Translatory and rotatory motion of exchange-bias capped Janus particles controlled by dynamic magnetic field landscapes

Magnetic Janus particles (MJPs), fabricated by covering a non-magnetic spherical particle with a hemispherical magnetic in-plane exchange-bias layer system cap, display an onion magnetization state for comparably large diameters of a few microns. In this work, the motion characteristics of these MJPs will be investigated when they are steered by a magnetic field landscape over prototypical parallel-stripe domains, dynamically varied by superposed external magnetic field pulse sequences, in an aqueous medium. We demonstrate, that due to the engineered magnetization state in the hemispherical cap, a comparably fast, directed particle transport and particle rotation can be induced. Additionally, by modifying the frequency of the applied pulse sequence and the strengths of the individual field components, we observe a possible separation between a combined or an individual occurrence of these two types of motion. Our findings bear importance for lab-on-a-chip systems, where particle immobilization on a surface via analyte bridges shall be used for low concentration analyte detection and a particle rotation over a defined position of a substrate may dramatically increase the immobilization (and therefore analyte detection) probability.

Nonideal resistive and synaptic characteristics in Ag/ZnO/TiN device for neuromorphic system

Ideal resistive switching in resistive random-access memory (RRAM) should be ensured for synaptic devices in neuromorphic systems. We used an Ag/ZnO/TiN RRAM structure to investigate the effects of nonideal resistive switching, such as an unstable high-resistance state (HRS), negative set (N-set), and temporal disconnection, during the set process and the conductance saturation feature for synaptic applications. The device shows an I–V curve based on the positive set in the bipolar resistive switching mode. In 1000 endurance tests, we investigated the changes in the HRS, which displays large fluctuations compared with the stable low-resistance state, and the negative effect on the performance of the device resulting from such an instability. The impact of the N-set, which originates from the negative voltage on the top electrode, was studied through the process of intentional N-set through the repetition of 10 ON/OFF cycles. The Ag/ZnO/TiN device showed saturation characteristics in conductance modulation according to the magnitude of the applied pulse. Therefore, potentiation or depression was performed via consecutive pulses with diverse amplitudes. We also studied the spontaneous conductance decay in the saturation feature required to emulate short-term plasticity.

Evaluation of Harmonic Structure Obtained in Mechanically Milled Powders and Pulse Plasma Sintered Compacts of Austenitic Steel

The paper describes an attempt to obtain harmonic structure (HS) in AISI308L steel. Harmonic structure is the term related to the microstructure fabricated by mechanical milling of metallic powders under soft milling conditions, resulting in the formation of plastically deformed, grain-refined shell and unchanged core. This microstructure can be preserved after successful powder compaction. The powders of AISI308L steel were milled under soft condition up to 50 h and then compacted by pulse plasma sintering at 900–1100 °C. For powders and compacts XRD, SEM and hardness measurements were applied as characterization techniques. The milling process resulted in austenite transformation into nanocrystalline ferrite and formation of grain refined outer layer. The applied pulse plasma sintering parameters allowed preservation of this microstructure and manufacturing of compacts with homogeneous distribution of elements, relative density above 95% and hardness in the range 167–185 HV, depending on sintering temperature. Simultaneously, the starting phase composition was restored, i.e., austenite with 12% contribution of ferrite. The crystallite size of austenite was about 20 nm and was significantly smaller then in starting powders.

Identification of inter-turn insulation faults in induction motor

Purpose Induction motors (IMs) are considered one of the most important elements of the industrial process. However, in this environment, these machines are subject to electrical and mechanical faults, which may cause significant financial losses. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to propose an optimal identification of inter-turn insulation faults present in the random wound IM. Design/methodology/approach The design approach deals with a simple technique, using the effect of the inter-turn fault in modifying the high-frequency components of the applied pulse-width-modulated voltage. Findings The change in insulation strength between the turns affects the capacitive component of the stator line current. Resulting changes in wave shapes of the applied voltage have been studied with respect to both the distance of inter-turn faults from line end and reduction in the insulation strength, and hence in the insulation resistance value. Originality/value Studies have been conducted by using computer simulation and validated by experiments. There is ample evidence that an impending and progressing inter-turn fault can be identified in adjustable speed drives driven by frequency converters by studying line-end coil-voltage waveforms.

DNA complexes with human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1: structural insights revealed by pulsed dipolar EPR with orthogonal spin labeling

A DNA molecule is under continuous influence of endogenous and exogenous damaging factors, which produce a variety of DNA lesions. Apurinic/apyrimidinic sites (abasic or AP sites) are among the most common DNA lesions. In this work, we applied pulse dipolar electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate in-depth conformational changes in DNA containing an AP site and in a complex of this DNA with AP endonuclease 1 (APE1). For this purpose, triarylmethyl (TAM)-based spin labels were attached to the 5′ ends of an oligonucleotide duplex, and nitroxide spin labels were introduced into APE1. In this way, we created a system that enabled monitoring the conformational changes of the main APE1 substrate by EPR. In addition, we were able to trace substrate-to-product transformation in this system. The use of different (orthogonal) spin labels in the enzyme and in the DNA substrate has a crucial advantage allowing for detailed investigation of local damage and conformational changes in AP-DNA alone and in its complex with APE1.

Discharge Behavior and Dielectric Breakdown of Oxide Films during Single Pulse Anodizing of Aluminum Micro-Electrodes

Micro-arc discharge events and dielectric breakdown of oxide films play an important role in the formation process of plasma electrolytic oxidation coating. Single pulse anodization of micro-electrodes was employed to study the discharge behavior and dielectric breakdown of oxide films deposited on aluminum in an alkaline silicate electrolyte. Voltage and current waveforms of applied pulses were measured and surface morphology of micro-electrodes was characterized from images obtained using scanning electron microscope (SEM). A feasible identification method for the critical breakdown voltage of oxide film was introduced. Different current transients of voltage pulses were obtained, depending on applied pulse voltage and duration. In addition, the active capacitive effect and complex non-linear nature of plasma electrolytic oxidation process is confirmed using dynamic electrical characteristic curves. A good correlation between the pulse parameters and shape of discharge channels was observed. Circular opened pores were found to close with increasing potential and pulse width. Finally, the characteristic parameters of a single discharge event were estimated.

How to control the coherent oscillations in Landau–Zener–Stueckelberg dynamics of three-level system

Coherent pulse is used to control and measure the quantum state of three-level system in double quantum dots. We analyze the coherent oscillations in Landau–Zener–Stueckelberg (LZS) dynamics by the adiabatic-impulse model, which simplifies the applied pulse as an optical interference device. Under the designed “hat-shape” pulse, the sweeping speed through each avoid crossing can be tuned independently. The coherent oscillations in LZS dynamics of three-level system are optimized by the control pulse. Moreover, we can filter out the coherent oscillations with the unexpected frequency and only keep the coherent oscillations with the frequency we are interested in.