Non-Rigid Band Structure in MgGe for Improved Thermoelectric Performance.

Magnesium silicide and its solid solutions are among the most attractive materials for thermoelectric generators in the temperature range of 500-800 K. However, while n-type Mg(Si,Ge,Sn) materials show excellent thermoelectric performance, the corresponding p-type solid solutions are still inferior, mainly due to less favorable properties of the valence bands compared to the conduction bands. Here, Li doped MgGe with a thermoelectric figure of merit zT of 0.

Insight on the Interplay between Synthesis Conditions and Thermoelectric Properties of α-MgAgSb.

α-MgAgSb is a very promising thermoelectric material with excellent thermoelectric properties between room temperature and 300 °C, a range where few other thermoelectric materials show good performance. Previous reports rely on a two-step ball-milling process and/or time-consuming annealing. Aiming for a faster and scalable fabrication route, herein, we investigated other potential synthesis routes and their impact on the thermoelectric properties of α-MgAgSb.

Application of High-Throughput Seebeck Microprobe Measurements on Thermoelectric Half-Heusler Thin Film Combinatorial Material Libraries.

In view of the variety and complexity of thermoelectric (TE) material systems, combinatorial approaches to materials development come to the fore for identifying new promising compounds. The success of this approach is related to the availability and reliability of high-throughput characterization methods for identifying interrelations between materials structures and properties within the composition spread libraries. A meaningful characterization starts with determination of the Seebeck coefficient as a major feature of TE materials.

Synthesis, crystal structure, atomic Hirshfeld surfaces, and physical properties of hexagonal CeMnNi4.

The hexagonal polymorph of CeMnNi(4) has been synthesized using cold crucible, high-frequency induction melting with subsequent Czochralski crystal pulling. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, multitemperature synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (90 to 600 K), and neutron powder diffraction data have been measured to establish the detailed crystal structure and in particular the location of the Mn atoms. The neutron diffraction data provide sufficient scattering contrast between Mn and Ni to establish that the 2c site has an occupancy of 13% Mn atoms, while the 3g site has an occupancy of 25% Mn atoms.

Prophylactic nasal continuous positive airway pressure following cardiac surgery protects from postoperative pulmonary complications: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in 500 patients.

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure is a noninvasive respiratory support technique that may prevent pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of prophylactic nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) compared with standard treatment. The primary end points were pulmonary adverse effects defined as hypoxemia (Pao(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen [Fio(2)] <100), pneumonia, and reintubation.