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At least 955 records · Page 53

Serial Back-Plane Technologies in Advanced Avionics Architectures

Current back plane technologies such as VME, and current personal computer back planes such as PCI, are shared bus systems that can exhibit nondeterministic latencies. This means a card can take control of the bus and use resources indefinitely affecting the ability of other cards in the back plane to acquire the bus. This provides a real hit on the reliability of the system. Additionally, these parallel busses only have bandwidths in the 100s of megahertz range and EMI and noise effects get worse the higher the bandwidth goes. To provide scalable, fault-tolerant, advanced computing systems, more applicable to today s connected computing environment and to better meet the needs of future requirements for advanced space instruments and vehicles, serial back-plane technologies should be implemented in advanced avionics architectures. Serial backplane technologies eliminate the problem of one card getting the bus and never relinquishing it, or one minor problem on the backplane bringing the whole system down. Being serial instead of parallel improves the reliability by reducing many of the signal integrity issues associated with parallel back planes and thus significantly improves reliability. The increased speeds associated with a serial backplane are an added bonus.

Varnavas, Kosta↗

Linear delta systems, hexapod systems, and related methods

A linear delta system includes a support frame, rails mounted to the support frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator configured to translate along a longitudinal length of a respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each coupled to the linear actuators, a platform coupled to a longitudinal end of each of the pairs of parallel rods opposite the respective linear actuator, and an object coupled to the platform. Longitudinal axes of the rails are oriented parallel to each other and lie within a common plane or an uncommon plane. A method of forming a linear delta system includes mounting rails to a support frame, the rails having longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other and lying within a common plane, coupling a linear actuator to each of the rails, coupling a pair of parallel rods to each linear actuator, and coupling a platform to the pairs of parallel rods.

Crawford, Anthony L.↗

Microlite orientation in obsidian flow measured by synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Clinopyroxene and plagioclase (andesine) microlites in an obsidian flow from Glass Mountain (NE California, USA) display strong alignment. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction, coupled with Rietveld analysis, was used to quantify crystallographic-preferred orientation (CPO). Clinopyroxene, with a rod-shaped morphology, shows a strong alignment of [001] in the flow direction and (010) aligned parallel to the inferred flow plane. Andesine, with a platy morphology, displays an alignment of (010) platelets in the flow plane. Some pole densities exceed 90 multiples of random distribution. Applying a model of rigid ellipsoidal inclusions in a viscous matrix, the local pure shear strains are between 2 and 3.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Crystal structure of diclazuril, C 17 H 9 Cl 3 N 4 O 2

The crystal structure of diclazuril has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Diclazuril crystallizes in space group P2 1 /a (#14) with a = 27.02080(18), b = 11.42308(8), c = 5.36978(5) Å, β = 91.7912(7)°, V = 1656.629(15) Å 3 , and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of layers of molecules parallel to the ac-plane. A strong N–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bond links the molecules into dimers along the a-axis with a graph set R2,2(8). The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal structure of vismodegib, C 19 H 14 Cl 2 N 2 O 3 S

The crystal structure of vismodegib has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Vismodegib crystallizes in space group P2 1 /a (#14) with a = 16.92070(20), b = 10.20235(4), c = 12.16161(10) Å, β = 108.6802(3)°, V = 1988.873(9) Å 3 , and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of corrugated layers of molecules parallel to the bc-plane. There is only one classical hydrogen bond in the structure, between the amide nitrogen atom and the N atom of the pyridine ring. Pairs of these hydrogen bonds link the molecules into dimers, with a graph set R2,2(14) > a > a. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal structure of deracoxib, C 17 H 14 F 3 N 3 O 3 S

The crystal structure of deracoxib has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Deracoxib crystallizes in space group Pbca (#61) with a = 9.68338(11), b = 9.50690(5), c = 38.2934(4) Å, V = 3525.25(3) Å 3 , and Z = 8. The molecules stack in layers parallel to the ab-plane. N–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bonds link the molecules along the b-axis, in chains with the graph set C1,1(4), as well as more-complex patterns. N–H∙∙∙N hydrogen bonds link the layers. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal structure of oxfendazole, C 15 H 13 N 3 O 3 S

