Theoretical study of the structural,elastic and thermodynamic properties of chalcopyrite ZnGeP2

The structural, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of ZnGeP₂ with chalcopyrite structure are investigated using the pseudo-potentials plane wave method based on the density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation. The lattice parameters (a, c and u) are directly calculated and agree well with previous experimental and theoretical results. The obtained negative formation enthalpy shows that ZnGeP₂ crystal has strong structural stability. We have also calculated the bulk modulus B and the elastic parameters (C₁₁, C₁₂, C₁₃, C₃₃, C₄₄, and C₆₆) which have not been measured yet. The accuracy and reliability of the calculated elastic constants of ZnGeP₂ crystal are discussed. In addition, the pressure and temperature dependencies of the lattice parameters, bulk modulus, Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameter, entropy, volume thermal expansion coefficient, and specific heat capacity are obtained in the ranges of 0–20 GPa and 0–1200 K using the quasi-harmonic Debye model. To our knowledge this is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the thermodynamic properties for ZnGeP₂ compound and still awaits experimental confirmations.     

Geothermal energy utilization trends from a technological paradigm perspective

The use of geothermal energy and its associated technologies has been increasing worldwide. However, there has been little paradigmatic research conducted in this area. This paper proposes a systematic methodology to research the development trends for the sustainable development of geothermal energy. A novel data analysis system was created to research the geothermal energy utilization trends, and a technological paradigm theory was adopted to explain the technological changes. A diffusion velocity model was used to simulate and forecast the geothermal power generation development in the diffusion phase. Simulation results showed that the development of installed capacity for geothermal generation had a strong inertia force along with the S-curve. Power generation from geothermal power sources reached a peak in 2008 and is estimated to be saturated by 2030. Geothermal energy technologies in hybrid power systems based on other renewable energy sources look to be more promising in the future.     

Annealing and doping-dependent magnetoresistance in single layer poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) organic semiconductor device

We compare the current density–voltage (J–V) and magnetoconductance (MC) response of a poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) (P3HT) device (Au/P3HT(350 nm)/Al) before and after annealing above the glass transition temperature of 150 °C under vacuum. There is a decrease of more than 3 orders of magnitude in current density due to an increase of the charge injection barriers after de-doping through annealing. An increase, approaching 1 order of magnitude, in the negative MC response after annealing can be explained by a shift in the Fermi level due to de-doping, according to the bipolaron mechanism. We successfully tune the charge injection barrier through re-doping by photo-oxidation. This leads to the charge injection and transport transitioning from unipolar to ambipolar, as the bias increases, and we model the MC response using a combination of bipolaron and triplet-polaron interaction mechanisms.     

Antireflection coating on InP for semiconductor detectors

Aluminum nitride thin film by RF magnetron sputtering is used to produce antireflection coating on InP. The index of refection variation of aluminum nitride for different thickness at different wavelength in the range of 400 to 1500 nm is investigated using reflection spectroscopy. Subsequent Ar+ ion implantation at 30 keV with different doses on these coated layers has been performed. The morphology of aluminum nitride after ion implantation is characterized using atomic force microscopy AFM.     

Improved method for HgI2 crystal growth and detector fabrication

Instead of the temperature oscillation method (TOM), a modified vapor growth method was applied in this paper to grow large HgI₂ crystals with fewer lattice defects by providing a relatively stable temperature field during growth. And a new processing technique of HgI₂ crystals was developed for detector fabrication by merging solution string-sawing and hand-cleaving. The lattice deformations caused during cleaving were reduced greatly by eliminating passivated layers on the sawed crystal platelets before cleaving.     

Monolithic Catalysts with Low Noble-Metal Content for Exhaust Purification of Small Gasoline Engines

A series of low noble-metal coment monolithic catalysts for exhaust purification of small gasoline engines was investigated, and it was found that the Pt/Rh-OSM/Al2O3 （where OSM was oxygen storage material） catalyst with Ce0.5Zr0.5-MnOx（3%MnOx） OSM held low light-off temperature for CO, HC, and NO; quite wide three-way window, and outstanding thermal stability. The catalyst could efficiently comrol exhaust emission of small gasoline engines.     

Consensus reaching models of linguistic preference relations based on distance functions

In group decision making (GDM) using linguistic preference relations to obtain the maximum degree of agreement, it is desirable to develop a consensus process prior to the selection process. This paper proposes two consensus models with linguistic information to support the GDM consensus reaching process. Two different distance functions between linguistic preference relations are introduced to measure both individual consistency and group consensus. Based on these measures, the consensus reaching models are developed. The two models presented have the same concept that the expert whose preference is farthest from the group preference needs to update their opinion according to the group preference relation. In addition, the convergence of the models is proved. After achieving the predefined consensus level, each expert’s consistency indexes are still acceptable under the condition that the initial preference relations are of satisfactory consistency. Finally, an example is given to show the effectiveness of the models and to verify the theoretical results.     

一种基于小波变换的非均匀量化索引调制水印算法

为了提高数字水印的稳健性与不可见性,将图像小波变换与量化索引调制算法相结合,提出了一种基于小波变换的非均匀量化索引调制数字水印算法。该算法对原始图像进行离散小波变换,将中频小波系数分成3×3的系数子块作为水印载体,对子块的系数均值采用非均匀量化索引调制,实现二值水印的嵌入。根据人类视觉特性,不同的系数子块采用不同的量化间隔并自适应于子块内相邻系数的差值。实验结果表明,该算法透明性好,安全性高,对高斯白噪声、剪切、滤波以及JPEG压缩等常见攻击具有较强的稳健性。     

The transesterification of dimethyl carbonate and phenol catalyzed by 12-molybdophosphoric salts

Various 12-molybdophosphoric salts were used in the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and phenol to diphenyl carbonate (DPC) and methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) as novel solid catalysts. The zinc salt was found to exhibit the highest activity for the transesterification. Several parameters affecting the transesterification were investigated. When the reaction was performed between 150 °C and 180 °C, with a molar ratio of phenol to DMC of 1, a reaction time 12 h, a catalyst amount 0.004 (molar ratio to phenol), the conversion of phenol reached 31%, and the selectivity of MPC and DPC was 29% and 66.1%, respectively. The TON reached 74.8 mol (MPC + DPC)/mol Zn-salt.     

Double auction mechanisms on Markovian networks

This paper studies the double auction (DA) mechanism in Ma and Li (2011) for a class of exchange economies. We extend their results to more general cases where sellers and buyers each form a complex time non-homogeneous Markovian chain, as specified in Ram et al. (2009), in the communication of their private information. A numerical example is also provided. Both bubbles and crashes are observed in the example, consistent with results of our theorems. Our example and theoretical results provide new evidence that a DA mechanism, widely utilized in real exchange markets, may contribute to the excess volatility identified in Shiller (1981) and LeRoy and Porter (1981).