Improved recovery time and sensitivity to H2 and NH3 at room temperature with SnOx vertical nanopillars on ITO

Nanostructured SnO2 is a promising material for the scalable production of portable gas sensors. To fully exploit their potential, these gas sensors need a faster recovery rate and higher sensitivity at room temperature than the current state of the art. Here we demonstrate a chemiresistive gas sensor based on vertical SnOx nanopillars, capable of sensing < 5 ppm of H2 at room temperature and 10 ppt at 230 \ub0C. We test the sample both in vacuum and in air and observe an exceptional improvement in the performance compared to commercially available gas sensors. In particular, the recovery time for sensing NH3 at room temperature is more than one order of magnitude faster than a commercial SnO2 sensor. The sensor shows an unique combination of high sensitivity and fast recovery time, matching the requirements on materials expected to foster widespread use of portable and affordable gas sensors

Impact of network structure and cellular response on spike time correlations

Novel experimental techniques reveal the simultaneous activity of larger and larger numbers of neurons. As a result there is increasing interest in the structure of cooperative -- or correlated -- activity in neural populations, and in the possible impact of such correlations on the neural code. A fundamental theoretical challenge is to understand how the architecture of network connectivity along with the dynamical properties of single cells shape the magnitude and timescale of correlations. We provide a general approach to this problem by extending prior techniques based on linear response theory. We consider networks of general integrate-and-fire cells with arbitrary architecture, and provide explicit expressions for the approximate cross-correlation between constituent cells. These correlations depend strongly on the operating point (input mean and variance) of the neurons, even when connectivity is fixed. Moreover, the approximations admit an expansion in powers of the matrices that describe the network architecture. This expansion can be readily interpreted in terms of paths between different cells. We apply our results to large excitatory-inhibitory networks, and demonstrate first how precise balance --- or lack thereof --- between the strengths and timescales of excitatory and inhibitory synapses is reflected in the overall correlation structure of the network. We then derive explicit expressions for the average correlation structure in randomly connected networks. These expressions help to identify the important factors that shape coordinated neural activity in such networks

Tuning the magnetism of the Heusler alloys Mn_3-xCo_xGa from soft and half-metallic to hard-magnetic for spin-transfer torque applications

The magnetic properties of Mn3-xCoxGa Heusler alloys exhibit a very interesting feature. While the Mn-rich alloys (x = 0.1-0.4) are similar to Mn3Ga as they crystallize in a tetragonally distorted variation of the Heusler structure and exhibit comparable hard-ferrimagnetic properties highly useful for spin-transfer torque applications, the Co-rich samples (x = 0.6-1) exhibit cubic Heusler structures, have soft-magnetic hysteresis loops, and follow the generalized Slater-Pauling curve indicating half-metallic ferrimagnetism. The Curie temperatures of all alloys are above 700 K allowing for high operating temperatures. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3665260

Investigation of Different Forest Type’s Structure with Applying Nearest Neighbor Indices (Case Study: Gorazon District, Kheyrud Forest)

To implement correct management of forest ecosystems, enough information in relation to the structures of tree species is necessary. In this study, the structures of trees species in Fagus, Fagus-Carpinus, Carpinus-Fagus and Carpinus-Quercus types were investigated and compared in Hyrcanian forest. The data used in this study was collected from 239 plots with an area of 1000 m2 in Gorazbon district of Kheyrud forest, and Crancod (ver. 1.3) software was employed to calculate the uniform angle (Wi), Mingling (DMi), DBH dominance (TDi) and Height dominance (THi) indices. The result of uniform angle index showed a random positioning for the trees in the studied types. Also, the result of mingling index showed a low mixture for four studied types. The result of this index indicated an intra-specific competition for Fagus orientalis and Carpinus betulus and an inter-specific competition for other species. The average value of DBH and Height dominance indices showed a relative similarity among the studied types. The result of these indices showed that some species such as Acer velutinum,، Tilia begonifolia and Alnus subcordata are dominant and species including Ulmus glabra and Diospyros lotus are dominated. The comparing of similar species structure showed a non significant difference for positioning, DBH and height dominance features in different types. Also, this comparison showed a significant difference in mingling feature of Carpinus betulus, Fagus orientalis, Acer velutinum, Tilia begonifolia, and also deadwoods in the studied types. The utilized indices in this study had a high ability in the description of forest types' structures and also the ecological features of trees species

Quaternary half-metallic Heusler ferromagnets for spintronics applications

This work reports on three quaternary Heusler compounds NiFeMnGa, NiCoMnGa, and CuCoMnGa. In contrast to their ternary relatives, quaternary Heusler compounds are still rarely investigated. A very large pool of interesting materials lies thus idle waiting for exploration. The difficulty consists in choosing prospective compositions, and trial and error is elaborate and expensive. We have identified several candidates employing ab initioelectronic-structure calculations. The compounds were synthesized, and the structural and magnetic properties were investigated experimentally. CuCoMnGa is a quaternary Heusler compound; NiFeMnGa and NiCoMnGa are unreported half-metallic ferromagnetic materials with potential for spintronics applications