Molecular Signature of Polyoxometalates in Electron Transport of Silicon-based Molecular Junctions

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are unconventional electro-active molecules with a great potential for applications in molecular memories, providing efficient processing steps onto electrodes are available. The synthesis of the organic-inorganic polyoxometalate hybrids [PM$_{11}$O$_{39}$(Sn(C$_6$H$_4$)C$\equiv$C(C$_6$H$_4$)N$_2$)]$^{3-}$ (M = Mo, W) endowed with a remote diazonium function is reported together with their covalent immobilization onto hydrogenated n-Si(100) substrates. Electron transport measurements through the resulting densely-packed monolayers contacted with a mercury drop as a top electrode confirms their homogeneity. Adjustment of the current-voltage curves with the Simmons equation gives a mean tunnel energy barrier of 1.8 eV and 1.6 eV, for the Silicon-Molecules-Metal (SMM) junctions based on the polyoxotungstates (M = W) and polyoxomolybdates (M = Mo), respectively. This follows the trend observed in the electrochemical properties of POMs in solution, the polyoxomolybdates being easier to reduce than the polyoxotungstates, in agreement with lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) of lower energy. The molecular signature of the POMs is thus clearly identifiable in the solid-state electrical properties and the unmatched diversity of POM molecular and electronic structures should offer a great modularity

Association of Variants in the SPTLC1 Gene With Juvenile Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Importance: Juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare form of ALS characterized by age of symptom onset less than 25 years and a variable presentation.Objective: To identify the genetic variants associated with juvenile ALS.Design, Setting, and Participants: In this multicenter family-based genetic study, trio whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify the disease-associated gene in a case series of unrelated patients diagnosed with juvenile ALS and severe growth retardation. The patients and their family members were enrolled at academic hospitals and a government research facility between March 1, 2016, and March 13, 2020, and were observed until October 1, 2020. Whole-exome sequencing was also performed in a series of patients with juvenile ALS. A total of 66 patients with juvenile ALS and 6258 adult patients with ALS participated in the study. Patients were selected for the study based on their diagnosis, and all eligible participants were enrolled in the study. None of the participants had a family history of neurological disorders, suggesting de novo variants as the underlying genetic mechanism.Main Outcomes and Measures: De novo variants present only in the index case and not in unaffected family members.Results: Trio whole-exome sequencing was performed in 3 patients diagnosed with juvenile ALS and their parents. An additional 63 patients with juvenile ALS and 6258 adult patients with ALS were subsequently screened for variants in the SPTLC1 gene. De novo variants in SPTLC1 (p.Ala20Ser in 2 patients and p.Ser331Tyr in 1 patient) were identified in 3 unrelated patients diagnosed with juvenile ALS and failure to thrive. A fourth variant (p.Leu39del) was identified in a patient with juvenile ALS where parental DNA was unavailable. Variants in this gene have been previously shown to be associated with autosomal-dominant hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy, type 1A, by disrupting an essential enzyme complex in the sphingolipid synthesis pathway.Conclusions and Relevance: These data broaden the phenotype associated with SPTLC1 and suggest that patients presenting with juvenile ALS should be screened for variants in this gene.</p

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Graphene obtain by liquid way for an application to electrical contacts

