Thermodynamic analysis of graphene CVD grown on liquid metal: Growth on liquid metallic gallium or solid gallium oxide skin?

A number of recent publications have reported liquid gallium to have an extraordinary catalytic activity for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of graphene, enabling the growth of high-quality graphene on its surface even below 600 K. Our presented thermodynamic analysis however, indicates that during several of these experiments, an atomically thin gallium oxide layer should have covered the liquid gallium. This means that graphene should have actually grown on the solid oxide skin rather than on the liquid metal. This suggests a more complex mechanism for graphene growth on liquid gallium than what is currently considered in the community.Catalysis and Surface Chemistr

Probabilistic Multi Objective Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch Considering Load Uncertainties Using Monte Carlo Simulations

Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch (ORPD) is a multi-variable problem with nonlinear constraints and continuous/discrete decision variables. Due to the stochastic behavior of loads, the ORPD requires a probabilistic mathematical model. In this paper, Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) is used for modeling of load uncertainties in the ORPD problem. The problem is formulated as a nonlinear constrained multi objective (MO) optimization problem considering two objectives, i.e., minimization of active power losses and voltage deviations from the corresponding desired values, subject to full AC load flow constraints and operational limits. The control variables utilized in the proposed MO-ORPD problem are generator bus voltages, transformers’ tap ratios and shunt reactive power compensation at the weak buses. The proposed probabilistic MO-ORPD problem is implemented on the IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus tests systems. The obtained numerical results substantiate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed probabilistic MO-ORPD problem

Magnetic droplet solitons in orthogonal nano-contact spin torque oscillators

We study microwave signal generation as a function of drive current and applied perpendicular magnetic field in nano-contact spin torque oscillators (NC-STOs) based on orthogonal (pseudo) spin valves where the Co fixed layer has strong easy-plane anisotropy, and the [Co/Ni] free layer has a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The orthogonal NC-STOs exhibit a dramatic transition from the conventional ferromagnetic resonance-like spin wave mode to a magnetic droplet soliton mode. In particular, the field and current dependence of the droplet soliton near threshold are discussed. Near threshold the droplet soliton undergoes complex dynamics that include mode hopping, as evident in the experimental frequency domain and magnetoresistance response

Nano polyamidoamine-G7 dendrimer synthesis and assessment the antibacterial effect in vitro

Background: Nano scale dendrimers are macromolecules synthetic which frequently used in medical and health field. Because traditional antibiotics inevitably induce bacterial resistance, which is responsible for many treatment failures, there is an urgent need to develop novel antibiotic drugs. This study was aimed to examine Synthesis and the anti-bacterial effect of NanoPolyamidoamine-G7 (NPAMAM-G7) dendrimer on Escherichia Coli, Proteus Mirabilis, Salmonella Typhi, Bacillus Subtilis and Staphylococcus Aureus. Methods: In this experimental study that has been conducted in June 2015 in the Laboratory of Microbiology, Iran University of Medical Science, NPAMAM-G7 dendrimers was synthesized by Tomalia�s divergent growth approach. The antibacterial effects of NPA-MAM-G7 dendrimer were studied by disc diffusion and micro-dilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. Standard discs were prepared using different concentrations of dendrimer on Mueller-Hinton agar plates. Results: Zone of inhibition in concentration 25 μg/ml of NPAMAM-G7 dendrimers for Escherichia Coli, Proteus Mirabilis, Salmonella Typhi, Bacillus Subtilis and Staphylococcus Aureus were 26, 38, 36, 22 and 25 mm, respectively. Regarding the zone of inhibition in gram negative bacteria with gram positive ones was P= 0.16 and was not significant difference. The MIC for Salmonella Typhi was 0.025, for Proteus Mirabilis, Bacillus Subtilis, Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli was 0.25 μg/ml. The MBC for Salmonella Typhi was 25μg/ml, for Proteus Mirabilis and Bacillus Subtilis was 50 μg/ml and for Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus was 100 μg/ml. The least of sensitivity against NPAMAM-G7 related to Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus and the most of sensitivity related to Salmonella Typhi. Conclusion: The NPAMAM-G7 dendrimer with end amine groups exhibited a positive impact on the removal of standard strains, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, it is possible to use these nanodendrimers as antibacterial in the future. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Magnetic droplet solitons in orthogonal spin valves

We review the recent experimental advancements in the realization and understanding of magnetic droplet solitons generated by spin transfer torque in orthogonal nanocontact based spin torque nanooscillators (STNOs) fabricated on extended spin valves and spin valve nanowires. The magnetic droplets are detected and studied using the STNO microwave signal and its resistance, the latter both quasistatically and time-resolved. The droplet nucleation current is found to have a minimum at intermediate magnetic field strengths and the nature of the nucleation changes gradually from a single sharp step well above this field, mode-hopping around the minimum, and continuous at low fields. The mode-hopping and continuous transitions are ascribed to droplet drift instability and re-nucleation at different time scales, which is corroborated by time-resolved measurements. We argue that the use of tilted anisotropy fixed layers could reduce the nucleation current further, move the nucleation current minimum to lower fields, and potentially remove the need for an applied magnetic field altogether. Finally, evidence of an edge mode droplet in a nanowire is presented

