vanadium-induced deep impurity: Topics by Science.gov

Sample records for vanadium-induced deep impurity

Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches

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

Sullivan, James S.

2013-07-03

Semi-insulating Gallium Nitride, 4H and 6H Silicon Carbide are attractive materials for compact, high voltage, extrinsic, photoconductive switches due to their wide bandgap, high dark resistance, high critical electric field strength and high electron saturation velocity. These wide bandgap semiconductors are made semi-insulating by the addition of vanadium (4H and 6HSiC) and iron (2H-GaN) impurities that form deep acceptors. These deep acceptors trap electrons donated from shallow donor impurities. The electrons can be optically excited from these deep acceptor levels into the conduction band to transition the wide bandgap semiconductor materials from a semi-insulating to a conducting state. Extrinsic photoconductivemore » switches with opposing electrodes have been constructed using vanadium compensated 6H-SiC and iron compensated 2H-GaN. These extrinsic photoconductive switches were tested at high voltage and high power to determine if they could be successfully used as the closing switch in compact medical accelerators.« less
Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, James Stephen

Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches Semi-insulating Gallium Nitride, 4H and 6H Silicon Carbide are attractive materials for compact, high voltage, extrinsic, photoconductive switches due to their wide bandgap, high dark resistance, high critical electric field strength and high electron saturation velocity. These wide bandgap semiconductors are made semi-insulating by the addition of vanadium (4H and 6H-SiC) and iron (2H-GaN) impurities that form deep acceptors. These deep acceptors trap electrons donated from shallow donor impurities. The electrons can be optically excited from these deep acceptor levels into the conduction band to transition the wide bandgap semiconductor materials from a semi-insulating to a conducting state. Extrinsic photoconductive switches with opposing electrodes have been constructed using vanadium compensated 6H-SiC and iron compensated 2H-GaN. These extrinsic photoconductive switches were tested at high voltage and high power to determine if they could be successfully used as the closing switch in compact medical accelerators. The successful development of a vanadium compensated, 6H-SiC extrinsic photoconductive switch for use as a closing switch for compact accelerator applications was realized by improvements made to the vanadium, nitrogen and boron impurity densities. The changes made to the impurity densities were based on the physical intuition outlined and simple rate equation models. The final 6H-SiC impurity 'recipe' calls for vanadium, nitrogen and boron densities of 2.5 e17 cm-3, 1.25e17 cm-3 and ≤ 1e16 cm-3, respectively. This recipe was originally developed to maximize the quantum efficiency of the vanadium compensated 6H-SiC, while maintaining a thermally stable semi-insulating material. The rate equation models indicate that, besides increasing the quantum efficiency, the impurity recipe should be expected to also increase the carrier recombination time. Three generations of 6H-SiC materials were tested. The third generation vanadium compensated 6H-SiC has average impurity densities close to the recipe values. Extrinsic photoconductive switches constructed from the third generation vanadium compensated, 6H-SiC, 1 mm thick, 1 cm2, substrates have achieved high power operation at 16 kV with pulsed currents exceeding 1400 Amperes and a minimum on resistance of 1 ohm. The extrinsic photoconductive switch performance of the third generation 6H-SiC material was improved by a factor of up to 50 for excitation at the 532 nm wavelength compared to the initial 6H-SiC material. Switches based on this material have been incorporated into a prototype compact proton medical accelerator being developed by the Compact Particle Acceleration Corporation (CPAC). The vanadium compensated, 6H-SiC, extrinsic photoconductive switch operates differently when excited by 1064, or 532 nm, wavelength light. The 6H-SiC extrinsic photoconductive switch is a unipolar device when excited with 1064 nm light. The carriers are electrons excited from filled vanadium acceptor levels and other electron traps located within 1.17 eV of the conduction band. The switch is bipolar at 532 nm since the carriers consist of holes, as well as electrons. The holes are primarily generated by the excitation of valence band electrons into empty trap/acceptor levels and by two-photon absorption. Carrier generation by two-photon absorption becomes more important at high applied optical intensity at 532 nm and contributes to the supralinear behavior of switch conductance as a function of optical power. The 6H-SiC switch material is trap dominated at low nitrogen to vanadium ratios. The trap dominated vanadium compensated 6H-SiC exhibits low quantum efficiency when excited with 1064 and 532 nm light and has a carrier recombination time of ˜ 150 - 300 ps. The vanadium compensated 6H-SiC transitions to an impurity dominated material as the ratio of nitrogen to vanadium is increased to 0.5. The increased nitrogen doping produces a material with much higher quantum efficiency and carrier recombination time of 0.9 to 1.0 ns. The iron compensated 2H-GaN did not perform well as an extrinsic photoconductive switch. The density of carriers generated at 1064 nm was, low indicating that there were very few electrons trapped in the iron acceptor level located at 0.5 - 0.6 eV below the conduction band. Carrier generation at 532 nm was dominated by two photon absorption resulting in the switch conductance increasing as the square of applied optical intensity. A minimum switch resistance of 0.8 ohms was calculated for the 400 nm thick, 1.2 by 1.2 cm, 2H-GaN switch for an applied optical intensity of 41.25 MW/cm2. An optical intensity of ˜ 70 MW/cm2 at 532 nm would be required to achieve a 0.8 ohm on resistance for a 1 mm thick, 1 cm2, 2H-GaN switch.
Electronic structure of lead telluride-based alloys, doped with vanadium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skipetrov, E. P.; Golovanov, A. N.; Slynko, E. I.; Slynko, V. E.

2013-01-01

The crystal structure, composition, galvanomagnetic properties in low magnetic fields (4.2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K, B ≤ 0.07 T), and the Shubnikov-de Haas effect (T = 4.2 K, B ≤ 7 T) are studied in Pb1-x-ySnxVyTe (x = 0, 0.05-0.18) alloys synthesized by the Bridgman technique with variable vanadium impurity concentrations. It is shown that increasing the vanadium content leads to the formation of regions enriched in vanadium and of microscopic inclusions of compounds with compositions close to V3Te4. In Pb1-yVyTe stabilization of the Fermi level by a deep vanadium level, an insulator-metal transition, and a rise in the free electron concentration are observed as the vanadium content is increased. The variation in the free charge carrier concentration with increasing vanadium concentration in Pb1-yVyTe and Pb1-x-ySnxVyTe (x = 0.05-0.18) alloys is compared. Possible models for rearrangement of the electronic structure in Pb1-x-ySnxVyTe alloys with vanadium doping are discussed.
Investigation of new semiinsulating behavior of III-V compounds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lagowski, Jacek

1990-01-01

The investigation of defect interactions and properties related to semiinsulating behavior of III-V semiconductors resulted in about twenty original publications, six doctoral thesis, one masters thesis and numerous conference presentations. The studies of new compensation mechanisms involving transition metal impurities have defined direct effects associated with deep donor/acceptor levels acting as compensating centers. Electrical and optical properties of vanadium and titanium levels were determined in GaAs, InP and also in ternary compounds InGaAs. The experimental data provided basis for the verification of chemical trends and the VRBE method. They also defined compositional range for III-V mixed crystals whereby semiinsulating behavior can be achieved using transition elements deep levels and a suitable codoping with shallow donor/acceptor impurities.
Phase-selective vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanostructured thin films by pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masina, B. N.; Lafane, S.; Wu, L.; Akande, A. A.; Mwakikunga, B.; Abdelli-Messaci, S.; Kerdja, T.; Forbes, A.

2015-10-01

Thin films of monoclinic nanostructured vanadium dioxide are notoriously difficult to produce in a selective manner. To date, post-annealing, after pulsed laser deposition (PLD), has been used to revert the crystal phase or to remove impurities, and non-glass substrates have been employed, thus reducing the efficacy of the transparency switching. Here, we overcome these limitations in PLD by optimizing a laser-ablation and deposition process through optical imaging of the laser-induced plasma. We report high quality monoclinic rutile-type vanadium dioxide (VO2) (M1) nanoparticles without post-annealing, and on a glass substrate. Our samples demonstrate a reversible metal-to-insulator transition at ˜43 °C, without any doping, paving the way to switchable transparency in optical materials at room temperature.
Determination of 18 kinds of trace impurities in the vanadium battery grade vanadyl sulfate by ICP-OES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yong, Cheng

2018-03-01

The method that direct determination of 18 kinds of trace impurities in the vanadium battery grade vanadyl sulfate by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was established, and the detection range includes 0.001% ∼ 0.100% of Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, As, Co, P, Ti, Zn and 0.005% ∼ 0.100% of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Si, Al. That the influence of the matrix effects, spectral interferences and background continuum superposition in the high concentrations of vanadium ions and sulfate coexistence system had been studied, and then the following conclusions were obtained: the sulfate at this concentration had no effect on the determination, but the matrix effects or continuous background superposition which were generated by high concentration of vanadium ions had negative interference on the determination of potassium and sodium, and it produced a positive interference on the determination of the iron and other impurity elements, so that the impacts of high vanadium matrix were eliminated by the matrix matching and combining synchronous background correction measures. Through the spectral interference test, the paper classification summarized the spectral interferences of vanadium matrix and between the impurity elements, and the analytical lines, the background correction regions and working parameters of the spectrometer were all optimized. The technical performance index of the analysis method is that the background equivalent concentration -0.0003%(Na)~0.0004%(Cu), the detection limit of the element is 0.0001%∼ 0.0003%, RSD<10% when the element content is in the range from 0.001% to 0.007%, RSD< 20% even if the element content is in the range from 0.0001% to 0.001% that is beyond the scope of the method of detection, recoveries is 91.0% ∼ 110.0%.
Phase-selective vanadium dioxide (VO{sub 2}) nanostructured thin films by pulsed laser deposition

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

Masina, B. N., E-mail: BMasina@csir.co.za, E-mail: slafane@cdta.dz; School of Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000; Lafane, S., E-mail: BMasina@csir.co.za, E-mail: slafane@cdta.dz

2015-10-28

Thin films of monoclinic nanostructured vanadium dioxide are notoriously difficult to produce in a selective manner. To date, post-annealing, after pulsed laser deposition (PLD), has been used to revert the crystal phase or to remove impurities, and non-glass substrates have been employed, thus reducing the efficacy of the transparency switching. Here, we overcome these limitations in PLD by optimizing a laser-ablation and deposition process through optical imaging of the laser-induced plasma. We report high quality monoclinic rutile-type vanadium dioxide (VO{sub 2}) (M1) nanoparticles without post-annealing, and on a glass substrate. Our samples demonstrate a reversible metal-to-insulator transition at ∼43 °C, withoutmore » any doping, paving the way to switchable transparency in optical materials at room temperature.« less
Growth and characterization of high-purity SiC single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Augustine, G.; Balakrishna, V.; Brandt, C. D.

2000-04-01

High-purity SiC single crystals with diameter up to 50 mm have been grown by the physical vapor transport method. Finite element analysis was used for thermal modeling of the crystal growth cavity in order to reduce stress in the grown crystal. Crystals are grown in high-purity growth ambient using purified graphite furniture and high-purity SiC sublimation sources. Undoped crystals up to 50 mm in diameter with micropipe density less than 100 cm -2 have been grown using this method. These undoped crystals exhibit resistivities in the 10 3 Ω cm range and are p-type due to the presence of residual acceptor impurities, mainly boron. Semi-insulating SiC material is obtained by doping the crystal with vanadium. Vanadium has a deep donor level located near the middle of the band gap, which compensates the residual acceptor resulting in semi-insulating behavior.
Method for Determination of Less Than 5 ppm Oxygen in Sodium Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reid, R. S.; Martin, J. J.; Schmidt, G. L.

2005-01-01

Alkali metals used in pumped loops or heat pipes must be sufficiently free of nonmetallic impurities to ensure long heat rejection system life. Life issues are well established for alkali metal systems. Impurities can form ternary compounds between the container and working fluid, leading to corrosion. This Technical Memorandum discusses the consequences of impurities and candidate measurement techniques to determine whether impurities have been reduced to suf.ciently low levels within a single-phase liquid metal loop or a closed two-phase heat transfer system, such as a heat pipe. These techniques include the vanadium wire equilibration, neutron activation analysis, plug traps, distillation, and chemical analysis. Conceptual procedures for performing vanadium wire equilibration purity measurements on sodium contained in a heat pipe are discussed in detail.
Pharmacokinetics of vanadium in humans after intravenous administration of a vanadium containing albumin solution

PubMed Central

Heinemann, Günter; Fichtl, Burckhard; Vogt, Wolfgang

2003-01-01

Aims Vanadium is currently undergoing clinical trials as an oral drug in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, vanadium occurs in elevated concentrations in the blood of patients receiving intravenous albumin solutions containing large amounts of the metal ion as an impurity. The present study was performed to examine the pharmacokinetics of vanadium in humans following a single intravenous (i.v.) dose of a commercial albumin solution containing a high amount of vanadium. Methods The study was conducted in five healthy volunteer subjects who received intravenously 90 ml of a commercial 20% albumin infusion solution containing 47.6 µg vanadium as an impurity. Vanadium concentrations in serum and urine were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Results Vanadium serum concentrations after i.v. administration were measured for 31 days. The data could be fitted by a triexponential function corresponding formally to a three-compartment model. There was an initial rapid decrease in serum concentrations with half-lives of 1.2 and 26 h. This was followed by a long-terminal half-life time of 10 days. The terminal phase accounted for about 80% of the total area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC). The mean apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment was found to be 10 l. The volume of distribution at steady state was 54 l, and total clearance was 0.15 l h−1. Vanadium was mainly excreted by the kidneys. About 52% of the dose was recovered in the urine after 12 days. Conclusions This study provides data on vanadium pharmacokinetics in healthy humans. PMID:12630973
Characterization of irradiation induced deep and shallow impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treberspurg, Wolfgang; Bergauer, Thomas; Dragicevic, Marko; Krammer, Manfred; Valentan, Manfred

2013-12-01

Silicon Detectors close to the interaction point of the High Luminosity Large Hardron Collider (HL-LHC) have to withstand a harsh irradiation environment. In order to evaluate the behaviour of shallow and deep defects, induced by neutron irradiation, spreading resistance resistivity measurements and capacitance voltage measurements have been performed. These measurements, deliver information about the profile of shallow impurities after irradiation as well as indications of deep defects in the Space Charge Region (SCR) and the Electrical Neutral Bulk (ENB). By considering the theoretical background of the measurement both kinds of defects can be investigated independently from each other.
Analysis of the effects of impurities in silicon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wohlgemuth, J.; Giuliano, M. N.

1980-01-01

A solar cell fabrication and analysis program was conducted to determine the effects on the resultant solar cell efficiency of impurities intentionally incorporated into silicon. It was found that certain impurities such as titanium, tantalum, and vanadium were bad, even in very small concentrations. Cell performance appeared relatively tolerable to impurities such as copper, carbon, calcium, chromium, iron and nickel (in the concentration levels which were considered).
Proximity-induced magnetism in transition-metal substituted graphene

PubMed Central

Crook, Charles B.; Constantin, Costel; Ahmed, Towfiq; Zhu, Jian-Xin; Balatsky, Alexander V.; Haraldsen, Jason T.

2015-01-01

We investigate the interactions between two identical magnetic impurities substituted into a graphene superlattice. Using a first-principles approach, we calculate the electronic and magnetic properties for transition-metal substituted graphene systems with varying spatial separation. These calculations are compared for three different magnetic impurities, manganese, chromium, and vanadium. We determine the electronic band structure, density of states, and Millikan populations (magnetic moment) for each atom, as well as calculate the exchange parameter between the two magnetic atoms as a function of spatial separation. We find that the presence of magnetic impurities establishes a distinct magnetic moment in the graphene lattice, where the interactions are highly dependent on the spatial and magnetic characteristic between the magnetic and carbon atoms, which leads to either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic behavior. Furthermore, through an analysis of the calculated exchange energies and partial density of states, it is determined that interactions between the magnetic atoms can be classified as an RKKY interaction. PMID:26235646
Effects of impurities in coal-derived liquids on accelerated hot corrosion of superalloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deadmore, D. L.; Lowell, C. E.

1980-01-01

A Mach 0.3 burner rig was used to determine the effects of potential coal derived liquid fuel impurity combustion of products on hot corrosion in IN-100, IN-792, IN_738, U-700, Mar M-509, and 304 stainless steel. The impurities, added as aqueous solutions to the combustor, were salts of sodium, potassium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphorus, and lead. Extent of attack was determined by metal consumption and compared to the effects of sodium alone. Vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphorous, and lead in combination with sodium all resulted in increased attack as compared with sodium alone at some temperatures, apparently due in large part to the extension of the formation of liquid deposits. Varying the sodium-potassium ratio had little effect for ratios less than 1:3 for which reduced, but measurable, attack was observed.
Impurities in silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hopkins, R. H.

1985-01-01

Metallic impurities, both singly and in combinations, affect the performance of silicon solar cells. Czochralski silicon web crystals were grown with controlled additions of secondary impurities. The primary electrical dopants were boron and phosphorus. The silicon test ingots were grown under controlled and carefully monitored conditions from high-purity charge and dopant material to minimize unintentional contamination. Following growth, each crystal was characterized by chemical, microstructural, electrical, and solar cell tests to provide a detailed and internally consistent description of the relationships between silicon impurity concentration and solar cell performance. Deep-level spectroscopy measurements were used to measure impurity concentrations at levels below the detectability of other techniques and to study thermally-induced changes in impurity activity. For the majority of contaminants, impurity-induced performance loss is due to a reduction of the base diffusion length. From these observations, a semi-empirical model which predicts cell performance as a function of metal impurity concentration was formulated. The model was then used successfully to predict the behavior of solar cells bearing as many as 11 different impurities.
Proximity-induced magnetism in transition-metal substituted graphene

DOE PAGES

Crook, Charles B.; Constantin, Costel; Ahmed, Towfiq; ...

2015-08-03

We investigate the interactions between two identical magnetic impurities substituted into a graphene superlattice. Using a first-principles approach, we calculate the electronic and magnetic properties for transition-metal substituted graphene systems with varying spatial separation. These calculations are compared for three different magnetic impurities, manganese, chromium, and vanadium. We determine the electronic band structure, density of states, and Millikan populations (magnetic moment) for each atom, as well as calculate the exchange parameter between the two magnetic atoms as a function of spatial separation. We find that the presence of magnetic impurities establishes a distinct magnetic moment in the graphene lattice, wheremore » the interactions are highly dependent on the spatial and magnetic characteristic between the magnetic and carbon atoms, which leads to either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic behavior. Furthermore, through an analysis of the calculated exchange energies and partial density of states, it is determined that interactions between the magnetic atoms can be classified as an RKKY interaction.« less
Impurity-induced deep centers in Tl 6SI 4

DOE PAGES

Shi, Hongliang; Lin, Wenwen; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.; ...

2017-04-13

Tl 6SI 4 is a promising material for room-temperature semiconductor radiation detection applications. The history of the development of semiconductor radiation detection materials has demonstrated that impurities strongly affect the carrier transport and that material purification is a critically important step in improving the carrier transport and thereby the detector performance. Here, we report combined experimental and theoretical studies of impurities in Tl 6SI 4. Impurity concentrations in Tl 6SI 4 were analyzed by glow discharge mass spectrometry. Purification of the raw material by multi-pass vertical narrow zone refining was found to be effective in reducing the concentrations of mostmore » impurities. Density functional theory calculations were also performed to study the trapping levels introduced by the main impurities detected in experiments. We show that, among dozens of detected impurities, most are either electrically inactive or shallow. In the purified Tl 6SI 4 sample, only Bi has a significant concentration (0.2 ppm wt) and introduces deep electron trapping levels in the band gap. Lastly, improvement of the purification processes is expected to further reduce the impurity concentrations and their impact on carrier transport in Tl 6SI 4, leading to improved detector performance.« less
Gamma ray interaction with vanadyl ions in barium metaphosphate glasses; spectroscopic and ESR studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelghany, A. M.; ElBatal, H. A.; EzzElDin, F. M.

2017-11-01

Optical, FTIR, ESR investigations of prepared undoped barium metaphosphate glass and other samples with the same basic composition containing varying V2O5 contents (0.5, 1, 2, 3%) were carried out before and after gamma irradiation. The undoped glass shows a strong UV optical absorption which is correlated with unavoidable contaminated trace iron impurities. The V2O5-doped samples reveal two additional strong broad visible bands centered at 450 and 680 nm. Such extra peculiar and strong two broad visible bands are related to both tetravalent and trivalent vanadium ions in measurable percent due to the reducing behavior of barium phosphate host glass. Gamma irradiation on the undoped glass results in the generation of collective induced UV and visible bands which are originating from positive hole and electron centers. Glasses containing V2O5 reveal upon gamma irradiation induced defects in the UV as the undoped sample together with distinct splitting within the first broad visible band while the second broad band remains unchanged. This behavior is related to limited photoionization upon the addition of V2O5 indicating specific shielding effect of the vanadium ions towards gamma irradiation. It was noticed that irradiation causes no distinct variations in the FTIR spectra due to the presence of 50% of heavy metal oxide (BaO) and some shielding effect of vanadium ions.
Selective recovery of vanadium and scandium by ion exchange with D201 and solvent extraction using P507 from hydrochloric acid leaching solution of red mud.

PubMed

Zhu, Xiaobo; Li, Wang; Tang, Sen; Zeng, Majian; Bai, Pengyuan; Chen, Lunjian

2017-05-01

D201 resin and P507 extractant diluted with sulfonated kerosene were used to respectively separate vanadium and scandium, and impurity ions from hydrochloric acid leaching solution of red mud. More than 99% of vanadium was selectively adsorbed from the hydrochloric acid leaching solution under the conditions of pH value of 1.8, volume ratio of leaching solution to resin of 10, and flow rate of 3.33 mL/min. Maximum extraction and separation of scandium was observed from the acid leaching solution at an aqueous pH value of 0.2. More than 99% of scandium can be selectively extracted using 15% P507, 5% TBP at the aqueous solution/organic phase (A/O) ratio of 10:1 for 6 min. The loaded organic phase was washed with 0.3 mol/L sulfuric acid, wherein most impurities were removed. After the process of desorption or stripping, precipitation, and roasting, high-purity V 2 O 5 and Sc 2 O 3 were obtained. Finally, a conceptual flow sheet was established to separate and recover vanadium and scandium from red mud hydrochloric acid leaching solution. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Gettering of donor impurities by V in GaAs and the growth of semi-insulating crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, K. Y.; Lagowski, J.; Gatos, H. C.

1989-01-01

Vanadium added to the GaAs melt getters shallow donor impurities (Si and S) and decreases their concentration in the grown crystals. This gettering is driven by chemical reactions in the melt rather than in the solid. Employing V gettering, reproducibly semi-insulating GaAs were grown by horizontal Bridgman and liquid-encapsulated Czochralski techniques, although V did not introduce any midgap energy levels. The compensation mechanism in these crystals was controlled by the balance between the native midgap donor EL2 and residual shallow acceptors. Vanadium gettering contributed to the reduction of the concentration of shallow donors below the concentration of acceptors. The present findings clarify the long-standing controversy on the role of V in achieving semi-insulating GaAs.

Effect of transition metal impurities on the strength of grain boundaries in vanadium

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

Wu, Xuebang; Kong, Xiang-Shan; You, Yu-Wei

2016-09-07

Effects of 3d (Ti-Ni), 4d (Zr-Pd), and 5d (Hf-Pt) transition metal impurities on strength of two representative vanadium grain boundaries (GBs), symmetric Σ3(111) and asymmetric Σ5(210), were studied by first-principles calculations within the framework of the Rice-Wang thermodynamic model and within the computational tensile test. The desirable elements to increase the GB cohesion were predicted based on their segregation and strengthening behaviors across the different GB sites. It reveals that the elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta are good choices for the GB cohesion enhancers. In addition, the GB strengthening by solutes is sensitive to the GB structures. Themore » elements Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni decrease the GB strength of the Σ3(111) GB but they can increase the cohesion of the Σ5(210) GB. Furthermore, the origin of Ti-induced change of the GB strength was uncovered by analyzing the atomic bonds and electronic structures as well as the tensile strength. This work provides a theoretical guidance to screen promising alloying elements in V-based materials with improved resistance to GB decohesion and also helps us to understand the formation mechanism of Ti-rich precipitates in the V-Cr-Ti alloys under neutron or ion irradiation environments.« less
Recovery of V(V) from complex vanadium solution using capacitive deionization (CDI) with resin/carbon composite electrode.

PubMed

Bao, Shenxu; Duan, Jihua; Zhang, Yimin

2018-05-25

The resin-activated carbon composite (RAC) electrodes were fabricated and applied in capacitive deionization for recovery of V(V) from complex vanadium solution. The adsorption capacity of the RAC electrode for V(V) is extremely low and the reduction of V(V) is significant in low pH solution, but the adsorbed V(V) on the electrode increases obviously and the reduction of V(V) gradually diminishes with the rise of pH. However, as the pH is increased to 10, the adsorbed V(V) on the RAC electrode declines. The higher applied potential is beneficial to the adsorption of V(V) and 1.0 V is appropriate for the adsorption. The impurities ions (Al, P and Si) are mainly adsorbed in the electric double layers on the RAC electrode and V(V) is dominantly adsorbed by the resins in the electrode. The adsorbed impurity ions can be easily removed by diluted H 2 SO 4 and V(V) can be effectively eluted by 10% NaOH solution. The vanadium-bearing eluent can be recycled to recover and enrich vanadium from the complex solution. The performance of the RAC electrode keeps stable during the cyclic operation. This study may provide a promising and novel method for the recovery and separation of metals from aqueous solution. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Vanadium impurity effects on optical properties of Ti3N2 mono-layer: An ab-initio study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babaeipour, Manuchehr; Eslam, Farzaneh Ghafari; Boochani, Arash; Nezafat, Negin Beryani

2018-06-01

The present work is investigated the effect of vanadium impurity on electronic and optical properties of Ti3N2 monolayer by using density function theory (DFT) implemented in Wien2k code. In order to study optical properties in two polarization directions of photons, namely E||x and E||z, dielectric function, absorption coefficient, optical conductivity, refraction index, extinction index, reflectivity, and energy loss function of Ti3N2 and Ti3N2-V monolayer have been evaluated within GGA (PBE) approximation. Although, Ti3N2 monolayer is a good infrared reflector and can be used as an infrared mirror, introducing V atom in the infrared area will decrease optical conductivity because optical conductivity of a pure form of a material is higher than its doped form.
Nuclear spin relaxation in Au/sup 51/V: spin dynamics of a Kondo alloy

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

Narath, A.; Follstaedt, D.

1977-01-01

The temperature dependent spin dynamics of vanadium impurities in the Kondo alloy AuV (theta/sub K/ approximately equal to 300K) have been studied by means of measurements of /sup 51/V transverse relaxation rates (T/sub 2//sup -1/) for the temperature range 1 to 260 K and vanadium concentrations of 0.2 and 0.5 at.%. Contrary to published reports, we find the quantity T/sub 2/T to increase markedly with increasing temperature. Its magnitude at 260 K (15(+-5) msec-K) exceeds the limiting low-temperature value by a factor of 10. The observed increase in T/sub 2/T indicates a large reduction in the impurity spin-correlation time, e.g.,more » tau/sub e/(theta/sub K/)/tau/sub e/(0) approximately equal to 0.2.« less
Visible Thermochromism in Vanadium Pentoxide Coatings.

PubMed

Kumar, Sunil; Qadir, Awais; Maury, Francis; Bahlawane, Naoufal

2017-06-28

Although di-vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) has been a candidate of extensive research for over half a century, its intrinsic thermochromism has not been reported so far. Films of V 2 O 5 grown on silicon, glass, and metal substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition in this study exhibit a thermally induced perceptible color change from bright yellow to deep orange. Temperature-dependent UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction allow the correlation between the reversible continuous red shift of the absorption and the anisotropic thermal expansion along the (001) direction, that is, perpendicular to the sheets constituting the layered structure. Furthermore, the possibility of tuning the thermochromic behavior was demonstrated via a chemical doping with chromium.
Determination of a Definition of Solar Grade Silicon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hill, D. E.; Gutsche, H. W.

1975-01-01

A definition of solar grade silicon was determined by investigating the singular and the combined effect of the impurities usually found in metallurgical grade silicon on solar cell device performance. The impurity matrix was defined by Jet Propulsion Laboratory Technical Direction Memorandum. The initial work was focussed on standardizing the solar cell process and test procedure, growing baseline crystals, growing crystals contaminated with carbon, iron, nickel, zirconium, aluminum and vanadium, solar blank preparation, and material characterization.
Effect of vanadium contamination on the framework and micropore structure of ultra stable Y-zeolite.

PubMed

Etim, U J; Xu, B; Ullah, Rooh; Yan, Z

2016-02-01

Y-zeolites are the main component of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst for conversion of crude petroleum to products of high demand including transportation fuel. We investigated effects of vanadium which is present as one of the impurities in FCC feedstock on the framework and micropore structure of ultra-stable (US) Y-zeolite. The zeolite samples were prepared and characterized using standard techniques including: (1) X-ray diffraction, (2) N2 adsorption employing non local density functional theory method, NLDFT, (3) Transmittance and Pyridine FTIR, (4) Transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), and (5) (27)Al and (29)Si MAS-NMR. Results revealed that in the presence of steam, vanadium caused excessive evolution of non inter-crystalline mesopores and structural damage. The evolved mesopore size averaged about 25.0nm at 0.5wt.% vanadium loading, far larger than mesopore size in zeolitic materials with improved hydrothermal stability and performance for FCC catalyst. A mechanism of mesopore formation based on accelerated dealumination has been proposed and discussed. Vanadium immobilization experiments conducted to mitigate vanadium migration into the framework clearly showed vanadium is mobile at reaction conditions. From the results, interaction of vanadium with the passivator limits and decreases mobility and activity of vanadium into inner cavities of the zeolite capable of causing huge structure breakdown and acid sites destruction. This study therefore deepens insight into the causes of alteration in activity and selectivity of vanadium contaminated catalyst and hints on a possible mechanism of passivation in vanadium passivated FCC catalyst. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Doping of vanadium to nanocrystalline diamond films by hot filament chemical vapor deposition

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Doping an impure element with a larger atomic volume into crystalline structure of buck crystals is normally blocked because the rigid crystalline structure could not tolerate a larger distortion. However, this difficulty may be weakened for nanocrystalline structures. Diamonds, as well as many semiconductors, have a difficulty in effective doping. Theoretical calculations carried out by DFT indicate that vanadium (V) is a dopant element for the n-type diamond semiconductor, and their several donor state levels are distributed between the conduction band and middle bandgap position in the V-doped band structure of diamond. Experimental investigation of doping vanadium into nanocrystalline diamond films (NDFs) was first attempted by hot filament chemical vapor deposition technique. Acetone/H2 gas mixtures and vanadium oxytripropoxide (VO(OCH2CH2CH3)3) solutions of acetone with V and C elemental ratios of 1:5,000, 1:2,000, and 1:1,000 were used as carbon and vanadium sources, respectively. The resistivity of the V-doped NDFs decreased two orders with the increasing V/C ratios. PMID:22873631
An extraction process to recover vanadium from low-grade vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite.

PubMed

Chen, Desheng; Zhao, Hongxin; Hu, Guoping; Qi, Tao; Yu, Hongdong; Zhang, Guozhi; Wang, Lina; Wang, Weijing

2015-08-30

An extraction process to recover vanadium from low-grade vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite was developed. In this study, a mixed solvent system of di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (D2EHPA) and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) diluted with kerosene was used for the selective extraction of vanadium from a hydrochloric acid leaching solution that contained low vanadium concentration with high concentrations of iron and impurities of Ca, Mg, and Al. In the extraction process, the initial solution pH and the phase ratio had considerable functions in the extraction of vanadium from the hydrochloric acid leaching solution. Under optimal extraction conditions (i.e., 30-40°C for 10min, 1:3 phase ratio (O/A), 20% D2EHPA concentration (v/v), and 0-0.8 initial solution pH), 99.4% vanadium and only 4.2% iron were extracted by the three-stage counter-current extraction process. In the stripping process with H2SO4 as the stripping agent and under optimal stripping conditions (i.e., 20% H2SO4 concentration, 5:1 phase ratio (O/A), 20min stripping time, and 40°C stripping temperature), 99.6% vanadium and only 5.4% iron were stripped by the three-stage counter-current stripping process. The stripping solution contained 40.16g/LV2O5,0.691g/L Fe, 0.007g/L TiO2, 0.006g/L SiO2 and 0.247g/L CaO. A V2O5 product with a purity of 99.12% V2O5 and only 0.026% Fe was obtained after the oxidation, precipitation, and calcination processes. The total vanadium recovered from the hydrochloric acid leaching solution was 85.5%. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Defect-mediated room temperature ferromagnetism in vanadium dioxide thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Tsung-Han; Nori, Sudhakar; Zhou, Honghui; Narayan, Jagdish

2009-09-01

High quality epitaxial undoped vanadium oxide (VO2) thin films on c-plane sapphire (0001) substrate have been grown using pulsed laser deposition technique. The as-grown films exhibited excellent structural and transport properties without requiring further annealing treatments for these oxygen-deficient oxide films. The epitaxial growth has been achieved via domain matching epitaxy, where matching of integral multiples of planes occurs across the film-substrate interface. The magnetic properties of vanadium oxide (VO2) films investigated at different temperatures in the range of 10-360 K showed significant magnetic hysteresis as well as saturation of the magnetic moment. The origin of ferromagnetic properties with an estimated Curie temperature above 500 K is discussed in the absence of magnetic impurities in VO2 thin films as determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy.
Investigation on the compensation effect of residual carbon impurities in low temperature grown Mg doped GaN films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, J.; Zhao, D. G.; Jiang, D. S.; Chen, P.; Liu, Z. S.; Le, L. C.; Li, X. J.; He, X. G.; Liu, J. P.; Zhang, S. M.; Wang, H.; Zhu, J. J.; Yang, H.

2014-04-01

The influence of unintentionally doped carbon impurities on electrical resistivity and yellow luminescence (YL) of low-temperature (LT) grown Mg doped GaN films is investigated. It is found that the resistivity of Mg doped GaN films are closely related to the residual carbon impurity concentration, which may be attributed to the compensation effect of carbon impurities. The carbon impurity may preferentially form deep donor complex CN-ON resulting from its relatively low formation energy. This complex is an effective compensate center for MgGa acceptors as well as inducing YL in photoluminescence spectra. Thus, the low resistivity LT grown p-type GaN films can be obtained only when the residual carbon impurity concentration is sufficiently low, which can explain why LT P-GaN films with lower resistivity were obtained more easily when relatively higher pressure, temperature, or NH3/TMGa flow rate ratio were used in the LT grown Mg doped GaN films reported in earlier reports.
Influence of the local environment on Mn acceptors in GaAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Donghun; Gohlke, David; Benjamin, Anne; Gupta, Jay A.

2015-04-01

As transistors continue to shrink toward nanoscale dimensions, their characteristics are increasingly dependent on the statistical variations of impurities in the semiconductor material. The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) can be used to not only study prototype devices with atomically precise placement of impurity atoms, but can also probe how the properties of these impurities depend on the local environment. Tunneling spectroscopy of Mn acceptors in GaAs indicates that surface-layer Mn act as a deep acceptor, with a hole binding energy that can be tuned by positioning charged defects nearby. Band bending induced by the tip or by these defects can also tune the ionization state of the acceptor complex, evident as a ring-like contrast in STM images. The interplay of these effects is explored over a wide range of defect distances, and understood using iterative simulations of tip-induced band bending.
Protective effects of Sesamum indicum extract against oxidative stress induced by vanadium on isolated rat hepatocytes.

PubMed

Hosseini, Mir-Jamal; Shahraki, Jafar; Tafreshian, Saman; Salimi, Ahmad; Kamalinejad, Mohammad; Pourahmad, Jalal

2016-08-01

Vanadium toxicity is a challenging problem to human and animal health with no entirely understanding cytotoxic mechanisms. Previous studies in vanadium toxicity showed involvement of oxidative stress in isolated liver hepatocytes and mitochondria via increasing of ROS formation, release of cytochrome c and ATP depletion after incubation with different concentrations (25-200 µM). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of Sesamum indicum seed extract (100-300 μg/mL) against oxidative stress induced by vanadium on isolated rat hepatocytes. Our results showed that quite similar to Alpha-tocopherol (100 µM), different concentrations of extract (100-300 μg/mL) protected the isolated hepatocyte against all oxidative stress/cytotoxicity markers induced by vanadium in including cell lysis, ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential decrease and lysosomal membrane damage. Besides, vanadium induced mitochondrial/lysosomal toxic interaction and vanadium reductive activation mediated by glutathione in vanadium toxicity was significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated by Sesamum indicum extracts. These findings suggested a hepato-protective role for extracts against liver injury resulted from vanadium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 979-985, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of vanadium ions in barium borate glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdelghany, A. M.; Hammad, Ahmed H.

2015-02-01

Combined optical and infrared spectral measurements of prepared barium borate glasses containing different concentrations of V2O5 were carried out. Vanadium containing glasses exhibit extended UV-visible (UV/Vis.) bands when compared with base binary borate glass. UV/Vis. spectrum shows the presence of an unsymmetrical strong UV broad band centered at 214 nm attributed to the presence of unavoidable trace iron impurities within the raw materials used for the preparation of such glass. The calculated direct and indirect optical band gaps are found to decrease with increasing the vanadium content (2.9:137 for indirect and 3.99:2.01 for direct transition). This change was discussed in terms of structural changes in the glass network. Infrared absorption spectra of the glasses reveal the appearance of both triangular and tetrahedral borate units. Electron spin resonance analyses indicate the presence of unpaired species in sufficient quantity to be identified and to confirm the spectral data.
DNA damage induction in human cells exposed to vanadium oxides in vitro.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Mercado, Juan J; Mateos-Nava, Rodrigo A; Altamirano-Lozano, Mario A

2011-12-01

Vanadium and vanadium salts cause genotoxicity and elicit variable biological effects depending on several factors. In the present study, we analyzed and compared the DNA damage and repair processes induced by vanadium in three oxidation states. We used human blood leukocytes in vitro and in a single cell gel electrophoresis assay at two pH values. We observed that vanadium(III) trioxide and vanadium(V) pentoxide produced DNA single-strand breaks at all of the concentrations (1, 2, 4, or 8 μg/ml) and treatment times (2, 4, or 6 h) tested. Vanadium(IV) tetraoxide treatment significantly increased DNA damage at all concentrations for 4 or 6 h of treatment but not for 2 h of treatment. The DNA repair kinetics indicated that most of the cells exposed to vanadium III and V for 4 h recovered within the repair incubation time of 90 min; however, those exposed to vanadium(IV) repaired their DNA within 120 min. The data at pH 9 indicated that vanadium(IV) tetraoxide induced DNA double-strand breaks. Our results show that the genotoxic effect of vanadium can be produced by any of its three oxidation states. However, vanadium(IV) induces double-strand breaks, and it is known that these lesions are linked with forming structural chromosomal aberrations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of impurities and processing on silicon solar cells. Volume 1: Characterization methods for impurities in silicon and impurity effects data base

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hopkins, R. H.; Davis, J. R.; Rohatgi, A.; Campbell, R. B.; Blais, P. D.; Rai-Choudhury, P.; Stapleton, R. E.; Mollenkopf, H. C.; Mccormick, J. R.

1980-01-01

Two major topics are treated: methods to measure and evaluate impurity effects in silicon and comprehensive tabulations of data derived during the study. Discussions of deep level spectroscopy, detailed dark I-V measurements, recombination lifetime determination, scanned laser photo-response, conventional solar cell I-V techniques, and descriptions of silicon chemical analysis are presented and discussed. The tabulated data include lists of impurity segregation coefficients, ingot impurity analyses and estimated concentrations, typical deep level impurity spectra, photoconductive and open circuit decay lifetimes for individual metal-doped ingots, and a complete tabulation of the cell I-V characteristics of nearly 200 ingots.
Adsorption of Vanadium (V) from SCR Catalyst Leaching Solution and Application in Methyl Orange.

PubMed

Sha, Xuelong; Ma, Wei; Meng, Fanqing; Wang, Ren; Fuping, Tian; Wei, Linsen

2016-12-01

In this study, we explored an effective and low-cost catalyst and its adsorption capacity and catalytic capacity for Methyl Orange Fenton oxidation degradation were investigated. The catalyst was directly prepared by reuse of magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) after saturated adsorption of vanadium (V) from waste SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalyst. The obtained catalyst was characterized by FTIR, XPS and the results showed that vanadium (V) adsorption process of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was non-redox reaction. The effects of pH, adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms of adsorption were assessed. Adsorption of vanadium (V) ions by Fe3O4 nanoparticles could be well described by the Sips isotherm model which controlled by the mixed surface reaction and diffusion (MSRDC) adsorption kinetic model. The results show that vanadium (V) was mainly adsorbed on external surface of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The separation-recovering tungsten (VI) and vanadium (V) from waste SCR catalyst alkaline solution through pH adjustment was also investigated in this study. The results obtained from the experiments indicated that tungsten (VI) was selectively adsorbed from vanadium (V)/tungsten (VI) mixed solution in certain acidic condition by Fe3O4 nanoparticle to realize their recovery. Tungsten (V) with some impurity can be obtained by releasing from adsorbent, which can be confirmed by ICP-AES. The Methyl Orange degradation catalytic performance illustrated that the catalyst could improve Fenton reaction effectively at pH = 3.0 compare to Fe3O4 nanoparticles alone. Therefore, Fe3O4 nanoparticle adsorbed vanadium (V) has a potential to be employed as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst in the present contribution, and its catalytic activity was mainly evaluated in terms of the decoloration efficiency of Methyl Orange.
Vanadium inhibits DNA-protein cross-links and ameliorates surface level changes of aberrant crypt foci during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced rat colon carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Kanna, P Suresh; Saralaya, M G; Samanta, K; Chatterjee, M

2005-01-01

The trace mineral vanadium inhibits cancer development in a variety of experimental animal models. The present study was to gain insight into a putative anticancer effect of vanadium in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis. The in vivo study was intended to clarify the effect of vanadium on DNA-protein cross-links (DPC), surface level changes of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and biotransformation status during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (1,2-DMH) induced preneoplastic rat colon carcinogenesis. The comet assay showed statistically higher mean base values of DNA-protein mass (p<0.01) and mean frequencies of tailed cells (p<0.001) in the carcinogen-induced group after treatment with proteinase K. Treatment with vanadium in the form of ammonium monovanadate supplemented ad libitum in drinking water for the entire experimental period caused a significant (p<0.02) reduction (40%) in DNA-protein cross-links in colon cells. Further, the biotransformation status of vanadium was ascertained measuring the drug metabolising enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 (Cyt P-450). Significantly, there was an increase in glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P-450 levels (p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively) in rats supplemented with vanadium as compared to their carcinogen controls. As an endpoint marker, we also evaluated the effect of vanadium on surface level changes of aberrant crypt foci induced by 1,2-DMH by scanning electron microscopy. Animals induced with 1,2-DMH and supplemented with vanadium showed a marked improvement in colonic architecture with less number of aberrant crypt foci in contrast to the animals induced with 1,2-DMH alone, thereby exhibiting its anti-carcinogenicity by modulating the markers studied herein.
Vanadium Induces Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity Via Protein Kinase C-Delta Dependent Oxidative Signaling Mechanisms: Relevance to Etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease

PubMed Central

Afeseh Ngwa, Hilary; Kanthasamy, Arthi; Anantharam, Vellareddy; Song, Chunjuan; Witte, Travis; Houk, R. S.; Kanthasamy, Anumantha G.

2009-01-01

Environmental exposure to neurotoxic metals through various sources including exposure to welding fumes has been linked to an increased incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD). Welding fumes contain many different metals including vanadium typically present as particulates containing vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). However, possible neurotoxic effects of this metal oxide on dopaminergic neuronal cells are not well studied. In the present study, we characterized vanadium-induced oxidative stress-dependent cellular events in cell culture models of PD. V2O5 was neurotoxic to dopaminergic neuronal cells including primary nigral dopaminergic neurons and the EC50 was determined to be 37 μM in N27 dopaminergic neuronal cell model. The neurotoxic effect was accompanied by a time-dependent uptake of vanadium and upregulation of metal transporter proteins Tf and DMT1 in N27 cells. Additionally, vanadium resulted in a threefold increase in reactive oxygen species generation, followed by release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytoplasm and subsequent activation of caspase-9 (>fourfold) and caspase-3 (>ninefold). Interestingly, vanadium exposure induced proteolytic cleavage of native protein kinase Cdelta (PKCδ, 72-74 kDa) to yield a 41 kDa catalytically active fragment resulting in a persistent increase in PKCδ kinase activity. Co-treatment with pan-caspase inhibitor ZVAD-FMK significantly blocked vanadium-induced PKCδ proteolytic activation, indicating that caspases mediate PKCδ cleavage. Also, co-treatment with Z-VAD-FMK almost completely inhibited V2O5-induced DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, PKCδ knockdown using siRNA protected N27 cells from V2O5-induced apoptotic cell death. Collectively, these results demonstrate vanadium can exert neurotoxic effects in dopaminergic neuronal cells via caspase-3-dependent PKCδ cleavage, suggesting that metal exposure may promote nigral dopaminergic degeneration. PMID:19646462
Minimum activation martensitic alloys for surface disposal after exposure to neutron flux

DOEpatents

Lechtenberg, Thomas

1985-01-01

Steel alloys for long-term exposure to neutron flux have a martensitic microstructure and contain chromium, carbon, tungsten, vanadium and preferably titanium. Activation of the steel is held to within acceptable limits for eventual surface disposal by stringently controlling the impurity levels of Ni, Mo, Cu, N, Co, Nb, Al and Mn.

Protective effect of alpha glucosyl hesperidin (G-hesperidin) on chronic vanadium induced testicular toxicity and sperm nuclear DNA damage in male Sprague Dawley rats.

PubMed

Vijaya Bharathi, B; Jaya Prakash, G; Krishna, K M; Ravi Krishna, C H; Sivanarayana, T; Madan, K; Rama Raju, G A; Annapurna, A

2015-06-01

The study was conducted to evaluate the vanadium-induced testicular toxicity and its effect on sperm parameters, sperm nuclear DNA damage and histological alterations in Sprague Dawley rats and to assess the protective effect of G-hesperidin against this damage. Treatment of rats with vanadium at a dose of 1 mg kg bw(-1) for 90 days resulted in significant reduction in serum testosterone levels, sperm count and motility. Further, a parallel increase in abnormal sperm morphology and adverse histopathological changes in testis was also associated with vanadium administration when compared to normal control. Moreover, sperm chromatin dispersion assay revealed that vanadium induces sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation. A marked increase in testicular malondialdehyde levels and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase indicates vanadium-induced oxidative stress. Co-administration of G-hesperidin at a dose of 25 and 50 mg kg bw(-1) significantly attenuated the sperm parameters and histological changes by restoring the antioxidant levels in rat testis. These results suggested that vanadium exposure caused reduced bioavailability of androgens to the tissue and increased free radical formation, thereby causing structural and functional changes in spermatozoa. G-hesperidin exhibited antioxidant effect by protecting the rat testis against vanadium-induced oxidative damage, further ensures antioxidant potential of bioflavonoids. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Thermogravimetric feasibility study of argon purification using powders of titanium alloys with molybdenum and vanadium

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

Eremeev, A.P.; Veselovskii, P.F.

1987-10-20

The high adsorption and chemical activity of titanium alloy powders (TiMo > TiV) having specific size and chemical compositions, and the nature of the surface and its specific energy characteristics permit one to use them effectively for the purification of argon and other inert gases from impurities such as water vapor, carbon dioxide gas, oxygen, and nitrogen. In agreement with the developed activity series the irreversible adsorption of impurities (1 vol. %) by the indicated powders can be controlled using powders or filters pressed from these powders by heating to temperatures of 500-700/sup 0/. The thickness of the filters canmore » be established on the basis of the rate constants of the chemical reactions of the impurities with the TiMo and TiV powders obtained in this study.« less
Impurities block the alpha to omega martensitic transformation in titanium.

PubMed

Hennig, Richard G; Trinkle, Dallas R; Bouchet, Johann; Srinivasan, Srivilliputhur G; Albers, Robert C; Wilkins, John W

2005-02-01

Impurities control phase stability and phase transformations in natural and man-made materials, from shape-memory alloys to steel to planetary cores. Experiments and empirical databases are still central to tuning the impurity effects. What is missing is a broad theoretical underpinning. Consider, for example, the titanium martensitic transformations: diffusionless structural transformations proceeding near the speed of sound. Pure titanium transforms from ductile alpha to brittle omega at 9 GPa, creating serious technological problems for beta-stabilized titanium alloys. Impurities in the titanium alloys A-70 and Ti-6Al-4V (wt%) suppress the transformation up to at least 35 GPa, increasing their technological utility as lightweight materials in aerospace applications. These and other empirical discoveries in technological materials call for broad theoretical understanding. Impurities pose two theoretical challenges: the effect on the relative phase stability, and the energy barrier of the transformation. Ab initio methods calculate both changes due to impurities. We show that interstitial oxygen, nitrogen and carbon retard the transformation whereas substitutional aluminium and vanadium influence the transformation by changing the d-electron concentration. The resulting microscopic picture explains the suppression of the transformation in commercial A-70 and Ti-6Al-4V alloys. In general, the effect of impurities on relative energies and energy barriers is central to understanding structural phase transformations.
Impact of vanadium ions in barium borate glass.

PubMed

Abdelghany, A M; Hammad, Ahmed H

2015-02-25

Combined optical and infrared spectral measurements of prepared barium borate glasses containing different concentrations of V2O5 were carried out. Vanadium containing glasses exhibit extended UV-visible (UV/Vis.) bands when compared with base binary borate glass. UV/Vis. spectrum shows the presence of an unsymmetrical strong UV broad band centered at 214 nm attributed to the presence of unavoidable trace iron impurities within the raw materials used for the preparation of such glass. The calculated direct and indirect optical band gaps are found to decrease with increasing the vanadium content (2.9:137 for indirect and 3.99:2.01 for direct transition). This change was discussed in terms of structural changes in the glass network. Infrared absorption spectra of the glasses reveal the appearance of both triangular and tetrahedral borate units. Electron spin resonance analyses indicate the presence of unpaired species in sufficient quantity to be identified and to confirm the spectral data. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Direct recovery of boiler residue by combustion synthesis.

PubMed

Nourbaghaee, Homan; Ghaderi Hamidi, Ahmad; Pourabdoli, Mahdi

2018-04-01

Boiler residue (BR) of thermal power plants is one of the important secondary sources for vanadium production. In this research, the aluminothermic self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) was used for recovering the transition metals of BR for the first time. The effects of extra aluminum as reducing agent and flux to aluminum ratio (CaO/Al) were studied and the efficiency of recovery and presence of impurities were measured. Aluminothermic reduction of vanadium and other metals was carried out successfully by SHS without any foreign heat source. Vanadium, iron, and nickel principally were reduced and gone into metallic master alloy as SHS product. High levels of efficiency (>80%) were achieved and the results showed that SHS has a great potential to be an industrial process for BR recovery. SHS produced two useful products. Metallic master alloy and fused glass slag that is applicable for ceramic industries. SHS can also neutralize the environmental threats of BR by a one step process. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Removal of vanadium from industrial wastewater using iron sorbents in batch and continuous flow pilot systems.

PubMed

Leiviskä, Tiina; Khalid, Muhammad Kamran; Sarpola, Arja; Tanskanen, Juha

2017-04-01

This study investigated the removal of vanadium from real industrial wastewater by using six iron materials: commercial iron sorbent (CFH-12), commercial mineral sorbent (AQM), blast furnace sludge (BFS), steel converter sludge (SCS), ferrochrome slag (FeCr) and slag from a steel foundry (OKTO). Batch tests revealed that CFH-12 (ferric oxyhydroxide) removed vanadium most efficiently, which was explained by its high iron content and the amorphous form of the iron, and that the sorption followed the Langmuir isotherm. With a dosage of 10 g/l and an initial vanadium concentration of 58.2 mg/l, 91-94% removal rates for vanadium were achieved in the studied pH range (3-9). Other sorbents showed significantly lower efficiency than CFH-12, with the exception of BFS at acidic pH (93%). Based on the batch test results, CFH-12 was selected for a pilot study made on site. The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of CFH-12 to remove vanadium at high temperature (80 °C) from concentrated industrial wastewater with fluctuating water quality (vanadium concentration varied from 51 to 83 mg/l, pH about 9 (at 25 °C)). Leaching of impurities (mainly S, Ca, Mg and K) into the effluent occurred during the first day, but subsequently good quality effluent was produced (e.g. <0.1 mg/l V). During the pilot study, the amorphous iron material of CFH-12 was crystallized into a hematite-like phase (Fe 1.67 H 0.99 O 3 ), and goethite (FeO(OH)) with a higher average pore diameter, probably due to the hot process conditions to which CFH-12 was exposed for over five days. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Tunneling interstitial impurity in iron-chalcogenide-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Huaixiang; Zhang, Degang; Gao, Yi; Ren, Wei; Ting, C. S.

2016-02-01

A pronounced local in-gap zero-energy bound state (ZBS) has been observed by recent scanning tunneling microscopy experiments on the interstitial Fe impurity (IFI) and its nearest-neighboring sites in an FeTe0.5Se0.5 superconducting (SC) compound. By introducing an impurity mechanism, the so-called tunneling impurity, and based on the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations, we investigate the low-lying energy states of the IFI and the underlying Fe plane. The calculations are performed in the presence as well as in the absence of a magnetic field. We find the IFI-induced ZBS does not shift or split in a magnetic field as long as the tunneling parameter between the IFI and the Fe plane is sufficiently small and the Fe plane is deep in the SC state. Our results are in good agreement with experiments. We also show that in the underdoped cases, modulation of the spin density wave or charge density wave will suppress the intensity of the ZBS on the Fe plane in a vortex state.
In vitro and ex vivo vanadium antitumor activity in (TGF-β)-induced EMT. Synergistic activity with carboplatin and correlation with tumor metastasis in cancer patients.

PubMed

Petanidis, Savvas; Kioseoglou, Efrosini; Domvri, Kalliopi; Zarogoulidis, Paul; Carthy, Jon M; Anestakis, Doxakis; Moustakas, Aristidis; Salifoglou, Athanasios

2016-05-01

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in tumor progression and metastasis as a crucial event for cancer cells to trigger the metastatic niche. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been shown to play an important role as an EMT inducer in various stages of carcinogenesis. Previous reports had shown that antitumor vanadium inhibits the metastatic potential of tumor cells by reducing MMP-2 expression and inducing ROS-dependent apoptosis. However, the role of vanadium in (TGF-β)-induced EMT remains unclear. In the present study, we report for the first time on the inhibitory effects of vanadium on (TGF-β)-mediated EMT followed by down-regulation of ex vivo cancer stem cell markers. The results demonstrate blockage of (TGF-β)-mediated EMT by vanadium and reduction in the mitochondrial potential of tumor cells linked to EMT and cancer metabolism. Furthermore, combination of vanadium and carboplatin (a) resulted in synergistic antitumor activity in ex vivo cell cultures, and (b) prompted G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and sensitization of tumor cells to carboplatin-induced apoptosis. Overall, the findings highlight the multifaceted antitumor action of vanadium and its synergistic antitumor efficacy with current chemotherapy drugs, knowledge that could be valuable for targeting cancer cell metabolism and cancer stem cell-mediated metastasis in aggressive chemoresistant tumors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Transverse mode selection in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers via deep impurity-induced disordering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, Thomas R.; Kesler, Benjamin; Dallesasse, John M.

2017-02-01

Top emission 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) demonstrating transverse mode selection via impurity-induced disordering (IID) are presented. The IID apertures are fabricated via closed ampoule zinc diffusion. A simple 1-D plane wave model based on the intermixing of Group III atoms during IID is presented to optimize the mirror loss of higher-order modes as a function of IID strength and depth. In addition, the impact of impurity diffusion into the cap layer of the lasers is shown to improve contact resistance. Further investigation of the mode-dependent characteristics of the device imply an increase in the thermal impedance associated with the fraction of IID contained within the oxide aperture. The optimization of the ratio of the IID aperture to oxide aperture is experimentally determined. Single fundamental mode output of 1.6 mW with 30 dBm side mode suppression ratio is achieved by a 3.0 μm oxide-confined device with an IID aperture of 1.3 μm indicating an optimal IID aperture size of 43% of the oxide aperture.
Effect of vanadium on colonic aberrant crypt foci induced in rats by 1,2 Dimethyl hydrazine

PubMed Central

Kanna, P Suresh; Mahendrakumar, CB; Chakraborty, T; Hemalatha, P; Banerjee, Pratik; Chatterjee, M

2003-01-01

AIM: To investigate the chemo preventive effects of vanadium on rat colorectal carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in Group A received saline vehicle alone for 16 weeks. Rats in Group B were given DMH injection once a week intraperitoneally for 16 weeks; rats in Group C, with the same DMH treatment as in the Group B, but received 0.5-ppm vanadium in the form ammonium monovanadate ad libitum in drinking water. Rats in the Group D received vanadium alone as in the Group C without DMH injection. RESULTS: Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were formed in animals in DMH-treated groups at the end of week 16. Compared to DMH group, vanadium treated group had less ACF (P < 0.001). At the end of week 32, all rats in DMH group developed large intestinal tumors. Rats treated with vanadium contained significantly few colonic adenomas and carcinomas (P < 0.05) compared to rats administered DMH only. In addition, a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in colon tumor burden (sum of tumor sizes per animal) was also evident in animals of Group C when compared to those in rats of carcinogen control Group B. The results also showed that vanadium significantly lowered PCNA index in ACF (P < 0.005). Furthermore, vanadium supplementation also elevated liver GST and Cyt P-450 activities (P < 0.001 and P < 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vanadium in the form of ammonium monovanadate supplemented in drinking water ad libitum has been found to be highly effective in reducing tumor incidence and preneoplastic foci on DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis. These findings suggest that vanadium administration can suppress colon carcinogenesis in rats. PMID:12717849
Hydrogen-enhanced clusterization of intrinsic defects and impurities in silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukashev, B. N.; Abdullin, Kh. A.; Gorelkinskii, Yu. V.; Tamendarov, M. F.; Tokmoldin, S. Zh

2001-01-01

Formation of intrinsic and impurity defect complexes in hydrogenated monocrystalline silicon is studied. Hydrogen was incorporated into samples by different ways: either by proton implantation at 80 and 300 K, or by annealing at 1250°C for 30-60 min in a sealed quartz ampoule containing ∼10 -3 ml of distilled water, or by treatment in hydrogen plasma. Radiation defects were incorporated either during the hydrogen implantation or by additional irradiation with protons or α-particles. The measurements were performed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and infrared absorption (IR) methods. Essential differences of defect formation processes in hydrogenated samples as compared with reference samples were detected. The main reasons responsible for the differences are (i) hydrogen precipitation in a supersaturated solution during thermal treatment; (ii) interaction of hydrogen with defects and impurities and hydrogen-induced formation of defects; (iii) ability of hydrogen to play the role of accelerator of impurities precipitation. These factors result in the formation of vacancy-related, interstitial-related and impurity clusters which are observed only in the presence of hydrogen. The nature of the clusters and possible models of their structure are discussed.
Entanglement entropy of a three-spin-interacting spin chain with a time-reversal-breaking impurity at one boundary.

PubMed

Nag, Tanay; Rajak, Atanu

2018-04-01

We investigate the effect of a time-reversal-breaking impurity term (of strength λ_{d}) on both the equilibrium and nonequilibrium critical properties of entanglement entropy (EE) in a three-spin-interacting transverse Ising model, which can be mapped to a p-wave superconducting chain with next-nearest-neighbor hopping and interaction. Importantly, we find that the logarithmic scaling of the EE with block size remains unaffected by the application of the impurity term, although, the coefficient (i.e., central charge) varies logarithmically with the impurity strength for a lower range of λ_{d} and eventually saturates with an exponential damping factor [∼exp(-λ_{d})] for the phase boundaries shared with the phase containing two Majorana edge modes. On the other hand, it receives a linear correction in term of λ_{d} for an another phase boundary. Finally, we focus to study the effect of the impurity in the time evolution of the EE for the critical quenching case where the impurity term is applied only to the final Hamiltonian. Interestingly, it has been shown that for all the phase boundaries, contrary to the equilibrium case, the saturation value of the EE increases logarithmically with the strength of impurity in a certain regime of λ_{d} and finally, for higher values of λ_{d}, it increases very slowly dictated by an exponential damping factor. The impurity-induced behavior of EE might bear some deep underlying connection to thermalization.
Entanglement entropy of a three-spin-interacting spin chain with a time-reversal-breaking impurity at one boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nag, Tanay; Rajak, Atanu

2018-04-01

We investigate the effect of a time-reversal-breaking impurity term (of strength λd) on both the equilibrium and nonequilibrium critical properties of entanglement entropy (EE) in a three-spin-interacting transverse Ising model, which can be mapped to a p -wave superconducting chain with next-nearest-neighbor hopping and interaction. Importantly, we find that the logarithmic scaling of the EE with block size remains unaffected by the application of the impurity term, although, the coefficient (i.e., central charge) varies logarithmically with the impurity strength for a lower range of λd and eventually saturates with an exponential damping factor [˜exp(-λd) ] for the phase boundaries shared with the phase containing two Majorana edge modes. On the other hand, it receives a linear correction in term of λd for an another phase boundary. Finally, we focus to study the effect of the impurity in the time evolution of the EE for the critical quenching case where the impurity term is applied only to the final Hamiltonian. Interestingly, it has been shown that for all the phase boundaries, contrary to the equilibrium case, the saturation value of the EE increases logarithmically with the strength of impurity in a certain regime of λd and finally, for higher values of λd, it increases very slowly dictated by an exponential damping factor. The impurity-induced behavior of EE might bear some deep underlying connection to thermalization.
Graphene-modified nanostructured vanadium pentoxide hybrids with extraordinary electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries

DOE PAGES

Liu, Qi; Li, Zhe-Fei; Liu, Yadong; ...

2015-01-20

The long-standing issues of low intrinsic electronic conductivity, slow lithium-ion diffusion and irreversible phase transitions on deep discharge prevent the high specific capacity/energy (443 mAh g -1 and 1,550 Wh kg -1) vanadium pentoxide from being used as the cathode material in practical battery applications. Here we develop a method to incorporate graphene sheets into vanadium pentoxide nanoribbons via the sol–gel process. The resulting graphene-modified nanostructured vanadium pentoxide hybrids contain only 2 wt. % graphene, yet exhibits extraordinary electrochemical performance: a specific capacity of 438 mAh g -1, approaching the theoretical value (443 mAh g -1), a long cyclability andmore » significantly enhanced rate capability. Such performance is the result of the combined effects of the graphene on structural stability, electronic conduction, vanadium redox reaction and lithium-ion diffusion supported by various experimental studies. Finally, this method provides a new avenue to create nanostructured metal oxide/graphene materials for advanced battery applications.« less
Defects and impurities induced structural and electronic changes in pyrite CoS2: first principles studies.

PubMed

Li, Shengwen; Zhang, Yanning; Niu, Xiaobin

2018-05-03

Cobalt pyrite (CoS2) and related materials are attracting much attention due to their potential use in renewable energy applications. In this work, first-principles studies were performed to investigate the effects of various neutral defects and ion dopants on the structural, energetic, magnetic and electronic properties of the bulk CoS2. Our theoretical results show that the concentrations of single cobalt (VCo) and sulfur (VS) vacancies in CoS2 samples can be high under S-rich and S-poor conditions, respectively. Although the single vacancies induce defect states near the gap edge, they are still half-metallic. We find that the substitution of one S with the O atom does not obviously change the structural, magnetic and electronic features near the Fermi level of the system. Most transition metal impurities (MnCo, FeCo, and MoCo) and Group IV and V anion impurities (CS, SiS, NS, PS, and AsS) create impurity states that are deep and/or near the gap edge. However, NiCo and Group VII elements (FS, ClS, and BrS) cause very localized gap states close to the Fermi level in the minority spin channel, which may modify their electrochemical performances. Our extensive calculations provide instructive information for the design and optimization of CoS2-related energy materials.
Ab initio calculations of deep-level carrier nonradiative recombination rates in bulk semiconductors.

PubMed

Shi, Lin; Wang, Lin-Wang

2012-12-14

Nonradiative carrier recombination is of both applied and fundamental interest. Here a novel algorithm is introduced to calculate such a deep level nonradiative recombination rate using the ab initio density functional theory. This algorithm can calculate the electron-phonon coupling constants all at once. An approximation is presented to calculate the phonon modes for one impurity in a large supercell. The neutral Zn impurity site together with a N vacancy is considered as the carrier-capturing deep impurity level in bulk GaN. Its capture coefficient is calculated as 5.57 × 10(-10)cm(3)/s at 300 K. We found that there is no apparent onset of such a nonradiative process as a function of temperature.
Vanadium exposure-induced striatal learning and memory alterations in rats.

PubMed

Sun, Liping; Wang, Keyue; Li, Yan; Fan, Qiyuan; Zheng, Wei; Li, Hong

2017-09-01

Occupational and environmental exposure to vanadium has been associated with toxicities in reproductive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. The knowledge on whether and how vanadium exposure caused neurobehavioral changes remains incomplete. This study was designed to investigate the changes in learning and memory following drinking water exposure to vanadium, and to conduct the preliminary study on underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vanadium dissolved in drinking water at the concentration of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0g/L, as the control, low-, medium-, and high- dose groups, respectively, for 12 weeks. The results by the Morris water maze test showed that the time for the testing animal to find the platform in the high exposed group was increased by 82.9% and 49.7%, as compared to animals in control and low-dose groups (p<0.05). There were significantly fewer rats in the medium- and high- dose groups than in the control group who were capable of crossing the platform (p<0.05). Quantitation of vanadium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed a significant dose-dependent accumulation of vanadium in striatum (r=0.931, p<0.01). Histopathological examination further demonstrated a degenerative damage in vanadium-exposed striatum. Interestingly, with the increase of the dose of vanadium, the contents of neurotransmitter ACh, 5-HT and GABA in the striatum increased; however, the levels of Syn1 was significantly reduced in the exposed groups compared with controls (p<0.05). These data suggest that vanadium exposure apparently reduces the animals' learning ability. This could be due partly to vanadium's accumulation in striatum and the ensuing toxicity to striatal structure and synaptic plasticity. Further research is warranted for mechanistic understanding of vanadium-induced neurotoxicity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of tea polyphenols on production performance, egg quality, and hepatic antioxidant status of laying hens in vanadium-containing diets.

