Explicit Construction of Spin 4 Casimir Operator in the Coset Model SO^(5)1×SO^(5)m/SO^(5)1+m \hat{SO} (5)_{1} \times \hat{SO} (5)_{m} / \hat{SO} (5)_{1+m}

We generalize the Goddard-Kent-Olive (GKO) coset construction to the dimension 5/2 operator for $\hat{so} (5)$ and compute the fourth order Casimir invariant in the coset model $\hat{SO} (5)_{1} \times \hat{SO} (5)_{m} / \hat{SO} (5)_{1+m}$ with the generic unitary minimal $c < 5/2$ series that can be viewed as perturbations of the $m \rightarrow \infty$ limit, which has been investigated previously in the realization of $c= 5/2$ free fermion model.Comment: 11 page

A 2-D oscillating flow analysis in Stirling engine heat exchangers

A two dimensional oscillating flow analysis was conducted, simulating the gas flow inside Stirling heat exchangers. Both laminar and turbulent oscillating pipe flow were investigated numerically for Re(max) = 1920 (Va = 80), 10800 (Va = 272), 19300 (Va = 272), and 60800 (Va = 126). The results are compared with experimental results of previous investigators. Also, predictions of the flow regime on present oscillating flow conditions were checked by comparing velocity amplitudes and phase differences with those from laminar theory and quasi-steady profile. A high Reynolds number k-epsilon turbulence model was used for turbulent oscillating pipe flow. Finally, performance evaluation of the K-epsilon model was made to explore the applicability of quasi-steady turbulent models to unsteady oscillating flow analysis

Short-range ordering in face-centered-cubic Ni3Al

Films of fcc Ni3Al with suppressed short-range order (SRO) were prepared by physical vapor deposition of Ni3Al onto room-temperature substrates. Extended electron energy-loss fine-structure spectra were obtained from both Al K and Ni L23 edges. After the samples were annealed for various times at 150 °C, a moderate growth of SRO was observed in the first-nearest-neighbor environments of both the Al and Ni atoms. As prepared, these fcc Ni3Al materials, and presumably others having similar heat evolutions as measured by differential scanning calorimetry, have a high degree of chemical disorder

Electron energy-loss spectrometry on lithiated graphite

Transmission electron energy-loss spectrometry was used to investigate the electronic states of metallic Li and LiC6, which is the Li-intercalated graphite used in Li-ion batteries. The Li K edges of metallic Li and LiC6 were nearly identical, and the C K edges were only weakly affected by the presence of Li. These results suggest only a small charge transfer from Li to C in LiC6, contrary to prior results from surface spectra obtained by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Effects of radiation damage and sample oxidation in the transmission electron microscopy are also reported

Highly Reversible Lithium Storage in Nanostructured Silicon

Anode materials of nanostructured silicon have been prepared by physical vapor deposition and characterized using electrochemical methods. The electrodes were prepared in thin-film form as nanocrystalline particles (12 nm mean diameter) and as continuous amorphous thin films (100 nm thick). The nanocrystalline silicon exhibited specific capacities of around 1100 mAh/g with a 50% capacity retention after 50 cycles. The amorphous thin-film electrodes exhibited initial capacities of 3500 mAh/g with a stable capacity of 2000 mAh/g over 50 cycles. We suggest that the nanoscale dimensions of the silicon circumvents conventional mechanisms of mechanical deterioration, permitting good cycle life

Transition metal d-band occupancy in skutterudites studied by electron energy-loss spectroscopy

The transition-metal 3d occupancy of a series of thermoelectric skutterudites is investigated using electron energy-loss spectroscopy. We find that bonding causes an emptying of the 3d states in the binary skutterudites CoP3, CoAs3, CoSb3, and NiP3, while compared to the pure Fe the 3d occupancy in LaFe4P12 is significantly increased, consistent with the idea that each interstitial La atom (rattler) donates three electrons to compensate for missing valence electron of Fe as compared to Co. These experimental results are in agreement with previous models suggesting a predominantly covalent bonding between transition metal and pnictogen atoms in skutterudites, and provide evidence of charge transfer from La to the Fe-P complex in LaFe4P12

Nanocrystalline and Thin Film Germanium Electrodes with High Lithium Capacity and High Rate Capabilities

Germanium nanocrystals (12 nm mean diam) and amorphous thin films (60-250 nm thick) were prepared as anodes for lithium secondary cells. Amorphous thin film electrodes prepared on planar nickel substrates showed stable capacities of 1700 mAh/g over 60 cycles. Germanium nanocrystals showed reversible gravimetric capacities of up to 1400 mAh/g with 60% capacity retention after 50 cycles. Both electrodes were found to be crystalline in the fully lithiated state. The enhanced capacity, rate capability (1000C), and cycle life of nanophase germanium over bulk crystalline germanium is attributed to the high surface area and short diffusion lengths of the active material and the absence of defects in nanophase materials