Sample records for current-free double layer

  1. Observation of a stationary, current-free double layer in a plasma

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hairapetian, G.; Stenzel, R. L.

    1990-01-01

    A stationary, current-free, potential double layer is formed in a two-electron-population plasma due to self-consistent separation of the two electron species. The position and amplitude of the double layer are controlled by the relative densities of the two electron populations. The steady-state double layer traps the colder electrons on the high potential side, and generates a neutralized, monoenergetic ion beam on the low potential side. The field-aligned double layer is annihilated when an electron current is drawn through the plasma.

  2. Two-dimensional quasi-double-layers in two-electron-temperature, current-free plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Merino, Mario; Ahedo, Eduardo

    2013-02-01

    The expansion of a plasma with two disparate electron populations into vacuum and channeled by a divergent magnetic nozzle is analyzed with an axisymmetric model. The purpose is to study the formation and two-dimensional shape of a current-free double-layer in the case when the electric potential steepening can still be treated within the quasineutral approximation. The properties of this quasi-double-layer are investigated in terms of the relative fraction of the high-energy electron population, its radial distribution when injected into the nozzle, and the geometry and intensity of the applied magnetic field. The two-dimensional double layer presents a curved shape, which is dependent on the natural curvature of the equipotential lines in a magnetically expanded plasma and the particular radial distribution of high-energy electrons at injection. The double layer curvature increases the higher the nozzle divergence is, the lower the magnetic strength is, and the more peripherally hot electrons are injected. A central application of the study is the operation of a helicon plasma thruster in space. To this respect, it is shown that the curvature of the double layer does not increment the thrust, it does not modify appreciably the downstream divergence of the plasma beam, but it increases the magnetic-to-pressure thrust ratio. The present study does not attempt to cover current-free double layers involving plasmas with multiple populations of positive ions.

  3. Upstream ionization instability associated with a current-free double layer.

    PubMed

    Aanesland, A; Charles, C; Lieberman, M A; Boswell, R W

    2006-08-18

    A low frequency instability has been observed using various electrostatic probes in a low-pressure expanding helicon plasma. The instability is associated with the presence of a current-free double layer (DL). The frequency of the instability increases linearly with the potential drop of the DL, and simultaneous measurements show their coexistence. A theory for an upstream ionization instability has been developed, which shows that electrons accelerated through the DL increase the ionization upstream and are responsible for the observed instability. The theory is in good agreement with the experimental results.

  4. Increased upstream ionization due to formation of a double layer.

    PubMed

    Thakur, S Chakraborty; Harvey, Z; Biloiu, I A; Hansen, A; Hardin, R A; Przybysz, W S; Scime, E E

    2009-01-23

    We report observations that confirm a theoretical prediction that formation of a current-free double layer in a plasma expanding into a chamber of larger diameter is accompanied by an increase in ionization upstream of the double layer. The theoretical model argues that the increased ionization is needed to balance the difference in diffusive losses upstream and downstream of the expansion region. In our expanding helicon source experiments, we find that the upstream plasma density increases sharply at the same antenna frequency at which the double layer appears.

  5. Experimental investigation of current free double layers in helicon plasmas

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

    Sahu, B. B.; Tarey, R. D.; Ganguli, A.

    2014-02-15

    The paper presents investigations of current free double layer (CFDL) that forms in helicon plasmas. In contrast to the other work reporting on the same subject, in the present investigations the double layer (DL) forms in a mirror-like magnetic field topology. The RF compensated Langmuir probe measurements show multiple DLs, which are in connection with, the abrupt fall of densities along with potential drop of about 24 V and 18 V. The DLs strengths (e ΔV{sub p})/(k T{sub e}) are about 9.5 and 6, and the corresponding widths are about 6 and 5 D lengths. The potential drop is nearly equal tomore » the thermal anisotropies between the two plasma regions forming the DL, which is present in the plateau region of mirror, unlike the earlier studies on the DL formation in the region of strong gradients in the magnetic field. Also, it presents a qualitative discussion on the mechanism of DL formation.« less

  6. Current-free double layers: A review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Nagendra

    2011-12-01

    During the last decade, there has been an upsurge in the research on current-free DLs (CFDLs). Research includes theory, laboratory measurements, and various applications of CFDLs ranging from plasma thrusters to acceleration of charged particles in space and astrophysical plasmas. The purpose of this review is to present a unified understanding of the basic plasma processes, which lead to the formation of CFDLs. The review starts with the discussion on early research on electric fields and double layers (DLs) and ion acceleration in planar plasma expansion. The review continues with the formation of DLs and rarefaction shocks (RFS) in expanding plasma with two electron populations with different temperatures. The basic theory mitigating the formation of a CFDL by two-electron temperature population is reviewed; we refer to such CFDLs as double layers structures formation by two-temperature electron populations (TET-CFDLs). Application of TET-CFDLS to ion acceleration in laboratory and space plasmas was discussed including the formation of stationary steady-state DLs. A quite different type of CFDLs forms in a helicon plasma device (HPD), in which plasma abruptly expands from a narrow plasma source tube into a wide diffusion tube with abruptly diverging magnetic fields. The formation mechanism of the CFDL in HPD, referred here as current free double layer structure in helicon plasma device (HPD-CFDL), and its applications are reviewed. The formation of a TET-CFDL is due to the self-consistent separation of the two electron populations parallel to the ambient magnetic field. In contrast, a HPD-CFDL forms due to self-consistent separation of electrons and ion perpendicular to the abruptly diverging magnetic field in conjunction with the conducting wall of the expansion chamber in the HPD. One-dimensional theoretical models of CFDLs based on steady-state solution of Vlasov-Poisson system of equations are briefly discussed. Applications of CFDLs ranging from helicon double-layer thrusters (HDLTs) to the accelerations of ions in space and astrophysical plasmas are summarized.

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

    Baalrud, S. D.; Lafleur, T.; Boswell, R. W.

    Current-free double layers of the type reported in plasmas in the presence of an expanding magnetic field [C. Charles and R. W. Boswell, Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 1356 (2003)] are modeled theoretically and with particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulations. Emphasis is placed on determining what mechanisms affect the electron velocity distribution function (EVDF) and how the EVDF influences the double layer. A theoretical model is developed based on depletion of electrons in certain velocity intervals due to wall losses and repletion of these intervals due to ionization and elastic electron scattering. This model is used to predict the range of neutral pressuresmore » over which a double layer can form and the electrostatic potential drop of the double layer. These predictions are shown to compare well with simulation results.« less

  8. Free-standing, well-aligned ordered mesoporous carbon nanofibers on current collectors for high-power micro-supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Kang, Eunae; Jeon, Gumhye; Kim, Jin Kon

    2013-07-21

    The mesoporous carbon nanofiber arrays that stand on carbon-gold double-layer current collectors are synthesized by self-assembly of a PS-b-PEO copolymer and resol in AAO templates for a high-power micro-supercapacitor at high current densities.

  9. Evidence of current free double layer in high density helicon discharge

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

    Ganguli, A.; Sahu, B. B.; Tarey, R. D.

    2013-01-15

    This paper investigates the formation of double layer (DL) in helicon plasmas. In the experiment, argon plasma production is using the excitation of m = -1 helicon mode with magnetic mirror field with high mirror ratio of {approx}1:1.7. We have specifically used the radio frequency compensated Langmuir probe (LP) to measure the relevant plasma parameters simultaneously so as to investigate the details about the plasma production. The DL, which consists of both warm and bulk populations towards higher potential region and only dense bulk plasmas towards the lower potential region downstream the antenna, is present in the transition region. LPmore » measurements also show an abrupt fall of density along with a potential drop of about 20 V and (e {Delta}V{sub p}/k T{sub e}) Almost-Equal-To 12 within a few cm. The potential drop is equal to the difference of the electron temperatures between the two plasma regions forming the DL, which is present in the plateau region of mirror, unlike in several prior studies on the DL formation in the region of strong gradients in the magnetic field. The DL is strong, current-free, electric double-layer with estimated thickness of about 10 Debye lengths.« less

  10. Numerical simulation of current-free double layers created in a helicon plasma device

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

    Rao, Sathyanarayan; Singh, Nagendra

    2012-09-15

    Two-dimensional simulations reveal that when radially confined source plasma with magnetized electrons and unmagnetized ions expands into diverging magnetic field B, a current-free double layer (CFDL) embedded in a conical density structure forms, as experimentally measured in the Australian helicon plasma device (HPD). The magnetized electrons follow the diverging B while the unmagnetized ions tend to flow directly downstream of the source, resulting in a radial electric field (E{sub Up-Tack }) structure, which couples the ion and electron flows. Ions are transversely (radially) accelerated by E{sub Up-Tack} on the high potential side of the double layer in the CFDL. Themore » accelerated ions are trapped near the conical surface, where E{sub Up-Tack} reverses direction. The potential structure of the CFDL is U-shaped and the plasma density is enhanced on the conical surface. The plasma density is severely depleted downstream of the parallel potential drop ({phi}{sub Double-Vertical-Line Double-Vertical-Line o}) in the CFDL; the density depletion and the potential drop are related by quasi-neutrality condition, including the divergence in the magnetic field and in the plasma flow in the conical structure. The potential and density structures, the CFDL spatial size, its electric field strengths and the electron and ion velocities and energy distributions in the CFDL are found to be in good agreements with those measured in the Australian experiment. The applicability of our results to measured axial potential profiles in magnetic nozzle experiments in HPDs is discussed.« less

  11. Ambipolar pentacene field-effect transistor with double-layer organic insulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kwak, Jeong-Hun; Baek, Heume-Il; Lee, Changhee

    2006-08-01

    Ambipolar conduction in organic field-effect transistor is very important feature to achieve organic CMOS circuitry. We fabricated an ambipolar pentacene field-effect transistors consisted of gold source-drain electrodes and double-layered PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) / PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) organic insulator on the ITO(Indium-tin-oxide)-patterned glass substrate. These top-contact geometry field-effect transistors were fabricated in the vacuum of 10 -6 Torr and minimally exposed to atmosphere before its measurement and characterized in the vacuum condition. Our device showed reasonable p-type characteristics of field-effect hole mobility of 0.2-0.9 cm2/Vs and the current ON/OFF ratio of about 10 6 compared to prior reports with similar configurations. For the n-type characteristics, field-effect electron mobility of 0.004-0.008 cm2/Vs and the current ON/OFF ratio of about 10 3 were measured, which is relatively high performance for the n-type conduction of pentacene field-effect transistors. We attributed these ambipolar properties mainly to the hydroxyl-free PMMA insulator interface with the pentacene active layer. In addition, an increased insulator capacitance due to double-layer insulator structure with high-k PVA layer also helped us to observe relatively good n-type characteristics.

  12. Numerical simulation of current-free double layers created in a helicon plasma device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rao, Sathyanarayan; Singh, Nagendra

    2012-09-01

    Two-dimensional simulations reveal that when radially confined source plasma with magnetized electrons and unmagnetized ions expands into diverging magnetic field B, a current-free double layer (CFDL) embedded in a conical density structure forms, as experimentally measured in the Australian helicon plasma device (HPD). The magnetized electrons follow the diverging B while the unmagnetized ions tend to flow directly downstream of the source, resulting in a radial electric field (E⊥) structure, which couples the ion and electron flows. Ions are transversely (radially) accelerated by E⊥ on the high potential side of the double layer in the CFDL. The accelerated ions are trapped near the conical surface, where E⊥ reverses direction. The potential structure of the CFDL is U-shaped and the plasma density is enhanced on the conical surface. The plasma density is severely depleted downstream of the parallel potential drop (φ||o) in the CFDL; the density depletion and the potential drop are related by quasi-neutrality condition, including the divergence in the magnetic field and in the plasma flow in the conical structure. The potential and density structures, the CFDL spatial size, its electric field strengths and the electron and ion velocities and energy distributions in the CFDL are found to be in good agreements with those measured in the Australian experiment. The applicability of our results to measured axial potential profiles in magnetic nozzle experiments in HPDs is discussed.

  13. Explosive Magnetic Reconnection in Double-current Sheet Systems: Ideal versus Resistive Tearing Mode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baty, Hubert

    2017-03-01

    Magnetic reconnection associated with the tearing instability occurring in double-current sheet systems is investigated within the framework of resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in a two-dimensional Cartesian geometry. A special emphasis on the existence of fast and explosive phases is taken. First, we extend the recent theory on the ideal tearing mode of a single-current sheet to a double-current layer configuration. A linear stability analysis shows that, in long and thin systems with (length to shear layer thickness) aspect ratios scaling as {S}L9/29 (S L being the Lundquist number based on the length scale L), tearing modes can develop on a fast Alfvénic timescale in the asymptotic limit {S}L\\to ∞ . The linear results are confirmed by means of compressible resistive MHD simulations at relatively high S L values (up to 3× {10}6) for different current sheet separations. Moreover, the nonlinear evolution of the ideal double tearing mode (IDTM) exhibits a richer dynamical behavior than its single-tearing counterpart, as a nonlinear explosive growth violently ends up with a disruption when the two current layers interact trough the merging of plasmoids. The final outcome of the system is a relaxation toward a new state, free of magnetic field reversal. The IDTM dynamics is also compared to the resistive double tearing mode dynamics, which develops in similar systems with smaller aspect ratios, ≳ 2π , and exhibits an explosive secondary reconnection, following an initial slow resistive growth phase. Finally, our results are used to discuss the flaring activity in astrophysical magnetically dominated plasmas, with a particular emphasis on pulsar systems.

  14. Dynamical features and electric field strengths of double layers driven by currents. [in auroras

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Singh, N.; Thiemann, H.; Schunk, R. W.

    1985-01-01

    In recent years, a number of papers have been concerned with 'ion-acoustic' double layers. In the present investigation, results from numerical simulations are presented to show that the shapes and forms of current-driven double layers evolve dynamically with the fluctuations in the current through the plasma. It is shown that double layers with a potential dip can form even without the excitation of ion-acoustic modes. Double layers in two-and one-half-dimensional simulations are discussed, taking into account the simulation technique, the spatial and temporal features of plasma, and the dynamical behavior of the parallel potential distribution. Attention is also given to double layers in one-dimensional simulations, and electrical field strengths predicted by two-and one-half-dimensional simulations.

  15. Epitaxial growth of YBa2Cu3O7 - delta films on oxidized silicon with yttria- and zirconia-based buffer layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pechen, E. V.; Schoenberger, R.; Brunner, B.; Ritzinger, S.; Renk, K. F.; Sidorov, M. V.; Oktyabrsky, S. R.

    1993-09-01

    A study of epitaxial growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ films on oxidized Si with yttria- and zirconia-based buffer layers is reported. Using substrates with either SiO2 free or naturally oxidized (100) surfaces of Si it was found that a thin SiO2 layer on top of the Si favors high-quality superconducting film formation. Compared to yttria-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) single layers, YSZY2O3 double and YSZ/Y2O3YSZ triple layers allows the deposition of thin YBa2Cu3O7-δ films with improved properties including reduced aging effects. In epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7-δ films grown on the double buffer layers a critical temperature Tc(R=0)=89.5 K and critical current densities of 3.5×106 A/cm2 at 77 K and 1×107 A/cm2 at 66 K were reached.

  16. The Electrical Double Layer and Its Structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stojek, Zbigniew

    At any electrode immersed in an electrolyte solution, a specific interfacial region is formed. This region is called the double layer. The electrical properties of such a layer are important, since they significantly affect the electrochemical measurements. In an electrical circuit used to measure the current that flows at a particular working electrode, the double layer can be viewed as a capacitor. Figure I.1.1 depicts this situation where the electrochemical cell is represented by an electrical circuit and capacitor C d corresponds to the differential capacity of the double layer. To obtain a desired potential at the working electrodes, the double-layer capacitor must be first appropriately charged, which means that a capacitive current, not related to the reduction or oxidation of the substrates, flows in the electrical circuit. While this capacitive current carries some information concerning the double layer and its structure, and in some cases can be used for analytical purposes, in general, it interferes with electrochemical investigations. A variety of methods are used in electrochemistry to depress, isolate, or filter the capacitive current.

  17. Double layers and circuits in astrophysics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alfven, Hannes

    1986-01-01

    As the rate of energy release in a double layer with voltage delta V is P approx I delta V, a double layer must be treated as a part of a circuit which delivers the current I. As neither double layer nor circuit can be derived from magnetofluid models of a plasma, such models are useless for treating energy transfer by means of double layers. They must be replaced by particle models and circuit theory. A simple circuit is suggested which is applied to the energizing of auroral particles, to solar flares, and to intergalactic double radio sources. Application to the heliospheric current systems leads to the prediction of two double layers on the Sun's axis which may give radiations detectable from Earth. Double layers in space should be classified as a new type of celestial object (one example is the double radio sources). It is tentatively suggested in X-ray and Gamma-ray bursts may be due to exploding double layers (although annihilation is an alternative energy source). A study of how a number of the most used textbooks in astrophysics treat important concepts like double layers, critical velocity, pinch effects and circuits is made.

  18. Extended-gate-type IGZO electric-double-layer TFT immunosensor with high sensitivity and low operation voltage

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Lingyan; Zhang, Shengnan; Wu, Weihua; Zhu, Liqiang; Xiao, Hui; Liu, Yanghui; Zhang, Hongliang; Javaid, Kashif; Cao, Hongtao

    2016-10-01

    An immunosensor is proposed based on the indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) electric-double-layer thin-film transistor (EDL TFT) with a separating extended gate. The IGZO EDL TFT has a field-effect mobility of 24.5 cm2 V-1 s-1 and an operation voltage less than 1.5 V. The sensors exhibit the linear current response to label-free target immune molecule in the concentrations ranging from 1.6 to 368 × 10-15 g/ml with a detection limit of 1.6 × 10-15 g/ml (0.01 fM) under an ultralow operation voltage of 0.5 V. The IGZO TFT component demonstrates a consecutive assay stability and recyclability due to the unique structure with the separating extended gate. With the excellent electrical properties and the potential for plug-in-card-type multifunctional sensing, extended-gate-type IGZO EDL TFTs can be promising candidates for the development of a label-free biosensor for public health applications.

  19. Self-consistent electrostatic simulations of reforming double layers in the downward current region of the aurora

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gunell, H.; Andersson, L.; De Keyser, J.; Mann, I.

    2015-10-01

    The plasma on a magnetic field line in the downward current region of the aurora is simulated using a Vlasov model. It is found that an electric field parallel to the magnetic fields is supported by a double layer moving toward higher altitude. The double layer accelerates electrons upward, and these electrons give rise to plasma waves and electron phase-space holes through beam-plasma interaction. The double layer is disrupted when reaching altitudes of 1-2 Earth radii where the Langmuir condition no longer can be satisfied due to the diminishing density of electrons coming up from the ionosphere. During the disruption the potential drop is in part carried by the electron holes. The disruption creates favourable conditions for double layer formation near the ionosphere and double layers form anew in that region. The process repeats itself with a period of approximately 1 min. This period is determined by how far the double layer can reach before being disrupted: a higher disruption altitude corresponds to a longer repetition period. The disruption altitude is, in turn, found to increase with ionospheric density and to decrease with total voltage. The current displays oscillations around a mean value. The period of the oscillations is the same as the recurrence period of the double layer formations. The oscillation amplitude increases with increasing voltage, whereas the mean value of the current is independent of voltage in the 100 to 800 V range covered by our simulations. Instead, the mean value of the current is determined by the electron density at the ionospheric boundary.

  20. Langmuir probe measurements of double-layers in a pulsed discharge

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Levine, J. S.; Crawford, F. W.

    1980-01-01

    Langmuir probe measurements were carried out which confirm the occurrence of double-layers in an argon positive column. Pulsing the discharge current permitted probe measurements to be performed in the presence of the double-layer. Supplementary evidence, obtained from DC and pulsed discharges, indicated that the double-layers formed in the two modes of operation were similar. The double-layers observed were weak and stable; their relation to other classes of double-layers are discussed, and directions for future work are suggested.

  1. Thermodynamics of rough colloidal surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goldstein, Raymond E.; Halsey, Thomas C.; Leibig, Michael

    1991-03-01

    In Debye-Hückel theory, the free energy of an electric double layer near a colloidal (or any other) surface can be related to the statistics of random walks near that surface. We present a numerical method based on this correspondence for the calculation of the double-layer free energy for an arbitrary charged or conducting surface. For self-similar surfaces, we propose a scaling law for the behavior of the free energy as a function of the screening length and the surface dimension. This scaling law is verified by numerical computation. Capacitance measurements on rough surfaces of, e.g., colloids can test these predictions.

  2. Control strategy on the double-diffusive convection in a nanofluid layer with internal heat generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mokhtar, N. F. M.; Khalid, I. K.; Siri, Z.; Ibrahim, Z. B.; Gani, S. S. A.

    2017-10-01

    The influences of feedback control and internal heat source on the onset of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a horizontal nanofluid layer is studied analytically due to Soret and Dufour parameters. The confining boundaries of the nanofluid layer (bottom boundary-top boundary) are assumed to be free-free, rigid-free, and rigid-rigid, with a source of heat from below. Linear stability theory is applied, and the eigenvalue solution is obtained numerically using the Galerkin technique. Focusing on the stationary convection, it is shown that there is a positive thermal resistance in the presence of feedback control on the onset of double-diffusive convection, while there is a positive thermal efficiency in the existence of internal heat generation. The possibilities of suppress or augment of the Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a nanofluid layer are also discussed in detail.

  3. Double-layered collagen graft to the radial forearm free flap donor sites without skin graft.

    PubMed

    Park, Tae-Jun; Kim, Hong-Joon; Ahn, Kang-Min

    2015-12-01

    Radial forearm free flap is the most reliable flap for intraoral soft tissue reconstruction after cancer ablation surgery. However, unesthetic scar of the donor site and the need for a second donor site for skin graft are major disadvantages of the forearm flap. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical results of double-layered collagen graft to the donor site of the forearm free flap without skin graft. Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent oral cancer ablation and forearm reconstruction between April 2010 and November 2013 were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 12:10, and average age was 61.0 years old (27-84). Double-layered collagen was grafted to the donor site of the forearm free flap and healed for secondary intention. Upper silicone had been trimmed at the periphery during secondary intention, and dry dressing was used. Postoperative scar healing and esthetic results and function were evaluated. An average follow-up period was 34.9 months. The scar area was decreased to 63.9 % in average. The complete healing was obtained between 1.5 and 3 months according to the defect size. There was no functional defect or impairment 3 months after operation. All patients were satisfied with the esthetic results. Three patients died of recurred cancer. Double-layered collagen graft was successfully performed in this study. Without the thigh skin graft, patients had experienced less painful postoperative healing periods and discomfort.

  4. Experimental evidence of a double layer in a large volume helicon reactor.

    PubMed

    Sutherland, O; Charles, C; Plihon, N; Boswell, R W

    2005-11-11

    The self-consistently generated current-free electric double layer (DL) is shown to scale up with the source tube diameter and appears not to be affected by rf driving frequency and changes in reactor geometry. This Letter presents the first simultaneous measurements of local plasma potential and beam energy as a function of axial position. The DL is shown to be no more than 5 mm thick (20 D lengths) and positioned just downstream of the maximum in the magnetic field gradient. Furthermore, its position relative to the magnetic field is observed to be invariant as the magnetic field is translated axially. Measurements of the potential drop across the DL are presented for pressures down to 0.09 mTorr and the DL strength (phiDL/T(e)) is determined to be between 5 and 7.

  5. Solvent-free synthesis of new metal phosphites with double-layered, pillared-layered, and framework structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Lin; Zhang, Wei; Shi, Zhonghua; Chen, Yaoqiang; Lin, Zhien

    2014-12-01

    Three new metal phosphites, formulated as (H3O)2·Mn2(HPO3)3 (1), Co(bpy) (H2O) (HPO3) (2), and H2tmpda·Zn3(HPO3)4 (3), have been synthesized under solvent-free conditions, where bpy = 4,4‧-bipyridine, and tmpda = N,N,N‧,N‧-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine. Compound 1 has a double-layered structure with a thickness of 5.68 Å. Compound 2 has an inorganic-organic hybrid framework with cobalt phosphite layers pillared by bpy ligands. Compound 3 has a three-dimensional open-framework structure containing 8-ring channels. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of compounds 1 and 2 were also investigated.

  6. Double layer mixed matrix membrane adsorbers improving capacity and safety hemodialysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saiful; Borneman, Z.; Wessling, M.

    2018-05-01

    Double layer mixed matrix membranes adsorbers have been developed for blood toxin removal by embedding activated carbon into cellulose acetate macroporous membranes. The membranes are prepared by phase inversion method via water vapor induced phase separation followed by an immersion precipitation step. Double layer MMM consisting of an active support and a separating layer. The active support layer consists of activated carbon particles embedded in macroporous cellulose acetate; the separating layer consists of particle free cellulose acetate. The double layer membrane possess an open and interconnected macroporous structure with a high loading of activated carbon available for blood toxins removal. The MMM AC has a swelling degree of 6.5 %, porosity of 53 % and clean water flux of 800 Lm-2h-1bar-1. The prepared membranes show a high dynamic Creatinine (Crt) removal during hemodilysis process. The Crt removal by adsorption contributes to amore than 83 % of the total removal. The double layer adsorptive membrane proves hemodialysis membrane can integrated with adsorption, in which blood toxins are removed in one step.

  7. Resistive switching mechanism of ZnO/ZrO2-stacked resistive random access memory device annealed at 300 °C by sol-gel method with forming-free operation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jian, Wen-Yi; You, Hsin-Chiang; Wu, Cheng-Yen

    2018-01-01

    In this work, we used a sol-gel process to fabricate a ZnO-ZrO2-stacked resistive switching random access memory (ReRAM) device and investigated its switching mechanism. The Gibbs free energy in ZnO, which is higher than that in ZrO2, facilitates the oxidation and reduction reactions of filaments in the ZnO layer. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the device revealed a forming-free operation because of nonlattice oxygen in the oxide layer. In addition, the device can operate under bipolar or unipolar conditions with a reset voltage of 0 to ±2 V, indicating that in this device, Joule heating dominates at reset and the electric field dominates in the set process. Furthermore, the characteristics reveal why the fabricated device exhibits a greater discrete distribution phenomenon for the set voltage than for the reset voltage. These results will enable the fabrication of future ReRAM devices with double-layer oxide structures with improved characteristics.

  8. Similar solutions of double-diffusive dissipative layers along free surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Napolitano, L. G.; Viviani, A.; Savino, R.

    1990-10-01

    Free convection due to buoyant forces (natural convection) and surface tension gradients (Marangoni convection) generated by temperature and concentration gradients is discussed together with the formation of double-diffusive boundary layers along liquid-gas interfaces. Similarity solutions for each class of free convection are derived and the resulting nonlinear two-point problems are solved numerically using the quasi-linearization method. Velocity, temperature, concentration profiles, interfacial velocity, heat and mass transfer bulk coefficients for various Prandtl and Schmidt numbers, and different values of the similarity parameters are determined. The convective flows are of particular interest because they are considered to influence the processes of crystal growth, both on earth and in a microgravity environment.

  9. Meissner effect in normal-superconducting proximity-contact double layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Higashitani, Seiji; Nagai, Katsuhiko

    1995-02-01

    The Meissner effect in normal-superconducting proximity-contact double layers is discussed in the clean limit. The diamagnetic current is calculated using the quasi-classical Green's function. We obtain the quasi-classical Green's function linear in the vector potential in the proximity-contact double layers with a finite reflection coefficient at the interface. It is found that the diamagnetic current in the clean normal layer is constant in space, therefore, the magnetic field linearly decreases in the clean normal layer. We give an explicit expression for the screening length in the clean normal layer and study its temperature dependence. We show that the temperature dependence in the clean normal layer is considerably different from that in the dirty normal layer and agrees with a recent experiment in Au-Nb system.

  10. Synthesis, characterization, and efficacy of antituberculosis isoniazid zinc aluminum-layered double hydroxide based nanocomposites

    PubMed Central

    Saifullah, Bullo; El Zowalaty, Mohamed Ezzat; Arulselvan, Palanisamy; Fakurazi, Sharida; Webster, Thomas J; Geilich, Benjamin Mahler; Hussein, Mohd Zobir

    2016-01-01

    The chemotherapy for tuberculosis (TB) is complicated by its long-term treatment, its frequent drug dosing, and the adverse effects of anti-TB drugs. In this study, we have developed two nanocomposites (A and B) by intercalating the anti-TB drug isoniazid (INH) into Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides. The average size of the nanocomposites was found to bê164 nm. The efficacy of the Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides intercalated INH against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was increased by approximately three times more than free INH. The nanocomposites were also found to be active against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Compared to the free INH, the nanodelivery formulation was determined to be three times more biocompatible with human normal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells and 3T3 fibroblast cells at a very high concentration of 50 µg/mL for up to 72 hours. The in vitro release of INH from the Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides was found to be sustained in human body-simulated buffer solutions of pH 4.8 and 7.4. This research is a step forward in making the TB chemotherapy patient friendly. PMID:27486322

  11. Double layers and circuits in astrophysics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alfven, H.

    1986-01-01

    A simple circuit is applied to the energizing of auroral particles, to solar flares, and to intergalactic double radio sources. Application to the heliospheric current systems leads to the prediction of two double layers on the Sun's axis which may give radiations detectable from Earth. Double layers in space should be classified as a new type of celestial object. It is suggested that X-ray and gamma-ray bursts may be due to exploding double layers (although annihilation is an alternative energy source). The way the most used textbooks in astrophysics treat concepts like double layers, critical velocity, pinch effects and circuits was studied. It is found that students using these textbooks remain essentially ignorant of even the existence of these, although some of the phenomena were discovered 50 yr ago.

  12. Anomalous transport in discrete arcs and simulation of double layers in a model auroral circuit

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, Robert A.

    1987-01-01

    The evolution and long-time stability of a double layer (DL) in a discrete auroral arc requires that the parallel current in the arc, which may be considered uniform at the source, be diverted within the arc to charge the flanks of the U-shaped double layer potential structure. A simple model is presented in which this current redistribution is effected by anomalous transport based on electrostatic lower hybrid waves driven by the flank structure itself. This process provides the limiting constraint on the double layer potential. The flank charging may be represented as that of a nonlinear transmission line. A simplified model circuit, in which the transmission line is represented by a nonlinear impedance in parallel with a variable resistor, is incorporated in a one-dimensional simulation model to give the current density at the DL boundaries. Results are presented for the scaling of the DL potential as a function of the width of the arc and the saturation efficiency of the lower hybrid instability mechanism.

  13. Anomalous transport in discrete arcs and simulation of double layers in a model auroral circuit

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, Robert A.

    1987-01-01

    The evolution and long-time stability of a double layer in a discrete auroral arc requires that the parallel current in the arc, which may be considered uniform at the source, be diverted within the arc to charge the flanks of the U-shaped double-layer potential structure. A simple model is presented in which this current re-distribution is effected by anomalous transport based on electrostatic lower hybrid waves driven by the flank structure itself. This process provides the limiting constraint on the double-layer potential. The flank charging may be represented as that of a nonlinear transmission. A simplified model circuit, in which the transmission line is represented by a nonlinear impedance in parallel with a variable resistor, is incorporated in a 1-d simulation model to give the current density at the DL boundaries. Results are presented for the scaling of the DL potential as a function of the width of the arc and the saturation efficiency of the lower hybrid instability mechanism.

  14. Physical processes associated with current collection by plasma contactors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Katz, Ira; Davis, Victoria A.

    1990-01-01

    Recent flight data confirms laboratory observations that the release of neutral gas increases plasma sheath currents. Plasma contactors are devices which release a partially ionized gas in order to enhance the current flow between a spacecraft and the space plasma. Ionization of the expellant gas and the formation of a double layer between the anode plasma and the space plasma are the dominant physical processes. A theory is presented of the interaction between the contactor plasma and the background plasma. The conditions for formation of a double layer between the two plasmas are derived. Double layer formation is shown to be a consequence of the nonlinear response of the plasmas to changes in potential. Numerical calculations based upon this model are compared with laboratory measurements of current collection by hollow cathode-based plasma contactors.

  15. Optically controlled resonant tunneling in a double-barrier diode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kan, S. C.; Wu, S.; Sanders, S.; Griffel, G.; Yariv, A.

    1991-03-01

    The resonant tunneling effect is optically enhanced in a GaAs/GaAlAs double-barrier structure that has partial lateral current confinement. The peak current increases and the valley current decreases simultaneously when the device surface is illuminated, due to the increased conductivity of the top layer of the structure. The effect of the lateral current confinement on the current-voltage characteristic of a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure was also studied. With increased lateral current confinement, the peak and valley current decrease at a different rate such that the current peak-to-valley ratio increases up to three times. The experimental results are explained by solving the electrostatic potential distribution in the structure using a simple three-layer model.

  16. Hydrodynamic and Thermal Slip Effect on Double-Diffusive Free Convective Boundary Layer Flow of a Nanofluid Past a Flat Vertical Plate in the Moving Free Stream

    PubMed Central

    Khan, Waqar A.; Uddin, Md Jashim; Ismail, A. I. Md.

    2013-01-01

    The effects of hydrodynamic and thermal slip boundary conditions on the double-diffusive free convective flow of a nanofluid along a semi-infinite flat solid vertical plate are investigated numerically. It is assumed that free stream is moving. The governing boundary layer equations are non-dimensionalized and transformed into a system of nonlinear, coupled similarity equations. The effects of the controlling parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, solute and nanofluid concentration as well as on the reduced Nusselt number, reduced Sherwood number and the reduced nanoparticle Sherwood number are investigated and presented graphically. To the best of our knowledge, the effects of hydrodynamic and thermal slip boundary conditions have not been investigated yet. It is found that the reduced local Nusselt, local solute and the local nanofluid Sherwood numbers increase with hydrodynamic slip and decrease with thermal slip parameters. PMID:23533566

  17. The impact of surface chemistry on the performance of localized solar-driven evaporation system

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Shengtao; Zhang, Yao; Duan, Haoze; Liu, Yanming; Quan, Xiaojun; Tao, Peng; Shang, Wen; Wu, Jianbo; Song, Chengyi; Deng, Tao

    2015-01-01

    This report investigates the influence of surface chemistry (or wettability) on the evaporation performance of free-standing double-layered thin film on the surface of water. Such newly developed evaporation system is composed of top plasmonic light-to-heat conversion layer and bottom porous supporting layer. Under solar light illumination, the induced plasmonic heat will be localized within the film. By modulating the wettability of such evaporation system through the control of surface chemistry, the evaporation rates are differentiated between hydrophilized and hydrophobized anodic aluminum oxide membrane-based double layered thin films. Additionally, this work demonstrated that the evaporation rate mainly depends on the wettability of bottom supporting layer rather than that of top light-to-heat conversion layer. The findings in this study not only elucidate the role of surface chemistry of each layer of such double-layered evaporation system, but also provide additional design guidelines for such localized evaporation system in applications including desalination, distillation and power generation. PMID:26337561

  18. The impact of surface chemistry on the performance of localized solar-driven evaporation system.

    PubMed

    Yu, Shengtao; Zhang, Yao; Duan, Haoze; Liu, Yanming; Quan, Xiaojun; Tao, Peng; Shang, Wen; Wu, Jianbo; Song, Chengyi; Deng, Tao

    2015-09-04

    This report investigates the influence of surface chemistry (or wettability) on the evaporation performance of free-standing double-layered thin film on the surface of water. Such newly developed evaporation system is composed of top plasmonic light-to-heat conversion layer and bottom porous supporting layer. Under solar light illumination, the induced plasmonic heat will be localized within the film. By modulating the wettability of such evaporation system through the control of surface chemistry, the evaporation rates are differentiated between hydrophilized and hydrophobized anodic aluminum oxide membrane-based double layered thin films. Additionally, this work demonstrated that the evaporation rate mainly depends on the wettability of bottom supporting layer rather than that of top light-to-heat conversion layer. The findings in this study not only elucidate the role of surface chemistry of each layer of such double-layered evaporation system, but also provide additional design guidelines for such localized evaporation system in applications including desalination, distillation and power generation.

  19. Two-dimensional potential double layers and discrete auroras

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kan, J. R.; Lee, L. C.; Akasofu, S.-I.

    1979-01-01

    This paper is concerned with the formation of the acceleration region for electrons which produce the visible auroral arc and with the formation of the inverted V precipitation region. The former is embedded in the latter, and both are associated with field-aligned current sheets carried by plasma sheet electrons. It is shown that an electron current sheet driven from the plasma sheet into the ionosphere leads to the formation of a two-dimensional potential double layer. For a current sheet of a thickness less than the proton gyrodiameter solutions are obtained in which the field-aligned potential drop is distributed over a length much greater than the Debye length. For a current sheet of a thickness much greater than the proton gyrodiameter solutions are obtained in which the potential drop is confined to a distance on the order of the Debye length. The electric field in the two-dimensional double-layer model is the zeroth-order field inherent to the current sheet configuration, in contrast to those models in which the electric field is attributed to the first-order field due to current instabilities or turbulences. The maximum potential in the two-dimensional double-layer models is on the order of the thermal energy of plasma sheet protons, which ranges from 1 to 10 keV.

  20. Growth of multilayered polycrystalline reaction rims in the MgO-SiO2 system, part I: experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gardés, E.; Wunder, B.; Wirth, R.; Heinrich, W.

    2011-01-01

    Growth of transport-controlled reaction layers between single crystals of periclase and quartz, and forsterite and quartz was investigated experimentally at 1.5 GPa, 1100°C to 1400°C, 5 min to 72 h under dry and melt-free conditions using a piston-cylinder apparatus. Starting assemblies consisting of Per | Qtz | Fo sandwiches produced polycrystalline double layers of forsterite and enstatite between periclase and quartz, and enstatite single layers between forsterite and quartz. The position of inert Pt-markers initially deposited at the interface of the reactants and inspection of mass balance confirmed that both layer-producing reactions are controlled by MgO diffusion, while SiO2 is relatively immobile. BSE and TEM imaging revealed thicknesses from 0.6 μm to 14 μm for double layers and from 0 to 6.8 μm for single layers. Both single and double layers displayed non-parabolic growth together with pronounced grain coarsening. Textural evolution and growth rates for each reaction are directly comparable. Forsterite-enstatite double layers are always wider than enstatite single layers, and the growth of enstatite in the double layer is slower than that in the single layer. In double layers, the enstatite/forsterite layer thickness ratio significantly increases with temperature, reflecting different MgO mobilities as temperature varies. Thus, thickness ratios in multilayered reaction zones may contain a record of temperature, but also that of any physico-chemical parameter that modifies the mobilities of the chemical components between the various layers. This potential is largely unexplored in geologically relevant systems, which calls for further experimental studies of multilayered reaction zones.

  1. A linear helicon plasma device with controllable magnetic field gradient.

    PubMed

    Barada, Kshitish K; Chattopadhyay, P K; Ghosh, J; Kumar, Sunil; Saxena, Y C

    2012-06-01

    Current free double layers (CFDLs) are localized potential structures having spatial dimensions - Debye lengths and potential drops of more than local electron temperature across them. CFDLs do not need a current for them to be sustained and hence they differ from the current driven double layers. Helicon antenna produced plasmas in an expanded chamber along with an expanding magnetic field have shown the existence of CFDL near the expansion region. A helicon plasma device has been designed, fabricated, and installed in the Institute for Plasma Research, India to study the role of maximum magnetic field gradient as well as its location with respect to the geometrical expansion region of the chamber in CFDL formation. The special feature of this machine consisting of two chambers of different radii is its capability of producing different magnetic field gradients near the physical boundary between the two chambers either by changing current in one particular coil in the direction opposite to that in other coils and/or by varying the position of this particular coil. Although, the machine is primarily designed for CFDL experiments, it is also capable of carrying out many basic plasma physics experiments such as wave propagation, wave coupling, and plasma instabilities in a varying magnetic field topology. In this paper, we will present the details of the machine construction, its specialties, and some preliminary results about the production and characterization of helicon plasma in this machine.

  2. Accretion onto neutron stars with the presence of a double layer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, A. C.; Weisskopf, M. C.; Elsner, R. F.; Darbro, W.; Sutherland, P. G.

    1986-01-01

    It is known from laboratory experiments that double layers can form in plasmas, usually in the presence of an electric current. It is argued that a double layer may be present in the accretion column of a neutron star in a binary system. It is suggested that the double layer may be the predominant deceleration mechanism for the accreting ions, especially for sources with X-ray luminosities of less than about 10 to the 37th erg/s. Previous models have involved either a collisionless shock or an assumed gradual deceleration of the accreting ions to thermalize the energy of the infalling matter.

  3. Accretion onto neutron stars with the presence of a double layer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, A. C.; Weisskopf, M. C.; Elsner, R. F.; Darbro, W.; Sutherland, P. G.

    1987-01-01

    It is known, from laboratory experiments, that double layers will form in plasmas, usually in the presence of an electric current. It is argued that a double layer may be present in the accretion column of a neutron star in a binary system. It is suggested that the double layer may be the predominant deceleration mechanism for the accreting ions, especially for sources with X-ray luminosities of less than about 10 to the 37th erg/s. Previous models have involved either a collisionless shock or an assumed gradual deceleration of the accreting ions to thermalize the energy of the infalling matter.

  4. Challenges facing lithium batteries and electrical double-layer capacitors.

    PubMed

    Choi, Nam-Soon; Chen, Zonghai; Freunberger, Stefan A; Ji, Xiulei; Sun, Yang-Kook; Amine, Khalil; Yushin, Gleb; Nazar, Linda F; Cho, Jaephil; Bruce, Peter G

    2012-10-01

    Energy-storage technologies, including electrical double-layer capacitors and rechargeable batteries, have attracted significant attention for applications in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, bulk electricity storage at power stations, and "load leveling" of renewable sources, such as solar energy and wind power. Transforming lithium batteries and electric double-layer capacitors requires a step change in the science underpinning these devices, including the discovery of new materials, new electrochemistry, and an increased understanding of the processes on which the devices depend. The Review will consider some of the current scientific issues underpinning lithium batteries and electric double-layer capacitors. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. A Particle and Energy Balance Model of the Orificed Hollow Cathode

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Domonkos, Matthew T.

    2002-01-01

    A particle and energy balance model of orificed hollow cathodes was developed to assist in cathode design. The model presented here is an ensemble of original work by the author and previous work by others. The processes in the orifice region are considered to be one of the primary drivers in determining cathode performance, since the current density was greatest in this volume (up to 1.6 x 10(exp 8) A/m2). The orifice model contains comparatively few free parameters, and its results are used to bound the free parameters for the insert model. Next, the insert region model is presented. The sensitivity of the results to the free parameters is assessed, and variation of the free parameters in the orifice dominates the calculated power consumption and plasma properties. The model predictions are compared to data from a low-current orificed hollow cathode. The predicted power consumption exceeds the experimental results. Estimates of the plasma properties in the insert region overlap Langmuir probe data, and the predicted orifice plasma suggests the presence of one or more double layers. Finally, the model is used to examine the operation of higher current cathodes.

  6. Application of Electric Double-layer Capacitors for Energy Storage on Electric Railway

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hase, Shin-Ichi; Konishi, Takeshi; Okui, Akinobu; Nakamichi, Yoshinobu; Nara, Hidetaka; Uemura, Tadashi

    The methods to stabilize power sources, which are the measures against voltage drop, power loading fluctuation, regeneration power lapse and so on, have been important issues in DC feeding circuits. Therefore, an energy storage medium that uses power efficiently and reduces above-mentioned problems is much concerned about. In recent years, development of energy storage medium is remarkable for drive-power supplies of electric vehicles. A number of applications of energy storage, for instance, battery and flywheel, have been investigated so far. A large-scale electric double-layer capacitor which is rapidly charged and discharged and offers long life, maintenance-free, low pollution and high efficiency, has been developed in wide range. We have compared the ability to charge batteries and electric double-layer capacitors. Therefore, we carried out fundamental studies about electric double-layer capacitors and its control. And we produced a prototype of energy storage for the DC electric railway system that consists of electric double-layer capacitors, diode bridge rectifiers, chopper system and PWM converters. From the charge and discharge tests of the prototype, useful information was obtained. This paper describes its characteristics and experimental results of energy storage system.

  7. Water transport and desalination through double-layer graphyne membranes.

    PubMed

    Akhavan, Mojdeh; Schofield, Jeremy; Jalili, Seifollah

    2018-05-16

    Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of water-salt solutions driven through single and double-layer graphyne membranes by a pressure difference created by rigid pistons are carried out to determine the relative performance of the membranes as filters in a reverse osmosis desalination process. It is found that the flow rate of water through a graphyne-4 membrane is twice that of a graphyne-3 membrane for both single and double-layer membranes. Although the addition of a second layer to a single-layer membrane reduces the membrane permeability, the double-layer graphyne membranes are still two or three orders of magnitude more permeable than commercial reverse osmosis membranes. The minimum reduction in flow rate for double-layer membranes occurs at a layer spacing of 0.35 nm with an AA stacking configuration, while at a spacing of 0.6 nm the flow rate is close to zero due to a high free energy barrier for permeation. This is caused by the difference in the environments on either side of the membrane sheets and the formation of a compact two-dimensional layer of water molecules in the interlayer space which slows down water permeation. The distribution of residence times of water molecules in the interlayer region suggests that at the critical layer spacing of 0.6 nm, a cross-over occurs in the mechanism of water flow from the collective movement of hydrogen-bonded water sheets to the permeation of individual water molecules. All membranes are demonstrated to have a high salt rejection fraction and the double-layered graphyne-4 membranes can further increase the salt rejection by trapping ions that have passed through the first membrane from the feed solution in the interlayer space.

  8. Highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes with a quantum dot interfacial layer.

    PubMed

    Ryu, Seung Yoon; Hwang, Byoung Har; Park, Ki Wan; Hwang, Hyeon Seok; Sung, Jin Woo; Baik, Hong Koo; Lee, Chang Ho; Song, Seung Yong; Lee, Jun Yeob

    2009-02-11

    Advanced organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), based on a multiple structure, were achieved in combination with a quantum dot (QD) interfacial layer. The authors used core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs passivated with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and TOPO-free QDs as interlayers. Multiple-structure OLEDs (MOLEDs) with TOPO-free QDs showed higher device efficiency because of a well-defined interfacial monolayer formation. Additionally, the three-unit MOLED showed high performance for device efficiency with double-structured QD interfacial layers due to the enhanced charge balance and recombination probability.

  9. Three-dimensional sulphur/nitrogen co-doped reduced graphene oxide as high-performance supercapacitor binder-free electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huo, Jinghao; Zheng, Peng; Wang, Xiaofei; Guo, Shouwu

    2018-06-01

    Sulphur/nitrogen co-doped reduced graphene oxide (SNG) aerogels were prepared by a simple solvothermal method with l-cysteine-assisted in ethylene glycol. The morphology and composition tests showed that the S/N heteroatoms were evenly distributed on SNG microsheets, and these microsheets were further composed of SNG aerogels with three-dimensional (3D) porous structure. The cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests illustrated the SNG bind-free electrode possessed electric double-layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance, and had a capacitance of 254 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. After the 5000 cycles tests, the capacitance retained 83.54% at a current density of 2 A g-1. Meanwhile, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data shown the electrode materials had excellent capacity and good conductivity. Hence, the SNG aerogel prepared by l-cysteine-assisted solvothermal method is a great material for high-performance supercapacitors.

  10. The effect of a nonmagnetic cap layer on the spin-polarized tunneling and magnetoresistance in double-barrier planar junctions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Zheng-Wei; Li, Bo-Zang; Li, Yu-Xian

    2003-10-01

    Within the framework of the free-electron model, the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) and tunneling conductance (TC) in double magnetic tunnel junctions (DMTJ) with nonmagnetic cap layer, i.e. the NM/FM/I/NM/(FM)/I/FM/NM junction is investigated. FM, NM and I represent the ferromagnetic metal, nonmagnetic metal and insulator, respectively, NM(FM) indicates that the middle layer can be NM or FM. Our results show that, due to the spin-dependent interfacial potential barriers, the influences of the thickness of the FM layer on TC and TMR in DMTJ are large, and when the thicknesses of these two FM layers are suitable a large TMR can be obtained. (

  11. The Role of Superthermal Electrons in the Formation of Double Layers and their Application in Space Plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, N.

    2014-12-01

    It is now widely recognized that superthermal electrons commonly exist with the thermal population in most space plasmas. When plasmas consisting of such electron population expand, double layers (DLs) naturally forma due to charge separation; the more mobile superthermal electrons march ahead of the thermal population, leaving a positive charge behind and generating electric fields. Under certain conditions such fields evolve into thin double layers or shocks. The double layers accelerate ions. Such double-layer formation was first invoked to explain expansion of laser produced plasmas. Since then it has been studied in laboratory experiments, and applied to (i) polar wind acceleration,(ii) the existence of low-altitude double layers in the auroral acceleration, (iii) a possible mechanism for the origination of the solar wind, (iv) the helicon double layer thrusters, and (v) the deceleration of electrons after their acceleration in solar flare events. The role of superthermal-electron driven double layers, also known as the low-altitude auroral double layers in the upward current region, in the upward acceleration of ionospheric ions is well-known. In the auroral application the upward moving superthermal electrons consist of backscattered downgoing primary energetic electrons as well as the secondary electrons. Similarly we suggest that such double layers might play roles in the acceleration of ions in the solar wind across the coronal transition region, where the superthermal electrons are supplied by magnetic reconnection events. We will present a unified theoretical view of the superthermal electron-driven double layers and their applications. We will summarize theoretical, experimental, simulation and observational results highlighting the common threads running through the various existing studies.

  12. Double-diffusive boundary layers along vertical free surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Napolitano, L. G.; Viviani, A.; Savino, R.

    1992-05-01

    This paper deals with double-diffusive (or thermosolutal) combined free convection, i.e., free convection due to buoyant forces (natural convection) and surface tension gradients (Marangoni convection), which are generated by volume differences and surface gradients of temperature and solute concentration. Attention is focused on boundary layers that form along a vertical liquid-gas interface, when the appropriately defined nondimensional characteristic transport numbers are large enough, in problems of thermosolutal natural and Marangoni convection, such as buoyancy and surface tension driven flows in differentially heated open cavities and liquid bridges. Classes of similar solutions are derived for each class of convection on the basis of a rigorous order of magnitude analysis. Velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are reported in the similarity plane; flow and transport properties at the liquid-gas interface (interfacial velocity, heat and mass transfer bulk coefficients) are obtained for a wide range of Prandtl and Schmidt numbers and different values of the similarity parameter.

  13. Conditions for double layers in the earth's magnetosphere and perhaps in other astrophysical objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lyons, L. R.

    1987-01-01

    It is suggested that the features which govern the formation of the double layers are: (1) the divergence of the magnetospheric electric field, (2) the ionospheric conductivity, and (3) the current-voltage characteristics of auroral magnetic field lines. Also considered are conditions in other astrophysical objects that could lead to the formation of DLs in a manner analogous to what occurs in the earth's auroral zones. It is noted that two processes can drive divergent Pedersen currents within a collisional conducting layer: (1) sheared plasma flow applied anywhere along the magnetic field lines connected to the conducting layer and (2) a neutral flow with shear within the conducting layer.

  14. Design and characterization of a biodegradable double-layer scaffold aimed at periodontal tissue-engineering applications.

    PubMed

    Requicha, João F; Viegas, Carlos A; Hede, Shantesh; Leonor, Isabel B; Reis, Rui L; Gomes, Manuela E

    2016-05-01

    The inefficacy of the currently used therapies in achieving the regeneration ad integrum of the periodontium stimulates the search for alternative approaches, such as tissue-engineering strategies. Therefore, the core objective of this study was to develop a biodegradable double-layer scaffold for periodontal tissue engineering. The design philosophy was based on a double-layered construct obtained from a blend of starch and poly-ε-caprolactone (30:70 wt%; SPCL). A SPCL fibre mesh functionalized with silanol groups to promote osteogenesis was combined with a SPCL solvent casting membrane aiming at acting as a barrier against the migration of gingival epithelium into the periodontal defect. Each layer of the double-layer scaffolds was characterized in terms of morphology, surface chemical composition, degradation behaviour and mechanical properties. Moreover, the behaviour of seeded/cultured canine adipose-derived stem cells (cASCs) was assessed. In general, the developed double-layered scaffolds demonstrated adequate degradation and mechanical behaviour for the target application. Furthermore, the biological assays revealed that both layers of the scaffold allow adhesion and proliferation of the seeded undifferentiated cASCs, and the incorporation of silanol groups into the fibre-mesh layer enhance the expression of a typical osteogenic marker. This study allowed an innovative construct to be developed, combining a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold with osteoconductive properties and with potential to assist periodontal regeneration, carrying new possible solutions to current clinical needs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  15. Patch nearfield acoustic holography combined with sound field separation technique applied to a non-free field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bi, ChuanXing; Jing, WenQian; Zhang, YongBin; Xu, Liang

    2015-02-01

    The conventional nearfield acoustic holography (NAH) is usually based on the assumption of free-field conditions, and it also requires that the measurement aperture should be larger than the actual source. This paper is to focus on the problem that neither of the above-mentioned requirements can be met, and to examine the feasibility of reconstructing the sound field radiated by partial source, based on double-layer pressure measurements made in a non-free field by using patch NAH combined with sound field separation technique. And also, the sensitivity of the reconstructed result to the measurement error is analyzed in detail. Two experiments involving two speakers in an exterior space and one speaker inside a car cabin are presented. The experimental results demonstrate that the patch NAH based on single-layer pressure measurement cannot obtain a satisfied result due to the influences of disturbing sources and reflections, while the patch NAH based on double-layer pressure measurements can successfully remove these influences and reconstruct the patch sound field effectively.

  16. Effect of carbon entrapped in Co-Al double oxides on structural restacking and electrochemical performances

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Su, Ling-Hao; Zhang, Xiao-Gang

    Co-Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) were synthesized from nitrates and sodium benzoate by direct coprecipitation, and heated at 600 °C for 3 h in argon gas flow to obtain Co-Al double oxides. The effect of carbon, created during the pyrolysis of benzoate and inserted in resulting double oxides, on structural reconstruction was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy techniques. It is horizontal arrangement rather than vertical dilayer orientation in the interlayer spacing that was adopted by benzoate. An abnormal phenomenon was found that when immersed in aqueous 6 M KOH solution in air, the double oxides restacked to Co-Al layered double hydroxides with more regular crystal than before. The reason is believed that carbon was confined in the matrix of resulting double oxides, which prevented further collapse of the layered structure. Cyclic voltammetries (CV) and constant current charge/discharge measurements reveal that the restacked Co-Al layered double hydroxide has good long-life capacitive performance with a capacitance up to 145 F g -1 even at a large current of 2 A g -1. In addition, two clear slopes in chronoampermetric test demonstrated two different diffusion coefficients, explaining the slope of about 118.4 mV in the plot of formal potential E f versus pOH.

  17. Cu2+ ions as a paramagnetic probe to study the surface chemical modification process of layered double hydroxides and hydroxide salts with nitrate and carboxylate anions.

    PubMed

    Arizaga, Gregorio Guadalupe Carbajal; Mangrich, Antonio Salvio; Wypych, Fernando

    2008-04-01

    A layered zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2.2H2O) and a layered double hydroxide (Zn/Al-NO3) were synthesized by coprecipitation and doped with different amounts of Cu2+ (0.2, 1, and 10 mol%), as paramagnetic probe. Although the literature reports that the nitrate ion is free (with D3h symmetry) between the layers of these two structures, the FTIR spectra of two zinc hydroxide nitrate samples show the C2v symmetry for the nitrate ion, whereas the g ||/A || value in the EPR spectra of Cu2+ is high. This fact suggests bonding of some nitrate ions to the layers of the zinc hydroxide nitrate. The zinc hydroxide nitrate was used as matrix in the intercalation reaction with benzoate, o-chlorobenzoate, and o-iodobenzoate ions. FTIR spectra confirm the ionic exchange reaction and the EPR spectroscopy reveals bonding of the organic ions to the inorganic layers of the zinc hydroxide nitrate, while the layered double hydroxides show only exchange reactions.

  18. Investigating the development of double-peak subauroral ion drift (DSAID)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horvath, Ildiko; Lovell, Brian C.

    2017-04-01

    This study focuses on the newly described ionospheric feature, called double-peak subauroral ion drift (DSAID), which is a subclass of the well-known single-peak SAID. Double-layer Region 2 (R2) field aligned currents (FACs) could be the main driver of DSAID. Our aim is to gain new insights into the development of DSAID during its two-stage progression. Observational results are provided by five scenarios, each demonstrating a certain progression sequence of DSAID. Results show that SAID/DSAID occurred during flux transfer events and was accompanied by flow channels (FCs) associated with dayside magnetopause (FC-2) and nightside magnetotail (FC-3) reconnections, with westward electrojet (eastward FC), and with auroral streamers (FC-4). In the premidnight magnetic local time (MLT) sector of stage 2, DSAID development was due to the short-circuiting of the reconnection-injected plasma jets during substorms or pseudobreakups. Thus, the related ring current pressure buildup enhanced the downward R2 FACs leading to double/multiple circuits forming double-layer R2 FACs. During the midnight MLT hours of stage 2, DSAID development was closely related to the westward traveling surge (WTS)/substorm current wedge (SCW). WTS/SCW-related strong upward R1 FACs closed with meriodional currents producing eastward and downward (i.e., downward R2 FAC-style) return currents enhancing the downward R2 FACs and thus leading to double/multiple circuits forming double-layer R2 FACs. Auroral streamers/FC-4 represent a substorm substructure and their occurrence with DSAID after stage 2 demonstrates that this substructure occasionally includes DSAID. Our results demonstrate also that the short-circuited system underlying SAID/DSAID acted sometimes as a current generator and sometimes as a voltage generator.

  19. A linear helicon plasma device with controllable magnetic field gradient

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

    Barada, Kshitish K.; Chattopadhyay, P. K.; Ghosh, J.

    2012-06-15

    Current free double layers (CFDLs) are localized potential structures having spatial dimensions - Debye lengths and potential drops of more than local electron temperature across them. CFDLs do not need a current for them to be sustained and hence they differ from the current driven double layers. Helicon antenna produced plasmas in an expanded chamber along with an expanding magnetic field have shown the existence of CFDL near the expansion region. A helicon plasma device has been designed, fabricated, and installed in the Institute for Plasma Research, India to study the role of maximum magnetic field gradient as well asmore » its location with respect to the geometrical expansion region of the chamber in CFDL formation. The special feature of this machine consisting of two chambers of different radii is its capability of producing different magnetic field gradients near the physical boundary between the two chambers either by changing current in one particular coil in the direction opposite to that in other coils and/or by varying the position of this particular coil. Although, the machine is primarily designed for CFDL experiments, it is also capable of carrying out many basic plasma physics experiments such as wave propagation, wave coupling, and plasma instabilities in a varying magnetic field topology. In this paper, we will present the details of the machine construction, its specialties, and some preliminary results about the production and characterization of helicon plasma in this machine.« less

  20. A double layer model for solar X-ray and microwave pulsations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tapping, K. F.

    1986-01-01

    The wide range of wavelengths over which quasi-periodic pulsations have been observed suggests that the mechanism causing them acts upon the supply of high energy electrons driving the emission processes. A model is described which is based upon the radial shrinkage of a magnetic flux tube. The concentration of the current, along with the reduction in the number of available charge carriers, can rise to a condition where the current demand exceeds the capacity of the thermal electrons. Driven by the large inductance of the external current circuit, an instability takes place in the tube throat, resulting in the formation of a potential double layer, which then accelerates electrons and ions to MeV energies. The double layer can be unstable, collapsing and reforming repeatedly. The resulting pulsed particle beams give rise to pulsating emission which are observed at radio and X-ray wavelengths.

  1. Fast valve based on double-layer eddy-current repulsion for disruption mitigation in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak.

    PubMed

    Zhuang, H D; Zhang, X D

    2015-05-01

    A fast valve based on the double-layer eddy-current repulsion mechanism has been developed on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). In addition to a double-layer eddy-current coil, a preload system was added to improve the security of the valve, whereby the valve opens more quickly and the open-valve time becomes shorter, making it much safer than before. In this contribution, testing platforms, open-valve characteristics, and throughput of the fast valve are discussed. Tests revealed that by choosing appropriate parameters the valve opened within 0.15 ms, and open-valve times were no longer than 2 ms. By adjusting working parameter values, the maximum number of particles injected during this open-valve time was estimated at 7 × 10(22). The fast valve will become a useful tool to further explore disruption mitigation experiments on EAST in 2015.

  2. Double layers without current

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

    Perkins, F.W.; Sun, Y.C.

    1980-11-01

    The steady-state solution of the nonlinear Vlasov-Poisson equations is reduced to a nonlinear eigenvalue problem for the case of double-layer (potential drop) boundary conditions. Solutions with no relative electron-ion drifts are found. The kinetic stability is discussed. Suggestions for creating these states in experiments and computer simulations are offered.

  3. Numerical Investigation of Double-Cone Flows with High Enthalpy Effects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nompelis, I.; Candler, G. V.

    2009-01-01

    A numerical study of shock/shock and shock/boundary layer interactions generated by a double-cone model that is placed in a hypersonic free-stream is presented. Computational results are compared with the experimental measurements made at the CUBRC LENS facility for nitrogen flows at high enthalpy conditions. The CFD predictions agree well with surface pressure and heat-flux measurements for all but one of the double-cone cases that have been studied by the authors. Unsteadiness is observed in computations of one of the LENS cases, however for this case the experimental measurements show that the flowfield is steady. To understand this discrepancy, several double-cone experiments performed in two different facilities with both air and nitrogen as the working gas are examined in the present study. Computational results agree well with measurements made in both the AEDC tunnel 9 and the CUBRC LENS facility for double-cone flows at low free-stream Reynolds numbers where the flow is steady. It is shown that at higher free- stream pressures the double-cone simulations develop instabilities that result in an unsteady separation.

  4. Hybrid Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Consisting of Double Titania Layers for Harvesting Light with Wide Range of Wavelengths

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sadamasu, Kengo; Inoue, Takafumi; Ogomi, Yuhei; Pandey, Shyam S.; Hayase, Shuzi

    2011-02-01

    We report a hybrid dye-sensitized solar cell consisting of double titania layers (top and bottom layers) stained with two dyes. A top layer fabricated on a glass was mechanically pressed with a bottom layer fabricated on a glass cloth. The glass cloth acts as a supporter of a porous titania layer as well as a holder of electrolyte. The incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) curve had two peaks corresponding to those of the two dyes, which demonstrates that electrons are collected from both the top and bottom layers.

  5. Light scattering management of dye-sensitized solar cells based on double-layered photoanodes aided by uniform TiO{sub 2} aggregates

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

    Bakhshayesh, A.M., E-mail: bakhshayesh@alum.sharif.edu

    2016-01-15

    Highlights: • A new architecture of double-layered TiO{sub 2} electrodes is presented. • The electrode contains two alternate layers of TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles and aggregates. • The aggregates layers are deposited onto the nanocrystalline layer. • The new design showed improved efficiency compared to conventional cells. - Abstract: This study presents a new double-layered TiO{sub 2} film containing a nanocrystalline under-layer and a uniform, sponge-like light scattering over-layer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) application. The over-layer is composed of 2-μm-diameter uniform aggregates, containing small nanoparticles with the average grain size of 20 nm. X-ray diffraction reveals that the light scatteringmore » layer has a mixture of anatase and rutile phases, whereas the nanocrystalline layer has a pure anatase phase. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra show that the light scattering layer has lower band gap energy than the nanocrystalline under-layer, extending the absorption of TiO{sub 2} into visible region. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy demonstrates that the double-layered electrode enjoyed better light scattering ability. The double-layered DSC shows the highest power conversion efficiency of 7.69% and incident photon-to-current efficiency of 88% as a result of higher light harvesting and less recombination which is demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.« less

  6. 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

  7. Freestanding polyaniline nanorods grown on graphene for highly capacitive energy storage

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Zijiong; Qin, Zhen; Yang, Baocheng; Guo, Jian; Wang, Haiyan; Zhang, Weiyang; Lv, Xiaowei; Stack, Alison

    2015-02-01

    Freestanding polyaniline (PANI) nanorods grown in situ on microwave-expanded graphene oxide (MEGO) sheets were prepared through a facile solution method. The morphological characterization indicates that large quantity of free-standing PANI nanorods with average diameter of 50 nm were uniformly deposited onto the double sides of the MEGO nanosheets to form a sandwich structure. The hybrid of PANI/MEGO (GPANI) exhibit high specific surface area and high electrical conductivity, compared with pristine PANI nanorods. When evaluated as electrodes for supercapacitors, the GPANI demonstrate high specific capacitance of 628 F g-1 at a current density of 1.1 A g-1, high-rate performance, and excellent cycle stability compared to individual component. Such excellent electrochemical performance should be attributed to the combined double-layer capacitance and pseudo -capacitance mechanisms from the MEGO sheets and PANI nanorods.

  8. Ion irradiation-induced easy-cone anisotropy in double-MgO free layers for perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Teixeira, B. M. S.; Timopheev, A. A.; Caçoilo, N. F. F.; Auffret, S.; Sousa, R. C.; Dieny, B.; Alves, E.; Sobolev, N. A.

    2018-05-01

    We have used the ferromagnetic resonance in the X-band (9.37 GHz) to investigate the effect of 400 keV Ar+ irradiation on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and Gilbert damping parameter, α, of double-MgO free layers designed for application in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions. The samples comprised a MgO/Fe72Co8B20/X(0.2 nm)/Fe72Co8B20/MgO layer stack, where X stands for an ultrathin Ta or W spacer. Samples with two different total FeCoB layer thicknesses, tFCB = 3.0 nm and tFCB = 2.6 nm, were irradiated with ion fluences ranging from 1012 cm-2 to 1016 cm-2. The effective first-order PMA field, BK1, decreased nearly linearly with the logarithm of the fluence for both FeCoB thicknesses and spacer elements. The decrease in BK1, which is likely caused by an ion-induced intermixing at the FeCoB/MgO interfaces, resulted in a reorientation of the magnetization of the free layers with tFCB = 2.6 nm, initially exhibiting a perpendicular easy-axis anisotropy. For intermediate fluences, 1013 cm-2 and 1014 cm-2, easy-cone states with different cone angles could be induced in the free layer with a W spacer. Importantly, no corresponding increase in the Gilbert damping was observed. This study shows that ion irradiation can be used to tune the easy-cone anisotropy in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions, which is interesting for spintronic applications such as spin-torque magnetic memory devices, oscillators, and sensors.

  9. Multilayered nano-architecture of variable sized graphene nanosheets for enhanced supercapacitor electrode performance.

    PubMed

    Biswas, Sanjib; Drzal, Lawrence T

    2010-08-01

    The diverse physical and chemical aspects of graphene nanosheets such as particle size surface area and edge chemistry were combined to fabricate a new supercapacitor electrode architecture consisting of a highly aligned network of large-sized nanosheets as a series of current collectors within a multilayer configuration of bulk electrode. Capillary driven self-assembly of monolayers of graphene nanosheets was employed to create a flexible, multilayer, free-standing film of highly hydrophobic nanosheets over large macroscopic areas. This nanoarchitecture exhibits a high-frequency capacitative response and a nearly rectangular cyclic voltammogram at 1000 mV/s scanning rate and possesses a rapid current response, small equivalent series resistance (ESR), and fast ionic diffusion for high-power electrical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) application.

  10. On the modulation of the Jovian decametric radiation by Io. I - Acceleration of charged particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, R. A.; Goertz, C. K.

