Conductivity Data Research Articles

Investigation of AC conductivity and dielectric relaxation of lithium modified zinc borate semiconducting glasses for energy storage applications

Conductivity spectra of (80-x)B2O3.20ZnO.xLi2O (x = 10, 20, 30 and 40) glass series were studied in frequencies ranging from 0.1 Hz to 106 Hz and temperature ranging from 313 K to 573 K. The experimental data of ac conductivity is fitted using the Almond West model, and the parameters such as direct current conductivity (σdc), frequency exponent (s) and crossover frequency (ωH) have been extracted. Overlapping Large Polaron Tunneling is found to be applicable in studied glasses. Activation energy estimated from conductivity (0.89–1.39 eV), electric modulus (0.88–1.32 eV), and impedance (0.89–1.27 eV) analysis are in good agreement. Activation energy corresponding to ionic conduction in x = 30 and 40 mol% is found to be 1.09 and 1.10 eV respectively. Highest conductivity ∼2.5 × 10−5 Scm−1 is obtained for 40B2O3.20ZnO.40Li2O glass composition at 573 K. Impedance formalism indicates that electric conduction occurs via Li+ and electrons/polarons. It makes the studied glasses suitable for energy storage devices.

The “Periodic Table” of 1-methylbenzotriazole: Zinc(II) Complexes

In an attempt to fill in the empty Zn position in the “Periodic Table” of 1-methylbenzotriazole (Mebta), reactions between Zn(II) sources and this ligand were carried out. The detailed synthetic studies provided access to complexes [ZnX2(Mebta)2] (X = Cl, 1; X = Br, 3; X = I, 4), (MebtaH)2[ZnCl4] (2), tet-[Zn(NO3)2(Mebta)2] (5), oct-[Zn(NO3)2(Mebta)2] (6), and [Zn(Mebta)4](Y)2 [Y = ClO4, 7; Y = PF6, 8]. Solid-state thermal decomposition of 2 leads to 1 in quantitative yield. The structures of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were determined by single-crystal crystallography. The structures of the remaining complexes were proposed based on spectroscopic evidence. In all compounds, Mebta behaves as monodentate ligand using the nitrogen of the position 3 as donor. Complexes 1–4, 7, and 8 are tetrahedral. Complexes 5 and 6 are isostoichiometric and their preparation in pure forms depends on the reaction conditions; in the former the ZnII atom has a tetrahedral geometry, whereas in the latter the metal ion is octahedral. This case of rare isomerism arises from the monodentate (in 5) vs. bidentate (in 6) coordination of the nitrato groups. Extensive π–π stacking interactions and non-classical H bonds build interesting 3D architectures in the structurally characterized complexes. The compounds were characterized by IR, far-IR, and Raman spectroscopies in the solid state, and the data were interpreted in terms of the structures (known or proposed) of the complexes and the coordination modes of the organic and inorganic ligands involved. The solid-state structures of the complexes are not retained in solution, as proven by NMR (1H, 13C[1H]) spectroscopy and molar conductivity data. The thermal decomposition study of 1 and 3 leads to stable intermediates with 1:1 stoichiometry, i.e., ZnX2(Mebta). Based on far-IR spectra, polymeric tetrahedral structures are possible with simultaneous presence of terminal and bridging X− groups. Liquid-phase ab initio (MP2) and gas-phase DFT calculations, performed on Mebta and the nitrato complexes, respectively, shed light on the tendency of Mebta for N3-coordination, and the existence and relative stabilities of 5 and 6.

