Hierarchical orientation of crystallinity by block-copolymer patterning and alignment in an electric field

Electron and hole conducting 10-nm-wide polymer morphologies hold great promise for organic electro-optical devices such as solar cells and light emitting diodes. The self-assembly of block-copolymers (BCPs) is often viewed as an efficient way to generate such materials. Here, a functional block copolymer that contains perylene bismide (PBI) side chains which can crystallize via π-π stacking to form an electron conducting microphase is patterned harnessing hierarchical electrohydrodynamic lithography (HEHL). HEHL film destabilization creates a hierarchical structure with three distinct length scales: (1) micrometer-sized polymer pillars, containing (2) a 10-nm BCP microphase morphology that is aligned perpendicular to the substrate surface and (3) on a molecular length scale (0.35-3 nm) PBI π-π-stacks traverse the HEHL-generated plugs in a continuous fashion. The good control over BCP and PBI alignment inside the generated vertical microstructures gives rise to liquid-crystal-like optical dichroism of the HEHL patterned films, and improves the electron conductivity across the film by 3 orders of magnitude. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Engineering of micro- and nanostructured surfaces with anisotropic geometries and properties

Widespread approaches to fabricate surfaces with robust micro- and nanostructured topographies have been stimulated by opportunities to enhance interface performance by combining physical and chemical effects. In particular, arrays of asymmetric surface features, such as arrays of grooves, inclined pillars, and helical protrusions, have been shown to impart unique anisotropy in properties including wetting, adhesion, thermal and/or electrical conductivity, optical activity, and capability to direct cell growth. These properties are of wide interest for applications including energy conversion, microelectronics, chemical and biological sensing, and bioengineering. However, fabrication of asymmetric surface features often pushes the limits of traditional etching and deposition techniques, making it challenging to produce the desired surfaces in a scalable and cost-effective manner. We review and classify approaches to fabricate arrays of asymmetric 2D and 3D surface features, in polymers, metals, and ceramics. Analytical and empirical relationships among geometries, materials, and surface properties are discussed, especially in the context of the applications mentioned above. Further, opportunities for new fabrication methods that combine lithography with principles of self-assembly are identified, aiming to establish design principles for fabrication of arbitrary 3D surface textures over large areas. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication of high-aspect-ratio polymer microstructures and hierarchical textures using carbon nanotube composite master molds

Scalable and cost effective patterning of polymer structures and their surface textures is essential to engineer material properties such as liquid wetting and dry adhesion, and to design artificial biological interfaces. Further, fabrication of high-aspect-ratio microstructures often requires controlled deep-etching methods or high-intensity exposure. We demonstrate that carbon nanotube (CNT) composites can be used as master molds for fabrication of high-aspect-ratio polymer microstructures having anisotropic nanoscale textures. The master molds are made by growth of vertically aligned CNT patterns, capillary densification of the CNTs using organic solvents, and capillary-driven infiltration of the CNT structures with SU-8. The composite master structures are then replicated in SU-8 using standard PDMS transfer molding methods. By this process, we fabricated a library of replicas including vertical micro-pillars, honeycomb lattices with sub-micron wall thickness and aspect ratios exceeding 50:1, and microwells with sloped sidewalls. This process enables batch manufacturing of polymer features that capture complex nanoscale shapes and textures, while requiring only optical lithography and conventional thermal processing. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Self-similar organization of arrays of individual carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube micropillars