    1978-01-01

    A steady-state analysis of the current circuit between Io and the Jovian ionosphere is performed, assuming that the current is carried by electrons accelerated through potential double layers in the Io flux tube. The circuit analysis indicates that electrons may be accelerated up to energies of several hundred keV. Several problems associated with the formation of double layers are also discussed. The parallel potential drops decouple the flux tube from the satellite's orbital motion.

  11. Real-time monitoring of enzyme activity in a mesoporous silicon double layer

    PubMed Central

    Orosco, Manuel M.; Pacholski, Claudia; Sailor, Michael J.

    2009-01-01

    A double layer mesoporous silicon with different pore sizes functions as a nano-reactor that can isolate, filter and quantify the kinetics of enzyme reactions in real-time by optical reflectivity. This tiny reactor may be used to rapidly characterize a variety of isolated enzymes in a label-free manner. Activity of certain protease enzymes is often an indicator of disease states such as cancer1,2, stroke2, and neurodegeneracy3, and thus, there is a need for rapid assays that can characterize the kinetics and substrate specificity of enzymatic reactions. Nanostructured membranes can efficiently separate biomolecules4 but coupling a sensitive detection method remains difficult. Here we report a single mesoporous nano-reactor that can isolate and quantify in real-time the reaction products of proteases. The reactor consists of two layers of porous films electrochemically prepared from crystalline silicon. The upper layer with large pore sizes traps the protease enzymes and acts as the reactor while the lower layer with smaller pore sizes excludes the large proteins and captures the reaction products. Infiltration of the digested fragments into the lower layer produces a measurable change in optical reflectivity and this allows label-free quantification of enzyme kinetics in real-time within a volume of approximately 5 nanoliters. PMID:19350037

  12. Sol-gel-derived hydroxyapatite-carbon nanotube/titania coatings on titanium substrates.

    PubMed

    Ji, Xiaoli; Lou, Weiwei; Wang, Qi; Ma, Jianfeng; Xu, Haihong; Bai, Qing; Liu, Chuantong; Liu, Jinsong

    2012-01-01

    In this paper, hydroxyapatite-carbon nanotube/titania (HA-CNT/TiO(2)) double layer coatings were successfully developed on titanium (Ti) substrates intended for biomedical applications. A TiO(2) coating was firstly developed by anodization to improve bonding between HA and Ti, and then the layer of HA and CNTs was coated on the surface by the sol-gel process to improve the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of Ti. The surfaces of double layer coatings were uniform and crack-free with a thickness of about 7 μm. The bonding strength of the HA-CNT/TiO(2) coating was higher than that of the pure HA and HA-CNT coatings. Additionally, in vitro cell experiments showed that CNTs promoted the adhesion of preosteoblasts on the HA-CNT/TiO(2) double layer coatings. These unique surfaces combined with the osteoconductive properties of HA exhibited the excellent mechanical properties of CNTs. Therefore, the developed HA-CNT/TiO(2) coatings on Ti substrates might be a promising material for bone replacement.

  13. Discharging dynamics in an electrolytic cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Feicht, Sarah E.; Frankel, Alexandra E.; Khair, Aditya S.

    2016-07-01

    We analyze the dynamics of a discharging electrolytic cell comprised of a binary symmetric electrolyte between two planar, parallel blocking electrodes. When a voltage is initially applied, ions in the electrolyte migrate towards the electrodes, forming electrical double layers. After the system reaches steady state and the external current decays to zero, the applied voltage is switched off and the cell discharges, with the ions eventually returning to a uniform spatial concentration. At voltages on the order of the thermal voltage VT=kBT /q ≃25 mV, where kB is Boltzmann's constant, T is temperature, and q is the charge of a proton, experiments on surfactant-doped nonpolar fluids observe that the temporal evolution of the external current during charging and discharging is not symmetric [V. Novotny and M. A. Hopper, J. Electrochem. Soc. 126, 925 (1979), 10.1149/1.2129195; P. Kornilovitch and Y. Jeon, J. Appl. Phys. 109, 064509 (2011), 10.1063/1.3554445]. In fact, at sufficiently large voltages (several VT), the current during discharging is no longer monotonic: it displays a "reverse peak" before decaying in magnitude to zero. We analyze the dynamics of discharging by solving the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations governing ion transport via asymptotic and numerical techniques in three regimes. First, in the "linear regime" when the applied voltage V is formally much less than VT, the charging and discharging currents are antisymmetric in time; however, the potential and charge density profiles during charging and discharging are asymmetric. The current evolution is on the R C timescale of the cell, λDL /D , where L is the width of the cell, D is the diffusivity of ions, and λD is the Debye length. Second, in the (experimentally relevant) thin-double-layer limit ɛ =λD/L ≪1 , there is a "weakly nonlinear" regime defined by VT≲V ≲VTln(1 /ɛ ) , where the bulk salt concentration is uniform; thus the R C timescale of the evolution of the current magnitude persists. However, nonlinear, voltage-dependent, capacitance of the double layer is responsible for a break in temporal antisymmetry of the charging and discharging currents. Third, the reverse peak in the discharging current develops in a "strongly nonlinear" regime V ≳VTln(1 /ɛ ) , driven by neutral salt adsorption into the double layers and consequent bulk depletion during charging. The strongly nonlinear regime features current evolution over three timescales. The current decays in magnitude on the double layer relaxation timescale, λD2/D ; then grows exponentially in time towards the reverse peak on the diffusion timescale, L2/D , indicating that the reverse peak is the results of fast diffusion of ions from the double layer layer to the bulk. Following the reverse peak, the current decays exponentially to zero on the R C timescale. Notably, the current at the reverse peak and the time of the reverse peak saturate at large voltages V ≫VTln(1 /ɛ ) . We provide semi-analytic expressions for the saturated reverse peak time and current, which can be used to infer charge carrier diffusivity and concentration from experiments.

  14. Double layer field shaping systems for toroidal plasmas

    DOEpatents

    Ohyabu, Nobuyoshi

    1982-01-01

    Methods and apparatus for plasma generation, confinement and control such as Tokamak plasma systems are described having a two layer field shaping coil system comprising an inner coil layer close to the plasma and an outer coil layer to minimize the current in the inner coil layer.

  15. Thermocapillary convection in two immiscible liquid layers with free surface

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Doi, Takao; Koster, Jean N.

    1993-01-01

    Thermocapillary convection is studied in two immiscible liquid layers with one free surface, one liquid/liquid interface, and differential heating applied parallel to the interfaces. An analytical solution is introduced for infinite horizontal layers. The defining parameter for the flow pattern is lambda, the ratio of the temperature coefficient of the interfacial tension to that of the surface tension. Four different flow patterns exist under zero gravity conditions. 'Halt' conditions which halt the fluid motion in the lower encapsulated liquid layer have been found. A numerical experiment is carried out to study effects of vertical end walls on the double layer convection in a 2D cavity. The halt condition obtained from the analytical study is found to be valid in the limit of small Reynolds numbers. The flow in the encapsulated liquid layer can be suppressed substantially.

  16. Effect of double layers on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lysak, Robert L.; Hudson, Mary K.

    1987-01-01

    The Earth's auroral zone contains dynamic processes occurring on scales from the length of an auroral zone field line which characterizes Alfven wave propagation to the scale of microscopic processes which occur over a few Debye lengths. These processes interact in a time-dependent fashion since the current carried by the Alfven waves can excite microscopic turbulence which can in turn provide dissipation of the Alfven wave energy. This review will first describe the dynamic aspects of auroral current structures with emphasis on consequences for models of microscopic turbulence. A number of models of microscopic turbulence will be introduced into a large-scale model of Alfven wave propagation to determine the effect of various models on the overall structure of auroral currents. In particular, the effects of a double layer electric field which scales with the plasma temperature and Debye length is compared with the effect of anomalous resistivity due to electrostatic ion cyclotron turbulence in which the electric field scales with the magnetic field strength. It is found that the double layer model is less diffusive than in the resistive model leading to the possibility of narrow, intense current structures.

  17. Application of amorphous carbon based materials as antireflective coatings on crystalline silicon solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    da Silva, D. S.; Côrtes, A. D. S.; Oliveira, M. H.; Motta, E. F.; Viana, G. A.; Mei, P. R.; Marques, F. C.

    2011-08-01

    We report on the investigation of the potential application of different forms of amorphous carbon (a-C and a-C:H) as an antireflective coating for crystalline silicon solar cells. Polymeric-like carbon (PLC) and hydrogenated diamond-like carbon films were deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) was deposited by the filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique. Those three different amorphous carbon structures were individually applied as single antireflective coatings on conventional (polished and texturized) p-n junction crystalline silicon solar cells. Due to their optical properties, good results were also obtained for double-layer antireflective coatings based on PLC or ta-C films combined with different materials. The results are compared with a conventional tin dioxide (SnO2) single-layer antireflective coating and zinc sulfide/magnesium fluoride (ZnS/MgF2) double-layer antireflective coatings. An increase of 23.7% in the short-circuit current density, Jsc, was obtained using PLC as an antireflective coating and 31.7% was achieved using a double-layer of PLC with a layer of magnesium fluoride (MgF2). An additional increase of 10.8% was obtained in texturized silicon, representing a total increase (texturization + double-layer) of about 40% in the short-circuit current density. The potential use of these materials are critically addressed considering their refractive index, optical bandgap, absorption coefficient, hardness, chemical inertness, and mechanical stability.

  18. Layered Halide Double Perovskites Cs3+nM(II)nSb2X9+3n (M = Sn, Ge) for Photovoltaic Applications.

    PubMed

    Tang, Gang; Xiao, Zewen; Hosono, Hideo; Kamiya, Toshio; Fang, Daining; Hong, Jiawang

    2018-01-04

    Over the past few years, the development of lead-free and stable perovskite absorbers with excellent performance has attracted extensive attention. Much effort has been devoted to screening and synthesizing this type of solar cell absorbers. Here, we present a general design strategy for designing the layered halide double perovskites Cs 3+n M(II) n Sb 2 X 9+3n (M = Sn, Ge) with desired photovoltaic-relevant properties by inserting [MX 6 ] octahedral layers, based on the principles of increased electronic dimensionality. Compared to Cs 3 Sb 2 I 9 , more suitable band gaps, smaller carrier effective masses, larger dielectric constants, lower exciton binding energies, and higher optical absorption can be achieved by inserting variable [SnI 6 ] or [GeI 6 ] octahedral layers into the [Sb 2 I 9 ] bilayers. Moreover, our results show that adjusting the thickness of inserted octahedral layers is an effective approach to tune the band gaps and carrier effective masses in a large range. Our work provides useful guidance for designing the promising layered antimony halide double perovskite absorbers for photovoltaic applications.

  19. Evaluation of double-layer density modulated Si thin films as Li-ion battery anodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taha Demirkan, Muhammed; Yurukcu, Mesut; Dursun, Burcu; Demir-Cakan, Rezan; Karabacak, Tansel

    2017-10-01

    Double-layer density modulated silicon thin films which contain alternating low and high density Si film layers were fabricated by magnetron sputtering. Two different samples consisting of alternating layers of high-density/low-density and low-density/high-density Si thin film layers were investigated as anode electrodes in Li-ion batteries. Si thin film in which the terminating layer at the top is low density Si layer-quoted as low-density/high-density film (LD/HD)- exhibits better performance than Si thin film that has high density layer at the top, -quoted as high-density/low-density (HD/LD). A highly stabilized cycling performance with the specific charge capacities of 2000 mAh g-1 at the 150th cycle at C/2 current density, and 1200 mAh g-1 at the 240th cycle at 10 C current density were observed for the LD/HD Si anode in the presence of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) electrolyte additive.

  20. Capillary suspensions as beneficial formulation concept for high energy density Li-ion battery electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bitsch, Boris; Gallasch, Tobias; Schroeder, Melanie; Börner, Markus; Winter, Martin; Willenbacher, Norbert

    2016-10-01

    We introduce a novel formulation concept to prepare high capacity graphite electrodes for lithium ion batteries. The concept is based on the capillary suspension phenomenon: graphite and conductive agent are dispersed in an aqueous binder solution and the organic solvent octanol is added as immiscible, secondary fluid providing the formation of a sample-spanning network resulting in unique stability and coating properties. No additional processing steps compared to conventional slurry preparation are required. The resulting ultra-thick electrodes comprise mass loadings of about 16.5 mg cm-2, uniform layer thickness, and superior edge contours. The adjustment of mechanical energy input ensures uniform distribution of the conductive agent and sufficient electronic conductivity of the final dry composite electrode. The resulting pore structure is due to the stable network provided by the secondary fluid which evaporates residue-free during drying. Constant current-constant potential (CC-CP) cycling clearly indicates that the corresponding microstructure significantly improves the kinetics of reversible Li+ (de-) intercalation. A double layer electrode combining a conventionally prepared layer coated directly onto the Cu current collector with an upper layer stabilized with octanol was prepared applying wet-on-wet coating. CC-CP cycling data confirms that staged porosity within the electrode cross section results in superior electrochemical performance.

  1. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Driven by PWM Inverter with Voltage Booster with Regenerating Capability Augmented by Double-Layer Capacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamamoto, Kichiro; Shinohara, Katsuji; Furukawa, Shinya

    An interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor drive system which has regenerating capability augmented by double-layer capacitors is proposed. The motor is driven by a PWM inverter with voltage booster. The voltage booster is used to control the dc link voltage in high speed region to improve the system efficiency. Furthermore, the double-layer capacitor as a storage element is combined with the PWM inverter with voltage booster to gain the efficiency for the regenerating operation. In this system, normally, the regenerative power does not return to a battery directly but is stored in the double-layer capacitors for the next motoring action to suppress the excessive regenerative current to battery, and the regenerative power returns to the battery when the regenerative energy is larger than a certain value. The charging current to the battery is controlled to a constant value to extend the life-time of the battery. The transient and steady state characteristics of the system for 1.5kW IPM motor are investigated by both simulation and experiment. Finally, the effectiveness of the system is demonstrated by the simulated and experimental results.

  2. Characterization of the Electric Double Layer Formation Dynamics of a Metal/Ionic Liquid/Metal Structure.

    PubMed

    Schmidt, Elliot; Shi, Sha; Ruden, P Paul; Frisbie, C Daniel

    2016-06-15

    Although ionic liquids (ILs) have been used extensively in recent years as a high-capacitance "dielectric" in electric double layer transistors, the dynamics of the double layer formation have remained relatively unexplored. Better understanding of the dynamics and relaxation processes involved in electric double layer formation will guide device optimization, particularly with regard to switching speed. In this paper, we explore the dynamical characteristics of an IL in a metal/ionic liquid/metal (M/IL/M) capacitor. In particular, we examine a Au/IL/Au structure where the IL is 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate. The experiments consist of frequency-dependent impedance measurements and time-dependent current vs voltage measurements for applied linear voltage ramps and abrupt voltage steps. The parameters of an equivalent circuit model are determined by fits to the impedance vs frequency data and subsequently verified by calculating the current vs voltage characteristics for the applied potential profiles. The data analysis indicates that the dynamics of the structure are characterized by a wide distribution of relaxation times spanning the range of less than microseconds to longer than seconds. Possible causes for these time scales are discussed.

  3. Flexible nanoporous tunable electrical double layer biosensors for sweat diagnostics.

    PubMed

    Munje, Rujuta D; Muthukumar, Sriram; Panneer Selvam, Anjan; Prasad, Shalini

    2015-09-30

    An ultra-sensitive and highly specific electrical double layer (EDL) modulated biosensor, using nanoporous flexible substrates for wearable diagnostics is demonstrated with the detection of the stress biomarker cortisol in synthetic and human sweat. Zinc oxide thin film was used as active region in contact with the liquid i.e. synthetic and human sweat containing the biomolecules. Cortisol detection in sweat was accomplished by measuring and quantifying impedance changes due to modulation of the double layer capacitance within the electrical double layer through the application of a low orthogonally directed alternating current (AC) electric field. The EDL formed at the liquid-semiconductor interface was amplified in the presence of the nanoporous flexible substrate allowing for measuring the changes in the alternating current impedance signal due to the antibody-hormone interactions at diagnostically relevant concentrations. High sensitivity of detection of 1 pg/mL or 2.75 pmol cortisol in synthetic sweat and 1 ng/mL in human sweat is demonstrated with these novel biosensors. Specificity in synthetic sweat was demonstrated using a cytokine IL-1β. Cortisol detection in human sweat was demonstrated over a concentration range from 10-200 ng/mL.

  4. Flexible nanoporous tunable electrical double layer biosensors for sweat diagnostics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Munje, Rujuta D.; Muthukumar, Sriram; Panneer Selvam, Anjan; Prasad, Shalini

    2015-09-01

    An ultra-sensitive and highly specific electrical double layer (EDL) modulated biosensor, using nanoporous flexible substrates for wearable diagnostics is demonstrated with the detection of the stress biomarker cortisol in synthetic and human sweat. Zinc oxide thin film was used as active region in contact with the liquid i.e. synthetic and human sweat containing the biomolecules. Cortisol detection in sweat was accomplished by measuring and quantifying impedance changes due to modulation of the double layer capacitance within the electrical double layer through the application of a low orthogonally directed alternating current (AC) electric field. The EDL formed at the liquid-semiconductor interface was amplified in the presence of the nanoporous flexible substrate allowing for measuring the changes in the alternating current impedance signal due to the antibody-hormone interactions at diagnostically relevant concentrations. High sensitivity of detection of 1 pg/mL or 2.75 pmol cortisol in synthetic sweat and 1 ng/mL in human sweat is demonstrated with these novel biosensors. Specificity in synthetic sweat was demonstrated using a cytokine IL-1β. Cortisol detection in human sweat was demonstrated over a concentration range from 10-200 ng/mL.

  5. Graphene electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene oxide for label-free DNA detection.

    PubMed

    Li, Bing; Pan, Genhua; Avent, Neil D; Lowry, Roy B; Madgett, Tracey E; Waines, Paul L

    2015-10-15

    A novel printed graphene electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene oxide was developed for the detection of a specific oligonucleotide sequence. The graphene oxide was immobilized onto the surface of a graphene electrode via π-π bonds and electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide was achieved by cyclic voltammetry. A much higher redox current was observed from the reduced graphene oxide-graphene double-layer electrode, a 42% and 36.7% increase, respectively, in comparison with that of a bare printed graphene or reduced graphene oxide electrode. The good electron transfer activity is attributed to a combination of the large number of electroactive sites in reduced graphene oxide and the high conductivity nature of graphene. The probe ssDNA was further immobilized onto the surface of the reduced graphene oxide-graphene double-layer electrode via π-π bonds and then hybridized with its target cDNA. The change of peak current due to the hybridized dsDNA could be used for quantitative sensing of DNA concentration. It has been demonstrated that a linear range from 10(-7)M to 10(-12)M is achievable for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus 1 gene with a detection limit of 1.58 × 10(-13)M as determined by three times standard deviation of zero DNA concentration. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Preparation and properties of chrome-free colored Ti/Zr based conversion coating on aluminum alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yi, AiHua; Li, WenFang; Du, Jun; Mu, SongLin

    2012-06-01

    A golden conversion coating on the surface of aluminum alloy was prepared by adding tannic acid and coating-forming accelerator in the treatment solution containing titanium and zirconium ions. The growth process, main component and corrosion resistance of the conversion coating were characterized by EDS, SEM, XRD, XPS, FIIR and electrochemical workstation. The results showed that the main components of the conversion coating were Na3AlF6 and the conversion coating owns a double-layer structure. The outer layer consists of metal-organic complex and the inner layer is mainly made up of Na3AlF6. The mechanism of the formation of the golden conversion coating can be deemed as nucleation, growth of Na3AlF6 crystal and formation of metal-organic complex. In potentiodynamic polarization test, the corrosion current density decreases to 0.283 μA cm-2 from 5.894 μA cm-2, which indicates an obvious improvement of corrosion resistance.

  7. Deposition of gold nano-particles and nano-layers on polyethylene modified by plasma discharge and chemical treatment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Švorčík, V.; Chaloupka, A.; Záruba, K.; Král, V.; Bláhová, O.; Macková, A.; Hnatowicz, V.

    2009-08-01

    Polyethylene (PE) was treated in Ar plasma discharge and then grafted from methanol solution of 1,2-ethanedithiol to enhance adhesion of gold nano-particles or sputtered gold layers. The modified PE samples were either immersed into freshly prepared colloid solution of Au nano-particles or covered by sputtered, 50 nm thick gold nano-layer. Properties of the plasma modified, dithiol grafted and gold coated PE were studied using XPS, UV-VIS, AFM, EPR, RBS methods and nanoindentation. It was shown that the plasma treatment results in degradation of polymer chain, creation of excessive free radicals and conjugated double bonds. After grafting with 1,2-ethanedithiol the concentration of free radicals declined but the concentration of double bonds remained unchanged. Plasma treatment changes PE surface morphology and increases surface roughness too. Another significant change in the surface morphology and roughness was observed after deposition of Au nano-particles. The presence of Au on the sample surface after the coating with Au nano-particles was proved by XPS and RBS methods. Nanoindentation measurements shown that the grafting of plasma activated PE surface with dithiol increases significantly adhesion of sputtered Au nano-layer.

  8. Ultralow power switching in a silicon-rich SiNy/SiNx double-layer resistive memory device.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sungjun; Chang, Yao-Feng; Kim, Min-Hwi; Bang, Suhyun; Kim, Tae-Hyeon; Chen, Ying-Chen; Lee, Jong-Ho; Park, Byung-Gook

    2017-07-26

    Here we demonstrate low-power resistive switching in a Ni/SiN y /SiN x /p ++ -Si device by proposing a double-layered structure (SiN y /SiN x ), where the two SiN layers have different trap densities. The LRS was measured to be as low as 1 nA at a voltage of 1 V, because the SiN x layer maintains insulating properties for the LRS. The single-layered device suffers from uncontrollability of the conducting path, accompanied by the inherent randomness of switching parameters, weak immunity to breakdown during the reset process, and a high operating current. On the other hand, for a double-layered device, the effective conducting path in each layer, which can determine the operating current, can be well controlled by the I CC during the initial forming and set processes. A one-step forming and progressive reset process is observed for a low-power mode, which differs from the high-power switching mode that shows a two-step forming and reset process. Moreover, nonlinear behavior in the LRS, whose origin can be attributed to the P-F conduction and F-N tunneling driven by abundant traps in the silicon-rich SiN x layer, would be beneficial for next-generation nonvolatile memory applications by using a conventional passive SiN x layer as an active dielectric.

  9. Polyaniline-coated freestanding porous carbon nanofibers as efficient hybrid electrodes for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tran, Chau; Singhal, Richa; Lawrence, Daniel; Kalra, Vibha

    2015-10-01

    Three-dimensional, free-standing, hybrid supercapacitor electrodes combining polyaniline (PANI) and porous carbon nanofibers (P-CNFs) were fabricated with the aim to integrate the benefits of both electric double layer capacitors (high power, cyclability) and pseudocapacitors (high energy density). A systematic investigation of three different electropolymerization techniques, namely, potentiodynamic, potentiostatic, and galvanostatic, for electrodeposition of PANI on freestanding carbon nanofiber mats was conducted. It was found that the galvanostatic method, where the current density is kept constant and can be easily controlled facilitates conformal and uniform coating of PANI on three-dimensional carbon nanofiber substrates. The electrochemical tests indicated that the PANI-coated P-CNFs exhibit excellent specific capacitance of 366 F g-1 (vs. 140 F g-1 for uncoated porous carbon nanofibers), 140 F cm-3 volumetric capacitance, and up to 2.3 F cm-2 areal capacitance at 100 mV s-1 scan rate. Such excellent performance is attributed to a thin and conformal coating of PANI achieved using the galvanostatic electrodeposition technique, which not only provides pseudocapacitance with high rate capability, but also retains the double-layer capacitance of the underlying P-CNFs.

  10. Back-Hopping in Spin-Transfer-Torque Devices: Possible Origin and Countermeasures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abert, Claas; Sepehri-Amin, Hossein; Bruckner, Florian; Vogler, Christoph; Hayashi, Masamitsu; Suess, Dieter

    2018-05-01

    The effect of undesirable high-frequency free-layer switching in magnetic multilayer systems, referred to as back-hopping, is investigated by means of the spin-diffusion model. A possible origin of the back-hopping effect is found to be the destabilization of the pinned layer, which leads to the perpetual switching of both layers. While the presented mechanism is not claimed to be the only possible reason for back-hopping, we show that it is a fundamental effect that will occur in any spin-transfer-torque device when exceeding a critical current. The influence of different material parameters on the critical switching currents for the free and pinned layer is obtained by micromagnetic simulations. The spin-diffusion model enables an accurate description of the torque on both layers, depending on various material parameters. It is found that the choice of a free-layer material with low polarization β and saturation magnetization Ms and a pinned-layer material with high β and Ms leads to a low free-layer critical current and a high pinned-layer critical current and hence reduces the likelihood of back-hopping. While back-hopping has been observed in various types of devices, there are only a few experiments that exhibit this effect in perpendicularly magnetized systems. However, our simulations suggest that the described effect will also gain importance in perpendicular systems due to the loss of pinned-layer anisotropy for decreasing device sizes.

  11. Performance of Electric Double-Layer Capacitor Simulators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Funabiki, Shigeyuki; Kodama, Shinsuke; Yamamoto, Masayoshi

    This paper proposes a simulator of EDLC, which realizes the performance equivalent to electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). The proposed simulator consists of an electrolytic capacitor and a two-quadrant chopper working as a current source. Its operation principle is described in the first place. The voltage dependence of capacitance of EDLCs is taken into account. The performance of the proposed EDLC simulator is verified by computer simulations.

  12. The Dawn of Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cell: Highly Stable Double Perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 Film.

    PubMed

    Wu, Cuncun; Zhang, Qiaohui; Liu, Yang; Luo, Wei; Guo, Xuan; Huang, Ziru; Ting, Hungkit; Sun, Weihai; Zhong, Xinrui; Wei, Shiyuan; Wang, Shufeng; Chen, Zhijian; Xiao, Lixin

    2018-03-01

    Recently, lead-free double perovskites have emerged as a promising environmentally friendly photovoltaic material for their intrinsic thermodynamic stability, appropriate bandgaps, small carrier effective masses, and low exciton binding energies. However, currently no solar cell based on these double perovskites has been reported, due to the challenge in film processing. Herein, a first lead-free double perovskite planar heterojunction solar cell with a high quality Cs 2 AgBiBr 6 film, fabricated by low-pressure assisted solution processing under ambient conditions, is reported. The device presents a best power conversion efficiency of 1.44%. The preliminary efficiency and the high stability under ambient condition without encapsulation, together with the high film quality with simple processing, demonstrate promise for lead-free perovskite solar cells.

  13. Enhanced Laser-Driven Ion Acceleration by Superponderomotive Electrons Generated from Near-Critical-Density Plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bin, J. H.; Yeung, M.; Gong, Z.; Wang, H. Y.; Kreuzer, C.; Zhou, M. L.; Streeter, M. J. V.; Foster, P. S.; Cousens, S.; Dromey, B.; Meyer-ter-Vehn, J.; Zepf, M.; Schreiber, J.

    2018-02-01

    We report on the experimental studies of laser driven ion acceleration from a double-layer target where a near-critical density target with a few-micron thickness is coated in front of a nanometer-thin diamondlike carbon foil. A significant enhancement of proton maximum energies from 12 to ˜30 MeV is observed when a relativistic laser pulse impinges on the double-layer target under linear polarization. We attributed the enhanced acceleration to superponderomotive electrons that were simultaneously measured in the experiments with energies far beyond the free-electron ponderomotive limit. Our interpretation is supported by two-dimensional simulation results.

  14. Magnetic field line reconnection experiments. V - Current disruptions and double layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stenzel, R. L.; Gekelman, W.; Wild, N.

    1983-01-01

    An investigation is conducted of the stability of a large laboratory plasma current sheet, which has been generated in the process of magnetic field line reconnection, with respect to local current increases. Magnetic flux variations in regions remote from the current sheet generate an inductive voltage in the current loop that drops off inside the plasma in the form of a potential double layer, leading to particle acceleration with velocities much larger than those expected from the steady state electric fields in the plasma. A model for the mechanism of the current disruptions is formulated in which the potential structure leads to ion expulsion, creating a localized density drop. The associated current drop in an inductive circuit drives the potential structure, providing feedback for the disruptive instability. Similarities to, and differences from, magnetospheric substorm phenomena are noted.

  15. Interlayer tunneling in double-layer quantum hall pseudoferromagnets.

    PubMed

    Balents, L; Radzihovsky, L

    2001-02-26

    We show that the interlayer tunneling I-V in double-layer quantum Hall states displays a rich behavior which depends on the relative magnitude of sample size, voltage length scale, current screening, disorder, and thermal lengths. For weak tunneling, we predict a negative differential conductance of a power-law shape crossing over to a sharp zero-bias peak. An in-plane magnetic field splits this zero-bias peak, leading instead to a "derivative" feature at V(B)(B(parallel)) = 2 pi Planck's over 2 pi upsilon B(parallel)d/e phi(0), which gives a direct measurement of the dispersion of the Goldstone mode corresponding to the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the double-layer Hall state.

  16. Improved dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 films with a CaTiO3 interlayer on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates prepared by pulsed laser deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Sung-Yun; Kim, Hui Eun; Jo, William; Kim, Young-Hwan; Yoo, Sang-Im

    2015-11-01

    We report the greatly improved dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) films with a 60 nm-thick CaTiO3 (CTO) interlayer on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates. Both CCTO films and CTO interlayers were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). With increasing the thickness of CCTO from 200 nm to 1.3 μm, the dielectric constants ( ɛ r ) at 10 kHz in both CCTO single-layered and CCTO/CTO double-layered films increased from ˜260 to ˜6000 and from ˜630 to ˜3700, respectively. Compared with CCTO single-layered films, CCTO/CTO double-layered films irrespective of CCTO film thickness exhibited a remarkable decrease in their dielectric losses ( tanδ) (<0.1 at the frequency region of 1 - 100 kHz) and highly reduced leakage current density at room temperature. The reduced leakage currents in CCTO/CTO double-layered films are attributable to relatively higher trap ionization energies in the Poole-Frenkel conduction model. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  17. A terahertz in-line polarization converter based on through-via connected double layer slot structures

    PubMed Central

    Woo, Jeong Min; Hussain, Sajid; Jang, Jae-Hyung

    2017-01-01

    A terahertz (THz) in-line polarization converter that yields a polarization conversion ratio as high as 99.9% is demonstrated at 1 THz. It has double-layer slot structures oriented in orthogonal directions that are electrically connected by 1/8-wavelngth-long through-via holes beside the slot structures. The slots on the front metal-plane respond to the incident THz wave with polarization orthogonal to the slots and generates a circulating surface current around the slots. The surface current propagates along a pair of through-via holes that function as a two-wire transmission line. The propagating current generates a surface current around the backside slot structures oriented orthogonal to the slot structures on the front metal layer. The circulating current generates a terahertz wave polarized orthogonal to the backside slot structures and the 90° polarization conversion is completed. The re-radiating THz wave with 90° converted polarization propagates in the same direction as the incident THz wave. PMID:28211498

  18. Effect of gravity modulation on thermosolutal convection in an infinite layer of fluid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saunders, B. V.; Murray, B. T.; McFadden, G. B.; Coriell, S. R.; Wheeler, A. A.

    1991-10-01

    The effect of time-periodic vertical gravity modulation on the onset of thermosolutal convection in an infinite horizontal layer with stress free boundaries is studied using Floquet theory for the linear stability analysis. Situations are considered for which the fluid layer is stably stratified in either the fingering or diffusive regimes of double diffusive convection. Results are presented both with and without steady background acceleration. Modulation may stabilize an unstable base solution or destabilize a stable base solution. In addition to synchronous and subharmonic response to the modulation frequency, instability in the double diffusive system can occur via a complex conjugate mode. In the diffusive regime, where oscillatory onset occurs in the unmodulated system, regions of resonant instability occur and exhibit strong coupling with the unmodulated oscillatory frequency.

  19. Acoustic wave-driven oxidized liquid metal-based energy harvester

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jeon, Jinpyo; Chung, Sang Kug; Lee, Jeong-Bong; Doo, Seok Joo; Kim, Daeyoung

    2018-06-01

    We report an oxidized liquid metal droplet-based energy harvester that converts acoustic energy into electrical energy by modulating an electrical double layer that originates from the deformation of the oxidized liquid metal droplet. Gallium-based liquid metal alloy has been developed for various applications owing to the outstanding material properties, such as its high electrical conductivity (metallic property) and unlimited deformability (liquid property). In this study, we demonstrated energy harvesting using an electrical double layer between the acoustic wave-modulated liquid metal droplet and two electrodes. The proposed energy harvester consisted of top and bottom electrodes covered with the dielectric layer and a Gallium-based liquid metal droplet placed between the electrodes. When we applied an external bias voltage and acoustic wave to the proposed device, the contact area between the liquid metal droplet and the electrodes changed, leading to the variation of the capacitance in the electrical double layer and the generation of electrical output current. Using the proposed energy harvester, the maximum output current of 41.2 nA was generated with an applied acoustic wave of 30 Hz. In addition, we studied the relationships between the maximum output current and a variety of factors, such as the size of the liquid metal droplet, the thickness of the hydrophobic layer, and the distance between the top and bottom electrode plates.

  20. The effect of gravity modulation on thermosolutal convection in an infinite layer of fluid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saunders, B. V.; Murray, B. T.; McFadden, G. B.; Coriell, S. R.; Wheeler, A. A.

    1992-06-01

    The effect of time-periodic vertical gravity modulation on the onset of thermosolutal convection in an infinite horizontal layer with stress-free boundaries is investigated using Floquet theory for the linear stability analysis. Situations for which the fluid layer is stably stratified in either the fingering or diffusive regimes of double-diffusive convection are considered. Results are presented both with and without steady background acceleration. Modulation may stabilize an unstable base solution or destabilize a stable base solution. In addition to synchronous and subharmonic response to the modulation frequency, instability in the double diffusive system can occur via a complex conjugate mode. In the diffusive regime, where oscillatory onset occurs in the unmodulated system, regions of resonant instability occur and exhibit strong coupling with the unmodulated oscillatory frequency. The response to modulation of the fundamental instability of the unmodulated system is described both analytically and numerically; in the double-diffusive system this mode persists under subcritical conditions as a high-frequency lobe.

  1. The effect of gravity modulation on thermosolutal convection in an infinite layer of fluid

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Saunders, B. V.; Murray, B. T.; Mcfadden, G. B.; Coriell, S. R.; Wheeler, A. A.

    1992-01-01

    The effect of time-periodic vertical gravity modulation on the onset of thermosolutal convection in an infinite horizontal layer with stress-free boundaries is investigated using Floquet theory for the linear stability analysis. Situations for which the fluid layer is stably stratified in either the fingering or diffusive regimes of double-diffusive convection are considered. Results are presented both with and without steady background acceleration. Modulation may stabilize an unstable base solution or destabilize a stable base solution. In addition to synchronous and subharmonic response to the modulation frequency, instability in the double diffusive system can occur via a complex conjugate mode. In the diffusive regime, where oscillatory onset occurs in the unmodulated system, regions of resonant instability occur and exhibit strong coupling with the unmodulated oscillatory frequency. The response to modulation of the fundamental instability of the unmodulated system is described both analytically and numerically; in the double-diffusive system this mode persists under subcritical conditions as a high-frequency lobe.

  2. Impedance of an intense plasma-cathode electron source for tokamak startup

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinson, E. T.; Barr, J. L.; Bongard, M. W.; Burke, M. G.; Fonck, R. J.; Perry, J. M.

    2016-05-01

    An impedance model is formulated and tested for the ˜1 kV , 1 kA/cm2 , arc-plasma cathode electron source used for local helicity injection tokamak startup. A double layer sheath is established between the high-density arc plasma ( narc≈1021 m-3 ) within the electron source, and the less dense external tokamak edge plasma ( nedge≈1018 m-3 ) into which current is injected at the applied injector voltage, Vinj . Experiments on the Pegasus spherical tokamak show that the injected current, Iinj , increases with Vinj according to the standard double layer scaling Iinj˜Vinj3 /2 at low current and transitions to Iinj˜Vinj1 /2 at high currents. In this high current regime, sheath expansion and/or space charge neutralization impose limits on the beam density nb˜Iinj/Vinj1 /2 . For low tokamak edge density nedge and high Iinj , the inferred beam density nb is consistent with the requirement nb≤nedge imposed by space-charge neutralization of the beam in the tokamak edge plasma. At sufficient edge density, nb˜narc is observed, consistent with a limit to nb imposed by expansion of the double layer sheath. These results suggest that narc is a viable control actuator for the source impedance.

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

    Ghosh, Soumya; Soudackov, Alexander V.; Hammes-Schiffer, Sharon

    Electron transfer and proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions at electrochemical interfaces play an essential role in a broad range of energy conversion processes. The reorganization energy, which is a measure of the free energy change associated with solute and solvent rearrangements, is a key quantity for calculating rate constants for these reactions. We present a computational method for including the effects of the double layer and ionic environment of the diffuse layer in calculations of electrochemical solvent reorganization energies. This approach incorporates an accurate electronic charge distribution of the solute within a molecular-shaped cavity in conjunction with a dielectricmore » continuum treatment of the solvent, ions, and electrode using the integral equations formalism polarizable continuum model. The molecule-solvent boundary is treated explicitly, but the effects of the electrode-double layer and double layer-diffuse layer boundaries, as well as the effects of the ionic strength of the solvent, are included through an external Green’s function. The calculated total reorganization energies agree well with experimentally measured values for a series of electrochemical systems, and the effects of including both the double layer and ionic environment are found to be very small. This general approach was also extended to electrochemical PCET and produced total reorganization energies in close agreement with experimental values for two experimentally studied PCET systems. This research was supported as part of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.« less

  4. Impact of climate warming on upper layer of the Bering Sea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Hyun-Chul; Delworth, Thomas L.; Rosati, Anthony; Zhang, Rong; Anderson, Whit G.; Zeng, Fanrong; Stock, Charles A.; Gnanadesikan, Anand; Dixon, Keith W.; Griffies, Stephen M.

    2013-01-01

    The impact of climate warming on the upper layer of the Bering Sea is investigated by using a high-resolution coupled global climate model. The model is forced by increasing atmospheric CO2 at a rate of 1% per year until CO2 reaches double its initial value (after 70 years), after which it is held constant. In response to this forcing, the upper layer of the Bering Sea warms by about 2°C in the southeastern shelf and by a little more than 1°C in the western basin. The wintertime ventilation to the permanent thermocline weakens in the western Bering Sea. After CO2 doubling, the southeastern shelf of the Bering Sea becomes almost ice-free in March, and the stratification of the upper layer strengthens in May and June. Changes of physical condition due to the climate warming would impact the pre-condition of spring bio-productivity in the southeastern shelf.

  5. Coexistence of bipolar and unipolar resistive switching behaviors in the double-layer Ag/ZnS-Ag/CuAlO2/Pt memory device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Lei; Xu, Haiyang; Wang, Zhongqiang; Yu, Hao; Ma, Jiangang; Liu, Yichun

    2016-01-01

    The coexistence of uniform bipolar and unipolar resistive-switching (RS) characteristics was demonstrated in a double-layer Ag/ZnS-Ag/CuAlO2/Pt memory device. By changing the compliance current (CC) from 1 mA to 10 mA, the RS behavior can be converted from the bipolar mode (BRS) to the unipolar mode (URS). The temperature dependence of low resistance states further indicates that the CFs are composed of the Ag atoms and Cu vacancies for the BRS mode and URS mode, respectively. For this double-layer structure device, the thicker conducting filaments (CFs) will be formed in the ZnS-Ag layer, and it can act as tip electrodes. Thus, the formation and rupture of these two different CFs are located in the CuAlO2 layer, realizing the uniform and stable BRS and URS.

  6. Effect of double layers on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lysak, Robert L.; Hudson, Mary K.

    1987-01-01

    The dynamic aspects of auroral current structures are reviewed with emphasis on consequences for models of microscopic turbulence (MT). A number of models of MT are introduced into a large-scale model of Alfven wave propagation to determine the effect of various models on the overall structure of auroral currents. The effect of a double layer (DL) electric field which scales with the plasma temperature and the Debye length is compared with the effect of anomalous resistivity due to electrostatic ion cyclotron turbulence in which the electric field scales with the magnetic field strength. It is shown that the DL model is less diffusive than the resistive model, indicating the possibility of narrow intense current structures.

  7. Relation between the ion size and pore size for an electric double-layer capacitor.

    PubMed

    Largeot, Celine; Portet, Cristelle; Chmiola, John; Taberna, Pierre-Louis; Gogotsi, Yury; Simon, Patrice

    2008-03-05

    The research on electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLC), also known as supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, is quickly expanding because their power delivery performance fills the gap between dielectric capacitors and traditional batteries. However, many fundamental questions, such as the relations between the pore size of carbon electrodes, ion size of the electrolyte, and the capacitance have not yet been fully answered. We show that the pore size leading to the maximum double-layer capacitance of a TiC-derived carbon electrode in a solvent-free ethyl-methylimmidazolium-bis(trifluoro-methane-sulfonyl)imide (EMI-TFSI) ionic liquid is roughly equal to the ion size (approximately 0.7 nm). The capacitance values of TiC-CDC produced at 500 degrees C are more than 160 F/g and 85 F/cm(3) at 60 degrees C, while standard activated carbons with larger pores and a broader pore size distribution present capacitance values lower than 100 F/g and 50 F/cm(3) in ionic liquids. A significant drop in capacitance has been observed in pores that were larger or smaller than the ion size by just an angstrom, suggesting that the pore size must be tuned with sub-angstrom accuracy when selecting a carbon/ion couple. This work suggests a general approach to EDLC design leading to the maximum energy density, which has been now proved for both solvated organic salts and solvent-free liquid electrolytes.

  8. The Dawn of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cell: Highly Stable Double Perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 Film

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Cuncun; Zhang, Qiaohui; Liu, Yang; Luo, Wei; Guo, Xuan; Huang, Ziru; Ting, Hungkit; Sun, Weihai; Zhong, Xinrui; Wei, Shiyuan

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Recently, lead‐free double perovskites have emerged as a promising environmentally friendly photovoltaic material for their intrinsic thermodynamic stability, appropriate bandgaps, small carrier effective masses, and low exciton binding energies. However, currently no solar cell based on these double perovskites has been reported, due to the challenge in film processing. Herein, a first lead‐free double perovskite planar heterojunction solar cell with a high quality Cs2AgBiBr6 film, fabricated by low‐pressure assisted solution processing under ambient conditions, is reported. The device presents a best power conversion efficiency of 1.44%. The preliminary efficiency and the high stability under ambient condition without encapsulation, together with the high film quality with simple processing, demonstrate promise for lead‐free perovskite solar cells. PMID:29593974

  9. Influence of nonelectrostatic ion-ion interactions on double-layer capacitance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Hui

    2012-11-01

    Recently a Poisson-Helmholtz-Boltzmann (PHB) model [Bohinc , Phys. Rev. EPLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.85.031130 85, 031130 (2012)] was developed by accounting for solvent-mediated nonelectrostatic ion-ion interactions. Nonelectrostatic interactions are described by a Yukawa-like pair potential. In the present work, we modify the PHB model by adding steric effects (finite ion size) into the free energy to derive governing equations. The modified PHB model is capable of capturing both ion specificity and ion crowding. This modified model is then employed to study the capacitance of the double layer. More specifically, we focus on the influence of nonelectrostatic ion-ion interactions on charging a double layer near a flat surface in the presence of steric effects. We numerically compute the differential capacitance as a function of the voltage under various conditions. At small voltages and low salt concentrations (dilute solution), we find out that the predictions from the modified PHB model are the same as those from the classical Poisson-Boltzmann theory, indicating that nonelectrostatic ion-ion interactions and steric effects are negligible. At moderate voltages, nonelectrostatic ion-ion interactions play an important role in determining the differential capacitance. Generally speaking, nonelectrostatic interactions decrease the capacitance because of additional nonelectrostatic repulsion among excess counterions inside the double layer. However, increasing the voltage gradually favors steric effects, which induce a condensed layer with crowding of counterions near the electrode. Accordingly, the predictions from the modified PHB model collapse onto those computed by the modified Poisson-Boltzmann theory considering steric effects alone. Finally, theoretical predictions are compared and favorably agree with experimental data, in particular, in concentrated solutions, leading one to conclude that the modified PHB model adequately predicts the diffuse-charge dynamics of the double layer with ion specificity and steric effects.

  10. A comparative study between different approaches to improve the RCS of a compact double-layer absorber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    El-Hakim, H. A.; Mahmoud, K. R.

    2017-10-01

    In this paper, straightforward and efficient techniques have been addressed into double-layer structure to enlarge the operating bandwidth to include the X, Ku and K bands, in addition to increase the electromagnetic wave absorption for wide varieties of incident angles and both polarization types. To increase the band-stop resonating frequency up to 26 GHz, an additional layer of meta-surface, circuit analog radar absorber material (CAR), or a thin radar absorber material (RAM) layer is engineered. The synthesized layers are designed based on optimization process with genetic algorithm (GA) through numerical technique (Ansoft design software HFSS) for both transmission line (T.L) and the free space method to get optimal material properties suitable for the design. For different approaches, the designed structures achieved a reflectivity value less than -16 dB on average in the desired bandwidth from 8 to 26 GHz for TE/TM modes with incidence angle up to 50o.

  11. Wearable Fabrics with Self-Branched Bimetallic Layered Double Hydroxide Coaxial Nanostructures for Hybrid Supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Nagaraju, Goli; Chandra Sekhar, S; Krishna Bharat, L; Yu, Jae Su

    2017-11-28

    We report a flexible battery-type electrode based on binder-free nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets adhered to nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide nanoflake arrays on nickel fabric (NC LDH NFAs@NSs/Ni fabric) using facile and eco-friendly synthesis methods. Herein, we utilized discarded polyester fabric as a cost-effective substrate for in situ electroless deposition of Ni, which exhibited good flexibility, light weight, and high conductivity. Subsequently, the vertically aligned NC LDH NFAs were grown on Ni fabric by means of a hot-air oven-based method, and fluffy-like NC LDH NS branches are further decorated on NC LDH NFAs by a simple electrochemical deposition method. The as-prepared core-shell-like nanoarchitectures improve the specific surface area and electrochemical activity, which provides the ideal pathways for electrolyte diffusion and charge transportation. When the electrochemical performance was tested in 1 M KOH aqueous solution, the core-shell-like NC LDH NFAs@NSs/Ni fabric electrode liberated a maximum areal capacity of 536.96 μAh/cm 2 at a current density of 2 mA/cm 2 and excellent rate capability of 78.3% at 30 mA/cm 2 (420.5 μAh/cm 2 ) with a good cycling stability. Moreover, a fabric-based hybrid supercapacitor (SC) was assembled, which achieves a stable operational potential window of 1.6 V, a large areal capacitance of 1147.23 mF/cm 2 at 3 mA/cm 2 , and a high energy density of 0.392 mWh/cm 2 at a power density of 2.353 mW/cm 2 . Utilizing such high energy storage abilities and flexible properties, the fabricated hybrid SC operated the wearable digital watch and electric motor fan for real-time applications.

  12. Theory of plasma contactors in ground-based experiments and low Earth orbit

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gerver, M. J.; Hastings, Daniel E.; Oberhardt, M. R.

    1990-01-01

    Previous theoretical work on plasma contactors as current collectors has fallen into two categories: collisionless double layer theory (describing space charge limited contactor clouds) and collisional quasineutral theory. Ground based experiments at low current are well explained by double layer theory, but this theory does not scale well to power generation by electrodynamic tethers in space, since very high anode potentials are needed to draw a substantial ambient electron current across the magnetic field in the absence of collisions (or effective collisions due to turbulence). Isotropic quasineutral models of contactor clouds, extending over a region where the effective collision frequency upsilon sub e exceeds the electron cyclotron frequency omega sub ce, have low anode potentials, but would collect very little ambient electron current, much less than the emitted ion current. A new model is presented, for an anisotropic contactor cloud oriented along the magnetic field, with upsilon sub e less than omega sub ce. The electron motion along the magnetic field is nearly collisionless, forming double layers in that direction, while across the magnetic field the electrons diffuse collisionally and the potential profile is determined by quasineutrality. Using a simplified expression for upsilon sub e due to ion acoustic turbulence, an analytic solution has been found for this model, which should be applicable to current collection in space. The anode potential is low and the collected ambient electron current can be several times the emitted ion current.

  13. Double Layers in Astrophysics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, Alton C. (Editor); Moorehead, Tauna W. (Editor)

    1987-01-01

    Topics addressed include: laboratory double layers; ion-acoustic double layers; pumping potential wells; ion phase-space vortices; weak double layers; electric fields and double layers in plasmas; auroral double layers; double layer formation in a plasma; beamed emission from gamma-ray burst source; double layers and extragalactic jets; and electric potential between plasma sheet clouds.

  14. Sol-Gel Deposited Double Layer TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ Anti-Reflection Coating for Silicon Solar Cell.

    PubMed

    Jung, Jinsu; Jannat, Azmira; Akhtar, M Shaheer; Yang, O-Bong

    2018-02-01

    In this work, the deposition of double layer ARC on p-type Si solar cells was carried out by simple spin coating using sol-gel derived Al2O3 and TiO2 precursors for the fabrication of crystalline Si solar cells. The first ARC layer was created by freshly prepared sol-gel derived Al2O3 precursor using spin coating technique and then second ARC layer of TiO2 was deposited with sol-gel derived TiO2 precursor, which was finally annealed at 400 °C. The double layer Al2O3/TiO2 ARC on Si wafer exhibited the low average reflectance of 4.74% in the wavelength range of 400 and 1000 nm. The fabricated solar cells based on double TiO2/Al2O3 ARC attained the conversion efficiency of ~13.95% with short circuit current (JSC) of 35.27 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (VOC) of 593.35 mV and fill factor (FF) of 66.67%. Moreover, the fabricated solar cells presented relatively low series resistance (Rs) as compared to single layer ARCs, resulting in the high VOC and FF.

  15. Single and double acquisition strategies for compensation of artifacts from eddy current and transient oscillation in balanced steady-state free precession.

    PubMed

    Lee, Hyun-Soo; Choi, Seung Hong; Park, Sung-Hong

    2017-07-01

    To develop single and double acquisition methods to compensate for artifacts from eddy currents and transient oscillations in balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) with centric phase-encoding (PE) order for magnetization-prepared bSSFP imaging. A single and four different double acquisition methods were developed and evaluated with Bloch equation simulations, phantom/in vivo experiments, and quantitative analyses. For the single acquisition method, multiple PE groups, each of which was composed of N linearly changing PE lines, were ordered in a pseudocentric manner for optimal contrast and minimal signal fluctuations. Double acquisition methods used complex averaging of two images that had opposite artifact patterns from different acquisition orders or from different numbers of dummy scans. Simulation results showed high sensitivity of eddy-current and transient-oscillation artifacts to off-resonance frequency and PE schemes. The artifacts were reduced with the PE-grouping with N values from 3 to 8, similar to or better than the conventional pairing scheme of N = 2. The proposed double acquisition methods removed the remaining artifacts significantly. The proposed methods conserved detailed structures in magnetization transfer imaging well, compared with the conventional methods. The proposed single and double acquisition methods can be useful for artifact-free magnetization-prepared bSSFP imaging with desired contrast and minimized dummy scans. Magn Reson Med 78:254-263, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

  16. Electron transport through triangular potential barriers with doping-induced disorder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elpelt, R.; Wolst, O.; Willenberg, H.; Malzer, S.; Döhler, G. H.

    2004-05-01

    Electron transport through single-, double-, and triple-barrier structures created by the insertion of suitably δ-doped layers in GaAs is investigated. The results are compared with experiments on barriers of similar shape, but obtained by linear grading of the Al fraction x in AlxGa1-xAs structures. In the case of the doping-induced space-charge potential it is found that the effective barrier height for transport is much lower than expected from a simple model, in which uniform distribution of the doping charge within the doped layers is assumed. This reduction is quantitatively explained by taking into account the random distribution of the acceptor atoms within the δp-doped layers, which results in large spatial fluctuations of the barrier potential. The transport turns out to be dominated by small regions around the energetically lowest saddle points of the random space-charge potential. Additionally, independent on the dimensionality of the transport [three-dimensional (3D) to 3D in the single barrier, from 3D through 2D to 3D in the double barrier, and from 3D through 2D through 2D to 3D in the triple-barrier structure], fingerprints of 2D subband resonances are neither experimentally observed nor theoretically expected in the doping-induced structures. This is attributed to the disorder-induced random spatial fluctuations of the subband energies in the n layers which are uncorrelated for neighboring layers. Our interpretations of the temperature-dependent current-voltage characteristics are corroborated by comparison with the experimental and theoretical results obtained from the corresponding fluctuation-free AlxGa1-xAs structures. Quantitative agreement between theory and experiment is observed in both cases.

  17. Observation of turnover of spontaneous polarization in ferroelectric layer of pentacene/poly-(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene) double-layer capacitor under photo illumination by optical second-harmonic generation measurement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Zhemin; Taguchi, Dai; Manaka, Takaaki; Iwamoto, Mitsumasa

    2016-04-01

    The details of turnover process of spontaneous polarization and associated carrier motions in indium-tin oxide/poly-(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/pentacene/Au capacitor were analyzed by coupling displacement current measurement (DCM) and electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) measurement. A model was set up from DCM results to depict the relationship between electric field in semiconductor layer and applied external voltage, proving that photo illumination effect on the spontaneous polarization process lied in variation of semiconductor conductivity. The EFISHG measurement directly and selectively probed the electric field distribution in semiconductor layer, modifying the model and revealing detailed carrier behaviors involving photo illumination effect, dipole reversal, and interfacial charging in the device. A further decrease of DCM current in the low voltage region under illumination was found as the result of illumination effect, and the result was argued based on the changing of the total capacitance of the double-layer capacitors.

  18. Plasma contactor research, 1990

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, John D.; Wilbur, Paul J.

    1991-01-01

    Emissive and Langmuir probes were used to measure plasma potential profiles, plasma densities, electron energy distributions, and plasma noise levels near a hollow cathode-based plasma contactor emitting electrons. The effects of electron emission current (100 to 1500 mA) and contactor flowrate (2 to 10 sccm (Xenon)) on these data are examined. Retarding potential analyzer (RPA) measurements showing that high energy ions generally stream from a contactor along with the electrons being emitted are also presented, and a mechanism by which this occurs is postulated. This mechanism, which involves a high rate of ionization induced between electrons and atoms flowing together from the hollow cathode orifice, results in a region of high positive space charge and high positive potential. Langmuir and RPA probe data suggests that both electrons and ions expand spherically from this potential hill region. In addition to experimental observations, a simple one-dimensional model which describes the electron emission process and predicts the phenomena just mentioned is presented and is shown to agree qualitatively with these observations. Experimental results of the first stage of bilateral cooperation with the Italian Institute of Interplanetary Space Physics (IFSI CNR) are presented. Sharp, well-defined double layers were observed downstream of a contactor collecting electrons from an ambient plasma created in the IFSI Facility. The voltage drop across these double layers was observed to increase with the current drawn from the ambient plasma. This observation, which was not as clear in previous IFSI tests conducted at higher neutral pressures, is in agreement with previous experimental observations made at both Colorado State University and NASA Lewis Research Center. Greater double layer voltage drops, multiple double layers, and higher noise levels in the region near the double layers were also observed when a magnetic field was imposed and oriented perpendicular to the line joining the contactor and simulator.

  19. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEMICONDUCTOR INJECTION LASERS SELCO-87: Relationship between the p-n junction position and the threshold current of stripe lasers emitting in the 1.3-μm range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walachová, J.; Zelinka, J.

    1988-11-01

    The method of profiling with a probe was used to determine the p-n junction position in the active layer InP/GaInAsP double heterostructure lasers designed for operation in the region of 1.3 μm. Double heterostructures with different Zn concentrations in the upper GaInAsP layer were investigated. An explanation was provided of the shift or lack of shift of the p-n junction in different heterostructure lasers. The average threshold current was correlated with the p-n junction position.

  20. Electrical Double Layer Capacitance in a Graphene-embedded Al2O3 Gate Dielectric

    PubMed Central

    Ki Min, Bok; Kim, Seong K.; Jun Kim, Seong; Ho Kim, Sung; Kang, Min-A; Park, Chong-Yun; Song, Wooseok; Myung, Sung; Lim, Jongsun; An, Ki-Seok

    2015-01-01

    Graphene heterostructures are of considerable interest as a new class of electronic devices with exceptional performance in a broad range of applications has been realized. Here, we propose a graphene-embedded Al2O3 gate dielectric with a relatively high dielectric constant of 15.5, which is about 2 times that of Al2O3, having a low leakage current with insertion of tri-layer graphene. In this system, the enhanced capacitance of the hybrid structure can be understood by the formation of a space charge layer at the graphene/Al2O3 interface. The electrical properties of the interface can be further explained by the electrical double layer (EDL) model dominated by the diffuse layer. PMID:26530817

  1. Ion Acceleration by Double Layers with Multi-Component Ion Species

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Good, Timothy; Aguirre, Evan; Scime, Earl; West Virginia University Team

    2017-10-01

    Current-free double layers (CFDL) models have been proposed to explain observations of magnetic field-aligned ion acceleration in plasmas expanding into divergent magnetic field regions. More recently, experimental studies of the Bohm sheath criterion in multiple ion species plasma reveal an equilibration of Bohm speeds at the sheath-presheath boundary for a grounded plate in a multipole-confined filament discharge. We aim to test this ion velocity effect for CFDL acceleration. We report high resolution ion velocity distribution function (IVDF) measurements using laser induced fluorescence downstream of a CFDL in a helicon plasma. Combinations of argon-helium, argon-krypton, and argon-xenon gases are ionized and measurements of argon or xenon IVDFs are investigated to determine whether ion acceleration is enhanced (or diminished) by the presence of lighter (or heavier) ions in the mix. We find that the predominant effect is a reduction of ion acceleration consistent with increased drag arising from increased gas pressure under all conditions, including constant total gas pressure, equal plasma densities of different ions, and very different plasma densities of different ions. These results suggest that the physics responsible for acceleration of multiple ion species in simple sheaths is not responsible for the ion acceleration observed in these expanding plasmas. Department of Physics, Gettysburg College.

  2. Ionic electrodeposition of II-VI and III-V compounds. III. Computer simulation of quasi-rest potentials for M/sub 1/X/sub 1/ compounds analogous to CdTe

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

    Engelken, R.D.

    1987-04-01

    The quasi-rest potential (QRP) has been proposed as a key quantity in characterizing compound semiconductor (e.g. CdTe) electrodeposition. This article expands the modeling/simulation representative of Cd/sub x/Te in chemical equilibrium to calculate two ''QRP's'': E/sub M/1/sub /, the mixed potential occurring immediately after current interruption and before any relaxation in double layer ion concentration and significant ion exchange/surface stoichiometry change occur, and E/sub M/2/sub /, another mixed potential occurring after the double layer ion concentrations have relaxed to their bulk values but still before any significant surface composition change occurs. Significant predictions include existence of a dramatic negative transition inmore » QRP, with negative-going deposition potential, centered on the potential of perfect stoichiometry (PPS), inequality, in general, between the PPS and E/sub M/1/sub / unless the deposit remains in equilibrium with the electrolyte (no ion exchange at open circuit), negligible sensitivity of QRP-E curves to the activity coefficient parameter implying the importance of the PPS in characterizing compound deposition, and disappearance of the transition structure for sufficiently positive Gibbs free energies.« less

  3. Laser Induced Fluorescence Studies of Electrostatic Double Layers in an Expanding Helicon Plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carr, Jerry, Jr.

    We report the first evidence of a laboratory double layer (DL) collapsing in the presence of an instability studied by Chakraborty Thakur et al. 1 with the use of time resolved laser induced fluorescence (LIF) studies. Higher time resolution studies then provided the first statistically validated proof of the correlation between the ion acoustic instability and a DL. Time-frequency analysis in the form of time resolved cross power spectra and continuous wavelet transforms were used to provide insight into beam formation. The implications of this work is that in the creation of strong DLs in expanding plasmas for plasma propulsion or other applications may be self-limited through instability growth. Over the past decade, experimental and theoretical studies have demonstrated the formation of stable, electrostatic, current-free double layers (CFDLs) in plasmas with a strong density gradient; typically a result of a divergent magnetic field. In this work, we present evidence for the formation of multiple double layers within a single divergent magnetic field structure. Downstream of the divergent magnetic field, multiple accelerated ion populations are observed through laser induced fluorescence measurements of the ion velocity distribution function. The formation of the multiple double layer structure is a strong function of the neutral gas pressure in the experiment. The similarity of the accelerated ion populations observed in these laboratory experiments to ion populations observed in reconnection outflow regions in the magnetosphere and in numerical simulations is also described. If ion energization during magnetic reconnection also results solely from acceleration in electric fields, these observations imply a prediction that the ion heating, i.e., the broadening of ion velocity distribution functions, reported in magnetic reconnection experiments is more accurately described by a superposition of differently accelerated ion populations. Therefore, the ion gheatingh rate during reconnection should scale as the square root of the cube of the charge per unit mass (q3/m)1/2 for ions with varying charge-to-mass ratios. A new RFEA probe was benchmarked on the low pressure CFDL plasmas produced in WVU HELIX-LEIA. This work was the result of collaboration between the University of Tromso (UiT) and WVU. LIF was used to confirm the RFEAs ability to detect a beam when one was present. The RFEA was also able to detect the presence of a beam when LIF techniques were limited by metastable quenching. The probefs limitations in dealing with ion focusing are discussed as well.

  4. Selectivity Enhancement by Using Double-Layer MOX-Based Gas Sensors Prepared by Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP).

    PubMed

    Rebholz, Julia; Grossmann, Katharina; Pham, David; Pokhrel, Suman; Mädler, Lutz; Weimar, Udo; Barsan, Nicolae

    2016-09-06

    Here we present a novel concept for the selective recognition of different target gases with a multilayer semiconducting metal oxide (SMOX)-based sensor device. Direct current (DC) electrical resistance measurements were performed during exposure to CO and ethanol as single gases and mixtures of highly porous metal oxide double- and single-layer sensors obtained by flame spray pyrolysis. The results show that the calculated resistance ratios of the single- and double-layer sensors are a good indicator for the presence of specific gases in the atmosphere, and can constitute some building blocks for the development of chemical logic devices. Due to the inherent lack of selectivity of SMOX-based gas sensors, such devices could be especially relevant for domestic applications.

  5. Selectivity Enhancement by Using Double-Layer MOX-Based Gas Sensors Prepared by Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP)

    PubMed Central

    Rebholz, Julia; Grossmann, Katharina; Pham, David; Pokhrel, Suman; Mädler, Lutz; Weimar, Udo; Barsan, Nicolae

    2016-01-01

    Here we present a novel concept for the selective recognition of different target gases with a multilayer semiconducting metal oxide (SMOX)-based sensor device. Direct current (DC) electrical resistance measurements were performed during exposure to CO and ethanol as single gases and mixtures of highly porous metal oxide double- and single-layer sensors obtained by flame spray pyrolysis. The results show that the calculated resistance ratios of the single- and double-layer sensors are a good indicator for the presence of specific gases in the atmosphere, and can constitute some building blocks for the development of chemical logic devices. Due to the inherent lack of selectivity of SMOX-based gas sensors, such devices could be especially relevant for domestic applications. PMID:27608028

  6. Scintillating fibres coupled to silicon photomultiplier prototypes for fast beam monitoring and thin timing detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Papa, A.; Kettle, P.-R.; Ripiccini, E.; Rutar, G.

    2016-07-01

    Several scintillating fibre prototypes (single- and double-layers) made of 250 μm multi-clad square fibres coupled to silicon photomultiplier have been studied using electrons, positrons and muons at different energies. Current measurements show promising results: already for a single fibre layer and minimum ionizing particles we obtain a detection efficiency ≥ 95 % (mean collected light/fibre ≈ 8 phe), a timing resolution of 550 ps/fibre and a foreseen spatial resolution < 100 μm, based on the achieved negligible optical cross-talk between fibres (< 1 %). We will also discuss the performances of a double-layer staggered prototype configuration, for which a full detection efficiency (≥ 99 %) has been measured together with a timing resolution of ≈ 400 ps for double hit events.

  7. Effects of channel thickness on oxide thin film transistor with double-stacked channel layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Kimoon; Kim, Yong-Hoon; Yoon, Sung-Min; Kim, Jiwan; Oh, Min Suk

    2017-11-01

    To improve the field effect mobility and control the threshold voltage ( V th ) of oxide thin film transistors (TFTs), we fabricated the oxide TFTs with double-stacked channel layers which consist of thick Zn-Sn-O (ZTO) and very thin In-Zn-O (IZO) layers. We investigated the effects of the thickness of thin conductive layer and the conductivity of thick layer on oxide TFTs with doublestacked channel layer. When we changed the thickness of thin conductive IZO channel layer, the resistivity values were changed. This resistivity of thin channel layer affected on the saturation field effect mobility and the off current of TFTs. In case of the thick ZTO channel layer which was deposited by sputtering in Ar: O2 = 10: 1, the device showed better performances than that which was deposited in Ar: O2 = 1: 1. Our TFTs showed high mobility ( μ FE ) of 40.7 cm2/Vs and V th of 4.3 V. We assumed that high mobility and the controlled V th were caused by thin conductive IZO layer and thick stable ZTO layer. Therefore, this double-stacked channel structure can be very promising way to improve the electrical characteristics of various oxide thin film transistors.

  8. Drug delivery system for an anticancer agent, chlorogenate-Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide nanohybrid synthesised using direct co-precipitation and ion exchange methods

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

    Barahuie, Farahnaz; Hussein, Mohd Zobir, E-mail: mzobir@putra.upm.edu.my; Arulselvan, Palanisamy

    A nano-structured drug-inorganic clay hybrid involving an active anticancer compound, which is chlorogenic acid (CA) intercalated into Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide, has been assembled via ion-exchange and co-precipitation methods to form a nanohybrid CZAE (a chlorogenic acid-Zn/Al nanohybrid synthesised using an ion-exchange method) and CZAC (a chlorogenic acid-Zn/Al nanohybrid synthesised using a direct method), respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that the CA-LDH had a hybrid structure in which the anionic chlorogenate is arranged between the interlayers as a horizontal monolayer at 90 and 20° angles from the x axis for CZAE and CZAC, respectively. Both nanohybrids have the propertiesmore » of mesoporous materials. The high loading percentage of chlorogenic acid (approximately 43.2% for CZAE and 45.3% for CZAC) with basal spacings of 11.7 and 12.6 Å for CZAE and CZAC, respectively, corroborates the successful intercalation of chlorogenic acid into the interlayer gallery of layered double hydroxides. Free chlorogenic acid and the synthesised nanocomposites (CZAE, CZAC) were assessed for their cytotoxicity against various cancer cells. The Fourier transform infrared data supported the formation of both nanohybrids, and a thermal analysis showed that the nanohybrids are more thermally stable than their counterparts. The chlorogenate shows a sustained release, and the release rate of chlorogenate from CZAE and CZAC nanohybrids at pH 7.4 is remarkably lower than that at pH 4.8 due to their different release mechanisms. The release rate of chlorogenate from both nanohybrids can be described as pseudo-second order. The present investigation revealed the potential of the nanohybrids to enhance the in vitro anti-tumour effect of chlorogenic acid in liver and lung cancer cells in vitro. - Highlights: • We intercalated chlorogenic into Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide by ion-exchange and coprecipitation methods. • The two methods gave nanocomposites with slightly different physico-chemical properties. • Chlorogenate-zinc aluminium layered double hydroxide nanohybrids have the potential to be used as a controlled release formulation. • The thermal stability of chlorogenic acid is markedly enhanced upon the intercalation process. • The inhibition of cancer cell growth is higher for nanohybrids than for free chlorogenic acid.« less

  9. Single-Layer Limit of Metallic Indium Overlayers on Si(111).

    PubMed

    Park, Jae Whan; Kang, Myung Ho

    2016-09-09

    Density-functional calculations are used to identify one-atom-thick metallic In phases grown on the Si(111) surface, which have long been sought in quest of the ultimate two-dimensional (2D) limit of metallic properties. We predict two metastable single-layer In phases, one sqrt[7]×sqrt[3] phase with a coverage of 1.4 monolayer (ML; here 1 ML refers to one In atom per top Si atom) and the other sqrt[7]×sqrt[7] phase with 1.43 ML, which indeed agree with experimental evidences. Both phases reveal quasi-1D arrangements of protruded In atoms, leading to 2D-metallic but anisotropic band structures and Fermi surfaces. This directional feature contrasts with the free-electron-like In-overlayer properties that are known to persist up to the double-layer thickness, implying that the ultimate 2D limit of In overlayers may have been achieved in previous studies of double-layer In phases.