PubMed

Yuan, Z H; Zhang, K Y; Ding, X M; Luo, Y H; Bai, S P; Zeng, Q F; Wang, J P

2016-07-01

This study was conducted to determine the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) on production performance, egg quality, and hepatic-antioxidant status of laying hens in vanadium-containing diets. A total of 300 Lohman laying hens (67 wk old) were used in a 1 plus 3 × 3 experiment design in which hens were given either a diet without vanadium and TP supplementation (control) or diets supplemented with 5, 10, or 15 mg V/kg and TP (0, 600, 1,000 mg/kg) diets for 8 wk, which included 2 phases: a 5-wk accumulation phase and a 3-wk depletion phase. During the accumulation phase, dietary vanadium addition decreased (linear, P < 0.01) albumen height and Haugh unit (HU), and TP supplementation mitigated (linear effect, P < 0.01) this reduction effect induced by vanadium. Eggshell thickness (linear, P < 0.01), redness (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05), and yellowness (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) were decreased by vanadium and increased by the effect of TP when a vanadium-containing diet was fed. In the depletion phase, the bleaching effect on eggshells induced by vanadium disappeared one wk after vanadium withdrawal. Eggshell thickness, eggshell strength, albumen height, and HU were lower (P < 0.05) in the 15 mg/kg vanadium group compared with the control diet until 2 wk post vanadium challenge, but hens fed 15 mg/kg vanadium and 600 mg/kg TP showed no difference from the control diet only after 1 wk withdrawal. In the liver, the activity of glutathione S-transferases and glutathione peroxidase was increased (linear, P < 0.01) with the TP addition at 5 wk in the accumulation phase in the vanadium-containing diet; the malondialdehyde content increased (linear effect, P = 0.02) with the addition of vanadium. The results indicate that supplementation of 10 and 15 mg/kg vanadium resulted in reduced albumen quality, bleaching effect on eggshell color, and antioxidant stress in the liver. The effect of TP addition can prevent laying hens from the adverse effect of vanadium on egg quality, liver antioxidant stress and shorten the recovery time. © 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.
Vanadium exposure-induced striatal learning and memory alterations in rats

PubMed Central

Sun, Liping; Wang, Keyue; Li, Yan; Fan, Qiyuan; Zheng, Wei; Li, Hong

2017-01-01

Occupational and environmental exposure to vanadium has been associated with toxicities in reproductive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. The knowledge on whether and how vanadium exposure caused neurobehavioral changes remains incomplete. This study was designed to investigate the changes in learning and memory following drinking water exposure to vanadium, and to conduct the preliminary study on underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vanadium dissolved in drinking water at the concentration of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/L, as the control, low-, medium-, and high- dose groups, respectively, for 12 weeks. The results by the Morris water maze test showed that the time for the testing animal to find the platform in the high exposed group was increased by 82.9% and 49.7%, as compared to animals in control and low-dose groups (p <0.05). There were significantly fewer rats in the medium- and high- dose groups than in the control group who were capable of crossing the platform (p <0.05). Quantitation of vanadium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed a significant dose-dependent accumulation of vanadium in striatum (r = 0.931, p <0.01). Histopathological examination further demonstrated a degenerative damage in vanadium-exposed striatum. Interestingly, with the increase of the dose of vanadium, the contents of neurotransmitter ACh, 5-HT and GABA in the striatum increased; however, the levels of Syn1 was significantly reduced in the exposed groups compared with controls (p <0.05). These data suggest that vanadium exposure apparently reduces the animals’ learning ability. This could be due partly to vanadium’s accumulation in striatum and the ensuing toxicity to striatal structure and synaptic plasticity. Further research is warranted for mechanistic understanding of vanadium-induced neurotoxicity. PMID:28625925
Review—hexagonal boron nitride epilayers: Growth, optical properties and device applications

DOE PAGES

Jiang, H. X.; Lin, Jing Yu

2016-09-07

This paper provides a brief overview on recent advances made in authors’ laboratory in epitaxial growth and optical studies of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) epilayers and heterostructures. Photoluminescence spectroscopy has been employed to probe the optical properties of h-BN. It was observed that the near band edge emission of h-BN is unusually high and is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of high quality AlN epilayers. It was shown that the unique quasi-2D nature induced by the layered structure of h-BN results in high optical absorption and emission. The impurity related and near band-edge transitions in h-BNmore » epilayers were probed for materials synthesized under varying ammonia flow rates. Our results have identified that the most dominant impurities and deep level defects in h-BN epilayers are related to nitrogen vacancies. By growing h-BN under high ammonia flow rates, nitrogen vacancy related defects can be eliminated and epilayers exhibiting pure free exciton emission have been obtained. Deep UV and thermal neutron detectors based on h-BN epilayers were shown to possess unique features. Lastly, it is our belief that h-BN will lead to many potential applications from deep UV emitters and detectors, radiation detectors, to novel 2D photonic and electronic devices.« less

Review—hexagonal boron nitride epilayers: Growth, optical properties and device applications

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

Jiang, H. X.; Lin, Jing Yu

This paper provides a brief overview on recent advances made in authors’ laboratory in epitaxial growth and optical studies of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) epilayers and heterostructures. Photoluminescence spectroscopy has been employed to probe the optical properties of h-BN. It was observed that the near band edge emission of h-BN is unusually high and is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of high quality AlN epilayers. It was shown that the unique quasi-2D nature induced by the layered structure of h-BN results in high optical absorption and emission. The impurity related and near band-edge transitions in h-BNmore » epilayers were probed for materials synthesized under varying ammonia flow rates. Our results have identified that the most dominant impurities and deep level defects in h-BN epilayers are related to nitrogen vacancies. By growing h-BN under high ammonia flow rates, nitrogen vacancy related defects can be eliminated and epilayers exhibiting pure free exciton emission have been obtained. Deep UV and thermal neutron detectors based on h-BN epilayers were shown to possess unique features. Lastly, it is our belief that h-BN will lead to many potential applications from deep UV emitters and detectors, radiation detectors, to novel 2D photonic and electronic devices.« less
Electron Correlation in Oxygen Vacancy in SrTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Chungwei; Demkov, Alexander A.

2014-03-01

Oxygen vacancies are an important type of defect in transition metal oxides. In SrTiO3 they are believed to be the main donors in an otherwise intrinsic crystal. At the same time, a relatively deep gap state associated with the vacancy is widely reported. To explain this inconsistency we investigate the effect of electron correlation in an oxygen vacancy (OV) in SrTiO3. When taking correlation into account, we find that the OV-induced localized level can at most trap one electron, while the second electron occupies the conduction band. Our results offer a natural explanation of how the OV in SrTiO3 can produce a deep in-gap level (about 1 eV below the conduction band bottom) in photoemission, and at the same time be an electron donor. Our analysis implies an OV in SrTiO3 should be fundamentally regarded as a magnetic impurity, whose deep level is always partially occupied due to the strong Coulomb repulsion. An OV-based Anderson impurity model is derived, and its implications are discussed. This work was supported by Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) program funded by U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research and Basic Energy Sciences under award number DESC0008877.
[Oxidative Stress Level of Vanadium-exposed Workers].

PubMed

Wei, Teng-da; Li, Shun-pin; Liu, Yun-xing; Tan, Chun-ping; Li, Juan; Zhang, Zu-hui; Lan, Ya-jia; Zhang, Qin

2015-11-01

To determine the oxidative stress level in peripheral blood of vanadium-exposed workers, as an indication of population health effect of vanadium on human neurobehavioral system. 86 vanadium-exposed workers and 65 non-exposed workers were recruited by cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic and occupational exposure information. Serum activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents were detected by kit assay. The differences in oxidative stress level between vanadium-exposed and non-exposed workers were compared. Vanadium-exposed workers had higher levels of MDA contents than the controls. The total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) activity in vanadium-exposed workers was significantly lower than that in the controls, which was associated with lowered levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity. No changes in serum levels of cupro-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) was found in vanadium-exposed workers. No difference in iNOS activity was found between vanadium-exposed workers and controls. Vanadium exposure increases free radical production in serum and reduces antioxidant capacity. But the relationship between vanadium exposure and iNOS damage remains uncertain.
RESIDUAL OIL FLY ASH (ROFA) AND VANADIUM-INDUCED GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES IN HUMAN VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

Residual oil fly ash (ROFA) and vanadium-induced gene expression profiles in human vascular endothelial cells.
Srikanth S. Nadadur, Urmila P. Kodavanti, Mary Jane Selgrade and Daniel L. Costa, Pulmonary Toxicology Branch, ETD, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, N...
Energy Levels of Defects Created in Silicon Supersaturated with Transition Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García, H.; Castán, H.; Dueñas, S.; García-Hemme, E.; García-Hernansaz, R.; Montero, D.; González-Díaz, G.

2018-03-01

Intermediate-band semiconductors have attracted much attention for use in silicon-based solar cells and infrared detectors. In this work, n-Si substrates have been implanted with very high doses (1013 cm-2 and 1014 cm-2) of vanadium, which gives rise to a supersaturated layer inside the semiconductor. However, the Mott limit was not exceeded. The energy levels created in the supersaturated silicon were studied in detail by means of thermal admittance spectroscopy. We found a single deep center at energy near E C - 200 meV. This value agrees with one of the levels found for vanadium in silicon. The capture cross-section values of the deep levels were also calculated, and we found a relationship between the capture cross-section and the energy position of the deep levels which follows the Meyer-Neldel rule. This process usually appears in processes involving multiple excitations. The Meyer-Neldel energy values agree with those previously obtained for silicon supersaturated with titanium and for silicon contaminated with iron.
Probing carbon impurities in hexagonal boron nitride epilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uddin, M. R.; Li, J.; Lin, J. Y.; Jiang, H. X.

2017-05-01

Carbon doped hexagonal boron nitride epilayers have been grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Photocurrent excitation spectroscopy has been utilized to probe the energy levels associated with carbon impurities in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). The observed transition peaks in photocurrent excitation spectra correspond well to the energy positions of the bandgap, substitutional donors (CB, carbon impurities occupying boron sites), and substitutional acceptors (CN, carbon impurities occupying nitrogen sites). From the observed transition peak positions, the derived energy level of CB donors in h-BN is ED ˜ 0.45 eV, which agrees well with the value deduced from the temperature dependent electrical resistivity. The present study further confirms that the room temperature bandgap of h-BN is about 6.42-6.45 eV, and the CN deep acceptors have an energy level of about 2.2-2.3 eV. The results also infer that carbon doping introduces both shallow donors (CB) and deep acceptors (CN) via self-compensation, and the energy level of carbon donors appears to be too deep to enable carbon as a viable candidate as an n-type dopant in h-BN epilayers.
Nucleation and Growth Control of ZnO via Impurity-mediated Crystallization

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-02

Characteristics of Crystalline Silicon/Si Quantum Dot/Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Hybrid Solar Cells ”, G. Uchida, Y. Wang, D. Ichida, H. Seo, K. Kamataki, N...Electron Transfer of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Using Vanadium Doped TiO2 ”, H. Seo, Y. Wang, D. Ichida, G. Uchida, N. Itagaki, K. Koga, M. Shiratani, S...conductive oxide (TCO) in flat-panel displays, touch screens on smartphones, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), solar cells , etc [1-6]. The resistivity
Corrosion resistance investigation of vanadium alloys in liquid lithium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borovitskaya, I. V.; Lyublinskiy, I. E.; Bondarenko, G. G.; Paramonova, V. V.; Korshunov, S. N.; Mansurova, A. N.; Lyakhovitskiy, M. M.; Zharkov, M. Yu.

2016-12-01

A major concern in using vanadium alloys for first wall/blanket systems in fusion reactors is their activity with regard to nonmetallic impurities in the coolants. This paper presents the results of studying the corrosion resistance in high-purity liquid lithium (with the nitrogen and carbon content of less than 10-3 wt %) of vanadium and vanadium alloys (V-1.86Ga, V-3.4Ga-0.62Si, V-4.81Ti-4.82Cr) both in the initial state and preliminarily irradiated with Ar+ ions with energy of 20 keV to a dose of 1022 m-2 at an irradiation temperature of 400°C. The degree of corrosion was estimated by measuring the changes in the weight and microhardness. Corrosion tests were carried out under static isothermal conditions at a temperature of 600°C for 400 h. The identity of corrosion mechanisms of materials both irradiated with Ar ions and not irradiated, which consisted in an insignificant penetration of nitrogen into the materials and a substantial escape of oxygen from the materials, causing the formation of a zone with a reduced microhardness near the surface, was established. The influence of the corrosive action of lithium on the surface morphology of the materials under study was found, resulting in the manifestation of grain boundaries and slip lines on the sample surface, the latter being most clearly observed in the case of preliminary irradiation with Ar ions.
Corrosion resistance investigation of vanadium alloys in liquid lithium

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

Borovitskaya, I. V., E-mail: symp@imet.ac.ru; Lyublinskiy, I. E.; Bondarenko, G. G.

A major concern in using vanadium alloys for first wall/blanket systems in fusion reactors is their activity with regard to nonmetallic impurities in the coolants. This paper presents the results of studying the corrosion resistance in high-purity liquid lithium (with the nitrogen and carbon content of less than 10{sup –3} wt %) of vanadium and vanadium alloys (V–1.86Ga, V–3.4Ga–0.62Si, V–4.81Ti–4.82Cr) both in the initial state and preliminarily irradiated with Ar+ ions with energy of 20 keV to a dose of 10{sup 22} m{sup –2} at an irradiation temperature of ~400°C. The degree of corrosion was estimated by measuring the changesmore » in the weight and microhardness. Corrosion tests were carried out under static isothermal conditions at a temperature of 600°C for 400 h. The identity of corrosion mechanisms of materials both irradiated with Ar ions and not irradiated, which consisted in an insignificant penetration of nitrogen into the materials and a substantial escape of oxygen from the materials, causing the formation of a zone with a reduced microhardness near the surface, was established. The influence of the corrosive action of lithium on the surface morphology of the materials under study was found, resulting in the manifestation of grain boundaries and slip lines on the sample surface, the latter being most clearly observed in the case of preliminary irradiation with Ar ions.« less
Metal Accumulation and Vanadium-Induced Multidrug Resistance by Environmental Isolates of Escherichia hermannii and Enterobacter cloacae

PubMed Central

Hernández, Alicia; Mellado, Rafael P.; Martínez, José L.

1998-01-01

Contaminated soils from an oil refinery were screened for the presence of microorganisms capable of accumulating either nickel, vanadium, or both metals. Three strains of bacteria that belonged to the family Enterobacteriaceae were selected. Two of them were Escherichia hermannii strains, and outer membrane profile (OMP) analysis showed that they were similar to a strain of clinical origin; the other one was an Enterobacter cloacae strain that differed from clinical isolates. The selected bacteria accumulated both nickel and vanadium. Growth in the presence of vanadium induced multidrug resistance phenotypes in E. hermannii and E. cloacae. Incubation with this metal changed the OMP profile of E. hermannii but did not produce variations in the expression of the major OMPs of E. cloacae. PMID:9797283
A Contemporary Treatment Approach to Both Diabetes and Depression by Cordyceps sinensis, Rich in Vanadium

PubMed Central

Guo, Jian-You; Han, Chun-Chao

2010-01-01

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by hormonal and neurochemical changes that can be associated with anxiety and depression. Both diabetes and depression negatively interact, in that depression leads to poor metabolic control and hyperglycemia exacerbates depression. We hypothesize one novel vanadium complex of vanadium-enriched Cordyceps sinensis (VECS), which is beneficial in preventing depression in diabetes, and influences the long-term course of glycemic control. Vanadium compounds have the ability to imitate the action of insulin, and this mimicry may have further favorable effects on the level of treatment satisfaction and mood. C. sinensis has an antidepressant-like activity, and attenuates the diabetes-induced increase in blood glucose concentrations. We suggest that the VECS may be a potential strategy for contemporary treatment of depression and diabetes through the co-effect of C. sinensis and vanadium. The validity of the hypothesis can most simply be tested by examining blood glucose levels, and swimming and climbing behavior in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats. PMID:19948751
Cryogenic Laser Calorimetry for Impurity Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swimm, R. T.

1985-01-01

The results of a one-year effort to determine the applicability of laser-calorimetric spectroscopy to the study of deep-level impurities in silicon are presented. Critical considerations for impurity analysis by laser-calorimetric spectroscopy are discussed, the design and performance of a cryogenic laser calorimeter is described, and measurements of background absorption in high-purity silicon are presented.
Physiological and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes response induced by vanadium stress in mustard genotypes with distinct photosynthetic activity.

PubMed

Imtiaz, Muhammad; Mushtaq, Muhammad Adnan; Nawaz, Muhammad Amjad; Ashraf, Muhammad; Rizwan, Muhammad Shahid; Mehmood, Sajid; Aziz, Omar; Rizwan, Muhammad; Virk, Muhammad Safiullah; Shakeel, Qaiser; Ijaz, Raina; Androutsopoulos, Vasilis P; Tsatsakis, Aristides M; Coleman, Michael D

2018-06-13

The present study aimed to elucidate the photosynthetic performance, antioxidant enzyme activities, anthocyanin contents, anthocyanin biosynthetic gene expression, and vanadium uptake in mustard genotypes (purple and green) that differ in photosynthetic capacity under vanadium stress. The results indicated that vanadium significantly reduced photosynthetic activity in both genotypes. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes were increased significantly in response to vanadium in both genotypes, although the purple exhibited higher. The anthocyanin contents were also reduced under vanadium stress. The anthocyanin biosynthetic genes were highly expressed in the purple genotype, notably the genes TT8, F3H, and MYBL2 under vanadium stress. The results indicate that induction of TT8, F3H, and MYBL2 genes was associated with upregulation of the biosynthetic genes required for higher anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple compared with the green mustard. The roots accumulated higher vanadium than shoots in both mustard genotypes. The results indicate that the purple mustard had higher vanadium tolerance. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Impurity-induced divertor plasma oscillations

DOE PAGES

Smirnov, R. D.; Kukushkin, A. S.; Krasheninnikov, S. I.; ...

2016-01-07

Two different oscillatory plasma regimes induced by seeding the plasma with high- and low-Z impurities are found for ITER-like divertor plasmas, using computer modeling with the DUSTT/UEDGE and SOLPS4.3 plasma-impurity transport codes. The oscillations are characterized by significant variations of the impurity-radiated power and of the peak heat load on the divertor targets. Qualitative analysis of the divertor plasma oscillations reveals different mechanisms driving the oscillations in the cases of high- and low-Z impurity seeding. The oscillations caused by the high-Z impurities are excited near the X-point by an impurity-related instability of the radiation-condensation type, accompanied by parallel impurity ionmore » transport affected by the thermal and plasma friction forces. The driving mechanism of the oscillations induced by the low-Z impurities is related to the cross-field transport of the impurity atoms, causing alteration between the high and low plasma temperature regimes in the plasma recycling region near the divertor targets. As a result, the implications of the impurity-induced plasma oscillations for divertor operation in the next generation tokamaks are also discussed.« less
Insulin and vanadium protect against osteoarthritis development secondary to diabetes mellitus in rats.

PubMed

El Karib, Abbas O; Al-Ani, Bahjat; Al-Hashem, Fahaid; Dallak, Mohammad; Bin-Jaliah, Ismaeel; El-Gamal, Basiouny; Bashir, Salah O; Eid, Refaat A; Haidara, Mohamed A

2016-07-01

Diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis (OA) are among the common public health problems. The effect of insulin on OA secondary to diabetes has not been investigated before in animal models. Therefore, we sought to determine whether insulin and the insulin-mimicking agent, vanadium can protect from developing OA in diabetic rats. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats and treated with insulin and/or vanadium. Tissues harvested from the articular cartilage of the knee joint were examined by scanning electron microscopy, and blood samples were assayed for oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Eight weeks following the induction of diabetes, a profound damage to the knee joint compared to the control non-diabetic group was observed. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin and/or vanadium differentially protected from diabetes-induced cartilage damage and deteriorated fibrils of collagen fibers. The relative biological potencies were insulin + vanadium > insulin > vanadium. Furthermore, there was about 2- to 5-fold increase in TNF-α (from 31.02 ± 1.92 to 60.5 ± 1.18 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) and IL-6 (from 64.67 ± 8.16 to 338.0 ± 38.9 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) cytokines and free radicals measured as TBARS (from 3.21 ± 0.37 to 11.48 ± 1.5 µM, p < 0.0001) in the diabetic group, which was significantly reduced with insulin and or vanadium. Meanwhile, SOD decreased (from 17.79 ± 8.9 to 8.250.29, p < 0.0001) and was increased with insulin and vanadium. The relative potencies of the treating agents on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers were insulin + vanadium > insulin > vanadium. The present study demonstrates that co-administration of insulin and vanadium to T1DM rats protect against diabetes-induced OA possibly by lowering biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Critical V2O5/TeO2 Ratio Inducing Abrupt Property Changes in Vanadium Tellurite Glasses.

PubMed

Kjeldsen, Jonas; Rodrigues, Ana C M; Mossin, Susanne; Yue, Yuanzheng

2014-12-26

Transition metal containing glasses have unique electrical properties and are therefore often used for electrochemical applications, such as in batteries. Among oxide glasses, vanadium tellurite glasses exhibit the highest electronic conductivity and thus the high potential for applications. In this work, we investigate how the dynamic and physical properties vary with composition in the vanadium tellurite system. The results show that there exists a critical V(2)O(5) concentration of 45 mol %, above which the local structure is subjected to a drastic change with increasing V(2)O(5), leading to abrupt changes in both hardness and liquid fragility. Electronic conductivity does not follow the expected correlation to the valence state of the vanadium as predicted by the Mott-Austin equation but shows a linear correlation to the mean distance between vanadium ions. These findings could contribute to designing optimum vanadium tellurite compositions for electrochemical devices. The work gives insight into the mechanism of electron conduction in the vanadium tellurite systems.
Effect of hydrogen on fatigue crack propagation in vanadium

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

Chung, D.W.; Stoloff, N.S.

The influence of hydrogen on fatigue crack propagation in unalloyed vanadium and several hydrogen-charged vanadium alloys has been investigated. The Paris--Erdogan equation, da/dN = C(..delta..K)/sup m/, was approximately obeyed for all alloys. Crack growth rates were lowest in vanadium and dilute vanadium-hydrogen alloys, and were not very sensitive to volume fraction of hydrides in more concentrated alloys. The crack growth exponent, m, is inversely proportional to the cyclic strain hardening rate, n', and the rate constant C is inversely proportional to the square of the ultimate tensile stress, sigma/sub UTS/: metallographic examination showed hydride reorientation and growth in the originallymore » hydrided alloys. No stress-induced hydrides were observed in V-H solid-solution alloys. Fractures in hydrided materials exhibited cleavage-like features, while striations were noted in unalloyed vanadium and dilute solid-solution alloys.« less
Effect of hydrogen on fatigue crack propagation in vanadium

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

Chung, D.W.; Stoloff, N.S.

The influence of hydrogen on fatigue crack propagation in unalloyed vanadium and several hydrogen-charged vanadium alloys has been investigated. The Paris--Erdogan equation, da/dN = C(..delta..K)/sup m/, was approximately obeyed for all alloys. Crack growth rates were lowest in vanadium and dilute vanadium--hydrogen alloys, and were not very sensitive to volume fraction of hydrides in more concentrated alloys. The crack growth exponent, m, is inversely proportional to the cyclic strain hardening rate, n', and the rate constant C is inversely proportional to the square of the ultimate tensile stress, sigma/sub UTS/: metallographic examination showed hydride reorientation and growth in the originallymore » hydrided alloys. No stress-induced hydrides were observed in V--H solid-solution alloys. Fractures in hydrided materials exhibited cleavage-like features, while striations were noted in unalloyed vanadium and dilute solid-solution alloys.« less
Vanadium(III)-l-cysteine enhances the sensitivity of murine breast adenocarcinoma cells to cyclophosphamide by promoting apoptosis and blocking angiogenesis.

PubMed

Basu, Abhishek; Bhattacharjee, Arin; Baral, Rathindranath; Biswas, Jaydip; Samanta, Amalesh; Bhattacharya, Sudin

2017-05-01

Various epidemiological and preclinical studies have already established the cancer chemopreventive potential of vanadium-based compounds. In addition to its preventive efficacy, studies have also indicated the abilities of vanadium-based compounds to induce cell death selectively toward malignant cells. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation is to improve the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity profile of an alkylating agent, cyclophosphamide, by the concurrent use of an organovanadium complex, vanadium(III)-l-cysteine. In this study, vanadium(III)-l-cysteine (1 mg/kg body weight, per os) was administered alone as well as in combination with cyclophosphamide (25 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal) in concomitant and pretreatment schedule in mice bearing breast adenocarcinoma cells. The results showed that the combination treatment significantly decreased the tumor burden and enhanced survivability of tumor-bearing mice through generation of reactive oxygen species in tumor cells. These ultimately led to DNA damage, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis in tumor cells. Further insight into the molecular pathway disclosed that the combination treatment caused upregulation of p53 and Bax and suppression of Bcl-2 followed by the activation of caspase cascade and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Administration of vanadium(III)-l-cysteine also resulted in significant attenuation of peritoneal vasculature and sprouting of the blood vessels by decreasing the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the ascites fluid of tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, vanadium(III)-l-cysteine significantly attenuated cyclophosphamide-induced hematopoietic, hepatic, and genetic damages and provided additional survival advantages. Hence, this study suggested that vanadium(III)-l-cysteine may offer potential therapeutic benefit in combination with cyclophosphamide by augmenting anticancer efficacy and diminishing toxicity to the host.
[Roles of cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 in pentavalent vanadium-induced neuronal apoptosis].

PubMed

Zhao, Jie; Wang, Jing; Wu, Jingxia

2014-09-01

To investigate the roles of cytochrome c (Cyt-c), caspase-9, and caspase-3 in pentavalent vanadium-induced neuronal apoptosis and to provide a basis for mechanism research. Neurons from rats aged 1-3 days were cultured and treated with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) at 5, 10, or 20 mmol/L. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). The protein levels of Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. Apoptosis bodies were detected in the nuclei of neurons by TUNEL. The number of neurons with apoptosis bodies increased with increasing dose of V2O5 The apoptosis index (AI) was significantly higher in the 10 and 20 mm/L exposure groups than in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of Cyt-c and caspase-3 significantly increased in the 5 mmol/L exposure group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 10 and 20 mmol/L exposure groups, the protein expression of Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 all increased as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Neuronal AI was positively correlated with Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 (r = 0.954, P < 0.01; r = 0.938, P < 0.01; r = 0.943, P < 0.01). Pentavalent vanadium may induce neuronal apoptosis. The protein expression of Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 may play an important role in neuronal apoptosis induced by pentavalent vanadium.

Stability of rhombohedral phases in vanadium at high-pressure and high-temperature: first-principles investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yi X.; Wu, Q.; Chen, Xiang R.; Geng, Hua Y.

2016-09-01

The pressure-induced transition of vanadium from BCC to rhombohedral structures is unique and intriguing among transition metals. In this work, the stability of these phases is revisited by using density functional theory. At finite temperatures, a novel transition of rhombohedral phases back to BCC phase induced by thermal electrons is discovered. This reentrant transition is found not driven by phonons, instead it is the electronic entropy that stabilizes the latter phase, which is totally out of expectation. Parallel to this transition, we find a peculiar and strong increase of the shear modulus C44 with increasing temperature. It is counter-intuitive in the sense that it suggests an unusual harding mechanism of vanadium by temperature. With these stability analyses, the high-pressure and finite-temperature phase diagram of vanadium is proposed. Furthermore, the dependence of the stability of RH phases on the Fermi energy and chemical environment is investigated. The results demonstrate that the position of the Fermi level has a significant impact on the phase stability, and follows the band-filling argument. Besides the Fermi surface nesting, we find that the localization/delocalization of the d orbitals also contributes to the instability of rhombohedral distortions in vanadium.
The role of phosphate additive in stabilization of sulphuric-acid-based vanadium(V) electrolyte for all-vanadium redox-flow batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roznyatovskaya, Nataliya V.; Roznyatovsky, Vitaly A.; Höhne, Carl-Christoph; Fühl, Matthias; Gerber, Tobias; Küttinger, Michael; Noack, Jens; Fischer, Peter; Pinkwart, Karsten; Tübke, Jens

2017-09-01

Catholyte in all-vanadium redox-flow battery (VRFB) which consists of vanadium salts dissolved in sulphuric acid is known to be stabilized by phosphoric acid to slow down the thermal aging at temperatures higher than 40 °C. To reveal the role of phosphoric acid, the thermally-induced aggregation is investigated using variable-temperature 51V, 31P, 17O, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results indicate that the thermal stabilization of vanadium(V) electrolyte is attained by the involvement of monomeric and dimeric vanadium(V) species in the reaction with phosphoric acid which is concurrent to the formation of neutral hydroxo-aqua vanadium(V) precipitation precursor. The dimers are stabilized by counter ions due to association reaction or if such stabilization is not possible, precipitation of vanadium pentoxide is favored. The evolution of particles size distributions at 50 °C in electrolyte samples containing 1.6 M vanadium and 4.0 M total sulphate and the pathways of precipitate formation are discussed. The optimal total phosphate concentration is found to be of 0.15 M. However, the induction time is assumed to be dependent not only on the total phosphate concentrations, but also on the ratio of total vanadium(V) to sulphate concentrations.
Impurity-induced moments in underdoped cuprates

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

Khaliullin, G.; Kilian, R.; Krivenko, S.

1997-11-01

We examine the effect of a nonmagnetic impurity in a two-dimensional spin liquid in the spin-gap phase, employing a drone-fermion representation of spin-1/2 operators. The properties of the local moment induced in the vicinity of the impurity are investigated and an expression for the nuclear-magnetic-resonance Knight shift is derived, which we compare with experimental results. Introducing a second impurity into the spin liquid an antiferromagnetic interaction between the moments is found when the two impurities are located on different sublattices. The presence of many impurities leads to a screening of this interaction as is shown by means of a coherent-potentialmore » approximation. Further, the Kondo screening of an impurity-induced local spin by charge carriers is discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Effects of Impurities in CO2 Spreading Model Development for Field Experiments in the Framework of the CO2QUEST Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebscher, D.; Wolf, J. L.; Jung, B.; Bensabat, J.; Segev, R.; Niemi, A. P.

2014-12-01

The aim of the CO2QUEST project (Impact of the Quality of CO2 on Storage and Transport) is to investigate the effect of typical impurities in the CO2 stream captured from fossil fuel power plants on its safe and economic transportation and deep geologic storage. An important part of this EU funded project is to enhance the understanding of typical impurity effects in a CO2 stream regarding the performance of the storage. Based on the experimental site Heletz in Israel, where injection tests of water as well as of super-critical pure and impure CO2 will be conducted, numerical simulations are performed. These studies illustrate flow and transport of CO2 and brine as well as impurities induced chemical reactions in relation to changes in the reservoir, e.g. porosity, permeability, pH-value, and mineral composition. Using different THC codes (TOUGH2-ECO2N, TOUGHREACT, PFLOTRAN), the spatial distribution of CO2 and impurities, both in the supercritical and aqueous phases, are calculated. The equation of state (EOS) of above numerical codes are properly modified to deal with binary/tertiary gas mixtures (e.g. CO2-N2 or CO2-SO2). In addition, simulations for a push-pull test of about 10 days duration are performed, which will be validated against experimental field data. Preliminary results are as follows: (a) As expected, the injection of SO2 leads to a strong decrease in pH-value, hence, the total dissolution of carbonate minerals could be observed. (b) Due to the acidic attack on clay minerals , which is enhanced compared to a pure CO2 dissolution, a higher amount of metal ions are released, in particular Fe2+ and Mg2+ by a factor of 25 and 10, respectively. Whereas secondary precipitation occurs only for sulphur minerals, namely anhydrite and pyrite. (c) The co-injection of CO2 with N2 changes physical properties of the gas mixture. Increasing N2 contents induces density decrease of the gas mixture, resulting in faster and wider plume migration compared to the pure CO2 injection case.
Impurity-induced tuning of quantum-well States in spin-dependent resonant tunneling.

PubMed

Kalitsov, Alan; Coho, A; Kioussis, Nicholas; Vedyayev, Anatoly; Chshiev, M; Granovsky, A

2004-07-23

We report exact model calculations of the spin-dependent tunneling in double magnetic tunnel junctions in the presence of impurities in the well. We show that the impurity can tune selectively the spin channels giving rise to a wide variety of interesting and novel transport phenomena. The tunneling magnetoresistance, the spin polarization, and the local current can be dramatically enhanced or suppressed by impurities. The underlying mechanism is the impurity-induced shift of the quantum well states (QWSs), which depends on the impurity potential, impurity position, and the symmetry of the QWS. Copyright 2004 The American Physical Society
Deep Impurity States in Gallium Arsenide.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-01

that the wave functions of the so-called slal- is a result of a delicate cancellation process in low impurities can be thought of as a product of an...approximation we can still form- along these lines has been performed for a transi- ally write the impurity wave function as a product tion from the two...be formally written as a known Lucovsky formula. 20 Had we assumed, as product of two terms, one representing the nodal did Lucovsky, that the
The effect of shallow vs. deep level doping on the performance of thermoelectric materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Qichen; Zhou, Jiawei; Meroueh, Laureen; Broido, David; Ren, Zhifeng; Chen, Gang

2016-12-01

It is well known that the efficiency of a good thermoelectric material should be optimized with respect to doping concentration. However, much less attention has been paid to the optimization of the dopant's energy level. Thermoelectric materials doped with shallow levels may experience a dramatic reduction in their figures of merit at high temperatures due to the excitation of minority carriers that reduces the Seebeck coefficient and increases bipolar heat conduction. Doping with deep level impurities can delay the excitation of minority carriers as it requires a higher temperature to ionize all dopants. We find through modeling that, depending on the material type and temperature range of operation, different impurity levels (shallow or deep) will be desired to optimize the efficiency of a thermoelectric material. For different materials, we further clarify where the most preferable position of the impurity level within the bandgap falls. Our research provides insight on why different dopants often affect thermoelectric transport properties differently and directions in searching for the most appropriate dopants for a thermoelectric material in order to maximize the device efficiency.
High-Fat Diet Increased Renal and Hepatic Oxidative Stress Induced by Vanadium of Wistar Rat.

PubMed

Wang, J P; Cui, R Y; Zhang, K Y; Ding, X M; Luo, Y H; Bai, S P; Zeng, Q F; Xuan, Y; Su, Z W

2016-04-01

The study was conducted to assess the effect of vanadium (V) in high-fat diet on the liver and kidney of rats in a 5-week trial. Seventy-two female Wistar rats (BW = 95 ± 5 g) were randomly allotted into eight groups. Groups I, II, III, and IV obtained low-fat diet containing 0, 3, 15, and 30 mg/kg V, and V, VI, VII, and VIII groups received the respective vanadium doses with high-fat diet, respectively. There were lesions in the liver and kidney of V, VI, VII, and VIII groups, granular degeneration and vacuolar degeneration were observed in the renal tubular and glomerulus epithelial cells, and hepatocytes showed granular degeneration and vacuolar degeneration. Supplemented high-fat diet with vanadium was shown to decrease (P < 0.05) activities of superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione-S transferase, and NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and increase malondialdehyde content in the liver and kidney. The relative expression of hepatic nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and NQO1 mRNA was downregulated by V addition and high-fat diet, and the effect of V was more pronounced in high-fat diet (interaction, P < 0.05), with VIII group having the lowest mRNA expression of Nrf-2 and NQO1 in the liver and kidney. In conclusion, it suggested that dietary vanadium ranging from 15 to 30 mg/kg could lead to oxidative damage and vanadium accumulation in the liver and kidney, which caused renal and hepatic toxicity. The high-fat diet enhanced vanadium-induced hepatic and renal damage, and the mechanism was related to the modulation of the hepatic and renal mRNA expression of Nrf-2 and NQO1.
Effect of Vanadium and Tea Polyphenols on Intestinal Morphology, Microflora and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Profile of Laying Hens.

PubMed

Yuan, Z H; Wang, J P; Zhang, K Y; Ding, X M; Bai, S P; Zeng, Q F; Xuan, Y; Su, Z W

2016-12-01

Vanadium (V) is a trace element which can induce dysfunction of gastro-intestine and egg quality deterioration of laying hens. This study was conducted to determine the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) on intestinal morphology, microflora, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile of laying hens fed vanadium containing diets. A total of 120 Lohman laying hens (67-week-old) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates and 5 birds each for a 35-day feeding trial. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) control (CON), fed a basal diet; (2) vanadium treatment (V10), CON +10 mg V/kg; (3) TP treatment 1 (TP1): V10 + 600 mg TP/kg; (4) TP treatment 2 (TP2): V10 + 1000 mg TP/kg. Fed 10 mg V/kg diets to laying hens did not affect the cecum flora diversity index (H), degree of homogeneity (EH), and richness (S), but hens fed TP2 diet decreased the H, EH, and S (P < 0.05). The cecum butyrate acid concentration was lower in V10 treatment and higher in TP2 treatment (P < 0.05). Addition of 10 mg/kg V resulted in an increased (P < 0.01) duodenal cell apoptosis rate, and 1000 mg/kg TP supplementation overcame (P < 0.01) this reduction effect induced by vanadium. The results indicated that supplementation of 10 mg/kg vanadium increased duodenal cell apoptosis and reduced cecum butyrate acid content. Addition of 1000 mg/kg TP increased the SCFA production to affect cecum flora ecology and protected the duodenal cell from excess apoptosis caused by vanadium.
Stability of rhombohedral phases in vanadium at high-pressure and high-temperature: first-principles investigations

PubMed Central

Wang, Yi X.; Wu, Q.; Chen, Xiang R.; Geng, Hua Y.

2016-01-01

The pressure-induced transition of vanadium from BCC to rhombohedral structures is unique and intriguing among transition metals. In this work, the stability of these phases is revisited by using density functional theory. At finite temperatures, a novel transition of rhombohedral phases back to BCC phase induced by thermal electrons is discovered. This reentrant transition is found not driven by phonons, instead it is the electronic entropy that stabilizes the latter phase, which is totally out of expectation. Parallel to this transition, we find a peculiar and strong increase of the shear modulus C44 with increasing temperature. It is counter-intuitive in the sense that it suggests an unusual harding mechanism of vanadium by temperature. With these stability analyses, the high-pressure and finite-temperature phase diagram of vanadium is proposed. Furthermore, the dependence of the stability of RH phases on the Fermi energy and chemical environment is investigated. The results demonstrate that the position of the Fermi level has a significant impact on the phase stability, and follows the band-filling argument. Besides the Fermi surface nesting, we find that the localization/delocalization of the d orbitals also contributes to the instability of rhombohedral distortions in vanadium. PMID:27581551
Quantitative Assessment of Proliferative Effects of Oral Vanadium on Pancreatic Islet Volumes and Beta Cell Numbers of Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Pirmoradi, Leila; Noorafshan, Ali; Safaee, Akbar; Dehghani, Gholam Abbas

2016-01-01

Background: Oral vanadyl sulfate (vanadium) induces normoglycemia, proliferates beta cells and prevents pancreatic islet atrophy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Soteriological method is used to quantitate the proliferative effects of vanadium on beta-cell numbers and islet volumes of normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were made diabetic with intravenous streptozotocin injection (40 mg/kg). Normal and diabetic rats were divided into four groups. While control normal and diabetic (CD) groups used water, vanadium-treated normal (VTN) and diabetic (VTD) groups used solutions containing vanadyl sulfate (0.5-1 mg/mL, VOSO4+5H2O). Tail blood samples were used to measure blood glucose (BG) and plasma insulin. Two months after treatment, rats were sacrificed, pancreata prepared, and stereology method was used to quantitatively evaluate total beta cell numbers (TBCN) and total islet volumes (TISVOL). Results: Normoglycemia persisted in VTN with significantly decreased plasma insulin (0.190.08 vs. 0.970.27 ng/dL, P<0.002). The respective high BG (53249 vs. 14446 mg/dL, P<0.0001) and reduced plasma insulin (0.260.15 vs. 0.540.19 ng/dL, P<0.002) seen in CD were reversed in VTD during vanadium treatment or withdrawal. While the induction of diabetes, compared to their control, significantly decreased TISVOL (1.90.2 vs. 3.030.6 mm3, P<0.003) and TBCN (0.990.1 vs. 3.20.2 x 106, P<0.003), vanadium treatment significantly increased TISVOL (2.90.8 and 4.071.0 mm3, P<0.003) and TBCN (1.50.3 and 3.80.6 x 106, P<0.03). Conclusion: Two-month oral vanadium therapy in STZ-diabetic rats ameliorated hyperglycemia by partially restoring plasma insulin. This action was through proliferative actions of vanadium in preventing islet atrophy by increasing beta-cell numbers. PMID:26459400
Heterogeneous nucleation and growth dynamics in the light-induced phase transition in vanadium dioxide

DOE PAGES

Brady, Nathaniel F.; Appavoo, Kannatassen; Seo, Minah; ...

2016-03-02

Here we report on ultrafast optical investigations of the light-induced insulator-to-metal phase transition in vanadium dioxide with controlled disorder generated by substrate mismatch. These results reveal common dynamics of this optically-induced phase transition that are independent of this disorder. Lastly, above the fluence threshold for completing the transition to the rutile crystalline phase, we find a common time scale, independent of sample morphology, of 40.5 ± 2 ps that is consistent with nucleation and growth dynamics of the R phase from the parent M1 ground state.
Ferromagnetism of vanadium doped Bi2Se3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Liguo; Zhao, Dapeng; Zang, Yunyi; Yuan, Yonghao; Jiang, Gaoyuan; He, Ke; Ma, Xucun; Xue, Qikun

Bi2Se3 is a representative three-dimensional topological insulator with a bulk band gap of about 300 meV. The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) has never been realized in Bi2Se3-based magnetic topological insulators due to the difficulties in introducing ferromagnetism in them. With molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), we have grown vanadium-doped Bi2Se3 films with decent crystalline quality and homogeneous distribution of V impurities. The films are all electron-doped and show square-shaped hysteresis loops of Hall resistance with coercivity up to 0.2T at 2K, indicating ferromagnetism with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in them. Both the ferromagnetism and anomalous Hall resistance are enhanced by decreasing electron density. We have systematically studied the magneto-transport properties of the films with varying V concentration, film thickness, and carrier density and discussed the mechanism of ferromagnetic coupling. The study demonstrates that V-doped Bi2Se3 films are candidate QAHE materials if their electron density can be further reduced. This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Molybdenum emission from impurity-induced m= 1 snake-modes on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

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

Delgado-Aparicio, L.; MIT - Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139; Bitter, M.

2012-10-15

A suite of novel high-resolution spectroscopic imaging diagnostics has facilitated the identification and localization of molybdenum impurities as the main species during the formation and lifetime of m= 1 impurity-induced snake-modes on Alcator C-Mod. Such measurements made it possible to infer, for the first time, the perturbed radiated power density profiles from which the impurity density can be deduced.
Structural water engaged disordered vanadium oxide nanosheets for high capacity aqueous potassium-ion storage.

PubMed

Charles, Daniel Scott; Feygenson, Mikhail; Page, Katharine; Neuefeind, Joerg; Xu, Wenqian; Teng, Xiaowei

2017-05-23

Aqueous electrochemical energy storage devices using potassium-ions as charge carriers are attractive due to their superior safety, lower cost and excellent transport properties compared to other alkali ions. However, the accommodation of potassium-ions with satisfactory capacity and cyclability is difficult because the large ionic radius of potassium-ions causes structural distortion and instabilities even in layered electrodes. Here we report that water induces structural rearrangements of the vanadium-oxygen octahedra and enhances stability of the highly disordered potassium-intercalated vanadium oxide nanosheets. The vanadium oxide nanosheets engaged by structural water achieves high capacity (183 mAh g -1 in half-cells at a scan rate of 5 mV s -1 , corresponding to 0.89 charge per vanadium) and excellent cyclability (62.5 mAh g -1 in full cells after 5,000 cycles at 10 C). The promotional effects of structural water on the disordered vanadium oxide nanosheets will contribute to the exploration of disordered structures from earth-abundant elements for electrochemical energy storage.
Effect of substrate temperature on thermochromic vanadium dioxide thin films sputtered from vanadium target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madiba, I. G.; Kotsedi, L.; Ngom, B. D.; Khanyile, B. S.; Maaza, M.

2018-05-01

Vanadium dioxide films have been known as the most promising thermochromic thin films for smart windows which self-control the solar radiation and heat transfer for energy saving, comfort in houses and automotives. Such an attractive technological application is due to the fact that vanadium dioxide crystals exhibit a fast semiconductor-to-metal phase transition at a transition temperature Tc of about 68 °C, together with sharp optical changes from high transmitive to high reflective coatings in the IR spectral region. The phase transition has been associated with the nature of the microstructure, stoichiometry and stresses related to the oxide. This study reports on the effect of the crystallographic quality controlled by the substrate temperature on the thermochromic properties of vanadium dioxide thin films synthesized by reactive radio frequency inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering from vanadium target. The reports results are based on X-ray diffraction, Atomic force microscopy, and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The average crystalline grain size of VO2 increases with the substrate temperature, inducing stress related phenomena within the films.
Structural water engaged disordered vanadium oxide nanosheets for high capacity aqueous potassium-ion storage

DOE PAGES

Charles, Daniel Scott; Feygenson, Mikhail; Page, Katharine; ...

2017-05-23

Aqueous electrochemical energy storage devices using potassium-ions as charge carriers are attractive due to their superior safety, lower cost and excellent transport properties compared to other alkali ions. However, the accommodation of potassium-ions with satisfactory capacity and cyclability is difficult because large ionic radius of potassium-ions causes structural distortion and instabilities even in layered electrodes. Here we report that water induces structural rearrangements of the vanadium-oxygen octahedra and enhances stability of the highly disordered potassium-intercalated vanadium oxide nanosheets. The vanadium oxide nanosheets engaged by structural water achieves high capacity (183 mAh g -1 in half-cells at a scan rate ofmore » 5 mV s -1, corresponding to 0.89 charge per vanadium) and excellent cyclability (62.5 mAh g -1 in full-cells after 5,000 cycles at 10 C). Finally, the promotional effects of structural water on the disordered vanadium oxide nanosheets will contribute to the exploration of disordered structures from earth-abundant elements for electrochemical energy storage.« less
Structural water engaged disordered vanadium oxide nanosheets for high capacity aqueous potassium-ion storage

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

Charles, Daniel Scott; Feygenson, Mikhail; Page, Katharine

Aqueous electrochemical energy storage devices using potassium-ions as charge carriers are attractive due to their superior safety, lower cost and excellent transport properties compared to other alkali ions. However, the accommodation of potassium-ions with satisfactory capacity and cyclability is difficult because large ionic radius of potassium-ions causes structural distortion and instabilities even in layered electrodes. Here we report that water induces structural rearrangements of the vanadium-oxygen octahedra and enhances stability of the highly disordered potassium-intercalated vanadium oxide nanosheets. The vanadium oxide nanosheets engaged by structural water achieves high capacity (183 mAh g -1 in half-cells at a scan rate ofmore » 5 mV s -1, corresponding to 0.89 charge per vanadium) and excellent cyclability (62.5 mAh g -1 in full-cells after 5,000 cycles at 10 C). Finally, the promotional effects of structural water on the disordered vanadium oxide nanosheets will contribute to the exploration of disordered structures from earth-abundant elements for electrochemical energy storage.« less
Vanadium-induced apoptosis of HaCaT cells is mediated by c-fos and involves nuclear accumulation of clusterin

PubMed Central

Markopoulou, Soultana; Kontargiris, Evangelos; Batsi, Christina; Tzavaras, Theodore; Trougakos, Ioannis; Boothman, David A.; Gonos, Efstathios S.; Kolettas, Evangelos

2016-01-01

Vanadium exerts a variety of biological effects, including antiproliferative responses through activation of the respective signaling pathways and the generation of reactive oxygen species. As epidermal cells are exposed to environmental insults, human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were used to investigate the mechanism of the antiproliferative effects of vanadyl(IV) sulfate (VOSO4). Treatment of HaCaT cells with VOSO4 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of proliferation was associated with downregulation of cyclins D1 and E, E2F1, and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21Cip1/Waf1 and p27Kip1. Induction of apoptosis correlated with upregulation of the c-fos oncoprotein, changes in the expression of clusterin (CLU), an altered ratio of antiapoptotic to proapoptotic Bcl-2 protein family members, and poly(ADP-ribose) poly-merase-1 cleavage. Forced overexpression of c-fos induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells that correlated with secretory CLU downregulation and upregulation of nuclear CLU (nCLU), a pro-death protein. Overexpression of Bcl-2 protected HaCaT cells from vanadium-induced apoptosis, whereas secretory CLU overexpression offered no cytoprotection. In contrast, nCLU sensitized HaCaT cells to apoptosis. Our data suggest that vanadium-mediated apoptosis was promoted by c-fos, leading to alterations in CLU isoform processing and induction of the pro-death nCLU protein. PMID:19531052
V-insertion in Li(Fe,Mn)FePO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, T.; Liu, J.; Sun, L.; Cong, L.; Xie, H.; Abdel-Ghany, A.; Mauger, A.; Julien, C. M.

2018-04-01

Insertion of 3% vanadium in LiMn1-yFeyPO4 has been investigated, with y = 0.2 corresponding to the highest manganese concentration before the stress/strain field degrades the electrochemical performance. V substitutes for Fe2+ in the trivalent state V3+. This substitution is accompanied with the formation of Fe vacancies while Mn remains in the Mn2+ valence state, leading to a composition LiMn0.8Fe0.2-0.045V0.03□0.015PO4 where □ is a Fe vacancy. The comparison between electrochemical properties of a pristine sample and a sample with 3 mol.% vanadium made of particles with the same morphology (spherical particles with the same dispersion 100-150 nm in size) and same carbon coating (same conductivity of the carbon layer) is reported. Although the vanadium is in the V3+ state at open circuit voltage (2.6 V) before cycling, a reversible V3+/V2+ is observed when the potential of the half-cell is lowered below the redox potential of 1.8 V vs Li+/Li, due to Li-vacancies. The V-insertion improves the electrochemical properties, due to a synergetic effect of an increase of the lithium diffusion coefficient by a factor two and an increase of the electric conductivity at any Li-concentration during the cycling process, in contradiction with prior claims that attributed the increase of conductivity to V-based impurities.

Impurity-induced states in superconducting heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Dong E.; Rossi, Enrico; Lutchyn, Roman M.

2018-04-01

Heterostructures allow the realization of electronic states that are difficult to obtain in isolated uniform systems. Exemplary is the case of quasi-one-dimensional heterostructures formed by a superconductor and a semiconductor with spin-orbit coupling in which Majorana zero-energy modes can be realized. We study the effect of a single impurity on the energy spectrum of superconducting heterostructures. We find that the coupling between the superconductor and the semiconductor can strongly affect the impurity-induced states and may induce additional subgap bound states that are not present in isolated uniform superconductors. For the case of quasi-one-dimensional superconductor/semiconductor heterostructures we obtain the conditions for which the low-energy impurity-induced bound states appear.
Electrical flicker-noise generated by filling and emptying of impurity states in injectors of quantum-cascade lasers

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

Yamanishi, Masamichi, E-mail: masamiya@crl.hpk.co.jp; Hirohata, Tooru; Hayashi, Syohei

2014-11-14

Free running line-widths (>100 kHz), much broader than intrinsic line-widths ∼100 Hz, of existing quantum-cascade lasers are governed by strong flicker frequency-noise originating from electrical flicker noise. Understanding of microscopic origins of the electrical flicker noises in quantum-cascade lasers is crucially important for the reduction of strength of flicker frequency-noise without assistances of any type of feedback schemes. In this article, an ad hoc model that is based on fluctuating charge-dipoles induced by electron trappings and de-trappings at indispensable impurity states in injector super-lattices of a quantum-cascade laser is proposed, developing theoretical framework based on the model. The validity of the presentmore » model is evaluated by comparing theoretical voltage-noise power spectral densities based on the model with experimental ones obtained by using mid-infrared quantum-cascade lasers with designed impurity-positioning. The obtained experimental results on flicker noises, in comparison with the theoretical ones, shed light on physical mechanisms, such as the inherent one due to impurity states in their injectors and extrinsic ones due to surface states on the ridge-walls and due to residual deep traps, for electrical flicker-noise generation in existing mid-infrared quantum-cascade lasers. It is shown theoretically that quasi-delta doping of impurities in their injectors leads to strong suppression of electrical flicker noise by minimization of the dipole length at a certain temperature, for instance ∼300 K and, in turn, is expected to result in substantial narrowing of the free running line-width down below 10 kHz.« less
Evaluation of present-day thermal barrier coatings for industrial/utility applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bratton, R. J.; Lau, S. K.; Lee, S. Y.

1980-01-01

Atmospheric burner rig tests have been conducted to evaluate the corrosion resistance of present-day thermal barrier coatings. The coatings are primarily plasma-sprayed and zirconia-based. Both duplex and graded coating systems were tested at a gas temperature of 2100 F and metal temperatures that range from 1475 F to 1650 F. The fuels ranged from clean GT No. 2 to that doped with impurity levels which simulate water-washed residual fuels. Results to date suggest that liquid sulfate condensates play an important role in the coating degradation mechanisms, whereas the role of vanadium and its salts is less clear.
Adhesive Bonding Experiments for Titanium 6 Aluminum 4 Vanadium (Ti6Al4V). Part I. Anodization Treatments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

Identification of Surface Treat- 4 ments of Ti 6-4 II Effect of Increasing Oxide Porosity on H20 Contact Angle on Titanium 6 Aluminum 4 Vanadium 26 viii SECTIONI...and a high SIMS yield. The lithium does not appear in the oxide formed on titanium by this mixture. Similarly porosity may be induced by anodization at...Porous Oxide (B). 25 TABLE II EFFECT OF INCREASING OXIDE POROSITY ON H2 0 CONTACT ANGLE ON TITANIUM 6 ALUMINUM 4 VANADIUM - I H 2 0Sample Electrolyte
Bipolar resistive switching in room temperature grown disordered vanadium oxide thin-film devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Franklin J.; Sriram, Tirunelveli S.; Smith, Brian R.; Ramanathan, Shriram

2013-09-01

We demonstrate bipolar switching with high OFF/ON resistance ratios (>104) in Pt/vanadium oxide/Cu structures deposited entirely at room temperature. The SET (RESET) process occurs when negative (positive) bias is applied to the top Cu electrode. The vanadium oxide (VOx) films are amorphous and close to the vanadium pentoxide stoichiometry. We also investigated Cu/VOx/W structures, reversing the position of the Cu electrode, and found the same polarity dependence with respect to the top and bottom electrodes, which suggests that the bipolar nature is linked to the VOx layer itself. Bipolar switching can be observed at 100 °C, indicating that it not due to a temperature-induced metal-insulator transition of a vanadium dioxide second phase. We discuss how ionic drift can lead to the bipolar electrical behavior of our junctions, similar to those observed in devices based on several other defective oxides. Such low-temperature processed oxide switches could be of relevance to back-end or package integration processing schemes.
Imaging metal-like monoclinic phase stabilized by surface coordination effect in vanadium dioxide nanobeam

PubMed Central

Li, Zejun; Wu, Jiajing; Hu, Zhenpeng; Lin, Yue; Chen, Qi; Guo, Yuqiao; Liu, Yuhua; Zhao, Yingcheng; Peng, Jing; Chu, Wangsheng; Wu, Changzheng; Xie, Yi

2017-01-01

In correlated systems, intermediate states usually appear transiently across phase transitions even at the femtosecond scale. It therefore remains an open question how to determine these intermediate states—a critical issue for understanding the origin of their correlated behaviour. Here we report a surface coordination route to successfully stabilize and directly image an intermediate state in the metal-insulator transition of vanadium dioxide. As a prototype metal-insulator transition material, we capture an unusual metal-like monoclinic phase at room temperature that has long been predicted. Coordinate bonding of L-ascorbic acid molecules with vanadium dioxide nanobeams induces charge-carrier density reorganization and stabilizes metallic monoclinic vanadium dioxide, unravelling orbital-selective Mott correlation for gap opening of the vanadium dioxide metal–insulator transition. Our study contributes to completing phase-evolution pathways in the metal-insulator transition process, and we anticipate that coordination chemistry may be a powerful tool for engineering properties of low-dimensional correlated solids. PMID:28613281
Impurity Induced Phase Competition and Supersolidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karmakar, Madhuparna; Ganesh, R.

2017-12-01

Several material families show competition between superconductivity and other orders. When such competition is driven by doping, it invariably involves spatial inhomogeneities which can seed competing orders. We study impurity-induced charge order in the attractive Hubbard model, a prototypical model for competition between superconductivity and charge density wave order. We show that a single impurity induces a charge-ordered texture over a length scale set by the energy cost of the competing phase. Our results are consistent with a strong-coupling field theory proposed earlier in which superconducting and charge order parameters form components of an SO(3) vector field. To discuss the effects of multiple impurities, we focus on two cases: correlated and random distributions. In the correlated case, the CDW puddles around each impurity overlap coherently leading to a "supersolid" phase with coexisting pairing and charge order. In contrast, a random distribution of impurities does not lead to coherent CDW formation. We argue that the energy lowering from coherent ordering can have a feedback effect, driving correlations between impurities. This can be understood as arising from an RKKY-like interaction, mediated by impurity textures. We discuss implications for charge order in the cuprates and doped CDW materials such as NbSe2.
Quantitative Assessment of Proliferative Effects of Oral Vanadium on Pancreatic Islet Volumes and Beta Cell Numbers of Diabetic Rats.

PubMed

Pirmoradi, Leila; Noorafshan, Ali; Safaee, Akbar; Dehghani, Gholam Abbas

2016-01-01

Oral vanadyl sulfate (vanadium) induces normoglycemia, proliferates beta cells and prevents pancreatic islet atrophy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Soteriological method is used to quantitate the proliferative effects of vanadium on beta-cell numbers and islet volumes of normal and diabetic rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were made diabetic with intravenous streptozotocin injection (40 mg/kg). Normal and diabetic rats were divided into four groups. While control normal and diabetic (CD) groups used water, vanadium-treated normal (VTN) and diabetic (VTD) groups used solutions containing vanadyl sulfate (0.5-1 mg/mL, VOSO4+5H2O). Tail blood samples were used to measure blood glucose (BG) and plasma insulin. Two months after treatment, rats were sacrificed, pancreata prepared, and stereology method was used to quantitatively evaluate total beta cell numbers (TBCN) and total islet volumes (TISVOL). Normoglycemia persisted in VTN with significantly decreased plasma insulin (0.19±0.08 vs. 0.97±0.27 ng/dL, P<0.002). The respective high BG (532±49 vs. 144±46 mg/dL, P<0.0001) and reduced plasma insulin (0.26±0.15 vs. 0.54±0.19 ng/dL, P<0.002) seen in CD were reversed in VTD during vanadium treatment or withdrawal. While the induction of diabetes, compared to their control, significantly decreased TISVOL (1.9±0.2 vs. 3.03±0.6 mm3, P<0.003) and TBCN (0.99±0.1 vs. 3.2±0.2 x 106, P<0.003), vanadium treatment significantly increased TISVOL (2.9±0.8 and 4.07±1.0 mm3, P<0.003) and TBCN (1.5±0.3 and 3.8±0.6 x 106, P<0.03). Two-month oral vanadium therapy in STZ-diabetic rats ameliorated hyperglycemia by partially restoring plasma insulin. This action was through proliferative actions of vanadium in preventing islet atrophy by increasing beta-cell numbers.
Vanadium Exposure Induces Olfactory Dysfunction in an Animal Model of Metal Neurotoxicity

PubMed Central

Ngwa, Hilary Afeseh; Kanthasamy, Arthi; Jin, Huajun; Anantharam, Vellareddy; Kanthasamy, Anumantha G.

2014-01-01

Epidemiological evidence indicates chronic environmental exposure to transition metals may play a role in chronic neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Chronic inhalation exposure to welding fumes containing metal mixtures may be associated with development of PD. A significant amount of vanadium is present in welding fumes, as vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), and incorporation of vanadium in the production of high strength steel has become more common. Despite the increased vanadium use in recent years, the neurotoxicological effects of this metal are not well characterized. Recently, we demonstrated that V2O5 induces dopaminergic neurotoxicity via protein kinase C delta (PKCδ)-dependent oxidative signaling mechanisms in dopaminergic neuronal cells. Since anosmia (inability to perceive odors) and non-motor deficits are considered to be early symptoms of neurological diseases, in the present study, we examined the effect of V2O5 on the olfactory bulb in animal models. To mimic the inhalation exposure, we intranasally administered C57 black mice a low-dose of 182 µg of V2O5 three times a week for one month, and behavioral, neurochemical and biochemical studies were performed. Our results revealed a significant decrease in olfactory bulb weights, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels, levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolite, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and increases in astroglia of the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb in the treatment groups relative to vehicle controls. Neurochemical changes were accompanied by impaired olfaction and locomotion. These findings suggest that nasal exposure to V2O5 adversely affects olfactory bulbs, resulting in neurobehavioral and neurochemical impairments. These results expand our understanding of vanadium neurotoxicity in environmentally-linked neurological conditions. PMID:24362016
Formation, structure and bond dissociation thresholds of gas-phase vanadium oxide cluster ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, R. C.; Zemski, K. A.; Justes, D. R.; Castleman, A. W.

2001-01-01

The formation and structure of gas-phase vanadium oxide cluster anions are examined using a guided ion beam mass spectrometer coupled with a laser vaporization source. The dominant peaks in the anion total mass distribution correspond to clusters having stoichiometries of the form (VO2)n(VO3)m(O2)q-. Collision-induced dissociation studies of the vanadium oxide species V2O4-6-, V3O6-9-, V4O8-10-, V5O11-13-, V6O13-15-, and V7O16-18- indicate that VO2, VO3, and V2O5 units are the main building blocks of these clusters. There are many similarities between the anion mass distribution and that of the cation distribution studied previously. The principal difference is a shift to higher oxygen content by one additional oxygen atom for the stoichiometric anions (VxOy-) as compared to the cations with the same number of vanadium atoms, which is attributed to the extra pair of electrons of the anionic species. The oxygen-rich clusters, VxOy(O2)-, are shown to more tightly adsorb molecular oxygen than those of the corresponding cationic clusters. In addition, the bond dissociation thresholds for the vanadium oxide clusters ΔE(V+-O)=6.09±0.28 eV, ΔE(OV+-O)=3.51±0.36 eV, and ΔE(O2V--O)=5.43±0.31 eV are determined from the energy-dependent collision-induced dissociation cross sections with Xe as the collision partner. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bond dissociation energy reported for the breaking of the V-O bond of a vanadium oxide anion.
Oxidative Stress as a Mechanism Involved in Kidney Damage After Subchronic Exposure to Vanadium Inhalation and Oral Sweetened Beverages in a Mouse Model.

PubMed

Espinosa-Zurutuza, Maribel; González-Villalva, Adriana; Albarrán-Alonso, Juan Carlos; Colín-Barenque, Laura; Bizarro-Nevares, Patricia; Rojas-Lemus, Marcela; López-Valdéz, Nelly; Fortoul, Teresa I

Kidney diseases have notably increased in the last few years. This is partially explained by the increase in metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and systemic blood hypertension. However, there is a segment of the population that has neither of the previous risk factors, yet suffers kidney damage. Exposure to atmospheric pollutants has been suggested as a possible risk factor. Air-suspended particles carry on their surface a variety of fuel combustion-related residues such as metals, and vanadium is one of these. Vanadium might produce oxidative stress resulting in the damage of some organs such as the kidney. Additionally, in countries like Mexico, the ingestion of sweetened beverages is a major issue; whether these beverages alone are responsible for direct kidney damage or whether their ingestion promotes the progression of an existing renal damage generates controversy. In this study, we report the combined effect of vanadium inhalation and sweetened beverages ingestion in a mouse model. Forty CD-1 male mice were distributed in 4 groups: control, vanadium inhalation, 30% sucrose in drinking water, and vanadium inhalation plus sucrose 30% in drinking water. Our results support that vanadium inhalation and the ingestion of 30% sucrose induce functional and histological kidney damage and an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers, which were higher in the combined effect of vanadium plus 30% sucrose. The results also support that the ingestion of 30% sucrose alone without hyperglycemia also produces kidney damage.
Quantitative LIBS analysis of vanadium in samples of hexagonal mesoporous silica catalysts.

PubMed

Pouzar, Miloslav; Kratochvíl, Tomás; Capek, Libor; Smoláková, Lucie; Cernohorský, Tomás; Krejcová, Anna; Hromádko, Ludek

2011-02-15

The method for the analysis of vanadium in hexagonal mesoporous silica (V-HMS) catalysts using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometry (LIBS) was suggested. Commercially available LIBS spectrometer was calibrated with the aid of authentic V-HMS samples previously analyzed by ICP OES after microwave digestion. Deposition of the sample on the surface of adhesive tape was adopted as a sample preparation method. Strong matrix effect connected with the catalyst preparation technique (1st vanadium added in the process of HMS synthesis, 2nd already synthesised silica matrix was impregnated by vanadium) was observed. The concentration range of V in the set of nine calibration standards was 1.3-4.5% (w/w). Limit of detection was 0.13% (w/w) and it was calculated as a triple standard deviation from five replicated determinations of vanadium in the real sample with a very low vanadium concentration. Comparable results of LIBS and ED XRF were obtained if the same set of standards was used for calibration of both methods and vanadium was measured in the same type of real samples. LIBS calibration constructed using V-HMS-impregnated samples failed for measuring of V-HMS-synthesized samples. LIBS measurements seem to be strongly influenced with different chemical forms of vanadium in impregnated and synthesised samples. The combination of LIBS and ED XRF is able to provide new information about measured samples (in our case for example about procedure of catalyst preparation). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Identification of dopant-induced point defects and their effect on the performance of CZT detectors (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gul, Rubi; Bolotnikov, Aleksey E.; Camarda, Giuseppe S.; Cui, Yonggang; Didic, Václav; Egarievwe, Stephen U.; Hossain, Anwar; Roy, Utpal N.; Yang, Ge; James, Ralph B.

2016-09-01

In our prior research we investigated room-temperature radiation detectors (CZT, CMT, CdMgTe, CTS, among other compound semiconductors) for point defects related to different dopants and impurities. In this talk we will report on our most recent research on newly grown CZT crystals doped with In, In+Al, In+Ni, and In+Sn. The main focus will be on the study of dopant-induced point defects using deep-level current transient spectroscopy (i-DLTS). In addition the performance, ? product, gamma-ray spectral response and internal electric field of the detectors were measured and correlated with the dopant-induced point defects and their concentrations. Characterization of the detectors was carried out using i-DLTS for the point defects, Pockels effect for the internal electric-field distribution, and γ-ray spectroscopy for the spectral properties.
Deep-Ultraviolet Luminescence of Rocksalt-Structured Mg x Zn1-x O (x > 0.5) Films on MgO Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneko, Kentaro; Tsumura, Keiichi; Ishii, Kyohei; Onuma, Takayoshi; Honda, Tohru; Fujita, Shizuo

2018-04-01

Rocksalt-structured Mg x Zn1-x O films with Mg composition x of 0.47, 0.57, and 0.64 were grown on (100)-oriented MgO substrates using mist chemical vapor deposition. Cathodoluminescence measurements showed deep ultraviolet (DUV) emission peaking at 4.88 eV (254 nm), 5.15 eV (241 nm), and 5.21 eV (238 nm), respectively, at 12 K. The peak energies were lower than the band gap energies by ca. 1 eV, suggesting that the deep ultraviolet (DUV) emission may be recognized as near band edge luminescence but is associated with impurities, defects, or band fluctuations. The use of carbon-free precursors in the growth is suggested to eliminate carbon impurities and to improve the optical properties of Mg x Zn1-x O.
Computer analysis of the negative differential resistance switching phenomenon of double-injection devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shieh, Tsay-Jiu

1989-01-01

By directly solving the semiconductor differential equations for the double-injection (DI) devices involving two interacting deep levels, the authors studied the negative differential resistance switching characteristic and its relationship with the device dimension, doping level, and dependence on the deep impurity profile. Computer simulation showed that although one can increase the threshold voltage by increasing the device length, the excessive holding voltage that would follow would put this device in a very limited application such as pulse power source. The excessive leakage current in the low conductance state also jeopardizes the attempt to use the device for any practical purpose. Unless there are new materials and deep impurities found that have a great differential hole and electron capture cross sections and a reasonable energy bandgap for low intrinsic carrier concentration, no big improvement in the fate of DI devices is expected in the near future.
Studies on annealed ZnO:V thin films deposited by nebulised spray pyrolysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malini, D. Rachel

2018-04-01

Structural, optical and photoluminescence properties of annealed ZnO:V thin films deposited by nebulized spray pyrolysis technique by varying vanadium concentration are studied. Thickness of thin films varies from 1.52µm to 7.78µm. V2O5, VO2 and ZnO peaks are observed in XRD patterns deposited with high vanadium concentration and the intensity of peaks corresponding to ZnO decreases in those samples. Morphological properties were studied by analysing SEM images and annealed thin films deposited at ZnO:V = 50:50 possess dumb bell shape grains. Emission peaks corresponding to both Augur transition and deep level transition are observed in the PL spectra of the samples.
Inducing microstructural changes in Nafion by incorporating graphitic carbon nitride to enhance the vanadium-blocking effect.

PubMed

Wu, Chunxiao; Lu, Shanfu; Zhang, Jin; Xiang, Yan

2018-03-14

Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) nanosheets are introduced into a Nafion matrix to prepare a 'vanadium-blocking' recast Nafion membrane for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) applications. After 0.2 wt% g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets are incorporated, the vanadium ion permeability of the composite membrane decreases from 3.3 × 10 -7 cm 2 min -1 to 3.8 × 10 -9 cm 2 min -1 , which is a reduction of two orders of magnitude in comparison to the pristine recast Nafion membrane. This satisfactory result contributes to the physical blocking effect as well as the Donnan effect from the 2D morphology and functional amino groups of g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. Notably, this work reveals that the g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets can help reinforce the vanadium-blocking effect by changing the microstructure of Nafion in addition to the well-known effects mentioned above. The g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets induce shrinkage in the original spherical structure of the ion cluster and generate a new lamellar structure. Correspondingly, the amorphous phase of Nafion is interrupted, and the membrane crystallinity is reduced. The VRFB with an optimized composite membrane achieves a high coulombic efficiency of 97% and an energy efficiency of 83% at a current density of 160 mA cm -2 . Meanwhile, the battery exhibited excellent lifetime stability during a 100 charge-discharge cycling test.
Impurity effects in transition metal silicides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lien, C.-D.; Nicolet, M.-A.

1984-01-01

Impurities can affect the properties of silicides directly by virtue of their presence. Impurities can also influence the processes by which silicides are formed. The effect of impurities on the reaction of transition metal films with a silicon substrate induced by thermal annealing are well documented. The interpretation of these results is discussed. It is shown that impurity redistribution is a major factor in determining how significant the effect of an impurity is. Redistribution observed for dopant impurities is also discussed.
Hyperfine structure measurements of neutral vanadium by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in the wavelength range from 750 nm to 860 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Başar, Gü.; Güzelçimen, F.; Öztürk, I. K.; Er, A.; Bingöl, D.; Kröger, S.; Başar, Gö.

