Solar cell

A solar cell comprising a semiconductor layer (1), a collecting layer (6) for collecting free charge carriers from the semiconductor layer (1) and a buffer layer (3) which is arranged between the semiconductor layer (1) and the collecting layer (6), which buffer layer (3) is designed as a tunnel contact (31) between the semiconductor layer (1) and the collecting layer (6) is characterised in that the buffer layer (3) essentially comprises a material with a surface charge density of at least 1012 cm-2, preferably of at least 5x1012 cm- 2

AEGIS:Agent oriEnted orGanISations

Today's enterprises are faced with highly dynamic, sometimes even hostile environments. This paper dicovers that the two most prominent organizational strategies addressing these challenges, namely that of widespread decentralization and of business process orientation, are inherently conflicting. We argue that cooperative knowledge processing technology can contribute to dissolve this conflict. For this purpose, we introduce the reader into the field of Distributed Artificial Intelligence. On that basis we then develop the concept of Agent oriEnted orGanISations (AEGIS), in order to support the flexible modeling and management of business processes in decentralized organizational settings. Applying to methods of Distributed Planning a set of process modeling and process interaction operators is defined. These operators also permit to automatically create and customize computerized configurations of business processes. The concepts are presented in the context of an application in private banking, namely that of a Credit Advisory System.<br

Fermiology and superconductivity studies on the non-tetrachalcogenafulvalene structured organic superconductor beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6

The quantum oscillatory effect and superconductivity in a non-tetrachalcogenafulvalene (TCF) structure based organic superconductor beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 are studied. Here the Shubnikov-de Haas effect (SdH) and angular dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMRO) are observed. The oscillation frequency associated with a cylindrical Fermi surface is found to be about 4050 tesla, which is also verified by the tunnel diode oscillator (TDO) measurement. The upper critical field Hc2 measurement in a tilted magnetic field and the TDO measurement in the mixed state reveal a highly anisotropic superconducting nature in this material. We compared physical properties of beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 with typical TCF structure based quasi two-dimensional organic conductors. A notable feature of beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 superconductor is a large value of effective cyclotron mass m_c^*=12.4+/1.1 m_e, which is the largest yet found in an organic superconductor. A possible origin of the enhanced effective mass and its relation to the superconductivity are briefly discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure

Coherent vs incoherent interlayer transport in layered metals

The magnetic-field, temperature, and angular dependence of the interlayer magnetoresistance of two different quasi-two-dimensional (2D) organic superconductors is reported. For $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$I$_3$ we find a well-resolved peak in the angle-dependent magnetoresistance at $\Theta = 90^\circ$ (field parallel to the layers). This clear-cut proof for the coherent nature of the interlayer transport is absent for $\beta$''-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$SF$_5$CH$_2$CF$_2$SO$_3$. This and the non-metallic behavior of the magnetoresistance suggest an incoherent quasiparticle motion for the latter 2D metal.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Phys. Rev. B, in pres

Self-organization of stack-up block copolymers into polymeric supramolecules

Polyethylene oxide –b– polypropylene oxide -b- polyethylene oxide (EO106PO70EO106) block copolymer self-organizes into polymeric supramolecules, characterized by NMR as phase transition from the isotropic stack-up block structure to the ordered cubic polymeric supramolecular structure. Its dependence on both temperature and copolymer concentration is clearly shown by the changes in line shape and chemical shift of the PO70blockβ,γresonances

Interplane Transport and Superfluid Density in Layered Superconductors

We report on generic trends in the behavior of the interlayer penetration depth $\lambda_c$ of several different classes of quasi two-dimensional superconductors including cuprates, Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, transition metal dichalcogenides and organic materials of the $(BEDT-TTF)_2X$-series. Analysis of these trends reveals two distinct patterns in the scaling between the values of $\lambda_c$ and the magnitude of the DC conductivity: one realized in the systems with a Fermi liquid (FL) ground state and the other seen in systems with a marked deviation from the FL response. The latter pattern is found primarily in under-doped cuprates and indicates a dramatic enhancement (factor $\simeq 10^2$) of the energy scale $\Omega_C$ associated with the formation of the condensate compared to the data for the FL materials. We discuss implications of these results for the understanding of pairing in high-$T_c$ cuprates.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Self-assembly of micelles into designed networks

The EO20PO70EO20(molecular weight 5800) amphiphile as a template is to form dispersed micelle structures. Silver nanoparticles, as inorganic precursors synthesized by a laser ablation method in pure water, are able to produce the highly ordered vesicles detected by TEM micrography. The thickness of the outer layer of a micelle, formed by the silver nanoparticles interacting preferentially with the more hydrophilic EO20block, was around 3.5 nm. The vesicular structure ensembled from micelles is due to proceeding to the mixture of cubic and hexagonal phases

Broad targeting of resistance to apoptosis in cancer

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is natural way of removing aged cells from the body. Most of the anti-cancer therapies trigger apoptosis induction and related cell death networks to eliminate malignant cells. However, in cancer, de-regulated apoptotic signaling, particularly the activation of an anti-apoptotic systems, allows cancer cells to escape this program leading to uncontrolled proliferation resulting in tumor survival, therapeutic resistance and recurrence of cancer. This resistance is a complicated phenomenon that emanates from the interactions of various molecules and signaling pathways. In this comprehensive review we discuss the various factors contributing to apoptosis resistance in cancers. The key resistance targets that are discussed include (1) Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins; (2) autophagy processes; (3) necrosis and necroptosis; (4) heat shock protein signaling; (5) the proteasome pathway; (6) epigenetic mechanisms; and (7) aberrant nuclear export signaling. The shortcomings of current therapeutic modalities are highlighted and a broad spectrum strategy using approaches including (a) gossypol; (b) epigallocatechin-3-gallate; (c) UMI-77 (d) triptolide and (e) selinexor that can be used to overcome cell death resistance is presented. This review provides a roadmap for the design of successful anti-cancer strategies that overcome resistance to apoptosis for better therapeutic outcome in patients with cancer