Analysis of Interfacial Capacitance of Ni-YSZ Anode By Transient Simulation

An electrochemical impedance and equivalent circuit analysis are frequently used for electrochemical evaluation of SOFC cells. The impedance analysis enables to obtain the resistance and the capacitance components of the electrode reaction. The electrode resistance is directly related to the cell performance. The electrode capacitance can be sometimes give information about the active electrode reaction site. As to Ni-YSZ electrode, we've tried to elucidate the physical meaning of the capacitance [1]. However, it is not easy to clarify the physical origin of the electrode capacitance. Thus, the capacitance has not been used to evaluate the active reaction zone so far. In this study, the capacitance of Ni-YSZ interface will be simulated by calculating the chemical capacitance derived from YSZ. Then, the origin of the capacitance will be discussed through comparison with the previous studies [1].The structural model to simulate the Ni-YSZ model cell [1] are shown in Fig. 1., which shows simplified model according to symmetry of the cell. In order to limit the electrochemical reaction zone (triple phase boundary), a virtual reaction zone was introduced. Cell conditions for the calculation are following: temperature: 765ºC; oxygen partial pressure of the air electrode: 0.21 bar;hydrogen partial pressure: 1.00 bar, and water vapor partial pressure: 0.03 bar for fuel electrode. Transient simulation was performed to obtain the chemical capacitance by an in-house code, SIMUDEL, where mixed ionic electronic conduction and oxygen nonstoichiometry were taken into consideration [2,3] using the reported conductivity data of YSZ [4].The measured capacitance of the model cell [1] was 5×10-4 Fcm-2. On the other hand, the calculated chemical capacitance of YSZ was 2×10-3 Fcm-2. Even though the oxygen nonstoichiometry of YSZ was small, calculated chemical capacitance was much larger than the observed interfacial capacitance. These difference implies there was unknown factors to promote the response of electron in the actual Ni-YSZ interface. If a thin resistive layer was inserted between Ni and YSZ interface, the calculated chemical capacitance became smaller than that of observed. Sasaki et al. observed an incoherent interface between Ni and YSZ by TEM [5]. This kind of interface structure may be the potential cause of the complicated capacitance.This study was partially supported by NEDO, Japan.[1] M. Takeda, et. al., submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc.[2] K. Terada, et. al., ECS Trans. 35(1), 923 (2011).[3] M. Sato, et. al., Trans. Jpn. Soc. Comp. Eng. Sci. 2017, 14 (2017).[4] J.H. Park, et. al., J. Am. Ceram.Soc.,72[8],1485-87(1989).[5] T. Sasaki, et. al., Mater. Trans. 45(7), 2137 (2004).Fig. 1 Schematic diagrams of the structural model to simulate the chemical capacitance of Ni-YSZ. Figure 1

Spatio-temporal evolution of groundwater quality and its health risk assessment in Punjab (India) during 2000-2020.

The state known as the bread basket of India has now been defamed as the cancer capital of the country. The toxicity of groundwater associated with the declining water level is reported in recent years. However, an extensive temporal and spatial analysis is required to identify hotspots. In this study, spatial tools are utilized to understand the evolution of groundwater in Punjab (> 315 sites) for the last two decades (2000-2020) for drinking purposes using the water quality index (WQI). The data for pH, electric conductivity (EC), bicarbonate (HCO3¯), chloride (Cl¯), sulfate (SO42¯), nitrate (NO3¯), fluoride (F¯), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+) collected from the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) were analyzed. The results show that the average cation abundance is in declining order of Na > Mg > Ca > K, and anion abundance is in order of HCO3¯ > SO42¯ > Cl¯ > NO3 > F. The ions are compared with water quality standards defined by BIS and WHO. The study shows that in the year 2000, 69.52% of locations are above the acceptable limit for EC, 68.89% for Mg2, 84.76% for Na+, 51.75% for HCO3¯, 38.41% for NO3¯, and 17.20% for F¯. While in the year 2020, 48.89% exceed the acceptable limit for EC, 57.78% for Mg2+, 68.25% for Na+, 34.92% for HCO3¯, 27.30% for NO3¯, and 8.88% for F¯. WQI shows that in the year 2000, 13.01% of sampling locations are categorized as very poor and 20% as unsuitable for drinking. Meanwhile, in 2020, 6.35% of locations are categorized as very poor and 12.38% as unsuitable for drinking in the study area. In addition to the effect on plant growth, consumption of contaminated water can adversely affect human health. The health hazards for F¯ (HQF) and NO3¯ (HQN) and their total health index (THI) are also evaluated that depicts 244 groundwater sampling sites in the year 2000, and 152 sampling sites in the year 2020 show high non-carcinogenic effects on adults, children, and infants. Southwestern Punjab is found to be the worst affected, while north-eastern regions drained by the Himalayan rivers show better quality water. Shifting in agricultural practices in the last two decades and declining water levels due to excess pumping of water from deeper water tables deteriorated the quality of water in the Southern region as observed from the geospatial analysis.

