Progress in the growth and research of crystals for wide-gap semiconducting materials

The feasibility of a sublimation sandwich method for controlled growth of single crystals and epitaxial layers of different SiC and GaN polytypes is demonstrated. The controlled production of pure (n _i <10¹⁶ cm⁻³) and heavily-doped crystals and epitaxial layers of these materials has made it possible to study their semiconducting parameters in detail and to identify the nature of a number of the most important impurity centers. It is shown for the example of SiC that the typically high chemical-binding energy of atoms in these compounds is the reason for the formation of stable metastable compounds, among them associations and clusters that include intrinsic defects which have a significant effect on the properties of the material. Clusters formed on the surface can serve as seeds for different polytypes during crystal growth. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 822–825 (May 1999)     

Acoustic meta-materials in MEMS BAW resonators

This paper presents a meta-material-based design method for bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators with enhanced characteristics compared to those obtained with the typical bulk material implementation. We demonstrate the novel use of empty inclusions (i.e., ‘holes’) in bulk materials for engineering their acoustic (mechanical) properties (e.g. Young’s modulus E, Poisson’s ratio ν and mass density ρ) to tune and achieve optimal acoustical performance/characteristics. Inclusions have been demonstrated before to produce phononic band gaps for wave trapping. We focus on the propagation characteristics of the meta-materials brought into being by these inclusions. We implement patterns of holes with different sizes and distributions, to effectively scatter acoustic waves in bar-type BAW resonators and to devise the desired resonator properties, e.g., the resonant frequency. While the available bulk material is homogeneous and isotropic, the bar consists of an equivalent non-homogeneous material that can for example be distributed by design in order to shrink the overall resonator size, enhance electromechanical transduction coefficients or reject spurious modes. Our paper compares two extraction methods for the equivalent material properties of a periodically hole-punched material: the steady-state mechanical simulation of a unit cell and its ‘phase delay’ counterpart. We discuss their validity and practical use for the design of bar resonators.     

A study on the determination of mechanical properties of a power law material by its indentation force–depth curve

In this study a novel optimization approach is proposed to extract mechanical properties of a power law material whose stress–strain relationship may be expressed as a power law from its given experimental indentation P–h curve. A set of equations have been established to relate the P–h curve to mechanical properties E, σ _y and n of the material. For the loading part of a P–h curve this approach is based on the assumption that the indentation response of an elastic–plastic material is a linear combination of the corresponding elastic and elastic–perfect plastic materials. For the unloading part of the P–h curve it is based on the assumption that the unloading response of the elastic–plastic material is a linear combination of the full contact straight line and the purely elastic curve. Using the proposed optimization approach it was found that the mechanical properties of an elastic–plastic material usually cannot be decided uniquely by using only a single indentation P–h curve of the material. This is because in general a few matched sets of mechanical properties were found to produce a given P–h curve. It is however possible to identify the best matched set of mechanical properties by knowing some background information of the material. If the best matched material is identified, the predictions of mechanical properties are quite accurate.     

Structural stability, phase transformations and band-tuning of actinide and rare earth based intermetallics under high pressure: a perspective

When a solid is subjected to external pressure, it can undergo either structural transformation or remain stable in its parent structure. The sequence of structural transformations, when mapped for similar materials, viz., isostructural, isoelectronic and so on, can be used to create a map showing the evolution of structures under pressure for such materials. Such maps are useful in predicting high pressure phases. The structural transitions and the stability of materials as a function of pressure are intricately connected to their electronic structure. Many a times it is advantageous to know the stability of the material under pressure just by calculating its electronic structure. This can be accomplished only if several homologues materials are studied and the stability criteria arrived at by correlating their electronic structure with their structural stability under pressure. Further, as a function of pressure, the electronic structure changes can lead to enhancement in certain desired electronic, physical or mechanical properties. Several examples are known, wherein, pressure tuning of the band structure leads to improved properties. In this paper, we have discussed the above mentioned areas and presented a perspective of the above using the results of our own studies on f-electron based intermetallics (f-IMCs).     

Triboluminescence

Triboluminescence (TL)—defined here as the light emitted when a material is stressed to the point of fracture—has been known since the sixteenth century, although serious investigations of the phenomenon were only begun in this century. As a rough guide, some 50% of all crystals exhibit TL. This review, partly historical in approach, seeks to correlate the TL properties of a material, as characterized by the TL spectrum, with other known luminescent properties of the material (for example, its photoluminescent spectrum) and to elucidate the mechanism whereby the TL is excited.