  10. BiVO4/WO3/SnO2 Double-Heterojunction Photoanode with Enhanced Charge Separation and Visible-Transparency for Bias-Free Solar Water-Splitting with a Perovskite Solar Cell.

    PubMed

    Baek, Ji Hyun; Kim, Byeong Jo; Han, Gill Sang; Hwang, Sung Won; Kim, Dong Rip; Cho, In Sun; Jung, Hyun Suk

    2017-01-18

    Coupling dissimilar oxides in heterostructures allows the engineering of interfacial, optical, charge separation/transport and transfer properties of photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Here, we demonstrate a double-heterojunction concept based on a BiVO 4 /WO 3 /SnO 2 triple-layer planar heterojunction (TPH) photoanode, which shows simultaneous improvements in the charge transport (∼93% at 1.23 V vs RHE) and transmittance at longer wavelengths (>500 nm). The TPH photoanode was prepared by a facile solution method: a porous SnO 2 film was first deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/glass substrate followed by WO 3 deposition, leading to the formation of a double layer of dense WO 3 and a WO 3 /SnO 2 mixture at the bottom. Subsequently, a BiVO 4 nanoparticle film was deposited by spin coating. Importantly, the WO 3 /(WO 3 +SnO 2 ) composite bottom layer forms a disordered heterojunction, enabling intimate contact, lower interfacial resistance, and efficient charge transport/transfer. In addition, the top BiVO 4 /WO 3 heterojunction layer improves light absorption and charge separation. The resultant TPH photoanode shows greatly improved internal quantum efficiency (∼80%) and PEC water oxidation performance (∼3.1 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V vs RHE) compared to the previously reported BiVO 4 /WO 3 photoanodes. The PEC performance was further improved by a reactive-ion etching treatment and CoO x electrocatalyst deposition. Finally, we demonstrated a bias-free and stable solar water-splitting by constructing a tandem PEC device with a perovskite solar cell (STH ∼3.5%).

  11. Strategy for synthesizing quantum dot-layered double hydroxide nanocomposites and their enhanced photoluminescence and photostability.

    PubMed

    Cho, Seungho; Jung, Sungwook; Jeong, Sanghwa; Bang, Jiwon; Park, Joonhyuck; Park, Youngrong; Kim, Sungjee

    2013-01-08

    Layered double hydroxide-quantum dot (LDH-QD) composites are synthesized via a room temperature LDH formation reaction in the presence of QDs. InP/ZnS (core/shell) QD, a heavy metal free QD, is used as a model constituent. Interactions between QDs (with negative zeta potentials), decorated with dihydrolipoic acids, and inherently positively charged metal hydroxide layers of LDH during the LDH formations are induced to form the LDH-QD composites. The formation of the LDH-QD composites affords significantly enhanced photoluminescence quantum yields and thermal- and photostabilities compared to their QD counterparts. In addition, the fluorescence from the solid LDH-QD composite preserved the initial optical properties of the QD colloid solution without noticeable deteriorations such as red-shift or deep trap emission. Based on their advantageous optical properties, we also demonstrate the pseudo white light emitting diode, down-converted by the LDH-QD composites.

  12. Graphene Double-Layer Capacitor with ac Line-Filtering Performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miller, John R.; Outlaw, R. A.; Holloway, B. C.

    2010-09-01

    Electric double-layer capacitors (DLCs) can have high storage capacity, but their porous electrodes cause them to perform like resistors in filter circuits that remove ripple from rectified direct current. We have demonstrated efficient filtering of 120-hertz current with DLCs with electrodes made from vertically oriented graphene nanosheets grown directly on metal current collectors. This design minimized electronic and ionic resistances and produced capacitors with RC time constants of less than 200 microseconds, in contrast with ~1 second for typical DLCs. Graphene nanosheets have a preponderance of exposed edge planes that greatly increases charge storage as compared with that of designs that rely on basal plane surfaces. Capacitors constructed with these electrodes could be smaller than the low-voltage aluminum electrolyte capacitors that are typically used in electronic devices.

  13. Graphene double-layer capacitor with ac line-filtering performance.

    PubMed

    Miller, John R; Outlaw, R A; Holloway, B C

    2010-09-24

    Electric double-layer capacitors (DLCs) can have high storage capacity, but their porous electrodes cause them to perform like resistors in filter circuits that remove ripple from rectified direct current. We have demonstrated efficient filtering of 120-hertz current with DLCs with electrodes made from vertically oriented graphene nanosheets grown directly on metal current collectors. This design minimized electronic and ionic resistances and produced capacitors with RC time constants of less than 200 microseconds, in contrast with ~1 second for typical DLCs. Graphene nanosheets have a preponderance of exposed edge planes that greatly increases charge storage as compared with that of designs that rely on basal plane surfaces. Capacitors constructed with these electrodes could be smaller than the low-voltage aluminum electrolyte capacitors that are typically used in electronic devices.

  14. A New Standard Pulsar Magnetosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Contopoulos, Ioannis; Kalapotharakos, Constantinos; Kazanas, Demosthenes

    2014-01-01

    In view of recent efforts to probe the physical conditions in the pulsar current sheet, we revisit the standard solution that describes the main elements of the ideal force-free pulsar magnetosphere. The simple physical requirement that the electric current contained in the current layer consists of the local electric charge moving outward at close to the speed of light yields a new solution for the pulsar magnetosphere everywhere that is ideal force-free except in the current layer. The main elements of the new solution are as follows: (1) the pulsar spindown rate of the aligned rotator is 23% larger than that of the orthogonal vacuum rotator; (2) only 60% of the magnetic flux that crosses the light cylinder opens up to infinity; (3) the electric current closes along the other 40%, which gradually converges to the equator; (4) this transfers 40% of the total pulsar spindown energy flux in the equatorial current sheet, which is then dissipated in the acceleration of particles and in high-energy electromagnetic radiation; and (5) there is no separatrix current layer. Our solution is a minimum free-parameter solution in that the equatorial current layer is electrostatically supported against collapse and thus does not require a thermal particle population. In this respect, it is one more step toward the development of a new standard solution. We discuss the implications for intermittent pulsars and long-duration gamma-ray bursts. We conclude that the physical conditions in the equatorial current layer determine the global structure of the pulsar magnetosphere.

  15. Mixing in Shear Coaxial Jets (Briefing Charts)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-08-01

    relevant boundary layers 9. Thermodynamic states (2 phase, 1 phase) 10. Transverse Acoustic mode from chamber/siren, f=f(c, geometry St=fDij/Uij 11...stability theory for inviscid instability of a hyperbolic tangent velocity profile for free boundary layers • U(y)=0.5[1 + tanh(y)] • Chigier and Beer , 1964...acoustics Natural OJ excited IJ excited From Chigier NA. and Beer JM, The Flow Region Near the Nozzle in Double Concentric Jets, J of

  16. The Equivalent Electrokinetic Circuit Model of Ion Concentration Polarization Layer: Electrical Double Layer, Extended Space Charge and Electro-convection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Inhee; Huh, Keon; Kwak, Rhokyun; Lee, Hyomin; Kim, Sung Jae

    2016-11-01

    The first direct chronopotentiometric measurement was provided to distinguish the potential difference through the extended space charge (ESC) layer which is formed with the electrical double layer (EDL) near a perm-selective membrane. From this experimental result, the linear relationship was obtained between the resistance of ESC and the applied current density. Furthermore, we observed the step-wise distributions of relaxation time at the limiting current regime, confirming the existence of ESC capacitance other than EDL's. In addition, we proposed the equivalent electrokinetic circuit model inside ion concentration polarization (ICP) layer under rigorous consideration of EDL, ESC and electro-convection (EC). In order to elucidate the voltage configuration in chronopotentiometric measurement, the EC component was considered as the "dependent voltage source" which is serially connected to the ESC layer. This model successfully described the charging behavior of the ESC layer with or without EC, where both cases determined each relaxation time, respectively. Finally, we quantitatively verified their values utilizing the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations. Therefore, this unified circuit model would provide a key insight of ICP system and potential energy-efficient applications.

  17. Efficient double-emitting layer inverted organic light-emitting devices with different spacer layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nie, Qu-yang; Zhang, Fang-hui

    2017-09-01

    Double-emitting layer inverted organic light-emitting devices (IOLEDs) with different spacer layers were investigated, where 2,20,7,70-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-9,9-spirobifluorene (CBP), 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BCP), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) and 4,40,400-tris(N-carbazolyl)-triphenylamine (TCTA) were used as spacer layers, respectively, and GIr1 and R-4b were used as green and red guest phosphorescent materials, respectively. The results show that the device with BCP spacer layer has the best performance. The maximum current efficiency of the BCP spacer layer device reaches up to 24.15 cd·A-1 when the current density is 3.99 mA·cm-2, which is 1.23 times bigger than that of the CBP spacer layer device. The performance is better than that of corresponding conventional device observably. The color coordinate of the device with BCP spacer layer only changes from (0.625 1, 0.368 0) to (0.599 5, 0.392 8) when the driving voltage increases from 6 V to 10 V, so it shows good stability in color coordinate, which is due to the adoption of the co-doping evaporation method for cladding luminous layer and the effective restriction of spacer layer to carriers in emitting layer.

  18. Electrical properties of Si-Si interfaces obtained by room temperature covalent wafer bonding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jung, A.; Zhang, Y.; Arroyo Rojas Dasilva, Y.; Isa, F.; von Känel, H.

    2018-02-01

    We study covalent bonds between p-doped Si wafers (resistivity ˜10 Ω cm) fabricated on a recently developed 200 mm high-vacuum system. Oxide- and void free interfaces were obtained by argon (Ar) or neon (Ne) sputtering prior to wafer bonding at room temperature. The influence of the sputter induced amorphous Si layer at the bonding interface on the electrical behavior is accessed with temperature-dependent current-voltage measurements. In as-bonded structures, charge transport is impeded by a potential barrier of 0.7 V at the interface with thermionic emission being the dominant charge transport mechanism. Current-voltage characteristics are found to be asymmetric which can tentatively be attributed to electric dipole formation at the interface as a result of the time delay between the surface preparation of the two bonding partners. Electron beam induced current measurements confirm the corresponding asymmetric double Schottky barrier like band-alignment. Moreover, we demonstrate that defect annihilation at a low temperature of 400 °C increases the electrical conductivity by up to three orders of magnitude despite the lack of recrystallization of the amorphous layer. This effect is found to be more pronounced for Ne sputtered surfaces which is attributed to the lighter atomic mass compared to Ar, inducing weaker lattice distortions during the sputtering.

  19. Impedance of an intense plasma-cathode electron source for tokamak startup

    DOE PAGES

    Hinson, Edward Thomas; Barr, Jayson L.; Bongard, Michael W.; ...

    2016-05-31

    In this study, an impedance model is formulated and tested for the ~1kV, ~1kA/cm 2, arc-plasma cathode electron source used for local helicity injection tokamak startup. A double layer sheath is established between the high-density arc plasma (n arc ≈ 10 21 m -3) within the electron source, and the less dense external tokamak edge plasma (n edge ≈ 10 18 m -3) into which current is injected at the applied injector voltage, V inj. Experiments on the Pegasus spherical tokamak show the injected current, I inj, increases with V inj according to the standard double layer scaling I injmore » ~ V inj 3/2 at low current and transitions to I inj ~ V inj 1/2 at high currents. In this high current regime, sheath expansion and/or space charge neutralization impose limits on the beam density n b ~ I inj/V inj 1/2. For low tokamak edge density n edge and high I inj, the inferred beam density n b is consistent with the requirement n b ≤ n edge imposed by space-charge neutralization of the beam in the tokamak edge plasma. At sufficient edge density, n b ~ n arc is observed, consistent with a limit to n b imposed by expansion of the double layer sheath. These results suggest that n arc is a viable control actuator for the source impedance.« less

  20. What Produce Energetic Flares with X-Shaped Ribbons on the Outskirts of Solar Active Region?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Rui; Chen, Jun; Wang, Yuming; Kailiu

    2016-10-01

    Typical solar flares display two quasi-parallel, bright ribbons on the chromosphere. In between is the polarity inversion line separating concentrated magnetic fluxes of opposite polarities in active regions (ARs). Intriguingly a series of flares exhibiting X-shaped ribbons occur at the similar location on the outskirts of NOAA AR 11967, where magnetic fluxes are scattered, yet three of them are alarmingly energetic. The X shape is similar in UV/EUV with hard X-ray emission projected in the center, which cannot be accommodated in the standard flare model. Mapping out magnetic connectivities in potential fields, we found that the X morphology is dictated by the intersection of two quasi-separatrix layers, i.e., a hyperbolic flux tube (HFT), within which a separator connecting a double null is embedded. This topology is not purely local but regulated by fluxes and flows over the whole AR. The nonlinear force-free field model suggests the formation of a current layer at the HFT, where the current dissipation can be mapped to the X-shaped ribbons via field-aligned heat conduction. These results highlight the critical role of structural skeletons in 3D magnetic reconnection.

  1. A novel durable double-conductive core-shell structure applying to the synthesis of silicon anode for lithium ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xing, Yan; Shen, Tong; Guo, Ting; Wang, Xiuli; Xia, Xinhui; Gu, Changdong; Tu, Jiangping

    2018-04-01

    Si/C composites are currently the most commercially viable next-generation lithium-ion battery anode materials due to their high specific capacity. However, there are still many obstacles need to be overcome such as short cycle life and poor conductivity. In this work, we design and successfully synthesis an excellent durable double-conductive core-shell structure p-Si-Ag/C composites. Interestingly, this well-designed structure offers remarkable conductivity (both internal and external) due to the introduction of silver particles and carbon layer. The carbon layer acts as a protective layer to maintain the integrity of the structure as well as avoids the direct contact of silicon with electrolyte. As a result, the durable double-conductive core-shell structure p-Si-Ag/C composites exhibit outstanding cycling stability of roughly 1000 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g-1 and retain 765 mAh g-1 even at a high current density of 2 A g-1, indicating a great improvement in electrochemical performance compared with traditional silicon electrode. Our research results provide a novel pathway for production of high-performance Si-based anodes to extending the cycle life and specific capacity of commercial lithium ion batteries.

  2. In situ fabrication of nickel aluminum-layered double hydroxide nanosheets/hollow carbon nanofibers composite as a novel electrode material for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Fang; Hu, Zhibiao; Liu, Kaiyu; Zhang, Shuirong; Liu, Hongtao; Sang, Shangbin

    2014-12-01

    This paper introduces a new design route to fabricate nickel aluminum-layered double hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) nanosheets/hollow carbon nanofibers (CNFs) composite through an in situ growth method. The NiAl-LDH thin layers which grow on hollow carbon nanofibers have an average thickness of 13.6 nm. The galvanostatic charge-discharge test of the NiAl-LDH/CNFs composite yields an impressive specific capacitance of 1613 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 in 6 M KOH solution, the composite shows a remarkable specific capacitance of 1110 F g-1 even at a high current density of 10 A g-1. Furthermore, the composite remains a specific capacitance of 1406 F g-1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1, indicating the composite has excellent high-current capacitive behavior and good cycle stability in compared to pristine NiAl-LDH.

  3. Defect-rich Ni-Ti layered double hydroxide as a highly efficient support for Au nanoparticles in base-free and solvent-free selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol.

    PubMed

    Liu, Mengran; Fan, Guoli; Yu, Jiaying; Yang, Lan; Li, Feng

    2018-04-17

    Tuning the surface properties of supported metal catalysts is of vital importance for governing their catalytic performances in nanocatalysis. Here, we report highly dispersed nanometric gold nanoparticles (NPs) supported on Ni-Ti layered double hydroxides (NiTi-LDHs), which were employed in solvent-free and base-free selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol. A series of characterization techniques demonstrated that defect-rich NiTi-LDHs could efficiently stabilize Au NPs and decrease surface electron density of Au NPs. The as-formed Au/NiTi-LDH catalyst with a Ni/Ti molar ratio of 3 : 1 and an Au loading of 0.71 wt% yielded the highest turnover frequency value of ∼4981 h-1 at 120 °C among tested Au/NiTi-LDH catalysts with different Ni/Ti molar ratios, along with a high benzaldehyde selectivity of 98%. High catalytic efficiency of the catalyst was mainly correlated with surface cooperation between unique defects (i.e. defective Ti3+ species and oxygen vacancies) and abundant hydroxyl groups on the brucite-like layers of the NiTi-LDH support, which could lead to the preferential adsorption and activation of an alcohol hydroxyl moiety in benzyl alcohol and oxygen molecule, as well as the formation of more electron-deficient Ni3+ and Au0 species on the catalyst surface. Furthermore, the present Au/NiTi-LDH catalyst tolerated the oxidation of a wide variety of substrate structures into the corresponding aldehydes, acids or ketones. Our primary results illustrate that defect-rich NiTi-LDHs are promising supports which can efficiently modify surface structure and electronic properties of supported metal catalysts and consequently improve their catalytic performances.

  4. The double layers in the plasma sheet boundary layer during magnetic reconnection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, J.; Yu, B.

    2014-11-01

    We studied the evolutions of double layers which appear after the magnetic reconnection through two-dimensional electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulation. The simulation results show that the double layers are formed in the plasma sheet boundary layer after magnetic reconnection. At first, the double layers which have unipolar structures are formed. And then the double layers turn into bipolar structures, which will couple with another new weak bipolar structure. Thus a new double layer or tripolar structure comes into being. The double layers found in our work are about several ten Debye lengths, which accords with the observation results. It is suggested that the electron beam formed during the magnetic reconnection is responsible for the production of the double layers.

  5. Highly efficient solution-processed phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices with double-stacked hole injection layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yuehua; Hao, Lin; Zhang, Xinwen; Zhang, Xiaolin; Liu, Mengjiao; Zhang, Mengke; Wang, Jiong; Lai, Wen-Yong; Huang, Wei

    2017-08-01

    In this paper, solution-processed nickel oxide (NiOx) is used as hole-injection layers (HILs) in solution-processed phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). Serious exciton quenching is verified at the NiOx/emitting layer (EML) interface, resulting in worse device performance. The device performance is significantly improved by inserting a layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) between the EML and NiOx. The solution-processed blue PhOLED with the double-stacked NiOx/PEDOT:PSS HILs shows a maximum current efficiency of 30.5 cd/A, which is 75% and 30% higher than those of the devices with a single NiOx HIL and a PEDOT:PSS HIL, respectively. Improvement of device efficiency can be attributed to reducing exciton quenching of the PEDOT:PSS layer as well as the electron blocking effect of the NiOx layer.

  6. Electrodeposition to construct free-standing chitosan/layered double hydroxides hydro-membrane for electrically triggered protein release.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Pengkun; Zhao, Yanan; Xiao, Ling; Deng, Hongbing; Du, Yumin; Chen, Yun; Shi, Xiaowen

    2017-10-01

    In this study, we report the electrodeposition of a chitosan/layered double hydroxides (LDHs) hydro-membrane for protein release triggered by an electrical signal. The electrodeposition was performed in a chitosan and insulin loaded LDHs suspension in the absence of salt. A free-standing chitosan/LDHs hydro-membrane was generated on the electrode with improved mechanical properties, which is dramatically different from the weak hydrogel deposited in the presence of salt. The amount of LDHs in the hydro-membrane affects the optical transmittance and multilayered structure of the hybrid membrane. Compared to the weak chitosan/LDHs hydrogel, the hydro-membrane has a higher insulin loading capacity and the release of insulin is relatively slow. By biasing electrical potentials to the hydro-membrane, the release behavior of insulin can be adjusted accordingly. In addition, the chitosan/LDHs hydro-membrane showed no toxicity to cells. Our results provide a facile method to construct a chitosan/LDHs hybrid multilayered hydro-membrane and suggest the great potential of the hydro-membrane in controlled protein release. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Chelator-Free Labeling of Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles for in Vivo PET Imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Sixiang; Fliss, Brianne C.; Gu, Zi; Zhu, Yian; Hong, Hao; Valdovinos, Hector F.; Hernandez, Reinier; Goel, Shreya; Luo, Haiming; Chen, Feng; Barnhart, Todd E.; Nickles, Robert J.; Xu, Zhi Ping; Cai, Weibo

    2015-11-01

    Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanomaterial has emerged as a novel delivery agent for biomedical applications due to its unique structure and properties. However, in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with LDH nanoparticles has not been achieved. The aim of this study is to explore chelator-free labeling of LDH nanoparticles with radioisotopes for in vivo PET imaging. Bivalent cation 64Cu2+ and trivalent cation 44Sc3+ were found to readily label LDH nanoparticles with excellent labeling efficiency and stability, whereas tetravalent cation 89Zr4+ could not label LDH since it does not fit into the LDH crystal structure. PET imaging shows that prominent tumor uptake was achieved in 4T1 breast cancer with 64Cu-LDH-BSA via passive targeting alone (7.7 ± 0.1%ID/g at 16 h post-injection; n = 3). These results support that LDH is a versatile platform that can be labeled with various bivalent and trivalent radiometals without comprising the native properties, highly desirable for PET image-guided drug delivery.

  8. Centrifugal spinning: A novel approach to fabricate porous carbon fibers as binder-free electrodes for electric double-layer capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Yao; Fu, Kun; Zhang, Shu; Li, Ying; Chen, Chen; Zhu, Jiadeng; Yanilmaz, Meltem; Dirican, Mahmut; Zhang, Xiangwu

    2015-01-01

    Carbon nanofibers (CNFs), among various carbonaceous candidates for electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) electrodes, draw extensive attention because their one-dimensional architecture offers both shortened electron pathways and high ion-accessible sites. Creating porous structures on CNFs yields larger surface area and enhanced capacitive performance. Herein, porous carbon nanofibers (PCNFs) were synthesized via centrifugal spinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solutions combined with thermal treatment and were used as binder-free EDLC electrodes. Three precursor fibers with PAN/PMMA weight ratios of 9/1, 7/3 and 5/5 were prepared and carbonized at 700, 800, and 900 °C, respectively. The highest specific capacitance obtained was 144 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 with a rate capability of 74% from 0.1 to 2 A g-1 by PCNFs prepared with PAN/PMMA weight ratio of 7/3 at 900 °C. These PCNFs also showed stable cycling performance. The present work demonstrates that PCNFs are promising EDLC electrode candidate and centrifugal spinning offers a simple, cost-effective strategy to produce PCNFs.

  9. A new standard pulsar magnetosphere

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

    Contopoulos, Ioannis; Kalapotharakos, Constantinos; Kazanas, Demosthenes, E-mail: icontop@academyofathens.gr

    2014-01-20

    In view of recent efforts to probe the physical conditions in the pulsar current sheet, we revisit the standard solution that describes the main elements of the ideal force-free pulsar magnetosphere. The simple physical requirement that the electric current contained in the current layer consists of the local electric charge moving outward at close to the speed of light yields a new solution for the pulsar magnetosphere everywhere that is ideal force-free except in the current layer. The main elements of the new solution are as follows: (1) the pulsar spindown rate of the aligned rotator is 23% larger thanmore » that of the orthogonal vacuum rotator; (2) only 60% of the magnetic flux that crosses the light cylinder opens up to infinity; (3) the electric current closes along the other 40%, which gradually converges to the equator; (4) this transfers 40% of the total pulsar spindown energy flux in the equatorial current sheet, which is then dissipated in the acceleration of particles and in high-energy electromagnetic radiation; and (5) there is no separatrix current layer. Our solution is a minimum free-parameter solution in that the equatorial current layer is electrostatically supported against collapse and thus does not require a thermal particle population. In this respect, it is one more step toward the development of a new standard solution. We discuss the implications for intermittent pulsars and long-duration gamma-ray bursts. We conclude that the physical conditions in the equatorial current layer determine the global structure of the pulsar magnetosphere.« less

  10. High-energy asymmetric supercapacitors based on free-standing hierarchical Co-Mo-S nanosheets with enhanced cycling stability.

    PubMed

    Balamurugan, Jayaraman; Li, Chao; Peera, Shaik Gouse; Kim, Nam Hoon; Lee, Joong Hee

    2017-09-21

    Layered transition metal sulfides (TMS) are emerging as advanced materials for energy storage and conversion applications. In this work, we report a facile and cost-effective anion exchange technique to fabricate a layered, multifaceted, free standing, ultra-thin ternary cobalt molybdenum sulfide nanosheet (Co-Mo-S NS) architecture grown on a 3D porous Ni foam substrate. The unique Co-Mo layered double hydroxides are first synthesized as precursors and consequently transformed into ultra-thin Co-Mo-S NS. When employed as an electrode for supercapacitors, the Co-Mo-S NS delivered an ultra-high specific capacitance of 2343 F g -1 at a current density of 1 mA cm -2 with tremendous rate capability and extraordinary cycling performance (96.6% capacitance retention after 20 000 cycles). Furthermore, assembled Co-Mo-S/nitrogen doped graphene nanosheets (NGNS) in an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device delivered an excellent energy density of 89.6 Wh kg -1 , an amazing power density of 20.07 kW kg -1 , and superior cycling performance (86.8% capacitance retention after 50 000 cycles). Such exceptional electrochemical performance of Co-Mo-S NS is ascribed to the good electrical contact with the 3D Ni foam, ultra-high contact area with the electrolyte, and enhanced architectural softening during the charging/discharging process. It is expected that the fabricated, unique, ultra-thin Co-Mo-S NS have great potential for future energy storage devices.

  11. Gate-tunable resonant tunneling in double bilayer graphene heterostructures.

    PubMed

    Fallahazad, Babak; Lee, Kayoung; Kang, Sangwoo; Xue, Jiamin; Larentis, Stefano; Corbet, Christopher; Kim, Kyounghwan; Movva, Hema C P; Taniguchi, Takashi; Watanabe, Kenji; Register, Leonard F; Banerjee, Sanjay K; Tutuc, Emanuel

    2015-01-14

    We demonstrate gate-tunable resonant tunneling and negative differential resistance in the interlayer current-voltage characteristics of rotationally aligned double bilayer graphene heterostructures separated by hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) dielectric. An analysis of the heterostructure band alignment using individual layer densities, along with experimentally determined layer chemical potentials indicates that the resonance occurs when the energy bands of the two bilayer graphene are aligned. We discuss the tunneling resistance dependence on the interlayer hBN thickness, as well as the resonance width dependence on mobility and rotational alignment.

  12. The fabrication of a double-layer atom chip with through silicon vias for an ultra-high-vacuum cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chuang, Ho-Chiao; Lin, Yun-Siang; Lin, Yu-Hsin; Huang, Chi-Sheng

    2014-04-01

    This study presents a double-layer atom chip that provides users with increased diversity in the design of the wire patterns and flexibility in the design of the magnetic field. It is more convenient for use in atomic physics experiments. A negative photoresist, SU-8, was used as the insulating layer between the upper and bottom copper wires. The electrical measurement results show that the upper and bottom wires with a width of 100 µm can sustain a 6 A current without burnout. Another focus of this study is the double-layer atom chips integrated with the through silicon via (TSV) technique, and anodically bonded to a Pyrex glass cell, which makes it a desired vacuum chamber for atomic physics experiments. Thus, the bonded glass cell not only significantly reduces the overall size of the ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) chamber but also conducts the high current from the backside to the front side of the atom chip via the TSV under UHV (9.5 × 10-10 Torr). The TSVs with a diameter of 70 µm were etched through by the inductively coupled plasma ion etching and filled by the bottom-up copper electroplating method. During the anodic bonding process, the electroplated copper wires and TSVs on atom chips also need to pass the examination of the required bonding temperature of 250 °C, under an applied voltage of 1000 V. Finally, the UHV test of the double-layer atom chips with TSVs at room temperature can be reached at 9.5 × 10-10 Torr, thus satisfying the requirements of atomic physics experiments under an UHV environment.

  13. Electrical power generation by mechanically modulating electrical double layers.

    PubMed

    Moon, Jong Kyun; Jeong, Jaeki; Lee, Dongyun; Pak, Hyuk Kyu

    2013-01-01

    Since Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry made their great discovery of electromagnetic induction, there have been continuous developments in electrical power generation. Most people today get electricity from thermal, hydroelectric, or nuclear power generation systems, which use this electromagnetic induction phenomenon. Here we propose a new method for electrical power generation, without using electromagnetic induction, by mechanically modulating the electrical double layers at the interfacial areas of a water bridge between two conducting plates. We find that when the height of the water bridge is mechanically modulated, the electrical double layer capacitors formed on the two interfacial areas are continuously charged and discharged at different phases from each other, thus generating an AC electric current across the plates. We use a resistor-capacitor circuit model to explain the results of this experiment. This observation could be useful for constructing a micro-fluidic power generation system in the near future.

  14. Dependence of the Carrier Transport Characteristics on the Buried Layer Thickness in Ambipolar Double-Layer Organic Field-Effect Transistors Investigated by Electrical and Optical Measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Le; Taguchi, Dai; Manaka, Takaaki; Iwamoto, Mitsumasa

    2013-05-01

    By using current-voltage (I-V) measurements and optical modulation spectroscopy, we investigated the dependence of the carrier behaviour on the film thickness of the buried pentacene layer in C60/pentacene ambipolar double-layer organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). It was found that the buried pentacene layer not only acted as a hole transport layer, but also accounted for the properties of the C60/pentacene interface. The hole and electron behaviour exhibited different thickness dependence on the buried pentacene layer, implying the presence of the spatially separated conduction paths. It was suggested that the injected holes transported along the pentacene/gate dielectric interface, which were little affected by the buried pentacene layer thickness or the upper C60 layer; while, the injected electrons accumulated at the C60/pentacene interface, which were sensitive to the interfacial conditions or the buried pentacene layer. Furthermore, it was suggested that the enhanced surface roughness of the buried pentacene layer was responsible for the observed electron behaviour, especially when dpent>10 nm.

  15. High voltage electrochemical double layer capacitors using conductive carbons as additives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Michael, M. S.; Prabaharan, S. R. S.

    We describe here an interesting approach towards electrochemical capacitors (ECCs) using graphite materials (as being used as conductive additives in rechargeable lithium-ion battery cathodes) in a Li + containing organic electrolyte. The important result is that we achieved a voltage window of >4 V, which is rather large, compared to the standard window of 2.5 V for ordinary electric double layer capacitors (DLCs). The capacitor performance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques. From charge-discharge studies of the symmetrical device (for instance, SFG6 carbon electrode), a specific capacitance of up to 14.5 F/g was obtained at 16 mA/cm 2 current rate and at a low current rate (3 mA/cm 2), a higher value was obtained (63 F/g). The specific capacitance decreased about 25% after 1000 cycles compared to the initial discharge process. The performances of these graphites are discussed in the light of both double layer capacitance (DLC) and pseudocapacitance (battery-like behavior). The high capacitance obtained was not only derived from the current-transient capacitive behavior but is also attributed to pseudocapacitance associated with some kind of faradaic reaction, which could probably occur due to Li + intercalation/deintercalation reactions into graphitic layers of the carbons used. The ac impedance (electrochemical impedances spectroscopy, EIS) measurements were also carried out to evaluate the capacitor parameters such as equivalent series resistance (ESR) and frequency dependent capacitance ( Cfreq). Cyclic voltammetry measurements were also performed to evaluate the cycling behavior of the carbon electrodes and the non-rectangular shaped voltammograms revealed the non-zero time constant [ τ( RC)≠0] confirming that the current contains a transient as well as steady-state components.

  16. Bilayer free-standing beam splitter for Fourier transform infrared spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Rowell, N L; Wang, E A

    1996-06-01

    We describe the design, fabrication, testing, and performance of a two-layer free-standing beam splitter for use in far-infrared Fourier transform infrared spectrometers. This bilayer beam splitter, consisting of a low-index polymer layer in combination with a high-index semiconductor layer, has an efficiency that is higher than that of the best combination of four single-layer Mylar beam splitters currently in use for spectrometry from 50 to 550 cm(-1).

  17. Scale-free distribution of Dead Sea sinkholes: Observations and modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yizhaq, H.; Ish-Shalom, C.; Raz, E.; Ashkenazy, Y.

    2017-05-01

    There are currently more than 5500 sinkholes along the Dead Sea in Israel. These were formed due to the dissolution of subsurface salt layers as a result of the replacement of hypersaline groundwater by fresh brackish groundwater. This process has been associated with a sharp decline in the Dead Sea water level, currently more than 1 m/yr, resulting in a lower water table that has allowed the intrusion of fresher brackish water. We studied the distribution of the sinkhole sizes and found that it is scale free with a power law exponent close to 2. We constructed a stochastic cellular automata model to understand the observed scale-free behavior and the growth of the sinkhole area in time. The model consists of a lower salt layer and an upper soil layer in which cavities that develop in the lower layer lead to collapses in the upper layer. The model reproduces the observed power law distribution without involving the threshold behavior commonly associated with criticality.

  18. Vertical transport in graphene-hexagonal boron nitride heterostructure devices

    PubMed Central

    Bruzzone, Samantha; Logoteta, Demetrio; Fiori, Gianluca; Iannaccone, Giuseppe

    2015-01-01

    Research in graphene-based electronics is recently focusing on devices based on vertical heterostructures of two-dimensional materials. Here we use density functional theory and multiscale simulations to investigate the tunneling properties of single- and double-barrier structures with graphene and few-layer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) or hexagonal boron carbon nitride (h-BC2N). We find that tunneling through a single barrier exhibit a weak dependence on energy. We also show that in double barriers separated by a graphene layer we do not observe resonant tunneling, but a significant increase of the tunneling probability with respect to a single barrier of thickness equal to the sum of the two barriers. This is due to the fact that the graphene layer acts as an effective phase randomizer, suppressing resonant tunneling and effectively letting a double-barrier structure behave as two single-barriers in series. Finally, we use multiscale simulations to reproduce a current-voltage characteristics resembling that of a resonant tunneling diode, that has been experimentally observed in single barrier structure. The peak current is obtained when there is perfect matching between the densities of states of the cathode and anode graphene regions. PMID:26415656

  19. Energy transfer, orbital angular momentum, and discrete current in a double-ring fiber array

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

    Alexeyev, C. N.; Volyar, A. V.; Yavorsky, M. A.

    We study energy transfer and orbital angular momentum of supermodes in a double-ring array of evanescently coupled monomode optical fibers. The structure of supermodes and the spectra of their propagation constants are obtained. The geometrical parameters of the array, at which the energy is mostly confined within the layers, are determined. The developed method for finding the supermodes of concentric arrays is generalized for the case of multiring arrays. The orbital angular momentum carried by a supermode of a double-ring array is calculated. The discrete lattice current is introduced. It is shown that the sum of discrete currents over themore » array is a conserved quantity. The connection of the total discrete current with orbital angular momentum of discrete optical vortices is made.« less

  20. Investigation of multilayer magnetic domain lattice file

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Torok, E. J.; Kamin, M.; Tolman, C. H.

    1982-01-01

    A theoretical and experimental investigation determined that current accessed self structured bubble memory devices have the potential of meeting projected data density and speed requirements. Device concepts analyzed include multilayer ferrimagnetic devices where the top layer contains a domain structure which defines the data location and the second contains the data. Current aperture and permalloy assisted current propagation devices were evaluated. Based on the result of this work more detailed device research was initiated. Detailed theoretical and experimental studies indicate that the difference in strip and threshold between a single bubble in the control layer and a double bubble which would exist in both the control layer and data layer is adequate to allow for detection of data. Detailed detector designs were investigated.

  1. NOL specular spin-valve heads using an ultrathin CoFe free layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukuzawa, Hideaki; Koi, Katsuhiko; Tomita, Hiroshi; Fuke, Hiromi Niu; Kamiguchi, Yuzo; Iwasaki, Hitoshi; Sahashi, Masashi

    2001-10-01

    This paper reports the film and head performance of specular spin valves with nano-oxide layer (NOL-SPSV). A large MR ratio of 17% was obtained by using an ultrathin CoFe free layer with a high conductance Cu layer, which decreases the sense current field of a free layer and brings good soft magnetic characteristics. Prototype heads with a read track width of 0.47-0.61 μm were fabricated by using NOL-SPSV films with an MR ratio of 14-15%, Hua˜400 Oe, and Hc˜5 Oe. High output signal voltage of 8-11 mV/μm was realized in the NOL-SPSV heads.

  2. Diffuse-charge dynamics of ionic liquids in electrochemical systems.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Hui

    2011-11-01

    We employ a continuum theory of solvent-free ionic liquids accounting for both short-range electrostatic correlations and steric effects (finite ion size) [Bazant et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 046102 (2011)] to study the response of a model microelectrochemical cell to a step voltage. The model problem consists of a 1-1 symmetric ionic liquid between two parallel blocking electrodes, neglecting any transverse transport phenomena. Matched asymptotic expansions in the limit of thin double layers are applied to analyze the resulting one-dimensional equations and study the overall charge-time relation in the weakly nonlinear regime. One important conclusion is that our simple scaling analysis suggests that the length scale √(λ*(D)l*(c)) accurately characterizes the double-layer structure of ionic liquids with strong electrostatic correlations where l*(c) is the electrostatic correlation length (in contrast, the Debye screening length λ*(D) is the primary double-layer length for electrolytes) and the response time of λ(D)(*3/2)L*/(D*l(c)(1/2)) (not λ*(D)L*/D* that is the primary charging time of electrolytes) is the correct charging time scale of ionic liquids with strong electrostatic correlations where D* is the diffusivity and L* is the separation length of the cell. With these two new scales, data of both electric potential versus distance from the electrode and the total diffuse charge versus time collapse onto each individual master curve in the presence of strong electrostatic correlations. In addition, the dependance of the total diffuse charge on steric effects, short-range correlations, and driving voltages is thoroughly examined. The results from the asymptotic analysis are compared favorably with those from full numerical simulations. Finally, the absorption of excess salt by the double layer creates a depletion region outside the double layer. Such salt depletion may bring a correction to the leading order terms and break down the weakly nonlinear analysis. A criterion which justifies the weakly nonlinear analysis is verified with numerical simulations.

  3. Research on liquid impact forming technology of double-layered tubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Changying; Liu, Jianwei; Yao, Xinqi; Huang, Beixing; Li, Yuhan

    2018-03-01

    A double-layered tube is widely used and developed in various fields because of its perfect comprehensive performance and design. With the advent of the era of a double-layered tube, the requirements for double layered tube forming quality, manufacturing cost and forming efficiency are getting higher, so forming methods of a double-layered tube are emerged in an endless stream, the forming methods of a double-layered tube have a great potential in the future. The liquid impact forming technology is a combination of stamping technology and hydroforming technology. Forming a double-layered tube has huge advantages in production cost, quality and efficiency.

  4. Spin-filter spin valves with nano-oxide layers for high density recording heads

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Al-Jibouri, Abdul; Hoban, M.; Lu, Z.; Pan, G.

    2002-05-01

    A new spin-filter spin valve with nano-oxide specular layers with structure of Ta/NiFe/IrMn/CoFe/NOL1/CoFe/Cu/CoFetfl/CutCu/NOL2/Ta was deposited using a Nordiko 9606 physical vapor deposition system. The data clearly show that the magnetoresistive (MR) ratio has been significantly improved for spin valves with thinner free layers. The MR ratio remains larger than 12% even when the CoFe free layer is as thin as 1 nm. An optimized MR ratio of ˜15% was obtained when tfl was about 1.2 nm and tCu about 1.5 nm, and was a result of the balance between the increase in the electron mean free path difference and current shunting through the conducting layer. It is also found that the Cu enhancing layer can improve soft magnetic properties of the CoFe free layer due to the low atomic intermixing observed between Co and Cu. The CoFe free layer of 1-4 nm exhibited coercivity of ˜3 Oe after annealing in a static magnetic field. This kind of spin valve with a very thin soft CoFe free layer is particularly attractive for ultra high density read head applications.

  5. A Study of the Physical Processes of an Advection Fog BoundaryLayer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, D.; Yan, W.; Kang, Z.; Dai, Z.; Liu, D.; Liu, M.; Cao, L.; Chen, H.

    2016-12-01

    Using the fog boundary layer observation collected by a moored balloon between December 1 and 2, 2009, the processes of advection fog formation and dissipation under cold and warm double-advection conditions was studied. the conclusions are as follows: 1. The advection fog process was generated by the interaction between the near-surface northeast cold advection and the upper layer's southeast warm, humid advection. The ground fog formed in an advection cooling process, and the thick fog disappeared in two hours when the wind shifted from the northeast to the northwest. The top of the fog layer remained over 600 m for most of the time. 2. This advection fog featured a double-inversion structure. The interaction between the southeast warm, humid advection of the upper layer and the descending current generated the upper inversion layer. The northeast cold advection near the ground and the warm, humid advection in the high-altitude layer formed the lower layer clouds and lower inversion layer. The upper inversion layer was composed of southeast warm, humid advection and a descending current with increasing temperature. The double inversion provided good thermal conditions for maintaining the thick fog layer. 3. The southeast wind of the upper layer not only created the upper inversion layer but also brought vapour-rich air to the fog region. The steady southeast vapour transportation by the southeast wind was the main condition that maintained the fog thickness, homogeneous density, and long duration. The low-altitude low-level jet beneath the lower inversion layer helped maintain the thickness and uniform density of the fog layer by enhancing the exchange of heat, momentum and vapour within the lower inversion layer. 4. There were three transportation mechanisms associated with this advection fog: 1) The surface layer vapour was delivered to the lower fog layer. 2) The low-altitude southeast low-level jet transported the vapour to the upper layer. 3) The vapour was exchanged between the upper and lower layers via the turbulent exchange and vertical air motion, which mixed the fog density and maintained the thickness of the fog. These mechanisms explain why the fog top was higher than the lower inversion layer and reached the upper inversion layer, as well as why this advection fog was so thick.

  6. Pb-free surface-finishing on electronic components' terminals for Pb-free soldering assembly

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

    Tanaka, Hitoshi; Tanimoto, Morimasa; Matsuda, Akira

    1999-11-01

    Pb-free solderable surface finishing is essential to implement Pb-free solder assembly in order to meet with the growing demand of environmental consciousness to eliminate Pb from electronic products. Two types of widely applicable Pb-free surface finishing technologies are developed. One is the multilayer-system including Pd with Ni undercoat. Heat-resistance of Pd enables whole-surface-plating on to leadframe before IC-assembling process. The other is the double-layer-system with low-melting-point-materials, for example, thicker Sn underlayer and thinner Sn-Bi alloy overlayer, dilutes Sn-Bi alloy's defects of harmful reactivity along with substrate metal and mechanical brittleness with keeping its advantages of solder-wettability and no whisker.

  7. Ionic liquids behave as dilute electrolyte solutions

    PubMed Central

    Gebbie, Matthew A.; Valtiner, Markus; Banquy, Xavier; Fox, Eric T.; Henderson, Wesley A.; Israelachvili, Jacob N.

    2013-01-01

    We combine direct surface force measurements with thermodynamic arguments to demonstrate that pure ionic liquids are expected to behave as dilute weak electrolyte solutions, with typical effective dissociated ion concentrations of less than 0.1% at room temperature. We performed equilibrium force–distance measurements across the common ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][NTf2]) using a surface forces apparatus with in situ electrochemical control and quantitatively modeled these measurements using the van der Waals and electrostatic double-layer forces of the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek theory with an additive repulsive steric (entropic) ion–surface binding force. Our results indicate that ionic liquids screen charged surfaces through the formation of both bound (Stern) and diffuse electric double layers, where the diffuse double layer is comprised of effectively dissociated ionic liquid ions. Additionally, we used the energetics of thermally dissociating ions in a dielectric medium to quantitatively predict the equilibrium for the effective dissociation reaction of [C4mim][NTf2] ions, in excellent agreement with the measured Debye length. Our results clearly demonstrate that, outside of the bound double layer, most of the ions in [C4mim][NTf2] are not effectively dissociated and thus do not contribute to electrostatic screening. We also provide a general, molecular-scale framework for designing ionic liquids with significantly increased dissociated charge densities via judiciously balancing ion pair interactions with bulk dielectric properties. Our results clear up several inconsistencies that have hampered scientific progress in this important area and guide the rational design of unique, high–free-ion density ionic liquids and ionic liquid blends. PMID:23716690

  8. Study of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) removal by Cu-Fe-layered double hydroxide from aqueous solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nejati, Kamellia; Davary, Soheila; Saati, Marziye

    2013-09-01

    The hydrotalcite-like compound of Cu-Fe-layered double hydroxide was studied as a potential adsorbent of herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The nanoparticles of Cu-Fe layered double hydroxide were prepared by Cu/Fe molar ratio of 2:1 using a coprecipitation method at pH 8.5 and characterized by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and the elemental analysis. The size and morphology of nanoparticles were examined by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorption experiments on LDH, on the other hand, were conducted in three different procedures, namely, time-dependent, pH-dependent and temperature-dependent. Characterization of the adsorption products by the XRD method indicates that the intercalation of 2,4-D between the LDH layers has not occurred and the surface adsorption had taken place. The adsorption kinetic was tested for pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and Intra-particle diffusion kinetic models and the rate constants were calculated. The equilibrium adsorption data were described by Langmuir and Freundlich equations. It was observed that, the Langmuir isotherm slightly better fitted to the experimental data rather than that of Freundlich. In the adsorption experiments, the Gibbs free energy values, ΔG°, the enthalpy, ΔH°, and the entropy, ΔS° were also determined.

  9. Fabrication of 3-D nanodimensioned electric double layer capacitor structures using block copolymer templates.

    PubMed

    Rasappa, Sozaraj; Borah, Dipu; Senthamaraikannan, Ramsankar; Faulkner, Colm C; Holmes, Justin D; Morris, Michael A

    2014-07-01

    The need for materials for high energy storage has led to very significant research in supercapacitor systems. These can exhibit electrical double layer phenomena and capacitances up to hundreds of F/g. Here, we demonstrate a new supercapacitor fabrication methodology based around the microphase separation of PS-b-PMMA which has been used to prepare copper nanoelectrodes of dimension -13 nm. These structures provide excellent capacitive performance with a maximum specific capacitance of -836 F/g for a current density of 8.06 A/g at a discharge current as high as 75 mA. The excellent performance is due to a high surface area: volume ratio. We suggest that this highly novel, easily fabricated structure might have a number of important applications.

  10. Synthesis of (Hexaconazole-Zinc/Aluminum-Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocomposite) Fungicide Nanodelivery System for Controlling Ganoderma Disease in Oil Palm.

    PubMed

    Mustafa, Isshadiba F; Hussein, Mohd Zobir; Saifullah, Bullo; Idris, Abu Seman; Hilmi, Nur Hailini Z; Fakurazi, Sharida

    2018-01-31

    A fungicide, hexaconazole was successfully intercalated into the intergalleries of zinc/aluminum-layered double hydroxide (ZALDH) using the ion-exchange method. Due to the intercalation of hexaconazole, the basal spacing of the ZALDH was increased from 8.7 Å in ZALDH to 29.4 Å in hexaconazole-intercalated ZALDH (HZALDH). The intercalation of hexaconazole into the interlayer of the nanocomposite was confirmed using the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) study. This supramolecular chemistry intercalation process enhanced the thermal stability of the hexaconazole moiety. The fungicide loading was estimated to be 51.8%. The nanodelivery system also shows better inhibition toward the Ganoderma boninense growth than the counterpart, free hexaconazole. The results from this work have a great potential to be further explored for combating basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm plantation.

  11. Enhanced stability of thin film transistors with double-stacked amorphous IWO/IWO:N channel layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Dong; Pi, Shubin; Yang, Jianwen; Tiwari, Nidhi; Ren, Jinhua; Zhang, Qun; Liu, Po-Tsun; Shieh, Han-Ping

    2018-06-01

    In this work, bottom-gate top-contact thin film transistors with double-stacked amorphous IWO/IWO:N channel layer were fabricated. Herein, amorphous IWO and N-doped IWO were deposited as front and back channel layers, respectively, by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The electrical characteristics of the bi-layer-channel thin film transistors (TFTs) were examined and compared with those of single-layer-channel (i.e., amorphous IWO or IWO:N) TFTs. It was demonstrated to exhibit a high mobility of 27.2 cm2 V‑1 s‑1 and an on/off current ratio of 107. Compared to the single peers, bi-layer a-IWO/IWO:N TFTs showed smaller hysteresis and higher stability under negative bias stress and negative bias temperature stress. The enhanced performance could be attributed to its unique double-stacked channel configuration, which successfully combined the merits of the TFTs with IWO and IWO:N channels. The underlying IWO thin film provided percolation paths for electron transport, meanwhile, the top IWO:N layer reduced the bulk trap densities. In addition, the IWO channel/gate insulator interface had reduced defects, and IWO:N back channel surface was insensitive to the ambient atmosphere. Overall, the proposed bi-layer a-IWO/IWO:N TFTs show potential for practical applications due to its possibly long-term serviceability.

  12. 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.

  13. Influence of double- and triple-layer antireflection coatings on the formation of photocurrents in multijunction III–V solar cells

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

    Musalinov, S. B.; Anzulevich, A. P.; Bychkov, I. V.

    2017-01-15

    The results of simulation by the transfer-matrix method of TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} double-layer and TiO{sub 2}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} triple-layer antireflection coatings for multijunction InGaP/GaAs/Ge heterostructure solar cells are presented. The TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} double-layer antireflection coating is experimentally developed and optimized. The experimental spectral dependences of the external quantum yield of the InGaP/GaAs/Ge heterostructure solar cell and optical characteristics of antireflection coatings, obtained in the simulation, are used to determine the photogenerated current densities of each subcell in the InGaP/GaAs/Ge solar cell under AM1.5D irradiation conditions (1000 W/m{sup 2}) and for the case of zero reflection loss. It ismore » shown in the simulation that the optimized TiO{sub 2}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} triple-layer antireflection coating provides a 2.3 mA/cm{sup 2} gain in the photocurrent density for the Ge subcell under AM1.5D conditions in comparison with the TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} double-layer antireflection coating under consideration. This thereby provides an increase in the fill factor of the current–voltage curve and in the output electric power of the multijunction solar cell.« less

  14. The Skylab barium plasma injection experiments. II - Evidence for a double layer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wescott, E. M.; Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.; Hallinan, T. J.; Davis, T. N.; Peek, H. M.

    1976-01-01

    Television observations of a barium-plasma flux tube extending from near 4500 km to near 10,000 km during a magnetic substorm and dawn-sector auroral display indicated several interesting anomalous events. Beyond 5500 km, there was a rapid increase in brightness accompanied by flux-tube splitting and diffusion, leaving behind a truncated single flux tube. From the orientation of the flux tube compared with theoretical field models, the presence of a substantial field-aligned current sheet is deduced. A suggested explanation of these phenomena is given in terms of a plasma potential double layer.

  15. Three-dimensional SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes on carbon cloth as a flexible anode for lithium-ion batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Haifeng; Ren, Weina; Cheng, Chuanwei

    2015-07-01

    In this study, three-dimensional SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes on carbon cloth are synthesized by a combination of the hydrothermal method for ZnO nanorods and a subsequent SnO2 and TiO2 thin film coating with atomic layer deposition (ALD). The as-prepared SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes are further tested as a flexible anode for Li ion batteries. The SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes/carbon cloth electrode exhibited a high initial discharge capacity (e.g. 778.8 mA h g-1 at a high current density of 780 mA g-1) and good cycling performance, which could be attributed to the 3D double-layer nanotube structure. The interior space of the stable TiO2 hollow tube can accommodate the large internal stress caused by volume expansion of SnO2 and protect SnO2 from pulverization and exfoliation.

  16. Boundary layer charge dynamics in ionic liquid-ionic polymer transducers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davidson, Jacob D.; Goulbourne, N. C.

    2011-01-01

    Ionic polymer transducers (IPTs), also known as ionic polymer-metal composites, are soft sensors and actuators which operate through a coupling of microscale chemical, electrical, and mechanical interactions. The use of an ionic liquid as solvent for an IPT has been shown to dramatically increase transducer lifetime in free-air use, while also allowing for higher applied voltages without electrolysis. In this work, we apply Nernst-Planck/Poisson theory to model charge transport in an ionic liquid IPT by considering a certain fraction of the ionic liquid ions as mobile charge carriers, a phenomenon which is unique to ionic liquid IPTs compared to their water-based counterparts. Numerical simulations are performed using the finite element method to examine how the introduction of another pair of mobile ions affects boundary layer charge dynamics, concentration, and charge density distributions in the electric double layer, and the overall charge transferred and current response of the IPT. Due to interactions with the Nafion ionomer, not all of the ionic liquid ions will function as mobile charge carriers; only a certain fraction will exist as "free" ions. The presence of mobile ionic liquid ions in the transducer will increase the overall charge transferred when a voltage is applied, and cause the current in the transducer to decay more slowly. The additional mobile ions also cause the ionic concentration profiles to exhibit a nonlinear dynamic response, characterized by nonmonotonic ionic concentration profiles in space and time. Although the presence of mobile ionic liquid ions increases the overall amount of charge transferred, this additional charge transfer occurs in a somewhat symmetric manner. Therefore, the additional charge transferred due to the ionic liquid ions does not greatly increase the net bending moment of the transducer; in fact, it is possible that ionic liquid ion movement actually decreases the observed bending response. This suggests that an optimal electromechanical conversion efficiency for bending actuation is achieved by using an ionic liquid where only a relatively small fraction of the ionic liquid ions exist as free ions. Conversely, if it is desired to increase the overall amount of charge transferred, an ionic liquid with a large fraction of free ions should be used. These theoretical considerations are found to be in good qualitative agreement with recent experimental results.

  17. Simulation of plasma double-layer structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Borovsky, J. E.; Joyce, G.

    1982-01-01

    Electrostatic plasma double layers are numerically simulated by means of a magnetized 2 1/2 dimensional particle in cell method. The investigation of planar double layers indicates that these one dimensional potential structures are susceptible to periodic disruption by instabilities in the low potential plasmas. Only a slight increase in the double layer thickness with an increase in its obliqueness to the magnetic field is observed. Weak magnetization results in the double layer electric field alignment of accelerated particles and strong magnetization results in their magnetic field alignment. The numerical simulations of spatially periodic two dimensional double layers also exhibit cyclical instability. A morphological invariance in two dimensional double layers with respect to the degree of magnetization implies that the potential structures scale with Debye lengths rather than with gyroradii. Electron beam excited electrostatic electron cyclotron waves and (ion beam driven) solitary waves are present in the plasmas adjacent to the double layers.

  18. Electroosmosis over charge-modulated surfaces with finite electrical double layer thicknesses: Asymptotic and numerical investigations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghosh, Uddipta; Mandal, Shubhadeep; Chakraborty, Suman

    2017-06-01

    Here we attempt to solve the fully coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck-Navier-Stokes equations, to ascertain the influence of finite electric double layer (EDL) thickness on coupled charge and fluid dynamics over patterned charged surfaces. We go beyond the well-studied "weak-field" limit and obtain numerical solutions for a wide range of EDL thicknesses, applied electric field strengths, and the surface potentials. Asymptotic solutions to the coupled system are also derived using a combination of singular and regular perturbation, for thin EDLs and low surface potential, and good agreement between the two solutions is observed. Counterintuitively to common arguments, our analysis reveals that finite EDL thickness may either increase or decrease the "free-stream velocity" (equivalent to net throughput), depending on the strength of the applied electric field. We also unveil a critical EDL thickness for which the effect of finite EDL thickness on the free-stream velocity is the most prominent. Finally, we demonstrate that increasing the surface potential and the applied field tends to influence the overall flow patterns in the contrasting manners. These results may be of profound importance in developing a comprehensive theoretical basis for designing electro-osmotically actuated microfluidic mixtures.

  19. Kinetic Electric Field Signatures Associated with Magnetic Turbulence and Their Impact on Space Plasma Environments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goodrich, K. A.

    Magnetic turbulence is a universal phenomenon that occurs in space plasma physics, the small-scale processes of which is not well understood. This thesis presents on observational analysis of kinetic electric field signatures associated with magnetic turbulence, in an attempt to examine its underlying microphysics. Such kinetic signatures include small-scale magnetic holes, double layers, and phase-space holes. The first and second parts of this thesis presents observations of small-scale magnetic holes, observed depressions in total magnetic field strength with spatial widths on the order of or less than the ion Larmor radius, in the near-Earth plasmasheet. Here I demonstrate electric field signatures associated small-scale magnetic holes are consistent with the presence of electron Hall currents, currents oriented perpendicularly to the magnetic field. Further investigation of these fields indicates that the Hall electron current is primarily responsible for the depletion of | B| associated with small-scale magnetic holes. I then present evidence that suggests these currents can descend to smaller spatial scales, indicating they participate in a turbulent cascade to smaller scales, a link that has not been observable suggested until now. The last part of this thesis investigates the presence of double layers and phase-space holes in a magnetically turbulent region of the terrestrial bow shock. In this part, I present evidence that these same signatures can be generated via field-aligned currents generated by strong magnetic fluctuations. I also show that double layers and phase-space holes, embedded within localized nonlinear ion acoustic waves, correlate with localized electron heating and possible ion deceleration, indicating they play a role in turbulent dissipation of kinetic to thermal energy. This thesis clearly demonstrates that energy dissipation in turbulent plasma is closely linked to the small-scale electric field environment.

  20. Enhanced performance of photonic crystal GaN light-emitting diodes with graphene transparent electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ge, Hai-Liang; Xu, Chen; Xu, Kun; Xun, Meng; Wang, Jun; Liu, Jie

    2015-03-01

    The two-dimensional (2D) triangle lattice air hole photonic crystal (PC) GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LED) with double-layer graphene transparent electrodes (DGTE) have been produced. The current spreading effect of the double-layer graphene (GR) on the surface of the PC structure of the LED has been researched. Specially, we found that the part of the graphene suspending over the air hole of the PC structure was of much higher conductivity, which reduced the average sheet resistance of the graphene transparent conducting electrode and improved the current spreading of the PC LED. Therefore, the work voltage of the DGTE-PC LED was obviously decreased, and the output power was greatly enhanced. The COMSOL software was used to simulate the current density distribution of the samples. The results show that the etching of PC structure results in the degradation of the current spreading and that the graphene transparent conducting electrode can offer an uniform current spreading in the DGTE-PC LED. PACS: 85.60.Jb; 68.65.Pq; 42.70.Qs

  1. Electrosorption capacitance of nanostructured carbon-based materials.

    PubMed

    Hou, Chia-Hung; Liang, Chengdu; Yiacoumi, Sotira; Dai, Sheng; Tsouris, Costas

    2006-10-01

    The fundamental mechanism of electrosorption of ions developing a double layer inside nanopores was studied via a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. A novel graphitized-carbon monolithic material has proven to be a good electrical double-layer capacitor that can be applied in the separation of ions from aqueous solutions. An extended electrical double-layer model indicated that the pore size distribution plays a key role in determining the double-layer capacitance in an electrosorption process. Because of the occurrence of double-layer overlapping in narrow pores, mesopores and micropores make significantly different contributions to the double-layer capacitance. Mesopores show good electrochemical accessibility. Micropores present a slow mass transfer of ions and a considerable loss of double-layer capacitance, associated with a shallow potential distribution inside pores. The formation of the diffuse layer inside the micropores determines the magnitude of the double-layer capacitance at low electrolyte concentrations and at conditions close to the point of zero charge of the material. The effect of the double-layer overlapping on the electrosorption capacitance can be reduced by increasing the pore size, electrolyte concentration, and applied potential. The results are relevant to water deionization.

  2. Parallel electric fields in extragalactic jets - Double layers and anomalous resistivity in symbiotic relationships

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Borovsky, J. E.

    1986-01-01

    After examining the properties of Coulomb-collision resistivity, anomalous (collective) resistivity, and double layers, a hybrid anomalous-resistivity/double-layer model is introduced. In this model, beam-driven waves on both sides of a double layer provide electrostatic plasma-wave turbulence that greatly reduces the mobility of charged particles. These regions then act to hold open a density cavity within which the double layer resides. In the double layer, electrical energy is dissipated with 100 percent efficiency into high-energy particles, creating conditions optimal for the collective emission of polarized radio waves.

  3. Magnetoresistance of antiferromagnetic Ir22Mn78-pinned spin filter specular spin valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hwang, J. Y.; Kim, M. Y.; Rhee, J. R.; Lee, S. S.; Hwang, D. G.; Yu, S. C.; Lee, H. B.

    2004-06-01

    Specular spin valves (SSVs) having the spin filter layer (SFL) in contact with the ultrathin free layer of composition Ta3/NiFe2/IrMn7/CoFe1/(NOL1)/CoFe2/Cu1.8/CoFe(tF)/Cu(tSF)/(NOL2)/Ta3.5 (in nm) deposited by magnetron sputtering were studied. For these antiferromagnetic Ir22Mn78-pinned spin filter specular spin valve (SFSSV) films, an optimal magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of 11.9% was obtained when both the free layer thickness (tF) and the SFL thickness (tSF) were 1.5 nm, and a MR ratio higher than 11% was maintained even when tF was reduced to 1.0 nm. This was due to an increase of specular electrons by the nano-oxide layer (NOL) and of current shunting through the SFL. Moreover, the interlayer coupling field (Hint) between the free layer and pinned layer could be explained by considering the RKKY and magnetostatic coupling. The coercivity of the free layer (Hcf) was significantly reduced as compared to traditional spin valves (TSV), and remained as low as 4 Oe when tF varied from 1 to 4 nm. It was found that the SFL made it possible to reduce the free layer thickness and enhance the MR ratio without degrading the soft magnetic property of the free layer.

  4. Modeling and optimization of a double-well double-barrier GaN/AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN resonant tunneling diode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Yang; Gao, Bo; Gong, Min; Shi, Ruiying

    2017-06-01

    The influence of a GaN layer as a sub-quantum well for an AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN double barrier resonant tunneling diode (RTD) on device performance has been investigated by means of numerical simulation. The introduction of the GaN layer as the sub-quantum well turns the dominant transport mechanism of RTD from the 3D-2D model to the 2D-2D model and increases the energy difference between tunneling energy levels. It can also lower the effective height of the emitter barrier. Consequently, the peak current and peak-to-valley current difference of RTD have been increased. The optimal GaN sub-quantum well parameters are found through analyzing the electrical performance, energy band, and transmission coefficient of RTD with different widths and depths of the GaN sub-quantum well. The most pronounced electrical parameters, a peak current density of 5800 KA/cm2, a peak-to-valley current difference of 1.466 A, and a peak-to-valley current ratio of 6.35, could be achieved by designing RTD with the active region structure of GaN/Al0.2Ga0.8 N/GaN/Al0.2Ga0.8 N (3 nm/1.5 nm/1.5 nm/1.5 nm).

  5. Nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxide ultrathin nanoflakes decorated on graphene sheets with a 3D nanonetwork structure as supercapacitive materials

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

    Yan, Tao; Li, Ruiyi; Li, Zaijun, E-mail: zaijunli@263.net

    2014-03-01

    Graphical abstract: The microwave heating reflux approach was developed for the fabrication of nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxide ultrathin nanoflakes decorated on graphene sheets, in which ammonia and ethanol were used as the precipitator and medium for the synthesis. The obtained composite shows a 3D flowerclusters morphology with nanonetwork structure and largely enhanced supercapacitive performance. - Highlights: • The paper reported the microwave synthesis of nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxide/graphene composite. • The novel synthesis method is rapid, green, efficient and can be well used to the mass production. • The as-synthesized composite offers a 3D flowerclusters morphology with nanonetwork structure. •more » The composite offers excellent supercapacitive performance. • This study provides a promising route to design and synthesis of advanced graphene-based materials with the superiorities of time-saving and cost-effective characteristics. - Abstract: The study reported a novel microwave heating reflux method for the fabrication of nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxide ultrathin nanoflakes decorated on graphene sheets (GS/NiCo-LDH). Ammonia and ethanol were employed as precipitant and reaction medium for the synthesis, respectively. The resulting GS/NiCo-LDH offers a 3D flowerclusters morphology with nanonetwork structure. Due to the greatly enhanced rate of electron transfer and mass transport, the GS/NiCo-LDH electrode exhibits excellent supercapacitive performances. The maximum specific capacitance was found to be 1980.7 F g{sup −1} at the current density of 1 A g{sup −1}. The specific capacitance can remain 1274.7 F g{sup −1} at the current density of 15 A g{sup −1} and it has an increase of about 2.9% after 1500 cycles. Moreover, the study also provides a promising approach for the design and synthesis of metallic double hydroxides/graphene hybrid materials with time-saving and cost-effective characteristics, which can be potentially applied in the energy storage/conversion devices.« less

  6. Ballistic Phonon Penetration Depth in Amorphous Silicon Dioxide.

    PubMed

    Yang, Lin; Zhang, Qian; Cui, Zhiguang; Gerboth, Matthew; Zhao, Yang; Xu, Terry T; Walker, D Greg; Li, Deyu

    2017-12-13

    Thermal transport in amorphous silicon dioxide (a-SiO 2 ) is traditionally treated as random walks of vibrations owing to its greatly disordered structure, which results in a mean free path (MFP) approximately the same as the interatomic distance. However, this picture has been debated constantly and in view of the ubiquitous existence of thin a-SiO 2 layers in nanoelectronic devices, it is imperative to better understand this issue for precise thermal management of electronic devices. Different from the commonly used cross-plane measurement approaches, here we report on a study that explores the in-plane thermal conductivity of double silicon nanoribbons with a layer of a-SiO 2 sandwiched in-between. Through comparing the thermal conductivity of the double ribbon samples with that of corresponding single ribbons, we show that thermal phonons can ballistically penetrate through a-SiO 2 of up to 5 nm thick even at room temperature. Comprehensive examination of double ribbon samples with various oxide layer thicknesses and van der Waals bonding strengths allows for extraction of the average ballistic phonon penetration depth in a-SiO 2 . With solid experimental data demonstrating ballistic phonon transport through a-SiO 2 , this work should provide important insight into thermal management of electronic devices.

  7. Reduced Capillary Length Scale in the Application of Ostwald Ripening Theory to the Coarsening of Charged Colloidal Crystals in Electrolyte Solutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rowe, Jeffrey D.; Baird, James K.

    2007-06-01

    A colloidal crystal suspended in an electrolyte solution will ordinarily exchange ions with the surrounding solution and develop a net surface charge density and a corresponding double layer. The interfacial tension of the charged surface has contributions arising from: (a) background interfacial tension of the uncharged surface, (b) the entropy associated with the adsorption of ions on the surface, and (c) the polarizing effect of the electrostatic field within the double layer. The adsorption and polarization effects make negative contributions to the surface free energy and serve to reduce the interfacial tension below the value to be expected for the uncharged surface. The diminished interfacial tension leads to a reduced capillary length scale. According to the Ostwald ripening theory of particle coarsening, the reduced capillary length will cause the solute supersaturation to decay more rapidly and the colloidal particles to be smaller in size and greater in number than in the absence of the double layer. Although the length scale for coarsening should be little affected in the case of inorganic colloids, such as AgI, it should be greatly reduced in the case of suspensions of protein crystals, such as apoferritin, catalase, and thaumatin.

