Spintronics in 2D graphene-based van der Waals heterostructures

Spintronics has become a broad and important research field that intersects with magnetism, nano-electronics, and materials science. Its overarching aim is to provide a fundamental understanding of spin-dependent phenomena in solid-state systems that can enable a new generation of spin-based logic devices. Over the past decade, graphene and related 2D van der Waals crystals have taken center stage in expanding the scope and potential of spintronic materials. Their distinctive electronic properties and atomically thin nature have opened new opportunities to probe and manipulate internal electronic degrees of freedom. Purely electrical control over conduction-electron spins can be attained in graphene-transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures, due to proximity effects combined with graphene's high electronic mobility. Specifically, graphene experiences a proximity-induced spin-orbit coupling that enables efficient spin-charge interconversion processes; the two most well-known and at the forefront of current research are the spin Hall and inverse spin galvanic effects, wherein an electrical current yields a spin current and non-equilibrium spin polarization, respectively. This article provides an overview of the basic principles, theory, and experimental methods underpinning the nascent field of 2D material-based spintronics.Comment: 35 pages, 9 figures. To appear in the Encyclopedia of Condensed Matter Physics Second Editio

Equation with positive coefficient in the quasilinear term and vanishing potential

In this paper we study the existence of nontrivial classical solution forthe quasilinear Schr\"odinger equation: $$- \Delta u +V(x)u+\frac{\kappa}{2}\Delta(u^{2})u= f(u),$$%in $\mathbb{R}^N$, where $N\geq 3$, $f$ hassubcritical growth and $V$ is a nonnegative potential. For this purpose, we use variational methods combined with perturbation arguments, penalization technics of Del Pino and Felmer and Moser iteration. As a main novelty with respect to some previous results, in our work we are able to deal with the case \kappa > 0 and the potential can vanish at infinity

Nonperturbative approach to interfacial spin-orbit torques induced by Rashba effect

Current-induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) in normal metal/ferromagnet (NM/FM) bilayers bears great promise for technological applications, but the microscopic origin of purely interfacial SOTs in ultra-thin systems is not yet fully understood. Here, we show that a linear response theory with a nonperturbative treatment of spin-dependent interactions and impurity scattering potential predicts damping-like SOTs that are strictly absent in perturbative approaches. The technique is applied to a two-dimensional Rashba-coupled ferromagnet (the paradigmatic model of a NM/FM interface), where higher-order scattering processes encoding skew scattering from nonmagnetic impurities allow for current-induced spin polarization with nonzero components along all spatial directions. This is in stark contrast to previous results of perturbative methods (neglecting skew scattering), which predict a coplanar spin-polarization locked perpendicular to the charge current as a result of conventional Rashba-Edelstein effect. Furthermore, the angular dependence of ensuing SOTs and their dependence upon the scattering potential strength is analysed numerically. Simple analytic expressions for the spin-density--charge-current response function, and related SOT efficiencies, are obtained in the weak scattering limit. We find that the extrinsic damping-like torques driven by impurity scattering reaches efficiencies of up to 7% of the field-like (Rashba-Edelstein) torque. Our microscopic theory shows that bulk phenomena, such as the spin Hall effect, are not a necessity in the generation of the damping-like SOTs of the type observed in experiments on ultra-thin systems.Comment: 9 Pages, 4 figure

Light scattering by a medium with a spatially modulated optical conductivity: the case of graphene

We describe light scattering from a graphene sheet having a modulated optical conductivity. We show that such modulation enables the excitation of surface plasmon-polaritons by an electromagnetic wave impinging at normal incidence. The resulting surface plasmon-polaritons are responsible for a substantial increase of electromagnetic radiation absorption by the graphene sheet. The origin of the modulation can be due either to a periodic strain field or to adatoms (or absorbed molecules) with a modulated adsorption profile.Comment: http://iopscience.iop.org/0953-8984/24/24/24530

Factores climáticos no consumo de energia eléctrica: um caso com utilização de data mining.