2017-11-01

The hyperfine structure of 57 spectral lines of neutral vanadium has been investigated using a hollow cathode lamp by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in the wavelength range from 750 nm to 860 nm. New magnetic dipole hyperfine structure constants A have been determined for 14 atomic energy levels and new electric quadrupole hyperfine structure constants B for two levels. Additionally previously published hyperfine structure constants A of 56 levels have been measured again. In five cases, the old A values have been rejected and replaced by improved values.
Advanced development of double-injection, deep-impurity semiconductor switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanes, M. H.

1987-01-01

Deep-impurity, double-injection devices, commonly refered to as (DI) squared devices, represent a class of semiconductor switches possessing a very high degree of tolerance to electron and neutron irradiation and to elevated temperature operation. These properties have caused them to be considered as attractive candidates for space power applications. The design, fabrication, and testing of several varieties of (DI) squared devices intended for power switching are described. All of these designs were based upon gold-doped silicon material. Test results, along with results of computer simulations of device operation, other calculations based upon the assumed mode of operation of (DI) squared devices, and empirical information regarding power semiconductor device operation and limitations, have led to the conculsion that these devices are not well suited to high-power applications. When operated in power circuitry configurations, they exhibit high-power losses in both the off-state and on-state modes. These losses are caused by phenomena inherent to the physics and material of the devices and cannot be much reduced by device design optimizations. The (DI) squared technology may, however, find application in low-power functions such as sensing, logic, and memory, when tolerance to radiation and temperature are desirable (especially is device performance is improved by incorporation of deep-level impurities other than gold.

Stability of Weyl metals under impurity scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Zhoushen; Das, Tanmoy; Balatsky, Alexander V.; Arovas, Daniel P.

2013-04-01

We investigate the effects of bulk impurities on the electronic spectrum of Weyl semimetals, a recently identified class of Dirac-type materials. Using a T-matrix approach, we study resonant scattering due to a localized impurity in tight-binding versions of the continuum models recently discussed by [Burkov, Hook, and Balents, Phys. Rev. BPRBMDO1098-012110.1103/PhysRevB.84.235126 84, 235126 (2011)], describing perturbed four-component Dirac fermions in the vicinity of a critical point. The impurity potential is described by a strength g as well as a matrix structure Λ. Unlike the case in d-wave superconductors, where a zero energy resonance can always be induced by varying the scalar and/or magnetic impurity strength, we find that for certain types of impurity (Λ), the Weyl node is protected and that a scalar impurity will induce an intragap resonance over a wide range of scattering strength. A general framework is developed to address this question, as well as to determine the dependence of resonance energy on the impurity strength.
Vanadium—lithium in-pile loop for comprehensive tests of vanadium alloys and multipurpose coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyublinski, I. E.; Evtikhin, V. A.; Ivanov, V. B.; Kazakov, V. A.; Korjavin, V. M.; Markovchev, V. K.; Melder, R. R.; Revyakin, Y. L.; Shpolyanskiy, V. N.

1996-10-01

The reliable information on design and material properties of self-cooled Li sbnd Li blanket and liquid metal divertor under neutron radiation conditions can be obtained using the concept of combined technological and material in-pile tests in a vanadium—lithium loop. The method of in-pile loop tests includes studies of vanadium—base alloys resistance, weld resistance under mechanical stress, multipurpose coating formation processes and coatings' resistance under the following conditions: high temperature (600-700°C), lithium velocities up to 10 m/s, lithium with controlled concentration of impurities and technological additions, a neutron load of 0.4-0.5 MW/m 2 and level of irradiation doses up to 5 dpa. The design of such an in-pile loop is considered. The experimental data on corrosion and compatibility with lithium, mechanical properties and welding technology of the vanadium alloys, methods of coatings formation and its radiation tests in lithium environment in the BOR-60 reactor (fast neutron fluence up to 10 26 m -2, irradiation temperature range of 500-523°C) are presented and analyzed as a basis for such loop development.
Optical and FT Infrared spectral studies of vanadium ions in cadmium borate glass and effects of gamma irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

AbdelAziz, T. D.; EzzElDin, F. M.; El Batal, H. A.; Abdelghany, A. M.

2014-10-01

Combined optical and infrared absorption spectra of V2O5-doped cadmium borate glasses were investigated before and after gamma irradiation with a dose of 8 Mrad (=8 × 104 Gy). The undoped base cadmium borate glass reveals a spectrum consisting of strong charge transfer UV absorption bands which are related to the presence of unavoidable contaminated trace iron impurities (mainly Fe3+). The V2O5-doped glasses reveal an extra band at 380 nm and the high V2O5-content glass also shows a further band at about 420 nm. The observed optical spectrum indicates the presence of vanadium ions mainly in the pentavalent state (d0 configuration). The surplus band at 420 nm shows that some trivalent vanadium ions are identified at high V2O5 content. The optical spectra of the glasses after gamma irradiation show small decrease of the intensity of the UV absorption which are interpreted by assuming the transformation of some Fe3+ ions by photochemical reactions with the presence of high content (45 mol%) of heavy massive CdO causing some shielding behavior. FT infrared absorption spectra of the glasses show vibrational bands due to collective presence of triangular and tetrahedral borate groups in their specific wavenumbers. The FTIR spectra are observed to be slightly affected by both the V2O5-dopants being present in modifying low percent or gamma irradiation due to the presence of high content heavy CdO.
Optical and FT Infrared spectral studies of vanadium ions in cadmium borate glass and effects of gamma irradiation.

PubMed

AbdelAziz, T D; EzzElDin, F M; El Batal, H A; Abdelghany, A M

2014-10-15

Combined optical and infrared absorption spectra of V2O5-doped cadmium borate glasses were investigated before and after gamma irradiation with a dose of 8 Mrad (=8×10(4) Gy). The undoped base cadmium borate glass reveals a spectrum consisting of strong charge transfer UV absorption bands which are related to the presence of unavoidable contaminated trace iron impurities (mainly Fe(3+)). The V2O5-doped glasses reveal an extra band at 380nm and the high V2O5-content glass also shows a further band at about 420nm. The observed optical spectrum indicates the presence of vanadium ions mainly in the pentavalent state (d(0) configuration). The surplus band at 420nm shows that some trivalent vanadium ions are identified at high V2O5 content. The optical spectra of the glasses after gamma irradiation show small decrease of the intensity of the UV absorption which are interpreted by assuming the transformation of some Fe(3+) ions by photochemical reactions with the presence of high content (45mol%) of heavy massive CdO causing some shielding behavior. FT infrared absorption spectra of the glasses show vibrational bands due to collective presence of triangular and tetrahedral borate groups in their specific wavenumbers. The FTIR spectra are observed to be slightly affected by both the V2O5-dopants being present in modifying low percent or gamma irradiation due to the presence of high content heavy CdO. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Greenland deep boreholes inform on sliding and deformation of the basal ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahl-Jensen, D.

2017-12-01

Repeated measurements of the deformation of the deep boreholes on the Greenland ice sheet informs on the basal sliding, near basal deformation and in general on the horizontal velocity through the ice. Results of the logging of the boreholes at Dye3, GRIP, NGRIP, NEEM and Camp Century through the last 40 years by the Danish Ice and Climate group will be presented and discussed. The results on the flow will be compared with the information on ice properties, impurity load and bedrock entrained material from the deep ice cores and the radio echo sounding images near the drill sites.The results show that the basal movement often happens in an impurity rich zone above the bedrock while pure basal sliding is limited even in the presence of basal water and significant basal melt.Most of the deep ice core sites are located close to ice divides where the surface velocity is limited so significant basal sliding is not expected. Exceptions are the surface velocities at Camp Century and Dye 3, both being 13 m/yr.Finally, the ongoing deep drilling at EGRIP will shortly be presented where we are drilling in the center of the North East Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS).
Switching adhesion forces by crossing the metal–insulator transition in Magnéli-type vanadium oxide crystals

PubMed Central

Klemm, Matthias; Horn, Siegfried; Woydt, Mathias

2011-01-01

Summary Magnéli-type vanadium oxides form the homologous series VnO2 n -1 and exhibit a temperature-induced, reversible metal–insulator first order phase transition (MIT). We studied the change of the adhesion force across the transition temperature between the cleavage planes of various vanadium oxide Magnéli phases (n = 3 … 7) and spherical titanium atomic force microscope (AFM) tips by systematic force–distance measurements with a variable-temperature AFM under ultrahigh vacuum conditions (UHV). The results show, for all investigated samples, that crossing the transition temperatures leads to a distinct change of the adhesion force. Low adhesion corresponds consistently to the metallic state. Accordingly, the ability to modify the electronic structure of the vanadium Magnéli phases while maintaining composition, stoichiometry and crystallographic integrity, allows for relating frictional and electronic material properties at the nano scale. This behavior makes the vanadium Magnéli phases interesting candidates for technology, e.g., as intelligent devices or coatings where switching of adhesion or friction is desired. PMID:21977416
Amphoteric Ion-Exchange Membranes with Significantly Improved Vanadium Barrier Properties for All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

PubMed

Nibel, Olga; Rojek, Tomasz; Schmidt, Thomas J; Gubler, Lorenz

2017-07-10

All-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs) have attracted considerable interest as promising energy-storage devices that can allow the efficient utilization of renewable energy sources. The membrane, which separates the porous electrodes in a redox flow cell, is one of the key components in VRBs. High rates of crossover of vanadium ions and water through the membrane impair the efficiency and capacity of a VRB. Thus, membranes with low permeation rate of vanadium species and water are required, also characterized by low resistance and stability in the VRB environment. Here, we present a new design concept for amphoteric ion-exchange membranes, based on radiation-induced grafting of vinylpyridine into an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene base film and a two-step functionalization to introduce cationic and anionic exchange sites, respectively. During long-term cycling, redox flow cells containing these membranes showed higher efficiency, less pronounced electrolyte imbalance, and significantly reduced capacity decay compared to the cells with the benchmark material Nafion 117. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Processing waste fats into a fuel oil substitute

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

Pudel, F.; Lengenfeld, P.

1993-12-31

Waste fats have a high energy potential. They also contain impurities. For example, fats used for deep-frying contain high contents of solids, water, and chlorides. The process described in this paper removes the impurities by simple processing such as screening, washing, separating, drying, and filtering. The final quality of processed fat allows its use as a fuel oil substitute, and also as a raw material for chemical production.
Magnetic stirrer induced dispersive ionic-liquid microextraction for the determination of vanadium in water and food samples prior to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

PubMed

Naeemullah; Kazi, Tasneem Gul; Tuzen, Mustafa

2015-04-01

A new dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, magnetic stirrer induced dispersive ionic-liquid microextraction (MS-IL-DLLME) was developed to quantify the trace level of vanadium in real water and food samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). In this extraction method magnetic stirrer was applied to obtained a dispersive medium of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C4MIM][PF6] in aqueous solution of (real water samples and digested food samples) to increase phase transfer ratio, which significantly enhance the recovery of vanadium - 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) chelate. Variables having vital role on desired microextraction methods were optimised to obtain the maximum recovery of study analyte. Under the optimised experimental variables, enhancement factor (EF) and limit of detection (LOD) were achieved to be 125 and 18 ng L(-1), respectively. Validity and accuracy of the desired method was checked by analysis of certified reference materials (SLRS-4 Riverine water and NIST SRM 1515 Apple leaves). The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 10 replicate determinations at 0.5 μg L(-1) of vanadium level was found to be <5.0%. This method was successfully applied to real water and acid digested food samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Deterioration Seen in Myelin Related Morphophysiology in Vanadium Exposed Rats is Partially Protected by Concurrent Iron Deficiency.

PubMed

Usende, Ifukibot Levi; Leitner, Dominque F; Neely, Elizabeth; Connor, James R; Olopade, James O

2016-08-30

Oligodendrocyte development and myelination occurs vigorously during the early post natal period which coincides with the period of peak mobilization of iron. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are easily disturbed by any agent that affects iron homeostasis and its assimilation into these cells. Environmental exposure to vanadium, a transition metal can disrupt this iron homeostasis. We investigated the interaction of iron deficiency and vanadium exposure on the myelination infrastructure and its related neurobehavioural phenotypes, and neurocellular profiles in developing rat brains. Control group (C) dams were fed normal diet while Group 2 (V) dams were fed normal diet and pups were injected with 3mg/kg body weight of sodium metavanadate daily from postnatal day (PND) 1-21. Group 3 (I+V) dams were fed iron deficient diet after delivery and pups injected with 3mg/kg body weight sodium metavanadate from PND1-21. Body and brain weights deteriorated in I+V relative to C and V while neurobehavioral deficit occurred more in V. Whereas immunohistochemical staining shows more astrogliosis and microgliosis indicative of neuroinflammation in I+V, more intense OPCs depletion and hypomyelination were seen in the V, and this was partially protected in I+V. In in vitro studies, vanadium induced glial cells toxicity was partially protected only at the LD 50 dose with the iron chelator, desferroxamine. The data indicate that vanadium promotes myelin damage and iron deficiency in combination with vanadium partially protects this neurotoxicological effects of vanadium.
Lactational Vitamin E Protects Against the Histotoxic Effects of Systemically Administered Vanadium in Neonatal Rats.

PubMed

Olaolorun, F A; Obasa, A A; Balogun, H A; Aina, O O; Olopade, J O

2014-12-29

The work investigated the protective role of lactational vitamin E administration on vanadium-induced histotoxicity. Three groups of Wistar rats, with each group comprising of two dams and their pups, were used in this study. Group I pups were administered intraperitoneal injection of sterile water at volumes corresponding to the dose rate of the vanadium (sodium metavanadate) treated group from postnatal day (PND) 1-14 while those in Group II were administered intraperitoneal injection of 3mg/kg vanadium from PND 1-14. Group III pups were administered intraperitoneal injection of 3mg/kg vanadium while the dam received oral vitamin E (500 mg) concurrently every 72 hours. The results showed that group II pups exhibited histopathological changes which included seminiferous tubule disruption of the testes characterised by vacuolar degeneration and coagulative necrosis of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells with reduction in mitosis, and areas of interstitial thickening with fibroblast proliferation. In addition, the lungs showed disruption of the bronchiolar wall and denudation of the bronchiolar respiratory epithelium while the liver showed hydropic degeneration and coagulative necrosis of the centrilobular hepatocytes. These histotoxic changes were ameliorated in the vanadium + vitamin E group. We conclude that lactational vitamin E protects against the histotoxic effects of vanadium and could be a consideration for supplementation in the occupationally and environmentally exposed neonates. However, caution should be taken in vitamin E supplementation because there is still equivocal evidence surrounding its benefits as a supplement at the moment.
Electronic and magnetic ordering induced by Mo- and Ru doping of the Mn site in CaMnO3 perovskite: EMR probing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shames, A. I.; Auslender, M.; Rozenberg, E.; Gorodetsky, G.; Martin, C.; Maignan, A.

2005-05-01

X-band electron magnetic-resonance (EMR) measurements of polycrystalline CaMn1-yMoyO3 (0⩽y ⩽0.14) samples were performed at 120K⩽T⩽540K. The data obtained are compared with those of another electron-doped manganite system, CaMn1-xRuxO3 (0⩽x ⩽0.40). The observed anomalies of the EMR parameters correlate pretty well with the temperatures of antiferro-, ferromagneticlike, and orbital/charge-ordering transitions in these systems. However, a strong difference is observed between the resonant properties of Mo- and Ru doped series at both paramagnetic (PM) and magnetically ordered states. To describe such a difference, the energy-band diagrams, which comprise the deep impurity t2g-like states +eg-like conductive band for CaMn1-xRuxO3 and shallow impurity states+conductive band, both having eg-like symmetry, for CaMn1-yMoyO3, are proposed. Specific electrons' contribution to the EMR linewidth at PM temperatures is introduced for the considered systems.
Investigation of activation cross-sections of deuteron induced reactions on vanadium up to 40 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tárkányi, F.; Ditrói, F.; Takács, S.; Hermanne, A.; Baba, M.; Ignatyuk, A. V.

2011-08-01

Experimental excitation functions for deuteron induced reactions up to 40 MeV on natural vanadium were measured with the activation method using a stacked foil irradiation technique. From high resolution gamma spectrometry cross-section data for the production of 51Cr, 48V, 48,47,46Sc and 47Ca were determined. Comparisons with the earlier published data are presented and results for values predicted by different theoretical codes are included. Thick target yields were calculated from a fit to our experimental excitation curves and compared with the earlier experimental data. Depth distribution curves used for thin layer activation (TLA) are also presented.
Stability of Weyl metals under imuurity scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Zhoushen; Das, Tanmoy; Balatsky, Alexander V.; Arovas, Daniel P.

2013-03-01

We investigate the effects of bulk impurities on the electronic spectrum of Weyl semimetals, a recently identified class of Dirac-type materials. Using a T-matrix approach, we study resonant scattering due to a localized impurity in tight binding versions of the continuum models recently discussed by Burkov, Hook, and Balents, describing perturbed four-component Dirac fermions in the vicinity of a critical point. The impurity potential is described by a strength g as well as a matrix structure Λ. Unlike the case in d-wave superconductors, where a zero energy resonance can always be induced by varying the impurity scalar and/or magnetic impurity strength, we find that for certain types of impurity (Λ), the Weyl node is protected, and that a scalar impurity will induce an intragap resonance over a wide range of scattering stength. A general framework is developed to address this question, as well as to determine the dependence of resonance energy on the impurity strength. This work is supported in part by the NSF through grant DMR-1007028. Work at LANL was supported by US DoE.
Sodium metavanadate induced cognitive decline, behavioral impairments, oxidative stress and down regulation of myelin basic protein in mice hippocampus: Ameliorative roles of β-spinasterol, and stigmasterol.

PubMed

Adebiyi, Olamide Elizabeth; Olopade, James Olukayode; Olayemi, Funsho Olakitike

2018-06-01

Exposures to toxic levels of vanadium and soluble vanadium compounds cause behavioral impairments and neurodegeneration via free radical production. Consequently, natural antioxidant sources have been explored for effective and cheap remedy following toxicity. Grewia carpinifolia has been shown to improve behavioral impairments in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity, however, the active compounds implicated remains unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate ameliorative effects of bioactive compounds from G. carpinifolia on memory and behavioral impairments in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity. Sixty BALB/c mice were equally divided into five groups (A-E). A (control); administered distilled water, B (standard); administered α-tocopherol (500 mg/kg) every 72 hr orally with daily dose of sodium metavanadate (3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, test groups C, and D; received single oral dose of 100 μg β-spinasterol or stigmasterol (bioactive compounds from G. carpinifolia), respectively, along with sodium metavanadate and the model group E, received sodium metavanadate only for seven consecutive days. Memory, locomotion and muscular strength were accessed using Morris water maze, Open field and hanging wire tests. In vivo antioxidant and neuroprotective activities were evaluated by measuring catalase, superoxide dismutase, MDA, H 2 O 2 , and myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in the hippocampus. In Morris water maze, stigmasterol significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased escape latency and increased swimming time in target quadrant (28.01 ± 0.02; 98.24 ± 17.38 s), respectively, better than α-tocopherol (52.43 ± 13.25; 80.32 ± 15.21) and β-spinasterol (42.09 ± 14.27; 70.91 ± 19.24) in sodium metavanadate-induced memory loss (112.31 ± 9.35; 42.35 ± 11.05). β-Spinasterol and stigmasterol significantly increased exploration and latency in open field and hanging wire tests respectively. Stigmasterol also increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, decreased oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation in mice hippocampal homogenates, and increased MBP expression. The findings of this study indicate a potential for stigmasterol, a bioactive compound from G. carpinifolia in improving cognitive decline, motor coordination, and ameliorating oxidative stress in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity. © 2018 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low-temperature charged impurity scattering-limited conductivity in relatively high doped bilayer graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Bo

2015-08-01

Based on semiclassical Boltzamnn transport theory in random phase approximation, we develop a theoretical model to investigate low-temperature carrier transport properties in relatively high doped bilayer graphene. In the presence of both electron-hole puddles and band gap induced by charged impurities, we calculate low-temperature charged impurity scattering-limited conductivity in relatively high doped bilayer graphene. Our calculated conductivity results are in excellent agreement with published experimental data in all compensated gate voltage regime of study by using potential fluctuation parameter as only one free fitting parameter, indicating that both electron-hole puddles and band gap induced by charged impurities play an important role in carrier transport. More importantly, we also find that the conductivity not only depends strongly on the total charged impurity density, but also on the top layer charged impurity density, which is different from that obtained by neglecting the opening of band gap, especially for bilayer graphene with high top layer charged impurity density.
Design, synthesis and characterization of novel binary V(V)-Schiff base materials linked with insulin-mimetic vanadium-induced differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes. Structure-function correlations at the molecular level.

PubMed

Halevas, E; Tsave, O; Yavropoulou, M P; Hatzidimitriou, A; Yovos, J G; Psycharis, V; Gabriel, C; Salifoglou, A

2015-06-01

Among the various roles of vanadium in the regulation of intracellular signaling, energy metabolism and insulin mimesis, its exogenous activity stands as a contemporary challenge currently under investigation and a goal to pursue as a metallodrug against Diabetes mellitus II. In this regard, the lipogenic activity of vanadium linked to the development of well-defined anti-diabetic vanadodrugs has been investigated through: a) specifically designing and synthesizing Schiff base organic ligands L, bearing a variable number of terminal alcohols, b) a series of well-defined soluble binary V(V)-L compounds synthesized and physicochemically characterized, c) a study of their cytotoxic effect and establishment of adipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts toward mature adipocytes, and d) biomarker examination of a closely-linked molecular target involving or influenced by the specific V(V) forms, cumulatively delineating factors involved in potential pathways linked to V(V)-induced insulin-like activity. Collectively, the results a) project the importance of specific structural features in Schiff ligands bound to V(V), thereby influencing the emergence of its (a)toxicity and for the first time its insulin-like activity in pre-adipocyte differentiation, b) contribute to the discovery of molecular targets influenced by the specific vanadoforms seeking to induce glucose uptake, and c) indicate an interplay of V(V) structural speciation and cell-differentiation biological activity, thereby gaining insight into vanadium's potential as a future metallodrug in Diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Effects of γ-ray irradiation on optical absorption and laser damage performance of KDP crystals containing arsenic impurities.

PubMed

Guo, D C; Jiang, X D; Huang, J; Wang, F R; Liu, H J; Xiang, X; Yang, G X; Zheng, W G; Zu, X T

2014-11-17

The effects of γ-irradiation on potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals containing arsenic impurities are investigated with different optical diagnostics, including UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy, photo-thermal common-path interferometer and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The optical absorption spectra indicate that a new broad absorption band near 260 nm appears after γ-irradiation. It is found that the intensity of absorption band increases with the increasing irradiation dose and arsenic impurity concentration. The simulation of radiation defects show that this absorption is assigned to the formation of AsO₄⁴⁻ centers due to arsenic ions substituting for phosphorus ions. Laser-induced damage threshold test is conducted by using 355 nm nanosecond laser pulses. The correlations between arsenic impurity concentration and laser induced damage threshold are presented. The results indicate that the damage performance of the material decreases with the increasing arsenic impurity concentration. Possible mechanisms of the irradiation-induced defects formation under γ-irradiation of KDP crystals are discussed.
Zinc vacancy and oxygen interstitial in ZnO revealed by sequential annealing and electron irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knutsen, K. E.; Galeckas, A.; Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Farlow, G. C.; Svensson, B. G.; Kuznetsov, A. Yu.

2012-09-01

By combining results from positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy with data from Hall effect measurements, the characteristic deep level emission centered at ˜1.75 eV and exhibiting an activation energy of thermal quenching of 11.5 meV is associated with the zinc vacancy. Further, a strong indication that oxygen interstitials act as a dominating acceptor is derived from the analysis of charge carrier losses induced by electron irradiation with variable energy below and above the threshold for Zn-atom displacement. We also demonstrate that the commonly observed green emission is related to an extrinsic acceptorlike impurity, which may be readily passivated by oxygen vacancies.
The development of a potassium-sulfide glass fiber cell and studies on impurities in alkali metal-sulfur cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsang, F. Y.

1977-01-01

Potassium sulfur rechargeable cells, having as the electrolyte the thin walls of hollow glass fibers made from permeable glass, were developed. The cells had short lives, probably due to the construction materials and impurities in the potassium. The effect of the impurities in the analogous NA-S system was studied. Calcium, potassium, and NaOH/oxide impurities caused increased resistance or corrosion of the glass fibers. For long lived cell operation, the Na must contain less than 1 ppm Ca and less than a few ppm of hydroxide/oxide. Up to 150 ppm K can be tolerated. After purification of the Na anolyte, cell lifetimes in excess of 1000 deep charge-discharge cycles or over 8 months on continuous cycling at 10-30 percent depth of discharge were obtained.

Brain Metal Distribution and Neuro-Inflammatory Profiles after Chronic Vanadium Administration and Withdrawal in Mice

PubMed Central

Folarin, Oluwabusayo R.; Snyder, Amanda M.; Peters, Douglas G.; Olopade, Funmilayo; Connor, James R.; Olopade, James O.

2017-01-01

Vanadium is a potentially toxic environmental pollutant and induces oxidative damage in biological systems including the central nervous system (CNS). Its deposition in brain tissue may be involved in the pathogenesis of certain neurological disorders which after prolonged exposure can culminate into more severe pathology. Most studies on vanadium neurotoxicity have been done after acute exposure but in reality some populations are exposed for a lifetime. This work was designed to ascertain neurodegenerative consequences of chronic vanadium administration and to investigate the progressive changes in the brain after withdrawal from vanadium treatment. A total of 85 male BALB/c mice were used for the experiment and divided into three major groups of vanadium treated (intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 3 mg/kg body weight of sodium metavanadate and sacrificed every 3 months till 18 months); matched controls; and animals that were exposed to vanadium for 3 months and thereafter the metal was withdrawn. Brain tissues were obtained after animal sacrifice. Sagittal cut sections of paraffin embedded tissue (5 μm) were analyzed by the Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) to show the absorption and distribution of vanadium metal. Also, Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining of brain sections, and immunohistochemistry for Microglia (Iba-1), Astrocytes (GFAP), Neurons (Neu-N) and Neu-N + 4′,6-diamidine-2′-pheynylindole dihydrochloride (Dapi) Immunofluorescent labeling were observed for morphological and morphometric parameters. The LA–ICP–MS results showed progressive increase in vanadium uptake with time in different brain regions with prediction for regions like the olfactory bulb, brain stem and cerebellum. The withdrawal brains still show presence of vanadium metal in the brain slightly more than the controls. There were morphological alterations (of the layering profile, nuclear shrinkage) in the prefrontal cortex, cellular degeneration (loss of dendritic arborization) and cell death in the Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, including astrocytic and microglial activation in vanadium exposed brains which were all attenuated in the withdrawal group. With exposure into old age, the evident neuropathology was microgliosis, while progressive astrogliosis became more attenuated. We have shown that chronic administration of vanadium over a lifetime in mice resulted in metal accumulation which showed regional variabilities with time. The metal profile and pathological effects were not completely eliminated from the brain even after a long time withdrawal from vanadium metal. PMID:28790895
Fabrication of photocatalytically active vanadium oxide nanostructures via plasma route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajita, Shin; Yoshida, Tomoko; Ohno, Noriyasu; Ichino, Yusuke; Yoshida, Naoaki

2018-05-01

Plasma irradiation was used to create nanostructured vanadium oxide with potential commercial and industrial applications. Morphology changes were induced at the nano- and micro-meter scale, accompanied by the growth of helium nanobubbles. Micrometer-sized pillars, cube-shaped nanostructures, and fuzzy fiberform nanostructures were grown on the surface; the necessary conditions in terms of the incident ion energy and the surface temperature for those morphology changes were revealed. Hydrogen production experiments using a photocatalytic reaction with aqueous methanol solution were conducted on the fabricated samples. Enhanced H2 production was confirmed with the plasma irradiated nanostructured sample that had been oxidized in air atmosphere. Photocatalytically inactive vanadium oxide exhibited a high photocatalytic activity after nanostructurization of the surface by helium plasma irradiation.
Microstructural and microchemical studies of phase stability in V-O solid solution

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

Ghosh, Chanchal, E-mail: chanchal@igcar.gov.in

2017-02-15

Over the last couple of decades vanadium and V-based alloys have received significant attention as a potential structural material for fusion power applications because of their favourable mechanical properties under irradiation and at elevated temperatures. They are also considered as the advanced options of storage materials for hydrogen and its isotopes. However, the higher affinity of V for O, C and N poses critical challenges in its engineering applications since they lead to degradation of mechanical properties. They can further interact with the matrix to produce metallic oxy-carbo-nitride precipitates. To a certain limit, these precipitates are beneficial and can bemore » exploited to enhance the mechanical behaviour of the alloy through suitable microstructural design. However, this requires a prior knowledge of the interaction between the alloy and the impurity solutes. In the present work vanadium specific experiments have been designed and carried out to bring out the V-interstitial solute interaction by charging oxygen in the near surface region of vanadium. Microstructural and microchemical behaviour of the V-O solid solution has been studied through HRTEM (high resolution transmission electron microscopy) and HAADF (high angle annular dark field) coupled with EELS. Quantitative electron microscopy has been carried out to study structural modification of the alloy in atomic level caused by O charging. - Highlights: •Controlled experiments were carried out in pulsed laser ablation set-up to promote V-O interaction. • As a consequence of O dissolution, V transformed into a bct structure which is otherwise a bcc structure. •In V-O solid solution, dissolved O in the V matrix introduces significant amount of lattice strain. • Present work can be extended for introducing interstitial O in other pure transition metals and their alloys.« less
Dynamically Switching the Polarization State of Light Based on the Phase Transition of Vanadium Dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Zhi-Yong; Shu, Fang-Zhou; Gao, Ya-Jun; Cheng, Feng; Peng, Ru-Wen; Fan, Ren-Hao; Liu, Yongmin; Wang, Mu

2018-03-01

There have been great endeavors devoted to manipulating the polarization state of light by plasmonic nanostructures in recent decades. However, the topic of active polarizers has attracted much less attention. We present a composite plasmonic nanostructure consisting of vanadium dioxide that can dynamically modulate the polarization state of the reflected light through a thermally induced phase transition of vanadium dioxide. We design a system consisting of anisotropic plasmonic nanostructures with vanadium dioxide that exhibits distinct reflections subjected to different linearly polarized incidence at room temperature and in the heated state. Under a particular linearly polarized incidence, the polarization state of the reflected light changes at room temperature, and reverts to its original polarization state above the phase-transition temperature. The composite structure can also be used to realize a dynamically switchable infrared image, wherein a pattern can be visualized at room temperature while it disappears above the phase-transition temperature. The composite structure could be potentially used for versatile optical modulators, molecular detection, and polarimetric imaging.
Jeju ground water containing vanadium induced immune activation on splenocytes of low dose γ-rays-irradiated mice.

PubMed

Ha, Danbee; Joo, Haejin; Ahn, Ginnae; Kim, Min Ju; Bing, So Jin; An, Subin; Kim, Hyunki; Kang, Kyung-goo; Lim, Yoon-Kyu; Jee, Youngheun

2012-06-01

Vanadium, an essential micronutrient, has been implicated in controlling diabetes and carcinogenesis and in impeding reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. γ-ray irradiation triggers DNA damage by inducing ROS production and causes diminution in radiosensitive immunocytes. In this study, we elucidate the immune activation capacities of Jeju water containing vanadium on immunosuppression caused by γ-ray irradiation, and identify its mechanism using various low doses of NaVO(3). We examined the intracellular ROS generation, DNA damage, cell proliferation, population of splenocytes, and cytokine/antibody profiles in irradiated mice drinking Jeju water for 180 days and in non-irradiated and in irradiated splenocytes both of which were treated with NaVO(3). Both Jeju water and 0.245 μM NaVO(3) attenuated the intracellular ROS generation and DNA damage in splenocytes against γ-ray irradiation. Splenocytes were significantly proliferated by the long-term intake of Jeju water and by 0.245 μM NaVO(3) treatment, and the expansion of B cells accounted for the increased number of splenocytes. Also, 0.245 μM NaVO(3) treatment showed the potency to amplify the production of IFN-γ and total IgG in irradiated splenocytes, which correlated with the expansion of B cells. Collectively, Jeju water containing vanadium possesses the immune activation property against damages caused by γ-irradiation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Variation in toxicity response of Ceriodaphnia dubia to Athabasca oil sands coke leachates.

PubMed

Puttaswamy, Naveen; Turcotte, Dominique; Liber, Karsten

2010-07-01

Coke from the Athabasca (Alberta, Canada) oil sands operations may someday be integrated into reclamation landscapes. It is hypothesized that the metals associated with the solid coke may leach into the surrounding environment. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to characterize the toxicity and chemistry of coke leachates collected from two field lysimeters (i.e. shallow lysimeter and deep lysimeter) over a period of 20months, as well as from other oil sands coke storage sites. In addition, a batch renewal leaching of coke was conducted to examine the rate of metals release. Chronic toxicity of key metals (e.g. Al, Mn, Ni and V) found in lysimeter coke leachate was evaluated separately. Toxicity test results revealed that whole coke leachates (100% v/v) were acutely toxic to Ceriodaphnia dubia; the 7-day LC50 values were always <25% v/v coke leachate. The deep lysimeter leachate was generally more toxic than the shallow lysimeter leachate, likely because of significantly higher concentrations of vanadium (V) found in the deep lysimeter leachate at all sampling times. Vanadium concentrations were higher than all other metals found in the leachate from both lysimeters, and in the batch renewal leaching study. Furthermore, V found in leachates collected from other oil sands field sites showed a concentration-response relationship with C. dubia survival. Mass balance calculations indicated that 94-98% of potentially leachable V fraction was still present in the coke from two field lysimeters. Evidence gathered from these assessments, including toxic unit (TU) calculations for the elements of concern, suggests that V was the likely cause of toxicity of the deep lysimeter leachate, whereas in the shallow lysimeter leachate both Ni and V could be responsible for the observed toxicity. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Photoinduced surface plasmon switching at VO2/Au interface.

PubMed

Kumar, Nardeep; Rúa, Armando; Aldama, Jennifer; Echeverría, Karla; Fernández, Félix E; Lysenko, Sergiy

2018-05-28

Angle-resolved reflection, light scattering and ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy combined with a surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) resonance technique in attenuated total reflection geometry was used to investigate the light-induced plasmonic switching in a photorefractive VO 2 /Au hybrid structure. Measurements of SPP scattering and reflection shows that the optically-induced formation of metallic state in a vanadium dioxide layer deposited on a gold film significantly alters the electromagnetic field enhancement and SPP propagation length at the VO 2 /Au interface. The ultrafast optical manipulation of SPP resonance is shown on a picosecond timescale. Obtained results demonstrate high potential of photorefractive vanadium oxides as efficient plasmonic modulating materials for ultrafast optoelectronic devices.
Impurity-induced disorder in III-nitride materials and devices

DOEpatents

Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J; Allerman, Andrew A

2014-11-25

A method for impurity-induced disordering in III-nitride materials comprises growing a III-nitride heterostructure at a growth temperature and doping the heterostructure layers with a dopant during or after the growth of the heterostructure and post-growth annealing of the heterostructure. The post-growth annealing temperature can be sufficiently high to induce disorder of the heterostructure layer interfaces.
Theory of p-type Zinc Oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shengbai

2002-03-01

Recent advances in bipolar doping of wide gap semiconductors challenge our understanding of impurity and defect properties in these materials, as theories based on equilibrium thermodynamics cannot keep up with these recent developments. For ZnO, the puzzling experimental results involve doping with nitrogen(M. Joseph, H. Tabata, and T. Kawai, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 38), L1205 (1999)., arsenic(Y. R. Ryu, S. Zhu, D. C. Look, J. M. Wrobel, H. M. Jeong, and H. W. White, J. Crys. Growth 216), 330 (2000)., and phosphorus(T. Aoki, Y. Hatanaka, and D. C. Look, Appl. Phys. Lett. 76), 3257 (2000).. In this talk, I will discuss some recent theoretical efforts trying to explain the experiments by first-principles total energy calculations. I will first discuss the acceptor level positions for group I and group V impurities. A general trend is observed(C. H. Park, S. B. Zhang, and S.-H. Wei, submitted to Phys. Rev. B.) that substitutional group V impurities on O range from relatively deep (e.g. N) to very deep (e.g. P and As) with high formation energies, whereas substitutional group I impurities on Zn are shallow acceptors. However, substitutional group I impurities are unstable against the formation of interstitials that are donors. A careful examination of N doping in Ref. [1] suggests that one can kinetically suppress the formation of N2 molecules by engineering dopant sources/footnoteY. Yan, S. B. Zhang, and S. T. Pantelides, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 5723 (2001).. This leads to significantly enhanced N solubility and hence p-type ZnO. For As [2], our preliminary studies show that the formation energy of AsO is so high that it is an exothermic process to form low-energy complexes that act effectively as relatively shallow acceptors.
Does the relief of glucose toxicity act as a mediator in proliferative actions of vanadium on pancreatic islet beta cells in streptozocin diabetic rats?

PubMed

Pirmoradi, Leila; Mohammadi, Mohammad Taghi; Safaei, Akbar; Mesbah, Fakhardin; Dehghani, Gholam Abbas

2014-07-01

Data shows vanadium protects pancreatic beta cells (BC) from diabetic animals. Whether this effect is direct or through the relief of glucose toxicity is not clear. This study evaluated the potential effect of oral vanadyl sulfate (vanadium) on glycemic status and pancreatic BC of normal and diabetic rats. Rats were divided into five groups of normal and diabetic. Diabetes was induced with streptozocin (40 mg/kg, i.v.). Normal rats used water (CN) or vanadium (1 mg/ml VOSO4, VTN). Diabetic rats used water (CD), water plus daily neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin injection (80 U/kg, ITD) or vanadium (VTD). Blood samples were taken for blood glucose (BG, mg/dL) and insulin (ng/dL) measurements. After two months, the pancreata of sacrificed rats were prepared for islet staining. Pre-treated normal BG was 88 ± 2, and diabetic BG was 395 ± 9. The final BG in CD, VTD, and ITD was 509 ± 22, 138 ± 14, and 141 ± 14, respectively. Insulin in VTN (0.75 ± 0.01) and VTD (0.78 ± 0.01) was similar, higher than CD (0.51 ± 0.07) but lower than CN (2.51 ± 0.02). VTN islets compared to CN had larger size and denser central core insulin immunoreactivity with plentiful BC. CD and ITD islets were atrophied and had scattered insulin immunoreactivity spots and low BC mass. VTD islets were almost similar to CN. Besides insulin-like activity, vanadium protected pancreatic islet BC, and the relief of glucose toxicity happening with vanadium had a little role in this action.
Does the Relief of Glucose Toxicity Act As a Mediator in Proliferative Actions of Vanadium on Pancreatic Islet Beta Cells in Streptozocin Diabetic Rats?

PubMed Central

Pirmoradi, Leila; Mohammadi, Mohammad Taghi; Safaei, Akbar; Mesbah, Fakhardin; Dehghani, Gholam Abbas

2014-01-01

Background: Data shows vanadium protects pancreatic beta cells (BC) from diabetic animals. Whether this effect is direct or through the relief of glucose toxicity is not clear. This study evaluated the potential effect of oral vanadyl sulfate (vanadium) on glycemic status and pancreatic BC of normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups of normal and diabetic. Diabetes was induced with streptozocin (40 mg/kg, i.v.). Normal rats used water (CN) or vanadium (1 mg/ml VOSO4, VTN). Diabetic rats used water (CD), water plus daily neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin injection (80 U/kg, ITD) or vanadium (VTD). Blood samples were taken for blood glucose (BG, mg/dL) and insulin (ng/dL) measurements. After two months, the pancreata of sacrificed rats were prepared for islet staining. Results: Pre-treated normal BG was 88 ± 2, and diabetic BG was 395 ± 9. The final BG in CD, VTD, and ITD was 509 ± 22, 138 ± 14, and 141 ± 14, respectively. Insulin in VTN (0.75 ± 0.01) and VTD (0.78 ± 0.01) was similar, higher than CD (0.51 ± 0.07) but lower than CN (2.51 ± 0.02). VTN islets compared to CN had larger size and denser central core insulin immunoreactivity with plentiful BC. CD and ITD islets were atrophied and had scattered insulin immunoreactivity spots and low BC mass. VTD islets were almost similar to CN. Conclusion: Besides insulin-like activity, vanadium protected pancreatic islet BC, and the relief of glucose toxicity happening with vanadium had a little role in this action. PMID:24842144
Role of PTEN in TNFα induced insulin resistance

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

Bulger, David A.; Medicine and Research Services, Veterans Association Medical Center, Memphis, TN 38104; Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge CB2 0QQ

Aims/hypothesis: PTEN may play a reversible role in TNFα induced insulin resistance, which has been linked to obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR). Methods: Western blots for PTEN and p-Akt were performed on H-411E liver cells incubated with insulin, TNFα, and in selected experiments VO-OHpic vanadium complex in the presence and absence of PTEN siRNA. Total PTEN was compared to β-actin loading control and p-Akt was compared to total Akt. Results: Western blot and Real Time RT-PCR experiments showed increased PTEN after TNFα treatment (p = 0.04); slightly decreased PTEN after insulin treatment; and slightly increased PTEN after insulin + TNFα treatment. PTEN siRNA markedly inhibitedmore » the TNFα-induced increase in PTEN (p < 0.01) without significantly changing the p-Akt levels. The vanadium complex, exhibiting insulin-like effects, also significantly prevented the TNFα-induced increase in PTEN. Combining insulin and VO-OHpic was additive, providing both proof of concept and insight into mechanism. Discussion: The PTEN increase due to TNFα treatment was reversible by both PTEN siRNA knockdown and VO-OHpic treatment. Thus, PTEN is identified as a potential new therapeutic target for reducing IR in Type 2 DM. - Highlights: • TNFα treatment induced a significant increase in PTEN in H-411E liver cells. • PTEN siRNA knockdown prevented this effect. • VO-OHpic (vanadium complex) treatment, like insulin, decreased PTEN protein levels. • Thus, PTEN is identified as a potential therapeutic target in DM Type 2.« less
Bismuth interstitial impurities and the optical properties of GaP 1- x - yBi xN y

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

Christian, Theresa M.; Beaton, Daniel A.; Perkins, John D.

Two distinctive regimes of behavior are observed from GaP 1-x-y Bi x N y alloys with x < 2.4%, y < 3.4% grown by molecular beam epitaxy. These regimes are correlated with abundant bismuth interstitial impurities that are encouraged or suppressed according to the sample growth temperature, with up to 55% of incorporated bismuth located interstitially. When bismuth interstitials are present, radiative recombination arises at near-band-edge localized states rather than from impurity bands and deep state luminescence. Finally, this change demonstrates a novel strategy for controlling luminescence in isoelectronic semiconductor alloys and is attributed to a disruption of carrier transfermore » processes.« less
Bismuth interstitial impurities and the optical properties of GaP 1- x - yBi xN y

DOE PAGES

Christian, Theresa M.; Beaton, Daniel A.; Perkins, John D.; ...

2017-10-10

Two distinctive regimes of behavior are observed from GaP 1-x-y Bi x N y alloys with x < 2.4%, y < 3.4% grown by molecular beam epitaxy. These regimes are correlated with abundant bismuth interstitial impurities that are encouraged or suppressed according to the sample growth temperature, with up to 55% of incorporated bismuth located interstitially. When bismuth interstitials are present, radiative recombination arises at near-band-edge localized states rather than from impurity bands and deep state luminescence. Finally, this change demonstrates a novel strategy for controlling luminescence in isoelectronic semiconductor alloys and is attributed to a disruption of carrier transfermore » processes.« less
Absolute intensity measurements of impurity emissions in a shock tunnel and their consequences for laser-induced fluorescence experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palma, P. C.; Houwing, A. F. P.; Sandeman, R. J.

1993-01-01

Absolute intensity measurements of impurity emissions in a shock tunnel nozzle flow are presented. The impurity emission intensities were measured with a photomultiplier and optical multichannel analyzer and calibrated against an intensity standard. The various metallic contaminants were identified and their intensities measured in the spectral regions 290 to 330 nm and 375 to 385 nm. A comparison with calculated fluorescence intensities for predissociated laser-induced fluorescence signals is made. It is found that the emission background is negligible for most fluorescence experiments.
Activation cross-sections of proton induced reactions on vanadium in the 37-65 MeV energy range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ditrói, F.; Tárkányi, F.; Takács, S.; Hermanne, A.

2016-08-01

Experimental excitation functions for proton induced reactions on natural vanadium in the 37-65 MeV energy range were measured with the activation method using a stacked foil irradiation technique. By using high resolution gamma spectrometry cross-section data for the production of 51,48Cr, 48V, 48,47,46,44m,44g,43Sc and 43,42K were determined. Comparisons with the earlier published data are presented and results predicted by different theoretical codes (EMPIRE and TALYS) are included. Thick target yields were calculated from a fit to our experimental excitation curves and compared with the earlier experimental yield data. Depth distribution curves to be used for thin layer activation (TLA) are also presented.
Impurity-generated non-Abelions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simion, G.; Kazakov, A.; Rokhinson, L. P.; Wojtowicz, T.; Lyanda-Geller, Y. B.

2018-06-01

Two classes of topological superconductors and Majorana modes in condensed matter systems are known to date: one in which disorder induced by impurities strongly suppresses topological superconducting gap and is detrimental to Majorana modes, and another where Majorana fermions are protected by a disorder-robust topological superconductor gap. Observation and control of Majorana fermions and other non-Abelions often requires a symmetry of an underlying system leading to a gap in the single-particle or quasiparticle spectra. In semiconductor structures, impurities that provide charge carriers introduce states into the gap and enable conductance and proximity-induced superconductivity via the in-gap states. Thus a third class of topological superconductivity and Majorana modes emerges, in which topological superconductivity and Majorana fermions appear exclusively when impurities generate in-gap states. We show that impurity-enabled topological superconductivity is realized in a quantum Hall ferromagnet, when a helical domain wall is coupled to an s -wave superconductor. As an example of emergence of topological superconductivity in quantum Hall ferromagnets, we consider the integer quantum Hall effect in Mn-doped CdTe quantum wells. Recent experiments on transport through the quantum Hall ferromagnet domain wall in this system indicated a vital role of impurities in the conductance, but left unresolved the question whether impurities preclude generation of Majorana fermions and other non-Abelions in such systems in general. Here, solving a general quantum-mechanical problem of impurity bound states in a system of spin-orbit coupled Landau levels, we demonstrate that impurity-induced Majorana modes emerge at boundaries between topological and conventional superconducting states generated in a domain wall due to proximity to an s superconductor. We consider both short-range disorder and a smooth random potential. The phase diagram of the system is defined by characteristic disorder, gate voltage induced angular momentum splitting of impurity levels, and by a proximity superconducting gap. The phase diagram exhibits two ranges of gate voltage with conventional superconducting order separated by a gate voltage range with topological superconductivity. We show that electrostatic control of domain walls in an integer quantum Hall ferromagnet allows manipulation of Majorana fermions. Ferromagnetic transitions in the fractional quantum Hall regime may lead to the formation and electrostatic control of higher order non-Abelian excitations.
First-principles calculations of optical transitions at native defects and impurities in ZnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyons, John L.; Varley, Joel B.; Janotti, Anderson; Van de Walle, Chris G.

2018-02-01

Optical spectroscopy is a powerful approach for detecting defects and impurities in ZnO, an important electronic material. However, knowledge of how common optical signals are linked with defects and impurities is still limited. The Cu-related green luminescence is among the best understood luminescence signals, but theoretical descriptions of Cu-related optical processes have not agreed with experiment. Regarding native defects, assigning observed lines to specific defects has proven very difficult. Using first-principles calculations, we calculate the properties of native defects and impurities in ZnO and their associated optical signals. Oxygen vacancies are predicted to give luminescence peaks lower than 1 eV; while related zinc dangling bonds can lead to luminescence near 2.4 eV. Zinc vacancies lead to luminescence peaks below 2 eV, as do the related oxygen dangling bonds. However, when complexed with hydrogen impurities, zinc vacancies can cause higher-energy transitions, up to 2.3 eV. We also find that the Cu-related green luminescence is related to a (+/0) deep donor transition level.
Vanadium Oxide Thin Film Formation on Graphene Oxide by Microexplosive Decomposition of Ammonium Peroxovanadate and Its Application as a Sodium Ion Battery Anode.

PubMed

Mikhaylov, Alexey A; Medvedev, Alexander G; Grishanov, Dmitry A; Sladkevich, Sergey; Gun, Jenny; Prikhodchenko, Petr V; Xu, Zhichuan J; Nagasubramanian, Arun; Srinivasan, Madhavi; Lev, Ovadia

2018-02-27

Formation of vanadium oxide nanofilm-coated graphene oxide (GO) is achieved by thermally induced explosive disintegration of a microcrystalline ammonium peroxovanadate-GO composite. GO sheets isolate the microcrystalline grains and capture and contain the microexplosion products, resulting in the deposition of the nanoscale products on the GO. Thermal treatment of the supported nanofilm yields a sequence of nanocrystalline phases of vanadium oxide (V 3 O 7 , VO 2 ) as a function of temperature. This is the first demonstration of microexplosive disintegration of a crystalline peroxo compound to yield a nanocoating. The large number of recently reported peroxide-rich crystalline materials suggests that the process can be a useful general route for nanofilm formation. The V 3 O 7 @GO composite product was tested as a sodium ion battery anode and showed high charge capacity at high rate charge-discharge cycling (150 mAh g -1 at 3000 mA g -1 vs 300 mAh g -1 at 100 mA g -1 ) due to the nanomorphology of the vanadium oxide.
Electric Propulsion Induced Secondary Mass Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amini, Rashied; Landis, Geoffrey

2012-01-01

A document highlights a means to complement remote spectroscopy while also providing in situ surface samples without a landed system. Historically, most compositional analysis of small body surfaces has been done remotely by analyzing reflection or nuclear spectra. However, neither provides direct measurement that can unambiguously constrain the global surface composition and most importantly, the nature of trace composition and second-phase impurities. Recently, missions such as Deep Space 1 and Dawn have utilized electric propulsion (EP) accelerated, high-energy collimated beam of Xe+ ions to propel deep space missions to their target bodies. The energies of the Xe+ are sufficient to cause sputtering interactions, which eject material from the top microns of a targeted surface. Using a mass spectrometer, the sputtered material can be determined. The sputtering properties of EP exhaust can be used to determine detailed surface composition of atmosphereless bodies by electric propulsion induced secondary mass spectroscopy (EPI-SMS). EPI-SMS operation has three high-level requirements: EP system, mass spectrometer, and altitude of about 10 km. Approximately 1 keV Xe+ has been studied and proven to generate high sputtering yields in metallic substrates. Using these yields, first-order calculations predict that EPI-SMS will yield high signal-to-noise at altitudes greater than 10 km with both electrostatic and Hall thrusters.

Low Cost Solar Array Project: Composition Measurements by Analytical Photo Catalysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, D. G.; Galvan, L.; Melzer, J.; Heidner, R. F., III

1979-01-01

The applicability of the photon catalysis technique for effecting composition analysis of silicon samples is discussed. A detector for the impurities Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ti, V, Mo and Zr is evaluated. During the first reporting period Al, Cr, Fe, and Mn were detected with the photon catalysis method. The best fluorescence lines to monitor and determine initial sensitivities to each of these elements by atomic absorption calibration were established. In the course of these tests vapor pressure curves for these four pure substances were also mapped. Ti and Si were detected. The best lines to monitor were catalogued and vapor pressure curves were determined. Attempts to detect vanadium were unsuccessful due to the refractory nature of this element and the limited temperature range of the evaporator.
Combustion system processes leading to corrosive deposits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stearns, C. A.; Kohl, F. J.; Rosner, D. E.

1981-01-01

Degradation of turbine engine hot gas path components by high temperature corrosion can usually be associated with deposits even though other factors may also play a significant role. The origins of the corrosive deposits are traceable to chemical reactions which take place during the combustion process. In the case of hot corrosion/sulfidation, sodium sulfate was established as the deposited corrosive agent even when none of this salt enters the engine directly. The sodium sulfate is formed during the combustion and deposition processes from compounds of sulfur contained in the fuel as low level impurities and sodium compounds, such as sodium chloride, ingested with intake air. In other turbine and power generation situations, corrosive and/or fouling deposits can result from such metals as potassium, iron, calcium, vanadium, magnesium, and silicon.
Impurity bound states in mesoscopic topological superconducting loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Yan-Yan; Zha, Guo-Qiao; Zhou, Shi-Ping

2018-06-01

We study numerically the effect induced by magnetic impurities in topological s-wave superconducting loops with spin-orbit interaction based on spin-generalized Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. In the case of a single magnetic impurity, it is found that the midgap bound states can cross the Fermi level at an appropriate impurity strength and the circulating spin current jumps at the crossing point. The evolution of the zero-energy mode can be effectively tuned by the located site of a single magnetic impurity. For the effect of many magnetic impurities, two independent midway or edge impurities cannot lead to the overlap of zero modes. The multiple zero-energy modes can be effectively realized by embedding a single Josephson junction with impurity scattering into the system, and the spin current displays oscillatory feature with increasing the layer thickness.
Vanadium Exposure-Induced Neurobehavioral Alterations among Chinese Workers

PubMed Central

Li, Hong; Zhou, Dinglun; Zhang, Qin; Feng, Chengyong; Zheng, Wei; He, Keping; Lan, Yajia

2014-01-01

Vanadium-containing products are manufactured and widely used in the modern industry. Yet the neurobehavioral toxicity due to occupational exposure to vanadium remained elusive. This cross-sectional study was designed to examine the neurotoxic effects of occupational vanadium exposure. A total of 463 vanadium-exposed workers (exposed group) and 251 non-exposed workers (control group) were recruited from a Steel and Iron Group in Sichuan, China. A WHO-recommended neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) and event-related auditory evoked potentials test (P300) were used to assess the neurobehavioral functions of all study subjects. A general linear model was used to compare outcome scores between the two groups while controlling for possible confounders. The exposed group showed a statistically significant neurobehavioral alteration more than the control group in the NCTB tests. The exposed workers also exhibited an increased anger-hostility, depression-dejection and fatigue-inertia on the profile of mood states (p<0.05). Performances in the Simple Reaction Time, Digit Span, Benton Visual Retention and Pursuit Aiming were also poorer among exposed workers as compared to unexposed control workers(p<0.05). Some of these poor performances in tests were also significantly related to workers’ exposure duration. P300 latencies were longer in the exposed group than in the control (p<0.05). Longer mean reaction times and more counting errors were also found in the exposed workers (p<0.05). Given the findings of our study and the limitations of neurobehavioral workplace testing, we found evidence of altered neurobehavioral outcomes by occupational exposure to vanadium. PMID:23500660
Phase transition in one Josephson junction with a side-coupled magnetic impurity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhi, Li-Ming; Wang, Xiao-Qi; Jiang, Cui; Yi, Guang-Yu; Gong, Wei-Jiang

2018-04-01

This work focuses on one Josephson junction with a side-coupled magnetic impurity. And then, the Josephson phase transition is theoretically investigated, with the help of the exact diagonalization approach. It is found that even in the absence of intradot Coulomb interaction, the magnetic impurity can efficiently induce the phenomenon of Josephson phase transition, which is tightly related to the spin correlation manners (i.e., ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic) between the impurity and the junction. Moreover, the impurity plays different roles when it couples to the dot and superconductor, respectively. This work can be helpful in describing the influence of one magnetic impurity on the supercurrent through the Josephson junction.
Local coexistence of VO 2 phases revealed by deep data analysis

DOE PAGES

Strelcov, Evgheni; Ievlev, Anton; Tselev, Alexander; ...

2016-07-07

We report a synergistic approach of micro-Raman spectroscopic mapping and deep data analysis to study the distribution of crystallographic phases and ferroelastic domains in a defected Al-doped VO 2 microcrystal. Bayesian linear unmixing revealed an uneven distribution of the T phase, which is stabilized by the surface defects and uneven local doping that went undetectable by other classical analysis techniques such as PCA and SIMPLISMA. This work demonstrates the impact of information recovery via statistical analysis and full mapping in spectroscopic studies of vanadium dioxide systems, which is commonly substituted by averaging or single point-probing approaches, both of which suffermore » from information misinterpretation due to low resolving power.« less
Origin and roles of oxygen impurities in hexagonal boron nitride epilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grenadier, S. J.; Maity, A.; Li, J.; Lin, J. Y.; Jiang, H. X.

2018-04-01

Photoluminescence emission spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements have been employed to study the origin and roles of oxygen impurities in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) epilayers grown on sapphire substrates. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity revealed the presence of a previously unnoticed impurity level of about 0.6 eV in h-BN epilayers grown at high temperatures. The results suggested that in addition to the common nitrogen vacancy (VN) shallow donors in h-BN, oxygen impurities diffused from sapphire substrates during high temperature growth also act as substitutional donors (ON). The presence of ON gives rise to an additional emission peak in the photoluminescence spectrum, corresponding to a donor-acceptor pair recombination involving the ON donor and the CN (carbon occupying nitrogen site) deep level acceptor. Moreover, due to the presence of ON donors, the majority charge carrier type changed to electrons in epilayers grown at high temperatures, in contrast to typical h-BN epilayers which naturally exhibit "p-type" character. The results provided a more coherent picture for common impurities/defects in h-BN as well as a better understanding of the growth mediated impurities in h-BN epilayers, which will be helpful for finding possible ways to further improve the quality and purity of this emerging material.
Solid and gaseous inclusions in the EDML deep ice core: origins and implications for the physical properties of polar ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faria, S. H.; Kipfstuhl, S.; Garbe, C. S.; Bendel, V.; Weikusat, C.; Weikusat, I.

2010-12-01

The great value of polar deep ice cores stems mainly from two essential features of polar ice: its crystalline structure and its impurities. They determine the physical properties of the ice matrix and provide proxies for the investigation of past climates. Experience shows that these two essential features of polar ice manifest themselves in a multiscale diversity of dynamic structures, including dislocations, grain boundaries, solid particles, air bubbles, clathrate hydrates and cloudy bands, among others. The fact that these structures are dynamic implies that they evolve with time through intricate interactions between the crystalline structure, impurities, and the ice flow. Records of these interactions have been carefully investigated in samples of the EPICA deep ice core drilled in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica (75°S, 0°E, 2882 m elevation, 2774.15 m core length). Here we show how the distributions of sizes and shapes of air bubbles correlate with impurities and the crystalline structure, how the interaction between moving grain boundaries and micro-inclusions changes with ice depth and temperature, as well as the possible causes for the abrupt change in ice rheology observed in the MIS6-MIS5e transition. We also discuss how these observations may affect the flow of the ice sheet and the interpretation of paleoclimate records. Micrograph of an EDML sample from 555m depth. One can identify air bubbles (dark, round objects), microinclusions (tiny defocused spots), and a grain boundary pinned by a bubble. The width of the image is 700 micrometers.
Vanadium quercetin complex attenuates mammary cancer by regulating the P53, Akt/mTOR pathway and downregulates cellular proliferation correlated with increased apoptotic events.

PubMed

Roy, Souvik; Banerjee, Sritama; Chakraborty, Tania

2018-05-31

Flavonoid metal ion complexes have been deliberated in recent years and are considered as a new class of medicinal agents with enhanced therapeutic activity and low toxicity. Our study deals with chemotherapeutic effects of vanadium, when coordinated with the flavonoid quercetin on a defined model of chemically induced rat mammary carcinogenesis in vivo and on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in vitro. The characterization of the complex was achieved through UV-Visible, IR, and Mass spectra and antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods. In vitro studies established that the complex upregulated the expressions of p53, Caspase 3 and 9, whereas down regulating Akt, mTOR and VEGF expressions and also induced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in a dose dependent manner. Acute and Sub-acute toxicity was performed to determine safe doses. 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (0.5 mg/100 g body weight) was used for induction of breast cancer in female Sprague-Dawley rats via single tail vein injection. The histopathological analysis after 24 weeks of carcinogenesis study depicted substantial repair of hyperplastic lesions. TUNEL assay showed an increase in apoptotic index (0.14 ± 0.03; 0.15 ± 0.01) in vanadium-quercetin treated groups as compared to the carcinogen control (0.02 ± 0.01) along with upregulation of Bcl-2 and downregulation of Bax and p53. Immunohistochemical analysis also exhibited decrease in cell proliferation in the vanadium-quercetin treated groups (11.3 ± 0.12; 11.8 ± 0.10). Thus, results from both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that vanadium-quercetin complex could be a potential candidate for development of approved drug for breast cancer in the near future.
Regional Myelin and Axon Damage and Neuroinflammation in the Adult Mouse Brain After Long-Term Postnatal Vanadium Exposure.

PubMed

Azeez, Idris A; Olopade, Funmilayo; Laperchia, Claudia; Andrioli, Anna; Scambi, Ilaria; Onwuka, Silas K; Bentivoglio, Marina; Olopade, James O

2016-09-01

Environmental exposure to vanadium occurs in areas of persistent burning of fossil fuels; this metal is known to induce oxidative stress and oligodendrocyte damage. Here, we determined whether vanadium exposure (3 mg/kg) in mice during the first 3 postnatal months leads to a sustained neuroinflammatory response. Body weight monitoring, and muscle strength and open field tests showed reduction of body weight gain and locomotor impairment in vanadium-exposed mice. Myelin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for astrocytes, microglia, and nonphosphorylated neurofilaments revealed striking regional heterogeneity. Myelin damage involved the midline corpus callosum and fibers in cortical gray matter, hippocampus, and diencephalon that were associated with axonal damage. Astrocyte and microglial activation was identified in the same regions and in the internal capsule; however, no overt myelin and axon damage was observed in the latter. Double immunofluorescence revealed induction of high tumor necrosis factor (TNF) immunoreactivity in reactive astrocytes. Western blotting analysis showed significant induction of TNF and interleukin-1β expression. Together these findings show that chronic postnatal vanadium exposure leads to functional deficit and region-dependent myelin damage that does not spare axons. This injury is associated with glial cell activation and proinflammatory cytokine induction, which may reflect both neurotoxic and neuroprotective responses. © 2016 American Association of Neuropathologists, Inc. All rights reserved.
Dominant source of disorder in graphene: charged impurities or ripples?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Zheyong; Uppstu, Andreas; Harju, Ari

2017-06-01

Experimentally produced graphene sheets exhibit a wide range of mobility values. Both extrinsic charged impurities and intrinsic ripples (corrugations) have been suggested to induce long-range disorder in graphene and could be a candidate for the dominant source of disorder. Here, using large-scale molecular dynamics and quantum transport simulations, we find that the hopping disorder and the gauge and scalar potentials induced by the ripples are short-ranged, in strong contrast with predictions by continuous models, and the transport fingerprints of the ripple disorder are very different from those of charged impurities. We conclude that charged impurities are the dominant source of disorder in most graphene samples, whereas scattering by ripples is mainly relevant in the high carrier density limit of ultraclean graphene samples (with a charged impurity concentration less than about 10 ppm) at room and higher temperatures. Our finding is valuable to theoretical modelling of transport properties of not only graphene, but also other two-dimensional materials, as the thermal ripples are universal.
Ab Initio Study of Aluminium Impurity and Interstitial-Substitutional Complexes in Ge Using a Hybrid Functional (HSE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igumbor, E.; Mapasha, R. E.; Meyer, W. E.

2017-07-01

The results of an ab initio modelling of aluminium substitutional impurity ({\\hbox {Al}}_Ge), aluminium interstitial in Ge [{\\hbox {I}}_Al for the tetrahedral (T) and hexagonal (H) configurations] and aluminium interstitial-substitutional pairs in Ge ({\\hbox {I}}_Al{\\hbox {Al}}_Ge) are presented. For all calculations, the hybrid functional of Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof in the framework of density functional theory was used. Defects formation energies, charge state transition levels and minimum energy configurations of the {\\hbox {Al}}_Ge, {\\hbox {I}}_Al and {\\hbox {I}}_Al{\\hbox {Al}}_Ge were obtained for -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 charge states. The calculated formation energy shows that for the neutral charge state, the {\\hbox {I}}_Al is energetically more favourable in the T than the H configuration. The {\\hbox {I}}_Al{\\hbox {Al}}_Ge forms with formation energies of -2.37 eV and -2.32 eV, when the interstitial atom is at the T and H sites, respectively. The {\\hbox {I}}_Al{\\hbox {Al}}_Ge is energetically more favourable when the interstitial atom is at the T site with a binding energy of 0.8 eV. The {\\hbox {I}}_Al in the T configuration, induced a deep donor (+2/+1) level at EV+0.23 eV and the {\\hbox {Al}}_Ge induced a single acceptor level (0/-1) at EV+0.14 eV in the band gap of Ge. The {\\hbox {I}}_Al{\\hbox {Al}}_Ge induced double-donor levels are at E_V+0.06 and E_V+0.12 eV, when the interstitial atom is at the T and H sites, respectively. The {\\hbox {I}}_Al and {\\hbox {I}}_Al{\\hbox {Al}}_Ge exhibit properties of charge state-controlled metastability.
Genetic susceptibility to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in mice induced by vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)

PubMed Central

Walters, Dianne M.; White, Kevin M.; Patel, Ushma; Davis, Martin J.; Veluci-Marlow, Roberta M.; Bhupanapadu Sunkesula, Solomon Raju; Bonner, James C.; Martin, Jessica R.; Gladwell, Wes; Kleeberger, Steven R.

2014-01-01

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are characterized by injury, inflammation, and scarring of alveoli, leading to impaired function. The etiology of idiopathic forms of ILD is not understood, making them particularly difficult to study due to the lack of appropriate animal models. Consequently, few effective therapies have emerged. We developed an inbred mouse model of ILD using vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), the most common form of a transition metal found in cigarette smoke, fuel ash, mineral ores, and steel alloys. Pulmonary responses to V2O5, including dose-dependent increases in lung permeability, inflammation, collagen content, and dysfunction, were significantly greater in DBA/2J mice compared to C57BL/6J mice. Inflammatory and fibrotic responses persisted for 4 mo in DBA/2J mice, while limited responses in C57BL/6J mice resolved. We investigated the genetic basis for differential responses through genetic mapping of V2O5-induced lung collagen content in BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains and identified significant linkage on chromosome 4 with candidate genes that associate with V2O5-induced collagen content across the RI strains. Results suggest that V2O5 may induce pulmonary fibrosis through mechanisms distinct from those in other models of pulmonary fibrosis. These findings should further advance our understanding of mechanisms involved in ILD and thereby aid in identification of new therapeutic targets.—Walters, D. M., White, K. M., Patel, U., Davis, M. J., Veluci-Marlow, R. M., Bhupanapadu Sunkesula, S. R., Bonner, J. C., Martin, J. R., Gladwell, W., Kleeberger, S. R. Genetic susceptibility to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in mice induced by vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). PMID:24285090
Deep levels in osmium doped p-type GaAs grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iqbal, M. Zafar; Majid, A.; Dadgar, A.; Bimberg, D.

2005-06-01

Results of a preliminary study on deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) investigations of osmium (Os) impurity in p-type GaAs, introduced in situ during MOCVD crystal growth, are reported for the first time. Os is clearly shown to introduce two prominent deep levels in the lower half-bandgap of GaAs at energy positions Ev + 0.42 eV (OsA) and Ev + 0.72 eV (OsB). A minority-carrier emitting defect feature observed in the upper half-bandgap is shown to consist of a band of Os-related deep levels with a concentration significantly higher than that of the majority carrier emitting deep levels. Detailed data on the emission rate signatures and related parameters of the Os-related deep levels are reported.
Identification of process related trace level impurities in the actinide decorporation agent 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO): Nozzle–skimmer fragmentation via ESI LC–QTOFMS

DOE PAGES

Panyala, Nagender R.; Sturzbecher-Hoehne, Manuel; Abergel, Rebecca J.

2014-08-12

We report that 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) is a chelating ligand and decorporation agent that can remove radioactive lanthanides and actinides from the body. Identification of trace impurities in drug samples is gaining much interest due to their significant influence on drug activity. In this study, trace impurities were detected in manufactured lots of 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) by a developed method of Liquid Chromatography coupled with photo-diode array UV detection and Electrospray Ionization-Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass spectrometry (LC-QTOFMS), via induced-in-source or collision-induced mass fragmentation (Nozzle-Skimmer Fragmentation). Molecular ions were fragmented within the nozzle-skimmer region of electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer equipped with a Timemore » of Flight detector. Eight major (detected at levels higher than a 0.1% threshold) and seven minor trace impurities were identified. The respective structures of these impurities were elucidated via analysis of the generated fragment ions using mass fragmentation and elemental composition software. Proposed structures of impurities were further confirmed via isotopic modeling.« less
Utilization of Photochemically Induced Fluorescence Detection for HPLC Determination of Genotoxic Impurities in the Vortioxetine Manufacturing Process.

