Nonlinear Ultrasound Propagation in Solid $$^4\hbox {He}$$ Compared with Shear Modulus Experiments

Ultrasound attenuation (\(\alpha \)) and velocity (V) at 9.6 MHz are measured in polycrystalline hcp \(^4\hbox {He}\). The ultrasound signal above 200 mK is linear and understood in terms of resonant vibration of dislocation segments pinned between network nodes with an average pinning length of 3.7 \(\mu \hbox {m}\), much shorter than 59 \(\mu \hbox {m}\) estimated from a shear modulus measurement. Dramatic changes in \(\alpha \) and V are observed below 200 mK. The changes are strongly dependent on temperature and are nonlinear and hysteretic. These effects result from pinning of dislocations by \(^3\hbox {He}\) impurities (nominal concentration of 0.3 ppm). The dislocation damping constant due to thermal phonons, the binding energy between dislocation and \(^3\hbox {He}\), and the average network pinning length obtained from the ultrasound data are compared with those from the shear modulus experiments.     

Crystal structure,thermal behaviour,vibrational spectroscopy and optical properties of new compounds K$$_{}$$Ca(HAsO$$_{4}$$4)$$_{}\cdot $$·H$$_{}$$O with kröhnkite-type chain

The new kröhnkite compound called potassium calcium-bis-hydrogen arsenate dihydrate K\(_{2}\)Ca(HAsO\(_{4})_{2}\cdot \)2H\(_{2}\)O was obtained by hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman scattering, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and optical (photoluminescence and absorption) properties. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\(\bar{1}\) and unit cell parameters \(a = 5.971(3)\) Å, \(b =6.634(3)\) Å, \(c = 7.856(4)\) Å, \(\alpha =104.532(9)\) \(^{\circ }\), \(\beta = 105.464(9)\) \(^{\circ }\) and \(\gamma = 109.698(9)\) \(^{\circ }\). The structure of K\(_{2}\)Ca(HAsO\(_{4})_{2}\cdot \)2H\(_{2}\)O built up from this infinite, (Ca(HAsO\(_{4})_{2}\)(H\(_{2}\)O)\(_{2})^{2+}\), was oriented along an axis resulting from the association of CaO\(_{6}\) octahedra alternating with each two HAsO\(_{4}\) tetrahedra by sharing corners. Each potassium atom links two adjacent chains by three oxygen atoms of HAsO\(_{4}\) tetrahedra. TGA and DSC have shown the absence of phase transition. The existence of vibrational modes corresponding to the kröhnkite is identified by the IR and Raman spectroscopies in the frequency ranges of 400–4000 and 20–4000 cm\(^{-1}\), respectively. The photoluminescence measurement show one peak at 507 nm, which is attributed to band–band (free electron–hole transitions) and (bound electron–hole transitions) emissions within the AsO\(_{4}\) inorganic part.     

Thickness-Dependent Properties of YBCO Films Grown on GZO/CLO-Buffered NiW Substrates

To study the role of novel Gd\(_2\)Zr\(_2\)O\(_7\)/Ce\(_{0.9}\)La\(_{0.1}\)O\(_2\) buffer layer structure on a biaxially textured NiW substrate, a set of YBa\(_2\)Cu\(_3\)O\(_{7-\delta }\) (YBCO) films with different thicknesses were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Interface imperfections as well as thickness-dependent structural properties were observed in the YBCO thin films. The structure is also reflected into the improved superconducting properties with the highest critical current densities in films with intermediate thicknesses. Therefore, it can be concluded that the existing buffer layers need more optimization before they can be successfully used for films with various thicknesses. This issue is linked to the extremely susceptible growth method of PLD when compared to the commonly used chemical deposition methods. Nevertheless, PLD-grown films can give a hint on what to concentrate to be able to further improve the buffer layer structures for future coated conductor technologies.     

Physical,optical and structural studies of copper-doped lead oxychloro borate glasses

Bluish coloured glasses are obtained from the composition PbCl\(_{2}\)–PbO–B\(_{2}\)O\(_{3}\) doped with Cu\(^{2+}\) ions. Basic physical properties and spectroscopic studies (optical absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies) were carried out on these samples. The increase in PbCl\(_{2}\) content resulted in the decrease in density and increase in molar volume. At optical frequencies, band gaps and Urbach energies were evaluated and their variation is explained. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters (SHP) obtained from the EPR spectra suggest that the ligand environment around Cu\(^{2+}\) is tetragonally distorted octahedral sites and the orbital \(d_{x^{2}-{y}^{2}} \) is the ground state. The characteristics broad bands in the optical absorption spectra are assigned to the \(^{2}\)B\(_{\mathrm{1g}}\,\rightarrow \, {}^{2}\)B\(_{\mathrm{2g}}\) transition. The bonding coefficient values were evaluated using optical data and SHP. FTIR studies suggested that the glass structure is built up of BO\(_{3}\) and BO\(_{4}\) units. The presence of diborate, pyroborate, pentaborate groups, etc. in the glass network was confirmed from Raman spectra.     

