| 1. |
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- 2019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 2. |
- Akiyama, Kazunori, et al.
(author)
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The persistent shadow of the supermassive black hole of M 87: I. Observations, calibration, imaging, and analysis*
- 2024
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 681
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration reported the first-ever event-horizon-scale images of a black hole, resolving the central compact radio source in the giant elliptical galaxy M 87. These images reveal a ring with a southerly brightness distribution and a diameter of ∼42 μas, consistent with the predicted size and shape of a shadow produced by the gravitationally lensed emission around a supermassive black hole. These results were obtained as part of the April 2017 EHT observation campaign, using a global very long baseline interferometric radio array operating at a wavelength of 1.3 mm. Here, we present results based on the second EHT observing campaign, taking place in April 2018 with an improved array, wider frequency coverage, and increased bandwidth. In particular, the additional baselines provided by the Greenland telescope improved the coverage of the array. Multiyear EHT observations provide independent snapshots of the horizon-scale emission, allowing us to confirm the persistence, size, and shape of the black hole shadow, and constrain the intrinsic structural variability of the accretion flow. We have confirmed the presence of an asymmetric ring structure, brighter in the southwest, with a median diameter of 43.3-3.1+1.5 μas. The diameter of the 2018 ring is remarkably consistent with the diameter obtained from the previous 2017 observations. On the other hand, the position angle of the brightness asymmetry in 2018 is shifted by about 30 relative to 2017. The perennial persistence of the ring and its diameter robustly support the interpretation that the ring is formed by lensed emission surrounding a Kerr black hole with a mass ∼6.5× 109M. The significant change in the ring brightness asymmetry implies a spin axis that is more consistent with the position angle of the large-scale jet.
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| 3. |
- Kim, Jae-Young, et al.
(author)
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Event Horizon Telescope imaging of the archetypal blazar 3C 279 at an extreme 20 microarcsecond resolution
- 2020
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 640
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 3C 279 is an archetypal blazar with a prominent radio jet that show broadband flux density variability across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We use an ultra-high angular resolution technique - global Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) at 1.3mm (230 GHz) - to resolve the innermost jet of 3C 279 in order to study its fine-scale morphology close to the jet base where highly variable-ray emission is thought to originate, according to various models. The source was observed during four days in April 2017 with the Event Horizon Telescope at 230 GHz, including the phased Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, at an angular resolution of ∼20 μas (at a redshift of z = 0:536 this corresponds to ∼0:13 pc ∼ 1700 Schwarzschild radii with a black hole mass MBH = 8 × 108 M⊙). Imaging and model-fitting techniques were applied to the data to parameterize the fine-scale source structure and its variation.We find a multicomponent inner jet morphology with the northernmost component elongated perpendicular to the direction of the jet, as imaged at longer wavelengths. The elongated nuclear structure is consistent on all four observing days and across diffierent imaging methods and model-fitting techniques, and therefore appears robust. Owing to its compactness and brightness, we associate the northern nuclear structure as the VLBI "core". This morphology can be interpreted as either a broad resolved jet base or a spatially bent jet.We also find significant day-to-day variations in the closure phases, which appear most pronounced on the triangles with the longest baselines. Our analysis shows that this variation is related to a systematic change of the source structure. Two inner jet components move non-radially at apparent speeds of ∼15 c and ∼20 c (∼1:3 and ∼1:7 μas day-1, respectively), which more strongly supports the scenario of traveling shocks or instabilities in a bent, possibly rotating jet. The observed apparent speeds are also coincident with the 3C 279 large-scale jet kinematics observed at longer (cm) wavelengths, suggesting no significant jet acceleration between the 1.3mm core and the outer jet. The intrinsic brightness temperature of the jet components are ≤1010 K, a magnitude or more lower than typical values seen at ≥7mm wavelengths. The low brightness temperature and morphological complexity suggest that the core region of 3C 279 becomes optically thin at short (mm) wavelengths.
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| 4. |
- Guo, Di, et al.
(author)
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Cholecystokinin-like peptide mediates satiety by inhibiting sugar attraction
- 2021
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In: PLOS Genetics. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7390 .- 1553-7404. ; 17:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Feeding is essential for animal survival and reproduction and is regulated by both internal states and external stimuli. However, little is known about how internal states influence the perception of external sensory cues that regulate feeding behavior. Here, we investigated the neuronal and molecular mechanisms behind nutritional state-mediated regulation of gustatory perception in control of feeding behavior in the brown planthopper and Drosophila. We found that feeding increases the expression of the cholecystokinin-like peptide, sulfakinin (SK), and the activity of a set of SK-expressing neurons. Starvation elevates the transcription of the sugar receptor Gr64f and SK negatively regulates the expression of Gr64f in both insects. Interestingly, we found that one of the two known SK receptors, CCKLR-17D3, is expressed by some of Gr64f-expressing neurons in the proboscis and proleg tarsi. Thus, we have identified SK as a neuropeptide signal in a neuronal circuitry that responds to food intake, and regulates feeding behavior by diminishing gustatory receptor gene expression and activity of sweet sensing GRNs. Our findings demonstrate one nutritional state-dependent pathway that modulates sweet perception and thereby feeding behavior, but our experiments cannot exclude further parallel pathways. Importantly, we show that the underlying mechanisms are conserved in the two distantly related insect species.
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| 5. |
- Chen, Geng, et al.
