Electrical Resistivity Measurements Research Articles

Absence of superconductivity in I4/mmm-FeH5: experimental evidence.

The experimentally discovered FeH5 exhibits a structure built of atomic hydrogen that only has bonding between hydrogen and iron atoms [C. M. Pepin, G. Geneste, A. Dewaele, M. Mezouar and P. Loubeyre, Science, 2017, 357, 382]. However, its superconductivity has remained unsolved since its discovery. In this work, we have synthesized I4/mmm-FeH5 at 139 GPa combined with laser-heating conditions. The electrical resistance measurements at ultrahigh pressures indicate that no evidence of superconducting transition of FeH5 is observed in the temperature range of 1.5 K to 270 K. These results indicate that I4/mmm-FeH5 does not exhibit superconductivity within the experimental temperature range, and the introduction of iron atoms is not beneficial to the formation of the superconducting phase.

Exploring the degradation of silver nanowire networks under thermal stress by coupling in situ X-ray diffraction and electrical resistance measurements.

The thermal instability of silver nanowires (AgNWs) leads to a significant increase of the electrical resistance of AgNW networks. A better understanding of the relationship between the structural and electrical properties of AgNW networks is primordial for their efficient integration as transparent electrodes (TEs) for next-generation flexible optoelectronics. Herein, we investigate the in situ evolution of the main crystallographic parameters (i.e. integrated intensity, interplanar spacing and peak broadening) of two Ag-specific Bragg peaks, (111) and (200), during a thermal ramp up to 400 °C through in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, coupled with in situ electrical resistance measurements on the same AgNW network. First, we assign the (111) and (200) peaks of χ-scans to each five crystallites within AgNWs using a rotation matrix model. Then, we show that the thermal transition of bare AgNW networks occurs within a temperature range of about 25 °C for the electrical properties, while the structural transition spans over 200 °C. The effect of a protective tin oxide coating (SnO2) on AgNW networks is also investigated through this original in situ coupling approach. For SnO2-coated AgNW networks, the key XRD signatures from AgNWs remain constant, since the SnO2 coating prevents Ag atomic surface diffusion, and thus morphological instability (i.e. spheroidization). Moreover, the SnO2 coating does not affect the strain of both (111) and (200) planes. The thermal expansion for bare and SnO2-coated AgNW networks appears very similar to the thermal expansion of bulk Ag. Our findings provide insights into the underlying failure mechanisms of AgNW networks subjected to thermal stress, helping researchers to develop more robust and durable TEs based on metallic nanowire networks.

Monitoring Intestinal Organoid-Derived Monolayer Barrier Functions with Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS).

The measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance across confluent cell monolayer systems is the most commonly used technique to study intestinal barrier development and integrity. Electric cell substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) is a real-time, label-free, impedance-based method used to study various cell behaviors such as cell growth, viability, migration, and barrier function in vitro. So far, the ECIS technology has exclusively been performed on cell lines. Organoids, however, are cultured from tissue-specific stem cells, which better recapitulate cell functions and the heterogeneity of the parent tissue than cell lines and are therefore more physiologically relevant for research and modeling of human diseases. In this protocol paper, we demonstrate that ECIS technology can be successfully applied on 2D monolayers generated from patient-derived intestinal organoids. Key features • We present a protocol that allows the assessment of various cell functions, such as proliferation and barrier formation, with ECIS on organoid-derived monolayers. • The protocol facilitates intestinal barrier research on patient tissue-derived organoids, providing a valuable tool for disease modeling.

Charge carrier transport in PbS films doped with iodine.

The results of the measurements of electrical and Hall resistivities on polycrystalline PbS films doped with iodine obtained through hydrochemical deposition are presented. The analysis of the temperature dependence of resistivity points out the crossover from the hopping mechanism due to thermal delocalization in the impurity band to the variable range hopping mechanism. The increase in the iodine content in the films leads to an increase in the impurity ionization energy. It has been established that the temperature dependence of resistivity over a wide temperature range obeys the inverse Arrhenius law, which is characteristic of disordered polycrystalline films with different sizes and orientations of crystallites relative to the substrate, as confirmed by AFM topography, Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction measurements. We found that the type of charge carrier changes from electrons to holes with an increase in the iodine content. Additionally, for a wide range of iodine doping, the concentration of charge carriers is low, indicating the possible occurrence of a self-compensation mechanism due to the formation of impurity defects.

