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In this report, the high-temperature transport properties of (Dy1−xCax)(Zr0.2Hf0.2Sn0.2Ti0.2Ge0.2)O7 pyrochlore oxides with x = 0, 0.05, and 0.1 are studied in dry and humid air. The phase composition and crystal structure were determined by using x-ray and neutron diffraction. The addition of calcium to the structure caused an increase in the concentration of oxygen vacancies, indicating an ionic charge compensation mechanism. Electrical studies allowed us to determine the total electrical conductivity as a function of the synthesis atmosphere and pH2O. The electrical conductivity turned out to be at the level of ∼10−3 S/cm at 800 °C, and only a slight effect of the presence of protonic defects in the structure on the total electrical conductivity was observed. In general, the samples had a low electrical conductivity with a relatively high activation energy of conduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When it comes to simulate or calculate an optoelectronic tweezer (OET) response for a microparticle suspended in a given medium, a precise electrical conductivity (later referred to as conductivity) value for the microparticle is critical. However, there are not well-established measurements or well-referenced values for microparticle conductivities in the OET realm. Thus, we report a method based on measuring the escape velocity of a microparticle with a standard OET system to calculate its conductivity. A widely used 6 μm polystyrene bead (PSB) is used for the study. The conductivity values are found to be invariant around 2×10-3 S/m across multiple different aqueous media, which helps clarify the ambiguity in the usage of PSB conductivity. Our convenient approach could principally be applied for the measurement of multiple unknown OET-relevant material properties of microparticle-medium systems with various OET responses, which can be beneficial to carry out more accurate characterization in relevant fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-change alloy Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 (GST) forms a favorable material platform for modern optics, photonics, and electronics thanks to a pronounced increase in conductivity with thermally induced phase transitions from amorphous (a-GST) into cubic (c-GST) and then hexagonal (h-GST) crystalline states at the temperatures of ≃ 150 and ≃ 300 ° C, respectively. Nevertheless, the data on broadband electrodynamic response of distinct GST phases are still missing, which hamper the design and implementation of related devices and technologies. In this paper, a-, c-, and h-GST films on a sapphire substrate are studied using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. For all GST phases, complex dielectric permittivity is retrieved using Drude and Lorentz models in the frequency range of 0.06 – 50 THz or the wavelength range of ≃ 5000 – 6 μ m. A contribution from the free charge-carriers conductivity and vibrational modes to the broadband response of an analyte is quantified. In this way, the Drude model allows for estimation of the static (direct current—DC) and dynamic (at 1.0 THz) conductivity values, caused by motions of free charges only, which are as high as σ DC ≃ 15 and 40 S/cm and σ 1.0 THz ≃ 8.8 and 28.6 S/cm for the c- and h-GSTs, respectively. This overall agrees with the results of electrical measurements of GST conductivity using the four-point probe technique. The broadband electrodynamic response models obtained for the three GST phases are important for further research and developments of GST-based devices and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) have attracted significant attention as a promising technology for green hydrogen production and conversion. However, traditional PCECs oxygen electrodes exhibit poor electrochemical performance because of their limited hydration ability and lack of intrinsic protonic conductivity. In this study, a W-doped perovskite oxide, Sr 2 Fe 1.5 Mo 0.4 W 0.1 O 6-δ (SFMW), with a strong hydration capacity and an accelerated proton mobility, was designed to serve as the oxygen electrode in PCECs. The results indicate that W doping enhances the concentration of oxygen vacancies in Sr 2 Fe 1.5 Mo 0.5 O 6-δ (SFM) and facilitates the adsorption of H 2 O onto the oxygen electrode, thereby significantly accelerating proton mobility. The bulk diffusion coefficient of protons (D H) in SFMW, estimated through electrical conductivity relaxation measurement, can reach up to 2.86 × 10−5 cm∙s−1 at 750 °C, which is significantly higher than that of SFM (7.96 × 10−6 cm∙s−1). Consequently, SFMW exhibited impressive electrochemical performance, as evidenced by its lower polarization resistance (0.072 Ω⋅cm2, 700 °C in air) and higher current density (945 mA/cm2 with a voltage of 1.3 V at 650 °C) in PCECs. These results suggest that accelerating bulk proton transfer by W doping is highly feasible and holds great potential for the development of oxygen electrodes for high-activity PCECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 6201 Al–Mg–Si cast ingots were investigated to determine the influence of total iron and silicon contents and homogenization on their microstructure and performance, including electrical and creep resistance. The tests included scanning electron microscopy, electron back scatter diffraction, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that an increase in the total Fe and Si contents refined the microstructure, increased the weight of the ∑3 twin boundaries, and decreased the texture index FCGB in the initial Al–Mg–Si cast ingots. With increasing homogenization treatment time, the electrical conductivity (EC) in all three groups of homogenized ingots first decreased significantly (within 4 h) and then remained relatively stable. The increase in the total Fe and Si contents resulted in a decrease in the EC and an increase in the hardness of the as-homogenized cast ingot samples. The improvement in the EC of the initial and as-homogenized cast ingots was due to the high content of low-angle grain boundaries and strong Cube texture. The room-temperature creep resistance of the as-homogenized cast ingots was improved by high Fe and Si contents. The texture index FCGB and orientation streamline approach were determined to be powerful indicators for distinguishing and describing texture evolution during the homogenization of cast ingots with various chemical compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton conductivity in fluorite-structured RE 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 solid solutions (RE = Gd, Sm, and Nd) with the composition of [RE 2 O 3 ]/[ZrO 2 ] ∼ 1 was studied. By screening the proton solubility and diffusivity using the tracer diffusion technique with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling, Nd 0.7 Zr 0.3 O 1.65 was found to exhibit the highest proton conductivity among the prepared RE 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 systems. Detailed electrical conductivity measurements at various atmospheric conditions and temperatures revealed that Nd 0.7 Zr 0.3 O 1.65 is a nearly pure proton conductor below 600 °C under a reducing atmosphere, whereas electron-hole conduction is dominant under an oxidizing atmosphere. The proton conductivity was 1 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 600 °C, which is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than that of Y 2 O 3 -doped BaZrO 3. Because proton solubility in Nd 0.7 Zr 0.3 O 1.65 and Y 2 O 3 -doped BaZrO 3 are similar, the lower conductivity was attributed to the lower proton diffusivity. • H+-conductivity in fluorite-structured RE 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 solid solutions (RE = Gd, Sm, and Nd) was studied. • Nd 0.7 Zr 0.3 O 1.65 is the best H+-conductor among the prepared systems (1 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 600 °C). • Nd 0.7 Zr 0.3 O 1.65 is a nearly pure H+-conductor below 600 °C under a reducing atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stretchable conductive composites play a pivotal role in the development of personalized electronic devices, electronic skins, and artificial implant devices. This article explores the fabrication and characterization of stretchable composites based on natural rubber (NR) filled with molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Experimental characterization and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to investigate the static and dynamic properties of the composites, including morphology, glass transition temperature (Tg), electrical conductivity, and mechanical behavior. Results show that the addition of MoSi2 nanoparticles enhances the dispersion of MWCNTs within the NR matrix, optimizing the formation of a conductive network. