A Fundamentally Irreversible World as an Opportunity towards a Consistent Understanding of Quantum and Cosmological Contexts

In a preceding publication a fundamentally oriented and irreversible world was shown to be de- rivable from the important principle of least action. A consequence of such a paradigm change is avoidance of paradoxes within a “dynamic” quantum physics. This becomes essentially possible because fundamental irreversibility allows consideration of the “entropy” concept in elementary processes. For this reason, and for a compensation of entropy in the spread out energy of the wave, the duality of particle and wave has to be mediated via an information self-image of matter. In this publication considerations are extended to irreversible thermodynamics, to gravitation and cos- mology with its dependence on quantum interpretations. The information self-image of matter around particles could be identified with gravitation. Because information can also impose an al- ways constant light velocity there is no need any more to attribute such a property to empty space, as done in relativity theory. In addition, the possibility is recognized to consider entropy genera- tion by expanding photon fields in the universe. Via a continuous activation of information on matter photons can generate entropy and release small energy packages without interacting with matter. This facilitates a new interpretation of galactic redshift, emphasizes an information link between quantum- and cosmological phenomena, and evidences an information-triggered origin of the universe. Self-organized processes approach maximum entropy production within their constraints. In a far from equilibrium world also information, with its energy content, can self- organize to a higher hierarchy of computation. It is here identified with consciousness. This ap- pears to explain evolution of spirit and intelligence on a materialistic basis. Also gravitation, here identified as information on matter, could, under special conditions, self-organize to act as a su- per-gravitation, offering an alternative to dark matter. Time is not an illusion, but has to be understood as flux of action, which is the ultimate reality of change. The concept of an irreversible physical world opens a route towards a rational understanding of complex contexts in nature

On the fundamental meaning of the principle of least action and consequences for a "dynamic" quantum physics

The principle of least action, which has so successfully been applied to diverse fields of physics looks back at three centuries of philosophical and mathematical discussions and controversies. They could not explain why nature is applying the principle and why scalar energy quantities succeed in describing dynamic motion. When the least action integral is subdivided into infinitesimal small sections each one has to maintain the ability to minimise. This however has the mathematical consequence that the Lagrange function at a given point of the trajectory, the dynamic, available energy generating motion, must itself have a fundamental property to minimize. Since a scalar quantity, a pure number, cannot do that, energy must fundamentally be dynamic and time oriented for a consistent understanding. It must have vectorial properties in aiming at a decrease of free energy per state (which would also allow derivation of the second law of thermodynamics). Present physics is ignoring that and applying variation calculus as a formal mathematical tool to impose a minimisation of scalar assumed energy quantities for obtaining dynamic motion. When, however, the dynamic property of energy is taken seriously it is fundamental and has also to be applied to quantum processes. A consequence is that particle and wave are not equivalent, but the wave (distributed energy) follows from the first (concentrated energy). Information, provided from the beginning, an information self-image of matter, is additionally needed to recreate the particle from the wave, shaping a “dynamic” particle-wave duality. It is shown that this new concept of a “dynamic” quantum state rationally explains quantization, the double slit experiment and quantum correlation, which has not been possible before. Some more general considerations on the link between quantum processes, gravitation and cosmological phenomena are also advanced

Experimental and theoretical modeling of Fe , Co , Cu , Mn based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction

Abstract Experience gained during efforts towards optimization of noble metal free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction is simultaneously used to understand the chemical and morphological necessities for inducing efficient multielectron transfer catalysis. The analysis of many preparative experimental steps between the moderately performing metal porphyrines and the highly efficient transition metal and sulfur containing pyrolised catalyst material contributes to the following model of the catalyst 1. The metals function enclosed in nitrogen or graphitic environment where they are shielded against oxidation. 2. The metals can be exchanged but are not identical in their efficiency. 3. Higher efficiency is only achieved, when the function of a binary reaction center is warranted. 4. The carbonization of the environment is critical and provides intercalated metal centers and attached metal complexes in graphite environment for interaction with the nitrogen chelated partner center in the simultaneously obtained graphene layers. Experimental support for these models from EXAFS, RAMAN, Mössbauer and X ray spectroscopy is given and a parallel is drawn with the cytochrome oxidase oxygen reduction catalysis, which is proposed to proceed according to roughly the same mechanism. A special effort is made to discuss strategies for shielding and protecting catalytically active abundant transition metals against chemical reaction with oxygen or hydrogen peroxide