  8. Obtaining the porewater composition of a clay rock by modeling the in- and out-diffusion of anions and cations from an in-situ experiment.

    PubMed

    Appelo, C A J; Vinsot, A; Mettler, S; Wechner, S

    2008-10-23

    A borehole in the Callovo-Oxfordian clay rock in ANDRA's underground research facility was sampled during 1 year and chemically analyzed. Diffusion between porewater and the borehole solution resulted in concentration changes which were modeled with PHREEQC's multicomponent diffusion module. In the model, the clay rock's pore space is divided in free porewater (electrically neutral) and diffuse double layer water (devoid of anions). Diffusion is calculated separately for the two domains, and individually for all the solute species while a zero-charge flux is maintained. We explain how the finite difference formulas for radial diffusion can be translated into mixing factors for solutions. Operator splitting is used to calculate advective flow and chemical reactions such as ion exchange and calcite dissolution and precipitation. The ion exchange reaction is formulated in the form of surface complexation, which allows distributing charge over the fixed sites and the diffuse double layer. The charge distribution affects pH when calcite dissolves, and modeling of the experimental data shows that about 7% of the cation exchange capacity resides in the diffuse double layer. The model calculates the observed concentration changes very well and provides an estimate of the pristine porewater composition in the clay rock.

  9. A novel electrochemical immunosensor based on Au nanoparticles and horseradish peroxidase signal amplification for ultrasensitive detection of α-fetoprotein.

    PubMed

    Lu, Dingqiang; Xu, Qiuda; Pang, Guangchang; Lu, Fuping

    2018-06-05

    An electrochemical double-layer Au nanoparticle membrane immunosensor was developed using an electrochemical biosensing signal amplification system with Au nanoparticles, thionine, chitosan, and horseradish peroxidase, which was fabricated using double self-adsorption of Au nanoparticle sol followed by anti-α-fetoprotein Balb/c mouse monoclonal antibody adsorption. The AuNPs sol was characterized by spectrum scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The immunosensor was characterized by atomic force microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and alternating-current impedance during each stage of adsorption and assembly. The amperometric I-t curve method was used to measure α-fetoprotein (AFP) diluted in phosphate buffered saline. The result indicated a wide linear range, and the change rate of steady-current before and after immune response had linear correlation within the range 0.1-10 4  pg/mL AFP. The current change rate equation was △I = 5.82334 lgC + 37.01195 (R 2  = 0.9922). The lowest limit of detection was 0.03 pg/mL (S/N = 3), and the reproducibility of the sensor was good. Additionally, the sensor could be stably stored above phosphate buffered saline at 4 °C for more than 24 days. More importantly, the sensor is label-free, reagentless and low fouling, making it capable of assaying AFP in real serum samples without suffering from significant interference or biofouling.

  10. Evidence of a Transition Layer between the Free Surface and the Bulk.

    PubMed

    Ogieglo, Wojciech; Tempelman, Kristianne; Napolitano, Simone; Benes, Nieck E

    2018-03-15

    The free surface, a very thin layer at the interface between polymer and air, is considered the main source of the perturbations in the properties of ultrathin polymer films, i.e., nanoconfinement effects. The structural relaxation of such a layer is decoupled from the molecular dynamics of the bulk. The free surface is, in fact, able to stay liquid even below the temperature where the polymer resides in the glassy state. Importantly, this surface layer is expected to have a very sharp interface with the underlying bulk. Here, by analyzing the penetration of n-hexane into polystyrene films, we report on the existence of a transition region, not observed by previous investigations, extending for 12 nm below the free surface. The presence of such a layer permits reconciling the behavior of interfacial layers with current models and has profound implications on the performance of ultrathin membranes. We show that the expected increase in the flux of the permeating species is actually overruled by nanoconfinement.

  11. Layered double hydroxide catalyst for the conversion of crude vegetable oils to a sustainable biofuel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mollaeian, Keyvan

    Over the last two decades, the U.S. has developed the production of biodiesel, a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters, using chiefly vegetable oils as feedstocks. However, there is much concern about the availability of high-quality vegetable oils for longterm biodiesel production. Problems have also risen due to the production of glycerol, an unwanted byproduct, as well as the need for process wash water. Therefore, this study was initiated to produce not only fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) but also fatty acid glycerol carbonates (FAGCs) by replacing methanol with dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The process would have no unnecessary byproducts and would be a simplified process compared to traditional biodiesel. In addition, this altering of the methylating agent could convert triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids to a sustainable biofuel. In this project, Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) was optimized by calcination in different temperature varied from 250°C to 450°C. The gallery between layers was increased by intercalating sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). During catalyst preparation, the pH was controlled ~10. In our experiment, triazabicyclodecene (TBD) was attached with trimethoxysilane (3GPS) as a coupling agent, and N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was added to remove SDS from the catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of the heterogeneous catalyst on the conversion of canola oil, corn oil, and free fatty acids was investigated. To analyze the conversion of lipid oils to biofuel an in situ Raman spectroscopic method was developed. Catalyst synthesis methods and a proposed mechanism for converting triglycerides and free fatty acids to biofuel will be presented.

  12. In Situ Formation of Decavanadate-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide Films on AA2024 and their Anti-Corrosive Properties when Combined with Hybrid Sol Gel Films

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Junsheng; Peng, Dongdong; He, Yuntao; Du, Xiaoqiong; Zhang, Zhan; Zhang, Bowei; Li, Xiaogang; Huang, Yizhong

    2017-01-01

    A layered double hydroxide (LDH) film was formed in situ on aluminum alloy 2024 through a urea hydrolysis method, and a decavanadate-intercalated LDH (LDH-V) film fabricated through the dip coating method. The microstructural and morphological characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion-resistant performance was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and a salt-spray test (SST).The SEM results showed that a complete and defect-free surface was formed on the LDH-VS film. The anticorrosion results revealed that the LDH-VS film had better corrosion-resistant properties than the LDH-S film, especially long-term corrosion resistance. The mechanism of corrosion protection was proposed to consist of the self-healing effect of the decavanadate intercalation and the shielding effect of the sol-gel film. PMID:28772785

  13. Influences of misfit strains on liquid phase heteroepitaxial growth

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Yanli; Peng, Yingying; Yu, Genggeng; Chen, Zheng

    2017-10-01

    Influences of misfit strains with different signs on liquid phase heteroepitaxial growth are studied by binary phase field crystal model. It is amazing to find that double islands are formed because of lateral and vertical separation. The morphological evolution of epitaxial layer depends on signs of misfit strains. The maximum atomic layer thickness of double islands under negative misfit strain is larger than that of under positive misfit strain at the same evolutional time, and size differences between light and dark islands is much smaller under negative misfit strain than that of under positive misfit strain. In addition, concentration field and density field approximately have similar variational law along x direction under the same misfit strain but show opposite variational trend under misfit strains with different signs. Generally, free energy of epitaxial growth systems keeps similar variational trend under misfit strains with different signs.

  14. Pulse electrodeposition of CoFe thin films covered with layered double hydroxides as a fast route to prepare enhanced catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sakita, Alan M. P.; Noce, Rodrigo Della; Vallés, Elisa; Benedetti, Assis V.

    2018-03-01

    A novel, ultra-fast, and one-step method for obtaining an effective catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction is proposed. The procedure consists in direct electrodeposition, in a free-nitrate bath, of CoFe alloy films covered with layered double hydroxides (LDH), by potentiostatic mode, in continuous or pulsed regime. The catalyst is directly formed on glassy carbon substrates. The best-prepared catalyst material reveals a mixed morphology with granular and dendritic CoFe alloy covered with a sponge of CoFe-LDH containing a Cl interlayer. An overpotential of η10 mA = 286 mV, with a Tafel slope of 48 mV dec-1, is obtained for the OER which displays the enhanced properties of the catalyst. These improved results demonstrate the competitiveness and efficacy of our proposal for the production of OER catalysts.

  15. Room temperature multiferroic properties of (Bi{sub 0.95}La{sub 0.05})(Fe{sub 0.97}Mn{sub 0.03})O{sub 3}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} double layered thin film

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

    Raghavan, C.M.; Kim, H.J.; Kim, J.W.

    2013-11-15

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Chemical solution deposition of (Bi{sub 0.95}La{sub 0.05})(Fe{sub 0.97}Mn{sub 0.03})O{sub 3}–NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} double layered thin film. • Studies on structural, electrical and multiferroic properties. • NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} acts as both resistive buffer layer and magnetic source. - Abstract: (Bi{sub 0.95}La{sub 0.05})(Fe{sub 0.97}Mn{sub 0.03})O{sub 3}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} double layered thin film was prepared on a Pt(111)/Ti/SiO{sub 2}/Si(100) substrate by a chemical solution deposition method. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering spectroscopy studies confirmed the formation of the distorted rhombohedral perovskite and the inverse spinel cubic structures for the (Bi{sub 0.95}La{sub 0.05})(Fe{sub 0.97}Mn{sub 0.03})O{sub 3}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}more » double layered thin film. The (Bi{sub 0.95}La{sub 0.05})(Fe{sub 0.97}Mn{sub 0.03})O{sub 3}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} double layered thin film exhibited well saturated ferromagnetic (2 M{sub r} of 18.1 emu/cm{sup 3} and 2H{sub c} of 0.32 kOe at 20 kOe) and ferroelectric (2P{sub r} of 60 μC/cm{sup 2} and 2E{sub c} of 813 kV/cm at 866 kV/cm) hysteresis loops with low order of leakage current density (4.5 × 10{sup −6} A/cm{sup 2} at an applied electric field of 100 kV/cm), which suggest the ferroelectric and ferromagnetic multi-layers applications in real devices.« less

  16. Spin-filter specular spin valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Z. Q.; Pan, G.; Jibouri, A. A.; Zheng, Yaunkai

    2002-01-01

    Both a thin free layer and high magnetoresistance (MR) ratio are required in spin valves for high magnetic density recording heads. In traditional spin valve structures, reducing the free layer normally results in a reduction in MR. We report here on a spin-filter specular spin valve with structure Ta 3.5 nm/NiFe 2 nm/IrMn 6 nm/CoFe 1.5 nm/Nol/CoFe 2 nm/Cu 2.2 nm/CoFe tF/Cu tSF/Nol2/Ta 3 nm, which is demonstrated to maintain MR ratio higher than 12% even when the CoFe free layer is reduced to 1 nm. The semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation was used to simulate MR ratio. An optimized MR ratio of ˜14.5% was obtained when tF was about 1.5 nm and tSF about 1.0 nm as a result of the balance between the increase in electron mean free path difference and current shunting through conducting layer. It is found that the Cu enhancing layer not only enhances the MR ratio but also improves soft magnetic properties of CoFe free layer due to the low atomic intermixing observed between Co and Cu. The CoFe free layer of 1-4 nm exhibits a low coercivity of ˜3 Oe even after annealing at 270 °C for 7 h in a field of 1 kOe. Furthermore, the interlayer coupling field Hint between free layer and pinned layer can be controlled by balancing the Rudermann-Kittel-(Kasuya)-Yosida and magnetostatic coupling. Such a thin soft CoFe free layer is particularly attractive for high density read sensor application.

  17. Three-dimensionally arrayed and mutually connected 1.2-nm nanopores for high-performance electric double layer capacitor.

    PubMed

    Itoi, Hiroyuki; Nishihara, Hirotomo; Kogure, Taichi; Kyotani, Takashi

    2011-02-09

    Zeolite-templated carbon is a promising candidate as an electrode material for constructing an electric double layer capacitor with both high-power and high-energy densities, due to its three-dimensionally arrayed and mutually connected 1.2-nm nanopores. This carbon exhibits both very high gravimetric (140-190 F g(-1)) and volumetric (75-83 F cm(-3)) capacitances in an organic electrolyte solution. Moreover, such a high capacitance can be well retained even at a very high current up to 20 A g(-1). This extraordinary high performance is attributed to the unique pore structure.

  18. Pt thickness dependence of spin Hall effect switching of in-plane magnetized CoFeB free layers studied by differential planar Hall effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mihajlović, G.; Mosendz, O.; Wan, L.; Smith, N.; Choi, Y.; Wang, Y.; Katine, J. A.

    2016-11-01

    We introduce a differential planar Hall effect method that enables the experimental study of spin orbit torque switching of in-plane magnetized free layers in a simple Hall bar device geometry. Using this method, we study the Pt thickness dependence of switching currents and show that they decrease monotonically down to the minimum experimental thickness of ˜5 nm, while the critical current and power densities are very weakly thickness dependent, exhibiting the minimum values of Jc0 = 1.1 × 108 A/cm2 and ρJc0 2=0.6 ×1012 W/cm 3 at this minimum thickness. Our results suggest that a significant reduction of the critical parameters could be achieved by optimizing the free layer magnetics, which makes this technology a viable candidate for fast, high endurance and low-error rate applications such as cache memories.

  19. Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Charged Latex Particle Surfaces in Aqueous Solution.

    PubMed

    Li, Zifeng; Van Dyk, Antony K; Fitzwater, Susan J; Fichthorn, Kristen A; Milner, Scott T

    2016-01-19

    Charged particles in aqueous suspension form an electrical double layer at their surfaces, which plays a key role in suspension properties. For example, binder particles in latex paint remain suspended in the can because of repulsive forces between overlapping double layers. Existing models of the double layer assume sharp interfaces bearing fixed uniform charge, and so cannot describe aqueous binder particle surfaces, which are soft and diffuse, and bear mobile charge from ionic surfactants as well as grafted multivalent oligomers. To treat this industrially important system, we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate a structurally realistic model of commercial binder particle surfaces, informed by extensive characterization of particle synthesis and surface properties. We determine the interfacial profiles of polymer, water, bound and free ions, from which the charge density and electrostatic potential can be calculated. We extend the traditional definitions of the inner and outer Helmholtz planes to our diffuse interfaces. Beyond the Stern layer, the simulated electrostatic potential is well described by the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. The potential at the outer Helmholtz plane compares well to the experimental zeta potential. We compare particle surfaces bearing two types of charge groups, ionic surfactant and multivalent oligomers, with and without added salt. Although the bare charge density of a surface bearing multivalent oligomers is much higher than that of a surfactant-bearing surface at realistic coverage, greater counterion condensation leads to similar zeta potentials for the two systems.

  20. Advanced double layer capacitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sarangapani, S.; Lessner, P.; Forchione, J.; Griffith, A.; Laconti, A. B.

    1989-01-01

    Work was conducted that could lead to a high energy density electrochemical capacitor, completely free of liquid electrolyte. A three-dimensional RuO sub x-ionomer composite structure has been successfully formed and appears to provide an ionomer ionic linkage throughout the composite structure. Capacitance values of approximately 0.6 F/sq cm were obtained compared with 1 F/sq cm when a liquid electrolyte is used with the same configuration.

  1. Low-Temperature Supercapacitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brandon, Erik J.; West, William C.; Smart, Marshall C.

    2008-01-01

    An effort to extend the low-temperature operational limit of supercapacitors is currently underway. At present, commercially available non-aqueous supercapacitors are rated for a minimum operating temperature of -40 C. A capability to operate at lower temperatures would be desirable for delivering power to systems that must operate in outer space or in the Polar Regions on Earth. Supercapacitors (also known as double-layer or electrochemical capacitors) offer a high power density (>1,000 W/kg) and moderate energy density (about 5 to 10 Wh/kg) technology for storing energy and delivering power. This combination of properties enables delivery of large currents for pulsed applications, or alternatively, smaller currents for low duty cycle applications. The mechanism of storage of electric charge in a supercapacitor -- at the electrical double-layer formed at a solid-electrode/liquid-electrolyte interface -- differs from that of a primary or secondary electrochemical cell (i.e., a battery) in such a manner as to impart a long cycle life (typically >10(exp 6) charge/discharge cycles).

  2. Double-trap model for hysteretic current-voltage characteristics of a polystyrene/ZnO nanorods stacked layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, You-Lin; Lin, Jing-Jenn; Lin, Shih-Hung; Sung, Yi-Hsing

    2017-11-01

    Hysteretic current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are quite common in metal-insulator-metal (MIM) devices used for resistive switching random access memory (RRAM). Two types of hysteretic I-V curves are usually observed, figure eight and counter figure eight (counter-clockwise and clockwise in the positive voltage sweep direction, respectively). In this work, a clockwise hysteretic I-V curve was found for an MIM device with polystyrene (PS)/ZnO nanorods stack as an insulator layer. Three distinct regions I ∼ V, I ∼ V2, and I ∼ V0.6 are observed in the double logarithmic plot of the I-V curves, which cannot be explained completely with the conventional trap-controlled space-charge-limited-current (SCLC) model. A model based on the energy band with two separate traps plus local energy variation and trap-controlled SCLC has been developed, which can successfully describe the behavior of the clockwise hysteretic I-V characteristics obtained in this work.

  3. Plasma Emission Characteristics from a High Current Hollow Cathode in an Ion Thruster Discharge Chamber

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Foster, John E.; Patterson, Michael J.

    2002-01-01

    The presence of energetic ions produced by a hollow cathodes operating at high emission currents (greater than 5A) has been documented in the literature. In order to further elucidate these findings, an investigation of a high current cathode operating in an ion thruster discharge chamber has been undertaken. Using Langmuir probes, a low energy charged particle analyzer and emission spectroscopy, the behavior of the near-cathode plasma and the emitted ion energy distribution was characterized. The presence of energetic ions was confirmed. It was observed that these ions had energies in excess of the discharge voltage and thus cannot be simply explained by ions falling out of plasma through a potential difference of this order. Additionally, evidence provided by Langmuir probes suggests the existence of a double layer essentially separating the hollow cathode plasma column from the main discharge. The radial potential difference associated with this double layer was measured to be of order the ionization potential.

  4. Resonant and nondissipative tunneling in independently contacted graphene structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vasko, F. T.

    2013-02-01

    The tunneling processes between independently contacted graphene sheets separated by thin insulator are restricted by the momentum and energy conservation laws. Because of this, both dissipative tunneling transitions, with momentum transfer due to disorder scattering, and nondissipative regime of tunneling, which appears due to intersection of electron and hole branches of energy spectrum, must be taken into account. The tunneling current density is calculated for the graphene-boron nitride-graphene layers, which is described by the tight-binding approach, and for the predominant momentum scattering by static disorder. Dependencies of current on concentrations in top and bottom graphene layers, which are governed by the voltages applied through independent contacts and gates, are considered for the back- and double-gated structures. The current-voltage characteristics of the back-gated structure are in agreement with the recent experiment [ScienceSCIEAS0036-807510.1126/science.1218461 335, 947 (2012)]. For the double-gated structures, the resonant dissipative tunneling causes a 10-fold enhancement of response which is important for transistor applications.

  5. The scaling of oblique plasma double layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Borovsky, J. E.

    1983-01-01

    Strong oblique plasma double layers are investigated using three methods, i.e., electrostatic particle-in-cell simulations, numerical solutions to the Poisson-Vlasov equations, and analytical approximations to the Poisson-Vlasov equations. The solutions to the Poisson-Vlasov equations and numerical simulations show that strong oblique double layers scale in terms of Debye lengths. For very large potential jumps, theory and numerical solutions indicate that all effects of the magnetic field vanish and the oblique double layers follow the same scaling relation as the field-aligned double layers.

  6. Influence of photo-generated carriers on current spreading in double diode structures for electroluminescent cooling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Radevici, Ivan; Tiira, Jonna; Sadi, Toufik; Oksanen, Jani

    2018-05-01

    Current crowding close to electrical contacts is a common challenge in all optoelectronic devices containing thin current spreading layers (CSLs). We analyze the effects of current spreading on the operation of the so-called double diode structure (DDS), consisting of a light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode (PD) fabricated within the same epitaxial growth process, and providing an attractive platform for studying electroluminescent (EL) cooling under high bias conditions. We show that current spreading in the common n-type layer between the LED and the PD can be dramatically improved by the strong optical coupling between the diodes, as the coupling enables a photo-generated current through the PD. This reduces the current in the DDS CSL and enables the study of EL cooling using structures that are not limited by the conventional light extraction challenges encountered in normal LEDs. The current spreading in the structures is studied using optical imaging techniques, electrical measurements, simulations, as well as simple equivalent circuit models developed for this purpose. The improved current spreading leads further to a mutual dependence with the coupling efficiency, which is expected to facilitate the process of optimizing the DDS. We also report a new improved value of 63% for the DDS coupling quantum efficiency.

  7. InGaN laser diode with metal-free laser ridge using n+-GaN contact layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malinverni, Marco; Tardy, Camille; Rossetti, Marco; Castiglia, Antonino; Duelk, Marcus; Vélez, Christian; Martin, Denis; Grandjean, Nicolas

    2016-06-01

    We report on InGaN edge emitting laser diodes with a top metal electrode located beside the laser ridge. Current spreading over the ridge is achieved via a highly doped n+-type GaN layer deposited on top of the structure. The low sheet resistance of the n+-GaN layer ensures excellent lateral current spreading, while carrier injection is confined all along the ridge thanks to current tunneling at the interface between the n+-GaN top layer and the p++-GaN layer. Continuous-wave lasing at 400 nm with an output power of 100 mW is demonstrated on uncoated facet devices with a threshold current density of 2.4 kA·cm-2.

  8. Nanoconstricted structure for current-confined path in current-perpendicular-to-plane spin valves with high magnetoresistance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukuzawa, H.; Yuasa, H.; Koi, K.; Iwasaki, H.; Tanaka, Y.; Takahashi, Y. K.; Hono, K.

    2005-05-01

    We have successfully observed a nanoconstricted structure for current-confined-path (CCP) effect in current-perpendicular-to-plane-giant-magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) spin valves. By inserting an AlCu nano-oxide layer (NOL) formed by ion-assisted oxidation (IAO) between a pinned layer and a free layer, the MR ratio was increased while maintaining a small area resistance product (RA). The cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image of the sample with RA =380mΩμm2, ΔRA =16mΩμm2, and MR ratio=4.3% showed that an amorphous oxide layer is a main part of the NOL that blocks the electron conduction perpendicular to plane. Some parts of the NOL are punched through crystalline, metallic channels having a diameter of a few nanometers, which are thought to work as nanoconstricted electron conduction paths between the pinned layer and the free layer. Nano-energy-dispersive-x-ray-spectrum analysis also showed that Cu is enriched in the metallic channels, whereas Al is enriched in the amorphous oxide region, indicating that the metallic channel is made of Cu and the oxide is made of Al2O3. The nanoconstricted structure with good segregation between the metallic channel and the oxide layer enables us to realize a large MR ratio in CCP-CPP spin valves.

  9. Improved Efficiency of Polymer Solar Cells by means of Coating Hole Transporting Layer as Double Layer Deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chonsut, T.; Kayunkid, N.; Rahong, S.; Rangkasikorn, A.; Wirunchit, S.; Kaewprajak, A.; Kumnorkaew, P.; Nukeaw, J.

    2017-09-01

    Polymer solar cells is one of the promising technologies that gain tremendous attentions in the field of renewable energy. Optimization of thickness for each layer is an important factor determining the efficiency of the solar cells. In this work, the optimum thickness of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythione): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), a famous polymer widely used as hole transporting layer in polymer solar cells, is determined through the analyzing of device’s photovoltaic parameters, e.g. short circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF) as well as power conversion efficiency (PCE). The solar cells were prepared with multilayer of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PCDTBT:PC70BM/TiOx/Al by rapid convective deposition. In such preparation technique, the thickness of the thin film is controlled by the deposition speed. The faster deposition speed is used, the thicker film is obtained. Furthermore, double layer deposition of PEDOT:PSS was introduced as an approach to improve solar cell efficiency. The results obviously reveal that, with the increase of PEDOT:PSS thickness, the increments of Jsc and FF play the important role to improve PCE from 3.21% to 4.03%. Interestingly, using double layer deposition of PEDOT:PSS shows the ability to enhance the performance of the solar cells to 6.12% under simulated AM 1.5G illumination of 100 mW/cm2.

  10. Photon induced non-linear quantized double layer charging in quaternary semiconducting quantum dots.

    PubMed

    Nair, Vishnu; Ananthoju, Balakrishna; Mohapatra, Jeotikanta; Aslam, M

    2018-03-15

    Room temperature quantized double layer charging was observed in 2 nm Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) quantum dots. In addition to this we observed a distinct non-linearity in the quantized double layer charging arising from UV light modulation of double layer. UV light irradiation resulted in a 26% increase in the integral capacitance at the semiconductor-dielectric (CZTS-oleylamine) interface of the quantum dot without any change in its core size suggesting that the cause be photocapacitive. The increasing charge separation at the semiconductor-dielectric interface due to highly stable and mobile photogenerated carriers cause larger electrostatic forces between the quantum dot and electrolyte leading to an enhanced double layer. This idea was supported by a decrease in the differential capacitance possible due to an enhanced double layer. Furthermore the UV illumination enhanced double layer gives us an AC excitation dependent differential double layer capacitance which confirms that the charging process is non-linear. This ultimately illustrates the utility of a colloidal quantum dot-electrolyte interface as a non-linear photocapacitor. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Elimination of macrostep-induced current flow nonuniformity in vertical GaN PN diode using carbon-free drift layer grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujikura, Hajime; Hayashi, Kentaro; Horikiri, Fumimasa; Narita, Yoshinobu; Konno, Taichiro; Yoshida, Takehiro; Ohta, Hiroshi; Mishima, Tomoyoshi

    2018-04-01

    In vertical GaN PN diodes (PNDs) grown entirely by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), large current nonuniformity was observed. This nonuniformity was induced by macrosteps on the GaN surface through modulation of carbon incorporation into the n-GaN crystal. It was eliminated in a hybrid PND consisting of a carbon-free n-GaN layer grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) and an MOCVD-regrown p-GaN layer. The hybrid PND showed a fairly low on-resistance (2 mΩ cm2) and high breakdown voltage (2 kV) even without a field plate electrode. These results clearly indicated the strong advantages of the HVPE-grown drift layer for improving power device performance, uniformity, and yield.

  12. Tests on Double Layer Metalization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Woo, D. S.

    1983-01-01

    28 page report describes experiments in fabrication of integrated circuits with double-layer metalization. Double-layer metalization requires much less silicon "real estate" and allows more flexibility in placement of circuit elements than does single-layer metalization.

  13. Double-shelled silicon anode nanocomposite materials: A facile approach for stabilizing electrochemical performance via interface construction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, Lulu; Wen, Zhongsheng; Wang, Guanqin; Yang, Yan-E.

    2018-04-01

    The rapid capacity fading induced by volumetric changes is the main issue that hinders the widespread application of silicon anode materials. Thus, double-shelled silicon composite materials where lithium silicate was located between an Nb2O5 coating layer and a silicon active core were configured to overcome the chemical compatibility issues related to silicon and oxides. The proposed composites were prepared via a facile co-precipitation method combined with calcination. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that a transition layer of lithium silicate was constructed successfully, which effectively hindered the thermal inter-diffusion between the silicon and oxide coating layers during heat treatment. The electrochemical performance of the double-shelled silicon composites was enhanced dramatically with a retained specific capacity of 1030 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g-1 compared with 598 mAh g-1 for a core-shell Si@Nb2O5 composite that lacked the interface. The lithium silicate transition layer was shown to play an important role in maintaining the high electrochemical stability.

  14. On the Impact of Electrostatic Correlations on the Double-Layer Polarization of a Spherical Particle in an Alternating Current Field.

    PubMed

    Alidoosti, Elaheh; Zhao, Hui

    2018-05-15

    At concentrated electrolytes, the ion-ion electrostatic correlation effect is considered an important factor in electrokinetics. In this paper, we compute, in theory and simulation, the dipole moment for a spherical particle (charged, dielectric) under the action of an alternating electric field using the modified continuum Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) model by Bazant et al. [ Double Layer in Ionic Liquids: Overscreening Versus Crowding . Phys. Rev. Lett. 2011 , 106 , 046102 ] We investigate the dependency of the dipole moment in terms of frequency and its variation with such quantities like ζ-potential, electrostatic correlation length, and double-layer thickness. With thin electric double layers, we develop simple models through performing an asymptotic analysis of the modified PNP model. We also present numerical results for an arbitrary Debye screening length and electrostatic correlation length. From the results, we find a complicated impact of electrostatic correlations on the dipole moment. For instance, with increasing the electrostatic correlation length, the dipole moment decreases and reaches a minimum and then it goes up. This is because of initially decreasing of surface conduction and finally increasing due to the impact of ion-ion electrostatic correlations on ion's convection and migration. Also, we show that in contrast to the standard PNP model, the modified PNP model can qualitatively explain the data from the experimental results in multivalent electrolytes.

  15. A Classification of Subaqueous Density Flows Based on Transformations From Proximal to Distal Regions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hermidas, Navid; Eggenhuisen, Joris; Luthi, Stefan; Silva Jacinto, Ricardo; Toth, Ferenc; Pohl, Florian

    2017-04-01

    Transformations of a subaqueous density flow from proximal to distal regions are investigated. A classification of these transformations based on the state of the free shear and boundary layers and existence of a plug layer during transition from a debris flow to a turbidity current is presented. A connection between the emplaced deposit by the flow and the relevant flow type is drawn through the results obtained from a series of laboratory flume experiments. These were performed using 9%, 15%, and 21% sediment mixture concentrations composed of sand, silt, clay, and tap water, on varying bed slopes of 6°, 8°, and 9.5°, and with discharge rates of 10[m3/h] and 15[m3/h]. Stress-controlled rheometry experiments were performed on the mixtures to obtain apparent viscosity data. A classification was developed based on the imposed flow conditions, where a cohesive flow may fall within one of five distinct flow types: 1) a cohesive plug flow (PF) with a laminar free shear and boundary layers, 2) a top transitional plug flow (TTPF) containing a turbulent free shear layer, a plug layer, and a laminar boundary layer, 3) a complete transitional plug flow (CTPF) consisting of a turbulent free shear and boundary layers and a plug, 4) a transitional turbidity current (TTC) with a turbulent free shear layer and a laminar boundary layer, and, 5) a completely turbulent turbidity current (TC). During the experiments, flow type PF resulted in en masse deposition of a thick uniform ungraded muddy sand mixture, which was emplaced once the yield stress overcame the gravitational forces within the tail region of the flow. Flow type TTPF resulted in deposition of a thin ungraded basal clean sand layer during the run. This layer was covered by a muddy sand deposit from the tail. Flow type TTC did not deposit any sediment during the run. A uniform muddy sand mixture was emplaced by the tail of the flow. Flow type TC resulted in deposition of poorly sorted massive bottom sand layer. This layer was overlain by either a muddy sand mixture or a sand and silt planar lamination. Flow type CTPF was not observed during the experiments. Furthermore, it was observed that flows which are in transition from a TTC to a TTPF result in a thin bottom clean sand layer covered by a banded transitional interval. This was overlain by a muddy sand layer and a very thin clean sand layer, resulting from traction by dilute turbulent wake. In all cases a mud cap was emplaced on top of the deposit after the runs were terminated.

  16. Edge plasma boundary layer generated by kink modes in tokamaks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zakharov, Leonid E.

    2011-06-01

    This paper describes the structure of the electric current generated by external wall touching and free boundary kink modes at the plasma edge using the ideally conducting plasma model. Both kinds of modes generate δ-functional surface current at the plasma edge. Free boundary kink modes also perturb the core plasma current, which in the plasma edge compensates the difference between the δ-functional surface currents of free boundary and wall touching kink modes. In addition, the resolution of an apparent paradox with the pressure balance across the plasma boundary in the presence of the surface currents is provided.

  17. Double-layer versus single-layer bone-patellar tendon-bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective randomized study with 3-year follow-up.

    PubMed

    Mei, Xiaoliang; Zhang, Zhenxiang; Yang, Jingwen

    2016-12-01

    To evaluate the clinical results of a randomized controlled trial of single-layer versus double-layer bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Fifty-eight subjects who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with a BPTB allograft were prospectively randomized into two groups: single-layer reconstruction (n = 31) and double-layer reconstruction (n = 27). The following evaluation methods were used: clinical examination, KT-1000 arthrometer measurement, muscle strength, Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, subjective rating scale regarding patient satisfaction and sports performance level, graft retear, contralateral ACL tear, and additional meniscus surgery. Forty-eight subjects (24 in single-layer group and 24 in double-layer group) who were followed up for 3 years were evaluated. Preoperatively, there were no differences between the groups. At 3-year follow-up, the Lachman and pivot-shift test results were better in the double-layer group (P = 0.019 and P < 0.0001, respectively). KT measurements were better in the double-layer group (mean 2.9 versus 1.5 mm; P = 0.0025). The Tegner score was also better in the double-layer group (P = 0.024). There were no significant differences in range of motion, muscle strength, Lysholm score, subjective rating scale, graft retear, and secondary meniscal tear. In ACL reconstruction, double-layer BPTB reconstruction was significantly better than single-layer reconstruction regarding anterior and rotational stability at 3-year follow-up. The results of KT measurements and the Lachman and pivot-shift tests were significantly better in the double-layer group, whereas there was no difference in the anterior drawer test results. The Tegner score was also better in the double-layer group; however, there were no differences in the other subjective findings.

  18. A special MJO event with a double Kelvin wave structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Lili; Li, Tim

    2017-04-01

    The second Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) event during the field campaign of the Dynamics of the MJO/Cooperative Indian Ocean Experiment on Intraseasonal Variability in the Year 2011 (DYNAMO/CINDY2011) exhibi ted an unusual double rainband structure. Using a wavenumber-frequency spectral filtering method, we unveil that this double rainband structure arises primarily from the Kelvin wave component. The zonal phase speed of the double rainbands is about 7.9 degree per day in the equatorial Indian Ocean, being in the range of convectively coupled Kelvin wave phase speeds. The convection and circulation anomalies associated with the Kelvin wave component are characterized by two anomalous convective cells, with low-level westerly (easterly) and high (low) pressure anomalies to the west (east) of the convective centers, and opposite wind and pressure anomalies in the upper troposphere. Such a zonal wind-pressure phase relationship is consistent with the equatorial free-wave dynamics. While the free-atmospheric circulation was dominated by the first baroclinic mode vertical structure, moisture and vertical motion in the boundary layer led the convection. The convection and circulation structures derived based on the conventional MJO filter show a different characteristic. For example, the phase speed is slower (about 5.9 degree per day), and there were no double convective branches. This suggests that MJO generally involves multi-scales and it is incomplete to extract its signals by using the conventional filtering technique.

  19. Generation of Alfvenic Double Layers, Formation of Auroral Arcs, and Their Impact on Energy and Momentum Transfer in M-I Coupling System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Y.; Lysak, R. L.

    2017-12-01

    Parallel electrostatic electric fields provide a powerful mechanism to accelerate auroral particles to high energy in the auroral acceleration region (AAR), creating both quasi-static and Alfvenic discrete aurorae. The total field-aligned current can be written as J||total=J||+J||D, where the displacement current is denoted as J||D=(1/4π)(∂E||/∂t), which describes the E||-generation (Song and Lysak, 2006). The generation of the total field-aligned current is related to spatial gradients of the parallel vorticity caused by the axial torque acting on field-aligned flux tubes in M-I coupling system. It should be noticed that parallel electric fields are not produced by the field-aligned current. In fact, the E||-generation is caused by Alfvenic interaction in the M-I coupling system, and is favored by a low plasma density and the enhanced localized azimuthal magnetic flux. We suggest that the nonlinear interaction of incident and reflected Alfven wave packets in the AAR can create reactive stress concentration, and therefore can generate the parallel electrostatic electric fields together with a seed low density cavity. The generated electric fields will quickly deepen the seed low density cavity, which can effectively create even stronger electrostatic electric fields. The electrostatic electric fields nested in a low density cavity and surrounded by enhanced azimuthal magnetic flux constitute Alfvenic electromagnetic plasma structures, such as Alfvenic Double Layers (DLs). The Poynting flux carried by Alfven waves can continuously supply energy from the generator region to the auroral acceleration region, supporting and sustaining Alfvenic DLs with long-lasting electrostatic electric fields which accelerate auroral particles to high energy. The generation of parallel electric fields and the formation of auroral arcs can redistribute perpendicular mechanical and magnetic stresses in auroral flux tubes, decoupling the magnetosphere from ionosphere drag locally. This may enhance the magnetotail earthward shear flows and rapidly buildup stronger parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region, leading to a sudden and violent tail energy release, if there is accumulated free magnetic energy in the tail.

  20. Fast Low-Current Spin-Orbit-Torque Switching of Magnetic Tunnel Junctions through Atomic Modifications of the Free-Layer Interfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Shengjie; Ou, Yongxi; Aradhya, S. V.; Ralph, D. C.; Buhrman, R. A.

    2018-01-01

    Future applications of spin-orbit torque will require new mechanisms to improve the efficiency of switching nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), while also controlling the magnetic dynamics to achieve fast nanosecond-scale performance with low-write-error rates. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to simultaneously enhance the interfacial magnetic anisotropy energy and suppress interfacial spin-memory loss by introducing subatomic and monatomic layers of Hf at the top and bottom interfaces of the ferromagnetic free layer of an in-plane magnetized three-terminal MTJ device. When combined with a β -W spin Hall channel that generates spin-orbit torque, the cumulative effect is a switching current density of 5.4 ×106 A /cm2 .

  1. Vertical distribution of overpotentials and irreversible charge losses in lithium ion battery electrodes.

    PubMed

    Klink, Stefan; Schuhmann, Wolfgang; La Mantia, Fabio

    2014-08-01

    Porous lithium ion battery electrodes are characterized using a vertical distribution of cross-currents. In an appropriate simplification, this distribution can be described by a transmission line model (TLM) consisting of infinitely thin electrode layers. To investigate the vertical distribution of currents, overpotentials, and irreversible charge losses in a porous graphite electrode in situ, a multi-layered working electrode (MWE) was developed as the experimental analogue of a TLM. In this MWE, each layer is in ionic contact but electrically insulated from the other layers by a porous separator. It was found that the negative graphite electrodes get lithiated and delithiated stage-by-stage and layer-by-layer. Several mass-transport- as well as non-mass-transport-limited processes could be identified. Local current densities can reach double the average, especially on the outermost layer at the beginning of each intercalation stage. Furthermore, graphite particles close to the counter electrode act as "electrochemical sieve" reducing the impurities present in the electrolyte such as water. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Fabrication of 4H-SiC lateral double implanted MOSFET on an on-axis semi-insulating substrate without using epi-layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Hyoung Woo; Seok, Ogyun; Moon, Jeong Hyun; Bahng, Wook; Jo, Jungyol

    2017-12-01

    4H-SiC lateral double implanted metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (LDIMOSFET) were fabricated on on-axis semi-insulating SiC substrates without using an epi-layer. The LDIMOSFET adopted a current path layer (CPL), which was formed by ion-implantation. The CPL works as a drift region between gate and drain. By using on-axis semi-insulating substrate and optimized CPL parameters, breakdown voltage (BV) of 1093 V and specific on-resistance (R on,sp) of 89.8 mΩ·cm2 were obtained in devices with 20 µm long CPL. Experimentally extracted field-effect channel mobility was 21.7 cm2·V-1·s-1 and the figure-of-merit (BV2/R on,sp) was 13.3 MW/cm2.

  3. Transition from single to multiple double layers. [of plasma

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chan, C.; Hershkowitz, N.

    1982-01-01

    Laboratory results are presented to define parameters which allow the boundary conditions to control the characteristics of double layers of plasma. It is shown that multiple double layers arise when the ratio of Debye length to system length decreases, a result which is in line with boundary layer theory. The significance of inclusion of the system length is noted to render BGK treatments of double layers, wherein the length is neglected, invalid.

  4. Opinion formation on multiplex scale-free networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nguyen, Vu Xuan; Xiao, Gaoxi; Xu, Xin-Jian; Li, Guoqi; Wang, Zhen

    2018-01-01

    Most individuals, if not all, live in various social networks. The formation of opinion systems is an outcome of social interactions and information propagation occurring in such networks. We study the opinion formation with a new rule of pairwise interactions in the novel version of the well-known Deffuant model on multiplex networks composed of two layers, each of which is a scale-free network. It is found that in a duplex network composed of two identical layers, the presence of the multiplexity helps either diminish or enhance opinion diversity depending on the relative magnitudes of tolerance ranges characterizing the degree of openness/tolerance on both layers: there is a steady separation between different regions of tolerance range values on two network layers where multiplexity plays two different roles, respectively. Additionally, the two critical tolerance ranges follow a one-sum rule; that is, each of the layers reaches a complete consensus only if the sum of the tolerance ranges on the two layers is greater than a constant approximately equaling 1, the double of the critical bound on a corresponding isolated network. A further investigation of the coupling between constituent layers quantified by a link overlap parameter reveals that as the layers are loosely coupled, the two opinion systems co-evolve independently, but when the inter-layer coupling is sufficiently strong, a monotonic behavior is observed: an increase in the tolerance range of a layer causes a decline in the opinion diversity on the other layer regardless of the magnitudes of tolerance ranges associated with the layers in question.

  5. Increased mobility and on/off ratio in organic field-effect transistors using low-cost guanine-pentacene multilayers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Wei; Zheng, Yifan; Taylor, André D.; Yu, Junsheng; Katz, Howard E.

    2017-07-01

    Layer-by-layer deposited guanine and pentacene in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) is introduced. Through adjusting the layer thickness ratio of guanine and pentacene, the tradeoff of two electronic parameters in OFETs, charge carrier mobility and current on/off ratio, was controlled. The charge mobility was enhanced by depositing pentacene over and between guanine layers and by increasing the proportion of pentacene in the layer-by-layer system, while the current on/off ratio was increased via the decreased off current induced by the guanine layers. The tunable device performance was mainly ascribed to the trap and dopant neutralizing properties of the guanine layers, which would decrease the density of free hydroxyl groups in the OFETs. Furthermore, the cost of the devices could be reduced remarkably via the adoption of low-cost guanine.

  6. Polarity control in WSe2 double-gate transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Resta, Giovanni V.; Sutar, Surajit; Balaji, Yashwanth; Lin, Dennis; Raghavan, Praveen; Radu, Iuliana; Catthoor, Francky; Thean, Aaron; Gaillardon, Pierre-Emmanuel; de Micheli, Giovanni

    2016-07-01

    As scaling of conventional silicon-based electronics is reaching its ultimate limit, considerable effort has been devoted to find new materials and new device concepts that could ultimately outperform standard silicon transistors. In this perspective two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2 and WSe2, have recently attracted considerable interest thanks to their electrical properties. Here, we report the first experimental demonstration of a doping-free, polarity-controllable device fabricated on few-layer WSe2. We show how modulation of the Schottky barriers at drain and source by a separate gate, named program gate, can enable the selection of the carriers injected in the channel, and achieved controllable polarity behaviour with ON/OFF current ratios >106 for both electrons and holes conduction. Polarity-controlled WSe2 transistors enable the design of compact logic gates, leading to higher computational densities in 2D-flatronics.

  7. Bio-Inspired Aquaporinz Containing Double-Skinned Forward Osmosis Membrane Synthesized through Layer-by-Layer Assembly

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Shuzheng; Cai, Jin; Ding, Wande; Xu, Zhinan; Wang, Zhining

    2015-01-01

    We demonstrated a novel AquaporinZ (AqpZ)-incorporated double-skinned forward osmosis (FO) membrane by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly strategy. Positively charged poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and negatively charged poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) were alternately deposited on both the top and bottom surfaces of a hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (H-PAN) substrate. Subsequently, an AqpZ-embedded 1,2-dioleloyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium- propane (chloride salt) (DOTAP) supported lipid bilayer (SLB) was formed on PSS-terminated (T-PSS) membrane via vesicle rupture method. The morphology and structure of the biomimetic membranes were characterized by in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer using the attenuated total reflection technique (ATR-FTIR), and contact angle. Moreover, the FO performance of the resultant membrane was measured by using 2 M MgCl2 solution as draw solution and deionized (DI) water as feed solution, respectively. The membrane with a protein-to-lipid weight ratio (P/L) of 1/50 exhibits 13.2 L/m2h water flux and 3.2 g/m2h reversed flux by using FO mode, as well as 15.6 L/m2h water flux and 3.4 L/m2h reversed flux for PRO mode (the draw solution is placed against the active layer). It was also shown that the SLB layer of the double-skinned FO membrane can increase the surface hydrophilicity and reduce the surface roughness, which leads to an improved anti-fouling performance against humic acid foulant. The current work introduced a new method of fabricating high performance biomimetic FO membrane by combining AqpZ and a double-skinned structure based on LbL assembly. PMID:26266426

  8. Influence of the charge double layer on solid oxide fuel cell stack behavior

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Whiston, Michael M.; Bilec, Melissa M.; Schaefer, Laura A.

    2015-10-01

    While the charge double layer effect has traditionally been characterized as a millisecond phenomenon, longer timescales may be possible under certain operating conditions. This study simulates the dynamic response of a previously developed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack model that incorporates the charge double layer via an equivalent circuit. The model is simulated under step load changes. Baseline conditions are first defined, followed by consideration of minor and major deviations from the baseline case. This study also investigates the behavior of the SOFC stack with a relatively large double layer capacitance value, as well as operation of the SOFC stack under proportional-integral (PI) control. Results indicate that the presence of the charge double layer influences the SOFC stack's settling time significantly under the following conditions: (i) activation and concentration polarizations are significantly increased, or (ii) a large value of the double layer capacitance is assumed. Under normal (baseline) operation, on the other hand, the charge double layer effect diminishes within milliseconds, as expected. It seems reasonable, then, to neglect the charge double layer under normal operation. However, careful consideration should be given to potential variations in operation or material properties that may give rise to longer electrochemical settling times.

  9. Effect of alkyl branches on the thermal stability of quaternary ammonium cations in organic electrolytes for electrochemical double layer capacitors.

    PubMed

    Ahn, Yong Nam; Lee, Sung Hoon; Lee, Goo Soo; Kim, Hyunbin

    2017-08-02

    Quaternary ammoniums are cations having widespread use in organic electrolytes for high performance electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) due to their various advantages such as high electrochemical stability and inexpensive production cost. However, the decomposition of quaternary ammoniums via Hofmann elimination hinders their applications for EDLCs operating at elevated temperatures. This study systematically investigates the reactivity of four different quaternary ammoniums (tetraethyl-, triethylmethyl-, diethyldimethyl-, and trimethylethyl-ammonium) in EDLC by utilizing density functional theory calculations and Brownian dynamics simulations complemented with molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that ammonium stability reduces upon increasing the number of ethyl branches that have a stronger positive charge than the methyl groups. However, the contribution of the entropy change to the reaction free energy makes trimethylethylammonium less stable than diethyldimethylammonium at room temperature although the former has less ethyl branches than the latter. Trimethylethylammonium becomes the most stable at a high temperature of 488 K above which the activation free energy becomes effectively negligible and thus the number of reactive sites determines the overall stability. The fundamental understanding of the ammonium decompositions through Hofmann elimination demonstrated in this study is expected to contribute to developing new long-life organic electrolyte systems for high-temperature applications.

  10. Mixed Valence Perovskite Cs2 Au2 I6 : A Potential Material for Thin-Film Pb-Free Photovoltaic Cells with Ultrahigh Efficiency.

    PubMed

    Debbichi, Lamjed; Lee, Songju; Cho, Hyunyoung; Rappe, Andrew M; Hong, Ki-Ha; Jang, Min Seok; Kim, Hyungjun

    2018-03-01

    New light is shed on the previously known perovskite material, Cs 2 Au 2 I 6 , as a potential active material for high-efficiency thin-film Pb-free photovoltaic cells. First-principles calculations demonstrate that Cs 2 Au 2 I 6 has an optimal band gap that is close to the Shockley-Queisser value. The band gap size is governed by intermediate band formation. Charge disproportionation on Au makes Cs 2 Au 2 I 6 a double-perovskite material, although it is stoichiometrically a single perovskite. In contrast to most previously discussed double perovskites, Cs 2 Au 2 I 6 has a direct-band-gap feature, and optical simulation predicts that a very thin layer of active material is sufficient to achieve a high photoconversion efficiency using a polycrystalline film layer. The already confirmed synthesizability of this material, coupled with the state-of-the-art multiscale simulations connecting from the material to the device, strongly suggests that Cs 2 Au 2 I 6 will serve as the active material in highly efficient, nontoxic, and thin-film perovskite solar cells in the very near future. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  11. Modeling electrical double-layer effects for microfluidic impedance spectroscopy from 100 kHz to 110 GHz.

    PubMed

    Little, Charles A E; Orloff, Nathan D; Hanemann, Isaac E; Long, Christian J; Bright, Victor M; Booth, James C

    2017-07-25

    Broadband microfluidic-based impedance spectroscopy can be used to characterize complex fluids, with applications in medical diagnostics and in chemical and pharmacological manufacturing. Many relevant fluids are ionic; during impedance measurements ions migrate to the electrodes, forming an electrical double-layer. Effects from the electrical double-layer dominate over, and reduce sensitivity to, the intrinsic impedance of the fluid below a characteristic frequency. Here we use calibrated measurements of saline solution in microfluidic coplanar waveguide devices at frequencies between 100 kHz and 110 GHz to directly measure the double-layer admittance for solutions of varying ionic conductivity. We successfully model the double-layer admittance using a combination of a Cole-Cole response with a constant phase element contribution. Our analysis yields a double-layer relaxation time that decreases linearly with solution conductivity, and allows for double-layer effects to be separated from the intrinsic fluid response and quantified for a wide range of conducting fluids.

  12. Plasma response to the injection of an electron beam

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Singh, N.; Schunk, R. W.

    1984-01-01

    The results of Vlasov-Poisson-solver numerical simulations of the detailed temporal response of a Maxwellian plasma to the sudden injection of an electron beam are presented in graphs and maps and discussed. Phenomena characterized include ion bursts, electron shocks and holes, plasma heating and expulsion, density gradients; cavitons, deep-density-front and solitary-pulse propagation down the density gradient, and Bunemann-mode excitation leading to formation of a virtual cathode and double layers which are at first monotonic or have low-potential-side dips or high-potential-side bumps and become strong as the electron-current density decreases. The strength of the double layer is found to be roughly proportional to the beam energy.

  13. Development of effective power supply using electric double layer capacitor for static magnetic field coils in fusion plasma experiments.

    PubMed

    Inomoto, M; Abe, K; Yamada, T; Kuwahata, A; Kamio, S; Cao, Q H; Sakumura, M; Suzuki, N; Watanabe, T; Ono, Y

    2011-02-01

    A cost-effective power supply for static magnetic field coils used in fusion plasma experiments has been developed by application of an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC). A prototype EDLC power supply system was constructed in the form of a series LCR circuit. Coil current of 100 A with flat-top longer than 1 s was successfully supplied to an equilibrium field coil of a fusion plasma experimental apparatus by a single EDLC module with capacitance of 30 F. The present EDLC power supply has revealed sufficient performance for plasma confinement experiments whose discharge duration times are an order of several seconds.

  14. Ultrathin Graphene Membranes as Flexible Electrodes for Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Talapatra, Saikat; Kar, Swastik; Shah, Rakesh; Ghosh, Sujoy; An, Xiaohong; Simmons, Trevor; Washington, Morris; Nayak, Saroj

    2010-03-01

    We will present the results of our investigations of electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) or supercapacitors (SC) fabricated using graphene based ultra thin membranes. These EDLC's show far superior performance compared to other carbon nanomaterials based EDLC's devices. We found that the graphene based devices possess specific capacitance values as high as 120 F/g, with impressive power densities (˜105 kW/kg) and energy densities (˜9.2 Wh/kg). Further, these devices indicated rapid charge transfer response even without the use of any binders or specially prepared current collectors. Our ultracapacitors reflect a significant improvement over previously reported graphene-based ultracapacitors and are substantially better than those obtained with carbon nanotubes.

  15. UV testing of solar cells: Effects of antireflective coating, prior irradiation, and UV source

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Meulenberg, A.

    1993-01-01

    Short-circuit current degradation of electron irradiated double-layer antireflective-coated cells after 3000 hours ultraviolet (UV) exposure exceeds 3 percent; extrapolation of the data to 10(exp 5) hours (11.4 yrs.) gives a degradation that exceeds 10 percent. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences in degradation were observed in cells with double- and single-layer antireflective coatings. The effects of UV-source age were observed and corrections were made to the data. An additional degradation mechanism was identified that occurs only in previously electron-irradiated solar cells since identical unirradiated cells degrade to only 6 +/- 3 percent when extrapolated 10(exp 5) hours of UV illumination.

  16. Use of CdSe/ZnS luminescent quantum dots incorporated within sol-gel matrix for urea detection.

    PubMed

    Duong, Hong Dinh; Rhee, Jong Il

    2008-09-19

    In this work, urea detection techniques based on the pH sensitivity of CdSe/ZnS QDs were developed using three types of sol-gel membranes: a QD-entrapped membrane, urease-immobilized membrane and double layer consisting of a QD-entrapped membrane and urease-immobilized membrane. The surface morphology of the sol-gel membranes deposited on the wells in a 24-well microtiter plate was investigated. The linear detection range of urea was in the range of 0-10mM with the three types of sol-gel membranes. The urea detection technique based on the double layer consisting of the QD-entrapped membrane and urease-immobilized membrane resulted in the highest sensitivity to urea due to the Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters. That is, the Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)=2.0745mM) of the free urease in the QD-entrapped membrane was about 4-fold higher than that (K(m)=0.549mM) of the immobilized urease in the urease-immobilized membrane and about 12-fold higher than that (K(m)=0.1698mM) of the immobilized urease in the double layer. The good stability of the three sol-gel membranes for urea sensing over 2 months showed that the use of sol-gel membranes immobilized with QDs or an enzyme is suitable for biomedical and environmental applications.

  17. Nonlocal Poisson-Fermi double-layer models: Effects of nonuniform ion sizes on double-layer structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Dexuan; Jiang, Yi

    2018-05-01

    This paper reports a nonuniform ionic size nonlocal Poisson-Fermi double-layer model (nuNPF) and a uniform ionic size nonlocal Poisson-Fermi double-layer model (uNPF) for an electrolyte mixture of multiple ionic species, variable voltages on electrodes, and variable induced charges on boundary segments. The finite element solvers of nuNPF and uNPF are developed and applied to typical double-layer tests defined on a rectangular box, a hollow sphere, and a hollow rectangle with a charged post. Numerical results show that nuNPF can significantly improve the quality of the ionic concentrations and electric fields generated from uNPF, implying that the effect of nonuniform ion sizes is a key consideration in modeling the double-layer structure.

  18. The design and performance of the nano-carbon based double layers flexible coating for tunable and high-efficiency microwave absorption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Danfeng; Hao, Zhifeng; Qian, Yannan; Zeng, Bi; Zhu, Haiping; Wu, Qibai; Yan, Chengjie; Chen, Muyu

    2018-05-01

    Nanocarbon-based materials are outstanding microwave absorbers with good dielectric properties. In this study, double-layer silicone resin flexible absorbing coatings, composed of carbon-coated nickel nanoparticles (Ni@C) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with low loading and a total thickness of 2 mm, were prepared. The reflection loss (RL) of the double-layer absorbing coatings has measured for frequencies between 2 and 18 GHz using the Arch reflecting testing method. The effects of the thickness and electromagnetic parameters of each layer and of the layer sequence on the absorbing properties were investigated. It is found that the measured bandwidth (RL ≤ - 10 dB) of the optimum double-layer structure in our experiment range achieves 3.70 GHz. The results indicated that the double coating structure composed of different materials has greater synergistic absorption effect on impedance matching than that of same materials with different loading. The maximum RL of S1 (5 wt% CNTs)/S3 (60 wt% Ni@C) double-layer absorbing coating composed of different materials (S1 and S3) was larger than the one achieved using either S1 or S3 alone with the same thickness. This was because double-layer coating provided a suitable matching layer and improve the interfacial impedance. It was also shown that absorbing peak value and frequency position can be adjusted by double-layer coating structure.

  19. FROM THE HISTORY OF PHYSICS: Electrolysis and surface phenomena. To the bicentenary of Volta's publication on the first direct-current source

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gokhshtein, Aleksandr Ya

    2000-07-01

    The development of knowledge about electric current, potential, and the conversion of energy at the interface between electronic- and ionic-conductivity phases is briefly reviewed. Although soon after its discovery it was realized that electric current is the motion of charged particles, the double-layer field promoting charge transfer through the interface was considered for a long time to be as uniform as in a capacitor. One-dimensional ion discharge theory failed to explain the observed dependence of the current on the potential jump across the interface. The spatial segmentation of energy in the double layer due to the quantum evolution of the layer's periphery puts a limit on the charge transfer work the field may perform locally, and creates conditions for the ionic atmosphere being spontaneously compressed after the critical potential jump has been reached. A discrete interchange of states also occurs due to the adsorption of discharged particles and corresponds to the consecutive exclusion of the d-wave function nodes of metal surface atoms, the exclusion manifesting itself in the larger longitudinal and smaller lateral sizes of the atomic orbital. The elastic extension of the metal surface reduces the d-function overlap thus intensifying adsorption. Advances in experimentation, in particular new techniques capable of detecting alternating surface tension of solids, enabled these and some other phenomena to be observed.

  20. Dynamics of electrical double layer formation in room-temperature ionic liquids under constant-current charging conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Xikai; Huang, Jingsong; Zhao, Hui; Sumpter, Bobby G.; Qiao, Rui

    2014-07-01

    We report detailed simulation results on the formation dynamics of an electrical double layer (EDL) inside an electrochemical cell featuring room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) enclosed between two planar electrodes. Under relatively small charging currents, the evolution of cell potential from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations during charging can be suitably predicted by the Landau-Ginzburg-type continuum model proposed recently (Bazant et al 2011 Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 046102). Under very large charging currents, the cell potential from MD simulations shows pronounced oscillation during the initial stage of charging, a feature not captured by the continuum model. Such oscillation originates from the sequential growth of the ionic space charge layers near the electrode surface. This allows the evolution of EDLs in RTILs with time, an atomistic process difficult to visualize experimentally, to be studied by analyzing the cell potential under constant-current charging conditions. While the continuum model cannot predict the potential oscillation under such far-from-equilibrium charging conditions, it can nevertheless qualitatively capture the growth of cell potential during the later stage of charging. Improving the continuum model by introducing frequency-dependent dielectric constant and density-dependent ion diffusion coefficients may help to further extend the applicability of the model. The evolution of ion density profiles is also compared between the MD and the continuum model, showing good agreement.

  1. Dynamics of electrical double layer formation in room-temperature ionic liquids under constant-current charging conditions.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Xikai; Huang, Jingsong; Zhao, Hui; Sumpter, Bobby G; Qiao, Rui

    2014-07-16

    We report detailed simulation results on the formation dynamics of an electrical double layer (EDL) inside an electrochemical cell featuring room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) enclosed between two planar electrodes. Under relatively small charging currents, the evolution of cell potential from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations during charging can be suitably predicted by the Landau-Ginzburg-type continuum model proposed recently (Bazant et al 2011 Phys. Rev. Lett. 106 046102). Under very large charging currents, the cell potential from MD simulations shows pronounced oscillation during the initial stage of charging, a feature not captured by the continuum model. Such oscillation originates from the sequential growth of the ionic space charge layers near the electrode surface. This allows the evolution of EDLs in RTILs with time, an atomistic process difficult to visualize experimentally, to be studied by analyzing the cell potential under constant-current charging conditions. While the continuum model cannot predict the potential oscillation under such far-from-equilibrium charging conditions, it can nevertheless qualitatively capture the growth of cell potential during the later stage of charging. Improving the continuum model by introducing frequency-dependent dielectric constant and density-dependent ion diffusion coefficients may help to further extend the applicability of the model. The evolution of ion density profiles is also compared between the MD and the continuum model, showing good agreement.

  2. Carbazole/triarylamine based polymers as a hole injection/transport layer in organic light emitting devices.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hui; Ryu, Jeong-Tak; Kwon, Younghwan

    2012-05-01

    This study examined the influence of the charge injection barriers on the performance of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) using polymers with a stepwise tuned ionization potential (I(p) approximately -5.01 - -5.29 eV) between the indium tin oxide (ITO) (phi approximately -4.8 eV) anode and tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminium (Alq3) (I(p) approximately -5.7 eV) layer. The energy levels of the polymers were tuned by structural modification. Double layer devices were fabricated with a configuration of ITO/polymer/Alq3/LiF/Al, where the polymers, Alq3, and LiF/Al were used as the hole injection/transport layer, emissive electron transport layer, and electron injection/cathode, respectively. Using the current density-voltage (J-V), luminescence-voltage (L-V) and efficiencies in these double layer devices, the device performance was evaluated in terms of the energy level alignments at the interfaces, such as the hole injection barriers (phi(h)(iTO/polymer) and phi(h)(polymer/Alq3)) from ITO through the polymers into the Alq3 layer, and the electron injection barrier (phi(e)(polymer/Alq3) or electron/exciton blocking barrier) at the polymer/Alq3 interface.

  3. Application of turbulence modeling to predict surface heat transfer in stagnation flow region of circular cylinder

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wang, Chi R.; Yeh, Frederick C.

    1987-01-01

    A theoretical analysis and numerical calculations for the turbulent flow field and for the effect of free-stream turbulence on the surface heat transfer rate of a stagnation flow are presented. The emphasis is on the modeling of turbulence and its augmentation of surface heat transfer rate. The flow field considered is the region near the forward stagnation point of a circular cylinder in a uniform turbulent mean flow. The free stream is steady and incompressible with a Reynolds number of the order of 10 to the 5th power and turbulence intensity of less than 5 percent. For this analysis, the flow field is divided into three regions: (1) a uniform free-stream region where the turbulence is homogeneous and isotropic; (2) an external viscid flow region where the turbulence is distorted by the variation of the mean flow velocity; and, (3) an anisotropic turbulent boundary layer region over the cylinder surface. The turbulence modeling techniques used are the kappa-epsilon two-equation model in the external flow region and the time-averaged turbulence transport equation in the boundary layer region. The turbulence double correlations, the mean velocity, and the mean temperature within the boundary layer are solved numerically from the transport equations. The surface heat transfer rate is calculated as functions of the free-stream turbulence longitudinal microlength scale, the turbulence intensity, and the Reynolds number.

  4. Current-driven thermo-magnetic switching in magnetic tunnel junctions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kravets, A. F.; Polishchuk, D. M.; Pashchenko, V. A.; Tovstolytkin, A. I.; Korenivski, V.

    2017-12-01

    We investigate switching of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) driven by the thermal effect of the transport current through the junctions. The switching occurs in a specially designed composite free layer, which acts as one of the MTJ electrodes, and is due to a current-driven ferro-to-paramagnetic Curie transition with the associated exchange decoupling within the free layer leading to magnetic reversal. We simulate the current and heat propagation through the device and show how heat focusing can be used to improve the power efficiency. The Curie-switch MTJ demonstrated in this work has the advantage of being highly tunable in terms of its operating temperature range, conveniently to or just above room temperature, which can be of technological significance and competitive with the known switching methods using spin-transfer torques.

  5. Longitudinal transvaginal ultrasound evaluation of cesarean scar niche incidence and depth in the first two years after single- or double-layer uterotomy closure: a randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Bamberg, Christian; Hinkson, Larry; Dudenhausen, Joachim W; Bujak, Verena; Kalache, Karim D; Henrich, Wolfgang

    2017-12-01

    Cesarean deliveries are the most common abdominal surgery procedure globally, and the optimal way to suture the hysterotomy remains a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of cesarean scar niches and the depth after single- or double-layer uterine closure. We performed a randomized controlled trial in which women were allocated to three uterotomy suture techniques: continuous single-layer unlocked, continuous locked single-layer, or double-layer sutures. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed six weeks and 6-24 months after cesarean delivery [Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02338388)]. The study included 435 women. Six weeks after delivery, the incidence of niche was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.52): 40% for single-layer unlocked, 32% for single-layer locked and 43% for double-layer sutures. The mean ± SD niche depths were 3.0 ± 1.4 mm for single-layer unlocked, 3.6 ± 1.7 mm for single-layer locked and 3.3 ± 1.3 mm for double-layer sutures (p = 1.0). There were no significant differences (p = 0.58) in niche incidence between the three groups at the second ultrasound follow up: 30% for single-layer unlocked, 23% for single-layer locked and 29% for double-layer sutures. The mean ± SD niche depth was 3.1 ± 1.5 mm after single-layer unlocked, 2.8 ± 1.5 mm after single-layer locked and 2.5 ± 1.2 mm after double-layer sutures (p = 0.61). There was a trend (p = 0.06) for the residual myometrium thickness to be thicker after double-layer repair at the long-term follow up. The incidence of cesarean scar niche formation and the niche depth was independent of the hysterotomy closure technique. © 2017 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  6. Noise measurements in a free-jet, flight simulation facility - Shear layer refraction and facility-to-flight corrections

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morfey, C. L.; Tester, B. J.

    1976-01-01

    The conversion of free-jet facility into equivalent flyover results is discussed. The essential problem is to 'calibrate out' the acoustic influence of the outer free-jet shear layer on the measurement, since this is absent in the flight case. Results are presented which illustrate the differences between current simplified models (vortex-sheet and geometric acoustics), and a more complete model based on the Lilley equation. Finally, the use of geometric acoustics for facility-to-flight data conversion is discussed.

  7. Large magnetoresistance ratio of 10% by Fe50Co50 layers for current-confined-path current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance spin-valve films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukuzawa, Hideaki; Yuasa, Hiromi; Hashimoto, Susumu; Iwasaki, Hitoshi; Tanaka, Yoichiro

    2005-08-01

    We have realized a large magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of 10.2% by current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) spin-valve films having current-confined-path (CCP) structure formed by AlCu-NOL (nano-oxide-layer). CPP-GMR with conventional Co90Fe10 pinned and free layers showed an MR ratio and a ΔRA (the change of resistance area product) were 4% and 20mΩμm2, respectively, at a small RA (resistance area product) of 500mΩμm2. By replacing the Co90Fe10 layers by Fe50Co50 layers both for pinned and free layers, we have successfully realized a MR ratio and a ΔRA of 7.5% and 37.5mΩμm2, respectively, at a small RA of 500mΩμm2. Moreover, a large MR ratio of 10.2% and a large ΔRA of 418mΩμm2 were realized at a relatively large RA of 4100mΩμm2. This large MR ratio by using Fe50Co50 layers was due to a larger spin-dependent interface scattering factor γ of 0.72 for the interface between Fe50Co50 and Cu, which was improved from a γ of 0.62 for the interface between Co90Fe10 and Cu.

  8. Synthesis and adsorption properties of flower-like layered double hydroxide by a facile one-pot reaction with an eggshell membrane as assistant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Songnan; Zhang, Jiawei; Jamil, Saba; Cai, Qinghai; Zang, Shuying

    In this paper, flower-like layered double hydroxides were synthesized with eggshell membrane assistant. The as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermal gravity-differential thermal analysis and Nitrogen sorption/desorption. The resulting layered double hydroxides were composed of nanoplates with edge-to-face particle interactions. The specific surface area and total pore volume of the as-prepared flower-like layered double hydroxides were 160m2/g and 0.65m3/g, respectively. The adsorption capacity of flower-like layered double hydroxides to Congo Red was 258mg/g, which was higher than that of layered double hydroxides synthesized by the traditional method.

  9. 3D graphene nanomaterials for binder-free supercapacitors: scientific design for enhanced performance.

