Substitution of Sr2+ by Eu3+ in Bi-2201 ceramics,effects on structure and physical properties

In this paper, we report the effects of the substitution of Sr by Eu on the properties of Bi-2201 ceramics. Samples with nominal compositions of Bi₂Sr_2?xEu_xCuO_y (x = 0–0.4) are elaborated in air by solid state reaction. They are characterized by means of X ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), magnetic and resistivity measurements. The undoped sample (x = 0) is monophasic and its structure belongs to phase A. No trace of superconductivity is observed down to 2 K for this sample and the variation of resistivity with temperature shows a semiconducting behaviour. As Eu is added and for x ≥ 0.2, the samples convert totally to B or Raveau phase and become superconducting. The highest T_c, obtained from both magnetic and resistivity measurements, is observed for x = 0.3. In the normal state, all the samples exhibit a semiconducting character which decreases as well as resistivity when the Eu content increases. The refinement of cell parameters is done with considering the structural modulation. The study shows that the substitution of Sr²⁺ by Eu³⁺ leads to an increase of a and b parameters, while c decreases similarly to those of the La doped phases. The a axis component of the modulation is observed to be independent of Eu content, while the c axis one increases slightly as this content increases. The XRD analysis has also revealed that the limit solubility of the used Eu₂O₃ oxide is situated between x = 0.3 and 0.4 of Eu content. The SEM micrographs show that the undoped sample consists of poorly connected grains with a random distribution. A quite different microstructure is obtained for the doped samples. The grains are more connected and have a flat shape which is characteristic of the Bi-based superconductors.     

Asymptotic modelling of a Signorini problem of generalized Marguerre-von Kármán shallow shells

Chacha and Bensayah [Asymptotic modeling of a Coulomb frictional Signorini problem for the von Kármán plates, C. R. Mécanique 336 (2008), pp. 846–850] have studied the asymptotic modelling of Coulomb frictional unilateral contact problem between an elastic nonlinear von Kármán plate and a rigid obstacle. The main result obtained is that the leading term of the asymptotic expansion is characterized by a two-dimensional Signorini problem but without friction. In this article, we extend this study to the case of a shallow shell under generalized Marguerre-von Kármán conditions.     

Detection of delamination defects in CFRP materials using ultrasonic signal processing

In this paper, signal processing techniques are tested for their ability to resolve echoes associated with delaminations in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer multi-layered composite materials (CFRP) detected by ultrasonic methods. These methods include split spectrum processing (SSP) and the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. A simulation study on defect detection was performed, and results were validated experimentally on CFRP with and without delamination defects taken from aircraft. Comparison of the methods for their ability to resolve echoes are made.     

Investigation on structural,morphological, and electrochemical properties of mesoporous cobalt oxide-infiltrated NaY zeolite

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new mesoporous cobalt oxide-infiltrated NaY zeolite prepared by ion-exchange route. The scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) image shows homogenous and uniform grains size distributions smaller than 1 μm, unlike to CoO_x particles, elaborated under the same conditions. The energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) data confirm the presence of cobalt, oxygen, silicon, and aluminum. The X-ray diffraction indicates a partial crystallization of cobalt oxide and the formation of new phases. N₂ adsorption-desorption measurement shows a high-specific surface area for the modified material (579 m² g^?1), with Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore diameters in the range (3–8 nm). The cyclic voltammetry indicates a typical faradic process, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy exhibits Warburg diffusion at low frequencies. The charge-discharge curve shows a clear improvement in the charge capacity of the modified material compared to CoO_x, due to the increased specific surface area. The galvanostatic charge-discharge tests of the modified electrode exhibit a typical battery behavior preceded by a pseudo-capacitive phenomenon.     

