National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

The combination of low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy with a mass-selective electro-spray ion-beam deposition established the investigation of large biomolecules at nanometer and sub-nanometer scale. Due to complex architecture and conformational freedom, however, the chemical identification of building blocks of these biopolymers often relies on the presence of markers, extensive simulations, or is not possible at all. Here, we present a molecular probe-sensitisation approach addressing the identification of a specific amino acid within different peptides. A selective intermolecular interaction between the sensitiser attached at the tip-apex and the target amino acid on the surface induces an enhanced tunnelling conductance of one specific spectral feature, which can be mapped in spectroscopic imaging. Density functional theory calculations suggest a mechanism that relies on conformational changes of the sensitiser that are accompanied by local charge redistributions in the tunnelling junction, which, in turn, lower the tunnelling barrier at that specific part of the peptide. Chemical identification of the building blocks of biopolymers often considerably relies on the presence of markers, extensive simulations, or is not possible at all. Here, the authors report a molecular probe-sensitisation approach addressing the identification of a specific amino acid within different peptides.

High density samples (92-94.5 %) of MgB2 were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The on-off pulsed current patterns of SPS processing were 8-4, 12-2, 24-2, 99-1. Patterns with more on pulses favor formation of a higher amount of the secondary MgB4 phase through the decomposition of MgB2. They also promote enhancement of larger MgO crystallites without a strong increase in the amount of this phase. Densification rate and pressure in the SPS chamber show a similar behavior, but their amplitude varies and the temperatures defining different stages present some shifts. As-revealed differences induced by pulsed patterns impact superconducting properties in a complex manner. An attempt to assess correlations between the pattern and different superconducting parameters is presented.

Rare-earth-free permanent magnets with the L1(0) phase are actively researched for their potential as a future class of magnetic materials, capable of operating at higher temperatures and in challenging corrosion environments such as renewable energy applications. Among these classes, MnGa shows potential, being cost effective and having interesting magnetic properties. A MnGa magnetic alloy, with composition Mn73.6Ga26.4 in atomic percent, was produced via the out-of-equilibrium method, and its structural and magnetic properties were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and extended magnetic characterization. We show that the MnGa alloy submitted to thermal annealing in optimal conditions exhibits a two-phase microstructure, where small nanocrystals of tetragonal L1(0)/D0(22) magnetic phase are embedded within a D0(19) MnGa matrix of a non-collinear antiferromagnetic nature. These co-existing, magnetically different phases produce an optimal set of promising magnetic properties, larger than the values reported in the literature for single-phase MnGa alloys and thin films. Such large values are explained by the exchange coupling between competing non-collinear magnetic sublattices of the D0(19) MnGa with the net moment of the small magnetic nanocrystals of tetragonal symmetry.

Nano-logic magnetic structures are of great interest for spintronic applications. While the methods used for developing arrays of magnetic L1(0)-phase dots are, in most cases, based on deposition followed by annealing at high temperatures, usually around 700 degrees C, we demonstrate here a technique where a much lower annealing temperature (i.e., 400 degrees C) is needed in order to promote fully the disorder-order phase transformation and achievement of highly coercive L1(0)-phase dots. In order to develop building blocks based on arrays of L1(0)-phase FePt dots for further spintronic applications, an engraving technique using electron beam lithography is employed. This paper describes the fabrication, as well as the morphological and magnetic characterization, of regularly placed FePt dots of various shapes, as pre-requisites for integration into nano-logic devices. As a proof of concept, regular arrays of FePt circular dots were devised and their structural characterization, using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), was performed. It has been shown that annealing at only 400 degrees C for 30 min proved the occurrence of the tetragonal L1(0) phase. Moreover, structural characterization showed that the disorder-order phase transformation was complete with only the L1(0) phase detected in high resolution TEM. The magnetic characterization provided more insight into the potential of such arrays of magnetic devices with convenient values of magnetic coercivity, remanent and saturation magnetization. These findings show good potential for developing regular arrays of uniformly shaped magnetic entities with encouraging magnetic performances in view of various applications.

Among various "families" of iron-based superconductors, the quite recently discovered AeAFe(4)As(4) (where Ae is an alkali-earth metal and A is an alkali metal) has high critical current density, a very high upper critical field, and a low anisotropy, and has recently received much interest for the possibility of high magnetic field applications at the liquid hydrogen temperature. We have performed DC magnetization relaxation and frequency-dependent AC susceptibility measurements on high-quality single crystals of CaKFe4As4 with the aim of determining the pinning potential U*. The temperature dependence of U* displays a clear crossover between elastic creep and plastic creep. At temperatures around 27-28 K, U* has a very high value, up to 1200 K, resulting in an infinitesimally small probability of thermally activated flux jumps. From the dependence of the normalized pinning potential on irreversible magnetization, we have determined the creep exponents in the two creep regimes, which are in complete agreement with theoretical models. The estimation of the pinning potential from multifrequency AC susceptibility measurements was possible only near the critical temperature due to equipment limitations, and the resulting value is very close to the one that resulted from the magnetization relaxation data. Magnetic hysteresis loops revealed a second magnetization peak and very high values of the critical current density.

