Complexities of digital technology use and the teaching and learning of function

Many argue that digital technologies have the potential to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics. However, the availability of technology is not sufficient to realise this potential. The study reported takes a detailed approach to investigate the utility of the particular offerings of the available technologies in the teaching and learning of a specific area of mathematics, functions. Sixteen affordances identified in the data are described. The complexity of the process involved in resolving a situation where particular affordances would be useful so as they are perceived and enacted is detailed. Finally, a grounded theory framework arising from the data analysis from this study that can be used to explain, predict and guide action in other digital environments is presented.     

Alloying behavior and novel properties of CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering

An equiatomic CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). During MA, a solid solution with refined microstructure of 10 nm which consists of a FCC phase and a BCC phase was formed. After SPS consolidation, only one FCC phase can be detected in the HEA bulks. The as-sintered bulks exhibit high compressive strength of 1987 MPa. An interesting magnetic transition associated with the structure coarsening and phase transformation was observed during SPS process.     

Preparation,characterization and properties of polycaprolactone diol-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube/thermoplastic polyurethane composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were chemically functionalized to prepare thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) composites with enhanced properties. In order to achieve a high compatibility of functionalized MWCNTs with the PU matrix, polycaprolactone diol (PCL), as one of PU’s monomers, was selectively grafted on the surface of MWCNTs (MWCNT–PCL), while carboxylic acid groups functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT–COOH) and raw MWCNTs served as control. Both MWCNT–COOH and MWCNT–PCL improved the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PU matrix and interfacial bonding between them at 1 wt% loading fraction. The MWCNT–PCL/PU composite showed the greatest extent of improvement, where the tensile strength and modulus were 51.2% and 33.5% higher than those of pure PU respectively, without sacrificing the elongation at break. The considerable improvement in both mechanical properties and thermal stability of MWCNT–PCL/PU composite should result from the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT–PCL in the PU matrix and strong interfacial bonding between them.     

Enhanced Photoelectrochemistry in CdS/Au Nanoparticle Bilayers

Three different configurations of Au‐nanoparticle/CdS‐nanoparticle arrays are organized on Au/quartz electrodes for enhanced photocurrent generation. In one configuration, Au‐nanoparticles are covalently linked to the electrode and the CdS‐nanoparticles are covalently linked to the bare Au‐nanoparticle assembly. The resulting photocurrent, φ = 7.5 %, is ca. 9‐fold higher than the photocurrent originating from a CdS‐nanoparticle layer that lacks the Au‐nanoparticles, φ = 0.8 %. The enhanced photocurrent in the Au/CdS nanoparticle array is attributed to effective charge separation of the electron–hole pair by the injection of conduction‐band electrons from the CdS‐ to the Au‐nanoparticles. Two other configurations involving electrostatically stabilized bipyridinium‐crosslinked Au/CdS or CdS/Au nanoparticle arrays were assembled on the Au/quartz crystal. The photocurrent quantum yields in the two systems are φ = 10 % and φ = 5 %, respectively. The photocurrents in control systems that include electrostatically bridged Au/CdS or CdS/Au nanoparticles by oligocationic units that lack electron‐acceptor units are substantially lower than the values observed in the analogous bipyridinium‐bridged systems. The enhanced photocurrents in the bipyridinium‐crosslinked systems is attributed to the stepwise electron transfer of conduction‐band electrons to the Au‐nanoparticles by the bipyridinium relay bridge, a process that stabilizes the electron–hole pair against recombination and leads to effective charge separation.     

A 3-D motion tracing system in High School Physics teaching

Abstract This article presents a study of a large scale incorporation of one data acquisitionsystem into physics teaching in Israel. By 1994 about 30% of the schools throughout the country used the V-scope, a 3-D multibody motion tracing system, in their lab programme. The views and reactions of post-training teachers, experienced teachers and students on various aspects of using the system are described, analysed and compared.     

The microstructure of Cu films deposited by the self-ion assisted technique

The microstructures of Cu films deposited by the self-ion assisted, partially ionized beam (PIB) deposition technique under two different accelerating potentials, 0 KeV and 6 KeV, are compared. The 6 KeV film shows a bimodal (111) fiber and (100) fiber texture with an abundance of twin boundaries and a relatively large average grain size with a typical lognormal distribution. The 0 KeV film consists of small, mostly (111) oriented grains with islands of abnormally large (100) grains. The controlling factors for the abnormal growth of the (100) grains are discussed in relation to the observed microstructures, showing that all factors necessary for abnormal (100) growth are present in the films.     

