Effect of Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Al-1.5Cu-9.5Zn-3Mg Rapidly Solidified Alloy

Ribbons with the composition Al-1.5Cu-9.5Zn-3Mg were prepared by melt spinning technique. Microhardness and tensile strength were measured. The melt spun hardness and ultimate tensile strength values were as high as 291 HV and 660 MN/m2, respectively. Hardness values are relaxed to lower values on prolonged thermal annealing to around 50%. X-ray diffraction lines corresponding to Cu, Zn and Mg were disappeared for the as melt spun ribbons, which indicates a complete solubility of these element in Al matrix. On prolonged thermal annealing these alloying elements were precipitated.

Impacts of anisotropy coefficient and porosity on the thermal conductivity and P-wave velocity of calcarenites used as building materials of historical monuments in Morocco

It is essential to study the porosity,thermal conductivity,and P-wave velocity of calcarenites,as well as the anisotropy coefficients of the thermal conductivity and P-wave velocity,for civil engineering,and conservation and restoration of historical monuments.This study focuses on measuring the thermal conductivity using the thermal conductivity scanning(TCS)technique and measuring the P-wave ve-locity using portable equipment.This was applied for some dry and saturated calcarenite samples in the horizontal and vertical directions(parallel and perpendicular to the bedding plane,respectively).The calcarenites were selected from some historical monuments in Morocco.These physical properties were measured in the laboratory to find a reliable relationship between all of these properties.As a result of the statistical analysis of the obtained data,excellent linear relationships were observed between the porosity and both the thermal conductivity and porosity.These relationships are characterized by relatively high coefficients of determination for the horizontal and vertical samples.Based on the thermal conductivity and P-wave velocity values in these two directions,the anisotropy coefficients of these two properties were calculated.The internal structure and the pore fabric of the calcarenite samples were delineated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),while their chemical and mineral compositions were studied using the energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDXA)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)techniques.

Evaluation of the microstructure,thermal and mechanical properties of Cu/SiC nanocomposites fabricated by mechanical alloying

Nano-sized silicon carbide(SiC:0wt%,1wt%,2wt%,4wt%,and 8wt%)reinforced copper(Cu)matrix nanocomposites were manufactured,pressed,and sintered at 775 and 875℃in an argon atmosphere.X-ray diffraction(XRD)and scanning electron microscopy were performed to characterize the microstructural evolution.The density,thermal expansion,mechanical,and electrical properties were studied.XRD analyses showed that with increasing SiC content,the microstrain and dislocation density increased,while the crystal size decreased.The coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE)of the nanocomposites was less than that of the Cu matrix.The improvement in the CTE with increasing sintering temperature may be because of densification of the microstructure.Moreover,the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites showed noticeable enhancements with the addition of SiC and sintering temperatures,where the microhardness and apparent strengthening efficiency of nanocomposites containing 8wt%SiC and sintered at 875℃were 958.7 MPa and 1.07 vol%^(−1),respectively.The electrical conductivity of the sample slightly decreased with additional SiC and increased with sintering temperature.The prepared Cu/SiC nanocomposites possessed good electrical conductivity,high thermal stability,and excellent mechanical properties.

Review on nanocomposites fabricated by mechanical alloying

Composites are composed of multiphase materials, where each phase has specific properties that differ from those of the other phases which can effect on the whole properties of composite. Nanocomposites are class of materials that contain at least one phase in the nanometric size range and can be produced by any suitable technique for preparing nanomaterials. Composites are an interesting class of materials that have recently been used in numerous applications, including structural, biomedical, electronics, and environmental applications. In composites, reinforcements might be fibers, particulates, or whiskers. Mechanical alloying(MA) is a promising technique for producing nanocomposite materials that are difficult or impossible to prepare via conventional techniques. In this review, we provide an overview of nanocomposites prepared by the MA process. The mechanism of milling and other milling parameters are overviewed, and insights into sintering categories and parameters are also presented.

A tentative model for the explanation of B?th law using the order parameter of seismicity in natural time

Using the order parameter of seismicity defined in natural time, we suggest a simple model for the expla- nation of Bath law, according to which a mainshock differs in magnitude from its largest aftershock by approximately 1.2 regardless of the mainshock magnitude. In addition, the validity of Bath law is studied in the Global Centroid Moment Tensor catalogue by using two different aftershock definitions. It is found that the mean of this difference, when considering all the pairs mainshock-largest aftershock, does not markedly differ from 1.2 and the corresponding distributions do not depend on the mainshock＇s magnitude threshold in a statistically significant manner. Finally, the analysis of the cumulative distribution functions provides evidence in favour of the proposed model.