In many materials (for example, sugar) the TL originates from dielectric breakdown of the surrounding air. If the material can be excited to photoluminescence by the ultra-violet content of the gas discharge (as, for example, uranyl nitrate can be) the TL spectrum will also contain the material's photoluminescent spectrum. In several cases (for example, sugar and uranyl nitrate) piezoelectrically generated fields are able to account for the gas discharge observed at fracture. Electroluminescent materials, such as the doped zinc sulphides, which are also piezoelectric have a TL spectrum which is the same as the electroluminescent spectrum. Less well understood are the materials whose TL spectrum approximates to the photoluminescent spectrum but where no nitrogen discharge spectrum is evident (as in hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane). Even more puzzling are coumarin (and other large organic molecules) whose TL spectra contain features not seen in their photoluminescent spectra. It is suggested that these features may arise through changes in the Franck-Condon factors brought about by the high stresses existing at the tips of growing cracks.

Besides exhibiting TL at fracture, γ or X-ray irradiated alkali halide crystals luminesce when deformed elastically or plastically. Two processes are involved: the release of electrons when moving dislocations interact with F-centres and the recombination of these free electrons with luminescent centres. Unirradiated, or merely additively coloured, alkali halides only emit light at fracture. Although this light emission is largely attributable to a gas discharge, resonance radiation from the alkali metal atoms can be produced under certain conditions (for example, when NaCl crystals are fractured in an argon atmosphere).

The review also discusses the light sometimes emitted when materials crystallize from aqueous solutions and when phase transitions occur in solids. In some cases this light has a TL origin. Other topics discussed include the phenomenon of temporary triboluminescence and the relationship between TL and thermoluminescence. The main experimental techniques used in TL studies—notably fracturing techniques and the measurement of TL spectra—are described in some detail.     

Propagation of ultrasonic waves in neptunium monochalcogenides

The ultrasonic attenuation and acoustic coupling constants due to phonon–phonon interaction and thermoelastic relaxation mechanisms have been studied for longitudinal and shear waves in B₁ structured neptunium monochalcogenides NpX (X: S, Se, Te) along 〈1 0 0〉 direction in the temperature range 100–300 K. The second and third order elastic constants (SOEC and TOEC) of the chosen monochalcogenides are also computed for the evaluation of ultrasonic parameters. The ultrasonic attenuation due to phonon–phonon interaction process is predominant over thermoelastic relaxation process in these materials. The ultrasonic attenuation in NpTe has been found lesser than other materials NpS, NpSe and GdY (Y: P, As, Sb and Bi). The semiconducting or semimetallic nature of neptunium monochalcogenides can be well understood with the study of thermal relaxation time. Total ultrasonic attenuation in these materials is found to be quadratic function of temperature. The nature of NpTe is very similar to semimetallic GdP. The mechanical and ultrasonic study indicates that NpTe is more reliable, perfect, flawless material.     

Bio-speckle assessment of bruising in fruits

The dynamic speckle patterns or bio-speckle is a phenomenon produced by laser illumination of active materials, such as a biological tissue. Fruits, even hard peel ones, show a speckle activity that can be related to maturity, turgor, damage, aging, and mechanical properties. In this case, we suggest a bio-speckle technique as a potential methodology for the study of impact on apples and the analysis of bruises produced by them. The aim is to correlate physical properties of apples with quality factors using a non-contact and non-invasive technique.     

Tin Dioxide Nanowires: Evolution and Perspective of the Doped and Nondoped Systems

SnO₂ semiconductor nanowire is an extremely important technological material for use in nanophotonic and nanoelectronic devices. These semiconductor nanowires of desirable property can be achieved through a bottom-up approach to the controlled synthesis in a pure or doped state. Each of the synthetic methods offers materials with broad range structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. Selective doping of the SnO₂ nanowires by normal, transition or inner transition elements offer a broad variation in the optical and electrical properties and are open for further theoretical exploration of the properties as well as necessary changes possible for the improvement of the material properties. The properties of SnO₂ nanowires can be tuned either in the pure state by structural modification or doping during nanowire growth or after growth to meet most of the requirements.     

A sample cell for in situ electric‐field‐dependent structural characterization and macroscopic strain measurements

When studying electro‐mechanical materials, observing the structural changes during the actuation process is necessary for gaining a complete picture of the structure–property relationship as certain mechanisms may be meta‐stable during actuation. In situ diffraction methods offer a powerful and direct means of quantifying the structural contributions to the macroscopic strain of these materials. Here, a sample cell is demonstrated capable of measuring the structural variations of electro‐mechanical materials under applied electric potentials up to 10 kV. The cell is designed for use with X‐ray scattering techniques in reflection geometry, while simultaneously collecting macroscopic strain data using a linear displacement sensor. The results show that the macroscopic strain measured using the cell can be directly correlated with the microscopic response of the material obtained from diffraction data. The capabilities of the cell have been successfully demonstrated at the Powder Diffraction beamline of the Australian Synchrotron and the potential implementation of this cell with laboratory X‐ray diffraction instrumentation is also discussed.     