4ª Conferência Ibérica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informação, 17 a 20 de Junho de 2009, Póvoa de Varzim.Este trabalho tem por objectivo identificar causas responsáveis por variações no consumo horário de energia com base na identificação de padrões e relações entre os dados de consumo e várias variáveis climatéricas. Para tal utilizam-se técnicas de data mining, nomeadamente a metodologia CRISP-DM e software de data warehouse MS SQL Server. Assim, foi possível verificar que as variáveis climatológicas têm influência muito significativa na produção de energia eléctrica, tendo sido possível prever os consumos de 2007 com um erro absoluto médio de 1,4 MW. Identificam-se ainda vários padrões no comportamento do consumo ou produção de energia eléctrica, nem todos espectáveis face ao conhecimento actual de domínio

Betão auto-compactável eco-eficiente de reduzido teor em cimento com incorporação de elevado volume de cinzas volantes e metacaulino

A produção de betão assume um papel muito importante na indústria da construção uma vez que mais de 10 biliões de toneladas são produzidas anualmente, sendo a indústria do cimento responsável pela emissão de cerca de 7% das emissões de CO2 para a atmosfera. Portanto, a produção de betões auto-compactáveis (BAC) eco-eficientes, contendo baixos teores de cimento na sua formulação, contribuirá para a sustentabilidade das construções devido à redução do uso de cimento portland, ao aproveitamento de resíduos industriais, para além da minimização da energia necessária para a sua colocação e compactação. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho pretende avaliar a viabilidade da produção de BAC com baixos teores de cimento através da determinação das propriedades no estado fresco e endurecido de betões com elevado volume de cinzas volantes (CV) e metacaulino (MK). Para tanto foram formuladas 6 composições de betões tendo como base duas referências fabricadas com 300 e 500 kg/m3 de cimento, sendo analisada a sua substituição por: 60% de CV e 50% de CV mais 20% de MK, além da adição de cal hidratada nestes dois traços com adições. Para avaliar a auto-compactabilidade foram realizados testes de espalhamento, T , Anel-J, Funil-V e Caixa-L, tendo sido determinada a resistência à compressão aos 3, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias. Os resultados mostraram que é possível produzir BAC com baixos teores de cimento através do recurso a elevados teores de adições minerais, atendendo aos requisitos reológicos para a autocompactabilidade, com resistências moderadas de 25 a 30 MPa

Antibacterial potential of Urtica dioica and Lavandula angustifolia extracts against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from diabetic foot ulcers

Despite the antibacterial potential of plant extracts against several bacterial infections, until now, no major studies have been published about the effect of lavender and nettle leaves against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively). Thus, the authors studied their antibacterial potential against MSSA and MRSA from diabetic foot ulcers in order to find alternatives to the systematic use of antibiotics. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavones and flavonols were extracted from lavender and nettle leaves and characterized by HPLC-DAD/Vis. Disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were used to assess their antibacterial activity. A direct association between the high content of hydroxycinnamic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid) and flavonoids (quercetin) and decreasing bacterial growth activity was noted. The fact that lavender and nettle are rich in hydroxycinnamic acids and quercetin seems to explain the high antibacterial potential of these plant and the differences between them.The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Carla Dias- SFRH/BD/90120/2012 and Alfredo Aires-SFRH/BPD/65029/2009), under the Project PEst-OE/AGR/UI4033/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação da aderência ao betão de varões de aço galvanizado ou com revestimento epoxídico

