New pterosaur tracks (Pteraichnidae) from the Late Cretaceous Uhangri Formation, southwestern Korea

This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.Numerous footprints of dinosaurs, pterosaurs and birds, together with arthropod tracks, have been discovered in the upper Cretaceous Uhangri Formation which crops out along the south-western coastline of South Korea. This ichnofauna contains the first pterosaur tracks reported from Asia. The digitigrade tridactyl manus impressions exhibit features of a typical pterosaur hand print. The pes impressions, however, show features that are different from pterosaur footprints reported previously: there is no visible trace of impressions of individual digits, and the toes are triangular or rounded in shape distally without distinct claw impressions. As these features clearly distinguish the Uhangri tracks from Pteraichnus and Purbeckopus, we assign them to a new genus, Haenamichnus which accommodates the new ichnospecies, Haenamichnus uhangriensis. The prints are five to six times larger than those of Pteraichnus, and are currently the largest pterosaur ichnites known. They show virtually no trace of the 5th phalange of the pes, indicating that they were made by pterodactyloids; moreover, features of the tracks suggest that they can be attributed to azhdarchids, the commonest pterosaur of the Late Cretaceous. The longest pterosaur trackway yet known from any track site (length 7.3 m) and consisting of 14 pairs of foot impressions, was also found in the Uhangri Formation and suggests that azhdarchids, at least, were competent terrestrial locomotors. The fossil track site at Uhangri represents the first occurrence of the tracks of pterosaurs, dinosaurs and web-footed birds all on the same level. This demonstrates that pterosaurs and birds visited the same habitat, but the large size disparity suggests that they occupied different ecological niches.Peer Reviewe

Synthesis of uniform-sized bimetallic iron-nickel phosphide nanorods

We synthesized uniform-sized nanorods of iron-nickel phosphides from the thermal decomposition of metal-phosphine complexes. Uniform-sized (FexNi1-x)2P nanorods (0???x???1) of various compositions were synthesized by thermal decomposition of Ni-trioctylphosphine (TOP) complex and Fe-TOP complex. By measuring magnetic properties, we found that blocking temperature and coercive field depend on Ni content in the nanorods. Both parameters were more sensitive to doping compared with bulk samples.close12

Novel Synthesis of Magnetic Fe2P Nanorods from Thermal Decomposition of Continuously Delivered Precursors using a Syringe Pump

The rod of iron rules! Magnetic iron phosphide (Fe2P) nanorods (see picture) were synthesized through the thermal decomposition of a mixture of [Fe(CO)5] and trioctylphosphane that was continuously supplied by using a syringe pump. The size of the nanorods can be successfully controlled by subtle changes in the experimental conditions.N

Novel synthesis of magnetic Fe2P nanorods from thermal decomposition of continuously delivered precursors using a syringe pump

The rod of iron rules! Magnetic iron phosphide (Fe2P) nanorods (see picture) were synthesized through the thermal decomposition of a mixture of [Fe(CO)5] and trioctylphosphane that was continuously supplied by using a syringe pump. The size of the nanorods can be successfully controlled by subtle changes in the experimental conditions.