Approximating Clarke’s subgradients of semismooth functions by divided differences

We show that the algorithm presented in an earlier paper by Studniarski (Numer. Math., 55:685–693, 1989) can be applied, after only a small modification, to approximate numerically Clarke’s subgradients of semismooth functions of two variables. Results of computational testing of this modified algorithm are also reported.      

Structural and lithium intercalation studies of Mn(0.5−x)CaxTi2(PO4)3 phases (0≤x≤0.50)

Materials from the Mn_(0.5−x)Ca_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ (0≤x≤0.50) solid solution were obtained by solid-state reaction in air at 1000 °C. Selected compositions were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and electrochemical lithium intercalation. The structure of all samples determined by Rietveld analysis is of the Nasicon type with the R space group. Mn²⁺/Ca²⁺ ions occupy only the M1 sites in the Ti₂(PO₄)₃ framework. The divalent cations are ordered in one of two M1 sites, except for the Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ phase, where a small departure from the ideal order is observed by XRD and ³¹P MAS NMR. The electrochemical behaviour of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Mn_(0.5−x)Ca_xTi₂(PO₄)₃ phases was characterised in Li cells. Two Li ions can be inserted without altering the Ti₂(PO₄)₃ framework. In the 0≤y≤2 range, the OCV curves of Li//Li_yMn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ cells show two main potential plateaus at 2.90 and 2.50–2.30 V. Comparison between the OCV curves of Li//Li_(1+y)Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Li//Li_yMn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ shows that the intercalation occurs first in the unoccupied M1 site of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ at 2.90 V and then, for compositions y>0.50, at the M2 site (2.50–2.30 V voltage range). The effect of calcium substitution in Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ on the lithium intercalation is also discussed from a structural and kinetic viewpoint. In all systems, the lithium intercalation is associated with a redistribution of the divalent cation over all M1 sites. In the case of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃, the stability of Mn²⁺ either in an octahedral or tetrahedral environment facilitates cationic migration.     

Spectral theory and L∞-time decay estimates for Klein–Gordon equations on two half axes with transmission: The tunnel effect

Consider two copies N₁, N₂ of the interval [0, ∞]. Consider Klein-Gordon equations with (different) constant coefficients on ? × N_j ( = time × space). Assume the coincidence of the values of the solution at the boundary points of the N_j for all times and a transmission condition relating its first (one-sided) space derivatives at these points. Under a symmetry condition, we extend the spatial part of the equation and the transmission conditions to a self-adjoint operator (by Friedrichs extension) and reformulate our problem in terms of an abstract wave equation in a suitable Hilbert space. We derive an expansion of the solution in generalized eigenfunctions of this self-adjoint extension and show, that the L^∞-norms (in space) of the solution and its first k space derivatives at the time t decay for t → ∞ at least as const. t^¼, if the initial conditions satisfy a compatibility condition of order k derived in this paper. The loss of decay rate in comparison with the full line case (const. t^?½, cf. [28]) is caused by the tunnel effect. Further we show that an abstract wave equation in a Hilbert space with a Friedrichs extension as spatial part can always be derived from a stationarity principle for an associated action-type functional. This yields a physical legitimation of our model by the principle of stationary action and moreover a criterion for the physical interpretability of all models created by the linear interaction concept [4, 6, 8, 10], in particular for the coupling of media of different dimension (alternative to [13, 16] for similar models).     

Polarization inscription in ferroelectric (111) PZT and (100) SBT films

Ferroelectric thin films form an equilibrium domain structure compatible with their respective crystallographic symmetry. In tetragonal (111) PZT, 90° domains prevail; in (pseudo-tetragonal) (100) SBT both 90° and 180° domains are present. The size of 90° domains has been measured for e.g., PZT as slabs of 15 nm width. Domain size is a result of stress minimization in the film during the paraelectric (PE) → ferroelectric (FE) transition. A precise and regular domain pattern for (111) PZT and (100) SBT films has been investigated in detail by TMSFM. Single domains can be addressed mechanically with the tip of an AFM. Such single domain switching corresponds to a data storage density of 200 Gbit/inch². Applications of ferroelectric and high- paraelectric materials for e.g., non-volatile data storage replacing DRAM devices or as sensors in infrared cameras are increasingly becoming popular.     

Reactivity of a Ti–45.9Al–8Nb alloy in air at 700–900°C

A Ti–45.9Al–8Nb (at%) alloy with a lamellar structure (γ+α₂) was oxidised in air at 700, 800, 850 and 900°C in isothermal and thermal cycling conditions. The reaction progress was followed by thermogravimetric measurements. In isothermal conditions the oxidation kinetics followed approximately a parabolic rate law and the rate constants ranged from about 10^–12 kg² m^–4 s^–1 at 700°C to 10^–10 kg² m^–4 s^–1 at 900°C. The oxide scales were built of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, the former being the main component of the outermost layer. The oxidation behaviour of Ti–45.9Al–8Nb was referred to a commercial titanium alloy, WT4 (Ti–6Al–1Mn), and selected oxidation-resistant alloys.     

Spectroscopic studies of biologically active organotin(IV) derivatives of 2-[N-(2,4,6-tribromophenylamido]propanoic acid

Herein we describe the synthesis and characterization of compounds having the formulae R₂SnL₂ and R₃SnL, where R = Me, n-Bu, Ph and n-Oct and L = 2-[N-(2,4,6-tribromophenylamido]propanoic acid. All the complexes have been characterized by various spectroscopic methods (IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR), elemental analysis, mass spectrometry and physical data. These compounds were also screened for their biological activity and found some encouraging results.     

1,1‐Organoboration of bis(trimethylstannyl)ethyne with trimethylsilyl‐ and dimethylsilyl‐dialkylboryl‐substituted alkenes: organometallic‐substituted allenes

The reactions of bis(trimethylstannyl)ethyne, Me₃Sn–C?C–SnMe₃ ( 4 ), with trimethylsilyl‐ or dimethylsilyl‐dialkylboryl‐substituted alkenes 1 – 3 afford organometallic‐substituted allenes 5 , 6 and 8 , 9 in high yield. In the case of (E)‐2‐trimethylsilyl‐3‐diethylboryl‐2‐pentene ( 1) , a butadiene derivative 7 could be detected as an intermediate prior to rearrangement into the allene. All reactions were monitored by ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and the products were characterized by an extensive NMR data set (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Convergent Algorithm Based on Progressive Regularization for Solving Pseudomonotone Variational Inequalities

In this paper, we extend the Moreau-Yosida regularization of monotone variational inequalities to the case of weakly monotone and pseudomonotone operators. With these properties, the regularized operator satisfies the pseudo-Dunn property with respect to any solution of the variational inequality problem. As a consequence, the regularized version of the auxiliary problem algorithm converges. In this case, when the operator involved in the variational inequality problem is Lipschitz continuous (a property stronger than weak monotonicity) and pseudomonotone, we prove the convergence of the progressive regularization introduced in Refs. 1, 2.