Origin of the excitonic recombinations in hexagonal boron nitride by spatially resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy

The excitonic recombinations in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are investigated with spatially resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy in the UV range. Cathodoluminescence images of an individual hBN crystallite reveals that the 215 nm free excitonic line is quite homogeneously emitted along the crystallite whereas the 220 nm and 227 nm excitonic emissions are located in specific regions of the crystallite. Transmission electron microscopy images show that these regions contain a high density of crystalline defects. This suggests that both the 220 nm and 227 nm emissions are produced by the recombination of excitons bound to structural defects

Correcting for Distortions due to Ionization in the STAR TPC

Physics goals of the STAR Experiment at RHIC in recent (and future) years drive the need to operate the STAR TPC at ever higher luminosities, leading to increased ionization levels in the TPC gas. The resulting ionic space charge introduces field distortions in the detector which impact tracking performance. Further complications arise from ionic charge leakage into the main TPC volume from the high gain anode region. STAR has implemented corrections for these distortions based on measures of luminosity, which we present here. Additionally, we highlight a novel approach to applying the corrections on an event-by-event basis applicable in conditions of rapidly varying ionization sources.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, proceedings of the Workshop on Tracking in High Multiplicity Environments (TIME 05) in Zurich, Switzerland, submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

Pro-angiogenic effet of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) mediated by M3 receptors

National audienc

Effects of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) in the cellular processes leading to angiogenesis

National audienc

Evolution of CODYRUN from Thermal Simulation to Coupled Thermal and Daylight Simulation Software

AbstractCODYRUN is a multi-zone software integrating thermal building simulation, airflow, and pollutant transfer. Described in numerous publications, this software was originally used for the passive design of buildings, both for research and teaching purposes. In this context, the data treated were mainly concerned with volumes (zones), surfaces and thicknesses (walls and windows), materials, and systems, with the aim to determine temperatures, heat fluxes, energy consumed, air transfers, and so on.The question thus arose as to the integration of indoor lighting conditions into the simulation. Hence, previous data structures had to be amended to incorporate the spatial positioning of entities (walls, windows, and artificial lighting sources) through vertexes. A set of procedures was also developed for polygons as well as calculating natural and artificial lighting.The results of this new daylighting module were then compared with other results of simulation codes and experimental cases both in artificial and natural environments. Excellent agreements were obtained, such as the values for luminous efficiencies in a tropical and humid climate.A simulation exercise was conducted in a classroom located in Reunion Island (French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean), thus confirming the interest for thermal and daylighting designs in low-energy buildings

Evolution of mechanism of parton energy loss with transverse momentum at RHIC and LHC in relativistic collision of heavy nuclei

We analyze the suppression of particle production at large transverse momenta in ($0-5$ most) central collisions of gold nuclei at $\sqrt{s_\textrm{NN}}=$ 200 GeV and lead nuclei at $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}=$ 2.76 TeV. Full next-to-leading order radiative corrections at ${\cal{O}}(\alpha_s^3)$, and nuclear effects like shadowing and parton energy loss are included. The parton energy loss is implemented in a simple multiple scattering model, where the partons lose an energy $\epsilon=\lambda \times dE/dx$ per collision, where $\lambda$ is their mean free path. We take $\epsilon=\kappa E$ for a treatment which is suggestive of the Bethe Heitler (BH) mechanism of incoherent scatterings, $\epsilon = \sqrt{\alpha E}$ for LPM mechanism, and $\epsilon=$ constant for a mechanism which suggests that the rate of energy loss ($dE/dx$) of the partons is proportional to total path length ($L$) of the parton in the plasma, as the formation time of the radiated gluon becomes much larger than $L$. We find that while the BH mechanism describes the nuclear modification factor $R_{\textrm{AA}}$ for $p_T \leq$ 5 GeV/$c$ (especially at RHIC energy), the LPM and more so the constant $dE/dx$ mechanism provides a good description at larger $p_T$. This confirms the earlier expectation that the energy loss mechanism for partons changes from BH to LPM for $p_T \ge \lambda$, where $\lambda \approx$ 1 fm and $\approx$ 1 GeV$^2$ is the average transverse kick-squared received by the parton per collision. The energy loss per collision at the $\sqrt{s_\textrm{NN}}$ =2.76 TeV is found to be about twice of that at 0.2 TeV.Comment: Discussion expanded, additional references added, 14 pages, 6 figures, To appear in Journal of Physics

