Effects of heat and electron irradiation on the melting behavior of Al-Si alloy particles and motion of the Al nanosphere within

In situ heating and electron-beam irradiation in the transmission electron microscope were performed to study melting of Al-11.6 at.% Si alloy submicron particles supported on an amorphous-C thin film. It was found that electron irradiation could be used to melt the particles, even when the hot-stage specimen holder was kept at a much lower temperature than the bulk melting point (i.e. the eutectic temperature) of the particles. The critical current densities required to achieve partial melting increased linearly with the incident electron-beam energy for a given temperature. Comparison between this behavior and analytical calculations indicates that melting under electron-beam irradiation is caused by a temperature rise due to electron thermal spikes in the particles and poor thermal conduction away from the particles. The motion of the crystalline Al nanosphere inside the partially molten particles was also investigated, using the electron beam to both stimulate and observe the motion of the nanosphere. The irregular motion observed was quantified as antipersistent fractional Brownian motion. Analysis of possible phenomena contributing to the motion demonstrates that the incident electrons provide the fractional force that moves the Al nanosphere, and that gravity and the oxide shell on the partially molten particle cause the antipersistent behavior. Another interesting phenomenon observed in this study was that the crystalline Al nanosphere inside the partially molten Al-Si alloy particle followed a focused electron beam as it was moved about on the partially molten particle. This observation suggests that it may be possible to manipulate metallic nanospheres inside opaque liquids using an electron beam.     

Stimuli‐Responsive Liquid Marbles: Controlling Structure,Shape, Stability,and Motion

“Liquid marbles” are liquid‐in‐gas dispersed systems stabilized by hydrophobic solid particles adsorbed at the gas‐liquid interface. The structure, stability and movement of these liquid marbles can be controlled by external stimuli such as pH, temperature, light, magnetic and electric fields, ultrasonic, mechanical stress and organic solvents. Stimuli‐responsive modes can be categorized into five classes: (i) liquid marbles whose stability can be controlled by adsorption/desorption of solid particles to/from liquid surfaces, (ii) liquid marbles that can open and close their particle‐coated surface by moving particles to and from the gas‐liquid surface, (iii) liquid marbles that can move, (iv) liquid marbles that can change their shape and (v) liquid marbles that can be split. As a result of these stimuli‐responsive characteristics, liquid marbles offer potential in the areas of controlled encapsulation, delivery and release.     

Effect of bismuth on the isothermal fatigue properties of Sn-3.5mass%Ag solder alloy

Sn-3.5mass%Ag eutectic solder is selected as a candidate base alloy for replacing the eutectic Sn-Pb, and the effect of bismuth (2, 5, 10mass%) on the fatigue life of bulk Sn-3.5mass%Ag eutectic at room temperature has been studied over the total strain range from 0.3 to 3 percent in tension-tension mode. Fatigue life is defined as the number of cycles at which the load decreases to a half of the initial value. The fatigue life dramatically decreases with increasing contents of bismuth and adding this element over 2% makes fatigue life shorter than that of tin-lead eutectic alloy. Tensile strength of the alloy significantly increases with an increase in bismuth contents due to solid solution hardening (<5%Bi) or dispersion strengthning of fine bismuth particles, while ductility of this system dramatically decreases with increasing bismuth contents. Fatigue life of these alloys depends on ductility obtained by tensile test. The fatigue life of Bi containing Sn-3.5%Ag alloys can be described by, (Δε_p/2D)·N _f ^0.59 =0.66 where N_f is fatigue life defined by number of cycles to one-half load reduction, Δε_p is the plastic strain range for initial cycles, D is the ductility as measured by reduction in area.     