PubMed

Douša, Michal; Doubský, Jan; Srbek, Jan

2016-07-01

An analytical reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the detection and quantitative determination of two genotoxic impurities at ppm level present in the vortioxetine manufacturing process is described. Applying the concept of threshold of toxicological concern, a limit of 75 ppm each for both genotoxic impurities was calculated based on the maximum daily dose of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The novel reversed-phase HPLC method with photochemically induced fluorescence detection was developed on XSELECT Charged Surface Hybrid Phenyl-Hexyl column using the mobile phase consisted a mixture of 10 mM ammonium formate pH 3.0 and acetonitrile. The elution was performed using an isocratic composition of 48:52 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The photochemically induced fluorescence detection is based on the use of UV irradiation at 254 nm through measuring the fluorescence intensity at 300 nm and an excitation wavelength of 272 nm to produce fluorescent derivatives of both genotoxic impurities. The online photochemical conversion and detection is easily accomplished for two expected genotoxic impurities and provides a sufficiently low limit detection and quantification for the target analysis. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Magnetic field effects on the local electronic structure near a single impurity in Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ling; Zhu, Jian-Xin; Tsai, Shan-Wen

2011-03-01

Impurities in graphene can have a significant effect on the local electronic structure of graphene when the Fermi level is near the Dirac point. We study the problem of an isolated impurity in a single layer graphene in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. We use a linearization approximation for the energy dispersion and employ a T-matrix formalism to calculate the Green's function. We investigate the effect of an external magnetic field on the Friedel oscillations and impurity-induced resonant states. Different types of impurities, such as vacancies, substitutional impurities, and adatoms, are also considered. LY and SWT acknowledge financial support from NSF(DMR-0847801)and from the UC Lab Fees Research Program.
Porous poly(benzimidazole) membrane for all vanadium redox flow battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Tao; David, Oana; Gendel, Youri; Wessling, Matthias

2016-04-01

Porous poly(benzimidazole) (PBI) membranes of low vanadium ions permeability are described for an all vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The PBI membrane was prepared by a water vapour induced phase inversion process of a PBI polymer solution. The membrane has a symmetrical cross-sectional morphology. A low water permeability of 16.5 L (m2 h bar)-1 indicates the high hydraulic resistance stemming from a closed cell morphology with nanoporous characteristics. The PBI membrane doped with 2.5 M H2SO4 shows a proton conductivity of 16.6 mS cm-1 and VO2+ permeability as low as 4.5 × 10-8 cm2 min-1. The stability test of dense PBI membrane in VO2+ solution indicates good chemical stability. An all vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) operated with the porous PBI membrane shows 98% coulombic efficiency and more than 10% higher energy efficiency compared to VRFB operated with Nafion 112 at applied current densities of 20-40 mA cm-2. High in situ stability of the porous PBI membrane was confirmed by about 50 cycles of continuous charge and discharge operation of the battery.
Effect of molybdenum, vanadium, boron on mechanical properties of high chromium white cast iron in as-cast condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurjaman, F.; Sumardi, S.; Shofi, A.; Aryati, M.; Suharno, B.

2016-02-01

In this experiment, the effect of the addition carbide forming elements on high chromium white cast iron, such as molybdenum, vanadium and boron on its mechanical properties and microstructure was investigated. The high chromium white cast iron was produced by casting process and formed in 50 mm size of grinding balls with several compositions. Characterization of these grinding balls was conducted by using some testing methods, such as: chemical and microstructure analysis, hardness, and impact test. From the results, the addition of molybdenum, vanadium, and boron on high chromium white cast iron provided a significant improvement on its hardness, but reduced its toughness. Molybdenum induced fully austenitic matrix and Mo2C formation among eutectic M7C3 carbide. Vanadium was dissolved in the matrix and carbide. While boron was played a role to form fine eutectic carbide. Grinding balls with 1.89 C-13.1 Cr-1.32 Mo-1.36 V-0.00051 B in as-cast condition had the highest hardness, which was caused by finer structure of eutectic carbide, needle like structure (upper bainite) matrix, and martensite on its carbide boundary.
Heavy Mg-doping of (Al,Ga)N films for potential applications in deep ultraviolet light-emitting structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Y. H.; Towe, E.

2018-03-01

Doping of high aluminum-containing (Al,Ga)N thin films has remained a challenging problem that has hindered progress in the development of deep ultraviolet light-emitters. This paper reports on the synthesis and use of heavily doped (Al,Ga)N films in deep ultraviolet (˜274 nm) light-emitting structures; these structures were synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy under liquid-metal growth conditions that facilitate the incorporation of extremely high density of Mg dopant impurities (up to 5 × 1019 cm-3) into aluminum-rich (Al,Ga)N thin films. Prototypical light-emitting diode structures incorporating Al0.7Ga0.3N films doped with Mg impurities that ionize to give free hole carrier concentrations of up to 6 × 1017 cm-3 exhibit external quantum efficiencies of up 0.56%; this is an improvement from previous devices made from molecular beam epitaxy-grown materials. This improvement is believed to be due to the high hole carrier concentration enabled by the relatively low activation energy of 220 meV compared to the expected values of 408-507 meV for Al0.7Ga0.3N films.

Double-injection, deep-impurity switch development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Selim, F. A.; Whitson, D. W.

1983-01-01

The overall objective of this program is the development of device design and process techniques for the fabrication of a double-injection, deep-impurity (DI)(2) silicon switch that operates in the 1-10 kV range with conduction current of 10 and 1A, respectively. Other major specifications include a holding voltage of 0 to 5 volts at 1 A anode current, 10 microsecond switching time, and power dissipation of 50 W at 75 C. This report describes work that shows how the results obtained at the University of Cincinnati under NASA Grant NSG-3022 have been applied to larger area and higher voltage devices. The investigations include theoretical, analytical, and experimental studies of device design and processing. Methods to introduce deep levels, such as Au diffusion and electron irradiation, have been carried out to "pin down' the Fermi level and control device-switching characteristics. Different anode, cathode, and gate configurations are presented. Techniques to control the surface electric field of planar structures used for (DI)(2) switches are examined. Various sections of this report describe the device design, wafer-processing techniques, and various measurements which include ac and dc characteristics, 4-point probe, and spreading resistance.
Theory of copper impurities in ZnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyons, John; Alkauskas, Audrius; Janotti, Anderson; van de Walle, Chris G.

Due to its connection to deep luminescence signals and its potential use as an acceptor dopant, copper has been one the most studied impurities in ZnO. From experiment, copper incorporating on the Zn site (CuZn) is known to lead to an acceptor level residing near the conduction band of ZnO, making CuZn an exceedingly deep acceptor. CuZn in ZnO has also long been linked with broad 2.4 eV green luminescence (GL) signals. In this work we explore the electrical and optical properties of Cu in ZnO using density functional theory (DFT). Due to the limitations of traditional forms of DFT, an accurate theoretical description of the electrical and optical properties of such deep centers has been difficult to achieve. Here we employ a screened hybrid density functional (HSE) to calculate the properties of Cu in ZnO. We determine the thermodynamic transition levels associated with CuZn in ZnO as well as the associated luminescence lineshapes of characteristic optical transitions. We find that HSE-calculated optical transitions are in close agreement with experimental studies. This work was supported in part by NSF and by ARO.
A functionalized surface modification with vanadium nanoparticles of various valences against implant-associated bloodstream infection.

PubMed

Wang, Jiaxing; Zhou, Huaijuan; Guo, Geyong; Cheng, Tao; Peng, Xiaochun; Mao, Xin; Li, Jinhua; Zhang, Xianlong

2017-01-01

Bloodstream infection, especially with implants involved, is an often life-threatening condition with high mortality rates, imposing a heavy burden on patients and medical systems. Herein, we firstly deposited homogeneous vanadium metal, V 2 O 3 , VO 2 , and V 2 O 5 nanofilms on quartz glass by magnetron sputtering. Using these platforms, we further investigated the potential antimicrobial efficiency of these nano-VO x films and the interactions of human erythrocytes and bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) with our samples in a novel cell-bacteria coculture model. It was demonstrated that these nano-VO x precipitated favorable antibacterial activity on both bacteria, especially on S. aureus , and this effect increased with higher vanadium valence. A possible mechanism accountable for these results might be elevated levels of vanadium-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species. More importantly, based on hemolysis assays, our nano-VO x films were found to be able to kill prokaryotic cells but were not toxic to mammalian cells, holding the potential for the prevention of implant-related hematogenous infections. As far as we know, this is the first report wherein such nano-VO x films have assisted human erythrocytes to combat bacteria in a valence-dependent manner. Additionally, vanadium ions were released from these nano-VO x films in a sustained manner, and low-valence films possessed better biocompatibility with human fibroblasts. This work may provide new insights for biomedical applications of inorganic vanadium compounds and attract growing attention in this field. From the perspective of surface modification and functionalization, this study holds promise to avail the prophylaxis of bloodstream infections involving implantable biomedical devices.
A functionalized surface modification with vanadium nanoparticles of various valences against implant-associated bloodstream infection

PubMed Central

Wang, Jiaxing; Zhou, Huaijuan; Guo, Geyong; Cheng, Tao; Peng, Xiaochun; Mao, Xin; Li, Jinhua; Zhang, Xianlong

2017-01-01

Bloodstream infection, especially with implants involved, is an often life-threatening condition with high mortality rates, imposing a heavy burden on patients and medical systems. Herein, we firstly deposited homogeneous vanadium metal, V2O3, VO2, and V2O5 nanofilms on quartz glass by magnetron sputtering. Using these platforms, we further investigated the potential antimicrobial efficiency of these nano-VOx films and the interactions of human erythrocytes and bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with our samples in a novel cell–bacteria coculture model. It was demonstrated that these nano-VOx precipitated favorable antibacterial activity on both bacteria, especially on S. aureus, and this effect increased with higher vanadium valence. A possible mechanism accountable for these results might be elevated levels of vanadium-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species. More importantly, based on hemolysis assays, our nano-VOx films were found to be able to kill prokaryotic cells but were not toxic to mammalian cells, holding the potential for the prevention of implant-related hematogenous infections. As far as we know, this is the first report wherein such nano-VOx films have assisted human erythrocytes to combat bacteria in a valence-dependent manner. Additionally, vanadium ions were released from these nano-VOx films in a sustained manner, and low-valence films possessed better biocompatibility with human fibroblasts. This work may provide new insights for biomedical applications of inorganic vanadium compounds and attract growing attention in this field. From the perspective of surface modification and functionalization, this study holds promise to avail the prophylaxis of bloodstream infections involving implantable biomedical devices. PMID:28458535
Chemically induced porosity on BiVO4 films produced by double magnetron sputtering to enhance the photo-electrochemical response.

PubMed

Thalluri, Sitaramanjaneya Mouli; Rojas, Roberto Mirabal; Rivera, Osmary Depablos; Hernández, Simelys; Russo, Nunzio; Rodil, Sandra Elizabeth

2015-07-21

Double magnetron sputtering (DMS) is an efficient system that is well known because of its precise control of the thin film synthesizing process over any kind of substrate. Here, DMS has been adopted to synthesize BiVO4 films over a conducting substrate (FTO), using metallic vanadium and ceramic Bi2O3 targets simultaneously. The films were characterized using different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and profilometry. The photo-electrochemical analysis was performed using linear scan voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) under the illumination of simulated solar light at 1 Sun. The photocurrent density of the sputtered BiVO4 thin films could be improved from 0.01 mA cm(-2) to 1.19 mA cm(-2) at 1.23 V vs. RHE by chemical treatment using potassium hydroxide (KOH). The effect of KOH was the removal of impurities from the grain boundaries, leading to a more porous structure and more pure crystalline monoclinic BiVO4 particles. Such variations in the microstructure as well as the improvement of the charge transfer properties of the BiVO4 film after the KOH treatment were confirmed and studied in depth by EIS analysis.
Secondary hardening steel having improved combination of hardness and toughness

DOEpatents

Parker, Earl R.; Zackay, Victor F.; Bhat, Manjeshwar S.; Garrison, Jr., Warren M.

1979-01-01

A secondary hardening alloy steel composition consisting essentially of about 0.25-0.5% carbon, about 0.5-1.0% manganese, about 1.5-3.0% nickel, about 0-1.0% chromium, about 1.75-2.5% molybdenum, about 0-0.4% vanadium, and an additive selected from about 1-3% aluminum and a combination of at least about 1% aluminum and at least about 1% silicon for a combined Al+Si content of about 2-4%, the balance being iron and impurity elements. The present steel composition has the following characteristics: it exhibits a flat tempering response, it is hardenable upon tempering to a Rockwell C hardness of at least 50, and it has an improved combination of hardness vs. toughness properties after tempering in the secondary hardening range. A method of preparation is also described.
First-Principles Study of Impurities in TlBr

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

Du, Mao-Hua

2012-01-01

TlBr is a promising semiconductor material for room-temperature radiation detection. Material purification has been the driver for the recent improvement in the TlBr detector performance, mainly reflected by the significant increase in the carrier mobility-lifetime product. This suggests that impurities have significant impact on the carrier transport in TlBr. In this paper, first-principles calculations are used to study the properties of a number of commonly observed impurities in TlBr. The impurity-induced gap states are presented and their effects on the carrier trapping are discussed.
First-principles study of impurities in TlBr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Mao-Hua

2012-04-01

TlBr is a promising semiconductor material for room-temperature radiation detection. Material purification has been the driver for the recent improvement in the TlBr detector performance, mainly reflected by the significant increase in the carrier mobility-lifetime product. This suggests that impurities have significant impact on the carrier transport in TlBr. In this paper, first-principles calculations are used to study the properties of a number of commonly observed impurities in TlBr. The impurity-induced gap states are presented and their effects on the carrier trapping are discussed.
Induced Superconductivity and Engineered Josephson Tunneling Devices in Epitaxial (111)-Oriented Gold/Vanadium Heterostructures.

PubMed

Wei, Peng; Katmis, Ferhat; Chang, Cui-Zu; Moodera, Jagadeesh S

2016-04-13

We report a unique experimental approach to create topological superconductors by inducing superconductivity into epitaxial metallic thin film with strong spin-orbit coupling. Utilizing molecular beam epitaxy technique under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, we are able to achieve (111) oriented single phase of gold (Au) thin film grown on a well-oriented vanadium (V) s-wave superconductor film with clean interface. We obtained atomically smooth Au thin films with thicknesses even down to below a nanometer showing near-ideal surface quality. The as-grown V/Au bilayer heterostructure exhibits superconducting transition at around 3.9 K. Clear Josephson tunneling and Andreev reflection are observed in S-I-S tunnel junctions fabricated from the epitaxial bilayers. The barrier thickness dependent tunneling and the associated subharmonic gap structures (SGS) confirmed the induced superconductivity in Au (111), paving the way for engineering thin film heterostructures based on p-wave superconductivity and nano devices exploiting Majorana Fermions for quantum computing.
Exploring the coordination change of vanadium and structure transformation of metavanadate MgV2O6 under high pressure

PubMed Central

Tang, Ruilian; Li, Yan; Xie, Shengyi; Li, Nana; Chen, Jiuhua; Gao, Chunxiao; Zhu, Pinwen; Wang, Xin

2016-01-01

Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD), first-principles calculations, and electrical resistivity measurements were carried out under high pressure to investigate the structural stability and electrical transport properties of metavanadate MgV2O6. The results have revealed the coordination change of vanadium ions (from 5+1 to 6) at around 4 GPa. In addition, a pressure-induced structure transformation from the C2/m phase to the C2 phase in MgV2O6 was detected above 20 GPa, and both phases coexisted up to the highest pressure. This structural phase transition was induced by the enhanced distortions of MgO6 octahedra and VO6 octahedra under high pressure. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity decreased with pressure but exhibited different slope for these two phases, indicating that the pressure-induced structural phase transitions of MgV2O6 was also accompanied by the obvious changes in its electrical transport behavior. PMID:27924843
Speciation of vanadium in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) and soils in response to different levels of vanadium in soils and cabbage growth.

PubMed

Tian, Liyan; Yang, Jinyan; Alewell, Christine; Huang, Jen-How

2014-09-01

This study highlights the accumulation and speciation of vanadium in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) in relation to the speciation of soil vanadium with pot experiments at 122-622mgVkg(-1) by spiking NH4VO3. Cabbage planting decreased the bioavailable and residual vanadium based on sequential extraction, leading to enrichment of oxalate-extractable vanadium in soils. The biomass production increased with increasing concentrations of soil vanadium from 122 to 372mgVkg(-1), probably due to the increasing nitrogen availability and low vanadium availability in our soils with a consequent low vanadium toxicity. Although the concentrations of root vanadium (14.4-24.9mgVkg(-1)) related positively with soil vanadium, the bio-dilution alleviated the increase of leaf vanadium (2.1-2.7mgVkg(-1)). The predominance of vanadium(IV) in leaves (∼60-80% of total vanadium) indicates bio-reduction of vanadium in Chinese cabbage, since the mobile vanadium in oxic soils was usually pentavalent. Approximately 15-20% of the leaf vanadium was associated with recalcitrant leaf tissues. The majority of leaf vanadium was water and ethanol extractable, which is considered mobile and may cause more toxic effects on Chinese cabbage. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Proof-of-concept experiment for on-line laser induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of impurity layer deposited on optical window and other plasma facing components of Aditya tokamak

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

Maurya, Gulab Singh; Kumar, Rohit; Rai, Awadhesh Kumar, E-mail: awadheshkrai@rediffmail.com

2015-12-15

In the present manuscript, we demonstrate the design of an experimental setup for on-line laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis of impurity layers deposited on specimens of interest for fusion technology, namely, plasma-facing components (PFCs) of a tokamak. For investigation of impurities deposited on PFCs, LIBS spectra of a tokamak wall material like a stainless steel sample (SS304) have been recorded through contaminated and cleaned optical windows. To address the problem of identification of dust and gases present inside the tokamak, we have shown the capability of the apparatus to record LIBS spectra of gases. A new approach known asmore » “back collection method” to record LIBS spectra of impurities deposited on the inner surface of optical window is presented.« less
Process optimization for diffusion bonding of tungsten with EUROFER97 using a vanadium interlayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basuki, Widodo Widjaja; Aktaa, Jarir

2015-04-01

Solid-state diffusion bonding is a selected joining technology to bond divertor components consisting of tungsten and EUROFER97 for application in fusion power plants. Due to the large mismatch in their coefficient of thermal expansions, which leads to serious thermally induced residual stresses after bonding, a thin vanadium plate is introduced as an interlayer. However, the diffusion of carbon originated from EUROFER97 in the vanadium interlayer during the bonding process can form a vanadium carbide layer, which has detrimental influences on the mechanical properties of the joint. For optimal bonding results, the thickness of this layer and the residual stresses has to be decreased sufficiently without a significant reduction of material transport especially at the vanadium/tungsten interface, which can be achieved by varying the diffusion bonding temperature and duration. The investigation results show that at a sufficiently low bonding temperature of 700 °C and a bonding duration of 4 h, the joint reaches a reasonable high ductility and toughness especially at elevated test temperature of 550 °C with elongation to fracture of 20% and mean absorbed Charpy impact energy of 2 J (using miniaturized Charpy impact specimens). The strength of the bonded materials is about 332 MPa at RT and 291 MPa at 550 °C. Furthermore, a low bonding temperature of 700 °C can also help to avoid the grain coarsening and the alteration of the grain structure especially of the EUROFER97 close to the bond interface.
Enhanced electronic and magnetic properties by functionalization of monolayer GaS via substitutional doping and adsorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Altaf Ur; Rahman, Gul; Kratzer, Peter

2018-05-01

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of two-dimensional (2D) GaS are investigated using density functional theory (DFT). After confirming that the pristine 2D GaS is a non-magnetic, indirect band gap semiconductor, we consider N and F as substitutional dopants or adsorbed atoms. Except for N substituting for Ga (NGa), all considered cases are found to possess a magnetic moment. Fluorine, both in its atomic and molecular form, undergoes a highly exothermic reaction with GaS. Its site preference (FS or FGa) as substitutional dopant depends on Ga-rich or S-rich conditions. Both for FGa and F adsorption at the Ga site, a strong F–Ga bond is formed, resulting in broken bonds within the GaS monolayer. As a result, FGa induces p-type conductivity in GaS, whereas FS induces a dispersive, partly occupied impurity band about 0.5 e below the conduction band edge of GaS. Substitutional doping with N at both the S and the Ga site is exothermic when using N atoms, whereas only the more favourable site under the prevailing conditions can be accessed by the less reactive N2 molecules. While NGa induces a deep level occupied by one electron at 0.5 eV above the valence band, non-magnetic NS impurities in sufficiently high concentrations modify the band structure such that a direct transition between N-induced states becomes possible. This effect can be exploited to render monolayer GaS a direct-band gap semiconductor for optoelectronic applications. Moreover, functionalization by N or F adsorption on GaS leads to in-gap states with characteristic transition energies that can be used to tune light absorption and emission. These results suggest that GaS is a good candidate for design and construction of 2D optoelectronic and spintronics devices.
Enhanced electronic and magnetic properties by functionalization of monolayer GaS via substitutional doping and adsorption.

PubMed

Ur Rahman, Altaf; Rahman, Gul; Kratzer, Peter

2018-05-16

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of two-dimensional (2D) GaS are investigated using density functional theory (DFT). After confirming that the pristine 2D GaS is a non-magnetic, indirect band gap semiconductor, we consider N and F as substitutional dopants or adsorbed atoms. Except for N substituting for Ga (N Ga ), all considered cases are found to possess a magnetic moment. Fluorine, both in its atomic and molecular form, undergoes a highly exothermic reaction with GaS. Its site preference (F S or F Ga ) as substitutional dopant depends on Ga-rich or S-rich conditions. Both for F Ga and F adsorption at the Ga site, a strong F-Ga bond is formed, resulting in broken bonds within the GaS monolayer. As a result, F Ga induces p-type conductivity in GaS, whereas F S induces a dispersive, partly occupied impurity band about 0.5 e below the conduction band edge of GaS. Substitutional doping with N at both the S and the Ga site is exothermic when using N atoms, whereas only the more favourable site under the prevailing conditions can be accessed by the less reactive N 2 molecules. While N Ga induces a deep level occupied by one electron at 0.5 eV above the valence band, non-magnetic N S impurities in sufficiently high concentrations modify the band structure such that a direct transition between N-induced states becomes possible. This effect can be exploited to render monolayer GaS a direct-band gap semiconductor for optoelectronic applications. Moreover, functionalization by N or F adsorption on GaS leads to in-gap states with characteristic transition energies that can be used to tune light absorption and emission. These results suggest that GaS is a good candidate for design and construction of 2D optoelectronic and spintronics devices.
The effects of deep level traps on the electrical properties of semi-insulating CdZnTe

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

Zha, Gangqiang; Yang, Jian; Xu, Lingyan

2014-01-28

Deep level traps have considerable effects on the electrical properties and radiation detection performance of high resistivity CdZnTe. A deep-trap model for high resistivity CdZnTe was proposed in this paper. The high resistivity mechanism and the electrical properties were analyzed based on this model. High resistivity CdZnTe with high trap ionization energy E{sub t} can withstand high bias voltages. The leakage current is dependent on both the deep traps and the shallow impurities. The performance of a CdZnTe radiation detector will deteriorate at low temperatures, and the way in which sub-bandgap light excitation could improve the low temperature performance canmore » be explained using the deep trap model.« less
Study of the effects of impurities on the properties of silicon solar cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sah, C. T.

1981-01-01

The effect of defects across the back-surface-field junction on the performance of high efficiency and thin solar cells, using a developed-perimeter device model for the three-dimensional defects is investigated. Significant degradation of open-circuit voltage can occur even if there are only a few defects distributed in the bulk of the solar cell. Two features in the thickness dependences of the fill factor and efficiency in impurity-doped back-surface-field solar cells are discovered in the exact numerical solution which are associated with the high injection level effect in the base and not predicted by the low-level analytical theory. What are believed to be the most accurate recombination parameters at the Ti center to date are also given and a theory is developed which is capable of distinguishing an acceptor-like deep level from a donor-like deep level using the measured values of the thermal emission and capture cross sections.
Continuous profiles of microstructure, stable water isotopes and impurity content of the 2m snow pack from three polar drill sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitag, Johannes; Schaller, Christoph; Kipfstuhl, Sepp; Hörhold, Maria; Schaidt, Maximilian; Sander, Merle; Moser, Dorothea

2017-04-01

Interpreting polar ice as climate archive requires profound knowledge about the formation of climate-proxies within the upper snow column. In order to investigate different impact factors on signal formation we performed a multiproxy- approach for 2m deep snow profiles by continuously measuring the 3D-microstructure using core-scale X-CT and the isotopic composition and impurity load in discrete samples of 1.1cm spatial resolution. The study includes profiles from a low-accumulation site on the East Antarctic plateau (Kohnen Station, DML), a typical medium-accumulation site on the North-East-Greenland ice sheet (EGRIP drilling camp) and a high-accumulation site on the Renland ice cap (East-coast of Greenland, RECAP drilling camp). Major observations are the tooth-shaped imprint of structural anisotropy and sulfate concentrations at the low accumulation site, the clear isotopic inter-annual variations that are in line with distinct impurity peaks at the high-accumulation site and the unexpected missing footprint of ice crusts and refrozen melt layers within the impurity- and isotope records for all sites.
Suppression of Superfluid Density and the Pseudogap State in the Cuprates by Impurities

DOE PAGES

Erdenemunkh, Unurbat; Koopman, Brian; Fu, Ling; ...

2016-12-16

Here, we use scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to study magnetic Fe impurities intentionally doped into the high-temperature superconductor Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+δ. Our spectroscopic measurements reveal that Fe impurities introduce low-lying resonances in the density of states at Ω 1 ≈ 4 meV and Ω 2 ≈ 15 meV , allowing us to determine that, despite having a large magnetic moment, potential scattering of quasiparticles by Fe impurities dominates magnetic scattering. In addition, using high-resolution spatial characterizations of the local density of states near and away from Fe impurities, we detail the spatial extent of impurity-affected regions as wellmore » as provide a local view of impurity-induced effects on the superconducting and pseudogap states. Lastly, our studies of Fe impurities, when combined with a reinterpretation of earlier STM work in the context of a two-gap scenario, allow us to present a unified view of the atomic-scale effects of elemental impurities on the pseudogap and superconducting states in hole-doped cuprates; this may help resolve a previously assumed dichotomy between the effects of magnetic and nonmagnetic impurities in these materials.« less
The infrared spectrum of matrix isolated hydrogen and deuterium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Warren, J. A.; Smith, G. R.; Guillory, W. A.

1980-01-01

The induced infrared spectra of H2 and D2, trapped in matrices of Ar, Kr, N2, CO, have been investigated. It is found that in Ar and Kr, the pure rotation spectrum is always readily observable. Portions of the fundamental region, however, are induced by impurities, while the entire spectrum is impurity induced in N2 matrices. These results are discussed in light of a recent Raman study of this system, and in comparison with several single crystal studies. Effective rotational and vibrational constants for matrix isolated H2 are also given.

Effects of the impurity-host interactions on the nonradiative processes in ZnS:Cr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tablero, C.

2010-11-01

There is a great deal of controversy about whether the behavior of an intermediate band in the gap of semiconductors is similar or not to the deep-gap levels. It can have significant consequences, for example, on the nonradiative recombination. In order to analyze the behavior of an intermediate band, we have considered the effect of the inward and outward displacements corresponding to breathing and longitudinal modes of Cr-doped ZnS and on the charge density for different processes involved in the nonradiative recombination using first-principles. This metal-doped zinc chalcogenide has a partially filled band within the host semiconductor gap. In contrast to the properties exhibited by deep-gap levels in other systems, we find small variations in the equilibrium configurations, forces, and electronic density around the Cr when the nonradiative recombination mechanisms modify the intermediate band charge. The charge density around the impurity is equilibrated in response to the perturbations in the equilibrium nuclear configuration and the charge of the intermediate band. The equilibration follows a Le Chatelier principle through the modification of the contribution from the impurity to the intermediate band and to the valence band. The intermediate band introduced by Cr in ZnS for the concentrations analyzed makes the electronic capture difficult and later multiphonon emission in the charge-transfer processes, in accordance with experimental results.
Quenched-in defects in flashlamp-annealed silicon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borenstein, J. T.; Jones, J. T.; Corbett, J. W.; Oehrlein, G. S.; Kleinhenz, R. L.

1986-01-01

Deep levels introduced in boron-doped silicon by heat-pulse annealing with a tungsten-halogen flashlamp are investigated using deep-level transient spectroscopy. Two majority-carrier trapping levels in the band gap, at Ev + 0.32 eV and at Ev + 0.45 eV, are observed. These results are compared to those obtained by furnace-quenching and laser-annealing studies. Both the position in the gap and the annealing kinetics of the hole trap at Ev + 0.45 eV suggest that this center is due to an interstitial iron impurity in the lattice. The deep levels are not consistently observed in all flashlamp-annealed Si crystals utilized.
Ramifications of codoping SrI2:Eu with isovalent and aliovalent impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qingguo; Biswas, Koushik

2016-12-01

Eu2+ doped SrI2 is an important scintillator having applications in the field of radiation detection. Codoping techniques are often useful to improve the electronic response of such insulators. Using first-principles based approach, we report on the properties of SrI2:Eu and the influence of codoping with aliovalent (Na, Cs) and isovalent (Mg, Ca, Ba, and Sn) impurities. These codopants do not preferably bind with Eu and are expected to remain as isolated impurities in the SrI2 host. As isolated defects they display amphoteric behavior having, in most cases, significant ionization energies of the donor and acceptor levels. Furthermore, the acceptor states of Na, Cs, and Mg can bind with I-vacancy forming charge compensated donor-acceptor pairs. Such pairs may also bind additional holes or electrons similar to the isolated defects. Lack of deep-to-shallow behavior upon codoping and its ramifications will be discussed.
Hydrogen passivation and multiple hydrogen-Hg vacancy complex impurities (nH-VHg, n = 1,2,3,4) in Hg0.75Cd0.25Te

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, L.; Tang, D. H.; Qu, X. D.; Sun, L. Z.; Lu, Wei; Zhong, J. X.

2011-09-01

Using first-principles method within the framework of the density functional theory, we study the formation energies and the binding energies of multiple hydrogen-mercury vacancy complex impurities (nH-VHg, n = 1,2,3,4) in Hg0.75Cd0.25Te. We find that, when mercury vacancies exist in Hg0.75Cd0.25Te, the formation of the complex impurity between H and VHg (1H-VHg) is easy and its binding energy is up to 0.56 eV. In this case, the deep acceptor level of mercury vacancy is passivated. As the hydrogen concentration increases, we find that the complex impurity between VHg and two hydrogen atoms (2H-VHg) is more stable than 1H-VHg. This complex passivates both the two acceptor levels introduced by mercury vacancy and neutralizes the p-type dopant characteristics of VHg in Hg0.75Cd0.25Te. Moreover, we find that the complex impurities formed by one VHg and three or four H atoms (3H-VHg, 4H-VHg) are still stable in Hg0.75Cd0.25Te, changing the VHg doped p-type Hg0.75Cd0.25Te to n-type material.
Current induced polycrystalline-to-crystalline transformation in vanadium dioxide nanowires

PubMed Central

Jeong, Junho; Yong, Zheng; Joushaghani, Arash; Tsukernik, Alexander; Paradis, Suzanne; Alain, David; Poon, Joyce K. S.

2016-01-01

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) exhibits a reversible insulator-metal phase transition that is of significant interest in energy-efficient nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices. In these applications, crystalline materials are usually preferred for their superior electrical transport characteristics as well as spatial homogeneity and low surface roughness over the device area for reduced scattering. Here, we show applied electrical currents can induce a permanent reconfiguration of polycrystalline VO2 nanowires into crystalline nanowires, resulting in a dramatically reduced hysteresis across the phase transition and reduced resistivity. Low currents below 3 mA were sufficient to cause the local temperature in the VO2 to reach about 1780 K to activate the irreversible polycrystalline-to-crystalline transformation. The crystallinity was confirmed by electron microscopy and diffraction analyses. This simple yet localized post-processing of insulator-metal phase transition materials may enable new methods of studying and fabricating nanoscale structures and devices formed from these materials. PMID:27892519
Electrochemically-Induced Redox Reactions in Basalt at High Pressure and Temperature: An Iron and Vanadium K-edge XANES Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavner, A.; Walker, D.; Newville, M.; Sutton, S. R.

2005-12-01

An applied electric field across a silicate sample at high pressures and temperatures in a piston cylinder apparatus can generate a wide range of oxidation states of polyvalent cations within a single experiment. If two or more polyvalent cations are included, this technique can be used to cross-calibrate oxybarometers within a single experiment. The redox state of Fe and V within a partially melted basaltic silicate was manipulated in situ in a piston-cylinder experiment with a DC power supply providing a source and sink of electrons to the sample. A 1V electrical potential differential was applied across vanadium-doped and Fe-bearing synthetic basalt samples for 24 hrs. at 20 kbar and 1400°C in a specially-designed piston cylinder sample assembly. Three experiments were performed: a control sample with no applied voltage, one with bottom cathode and top anode, and a third with top cathode and bottom anode. Synchrotron-based x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used to provide spot analysis of iron and vanadium oxidation states with 5μm x 5μm spatial resolution throughout the recovered samples. Systematic spatial changes of increasing oxidation states of V and Fe were observed approaching the anode. The differences in oxidation states were mapped to a corresponding local effective oxygen fugacity by comparison and extension of a calibration of vanadium oxidation states as a function of controlled oxygen fugacity from a previous study (Sutton et al., 2005, GCA, vol. 69, pp. 2333-2348). The vanadium mapping indicates that a 1V potential drop across the sample induces effective oxygen fugacity perturbations in excess of ten orders of magnitude. The presence of both Fe and V within the same sample provides a wide range of oxygen fugacity cross-calibration in these recovered samples. A relationship between oxygen fugacity and electrochemical driving force is derived. The experimental results are in good agreement with the derived relationship between applied electrochemical potential difference (the 1V in this experiment), and corresponding calculated oxygen fugacity.
Spin and orbital disordering by hole doping in P r1 -xC axV O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reehuis, M.; Ulrich, C.; Abdala, P. M.; Pattison, P.; Khaliullin, G.; Fujioka, J.; Miyasaka, S.; Tokura, Y.; Keimer, B.

2016-09-01

High-resolution powder x-ray diffraction and single-crystal neutron diffraction were used to investigate the crystal structure and magnetic ordering of the compound P r1 -xC axV O3 (0 ≤x ≤0.3 ), which undergoes an insulator-to-metal transition for x ˜0.23 . Since the ionic radii of P r3 + and C a2 + are almost identical and structural disorder is minimal, P r1 -xC axV O3 is a good model system for the influence of hole doping on the spin and orbital correlations in transition metal oxides. The end member PrV O3 is a Mott-Hubbard insulator, which exhibits a structural phase transition at TS=180 K from an orthorhombic to a monoclinic structure with space groups Pbnm and P 21/b , respectively. This transition is associated with the onset of orbital ordering and strong Jahn-Teller distortions of the V O6 octahedra. Antiferromagnetic C -type order with vanadium moments oriented in the a b plane is observed below TN=140 K . Upon cooling, the vanadium moments induce a progressive magnetic polarization of the praseodymium sublattice, resulting in a ferrimagnetic structure with coexisting modes (Cx, Fy) and (Fx, Cy). In the insulating range of the P r1 -xC axV O3 phase diagram, Ca doping reduces both the orbital and magnetic transition temperatures so that TS=108 K and TN=95 K for x =0.20 . The Jahn-Teller distortions and ordered vanadium moments also decrease upon doping. In a metallic sample with x =0.30 , Jahn-Teller distortions and long-range orbital ordering are no longer observable, and the average crystal structure remains orthorhombic down to low temperature. However, broadening of some lattice Bragg reflections indicate a significant increase in lattice strain. Antiferromagnetic short-range order with a weak ordered moment of 0.14(3) μB per vanadium atom could still be observed on the vanadium site below T ˜60 K . We discuss these observations in terms of doping-induced spin-orbital polaron formation.
Capacitance Techniques | Photovoltaic Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

transient spectroscopy generated graph showing six defect levels; DLTS signal (Y-axis) versus Temperature (X -axis). DLTS characterizes defect levels to assist in identification of impurities and potential levels of interface states (or both) that often exist between the surfaces of dissimilar materials. Deep
Transport Simulations of DIII-D Discharges with Impurity Injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandrekas, J.; Stacey, W. M.; Murakami, M.

2001-10-01

Several recent DIII-D discharges with external impurity injection into L-mode plasmas are analyzed with a coupled main plasma and multi-charge state 1frac 12-D impurity transport code. These discharges exhibit various degrees of confinement improvement, which has been attributed to the synergistic effects of impurity induced enhancement of the E×B shearing rate and reduction of the drift wave turbulence growth rate (M. Murakami, et. al., Nucl. Fusion 41) (2001) 317.. Impurity transport is described by empirical and neoclassical transport models. Both the standard neoclassical theory as well as an enhanced theory which takes into account the effects of external momentum input and radial momentum transport (W.M. Stacey, Phys. Plasmas 8) (2001) 158. have been considered.
Formation Energies and Electronic Properties of Vanadium Carbides Found in High Strength Steel Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limmer, Krista; Medvedeva, Julia

2013-03-01

Carbide formation and stabilization in steels is of great interest owing to its effect on the microstructure and properties of the Fe-based alloys. The appearance of carbides with different metal/C ratios strongly depends on the carbon concentration, alloy composition as well as the heat treatment. Strong carbide-forming elements such as Ti, V, and Nb have been used in microalloyed steels; with VC showing an increased solubility in the iron matrix as compared with TiC and NbC. This allows for dissolution of the VC into the steel during heating and fine precipitation during cooling. In addition to VC, the primary vanadium carbide with cubic structure, a wide range of non-stoichiometric compositions VCy with y varying from 0.72 to 0.88, has been observed. This range includes two ordered compounds, V8C7 and V6C5. In this study, first-principles density functional theory (DFT) is employed to examine the stability of the binary carbides by calculating their formation energies. We compare the local structures (atomic coordination, bond distances and angles) and the density of states in optimized geometries of the carbides. Further, the effect of alloying additions, such as niobium and titanium, on the carbide stabilization is investigated. We determine the energetically preferable substitutional atom location in each carbide and study the impurity distribution as well as its role in the carbide formation energy and electronic structure.
Synthesis of Nanostructured Carbides of Titanium and Vanadium from Metal Oxides and Ferroalloys Through High-energy Mechanical Milling and Heat Treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, P.; Jian, P. F.; Seong, K. Y.; Seng, G. S.; Masrom, A. K.; Hussain, Z.; Aziz, A.

2010-03-01

Carbides of Ti and V have been synthesized directly from their oxides and ferroalloys through mechanical milling and heat treatment. The powder mixtures are milled in a planetary ball mill from 15-80 hours and subsequently heat treated at 1000-1300° C for TiO2-C mixtures, at 500-550° C for V2O5-C mixtures and at 600-1000° C for (Fe-V)-C mixtures. The milled and heat treated powders are characterized by SEM, EDAX, XRD, and BET techniques. Nanostructured TiC has been successfully synthesized under suitable processing conditions. However, carbides of vanadium is unidentified even though possibilities of V2O5-C reaction are indicated with an extent of induced amorphism in the powder mixture. Density, specific surface area and particle size of the milled and heat treated mixtures are correlated with heat treatment temperatures. Similar attempts are also made to synthesize vanadium carbides from industrial grade Fe-V.
Hydrogen-induced morphotropic phase transformation of single-crystalline vanadium dioxide nanobeams.

PubMed

Hong, Woong-Ki; Park, Jong Bae; Yoon, Jongwon; Kim, Bong-Joong; Sohn, Jung Inn; Lee, Young Boo; Bae, Tae-Sung; Chang, Sung-Jin; Huh, Yun Suk; Son, Byoungchul; Stach, Eric A; Lee, Takhee; Welland, Mark E

2013-04-10

We report a morphotropic phase transformation in vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanobeams annealed in a high-pressure hydrogen gas, which leads to the stabilization of metallic phases. Structural analyses show that the annealed VO2 nanobeams are hexagonal-close-packed structures with roughened surfaces at room temperature, unlike as-grown VO2 nanobeams with the monoclinic structure and with clean surfaces. Quantitative chemical examination reveals that the hydrogen significantly reduces oxygen in the nanobeams with characteristic nonlinear reduction kinetics which depend on the annealing time. Surprisingly, the work function and the electrical resistance of the reduced nanobeams follow a similar trend to the compositional variation due mainly to the oxygen-deficiency-related defects formed at the roughened surfaces. The electronic transport characteristics indicate that the reduced nanobeams are metallic over a large range of temperatures (room temperature to 383 K). Our results demonstrate the interplay between oxygen deficiency and structural/electronic phase transitions, with implications for engineering electronic properties in vanadium oxide systems.
Semiconductor-metal phase transition of vanadium dioxide nanostructures on silicon substrate: Applications for thermal control of spacecraft

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

Leahu, G. L., E-mail: roberto.livoti@uniroma1.it; Li Voti, R., E-mail: roberto.livoti@uniroma1.it; Larciprete, M. C., E-mail: roberto.livoti@uniroma1.it

2014-06-19

We present a detailed infrared study of the semiconductor-to-metal transition (SMT) in a vanadium dioxide (VO2) film deposited on silicon wafer. The VO2 phase transition is studied in the mid-infrared (MIR) region by analyzing the transmittance and the reflectance measurements, and the calculated emissivity. The temperature behaviour of the emissivity during the SMT put into evidence the phenomenon of the anomalous absorption in VO2 which has been explained by applying the Maxwell Garnett effective medium approximation theory, together with a strong hysteresis phenomenon, both useful to design tunable thermal devices to be applied for the thermal control of spacecraft. Wemore » have also applied the photothermal radiometry in order to study the changes in the modulated emissivity induced by laser. Experimental results show how the use of these techniques represent a good tool for a quantitative measurement of the optothermal properties of vanadium dioxide based structures.« less
Vanadium Respiration by Geobacter metallireducens: Novel Strategy for In Situ Removal of Vanadium from Groundwater

PubMed Central

Ortiz-Bernad, Irene; Anderson, Robert T.; Vrionis, Helen A.; Lovley, Derek R.

2004-01-01

Vanadium can be an important contaminant in groundwaters impacted by mining activities. In order to determine if microorganisms of the Geobacteraceae, the predominant dissimilatory metal reducers in many subsurface environments, were capable of reducing vanadium(V), Geobacter metallireducens was inoculated into a medium in which acetate was the electron donor and vanadium(V) was the sole electron acceptor. Reduction of vanadium(V) resulted in the production of vanadium(IV), which subsequently precipitated. Reduction of vanadium(V) was associated with cell growth with a generation time of 15 h. No vanadium(V) was reduced and no precipitate was formed in heat-killed or abiotic controls. Acetate was the most effective of all the electron donors evaluated. When acetate was injected into the subsurface to enhance the growth and activity of Geobacteraceae in an aquifer contaminated with uranium and vanadium, vanadium was removed from the groundwater even more effectively than uranium. These studies demonstrate that G. metallireducens can grow via vanadium(V) respiration and that stimulating the activity of Geobacteraceae, and hence vanadium(V) reduction, can be an effective strategy for in situ immobilization of vanadium in contaminated subsurface environments. PMID:15128571
Inhalative Exposure to Vanadium Pentoxide Causes DNA Damage in Workers: Results of a Multiple End Point Study

PubMed Central

Ehrlich, Veronika A.; Nersesyan, Armen K.; Hoelzl, Christine; Ferk, Franziska; Bichler, Julia; Valic, Eva; Schaffer, Andreas; Schulte-Hermann, Rolf; Fenech, Michael; Wagner, Karl-Heinz; Knasmüller, Siegfried

2008-01-01

Background Inhalative exposure to vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) causes lung cancer in rodents. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of V2O5 on DNA stability in workers from a V2O5 factory. Methods We determined DNA strand breaks in leukocytes of 52 workers and controls using the alkaline comet assay. We also investigated different parameters of chromosomal instability in lymphocytes of 23 workers and 24 controls using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) cytome method. Results Seven of eight biomarkers were increased in blood cells of the workers, and vanadium plasma concentrations in plasma were 7-fold higher than in the controls (0.31 μg/L). We observed no difference in DNA migration under standard conditions, but we found increased tail lengths due to formation of oxidized purines (7%) and pyrimidines (30%) with lesion-specific enzymes (formamidopyrimidine glycosylase and endonuclease III) in the workers. Bleomycin-induced DNA migration was higher in the exposed group (25%), whereas the repair of bleomycin-induced lesions was reduced. Workers had a 2.5-fold higher MN frequency, and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (Nbuds) were increased 7-fold and 3-fold, respectively. Also, apoptosis and necrosis rates were higher, but only the latter parameter reached statistical significance. Conclusions V2O5 causes oxidation of DNA bases, affects DNA repair, and induces formation of MNs, NPBs, and Nbuds in blood cells, suggesting that the workers are at increased risk for cancer and other diseases that are related to DNA instability. PMID:19079721
Impurity gettering in silicon using cavities formed by helium implantation and annealing

DOEpatents

Myers, Jr., Samuel M.; Bishop, Dawn M.; Follstaedt, David M.

1998-01-01

Impurity gettering in silicon wafers is achieved by a new process consisting of helium ion implantation followed by annealing. This treatment creates cavities whose internal surfaces are highly chemically reactive due to the presence of numerous silicon dangling bonds. For two representative transition-metal impurities, copper and nickel, the binding energies at cavities were demonstrated to be larger than the binding energies in precipitates of metal silicide, which constitutes the basis of most current impurity gettering. As a result the residual concentration of such impurities after cavity gettering is smaller by several orders of magnitude than after precipitation gettering. Additionally, cavity gettering is effective regardless of the starting impurity concentration in the wafer, whereas precipitation gettering ceases when the impurity concentration reaches a characteristic solubility determined by the equilibrium phase diagram of the silicon-metal system. The strong cavity gettering was shown to induce dissolution of metal-silicide particles from the opposite side of a wafer.
Impurity gettering in silicon using cavities formed by helium implantation and annealing

DOEpatents

Myers, S.M. Jr.; Bishop, D.M.; Follstaedt, D.M.

1998-11-24

Impurity gettering in silicon wafers is achieved by a new process consisting of helium ion implantation followed by annealing. This treatment creates cavities whose internal surfaces are highly chemically reactive due to the presence of numerous silicon dangling bonds. For two representative transition-metal impurities, copper and nickel, the binding energies at cavities were demonstrated to be larger than the binding energies in precipitates of metal silicide, which constitutes the basis of most current impurity gettering. As a result the residual concentration of such impurities after cavity gettering is smaller by several orders of magnitude than after precipitation gettering. Additionally, cavity gettering is effective regardless of the starting impurity concentration in the wafer, whereas precipitation gettering ceases when the impurity concentration reaches a characteristic solubility determined by the equilibrium phase diagram of the silicon-metal system. The strong cavity gettering was shown to induce dissolution of metal-silicide particles from the opposite side of a wafer. 4 figs.
Impurity doping: a novel strategy for controllable synthesis of functional lanthanide nanomaterials.

PubMed

Chen, Daqin; Wang, Yuansheng

2013-06-07

Many technological nanomaterials are intentionally 'doped' by introducing appropriate amounts of foreign elements into hosts to impart electronic, magnetic and optical properties. In fact, impurity doping was recently found to have significant influence on nucleation and growth of many functional nanocrystals (NCs), and provide a fundamental approach to modify the crystallographic phase, size, morphology, and electronic configuration of nanomaterials. In this feature article, we provide an overview of the most recent progresses in doping-induced control of phase structures, sizes, shapes, as well as performances of functional nanomaterials for the first time. Two kinds of impurity doping strategies, including the homo-valence ion doping and hetero-valence ion doping, are discussed in detail. We lay emphases on impurity doping induced modifications of microstructures and optical properties of upconversion (UC) lanthanide (Ln(3+)) NCs, but do not limit to them. In addition, we also illustrate the control of Ln(3+) activator distribution in the core@shell architecture, which has recently provided scientists with new opportunities for designing and tuning the multi-color emissions of Ln(3+)-doped UC NCs. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of this novel impurity doping strategy are pointed out.
Impurity bound states in d-wave superconductors with subdominant order parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mashkoori, Mahdi; Björnson, Kristofer; Black-Schaffer, Annica

Single magnetic impurity induces intra-gap bound states in conventional s-wave superconductors (SCs) but, in d-wave SCs only virtual bound states can be induced. However, in small cuprate islands a fully gapped spectrum has recently been discovered. In this work, we investigate the real bound states due to potential and magnetic impurities in the two candidate fully gapped states for this system: the topologically trivial d + is -wave state and the topologically non-trivial d + id' -wave (chiral d-wave state). Using the analytic T-matrix formalism and self-consistent numerical tight-binding lattice calculations, we show that potential and magnetic impurities create entirely different intra-gap bound states in d + is -wave and chiral d-wave SCs. Therefore, our results suggest that the bound states mainly depend on the subdominant order parameter. Considering that recent experiments have demonstrated an access to adjustable coupling J, impurities thus offer an intriguing way to clearly distinguish between the chiral d-wave and topologically trivial d + is -wave state. This work was supported by Swedish Research Council, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, the Wallenberg Academy Fellows program and the Göran Gustafsson Foundation. The computations were performed on resources provided by SNIC at LUNARC.
Method of preparing doped oxide catalysts for lean NOx exhaust

DOEpatents

Park, Paul W.

2004-03-09

The lean NOx catalyst includes a substrate, an oxide support material, preferably .gamma.-alumina deposited on the substrate and a metal or metal oxide promoter or dopant introduced into the oxide support material. The metal promoters or dopants are selected from the group consisting of indium, gallium, tin, silver, germanium, gold, nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, chromium cerium, and vanadium, and oxides thereof, and any combinations thereof. The .gamma.-alumina preferably has a pore volume of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 cc/g; a surface area of between 80 and 350 m.sup.2 /g; an average pore size diameter of between about 3 to 30 nm; and an impurity level of less than or equal to about 0.2 weight percent. In a preferred embodiment the .gamma.-alumina is prepared by a sol-gel method, with the metal doping of the .gamma.-alumina preferably accomplished using an incipient wetness impregnation technique.

Local nature of impurity induced spin-orbit torques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolaev, Sergey; Kalitsov, Alan; Chshiev, Mairbec; Mryasov, Oleg

Spin-orbit torques are of a great interest due to their potential applications for spin electronics. Generally, it originates from strong spin orbit coupling of heavy 4d/5d elements and its mechanism is usually attributed either to the Spin Hall effect or Rashba spin-orbit coupling. We have developed a quantum-mechanical approach based on the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism and tight binding Hamiltonian model to study spin-orbit torques and extended our theory for the case of extrinsic spin-orbit coupling induced by impurities. For the sake of simplicity, we consider a magnetic material on a two dimensional lattice with a single non-magnetic impurity. However, our model can be easily extended for three dimensional layered heterostructures. Based on our calculations, we present the detailed analysis of the origin of local spin-orbit torques and persistent charge currents around the impurity, that give rise to spin-orbit torques even in equilibrium and explain the existence of anisotropy.
Interpretation of plasma impurity deposition probes. Analytic approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stangeby, P. C.

1987-10-01

Insertion of a probe into the plasma induces a high speed flow of the hydrogenic plasma to the probe which, by friction, accelerates the impurity ions to velocities approaching the hydrogenic ion acoustic speed, i.e., higher than the impurity ion thermal speed. A simple analytic theory based on this effect provides a relation between impurity fluxes to the probe Γimp and the undisturbed impurity ion density nimp, with the hydrogenic temperature and density as input parameters. Probe size also influences the collection process and large probes are found to attract a higher flux density than small probes in the same plasma. The quantity actually measured, cimp, the impurity atom surface density (m-2) net-deposited on the probe, is related to Γimp and thus to nimp by taking into account the partial removal of deposited material caused by sputtering and the redeposition process.
Potential Health Benefits of Deep Sea Water: A Review

PubMed Central

Jaafar, A. B.; Mahdzir, A.; Musa, M. N.

2016-01-01

Deep sea water (DSW) commonly refers to a body of seawater that is pumped up from a depth of over 200 m. It is usually associated with the following characteristics: low temperature, high purity, and being rich with nutrients, namely, beneficial elements, which include magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, and vanadium. Less photosynthesis of plant planktons, consumption of nutrients, and organic decomposition have caused lots of nutrients to remain there. Due to this, DSW has potential to become a good source for health. Research has proven that DSW can help overcome health problems especially related to lifestyle-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and skin problems. This paper reviews the potential health benefits of DSW by referring to the findings from previous researches. PMID:28105060
Potential Health Benefits of Deep Sea Water: A Review.

PubMed

Mohd Nani, Samihah Zura; Majid, F A A; Jaafar, A B; Mahdzir, A; Musa, M N

2016-01-01

Deep sea water (DSW) commonly refers to a body of seawater that is pumped up from a depth of over 200 m. It is usually associated with the following characteristics: low temperature, high purity, and being rich with nutrients, namely, beneficial elements, which include magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, and vanadium. Less photosynthesis of plant planktons, consumption of nutrients, and organic decomposition have caused lots of nutrients to remain there. Due to this, DSW has potential to become a good source for health. Research has proven that DSW can help overcome health problems especially related to lifestyle-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and skin problems. This paper reviews the potential health benefits of DSW by referring to the findings from previous researches.
Role of PTEN in TNF Induced Insulin Resistance

PubMed Central

Bulger, David A; Conley, Jermaine; Conner, Spencer H; Majumdar, Gipsy; Solomon, Solomon S

2015-01-01

Aims/hypothesis PTEN may play a reversible role in TNFα induced insulin resistance, which has been linked to obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR). Methods Western blots for PTEN and p-Akt were performed on H-411E liver cells incubated with insulin, TNFα, and in selected experiments VO-OHpic vanadium complex in the presence and absence of PTEN siRNA. Total PTEN was compared to β-actin loading control and p-Akt was compared to total Akt. Results Western blot and Real Time RT-PCR experiments showed increased PTEN after TNFα treatment (p = 0.04); slightly decreased PTEN after insulin treatment; and slightly increased PTEN after insulin + TNFα treatment. PTEN siRNA markedly inhibited the TNFα-induced increase in PTEN (p < 0.01) without significantly changing the p-Akt levels. The vanadium complex, exhibiting insulin-like effects, also significantly prevented the TNFα-induced increase in PTEN. Combining insulin and VO-OHpic was additive, providing both proof of concept and insight into mechanism. Discussion The PTEN increase due to TNFα treatment was reversible by both PTEN siRNA knockdown and VO-OHpic treatment. Thus, PTEN is identified as a potential new therapeutic target for reducing IR in Type 2 DM. PMID:25918024
Residual oil fly ash induces cytotoxicity and mucin secretion by guinea pig tracheal epithelial cells via an oxidant-mediated mechanism.

PubMed

Jiang, N; Dreher, K L; Dye, J A; Li, Y; Richards, J H; Martin, L D; Adler, K B

2000-03-15

Inhalation of ambient air particulate matter (PM) is associated with pulmonary injury and inflammation. Using primary cultures of guinea pig tracheal epithelial (GPTE) cells as an in vitro model of airway epithelium, we examined effects of exposure to suspensions of six different emission and ambient air PM samples: residual oil fly ash (ROFA) from an electrical power plant; fly ash from a domestic oil burning furnace (DOFA); ambient air dust from St. Louis (STL), Ottawa (OT), and Washington, DC (WDC); and volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Saint Helens (MSH) in 1980. Effects of these particulates on cell viability (assessed via LDH assay), secretion of mucin (measured by a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA), and steady-state mRNA levels of the mucin gene MUC2 were determined. ROFA was the most toxic of the dusts tested, as it significantly increased LDH release following a 24-h incubation with 50 microg/cm(2) ROFA. ROFA also enhanced MUC2 mRNA after 4-h exposure, and mucin secretion after 8 h. ROFA-induced mucin secretion and cytotoxicity were attenuated by the oxidant scavenger, dimethylthiourea (DMTU). ROFA exposure also depleted cells of glutathione (GSH). Relatedly, depletion of intracellular GSH by treatment of the cells with buthionine sulfoxamine (BSO) also provoked mucin secretion, as well as enhancing the secretory effect of ROFA when the two agents were added together. L-NMA, the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, did not affect ROFA-induced mucin secretion. Of the soluble transition metals in ROFA (nickel, iron, vanadium), only vanadium individually, or combinations of the metals containing vanadium, provoked secretion. The results suggest ROFA enhances mucin secretion and generates toxicity in vitro to airway epithelium via a mechanism(s) involving generation of oxidant stress, perhaps related to depletion of cellular antioxidant capacity. Deleterious effects of inhalation of ROFA in the respiratory tract in vivo may relate to these cellular responses. Vanadium, a component of ROFA, may be important in generating these reactions. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Memory Deficit Recovery after Chronic Vanadium Exposure in Mice

PubMed Central

Folarin, Oluwabusayo; Olopade, Funmilayo; Onwuka, Silas; Olopade, James

2016-01-01

Vanadium is a transitional metal with an ability to generate reactive oxygen species in the biological system. This work was designed to assess memory deficits in mice chronically exposed to vanadium. A total of 132 male BALB/c mice (4 weeks old) were used for the experiment and were divided into three major groups of vanadium treated, matched controls, and animals exposed to vanadium for three months and thereafter vanadium was withdrawn. Animals were tested using Morris water maze and forelimb grip test at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. The results showed that animals across the groups showed no difference in learning but had significant loss in memory abilities after 3 months of vanadium exposure and this trend continued in all vanadium-exposed groups relative to the controls. Animals exposed to vanadium for three months recovered significantly only 9 months after vanadium withdrawal. There was no significant difference in latency to fall in the forelimb grip test between vanadium-exposed groups and the controls in all age groups. In conclusion, we have shown that chronic administration of vanadium in mice leads to memory deficit which is reversible but only after a long period of vanadium withdrawal. PMID:26962395
Memory Deficit Recovery after Chronic Vanadium Exposure in Mice.

PubMed

Folarin, Oluwabusayo; Olopade, Funmilayo; Onwuka, Silas; Olopade, James

2016-01-01

Vanadium is a transitional metal with an ability to generate reactive oxygen species in the biological system. This work was designed to assess memory deficits in mice chronically exposed to vanadium. A total of 132 male BALB/c mice (4 weeks old) were used for the experiment and were divided into three major groups of vanadium treated, matched controls, and animals exposed to vanadium for three months and thereafter vanadium was withdrawn. Animals were tested using Morris water maze and forelimb grip test at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. The results showed that animals across the groups showed no difference in learning but had significant loss in memory abilities after 3 months of vanadium exposure and this trend continued in all vanadium-exposed groups relative to the controls. Animals exposed to vanadium for three months recovered significantly only 9 months after vanadium withdrawal. There was no significant difference in latency to fall in the forelimb grip test between vanadium-exposed groups and the controls in all age groups. In conclusion, we have shown that chronic administration of vanadium in mice leads to memory deficit which is reversible but only after a long period of vanadium withdrawal.
Transformers: the changing phases of low-dimensional vanadium oxide bronzes.

PubMed

Marley, Peter M; Horrocks, Gregory A; Pelcher, Kate E; Banerjee, Sarbajit

2015-03-28

In this feature article, we explore the electronic and structural phase transformations of ternary vanadium oxides with the composition MxV2O5 where M is an intercalated cation. The periodic arrays of intercalated cations ordered along quasi-1D tunnels or layered between 2D sheets of the V2O5 framework induce partial reduction of the framework vanadium atoms giving rise to charge ordering patterns that are specific to the metal M and stoichiometry x. This periodic charge ordering makes these materials remarkably versatile platforms for studying electron correlation and underpins the manifestation of phenomena such as colossal metal-insulator transitions, quantized charge corrals, and superconductivity. We describe current mechanistic understanding of these emergent phenomena with a particular emphasis on the benefits derived from scaling these materials to nanostructured dimensions wherein precise ordering of cations can be obtained and phase relationships can be derived that are entirely inaccessible in the bulk. In particular, structural transformations induced by intercalation are dramatically accelerated due to the shorter diffusion path lengths at nanometer-sized dimensions, which cause a dramatic reduction of kinetic barriers to phase transformations and facilitate interconversion between the different frameworks. We conclude by summarizing numerous technological applications that have become feasible due to recent advances in controlling the structural chemistry and both electronic and structural phase transitions in these versatile frameworks.
VANADIUM EXPOSURE ALTERS SPONTANEOUS BEAT RATE AND GENE EXPRESSION OF CULTURED CARDIAC MYOCYTES

EPA Science Inventory

Ambient air pollution particulate matter (PM) exposure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recent toxicological studies report PM-induced changes in a number of cardiac parameters, including heart rate variability, arrhythmias, repolarization, and internal defib...
Unexpected pressure induced ductileness tuning in sulfur doped polycrystalline nickel metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Cheng; Yang, Yan; Tan, Liuxi; Lei, Jialin; Guo, Shengmin; Chen, Bin; Yan, Jinyuan; Yang, Shizhong

2018-02-01

The sulfur induced embrittlement of polycrystalline nickel (Ni) metal has been a long-standing mystery. It is suggested that sulfur impurity makes ductile Ni metal brittle in many industry applications due to various mechanisms, such as impurity segregation and disorder-induced melting etc. Here we report an observation that the most ductile measurement occurs at a critical sulfur doping concentration, 14 at.% at pressure from 14 GPa up to 29 GPa through texture evolution analysis. The synchrotron-based high pressure texturing measurements using radial diamond anvil cell (rDAC) X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques reveal that the activities of slip systems in the polycrystalline nickel metal are affected by sulfur impurities and external pressures, giving rise to the changes in the plastic deformation of the nickel metal. Dislocation dynamics (DD) simulation on dislocation density and velocity further confirms the pressure induced ductilization changes in S doped Ni metal. This observation and simulation suggests that the ductilization of the doped polycrystalline nickel metal can be optimized by engineering the sulfur concentration under pressure, shedding a light on tuning the mechanical properties of this material for better high pressure applications.
Magnetic field effect on pentacene-doped sexithiophene diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Song-Toan; Fayolle, Marine; Ohto, Tatsuhiko; Tada, Hirokazu

2017-11-01

We studied the effect of impurities on the magnetoresistance of sexithiophene-based diodes using impedance spectroscopy. The impurities were introduced by doping pentacene molecules into a sexithiophene film through a co-evaporation process. The pentacene molecules act as charge-scattering centers, which trigger the negative magnetoresistance of the device. This makes it possible to tune the value of magnetoresistance from positive to negative by increasing the applied voltage. The beneficial properties induced by impurities suggest a potential route to integrate additional functions into organic devices.
Unified planar process for fabricating heterojunction bipolar transistors and buried-heterostructure lasers utilizing impurity-induced disordering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thornton, R. L.; Mosby, W. J.; Chung, H. F.

1988-12-01

We describe results on a novel geometry of heterojunction bipolar transistor that has been realized by impurity-induced disordering. This structure is fabricated by a method that is compatible with techniques for the fabrication of low threshold current buried-heterostructure lasers. We have demonstrated this compatibility by fabricating a hybrid laser/transistor structure that operates as a laser with a threshold current of 6 mA at room temperature, and as a transistor with a current gain of 5.
Interconversion of intrinsic defects in SrTi O3(001 )

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chambers, S. A.; Du, Y.; Zhu, Z.; Wang, J.; Wahila, M. J.; Piper, L. F. J.; Prakash, A.; Yue, J.; Jalan, B.; Spurgeon, S. R.; Kepaptsoglou, D. M.; Ramasse, Q. M.; Sushko, P. V.

2018-06-01

Photoemission features associated with states deep in the band gap of n -SrTi O3(001 ) are found to be ubiquitous in bulk crystals and epitaxial films. These features are present even when there is little signal near the Fermi level. Analysis reveals that these states are deep-level traps associated with defects. The commonly investigated defects—O vacancies, Sr vacancies, and aliovalent impurity cations on the Ti sites—cannot account for these features. Rather, ab initio modeling points to these states resulting from interstitial oxygen and its interaction with donor electrons.
Assessment of total and organic vanadium levels and their bioaccumulation in edible sea cucumbers: tissues distribution, inter-species-specific, locational differences and seasonal variations.

PubMed

Liu, Yanjun; Zhou, Qingxin; Xu, Jie; Xue, Yong; Liu, Xiaofang; Wang, Jingfeng; Xue, Changhu

2016-02-01

The objective of this study is to investigate the levels, inter-species-specific, locational differences and seasonal variations of vanadium in sea cucumbers and to validate further several potential factors controlling the distribution of metals in sea cucumbers. Vanadium levels were evaluated in samples of edible sea cucumbers and were demonstrated exhibit differences in different seasons, species and sampling sites. High vanadium concentrations were measured in the sea cucumbers, and all of the vanadium detected was in an organic form. Mean vanadium concentrations were considerably higher in the blood (sea cucumber) than in the other studied tissues. The highest concentration of vanadium (2.56 μg g(-1)), as well as a higher degree of organic vanadium (85.5 %), was observed in the Holothuria scabra samples compared with all other samples. Vanadium levels in Apostichopus japonicus from Bohai Bay and Yellow Sea have marked seasonal variations. Average values of 1.09 μg g(-1) of total vanadium and 0.79 μg g(-1) of organic vanadium were obtained in various species of sea cucumbers. Significant positive correlations between vanadium in the seawater and V org in the sea cucumber (r = 81.67 %, p = 0.00), as well as between vanadium in the sediment and V org in the sea cucumber (r = 77.98 %, p = 0.00), were observed. Vanadium concentrations depend on the seasons (salinity, temperature), species, sampling sites and seawater environment (seawater, sediment). Given the adverse toxicological effects of inorganic vanadium and positive roles in controlling the development of diabetes in humans, a regular monitoring programme of vanadium content in edible sea cucumbers can be recommended.
Leaching characteristics of vanadium in mine tailings and soils near a vanadium titanomagnetite mining site.

PubMed

Yang, Jinyan; Tang, Ya; Yang, Kai; Rouff, Ashaki A; Elzinga, Evert J; Huang, Jen-How

2014-01-15

A series of column leaching experiments were performed to understand the leaching behaviour and the potential environmental risk of vanadium in a Panzhihua soil and vanadium titanomagnetite mine tailings. Results from sequential extraction experiments indicated that the mobility of vanadium in both the soil and the mine tailings was low, with <1% of the total vanadium readily mobilised. Column experiments revealed that only <0.1% of vanadium in the soil and mine tailing was leachable. The vanadium concentrations in the soil leachates did not vary considerably, but decreased with the leachate volume in the mine tailing leachates. This suggests that there was a smaller pool of leachable vanadium in the mine tailings compared to that in the soil. Drought and rewetting increased the vanadium concentrations in the soil and mine tailing leachates from 20μgL(-1) to 50-90μgL(-1), indicating the potential for high vanadium release following periods of drought. Experiments with soil columns overlain with 4, 8 and 20% volume mine tailings/volume soil exhibited very similar vanadium leaching behaviour. These results suggest that the transport of vanadium to the subsurface is controlled primarily by the leaching processes occurring in soils. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Vanadium-Enriched Cordyceps sinensis, a Contemporary Treatment Approach to Both Diabetes and Depression in Rats

PubMed Central

Guo, Jianyou; Li, ChangYu; Wang, Jie; Liu, Yongmei; Zhang, Jiahui

2011-01-01

This article studies a contemporary treatment approach toward both diabetes and depression management by vanadium-enriched Cordyceps sinensis (VECS). Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats were used in the study. After the rats were administered with VECS, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels was seen (P < .05) and the levels of serum insulin increased significantly (P < .05). At the same time, the study revealed a significant decrease in immobility with a corresponding increase in the swimming and climbing behavior in hyperglycemic rats following VECS treatment. The results described herein demonstrate that VECS is a contemporary treatment approach that advocates an aggressive stance toward both diabetes and depression management. PMID:21799679
Dynamically Babinet-invertible metasurface: a capacitive-inductive reconfigurable filter for terahertz waves using vanadium-dioxide metal-insulator transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urade, Yoshiro; Nakata, Yosuke; Okimura, Kunio; Nakanishi, Toshihiro; Miyamaru, Fumiaki; Takeda, Mitsuo W.; Kitano, Masao

2016-03-01

This paper proposes a reconfigurable planar metamaterial that can be switched between capacitive and inductive responses using local changes in the electrical conductivity of its constituent material. The proposed device is based on Babinet's principle and exploits the singular electromagnetic responses of metallic checkerboard structures, which are dependent on the local electrical conductivity. Utilizing the heating-induced metal-insulator transition of vanadium dioxide ($\\mathrm{VO}_2$), the proposed metamaterial is designed to compensate for the effect of the substrate and is experimentally characterized in the terahertz regime. This reconfigurable metamaterial can be utilized as a switchable filter and as a switchable phase shifter for terahertz waves.
Dynamically Babinet-invertible metasurface: a capacitive-inductive reconfigurable filter for terahertz waves using vanadium-dioxide metal-insulator transition.