In vitro anti-bacterial effect of nano-polyamidoamine-G5 dendrimer

Introduction: Progress in nanotechnology in the past decayed has created various opportunities for evaluation of biological effects such as anti-bacterial effects of nanoparticles. This study was aimed to examine synthesis and the antibacterial effect of Nano-Polyamidoamine-G5 (NPAMAM-G5) dendrimer on Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Shigella Dysenteriae and Bacillus Subtilis. Materials and Methods: NPAMAM-G5 dendrimers was synthesized by Tomalia�s divergent growth approach. The antibacterial effects of NPAMAM-G5 dendrimer were studied by disc diffusion and micro-dilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to analyze morphology and size of NPAMAM-G5. Results: Zone of inhibition in concentration 25μg/ml of NPAMAM-G5 dendrimers for Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Shigella Dysenteriae and Bacillus Subtilis were 27, 13, 30 and 18 mm, respectively. There was a significant difference regarding the zone of inhibition between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (p<0.05). Remarkably, the MIC for Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Shigella Dysenteriae was 2.5μg/ml and for Bacillus Subtilis was 25μg/ml. The MBC for Shigella Dysenteriae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 50 and 200 μg/ml, respectively and for Klebsiella Oxytoca and Bacillus Subtilis was100 μg/ml. It was found that NPAMAM-G5 particles had a spherical shape with a mean diameter size of 10 nm. Conclusion: According to the results, the NPAMAM-G5 dendrimer with end amine groups displayed a positive effect on the removal of standard strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. © 2019, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

A Novel Self-aligned and Maskless Process for Formation of Highly Uniform Arrays of Nanoholes and Nanopillars

Fabrication of a large area of periodic structures with deep sub-wavelength features is required in many applications such as solar cells, photonic crystals, and artificial kidneys. We present a low-cost and high-throughput process for realization of 2D arrays of deep sub-wavelength features using a self-assembled monolayer of hexagonally close packed (HCP) silica and polystyrene microspheres. This method utilizes the microspheres as super-lenses to fabricate nanohole and pillar arrays over large areas on conventional positive and negative photoresist, and with a high aspect ratio. The period and diameter of the holes and pillars formed with this technique can be controlled precisely and independently. We demonstrate that the method can produce HCP arrays of hole of sub-250 nm size using a conventional photolithography system with a broadband UV source centered at 400 nm. We also present our 3D FDTD modeling, which shows a good agreement with the experimental results

New mechanism to cross the phantom divide

Recently, type Ia supernovae data appear to support a dark energy whose equation of state $w$ crosses -1, which is a much more amazing problem than the acceleration of the universe. We show that it is possible for the equation of state to cross the phantom divide by a scalar field in the gravity with an additional inverse power-law term of Ricci scalar in the Lagrangian. The necessary and sufficient condition for a universe in which the dark energy can cross the phantom divide is obtained. Some analytical solutions with $w<-1$ or $w>-1$ are obtained. A minimal coupled scalar with different potentials, including quadratic, cubic, quantic, exponential and logarithmic potentials are investigated via numerical methods, respectively. All these potentials lead to the crossing behavior. We show that it is a robust result which is hardly dependent on the concrete form of the potential of the scalar.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figs, v3: several references added, to match the published versio

QQˉQ{\bar Q} potential in the Schwinger model on curved space - time

We study the confining and screening aspects of the Schwinger model on curved static backgrounds.Comment: 14 pages, Latex. Typos corrected. Erratum submitte

Probing interaction and spatial curvature in the holographic dark energy model

In this paper we place observational constraints on the interaction and spatial curvature in the holographic dark energy model. We consider three kinds of phenomenological interactions between holographic dark energy and matter, i.e., the interaction term $Q$ is proportional to the energy densities of dark energy ($\rho_{\Lambda}$), matter ($\rho_{m}$), and matter plus dark energy ($\rho_m+\rho_{\Lambda}$). For probing the interaction and spatial curvature in the holographic dark energy model, we use the latest observational data including the type Ia supernovae (SNIa) Constitution data, the shift parameter of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) given by the five-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP5) observations, and the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurement from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Our results show that the interaction and spatial curvature in the holographic dark energy model are both rather small. Besides, it is interesting to find that there exists significant degeneracy between the phenomenological interaction and the spatial curvature in the holographic dark energy model.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures; to appear in JCA