Colon-available mango (poly)phenols exhibit mitigating effects on the intestinal barrier function in human intestinal cell monolayers under inflammatory conditions.

This study investigated the impact of in vivo available colon-mango (poly)phenols on stress-induced impairment of intestinal barrier function. Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells were incubated with six extracts of ileal fluid collected pre- and 4-8 h post-mango consumption before being subjected to inflammatory stress. (Poly)phenols in ileal fluids were analysed by UHPLC-HR-MS. Epithelial barrier function was monitored by measurement of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the production of selected inflammatory markers (interleukin-8 (IL-8) and nitric oxide (NO)) and the major mucin of the mucosal layer (MUC2). Post-mango intake ileal fluids contained principally benzoic acids, hydroxybenzenes and galloyl derivatives. There was a high interindividual variability in the levels of these compounds, which was reflected by the degree of variability in the protective effects of individual ileal extracts on inflammatory changes in the treated cell cultures. The 24 h treatment with non-cytotoxic doses of extracts of 4-8 h post-mango intake ileal fluid significantly reduced the TEER decrease in monolayers treated with the inflammatory cytomix. This effect was not associated with changes in IL-8 expression and secretion or claudine-7 expression. The mango derived-ileal fluid extract (IFE) also mitigated cytomix-dependent nitrite secretion, as a proxy of NO production, and the MUC2 reduction observed upon the inflammatory challenge. These insights shed light on the potential protective effect of mango (poly)phenols on the intestinal barrier exposed to inflammatory conditions.

Study of the metallome and transcriptome of a degenerating cellular model of the retinal pigment epithelium

Aims/Purpose: To study the changes on the metallome and transcriptome of a cellular model of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during its in vitro degeneration after 4 months in culture.Methods: Primary cultures of human fetal RPE cells were established in P12 transwell inserts and cultured for 4 months. Cell pigmentation and barrier function was followed up using optical microscopy and measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Samples were collected at 21, 91 and 133 days in culture and analysed for gene expression, metal homeostasis of Ca, Na, P, Mg and P, and extracellular deposit formation through RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq), elemental mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and immunocytochemistry assays, respectively.Results: RPE cells formed a differentiated monolayer at 21 days in culture, expressing specific genes and proteins of RPE and giving increasing TEER values. However, after 133 days in culture, loss of tight junction proteins (i.e. CLDN19 and BEST1) and electrical resistance was seen, together with loss of pigmentation and increase of apolipoprotein E deposition in the extracellular space. Gene expression analysis showed an enrichment on apoptotic processes, biomolecule phosphorylation, and signs of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Degeneration of RPE cells concurred with an increase of Na and P content in the cytosol and decrease of Mg, while a decrease of Mg, P and Cu was determined in the insoluble fraction of cells. Time‐dependent changes of metals were accompanied with the alteration of metal transporters and antioxidant enzymes using metals as cofactors.Conclusions: Degeneration of RPE cells in culture was characterized by depigmentation of cells, improper barrier function, downregulation of antioxidant protection, loss of epithelial phenotype, and changes on the levels of Na, P, Mg and Cu, as well as of the expression of their homeostatic proteins.

A novel “microbiota-host interaction model” to study the real-time effects of fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrate (NDCs) on gut barrier function

In this study, an in vitro co-culture model using an electric cell-substrate impedance sensing system (ECIS) for testing the impact of real-time fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) by the intestinal microbiota on gut barrier function was established. We applied Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 as a model intestinal bacterium and alginate-pectin as immobilization polymers as well as a source of NDCs to determine the impact of pectin fermentation on the barrier function of T84 gut epithelial cells. In the first design, L. plantarum WCFS1 was encapsulated in an alginate capsule followed by embedding in an agar layer to mimic a firm mucus layer that might be present in the colon. In this experimental design, the presence of the agar layer interfered with the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement of T84 cells. Subsequently, we removed the agar layer and used encapsulated bacteria in an alginate gel and found that the TEER measurement was adequate. The encapsulation of the L. plantarum WCFS1 does avoid direct contact with cells. Also, the encapsulation system allows higher amounts of packing densities of L. plantarum WCFS1 in a limited space which can limit the oxygen concentration within the capsule and therefore create anaerobic conditions. To test this design, T84 cells were co-incubated with L. plantarum alginate-capsules supplemented with graded loads of fermentable pectin (0, 4, and 8 mg/ml per capsule) to investigate the effect of pectin fermentation on gut barrier function. We observed that as the pectin content in the L. plantarum capsules increased, pectin showed a gradually stronger protective effect on the TEER of the gut epithelium. This could partly be explained by enhanced SCFA production as both lactate and acetate were enhanced in L. plantarum containing alginate capsules with 8 mg/ml pectin. Overall, this newly designed in vitro co-culture model allows for studying the impact of bacteria-derived fermentation products but also for studying the direct effects of NDCs on gut barrier function in a relatively high-throughput way.