The crystal structure of oxfendazole has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Oxfendazole crystallizes in space group P2 1 /c (#14) with a = 18.87326(26), b = 10.40333(5), c = 7.25089(5) Å, β = 91.4688(10)° V = 1423.206(10) Å 3 , and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of stacks of the planar portions of the L-shaped molecules, resulting in layers parallel to the bc-plane. Only weak hydrogen bonds are present. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Direct Observation of Twin van der Waals Molecular Chains

The van der Waals (vdW) assemblies are the most common structures of materials. However, directly mapping intermolecular electron clouds of a vdW assembly has never been obtained, even though the intramolecular electron clouds were visualized by atomic-resolution techniques. In this report, we unprecedently mapped the intermolecular electron cloud of the assembles of ethanol molecules via ethyl groups with noncontact atomic force microscopy at 5 K, leading to the first visualization of vdW molecular chains, in which ethanol molecules assemble into twin vdW molecular chains in a reverse parallel configuration on Ag(111) plane. Furthermore, spontaneous order-disorder transitions in the chain were dynamically observed, suggesting its unusual properties different from 2D vdW materials. In conclusion, these findings provide an "eye" to see the atomic world of vdW materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Interfacial Inversion of Stealth Surfactants

Amphiphilic macromolecular surfactants segregate to liquid–liquid interfaces, thereby reducing the interfacial tension and free energy. Here, we investigated “stealth surfactants” in the form of core–shell bottlebrush polymers comprised of pH-responsive diblock copolymer side chains forming a hydrophilic core and a hydrophobic shell, enabling solubility in oil. At liquid–liquid interfaces, these polymers undergo a structural “inversion”, with hydrophilic blocks segregating into the aqueous phase and hydrophobic blocks residing in the oil phase. The reconfiguration kinetics and surfactant properties are influenced by multiple factors, including the molecular weights of the backbone and side chain components, the hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic balance of the side chains, and the pH of the aqueous phase. An observed nonmonotonic dependence of interfacial tension with time is attributed to a progressive structural inversion, where the projected area of the macromolecule onto the interface decreases. To validate this inversion hypothesis, interfacial properties were characterized by sum-frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy, which revealed configurational changes of the core–shell bottlebrush polymers at the fluid interface and revealed a pH-dependent interfacial coverage. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations supported these experimental findings, showing that the pH-responsive core and hydrophobic shell assume a time-averaged configuration with orientations parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the interface, respectively. These findings open routes to design multistimuli-responsive polymeric surfactants and compatibilizers, expanding their potential applications in advanced interfacial systems.

Stealth surfactants↗

High resolution ENDOR spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations reveals the structure of the nitrogenase Janus intermediate E4(4H)

We have shown that the key state in N2 reduction to two NH3 by the enzyme nitrogenase is the E4(4H), ‘Janus’ intermediate, which has accumulated four [e-/H+] and is poised to undergo reductive elimination of H2 coupled to N2 binding and activation. Initial 1H and 95Mo ENDOR studies of freeze-trapped E4(4H) revealed the catalytic multi-metallic cluster (FeMo-co) binds two Fe-bridging hydrides, [Fe-H-Fe]. However, the analysis failed to provide a satisfactory picture of structure - the relative spatial relationships of the two [Fe-H-Fe]. Our recent density functional theory (DFT) study yielded a lowest-energy form, denoted E4(4H)(a), with two parallel Fe-H-Fe planes bridging pairs of ‘anchor’ Fe on the Fe2,3,6,7 face of FeMo-co. However, the relative energies of structures E4(4H)(b), with one bridging and one terminal hydride, and E4(4H)(c), with one pair of anchor Fe supporting two bridging hydrides, were not beyond the uncertainties of the calculation. Moreover, a structure of V-dependent nitrogenase resulted in a proposed structure analogous to E4(4H)(c), and additional structures have been proposed by DFT studies of others. To resolve the nature of hydride binding to the Janus intermediate, we performed exhaustive, high-resolution CW-stochastic 1H-ENDOR experiments using improved instrumentation, Mims 2H ENDOR, and a pulsed-ENDOR protocol (‘PESTRE’) to obtain absolute hyperfine-interaction signs. These measurements are coupled to DFT structural models through an analytical point-dipole Hamiltonian for the hydride electron-nuclear dipolar coupling to its ‘anchoring’ Fe ions, an approach that overcomes limitations inherent in both experimental interpretation and computational accuracy. The result: the freeze-trapped, lowest-energy Janus intermediate structure is E4(4H)(a).

