Challenge and Solution of Characterizing Glass Transition Temperature for Conjugated Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Thermomechanical properties of polymers highly depend on their glass transition temperature (T _g). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is commonly used to measure T _g of polymers. However, many conjugated polymers (CPs), especially donor–acceptor CPs (D–A CPs), do not show a clear glass transition when measured by conventional DSC using simple heat and cool scan. In this work, we discuss the origin of the difficulty for measuring T _g in such type of polymers. The changes in specific heat capacity (Δc _p) at T _g were accurately probed for a series of CPs by DSC. The results showed a significant decrease in Δc _p from flexible polymer (0.28 J g^?1 K^?1 for polystyrene) to rigid CPs (10^?3 J g^?1 K^?1 for a naphthalene diimide‐based D–A CP). When a conjugation breaker unit (flexible unit) is added to the D–A CPs, we observed restoration of the Δc _p at T _g by a factor of 10, confirming that backbone rigidity reduces the Δc _p. Additionally, an increase in the crystalline fraction of the CPs further reduces Δc _p. We conclude that the difficulties of determining T _g for CPs using DSC are mainly due to rigid backbone and semicrystalline nature. We also demonstrate that physical aging can be used on DSC to help locate and confirm the glass transition for D‐A CPs with weak transition signals. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 1635–1644     

Thermomagnetic properties of very heavy fermions suitable for adiabatic demagnetisation refrigeration at low temperature

ABSTRACT

With the aim to improve the performance of classical paramagnetic salts for adiabatic refrigeration processes at the sub-Kelvin range, relevant thermodynamic parameters of some new Yb-based intermetallic compounds are analysed and compared. Two main applications are considered: (i) those requiring temperature fixed-points to be reached applying magnetic fields of moderate intensity for satellite applications, and (ii) those which can be used for controlled thermal drifts in laboratory applications. Different thermomagnetic trajectories of the entropy are identified depending on respective specific heat behaviours and the constraints imposed by the Nernst postulate at the sub-Kelvin range. Some simple relationships are proposed to compare the diverse magnetocaloric characteristics of different systems. This procedure allows to include the classical Cerium-Magnesium-Nitride (CMN) salt in that comparison.     

Reduced magnetic disorder at low temperature in Ca3Co2O6 via zinc substitution

ABSTRACT

The compound Ca₃Co₂O₆ undergoes a transition into a spin-density wave (SDW) state near 24?K. Below ～10?K, this unstable SDW state coexists with a nearly- degenerate commensurate antiferromagnetic state as well as short-range magnetic order. Clear signatures of this strong magnetic disorder have been observed in the response of entropy to changing magnetic field and temperature. We performed a calorimetry study of Ca₃Co₂O₆ and Ca₃Co_1.9Zn_0.1O₆ in order to compare their entropic responses at low temperature. Our results for Ca₃Co₂O₆ reveal that ΔS(T, H)?≡?S(T, H)?S(T, H?=?0) increases as either temperature or magnetic field increase. In contrast, ΔS data for Ca₃Co_1.9Zn_0.1O₆ were relatively unresponsive to changes in temperature or field, suggesting that Zn substitution may reduce the low-temperature magnetic disorder observed in Ca₃Co₂O₆. These results are discussed within the context of two cases (Ca₃Co₂O₆ under applied pressure and Ca_2.75R_0.25Co₂O₆ (R?=?Dy, Lu)) in which a single magnetic ground state is stabilised.     

Pitch-Based Laminated Carbon Formed by Pressure Driving at Low Temperature as High-Capacity Anodes for Lithium Energy Storage Systems

Pitch has been used to prepare electrodes by high-temperature heat treatments for supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, on account of its rich aromatic ring structure. Here, the toluene-soluble component of pitch is used to prepare a kind of laminated carbon. This was realized by a template-free synthesis at low temperature with the addition of pressure. The toluene-soluble component has a small molecular weight, which makes the thermal deformation ability stronger and then enhances the orientation of the carbon layer with the help of pressure. The prepared anode exhibits a splendid electrochemical performance compared with the traditional graphite anode. A high stable capacity of approximately 550 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹, which is much higher than graphite (372 mAh g⁻¹), is obtained. Also, when the current density is up to 2 A g⁻¹, the capacity is about 150 mAh g⁻¹. Surprisingly, it also delivers a superior cycling performance. And when used as the anode/cathode electrode for lithium-ion capacitors, a high energy density can be obtained. The present work offers an opportunity to utilize the pitch source in lithium energy storage with promising cycle life, high energy/power density, and low cost.     