Evaluation of the elastic properties of monovalent oxides using $$\hbox {TeO}_{2}$$-based glasses

Quaternary tellurite glasses with composition \(75\hbox {TeO}_{2}\)–\(5\hbox {WO}_{3}\)–\(15\hbox {Nb}_{2} \hbox {O}_{5}\)–\(5\hbox {M}_{x} \hbox {O}_{y}\) in mol%, where \(\hbox {M}_{x}\hbox {O}_{y}\) = (\(\hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}, \, \hbox {Ag}_{2}\hbox {O}\), ZnO, MgO, CuO, NiO, \(\hbox {TiO}_{2}\), \(\hbox {MnO}_{2}\)), were prepared by the normal melt-quenching method. The ultrasonic velocities (longitudinal and shear) were measured in these glasses using the pulse-echo technique at room temperature. Their elastic moduli, microhardness and Debye temperature were calculated and discussed in terms of the modifier’s ionicity and quantitatively in terms of number of bonds per unit volume and the cross-link density. In this study, the values of ultrasonic velocities, elastic moduli, Debye temperature and microhardness were found to be strongly dependent on three factors, namely: (i) modifier’s ionicity; (ii) trigonal pyramid (\(\hbox {TeO}_{3}\))/trigonal bipyramid (\(\hbox {TeO}_{4}\)) ratio; and (iii) glass transition temperature \(T_\mathrm{g}\). We used the Makishima and Mackenzie’s model to calculate the theoretical elastic moduli and to indicate that the experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values.     

High-pressure studies of superconductivity in $$\hbox {BiO}_{0.75}\hbox {F}_{0.25}\hbox {BiS}_{2}$$

\(\hbox {BiO}_{0.75}\hbox {F}_{0.25}\hbox {BiS}_{2}\) crystallizes in tetragonal CeOBiS\(_{2}\) structure (S. G. P4/nmm). We have investigated the effect of pressure on magnetization measurements. Our studies suggest improved superconducting properties in polycrystalline samples of \(\hbox {BiO}_{0.75}\hbox {F}_{0.25}\hbox {BiS}_{2}\). The \(T_{\mathrm{c}}\) in our sample is 5.3 K, at ambient pressure, which is marginal but definite enhancement over \(T_{\mathrm{c}}\) reported earlier (= 5.1 K). The upper critical field \(H_{\mathrm{c}2}\)(0) is greater than 3 T, which is higher than earlier report on this material. As determined from the M–H curve, both \(H_{\mathrm{c}2}\) and \(H_{\mathrm{c}1}\) decrease under external pressure P (0 \(\le P \le \) 1 GPa). We observe a decrease in critical current density and transition temperature on applying pressure in \(\hbox {BiO}_{0.75}\hbox {F}_{0.25}\hbox {BiS}_{2}\).     

Evolution of magnetic structure of Dy(Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>C

DyNi\(_{2}\)B\(_{2}\)C superconducts at \(T_{c} \approx 6\,{\text{K}}\) and orders antiferromagnetically at \(T_{N}\approx 10\,{\text{K}}.\) Its non-superconducting isomorph DyCo\(_{2}\)B\(_{2}\)C is a ferromagnet with \(T_{C}\approx 6\,{\text{K}}.\) With the aim of mapping out the magnetic properties, in particular magnetic structures, of their solid solutions, we synthesized \(^{11}\)B-enriched Dy(Co\(_{x}\)Ni\(_{1-x}\))\(_{2}\)B\(_{2}\)C (\(x=0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8\)). We investigated the evolution of their magnetic, thermal and transport properties by means of the magnetization, resistivity, specific heat and neutron diffraction techniques. Their crystal structures were confirmed to be ThCr\(_{2}\)-Si\(_{2}\)-type tetragonal (I4/mmm) phase. The magnetic structure was found to be antiferromagnetic with k_0.2 = (0, 0, 1) for x = 0.2; helicoidal with k\(_{0.4}\) = (0, 0, 0.49) and k\(_{0.6}\) = (0, 0, 0.46) for, respectively, x = 0.4 and 0.6 and ferromagnetic with k\(_{0.8}\) = (0, 0, 0) for x = 0.8. We discuss the evolution of such magnetic modes assuming a scenario of an idealized one-dimensional chain of transverse magnetic moments.     

