The conformal coating of ZnO nanorods with CdTe nanoparticles using layer-by-layer (LbL) processing produces a quantum dot-sensitised solar cell. As the number of CdTe layers increases the absorption of incident light increases below the absorption onset of the nanoparticles (650 nm). Photoluminescence investigations of the CdTe-ZnO composite structure suggest a transfer of photoexcited electrons from the CdTe nanoparticles the ZnO nanorods. Filling of the semiconductor composite structure with CuSCN provides the solar cell with a p-type semiconductor to collect the photogenerated holes from the system. Annealing the CdTe-polymer coated nanorods lowers the series resistance of the cell by removing the polymer component of the film. A cell annealed at 350 °C has a Jsc of 0.12 mAcm-2, and a Voc of 49 mV under 0.25 mW/cm2 illumination.

In many biological applications, such as cell therapy and drug delivery, there is a need to enhance diffusion by enabling chemical transport in all three dimensions. We highlight this need by comparing diffusion in a conventional two-dimensional (2D) microwell with diffusion in a three-dimensional (3D) cubic microwell using numerical simulations. We also describe the fabrication of hollow polymeric (and biocompatible) cubic microwells and microwell arrays. We emphasize that since the assembly process is compatible with 2D lithographic patterning, porosity can be precisely patterned in all three dimensions. Hence, this platform provides considerable versatility for a variety of applications.

Recently the Flash Memory is scaling limit, Thus the Memory of various types is now under study for the next generation large capacity nonvolatile memory. Resistance random access memory (ReRAM) is attracts much attention due to its advantage for integration in the next generation nonvolatile memory, because it is depend on scaling by lithography compared with the Flash Memory of capacity type. The material for ReRAM is classified roughly into binary oxides and perovskite oxides. Several binary oxides such as a TaOx have the advantage for low-temperature process and low-cost materials compared with perovskite oxides such as a (Pr,Ca)MnO3 (PCMO). In this study, TaOx film with the thickness of 10nm were prepared by reactive RF magnetron sputtering on 8inch-Pt/Si substrate using a Ta metal target in oxygen ambient. The sputtering system was the multi chamber type mass production tool. The TaOx thin film was amorphous phase as a result of measurement by X-ray diffraction meter. Ta top electrodes with 50 um diameters were deposited on the surface of TaOx layer by the DC sputtering method using a shadow mask. The “Forming” voltage of TaOx-ReRAM was 5.0V. After “Forming” process, the “Set” and “Reset” voltage were 3.0V and –3.0V respectively. It has good switching properties with large on/off resistance ratio above 1,000.

Traditional neural cultures are formed from disassociating primary neurons that are sourced from animals. However by disassociating them, any larger organizational structure between the neurons is lost. In an effort to regain some of the lost organization a device that is capable of recreating and monitoring a unidirectional connection between two populations is proposed. Initial validation toward a fully functional device is presented. Using soft lithography techniques, a microfluidic chip has been designed and produced with a design conducive for facilitating such a neuron culture. Using a specialized adhesive method, this chip can be attached and removed from a commercially available microelectrode array. Finally, cell viability is demonstrated using the PC12 neuron-like cell line after exploring several device configurations. Further efforts will be focused on primary neuron culture and establishment of a unidirectional network.

Low temperature (400°C) deposition of ferromagnetic Ni-Mn-Ga thin films is successfully performed via rf magnetron sputtering technique using co-deposition of two targets Ni50Mn50 and Ni50Ga50 on sapphire (0001) and Si (100) substrates. The films are in part amorphous with significant degree of crystallinity. The obtained crystallographic structure is shown to be substrate-dependent. Films on both substrates are ferromagnetic at room temperature (Curie temperature ∼ 332.5K) with well-defined hysteresis loops, low coercivity (∼ 100 Oe) and a saturation magnetization of ∼ 200 emu/cc. At low temperature (5 K), both films show increased magnetization value with wider hysteresis loops having higher coercivity and remanent magnetization. The process is therefore effective in achieving the appropriate thermodynamic conditions to deposit thin films of the Ni-Mn-Ga austenitic phase (highly magnetic at room temperature) at relatively low substrate temperature without the need for post-deposition annealing or further thermal treatment, which is prerequisite for the device fabrication.

Virtually all spacecraft employ photovoltaic energy conversion for continuous power generation. Compared to their counterpart on Earth, photovoltaic modules in the space environment face a unique set of performance requirements. Among the most demanding ones are the need to have the highest possible specific power output with regard to mass and surface area while showing as little degradation as possible under intense particle and ultraviolet radiation during lifetimes of up to 15 years. In addition, the thermomechanical stresses induced by temperature fluctuations up to 200°C are not to result in additional electrical degradation. This article briefly outlines the state-of-the-art design solution to meet these requirements before it focuses on current materials issues in two core areas: On the solar cell itself, which requires new materials systems and cell concepts to surpass the efficiency of the lattice-matched triple junction solar cell technology, and on materials issues concerning the encapsulation of solar cells for space use. Closely linked to these materials challenges are testing-related issues that arise in verifying the expected material behavior during extended periods in the space environment. These are discussed in conjunction with the materials challenges.

