Multi-band superconductivity driven by a site-selective mechanism in Mo8_8Ga41_{41}

The family of the endohedral gallide cluster compounds recently emerged as a new family of superconductors which is expected to host systems displaying unconventional physics. Mo$_8$Ga$_{41}$ is an important member of this family which shows relatively large $T_c \sim$ 10 K and has shown indications of strong electron-phonon coupling and multi-band superconductivity. Here, through direct measurement of superconducting energy gap by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) we demonstrate the existence of two distinct superconducting gaps of magnitude 0.85 meV and 1.6 meV respectively in Mo$_8$Ga$_{41}$. Both the gaps are seen to be conventional in nature as they evolve systematically with temperature as per the predictions of BCS theory. Our band structure calculations reveal that only two specific Mo sites in an unit cell contribute to superconductivity where only $d_{xz}$/$d_{yz}$ and $d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbitals have strong contributions. Our analysis indicates that the site-elective contribution govern the two-gap nature of superconductivity in Mo$_8$Ga$_{41}$.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Discovery of highly spin-polarized conducting surface states in the strong spin-orbit coupling semiconductor Sb2_2Se3_3

Majority of the A$_2$B$_3$ type chalcogenide systems with strong spin-orbit coupling, like Bi$_2$Se$_3$, Bi$_2$Te$_3$ and Sb$_2$Te$_3$ etc., are topological insulators. One important exception is Sb$_2$Se$_3$, where a topological non-trivial phase was argued to be possible under ambient conditions, but such a phase could be detected to exist only under pressure. In this Letter, we show that like Bi$_2$Se$_3$, Sb$_2$Se$_3$, displays generation of highly spin-polarized current under mesoscopic superconducting point contacts as measured by point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy. In addition, we observe a large negative and anisotropic magnetoresistance in Sb$_2$Se$_3$, when the field is rotated in the basal plane. However, unlike in Bi$_2$Se$_3$, in case of Sb$_2$Se$_3$ a prominent quasiparticle interference (QPI) pattern around the defects could be obtained in STM conductance imaging. Thus, our experiments indicate that Sb$_2$Se$_3$ is a regular band insulator under ambient conditions, but due to it's high spin-orbit coupling, non-trivial spin-texture exists on the surface and the system could be on the verge of a topological insulator phase.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, supplemental material not include

Study on Friction Sensitivity of Passive and Active Binder based Composite Solid Propellants and Correlation with Burning Rate

   Friction sensitivity of composite propellants and their ingredients is of significant interest to mitigate the risk associated with the accidental initiation while processing, handling, and transportation. In this work, attempts were made to examine the friction sensitivity of passive binder: Hydroxy Terminated Polybutadiene/Aluminium/Ammonium Perchlorate and active binder: (Polymer + Nitrate Esters)/Ammonium Perchlorate/Aluminium/Nitramine based composite propellants by using BAM Friction Apparatus. As per the recommendation of NATO standard STANAG–4487, the friction sensitivity was assessed by two methods: Limiting Frictional load and Frictional load for 50% probability of initiation (F50). The test results showed that the active binder based formulations were more vulnerable to frictional load as compared to the formulations with passive binders. Examination of a comprehensive set of propellant compositions revealed that the particle size distribution of Ammonium Perchlorate and burn rate catalysts were the most influential factors in dictating the friction sensitivity for HTPB/Al/AP composite propellants. For active binder/AP/Al/Nitramine composite propellants, the formulation with RDX was found more friction sensitive with a sensitivity value of 44 N as compared to its HMX analog (61 N). The correlation studies of friction sensitivity, burning rate, and thermal decomposition characteristics of HTPB/Al/AP composite propellants is described

Electricity from Rice Husk: A Potential Way to Electrify Rural Bangladesh

Abstract- The sustainable economic development of a country stands on the sufficiency of electrical energy. So, to compete with the rest of the world, Bangladesh should have sufficient electricity facilities to carry on its economic development. To make a country a developed one, the facilities of electricity should be reached from door to door. As Bangladesh is an agricultural country, several kinds of agricultural wastes are available here. So, this huge amount of agricultural waste can be a source of electricity generation in Bangladesh. Rice husk is one of the potential agro wastes which can be used as raw material to generate electricity, only if it can be processed properly and systematically. The purpose of this paper is to make available an idea of electricity generation from rice husk in the rural areas of Bangladesh. The rice husk based small & medium power plants are very much useful to generate & supply electricity in the rural areas. In this paper the availability of rice husk in Bangladesh, the different feasibility studies and the main process which can be used to generate electricity from rice husk are discussed. The main purpose of this paper is to assist the journey of Bangladesh towards development. This paper will help both the Govt. & private sector to establish rice husk based power plant in rural areas of Bangladesh. Finally it is hoped that this paper will be a suitable guideline to mitigate the huge demand of electricity in the rural areas of Bangladesh

Statistical Evaluation of Burning Rate Data of Composite Propellants Obtained from Acoustic Emission Technique

The acoustic emission technique has been considered to be one of the most reliable and robust methods for the measurement of the steady burning rate of composite propellants. In this work, attempts were made to quantify the measurement variability of the burning rate of composite solid propellants by acoustic emission method using statistical tools. A total of 1100 individual measurements were subjected to statistical treatment. The combination of confidence interval and repeatability limit delineated the extent of natural dispersion in the burning rate measurement data. The very high coefficient of variation values for the propellant compositions, having a burning rate of more than 25 mm s–1 raised concerns about the suitability of the acoustic emission method for high burning rate compositions. The Reliability interval approach was employed to determine the statistically significant sample size for different composite propellants having a burning rate range of 5–31 mm s–1. The entire set of data was screened for identification of outlying observation using the Dixon Q test, and the extent of contamination was quantified. Moreover, the application of statistical techniques could have far-reaching implications for quality control perspectives of burning rate measurement by acoustic emission and could be implemented as reference tolerance limits and preventive measures for ensuring the good health of the instrument as well as propellant processing