Calculation of anisotropic properties of dental enamel from synchrotron data

Obtaining information about the intrinsic structure of polycrystalline materials is of prime importance owing to the anisotropic behaviour of individual crystallites. Grain orientation and its statistical distribution, i.e. the texture, have an important influence on the material properties. Crystallographic orientations play an important role in all kinds of polycrystalline materials such as metallic, geological and biological. Using synchrotron diffraction techniques the texture can be measured with high local and angular resolving power. Here methods are presented which allow the spatial orientation of the crystallites to be determined and information about the anisotropy of mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus or thermal expansion, to obtained. The methods are adapted to all crystal and several sample symmetries as well as to different phases, for example with overlapping diffraction peaks. To demonstrate the abilities of the methods, human dental enamel has been chosen, showing even overlapping diffraction peaks. Likewise it is of special interest to learn more about the orientation and anisotropic properties of dental enamel, since only basic information is available up to now. The texture of enamel has been found to be a tilted fibre texture of high strength (up to 12.5×). The calculated elastic modulus is up to 155 GPa and the thermal expansion up to 22.3 × 10^?6 °C^?1.     

A review on abaca fiber reinforced composites

This paper reviews literatures and information on Abaca fibers (Musa textilis Nee) as reinforcing material for aerospace composite materials. Characterization of Abaca as well properties of Abaca reinforced composites and its applications were discussed. Therefore, challenges and future works for Abaca Reinforced composites were explored. Studies reveal that Abaca fiber pre-treatment helps in improving the mechanical properties of the composite. In addition, there have been efforts in combining Abaca fibers to existing mixture of synthetic composites to improve its mechanical properties and environmental performance. The future of Abaca is seen as one of the potent sources of reinforcing fiber for various material construction including aerospace materials.     

Quantum mechanics and mechanical properties: Towards twenty-first century materials

The use of materials with otherwise attractive properties is often limited by unacceptable mechanical performance. Fortunately, modern processing techniques are sometimes able to overcome such deficiencies, though a systematic and fundamental approach to materials development has yet to be devised. Recent advances in quantum-mechanical computational capabilities have fostered a growing number of applications that bear directly upon the mechanical properties of materials. After a brief discussion of the role of defect structures in mediating deformation behaviour, techniques for computing properties of solids within a quantum-mechanical framework are reviewed. Examples are cited where insight into macroscopic behaviour has been attained from the application of quantum-mechanical calculations to materials of technological importance.     

Electronic,mechanical, phase transition,and thermo-physical properties of TMC (TM = V,Nb, and Ta): high pressure ab initio study

The structural, electronic, mechanical, phase transition, and thermo-physical properties of refractory carbides, viz. VC, NbC, and TaC have been computed in stable B1 and high pressure B2 phases by means of two different ab initio calculations using pseudo- and full-potential schemes. These materials have mixed covalent-, metallic-, and ionic-type bonding. The calculations of elastic constants show the mechanical stability of these materials in B1 phase only. The brittle nature and anisotropy is observed in these materials in B1 phase. Non-central forces are present in both the phases. Elastic wave velocities and Debye temperature have also been calculated. The present results on structural, phase transition, elastic, and other properties are in reasonably good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. The calculations in high pressure phase need experimental verification.     

混沌伪随机序列的复杂度的稳定性研究

增强统计复杂度能反映混沌伪随机序列的随机本质,在此基础上提出了k错增强统计复杂度的定义,用来衡量混沌伪随机序列复杂度的稳定性,并证明了其两个基本特性.以Logistic,Henon,Cubic,Chebyshev和Tent映射产生的混沌伪随机序列为例,说明了该方法的应用.仿真结果表明,该方法能区分不同混沌伪随机序列的稳定性,是一种衡量混沌序列稳定性的有效方法. 关键词： 稳定性 k错增强统计复杂度')" href="#">k错增强统计复杂度 混沌 伪随机序列     

Engineering Materials Research at ESRF

The use of synchrotron radiation in fundamental and applied materials research is expanding in Europe. Traditionally, synchrotron radiation was used to study the final properties of metal alloys. More recently, due to improvements of the sources, detectors, and experimental techniques themselves, materials processing can be studied in situ on an industrial scale. Various techniques, such as imaging, tomography, and diffraction, are used to study material processing, solidification, thermo-mechanical treatment, shaping, and mechanical behavior under various conditions such as stress and temperature. The use of these techniques in real time during the processing is essential to understand, and furthermore to optimize, the process yielding desired materials properties.     