(author)
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Experimental Test of the State Estimation-Reversal Tradeoff Relation in General Quantum Measurements
- 2014
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In: Physical Review X. - 2160-3308. ; 4:5, s. 021043-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- When a measurement has limited strength, only partial information, regarding the initial state, is extracted, and, correspondingly, there is a probability to reverse its effect on the system and retrieve the original state. Recently, a clear and direct quantitative description of this complementary relationship, in terms of a tradeoff relation, was developed by Y. K. Cheong and S. W. Lee. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 150402 (2012)]. Here, this tradeoff relation is experimentally verified using polarization-encoded single photons from a quantum dot. Measurement operators representing a complete range, from not affecting the system to a projection to a single polarization state, are realized. In addition, for each measurement operator, an optimal reversal operator is also implemented. The upper bound of the tradeoff relation is mapped to experimental parameters representing the measurement strength. Our results complement the theoretical work and provide a hands-on characterization of general quantum measurements.
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| 6. |
- Dong, Yu, et al.
(author)
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Observation of a Ubiquitous (π, π)-Type Nematic Superconducting Order in the Whole Superconducting Dome of Ultra-Thin BaFe2–xNixAs2 Single Crystals
- 2021
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In: Chinese Physics Letters. - : Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP). - 0256-307X .- 1741-3540. ; 38:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In iron-based superconductors, the (0, pi) or (pi, 0) nematicity, which describes an electronic anisotropy with a four-fold symmetry breaking, is well established and believed to be important for understanding the superconducting mechanism. However, how exactly such a nematic order observed in the normal state can be related to the superconducting pairing is still elusive. Here, by performing angular-dependent in-plane magnetoresistivity using ultra-thin flakes in the steep superconducting transition region, we unveil a nematic superconducting order along the (pi, pi) direction in electron-doped BaFe2 - x Ni x As2 from under-doped to heavily overdoped regimes with x = 0.065-0.18. It shows superconducting gap maxima along the (pi, pi) direction rotated by 45 degrees from the nematicity along (0, pi) or (pi, 0) direction observed in the normal state. A similar (pi, pi)-type nematicity is also observed in the under-doped and optimally doped hole-type Ba1 - y K y Fe2As2, with y = 0.2-0.5. These results suggest that the (pi, pi) nematic superconducting order is a universal feature that needs to be taken into account in the superconducting pairing mechanism in iron-based superconductors.
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| 7. |
- Liu, Wei, et al.
(author)
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Coherent dynamics of multi-spin V-B(-) center in hexagonal boron nitride
- 2022
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In: Nature Communications. - : Nature Portfolio. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has recently been demonstrated to contain optically polarized and detected electron spins that can be utilized for implementing qubits and quantum sensors in nanolayered-devices. Understanding the coherent dynamics ofmicrowave driven spins in hBN is of crucial importance for advancing these emerging new technologies. Here, we demonstrate and study the Rabi oscillation and related phenomena of a negatively charged boron vacancy (V-B(-)) spin ensemble in hBN. We report on different dynamics of the V-B(-) spins at weak and strong magnetic fields. In the former case the defect behaves like a single electron spin system, while in the latter case it behaves like a multi-spin system exhibiting multiple-frequency dynamical oscillation as beat in the Ramsey fringes. We also carry out theoretical simulations for the spin dynamics of V-B(-) and reveal that the nuclear spins can be driven via the strong electron nuclear coupling existing in V-B(-) center, which can be modulated by the magnetic field and microwave field.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Ahmadi, Sareh, et al.
(author)
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Molecular layers of ZnPc and FePc on Au(111) surface : Charge transfer and chemical interaction
- 2012
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In: Journal of Chemical Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-9606 .- 1089-7690. ; 137:8, s. 084705-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have studied zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and iron phthalocyanine (FePc) thick films and monolayers on Au(111) using photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Both molecules are adsorbed flat on the surface at monolayer. ZnPc keeps this orientation in all investigated coverages, whereas FePc molecules stand up in the thick film. The stronger inter-molecular interaction of FePc molecules leads to change of orientation, as well as higher conductivity in FePc layer in comparison with ZnPc, which is reflected in thickness-dependent differences in core-level shifts. Work function changes indicate that both molecules donate charge to Au; through the pi-system. However, the Fe3d derived lowest unoccupied molecular orbital receives charge from the substrate when forming an interface state at the Fermi level. Thus, the central atom plays an important role in mediating the charge, but the charge transfer as a whole is a balance between the two different charge transfer channels; pi-system and the central atom.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Alipour, Nazanin, et al.
(author)
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Structure and properties of polyethylene-based and EVOH-based multilayered films with layer thicknesses of 150 nm and greater
- 2015
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In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 64, s. 36-51
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents the structure and properties of two multilayered systems where polymers in adjacent layers were either miscible or immiscible. The miscible system consisted of 2, 17, 18, 24 and nominally 288 layers of alternating low-density (LDPE) and low-density/linear-low density (mPE) polyethylene layers with observed thicknesses ranging from 150 nm to 20 urn. The immiscible system consisted of 5 and 19 layer films with a combination of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) (thickness: 9 and 1 gm, respectively), LDPE (17 and 7 gm) and a polyethylene adhesive (3 and 1 gm). The purpose of the multi-layering was to increase the crack growth resistance and, in the EVOH-based system, to decrease the oxygen transmission rate. Indeed, the crack growth resistance, as measured on tensile-tested notched films, increased with increasing number of layers. The thinnest polyethylene and polyethylene adhesive layers showed a clear ductile failure when fractured even in liquid nitrogen. Simultaneous synchrotron wide-angle/small-angle X-ray scattering and tensile testing indicated no new deformation features with changes in the layer thickness. The oxygen permeability was the same in the 5- and 19-layer EVOH-based films, but the uptake of n-hexane was strongly reduced in the 19-layer films, demonstrating the effective protective role of the EVOH layers. The n-hexane desorption data of the 2-layer LDPE/mPE film was successfully modeled using the diffusivities and solubilities of the single layers. Crystallization was slower and more confined in the films with thinner layers. The interlayer mixing in the melt (measured by isothermal crystallization from melts of initially layered polyethylene-based systems) was, as expected, significantly faster in the 24- and 288-multilayer films than in the 2-layer film.