    PubMed

    He, Shuijian; Chen, Wei

    2015-04-28

    Because of the excellent intrinsic properties, especially the strong mechanical strength, extraordinarily high surface area and extremely high conductivity, graphene is deemed as a versatile building block for fabricating functional materials for energy production and storage applications. In this article, the recent progress in the assembly of binder-free and self-standing graphene-based materials, as well as their application in supercapacitors are reviewed, including electrical double layer capacitors, pseudocapacitors, and asymmetric supercapacitors. Various fabrication strategies and the influence of structures on the capacitance performance of 3D graphene-based materials are discussed. We finally give concluding remarks and an outlook on the scientific design of binder-free and self-standing graphene materials for achieving better capacitance performance.

  10. 3D graphene nanomaterials for binder-free supercapacitors: scientific design for enhanced performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Shuijian; Chen, Wei

    2015-04-01

    Because of the excellent intrinsic properties, especially the strong mechanical strength, extraordinarily high surface area and extremely high conductivity, graphene is deemed as a versatile building block for fabricating functional materials for energy production and storage applications. In this article, the recent progress in the assembly of binder-free and self-standing graphene-based materials, as well as their application in supercapacitors are reviewed, including electrical double layer capacitors, pseudocapacitors, and asymmetric supercapacitors. Various fabrication strategies and the influence of structures on the capacitance performance of 3D graphene-based materials are discussed. We finally give concluding remarks and an outlook on the scientific design of binder-free and self-standing graphene materials for achieving better capacitance performance.

  11. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEMICONDUCTOR INJECTION LASERS SELCO-87: High-performance 1.3-μm InGaAsP/InP heterostructures formed by two-phase liquid epitaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Novotný, J.; Procházková, O.; Šrobár, F.; Zelinka, J.

    1988-11-01

    A description is given of a two-phase liquid epitaxy method used to grow InGaAsP/InP heterostructures intended for injection lasers emitting in the 1.3-μm range. A study was made of heterostructures of three types: double, with an additional quaternary layer (λ approx 1.1 μm) adjoining the active layer; with two quaternary layers between the active layer and the InP confining layers. The configuration with two flanking quaternary layers was found to be the best from the point of view of the threshold current density, optical output power, and reproducibility.

  12. Two-dimensional gold nanostructures with high activity for selective oxidation of carbon–hydrogen bonds

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Liang; Zhu, Yihan; Wang, Jian-Qiang; Liu, Fudong; Huang, Jianfeng; Meng, Xiangju; Basset, Jean-Marie; Han, Yu; Xiao, Feng-Shou

    2015-01-01

    Efficient synthesis of stable two-dimensional (2D) noble metal catalysts is a challenging topic. Here we report the facile synthesis of 2D gold nanosheets via a wet chemistry method, by using layered double hydroxide as the template. Detailed characterization with electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the nanosheets are negatively charged and [001] oriented with thicknesses varying from single to a few atomic layers. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals unusually low gold–gold coordination numbers. These gold nanosheets exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in the solvent-free selective oxidation of carbon–hydrogen bonds with molecular oxygen. PMID:25902034

  13. Two-dimensional gold nanostructures with high activity for selective oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds.

    PubMed

    Wang, Liang; Zhu, Yihan; Wang, Jian-Qiang; Liu, Fudong; Huang, Jianfeng; Meng, Xiangju; Basset, Jean-Marie; Han, Yu; Xiao, Feng-Shou

    2015-04-22

    Efficient synthesis of stable two-dimensional (2D) noble metal catalysts is a challenging topic. Here we report the facile synthesis of 2D gold nanosheets via a wet chemistry method, by using layered double hydroxide as the template. Detailed characterization with electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the nanosheets are negatively charged and [001] oriented with thicknesses varying from single to a few atomic layers. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals unusually low gold-gold coordination numbers. These gold nanosheets exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in the solvent-free selective oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds with molecular oxygen.

  14. Two-dimensional gold nanostructures with high activity for selective oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Liang; Zhu, Yihan; Wang, Jian-Qiang; Liu, Fudong; Huang, Jianfeng; Meng, Xiangju; Basset, Jean-Marie; Han, Yu; Xiao, Feng-Shou

    2015-04-01

    Efficient synthesis of stable two-dimensional (2D) noble metal catalysts is a challenging topic. Here we report the facile synthesis of 2D gold nanosheets via a wet chemistry method, by using layered double hydroxide as the template. Detailed characterization with electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the nanosheets are negatively charged and [001] oriented with thicknesses varying from single to a few atomic layers. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals unusually low gold-gold coordination numbers. These gold nanosheets exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in the solvent-free selective oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds with molecular oxygen.

  15. A stochastic simulation method for the assessment of resistive random access memory retention reliability

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

    Berco, Dan, E-mail: danny.barkan@gmail.com; Tseng, Tseung-Yuen, E-mail: tseng@cc.nctu.edu.tw

    This study presents an evaluation method for resistive random access memory retention reliability based on the Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm and Gibbs free energy. The method, which does not rely on a time evolution, provides an extremely efficient way to compare the relative retention properties of metal-insulator-metal structures. It requires a small number of iterations and may be used for statistical analysis. The presented approach is used to compare the relative robustness of a single layer ZrO{sub 2} device with a double layer ZnO/ZrO{sub 2} one, and obtain results which are in good agreement with experimental data.

  16. Probing fast heating in magnetic tunnel junction structures with exchange bias

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Papusoi, C.; Sousa, R.; Herault, J.; Prejbeanu, I. L.; Dieny, B.

    2008-10-01

    Heat diffusion in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) having a ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic free layer is investigated. The MTJ is heated by an electric current pulse of power PHP, flowing through the junction in current perpendicular to the plane (CPP) geometry, via Joule heat dissipation in the tunnel barrier. According to a proposed one-dimensional (1D) model of heat diffusion, when an electric voltage is applied to the MTJ, the free layer experiences a transient temperature regime, characterized by an exponential increase of its temperature TAF with a time constant τTR, followed by a steady temperature regime characterized by TAF=TRT+αPHP, where TRT is the room temperature and α is a constant. Magnetic transport measurements of exchange bias HEX acting on the free layer allow the determination of α and τTR. The experimental values of α and τTR are in agreement with those calculated using the 1D model and an estimation of the MTJ thermodynamic parameters based on the Dulong-Petit and Widemann-Franz laws.

  17. Estimating frame bulk and shear moduli of two double porosity layers by ultrasound transmission.

    PubMed

    Bai, Ruonan; Tinel, Alain; Alem, Abdellah; Franklin, Hervé; Wang, Huaqing

    2016-08-01

    The acoustic plane wave transmission by water saturated double porosity media is investigated. Two samples of double porosity media assumed to obey Berryman and Wang (BW) extension (Berryman and Wang, 1995, 2000) of Biot's theory in the low frequency regime are under consideration: ROBU® (pure binder-free borosilicate glass 3.3 manufactured to form the individual grains) and Tobermorite 11Å (the individual porous cement grains show irregular shapes). The de facto gap existing between theoretical and experimental data can be minimized by modifying adequately two of the parameters estimated from triaxial tests: the frame bulk and shear moduli. The frequency dependent imaginary parts that follow necessary from the minimization are in relation with the energy losses due to contact relaxation and friction between grains. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Measuring the Density of States of the Inner and Outer Wall of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Chambers, Benjamin A; Shearer, Cameron J; Yu, LePing; Gibson, Christopher T; Andersson, Gunther G

    2018-06-19

    The combination of ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and metastable helium induced electron spectroscopy is used to determine the density of states of the inner and outer coaxial carbon nanotubes. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy typically measures the density of states across the entire carbon nanotube, while metastable helium induced electron spectroscopy measures the density of states of the outermost layer alone. The use of double-walled carbon nanotubes in electronic devices allows for the outer wall to be functionalised whilst the inner wall remains defect free and the density of states is kept intact for electron transport. Separating the information of the inner and outer walls enables development of double-walled carbon nanotubes to be independent, such that the charge transport of the inner wall is maintained and confirmed whilst the outer wall is modified for functional purposes.

  19. Metal-free supercapacitor with aqueous electrolyte and low-cost carbon materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Blomquist, Nicklas; Wells, Thomas; Andres, Britta; Bäckström, Joakim; Forsberg, Sven; Olin, Håkan

    2017-01-01

    Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) or supercapacitors (SCs) are fast energy storage devices with high pulse efficiency and superior cyclability, which makes them useful in various applications including electronics, vehicles and grids. Aqueous SCs are considered to be more environmentally friendly than those based on organic electrolytes. Because of the corrosive nature of the aqueous environment, however, expensive electrochemically stable materials are needed for the current collectors and electrodes in aqueous SCs. This results in high costs for a given energy-storage capacity. To address this, we developed a novel low-cost aqueous SC using graphite foil as the current collector and a mix of graphene, nanographite, simple water-purification carbons and nanocellulose as electrodes. The electrodes were coated directly onto the graphite foil by using casting frames and the SCs were assembled in a pouch cell design. With this approach, we achieved a material cost reduction of greater than 90% while maintaining approximately one-half of the specific capacitance of a commercial unit, thus demonstrating that the proposed SC can be an environmentally friendly, low-cost alternative to conventional SCs.

  20. Tribological Properties of TiO2/SiO2 Double Layer Coatings Deposited on CP-Ti

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Çomakli, O.; Yazici, M.; Yetim, T.; Yetim, A. F.; Çelik, A.

    In the present paper, the influences of different double layer on wear and scratch performances of commercially pure Titanium (CP-Ti) were investigated. TiO2/SiO2 and SiO2/TiO2 double layer coatings were deposited on CP-Ti by sol-gel dip coating process and calcined at 750∘C. The phase structure, cross-sectional morphology, composition, wear track morphologies, adhesion properties, hardness and roughness of uncoated and coated samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nano-indentation technique, scratch tester and 3D profilometer. Also, the tribological performances of all samples were investigated by a pin-on-disc tribo-tester against Al2O3 ball. Results showed that hardness, elastic modulus and adhesion resistance of double layer coated samples were higher than untreated CP-Ti. It was found that these properties of TiO2/SiO2 double layer coatings have higher than SiO2/TiO2 double layer coating. Additionally, the lowest friction coefficient and wear rates were obtained from TiO2/SiO2 double layer coatings. Therefore, it was seen that phase structure, hardness and film adhesion are important factors on the tribological properties of double layer coatings.

  1. GUARD RING SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTION

    DOEpatents

    Goulding, F.S.; Hansen, W.L.

    1963-12-01

    A semiconductor diode having a very low noise characteristic when used under reverse bias is described. Surface leakage currents, which in conventional diodes greatly contribute to noise, are prevented from mixing with the desired signal currents. A p-n junction is formed with a thin layer of heavily doped semiconductor material disposed on a lightly doped, physically thick base material. An annular groove cuts through the thin layer and into the base for a short distance, dividing the thin layer into a peripheral guard ring that encircles the central region. Noise signal currents are shunted through the guard ring, leaving the central region free from such currents. (AEC)

  2. Pulsed—Laser Deposition Of Oxide Thin Films And Laser—Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Of Multi—Element Materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pedarnig, Johannes D.

    2010-10-01

    New results of the Linz group on pulsed—laser deposition (PLD) of oxide thin films and on laser—induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of multi-element materials are reported. High-Tc superconducting (HTS) films with enhanced critical current density Jc are produced by laser ablation of novel nano-composite ceramic targets. The targets contain insulating nano-particles that are embedded into the YBa2Cu3O7 matrix. Epitaxial double-layers of lithium-doped and aluminum-doped ZnO are deposited on r-cut sapphire substrates. Acoustic over-modes in the GHz range are excited by piezoelectric actuation of layers. Smooth films of rare-earth doped glass are produced by F2—laser ablation. The transport properties of HTS thin films are modified by light—ion irradiation. Thin film nano—patterning is achieved by masked ion beam irradiation. LIBS is employed to analyze trace elements in industrial iron oxide powder and reference polymer materials. Various trace elements of ppm concentration are measured in the UV/VIS and vacuum-UV spectral range. Quantitative LIBS analysis of major components in oxide materials is performed by calibration-free methods.

  3. An aptamer-based biosensing platform for highly sensitive detection of platelet-derived growth factor via enzyme-mediated direct electrochemistry.

    PubMed

    Deng, Kun; Xiang, Yang; Zhang, Liqun; Chen, Qinghai; Fu, Weiling

    2013-01-08

    In this work, a new label-free electrochemical aptamer-based sensor (aptasensor) was constructed for detection of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) based on the direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD). For this proposed aptasensor, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-protected graphene-gold nanoparticles (P-Gra-GNPs) composite was firstly coated on electrode surface to form the interface with biocompatibility and huge surface area for the adsorption of GOD layer. Subsequently, gold nanoclusters (GNCs) were deposited on the surface of GOD to capture PDGF binding aptamer (PBA). Finally, GOD as a blocking reagent was employed to block the remaining active sites of the GNCs and avoid the nonspecific adsorption. With the direct electron transfer of double layer GOD membranes, the aptasensor showed excellent electrochemical response and the peak current decreased linearly with increasing logarithm of PDGF concentration from 0.005 nM to 60 nM with a relatively low limit of detection of 1.7 pM. The proposed aptasensor exhibited high specificity, good reproducibility and long-term stability, which provided a new promising technique for aptamer-based protein detection. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Polysulfide intercalated layered double hydroxides for metal capture applications

    DOEpatents

    Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.; Ma, Shulan

    2017-04-04

    Polysulfide intercalated layered double hydroxides and methods for their use in vapor and liquid-phase metal capture applications are provided. The layered double hydroxides comprise a plurality of positively charged host layers of mixed metal hydroxides separated by interlayer spaces. Polysulfide anions are intercalated in the interlayer spaces.

  5. Two-band induced superconductivity in single-layer graphene and topological insulator bismuth selenide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Talantsev, E. F.; Crump, W. P.; Tallon, J. L.

    2018-01-01

    Proximity-induced superconductivity in single-layer graphene (SLG) and in topological insulators represent almost ideal examples of superconductivity in two dimensions. Fundamental mechanisms governing superconductivity in the 2D limit are of central interest for modern condensed-matter physics. To deduce fundamental parameters of superconductor/graphene/superconductor and superconductor/bismuth selenide/superconductor junctions we investigate the self-field critical currents in these devices using the formalism of the Ambegaokar-Baratoff model. Our central finding is that the induced superconducting state in SLG and bismuth selenide each exhibits gapping on two superconducting bands. Based on recent results obtained on ultra-thin films of natural superconductors, including single-atomic layer of iron selenide, double and triple atomic layers of gallium, and several atomic layer tantalum disulphide, we conclude that a two-band induced superconducting state in SLG and bismuth selenide is part of a wider, more general multiple-band phenomenology of currently unknown origin.

  6. Capacitance of carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitors.

    PubMed

    Ji, Hengxing; Zhao, Xin; Qiao, Zhenhua; Jung, Jeil; Zhu, Yanwu; Lu, Yalin; Zhang, Li Li; MacDonald, Allan H; Ruoff, Rodney S

    2014-01-01

    Experimental electrical double-layer capacitances of porous carbon electrodes fall below ideal values, thus limiting the practical energy densities of carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitors. Here we investigate the origin of this behaviour by measuring the electrical double-layer capacitance in one to five-layer graphene. We find that the capacitances are suppressed near neutrality, and are anomalously enhanced for thicknesses below a few layers. We attribute the first effect to quantum capacitance effects near the point of zero charge, and the second to correlations between electrons in the graphene sheet and ions in the electrolyte. The large capacitance values imply gravimetric energy storage densities in the single-layer graphene limit that are comparable to those of batteries. We anticipate that these results shed light on developing new theoretical models in understanding the electrical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes, and on opening up new strategies for improving the energy density of carbon-based capacitors.

  7. A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Single vs. Double Layer Closure of Hysterotomy at the Time of Cesarean Delivery: The Effect on Uterine Scar Thickness.

    PubMed

    Bamberg, Christian; Dudenhausen, Joachim W; Bujak, Verena; Rodekamp, Elke; Brauer, Martin; Hinkson, Larry; Kalache, Karim; Henrich, Wolfgang

    2018-06-01

     We undertook a randomized clinical trial to examine the outcome of a single vs. a double layer uterine closure using ultrasound to assess uterine scar thickness.  Participating women were allocated to one of three uterotomy suture techniques: continuous single layer unlocked suturing, continuous locked single layer suturing, or double layer suturing. Transvaginal ultrasound of uterine scar thickness was performed 6 weeks and 6 - 24 months after Cesarean delivery. Sonographers were blinded to the closure technique.  An "intent-to-treat" and "as treated" ANOVA analysis included 435 patients (n = 149 single layer unlocked suturing, n = 157 single layer locked suturing, and n = 129 double layer suturing). 6 weeks postpartum, the median scar thickness did not differ among the three groups: 10.0 (8.5 - 12.3 mm) single layer unlocked vs. 10.1 (8.2 - 12.7 mm) single layer locked vs. 10.8 (8.1 - 12.8 mm) double layer; (p = 0.84). At the time of the second follow-up, the uterine scar was not significantly (p = 0.06) thicker if the uterus had been closed with a double layer closure 7.3 (5.7 - 9.1 mm), compared to single layer unlocked 6.4 (5.0 - 8.8 mm) or locked suturing techniques 6.8 (5.2 - 8.7 mm). Women who underwent primary or elective Cesarean delivery showed a significantly (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, "as treated") increased median scar thickness after double layer closure vs. single layer unlocked suture.  A double layer closure of the hysterotomy is associated with a thicker myometrium scar only in primary or elective Cesarean delivery patients. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  8. Efficiently accounting for ion correlations in electrokinetic nanofluidic devices using density functional theory.

    PubMed

    Gillespie, Dirk; Khair, Aditya S; Bardhan, Jaydeep P; Pennathur, Sumita

    2011-07-15

    The electrokinetic behavior of nanofluidic devices is dominated by the electrical double layers at the device walls. Therefore, accurate, predictive models of double layers are essential for device design and optimization. In this paper, we demonstrate that density functional theory (DFT) of electrolytes is an accurate and computationally efficient method for computing finite ion size effects and the resulting ion-ion correlations that are neglected in classical double layer theories such as Poisson-Boltzmann. Because DFT is derived from liquid-theory thermodynamic principles, it is ideal for nanofluidic systems with small spatial dimensions, high surface charge densities, high ion concentrations, and/or large ions. Ion-ion correlations are expected to be important in these regimes, leading to nonlinear phenomena such as charge inversion, wherein more counterions adsorb at the wall than is necessary to neutralize its surface charge, leading to a second layer of co-ions. We show that DFT, unlike other theories that do not include ion-ion correlations, can predict charge inversion and other nonlinear phenomena that lead to qualitatively different current densities and ion velocities for both pressure-driven and electro-osmotic flows. We therefore propose that DFT can be a valuable modeling and design tool for nanofluidic devices as they become smaller and more highly charged. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. High performance planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells with crown-ether functionalized fullerene and LiF as double cathode buffer layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Xiaodong; Lei, Ming; Zhou, Yi; Song, Bo; Li, Yongfang

    2015-08-01

    Double cathode buffer layers (CBLs) composed of fullerene derivative functionalized with a crown-ether end group in its side chain (denoted as PCBC) and a LiF layer were introduced between the PCBM acceptor layer and the top cathode in planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells (pero-SCs) based on CH3NH3PbI3-XClX. The devices with the PCBC/LiF double CBLs showed significant improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability when compared to the device with LiF single CBL. Through optimizing the spin-coating speed of PCBC, a maximum PCE of 15.53% has been achieved, which is approximately 15% higher than that of the device with single LiF CBL. The remarkable improvement in PCE can be attributed to the formation of a better ohmic contact in the CBL between PCBC and LiF/Al electrode arising from the dipole moment of PCBC, leading to the enhanced fill factor and short-circuit current density (Jsc). Besides the PCE, the long-term stability of the devices with PCBC interlayer is also superior to that of the device with LiF single CBL, which is due to the more effective protection for the perovskite/PCBM interface.

  10. Kinetic-Dominated Charging Mechanism within Representative Aqueous Electrolyte-based Electric Double-Layer Capacitors.

    PubMed

    Yang, Huachao; Yang, Jinyuan; Bo, Zheng; Chen, Xia; Shuai, Xiaorui; Kong, Jing; Yan, Jianhua; Cen, Kefa

    2017-08-03

    The chemical nature of electrolytes has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the charge storage of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), whereas primary mechanisms are still partially resolved but controversial. In this work, a systematic exploration into EDL structures and kinetics of representative aqueous electrolytes is performed with numerical simulation and experimental research. Unusually, a novel charging mechanism exclusively predominated by kinetics is recognized, going beyond traditional views of manipulating capacitances preferentially via interfacial structural variations. Specifically, strikingly distinctive EDL structures stimulated by diverse ion sizes, valences, and mixtures manifest a virtually identical EDL capacitance, where the dielectric nature of solvents attenuates ionic effects on electrolyte redistributions, in stark contradiction with solvent-free counterpart and traditional Helmholtz theory. Meanwhile, corresponding kinetics evolve conspicuously with ionic species, intimately correlated with ion-solvent interactions. The achieved mechanisms are subsequently illuminated by electrochemical measurements, highlighting the crucial interplay between ions and solvents in regulating EDLC performances.

  11. New Insights into CO2 Adsorption on Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH)-Based Nanomaterials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Nian; He, Tingyu; Liu, Jie; Li, Li; Shi, Han; Cen, Wanglai; Ye, Zhixiang

    2018-02-01

    The interlamellar spacing of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was enlarged by dodecyl sulfonate ions firstly, and then, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APS) was chemically grafted (APS/LDHs). The structural characteristics and thermal stability of these prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and elemental analysis (EA) respectively. The CO2 adsorption performance was investigated adopting TG and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The results presented that the CO2 adsorption capacity on APS/LDHs was as high as 90 mg/g and showed no obvious reduction during a five cyclic adsorption-desorption test, indicating its superior performance stability. The DRIFTS results showed that both carbamates and weakly bounded CO2 species were generated on APS/LDHs. The weakly adsorbed species was due to the different local chemical environment for CO2 capture provided by the surface moieties of LDHs like free silanol and hydrogen bonds.

  12. Anomalous or regular capacitance? The influence of pore size dispersity on double-layer formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jäckel, N.; Rodner, M.; Schreiber, A.; Jeongwook, J.; Zeiger, M.; Aslan, M.; Weingarth, D.; Presser, V.

    2016-09-01

    The energy storage mechanism of electric double-layer capacitors is governed by ion electrosorption at the electrode surface. This process requires high surface area electrodes, typically highly porous carbons. In common organic electrolytes, bare ion sizes are below one nanometer but they are larger when we consider their solvation shell. In contrast, ionic liquid electrolytes are free of solvent molecules, but cation-anion coordination requires special consideration. By matching pore size and ion size, two seemingly conflicting views have emerged: either an increase in specific capacitance with smaller pore size or a constant capacitance contribution of all micro- and mesopores. In our work, we revisit this issue by using a comprehensive set of electrochemical data and a pore size incremental analysis to identify the influence of certain ranges in the pore size distribution to the ion electrosorption capacity. We see a difference in solvation of ions in organic electrolytes depending on the applied voltage and a cation-anion interaction of ionic liquids in nanometer sized pores.

  13. Electrochemical characterization and control of triple-layer muscles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Otero, Toribio F.; Cortes, Maria T.

    2000-06-01

    The electrochemical characterization of triple-layers formed by a EPA (Electroactive Polymer)/double-sided tape/EPA, like artificial muscles is described. Those muscles were characterized working under constant potential or under constant current. Due to the electrochemical nature of the electrochemomechanical property, muscles working under constant current produce constant movements, consuming increasing energies at decreasing temperatures, decreasing concentrations of electrolytes or trailing increasing masses. Muscles working at constant potential response with a faster movement if the temperature or the concentration of the electrolyte increase, or if the trailed weight decreases. Specific charges and specific energies were determined for every experimental condition.

  14. Laboratory observation of multiple double layer resembling space plasma double layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alex, Prince; Arumugam, Saravanan; Sinha, Suraj

    2017-10-01

    Perceptible double layer consisting of more than one layers were produced in laboratory using a double discharge plasma setup. The confinement of oppositely charged particles in each layer with sharply defined luminous boarder is attributed to the self-organization scenario. This structure is generated in front of a positively biased electrode when the electron drift velocity (νd) exceeds 1.3 times the electron thermal velocity (νte) . Stable multiple double layer structures were observed only between 1.3 νte <=νd <= 3 νte. At νd = 1.3 νte, oscillations were excited in the form of large amplitude burst followed by a high frequency stable oscillation. Beyond νd = 3 νte, multiple double layer begins to collapse which is characterized by an emergence in turbulence. Long range dependence in the corresponding electrostatic potential fluctuations indicates the role of self-organized criticality in the emergence of turbulence. The algebraic decaying tale of the autocorrelation function and power law behavior in the power spectrum are consistent with the observation.

  15. Electroacoustic theory for concentrated colloids with overlapped DLs at arbitrary kappa alpha. I. Application to nanocolloids and nonaqueous colloids.

    PubMed

    Shilov, V N; Borkovskaja, Y B; Dukhin, A S

    2004-09-15

    Existing theories of electroacoustic phenomena in concentrated colloids neglect the possibility of double layer overlap and are valid mostly for the "thin double layer," when the double layer thickness is much less than the particle size. In this paper we present a new electroacoustic theory which removes this restriction. This would make this new theory applicable to characterizing a variety of aqueous nanocolloids and of nonaqueous dispersions. There are two versions of the theory leading to the analytical solutions. The first version corresponds to strongly overlapped diffuse layers (so-called quasi-homogeneous model). It yields a simple analytical formula for colloid vibration current (CVI), which is valid for arbitrary ultrasound frequency, but for restricted kappa alpha range. This version of the theory, as well the Smoluchowski theory for microelectrophoresis, is independent of particle shape and polydispersity. This makes it very attractive for practical use, with the hope that it might be as useful as classical Smoluchowski theory. In order to determine the kappa alpha range of the quasi-homogeneous model validity we develop the second version that limits ultrasound frequency, but applies no restriction on kappa alpha. The ultrasound frequency should substantially exceed the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation frequency. This limitation makes active conductivity related current negligible compared to the passive dielectric displacement current. It is possible to derive an expression for CVI in the concentrated dispersion as formulae inhering definite integrals with integrands depending on equilibrium potential distribution. This second version allowed us to estimate the ranges of the applicability of the first, quasi-homogeneous version. It turns out that the quasi-homogeneous model works for kappa alpha values up to almost 1. For instance, at volume fraction 30%, the highest kappa alpha limit of the quasi-homogeneous model is 0.65. Therefore, this version of the electroacoustic theory is valid for almost all nonaqueous dispersions and a wide variety of nanocolloids, especially with sizes under 100 nm.

  16. High-performance SEGISFET pH Sensor using the structure of double-gate a-IGZO TFTs with engineered gate oxides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pyo, Ju-Young; Cho, Won-Ju

    2017-03-01

    In this paper, we propose a high-performance separative extended gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (SEGISFET) that consists of a tin dioxide (SnO2) SEG sensing part and a double-gate structure amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) with tantalum pentoxide/silicon dioxide (Ta2O5/SiO2)-engineered top-gate oxide. To increase sensitivity, we maximized the capacitive coupling ratio by applying high-k dielectric at the top-gate oxide layer. As an engineered top-gate oxide, a stack of 25 nm-thick Ta2O5 and 10 nm-thick SiO2 layers was found to simultaneously satisfy a small equivalent oxide thickness (˜17.14 nm), a low leakage current, and a stable interfacial property. The threshold-voltage instability, which is a fundamental issue in a-IGZO TFTs, was improved by low-temperature post-deposition annealing (˜87 °C) using microwave irradiation. The double-gate structure a-IGZO TFTs with engineered top-gate oxide exhibited high mobility, small subthreshold swing, high drive current, and larger on/off current ratio. The a-IGZO SEGISFETs with a dual-gate sensing mode showed a pH sensitivity of 649.04 mV pH-1, which is far beyond the Nernst limit. The non-ideal behavior of ISFETs, hysteresis, and drift effect also improved. These results show that the double-gate structure a-IGZO TFTs with engineered top-gate oxide can be a good candidate for cheap and disposable SEGISFET sensors.

  17. Design, Simulation and Fabrication of A MEMS-based Double-layer Spiral Planar Inductor with Patterned Permalloy as Magnetic Layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Xiaomin; Cheng, Ping; Chen, Mingming; Ding, Guifu

    2018-03-01

    There have been significant efforts to boost the inductance value by adopting the sandwich structures using permalloy magnetic shielding layers. However, this structure will introduce high ac conductor losses and high eddy currents. In order to solve these problems, patterned permalloy can solve this problem effectively. According to the simulation results based on the application of finite element method in the frequency domain, the optimum permalloy pattern is which the blank of the permalloy are perpendicular to the coil inside. The double-layer planar inductor has a size of l5×1.5×0.1mm consisted of 13-turn spiral Cu coil for each layer and a 20μm-thick patterned permalloy magnetic shielding layer. The inductor shows a higher inductance than the traditional planar inductor. The patterned permalloy made the inductor more stable in high frequency than the none-patterned. And the inductor has an inductance of 1.3μH and quality factor of 2.8 at 1.5MHz, with an inductance per unit of 578nH/mm2, which is much higher than that in the reported literatures.

  18. Interface state density of free-standing GaN Schottky diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Faraz, S. M.; Ashraf, H.; Imran Arshad, M.; Hageman, P. R.; Asghar, M.; Wahab, Q.

    2010-09-01

    Schottky diodes were fabricated on the HVPE-grown, free-standing gallium nitride (GaN) layers of n- and p-types. Both contacts (ohmic and Schottky) were deposited on the top surface using Al/Ti and Pd/Ti/Au, respectively. The Schottky diode fabricated on n-GaN exhibited double barriers with values of 0.9 and 0.6 eV and better performance in the rectification factor together with reverse and forward currents with an ideality factor of 1.8. The barrier height for the p-GaN Schottky diode is 0.6 eV with an ideality factor of 4.16. From the capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurement, the net doping concentration of n-GaN is 4 × 1017 cm-3, resulting in a lower reverse breakdown of around -12 V. The interface state density (NSS) as a function of EC-ESS is found to be in the range 4.23 × 1012-3.87 × 1011 eV-1 cm-2 (below the conduction band) from Ec-0.90 to EC-0.99. Possible reasons responsible for the low barrier height and high ideality factor have been addressed.

  19. Enhanced spin-torque in double tunnel junctions using a nonmagnetic-metal spacer

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

    Chen, C. H.; Cheng, Y. H.; Ko, C. W.

    2015-10-12

    This study proposes an enhancement in the spin-transfer torque of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) designed with double-barrier layer structure using a nonmagnetic metal spacer, as a replacement for the ferromagnetic material, which is traditionally used in these double-barrier stacks. Our calculation results show that the spin-transfer torque and charge current density of the proposed double-barrier MTJ can be as much as two orders of magnitude larger than the traditional double-barrier one. In other words, the proposed double-barrier MTJ has a spin-transfer torque that is three orders larger than that of the single-barrier stack. This improvement may be attributed tomore » the quantum-well states that are formed in the nonmagnetic metal spacer and the resonant tunneling mechanism that exists throughout the system.« less

  20. Trapped Modes in a Three-Layer Fluid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saha, Sunanda; Bora, Swaroop Nandan

    2018-03-01

    In this work, trapped mode frequencies are computed for a submerged horizontal circular cylinder with the hydrodynamic set-up involving an infinite depth three-layer incompressible fluid with layer-wise different densities. The impermeable cylinder is fully immersed in either the bottom layer or the upper layer. The effect of surface tension at the surface of separation is neglected. In this set-up, there exist three wave numbers: the lowest one on the free surface and the other two on the internal interfaces. For each wave number, there exist two modes for which trapped waves exist. The existence of these trapped modes is shown by numerical evidence. We investigate the variation of these trapped modes subject to change in the depth of the middle layer as well as the submergence depth. We show numerically that two-layer and single-layer results cannot be recovered in the double and single limiting cases of the density ratios tending to unity. The existence of trapped modes shows that in general, a radiation condition for the waves at infinity is insufficient for the uniqueness of the solution of the scattering problem.

  1. Performance of a hydrogen uranyl phosphate-carbon double-layer solid capacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pham-Thi, M.; Adet, Ph.; Velasco, G.; Colomban, Ph.

    1986-05-01

    A mixture of commercially available carbon black (C) powders and hydrogen uranyl phosphate (HUP) precipitate can be used as the electrode material for miniaturized double-layer capacitors. A solid cell of C-HUP/HUP/C-HUP has a capacitance of 1 F which, given the device area and thickness of 0.8 sq cm and 0.2 cm respectively, corresponds to an energy density of more than 5 J/cu cm. The charge x voltage factor is higher than 5 x 10 to the -6th s and the working voltage is over 1.6 V. The leakage current is lower than 3 microamps at room temperature. The electrolyte can be operated up to about 120 C if the device is hermetically sealed.

  2. Enhanced activity of CaFeMg layered double hydroxides-supported gold nanodendrites for the electrochemical evolution of oxygen and hydrogen in alkaline media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Havakeshian, Elaheh; Salavati, Hossein; Taei, Masoumeh; Hasheminasab, Fatemeh; Seddighi, Mohadeseh

    2018-02-01

    In this study, Au was electrodeposited on a support of CaFeMg layered double hydroxide and then, its catalytic activity was investigated for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that a uniform porous film of aggregated nano-particles of the LDH has been decorated with Au nanodendrite-like structures (AuNDs@LDH). The results obtained from polarization curves, Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the AuNDs@LDH exhibits lower overpotential, higher current density, faster kinetics and enhanced stability for both of the OER and HER, in comparison with the single AuNPs and LDH catalysts.

  3. Double layers and double wells in arbitrary degenerate plasmas

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

    Akbari-Moghanjoughi, M.

    Using the generalized hydrodynamic model, the possibility of variety of large amplitude nonlinear excitations is examined in electron-ion plasma with arbitrary electron degeneracy considering also the ion temperature effect. A new energy-density relation is proposed for plasmas with arbitrary electron degeneracy which reduces to the classical Boltzmann and quantum Thomas-Fermi counterparts in the extreme limits. The pseudopotential method is employed to find the criteria for existence of nonlinear structures such as solitons, periodic nonlinear structures, and double-layers for different cases of adiabatic and isothermal ion fluids for a whole range of normalized electron chemical potential, η{sub 0}, ranging from dilutemore » classical to completely degenerate electron fluids. It is observed that there is a Mach-speed gap in which no large amplitude localized or periodic nonlinear excitations can propagate in the plasma under consideration. It is further revealed that the plasma under investigation supports propagation of double-wells and double-layers the chemical potential and Mach number ranges of which are studied in terms of other plasma parameters. The Mach number criteria for nonlinear waves are shown to significantly differ for cases of classical with η{sub 0} < 0 and quantum with η{sub 0} > 0 regimes. It is also shown that the localized structure propagation criteria possess significant dissimilarities for plasmas with adiabatic and isothermal ions. Current research may be generalized to study the nonlinear structures in plasma containing positrons, multiple ions with different charge states, and charged dust grains.« less

  4. Metal-free current collectors based on graphene materials for supecapacitors produced by 3D printing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baskakov, S. A.; Baskakova, Yu. V.; Lyskov, N. V.; Dremova, N. N.; Shul'ga, Yu. M.

    2017-10-01

    Supercapacitor (SC) current collectors with electrodes made of graphite oxide reduced during microwave exfoliation are produced from a commercial filament with a graphene component via layer-by-layer fusing with a 3D printer. The separator is made of a graphene oxide film. The current collectors are investigated by means of IR spectroscopy. Electrochemical tests are performed for the assembled SC that include tests of its cyclic stability up to 1000 cycles.

  5. Simulations of Cyclic Voltammetry for Electric Double Layers in Asymmetric Electrolytes: A Generalized Modified Poisson-Nernst-Planck Model

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

    Wang, Hainan; Thiele, Alexander; Pilon, Laurent

    2013-11-15

    This paper presents a generalized modified Poisson–Nernst–Planck (MPNP) model derived from first principles based on excess chemical potential and Langmuir activity coefficient to simulate electric double-layer dynamics in asymmetric electrolytes. The model accounts simultaneously for (1) asymmetric electrolytes with (2) multiple ion species, (3) finite ion sizes, and (4) Stern and diffuse layers along with Ohmic potential drop in the electrode. It was used to simulate cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements for binary asymmetric electrolytes. The results demonstrated that the current density increased significantly with decreasing ion diameter and/or increasing valency |z i| of either ion species. By contrast, the ionmore » diffusion coefficients affected the CV curves and capacitance only at large scan rates. Dimensional analysis was also performed, and 11 dimensionless numbers were identified to govern the CV measurements of the electric double layer in binary asymmetric electrolytes between two identical planar electrodes of finite thickness. A self-similar behavior was identified for the electric double-layer integral capacitance estimated from CV measurement simulations. Two regimes were identified by comparing the half cycle period τ CV and the “RC time scale” τ RC corresponding to the characteristic time of ions’ electrodiffusion. For τ RC ← τ CV, quasi-equilibrium conditions prevailed and the capacitance was diffusion-independent while for τ RC → τ CV, the capacitance was diffusion-limited. The effect of the electrode was captured by the dimensionless electrode electrical conductivity representing the ratio of characteristic times associated with charge transport in the electrolyte and that in the electrode. The model developed here will be useful for simulating and designing various practical electrochemical, colloidal, and biological systems for a wide range of applications.« less

  6. Study on dynamic deformation synchronized measurement technology of double-layer liquid surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Huiying; Dong, Huimin; Liu, Zhanwei

    2017-11-01

    Accurate measurement of the dynamic deformation of double-layer liquid surfaces plays an important role in many fields, such as fluid mechanics, biomechanics, petrochemical industry and aerospace engineering. It is difficult to measure dynamic deformation of double-layer liquid surfaces synchronously for traditional methods. In this paper, a novel and effective method for full-field static and dynamic deformation measurement of double-layer liquid surfaces has been developed, that is wavefront distortion of double-wavelength transmission light with geometric phase analysis (GPA) method. Double wavelength lattice patterns used here are produced by two techniques, one is by double wavelength laser, and the other is by liquid crystal display (LCD). The techniques combine the characteristics such as high transparency, low reflectivity and fluidity of liquid. Two color lattice patterns produced by laser and LCD were adjusted at a certain angle through the tested double-layer liquid surfaces simultaneously. On the basis of the refractive indexes difference of two transmitted lights, the double-layer liquid surfaces were decoupled with GPA method. Combined with the derived relationship between phase variation of transmission-lattice patterns and out-of plane heights of two surfaces, as well as considering the height curves of the liquid level, the double-layer liquid surfaces can be reconstructed successfully. Compared with the traditional measurement method, the developed method not only has the common advantages of the optical measurement methods, such as high-precision, full-field and non-contact, but also simple, low cost and easy to set up.

  7. Current situation and control measures of groundwater pollution in gas station

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Qiong; Zhang, Xiaofeng; Zhang, Qianjin

    2017-11-01

    In recent years, pollution accidents caused by gas station leakage has occurred worldwide which can be persistent in groundwater. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the contaminated groundwater is threatening the ecological environment and human health. In this article, current status and sources of groundwater pollution by gas station are analyzed, and experience of how to prevent groundwater pollution from gas stations are summarized. It is demonstrated that installation of secondary containment measures for the oil storage of the oil tank system, such as installation of double-layer oil tanks or construction of impermeable ponds, is a preferable method to prevent gas stations from groundwater pollution. Regarding to the problems of groundwater pollution caused by gas station, it is proposed that it is urgent to investigate the leakage status of gas station. Relevant precise implementation regulations shall be issued and carried out, and supervision management of gas stations would need to be strengthened. Then single-layer steel oil tanks shall be replaced by double-layer tanks, and the impermeable ponds should be constructed according to the risk ranking. From the control methodology, the groundwater environment monitoring systems, supervision level, laws and regulations as well as pollution remediation should also be carried out and strengthened.

  8. STM/STS Study of the Sb (111) Surface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chekmazov, S. V.; Bozhko, S. I.; Smirnov, A. A.; Ionov, A. M.; Kapustin, A. A.

    An Sb crystal is a Peierls insulator. Formation of double layers in the Sb structure is due to the shift of atomic planes (111) next but one along the C3 axis. Atomic layers inside the double layer are connected by covalent bonds. The interaction between double layers is determined mainly by Van der Waals forces. The cleave of an Sb single crystal used to be via break of Van der Waals bonds. However, using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) we demonstrated that apart from islands equal in thickness to the double layer, steps of one atomic layer in height also exist on the cleaved Sb (111) surface. Formation of "unpaired" (111) planes on the surface leads to a local break of conditions of Peierls transition. STS experiment reveals higher local density of states (LDOS) measured for "unpaired" (111) planes in comparison with those for the double layer.

  9. Improved Mobility and Bias Stability of Thin Film Transistors Using the Double-Layer a-InGaZnO/a-InGaZnO:N Channel.

    PubMed

    Yu, H; Zhang, L; Li, X H; Xu, H Y; Liu, Y C

    2016-04-01

    The amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) were demonstrated based on a double-layer channel structure, where the channel is composed of an ultrathin nitro-genated a-IGZO (a-IGZO:N) layer and an undoped a-IGZO layer. The double-layer channel device showed higher saturation mobility and lower threshold-voltage shift (5.74 cm2/Vs, 2.6 V) compared to its single-layer counterpart (0.17 cm2/Vs, 7.23 V). The improvement can be attributed to three aspects: (1) improved carrier transport properties of the channel by the a-IGZO:N layer with high carrier mobility and the a-IGZO layer with high carrier concentration, (2) reduced interfacial trap density between the active channel and the gate insulator, and (3) higher surface flatness of the double-layer channel. Our study reveals key insights into double-layer channel, involving selecting more suitable electrical property for back-channel layer and more suitable interface modification for active layer. Meanwhile, room temperature fabrication amorphous TFTs offer certain advantages on better flexibility and higher uniformity over a large area.

  10. Transition from moving to stationary double layers in a single-ended Q machine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Song, Bin; Merlino, R. L.; D'Angelo, N.

    1990-01-01

    Large-amplitude (less than about 100 percent) relaxation oscillations in the plasma potential are known to be generated when the cold endplate of a single-ended Q machine is biased positively. These oscillations are associated with double layers that form near the hot plate (plasma source) and travel toward the endplate at about the ion-acoustic velocity. At the endplate they dissolve and then form again near the hot plate, the entire process repeating itself in a regular manner. By admitting a sufficient amount of neutral gas into the system, the moving double layers were slowed down and eventually stopped. The production of stationary double layers requires an ion source on the high-potential side of the double layers. These ions are provided by ionization of the neutral gas by electrons that are accelerated through the double layer. The dependence of the critical neutral gas pressure required for stationary double-layer formation on endplate voltage, magnetic field strength, and neutral atom mass has been examined. These results are discussed in terms of a simple model of ion production and loss, including ion losses across the magnetic field.

  11. Reevaluation of Performance of Electric Double-layer Capacitors from Constant-current Charge/Discharge and Cyclic Voltammetry

    PubMed Central

    Allagui, Anis; Freeborn, Todd J.; Elwakil, Ahmed S.; Maundy, Brent J.

    2016-01-01

    The electric characteristics of electric-double layer capacitors (EDLCs) are determined by their capacitance which is usually measured in the time domain from constant-current charging/discharging and cyclic voltammetry tests, and from the frequency domain using nonlinear least-squares fitting of spectral impedance. The time-voltage and current-voltage profiles from the first two techniques are commonly treated by assuming ideal SsC behavior in spite of the nonlinear response of the device, which in turn provides inaccurate values for its characteristic metrics. In this paper we revisit the calculation of capacitance, power and energy of EDLCs from the time domain constant-current step response and linear voltage waveform, under the assumption that the device behaves as an equivalent fractional-order circuit consisting of a resistance Rs in series with a constant phase element (CPE(Q, α), with Q being a pseudocapacitance and α a dispersion coefficient). In particular, we show with the derived (Rs, Q, α)-based expressions, that the corresponding nonlinear effects in voltage-time and current-voltage can be encompassed through nonlinear terms function of the coefficient α, which is not possible with the classical RsC model. We validate our formulae with the experimental measurements of different EDLCs. PMID:27934904

  12. Reevaluation of Performance of Electric Double-layer Capacitors from Constant-current Charge/Discharge and Cyclic Voltammetry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Allagui, Anis; Freeborn, Todd J.; Elwakil, Ahmed S.; Maundy, Brent J.

    2016-12-01

    The electric characteristics of electric-double layer capacitors (EDLCs) are determined by their capacitance which is usually measured in the time domain from constant-current charging/discharging and cyclic voltammetry tests, and from the frequency domain using nonlinear least-squares fitting of spectral impedance. The time-voltage and current-voltage profiles from the first two techniques are commonly treated by assuming ideal SsC behavior in spite of the nonlinear response of the device, which in turn provides inaccurate values for its characteristic metrics. In this paper we revisit the calculation of capacitance, power and energy of EDLCs from the time domain constant-current step response and linear voltage waveform, under the assumption that the device behaves as an equivalent fractional-order circuit consisting of a resistance Rs in series with a constant phase element (CPE(Q, α), with Q being a pseudocapacitance and α a dispersion coefficient). In particular, we show with the derived (Rs, Q, α)-based expressions, that the corresponding nonlinear effects in voltage-time and current-voltage can be encompassed through nonlinear terms function of the coefficient α, which is not possible with the classical RsC model. We validate our formulae with the experimental measurements of different EDLCs.

  13. Reevaluation of Performance of Electric Double-layer Capacitors from Constant-current Charge/Discharge and Cyclic Voltammetry.

    PubMed

    Allagui, Anis; Freeborn, Todd J; Elwakil, Ahmed S; Maundy, Brent J

    2016-12-09

    The electric characteristics of electric-double layer capacitors (EDLCs) are determined by their capacitance which is usually measured in the time domain from constant-current charging/discharging and cyclic voltammetry tests, and from the frequency domain using nonlinear least-squares fitting of spectral impedance. The time-voltage and current-voltage profiles from the first two techniques are commonly treated by assuming ideal R s C behavior in spite of the nonlinear response of the device, which in turn provides inaccurate values for its characteristic metrics [corrected]. In this paper we revisit the calculation of capacitance, power and energy of EDLCs from the time domain constant-current step response and linear voltage waveform, under the assumption that the device behaves as an equivalent fractional-order circuit consisting of a resistance R s in series with a constant phase element (CPE(Q, α), with Q being a pseudocapacitance and α a dispersion coefficient). In particular, we show with the derived (R s , Q, α)-based expressions, that the corresponding nonlinear effects in voltage-time and current-voltage can be encompassed through nonlinear terms function of the coefficient α, which is not possible with the classical R s C model. We validate our formulae with the experimental measurements of different EDLCs.

  14. Method of making a high performance ultracapacitor

    DOEpatents

    Farahmandi, C. Joseph; Dispennette, John M.

    2000-07-26

    A high performance double layer capacitor having an electric double layer formed in the interface between activated carbon and an electrolyte is disclosed. The high performance double layer capacitor includes a pair of aluminum impregnated carbon composite electrodes having an evenly distributed and continuous path of aluminum impregnated within an activated carbon fiber preform saturated with a high performance electrolytic solution. The high performance double layer capacitor is capable of delivering at least 5 Wh/kg of useful energy at power ratings of at least 600 W/kg.

  15. Aluminum-carbon composite electrode

    DOEpatents

    Farahmandi, C. Joseph; Dispennette, John M.

    1998-07-07

    A high performance double layer capacitor having an electric double layer formed in the interface between activated carbon and an electrolyte is disclosed. The high performance double layer capacitor includes a pair of aluminum impregnated carbon composite electrodes having an evenly distributed and continuous path of aluminum impregnated within an activated carbon fiber preform saturated with a high performance electrolytic solution. The high performance double layer capacitor is capable of delivering at least 5 Wh/kg of useful energy at power ratings of at least 600 W/kg.

  16. Aluminum-carbon composite electrode

    DOEpatents

    Farahmandi, C.J.; Dispennette, J.M.

    1998-07-07

    A high performance double layer capacitor having an electric double layer formed in the interface between activated carbon and an electrolyte is disclosed. The high performance double layer capacitor includes a pair of aluminum impregnated carbon composite electrodes having an evenly distributed and continuous path of aluminum impregnated within an activated carbon fiber preform saturated with a high performance electrolytic solution. The high performance double layer capacitor is capable of delivering at least 5 Wh/kg of useful energy at power ratings of at least 600 W/kg. 3 figs.

  17. Double layer drainage performance of porous asphalt pavement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, Yangyang; Xie, Jianguang; Liu, Mingxi

    2018-06-01

    In order to improve the design reliability of the double layer porous asphalt pavement, the 3D seepage finite element method was used to study the drainage capacity of double layer PAC pavements with different geometric parameters. It revealed that the effect of pavement drainage length, slope, permeability coefficient and structure design on the drainage capacity. The research of this paper can provide reference for the design of double layer porous asphalt pavement in different rainfall intensity areas, and provide guides for the related engineering design.

  18. Three-dimensional porous MXene/layered double hydroxide composite for high performance supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Ya; Dou, Hui; Wang, Jie; Ding, Bing; Xu, Yunling; Chang, Zhi; Hao, Xiaodong

    2016-09-01

    In this work, an exfoliated MXene (e-MXene) nanosheets/nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxide (MXene/LDH) composite as supercapacitor electrode material is fabricated by in situ growth of LDH on e-MXene substrate. The LDH platelets homogeneously grown on the surface of the e-MXene sheets construct a three-dimensional (3D) porous structure, which not only leads to high active sites exposure of LDH and facile liquid electrolyte penetration, but also alleviates the volume change of LDH during the charge/discharge process. Meanwhile, the e -MXene substrate forms a conductive network to facilitate the electron transport of active material. The optimized MXene/LDH composite exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1061 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1, excellent capacitance retention of 70% after 4000 cycle tests at a current density of 4 A g-1 and a good rate capability with 556 F g-1 retention at 10 A g-1.

  19. Aging and failure mode of electrochemical double layer capacitors during accelerated constant load tests

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kötz, R.; Ruch, P. W.; Cericola, D.

    Electrochemical double layer capacitors of the BCAP0350 type (Maxwell Technologies) were tested under constant load conditions at different voltages and temperatures. The aging of the capacitors was monitored during the test in terms of capacitance, internal resistance and leakage current. Aging was significantly accelerated by elevated temperature or increased voltage. Only for extreme conditions at voltages of 3.5 V or temperatures above 70 °C the capacitors failed due to internal pressure build-up. No other failure events such as open circuit or short circuit were detected. Impedance measurements after the tests showed increased high frequency resistance, an increased distributed resistance and most likely an increase in contact resistance between electrode and current collector together with a loss of capacitance. Capacitors aged at elevated voltages (3.3 V) exhibited a tilting of the low frequency component, which implies an increase in the heterogeneity of the electrode surface. This feature was not observed upon aging at elevated temperatures (70 °C).

  20. Durability of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery cathode using nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxide/carbon (Ni-Al LDH/C) composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Béléké, Alexis Bienvenu; Higuchi, Eiji; Inoue, Hiroshi; Mizuhata, Minoru

    2014-02-01

    We report the durability of the optimized nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxide/carbon (Ni-Al LDH/C) composite prepared by liquid phase deposition (LPD) as cathode active materials in nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) secondary battery. The positive electrode was used for charge-discharge measurements under two different current: 5 mA for 300 cycles in half-cell conditions, and 5.8 mA for 569 cycles in battery regime, respectively. The optimized Ni-Al LDH/C composite exhibits a good lifespan and stability with the capacity retention above 380 mA h gcomp-1 over 869 cycles. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the α-Ni(OH)2/γ-NiOOH redox reaction is maintained even after 869 cycles, and the higher current regime is beneficial in terms of materials utilization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the cathode after charge and discharge confirms that the α-Ni(OH)2/γ-NiOOH redox reaction occurs without any intermediate phase.

  1. Electric double layer capacitors employing nitrogen and sulfur co-doped, hierarchically porous graphene electrodes with synergistically enhanced performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kannan, Aravindaraj G.; Samuthirapandian, Amaresh; Kim, Dong-Won

    2017-01-01

    Hierarchically porous graphene nanosheets co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, followed by a pore activation step. Pore architectures are controlled by varying the ratio of chemical activation agents to graphene, and its influence on the capacitive performance is evaluated. The electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) assembled with optimized dual-doped graphene delivers a high specific capacitance of 146.6 F g-1 at a current density of 0.8 A g-1, which is higher than that of cells with un-doped and single-heteroatom doped graphene. The EDLC with dual-doped graphene electrodes exhibits stable cycling performance with a capacitance retention of 94.5% after 25,000 cycles at a current density of 3.2 A g-1. Such a good performance can be attributed to synergistic effects due to co-doping of the graphene nanosheets and the presence of hierarchical porous structures.

  2. Endoscopic endonasal double flap technique for reconstruction of large anterior skull base defects: technical note.

    PubMed

    Dolci, Ricardo Landini Lutaif; Todeschini, Alexandre Bossi; Santos, Américo Rubens Leite Dos; Lazarini, Paulo Roberto

    2018-04-19

    One of the main concerns in endoscopic endonasal approaches to the skull base has been the high incidence and morbidity associated with cerebrospinal fluid leaks. The introduction and routine use of vascularized flaps allowed a marked decrease in this complication followed by a great expansion in the indications and techniques used in endoscopic endonasal approaches, extending to defects from huge tumours and previously inaccessible areas of the skull base. Describe the technique of performing endoscopic double flap multi-layered reconstruction of the anterior skull base without craniotomy. Step by step description of the endoscopic double flap technique (nasoseptal and pericranial vascularized flaps and fascia lata free graft) as used and illustrated in two patients with an olfactory groove meningioma who underwent an endoscopic approach. Both patients achieved a gross total resection: subsequent reconstruction of the anterior skull base was performed with the nasoseptal and pericranial flaps onlay and a fascia lata free graft inlay. Both patients showed an excellent recovery, no signs of cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, flap necrosis, chronic meningeal or sinonasal inflammation or cerebral herniation having developed. This endoscopic double flap technique we have described is a viable, versatile and safe option for anterior skull base reconstructions, decreasing the incidence of complications in endoscopic endonasal approaches. Copyright © 2018 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

  3. Spin-torque driven magnetization switching in ferromagnetic nanopillar with pinned layer biasing configuration

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

    Bhoomeeswaran, H.; Sabareesan, P., E-mail: sendtosabari@gmail.com; Bharathi, B. Divya

    2016-05-06

    Magnetization switching driven by spin transfer torque in a ferromagnetic nanopillar by biasing the angular polarizer with different orientation has been studied. The free layer dynamics includes the spin torque from the oscillating free layer with magneto crystalline anisotropy and shape anisotropy, which is governed by the Landau-Lifshitsz-Gilbert-Slonczweski (LLGS) equation and solving it numerically by using embedded Runge Kutta fourth order method. Results of numerical simulation shows that there is a drastic reduction of switching time in the free layer by the orientation of angular polarizer of the nano pillar device. We fixed the angular polarizer as 0°, 30°, 60°,more » 90° and the corresponding switching time is 6.53 ns, 4.36 ns, 2.25 ns and 1.21 ns respectively for an applied current density of 5 × 10{sup 11} Am{sup −2}.« less

  4. Characteristics of a-IGZO/ITO hybrid layer deposited by magnetron sputtering.

    PubMed

    Bang, Joon-Ho; Park, Hee-Woo; Cho, Sang-Hyun; Song, Pung-Keun

    2012-04-01

    Transparent a-IGZO (In-Ga-Zn-O) films have been actively studied for use in the fabrication of high-quality TFTs. In this study, a-IGZO films and a-IGZO/ITO double layers were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering under various oxygen flow rates. The a-IGZO films showed an amorphous structure up to 500 degrees C. The deposition rate of these films decreased with an increase in the amount of oxygen gas. The amount of indium atoms in the film was confirmed to be 11.4% higher than the target. The resistivity of double layer follows the rules for parallel DC circuits The maximum Hall mobility of the a-IGZO/ITO double layers was found to be 37.42 cm2/V x N s. The electrical properties of the double layers were strongly dependent on their thickness ratio. The IGZO/ITO double layer was subjected to compressive stress, while the ITO/IGZO double layer was subjected to tensile stress. The bending tolerance was found to depend on the a-IGZO thickness.

  5. ICF Implosions, Space-Charge Electric Fields, and Their Impact on Mix and Compression

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knoll, Dana; Chacon, Luis; Simakov, Andrei

    2013-10-01

    The single-fluid, quasi-neutral, radiation hydrodynamics codes, used to design the NIF targets, predict thermonuclear ignition for the conditions that have been achieved experimentally. A logical conclusion is that the physics model used in these codes is missing one, or more, key phenomena. Two key model-experiment inconsistencies on NIF are: 1) a lower implosion velocity than predicted by the design codes, and 2) transport of pusher material deep into the hot spot. We hypothesize that both of these model-experiment inconsistencies may be a result of a large, space-charge, electric field residing on the distinct interfaces in a NIF target. Large space-charge fields have been experimentally observed in Omega experiments. Given our hypothesis, this presentation will: 1) Develop a more complete physics picture of initiation, sustainment, and dissipation of a current-driven plasma sheath / double-layer at the Fuel-Pusher interface of an ablating plastic shell implosion on Omega, 2) Characterize the mix that can result from a double-layer field at the Fuel-Pusher interface, prior to the onset of fluid instabilities, and 3) Quantify the impact of the double-layer induced surface tension at the Fuel-Pusher interface on the peak observed implosion velocity in Omega.

  6. Effectiveness evaluation of double-layered satellite network with laser and microwave hybrid links based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Wei; Rao, Qiaomeng

    2018-01-01

    In order to solve the problem of high speed, large capacity and limited spectrum resources of satellite communication network, a double-layered satellite network with global seamless coverage based on laser and microwave hybrid links is proposed in this paper. By analyzing the characteristics of the double-layered satellite network with laser and microwave hybrid links, an effectiveness evaluation index system for the network is established. And then, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, which combines the analytic hierarchy process and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation theory, is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the double-layered satellite network with laser and microwave hybrid links. Furthermore, the evaluation result of the proposed hybrid link network is obtained by simulation. The effectiveness evaluation process of the proposed double-layered satellite network with laser and microwave hybrid links can help to optimize the design of hybrid link double-layered satellite network and improve the operating efficiency of the satellite system.

  7. Characteristic Features of Double Layers in Rotating, Magnetized Plasma Contaminated with Dust Grains with Varying Charges

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paul, Jaydeep; Nag, Apratim; Devi, Karabi; Das, Himadri Sekhar

    2018-03-01

    The evolution and the characteristic features of double layers in a plasma under slow rotation and contaminated with dust grains with varying charges under the effect of an external magnetic field are studied. The Coriolis force resulting from the slow rotation is responsible for the generation of an equivalent magnetic field. A comparatively new pseudopotential approach has been used to derive the small amplitude double layers. The effect of the relative electron-ion concentration, as well as the temperature ratio, on the formation of the double layers has also been investigated. The study reveals that compressive, as well as rarefactive, double layers can be made to co-exist in plasma by controlling the dust charge fluctuation effect supplemented by variations of the plasma constituents. The effectiveness of slow rotation in causing double layers to exist has also emanated from the study. The results obtained could be of interest because of their possible applications in both laboratories and space.

  8. Mixing Acid Salts and Layered Double Hydroxides in Nanoscale under Solid Condition

    PubMed Central

    Nakayama, Hirokazu; Hayashi, Aki

    2014-01-01

    The immobilization of potassium sorbate, potassium aspartate and sorbic acid in layered double hydroxide under solid condition was examined. By simply mixing two solids, immobilization of sorbate and aspartate in the interlayer space of nitrate-type layered double hydroxide, so called intercalation reaction, was achieved, and the uptakes, that is, the amount of immobilized salts and the interlayer distances of intercalation compounds were almost the same as those obtained in aqueous solution. However, no intercalation was achieved for sorbic acid. Although intercalation of sorbate and aspartate into chloride-type layered double hydroxide was possible, the uptakes for these intercalation compounds were lower than those obtained using nitrate-type layered double hydroxide. The intercalation under solid condition could be achieved to the same extent as for ion-exchange reaction in aqueous solution, and the reactivity was similar to that observed in aqueous solution. This method will enable the encapsulation of acidic drug in layered double hydroxide as nano level simply by mixing both solids. PMID:25080007

  9. Mixing Acid Salts and Layered Double Hydroxides in Nanoscale under Solid Condition.

    PubMed

    Nakayama, Hirokazu; Hayashi, Aki

    2014-07-30

    The immobilization of potassium sorbate, potassium aspartate and sorbic acid in layered double hydroxide under solid condition was examined. By simply mixing two solids, immobilization of sorbate and aspartate in the interlayer space of nitrate-type layered double hydroxide, so called intercalation reaction, was achieved, and the uptakes, that is, the amount of immobilized salts and the interlayer distances of intercalation compounds were almost the same as those obtained in aqueous solution. However, no intercalation was achieved for sorbic acid. Although intercalation of sorbate and aspartate into chloride-type layered double hydroxide was possible, the uptakes for these intercalation compounds were lower than those obtained using nitrate-type layered double hydroxide. The intercalation under solid condition could be achieved to the same extent as for ion-exchange reaction in aqueous solution, and the reactivity was similar to that observed in aqueous solution. This method will enable the encapsulation of acidic drug in layered double hydroxide as nano level simply by mixing both solids.

  10. CT Fluoroscopy Shielding: Decreases in Scattered Radiation for the Patient and Operator

    PubMed Central

    Neeman, Ziv; Dromi, Sergio A.; Sarin, Shawn; Wood, Bradford J.

    2008-01-01

    PURPOSE High-radiation exposure occurs during computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy. Patient and operator doses during thoracic and abdominal interventional procedures were studied in the present experiment, and a novel shielding device to reduce exposure to the patient and operator was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS With a 16-slice CT scanner in CT fluoroscopy mode (120 kVp, 30 mA), surface dosimetry was performed on adult and pediatric phantoms. The shielding was composed of tungsten antimony in the form of a lightweight polymer sheet. Doses to the patient were measured with and without shielding for thoracic and abdominal procedures. Doses to the operator were recorded with and without phantom, gantry, and table shielding in place. Double-layer lead-free gloves were used by the operator during the procedures. RESULTS Tungsten antimony shielding adjacent to the scan plane resulted in a maximum dose reduction of 92.3% to the patient. Maximum 85.6%, 93.3%, and 85.1% dose reductions were observed for the operator’s torso, gonads, and hands, respectively. The use of double-layer lead-free gloves resulted in a maximum radiation dose reduction of 97%. CONCLUSIONS Methods to reduce exposure during CT fluoroscopy are effective and should be searched for. Significant reduction in radiation doses to the patient and operator can be accomplished with tungsten antimony shielding. PMID:17185699

  11. Layered double hydroxide supported gold nanoclusters by glutathione-capped Au nanoclusters precursor method for highly efficient aerobic oxidation of alcohols.

    PubMed

    Li, Lun; Dou, Liguang; Zhang, Hui

    2014-04-07

    M3Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH, M = Mg, Ni, Co) supported Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) catalysts have been prepared for the first time by using water-soluble glutathione-capped Au nanoclusters as precursor. Detailed characterizations show that the ultrafine Au nanoclusters (ca. 1.5 ± 0.6 nm) were well dispersed on the surface of LDH with a loading of Au below ∼0.23 wt% upon synergetic interaction between AuNCs and M3Al-LDH. AuNCs/Mg3Al-LDH-0.23 exhibits much higher catalytic performance for the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol in toluene than Au/Mg3Al-LDH(DP) by the conventional deposition precipitation method and can be applied for a wide range of alcohols without basic additives. This catalyst can also be reused without loss of activity or selectivity. The AuNCs/M(= Ni, Co)3Al-LDH catalysts present even higher alcohol oxidation activity than AuNCs/Mg3Al-LDH. Particularly, AuNCs/Ni3Al-LDH-0.22 exhibits the highest activity (46 500 h(-1)) for the aerobic oxidation of 1-phenylethanol under solvent-free conditions attributed to its strongest Au-support synergy. The excellent activity and stability of AuNCs/M3Al-LDH catalysts render these materials promising candidates for green base-free selective oxidation of alcohols by molecular oxygen.

  12. Advanced light-scattering materials: Double-textured ZnO:B films grown by LP-MOCVD

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Addonizio, M. L.; Spadoni, A.; Antonaia, A.

    2013-12-01

    Double-textured ZnO:B layers with enhanced optical scattering in both short and long wavelength regions have been successfully fabricated using MOCVD technique through a three step process. Growth of double-textured structures has been induced by wet etching on polycrystalline ZnO surface. Our double-layer structure consists of a first ZnO:B layer wet etched and subsequently used as substrate for a second ZnO:B layer deposition. Polycrystalline ZnO:B layers were etched by utilizing diluted solutions of fluoridic acid (HF), chloridric acid (HCl) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and their effect on surface morphology modification was systematically investigated. The morphology of the second deposited ZnO layer strongly depended on the surface properties of the etched ZnO first layer. Growth of cauliflower-like texture was induced by protrusions presence on the HCl etched surface. Optimized double-layer structure shows a cauliflower-like double texture with higher RMS roughness and increased spectral haze values in both short and long wavelength regions, compared to conventional pyramidal-like single texture. Furthermore, this highly scattering structure preserves excellent optical and electrical properties.

  13. Directly Grown Nanostructured Electrodes for High Volumetric Energy Density Binder-Free Hybrid Supercapacitors: A Case Study of CNTs//Li4Ti5O12

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zuo, Wenhua; Wang, Chong; Li, Yuanyuan; Liu, Jinping

    2015-01-01

    Hybrid supercapacitor (HSC), which typically consists of a Li-ion battery electrode and an electric double-layer supercapacitor electrode, has been extensively investigated for large-scale applications such as hybrid electric vehicles, etc. Its application potential for thin-film downsized energy storage systems that always prefer high volumetric energy/power densities, however, has not yet been explored. Herein, as a case study, we develop an entirely binder-free HSC by using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) network film as the cathode and Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) nanowire array as the anode and study the volumetric energy storage capability. Both the electrode materials are grown directly on carbon cloth current collector, ensuring robust mechanical/electrical contacts and flexibility. Our 3 V HSC device exhibits maximum volumetric energy density of ~4.38 mWh cm-3, much superior to those of previous supercapacitors based on thin-film electrodes fabricated directly on carbon cloth and even comparable to the commercial thin-film lithium battery. It also has volumetric power densities comparable to that of the commercial 5.5 V/100 mF supercapacitor (can be operated within 3 s) and has excellent cycling stability (~92% retention after 3000 cycles). The concept of utilizing binder-free electrodes to construct HSC for thin-film energy storage may be readily extended to other HSC electrode systems.

  14. Numeric and fluid dynamic representation of tornadic double vortex thunderstorms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Connell, J. R.; Marquart, E. J.; Frost, W.; Boaz, W.

    1980-01-01

    Current understanding of a double vortex thunderstorm involves a pair of contra-rotating vortices that exists in the dynamic updraft. The pair is believed to be a result of a blocking effect which occurs when a cylindrical thermal updraft of a thunderstorm protrudes into the upper level air and there is a large amount of vertical wind shear between the low level and upper level air layers. A numerical tornado prediction scheme based on the double vortex thunderstorm was developed. The Energy-Shear Index (ESI) is part of the scheme and is calculated from radiosonde measurements. The ESI incorporates parameters representative of thermal instability and blocking effect, and indicates appropriate environments for which the development of double vortex thunderstorms is likely.

