Calorimetric electron telescope mission: Search for dark matter and nearby sources

We are developing the CALorimetric Electron Telescope, CALET, mission for the Japanese Experiment Module—Exposed Facility, JEM-EF, of the International Space Station, ISS. Major scientific objective is a search for nearby cosmic ray sources and dark matter by carrying out a precise measurement of the electrons in 1 GeV–20 TeV and the gamma-rays in 20 MeV-several TeV. CALET has, moreover, a capability to measure cosmic ray H, He and heavy ions up to 1000 TeV. It will also have a function to monitor the solar activity and the gamma-ray bursts. The phase A study has started on a schedule of the launch in early 2014 by the H-II Transfer Vehicle, HTV, for a 5-year observation.     

Developing a “Water‐Defendable” and “Dendrite‐Free” Lithium‐Metal Anode Using a Simple and Promising GeCl4 Pretreatment Method

Lithium metal is an ultimate anode in “next‐generation” rechargeable batteries, such as Li–sulfur batteries and Li–air (Li–O₂) batteries. However, uncontrollable dendritic Li growth and water attack have prevented its practical applications, especially for open‐system Li–O₂ batteries. Here, it is reported that the issues can be addressed via the facile process of immersing the Li metal in organic GeCl₄–THF steam for several minutes before battery assembly. This creates a 1.5 µm thick protection layer composed of Ge, GeO_x, Li₂CO₃, LiOH, LiCl, and Li₂O on Li surface that allows stable cycling of Li electrodes both in Li‐symmetrical cells and Li–O₂ cells, especially in “moist” electrolytes (with 1000–10 000 ppm H₂O) and humid O₂ atmosphere (relative humidity (RH) of 45%). This work illustrates a simple and effective way for the unfettered development of Li‐metal‐based batteries.     

Graphene's Latest Cousin: Plumbene Epitaxial Growth on a “Nano WaterCube”

While theoretical studies predicted the stability and exotic properties of plumbene, the last group‐14 cousin of graphene, its realization has remained a challenging quest. Here, it is shown with compelling evidence that plumbene is epitaxially grown by segregation on a Pd_1?xPb_x(111) alloy surface. In scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), it exhibits a unique surface morphology resembling the famous Weaire–Phelan bubble structure of the Olympic “WaterCube” in Beijing. The “soap bubbles” of this “Nano WaterCube” are adjustable with their average sizes (in‐between 15 and 80 nm) related to the Pb concentration (x < 0.2) dependence of the lattice parameter of the Pd_1?xPb_x(111) alloy surface. Angle‐resolved core‐level measurements demonstrate that a lead sheet overlays the Pd_1?xPb_x(111) alloy. Atomic‐scale STM images of this Pb sheet show a planar honeycomb structure with a unit cell ranging from 0.48 to 0.49 nm corresponding to that of the standalone 2D topological insulator plumbene.     

“Born with the taste for science and the arts”: The science and the aesthetics of Balthazar‐Georges Sage's mineralogy collections, 1783–18251

Balthazar‐Georges Sage (1740–1824), a chemist, mineralogist, and the founder of the École Royale des Mines (1783), owned two mineral collections: a mineralogy collection used for his research and teaching, which later became the property of the École Royale itself; and a private cabinet of objets d'art, consisting largely of artistically worked mineral objects. Although created for different purposes, Sage valued both for their utility and their aesthetics. This paper explores the dual character of the collections by presenting Sage as a man of science and an art lover. It argues that his lifelong concern with aesthetics was the underlying link between the two collections, his teaching practices, and his aim in founding of the École Royale des Mines to improve France's mining industry. Through aesthetics, Sage sought to build a coherent whole, which he referred to as a “national monument,” consisting of the collections, the school, and his work as a teacher and a mineralogist. In the years leading up to the French Revolution, the collections—a central part within this coherent whole—were the key element in establishing the social identity of the new institution as well as that of Sage himself. In the context of political upheaval, the social, economic, and aesthetic value of the collections became tied to the political aims of the republic, in particular, its interest in building the new nation through its heritage as conserved in its national monuments: the new republican museums. Sage used the term museum to define both collections: this analysis of their relationship and the different functions he attributed to them reveals how profoundly collecting practices were changing in revolutionary and post‐revolutionary France.     

Regional report Europe: “heat pumps — status and trends”

By 1997 about 90 million heat pumps have been installed worldwide, only less than 5% are located in Europe, historically the cradle of this “thermodynamic heating and cooling process”. The majority of the approximately 4 million installed heat pumps are imported reversible air-to-air systems in southern Europe and only 30% represent the typical European-made heating only electric driven compression systems for space and water heating in buildings in central and northern Europe. The first and second oil crises has been the main cause for a first European heat pump “boom” at the end of the seventies. Consequently the following drop in energy prices negatively influenced the market in some countries. The new renaissance in Europe in the middle of the nineties was initiated by the understanding of sustainable development for a more efficient energy use and the related protection of the environment.     