Lead-free complex double perovskite SrLiFeWO6: Structural, microstructure, electrical and optical study

In this work, synthesis (solid-state reaction) and characterizations (structural, microstructure, dielectric, conductivity, Raman & UV–vis) of a newly prepared lead-free complex perovskite SrLiFeWO6 are reported. Preliminary X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggests a tetragonal phase. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) spectrum show the well-grown grains and sample purity. The study of Raman active lines determines the vibrational modes of the constituent molecules in the reported compound. Dispersed dielectric plots were explained by the Maxwell-Wagner polarization effect. The modulus study reveals the presence of a non-Debye type of relaxation. Jonscher's Power Law is fitted in ac conductivity data which follows a correlated barrier hopping mechanism. The direct bandgap energy of the studied sample is found to be 1.68 eV, which may be a good range for photovoltaic applications. For NTC thermistor applications, the analyzed thermistor constant and sensitivity factor are found to be within the permissible range. The idea of ferroelectric nature is opened up by the study of polarization versus electric field. The examination of current density versus electric field reveals that the sample has an ohmic character in the low region and a space charge-limited conduction (SCLC) mechanism in the higher field region.

Experimental investigation of thermophysical properties of ethylene glycol based secondary fluids

Aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol are commonly used as secondary fluids in different indirect refrigeration systems and heat pumps as well as nanofluids. A very extensive literature review has been done, including more than 90 references published from 1905 to 2023. Despite the wide application and importance, especially in the energy sector, ethylene glycol solutions seem to be less investigated in low temperature ranges and more research is required to improve the quality and quantity of available data. The novelty of this paper is to investigate the most important thermophysical properties of ethylene glycol solutions in low temperatures. In this study a different approach was made and solutions having a specific freezing point temperature (between -5 and -50 ºC) rather than specific concentration were investigates in temperature ranges applicable for different cooling applications. The concentrations giving a certain freezing point temperature seemed to deviate in some cases with 1–2 wt-% between different sources. Nevertheless, the density results were in rather good agreement with all reference data. The viscosity results were lower by up to ±10% compared to reference values. Additionally, the obtained experimental results for thermal conductivity were higher by up to 12% compared to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) data. The specific heat capacity results were higher by up to 14.6% and 5.4% than current reference data. There is a high probability that the current ASHRAE data for specific heat are actually indirectly calculated values from thermal conductivity data and not validated using differential scanning calorimetry techniques.

Enhancing ionic conductivity in polymer melts results in smaller diameter electrospun fibers

Chemically compatible additives were utilized to increase the ionic conductivity of polyethylene melts. When subjected to unconfined electrospinning, a predictable and significant decrease in the resultant fiber diameter with enhanced melt conductivity was observed. This generalized approach was confirmed for viscous melts, varying in conductivity over five orders of magnitude and viscosity 5×, from multiple commercial polyethylene formulations with various additives. These experimental results are connected to theory for the relevant length scales of capillary length, jet spacing, and jet radius. In particular, jet radius scales as conductivity to the −1/4 power. Fitting experimental fiber radius vs ionic conductivity data results in a similar power law exponent (−0.29). This trend, occurring at orders of magnitude higher viscosity and six orders of magnitude lower conductivity, is similar to results from needle-based, solution phase electrospinning, suggesting the generality of the effect. The connection between larger length scales, such as the distance between jets and the thickness of the film at the plate edge, and fluid properties (surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity) is also discussed.

Factors influencing precision of determination of thermal parameters of textile fabrics

Published data of thermal conductivity of particularly natural textile materials can be incorrect, due to uneasy way of testing of this parameter. Moreover, these data can be strongly affected by moisture of these materials. In the paper, the mentioned and other factors, which reduce the precision of thermal insulation and thermal contact properties of textile fabrics are presented and discussed.

