Transformation-Optics Description of Nonlocal Effects in Plasmonic Nanostructures

We develop an insightful transformation-optics approach to investigate the impact that nonlocality has on the optical properties of plasmonic nanostructures. The light-harvesting performance of a dimer of touching nanowires is studied by using the hydrodynamical Drude model, which reveals nonlocal resonances not predicted by previous local calculations. Our method clarifies the interplay between radiative and nonlocal effects in this nanoparticle configuration, which enables us to elucidate the optimum size that maximizes its absorption and field enhancement capabilitiesThis work was supported by the ESF plasmonbionanosense program, the Leverhulme Trust, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Revalorization Of Prosopanche Americana (Hydnoraceae), Used In Argentine Original Communities

The present work included the study of Prosopanche americana (Hydnoraceae), a medicinal plant native to the province of San Luis. According to the World Health Organization, many populations in the world still use the plants for food and health problems. Prosopanche americana is popularly known as "guaycurú", "mil hombres", "flor de tierra", "flor de hierro", "huachar". It is a parasitic, subway perennial plant that lacks leaves, which only emerges when it blooms in summer season, develops a subway root system and is found in dry or dune areas. Prosopanche americana was used in folk medicine and as edible fruit.The objective of this study was determined the preliminary characterization of Prosopanche americana (Hydnoraceae), performing the proximal analysis and potential toxicity to validate the popular use as food. Its characterization has not been published to date. Using the AOAC methods, the composition was: moisture: 73.2 ± 0.04%; protein: 7,81 ± 0.05; fat: 2.50 ± 0.06; fiber: 10,00 ± 0.13; ash: 0.77 ± 0.05; carbohydrates: 5,72. ± 0.19; moisture: 15.2 ± 0.04%; protein: 4.76,00 ± 0.05; fat: 2.90 ± 0.06; fiber: 27,00 ± 0.13; ash: 0.97 ± 0.05; carbohydrates: 40.17±0.98; energy: 78.54± 0.34 calories for fruits and rhizome respectively.Prosopanche americana toxicity was carried out by of acute toxicity test (OECD guidelines 423). Prosopanche americana aqueous extract was administered orally and the tested doses did not produce visible symptoms or mortality of acute toxicity in the two rodent species used. Prosopanche americana was not classified, since there was no evidence of toxicity at doses higher than 2000 mg/kg, as well as no toxicity at a dose of 5000 mg/kg.Besides, the importance of study new vegetal source, this underutilized native plant analyzed indicate that have a good nutritional value and non-toxic properties that suggest they can be an important alternative for Argentinian food and nutraceutical industry. Preserving and revaluing their consumption in either the traditional way and also as potential new ingredients

The implications of green employment: Making a just transition in ASEAN

The transition to an ecologically sustainable economy is and will create significant changes in the world of work. These changes will include the creation of new green jobs and new industries, minor to major changes in existing jobs and the phase-out of some jobs in carbon-intensive activities. A just transition ensures that while working towards a more ecologically sound economy, countries also plan for positive outcomes for those communities and people negatively affected by our global efforts to decarbonise. Identifying and implementing a country-specific policy mix for a just transition is an emerging challenge for nations. This paper constructs a policy framework for supporting the greening of employment and a just transition. The resulting policy framework is then used to assess policy readiness for promoting green jobs and a just transition across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The assessment highlights the current state of policy for supporting green jobs, green skills and just transition planning, as well as the significant challenges in identifying and implementing policy settings to support green jobs and a just transition

Homogeneous metamaterial description of localised spoof plasmonics in spiral geometries

It has been recently shown that ultrathin spiral metamaterials can support localized spoof plasmon modes whose resonant wavelength is much larger than the size of the structure. Here, an analytical model is developed to describe the electromagnetic properties of the two-dimensional version of these devices: a perfect conducting wire corrugated by spiral grooves. The emergence of localized spoof plasmons in this geometry is quantitatively investigated. Calculations show that these modes can be engineered through the spiral angle and the number of grooves. The theory also allows us to elucidate the contribution of magnetic and electric localized spoof plasmons to the optical response of these metamaterial devices. Finally, experimental evidence of the existence of these modes in extremely thin textured copper disks is also presented

Engineering the Phase Front of Light with Phase-Change Material Based Planar lenses

International audienc