Synthesis and study the influence of yttrium doping on band structure,optical,non-linear optical and dielectric results for Ca_(12)Al_(14)O_(33) (C12A7) single crystals grown using traveling-solvent floating zone (TSFZ) method

Ca_(12)Al_(14)O_(33)(C12A7)and Y_(0.02)Ca_(11.98)Al_(14)O_(33)(Y-C12A7)single crystals were grown by using the traveling-solvent floating zone(TSFZ)method.The temperature was increased to avoid the bubbles and cracks which may be formed during the preparation of the ingot material.We have started with the flux higher than the normal to avoid the bubbles and make good treatment for the solid-liquid interface.The structures of both Ca_(12)Al_(14)O_(33)(C12A7)and Y_(0.02)Ca_(11.98)Al_(14)O_(33)(Y-C12A7)were studied by using x-ray diffraction(XRD).Optical properties for C12A7 and Y-C12A7 single crystals have been studied in order to determine the optical parameters such as optical energy gap(Eg),refractive index n,oscillating energy(Eo),dispersion energy(Ed),volume energy loss function(VELF),and surface energy loss function(SELF).Finally,a new result for these samples is that the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility(χ(3))was determined.The results have been discussed with effect of Y-doping on the C12A7 single crystals for optical and industrial applications.

THE FORMATION OF HEAVY ELECTRONS IN A MAGNETICALLY ORDERED MATERIAL

The necessary conditions for the presence of heavy electrons in metals and compounds,which contain local f electrons,are analyzed with an emphasis on the magnetically ordered materials.A self-consistent treatment on the Periodic Anderson Hamiltonian shows that there is a sharp change in the effective mass(therefore the density of states)while the virtual bound level crosses the Fermi level;meantime a transition between magnetic and nonmagnetic or/and between different magnetic states may concomitantly occur.Numerical calculation has been carried out and some typical results are shown.

The phenomenon of even bulk mode variance in a ferromagnetic A-A bilayer system

The eigenprobtems of spin waves in a symmetrical ferromagnetic bilayered system with periodic boundary conditions are solved using the interface-rescaling approach （IRA）. The results show that interface coupling between two sublayers would not change the excitation energy of odd bulk modes, but change excitation energy of even bulk modes. We call this peculiar phenomenon the phenomenon of even bulk mode variance （PEBMV）. There are two kinds of mechanisms which cause PEBMV： phase reversal and phase translation of the magnon at the interface, corresponding, respectively, to the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interface coupling cases. PEBMV embodies the selective effect of the interface on different bulk magnons.

Electroconductive Composites Containing Nanocellulose,Nanopolypyrrole,and Silver Nanoparticles

In this work,conducting composites of nanocellulose(NC)/polypyrrole nanoparticles(NPPy)and silver nanoparticles(AgNPs),i.e.,NC/NPPyAg,were synthesized for the first time,to the best of our knowledge,via in situ emulsion polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of surfactant dopants.The AgNPs acted as an oxidizing agent to simultaneously incorporate nanoparticles into the prepared composites.The structures and morphologies of the prepared composites were studied using Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),UV-Vis Spectra,thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and scanning and transmission electron microscopy(SEM and TEM)techniques.Additionally,the prepared composites were characterized by their conductivities,and the dielectric constants(e΄),dielectric losses(e˝),and AC conductivities were studied for the prepared composites with an increasing NPPy content as a function of the frequency.

Dielectric Behavior of Some Vinyl Polymers/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites on the Way to Apply Them as Semiconducting Materials

Some vinyl polymers/montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared via in-situ-atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in presence of clay. Methyl methacrylate, styrene and n-butyl methacrylate were involved in the formation of such polymeric nanocomposites. Their dielectric properties were extensively studied to invest them in the a.c. power applications. Several dielectric parameters such as dielectric constant loss (ε") and a.c. conductivity (σ) were measured at both different frequencies (0.1 Hz to 100 KHz) and temperature ranged from (20℃ to 90℃). From the dielectric results, it was realized that the dielectric a.c. conductivity was enhanced by increasing the temperature for the four prepared polymer nanocomposites.

Semiconductor ZnO Nano-Rods Thin Film Grown on Silver Wire for Hemoglobin Biosensor Fabrication

Wurtzite hexagonal ZnO semiconductor nano-rods (NRs) thin films were grown on silicon substrates and silver wire with diameter equal 68 nm. Sol gel (SG) and aqueous chemical growth (ACG) methods by two steps of preparation (seed layers and nano-rod growth) are used for samples preparation. The structural and morphological properties are evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The proposed iron ion sensor has shown good linearity for a wide concentration range from 0.078 M/L to 0.26 M/L of iron ions. The results show that the electrode is highly sensitive to iron ions with a slope around 47.8 mV/decade with a regression coefficient R2 = 0.96.

Phonon-Assisted Spin Current in Single Molecular Magnet Junctions

Owing to the bistable character of the single molecular magnet （SMM）, it can generate 100% spin-polarized currents even connected with normal （N） leads. In this work, we study the phonon-assisted spin current in N- SMM-N systems. We mainly focus on the interplay of SMM＇s bistable character and electron-phonon coupling. It is found that when SMM is trapped in one of the lowest bistable states, it can generate phonon-assisted spin- polarized currents. At the up-spin transport channel, it is accompanied by a phonon-assisted up-spin current, while at the down-spin transport channel, it is accompanied by a phonon-assisted down-spin current.

