Scientific Highlights
Supported gold as catalyst for the decomposition of ammonia precursors in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx
Titaniumdioxide supported gold was found to catalyze the hydrolysis of formate-based ammonia precursor compounds which are proposed for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in combustion exhaust gas. In contrast to other noble metals, the supported gold does not oxidize the released NH3, while it maintains decomposition of intermediate formic acid.
Ultra-short X-ray laser pulses precisely surveyed for the first time
X-ray lasers belong to a modern generation of light sources from which scientists in widely different disciplines expect to obtain new knowledge about the structure and function of materials at the atomic level. On the basis of this new knowledge, it could then be possible one day to develop better medicines, more powerful computers or more efficient catalysts for energy transformation.
Tunable conductivity threshold at polar oxide interfaces
The physical mechanisms responsible for the formation of a two-dimensional electron gas at the interface between insulating SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 have remained a contentious subject since its discovery in 2004. Opinion is divided between an intrinsic mechanism involving the build-up of an internal electric potential due to the polar discontinuity at the interface between SrTiO3 and LaAlO3, and extrinsic mechanisms attributed to structural imperfections.
Controversy clarified: Why two insulators together can transport electricity
How can two materials which do not conduct electricity create an electrically conducting layer when they are joined together? Since this effect was discovered in 2004, researchers have developed various hypotheses to answer this question – each with its own advocates, who defend it and try to prove its validity. Now, an international team under the leadership of researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute has probably settled the controversy.
Sequential printing by laser-induced forward transfer to fabricate a polymer light-emitting diode pixel
Patterned deposition of polymer light-emitting diode (PLED) pixels is a challenge for electronic display applications. PLEDs have additional problems requiring solvent orthogonality of different materials in adjacent layers. We present the fabrication of a PLED pixel by the sequential deposition of two different layers with laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT), a “dry” deposition technique. This novel use of LIFT has been compared to “normal” LIFT, where all the layers are transferred in a single step, and a conventional PLED fabrication process.
Laser-Induced Forward Transfer for the Fabrication of Devices
X-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy was used to probe the electronic structure of multiferroic orthorhombic LuMnO3 polycrystalline samples and strained, twin-free orthorhombic (1–10) LuMnO3 films grown by pulsed laser deposition on (1–10) YAlO3 substrates. For all o-LuMnO3 samples x-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy spectra reveal that the pre-edge structure is influenced by the increase in MnO6 distortion as a result of the smaller Re-ion or film strain. Furthermore there is clear evidence of anisotropic Mn-O bonding and Mn orbital ordering along the c- and [110] direction. The experimental film and bulk data are in agreement with ab initio simulations.
ETH Zurich, IBM and Paul Scherrer Institut Researchers receive 2012 PRACE Award
The MEGAWatt Pilot Experiment was operated for neutron generation with the PSI high intensity proton beam in 2006. The experiment utilized liquid target material, a lead bismuth eutectic. This marked a major milestone towards Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS), which are intended to be used for the incineration of nuclear waste.
Dipolar Antiferromagnetism and Quantum Criticality in LiErF4
Magnetism has been predicted to occur in systems in which dipolar interactions dominate exchange. We present neutron scattering, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility data for LiErF4, establishing it as a model dipolar-coupled antiferromagnet with planar spin-anisotropy and a quantum phase transition in applied field Hc|| = 4.0 ± 0.1 kilo-oersteds.
Flow modeling in gas diffusion layers of PEFCs at the micro- and mesoscale
he optimization of thermochemical and electrochemical conversion systems is of high importance for a sustainable energy future society. Of particular interest regarding the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is the study of the gas flow in the gas diffusion layers (GDL). More specifically, permeability and diffusivity measurements in a model PEFC under normal operating conditions are highly desirable. As laboratory-measurements of these quantities under such conditions are very demanding, an alternative is the use of computer-based simulations.
Three centuries of eastern european and Altai lead emissions recorded in a belukha ice core
Human activities have significantly altered atmospheric Pb concentrations and thus, its geochemical cycle, for thousands of years. Whereas historical Pb emissions from Western Europe, North America, and Asia are well documented, there is no equivalent data for Eastern Europe. Here, we present ice-core Pb concentrations for the period 1680à1995 from Belukha glacier in the Siberian Altai, assumed to be representative of emissions in Eastern Europe and the Altai.