Defects inside oxide ceramics of magnesium oxide (MgO) and sapphire (Al2O3) were formed using femtosecond laser irradiation. The laser irradiance in these ceramics forms various defects classified as dislocations, twins, or nano cracks near the focal point due to the increase of temperature and successive generation of shockwave within several picoseconds. The morphology of defects mainly depends on the crystal structure; dense dislocations inside MgO with a rock-salt type structure, and nanocracks, dislocations, or twins in sapphire with a corundum structure. The TEM analysis revealed that the dense dislocations formed on the two slip planes {110} to form a cross-shaped pattern when the laser beam focused on the (100) plane in MgO. In case of sapphire crystal, cracks propagated from the focal point that has an amorphous structure along R-planes {11-02}, which had the lowest fracture surface energy. The nano crack transformed into the aligned void and dislocation structure during the heat treatment over 1573K, which is one of the crack healing effect.

Emulsions are usually metastable systems of two non-miscible phases stabilized by surface active species like surfactant molecules. Emulsions stabilized by solid colloidal particles adsorbed at the interface (Pickering emulsions) offer some competitive advantages with respect to classical emulsions. Most studies published up to now concern emulsions stabilized by inorganic (metallic oxides, exfoliated clays, carbonates and phosphates) or polymeric particles while biomass derived alternatives have only been explored to a limited extent. For the first time, we report the stabilization of emulsions by unmodified cellulose nanocrystals [1, 2] . Cellulose nanocrystals were produced from bacterial cellulose and used to form Pickering emulsions. We demonstrate by SEM that the nanocrystals are adsorbed at the oil/water interface. We also study the size distribution of the droplets that was found to range around 4μm in diameter with very narrow dispersity. The stability of the emulsions was also investigated. The fabrication of new armored microparticles exposing cellulose acicular nanocrystals from cellulose nanocrystals opens opportunities to build materials from low cost and environmental friendly resource.

MEMS community is increasingly using SU-8 as a structural material because it is self-patternable, compliant and needs a low thermal budget. While the exposed layers act as the structural layers, the unexposed SU-8 layers can act as the sacrificial layers, thus making it similar to a surface micromachining process. A sequence of exposed and unexposed SU-8 layers should lead to the development of a SU-8 based MEMS chip integrated with a pre-processed CMOS wafer. A process consisting of optical lithography to obtain SU-8 structures on a CMOS wafer is described in this paper.

Because of their large interfacial area, the presence of nanoplatelets in the polymeric matrix decelerates the process of diffusion of gases through the material. The particles are impermeable barriers to the diffusing molecules, forcing them to follow complicated paths, increasing, thus, the diffusion length. The barrier properties of the nanocomposites depend on the properties of the polymeric matrix, the volume fraction of the nanoplatelets, their aspect ratio, their orientation, and their interactions with the matrix. The mobility of the molecules is hindered by the crystallinity but it is facilitated by the free volume within the material. The size and shape of the free volume holes in the polymer affect, thus, the rate of diffusion. Interactions between the nanoparticles and the matrix may lower the barrier properties because they may increase the free volume in the material. The estimation of free volume in the nanocomposite is important for the proper choice of components and the manufacturing of nanocomposite coatings with optimum barrier properties. Detailed information about the diffusion mechanisms at atomic and molecular levels can be obtained using the approach of free volume.

An organic molecular beam deposition system coupled to a soft x-ray excitation source has been developed to monitor the growth of organic semiconductor thin films in-situ and in real-time. Rapid collection of photoelectron spectra has been enabled using a multichannel array detector coupled to a hemispherical analyzer. The organic semiconductor tin phthalocyanine (SnPc) exhibits a Stranski-Krastanov growth mode on a polycrystalline gold substrate where the transition thickness between layered and clustered growth has been determined to be comparable to the thickness of a single molecular layer within which the molecules are standing on edge relative to the substrate plane.

Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (Lipon) thin films have been deposited by a plasmaenhanced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (PE-MOCVD) method using triethyl phosphate [(CH2CH3)3PO4] and lithium tert-butoxide [(LiOC(CH3)3] precursors. Growth rates were between 100 and 415 Å/min, and thicknesses ranged from 1 to 2.5 μm. X-ray powder diffraction showed that the films were amorphous, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed approximately 6.9 at.% carbon in the films. The ionic conductivity of Lipon was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and approximately 1.02 μS/cm was obtained, which is consistent with the ionic conductivity of Lipon deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering of Li3PO4 targets. An all-solid-state thin-film lithium microbattery such as Li/Lipon/LiCoO2/Au/substrate was successfully fabricated with Lipon deposited by PE-MOCVD. The battery has a capacity of ca. 22 μAh/cm2μm.

