A phase field study of morphological instabilities in multilayer thin films

We studied the microstructural evolution of multiple layers of elastically stiff films embedded in an elastically soft matrix using a phase field model. The coherent and planar film/matrix interfaces are rendered unstable by the elastic stresses due to a lattice parameter mismatch between the film and matrix phases, resulting in the break-up of the films into particles. With an increasing volume fraction of the stiff phase, the elastic interactions between neighbouring layers lead to: (i) interlayer correlations from an early stage; (ii) a longer wavelength for the maximally growing wave; and therefore (iii) a delayed break-LIP. Further, they promote a crossover in the mode of instability from a predominantly anti-symmetric (in phase) one to a symmetric (out of phase) one. We have computed a stability diagram for the most probable mode of break-up in terms of elastic modulus Mismatch and Volume fraction. We rationalize our results in terms of the initial driving force for destabilization, and corroborate our conclusions using simulations in elastically anisotropic systems.

Quasi-static and dynamic strain sensing using carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposite thin films

Thin films are developed by dispersing carbon black nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an epoxy polymer. The films show a large variation in electrical resistance when subjected to quasi-static and dynamic mechanical loading. This phenomenon is attributed to the change in the band-gap of the CNTs due to the applied strain, and also to the change in the volume fraction of the constituent phases in the percolation network. Under quasi-static loading, the films show a nonlinear response. This nonlinearity in the response of the films is primarily attributed to the pre-yield softening of the epoxy polymer. The electrical resistance of the films is found to be strongly dependent on the magnitude and frequency of the applied dynamic strain, induced by a piezoelectric substrate. Interestingly, the resistance variation is found to be a linear function of frequency and dynamic strain. Samples with a small concentration of just 0.57% of CNT show a sensitivity as high as 2.5% MPa-1 for static mechanical loading. A mathematical model based on Bruggeman's effective medium theory is developed to better understand the experimental results. Dynamic mechanical loading experiments reveal a sensitivity as high as 0.007% Hz(-1) at a constant small-amplitude vibration and up to 0.13%/mu-strain at 0-500 Hz vibration. Potential applications of such thin films include highly sensitive strain sensors, accelerometers, artificial neural networks, artificial skin and polymer electronics.

Instabilities and Waves in Thin Films of Living Fluids

We formulate the thin-film hydrodynamics of a suspension of polar self-driven particles and show that it is prone to several instabilities through the interplay of activity, polarity, and the existence of a free surface. Our approach extends, to self-propelling systems, the work of Ben Amar and Cummings [Phys. Fluids 13 1160 (2001)] on thin-film nematics. Based on our estimates the instabilities should be seen in bacterial suspensions and the lamellipodium, and are potentially relevant to the morphology of biofilms. We suggest several experimental tests of our theory.

Electrical and mechanical properties of diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn1-xMnxS nanocrystalline films

Nanostructured Zn1-xMnxS films (0 less-than-or-equals, slant x less-than-or-equals, slant 0.25) were deposited on glass substrates by simple resistive thermal evaporation technique. All the films were deposited at 300 K in a vacuum of 2*10-6 m bar. All the films temperature dependence of resistivity revealed semiconducting behaviour of the samples. Hot probe test revealed that all the samples exhibited n-type conductivity. The nanohardness of the films ranges from 4.7 to 9.9 GPa, Young's modulus value ranging 69.7-94.2 GPa.

Some studies on TiO2 films deposited by sol-gel technique

TiO2 films are extensively used in various applications including optical multi-layers, sensors, photo catalysis, environmental purification, and solar cells etc. These are prepared by both vacuum and non-vacuum methods. In this paper, we present the results on TiO2 thin films prepared by a sol-gel spin coating process in non-aqueous solvent. Titanium isopropoxide is used as TiO2 precursor. The films were annealed at different temperatures up to 3000 C for 5 hours in air. The influence of the various deposition parameters like spinning speed, spinning time and annealing temperature on the thickness of the TiO2 films has been studied. The variation of film thickness with time in ambient atmosphere was also studied. The optical, structural and morphological characteristics were investigated by optical transmittance-reflectance measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. The refractive index and extinction coefficient of the films were determined by envelope technique and spectroscopic ellipsometry. TiO2 films exhibited high transparency (92%) in the visible region with a refractive index of 2.04 at 650 nm. The extinction coefficient was found to be negligibly small. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the TiO2 film deposited on glass substrate changes from amorphous to crystalline (anatase) phase with annealing temperature above 2500 C. SEM results show that the deposited films are uniform and crack free.