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirms the Tg reduction with the addition of MWCNTs and the influence of MoSi2 content on Tg. Mechanical testing reveals that the tensile strength increases with MoSi2 content, with an optimal ratio of 4:1 MoSi2:MWCNTs. Electrical conductivity measurements demonstrate that the MoSi2/MWCNTs/NR composites exhibit enhanced conductivity, reaching optimal values at specific filler ratios. MD simulations further support experimental findings, highlighting the role of MoSi2 in improving dispersion and mechanical properties. Overall, the study elucidates the synergistic effects of nanoparticles and nanotubes in enhancing the properties of stretchable conductive composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loading of nanoparticle in the polymer matrix affects their response to shear flows applied during the fabrication process. With this in mind, in the present study, the concurrent effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) presence and shear application on the rheological and electrical properties as well as on the crystallization behavior of polypropylene (PP) based nanocomposites has been investigated. The results of rheological analyses showed that the solid-like behavior increases in proportion to the CNT content, and a remarkable increase in the solid-like behavior is obtained at a CNT content of 2 wt%. The isothermal crystallization results corroborated that crystallization temperature increases proportionally with the CNT content, however does not change with shearing. The non-isothermal crystallization findings confirmed that crystallization kinetics promotes with increasing CNT content, and this effect becomes more pronounced with shearing. The results of thermal analysis confirmed that the melting temperature decreases slightly, and the crystallinity remains almost unchanged with increasing CNT content up to 2%. However, when the CNT content rose up to 4%, the crystallinity decreased significantly due to confined crystallization. When this nanocomposite was subjected to shearing, the crystallinity increased. The results of electrical conductivity measurement revealed that the conductivity increases with increasing CNT content, while it decreases with shearing and the vulnerability of nanocomposites to shearing decreases with increasing CNT content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of electrical conductivity (EC) has long been a tool for understanding soil properties. Previous studies concluded that EC measurement is not an ion-selective method, but these papers did not address the measurement frequency. An experimental tool and method were developed for semi-factory conditions in a large-scale soil trough at the Institute of Technology of the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences. A specially designed and built test apparatus mounted on the tractor's three-point hitch was used as a measuring device. The wear-resistant steel elements of the measuring device were also the sensors for measuring EC. This paper describes the conditions of the measurement series, the measurement results, and our conclusions from the experiments with the soil sensor. Different characteristics were measured in soil moistened with K and Ca solutions at different concentrations. The EC values show an increasing tendency with increasing salt concentration, and we also found that the rate of change of EC is different for different solution ratios. Based on our measurements, we found that the best method to isolate concentration differences is to use the test frequency range 20 Hz–250 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gel-based materials have garnered significant interest in recent years, primarily due to their remarkable structural flexibility, ease of modulation, and cost-effective synthesis methodologies. Specifically, polymer-based conductive gels, characterized by their unique conjugated structures incorporating both localized sigma and pi bonds, have emerged as materials of choice for a wide range of applications. These gels demonstrate an exceptional integration of solid and liquid phases within a three-dimensional matrix, further enhanced by the incorporation of conductive nanofillers. This unique composition endows them with a versatility that finds application across a diverse array of fields, including wearable energy devices, health monitoring systems, robotics, and devices designed for interactive human-body integration. The multifunctional nature of gel materials is evidenced by their inherent stretchability, self-healing capabilities, and conductivity (both ionic and electrical), alongside their multidimensional properties. However, the integration of these multidimensional properties into a single gel material, tailored to meet specific mechanical and chemical requirements across various applications, presents a significant challenge. This review aims to shed light on the current advancements in gel materials, with a particular focus on their application in various devices. Additionally, it critically assesses the limitations inherent in current material design strategies and proposes potential avenues for future research, particularly in the realm of conductive gels for energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of wearable thermoelectric generators, graphene-based materials have attracted attention as suitable candidates due to their low material costs and tunable electronic properties. However, their high thermal conductivity poses significant challenges. Low thermal conductivity due to porous structure of the laser-induced graphene, combined with its affordability and scalability, positions it as a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications. In this study, thermoelectric properties of the laser-induced graphene (LIG) on polyimide and their dependence on structural modifications of LIG were investigated. Furthermore, it was shown that increasing the laser scribing power on polyimide results in larger graphene flakes and a higher degree of graphitization. Electrical conductivity measurements indicated an increase with increasing laser power, due to a higher degree of graphitization, which enhances charge carrier mobility. Our findings reveal that LIG exhibits p-type semiconducting behavior, characterized by a positive Seebeck coefficient. It was shown that increasing laser power increased the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity simultaneously, which is attributed to a charge carrier energy filtering effect arising from structures occurred on the graphene flakes. Moreover, the porous structure of LIG contributes to its relatively low thermal conductivity, ranging between 0.6 W/m·K and 0.85 W/m·K, which enhances the thermoelectric performance of LIG. It has been observed that with increasing laser power, the figure of merit for laser-induced graphene can be enhanced by nearly 10 times, which holds promising applications for laser-induced graphene due to the tunability of its thermoelectric performance by changing laser parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric (TE) material devices can be treated as an initiative to reduce global warming by scavenging waste heat and recycling it into useful electrical energy. In dual-phase materials, the energy filtering mechanism serves a significant role to enhance power factor by controlled electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient in connection with carrier concentration and carrier mobility. Here we performed the preparation of Cobalt Ferrite (CF) using mechanical alloying and the cf@zno composites via solid state reaction technique by varying stoichiometric weight between CF and ZnO. The magnetic, electric, and optical properties of the samples exposed the influence of CF on the TE properties of ZnO matrix. The cf7.5wt%@zno sample shows greater carrier mobility and moderate carrier concentration results the improved electrical conductivity value 4235 Sm−1 and hence achieved highest power factor 439 μWm−1K−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a general case of a magnetotelluric (MT) study to reveal three-dimensional (3D) distribution of the electrical conductivity within the Earth based on measurements of electromagnetic (EM) fields by a two-dimensional (2D) array. Such an MT array observation can be regarded as a spatially discrete sampling of the MT responses (impedances), and each observation site can be regarded as a sampling point. This means that MT array measurements must follow the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem. This paper discusses how the sampling theorem is applied to MT array studies and what kind of consideration is required in the application on the basis of synthetic model calculations, with special attention to spatial resolutions. With an aid of the EM scattering theory and the sampling theorem, we can show that an observation array resolves some features of the MT impedance but does not others. We call the resolvable and unresolvable