Effects of gallia additions on sintering behavior of gadolinia-doped ceria

The effects of gallia additions on the sintering behavior of gadolinia-doped ceria were systematically investigated from the following aspects: the variation in sintered density, the variation in grain size, and the existing forms of Ga₂O₃ in CeO₂.Sintered density increased with increasing Ga₂O₃ content up to 5 mol.% and then it decreased with further addition of Ga₂O₃. Grain size also increased with increasing Ga₂O₃ content up to 5 mol.% and then decreased with further addition of Ga₂O₃. Decrease in grain size was caused by a pinning effect of Ga₂O₃ precipitation at grain boundaries. Lattice constant decreased with increasing Ga₂O₃ content up to 5 mol.%. This decrease will be due to the substitution of smaller Ga³⁺ ions for Ce⁴⁺ ions in the CeO₂ structure. According to the results obtained from scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, the solubility limit of Ga₂O₃ in Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 ceramics can be estimated to be nearly 5 mol.%. The addition of Ga₂O₃ up to the solubility limit was found to promote the sintering properties of Gd₂O₃-doped CeO₂.     

Grain growth kinetics in Dy-doped Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics

Dysprosium-doped bismuth sodium titanate ceramics were prepared using the conventional mixed-oxide method. The amount of dysprosium used was varied from 0 to 2 at.%. The mixed powders were calcined at 800 °C and checked for phase purity using X-ray diffraction technique. The calcined powders were then cold-pressed into pellets and sintered at 1050 °C for the time ranging from 2 to 48 h. The ceramics were checked for phases and microstructures using an X-ray diffractometer and a scanning electron microscope, respectively. The analysis showed that undoped BNT ceramics sintered at longer time exhibited a significant grain growth with non-uniform grain size distribution and shape. The Dy-doped BNT however showed a much more limited grain growth behavior, resulting in smaller grain size and more equiaxed grain shape. It was also found that all Dy-doped BNT ceramics sintered at 48 h possessed lower porosity than those sintered for shorter time.     

Inverted Solution Processable OLEDs Using a Metal Oxide as an Electron Injection Contact.

A new type of bottom‐emission electroluminescent device is described in which a metal oxide is used as the electron‐injecting contact. The preparation of such a device is simple. It consists of the deposition of a thin layer of a metal oxide on top of an indium tin oxide covered glass substrate, followed by the solution processing of the light‐emitting layer and subsequently the deposition of a high‐workfunction (air‐stable) metal anode. This architecture allows for a low‐cost electroluminescent device because no rigorous encapsulation is required. Electroluminescence with a high brightness reaching 5700 cd m^–2 is observed at voltages as low as 8 V, demonstrating the potential of this new approach to organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) devices. Unfortunately the device efficiency is rather low because of the high current density flowing through the device. We show that the device only operates after the insertion of an additional hole‐injection layer in between the light‐emitting polymer (LEP) and the metal anode. A simple model that explains the experimental results and provides avenues for further optimization of these devices is described. It is based on the idea that the barrier for electron injection is lowered by the formation of a space–charge field over the metal‐oxide–LEP interface due to the build up of holes in the LEP layer close to this interface.     

Sintering studies of nano-crystalline zinc oxide

Sintering and grain growth of nano-crystalline undoped ZnO has been studied in detail over a wide range of temperature and holding time. Below 800 °C, sintering of over 70% theoretical density is not observed, irrespective of particle size. At 900 °C for 6 h, the nano-crystalline sample sinters to 99% of theoretical density whereas the density for as received sample is 93% of theoretical density. However, at 1300 °C or higher, the densification is found to be much faster and after a few hours becomes independent of holding time. Grain growth studies reveal a similar feature of attaining saturation over holding time. The average saturated grain size is found to be ∼1.5 and ∼2.2 μm at 800 and 900 °C, respectively, while at 1300 °C or higher, it is in between 12 and 13 μm.