Non‐contact evaluation of the electrical conductivity of thin metallic films by eddy current microscopy

An eddy current microscopy technique to evaluate the electrical conductivity of thin metallic films in a non‐contact manner is reported. A narrow track formed in an approximately 100 nm thick Au film was prepared, and a Co–Cr coated magnetic tip was driven to oscillate above the track both with and without current passing through the track. Despite the absence of current, the electromagnetic interaction between the tip and the stray magnetic field from the track gave rise to a phase delay in the probe. This was due to an eddy current being induced within part of the track. Moreover, measurements of the phase change in the probe oscillation for different metallic films with thicknesses of about 100 nm found this to be proportional to the electrical conductivity of the film. Finally, the electrical conductivity of an Al film was evaluated using the eddy current microscopy technique. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics of carbon steel dissolution in ammonium chloride solution containing sodium thiosulfate

The dissolution behavior of carbon steel in ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) solution containing sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃) of various concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 M) was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and other nonelectrochemical techniques. The weight loss and polarization measurements indicate a significant increase in the NH₄Cl corrosion rate of carbon steel on addition of Na₂S₂O_3. The EIS measurements exhibited two capacitive loops at multiple direct current (dc) potentials for both the concentrations. Electrical equivalent circuit (EEC) and reaction mechanism analysis (RMA) were employed to analyze the impedance data. A four-step mechanism with two intermediate adsorbate species of same charge was proposed to explain the dissolution behavior of carbon steel in the given system. The surface coverage values enumerated that the surface was entirely covered with adsorbed species unlike in the pure NH₄Cl system. Charge transfer resistance and polarization resistance values estimated from RMA parameters indicate the increase in a dissolution rate with dc potential. The surface morphology was inspected via field emission scanning electron microscopy, and the corrosion products including surface state of carbon steel electrode were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Vacancy-like defects in nanocrystalline SnO2: influence of the annealing treatment under different atmospheres

The study of electronic and chemical properties of semiconductor oxides is motivated by their several applications. In particular, tin oxide is widely used as a solid state gas sensor material. In this regard, the defect structure has been proposed to be crucial in determining the resulting film conductivity and then its sensitivity. Here, the characteristics of vacancy-like defects in nanocrystalline commercial high-purity tin oxide powders and the influence of the annealing treatment under different atmospheres are presented. Specifically, SnO₂ nanopowders were annealed at 330 °C under three different types of atmospheres: inert (vacuum), oxidative (oxygen) and reductive (hydrogen). The obtained experimental results are discussed in terms of the vacancy-like defects detected, shedding light to the basic conduction mechanisms, which are responsible for gas detection.     

Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and Mo6S3I6 Nanowires

Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and molybdenum sulfur iodine (MoSI) nanowires were prepared using twin‐screw extrusion. Extensive microscopic examination of the composites revealed the nanowires were well dispersed in the PCL matrix, although bundles of Mo₆S₃I₆ ropes were evident at higher loadings. Secondary electron imaging (SEI) showed the nanowires had formed an extensive network throughout the PCL matrix, resulting in increased electrical conductivity of PCL, by eight orders of magnitude, and an electrical percolation threshold of 6.5 × 10^?3 vol%. Thermal analysis (DSC), WAXD, and hot stage polarized optical microscopy (HSPOM) experiments revealed Mo₆S₃I₆ addition altered PCL crystallization kinetics, nucleation density, and crystalline content. A greater number of smaller spherulites were formed via heterogeneous nucleation. The onset of thermal decomposition (TGA) of PCL decreased by 70°C, a consequence of the thermal degradation of Mo₆S₃I₆ to MoO₃, which in turn accelerates the formation of volatile gases during the first stage of PCL decomposition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrical Conduction Mechanisms of MxPS3, M1−xM'xPS3 and their Intercalation Compounds

Abstract

In the M_xPS₃ and M_1?xM'_xPS₃ systems, the P₂S₆ cluster contributes to the poor electrical conductivity for the compounds in which the energy level of the metal 3d orbital is deeper than those of the P, S 3p orbitals. For the compounds in which metal 3d orbital is closed to P and S 3p orbitals and has mixed valency, the induced mixed valency of P₂S₆, cluster and/or hopping mechanism contribute to the electrical conductivity. In the organic electron donor intercalation into M_xPS₃ and M_1?xM'_xPS₃ compounds, the new intercalation reaction is discovered, in which formation of tris-complexes of metal ions with guest molecules occurs in the host interlayer.     

The thermophysical properties of low‐temperature Pb plasma

The thermophysical properties of low‐temperature Pb plasma are calculated at temperatures 10–100 kK and densities below 0.2 of the solid‐state value. The thermodynamic values (pressure and internal energy) and transport coefficients (electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and thermal power) are considered. The plasma composition and thermodynamic parameters are obtained within the chemical approach, namely by means of the solution of the corresponding system of the coupled mass action law equations. Atom ionization up to +4 is taken into consideration. The electronic transport coefficients are calculated within the relaxation time approximation. The results obtained by means of the present model are compared with the available data of other models and experiments.     

Hydrogel Microchambers Integrated with Organic Electrodes for Efficient Electrical Stimulation of Human iPSC‐Derived Cardiomyocytes

A hydrogel‐based microchamber with organic electrodes for efficient electrical stimulations of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) is described. The microchamber is made from molecularly permeable, optically transparent, and electrically conductive polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel and highly capacitive carbon electrode modified with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Spheroids of hiPSC‐CMs are cultured in microchambers, and electrically stimulated by the electrode for maturation. The large interfacial capacitance of the electrodes enables several days of electrical stimulation without generation of cytotoxic bubbles even when the electrodes are placed near the spheroids. The spheroids can be cultivated in the closed microchambers because of the permeated nutrients through the hydrogel, thus the spheroids are stably addressable and the culture medium around the sealed microchambers can be simply exchanged. Synchronized beating of the spheroids can be optically analyzed in situ, which makes it possible to selectively collect electrically responsive cells for further use. As the hydrogel is electrically conductive, the amount of electrical charge needed for maturing the spheroids can be reduced by configuring electrodes on the top and the bottom of the microchamber. The bioreactor will be useful for efficient production of matured hiPSC‐CMs for regenerative medicine and drug screening.     

基于电刺激的多模式康复系统设计和研究

针对脑卒中后肢体功能障碍、褥疮及疼痛,分析了临床上常用的治疗参数,设计了多模式电刺激治疗系统。该系统通过触摸屏与主芯片STM32L152RCT6进行通信,控制升压和极性转换电路产生幅值、频率及脉宽均可连续调节的双极性电刺激脉冲,验证了系统的稳定性和镇痛的效果。通过试验验证了系统能稳定工作,且电脉冲幅值与电阻值的变化无关,且能提高受试者的疼痛阈值。能产生临床使用的电刺激疗法的各类参数,有利于临床实验和相关科研的开展。电刺激技术能够缓解人体疼痛,提高疼痛阈值。