Stabilization of porous glass reverse-osmosis membranes

Application of porous glass in form of capillary tubes for low capacity ion exchange in hyperfiltration experiments is discussed. Efficiency of desalination by process of reverse osmosis is described. Stabilization of porous glass membrane by presence of aluminum chloride is analyzed

An Overview of the Kauffman Firm Survey: Results From the 2004-2008 Data

Presents findings from longitudinal data on new businesses founded in 2004, including financing structure; products, services, and innovations; and characteristics of the owners. Examines indicators of growth and survival and effects of the recession

An Overview of the Kauffman Firm Survey: Results From the 2004-2007 Data

Based on surveys conducted over four years, provides an overview of trends among U.S. firms established in 2004 and the business and owner characteristics associated with survival and growth, including level of innovation, structure, and financing

Kondo Screening and Magnetic Ordering in Frustrated UNi4B

UNi4B exhibits unusual properties and, in particular, a unique antiferromagnetic arrangement involving only 2/3 of the U sites. Based on the low temperature behavior of this compound, we propose that the remaining 1/3 U sites are nonmagnetic due to the Kondo effect. We derive a model in which the coexistence of magnetic and nonmagnetic U sites is the consequence of the competition between frustration of the crystallographic structure and instability of the 5f moments.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Anisotropic interactions opposing magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Sr3_3NiIrO6_6

We report our investigation of the electronic and magnetic excitations of Sr$_3$NiIrO$_6$ by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the Ir L$_3$ edge. The intra-$t_{2g}$ electronic transitions are analyzed using an atomic model, including spin-orbit coupling and trigonal distortion of the IrO$_6$ octahedron, confronted to {\it ab initio} quantum chemistry calculations. The Ir spin-orbital entanglement is quantified and its implication on the magnetic properties, in particular in inducing highly anisotropic magnetic interactions, is highlighted. These are included in the spin-wave model proposed to account for the dispersionless magnetic excitation that we observe at 90 meV. By counterbalancing the strong Ni$^{2+}$ easy-plane anisotropy that manifests itself at high temperature, the anisotropy of the interactions finally leads to the remarkable easy-axis magnetism reported in this material at low temperature

Inhomogeneous magnetism in the doped kagome lattice of LaCuO2.66

The hole-doped kagome lattice of Cu2+ ions in LaCuO2.66 was investigated by nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), electron spin resonance (ESR), electrical resistivity, bulk magnetization and specific heat measurements. For temperatures above ~180 K, the spin and charge properties show an activated behavior suggestive of a narrow-gap semiconductor. At lower temperatures, the results indicate an insulating ground state which may or may not be charge ordered. While the frustrated spins in remaining patches of the original kagome lattice might not be directly detected here, the observation of coexisting non-magnetic sites, free spins and frozen moments reveals an intrinsically inhomogeneous magnetism. Numerical simulations of a 1/3-diluted kagome lattice rationalize this magnetic state in terms of a heterogeneous distribution of cluster sizes and morphologies near the site-percolation threshold

Hierarchical geometric frustration in La3Cu2VO9

The crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of the La3Cu2VO9 were investigated by powder neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements. The compound materializes geometric frustration at two spatial scales, within clusters and between clusters, and at different temperature scales. It is shown by exactly solving the hamiltonian spectrum that collective spins are formed on each clusters at low temperature before inter-clusters coupling operates.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. HFM2006 proceeding pape

Crystal Symmetry Lowering in Chiral Multiferroic Ba3_3TaFe3_3Si2_2O14_{14} observed by X-Ray Magnetic Scattering

Chiral multiferroic langasites have attracted attention due to their doubly-chiral magnetic ground state within an enantiomorphic crystal. We report on a detailed resonant soft X-ray diffraction study of the multiferroic Ba$_3$TaFe$_3$Si$_2$O$_{14}$ at the Fe $L_{2,3}$ and oxygen $K$ edges. Below $T_N$ ($\approx27K$) we observe the satellite reflections $(0,0,\tau)$, $(0,0,2\tau)$, $(0,0,3\tau)$ and $(0,0,1-3\tau)$ where $\tau \approx 0.140 \pm 0.001$. The dependence of the scattering intensity on X-ray polarization and azimuthal angle indicate that the odd harmonics are dominated by the out-of-plane ($\mathbf{\hat{c}}$-axis) magnetic dipole while the $(0,0,2\tau)$ originates from the electron density distortions accompanying magnetic order. We observe dissimilar energy dependences of the diffraction intensity of the purely magnetic odd-harmonic satellites at the Fe $L_3$ edge. Utilizing first-principles calculations, we show that this is a consequence of the loss of threefold crystal symmetry in the multiferroic phase

U.S. Energy Sector Cybersecurity: Hands-Off Approach or Effective Partnership?

Recent reporting has identified significant threats to the U.S. energy’s critical infrastructure from nation states and other groups through cyberspace. Efforts to improve the security and resilience of U.S. energy infrastructure relies upon voluntary partnerships between the U.S. Government and public and private energy infrastructure owners. This paper examines ideal Public-Private Partnership (PPP) characteristics and compares them to an actual PPP in the U.S. The results identify strengths of and challenges to efforts to secure U.S. energy infrastructure. The research was conducted through a combination of literature reviews and interviews with a sample of U.S-government and private-energy infrastructure representatives