CeB<Subscript>6</Subscript> thin films produced on different substrates by electron-beam deposition

Films of cerium hexaboride, a material promising for use in thermoelectric devices at liquidhelium temperatures, are produced by electron-beam deposition. Deposition is carried out from ceramic targets onto insulator, semiconductor, and metal substrates at different temperatures. The microstructure, the elemental and phase compositions, the temperature dependences of the resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient are thoroughly studied. CaB₆-structured films, for which the structure is characteristic of cerium hexaboride and the elemental composition is close to the stoichiometric composition, are obtained. At low temperatures, the resistivity of the films is somewhat higher than that of single-crystal samples, and the Seebeck coefficient is close to the corresponding coefficient for single-crystal samples. The main cause of the difference between the resistance values is a high concentration of oxygen impurity detected in the films.     

Pseudoelasticity of Metal Nanoparticles Is Caused by Their Ultrahigh Strength

An assembly of hemispherical Ag nanoparticles is prepared by solid‐state dewetting of thin Ag film deposited on the sapphire substrate. The in situ nanomechanical compression testing of the particles with a flat diamond punch inside the scanning electron microscope demonstrates the deformation behavior typical for the nucleation‐controlled plasticity: high elastic deformation followed by an abrupt particles collapse. The latter is associated with the dislocations nucleation in otherwise pristine particle. The average contact pressure in the contact zone at the onset of dislocation‐controlled plasticity is about 8 GPa, and does not depend on particle size. This observation supports the hypothesis that the pseudoelasticity of much smaller Ag nanoparticles is intrinsically related to their ultrahigh strength. A stress‐induced diffusion along the particle–substrate and particle–punch interfaces is identified as a factor controlling the pseudoelastic deformation. The corresponding diffusion model allows estimating the room‐temperature self‐diffusion coefficient of Ag along the Ag–W and Ag–zirconia interfaces, which is quite close to the estimated value of the grain boundary self‐diffusion coefficient in Ag. Based on this finding, the map of pseudoelastic deformation of crystalline materials is proposed.     

冷却顶板-置换通风联合系统房间内的颗粒物浓度分布

利用数值方法,模拟了冷却顶板与置换通风联合空调系统下室内空气温度、速度和粒子浓度分布特征。结果指出,这种空调通风方式中,室内垂直温差小,可形成良好的室内热环境、并有较好的热舒适性。对于室内粒子浓度分布,在典型污染高度下,呼吸面高度处粒子浓度较高,但在热泳力的作用下,贴近人体的小范围内粒子浓度明显降低。同时,由于冷吊顶成为粒子汇,房间上部区域的粒子浓度较低。     

Fabrication of Bismuth Telluride Thermoelectric Films Containing Conductive Polymers Using a Printing Method

We prepared a mixture of thermoelectric bismuth telluride particles, a conductive polymer [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)], poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and several organic additives to fabricate thermoelectric films using printing or coating techniques. In the mixture, the organic components (PEDOT:PSS, PAA, and an additive) act as a binder to connect bismuth telluride particles mechanically and electrically. Among the organic additives used, glycerol significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity and bismuth telluride particle dispersibility in the mixture. Bi_0.4Te_3.0Sb_1.6 films fabricated by spin-coating the mixture showed a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 0.2 at 300 K when the Bi_0.4Te₃Sb_1.6 particle diameter was 2.8 μm and its concentration in the elastic films was 95 wt.%.     

锑铋合金薄膜的光学常数

锑铋合金薄膜是一种新型超分辨光学功能材料,了解它的基本光学性质对其在光学信息存储及光子器件应用方面具有重要意义。用磁控溅射法制备了不同成分的锑铋合金薄膜(Sb1-XBiX,X=0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.88,1),用椭圆偏振法测量了薄膜的光学常数(折射率n和消光系数k)。研究表明,在可见光波段(300～850nm),锑铋合金膜的折射率和消光系数都随着铋含量的增加而减小,且薄膜折射率和消光系数同时随波长的增加而增加,折射率呈现反常色散特性。用原子力显微镜、X射线衍射仪研究了成分变化对薄膜表面形貌和微结构的影响。研究表明,锑铋合金薄膜的微观结构呈现多晶态,晶化程度随着铋含量的增加而增加,这可能是影响其光学常数变化的主要因素。     