PubMed

Urade, Yoshiro; Nakata, Yosuke; Okimura, Kunio; Nakanishi, Toshihiro; Miyamaru, Fumiaki; Takeda, Mitsuo W; Kitano, Masao

2016-03-07

This paper proposes a reconfigurable planar metamaterial that can be switched between capacitive and inductive responses using local changes in the electrical conductivity of its constituent material. The proposed device is based on Babinet's principle and exploits the singular electromagnetic responses of metallic checkerboard structures, which are dependent on the local electrical conductivity. Utilizing the heating-induced metal-insulator transition of vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ), the proposed meta-material is designed to compensate for the effect of the substrate and is experimentally characterized in the terahertz regime. This reconfigurable metamaterial can be utilized as a switchable filter and as a switchable phase shifter for terahertz waves.
Long-range transported dissolved organic matter, ions and black carbon deposited on Central Asian snow covered glaciers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmale, Julia; Kang, Shichang; Peltier, Richard

2014-05-01

Ninety percent of the Central Asian population depend on water precipitated in the mountains stored in glaciers and snow cover. Accelerated melting of the snow and ice can be induced by the deposition of airborne impurities such as mineral dust, black carbon and co-emitted species leading to significant reductions of the surface albedo. However, Central Asia is a relatively understudied region and data on the source regions, chemical and microphysical characteristics as well as modelling studies of long-range transported air pollution and dust to the Tien Shan mountains is very scarce. We studied the atmospheric aerosol deposited most likely between summer 2012 and summer 2013on three different glaciers in the Kyrgyz Republic. Samples were taken from four snow pits on the glaciers Abramov (2 pits, 39.59 °N, 71.56 °E, 4390 m elevation, 240 cm deep, and 39.62°N, 71.52 °E, 4275 m elevation, 125 cm deep), Ak-Shiirak (41.80 °N, 78.18 °E, 4325 m elevation, 75 cm deep) and Suek (41.78 °N, 77.75 °E, 4341 m elevation, 200 cm deep). The latter two glaciers are located roughly within 6 and 38 km of an operating gold mine. The snow was analyzed for black carbon, ions, metals and organic carbon. We here focus on the results of inorganic ion measurements and organic carbon speciation based on analysis with an Aerodyne high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) and potential pollution sources that can be deduced from the chemical information as well as back trajectories. Average contributions of snow impurities measured by the HR-ToF-AMS were dominated by organic carbon. Relative concentrations of organic carbon, sulfate, nitrate and ammonium in snow were 86 %, 3 %, 9 % and 2 % respectively for Abramov, 92 %, 1 %, 5 % and 1 % for Suek, and 95 %, 1 %, 3 % and 1 % for Ak-Shiirak. Generally, impurities on Suek and Ak-Shiirak were three and five times higher than on Abramov. Mass concentrations of organic carbon were on average 6 times higher in samples with visible mineral dust pollution, and concentrations of nitrate and ammonium were twice as high while sulfate was not enhanced. Further analysis of the organic carbon revealed average (±1σ) O:C and OM:OC ratios of 0.75 (± 0.22) and 2.13 (± 0.29) respectively for Abramov, 1.01 (± 0.24) and 2.46 (± 0.30) for Suek and 1.09 (± 0.34) and 2.56 (± 0.43) for Ak-Shiirak. These relatively high ratios are comparable with winter-time biomass burning influenced findings in the Central Himalayas. Here, also marker ions for biomass burning from levoglucosan were found as well as organic nitrogen. In addition, atmospheric measurements during August 2013 conditions were conducted to obtain information on background aerosol number concentrations, size distributions and chemical composition. The average black carbon concentration for the high altitude glaciers was 0.26 µg/m³ (± 0.24 µg/m³).

A new very high voltage semiconductor switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sundberg, G. R.

1985-01-01

A new family of semiconductor switches using double injection techniques and compensated deep impurities is described. They have the potential to raise switching voltages a factor of 10 higher (up to 100 kV) than p-n junction devices while exhibiting extremely low (or zero) forward voltage. Several potential power switching applications are indicated.
Sub-molecular modulation of a 4f driven Kondo resonance by surface-induced asymmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warner, Ben; El Hallak, Fadi; Atodiresei, Nicolae; Seibt, Philipp; Prüser, Henning; Caciuc, Vasile; Waters, Michael; Fisher, Andrew J.; Blügel, Stefan; van Slageren, Joris; Hirjibehedin, Cyrus F.

2016-09-01

Coupling between a magnetic impurity and an external bath can give rise to many-body quantum phenomena, including Kondo and Hund's impurity states in metals, and Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states in superconductors. While advances have been made in probing the magnetic properties of d-shell impurities on surfaces, the confinement of f orbitals makes them difficult to access directly. Here we show that a 4f driven Kondo resonance can be modulated spatially by asymmetric coupling between a metallic surface and a molecule containing a 4f-like moment. Strong hybridization of dysprosium double-decker phthalocyanine with Cu(001) induces Kondo screening of the central magnetic moment. Misalignment between the symmetry axes of the molecule and the surface induces asymmetry in the molecule's electronic structure, spatially mediating electronic access to the magnetic moment through the Kondo resonance. This work demonstrates the important role that molecular ligands have in mediating electronic and magnetic coupling and in accessing many-body quantum states.
Dynamic conductivity modified by impurity resonant states in doping three-dimensional Dirac semimetals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shuai; Wang, Chen; Zheng, Shi-Han; Wang, Rui-Qiang; Li, Jun; Yang, Mou

2018-04-01

The impurity effect is studied in three-dimensional Dirac semimetals in the framework of a T-matrix method to consider the multiple scattering events of Dirac electrons off impurities. It has been found that a strong impurity potential can significantly restructure the energy dispersion and the density of states of Dirac electrons. An impurity-induced resonant state emerges and significantly modifies the pristine optical response. It is shown that the impurity state disturbs the common longitudinal optical conductivity by creating either an optical conductivity peak or double absorption jumps, depending on the relative position of the impurity band and the Fermi level. More importantly, these conductivity features appear in the forbidden region between the Drude and interband transition, completely or partially filling the Pauli block region of optical response. The underlying physics is that the appearance of resonance states as well as the broadening of the bands leads to a more complicated selection rule for the optical transitions, making it possible to excite new electron-hole pairs in the forbidden region. These features in optical conductivity provide valuable information to understand the impurity behaviors in 3D Dirac materials.
Double-injection, deep-impurity switch development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, D. W.

1985-01-01

The overall objective of this program was the development of device design and process techniques for the fabrication of a double-injection, deep-impurity (DI) sup 2 silicon switch that operates in the 2-10 kV range with conduction current values of 5 A at 2 kV and 1 A at 10 kV. Other major specifications include a holding voltage of 10 V with no gate current, 10 microsec switching time, and power dissipation of 50 W at 75 C. It was decided to concentrate on the lateral circular devices in order to optimize the gold diffusion. This resulted in devices that are much better switches (approx.1 micro sec switching time), and in a gold diffusion process that is much more controllable than those previously developed. Some results with injection-gated devices were also obtained. The current conduction for V less than VT was analyzed and seen to agree, for the most part, with Lampert's theory. Various sections of this report describe the device designs, wafer-processing techniques, and various measurements which include ac and dc characteristics and four-point probe.
Deep data mining in a real space: Separation of intertwined electronic responses in a lightly doped BaFe 2As 2

DOE PAGES

Ziatdinov, Maxim; Maksov, Artem; Li, Li; ...

2016-10-25

Electronic interactions present in material compositions close to the superconducting dome play a key role in the manifestation of high-T c superconductivity. In many correlated electron systems, however, the parent or underdoped states exhibit strongly inhomogeneous electronic landscape at the nanoscale that may be associated with competing, coexisting, or intertwined chemical disorder, strain, magnetic, and structural order parameters. Here we demonstrate an approach based on a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and advanced statistical learning for an automatic separation and extraction of statistically significant electronic behaviors in the spin density wave regime of a lightly (~1%) gold-doped BaFe 2As 2.more » Lastly, we show that the decomposed STS spectral features have a direct relevance to fundamental physical properties of the system, such as SDW-induced gap, pseudogap-like state, and impurity resonance states.« less
Deep data mining in a real space: Separation of intertwined electronic responses in a lightly doped BaFe 2As 2

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

Ziatdinov, Maxim; Maksov, Artem; Li, Li

Electronic interactions present in material compositions close to the superconducting dome play a key role in the manifestation of high-T c superconductivity. In many correlated electron systems, however, the parent or underdoped states exhibit strongly inhomogeneous electronic landscape at the nanoscale that may be associated with competing, coexisting, or intertwined chemical disorder, strain, magnetic, and structural order parameters. Here we demonstrate an approach based on a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and advanced statistical learning for an automatic separation and extraction of statistically significant electronic behaviors in the spin density wave regime of a lightly (~1%) gold-doped BaFe 2As 2.more » Lastly, we show that the decomposed STS spectral features have a direct relevance to fundamental physical properties of the system, such as SDW-induced gap, pseudogap-like state, and impurity resonance states.« less
Donor defects and small polarons on the TiO2(110) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moses, P. G.; Janotti, A.; Franchini, C.; Kresse, G.; Van de Walle, C. G.

2016-05-01

The role of defects in the chemical activity of the rutile TiO2(110) surface remains a rich topic of research, despite the rutile (110) being one of the most studied surfaces of transition-metal oxides. Here, we present results from hybrid functional calculations that reconcile apparently disparate views on the impact of donor defects, such as oxygen vacancies and hydrogen impurities, on the electronic structure of the (110) rutile surface. We find that the bridging oxygen vacancy and adsorbed or substitutional hydrogen are actually shallow donors, which do not induce gap states. The excess electrons from these donor centers tend to localize in the form of small polarons, which are the factual cause of the deep states ˜1 eV below the conduction band, often observed in photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Our results offer a new framework for understanding the surface electronic structure of TiO2 and related oxides.
Investigation of impurity confinement in lower hybrid wave heated plasma on EAST tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Z.; Wu, Z. W.; Zhang, L.; Gao, W.; Ye, Y.; Chen, K. Y.; Yuan, Y.; Zhang, W.; Yang, X. D.; Chen, Y. J.; Zhang, P. F.; Huang, J.; Wu, C. R.; Morita, S.; Oishi, T.; Zhang, J. Z.; Duan, Y. M.; Zang, Q.; Ding, S. Y.; Liu, H. Q.; Chen, J. L.; Hu, L. Q.; Xu, G. S.; Guo, H. Y.; the EAST Team

2018-01-01

The transient perturbation method with metallic impurities such as iron (Fe, Z = 26) and copper (Cu, Z = 29) induced in plasma-material interaction (PMI) procedure is used to investigate the impurity confinement characters in lower hybrid wave (LHW) heated EAST sawtooth-free plasma. The dependence of metallic impurities confinement time on plasma parameters (e.g. plasma current, toroidal magnetic field, electron density and heating power) are investigated in ohmic and LHW heated plasma. It is shown that LHW heating plays an important role in the reduction of the impurity confinement time in L-mode discharges on EAST. The impurity confinement time scaling is given as 42IP0.32Bt0.2\\overline{n}e0.43Ptotal-0.4~ on EAST, which is close to the observed scaling on Tore Supra and JET. Furthermore, the LHW heated high-enhanced-recycling (HER) H-mode discharges with ~25 kHz edge coherent modes (ECM), which have lower impurity confinement time and higher energy confinement time, provide promising candidates for high performance and steady state operation on EAST.
Quasibound states in short SNS junctions with point defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bespalov, A. A.

2018-04-01

Using the Green functions technique, we study the subgap spectrum of short three-dimensional superconductor-normal metal-superconductor junctions containing one or two point impurities in the normal layer. We find that a single nonmagnetic or magnetic defect induces two quasibound Shiba-like states. If the defect is located close to the junction edge, the energies of these states oscillate as functions of the distance between the impurity and the edge. In the case of two nonmagnetic impurities, there are generally four quasibound states (two per spin projection). Their energies oscillate as functions of the distance between the impurities, and reach their asymptotic values when this distance becomes much larger than the Fermi wavelength. The contributions of the impurities to the Josephson current, local density of states, and to the normal-state conductance of the junction are analyzed.
The presence of vanadium in groundwater of southeastern extreme the pampean region Argentina Relationship with other chemical elements.

PubMed

Fiorentino, Carmen E; Paoloni, Juan D; Sequeira, Mario E; Arosteguy, Pedro

2007-08-15

Changes in the quality of groundwater resources are related to the presence and concentration of contaminants, especially trace elements such as arsenic, boron, fluoride and vanadium. Vanadium is a rare element naturally abundant, generally found in combination with other elements. Vanadium pentoxide is known to have aneugenic effects. Thus, a study was carried out to assess the presence of vanadium in the groundwater of the southeastern pampean region of Argentina, which constitutes the main water supply for the local population. Statistical and correlational analyses were applied to identify possible interrelationships between vanadium and another chemical elements. Vanadium was found in all groundwater samples. The minimum and maximum vanadium concentrations found were 0.05 mg/l and 2.47 mg/l, respectively. Vanadium is significantly correlated with other trace elements such as arsenic, fluoride and boron. The interrelationship between vanadium and the presence of volcanic glass in sediments is not significant as expected.
Bioaccumulation of Vanadium by Vanadium-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from the Intestine of Ascidia sydneiensis samea.

PubMed

Romaidi; Ueki, Tatsuya

2016-06-01

Isolation of naturally occurring bacterial strains from metal-rich environments has gained popularity due to the growing need for bioremediation technologies. In this study, we found that the vanadium concentration in the intestine of the vanadium-rich ascidian Ascidia sydneiensis samea could reach 0.67 mM, and thus, we isolated vanadium-resistant bacteria from the intestinal contents and determined the ability of each bacterial strain to accumulate vanadium and other heavy metals. Nine strains of vanadium-resistant bacteria were successfully isolated, of which two strains, V-RA-4 and S-RA-6, accumulated vanadium at a higher rate than did the other strains. The maximum vanadium absorption by these bacteria was achieved at pH 3, and intracellular accumulation was the predominant mechanism. Each strain strongly accumulated copper and cobalt ions, but accumulation of nickel and molybdate ions was relatively low. These bacterial strains can be applied to protocols for bioremediation of vanadium and heavy metal toxicity.
Numerical renormalization group calculation of impurity internal energy and specific heat of quantum impurity models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merker, L.; Costi, T. A.

2012-08-01

We introduce a method to obtain the specific heat of quantum impurity models via a direct calculation of the impurity internal energy requiring only the evaluation of local quantities within a single numerical renormalization group (NRG) calculation for the total system. For the Anderson impurity model we show that the impurity internal energy can be expressed as a sum of purely local static correlation functions and a term that involves also the impurity Green function. The temperature dependence of the latter can be neglected in many cases, thereby allowing the impurity specific heat Cimp to be calculated accurately from local static correlation functions; specifically via Cimp=(∂Eionic)/(∂T)+(1)/(2)(∂Ehyb)/(∂T), where Eionic and Ehyb are the energies of the (embedded) impurity and the hybridization energy, respectively. The term involving the Green function can also be evaluated in cases where its temperature dependence is non-negligible, adding an extra term to Cimp. For the nondegenerate Anderson impurity model, we show by comparison with exact Bethe ansatz calculations that the results recover accurately both the Kondo induced peak in the specific heat at low temperatures as well as the high-temperature peak due to the resonant level. The approach applies to multiorbital and multichannel Anderson impurity models with arbitrary local Coulomb interactions. An application to the Ohmic two-state system and the anisotropic Kondo model is also given, with comparisons to Bethe ansatz calculations. The approach could also be of interest within other impurity solvers, for example, within quantum Monte Carlo techniques.
Vanadium recycling in the United States in 2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goonan, Thomas G.

2011-01-01

As one of a series of reports that describe the recycling of metal commodities in the United States, this report discusses the flow of vanadium in the U.S. economy in 2004. This report includes a description of vanadium supply and demand in the United States and illustrates the extent of vanadium recycling and recycling trends. In 2004, apparent vanadium consumption, by end use, in the United States was 3,820 metric tons (t) in steelmaking and 232 t in manufacturing, of which 17 t was for the production of superalloys and 215 t was for the production of other alloys, cast iron, catalysts, and chemicals. Vanadium use in steel is almost entirely dissipative because recovery of vanadium from steel scrap is chemically impeded under the oxidizing conditions in steelmaking furnaces. The greatest amount of vanadium recycling is in the superalloy, other-alloy, and catalyst sectors of the vanadium market. Vanadium-bearing catalysts are associated with hydrocarbon recovery and refining in the oil industry. In 2004, 2,850 t of vanadium contained in alloy scrap and spent catalysts was recycled, which amounted to about 44 percent of U.S. domestic production. About 94 percent of vanadium use in the United States was dissipative (3,820 t in steel/4,050 t in steel+fabricated products).
Release kinetics of vanadium from vanadium (III, IV and V) oxides: Effect of pH, temperature and oxide dose.

PubMed

Hu, Xingyun; Yue, Yuyan; Peng, Xianjia

2018-05-01

Batch experiments were performed to derive the rate laws for the proton-promoted dissolution of the main vanadium (III, IV and V) oxides at pH 3.1-10.0. The release rates of vanadium are closely related to the aqueous pH, and several obvious differences were observed in the release behavior of vanadium from the dissolution of V 2 O 5 and vanadium(III, IV) oxides. In the first 2hr, the release rates of vanadium from V 2 O 3 were r=1.14·([H + ]) 0.269 at pH 3.0-6.0 and r=0.016·([H + ]) -0.048 at pH 6.0-10.0; the release rates from VO 2 were r=0.362·([H + ]) 0.129 at pH 3.0-6.0 and r=0.017·([H + ]) -0.097 at pH 6.0-10.0; and the release rates from V 2 O 5 were r=0.131·([H + ]) -0.104 at pH 3.1-10.0. The release rates of vanadium from the three oxides increased with increasing temperature, and the effect of temperature was different at pH 3.8, pH 6.0 and pH 7.7. The activation energies of vanadium (III, IV and V) oxides (33.4-87.5kJ/mol) were determined at pH 3.8, pH6.0 and pH 7.7, showing that the release of vanadium from dissolution of vanadium oxides follows a surface-controlled reaction mechanism. The release rates of vanadium increased with increasing vanadium oxides dose, albeit not proportionally. This study, as part of a broader study of the release behavior of vanadium, can help to elucidate the pollution problem of vanadium and to clarify the fate of vanadium in the environment. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Purification of CdZnTe by electromigration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, K.; Kim, Sangsu; Hong, Jinki; Lee, Jinseo; Hong, Taekwon; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; James, R. B.

2015-04-01

Electro-migration of ionized/electrically active impurities in CdZnTe (CZT) was successfully demonstrated at elevated temperature with an electric field of 20 V/mm. Copper, which exists in positively charged states, electro-migrated at a speed of 15 μm/h in an electric field of 20 V/mm. A notable variation in impurity concentration along the growth direction with the segregation tendency of the impurities was observed in an electro-migrated CZT boule. Notably, both Ga and Fe, which exist in positively charged states, exhibited the opposite distribution to that of their segregation tendency in Cd(Zn)Te. A CZT detector fabricated from the middle portion of the electro-migrated CZT boule showed an improved mobility-lifetime product of 0.91 × 10-2 cm2/V, compared with that of 1.4 × 10-3 cm2/V, observed in an as-grown (non-electro-migrated) CZT detector. The optimum radiation detector material would have minimum concentration of deep traps required for compensation.
Purification of CdZnTe by Electromigration

DOE PAGES

Kim, K.; Kim, Sangsu; Hong, Jinki; ...

2015-04-14

Electro-migration of ionized/electrically active impurities in CdZnTe (CZT) was successfully demonstrated at elevated temperature with an electric field of 20 V/mm. Copper, which exists in positively charged states, electro-migrated at a speed of 15 lm/h in an electric field of 20 V/mm. A notable variation in impurity concentration along the growth direction with the segregation tendency of the impurities was observed in an electro-migrated CZT boule. Notably, both Ga and Fe, which exist in positively charged states, exhibited the opposite distribution to that of their segregation tendency in Cd(Zn)Te. Furthermore, a CZT detector fabricated from the middle portion of themore » electromigrated CZT boule showed an improved mobility-lifetime product of 0.91 10 -2 cm 2 /V, compared to that of 1.4 10 -3 cm 2 /V, observed in an as-grown (non-electro-migrated) CZT detector. The optimum radiation detector material would have minimum concentration of deep traps required for compensation.« less
Comparison of antioxidant enzyme activities and DNA damage in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes exposed to vanadium.

PubMed

Imtiaz, Muhammad; Mushtaq, Muhammad Adnan; Rizwan, Muhammad Shahid; Arif, Muhammad Saleem; Yousaf, Balal; Ashraf, Muhammad; Shuanglian, Xiong; Rizwan, Muhammad; Mehmood, Sajid; Tu, Shuxin

2016-10-01

The present study was done to elucidate the effects of vanadium (V) on photosynthetic pigments, membrane damage, antioxidant enzymes, protein, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity in the following chickpea genotypes: C-44 (tolerant) and Balkasar (sensitive). Changes in these parameters were strikingly dependent on levels of V, at 60 and 120 mg V L(-1) induced DNA damage in Balkasar only, while photosynthetic pigments and protein were decreased from 15 to 120 mg V L(-1) and membrane was also damaged. It was shown that photosynthetic pigments and protein production declined from 15 to 120 mg V L(-1) and the membrane was also damaged, while DNA damage was not observed at any level of V stress in C-44. Moreover, the antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were increased in both genotypes of chickpea against V stress; however, more activities were observed in C-44 than Balkasar. The results suggest that DNA damage in sensitive genotypes can be triggered due to exposure of higher vanadium.
Features of radiation damage of vanadium and its alloys at a temperature of 330-340°C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazakov, V. A.; Ostrovsky, Z.; Goncharenko, Yu; Chakin, V.

2000-12-01

Microstructural changes of vanadium alloys after irradiation at 340°C to 12 dpa in the BOR-60 reactor in 7Li environment is analyzed. Materials are vanadium and its alloys V-3Ti, V-3Fe, V-6Cr, V-4Cr-4Ti, V-5Cr-10Ti, V-6Cr-1Zr-0.1C. Void formation was observed in the binary alloys V-3Fe, V-3Ti and V-6Cr. It is shown that three-four-fold increase in V-4Cr-4Ti yield stress is produced by the formation of dislocation loops (DLs) and fine radiation-induced precipitates (RIPs) with a density of 1.7×1017 cm-3. It is expected that embrittlement of the welds will be worse because density of DLs and RIPs is 1.4-1.6 times higher. Besides, invisible coherent or semi-coherent RIPs are formed in the fusion zone. Elemental maps of the rupture surface of irradiated V-4Cr-4Ti are presented.
Investigation of non-uniformity and inclusions in 6LiInSe2 utilizing laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiggins, Brenden; Tupitsyn, Eugene; Bhattacharya, Pijush; Rowe, Emmanuel; Lukosi, Eric; Chvala, Ondrej; Burger, Arnold; Stowe, Ashley

2013-09-01

Impurity analysis and compositional distribution studies have been conducted on a crystal of LiInSe2, a compound semiconductor which recently has been shown to respond to ionizing radiation. IR microscopy and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) revealed the presence of inclusions within the crystal lattice. These precipitates were revealed to be alkali and alkaline earth elemental impurities with non-uniform spatial distribution in the crystal. LIBS compositional maps correlate the presence of these impurities with visual color differences in the crystal as well as a significant shift of the band gap. Further, LIBS revealed variation in the ratio of I-III-VI2 elemental constituents throughout the crystal. Analysis of compositional variation and impurities will aid in discerning optimal synthesis and crystal growth parameters to maximize the mobility-lifetime product and charge collection efficiency in the LiInSe2 crystal. Preliminary charge trapping calculations have also been conducted with the Monte Carlo N-particle eXtended (MCNPx) package indicating preferential trapping of holes during irradiation with thermal neutrons.
Influence of subsurface defects on damage performance of fused silica in ultraviolet laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Jin; Zhou, Xinda; Liu, Hongjie; Wang, Fengrui; Jiang, Xiaodong; Wu, Weidong; Tang, Yongjian; Zheng, Wanguo

2013-02-01

In ultraviolet pulse laser, damage performance of fused silica optics is directly dependent on the absorptive impurities and scratches in subsurface, which are induced by mechanical polishing. In the research about influence of subsurface defects on damage performance, a series of fused silica surfaces with various impurity concentrations and scratch structures were created by hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution etching. Time of Flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning probe microprobe revealed that with increasing etching depth, impurity concentrations in subsurface layers are decreased, the scratch structures become smoother and the diameter:depth ratio is increased. Damage performance test with 355-nm pulse laser showed that when 600 nm subsurface thickness is removed by HF acid etching, laser-induced damage threshold of fused silica is raised by 40 percent and damage density is decreased by over one order of magnitude. Laser weak absorption was tested to explain the cause of impurity elements impacting damage performance, field enhancement caused by change of scratch structures was calculated by finite difference time domain simulation, and the calculated results are in accord with the damage test results.

Neurotoxicity of Vanadium.

PubMed

Ngwa, Hilary Afeseh; Ay, Muhammet; Jin, Huajun; Anantharam, Vellareddy; Kanthasamy, Arthi; Kanthasamy, Anumantha G

2017-01-01

Vanadium (V) is a transition metal that presents in multiple oxidation states and numerous inorganic compounds and is also an ultra-trace element considered to be essential for most living organisms. Despite being one of the lightest metals, V offers high structural strength and good corrosion resistance and thus has been widely adopted for high-strength steel manufacturing. High doses of V exposure are toxic, and inhalation exposure to V adversely affects the respiratory system. The neurotoxicological properties of V are just beginning to be identified. Recent studies by our group and others demonstrate the neurotoxic potential of this metal in the nigrostriatal system and other parts of the central nervous system (CNS). The neurotoxic effects of V have been mainly attributed to its ability to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is noteworthy that the neurotoxicity induced by occupational V exposure commonly occurs with co-exposure to other metals, especially manganese (Mn). This review focuses on the chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and neurotoxicity of V.
Investigation on onset voltage and conduction channel temperature in voltage-induced metal-insulator transition of vanadium dioxide

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

Yoon, Joonseok; Kim, Howon; Ju, Honglyoul, E-mail: tesl@yonsei.ac.kr

2016-03-28

The characteristics of onset voltages and conduction channel temperatures in the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of vanadium dioxide (VO{sub 2}) devices are investigated as a function of dimensions and ambient temperature. The MIT onset voltage varies from 18 V to 199 V as the device length increases from 5 to 80 μm at a fixed width of 100 μm. The estimated temperature at local conduction channel increases from 110 to 370 °C, which is higher than the MIT temperature (67 °C) of VO{sub 2}. A simple Joule-heating model is employed to explain voltage-induced MIT as well as to estimate temperatures of conduction channel appearing after MIT inmore » various-sized devices. Our findings on VO{sub 2} can be applied to micro- to nano-size tunable heating devices, e.g., microscale scanning thermal cantilevers and gas sensors.« less
Methods for making lithium vanadium oxide electrode materials

DOEpatents

Schutts, Scott M.; Kinney, Robert J.

2000-01-01

A method of making vanadium oxide formulations is presented. In one method of preparing lithium vanadium oxide for use as an electrode material, the method involves: admixing a particulate form of a lithium compound and a particulate form of a vanadium compound; jet milling the particulate admixture of the lithium and vanadium compounds; and heating the jet milled particulate admixture at a temperature below the melting temperature of the admixture to form lithium vanadium oxide.
THE COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF VANADIUM IN NIOBIUM-VANADIUM ALLOYS

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

Articolo, O.J.

1959-06-26

A procedure is described for the analysis of vanadium in niobium-- vanadium alloys in the range >0.1% vanadium with an accuracy of better than 3%. The method was applied to the analysis of niobium alloys in which the nominal per cent vanadium varied between 0.3 to 4.6%. The sample is dissolved in a mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acid and then evaporated to fumes with sulfuric acid. The niobium is hydrolyzed with sulfurous acid and separated from the vanadium by filtration. Hydrogen peroxide is added to the filtrate to form a reddish brown complex with the vanadium. The optical densitymore » of the resulting solution is obtained at 450 m mu on a model B Beckman spectrophotometer. (auth)« less
Phase Stability and Transformations in Vanadium Oxide Nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergerud, Amy Jo

Vanadium oxides are both fascinating and complex, due in part to the many compounds and phases that can be stabilized as well as the phase transformations which occur between them. The metal to insulator transitions (MITs) that take place in vanadium oxides are particularly interesting for both fundamental and applied study as they can be induced by a variety of stimuli ( i.e., temperature, pressure, doping) and utilized in many applications (i.e., smart windows, sensors, phase change memory). Nanocrystals also tend to demonstrate interesting phase behavior, due in part to the enhanced influence of surface energy on material thermodynamics. Vanadium oxide nanocrystals are thus expected to demonstrate very interesting properties in regard to phase stability and phase transformations, although synthesizing vanadium oxides in nanocrystal form remains a challenge. Vanadium sesquioxide (V2O3) is an example of a material that undergoes a MIT. For decades, the low temperature monoclinic phase and high temperature corundum phase were the only known crystal structures of V2O3. However, in 2011, a new metastable polymorph of V2O3 was reported with a cubic, bixbyite crystal structure. In Chapter 2, a colloidal route to bixbyite V2O 3 nanocrystals is presented. In addition to being one of the first reported observations of the bixbyite phase in V2O3, it is also one of the first successful colloidal syntheses of any of the vanadium oxides. The nanocrystals possess a flower-like morphology, the size and shape of which are dependent on synthesis time and temperature, respectively. An aminolysis reaction mechanism is determined from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data and the bixbyite crystal structure is confirmed by Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. Phase stability is assessed in both air and inert environments, confirming the metastable nature of the material. Upon heating in an inert atmosphere above 700°C, the nanocrystals irreversibly transform to the bulk stable corundum phase of V2O3 with concurrent particle coarsening. This, in combination with the enhanced stability of the nanocrystals over bulk, suggests that the bixbyite phase may be stabilized due to surface energy effects, a well-known phenomenon in nanocrystal research. In Chapter 3, the reversible incorporation of oxygen in bixbyite V 2O3 is reported, which can be controlled by varying temperature and oxygen partial pressure. Based on XRD and thermogravimetric analysis, it is found that oxygen occupies interstitial sites in the bixbyite lattice. Two oxygen atoms per unit cell can be incorporated rapidly and with minimal changes to the structure while the addition of three or more oxygen atoms destabilizes the structure, resulting in a phase change that can be reversed upon oxygen removal. Density functional theory (DFT) supports the reversible occupation of interstitial sites in bixbyite by oxygen and the 1.1 eV barrier to oxygen diffusion predicted by DFT matches the activation energy of the oxidation process derived from observations by in situ XRD. The observed rapid oxidation kinetics are thus facilitated by short diffusion paths through the bixbyite nanocrystals. Due to the exceptionally low temperatures of oxidation and reduction, this material, made from earth-abundant atoms, is proposed for use in oxygen storage applications, where oxygen is reversibly stored and released. Further oxidation of bixbyite V2O3 under controlled oxygen partial pressure can lead to the formation of nanocrystalline vanadium dioxide (VO2), a material that is studied for its MIT that occurs at 68 C in the bulk. This transformation is accompanied by a change in crystal structure, from monoclinic to rutile phase, and a change in optical properties, from infrared transparent to infrared blocking. Because of this, VO2 is promising for thermochromic smart window applications, where optical properties vary with temperature. Recently, alternative stimuli have been utilized to trigger MITs in VO2, including electrochemical gating. Rather than inducing the expected monoclinic to rutile phase transition as originally proposed, electrochemical gating of the insulating phase was recently shown to induce oxygen vacancy formation in VO2, thereby inducing metallization, while the characteristic V-V dimerization of the monoclinic phase was retained. In Chapter 4, the preparation and electrochemical reduction of VO2 nanocrystal films is presented. The nanocrystalline morphology allows for the study of transformations under conditions that enhance the gating effect by creating a large VO2-electrolyte interfacial area and by reducing the path length for diffusion. The resulting transitions are observed optically, from insulator to metal to insulator and back, with in situ visible-near infrared spectroelectrochemistry and correlated with structural changes monitored by Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The never-before-seen transition to an insulating phase under progressive electrochemical reduction is attributed to an oxygen defect induced phase transition to a new phase. This is likely enabled by the nanocrystalline nature of the sample, which may enhance the kinetics of oxygen diffusion, support a higher degree of lattice expansion-induced strain, or simply alter the thermodynamics of the system.
Suppression of the impurity-induced local magnetism by the opening of a spin pseudogap in Ni-doped Sr2CuO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utz, Yannic; Hammerath, Franziska; Nishimoto, Satoshi; Hess, Christian; Beesetty, Neela Sekhar; Saint-Martin, Romuald; Revcolevschi, Alexandre; Büchner, Bernd; Grafe, Hans-Joachim

2015-08-01

The S =1 /2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin chain compound Sr2CuO3 doped with 1 % and 2 % of Ni impurities has been studied by means of 63Cu nuclear magnetic resonance. A strong decrease of the spin-lattice relaxation rate T1-1 at low temperatures points toward a spin gap, while a stretching exponent λ <1 and a frequency dependence of T1-1 indicate that this spin gap varies spatially and should rather be characterized as a spin pseudogap. The magnitude of the spin pseudogap scales with doping level. Our results therefore evidence the finite-size character of this phenomenon. Moreover, an unusual narrowing of the low-temperature NMR lines reveals the suppression of the impurity-induced staggered paramagnetic response with increasing doping level.
Single crystal growth, characterization and high-pressure Raman spectroscopy of impurity-free magnesite (MgCO3)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Wen; Li, Zeming; Yin, Yuan; Li, Rui; Chen, Lin; He, Yu; Dong, Haini; Dai, Lidong; Li, Heping

2018-05-01

The understanding of the physical and chemical properties of magnesite (MgCO3) under deep-mantle conditions is highly important to capture the essence of deep-carbon storage in Earth's interior. To develop standard rating scales, the impurity-free magnesite single crystal, paying particular attention to the case of avoiding adverse impacts of Ca2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+ impurities in natural magnesite, is undoubtedly necessary for all research of magnesite, including crystalline structural phase transitions, anisotropic elasticity and conductivity, and equation of state (EoS). Thus, a high-quality single crystal of impurity-free magnesite was grown successfully for the first time using the self-flux method under high pressure-temperature conditions. The size of the magnesite single crystal, observed in a plane-polarized microscope, exceeds 200 μm, and the crystal exhibits a rhombohedral structure to cleave along the (101) plane. In addition, its composition of Mg0.999 ± 0.001CO3 was quantified through electron probing analysis. The structural property was investigated by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction and the unit cell dimensions obtained in the rhombohedral symmetry of the R\\bar {3}c space group are a = 4.6255 (3) and c = 14.987 (2), and the final R = 0.0243 for 718 reflections. High-pressure Raman spectroscopy of the magnesite single crystal was performed up to 27 GPa at ambient temperature. All Raman active bands, ν i, without any splitting increased almost linearly with increasing pressure. In combination with the high-pressure Raman results {{d/ν _i}}{{{d}P}} and the bulk modulus K T (103 GPa) reported from magnesite EoS studies, the mode Grüneisen parameters (1.49, 1.40, 0.26, and 0.27) of each vibration ( T, L, ν 4, and ν 1) were calculated.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Vanadium Dioxide and a Temperature-dependent Optical Model.

PubMed

Currie, Marc; Mastro, Michael A; Wheeler, Virginia D

2018-05-23

Vanadium dioxide is a material that has a reversible metal-insulator phase change near 68 °C. To grow VO2 on a wide variety of substrates, with wafer-scale uniformity and angstrom level control of thickness, the method of atomic-layer deposition was chosen. This ALD process enables high-quality, low-temperature (≤150 °C) growth of ultrathin films (100-1000 Å) of VO2. For this demonstration, the VO2 films were grown on sapphire substrates. This low temperature growth technique produces mostly amorphous VO2 films. A subsequent anneal in an ultra-high vacuum chamber with a pressure of 7x10 -4 Pa of ultra-high purity (99.999%) oxygen produced oriented, polycrystalline VO2 films. The crystallinity, phase, and strain of the VO2 were determined by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, while the stoichiometry and impurity levels were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and finally the morphology was determined by atomic force microscopy. These data demonstrate the high-quality of the films grown by this technique. A model was created to fit to the data for VO2 in its metallic and insulating phases in the near infrared spectral region. The permittivity and refractive index of the ALD VO2 agreed well with the other fabrication methods in its insulating phase, but showed a difference in its metallic state. Finally, the analysis of the films' optical properties enabled the creation of a wavelength- and temperature-dependent model of the complex optical refractive index for developing VO2 as a tunable refractive index material.
Nonequilibrium Quasiparticle Distribution Induced by Kondo Defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kroha, J.; Zawadowski, A.

2002-04-01

It is shown that in resistive nanowires out of equilibrium containing either single- or two-channel Kondo impurities the distribution function f(E,U) obeys scaling behavior in terms of the quasiparticle energy E and the bias voltage U. The numerically calculated f(E,U) curves explain quantitatively recent experiments on Cu and Au nanowires. The systematics of the impurity concentration cimp extracted from the comparison between theory and results on various Cu and Au samples strongly suggests that in these systems the scaling arises from magnetic Kondo impurities.
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Reverses Ammonium Metavanadate-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Rats

PubMed Central

Tlili, Mounira; Sriha, Badreddine; Ben Rhouma, Khémais; Sakly, Mohsen; Wurtz, Olivier

2015-01-01

The rate of atmospheric vanadium is constantly increasing due to fossil fuel combustion. This environmental pollution favours vanadium exposure in particular to its vanadate form, causing occupational bronchial asthma and bronchitis. Based on the well admitted bronchodilator properties of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), we investigated the ability of this neuropeptide to reverse the vanadate-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in rats. Exposure to ammonium metavanadate aerosols (5 mg/m3/h) for 15 minutes induced 4 hours later an array of pathophysiological events, including increase of bronchial resistance and histological alterations, activation of proinflammatory alveolar macrophages, and increased oxidative stress status. Powerfully, PACAP inhalation (0.1 mM) for 10 minutes alleviated many of these deleterious effects as demonstrated by a decrease of bronchial resistance and histological restoration. PACAP reduced the level of expression of mRNA encoding inflammatory chemokines (MIP-1α, MIP-2, and KC) and cytokines (IL-1α and TNF-α) in alveolar macrophages and improved the antioxidant status. PACAP reverses the vanadate-induced airway hyperresponsiveness not only through its bronchodilator activity but also by counteracting the proinflammatory and prooxidative effects of the metal. Then, the development of stable analogs of PACAP could represent a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory disorders. PMID:26199679
Kinetic shear Alfvén instability in the presence of impurity ions in tokamak plasmas

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

Lu, Gaimin; Shen, Y.; Xie, T.

2013-10-15

The effects of impurity ions on the kinetic shear Alfvén (KSA) instability in tokamak plasmas are investigated by numerically solving the integral equations for the KSA eigenmode in the toroidal geometry. The kinetic effects of hydrogen and impurity ions, including transit motion, finite ion Larmor radius, and finite-orbit-width, are taken into account. Toroidicity induced linear mode coupling is included through the ballooning-mode representation. Here, the effects of carbon, oxygen, and tungsten ions on the KSA instability in toroidal plasmas are investigated. It is found that, depending on the concentration and density profile of the impurity ions, the latter can bemore » either stabilizing or destabilizing for the KSA modes. The results here confirm the importance of impurity ions in tokamak experiments and should be useful for analyzing experimental data as well as for understanding anomalous transport and control of tokamak plasmas.« less
Effects of dietary vanadium in mallard ducks

USGS Publications Warehouse

White, D.H.; Dieter, M.P.

1978-01-01

Adult mallard ducks fed 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm vanadyl sulfate in the diet were sacrificed after 12 wk on treatment; tissues were analyzed for vanadium. No birds died during the study and body weights did not change. Vanadium accumulated to higher concentrations in the bone and liver than in other tissues. Concentrations in bones of hens were five times those in bones of drakes, suggesting an interaction between vanadium and calcium mobilization in laying hens. Vanadium concentrations in most tissues were significantly correlated and increased with treatment level. Lipid metabolism was altered in laying hens fed 100 ppm vanadium. Very little vanadium accumulated in the eggs of laying hens.
Levothyroxine sodium revisited: A wholistic structural elucidation approach of new impurities via HPLC-HRMS/MS, on-line H/D exchange, NMR spectroscopy and chemical synthesis.

PubMed

Ruggenthaler, M; Grass, J; Schuh, W; Huber, C G; Reischl, R J

2017-02-20

The structural elucidation of unknown pharmaceutical impurities plays an important role in the quality control of newly developed and well-established active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph for the API Levothyroxine Sodium, a synthetic thyroid hormone, features two high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods using UV-VIS absorption detection to determine organic impurities in the drug substance. The impurity profile of the first USP method ("Procedure 1") has already been extensively studied, however for the second method ("Procedure 2"), which exhibits a significantly different impurity profile, no wholistic structural elucidation of impurities has been performed yet. Applying minor modifications to the chromatographic parameters of USP "Procedure 2" and using various comprehensive structural elucidation methods such as high resolution tandem mass spectrometry with on-line hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange or two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) we gained new insights about the complex impurity profile of the synthetic thyroid hormone. This resulted in the characterization of 24 compounds previously unknown to literature and the introduction of two new classes of Levothyroxine Sodium impurities. Five novel compounds were unambiguously identified via isolation or synthesis of reference substances and subsequent NMR spectroscopic investigation. Additionally, Collision-Induced Dissociation (CID)-type fragmentation of identified major impurities as well as neutral loss fragmentation patterns of many characterized impurities were discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Vanadium accumulation in carbonaceous rocks: A review of geochemical controls during deposition and diagenesis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Breit, G.N.; Wanty, R.B.

1991-01-01

Published data relevant to the geochemistry of vanadium were used to evaluate processes and conditions that control vanadium accumulation in carbonaceous rocks. Reduction, adsorption, and complexation of dissolved vanadium favor addition of vanadium to sediments rich in organic carbon. Dissolved vanadate (V(V)) species predominate in oxic seawater and are reduced to vanadyl ion (V(IV)) by organic compounds or H2S. Vanadyl ion readily adsorbs to particle surfaces and is added to the sediment as the particles settle. The large vanadium concentrations of rocks deposited in marine as compared to lacustrine environments are the result of the relatively large amount of vanadium provided by circulating ocean water compared to terrestrial runoff. Vanadium-rich carbonaceous rocks typically have high contents of organically bound sulfur and are stratigraphically associated with phosphate-rich units. A correspondence between vanadium content and organically bound sulfur is consistent with high activities of H2S during sediment deposition. Excess H2S exited the sediment into bottom waters and favored reduction of dissolved V(V) to V(IV) or possibly V(III). The stratigraphic association of vanadiferous and phosphatic rocks reflects temporal and spatial shifts in bottom water chemistry from suboxic (phosphate concentrated) to more reducing (euxinic?) conditions that favor vanadium accumulation. During diagenesis some vanadium-organic complexes migrate with petroleum out of carbonaceous rocks, but significant amounts of vanadium are retained in refractory organic matter or clay minerals. As carbon in the rock evolves toward graphite during metamorphism, vanadium is incorporated into silicate minerals. ?? 1991.
Efficient Separation and Extraction of Vanadium and Chromium in High Chromium Vanadium Slag by Selective Two-Stage Roasting-Leaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jing; Jiang, Tao; Xu, Yingzhe; Liu, Jiayi; Xue, Xiangxin

2018-06-01

Vanadium and chromium are important rare metals, leading to a focus on high chromium vanadium slag (HCVS) as a potential raw material to extract vanadium and chromium in China. In this work, a novel method based on selective two-stage roasting-leaching was proposed to separate and extract vanadium and chromium efficiently in HCVS. XRD, FT-IR, and SEM were utilized to analyze the phase evolutions and microstructure during the whole process. Calcification roasting, which can calcify vanadium selectively using thermodynamics, was carried out in the first roasting stage to transfer vanadium into acid-soluble vanadate and leave chromium in the leaching residue as (Fe0.6Cr0.4)2O3 after H2SO4 leaching. When HCVS and CaO were mixed in the molar ratio CaO/V2O3 (n(CaO)/n(V2O3)) of 0.5 to 1.25, around 90 pct vanadium and less than 1 pct chromium were extracted in the first leaching liquid, thus achieving the separation of vanadium and chromium. In the second roasting stage, sodium salt, which combines with chromium easily, was added to the first leaching residue to extract chromium and 95.16 pct chromium was extracted under the optimal conditions. The total vanadium and chromium leaching rates were above 95 pct, achieving the efficient separation and extraction of vanadium and chromium. The established method provides a new technique to separate vanadium and chromium during roasting rather than in the liquid form, which is useful for the comprehensive application of HCVS.
Efficient Separation and Extraction of Vanadium and Chromium in High Chromium Vanadium Slag by Selective Two-Stage Roasting-Leaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jing; Jiang, Tao; Xu, Yingzhe; Liu, Jiayi; Xue, Xiangxin

2018-04-01

Vanadium and chromium are important rare metals, leading to a focus on high chromium vanadium slag (HCVS) as a potential raw material to extract vanadium and chromium in China. In this work, a novel method based on selective two-stage roasting-leaching was proposed to separate and extract vanadium and chromium efficiently in HCVS. XRD, FT-IR, and SEM were utilized to analyze the phase evolutions and microstructure during the whole process. Calcification roasting, which can calcify vanadium selectively using thermodynamics, was carried out in the first roasting stage to transfer vanadium into acid-soluble vanadate and leave chromium in the leaching residue as (Fe0.6Cr0.4)2O3 after H2SO4 leaching. When HCVS and CaO were mixed in the molar ratio CaO/V2O3 (n(CaO)/n(V2O3)) of 0.5 to 1.25, around 90 pct vanadium and less than 1 pct chromium were extracted in the first leaching liquid, thus achieving the separation of vanadium and chromium. In the second roasting stage, sodium salt, which combines with chromium easily, was added to the first leaching residue to extract chromium and 95.16 pct chromium was extracted under the optimal conditions. The total vanadium and chromium leaching rates were above 95 pct, achieving the efficient separation and extraction of vanadium and chromium. The established method provides a new technique to separate vanadium and chromium during roasting rather than in the liquid form, which is useful for the comprehensive application of HCVS.
Neoclassical poloidal and toroidal rotation in tokamaks

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

Kim, Y.B.; Diamond, P.H.; Groebner, R.J.

1991-08-01

Explicit expressions for the neoclassical poloidal and toroidal rotation speeds of primary ion and impurity species are derived via the Hirshman and Sigmar moment approach. The rotation speeds of the primary ion can be significantly different from those of impurities in various interesting cases. The rapid increase of impurity poloidal rotation in the edge region of H-mode discharges in tokamaks can be explained by a rapid steepening of the primary ion pressure gradient. Depending on ion collisionality, the poloidal rotation speed of the primary ions at the edge can be quite small and the flow direction may be opposite tomore » that of the impurities. This may cast considerable doubts on current L to H bifurcation models based on primary ion poloidal rotation only. Also, the difference between the toroidal rotation velocities of primary ions and impurities is not negligible in various cases. In Ohmic plasmas, the parallel electric field induces a large impurity toroidal rotation close to the magnetic axis, which seems to agree with experimental observations. In the ion banana and plateau regime, there can be non-negligible disparities between primary ion and impurity toroidal rotation velocities due to the ion density and temperature gradients. Detailed analytic expressions for the primary ion and impurity rotation speeds are presented, and the methodology for generalization to the case of several impurity species is also presented for future numerical evaluation.« less
Using light transmission to watch hydrogen diffuse

PubMed Central

Pálsson, Gunnar K.; Bliersbach, Andreas; Wolff, Max; Zamani, Atieh; Hjörvarsson, Björgvin

2012-01-01

Because of its light weight and small size, hydrogen exhibits one of the fastest diffusion rates in solid materials, comparable to the diffusion rate of liquid water molecules at room temperature. The diffusion rate is determined by an intricate combination of quantum effects and dynamic interplay with the displacement of host atoms that is still only partially understood. Here we present direct observations of the spatial and temporal changes in the diffusion-induced concentration profiles in a vanadium single crystal and we show that the results represent the experimental counterpart of the full time and spatial solution of Fick's diffusion equation. We validate the approach by determining the diffusion rate of hydrogen in a single crystal vanadium (001) film, with net diffusion in the [110] direction. PMID:22692535
Using light transmission to watch hydrogen diffuse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pálsson, Gunnar K.; Bliersbach, Andreas; Wolff, Max; Zamani, Atieh; Hjörvarsson, Björgvin

2012-06-01

Because of its light weight and small size, hydrogen exhibits one of the fastest diffusion rates in solid materials, comparable to the diffusion rate of liquid water molecules at room temperature. The diffusion rate is determined by an intricate combination of quantum effects and dynamic interplay with the displacement of host atoms that is still only partially understood. Here we present direct observations of the spatial and temporal changes in the diffusion-induced concentration profiles in a vanadium single crystal and we show that the results represent the experimental counterpart of the full time and spatial solution of Fick's diffusion equation. We validate the approach by determining the diffusion rate of hydrogen in a single crystal vanadium (001) film, with net diffusion in the [110] direction.
Impurity effects in highly frustrated diamond-lattice antiferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savary, Lucile; Gull, Emanuel; Trebst, Simon; Alicea, Jason; Bergman, Doron; Balents, Leon

2011-08-01

We consider the effects of local impurities in highly frustrated diamond-lattice antiferromagnets, which exhibit large but nonextensive ground-state degeneracies. Such models are appropriate to many A-site magnetic spinels. We argue very generally that sufficiently dilute impurities induce an ordered magnetic ground state and provide a mechanism of degeneracy breaking. The states that are selected can be determined by a “swiss cheese model” analysis, which we demonstrate numerically for a particular impurity model in this case. Moreover, we present criteria for estimating the stability of the resulting ordered phase to a competing frozen (spin glass) one. The results may explain the contrasting finding of frozen and ordered ground states in CoAl2O4 and MnSc2S4, respectively.

Impurity Effects in Highly Frustrated Diamond-Lattice Antiferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savary, Lucile

2012-02-01

We consider the effects of local impurities in highly frustrated diamond lattice antiferromagnets, which exhibit large but non-extensive ground state degeneracies. Such models are appropriate to many A-site magnetic spinels. We argue very generally that sufficiently dilute impurities induce an ordered magnetic ground state, and provide a mechanism of degeneracy breaking. The states which are selected can be determined by a ``swiss cheese model'' analysis, which we demonstrate numerically for a particular impurity model in this case. Moreover, we present criteria for estimating the stability of the resulting ordered phase to a competing frozen (spin glass) one. The results may explain the contrasting finding of frozen and ordered ground states in CoAl2O4 and MnSc2S4, respectively.
Deicing chemicals as source of constituents of highway runoff

USGS Publications Warehouse

Granato, G.E.

1996-01-01

The dissolved major and trace constituents of deicing chemicals as a source of constituents in highway runoff must be quantified for interpretive studies of highway runoff and its effects on surface water and groundwater. Dissolved constituents of the deicing chemicals-sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and premix (a mixture of sodium and calcium chloride)-were determined by analysis of salt solutions created in the laboratory and are presented as mass ratios to chloride. Deicing chemical samples studied are about 98 and 97 percent pure sodium chloride and calcium chloride, respectively: however, each has a distinct major and trace ion constituent signature. The greatest impurity in sodium chloride road sail samples was sulfate, followed by calcium, potassium, bromide, vanadium, magnesium, fluoride, and other constituents with a ratio to chloride of less than 0.0001 by mass. The greatest impurity in the calcium chloride road salt samples was sodium, followed by potassium, sulfate, bromide, silica, fluoride. strontium, magnesium, and other constituents with a ratio to chloride of less than 0.0001 by mass. Major constituents of deicing chemicals in highway runoff may account for a substantial source of annual chemical loads. Comparison of estimated annual loads and first flush concentrations of deicing chemical constituents in highway runoff with those reported in the literature indicate that although deicing chemicals are not a primary source of trace constituents, they are not a trivial source, either. Therefore, deicing chemicals should be considered as a source of many major and trace constituents in highway and urban runoff.
Self-learning Monte Carlo with deep neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Huitao; Liu, Junwei; Fu, Liang

2018-05-01

The self-learning Monte Carlo (SLMC) method is a general algorithm to speedup MC simulations. Its efficiency has been demonstrated in various systems by introducing an effective model to propose global moves in the configuration space. In this paper, we show that deep neural networks can be naturally incorporated into SLMC, and without any prior knowledge can learn the original model accurately and efficiently. Demonstrated in quantum impurity models, we reduce the complexity for a local update from O (β2) in Hirsch-Fye algorithm to O (β lnβ ) , which is a significant speedup especially for systems at low temperatures.
Vanadium distribution in rats and DNA cleavage by vanadyl complex: implication for vanadium toxicity and biological effects.

PubMed Central

Sakurai, H

1994-01-01

Vanadium ion is toxic to animals. However, vanadium is also an agent used for chemoprotection against cancers in animals. To understand both the toxic and beneficial effects we studied vanadium distribution in rats. Accumulation of vanadium in the liver nuclei of rats given low doses of compounds in the +4 or +5 oxidation state was greater than in the liver nuclei of rats given high doses of vanadium compounds or the vanadate (+5 oxidation state) compound. Vanadium was incorporated exclusively in the vanadyl (+4 oxidation state) form. We also investigated the reactions of vanadyl ion and found that incubation of DNA with vanadyl ion and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) led to intense DNA cleavage. ESR spin trapping demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals are generated during the reactions of vanadyl ion and H2O2. Thus, we propose that the mechanism for vanadium-dependent toxicity and antineoplastic action is due to DNA cleavage by hydroxyl radicals generated in living systems. PMID:7843133
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wei, Xiaoliang; Nie, Zimin; Luo, Qingtao

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are capable of reversible conversion between electricity and chemical energy. Potential RFB applications resolve around mitigating the discrepancy between electricity production and consumption to improve the stability and utilization of the power infrastructure and tackling the intermittency of renewables such as photovoltaics or wind turbines to enable their reliable integration [1, 2]. Because the energy is stored in externally contained liquid electrolytes and the energy conversion reactions take place at the electrodes, RFBs hold a unique capability to separate energy and power and thus possess considerable design flexibility to meet either energy management driven or powermore » rating oriented grid applications, which is considered to be a unparalleled advantage over conventional solid-state secondary batteries [3]. Other advantages of RFBs include fast response to load changes, high round-trip efficiency, long calender and cycle lives, safe operations, tolerance to deep discharge, etc. [4]. Among various flow battery chemistries, all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) was invented by Maria Skyllas-Kazacos at the University of New South Wales in the 1980s [5, 6] and have attracted substantial attention in both research and industrial communities today [7, 8]. A well-recognized advantage that makes VRB stands out among other redox chemistries is the reduced crossover contamination ascribed to employing four different oxidation states of the same vanadium element as the two redox couples. Recently, great progress has led to remarkably improved energy density of VRB by using sulfuric-chloric mixed acid supporting electrolytes that were stable at 2.5M vanadium and had wider operational temperature window of -5~50oC [9], compared with the traditional sulfuric acid VRB system [10].« less
Improvement and formation of UV-induced damage on LBO crystal surface during long-term high-power third-harmonic generation.

PubMed

Hong, Hailong; Liu, Qiang; Huang, Lei; Gong, Mali

2013-03-25

We demonstrate the improvement and formation of UV-induced damage on LBO crystal output surface during long-term (130 h) high-power (20 W) high-repetition-rate (80 kHz) third-harmonic generation. The output surface was super-polished (RMS surface roughness <0.6 nm) to sub-nanometer scale super smooth roughness. The surface lifetime has been improved more than 20-fold compared with the as-polished ones (RMS surface roughness 4.0~8.0 nm). The damage could be attributed to the consequence of thermal effects resulted from impurity absorptions. Simultaneously, it was verified that the impurities originated in part from the UV-induced deposition.
Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Experiments for the Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory: Suppression of Polarization Impurity and Stray Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Kaleb; Jackson, Richard; van Vleet, Matthew; Kuhnash, Kodi; Worth, Bradley; Day, Amanda; Bali, Samir

2014-05-01

We investigate electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in rubidium vapor using a single laser beam and a scanning magnetic field co-aligned with the laser propagation direction. We show that polarization impurity, stray magnetic fields and imperfect optical alignments cause broadening of the EIT/EIA signal and other spurious effects. We describe a systematic approach to minimizing these undesired effects, which produces EIT/EIA signals nearly two orders of magnitude narrower than the natural linewidth. We gratefully acknowledge funding from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund and Miami University. We also acknowledge the Miami University Instrumentation Laboratory for their invaluable contributions.
pH-Specific structural speciation of the ternary V(V)-peroxido-betaine system: a chemical reactivity-structure correlation.

PubMed

Gabriel, C; Kioseoglou, E; Venetis, J; Psycharis, V; Raptopoulou, C P; Terzis, A; Voyiatzis, G; Bertmer, M; Mateescu, C; Salifoglou, A

2012-06-04

Vanadium involvement in cellular processes requires deep understanding of the nature and properties of its soluble and bioavailable forms arising in aqueous speciations of binary and ternary systems. In an effort to understand the ternary vanadium-H(2)O(2)-ligand interactions relevant to that metal ion's biological role, synthetic efforts were launched involving the physiological ligands betaine (Me(3)N(+)CH(2)CO(2)(-)) and H(2)O(2). In a pH-specific fashion, V(2)O(5), betaine, and H(2)O(2) reacted and afforded three new, unusual, and unique compounds, consistent with the molecular formulation K(2)[V(2)O(2)(O(2))(4){(CH(3))(3)NCH(2)CO(2))}]·H(2)O (1), (NH(4))(2)[V(2)O(2)(O(2))(4){(CH(3))(3)NCH(2)CO(2))}]·0.75H(2)O (2), and {Na(2)[V(2)O(2)(O(2))(4){(CH(3))(3)NCH(2)CO(2))}(2)]}(n)·4nH(2)O (3). All complexes 1-3 were characterized by elemental analysis; UV/visible, FT-IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy in solution and the solid state; cyclic voltammetry; TGA-DTG; and X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1 and 2 reveal the presence of unusual ternary dinuclear vanadium-tetraperoxido-betaine complexes containing [(V(V)═O)(O(2))(2)] units interacting through long V-O bonds. The two V(V) ions are bridged through the oxygen terminal of one of the peroxide groups bound to the vanadium centers. The betaine ligand binds only one of the two V(V) ions. In the case of the third complex 3, the two vanadium centers are not immediate neighbors, with Na(+) ions (a) acting as efficient oxygen anchors and through Na-O bonds holding the two vanadium ions in place and (b) providing for oxygen-containing ligand binding leading to a polymeric lattice. In 1 and 3, interesting 2D (honeycomb) and 1D (zigzag chains) topologies of potassium nine-coordinate polyhedra (1) and sodium octahedra (3), respectively, form. The collective physicochemical properties of the three ternary species 1-3 project the chemical role of the low molecular mass biosubstrate betaine in binding V(V)-diperoxido units, thereby stabilizing a dinuclear V(V)-tetraperoxido dianion. Structural comparisons of the anions in 1-3 with other known dinuclear V(V)-tetraperoxido binary anionic species provide insight into the chemical reactivity of V(V)-diperoxido systems and their potential link to cellular events such as insulin mimesis and anitumorigenicity modulated by the presence of betaine.
Superconducting and Magnetic Properties of Vanadium/iron Superlattices.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Hong-Kuen

A novel ultrahigh vacuum evaporator was constructed for the preparation of superlattice samples. The thickness control was much better than an atomic plane. With this evaporator we prepared V/Fe superlattice samples on (0001) sapphire substrates with different thicknesses. All samples showed a good bcc(110) structure. Mossbauer experiments showed that the interface mixing extended a distance of about one atomic plane indicating an almost rectangular composition profile. Because of this we were able to prepare samples with layer thickness approaching one atomic plane. Even with ultrathin Fe layers, the samples are ferromagnetic, at least at lower temperatures. Superparamagnetism and spin glass states were not seen. In the absence of an external field, the magnetic moments lie close to the film plane. In addition to this shape anisotropy, there is some uniaxial anisotropy. No magnetic dead layers have been observed. The magnetic moments within the Fe layers vary little with the distance from the interfaces. At the interfaces the Fe moment is reduced and an antiparallel moment is induced on the vanadium atoms. It is observed that ultrathin Fe layers behave in a 2D fashion when isolated by sufficiently thick vanadium layers; however, on thinning the vanadium layers, a magnetic coupling between the Fe layers has been observed. We also studied the superconducting properties of V/Fe sandwiches and superlattices. In both cases, the Fe layer, a strong pair-breaker, suppresses the superconducting transition temperature consistent with the current knowledge of the magnetic proximity effect. For the sandwiches with thin (thick) vanadium layers, the temperature dependence of the upper critical fields is consistent with the simple theory for a 2D (3D) superconductor. For the superlattices, when the vanadium layer is on the order of the BCS coherence length and the Fe layer is only a few atomic planes thick, a 2D-3D crossover has been observed in the temperature dependence of the parallel upper critical field. This implies the coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism. We observe three dimensional behavior for thinner Fe layers ((TURN)1 atomic plane) and two dimensional behavior for thicker Fe layers (greater than 10 atomic planes).
Aqueous vanadium ion dynamics relevant to bioinorganic chemistry: A review.

PubMed

Kustin, Kenneth

2015-06-01

Aqueous solutions of the four highest vanadium oxidation states exhibit four diverse colors, which only hint at the diverse reactions that these ions can undergo. Cationic vanadium ions form complexes with ligands; anionic vanadium ions form complexes with ligands and self-react to form isopolyanions. All vanadium species undergo oxidation-reduction reactions. With a few exceptions, elucidation of the dynamics of these reactions awaited the development of fast reaction techniques before the kinetics of elementary ligation, condensation, reduction, and oxidation of the aqueous vanadium ions could be investigated. As the biological roles played by endogenous and therapeutic vanadium expand, it is appropriate to bring the results of the diverse kinetics studies under one umbrella. To achieve this goal this review presents a systematic examination of elementary aqueous vanadium ion dynamics. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Vanadium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kelley, Karen D.; Scott, Clinton T.; Polyak, Désirée E.; Kimball, Bryn E.; Schulz, Klaus J.; DeYoung,, John H.; Seal, Robert R.; Bradley, Dwight C.

2017-12-19

Vanadium is used primarily in the production of steel alloys; as a catalyst for the chemical industry; in the making of ceramics, glasses, and pigments; and in vanadium redox-flow batteries (VRBs) for large-scale storage of electricity. World vanadium resources in 2012 were estimated to be 63 million metric tons, which include about 14 million metric tons of reserves. The majority of the vanadium produced in 2012 was from China, Russia, and South Africa.Vanadium is extracted from several different types of mineral deposits and from fossil fuels. These deposits include vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) deposits, sandstone-hosted vanadium (with or without uranium) deposits (SSV deposits), and vanadium-rich black shales. VTM deposits are the principal source of vanadium and consist of magmatic accumulations of ilmenite and magnetite containing 0.2 to 1 weight percent vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). SSV deposits are another important source; these deposits have average ore grades that range from 0.1 to greater than 1 weight percent V2O5. The United States has been and is currently the main producer of vanadium from SSV deposits, particularly those on the Colorado Plateau. Vanadium-rich black shales occur in marine successions that were deposited in epeiric (inland) seas and on continental margins. Concentrations in these shales regularly exceed 0.18 weight percent V2O5 and can be as high as 1.7 weight percent V2O5. Small amounts of vanadium have been produced from the Alum Shale in Sweden and from ferrophosphorus slag generated during the reduction of phosphate to elemental phosphorus in ore from shales of the Phosphoria Formation in Idaho and Wyoming. Because vanadium enrichment occurs in beds that are typically only a few meters thick, most of the vanadiferous black shales are not currently economic, although they may become an important resource in the future. Significant amounts of vanadium are recovered as byproducts of petroleum refining, and processing of coal, tar sands, and oil shales may be important future sources.Vanadium occurs in one of four oxidation states in nature: +2, +3, +4, and +5. The V3+ ion has an octahedral radius that is almost identical to that of (Fe3+) and (Al3+) and, therefore, it substitutes in ferromagnesian minerals. During weathering, much of the vanadium may partition into newly formed clay minerals, and it either remains in the +3 valence state or oxidizes to the +4 valence state, both of which are relatively insoluble. If erosion is insignificant but chemical leaching is intense, the residual material may be enriched in vanadium, as are some bauxites and laterites. During the weathering of igneous, residual, or sedimentary rocks, some vanadium oxidizes to the +5 valence state, especially in the intensive oxidizing conditions that are characteristic of arid climates.The average contents of vanadium in the environment are as follows: soils [10 to 500 parts per million (ppm)]; streams and rivers [0.2 to 2.9 parts per billion (ppb)]; and coastal seawater (0.3 to 2.8 ppb). Concentrations of vanadium in soils (548 to 7,160 ppm) collected near vanadium mines in China, the Czech Republic, and South Africa are many times greater than natural concentrations in soils. Additionally, if deposits contain sulfide minerals such as chalcocite, pyrite, and sphalerite, high levels of acidity may be present if sulfide dissolution is not balanced by the presence of acid-neutralizing carbonate minerals. Some of the vanadium-bearing deposit types, particularly some SSV and black-shale deposits, contain appreciable amounts of carbonate minerals, which lowers the acid-generation potential.Vanadium is a micronutrient with a postulated requirement for humans of less than 10 micrograms per day, which can be met through dietary intake. Primary and secondary drinking water regulations for vanadium are not currently in place in the United States. Vanadium toxicity is thought to result from an intake of more than 10 to 20 milligrams per day. Vanadium is essential for some biological processes and organisms. For example, some nitrogen-fixing bacteria require vanadium for producing enzymes necessary to convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, which is a more biologically accessible form of nitrogen.
Characterization and Mitigation of ICRF Antenna - Plasma Edge Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Rongjie; Tynan, George; Wukitch, Steve; Lin, Yijun; Terry, Jim; Chilenski, M.; Golfinopoulos, T.; Hubbard, A.; Mumgaard, R. T.; Perkins, R.; Reinke, M. L.; Alcator C-Mod Team

2017-10-01

Recent experiments reveal that RF-induced potentials (VRF) in the SOL and impurity source at the antenna can be reduced to background levels via optimizing the power ratio between the inner and outer current straps, Pcent /Pout . Experiments indicate the antenna impurity source reduction for the field aligned antenna is due to geometrical alignment rather than electrical symmetry. Additional experiments performed without an optimized Pcent /Pout showed that VRF and the associated convection cells do not influence the impurity penetration or core impurity confinement. These results suggest the core impurity contamination associated with ICRF heating is dominated by an increased impurity source rather than a change in impurity transport. Further, the convective cell strength was expected to scale inversely with B-field. The observed poloidal velocity (measure of convective cell strength), however, decreased less than expected. In addition, the measured maximum VRF increased and penetrated farther into the SOL at higher B-field and plasma current. Results also suggest VRF is strongly influenced by the SOL plasma parameters rather than by RF parameters. Work supported by the U.S. DoE, Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, User Facility Alcator C-Mod under DE-FC02-99ER54512 and DE-SC 0010720.
An impurity-induced gap system as a quantum data bus for quantum state transfer

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

Chen, Bing, E-mail: chenbingphys@gmail.com; Li, Yong; Song, Z.

2014-09-15

We introduce a tight-binding chain with a single impurity to act as a quantum data bus for perfect quantum state transfer. Our proposal is based on the weak coupling limit of the two outermost quantum dots to the data bus, which is a gapped system induced by the impurity. By connecting two quantum dots to two sites of the data bus, the system can accomplish a high-fidelity and long-distance quantum state transfer. Numerical simulations for finite system show that the numerical and analytical results of the effective coupling strength agree well with each other. Moreover, we study the robustness ofmore » this quantum communication protocol in the presence of disorder in the couplings between the nearest-neighbor quantum dots. We find that the gap of the system plays an important role in robust quantum state transfer.« less
Effects of electric field and light polarization on the electromagnetically induced transparency in an impurity doped quantum ring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bejan, D.; Stan, C.; Niculescu, E. C.

2018-01-01

We theoretically investigated the effects of the impurity position, in-plane electric field, intensity and polarization of the probe and control lasers on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in GaAs/GaAlAs disc shaped quantum ring. Our study reveals that, depending on the impurity position, the quantum system presents two specific configurations for the EIT occurrence even in the absence of the external electric field, i.e. ladder-configuration or V-configuration, and changes the configuration from ladder to V for specific electric field values. The polarization of the probe and control lasers plays a crucial role in obtaining a good transparency. The electric field controls the red-shift (blue-shift) of the transparency window and modifies its width. The system exhibits birefringence for the probe light in a limited interval of electric field values.
E+ Transition in GaAs1-xNx and GaAs1-xBix Due to Isoelectronic-Impurity-Induced Perturbation of the Conduction Band

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

Fluegel, B.; Mascarenhas, A.; Ptak, A. J.

