Abstract: It is shown that the "abnormal" properties of ice and liquid water can be explained in a hybrid quantum/classical framework based on objective facts. The internal decoherence due to the low dissociation energy of the H-bond and the strong electric dipole moment lead to a quantum condensate of O atoms dressed with classical oscillators and a degenerate electric field. The classical oscillators are either normal modes subject to equipartition in the liquid or enslaved to the massless field interference with zero kinetic energy in the ice. The heat capacities, the temperatures and latent heats of the quantum phase transitions, the superinsulator state of the ice, the transition between high and low density liquids by supercooling, the temperature of the maximum density of the liquid are all explained by a set of four observables and the degeneracy entropy. The condensate also describes the aerosol of water droplets. In conclusion, quantum condensates turn out to be an essential part of our everyday environment.

Abstract: This study reports the synthesis of 5% Al-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using the sol-gel method, followed by a comprehensive analysis of their structural and dielectric properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with lattice parameters a = 3.277 Å and c = 5.257 Å, indicating successful Al³⁺ incorporation without impurity phases. Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) revealed a low real permittivity (ε' ≈ 0.97–1.0) and an extremely low dielectric loss (ε'' ≈ 10⁻¹³ to 10⁻¹²) over 400 kHz to 800 kHz and 88 K to 220 K, showcasing excellent insulating properties. The nanoparticles, with a crystallite size of 20–30 nm, exhibited structural stability and minimal lattice strain. These properties suggest potential applications in high-frequency electronic devices and capacitors. This work provides a detailed understanding of Al-doped ZnO nanoparticles, highlighting their suitability for advanced dielectric applications.

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) n-MoS2 nanosheet (NSs) synthesized by sol-gel method was deposited on p-type heavily boron-doped diamond (BDD) film to form n-MoS2/p-degenerated BDD (DBDD) heterojunction device. The PL emission of the heterojunction exhibits a good prospect in the application of yellow light-emitting optoelectronic devices. From room temperature (RT) to 180℃, the heterojunction all exhibits typical rectification characteristics with good thermal stability, the rectification ratio and forward current decrease, the reverse current increase. Compared with the n-MoS2/p-lightly B-doped (non-degenerate) diamond heterojunction, the heterojunction demonstrates a significant improvement in both rectification ratio and ideal factor. At 100°C, the rectification ratio reaches the maximum value and is considered an ideal high temperature for achieving optimal heterojunction performance. When the temperature exceeds 140 ℃, the heterojunction transforms into the Zener diode. The heterojunction electrical temperature dependence is due to the Fermi level shifting resulting in the weakening of the carrier interband tunneling injection. The n-MoS2 NSs/p-DBDD heterojunction will broaden the subsequent research application prospects in the field of high-temperature consumption of future optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: The wrong theory of impedance matching theory in microwave absorption research has dominated the field for a long time because it was believed that the theory was supported by experimental reports and was consistent with transmission line theory which is fundamental in electromagnetism. Thus, when the correct wave mechanics theory for microwave absorption opposing impedance theory was recently developed, pointing out that the wrong theory involved a misunderstanding of transmission line theory, and in fact the published experimental data disproved the theory rather than supporting it, little notice was taken with the result that the wrong theory still dominates the field as material scientists are reluctant to acknowledge the new theory. It shows here that in contrast to impedance matching theory, the new wave mechanics theory rediscovers the real microwave absorption mechanism that had already been revealed by transmission line theory and now has been developed further with many new concepts. The principles used in this part apply to Part 2 where a perspective derived from a question and answer session with DeepSeek is provided. This work also reveals that theoretical research is important to correct the wrong conclusions obtained from experimental observations.

Abstract: The equation of state (EOS) of metal nickel is theoretically studied up to 3000 K and concurrently 500 GPa by a direct integral approach to the partition function. The theoretical results agree very well with previous hydrostatic experiments at room temperature, and at high temperatures, the deviation between our calculated pressures and the latest hydrostatic experiments up to 109 GPa is less than 3.5%, 4.1%, and 4.6 % at 1000, 2000, and 3000 K, respectively. These results indicate our predictions at extreme conditions should be reliable. Furthermore, a universal model with only two parameters is developed to produce analytical EOS for general solids at high temperatures.