Structural, Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Fe-Co Co-Doped Ba_0.9Sr_0.1TiO₃Prepared by Sol Gel Technique

The structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of pure and Fe-Co co-doped Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3, (Ba(1-x)SrxTiO3, where (x = 0.10) and (Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti(1-x-y)FexCoyO3), where (x = 0.1, y = 0) and (x = 0 and y = 0.10) and (x = 0.5, y = 0.5) in powder form, abbreviated as (BST) and (BST10FO), (BST10CO) and (BST5F5CO), respectively were prepared by a modified sol gel technique. Crystallization, surface morphology and electrical behavior of BST are improved by Fe3+ and Co2+ ions with optimized grain size. Phase identification by using X-ray diffraction and surface morphology will be studied by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope imaging (SEM). Phase identification by using X-ray diffraction and surface morphology evaluation by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope imaging (SEM) will be studied. The nano-scale presence and the formation of the tetragonal perovskite phase as well as the crystallinity were detected using the mentioned techniques. The dielectric properties of the prepared samples have been investigated as a function of temperature and frequency. The dielectric measurements are carried out in the frequency range of 42 Hz - 1 MHz, at temperature ranging between 25°C and 250°C. The results showed an abrupt decrease in the dielectric permittivity by increasing the frequency range. The magnetic hysteresis loop confirmed enhancement in the magnetization properties by co-doping with Fe3+-Co2+ ions. An increase in the saturation of the magnetization at room temperature was detected by decreasing the crystallite sizes of the prepared samples.

Dielectric and Magnetic Properties of Nano-Structure BiFeO<SUB>3</SUB>Doped with Different Concentrations of Co Ions Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

BiFe1-xCoxO3 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.1) symbolic as (BFO, BF3CO, BF5CO and BF10CO) in powder form has been prepared by sol-gel technique using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a chelating agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR analysis showed rhombohedra distorted BiFeO3 structure with compressive lattice distortion induced by the Co substitution at Fe sites. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) shows irregular particles. The additive of cobalt oxide has led to grains refining giving the following crystallite sizes of 18 nm for BF5Co. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) study reveals that the samples morphology shows relatively uniform grain size distribution. The dielectric properties of BiFeO3 nano-particles in the frequency range of 1 up to 5 MHz at RT revealed that the A.C. conductivity of the prepared samples reaches its maximum value in BF5CO. By decreasing BiFeO3 particle size as a result of doping with different Co ion concentrations, an enhancement in magnetization and a simultaneous suppression in current leakage occurred. The remnant magnetization Mr of BiFe1-xCoxO3 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1) ceramics significantly enhanced, which provides potential applications in information storage.

Multi-step shot noise spectrum induced by a local large spin

We use non-equilibrium Green＇s function method to analyze the shot noise spectrum of artificial single molecular magnets（ASMM） model in the strong spin–orbit coupling limit in sequential tunneling regime, mainly focusing on the effects of local large spin. In the linear response regime, the shot noise shows 2S ＋ 1 peaks and is strongly spin-dependent.In the nonlinear response regime, one can observe 2S ＋ 1 steps in shot noise and Fano factor. In these steps one can see the significant enhancement effect due to the spin-dependent multi-channel process of local large spin, which reduces electron correlations.

Seismic electric signals in seismic prone areas

The Varotsos-Alexopoulos-Nomicos （VAN） method of short-term earthquake prediction was introduced in the 1980s. The VAN method enables estimation of the epicenter, magnitude and occurrence time of an impending earthquake by observing transient changes of the electric field of the Earth termed seismic electric signals （SES）. Here, we present a few examples of SES observed in various earthquake prone areas worldwide.

Er³⁺and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺Ions Embedded in Nano-Structure BaTi_0.9Sn_0.1O₃: Structure, Morphology and Dielectric Properties

Barium titanate tin oxides BaTi0.9Sn0.1O3 referred to as (BTSO) doped with 0.5Er3+ and co-doped with (0.75 and 1) Yb3+ ions, were prepared using a modified sol-gel method and calcinated at 1050?C in the air for 4 h. The influence of the selected rare earth element on the structure morphology, dielectric properties behavior was investigated. From TEM micrographs, it has appeared that the particles have a spherical shape with a small size in nanoscale. The average particle size is determined both by TEM and XRD diffraction was found to be in agreement and within the range between 45.9 and 57.7 nm. The effects of Lanthanide incorporation on the evolution of these nano-crystalline structures were followed by XRD and (FTIR). The XRD patterns give rise to a single perovskite phase, while the tetragonality was found to decrease gradually with Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ ions, respectively. FTIR results showed enhancement of the crystallinity and the absence of carbonates upon increasing Yb3+ ions concentration from 0.75 up to 1 mol%. The dielectric and conductivity properties were found to be enhanced by the nature and the concentration of the lanthanide element (Er3+, Yb3+) in the BTSO host lattice. The Curie temperature (Tc) shifted to a lower value from 117 for BTSO: 0.5Er to 93 for BTSO: 0.5Er/1Yb and the permittivity ε’ increased from 3972 to 6071, so BTSO: 0.5Er/1Yb good crystalline material candidate for capacitors application due to its higher permittivity.