Vertically-oriented conjugated polymer arrays in mesoporous alumina via simple drop-casting and appearance of anisotropic photoluminescence

Vertically aligned fluorescent polymer arrays with poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO) are prepared by simple drop-casting onto mesoporous alumina film. The obtained PFO arrays exhibit anisotropic photoluminescence (PL) along the orientation of the main chains.     

Poly(styrene)-based graded-index plastic optical fiber for home networks

We investigated poly(styrene) (PSt)-based graded-index plastic optical fiber (GI-POF) with low loss and high bandwidth for home networks. To install the GI-POF in home networks, the attenuation must be below 200 dB/km at a 670-680 nm wavelength, and the bandwidth must be over 2.0 GHz for the 50 m fiber. In this study, we selected a dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a dopant to PSt, and we fabricated PSt-DBT-based GI-POF. We confirmed that the PSt-DBT-based GI-POF has high bandwidth (4.4 GHz) for 50 m fiber and low loss (166-193 dB/km) at a 670-680 nm wavelength and obtained the GI-POF that satisfied the requirements for home networks.     

Polar antiferromagnets produced with orbital order

Polar states are realized in pseudocubic manganite films fabricated on high-index substrates, in which a Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion remains an active variable. Several types of orbital orders (OOs) were found to develop large optical second harmonics, signaling broken-inversion symmetry distinct from their bulk forms and films on (100) substrates. The observed symmetry lifting and first-principles calculation both indicate that the modified JT q2 mode drives Mn-site off centering, which can be controlled by a magnetic-field-induced phase transition via a coupling of OO and spin orders.     

Practical choice of ¹H-¹H decoupling schemes in through-bond ¹H-{X} HMQC experiments at ultra-fast MAS

Three (1)H-(1)H homonuclear dipolar decoupling schemes for (1)H indirect detection measurements at very fast MAS are compared. The sequences require the following conditions: (i) being operable at very fast MAS, (ii) a long T(2)(') value, (iii) a large scaling factor, (iv) a small number of adjustable parameters, (v) an acquisition window, (vi) a low rf-power requirement, and (vii) a z-rotation feature. To satisfy these conditions a modified sequence named TIlted Magic-Echo Sandwich with zero degree sandwich pulse (TIMES(0)) is introduced. The basic elements of TIMES(0) consist of one sampling window and two phase-ramped irradiations, which realize alternating positive and negative 360° rotations of (1)H magnetization around an effective field tilted with an angle θ from the B(0) axis. The TIMES(0) sequence benefits from very large chemical shift scaling factors at ultra-fast MAS that reach κ(cs)=0.90 for θ=25° at ν(r)=80kHz MAS and only four adjustable parameters, resulting in easy setup. Long κ(cs)T(2)(') values, where T(2)(') is a irreversible proton transverse relaxation time, greatly enhance the sensitivity in (1)H-{(13)C} through-bond J-HMQC (Heteronuclear Multiple-Quantum Coherence) measurements with (1)H-(1)H decoupling during magnetization transfer periods. Although similar sensitivity can be obtained with through-space D-HMQC sequences, in which (13)C-(1)H dipolar interactions are recoupled, J-HMQC experiments incorporating (1)H-(1)H decoupling benefit from lower t(1)-noise, more uniform excitation of both CH, CH(2) and CH(3) moieties, and easier identification of through-bond connectivities.     

Unusual reinforcement of silicone rubber compounds containing mesoporous silica particles as inorganic fillers

We fabricate mesoporous silica/silicone composites in a simple way and systematically examine their thermal stability, swelling characteristic, mechanical strength, and transparency. Simple calculations show that more than 90 vol% of mesopores are filled with silicone rubbers. Compared to non-porous silica/silicone composites, mesoporous silica/silicone composites showed a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE). In addition, dramatic improvements of the tensile strength and Young's modulus are obtained with mesoporous silica/silicone composites. Furthermore, mesoporous silica/silicone composites show higher transparency than non-porous silica/silicone composites.     

Eigenpairs of a coupled rectangular cavity and its fundamental properties

This paper deals with the eigenvalue problem of a coupled rectangular cavity comprising five rigid walls and one flexible panel frequently employed in much literature. It is the purpose of this paper to derive explicitly the eigenpairs of the coupled cavity, which are yet to be found. First, the coupling orthogonality conditions the eigenpairs need to satisfy are derived, thereby enabling the verification of the eigenpairs newly sought or already existent. Using the coupling orthogonality conditions, the modal equation of the coupled cavity system is then obtained, permitting one to deal with a forced response of the coupled cavity. It is shown that the eigenfunctions governing the dynamics of the sound field are expressed as the infinite sum of degenerate eigenfunctions. The characteristic matrix equation is then derived, specifying the eigenpairs of the coupled cavity. In order to investigate the fundamental properties of the eigenpairs derived, a numerical analysis is conducted, revealing the presence of evanescent modes in addition to the conventional standing wave modes. Finally, an experiment is carried out, verifying the validity of the eigenpairs derived in the article.     

Melting point depression of ionic liquids confined in nanospaces

A new physical method was proposed to control the liquid properties of room temperature ionic liquids (RT-ILs) in combination with nanoporous materials; the melting point of ILs confined in nanopores remarkably decreases in proportion to the inverse of the pore size.     

AFM observation of immobilized self-oscillating polymer

Various types of nanocomponents have been developed to construct a nanodevice or nanomachine. Here, we add a new nanocomponent that has the function of self-oscillation. A thermoresponsive polymer carrying a Ru complex, a catalyst of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, was synthesized and immobilized on a glass plate. Periodic turbidity changes in the aqueous solution of the polymer were observed, and nanoscale self-oscillation of the immobilized polymer was observed by a scanning probe microscope.