2D WO3 nanosheets for high-performance electrochromic-supercapacitor

In our article, 2D WO3 nanosheet arrays with (101) preferential orientation facets (WO3 NSHs) were successfully assembled on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode through a simple solvothermal method. The physicochemical...

Impact of Magneto-optical Properties Depending on the Orientation in the Plane of Cobalt Ferrite Locked in a Silica Matrix

In this work, we discuss the magneto-optical properties according to the orientation of 15nm-sized cobalt ferrite blocked in a silica matrix in comparison to the study done on 20nm-sized cobalt ferrite. This measurement shows that it is possible to increase the remanence of the Faraday effect by creating a magnetic orientation in the solid matrix, which is interesting for the production of self-polarized components. In addition, this remanence is greater for 15 nm than for 20 nm.A gelation field applied perpendicular to the plane of the layer therefore produces a preferential orientation of the magnetic moments in the direction of the field applied during the measurement.

Structural characteristics of the bone surrounding dental implants placed into the tail-suspended mice

Background There are many unclear points regarding local structural characteristics of the bone surrounding the implant reflecting the mechanical environment. Purpose The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate bone quality surrounding implants placed into the femurs of mice in an unloading model, and to determine the influence of the mechanical environment on bone quality. Methods Twenty 12-week-old male C57BL6/NcL mice (n = 5/group) were used as experimental animals. The mice were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 10) which were reared by tail suspension, and the control group (n = 10) which were reared normally. An implant was placed into the femur of a tail-suspended mouse, and after the healing period, they were sacrificed and the femur was removed. After micro-CT imaging, Villanueva osteochrome bone stain was performed. It was embedded in unsaturated polyester resin. The polymerized block was sliced passing through the center of the implant body. Next, 100-μm-thick polished specimens were prepared with water-resistant abrasive paper. In addition to histological observation, morphometric evaluation of cancellous bone was performed, and the anisotropy of collagen fibers and biological apatite (BAp) crystals was analyzed. Results As a result, the femoral cortical bone thickness and new peri-implant bone mass showed low values in the tail suspension group. The uniaxial preferential orientation of BAp c-axis in the femoral long axis direction in the non-implant groups, but biaxial preferential orientation of BAp c-axis along the long axis of implant and femoral long axis direction were confirmed in new bone reconstructed by implant placement. Collagen fiber running anisotropy and orientation of BAp c-axis in the bone surrounding the implant were not significantly different due to tail suspension. Conclusions From the above results, it was clarified that bone formation occurs surrounding the implant even under extremely low load conditions, and bone microstructure and bone quality adapted to the new mechanical environment are acquired.

Effect of Partial Ba Substitutions on the Crystallization of Sr2TiSi2O8 (STS) Glass–Ceramics and on the Generation of a SAW Signal at High Temperatures

Because of their characteristics, including a d33 of 10–15 pC/N and high stability up to temperatures over 1000 °C, polar glass–ceramics containing fresnoite crystals can be regarded as highly effective materials for applications requiring piezoelectricity at high temperatures. In the present paper we investigate barium substitutions in an Sr-fresnoite (STS) glass–ceramic. Two aspects are studied: first, the effect of the substitution on the preferential orientation of the crystallization, and second, the ability of the glass–ceramics to generate and propagate surface acoustic waves (SAW) at high temperatures. XRD analyses show that a 10 at.% substitution of Ba allows us to keep a strong preferential orientation of the (00l) planes of the fresnoite crystals down to more than 1 mm below the surfaces. Higher substitution levels (25 and 50 at.%), induce a non-oriented volume crystallization mechanism that competes with the surface mechanism. SAW devices were fabricated from glass–ceramic substrates with 0, 10 and 25 at.% Ba substitutions. Temperature testing reveals the high stability of the frequency and delay for all of these devices. The glass–ceramic with a 10 at.% Ba substitution gives the strongest amplitude of the SAW signal. This is attributed to the high (00l) preferential orientation and the absence of disoriented volume crystallization.

New Technique for Evaluating Fracture Geometry and Preferential Orientation Using Pulsed Field Gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Summary In-situ evaluation of fracture tortuosity (i.e., pore geometry complexity and roughness) and preferential orientation is crucial for fluid flow simulation and production forecast in subsurface water and hydrocarbon reservoirs. This is particularly significant for naturally fractured reservoirs or postacid fracturing because of the strong permeability anisotropy. However, such downhole in-situ characterization remains a challenge. This study presents a new method for evaluating fracture tortuosity and preferential orientation based on the pulsed field gradient (PFG) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. Such an approach provides diffusion tortuosity, τd, defined as the ratio of bulk fluid diffusion coefficient to the restricted diffusion coefficient in the porous media. In the PFG NMR technique, the magnetic field gradient can be applied in different directions, and therefore anisotropy in diffusion coefficient and τd can be evaluated. Three 3D printed samples, characterized by well controlled variable fracture tortuosity, one fractured sandstone, and three acidized carbonate samples with wormhole were used in this study. PFG NMR measurements were performed using both 2- and 12-MHz NMR instruments to obtain τd in the three different principal directions. The results obtained from the NMR measurements were compared with fracture tortuosity and preferential orientation determined from the microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) images of the samples. The results showed that τd increases as the fracture tortuosity and pore geometry complexity increases, showing good agreement with the image-based geometric tortuosity values. Moreover, the lowest τd values were found to coincide with the preferential direction of fracture surfaces and wormhole body for a given sample, whereas the maximum τd values correspond to the nonconnected pathway directions. These results suggest that the implantation of directional restricted diffusion measurements on the NMR well logging tools would offer a possibility of probing tortuosity and determining preferential fluid flow direction via direct downhole measurements.

Order from disorder in the sarcomere: FATZ forms a fuzzy but tight complex and phase-separated condensates with α-actinin

In sarcomeres, α-actinin cross-links actin filaments and anchors them to the Z-disk. FATZ (filamin-, α-actinin-, and telethonin-binding protein of the Z-disk) proteins interact with α-actinin and other core Z-disk proteins, contributing to myofibril assembly and maintenance. Here, we report the first structure and its cellular validation of α-actinin-2 in complex with a Z-disk partner, FATZ-1, which is best described as a conformational ensemble. We show that FATZ-1 forms a tight fuzzy complex with α-actinin-2 and propose an interaction mechanism via main molecular recognition elements and secondary binding sites. The obtained integrative model reveals a polar architecture of the complex which, in combination with FATZ-1 multivalent scaffold function, might organize interaction partners and stabilize α-actinin-2 preferential orientation in Z-disk. Last, we uncover FATZ-1 ability to phase-separate and form biomolecular condensates with α-actinin-2, raising the question whether FATZ proteins can create an interaction hub for Z-disk proteins through membraneless compartmentalization during myofibrillogenesis.