It is well-known that carbon nanotube (CNT) growth from a dense arrangement of catalyst nanoparticles creates a vertically aligned CNT forest. CNT forests offer attractive anisotropic mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, and their anisotropic structure is enabled by the self-organization of a large number of CNTs. This process is governed by individual CNT diameter, spacing, and the CNT-to-CNT interaction. However, little information is known about the self-organization of CNTs within a forest. Insight into the self-organization is, however, essential for tailoring the properties of the CNT forests for applications such as electrical interconnects, thermal interfaces, dry adhesives and energy storage. We demonstrate that arrays of CNT micropillars having micron-scale diameters organize in a similar manner as individual CNTs within a forest. For example, as previously demonstrated for individual CNTs within a forest, entanglement of small-diameter CNT micropillars during the initial stage of growth creates a film of entwined pillars. This layer enables coordinated subsequent growth of the pillars in the vertical direction, in a case where isolated pillars would not grow in a self-supporting fashion. Finally, we provide a detailed overview of the self-organization as a function of the diameter, length and spacing of the CNT pillars. This study, which is applicable to many one-dimensional nanostructured films, demonstrates guidelines for tailoring the self-organization which can enable control of the collective mechanical, electrical and interfacial properties of the films. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The user-value of rural electrification: An analysis and adoption of existing models and theories

User-value is a determining factor for product acceptance in product design. Research on rural electrification to date, however, does not draw sufficient attention to the importance of user-value with regard to the overall success of a project. This is evident from the analysis of project reports and applicable indicators from agencies active in the sector. Learning from the design, psychology and sociology literatures, it is important that rural electrification projects incorporate the value perception of the end-user and extend their success beyond the commonly used criteria of financial value, the appropriateness of the technology, capacity building and technology uptake. Creating value for the end-user is particularly important for project acceptance and the sustainability of a scheme once it has been handed over to the local community. In this research paper, existing theories and models of value-theory are transposed and applied to community operated rural electrification schemes and a user-value framework is developed. Furthermore, the importance of value to the end-user is clarified. Current literature on product design reveals that user-value has different properties, many of which are applicable to rural electrification. Five value pillars and their sub-categories important for the users of rural electrification projects are identified, namely: functional; social significance; epistemic; emotional; and cultural values. These pillars provide the main structure for the conceptual framework developed in this research paper. It is proposed that by targeting the values of the end-user, the key factors of user-value applicable to rural electrification projects will be identified and the sustainability of the project will be better ensured. © 2014 The Authors.

Fabrication of nanoscale metallic air-bridges by introducing a SiO2 sacrificial layer

A new method to fabricate nanoscale metallic air-bridges has been investigated. The pillar patterns of the air-bridge were defined on a SiO2, sacrificial layer by electron-beam lithography combined with inductively coupled plasma etching. Thereafter, the span (suspended part between the pillars) patterns were defined with a second electron-beam exposure on a PMMA/PMMA-MAA resist system. The fabrication process was completed by subsequent metal electron-beam evaporation, lift-off in acetone, and removal of the sacrificial layer in a buffered hydrofluoric (HF) solution. Air-bridges with two different geometries (line-shaped and cross-shaped) were studied in detail. The narrowest width of the air-bridges was around 200 nm, and the typical length of the air-bridges was 2-5 mu m. The advantages of our method are the simplicity of carrying out electron-beam exposure with good reproducibility and the capability of more accurate control of the pillar sizes and shapes of the air-bridge. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen-bonded lamellar network of pyromellitic acid pillared by 8-hydroxyquinoline

8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-q) salt of pyromellitic acid (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid, H(4)bta) forms robust lamellar structure where [H(2)bta](2-) anions build up sheets through strong hydrogen bonds in two dimensions and [H-8-q](+) cations act as pillars to afford an extended three dimensional network.

Bioorganic/inorganic hybrid composition of sponge spicules: Matrix of the giant spicules and of the comitalia of the deep sea hexactinellid Monorhaphis