Hoeke, Veronica↗

First-principles assessment of hole transport in pure and Li-doped NiO

Alloying nickel oxide (NiO) with lithium oxide (Li 2 O) at high Li concentrations may reduce NiO's band gap and expand its use as a light absorber in photocatalytic and tandem dye-sensitized solar cell technologies. In this work, we evaluate the viability of this alloy as a p-type hole transport material. We use embedded cluster models, along with unrestricted Hartree–Fock and complete active space self-consistent field theories, to study the impact of alloying on polaronic transport of holes. Our calculated energy barrier for hole transfer in undoped NiO is in excellent agreement with the experimental value of ~0.1 eV. We predict that hole transport in NiO is anisotropic and mostly confined parallel to the (111) ferromagnetic planes. Applying the same model to Li-doped NiO indicates that isolated Li ions do not introduce free holes into NiO samples. However, free holes can be created in the homogeneous Li 0.125 Ni 0.875 O alloy, in which the Li concentration is very high. Our kinetic Monte Carlo calculations show that hole mobility in this alloy is lower than in undoped NiO. However, the additional free holes and the predicted lower band gap of Li 0.125 Ni 0.875 O should increase hole conductivity compared to NiO upon alloy formation. Therefore, Li 0.125 Ni 0.875 O alloys have potential for use as a hole transporter, as well as a sunlight absorber, in a variety of solar energy applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Metastable bcc phase formation in 3d ferromagnetic transition metal thin films sputter-deposited on GaAs(100) substrates

Co{sub 100−x}Fe{sub x} and Ni{sub 100−y}Fe{sub y} (at. %, x = 0–30, y = 0–60) films of 10 nm thickness are prepared on GaAs(100) substrates at room temperature by using a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering system. The detailed growth behavior is investigated by in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction. (100)-oriented Co and Ni single-crystals with metastable bcc structure are formed in the early stage of film growth, where the metastable structure is stabilized through hetero-epitaxial growth. With increasing the thickness up to 2 nm, the Co and the Ni films start to transform into more stable hcp and fcc structures through atomic displacements parallel to bcc(110) slide planes, respectively. The stability of bcc phase is improved by adding a small volume of Fe atoms into a Co film. The critical thickness of bcc phase formation is thicker than 10 nm for Co{sub 100−x}Fe{sub x} films with x ≥ 10. On the contrary, the stability of bcc phase for Ni-Fe system is less than that for Co-Fe system. The critical thicknesses for Ni{sub 100−y}Fe{sub y} films with y = 20, 40, and 60 are 1, 3, and 5 nm, respectively. The Co{sub 100−x}Fe{sub x} single-crystal films with metastable bcc structure formed on GaAs(100) substrates show in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropies with the easy direction along GaAs[011], similar to the case of Fe film epitaxially grown on GaAs(100) substrate. A Co{sub 100−x}Fe{sub x} film with higher Fe content shows a higher saturation magnetization and a lower coercivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electrodeposited Co{sub 93.2}P{sub 6.8} nanowire arrays with core-shell microstructure and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