Bimodal and monomodal diamond particle effect on the thermal properties of diamond-particle-dispersed Al–matrix composite fabricated by SPS

Diamond-particle-dispersed aluminum (Al) matrix composites consisting of monomodal and bimodal diamond particles were fabricated in spark plasma sintering process, where the mixture of diamond, pure Al and Al–5 mass% Si alloy powders were consolidated in liquid and solid co-existent state. Microstructures and thermal properties of the composites fabricated in such a way were investigated and the monomodal and bimodal diamond particle effect was evaluated on the thermal properties of the composites. The composites can be well consolidated in a temperature range between 773 K and 878 K and scanning electron microscopy detects no reaction product at the interface between the diamond particle and the Al matrix. Relative packing density of the composite containing monomodal diamond particles decreased from 99.1% to 87.4% with increasing volume fraction of diamond between 50% and 60%, whereas that of the composite containing bimodal diamond particles was higher than 99% in a volume fraction of diamond up to 65%. The thermal conductivity of the composite containing bimodal diamond particles was higher than that of the composite containing monomodal diamond particles in a volume fraction of diamond higher than 60%. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the diamond-particle-dispersed Al–matrix composites fall in the upper line of Kerner model, indicating good bonding between the diamond particle and the Al matrix in the composite. The thermal conductivity of the composite containing 70 vol.% bimodal diamond particles was 578 W/m K and its CTE was 6.72 × 10⁻⁶ at R.T.     

Dichotomy in the Lithiation Pathway of Ellipsoidal and Platelet LiFePO4 Particles Revealed through Nanoscale Operando State‐of‐Charge Imaging

LiFePO₄ is a promising phase‐separating battery electrode and a model system for studying lithiation. The role of particle synthesis and the corresponding particle morphology on the nanoscale insertion and migration of Li is not well understood, and elucidating the intercalation pathway is crucial toward improving battery performance. A synchrotron operando liquid X‐ray imaging platform is developed to track the migration of Li in LiFePO₄ electrodes with single‐particle sensitivity. Lithiation is tracked in two particle types—ellipsoidal and platelet—while the particles cycle in an organic liquid electrolyte, and the results show a clear dichotomy in the intercalation pathway. The ellipsoidal particles intercalate sequentially, concentrating the current in a small number of actively intercalating particles. At the same cycling rate, platelet particles intercalate simultaneously, leading to a significantly more uniform current distribution. Assuming that the particles intercalate through a single‐phase pathway, it is proposed that the two particle types exhibit different surface properties, a result of different synthesis procedures, which affect the surface reactivity of LiFePO₄. Alternatively, if the particles intercalate through nucleation and growth, the larger size of platelet particles may account for the dichotomy. Beyond providing particle engineering insights, the operando microscopy platform enables new opportunities for nanoscale chemical imaging of liquid‐based electrochemical systems.     

Effect of low energy proton beam irradiation on structural and electrical properties of ZnO:Al thin films

In this study, we report the structural modification and change in electrical behaviour of aluminium doped zinc oxide by low energy (100 keV) proton irradiation. Aluminium doped zinc oxide films were deposited using DC magnetron sputtering and then annealed for a short duration at 600 °C before irradiation. Structural and defect studies of the films carried out using XRD and Raman spectroscopy. It suggests that the crystalline ordering increases at higher fluences due to annealing of defects in the film. The increase in crystallinity at higher fluences decreases the grain boundary scattering and causes low resistivity. There is no significant change in carrier concentration after the irradiation, however the mobility and resistivity of the Al doped ZnO films change with proton irradiated fluences. The development of defect due to irradiation has been confirmed through Raman spectroscopic studies. The increase in activation energy of particles has been suggested by low energy proton irradiations at higher fluences in the annealed Al doped ZnO thin films. The uniform particle distribution increases with fluences of the irradiation that may be helpful for spintronics and sensor device technology.     