Innovative electrode and chip designs for transendothelial electrical resistance measurements in organs-on-chips.

Many different epithelial and endothelial barriers in the human body ensure the proper functioning of our organs by controlling which substances can pass from one side to another. In recent years, organs-on-chips (OoC) have become a popular tool to study such barriers in vitro. To assess the proper functioning of these barriers, we can measure the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) which indicates how easily ions can cross the cell layer when a current is applied between electrodes on either side. TEER measurements are a convenient method to quantify the barrier properties since it is a non-invasive and label-free technique. Direct integration of electrodes for TEER measurements into OoC allows for continuous monitoring of the barrier, and fixed integration of the electrodes improves the reproducibility of the measurements. In this review, we will give an overview of different electrode and channel designs that have been used to measure the TEER in OoC. After giving some insight into why biological barriers are an important field of study, we will explain the theory and practice behind measuring the TEER in in vitro systems. Next, this review gives an overview of the state of the art in the field of integrated electrodes for TEER measurements in OoC, with a special focus on alternative chip and electrode designs. Finally, we outline some of the remaining challenges and provide some suggestions on how to overcome these challenges.

Systematic Investigation on the Synergistic Impact of Gallium (Ga)-Boron (B) Co-Doping on the Features of ZnO Films

Herein, gallium-boron co-doped ZnO (GBZO) thin films (TFs) of varying percentages of Ga and B doping content were coated on glass slides via spin-coating technique. The impact of doping content on the features of GBZO TFs was comprehensively probed in this work. The characterization results demonstrate that the doping content has a profound impact on the features of GBZO TFs. The X-ray diffraction results verify the polycrystalline nature of GBZO TFs with varying diffraction peak intensities. AFM images disclose the smooth coating of GBZO TFs with low surface roughness. UV–Vis-NIR transmittance spectra reveal that the deposited TFs exhibit high transparency over 86 % in range of 400-800 nm wavelength with excellent optical properties. The electrical resistance measurements indicate that GBZO TFs having doping concentrations of 2.5 at. % of Ga and 0.5 at. % of B has the lower resistivity, and the resistivity of the samples are strongly affected by the doping content. The obtained knowledge from this study could be useful for the fabrication of TF based optoelectronic devices.

Geophysical Techniques for Monitoring of Integrated Mine Waste Storage Facility: Case Study of Southeastern Bulgaria

The extraction of mineral resources usually generates varying amounts of extractive waste, which require appropriate management. Extractive waste management is complicated and difficult process. It encompasses a lot of actions and many different competences. Here must be taken into account the mining excavation method, processing methods, beneficiation and overall mineral treatment. The results obtained from these study provide an important basis for the quantification and management of environmental impacts of the Integrated mine waste facility (IMWF) at the “Ada Tepa” gold mine. The aim of this research is to monitoring the process of internal water drainage into constructed cells of the facility. This task is performed using geophysical method based on electrical resistivity measurements made on the ground surface. Electrical resistivity tomography is commonly used to solve mining and engineering issues, because it is efficient and environmentally sound. This study demonstrates the efficiency of electrical resistivity tomography in detecting the saturated zones in the IMWF.

Çimentosuz Kompozitlerde Tahribatlı ve Tahribatsız Testlerin Elektrisksel Direnç ile İlişkilendirilmesi

In the construction industry, tests such as compressive strength, density porosity, and water absorption porosity are frequently used to determine material properties. In general, experimental studies are divided into two categories: destructive and non-destructive testing methods. According to the common consensus, destructive testing methods produce more dependable results than non-destructive testing methods. However, it is not possible to reuse the samples in destructive tests, and there are difficulties in taking samples from the building whose construction process has been completed. In addition, the experimental implementation of destructive tests creates time and cost disadvantages. Within the scope of this study, destructive and non-destructive experiments have been carried out on alkali-activated concrete composites, which have attracted interest as sustainable environmentally friendly composite building materials in recent years. Compressive strength, density, porosity, water absorption, etc. traditional test methods have been associated with electrical resistance measurements. Electrical measurements have been taken with the MEGGER equipment, and resistance values have been directly correlated with the other parameters. The positive results indicate that different structures of materials used in the construction industry can be evaluated regardless of sample size or localization.

