Abstract: Transmission electron microscopy has been applied to study Ti and Al/Ti contacts on GaN and AlGaN/GaN as a function of annealing temperature. This has lead to a profound understanding of the role of Al, both in the contact formation on n-GaN and on AlGaN/GaN. Al in the AlGaN decreases the N-extraction by Ti out of the nitride, because of the strong Al-N bond. Al in the metal bilayer also reduces the N-extraction by Ti due to a preferential alloy mixing.

Abstract: Microwave (MW) plasmas represent a promising solution for efficient CO2 dissociation. MW discharges are also very versatile and can be sustained at various pressure and gas flow regimes. To identify the most favorable conditions for the further scale-up of the CO2 decomposition reaction, a MW plasma reactor operating in pure CO2 in a wide pressure range (200 mbar–1 bar) is studied. Three different gas flow configurations are explored: a direct, reverse and a vortex regime. The CO2 conversion and energy efficiency drop almost linearly with increasing pressure, regardless of the gas flow regime. The results obtained in the direct flow configuration underline the importance of post-discharge cooling, as the exhaust of the MW plasma reactor in this regime expanded into the vacuum chamber without additional quenching. As a result, this system yields exhaust temperatures of up to 1000 K, which explains the lowest conversion (∼3.5% at 200 mbar and 2% at 1 bar). A post-discharge cooling step is introduced for the reverse gas inlet regime and allows the highest conversion to be achieved (∼38% at 200 mbar and 6.2% at 1 bar, with energy efficiencies of 23% and 3.7%). Finally, a tangential gas inlet is utilized in the vortex configuration to generate a swirl flow pattern. This results in the generation of a stable discharge in a broader range of CO2 flows (15–30 SLM) and the highest energy efficiencies obtained in this study (∼25% at 300 mbar and ∼13% at 1 bar, at conversions of 21% and 12%). The experimental results are complemented with computational fluid dynamics simulations and with the analysis of the latest literature to identify the further research directions.

Abstract: Supramolecular polymeric materials constitute a unique class of materials held together by non-covalent interactions. These dynamic supramolecular interactions can provide unique properties such as a strong decrease in viscosity upon relatively mild heating, as well as self-healing ability. In this study we demonstrate the unique mechanical properties of phase-separated electrostatic supramolecular materials based on mixing of low molar mass, oligomeric, ABA-triblock copolyacrylates with oppositely charged outer blocks. In case of well-chosen mixtures and block lengths, the charged blocks are phase separated from the uncharged matrix in a hexagonally packed nanomorphology as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Thermal and mechanical analysis of the material shows that the charged sections have a T-g closely beyond room temperature, whereas the material shows an elastic response at temperatures far above this T-g ascribed to the electrostatic supramolecular interactions. A broad set of materials having systematic variations in triblock copolymer structures was used to provide insights in the mechanical properties and and self-healing ability in correlation with the nanomorphology of the materials.

Abstract: This Letter presents a generalized Ginzburg-Landau equation for the superconducting order parameter which includes the terms resulting from the confining interaction associated with the specimen boundary. While the original Ginzburg-Landau theory had been developed for a bulk superconductor, this generalization is meant for study of a meso-superconductor. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: We present a new approach to study the three-dimensional compositional and structural evolution of metal alloys during heat treatments such as commonly used for improving overall material properties. It relies on in situ heating in a high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The approach is demonstrated using a commercial Al alloy AA2024 at 100-240 degrees C, showing in unparalleled detail where and how precipitates nucleate, grow,or dissolve. The observed size evolution of individual precipitates enables a separation between nucleation and growth phenomena, necessary for the development of refined growth models. We conclude that the in situ heating STEM approach opens a route to a much faster determination of the interplay between local compositions, heat treatments, microstructure, and mechanical properties of new alloys.

