glycol) in aqueous solution played a crucial role, not only in suppressing the sudden particle growth but also in regulating the directional crystallization of carbonate particles on the surface. The dumbbell-like LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 assembled with nanocubes prepared via the urea-assisted solvo/hydrothermal method exhibited better electrochemical characteristics, such as initial discharge capacity, cyclic performance, and rate-capability as a cathode material of Li-ion batteries, compared with the LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 materials prepared via the conventional co-precipitation method.

Cutaneous Sensory Block Area, Muscle-Relaxing Effect, and Block Duration of the Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: A Randomized, Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Volunteers.

PubMed

Støving, Kion; Rothe, Christian; Rosenstock, Charlotte V; Aasvang, Eske K; Lundstrøm, Lars H; Lange, Kai H W

2015-01-01

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a widely used nerve block. However, basic block characteristics are poorly described. The purpose of this study was to assess the cutaneous sensory block area, muscle-relaxing effect, and block duration. Sixteen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided unilateral TAP block with 20 mL 7.5 mg/mL ropivacaine and placebo on the contralateral side. Measurements were performed at baseline and 90 minutes after performing the block. Cutaneous sensory block area was mapped and separated into a medial and lateral part by a vertical line through the anterior superior iliac spine. We measured muscle thickness of the 3 lateral abdominal muscle layers with ultrasound in the relaxed state and during maximal voluntary muscle contraction. The volunteers reported the duration of the sensory block and the abdominal muscle-relaxing effect. The lateral part of the cutaneous sensory block area was a median of 266 cm2 (interquartile range, 191-310 cm2) and the medial part 76 cm 2(interquartile range, 54-127 cm2). In all the volunteers, lateral wall muscle thickness decreased significantly by 9.2 mm (6.9-15.7 mm) during a maximal contraction. Sensory block and muscle-relaxing effect duration were 570 minutes (512-716 minutes) and 609 minutes (490-724 minutes), respectively. Cutaneous sensory block area of the TAP block is predominantly located lateral to a vertical line through the anterior superior iliac spine. The distribution is nondermatomal and does not cross the midline. The muscle-relaxing effect is significant and consistent. The block duration is approximately 10 hours with large variation.

Low temperature perovskite solar cells with an evaporated TiO 2 compact layer for perovskite silicon tandem solar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bett, Alexander J.; Schulze, Patricia S. C.; Winkler, Kristina

Silicon-based tandem solar cells can overcome the efficiency limit of single junction silicon solar cells. Perovskite solar cells are particularly promising as a top cell in monolithic tandem devices due to their rapid development towards high efficiencies, a tunable band gap with a sharp optical absorption edge and a simple production process. In monolithic tandem devices, the perovskite solar cell is deposited directly on the silicon cell, requiring low-temperature processes (< 200 °C) to maintain functionality of under-lying layers of the silicon cell in case of highly efficient silicon hetero-junction (SHJ) bottom solar cell. In this work, we present amore » complete low-temperature process for perovskite solar cells including a mesoporous titanium oxide (TiO 2) scaffold - a structure yielding the highest efficiencies for single-junction perovskite solar cells. We show that evaporation of the compact TiO 2 hole blocking layer and ultra-violet (UV) curing for the mesoporous TiO 2 layer allows for good performance, comparable to high-temperature (> 500 °C) processes. With both manufacturing routes, we obtain short-circuit current densities (J SC) of about 20 mA/cm 2, open-circuit voltages (V OC) over 1 V, fill factors (FF) between 0.7 and 0.8 and efficiencies (n) of more than 15%. We further show that the evaporated TiO 2 layer is suitable for the application in tandem devices. The series resistance of the layer itself and the contact resistance to an indium doped tin oxide (ITO) interconnection layer between the two sub-cells are low. Additionally, the low parasitic absorption for wavelengths above the perovskite band gap allow a higher absorption in the silicon bottom solar cell, which is essential to achieve high tandem efficiencies.« less

Low temperature perovskite solar cells with an evaporated TiO 2 compact layer for perovskite silicon tandem solar cells

DOE PAGES

Bett, Alexander J.; Schulze, Patricia S. C.; Winkler, Kristina; ...