Stress Assessment in Precipitation Hardened IN718 Nickel-Base Superalloy Based on Hall Coefficient Measurements

The feasibility of residual stress assessment in precipitation hardened IN718 nickel-base superalloy based on Hall coefficient measurement is investigated through studying the influence of thermal hardening, cold work, and applied stress. Measurements in IN718 specimens of various hardness levels show that the Hall coefficient increases from 8 ± 0.1\(\,\times \,\)10\(^{-11}\) m\(^{3}\)/C in the fully annealed state of 14 HRC to 9.4 ± 0.1\(\,\times \,\)10\(^{-11}\) m\(^{3}\)/C in the fully hardened state of 45 HRC. Measurements in IN718 specimens of various cold work levels show that plastic deformation exerts negligible effect on the Hall coefficient of fully annealed IN718, while in fully hardened IN718 the Hall coefficient decreases more or less linearly with cold work from its peak value of 9.4 ± 0.1\(\,\times \,\)10\(^{-11}\) m\(^{3}\)/C in its intact state to 8.9 ± 0.1\(\,\times \,\)10\(^{-11}\) m\(^{3}\)/C in its most deformed state of 22% plastic strain. Measurements taken under applied stress show that elastic strain significantly increases the Hall coefficient of IN718 regardless of the state of hardening. The relative sensitivity of the Hall coefficient to elastic strain is called the galvanomagnetic gauge factor and defined as the ratio of the relative change of the Hall coefficient divided by the axial strain under applied uniaxial stress. The gauge factor of IN718 is in the range of 2.6–2.9 depending on the hardness level. Besides the fairly high value of the gauge factor, it is important that it is positive, which means that compressive stress in surface-treated components decreases the Hall coefficient in a similar way as plastic deformation does, therefore the unfortunate cancellation that occurs in fully hardened IN718 in the case of electric conductivity measurements does not happen in this case. In addition, the influence of thermal exposure up to 700 \({{}^{\circ }}\)C and the reversible temperature dependence of the Hall coefficient at room temperature are studied in IN718 at different hardness levels.     

Study of substrate temperature and copper doping effects on structural,electrical and optical properties of Cu-doped and undoped ZnO thin films

Undoped and Cu-doped ZnO (ZnO:Cu) thin films were prepared using magnetron co-sputtering. Effects of substrate temperature \(T_{s}\) on their structural, electrical and optical properties were comparatively investigated using X-ray diffraction, atom force microscopy, and ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. ZnO:Cu thin films with different doping content were prepared and studied in order to investigate the effects of Cu-doping content. The results show that all the films exhibit a single phase (002)-oriented hexagonal wurtzite structure. Higher \(T_{s}\) enhances the crystallinity and reduces the compressive stress of the films. Cu-doping and increasing \(T_{s}\) lead to rougher surface and larger granules. The resistivity of both the ZnO and ZnO:Cu films increases with \(T_{s}\). Interestingly, optical band gap \(E_{g}\) of ZnO:Cu films increases significantly with \(T_{s}\), while \(E_{g}\) of undoped film is not obviously influenced by \(T_{s}\). Cu-doping content is an important factor affecting the physical properties of ZnO:Cu thin films. In our experiments, Cu-doping composition sightly decreases with \(T_{s}\) increasing. Cu-doping reduces the resistivity, leads to the red-shift of absorption edge, and narrows \(E_{g}\) of ZnO thin films.     

Density Functional Study of the Carbon Dependence of the Structural,Mechanic, Thermodynamic,and Dynamic Properties of SiC Alloys

Using a density functional scheme, for the first time the carbon dependence on the structural, dynamic, thermodynamic, and dynamic properties of \(\hbox {Si}_{1-x}\hbox {C}_{x} \) alloys (\(x=0.0\) to 1.0 in steps of 0.125) has been investigated. The structural properties of these materials, in particular, the composition dependence of the lattice parameter and bulk modulus, are in excellent agreement with experimental data and follow a quadratic law in (x). A nonlinear relationship is found between the elastic constants \(C_{11}\), \(C_{12}\), and \(C_{44}\) and the carbon concentration (x). The behavior of the acoustical and optical phonon frequencies at high-symmetry points \(\varGamma \), X, and L is predicted. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the photonic effects are taken into account, the Debye temperature, the heat capacity, the Helmholtz free energy, the internal energy, and the entropy are determined for the \(\hbox {Si}_{1-x}\hbox {C}_{x }\) compounds.     

