Strings in Horizons, Dissipation and a Possible Interpretation of the Hagedorn Temperature

We consider the entanglement of closed bosonic strings intersecting the event horizon of a Rindler spacetime and, by using some simplified (rather semiclassical) arguments and some elements of the string field theory, we show the existence of a critical temperature beyond which closed strings \emph{cannot be in thermal equilibrium}. The order of magnitude of this critical value coincides with the Hagedorn temperature, which suggests an interpretation consistent with the fact of having a partition function which is bad defined for temperatures higher than it. Possible implications of the present approach on the microscopical structure of stretched horizons are also pointed out.Comment: A detailed description of string boundary states in a Rindler horizon was added, and their relation with the stretched horizon microscopic structure was emphasized. References added. To appear in Eur. Phys. J.

Photochromic and Photluminescence Properties of N-substituted-4,4’-Bipyridinium based Complexes

Date du colloque : 10/2012International audienc

N-Methyl-4,4-bipyridinium and N-Methyl-N -oxide-4,4 -bipyridinium Bismuth Complexes - Photochromism and Photoluminescence in the Solid State

Three bismuth complexes based on N-methyl-4,4-bipyridinium (hMV(+)), (hMV)[Bi(hMV)Cl-5] (1), and N-methyl-N-oxide-4,4-bipyridinium (MVO+), [Bi(MVO)X-4(dmso)]center dot dmso [X = Cl (2), Br (3)], are reported. All three compounds show luminescence in the solid state with maxima at 545 nm (yellow for 1) and 560 nm (orange for 2 and 3) with quantum yields up to 10 %. Upon UV irradiation, 1 undergoes a color change from white to blue accompanied by a reduction of the photoluminescence intensity. The analysis of the crystal structure of the three complexes points to a photoinduced charge-transfer (PICT) process at the origin of the photochromism in 1

Photochromism and Solid State Photoluminescence of Bi and Pb Complexes and Coordination Polymers based on N-R-4,4’-bipyridinium entities (R= O-, CH3, CH2CN)

Date du colloque : 05/2013</p

Bipyridinium Ligands: Highly Luminescent Bismuth Complexes

International audienc

Basalt/polypropylene composites: The effects of mechanical reprocessing on their morphological, thermal, rheological and mechanical behavior

Considering the increasing spread of basalt fibers on the market as bio-based alternative to glass and the massive use of polypropylene (PP) in the automotive sector, the end-of-life of PP/basalt composites through mechanical reprocessing was addressed. Their thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were investigated up to seven reprocessing cycles and the main relationship between their changes and composites fibers length reduction was disclosed. The composites displayed a parabolic increase in their melt volume rate for increasing reprocessing cycles and were characterized by an improved flowability compared to the neat matrix at the fifth cycle, i.e., 89.3 against 74.8 cm3/10min, due to the intimate contact between the fibers and the matrix which causes a stronger degradation in PP molecular weight. Concerning the mechanical response, the logarithmic decrease in stiffness and strength was not directly proportional to fibers length reduction due to a progressive better orientation of the fibers along the injection direction. Finally, the comparison of the mechanical results obtained with the data available for PP composites reinforced with vegetable fibers allowed to conclude that PP/basalt composites are competitive with this type of composites up to the fifth cycle, displaying a tensile modulus of 3.5 GPa and tensile strength of 38 MPa

High spin Fe(III)-doped nanostructures as T1 MR imaging probes

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) T1 contrast agents based on Fe(III) as an alternative to Gd-based compounds have been under intense scrutiny in the last 6-8 years and a number of nanostructures have been designed and proposed for in vivo diagnostic and theranostic applications. Excluding the large family of superparamagnetic iron oxides widely used as T2 -MR imaging agents that will not be covered by this review, a considerable number and type of nanoparticles (NPs) have been employed, ranging from amphiphilic polymer-based NPs, NPs containing polyphenolic binding units such as melanin-like or polycatechols, mixed metals such as Fe/Gd or Fe/Au NPs and perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions. Iron(III) exhibits several favorable magnetic properties, high biocompatibility and improved toxicity profile that place it as the paramagnetic ion of choice for the next generation of nanosized MRI and theranostic contrast agents. An analysis of the examples reported in the last decade will show the opportunities for relaxivity and MR-contrast enhancement optimization that could bring Fe(III)-doped NPs to really compete with Gd(III)-based nanosystems. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease