629 research outputs found
Mechanism for bipolar resistive switching in transition metal oxides
We introduce a model that accounts for the bipolar resistive switching
phenomenom observed in transition metal oxides. It qualitatively describes the
electric field-enhanced migration of oxygen vacancies at the nano-scale. The
numerical study of the model predicts that strong electric fields develop in
the highly resistive dielectric-electrode interfaces, leading to a spatially
inhomogeneous oxygen vacancies distribution and a concomitant resistive
switching effect. The theoretical results qualitatively reproduce non-trivial
resistance hysteresis experiments that we also report, providing key validation
to our model.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review B, 6 twocolumn pages, 5
figure
Operational and Economic Analysis of GSHP Coupled with Refrigeration Systems in UK Supermarkets
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) are capable of reducing energy consumption by operating at higher efficiencies than conventional gas systems, especially if coupled with refrigeration units such as in supermarkets. In principle, the heat rejected by refrigerators can be harnessed to raise the efficiency of the heat pumps. This paper presents the results of an operational and economic analysis conducted on this innovative system. Overall, the efficiency of all the GSHP systems under consideration appears to be above the eligibility threshold for the UK Government’s incentive (Renewable Heat incentive, RHI), with the average Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) of the stores being 3.0 in 2014. From an economic perspective, such average performance leads to more than £120,000 of operational savings per year compared to gas boiler systems. Calculations show an investment Payback Time (PBT) of less than 8 years. Finally, the paper highlights potential cost reductions achievable through operational and design modifications. Overall results show that GSHP coupled with refrigeration systems present sound fundamentals to be considered as an attractive investment opportunity for food retailers
Evidences of a consolute critical point in the Phase Separation regime of La(5/8-y)Pr(y)Ca(3/8)MnO(3) (y = 0.4) single crystals
We report on DC and pulsed electric field sensitivity of the resistance of
mixed valent Mn oxide based La(5/8-y)Pr(y)Ca(3/8)MnO(3) (y = 0.4) single
crystals as a function of temperature. The low temperature regime of the
resistivity is highly current and voltage dependent. An irreversible transition
from high (HR) to a low resistivity (LR) is obtained upon the increase of the
electric field up to a temperature dependent critical value (V_c). The
current-voltage characteristics in the LR regime as well as the lack of a
variation in the magnetization response when V_c is reached indicate the
formation of a non-single connected filamentary conducting path. The
temperature dependence of V_c indicates the existence of a consolute point
where the conducting and insulating phases produce a critical behavior as a
consequence of their separation.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, corresponding author: C. Acha ([email protected]
Electrical conduction mechanisms of metal / high- T c superconductor (YBCO) interfaces
Current-voltage characteristics of Au/YBa2Cu3Ointerfaces (Au/YBCO), built on optimally-doped YBCO thin films, grown by pulsed laser deposition, were measured as a function of temperature in the 50 K to 270 K range, for two different resistance states. A non-trivial equivalent circuit model is proposed, which reveals the existence of a highly inhomogeneous scenario composed by two complex layers: one presenting both a non-linear Poole-Frenkel conduction as well as variable range hopping localization effects (probably associated with YBa2Cu3O6) mixed with a minor metallic phase, while the other is also composed by a mixture of YBCO with different oxygen contents, where a metallic ohmic phase still percolates. A microscopic description of the effects produced by the resistance switching is given, showing the evolution of carrier traps, localization effects and dielectric behavior for each state. The dielectric behavior is interpreted in terms of a Maxwell-Wagner scenario.Fil: Lanosa, Leandro Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de FÃsica de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de FÃsica de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Huhtinen, H. University of Turku; FinlandiaFil: Paturi, P. University of Turku; FinlandiaFil: Acha, Carlos Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de FÃsica de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de FÃsica de Buenos Aires; Argentin
The Carbon Footprint of a UK Chemical Engineering Department – The Case of Imperial College London