features the MT signal and noise, respectively. This study introduces the spatial Fourier transform of array MT data (impedances) which helps us investigating sampling effects of lateral heterogeneity from a different angle (in the wavenumber domain). Shallow heterogeneities cause a sharp spatial change of impedance elements near structural boundaries. High wavenumber Fourier components are required to describe such a feature, which means the site spacing must be sufficiently short to be able to resolve such features. Otherwise, a set of array MT data will suffer from aliasing, which is one of the typical causes of MT distortion (MT geologic noise). Conversely, a signal due to a deep-seated conductivity anomaly will have more reduced amplitude at higher wavenumbers, which means focused imaging of such an anomaly is generally difficult. Finally, it is suggested to properly consider the sampling theorem in an observation array design, so as to have best performance in resolving MT signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unified qualitative model is presented to study the impact of size, shape, crystal structure and dimension on the energy band gap of nanostructures. The formulated approach is based on the Bond energy model used to determine the relative melting temperature of nanosolids. The model approach depends on size, dimension, crystal structure and shapeof nanomaterial. The study is done on AlN, AlP, AlAs, GaN, GaP, GaAs. The formulation is obtained using the Arrhenius relation of electrical conductivity and is used to determine energy band gap expansion with respect to diameter/height of the nanostructures of different shapes. Depending on the shape of the nanomaterial, the surface area to volume ratio varies in nanomaterials that results in the change in the energy band gap value in nanostructure of same size. The study reveals that parameters viz. size, size, shape, crystal structure and dimension results in change in energy band gap value that enhance the possibility of tuning the optical properties of nanostructures. The model results are compared with the simulated and experimental data available and good agreement of model results with compared data is observed. The shifts in band gap energy of valence and conduction band is determined from the study in GaAs nanosolid. Drop in size at nano level results in increase the band gap energy leading to Raman blue shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon/BiOI nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a simplistic method. The produced composites were then characterized using XRD, TEM, SEM-EDX, and XPS. The results showed that BiOI with a tetragonal crystal structure had been formed. The interaction between activated carbon and BiOI was confirmed via all the mentioned tools. The obtained nanocomposites' electrical conductivity, dielectric properties, and Ac impedance were studied at 59 KHz−1.29 MHz. AC and dc conductivities were studied at temperatures between 303 and 573 K within the frequency range of 59 KHz–1.29 MHz. The 10% activated carbon/BiOI nanocomposite possessed dc and AC conductivity values of 5.56 × 10−4 and 2.86 × 10−4 Ω−1.cm−1, respectively, which were higher than BiOI and the other nanocomposites. Every sample exhibited increased electrical conductivity values as the temperature and frequency rose, suggesting that all samples had semiconducting behavior. The loss and dielectric constants (ε′ and ε″) also dropped as the frequency increased, leading to higher dielectric loss. The Nyquist plot unraveled single semicircle arcs and a decreased bulk resistance, indicating decreased grain boundary resistance. Consequently, the electrical characteristics of BiOI, 1C/BiOI, 5C/BiOI, and 10C/BiOI implied their applicability as dielectric absorbers, charge-stored capacitors, and high-frequency microwave devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study thermoelectric and transport properties of armchair nanoribbon doped with impurity atoms in the context of tight binding model hamiltonian. The effect of scattering by dilute charged impurities is discussed in terms of the self-consistent Born approximation. Green's function approach has been implemented to find the behavior of density of states, transport and Seebeck coefficient of armchair nanoribbon within linear response theory. We have found the temperature dependence of electrical and thermal conductivities for different values of impurity concentration and scattering strength of dopant impurity. Also the dependence of Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit on temperature has been investigated in details. A peak appears in the curves of temperature dependence of Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit for various impurity concentrations and scattering potential strengths. Furtheremore we have found electrical conductivity rises with impurity concentration for any temperature and scattering potential strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdS nanoparticles doped with Mn were synthesized by chemical precipitation using varying concentrations of Mn at Cd1-xMnxS, where (x) = 0.00, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07. The samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray techniques (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, dielectric properties, and AC conductivity measurements. SEM micrograph shows that pure CdS nanomaterial has agglomerates primarily composed of nanoparticles, whereas the sample with a concentration of 0.03 contains smaller particles. In response to the phonon confinement effect, The Raman spectra of CdS nanoparticles exhibited peaks at 303 cm−1 and 603 cm−1. In contrast, the Raman spectra of Mn:CdS nanocomposites displayed a prominent fundamental mode at 301 cm−1 and a less pronounced overtone mode at 601 cm−1. The dielectric properties and the AC conductivity of CdS have been investigated over a wide frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz and at a variety of temperatures ranging from 298 to 423K. The real and imaginary parts of the complex dielectric constant (εʹ, εʹʹ), the electric modulus, and AC conductivity of CdS were found to depend on Mn content at different temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we revisit the seminal concept of Johnson–Koplik–Schwartz (JKS) length Λ, that is a characteristic length representing an effective pore size which controls various transport-related properties of porous media, such as, the permeability and the electrical conductivity. We present a novel closed-form equation that predicts the behaviour of Λ in partially saturated media, for different saturation states. Using previous models in the literature that predict the intrinsic and relative electrical conductivities under partially saturated conditions, we infer the JKS length Λ and the electrical formation factor F as functions of water saturation and properties associated with the pore-size distribution of the probed porous medium. The proposed method permits to estimate the effective permeability and the relative permeability directly from electrical conductivity measurements, thus opening new-avenues for the remote characterization of partially saturated media. We believe that this new model will prove useful for various characterization and modelling applications from reservoir (CO2 or hydrogen storage) to vadose zone studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact damage is the most destructive effect on the seeds during harvesting, handling, and storage, both on‐farm and off‐farm. The chickpea seeds' dicotyledonous characteristics and large mass and size make them susceptible to mechanical damage under impact loading. Tests were conducted to determine the extent of damage to chickpea seeds due to the impact caused by free fall. The extent of internal damage to the chickpea seeds was determined, which included the measurement of seed deterioration by the accelerated aging method (percentage loss in germination in the accelerated aging test) and the measurement of electrical conductivity. Three independent variables were used in the test, namely: (a) drop height (3, 6, 9, and 12 m), (b) impact surface (concrete, metal, plywood and seeds on seeds), and (c) seed moisture content (10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% w.b). The results showed that drop height, impact surface, and moisture content had significant effects (p <.01) on the loss in germination percentage and change in electrical conductivity of chickpea seeds. In terms of loss in germination, the highest damage to seeds occurred at the metal impact surface (41.96%) and the least at the seed on the seed (29.71%). The highest amount of electrical conductivity was related to the seeds dropped on the metal (36.09 μS cm−1 g−1) and the lowest was related to seed‐on‐seed contact (21.68 μS cm−1 g−1). By increasing the drop height from 3 to 12 m, the