The effect of the demagnetizing factor, regarding the determination of the de-pairing current density Jdep, has been studied in the case of a Fe(Se,Te) crystal, using DC magnetic measurements as a function of a magnetic field (H) at different temperatures (T). First, the lower critical field Hc1(T) values were obtained, and the demagnetization effects acting on them were investigated after calculating the demagnetizing factor. The temperature behaviors of both the original Hc1 values and the ones obtained after considering the demagnetization effects (Hc1demag) were analyzed, and the temperature dependence of the London penetration depth lambda L(T) was obtained in both cases. In particular, the lambda L(T) curves were fitted with a power law dependence, indicating the presence of low-energy quasiparticle excitations. Furthermore, by plotting lambda L-2 as a function of T, we found that our sample behaves as a multigap superconductor, which is similar to other Fe-11 family iron-based compounds. After that, the coherence length xi values were extracted, starting with the Hc2(T) curve. The knowledge of lambda L and xi allowed us to determine the Jdep values and to observe how they are influenced by the demagnetizing factor.

Bulk MgB2 discs were prepared by an in situ route from mixtures of magnesium and boron powders. The boron powders were produced by two methods. The first one consisted of a self-propagating high tem-perature magnesiothermic synthesis (SHS) process followed by acid and fluorine cleaning and a heat treatment in inert atmosphere. This approach produced boron with purities between 86 % and 97 %, where the main impurity was Mg. Depending on the final heat treatment, these boron powders were amorphous or crystalline. In the second route, high purity nano powders (99 %) of boron were obtained by a diborane pyrolysis process. Bulks of MgB2 were characterized by structural, microstructural, and magnetic mea-surements. Critical current density, pinning force aspects and levitation force (including guiding force) details were assessed. Amorphous lower purity boron (86-97 %) obtained by the first processing route was found to promote the largest levitation forces of the MgB2 bulks and, among these samples, the best le-vitation results were recorded when using boron with a purity of 95-97 %. Use of a lower purity boron that decreases the cost of MgB2 promotes large scale production at industrial level of bulk MgB2 super-conducting magnets for levitation applications and enhances the applicability potential of MgB2 super-conductor. The relationship between levitation force and specific features of the samples such as pinning force details are discussed.& COPY; 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Romula (today Resca, Dobrosloveni Village, Romania) was the largest urban and economic center of Dacia Inferior (Malvensis), a Roman province located in the north of the Lower Danube region. In this context, the city market included workshops for the production of ceramic, metal, stone, bone, and glass objects. In 2013, 2015, and 2018, during excavations of the former Roman city, two rectangular glass furnaces were discovered. One has only one chamber, the other has two chambers. A melted glass layer was found on the walls of furnace no. 1, as well as in one room of furnace no. 2. Broken fragments of glass were also found in both. The furnaces are located in the central area of the Roman city. The evidence suggests that the furnaces belong to secondary glass workshops. The glass may have arrived in raw form, where it was remelted and processed. The discovery of these furnaces contributes to the growing body of evidence for Roman glass production around the empire.1

Mo matrix composites (MMC) with Mo-9Si-8B inclusions were fabricated by pressure-less sintering (PLS) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques at temperatures between 1200-1500 degrees C using 1 wt.% Ni sinter additive. The positive impact of the addition Ni addition on the sinterability and formation of a continuous Mo matrix of MMC with randomly distributed Mo3Si and Mo5SiB2 inclusions was determined. The Ni addition increased the shrinkage of MMC during PLS by almost a third. The continuous Mo matrix of MMC and a relative density of more than 98% was obtained after SPS at 1400-1500 degrees C. The composite with the maximum relative density of 98% showed a Vickers hardness of 482 +/- 9 (HV20). The potential of using Ni-activated PLS and SPS to produce high-density MMC is shown.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), revolutionizing their utility in multimodal imaging, drug delivery, and catalysis. This progression, spanning over the last decade, has unfolded in discernible phases, each marked by distinct advancements and paradigm shifts. In the nascent stage, emphasis was placed on foundational techniques, such as ligand exchange and organic coatings, establishing the groundwork for subsequent innovations. This review navigates through the cutting-edge developments in tailoring MNP surfaces, illuminating their pivotal role in advancing these diverse applications. The exploration encompasses an array of innovative strategies such as organic coatings, inorganic encapsulation, ligand engineering, self-assembly, and bioconjugation, elucidating how each approach impacts or augments MNP performance. Notably, surface-functionalized MNPs exhibit increased efficacy in multimodal imaging, demonstrating improved MRI contrast and targeted imaging. The current review underscores the transformative impact of surface modifications on drug delivery systems, enabling controlled release, targeted therapy, and enhanced biocompatibility. With a comprehensive analysis of characterization techniques and future prospects, this review surveys the dynamic landscape of MNP surface functionalization over the past three years (2021-2023). By dissecting the underlying principles and applications, the review provides not only a retrospective analysis but also a forward-looking perspective on the potential of surface-engineered MNPs in shaping the future of science, technology, and medicine.