  15. Large-current-controllable carbon nanotube field-effect transistor in electrolyte solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Myodo, Miho; Inaba, Masafumi; Ohara, Kazuyoshi; Kato, Ryogo; Kobayashi, Mikinori; Hirano, Yu; Suzuki, Kazuma; Kawarada, Hiroshi

    2015-05-01

    Large-current-controllable carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNT-FETs) were fabricated with mm-long CNT sheets. The sheets, synthesized by remote-plasma-enhanced CVD, contained both single- and double-walled CNTs. Titanium was deposited on the sheet as source and drain electrodes, and an electrolyte solution was used as a gate electrode (solution gate) to apply a gate voltage to the CNTs through electric double layers formed around the CNTs. The drain current came to be well modulated as electrolyte solution penetrated into the sheets, and one of the solution gate CNT-FETs was able to control a large current of over 2.5 A. In addition, we determined the transconductance parameter per tube and compared it with values for other CNT-FETs. The potential of CNT sheets for applications requiring the control of large current is exhibited in this study.

  16. Different structural morphologies of the two surfaces in some Co-based amorphous ribbons

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bordin, G.; Buttino, G.

    1992-12-01

    In nearly zero magnetostriction Co-based Metglas amorphous ribbons, the anomalous Hall effect is used to investigate the behaviour of the surfaces (dull or shiny). The electronic transport properties of a double-layer film, where one of the two layers examined is ferromagnetic and amorphous, and the other is a non-magnetic film, are interpreted on the basis of the mean free path method of Bergmann and Fuchs-Sondheimer theory. The results obtained confirm the different structural morphology of the amorphous surfaces (dull or shiny) already observed by means of bending effects on the initial permeability that depends on the way of winding the ribbons in toroidal samples of the same amorphous materials.

  17. Double Current Sheet Instabilities and the Transition to Turbulence.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pucci, F.; Velli, M.; Biferale, L.; Sahoo, G.

    2016-12-01

    The double tearing instability has often been studied as a proxy for the m=1 kink mode in cylindrical plasma. In this paper we describe the results of 3D simulations of an initially periodic double current sheet described by Harris equilibria with a guide field in two cases: 1) zero net helicity and an average magnetic field and 2) a well defined helicity (force free but non constant alpha). We study and contrast the de-stabilization and transition to turbulence for these two cases: we describe spectra, cascades, and possible application to heliospheric phenomena, in particular CME evolution and relaxation. The research leading to these results has received fund- ing from the European Union's Seventh Framework Pro- gramme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 339032

  18. Development of high energy density electrical double layer capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Devarajan, Thamarai selvi

    Electrochemical Double Layer capacitors (EDLCs) have shown themselves as a viable energy storage alternative. EDLCs have high power density, faster charge/discharge, wide operating temperature and long cycle life compared to batteries since it stores charge by physical separation. Despites all their advantages, their low energy density stand as a bottleneck for capacitors. This research aims to increase the energy density of EDLC without compromising the power density. Energy is proportional to the square of cell voltage. Cell voltage is mainly dependent on electrolyte breakdown. Electrolytes also provide ions for charge separation and conduction. Therefore various electrolytes (Solutes and Solvents) which can give high concentration, solubility and decomposition potential were characterized in the first part of the research. In that study, a novel ionic liquid OPBF4 had higher capacitance and comparable voltage window compared to commercial TEABF4 in Acetonitrile. However, the increased polarity of the fixed ring O-atom and the ion-ion interaction in OPBF4 was responsible for lowering its conductivity. Oxygenated ionic compounds with alkyl groups had lower stability due to beta elimination between two electron withdrawing atoms. Volume based thermodynamics and quantum chemical calculations were used to calculate ion size, HOMO/LUMO energies, and free energy changes and establish relationship with capacitance, redox potential and melting points respectively. In addition free energy of fusion was used to predict the melting point. Ion size had correlation with capacitance due to compact double layer formation. Free energy changes did not explain the differences in melting point and predicted dielectric constant was inconsistent with the polarity. This is presumably due to using Van der Waals volume instead of crystal structure volume and insufficient incorporation of polarization term. The HOMO/LUMO energies gave direct relation between oxidation and reduction potential at 1mA/cm 2. A brief study on non-polar co-solvents for EDLC was studied. Among the solvents studied, fluorinated solvents had low melting point and viscosity due to incorporation of asymmetry. However, because of low dielectric constant, TEABF4 is insoluble and had to be mixed with other solvents. The mixed fluorinated solvents had slightly higher voltage window due to decreased donicity of lone pairs of electrons. The second approach to increasing energy density is to increase capacitance. Capacitance is mainly dependent on surface area and porosity of electrodes. Nanostructured materials which can offer multiple charge storage are currently of interest. Hence, novel NiSi nanotubes were studied as electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Silicon material has high capacity and these inert electrodes can enable higher capacitance by controlling the porosity and functional groups in specific electrolytes. The Silicon wafers were made porous by anodization using hydrofluoric acid. In order to improve the conductivity, the porous silicon was doped, then plated with Ni using electroless plating method and annealed to form nickel mono silicide. Gold was deposited on the back side of the electrode to enhance conductivity. Our porous NiSi electrodes gave capacitance of about 1185muF /cm2 in 0.5 M H 2SO4. Further investigation of oxide formation and modification of functional groups will help achieve higher capacitance.

  19. Spin currents and spin-orbit torques in ferromagnetic trilayers.

    PubMed

    Baek, Seung-Heon C; Amin, Vivek P; Oh, Young-Wan; Go, Gyungchoon; Lee, Seung-Jae; Lee, Geun-Hee; Kim, Kab-Jin; Stiles, M D; Park, Byong-Guk; Lee, Kyung-Jin

    2018-06-01

    Magnetic torques generated through spin-orbit coupling 1-8 promise energy-efficient spintronic devices. For applications, it is important that these torques switch films with perpendicular magnetizations without an external magnetic field 9-14 . One suggested approach 15 to enable such switching uses magnetic trilayers in which the torque on the top magnetic layer can be manipulated by changing the magnetization of the bottom layer. Spin currents generated in the bottom magnetic layer or its interfaces transit the spacer layer and exert a torque on the top magnetization. Here we demonstrate field-free switching in such structures and show that its dependence on the bottom-layer magnetization is not consistent with the anticipated bulk effects 15 . We describe a mechanism for spin-current generation 16,17 at the interface between the bottom layer and the spacer layer, which gives torques that are consistent with the measured magnetization dependence. This other-layer-generated spin-orbit torque is relevant to energy-efficient control of spintronic devices.

  20. Layer-by-layer assembled multilayer films of exfoliated layered double hydroxide and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin for selective capacitive sensing of acephatemet.

    PubMed

    Gong, Jingming; Han, Xinmei; Zhu, Xiaolei; Guan, Zhangqiong

    2014-11-15

    Novel organic-inorganic hybrid ultrathin films were fabricated by alternate assembly of cationic exfoliated Mg-Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CMCD) as a polyanion onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via a layer-by-layer (LBL) approach. The multilayer films were then characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These films were found to possess a long range stacking order in the normal direction of the substrate with a continuous and uniform morphology. Its electrochemical performance was systematically investigated. Our results demonstrate that such a newly designed (LDH/CMCD)n multilayer film, combining the individual properties of CMCD (a high supramolecule recognition and enrichment capability) together with LDH nanosheets (a rigid inorganic matrix), can be applied to a sensitive, simple, and label-free capacitive detection of acephatemet (AM). Molecular docking calculations further disclose that the selective sensing behavior toward AM may be attributed to the specific binding ability of CMCD to AM. Under the optimized conditions, the capacitive change of AM was proportional to its concentration ranging from 0.001 to 0.10 μg mL(-1) and 0.1 to 0.8 μg mL(-1) with a detection limit 0.6 ng mL(-1) (S/N=3). Toward the goal for practical applications, this simple probe was further evaluated by monitoring AM in real samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. It Takes Two to Tango-Double-Layer Selective Contacts in Perovskite Solar Cells for Improved Device Performance and Reduced Hysteresis.

    PubMed

    Kegelmann, Lukas; Wolff, Christian M; Awino, Celline; Lang, Felix; Unger, Eva L; Korte, Lars; Dittrich, Thomas; Neher, Dieter; Rech, Bernd; Albrecht, Steve

    2017-05-24

    Solar cells made from inorganic-organic perovskites have gradually approached market requirements as their efficiency and stability have improved tremendously in recent years. Planar low-temperature processed perovskite solar cells are advantageous for possible large-scale production but are more prone to exhibiting photocurrent hysteresis, especially in the regular n-i-p structure. Here, a systematic characterization of different electron selective contacts with a variety of chemical and electrical properties in planar n-i-p devices processed below 180 °C is presented. The inorganic metal oxides TiO 2 and SnO 2 , the organic fullerene derivatives C 60 , PCBM, and ICMA, as well as double-layers with a metal oxide/PCBM structure are used as electron transport materials (ETMs). Perovskite layers deposited atop the different ETMs with the herein applied fabrication method show a similar morphology according to scanning electron microscopy. Further, surface photovoltage spectroscopy measurements indicate comparable perovskite absorber qualities on all ETMs, except TiO 2 , which shows a more prominent influence of defect states. Transient photoluminescence studies together with current-voltage scans over a broad range of scan speeds reveal faster charge extraction, less pronounced hysteresis effects, and higher efficiencies for devices with fullerene compared to those with metal oxide ETMs. Beyond this, only double-layer ETM structures substantially diminish hysteresis effects for all performed scan speeds and strongly enhance the power conversion efficiency up to a champion stabilized value of 18.0%. The results indicate reduced recombination losses for a double-layer TiO 2 /PCBM contact design: First, a reduction of shunt paths through the fullerene to the ITO layer. Second, an improved hole blocking by the wide band gap metal oxide. Third, decreased transport losses due to an energetically more favorable contact, as implied by photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The herein demonstrated improvements of multilayer selective contacts may serve as a general design guideline for perovskite solar cells.

  2. Comparative measurements of piezoelectric coefficient of PZT films by Berlincourt, interferometer, and vibrometer methods.

    PubMed

    Huang, Zhaorong; Zhang, Qi; Corkovic, Silvana; Dorey, Robert; Whatmore, Roger W

    2006-12-01

    Chemical solution deposition (CSD) techniques were used to prepare lead zirconate (Zr) titanate (Ti) (PZT) thin films with Zr/Ti ratios of 30/70 and 52/48. Usually CSD processing is restricted to making crack-free, single-layer films of 70-nm thick, but modifications to the sol-gel process have permitted the fabrication of dense, crack-free, single layers up to 200 to 300 nm thick, which can be built-up into layers up to 3-microm thick. Thicker PZT films (> 2-microm single layer) can be produced by using a composite sol-gel/ceramic process. Knowledge of the electroactive properties of these materials is essential for modeling and design of novel micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, but accurate measurement of these properties is by no means straightforward. A novel, double-beam, common-path laser interferometer has been developed to measure the longitudinal (d33) piezoelectric coefficient in films; the results were compared with the values obtained by Berlin-court and laser scanning vibrometer methods. It was found that, for thin-film samples, the d(33,f) values obtained from the Berlincourt method are usually larger: than those obtained from the interferometer and the vibrometer methods; the reasons for this are discussed.

  3. Efficient single photon detection by quantum dot resonant tunneling diodes.

    PubMed

    Blakesley, J C; See, P; Shields, A J; Kardynał, B E; Atkinson, P; Farrer, I; Ritchie, D A

    2005-02-18

    We demonstrate that the resonant tunnel current through a double-barrier structure is sensitive to the capture of single photoexcited holes by an adjacent layer of quantum dots. This phenomenon could allow the detection of single photons with low dark count rates and high quantum efficiencies. The magnitude of the sensing current may be controlled via the thickness of the tunnel barriers. Larger currents give improved signal to noise and allow sub-mus photon time resolution.

  4. Thickness dependence of the levitation performance of double-layer high-temperature superconductor bulks above a magnetic rail

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, R. X.; Zheng, J.; Liao, X. L.; Che, T.; Gou, Y. F.; He, D. B.; Deng, Z. G.

    2014-10-01

    A double-layer high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) arrangement was proposed and proved to be able to bring improvements to both levitation force and guidance force compared with present single-layer HTSC arrangement. To fully exploit the applied magnetic field by a magnetic rail, the thickness dependence of a double-layer HTSC arrangement on the levitation performance was further investigated in the paper. In this study, the lower-layer bulk was polished step by step to different thicknesses, and the upper-layer bulk with constant thickness was directly superimposed on the lower-layer one. The levitation force and the force relaxation of the double-layer HTSC arrangement were measured above a Halbach magnetic rail. Experimental result shows that a bigger levitation force and a less levitation force decay could be achieved by optimizing the thickness of the lower-layer bulk HTSC. This thickness optimization method could be applied together with former reported double-layer HTSC arrangement method with aligned growth sector boundaries pattern. This series of study on the optimized combination method do bring a significant improvement on the levitation performance of present HTS maglev systems.

  5. Li-Doped Ionic Liquid Electrolytes: From Bulk Phase to Interfacial Behavior

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haskins, Justin B.; Lawson, John W.

    2016-01-01

    Ionic liquids have been proposed as candidate electrolytes for high-energy density, rechargeable batteries. We present an extensive computational analysis supported by experimental comparisons of the bulk and interfacial properties of a representative set of these electrolytes as a function of Li-salt doping. We begin by investigating the bulk electrolyte using quantum chemistry and ab initio molecular dynamics to elucidate the solvation structure of Li(+). MD simulations using the polarizable force field of Borodin and coworkers were then performed, from which we obtain an array of thermodynamic and transport properties. Excellent agreement is found with experiments for diffusion, ionic conductivity, and viscosity. Combining MD simulations with electronic structure computations, we computed the electrochemical window of the electrolytes across a range of Li(+)-doping levels and comment on the role of the liquid environment. Finally, we performed a suite of simulations of these Li-doped electrolytes at ideal electrified interfaces to evaluate the differential capacitance and the equilibrium Li(+) distribution in the double layer. The magnitude of differential capacitance is in good agreement with our experiments and exhibits the characteristic camel-shaped profile. In addition, the simulations reveal Li(+) to be highly localized to the second molecular layer of the double layer, which is supported by additional computations that find this layer to be a free energy minimum with respect to Li(+) translation.

  6. Properties of a planar electric double layer under extreme conditions investigated by classical density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Shiqi; Lamperski, Stanisław; Zydorczak, Maria

    2014-08-14

    Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and classical density functional theory (DFT) results are reported for the structural and electrostatic properties of a planar electric double layer containing ions having highly asymmetric diameters or valencies under extreme concentration condition. In the applied DFT, for the excess free energy contribution due to the hard sphere repulsion, a recently elaborated extended form of the fundamental measure functional is used, and coupling of Coulombic and short range hard-sphere repulsion is described by a traditional second-order functional perturbation expansion approximation. Comparison between the MC and DFT results indicates that validity interval of the traditional DFT approximation expands to high ion valences running up to 3 and size asymmetry high up to diameter ratio of 4 whether the high valence ions or the large size ion are co- or counter-ions; and to a high bulk electrolyte concentration being close to the upper limit of the electrolyte mole concentration the MC simulation can deal with well. The DFT accuracy dependence on the ion parameters can be self-consistently explained using arguments of liquid state theory, and new EDL phenomena such as overscreening effect due to monovalent counter-ions, extreme layering effect of counter-ions, and appearance of a depletion layer with almost no counter- and co-ions are observed.

  7. On-chip broadband spectral filtering using planar double high-contrast grating reflectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horie, Yu; Arbabi, Amir; Faraon, Andrei

    2015-02-01

    We propose a broadband free-space on-chip spectrometer based on an array of integrated narrowband filters consisting of Fabry-Perot resonators formed by two high-contrast grating (HCG) based reflectors separated by a low-index thin layer with a fixed cavity thickness. Using numerical simulations, broadband tunability of resonance wavelengths was achieved only by changing the in-plane grating parameters such as period or duty cycle of HCGs while the substrate geometry was kept fixed. Experimentally, the HCG reflectors were fabricated on silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates and high reflectivity was measured, fabrication process for the proposed double HCG-based narrowband filter array was developed. The filtering function that can be spanned over a wide range of wavelengths was measured.

  8. Capacitance of the Double Layer Formed at the Metal/Ionic-Conductor Interface: How Large Can It Be?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Skinner, Brian; Loth, M. S.; Shklovskii, B. I.

    2010-03-01

    The capacitance of the double layer formed at a metal/ionic-conductor interface can be remarkably large, so that the apparent width of the double layer is as small as 0.3 Å. Mean-field theories fail to explain such large capacitance. We propose an alternate theory of the ionic double layer which allows for the binding of discrete ions to their image charges in the metal. We show that at small voltages the capacitance of the double layer is limited only by the weak dipole-dipole repulsion between bound ions, and is therefore very large. At large voltages the depletion of bound ions from one of the capacitor electrodes triggers a collapse of the capacitance to the mean-field value.

  9. Charge transport in quantum dot organic solar cells with Si quantum dots sandwiched between poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) absorber and bathocuproine (BCP) transport layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verma, Upendra Kumar; Kumar, Brijesh

    2017-10-01

    We have modeled a multilayer quantum dot organic solar cell that explores the current-voltage characteristic of the solar cell whose characteristics can be tuned by varying the fabrication parameters of the quantum dots (QDs). The modeled device consists of a hole transport layer (HTL) which doubles up as photon absorbing layer, several quantum dot layers, and an electron transport layer (ETL). The conduction of charge carriers in HTL and ETL has been modeled by the drift-diffusion transport mechanism. The conduction and recombination in the quantum dot layers are described by a system of coupled rate equations incorporating tunneling and bimolecular recombination. Analysis of QD-solar cells shows improved device performance compared to the similar bilayer and trilayer device structures without QDs. Keeping other design parameters constant, solar cell characteristics can be controlled by the quantum dot layers. Bimolecular recombination coefficient of quantum dots is a prime factor which controls the open circuit voltage (VOC) without any significant reduction in short circuit current (JSC).

  10. Low-voltage electric-double-layer paper transistors gated by microporous SiO2 processed at room temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Jia; Wan, Qing; Lu, Aixia; Jiang, Jie

    2009-11-01

    Battery drivable low-voltage SnO2-based paper thin-film transistors with a near-zero threshold voltage (Vth=0.06 V) gated by microporous SiO2 dielectric with electric-double-layer (EDL) effect are fabricated at room temperature. The operating voltage is found to be as low as 1.5 V due to the huge gate specific capacitance (1.34 μF/cm2 at 40 Hz) related to EDL formation. The subthreshold gate voltage swing and current on/off ratio is found to be 82 mV/decade and 2.0×105, respectively. The electron field-effect mobility is estimated to be 47.3 cm2/V s based on the measured gate specific capacitance at 40 Hz.

  11. The surface chemical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified by thermal fluorination for electric double-layer capacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jung, Min-Jung; Jeong, Euigyung; Lee, Young-Seak

    2015-08-01

    The surfaces of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were thermally fluorinated at various temperatures to enhance the electrochemical properties of the MWCNTs for use as electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) electrodes. The fluorine functional groups were added to the surfaces of the MWCNTs via thermal fluorination. The thermal fluorination exposed the Fe catalyst on MWCNTs, and the specific surface area increased due to etching during the fluorination. The specific capacitances of the thermally fluorinated at 100 °C, MWCNT based electrode increased from 57 to 94 F/g at current densities of 0.2 A/g, respectively. This enhancement in capacitance can be attributed to increased polarization of the thermally fluorinated MWCNT surface, which increased the affinity between the electrode surface and the electrolyte ions.

  12. High performance planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells with crown-ether functionalized fullerene and LiF as double cathode buffer layers

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

    Liu, Xiaodong; Zhou, Yi, E-mail: yizhou@suda.edu.cn, E-mail: songbo@suda.edu.cn, E-mail: liyf@iccas.ac.cn; Song, Bo, E-mail: yizhou@suda.edu.cn, E-mail: songbo@suda.edu.cn, E-mail: liyf@iccas.ac.cn

    2015-08-10

    Double cathode buffer layers (CBLs) composed of fullerene derivative functionalized with a crown-ether end group in its side chain (denoted as PCBC) and a LiF layer were introduced between the PCBM acceptor layer and the top cathode in planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells (pero-SCs) based on CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3−X}Cl{sub X}. The devices with the PCBC/LiF double CBLs showed significant improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability when compared to the device with LiF single CBL. Through optimizing the spin-coating speed of PCBC, a maximum PCE of 15.53% has been achieved, which is approximately 15% higher than thatmore » of the device with single LiF CBL. The remarkable improvement in PCE can be attributed to the formation of a better ohmic contact in the CBL between PCBC and LiF/Al electrode arising from the dipole moment of PCBC, leading to the enhanced fill factor and short-circuit current density (J{sub sc}). Besides the PCE, the long-term stability of the devices with PCBC interlayer is also superior to that of the device with LiF single CBL, which is due to the more effective protection for the perovskite/PCBM interface.« less

  13. Substituted Quaternary Ammonium Salts Improve Low-Temperature Performance of Double-Layer Capacitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brandon, Erik J.; Smart, Marshall C.; West, William C.

    2011-01-01

    Double-layer capacitors are unique energy storage devices, capable of supporting large current pulses as well as a very high number of charging and discharging cycles. The performance of doublelayer capacitors is highly dependent on the nature of the electrolyte system used. Many applications, including for electric and fuel cell vehicles, back-up diesel generators, wind generator pitch control back-up power systems, environmental and structural distributed sensors, and spacecraft avionics, can potentially benefit from the use of double-layer capacitors with lower equivalent series resistances (ESRs) over wider temperature limits. Higher ESRs result in decreased power output, which is a particular problem at lower temperatures. Commercially available cells are typically rated for operation down to only 40 C. Previous briefs [for example, Low Temperature Supercapacitors (NPO-44386), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 7 (July 2008), p. 32, and Supercapacitor Electrolyte Solvents With Liquid Range Below 80 C (NPO-44855), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 34, No. 1 (January 2010), p. 44] discussed the use of electrolytes that employed low-melting-point co-solvents to depress the freezing point of traditional acetonitrile-based electrolytes. Using these modified electrolyte formulations can extend the low-temperature operational limit of double-layer capacitors beyond that of commercially available cells. This previous work has shown that although the measured capacitance is relatively insensitive to temperature, the ESR can rise rapidly at low temperatures, due to decreased electrolyte conductance within the pores of the high surface- area carbon electrodes. Most of these advanced electrolyte systems featured tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEATFB) as the salt. More recent work at JPL indicates the use of the asymmetric quaternary ammonium salt triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEMATFB) or spiro-(l,l')-bipyrrolidium tetrafluoroborate (SBPBF4) in a 1:1 by volume solvent mixture of acetonitrile (AN) and methyl formate (MF) enables double-layer capacitor cells to operate well below -40 C with a relatively low ESR. Typically, a less than twofold increase in ESR is observed at -65 C relative to room-temperature values, when these modified electrolyte blends are used in prototype cells. Double-layer capacitor coin cells filled with these electrolytes have displayed the lowest measured ESR for an organic electrolyte to date at low temperature (based on a wide range of electrolyte screening studies at JPL). The cells featured high-surface-area (approximately equal to 2,500 m/g) carbon electrodes that were 0.50 mm thick and 1.6 cm in diameter, and coated with a thin layer of platinum to reduce cell resistance. A polyethylene separator was used to electrically isolate the electrodes.

  14. The Mathematical Modeling and Computer Simulation of Electrochemical Micromachining Using Ultrashort Pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kozak, J.; Gulbinowicz, D.; Gulbinowicz, Z.

    2009-05-01

    The need for complex and accurate three dimensional (3-D) microcomponents is increasing rapidly for many industrial and consumer products. Electrochemical machining process (ECM) has the potential of generating desired crack-free and stress-free surfaces of microcomponents. This paper reports a study of pulse electrochemical micromachining (PECMM) using ultrashort (nanoseconds) pulses for generating complex 3-D microstructures of high accuracy. A mathematical model of the microshaping process with taking into consideration unsteady phenomena in electrical double layer has been developed. The software for computer simulation of PECM has been developed and the effects of machining parameters on anodic localization and final shape of machined surface are presented.

  15. The aluminum electrode in AlCl3-alkali-halide melts.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holleck, G. L.; Giner, J.

    1972-01-01

    Passivation phenomena have been observed upon cathodic and anodic polarization of the Al electrode in AlCl3-KCl-NaCl melts between 100 and 160 C. They are caused by formation of a solid salt layer at the electrode surface resulting from concentration changes upon current flow. The anodic limiting currents increased with temperature and with decreasing AlCl3 content of the melt. Current voltage curves obtained on a rotating aluminum disk showed a linear relationship between the anodic limiting current and omega to the minus 1/2 power. Upon cathodic polarization, dendrite formation occurs at the Al electrode. The activation overvoltage in AlCl3-KCl-NaCl was determined by galvanostatic current step methods. An apparent exchange current density of 270 mA/sq cm at 130 C and a double layer capacity of 40 plus or minus 10 microfarad/sq cm were measured.

  16. Maglev performance of a double-layer bulk high temperature superconductor above a permanent magnet guideway

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Z.; Wang, J.; Zheng, J.; Lin, Q.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, S.

    2009-05-01

    In order to improve the performance of the present high temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev vehicle system, the maglev performance of single- and double-layer bulk high temperature superconductors (HTSC) was investigated above a permanent magnet guideway (PMG). It is found that the maglev performance of a double-layer bulk HTSC is not a simple addition of each layer's levitation and guidance force. Moreover, the applied magnetic field at the position of the upper layer bulk HTSC is not completely shielded by the lower layer bulk HTSC either. 53.5% of the levitation force and 27.5% of the guidance force of the upper layer bulk HTSC are excited in the double-layer bulk HTSC arrangement in the applied field-cooling condition and working gap, bringing a corresponding improvement of 16.9% and 8.8% to the conventional single-layer bulk HTSC. The present research implies that the cost performance of upper layer bulk HTSC is a little low for the whole HTS maglev system.

  17. Polarization of gold in nanopores leads to ion current rectification

    DOE PAGES

    Yang, Crystal; Hinkle, Preston; Menestrina, Justin; ...

    2016-10-03

    Biomimetic nanopores with rectifying properties are relevant components of ionic switches, ionic circuits, and biological sensors. Rectification indicates that currents for voltages of one polarity are higher than currents for voltages of the opposite polarity. Ion current rectification requires the presence of surface charges on the pore walls, achieved either by the attachment of charged groups or in multielectrode systems by applying voltage to integrated gate electrodes. Here we present a simpler concept for introducing surface charges via polarization of a thin layer of Au present at one entrance of a silicon nitride nanopore. In an electric field applied bymore » two electrodes placed in bulk solution on both sides of the membrane, the Au layer polarizes such that excess positive charge locally concentrates at one end and negative charge concentrates at the other end. Consequently, a junction is formed between zones with enhanced anion and cation concentrations in the solution adjacent to the Au layer. This bipolar double layer together with enhanced cation concentration in a negatively charged silicon nitride nanopore leads to voltage-controlled surface-charge patterns and ion current rectification. The experimental findings are supported by numerical modeling that confirm modulation of ionic concentrations by the Au layer and ion current rectification even in low-aspect ratio nanopores. Lastly, our findings enable a new strategy for creating ionic circuits with diodes and transistors.« less

  18. pH Sensing Properties of Flexible, Bias-Free Graphene Microelectrodes in Complex Fluids: From Phosphate Buffer Solution to Human Serum.

    PubMed

    Ping, Jinglei; Blum, Jacquelyn E; Vishnubhotla, Ramya; Vrudhula, Amey; Naylor, Carl H; Gao, Zhaoli; Saven, Jeffery G; Johnson, Alan T Charlie

    2017-08-01

    Advances in techniques for monitoring pH in complex fluids can have a significant impact on analytical and biomedical applications. This study develops flexible graphene microelectrodes (GEs) for rapid (<5 s), very-low-power (femtowatt) detection of the pH of complex biofluids by measuring real-time Faradaic charge transfer between the GE and a solution at zero electrical bias. For an idealized sample of phosphate buffer solution (PBS), the Faradaic current is varied monotonically and systematically with the pH, with a resolution of ≈0.2 pH unit. The current-pH dependence is well described by a hybrid analytical-computational model, where the electric double layer derives from an intrinsic, pH-independent (positive) charge associated with the graphene-water interface and ionizable (negative) charged groups. For ferritin solution, the relative Faradaic current, defined as the difference between the measured current response and a baseline response due to PBS, shows a strong signal associated with ferritin disassembly and the release of ferric ions at pH ≈2.0. For samples of human serum, the Faradaic current shows a reproducible rapid (<20 s) response to pH. By combining the Faradaic current and real-time current variation, the methodology is potentially suitable for use to detect tumor-induced changes in extracellular pH. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. Effect of solution combusted TiO2 nanopowder within commercial BaTiO3 dielectric layer on the photoelectric properties for AC powder electroluminescence devices.

    PubMed

    Park, Sung; Choi, Gil Rak; Kim, Youn Cheol; Lee, Jae Chun; Lee, Ju Hyeon

    2013-05-01

    A unique synthesis method was developed, which is called solution combustion method (SCM). TiO2 nanopowder was synthesized by this method. This SCM TiO2 nanopowder (-35 nm) was added to the dielectric layer of AC powder electroluminescence (EL) device. The dielectric layer was made of commercial BaTiO3 powder (-1.2 microm) and binding polymer. 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt% of SCM TiO2 nanopowder was added to the dielectric layer during fabrication of AC powder EL device respectively. Dielectric constant of these four kinds of dielectric layers was measured. The brightness and current density of AC powder EL device were also measured. When 10 wt% of SCM TiO2 nanopowder was added, dielectric constant and brightness were increased by 30% and 101% respectively. Furthermore, the current density was decreased by 71%. This means that the brightness was double and the power consumption was one third.

  20. Force-free electromagnetic pulses in a laboratory plasma

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stenzel, R. L.; Urrutia, J. M.

    1990-01-01

    A short, intense current pulse is drawn from an electrode immersed in a magnetized afterglow plasma. The induced magnetic field B(r,t) assumes the shape of a helical double vortex which propagates along B(0) through the uniform plasma as a whistler mode. The observations support a prediction of force-free (J x B + neE = 0) electromagnetic fields and solitary waves. Energy and helicity are approximately conserved.

  1. Double-Layer Gadolinium Zirconate/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coatings Deposited by the Solution Precursor Plasma Spray Process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Chen; Jordan, Eric H.; Harris, Alan B.; Gell, Maurice; Roth, Jeffrey

    2015-08-01

    Advanced thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with lower thermal conductivity, increased resistance to calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS), and improved high-temperature capability, compared to traditional yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) TBCs, are essential to higher efficiency in next generation gas turbine engines. Double-layer rare-earth zirconate/YSZ TBCs are a promising solution. From a processing perspective, solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) process with its unique and beneficial microstructural features can be an effective approach to obtaining the double-layer microstructure. Previously durable low-thermal-conductivity YSZ TBCs with optimized layered porosity, called the inter-pass boundaries (IPBs) were produced using the SPPS process. In this study, an SPPS gadolinium zirconate (GZO) protective surface layer was successfully added. These SPPS double-layer TBCs not only retained good cyclic durability and low thermal conductivity, but also demonstrated favorable phase stability and increased surface temperature capabilities. The CMAS resistance was evaluated with both accumulative and single applications of simulated CMAS in isothermal furnaces. The double-layer YSZ/GZO exhibited dramatic improvement in the single application, but not in the continuous one. In addition, to explore their potential application in integrated gasification combined cycle environments, double-layer TBCs were tested under high-temperature humidity and encouraging performance was recorded.

  2. Organic doping of rotated double layer graphene

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

    George, Lijin; Jaiswal, Manu, E-mail: manu.jaiswal@iitm.ac.in

    2016-05-06

    Charge transfer techniques have been extensively used as knobs to tune electronic properties of two- dimensional systems, such as, for the modulation of conductivity \\ mobility of single layer graphene and for opening the bandgap in bilayer graphene. The charge injected into the graphene layer shifts the Fermi level away from the minimum density of states point (Dirac point). In this work, we study charge transfer in rotated double-layer graphene achieved by the use of organic dopant, Tetracyanoquinodimethane. Naturally occurring bilayer graphene has a well-defined A-B stacking whereas in rotated double-layer the two graphene layers are randomly stacked with differentmore » rotational angles. This rotation is expected to significantly alter the interlayer interaction. Double-layer samples are prepared using layer-by-layer assembly of chemical vapor deposited single-layer graphene and they are identified by characteristic resonance in the Raman spectrum. The charge transfer and distribution of charges between the two graphene layers is studied using Raman spectroscopy and the results are compared with that for single-layer and A-B stacked bilayer graphene doped under identical conditions.« less

  3. Electron temperature differences and double layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chan, C.; Hershkowitz, N.; Lonngren, K. E.

    1983-01-01

    Electron temperature differences across plasma double layers are studied experimentally. It is shown that the temperature differences across a double layer can be varied and are not a result of thermalization of the bump-on-tail distribution. The implications of these results for electron thermal energy transport in laser-pellet and tandem-mirror experiments are also discussed.

  4. Capacitors with low equivalent series resistance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lakeman, Charles D. E. (Inventor); Fuge, Mark (Inventor); Fleig, Patrick Franz (Inventor)

    2011-01-01

    An electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) in a coin or button cell configuration having low equivalent series resistance (ESR). The capacitor comprises mesh or other porous metal that is attached via conducting adhesive to one or both the current collectors. The mesh is embedded into the surface of the adjacent electrode, thereby reducing the interfacial resistance between the electrode and the current collector, thus reducing the ESR of the capacitor.

  5. Compressive and rarefactive double layers in non-uniform plasma with q-nonextensive distributed electrons

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shan, S. Ali; Saleem, H.

    2018-05-01

    Electrostatic solitary waves and double layers (DLs) formed by the coupled ion acoustic (IA) and drift waves have been investigated in non-uniform plasma using q-nonextensive distribution function for the electrons and assuming ions to be cold Ti< Te. It is found that both compressive and rarefactive nonlinear structures (solitary waves and DLs) are possible in such a system. The steeper gradients are supportive for compressive solitary (and double layers) and destructive for rarefactive ones. The q-nonextensivity parameter q and the magnitudes of gradient scale lengths of density and temperature have significant effects on the amplitude of the double layers (and double layers) as well as on the speed of these structures. This theoretical model is general which has been applied here to the F-region ionosphere for illustration.

  6. A fluid description of plasma double-layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Levine, J. S.; Crawford, F. W.

    1979-01-01

    The space-charge double-layer that forms between two plasmas with different densities and thermal energies was investigated using three progressively realistic models which are treated by fluid theory, and take into account four species of particles: electrons and ions reflected by the double-layer, and electrons and ions transmitted through it. The two plasmas are assumed to be cold, and the self-consistent potential, electric field and space-charge distributions within the double-layer are determined. The effects of thermal velocities are taken into account for the reflected particles, and the modifications to the cold plasma solutions are established. Further modifications due to thermal velocities of the transmitted particles are examined. The applicability of a one dimensional fluid description, rather than plasma kinetic theory, is discussed. Theoretical predictions are compared with double layer potentials and lengths deduced from laboratory and space plasma experiments.

  7. A new hydrodynamic analysis of double layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hora, Heinrich

    1987-01-01

    A genuine two-fluid model of plasmas with collisions permits the calculation of dynamic (not necessarily static) electric fields and double layers inside of plasmas including oscillations and damping. For the first time a macroscopic model for coupling of electromagnetic and Langmuir waves was achieved with realistic damping. Starting points were laser-produced plasmas showing very high dynamic electric fields in nonlinear force-produced cavitous and inverted double layers in agreement with experiments. Applications for any inhomogeneous plasma as in laboratory or in astrophysical plasmas can then be followed up by a transparent hydrodynamic description. Results are the rotation of plasmas in magnetic fields and a new second harmonic resonance, explanation of the measured inverted double layers, explanation of the observed density-independent, second harmonics emission from laser-produced plasmas, and a laser acceleration scheme by the very high fields of the double layers.

  8. Synergetic effect of double-step blocking layer for the perovskite solar cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Jinhyun; Hwang, Taehyun; Lee, Sangheon; Lee, Byungho; Kim, Jaewon; Kim, Jaewook; Gil, Bumjin; Park, Byungwoo

    2017-10-01

    In an organometallic CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cell, we have demonstrated a vastly compact TiO2 layer synthesized by double-step deposition, through a combination of sputter and solution deposition to minimize the electron-hole recombination and boost the power conversion efficiency. As a result, the double-step strategy allowed outstanding transmittance of blocking layer. Additionally, crystallinity and morphology of the perovskite film were significantly modified, provoking enhanced photon absorption and solar cell performance with the reduced recombination rate. Thereby, this straightforward double-step strategy for the blocking layer exhibited 12.31% conversion efficiency through morphological improvements of each layer.

  9. Modulating endogenous electric currents in human corneal wounds--a novel approach of bioelectric stimulation without electrodes.

    PubMed

    Reid, Brian; Graue-Hernandez, Enrique O; Mannis, Mark J; Zhao, Min

    2011-03-01

    To measure electric current in human corneal wounds and test the feasibility of pharmacologically enhancing the current to promote corneal wound healing. Using a noninvasive vibrating probe, corneal electric current was measured before and after wounding of the epithelium of donated postmortem human corneas. The effects of drug aminophylline and chloride-free solution on wound current were also tested. Unwounded cornea had small outward currents (0.07 μA/cm²). Wounding increased the current more than 5 fold (0.41 μA/cm²). Monitoring the wound current over time showed that it seemed to be actively regulated and maintained above normal unwounded levels for at least 6 hours. The time course was similar to that previously measured in rat cornea. Drug treatment or chloride-free solution more than doubled the size of wound currents. Electric current at human corneal wounds can be significantly increased with aminophylline or chloride-free solution. Because corneal wound current directly correlates with wound healing rate, our results suggest a role for chloride-free and/or aminophylline eyedrops to enhance healing of damaged cornea in patients with reduced wound healing such as the elderly or diabetic patient. This novel approach offers bioelectric stimulation without electrodes and can be readily tested in patients.

  10. Detection of iodine monoxide in the tropical free troposphere

    PubMed Central

    Dix, Barbara; Baidar, Sunil; Bresch, James F.; Hall, Samuel R.; Schmidt, K. Sebastian; Wang, Siyuan; Volkamer, Rainer

    2013-01-01

    Atmospheric iodine monoxide (IO) is a radical that catalytically destroys heat trapping ozone and reacts further to form aerosols. Here, we report the detection of IO in the tropical free troposphere (FT). We present vertical profiles from airborne measurements over the Pacific Ocean that show significant IO up to 9.5 km altitude and locate, on average, two-thirds of the total column above the marine boundary layer. IO was observed in both recent deep convective outflow and aged free tropospheric air, suggesting a widespread abundance in the FT over tropical oceans. Our vertical profile measurements imply that most of the IO signal detected by satellites over tropical oceans could originate in the FT, which has implications for our understanding of iodine sources. Surprisingly, the IO concentration remains elevated in a transition layer that is decoupled from the ocean surface. This elevated concentration aloft is difficult to reconcile with our current understanding of iodine lifetimes and may indicate heterogeneous recycling of iodine from aerosols back to the gas phase. Chemical model simulations reveal that the iodine-induced ozone loss occurs mostly above the marine boundary layer (34%), in the transition layer (40%) and FT (26%) and accounts for up to 20% of the overall tropospheric ozone loss rate in the upper FT. Our results suggest that the halogen-driven ozone loss in the FT is currently underestimated. More research is needed to quantify the widespread impact that iodine species of marine origin have on free tropospheric composition, chemistry, and climate. PMID:23345444

  11. Multiscale modeling of current-induced switching in magnetic tunnel junctions using ab initio spin-transfer torques

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ellis, Matthew O. A.; Stamenova, Maria; Sanvito, Stefano

    2017-12-01

    There exists a significant challenge in developing efficient magnetic tunnel junctions with low write currents for nonvolatile memory devices. With the aim of analyzing potential materials for efficient current-operated magnetic junctions, we have developed a multi-scale methodology combining ab initio calculations of spin-transfer torque with large-scale time-dependent simulations using atomistic spin dynamics. In this work we introduce our multiscale approach, including a discussion on a number of possible schemes for mapping the ab initio spin torques into the spin dynamics. We demonstrate this methodology on a prototype Co/MgO/Co/Cu tunnel junction showing that the spin torques are primarily acting at the interface between the Co free layer and MgO. Using spin dynamics we then calculate the reversal switching times for the free layer and the critical voltages and currents required for such switching. Our work provides an efficient, accurate, and versatile framework for designing novel current-operated magnetic devices, where all the materials details are taken into account.

  12. Role of polarizer-tilting-angle in zero-field spin-transfer nano-oscillators with perpendicular anisotropy

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

    Gonzalez-Fuentes, C.; Gallardo, R. A., E-mail: rodolfo.gallardo@usm.cl; Landeros, P.

    2015-10-05

    An analytical model for studying the stability of a single domain ferromagnetic layer under the influence of a spin-polarized current is presented. The theory is applied to bias-field-free nano-oscillators with perpendicular anisotropy, which allows to obtain a polarizer-angle vs. current phase diagram that describes the stability of magnetic states. Explicit formulae for the critical current densities unveil the influence of the relative orientation between free and polarizer layers, allowing the emergence of precessional steady-states, and also the possibility to reduce the magnitude of the threshold current density to produce microwave oscillations. It is shown that oscillating steady-states arise in amore » broad angular region, and the dependence of their boundaries is fully specified by the model. The reliability of the analytical results has been corroborated by comparison to numerical calculations. Such structures are currently under intense research because of remarkable properties offering new prospects for microwave applications in communication technologies.« less

  13. Effect of double layer thickness on magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic BaTiO3-Bi0.95Gd0.05FeO3 multilayers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hohenberger, S.; Lazenka, V.; Temst, K.; Selle, S.; Patzig, C.; Höche, T.; Grundmann, M.; Lorenz, M.

    2018-05-01

    The effect of double-layer thickness and partial substitution of Bi3+ by Gd3+ is demonstrated for multiferroic BaTiO3–BiFeO3 2–2 heterostructures. Multilayers of 15 double layers of BaTiO3 and Bi0.95Gd0.05FeO3 were deposited onto (0 0 1) oriented SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition with various double layer thicknesses. X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed a systematic strain tuning with layer thickness via coherently strained interfaces. The multilayers show increasingly enhanced magnetoelectric coupling with reduced double layer thickness. The maximum magnetoelectric coupling coefficient was measured to be as high as 50.8 V cm‑1 Oe‑1 in 0 T DC bias magnetic field at room temperature, and 54.9 V cm‑1 Oe‑1 above 3 T for the sample with the thinnest double layer thickness of 22.5 nm. This enhancement is accompanied by progressively increasing perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and compressive out-of-plane strain. To understand the origin of the enhanced magnetoelectric coupling in such multilayers, the temperature and magnetic field dependency of is discussed. The magnetoelectric performance of the Gd3+ substituted samples is found to be slightly enhanced when compared to unsubstituted BaTiO3–BiFeO3 multilayers of comparable double-layer thickness.

  14. Si nanowires/Cu nanowires bilayer fabric as a lithium ion capacitor anode with excellent performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lai, Chien-Ming; Kao, Tzu-Lun; Tuan, Hsing-Yu

    2018-03-01

    A light and binder-free bilayer fabric electrode composed of silicon nanowires and copper nanowires for lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) is reported. A lithium ion capacitor is proposed employing pre-lithiated silicon/copper nanowire fabric and activated carbon as the anode and the cathode, respectively. These LICs show remarkable performance with a specific capacitance of 156 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, which is approximately twice of that of activated carbon in electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), and still exhibit a fine specific capacitance of 68 F g-1 even at a high current density of 20 A g-1. At a low power density of 193 W kg-1, the Si/Cu fabric//AC LIC can achieve high energy density of 210 W h kg-1. As the power density is increased to 99 kW kg-1, the energy density still remains at 43 W h kg-1, showing the prominent rate performance.

  15. Nonlinear electric field structures in the inner magnetosphere

    DOE PAGES

    Malaspina, D. M.; Andersson, L.; Ergun, R. E.; ...

    2014-08-28

    Recent observations by the Van Allen Probes spacecraft have demonstrated that a variety of electric field structures and nonlinear waves frequently occur in the inner terrestrial magnetosphere, including phase space holes, kinetic field-line resonances, nonlinear whistler-mode waves, and several types of double layer. However, it is nuclear whether such structures and waves have a significant impact on the dynamics of the inner magnetosphere, including the radiation belts and ring current. To make progress toward quantifying their importance, this study statistically evaluates the correlation of such structures and waves with plasma boundaries. A strong correlation is found. These statistical results, combinedmore » with observations of electric field activity at propagating plasma boundaries, are consistent with the identification of these boundaries as the source of free energy responsible for generating the electric field structures and nonlinear waves of interest. Therefore, the ability of these structures and waves to influence plasma in the inner magnetosphere is governed by the spatial extent and dynamics of macroscopic plasma boundaries in that region.« less

  16. Experimental Potential Energy Curve for the 43 Π Electronic State of NaCs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Steely, Andrew; Cooper, Hannah; Zain, Hareem; Whipp, Ciara; Faust, Carl; Kortyna, Andrew; Huennekens, John

    2017-04-01

    We present results from experimental studies of the 43 Π electronic state of the NaCs molecule. This electronic state is interesting in that its potential energy curve likely exhibits a double minimum. As a result, interference effects are observed in the resolved bound-free fluorescence spectra. The optical-optical double resonance method was used to obtain Doppler-free excitation spectra for the 43 Π state. This dataset of measured level energies was expanded largely by observing fluorescence from levels populated by collisions. To aid in level assignments, simulations of resolved bound-free fluorescence spectra were calculated using the BCONT program (R. J. Le Roy, University of Waterloo). Spectroscopic constants were determined to summarize data belonging to inner well, outer well, and above barrier regions of the electronic state. Current work focuses on using the IPA method to construct an experimental potential energy curve. Work supported by NSF and Susquehanna University.

  17. TH-C-18A-11: Investigating the Minimum Scan Parameters Required to Generate Free-Breathing Fast-Helical CT Scans Without Motion-Artifacts

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

    Thomas, D; Neylon, J; Dou, T

    Purpose: A recently proposed 4D-CT protocol uses deformable registration of free-breathing fast-helical CT scans to generate a breathing motion model. In order to allow accurate registration, free-breathing images are required to be free of doubling-artifacts, which arise when tissue motion is greater than scan speed. This work identifies the minimum scanner parameters required to successfully generate free-breathing fast-helical scans without doubling-artifacts. Methods: 10 patients were imaged under free breathing conditions 25 times in alternating directions with a 64-slice CT scanner using a low dose fast helical protocol. A high temporal resolution (0.1s) 4D-CT was generated using a patient specific motionmore » model and patient breathing waveforms, and used as the input for a scanner simulation. Forward projections were calculated using helical cone-beam geometry (800 projections per rotation) and a GPU accelerated reconstruction algorithm was implemented. Various CT scanner detector widths and rotation times were simulated, and verified using a motion phantom. Doubling-artifacts were quantified in patient images using structural similarity maps to determine the similarity between axial slices. Results: Increasing amounts of doubling-artifacts were observed with increasing rotation times > 0.2s for 16×1mm slice scan geometry. No significant increase in doubling artifacts was observed for 64×1mm slice scan geometry up to 1.0s rotation time although blurring artifacts were observed >0.6s. Using a 16×1mm slice scan geometry, a rotation time of less than 0.3s (53mm/s scan speed) would be required to produce images of similar quality to a 64×1mm slice scan geometry. Conclusion: The current generation of 16 slice CT scanners, which are present in most Radiation Oncology departments, are not capable of generating free-breathing sorting-artifact-free images in the majority of patients. The next generation of CT scanners should be capable of at least 53mm/s scan speed in order to use a fast-helical 4D-CT protocol to generate a motion-artifact free 4D-CT. NIH R01CA096679.« less

  18. Self-assembly preparation of SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide composites and their enhanced electrorheological characteristics

    PubMed Central

    Ji, Xuqiang; Zhang, Wenling; Shan, Lei; Tian, Yu; Liu, Jingquan

    2015-01-01

    The core-shell structured SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were prepared via self-assembly of Ni-Al LDH on the surface of SiO2 spheres. Only coating a layer of ultrathin Ni-Al LDH sheet, the resulting SiO2@Ni-Al LDH composites exhibit significantly enhanced electrorheological (ER) characteristics compared to conventional bare SiO2 spheres. The monodispersed SiO2 spheres with average diameters of 260 nm were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), while the shell part, Ni-Al LDH sheet was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The morphology of the samples was investigated via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The species and distribution of elements in samples were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping in STEM. Subsequently, the ER characteristics of the composites dispersed in insulating oil were characterized by a rotational rheometer. The electric field-stimulated rheological performances (yield stress, viscosity, modulus, etc.) were observed under an external electric field, which is different from the Newtonian state in the free electric field. PMID:26670467

  19. Self-assembly preparation of SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide composites and their enhanced electrorheological characteristics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, Xuqiang; Zhang, Wenling; Shan, Lei; Tian, Yu; Liu, Jingquan

    2015-12-01

    The core-shell structured SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were prepared via self-assembly of Ni-Al LDH on the surface of SiO2 spheres. Only coating a layer of ultrathin Ni-Al LDH sheet, the resulting SiO2@Ni-Al LDH composites exhibit significantly enhanced electrorheological (ER) characteristics compared to conventional bare SiO2 spheres. The monodispersed SiO2 spheres with average diameters of 260 nm were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), while the shell part, Ni-Al LDH sheet was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The morphology of the samples was investigated via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The species and distribution of elements in samples were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping in STEM. Subsequently, the ER characteristics of the composites dispersed in insulating oil were characterized by a rotational rheometer. The electric field-stimulated rheological performances (yield stress, viscosity, modulus, etc.) were observed under an external electric field, which is different from the Newtonian state in the free electric field.

  20. Towards understanding the effects of van der Waals strengths on the electric double-layer structures and capacitive behaviors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Huachao; Bo, Zheng; Yang, Jinyuan; Yan, Jianhua; Cen, Kefa

    2017-10-01

    Solid-liquid interactions are considered to play a crucial role in charge storage capability of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). In this work, effects of van der Waals (VDW) strengths on the EDL structures and capacitive performances within two representative electrolytes of solvated aqueous solutions and solvent-free ionic liquids are illuminated by molecular dynamics simulations. Single crystalline metals with similar lattice constant but diverse VDW potentials are employed as electrodes. Upon enhancing VDW strengths, capacitance of aqueous electrolytes first increases conspicuously by ∼34.0% and then descends, manifesting a non-monotonic trend, which goes beyond traditional perspectives. Such unusual observation is interpreted by the excluded-volume effects stemmed from ion-solvent competitions. Stimulated by predominant coulombic interactions, more ions are aggregated at the interface despite of the increasing VDW potentials, facilitating superior screening efficiency and capacitance. However, further enhancing strengths preferentially attracts more solvents instead of ions to the electrified surface, which in turn strikingly repels ions from Helmholtz layers, deteriorating electrode capacitance. An essentially similar feather is also recognized for ionic liquids, while the corresponding mechanisms are prominently ascribed to the suppressed ionic separations issued from cation-anion competitions. We highlight that constructing electrode materials with a moderate-hydrophilicity could further advance the performances of EDLCs.

  1. Materials science and integration bases for fabrication of (BaxSr1-x)TiO3 thin film capacitors with layered Cu-based electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, W.; Kabius, B.; Hiller, J. M.; Saha, S.; Carlisle, J. A.; Auciello, O.; Chang, R. P. H.; Ramesh, R.

    2003-11-01

    The synthesis and fundamental material properties of layered TiAl/Cu/Ta electrodes were investigated to achieve the integration of Cu electrodes with high-dielectric constant (κ) oxide thin films for application to the fabrication of high-frequency devices. The Ta layer is an excellent diffusion barrier to inhibit deleterious Cu diffusion into the Si substrate, while the TiAl layer provides an excellent barrier against oxygen diffusion into the Cu layer to inhibit Cu oxidation during the growth of the high-κ layer in an oxygen atmosphere. Polycrystalline (BaxSr1-x)TiO3 (BST) thin films were grown on the Cu-based bottom electrode by rf magnetron sputtering at temperatures in the range 400-600 °C in oxygen, to investigate the performance of BST/Cu-based capacitors. Characterization of the Cu-based layered structure using surface analytical methods showed that two amorphous oxide layers were formed on both sides of the TiAl barrier, such that the oxide layer on the free surface of the TiAl layer correlates with TiAlOx, while the oxide layer at the TiAl/Cu interface is an Al2O3-rich layer. This double amorphous barrier layer structure effectively prevents oxygen penetration towards the underlying Cu and Ta layers. The TiAlOx interfacial layer, which has a relatively low dielectric constant compared with BST, reduced the total capacitance of the BST thin film capacitors. In addition, the layered electrode-oxide interface roughening observed during the growth of BST films at high temperature, due to copper grain growth, resulted in large dielectric loss on the fabricated BST capacitors. These problems were solved by growing the BST layer at 450 °C followed by a rapid thermal annealing at 700 °C. This process significantly reduced the thickness of the TiAlOx layer and interface roughness resulting in BST capacitors exhibiting properties suitable for the fabrication of high-performance high-frequency devices. In summary, relatively high dielectric constant (280), low dielectric loss (0.007), and low leakage current (<2×10-8 A/cm2 at 100 kV/cm) were achieved for BST thin film capacitors with Cu-based electrodes.

  2. Effect of biquadratic coupling on current induced magnetization switching in Co/Cu/Ni-Fe nanopillar

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

    Aravinthan, D.; Daniel, M., E-mail: danielcnld@gmail.com; Sabareesan, P.

    2016-05-23

    The effect of biquadratic coupling on spin current induced magnetization switching in a Co/Cu/Ni-Fe nanopillar device is investigated by solving the free layer magnetization switching dynamics governed by the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski (LLGS) equation. The LLGS equation is numerically solved by using Runge-Kutta fourth order procedure for an applied current density of 5 × 10{sup 12} Am{sup -2}. Presence of biquadratic coupling in the ferromagnetic layers reduces the magnetization switching time of the nanopillar device from 61 ps to 49 ps.

  3. Preparation of polypropylene/Mg–Al layered double hydroxides nanocomposites through wet pan-milling: non-isothermal crystallization behaviour

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Yilei

    2018-01-01

    Differential scanning calorimeter was used to extensively investigate the non-isothermal crystallization of polypropylene (PP)/layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanocomposites prepared through wet solid-state shear milling. The corresponding crystallization kinetics was further investigated by using Ozawa, modified Avrami and combined Avrami–Ozawa method, respectively. The results showed that the Ozawa method could not well describe the crystallization kinetics of pure PP and its nanocomposites. Comparatively, the modified Avrami method as well as the combined Avrami–Ozawa method gives the satisfactory results. Under the effect of pan-milling, the produced LDH nano intercalated/exfoliated particles exhibit the inhibitive effect on the PP nucleation but more remarkable promotion effect on the spherulite growth, leading to enhancement in the overall crystallization rate. This is reflected in increase of the calculated fold surface free energy σe and also the supercooling degree ΔT required for crystallization nucleation. In addition, the polarized optical microscopy observation also verifies the higher spherulite growth rate of PP/LDHs nanocomposites than that of pure PP. PMID:29410819

  4. Physical and Chemical Interactions between Mg:Al Layered Double Hydroxide and Hexacyanoferrate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boclair, Joseph W.; Braterman, Paul S.; Brister, Brian D.; Wang, Zhiming; Yarberry, Faith

    2001-11-01

    The physical and chemical interactions of ferrocyanide (potassium and ammonium salts) and ferricyanide (potassium salt) with Mg:Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) (having Mg:Al ratios of 2 and 3) are investigated using powder XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. Physically, the potassium ferricyanide is shown to intercalate with a small local field deformation similar to that seen for hexacyanocobaltate (III) in similar materials. Chemically, the reduction of ferricyanide to ferrocyanide upon intercalation is confirmed. Physical interactions of ferrocyanide with 3:1 LDH are shown spectroscopically to include the possible generation of anions in differing environments. Chemically, ferrocyanide is shown to generate cubic ferrocyanides (of the type M2MgFe(CN)6, where M=K+ or NH+4) under conditions where free Mg2+ is likely present in solution, namely, solutions with a pH lower than ∼7.5. It is shown that the reported 2112-cm-1 band found in some chemically altered LDH ferrocyanide is indeed due to interlayer ferricyanide, but that the 2080 cm-1 band is due to the cubic material.

  5. Lithographically patterned thin activated carbon films as a new technology platform for on-chip devices.

    PubMed

    Wei, Lu; Nitta, Naoki; Yushin, Gleb

    2013-08-27

    Continuous, smooth, visibly defect-free, lithographically patterned activated carbon films (ACFs) are prepared on the surface of silicon wafers. Depending on the synthesis conditions, porous ACFs can either remain attached to the initial substrate or be separated and transferred to another dense or porous substrate of interest. Tuning the activation conditions allows one to change the surface area and porosity of the produced carbon films. Here we utilize the developed thin ACF technology to produce prototypes of functional electrical double-layer capacitor devices. The synthesized thin carbon film electrodes demonstrated very high capacitance in excess of 510 F g(-1) (>390 F cm(-3)) at a slow cyclic voltammetry scan rate of 1 mV s(-1) and in excess of 325 F g(-1) (>250 F cm(-3)) in charge-discharge tests at an ultrahigh current density of 45,000 mA g(-1). Good stability was demonstrated after 10,000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. The high values of the specific and volumetric capacitances of the selected ACF electrodes as well as the capacity retention at high current densities demonstrated great potential of the proposed technology for the fabrication of various on-chip devices, such as micro-electrochemical capacitors.

  6. Aptamer-Based Carboxyl-Terminated Nanocrystalline Diamond Sensing Arrays for Adenosine Triphosphate Detection.

    PubMed

    Suaebah, Evi; Naramura, Takuro; Myodo, Miho; Hasegawa, Masataka; Shoji, Shuichi; Buendia, Jorge J; Kawarada, Hiroshi

    2017-07-21

    Here, we propose simple diamond functionalization by carboxyl termination for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection by an aptamer. The high-sensitivity label-free aptamer sensor for ATP detection was fabricated on nanocrystalline diamond (NCD). Carboxyl termination of the NCD surface by vacuum ultraviolet excimer laser and fluorine termination of the background region as a passivated layer were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Single strand DNA (amide modification) was used as the supporting biomolecule to immobilize into the diamond surface via carboxyl termination and become a double strand with aptamer. ATP detection by aptamer was observed as a 66% fluorescence signal intensity decrease of the hybridization intensity signal. The sensor operation was also investigated by the field-effect characteristics. The shift of the drain current-drain voltage characteristics was used as the indicator for detection of ATP. From the field-effect characteristics, the shift of the drain current-drain voltage was observed in the negative direction. The negative charge direction shows that the aptamer is capable of detecting ATP. The ability of the sensor to detect ATP was investigated by fabricating a field-effect transistor on the modified NCD surface.

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

    Nishi, Shohei; Taguchi, Dai; Manaka, Takaaki

    By using electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic generation measurement coupled with the conventional current-voltage (I-V) measurement, we studied the carrier transport of organic double-layer diodes with a Au/pentacene/fluorine polymer (FP)/indium zinc oxide (IZO) structure. The rectifying I-V characteristics were converted into the I-E characteristics of the FP and pentacene layers. Results suggest a model in which Schottky-type electron injection from the IZO electrode to the FP layer governs the forward electrical conduction (V > 0), where the space charge electric field produced in the FP layer by accumulated holes at the pentacene/FP interface makes a significant contribution. On the other hand, Schottky-type injection bymore » accumulated interface electrons from the pentacene layer to the FP layer governs the backward electrical conduction (V < 0). The electroluminescence generated from the pentacene layer in the region V > 0 verifies the electron transport across the FP layer, and supports the above suggested model.« less

  8. Dynamics of multiple double layers in high pressure glow discharge in a simple torus

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

    Kumar Paul, Manash, E-mail: manashkr@gmail.com; Sharma, P. K.; Thakur, A.

    2014-06-15

    Parametric characterization of multiple double layers is done during high pressure glow discharge in a toroidal vessel of small aspect ratio. Although glow discharge (without magnetic field) is known to be independent of device geometry, but the toroidal boundary conditions are conducive to plasma growth and eventually the plasma occupy the toroidal volume partially. At higher anode potential, the visibly glowing spots on the body of spatially extended anode transform into multiple intensely luminous spherical plasma blob structures attached to the tip of the positive electrode. Dynamics of multiple double layers are observed in argon glow discharge plasma in presencemore » of toroidal magnetic field. The radial profiles of plasma parameters measured at various toroidal locations show signatures of double layer formation in our system. Parametric dependence of double layer dynamics in presence of toroidal magnetic field is presented here.« less

  9. Unravelling the electrochemical double layer by direct probing of the solid/liquid interface

    PubMed Central

    Favaro, Marco; Jeong, Beomgyun; Ross, Philip N.; Yano, Junko; Hussain, Zahid; Liu, Zhi; Crumlin, Ethan J.

    2016-01-01

    The electrochemical double layer plays a critical role in electrochemical processes. Whilst there have been many theoretical models predicting structural and electrical organization of the electrochemical double layer, the experimental verification of these models has been challenging due to the limitations of available experimental techniques. The induced potential drop in the electrolyte has never been directly observed and verified experimentally, to the best of our knowledge. In this study, we report the direct probing of the potential drop as well as the potential of zero charge by means of ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed under polarization conditions. By analyzing the spectra of the solvent (water) and a spectator neutral molecule with numerical simulations of the electric field, we discern the shape of the electrochemical double layer profile. In addition, we determine how the electrochemical double layer changes as a function of both the electrolyte concentration and applied potential. PMID:27576762

  10. Sub-Grid Modeling of Electrokinetic Effects in Micro Flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chen, C. P.

    2005-01-01

    Advances in micro-fabrication processes have generated tremendous interests in miniaturizing chemical and biomedical analyses into integrated microsystems (Lab-on-Chip devices). To successfully design and operate the micro fluidics system, it is essential to understand the fundamental fluid flow phenomena when channel sizes are shrink to micron or even nano dimensions. One important phenomenon is the electro kinetic effect in micro/nano channels due to the existence of the electrical double layer (EDL) near a solid-liquid interface. Not only EDL is responsible for electro-osmosis pumping when an electric field parallel to the surface is imposed, EDL also causes extra flow resistance (the electro-viscous effect) and flow anomaly (such as early transition from laminar to turbulent flow) observed in pressure-driven microchannel flows. Modeling and simulation of electro-kinetic effects on micro flows poses significant numerical challenge due to the fact that the sizes of the double layer (10 nm up to microns) are very thin compared to channel width (can be up to 100 s of m). Since the typical thickness of the double layer is extremely small compared to the channel width, it would be computationally very costly to capture the velocity profile inside the double layer by placing sufficient number of grid cells in the layer to resolve the velocity changes, especially in complex, 3-d geometries. Existing approaches using "slip" wall velocity and augmented double layer are difficult to use when the flow geometry is complicated, e.g. flow in a T-junction, X-junction, etc. In order to overcome the difficulties arising from those two approaches, we have developed a sub-grid integration method to properly account for the physics of the double layer. The integration approach can be used on simple or complicated flow geometries. Resolution of the double layer is not needed in this approach, and the effects of the double layer can be accounted for at the same time. With this approach, the numeric grid size can be much larger than the thickness of double layer. Presented in this report are a description of the approach, methodology for implementation and several validation simulations for micro flows.

  11. Toward Revealing the Critical Role of Perovskite Coverage in Highly Efficient Electron-Transport Layer-Free Perovskite Solar Cells: An Energy Band and Equivalent Circuit Model Perspective.

    PubMed

    Huang, Like; Xu, Jie; Sun, Xiaoxiang; Du, Yangyang; Cai, Hongkun; Ni, Jian; Li, Juan; Hu, Ziyang; Zhang, Jianjun

    2016-04-20

    Currently, most efficient perovskite solar cells (PVKSCs) with a p-i-n structure require simultaneously electron transport layers (ETLs) and hole transport layers (HTLs) to help collecting photogenerated electrons and holes for obtaining high performance. ETL free planar PVKSC is a relatively new and simple structured solar cell that gets rid of the complex and high temperature required ETL (such as compact and mesoporous TiO2). Here, we demonstrate the critical role of high coverage of perovskite in efficient ETL free PVKSCs from an energy band and equivalent circuit model perspective. From an electrical point of view, we confirmed that the low coverage of perovskite does cause localized short circuit of the device. With coverage optimization, a planar p-i-n(++) device with a power conversion efficiency of over 11% was achieved, implying that the ETL layer may not be necessary for an efficient device as long as the perovskite coverage is approaching 100%.

  12. Double-Layer Structured CO2 Adsorbent Functionalized with Modified Polyethyleneimine for High Physical and Chemical Stability.

    PubMed

    Jeon, Sunbin; Jung, Hyunchul; Kim, Sung Hyun; Lee, Ki Bong

    2018-06-18

    CO 2 capture using polyethyleneimine (PEI)-impregnated silica adsorbents has been receiving a lot of attention. However, the absence of physical stability (evaporation and leaching of amine) and chemical stability (urea formation) of the PEI-impregnated silica adsorbent has been generally established. Therefore, in this study, a double-layer impregnated structure, developed using modified PEI, is newly proposed to enhance the physical and chemical stabilities of the adsorbent. Epoxy-modified PEI and diepoxide-cross-linked PEI were impregnated via a dry impregnation method in the first and second layers, respectively. The physical stability of the double-layer structured adsorbent was noticeably enhanced when compared to the conventional adsorbents with a single layer. In addition to the enhanced physical stability, the result of simulated temperature swing adsorption cycles revealed that the double-layer structured adsorbent presented a high potential working capacity (3.5 mmol/g) and less urea formation under CO 2 -rich regeneration conditions. The enhanced physical and chemical stabilities as well as the high CO 2 working capacity of the double-layer structured adsorbent were mainly attributed to the second layer consisting of diepoxide-cross-linked PEI.

  13. A novel antiproliferative drug coating for glaucoma drainage devices.

    PubMed

    Ponnusamy, Thiruselvam; Yu, Haini; John, Vijay T; Ayyala, Ramesh S; Blake, Diane A

    2014-01-01

    The implantation of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) is often necessary for intractable cases of glaucoma. Currently, the success rate of GDD implants is relatively low because fibrosis that develops during the wound-healing process ultimately blocks fluid drainage. We describe herein a novel porous coating for Ahmed glaucoma valves based on biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Thin films of PLGA were fabricated using a spin-coating technique. The procedure led to an asymmetric pore structure that was exploited to control the rate of dissolution. Double-layered porous films were constructed to achieve continuous drug release. A cell culture system was used to test the efficacy of these coatings. Double-layered films were manufactured to provide a burst of mitomycin C (MMC) release followed by a slow release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which together prevented fibrosis over the most active period of postoperative wound healing (0 to 28 d). Double-layered films containing 5-FU only in the bottom layer showed a 3- to 5-day delay in drug release, followed by a sharp increase that continued for ~28 days. MMC was stable only when surface-loaded, and this drug was therefore surface-loaded onto the top PLGA layer to provide a continuous release of antifibrotics over the wound-healing period. The combined use of both MMC and 5-FU in a biodegradable device inhibits cell proliferation in a tissue culture model and has the potential to reduce fibrosis and increase the success rate of GDD implants. The design is simple and can be scaled for commercial production.