The giant basal spicules of the siliceous sponges Monorhaphis chuni and Monorhaphis intermedia (Hexactinellida) represent the largest biosilica structures on earth (up to 3 m long). Here we describe the construction (lamellar organization) of these spicules and of the comitalia and highlight their organic matrix in order to understand their mechanical properties. The spicules display three distinct regions built of biosilica: (i) the outer lamellar zone (radius: >300 mu m), (ii) the bulky axial cylinder (radius: <75 mu m), and (iii) the central axial canal (diameter: <2 mu m) with its organic axial filament. The spicules are loosely covered with a collagen net which is regularly perforated by 7-10 mu m large holes; the net can be silicified. The silica layers forming the lamellar zone are approximate to 5 mu m thick; the central axial cylinder appears to be composed of almost solid silica which becomes porous after etching with hydrofluoric acid (HF). Dissolution of a complete spicule discloses its complex structure with distinct lamellae in the outer zone (lamellar coating) and a more resistant central part (axial barrel). Rapidly after the release of the organic coating from the lamellar zone the protein layers disintegrate to form irregular clumps/aggregates. In contrast, the proteinaceous axial barrel, hidden in the siliceous axial cylinder, is set up by rope-like filaments. Biochemical analysis revealed that the (dominant) molecule of the lamellar coating is a 27-kDa protein which displays catalytic, proteolytic activity. High resolution electron microscopic analysis showed that this protein is arranged within the lamellae and stabilizes these surfaces by palisade-like pillars. The mechanical behavior of the spicules was analyzed by a 3-point bending assay, coupled with scanning electron microscopy. The load-extension curve of the spicule shows a biphasic breakage/cracking pattern. The outer lamellar zone cracks in several distinct steps showing high resistance in concert with comparably low elasticity, while the axial cylinder breaks with high elasticity and lower stiffness. The complex bioorganic/inorganic hybrid composition and structure of the Monorhaphis spicules might provide the blueprint for the synthesis of bio-inspired material, with unusual mechanical properties (strength, stiffness) without losing the exceptional properties of optical transmission. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

锻压机导套对立柱作用反力的分析研究

讨论了锻压机工作时偏心载荷对机架下横梁和立柱应力变化的影响程度，验证了下横梁的断裂原因；详细地讨论了导套筒对立柱作用反力的影响，指出了传统液压机设计方法中假设条件的不足，为该类机械的结构设计和改进提出了新的见解。

