1,069 research outputs found
Magnetospheric energy inputs into the upper atmospheres of the giant planets
International audienceWe revisit the effects of Joule heating upon the upper atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. We show that in addition to direct Joule heating there is an additional input of kinetic energy ? ion drag energy ? which we quantify relative to the Joule heating. We also show that fluctuations about the mean electric field, as observed in the Earth's ionosphere, may significantly increase the Joule heating itself. For physically plausible parameters these effects may increase previous estimates of the upper atmospheric energy input at Saturn from ~10 TW to ~20 TW. Keywords. Ionosphere (Electric fields and currents; Planetary ionosphere) ? Magnetospheric physics (Auroral phenomena
Thermal structure and dynamics of the Martian upper atmosphere at solar minimum from global circulation model simulations
International audienceSimulations of the Martian upper atmosphere have been produced from a self-consistent three-dimensional numerical model of the Martian thermosphere and ionosphere, called MarTIM. It covers an altitude range of 60 km to the upper thermosphere, usually at least 250 km altitude. A radiation scheme is included that allows the main sources of energy input, EUV/UV and IR absorption by CO2 and CO, to be calculated. CO2, N2 and O are treated as the major gases in MarTIM, and are mutually diffused (though neutral chemistry is ignored). The densities of other species (the minor gases), CO, Ar, O2 and NO, are based on diffusive equilibrium above the turbopause. The ionosphere is calculated from a simple photoionisation and charge exchange routine though in this paper we will only consider the thermal and dynamic structure of the neutral atmosphere at solar minimum conditions. The semi-diurnal (2,2) migrating tide, introduced at MarTIM's lower boundary, affects the dynamics up to 130 km. The Mars Climate Database (Lewis et al., 2001) can be used as a lower boundary in MarTIM. The effect of this is to increase wind speeds in the thermosphere and to produce small-scale structures throughout the thermosphere. Temperature profiles are in good agreement with Pathfinder results. Wind velocities are slightly lower compared to analysis of MGS accelerometer data (Withers, 2003). The novel step-by-step approach of adding in new features to MarTIM has resulted in further understanding of the drivers of the Martian thermosphere
Thermal structure and dynamics of the Martian upper atmosphere at solar minimum from global circulation model simulations
Photocurrent response from vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotube arrays
Vertically-aligned arrays of single walled carbon nanotubes were created on an optically transparent electrode (FTO glass) these arrays were found to exhibit a prompt current and voltage when exposed to light. These cells were then investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and found to exhibit a dampening of the recombination reaction over the first 24 hours. Symmetrical cell modeling was successful in simulating the behavior of normal cell architecture
Neuroimaging of structural pathology and connectomics in traumatic brain injury: Toward personalized outcome prediction.
Recent contributions to the body of knowledge on traumatic brain injury (TBI) favor the view that multimodal neuroimaging using structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI and fMRI, respectively) as well as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has excellent potential to identify novel biomarkers and predictors of TBI outcome. This is particularly the case when such methods are appropriately combined with volumetric/morphometric analysis of brain structures and with the exploration of TBI-related changes in brain network properties at the level of the connectome. In this context, our present review summarizes recent developments on the roles of these two techniques in the search for novel structural neuroimaging biomarkers that have TBI outcome prognostication value. The themes being explored cover notable trends in this area of research, including (1) the role of advanced MRI processing methods in the analysis of structural pathology, (2) the use of brain connectomics and network analysis to identify outcome biomarkers, and (3) the application of multivariate statistics to predict outcome using neuroimaging metrics. The goal of the review is to draw the community's attention to these recent advances on TBI outcome prediction methods and to encourage the development of new methodologies whereby structural neuroimaging can be used to identify biomarkers of TBI outcome
Density-functional studies of tungsten trioxide, tungsten bronzes, and related systems
Tungsten trioxide adopts a variety of structures which can be intercalated
with charged species to alter the electronic properties, thus forming `tungsten
bronzes'. Similar optical effects are observed upon removing oxygen from WO_3,
although the electronic properties are slightly different. Here we present a
computational study of cubic and hexagonal alkali bronzes and examine the
effects on cell size and band structure as the size of the intercalated ion is
increased. With the exception of hydrogen (which is predicted to be unstable as
an intercalate), the behaviour of the bronzes are relatively consistent. NaWO_3
is the most stable of the cubic systems, although in the hexagonal system the
larger ions are more stable. The band structures are identical, with the
intercalated atom donating its single electron to the tungsten 5d valence band.
Next, this was extended to a study of fractional doping in the Na_xWO_3 system
(0 < x < 1). A linear variation in cell parameter, and a systematic change in
the position of the Fermi level up into the valence band was observed with
increasing x. In the underdoped WO_3-x system however, the Fermi level
undergoes a sudden jump into the conduction band at around x = 0.2. Lastly,
three compounds of a layered WO_4×a,wdiaminoalkane hybrid series were
studied and found to be insulating, with features in the band structure similar
to those of the parent WO_3 compound which relate well to experimental
UV-visible spectroscopy results.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figure
Coupled rotational dynamics of Saturn's thermosphere and magnetosphere: a thermospheric modelling study
- …