Silicon nanostructures embedded in an amorphous matrix have been synthesized by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) at room temperature. The structural and optical properties of the materials were tailored by varying deposition parameters; attention has been devoted to the nanoscale morphology of the Si layers which has been varied from compact to open-porous by changing background gas (Ar) pressure (1-100 Pa). An adopted simple-minded strategy of a compact Si layer deposited on top of nanostructured layers showed to reduce quite successfully ex-situ oxidation. Raman spectroscopy suggests that as deposited samples are mainly constituted by amorphous silicon with nanocrystals (NCs) inclusions. The results indicate that the average size of the Si NCs varies in the range 2-6 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) responses are found to be strictly dependent on morphology and strengthen up the idea of the quantum confinement effect in the obtained nanostructured material. The results are interpreted in terms of particle size distribution, crystallinity and partial surface oxidation of the silicon nanostructures.

The Ni-doped (CuIn)0.2Zn1.6S2 photocatalysts were prepared via a two-step ultrasonic-hydrothermal method under an environmental-friendly condition. XRD pattern profiles suggested that Ni2+ successfully doped into (CuIn)0.2Zn1.6S2 lattice. UV-Vis spectra indicated that the optical properties of the photocatalysts greatly depended on the amount of Ni doped. SEM images show that the samples were microspheres. The microsphere structures were gradually damaged with the increment of Ni doping amount. The photoactivity of (CuIn)0.2Zn1.6S2 was enhanced when Ni2+ was doped into the crystal structure. The H2 evolution performance over the prepared samples from inorganic/organic sacrificial solution was systematic investigated.

Among the different recombination mechanisms in organic solar cells thephotoluminescence (PL) of charge transfer excitons (CTEs) has beenidentified has one of the most important, impacting both the open circuitvoltage and the short circuit current. Here, we study their recombinationdynamics, monitoring the decay of the PL on a time scale spanning threeorders of magnitude from nanoseconds to microseconds. As a model system weinvestigate blends of the conjugated polymerpoly(2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene) (MDMO-PPV)and the fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methylester (PCBM). We observe that the dynamics of recombination follows apower-law, which is independent of sample morphology. Upon application of atransient electric field, which is capable of separating the bound chargepairs, we observe different dynamics of recombination only for the separatedpairs. Those also follow a power-law and show a strong dependence on thefilm morphology.

Anodized Aluminum Oxide (AAO) based micro-channel plates (MCP) are fabricated in order to develop economical large-area photodetectors. Commercially available glass capillary array has a limitation to reach channel diameter below ~10 microns. However, smaller channel diameter is desired for better spatial and fast timing resolution. AAO based MCP is a good candidate to produce channel diameter less than 10 um by taking advantage of the nano-scale intrinsic pores during etching process. In this study, various channel diameters are fabricated with use of lithographic patterning techniques and wet etching; and characterized with optical, atomic force, and scanning electron microscopies. The channel diameter, channel length and related aspect ratio, as well as the open area are varied in order to maximize the MCP photon amplification.

The proton conducting perovskites are widely investigated due to their high potential as electrolyte membranes of fuel cells, water steam electrolysers and CO2/syngas converters. Our comprehensive spectroscopic (Raman, IR, neutron), thermogravimetric, elastic and quasi-elastic neutron diffusion as well as conductivity studies performed on Ln/RE- modified zirconate ceramics with controlled densification (90-99% of theoretical density) reveal the important differences between the surface and bulk protonic species. The results clearly show that trivialization of the protonation process complexity can favorite the adsorption of the surface protonic species (hydroxide, hydrocarbonates, etc), prohibit the incorporation of bulk protons, i.e. species responsible for the proton conduction and confuse the understanding of fundamental aspects concerning the proton conductors such as the true nature of conducting species. Our studies reveal that OH- ions are located at the surface of poor densified ceramic and the bulk conducting protons exhibit an ionic, free of covalent-bonded nature.

We have investigated the reliability of the inverted-staggered etch stopper structure oxide-based TFTs under negative gate bias stress combined with 400 nm wavelength light illumination and the relationship between the carrier concentration at the channel and the extent of Vth shift. It was found that the photo-induced holes cause the severe Vth degradation at the beginning of stress and the hole trapping rate of a single hole is not altered with the increase of the hole concentration. In oxide-based TFTs, the hole concentration at the channel is the determinant factor of the reliability.

The heat shield is part of a thermal protective system (TPS) essential in shielding the cargo of a spacecraft during reentry to the earth’s atmosphere. The ablated surface of the heat shield is a testimony to the harsh reentry environment, evidenced in melting and charring among other phenomena that occur during reentry at velocity of 9-11 km/sec. The aim of this study was to extrapolate information about atmospheric reentry from the surface of the ablated material. A sample of the heat shield from the test vehicle of the Apollo Program, AS-202, was the subject of the analysis.