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| 14. |
- Bahadur, Jitendra, et al.
(author)
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Evaporation Assisted Transition of Interaction Between Colloids: In-situ Small-angle X-ray Scattering Investigation
- 2015
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In: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 31:16, s. 4612-4618
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In-situ scanning small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments have been performed to probe the,drying of a single suspended droplet of silica colloids. It has been demonstrated that the formation of a nanoparticle shell during drying can be confirmed just by measuring the temporal evolution of the spatial transmission profile across the drying droplet. The shrinkage of the droplet stops once the shell is formed. The temporal dependence Of the shell thickness and droplet radius has been estimated by quautitative analysis of the functionality of the transmission profiles. It is' revealed that the position of the correlation peak originating from interactions between silica nanoparticles evolves linearly during the initial stage of drying and exhibits sigmoidal growth behavior in later stages. The interaction between colloidal particles, in different drying stages has been investigated We provide,experimental confirmation of the transition from repulsive interaction to a capillary driven short-range,attraction,during shell formation. The present work demonstrates that in situ scanning SAXS on,a suspended droplet is an invaluable technique for monitoring the dynamic self organization of colloids as it probes the drying of complex,fluids without the interference of a substrate.
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| 15. |
- Banerjee, R., et al.
(author)
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Structure and Morphology of Organic Semiconductor-Nanoparticle Hybrids Prepared by Soft Deposition
- 2015
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 119:9, s. 5225-5237
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present an extensive structural analysis of hybrid architectures prepared by the soft incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within an organic semiconductor matrix of diindenoperylene (DIP). Such soft or noninvasive deposition of nanoparticles within organic semiconducting host matrices not only minimizes the influence of the deposition process on the order and properties of the organic host molecules, but also offers additional control in the process of incorporation. The hybrid structures were characterized by X-ray scattering techniques including grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), and complemented by atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. We show that different strategies of incorporating the nanoparticles in the host matrix lead to drastically different structure and morphologies. Particularly remarkable is the morphological change observed in the matrix of DIP as well as the AuNPs due to the influence of organic solvents, as evidenced by TEM tomography measurements, which revealed the exact location of the AuNPs within the organic host. It is also demonstrated that AuNPs can be successfully used as tunable templates for the growth of the organic semiconductors with desired island sizes and distances.
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| 16. |
- Bengtsson, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Carbon Fibers from Wet-Spun Cellulose-Lignin Precursors Using the Cold Alkali Process
- 2022
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In: FIBERS. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-6439. ; 10:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In recent years, there has been extensive research into the development of cheaper and more sustainable carbon fiber (CF) precursors, and air-gap-spun cellulose-lignin precursors have gained considerable attention where ionic liquids have been used for the co-dissolution of cellulose and lignin. However, ionic liquids are expensive and difficult to recycle. In the present work, an aqueous solvent system, cold alkali, was used to prepare cellulose-lignin CF precursors by wet spinning solutions containing co-dissolved dissolving-grade kraft pulp and softwood kraft lignin. Precursors containing up to 30 wt% lignin were successfully spun using two different coagulation bath compositions, where one of them introduced a flame retardant into the precursor to increase the CF conversion yield. The precursors were converted to CFs via batchwise and continuous conversion. The precursor and conversion conditions had a significant effect on the conversion yield (12-44 wt%), the Young's modulus (33-77 GPa), and the tensile strength (0.48-1.17 GPa), while the precursor morphology was preserved. Structural characterization of the precursors and CFs showed that a more oriented and crystalline precursor gave a more ordered CF structure with higher tensile properties. The continuous conversion trials highlighted the importance of tension control to increase the mechanical properties of the CFs.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Brena, Barbara, et al.