A novel framework for improving soil organic matter prediction accuracy in cropland by integrating soil, vegetation and human activity information

Remote sensing is an important tool for monitoring soil information. However, accurate spatial modeling of soil organic matter (SOM) in areas with high vegetation coverage, typically represented by agroecosystems, remains a challenge for field-scale estimation using remote sensing. To date, studies have focused on using single-period or multi-temporal vegetation information to characterize SOM. Thus, the relationship between SOM content and time-series vegetation biomass has not yet been fully explored. In addition, most studies have ignored the effects of critical soil properties and human activities (e.g., soil salinization, soil particle size fractions, history of land-use changes) on SOM. By integrating information on vegetation, soil, and human activities, we propose a novel framework for assessing SOM in cotton fields of artificial oases in northwest China, where returned straw is one of the primary sources of SOM coming from vegetation. We developed an Annual Maximum Biomass Accumulation Index (AMBAI) using time-series Landsat images from 1990 to 2019. Subsequently, we quantified the information of the planting years (PY) of cropland using spectral index threshold and incorporated proximal sensing data (soil hyperspectral and apparent conductivity data) and soil particle size fractions to establish a predictive model of SOM using partial least squares regression (PLSR), random forest (RF), and convolutional neural network (CNN). The results revealed that AMBAI had the highest correlation coefficient (r) with SOM (0.76, P < 0.01). AMBAI, soil hyperspectral data, and PY were the most relevant predictors for estimating SOM. The CNN model integrating vegetation, soil, and human activity information performed best, with coefficient of determination (R2), relative analysis error (RPD), and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.83, 2.38 and 1.38 g kg−1, respectively. This study confirmed that AMBAI and PY had great potential for characterizing SOM in arid and semi-arid regions, providing a reference for other relevant studies.

The power of integrating proximal and high-resolution remote sensing for mapping SOC stocks in agricultural peatlands

Background and aimsSoil electrical conductivity (ECa) data derived from electromagnetic induction (EMI) is valuable for estimating peat thickness and soil organic carbon stocks (SOCstocks). However, generating ECa maps locally using geostatistics limits the coverage area. This study explores the use of digital soil mapping (DSM) with random forest (RF) and universal kriging (UK) to create high-resolution ECa maps from field survey EMI data. The objective is to enhance the predictive accuracy of SOCstocks models in peatlands by incorporating these ECa maps as environmental variables.MethodsThree scenarios were evaluated, combining different environmental variables and modelling techniques for ECa mapping. Scenario 1 used spectral indices from RapidEye satellite data and RF. Scenario 2 included spectral indices and terrain derivatives from LiDAR, with RF. Scenario 3 integrated spectral indices, terrain derivatives from LiDAR, and UK. Afterwards, we evaluated the effectiveness of adding ECa maps as environmental variables for SOCstocks mapping. Finally, we incorporated ECa maps from scenario 2 and RF in three ways: (a) scenario 2 variables only, (b) ECa2 with scenario 2 variables, and (c) ECa3 with scenario 2 variables.ResultsScenarios 2 (ECa2) and 3 (ECa3) outperformed scenario 1 (ECa1). The inclusion of ECa maps significantly improved the accuracy of SOCstocks models.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that DSM, combined with RF and UK techniques, enables the generation of high-resolution ECa maps from field surveys in peatlands. Incorporating these ECa maps as environmental variables enhances the accuracy of SOCstocks mapping, providing valuable insights for peatland management and carbon stock estimation.Graphical abstract

Evidence for partial melting and alkali-rich fluids in the crust from a 3-D electrical resistivity model in the vicinity of the Coqen region, western Lhasa terrane, Tibetan Plateau