镍基合金+WC激光熔覆层的显微组织形成机理及控制

采用光学显微镜、X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、能谱分析等手段对镍基合金+WC熔覆粉末颗粒的颗粒种类、颗粒粒径、不同种类颗粒的分布及镍基合金+WC激光熔覆层内各种组织的不均匀分布进行了研究。根据热平衡原理建立了熔覆材料颗粒半径、激光束功率密度和熔覆材料颗粒加热温度之间的定量关系式,提出通过控制各种熔覆材料颗粒大小来实现设计与控制送粉激光熔覆层的显微组织,并以WC与N i基自熔合金混合粉料为熔覆材料,对获得的熔覆层的显微组织进行分析,证明了所提出的熔覆层显微组织的设计与控制方法的可行性与实用性。     

Interfacial Reactions of High-Bi Alloys on Various Substrates

Bi-Sn alloys with high Bi concentration are potential candidates to replace high-Pb alloys as high-temperature Pb-free solders. Interfacial reactions between high-Bi alloys (Sn concentration 2 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.%) and various substrates have been investigated to understand the intermetallic compound formation and interfacial morphological evolution at the joint interface. The substrates investigated include Ni, Au/Ni, Cu, and Ag/Cu layers deposited on Si chips. The interfacial reactions were carried out at 300°C and 120°C to simulate the liquid/solid and solid/solid reactions, respectively, at such solder joints. Experimental results reveal that the intermetallic compound formation and interfacial morphological evolution vary with the substrate and the Sn concentration of the Bi-Sn alloy.     

TiO2对铁基合金激光熔覆层组织和性能的影响

在 4 5 #钢基底上进行了铁基合金和铁基合金加TiO2 的激光熔覆对比实验。采用渗透法观察熔覆层表面裂纹 ,利用金相显微镜和扫描电镜观察熔覆层横断面的显微组织 ,使用X射线衍射仪对熔覆层进行物相分析 ,并测试了熔覆层横断面的硬度分布和熔覆层的摩擦磨损性能。结果表明 ,在一定的工艺条件下 ,添加适量的TiO2 ,可以获得成形良好、无裂纹、组织致密均匀、耐磨性好的高质量铁基激光熔覆层。适量的TiO2 可使涂层共晶体数目增多且分布均匀 ,组织细化 ,裂纹消失 ,在降低涂层裂纹敏感性的同时仍保持涂层的硬度和耐磨性不降低。TiO2 对铁基熔覆层性能改善的原因是 :适量TiO2 的加入 ,在涂层中可形成Cr13Fe35Ni13Ti7金属间化合物 ,熔覆层组织由亚共晶组织转变为性能较好的伪共晶组织 ,且由于高熔点的Ti硼化物的析出 ,提高了形核率 ,使组织颗粒细化、均匀。     

Micro-plasma noise of 30 krad gamma irradiation broken-down GaN-based LED

A correlation model between micro plasma noise and gamma irradiation of GaN-based LED is built.The reverse bias I-V characteristics and micro-plasma noise were measured in it,before and after Gamma irradiation.It is found that even after 30 krad Gamma irradiation,the GaN-based LED has soft breakdown failure.The reverse soft breakdown region current local instability of this device before irradiation is analyzed by the microplasma noise method.The results were obtained that if the GaN-based LED contained micro-plasma defects,it will fail after low doses (30 krad) of gamma irradiation.The results clearly reflect the micro-plasma defects induced carriers fluctuation noise and the local instability of GaN-based LED reverse bias current.     

Fabrication of ECL gate arrays on quick turn-around line

A quick turn-around line (QTL) technology, including a high-speed on-line data system, electron-beam direct writing, and dry process technologies are described in this paper. Electron-beam pattern data is converted by a VAX 11/780 and transmitted to the electron-beam exposure system (EBES) through a communication controller at the speeds of 1 Mbits/s. After various data manipulations, patterns are quickly written directly on wafers. The first metal layer using an Al-Si-Cu alloy is etched in a reactive ion beam etcher with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In order to avoid the charge-up phenomenon of the electron beam, the surface of the silicon nitride (SiN) interlevel insulation layer is coated with a thin conductive layer of TiW. TiW/SiN layers are successively etched by the reactive ion etching (RIE) with CF4+ O2(2%). The damage induced by electron-beam irradiation on the device is perfectly annealed out with a 450°C anneal. Bias-temperature tests have been performed on various logic circuits used in a main frame computer.     