(author)
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InSb-TiOPc interfaces : Band alignment, ordering and structure dependent HOMO splitting
- 2009
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In: Surface Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0039-6028 .- 1879-2758. ; 603:20, s. 3160-3169
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Thin films of titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) have been adsorbed on InSb(1 1 1) (3 x 3) and InSb(1 0 0) c(8 x 2) surfaces and studied with respect to their electronic structure using photoemission (PES), density functional theory (DFT) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The interface chemical interaction is weak in both cases; no adsorbate induced surface band bending is observed and the energy level alignment across the interface is determined by the original position of the substrate Fermi level and the charge neutrality level of the molecule. Room temperature adsorption results in disordered films on both surfaces. The behaviors after annealing are different; on InSb(1 0 0) well-ordered molecular chains form along and on top of the In-rows, whereas on (1 1 1) no long range order is observed. The disorder leads to intermolecular interactions between the titanyl group and neighboring benzene rings leading to a split of TiOPc HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) by as much as 0.8 eV.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Chen, Song, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of calcium phosphate crystals with thin nacreous structure
- 2016
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In: CrystEngComm. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1466-8033. ; 18:6, s. 1064-1069
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nacre-like structures have attracted great interest in recent years due to their outstanding toughness, stiffness and impact resistance. However, there is a challenge associated with engineering nacre-like calcium phosphate crystals. In this study, thin nacreous-like monetite sheets were synthesized in solutions guided by a surfactant. The influence of temperature, initial pH, Ca/P ratio, stirring time and the concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the nacre-like structure has been studied. Findings showed that a nacre-like structure could only be formed at a high temperature (90 °C), high initial pH (11), sufficient stirring time (3 h), and under the presence of CTAB. A small-angle X-ray scattering experiment carried out at a synchrotron radiation facility showed that the distance between nanolayers was around 2.6 nm and TEM confirmed the fine sheet-like structure. The mechanism of the formation the nacre-like structure and its characterization were discussed.
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| 22. |
- Chen, Song, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of calcium phosphate crystals with thin nacreous structure
- 2016
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In: CrystEngComm. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1466-8033. ; 18:6, s. 1064-1069
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nacre-like structures have attracted great interest in recent years due to their outstanding toughness, stiffness and impact resistance. However, there is a challenge associated with engineering nacre-like calcium phosphate crystals. In this study, thin nacreous-like monetite sheets were synthesized in solutions guided by a surfactant. The influence of temperature, initial pH, Ca/P ratio, stirring time and the concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the nacre-like structure has been studied. Findings showed that a nacre-like structure could only be formed at a high temperature (90 degrees C), high initial pH (11), sufficient stirring time (3 h), and under the presence of CTAB. A small-angle X-ray scattering experiment carried out at a synchrotron radiation facility showed that the distance between nanolayers was around 2.6 nm and TEM confirmed the fine sheet-like structure. The mechanism of the formation the nacre-like structure and its characterization were discussed.
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| 23. |
- Frazier-Wood, Alexis C., et al.
(author)
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Genetic variants associated with subjective well-being, depressive symptoms, and neuroticism identified through genome-wide analyses
- 2016
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Research (part of Springer Nature). - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 48, s. 624-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Very few genetic variants have been associated with depression and neuroticism, likely because of limitations on sample size in previous studies. Subjective well-being, a phenotype that is genetically correlated with both of these traits, has not yet been studied with genome-wide data. We conducted genome-wide association studies of three phenotypes: subjective well-being (n = 298,420), depressive symptoms (n = 161,460), and neuroticism (n = 170,911). We identify 3 variants associated with subjective well-being, 2 variants associated with depressive symptoms, and 11 variants associated with neuroticism, including 2 inversion polymorphisms. The two loci associated with depressive symptoms replicate in an independent depression sample. Joint analyses that exploit the high genetic correlations between the phenotypes (vertical bar(p) over cap vertical bar approximate to 0.8) strengthen the overall credibility of the findings and allow us to identify additional variants. Across our phenotypes, loci regulating expression in central nervous system and adrenal or pancreas tissues are strongly enriched for association.
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| 24. |
- Fukumoto, Noriko, et al.
(author)
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Sexually dimorphic effect of the Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF on susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease : New data and meta-analysis
- 2010
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In: American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics. - : Wiley. - 1552-4841 .- 1552-485X. ; 153B:1, s. 235-242
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Conflicting results have been reported as to whether genetic variations (Val66Met and C270T) of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) confer susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We genotyped these polymorphisms in a Japanese sample of 657 patients with AD and 525 controls, and obtained weak evidence of association for Val66Met (P = 0.063), but not for C270T. After stratification by sex, we found a significant allelic association between Val66Met and AD in women (P = 0.017), but not in men. To confirm these observations, we collected genotyping data for each sex from 16 research centers worldwide (4,711 patients and 4,537 controls in total). The meta-analysis revealed that there was a clear sex difference in the allelic association; the Met66 allele confers susceptibility to AD in women (odds ratio = 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.24, P = 0.002), but not in men. Our results provide evidence that the Met66 allele of BDNF has a sexually dimorphic effect on susceptibility to AD.
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| 25. |
- Guccini, Valentina, et al.
(author)
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Highly proton conductive membranes based on carboxylated cellulose nanofibres and their performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells
- 2019
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 7:43, s. 25032-25039
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 μmol g−1), counterion (H+ or Na+), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95%). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH, as measured by Small Angle X-ray Scattering, shows that water channels are formed only above 75% RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (H+ or Na+). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm−1 at 30 °C between 65 and 95% RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being ≈30% thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
- Guccini, Valentina, et al.
(author)
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Highly proton conductive membranes based on carboxylated cellulose nanofibres and their performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells
- 2019
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 7:43, s. 25032-25039
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 mu mol g(-1)), counterion (H+ or Na+), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95%). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH, as measured by Small Angle X-ray Scattering, shows that water channels are formed only above 75% RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (H+ or Na+). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm(-1) at 30 degrees C between 65 and 95% RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being approximate to 30% thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
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| 28. |
- Guccini, Valentina, et al.