Behavioral Response of Invertebrates to Experimental Simulation of Pre-Seismic Chemical Changes

Unusual behavior before earthquakes has been reported for millennia but no plausible mechanism has been identified. One possible way in which animals could be affected by pre-earthquake processes is via stress activated positive holes leading to the formation of hydrogen peroxide at the rock water interface. Aquatic and fossorial animals could be irritated by H2O2 and move down the concentration gradient. Here, we carry out avoidance tests with hydrogen peroxide in two model organisms; Daphnia pulex and earthworms. Daphnia were found to move away from increasing concentrations of H2O2 but earthworms appeared unaffected. It is possible that earthworm swarming behavior, reported frequently before earthquakes, is caused by electric field shifts or another unknown mechanism, whereas zooplankton may be affected by increasing levels of H2O2

Pyrite Photoanode/Redox Electrolyte Interface: Characterization of the Interaction of the Reducing Species with Pyrite Through Temperature Dependence Measurements

At the semiconductor pyrite photoanode/electrolyte interface, the interaction of the reducing species containing-electrolyte was investigated by temperature dependence measurements. An increase of negative entropy turnover could be related to negatively charged species interacting with the positively charged pyrite surface. Further studies, using the impedance technique in darkness and under illumination, showed that kinetic and diffusion- -like processes control this interface. In the determination of the activation energy both dc and ac techniques lead to compatible results

Bioinspired solar cell design Organic thiols as rectifying electron transfer bridges in WS2 TiO2 nano solar cells

Nano solar cell materials cannot sustain imprinted thermodynamic potentials yielding electrical fields for a charge separation. They have, therefore, to rely on kinetic mechanisms for current rectification and energy conversion. It is shown that treatment of WS2 nano sheet sensitized TiO2 material with organic thiols increases the photocurrent efficiency at least three fold. They bind to the WS2 via the thiol sulfur to produce a charged surface state, which converts into an efficient electron transfer bridge in presence of suitable electron donors. These thiol bridges essentially operate in anodic direction. Thus they increase both the photo induced chemical affinity, which is proportional to the photovoltage generated, and the interfacial reaction rate which is proportional to the photocurrent. The results underline the importance of studying unidirectional electron transfer processes for innovative solar cell application

Nano-Material Aspects of Shock Absorption in Bone Joints

This theoretical study is based on a nano-technological evaluation of the effect of pressure on the composite bone fine structure. It turned out, that the well known macroscopic mechano-elastic performance of bones in combination with muscles and tendons is just one functional aspect which is critically supported by additional micro- and nano- shock damping technology aimed at minimising local bone material damage within the joints and supporting spongy bone material. The identified mechanisms comprise essentially three phenomena localised within the three–dimensional spongy structure with channels and so called perforated flexible tensulae membranes of different dimensions intersecting and linking them. Kinetic energy of a mechanical shock may be dissipated within the solid-liquid composite bone structure into heat via the generation of quasi-chaotic hydromechanic micro-turbulence. It may generate electro-kinetic energy in terms of electric currents and potentials. And the resulting specific structural and surface electrochemical changes may induce the compressible intra-osseal liquid to build up pressure dependent free chemical energy. Innovative bone joint prostheses will have to consider and to be adapted to the nano-material aspects of shock absorption in the operated bones

Photoelectrochemical properties of chemically exfoliated MoS2

10.1039/c3ta11633fJournal of Materials Chemistry A1318935-8941JMCA