Abstract: In November 1984 in Makasar and the Flores Basin water samples were collected (T, S, dissolved O2, total CO2), bottom samples (sediment composition) and suspended matter (particle composition, particle size). A sediment trap was moored in the Flores Basin at 4600 m depth for nearly four months, covering the dry season. In the Flores Basin there are indications for bottom flow resuspending bottom material or preventing suspended material from settling; in Makasar Strait there is probably inflow of deep water both from the south and from the north, resulting in a very slow bottom water flor. Bottom deposits in Makasar Strait and the Flores Basin are predominantly terrigenous, with an admixture of organic carbonate and silica (mostly coccoliths). Volcanic material is primarily present near to the volcanoes in the south and reaches the deeper basins by slumping. In the suspended matter no volcanic particles and little planktonic material were found, although the latter form 10 to 15% of the top sediment and of the material deposited in the sediment trap. In suspension particles with a large concentration of tin (Sn) were found associated mainly with iron. They probably come from northern Kalimantan or northern Sulawesi. Suspended matter concentrations were mainly less than 0.5 mg·dm−3, only off the Mahakam river mouth were concentrations higher than 1 mg·dm−3. Particle size was erratic because of the variable composition of the coarser particles in suspension. Organic matter concentrations in suspension (in mg·dm−3) roughly follow the distribution of total suspended matter but organic content (in %) of the suspended matter does not show any trends. All organic matter in suspension is of marine origin except in the Mahakam river and estuary. Deposition rates, as estimated from the sediment trap results, are 150 mg·cm−2·a−1 for the total sediment, 26 mg·cm−2·a−1 for carbonate and 13 mg·cm−2·a−1 for organic matter. Flocs and fibres in suspension were only found in and below the Mahakam river plume that reaches ca 400 km from the river mouth to the southeast, and in surface waters associated with plankton (diatoms). The formation of these flocs (broken-up macroflocs or marine snow) is primarily related to particle concentration, turbulence, and the presence of organisms that produce sticky material or glue particles together.

Abstract: The globular structure of M2 high speed steel in the rolled – annealed and as cast conditions was investigated in the semisolid state. Metallographic observations resulted in globular austenite particles that were surrounded by a liquid phase. Dissolution of various carbides in the austenite phase at semisolid temperatures led to grain boundary liquation and formation of near-spherical solid grains in a liquid matrix. Therefore, at the semisolid state, the solid particles were free from carbides. MC- type and M6C- type eutectic carbides re- precipitated at the grain boundaries during cooling of the samples from the semisolid temperature. The variation of shape factor versus holding time and holding temperature was examined. A transition value for shape factor changes in high speed steels was achieved. The growth rate constants of the Ostwald ripening and the coalescence mechanisms were calculated by using the experimentally determined rate constant. It was observed that less liquid droplets were enclosed inside the solid particles compared with non-ferrous alloys. Besides, it has been shown that at high solid fraction, the Ostwald ripening mechanism plays a prominent role in the coarsening phenomenon in comparison with the coalescence mechanism. Grains can rotate and arrange low misorientation with each other at high liquid contents, therefore low energetic grain boundaries form between these grains. These grain boundaries play an important role in the coalescence mechanism.

Abstract: The propagation of a short laser beam in plasma is investigated analytically Relativistic ponderomotive force and space charge effects are included, and an equation describing the evolution of the laser spot size is derived. It is shown that self-consistent electron cavitation can lead to self channelling and thus long-distance self-focusing of the laser. The condition for the latter to occur is given.

Abstract: Photocatalysis assisted oxidation of carbon black was performed using TiO2 photocatalyst under UV illumination in an atmosphere with NO, O-2 and water vapor at 150 degrees C. Carbon is oxidized mainly to CO2 while NO is selectively converted to N-2. Enhanced O-2 and NO concentrations have a positive effect on the carbon oxidation rate. At a concentration of 3000 ppm NO and 13.3% O-2 in the gas phase the carbon oxidation rate reaches 2.3 mu g(carbon)/mg(TiO2) h, at a formal electron/photon quantum efficiency of 0.019. HR SEM images reveal uniform gradual reduction of the carbon particle size irrespective of the distance to TiO2 photocatalyst particles in the presence of NO, O-2 and H2O. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Mineral monazite from Malaysia has been investigated by energy dispersive x-ray analysis employing three different methods: x-ray, relativistic electron and proton induced excitation. An upper limit of 15 ppm has been placed on the possible concentration of the superheavy element with Z=126.

Abstract: The use of synchrotron radiation techniques to study cultural heritage and archaeological materials has undergone a steep increase over the past 10-15 years. The range of materials studied is very broad and encompasses painting materials, stone, glass, ceramics, metals, cellulosic and wooden materials, and a cluster of organic-based materials, in phase with the diversity observed at archaeological sites, museums, historical buildings, etc. Main areas of investigation are: (1) the study of the alteration and corrosion processes, for which the unique non-destructive speciation capabilities of X-ray absorption have proved very beneficial, (2) the understanding of the technologies and identification of the raw materials used to produce archaeological artefacts and art objects and, to a lesser extent, (3) the investigation of current or novel stabilisation, conservation and restoration practices. In terms of the synchrotron methods used, the main focus so far has been on X-ray techniques, primarily X-ray fluorescence, absorption and diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We review here the use of these techniques from recent works published in the field demonstrating the breadth of applications and future potential offered by third generation synchrotron techniques. New developments in imaging and advanced spectroscopy, included in the UV/visible and IR ranges, could even broaden the variety of materials studied, in particular by fostering more studies on organic and complex organic-inorganic mixtures, while new support activities at synchrotron facilities might facilitate transfer of knowledge between synchrotron specialists and users from archaeology and cultural heritage sciences.