Abstract: Ultrathin NiO films, ranging from 1 to 16 monolayers (ML) in thickness, have been stabilized via reactive molecular beam epitaxy on the (001) surface of a metastable body-centered cubic (BCC) Ni film. Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) confirms that NiO grows as a crystalline film, exposing the (001) surface. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) reveals a slight oxygen excess compared to a perfectly stoichiometric NiO film. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) shows that at low coverages the film exhibits atomically flat terraces, while at higher coverage a "wedding cake" morphology emerges. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) reveals a thickness-dependent evolution of the electronic band gap, which increases from 0.8 eV at 3 ML to 3.5 eV at 16 ML. The center of the band gap is approximately 0.2 eV above the Fermi level, indicating that NiO is p-doped.

Abstract: Hydrogen has emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy content per mass and the environmental advantages of its only byproduct, water. However, one of the significant barriers to widespread hydrogen adoption is the development of efficient, safe, and cost-effective hydrogen storage technologies. This review explores the current state of hydrogen storage methods, including physical storage (gas, liquid, and metal hydride), chemical storage (organic liquid carriers and chemical hydrides), and novel emerging technologies. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and prospects for each storage technique, highlighting the research developments aimed at improving storage efficiency, energy density, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The future of hydrogen storage lies in overcoming these hurdles, which is crucial for the realization of hydrogen as a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition.

Abstract: The novel copper oxide CuO_0.75 has been prepared by slow oxidation of Cu₂O. The compound retains the original crystallographic structure of tenorite CuO, despite considerable presence of disordered oxygen vacancies. The CuO_0.75 resembles mixed valence oxide Cu²⁺/Cu¹⁺, while the unit cell contains one oxygen vacancy. Performance-wise, the electric resistivity and magnetic susceptibility data follow the Anderson-Mott localization theories. Exponential localization decay rate was found to be a ^–1 = 2.1 nm, in line with modern scaling theories. Magnetic double exchange interaction, mediated by oxygen vacancies, results, by cooling, in Zener conductivity at T~122 K, which is followed by antiferromagnetic transition at T~ 51 K. The obtained results indicate, the CuO_0.75 compound can be perceived as showcase material for demonstration of new class of high performance paramagnetic materials.

Abstract: We review simulations of polymeric fluids that report mean-square displacements g(t) of polymer beads, segments, and chains. By means of careful numerical analysis, but contrary to some models of polymer dynamics, we show that hypothesized power-law regimes g(t)∼t^α are almost never present. In most but not quite all cases plots of log(g(t)) against log(t) show smooth curves whose slopes vary continuously with time. We infer that models that predict power-law regimes for g(t) are invalid for polymer melts.

Abstract: The experimental discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelates La_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 (n = 2, 3, 4) under pressure, as well as the observation of a state with zero resistance at T ~10 K in thin films of (La,Pr)_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 (n = 2) at ambient pressure initiated a wide range of experimental and theoretical studies aimed at clarifying the nature of the occurrence of the superconducting state in RP nickelates. The upper critical field, B_c2(T), is one of two fundamental fields of any type II superconductor which can be used to extract some of the main parameters of a given superconductor. Recently, Peng et al (arXiv:2502.14410) reported in-plane, and out-of-plane temperature dependent upper critical field datasets measured at wide temperature ranges in La4Ni3O10-d single crystals pressurized at P = 48.6 GPa and P = 50.2 GPa. Here, the reported B_c2(T) data were analyzed, and it was found that the compressed nickelate La₄Ni₃O_10-δ exhibits two-band s-wave superconductivity. Derived parameters showed that both gaps are almost isotropic. The larger gap has a moderate level of coupling strength (with a gap-to-transition temperature ratio 3.7 < 2Δ_L/k_BT_c < 4.3). The smaller gap has the ratio of 1.0 < 2Δ_S/kBTc < 1.1. Deduced ratios are in the same ballpark as those in ambient pressure MgB₂.

