Nonexistence of looping trajectories in hydromagnetic waves of finite amplitude. Breaking of waves in a cold collision-free plasma in a magnetic field. On stabilities of periodic waves in a cold collision-free plasma in a magnetic field.

This dissertation consists of three parts. In Part I, it is shown that looping trajectories cannot exist in finite amplitude stationary hydromagnetic waves propagating across a magnetic field in a quasi-neutral cold collision-free plasma. In Part II, time-dependent solutions in series expansion are presented for the magnetic piston problem, which describes waves propagating into a quasi-neutral cold collision-free plasma, ensuing from magnetic disturbances on the boundary of the plasma. The expansion is equivalent to Picard's successive approximations. It is then shown that orbit crossings of plasma particles occur on the boundary for strong disturbances and inside the plasma for weak disturbances. In Part III, the existence of periodic waves propagating at an arbitrary angle to the magnetic field in a plasma is demonstrated by Stokes expansions in amplitude. Then stability analysis is made for such periodic waves with respect to side-band frequency disturbances. It is shown that waves of slow mode are unstable whereas waves of fast mode are stable if the frequency is below the cutoff frequency. The cutoff frequency depends on the propagation angle. For longitudinal propagation the cutoff frequency is equal to one-fourth of the electron's gyrofrequency. For transverse propagation the cutoff frequency is so high that waves of all frequencies are stable.

Magnetic alignment of high-aspect ratio microwires into vertical arrays

Fundamental studies of magnetic alignment of highly anisotropic mesostructures can enable the clean-room-free fabrication of flexible, array-based solar and electronic devices, in which preferential orientation of nano- or microwire-type objects is desired. In this study, ensembles of 100 micron long Si microwires with ferromagnetic Ni and Co coatings are oriented vertically in the presence of magnetic fields. The degree of vertical alignment and threshold field strength depend on geometric factors, such as microwire length and ferromagnetic coating thickness, as well as interfacial interactions, which are modulated by varying solvent and substrate surface chemistry. Microwire ensembles with vertical alignment over 97% within 10 degrees of normal, as measured by X-ray diffraction, are achieved over square cm scale areas and set into flexible polymer films. A force balance model has been developed as a predictive tool for magnetic alignment, incorporating magnetic torque and empirically derived surface adhesion parameters. As supported by these calculations, microwires are shown to detach from the surface and align vertically in the presence of magnetic fields on the order of 100 gauss. Microwires aligned in this manner are set into a polydimethylsiloxane film where they retain their vertical alignment after the field has been removed and can subsequently be used as a flexible solar absorber layer. Finally, these microwires arrays can be protected for use in electrochemical cells by the conformal deposition of a graphene layer.

Magnetospheric access of solar particles and the configuration of the distant geomagnetic field

The access of 1.2-40 MeV protons and 0.4-1.0 MeV electrons from interplanetary space to the polar cap regions has been investigated with an experiment on board a low altitude, polar orbiting satellite (OG0-4).

A total of 333 quiet time observations of the electron polar cap boundary give a mapping of the boundary between open and closed geomagnetic field lines which is an order of magnitude more comprehensive than previously available.

Persistent features (north/south asymmetries) in the polar cap proton flux, which are established as normal during solar proton events, are shown to be associated with different flux levels on open geomagnetic field lines than on closed field lines. The pole in which these persistent features are observed is strongly correlated to the sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field and uncorrelated to the north/south component of this field. The features were observed in the north (south) pole during a negative (positive) sector 91% of the time, while the solar field had a southward component only 54% of the time. In addition, changes in the north/south component have no observable effect on the persistent features.

Observations of events associated with co-rotating regions of enhanced proton flux in interplanetary space are used to establish the characteristics of the 1.2 - 40 MeV proton access windows: the access window for low polar latitudes is near the earth, that for one high polar latitude region is ~250 R_⊕ behind the earth, while that for the other high polar latitude region is ~1750 R_⊕ behind the earth. All of the access windows are of approximately the same extent (~120 R_⊕). The following phenomena contribute to persistent polar cap features: limited interplanetary regions of enhanced flux propagating past the earth, radial gradients in the interplanetary flux, and anisotropies in the interplanetary flux.

These results are compared to the particle access predictions of the distant geomagnetic tail configurations proposed by Michel and Dessler, Dungey, and Frank. The data are consistent with neither the model of Michel and Dessler nor that of Dungey. The model of Frank can yield a consistent access window configuration provided the following constraints are satisfied: the merging rate for open field lines at one polar neutral point must be ~5 times that at the other polar neutral point, related to the solar magnetic field configuration in a consistent fashion, the migration time for open field lines to move across the polar cap region must be the same in both poles, and the open field line merging rate at one of the polar neutral points must be at least as large as that required for almost all the open field lines to have merged in 0 (one hour). The possibility of satisfying these constraints is investigated in some detail.

