Synthesis, mixed-spin-state structure and Langmuir-Blodgett deposition of amphiphilic Fe(iii) quinolylsalicylaldiminate complexes.

Designing and integrating Fe(iii)-based spin crossover (SCO) complexes onto substrates remains a challenging goal with only a handful of examples reported. In this work, we successfully synthesized and characterized three [Fe(qsal-OR)]NO (qsal-OR = 5-alkoxy-2-[(8-quinolylimino)methyl]phenolate) complexes, in which R = CH1, CH2, and CH3 to explore the impact of alkyl chain on the modulation of SCO activity and potential for self-assembly on a glass surface. The SCO is found to be gradual and incomplete in all cases, with the LS state more stabilised as the alkyl group shortens.

Three-dimensional domain identification in a single hexagonal manganite nanocrystal.

The three-dimensional domain structure of ferroelectric materials significantly influences their properties. The ferroelectric domain structure of improper multiferroics, such as YMnO, is driven by a non-ferroelectric order parameter, leading to unique hexagonal vortex patterns and topologically protected domain walls. Characterizing the three-dimensional structure of these domains and domain walls has been elusive, however, due to a lack of suitable imaging techniques.

Counting animals in aerial images with a density map estimation model.

Animal abundance estimation is increasingly based on drone or aerial survey photography. Manual postprocessing has been used extensively; however, volumes of such data are increasing, necessitating some level of automation, either for complete counting, or as a labour-saving tool. Any automated processing can be challenging when using such tools on species that nest in close formation such as penguins.

Spin-labelled mechanically interlocked molecules as models for the interpretation of biradical EPR spectra.

Biradical spin probes can provide detailed information about the distances between molecules/regions of molecules because the through-space coupling of radical centres, characterised by , is strongly distance dependent. However, if the system can adopt multiple configurations, as is common in supramolecular complexes, the shape of the EPR spectrum is influenced not only by but also the rate of exchange between different states. In practice, it is often hard to separate these variables and as a result, the effect of the latter is sometimes overlooked.

Vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy for probing the expression of chirality in mechanically planar chiral rotaxanes.

Mechanically interlocked molecules can exhibit molecular chirality that arises due to the mechanical bond rather than covalent stereogenic units. Developing applications of such systems is made challenging by the absence of techniques for assigning the absolute configuration of products and methods to probe how the mechanical stereogenic unit influences the spatial arrangements of the functional groups in solution. Here we demonstrate for the first time that Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) can be used to not only discriminate between mechanical stereoisomers but also provide detailed information on their (co)conformations.

A quick and versatile one step metal-organic chemical deposition method for supported Pt and Pt-alloy catalysts.

A simple, modified Metal-Organic Chemical Deposition (MOCD) method for Pt, PtRu and PtCo nanoparticle deposition onto a variety of support materials, including C, SiC, BC, LaB, TiB, TiN and a ceramic/carbon nanofiber, is described. Pt deposition using Pt(acac) as a precursor is shown to occur a mixed solid/liquid/vapour precursor phase which results in a high Pt yield of 90-92% on the support material. Pt and Pt alloy nanoparticles range 1.

Hybrid catalysts based on N-heterocyclic carbene anchored on hierarchical zeolites.

Hybrid materials have been synthesized by anchoring a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor on different inorganic zeolitic supports with hierarchical porosity, in particular hierarchical HZSM-5 and SAPO-5. Hierarchical porous inorganic supports have been obtained both by top-down and bottom-up approaches and the role of hierarchical porosity has been evaluated. A detailed physico-chemical characterization has been performed on the organic-inorganic hybrids using a multi-technique approach (XRD, volumetric and thermogravimetric analysis, ssNMR and FTIR) in order to establish a structure-property relationship.

Metamaterial Superlenses Operating at Visible Wavelength for Imaging Applications.

In this paper, a novel design for a metamaterial lens (superlens) based on a Photonic Crystal (PC) operating at visible wavelengths is reported. The proposed superlens consist of a gallium phosphide (GaP) dielectric slab waveguide with a hexagonal array of silver rods embedded within the GaP dielectric. In-house 2DFDTD numerical method is used to design and optimize the proposed superlens.

Structural and spectral characterisation of Er and Nd doped Ga-La-S-Se glasses.

In this work, the spectroscopy of Er and Nd doped Se-GLS glasses was studied. A structural comparison between doped and non-doped samples was done to assess the differences between the glasses. For this comparison, Raman spectroscopy and thermal analysis were employed.

Benefits and costs of ecological restoration: Rapid assessment of changing ecosystem service values at a U.K. wetland.

Restoration of degraded land is recognized by the international community as an important way of enhancing both biodiversity and ecosystem services, but more information is needed about its costs and benefits. In Cambridgeshire, U.K.