Is the tetraneutron a bound dineutron-dineutron molecule?

In light of a new experiment which claims a positive identification, we discuss the possible existence of the tetraneutron. We explore a novel model based on a dineutron-dineutron molecule. We show that this model is not able to explain the tetraneutron as a bound state, in agreement with other theoretical models already discussed in the literature.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, J. Phys. G, in pres

Nanocarbon-Based photovoltaics

Carbon materials are excellent candidates for photovoltaic solar cells: they are Earth-abundant, possess high optical absorption, and superior thermal and photostability. Here we report on solar cells with active layers made solely of carbon nanomaterials that present the same advantages of conjugated polymer-based solar cells - namely solution processable, potentially flexible, and chemically tunable - but with significantly increased photostability and the possibility to revert photodegradation. The device active layer composition is optimized using ab-initio density functional theory calculations to predict type-II band alignment and Schottky barrier formation. The best device fabricated is composed of PC70BM fullerene, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide. It achieves a power conversion efficiency of 1.3% - a record for solar cells based on carbon as the active material - and shows significantly improved lifetime than a polymer-based device. We calculate efficiency limits of up to 13% for the devices fabricated in this work, comparable to those predicted for polymer solar cells. There is great promise for improving carbon-based solar cells considering the novelty of this type of device, the superior photostability, and the availability of a large number of carbon materials with yet untapped potential for photovoltaics. Our results indicate a new strategy for efficient carbon-based, solution-processable, thin film, photostable solar cells

Effects of DNP on active transport processes and cell membranes in the Malpighian tubule of Formica

In Formica Malpighian tubules KCl secretion is driven by a V-type H+ ATPase in the luminal membrane in parallel with a H+/K+ antiporter. The effect of the protonophore dinitrophenol (DNP) was investigated on the isolated, symmetrically perfused tubule. DNP was applied in two different concentrations: 0.2 mmol/l and 1 mmol/l. The effects were fast and rapidly reversible. The equivalent short-circuit current (I sc) was reduced significantly to respectively 25±3% Cn=4) and –3±7% (n=11) of the control value when 0.2 mmol/ l or 1 mmol/l was added to the bath. When 1 mmol/l DNP was applied the transepithelial resistance (R te) decreased significantly to 74±11% of the control value (n=11), and the luminal over basolateral voltage divider ratio (VDR), providing an estimate of luminal over basolateral membrane resistance, decreased to 37±12% of the control (n=6). A concentration of 1 mmol/l DNP was also applied from the lumen. The decrease in I sc was significant, but much less pronounced (74±5% of control; n=6) and no significant changes in R te and VDR were observed. It is argued that, when the concentration in the bath is high enough, DNP may cross the cell and have a protonophoric effect not only on the mitochondria but also across the luminal cell membrane explaining the drop in transepithelial and in relative luminal membrane resistance. The diminished effectiveness of DNP, when applied from the luminal side, suggests that the luminal membrane is somehow less permeable to toxic substances, but that DNP very rapidly enters the cell via the basolateral membrane and may bring about an initial protonophoric effect across this membrane

Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Using HPFRCC Matrices

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84685/1/naaman_HPFRCC2_96.pd