The role played by interplanetary anisotropies in the observation of persistent polar cap features is discussed. Special emphasis is given to the problem of non-adiabatic particle entry through regions where the magnetic field is changing direction. The degree to which such particle entry can be assumed to be nearly adiabatic is related to the particle rigidity, the angle through which the field turns, and the rate at which the field changes direction; this relationship is established for the case of polar cap observations.

Magnetic behavior of basic iron(III) compounds. I. Magnetic behavior of the basic iron sulphates and basic iron chromate. II. Magnetic behavior of delta ferric oxide hydroxide

I. The thermomagnetic behavior and infrared spectroscopic features of KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆ (jarosite), (H₃O)Fe₃(SO₄)₂ (OH)₆ (hydronium jarosite), KFe₃(CrO₄)₂ (OH)₆, Fe(OH)SO₄ (basic iron sulfate), and Fe(OH)CrO₄ (basic iron chromate) are reported. Fe(OH)CrO₄ and KFe₃(CrO₄)₂ (OH)₆ are shown to be weak ferro magnets with Curie temperatures of 73 and 71 °K, respectively. This unusual magnetic behavior is rationalized in terms of the ionic spin configurations of the phases. Exchange coupling through chromate bridging groups is shown to be weak.

II. The magnetic behavior and the influence of preparative history on the magnetic behavior of δFeO(OH) is reported. δFeO(OH) is shown to be a fine-particulate, uniaxial, magnetic species. Magnetization data for this species are shown to be consistent with the existence of magnetically inactive layers surrounding magnetic particles.

Magnetic Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (mCLEAs) of Candida antarctica Lipase: An Efficient and Stable Biocatalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis

Enzyme-catalyzed production of biodiesel is the object of extensive research due to the global shortage of fossil fuels and increased environmental concerns. Herein we report the preparation and main characteristics of a novel biocatalyst consisting of Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEAs) of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) which are covalently bound to magnetic nanoparticles, and tackle its use for the synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible vegetable and waste frying oils. For this purpose, insolubilized CALB was covalently cross-linked to magnetic nanoparticles of magnetite which the surface was functionalized with –NH2 groups. The resulting biocatalyst combines the relevant catalytic properties of CLEAs (as great stability and feasibility for their reutilization) and the magnetic character, and thus the final product (mCLEAs) are superparamagnetic particles of a robust catalyst which is more stable than the free enzyme, easily recoverable from the reaction medium and reusable for new catalytic cycles. We have studied the main properties of this biocatalyst and we have assessed its utility to catalyze transesterification reactions to obtain biodiesel from non-edible vegetable oils including unrefined soybean, jatropha and cameline, as well as waste frying oil. Using 1% mCLEAs (w/w of oil) conversions near 80% were routinely obtained at 30°C after 24 h of reaction, this value rising to 92% after 72 h. Moreover, the magnetic biocatalyst can be easily recovered from the reaction mixture and reused for at least ten consecutive cycles of 24 h without apparent loss of activity. The obtained results suggest that mCLEAs prepared from CALB can become a powerful biocatalyst for application at industrial scale with better performance than those currently available.

Nonlinear magnetic vortex dynamics in a circular nanodot excited by spin-polarized current

We investigate analytically and numerically nonlinear vortex spin torque oscillator dynamics in a circular magnetic nanodot induced by a spin-polarized current perpendicular to the dot plane. We use a generalized nonlinear Thiele equation including spin-torque term by Slonczewski for describing the nanosize vortex core transient and steady orbit motions and analyze nonlinear contributions to all forces in this equation. Blue shift of the nano-oscillator frequency increasing the current is explained by a combination of the exchange, magnetostatic, and Zeeman energy contributions to the frequency nonlinear coefficient. Applicability and limitations of the standard nonlinear nano-oscillator model are discussed.

Occupational exposure to nano-TiO2 in the life cycle steps of new depollutant mortars used in construction

The present work is focused on the measurement of workers exposure to nano-TiO2 in the life cycle steps of depollutant mortars. It has been done in the framework of the SCAFFOLD project, which aims at the management of potential risks arising from the use of manufactured nanomaterials in construction. Main findings can be summarized as follows: (1) The occupational exposure to nano-TiO2 is below 0.3 mg/m(3) for all measured scenarios. The highest concentrations were measured during the cleaning task (in the nano-TiO2 manufacturing process) and during the application (spraying) of depollutant coatings on a wall. (2) It was found a high release of particles above the background in several tasks as expected due to the nature of the activities performed. The maximum concentration was measured during drilling and during adding powder materials (mean total particle concentration up to 5.591E+04 particles/cm(3) and 5.69E+04 particles/cm(3)). However, considering data on total particle concentration released, no striking differences have been observed when tasks have been performed using conventional materials in the sector (control) and when using materials doped with nano-objects.

Large single grain (RE)-Ba-Cu-O superconductors with nano-phase inclusions

Nano-phase (5-20 nm) particles of YBa2(Cu0.5M 0.6)O6 [where M = Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Zr and Hf] have been introduced successfully into RE-Ba-Cu-O single grain superconductors. A study to enlarge the size of a single grain containing these particles has been carried out involving measurement of the growth rate as a function of YBa 2(Cu0.5M0.6)O6 phase concentration and degree of un-dercooling. The influence of the change in YBa2 (Cu0.8M0.5)O6 concentration on microstructural features is also investigated and the superconducting properties of these large grain superconductors are presented. © 2005 IEEE.