loss in germination and electrical conductivity of seeds increased from 27.74% to 48.08% and from 18.72 to 40.47 μS cm−1 g−1, respectively. Increasing the moisture content of chickpea seeds from 10 to 25% causes a decrease in the amount of damage to the seeds in terms of electrical conductivity (from 38.40 to 21.18 μS cm−1 g−1), but increases the damage in the form of a loss in the percentage germination in the accelerated aging test (from 29.22% to 42.88%). To reduce the impact damage to peas caused by free fall, the height of the fall should be limited to about 6 m, and they should be prevented from hitting hard and rough surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical conductivity of apatite single crystals along three main crystalline directions was measured in situ using a YJ-3000t multi-anvil apparatus and a combined system consisting of the impedance/gain-phase analyzer (Solartron 1260) and dielectric interface (Solartron 1296) at 973–1373 K and 1.0–3.0 GPa. The obtained results indicate that the relationship between the electrical conductivity and temperature conforms to the Arrhenius relation. At 2.0 GPa, the electrical conductivity of apatite with relatively high activation enthalpies of 1.92–2.24 eV shows a significant anisotropy with an extremely high anisotropic degree (τ = ~8–16) value. For a given [001] crystallographic orientation, the electrical conductivity of apatite slightly decreases with increasing pressure, and its corresponding activation energy and activation volume of charge carriers are 2.05 ± 0.06 eV and 9.31 ± 0.98 cm3/mol, respectively. All of these observed anomalously high activation enthalpy and positive activation volume values suggest that the main conduction mechanism is related to the monovalent fluorine anion at high temperature and high pressure. Furthermore, three representative petrological average schemes, including the parallel, Hashin-Shtrikman upper bound, and average models were selected to establish the functional relation for the electrical conductivity of the phlogopite-apatite-peridotite rock system along with the volume percentages of apatite ranging from 1 to 10% at 973–1373 K and 2.0 GPa. For a typical Hashin-Shtrikman upper bound model, the electrical conductivity-depth profile for peridotite containing the 10% volume percentage of apatite was successfully constructed in conjunction with our acquired anisotropic electrical conductivity results and available temperature gradient data (11.6 and 27.6 K/km) at depths of 20–90 km. Although the presence of apatite in peridotite cannot explain the high-conductivity anomalies in western Junggar of Xinjiang autonomous region, it may provide a reasonable constraint on those of representative apatite-rich areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic fracturing is used in shale reservoir production, with low flowback rates and a large amount of fracturing fluid retained inside the reservoir. In this study, a stress sensitivity analysis experiment on the fracture inflow capacity was implemented to investigate the relationship between the hydraulic fracture (HF) and natural fracture (NF) inflow capacities and effective stress. A three-dimensional shale reservoir model was also constructed to couple the experimentally obtained laws with the numerical model to investigate the effects of the connection and closure of the fracture network on the retention of the fracturing fluid. The results show that the stress sensitivity of natural fractures is two orders of magnitude higher than that of hydraulic fractures. The seepage-absorption effect of capillary forces is not the whole reason for the large amount of fracturing fluid retention. The closure of the fracture network formed by natural and hydraulic fractures during the production process led to the storage of a large amount of fracturing fluid, and this process maintained the stability of the water production rate during the steady water production period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doped LaCrO 3 perovskites hold promise as robust materials for electrical interconnects and sensor applications in harsh environments. In this work, we investigated the high-temperature behavior of La 1–x Sr x CrO 3 , La 1–x Ca x CrO 3 and La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Cr 1-x Mn x O 3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) through a combination of computational modeling and physical characterization up to 1500 °C. Crystalline structural properties were determined and compared with ab-initio calculations, which demonstrated excellent agreement with experimental findings. High-temperature electrical conductivity measurements were performed under different atmospheres. Calcium and strontium/manganese co-doped lanthanum chromites exhibited typical semiconductor exponential trends and conductivity showed proportional correlation with substitutions levels up to 30%. The DFT modelling was completed up to 1500 °C, including low and high temperature chromite phases and oxygen vacancies insertion. Calculations were correlated with experimental electrical properties. This work expands the understanding of doped lanthanum chromites and paves the way for the development of materials suitable for demanding high-temperature applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Severe spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to dysregulated neuroinflammation and cell apoptosis, resulting in axonal die-back and the loss of neuroelectric signal transmission. While biocompatible hydrogels are commonly used in SCI repair, they lack the capacity to support neuroelectric transmission. To overcome this limitation, we developed an injectable silk fibroin/ionic liquid (SFMA@IL) conductive hydrogel to assist neuroelectric signal transmission after SCI in this study. The hydrogel can form rapidly in situ under ultraviolet (UV) light. The mechanical supporting and neuro-regenerating properties are provided by silk fibroin (SF), while the conductive capability is provided by the designed ionic liquid (IL). SFMA@IL showed attractive features for SCI repair, such as anti-swelling, conductivity, and injectability. In vivo , SFMA@IL hydrogel used in rats with complete transection injuries was found to remodel the microenvironment, reduce inflammation, and facilitate neuro-fiber outgrowth. The hydrogel also led to a notable decrease in cell apoptosis and the achievement of scar-free wound healing, which saved 45.6 ± 10.8 % of spinal cord tissue in SFMA@IL grafting. Electrophysiological studies in rats with complete transection SCI confirmed SFMA@IL's ability to support sensory neuroelectric transmission, providing strong evidence for its signal transmission function. These findings provide new insights for the development of effective SCI treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the structural and electronic properties of BiSbPbTe thin films, focusing on the impact of post-annealing time and temperature. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals a stable rhombohedral phase formation in all samples, with no secondary phases detected within the detection limit. The high crystallinity of the films is confirmed, and post-annealing leads to an increase in peak intensity, indicating enhanced crystalline structure. Surface morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrates a transition from inhomogeneous features in as-grown films to homogeneous and dense formations in post-annealed films. The grain size increases with post-annealing time, attributed to diffusion, energy minimization, nucleation, growth, and thermal activation processes. The electronic transport properties, including carrier concentration and conductivity, are influenced by post-annealing temperature and duration. A stable carrier concentration is observed for films post-annealed for up to 2 h, while longer durations decrease due to reduced defect vacancies and grain boundaries. The increase in charge carrier mobility, confirmed by SEM results, contributes to enhanced electrical conductivity. The Seebeck coefficient shows an initial enhancement up to 2 h post-annealing, attributed to defect creation and increased grain boundaries. However, further increases in post-annealing duration result in a decrease in the Seebeck coefficient due to enhanced charge carrier mobility and reduced grain boundaries. The thermoelectric power factor (4.4 μW/cm1K2), determined by the square of the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity, reaches its maximum value in the 2-h post-annealed sample, emphasizing the importance of optimizing post-annealing conditions for improved thermoelectric performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first-principles electronic structure calculation was applied to investigate the electronic properties of the LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (001) heterostructure system (HSs) under