2017-09-21

Silicon-based tandem solar cells can overcome the efficiency limit of single junction silicon solar cells. Perovskite solar cells are particularly promising as a top cell in monolithic tandem devices due to their rapid development towards high efficiencies, a tunable band gap with a sharp optical absorption edge and a simple production process. In monolithic tandem devices, the perovskite solar cell is deposited directly on the silicon cell, requiring low-temperature processes (< 200 °C) to maintain functionality of under-lying layers of the silicon cell in case of highly efficient silicon hetero-junction (SHJ) bottom solar cell. In this work, we present amore » complete low-temperature process for perovskite solar cells including a mesoporous titanium oxide (TiO 2) scaffold - a structure yielding the highest efficiencies for single-junction perovskite solar cells. We show that evaporation of the compact TiO 2 hole blocking layer and ultra-violet (UV) curing for the mesoporous TiO 2 layer allows for good performance, comparable to high-temperature (> 500 °C) processes. With both manufacturing routes, we obtain short-circuit current densities (J SC) of about 20 mA/cm 2, open-circuit voltages (V OC) over 1 V, fill factors (FF) between 0.7 and 0.8 and efficiencies (n) of more than 15%. We further show that the evaporated TiO 2 layer is suitable for the application in tandem devices. The series resistance of the layer itself and the contact resistance to an indium doped tin oxide (ITO) interconnection layer between the two sub-cells are low. Additionally, the low parasitic absorption for wavelengths above the perovskite band gap allow a higher absorption in the silicon bottom solar cell, which is essential to achieve high tandem efficiencies.« less

Urban Morphology Influence on Urban Albedo: A Revisit with the S olene Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groleau, Dominique; Mestayer, Patrice G.

2013-05-01

This heuristic study of the urban morphology influence on urban albedo is based on some 3,500 simulations with the S olene model. The studied configurations include square blocks in regular and staggered rows, rectangular blocks with different street widths, cross-shaped blocks, infinite street canyons and several actual districts in Marseilles, Toulouse and Nantes, France. The scanned variables are plan density, facade density, building height, layout orientation, latitude, date and time of the day. The sky-view factors of the ground and canopy surfaces are also considered. This study demonstrates the significance of the facade density, in addition to the built plan density, as the explanatory geometrical factor to characterize the urban morphology, rather than building height. On the basis of these albedo calculations the puzzling results of Kondo et al. (Boundary-Layer Meteorol 100:225-242, 2001) for the influence of building height are explained, and the plan density influence is quantitatively assessed. It is shown that the albedo relationship with plan and facade densities obtained with the regular square plot configuration may be considered as a reference for all other configurations, with the exception of the infinite street canyon that shows systematic differences for the lower plan densities. The curves representing this empirical relationship may be used as a sort of abacus for all other geometries while an approximate simple mathematical model is proposed, as well as relationships between the albedo and sky-view factors.

Mechanical and transport properties of layer-by-layer electrospun composite proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.

PubMed

Mannarino, Matthew M; Liu, David S; Hammond, Paula T; Rutledge, Gregory C

2013-08-28

Composite membranes composed of highly conductive and selective layer-by-layer (LbL) films and electrospun fiber mats were fabricated and characterized for mechanical strength and electrochemical selectivity. The LbL component consists of a proton-conducting, methanol-blocking poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride)/sulfonated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PDAC/sPPO) thin film. The electrospun fiber component consists of poly(trimethyl hexamethylene terephthalamide) (PA 6(3)T) fibers in a nonwoven mat of 60-90% porosity. The bare mats were annealed to improve their mechanical properties, which improvements are shown to be retained in the composite membranes. Spray LbL assembly was used as a means for the rapid formation of proton-conducting films that fill the void space throughout the porous electrospun matrix and create a fuel-blocking layer. Coated mats as thin as 15 μm were fabricated, and viable composite membranes with methanol permeabilities 20 times lower than Nafion and through-plane proton selectivity five and a half times greater than Nafion are demonstrated. The mechanical properties of the spray coated electrospun mats are shown to be superior to the LbL-only system and possess intrinsically greater dimensional stability and lower mechanical hysteresis than Nafion under hydrated conditions. The composite proton exchange membranes fabricated here were tested in an operational direct methanol fuel cell. The results show the potential for higher open circuit voltages (OCV) and comparable cell resistances when compared to fuel cells based on Nafion.

Heat-transport mechanisms in molecular building blocks of inorganic/organic hybrid superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giri, Ashutosh; Niemelä, Janne-Petteri; Tynell, Tommi; Gaskins, John T.; Donovan, Brian F.; Karppinen, Maarit; Hopkins, Patrick E.