Seeded infiltration and growth of bulk YBCO nano-composites

The seeded infiltration and growth (SIG) technique offers near-net shape processing of bulk superconductors with significant improvement in reduced Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) inclusion size, reduced shrinkage, reduced porosity and improved current density compared to samples fabricated by top seeded melt growth (TSMG). Y2Ba4CuMOy phases where M=Nb, Mo, W, Ta, etc., have been shown to form nano-scale inclusions in the YBa2Cu3Oy (Y-123) phase matrix and to contribute to enhanced magnetic flux pinning in these materials. In this paper, we describe the introduction of Y2Ba 4CuWOy nano-scale inclusions into bulk superconductors processed by the seeded infiltration growth process. Critical current density, Jc, in excess of 105 A/cm2 at 77 K in self-field is observed for samples containing Y2Ba 4CuWOy. © 2011 IEEE.

Fiber laser processing of amorphous rare earth NeFeB magnetic materials

Since the exchange coupling theory was proposed by Kneller and Hawig in 1991 there has been a significant effort within the magnetic materials community to enhance the performance of rare earth magnets by utilising nano-composite meta-materials. Inclusions of magnetically soft iron smaller than approximately 10 nm in diameter are exchange coupled to a surrounding magnetically hard Nd2Fe14B matrix and provide an enhanced saturisation magnetisation without reducing coercivity. For such a fine nanostructure to be produced, close control over the thermal history of the material is needed. A processing route which provides this is laser annealing from an amorphous alloy precursor. In the current work, relationships between laser parameters, thermal histories of laser processed amorphous stoichiometric NdFeB ribbons and the magnetic properties of the resulting nanocrystalline products have been determined with a view to applying the process to thick film nanocomposite magnet production.

Magnetocaloric effect in nano- and polycrystalline manganite $La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3}MnO_3$

$La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3}MnO_3$ samples were prepared in nano- and polycrystalline forms by sol-gel and solid state reaction methods, respectively, and structurally characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties determined by ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements are discussed. The magnetocaloric effect in this nanocrystalline manganite is spread over a broader temperature interval than in the polycrystalline case. The relative cooling power of the poly- and nanocrystalline manganites is used to evaluate a possible application for magnetic cooling below room temperature.

Magnetocaloric effect in nano- and polycrystalline manganite La 0.7Ca0.3MnO3

La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 samples were prepared in nano- and polycrystalline forms by the sol-gel and solid state reaction methods, respectively, and structurally characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties determined by ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements are discussed. The magnetocaloric effect in this nanocrystalline manganite is spread over a broader temperature interval than in the polycrystalline case. The relative cooling power of the poly- and nanocrystalline manganites is used to evaluate a possible application for magnetic cooling below room temperature. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.

Effect of size, composition, and morphology on magnetic performance: First-order reversal curves evaluation of iron oxide nanoparticles

© 2014 AIP Publishing LLC. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are employed in a broad range of applications that demand detailed magnetic characterization for superior performance, e.g., in drug delivery or cancer treatment. Magnetic hysteresis measurements provide information on saturation magnetization and coercive force for bulk material but can be equivocal for particles having a broad size distribution. Here, first-order reversal curves (FORCs) are used to evaluate the effective magnetic particle size and interaction between equally sized magnetic iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles with three different morphologies: (i) pure Fe2O3, (ii) Janus-like, and (iii) core/shell Fe2O3/SiO2synthesized using flame technology. By characterizing the distribution in coercive force and interaction field from the FORC diagrams, we find that the presence of SiO2in the core/shell structures significantly reduces the average coercive force in comparison to the Janus-like Fe2O3/SiO2and pure Fe2O3particles. This is attributed to the reduction in the dipolar interaction between particles, which in turn reduces the effective magnetic particle size. Hence, FORC analysis allows for a finer distinction between equally sized Fe2O3particles with similar magnetic hysteresis curves that can significantly influence the final nanoparticle performance.

First-Principles Study of Magnetic Properties of 3d Transition Metals Doped in ZnO Nanowires

The defect formation energies of transition metals (Cr, Fe, and Ni) doped in the pseudo-H passivated ZnO nanowires and bulk are systematically investigated using first-principles methods. The general chemical trends of the nanowires are similar to those of the bulk. We also show that the formation energy increases as the diameter of the nanowire decreases, indicating that the doping of magnetic ions in the ZnO nanowire becomes more difficult with decreasing diameter. We also systematically calculate the ferromagnetic properties of transition metals doped in the ZnO nanowire and bulk, and find that Cr ions of the nanowire favor ferromagnetic state, which is consistent with the experimental results. We also find that the ferromagnetic coupling state of Cr is more stable in the nanowire than in the bulk, which may lead to a higher T (c) useful for the nano-materials design of spintronics.