2007-01-01

An above-band-gap transition E{sub +} is experimentally observed in the dilute GaAs{sub 1-x}Bi{sub x} alloy. Precise measurements at very low dilutions are made of the above-band-gap transition E{sub +} that is observed in GaAs{sub 1-x}N{sub x}, making it possible to compare the behavior of the different isoelectronic traps Bi and N in the common host GaAs with respect to their perturbation to the host electronic structure. We suggest that the origin of the E{sub +} level observed in GaAs is not the isolated isoelectronic impurity level N{sub x}, as is presumed in the band-anticrossing model, but rather the isoelectronic-impurity-induced perturbationmore » of the conduction band L{sub 6}{sup c}.« less
40 CFR 440.30 - Applicability; description of the uranium, radium and vanadium ores subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... vanadium ores are produced; and (b) mills using the acid leach, alkaline leach, or combined acid and alkaline leach process for the extraction of uranium, radium and vanadium. Only vanadium byproduct...
40 CFR 440.30 - Applicability; description of the uranium, radium and vanadium ores subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... vanadium ores are produced; and (b) mills using the acid leach, alkaline leach, or combined acid and alkaline leach process for the extraction of uranium, radium and vanadium. Only vanadium byproduct...
40 CFR 440.30 - Applicability; description of the uranium, radium and vanadium ores subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... vanadium ores are produced; and (b) mills using the acid leach, alkaline leach, or combined acid and alkaline leach process for the extraction of uranium, radium and vanadium. Only vanadium byproduct...
Vanadium Recovery from Oil Fly Ash by Carbon Removal and Roast-Leach Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Myungwon; Mishra, Brajendra

2018-02-01

This research mainly focuses on the recovery of vanadium from oil fly ash by carbon removal and the roast-leach process. The oil fly ash contained about 85% unburned carbon and 2.2% vanadium by weight. A vanadium-enriched product was obtained after carbon removal, and the vanadium content of this product was 19% by weight. Next, the vanadium-enriched product was roasted with sodium carbonate to convert vanadium oxides to water-soluble sodium metavanadate. The roasted sample was leached with water at 60°C, and the extraction percentage of vanadium was about 92% by weight. Several analytical techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), were utilized for sample analyses. Thermodynamic modeling was also conducted with HSC chemistry software to explain the experimental results.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luo, Qingtao; Li, Liyu; Nie, Zimin

We will show a new method to differentiate the vanadium transport from concentration gradient and that from electric field. Flow batteries with vanadium and iron redox couples as the electro-active species were employed to investigate the transport behavior of vanadium ions in the presence of electric field. It was shown that electric field accelerated the positive-to-negative and reduced the negative-to-positive vanadium ions transport in charge process and affected the vanadium ions transport in an opposite way in discharge process. In addition, a method was designed to differentiate the concentration gradient-driven vanadium ions diffusion and electric field-driven vanadium ions migration. Simplifiedmore » mathematical model was established to simulate the vanadium ions transport in real charge-discharge operation of flow battery. The concentration gradient diffusion coefficients and electric-migration coefficients of V2+, V3+, VO2+, and VO2+ across Nafion membrane were obtained by fitting the experimental data.« less

Dual-wavelength excited photoluminescence spectroscopy of deep-level hole traps in Ga(In)NP

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

Dagnelund, D.; Huang, Y. Q.; Buyanova, I. A.

2015-01-07

By employing photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy under dual-wavelength optical excitation, we uncover the presence of deep-level hole traps in Ga(In)NP alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The energy level positions of the traps are determined to be at 0.56 eV and 0.78 eV above the top of the valance band. We show that photo-excitation of the holes from the traps, by a secondary light source with a photon energy below the bandgap energy, can lead to a strong enhancement (up to 25%) of the PL emissions from the alloys under a primary optical excitation above the bandgap energy. We further demonstrate thatmore » the same hole traps can be found in various MBE-grown Ga(In)NP alloys, regardless of their growth temperatures, chemical compositions, and strain. The extent of the PL enhancement induced by the hole de-trapping is shown to vary between different alloys, however, likely reflecting their different trap concentrations. The absence of theses traps in the GaNP alloy grown by vapor phase epitaxy suggests that their incorporation could be associated with a contaminant accompanied by the N plasma source employed in the MBE growth, possibly a Cu impurity.« less
Impurity gettering in semiconductors

DOEpatents

Sopori, B.L.

1995-06-20

A process for impurity gettering in a semiconductor substrate or device such as a silicon substrate or device is disclosed. The process comprises hydrogenating the substrate or device at the back side thereof with sufficient intensity and for a time period sufficient to produce a damaged back side. Thereafter, the substrate or device is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation at an intensity and for a time period sufficient to cause the impurities to diffuse to the back side and alloy with a metal there present to form a contact and capture the impurities. The impurity gettering process also can function to simultaneously passivate defects within the substrate or device, with the defects likewise diffusing to the back side for simultaneous passivation. Simultaneously, substantially all hydrogen-induced damage on the back side of the substrate or device is likewise annihilated. Also taught is an alternate process comprising thermal treatment after hydrogenation of the substrate or device at a temperature of from about 500 C to about 700 C for a time period sufficient to cause the impurities to diffuse to the damaged back side thereof for subsequent capture by an alloying metal. 1 fig.
Impurity gettering in semiconductors

DOEpatents

Sopori, Bhushan L.

1995-01-01

A process for impurity gettering in a semiconductor substrate or device such as a silicon substrate or device. The process comprises hydrogenating the substrate or device at the back side thereof with sufficient intensity and for a time period sufficient to produce a damaged back side. Thereafter, the substrate or device is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation at an intensity and for a time period sufficient to cause the impurities to diffuse to the back side and alloy with a metal there present to form a contact and capture the impurities. The impurity gettering process also can function to simultaneously passivate defects within the substrate or device, with the defects likewise diffusing to the back side for simultaneous passivation. Simultaneously, substantially all hydrogen-induced damage on the back side of the substrate or device is likewise annihilated. Also taught is an alternate process comprising thermal treatment after hydrogenation of the substrate or device at a temperature of from about 500.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to cause the impurities to diffuse to the damaged back side thereof for subsequent capture by an alloying metal.
Silicide induced ion beam patterning of Si(001).

PubMed

Engler, Martin; Frost, Frank; Müller, Sven; Macko, Sven; Will, Moritz; Feder, René; Spemann, Daniel; Hübner, René; Facsko, Stefan; Michely, Thomas

2014-03-21

Low energy ion beam pattern formation on Si with simultaneous co-deposition of Ag, Pd, Pb, Ir, Fe or C impurities was investigated by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy as well as ex situ atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The impurities were supplied by sputter deposition. Additional insight into the mechanism of pattern formation was obtained by more controlled supply through e-beam evaporation. For the situations investigated, the ability of the impurity to react with Si, i.e. to form a silicide, appears to be a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for pattern formation. Comparing the effects of impurities with similar mass and nuclear charge, the collision kinetics is shown to be not of primary importance for pattern formation. To understand the observed phenomena, it is necessary to assume a bi-directional coupling of composition and height fluctuations. This coupling gives rise to a sensitive dependence of the final morphology on the conditions of impurity supply. Because of this history dependence, the final morphology cannot be uniquely characterized by a steady state impurity concentration.
Thirty years through vanadium chemistry.

PubMed

Costa Pessoa, J

2015-06-01

The relevance of vanadium in biological systems is known for many years and vanadium-based catalysts have important industrial applications, however, till the beginning of the 80s research on vanadium chemistry and biochemistry did not receive much attention from the scientific community. The understanding of the broad bioinorganic implications resulting from the similarities between phosphate and vanadate(V) and the discovery of vanadium dependent enzymes gave rise to an enormous increase in interest in the chemistry and biological relevance of vanadium. Thereupon the last 30years corresponded to a period of enormous research effort in these fields, as well as in medicinal applications of vanadium and in the development of catalysts for use in fine-chemical synthesis, some of these inspired by enzymatic active sites. Since the 80s my group in collaboration with others made contributions, described throughout this text, namely in the understanding of the speciation of vanadium compounds in aqueous solution and in biological fluids, and to the transport of vanadium compounds in blood plasma and their uptake by cells. Several new types of vanadium compounds were also synthesized and characterized, with applications either as prospective therapeutic drugs or as homogeneous or heterogenized catalysts for the production of fine chemicals. The developments made are described also considering the international context of the evolution of the knowledge in the chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry of vanadium compounds during the last 30years. This article was compiled based on the Vanadis Award presentation at the 9th International Vanadium Symposium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Hydride vapor phase GaN films with reduced density of residual electrons and deep traps

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

Polyakov, A. Y., E-mail: aypolyakov@gmail.com; Smirnov, N. B.; Govorkov, A. V.

2014-05-14

Electrical properties and deep electron and hole traps spectra are compared for undoped n-GaN films grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) in the regular process (standard HVPE samples) and in HVPE process optimized for decreasing the concentration of residual donor impurities (improved HVPE samples). It is shown that the residual donor density can be reduced by optimization from ∼10{sup 17} cm{sup −3} to (2–5) × 10{sup 14} cm{sup −3}. The density of deep hole traps and deep electron traps decreases with decreased donor density, so that the concentration of deep hole traps in the improved samples is reduced to ∼5 × 10{sup 13} cm{sup −3} versusmore » 2.9 × 10{sup 16} cm{sup −3} in the standard samples, with a similar decrease in the electron traps concentration.« less
[The vanadium compounds: chemistry, synthesis, insulinomimetic properties].

PubMed

Fedorova, E V; Buriakina, A V; Vorob'eva, N M; Baranova, N I

2014-01-01

The review considers the biological role of vanadium, its participation in various processes in humans and other mammals, and the anti-diabetic effect of its compounds. Vanadium salts have persistent hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects and reduce the probability of secondary complications in animals with experimental diabetes. The review contains a detailed description of all major synthesized vanadium complexes having antidiabetic activity. Currently, vanadium complexes with organic ligands are more effective and safer than the inorganic salts. Despite the proven efficacy of these compounds as the anti-diabetic agents in animal models, only one organic complex of vanadium is currently under the second phase of clinical trials. All of the considered data suggest that vanadium compound are a new promising class of drugs in modern pharmacotherapy of diabetes.
Bioleaching of vanadium from barren stone coal and its effect on the transition of vanadium speciation and mineral phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xin; Lin, Hai; Dong, Ying-bo; Li, Gan-yu

2018-03-01

This study determined the optimal conditions required to obtain maximum vanadium extraction and examined the transition of mineral phases and vanadium speciation during the bioleaching process. Parameters including the initial pH value, initial Fe2+ concentration, solid load, and inoculum quantity were examined. The results revealed that 48.92wt% of the vanadium was extracted through bioleaching under optimal conditions. Comparatively, the chemical leaching yield (H2SO4, pH 2.0) showed a slower and milder increase in vanadium yield. The vanadium bioleaching yield was 35.11wt% greater than the chemical leaching yield. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction results revealed that 88.62wt% of vanadium existed in the residual fraction. The bacteria substantially changed the distribution of the vanadium speciation during the leaching process, and the residual fraction decreased to 48.44wt%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results provided evidence that the crystal lattice structure of muscovite was destroyed by the bacteria.
Why Antidiabetic Vanadium Complexes are Not in the Pipeline of "Big Pharma" Drug Research? A Critical Review.

PubMed

Scior, Thomas; Guevara-Garcia, Jose Antonio; Do, Quoc-Tuan; Bernard, Philippe; Laufer, Stefan

2016-01-01

Public academic research sites, private institutions as well as small companies have made substantial contributions to the ongoing development of antidiabetic vanadium compounds. But why is this endeavor not echoed by the globally operating pharmaceutical companies, also known as "Big Pharma"? Intriguingly, today's clinical practice is in great need to improve or replace insulin treatment against Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Insulin is the mainstay therapeutically and economically. So, why do those companies develop potential antidiabetic drug candidates without vanadium (vanadium- free)? We gathered information about physicochemical and pharmacological properties of known vanadium-containing antidiabetic compounds from the specialized literature, and converted the data into explanations (arguments, the "pros and cons") about the underpinnings of antidiabetic vanadium. Some discoveries were embedded in chronological order while seminal reviews of the last decade about the Medicinal chemistry of vanadium and its history were also listed for further understanding. In particular, the concepts of so-called "noncomplexed or free" vanadium species (i.e. inorganic oxido-coordinated species) and "biogenic speciation" of antidiabetic vanadium complexes were found critical and subsequently documented in more details to answer the question.
Point defects in ZnO: an approach from first principles

PubMed Central

Oba, Fumiyasu; Choi, Minseok; Togo, Atsushi; Tanaka, Isao

2011-01-01

Recent first-principles studies of point defects in ZnO are reviewed with a focus on native defects. Key properties of defects, such as formation energies, donor and acceptor levels, optical transition energies, migration energies and atomic and electronic structure, have been evaluated using various approaches including the local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) to DFT, LDA+U/GGA+U, hybrid Hartree–Fock density functionals, sX and GW approximation. Results significantly depend on the approximation to exchange correlation, the simulation models for defects and the post-processes to correct shortcomings of the approximation and models. The choice of a proper approach is, therefore, crucial for reliable theoretical predictions. First-principles studies have provided an insight into the energetics and atomic and electronic structures of native point defects and impurities and defect-induced properties of ZnO. Native defects that are relevant to the n-type conductivity and the non-stoichiometry toward the O-deficient side in reduced ZnO have been debated. It is suggested that the O vacancy is responsible for the non-stoichiometry because of its low formation energy under O-poor chemical potential conditions. However, the O vacancy is a very deep donor and cannot be a major source of carrier electrons. The Zn interstitial and anti-site are shallow donors, but these defects are unlikely to form at a high concentration in n-type ZnO under thermal equilibrium. Therefore, the n-type conductivity is attributed to other sources such as residual impurities including H impurities with several atomic configurations, a metastable shallow donor state of the O vacancy, and defect complexes involving the Zn interstitial. Among the native acceptor-type defects, the Zn vacancy is dominant. It is a deep acceptor and cannot produce a high concentration of holes. The O interstitial and anti-site are high in formation energy and/or are electrically inactive and, hence, are unlikely to play essential roles in electrical properties. Overall defect energetics suggests a preference for the native donor-type defects over acceptor-type defects in ZnO. The O vacancy, Zn interstitial and Zn anti-site have very low formation energies when the Fermi level is low. Therefore, these defects are expected to be sources of a strong hole compensation in p-type ZnO. For the n-type doping, the compensation of carrier electrons by the native acceptor-type defects can be mostly suppressed when O-poor chemical potential conditions, i.e. low O partial pressure conditions, are chosen during crystal growth and/or doping. PMID:27877390
Synthesis, characterization, and physical properties of 1D nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marley, Peter Mchael

The roster of materials exhibiting metal---insulator transitions with sharply discontinuous switching of electrical conductivity close to room temperature remains rather sparse despite the fundamental interest in the electronic instabilities manifested in such materials and the plethora of potential technological applications, ranging from frequency-agile metamaterials to electrochromic coatings and Mott field-effect transistors. Vanadium oxide bronzes with the general formula MxV2O 5, provide a wealth of compositions and frameworks where strong electron correlation can be systematically (albeit thus far only empirically) tuned. Charge fluctuations along the quasi-1D frameworks of MxV 2O5 bronzes have evinced much recent interest owing to the manifestation of colossal metal---insulator transitions and superconductivity. We start with a general review on the phase transitions, both electronic and structural, of vanadium oxide bronzes in Chapter 1. In Chapter 2, we demonstrate an unprecedented reversible transformation between double-layered (delta) and tunnel (beta) quasi-1D geometries for nanowires of a divalent vanadium bronze CaxV2O5 (x ˜0.23) upon annealing-induced dehydration and hydrothermally-induced hydration. Such a facile hydration/dehydration-induced interconversion between two prominent quasi-1D structures (accompanied by a change in charge ordering motifs) has not been observed in the bulk and is posited to result from the ease of propagation of crystallographic slip processes across the confined nanowire widths for the delta→beta conversion and the facile diffusion of water molecules within the tunnel geometries for the beta→delta reversion. We demonstrate in Chapter 3 unprecedented pronounced metal-insulator transitions induced by application of a voltage for nanowires of a vanadium oxide bronze with intercalated divalent cations, beta-PbxV 2O5 (x ˜0.33). The induction of the phase transition through application of an electric field at room temperature makes this system particularly attractive and viable for technological applications. A mechanistic basis for the phase transition is proposed based on charge disproportionation evidenced at room temperature in near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy measurements, ab initio density functional theory calculations of the band structure, and electrical transport data suggesting that transformation to the metallic state is induced by melting of specific charge localization and ordering motifs extant in these materials. In Chapter 4, we report the synthesis of single-crystalline delta-Ag 0.88V2O5 nanowires and unravel pronounced electronic phase transitions induced in response to temperature and applied electric field. Specifically, a pronounced semiconductor---semiconductor transition is evidenced for these materials at ca. 150 K upon heating and a distinctive insulator---conductor transition is observed upon application of an in-plane voltage. An orbital-specific picture of the mechanistic basis of the phase transitions is proposed using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. Structural refinements above and below the transition temperature, angle-resolved O K-edge NEXAFS spectra, and DFT calculations suggest that the electronic phase transitions in these 2D frameworks are mediated by a change in the overlap of d xy orbitals. The classical orthorhombic layered phase of V2O5 has long been regarded as the thermodynamic sink for binary vanadium oxides and has found great practical utility as a result of its open framework and easily accessible redox states. Concluding with Chapter 5, we exploit a cation-exchange mechanism to synthesize a new stable tunnel-structured polymorph of V 2O5 (zeta-V2O5) and demonstrate the subsequent ability of this framework to accommodate Li and Mg ions. The facile extraction and insertion of cations and stabilization of the novel tunnel framework is facilitated by the nanometer-sized dimensions of the materials, which leads to accommodation of strain without amorphization. The topotactic approach demonstrated here indicates not just novel intercalation chemistry accessible at nanoscale dimensions but also suggests a facile synthetic route to ternary vanadium oxide bronzes (MxV2O 5) exhibiting intriguing physical properties that range from electronic phase transitions to charge ordering and superconductivity.
Theoretical study of impurity effects in iron-based superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro Gastiasoro, Maria; Hirschfeld, Peter; Andersen, Brian

2013-03-01

Several open questions remain unanswered for the iron-based superconductors (FeSC), including the importance of electronic correlations and the symmetry of the superconducting order parameter. Motivated by recent STM experiments which show a fascinating variety of resonant defect states in FeSC, we adopt a realistic five-band model including electronic Coulomb correlations to study local effects of disorder in the FeSC. In order to minimize the number of free parameters, we use the pairing interactions obtained from spin-fluctuation exchange to determine the homogeneous superconducting state. The ability of local impurity potentials to induce resonant states depends on their scattering strength Vimp; in addition, for appropriate Vimp, such states are associated with local orbital- and magnetic order. We investigate the density of states near such impurities and show how tunneling experiments may be used to probe local induced order. In the SDW phase, we show how C2 symmetry-breaking dimers are naturally formed around impurities which also form cigar-like (pi,pi) structures embedded in the (pi,0) magnetic bulk phase. Such electronic dimers have been shown to be candidates for explaining the so-called nematogens observed previously by QPI in Co-doped CaFe2As2.
Statics and dynamics of atomic dark-bright solitons in the presence of impurities

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

Achilleos, V.; Frantzeskakis, D. J.; Kevrekidis, P. G.

2011-11-15

Adopting a mean-field description for a two-component atomic Bose-Einstein condensate, we study the statics and dynamics of dark-bright solitons in the presence of localized impurities. We use adiabatic perturbation theory to derive an equation of motion for the dark-bright soliton center. We show that, counterintuitively, an attractive (repulsive) delta-like impurity, acting solely on the bright-soliton component, induces an effective localized barrier (well) in the effective potential felt by the soliton; this way, dark-bright solitons are reflected from (transmitted through) attractive (repulsive) impurities. Our analytical results for the small-amplitude oscillations of solitons are found to be in good agreement with resultsmore » obtained via a Bogoliubov-de Gennes analysis and direct numerical simulations.« less
Commercialization of the Chevron FCC vanadium trap

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

Kennedy, J.V.; Kuehler, C.W.; Krishna, A.S.

1995-09-01

Vanadium, present to varying degrees in FCC feed, deposits on the catalyst virtually quantitatively in the cracking process. In resid operations, vanadium levels on catalyst can reach 10,000 ppm at typical catalyst make-up rates. Once on the catalyst, vanadium destroys the zeolite and restricts access to active sites. This reduces catalyst activity. A vanadium trap is a material that when introduced into the catalyst inventory selectively reacts with migrating vanadium, thus protecting the zeolite and other active components of the catalyst. The trap may be incorporated into the catalyst, or introduced as a separate particle. Only a limited amount ofmore » trap can be incorporated into the catalyst without limiting the amount of zeolite that can be included. Gulf began development of a vanadium trap during the early 1980`s. The work produced a variety of promising materials whose use as vanadium traps was subsequently patented. The work ultimately led to a formulation with a phase very active for trapping vanadium while still quite sulfur tolerant. Based on these results, an extensive pilot plant evaluation was undertaken by Chevron after the Chevron-Gulf merger to better simulate commercial operation. The paper describes pilot plant tests as well as 3 commercial tests of this vanadium trap.« less
Spatial distribution of vanadium and microbial community responses in surface soil of Panzhihua mining and smelting area, China.

PubMed

Cao, Xuelong; Diao, Muhe; Zhang, Baogang; Liu, Hui; Wang, Song; Yang, Meng

2017-09-01

Spatial distribution of vanadium in surface soils from different processing stages of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite in Panzhihua mining and smelting area (China) as well as responses of microbial communities including bacteria and fungi to vanadium were investigated by fieldwork and laboratory incubation experiment. The vanadium contents in this region ranged from 149.3 to 4793.6 mg kg -1 , exceeding the soil background value of vanadium in China (82 mg kg -1 ) largely. High-throughput DNA sequencing results showed bacterial communities from different manufacturing locations were quite diverse, but Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were abundant in all samples. The contents of organic matter, available P, available S and vanadium had great influences on the structures of bacterial communities in soils. Bacterial communities converged to similar structure after long-term (240 d) cultivation with vanadium containing medium, dominating by bacteria which can tolerate or reduce toxicities of heavy metals. Fungal diversities decreased after cultivation, but Ascomycota and Ciliophora were still the most abundant phyla as in the original soil samples. Results in this study emphasize the urgency of investigating vanadium contaminations in soils and provide valuable information on how vanadium contamination influences bacterial and fungal communities. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Controlled coordination in vanadium(V) dimethylhydrazido compounds.

PubMed

Sakuramoto, Takashi; Moriuchi, Toshiyuki; Hirao, Toshikazu

2016-11-01

The vanadium(V) dimethylhydrazido compounds were structurally characterized to elucidate the effect of the alkoxide ligands in the coordination environment of vanadium(V) hydrazido center. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the vanadium(V) dimethylhydrazido compound with isopropoxide ligands revealed a dimeric structure with the V(1)-N(1) distance of 1.680(5)Å, in which each vanadium atom is coordinated in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry (τ 5 =0.81) with the hydrazido and bridging isopropoxide ligands in the apical positions. On the contrary, nearly tetrahedral arrangement around the vanadium metal center (τ 4 =0.06) with the V(1)-N(1) distance of 1.660(2)Å was observed in the vanadium(V) dimethylhydrazido compound with tert-butoxide ligands. The introduction of the 2,2',2″-nitrilotriethoxide ligand led to a pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal geometry (τ 5 =0.92) at the vanadium center with the V(1)-N(1) distance of 1.691(5)Å, wherein vanadium atom is pulled out of the plane formed by the nitrilotriethoxide oxygen atoms in the direction of the hydrazido nitrogen. The coordination from the apical ligand in the vanadium(V) dimethylhydrazido compound was found to result in the longer V(1)-N(1) distance. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The toxicity of vanadium on gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive system, and its influence on fertility and fetuses malformations.

PubMed

Wilk, Aleksandra; Szypulska-Koziarska, Dagmara; Wiszniewska, Barbara

2017-09-25

Vanadium is a transition metal that has a unique and beneficial effect on both humans and animals. For many years, studies have suggested that vanadium is an essential trace element. Its biological properties are of interest due to its therapeutic potential, including in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Vanadium deficiencies can lead to a range of pathologies. However, excessive concentration of this metal can cause irreversible damage to various tissues and organs. Vanadium toxicity mainly manifests in gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and weight reduction. Vanadium also exhibits hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic properties, including glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis. Vanadium compounds may also lead to partial degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium of the seminiferous tubules in the testes and can affect male fertility. This paper describes the harmful effects of vanadium on the morphology and physiology of both animal and human tissues, including the digestive system, the urinary tract, and the reproductive system. What is more, the following study includes data concerning the correlation between the above-mentioned metal and its influence on fertility and fetus malformations. Additionally, this research identifies the doses of vanadium which lead to pathological alterations becoming visible within tissues. Moreover, this study includes information about the protective efficacy of some substances in view of the toxicity of vanadium.
Intensity dependence and transient dynamics of donor-acceptor pair recombination in ZnO thin films grown on (001) silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Bing; Qiu, Z. R.; Wong, K. S.

2003-04-01

We report room-temperature time-integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements on a nominally undoped wurtzite ZnO thin film grown on (001) silicon. A linear and sublinear excitation intensity Iex dependence of the PL intensity were observed for the 379.48-nm exciton line and the weak broad green band (˜510 nm), respectively. The green luminescence was found to decay as hyperbolic t-1, and its peak energy was observed to increase nearly logarithmically with increased Iex. These results are in an excellent agreement with the tunnel-assisted donor-deep-acceptor pair (DAP) model so that its large blueshifts of about 25 meV per decade increase in Iex can be accounted for by the screening of the fluctuating impurity potential. Also, the 30-ps fast decay of the exciton emission was attributed to the rapid trapping of carriers at luminescent impurities, while the short lifetime of τ1/e=200 ps for the green luminescence may be due to an alternative trapping by deeper centers in the ZnO. Finally, singly ionized oxygen and zinc vacancies have been tentatively invoked to act as donor-deep-acceptor candidates for the DAP luminescence, respectively.
An investigation of impurity centers in semiconductors of variable composition. Part 1: General theory and some applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonroos, O. H.

1982-01-01

A theory of deep point defects imbedded in otherwise perfect semiconductor crystals is developed with the aid of pseudopotentials. The dominant short-range forces engendered by the impurity are sufficiently weakened in all cases where the cancellation theorem of the pseudopotential formalism is operative. Thus, effective-mass-like equations exhibiting local effective potentials derived from nonlocal pseudopotentials are shown to be valid for a large class of defects. A two-band secular determinant for the energy eigenvalues of deep defects is also derived from the set of integral equations which corresponds to the set of differential equations of the effective-mass type. Subsequently, the theory in its simplest form, is applied to the system Al(x)Ga(1-x)As:Se. It is shown that the one-electron donor level of Se within the forbidden gap of Al(x)Ga(1-x)As as a function of the AlAs mole fraction x reaches its maximum of about 300 meV (as measured from the conduction band edge) at the cross-over from the direct to the indirect band-gap at x = 0.44 in agreement with experiments.
Sulvanite (Cu 3VS 4) nanocrystals for printable thin film photovoltaics

DOE PAGES

Chen, Ching -Chin; Stone, Kevin H.; Lai, Cheng -Yu; ...

2017-09-21

Copper Vanadium Sulfide (Cu 3VS 4), also known as sulvanite, has recently emerged as a suitable absorber material for thin film photovoltaics. The synthesis of Cu 3VS 4 nanocrystals via a rapid solvothermal route is reported for the first time. The phase purity of the Cu 3VS 4 nanocrystals has been confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, while the nanoparticle size, of about 10 nm, was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Successful ligand exchange with sulfide, an inorganic ligand, demonstrated that the nanoparticles are amenable to surface modifications, key element in solution processing. Further annealing ofmore » as-synthesized nanocrystals under a sulfur/argon atmosphere at 600 °C, rendered highly crystalline Cu 3VS 4 powders exhibiting an impurity that could be potentially mitigated by annealing temperature optimization. Furthermore, Cu 3VS 4, formed solely from Earth-abundant elements, could provide an inexpensive, reliable approach to fabricating solution processed thin film photovoltaic absorbers.« less

Metal/metal oxide doped oxide catalysts having high deNOx selectivity for lean NOx exhaust aftertreatment systems

DOEpatents

Park, Paul W.

2004-03-16

A lean NOx catalyst and method of preparing the same is disclosed. The lean NOx catalyst includes a ceramic substrate, an oxide support material, preferably .gamma.-alumina, deposited on the substrate and a metal promoter or dopant introduced into the oxide support material. The metal promoters or dopants are selected from the group consisting of indium, gallium, tin, silver, germanium, gold, nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, cerium, vanadium, oxides thereof, and combinations thereof. The .gamma.-alumina preferably has a pore volume of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 cc/g; a surface area of between about 80 to 350 m.sup.2 /g; an average pore size diameter of between about 3 to 30 nm; and an impurity level of less than or equal to 0.2 weight percent. In a preferred embodiment the .gamma.-alumina is prepared by a sol-gel method, with the metal doping of the .gamma.-alumina preferably accomplished using an incipient wetness impregnation technique.
Sulvanite (Cu 3VS 4) nanocrystals for printable thin film photovoltaics

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

Chen, Ching -Chin; Stone, Kevin H.; Lai, Cheng -Yu

Copper Vanadium Sulfide (Cu 3VS 4), also known as sulvanite, has recently emerged as a suitable absorber material for thin film photovoltaics. The synthesis of Cu 3VS 4 nanocrystals via a rapid solvothermal route is reported for the first time. The phase purity of the Cu 3VS 4 nanocrystals has been confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, while the nanoparticle size, of about 10 nm, was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Successful ligand exchange with sulfide, an inorganic ligand, demonstrated that the nanoparticles are amenable to surface modifications, key element in solution processing. Further annealing ofmore » as-synthesized nanocrystals under a sulfur/argon atmosphere at 600 °C, rendered highly crystalline Cu 3VS 4 powders exhibiting an impurity that could be potentially mitigated by annealing temperature optimization. Furthermore, Cu 3VS 4, formed solely from Earth-abundant elements, could provide an inexpensive, reliable approach to fabricating solution processed thin film photovoltaic absorbers.« less
Bond-center hydrogen in dilute Si1-xGex alloys: Laplace deep-level transient spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonde Nielsen, K.; Dobaczewski, L.; Peaker, A. R.; Abrosimov, N. V.

2003-07-01

We apply Laplace deep-level transient spectroscopy in situ after low-temperature proton implantation into dilute Si1-xGex alloys and identify the deep donor state of hydrogen occupying a strained Si-Si bond-center site next to Ge. The activation energy of the electron emission from the donor is ˜158 meV when extrapolated to zero electrical field. We construct a configuration diagram of the Ge-strained site from formation and annealing data and deduce that alloying with ˜1% Ge does not significantly influence the low-temperature migration of hydrogen as compared to elemental Si. We observe two bond-center-type carbon-hydrogen centers and conclude that carbon impurities act as much stronger traps for hydrogen than the alloy Ge atoms.
Assessment of Dephosphorization During Vanadium Extraction Process in Converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Lian; Diao, Jiang; Wang, Guang; Xie, Bing

2018-06-01

Dephosphorization during the vanadium extraction process in the converter was studied. The effects of the slag basicity and FeO content on the dephosphorization and the mineral phases in the phosphorus-containing vanadium slag are discussed. The results show that removal of phosphorus from the hot metal during the vanadium extraction process can be achieved by adding lime into the vanadium extraction converter. The highest dephosphorization rate was obtained at slag basicity of 1.93. The phosphorus distribution ratio increased with increasing FeO content up to 16-18% but decreased thereafter. Vanadium was present in the slag only as spinels rather than calcium vanadate. Phosphorus was still present in the form of calcium phosphate eutectic in calcium silicate. The present work proves that the vanadium extraction and dephosphorization processes are nonconflicting reactions.
Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant Status, and Toxicity Study of Vanadium-Rutin Complex in Balb/c Mice.

PubMed

Roy, Souvik; Majumdar, Sumana; Singh, Amit Kumar; Ghosh, Balaram; Ghosh, Nilanjan; Manna, Subhadip; Chakraborty, Tania; Mallick, Sougato

2015-08-01

A new trend was developed for the formation of a complex between vanadium and flavonoid derivatives in order to increase the intestinal absorption and to reduce the toxicity of vanadium compounds. The vanadium-rutin complex was characterized by several spectroscopic techniques like ultraviolet (UV)-visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), NMR, mass spectrometry, and microscopic evaluation by scanning electron microscopy. The mononuclear complex was formed by the interaction between vanadium and rutin with 1:2 metal to ligand stoichiometry. Antioxidant activity of the complex was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl, ferric-reducing power, and 2,2'-azin-obis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid methods. It was shown that radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing potential of free rutin was lower as compared with vanadium-rutin complex. The study was also investigated for oral acute toxicity and 28 days repeated oral subacute toxicity study of vanadium-rutin complex in balb/c mice. The vanadium-rutin complex showed mortality at a dose of 120 mg/kg in the balb/c mice. In 28 days repeated oral toxicity study, vanadium-rutin complex was administered to both sex of balb/c mice at dose levels of 90, 45, and 20 ppm, respectively. In addition, subacute toxicity study of vanadium-rutin complex (at 90 ppm dose level) showed increase levels of white blood cell (WBC), total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and decrease level of total protein (TP) as compared with control group. Histopathological study of vanadium-rutin showed structural alteration in the liver, kidney, and stomach at 90 ppm dose level. No observed toxic level of vanadium-rutin complex at 20 ppm dose level could be good for further study.
VOSalophen: a vanadium complex with a stilbene derivative-induction of apoptosis, autophagy, and efficiency in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis.

PubMed

Machado, Patrícia de A; Morais, Jessica O F; Carvalho, Gustavo S G; Lima, Wallace P; Macedo, Gilson C; Britta, Elizandra A; Nakamura, Celso V; da Silva, Adilson D; Cuin, Alexandre; Coimbra, Elaine S

2017-08-01

In our previous work, we demonstrated the promising in vitro effect of VOSalophen, a vanadium complex with a stilbene derivative, against Leishmania amazonensis. Its antileishmanial activity has been associated with oxidative stress in L. amazonensis promastigotes and L. amazonensis-infected macrophages. In the present study, the mechanism involved in the death of parasites after treatment with VOSalophen, as well as in vivo effect in the murine model cutaneous leishmaniasis, has been investigated. Promastigotes of L. amazonensis treated with VOSalophen presented apoptotic cells features, such as cell volume decrease, phosphatidylserine externalization, and DNA fragmentation. An increase in autophagic vacuoles formation in treated promastigotes was also observed, showing that autophagy also may be involved in the death of these parasites. In intracellular amastigotes, DNA fragmentation was observed after treatment with VOSalophen, but this effect was not observed in host cells, highlighting the selective effect of this vanadium complex. In addition, VOSalophen showed activity in the murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis, without hepatic and renal damages. The outcome described here points out that VOSalophen had promising antileishmanial properties and these data also contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the death of protozoa induced by metal complexes.
Modeling of CMOS compatible ring resonator switch with intermediate vanadium oxide as the switching element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Mandeep; Datta, Arnab

2018-05-01

In this paper, silicon based dual ring resonator with hybrid plasmonic bus waveguides (Cu-SiO2-Si-SiO2-Cu) is investigated for achieving switching in the telecommunication C-band (λ = 1.54-1.553µm). The switch element uses vanadium oxide (VO2) as the switching medium when inserted between the rings in order to tailor transmission from one ring to the other through heating induced phase transition. In this manner, the proposed switch element uses one vanadium oxide medium instead of refractive index tailoring of the whole ring as in the prior reported works and achieves switching response. From two-dimensional finite element analysis we have found that, the proposed switch can achieve maximum extinction ratio of 2.72 dB at λ = 1.5434µm, exclusively by tailoring VO2 phase. Furthermore, impact of aperture width, and gap (separation between the bus waveguide and rings) are investigated to gain insight on the improvement of extinction ratio. From our numerical simulations, we find that free spectral range (FSR) and figure of merit (Q) for OFF and ON states are (173.36 nm, 92.63), and (173.58 nm, 65.39), respectively.
Thermal annealing induced multiple phase in V/V2O5 alternating multilayer structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilahi, B.; Abdel-Rahman, M.; Zaaboub, Z.; Zia, M. F.; Alduraibi, M.; Maaref, H.

2016-09-01

In this paper, we report on microstructural, optical and electrical properties of alternating multilayer of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), 25 nm, and vanadium (V), 5 nm, thin films deposited at room temperature by radio frequency (RF) and DC magnetron sputtering, respectively. Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy have been employed to investigate the effects of thermal annealing for 20, 30 and 40 min at 400∘C in Nitrogen (N2) atmosphere on the multiple phase formation and its impact on the film resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). We demonstrate that the oxygen free annealing environment allows the formation of multiple phases including V2O5, V6O13 and VO2 through oxygen diffusion and consequent deficiency in V2O5 layer.
Enhanced magnetization in VxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pool, V. L.; Kleb, M. T.; Chorney, C. L.; Arenholz, E.; Idzerda, Y. U.

2015-12-01

Nanoparticles of VxFe3-xO4 with up to 33% vanadium doping (x=0 to 1) and a 9 nm diameter are investigated in order to determine the site preference of the vanadium and the magnetic behavior of the nanoparticles. The iron and vanadium L23-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra are used to identify that vanadium initially substitutes into the tetrahedral iron site as V3+ and that the average iron moment is observed to increase with vanadium concentration up to 12.5% (x=.375). When the vanadium incorporation exceeds 12.5%, the XAS and MCD show that the vanadium begins substituting as V2+ in the octahedral coordination. This coincides with a rapid reduction of the average moment to zero by 25% (x=.75). The frequency-dependent alternating-current magnetic susceptibility (ACMS) displays a substantial increase in blocking temperature with vanadium concentration and indicated substantial variation in the strength of inter-particle interactions.
Investigation on the fates of vanadium and nickel during co-gasification of petroleum coke with biomass.

PubMed

Li, Jiazhou; Wang, Xiaoyu; Wang, Bing; Zhao, Jiantao; Fang, Yitian

2018-06-01

This study investigates the volatilization behaviors and mineral transformation of vanadium and nickel during co-gasification of petroleum coke with biomass. Moreover, the evolution of occurrence modes of vanadium and nickel was also determined by the method of sequential chemical extraction. The results show that the volatilities of vanadium and nickel in petroleum coke have a certain level of growth with an increase in the temperature. With the addition of biomass, their volatilities both show an obvious decrease. Organic matter and stable forms are the dominant chemical forms of vanadium and nickel. After gasification, organic-bound vanadium and nickel decompose completely and convert into other chemical forms. The crystalline phases of vanadium trioxide, coulsonite, nickel sulfide, and elemental nickel are clearly present in petroleum coke and biomass gasification ashes. When the addition of biomass reaches 60 wt%, the diffraction peaks of orthovanadate are found while that of vanadium trioxide disappear. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Comparison of Ultrasound-Assisted and Regular Leaching of Vanadium and Chromium from Roasted High Chromium Vanadium Slag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jing; Jiang, Tao; Gao, Huiyang; Liu, Yajing; Zheng, Xiaole; Xue, Xiangxin

2018-02-01

Ultrasound-assisted leaching (UAL) was used for vanadium and chromium leaching from roasted material obtained by the calcification roasting of high-chromium-vanadium slag. UAL was compared with regular leaching. The effect of the leaching time and temperature, acid concentration, and liquid-solid ratio on the vanadium and chromium leaching behaviors was investigated. The UAL mechanism was determined from particle-size-distribution and microstructure analyses. UAL decreased the reaction time and leaching temperature significantly. Furthermore, 96.67% vanadium and less than 1% chromium were leached at 60°C for 60 min with 20% H2SO4 at a liquid-solid ratio of 8, which was higher than the maximum vanadium leaching rate of 90.89% obtained using regular leaching at 80°C for 120 min. Ultrasonic waves broke and dispersed the solid sample because of ultrasonic cavitation, which increased the contact area of the roasted sample and the leaching medium, the solid-liquid mass transfer, and the vanadium leaching rate.
Vanadium Electrolyte Studies for the Vanadium Redox Battery-A Review.

PubMed

Skyllas-Kazacos, Maria; Cao, Liuyue; Kazacos, Michael; Kausar, Nadeem; Mousa, Asem

2016-07-07

The electrolyte is one of the most important components of the vanadium redox flow battery and its properties will affect cell performance and behavior in addition to the overall battery cost. Vanadium exists in several oxidation states with significantly different half-cell potentials that can produce practical cell voltages. It is thus possible to use the same element in both half-cells and thereby eliminate problems of cross-contamination inherent in all other flow battery chemistries. Electrolyte properties vary with supporting electrolyte composition, state-of-charge, and temperature and this will impact on the characteristics, behavior, and performance of the vanadium battery in practical applications. This Review provides a broad overview of the physical properties and characteristics of the vanadium battery electrolyte under different conditions, together with a description of some of the processing methods that have been developed to produce vanadium electrolytes for vanadium redox flow battery applications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Spectrophotometric determination of vanadium in rutile and in mafic igneous rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marinenko, John; Mei, Leung

1974-01-01

Minor and major levels of vanadium in rutile are separated from titanium and iron by sample fusion with sodium carbonate followed by water leach and filtration. The filtrate is then acidified with hydrochloric acid. Silicates are decomposed with a mixture of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids, and iron is separated by extraction of its chloride with diethyl ether. Sample vanadium in hydrochloric acid is then quantitatively reduced to vanadium(IV) with sulfurous acid. The remaining sulfur dioxide is expelled by heating. Vanadium (IV) then is reacted with excess of iron(III) at reduced acidity (pH 5) in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline to yield the orange-red iron(II) 1,10-phenanthroline complex. Iron(II) generated by vanadium(IV) is a measure of total vanadium in the sample. The proposed method is free from elemental interferences because the color development cannot take place without the two redox reactions described above, and these are, under the outlined experimental conditions, quantitative only for vanadium.
Characterization and performance of a field aligned ion cyclotron range of frequency antenna in Alcator C-Mod

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

Wukitch, S. J.; Garrett, M. L.; Ochoukov, R.

Ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating is expected to provide auxiliary heating for ITER and future fusion reactors where high Z metallic plasma facing components (PFCs) are being considered. Impurity contamination linked to ICRF antenna operation remains a major challenge particularly for devices with high Z metallic PFCs. Here, we report on an experimental investigation to test whether a field aligned (FA) antenna can reduce impurity contamination and impurity sources. We compare the modification of the scrape of layer (SOL) plasma potential of the FA antenna to a conventional, toroidally aligned (TA) antenna, in order to explore the underlyingmore » physics governing impurity contamination linked to ICRF heating. The FA antenna is a 4-strap ICRF antenna where the current straps and antenna enclosure sides are perpendicular to the total magnetic field while the Faraday screen rods are parallel to the total magnetic field. In principle, alignment with respect to the total magnetic field minimizes integrated E|| (electric field along a magnetic field line) via symmetry. A finite element method RF antenna model coupled to a cold plasma model verifies that the integrated E|| should be reduced for all antenna phases. Monopole phasing in particular is expected to have the lowest integrated E||. Consistent with expectations, we observed that the impurity contamination and impurity source at the FA antenna are reduced compared to the TA antenna. In both L and H-mode discharges, the radiated power is 20%–30% lower for a FA-antenna heated discharge than a discharge heated with the TA-antennas. However, inconsistent with expectations, we observe RF induced plasma potentials (via gas-puff imaging and emissive probes to be nearly identical for FA and TA antennas when operated in dipole phasing). Moreover, the highest levels of RF-induced plasma potentials are observed using monopole phasing with the FA antenna. Thus, while impurity contamination and sources are indeed reduced with the FA antenna configuration, the mechanism determining the SOL plasma potential in the presence of ICRF and its impact on impurity contamination and sources remains to be understood.« less
Closeout Report for the Refractory Metal Accelerated Heat Pipe Life Test Activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, J.; Reid, R.; Stewart, E.; Hickman, R.; Mireles, O.

2013-01-01

With the selection of a gas-cooled reactor, this heat pipe accelerated life test activity was closed out and its resources redirected. The scope of this project was to establish the long-term aging effects on Mo-44.5%Re sodium heat pipes when subjected to space reactor temperature and mass fluences. To date, investigators have demonstrated heat pipe life tests of alkali metal systems up to .50,000 hours. Unfortunately, resources have not been available to examine the effect of temperature, mass fluence, or impurity level on corrosion or to conduct post-test forensic examination of heat pipes. The key objective of this effort was to establish a cost/time effective method to systematically test alkali metal heat pipes with both practical and theoretical benefits. During execution of the project, a heat pipe design was established, a majority of the laboratory test equipment systems specified, and operating and test procedures developed. Procurements for the heat pipe units and all major test components were underway at the time the stop work order was issued. An extremely important outcome was the successful fabrication of an annular wick from Mo-5%Re screen (the single, most difficult component to manufacture) using a hot isostatic pressing technique. This Technical Publication (TP) includes specifics regarding the heat pipe calorimeter water-cooling system, vendor design for the radio frequency heating system, possible alternative calorimeter designs, and progress on the vanadium equilibration technique. The methods provided in this TP and preceding project documentation would serve as a good starting point to rapidly implement an accelerated life test. Relevant test data can become available within months, not years, and destructive examination of the first life test heat pipe might begin within 6 months of test initiation. Final conclusions could be drawn in less than a quarter of the mission duration for a long-lived, fission-powered, deep space probe.
Why Antidiabetic Vanadium Complexes are Not in the Pipeline of “Big Pharma” Drug Research? A Critical Review

PubMed Central

Scior, Thomas; Guevara-Garcia, Jose Antonio; Do, Quoc-Tuan; Bernard, Philippe; Laufer, Stefan

2016-01-01

Public academic research sites, private institutions as well as small companies have made substantial contributions to the ongoing development of antidiabetic vanadium compounds. But why is this endeavor not echoed by the globally operating pharmaceutical companies, also known as “Big Pharma”? Intriguingly, today’s clinical practice is in great need to improve or replace insulin treatment against Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Insulin is the mainstay therapeutically and economically. So, why do those companies develop potential antidiabetic drug candidates without vanadium (vanadium-free)? We gathered information about physicochemical and pharmacological properties of known vanadium-containing antidiabetic compounds from the specialized literature, and converted the data into explanations (arguments, the “pros and cons”) about the underpinnings of antidiabetic vanadium. Some discoveries were embedded in chronological order while seminal reviews of the last decade about the Medicinal chemistry of vanadium and its history were also listed for further understanding. In particular, the concepts of so-called “noncomplexed or free” vanadium species (i.e. inorganic oxido-coordinated species) and “biogenic speciation” of antidiabetic vanadium complexes were found critical and subsequently documented in more details to answer the question. PMID:26997154
DIVALENT METAL TRANSPORTER-1 REGULATION BY IRON AND VANADIUM MODULATES HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-INDUCED DNA DAMAGE IN LUNG CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

The divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) participates in the detoxification of metals that can damage lung epithelium. Elevated iron levels increase the expression of DMT1 in bronchial epithelial cells stimulating its uptake and storage in ferritin, thus making iron unavailable t...
Electrochemically Induced Insulator-Metal-Insulator Transformations of Vanadium Dioxide Nanocrystal Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milliron, Delia; Dahlman, Clayton; Leblanc, Gabriel; Bergerud, Amy

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) undergoes significant optical, electronic, and structural changes as it transforms between the low-temperature monoclinic and high-temperature rutile phases. The low-temperature state is insulating and transparent, while the high-temperature state is metallic and IR blocking. Alternative stimuli have been utilized to trigger insulator-to-metal transformations in VO2, including electrochemical gating. Here, VO2 nanocrystal films have been prepared by solution deposition of V2O3 nanocrystals followed by oxidative annealing. Nanocrystalline VO2 films are electrochemically reduced, inducing changes in their electronic and optical properties. We observe a reversible transition between infrared transparent insulating phases and a darkened metallic phase by in situ visible-near-infrared spectroelectrochemistry and correlate these observations with structural and electronic changes monitored by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and conductivity measurements. Reduction causes an initial transformation to a metallic, IR-colored distorted monoclinic phase. However, an unexpected reversible transition from conductive, reduced monoclinic VO2 to an infrared-transparent insulating phase is observed upon further reduction.
The Influence of Vanadium Microalloying on the Production of Thin Slab Casting and Direct Rolled Steel Strip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yu; Milbourn, David

Vanadium microalloying is highly effective in high strength strip steels produced by thin slab casting and direct rolled process. Because of the high solubility of V(C,N) in austenite, vanadium is likely to remain in solution during casting, equalisation and rolling. Vanadium microalloyed steels have better hot ductility and are less prone to transverse cracking than niobium containing steels. Despite a coarse as-cast austenite grain size before rolling, significant grain refinement can be achieved in vanadium microalloyed steels by repeated recrystallization during rolling, resulting in a fine uniform ferrite microstructure in final strip. Almost all vanadium present in microalloyed steels is available to precipitate in ferrite as very fine particles, contributing to precipitation strengthening. Vanadium microalloyed steels show less sensitivity to rolling process variables and exhibit excellent combination of strength and toughness.
Spin pseudogap in the S = 1 2 chain material Sr 2 CuO 3 with impurities

DOE PAGES

Simutis, G.; Gvasaliya, S.; Beesetty, N. S.; ...

2017-02-07

Here, the low-energy magnetic excitation spectrum of the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic S = 1/2 chain system Sr 2CuO 3 with Ni and Ca impurities is studied by neutron spectroscopy. In all cases, a defect-induced spectral pseudogap is observed and shown to scale proportionately to the number of scattering centers in the spin chains.

NREL, American Vanadium Demonstrate First-of-Its-Kind Battery Management

Science.gov Websites

System | Energy Systems Integration Facility | NREL American Vanadium NREL, American Vanadium Demonstrate First-of-Its-Kind Battery Management System NREL researchers are collaborating with American Vanadium, an integrated energy storage company, to evaluate and demonstrate the first North American
76 FR 78888 - Final Results of Expedited Sunset Review: Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium From Russia

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-20

... Sunset Review: Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium From Russia AGENCY: Import Administration... and nitrided vanadium from the Russian Federation (Russia), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff... vanadium from Russia, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act. See Initiation of Five-Year (``Sunset...
77 FR 51825 - Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium From Russia

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-27

... Nitrided Vanadium From Russia Determination On the basis of the record \\1\\ developed in the subject five... order on ferrovanadium and nitrided vanadium from Russia would not be likely to lead to continuation or... in USITC Publication 4345 (August 2012), entitled Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium from Russia...
40 CFR 440.80 - Applicability; description of the vanadium ore subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... vanadium ore subcategory. 440.80 Section 440.80 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS ORE MINING AND DRESSING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Vanadium Ore Subcategory (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct) § 440.80 Applicability; description of the vanadium ore...
40 CFR 440.80 - Applicability; description of the vanadium ore subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... vanadium ore subcategory. 440.80 Section 440.80 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS ORE MINING AND DRESSING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Vanadium Ore Subcategory (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct) § 440.80 Applicability; description of the vanadium ore...
40 CFR 440.30 - Applicability; description of the uranium, radium and vanadium ores subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... uranium, radium and vanadium ores subcategory. 440.30 Section 440.30 Protection of Environment... SOURCE CATEGORY Uranium, Radium and Vanadium Ores Subcategory § 440.30 Applicability; description of the uranium, radium and vanadium ores subcategory. The provisions of this subpart C are applicable to...
Consolidation and fabrication techniques for vanadium-20 w/o titanium /TV-20/

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burt, W. R.; Karasek, F. J.; Kramer, W. C.; Mayfield, R. M.; Mc Gowan, R. D.

1968-01-01

Tests of the mechanical properties, fuel compatibility, sodium corrosion and irradiation behavior were made for vanadium and vanadium alloy. Improved methods for consolidation and fabrication of bar, rod, sheet, and high-quality, small diameter, thin-wall tubing of vanadium-20 without titanium are reported.
Mineralogy and geochemistry of vanadium in the Colorado Plateau

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weeks, A.D.

1961-01-01

The chief domestic source of vanadium is uraniferous sandstone in the Colorado Plateau. Vanadium is 3-, 4-, or 5-valent in nature and, as oxides or combined with other elements, it forms more than 40 minerals in the Plateau ores. These ores have been studied with regard to the relative amounts of vanadium silicates and oxide-vanadates, uranium-vanadium ratios, the progressive oxidation of black low-valent ores to high-valent carnotite-type ores, and theories of origin. ?? 1961.
CATALYTIC PROMOTION OF THE ADSORPTION OF VANADIUM ON AN ANIONIC EXCHANGE RESIN

DOEpatents

Bailes, R.H.; Ellis, D.A.

1958-08-26

An improvement in the process for the recovery of vanadium from acidic phosphatic solutions is presented. In this process the vanadium is first oxidized to the pentavaleat state, and is then separated by contacting such solutions with an anion exchange resin whereby adsorption of the complexed pentavalent vanadium is effected. The improvement lies in the fact that adsorp tion of the vanadium complex by the anion exchange resin is promoted and improved by providing fiuoride ions in solution to be contacted.
Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals the role of tea polyphenol EGCG in egg whites in response to vanadium stress.

PubMed

Wang, Jianping; Bai, Xue; Ding, Xuemei; Bai, Shiping; Zeng, Qiufeng; Mao, Xiangbing; Zhang, Keying

Tea polyphenol (TP) epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can alleviate vanadium (V) stress in laying hens; however, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and proteomic changes occurring in the egg albumen remains limited. The aim of the present study is to better understand the response in layers under V challenge and mechanism of EGCG detoxification. We divided 120 layers into four treatments in the absence and presence of 130 mg/kg EGCG, supplemented with either 0 or 5 mg/kg V. The Haugh unit (HU) was decreased and the apoptosis rate of magnum and V residual in egg was increased by the effect of vanadium and EGCG alleviated the detrimental effect in HU and apoptosis rate induced by vanadium (interactive effect, P < 0.05). In all, 379 proteins were identified and 28 differential proteins were observed with and without EGCG and V. Eight proteins, which respond to stress stimuli (five immune response proteins [F1P3B2, P21760, A2N881, F2Z4L6, and P02789], and one cell redox homeostasis protein [Q5F472] were presented in the albumen of laying hens with EGCG administration. Proteins involved in heavy metal binding (E1C5J4) and cell proliferation (F1NX05 and E1BT2) also were changed in EGCG-treated albumen. The detoxification mechanism of EGCG under V stress may act through regulating metal-binding mediation, cell proliferation, and immune function-related proteins. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Formation and stability of impurity "snakes" in tokamak plasmas.

PubMed

Delgado-Aparicio, L; Sugiyama, L; Granetz, R; Gates, D A; Rice, J E; Reinke, M L; Bitter, M; Fredrickson, E; Gao, C; Greenwald, M; Hill, K; Hubbard, A; Hughes, J W; Marmar, E; Pablant, N; Podpaly, Y; Scott, S; Wilson, R; Wolfe, S; Wukitch, S

2013-02-08

New observations of the formation and dynamics of long-lived impurity-induced helical "snake" modes in tokamak plasmas have recently been carried out on Alcator C-Mod. The snakes form as an asymmetry in the impurity ion density that undergoes a seamless transition from a small helically displaced density to a large crescent-shaped helical structure inside q<1, with a regularly sawtoothing core. The observations show that the conditions for the formation and persistence of a snake cannot be explained by plasma pressure alone. Instead, many features arise naturally from nonlinear interactions in a 3D MHD model that separately evolves the plasma density and temperature.
Exploring electrolyte preference of vanadium nitride supercapacitor electrodes

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

Wang, Bo; Chen, Zhaohui; Lu, Gang

Highlights: • Hierarchical VN nanostructures were prepared on graphite foam. • Electrolyte preference of VN supercapacitor electrodes was explored. • VN showed better capacitive property in organic and alkaline electrolytes than LiCl. - Abstract: Vanadium nitride hierarchical nanostructures were prepared through an ammonia annealing procedure utilizing vanadium pentoxide nanostructures grown on graphite foam. The electrochemical properties of hierarchical vanadium nitride was tested in aqueous and organic electrolytes. As a result, the vanadium nitride showed better capacitive energy storage property in organic and alkaline electrolytes. This work provides insight into the charge storage process of vanadium nitride and our findings canmore » shed light on other transition metal nitride-based electrochemical energy storage systems.« less
Chloride supporting electrolytes for all-vanadium redox flow batteries.

PubMed

Kim, Soowhan; Vijayakumar, M; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Jianlu; Chen, Baowei; Nie, Zimin; Chen, Feng; Hu, Jianzhi; Li, Liyu; Yang, Zhenguo

2011-10-28

This paper examines vanadium chloride solutions as electrolytes for an all-vanadium redox flow battery. The chloride solutions were capable of dissolving more than 2.3 M vanadium at varied valence states and remained stable at 0-50 °C. The improved stability appeared due to the formation of a vanadium dinuclear [V(2)O(3)·4H(2)O](4+) or a dinuclear-chloro complex [V(2)O(3)Cl·3H(2)O](3+) in the solutions over a wide temperature range. The all-vanadium redox flow batteries with the chloride electrolytes demonstrated excellent reversibility and fairly high efficiencies. Only negligible, if any, gas evolution was observed. The improved energy capacity and good performance, along with the ease in heat management, would lead to substantial reduction in capital cost and life-cycle cost, making the vanadium chloride redox flow battery a promising candidate for stationary applications. This journal is © the Owner Societies 2011
Fabrication of VO2 thin film by rapid thermal annealing in oxygen atmosphere and its metal—insulator phase transition properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Ji-Ran; Wu, Mai-Jun; Hu, Ming; Liu, Jian; Zhu, Nai-Wei; Xia, Xiao-Xu; Chen, Hong-Da

2014-07-01

Vanadium dioxide thin films have been fabricated through sputtering vanadium thin films and rapid thermal annealing in oxygen. The microstructure and the metal—insulator transition properties of the vanadium dioxide thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a spectrometer. It is found that the preferred orientation of the vanadium dioxide changes from (1¯11) to (011) with increasing thickness of the vanadium thin film after rapid thermal annealing. The vanadium dioxide thin films exhibit an obvious metal—insulator transition with increasing temperature, and the phase transition temperature decreases as the film thickness increases. The transition shows hysteretic behaviors, and the hysteresis width decreases as the film thickness increases due to the higher concentration carriers resulted from the uncompleted lattice. The fabrication of vanadium dioxide thin films with higher concentration carriers will facilitate the nature study of the metal—insulator transition.
Cellular uptake of titanium and vanadium from addition of salts or fretting corrosion in vitro

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

Maurer, A.M.; Merritt, K.; Brown, S.A.

1994-02-01

The use of titanium and titanium-6% aluminum-4% vanadium alloy for dental and orthopedic implants has increased in the last decade. The implants are presumed to be compatible because oseointegration, bony apposition, and cell attachment are known. However, the cellular association of titanium and vanadium have remained unknown. This study examined the uptake of salts or fretting corrosion products. Titanium was not observed to be toxic to the cells. Vanadium was toxic at levels greater than 10[mu]g/mL. The percentage of cellular association of titanium was shown to be about 10 times that of vanadium. The percentage of cellular association of eithermore » element was greater from fretting corrosion than from the addition of salts. The presence of vanadium did not affect the cellular uptake of titanium. The presence of titanium decreased the cell association of vanadium.« less
Low-temperature direct synthesis of mesoporous vanadium nitrides for electrochemical capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hae-Min; Jeong, Gyoung Hwa; Kim, Sang-Wook; Kim, Chang-Koo

2017-04-01

Mesoporous vanadium nitrides are directly synthesized by a one-step chemical precipitation method at a low temperature (70 °C). Structural and morphological analyses reveal that vanadium nitride consist of long and slender nanowhiskers, and mesopores with diameters of 2-5 nm. Compositional analysis confirms the presence of vanadium in the VN structure, along with oxidized vanadium. The cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge tests indicate that the obtained material stores charges via a combination of electric double-layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance mechanisms. The vanadium nitride electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 598 F/g at a current density of 4 A/g. After 5000 charge-discharge cycles, the electrode has an equivalent series resistance of 1.42 Ω and retains 83% of its initial specific capacitance. This direct low-temperature synthesis of mesoporous vanadium nitrides is a simple and promising method to achieve high specific capacitance and low equivalent series resistance for electrochemical capacitor applications.
Vanadium in landscape components of western Transbaikalia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kashin, V. K.

2017-10-01

Vanadium in soil-forming rocks, soils, and vegetation of forest-steppe, steppe, and dry-steppe landscapes of Transbaikalia has been studied. The mean element contents in rocks and soils are equal to its mean natural abundances (clarke values). The content of vanadium in soils is strictly determined by its content in parent materials; its dependence on the vanadium concentration in plants and on the soil pH and humus is less pronounced. With respect to the coefficient of biological uptake by plants, vanadium is assigned to the group of elements of slight accumulation (0.10-0.33) on mineral soils and of moderate accumulation (1.1-1.5) on peat bog soils. The mean vanadium concentration in steppe, meadow, and cultivated vegetation exceeds the norm for animals by 1.7-2.6 times but does not rich toxic levels. Vanadium uptake by plants is most intensive in meadow cenoses and is less intensive in dry-steppe cenoses.
Vanadium-uranium extraction from Wyoming vanadiferoud silicates. Report of investigations/1983

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

Hayashi, M.; Nichols, I.L.; Huiatt, J.L.

1983-11-01

The Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory studies on low-grade vanadiferous silicates from the Pumpkin Buttes and Nine Mile Lake deposits of Wyoming to examine techniques for extracting vanadium and uranium. Recovery from low-grade sources such as these could contribute to future vanadium production and reduce reliance on vanadium imports.
77 FR 54897 - Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium from the Russian Federation: Revocation of Antidumping Duty...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-06

... nitrided vanadium from the Russian Federation (Russia) would not be likely to lead to continuation or... the antidumping duty order on ferrovanadium and nitrided vanadium from Russia. \\1\\ See Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium From Russia, 77 FR 51825 (August 27, 2012) (ITC Final). DATES: Effective Date...
76 FR 69736 - Draft Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide: In Support of Summary Information on the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-09

... Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information..., ``Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information... Vanadium Pentoxide: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' is...

Essentiality and toxicity of vanadium supplements in health and pathology.

PubMed

Gruzewska, K; Michno, A; Pawelczyk, T; Bielarczyk, H

2014-10-01

The biological properties of vanadium complexes have become an object of interest due to their therapeutic potential in several diseases. However, the mechanisms of action of vanadium salts are still poorly understood. Vanadium complexes are cofactors for several enzymes and also exhibit insulin-mimetic properties. Thus, they are involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism, including in patients with diabetes. In addition, vanadium salts may also normalize blood pressure and play a key role in the metabolism of the thyroid and of iron as well as in the regulation of total cholesterol, cholesterol HDL and triglyceride (TG) levels in blood. Moreover, in cases of hypoxia, vanadium compounds may improve cardiomyocytes function. They may also exhibit both carcinogenic and anti-cancer properties. These include dose- and exposure-time-dependent induction and inhibition of the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. On the other hand, the balance between vanadium's therapeutic properties and its side effects has not yet been determined. Therefore, any studies on the potential use of vanadium compounds as supplements to support the treatment of a number of diseases must be strictly monitored for adverse effects.
Kinetic model of whole-body vanadium metabolism: studies in sheep

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

Patterson, B.W.; Hansard, S.L. II; Ammerman, C.B.

1986-08-01

A compartmental model for vanadium metabolism in sheep has been proposed. The model is consistent with data obtained from sheep fed a control diet (2.6 ppm vanadium) containing 0 or 200 ppm supplemental vanadium. Sheep were administered UYV dioxovanadium either orally or intravenously. Blood feces, and urine radioactivity were monitored for 6 days postdosing. Several new insights regarding vanadium metabolism are suggested and tested against the data using the model. Some of these include 1) significant absorption of UYV occurs from the upper gastrointestinal tract; 2) an in vivo process is necessary in order for UYV dioxovanadium to be convertedmore » into a more biologically reactive species; 3) at steady state the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts contain at least 10- and 100-fold more mass of vanadium, respectively, than does blood. No statistically significant differences in transport rate constants were found between animals receiving 0 and 200 ppm supplemental dietary vanadium. The availability of a model will enable the refinement of future studies regarding vanadium metabolism in the ruminant.« less
Cottonseed meal, dehydrated grass and ascorbic acid as dietary factors preventing toxicity of vanadium for the chick

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

Berg, L.R.; Lawrence, W.W.

1971-01-01

Studies have been conducted which show that the replacement of 5% sucrose in a sucrose-fish meal diet for chicks with degossypolized cottonseed meal prevents the toxicity of 20 ppm added vanadium. The addition of 5% dehydrated grass to the same ration markedly reduced the toxicity symptoms. No such reduction in vanadium toxicity resulted when soybean meal, corn gluten meal, meat meal, fish meal, casein, isolated soybean protein, zein or wheat gluten were added to the ration. No evidence was found that the gossypol remaining in the cottonseed meal was the detoxifying agent. The addition of 0.25 to 0.50% ascorbic acidmore » to the sucrose-fish meal basal ration prevented the toxic symptoms resulting from the addition of 20 ppm vanadium derived from HN/sub 4/VO/sub 3/. The vanadium derived from VOSO/sub 4/ and VOCl/sub 2/ (vanadium valence 4) was as toxic as vanadium derived from HN/sub 4/VO/sub 3/ (V = valence 5). This leads one to question that the action of ascorbic acid in reducing vanadium toxicity is through its property of a reducing agent which might change the vanadium in VH/sub 4/VO/sub 3/ to a lower valence, presumably less toxic.« less
Vanadium bioavailability and toxicity to soil microorganisms and plants.

PubMed

Larsson, Maja A; Baken, Stijn; Gustafsson, Jon Petter; Hadialhejazi, Golshid; Smolders, Erik

2013-10-01

Vanadium, V, is a redox-sensitive metal that in solution, under aerobic conditions, prevails as the oxyanion vanadate(V). There is little known regarding vanadium toxicity to soil biota, and the present study was set up to determine the toxicity of added vanadate to soil organisms and to investigate the relationship between toxicity and vanadium sorption in soils. Five soils with contrasting properties were spiked with 7 different doses (3.2-3200 mg V kg(-1)) of dissolved vanadate, and toxicity was measured with 2 microbial and 3 plant assays. The median effective concentration (EC50) thresholds of the microbial assays ranged from 28 mg added V kg(-1) to 690 mg added V kg(-1), and the EC50s in the plant assays ranged from 18 mg added V kg(-1) to 510 mg added V kg(-1). The lower thresholds were in the concentration range of the background vanadium in the untreated control soils (15-58 mg V kg(-1)). The vanadium toxicity to plants decreased with a stronger soil vanadium sorption strength. The EC50 values for plants expressed on a soil solution basis ranged from 0.8 mg V L(-1) to 15 mg V L(-1) and were less variable among soils than corresponding values based on total vanadium in soil. It is concluded that sorption decreases the toxicity of added vanadate and that soil solution vanadium is a more robust measure to determine critical vanadium concentrations across soils. © 2013 SETAC.
Influence of vanadium on serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles: a population-based study among vanadium exposed workers

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Some experimental animal studies reported that vanadium had beneficial effects on blood total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG). However, the relationship between vanadium exposure and lipid, lipoprotein profiles in human subjects remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles of occupational vanadium exposed and non-exposed workers, and to provide human evidence on serum lipid, lipoprotein profiles and atherogenic indexes changes in relation to vanadium exposure. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 533 vanadium exposed workers and 241 non-exposed workers from a Steel and Iron Group in Sichuan, China. Demographic characteristics and occupational information were collected through questionnaires. Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured for all participants. The ratios of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to HDL-C and apoB to apoA-I were used as atherogenic indexes. A general linear model was applied to compare outcomes of the two groups while controlling possible confounders and multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between low HDL-C level, abnormal atherogenic index and vanadium exposure. Results Higher levels of HDL-C and apoA-I could be observed in the vanadium exposed group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, atherogenic indexes (TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and apoB/apoA-I ratios) were found statistically lower in the vanadium exposed workers (P < 0.05). Changes in HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were more pronounced in male workers than that in female workers. In male workers, after adjusting for potential confounding variables as age, habits of smoking and drinking, occupational vanadium exposure was still associated with lower HDL-C (OR 0.41; 95% CI, 0.27-0.62) and abnormal atherogenic index (OR 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.70). Conclusion Occupational vanadium exposure appears to be associated with increased HDL-C and apoA-I levels and decreased atherogenic indexes. Among male workers, a significantly negative association existed between low HDL-C level, abnormal atherogenic index and occupational vanadium exposure. This suggests vanadium has beneficial effects on blood levels of HDL-C and apoA-I. PMID:24558984
Donor defects and small polarons on the TiO{sub 2}(110) surface

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

Moses, P. G.; Janotti, A., E-mail: janotti@udel.edu; Van de Walle, C. G.