Hemodialysis‐induced bradycardia, “a plumbing issue”: Resolved with catheter repositioning

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is reported as leading cause of death in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Arrhythmias are proposed to be a major predisposing factor for SCD. However, triggers for potentially lethal arrhythmias are not well understood. Here we describe a case of 72‐year‐old man on chronic hemodialysis via permanent Central venous catheter (CVC) who was admitted for evaluation after unwitnessed fall. Within 10 minutes of his first routine dialysis session in the hospital, he had cardiac‐arrest. He was successfully resuscitated within 3 minutes. The next day, fifteen minutes into the dialysis session, he had bradycardia with telemetry demonstrating long sinus pause and he lost consciousness. After few minutes of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) he regained pulse and consciousness. Further review of the chest X‐ray revealed the tip of CVC to be directly touching the distal Superior Vena Cava (SVC) wall. We felt the catheter tip may have migrated after the fall and now is irritating the Sinoatrial node and triggering bradyarrhythmia. Next day, the CVC was exchanged, and the tip was placed higher up in superior vena‐cava. After repositioning, we started him on dialysis under intensive monitoring, and he tolerated well without any arrhythmia. Subsequent dialysis was uneventful. We describe a case of recurrent symptomatic intra‐dialytic bradycardia due to abnormal positioning of CVC that resolved after the repositioning of the catheter. This case in addition to similar case in nondialysis settlings provides additional insights into mechanisms of fatal arrhythmias in hemodialysis patient having CVC.     

“Connectivity” in urban rivers: Conflict and convergence between ecology and design

“Connectivity” is a key concept for riparian and landscape ecologists and hydrologists, who use it as a measure of natural integrity in a river ecosystem. Urban designers and politicians use the same term to promote human access to riverfronts. Effective riverfront restoration requires reconciliation of these opposing definitions. A solution is to draw upon abstract and symbolic sources, or “cognitive connectivity,” to raise awareness of the complexity of urban river ecosystems and to provide cues for appropriate use of those systems. Examples of effective cognitive connectivity include restoration plans with strong pedagogical components, water museums, and artistic interventions that reveal ecological processes (eco-revelatory design). The use of visual and conceptual connectivity offers hope for harnessing human creative energy in the interest of ecosystem integrity.     

Corn,cochineal, and quina: The “Zilsel Thesis” in a colonial Iberian setting

Edgar Zilsel's famous thesis, which argues that modern experimental science was born from the union of artisans and intellectuals in the 16th century, received little support when Zilsel proposed it in the 1940s. In recent years, however, with the turn toward social and cultural history of science, the “Zilsel Thesis” has undergone something of a revival as historians rethink the relevance of artisanal knowledge for the history of early modern science. This essay looks at the Zilsel Thesis in a global setting – specifically a colonial Iberian setting – and argues for its relevance in framing natural history, medicine, and the impact of science on everyday life. Using the examples of corn, quina, and cochineal, this essay argues that the agronomic, chemical, and entomological knowledge accumulated over generations of practice by indigenous practitioners was in fact artisanal knowledge that was passed on to European intellectuals in “global trading zones” to become part of the Western scientific patrimony.     

Development and validation of “grey-box” models for refrigeration applications: A review of key concepts

“Grey-box” modelling combines the use of first-principle based “white-box” models and empirical “black-box” models, offering particular benefits when: (a) there is a lack of fundamental theory to describe the system or process modelled; (b) there is a scarcity of suitable experimental data for validation or (c) there is a need to decrease the complexity of the model. The grey-box approach has been used, for example, to create mathematical models to predict the shelf life of chilled products or the thermal behaviour of imperfectly mixed fluids, or to create models that combine artificial neural networks and dynamic differential equations for control-related applications. This paper discusses the main characteristics of white-box, black-box and their integration into grey-box models, the requirements and sourcing of accurate data for model development and important validation concepts and measures.     

“Neutron Shell”: a high efficiency array of neutron detectors for γ-ray spectroscopic studies with Gammasphere

A shell of neutron detectors was designed, constructed, and employed in γ-ray spectroscopy with Gammasphere. It consists of up to 35 tapered regular hexagons that replace the same number of forward Ge-detector modules in Gammasphere. The shell was designed for high detection efficiency and very good neutron–γ discrimination. The simultaneous use of time-of-flight, and two methods of pulse shape discrimination between neutrons and γ rays is described. Techniques for spectroscopy with efficient detection of two neutrons are discussed.