(author)
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Inducing nematic ordering of cellulose nanofibers using osmotic dehydration
- 2018
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In: Nanoscale. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2040-3364 .- 2040-3372. ; 10:48, s. 23157-23163
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The formation of nematically-ordered cellulose nanofiber (CNF) suspensions with an order parameter fmax ≈ 0.8 is studied by polarized optical microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and rheological measurements as a function of CNF concentration. The wide range of CNF concentrations, from 0.5 wt% to 4.9 wt%, is obtained using osmotic dehydration. The rheological measurements show a strong entangled network over all the concentration range whereas SAXS measurements indicate that at concentrations >1.05 wt% the CNF suspension crosses an isotropic-anisotropic transition that is accompanied by a dramatic increase of the optical birefringence. The resulting nanostructures are modelled as mass fractal structures that converge into co-existing nematically-ordered regions and network-like regions where the correlation distances decrease with concentration. The use of rapid, upscalable osmotic dehydration is an effective method to increase the concentration of CNF suspensions while partly circumventing the gel/glass formation. The facile formation of highly ordered fibers can result in materials with interesting macroscopic properties.
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| 29. |
- Guccini, Valentina, 1988-, et al.
(author)
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The Impact of Surface Charges of Carboxylated Cellulose Nanofibrils on the Water Motions in Hydrated Films
- 2022
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In: Biomacromolecules. - : NLM (Medline). - 1525-7797 .- 1526-4602. ; 23:8, s. 3104-3115
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with carboxylated surface ligands are a class of materials with tunable surface functionality, good mechanical properties, and bio-/environmental friendliness. They have been used in many applications as scaffold, reinforcing, or functional materials, where the interaction between adsorbed moisture and the CNF could lead to different properties and structures and become critical to the performance of the materials. In this work, we exploited multiple experimental methods to study the water movement in hydrated films made of carboxylated CNFs prepared by TEMPO oxidation with two different surface charges of 600 and 1550 μmol·g-1. A combination of quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) shows that both the surface charge of a single fibril and the films' network structure contribute to the moisture uptake. The films with 1550 μmol·g-1 surface charges take up twice the amount of moisture per unit mass, leading to the formation of nanostructures with an average radius of gyration of 2.1 nm. Via the nondestructive quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS), a faster motion is explained as a localized movement of water molecules inside confined spheres, and a slow diffusive motion is found with the diffusion coefficient close to bulk water at room temperature via a random jump diffusion model and regardless of the surface charge in films made from CNFs.
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| 30. |
- Göthelid, Mats, et al.
(author)
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Structure-Dependent 4-Tert-Butyl Pyridine-Induced Band Bending at TiO2 Surfaces
- 2011
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In: International Journal of Photoenergy (Online). - : Hindawi Limited. - 1110-662X .- 1687-529X. ; 2011, s. 401356-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The role of 4-tert butyl pyridine (4TBP) adsorption on TiO2 surface band bending has been studied using photoelectron spectroscopy. Surface oxygen vacancies pin the Fermi level near the conduction band edge on rutile (110). 4TBP preferentially adsorbs in those vacancies and shift the Fermi level to lower binding energy in the band gap. This is done by transferring vacancy excess charge into the empty pi* orbital in the pyridine ring. The anatase (100) surface contains much less oxygen vacancies although the surface is much rougher than the rutile (110). 4TBP adsorption does not have any significant effect on the surface band bending. Thus the positive role associated with 4TBP addition to solar cell electrolytes is suggested to protection against adsorption of other electrolyte components such as Li and I.
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| 31. |
- Göthelid, Mats, et al.
(author)
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Surface concentration dependent structures of iodine on Pd(110)
- 2012
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In: Journal of Chemical Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-9606 .- 1089-7690. ; 137:20, s. 204703-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We use photoelectron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, and density functional theory to investigate coverage dependent iodine structures on Pd(110). At 0.5 ML (monolayer), a c(2 x 2) structure is formed with iodine occupying the four-fold hollow site. At increasing coverage, the iodine layer compresses into a quasi-hexagonal structure at 2/3 ML, with iodine occupying both hollow and long bridge positions. There is a substantial difference in electronic structure between these two iodine sites, with a higher electron density on the bridge bonded iodine. In addition, numerous positively charged iodine near vacancies are found along the domain walls. These different electronic structures will have an impact on the chemical properties of these iodine atoms within the layer.
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| 32. |
- Han, Yang, et al.
(author)
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X-radiation inhibits histone deacetylase 1 and 2, upregulates Axin expression and induces apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer
- 2012
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In: Radiation Oncology. - : BioMed Central. - 1748-717X. ; 7:183
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundHistone deacetylase (HDAC) plays an important role in the deacetylation of histone, which can alter gene expression patterns and affect cell behavior associated with malignant transformation. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between HDAC1, HDAC2, clinicopathologic characteristics, patient prognosis and apoptosis, to clarify the mechanism of upregulation of the Axis inhibitor Axin (an important regulator of the Wnt pathway) by X-radiation and to elucidate the effect of siRNA on radiation therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsHDAC1 and HDAC2 expression levels were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription PCR. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-nick end labeling and fluorescence activated cell sorting. BE1 cells expressing Axin were exposed to 2 Gy of X-radiation.ResultsExpression of HDAC1 and that of HDAC2 were correlated, and significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues (P < 0.05). HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression was correlated with pTNM stage and negatively correlated with differentiation of NSCLC and apoptotic index (P < 0.05). The prognosis of patients with low expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 was better than that of those with high expression. X-radiation and siRNA inhibited HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression in NSCLC cells and Axin levels were significantly higher in BE1 cells.ConclusionsX-radiation and siRNA inhibit expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2, weaken the inhibitory effect of HDAC on Axin, upregulate Axin expression and induce apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Inhibition of HDAC1 and HDAC2 is a means of enhancing the radiosensitivity of NSCLC.