F2TE3: sistema de cerramiento transparente, ligero, de altas prestaciones energéticas que permite el diseño con formas libres

We propose a new lightweight, slim, high energy efficient, light-transmitting envelope system using VIP technology, providing for seamless, free-form designs for use in architectural projects. The research is based on envelope components already existing on the market, especially components implemented with aerogel insulation, as this is the most effective translucent thermal insulation there is today. This research revealed that no other insulation has all the features required of the proposed new envelope model. Even so, some systems, namely, VIP technology, monolithic aerogel used for insulation purposes, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) barriers, do have properties that could be exploited to generate this envelope. Using these design elements, data from tests and independent studies, we have defined a new, variable geometry, envelope insulation system with excellent energy-saving levels.Se plantea un nuevo sistema de cerramiento monocasco ligero, de espesor mínimo, de alta eficiencia energética, mediante la utilización de tecnología tipo VIP 1, con un alto grado de transmisión de la luz, que permite el diseño con formas libres, para su utilización en proyectos arquitectónicos. La investigación se basa en el estudio de los elementos de cerramiento existentes en el mercado, en especial los implementados con aerogel como aislamiento térmico, ya que se trata del aislante transparente que mejores prestaciones ofrece actualmente, y determina que ninguno otro sistema de aislamiento cumple todas las prestaciones que se buscan con el nuevo sistema propuesto. Aún así, de ellos se pueden extraer cualidades para generarlo: la tecnología VIP, el aerogel monolítico como material aislante, y el Polimetilmetacrilato como material de encapsulado. Estos elementos de diseño nos han permitido definir, junto con ensayos realizados, y datos de estudios independientes, un nuevo sistema de cerramiento de formas libres que ofrece altas prestaciones energéticas

Nuevos métodos de fabricación digital de paneles de GRC de forma libre

Free-form GRC panels are widely used in lightweight facade elements. Such panels can be manufactured through a variety of methods. Nevertheless, its advantages such as moldability, durability and lightness, are penalized by the high price of the corresponding molds, especially if there is not a sufficient repetition of units. New digital technologies enable innovative possibilities in the field of construction and manufacture of molds with complex geometries. In this paper, a series of manufacturing methods for free-form GRC panels are presented. Advantages and drawbacks of these methods are discussed, especially the role played by the mold and its economic impact. Finally, conclusions of this analysis about its technical feasibility and possibilities are drawn.Los paneles de forma libre de GRC son de gran aplicación en elementos de fachadas ligeras. Dichos paneles pueden fabricarse a través de una gran variedad de procesos. Sin embargo, a pesar de sus ventajas como la moldeabilidad, durabilidad y ligereza, se ven penalizados por el elevado precio de los correspondientes moldes, sobre todo si no hay una repetición suficiente de las piezas y la forma del panel difiere de lo convencional. Las nuevas tecnologías digitales permiten diversas posibilidades en el campo de la construcción y la producción de moldes con geometrías complejas. En el presente artículo se presenta una serie de métodos recientes en la fabricación de paneles de GRC de forma libre. Se discutirán ventajas e inconvenientes de dichos métodos, sobre todo la importancia del molde y su repercusión económica. Finalmente se extraerán conclusiones sobre la viabilidad técnica y las posibilidades que se abren con este análisis

Optical Transitions in Single-Wall Boron Nitride Nanotubes

Optical transitions in single-wall boron nitride nanotubes are investigated by means of optical absorption spectroscopy. Three absorption lines are observed. Two of them (at 4.45 and 5.5 eV) result from the quantification involved by the rolling up of the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheet. The nature of these lines is discussed, and two interpretations are proposed. A comparison with single-wall carbon nanotubes leads one to interpret these lines as transitions between pairs of van Hove singularities in the one-dimensional density of states of boron nitride single-wall nanotubes. But the confinement energy due to the rolling up of the h-BN sheet cannot explain a gap width of the boron nitride nanotubes below the h-BN gap. The low energy line is then attributed to the existence of a Frenkel exciton with a binding energy in the 1 eV range