L2‐signatures,homology localization,and amenable groups

Aimed at geometric applications, we prove the homology cobordism invariance of the L²‐Betti numbers and L²‐signature defects associated to the class of amenable groups lying in Strebel's class D(R), which includes some interesting infinite/finite non‐torsion‐free groups. This result includes the only prior known condition, that Γ is a poly‐torsion‐free abelian group (or a finite p‐group). We define a new commutator series that refines Harvey's torsion‐free derived series of groups, using the localizations of groups and rings of Bousfield, Vogel, and Cohn. The series, called the local derived series, has versions for homology with arbitrary coefficients and satisfies functoriality and an injectivity theorem. We combine these two new tools to give some applications to distinct homology cobordism types within the same simple homotopy type in higher dimensions, to concordance of knots in three manifolds, and to spherical space forms in dimension 3. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Highly-dispersed Ta-oxide catalysts prepared by electrodeposition in a non-aqueous plating bath for polymer electrolyte fuel cell cathodes

The Ta-oxide cathode catalysts were prepared by electrodeposition in a non-aqueous solution. These catalysts showed excellent catalytic activity and have an onset potential of 0.92 V(RHE) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The highly-dispersed Ta species at the nanometer scale on the carbon black was an important contributor to the high activity.     

High performance low band gap polymer solar cells with a non-conventional acceptor

A novel C70 fullerene derivative was designed and synthesized by [4+2] cyclic addition reaction between indene derivative (methyl 1H-indene-3-carboxylate) and C70. The absorption and photoluminescence of H120 and its mixed films with different polymer donor materials were investigated, as well as its electrochemical property and electron mobility. It was found that H120 has 0.05 eV higher LUMO level than that of PC(70)BM. Its electron mobility reached 6.32 × 10(-4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), which is slightly lower than 9.55 × 10(-4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) of PC(70)BM. The photovoltaic devices based on P3HT, and two high efficiency low band gap polymers, PBDTTT-C and PBDTTDPP as donors, with H120 as an acceptor gave power conversion efficiencies of 4.2%, 6.0% and 6.2%, respectively.     

High-density assembly of gold nanoparticles with zwitterionic carbon nanotubes and their electrocatalytic activity in oxygen reduction reaction

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were assembled with high density onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes, which were functionalized with zwitterionic poly(imidazoliumsulfonate). The AuNP/zwitterionic CNT hybrids exhibited decent electrocatalytic activity in oxygen reduction reaction as the AuNP-based catalysts.     

Leader-following consensus criteria for multi-agent systems with time-varying delays and switching interconnection topologies

We consider multi-agent systems with time-varying delays and switching interconnection topologies.By constructing a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and using the reciprocally convex approach,new delay-dependent consensus criteria for the systems are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities(LMIs),which can be easily solved by using various effective optimization algorithms.Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.     

Self‐formed Schottky barrier induced selector‐less RRAM for cross‐point memory applications

We propose a selector‐less Pr_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ (PCMO) based resistive‐switching RAM (RRAM) for high‐density cross‐point memory array applications. First, we investigate the inhomogeneous barrier with an effective barrier height (Φ_eff), i.e., self‐formed Schottky barrier. In addition, a scalable 4F² selector‐less cross‐point 1 kb RRAM array has been successfully fabricated, demonstrating set, reset, and read operation for high cell efficiency and high‐density memory applications. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nonlinear analysis of a rub-impact rotor supported by turbulent couple stress fluid film journal bearings under quadratic damping

This work reports a numerical study undertaken to investigate the dynamic response of a rotor supported by two turbulent flow model journal bearings with nonlinear suspension and lubricated with couple stress fluid under quadratic damping. This may be the first time that analysis of rotor-bearing system considered the quadratic damping effect. The dynamic response of the rotor center and bearing center are studied. The analysis methods employed in this study are inclusive of the dynamic trajectories of the rotor center and bearing center, power spectra, Poincaré maps and bifurcation diagrams. The maximum Lyapunov exponent analysis is also used to identify the onset of chaotic motion. The modeling results provide some useful insights into the design and development of rotor-bearing system for rotating machinery that operates at highly rotational speed and highly nonlinear regimes.     

A theoretical study of free convection in turbulent film boiling on a horizontal elliptical tube

The present theoretical study investigates turbulent film boiling on an isothermal elliptical tube under quiescent liquid. The effect of radiation is included in the present analysis. The results of the boiling heat transfer under the turbulent vapor show both the temperature and velocity present the non-linear distribution. Besides, under the free convection turbulent film boiling with higher Rayleigh values, the elliptical tube can get a better heat transfer efficiency than a circular tube. However, when Rayleigh values are low, the eccentricity of an elliptical tube seldom influences the heat transfer. Finally, a comparison between the results of the present study and those reported in a previous theoretical and experimental data is provided.     

Total synthesis of tropoloisoquinolines: imerubrine, isoimerubrine, and grandirubrine.

A unified, ready access to the tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids imerubrine (1), grandirubrine (2), and isoimerubrine (3) is delineated and features sequential application of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an acetylene-tethered oxazole and the [4 + 3] cycloaddition of an oxyallyl. A regioselective synthesis of 1 was achieved by stereo- and regioselective oxidation of an 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one cycloadduct by means of the Moriarty method. Such a post-cycloaddition functionalization complements the synthetic utility of an alpha-alkoxy-substituted oxyallyl so as to broaden the scope of the oxyallyl [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction.     

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of R-SNO with immobilization on self-assembled monolayer of [Co(tpy-SH)Cl2]

Au/[Co(tpy-SH)Cl₂] electrode was prepared by self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of Au and then synthesized [Co(tpy-SH)Cl₂] and showed good reproducibility in electrochemical properties. The observed formal potential for Co^2+/3+using this electrode was 0.05 V in phosphate buffer at pH 5.6. A strong desorption peak at 0.5 V was observed for deposited R-SNO. The resistance of solutions with Au/[Co(tpy-SH)Cl₂] and Au/[Co(tpy-SH) (R-SNO)_x] electrodes was similar; however, the larger resistance of electron transfer was observed for Au/[Co(tpy-SH) (R-SNO)_x] electrode that incorporated one R-SNO in an electroactive site. A relative standard deviation for calibration curve (r=0.98) was 8% and a liner response was observed for the concentration from 5.8×10⁻¹ M to 5.8×10⁻⁶ M. Interference from amino acids that do not contain a thiol group was 5% or less.