Long Memory in Cyclical Fluctuations

Conventional macroeconomic theory treats output fluctuations as merely transitory deviations around a deterministic pattern, the natural output trend. From such a perspective, output fluctuations can only be short-lived, thus giving economic shocks no lasting impact on long-term output. A rescaled range (R/S) approach is used in the context of cyclical fluctuations to explore these fluctuations. The analysis extends to other key macroeconomic variables to test for biased random walk in their behavior. From the examination of U.S. monthly postwar data, long memory is found in the money supply, aggregate output, income, and inflation fluctuations. However, no long memory is detected in unemployment behavior variations.     

Asymptotic justification of dynamical equations for generalized Marguerre–von Kármán anisotropic shallow shells

In this paper, using technics from asymptotic analysis, we show that the three-dimensional dynamical model for a non-linearly elastic shallow shell made of anisotropic material, with boundary conditions of generalized Marguerre–von Kármán’s type, reduces to two-dimensional dynamical model.     

Existence Result for a Dynamical Equations of Generalized Marguerre-von Kármán Shallow Shells

In a recent work in the static case, Gratie (Appl. Anal. 81:1107–1126, 2002) has generalized the classical Marguerre-von Kármán equations studied by Ciarlet and Paumier in (Comput. Mech. 1:177–202, 1986), where only a portion of the lateral face of the shallow shell is subjected to boundary conditions of von Kármán type, while the remaining portion is subjected to boundary conditions of free edge. Then Ciarlet and Gratie (Math. Mech. Solids 11:83–100, 2006) have established an existence theorem for these equations. In Chacha et al. (Rev. ARIMA 13:63–76, 2010), we extended formally these studies to the dynamical case. More precisely, we considered a three-dimensional dynamical model for a nonlinearly elastic shallow shell with a specific class of boundary conditions of generalized Marguerre-von Kármán type. Using technics from formal asymptotic analysis, we showed that the scaled three-dimensional solution still leads to two-dimensional dynamical boundary value problem called the dynamical equations of generalized Marguerre-von Kármán shallow shells. In this paper, we establish the existence of solutions to these equations using a compactness method of Lions (Quelques Méthodes de Résolution des Problèmes aux Limites non Linéaires, Dunod, Paris, 1969).     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in the cocrystal salt [Fe(bpe)2(H2O)4](TCEP)2·2(bpe) [bpe is trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene and TCEP is 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide]

The cocrystal salt tetraaquabis[trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κN]iron(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide)–trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (1/2), [Fe(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)₂(H₂O)₄](C₉H₅N₄O)₂·2C₁₂H₁₀N₂, is a rare example of a mononuclear Fe^II compound with trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethane (bpe) ligands. The complex cation resides on a crystallographically imposed inversion center and exhibits a tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Both the symmetry‐independent bpe ligand and the cocrystallized bpe molecule are essentially planar. The 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide counter‐ion is nonplanar and the bond lengths are consistant with significant electron delocalization. The extended structure exhibits an extensive O—H…N hydrogen‐bonding network with layers of complex cations joined by the cocrystallized bpe. Both the coordinated and the cocrystallized bpe are involved in π–π interactions. Hirshfeld and fingerprint plots reveal the important intermolecular interactions. Density functional theory was used to estimate the strengths of the hydrogen‐bonding and π–π interactions, and suggest that the O—H…N hydrogen bonds enhance the strength of the π‐interactions by increasing the polarization of the pyridine rings.     

Influence of Rare-Earth Substitution for Iron in FeCrMoCB Bulk Metallic Glasses

The effects of rare earth addition on the glass forming ability of Fe50-xCr15Mo14C15B6Mx （x =0, 2 and M=Y, Gd） bulks and ribbons are studied. The thermal and structural properties of the samples are measured by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Chemical compositions are checked by energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The copper mold casting technique leads to a fully amorphous structure up to 2mm only for compositions containing Y or Gd. In the case of ribbons, a fully amorphous phase is observed for all the compositions. The roles of Y and Gd are discussed on the basis of melting behavior analyzed by high-temperature DSC. Such elements act as oxygen scavengers, avoiding heterogeneous nucleation.