The Lectin-Carbohydrate interaction was investigated by combining the Quartz Crystal Microbalance-QCM technique with signal amplifying biomimetic nanoparticle-NP platforms. A library of glyconanoparticles was prepared and the avidity of these NPs for immobilised lectin layers was then evaluated by a QCM setup. Large responses were observed as a result of surface recognition by nanoparticles displaying the appropriate molecular functionality. Large affinity enhancements were also in evidence due to the biomimetic nature of the glyconanoparticle assemblies' carbohydrate presentation demonstrating evidence of the cluster glycoside effect.

We succeeded in fabricating ultra-thin (<3 nm-thick) layer on top of the surface of porous low-k. The roughness of the surface of porous low-k remains homogeneous even after covering by the thin layer. Furthermore, we found that such ultra-thin layer suppresses the diffusion of metal into porous low-k film. Concerning adhesion property, the abrasion between the thin layer and copper was not detected after annealing at 350 deg C in forming gas. TVS measurement suggested that pH control of solution is the key to reduce damages of porous low-k and mobile ions. We believe that such ultra-thin layer, which we propose here, has a potential as a pore seal layer for porous low-k films.

In this paper we focus on indium oxide and indium iron oxide as an alloy to fabricate a protective thin film (transparent, conductive, and corrosion resistant; TCCR) for amorphous silicon-based solar cells, which can be used in immersion-type photoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen production. From the work completed, the results indicate that samples made at 250 °C with indium and indium iron oxide targets powered at 30 and 100 W, respectively, and a sputter deposition time of 90 min produced optimal results when deposited directly on single-junction amorphous silicon solar cells. At 0.65 V (versus SCE), the best sample conditions display a maximum current density of 21.4 μA/cm2.

Silver nanoparticles coated by a layer of gold (Ag@Au) have received much attention because of their potential application as ultra sensitive probes for the detection of biologically important molecules such as DNA, proteins, amino acids and many others. However, the ability to control the size, shape, and monodispersity of the Ag@Au structure has met with limited success. In our own research we have addressed this challenge by creating an aqueous wet chemical synthesis technique towards size and shape controllable Ag@Au nanoparticles. These materials are highly interesting because of the tunable silver core size, and the tunable gold shell thickness, opening many avenues to the modification of the particle properties in terms of bio-molecular sensing. The resulting nanoparticle probes were functionalized with two complementary stranded DNA oligonucleotides. When combined, the complementary strands hybridized, causing the Ag@Au nanoparticles to assemble into large nano-structures. The presence of the oligonucleotide was confirmed through a series of techniques including UV-Vis and RAMAN spectroscopy, as well as HR-TEM, XPS, DLS, and many others. The results reflect the role that the nanoparticle physical properties play in the detection of the bio-molecules, as well as elucidate the characteristics of the bio-molecule/nanoparticle interaction.

A membranous nanomaterial showing, for the first time, a hybrid thermal behavior between insulating and dissipative regimes is proposed with applications in both thermoelectrics (low thermal conductivity) and passive heat sinking (high thermal conductivity). While other compounds could be chosen, the nanomaterial is made up of a thin Si membrane covered by Ge quantum dots (QDs) with epitaxial facets. The QDs are voluntarily stretched in the direction [010] or y parallel to the membrane to form elongated islands. The broken symmetry induces an exalted phonon wave-guiding in y. Therefore, when hot and cold junctions are connected to the membrane following the stretching direction [010], the anisotropic thermal conductivity shows a significant exaltation with respect to the in-plane orthogonal direction [100] or x, where the Ge islands have the smallest average size. An example nanomaterial is obtained by repetition of molecular supercell slabs containing 4348 atoms each. The thermal conductivity shows a marked exaltation higher than 22 folds, from 1.5 to 33.5 W/m/K when the connection direction between the hot and cold junctions is rotated by 90° from x to y. Therefore, the nanomaterial presents a changing thermal behavior from insulation to passive dissipation when the heat propagation direction is modified from x to y. As a result, it could be used for the design of passive heat sinkers (from the phonons) when the two junctions are connected following [010]. In contrast, a thermal insulating behavior appears when the junctions are linked following [100]. This direction can be as well used for cooling applications. However, in this case, cooling is differently generated using the Peltier effect (from the electrons). Seebeck generation can be also envisioned in the direction [100].

New complex oxide Sr0.75-xCaxY0.25Co0.25Mn0.75O3-δ with a perovskite-like structure has been synthesized and characterized. DC and AC transport properties of ceramic samples have been studied in the temperature range 4.2K – 1173K. DC conductivity data at T > 300K are discussed in terms of the small polaron hopping model. Dependence of the polaron activation energy on the calcium content is found to correlate with the change of structural distortion parameters. Both the temperature dependence of DC conductivity and the frequency dependence of the real part of the admittance reveal hopping transport at low temperatures.

