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The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of doping copper sulfide Cu2S with selected fifth-group elements, potentially having a positive effect on the thermoelectric properties of the resulting materials. For the selected model structures, theoretical calculations and an analysis of the electronic structure and changes in the enthalpy of formation due to doping were performed using the WIEN2k package employing the Full-Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (FP-LAPW) method within density functional theory (DFT) formalism. Polycrystalline materials with the nominal composition of Cu32S15X1 (X = P, As, Sb, Bi) were synthesized in quartz ampoules, then sintered using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique and "SPS melting" method. The chemical and phase compositions of the obtained sinters were studied by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, investigations of thermoelectric properties, i.e., electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity in the temperature range 300–920 K, were performed. The results of this study indicate that only phosphorus is successfully incorporated into the Cu₂S structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the electrocaloric effect (ECE) and electrocaloric strength (ΔT/E) were measured and thermal and dielectric studies were performed on Pb-modified BaTiO3 (BPT). The saturated hysteresis loops and normal ferroelectric behavior of the ferroelectric ceramics allow the utilization of the indirect method to estimate the electrocaloric properties. The electrocaloric measurements were performed under high (18 kV/cm) versus low (8 kV/cm) electric field conditions. These conditions were chosen to notice and then eliminate an artificial negative electrocaloric effect in the tested ceramics. At the same time, relatively high values of positive electrocaloric temperature change ΔT ( ~   2.19   K ) and electrocaloric strength ΔT/E ( ~ 0.27–0.11 K · cm/kV) were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, physicochemical properties of pure Y2O3 and samarium (Sm)-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics obtained via arc plasma melting are presented. Yttria powder with a selected molar fraction of Sm was first synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. High transparent yttria ceramics were obtained by arc plasma melting from both the pure and Sm oxide-doped powders. The morphological, chemical and physical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The optical band gap was calculated from the absorption spectra so as to understand the electronic band structure of the studied materials. Samples indicate a series of luminescence bands in the visible region after excitation by laser light in the range from 210 to 250 nm. Magneto-optical measurements were carried out in the 300–800 nm range at room temperature. It can be seen that a maximum Verdet constant ca. 24.81 deg/T cm was observed for 405 nm and this value decreases with increasing wavelength. The potential usefulness of the polycrystalline material dedicated to optics devices is presented.

In this work, a mid infrared thermography was used to study thermal behavior of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a circular shape and a diameter of 90 mm. The emissivity of the anodic surface of the fuel cell was determined to be from 0.95 to 0.46 in the temperature range 550-1200 K and the profile and temperature distribution of the anodic surface of the unloaded cell was given. The surface temperature of the cell was determined during operation and the polarity changes from open circuit voltage (OCV) to 0.0 V. It was found that the cell self-heating effect decreases with increasing temperature of the cell.

The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of obtaining an amorphous/crystalline composite starting from Ni-Si- B-based powder grade 1559-40 and silver powder. The alloy was produced using arc melting of 95% wt. Ni-Si-B-based powder (1559-40) and 5% wt. Ag powder. Ingot was re-melted on a copper plate and observed while cooling using a mid-wave infra-red camera. The alloy was then melt-spun in a helium atmosphere. The microstructure of the ingot as well as the melt-spun ribbon was studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry. Phase identification was performed by means of X-ray diffraction. The observations confirmed an amorphous/crystalline microstructure of the ribbon where the predominant constituent of the microstructure was an amorphous phase enriched with Ni, Si, and B, while the minor constituent was an Ag-rich crystalline phase distributed in a film along the melt-spinning direction.

K0.5Na0.5NbO3:xEu sol–gel powders and bulk samples were synthesized by means of a modified sol–gel method. Two types of samples were obtained via sintering at two temperatures. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of the perovskite phase in materials obtained at both temperatures. Eu3+ emission and excitation studies were conducted to determine its luminescence response. For K0.5Na0.5NbO3:xEu sinters, the excitation spectra included narrow peaks in the VIS range due to the 5D0–7F1 and 5D0–7F2 relaxation processes. These transitions were indicative of the presence of Eu3+ at sites of low symmetry. Dielectric studies indicated that Eu2O3 affected the observed phase transitions. The influence of sintering temperature on structure and physicochemical properties was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the two-component melt-spun (TCMS) alloy produced from Ni40Fe40B20 and Ni70Cu10P20 melts. The Ni40Fe40B20, Ni70Cu10P20, Ni55Fe20Cu5P10B10 alloys were arc-melted. Then the alloys were melt-spun in the two different ways i.e.: by casting from a single-chamber crucible and from the two-chamber crucible. All of the above mentioned alloys were processed in the first way and the Ni40Fe40B20 and Ni70Cu10P20 were simultaneously cast on the copper roller from the two-chamber crucible. The microstructure of the alloy was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and light microscopy. The mechanical properties were investigated using tensile testing and nanoindentation. The two-component melt-spun (TCMS) amorphous Ni55Fe20Cu5P10B10 alloy present hardness, tensile strength and Young modulus on the significantly higher level than for a single phase amorphous Ni55Fe20Cu5P10B10 alloy and slightly below the corresponding values for the Ni40Fe40B20.

