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Rare-earth-free MnAl-C-Ni permanent magnets produced by extrusion of powder milled from bulk
Rare-earth-free MnAl-C-Ni permanent magnets have been produced for the first time by extruding powders milled from bulk. The resulting materials, fabricated using different conditions, contained a large volume fraction (> 0.92) of the desired τ-phase. In terms of the maximum energy product, the best performance obtained for a whole, transverse section of the extruded material was (BH)max = 46 kJm−3, and was (BH)max = 49 kJm−3 for a sample taken from near the edge of this section. Analysis showed that this material was comparable to the long-established benchmark, comprising MnAl-C-based magnets extruded in industry from bulk or from gas-atomised powder. Such materials are no longer available. The microstructure of the materials produced here consisted of fine, recrystallised grains, which exhibited an <001> fibre texture with intermediate texture quality and of larger, non-recrystallised regions, which contained hierarchical twinning and a high density of defects. The volume fraction and size of the non-recrystallised regions was greatly reduced by decreasing the size of the initial powder particles. This led to a large increase in the squareness factor of the demagnetisation curve and consequently to the high (BH)max values observed.
Current State-of-the-Art in the Interface/Surface Modification of Thermoelectric Materials
Thermoelectric (TE) materials are prominent candidates for energy converting applications due to their excellent performance and reliability. Extensive efforts for improving their efficiency in single-/multi-phase composites comprising nano/micro-scale second phases are being made. The artificial decoration of second phases into the thermoelectric matrix in multi-phase composites, which is distinguished from the second-phase precipitation occurring during the thermally equilibrated synthesis of TE materials, can effectively enhance their performance. Theoretically, the interfacial manipulation of phase boundaries can be extended to a wide range of materials. High interface densities decrease thermal conductivity when nano/micro-scale grain boundaries are obtained and certain electronic structure modifications may increase the power factor of TE materials. Based on the distribution of second phases on the interface boundaries, the strategies can be divided into discontinuous and continuous interfacial modifications. The discontinuous interfacial modifications section in this review discusses five parts chosen according to their dispersion forms, including metals, oxides, semiconductors, carbonic compounds, and MXenes. Alternatively, gas- and solution-phase process techniques are adopted for realizing continuous surface changes, like the core–shell structure. This review offers a detailed analysis of the current state-of-the-art in the field, while identifying possibilities and obstacles for improving the performance of TE materials.
Influence of the magnet aspect ratio on the dynamic stiffness of a rotating superconducting magnetic bearing
Rotating superconducting bearings promise great potential in applications due to their frictionless operation. However, these bearings show a lower dynamic stiffness and damping coefficient compared to ball bearings. In this paper we studied a bearing consisting of a fixed YBCO ring and a rotating magnet above the superconductor. The influence of the magnet aspect ratio on the dynamic stiffness of the bearing was investigated in order to find an optimized size. To change the aspect ratio, we kept the inner diameter of the ring constant and reduced the outer diameter while increasing the ring height. In addition to these magnets, one magnet with a reduced cross-sectional area was studied. The aspect ratio selection was based on preliminary magnetic flux density simulations, which compared the magnetic flux density distribution and the potential radial force for different aspect ratios. To conduct the measurements, the field-cooled magnets were displaced in a lateral direction and then released, resulting in a damped oscillation. The dynamic stiffness constants were calculated for each bearing from the relation of three axis acceleration measurements for different field cooling heights. The comparison of the stiffness constants for the different bearings revealed an optimal aspect ratio for the given YBCO ring. This optimum is almost independent from the cooling height. The comparison between the two magnet rings with similar diameters and different heights was similar for the bearing characteristics at a low cooling height, whereas a significant reduction of stiffness was observed with a larger cooling distance. The difference is bigger for the magnet with a reduced height. The optimal aspect ratio as well as the stiffness dependence on the cross-sectional area was confirmed by simulations of the magnetic flux density distribution. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Encapsulation of locally welded silver nanowire with water-free ALD-SbOx for flexible thin-film transistors
Transparent conductive electrodes are essential in the application of flexible electronics. In this work, we successfully demonstrated a novel strategy for improving mechanical/electrical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO)-free flexible silver nanowire (Ag NW) thin films. To reduce the contact resistance of Ag NWs, an ethanol-mist was used to weld the cross junction of wires at room temperature. The nano-welded Ag NWs (W-Ag NWs) were then coated with an aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) solution, which significantly reduce the roughness of the Ag NW thin film. Finally, an ultrathin SbOx thin film of 2 nm was deposited on the film surface using a water-free low-temperature atomic layer deposition technique to protect the W-Ag NW/AZO layer from water or oxygen degradation. The treated Ag NWs have a high transmittance of 87% and a low sheet resistance of about 15 ω/sq, which is comparable with the ITO electrode's property. After 1000 cycles of bending testing, the W-Ag NW/AZO/SbOx film practically retains its initial conductivity. Furthermore, the samples were immersed in a solution with pH values ranging from 3 to 13 for 5 min. When compared to untreated Ag NWs or those coated with AlOx thin films, W-Ag NW/AZO/SbOx had superior electrical stability. The W-Ag NW/AZO/SbOxlayer was integrated as a gate electrode on low-power operating flexible Ti-ZnO thin film transistors (TFTs). The 5% Ti-ZnO TFT has a field-effect mobility of 19.7 cm2 V s-1, an Ion/Ioff ratio of 107, and a subthreshold swing of 147 mV decade-1.