Room temperature mechanical behaviour of a Ni-Fe multilayered material with modulated grain size distribution

To gain fundamental insight into the relationship between length scales and mechanical behaviour, Ni-Fe multilayered materials with a 5-μm-layer thickness and a modulated grain size distribution have been synthesized by pulsed electrodeposition. Microstructural studies by SEM and TEM reveal the alternating growth of well-defined layers with either nano (d = 16 nm) or coarse grains (d ≥ 500 nm). Room temperature tensile tests have been performed to investigate the mechanical response and understand the underlying deformation mechanisms. Tensile test results and fractographic studies demonstrate that the overall room temperature mechanical behaviour of the multilayered material, i.e. strength and ductility, is governed primarily by the layers containing nanocrystalline grains. The measured properties have been discussed in the context of modulated grain structure of the multilayered sample and contribution of each grain size regime to the overall strength and ductility.     

Theoretical studies on mechanical and electronic properties of s-triazine sheet

Abstract

Mechanical and electronic properties of s-triazine sheet are studied using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The in-plane stiffness and bulk modulus for s-triazine sheet are found to be less than that of heptazine. The reduction can be related to the nature of the covalent bonds connecting the adjacent sheets and the number of atoms per unit cell. The Poisson’s ratio of s-triazine sheet is half the value to that of graphene. Additionally, the calculated values of the two critical strains (elastic and yielding points) of s-triazine sheet are in the same order of magnitude to that for heptazine which was calculated using MD simulations in the literature. It is also demonstrated that s-triazine sheet can withstand larger tension in the plastic region. These results established a stable mechanical property for s-triazine sheet. We found a linear relationship of bandgap as a function of bi-axial tensile strain within the harmonic elastic region. The reduced steric repulsion of the lone pairs (p_x-, p_y-) causes the p_z-like orbital to shift to high energy, and consequently an increase in the bandgap. We find no electronic properties modulation of the s-triazine sheet under electric field up to a peak value of 10 V/nm. Such noble properties may be useful in future nanomaterial applications.     

Organometal Halide Perovskites: Bulk Low‐Dimension Materials and Nanoparticles

Organometal halide perovskites (hybrid perovskites) contain an anionic metal–halogen‐semiconducting framework and charge‐compensating organic cations. As hybrid materials, they combine useful properties of both organic and inorganic materials, such as plastic mechanical properties and good electronic mobility related to organic and inorganic material, respectively. They are prepared from abundant and low cost starting compounds. The perovskite stoichiometry is associated with the dimensionality of its inorganic framework, which can vary from three to zero, 3D consisting of corner‐sharing MX₆ octahedra, and 0D consisting of isolated octahedra. Small‐sized organic cations can fit into the MX₆ octahedra of the 3D framework and in all dimensions organic cations surround the inorganic framework. Regarding the low dimensionality in the material, this refers to at least one of its dimensions being shorter than approximately 100 nanometers. These materials should be considered as genuine nanomaterials or as bulk materials depending on whether they have three or less than three dimensions on the nanoscale, respectively. In principle, hybrid perovskite nanoparticles can be prepared with different shapes and with inorganic framework dimensionalities varying from 0D to 3D, and this also applies to the bulk material. This report is mainly focused on the unique properties of organometal halide perovskite nanoparticles.     

Ultrasound regulated flexible protein materials: Fabrication,structure and physical-biological properties

Ultrasound can be used in the biomaterial field due to its high efficiency, easy operation, no chemical treatment, repeatability and high level of control. In this work, we demonstrated that ultrasound is able to quickly regulate protein structure at the solution assembly stage to obtain the designed properties of protein-based materials. Silk fibroin proteins dissolved in a formic acid-CaCl₂ solution system were treated in an ultrasound with varying times and powers. By altering these variables, the silks physical properties and structures can be fine-tuned and the results were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), gas permeability and water contact angle measurements. Ultrasonic treatment aids the interactions between the calcium ions and silk molecular chains which leads to increased amounts of intermolecular β-sheets and α-helix. This unique structural change caused the silk film to be highly insoluble in water while also inducing a hydrophilic swelling property. The ultrasound-regulated silk materials also showed higher thermal stability, better biocompatibility and breathability, and favorable mechanical strength and flexibility. It was also possible to tune the enzymatic degradation rate and biological response (cell growth and proliferation) of protein materials by changing ultrasound parameters. This study provides a unique physical and non-contact material processing method for the wide applications of protein-based biomaterials.