Macroscopic quantum tunneling in a d-wave high-TC Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 + delta superconductor

While Josephson-junction-like structures intrinsic to the layered cuprate high temperature superconductors offer an attractive stage for exploiting possible applications to new quantum technologies, the low energy quasiparticle excitations characteristically present in these d-wave superconductors may easily destroy the coherence required. Here we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of macroscopic quantum tunneling in the intrinsic Josephson junctions of a high temperature superconductor Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8 + delta), and find it to be characterized by a high classic-to-quantum crossover temperature and a relatively weak quasiparticle dissipation.     

Measuring the thermal conductivity of a single carbon nanotube

Although the thermal properties of millimeter-sized carbon nanotube mats and packed carbon nanofibers have been readily measured, measurements for a single nanotube are extremely difficult. Here, we report a novel method that can reliably measure the thermal conductivity of a single carbon nanotube using a suspended sample-attached T-type nanosensor. Our experimental results show that the thermal conductivity of a carbon nanotube at room temperature increases as its diameter decreases, and exceeds 2000 W/mK for a diameter of 9.8 nm. The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity for a carbon nanotube with a diameter of 16.1 nm appears to have an asymptote near 320 K. The present method is, in principle, applicable to any kind of a single nanofiber, nanowire, and even single-walled carbon nanotube.     

A specific method for the separation of mercury(II) using a weakly basic cellulose ion exchanger

A systematic study of the behavior of many metal ions on the weakly basic cellulose exchanger DEAE in dilute thiocyanate media showed that few metal ions are adsorbed. The adsorption of mercury(II) allows a rapid and highly selective separation from about 40 metal ions. Quantitative results are quoted for the separation of ca. 100 μg of mercury(II) from milligram amounts of other metal ions; 100 μg to 10 mg of mercury(II) can be quantitatively separated from iron(III) in proportions of mercury(II): iron(III) = 100:1 to 1:8,000 on a column containing only 1 g of DEAE.     

Toblerols: Cyclopropanol‐Containing Polyketide Modulators of Antibiosis in Methylobacteria

Trans‐AT polyketide synthases (PKSs) are a family of biosynthetically versatile modular type I PKSs that generate bioactive polyketides of impressive structural diversity. In this study, we detected, in the genome of several bacteria a cryptic, architecturally unusual trans‐AT PKS gene cluster which eluded automated PKS prediction. Genomic mining of one of these strains, the model methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, revealed unique epoxide‐ and cyclopropanol‐containing polyketides named toblerols. Relative and absolute stereochemistry were determined by NMR experiments, chemical derivatization, and the comparison of CD data between the derivatized natural product and a synthesized model compound. Biosynthetic data suggest that the cyclopropanol moiety is generated by carbon–carbon shortening of a more extended precursor. Surprisingly, a knock‐out strain impaired in polyketide production showed strong inhibitory activity against other methylobacteria in contrast to the wild‐type producer. The activity was inhibited by complementation with toblerols, thus suggesting that these compounds modulate an as‐yet unknown methylobacterial antibiotic.     

Intercalation of Azo Compounds into Layered Aluminium Dihydrogentriphosphate and a Layered Double Hydroxide

The inner surfaces of inorganic layered compounds such as aluminium dihydrogen-triphosphate (ADHP) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) were modified by azo compounds. Upon intercalation of 4-phenylazoaniline and 4,4-azodianiline into ADHP, the interlayer spacing increased from 6.4 to 21.5 Å and 20.6 Å, respectively. The intensity of IR peaks due to P-–OH of ADHP and amino groups of guests decreased by the thermal treatment of the intercalates. The interlayer spacings also decreased to 16.9 Å and 16.7 Å, respectively, indicating a dehydration reaction between P–-OH and amino groups. The LDH inner surface was modified by the reaction with trans-p-phenylazobenzoylchloride (PAB-Cl). Upon surface modification, the interlayer spacing increased from 7.6 Å to about 27 Å. The absorption of this surface-modified LDH near 410 nm increased upon irradiation with UV light and decreased upon irradation with visible light, indicating the occurrence of trans–cis isomerization of PAB-Cl between the layers.     

High quality a-Si film produced by horizontal plasma furnace

A series of investigation on the a-Si film quality in a p-i-n junction has been made by employing the separated three chamber system of horizontal plasma mode. A clear improvement of film quality has been experimentally verified in a-Si films prepared by this system as compared with those by the single chamber system. On the basis of these investigation, a-SiC/a-Si/μc-Si heterojunction solar cells having more than 9% conversion efficiency have been developed.     

Microampere laser threshold at 80°C with InGaAs/GaAs/InGaP buried heterostructre strained quantum well lasers

An extremely low CW threshold current of 670 μA and a high slope efficiency of 0.14 W/A at a high junction temperature of 80°C were obtained with a 200 μm long Al-free InGaAs/GaAs/InGaP buried heterostructure (BH) quantum well laser grown by three-step metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The maximum energy conversion efficiency of a 500 μm long laser was as high as 50% at a output power level of 1 mW. Regrowth conditions of InGaP layers were found to be crucial for planarizing the grown surface to realize the high performances.     

On a unified double zeta function of Mordell–Tornheim type*

Lithuanian Mathematical Journal - We introduce a double zeta function of Mordell–Tornheim type and compute its values at nonpositive integer points. We then discuss a possible generalization...     

Asymmetrically modified silica particles: a simple particulate surfactant for stabilization of oil droplets in water

Spherical silica particles that are able to assemble at a phase boundary of a dual-phase mixture of water and an immiscible organic solvent were prepared by a partial modification of their surface hydroxyl groups with an alkylsilylation agent. Scanning electron microscopic observation of these particles in which their remaining surface hydroxyl groups had been selectively modified with colloidal gold particles revealed that each particle has an asymmetric surface structure: one side of the surface is hydrophilic and the other is hydrophobic. We found that these particles could form a micellar structure in water in the presence of an organic solution of a toluene/polystyrene mixture. The micellar structure was evidenced by formation of golf-ball-like polystyrene particles with dimples imprinting morphologies of the hydrophobic part of modified silica particles.