Mechanical detection of ultraslow,Debye‐like Li‐ion motions in LiAlO single crystals

Single crystalline LiAlO is known as a very poor ion conductor. Thus, in its crystalline form it unequivocally disqualifies itself from being a powerful solid electrolyte in modern energy storage systems. On the other hand, its interesting crystal structure proves beneficial to sharpen our understanding of Li ion dynamics in solids which in return might influence application‐oriented research. LiAlO allows us to apply and test techniques that are sensitive to extremely slow Li ion dynamics. This helps us clarifying their diffusion behaviour from a fundamental point of view. Here, we combined two techniques to follow Li ion translational hopping in LiAlO that can be described by the same physical formalism: dynamic mechanical relaxation and electrical relaxation, i.e., ionic conductivity measurements. Via both methods we were able to track the same transport mechanism in LiAlO. Moreover, this enabled us to directly probe extremely slow Li exchange rates at temperatures slightly above 430 K. The results were compared with recent insights from nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Altogether, an Arrhenius‐type Li diffusion process with an activation energy of ca. 1.12 eV was revealed over a large dynamic range covering 10 orders of magnitude, i.e., spanning a dynamic range from the nano‐second time scale down to the second time scale.

     

Update of the global electroweak fit and constraints on two-Higgs-doublet models

We present an update of the global fit of the Standard Model electroweak sector to latest experimental results. We include new kinematic top quark and W boson mass measurements from the LHC, a \(\sin \!^2\theta ^{\ell }_{\mathrm{eff}}\) result from the Tevatron, and a new evaluation of the hadronic contribution to \(\alpha (M_Z^2)\). We present tests of the internal consistency of the electroweak Standard Model and updated numerical predictions of key observables. The electroweak data combined with measurements of the Higgs boson coupling strengths and flavour physics observables are used to constrain parameters of two-Higgs-doublet models.     

Alternating Diene Metathesis Polycondensation (ALTMET) – A Versatile Tool for the Preparation of Perfectly Alternating AB Copolymers

Perfectly alternating copolymers can be synthesised by reacting diacrylates with terminal dienes using alternating diene metathesis polycondensation (ALTMET). This novel method is very versatile and allows preparation of diverse structures of polymers, including main‐chain liquid crystalline polymers.

Main‐chain liquid crystalline polymer obtained by ALTMET.     

Highly Defined ABC Triblock Cooligomers and Copolymers Prepared by ROMP Using an N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Substituted Ruthenium Benzylidene Initiator

The “3^rd generation Grubbs” initiator (H₂IMes)(3‐bromopyridine)₂(Cl)₂RuCHPh ( 1 ) accomplishes the synthesis of ABC triblock copolymers via living ring‐opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of norbornene derivatives. Complete initiation and an outstanding tolerance of functional groups are provided, which is proven by a combined study by means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography and NMR spectroscopy on an ABC triblock cooligomer.

Gel permeation chromatograms of oligo A , oligo AB , and oligo ABC .