Inventorying slope movements in an Alpine environment using DInSAR

Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) is a technique that can be used to detect and characterize slope movements. It is investigated here as a tool for establishing a detailed overview of complex slope movements at a regional scale in an Alpine context. This paper gives specific recommendations to use and to understand DInSAR signals in mountainous areas located above the tree line, excluding glaciated areas. It proposes a systematic procedure based on accurate interpretations of interferometric signals from a large DInSAR dataset to locate and estimate the displacement rate of moving zones. The methodology was successfully applied in the Western Swiss Alps, where about 1500 moving objects were detected above the tree line using a large dataset of ERS and JERS interferograms dating from the 1990s. The DInSAR-detected movements had a displacement rate ranging from a few centimeters to several meters per year and were attributed to various types of mass wasting phenomena (rock glaciers, landslides, etc.). This kind of inventory derived from DInSAR can be used as a preliminary tool for natural hazard management and process understanding in mountain areas. As automatic data archiving and systematic acquisition of SAR data are ensured worldwide for most SAR sensors, a similar methodology can basically be applied in many other parts of the globe – also by using data from current SAR sensors – as long as a high resolution DEM is available

A Roadmap for Transforming Research to Invent the Batteries of the Future Designed within the European Large Scale Research Initiative BATTERY 2030+

This roadmap presents the transformational research ideas proposed by “BATTERY 2030+,” the European large-scale research initiative for future battery chemistries. A “chemistry-neutral” roadmap to advance battery research, particularly at low technology readiness levels, is outlined, with a time horizon of more than ten years. The roadmap is centered around six themes: 1) accelerated materials discovery platform, 2) battery interface genome, with the integration of smart functionalities such as 3) sensing and 4) self-healing processes. Beyond chemistry related aspects also include crosscutting research regarding 5) manufacturability and 6) recyclability. This roadmap should be seen as an enabling complement to the global battery roadmaps which focus on expected ultrahigh battery performance, especially for the future of transport. Batteries are used in many applications and are considered to be one technology necessary to reach the climate goals. Currently the market is dominated by lithium-ion batteries, which perform well, but despite new generations coming in the near future, they will soon approach their performance limits. Without major breakthroughs, battery performance and production requirements will not be sufficient to enable the building of a climate-neutral society. Through this “chemistry neutral” approach a generic toolbox transforming the way batteries are developed, designed and manufactured, will be created

Couches minces de phosphates de titane par voie sol-gel

Colloidal solutions of ferroelectrics (KTiOPO$_4$) or ionic conductors (LiTi$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$) materials have been synthetized. These solutions have been used for thin film synthesis. They are obtained by polycondensation reactions between phosphoric acid esters PO(OH)$_{3-x}$(OR)$_x$ (with $0 < x < 3$ and R = Et, $^{\rm n}$Bu, ...) and titanium alkoxides. The ratio POH/Ti and the amount of hydrolysis and the parameters which control the condensation.Nous avons synthétisé des solutions colloïdales de précurseurs de phosphates tels que des ferroélectriques (KTiOPO$_4$) ou des conducteurs ioniques (LiTi$_2$(PO$_4$)$_3$) adaptées au dépôt en couches minces. Elles sont obtenues par des réactions de polycondensation contrôlées entre les esters de l'acide phosphorique PO(OH)$_{3-x}$(OR)$_x$ (avec $0 < x < 3$ et R = Et, $^{\rm n}$Bu, ... ) et des alcoxydes de titane. Le rapport de POH libres (POH/Ti) et le taux d'hydrolyse (H$_2$O/Ti) sont les paramètres qui contrôlent la condensation