Building Hierarchical Martensite
Martensitic materials show a complex, hierarchical microstructure containing structural domains separated by various types of twin boundaries. Several concepts exist to describe this microstructure on each length scale, however, there is no comprehensive approach bridging the whole range from the nano- up to the macroscopic scale. Here, it is described for a Ni-Mn-based Heusler alloy how this hierarchical microstructure is built from scratch with just one key parameter: the tetragonal distortion of the basic building block at the atomic level. Based on this initial block, five successive levels of nested building blocks are introduced. At each level, a larger building block is formed by twinning the preceding one to minimize the relevant energy contributions locally. This naturally explains the coexistence of different types of twin boundaries. The scale-bridging approach of nested building blocks is compared with experiments in real and reciprocal space. The approach of nested building blocks is versatile as it can be applied to the broad class of functional materials exhibiting diffusionless transformations. © 2020 The Authors. Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH
How to grow single-crystalline and epitaxial NiTi films in (100)- and (111)-orientation
Understanding the martensitic microstructure in nickel-titanium (NiTi) thin films helps to optimize their properties for applications in microsystems. Epitaxial and single-crystalline films can serve as model systems to understand the microstructure, as well as to exploit the anisotropic mechanical properties of NiTi. Here, we analyze the growth of NiTi on single-crystalline MgO(100) and Al2O3(0001) substrates and optimize film and buffer deposition conditions to achieve epitaxial films in (100)- and (111)-orientation. On MgO(100), we compare the transformation behavior and crystal quality of (100)-oriented NiTi films on different buffer layers. We demonstrate that a vanadium buffer layer helps to decrease the low-angle grain boundary density in the NiTi film, which inhibits undesired growth twins and leads to higher transformation temperatures. On Al2O3(0001), we analyze the orientation of a chromium buffer layer and find that it grows (111)-oriented only in a narrow temperature range around 500 ∘C. By depositing the Cr buffer below the NiTi film, we can prepare (111)-oriented, epitaxial films with transformation temperatures above room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy confirms a martensitic microstructure with Guinier Preston-zone precipitates at room temperature. We identify the deposition conditions to approach the ideal single crystalline state, which is beneficial for the analysis of the martensitic microstructure and anisotropic mechanical properties in different film orientations.
Increasing the Diversity and Understanding of Semiconductor Nanoplatelets by Colloidal Atomic Layer Deposition
Nanoplatelets (NPLs) are a remarkable class of quantum confined materials with size-dependent optical properties, which are determined by the defined thickness of the crystalline platelets. To increase the variety of species, the colloidal atomic layer deposition method is used for the preparation of increasingly thicker CdSe NPLs. By growing further crystalline layers onto the surfaces of 4 and 5 monolayers (MLs) thick NPLs, species from 6 to 13 MLs are achieved. While increasing the thickness, the heavy-hole absorption peak shifts from 513 to 652 nm, leading to a variety of NPLs for applications and further investigations. The thickness and number of MLs of the platelet species are determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements, allowing the interpretation of several contradictions present in the NPL literature. In recent years, different assumptions are published, leading to a lack of clarity in the fundamentals of this field. Regarding the ongoing scientific interest in NPLs, there is a certain need for clarification, which is provided in this study. © 2020 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Transparent Power-Generating Windows Based on Solar-Thermal-Electric Conversion
Integrating transparent solar-harvesting systems into windows can provide renewable on-site energy supply without altering building aesthetics or imposing further design constraints. Transparent photovoltaics have shown great potential, but the increased transparency comes at the expense of reduced power-conversion efficiency. Here, a new technology that overcomes this limitation by combining solar-thermal-electric conversion with a material's wavelength-selective absorption is presented. A wavelength-selective film consisting of Cs0.33WO3 and resin facilitates high visible-light transmittance (up to 88%) and outstanding ultraviolet and infrared absorbance, thereby converting absorbed light into heat without sacrificing transparency. A prototype that couples the film with thermoelectric power generation produces an extraordinary output voltage of ≈4 V within an area of 0.01 m2 exposed to sunshine. Further optimization design and experimental verification demonstrate high conversion efficiency comparable to state-of-the-art transparent photovoltaics, enriching the library of on-site energy-saving and transparent power generation.
Voltage-controlled on switching and manipulation of magnetization via the redox transformation of β-FeOOH nanoplatelets
Redox-based metal/metal oxide transformations achieved via electrolytic gating recently emerged as a novel, magneto-ionic route for voltage control of magnetism. So far, mainly metal or oxide thin films and nanoporous metal alloy structures are used as starting materials. The present study demonstrates a magneto-ionic transformation starting from a stable electrodeposited FeOOH nanoplatelet structure. The application of a low voltage in a Li-based electrolyte results in the reduction of the virtually non-magnetic FeOOH into ferromagnetic Fe, yielding an ON switching of magnetization. The magnetization can be tuned in a large range by the time of voltage application and remains stable after voltage-switch off. A reversible magneto-ionic change of magnetization of up to 15% is achieved in the resulting iron films with a thickness of about 30 nm. This large magneto-ionic effect is attributed to the enhanced roughness of the iron films obtained from the nanoplatelet structure. The robust, voltage-controlled, and non-volatile ON switching of magnetism starting from a stable oxide structure is promising for the development of energy-efficient magnetic switches, magnetic actuation and may offer new avenues in magnetoelectronic devices. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Origin and avoidance of double peaks in the induced voltage of a thermomagnetic generator for harvesting low-grade waste heat
Thermomagnetic harvesting is an emerging approach used to convert low-grade waste heat to electricity, which recently obtained a boost due to the development of both more efficient functional materials and innovative device concepts. Here, we examine a thermomagnetic generator which utilizes gadolinium as the thermomagnetic material and report on the double peaks of the induced voltage. Using a combination of experiments and theory we show that these double peaks originate from the interaction between an asymmetric magnetization curve and a pretzel-like magnetic field topology. Double peaks are detrimental for the output power and can be avoided by matching the magnetization change by adjusting the cold and hot fluid flow.