  14. Lowering of the firing voltage and reducing of the discharge delay time in alternating current plasma display panels by a discontinuous spin-coated LaB{sub 6} film on the MgO protective layer

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

    Deng, Jiang, E-mail: dj78291@163.com; Zeng, Baoqing; Zhongshan Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 528402 zhongshan

    2014-03-15

    A spin coated LaB{sub 6} discontinuous film is covered on MgO protective layer to improve the discharge performance of alternating current plasma display panels. Under the premise of high transmittance of more than 90%, a very small amount of polycrystal LaB{sub 6} powders added in an organic solvent are chosen as the coating solution. The discharge characteristics results show that with 250 torr 5% Xe-Ne pressure, the firing voltage and discharge delay time of the test panel with LaB{sub 6}/MgO double protective layer are decreased by 13.4% and 36.5%, respectively, compared with that of conventional MgO protective layer, likely owingmore » to the low work function of LaB{sub 6.} Furthermore, the aging time of the proposed structure is comparable to that of pure MgO protective layer. Therefore, it will not increase the production costs and is highly suitable to be applied for alternating current plasma display panels with low electrical power consumption.« less

  15. Pd/Ni-WO3 anodic double layer gasochromic device

    DOEpatents

    Lee, Se-Hee; Tracy, C. Edwin; Pitts, J. Roland; Liu, Ping

    2004-04-20

    An anodic double layer gasochromic sensor structure for optical detection of hydrogen in improved response time and with improved optical absorption real time constants, comprising: a glass substrate; a tungsten-doped nickel oxide layer coated on the glass substrate; and a palladium layer coated on the tungsten-doped nickel oxide layer.

  16. Entrainment Coefficient and Effective Mass for Conduction Neutrons in Neutron Star Crust:. Macroscopic Treatment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carter, Brandon; Chamel, Nicolas; Haensel, Pawel

    Phenomena such as pulsar frequency glitches are believed to be attributable to differential rotation of a current of "free" superfluid neutrons at densities above the "drip" threshold in the ionic crust of a neutron star. Such relative flow is shown to be locally describable by adaption of a canonical two-fluid treatment that emphasizes the role of the momentum covectors constructed by differentiation of action with respect to the currents, with allowance for stratification whereby the ionic number current may be conserved even when the ionic charge number Z is altered by beta processes. It is demonstrated that the gauge freedom to make different choices of the chemical basis determining which neutrons are counted as "free" does not affect their "superfluid" momentum covector, which must locally have the form of a gradient (though it does affect the "normal" momentum covector characterizing the protons and those neutrons that are considered to be "confined" in the nuclei). It is shown how the effect of "entrainment" (whereby the momentum directions deviate from those of the currents) is controlled by the (gauge-independent) mobility coefficient {K}, estimated in recent microscopical quantum mechanical investigations, which suggest that the corresponding (gauge-dependent) "effective mass" m⋆ of the free neutrons can become very large in some layers. The relation between this treatment of the crust layers and related work (using different definitions of "effective mass") intended for the deeper core layers is discussed.

  17. Topological defects in electric double layers of ionic liquids at carbon interfaces

    DOE PAGES

    Black, Jennifer M.; Okatan, Mahmut Baris; Feng, Guang; ...

    2015-06-07

    The structure and properties of the electrical double layer in ionic liquids is of interest in a wide range of areas including energy storage, catalysis, lubrication, and many more. Theories describing the electrical double layer for ionic liquids have been proposed, however a full molecular level description of the double layer is lacking. To date, studies have been predominantly focused on ion distributions normal to the surface, however the 3D nature of the electrical double layer in ionic liquids requires a full picture of the double layer structure not only normal to the surface, but also in plane. Here wemore » utilize 3D force mapping to probe the in plane structure of an ionic liquid at a graphite interface and report the direct observation of the structure and properties of topological defects. The observation of ion layering at structural defects such as step-edges, reinforced by molecular dynamics simulations, defines the spatial resolution of the method. Observation of defects allows for the establishment of the universality of ionic liquid behavior vs. separation from the carbon surface and to map internal defect structure. In conclusion, these studies offer a universal pathway for probing the internal structure of topological defects in soft condensed matter on the nanometer level in three dimensions.« less

  18. Isolating the effect of pore size distribution on electrochemical double-layer capacitance using activated fluid coke

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zuliani, Jocelyn E.; Tong, Shitang; Kirk, Donald W.; Jia, Charles Q.

    2015-12-01

    Electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) use physical ion adsorption in the capacitive electrical double layer of high specific surface area (SSA) materials to store electrical energy. Previous work shows that the SSA-normalized capacitance increases when pore diameters are less than 1 nm. However, there still remains uncertainty about the charge storage mechanism since the enhanced SSA-normalized capacitance is not observed in all microporous materials. In previous studies, the total specific surface area and the chemical composition of the electrode materials were not controlled. The current work is the first reported study that systematically compares the performance of activated carbon prepared from the same raw material, with similar chemical composition and specific surface area, but different pore size distributions. Preparing samples with similar SSAs, but different pores sizes is not straightforward since increasing pore diameters results in decreasing the SSA. This study observes that the microporous activated carbon has a higher SSA-normalized capacitance, 14.1 μF cm-2, compared to the mesoporous material, 12.4 μF cm-2. However, this enhanced SSA-normalized capacitance is only observed above a threshold operating voltage. Therefore, it can be concluded that a minimum applied voltage is required to induce ion adsorption in these sub-nanometer micropores, which increases the capacitance.

  19. Investigation of surface charge density on solid-liquid interfaces by modulating the electrical double layer.

    PubMed

    Moon, Jong Kyun; Song, Myung Won; Pak, Hyuk Kyu

    2015-05-20

    A solid surface in contact with water or aqueous solution usually carries specific electric charges. These surface charges attract counter ions from the liquid side. Since the geometry of opposite charge distribution parallel to the solid-liquid interface is similar to that of a capacitor, it is called an electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC). Therefore, there is an electrical potential difference across an EDLC in equilibrium. When a liquid bridge is formed between two conducting plates, the system behaves as two serially connected EDLCs. In this work, we propose a new method for investigating the surface charge density on solid-liquid interfaces. By mechanically modulating the electrical double layers and simultaneously applying a dc bias voltage across the plates, an ac electric current can be generated. By measuring the voltage drop across a load resistor as a function of bias voltage, we can study the surface charge density on solid-liquid interfaces. Our experimental results agree very well with the simple equivalent electrical circuit model proposed here. Furthermore, using this method, one can determine the polarity of the adsorbed state on the solid surface depending on the material used. We expect this method to aid in the study of electrical phenomena on solid-liquid interfaces.

  20. Electrochemistry with double electrical layers in frictional interaction metal-polymer tribolink

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Volchenko, N. A.; Krasin, P. S.; Volchenko, D. A.; Voznyi, A. V.

    2018-03-01

    The materials of the article illustrate the estimation of the energy loading of a metal friction element in a “metal-electrolyte-polymer” friction pair while forming various types of double electrical layers with the release of its thermal stabilization state. The rapidity of the processes of oxidation and reduction of the working surfaces of friction pairs during their electrothermomechanical frictional interaction leaves an imprint on all other additional processes that subsequently lead to the thermostabilizing and steady state of the metal friction element. Depending on the type of a brake device, the metal friction element has a different metal consumption and the temperature range varies. In addition, it is shown that the materials of the friction pair play an important role in the formation of electric tribosystems, namely: chemical elements that make up the materials, their valence, and the predominant type of intrinsic conductivity, as well as the sign of the electric charge of the friction pair elements that determines the laws of triboelectricity. Thus, an in-depth approach to the evaluation of the thermal stabilization state of a metal element in a “metal-electrolyte” friction pair is shown due to double electric layers that promote the emergence of current densities of different directions.

  1. Electric double-layer capacitor based on zinc metaphosphate glass-derived hydrogel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Akamatsu, Takafumi; Kasuga, Toshihiro; Nogami, Masayuki

    2006-04-01

    The present work reports the electrochemical characteristics of an electric double-layer capacitor (EDC) cell with an electrolyte consisting of a glass-derived zinc metaphosphate hydrogel (ZP gel) or H3PO4 solution. The EDC cell showed specific discharge capacities of 2.06 and 3.21F/g using the ZP gel and H3PO4 solution, respectively. The EDC cell performed higher voltage retentionability for self-discharge behavior after constant voltage using the ZP gel (0.83V after 24h) than using H3PO4 solution (0.45V after 24h). Self-discharge behaviors of the ZP gel and H3PO4 solution were controlled by a diffusion and current leakage process, respectively. These results show that the ZP gel has a great potential for practical use as an EDC electrolyte.

  2. A Pulsed Power System Design Using Lithium-ion Batteries and One Charger per Battery

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-12-01

    zinc-bromine and vanadium redox batteries • NAS: high-temperature sodium batteries • EDLC: Electric Double-Layer Capacitors • SMES...terminology used in this figure. • Conventional: lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride batteries . • Lithium: lithium ion batteries . • Flow ...than the second stage due to less current flowing to the battery [5], [7], [8], [9]. Figure 4 shows typical current, voltage, and capacity curves

  3. Functional and esthetic outcome enhancement of periodontal surgery by application of plastic surgery principles.

    PubMed

    Hürzeler, M B; Weng, D

    1999-02-01

    The closure of surgical wounds in a layer-by-layer fashion, a common principle of plastic surgery, is applied in this article to the field of periodontal surgery with the introduction of a new flap design. The suggested technique is indicated with all periodontal procedures that aim for hard and soft tissue augmentation (guided bone regeneration, mucogingival surgery, or plastic periodontal surgery) where passive, tension-free wound closure is fundamental for wound healing and a successful functional and esthetic outcome. By means of a series of incisions, buccal and lingual flaps are split several times; this results in a double-partial thickness flap and a coronally positioned palatal sliding flap, respectively. Thus, several tissue layers are obtained and the passive advancement of flaps becomes possible for the coverage of augmented areas. Wound closure with microsurgical suture material is accomplished in a multilayer approach, which ensures adaptation and closure of the outer tissue layers without any tension. Two case reports demonstrate the new plastic periodontal approach.

  4. Anodic Dissolution of Al Current Collectors in Unconventional Solvents for High Voltage Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitors.

    PubMed

    Krummacher, Jakob; Heß, Lars-Henning; Balducci, Andrea

    2017-09-04

    This study investigated the anodic dissolution of Al current collectors in unconventional electrolytes for high voltage electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) containing adiponitrile (ADN), 3-cyanopropionic acid methyl ester (CPAME), 2-methyl-glutaronitrile (2-MGN) as solvent, and tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (Et 4 NBF 4 ) and tetraethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Et 4 NTFSI) as conductive salts. To have a comparison with the state-of-the-art electrolytes, the same salts were also used in combination with acetonitrile (ACN). The chemical-physical properties of the electrolytes were investigated. Furthermore, their impact on the anodic dissolution of Al was analyzed in detail as well as the influence of this process on the performance of high voltage EDLCs. The results of this study indicated that in the case of Et 4 NBF 4 -based electrolytes, the use of an alternative solvent is very beneficial for the realization of stable devices. When Et 4 NTFSI is used, the reduced solubility of the complex Al(TFSI) 3 appears to be the key for the realization of advanced electrolytes. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Spatiotemporal electrochemical measurements across an electric double layer capacitor electrode with application to aqueous sodium hybrid batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tully, Katherine C.; Whitacre, Jay F.; Litster, Shawn

    2014-02-01

    This paper presents in-situ spatiotemporal measurements of the electrolyte phase potential within an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) negative electrode as envisaged for use in an aqueous hybrid battery for grid-scale energy storage. The ultra-thick electrodes used in these batteries to reduce non-functional material costs require sufficiently fast through-plane mass and charge transport to attain suitable charging and discharging rates. To better evaluate the through-plane transport, we have developed an electrode scaffold (ES) for making in situ electrolyte potential distribution measurements at discrete known distances across the thickness of an uninterrupted EDLC negative electrode. Using finite difference methods, we calculate local current, volumetric charging current and charge storage distributions from the spatiotemporal electrolyte potential measurements. These potential distributions provide insight into complex phenomena that cannot be directly observed using other existing methods. Herein, we use the distributions to identify areas of the electrode that are underutilized, assess the effects of various parameters on the cumulative charge storage distribution, and evaluate an effectiveness factor for charge storage in EDLC electrodes.

  6. Investigation of the graphene-electrolyte interface in Li-air batteries: A molecular dynamics study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavlov, S. V.; Kislenko, S. A.

    2018-01-01

    In this work the behavior of the main reactants (Li+, O2) of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acetonitrile solvent near the multi-layer graphene edge has been studied. It was observed by molecular dynamics simulations that the concentration distributions of the Li+ and O2 represent a “chessboard” structure. It was ascertained that the concentrations of the lithium ions and oxygen molecules reach their maximum values near the graphene edges pushed out from the surface, which may act as nucleation centers for the formation of crystalline products of the ORR. The maps of the free energy were estimated for the Li+ and O2. Energy optimal trajectories for the adsorption of oxygen molecules and lithium ions were found. Moreover, the distributions of the electric potential were obtained near the following carbon surfaces: single- and multi-layer graphene edge, graphene plane, which shows the qualitative differences in the double-layer structure.

  7. Electron microscope study of the vitelline body of some spider oocytes.

    PubMed

    SOTELO, J R; TRUJILLO-CENOZ, O

    1957-03-25

    THE STRUCTURE OF THE VITELLINE NUCLEI OF LYCOSIDAE AND THOMISIDAE WAS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: Vitelline nuclei are constituted of two parts: (a) a peripheral layer (vitelline body cortex), and (b) a central core. The vitelline body cortex is demonstrated to be formed by many cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum among which mitochondria and Golgi elements are intermingled. The central core is made up mainly of a special type of body described under the name of "capsulated body." Capsulated bodies comprise a capsular layer, limited by a membrane, and two central masses called "geminated masses," each one limited by a double membrane. Irregular masses of closely packed vesicles are found in some cases among the capsulated bodies and free vesicles are present in large numbers. The optical properties of the vitelline body cortex compared with the electron microscope findings lead us to the concept that this layer is a "composite body" according to Weiner's theory.

  8. Adsorption of charged protein residues on an inorganic nanosheet: Computer simulation of LDH interaction with ion channel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsukanov, Alexey A.; Psakhie, Sergey G.

    2016-08-01

    Quasi-two-dimensional and hybrid nanomaterials based on layered double hydroxides (LDH), cationic clays, layered oxyhydroxides and hydroxides of metals possess large specific surface area and strong electrostatic properties with permanent or pH-dependent electric charge. Such nanomaterials may impact cellular electrostatics, changing the ion balance, pH and membrane potential. Selective ion adsorption/exchange may alter the transmembrane electrochemical gradient, disrupting potential-dependent cellular processes. Cellular proteins as a rule have charged residues which can be effectively adsorbed on the surface of layered hydroxide based nanomaterials. The aim of this study is to attempt to shed some light on the possibility and mechanisms of protein "adhesion" an LDH nanosheet and to propose a new direction in anticancer medicine, based on physical impact and strong electrostatics. An unbiased molecular dynamics simulation was performed and the combined process free energy estimation (COPFEE) approach was used.

  9. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release in the organelle layers of the stratified, intact egg of Xenopus laevis

    PubMed Central

    1990-01-01

    Using double-barreled, Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrodes, we have examined the characteristics of the Ca2+ release by inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in the various layers of Xenopus laevis eggs in which the organelles had been stratified by centrifugation. Centrifugation of living eggs stratifies the organelles yet retains them in the normal cytoplasmic milieu. The local increase in intracellular free Ca2+ in each layer was directly measured under physiological conditions using theta-tubing, double-barreled, Ca2(+)- sensitive microelectrodes in which one barrel was filled with the Ca2+ sensor and the other was filled with Ins(1,4,5)P3 for microinjection. The two tips of these electrodes were very close to each other (3 microns apart) enabling us to measure the kinetics of both the highly localized intracellular Ca2+ release and its subsequent removal in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 injection. Upon Ins(1,4,5)P3 injection, the ER- enriched layer exhibited the largest release of Ca2+ in a dosage- dependent manner, whereas the other layers, mitochondria, lipid, and yolk, released 10-fold less Ca2+ in a dosage-independent manner. The removal of released Ca2+ took place within approximately 1 min. The sensitivity to Ins(1,4,5)P3 and the time course of intracellular Ca2+ release in the unstratified (unactivated) egg is nearly identical to that observed in the ER layer of the stratified egg. Our data suggest that the ER is the major organelle of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ store in the egg of Xenopus laevis. PMID:2324195

  10. Quantum ballistic analysis of transition metal dichalcogenides based double gate junctionless field effect transistor and its application in nano-biosensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shadman, Abir; Rahman, Ehsanur; Khosru, Quazi D. M.

    2017-11-01

    To reduce the thermal budget and the short channel effects in state of the art CMOS technology, Junctionless field effect transistor (JLFET) has been proposed in the literature. Numerous experimental, modeling, and simulation based works have been done on this new FET with bulk materials for various geometries until now. On the other hand, the two-dimensional layered material is considered as an alternative to current Si technology because of its ultra-thin body and high mobility. Very recently few simulation based works have been done on monolayer molybdenum disulfide based JLFET mainly to show the advantage of JLFET over conventional FET. However, no comprehensive simulation-based work has been done for double gate JLFET keeping in mind the prominent transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) to the authors' best knowledge. In this work, we have studied quantum ballistic drain current-gate voltage characteristics of such FETs within non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) framework. Our simulation results reveal that all these TMDC materials are viable options for implementing state of the art Junctionless MOSFET with emphasis on their performance at short gate lengths. Besides evaluating the prospect of TMDC materials in the digital logic application, the performance of Junctionless Double Gate trilayer TMDC heterostructure FET for the label-free electrical detection of biomolecules in dry environment has been investigated for the first time to the authors' best knowledge. The impact of charge neutral biomolecules on the electrical characteristics of the biosensor has been analyzed under dry environment situation. Our study shows that these materials could provide high sensitivity in the sub-threshold region as a channel material in nano-biosensor, a trend demonstrated by silicon on insulator FET sensor in the literature. Thus, going by the trend of replacing silicon with these novel materials in device level, TMDC heterostructure could be a viable alternative to silicon for potentiometric biosensing.

  11. Layer-by-layer self-assembled two-dimensional MXene/layered double hydroxide composites as cathode for alkaline hybrid batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, Xiaowan; Zhang, Yadi; Ding, Bing; Hao, Xiaodong; Dou, Hui; Zhang, Xiaogang

    2018-06-01

    Multifarious layered materials have received extensive concern in the field of energy storage due to their distinctive two-dimensional (2D) structure. However, the natural tendency to be re-superimposed and the inherent disadvantages of a single 2D material significantly limit their performance. In this work, the delaminated Ti3C2Tx (d-Ti3C2Tx)/cobalt-aluminum layered double hydroxide (Ti3C2Tx/CoAl-LDH) composites are prepared by layer-by-layer self-assembly driven by electrostatic interaction. The alternate Ti3C2Tx and CoAl-LDH layers prevent each other from restacking and the obtained Ti3C2Tx/CoAl-LDH heterostructure combine the advantages of high electron conductivity of Ti3C2Tx and high electrochemical activity of CoAl-LDH, thus effectively improving the electrochemical reactivity of electrode materials and accelerating the kinetics of Faraday reaction. As a consequence, as a cathode for alkaline hybrid battery, the Ti3C2Tx/CoAl-LDH electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 106 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 and excellent rate capability (78% at 10 A g-1), with an excellent cycling stability of 90% retention after 5000 cycles at 4 A g-1. This work provides an alternative route to design advanced 2D electrode materials, thus exploiting their full potentials for alkaline hybrid batteries.

  12. Double Negative Materials (DNM), Phenomena and Applications

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-07-01

    Nanoparticles Formed by Pairs Of Concentric Double-Negative (DNG), Single-Negative ( SNG ) and/or Double-Positive (DPS) Metamaterial Layers.” J. Appl...material RRL Rapid Research Letters SHG second-harmonic generation SNG single-negative SSR split-ring resonator A-1 Appendix A. October 2008...Pairs of Concentric Double-Negative (DNG), Single-Negative ( SNG ), and/or Double-Positive (DPS) Metamaterial Layers.” J. Appl. Phys. 97, no. 9 (May

  13. Ionic liquids in a poly ethylene oxide cross-linked gel polymer as an electrolyte for electrical double layer capacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chaudoy, V.; Tran Van, F.; Deschamps, M.; Ghamouss, F.

    2017-02-01

    In the present work, we developed a gel polymer electrolyte via the incorporation of a room temperature ionic liquid into a cross-linked polymer matrix. The cross-linked gel electrolyte was prepared using a free radical polymerization of methacrylate and dimethacrylate oligomers dissolved in 1-propyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. Combining the advantages of the ionic liquids and of conventional polymers, the cross-linked gel polymer electrolyte was used both as a separator and as an electrolyte for a leakage-free and non-flammable EDLC supercapacitor. The quasi-all solid-state supercapacitors showed rather good capacitance, power and energy densities by comparison to a liquid electrolyte-based EDLC.

  14. Open carbon nanopipettes as resistive-pulse sensors, rectification sensors, and electrochemical nanoprobes.

    PubMed

    Hu, Keke; Wang, Yixian; Cai, Huijing; Mirkin, Michael V; Gao, Yang; Friedman, Gary; Gogotsi, Yury

    2014-09-16

    Nanometer-sized glass and quartz pipettes have been widely used as a core of chemical sensors, patch clamps, and scanning probe microscope tips. Many of those applications require the control of the surface charge and chemical state of the inner pipette wall. Both objectives can be attained by coating the inner wall of a quartz pipette with a nanometer-thick layer of carbon. In this letter, we demonstrate the possibility of using open carbon nanopipettes (CNP) produced by chemical vapor deposition as resistive-pulse sensors, rectification sensors, and electrochemical nanoprobes. By applying a potential to the carbon layer, one can change the surface charge and electrical double-layer at the pipette wall, which, in turn, affect the ion current rectification and adsorption/desorption processes essential for resistive-pulse sensors. CNPs can also be used as versatile electrochemical probes such as asymmetric bipolar nanoelectrodes and dual electrodes based on simultaneous recording of the ion current through the pipette and the current produced by oxidation/reduction of molecules at the carbon nanoring.

  15. Double layer of platinum electrodes: Non-monotonic surface charging phenomena and negative double layer capacitance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Jun; Zhou, Tao; Zhang, Jianbo; Eikerling, Michael

    2018-01-01

    In this study, a refined double layer model of platinum electrodes accounting for chemisorbed oxygen species, oriented interfacial water molecules, and ion size effects in solution is presented. It results in a non-monotonic surface charging relation and a peculiar capacitance vs. potential curve with a maximum and possibly negative values in the potential regime of oxide-formation.

  16. Development and validation of a complementary map to enhance the existing 1998 to 2008 Abbreviated Injury Scale map

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Introduction Many trauma registries have used the Abbreviated Injury Scale 1990 Revision Update 98 (AIS98) to classify injuries. In the current AIS version (Abbreviated Injury Scale 2005 Update 2008 - AIS08), injury classification and specificity differ substantially from AIS98, and the mapping tools provided in the AIS08 dictionary are incomplete. As a result, data from different AIS versions cannot currently be compared. The aim of this study was to develop an additional AIS98 to AIS08 mapping tool to complement the current AIS dictionary map, and then to evaluate the completed map (produced by combining these two maps) using double-coded data. The value of additional information provided by free text descriptions accompanying assigned codes was also assessed. Methods Using a modified Delphi process, a panel of expert AIS coders established plausible AIS08 equivalents for the 153 AIS98 codes which currently have no AIS08 map. A series of major trauma patients whose injuries had been double-coded in AIS98 and AIS08 was used to assess the maps; both of the AIS datasets had already been mapped to another AIS version using the AIS dictionary maps. Following application of the completed (enhanced) map with or without free text evaluation, up to six AIS codes were available for each injury. Datasets were assessed for agreement in injury severity measures, and the relative performances of the maps in accurately describing the trauma population were evaluated. Results The double-coded injuries sustained by 109 patients were used to assess the maps. For data conversion from AIS98, both the enhanced map and the enhanced map with free text description resulted in higher levels of accuracy and agreement with directly coded AIS08 data than the currently available dictionary map. Paired comparisons demonstrated significant differences between direct coding and the dictionary maps, but not with either of the enhanced maps. Conclusions The newly-developed AIS98 to AIS08 complementary map enabled transformation of the trauma population description given by AIS98 into an AIS08 estimate which was statistically indistinguishable from directly coded AIS08 data. It is recommended that the enhanced map should be adopted for dataset conversion, using free text descriptions if available. PMID:21548991

  17. Development and validation of a complementary map to enhance the existing 1998 to 2008 Abbreviated Injury Scale map.

    PubMed

    Palmer, Cameron S; Franklyn, Melanie; Read-Allsopp, Christine; McLellan, Susan; Niggemeyer, Louise E

    2011-05-08

    Many trauma registries have used the Abbreviated Injury Scale 1990 Revision Update 98 (AIS98) to classify injuries. In the current AIS version (Abbreviated Injury Scale 2005 Update 2008 - AIS08), injury classification and specificity differ substantially from AIS98, and the mapping tools provided in the AIS08 dictionary are incomplete. As a result, data from different AIS versions cannot currently be compared. The aim of this study was to develop an additional AIS98 to AIS08 mapping tool to complement the current AIS dictionary map, and then to evaluate the completed map (produced by combining these two maps) using double-coded data. The value of additional information provided by free text descriptions accompanying assigned codes was also assessed. Using a modified Delphi process, a panel of expert AIS coders established plausible AIS08 equivalents for the 153 AIS98 codes which currently have no AIS08 map. A series of major trauma patients whose injuries had been double-coded in AIS98 and AIS08 was used to assess the maps; both of the AIS datasets had already been mapped to another AIS version using the AIS dictionary maps. Following application of the completed (enhanced) map with or without free text evaluation, up to six AIS codes were available for each injury. Datasets were assessed for agreement in injury severity measures, and the relative performances of the maps in accurately describing the trauma population were evaluated. The double-coded injuries sustained by 109 patients were used to assess the maps. For data conversion from AIS98, both the enhanced map and the enhanced map with free text description resulted in higher levels of accuracy and agreement with directly coded AIS08 data than the currently available dictionary map. Paired comparisons demonstrated significant differences between direct coding and the dictionary maps, but not with either of the enhanced maps. The newly-developed AIS98 to AIS08 complementary map enabled transformation of the trauma population description given by AIS98 into an AIS08 estimate which was statistically indistinguishable from directly coded AIS08 data. It is recommended that the enhanced map should be adopted for dataset conversion, using free text descriptions if available.

  18. Directly Grown Nanostructured Electrodes for High Volumetric Energy Density Binder-Free Hybrid Supercapacitors: A Case Study of CNTs//Li4Ti5O12

    PubMed Central

    Zuo, Wenhua; Wang, Chong; Li, Yuanyuan; Liu, Jinping

    2015-01-01

    Hybrid supercapacitor (HSC), which typically consists of a Li-ion battery electrode and an electric double-layer supercapacitor electrode, has been extensively investigated for large-scale applications such as hybrid electric vehicles, etc. Its application potential for thin-film downsized energy storage systems that always prefer high volumetric energy/power densities, however, has not yet been explored. Herein, as a case study, we develop an entirely binder-free HSC by using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) network film as the cathode and Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) nanowire array as the anode and study the volumetric energy storage capability. Both the electrode materials are grown directly on carbon cloth current collector, ensuring robust mechanical/electrical contacts and flexibility. Our 3 V HSC device exhibits maximum volumetric energy density of ~4.38 mWh cm−3, much superior to those of previous supercapacitors based on thin-film electrodes fabricated directly on carbon cloth and even comparable to the commercial thin-film lithium battery. It also has volumetric power densities comparable to that of the commercial 5.5 V/100 mF supercapacitor (can be operated within 3 s) and has excellent cycling stability (~92% retention after 3000 cycles). The concept of utilizing binder-free electrodes to construct HSC for thin-film energy storage may be readily extended to other HSC electrode systems. PMID:25586374

  19. Transport in a field aligned magnetized plasma/neutral gas boundary: the end of the plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, Christopher Michael

    The objective of this dissertation is to characterize the physics of a boundary layer between a magnetized plasma and a neutral gas along the direction of a confining magnetic field. A series of experiments are performed at the Enormous Toroidal Plasma Device (ETPD) at UCLA to study this field aligned Neutral Boundary Layer (NBL) at the end of the plasma. A Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) cathode and semi-transparent anode creates a magnetized, current-free helium plasma which terminates on a neutral helium gas without touching any walls. Probes are inserted into the plasma to measure the basic plasma parameters and study the transport in the NBL. The experiment is performed in the weakly ionized limit where the plasma density (ne) is much less than the neutral density (nn) such that ne/nn < 5%. The NBL is characterized by a field-aligned electric field which begins at the point where the plasma pressure equilibrates with the neutral gas pressure. Beyond the pressure equilibration point the electrons and ions lose their momentum by collisions with the neutral gas and come to rest. An electric field is established self consistently to maintain a current-free termination through equilibration of the different species' stopping rates in the neutral gas. The electric field resembles a collisional quasineutral sheath with a length 10 times the electron-ion collision length, 100 times the neutral collision length, and 10,000 times the Debye length. Collisions with the neutral gas dominate the losses in the system. The measured plasma density loss rates are above the classical cross-field current-free ambipolar rate, but below the anomalous Bohm diffusion rate. The electron temperature is below the ionization threshold of the gas, 2.2 eV in helium. The ions are in thermal equilibrium with the neutral gas. A generalized theory of plasma termination in a Neutral Boundary Layer is applied to this case using a two-fluid, current-free, weakly ionized transport model. The electron and ion momentum equations along the field are combined in a generalized Ohm's law which predicts the axial electric field required to maintain a current-free termination. The pressure balance criteria for termination and the predicted electric field are confirmed over a scaling of plasma parameters. The experiment and the model are relevant for studying NBLs in other systems, such as the atmospheric termination of the aurora or detached gaseous divertors. A steady state modified ambipolar system is measured in the ETPD NBL. The drift speeds associated with these currents are a small fraction of the plasma flow speeds and the problem is treated as a perturbation to the termination model. The current-free condition on the model is relaxed to explain the presence of the divergence free current.

  20. Surface plasmon dispersion engineering via double-metallic AU/AG layers for nitride light-emitting diodes

    DOEpatents

    Tansu, Nelson; Zhao, Hongping; Zhang, Jing; Liu, Guangyu

    2014-04-01

    A double-metallic deposition process is used whereby adjacent layers of different metals are deposited on a substrate. The surface plasmon frequency of a base layer of a first metal is tuned by the surface plasmon frequency of a second layer of a second metal formed thereon. The amount of tuning is dependent upon the thickness of the metallic layers, and thus tuning can be achieved by varying the thicknesses of one or both of the metallic layers. In a preferred embodiment directed to enhanced LED technology in the green spectrum regime, a double-metallic Au/Ag layer comprising a base layer of gold (Au) followed by a second layer of silver (Ag) formed thereon is deposited on top of InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) on a sapphire/GaN substrate.

  1. The scaling of relativistic double-year widths - Poisson-Vlasov solutions and particle-in-cell simulations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sulkanen, Martin E.; Borovsky, Joseph E.

    1992-01-01

    The study of relativistic plasma double layers is described through the solution of the one-dimensional, unmagnetized, steady-state Poisson-Vlasov equations and by means of one-dimensional, unmagnetized, particle-in-cell simulations. The thickness vs potential-drop scaling law is extended to relativistic potential drops and relativistic plasma temperatures. The transition in the scaling law for 'strong' double layers suggested by analytical two-beam models by Carlqvist (1982) is confirmed, and causality problems of standard double-layer simulation techniques applied to relativistic plasma systems are discussed.

  2. Suppressing longitudinal double-layer oscillations by using elliptically polarized laser pulses in the hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration regime

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

    Wu Dong; Yan, X. Q.; Key Laboratory of High Energy Density Physics Simulation, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871

    It is shown that well collimated mono-energetic ion beams with a large particle number can be generated in the hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration regime by using an elliptically polarized laser pulse with appropriate theoretically determined laser polarization ratio. Due to the J Multiplication-Sign B effect, the double-layer charge separation region is imbued with hot electrons that prevent ion pileup, thus suppressing the double-layer oscillations. The proposed mechanism is well confirmed by Particle-in-Cell simulations, and after suppressing the longitudinal double-layer oscillations, the ion beams driven by the elliptically polarized lasers own much better energy spectrum than those by circularly polarized lasers.

  3. Developmental origin of the posterior pigmented epithelium of iris.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiaobing; Xiong, Kai; Lu, Lei; Gu, Dandan; Wang, Songtao; Chen, Jing; Xiao, Honglei; Zhou, Guomin

    2015-03-01

    Iris epithelium is a double-layered pigmented cuboidal epithelium. According to the current model, the neural retina and the posterior iris pigment epithelium (IPE) are derived from the inner wall of the optic cup, while the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the anterior IPE are derived from the outer wall of the optic cup during development. Our current study shows evidence, contradicting this model of fetal iris development. We demonstrate that human fetal iris expression patterns of Otx2 and Mitf transcription factors are similar, while the expressions of Otx2 and Sox2 are complementary. Furthermore, IPE and RPE exhibit identical morphologic development during the early embryonic period. Our results suggest that the outer layer of the optic cup forms two layers of the iris epithelium, and the posterior IPE is the inward-curling anterior rim of the outer layer of the optic cup. These findings provide a reasonable explanation of how IPE cells can be used as an appropriate substitute for RPE cells.

  4. The Effects of Self-Discharge on the Performance of Symmetric Electric Double-Layer Capacitors and Active Electrolyte-Enhanced Supercapacitors: Insights from Modeling and Simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ike, Innocent S.; Sigalas, Iakovos; Iyuke, Sunny E.

    2017-02-01

    The effects of self-discharge on the performance of symmetric electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and active electrolyte-enhanced supercapacitors were examined by incorporating self-discharge into electrochemical capacitor models during charging and discharging. The sources of self-discharge in capacitors were side reactions or redox reactions and several impurities and electric double-layer (EDL) instability. The effects of self-discharge during capacitor storage was negligible since it took a fully charged capacitor a minimum of 14.0 days to be entirely discharged by self-discharge in all conditions studied, hence self-discharge in storage condition can be ignored. The first and second charge-discharge cycle energy efficiencies η_{{{{E}}1}} and η_{{{{E}}2}} of a capacitor of electrode effective conductivity α1 = 0.05 S/cm with only EDL instability self-discharge with current density J_{{VR}} = 1.25 × 10-3 A/cm2 were 72.33% and 72.34%, respectively. Also, energy efficiencies η_{{{{E}}1}} and η_{{{{E}}2}} of a similar capacitor with both side reactions and redox reactions and EDL instability self-discharges with current densities J_{{VR}} = 0.00125 A/cm2 and J_{{{{VR}}1}} = 0.0032 A/cm2 were 38.13% and 38.14% respectively, compared with 84.24% and 84.25% in a similar capacitor without self-discharge. A capacitor with only EDL instability self-discharge and that with both side reactions and redox reactions and EDL instability self-discharge lost 9.73 Wh and 28.38 Wh of energy, respectively, through self-discharge during charging and discharging. Hence, EDLCs charging and discharging time is significantly dependent on the self-discharge rate which are too large to be ignored.

  5. Interlayer interaction in Ca-Fe layered double hydroxides intercalated with nitrate and chloride species

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Al-Jaberi, Muayad; Naille, Sébastien; Dossot, Manuel; Ruby, Christian

    2015-12-01

    Ca-Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated with chloride and nitrate ions has been synthesized with varying CaII:FeIII molar ratios of the initial solution. Phase pure LDH is observed with CaII:FeIII molar ratio of 2:1 and a mixture of LDH and Ca(OH)2 is formed for CaII:FeIII molar ratios higher than 2:1. Vibrational spectroscopies (Raman and IR) were used successfully to understand the interaction between the cationic and anionic sheets. The Raman bands positions at lower frequencies (150-600 cm-1) are intimately correlated to the nature of the divalent and trivalent ions but also to the nature of the anions. Indeed, a shift of ˜9 cm-1 is observed for the Raman double bands situated in the 300-400 cm-1 region when comparing Raman spectra of CaFe-LDH containing either nitrate or chloride ions. Two types of nitrate environments are observed namely free (non-hydrogen bonded) nitrate and nitrate hydrogen bonded to the interlayer water or to the 'brucite-like' hydroxyl surface. Multiple types of water structure are observed and would result from different hydrogen bond structures. Water bending modes are identified at 1645 cm-1 greater than the one observed for LDH intercalated with chloride anions (1618 cm-1), indicating that the water is strongly hydrogen bonded to the nitrate anions.

  6. Evidence of locally enhanced target heating due to instabilities of counter-streaming fast electron beams

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

    Koester, Petra; Cecchetti, Carlo A.; Booth, Nicola

    2015-02-15

    The high-current fast electron beams generated in high-intensity laser-solid interactions require the onset of a balancing return current in order to propagate in the target material. Such a system of counter-streaming electron currents is unstable to a variety of instabilities such as the current-filamentation instability and the two-stream instability. An experimental study aimed at investigating the role of instabilities in a system of symmetrical counter-propagating fast electron beams is presented here for the first time. The fast electron beams are generated by double-sided laser-irradiation of a layered target foil at laser intensities above 10{sup 19 }W/cm{sup 2}. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy ofmore » the emission from the central Ti layer shows that locally enhanced energy deposition is indeed achieved in the case of counter-propagating fast electron beams.« less

  7. Paradigm transition in cosmic plasma physics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alfven, H.

    1982-01-01

    New discoveries in cosmic plasma physics are described, and their applications to solar, interstellar, galactic, and cosmological problems are discussed. The new discoveries include the existence of double layers in magnetized plasmas and in the low magnetosphere, and energy transfer by electric current in the auroral circuit. It is argued that solar flares and the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction should not be interpreted in terms of magnetic merging theories, and that electric current needs to be explicitly taken account of in understanding these phenomena. The filamentary structure of cosmic plasmas may be caused by electric currents in space, and the pinch effect may have a central role to play in the evolutionary history of interstellar clouds, stars, and solar systems. Space may have a cellular structure, with the cell walls formed by thin electric current layers. Annihilation may be the source of energy for quasars and the Hubble expansion, and the big bang cosmology may well be wrong.

  8. 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.

  9. Boundary layer thermal stresses in angle-ply composite laminates, part 1. [graphite-epoxy composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wang, S. S.; Choi, I.

    1981-01-01

    Thermal boundary-layer stresses (near free edges) and displacements were determined by a an eigenfunction expansion technique and the establishment of an appropriate particular solution. Current solutions in the region away from the singular domain (free edge) are found to be excellent agreement with existing approximate numerical results. As the edge is approached, the singular term controls the near field behavior of the boundary layer. Results are presented for cases of various angle-ply graphite/epoxy laminates with (theta/-theta/theta/theta) configurations. These results show high interlaminar (through-the-thickness) stresses. Thermal boundary-layer thicknesses of different composite systems are determined by examining the strain energy density distribution in composites. It is shown that the boundary-layer thickness depends on the degree of anisotropy of each individual lamina, thermomechanical properties of each ply, and the relative thickness of adjacent layers. The interlaminar thermal stresses are compressive with increasing temperature. The corresponding residual stresses are tensile and may enhance interply delaminations.

  10. Modified Back Contact Interface of CZTSe Thin Film Solar Cells: Elimination of Double Layer Distribution in Absorber Layer.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhaojing; Yao, Liyong; Zhang, Yi; Ao, Jianping; Bi, Jinlian; Gao, Shoushuai; Gao, Qing; Jeng, Ming-Jer; Sun, Guozhong; Zhou, Zhiqiang; He, Qing; Sun, Yun

    2018-02-01

    Double layer distribution exists in Cu 2 SnZnSe 4 (CZTSe) thin films prepared by selenizing the metallic precursors, which will degrade the back contact of Mo substrate to absorber layer and thus suppressing the performance of solar cell. In this work, the double-layer distribution of CZTSe film is eliminated entirely and the formation of MoSe 2 interfacial layer is inhibited successfully. CZTSe film is prepared by selenizing the precursor deposited by electrodeposition method under Se and SnSe x mixed atmosphere. It is found that the insufficient reaction between ZnSe and Cu-Sn-Se phases in the bottom of the film is the reason why the double layer distribution of CZTSe film is formed. By increasing Sn content in the metallic precursor, thus making up the loss of Sn because of the decomposition of CZTSe and facilitate the diffusion of liquid Cu 2 Se, the double layer distribution is eliminated entirely. The crystallization of the formed thin film is dense and the grains go through the entire film without voids. And there is no obvious MoSe 2 layer formed between CZTSe and Mo. As a consequence, the series resistance of the solar cell reduces significantly to 0.14 Ω cm 2 and a CZTSe solar cell with efficiency of 7.2% is fabricated.

  11. Unravelling the electrochemical double layer by direct probing of the solid/liquid interface

    DOE PAGES

    Favaro, Marco; Jeong, Beomgyun; Ross, Philip N.; ...

    2016-08-31

    The electrochemical double layer plays a critical role in electrochemical processes. Whilst there have been many theoretical models predicting structural and electrical organization of the electrochemical double layer, the experimental verification of these models has been challenging due to the limitations of available experimental techniques. The induced potential drop in the electrolyte has never been directly observed and verified experimentally, to the best of our knowledge. In this study, we report the direct probing of the potential drop as well as the potential of zero charge by means of ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed under polarization conditions. By analyzingmore » the spectra of the solvent (water) and a spectator neutral molecule with numerical simulations of the electric field, we discern the shape of the electrochemical double layer profile. In addition, we determine how the electrochemical double layer changes as a function of both the electrolyte concentration and applied potential.« less

  12. Electrical, structural, thermal and electrochemical properties of corn starch-based biopolymer electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Liew, Chiam-Wen; Ramesh, S

    2015-06-25

    Biopolymer electrolytes containing corn starch, lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmImPF6) are prepared by solution casting technique. Temperature dependence-ionic conductivity studies reveal Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) relationship which is associated with free volume theory. Ionic liquid-based biopolymer electrolytes show lower glass transition temperature (Tg) than ionic liquid-free biopolymer electrolyte. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies demonstrate higher amorphous region of ionic liquid-added biopolymer electrolytes. In addition, the potential stability window of the biopolymer electrolyte becomes wider and stable up to 2.9V. Conclusively, the fabricated electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) shows improved electrochemical performance upon addition of ionic liquid into the biopolymer electrolyte. The specific capacitance of EDLC based on ionic liquid-added polymer electrolyte is relatively higher than that of ionic liquid-free polymer electrolyte as depicted in cyclic voltammogram. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Layering and Ordering in Electrochemical Double Layers

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

    Liu, Yihua; Kawaguchi, Tomoya; Pierce, Michael S.

    Electrochemical double layers (EDL) form at electrified interfaces. While Gouy-Chapman model describes moderately charged EDL, formation of Stern layers was predicted for highly charged EDL. Our results provide structural evidence for a Stern layer of cations, at potentials close to hydrogen evolution in alkali fluoride and chloride electrolytes. Layering was observed by x-ray crystal truncation rods and atomic-scale recoil responses of Pt(111) surface layers. Ordering in the layer is confirmed by glancing-incidence in-plane diffraction measurements.

  14. Assessment of CFD capability for prediction of hypersonic shock interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knight, Doyle; Longo, José; Drikakis, Dimitris; Gaitonde, Datta; Lani, Andrea; Nompelis, Ioannis; Reimann, Bodo; Walpot, Louis

    2012-01-01

    The aerothermodynamic loadings associated with shock wave boundary layer interactions (shock interactions) must be carefully considered in the design of hypersonic air vehicles. The capability of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to accurately predict hypersonic shock wave laminar boundary layer interactions is examined. A series of independent computations performed by researchers in the US and Europe are presented for two generic configurations (double cone and cylinder) and compared with experimental data. The results illustrate the current capabilities and limitations of modern CFD methods for these flows.

  15. Effect of Photogenerated Carriers on Ferroelectric Polarization Reversal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weis, Martin; Li, Jun; Taguchi, Dai; Manaka, Takaaki; Iwamoto, Mitsumasa

    2011-12-01

    Three non-symmetric switching peaks were observed in current-voltage (J-V) characteristic of the pentacene/poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) double-layer device. However, upon illumination only two symmetric switching peaks appeared during the same J-V measurement. The similar difference between dark and illumination were also obtained in capacitance-voltage characteristics. These results showed the strong influence of internal fields by photogenerated carriers, which modifies the polarization reversal process of ferroelectric layer. The gradual shift of the polarization reversal with increase of illumination intensity is assigned to the space-charge field of trapped electrons.

  16. Influence of electrical double-layer interaction on coal flotation.

    PubMed

    Harvey, Paul A; Nguyen, Anh V; Evans, Geoffrey M

    2002-06-15

    In the early 1930s it was first reported that inorganic electrolytes enhance the floatability of coal and naturally hydrophobic minerals. To date, explanations of coal flotation in electrolytes have not been entirely clear. This research investigated the floatability of coal in NaCl and MgCl2 solutions using a modified Hallimond tube to examine the role of the electrical double-layer interaction between bubbles and particles. Flotation of coal was highly dependent on changes in solution pH, type of electrolyte, and electrolyte concentration. Floatability of coal in electrolyte solutions was seen not to be entirely controlled by the electrical double-layer interaction. Coal flotation in low electrolyte concentration solutions decreases with increase in concentration, not expected from the theory since the electrical double layer is compressed, resulting in diminishing the (electrical double layer) repulsion between the bubble and the coal particles. Unlike in low electrolyte concentration solutions, coal flotation in high electrolyte concentration solutions increases with increase in electrolyte concentration. Again, this behavior of coal flotation in high electrolyte concentration solutions cannot be quantitatively explained using the electrical double-layer interaction. Possible mechanisms are discussed in terms of the bubston (i.e., bubble stabilized by ions) phenomenon, which explains the existence of the submicron gas bubbles on the hydrophobic coal surface.

  17. Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions in Hypersonic Low Density Flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moss, James N.; Olejniczak, Joseph

    2004-01-01

    Results of numerical simulations of Mach 10 air flow over a hollow cylinder-flare and a double-cone are presented where viscous effects are significant. The flow phenomena include shock-shock and shock- boundary-layer interactions with accompanying flow separation, recirculation, and reattachment. The purpose of this study is to promote an understanding of the fundamental gas dynamics resulting from such complex interactions and to clarify the requirements for meaningful simulations of such flows when using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Particular emphasis is placed on the sensitivity of computed results to grid resolution. Comparisons of the DSMC results for the hollow cylinder-flare (30 deg.) configuration are made with the results of experimental measurements conducted in the ONERA RSCh wind tunnel for heating, pressure, and the extent of separation. Agreement between computations and measurements for various quantities is good except that for pressure. For the same flow conditions, the double- cone geometry (25 deg.- 65 deg.) produces much stronger interactions, and these interactions are investigated numerically using both DSMC and Navier-Stokes codes. For the double-cone computations, a two orders of magnitude variation in free-stream density (with Reynolds numbers from 247 to 24,7 19) is investigated using both computational methods. For this range of flow conditions, the computational results are in qualitative agreement for the extent of separation with the DSMC method always predicting a smaller separation region. Results from the Navier-Stokes calculations suggest that the flow for the highest density double-cone case may be unsteady; however, the DSMC solution does not show evidence of unsteadiness.

  18. Hybrid ZnO/phthalocyanine photovoltaic device with highly resistive ZnO intermediate layer.

    PubMed

    Izaki, Masanobu; Chizaki, Ryo; Saito, Takamasa; Murata, Kazufumi; Sasano, Junji; Shinagawa, Tsutomu

    2013-10-09

    We report a hybrid photovoltaic device composed of a 3.3 eV bandgap zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductor and metal-free phthalocyanine layers and the effects of the insertion of the highly resistive ZnO buffer layer on the electrical characteristics of the rectification feature and photovoltaic performance. The hybrid photovoltaic devices have been constructed by electrodeposition of the 300 nm thick ZnO layer in a simple zinc nitrate aqueous solution followed by vacuum evaporation of 50-400 nm thick-phthalocyanine layers. The ZnO layers with the resistivity of 1.8 × 10(3) and 1 × 10(8) Ω cm were prepared by adjusting the cathodic current density and were installed into the hybrid photovoltaic devices as the n-type and buffer layer, respectively. The phthalocyanine layers with the characteristic monoclinic lattice showed a characteristic optical absorption feature regardless of the thickness, but the preferred orientation changed depending on the thickness. The ZnO buffer-free hybrid 50 nm thick phthalocyanine/n-ZnO photovoltaic device showed a rectification feature but possessed a poor photovoltaic performance with a conversion efficiency of 7.5 × 10(-7) %, open circuit voltage of 0.041 V, and short circuit current density of 8.0 × 10(-5) mA cm(-2). The insertion of the ZnO buffer layer between the n-ZnO and phthalocyanine layers induced improvements in both the rectification feature and photovoltaic performance. The excellent rectification feature with a rectification ratio of 3188 and ideally factor of 1.29 was obtained for the hybrid 200 nm thick phthalocyanine/ZnO buffer/n-ZnO photovoltaic device, and the hybrid photovoltaic device possessed an improved photovoltaic performance with the conversion efficiency of 0.0016%, open circuit voltage of 0.31 V, and short circuit current density of 0.015 mA cm(-2).

  19. Megavolt parallel potentials arising from double-layer streams in the Earth's outer radiation belt.

    PubMed

    Mozer, F S; Bale, S D; Bonnell, J W; Chaston, C C; Roth, I; Wygant, J

    2013-12-06

    Huge numbers of double layers carrying electric fields parallel to the local magnetic field line have been observed on the Van Allen probes in connection with in situ relativistic electron acceleration in the Earth's outer radiation belt. For one case with adequate high time resolution data, 7000 double layers were observed in an interval of 1 min to produce a 230,000 V net parallel potential drop crossing the spacecraft. Lower resolution data show that this event lasted for 6 min and that more than 1,000,000 volts of net parallel potential crossed the spacecraft during this time. A double layer traverses the length of a magnetic field line in about 15 s and the orbital motion of the spacecraft perpendicular to the magnetic field was about 700 km during this 6 min interval. Thus, the instantaneous parallel potential along a single magnetic field line was the order of tens of kilovolts. Electrons on the field line might experience many such potential steps in their lifetimes to accelerate them to energies where they serve as the seed population for relativistic acceleration by coherent, large amplitude whistler mode waves. Because the double-layer speed of 3100  km/s is the order of the electron acoustic speed (and not the ion acoustic speed) of a 25 eV plasma, the double layers may result from a new electron acoustic mode. Acceleration mechanisms involving double layers may also be important in planetary radiation belts such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, in the solar corona during flares, and in astrophysical objects.

  20. Transient electroosmotic flow induced by DC or AC electric fields in a curved microtube.

    PubMed

    Luo, W-J

    2004-10-15

    This study investigates transient electroosmotic flow in a rectangular curved microtube in which the fluid is driven by the application of an external DC or AC electric field. The resultant flow-field evolutions within the microtube are simulated using the backwards-Euler time-stepping numerical method to clarify the relationship between the changes in the axial-flow velocity and the intensity of the applied electric field. When the electric field is initially applied or varies, the fluid within the double layer responds virtually immediately, and the axial velocity within the double layer tends to follow the varying intensity of the applied electric field. The greatest net charge density exists at the corners of the microtube as a result of the overlapping electrical double layers of the two walls. It results in local maximum or minimum axial velocities in the corners during increasing or decreasing applied electric field intensity in either the positive or negative direction. As the fluid within the double layer starts to move, the bulk fluid is gradually dragged into motion through the diffusion of momentum from the double layer. A finite time is required for the full momentum of the double layer to diffuse to the bulk fluid; hence, a certain phase shift between the applied electric field and the flow response is inevitable. The patterns of the axial velocity contours during the transient evolution are investigated in this study. It is found that these patterns are determined by the efficiency of momentum diffusion from the double layer to the central region of the microtube.

  1. Short-period (AlAs)(GaAs) superlattice lasers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

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

    Blood, P.; Fletcher, E.D.; Foxon, C.T.

    1988-07-25

    We have used short-period all-binary (AlAs)(GaAs) superlattices with layers as thin as three monolayers to synthesize the barrier and cladding regions of GaAs quantum well lasers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. By studying the threshold current of single- and double-well devices as a function of cavity length and temperature, we conclude that the optical scattering losses are very low, that the gain-current characteristics are similar to alloy barrier devices, and that there is evidence for current leakage by recombination in the barriers.

  2. Simulation and optimization of deep violet InGaN double quantum well laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alahyarizadeh, Gh.; Ghazai, A. J.; Rahmani, R.; Mahmodi, H.; Hassan, Z.

    2012-03-01

    The performance characteristics of a deep violet InGaN double quantum well laser diode (LD) such as threshold current ( Ith), external differential quantum efficiency (DQE) and output power have been investigated using the Integrated System Engineering Technical Computer Aided Design (ISE-TCAD) software. As well as its operating parameters such as internal quantum efficiency ( ηi), internal loss ( αi) and transparency threshold current density ( J0) have been studied. Since, we are interested to investigate the mentioned characteristics and parameters independent of well and barrier thickness, therefore to reach a desired output wavelength, the indium mole fraction of wells and barriers has been varied consequently. The indium mole fractions of well and barrier layers have been considered 0.08 and 0.0, respectively. Some important parameters such as Al mole fraction of the electronic blocking layer (EBL) and cavity length which affect performance characteristics were also investigated. The optimum values of the Al mole fraction and cavity length in this study are 0.15 and 400 μm, respectively. The lowest threshold current, the highest DQE and output power which obtained at the emission wavelength of 391.5 nm are 43.199 mA, 44.99% and 10.334 mW, respectively.

  3. 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

  4. Some optical properties of one dimensional annular photonic crystal with plasma frequency

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandeya, G. N.; Thapa, Khem B.

    2018-05-01

    This paper presents the reflection bands, photonic band gaps, of the one-dimensional annul photonic crystal (APC) containing double negative (DNG) metamaterials and air. The proposed annular structure consists of the alternate layers of dispersive DNG material and air immersed in free space. The reflectance properties of the APC by employing the transfer matrix method (TMM) in the cylindrical waves for TE polarization is studied theoretically. In addition of this, we have also studied the effect of plasma frequency on the reflection behavior of the considered annular structure.

  5. Numerically simulated two-dimensional auroral double layers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Borovsky, J. E.; Joyce, G.

    1983-01-01

    A magnetized 2 1/2-dimensional particle-in-cell system which is periodic in one direction and bounded by reservoirs of Maxwellian plasma in the other is used to numerically simulate electrostatic plasma double layers. For the cases of both oblique and two-dimensional double layers, the present results indicate periodic instability, Debye length rather than gyroradii scaling, and low frequency electrostatic turbulence together with electron beam-excited electrostatatic electron-cyclotron waves. Estimates are given for the thickness of auroral doule layers, as well as the separations within multiple auroral arcs. Attention is given to the temporal modulation of accelerated beams, and the possibilities for ion precipitation and ion conic production by the double layer are hypothesized. Simulations which include the atmospheric backscattering of electrons imply the action of an ionospheric sheath which accelerates ionospheric ions upward.

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

    Shi, Zhemin; Department of Physical Electronics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552; Taguchi, Dai

    The details of turnover process of spontaneous polarization and associated carrier motions in indium-tin oxide/poly-(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/pentacene/Au capacitor were analyzed by coupling displacement current measurement (DCM) and electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) measurement. A model was set up from DCM results to depict the relationship between electric field in semiconductor layer and applied external voltage, proving that photo illumination effect on the spontaneous polarization process lied in variation of semiconductor conductivity. The EFISHG measurement directly and selectively probed the electric field distribution in semiconductor layer, modifying the model and revealing detailed carrier behaviors involving photo illumination effect, dipole reversal, and interfacial chargingmore » in the device. A further decrease of DCM current in the low voltage region under illumination was found as the result of illumination effect, and the result was argued based on the changing of the total capacitance of the double-layer capacitors.« less

  7. Fabrication of large area Si cylindric drift detectors

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

    Chen, W.; Kraner, H.W.; Li, Z.

    1993-04-01

    Advanced Si drift detector, a large area cylindrical drift detector (CDD), processing steps, with the exception of the ion implantation, were carried out in the BNL class 100 cleanroom. The double-side planer process technique was developed for the fabrication of CDD. Important improvements of the double-side planer process in this fabrication are the introduction of Al implantation protection mask and the remaining of a 1000 Angstroms oxide layer in the p-window during the implantation. Another important design of the CDD is the structure called ``river,`` which ,allows the current generated on Si-SiO{sub 2} interface to ``flow`` into the guard anode,more » and thus can minimize the leakage current at the signed anode. The test result showed that most of the signal anodes have the leakage current about 0.3 nA/cm{sup 2} for the best detector.« less

  8. Wearable high-performance supercapacitors based on Ni-coated cotton textile with low-crystalline Ni-Al layered double hydroxide nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Lu, Haicui; Chen, Jizhang; Tian, Qinghua

    2018-03-01

    Wearable electronics are developing rapidly in recent years. In this work, we develop a cost-effective, facile, and scalable approach to transform insulating cotton textile to highly conductive Ni-coated cotton textile (NCT). In order to verify the feasibility of NCT as a flexible current collector for wearable supercapacitors, we electrodeposit low-crystalline Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles onto the NCT. The obtained NCT@NiAl-LDH shows high specific capacitance (935.2 mF cm -2 ), superior rate capability, and good cyclability. Besides, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) assembled from NCT@NiAl-LDH exhibits high specific energy of 58.8 Wh kg -1 (134 μWh cm -2 ) when the specific power is 539 W kg -1 (1228 μW cm -2 ). The results demonstrate great potential of our methodology. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Observations of double layer-like and soliton-like structures in the ionosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boehm, M. H.; Carlson, C. W.; Mcfadden, J.; Mozer, F. S.

    1984-01-01

    Two types of large electric field signatures, individual pulses and pulse trains, were observed on a sounding rocket launched into the afternoon auroral zone on January 21, 1982. The typical electric fields in the individual pulses were 50 mV/m or larger, aligned mostly parallel to B, and the corresponding potentials were at leat 100 mV (kT approximately 0.3 eV). A lower limit of 15 km/sec can be set on the velocity of these structures, indicating that they were not ion acoustic double layers. The pulse trains, each consisting of on the order of 100 pulses, were observed in close association with intense plasma frequency waves. This correlation is consistent with the interpretation of these trains as Langmuir solitons. The pulse trains correlate better with the intensity of the field-aligned currents than with the energetic electron flux.

  10. Junctionless Thin-Film Transistors Gated by an H₃PO₄-Incorporated Chitosan Proton Conductor.

    PubMed

    Liu, Huixuan; Xun, Damao

    2018-04-01

    We fabricated an H3PO4-incorporated chitosan proton conductor film that exhibited the electric double layer effect and showed a high specific capacitance of 4.42 μF/cm2. Transparent indium tin oxide thin-film transistors gated by H3PO4-incorporated chitosan films were fabricated by sputtering through a shadow mask. The operating voltage was as low as 1.2 V because of the high specific capacitance of the H3PO4-incorporated chitosan dielectrics. The junctionless transparent indium tin oxide thin film transistors exhibited good performance, including an estimated current on/off ratio and field-effect mobility of 1.2 × 106 and 6.63 cm2V-1s-1, respectively. These low-voltage thin-film electric-double-layer transistors gated by H3PO4-incorporated chitosan are promising for next generation battery-powered "see-through" portable sensors.

  11. Performance of Liquid Phase Exfoliated Graphene As Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huffstutler, Jacob; Wasala, Milinda; Richie, Julianna; Winchester, Andrew; Ghosh, Sujoy; Kar, Swastik; Talapatra, Saikat

    2014-03-01

    We will present the results of our investigations of electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) or supercapacitors (SC) fabricated using liquid-phase exfoliated graphene. Several electrolytes, such as aqueous potassium hydroxide KOH (6M), ionic 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF6], and ionic 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate[BMP][FAP] were used. These EDLC's show good performance compared to other carbon nanomaterials based EDLC's devices. We found that the liquid phase exfoliated graphene based devices possess specific capacitance values as high as 262 F/g, when used with ionic liquid electrolyte[BMP][FAP], with power densities (~ 454 W/kg) and energy densities (~ 0.38Wh/kg). Further, these devices indicated rapid charge transfer response even without the use of any binders or specially prepared current collectors. A detailed electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis in order to understand the phenomenon of charge storage in these materials will be presented.

  12. 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.

  13. One-by-one imprinting in two eccentric layers of hollow core-shells: Sequential electroanalysis of anti-HIV drugs.

    PubMed

    Singh, Kislay; Jaiswal, Swadha; Singh, Richa; Fatma, Sana; Prasad, Bhim Bali

    2018-07-15

    Double layered one-by-one imprinted hollow core-shells@ pencil graphite electrode was fabricated for sequential sensing of anti-HIV drugs. For this, two eccentric layers were developed on the surface of vinylated silica nanospheres to obtain double layered one-by-one imprinted solid core-shells. This yielded hollow core-shells on treatment with hydrofluoric acid. The modified hollow core-shells (single layered dual imprinted) evolved competitive diffusion of probe/analyte molecules. However, the corresponding double layered one-by-one imprinted hollow core-shells (outer layer imprinted with Zidovudine, and inner layer with Lamivudine) were found relatively better owing to their bilateral diffusions into molecular cavities, without any competition. The entire work is based on differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at double layered one-by-one imprinted hollow core-shells. This resulted in indirect detection of electro inactive targets with limits of detection as low as 0.91 and 0.12 (aqueous sample), 0.94 and 0.13 (blood serum), and 0.99 and 0.20 ng mL -1 (pharmaceutics) for lamivudine and zidovudine, respectively in anti-HIV drug combination. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Multilayer graphene as an effective corrosion protection coating for copper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ravishankar, Vasumathy; Ramaprabhu, S.; Jaiswal, Manu

    2018-04-01

    Graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been studied as a protective layer against corrosion of copper. The layer number dependence on the protective nature of graphene has been investigated using techniques such as Tafel analysis and Electroimpedance Spectroscopy. Multiple layers of graphene were achieved by wet transfer above CVD grown graphene. Though this might cause grain boundaries, the sites where corrosion is initiated, to be staggered, wet transfer inherently carries the disadvantage of tearing of graphene, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy measurements. However, Electroimpedance Spectroscopy (EIS) reflects that graphene protected copper has a layer dependent resistance to corrosion. Decrease in corrosion current (Icorr) for graphene protected copper is presented. There is only small dependence of corrosion current on the layer number, Tafel plots clearly indicate passivation in the presence of graphene, whether it be single layer or multiple layers. Notwithstanding the crystallite size, defect free layers of graphene with staggered grain boundaries combined with passivation could offer good corrosion protection for metals.

  15. Control of single-electron charging of metallic nanoparticles onto amorphous silicon surface.

    PubMed

    Weis, Martin; Gmucová, Katarína; Nádazdy, Vojtech; Capek, Ignác; Satka, Alexander; Kopáni, Martin; Cirák, Július; Majková, Eva

    2008-11-01

    Sequential single-electron charging of iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in oleic acid/oleyl amine envelope and deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique onto Pt electrode covered with undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon film is reported. Single-electron charging (so-called quantized double-layer charging) of nanoparticles is detected by cyclic voltammetry as current peaks and the charging effect can be switched on/off by the electric field in the surface region induced by the excess of negative/positive charged defect states in the amorphous silicon layer. The particular charge states in amorphous silicon are created by the simultaneous application of a suitable bias voltage and illumination before the measurement. The influence of charged states on the electric field in the surface region is evaluated by the finite element method. The single-electron charging is analyzed by the standard quantized double layer model as well as two weak-link junctions model. Both approaches are in accordance with experiment and confirm single-electron charging by tunnelling process at room temperature. This experiment illustrates the possibility of the creation of a voltage-controlled capacitor for nanotechnology.

  16. Magnetic field generator

    DOEpatents

    Krienin, Frank

    1990-01-01

    A magnetic field generating device provides a useful magnetic field within a specific retgion, while keeping nearby surrounding regions virtually field free. By placing an appropriate current density along a flux line of the source, the stray field effects of the generator may be contained. One current carrying structure may support a truncated cosine distribution, and it may be surrounded by a current structure which follows a flux line that would occur in a full coaxial double cosine distribution. Strong magnetic fields may be generated and contained using superconducting cables to approximate required current surfaces.

  17. Observation of warm, higher energy electrons transiting a double layer in a helicon plasma

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

    Sung, Yung-Ta, E-mail: ysung2@wisc.edu; Li, Yan; Scharer, John E.

    2015-03-15

    Measurements of an inductive RF helicon argon plasma double layer with two temperature electron distributions including a fast (>80 eV) tail are observed at 0.17 mTorr Ar pressure. The fast, untrapped electrons observed downstream of the double layer have a higher temperature (13 eV) than the trapped (T{sub e} = 4 eV) electrons. The reduction of plasma potential and density observed in the double layer region would require an upstream temperature ten times the measured 4 eV if occurring via Boltzmann ambipolar expansion. The experimental observation in Madison helicon experiment indicates that fast electrons with substantial density fractions can be created at low helicon operating pressures.

  18. Magnetization reversal in ferromagnetic nanopillar by varying fixed layer orientation: A micromagnetic study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhoomeeswaran, H.; Vivek, T.; Savithri, R.; Gowthaman, I.; Sabareesan, P.

    2018-05-01

    In this micromagnetic framework, Spin transfer torque induced magnetization switching in Co/Cu/Co nanopillar device is investigated numerically. The magnetization switching dynamics of the free layer in the nanopillar device is governed by the Landau Lifshitz Gilbert Slonczewski (LLGS) equation and solving it numerically by employing OOMMF, a micromagnetic software. Results are obtained by varying the fixed layer orientation (β) of our nanopillar device from in-plane to out-of-plane (i.e.) from 0° to 80° and the corresponding switching time is noted. Results of the micromagnetic simulation reveals that there is an extreme reduction of switching time in the free layer of our devised nanopillar, if we increase the fixed layer angle (β) from 0° to 80°. The corresponding switching time got shortened from 1651 picoseconds to 104.44 picoseconds and is obtained for an applied current density of 2.25×1011Am-2 with 0.05 T as applied bias field. For 90° (i.e.) out-of-plane orientation, the magnetization switching is not exist, because the free layer magnetization follows an oscillation state. Moreover, when we compare 0° to 80°, the switching time is reduced almost 16 times which solely provoked as a source of future spintronic devices for magnetic storage applications.

  19. Infrared Radiometric Scanning System for Flexible Package Seal Defects

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1973-12-01

    spotted. Pccfcarres tasted Two types of packages currently used for therm- ally processed foods were tested. Both had an outer layer of 0.5-mil...polyester and a middle layer of 0.35- mil aluminum foil. The inner, heat-seal layer was either 3-mil high-dtnsity polyethylene or 3-mil mod- ified...a variety ol causes—including urease . moisture, occluded food fibres or particles, threads, voids and wrinkles. Defects as small as 0.5 mg. of free

  20. Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with a Perylene Interlayer Between the Electrode-Organic Interface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saikia, Dhrubajyoti; Sarma, Ranjit

    2018-01-01

    The performance of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with a vacuum-deposited perylene layer over a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) surface is reported. To investigate the effect of the perylene layer on OLED performance, different thicknesses of perylene are deposited on the FTO surface and their current density-voltages (J-V), luminance-voltages (L-V) and device efficiency characteristics at their respective thickness are studied. Further analysis is carried out with an UV-visible light double-beam spectrophotometer unit, a four-probe resistivity unit and a field emission scanning electron microscope set up to study the optical transmittance, sheet resistance and surface morphology of the bilayer anode film. We used N,N'-bis(3-methyl phenyl)- N,N'(phenyl)-benzidine (TPD) as the hole transport layer, Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3) as a light-emitting layer and lithium fluoride as an electron injection layer. The luminance efficiency of an OLED structure with a 9-nm-thick perylene interlayer is increased by 2.08 times that of the single-layer FTO anode OLED. The maximum value of current efficiency is found to be 5.25 cd/A.

