The formation of the chemical products produced in an atmospheric glow discharge fed by a N2-CH4 gas mixture has been studied using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) and Optical Emission Spectrometry (OES). The measurements were carried out in a flowing regime at ambient temperature and pressure with CH4 concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2%. In the recorded emission spectra the lines of the s...

We report colloidal quantum dot solar cells fabricated under ambient atmosphere with an active area of 2.9 mm(2) that exhibit 3.6% solar power conversion efficiency. The devices are based on PbS tuned via the quantum size effect to have a first excitonic peak at 950 nm. Because the formation of native oxides and sulfates on PbS leads to p-type doping and deep trap formation and because such dop...

The addition of water results in the higher wear rate of gold compared to experiments performed in the ambient environment (approximately 60% humidity). This higher wear rate in water has been observed with the AFM, Hysitron Triboindenter, and additionally in single pass scratch tests performed with the Taber Shear/Scratch tester. These tests were preformed using silicon nitride cantilevers in ...

Organometal lead halide perovskites have been widely used as the light harvester for high-performance solar cells. However, typical perovskites of methylammonium lead halides (CH3NH3PbX3, X=Cl, Br, I) are usually sensitive to moisture in ambient air, and thus require an inert atmosphere to process. Here we demonstrate a moisture-induced transformation of perovskite crystals in a triple-layer sc...

The potential presence of myogenic regulation in the cerebral microvasculature of the rat was investigated using a method which alters intravascular pressure without appreciably changing cerebral perfusion pressure (arterial minus venous pressure). The entire rat was placed in a sealed box, with the cranial cavity open to the atmosphere and prepared for in vivo microscopy. By increasing the amb...

Surface active sites of crystals often govern their relevant surface chemistry, yet to monitor them in situ in real atmosphere remains a challenge. Using surface-specific sum-frequency spectroscopy, we identified the surface phonon mode associated with the active sites of undercoordinated titanium ions and conjoint oxygen vacancies, and used it to monitor them on anatase (TiO2) (101) under ambi...

Normal men have been found to develop pruritus and gas bubble lesions in the skin, and disruption of vestibular function, when breathing nitrogen or neon with oxygen while surrounded by helium at increased ambient pressure. This phenomenon, which occurs at stable ambient pressures, at 1 or many ATA, has been designated the "isobaric gas counterdiffusion syndrome." In a series of analyses and ex...

We present IlluMe, a software tool pack which creates a personalized ambient using the music and lighting. IlluMe includes an emotion analysis software, the small space ambient lighting, and a multimedia controller. The software analyzes emotional changes from instant message logs and corresponds the detected emotion to the best sound and light settings. The ambient lighting can sparkle with di...

Activated carbons were obtained from the cryogenic grinding of used tyres using the liquid nitrogen as agent of freezing and compared to those obtained by the ambient grinding,. These products were prepared using the chemical activated method. It consists of impregnation of the powder obtained from the cryogrinded and ambient grinded used tyres by phosphoric acid, followed by a carbonization at...

The deleterious effects of ambient air pollution on human health have been consistently documented by many epidemiologic studies worldwide, and it has been calculated that globally at least seven million deaths are annually attributable to the effects of air pollution. The major air pollutants emitted into the atmosphere by a number of natural processes and human activities include nitrogen oxi...