2016-05-14

The role of defects in the chemical activity of the rutile TiO{sub 2}(110) surface remains a rich topic of research, despite the rutile (110) being one of the most studied surfaces of transition-metal oxides. Here, we present results from hybrid functional calculations that reconcile apparently disparate views on the impact of donor defects, such as oxygen vacancies and hydrogen impurities, on the electronic structure of the (110) rutile surface. We find that the bridging oxygen vacancy and adsorbed or substitutional hydrogen are actually shallow donors, which do not induce gap states. The excess electrons from these donor centers tend tomore » localize in the form of small polarons, which are the factual cause of the deep states ∼1 eV below the conduction band, often observed in photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Our results offer a new framework for understanding the surface electronic structure of TiO{sub 2} and related oxides.« less
Charge carriers' trapping states in pentacene films studied by modulated photocurrent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorgolis, S.; Giannopoulou, A.; Kounavis, P.

2013-03-01

The modulated photocurrent (MPC) technique is employed to study the charge carriers' trapping states of pentacene films. The characteristics of the experimental MPC spectra were found to be compatible with trapping-detrapping process of holes in gap states in which their occupancy can be modified by the bias illumination. A demarcation energy level separating empty from partially occupied traps was deduced from the MPC spectra, which can be used to monitor bias-light induced changes in the quasi Fermi level. An exponential trap distribution from structural disorder and a deep metastable gaussian trap distribution from adsorbed environmental impurities were extracted by means of the MPC spectroscopy. An attempt to escape frequency of the order of 1010s-1 was deduced for the gap sates. The derived trap distributions agree with those found before by means of other techniques. The present results indicate that the MPC technique can be used as a valuable tool for pentacene films characterization since it can be also applied to field effect samples.
Influence of oxygen impurity on electronic properties of carbon and boron nitride nanotubes: A comparative study

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

Singh, Ram Sevak, E-mail: singh915@gmail.com

2015-11-15

Influence of oxygen impurity on electronic properties of carbon and boron nitride nanotubes (CNTs and BNNTs) is systematically studied using first principle calculations based on density functional theory. Energy band structures and density of states of optimized zigzag (5, 0), armchair (3, 3), and chiral (4, 2) structures of CNT and BNNT are calculated. Oxygen doping in zigzag CNT exhibits a reduction in metallicity with opening of band gap in near-infrared region while metallicity is enhanced in armchair and chiral CNTs. Unlike oxygen-doped CNTs, energy bands are drastically modulated in oxygen-doped zigzag and armchair BNNTs, showing the nanotubes to havemore » metallic behaviour. Furthermore, oxygen impurity in chiral BNNT induces narrowing of band gap, indicating a gradual modification of electronic band structure. This study underscores the understanding of different electronic properties induced in CNTs and BNNTs under oxygen doping, and has potential in fabrication of various nanoelectronic devices.« less
Process-induced defects in terrestrial solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindholm, F. A.; Li, S. S.; Sah, C. T.

1975-01-01

Experimental and theoretical work on low resistivity, high efficiency solar cells indicates the dominant role that defects take in determining performance. High doping mechanisms produce gap shrinkage by band tailing, impurity band widening and impurity misfit; altered interband transmission rates result from Auger impact, SRH processes, or from electronic tunneling via defects. Characterizations of cell materials for their defects and their relations to the chosen fabrication processes are proposed.
Clusters of Point Defects Near Dislocations as a Tool to Control CdZnTe Electrical Parameters by Ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olikh, Ya. M.; Tymochko, M. D.; Olikh, O. Ya.; Shenderovsky, V. A.

2018-05-01

We studied the temperature dependence (77-300 K) of the electron concentration and mobility using the Hall method under ultrasound (the acoustic Hall method) to determine the mechanisms by which ultrasound influences the electrical activity of near-dislocation clusters in n-type low-ohmic Cd1-x Zn x Te single crystals (N Cl ≈ 1024 m-3; x = 0; 0.04) with different dislocation density (0.4-5.1) × 1010 m-2. Changes in electrophysical parameters were found to occur as a function of temperature and ultrasound intensity. To evaluate the relative contribution of different charge carrier scattering mechanisms (lattice scattering, ionized impurity scattering, neutral impurity scattering, and dislocation scattering) and their change under ultrasound, a differential evolution method was used. This method made it possible to analyze experimental mobility μ H(T) by its nonlinear approximation with characteristic temperature dependence for each mechanism. An increase in neutral impurity scattering and a decrease in ionized impurity and dislocation scattering components were observed under ultrasound. The character and the amount of these acoustically induced changes correlate with particular sample dislocation characteristics. It was concluded that the observed effects are related to the acoustically induced transformation of the point-defect structure, mainly in the near dislocation crystal regions.
Crystal growth and crystallography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernov, A. A.

1998-01-01

Selected topics that may be of interest for both crystal-structure and crystal-growth communities are overviewed. The growth of protein crystals, along with that of some other compounds, is one of the topics, and recent insights into related phenomena are considered as examples of applications of general principles. The relationship between crystal growth shape and structure is reviewed and an attempt to introduce semiquantitative characterization of binding for proteins is made. The concept of kinks for complex structures is briefly discussed. Even at sufficiently low supersaturations, the fluctuation of steps may not be sufficient to implement the Gibbs-Thomson law if the kink density is low enough. Subsurface ordering of liquids and growth of rough interfaces from melts is discussed. Crystals growing in microgravity from solution should be more perfect if they preferentially trap stress-inducing impurities, thus creating an impurity-depleted zone around themselves. Evidently, such a zone is developed only around the crystals growing in the absence of convection. Under terrestrial conditions, the self-purified depleted zone is destroyed by convection, the crystal traps more impurity and grows stressed. The stress relief causes mosaicity. In systems containing stress-inducing but poorly trapped impurities, the crystals grown in the absence of convection should be worse than those of their terrestrial counterparts.
40 CFR 421.223 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... molybdenum plus vanadium plus pure grade molybdenum produced Arsenic 27.120 12.097 Chromium 7.219 2.927 Lead...) Vanadium decomposition wet air pollution control. BAT Limitations for the Secondary Molybdenum and Vanadium... per million pounds) of vanadium produced by decomposition Arsenic 0.000 0.000 Chromium 0.000 0.000...
40 CFR 421.223 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... molybdenum plus vanadium plus pure grade molybdenum produced Arsenic 27.120 12.097 Chromium 7.219 2.927 Lead...) Vanadium decomposition wet air pollution control. BAT Limitations for the Secondary Molybdenum and Vanadium... per million pounds) of vanadium produced by decomposition Arsenic 0.000 0.000 Chromium 0.000 0.000...
ION EXCHANGE PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY AND PURIFICATION OF MATERIALS

DOEpatents

Long, R.S.; Bailes, R.H.

1958-04-15

A process for the recovery of certain metallic ions from aqueous solutions by ion exchange techniques is described. It is applicable to elements such as vanadium, chromium, nnanganese, and the like, which are capable of forming lower valent cations soluble in aqueous solutions and which also form ldgher valent anions soluble in aqueous acidic solutions. For example, small amounts of vanadium occurring in phosphoric acid prepared from phosphate rock may be recovered by reducing the vanadium to a trivalent cation adsorbing; the vanadium in a cationic exchange resin, then treating the resin with a suitable oxidizing agent to convert the adsorbed vanadium to a higher valent state, and finally eluting; the vanadium as an anion from the resin by means of an aqueous acidic solution.
Solutal Convection Around Growing Protein Crystal and Diffusional Purification in Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Chun P.; Chernov, Alexander A.

2004-01-01

At least some protein crystals were found to preferentially trap microheterogeneous impurities. The latter are, for example, dimmer molecules of the crystallizing proteines (e.g. ferritin, lysozyme), or the regular molecules on which surfaces small molecules or ions are adsorbed (e.g. acetilated lysozyme) and modi@ molecular charge. Impurities may induce lattice defects and deteriorate structural resolution. Distribution of impurities between mother solution and gorwing crystal is defined by two interrelated distribution coefficients: kappa = rho(sup c, sub 2) and K = (rho(sup c, sub 2)/rho(sup c, sub 1)/rho(sub 2)/rho(sub 1). Here, rho(sub 2), rho(sub 1) and rho(sup c, sub 2) are densities of impurity (2) and regular protein (1) in solution at the growing interface and within the crystal ("c"). For the microheterogeneous impurities studied, K approx. = 2 - 4, so that kappa approx. - 10(exp 2) - 10(exp 3), since K = kappa (rho(sub 1)/rho(sup c, sub 1) and protein solubility ratio rho(sub 1)/rho(sub=p c, sub 2) much less than 1. Therefore, a crystal growing in absence of convection purifies mother solution around itself, grows cleaner and, probably, more perfect. If convection is present, the solution flow permanently brings new impurities to the crystal. This work theoretically addressed two subjects: 1) onset of convection, 2) distribution of impurities.
Influence of radiative processes on the ignition of deuterium–tritium plasma containing inactive impurities

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

Gus’kov, S. Yu., E-mail: guskov@sci.lebedev.ru; Sherman, V. E.

2016-08-15

The degree of influence of radiative processes on the ignition of deuterium–tritium (DT) plasma has been theoretically studied as dependent on the content of inactive impurities in plasma. The analytic criterion of plasma ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets is modified taking into account the absorption of intrinsic radiation from plasma in the ignition region. The influence of radiative processes on the DT plasma ignition has been analytically and numerically studied for plasma that contains a significant fraction of inactive impurities either as a result of DT fuel mixing with ICF target ablator material or as a result ofmore » using light metal DT-hydrides as solid noncryogenic fuel. It has been shown that the effect of the absorption of intrinsic radiation leads to lower impurity-induced increase in the ignition energy as compared to that calculated in the approximation of optically transparent ignition region.« less
Level Anticrossing of Impurity States in Semiconductor Nanocrystals

PubMed Central

Baimuratov, Anvar S.; Rukhlenko, Ivan D.; Turkov, Vadim K.; Ponomareva, Irina O.; Leonov, Mikhail Yu.; Perova, Tatiana S.; Berwick, Kevin; Baranov, Alexander V.; Fedorov, Anatoly V.

2014-01-01

The size dependence of the quantized energies of elementary excitations is an essential feature of quantum nanostructures, underlying most of their applications in science and technology. Here we report on a fundamental property of impurity states in semiconductor nanocrystals that appears to have been overlooked—the anticrossing of energy levels exhibiting different size dependencies. We show that this property is inherent to the energy spectra of charge carriers whose spatial motion is simultaneously affected by the Coulomb potential of the impurity ion and the confining potential of the nanocrystal. The coupling of impurity states, which leads to the anticrossing, can be induced by interactions with elementary excitations residing inside the nanocrystal or an external electromagnetic field. We formulate physical conditions that allow a straightforward interpretation of level anticrossings in the nanocrystal energy spectrum and an accurate estimation of the states' coupling strength. PMID:25369911
Cd in SnO: Probing structural effects on the electronic structure of doped oxide semiconductors through the electric field gradient at the Cd nucleus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Errico, Leonardo A.; Rentería, Mario; Petrilli, Helena M.

2007-04-01

We perform an ab initio study of the electric field gradient (EFG) at the nucleus of Cd impurities at substitutional Sn sites in crystalline SnO. The full-potential linearized-augmented plane wave and the projector augmented wave methods used here allow us to treat the electronic structure of the doped system and the atomic relaxations introduced by the impurities in the host in a fully self-consistent way using a supercell approach in a state-of-the-art way. Effects of the impurity charge state on the electronic and structural properties are also discussed. Since the EFG is a very subtle quantity, its determination is very useful to probe ground-state properties such as the charge density. We show that the EFG is very sensitive to structural relaxations induced by the impurity. Our theoretical predictions are compared with available experimental results.
Polymeric efficiency in remove impurities during cottonseed biodiesel production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, H. L.; Liang, Y. H.; Yan, J.; Lin, H. D.; Espinosa, A. R.

2016-07-01

This paper describes a new process for developing biodiesel by polymer from crude cottonseed oil. The study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the alkali transesterification-flocculation-sedimentation process on fast glycerol and other impurities in the separation from biodiesel by using quaternary polyamine-based cationic polymers SL2700 and polyacylamide cationic polymer SAL1100. The settling velocity of glycerol and other impurities in biodiesel was investigated through settling test experiments; the quality of the biodiesel was investigated by evaluating the viscosity and density. The results revealed that SL2700, SAL1100 and their combination dramatically improved the settling velocity of glycerol and other impurities materials than traditional method. SL 2700 with molecular weight of 0.2 million Da and charge density of 50% then plus SAL1100 with molecular weight of 11 million Da and charge density of 10% induced observable particle aggregation with the best settling performance.
A well-defined terminal vanadium(III) oxo complex.

PubMed

King, Amanda E; Nippe, Michael; Atanasov, Mihail; Chantarojsiri, Teera; Wray, Curtis A; Bill, Eckhard; Neese, Frank; Long, Jeffrey R; Chang, Christopher J

2014-11-03

The ubiquity of vanadium oxo complexes in the V+ and IV+ oxidation states has contributed to a comprehensive understanding of their electronic structure and reactivity. However, despite being predicted to be stable by ligand-field theory, the isolation and characterization of a well-defined terminal mononuclear vanadium(III) oxo complex has remained elusive. We present the synthesis and characterization of a unique terminal mononuclear vanadium(III) oxo species supported by the pentadentate polypyridyl ligand 2,6-bis[1,1-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyl]pyridine (PY5Me2). Exposure of [V(II)(NCCH3)(PY5Me2)](2+) (1) to either dioxygen or selected O-atom-transfer reagents yields [V(IV)(O)(PY5Me2)](2+) (2). The metal-centered one-electron reduction of this vanadium(IV) oxo complex furnishes a stable, diamagnetic [V(III)(O)(PY5Me2)](+) (3) species. The vanadium(III) oxo species is unreactive toward H- and O-atom transfer but readily reacts with protons to form a putative vanadium hydroxo complex. Computational results predict that further one-electron reduction of the vanadium(III) oxo species will result in ligand-based reduction, even though pyridine is generally considered to be a poor π-accepting ligand. These results have implications for future efforts toward low-valent vanadyl chemistry, particularly with regard to the isolation and study of formal vanadium(II) oxo species.

A combined theoretical-experimental study of interactions between vanadium ions and Nafion membrane in all-vanadium redox flow batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Intan, Nadia N.; Klyukin, Konstantin; Zimudzi, Tawanda J.; Hickner, Michael A.; Alexandrov, Vitaly

2018-01-01

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising solution for large-scale energy storage, but a number of problems still impede the deployment of long-lifetime VRFBs. One important aspect of efficient operation of VRFBs is understanding interactions between vanadium species and the membrane. Herein, we investigate the interactions between all four vanadium cations and Nafion membrane by a combination of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and density-functional-theory (DFT)-based static and molecular dynamics simulations. It is observed that vanadium species primarily lead to changes in the IR spectrum of Nafion in the SO3- spectral region which is attributed to the interaction between vanadium species and the SO3- exchange sites. DFT calculations of vanadium -Nafion complexes in the gas phase show that it is thermodynamically favorable for all vanadium cations to bind to SO3- via a contact pair mechanism. Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics-based metadynamics simulations of cation-Nafion systems in aqueous solution suggest that V2+ and V3+ species coordinate spontaneously to SO3-, which is not the case for VO2+ and VO2+ . The interaction behavior of the uncycled membrane determined in this study is used to explain the experimentally observed changes in the vibrational spectra, and is discussed in light of previous results on device-cycled membranes.
Iron and intrinsic deep level states in Ga2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingebrigtsen, M. E.; Varley, J. B.; Kuznetsov, A. Yu.; Svensson, B. G.; Alfieri, G.; Mihaila, A.; Badstübner, U.; Vines, L.

2018-01-01

Using a combination of deep level transient spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, proton irradiation, and hybrid functional calculations, we identify two similar deep levels that are associated with Fe impurities and intrinsic defects in bulk crystals and molecular beam epitaxy and hydride vapor phase epitaxi-grown epilayers of β-Ga2O3. First, our results indicate that FeGa, and not an intrinsic defect, acts as the deep acceptor responsible for the often dominating E2 level at ˜0.78 eV below the conduction band minimum. Second, by provoking additional intrinsic defect generation via proton irradiation, we identified the emergence of a new level, labeled as E2*, having the ionization energy very close to that of E2, but exhibiting an order of magnitude larger capture cross section. Importantly, the properties of E2* are found to be consistent with its intrinsic origin. As such, contradictory opinions of a long standing literature debate on either extrinsic or intrinsic origin of the deep acceptor in question converge accounting for possible contributions from E2 and E2* in different experimental conditions.
A method for recovery of iron, titanium, and vanadium from vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yi-min; Wang, Li-na; Chen, De-sheng; Wang, Wei-jing; Liu, Ya-hui; Zhao, Hong-xin; Qi, Tao

2018-02-01

An innovative method for recovering valuable elements from vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite is proposed. This method involves two procedures: low-temperature roasting of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite and water leaching of roasting slag. During the roasting process, the reduction of iron oxides to metallic iron, the sodium oxidation of vanadium oxides to water-soluble sodium vanadate, and the smelting separation of metallic iron and slag were accomplished simultaneously. Optimal roasting conditions for iron/slag separation were achieved with a mixture thickness of 42.5 mm, a roasting temperature of 1200°C, a residence time of 2 h, a molar ratio of C/O of 1.7, and a sodium carbonate addition of 70wt%, as well as with the use of anthracite as a reductant. Under the optimal conditions, 93.67% iron from the raw ore was recovered in the form of iron nugget with 95.44% iron grade. After a water leaching process, 85.61% of the vanadium from the roasting slag was leached, confirming the sodium oxidation of most of the vanadium oxides to water-soluble sodium vanadate during the roasting process. The total recoveries of iron, vanadium, and titanium were 93.67%, 72.68%, and 99.72%, respectively.
Enrichment, Distribution of Vanadium-Containing Protein in Vanadium-Enriched Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and the Ameliorative Effect on Insulin Resistance.

PubMed

Liu, Yanjun; Zhou, Qingxin; Zhao, Yanlei; Wang, Yiming; Wang, Yuming; Wang, Jingfeng; Xu, Jie; Xue, Changhu

2016-05-01

Sea cucumbers are a potential source of natural organic vanadium that may improve insulin resistance. In this work, vanadium was accumulated rapidly in blood, body wall, and intestine by sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Furthermore, water-soluble vanadium-containing proteins, the main form of the organic vanadium, were tentatively accumulated and isolated by a bioaccumulation experiment. It was also designed to evaluate the beneficial effect of vanadium-containing proteins (VCPs) from sea cucumber rich in vanadium on the development of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice fed with a high-fat high-sucrose diet (HFSD). HFSD mice treated with VCPs significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and HOMA-IR values as compared to HFSD mice, respectively. Serum adiponectin, resistin, TNF-α, and leptin levels in insulin-resistant mice were dramatically reduced by a VCP supplement. These results show an ameliorative effect on insulin resistance by treatment with VCPs. Such compound seems to be a valuable therapy to achieve and/or maintain glycemic control and therapeutic agents in the treatment arsenal for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Comparison of bioavailable vanadium in alfalfa rhizosphere soil extracted by an improved BCR procedure and EDTA, HCl, and NaNO₃ single extractions in a pot experiment with V-Cd treatments.

PubMed

Yang, Jie; Teng, Yanguo; Zuo, Rui; Song, Liuting

2015-06-01

The BCR sequential extraction procedure was compared with EDTA, HCl, and NaNO3 single extractions for evaluating vanadium bioavailability in alfalfa rhizosphere soil. The amounts of vanadium extracted by these methods were in the following order: BCR (bioavailable V) > EDTA ≈ HCl > NaNO3. Both correlation analysis and stepwise regression were adopted to illustrate the extractable vanadium between different reagents. The correlation coefficients between extracted vanadium and the vanadium contents in alfalfa roots were R NaNO3 = 0.948, R HCl = 0.902, R EDTA = 0.816, and R bioavailable V = 0.819. The stepwise multiple regression equation of the NaNO3 extraction was the most significant at a 95 % confidence interval. The influence of pH, total organic carbon, and cadmium content of soil to vanadium bioavailability were not definite. In summary, both the BCR sequential extraction and the single extraction methods were valid approaches for predicting vanadium bioavailability in alfalfa rhizosphere soil, especially the single extractions.
Electronic characterization of defects in narrow gap semiconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, James D.

1993-01-01

The study of point defects in semiconductors has a long and honorable history. In particular, the detailed understanding of shallow defects in common semiconductors traces back to the classic work of Kohn and Luttinger. However, the study of defects in narrow gap semiconductors represents a much less clear story. Here, both shallow defects (caused by long range potentials) and deep defects (from short range potentials) are far from being completely understood. In this study, all results are calculational and our focus is on the chemical trend of deep levels in narrow gap semiconductors. We study substitutional (including antisite), interstitial and ideal vacancy defects. For substitutional and interstitial impurities, the efects of relaxation are included. For materials like Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te, we study how the deep levels vary with x, of particular interest is what substitutional and interstitial atoms yield energy levels in the gap i.e. actually produce deep ionized levels. Also, since the main technique utilized is Green's functions, we include some summary of that method.
Extraction of Vanadium from Vanadium Slag Via Non-salt Roasting and Ammonium Oxalate Leaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Meng; Du, Hao; Zheng, Shili; Wang, Shaona; Zhang, Yang; Liu, Biao; Dreisinger, David Bruce; Zhang, Yi

2017-10-01

A clean method featuring non-salt roasting followed by (NH4)2C2O4 leaching to recover vanadium from vanadium slag was proposed. The carcinogenic Cr6+ compounds and exhaust gases were avoided, and the water generated from vanadate precipitation may be recycled and reused in this new leaching process. The leaching residues may be easily used by a blast furnace. Moreover, (NH4)2C2O4 solution was used as a leaching medium to avoid expensive and complicated ammonium controlling operations as a result of the stability of (NH4)2C2O4 at a high temperature. The transformation mechanisms of vanadium- and chromium-bearing phases were systematically investigated by x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy-disperse x-ray spectrometry, respectively. In addition, the effects of oxygen concentration, roasting temperature, and holding time on vanadium recovery were investigated. Finally, the effects of leaching variables on the vanadium leaching rate were also examined.
Theoretical analysis and experiments for the carburization of vanadium-bearing hot metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Deng; Wu, Wei; Dai, Shifan; Liu, Zhibin

2018-01-01

In this study, the feasibility of the carburization of vanadium-bearing hot metal was first investigated by thermodynamic analysis. Next, three carburizers, namely a low-nitrogen carburizer, anthracite, and coke, were used for carburization of 500 g of vanadium-bearing hot metal at 1450 °C, 1500 °C, and 1550 °C, respectively. The carbon increments for the low-nitrogen carburizer, anthracite and coke followed decreasing order in the temperature range from 1450 °C to 1550 °C. Anthracite was the most cost-effective carburizer. Hence, anthracite is used in pilot-scale experiments of the vanadium-bearing hot metal (100 kg and 200 kg). Finally, vanadium extraction experiments of the vanadium-bearing hot metal were carried out in a top-bottom-combined blowing induction furnace. It is proved that the average superheat degree of semi-steel increases from 100 °C to 198 °C by the carburization of vanadium-containing hot metal. Foundation Item: Item Sponsored by National Science Foundation of China (51674092)
Vanadium-Binding Ability of Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase from the Vanadium-Rich Fan Worm, Pseudopotamilla occelata.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Nobuo; Yoshinaga, Masafumi; Kamino, Kei; Ueki, Tatsuya

2016-06-01

Polychaete fan worms and ascidians accumulate high levels of vanadium ions. Several vanadiumbinding proteins, known as vanabins, have been found in ascidians. However, no vanadium-binding factors have been isolated from the fan worm. In the present study, we sought to identify vanadiumbinding proteins in the branchial crown of the fan worm using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. A nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) homolog was isolated and determined to be a vanadium-binding protein. Kinase activity of the NDK homologue, PoNDK, was suppressed by the addition of V(IV), but was unaffected by V(V). The effect of V(IV) on PoNDK precedes its activation by Mg(II). This is the first report to describe the relationship between NDK and V(IV). PoNDK is located in the epidermis of the branchial crown, and its distribution is very similar to that of vanadium. These results suggest that PoNDK is associated with vanadium accumulation and metabolism in P. occelata.
Recycling of Ammonia Wastewater During Vanadium Extraction from Shale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Qihua; Zhang, Yimin; Liu, Tao; Huang, Jing

2018-03-01

In the vanadium metallurgical industry, massive amounts of ammonia hydroxide or ammonia salt are added during the precipitation process to obtain V2O5; therefore, wastewater containing a high level of NH4 + is generated, which poses a serious threat to environmental and hydrologic safety. In this article, a novel process was developed to recycle ammonia wastewater based on a combination of ammonia wastewater leaching and crystallization during vanadium extraction from shale. The effects of the NH4 + concentration, temperature, time and liquid-to-solid ratio on the leaching efficiencies of vanadium, aluminum and potassium were investigated, and the results showed that 93.2% of vanadium, 86.3% of aluminum and 96.8% of potassium can be leached from sulfation-roasted shale. Subsequently, 80.6% of NH4 + was separated from the leaching solution via cooling crystallization. Vanadium was recovered via a combined method of solvent extraction, precipitation and calcination. Therefore, ammonia wastewater was successfully recycled during vanadium extraction from shale.
In Vivo Effects of Vanadium Pentoxide and Antioxidants (Ascorbic Acid and Alpha-Tocopherol) on Apoptotic, Cytotoxic, and Genotoxic Damage in Peripheral Blood of Mice

PubMed Central

García-Rodríguez, María del Carmen; Hernández-Cortés, Lourdes Montserrat; Altamirano-Lozano, Mario Agustín

2016-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), ascorbic acid (AA), and alpha-tocopherol (α-TOH) on apoptotic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic activity. Groups of five Hsd:ICR mice were treated with the following: (a) vehicle, distilled water; (b) vehicle, corn oil; (c) AA, 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip); (d) α-TOH, 20 mg/kg by gavage; (e) V2O5, 40 mg/kg by ip injection; (f) AA + V2O5; and (g) α-TOH + V2O5. Genotoxic damage was evaluated by examining micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE) obtained from the caudal vein at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatments. Induction of apoptosis and cell viability were assessed at 48 h after treatment in nucleated cells of peripheral blood. Treatment with AA alone reduced basal MN-PCE, while V2O5 treatment marginally increased MN-PCE at all times after injection. Antioxidants treatments prior to V2O5 administration decreased MN-PCE compared to the V2O5 group, with the most significant effect in the AA + V2O5 group. The apoptotic cells increased with all treatments, suggesting that this process may contribute to the elimination of the cells with V2O5-induced DNA damage (MN-PCE). The necrotic cells only increased in the V2O5 group. Therefore, antioxidants such as AA and α-TOH can be used effectively to protect or reduce the genotoxic effects induced by vanadium compounds like V2O5. PMID:27413422
A vanadium-doped ZnO nanosheets-polymer composite for flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Sung-Ho; Kwon, Yang Hyeog; Lee, Min Hyung; Jung, Joo-Yun; Seol, Jae Hun; Nah, Junghyo

2016-01-01

We report high performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) by employing vanadium (V)-doped ZnO nanosheets (NSs) and the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite structure. The V-doped ZnO NSs were synthesized to overcome the inherently low piezoelectric properties of intrinsic ZnO. Ferroelectric phase transition induced in the V-doped ZnO NSs contributed to significantly improve the performance of the PENGs after the poling process. Consequently, the PENGs exhibited high output voltage and current up to ~32 V and ~6.2 μA, respectively, under the applied strain, which are sufficient to directly turn on a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The composite approach for PENG fabrication is scalable, robust, and reproducible during periodic bending/releasing over extended cycles. The approach introduced here extends the performance limits of ZnO-based PENGs and demonstrates their potential as energy harvesting devices.We report high performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) by employing vanadium (V)-doped ZnO nanosheets (NSs) and the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite structure. The V-doped ZnO NSs were synthesized to overcome the inherently low piezoelectric properties of intrinsic ZnO. Ferroelectric phase transition induced in the V-doped ZnO NSs contributed to significantly improve the performance of the PENGs after the poling process. Consequently, the PENGs exhibited high output voltage and current up to ~32 V and ~6.2 μA, respectively, under the applied strain, which are sufficient to directly turn on a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The composite approach for PENG fabrication is scalable, robust, and reproducible during periodic bending/releasing over extended cycles. The approach introduced here extends the performance limits of ZnO-based PENGs and demonstrates their potential as energy harvesting devices. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07185b
Recent progress on gas tungsten arc welding of vanadium alloys

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

King, J.F.; Grossbeck, M.L.; Goodwin, G.M.

1997-04-01

This is a progress report on a continuing research project to acquire a fundamental understanding of the metallurgical processes in the welding of vanadium alloys. It also has the goal of developing techniques for welding structural vanadium alloys. The alloy V-4Cr-4Ti is used as a representative alloy of the group; it is also the prime candidate vanadium alloy for the U.S. Fusion Program at the present time. However, other alloys of this class were used in the research as necessary. The present work focuses on recent findings of hydrogen embrittlement found in vanadium alloy welds. It was concluded that themore » atmosphere in the inert gas glove box was insufficient for welding 6mm thick vanadium alloy plates.« less
The Influence of Vanadium on Ferrite and Bainite Formation in a Medium Carbon Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sourmail, T.; Garcia-Mateo, C.; Caballero, F. G.; Cazottes, S.; Epicier, T.; Danoix, F.; Milbourn, D.

2017-09-01

The influence of vanadium additions on transformation kinetics has been investigated in a medium carbon forging steel. Using dilatometry to track transformation during continuous cooling or isothermal transformation, the impact of vanadium on both ferrite-pearlite and bainite has been quantified. Transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography have been used to establish whether vanadium was present in solid solution, or as clusters and precipitates. The results show that vanadium in solid solution has a pronounced retarding influence on ferrite-pearlite formation and that, unlike in the case of niobium, this effect can be exploited even during relatively slow cooling. The influence on bainite transformation was found to depend on temperature; an explanation in terms of the effect of vanadium on heterogeneous nucleation is tentatively proposed.
Neutron radiation characteristics of plutonium dioxide fuel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taherzadeh, M.

1972-01-01

The major sources of neutrons from plutonium dioxide nuclear fuel are considered in detail. These sources include spontaneous fission of several of the Pu isotopes, (alpha, n) reactions with low Z impurities in the fuel, and (alpha, n) reactions with O-18. For spontaneous fission neutrons a value of (1.95 + or - 0.07) X 1,000 n/s/g PuO2 is obtained. The neutron yield from (alpha, n) reactions with oxygen is calculated by integrating the reaction rate equation over all alpha-particle energies and all center-of-mass angles. The results indicate a neutron emission rate of (1.14 + or - 0.26) X 10,000 n/s/g PuO2. The neutron yield from (alpha, n) reactions with low Z impurities in the fuel is presented in tabular form for one part part per million of each impurity. The total neutron yield due to the combined effects of all the impurities depends upon the fractional weight concentration of each impurity. The total neutron flux emitted from a particular fuel geometry is estimated by adding the neutron yield due to the induced fission to the other neutron sources.
Role of four-fermion interaction and impurity in the states of two-dimensional semi-Dirac materials.

PubMed

Wang, Jing

2018-03-28

We study the effects of four-fermion interaction and impurity on the low-energy states of 2D semi-Dirac materials by virtue of the unbiased renormalization group approach. The coupled flow equations that govern the energy-dependent evolutions of all correlated interaction parameters are derived after taking into account one-loop corrections from the interplay between four-fermion interaction and impurity. Whether and how four-fermion interaction and impurity influence the low-energy properties of 2D semi-Dirac materials are discreetly explored and addressed attentively. After carrying out the standard renormalization group analysis, we find that both trivial insulating and nontrivial semimetal states are qualitatively stable against all four kinds of four-fermion interactions. However, while switching on both four-fermion interaction and impurity, certain insulator-semimetal phase transitions and the distance of Dirac nodal points can be respectively induced and modified due to their strong interplay and intimate competition. Moreover, several non-Fermi liquid behaviors that deviate from the conventional Fermi liquids are exhibited at the lowest-energy limit.
Impurity-induced anisotropic semiconductor-semimetal transition in monolayer biased black phosphorus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bui, D. H.; Yarmohammadi, Mohsen

2018-07-01

Taking into account the electron-impurity interaction within the continuum approximation of tight-binding model, the Born approximation, and the Green's function method, the main features of anisotropic electronic phase transition are investigated in monolayer biased black phosphorus (BP). To this end, we concentrated on the disordered electronic density of states (DOS), which gives useful information for electro-optical devices. Increasing the impurity concentration in both unbiased and biased impurity-infected single-layer BP, in addition to the decrease of the band gap, independent of the direction, leads to the midgap states and an extra Van Hove singularity inside and outside of the band gap, respectively. Furthermore, strong impurity scattering potentials lead to a semiconductor-semimetal transition and one more Van Hove singularity in x-direction of unbiased BP and surprisingly, this transition does not occur in biased BP. We found that there is no phase transition in y-direction. Since real applications require structures with modulated band gaps, we have studied the influence of different bias voltages on the disordered DOS in both directions, resulting in the increase of the band gap.
Role of four-fermion interaction and impurity in the states of two-dimensional semi-Dirac materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing

2018-03-01

We study the effects of four-fermion interaction and impurity on the low-energy states of 2D semi-Dirac materials by virtue of the unbiased renormalization group approach. The coupled flow equations that govern the energy-dependent evolutions of all correlated interaction parameters are derived after taking into account one-loop corrections from the interplay between four-fermion interaction and impurity. Whether and how four-fermion interaction and impurity influence the low-energy properties of 2D semi-Dirac materials are discreetly explored and addressed attentively. After carrying out the standard renormalization group analysis, we find that both trivial insulating and nontrivial semimetal states are qualitatively stable against all four kinds of four-fermion interactions. However, while switching on both four-fermion interaction and impurity, certain insulator-semimetal phase transitions and the distance of Dirac nodal points can be respectively induced and modified due to their strong interplay and intimate competition. Moreover, several non-Fermi liquid behaviors that deviate from the conventional Fermi liquids are exhibited at the lowest-energy limit.
Radiation enhanced antiferromagnetic exchange between spins in a superconducting host

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akkaravarawong, Kamphol; Vayrynen, Jukka; Sau, Jay; Glazman, Leonid; Yao, Norman

2017-04-01

A magnetic impurity on a conventional superconductor can host a localized bound state whose energy lies inside the superconducting gap. If the distance between two such impurities is smaller than the coherence length, the presence of these so-called Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) bound states can induce an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the impurities, falling off as 1 /r2 . Although the YSR interaction exhibits a slower decay than conventional RKKY interactions, its strength is significantly weaker, making it extremely challenging to experimentally observe. We demonstrate that the strength of the YSR interaction can be enhanced via radiation assisted virtual occupation, and that the signature of this coupling can naturally be observed through spectroscopy.
Bose-Hubbard lattice as a controllable environment for open quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cosco, Francesco; Borrelli, Massimo; Mendoza-Arenas, Juan José; Plastina, Francesco; Jaksch, Dieter; Maniscalco, Sabrina

2018-04-01

We investigate the open dynamics of an atomic impurity embedded in a one-dimensional Bose-Hubbard lattice. We derive the reduced evolution equation for the impurity and show that the Bose-Hubbard lattice behaves as a tunable engineered environment allowing one to simulate both Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics in a controlled and experimentally realizable way. We demonstrate that the presence or absence of memory effects is a signature of the nature of the excitations induced by the impurity, being delocalized or localized in the two limiting cases of a superfluid and Mott insulator, respectively. Furthermore, our findings show how the excitations supported in the two phases can be characterized as information carriers.

The structural studies of vanadium substituted lithium-bismuth-boro-tellurite glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madhu, A.; Eraiah, B.

2018-05-01

The structural studies of vanadium substituted lithium-bismuth-boro-tellurite glass is successfully prepared and certain analysis like XRD,FTIR,DTA/TGA with density, molar volume are done. The amorphous phase has been identified based on X-ray diffraction analysis. The vanadium oxide plays the role as a glass-modifier and influences on BO3 ↔ BO4 conversion. The observed nonlinear variation in Tg with vanadium oxide increase, it reflects structural changes. The nonlinear variation of density and molar volume can be attributed to vanadium oxide incorporation have increased the number of Non-bridging oxygen (NBO'S).
Deep levels due to hydrogen in ZnO single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parmar, Narendra; Weber, Marc; Lynn, Kelvin

2009-05-01

Hydrogen impurities and oxygen vacancies are involved in the ˜0.7 eV shift of the optical absorption edge of ZnO. Deuterium causes a smaller shift. Titanium metal is used to bind hydrogen as it diffuses out of ZnO. Positron annihilation spectroscopy coupled with other techniques point to the presence of oxygen vacancies. Removing hydrogen followed by annealing in oxygen reduces the carrier concentration.
A detailed analysis of the energy levels configuration existing in the band gap of supersaturated silicon with titanium for photovoltaic applications

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

Pérez, E.; Dueñas, S.; Castán, H.

2015-12-28

The energy levels created in supersaturated n-type silicon substrates with titanium implantation in the attempt to create an intermediate band in their band-gap are studied in detail. Two titanium ion implantation doses (10{sup 13 }cm{sup -2} and 10{sup 14 }cm{sup -2}) are studied in this work by conductance transient technique and admittance spectroscopy. Conductance transients have been measured at temperatures of around 100 K. The particular shape of these transients is due to the formation of energy barriers in the conduction band, as a consequence of the band-gap narrowing induced by the high titanium concentration. Moreover, stationary admittance spectroscopy results suggest the existencemore » of different energy level configuration, depending on the local titanium concentration. A continuum energy level band is formed when titanium concentration is over the Mott limit. On the other hand, when titanium concentration is lower than the Mott limit, but much higher than the donor impurity density, a quasi-continuum energy level distribution appears. Finally, a single deep center appears for low titanium concentration. At the n-type substrate, the experimental results obtained by means of thermal admittance spectroscopy at high reverse bias reveal the presence of single levels located at around E{sub c}-425 and E{sub c}-275 meV for implantation doses of 10{sup 13 }cm{sup −2} and 10{sup 14 }cm{sup −2}, respectively. At low reverse bias voltage, quasi-continuously distributed energy levels between the minimum of the conduction bands, E{sub c} and E{sub c}-450 meV, are obtained for both doses. Conductance transients detected at low temperatures reveal that the high impurity concentration induces a band gap narrowing which leads to the formation of a barrier in the conduction band. Besides, the relationship between the activation energy and the capture cross section values of all the energy levels fits very well to the Meyer-Neldel rule. As it is known, the Meyer-Neldel rule typically appears in processes involving multiple excitations, like carrier capture and emission in deep levels, and it is generally observed in disordered systems. The obtained Meyer-Neldel energy value, 15.19 meV, is very close to the value obtained in multicrystalline silicon samples contaminated with iron (13.65 meV), meaning that this energy value could be associated to the phonons energy in this kind of substrates.« less
Influence of low concentration V and Co oxide doping on the dissolution behaviors of simplified nuclear waste glasses

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

Lu, Xiaonan; Neeway, James J.; Ryan, Joseph V.

Transition metal oxides are commonly present in nuclear waste and they can alter the structure, property and especially dissolution behaviors of the glasses used for waste immobilization. In this paper, we investigated vanadium and cobalt oxide induced structural and properties changes, especially dissolution behaviors, of International Simple Glass (ISG), a model nuclear waste glass system. Static chemical durability tests were performed at 90 °C with a pH value of 7 and a surface-area-to-solution-volume of 200 m-1 for 112 days on three glasses: ISG, ISG doped with 0.5 mol% Co2O3, and ISG doped with 2.0 mol% V2O5. ICP-MS was used tomore » analyze the dissolved ion concentrations. It was found that doping with vanadium and cobalt oxide, even at the low doping concentration, significantly reduced the extent of the ISG glass dissolution. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that vanadium oxide doping reduced the glass transition temperature (Tg) while cobalt oxide did not significantly change the Tg of ISG. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the glass samples before and after corrosion to understand the phase and microstructure changes.« less
The origins of near band-edge transitions in hexagonal boron nitride epilayers

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

Du, X. Z.; Li, J.; Lin, J. Y.

2016-02-01

Photoluminescence spectroscopy has been employed to probe the near band-edge transitions in hexagonal BN (h-BN) epilayers synthesized under varying ammonia flow rates. The results suggest that the quasi-donor-acceptor pair emission line at 5.3 eV is due to the transition between the nitrogen vacancy and a deep acceptor, whereas the 5.5 eV emission line is due to the recombination of an exciton bound to a deep acceptor formed by carbon impurity occupying the nitrogen site. By growing h-BN under high ammonia flow rates, nitrogen vacancy related peaks can be eliminated and epilayers exhibiting pure free exciton emission have been obtained.
Surface-induced magnetism of the solids with impurities and vacancies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozovska, A. N.; Eliseev, E. A.; Glinchuk, M. D.; Blinc, R.

2011-04-01

Using the quantum-mechanical approach combined with the image charge method we calculated the lowest energy levels of the impurities and neutral vacancies with two electrons or holes located in the vicinity of flat surface of different solids. Unexpectedly we obtained that the magnetic triplet state is the ground state of the impurities and neutral vacancies in the vicinity of surface, while the nonmagnetic singlet is the ground state in the bulk, for e.g. He atom, Li+, Be++ ions, etc. The energy difference between the lowest triplet and singlet states strongly depends on the electron (hole) effective mass μ, dielectric permittivity of the solid ε2 and the distance from the surface z0. For z0=0 and defect charge ∣Z∣=2 the energy difference is more than several hundreds of Kelvins at μ=(0.5-1)me and ε2=2-10, more than several tens of Kelvins at μ=(0.1-0.2)me and ε2=5-10, and not more than several Kelvins at μ<0.1me and ε2>15 (me is the mass of a free electron). Pair interaction of the identical surface defects (two doubly charged impurities or vacancies with two electrons or holes) reveals the ferromagnetic spin state with the maximal exchange energy at the definite distance between the defects (∼5-25 nm). We estimated the critical concentration of surface defects and transition temperature of ferromagnetic long-range order appearance in the framework of percolation and mean field theories, and RKKY approach for semiconductors like ZnO. We obtained that the nonmagnetic singlet state is the lowest one for a molecule with two electrons formed by a pair of identical surface impurities (like surface hydrogen), while its next state with deep enough negative energy minimum is the magnetic triplet. The metastable magnetic triplet state appeared for such molecule at the surface indicates the possibility of metastable ortho-states of the hydrogen-like molecules, while they are absent in the bulk of material. The two series of spectral lines are expected due to the coexistence of ortho- and para-states of the molecules at the surface. We hope that obtained results could provide an alternative mechanism of the room temperature ferromagnetism observed in TiO2, HfO2, and In2O3 thin films with contribution of the oxygen vacancies. We expect that both anion and cation vacancies near the flat surface act as magnetic defects because of their triplet ground state and Hund's rule. The theoretical forecasts are waiting for experimental justification allowing for the number of the defects in the vicinity of surface is much larger than in the bulk of as-grown samples.
Quantitation and detection of vanadium in biologic and pollution materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, W. A.

1974-01-01

A review is presented of special considerations and methodology for determining vanadium in biological and air pollution materials. In addition to descriptions of specific analysis procedures, general sections are included on quantitation of analysis procedures, sample preparation, blanks, and methods of detection of vanadium. Most of the information presented is applicable to the determination of other trace elements in addition to vanadium.
First-principles study of complex halide scintillators for radiation detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qingguo; Kang, Byungkyun; Mize, Jonathan; Biswas, Koushik

Current demands for cost-effective and high-performance scintillators have led to a discernible shift from simple binary halides (e.g., NaI, CsI) toward host compounds that are structurally and electronically more complex. Eu-doped SrI2 is a prominant example. Despite its advanced properties, improvements are needed for extensive deployment at low cost. Codoping techniques are often useful to improve the electronic response of such insulators. Using first-principles based approach we report on the influence of codoping with aliovalent and isovalent impurities. We find all codopants induce deep levels, show amphoteric character, and may bind with I-vacancy forming charge compensated donor-acceptor pairs. Lack of deep-to-shallow behavior upon codoping and its ramifications will be discussed. We studied another set of stable monoclinic phase of ternary ns2 containing iodides, e.g. TlBa2I5. One objective is to explore them as scintillators where ns2 ions play a central role. Interestingly, we predict Eu2+ activation will be rendered ineffective in these compounds, caused by changes in the valence and conduction band edges. However, the prospect of fast electron capture at ns2 sites and self-activated scintillation could be important for detector applications. This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Homeland Security under Grant Award Number, 2014-DN-077-ARI075-04.
Electromagnetically induced transparency in a multilayered spherical quantum dot with hydrogenic impurity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlović, Vladan; Šušnjar, Marko; Petrović, Katarina; Stevanović, Ljiljana

2018-04-01

In this paper the effects of size, hydrostatic pressure and temperature on electromagnetically induced transparency, as well as on absorption and the dispersion properties of multilayered spherical quantum dot with hydrogenic impurity are theoretically investigated. Energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions of quantum systems in three-level and four-level configurations are calculated using the shooting method, while optical properties are obtained using the density matrix formalism and master equations. It is shown that peaks of the optical properties experience a blue-shift with increasing hydrostatic pressure and red-shift with increasing temperature. The changes of optical properties as a consequence of changes in barrier wells widths are non-monotonic, and these changes are discussed in detail.
Stationary drag photocurrent caused by strong effective running wave in quantum wires: Quantization of current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Entin, M. V.; Magarill, L. I.

2010-02-01

The stationary current induced by a strong running potential wave in one-dimensional system is studied. Such a wave can result from illumination of a straight quantum wire with special grating or spiral quantum wire by circular-polarized light. The wave drags electrons in the direction correlated with the direction of the system symmetry and polarization of light. In a pure system the wave induces minibands in the accompanied system of reference. We study the effect in the presence of impurity scattering. The current is an interplay between the wave drag and impurity braking. It was found that the drag current is quantized when the Fermi level gets into energy gaps.
A real-time extension of density matrix embedding theory for non-equilibrium electron dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kretchmer, Joshua S.; Chan, Garnet Kin-Lic

2018-02-01

We introduce real-time density matrix embedding theory (DMET), a dynamical quantum embedding theory for computing non-equilibrium electron dynamics in strongly correlated systems. As in the previously developed static DMET, real-time DMET partitions the system into an impurity corresponding to the region of interest coupled to the surrounding environment, which is efficiently represented by a quantum bath of the same size as the impurity. In this work, we focus on a simplified single-impurity time-dependent formulation as a first step toward a multi-impurity theory. The equations of motion of the coupled impurity and bath embedding problem are derived using the time-dependent variational principle. The accuracy of real-time DMET is compared to that of time-dependent complete active space self-consistent field (TD-CASSCF) theory and time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory for a variety of quantum quenches in the single impurity Anderson model (SIAM), in which the Hamiltonian is suddenly changed (quenched) to induce a non-equilibrium state. Real-time DMET shows a marked improvement over the mean-field TDHF, converging to the exact answer even in the non-trivial Kondo regime of the SIAM. However, as expected from analogous behavior in static DMET, the constrained structure of the real-time DMET wavefunction leads to a slower convergence with respect to active space size, in the single-impurity formulation, relative to TD-CASSCF. Our initial results suggest that real-time DMET provides a promising framework to simulate non-equilibrium electron dynamics in which strong electron correlation plays an important role, and lays the groundwork for future multi-impurity formulations.
A real-time extension of density matrix embedding theory for non-equilibrium electron dynamics.

PubMed

Kretchmer, Joshua S; Chan, Garnet Kin-Lic

2018-02-07

We introduce real-time density matrix embedding theory (DMET), a dynamical quantum embedding theory for computing non-equilibrium electron dynamics in strongly correlated systems. As in the previously developed static DMET, real-time DMET partitions the system into an impurity corresponding to the region of interest coupled to the surrounding environment, which is efficiently represented by a quantum bath of the same size as the impurity. In this work, we focus on a simplified single-impurity time-dependent formulation as a first step toward a multi-impurity theory. The equations of motion of the coupled impurity and bath embedding problem are derived using the time-dependent variational principle. The accuracy of real-time DMET is compared to that of time-dependent complete active space self-consistent field (TD-CASSCF) theory and time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory for a variety of quantum quenches in the single impurity Anderson model (SIAM), in which the Hamiltonian is suddenly changed (quenched) to induce a non-equilibrium state. Real-time DMET shows a marked improvement over the mean-field TDHF, converging to the exact answer even in the non-trivial Kondo regime of the SIAM. However, as expected from analogous behavior in static DMET, the constrained structure of the real-time DMET wavefunction leads to a slower convergence with respect to active space size, in the single-impurity formulation, relative to TD-CASSCF. Our initial results suggest that real-time DMET provides a promising framework to simulate non-equilibrium electron dynamics in which strong electron correlation plays an important role, and lays the groundwork for future multi-impurity formulations.
Impurity-induced staggered polarization and antiferromagnetic order in spin-12 Heisenberg two-leg ladder compound SrCu2O3: Extensive Cu NMR and NQR studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohsugi, S.; Tokunaga, Y.; Ishida, K.; Kitaoka, Y.; Azuma, M.; Fujishiro, Y.; Takano, M.

1999-08-01

We report characteristics of impurity-induced staggered polarization (IISP) and antiferromagnetic long-range order (AF-LRO) in the gapped spin-1/2 Heisenberg two-leg ladder compound SrCu2O3 (Sr123). We have carried out comprehensive NMR and NQR investigations on three impurity-doped systems, Sr(Cu1-xMx)2O3 (M=Zn, Ni) with x<=0.02 and Sr1-xLaxCu2O3 with x<=0.03. Either the Zn or Ni impurity that is nonmagnetic depletes a single spin on the ladders, whereas the La impurity is believed to dope electrons onto the ladders. The width of the Lorentzian Cu NMR spectrum increases with the increase in impurity content x and follows the Curie-like temperature (T) dependence as W/T. The W's for the Zn- and Ni-doped samples (M doping) are larger than for the La-doped one (La doping). The NMR spectra were fit by assuming that unpaired spin S0=1/2 induced next to impurity on the rung for the Zn and Ni doping (S0=1/4 for the La doping) creates the staggered spin polarization along the leg, which decreases exponentially from S0. In Sr123, an instantaneous spin-correlation length ξ0 was theoretically predicted as ξ0/a~3-8, where a is the lattice spacing between the Cu sites along the leg. However, a correlation length ξs/a estimated from the IISP along the leg was found to be much longer than ξ0/a in x=0.001 and 0.005. The notable result is that ξs/a that was found to be T independent is scaled to mean distances DAV=1/(2x) between the Zn and Ni impurities and DAV=1/x between the La impurities. When DAV=500 for x=0.001 (Zn doping), ξs/a~50 is estimated. The significantly broadened NQR spectrum has provided unambiguous evidence for the AF-LRO in the Zn and Ni doping (x=0.01 and 0.02). Rather uniform AF moments at the middle Cu sites between the impurities are estimated to be about 0.04μB at 1.4 K along the a axis. By assuming that exponential decay constants of AF moments are equivalent to ξs/a's for the IISP, the size of an AF moment next to the impurity is deduced as SAF~1/4. We propose that these exponential distributions of IISP and AF moments along the two-leg suggest that an interladder interaction is in a weakly coupled quasi-one-dimensional (WC-Q1D) regime. The formula of TN=J0exp(-DAV/(ξs/a)) based on the WC-Q1D model explains TN(exp)=3 K (x=0.01) and 5.8 K (x=0.02) quantitatively and predicts to be as small as TN=0.09 K for x=0.001 using J0=2000 K. On the other hand, there is no evidence of AF-LRO for the La doping (x=0.02 and 0.03) down to 1.4 K, nevertheless their ξs/a's are almost equivalent to those in the Zn and Ni doping (x=0.01 and 0.02). We remark that the Q1D-IISP is dramatically enhanced by the interladder interaction even though so weak, once the impurity breaks up the quantum coherence in the short-range resonating valence bond (RVB) state with the gap. On the one hand, we propose that TN is determined by a strength of the interladder interaction and a size of S0.
Impurity bound states in fully gapped d-wave superconductors with subdominant order parameters

PubMed Central

Mashkoori, Mahdi; Björnson, Kristofer; Black-Schaffer, Annica M.

2017-01-01

Impurities in superconductors and their induced bound states are important both for engineering novel states such as Majorana zero-energy modes and for probing bulk properties of the superconducting state. The high-temperature cuprates offer a clear advantage in a much larger superconducting order parameter, but the nodal energy spectrum of a pure d-wave superconductor only allows virtual bound states. Fully gapped d-wave superconducting states have, however, been proposed in several cuprate systems thanks to subdominant order parameters producing d + is- or d + id′-wave superconducting states. Here we study both magnetic and potential impurities in these fully gapped d-wave superconductors. Using analytical T-matrix and complementary numerical tight-binding lattice calculations, we show that magnetic and potential impurities behave fundamentally different in d + is- and d + id′-wave superconductors. In a d + is-wave superconductor, there are no bound states for potential impurities, while a magnetic impurity produces one pair of bound states, with a zero-energy level crossing at a finite scattering strength. On the other hand, a d + id′-wave symmetry always gives rise to two pairs of bound states and only produce a reachable zero-energy level crossing if the normal state has a strong particle-hole asymmetry. PMID:28281570
Effect of Sulfuric and Triflic Acids on the Hydration of Vanadium Cations: An ab Initio Study.

PubMed

Sepehr, Fatemeh; Paddison, Stephen J

2015-06-04

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) may be a promising solution for large-scale energy storage applications, but the crossover of any of the redox active species V(2+), V(3+), VO(2+), and VO2(+) through the ion exchange membrane will result in self-discharge of the battery. Hence, a molecular level understanding of the states of vanadium cations in the highly acidic environment of a VRFB is needed. We examine the effects of sulfuric and triflic (CF3SO3H) acids on the hydration of vanadium species as they mimic the electrolyte and functional group of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes. Hybrid density functional theory in conjunction with a continuum solvation model was utilized to obtain the local structures of the hydrated vanadium cations in proximity to H2SO4, CF3SO3H, and their conjugate anions. The results indicate that none of these species covalently bond to the vanadium cations. The hydration structure of V(3+) is more distorted than that of V(2+) in an acidic medium. The oxo-group of VO2(+) is protonated by either acid, in contrast to VO(2+) which is not protonated. The atomic partial charge of the four oxidation states of vanadium varies from +1.7 to +2.0. These results provide the local solvation structures of vanadium cations in the VRFBs environment that are directly related to the electrolytes stability and diffusion of vanadium ions into the membrane.
Physical properties of the WAIS Divide ice core

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fitzpatrick, Joan J.; Voigt, Donald E.; Fegyveresi, John M.; Stevens, Nathan T.; Spencer, Matthew K.; Cole-Dai, Jihong; Alley, Richard B.; Jardine, Gabriella E.; Cravens, Eric; Wilen, Lawrence A.; Fudge, T. J.; McConnell, Joseph R.

2014-01-01

The WAIS (West Antarctic Ice Sheet) Divide deep ice core was recently completed to a total depth of 3405 m, ending ∼50 m above the bed. Investigation of the visual stratigraphy and grain characteristics indicates that the ice column at the drilling location is undisturbed by any large-scale overturning or discontinuity. The climate record developed from this core is therefore likely to be continuous and robust. Measured grain-growth rates, recrystallization characteristics, and grain-size response at climate transitions fit within current understanding. Significant impurity control on grain size is indicated from correlation analysis between impurity loading and grain size. Bubble-number densities and bubble sizes and shapes are presented through the full extent of the bubbly ice. Where bubble elongation is observed, the direction of elongation is preferentially parallel to the trace of the basal (0001) plane. Preferred crystallographic orientation of grains is present in the shallowest samples measured, and increases with depth, progressing to a vertical-girdle pattern that tightens to a vertical single-maximum fabric. This single-maximum fabric switches into multiple maxima as the grain size increases rapidly in the deepest, warmest ice. A strong dependence of the fabric on the impurity-mediated grain size is apparent in the deepest samples.
Modified lithium vanadium oxide electrode materials products and methods

DOEpatents

Thackeray, Michael M.; Kahaian, Arthur J.; Visser, Donald R.; Dees, Dennis W.; Benedek, Roy

1999-12-21

A method of improving certain vanadium oxide formulations is presented. The method concerns fluorine doping formulations having a nominal formula of LiV.sub.3 O.sub.8. Preferred average formulations are provided wherein the average oxidation state of the vanadium is at least 4.6. Herein preferred fluorine doped vanadium oxide materials, electrodes using such materials, and batteries including at least one electrode therein comprising such materials are provided.
Photoinduced current transient spectroscopy of deep levels and transport mechanisms in iron-doped GaN thin films grown by low pressure-metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muret, P.; Pernot, J.; Azize, M.; Bougrioua, Z.

2007-09-01

Electrical transport and deep levels are investigated in GaN:Fe layers epitaxially grown on sapphire by low pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Photoinduced current transient spectroscopy and current detected deep level spectroscopy are performed between 200 and 650 K on three Fe-doped samples and an undoped sample. A detailed study of the detected deep levels assigns dominant centers to a deep donor 1.39 eV below the conduction band edge EC and to a deep acceptor 0.75 eV above the valence band edge EV at low electric field. A strong Poole-Frenkel effect is evidenced for the donor. Schottky diodes characteristics and transport properties in the bulk GaN:Fe layer containing a homogenous concentration of 1019 Fe/cm3 are typical of a compensated semiconductor. They both indicate that the bulk Fermi level is located typically 1.4 eV below EC, in agreement with the neutrality equation and dominance of the deep donor concentration. This set of results demonstrates unambiguously that electrical transport in GaN:Fe is governed by both types, either donor or acceptor, of the iron impurity, either substitutional in gallium sites or associated with other defects.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Zhicheng; Rao, Linfeng; Abney, Carter W.

Adsorbents developed for the recovery of uranium from seawater display poor selectivity over other transition metals present in the ocean, with vanadium particularly problematic. To improve selectivity, an indispensable step is the positive identification of metal binding environments following actual seawater deployment. In this work we apply x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy to directly investigate the vanadium binding environment on seawater-deployed polyamidoxime adsorbents. Comparison of the x-ray absorption near edge spectra (XANES) reveal marked similarities to recently a reported non-oxido vanadium (V) structure formed upon binding with cyclic imidedioxime, a byproduct of generating amidoxime functionalities. Density functional theory (DFT)more » calculations provided a series of putative vanadium binding environments for both vanadium (IV) and vanadium (V) oxidation states, and with both amidoxime and cyclic imidedioxime. Fits of the extended XAFS (EXAFS) data confirmed vanadium (V) is bound exclusively by the cyclic imidedioxime moiety in a 1:2 metal:ligand fashion, though a modest structural distortion is also observed compared to crystal structure data and computationally optimized geometries which is attributed to morphology effects from the polymer graft chain and the absence of crystal packing interactions. These results demonstrate that improved selectivity for uranium over vanadium can be achieved by suppressing the formation of cyclic imidedioxime during preparation of polyamidoxime adsorbents for seawater uranium recovery.« less
Amorphous Mixed-Valence Vanadium Oxide/Exfoliated Carbon Cloth Structure Shows a Record High Cycling Stability.

PubMed

Song, Yu; Liu, Tian-Yu; Yao, Bin; Kou, Tian-Yi; Feng, Dong-Yang; Liu, Xiao-Xia; Li, Yat

2017-04-01

Previous studies show that vanadium oxides suffer from severe capacity loss during cycling in the liquid electrolyte, which has hindered their applications in electrochemical energy storage. The electrochemical instability is mainly due to chemical dissolution and structural pulverization of vanadium oxides during charge/discharge cyclings. In this study the authors demonstrate that amorphous mixed-valence vanadium oxide deposited on exfoliated carbon cloth (CC) can address these two limitations simultaneously. The results suggest that tuning the V 4+ /V 5+ ratio of vanadium oxide can efficiently suppress the dissolution of the active materials. The oxygen-functionalized carbon shell on exfoliated CC can bind strongly with VO x via the formation of COV bonding, which retains the electrode integrity and suppresses the structural degradation of the oxide during charging/discharging. The uptake of structural water during charging and discharging processes also plays an important role in activating the electrode material. The amorphous mixed-valence vanadium oxide without any protective coating exhibits record-high cycling stability in the aqueous electrolyte with no capacitive decay in 100 000 cycles. This work provides new insights on stabilizing vanadium oxide, which is critical for the development of vanadium oxide based energy storage devices. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of Natural Gas Over Vanadium-Nickel-Alumina Catalysts.

PubMed

Yoo, Jaekyeong; Park, Seungwon; Song, Ji Hwan; Song, In Kyu

2018-09-01

A series of vanadium-nickel-alumina (xVNA) catalysts were prepared by a single-step sol-gel method with a variation of vanadium content (x, wt%) for use in the hydrogen production by steam reforming of natural gas. The effect of vanadium content on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of xVNA catalysts in the steam reforming of natural gas was investigated. It was found that natural gas conversion and hydrogen yield showed volcano-shaped trends with respect to vanadium content. It was also revealed that natural gas conversion and hydrogen yield increased with decreasing nickel crystallite size.
Effect of vanadium compounds on acid phosphatase activity.

PubMed

Vescina, C M; Sálice, V C; Cortizo, A M; Etcheverry, S B

1996-01-01

The direct effect of different vanadium compounds on acid phosphatase (ACP) activity was investigated. Vanadate and vanadyl but not pervanadate inhibited the wheat germ ACP activity. These vanadium derivatives did not alter the fibroblast Swiss 3T3 soluble fraction ACP activity. Using inhibitors of tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases), the wheat germ ACP was partially characterized as a PTPase. This study suggests that the inhibitory ability of different vanadium derivatives to modulate ACP activity seems to depend on the geometry around the vanadium atom more than on the oxidation state. Our results indicate a correlation between the PTPase activity and the sensitivity to vanadate and vanadyl cation.
Electro-thermal control of aluminum-doped zinc oxide/vanadium dioxide multilayered thin films for smart-device applications

PubMed Central

Skuza, J. R.; Scott, D. W.; Mundle, R. M.; Pradhan, A. K.

2016-01-01

We demonstrate the electro-thermal control of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al:ZnO) /vanadium dioxide (VO2) multilayered thin films, where the application of a small electric field enables precise control of the applied heat to the VO2 thin film to induce its semiconductor-metal transition (SMT). The transparent conducting oxide nature of the top Al:ZnO film can be tuned to facilitate the fine control of the SMT of the VO2 thin film and its associated properties. In addition, the Al:ZnO film provides a capping layer to the VO2 thin film, which inhibits oxidation to a more energetically favorable and stable V2O5 phase. It also decreases the SMT of the VO2 thin film by approximately 5–10 °C because of an additional stress induced on the VO2 thin film and/or an alteration of the oxygen vacancy concentration in the VO2 thin film. These results have significant impacts on technological applications for both passive and active devices by exploiting this near-room-temperature SMT. PMID:26884225
Temperature-dependent ac conductivity and dielectric response of vanadium doped CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sen, A.; Maiti, U. N.; Thapa, R.; Chattopadhyay, K. K.

2011-09-01

Successful incorporation of vanadium dopant within the giant dielectric material CaCu 3Ti 4O12 (CCTO) through a conventional solid-state sintering process is achieved and its influence on the dielectric as well as electrical properties as a function of temperature and frequency is reported here. Proper crystalline phase formation together with dopant induced lattice constant shrinkage was confirmed through X-ray diffraction. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant at different constant frequencies was investigated. We infer that the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model is dominant in the conduction mechanism of the ceramic as per the temperature-dependent ac conductivity measurements. The electronic parameters such as density of the states at the Fermi level, N( E f) and hopping distance, R ω of the ceramic were also calculated using this model.
Thermal Instability Induced Oriented 2D Pores for Enhanced Sodium Storage.

PubMed

Kong, Lingjun; Xie, Chen-Chao; Gu, Haichen; Wang, Chao-Peng; Zhou, Xianlong; Liu, Jian; Zhou, Zhen; Li, Zhao-Yang; Zhu, Jian; Bu, Xian-He

2018-04-19

Hierarchical porous structures are highly desired for various applications. However, it is still challenging to obtain such materials with tunable architectures. Here, this paper reports hierarchical nanomaterials with oriented 2D pores by taking advantages of thermally instable bonds in vanadium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). High-temperature calcination of these MOFs accompanied by the loss of coordinated water molecules and other components enables the formation of orderly slit-like 2D pores in vanadium oxide/porous carbon nanorods (VO x /PCs). This unique combination leads to an increase of the reactive surface area. In addition, optimized VO x /PCs demonstrate high-rate capability and ultralong cycling life for sodium storage. The assembled full cells also show high capacity and cycling stability. This report provides an effective strategy for producing MOFs-derived composites with hierarchical porous architectures for energy storage. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
A vanadium-doped ZnO nanosheets-polymer composite for flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators.

PubMed

Shin, Sung-Ho; Kwon, Yang Hyeog; Lee, Min Hyung; Jung, Joo-Yun; Seol, Jae Hun; Nah, Junghyo

2016-01-21

We report high performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) by employing vanadium (V)-doped ZnO nanosheets (NSs) and the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite structure. The V-doped ZnO NSs were synthesized to overcome the inherently low piezoelectric properties of intrinsic ZnO. Ferroelectric phase transition induced in the V-doped ZnO NSs contributed to significantly improve the performance of the PENGs after the poling process. Consequently, the PENGs exhibited high output voltage and current up to ∼32 V and ∼6.2 μA, respectively, under the applied strain, which are sufficient to directly turn on a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The composite approach for PENG fabrication is scalable, robust, and reproducible during periodic bending/releasing over extended cycles. The approach introduced here extends the performance limits of ZnO-based PENGs and demonstrates their potential as energy harvesting devices.
A Review of Major Non-Power-Related Carbon Dioxide Stream Compositions

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

Last, George V.; Schmick, Mary T.

A critical component in the assessment of long-term risk from geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is the ability to predict mineralogical and geochemical changes within storage reservoirs as a result of rock-brine-CO2 reactions. Impurities and/or other constituents in CO2 source streams selected for sequestration can affect both the chemical and physical (e.g., density, viscosity, interfacial tension) properties of CO2 in the deep subsurface. The nature and concentrations of these impurities are a function of both the industrial source(s) of CO2, as well as the carbon capture technology used to extract the CO2 and produce a concentrated stream for subsurfacemore » injection and geologic sequestration. This article reviews the relative concentrations of CO2 and other constituents in exhaust gases from major non-energy-related industrial sources of CO2. Assuming that carbon capture technology would remove most of the incondensable gases N2, O2, and Ar, leaving SO2 and NOx as the main impurities, the authors then summarize the relative proportions of the remaining impurities assumed to be present in CO2 source streams that could be targeted for geologic sequestration. The summary is presented relative to five potential sources of CO2: 1) Flue Gas with Flue Gas Desulfurization, 2) Combustion Stack from Coke Production, 3) Portland Cement Kilns, 4) Natural Gas Combustion, and 5) Lime Production.« less
Influence of complex impurity centres on radiation damage in wide-gap metal oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lushchik, A.; Lushchik, Ch.; Popov, A. I.; Schwartz, K.; Shablonin, E.; Vasil'chenko, E.

2016-05-01

Different mechanisms of radiation damage of wide-gap metal oxides as well as a dual influence of impurity ions on the efficiency of radiation damage have been considered on the example of binary ionic MgO and complex ionic-covalent Lu3Al5O12 single crystals. Particular emphasis has been placed on irradiation with ∼2 GeV heavy ions (197Au, 209Bi, 238U, fluence of 1012 ions/cm2) providing extremely high density of electronic excitations within ion tracks. Besides knock-out mechanism for Frenkel pair formation, the additional mechanism through the collapse of mobile discrete breathers at certain lattice places (e.g., complex impurity centres) leads to the creation of complex defects that involve a large number of host atoms. The experimental manifestations of the radiation creation of intrinsic and impurity antisite defects (Lu|Al or Ce|Al - a heavy ion in a wrong cation site) have been detected in LuAG and LuAG:Ce3+ single crystals. Light doping of LuAG causes a small enhancement of radiation resistance, while pair impurity centres (for instance, Ce|Lu-Ce|Al or Cr3+-Cr3+ in MgO) are formed with a rise of impurity concentration. These complex impurity centres as well as radiation-induced intrinsic antisite defects (Lu|Al strongly interacting with Lu in a regular site) tentatively serve as the places for breathers collapse, thus decreasing the material resistance against dense irradiation.
SUPERCONDUCTING VANADIUM BASE ALLOY

DOEpatents

Cleary, H.J.

1958-10-21

A new vanadium-base alloy which possesses remarkable superconducting properties is presented. The alloy consists of approximately one atomic percent of palladium, the balance being vanadium. The alloy is stated to be useful in a cryotron in digital computer circuits.
Mineral resource of the month: vanadium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Magyar, Michael J.