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| 33. |
- Herzog, Gerd, et al.
(author)
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In-situ GISAXS investigation of polystyrene nanoparticle spray deposition onto a silicon substrate
- 2013
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In: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 29:36, s. 11260-11266
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigated the spray deposition and subsequent self-assembly during drying of a polystyrene nanoparticle dispersion with in situ grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering at high time resolution. During the fast deposition of the dispersion and the subsequent evaporation of the solvent, different transient stages of nanoparticle assembly can be identified. In the first stage, the solvent starts to evaporate without ordering of the nanoparticles. During the second stage, large-scale structures imposed by the breakup of the liquid film are observable. In this stage, the solvent evaporates further and nanoparticle ordering starts. In the late third drying stage, the nanoparticles self-assemble into the final layer structure.
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| 34. |
- Huang, Shih Wen, et al.
(author)
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Precise dd excitations and commensurate intersite Coulomb interactions in the dissimilar cuprates YBa2Cu3 O7-y and La2-xSrxCu O4
- 2023
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In: Physical Review B. - 2469-9950. ; 107:13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using high-resolution extreme ultraviolet resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (EUVRIXS) spectroscopy at the Cu M-edge, we observed doping dependent spectral shifts of interorbital (dd) excitations of YBa2Cu3O7-y and La2-xSrxCuO4. With increasing the hole doping level from undoped to optimally doped superconducting compositions, the leading edge of dd excitations is found to shift towards lower energy loss in a roughly linear trend that is irrespective of the cuprate species. The magnitude of the energy shift can be explained by including a 0.15 eV Coulomb attraction between Cu3d(x2-y2) electrons and the doped holes on the surrounding oxygens in the atomic multiplet calculations. The consistent energy shift between distinct cuprate families suggests that this intersite Coulomb interaction energy scale is relatively material independent, and provides an important reference point for understanding charge density wave phenomena in the cuprate phase diagram.
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| 35. |
- Karki, Akchheta, et al.
(author)
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Doped semiconducting polymer nanoantennas for tunable organic plasmonics
- 2022
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In: Communications Materials. - : Springer Nature. - 2662-4443. ; 3:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optical nanoantennas based on organic plasmonics are promising for their higher degree of tunability over metallic nanostructures. Here, nanodisks of polythiophene-based semiconducting polymers provide nanooptical antennas with resonances that are tunable over a 1000 nm wavelength range and can be switched off or on by doping modulation. Optical nanoantennas are often based on plasmonic resonances in metal nanostructures, but their dynamic tunability is limited due to the fixed permittivity of conventional metals. Recently, we introduced PEDOT-based conducting polymers as an alternative materials platform for dynamic plasmonics and metasurfaces. Here, we expand dynamic organic plasmonic systems to a wider class of doped polythiophene-based semiconducting polymers. We present nanodisks of PBTTT semiconducting polymer doped with a dicationic salt, enabling a high doping level of around 0.8 charges per monomer, and demonstrate that they can be used as nanooptical antennas via redox-tunable plasmonic resonances. The resonances arise from the polymer being optically metallic in its doped state and dielectric in its non-conducting undoped state. The plasmonic resonances are controllable over a 1000 nm wavelength range by changing the dimensions of the nanodisks. Furthermore, the optical response of the nanoantennas can be reversibly tuned by modulating the doping level of the polymer. Simulations corroborate the experimental results and reveal the possibility to also modulate the optical nearfield response of the nanoantennas.
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| 36. |
- Karlsson, Rose-Marie Pernilla, et al.
(author)
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Carbohydrate gel beads as model probes for quantifying non-ionic and ionic contributions behind the swelling of delignified plant fibers
- 2018
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In: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. - : Academic Press. - 0021-9797 .- 1095-7103. ; 519, s. 119-129
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Macroscopic beads of water-based gels consisting of uncharged and partially charged beta-(1,4)-D-glucan polymers were developed to be used as a novel model material for studying the water induced swelling of the delignified plant fiber walls. The gel beads were prepared by drop-wise precipitation of solutions of dissolving grade fibers carboxymethylated to different degrees. The internal structure was analyzed using Solid State Cross-Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Small Angle X-ray Scattering showing that the internal structure could be considered a homogeneous, non-crystalline and molecularly dispersed polymer network. When beads with different charge densities were equilibrated with aqueous solutions of different ionic strengths and/or pH, the change in water uptake followed the trends expected for weak polyelectrolyte gels and the trends found for cellulose-rich fibers. When dried and subsequently immersed in water the beads also showed an irreversible loss of swelling depending on the charge and type of counter-ion which is commonly also found for cellulose-rich fibers. Taken all these results together it is clear that the model cellulose-based beads constitute an excellent tool for studying the fundamentals of swelling of cellulose rich plant fibers, aiding in the elucidation of the different molecular and supramolecular contributions to the swelling.
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| 37. |
- Li, Yuanyuan, et al.