strain. The results show that the distorted structure at the interface determines the occupied orbitals of 2DEG, further resulting in different sensitivities of interfacial charge carrier density, electron effective mass, electron mobility, and electrical conductivity on strain. The interfacial metallic states of tensile-strained and biaxial-compressive-strained LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (001) HSs mainly occupy Ti 3d x y orbitals, which is the same for unstrained HSs. Then, the electron effective mass slightly decreases with tensile strain, which leads to a higher electrical conductivity. Different from biaxial-compressive-strained LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (001) HSs with Ti 3d x y occupied orbitals, the Ti 3d y z orbitals are occupied for uniaxial-compressive-strained HSs, thus leading to a remarkably increased electron effective mass and sharply decreased electrical conductivity. These results give us a guidance to effectively modify the interfacial electronic characteristics of LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (001) HSs by strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric (TE) conversion technology, capable of transforming heat into electricity, is critical for sustainable energy solutions. Many promising TE materials contain rare or toxic elements, so the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly high-performance TE materials is highly urgent. Herein, we explore the thermal transport and TE properties of transition metal vanadate CuVO3 by using first-principles calculation. On the basis of the unified theory of heat conduction, we uncover the hierarchical thermal transport feature in CuVO3, where wave-like tunneling makes a significant contribution to the lattice thermal conductivity (κl) and results in the anomalously weak temperature dependence of κl. This is primarily attributable to the complex phononic band structure caused by the heterogeneity of Cu–O and V–O bonds. Simultaneously, we report a high power factor of 5.45 mW·K−2·m−1 realized in hole-doped CuVO3, which arises from a high electrical conductivity and a large Seebeck coefficient enabled by the multiple valleys and large electronic density of states near the valence band edge. Impressively, the low κl and the high power factor make p-typed CuVO3 have ZT of up to 1.39, with the excellent average ZT above 1.0 from 300 to 600 K, which is superior to most reported Cu-based TE materials. Our findings suggest that the CuVO3 compound is a promising candidate for energy conversion applications in innovative TE devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart windows that incorporate photothermal modulators (PMs) can independently regulate solar transmittance and infrared (IR) emissivity to improve building comfort and reduce energy consumption. Herein, a novel all‐solid‐state variable IR emissivity device (VED) is first designed and fabricated with a high visible irradiation transmittance (T′vis = 0.79) and solar irradiation transmittance (T′sol = 0.75) using an ITO/SiO2/ITO Fabry–Perot cavity structure. The VED exhibits different IR emissivity (ɛ) values at positive (ɛP = 0.80) and negative (ɛN = 0.38) bias, allowing for dynamic regulation of radiation by controlling the electrical conductivity of the indium tin oxide (ITO) layer. Furthermore, an all‐solid‐state PM with a structure of ITO/SiO2/ITO/Glass/ITO/NiO/ZrO2/Li/WO3/ITO, which is capable of independently regulating solar transmittance (ΔT'sol = 0.31) and IR emissivity (Δɛ2.5–25 µm = 0.42), is fabricated. The multi‐mode smart window incorporating PMs can achieve "bright," "dark," "warm," and "cool" modes, making them suitable for deployment in diverse climate zones. The innovative smart window holds a massive potential for use in reducing building energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three borosilicate glass samples of 25 % Si 2 O – 30 % Na 2 O – 45 % B 2 O 3 doped with x Dy 2 O 3 (where x = 0, 2, and 4 mol %) were prepared using the melt quenching technique. Photoluminescence spectra for glass samples were studied when excited by 350 nm in the 400–800 nm range, where emission sharply increases for samples doped with 2 % Dy 2 O 3 (BSNDy2) at 580 nm after exposed to 30 kGy. Also, glass containing 2 % Dy photoluminescence constants, such as decay curves CIE chromaticity, was measured for all samples that gave three decay behaviors: slow, intermediate, and fast. Experimental lifetime (τ exp.), color coordination (X, Y), and yellow/blue intensity ratio (y/b) beside the color correlated temperature (CCT) were determined before and after being irradiated by 30 and 60 kGy from γ ray source where the y/b ratio of BSNDy2 increase by increasing exposure to gamma doses and were >1. In addition, electrical conductivity at different temperatures was investigated as the BSNDy2 sample gave the highest conductivity and decreased by BSNDy4. Moreover, shielding parameters such as the tenth value layer, half value layer, mean free path and mass attenuation coefficient values were calculated at different gamma-ray energies via the Phy-X program, showing the highest values for MAC, Z eff , N eff, and C eff for BSNDy4 sample. The findings showed that adding Dy 2 O 3 to the glass gave a fortified shielding character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SiO 2 -supported SiC/B 4 C (SiO 2 –SiC/B 4 C) nanowires were synthesized by using SiO 2 @C nanospheres, amorphous B powders and catalyst Ni(NO 3) 2 ·6H 2 O as raw materials, and exhibited remarkable microwave absorbing characteristics. The minimum reflection loss of the SiO 2 –SiC/B 4 C nanowire/paraffin composite reaches −41.33 dB with an effective absorption bandwidth up to 9.69 GHz. The broadband microwave absorption of SiO 2 –SiC/B 4 C nanowires is attributed to the synergistic effect of interfacial polarization relaxation and conduction loss. While conductive loss dominates at low frequencies within 2–8 GHz, polarization loss caused by the heterogeneous interfaces plays an important role at high frequencies, especially between 10 and 16 GHz. The movement of the polarization relaxation peaks to lower frequencies in the composites is further investigated by modeling the relaxation process as a rotating sphere in a viscous fluid. The linear relationship between relaxation time and conductivity indicates that the conductivity is an important factor that affects the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance not only on the impedance matching and attenuation constant of the materials, but also regulates the relaxation time, and this result provides a new idea for exploring the absorption mechanism of EMW absorbing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing the novel salt-loaded hydrogel microspheres, the controlled crystallization of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was accomplished by attaining precipitant-dependent, location-dependent, and time-dependent regulation of supersaturation and nucleation. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of monodispersed PEGDA hydrogel microspheres (HMSs). • HMSs are used as templates loaded with different concentrations of NaCl. • Demonstration of precipitation-dependent, location-dependent, and time-dependent control of the supersaturation by HMSs. • Applications of nucleation and crystal size control by HMSs. Due to their biocompatibility and adjustable chemical structure and morphology, hydrogels have great potential in many applications, and can be used to enhance protein crystal quality and crystallization efficiency, contributing to biomedicine manufacturing. Monodispersed PEGDA hydrogel microspheres (HMSs) were synthesized using a Lego-inspired microfluidic device. The generated droplets were then UV polymerized, partially hydrolyzed with 0.1 M NaOH solution to improve their absorption capacity, and soaked in a buffer solution containing 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 M NaCl. Salt-loaded HMSs were used as the medium for the enhanced crystallization of hen egg white lysozyme from aqueous solutions. Different supersaturations were achieved in the protein solutions by releasing NaCl of different concentrations from HMSs, as confirmed by electrical conductivity measurements. HMSs with or without NaCl can both provide heterogeneous nucleation sites due to their nano-porous structure and wrinkled surface. The addition of NaCl-loaded HMSs to the protein solution can also increase or decrease the supersaturation in the whole solution or locally near the HMS, leading to controllable nucleation time and crystal size distribution dependent on the NaCl concentration loaded into HMSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model in which the time-evolving electrical conductivity of the air ionization plasma in DC voltage needed-plate setup is represented. Maxwell's equations are solved using the FDTD method, and the associated