Both low resistivity zones and low velocity zones are distributed in the middle-lower crust of the western Lhasa terrane, Tibetan Plateau, China. Some estimates from electrical resistivity data suggest large volume fractions of silicate melts that are difficult to reconcile with seismic velocity data that prefer lower volumes. A second conductive phase, such as saline fluids, that drastically reduces the conductivity but does not significantly affect the seismic velocity because of its low volume may be able to explain these differences. In this study, a 3-D model of the electrical resistivity structure is generated on a profile along longitude 85°E from a latitude of 29°N to 32.5°N. Based on experimental measurement of melts and alkali-rich fluids (e.g., H2O-NaCl), we estimate the volume fraction of each phase that is required to explain the conductive anomalies observed in the geophysical model. The model reveals that the maximum bulk conductivity of the mid-lower crust in the south (1.52 S/m) is much higher than the conductivity of the mid-lower crust in the north (0.18 S/m) when taking 31°N as a rough boundary, near Coqen region. We hypothesize that the conductive zones in the south of the Coqen region may result from a silicate melt and alkali-rich fluid (multicomponent) system. In contrast, partial melting alone can explain the conductive zones in the north. The hypothesis can reconcile the predictions from electrical resistivity data and seismic data, and it corresponds well with zircon Hf isotope data. For example, a combination such as the presence of <1% NaCl-bearing aqueous fluids in addition to 5-10% partial melt can reconcile electrical conductivity data and seismic data. We propose that the contributions from partial melt or saline fluids are controlled by the distinct tectonic dynamics in each region. Furthermore, the model compatible with the idea that the Indian lower crust subducted northwards beneath the Lhasa terrane and may not extend far beyond the Indus-Yarlung Zangbo suture (approximately 30-31°N). The widespread distribution and interconnection of crustal conductors at different depths is consistent with the lateral migration of materials. However, both geophysical data sets agree that some anomalies are discontinuous along the profile. Furthermore, the low-angle subducted Indian Plate with no obvious tearing feature and a low volume of melts may have contributed to the absence of long, continuous, N-S-trending normal faults in this region.

Structure-thermal property relationships of aikinite PbCuBiS3

Understanding the structural properties and chemical bonding in complex multinary chalcogenides is highly valuable, as it provides vital information for controlling their physical properties to suit various technological applications. We report on the structural, thermal, and electronic properties of PbCuBiS3 by incorporating an experimental and theoretical investigation of this material. Analysis of the experimental temperature-dependent heat capacity and thermal conductivity data show that weak bonding and strong lattice anharmonicity give rise to ultralow thermal conductivity. Chemical bonding information obtained from the density functional theory electronic calculations reveal significant antibonding interactions that underscore the dominant role of the Cu-S tetrahedra on occupied antibonding states, as well as a highly distorted Pb/Bi-S environment inducing weak bonding and strong lattice anharmonicity. This study broadens our understanding of the structure-property relationships for this material, and can be useful for developing this and similar chalcogenide materials for potential applications of interest.

Effect of Strain on the Resistivity and Thermal Conductivity of High Purity Niobium

High purity niobium (Nb) is a technologically important material for large-scale accelerator and nano-scale quantum computing applications in microwave frequency range. The high thermal conductivity and low resistivity of Nb are critical to the high performance at temperature range of 0.01 - 4.0 K. The presence of interstitials such as O, N, H, and C act as scattering centers and alter the mean free path, reducing resistivity and thermal conductivity, and contributing significantly to Nb's thermal performance for temperatures of 2.0 K and above. The residual resistivity ratio (RRR), defined as the ratio of the normal state resistivity at 300 K to that at 4.2 K (Nb, <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{c}$</tex-math></inline-formula> = 9.2 K), is an accepted direct estimate of the impurity content of fully recrystallized Nb. Complete re-crystallization of Nb is challenging unless very high temperatures are employed, which is often impractical, hence, in practice, dislocation and dislocation structures impact the thermal performance of Nb due to strong phonon scattering contributions. This paper reports on the degradation of thermal conductivity and RRR of high purity Nb large grain, single crystal with fixed impurity, varying strain, and dislocation content levels. Experimental thermal conductivity data fits the Boltzmann transport equation incorporating dislocation density.