Le graphène est un matériau carboné exceptionnel de par ses propriétés électriques (mobilité électronique à température ambiante de 200 000 cm²V-¹s-¹), mécaniques (module d'Young de 1,5 TPA) et sa capacité à protéger un substrat de l’atmosphère. Cela en fait un candidat idéal comme revêtement de protection pour les dispositifs de connexion dont la partie active (le contact électrique) peut subir des dégradations sévères au cours du temps.. Un tel revêtement de protection doit en effet avoir des propriétés de robustesse et de conduction la plupart du temps antinomiques. La première étape de ce travail a consisté à mettre en œuvre un procède d’exfoliation en phase liquide afin de produire des suspensions de graphène ou de matériaux de type graphène. Différents type de caractérisations structurelles et électriques à l’échelle microscopique ont permis de déterminer des conditions d’exfoliation favorables en variant la nature du solvant et les conditions de sonication. Il s’est agi ensuite d’évaluer différents modes de dépôts permettant d’obtenir un revêtement de protection à partir de feuillets individuels. Les méthodes de trempé, évaporation, spray et filtration ont été caractérisées et ont montré leurs avantages et inconvénients. La méthode de filtration donne les films les plus couvrants mais pose le problème du transfert vers la surface à protéger : on a mis en évidence une contamination résiduelle difficile à éliminer. Les premiers résultats avec une méthode de spray industriel sans buse ont montré une grande réduction du frottement mais aussi la complexité des mécanismes régissant la qualité des dépôts. Les limites des différentes méthodes de dépôt pourraient être dépassées par l’utilisation de films composites polymère-graphène.Graphene is a special carbon material due to its electrical properties (electron mobility at room temperature 200 000 cm²V-¹s-¹), mechanical (Young modulus of 1.5 TPA) and ability to protect a substrate of atmosphere. This makes it an ideal candidate as a protective coating for connecting devices including the active portion (electrical contact) may suffer severe damage over time .. Such a protective coating must indeed have properties and robustness conducting most of the contradictory time. The first step of this work was to implement an exfoliation proceeds in the liquid phase to produce suspensions of graphene and graphene-like materials.Different types of structural and electrical properties at the microscopic scale have determined favorable conditions for exfoliation by varying the nature of the solvent and conditions of sonication. He then acted deposits evaluate different methods to obtain a protective coating from individual sheets. The methods of dip coating, drop casting, spray and filtration have been characterized and have shown their advantages and disadvantages. The filtration method gives the most covering films, but the problem of the transfer to the surface to be protected: it showed residual contamination difficult to remove. The first results with an industrial spray without nozzle method showed a large reduction in friction but also the complexity of the mechanisms governing the quality of deposits. Limitations of different deposit methods could be exceeded by the use of graphene-polymer composite films

Exfoliation du graphène par voie liquide en vue d'une application aux contacts électriques

Graphene is a special carbon material due to its electrical properties (electron mobility at room temperature 200 000 cm²V-¹s-¹), mechanical (Young modulus of 1.5 TPA) and ability to protect a substrate of atmosphere. This makes it an ideal candidate as a protective coating for connecting devices including the active portion (electrical contact) may suffer severe damage over time .. Such a protective coating must indeed have properties and robustness conducting most of the contradictory time. The first step of this work was to implement an exfoliation proceeds in the liquid phase to produce suspensions of graphene and graphene-like materials.Different types of structural and electrical properties at the microscopic scale have determined favorable conditions forexfoliation by varying the nature of the solvent and conditions of sonication. He then acted deposits evaluate different methods to obtain a protective coating from individual sheets. The methods of dip coating, drop casting, spray and filtration have been characterized and have shown their advantages and disadvantages. The filtration method gives the most covering films, but the problem of the transfer to the surface to be protected: it showed residual contamination difficult to remove. The first results with an industrial spray without nozzle method showed a large reduction in friction but also the complexity of the mechanisms governing the quality of deposits. Limitations of different deposit methods could be exceeded by the use of graphene-polymer composite films.Le graphène est un matériau carboné exceptionnel de par ses propriétés électriques (mobilité électronique à température ambiante de 200 000 cm²V-¹s-¹), mécaniques (module d'Young de 1,5 TPA) et sa capacité à protéger un substrat de l’atmosphère. Cela en fait un candidat idéal comme revêtement de protection pour les dispositifs de connexion dont la partie active (le contact électrique) peut subir des dégradations sévères au cours du temps.. Un tel revêtement de protection doit en effet avoir des propriétés de robustesse et de conduction la plupart du temps antinomiques. La première étape de ce travail a consisté à mettre en œuvre un procède d’exfoliation en phase liquide afin de produire des suspensions de graphène ou de matériaux de type graphène. Différents type de caractérisations structurelles et électriques à l’échelle microscopique ont permis de déterminer desconditions d’exfoliation favorables en variant la nature du solvant et les conditions de sonication. Il s’est agi ensuite d’évaluer différents modes de dépôts permettant d’obtenir un revêtement de protection à partir de feuillets individuels. Les méthodes de trempé, évaporation, spray et filtration ont été caractérisées et ont montré leurs avantages et inconvénients. La méthode de filtration donne les films les plus couvrants mais pose le problème du transfert vers la surface à protéger : on a mis en évidence une contamination résiduelle difficile à éliminer. Les premiers résultats avec une méthode de spray industriel sans buse ont montré une grande réduction du frottement mais aussi la complexité des mécanismes régissant la qualité des dépôts. Les limites des différentes méthodes de dépôt pourraient être dépassées par l’utilisation de films composites polymère-graphène

Morphological and electrical characterizations of graphene exfoliated by liquid way

International audienc

Caractérisations morphologique et électrique de graphène déposé par voie liquide

LGEP 2014 ID = 1521International audienc