Feasibility of high performance in p-type Ge1−xBixTe materials for thermoelectric modules

GeTe is a promising candidate for the fabrication of high-temperature segments for p-type thermoelectric (TE) legs. The main restriction for the widespread use of this material in TE devices is high carrier concentration (up to ∼ 10²¹ cm⁻³), which causes the low Seebeck coefficient and high electronic component of thermal conductivity. In this work, the band structure diagram and phase equilibria data have been effectively used to attune the carrier concentration and to obtain the high TE performance. The Ge_1−xBi_xTe (x = 0.04) material prepared by the Spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique demonstrates a high power factor accompanied by moderate thermal conductivity. As a result, a significantly higher dimensionless TE figure of merit ZT = 2.0 has been obtained at ∼ 800 K. Moreover, we are the first to propose that application of the developed Ge_1−xBi_xTe (x = 0.04) material in the TE unicouple should be accompanied by SnTe and CoGe₂ transition layers. Only such a unique solution for the TE unicouple makes it possible to prevent the negative effects of high contact resistance and chemical diffusion between the segments at high temperatures.     

Are Diamonds a MEMS' Best Friend?

Next-generation military and civilian communication systems will require technologies capable of handling data/ audio, and video simultaneously while supporting multiple RF systems operating in several different frequency bands from the MHz to the GHz range [1]. RF microelectromechani-cal/nanoelectromechanical (MEMS/NEMS) devices, such as resonators and switches, are attractive to industry as they offer a means by which performance can be greatly improved for wireless applications while at the same time potentially reducing overall size and weight as well as manufacturing costs.     

Supply chain redesign through optimal asset management and capital budgeting

Manufacturing and inventory facilities along with the materials present in them are the physical assets of a company. Companies strive to maximize their shareholder values by managing these assets through a variety of business decisions. In this work, we present a new mixed-integer linear programming model for asset management and capital budgeting, which can aid the decision-making process for supply chain redesign. The decisions include facility location, relocation, investment, disinvestment, technology upgrade, production–allocation, distribution, supply contracts, capital generation, etc. To the best of our knowledge, this model is the first to address disinvestment, technology upgrade, material supply contracts, and loans and bonds for capital generation, while including strategic asset management and tactical planning, capacity planning, financial/regulatory factors, and production–distribution. We illustrate the impact of ignoring disinvestment and/or relocation decisions as a 14% decrease in profit for an example case study.     

Synthesis of phosphinic acid resin using acidic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate ionic liquid as catalyst

The resin is functionalized by the introduction of phosphinic acid moieties by Friedel–Crafts phosphination reaction using acidic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate ionic liquid as catalyst. The phosphorous and hydroxyl capacities of the resin are compared with those obtained by using conventional aluminium chloride catalysis. Extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid medium by the resins has been studied, and it was found that the distribution coefficient (K_d, mL/g) of uranium(VI) initially decreases with the increase in the concentration of nitric acid, and reaches a minimum value at 1.5 M in nitric acid followed by the increase in K_d values. A maximum distribution coefficient has been obtained when the concentration of nitric acid was 4.0–5.0 M. The extraction data have been fitted in to a Langmuir adsorption model for obtaining the apparent experimental capacity.     

The hydrothermal synthesis and structure of a one-dimensional Fe(II)molybdophosphate

A new one-dimensional Fe(II)molybdophosphate of the formula, [(C₁₀H₈N₂)H₂]₂[Fe₄^(II)Mo₁₂^(V)(HPO₄)₆(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₈(OH)₆O₂₄]·8H₂O, (1), has been synthesized by employing hydrothermal methods and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of a network of MO₆ (M = Fe, Mo) octahedra and (H)PO₄ tetrahedra linked through their vertices. The connectivity between the polyhedral units gives rise to one-dimensional chains with eight-membered apertures. The hydrogen bonded interactions between the chains form pseudo two-dimensional layers. Extensive hydrogen bonding also exists between the amine molecule, 4,4^′-bipyridine, water molecule and framework oxygen atoms. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group = P2₁ (no. 4), a=12.549(3) (Å), b=23.496(5) (Å), c=14.551(3) (Å), β=114.87(3)°, , and Z=2.