Interplay between structure and magnetism in Mo12S9I9Mo_{12} S_9 I_9 nanowires

We investigate the equilibrium geometry and electronic structure of Mo$_{12}$S$_{9}$I$_{9}$ nanowires using ab initio Density Functional calculations. The skeleton of these unusually stable nanowires consists of rigid, functionalized Mo octahedra, connected by flexible, bi-stable sulphur bridges. This structural flexibility translates into a capability to stretch up to approximate 20% at almost no energy cost. The nanowires change from conductors to narrow-gap magnetic semiconductors in one of their structural isomers.Comment: 4 pages with PRL standards and 3 figure

Conceptual Design of a Fast-Ignition Laser Fusion Reactor FALCON-D

A new conceptual design of the laser fusion power plant FALCON-D (Fast ignition Advanced Laser fusion reactor CONcept with a Dry wall chamber) has been proposed. The fast ignition method can achieve the sufficient fusion gain for a commercial operation (~100) with about 10 times smaller fusion yield than the conventional central ignition method. FALCON-D makes full use of this property and aims at designing with a compact dry wall chamber (5~6m radius). 1-D/2-D hydrodynamic simulations showed the possibility of the sufficient gain achievement with a 40 MJ target yield. The design feasibility of the compact dry wall chamber and solid breeder blanket system was shown through the thermomecanical analysis of the dry wall and neutronics analysis of the blanket system. A moderate electric output (~400MWe) can be achieved with a high repetition (30Hz) laser. This dry wall concept not only reduces some difficulties accompanied with a liquid wall but also enables a simple cask maintenance method for the replacement of the blanket system, which can shorten the maintenance time. The basic idea of the maintenance method for the final optics system has also been proposed. Some critical R&D issues required for this design are also discussed

The Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value of Wet Tolerant Tropical Forage Legumes in Single Cropping or Mixed Cropping with Gramineous Forage Crops in Drained Paddy Field

In Japan the production of rice has been controlled since the 1970\u27s and some parts of the paddy fields have been laid off for forage production. However, in poorly-drained fields or fields with high ground water table, forage species with high tolerance of wet conditions are required. The tropical forage legumes Aeschynomene americana cv. Glenn (Glenn) and Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb. cv. Murray (phasey bean) have a high wet endurance (Bishop et al., 1985; Tobisa et al., 1999) and show high dry matter productivity (Skerman et al., 1988; Tobisa et al., 1999). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Glenn and phasey bean in single cropping or mixed cropping with gramineous forage crops in drained paddy fields