A Soil Hydraulic Conductivity Equation Incorporating Adsorption and Capillarity

A soil’s hydraulic conductivity is a highly nonlinear function of water content, decreasing many orders of magnitude from its saturated state to dry state. This nonlinearity is a macroscopic manifestation of microscopic soil properties of pore structure, pore connectivity, and mineral–water interaction. These microscopic soil properties are underpinned by two distinct soil–water interaction mechanisms: adsorption and capillarity. Herein, a soil hydraulic conductivity equation was developed by incorporating capillary pore flow and adsorptive film flow. The capillary pore flow is captured via a model of bundle of cylindrical capillaries, whereas the adsorptive film flow is established using a film thickness function incorporating adsorption mechanisms of the electric double layer, van der Waals, surface hydration, and cation hydration potentials. The transition between adsorptive film flow and capillary flow is delineated by a water cavitation probability function. The proposed soil hydraulic conductivity equation automatically can fulfill the five necessary physical constraints imposed by underlying soil–water interaction characteristics. The proposed hydraulic conductivity equation can capture the hydraulic conductivity data very well for a wide array of soils, and outperforms several established soil hydraulic models in full matric potential ranges, especially in the low matric potential range in which adsorptive film flow is dominant.

Experimental Investigation on Electric and Dielectric Properties of Thallium Ions Doped Sodium Zinc Phosphate Glass

Sodium zinc phosphate glasses modified by Tl2O addition of composition Na2−xTlxZnP2O7 (x = 0, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.015) are synthesized following the melt quenching technique. The structure of the glass samples is analyzed by the Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The results suggest that the phosphate network is polymerized by the addition of Tl+ ions. The electrical conductivity, electric modulus, and dielectric constant characteristics of the glasses are measured over a wide continuous frequency range of 10−2 Hz–1 MHz and in the temperature range 293–473 K by the impedance spectroscopic method. The ac conductivity data are analyzed following the power law exponent (S) and the proposed correlated barrier hopping mechanism (CBH) is the most suitable conduction mechanism in the studied compositions. The electrical modulus formalism is applied to analyze the electric data to study their dielectric relaxation. Non‐Debye type relaxation is obtained. From the obtained results, the present glass can be used as a high‐energy capacitor.

Electrically conductive nanocomposites based on high density polyethylene and different types of carbon-containing fillers

The article presents the results of a systematic analysis of the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites based on high density polyethylene and carbon fillers such as carbon black and graphite. 13 nanoscale carbon fillers are used. The aim of the study was to select the most effective nanofillers from among the various types used. The efficiency of nanoparticles was evaluated not only by electrical conductivity data, but also by changes in the main physical and mechanical parameters. Such characteristics as electrical conductivity, breaking stress, elongation and melt fl ow index were studied. It is shown that the best nanofillers are Printex XE 2B carbon black and GS-2 graphite.

Reconstructing sediment distribution in meandering river deposits through a simplified numerical modelling approach, with applications to the Holocene deposits of the Venetian Plain (Italy)

Abstract Many present-day alluvial floodplains display traces of abandoned meandering channel belts developed during the past millennia (i.e. mid to late Holocene). Deposits of these ancient rivers represent preferential pathways for groundwater flows and related environmental issues, such as contaminant propagation or saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. However, since formative bankfull flows in such old and abandoned routes are hard to estimate, fossil meanders have not been commonly addressed by morphodynamic numerical models, and most of them have been investigated following classical sedimentological approaches based mainly on punctual data derived from sedimentary cores. This study aims at investigating the sediment distribution within different fossil bends on the southern Venetian Plain (NE Italy), and relating such distribution to numerically modelled bed shear stresses used herein as a proxy of sediment sorting patterns. For this purpose, formative flows in the studied palaeomeanders are first inferred from measured sediment grain size and estimates of bend widths. Then, shear stress distributions are computed along the studied palaeobends using a 2D linearized model. Model results are finally compared with conductivity distributions gauged directly in the field through electromagnetic induction investigations in the frequency domain. Our results suggest significant correlations between shear stress distributions and sediment sorting estimated from conductivity data. We deem that the integration between sedimentological reconstructions and state-of-the-art numerical modelling can provide a solid contribution to predicting the spatial distribution of sediment properties within ancient meandering channel belts, with relevant implications for the understanding of shallow aquifer dynamics and soil management.

