CO2 laser-assisted preparation of transparent Eu2Ti2O7 thin films

We present a laser-assisted preparation of transparent europium-titanate Eu₂Ti₂O₇ thin films with tailored structural and optical properties. We have evaluated the effects of the irradiation time on the structural and the optical properties of the films. This approach allows the preparation of nanocrystalline crack-free films and micro patterns. The amorphous thin films were prepared by a sol-gel method. The films were annealed by a CO₂ laser beam for various time intervals. The laser irradiation induced a crystallization process that resulted in the formation of Eu₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals. The nanocrystals regularly grew with increasing irradiation time reaching the size from 25?nm to 45?nm. A film of a thickness 480?nm exhibited an optical transmission of 91.9% that is close to the maximal theoretical limit. The film's refractive index at 632?nm was 2.26. A micrometric pattern was prepared by a direct laser writing followed by a wet chemical etching. Feasibility of the demonstrated approach, together with the high film's quality, and europium-titanate chemical resistivity open up many opportunities for advanced applications. The approach can be used for a preparation of protective coatings and integrated photonic devices such as planar optical waveguides and couplers.     

Automatic domain modeling for human–robot interaction

Intelligent Service Robotics - This paper introduces an approach to automatic domain modeling for human–robot interaction. The proposed approach is symbolic and intended for semantically...     

A meltable precursor for zirconium carbide ceramics and C/C-ZrC composites

For process simplification and rapid densification of ceramic composites, a meltable single-source ZrC precursor was prepared by condensing zirconium acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)₄) at 190?°C for 40–150?min. The preparation of ZrC precursor and the conversion from precursor to ceramics were investigated by using FTIR and NMR spectroscopies, GPC, DSC-TGA, XRD, SEM, EDS and TEM. The precursor had low viscosity (~ 10?mPa?s) and proper processing window (60?min) for precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP). The ceramic yield at 1650?°C was 29.6%, and EDS revealed that the composition was (ZrC)_0.337(HfC)_0.0025(ZrO₂)_0.044C_0.1865. The ceramics were composed of 0.2–0.5?µm grains which aggregated to form a stacked structure surrounded by amorphous carbon. The preparation processes were designed, and C/C-ZrC composites with the density of 2.45?g/cm³ were successfully fabricated through 11 cycles of PIP with Zr(acac)₄. In conclusion, the synthetic method provides a simple and cheap route for precursors, and allows combined composite preparation with high efficiency.     

公民水素养评价表征因素模型构建与分析

针对我国水资源紧缺、水生态损害、水环境污染等相关水问题,以提升全民爱水惜水节水护水的意识和能力为目标,从水素养概念出发,通过扎根理论质性研究方法对公民水素养评价的表征因素进行筛选和提炼,最终得出包含水知识、水态度、水行为为主范畴的10个表征因素并运用解释结构模型(ISM)深入剖析各因素之间的内在联系。在此基础上建立了3级多层次递阶结构模型,进一步精确描述系统各要素两两之间的直接关系。结果表明:公民水素养评价的表征因素自上而下形成了表象层、中间层和根源层等3个层级,可直观、清晰地反映表征因素之间的递阶、层级关系;水态度在各表征因素中具有调节作用以及各表征因素之间存在内在逻辑关系。研究成果为提高公民水素养水平提供一定的科学依据和政策参考。     

Synthesis and properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ – Y2Ba4CuWO10.8 superconducting composites

YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) is a well-known high-temperature superconductor. However, its critical current density and thus maximum trapped magnetic field can be improved significantly by introducing the secondary phases (artificial pinning centers). In this contribution, we successfully prepared YBCO single-grain bulks with Y₂Ba₄CuWO_10.8 phase serving as a source of pinning centers. This phase was prepared by solid-state reaction and further refined by milling. In the next step single-grain YBCO bulks with homogeneously distributed Y₂Ba₄CuWO_10.8 were prepared by top-seeded melt growth. Precursors as well as the final product were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS. The phase composition of YBCO bulks containing Y₂Ba₄CuWO_10.8 was analyzed using Rietveld analysis. Thermal stability of YBCO bulk was studied by STA. Furthermore, PPMS was used to study electrical resistivity and critical current density. Bulk superconducting properties such as levitation force and trapped field ability were also measured.     

In-situ immobilization of Sr radioactive isotope using nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite was used as the inert matrix for in-situ immobilization of strontium (Sr) radioactive isotopes at room temperature. A nano-emulsification method was applied to synthesize Sr-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca_1?xSr_x)₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂. The concentration of incorporated Sr was in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Immobilization of Sr was evaluated using a stable isotope instead of radioactive isotope. The effect of strontium concentration on the crystal structure was studied and the results have showed that in the whole concentration range, Sr forms solid solutions with the host hydroxyapatite crystal structure. Powders comprised of nanometre sized particles were obtained and their properties, such as crystallite and particle size, changes in lattice parameters as function of dopant content and thermal stability, were further examined. It was found that the crystal structure of obtained powders is thermally stable at high temperatures. No secondary phases were formed in as-prepared powders or during calcination. The results in this study showed that nano-emulsion strategy provides a simple pathway for synthesis of a single-phase Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite, which can be used for immobilization of Sr radioactive isotopes.