Solid state metathesis synthesis of BaTiO3, PbTiO3, K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 and Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3

A solid state metathesis approach has been applied to synthesize perovskite oxides such as BaTiO₃, PbTiO₃, K_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ and Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃, these were characterized by powder XRD, IR and energy dispersive spectra (EDS). Potassium titanium oxalate and metal chlorides are used as the starting materials. X-ray analysis shows the formation of a single phase with tetragonal structure for BaTiO₃, PbTiO₃, K_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ and a monoclinic structure for Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃. The Infrared spectra of these compounds show the characteristic band due to Ti–O octahedron for all the compounds. The EDS spectra show the relative ratio of the metal ions. The morphology of synthesized compounds was obtained from SEM measurements.     

The continuous non-linear approximation of procedurally defined curves using integral B-splines

This paper outlines an algorithm for the continuous non-linear approximation of procedurally defined curves. Unlike conventional approximation methods using the discrete L_2 form metric with sampling points, this algorithm uses the continuous L_2 form metric based on minimizing the integral of the least square error metric between the original and approximate curves. Expressions for the optimality criteria are derived based on exact B-spline integration. Although numerical integration may be necessary for some complicated curves, the use of numerical integration is minimized by a priori explicit evaluations. Plane or space curves with high curvatures and/or discontinuities can also be handled by means of an adaptive knot placement strategy. It has been found that the proposed scheme is more efficient and accurate compared to currently existing interpolation and approximation methods.     

Some Aspects of Colloidal Nanoparticle Stability, Catalytic Activity, and Recycling Potential

In this review article, we examine many important aspects of the nanocatalysis field such as size and shape dependent nanocatalysis, the stability of nanoparticles during its catalytic function, and their recycling potential. We provide an overview of some of the work in the literature pertinent to these topics and also discuss some of our own work in these important areas. Some examples of how the catalytic activity is affected by the size of the nanoparticles are discussed as well as how the catalytic process affects the nanoparticle size after its catalytic function. The synthesis of platinum nanoparticles of different shapes is surveyed and the dependence of nanoparticle shape on the catalytic activity is discussed. In addition, changes in the nanoparticle shape and resulting changes in the catalytic activity are also discussed. The recycling potential of the metal nanocatalysts is also highlighted. In addition, a simple examination of the mechanism of nanocatalysis is discussed.     

Nature of thermodynamic fluctuations in the electrical conductivity of Y-Ba-Cu-O pellets and tapes containing silver

Results on the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of single-phase silver-doped Y-Ba-Cu-O pellets and tapes, prepared by a coprecipitation technique, are presented. The excess electrical conductivity nearT>T _c is analyzed using Aslamzov-Larkin (AL) formulations. Silver addition in Y-Ba-Cu-O influences strongly the temperature range of both the 3D and 2D regions. The lower limit of the breakdown temperature of the mean-field region (x=–0.5) shifts toward higher temperatures as the concentration of Ag increases in Y-Ba-Cu-O. For samples with higher Ag contents, a third region with critical exponent x=–0.28 is seen beyond the mean-field region. This possibly indicates the appearance of a fully critical 3D region, where dynamic scaling theory applies.     

Memory-based approaches for eliminating premature convergence in particle swarm optimization

Applied Intelligence - Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a computational method in which a group of particles moves in search space in search of an optimal solution. During this movement, each...     

Direct micromolding of Pd micro-stripes for electronic applications

A simple, one-step direct micromolding process has been realised to produce highly conducting Pd micro-stripes over large areas on various substrates including flexible polyimide. Under a PDMS micromold, Pd octanethiolate served as a precursor at 250 degrees C, a temperature at which the precursor gets neatly metallised. Thus produced micro-stripes are robust under bending and can be utilised for flexible electronics. Hydrogen sensing by Pd micro-stripes is demonstrated. By electrolessly depositing Cu on the stripes, they can be made to peel off to form free standing Cu-Pd micro-ribbons.