Conformal coating of macroscopic nanoparticle compacts with ZnO via atomic layer deposition

Conformal atomic layer deposition (ALD) inside macroscopic nanoporous solids with aspect ratios greater than 103 can require ALD reactant exposures on the order of 103 Torr-s or greater. For some ALD chemistries, such large exposures raise the concern of non-self-limiting deposition. In the case of ZnO ALD from diethylzinc (DEZ) and H2O, exposures in the 10–103 Torr-s range have resulted in metallic Zn deposition at typical temperatures used for ZnO ALD on wafers (e.g., ∼180 °C). This Zn deposition can be suppressed by lowering the deposition temperature, but this slows H2O desorption and, thus, can necessitate impractically long purge times. In this work, we use static-dose ALD with DEZ and H2O exposures >104 Torr-s to deposit ZnO inside Al2O3 nanoparticle compacts (NPCs) with 50.5 ± 0.3% porosity, 100 nm NP diameter, 1.55 ± 0.05 mm thickness, and an aspect ratio of 7800 ± 200 (based on the half-thickness), and we explore a novel approach to the deposition temperature, T: T is cycled between 160 °C (for H2O purges) and 120 °C (for all other steps). For comparison, we also deposit ZnO with T held constant at 120 or 160 °C. Whereas the T = 160 °C process results in Zn metal deposition and nonuniform infiltration, the temperature-cycled process yields apparently self-limiting ZnO deposition at a growth per cycle (GPC) of ∼2.1 Å/cyc, forming an electrically conductive ZnO network that is uniform throughout the thickness of the NPC, with the exception of some ZnO depletion near the NPC surfaces, possibly due to the (unoptimized) long DEZ purge time. The T = 120 °C process produces similar results, although the GPC is slightly elevated, indicating diminished removal of H2O and/or OH during purges. We employ scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffractometry, electrical resistivity measurements, and ALD chamber pressure analysis in our comparison of the three ALD processes.

An Improved In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model for the Evaluation of Drug Permeability Using Transwell with Shear Stress.

The development of drugs targeting the central nervous system (CNS) is challenging because of the presence of the Blood-Brain barrier (BBB). Developing physiologically relevant in vitro BBB models for evaluating drug permeability and predicting the activity of drug candidates is crucial. The transwell model is one of the most widely used in vitro BBB models. However, this model has limitations in mimicking in vivo conditions, particularly in the absence of shear stress. This study aimed to overcome the limitations of the transwell model using immortalized human endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) by developing a novel dish design for an orbital shaker, providing shear stress. During optimization, we assessed cell layer integrity using trans-endothelial electrical resistance measurements and the % diffusion of lucifer yellow. The efflux transporter activity and mRNA expression of junctional proteins (claudin-5, occludin, and VE-cadherin) in the newly optimized model were verified. Additionally, the permeability of 14 compounds was evaluated and compared with published in vivo data. The cell-layer integrity was substantially increased using the newly designed annular shaking-dish model. The results demonstrate that our model provided robust conditions for evaluating the permeability of CNS drug candidates, potentially improving the reliability of in vitro BBB models in drug development.

Evaluation of steel corrosion-induced concrete damage using electrical resistivity measurements

The main objective of this research study is to demonstrate the feasibility of Electrical Resistivity (ER) measurements as an in-situ, non-destructive evaluation method for monitoring progressive damage in concrete due to steel corrosion, particularly in a marine environment. To this end, a series of laboratory experiments is performed to investigate the variation of ER values in a total of 108 reinforced concrete cubes, each with a side dimension of 200 mm. The impressed current technique is utilized to accelerate the corrosion of steel reinforcement in the concrete cubes submerged in 3.0% NaCl solution, which simulates various degrees of concrete degradation. ER measurements are performed before and after the accelerated corrosion tests on the surface of concrete specimens. It is demonstrated that ER is an excellent NDE method for the monitoring of progressive concrete damage associated with chloride-induced steel corrosion.