We demonstrate the formation of an unusual core-shell microstructure in Co{sub 93.2}P{sub 6.8} nanowires electrodeposited by alternating current (ac) in an alumina template. By means of transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the coaxial-like nanowires contain amorphous and crystalline phases. Analysis of the magnetization data for Co-P alloy nanowires indicates that a ferromagnetic core is surrounded by a weakly ferromagnetic or non-magnetic phase, depending on the phosphor content. The nanowire arrays exhibit an easy axis of magnetization parallel to the wire axis. For this peculiar composition and structure, the coercivity values are 2380 ± 50 and 1260 ± 35 Oe, parallel and perpendicular to the plane directions of magnetization, respectively. This effect is attributed to the core-shell structure making the properties and applications of these nanowires similar to pure cobalt nanowires with an improved perpendicular anisotropy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

In situ study of the endotaxial growth of hexagonal CoSi{sub 2} nanoplatelets in Si(001)

This investigation aims at studying–by in situ grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering–the process of growth of hexagonal CoSi{sub 2} nanoplatelets endotaxially buried in a Si(001) wafer. The early formation of spherical Co nanoparticles with bimodal size distribution in the deposited silica thin film during a pretreatment at 500 °C and their subsequent growth at 700 °C were also characterized. Isothermal annealing at 700 °C promotes a drastic reduction in the number of the smallest Co nanoparticles and a continuous decrease in their volume fraction in the silica thin film. At the same time, Co atoms diffuse across the SiO{sub 2}/Si(001) interface into the silicon wafer, react with Si, and build up thin hexagonal CoSi{sub 2} nanoplatelets, all of them with their main surfaces parallel to Si(111) crystallographic planes. The observed progressive growths in thickness and lateral size of the hexagonal CoSi{sub 2} nanoplatelets occur at the expense of the dissolution of the small Co nanoparticles that are formed during the pretreatment at 500 °C and become unstable at the annealing temperature (700 °C). The kinetics of growth of the volume fraction of hexagonal platelets is well described by the classical Avrami equation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Anomalous superconducting diode effect in a polar superconductor

A superconductor with broken time-reversal and inversion symmetry may exhibit nonreciprocal charge transport, including a nonreciprocal critical current, also known as superconducting diode effect. Here, we report an intrinsic superconducting diode effect in a polar strontium titanate film. Differential resistance measurements reveal a superconducting state whose depairing current is polarity dependent. There is, however, no measurable deviation from Ohmic behavior, implying that this state does not arise from a bulk magnetochiral anisotropy. In the entire measurement range, the only deviation from linearity in the differential resistance is on the edge of the superconducting transition at high magnetic fields, likely due to the motion of flux vortices. Furthermore, the magnitude of the effect is preserved even when the in-plane magnetic field is oriented parallel to the current, indicating that this effect truly does not originate from a bulk magnetochiral anisotropy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Growth and characterization of HgBa 2 CaCu 2 O 6+δ and HgBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 8+δ crystals

We report the successful growth of sizable crystals of the cuprate superconductors HgBa 2 CaCu 2 O 6+δ and HgBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 8+δ . These compounds are well known for their high optimal superconducting critical temperatures of T c = 128 K and 134 K at ambient pressure, respectively, and for their challenging synthesis. Using a conventional quartz-tube encapsulation method and a two-layer encapsulation method that utilizes custom-built high-pressure furnaces, we are able to grow single crystals with linear dimensions up to several millimeters parallel to the CuO 2 planes. Extended postgrowth annealing is shown to lead to sharp superconducting transitions, indicative of high macroscopic homogeneity. X-ray diffraction and polarized Raman spectroscopy are identified as viable nondestructive methods to help separate the two compounds from synthesis products, as the latter often contain intergrowths of the former. Furthermore, our work helps to remove obstacles toward the study of these model cuprate systems with experimental probes that require sizable high-quality crystals.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Epitaxy of CdTe on sapphire substrates with titanium buffer layers

The formation of a developed electrical relief on the sapphire substrate surface is investigated. A technique is proposed for introducing Ti{sup 4+} impurity atoms into the sapphire crystal lattice by depositing titanium layers with a thickness of about 5 nm and their annealing in air (oxidizing atmosphere) to a temperature of 1400°C. It is shown that this preliminary treatment of the sapphire substrate surface results in epitaxial growth of (111) СdTe films parallel to the sapphire (0001) plane at a temperature of 350°C.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