环渤海花岗岩体地下油库建设的工程地质力学研究

As a kind of strategic resource，petroleum play an very important role in current social stability, economic development and state safety. Since 1993 China has turned from a net oil exporter into a net oil importer, the figure of imported oil increased from then on. In 2004 China's total energy consumption exceeded Japan’s, and ranked in the second place, just inferior to America. Today China is the world’s third-largest importing nation, accounting for 6% of world imports and 8% of world consumption. Comparing with other strategic petroleum reserve schemes, underground oil storage possess many advantages, such as security, economy, less pollution, save land, suited for strategic reserve and so on, so it is the most ideal form for strategic petroleum reserve. In the background of China Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program started just now, this paper choose Circum-Bo sea region as a study area, and do some system study on the underground oil storage caverns constructed in inter-large granite rock masses in Circum-Bo sea region. On the foundation of a great amount of information come from both home and abroad, firstly this paper analysed the principle, economy, cavern shape, profile dimension, and gain some cognizances and logos, as follows: ①Hard rock mass such as granite is the major rock, in which underground oil storage are constructed; ②Unlined underground oil storage caverns had been wide spread used as a sort of oil storage form abroad, there already exist a suit of skilled experience and technologies to prevent oil product from leaking; ③Compared with surface tanks, underground oil storage cavern possess predominance in economy clearly. In general, it will be more economical when the storage capacity exceed 50000m3. The quality of rock mass is the most important factor for underground storage cost, however such as hydrogeology, storage capacity, the number of storage galleries, the length, storage product, mechanical equipments, geographic location also influent the cost. In designed depth of the underground storage, the rock mass of Jinzhou mainly belong to class Ⅱ, but parts with dykes, clayization alteration, and dense joints are Ⅲ, Ⅳ; ④Now, there are few underground oil storages span more than 25m in both abroad and home. The examples of some ancient underground works and modern underground excavation with wide span surely give us many precious elicitations to construct more great unlined storage caverns, when the rock mass quality is good, cavern shape and construction method also are proper, it is quite possible to construct underground oil storage cavern with span more than 30m . The main axis orientation of Jinzhou underground oil storage cavern is NW direction, the cavern's elevation locate between -53msl and -76msl. The storage's total volume is about 3×106m3, composed of 8 parallel galleries with 950m length, the pillars between them are 45m, and every two of galleries form one unit, which can deposit 75×104m3 for each unit. The product will be stored are Saudi light and Saudi medium crude oil, the main cavern's section is 411.5m2, with 23m height and 19m width. According to the principle and technique of engineering geomechanics, this study supply a sort of system scientific thinking and method for sitting location of underground oil storage in granite region: ① On the foundation of the earth crust stability sub-zone appraise of Circum-Bo sea region, farther research concerning granite distribution, genesis, geological period and fault structure are conducted in stable areas, generally, this paper select Liaoxi, east shore of Liaotung peninsula and Jiaotung peninsula as target areas for underground oil storage regions, where Mesozoic granite is magnitude; ②After roundly comparison in facts of geologic structure, engineering geology, hydrogeology, topography, transportation and so on of three granite distributed areas, at last, selecting Jingzhou granite zone in Liaoxi out as an ideal construction area; ③ Detailed investigation is conducted in the southeast of Baimashi in Jingzhou development district, the final field. Ultrasonic Borehole Television, as a major way to collect original information of borehole rock mass were used, which is very effective to appraise the quality of deep rock mass; ④ According to the field data of tectonic stress, rock mass quality, the spatial distribution of fracture water, some optimum designs in cross section, axial direction and cavern span have been designed for the underground oil storage cavern layout in Jinzhou. To understand the characteristics of swelling alteration rock in Jinzhou granite mass, collected abundant swelling alteration rock engineering examples in granite, which study them in detail, concluded the swelling alteration rock distribute nearly everywhere in China, intruded medium-basic dykes alteration, along discontinuities and mineral hydrothermal alteration with genesis of granite are three main forms clayization alteration rock in granite rock mass. In Jinzhou field, from macro to micro studied the swelling rock which induced by mid-basic dyke intrusion, with weak swelling. In conclusion, this paper conclude the distribution rule and features of expansion alteration rock in filed, and advise some technical suggestions for excavation at swelling alteration rock part. The main features of this paper: ①In the process of site selection, investigation and design, a suit of technique and method of engineering geomechanics metasynthesis were formed, which is significative to guide the large scale underground oil storage cavern sitting location, investigation and design in granite rock mass; ②The detailed discussion on the engineering geology problems in granite mass, such as weathering crust, faults, dykes and clayization alteration rock, are useful for other projects in aspects of site selection, engineering geology evaluation and stability estimation; ③The summary and integration of the genesis, type, countermeasure relate to swelling alteration rock, also is likely to be used for other underground oil storage caverns constructed in swelling alteration granite. In conclusion, this study is meaningful for guiding the large scale underground oil storage for site selection, investigation and design in granite rock mass.