2016-03-01

Nanomaterial interfaces and concomitant thermal resistances are generally considered as atomic-scale planes that scatter the fundamental energy carriers. Given that the nanoscale structural and chemical properties of solid interfaces can strongly influence this thermal boundary conductance, the ballistic and diffusive nature of phonon transport along with the corresponding phonon wavelengths can affect how energy is scattered and transmitted across an interfacial region between two materials. In hybrid composites composed of atomic layer building blocks of inorganic and organic constituents, the varying interaction between the phononic spectrum in the inorganic crystals and vibronic modes in the molecular films can provide a new avenue to manipulate the energy exchange between the fundamental vibrational energy carriers across interfaces. Here, we systematically study the heat transfer mechanisms in hybrid superlattices of atomic- and molecular-layer-grown zinc oxide and hydroquinone with varying thicknesses of the inorganic and organic layers in the superlattices. We demonstrate ballistic energy transfer of phonons in the zinc oxide that is limited by scattering at the zinc oxide/hydroquinone interface for superlattices with a single monolayer of hydroquinone separating the thicker inorganic layers. The concomitant thermal boundary conductance across the zinc oxide interfacial region approaches the maximal thermal boundary conductance of a zinc oxide phonon flux, indicative of the contribution of long wavelength vibrations across the aromatic molecular monolayers in transmitting energy across the interface. This transmission of energy across the molecular interface decreases considerably as the thickness of the organic layers are increased.

Reduced recombination in a surface-sulfurized Cu(InGa)Se2 thin-film solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Shinho; Nishinaga, Jiro; Kamikawa, Yukiko; Ishizuka, Shogo; Nagai, Takehiko; Koida, Takashi; Tampo, Hitoshi; Shibata, Hajime; Matsubara, Koji; Niki, Shigeru

2018-05-01

This study demonstrates surface sulfurization effects on Cu(InGa)Se2 (CIGSe) thin-film solar cells with a single back-graded band gap. Single back-graded CIGSe thin films were prepared via a three-stage process in a high-vacuum molecular beam epitaxial growth chamber and were subsequently annealed in a tube furnace under environmental conditions with H2S gas. After sulfurization, an ∼80- to ∼100-nm-thick CuIn(SSe)2 layer with significantly small Ga contents (CISSe:Ga) was formed on the CIGSe layer. The newly formed CISSe:Ga layer exhibited graded S contents from surface to bulk, thus resulting in a front-graded band gap. In addition, CISSe:Ga was covered with S-enriched CISSe region that was extended from the surface to a depth of a few nm and was depleted of Ga. A device with the sulfurized CIGSe showed reduced recombination at the buffer–absorber interface, in space-charge region and in bulk. Consequently, the open circuit voltage increased from 0.58 V (in the non-sulfurized case) to 0.66 V, and the conversion efficiency improved from 15.5 to 19.4%. This large improvement is caused by the front graded band gap at the surface and the hole-blocking barrier, which suppress recombination at the CdS/CISSe:Ga interface. In addition, sulfurization followed by KF post-deposition treatment (PDT) increased the efficiency to 20.1%. Compared to the untreated sulfurized device, the KF-PDT device delivered an increased carrier lifetime and reduced the recombination in bulk probably because the defects were passivated by the K, which penetrated into the bulk region.

Recombination Suppression in PbS Quantum Dot Heterojunction Solar Cells by Energy-Level Alignment in the Quantum Dot Active Layers.

PubMed

Ding, Chao; Zhang, Yaohong; Liu, Feng; Nakazawa, Naoki; Huang, Qingxun; Hayase, Shuzi; Ogomi, Yuhei; Toyoda, Taro; Wang, Ruixiang; Shen, Qing

2017-09-22

Using spatial energy-level gradient engineering with quantum dots (QDs) of different sizes to increase the generated carrier collection at the junction of a QD heterojunction solar cell (QDHSC) is a hopeful route for improving the energy-conversion efficiency. However, the results of current related research have shown that a variable band-gap structure in a QDHSC will create an appreciable increase, not in the illumination current density, but rather in the fill factor. In addition, there are a lack of studies on the mechanism of the effect of these graded structures on the photovoltaic performance of QDHSCs. This study presents the development of air atmosphere solution-processed TiO 2 /PbS QDs/Au QDHSCs by engineering the energy-level alignment (ELA) of the active layer via the use of a sorted order of differently sized QD layers (four QD sizes). In comparison to the ungraded device (without the ELA), the optimized graded architecture (containing the ELA) solar cells exhibited a great increase (21.4%) in short-circuit current density (J sc ). As a result, a J sc value greater than 30 mA/cm 2 has been realized in planar, thinner absorption layer (∼300 nm) PbS QDHSCs, and the open-circuit voltage (V oc ) and power-conversion efficiency (PCE) were also improved. Through characterization by the light intensity dependences of the J sc and V oc and transient photovoltage decay, we find that (i) the ELA structure, serving as an electron-blocking layer, reduces the interfacial recombination at the PbS/anode interface, and (ii) the ELA structure can drive more carriers toward the desirable collection electrode, and the additional carriers can fill the trap states, reducing the trap-assisted recombination in the PbS QDHSCs. This work has clearly elucidated the mechanism of the recombination suppression in the graded QDHSCs and demonstrated the effects of ELA structure on the improvement of J sc . The charge recombination mechanisms characterized in this work would be able to shed light on further improvements of QDHSCs, which could even benefit other types of solar cells.