Quantitative structural analysis of twin boundary in alpha-Zn7Sb2O12 using HAADF STEM method

The structure and composition of the 1/4{110} twin boundary in alpha-Zn7Sb2O12 have been determined by using quantitative high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF STEM) analysis. The noise in the experimental HAADF STEM images is reduced by using the maximum entropy method and average processing, and the parameters used in dynamical simulations are experimentally determined. From the analysis, it has been found that octahedral sites in the twin boundary slightly shift parallel to the [110] direction, and a reduction of the Sb concentration at the octahedral sites on the plane adjacent to the twin boundary was detected. The reduction was measured from three regions in the same twin boundary, and the Sb concentrations were 4 +/- 3, 8 +/- 3 and 19 +/-2 at% from 33 at%.     

Superconductivity in the tetragonal phase of La1.9Bi0.1CuO4+δ annealed under high oxygen pressure

We have investigated the relation between the crystal structure and superconductivity in La_1.9Bi_0.1CuO₄₊ , in which the phase separation observed in La₂CuO₄₊ is suppressed. A phase diagram in theT– plane is given for La_1.9Bi_0.1CuO₄₊ with excess oxygen. For very small values, the crystal structure is orthorhombic, and an orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition occurs markedly at 0.03 in the measured temperature range between 13 and 293 K. Superconductivity is observed in the range of 0.04<<0.11. This is clear evidence thathigh-T _c superconductivity also appears in the tetragonal phase.     

Homo- and copolymerizations of 3-(N-carbazolyl)-1-propyne and its homologues by Mo and W catalysts

Summary 3-(N-Carbazolyl)-1-propyne polymerized with MoCl₅- and WCl₆-based catalysts to produce a polymer in high yields. The MoCl₅ and MoCl₅-n-Bu₄Sn catalysts were the most effective (the systems solidified immediately after initiation of polymerization with these catalysts). The product polymer was a yellow solid insoluble in any solvent. Copolymerization of the present monomer with tert-butylacetylene by MoCl₅-n-Bu₄Sn produced a copolymer; it had a high molecular weight (M _w 350,000), completely dissolved in toluene, CHCl₃ etc, and formed a free-standing film by solution casting. -N-Carbazolyl-1-hexyne and-1-octyne produced toluene-insoluble polymers with WCl₆-Ph₄Sn.     

A low wall-loading DEMO reactor design with high priority for early and reliable realization of a tokamak fusion reactor over the cost performance

Based on scientific databases adopted for designing ITER plasmas and on the advancement of fusion nuclear technology from the recent R&D program, a low wall-loading DEMO fusion reactor has been designed, where high priority has been given to the early and reliable realization of a tokamak fusion plasma over the cost performance. Since the major radius of this DEMO reactor is chosen to be 10 m, plasma ignition is achievable with a low fusion power of 0.8 GW and an operation period of 4–5 hours is available only with inductive current drive. The low ignition power makes it possible to adopt a first wall with an austenitic stainless steel, for which significant databases and operating experience exists, due to its use in the presence of neutron irradiation in fission reactors. In step with development of advanced materials, a step-wise increase of the fusion power seems to be feasible and realistic, because this DEMO reactor has the potential to produce a fusion power of 5 GW.     

A study on improving shielding performance of shielded cable

With the developments in power electronics equipment, the electromagnetic environment has become severe for electronic equipment. In the smart facility field, the stable operation of electronic devices is indispensable, and noise countermeasures must be improved. To suppress intrusive noise from cables, shielded cables are used in many cases. However, electromagnetic induction cannot be suppressed when the shield is grounded at one end, and when grounding both ends of the shield, current flows through the shield creating intrusive noise in the cable. That is, even if a shielded cable is used, a sufficient effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, as a countermeasure, this study prototypes and evaluates cables that combine double shielded cables with magnetic cores. Evaluations conducted using the copper pipe method, triaxial method, and impulse test confirm that the shielded performance improved by 10–30 dB compared with the conventional shielded cable.     

Deformation and Fracture of Micron‐Sized Metal‐Coated Polymer Spheres: An In Situ Study

In situ imaging and analysis of the mechanical behavior of micron‐sized metal‐coated polymer particles under compression is reported. A nanoindentation set‐up mounted in a scanning electron microscope is used to observe the deformation and fracture of 10 μm polymer spheres with Ni, Ni/Au, Au, and Ag coatings. The spheres fracture in one of two metallization‐dependent modes, brittle, and ductile, depending only on the presence of a nickel layer. The metal coating always fractures parallel to the direction of compression. The mechanical properties up to the point of coating fracture are rate‐dependent due to the viscoelastic polymer core. Metal‐coated polymer spheres are an important composite material in electronics packaging, and this study demonstrates a novel method of evaluating the mechanical properties of particles to tailor them for electronic materials.

     

Chemical modification of group IV graphene analogs

Mono-elemental two-dimensional (2D) crystals (graphene, silicene, germanene, stanene, and so on), termed 2D-Xenes, have been brought to the forefront of scientific research. The stability and electronic properties of 2D-Xenes are main challenges in developing practical devices. Therefore, in this review, we focus on 2D free-standing group-IV graphene analogs (graphene quantum dots, silicane, and germanane) and the functionalization of these sheets with organic moieties, which could be handled under ambient conditions. We highlight the present results and future opportunities, functions and applications, and novel device concepts.     

Rank 2 proximal Cantor systems are residually scrambled

Downarowicz and Maass [7 T. Downarowicz and A. Maass, Finite-rank Bratteli–Vershik diagrams are expansive, Ergod. Th. Dynam. Sys. 28 (2008), pp. 739–747.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]] proposed topological ranks for all homeomorphic Cantor minimal dynamical systems using properly ordered Bratteli diagrams. In this study, we adopt this definition to the case of the essentially minimal zero-dimensional systems. We consider the cases in which topological ranks are 2 and unique minimal sets are fixed points. Akin and Kolyada [2 E. Akin and S. Kolyada, Li–Yorke sensitivity, Nonlinearity 16(4) (2003), pp. 1421–1433.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]], had shown that if the unique minimal set of an essentially minimal system is a fixed point, then the system must be proximal. The finite topological rank implies expansiveness; furthermore, in the case of proximal Cantor systems with topological rank 2, the expansiveness is always from the lowest degree. Rank 2 proximal Cantor systems are residually scrambled. We present a necessary and sufficient condition for the unique ergodicity of these systems. In addition, we show that the number of ergodic measures of the systems that are topologically mixing can be 1 and 2. Moreover, we present examples that are topologically weakly mixing, not topologically mixing, and uniquely ergodic. Finally, we show that the number of ergodic measures of the systems that are not weakly mixing can be 1 and 2.