岩体力学参数及稳定性能量判据研究

There are two major problems that have been concerned all the times, which are the mechanics characters of joint rock mass and the criterion for stability of engineering rock. Aim at the two problems, several works were conducted as follow: (1) Firstly, the mechanics characters of rock mass was studied by means of the Distinct Element Code. Subsequently, it was studied that the sensibility of joint surface roughness, strength of joint wall, joint stiffness ( i.e. tangential and normal stiffness) on the rock mass strength. (2) Based on the experimental rock mass classification methods of RMR and GSI, the program of “Parameters Calculation of the Rock Mass ” was developed. It has realized the rapid choice of rock mass parameters. (3) The concept of Representive Element Volume was induced based on the study of dimensional effect of rock mass. The Representive Element Volume of the horizontal and vertical pillar (ab. Two Pillars ) in the 2nd zone of Jinchuan mine were gained by the Geology Statistic Method and the Distinct Element Code. And then, the strength and deformatiom parameters of rock mass of the Two Pillars were obtained through numerical experiment. (4) From the confining depressure after thriaxial compression test of rock sample, it was concluded that the failure of rock is caused mainly by the lateral deformation and energy release happened during the confining depressure processure. The criterion of plastic energy catastrophe of rock engineering failure was proposed and validated. Subsquently, the stability of the horizontal pillar and Qianjiangping landslide in Three Gorges was judged by means of above-mentioned method. (5) Based on the fact there is a phenomenon of increasing energy concentration while the rock mass was compressed, rock information entropy (i.e. energy distribution entropy) was proposed. And it was revealed that there was change of energy distribution entropy while the rock mass was compressed to failure.

Rola Francji i Niemiec w procesie integracji europejskiej w latach 1992-2007

Francja i Niemcy przez stulecia walczyły o zdobycie władzy i przejęcie wpływów na kontynencie europejskim i traktowały siebie nawzajem jako największe zagrożenie. Jednak tragiczna pierwsza połowa XX wieku przyniosła z jednej strony pragnienie zapewnienia, iż okropności wojny już nigdy się nie powtórzą, a z drugiej strony poczucie, że nieodzowna jest zmiana dwustronnych stosunków panujących między Berlinem a Paryżem. Konieczność stworzenia przestrzeni wolności i współpracy doprowadziła niegdysiejszych wrogów do stworzenia idei integracji najważniejszych części gospodarki. Pomysł zjednoczenia krajów Europy Zachodniej przekształcił się w kolejnych latach w symbol zaangażowania francusko-niemieckiego. Dwie republiki stały się rdzeniem europejskiej współpracy i spiritus movens zmian politycznych, ekonomicznych i instytucjonalnych w powojennej Europie. Po upadku komunizmu w 1989 roku ich rola zyskała nowy wymiar w odmiennych warunkach geopolitycznych - od momentu podpisania Traktatu z Maastricht w 1992 roku francusko-niemiecki duet powiększył swe znaczenie i wpływ na politykę nowej Unii Europejskiej. Realizacja zapisów Traktatu z Maastricht i kolejnych dokumentów, w tym Traktatu z Lizbony, koncentracja na kwestiach reform instytucjonalnych, jak również przygotowania do wschodniego rozszerzenia UE mogą być rozpatrywane jedynie w odniesieniu do wspólnych działań prowadzonych przez nadreński tandem. Realizacja trzech filarów integracji: współpracy w wymiarze ekonomicznym i społecznym, wspólnej polityki zagranicznej i bezpieczeństwa, jak również współpracy policyjnej i sądowej w sprawach karnych, podkreślają znaczenie couple franco-allemand i zwracają uwagę na rolę lidera, jaką Paryż i Berlin odgrywają w dziedzinie integracji.

Reflections on the transformation of my meaning making to support the organic growth of a firm