currents and discharge fields are computed over time and in three-dimensional space. The proposed model for the electrical conductivity is dependent on time, the applied DC voltage, and the gap length. The necessary data for developing the proposed model is obtained experimentally using a standard discharge needle, with its spherical tip measuring approximately 40 μ m in diameter. Once high voltage is applied, a steady state is achieved. The electrical conductivity σ (t) and its associated parameters are then calculated using nonlinear equations proposed to reproduce the experimentally obtained plasma behavior in the full-wave FDTD model. Voltage ranges from 4 kV to 9 kV, and gap distances are between 4 mm and 8 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall performance of the multilayer resulting in a sol-gel bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) film will be primarily determined by the properties of the first layer, but this has yet to receive much attention, even though chemical and morphological defects of this layer can accumulate as the number of layers increases. Here, we perform an optical, conductive, and ferroelectric study of first layer (L 1) dip-coating sol-gel BiFeO3 films using two routes that vary only in the dissolvent; the first one is based on 2-methoxyethanol (MOE), and the second one on acetic acid (AA) with some MOE (AA-MOE). Tauc plots reveal a band gap of 2.43 eV and 2.75 eV for MOE (30 ± 5 nm thick) and AA-MOE (35 ± 5 nm thick) films, respectively. MOE films showed a dielectric function with features at ∼2.5 eV, ∼3.1 eV, and ∼3.9 eV, which were associated with charge-transfer transitions, but such features are absent in AA-MOE films. Advanced atomic force microscopy techniques were used to identify the fine features or defects of the BiFeO3 films: The conductive maps show that the charge transport pathways in both film routes are controlled by nanometer defects rather than grain or grain boundary defects. Current-voltage curves reveal high conductive pathway at a lower voltage for the MOE films than for AA-MOE films. The piezoelectric coefficient for MOE films was ∼20% higher than AA-MOE films. Both deposition methods yield ferroelectric films with an electromechanical strain controlled by the piezoelectric effect and minimal contribution from electrostriction. An optimization for the AA-MOE-based route in the withdrawal speed results in a significant reduction of morphological defects and a more than twofold increase in the piezoelectric coefficient. Our results broaden the understanding of optical and ferroelectric BiFeO3 films based on a chemical solution by dip-coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present a new non-iterative imaging method for Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT). The problem in ERT is retrieving the spatial behaviour of the electrical conductivity by means of boundary measurements in steady-state conditions. Specifically, the interest is focused on the inverse obstacle problem, that consists in reconstructing the shape, position and dimension of one or more anomalies embedded in a known background. The proposed method, called Kernel Method, is based on the idea that if there exists a current density Jn that applied at the boundary ∂ of the domain under investigation produces the same scalar potential (on ∂), with and without anomalies, then the power density corresponding to Jn, evaluated on a configuration without anomalies, is vanishing in the region occupied by the latter. The proposed method has a very low computational cost. Indeed, the evaluation of the desired current density Jn on ∂ requires a negligible computational effort, and the reconstructions require only one forward problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chitosan/polypyrrole (Ks/PPy) nanoparticle composite was synthesized using chitosan (Ks) and pyrrole (PPy) and embedded in a cross-linked poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogel polymer matrix. Poly(acrylamide) embedded chitosan/polypyrrole (PAAm-Ks/PPy) hydrogels were treated with a hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, and the poly(acrylamide)-chitosan/polypyrrole-HCl (PAAm-Ks/PPy-H) hydrogels were prepared. The synthesized Ks/PPy nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size analysis (Mastersizer), and 4-point electrical conductivity measurements. The size of the synthesized Ks/PPy nanoparticles composite was measured as Dv(90) = 114 nm. The size of the majority of Ks/PPy nanoparticle was observed at approximately 100 nm according to their SEM images. The electrical conductivity of the Ks/PPy nanoparticles was measured as 5.79E–1 mS cm−1, and this value is approximately 261,000 times higher than the electrical conductivity of Ks biopolymer. Also, the electrical conductivity of chitosan/polypyrrole treated with HCl (Ks/PPy-H) nanoparticles was measured as 2.53 mS cm−1. The electrical conductivity of Ks/PPy-H nanoparticles increased approximately 4.4 times compared to Ks/PPy nanoparticles after HCl treatment. PAAm-Ks/PPy hydrogel was characterized with the FT-IR, TG, SEM, and 4-point electrical conductivity measurements. The percent of swelling (S%) value of composite P(AAm)-Ks/PPy and P(AAm)-Ks/PPy-H hydrogels was determined as approximately 1949 and 2001%, respectively. The S% values of these hydrogels are about 15% higher than the PAAm hydrogel. Among the synthesized hydrogels, the swelled PAAm-Ks/PPy-H hydrogel has the highest electrical conductivity value with 2.0E−5 ± 8.7E−6 mS cm−1. The adsorption performance of the synthesized hydrogels was investigated for methyl orange from the aqueous solution. It is determined that the adsorption performance of the PAAm-Ks/PPy-H hydrogel is approximately fourfold and 20-fold higher than the PAAm-Ks/PPy and the PAAm hydrogel, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe measurements of the DC electrical conductivity of warm dense matter using ultrafast terahertz (THz) pulses. THz fields are sufficiently slowly varying that they behave like DC fields on the timescale of electron–electron and electron–ion interactions and hence probe DC-like responses. Using a novel single-shot electro-optic sampling technique, the electrical conductivity of the laser-generated warm dense matter was determined with <1 ps temporal resolution. We present the details of the single-shot THz detection methodology as well as considerations for warm dense matter experiments. We, then, provide proof-of-concept studies on aluminum driven to the warm dense matter regime through isochoric heating and shock compression. Our results indicate a decrease in the conductivity when driven to warm dense matter conditions and provide a platform for future warm dense matter studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved virial expansion for the low-density limit of the electrical conductivity σ (T , n) of hydrogen as the simplest ionic plasma is presented. Quantum statistical methods provide exact values for the lowest virial coefficients, which serve as a benchmark for analytical approaches to electrical conductivity as well as for numerical results from density functional theory-based molecular dynamics simulations (DFT-MD) or path-integral Monte Carlo simulations. The correction factor introduced by Reinholz et al. [Phys. Rev. E 91, 043105 (2015)] is applied to describe the inclusion of electron–electron collisions in DFT-based calculations of transport coefficients. As a benchmark, the first virial coefficient is correctly described with this approach. The value of the second virial coefficient is discussed, and questions about its value according to DFT-MD simulations are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide-based ferrite ceramics, widely applied in high-frequency applications, are conventionally produced through high-temperature sintering processes, often resulting in grain growth and phase transformation. In this study, we used a cold sintering process (CSP) with oxalic acid (OA) as a solvent to consolidate iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4) ceramics at a low temperature of 160 °C. The OA-assisted CSP technique has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to facilitate the dissolution and redeposition of iron oxide ions, leading to the interconnection of Fe 3 O 4 particles, forming densely packed ceramics even at low-temperature sintering. Importantly, CSP maintained particle sizes and hindered phase transitions of Fe 3 O 4. The OA concentrations in CSP had a minimal impact on crystal structure and magnetic properties, but it significantly enhanced microstructural features, density, hardness, and electrical resistance. Compared to reference samples prepared without an aqueous solution or with water alone, the CSP-prepared Fe 3 O 4 ceramics with OA exhibited substantially improved density (a relative density of ∼80 %), mechanical properties (Vickers hardness