Structural investigation, magnetic and DC electrical resistivity properties of Co0.5-xNixZn0.5Fe2O4 nano ferrites

The Ni2+ substituted Cobalt-Zinc nano ferrites, designated as Co0.5-xNixZn0.5Fe2O4 with x values ranging from 0.0 to 0.5, were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method. Various characterization techniques, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and DC electrical resistivity measurements, were employed to analyze the prepared samples. XRD analysis revealed a cubic spinel structure with a lattice constant ranging from 8.384 to 8.412 Å. FESEM examination indicated non-uniform-shaped spherical grains in the nanometer range for the synthesized samples. The FTIR spectra of the spinel ferrites revealed two distinctive bands, ν2 (580–592 cm−1) and ν1 (390–412 cm−1), which are the characteristics of spinel-structured ferrite nanomaterials. With progressive substitution (x varying from 0.0 to 0.5), the saturation magnetization (Ms) values exhibited a gradual decrease, starting from Ms = 60.97 emu/g (at x = 0.0) and reaching Ms = 38.79 emu/g (at x = 0.5). A discernible pattern was observed in coercivity (Hc), which rose from Hc = 115 Oe (at x = 0.0) to Hc = 920 Oe (at x = 0.5), with peak values determined through VSM analysis. Similar to semiconductors, the electrical resistivity experienced a decline with increasing temperature, indicative of a negative temperature coefficient.

(Invited) Role of Heterojunctions in Metal Oxide Heterostructures for Energy and Environmental Applications

Heterostructures made from metal oxide semiconductors are fundamental for the development of high-performance gas sensors and electrocatalysts, for examples. Here, I will introduce hierarchical heterostructures composed of p-, n-type and insulating metal oxide shells.Precisely controlled films of alternating metal oxides can be uniformly deposited onto the inner and outer walls of the CNTs and onto mesoporous substrates by atomic layer deposition. The morphological, microstructural and electrical characteristics of the heterostructures were thoroughly investigated. Electrical resistance measurements highlighted the large influence of the metal oxides thickness and charge carriers types, suggesting that the conductivity of the electrodes are dominated by Schottky barrier junctions across the heterojunctions.The behavior of the heterostructured electrodes in sensors and in electrocatalysis applications was investigated for low concentrations of volatile organic compounds and pollutants, and the oxygen evolution reaction in acidic media, respectively. For examples, the gas sensing response of the heterostructures showed a strong dependence on the thickness of the metal oxide shell layers and the type of heterostructures formed. On the other hand, the electrocatalytic performances are strongly related to the surface catalyst/stabilization layer and the electrical conductivity of the heterostructured electrode.On the basis of the morphological, microstructural and electrical characterization, and electrode performances, the mechanisms which account for the performances of our heterostructured electrodes will be correlated and discussed.

Tailoring the structural, optical, electrical and multiferroic properties of Sm1-xRxFeO3 (x = 0.0 and 0.5; R = Pr, Nd, and Gd) and their synergistic photocatalytic activity

In this work, nanocrystalline Sm1-xRxFeO3 (x = 0.0 and 0.5; RPr, Nd, and Gd) samples have been synthesized via auto-combustion method and characterized to understand their microstructural, optical, electrical and multiferroic properties. X-ray diffraction data in combination with the FTIR spectra revealed the monophase and distorted orthorhombic configuration of all the samples with Pbnm space group. Rietveld refinement displayed a reduction in the bond length as well as the bond angle in the Sm0.5Gd0.5FeO3 sample. Raman spectra exhibit compressive strain in Sm0.5Gd0.5FeO3 nanoparticles; this finding is further supported by the XRD analysis. UV–visible spectroscopy manifests a reduction in the optical energy bandgap on moving Gd to Pr in Sm0.5R0.5FeO3 system. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images in combination with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectra reveal the non-uniform surface morphology with the agglomerated nature of nanoparticles and affirm the elemental compositions of all the samples. The room temperature P-E and M − H loops infer the multiferroic nature of all samples. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis divulges the weakening of the super-exchange interactions in Sm0.5R0.5FeO3 system. DC electrical resistivity measurements reflect semiconductor-like behaviour in all prepared samples. The dielectric behaviour of the samples is in accordance with the “universal dielectric response” model. The temperature-dependent dielectric measurements of all prepared samples have been performed at 1 kHz to determine the Néel temperature (TN). The photocatalytic investigation depicts the superior photocatalytic response of Sm0.5Pr0.5FeO3 nanoparticles under solar-light irradiation through the synergism of semiconductor-photocatalyzed oxidation and heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction.

