Effect of additive length and chemistry on the morphology of blends of conjugated thiophenes and fullerene derivative acceptor molecules

Small molecule additives have been shown to increase the device efficiency of conjugated polymer (donor) and fullerene derivative (acceptor) based organic solar cells by modifying the morphology of the device active layer. In this paper we conduct a systematic study of how additives affect the donor‐acceptor morphology using molecular dynamics simulations of blends of thiophene‐based oligomers, mimicking poly(3‐dodecylthiophene) (P3DDT) or poly(2,2′:5′,2”‐3,3”‐didocyl‐terthiophene) (PTTT), and fullerene derivatives with additives of varying length and chemical functionalization, mimicking experimentally used additives like methyl ester additives, diiodooctane, and alkanedithiols. We find that functionalization of additives with end groups that are attracted to acceptor molecules are necessary to induce increased donor‐acceptor macrophase separation. In blends where acceptors intercalate between oligomer alkyl side chains, functionalized additives decrease acceptor intercalation. Functionalized additives with shorter alkyl segments increase acceptor macrophase separation more than additives with same chemical functionalization but longer alkyl segments. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1046–1057     

Monte Carlo determinations of the beta dose rate to tooth enamel

The results of Monte Carlo simulations of the beta dose rate to enamel are presented. The dose rates are the most comprehensive to date, incorporating the beta spectrum from 21 different radionuclides, all internal conversion and Auger electrons, the majority of the bremsstrahlung radiation, effects due to radon loss in the uranium series, and variations in the moisture content of the sediment. Applications to a new dating technique in archaeology using electron spin resonance and beta-gradient isochrons are discussed.     

Self-organized amorphous material in silicon (0 0 1) by focused ion beam (FIB) system

A method using a focused ion beam (FIB) to prepare a silicon amorphous material is presented. The method involves the redeposition of sputtered material generated during the interaction of the Ga⁺ ion beam with a silicon substrate material. The shape and dimensions of this amorphous material are self-organized and reproducible. The stability of this amorphous material under electron irradiation was investigated in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electron irradiation can induce recrystallization of the amorphous material, resulting in the lateral and vertical growth, starting at an amorphous-crystalline interface, of polysilicon containing defects.     

Practical syntheses of [1,3,5]‐triazine dendritic molecules on solid supports

A practical and divergent synthesis of supported [1,3,5]‐triazine dendritic molecules on Wang resin, PEGA resin, SynPhase? Lanterns, and silica gel is described. The alkylamine linkers used allow derivatization with functionality for both synthetic (e.g., supported reagent and scavenger activity) and chemical biology applications. The use of supported intermediates allows differentiation of symmetric linkers without the need for protecting group chemistry. The synthetic route uses inexpensive, readily available starting materials in a straightforward and scaleable strategy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2248–2259, 2006     

Development of a RILIS ionisation scheme for gold at ISOLDE, CERN

At the ISOLDE on-line isotope separation facility, the resonance ionisation laser ion source (RILIS) can be used to ionise reaction products as they effuse from the target. The RILIS process of laser step-wise resonance ionisation of atoms in a hot metal cavity provides a highly element selective stage in the preparation of the radioactive ion beam. As a result, the ISOLDE mass separators can provide beams of a chosen isotope with greatly reduced isobaric contamination. With the addition of a new three-step ionisation scheme for gold, the RILIS is now capable of ionising 26 of the elements. The optimal scheme was determined during an extensive study of the atomic energy levels and auto-ionising states of gold, carried out by means of in-source resonance ionisation spectroscopy. Details of the ionisation scheme and a summary of the spectroscopy study are presented.     

Radioactive fallout from the chernobyl nuclear reactor accident

Following the accident at the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl, in the Soviet Union on April 26, 1986, we performed a variety of measurements to determine the level of the radioactive fallout on the western United States. We used gamma-spectroscopy to analyze air filters from the areas around Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), California, and Barrow and Fairbanks, Alaska. Milk from California and imported vegetables were also analyzed. The levels of the various fission products detected were far below the maximum permissable concentration levels.Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract number W-7405-ENG-48.