First principles studies on the electronics structures of (Li<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Me<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)FePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> (Me=Na and Be)

Based on density functional theory (DFT) of the first-principle for cathode materials of lithium ion battery, the electronic structures of (Li_1?x Me _x )FePO₄ (Me=Na and Be, x=0–0.40) are calculated by plane wave pseudo-potential method using Cambridge serial total energy package (CASTEP) program. The calculated results show that Li-site doping can improve the electronic conductivity enormously. Doping with Na has a noticeable effect on improving its electrical conductivity. However, serious structural distortion will occur when its doping density is beyond 0.25. In view of this, the best density of doping Na is less than 0.25. Doping with Be has an inconspicuous effect on increasing its electrical conductivity and has good cyclical stability, but it cannot achieve as good results as when it is doped with Na. Therefore we cannot find a middle ground between the two proposals. Considering cost and environmental protection, it is ideal to choose Na. So this method gives a reasonable prediction to the improvement of electronic conductivity through Li-site doping in LiFePO₄ material.     

Effects of typhoon Matsa on ionospheric TEC

The effects of typhoon Matsa on the ionosphere are studied by using GPS-TEC data observed at about 50 GPS stations.It is shown that the ionosphere has been already influenced and TEC tends to increase before the landing of Matsa,and the difference of TEC from its monthly median over the typhoon area is about 5 TECU.With the landing of Matsa,both the magnitude and the area of increased TEC decrease.One day after the landing of Matsa,TEC reaches its minimum and is lower than the monthly median.In comparison o...     

Progress on gecko-inspired micro/nano-adhesion arrays

Gecko’s excellent adhesion ability is thought to derive from van der Waals force generated between the millions of keratinous hairs/setae and the contact surface. Fabricating highly gecko-inspired foot-hair becomes one of the key technologies to realize the three-dimensional-obstacle-free motion of robot. Researchers have fabricated various gecko-like foot-hair arrays which have leaning, large end, and hierarchical structures. Those significant works are summarized and suggestions for future work are proposed in this paper.     

U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Wudangshan Group in the South Qinling and its geological significance

U-Pb dating was made by the LA-ICP-MS method for detrital zircons from the Wudangshan volcanic-sedimentary succession in the South Qinling. Samples comprise quartz sandstones of the Wudangshan Group collected from the base of the Yangping Formation and an upper layer of the Shuangtai Formation overlain its volcanic sequence, and two river-sand collections from the drainage systems cutting across the two formations, respectively. The results show that the Yangping detrital zircons are dominated by 830–780 Ma grains with a minor population of ~1.0–0.84 Ga and sporadic grains of ~2.6, ~2.4 and 2.0 Ga, whereas the Shuangtai zircons yield an upper intercept age of 763±33 Ma, identical to the timing of the Wudangshan volcanism within error, with few concordant grains of 1.9 and 0.86 Ga. Age spectra for the two river-sand samples are similar to those of the Yangping and Shuangtai Formations, respectively. It thus suggests that the Wudangshan strata are less than 780 Ma, whereas their major detrital zircon populations of 1.0–0.85 Ga and 830–780 Ma are consistent with timing of the Hannan magmatic activities along the northwestern margin of the South China Block. This suggests a Hannan or adjacent area provenance for the Wudangshan strata. The Wudang area is characterized by rift-related igneous events at ~755 and ~680 Ma, respectively, pointing to a tectono- magmatic history different from the Hannan area. It is inferred that the ~755 Ma magmatism is likely to indicate a separation of the South China Block from the supercontinent Rodinia, while the ~680 Ma event suggests a further split between the South Qinling and some unknown continent.     

Genetic analysis and gene mapping of a dominant presenescing leaf gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">PSL3</Emphasis> in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Leaf senescence as an active process is essential for plant survival and reproduction. However, premature senility is harmful to agricultural production. In this study, a rice mutant, named as psl3 (presescing leaf 3) isolated from EMS-treated Jinhui 10, displays obvious premature senility features both in morphological and physiological level. Genetic analysis showed that mutant trait was controlled by a single dominant gene (PSL3), which was located on rice chromosome 7 between SSR marker c7sr1 and InDel marker ID10 with an interval of 53.5 kb. The result may be useful for the isolation of the PSL3 gene.     

Dynamics of phytoplankton and picoplankton over a tidal cycle in a subtropical lagoon

The influences of a tidal cycle on the distribution of autotrophic plankton were investigated in a hyper-eutrophic lagoon designated as a scenic area. Results showed that the highest concentrations of picoplankton and phytoplankton were found in the middle and inner part of the lagoon, irrespective of the tides. The MDS result also revealed that phytoplankton communities, dominated by Ceratium furca, were similar among stations in the inner bay during both flood tides and ebb tides. The time series sampling results at the inlet-outlet channel revealed that almost the same amounts of phytoplankton and picoplankton were carried through the channel during flood and ebb tides, with no trend in nutrient fluctuations except for phosphate which had a net loss from the lagoon. The results showed that tidal cycles do not effectively flush away phytoplankton and picoplankton from the lagoon, and the blooming of phyto- and picoplankton is inevitable should the situation stay the same. Steps are needed to alleviate the eutrophication condition instead of depending on the natural process such as tidal cycle.     

I-doping of anodized TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes using an electrochemical method

In order to obtain TiO2 with high photocatalytic activity, a cathode reduction was used to dope I⁷⁺ and I⁵⁺ into TiO₂ nanotubes of anodized Ti in C₂H₂O₄•2H₂O + NH₄F electrolyte. SEM images show that the anodization method integrated the preparation with the doping process, which for nonmetals-doping is advantageous to maintain the morphological integrity of TiO₂ nanotubes. I⁷⁺-I⁵⁺-doping enhances the UV response of TiO₂ and result in a red-shift. Under UV/visible irradiation, a I⁷⁺-I⁵⁺-doped sample (400°C) showed the highest I_ph and photocatalytic efficiency. A part of I^– in the I⁷⁺-I⁵⁺-doped sample is involved in the UV response, the red-shift and the higher I_ph.     

Perfluorinated compounds in milk,milk powder and yoghurt purchased from markets in China

The exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) through the diet for humans is of great concern. Among the diet, dairy products are in great demand. This paper reports the study on the levels of 9 perfluorinated acids and 2 fluorotelomer acids in milk, milk powder and yoghurt purchased from Chinese markets from 2008 to 2009. The analytes were quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). In milk samples, perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perf...     

Ferroelectricity of nanocrystalline BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics by first principle calculation

The vibrational modes of BaTiO₃ in different crystalline phases have been investigated by means of density functional theory pseudo potential method. The evidence of tetragonal to orthorhombic and orthorhombic to rhombohedral phase transitions present for 8 nm BaTiO₃ ceramics further demonstrates that the similar successive transitions in 8 nm BaTiO₃ ceramics from rhombohedral to orthorhombic, tetragonal and cubic transitions are as those in coarse BaTiO₃ ceramics.     

Preparation of photoanode and its application to flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

A TiO2 slurry was prepared by hydrothermal treating mixture of commercial TiO2 (P25),ethanol and distilled water in an autoclave.A flexible photoanode and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was fabricated on an ITO-coated poly (ethylene naphthalate) sheet (ITO/PEN) substrate by a doctor-blade technique.The sample was characterized with SEM,UV-vis,FTIR,and the photoelectric properties of the DSSC were measured.The influence of preparation conditions on the properties of the flexible DSSC was investigated.It is...