The objective of my Portfolio is to explore the working hypothesis that the organic growth of a firm is governed by the perspectives of individuals and such perspectives are governed by their meaning-making. The Portfolio presents explorations of the transformation of my meaning making and in adopting new practices to support the organic growth of a firm. I use the work of other theorists to transition my understanding of how the world works. This transition process is an essential tool to engage with and understand the perspectives of others and develop a mental capacity to “train one’s imagination to go visiting” (Arendt, 1982; p.43). The Portfolio, therefore, is primarily located in reflective research. Using Kegan’s (1994) approach to Adult Mental Development, and Sowell’s (2007) understanding of the visions which silently shape our thoughts I organise the developments of my meaning making around three transformation pillars of change. In pillar one I seek to transform an unthinking respect for authority and break down a blind pervasiveness of thought within my reasoning process arising from an instinct for attachment and support from others whom I trust. In pillar two I seek to discontinue using autocratic leadership and learn to use the thoughts and contributions of a wider team to make improved choices about uncertain future events. In pillar three I explore the use of a more reflective thinking framework to test the accuracy of my perceptions and apply a high level of integrity in my reasoning process. The transformation of my meaning making has changed my perspectives and in turn my preferred practices to support the organic growth of a firm. I identify from practice that a transformative form of leadership is far more effective that a transactional form of leadership to stimulate the trust and teamwork required to sustain the growth a firm. Creating an environment where one feels free to share thoughts and feelings with others is an essential tool to build a team to critique the thoughts of one other. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial wisdom to grow a firm must come from a wider team, located both inside and outside the boundaries of a firm. No individual or small team has the mental capacity to provide the entrepreneurship required to drive the organic growth of a firm. I address my Portfolio to leaders in organisations who have no considered framework on the best practices required to lead a social organisation. These individuals may have no sense of what they implicitly believe drives social causation and they may have no understanding if their meaning making supports or curtails the practices required to grow a firm. They may have a very limited capacity to think in a logical manner, with the result they are using guesses from their ‘gut’ to make poor judgements in the management of a firm.

Echoes of existentialism in the works of Carlos Fuentes

In this thesis I have set out to trace the echoes of existentialism in the work of the Mexican novelist, Carlos Fuentes scrutinizing, in particular, La región más transparente, La muerte de Artemio Cruz and Cambio de piel. In the opening segment of the thesis I outline the essential tenets of existentialist thought and how it became the predominant philosophical and literary movement of the early part of the twentieth-century. Stemming from the work of Sören Kierkegaard in Denmark towards the end of the nineteenth-century, it challenged the arid philosophies of previous generations and provided a new way of looking at man and the human condition. In this opening chapter, I study the works of the more important philosophers in this regard such as Heidegger, Sartre, Jaspers, Marcel, Unamuno, and Ortega y Gasset and show how each in his own way contributed to the further development of the new philosophy. Chapter 2 is concerned with the spread of existentialism to the Latin American continent. In the early part of the twentieth-century, Mexico was emerging from a turbulent revolutionary period and seeking a solution to the fractured nature of its society. The Spanish philosopher, Ortega y Gasset, and the many Spanish intellectuals who sought refuge from Franco’s dictatorship in Mexico, helped to popularise the new philosophy and these lively debates about existentialism served to underpin ideas around mexicanidad or Mexican national identity. Carlos Fuentes was deeply immersed in the debate of his time, positioned as he was as a prominent public intellectual. In La muerte de Artemio Cruz he shows us how great wealth and power are a poor recompense for the loss of love and compassion and lead only to alienation and selfishness. In his other best known novel, La región más transparente, he explores the rise of modern Mexico and its society – an inauthentic society that is corrupted by a scramble for wealth and self-aggrandizement. The final chapter is devoted to the study of Cambio de piel which is concerned with violence and alienation as central pillars of existence. The violence depicted here precipitates a crisis in the human condition and an accompanying sense of alienation. The thesis seeks to establish that existentialism is central not only to Fuentes’s literary concerns but also forms a part of his ethics as an artist.

The elimination of the tutoring group-hour in Secondary Education. An exploratory study about teachers thoughts.

The Tutoring Group-hour in Compulsory Secondary Education and Post-Compulsory Schooling has been eliminated in a number of autonomous communities. Given the importance of the tutorial act as one of the fundamental pillars in students overall development, its disappearance has created considerable disturbance in the educational institutions, sparking a debate regarding the role of the tutor and the impact and effectiveness of their actions. In this survey, teachers from two different schools in the Community of Madrid maintain that they are properly trained to perform the various duties required for a tutor, show strong disagreement to the elimination of the Tutoring Group-hour in secondary schools, advocate incorporating it at a primary school level, and consider one of the main consequences of its disappearance to be less personalized attention for students. In short, an educational response that is less effective.