Extended proportionality in division problems with multiple references

We consider an extension of the classic problem of division with claims to situations in which the characteristics of the agents are multi-dimensional. The proportional rule is the most prominent in the one-dimensional case, however there is no obvious way to define proportionality for the extended model. In this paper we introduce a property which generalizes proportionality, identify the family of rules satisfying it, and characterize a particular rule within this family on the basis of a property of symmetry.     

The influence of sulfur substitution on the atomic displacement in Bi2Ti2O7

To clarify the role of A₂O′ and B₂O₆ networks on cation displacement observed in Bi₂Ti₂O′O₆, we used density functional theory calculations to examine the effect of sulfur substitution on the O′ and O sites on lone pair formation and resulting atomic displacement observed in Bi₂Ti₂O′O₆. Cation displacement in bismuth titanate is suppressed only when S is substituted on the O′ site. Analysis of the electronic structure shows that S substitution on the O′ site suppresses the formation of the asymmetric p-type lone pair by modifying the Bi-anion hybridization. Lone pair formation is favored in Bi₂Ti₂O′S₆ and the atomic displacement is larger than that observed in Bi₂Ti₂O′O_6. This enhanced displacement is due to weaker Bi-S versus Bi-O interactions leading to significantly stronger hybridization between the Bi and O′ states in Bi₂Ti₂O′S₆. We also induced lone pair formation in a metallic bismuth pyrochlore oxide (Bi₂Ru₂O′O₆) by modifying the Bi-O interactions through S substitution on the B₂O₆ network, indicating atomic displacement on the A₂O′ network may be achieved by modifying the B₂O₆ network.     

Single facility location problems with unbounded unit balls

In this paper we consider a new class of continuous location problems where the distances are measured by gauges of closed (not necessarily bounded) convex sets. These distance functions do not satisfy the definiteness property and therefore they can be used to model those situations where there exist zero-distance regions. We prove a geometrical characterization of these measures of distance as the length of shortest paths between points using only a subset of directions of their unit balls. We also characterize the complete set of optimal solutions for this class of continuous single facility location problems and we give resolution methods to solve them. Our analysis allows to consider new models of location problems and generalizes previously known results.     

Dominant ion transport processes of ionic liquid electrolyte in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)

Electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry was used to study movement of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIBTI) into and out of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). In 0.1M EMIBTI/acetonitrile, anionic transport predominates, as is typical of solution-based electrolytes. In pure EMIBTI, on the other hand, the minimal mass change observed during polymer oxidation/reduction was observed to be cation-dominant. PEDOT deposition from dilute EMIBTI solution followed by cycling in neat EMIBTI resulted in rapid decrease of electroactivity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Synthesis of multifunctional hydroxyethyl tetrazoles

A series of di-, tri-, and tetra-tetrazoloalkanes were synthesized from the corresponding nitrile and sodium azide. These were alkylated to give hydroxy terminated chains for possible use as high energy oligomers.     

Redox,ionic strength,and pH sensitive supramolecular polymer assemblies

Formation of micelle‐type assembly from supramolecular complexation of a surfactant and an oppositely charged homopolymer is demonstrated. The lower CAC observed for these assemblies suggest that the electrostatic interaction provides an amphiphilic homopolymer‐like structure. The stimulus‐induced disassembly of these supramolecular structures has been accomplished with variations in redox characteristics, ionic strength, and pH of the medium. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1052–1060, 2009     

Surface structural evolution during the thermal decomposition of a PdO(101) thin film

We used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to characterize PdO(101) thin films grown on Pd(111), and the structural changes that occur during isothermal decomposition. We find that the PdO(101) thin films have high-quality surface structures that are characterized by large, crystalline terraces with low concentrations of point defects. Small domains of single-layer oxide are also present on the top layer of relatively thick PdO(101) films grown at 500 K. The thinner PdO(101) films exhibit negligible quantities of such domains, apparently because new domains agglomerate rapidly as the film thickness decreases. We find that the isothermal decomposition rate of a PdO(101) film at 720 K exhibits an autocatalytic regime in which the rate of oxygen desorption increases as the oxide decomposes. Our STM results demonstrate that reduced sites created during oxide decomposition catalyze further PdO decomposition, and reveal strong kinetic anisotropies in the decomposition. The kinetic anisotropies produce one-dimensional reaction fronts that propagate preferentially along the atomic rows of the PdO(101) surface, resulting in the formation of long chains of reduced sites. We also find that reduced sites promote oxygen recombination in neighboring rows of the Pd(101) structure, causing loops and larger aggregates of reduced sites to form. The promotion of decomposition across the atomic rows can qualitatively explain the autocatalytic desorption kinetics. Finally, the STM images provide evidence that underlying PdO(101) layers transfer oxygen to reduced surface domains, thus producing large domains of PdO(101) islands that coexist with reduced domains as well as the larger PdO(101) terraces of the initial surface. Re-oxidation of the surface acts to sustain the autocatalytic decomposition kinetics, and provides a mechanism for oxygen atoms to ultimately evolve from the subsurface of the PdO(101) film.