(author)
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Cellulose nanofibers enable paraffin encapsulation and the formation of stable thermal regulation nanocomposites
- 2017
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In: Nano Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 2211-2855. ; 34, s. 541-548
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-leaking, green materials with high content of phase change materials (PCM) can conserve solar energy and contribute to a sustainable society. Here, paraffin was encapsulated by nanocellulose (CNF) through a pickering emulsion method, while simultaneously forming a composite material. The thermodynamic drive for phase separation was confirmed by molecular modeling. Particle formation was characterized by dynamic light scattering and they were processed into stable PCM/CNF composites in the form of PCM paper structures with favorable mechanical properties. The PCM composite was lightweight and showed a solid content of paraffin of more than 72 wt%. Morphology was characterized using FE-SEM. The thermal regulation function of the PCM composite was demonstrated in the form of a model roof under simulated sunlight. No obvious leakage was observed during heating/cooling cycles, as supported by DSC and SAXS data. The PCM composite can be extended to panels used in energy-efficient smart buildings with thermal regulation integrated in load-bearing structures.
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| 38. |
- Li, Yuanyuan, et al.
(author)
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Luminescent Transparent Wood
- 2017
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In: Advanced Optical Materials. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2195-1071. ; 5:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Luminescent transparent wood is prepared by combining the complementary properties of naturally grown anisotropic porous wood and luminescent quantum dots. The wood structure introduces strong diffused luminescence and waveguiding, which can potentially be exploited for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications, such as for planar illumination sources and luminescent buildings/furniture. Images below show the transparency, haze, and luminescence of quantum dot wood.
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| 39. |
- Li, Yuanyuan, et al.
(author)
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Optically Transparent Wood from a Nanoporous Cellulosic Template : Combining Functional and Structural Performance
- 2016
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In: Biomacromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1525-7797 .- 1526-4602. ; 17:4, s. 1358-1364
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optically transparent wood (TW) with transmittance as high as 85% and haze of 71% was obtained using a delignified nanoporous wood template. The template was prepared by removing the light-absorbing lignin component, creating nanoporosity in the wood cell wall. Transparent wood was prepared by successful impregnation of lumen and the nanoscale cellulose fiber network in the cell wall with refractive-index-matched prepolymerized methyl methacrylate (MMA). During the process, the hierarchical wood structure was preserved. Optical properties of TW are tunable by changing the cellulose volume fraction. The synergy between wood and PMMA was observed for mechanical properties. Lightweight and strong transparent wood is a potential candidate for lightweight low-cost, light-transmitting buildings and transparent solar cell windows.
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| 40. |
- Liu, Dongming, et al.
(author)
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Cavitation in strained polyethylene/aluminium oxide nanocomposites
- 2017
-
In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 87, s. 255-265
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The incorporation of metal oxide (e.g. Al2O3) nanoparticles has a pronounced positive effect on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as an insulating material for high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) cables, the electrical conductivity being decreased by one to two orders of magnitude and charge species being trapped by the nanoparticles. The risk of debonding between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix leading to electrical treeing via electrical discharges in the formed cavities was the motivation for this study. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray ptychographic tomography were used to study a series of LDPE nanocomposites which contained Al2O3 nanoparticles treated with silanes having terminal alkyl groups of different lengths (methyl, octyl and octadecyl). When specimens were subjected to a tensile strain (a typical specimen stretched beyond the onset of necking consisted of three zones according to SEM of specimens that were studied after removal of the external force: an essentially cavitation-free zone with low local plastic strain, a transitional zone in which local plastic strain showed a marked increase and the revealed concentration of permanent cavities increased with increasing plastic strain and a highly strained zone with extensive cavitation), the cavitation occurred mainly at the polymer-nanoparticle interface according to SEM and X-ray ptychographic tomography and according to SEM progressed with increasing plastic strain through an initial phase with no detectable formation of permanent cavities to a period of very fast cavitation and finally almost an order of magnitude slower cavitation. The polymer/nanoparticle interface was fractal before deformation, as revealed by the profile of the Porod region in SAXS, presumably due to the existence of bound polymers at the nanoparticle surface. A pronounced decrease in the interface fractal dimension was observed when the strain exceeded a critical value; a phenomenon attributed to the stress-induced de-bonding of nanoparticles. The strain-dependence of the interface fractal dimension value at low strain levels between composites containing differently treated nanoparticles seems to be an indicator of the strength of the nanoparticle-polymer interface.
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
- Liu, Jiliang, et al.
(author)
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Variation in the hierarchical structure of lignin-blended cellulose precursor fibers
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 225, s. 1555-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regenerated cellulose fibers have been considered as potential precursor fibers for carbon fibers because of their balanced cost and performance. Increased attention has been paid to blending lignin with the regenerated cellulose to generate precursor fibers which render good mechanical properties and higher carbon yield. The mechanical properties of carbon fibers have been found closely correlated to the structure of precursor fibers. However, the effects of lignin blending on molecular- and morphological structure of the precursor are still unclear. This study aims at clarifying the structural information of lignin–cellulose precursor fibers from molecular level to mesoscale by scanning X-ray microdiffraction. We present the existence of a skin–core morphology for all the precursor fibers. Increase of lignin content in precursor fiber could reduce the portion of skin and cause obvious disorder of the meso- and molecular structure. By correlating structural variations with lignin blending, 30% lignin blending has been found as a potential balance point to obtain precursor fibers maintaining structural order together with high yield rate.
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| 43. |
- Lui, Hoi-Shun, 1980, et al.