2007-01-01

Vanadium, the name of which comes from Vanadis, a goddess in Scandinavian mythology, is one of the most important ferrous metals. Vanadium has many uses, but the metal’s metallurgical applications, such as an alloying element in iron and steel, account for more than 85 percent of U.S. consumption. The dominant nonmetallurgical use of the metal is as a catalyst for the production of maleic anhydride and sulfuric acid, ceramics, vanadium chemicals and electronics.
Hydrophilic Channel Alignment of Perfluoronated Sulfonic-Acid Ionomers for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

PubMed

So, Soonyong; Cha, Min Suc; Jo, Sang-Woo; Kim, Tae-Ho; Lee, Jang Yong; Hong, Young Taik

2018-06-13

It is known that uniaxially drawn perfluoronated sulfonic-acid ionomers (PFSAs) show diffusion anisotropy because of the aligned water channels along the deformation direction. We apply the uniaxially stretched membranes to vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) to suppress the permeation of active species, vanadium ions through the transverse directions. The aligned water channels render much lower vanadium permeability, resulting in higher Coulombic efficiency (>98%) and longer self-discharge time (>250 h). Similar to vanadium ions, proton conduction through the membranes also decreases as the stretching ratio increases, but the thinned membranes show the enhanced voltage and energy efficiencies over the range of current density, 50-100 mA/cm 2 . Hydrophilic channel alignment of PFSAs is also beneficial for long-term cycling of VRFBs in terms of capacity retention and cell performances. This simple pretreatment of membranes offers an effective and facile way to overcome high vanadium permeability of PFSAs for VRFBs.
Vanadium Extraction from Shale via Sulfuric Acid Baking and Leaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Qihua; Zhang, Yimin; Liu, Tao; Huang, Jing

2018-01-01

Fluorides are widely used to improve vanadium extraction from shale in China. Sulfuric acid baking-leaching (SABL) was investigated as a means of recovering vanadium which does not require the use of fluorides and avoids the productions of harmful fluoride-containing wastewater. Various effective factors were systematically studied and the experimental results showed that 90.1% vanadium could be leached from the shale. On the basis of phase transformations and structural changes after baking the shale, a mechanism of vanadium extraction from shale via SABL was proposed. The mechanism can be described as: (1) sulfuric acid diffusion into particles; (2) the formation of concentrated sulfuric acid media in the particles after water evaporation; (3) hydroxyl groups in the muscovite were removed and transient state [SO4 2-] was generated; and (4) the metals in the muscovite were sulfated by active [SO4 2-] and the vanadium was released. Thermodynamics modeling confirmed this mechanism.
Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method of forming vanadium oxide films and vanadium oxide thin-films prepared thereby

DOEpatents

Zhang, Ji-Guang; Tracy, C. Edwin; Benson, David K.; Turner, John A.; Liu, Ping

2000-01-01

A method is disclosed of forming a vanadium oxide film on a substrate utilizing plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The method includes positioning a substrate within a plasma reaction chamber and then forming a precursor gas comprised of a vanadium-containing chloride gas in an inert carrier gas. This precursor gas is then mixed with selected amounts of hydrogen and oxygen and directed into the reaction chamber. The amounts of precursor gas, oxygen and hydrogen are selected to optimize the final properties of the vanadium oxide film An rf plasma is generated within the reaction chamber to chemically react the precursor gas with the hydrogen and the oxygen to cause deposition of a vanadium oxide film on the substrate while the chamber deposition pressure is maintained at about one torr or less. Finally, the byproduct gases are removed from the plasma reaction chamber.
Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of vanadium after cloud point extraction in the presence of graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-García, Ignacio; Marín-Hernández, Juan José; Hernández-Córdoba, Manuel

2018-05-01

Vanadium (V) and vanadium (IV) in the presence of a small concentration of graphene oxide (0.05 mg mL-1) are quantitatively transferred to the coacervate obtained with Triton X-114 in a cloud point microextraction process. The surfactant-rich phase is directly injected into the graphite atomizer of an atomic absorption spectrometer. Using a 10-mL aliquot sample and 150 μL of a 15% Triton X-114 solution, the enrichment factor for the analyte is 103, which results in a detection limit of 0.02 μg L-1 vanadium. The separation of V(V) and V(IV) using an ion-exchanger allows speciation of the element at low concentrations. Data for seven reference water samples with certified vanadium contents confirm the reliability of the procedure. Several beer samples are also analyzed, those supplied as canned drinks showing low levels of tetravalent vanadium.
A nested case-control study of prenatal vanadium exposure and low birthweight.

PubMed

Jiang, Minmin; Li, Yuanyuan; Zhang, Bin; Zhou, Aifen; Zheng, Tongzhang; Qian, Zhengmin; Du, Xiaofu; Zhou, Yanqiu; Pan, Xinyun; Hu, Jie; Wu, Chuansha; Peng, Yang; Liu, Wenyu; Zhang, Chuncao; Xia, Wei; Xu, Shunqing

2016-09-01

Is prenatal vanadium exposure associated with adverse birth outcomes? The odds of low birthweight (LBW) are increased 2.23-fold in mothers with a urinary vanadium of ≥2.91 μg/g creatinine compared with that in mothers with a urinary vanadium of ≤1.42 μg/g creatinine. Human exposure to vanadium occurs through intake of food, water and polluted air. Vanadium has been suggested to have fetotoxicity and developmental toxicity in animal studies, and epidemiological studies have reported an association between a decrease in birthweight and vanadium exposure estimated from particulate matter. A nested case-control study involving 816 study participants (204 LBW cases and 612 matched controls) was conducted with data from the prospective Healthy Baby Cohort between 2012 and 2014 in the province of Hubei, China. Vanadium concentrations in 816 maternal urine samples collected before delivery [the median gestational age was 39 weeks (range 27-42 weeks)] were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Information on the infants' birth outcomes was obtained from medical records. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The median urinary vanadium concentration of the cases was much higher than that of the controls (3.04 μg/g creatinine versus 1.93 μg/g creatinine). The results revealed a significant positive trend between the odds of LBW and level of maternal urinary vanadium [relative to the lowest tertile; adjusted OR = 1.69 (95% CI: 0.92, 3.10) for the medium tertile; adjusted OR = 2.23 (95% CI: 1.23, 4.05) for the highest tertile; P-trend = 0.02]. Additionally, the association was not modified by maternal age (P for heterogeneity = 0.70) or infant gender (P for heterogeneity = 0.21). The maternal urine sample was collected before labor, and the maternal urinary vanadium levels measured at one point in time may not accurately reflect the vanadium burden during the entire pregnancy. The results of this study can enrich the biological monitoring data on urinary vanadium in pregnant women; and may be evidence that vanadium may affect fetal development. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21437002, 81372959 and 81402649), the R&D Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry (Environment) (201309048) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, HUST (2016YXZD043). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Surface photovoltage spectroscopy applied to gallium arsenide surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bynik, C. E.

1975-01-01

The experimental and theoretical basis for surface photovoltage spectroscopy is outlined. Results of this technique applied to gallium arsenide surfaces, are reviewed and discussed. The results suggest that in gallium arsenide the surface voltage may be due to deep bulk impurity acceptor states that are pinned at the Fermi level at the surface. Establishment of the validity of this model will indicate the direction to proceed to increase the efficiency of gallium arsenide solar cells.
In-gap quasiparticle excitations induced by non-magnetic Cu impurities in Na(Fe0.96Co0.03Cu0.01)As revealed by scanning tunnelling spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Yang, Huan; Wang, Zhenyu; Fang, Delong; Deng, Qiang; Wang, Qiang-Hua; Xiang, Yuan-Yuan; Yang, Yang; Wen, Hai-Hu

2013-01-01

The origin of superconductivity in the iron pnictides remains unclear. One suggestion is that superconductivity in these materials has a magnetic origin, which would imply a sign-reversal s± pairing symmetry. Another suggests it is the result of orbital fluctuations, which would imply a sign-equal s++ pairing symmetry. There is no consensus yet which of these two distinct and contrasting pairing symmetries is the right one in iron pnictide superconductors. Here we explore the nature of the pairing symmetry in the superconducting state of Na(Fe0.97−xCo0.03Cux)As by probing the effect of scattering of Cooper pairs by non-magnetic Cu impurities. Using scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, we identify the in-gap quasiparticle states induced by the Cu impurities, showing signatures of Cooper pair breaking by these non-magnetic impurities–a process that is only consistent with s± pairing. This experiment provides strong evidence for the s± pairing. PMID:24248097
Vanadium release in whole blood, serum and urine of patients implanted with a titanium alloy hip prosthesis.

PubMed

Catalani, S; Stea, S; Beraudi, A; Gilberti, M E; Bordini, B; Toni, A; Apostoli, P

2013-08-01

Vanadium (V) is a minor constituent of the Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium (TiAlV) alloy currently used in cementless hip prostheses. Present study aimed at verifying the correlation of vanadium levels among different matrices and assessing reference levels of the ion in a population of patients wearing a well-functioning hip prosthesis. Vanadium was measured using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in whole blood, serum and urine of 129 patients implanted with a TiAlV-alloy hip prosthesis. The values in the serum were above the upper limit of the reference values in 42% of patients (29% in urine and 13% in whole blood). A good correlation among matrices was observed (p < 0.001). The cohort of patients (N = 32) complaining of pain or in which a loosening or damage to the prosthesis was assessed showed a significantly higher excretion of vanadium in urine as compared with the remaining asymptomatic patients (p = 0.001). The 95th percentile distribution of vanadium in the cohort of patients with a well-functioning prosthesis was 0.3 μg/L in whole blood, 0.5 μg/L in serum and 2.8 μg/L in urine, higher that in the unexposed population, especially for urine. The presence of a prosthesis, even though well-functioning, may cause a possible release of vanadium into the blood and a significant urinary excretion. The reference values of vanadium of the asymptomatic patients with titanium alloy hip prostheses supplied information regarding the background exposure level of the ions and their lower and upper limits.
Hydrodynamic model for conductivity in graphene.

PubMed

Mendoza, M; Herrmann, H J; Succi, S

2013-01-01

Based on the recently developed picture of an electronic ideal relativistic fluid at the Dirac point, we present an analytical model for the conductivity in graphene that is able to describe the linear dependence on the carrier density and the existence of a minimum conductivity. The model treats impurities as submerged rigid obstacles, forming a disordered medium through which graphene electrons flow, in close analogy with classical fluid dynamics. To describe the minimum conductivity, we take into account the additional carrier density induced by the impurities in the sample. The model, which predicts the conductivity as a function of the impurity fraction of the sample, is supported by extensive simulations for different values of ε, the dimensionless strength of the electric field, and provides excellent agreement with experimental data.
Effect of geometry on the pressure induced donor binding energy in semiconductor nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalpana, P.; Jayakumar, K.; Nithiananthi, P.

2015-09-01

The effect of geometry on an on-center hydrogenic donor impurity in a GaAs/(Ga,Al)As quantum wire (QWW) and quantum dot (QD) under the influence of Γ-X band mixing due to an applied hydrostatic pressure is theoretically studied. Numerical calculations are performed in an effective mass approximation. The ground state impurity energy is obtained by variational procedure. Both the effects of pressure and geometry are to exert an additional confinement on the impurity inside the wire as well as dot. We found that the donor binding energy is modified by the geometrical effects as well as by the confining potential when it is subjected to external pressure. The results are presented and discussed.

Lattice distortions and local compressibility around trivalent rare-earth impurities in fluorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tovar, M.; Ramos, C. A.; Fainstein, C.

1983-10-01

We have calculated the lattice distortions around trivalent rare-earth dilute impurities, occupying substitutionally metal sites in fluorites. Explicit results are given for the equilibrium positions of the nearest fluorine ligands, R, the induced electric dipole moments, and the local hydrostatic strains for MF2 (M=Cd, Ca, Sr, Pb, and Ba). These results are used to study the impurity-ligand distance dependence of the fourth-order cubic-crystal-field parameter, b4, for Gd3+ and the isoelectronic ion Eu2+. Comparison is made with the change of b4 with hydrostatic stress using the calculated local compressibility of the lattice. A consistent description of the experimental data is obtained assuming b4~R-m with m~10.
Changes in the optical absorption induced by sequential exposition to short- and long-wavelength radiation in the BTO:Al crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shandarov, S. M.; Dyu, V. G.; Kisteneva, M. G.; Khudyakova, E. S.; Smirnov, S. V.; Akrestina, A. S.; Kargin, Yu F.

2017-02-01

Modifications of the spectral dependences of the optical absorption induced in the Bi12TiO20:Al crystal as a result of sequential exposition to cw laser radiation first with the wavelength λ g = 532 nm and then with the longer wavelength λ l,n = 588, 633, 655, 658, 663, 700, 780, 871, or 1064 nm are investigated. We revealed that after the short-wavelength exposition to radiation with λg = 532 nm, the optical absorption in the crystal increases, and in the range 470-1000 nm, yields the spectrum whose form is independent of a prehistory. The subsequent exposition to longer-wavelength radiation leads to bleaching of the crystal in the examined spectral range. A maximum diminishing of the optical absorption in the crystal is observed upon exposure to radiation with the wavelength λ l,5 = 663 nm. To describe the experimentally observed reversible changes in the optical absorption spectrum in the Bi12TiO20:Al we use the impurity absorption model that takes into account the photoinduced transitions between two metastable states of a deep defect center leading to the change of its position in the crystal lattice under conditions of strong lattice relaxation.
Probing the electronic and local structural changes across the pressure-induced insulator-to-metal transition in VO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marini, C.; Bendele, M.; Joseph, B.; Kantor, I.; Mitrano, M.; Mathon, O.; Baldini, M.; Malavasi, L.; Pascarelli, S.; Postorino, P.

2014-11-01

Local and electronic structures of vanadium in \\text{VO}2 are studied across the high-pressure insulator-to-metal (IMT) transition using V K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Unlike the temperature-induced IMT, pressure-induced metallization leads to only subtle changes in the V K-edge prepeak structure, indicating a different mechanism involving smaller electronic spectral weight transfer close to the chemical potential. Intriguingly, upon application of the hydrostatic pressure, the electronic structure begins to show substantial changes well before the occurrence of the IMT and the associated structural transition to an anisotropic compression of the monoclinic metallic phase.
Impression of plasma voltage on growth of α-V2O5 nanostructured thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Rabindar Kumar; Kumar, Prabhat; Reddy, G. B.

2015-06-01

In this communication, we synthesized vanadium pentoxide (α-V2O5) nanostructured thin films (NSTs) accompanied with nanoflakes/ nanoplates on the Ni-coated glass substrates employing plasma assisted sublimation process (PASP) as a function of plasma voltage (Vp). The effect of plasma voltage on structural, morphological, compositional, and vibrational properties have been studied systematically. The structural analysis divulged that all films deposited at different Vp have pure orthorhombic phase, no impurity phase is detected under resolution limit of XRD and XPS. The morphological studies of samples is carried out by SEM, revealed that features as well as alignment of V2O5 NSTs is greatly monitored by Vp and the film possessing the best features is obtained at 2500volt. In addition, XPS results reveal that V5+ oxidation state is the most prominent state in sample V2, which represents better stoichiometric nature of film. The vibrational study of all samples is performed by FTIR and strongly support the XRD observations. All the results are in consonance with each other.
Effect of the self-pumped limiter concept on the tritium fuel cycle

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

Finn, P.A.; Sze, D.K.; Hassanein, A.

1988-09-01

The self-pumped limiter concept was the impurity control system for the reactor in the Tokamak Power Systems Study (TPSS). The use of a self-pumped limiter had a major impact on the design of the tritium systems of the TPSS fusion reactor. The self-pumped limiter functions by depositing the helium ash under a layer of metal (vanadium). The majority of the hydrogen species are recycled at the plasma edge; a small fraction permeates to the blanket/coolant which was lithium in TPSS. Use of the self-pumped limiter results in the elimination of the plasma processing system. Thus, the blanket tritium processing systemmore » becomes the major tritium system. The main advantages achieved for the tritium systems with a self-pumped limiter are a reduction in the capital cost of tritium processing equipment as well as a reduction in building space, a reduced tritium inventory for processing and for reserve storage, an increase in the inherent safety of the fusion plant and an improvement in economics for a fusion world economy.« less
Influence of VO2+ ions on structural and optical properties of potassium succinate-succinic acid single crystal for non-linear optical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juliet sheela, K.; Subramanian, P.

2018-04-01

A transparent and good optical quality semi organic single crystal of vanadium doped potassium succinate-succinic acid (KSSA) was synthesized by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. The structural perfection was supported by the powder XRD of the KSSA-VO2+ single crystal. Optical behavior of the material was discovered from the absorption and transmission spectra of UV-vis-NIR characterization. Functional group and presence of metal ion in the specimen are depicted from FTIR traces. From the photoluminescence studies, emission of wavelength in the violet region (418 nm) at the excitation of 243 nm could be ascertained. EDAX, SEM measurements identify presence of elements and pictures the step-line growth and the imperfection presents in the grown crystal. EPR analysis extracts the information about the local site symmetry around the impurity ion, molecular orbital coefficients, admixture coefficients and ground state wave function of VO2+ doped KSSA single crystal. Second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown crystal was investigated to explore the NLO characteristic of the material.
UV-vis-DR study of VO x/SiO 2 catalysts prepared by sol-gel method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, N.; Ghorbel, A.

2008-12-01

Vanadia-silica catalysts with different vanadium loadings were prepared by sol-gel process. UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy was used to elucidate the effect of drying mode (i.e., xerogel vs. aerogel), vanadium loading and calcination on the molecular structure of supported vanadium species. The results indicate that for vanadium loading ranging from 2.8 to 11.2 wt.%, the band-gap energies of all catalysts varying from 2.28 to 2.68 eV which demonstrate that vanadium oxides are predominantly in octahedral structure with the presence of tetrahedral species. The discrimination of different surface VO x species has been based on their characteristic Ligand to Metal Charge Transfer (LMCT) O → V(V) and d-d transition. It was found that the LMCT band position of V dbnd O bond is not affected by calcination either in xerogels or in aerogels but the position and the shape of bands relative to bridging V sbnd O sbnd V bonds are affected by vanadium loading, calcination and drying mode. For the same V/Si ratio, band-gap energy of xerogel is lower than that of aerogel which indicate that vanadium species are more dispersed in aerogels than in xerogels. Drying and calcination led to rearrangement, dehydration, cleavage and crystallization of vanadium species which explain the presence of some amount of crystalline V 2O 5 in calcined samples.
Inverse association of plasma vanadium levels with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population.

PubMed

Wang, Xia; Sun, Taoping; Liu, Jun; Shan, Zhilei; Jin, Yilin; Chen, Sijing; Bao, Wei; Hu, Frank B; Liu, Liegang

2014-08-15

Vanadium compounds have been proposed to have beneficial effects on the pathogenesis and complications of type 2 diabetes. Our objective was to evaluate the association between plasma vanadium levels and type 2 diabetes. We performed a case-control study involving 1,598 Chinese subjects with or without newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (December 2004-December 2007). Cases and controls were frequency-matched by age and sex. Plasma vanadium concentrations were measured and compared between groups. Analyses showed that plasma vanadium concentrations were significantly lower in cases with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes than in controls (P = 0.001). Mean plasma vanadium levels in participants with and without diabetes were 1.0 μg/L and 1.2 μg/L, respectively. Participants in the highest quartile of plasma vanadium concentration had a notably lower risk of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval: 0.19, 0.35; P < 0.001), compared with persons in the lowest quartile. The trend remained significant after adjustment for known risk factors and in further stratification analyses. Our results suggested that plasma vanadium concentrations were inversely associated with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in this Chinese population. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Directed synthesis of bio-inorganic vanadium oxide composites using genetically modified filamentous phage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, Michael; Baik, Seungyun; Jeon, Hojeong; Kim, Yuchan; Kim, Jungtae; Kim, Young Jun

2015-05-01

The growth of crystalline vanadium oxide using a filamentous bacteriophage template was investigated using sequential incubation in a V2O5 precursor. Using the genetic modification of the bacteriophage, we displayed two cysteines that constrained the RSTB-1 peptide on the major coat protein P8, resulting in vanadium oxide crystallization. The phage-driven vanadium oxide crystals with different topologies, microstructures, photodegradation and vanadium oxide composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), quartz microbalance and dissipation (QCM-D) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Non-specific electrostatic attraction between a wild-type phage (wt-phage) and vanadium cations in the V2O5 precursor caused phage agglomeration and fiber formation along the length of the viral scaffold. As a result, the addition of recombinant phage (re-phage) in V2O5 precursors formed heterogeneous structures, which led to efficient condensation of vanadium oxide crystal formation in lines, shown by QCM-D analysis. Furthermore, re-phage/VxOx composites showed significantly enhanced photodegradation activities compared with the synthesized wt-phage-V2O5 composite under illumination. This study demonstrates that peptide-mediated vanadium oxide mineralization is governed by a complicated interplay of peptide sequence, local structure, kinetics and the presence of a mineralizing aid, such as the two cysteine-constrained peptides on the phage surface, and has potential for use in nanotechnology applications.
Vanadium K-edge XAS studies on the native and peroxo-forms of vanadium chloroperoxidase from Curvularia inaequalis.

PubMed

Renirie, Rokus; Charnock, John M; Garner, C David; Wever, Ron

2010-06-01

Vanadium K-edge X-ray Absorption Spectra have been recorded for the native and peroxo-forms of vanadium chloroperoxidase from Curvularia inaequalis at pH 6.0. The Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) regions provide a refinement of previously reported crystallographic data; one short V=O bond (1.54A) is present in both forms. For the native enzyme, the vanadium is coordinated to two other oxygen atoms at 1.69A, another oxygen atom at 1.93A and the nitrogen of an imidazole group at 2.02A. In the peroxo-form, the vanadium is coordinated to two other oxygen atoms at 1.67A, another oxygen atom at 1.88A and the nitrogen of an imidazole group at 1.93A. When combined with the available crystallographic and kinetic data, a likely interpretation of the EXAFS distances is a side-on bound peroxide involving V-O bonds of 1.67 and 1.88A; thus, the latter oxygen would be 'activated' for transfer. The shorter V-N bond observed in the peroxo-form is in line with the previously reported stronger binding of the cofactor in this form of the enzyme. Reduction of the enzyme with dithionite has a clear influence on the spectrum, showing a change from vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV).
Native hole trap in bulk GaAs and its association with the double-charge state of the arsenic antisite defect

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lagowski, J.; Lin, D. G.; Chen, T.-P.; Skowronski, M.; Gatos, H. C.

1985-01-01

A dominant hole trap has been identified in p-type bulk GaAs employing deep level transient and photocapacitance spectroscopies. The trap is present at a concentration up to about 4 x 10 to the 16th per cu cm, and it has two charge states with energies 0.54 + or - 0.02 and 0.77 + or - 0.02 eV above the top of the valence band (at 77 K). From the upper level the trap can be photoexcited to a persistent metastable state just as the dominant midgap level, EL2. Impurity analysis and the photoionization characteristics rule out association of the trap with impurities Fe, Cu, or Mn. Taking into consideration theoretical results, it appears most likely that the two charge states of the trap are the single and double donor levels of the arsenic antisite As(Ga) defect.
First-principles study of nitrogen-doped CuAlO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Ying; Ao, Zhi Min; Yuan, Ding Wang

2012-08-01

The electronic structure and formation energies of N-doped CuAlO2 are studied using first-principles calculations. It is found that, when a N atom is doped into CuAlO2, the N atom prefers to substitute an O atom rather than to occupy an interstitial site of the Cu layer. The NO acts as a shallow accepter while the Ni acts as a deep accepter. The results of the electronic structure show that the N-doping doesn't alter the band gap of CuAlO2 for the both cases. In the substitutional case, the N impurity states occur at the top of valance band maximum (VBM), which provides holes and increases the p-type conductivity. However, in the interstitial case, the N impurity states occur in the middle of the band gap, which are more localized and this indicates that it is not good for p-type conductivity.
Iron diminishes the in vitro biological effect of vanadium.

EPA Science Inventory

Mechanistic pathways underlying inflammatory injury following exposures to vanadium-containing compounds are not defined. We tested the postulate that the in vitro biological effect of vanadium results from its impact on iron homeostasis. Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells ex...
40 CFR 421.223 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Vanadium decomposition wet air pollution control. BAT Limitations for the Secondary Molybdenum and Vanadium... per million pounds) of vanadium produced by decomposition Arsenic 0.000 0.000 Chromium 0.000 0.000...
40 CFR 421.223 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) Vanadium decomposition wet air pollution control. BAT Limitations for the Secondary Molybdenum and Vanadium... per million pounds) of vanadium produced by decomposition Arsenic 0.000 0.000 Chromium 0.000 0.000...
40 CFR 421.223 - Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) Vanadium decomposition wet air pollution control. BAT Limitations for the Secondary Molybdenum and Vanadium... per million pounds) of vanadium produced by decomposition Arsenic 0.000 0.000 Chromium 0.000 0.000...
Local magnetic moment formation at 119Sn Mössbauer impurity in RFe2 ( R=rare-earth metals) Laves phases compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Oliveira, A. L.; de Oliveira, N. A.; Troper, A.

2010-05-01

The purpose of the present work is to theoretically study the local magnetic moment formation and the systematics of the magnetic hyperfine fields at a non-magnetic s-p Mössbauer 119Sn impurity diluted on R sites ( R=rare-earth metals) of the cubic Laves phases intermetallic compounds RFe2. One considers that the magnetic hyperfine field has two contributions (i) the contribution from R ions, calculated via an extended Daniel-Friedel [J. Phys. Chem. Solids 24 (1963) 1601] model and (ii) the contribution from the induced magnetic moments arising from the Fe neighboring sites. We have in this case a two-center Blandin-Campbell-like [Phys. Rev. Lett. 31 (1973) 51; J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 1 (1975) 1] problem, where a magnetic 3d-element located at a distance from the 119Sn impurity gives an extra magnetization to a polarized electron gas which is strongly charge perturbed at the 119Sn impurity site. We also include in the model, the nearest-neighbor perturbation due to the translational invariance breaking introduced by the impurity. Our self-consistent total magnetic hyperfine field calculations are in a very good agreement with recent experimental data.
Effects of doping impurity and growth orientation on dislocation generation in GaAs crystals grown from the melt: A qualitative finite-element study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, X. A.; Tsai, C. T.

2000-09-01

Dislocations in gallium arsenide (GaAs) crystals are generated by excessive thermal stresses induced during the crystal growth process. The presence of dislocations has adverse effects on the performance and reliability of the GaAs-based devices. It is well known that dislocation density can be significantly reduced by doping impurity atoms into a GaAs crystal during its growth process. A viscoplastic constitutive equation that couples the microscopic dislocation density with the macroscopic plastic deformation is employed in a crystallographic finite element model for calculating the dislocation density generated in the GaAs crystal during its growth process. The dislocation density is considered as an internal state variable and the drag stress caused by doping impurity is included in this constitutive equation. A GaAs crystal grown by the vertical Bridgman process is adopted as an example to study the influences of doping impurity and growth orientation on dislocation generation. The calculated results show that doping impurity can significantly reduce the dislocation density generated in the crystal. The level of reduction is also influenced by the growth orientation during the crystal growth process.
Robust superconductivity with nodes in the superconducting topological insulator CuxBi2Se3 : Zeeman orbital field and nonmagnetic impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagai, Yuki

2015-02-01

We study the robustness against nonmagnetic impurities in the topological superconductor with point nodes, focusing on an effective model of CuxBi2Se3 . We find that the topological superconductivity with point nodes is not fragile against nonmagnetic impurities, although the superconductivity with nodes in past studies is usually fragile. Exchanging the role of spin with the one of orbital, and vice versa, we find that in the "dual" space the topological superconductor with point nodes is regarded as the intraorbital spin-singlet s -wave one. From the viewpoint of the dual space, we deduce that the point-node state is not fragile against nonmagnetic impurity, when the orbital imbalance in the normal states is small. Since the spin imbalance is induced by the Zeeman magnetic field, we shall name this key quantity for the impurity effects the Zeeman "orbital" field. The numerical calculations support that the deduction is correct. If the Zeeman orbital field is small, the topological superconductivity is not fragile in dirty materials, even with nodes. Thus, the topological superconductors cannot be simply regarded as one of the conventional unconventional superconductors.
A LIBS method for simultaneous monitoring of the impurities and the hydrogenic composition present in the wall of the TJ-II stellarator

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

López-Miranda, B., E-mail: belen.lopez@ciemat.es; Zurro, B.; Baciero, A.

The study of plasma-wall interactions and impurity transport in the plasma fusion devices is critical for the development of future fusion reactors. An experiment to perform laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, using minor modifications of our existing laser blow-off impurity injection system, has been set up thus making both experiments compatible. The radiation produced by the laser pulse focused at the TJ-II wall evaporates a surface layer of deposited impurities and the subsequent radiation produced by the laser-produced plasma is collected by two separate lens and fiber combinations into two spectrometers. The first spectrometer, with low spectral resolution, records a spectrummore » from 200 to 900 nm to give a survey of impurities present in the wall. The second one, with high resolution, is tuned to the wavelengths of the Hα and Dα lines in order to resolve them and quantify the hydrogen isotopic ratio present on the surface of the wall. The alignment, calibration, and spectral analysis method will be described in detail. First experimental results obtained with this setup will be shown and its relevance for the TJ-II experimental program discussed.« less

Floquet theory of microwave absorption by an impurity in the two-dimensional electron gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chepelianskii, Alexei D.; Shepelyansky, Dima L.

2018-03-01

We investigate the dynamics of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) under circular polarized microwave radiation in the presence of dilute localized impurities. Inspired by recent developments on Floquet topological insulators we obtain the Floquet wave functions of this system which allow us to predict the microwave absorption and charge density responses of the electron gas; we demonstrate how these properties can be understood from the underlying semiclassical dynamics even for impurities with a size of around a magnetic length. The charge density response takes the form of a rotating charge density vortex around the impurity that can lead to a significant renormalization of the external microwave field which becomes strongly inhomogeneous on the scale of a cyclotron radius around the impurity. We show that this inhomogeneity can suppress the circular polarization dependence which is theoretically expected for microwave induced resistance oscillations but which was not observed in experiments on semiconducting 2DEGs. Our explanation for this so far unexplained polarization independence has close similarities with the Azbel'-Kaner effect in metals where the interaction length between the microwave field and conduction electrons is much smaller than the cyclotron radius due to skin effect generating harmonics of the cyclotron resonance.
Roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium in calcification roasting-acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Jing; Jiang, Tao; Zhou, Mi; Gao, Hui-yang; Liu, Jia-yi; Xue, Xiang-xin

2018-05-01

Calcification roasting-acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag (HCVS) was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium. The effects of the purity of CaO, molar ratio between CaO and V2O5 ( n(CaO)/ n(V2O5)), roasting temperature, holding time, and the heating rate used in the oxidation-calcification processes were investigated. The roasting process and mechanism were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The results show that most of vanadium reacted with CaO to generate calcium vanadates and transferred into the leaching liquid, whereas almost all of the chromium remained in the leaching residue in the form of (Fe0.6Cr0.4)2O3. Variation trends of the vanadium and chromium leaching ratios were always opposite because of the competitive reactions of oxidation and calcification between vanadium and chromium with CaO. Moreover, CaO was more likely to combine with vanadium, as further confirmed by thermodynamic analysis. When the HCVS with CaO added in an n(CaO)/ n(V2O5) ratio of 0.5 was roasted in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min from room temperature to 950°C and maintained at this temperature for 60 min, the leaching ratios of vanadium and chromium reached 91.14% and 0.49%, respectively; thus, efficient extraction of vanadium from HCVS was achieved and the leaching residue could be used as a new raw material for the extraction of chromium. Furthermore, the oxidation and calcification reactions of the spinel phases occurred at 592 and 630°C for n(CaO)/ n(V2O5) ratios of 0.5 and 5, respectively.
The Moral Virtue of Authenticity: How Inauthenticity Produces Feelings of Immorality and Impurity.

PubMed

Gino, Francesca; Kouchaki, Maryam; Galinsky, Adam D

2015-07-01

The five experiments reported here demonstrate that authenticity is directly linked to morality. We found that experiencing inauthenticity, compared with authenticity, consistently led participants to feel more immoral and impure. This link from inauthenticity to feeling immoral produced an increased desire among participants to cleanse themselves and to engage in moral compensation by behaving prosocially. We established the role that impurity played in these effects through mediation and moderation. We found that inauthenticity-induced cleansing and compensatory helping were driven by heightened feelings of impurity rather than by the psychological discomfort of dissonance. Similarly, physically cleansing oneself eliminated the relationship between inauthenticity and prosocial compensation. Finally, we obtained additional evidence for discriminant validity: The observed effects on desire for cleansing were not driven by general negative experiences (i.e., failing a test) but were unique to experiences of inauthenticity. Our results establish that authenticity is a moral state--that being true to thine own self is experienced as a form of virtue. © The Author(s) 2015.
Single magnetic adsorbates on s-wave superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinrich, Benjamin W.; Pascual, Jose I.; Franke, Katharina J.

2018-02-01

In superconductors, magnetic impurities induce a pair-breaking potential for Cooper pairs, which locally affects the Bogoliubov quasiparticles and gives rise to Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR or Shiba, in short) bound states in the density of states (DoS). These states carry information on the magnetic coupling strength of the impurity with the superconductor, which determines the many-body ground state properties of the system. Recently, the interest in Shiba physics was boosted by the prediction of topological superconductivity and Majorana modes in magnetically coupled chains and arrays of Shiba impurities. Here, we review the physical insights obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy into single magnetic adsorbates on the s-wave superconductor lead (Pb). We explore the tunneling processes into Shiba states, show how magnetic anisotropy affects many-body excitations, and determine the crossing of the many-body ground state through a quantum phase transition. Finally, we discuss the coupling of impurities into dimers and chains and their relation to Majorana physics.
Effect of impurity resonant states on optical and thermoelectric properties on the surface of a topological insulator.

PubMed

Zhong, Min; Li, Shuai; Duan, Hou-Jian; Hu, Liang-Bin; Yang, Mou; Wang, Rui-Qiang

2017-06-21

We investigate the thermoelectric effect on a topological insulator surface with particular interest in impurity-induced resonant states. To clarify the role of the resonant states, we calculate the dc and ac conductivities and the thermoelectric coefficients along the longitudinal direction within the full Born approximation. It is found that at low temperatures, the impurity resonant state with strong energy de-pendence can lead to a zero-energy peak in the dc conductivity, whose height is sensitively dependent on the strength of scattering potential, and even can reverse the sign of the thermopower, implying the switching from n- to p-type carriers. Also, we exhibit the thermoelectric signatures for the filling process of a magnetic band gap by the resonant state. We further study the impurity effect on the dynamic optical conductivity, and find that the resonant state also generates an optical conductivity peak at the absorption edge for the interband transition. These results provide new perspectives for understanding the doping effect on topological insulator materials.
Facile synthesis of hierarchical porous VOx@carbon composites for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Zhao, Chunxia; Cao, Jinqiao; Yang, Yunxia; Chen, Wen; Li, Junshen

2014-08-01

Hierarchical or micro-nano structured porous VOx@carbon composites were synthesized by a one-step method using phenolic resin as the carbon precursor and ammonium metavanadate as the source of vanadium oxides. The effects of the vanadium source loading on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the composites were investigated. X-ray diffraction results showed that as the vanadium oxides source loading increased, vanadium oxides in the composites changed oxidation states from V2O3 to mixed states of V2O3 and VO2. Electrochemical test results indicated that the micro-nano porous structure of the composites could facilitate the ion diffusion in the rich porous structure and then promote the electrochemical reaction. More importantly, we found that vanadium oxides greatly enhanced the electrochemical performance of the materials, due to the faradic capacitance generated from vanadium oxide nanoparticles. A maximum specific capacitance of 171 F/g was obtained from VOx@carbon composite with vanadium loading of ∼44 wt%. Further increasing the VOx loading over this fraction was not beneficial. Our results suggested that hierarchical porous VOx@carbon composites were promising candidates for supercapacitor applications. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Allergic reaction to vanadium causes a diffuse eczematous eruption and titanium alloy orthopedic implant failure.

PubMed

Engelhart, Sally; Segal, Robert J

2017-04-01

Allergy as a cause of adverse outcomes in patients with implanted orthopedic hardware is controversial. Allergy to titanium-based implants has not been well researched, as titanium is traditionally thought to be inert. We highlight the case of a patient who developed systemic dermatitis and implant failure after surgical placement of a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) plate in the left foot. The hardware was removed and the eruption cleared in the following weeks. The plate and screws were submitted for metal analysis. The elemental composition of both the plate and screws included 3 major elements-titanium, aluminum, and vanadium-as well as trace elements. Metal analysis revealed that the plate and screws had different microstructures, and electrochemical studies demonstrated that galvanic corrosion could have occurred between the plate and screws due to their different microstructures, contributing to the release of vanadium in vivo. The patient was patch tested with several metals including components of the implant and had a positive patch test reaction only to vanadium trichloride. These findings support a diagnosis of vanadium allergy and suggests that clinicians should consider including vanadium when patch testing patients with a suspected allergic reaction to vanadium-containing implants.
Effect of Vanadyl Rosiglitazone, a New Insulin-Mimetic Vanadium Complexes, on Glucose Homeostasis of Diabetic Mice.

PubMed

Jiang, Pingzhe; Dong, Zhen; Ma, Baicheng; Ni, Zaizhong; Duan, Huikun; Li, Xiaodan; Wang, Bin; Ma, Xiaofeng; Wei, Qian; Ji, Xiangzhen; Li, Minggang

2016-11-01

Diabetes has been cited as the most challenging health problem in the twenty-first century. Accordingly, it is urgent to develop a new type of efficient and low-toxic antidiabetic medication. Since vanadium compounds have insulin-mimetic and potential hypoglycemic activities for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a new trend has been developed using vanadium and organic ligands to form a new compound in order to increase the intestinal absorption and reduce the toxicity of vanadium compound. In the current investigation, a new organic vanadium compounds, vanadyl rosiglitazone, was synthesized and determined by infrared spectra. Vanadyl rosiglitazone and three other organic vanadium compounds were administered to the diabetic mice through oral administration for 5 weeks. The results of mouse model test indicated that vanadyl rosiglitazone could regulate the blood glucose level and relieve the symptoms of polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, and weight loss without side effects and was more effective than the other three organic vanadium compounds including vanadyl trehalose, vanadyl metformin, and vanadyl quercetin. The study indicated that vanadyl rosiglitazone presents insulin-mimetic activities, and it will be a good potential candidate for the development of a new type of oral drug for type 2 diabetes.
Effects of Vanadium-Containing Compounds on Membrane Lipids and on Microdomains Used in Receptor-Mediated Signaling

PubMed Central

Roess, Deborah A.; Smith, Steven M. L.; Winter, Peter; Zhou, Jun; Dou, Ping; Baruah, Bharat; Trujillo, Alejandro M.; Levinger, Nancy E.; Yang, Xioda; Barisas, B. George; Crans, Debbie C.

2011-01-01

There is increasing evidence for the involvement of plasma membrane microdomains in insulin receptor function. Moreover, disruption of these structures, which are typically enriched in sphingomyelin and cholesterol, results in insulin resistance. Treatment strategies for insulin resistance include the use of vanadium compounds which have been shown in animal models to enhance insulin responsiveness. One possible mechanism for insulin-enhancing effects might involve direct effects of vanadium compounds on membrane lipid organization. These changes in lipid organization promote the partitioning of insulin receptors and other receptors into membrane microdomains where receptors are optimally functional. To explore this possibility, we have used several strategies involving vanadium complexes such as [VO2dipic]− (pyridin-2,6-dicarboxylatodioxovanadium(V)), decavanadate (V10O286−, V10), BMOV (bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV)) and [VO(saltris)]2 (2-salicylideniminato-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dihydroxypropane-oxovanadium(V)). Our strategies include an evaluation of interactions between vanadium-containing compounds and model lipid systems, an evaluation of the effects of vanadium compounds on lipid fluidity in erythrocyte membranes, and studies of the effects of vanadium-containing compounds on signaling events initiated by receptors known to use membrane microdomains as signaling platforms. PMID:18729092
Tackling capacity fading in vanadium flow batteries with amphoteric membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oldenburg, Fabio J.; Schmidt, Thomas J.; Gubler, Lorenz

2017-11-01

Capacity fading and poor electrolyte utilization caused by electrolyte imbalance effects are major drawbacks for the commercialization of vanadium flow batteries (VFB). The influence of membrane type (cationic, anionic, amphoteric) on these effects is studied by determining the excess and net flux of each vanadium ion in an operating VFB assembled with a cation exchange membrane (CEM), Nafion® NR212, an anion exchange membrane (AEM), Fumatech FAP-450, and an amphoteric ion exchange membrane (AIEM) synthesized in-house. It is shown that the net vanadium flux, accompanied by water transport, is directed towards the positive side for the CEM and towards the negative side for the AEM. The content of cation and anion exchange groups in the AIEM is adjusted via radiation grafting to balance the vanadium flux between the two electrolyte sides. With the AIEM the net vanadium flux is significantly reduced and capacity fading due to electrolyte imbalances can be largely eliminated. The membrane's influence on electrolyte imbalance effects is characterized and quantified in one single charge-discharge cycle by analyzing the content of the four different vanadium species in the two electrolytes. The experimental data recorded herewith conclusively explains the electrolyte composition after 80 cycles.
Hot corrosion behavior of YSZ, Gd2Zr2O7 and YSZ/Gd2Zr2O7 thermal barrier coatings exposed to molten sulfate and vanadate salt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozgurluk, Yasin; Doleker, Kadir Mert; Karaoglanli, Abdullah Cahit

2018-04-01

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are mostly used in critical components of aircraft gas turbine engines. Hot corrosion is among the main deteriorating factors in TBCs which results from the effect of molten salt on the coating-gas interface. This type of corrosion is observed as a result of contamination accumulated during combustion processes. Fuels used in aviation industry generally contain impurities such as vanadium oxide (V2O5) and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). These impurities damage turbines' inlet at elevated temperatures because of chemical reaction. Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a conventional top coating material for TBCs while Gd2Zr2O7 is a new promising top coating material for TBCs. In this study, CoNiCrAlY metallic bond coat was deposited on Inconel 718 nickel based superalloy substrate material with a thickness about 100 μm using cold gas dynamic spray (CGDS) method. Production of TBCs were done with deposition of YSZ, Gd2Zr2O7, YSZ/Gd2Zr2O7 ceramic top coating materials using EB-PVD method, having a total thickness of 300 μm. Hot corrosion behavior of YSZ, Gd2Zr2O7, YSZ/Gd2Zr2O7 TBC systems were exposed to 45 wt.% Na2SO4 and 55 wt.% V2O5 molten salt mixtures at 1000 °C temperature. TBC samples were investigated and compared using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The hot corrosion failure mechanisms of YSZ, Gd2Zr2O7 and YSZ/Gd2Zr2O7 TBCs in the molten salts were evaluated.
Mössbauer spectroscopy and the structure of interfaces on the atomic scale in metallic nanosystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uzdin, V. M.

2007-10-01

A microscopic model of the formation of an alloy on the interface has been constructed, which takes into account the exchange of atoms with the substrate atoms and the “floating up” of the latter into the upper layers in the process of epitaxial growth. The self-consistent calculations of atomic magnetic moments of spatially inhomogeneous structures obtained in this case are used for the interpretation of data of Mössbauer spectroscopy. The proposed scenario of mixing leads to the appearance of a preferred direction in the sample and the asymmetry of interfaces in the direction of epitaxial growth. In the multilayer M 1/ M 2 ( M 1,2 = Fe, Cr, V, Sn, or Ag) systems, this asymmetry makes it possible to understand the difference in the magnetic behavior of M 1-on M 2 and M 2-on- M 1 interfaces which has been observed experimentally. The correlation between the calculated distributions of magnetic moments and the measured distributions of hyperfine fields at iron atoms confirms the assumption about their proportionality for a broad class of metallic multilayer systems. However, a linear decrease of hyperfine fields at the 57Fe nuclei with increasing number of impurity atoms among the nearest and next-nearest neighbors is not confirmed for Fe/Cr systems, although is correct in Fe/V superlattices. In the Fe/Cr multilayer systems, the experimentally measured value of magnetoresistance grows with increasing fraction of the “floated up” atoms of 57Fe. Thus, it is the bulk scattering by impurity atoms that gives the basic contribution to the effect of giant magnetoresistance. The problem of the influence of mixing and adsorption of hydrogen in the vanadium layers on the state of the spin-density wave in V/Cr superlattices has been considered.
VANADIUM CHEMISTRY ESSENTIALS FOR TREATMENT STUDIES

EPA Science Inventory

The importance of vanadium occurrence and treatment in drinking water has been elevated by its inclusion in the Contaminant Candidate List. Though it is still too early to know the nature of new regulatory requirements for vanadium, if indeed it becomes regulated, a substantial u...
Correlated electron-hole mechanism for molecular doping in organic semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jing; D'Avino, Gabriele; Pershin, Anton; Jacquemin, Denis; Duchemin, Ivan; Beljonne, David; Blase, Xavier

2017-07-01

The electronic and optical properties of the paradigmatic F4TCNQ-doped pentacene in the low-doping limit are investigated by a combination of state-of-the-art many-body ab initio methods accounting for environmental screening effects, and a carefully parametrized model Hamiltonian. We demonstrate that while the acceptor level lies very deep in the gap, the inclusion of electron-hole interactions strongly stabilizes dopant-semiconductor charge transfer states and, together with spin statistics and structural relaxation effects, rationalize the possibility for room-temperature dopant ionization. Our findings reconcile available experimental data, shedding light on the partial vs. full charge transfer scenario discussed in the literature, and question the relevance of the standard classification in shallow or deep impurity levels prevailing for inorganic semiconductors.
Spectrophotometric determination of vanadium and its application to gas-turbine fuel-oils.

PubMed

Banerjee, S; Sinha, B P; Dutta, R K

1975-08-01

A very sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of vanadium in furnace oils is described. The intense indigo-blue colour developed by the reaction of vanadium with tannin and thioglycollic acid is measured at a wavelength of 600 nm at pH 4 and obeys Beer's law between 0.5 and 5 ppm vanadium. The method is applicable to gas-turbine fuel-oil and special navy fuel-oils. The common mineral constituents usually present in such oils do not interfere.
ON THE SEPARATION OF VANADIUM, MOLYBDENUM AND TUNGSTEN BY MEANS OF PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY. PART I

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

Tzou, S.; Liang, S.

1959-02-01

Molybdenum, tangsten, and vanadium are separated by chromatography as per-acids, and then detected with tannin solution. Of the seven solvents tested, n-butanolhydrogen peroxide-nitric acid mixtures offer the best separations. With the addition of dioxane, the R/sub F/ values of these elements increase, while vanadium and tungsten spots overlap. The formation of per-acids avoids the retainment of tungsten on the original spot and the tailings of vanadium and molybdenum spots. (B.O.G.)
Method for preparing high purity vanadium

DOEpatents

Schmidt, Frederick; Carlson, O. Norman

1986-09-09

A method for preparing high purity vanadium having a low silicon content has been developed. Vanadium pentoxide is reduced with a stoichiometric, or slightly deficient amount of aluminum to produce a vanadium-aluminum alloy containing an excess of oxygen. Silicon is removed by electron-beam melting the alloy under oxidizing conditions to promote the formation of SiO which is volatile at elevated temperatures. Excess oxygen is removed by heating the alloy in the presence of calcium metal to form calcium oxide.
Method for preparing high purity vanadium

DOEpatents

Schmidt, F.; Carlson, O.N.

1984-05-16

A method for preparing high purity vanadium having a low silicon content has been developed. Vanadium pentoxide is reduced with a stoichiometric, or slightly deficient amount of aluminum to produce a vanadium-aluminum alloy containing an excess of oxygen. Silicon is removed by electron-beam melting the alloy under oxidizing conditions to promote the formation of SiO which is volatile at elevated temperatures. Excess oxygen is removed by heating the alloy in the presence of calcium metal to form calcium oxide.
The role of vanadium in biology.

PubMed

Rehder, Dieter

2015-05-01

Vanadium is special in at least two respects: on the one hand, the tetrahedral anion vanadate(v) is similar to the phosphate anion; vanadate can thus interact with various physiological substrates that are otherwise functionalized by phosphate. On the other hand, the transition metal vanadium can easily expand its sphere beyond tetrahedral coordination, and switch between the oxidation states +v, +iv and +iii in a physiological environment. The similarity between vanadate and phosphate may account for the antidiabetic potential of vanadium compounds with carrier ligands such as maltolate and picolinate, and also for vanadium's mediation in cardiovascular and neuronal defects. Other potential medicinal applications of more complex vanadium coordination compounds, for example in the treatment of parasitic tropical diseases, may also be rooted in the specific properties of the ligand sphere. The ease of the change in the oxidation state of vanadium is employed by prokarya (bacteria and cyanobacteria) as well as by eukarya (algae and fungi) in respiratory and enzymatic functions. Macroalgae (seaweeds), fungi, lichens and Streptomyces bacteria have available haloperoxidases, and hence enzymes that enable the 2-electron oxidation of halide X(-) with peroxide, catalyzed by a Lewis-acidic V(V) center. The X(+) species thus formed can be employed to oxidatively halogenate organic substrates, a fact with implications also for the chemical processes in the atmosphere. Vanadium-dependent nitrogenases in bacteria (Azotobacter) and cyanobacteria (Anabaena) convert N2 + H(+) to NH4(+) + H2, but are also receptive for alternative substrates such as CO and C2H2. Among the enigmas to be solved with respect to the utilization of vanadium in nature is the accumulation of V(III) by some sea squirts and fan worms, as well as the purport of the nonoxido V(IV) compound amavadin in the fly agaric.
Ultrafast Silicon-based Modulators using Optical Switching of Vanadium Dioxide

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-04

demonstrated by using photothermal heating to induce the VO2 semiconductor-to- metal phase transition and modulate the transmitted optical signal...speeds. By utilizing the sub-picosecond semiconductor-to- metal transition (SMT) in VO2 as the active switching mechanism that enables direct... metallic phases. The steep slope, high contrast, and relatively narrow hysteresis exhibited by these reflectivity measurements indicate the high quality

Large-scale delamination of multi-layers transition metal carbides and carbonitrides “MXenes”

DOE PAGES

Naguib, Michael; Unocic, Raymond R.; Armstrong, Beth L.; ...

2015-04-17

Herein we report on a general approach to delaminate multi-layered MXenes using an organic base to induce swelling that in turn weakens the bonds between the MX layers. Simple agitation or mild sonication of the swollen MXene in water resulted in the large-scale delamination of the MXene layers. The delamination method is demonstrated for vanadium carbide, and titanium carbonitrides MXenes.
Geochemical controls on vanadium accumulation in fossil fuels

USGS Publications Warehouse

Breit, G.N.; Wanty, R.B.

1989-01-01

High vanadium contents in petroleum and other fossil fuels have been attributed to organic-matter type, organisms, volcanic emanations, diffusion of sea water, and epigenetic enrichment. However, these factors are inadequate to account for the high abundance of vanadium in some fossil fuels and the paucity in others. By examining vanadium deposits in sedimentary rocks with sparse organic matter, constraints are placed on processes controlling vanadium accumulation in organic-rich sediments. Vanadium, as vanadate (V(V)), entered some depositional basins in oxidizing waters from dry, subaerial environments. Upon contact with organic matter in anoxic waters, V(V) is reduced to vanadyl (V(IV)), which can be removed from the water column by adsorption. H2S reduces V(IV) to V(III), which hydrolyzes and precipitates. The lack of V(III) in petroleum suggests that reduction of V(IV) to V(III) is inhibited by organic complexes. In the absence of strong complexing agents, V(III) forms and is incorporated in clay minerals.
Geochemical controls of vanadium accumulation in fossil fuels

USGS Publications Warehouse

Breit, G.N.; Wanty, R.B.

1989-01-01

High vanadium contents in petroleum and other fossil fuels have been attributed to organic-matter type, organisms, volcanic emanations, diffusion of sea water, and epigenetic enrichment. However, these factors are inadequate to account for the high abundance of vanadium in some fossil fuels and the paucity in others. By examining vanadium deposits in sedimentary rocks with sparse organic matter, constraints are placed on processes controlling vanadium accumulation in organic-rich sediments. Vanadium, as vanadate (V(V)), entered some depositional basins in oxidizing waters from dry, subaerial environments. Upon contact with organic matter in anoxic waters, V(V) is reduced to vanadyl (V(IV)), which can be removed from the water column by adsorption. H2S reduces V(IV) to V(III), which hydrolyzes and precipitates. The lack of V(III) in petroleum suggests that reduction of V(IV) to V(III) is inhibited by organic complexes. In the absence of strong complexing agents, V(III) forms and is incorporated in clay minerals.
Synthesis and characterization of polymeric V2O5/AlO(OH) with nanopores on alumina support.

PubMed

Ahmad, A L; Abd Shukor, S R; Leo, C P

2006-12-01

Polymeric vanadium pentoxide gel was formed via the reaction of V2O5 powder with hydrogen peroxide. The polymeric vanadium pentoxide gel was then dispersed in alumina gel. Different vanadium loading composites were coated on alumina support and calcined at 500 degrees C for 1 hr. These composite layers were characterized using TGA, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and Autosorb. It was found that the lamellar structure of polymerized vanadium pentoxide was retained in the inorganic matrix. Crystalline alumina in gamma phase was formed after calcinations. However, the vanadium-alumina mixed oxides are lack of the well defined PXRD peaks for polycrystalline V2O5. This is possibly because the vanadia species are highly dispersed in the alumina matrix or the vanadia species are dispersed as crystalline which is smaller than 4 nm. In addition, the imbedded polymeric vanadium oxide improved the specific area and average pore diameter of the composite layer.
Microbial vanadium (V) reduction in groundwater with different soils from vanadium ore mining areas.

PubMed

Hao, Liting; Zhang, Baogang; Feng, Chuanping; Zhang, Zhenya; Lei, Zhongfang; Shimizu, Kazuya; Cao, Xuelong; Liu, Hui; Liu, Huipeng

2018-07-01

This work investigated the potential of vanadium (V) (V(V)) bioreduction by using soils sampled from four main kinds of vanadium ore mining areas, i.e. vanadium titanomagnetite, stone coal, petroleum associated minerals and uvanite as inocula. During a typical operation cycle of 60 h, the soils from vanadium titanomagnetite area and petroleum associated minerals area exhibited higher V(V) removal efficiencies, about 92.0 ± 2.0% and 91.0 ± 1.9% in comparison to 87.1 ± 1.9% and 69.0 ± 1.1% for the soils from uvanite and stone coal areas, respectively. Results from high-throughput 16 S rRNA gene pyrosequencing analysis reflect the accumulation of Bryobacter and Acidobacteriaceae with capabilities of V(V) reduction, accompanied with other functional species. This study is helpful to search new functional species for V(V) reduction and to develop in situ bioremediations of V(V) polluted groundwater. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Influence of solvents on species crossover and capacity decay in non-aqueous vanadium redox flow batteries: Characterization of acetonitrile and 1, 3 dioxolane solvent mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bamgbopa, Musbaudeen O.; Almheiri, Saif

2017-02-01

The importance of the choice of solvent in a non-aqueous redox flow battery (NARFB) cannot be overemphasized. Several studies demonstrated the influence of the solvent on electrolyte performance in terms of reaction rates, energy/power densities, and efficiencies. In this work, we investigate capacity decay as a direct consequence of varying reactant crossover rates through membranes in different solvent environments. Specifically, we demonstrate the superiority of an 84/16 vol% acetonitrile/1,3 dioxolane solvent mixture over pure acetonitrile in terms of energy efficiency (up to 89%) and capacity retention for vanadium NARFBs - while incorporating a Nafion 115 membrane. The permeability of Nafion to the vanadium acetylacetonate active species is an order of magnitude lower when pure acetonitrile is replaced by the solvent mixture. A method to estimate relative membrane permeability is formulated from numerical analysis of self-discharge experimental data. Furthermore, tests on a modified Nafion/SiO2 membrane, which generally offered low species permeability, also show that different solvents alter membrane permeability. Elemental and morphological analyses of cycled Nafion and NafionSi membranes in different solvent environments indicate that different crossover rates induced by the choice of solvent during cycling are due to changes in the membrane microstructure, intrinsic permeability, swelling rates, and chemical stability.
Structural Changes in the Vanadium Sample Surface Induced by Pulsed High-Temperature Deuterium Plasma and Deuterium Ion Fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borovitskaya, I. V.; Pimenov, V. N.; Gribkov, V. A.; Padukh, M.; Bondarenko, G. G.; Gaidar, A. I.; Paramonova, V. V.; Morozov, E. V.

2017-11-01

The structural changes in the vanadium sample surface are studied as functions of the conditions of irradiation by pulsed high-temperature deuterium plasma and deuterium ion fluxes in the Plasma Focus installation. It is found that processes of partial evaporation, melting, and crystallization of the surface layer of vanadium samples take place in the plasma flux power density range q = 108-1010 W/cm2 and the ion flux density range q = 1010-1012 W/cm2. The surface relief is wavelike. There are microcracks, gas-filled bubbles (blisters), and traces of fracture on the surface. The blisters are failed in the solid state. The character of blister fracture is similar to that observed during usual ion irradiation in accelerators. The samples irradiated at relatively low power density ( q = 107-108 W/cm2) demonstrate the ejection of microparticles (surface fragments) on the side facing plasma. This process is assumed to be due to the fact that the unloading wave formed in the sample-target volume reaches its irradiated surface. Under certain irradiation conditions (sample-anode distance, the number of plasma pulses), a block microstructure with block sizes of several tens of microns forms on the sample surfaces. This structure is likely to form via directional crack propagation upon cooling of a thin melted surface layer.
Different threshold and bipolar resistive switching mechanisms in reactively sputtered amorphous undoped and Cr-doped vanadium oxide thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rupp, Jonathan A. J.; Querré, Madec; Kindsmüller, Andreas; Besland, Marie-Paule; Janod, Etienne; Dittmann, Regina; Waser, Rainer; Wouters, Dirk J.

2018-01-01

This study investigates resistive switching in amorphous undoped and Cr-doped vanadium oxide thin films synthesized by sputtering deposition at low oxygen partial pressure. Two different volatile threshold switching characteristics can occur as well as a non-volatile bipolar switching mechanism, depending on device stack symmetry and Cr-doping. The two threshold switching types are associated with different crystalline phases in the conduction filament created during an initial forming step. The first kind of threshold switching, observed for undoped vanadium oxide films, was, by its temperature dependence, proven to be associated with a thermally triggered insulator-to-metal transition in a crystalline VO2 phase, whereas the threshold switch observed in chromium doped films is stable up to 90 °C and shows characteristics of an electronically induced Mott transition. This different behaviour for undoped versus doped films has been attributed to an increased stability of V3+ due to the Cr3+ doping (as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis), probably favouring the creation of a crystalline Cr-doped V2O3 phase (rather than a Cr-doped VO2 phase) during the energetic forming step. The symmetric Pt/a-(VCr)Ox/Pt device showing high temperature stable threshold switching may find interesting applications as a possible new selector device for resistive switching memory (ReRAM) crossbar arrays.
Photocatalytic Activity of Vanadium-Substituted ETS-10

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

Nash,M.; Rykov, S.; Lobo, R.

2007-01-01

Various amounts of vanadium have been isomorphously substituted for titanium in ETS-10, creating samples with V/(V+Ti) ratios of 0.13, 0.33, 0.43, and 1.00 and characterized experimentally using Raman, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), X-ray powder diffraction, N{sub 2} adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/vis spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Raman spectra reveal a disordered chain structure that contains different V-O bonds along with the presence of a V-O-Ti peak. The UV/vis spectra of the vanadium samples have three new absorption features in the visible region at 450, 594, and 850 nm, suggesting both V{sup 4+}more » and V{sup 5+} are present in the samples. NEXAFS results confirm the presence of both V{sup 5+} and V{sup 4+} in the vanadium samples, with a fraction of V{sup 4+} within the range of 0.2-0.4. The addition of vanadium lowers the band gap energy of ETS-10 from 4.32 eV to a minimum of 3.58 eV for the 0.43ETVS-10 sample. Studies of the photocatalytic polymerization of ethylene show that the 594 nm transition has no photocatalytic activity. The visible transition around 450 nm in the vanadium-incorporated samples is photocatalytically active, and the lower-concentration vanadium samples have higher photocatalytic activity than that of ETS-10 and AM-6, the all-vanadium analogue of ETS-10.« less
Catalytic destruction of PCDD/Fs over vanadium oxide-based catalysts.

PubMed

Yu, Ming-Feng; Lin, Xiao-Qing; Li, Xiao-Dong; Yan, Mi; Prabowo, Bayu; Li, Wen-Wei; Chen, Tong; Yan, Jian-Hua

2016-08-01

Vanadium oxide-based catalysts were developed for the destruction of vapour phase PCDD/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans). A vapour phase PCDD/Fs generating system was designed to supply stable PCDD/Fs steam with initial concentration of 3.2 ng I-TEQ Nm(-3). Two kinds of titania (nano-TiO2 and conventional TiO2) and alumina were used as catalyst supports. For vanadium-based catalysts supported on nano-TiO2, catalyst activity is enhanced with operating temperature increasing from 160 to 300 °C and then reduces with temperature rising further to 350 °C. It is mainly due to the fact that high volatility of organic compounds at 350 °C suppresses adsorption of PCDD/Fs on catalysts surface and then further inhibits the reaction between catalyst and PCDD/Fs. The optimum loading of vanadium on nano-TiO2 support is 5 wt.% where vanadium oxide presents highly dispersed amorphous state according to the Raman spectra and XRD patterns. Excessive vanadium will block the pore space and form microcrystalline V2O5 on the support surface. At the vanadium loading of 5 wt.%, nano-TiO2-supported catalyst performs best on PCDD/Fs destruction compared to Al2O3 and conventional TiO2. Chemical states of vanadium in the fresh, used and reoxidized VOx(5 %)/TiO2 catalysts at different operating temperature are also analysed by XPS.
Fano-shaped impurity spectral density, electric-field-induced in-gap state, and local magnetic moment of an adatom on trilayer graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zu-Quan; Li, Shuai; Lü, Jing-Tao; Gao, Jin-Hua

2017-08-01

Recently, the existence of local magnetic moment in a hydrogen adatom on graphene was confirmed experimentally [González-Herrero et al., Science 352, 437 (2016), 10.1126/science.aad8038]. Inspired by this breakthrough, we theoretically investigate the top-site adatom on trilayer graphene (TLG) by solving the Anderson impurity model via self-consistent mean field method. The influence of the stacking order, the adsorption site, and external electric field are carefully considered. We find that, due to its unique electronic structure, the situation of TLG is drastically different from that of the monolayer graphene. First, the adatom on rhombohedral stacked TLG (r-TLG) can have a Fano-shaped impurity spectral density, instead of the normal Lorentzian-like one, when the impurity level is around the Fermi level. Second, the impurity level of the adatom on r-TLG can be tuned into an in-gap state by an external electric field, which strongly depends on the direction of the applied electric field and can significantly affect the local magnetic moment formation. Finally, we systematically calculate the impurity magnetic phase diagrams, considering various stacking orders, adsorption sites, doping, and electric field. We show that, because of the in-gap state, the impurity magnetic phase of r-TLG will obviously depend on the direction of the applied electric field as well. All our theoretical results can be readily tested in experiment, and may give a comprehensive understanding about the local magnetic moment of an adatom on TLG.
Vanadium-pumped titanium x-ray laser

DOEpatents

Nilsen, J.

1992-05-26

A resonantly photo-pumped x-ray laser is formed of a vanadium and titanium foil combination that is driven by two beams of intense line focused optical laser radiation. Ground state neon-like titanium ions are resonantly photo-pumped by line emission from fluorine-like vanadium ions. 4 figs.
40 CFR 440.80 - Applicability; description of the vanadium ore subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... vanadium ore subcategory. 440.80 Section 440.80 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS (CONTINUED) ORE MINING AND DRESSING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Vanadium Ore Subcategory (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct) § 440.80 Applicability; description of the...
40 CFR 440.80 - Applicability; description of the vanadium ore subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... vanadium ore subcategory. 440.80 Section 440.80 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS (CONTINUED) ORE MINING AND DRESSING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Vanadium Ore Subcategory (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct) § 440.80 Applicability; description of the...
40 CFR 440.80 - Applicability; description of the vanadium ore subcategory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... vanadium ore subcategory. 440.80 Section 440.80 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS (CONTINUED) ORE MINING AND DRESSING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Vanadium Ore Subcategory (Mined Alone and Not as a Byproduct) § 440.80 Applicability; description of the...
Impurities near an antiferromagnetic-singlet quantum critical point

DOE PAGES

Mendes-Santos, T.; Costa, N. C.; Batrouni, G.; ...

2017-02-15

Heavy-fermion systems and other strongly correlated electron materials often exhibit a competition between antiferromagnetic (AF) and singlet ground states. We examine the effect of impurities in the vicinity of such an AF-singlet quantum critical point (QCP), through an appropriately defined “impurity susceptibility” χimp, using exact quantum Monte Carlo simulations. Our key finding is a connection within a single calculational framework between AF domains induced on the singlet side of the transition and the behavior of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation rate 1/T1. Furthermore, we show that local NMR measurements provide a diagnostic for the location of the QCP, whichmore » agrees remarkably well with the vanishing of the AF order parameter and large values of χimp.« less
Numerical method for N electrons bound to a polar quantum dot with a Coulomb impurity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yau, J. K.; Lee, C. M.

2003-03-01

A numerical method is proposed to calculate the Frohlich Hamiltonian containing N electrons bound to polar quantum dot with a Coulomb impurity without transformation to the coordination frame of the center of mass and by direct diagonalization. As an example to demonstrate the formalism of this method, the low-lying spectra of three interacting electrons bound to an on-center Coulomb impurity, both for accepter and donor, are calculated and analyzed in a polar quantum dot under a perpendicular magnetic field. Taking polaron effect into account, the physical meaning of the phonon-induced terms, both self-square terms and cross terms of the Hamiltonian are discussed. The calculation can also be applied to systems containing particles with opposite charges, such as excitons.
Hydrodynamic Model for Conductivity in Graphene

PubMed Central

Mendoza, M.; Herrmann, H. J.; Succi, S.

2013-01-01

Based on the recently developed picture of an electronic ideal relativistic fluid at the Dirac point, we present an analytical model for the conductivity in graphene that is able to describe the linear dependence on the carrier density and the existence of a minimum conductivity. The model treats impurities as submerged rigid obstacles, forming a disordered medium through which graphene electrons flow, in close analogy with classical fluid dynamics. To describe the minimum conductivity, we take into account the additional carrier density induced by the impurities in the sample. The model, which predicts the conductivity as a function of the impurity fraction of the sample, is supported by extensive simulations for different values of ε, the dimensionless strength of the electric field, and provides excellent agreement with experimental data. PMID:23316277
76 FR 61668 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-05

... electron-beam induced signals such as characteristic x-ray analysis, electron beam induced current... semiconductor materials, metals, ceramics, and biological tissues, to determine the influence of impurities on... transformation of metals, and the study of other phenomena. Justification for Duty- Free Entry: There are no...
Point-Defect Nature of the Ultraviolet Absorption Band in AlN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alden, D.; Harris, J. S.; Bryan, Z.; Baker, J. N.; Reddy, P.; Mita, S.; Callsen, G.; Hoffmann, A.; Irving, D. L.; Collazo, R.; Sitar, Z.

2018-05-01

We present an approach where point defects and defect complexes are identified using power-dependent photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy, impurity data from SIMS, and density-functional-theory (DFT)-based calculations accounting for the total charge balance in the crystal. Employing the capabilities of such an experimental computational approach, in this work, the ultraviolet-C absorption band at 4.7 eV, as well as the 2.7- and 3.9-eV luminescence bands in AlN single crystals grown via physical vapor transport (PVT) are studied in detail. Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy measurements demonstrate the relationship between the defect luminescent bands centered at 3.9 and 2.7 eV to the commonly observed absorption band centered at 4.7 eV. Accordingly, the thermodynamic transition energy for the absorption band at 4.7 eV and the luminescence band at 3.9 eV is estimated at 4.2 eV, in agreement with the thermodynamic transition energy for the CN- point defect. Finally, the 2.7-eV PL band is the result of a donor-acceptor pair transition between the VN and CN point defects since nitrogen vacancies are predicted to be present in the crystal in concentrations similar to carbon-employing charge-balance-constrained DFT calculations. Power-dependent photoluminescence measurements reveal the presence of the deep donor state with a thermodynamic transition energy of 5.0 eV, which we hypothesize to be nitrogen vacancies in agreement with predictions based on theory. The charge state, concentration, and type of impurities in the crystal are calculated considering a fixed amount of impurities and using a DFT-based defect solver, which considers their respective formation energies and the total charge balance in the crystal. The presented results show that nitrogen vacancies are the most likely candidate for the deep donor state involved in the donor-acceptor pair transition with peak emission at 2.7 eV for the conditions relevant to PVT growth.

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