The lattice thermal conductivity of Ge clathrates is investigated by evaluating the linear response theory heat current correlation functions using molecular dynamics. Clathrate crystals with and without guest atoms in their fullerane cages are studied. In comparison with that of diamond-phase Ge, the clathrate conductivity is reduced by approximately 1 order of magnitude due to the open framew...

By utilizing the micro-Hall probe array, we study the superconducting and the vortex states in a single crystal of KOs2O6 near the first-order transition at Tp ∼ 8 K, which is associated with a change in the rattling motion of K ions. We show that below the first-order transition, the lower critical field exhibits a distinct decrease, suggesting that the electron-phonon coupling is weakened bel...

We calculate the NMR relaxation rate due to quadrupolar coupling of the nucleus to a local, strongly anharmonic phonon mode. As a model potential for a “rattling” motion we consider a square-well potential. We calculate the free phonon Green’s function analytically and derive the low and high temperature limits of the NMR relaxation rate. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the NMR r...

Atomic motion of guest atoms inside semiconducting clathrate cages is considered an important source for glasslike thermal behavior. 69Ga and 71Ga nuclear magnetic resonance studies on type I Ba8Ga16Sn30 show a clear low-temperature relaxation peak attributed to the influence of Ba rattling dynamics on the framework-atom resonance, with a quadrupolar relaxation mechanism as the leading contribu...

We consider a heat conduction model introduced in [2]. This is an open system in which particles exchange momentum with a row of (fixed) scatterers. We assume simplified bath conditions throughout, and give a qualitative description of the dynamics extrapolating from the case of a single particle for which we have a fairly clear understanding. The main phenomenon discussed is freezing, or the s...

Substantial ATP supply by glycolysis is thought to reflect cellular anoxia in vertebrate muscle. An alternative hypothesis is that the lactate generated during contraction reflects sustained glycolytic ATP supply under well-oxygenated conditions. We distinguished these hypotheses by comparing intracellular glycolysis during anoxia to lactate efflux from muscle during sustained, aerobic contract...

We present an overview of protein dynamics based mostly on results of neutron scattering, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. We identify several major classes of protein motions on the time scale from faster than picoseconds to several microseconds, and discuss the coupling of these processes to solvent dynamics. Our analysis suggests that the microsecond bac...

In addition to their ground state, diamond structure, Si, Ge and Sn can form crystalline solids called clathrates. As in the diamond structure, in the clathrates, the Group IV atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated and sp covalently bonded to their neighbors. However, the clathrates contain pentagonal atomic rings and have open-framework lattices containing 20-, 24and 28-atom ‘‘cages’’. There are ...

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy is performed on glassy systems of poly(methylmethacrylate) colloidal particles in density- and refractive-index-matched solvents. Samples are prepared with varying amounts of linear polystyrene, which induces a depletion driven attraction between the nearly hard-sphere particles. Images collected over several hours confirm the existence of a reen...

Shoogle is a novel, intuitive interface for sensing data within a mobile device, such as presence and properties of text messages or remaining resources. It is based around active exploration: devices are shaken, revealing the contents rattling around “inside”. Vibrotactile display and realistic impact sonification create a compelling system. Inertial sensing is used for completely eyes-free, s...