Improved calculation of soil hydraulic conductivity with the simplified evaporation method

AbstractNumerical modeling of soil water dynamics and storage is generally based on the Richards equation. Its solution requires knowledge of the soil hydraulic properties (SHP): the soil water retention function and the hydraulic conductivity function. To determine SHP, laboratory evaporation experiments are particularly popular because they provide data for both SHP functions. The evaluation by the simplified evaporation method (SEM) method, originally proposed by Schindler and subsequently improved by several authors, relies on linearization assumptions that allow for a relatively simple calculation scheme but result in biased conductivity data for some soils. The objective of this study is to propose and test an improved computational scheme for the hydraulic conductivity function. We present the new theory and show that it leads generally to higher accuracy of the conductivity function. The improvement is most pronounced for sandy soils and soil water pressure heads below −100 cm, where the original method provided data with bias.

Hydration and proton conductivity in the Gly-Pro crystal

Recently, the use of biomaterials in electronic devices has been demanded from the viewpoint of the biocompatibility of devices. In this study, to clarify the relationship between the hydration in peptides and proton conduction, we have investigated the proton conductivity of Glycyl-l-proline (Gly-Pro). We found that proton conductivity in Gly-Pro is realized by hydration. It is deduced from the crystal data and conductivity data that proton conductivity in the hydrated Gly-Pro crystal is caused by the breaking and rearrangement of hydrogen bonds along the c-axis between hydration shells, which are formed by the hydrogen bond between the amino acid and water molecules. We also found that the steep increases in proton conductivity at the hydration numbers n ∼ 0.15 and n ∼ 0.35 result from the formation of the percolation network and faster rearrangement of hydrogen bonds inter-/intra-hydrated shells, respectively.

Studies of the microstructural, magnetic, electrical, and dielectric properties of Mg0.6T0.4Cr2O4 (T = Ni, Cu) spinel chromites for magnetic, high frequency, and microwave applications

In this study, the structural, morphological, magnetic, electrical, and dielectric properties of Mg0.6T0.4Cr2O4 (T = Ni, Cu) spinel chromites were studied. The X-ray diffraction data reveal that the average crystallite size, lattice constant, and X-ray density increase with the substitution of Ni by Cu. The average crystallite size value rises from 58 nm (for Mg0.6Ni0.4Cr2O4) to 73 nm (for Mg0.6Cu0.4Cr2O4). However, saturation magnetization (Ms) decreases from 0.061 emu/g for Mg0.6Ni0.4Cr2O4 to 0.058 emu/g for Mg0.6Cu0.4Cr2O4. The decline in Ms is due to the lower magnetic moment of Cu2+ ions compared to that of Ni2+ ions. Low Hc coercive fields were obtained (53 Oe and 40 Oe for Mg0.6Ni0.4Cr2O4 and Mg0.6Cu0.4Cr2O4, respectively), indicating that the synthesized samples are suitable for use in soft magnetic devices. Temperature and frequency-dependent impedance spectroscopy measurements have been used to study the samples' electrical properties. The NSPT and CBH models were used to explain the samples' conduction process. Due to the increase in crystallite size, the activation energy (Ea) is lower for Mg0.6Cu0.4Cr2O4 (0.136 eV) than Mg0.6Ni0.4Cr2O4 (0.250 eV). The sample impedance properties were interpreted by modeling Nyquist diagrams considering grain and grain boundary contributions. Dielectric-relaxation phenomenon is observed from sample impedance curves. Mg0.6Ni0.4Cr2O4 conductivity data collapse into a single master curve, as predicted by the Ghosh scaling model. However, for Mg0.6Cu0.4Cr2O4, the Summerfield scaling model is more appropriate. Furthermore, the synthesized materials demonstrate high electrical resistivity, as well as low dielectric constants and losses at higher frequencies, making them appropriate for use in microwave absorption devices and high-frequency applications.