Acoustic metamaterial with negative density

We fabricated a one-dimensional acoustic metamaterial with negative effective density using an array of very thin elastic membranes. We observed acoustic equivalence of the plasma oscillation at ωc=735 Hz. The metamaterial was opaque in the frequency range from 0 to 735 Hz, and was transparent above 735 Hz. We report direct observation of negative acceleration in this acoustic medium below 735 Hz. The frequency characteristics of the metamaterial have the same form as that of metals with negative permittivity. We also provide a simple theory to explain the experimental results.     

Electronic structure and optical absorption spectra of CdSe covered with ZnSe and ZnS epilayers

Using the first-principles methods we compute the electronic structure and the absorption spectra for a wurtzite CdSe (0001) slab covered with zincblende ZnSe and ZnS epilayers. For each structure we compute the DOS and the imaginary part of the dielectric function. We find that the semiconductor passivation shifts the ‘near Fermi-level’ states of the bare CdSe slab down to lower energy levels. The migration suggests the decrease of surface effects and energy loss. We observe the substantial reduction of the abnormal peaks in the absorption spectra of the bare CdSe slab, which seems to be a consequence of the DOS migration. This is consistent with the experimental results that a proper passivation enhance the luminescence efficiency. We also study the case that the epilayer surface is terminated with PH₃ and find the PH₃ passivation also reduces the surface state to some extent.     

Search for magnetic fields due to anyons in high-T c superconductors

We have searched for anomalous internal magnetic fields in highT _c materials which are predicted to occur in anyon and flux phase models of superconductivity. The magnitude, anisotropy and temperature dependence of the observed fields inc-axis oriented samples of sintered YBa₂CuO₃O₇ and of thick-film Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ are consistent with a conventional nuclear dipolar origin. An upper limit of ≲0.08 mT is set for any anomalous magnetic fields along thec-axis atμ ⁺ sites in bulk CuO₂ superconductors.     

Enhanced strain relaxation induced by epitaxial layer growth mode of MgO thin films

Growth of MgO films on silicon substrate was conducted by KrF excimer pulsed-laser ablation system. Two kinds of growth mode were revealed in situ by reflection high energy electron diffraction. It was found that the layer growth mode of MgO thin films could remarkably reduce the misfit strain originated from the different lattice constant and thermal expansion coefficiency between MgO films and Si. An enhanced strain relaxation was discovered for MgO films, which were grown with the layer growth mode, in the film thickness range of 40-100 nm. The value of critical thickness for the formation of misfit dislocation agrees well with the calculated one. This exceptional phenomenon should be ascribed to the layer growth mode of epitaxial MgO films.     

Maneuver analysis methodology to predict vehicle impacts on training lands

Tactical mobility analysis techniques were merged with land management strategies to assess potential impacts of vehicle operations on training areas for rangeland planning and management. A vehicle mobility analysis was performed for a suite of vehicle types using the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM II). Input parameters include terrain information (soil type, slope, vegetation, surface roughness, soil strength), terrain surface condition based on climate (terrain strength, freeze–thaw, moisture content, snow cover), and vehicle specifications (tire, power train, weight on each axle, ground clearance, dimensions, ride). The vehicle performance was spatially mapped over the terrain for different seasons of the year and used to calculate the maneuverable acreage, which was compared to acreage needed for training requirements. This can be related to land capability based on expected training impact (Maneuver Impact Miles, MIM) and Land Condition Curves which link training density to land condition. This methodology can be used to determine the suitability of training lands and the degree of land management or rehabilitation expected. The methodology was applied to the transformation of the Alaska training lands to support a new brigade unit called the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT3), but is equally useful for other training areas and military units. For summer use, Alaska training lands are capable of supporting four times the projected training requirements. For winter, when the ground is frozen, more than 10 times the area needed was available.     

Extreme red shifted SERS nanotags

Surfaced enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotags operating with 1280 nm excitation were constructed from reporter molecules selected from a library of 14 chalcogenopyrylium dyes containing phenyl, 2-thienyl, and 2-selenophenyl substituents and a surface of hollow gold nanoshells (HGNs). These 1280 SERS nanotags are unique as they have multiple chalcogen atoms available which allow them to adsorb strongly onto the gold surface of the HGN thus producing exceptional SERS signals at this long excitation wavelength. Picomolar limits of detection (LOD) were observed and individual reporters of the library were identified by principal component analysis and classified according to their unique structure and SERS spectra.     

Antiviral Activity of Synthetic Aminopyrrolic Carbohydrate Binding Agents: Targeting the Glycans of Viral gp120 to Inhibit HIV Entry

The binding abilities of a set of structurally related aminopyrrolic synthetic receptors for mannosides, endowed with antimycotic activity against yeast and yeast‐like pathogens bearing mannoproteins on their cell surface, have been investigated towards the highly mannosylated gp120 and gp41 glycoproteins of the HIV envelope. A pronounced binding interaction with both glycoproteins was observed by SPR for most of the investigated compounds. Comparison of their binding properties towards the glycoproteins with their binding affinities toward mannosides revealed a direct correlation, supporting their role as carbohydrate binding agents (CBAs). Cytostatic activity studies revealed antiproliferative activity dependent on the nature and the structure of compounds. Antiviral activity studies against a broad panel of DNA and RNA viruses showed inhibitory effect against HIV infection of the T‐lymphocyte CEM cell line for two compounds, suggesting antiviral activity similar to other CBAs, such as the nonpeptidic pradimicin antibiotics.