Polycrystalline ceramics with nominal composition of Ca3-xYxCo4O9+δ (0≤x≤0.10) were grown using the citrate-complex method. Thermoelectric properties were studied using Seebeck coefficient S(T) and electrical resistivity ρ(T) measurements. These transport properties were studied in the temperature range between 100 and 290K. For low doping levels in Y substituted samples (x≤0.06) the magnitude of S(T) and ρ(T) decreases with yttrium content. The temperature behavior of S(T) and ρ(T) was interpreted in terms of the small-polaron hopping mechanism. From S(T) and ρ(T) data it was possible to calculate the thermoelectric power factor PF, which reaches maximum values close to 23 μW/K2-cm. These values become these compounds promissory thermoelectric compounds for use in low temperature thermoelectric applications.

ZnO thin films with significantly reduced band gaps were synthesized by doping N and codoping Al and N at 100 °C. All the films were synthesized by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering on F-doped tin-oxide-coated glass. We found that codoped ZnO:(Al,N) thin films exhibited significantly enhanced crystallinity compared with ZnO doped solely with N, ZnO:N, at the same growth conditions. Furthermore, annealed ZnO:(Al,N) thin films exhibited enhanced N incorporation over ZnO:N films. As a result, ZnO:(Al,N) films exhibited better photocurrents than ZnO:N films grown with pure N doping, suggesting that charge-compensated donor–acceptor codoping could be a potential method for band gap reduction of wide-band gap oxide materials to improve their photoelectrochemical performance.

In this work, a method is considered to produce uniform nanoceria surface coatings on 316L stainless steel such as dipping. Coated steels using the aforementioned method are exposed to high temperature 800–1000°C and their oxidation behavior is investigated. It is found that the nanoceria particles in the implemented coatings exhibit some growth during high temperature exposure. In addition, thermogravimetric determinations of oxidation resistance in coated and bare samples at 900°C clearly indicates that the nanoceria coated stainless steels exhibits a two fold reduction in mass gain when compared with bare ones. Optical and scanning electron microscopy are employed to characterize the developed oxide scale morphologies. It is found that in areas are nanoceria is not uniformly coated, Fe-rich oxide islands develop, whereas in coated regions the scale is Cr and Ce rich indicating that the scale is probably a Ce doped Cr oxide.

The purpose of this work is to explore the capability of Fourier Thermal Analysis (FTA) to detect differences in solidification kinetics between unmodified and Sr modified eutectic Al-Si alloy obtained from the same base alloy. Experimental melts are produced in silicon carbide crucibles using an electrical resistance furnace and burdens of A356 alloy and commercial purity Si. The addition of strontium to the melts is accomplished using Al-10 pct Sr master alloy rod. Chemical composition is controlled using spark emission spectrometry. The changes in microstructure are characterized using optical microscopy. Thermal analysis are performed in cylindrical stainless steel cups coated with a thin layer of boron nitride, using two type-K thermocouples connected to a data acquisition system. Experimental cooling curves are numerically processed using FTA. Results show changes in solidification kinetics of eutectic Al-Si alloy with different Sr content. These changes, measured at the beginning and during solidification of the probes, can be related to the changes in nucleation and growth causing the differences detected during microstructural characterization of the probes.

We discuss possible mechanisms for Poole-Frenkel type of non-ohmic conduction in chalcogenide glasses in the range of room temperatures. Overall, we list 8 such mechanisms, only one of which (Schottky emission) can be ruled out as inconsistent with the observations. Seven others can give more or less satisfactory fits of the observed non-linear IV curves. Our analysis calls upon indicative facts that would enable one to discriminate between the various alternative models.

We introduce a novel instrument combining femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy and confocal microscopy for spatio-temporal imaging of excited-state dynamics of phase-separated polymer blends. Phenomena occurring at interfaces between different materials are crucial for optimizing the device performances, but are poorly understood due to the variety of possible electronic states and processes involved and to their complicated dynamics. Our instrument (with 200-fs temporal resolution and 300-nm spatial resolution) provides new insights into the properties of polymer blends, revealing spatially variable photo-relaxation paths and dynamics and highlighting a peculiar behaviour at the interface between the phase-separated domains.

137Cs and 90Sr, both byproducts of the fission process, make up the majority of high-level waste from nuclear power plants. 63Ni is a byproduct of the erosion-corrosion process of the reactor components in nuclear energy plants. The concentrations of these ions in solution determine the Waste Class (A,B, or C) and thus selective removal of these ions over large excesses of other ions is necessary to reduce waste and cut costs. Herein we report the use of the Inorganic Ion Specific Media (ISM) K2xMgxSn3-xS6 (x=0.5-0.9) (KMS-2) for the ion exchange of Cs+, Sr2+, and Ni2+ in several different conditions. We will also report the stability of this new material in the general conditions found at nuclear power plants (pH ˜6-8) and DOE sites (pH>10). Measurements at low concentrations were conducted with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Kd values are reported for each of the ions in a variety of conditions.