The improvement of zinc electrodes for electrochemical cells

Zinc electrode improvement for silver-zinc storage batter

The improvement of zinc electrodes for electrochemical cells Quarterly report no. 2, Sep. 4 - Dec. 4, 1965

Growth parameters of mossy and crystalline dendrites applied to manufacture and handling of silver-zinc batterie

Dark energy records in lensed cosmic microwave background

We consider the weak lensing effect induced by linear cosmological perturbations on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization anisotropies. We find that the amplitude of the lensing peak in the BB mode power spectrum is a faithful tracer of the dark energy dynamics at the onset of cosmic acceleration. This is due to two reasons. First, the lensing power is non-zero only at intermediate redshifts between the observer and the source, keeping record of the linear perturbation growth rate at the corresponding epoch. Second, the BB lensing signal is expected to dominate over the other sources. The lensing distortion on the TT and EE spectra do exhibit a similar dependence on the dark energy dynamics, although those are dominated by primary anisotropies. We investigate and quantify the effect by means of exact tracking quintessence models, as well as parameterizing the dark energy equation of state in terms of the present value ($w_{0}$) and its asymptotic value in the past ($w_{\infty}$); in the interval allowed by the present constraints on dark energy, the variation of $w_{\infty}$ induces a significant change in the BB mode lensing amplitude. A Fisher matrix analysis, under conservative assumptions concerning the increase of the sample variance due to the lensing non-Gaussian statistics, shows that a precision of order 10% on both $w_{0}$ and $w_{\infty}$ is achievable by the future experiments probing a large sky area with angular resolution and sensitivity appropriate to detect the lensing effect on the CMB angular power spectrum. These results show that the CMB can probe the differential redshift behavior of the dark energy equation of state, beyond its average.Comment: New version including substantial text change, three more figures and two more table

Improved alkaline electrochemical cell

Addition of lead ions to electrolyte suppresses zinc dendrite formation during charging cycle. A soluble lead salt can be added directly or metallic lead can be incorporated in the zinc electrode and allowed to dissolve into the electrolyte

Atomic-scale compensation phenomena at polar interfaces

The interfacial screening charge that arises to compensate electric fields of dielectric or ferroelectric thin films is now recognized as the most important factor in determining the capacitance or polarization of ultrathin ferroelectrics. Here we investigate using aberration-corrected electron microscopy and density functional theory how interfaces cope with the need to terminate ferroelectric polarization. In one case, we show evidence for ionic screening, which has been predicted by theory but never observed. For a ferroelectric film on an insulating substrate, we found that compensation can be mediated by interfacial charge generated, for example, by oxygen vacancies.Comment: 3 figure

Nonpolar resistance switching of metal/binary-transition-metal oxides/metal sandwiches: homogeneous/inhomogeneous transition of current distribution

Exotic features of a metal/oxide/metal (MOM) sandwich, which will be the basis for a drastically innovative nonvolatile memory device, is brought to light from a physical point of view. Here the insulator is one of the ubiquitous and classic binary-transition-metal oxides (TMO), such as Fe2O3, NiO, and CoO. The sandwich exhibits a resistance that reversibly switches between two states: one is a highly resistive off-state and the other is a conductive on-state. Several distinct features were universally observed in these binary TMO sandwiches: namely, nonpolar switching, non-volatile threshold switching, and current--voltage duality. From the systematic sample-size dependence of the resistance in on- and off-states, we conclude that the resistance switching is due to the homogeneous/inhomogeneous transition of the current distribution at the interface.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, REVTeX4, submitted to Phys. Rev. B (Feb. 23, 2007). If you can't download a PDF file of this manscript, an alternative one can be found on the author's website: http://staff.aist.go.jp/i.inoue

A survey of rabbit handling methods within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

Rabbits are commonly kept in a variety of settings, including homes, laboratories, and veterinary clinics. Despite the popularity of keeping this prey species, little research has investigated current methods of handling. The aim of this study was to examine the experience of caregivers (owners and keepers) in using five handling methods commonly referred to in books written for companion animal (pet) owners and veterinary and/or laboratory personnel. An online survey was completed by 2644 respondents, representing all three of these groups, and breeders. Data were acquired to determine sources that participants used to gain knowledge of different handling methods, the methods they used and for what purposes they used them, and their perceptions of any associated difficulties or welfare concerns. Results indicated that participants most frequently used the method of supporting a rabbit’s body against a person’s chest, which was considered the easiest and most welfare-friendly method of the handling methods explored. “Scruffing with rear support” was the least used method and was considered to be distressing and painful for the rabbit. As rabbits are a terrestrial prey species, being picked up is likely an innately stressful experience. Additional research is encouraged to explore the experience of rabbits during handling to identify methods that can be easily used with the fewest welfare compromises

Suppression of Octahedral Tilts and Associated Changes of Electronic Properties at Epitaxial Oxide Heterostructure Interfaces

Epitaxial oxide interfaces with broken translational symmetry have emerged as a central paradigm behind the novel behaviors of oxide superlattices. Here, we use scanning transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate a direct, quantitative unit-cell-by-unit-cell mapping of lattice parameters and oxygen octahedral rotations across the BiFeO3-La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 interface to elucidate how the change of crystal symmetry is accommodated. Combined with low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy imaging, we demonstrate a mesoscopic antiferrodistortive phase transition and elucidate associated changes in electronic properties in a thin layer directly adjacent to the interface

Historical wealth accounts for Britain : progress and puzzles in measuring the sustainability of economic growth

We thank the Leverhulme Trust for funding this research under the project ‘History and the Future’.Estimates of Britain's comprehensive wealth are reported for the period 1760-2000. They include measures of produced, natural, and human capital, and illustrate the changing composition of Britain's assets over this time period. We show how genuine savings, GS (a year-on-year measure of the change in total capital and a claimed indicator of sustainable development) has evolved over time. Changes in total wealth are compared to alternative, investment-based measures of GS, including variants augmented with the value of exogenous technology. Additionally, the possible effects of population change on wealth, and the implications of including carbon-dioxide emissions in natural capital are considered.PostprintPeer reviewe