Electromechanical behavior of single-walled carbon nanotube thin films

Carbon nanotubes have been intensively studied owing to their great potential in nanoelectronics and nanomechanical devices. Recently, experimental results have shown that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) change their electronic properties when subjected to strain. In this study, the electromechanical characteristics of SWCNT networks were investigated for the application of printable strain sensors on flexible substrates. SWCNT films were formed on plastic substrates of poly(ethylene terephthalate) using a spray process. In this manner, we were able to control the transparency and obtain uniform electrical properties of the films. The films are isotropic on account of the random orientation of bundles of SWCNTs. Experimental results showed a nearly linear change in the resistance across a film when it was subjected to tensile strain, even in the inelastic range of the flexible substrate. The results demonstrate the potential use of SWCNT films for highly sensitive printable strain sensors on a macroscale.     

Nano-size solidification microconstituents in electro-spark deposited Ni-base superalloy

The microstructure of electro-spark deposited IN 718 was investigated by analytical transmission electron microscopy. The analysis shows in contrast to general assumption, extreme rapid cooling rates involved in electro-spark deposition (ESD) did not produce partitionless solidification, devoid of second phase microconstituents in the material. Nanosized Laves and MC carbide particles were formed in the interdendritic regions of IN 718 electro-spark weld deposit, which indicate the occurrence of segregation-induced phase formation during solidification of the weld. The formation of Laves phase particles, which is known to be deleterious to the mechanical properties of IN 718, requires adequate consideration in the application of IN 718, and possibly other Nb-bearing nickel-base superalloys, processed by ESD.     

Tuning the structure of MoO3 nanoplates via MoS2 oxidation

Orthorhombic phase MoO₃ (α-MoO₃) nanoplates were synthesized by oxidizing MoS₂ nanoplates in air at 300?°C, while α-MoO₃ microplates were achieved by directly evaporating MoO₃ powders at 800?°C. Much thinner α-MoO₃ nanoplates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and micro Raman spectroscopy. This experiment may provide a pathway to the formation of α-MoO₃ nanoplates.     

Kinetics of diffusion via divacancies in a concentrated random fcc alloy

The diffusion kinetics in a concentrated fcc alloy are described by means of divacancies. The model chosen is the random alloy model with bound divacancies. We show that for the fcc structure the Manning formalism developed originally for monovacancies can be used intact to describe diffusion via divacancies. Monte Carlo simulation results for both tracer and collective correlation factors are in good agreement with the results of the formalism for a wide range of the component atom exchange frequencies with the divacancy except for the slower-moving component.     

Transition from diffusive to ballistic capture related to hydrogen incorporation in amorphous silicon

Three intersection mechanisms with the gliding planes (111)_TB, (001)_TB and (115)_TB respectively have been observed by high-resolution electron microscopy in the type-I twin intersection of gamma-TiAl. It was found that the intersection mechanism that occurred was related to the thickness of the incident twin. The accommodation mechanism on the (111)_TB atomic plane is preferred when the incident twin becomes very thin. The dislocation dissociations of the (111)_TB plane accommodation are the most energetically unfavourable of the dissociations of the three intersection mechanisms; however, the resultant dislocations on the (111)_TB planes are the easiest to propagate away from the intersection area. Accordingly, (111)_TB atomic plane accommodation is considered to be the only mechanism allowing shear transmission under the small local stress of the pile-up of the incident twinning partials.     

The decapitation of Slovenia’s Catholic Church: social factors and consequences

This article discusses the financial collapse of Slovenia’s Catholic Church, a scandal which resulted in the deposition of the country’s archbishops, and its impact on religious belief and on the relations within the Slovenian Catholic establishment and community. Trust in the Church and religious participation have dropped markedly in Slovenia over recent years. While there are no significant changes in religious belief, other religious indicators continue to reflect an ongoing moderate trend towards secularisation that is characteristic of Slovenia in the post-socialist era. The public discourse of the Church’s leadership and lay Catholics reveals tensions on the reasons behind the fall of the Church’s financial empire and on the question of responsibility in the removal of Slovenia’s archbishops. Two general types of reactions were identified in a content analysis of texts from a five-month period after the last depositions. Views within the Slovene Catholic Church, which uphold the institution’s traditional stance, tend to explain these developments as part of a conspiracy against the Church. Others that are more open and reflective are critical towards the actions of the Church and demand change from within the institution.