Rational design of Nb-based alloys for hydrogen separation: A first principles study

We have investigated the effect of alloying metal elements on hydrogen solubility and mechanical integrity of Nb-based alloys, Nb15M1 (where M = Ca–Zn, Ge), using first principles-based calculations. In general, the chemical interaction between the interstitial H and metal is weakened as the alloying element is changed from an early to a late transition metal, leading to lower H solubility and higher resistance to H embrittlement. This effect becomes more pronounced when a smaller alloying element is used due to stronger elastic interaction between interstitial H and metal atoms. These finding may provide scientific basis for rational design of Nb-based hydrogen separation membranes with tailored H solubility to effectively suppress H embrittlement while maintaining excellent hydrogen permeation rate

Evaluation of a rapid immunodiagnostic test kit for rabies virus

A rapid immunodiagnostic test kit for rabies virus detection was evaluated using 51 clinical samples and 4 isolates of rabies virus. The quick detection of rabies virus under field conditions may be helpful in determining if post-exposure prophylaxis is needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary treatments, as well as undue economic burden. There are several widely used diagnostic methods for rabies, including fluorescent antibody tests, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and electron microscopy; however, these methods include time-consuming, intricate, and costly procedures. The rapid immunodiagnostic test was able to detect rabies virus in clinical samples, including brain tissue and saliva, in addition to 103.2 50% lethal dose (LD50)/mL cell-adapted rabies virus. The assay was not cross-reactive with non-rabies virus microbes. When the performance of the rapid immunodiagnostic test was compared to a fluorescent antibody test, the rapid immunodiagnostic test had a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 100% (95.8% CI)

Cu–Bi–Se-based pavonite homologue: a promising thermoelectric material with low lattice thermal conductivity

Pavonite homologues, Cux+yBi5-ySe8 (1.2 <= x <= 1.5, 0.1 <= y <= 0.4), in a polycrystalline bulk form have been synthesized using a conventional solid state sintering technique. Their thermal and electronic transport properties were evaluated for mid-temperature thermoelectric power generation applications. Structural complexity, based on unique substitutional and interstitial Cu atoms in the structure, makes this system attractive as an intrinsic low thermal conductivity material; also the band structure calculations revealed that interstitial Cu atoms generate n-type carrier conduction. Room temperature lattice thermal conductivities ranging between 0.41 W m(-1) K-1 and 0.55 W m(-1) K-1 were found for Cux+yBi5-ySe8; these values are comparable to those of the state-of-the-art low lattice thermal conductivity systems. These extremely low thermal conductivities combined with the power factors result in the highest ZT = 0.27 at 560 K for Cu1.9Bi4.6Se8.1771sciescopu

Highly Conductive p-Type Transparent Conducting Electrode with Sulfur-Doped Copper Iodide

Although n-type transparent conductors have been commercialized with high optical transmittance and electrical conductivity, the realization of their p-type counterparts has been a challenging problem. Here, we report the synthesis of a highly conductive transparent p-type sulfur-doped CuI (CuI:S) thin film using a liquid-iodination method with a thiol additive. The CuI:S film shows a remarkably high electrical conductivity of 511 S cm-1 with an optical transmittance of greater than 80%. Furthermore, additional hole doping of CuI:S with H2O2 treatment improves the electrical conductivity to 596 S cm-1. Consequently, CuI:S exhibits a record-high figure of merit (FOM) value of 63,000 M C2-1 (73,000 M C2-1 with H2O2 treatment), which is similar to 370% (similar to 430% with H2O2 treatment) higher than the previously reported record high FOM value. The highly conducting CuI:S electrode is successfully applied as transparent conducting electrodes of the organic light-emitting diode and transparent p-type thin-film transistor. The liquid-iodination chemical method with unconventional control of the reaction parameters can be generalized to produce high-quality metal halide thin films, allowing them to be applicable for transparent electronics and optoelectronics.11Nsciescopu