Nanocrystalline Janus films of inorganic materials prepared at the liquid-liquid interface

The interface between toluene and water has been employed to prepare ultrathin Janus nanocrystalline films of metal oxides, metal chalcogenides and gold, wherein the surface on the organic-side is hydrophobic and the aqueous-side is hydrophilic. We have changed the nature of the metal precursor or capping agent in the organic layer to increase the hydrophobicity. The strategy employed for this purpose is to increase the length of the alkane chain in the precursor or use a perfluroalkane derivative as precursor or as a capping agent. The hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the Janus films have been determined by contact angle measurements. The morphology of hydrophobic and hydrophilic sides of the film have been examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy.

Remarkable Capacity Retention of Nanostructured Manganese Oxide upon Cycling as an Electrode Material for Supercapacitor

Electrochemical capacity retention of nearly X-ray amorphous nanostructured manganese oxide (nanoMnO2) synthesized by mixing directly KMnO4 with ethylene glycol under ambient conditions for supercapacitor studies is enhanced significantly. Although X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of nanoMnO2 shows poor crystallinity, it is found that by Mn K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurement that the nanoMnO2 obtained is locally arranged in a δ-MnO2-type layered structure composed of edge-shared network of MnO6 octahedra. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and XANES measurements show that nanoMnO2 contains nearly spherical shaped morphology with δ-MnO2 structure, and 1D nanorods of α-MnO2 type structure (powder XRD) in the annealed (600 °C) sample. Volumetric nitrogen adsorption−desorption isotherms, inductively coupled plasma analysis, and thermal analysis are carried out to obtain physicochemical properties such as surface area (230 m2 g−1), porosity of nanoMnO2 (secondary mesopores of diameter 14.5 nm), water content, composition, etc., which lead to the promising electrochemical properties as an electrode for supercapacitor. The nanoMnO2 shows a very high stability even after 1200 cycles with capacity retention of about 250 F g−1.

Iron oxide particles for atheroma imaging

The selection of patients for vascular interventions has been solely based on luminal stenosis and symptomatology. However, histological data from both the coronary and carotid vasculature suggest that other plaque features such as inflammation may be more important in predicting future thromboembolic events. Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agents have been used for noninvasive MRI assessment of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in humans. It has reached the stage of development to have been recently used in an interventional drug study to not only assess inflammatory progression but also select patients at high risk. This article reviews the basic science behind the use of USPIO contrast agents in atheroma MR imaging, experimental work in animals, and how this has led to the emergence of this promising targeted imaging platform for assessment of high risk carotid atherosclerosis in humans.

The ATHEROMA (Atorvastatin Therapy: Effects on Reduction of Macrophage Activity) Study. Evaluation using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in carotid disease

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-dose (10 mg) and high-dose (80 mg) atorvastatin on carotid plaque inflammation as determined by ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis was that treatment with 80 mg atorvastatin would demonstrate quantifiable changes in USPIO-enhanced MRI-defined inflammation within the first 3 months of therapy. Background: Preliminary studies indicate that USPIO-enhanced MRI can identify macrophage infiltration in human carotid atheroma in vivo and hence may be a surrogate marker of plaque inflammation. Methods: Forty-seven patients with carotid stenosis >40% on duplex ultrasonography and who demonstrated intraplaque accumulation of USPIO on MRI at baseline were randomly assigned in a balanced, double-blind manner to either 10 or 80 mg atorvastatin daily for 12 weeks. Baseline statin therapy was equivalent to 10 mg of atorvastatin or less. The primary end point was change from baseline in signal intensity (ΔSI) on USPIO-enhanced MRI in carotid plaque at 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Twenty patients completed 12 weeks of treatment in each group. A significant reduction from baseline in USPIO-defined inflammation was observed in the 80-mg group at both 6 weeks (ΔSI 0.13; p = 0.0003) and at 12 weeks (ΔSI 0.20; p < 0.0001). No difference was observed with the low-dose regimen. The 80-mg atorvastatin dose significantly reduced total cholesterol by 15% (p = 0.0003) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 29% (p = 0.0001) at 12 weeks. Conclusions: Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy over a 3-month period is associated with significant reduction in USPIO-defined inflammation. USPIO-enhanced MRI methodology may be a useful imaging biomarker for the screening and assessment of therapeutic response to "anti-inflammatory" interventions in patients with atherosclerotic lesions. (Effects of Atorvastatin on Macrophage Activity and Plaque Inflammation Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging [ATHEROMA]; NCT00368589).

Comparison of the inflammatory burden of truly asymptomatic carotid atheroma with atherosclerotic plaques in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: An ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide enhanced magnetic resonance study

Introduction: Inflammation is a recognized risk factor for the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this study was to explore whether there is a difference in the degree of Magnetic Resonance (MR) defined inflammation using Ultra Small Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide (USPIO) particles, within carotid atheroma in completely asymptomatic individuals and the asymptomatic carotid stenosis in a cohort of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: 10 patients awaiting CABG with asymptomatic carotid disease and 10 completely asymptomatic individuals with no documented coronary artery disease underwent multi-sequence MR imaging before and 36 hours post USPIO infusion. Images were manually segmented into quadrants and signal change in each quadrant, normalised to adjacent muscle signal, was calculated following USPIO administration. Results: The mean percentage of quadrants showing signal loss was 94% in the CABG group, compared to 24% in the completely asymptomatic individuals (p < 0.001). The carotid plaques from the CABG patients showed a significant mean signal intensity decrease of 16.4% after USPIO infusion (95% CI 10.6% to 22.2%; p < 0.001). The truly asymptomatic plaques showed a mean signal intensity increase (i.e. enhancement) after USPIO infusion of 8.4% (95% CI 2.6% to 14.2%; p = 0.007). The mean signal difference between the two groups was 24.9% (95% CI 16.7% to 33.0%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that inflammatory atheroma is a systemic disease. The carotid territory is more likely to take up USPIO if another vascular territory is symptomatic.

Assessment of inflammatory burden contralateral to the symptomatic carotid stenosis using high-resolution ultrasmall, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is well known that the vulnerable atheromatous plaque has a thin, fibrous cap and large lipid core with associated inflammation. This inflammation can be detected on MRI with use of a contrast medium, Sinerem, an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO). Although the incidence of macrophage activity in asymptomatic disease appears low, we aimed to explore the incidence of MRI-defined inflammation in asymptomatic plaques in patients with known contralateral symptomatic disease. METHODS Twenty symptomatic patients underwent multisequence MRI before and 36 hours after USPIO infusion. Images were manually segmented into quadrants, and the signal change in each quadrant was calculated after USPIO administration. A mixed mathematical model was developed to compare the mean signal change across all quadrants in the 2 groups. Patients had a mean symptomatic stenosis of 77% compared with 46% on their asymptomatic side, as measured by conventional angiography. RESULTS There were 11 (55%) men, and the median age was 72 years (range, 53 to 84 years). All patients had risk factors consistent with severe atherosclerotic disease. All symptomatic carotid stenoses had inflammation, as evaluated by USPIO-enhanced imaging. On the contralateral sides, inflammatory activity was found in 19 (95%) patients. Contralaterally, there were 163 quadrants (57%) with a signal loss after USPIO when compared with 217 quadrants (71%) on the symptomatic side (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS - This study adds weight to the argument that atherosclerosis is a truly systemic disease. It suggests that investigation of the contralateral side in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis can demonstrate inflammation in 95% of plaques, despite a mean stenosis of only 46%. Thus, inflammatory activity may be a significant risk factor in asymptomatic disease in patients who have known contralateral symptomatic disease. Patients with symptomatic carotid disease should have their contralateral carotid artery followed up.

Using lead sulphate instead of lead oxide in flux growth of yttrium iron garnet(YIG) crystals

Crystal growth of YIG from fluxes containing lead sulphate in place of lead oxide in the usual lead oxide-lead fluoride-boron oxide flux system has been tried. Lead sulphate decomposes during crystal growth giving lead oxide and sulphur trioxide. Due to the influence of sulphur trioxide in the system the yield of crystals almost doubles. There is no change either in the morphology of the crystals or their lattice parameter. It is possible that solubility of YIG is different in the new flux and the changed solubility causes the increase in yield of crystals.

Novel ultrahigh resolution silverless photothermal imaging in obliquely deposited amorphous Se-Ge films

A new photothermal imaging process which utilizes no silver has been demonstrated in obliquely deposited Se-Ge films. Band-gap irradiation of Se-Ge films has been found to give rise to phases of the type SeOx, GeO, and Se as borne by x-ray initiated Auger electron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Annealing of SeOx leads to the formation of SeO2. The large (several orders of magnitude) difference in vapor pressures of SeO2 and Se-Ge films results in differential evaporation of the films when annealed around 200 °C, thereby leading to imaging. Such a large contrast in evaporation rates between the exposed and unexposed regions has great potential applications in high resolution image storage and phase holography. Applied Physics Letters is copyrighted by The American Institute of Physics.

Composition-controlled metal-insulator transitions and minimum metallic conductivity in the oxide systems LaNi1-xMxO3 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, or Co)

The composition-controlled metal-insulator transition in the perovskite systems LaNi1-xMxO3 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co) has been investigated by transport measurements over the temperature range 12-300 K. These systems, which have critical electron densities (nc) in the range (1-2) -1020 electrons cm-3, exhibit sharp metal-insulator transitions at the base temperature. The corresponding minimum metallic conductivity (Ï-min), separating the localized and itinerant electronic regimes, is of the order of 102 ohm-1 cm-1. Particular attention is paid to the idea of Ï-min scaling with nc, and our present results are compared with earlier studies of the metal-insulator transition in low (e.g., Ge:Sb) and high (e.g., metal-ammonia, supercritical Hg) electron-density systems. A link is established between the transport and magnetic properties of the title systems at the metal-insulator transition.