(author)
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Effect of mutual coupling on the performance of Direction-of-arrival estimation of compact array
- 2010
-
In: 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and CNC-USNC/URSI Radio Science Meeting - Leading the Wave, AP-S/URSI 2010; Toronto, ON; 11 July 2010 through 17 July 2010. - 9781424449682
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- With the recent advancement in microwave hardware, there has been significant focus on developing compact antenna arrays with element separation less than half wavelength. Direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is an important application for antenna arrays but yet not much work has been done on DOA estimation using compact arrays. In particular, as the element separation becomes smaller, the undesirable mutual coupling effect between antenna elements becomes much stronger which can significantly degrade the accuracy of DOA estimation. © 2010 IEEE.
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| 44. |
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| 45. |
- Lv, Zhong-Peng, et al.
(author)
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Time-Resolved SAXS Study of Polarity- and Surfactant-Controlled Superlattice Transformations of Oleate-Capped Nanocubes During Solvent Removal
- 2022
-
In: Small. - : John Wiley and Sons Inc. - 1613-6810 .- 1613-6829. ; 18:22
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Structural transformations and lattice expansion of oleate-capped iron oxide nanocube superlattices are studied by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) during solvent removal. The combination of conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) theory with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling provides information on the solvent composition and polarity during droplet evaporation. Evaporation-driven poor-solvent enrichment in the presence of free oleic acid results in the formation of superlattices with a tilted face-centered cubic (fcc) structure when the polarity reaches its maximum. The tilted fcc lattice expands subsequently during the removal of the poor solvent and eventually transforms to a regular simple cubic (sc) lattice during the final evaporation stage when only free oleic acid remains. Comparative studies show that both the increase in polarity as the poor solvent is enriched and the presence of a sufficient amount of added oleic acid is required to promote the formation of structurally diverse superlattices with large domain sizes. © 2022 The Authors.
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| 46. |
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| 47. |
- Ohm, Wiebke, et al.
(author)
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Morphological properties of airbrush spray-deposited enzymatic cellulose thin films
- 2018
-
In: JOURNAL OF COATINGS TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH. - : Springer. - 1945-9645 .- 1547-0091 .- 1935-3804. ; 15:4, s. 759-769
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigate the layer formation of enzymatic cellulose by airbrush spray coating on silicon oxide surfaces. The layer structure and morphology of enzymatic cellulose films in the thickness range between 86 nm and 2.1 A mu m is determined as a function of the spray coating procedures. For each spray coating step, layer buildup, surface topography, crystallinity as well as the nanoscale structure are probed with atomic force microscopy and surface-sensitive X-ray scattering methods. Without intermittent drying, the film thickness saturates; with intermittent drying, a linear increase in layer thickness with the number of spray pulses is observed. A closed cellulose layer was always observed. The crystallinity remains unchanged; the nanoscale structures show three distinct sizes. Our results indicate that the smallest building blocks increasingly contribute to the morphology inside the cellulose network for thicker films, showing the importance of tailoring the cellulose nanofibrils. For a layer-by-layer coating, intermittent drying is mandatory.
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| 48. |
- Pallon, Love K. H., et al.
(author)
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Three-Dimensional Nanometer Features of Direct Current Electrical Trees in Low-Density Polyethylene
- 2017
-
In: Nano Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1530-6992 .- 1530-6984. ; 17:3, s. 1402-1408
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Electrical trees are one reason for the breakdown of insulating materials in electrical power systems. An understanding of the growth of electrical trees plays a crucial role in the development of reliable high voltage direct current (HVDC) power grid systems with transmission voltages up to 1 MV. A section that contained an electrical tree in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has been visualized in three dimensions (3D) with a resolution of 92 nm by X-ray ptychographic tomography. The 3D imaging revealed prechannel-formations with a lower density with the width of a couple of hundred nanometers formed around the main branch of the electrical tree. The prechannel structures were partially connected with the main tree via paths through material with a lower density, proving that the tree had grown in a step-by-step manner via the prestep structures formed in front of the main channels. All the prechannel structures had a size well below the limit of the Paschen law and were thus not formed by partial discharges. Instead, it is suggested that the prechannel structures were formed by electro-mechanical stress and impact ionization, where the former was confirmed by simulations to be a potential explanation with electro-mechanical stress tensors being almost of the same order of magnitude as the short-term modulus of low-density polyethylene.
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| 49. |
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| 50. |
- Palmgren, Pål, et al.
(author)
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Changing adsorption mode of FePc on TiO2(110) by surface modification with bipyridine
- 2008
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In: Journal of Chemical Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-9606 .- 1089-7690. ; 129:7, s. 074707-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Surface modification of reactive oxide substrates to obtain a less strongly interacting template for dye adsorption may be a way to enhance performance in dye-sensitized solar cells. In this work, we have investigated the electronic and structural properties of 4,4(')-bipyridine (bipy) as modifier adsorbed on the TiO2(110) surface. The modified surface is then coated with iron phthalocyanine (FePc) and the properties of this heterostructure are investigated with synchrotron based photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy. We find that a saturated monolayer consisting of standing bipy molecules with one nitrogen atom pointing outward is formed on the oxide surface. FePc adsorb in molecular chains along the [001] direction on top of bipy and ordered in a tilted arrangement with adjacent molecules partially overlapping. Already from the first layer, the electronic properties of FePc resemble those of multilayer films. FePc alone is oxidized on the TiO2(110) surface, but preadsorbed bipy prevents this reaction. The energy level lineup at the interface is clarified.
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