Measurement of the Nonlinearity of Heat-Flux Sensors Employing a $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ laser

Heat-flux sensors are widely used in industry to test building products and designs for resistance to bushfire, to test the flammability of textiles and in numerous applications such as concentrated solar collectors. In Australia, such detectors are currently calibrated by the National Measurement Institute Australia (NMIA) at low flux levels of 20 W \(\cdot \) m\(^{-2}\). Estimates of the uncertainty arising from nonlinearity at industrial levels (e.g. 50 kW \(\cdot \) m\(^{-2}\) for bushfire testing) rely on literature information. NMIA has developed a facility to characterize the linearity response of these heat-flux sensors up to 110 kW \(\cdot \) m\(^{-2}\) using a low-power \(\hbox {CO}_2\) laser and a chopped quartz tungsten–halogen lamp. The facility was validated by comparison with the conventional flux-addition method, and used to characterize several Schmidt–Boelter-type sensors. A significant nonlinear response was found, ranging from (\(3.2 \pm 0.9\))% at 40 kW \(\cdot \) m\(^{-2}\) to more than 8 % at 100 kW \(\cdot \) m\(^{-2}\). Additional measurements confirm that this is not attributable to convection effects, but due to the temperature dependence of the sensor’s responsivity.     

Electrical and Thermal Characteristics of the Insulator–Metal Transition in Crystalline $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$ Films

The electrical and thermal properties with respect to the crystallization in \(\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}\) thin films were investigated by measuring the resistance at different temperatures and applied voltages. The changes in the crystal structure of the films at different temperatures were also explored using Raman measurements. The thermal diffusivity of the crystalline \(\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}\) film was measured by the nanosecond thermoreflectance method. The microstructures of amorphous and crystalline \(\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}\) were observed by SEM and XRD measurements. The temperature-dependent Raman spectra revealed that a structural phase transition does not occur in the crystalline film. The resistance measurements of an amorphous film indicated semiconducting behavior, whereas the resistance of the crystalline film revealed a substantial change near \(250\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\), and Ohmic behavior was observed above \(380\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\). This result was due to the metal–insulator transition induced by lattice distortion in the crystalline film, for which \(T_{\mathrm{c}}\) was \(260\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\). \(T_{\mathrm{c}}\) of the film decreased from 260 \({^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\) to \(230\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\) with increasing applied voltage from 0 V to 10 V. Furthermore, the thermal diffusivity of the crystalline film was \(1.67\times 10^{-7}\,\hbox {m}^{2}\cdot \hbox {s}^{-1}\) according to the nanosecond thermoreflectance measurements.     

Vacancy-mediated ferromagnetism in Co-implanted ZnO studied using a slow positron beam

Co\(^+\) ions with multiple energies from 50 to 380 keV were implanted into ZnO single crystals up to a total dose of \(1.25\times 10^{17}\,\hbox {cm}^2\). The implanted samples were annealed in open air for 30 min between 200 and 1100 \(^{\circ }\)C. All the samples before and after implantation and annealing were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering and positron annihilation measurements. XRD and Raman scattering measurements indicate that Co implantation induces severe lattice damage, and after annealing the damage recovers gradually. No Co clusters or Co-related second phase was observed in the implanted samples. Doppler broadening of positron annihilation radiation measurements using a slow positron beam reveals a large number of vacancy clusters introduced by Co implantation. After annealing up to 1000 \(^{\circ }\)C, almost all the defects induced by implantation are removed. The implanted samples show clear ferromagnetism measured at 5 K. It shows very slight decrease after annealing at 700 \(^{\circ }\)C and becomes much weaker after annealing at 1000 \(^{\circ }\)C. The origin of ferromagnetism is most probably due to substitution of Co\(^+\) ions at Zn lattice sites. However, it is apparent that the decrease in magnetization after annealing is consistent with the vacancy recovery process, indicating that the ferromagnetism in Co-implanted ZnO is mediated by defects such as Zn vacancy (V\(_{Zn}\)) or vacancy clusters. First principles calculations also support that Zn-related monovacancies and vacancy clusters can enhance the ferromagnetism in Co-doped ZnO.     