Em fase de projecto é necessário prever, controlar e assegurar o adequado desempenho de uma série de factores fundamentais e analisar cuidadosamente os efeitos associados à adopção de soluções cujo custo a longo prazo compense o custo inicial mais elevado. Tendo como objectivo projectar de modo a não só assegurar o cumprimento dos estados limites últimos e dos estados limites de utilização, mas também tendo em conta a durabilidade das estruturas, minimizando os efeitos associados à corrosão das armaduras, é imprescindível avaliar alguns aspectos fundamentais, tais como: a espessura do betão de recobrimento das armaduras; a qualidade do betão; a incorporação, ou não, de adjuvantes inibidores de corrosão ou o recurso a armaduras resistentes à corrosão. Neste contexto, existem diversas técnicas que visam tornar o aço não ligado das armaduras convencionais de elementos de betão armado mais resistente à corrosão. Esta protecção pode ser conseguida revestindo as com um material que funcione como uma barreira, impedindo o contacto directo do aço com os cloretos, a humidade e o oxigénio, atenuando assim os efeitos associados à carbonatação do betão, recorrendo, por exemplo, a revestimentos epoxídicos ou a revestimentos de zinco obtidos por galvanização. Contudo, este tipo de solução pode acarretar inconvenientes relativamente a outros aspectos que não os relacionados com a corrosão, como é o caso da aderência entre a armadura revestida e o betão. Nestas circunstâncias, foi desenvolvido um programa experimental com o objectivo de avaliar a aderência ao betão de armaduras com diferentes esquemas de protecção (aço galvanizado e aço revestido com epoxi). Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios de arrancamento realizados permitiram verificar perdas de aderência nos varões de aço galvanizado e nos revestidos com epoxi, quando comparados com os varões de aço sem revestimento

Ability to glue Portuguese eucalyptus elements

Portuguese forests have changed in recent years. These changes were mainly boosted by the wildfires that affected a significant percentage of the softwood area. Eucalyptus is actually the dominant wood species in Portuguese forests. This is not a native hardwood, but is being planted mainly for pulp and paper production, and its availability and mechanical performance have made it very present in timber construction in the last 50 years. Within the discussion to substitute imported raw materials, mainly from softwoods, with local hardwoods for the production of engineered wood products, the study of the ability to glue eucalyptus has become a necessity. This paper presents experimental works aimed to assess the ability to glue eucalyptus elements for the production of glued laminated timber (GLT) and cross-laminated timber (CLT). Since this wood species has been known for being difficult to dry, a preliminary study on the dimensional stability under moisture content variation was performed. Then, shear strength tests were made in accordance with ASTM D143. The objective was to correlate those results with the tests performed in the following research step. In this further stage, shear strength tests of the bond line were performed following EN 14080 and EN 16351. The results obtained in all the experiments show that eucalyptus has the potential to be glued and therefore the production of GLT and/or CLT using this local undervalued wood species is potentially of high industrial interest

Antagonistic activities of Kefirgel and Kefirgel products against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from diabetic ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are often complicated by infection and among pathogens the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus is the most common isolated. Also concomitantly, the high prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was significant impact on successful treatment of infected foot ulcers. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of Kefigel®, a natural product composed by nettle (Urtica dioica L), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill) and kefir grains, which have been reported as to having antibacterial activity against several diseases. Here, antibacterial effect of Kefigel® and its components were investigated against 20 S. aureus isolates (10 MSSA and 10 MRSA) collected from several diabetic foot ulcers. To assess antibacterial activity, the disk diffusion assay method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bacterial activity and effects on specific growth rate, were applied. Results showed that by diffusion method, only etanolic extracts of nettle and lavender showed antibacterial activity and their effects were mainly bacteriostatic. Compared to the antibiotic gentamicin, the nettle and lavender extracts showed an efficacy between 50 and 100% relative to the antibiotic. Generally, the MRSA isolates sowed higher inhibition halos comparing MSSA isolates. In turns, Kefigel® (40mg.mL-1) affects the specific growth rate of S. aureus isolates, since after incubation for 9h almost MSSA isolates growth were inhibited. A bactericide effect was observed only against one isolates MRSA. These findings indicate a potential use of Kefigel® as a natural product having an effective effect against Staphylococus aureus. The topical use of this product for prevention of diabetic foot ulcers infections can be useful, however further investigation will be made, namely tests with high Kefigel® concentrations and synergetic effects with antibiotics