An evaluation method for measuring SPL and mode shape of tire cavity resonance by using multi-microphone system

This paper presents an evaluation method for measuring the sound pressure level and mode shapes of tire cavity resonance by using a multi-microphone system. Two commercial tires were evaluated to compare abilities of noise suppression by means of this method in the range of the first resonance from 200 to 260 Hz. One tire was a special tire that suppresses tire cavity resonance with polyurethane foam mounted on the tire’s inner liner. The other tire was a normal tire with no polyurethane foam. The mode shape change from vertical to horizontal direction in both tires. However, the sound pressure level of the special tire was lower than the normal tire at all frequencies.     

Synthesis of Dual Mode Logic

In recent years, the major focus of VLSI design has shifted from high-speed to low-power consumption. While standard CMOS-based digital design provides substantial flexibility during pre-silicon design phases, the characteristics of the gates are set by fabrication variations and environmental conditions and cannot easily be changed at runtime. The recently proposed Dual Mode Logic (DML) family provides a novel approach to provide this capability by introducing two configurable operating modes, static and dynamic, that enable fine-grained control of the power-performance tradeoff of a logic path. However, the introduction of a new topology requires the development of both a design methodology and techniques for integration in a robust design automation flow. Standard synthesis tools do not support dynamic gates, and in particular, dual-characteristic gates. Therefore, until now, DML has been limited to small, custom-made blocks and components. In this paper, we present a novel approach for the integration of DML into standard electronic design automation tools, as part of the standard digital design flow. The development of this approach and the accompanying design methodology enables DML to be used in larger designs, such as state-of-the-art, high-speed and/or low-power SoCs. We demonstrate the employment of the proposed approach in order to benefit from DML properties, and reduce the power consumption, while simultaneously improving the operating frequency of a number of test designs.     

Dynamics of the rotational degrees of freedom in an undercooled crystal of cyanoadamantane

Results of molecular dynamics are presented for a simple model of cyanoadamantane crystal. Rotator cubic phase was simulated over a wide range of temperatures. In this system, glass formation is not induced by quenched diluted disorder, but it occurs similarly to conventional glasses. Simulations have shown that the system evolves from free small-step rotational diffusion to jump like motion. The results obtained with this model are used to discuss the validity of the Mode Coupling Theory (MCT) predictions.     

Solvation Dynamics of a Radical Ion Pair in Micro‐Heterogeneous Binary Solvents: A Semi‐Quantitative Study Utilizing MARY Line‐Broadening Experiments

This work aims at elucidating the mechanism of solvation of a radical ion pair (RIP) in a micro‐heterogeneous binary solvent mixture using magnetically affected reaction yield (MARY) spectroscopy. For the exciplex‐forming 9,10‐dimethylanthracene/N,N‐dimethylaniline system a comparative, composition‐dependent MARY line‐broadening study is undertaken in a heterogeneous (toluene/dimethylsulfoxide) and a quasi‐homogenous (propyl acetate/butyronitrile) solvent mixture. The half‐saturation field extrapolated to zero‐quencher concentration, B_1/2, and the self‐exchange rate constants are analyzed in the light of solvent dynamical properties of the mixtures and a dielectric continuum solvation model. The dependence of B_1/2 on the solvent composition is explained by cluster formation giving rise to shortened RIP lifetimes. The results are in qualitative agreement with the continuum solvation model suggesting that it could serve as a theoretical basis for quantitative modeling.     

The Effect of Temperature and Standings Can Cause Deviations in Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Assays

Abstract

Blood samples were assayed for PSA values immediately after sampled or by standing for an assigned period. Variation of the free‐ (f), total‐ (t) values, and the free to total (f/t) ratios were determined. Mathematical models were used to interpret the phenomena of deviation. Smaller values of PSA values changed randomly with time and temperature of standings, resulting in varying f/t ratios, while larger initial PSA values were relatively unaffected to any significant extent.

Model interpreted that the changes of PSA values might be caused by higher temperature and time of standings, and conformational participation was also possible.     

一种新型SAW气体传感器的设计

提出了将纳米线技术与声表面波(SAW)技术相结合,分别利用纳米线气体敏感材料比表面积高,声表面波传感器质量敏感性高的优点,探索研制新一代声表面波气体传感器。该传感器具有响应速度快,灵敏度高,体积小,质量注和易集成等优点。该文主要从SAW专用芯片的研制、专用纳米线研制、专用纳米线的表面修饰与改性研究、检测电路设计等4方面进行了阐述。理论计算表明,相比传统二维结构的SAW气体传感器,三维纳米线结构的SAW气体传感器的在灵敏度和响应速度上都得到提高。