Thermodynamic Investigation of the Eutectic Mixture of the $$\hbox {LiNO}_{3}$$–$$\hbox {NaNO}_{3}$$NaNO3–$$\hbox {KNO}_{3}$$KNO3–$$\hbox {Ca}(\hbox {NO}_{3})_{2}$$Ca(NO3)2 System

Molten nitrate salt is usually employed as heat transfer or energy storage medium in concentrating solar power systems to improve the overall efficiency of thermoelectric conversion. In the present work, the liquidus curves of the \(\hbox {LiNO}_{3}\)–\(\hbox {NaNO}_{3}\)–\(\hbox {KNO}_{3}\)–\(\hbox {Ca}(\hbox {NO}_{3})_{2}\) system is determined by conformal ionic solution theory according to the solid–liquid equilibrium state of the binary mixture. The calculated eutectic temperature of the mixture is \(93.17\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\), which is close to the experimental value of \(93.22\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\) obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Visualization observation experiments reveal that the quaternary eutectic mixture begins to partially melt when the temperature reaches \(50\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\), and the degree of melting increases with temperature. The mixture is completely melted at \(\hbox {130}\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\). The observed changes in the dissolved state at different temperatures correlate well with the DSC heat flow curve fluctuations.     

Measurement of the Water Relaxation Time of $${\upvarepsilon }$$-Polylysine Aqueous Solutions

\({\upvarepsilon }\)-Polylysine is an effective food preservative. In this paper, the \({\upbeta }\)-relaxation time of \({\upvarepsilon }\)-polylysine aqueous solutions, which represents the rotational speed of a single water molecule, was measured by broadband dielectric spectroscopy at various temperatures and concentrations. The broadband dielectric spectrum of each sample containing water ranging from 35 wt% to 75 wt% at temperatures ranging from \(0\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) to \(25\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) was measured using a co-axial semirigid cable probe. The measured dielectric spectra of the samples were composed of several Debye relaxation peaks, including a shortest single molecular rotational relaxation time of water, the \({\upbeta }\)-relaxation time, longer than that of pure water. This result represents that \({\upvarepsilon }\)-polylysine suppresses the molecular kinetics of water. It is also found that the \({\upbeta }\)-relaxation time of an \({\upvarepsilon }\)-polylysine solution that contained more than 35 wt% water showed a typical Arrhenius plot in the temperature range from \(0\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) to \(25\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\). The activation energy of each sample depends on the water content ratio of the sample. As indicated by its long \({\upbeta }\)-relaxation time, \({\upvarepsilon }\)-polylysine is expected to possess high abilities of suppressing freezing and ice coarsening.     

Estimating the Kinematic Viscosity of Petroleum Fractions

Kinematic viscosity correlation has been developed for liquid petroleum fractions at 37.78\(\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) and \(98.89\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) (100 and \(210^{\circ }\hbox {F})\) standard temperatures using a large variety of experimental data. The only required inputs are the specific gravity and the average boiling point temperature. The accuracy of the correlation was compared with several other correlations available in the literature. The proposed correlations proved to be more accurate in predicting the viscosity at 37.78\(\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) and \(98.89\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) with average absolute deviations of 0.39 and \(0.72\hbox { mm}^{2}/\hbox {s}\), respectively. Another objective was to develop a relation for the variation of viscosity with temperature to predict the viscosity of petroleum fraction at a certain temperature from the knowledge of the viscosity for the same liquid at two other temperatures. The newly developed correlation represents a wide array of temperatures from 20 \(^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) to 150 \(^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) and viscosities from 0.14\(\hbox { mm}^{2}/\hbox {s}\) to 343.64\(\hbox { mm}^{2}/\hbox {s}\). The results have been validated with experimental data consisting of 9558 data points, yielding an overall deviation of \(0.248\hbox { mm}^{2}/\hbox {s}\) and \(\hbox {R}^{2}\) of 0.998. In addition, new formulas were developed to interconvert the viscosity of petroleum fractions from one unit of measure to another based on finding the best fit for a set of experimental data from the literature with \(R^{2}\) as high as 1.0 for many cases. Detailed analysis showed good agreement between the predicted values and the experimental data.     