The paper presents results of the mechanical testing and the microstructure analysis of dissimilar welded joint of the R350HT steel and the high-manganese (Hadfield) cast steel using Cr-Ni cast steel spacer. The simulation tests of the welded joint surface deformation were carried out. The macroscopic and microscopic investigation were made using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Content of the magnetic phase was measured using magnetoscope. The quantitative metallographic investigation was used for assessment of ferrite and martensite contents and X-ray diffraction phase analysis was carried out. The results showed that during cooling of the spacer after welding, the transformation of metastable austenite into martensite proceeded. In addition to work hardening, the phase transformation of austenite into martensite occurs during the process of the superficial deformation of the spacer while simulated exploitation. This leads to a substantial increase of hardness, and at the same time, causes the increase of wear resistance of the welded joints of crossovers.

The article presents the results of Transvarestraint test of a modern precipitation hardened steel X10CrNiCuNb18-9-3 with copper. For comparison, the results of tests of conventional steel without the addition of copper X5CrNi18-10 are presented. The total length of all cracks and the maximum length of cracks were measured. The study of microstructure (LM, SEM) showed that the austenitic stainless steel X10CrNiCuNb18-9-3 is very prone to hot cracking. After performing the Transvarestraint tests three types of cracks were observed: solidification cracks occurring during crystallization, liquation cracks due to segregation in the heat affected zone (HAZ) and surface cracks. Niobium carbonitrides dispersed in the bands of segregation are the reason of high susceptibility to liquation cracking. Segregation of copper occurring during solidification causes of surface cracking. A combined effect of copper and stresses contributes to formation of hot microcracks. These microcracks propagate to a depth of 20-30 μm.

The paper presents rezults of microstructure (LM, TEM) investigation and hardness measurments of welded joints in martensitic precipitation hardened stainless steel containing copper, subjected to heat treatment. For the aging temperature up to 540 °C even for the very long times, the microstructure of the welded joints is similar to this one at lower temerature aging. After aging at 620 °C a distinct change of the microstructure was observed. Non-equilibrium solidification conditions of the weld metal, segregation and the diffusion of copper and the elements stablilizing the austenite cause the occurrence of the reverse transformation of the martensite into austenite as fast as just 1 hour at 620 °C. TEM investigations revealed the differences in dispersion of hardening copper precipitates after aging at temperature 620 °C for 1 and 4 hours.

The article discusses new and republished translations of Susan Sontag’s work, recently launched by the Karakter publishing house: Regarding the Pan of Others, On Photography, and Against Interpretation and Other Essays. The article focuses on the elements of Sontag’s thought that make her a forgotten mother of feminist and gender theoreticians, as well as such influential critics as Michel Foucault and Roland Barthes. The article points out to continuations of Sontag’s thought in contemporary theoretical and social projects, and to the pertinence of her critical observations on theories based on metaphysics of presence: psychoanalysis, Marxism, or hermeneutics. The article also touches upon history of war photography and related war journalism, and upon the ambivalent quality of imaging of the misery of war. It also present historical and cultural circumstances of the development of Sontag’s thought in the intellectual milieu of New York in the 1960s. The discussion recapitulates the main statements of Sontag’s essays, relating them to a wider theoretical context, which is aimed at a reappraisal of the forgotten intelectual in the history of literature.

In this paper, physicochemical properties of pure Y2O3 and samarium (Sm)-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics obtained via arc plasma melting are presented. Yttria powder with a selected molar fraction of Sm was first synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. High transparent yttria ceramics were obtained by arc plasma melting from both the pure and Sm oxide-doped powders. The morphological, chemical and physical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The optical band gap was calculated from the absorption spectra so as to understand the electronic band structure of the studied materials. Samples indicate a series of luminescence bands in the visible region after excitation by laser light in the range from 210 to 250 nm. Magneto-optical measurements were carried out in the 300–800 nm range at room temperature. It can be seen that a maximum Verdet constant ca. 24.81 deg/T cm was observed for 405 nm and this value decreases with increasing wavelength. The potential usefulness of the polycrystalline material dedicated to optics devices is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the diversity of social penetration rates of information and communication technologies (ICT) among selected European countries according to European statistics on diverse ICT indicators. The data considered cover the 2006–2010 time range and was obtained from the Eurostat portal. The scope of the study selected EU countries – Belgium, Germany, France, Finland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Spain. The following ICT indicators were analyzed: percentage of households or corporations with broadband access to the Internet (HHBAI), percentage of individuals who are regularly using the Internet (IRUI), percentage of individuals who ordered goods or services over the Internet (IOGSI). These indicators of ICT penetration rate in the countries examined were analyzed in terms of the following aspects: forecasting (estimates until the year 2035) , maximum speed of change of these indicators (the pace of social penetration of information technology), delays or advances (in years) as compared to the averages in EU. The results are presented in tables and graphs. General conclusions and directions of future research are indicated at the end of the paper.