As the UK strives towards net-zero it is important that all sectors, including Higher Education, take immediate measures to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The greenhouse gases emitted by different Higher Education institutions are studied and are shown to be large. However, these studies are based on aggregated data, and it is therefore uncertain how effective institute-wide policies to cut emissions are at department level. Herein, we present a generic framework for university departments to calculate their carbon footprint considering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. We estimate the carbon footprint of the Chemical Engineering Department at Imperial College London to be 7,620 and 8,330 tCO2eq in 2018/19 and 2019/20, respectively. Scope 3 emissions account for 54% of the Department's emissions with Scope 1 and 2 accounting for the remaining 46%. Scope 3 emissions are largely driven by purchased goods and travel, while Scope 1 emissions are predominantly from electricity usage
Update of High Resolution (e,e'K^+) Hypernuclear Spectroscopy at Jefferson Lab's Hall A
Updated results of the experiment E94-107 hypernuclear spectroscopy in Hall A
of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), are
presented. The experiment provides high resolution spectra of excitation energy
for 12B_\Lambda, 16N_\Lambda, and 9Li_\Lambda hypernuclei obtained by
electroproduction of strangeness. A new theoretical calculation for
12B_\Lambda, final results for 16N_\Lambda, and discussion of the preliminary
results of 9Li_\Lambda are reported.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, submitted to the proceedings of Hyp-X Conferenc
Automated detection of microaneurysms by using region growing and fuzzy artmap neural network
Objective: To assess whether the methodological changes of this new algorithm improves
the results of a previously presented strategy.
Methods: We enhance the image and filter out the green channel of the digital color retinog-
raphy. Multitolerance thresholding was applied to obtain candidate points and make a seed
growing region by varying intensities. We took 15 characteristics from each region to train a
fuzzy Artmap neural network using 42 retinal photographs. This network was then applied
in the study of 11 good quality retinal photographs included in the diabetic retinopathy early
detection screening program, with initial stages of retinopathy, obtained with the Topcon
NW200 non-mydriatic retinal camera.
Results: Two experienced ophthalmologists detected 52 microaneurysms in 11 images. The
algorithm detected 39 microaneurysms and 3752 more regions, confirming 38 microa-
neurysm and 135 false positives. The sensitivity is improved compared to the previous
algorithm, from 60.53% to 73.08%. False positives have dropped from 41.8 to 12.27 per image.
Conclusions: The new algorithm is better than the previous one, but there is still room for
improvement, especially in the initial determination of seed
Studies of resistance switching effects in metal/YBa2Cu3O7-x interface junctions
Current-voltage characteristics of planar junctions formed by an epitaxial
c-axis oriented YBa2Cu3O7-x thin film micro-bridge and Ag counter-electrode
were measured in the temperature range from 4.2 K to 300 K. A hysteretic
behavior related to switching of the junction resistance from a high-resistive
to a low-resistive state and vice-versa was observed and analyzed in terms of
the maximal current bias and temperature dependence. The same effects were
observed on a sub-micrometer scale YBa2Cu3O7-x thin film - PtIr point contact
junctions using Scanning Tunneling Microscope. These phenomena are discussed
within a diffusion model, describing an oxygen vacancy drift in YBa2Cu3O7-x
films in the nano-scale vicinity of the junction interface under applied
electrical fields.Comment: To be published in Applied Surface Science
Low temperature irreversibility induced by thermal cycles on two prototypical phase separated manganites
We have studied the effect of irreversibility induced by repeated thermal
cycles on the electric transport and magnetization of polycrystalline samples
of La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 and La0.325Pr0.3Ca0.375MnO3. An increase of the resistivity
and a decrease of the magnetization at different temperature ranges after
cycling is obtained in the temperature range between 300 K and 30 K. Both
compounds are known to exhibit intrinsic submicrometric coexistence of phases
and undergo a sequence of phase transitions related to structural changes.
Changes induced by thermal cycling can be partially inhibited by applying
magnetic field and hydrostatic pressure.
Our results suggest that the growth and coexistence of phases with different
structures gives rise to microstructural tracks and strain accommodation,
producing the observed irreversibility. Irrespective of the actual ground state
of each compound, the effect of thermal cycling is towards an increase of the
amount of the insulating phase in both compounds.Comment: to appear in Journal of Alloys and Compounds (2003
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