A comparative study on dielectric behaviours of Au/(Zn-doped PVA)/<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-4H-SiC (MPS) structures with different interlayer thicknesses using impedance spectroscopy methods

Three different thicknesses (50, 150 and 500 nm) Zn-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was deposited on n-4H-SiC wafer as interlayer by electrospinning method and so, Au/(Zn-doped PVA)/n-4H-SiC metal–polymer–semiconductor structures were fabricated. The thickness effect of Zn-doped PVA on the dielectric constant (\(\varepsilon ^{\prime }\)), dielectric loss (\(\varepsilon ^{{\prime }{\prime }}\)), loss-tangent (tan \(\delta \)), real and imaginary parts of electric modulus (\(M^{\prime }\) and \(M^{{\prime }{\prime }})\) and ac electrical conductivity \((\sigma _{\mathrm{ac}})\) of them were analysed and compared using experimental capacitance (C) and conductance (\(G/\omega \)) data in the frequency range of 1–500 kHz at room temperature. According to these results, the values of \(\varepsilon ^{\prime }\) and \(\varepsilon ^{{\prime }{\prime }}\) decrease with increasing frequency almost exponentially, \(\sigma _{\mathrm{ac}}\) increases especially, at high frequencies. The \(M^{\prime }\) and \(M^{{\prime }{\prime }}\) values were obtained from the \(\varepsilon ^{\prime }\) and \(\varepsilon ^{{\prime }{\prime }}\) data and the \(M^{\prime }\) and \(M^{{\prime }{\prime }}\) vs. f plots were drawn for these structures. While the values of \(\varepsilon ^{\prime }\), \(\varepsilon ^{{\prime }{\prime }}\) and tan \(\delta \) increase with increasing interlayer thickness, the values of \(M^{\prime }\) and \(M^{{\prime }{\prime }}\) decrease with increasing interlayer thickness. The double logarithmic \(\sigma _{\mathrm{ac}}\) vs. f plots for each structure have two distinct linear regimes with different slopes, which correspond to low and high frequencies, respectively, and it is prominent that there exist two different conduction mechanisms. Obtained results were found as a strong function of frequency and interlayer thickness.     

Shear-thinning and constant viscosity predictions for rotating sphere flows

The steady motion of a rotating sphere is analysed through two contrasting viscoelastic models, a constant viscosity (FENE-CR) model and a shear-thinning (LPTT) model. Giesekus (Rheol. Acta 9:30–38, 1970) presented an intriguing rotating viscoelastic flow, which to date has not been completely explained. In order to investigate this flow, sets of parameters have been explored to analyse the significant differences introduced with the proposed models, while the momentum-continuity-stress equations are solved through a hybrid finite-element/finite volume numerical scheme. Solutions are discussed for first, sphere angular velocity increase (\(\varOmega\)), and second, through material velocity-scale increase (\(\alpha\)). Numerical predictions for different solvent-ratios (\(\beta\)) show significant differences as the sphere angular velocity increases. It is demonstrated that an emerging equatorial anticlockwise vortex emerges in a specific range of \(\varOmega\). As such, this solution matches closely with the Giesekus experimental findings. Additionally, inside the emerging inertial vortex, a contrasting positive second normal stress-difference (\(N_{2} ( \dot{\gamma} ) = \tau_{rr} - \tau_{\theta\theta}\)) region is found compared against the negative \(N_{2}\)-enveloping layer.     

Structural,dielectric and piezoelectric study of Ca-, Zr-modified $$\hbox {BaTiO}_{3}$$ lead-free ceramics

We prepared a lead-free ceramic (\(\hbox {Ba}_{0.85}\hbox {Ca}_{0.15})(\hbox {Ti}_{1-x}\hbox {Zr}_{x})\hbox {O}_{3}\) (BCTZ) using the conventional mixed oxide technique. The samples were prepared by an ordinary mixing and sintering technique. In this study we investigated how small amounts of \(\hbox {Zr}^{4+}\) can affect the crystal structure and microstructure as well as dielectric and piezoelectric properties of \(\hbox {BaTiO}_{3}\). X-ray diffraction analysis results indicate that no secondary phase is formed in any of the BCTZ powders for \(0 \le x \le 0.1\), suggesting that \(\hbox {Zr}^{4+}\) diffuses into \(\hbox {BaTiO}_{3}\) lattices to form a solid solution. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that the average grain size gradually increased with \(\hbox {Zr}^{4+}\) content from 9.5 \(\upmu \!\hbox {m}\) for \(x = 0.02\) to 13.5 \(\upmu \!\hbox {m}\) for \(x = 0.1\); Curie temperature decreased due to the small tetragonality caused by \(\hbox {Zr}^{4+}\) addition. Owing to the polymorphic phase transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal phase around room temperature, it was found that the composition \(x = 0.09\) showed improved electrical properties and reached preferred values of \(d_{33} = 148\) pC \(\hbox {N}^{-1}\) and \(K_{\mathrm{p}} = 27\%\).