A study of flicker noise in MOS transistors operated at room and liquid helium temperatures

A study of flicker noise in MOS transistors operated in the linear and non linear regions at room and liquid helium temperatures is proposed. Besides, a theoretical analysis of the drain current noise characteristics is developed in the framework of the mobility fluctuation model as well as of the carrier number fluctuation model. It is shown experimentally that a close correlation between the drain current spectral density and the transconductance squared dependencies with gate voltage (or drain current) and drain voltage is observed in our devices both at room and liquid helium temperatures. Therefore, it is concluded that the carrier number fluctuation model is not only applicable to MOS devices operated at room temperature but also at liquid helium temperature in ohmic and non ohmic regimes. In addition, peculiarities of the drain current noise related to the appearance of a kink effect at liquid helium temperature in the saturation current characteristics are also discussed.     

Au@Hg Nanoalloy Formation Through Direct Amalgamation: Structural,Spectroscopic, and Computational Evidence for Slow Nanoscale Diffusion

Dynamic core–shell nanoparticles have received increasing attention in recent years. This paper presents a detailed study of Au–Hg nanoalloys, whose composing elements show a large difference in cohesive energy. A simple method to prepare Au@Hg particles with precise control over the composition up to 15 atom% mercury is introduced, based on reacting a citrate stabilized gold sol with elemental mercury. Transmission electron microscopy shows an increase of particle size with increasing mercury content and, together with X‐ray powder diffraction, points towards the presence of a core–shell structure with a gold core surrounded by an Au–Hg solid solution layer. The amalgamation process is described by pseudo‐zero‐order reaction kinetics, which indicates slow dissolution of mercury in water as the rate determining step, followed by fast scavenging by nanoparticles in solution. Once adsorbed at the surface, slow diffusion of Hg into the particle lattice occurs, to a depth of ca. 3 nm, independent of Hg concentration. Discrete dipole approximation calculations relate the UV–vis spectra to the microscopic details of the nanoalloy structure. Segregation energies and metal distribution in the nanoalloys were modeled by density functional theory calculations. The results indicate slow metal interdiffusion at the nanoscale, which has important implications for synthetic methods aimed at core–shell particles.     

Long-Lived Liquid Marbles for Green Applications

Liquid marbles allow for quantities of various liquids to be encapsulated by hydrophobic particles, thus ensuring isolation from the external environment. The unique properties provided by this soft solid has allowed for use in a wide array of different applications. Liquid marbles do however have certain drawbacks, with lifetime and robustness often being limited. Within this review, particle characteristics that impact liquid marble stability are critically discussed, in addition to other factors, such as internal and external environments, that can be engineered to achieve a robust long-lived liquid marble. New emerging applications, which will benefit from this improvement, are explored such as unconventional computing, cell mimicry, and soft lithography. Incorporation of liquid marbles and liquid crystal technologies shows promise in utilizing structural color for optical display applications, and within green and environmental applications, liquid marble technology is increasingly adapted for use in energy conversion, heavy metal recovery, CO₂ capture, and oil removal.     

In situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy of photocatalytic reactions by excited electrons in ionic liquid

A transmission electron microscope (TEM) sample for observing photocatalysis in a liquid was prepared by using N,N,N-trimetyl-N-propylammonium-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. The ionic liquid (IL) was used as a reaction solvent. Tetrachloroauric acid was dissolved in the IL as gold ion species. Rutile particles were added in the solution as a photocatalyst. The low vapor pressure of the IL enables a diffusing system in high vacuum of TEM. Rutile particles were UV irradiated in that liquid phase. After 3 h UV irradiation, a gold particle of 8 nm diameter was grown on the TiO2 surface. Photonucleation of Au/TiO2 system was discussed from the high-resolution TEM images.