of 3.5–4.0 GPa), magnetic properties (saturation magnetization >70 emu/g), and electrical resistance (electrical conductivity ∼10−3 S/cm at 102–106 Hz). These findings demonstrate a novel approach to fabricating Fe 3 O 4 ceramics at significantly lower temperatures while still achieving properties comparable to those sintered at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible electronics is a new generation of electronic devices in which electronic components are integrated into flexible substrates. It is used in the fabrication of displays, solar cells, integrated circuits, and increasingly in the fabrication of electronic skin (E-skin), which can mimic the properties of human skin by being able to follow skin movements and flexures without loss of mechanical and electrical properties. E-skin is suitable for integrating various sensors to monitor personal health. Conductive polymers are used in flexible electronics due to their electrical conductivity, low mass, and stability. However, their main disadvantage is their brittleness, which is why they don't possess flexibility property without modification. Therefore, in this work, the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was used as the main chain and the side branches of poly(acrylate-urethane) (PAU) were grafted onto it by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) onto it, obtaining the grafted copolymer PEDOT-g-PAU. In this way, the main chain of PEDOT retains the property of electrical conductivity without losing conjugation, while the side branches of PAU have the ability to crosslink non-covalently through hydrogen bonds with PAU side branches of adjacent polymer molecules due to the presence of oxygen in their structure. The presence of hydrogen bonds allows increasing the stretchability and flexibility of the material, and they also have the ability to spontaneously renew themselves when they break due to excessive stress. Three different synthesis conditions were used to obtain polymers of different structure, which were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and measurement of electrical conductivity with a four-point probe (4PP) method. The obtained graft copolymer was prepared in the form of ink and printed on a polyurethane (PU) substrate using inkjet technique. The conductivity of the printed layer, its elongation and adhesion were investigated, while possible delamination of the printed polymer layer was also monitored. The results showed that the PEDOT-g-PAU copolymer was successfully synthesized and inkjet printing on PU film was successful. The obtained material has satisfactory electrical and mechanical properties and could be used for the integration of fully functional biosensors with further optimization of the composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing Solid-State Electrolytes (SSEs) exhibiting high ionic conductivity and high mechanical/thermal stability is the main concern for developing next-generation rechargeable batteries. Here we present the successful synthesis of colorless, transparent, and bubble-free phosphate glasses with high lithium-ion electrical conductivity within the system xLiCl–(1–x)(63Li2WO4–37P2O5) with 0 ≤ x ≤ 30 mol%. The structural study is performed using Raman spectroscopy. Electrical conductivity measurements of the glasses are investigated over a large frequency range at various temperatures using impedance spectroscopy. It is found that the electric conductivity increases with increasing lithium chloride content. The dc conductivity reaches 2.76 × 10−6 (Ω−1.cm−1) at room temperature (RT) for the glass (x = 30 mol%). The frequency dependence of the conductivity is investigated and the scaling of the conductivity spectra shows that the conduction mechanism in the glasses is both temperature and composition-independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scientific article presents research on the electrical conductivity of imidazole-derived ionic liquids (1-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride) in the temperature range of 278.15–313.15 K in N,N-Dimethylformamide. The measurement methods employed relied mainly on conductometric measurements, enabling precise monitoring of the conductivity changes as a function of temperature. Experiments were conducted at various temperature values, which provided a comprehensive picture of the conducting properties of the investigated ionic liquids. The focus of the study was the analysis of the conductometric results, which were used to determine the conductivity function as a function of temperature. Based on the obtained data, a detailed analysis of association constants (KA) and thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (∆H0), entropy (∆S0), Gibbs free energy (∆G0), Eyring activation enthalpy for charge transport ( Δ H λ ‡ ) and diffusion processes (D0) was carried out. The conductometric method proved to be an extremely effective tool for accurately determining these parameters, significantly contributing to the understanding of the properties of imidazole-derived ionic liquids in the investigated temperature range. As a result, the obtained results not only provide new insights into the electrical conductivity of the studied ionic liquids but also broaden our knowledge of their thermodynamic behavior under different temperature conditions. These studies may have significant implications for the field of ionic liquid chemistry and may be applied in the design of modern materials with desired conducting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) is a promising thermoelectric material with earth‐abundant, low‐cost, and environment‐friendly constituents. However, it shows poor thermoelectric performance due to its extremely low electrical conductivity derived from the low electron concentration. Here, a high‐performance Bi2S3‐based material is reported to benefit from the Fermi level tuning by Ag and Cl co‐doping and defect engineering by introducing dense low‐angle grain boundaries. Both Ag and Cl act as donors in Bi2S3, upshifting the Fermi level. This increases the electron concentration without degrading the electron mobility, thereby obtaining improved electrical conductivity. The electron localization function (ELF) contour map indicates that interstitial Ag causes electron delocalization, showing higher electron mobility in Bi2S3. More importantly, dense low‐angle grain boundaries block phonon propagation, yielding an ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of 0.30 W m−1 K−1. Consequently, a record ZT value of ≈0.9 at 676 K is achieved in the Bi2Ag0.01S3‐0.5%BiCl3 sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents studies on the evaluation of the impact of surface modification of cotton, viscose, and polyester fabrics using three techniques (flocking, layer by layer, and screen printing) with materials with electrically conductive properties on their structural, biophysical, and conductive properties. Each tested fabric is characterized by specific biophysical properties. which can be disturbed by various modification methods, therefore, the following tests were carried out in the article: optical microscopy, micro-computed tomography, guarded perspiration heating plate, air permeability, sorption and electrical conductivity tester. The use of screen printing increased the thermal resistance of the cotton woven fabric by 119%, the polyester woven fabric by 156%, and the viscose fabric by 261%. The smallest changes in thermal resistance compared to unmodified textiles were observed in layer by layer modified fabrics and are as follows: −15% (cotton woven fabric), +77% (PES woven fabric), and +80% (viscose woven fabric). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, gallium-based liquid metal has emerged as a prominent research material in the realm of flexible electronics, owing to its exceptional electrical conductivity and deformability. The crux of developing flexible electronic devices using liquid metal as a conductive material lies in the patterning of the liquid metal. Inkjet printing technology possesses the capability to efficiently craft functional patterns by printing any inkable material. However, due to the facile oxidation of the gallium-based liquid metal surface in ambient air, leading to the formation of oxide films and the presence of high surface tension, conventional inkjet printing techniques are incapable of directly rendering liquid metal prints. This manuscript introduces a refined and remarkably efficient approach to inkjet printing utilizing the liquid metal. By deftly adjusting the interfacial tension of the liquid metal at the nozzle with ultra-low potentials, falling within the 2-V range, the achievement of on-demand, micron-scale liquid metal microdroplet ejection printing surpassing 3 kHz is brought to fruition. This article delves into unraveling the mechanisms of potential modulation on the interfacial tension of the liquid metal at the nozzle, as well as the fundamental theories pertaining to the formation and migration of liquid metal microdroplets. These insights establish a theoretical and technical foundation for the application of liquid metals in the field of electronic printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of some physicochemical properties of l-aspartic aid in water and aqueous ammonium acetate has been undertaken for this investigation. Density, viscosity and conductivity of the solutions were measured at different temperatures. Volumetric parameters such as apparent molar volume (V Φ) , partial molar volume (V Φ 0) , partial molar expansibility (E Φ 0) and Hepler's constant ( ∂ 2 V Φ 0 / ∂ T 2) p) and viscometric parameters such as relative viscosity (η r) , viscosity coefficients (B J and A F) , Gibbs free energy of activation of viscous flow of solvent and solute (Δ μ 1 # , 0 and Δ μ 2 # , 0 ) respectively) and corresponding change in enthalpy Δ H 2 # , 0 and entropy Δ S 2 # , 0 have been derived from the experimentally measured density and viscosity values. Variation of these parameters with concentration and temperature was analysed in the light of ion–ion and ion–hydrophilic interactions. The possibility of ion pair formation and its effect on migration of charged particles in solution have been determined by analysing the molar conductance (Λm), association constant (K A) , Walden product and thermodynamic functions. These parameters were qualitatively correlated with changes in structure of water that occurs when l-Aspartic acid interacts with ammonium acetate in aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to fabricate thick films of polyvinyl alcohol containing (SiC-BaTiO3) nanoparticles in order to improve their structural, optical, and electrical characteristics. The (PVA-SiC-BaTiO3) nanocomposite films are made utilize the casting method. According to optical microscope images, the (SiC-BaTiO3) nanoparticles create a persistent network inside the polymer compared to pure (PVA). FTIR reveals that the peak position, peak shape, and intensity are shifting. When (SiC-BaTO3) nanoparticle concentrations were increased to (6 wt%), optical tests revealed that the absorbance of (PVA-SiC-BaTiO3) nanocomposites enhanced from 50 to 98%. Meanwhile, the energy gap of (PVA-SiC-BaTiO3) nanocomposites declined from (4.42 to 3.56) eV and from (4.1 to 2.85) eV for the allowed and forbidden indirect transitions, respectively. These findings could be important for using (PVA-SiC-BaTiO3) nanostructures in diverse optics applications and nanotechnology. As well as an increase in optical parameters including optical conductivity, real and imaginary dielectric constants, refractive index, absorption coefficient, and extinction coefficient. The dielectric loss (ε″) and dielectric constant (ε′) for nanocomposites reduce as the frequency of the applied electrical field rises but increase as the concentration of nanoparticles (NPs) rises. When the (SiC-BaTiO3) concentration reached (6 wt%) at a frequency of 100 Hz, A.C. electrical conductivity (σa.c) and dielectric constant increases by around 90% and 130%, respectively. Based on the results, doping PVA with (SiC-BaTiO3) NPs enhanced the optical, structural, and A.C electrical properties, making the (PVA-SiC-BaTiO3) nanostructures promising materials for various optoelectronic nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold spray (CS) is a solid-state process for depositing thick layers of material via the successive high-velocity impact of powder particles onto a solid surface, which leads to high rates of deformation, interparticle bonding, and coating build-up. Although CS is finding commercial utilization in non-load-bearing repair and coating applications, clear nondestructive characterization procedures are necessary to realize its potential in load-bearing structural applications. In this study, the viability of electrical conductivity and through thickness ultrasound wave velocity measurement methods was studied to serve as a means for nondestructive quantitative measurement for quality control in CS and potentially other additive manufacturing (AM) methods. Eddy current, ultrasound, porosity, hardness, and uniaxial tensile strength tests were conducted on CS deposited layers of aluminum alloy 6061 and copper on aluminum alloy 6061 and commercially pure copper substrates, respectively. CS gas dynamic parameters were intentionally and systematically varied to result in corresponding discrete differences in mechanical properties of deposits. Ultrasound measurements of longitudinal wave velocity and eddy current electrical conductivity measurements showed good correlation with process conditions, microstructural characterization results, and destructive mechanical tests (hardness, tensile). The results of this work show that ultrasound wave velocity and electrical conductivity correlate well with increased particle impact velocity in CS deposited aluminum and copper blocks, which evidently show an incremental decrease in porosity, increase in hardness, and increase in tensile strength. The outlined ultrasound and eddy current nondestructive testing methods present effective means for quantitative assessment of cold spray deposited structures while intact with the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural, density, mechanical, electrical and shielding properties of xLi2O·(49.5-x)BaO·50P2O5·0.5CuO (0 ≤ x ≤ 49.5 mol%) glasses have been studied. XRD patterns and SEM analyses have demonstrated the amorphous nature of the prepared glass system. FTIR spectra showed that there is a slight increase in the relative areas of Q1 and Q2, and a decrease in that of P=O as Li2O replaces BaO. This is concomitant not only with a decrease in density and molar volume but also with an increase in electrical conductivity and elastic parameters (Young, shear and bulk moduli). This is attributed to the significantly heavier mass of BaO than Li2O, as well as the higher ionic radius of the Ba2+ cation than the Li+ ion. Furthermore, the mass and linear attenuation coefficients, effective electron density and effective atomic number are decreased. Thus, the radiation shielding capacity decreases as the Li2O content replaces BaO. Overall, the proposed glass matrix is promising for electronic devices and radiation shielding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces offer opportunity to detect the response of species to environmental variations by exploring population density and body size variations. In May 2022, we collected pillbugs from five urban green spaces in Yancheng, Jiangsu, P.R. China. One-way ANOVA, principal component analysis, Cramer's V. Mantel test and regression analysis were employed in this study. We found that the body size varied significantly among different urban spaces, while density did not. Most of the environmental properties were significantly different, except electrical conductivity and total nitrogen. The number of plant species and pH were distinguished as the main factors shaping the habitats. Body size related to the food resources, and density related to pH and vegetation coverage. Then body length and weight presented a significant positive correlation. A clumped distribution pattern of pillbugs was detected by Taylor's and Iwao's regressions. The environmental variations presented inconsistent effects on density and body size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the surface magnetic field fluctuations due to radial oscillations as a viable cause for the microstructures of the radio pulsar pulse patterns. The electrical conductivity of matter in the outer layer of the crust of a neutron star (NS) plays a crucial role in the resulting surface magnetic field if we assume that the magnetic field is confined to this layer. This outer layer has a rapidly varying matter density that changes the microphysics of the material, affecting the electrical conductivity at every stage of the density change. In this study, the varying electrical conductivity in this rapidly varying density regime of the outer layer of the NS crust – from ∼1011 to about 104 g cm−3 – has been used to calculate the surface magnetic field using the induction equation. A finite effect of the strong gravitational field at the NS surface has also been taken into account. The equations have been solved in MATLAB using the method of lines. Any minor radial fluctuation due to stellar oscillation, in particular the radial oscillations, leads to a fluctuation of the electrical conductivity in the outer layer of the crust. This leads to fluctuations in the surface magnetic field with a frequency equal to the frequency of the stellar oscillation. We find that not only is the variation of the surface magnetic field substantial, but also it does not remain constant throughout the lifetime of the NS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]