Influence of temperature-induced A-site cation redistribution on the functional properties of A-site complex polar perovskite K_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃

Tailoring the electromechanical properties of a material without altering the original composition is an emerging phenomenon for the optimization of functional properties. Post-sintering annealing with varying maximum temperatures, cooling rates, and atmospheres can influence the crystallographic phases, domain structures, conductivity,...

Enzyme Engineering Enables Inversion of Substrate Stereopreference of the Halogenase WelO5*

Enzymatic late-stage diversification of small molecules has the potential to rapidly generate diversity in compound libraries dedicated to drug discovery. In this context, freestanding Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent halogenases have raised particular interest as this enzyme family allows the otherwise difficult regio- and stereoselective...

International comparison of impurities mixing and accumulation in steel scrap

The accumulation of impurities in the recycling of steel impacts the quality of secondary steel. Understanding impurity levels is crucial in the context of the proliferation of circular economy policies, expected high recycling rates, and growth of scrap consumption. By assuming the accumulation of impurities to be equal worldwide, the...

Compressive strength and chloride ion permeation resistance of mortar containing clinker with different mineral composition as an aggregate

The purpose of this study is to clarify the performance of cement hardenings containing clinkers which are utilized as aggregate by evaluating the compressive strength and chloride ion penetration resistance of the mortars. Here, the fine aggregate used in this study were the ordinary Portland cement clinker and the clinker with more waste as an...

Suppression of the Phase Coexistence of the fcc-fct Transition in Hafnium-Hydride Thin Films

Metal hydrides may play a paramount role in a future hydrogen economy. While most applications are based on nanostructured and confined materials, studies considering the structural response of these materials to hydrogen concentrate on bulk material. Here, using in situ in- and out-of-plane X-ray diffraction and reflectometry, we study the fcc ...

Improvement of tsunami countermeasures based on lessons from the 2011 great east Japan earthquake and tsunami: situation after five years

The 2011 Great East Japan Tsunami exposed many hidden weaknesses in Japan’s tsunami countermeasures. Since then, many improvements have been made in both structural measures (numerical simulations, coastal defense structures, building damage assessment and control forests) and nonstructural measures (warning/observation and evacuation). This...

Fault tolerant wind turbine production operation and shutdown (Sustainable Control)

Extreme environmental conditions as well as system failure are real-life phenomena. Especially offshore, extreme environmental conditions and system faults are to be dealt with in an effective way. The project Sustainable Control, a new approach to operate wind turbines (Agentschap NL, grant EOSLT02013) pro- vides the concepts for an integrated...

Room-temperature stability of Pt nanogaps formed by self-breaking

We present a method to make Pt nanometer-spaced electrodes that are free of metallic particles and stable at ambient conditions. The nanogaps are fabricated using feedback-controlled electromigration to form few-atom contacts. When performing this procedure at elevated temperatures (>420?K), the Pt contacts undergo self-breaking so that...

Topological dislocations and mixed state of charge density waves

Mössbauer spectroscopic study of low-frequency vibrational modes in sintered metal powders