Quantum phase transitions in mesoscopic systems are studied. It is shown that the main features of phase transitions, defined for infinite number of particles, N--> infinity, persist even for moderate N approximately 10. A Landau analysis of first order transitions is done and a "critical" exponent at the spinodal point is defined. Two order parameters are introduced to distinguish first from second order transitions. Applications to atomic nuclei, molecules, atomic clusters, and finite polymers are mentioned. Experimental evidence in atomic nuclei is presented.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.212501 | DOI Listing |
Nanoscale Adv
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, The Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscience and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer Sheva 84105 Israel
Entropy-driven assembly of nematic liquid-crystal phases of cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) in aqueous suspensions results in the emergence of a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase (N* phase). We report that a solvated, non-adsorbing, highly branched natural polysaccharide, Gum Arabic (GA), strongly affects the assembly of the SCNCs and modifies the phase diagram: GA leads to significant crowding of the SCNC rods and induces a new liquid-liquid phase transition, where SCNC-rich and GA-rich droplets coexist. The solvated GA does not induce coagulation or gelation of the suspended SCNCs (at low concentrations of 1-3 wt% of GA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJACS Au
January 2025
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China.
Individual molecules dissolved in a dilute solution are usually considered not to correlate with each other as they undergo chemical reactions due to the mismatch of the diffusion and reaction time scales. Recent studies suggest otherwise, especially for reactions involving macromolecules. With selenopolypeptides as a model system, we used ensemble measurements and single-molecule direct imaging to investigate the correlation between physically constrained chemical reaction sites on a linear polymer chain and the coupling effects between conformation changes and reaction kinetics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatol Adv Pract
January 2025
Rheumatology Unit, ERN ReCONNET Center, IRCCS Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy.
Objectives: Two different European Reference Networks cover CTDs with paediatric onset, the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Connective Tissue Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) and the European Reference Network on Rare Immunological Disorders (ERN RITA). The transition of care is a significant focus, with ReCONNET centres actively addressing this through updated programs. Despite these efforts, challenges persist.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Sci
January 2025
College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University Wenzhou 325035 P. R. China
O3-type NaNiMnO cathode material exhibits significant potential for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity and ample sodium reservoir. Nonetheless, its practical implementation encounters considerable obstacles, such as impaired structural integrity, sensitivity to moisture, inadequate high-temperature stability, and being unstable under high-voltage conditions. This study investigates the co-substitution of Cu, Mg, and Ti, guided by principles of the periodic law, to enhance the material's stability under varying conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
January 2025
Department of Physics, University of Tehran, North Kargar Ave, Tehran 14395547, Iran.
In recent years, MAX phases and their two-dimensional counterparts, MXenes, have emerged as significant subjects of interest in the fields of science and engineering, owing to their varied geometries, compositions, and extensive range of applications. This research employs first-principles calculations to explore the geometrical structures, electronic characteristics, phonon dispersions, dynamic stability, electron-phonon coupling (EPC), and superconducting properties of 27 out-of-plane ordered double transition metal carbides, referred to as o-MAX phases, characterized by the general formula MM'AlC (where M = Nb, Mo, W and M' = Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W). We have identified 16 superconducting o-MAX phases, with four specific compounds WVAlC, WNbAlC, WTaAlC, and MoNbAlC exhibiting a critical temperature () that surpasses 10 K, representing the highest reported experimentally for MAX phases thus far.
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