  1. Electrically pumped 1.3 microm room-temperature InAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers on Si substrates by metal-mediated wafer bonding and layer transfer.

    PubMed

    Tanabe, Katsuaki; Guimard, Denis; Bordel, Damien; Iwamoto, Satoshi; Arakawa, Yasuhiko

    2010-05-10

    An electrically pumped InAs/GaAs quantum dot laser on a Si substrate has been demonstrated. The double-hetero laser structure was grown on a GaAs substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition and layer-transferred onto a Si substrate by GaAs/Si wafer bonding mediated by a 380-nm-thick Au-Ge-Ni alloy layer. This broad-area Fabry-Perot laser exhibits InAs quantum dot ground state lasing at 1.31 microm at room temperature with a threshold current density of 600 A/cm(2). (c) 2010 Optical Society of America.

  2. Highly Efficient White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Ultrathin Emissive Layers and a Spacer-Free Structure

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Shengfan; Li, Sihua; Sun, Qi; Huang, Chenchao; Fung, Man-Keung

    2016-01-01

    Ultrathin emissive layers (UEMLs) of phosphorescent materials with a layer thickness of less than 0.3 nm were introduced for high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). All the UEMLs for white OLEDs can be prepared without the use of interlayers or spacers. Compared with devices fabricated with interlayers inserted in-between the UEMLs, our spacer-free structure not only significantly improves device efficiency, but also simplifies the fabrication process, thus it has a great potential in lowering the cost of OLED panels. In addition, its spacer-free structure decreases the number of interfaces which often introduce unnecessary energy barriers in these devices. In the present work, UEMLs of red, green and blue-emitting phosphorescent materials and yellow and blue phosphorescent emitters are utilized for the demonstration of spacer-free white OLEDs. Upon optimization of the device structure, we demonstrated spacer-free and simple-structured white-emitting OLEDs with a good device performance. The current and power efficiencies of our white-emitting devices are as high as 56.0 cd/A and 55.5 lm/W, respectively. These efficiencies are the highest ever reported for OLEDs fabricated with the UEML approach. PMID:27170543

  3. Highly Efficient White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Ultrathin Emissive Layers and a Spacer-Free Structure.

    PubMed

    Wu, Shengfan; Li, Sihua; Sun, Qi; Huang, Chenchao; Fung, Man-Keung

    2016-05-12

    Ultrathin emissive layers (UEMLs) of phosphorescent materials with a layer thickness of less than 0.3 nm were introduced for high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). All the UEMLs for white OLEDs can be prepared without the use of interlayers or spacers. Compared with devices fabricated with interlayers inserted in-between the UEMLs, our spacer-free structure not only significantly improves device efficiency, but also simplifies the fabrication process, thus it has a great potential in lowering the cost of OLED panels. In addition, its spacer-free structure decreases the number of interfaces which often introduce unnecessary energy barriers in these devices. In the present work, UEMLs of red, green and blue-emitting phosphorescent materials and yellow and blue phosphorescent emitters are utilized for the demonstration of spacer-free white OLEDs. Upon optimization of the device structure, we demonstrated spacer-free and simple-structured white-emitting OLEDs with a good device performance. The current and power efficiencies of our white-emitting devices are as high as 56.0 cd/A and 55.5 lm/W, respectively. These efficiencies are the highest ever reported for OLEDs fabricated with the UEML approach.

  4. Highly Efficient White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Ultrathin Emissive Layers and a Spacer-Free Structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Shengfan; Li, Sihua; Sun, Qi; Huang, Chenchao; Fung, Man-Keung

    2016-05-01

    Ultrathin emissive layers (UEMLs) of phosphorescent materials with a layer thickness of less than 0.3 nm were introduced for high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). All the UEMLs for white OLEDs can be prepared without the use of interlayers or spacers. Compared with devices fabricated with interlayers inserted in-between the UEMLs, our spacer-free structure not only significantly improves device efficiency, but also simplifies the fabrication process, thus it has a great potential in lowering the cost of OLED panels. In addition, its spacer-free structure decreases the number of interfaces which often introduce unnecessary energy barriers in these devices. In the present work, UEMLs of red, green and blue-emitting phosphorescent materials and yellow and blue phosphorescent emitters are utilized for the demonstration of spacer-free white OLEDs. Upon optimization of the device structure, we demonstrated spacer-free and simple-structured white-emitting OLEDs with a good device performance. The current and power efficiencies of our white-emitting devices are as high as 56.0 cd/A and 55.5 lm/W, respectively. These efficiencies are the highest ever reported for OLEDs fabricated with the UEML approach.

  5. Double-layered cell transfer technology for bone regeneration

    PubMed Central

    Akazawa, Keiko; Iwasaki, Kengo; Nagata, Mizuki; Yokoyama, Naoki; Ayame, Hirohito; Yamaki, Kazumasa; Tanaka, Yuichi; Honda, Izumi; Morioka, Chikako; Kimura, Tsuyoshi; Komaki, Motohiro; Kishida, Akio; Izumi, Yuichi; Morita, Ikuo

    2016-01-01

    For cell-based medicine, to mimic in vivo cellular localization, various tissue engineering approaches have been studied to obtain a desirable arrangement of cells on scaffold materials. We have developed a novel method of cell manipulation called “cell transfer technology”, enabling the transfer of cultured cells onto scaffold materials, and controlling cell topology. Here we show that using this technique, two different cell types can be transferred onto a scaffold surface as stable double layers or in patterned arrangements. Various combinations of adherent cells were transferred to a scaffold, amniotic membrane, in overlapping bilayers (double-layered cell transfer), and transferred cells showed stability upon deformations of the material including folding and trimming. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells from periodontal ligaments (PDLSC) and osteoblasts, using double-layered cell transfer significantly enhanced bone formation, when compared to single cell type transplantation. Our findings suggest that this double-layer cell transfer is useful to produce a cell transplantation material that can bear two cell layers. Moreover, the transplantation of an amniotic membrane with PDLSCs/osteoblasts by cell transfer technology has therapeutic potential for bone defects. We conclude that cell transfer technology provides a novel and unique cell transplantation method for bone regeneration. PMID:27624174

  6. Dynamical Generation of the Transition Zone in the Earth's Mantle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hansen, U.; Stemmer, K.

    2005-12-01

    The internal structure of the Earth is made up by a series of layers, though it is unclear how many layers exist and if there are layers invisible to remote sensing techniques. The transition zone is likely to be a boundary layer separating the convective systems in the lower and upper mantle. It seems likely that currently there is some mass exchange across this boundary, rather than the two systems beeing strictly separated.a Double-diffusive convection(d.d.c) is a vital mechanism which can generate layered structure and may thus be an important mmical machinery behind the formation of the transition zone. Double-diffusive convection determines the dynamics of systems whose density is influenced by at least two components with different molecular diffusivities.In the mantle, composition and temperature play the role of those two components. By means of numerical experiments we demonstrate that under mantle relevant conditions d.d.c typically leads to the formation of a transition zone. The calculations encompass two- and three dimensional Cartesian geometries as well as fully 3D spherical domains. We have further included strongly temperature dependent viscosity and find that this leads to even more pronounced layering. In most cases a layered flow pattern emerges, where two layers with a transition zone in between resembles a quasistationary state. Thus, the transition zone can be the result of a self organization process of the convective flow in the mantle. The presence of a phase transition further helps to stabilize the boundary against overturning, even on a time scale on the order of the age of the Earth.

  7. Homogeneous double-layer amorphous Si-doped indium oxide thin-film transistors for control of turn-on voltage

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

    Kizu, Takio, E-mail: KIZU.Takio@nims.go.jp, E-mail: TSUKAGOSHI.Kazuhito@nims.go.jp; Tsukagoshi, Kazuhito, E-mail: KIZU.Takio@nims.go.jp, E-mail: TSUKAGOSHI.Kazuhito@nims.go.jp; Aikawa, Shinya

    We fabricated homogeneous double-layer amorphous Si-doped indium oxide (ISO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with an insulating ISO cap layer on top of a semiconducting ISO bottom channel layer. The homogeneously stacked ISO TFT exhibited high mobility (19.6 cm{sup 2}/V s) and normally-off characteristics after annealing in air. It exhibited normally-off characteristics because the ISO insulator suppressed oxygen desorption, which suppressed the formation of oxygen vacancies (V{sub O}) in the semiconducting ISO. Furthermore, we investigated the recovery of the double-layer ISO TFT, after a large negative shift in turn-on voltage caused by hydrogen annealing, by treating it with annealing in ozone. The recoverymore » in turn-on voltage indicates that the dense V{sub O} in the semiconducting ISO can be partially filled through the insulator ISO. Controlling molecule penetration in the homogeneous double layer is useful for adjusting the properties of TFTs in advanced oxide electronics.« less

  8. Hierarchical Ni-Co layered double hydroxide nanosheets on functionalized 3D-RGO films for high energy density asymmetric supercapacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Liyang; Sui, Yanwei; Qi, Jiqiu; Chang, Yuan; He, Yezeng; Meng, Qingkun; Wei, Fuxiang; Sun, Zhi; Jin, Yunxue

    2017-12-01

    In this paper, ultrathin reduced graphene oxide films on nickel foam were fabricated via a facile dip-coating method combined with thermal reduction. Hierarchical Ni-Co layered double hydroxide nanosheets with network structure were electrodeposited on the ultrathin reduced graphene oxide films in a simple three-electrode system. The thickness of Ni-Co layered double hydroxide nanosheets can be controlled through adjusting the deposition temperature. The as-prepared electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with specific capacitance of 1454.2 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. An asymmetric supercapacitor device was designed with the as-prepared composites as positive electrode material and Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide as negative electrode material. This device could be operated in a working voltage range of 0-1.8 V in 1 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, delivering a high energy density of 56.4 W h kg-1 at a power density of 882.5 W kg-1. One supercapacitor can power two LEDs with rated voltage of 1.8-2.0 V. After 10,000 consecutive charge-discharge tests at 10 A g-1, this asymmetric supercapacitor revealed an excellent cycle life with 98.3% specific capacitance retention. These excellent electrochemical performances make it become one of most promising candidates for high energy supercapacitor device.

  9. Sandwich-like graphene/polypyrrole/layered double hydroxide nanowires for high-performance supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Xuejin; Zhang, Yu; Xing, Wei; Li, Li; Xue, Qingzhong; Yan, Zifeng

    2016-11-01

    Electrode design in nanoscale is considered to be ultra-important to construct a superb capacitor. Herein, a sandwich-like composite was made by combining graphene/polypyrrole (GPPY) with nickel-aluminum layered double hydroxide nanowires (NiAl-NWs) via a facile hydrothermal method. This sandwich-like architecture is promising in energy storage applications due to three unique features: (1) the conductive GPPY substrate not only effectively prevents the layered double hydroxides species from aggregating, but also considerably facilitates the electron transmission; (2) the ultrathin NiAl-NWs ensure a maximum exposure of active Ni2+, which can improve the efficiency of rapid redox reactions even at high current densities; (3) the sufficient space between anisotropic NiAl-NWs can accommodate a large volume change of the nanowires to avoid their collapse or distortion during the reduplicative redox reactions. Keeping all these unique features in mind, when the as-prepared composite was applied to supercapacitors, it presented an enhanced capacitive performance in terms of high specific capacitance (845 F g-1), excellent rate performance (67% retained at 30 A g-1), remarkable cyclic stability (92% maintained after 5000 cycles) and large energy density (40.1 Wh·Kg-1). This accomplishment in the present work inspires an innovative strategy of nanoscale electrode design for high-rate performance supercapacitor electrodes containing pseuducapacitive metal oxide.

  10. Functionalized carbon nanotube based hybrid electrochemical capacitors using neutral bromide redox-active electrolyte for enhancing energy density

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Xiaohui; Lui, Yu Hui; Chen, Bolin; Hu, Shan

    2017-06-01

    A hybrid electrochemical capacitor (EC) with enhanced energy density is realized by integrating functionalized carbon nanotube (FCNT) electrodes with redox-active electrolyte that has a neutral pH value (1 M Na2SO4 and 0.5 M KBr mixed aqueous solution). The negative electrode shows an electric double layer capacitor-type behavior. On the positive electrode, highly reversible Br-/Br3- redox reactions take place, presenting a battery-type behavior, which contributes to increase the capacitance of the hybrid cell. The voltage window of the whole cell is extended up to 1.5 V because of the high over-potentials of oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in the neutral electrolyte. Compared with raw CNT, the FCNT has better wettability in the aqueous electrolyte and contributes to increase the electric double layer capacitance of the cell. As a result, the maximum energy density of 28.3 Wh kg-1 is obtained from the hybrid EC at 0.5 A g-1 without sacrificing its power density, which is around 4 times larger than that of the electrical double layer capacitor constructed by FCNT electrodes and 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the discharge capacity retained 86.3% of its initial performance after 10000 cycles of galvanostatic charge and discharge test (10 A/g), suggesting its long life cycle even at high current loading.

  11. Investigation on VOX/CNTS Nanocomposites Act as Electrode of Supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Quanyao; Li, Zhaolong; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Huang, Shengnan; Yu, Yue; Chen, Wen; Zakharova, Galina S.

    2013-07-01

    The VOx/CNTs nanocomposites were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The structure and morphologies of the nanocomposites were characteristic by XRD, SEM and TEM. The electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites were explored by cyclic voltammetry, constant current charge/discharge testing and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1M KNO3 aqueous solution. The results showed that the nanocomposites perform characteristics of electrical both double-layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance. The specific capacitances were 136.5F/g, when the current density was 0.15A/g.

  12. Efficient red organic electroluminescent devices by doping platinum(II) Schiff base emitter into two host materials with stepwise energy levels.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Liang; Kwok, Chi-Chung; Cheng, Gang; Zhang, Hongjie; Che, Chi-Ming

    2013-07-15

    In this work, organic electroluminescent (EL) devices with double light-emitting layers (EMLs) having stepwise energy levels were designed to improve the EL performance of a red-light-emitting platinum(II) Schiff base complex. A series of devices with single or double EML(s) were fabricated and characterized. Compared with single-EML devices, double-EML devices showed improved EL efficiency and brightness, attributed to better balance in carriers. In addition, the stepwise distribution in energy levels of host materials is instrumental in broadening the recombination zone, thus delaying the roll-off of EL efficiency. The highest EL current efficiency and power efficiency of 17.36 cd/A and 14.73 lm/W, respectively, were achieved with the optimized double-EML devices. At high brightness of 1000 cd/m², EL efficiency as high as 8.89 cd/A was retained.

  13. Confirmation of theoretical colour predictions for layering dental composite materials.

    PubMed

    Mikhail, Sarah S; Johnston, William M

    2014-04-01

    The aim of this study is to confirm the theoretical colour predictions for single and double layers of dental composite materials on an opaque backing. Single and double layers of composite resins were fabricated, placed in optical contact with a grey backing and measured for spectral radiance. The spectral reflectance and colour were directly determined. Absorption and scattering coefficients as previously reported, the measured thickness of the single layers and the effective reflectance of the grey backing were utilized to theoretically predict the reflectance of the single layer using corrected Kubelka-Munk reflectance theory. For double layers the predicted effective reflectance of the single layer was used as the reflectance of the backing of the second layer and the thickness of the second layer was used to predict the reflectance of the double layer. Colour differences, using both the CIELAB and CIEDE2000 formulae, measured the discrepancy between each directly determined colour and its corresponding theoretical colour. The colour difference discrepancies generally ranged around the perceptibility threshold but were consistently below the respective acceptability threshold. This theory can predict the colour of layers of composite resin within acceptability limits and generally also within perceptibility limits. This theory could therefore be incorporated into computer-based optical measuring instruments that can automate the shade selections for layers of a more opaque first layer under a more translucent second layer for those clinical situations where an underlying background colour and a desirable final colour can be measured. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Improved Electrochemical Cycling Durability in a Nickel Oxide Double-Layered Film.

    PubMed

    Hou, Shuai; Zhang, Xiang; Tian, Yanlong; Zhao, Jiupeng; Geng, Hongbin; Qu, Huiying; Zhang, Hangchuan; Zhang, Kun; Wang, Binsheng; Gavrilyuk, Alexander; Li, Yao

    2017-11-16

    For the first time, a crystalline-amorphous double-layered NiO x film has been prepared by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering. This film has exhibited improved electrochemical cycling durability, whereas other electrochromic parameters have been maintained at the required level, namely, a short coloration/bleaching time (0.8 s/1.1 s) and an enhanced transmittance modulation range (62.2 %) at λ=550 nm. Additionally, the double-layered film has shown better reversibility than that of amorphous and crystalline single-layered films. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. Numerical investigation of the double-arcing phenomenon in a cutting arc torch

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

    Mancinelli, B. R., E-mail: bmancinelli@frvt.utn.edu.ar; Minotti, F. O.; Kelly, H.

    2014-07-14

    A numerical investigation of the double-arcing phenomenon in a cutting arc torch is reported. The dynamics of the double-arcing were simulated by using a two-dimensional model of the gas breakdown development in the space-charge layer contiguous to the nozzle of a cutting arc torch operated with oxygen. The kinetic scheme includes ionization of heavy particles by electron impact, electron attachment, electron detachment, electron–ion recombination, and ion–ion recombination. Complementary measurements during double-arcing phenomena were also conducted. A marked rise of the nozzle voltage was found. The numerical results showed that the dynamics of a cathode spot at the exit of themore » nozzle inner surface play a key role in the raising of the nozzle voltage, which in turn allows more electrons to return to the wall at the nozzle inlet. The return flow of electrons thus closes the current loop of the double-arcing. The increase in the (floating) nozzle voltage is due to the fact that the increased electron emission at the spot is mainly compensated by the displacement current (the ions do not play a relevant role due to its low-mobility) until that the stationary state is achieved and the electron return flow fully-compensates the electron emission at the spot. A fairly good agreement was found between the model and the experiment for a spot emission current growth rate of the order of 7 × 10{sup 4} A/s.« less

  16. Modeling and stabilization results for a charge or current-actuated active constrained layer (ACL) beam model with the electrostatic assumption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Özer, Ahmet Özkan

    2016-04-01

    An infinite dimensional model for a three-layer active constrained layer (ACL) beam model, consisting of a piezoelectric elastic layer at the top and an elastic host layer at the bottom constraining a viscoelastic layer in the middle, is obtained for clamped-free boundary conditions by using a thorough variational approach. The Rao-Nakra thin compliant layer approximation is adopted to model the sandwich structure, and the electrostatic approach (magnetic effects are ignored) is assumed for the piezoelectric layer. Instead of the voltage actuation of the piezoelectric layer, the piezoelectric layer is proposed to be activated by a charge (or current) source. We show that, the closed-loop system with all mechanical feedback is shown to be uniformly exponentially stable. Our result is the outcome of the compact perturbation argument and a unique continuation result for the spectral problem which relies on the multipliers method. Finally, the modeling methodology of the paper is generalized to the multilayer ACL beams, and the uniform exponential stabilizability result is established analogously.

  17. Substrate-Free InGaN/GaN Nanowire Light-Emitting Diodes.

    PubMed

    Neplokh, Vladimir; Messanvi, Agnes; Zhang, Hezhi; Julien, Francois H; Babichev, Andrey; Eymery, Joel; Durand, Christophe; Tchernycheva, Maria

    2015-12-01

    We report on the demonstration of substrate-free nanowire/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy (MOVPE)-grown InGaN/GaN core-shell nanowires were encapsulated into PDMS layer. After metal deposition to p-GaN, a thick PDMS cap layer was spin-coated and the membrane was manually peeled from the sapphire substrate, flipped upside down onto a steel holder, and transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) contact to n-GaN was deposited. The fabricated LEDs demonstrate rectifying diode characteristics. For the electroluminescence (EL) measurements, the samples were manually bonded using silver paint. The EL spectra measured at different applied voltages demonstrate a blue shift with the current increase. This shift is explained by the current injection into the InGaN areas of the active region with different average indium content.

  18. Anionic clay as the drug delivery vehicle: tumor targeting function of layered double hydroxide-methotrexate nanohybrid in C33A orthotopic cervical cancer model

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Goeun; Piao, Huiyan; Alothman, Zeid A; Vinu, Ajayan; Yun, Chae-Ok; Choy, Jin-Ho

    2016-01-01

    Methotrexate (MTX), an anticancer agent, was successfully intercalated into the anionic clay, layered double hydroxides to form a new nanohybrid drug. The coprecipitation and subsequent hydrothermal method were used to prepare chemically, structurally, and morphologically well-defined two-dimensional drug-clay nanohybrid. The resulting two-dimensional drug-clay nanohybrid showed excellent colloidal stability not only in deionized water but also in an electrolyte solution of Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, in which the average particle size in colloid and the polydispersity index were determined to be around 100 and 0.250 nm, respectively. The targeting property of the nanohybrid drug was confirmed by evaluating the tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-liver ratios of the MTX with anionic clay carrier, and these ratios were compared to those of free MTX in the C33A orthotopic cervical cancer model. The biodistribution studies indicated that the mice treated with the former showed 3.5-fold higher tumor-to-liver ratio and fivefold higher tumor-to-blood ratio of MTX than those treated with the latter at 30 minutes postinjection. PMID:26855572

  19. The Influence of Deposition Methods of Support Layer on Cordierite Substrate on the Characteristics of a MnO2–NiO–Co3O4/Ce0.2Zr0.8O2/Cordierite Three Way Catalyst

    PubMed Central

    Pham, Phuong Thi Mai; Le, Minh Thang; Nguyen, Tien The; Bruneel, Els; Van Driessche, Isabel

    2014-01-01

    This paper compares different coating methods (in situ solid combustion, hybrid deposition, secondary growth on seed, suspension, double deposition of wet impregnation and suspension) to deposit Ce0.2Zr0.8O2 mixed oxides on cordierite substrates, for use as a three way catalyst. Among them, the double deposition was proven to be the most efficient one. The coated sample shows a BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area of 25 m2/g, combined with a dense and crack free surface. The catalyst with a layer of MnO2–NiO–Co3O4 mixed oxides on top of the Ce0.2Zr0.8O2/cordierite substrate prepared by this method exhibits good activity for the treatment of CO, NO and C3H6 in exhaust gases (CO conversion of 100% at 250 °C, C3H6 conversion of 100% at 400 °C and NO conversion of 40% at 400 °C). PMID:28788189

  20. Anionic clay as the drug delivery vehicle: tumor targeting function of layered double hydroxide-methotrexate nanohybrid in C33A orthotopic cervical cancer model.

    PubMed

    Choi, Goeun; Piao, Huiyan; Alothman, Zeid A; Vinu, Ajayan; Yun, Chae-Ok; Choy, Jin-Ho

    2016-01-01

    Methotrexate (MTX), an anticancer agent, was successfully intercalated into the anionic clay, layered double hydroxides to form a new nanohybrid drug. The coprecipitation and subsequent hydrothermal method were used to prepare chemically, structurally, and morphologically well-defined two-dimensional drug-clay nanohybrid. The resulting two-dimensional drug-clay nanohybrid showed excellent colloidal stability not only in deionized water but also in an electrolyte solution of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, in which the average particle size in colloid and the polydispersity index were determined to be around 100 and 0.250 nm, respectively. The targeting property of the nanohybrid drug was confirmed by evaluating the tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-liver ratios of the MTX with anionic clay carrier, and these ratios were compared to those of free MTX in the C33A orthotopic cervical cancer model. The biodistribution studies indicated that the mice treated with the former showed 3.5-fold higher tumor-to-liver ratio and fivefold higher tumor-to-blood ratio of MTX than those treated with the latter at 30 minutes postinjection.

  1. In situ synthesized heteropoly acid/polyaniline/graphene nanocomposites to simultaneously boost both double layer- and pseudo-capacitance for supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Cui, Zhiming; Guo, Chun Xian; Yuan, Weiyong; Li, Chang Ming

    2012-10-05

    It is challenging to simultaneously increase double layer- and pseudo-capacitance for supercapacitors. Phosphomolybdic acid/polyaniline/graphene nanocomposites (PMo(12)-PANI/GS) were prepared by using PMo(12) as a bifunctional reagent for not only well dispersing graphene for high electrochemical double layer capacitance but also in situ chemically polymerizing aniline for high pseudocapacitance, resulting in a specific capacitance of 587 F g(-1), which is ~1.5 and 6 times higher than that of PANI/GS (392 F g(-1)) and GS (103 F g(-1)), respectively. The nanocomposites also exhibit good reversibility and stability. Other kinds of heteropolyacids such as molybdovanadophosphoric acids (PMo(12-x)V(x), x = 1, 2 and 3) were also used to prepare PMo(12-x)V(x)-PANI/GS nanocomposites, also showing enhanced double layer- and pseudo-capacitance. This further proves the proposed concept to simultaneously boost both double layer- and pseudo-capacitance and demonstrates that it could be a universal approach to significantly improve the capacitance for supercapacitors.

  2. Double-diffusive layers in the Adriatic Sea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carniel, Sandro; Sclavo, Mauro; Kantha, Lakshmi; Prandke, Hartmut

    2008-01-01

    A microstructure profiler was deployed to make turbulence measurements in the upper layers of the southern Adriatic Sea in the Mediterranean during the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) DART06A (Dynamics of the Adriatic in Real Time) winter cruise in March 2006. Measurements in the Po river plume along the Italian coast near the Gargano promontory displayed classic double-diffusive layers and staircase structures resulting from the relatively colder and fresher wintertime Po river outflow water masses overlying warmer and more saline water masses from the Adriatic Sea. We report here on the water mass and turbulence structure measurements made both in the double-diffusive interfaces and the adjoining mixed layers in the water columns undergoing double-diffusive convection (DDC). This dataset augments the relatively sparse observations available hitherto on the diffusive layer type of DDC. Measured turbulence diffusivities are consistent with those from earlier theoretical and experimental formulations, suggesting that the wintertime Po river plume is a convenient and easily accessible place to study double diffusive convective processes of importance to mixing in the interior of many regions of the global oceans.

  3. Layered assembly of graphene oxide and Co-Al layered double hydroxide nanosheets as electrode materials for supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Wang, Dong; Dong, Xin Yi; Zhang, Zhi Jun; Pei, Xian Feng; Chen, Xin Jiang; Chen, Biao; Jin, Jian

    2011-03-28

    An innovative strategy of fabricating electrode material by layered assembling two kinds of one-atom-thick sheets, carboxylated graphene oxide (GO) and Co-Al layered double hydroxide nanosheet (Co-Al LDH-NS) for the application as a pseudocapacitor is reported. The Co-Al LDH-NS/GO composite exhibits good energy storage properties.

  4. Free energy simulations reveal a double mutant avian H5N1 virus hemagglutinin with altered receptor binding specificity.

    PubMed

    Das, Payel; Li, Jingyuan; Royyuru, Ajay K; Zhou, Ruhong

    2009-08-01

    Historically, influenza pandemics have been triggered when an avian influenza virus or a human/avian reassorted virus acquires the ability to replicate efficiently and become transmissible in the human population. Most critically, the major surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) must adapt to the usage of human-like (alpha-2,6-linked) sialylated glycan receptors. Therefore, identification of mutations that can switch the currently circulating H5N1 HA receptor binding specificity from avian to human might provide leads to the emergence of pandemic H5N1 viruses. To define such mutations in the H5 subtype, here we provide a computational framework that combines molecular modeling with extensive free energy simulations. Our results show that the simulated binding affinities are in good agreement with currently available experimental data. Moreover, we predict that one double mutation (V135S and A138S) in HA significantly enhances alpha-2,6-linked receptor recognition by the H5 subtype. Our simulations indicate that this double mutation in H5N1 HA increases the binding affinity to alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid receptors by 2.6 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol per HA monomer that primarily arises from the electrostatic interactions. Further analyses reveal that introduction of this double mutation results in a conformational change in the receptor binding pocket of H5N1 HA. As a result, a major rearrangement occurs in the hydrogen-bonding network of HA with the human receptor, making the human receptor binding pattern of double mutant H5N1 HA surprisingly similar to that observed in human H1N1 HA. These large scale molecular simulations on single and double mutants thus provide new insights into our understanding toward human adaptation of the avian H5N1 virus. 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Enhancement of the anti-damping spin torque efficacy of platinum by interface modification

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

    Nguyen, Minh-Hai; Pai, Chi-Feng; Nguyen, Kayla X.

    2015-06-01

    We report a strong enhancement of the efficacy of the spin Hall effect (SHE) of Pt for exerting anti-damping spin torque on an adjacent ferromagnetic layer by the insertion of ≈0.5 nm layer of Hf between a Pt film and a thin, ≤2 nm, Fe{sub 60}Co{sub 20}B{sub 20} ferromagnetic layer. This enhancement is quantified by measurement of the switching current density when the ferromagnetic layer is the free electrode in a magnetic tunnel junction. The results are explained as the suppression of spin pumping through a substantial decrease in the effective spin-mixing conductance of the interface, but without a concomitant reduction ofmore » the ferromagnet's absorption of the SHE generated spin current.« less

  6. Layered double hydroxide supported gold nanoclusters by glutathione-capped Au nanoclusters precursor method for highly efficient aerobic oxidation of alcohols

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Lun; Dou, Liguang; Zhang, Hui

    2014-03-01

    M3Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH, M = Mg, Ni, Co) supported Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) catalysts have been prepared for the first time by using water-soluble glutathione-capped Au nanoclusters as precursor. Detailed characterizations show that the ultrafine Au nanoclusters (ca. 1.5 +/- 0.6 nm) were well dispersed on the surface of LDH with a loading of Au below ~0.23 wt% upon synergetic interaction between AuNCs and M3Al-LDH. AuNCs/Mg3Al-LDH-0.23 exhibits much higher catalytic performance for the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol in toluene than Au/Mg3Al-LDH(DP) by the conventional deposition precipitation method and can be applied for a wide range of alcohols without basic additives. This catalyst can also be reused without loss of activity or selectivity. The AuNCs/M(= Ni, Co)3Al-LDH catalysts present even higher alcohol oxidation activity than AuNCs/Mg3Al-LDH. Particularly, AuNCs/Ni3Al-LDH-0.22 exhibits the highest activity (46 500 h-1) for the aerobic oxidation of 1-phenylethanol under solvent-free conditions attributed to its strongest Au-support synergy. The excellent activity and stability of AuNCs/M3Al-LDH catalysts render these materials promising candidates for green base-free selective oxidation of alcohols by molecular oxygen.M3Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH, M = Mg, Ni, Co) supported Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) catalysts have been prepared for the first time by using water-soluble glutathione-capped Au nanoclusters as precursor. Detailed characterizations show that the ultrafine Au nanoclusters (ca. 1.5 +/- 0.6 nm) were well dispersed on the surface of LDH with a loading of Au below ~0.23 wt% upon synergetic interaction between AuNCs and M3Al-LDH. AuNCs/Mg3Al-LDH-0.23 exhibits much higher catalytic performance for the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol in toluene than Au/Mg3Al-LDH(DP) by the conventional deposition precipitation method and can be applied for a wide range of alcohols without basic additives. This catalyst can also be reused without loss of activity or selectivity. The AuNCs/M(= Ni, Co)3Al-LDH catalysts present even higher alcohol oxidation activity than AuNCs/Mg3Al-LDH. Particularly, AuNCs/Ni3Al-LDH-0.22 exhibits the highest activity (46 500 h-1) for the aerobic oxidation of 1-phenylethanol under solvent-free conditions attributed to its strongest Au-support synergy. The excellent activity and stability of AuNCs/M3Al-LDH catalysts render these materials promising candidates for green base-free selective oxidation of alcohols by molecular oxygen. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Details in experimental and further characterization. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr05604j

  7. Low frequency solitons and double layers in a magnetized plasma with two temperature electrons

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

    Rufai, O. R.; Bharuthram, R.; Singh, S. V.

    2012-12-15

    Finite amplitude non-linear ion-acoustic solitary waves and double layers are studied in a magnetized plasma with cold ions fluid and two distinct groups of Boltzmann electrons, using the Sagdeev pseudo-potential technique. The conditions under which the solitary waves and double layers can exist are found both analytically and numerically. We have shown the existence of negative potential solitary waves and double layers for subsonic Mach numbers, whereas in the unmagnetized plasma they can only in the supersonic Mach number regime. For the plasma parameters in the auroral region, the electric field amplitude of the solitary structures comes out to bemore » 49 mV/m which is in agreement of the Viking observations in this region.« less

  8. Polymer/graphite oxide composites as high-performance materials for electric double layer capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tien, Chien-Pin; Teng, Hsisheng

    A single graphene sheet represents a carbon material with the highest surface area available to accommodating molecules or ions for physical and chemical interactions. Here we demonstrate in an electric double layer capacitor the outstanding performance of graphite oxide for providing a platform for double layer formation. Graphite oxide is generally the intermediate compound for obtaining separated graphene sheets. Instead of reduction with hydrazine, we incorporate graphite oxide with a poly(ethylene oxide)-based polymer and anchor the graphene oxide sheets with poly(propylene oxide) diamines. This polymer/graphite oxide composite shows in a "dry" gel-electrolyte system a double layer capacitance as high as 130 F g -1. The polymer incorporation developed here can significantly diversify the application of graphene-based materials in energy storage devices.

  9. Microwave frequency tuning in heterogeneous spin torque oscillator with perpendicular polarizer: A macrospin study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhoomeeswaran, H.; Vivek, T.; Sabareesan, P.

    2018-04-01

    In this article, we have theoretically devised a Spin Torque Nano Oscillator (STNO) with perpendicular polarizer using macro spin model. The devised spin valve structure is heterogeneous (i.e.) it is made of two different ferromagnetic materials [Co and its alloy CoFeB]. The dynamics of magnetization provoked by spin transfer torque is studied numerically by solving the famous Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski [LLGS] equation. The results are obtained for the perpendicular polarizer and for that particular out of plane orientation we vary the free layer angle from 10° to 90°. The obtained results are highly appealing, because frequency range is available in all the tilt angles of free layer and it is exceptionally tunable in all free layer tilt angles with zero applied field. Moreover, the utmost operating frequency of about 83.3 GHz and its corresponding power of 4.488 µW/mA2/GHz is acquired for the free layer tilt angle θ = 90° with the solid applied current density of 10 × 1010 A/m2. Also, our device emits high quality factor of about 396, which is remarkably desirable for making devices. These pioneering results provides a significant development for future spintronic based devices.

  10. One-dimensional models of quasi-neutral parallel electric fields

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stern, D. P.

    1981-01-01

    Parallel electric fields can exist in the magnetic mirror geometry of auroral field lines if they conform to the quasineutral equilibrium solutions. Results on quasi-neutral equilibria and on double layer discontinuities were reviewed and the effects on such equilibria due to non-unique solutions, potential barriers and field aligned current flows using as inputs monoenergetic isotropic distribution functions were examined.

  11. The role of lipopolysaccharide on the electrochemical behavior of titanium.

    PubMed

    Barão, V A; Mathew, M T; Assunção, W G; Yuan, J C; Wimmer, M A; Sukotjo, C

    2011-05-01

    Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may induce peri-implantitis and implant failure. However, the role of LPS in titanium (Ti) electrochemical behavior remains unknown. We hypothesized that LPS in saliva with different pHs affects Ti corrosion properties. Thirty-six Ti discs (15 mm × 3 mm) were divided into 12 groups according to saliva pH (3, 6.5, and 9) and Escherichia coli LPS concentration (0, 0.15, 15, and 150 µg/mL). Electrochemical tests, such as open circuit potential, potentiodynamic, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, were conducted in a controlled environment. Data were evaluated by Pearson correlation and regression analysis (α = 0.05). LPS and pH affected Ti corrosive behavior. In general, lower pH and higher LPS concentration accelerated Ti corrosion. In the control group, the increase of pH significantly reduced the corrosion rate and increased the capacitance of the double layer. In LPS groups, the decrease of pH significantly increased the corrosion rate of Ti. LPS negatively influenced Ti corrosion behavior. C(dl), capacitance of double layer; E(corr), corrosion potential; EIS, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; I(corr), corrosion current density; I(pass), passivation current density; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; OCP, open circuit potential; R(p), polarization resistance; Ti, titanium.

  12. Influences of internal resistance and specific surface area of electrode materials on characteristics of electric double layer capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suda, Yoshiyuki; Mizutani, Akitaka; Harigai, Toru; Takikawa, Hirofumi; Ue, Hitoshi; Umeda, Yoshito

    2017-01-01

    We fabricated electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) using particulate and fibrous types of carbon nanomaterials with a wide range of specific surface areas and resistivity as an active material. The carbon nanomaterials used in this study are carbon nanoballoons (CNBs), onion-like carbon (OLC), and carbon nanocoils (CNCs). A commercially used activated carbon (AC) combined with a conductive agent was used as a comparison. We compared the EDLC performance using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge testing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). OLC showed a poor EDLC performance, although it has the lowest resistivity among the carbon nanomaterials. CNB, which has a 1/16 lower specific surface area than AC but higher specific surface area than CNC and OLC, had a higher specific capacitance than CNC and OLC. Moreover, at current densities of 1.5 Ag-1 and larger, the specific capacitance of the EDLC using CNB was almost the same as that using AC. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the EDLCs revealed that the CNB and CNC electrodes had a much lower internal resistance than the AC electrode, which correlated with a low capacitance maintenance factor as the current density increased.

  13. Hollow Rodlike MgF2 with an Ultralow Refractive Index for the Preparation of Multifunctional Antireflective Coatings.

    PubMed

    Bao, Lei; Ji, Zihan; Wang, Hongning; Chen, Ruoyu

    2017-06-27

    Antireflective coatings with superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and wide-spectrum high-transmittance properties and good mechanical strength have important practical value. In this research, hollow nanorod-like MgF 2 sols with different void volumes were prepared by a template-free solvothermal method to further obtain hollow nanorod-like MgF 2 crystals with an ultralow refractive index of 1.14. Besides, a MgF 2 coating with an adjustable refractive index of 1.10-1.35 was also prepared by the template-free solvothermal method. Then through the combination of base/acid two-step-catalyzed TEOS and hydroxyl modification on the surface of nanosilica spheres, the SiO 2 coating with good mechanical strength, a flat surface, and a refractive index of 1.30-1.45 was obtained. Double-layer broadband antireflective coatings with an average transmittance of 99.6% at 400-1400 nm were designed using the relevant optical theory. After the coating thickness was optimized by the dip-coating method, the double-layer antireflective coatings, whose parameters were consistent with those designed by the theory, were obtained. The bottom layer was a SiO 2 coating with a refractive index of 1.34 and a thickness of 155 nm, and the top layer was a hollow rodlike MgF 2 coating with a refractive index of 1.10 and a thickness of 165 nm. The average transmittance of the obtained MgF 2 -SiO 2 antireflective coatings was 99.1% at 400-1400 nm, which was close to the theoretical value. The hydrophobic angle of the coating surface reached 119° at first, and the angle further reached 152° after conducting surface modification by PFOTES. In addition, because the porosity of the coating surface was only 10.7%, the pencil hardness of the coating surface was 5 H and the critical load Lc was 27.05 N. In summary, the obtained antireflective coatings possessed superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and wide-spectrum high-transmittance properties and good mechanical strength.

  14. Oxygen-ion-migration-modulated bipolar resistive switching and complementary resistive switching in tungsten/indium tin oxide/gold memory device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Xinghui; Zhang, Qiuhui; Cui, Nana; Xu, Weiwei; Wang, Kefu; Jiang, Wei; Xu, Qixing

    2018-06-01

    In this paper, we report our investigation of room-temperature-fabricated tungsten/indium tin oxide/gold (W/ITO/Au) resistive random access memory (RRAM), which exhibits asymmetric bipolar resistive switching (BRS) behavior. The device displays good write/erase endurance and data retention properties. The device shows complementary resistive switching (CRS) characteristics after controlling the compliance current. A WO x layer electrically formed at the W/ITO in the forming process. Mobile oxygen ions within ITO migrate toward the electrode/ITO interface and produce a semiconductor-like layer that acts as a free-carrier barrier. The CRS characteristic here can be elucidated in light of the evolution of an asymmetric free-carrier blocking layer at the electrode/ITO interface.

  15. Emergence of a Stern Layer from the Incorporation of Hydration Interactions into the Gouy-Chapman Model of the Electrical Double Layer.

    PubMed

    Brown, Matthew A; Bossa, Guilherme Volpe; May, Sylvio

    2015-10-27

    In one of the most commonly used phenomenological descriptions of the electrical double layer, a charged solid surface and a diffuse region of mobile ions are separated from each other by a thin charge-depleted Stern layer. The Stern layer acts as a capacitor that improves the classical Gouy-Chapman model by increasing the magnitude of the surface potential and limiting the maximal counterion concentration. We show that very similar Stern-like properties of the diffuse double layer emerge naturally from adding a nonelectrostatic hydration repulsion to the electrostatic Coulomb potential. The interplay of electrostatic attraction and hydration repulsion of the counterions and the surface leads to the formation of a diffuse counterion layer that remains well separated from the surface. In addition, hydration repulsions between the ions limit and control the maximal ion concentration and widen the width of the diffuse double layer. Our mean-field model, which we express in terms of electrostatic and hydration potentials, is physically consistent and conceptually similar to the classical Gouy-Chapman model. It allows the incorporation of ion specificity, accounts for hydration properties of charged surfaces, and predicts Stern layer properties, which we analyze in terms of the effective size of the hydrated counterions.

  16. Layered manganese oxides-decorated and nickel foam-supported carbon nanotubes as advanced binder-free supercapacitor electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Ming; Mi, Rui; Liu, Hao; Li, Fei; Zhao, Xiao Li; Zhang, Wei; He, Shi Xuan; Zhang, Yu Xin

    2014-12-01

    Three-dimensional carbon nanotubes@MnO2 core-shell nanostructures grown on Ni foam for binder-free capacitor electrodes have been fabricated by a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition process and a facile hydrothermal approach. Ultrathin layered MnO2 nanosheets are uniformly coated on the surface of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), directly grown on Ni foam. This unique well-designed binder-free electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance (325.5 F g-1 at a current density of 0.3 A g-1), good rate capability (70.7% retention), and excellent cycling stability (90.5% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles), due to the high conductivity of the close contact between CNTs and Ni foam, as well as the moderate specific surface area of the CNTs@MnO2 core-shell nanostructures. The developed synthetic strategy may provide design guidelines for constructing advanced binder-free supercapacitors electrode.

  17. Silicon carbide-free graphene growth on silicon for lithium-ion battery with high volumetric energy density

    PubMed Central

    Son, In Hyuk; Hwan Park, Jong; Kwon, Soonchul; Park, Seongyong; Rümmeli, Mark H.; Bachmatiuk, Alicja; Song, Hyun Jae; Ku, Junhwan; Choi, Jang Wook; Choi, Jae-man; Doo, Seok-Gwang; Chang, Hyuk

    2015-01-01

    Silicon is receiving discernable attention as an active material for next generation lithium-ion battery anodes because of its unparalleled gravimetric capacity. However, the large volume change of silicon over charge–discharge cycles weakens its competitiveness in the volumetric energy density and cycle life. Here we report direct graphene growth over silicon nanoparticles without silicon carbide formation. The graphene layers anchored onto the silicon surface accommodate the volume expansion of silicon via a sliding process between adjacent graphene layers. When paired with a commercial lithium cobalt oxide cathode, the silicon carbide-free graphene coating allows the full cell to reach volumetric energy densities of 972 and 700 Wh l−1 at first and 200th cycle, respectively, 1.8 and 1.5 times higher than those of current commercial lithium-ion batteries. This observation suggests that two-dimensional layered structure of graphene and its silicon carbide-free integration with silicon can serve as a prototype in advancing silicon anodes to commercially viable technology. PMID:26109057

  18. Energy Level Alignment of N-Doping Fullerenes and Fullerene Derivatives Using Air-Stable Dopant.

    PubMed

    Bao, Qinye; Liu, Xianjie; Braun, Slawomir; Li, Yanqing; Tang, Jianxin; Duan, Chungang; Fahlman, Mats

    2017-10-11

    Doping has been proved to be one of the powerful technologies to achieve significant improvement in the performance of organic electronic devices. Herein, we systematically map out the interface properties of solution-processed air-stable n-type (4-(1,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)phenyl) doping fullerenes and fullerene derivatives and establish a universal energy level alignment scheme for this class of n-doped system. At low doping levels at which the charge-transfer doping induces mainly bound charges, the energy level alignment of the n-doping organic semiconductor can be described by combining integer charger transfer-induced shifts with a so-called double-dipole step. At high doping levels, significant densities of free charges are generated and the charge flows between the organic film and the conducting electrodes equilibrating the Fermi level in a classic "depletion layer" scheme. Moreover, we demonstrate that the model holds for both n- and p-doping of π-backbone molecules and polymers. With the results, we provide wide guidance for identifying the application of the current organic n-type doping technology in organic electronics.

  19. Doping of free-standing zinc-blende GaN layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Novikov, S. V.; Powell, R. E. L.; Staddon, C. R.; Kent, A. J.; Foxon, C. T.

    2014-10-01

    Currently there is high level of interest in developing of vertical device structures based on the group III nitrides. We have studied n- and p-doping of free-standing zinc-blende GaN grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). Si was used as the n-dopant and Mg as the p-dopant for zinc-blende GaN. Controllable levels of doping with Si and Mg in free-standing zinc-blende GaN have been achieved by PA-MBE. The Si and Mg doping depth uniformity through the zinc-blende GaN layers have been confirmed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Controllable Si and Mg doping makes PA-MBE a promising method for the growth of conducting group III-nitrides bulk crystals.

  20. Effect of active-layer composition and structure on device performance of coplanar top-gate amorphous oxide thin-film transistors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yue, Lan; Meng, Fanxin; Chen, Jiarong

    2018-01-01

    The thin-film transistors (TFTs) with amorphous aluminum-indium-zinc-oxide (a-AIZO) active layer were prepared by dip coating method. The dependence of properties of TFTs on the active-layer composition and structure was investigated. The results indicate that Al atoms acted as a carrier suppressor in IZO films. Meanwhile, it was found that the on/off current ratio (I on/off) of TFT was improved by embedding a high-resistivity AIZO layer between the low-resistivity AIZO layer and gate insulator. The improvement in I on/off was attributed to the decrease in off-state current of double-active-layer TFT due to an increase in the active-layer resistance and the contact resistance between active layer and source/drain electrode. Moreover, on-state current and threshold voltage (V th) can be mainly controlled through thickness and Al content of the low-resistivity AIZO layer. In addition, the saturation mobility (μ sat) of TFTs was improved with reducing the size of channel width or/and length, which was attributed to the decrease in trap states in the semiconductor and at the semiconductor/gate-insulator interface with the smaller channel width or/and shorter channel length. Thus, we can demonstrate excellent TFTs via the design of active-layer composition and structure by utilizing a low cost solution-processed method. The resulting TFT, operating in enhancement mode, has a high μ sat of 14.16 cm2 V-1 s-1, a small SS of 0.40 V/decade, a close-to-zero V th of 0.50 V, and I on/off of more than 105.

  1. Simultaneous control of thermoelectric properties in p- and n-type materials by electric double-layer gating: New design for thermoelectric device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takayanagi, Ryohei; Fujii, Takenori; Asamitsu, Atsushi

    2015-05-01

    We report a novel design of a thermoelectric device that can control the thermoelectric properties of p- and n-type materials simultaneously by electric double-layer gating. Here, p-type Cu2O and n-type ZnO were used as the positive and negative electrodes of the electric double-layer capacitor structure. When a gate voltage was applied between the two electrodes, holes and electrons accumulated on the surfaces of Cu2O and ZnO, respectively. The thermopower was measured by applying a thermal gradient along the accumulated layer on the electrodes. We demonstrate here that the accumulated layers worked as a p-n pair of the thermoelectric device.

  2. Full space device optimization for solar cells.

    PubMed

    Baloch, Ahmer A B; Aly, Shahzada P; Hossain, Mohammad I; El-Mellouhi, Fedwa; Tabet, Nouar; Alharbi, Fahhad H

    2017-09-20

    Advances in computational materials have paved a way to design efficient solar cells by identifying the optimal properties of the device layers. Conventionally, the device optimization has been governed by single or double descriptors for an individual layer; mostly the absorbing layer. However, the performance of the device depends collectively on all the properties of the material and the geometry of each layer in the cell. To address this issue of multi-property optimization and to avoid the paradigm of reoccurring materials in the solar cell field, a full space material-independent optimization approach is developed and presented in this paper. The method is employed to obtain an optimized material data set for maximum efficiency and for targeted functionality for each layer. To ensure the robustness of the method, two cases are studied; namely perovskite solar cells device optimization and cadmium-free CIGS solar cell. The implementation determines the desirable optoelectronic properties of transport mediums and contacts that can maximize the efficiency for both cases. The resulted data sets of material properties can be matched with those in materials databases or by further microscopic material design. Moreover, the presented multi-property optimization framework can be extended to design any solid-state device.

  3. Kilonovae.

    PubMed

    Metzger, Brian D

    2017-01-01

    The mergers of double neutron star (NS-NS) and black hole (BH)-NS binaries are promising gravitational wave (GW) sources for Advanced LIGO and future GW detectors. The neutron-rich ejecta from such merger events undergoes rapid neutron capture ( r -process) nucleosynthesis, enriching our Galaxy with rare heavy elements like gold and platinum. The radioactive decay of these unstable nuclei also powers a rapidly evolving, supernova-like transient known as a "kilonova" (also known as "macronova"). Kilonovae are an approximately isotropic electromagnetic counterpart to the GW signal, which also provides a unique and direct probe of an important, if not dominant, r -process site. I review the history and physics of kilonovae, leading to the current paradigm of week-long emission with a spectral peak at near-infrared wavelengths. Using a simple light curve model to illustrate the basic physics, I introduce potentially important variations on this canonical picture, including: [Formula: see text]day-long optical ("blue") emission from lanthanide-free components of the ejecta; [Formula: see text]hour-long precursor UV/blue emission, powered by the decay of free neutrons in the outermost ejecta layers; and enhanced emission due to energy input from a long-lived central engine, such as an accreting BH or millisecond magnetar. I assess the prospects of kilonova detection following future GW detections of NS-NS/BH-NS mergers in light of the recent follow-up campaign of the LIGO binary BH-BH mergers.

  4. Kilonovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Metzger, Brian D.

    2017-05-01

    The mergers of double neutron star (NS-NS) and black hole (BH)-NS binaries are promising gravitational wave (GW) sources for Advanced LIGO and future GW detectors. The neutron-rich ejecta from such merger events undergoes rapid neutron capture ( r-process) nucleosynthesis, enriching our Galaxy with rare heavy elements like gold and platinum. The radioactive decay of these unstable nuclei also powers a rapidly evolving, supernova-like transient known as a "kilonova" (also known as "macronova"). Kilonovae are an approximately isotropic electromagnetic counterpart to the GW signal, which also provides a unique and direct probe of an important, if not dominant, r-process site. I review the history and physics of kilonovae, leading to the current paradigm of week-long emission with a spectral peak at near-infrared wavelengths. Using a simple light curve model to illustrate the basic physics, I introduce potentially important variations on this canonical picture, including: ˜ day-long optical ("blue") emission from lanthanide-free components of the ejecta; ˜ hour-long precursor UV/blue emission, powered by the decay of free neutrons in the outermost ejecta layers; and enhanced emission due to energy input from a long-lived central engine, such as an accreting BH or millisecond magnetar. I assess the prospects of kilonova detection following future GW detections of NS-NS/BH-NS mergers in light of the recent follow-up campaign of the LIGO binary BH-BH mergers.

  5. Transparent, Ultrahigh-Gas-Barrier Films with a Brick-Mortar-Sand Structure.

    PubMed

    Dou, Yibo; Pan, Ting; Xu, Simin; Yan, Hong; Han, Jingbin; Wei, Min; Evans, David G; Duan, Xue

    2015-08-10

    Transparent and flexible gas-barrier materials have shown broad applications in electronics, food, and pharmaceutical preservation. Herein, we report ultrahigh-gas-barrier films with a brick-mortar-sand structure fabricated by layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly of XAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH, X=Mg, Ni, Zn, Co) nanoplatelets and polyacrylic acid (PAA) followed by CO2 infilling, denoted as (XAl-LDH/PAA)n-CO2. The near-perfectly parallel orientation of the LDH "brick" creates a long diffusion length to hinder the transmission of gas molecules in the PAA "mortar". Most significantly, both the experimental studies and theoretical simulations reveal that the chemically adsorbed CO2 acts like "sand" to fill the free volume at the organic-inorganic interface, which further depresses the diffusion of permeating gas. The strategy presented here provides a new insight into the perception of barrier mechanism, and the (XAl-LDH/PAA)n-CO2 film is among the best gas barrier films ever reported. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Salting out the polar polymorph: analysis by alchemical solvent transformation.

    PubMed

    Duff, Nathan; Dahal, Yuba Raj; Schmit, Jeremy D; Peters, Baron

    2014-01-07

    We computationally examine how adding NaCl to an aqueous solution with α- and γ-glycine nuclei alters the structure and interfacial energy of the nuclei. The polar γ-glycine nucleus in pure aqueous solution develops a melted layer of amorphous glycine around the nucleus. When NaCl is added, a double layer is formed that stabilizes the polar glycine polymorph and eliminates the surface melted layer. In contrast, the non-polar α-glycine nucleus is largely unaffected by the addition of NaCl. To quantify the stabilizing effect of NaCl on γ-glycine nuclei, we alchemically transform the aqueous glycine solution into a brine solution of glycine. The alchemical transformation is performed both with and without a nucleus in solution and for nuclei of α-glycine and γ-glycine polymorphs. The calculations show that adding 80 mg/ml NaCl reduces the interfacial free energy of a γ-glycine nucleus by 7.7 mJ/m(2) and increases the interfacial free energy of an α-glycine nucleus by 3.1 mJ/m(2). Both results are consistent with experimental reports on nucleation rates which suggest: J(α, brine) < J(γ, brine) < J(α, water). For γ-glycine nuclei, Debye-Hückel theory qualitatively, but not quantitatively, captures the effect of salt addition. Only the alchemical solvent transformation approach can predict the results for both polar and non-polar polymorphs. The results suggest a general "salting out" strategy for obtaining polar polymorphs and also a general approach to computationally estimate the effects of solvent additives on interfacial free energies for nucleation.

  7. Investigation of multilayer magnetic domain lattice file

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Torok, E. J.; Kamin, M.; Tolman, C. H.

    1980-01-01

    The feasibility of the self structured multilayered bubble domain memory as a mass memory medium for satellite applications is examined. Theoretical considerations of multilayer bubble supporting materials are presented, in addition to the experimental evaluation of current accessed circuitry for various memory functions. The design, fabrication, and test of four device designs is described, and a recommended memory storage area configuration is presented. Memory functions which were demonstrated include the current accessed propagation of bubble domains and stripe domains, pinning of stripe domain ends, generation of single and double bubbles, generation of arrays of coexisting strip and bubble domains in a single garnet layer, and demonstration of different values of the strip out field for single and double bubbles indicating adequate margins for data detection. All functions necessary to develop a multilayer self structured bubble memory device were demonstrated in individual experiments.

  8. In Situ Clay Formation: Evaluation of a Proposed New Technology for Stable Containment Barriers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-03-01

    situ layered double hydroxide precipitation........... 23 4.2.1 Solution preparation and column mixing...22 Table 4.2 Summary of in situ precipitation of layered double hydroxide (LDH...effect on permeability for the smallest volume precipitated is sheet silicates or layered -clay phases (hereafter called “clays”). In natural

  9. Impact of inhomogeneity on SH-type wave propagation in an initially stressed composite structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saha, S.; Chattopadhyay, A.; Singh, A. K.

    2018-02-01

    The present analysis has been made on the influence of distinct form of inhomogeneity in a composite structure comprised of double superficial layers lying over a half-space, on the phase velocity of SH-type wave propagating through it. Propagation of SH-type wave in the said structure has been examined in four distinct cases of inhomogeneity viz. when inhomogeneity in double superficial layer is due to exponential variation in density only (Case I); when inhomogeneity in double superficial layers is due to exponential variation in rigidity only (Case II); when inhomogeneity in double superficial layer is due to exponential variation in rigidity, density and initial stress (Case III) and when inhomogeneity in double superficial layer is due to linear variation in rigidity, density and initial stress (Case IV). Closed-form expression of dispersion relation has been accomplished for all four aforementioned cases through extensive application of Debye asymptotic analysis. Deduced dispersion relations for all the cases are found in well-agreement to the classical Love-wave equation. Numerical computation has been carried out to graphically demonstrate the effect of inhomogeneity parameters, initial stress parameters as well as width ratio associated with double superficial layers in the composite structure for each of the four aforesaid cases on dispersion curve. Meticulous examination of distinct cases of inhomogeneity and initial stress in context of considered problem has been carried out with detailed analysis in a comparative approach.

  10. A New Theory of Mix in Omega Capsule Implosions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knoll, Dana; Chacon, Luis; Rauenzahn, Rick; Simakov, Andrei; Taitano, William; Welser-Sherrill, Leslie

    2014-10-01

    We put forth a new mix model that relies on the development of a charge-separation electrostatic double-layer at the fuel-pusher interface early in the implosion of an Omega plastic ablator capsule. The model predicts a sizable pusher mix (several atom %) into the fuel. The expected magnitude of the double-layer field is consistent with recent radial electric field measurements in Omega plastic ablator implosions. Our theory relies on two distinct physics mechanisms. First, and prior to shock breakout, the formation of a double layer at the fuel-pusher interface due to fast preheat-driven ionization. The double-layer electric field structure accelerates pusher ions fairly deep into the fuel. Second, after the double-layer mix has occurred, the inward-directed fuel velocity and temperature gradients behind the converging shock transports these pusher ions inward. We first discuss the foundations of this new mix theory. Next, we discuss our interpretation of the radial electric field measurements on Omega implosions. Then we discuss the second mechanism that is responsible for transporting the pusher material, already mixed via the double-layer deep into the fuel, on the shock convergence time scale. Finally we make a connection to recent mix motivated experimental data on. This work conducted under the auspices of the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy at Los Alamos National Laboratory, managed by LANS, LLC under Contract DE-AC52-06NA25396.

  11. Mercury's magnetosphere after MESSENGER's first flyby.

    PubMed

    Slavin, James A; Acuña, Mario H; Anderson, Brian J; Baker, Daniel N; Benna, Mehdi; Gloeckler, George; Gold, Robert E; Ho, George C; Killen, Rosemary M; Korth, Haje; Krimigis, Stamatios M; McNutt, Ralph L; Nittler, Larry R; Raines, Jim M; Schriver, David; Solomon, Sean C; Starr, Richard D; Trávnícek, Pavel; Zurbuchen, Thomas H

    2008-07-04

    Observations by MESSENGER show that Mercury's magnetosphere is immersed in a comet-like cloud of planetary ions. The most abundant, Na+, is broadly distributed but exhibits flux maxima in the magnetosheath, where the local plasma flow speed is high, and near the spacecraft's closest approach, where atmospheric density should peak. The magnetic field showed reconnection signatures in the form of flux transfer events, azimuthal rotations consistent with Kelvin-Helmholtz waves along the magnetopause, and extensive ultralow-frequency wave activity. Two outbound current sheet boundaries were observed, across which the magnetic field decreased in a manner suggestive of a double magnetopause. The separation of these current layers, comparable to the gyro-radius of a Na+ pickup ion entering the magnetosphere after being accelerated in the magnetosheath, may indicate a planetary ion boundary layer.

  12. Facile fabrication of high-efficiency near-infrared absorption film with tungsten bronze nanoparticle dense layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Seong Yun; Kim, Jae Young; Lee, Jun Young; Song, Ho Jun; Lee, Sangkug; Choi, Kyung Ho; Shin, Gyojic

    2014-06-01

    An excellent transparent film with effective absorption property in near-infrared (NIR) region based on cesium-doped tungsten oxide nanoparticles was fabricated using a facile double layer coating method via the theoretical considerations. The optical performance was evaluated; the double layer-coated film exhibited 10% transmittance at 1,000 nm in the NIR region and over 80% transmittance at 550 nm in the visible region. To optimize the selectivity, the optical spectrum of this film was correlated with a theoretical model by combining the contributions of the Mie-Gans absorption-based localized surface plasmon resonance and reflections by the interfaces of the heterogeneous layers and the nanoparticles in the film. Through comparison of the composite and double layer coating method, the difference of the nanoscale distances between nanoparticles in each layer was significantly revealed. It is worth noting that the nanodistance between the nanoparticles decreased in the double layer film, which enhanced the optical properties of the film, yielding a haze value of 1% or less without any additional process. These results are very attractive for the nanocomposite coating process, which would lead to industrial fields of NIR shielding and thermo-medical applications.

  13. Real-time dual-loop electric current measurement for label-free nanofluidic preconcentration chip.

    PubMed

    Chung, Pei-Shan; Fan, Yu-Jui; Sheen, Horn-Jiunn; Tian, Wei-Cheng

    2015-01-07

    An electrokinetic trapping (EKT)-based nanofluidic preconcentration device with the capability of label-free monitoring trapped biomolecules through real-time dual-loop electric current measurement was demonstrated. Universal current-voltage (I-V) curves of EKT-based preconcentration devices, consisting of two microchannels connected by ion-selective channels, are presented for functional validation and optimal operation; universal onset current curves indicating the appearance of the EKT mechanism serve as a confirmation of the concentrating action. The EKT mechanism and the dissimilarity in the current curves related to the volume flow rate (Q), diffusion coefficient (D), and diffusion layer (DL) thickness were explained by a control volume model with a five-stage preconcentration process. Different behaviors of the trapped molecular plug were categorized based on four modes associated with different degrees of electroosmotic instability (EOI). A label-free approach to preconcentrating (bio)molecules and monitoring the multibehavior molecular plug was demonstrated through real-time electric current monitoring, rather than through the use of microscope images.

  14. Damage-free back channel wet-etch process in amorphous indium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors using a carbon-nanofilm barrier layer.

    PubMed

    Luo, Dongxiang; Zhao, Mingjie; Xu, Miao; Li, Min; Chen, Zikai; Wang, Lang; Zou, Jianhua; Tao, Hong; Wang, Lei; Peng, Junbiao

    2014-07-23

    Amorphous indium-zinc-oxide thin film transistors (IZO-TFTs) with damage-free back channel wet-etch (BCE) process were investigated. A carbon (C) nanofilm was inserted into the interface between IZO layer and source/drain (S/D) electrodes as a barrier layer. Transmittance electron microscope images revealed that the 3 nm-thick C nanofilm exhibited a good corrosion resistance to a commonly used H3PO4-based etchant and could be easily eliminated. The TFT device with a 3 nm-thick C barrier layer showed a saturated field effect mobility of 14.4 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), a subthreshold swing of 0.21 V/decade, an on-to-off current ratio of 8.3 × 10(10), and a threshold voltage of 2.0 V. The favorable electrical performance of this kind of IZO-TFTs was due to the protection of the inserted C to IZO layer in the back-channel-etch process. Moreover, the low contact resistance of the devices was proved to be due to the graphitization of the C nanofilms after annealing. In addition, the hysteresis and thermal stress testing confirmed that the usage of C barrier nanofilms is an effective method to fabricate the damage-free BCE-type devices with high reliability.

  15. 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.

  16. Millimeter- and submillimeter-wave characterization of various fabrics.

    PubMed

    Dunayevskiy, Ilya; Bortnik, Bartosz; Geary, Kevin; Lombardo, Russell; Jack, Michael; Fetterman, Harold

    2007-08-20

    Transmission measurements of 14 fabrics are presented in the millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave electromagnetic regions from 130 GHz to 1.2 THz. Three independent sources and experimental set-ups were used to obtain accurate results over a wide spectral range. Reflectivity, a useful parameter for imaging applications, was also measured for a subset of samples in the submillimeter-wave regime along with polarization sensitivity of the transmitted beam and transmission through doubled layers. All of the measurements were performed in free space. Details of these experimental set-ups along with their respective challenges are presented.

  17. Modulation of spin transfer torque amplitude in double barrier magnetic tunnel junctions

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

    Clément, P.-Y.; Baraduc, C., E-mail: claire.baraduc@cea.fr; Chshiev, M.

    2015-09-07

    Magnetization switching induced by spin transfer torque is used to write magnetic memories (Magnetic Random Access Memory, MRAM) but can be detrimental to the reading process. It would be quite convenient therefore to modulate the efficiency of spin transfer torque. A solution is adding an extra degree of freedom by using double barrier magnetic tunnel junctions with two spin-polarizers, with controllable relative magnetic alignment. We demonstrate, for these structures, that the amplitude of in-plane spin transfer torque on the middle free layer can be efficiently tuned via the magnetic configuration of the electrodes. Using the proposed design could thus pavemore » the way towards more reliable read/write schemes for MRAM. Moreover, our results suggest an intriguing effect associated with the out-of-plane (field-like) spin transfer torque, which has to be further investigated.« less

  18. Ligand-Free Pd-Catalyzed Double Carbonylation of Aryl Iodides with Amines to α-Ketoamides under Atmospheric Pressure of Carbon Monoxide and at Room Temperature.

    PubMed

    Du, Hongyan; Ruan, Qing; Qi, Minghao; Han, Wei

    2015-08-07

    A general Pd-catalyzed double carbonylation of aryl iodides with secondary or primary amines to produce α-ketoamides at atmospheric CO pressure has been developed. This transformation proceeds successfully even at room temperature and in the absence of any ligand and additive. A wide range of aryl iodides and amines can be coupled to the desired α-ketoamides in high yields with excellent chemoselectivities. Importantly, the current methodology has been demonstrated to be applied in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and chiral α-ketoamides.

  19. Metal-free, flexible triboelectric generator based on MWCNT mesh film and PDMS layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hwang, Hayoung; Lee, Kang Yeol; Shin, Dongjoon; Shin, Jungho; Kim, Sangtae; Choi, Wonjoon

    2018-06-01

    We demonstrate a metal-free triboelectric energy harvester consisted of MWCNT mesh film and PDMS layer. Upon touch from a finger, the single electrode-mode energy harvester generates up to 27.0 W/m2 output power at 10 MΩ matched impedance. The device generates stable power upon touch by bare fingers or gloved fingers. Using copper counter electrode results in decreased power output, due to the weaker tendency in triboelectrification. The power output also scales with the pressure applied by the finger. The intertwined, condensed MWCNT network acts as a flexible yet effective current collector, with resistance across the device less than 10 Ω. This current collector possesses strong corrosion resistance and stability against potential oxidation, while its metal counterpart may undergo oxidation over extended exposure to air or frequent fracture upon straining. The flexible device form may be applied to various curved or irregular surfaces that undergo frequent human touches.

  20. The effect of geometric and electric constraints on the performance of polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals with a double-handed circularly polarized light reflection band

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Relaix, Sabrina; Mitov, Michel

    2008-08-01

    Polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) with a double-handed circularly polarized reflection band are fabricated. The geometric and electric constraints appear to be relevant parameters in obtaining a single-layer CLC structure with a clear-cut double-handed circularly polarized reflection band since light scattering phenomena can alter the reflection properties when the PSCLC is cooled from the elaboration temperature to the operating one. A compromise needs to be found between the LC molecule populations, which are bound to the polymer network due to strong surface effects or not. Besides, a monodomain texture is preserved if the PSCLC is subjected to an electric field at the same time as the thermal process intrinsic to the elaboration process. As a consequence, the light scattering is reduced and both kinds of circularly polarized reflected light beams are put in evidence. Related potential applications are smart reflective windows for the solar light management or reflective polarizer-free displays with higher brightness.

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