Characterization of an iPSC-based barrier model for blood-brain barrier investigations using the SBAD0201 stem cell line

BackgroundBlood-brain barrier (BBB) models based on primary murine, bovine, and porcine brain capillary endothelial cell cultures have long been regarded as robust models with appropriate properties to examine the functional transport of small molecules. However, species differences sometimes complicate translating results from these models to human settings. During the last decade, brain capillary endothelial-like cells (BCECs) have been generated from stem cell sources to model the human BBB in vitro. The aim of the present study was to establish and characterize a human BBB model using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived BCECs from the hIPSC line SBAD0201.MethodsThe model was evaluated using transcriptomics, proteomics, immunocytochemistry, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, and, finally, transport assays to assess the functionality of selected transporters and receptor (GLUT-1, LAT-1, P-gp and LRP-1).ResultsThe resulting BBB model displayed an average TEER of 5474 ± 167 Ω·cm2 and cell monolayer formation with claudin-5, ZO-1, and occludin expression in the tight junction zones. The cell monolayers expressed the typical BBB markers VE-cadherin, VWF, and PECAM-1. Transcriptomics and quantitative targeted absolute proteomics analyses revealed that solute carrier (SLC) transporters were found in high abundance, while the expression of efflux transporters was relatively low. Transport assays using GLUT-1, LAT-1, and LRP-1 substrates and inhibitors confirmed the functional activities of these transporters and receptors in the model. A transport assay suggested that P-gp was not functionally expressed in the model, albeit antibody staining revealed that P-gp was localized at the luminal membrane.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the novel SBAD0201-derived BBB model formed tight monolayers and was proven useful for studies investigating GLUT-1, LAT-1, and LRP-1 mediated transport across the BBB. However, the model did not express functional P-gp and thus is not suitable for the performance of drug efflux P-gp reletated studies.

The effect of heterogeneous contact impedances on complex resistivity measurements

SUMMARY Spectral induced polarization (SIP) and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) are advanced approaches for structural characterisation of soils and rocks based on measurements of the frequency-dependent complex electrical resistivity. Accurate SIP and EIT measurements require the reduction of electrode effects, which have often been attributed to the polarization of metal electrodes in the current pathway. In this study, we demonstrate an alternative electrode effect that influences the accuracy of complex impedance measurements. This alternative electrode effect is caused by a heterogeneous distribution of the contact impedance, which can occur due to ageing or corrosion of the electrode. First, theoretical considerations are given to explain how this electrode effect influences the accuracy of complex impedance measurements. Next, we demonstrate using SIP and EIT measurements that this alternative mechanism better explains the observed electrode effects than previous explanations based only on the presence of metal. The SIP measurements were made on a water-filled container with a metal sphere between two non-polarizing electrodes, which showed that the mere presence of metal in the current pathway only leads to small electrode effects that are typically well below 1 mrad even for small electrode spacings. When the same metal sphere was used as a potential electrode, the observed electrode effect was about 2.5 times larger and varied with rotation. These changes can be explained by a heterogeneous contact impedance resulting in a varying electrode voltage. The EIT measurements were performed with a cylindrical sample holder filled with water. They are used to illustrate how the presented theoretical considerations can be used to investigate the magnitude of the electrode effects for different electrode configurations. We conclude that electrode effects are important to consider for laboratory SIP and EIT measurements and field measurement with closely spaced electrodes.

Observation of superconductivity and enhanced upper critical field of η-carbide-type oxide Zr4Pd2O

We report the first observation of bulk superconductivity of a η-carbide-type oxide Zr4Pd2O. The crystal structure and the superconducting properties were studied through synchrotron X-ray diffraction, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurement. The superconducting transition was observed at Tc = 2.73 K. Our measurement revealed that the η-carbide-type oxide superconductor Zr4Pd2O shows an enhanced upper critical field μ0Hc2(0) = 6.72 T, which violates the Pauli-Clogston limit μ0HP = 5.29 T. On the other hand, we found that the enhanced upper critical field is absent in a Rh analogue Zr4Rh2O. The large μ0Hc2(0) of Zr4Pd2O would be raised from strong spin–orbit coupling with Pd-4d electrons. The discovery of new superconducting properties for Zr4Pd2O would shed light on the further development of η-carbide-type oxide superconductors.