For the preliminary studies, selected investigation modes from the Global Optimal Strategy model, developed to identify wear of engineering surfaces, were applied: examination of structure, optical observation, physico-chemical characterization and surface morphology. Instrumentation used included: microscopic surface analysis with Extended Depth of Field composite images (EDF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), attenuated total reflectance (ATR), confocal scanning laser microscopy and laser scanning microscopy. The Apollo Program testing vehicle AS-202 (1966) ablated specimen sample was obtained from the collection of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. The authors combine their diverse experiences in tribology and in artifacts’ museum conservation so as to contribute to the space heritage material science. This study represents one of the building blocks of a larger project, the Fundamental Model of public outreach and perception (FAM-pop) of complex aerospace technologies.

The prospects for increased cooling capacity from the use of nanofluid coolants has created a tremendous amount of interest. However, in the years since the initial thermal conductivity measurements of nanoparticle suspensions were reported, there has been much inconsistency in data published in the literature. The International Nanofluids Benchmarking Exercise was a significant step towards creating a reliable set of data on the thermal conductivity enhancement of stable nanofluids, however there remain many unanswered questions. Most significant, perhaps, is the contradictory results on the effects of particle size and temperature. In the past year alone it is possible to find published reports on nominally identical samples claiming precisely opposing trends in thermal conductivity with decreasing particle size at room temperature. Some studies also claim an increasing enhancement at higher temperatures, sometimes linking this to small particle sizes. In this work we review the literature claims for particle size and temperature results, the theories used to support those claims, as well as presenting new data with the aim of resolving the dispute and identifying the origins of the evidence for contradictory claims.

Garnet films based on (BiPrGdLu) (FeGa) have been grown on (210) and (100) oriented SGGG substrates. (210) films with an easy plane of magnetization provided optimal imaging contrast. Incorporation of Au nanoparticles into an epitaxially grown film was done and these films show an increase in Faraday rotation, ostensibly due to the plasmon resonance effect.

Three techniques based on transmission electron microscope (TEM) have been successfully applied to measure strain/stress in the channel area of PMOS semiconductor devices with embedded SiGe in the source/drain areas: convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED), nano beam diffraction (NBD) and dark-filed holography (DFH). Consistent channel strain measurements from the three techniques on the same TEM sample (eSiGe PMOS with 17%Ge) were obtained. Reliable strain/stress measurement results in the channel area have been achieved with very good agreement with computer-aided design (TCAD) calculations.

Phase equilibria among γ-Fe, ε-Fe2Nb Laves and δ-Ni3Nb phases in Fe-Ni-Nb ternary system at 1473 K and 1373 K were experimentally examined, and also assessed by calculation in order to calculate the phase equilibria among these phases at 973 K. A ternary compound with hP24 structure with its limited composition range of Fe-21.5Nb- (56.8-59.8) Ni exists between Fe2Nb and Ni3Nb phase regions at both temperatures. Including the hP24 phase, the calculated isotherms at both temperatures are in good agreement with experimental ones. By using the optimized interaction parameters among the three elements in each phase, the isothermal section calculated at 973 K revealed a γ-Fe+ Fe2Nb + Ni3Nb three-phase coexisting region extended to Fe-rich composition of 80 at. % Fe. This suggests a possibility to develop austenitic heatresistant steels strengthened by both intermetallics phases.

During the decade 2000 to 2009, the diversity trends for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and faculty underwent very different changes in the number and fraction of women represented compared to men in the field of materials science and engineering (MSE). Although the number and fraction of women increased substantially in graduate programs and within faculties, the fraction of women receiving bachelor’s of science degrees in engineering (BSE) in this field was significantly lower in 2009 than in 2000. In contrast with gender, the outcomes for diversity in terms of underrepresented minorities (URMs) across the decade are more disappointing. The potential implications are discussed with respect to ongoing limited degree attainment of URMs in many engineering and science disciplines

Electroless synthesis and hierarchical organization of 1.4 nm Pd and Ptnanoparticles (NPs) on self-assembled Rosette Nanotubes (RNTs) is described.The nucleated NPs are nearly monodisperse and reveal supramolecularorganizations guided by RNT templates. Interestingly, the narrow sizedistribution is attributable to unique templating behavior of RNTs. Theresulting metal NP-RNT composites were characterized by Atomic ForceMicroscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and TransmissionElectron Microscopy (TEM). X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was alsoperformed to confirm the nature and composition of RNT-templated NPs.