Abstract: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (abbreviated: SDGs) for the period 2015–2030 have now just passed the midterm, and thus, the efforts of scientists in this direction should be clearly visible. A bibliometric analysis of the papers enlisted in the Clarivate Web of Science (WoS) may enlighten the efforts by researchers in the field of superconductivity. To conduct such an analysis, there are new filters added to theWoS, which classify a given paper via the micro citation topics for the various SDGs. In this contribution, we present a thorough analysis of the field of superconductivity and its applications as well as the performance of selected authors. The results obtained point directly to a big problem the research on superconductivity is facing: The list of keywords to qualify for SDGs does not represent the field in a way it deserves as most of papers in the field of superconductivity carry the mico citation topic ”critical current density”, which is not recognized for the SDGs. This is especially visible when analysing individual authors, especially those working at companies in the field. Thus, it is obvious that there must be a change to give superconductivity the role within the SDGs it deserves.

Abstract:

The properties of harmonic waves, carrying a longitudinal electric field and a space-charge density, made up of conduction electrons, are investigated in metals and semi-conductors with help of a classical analysis. The associated dispersion curve is worked out. These findings are further applied to unravel a novel second harmonic generation mechanism for an electromagnetic wave shone on a nanometric wire, with frequency ranging from the IF up to UV domain. The calculated efficiency in semi-conductors might be higher by 12 orders of magnitude than in metals. Observable predictions are made.

Abstract: An ultrathin film capable of exhibiting material properties across and around two different dimensions by bridging two-dimensionality frameworks, called transdimensional (TD) material, offers an exceptional tool to tune various electronic and opto-plasmonic properties of a system that are unattainable from either dimension. Taking an example of the planner periodic arrangement of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) TD films, we semi-analytically calculate their dynamical conductivities and dielectric responses as a function of the incident photon frequency and SWCNT’s radius using many particles green’s function formalism in Matsubara frequency technique. The periodic array of SWCNTs has an anisotropic dielectric response, which is almost a constant and the same as that of the host dielectric medium in the perpendicular direction of the alignment of the SWCNT array due to the depolarization effect that SWCNTs have. However, the dielectric response depends on the incident photon energy in addition to the film’s thickness, the SWCNT’s sparseness, inhomogeneity, and the SWCNT’s diameter. The energy difference between the resonant absorption peak and the plasmonic peak varies with the thickness of the film. Varying the length of the CNTs, we also observed that the exciton-plasmon coupling strength increases with the increase in length of the SWCNTs. The metallic SWCNT-containing films have comparatively pronounced plasmon resonance peaks at low photon energy than semiconducting SWCNT-containing films. Both metallic and semiconducting SWCNT consisting films have negative refraction for a wide range of energy, making them good candidates for metamaterials.

Abstract:

Owing to the global incentives targeted towards the advancement of semiconductor science and technology, the importance of a reliable method for the fundamental characterization of the interface between metals and low-dimensional semiconductors cannot be emphasized enough. For decades now, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been relied upon rather heavily when it comes down to investigating the band-bending, and hence the likelihood of a Schottky-barrier formation, at the resulting interfaces. However, the true extent to which the usually reported analyses of XPS measurements, attempting to unravel the true nature of metal–semiconductor interfaces, can be taken without a grain of salt is questionable at best. Therefore, in this article, a conceptual advance aiming to alter the status quo pertaining to the use of XPS for the aforementioned studies is presented.

Abstract: This research investigates the structural, electronic, mechanical, and vibrational properties of double half-Heusler compounds with the generic formula Ti2Pt2ZSb (Z = Al, Ga, and In) using density functional theory calculations. The generalized gradient approximation within the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional was employed for structural optimization and the hybrid HSE06 functional for electronic properties. Our results demonstrate that these compounds are energetically favorable, dynamically and mechanically stable. Electronic structure calculations reveal that Ti2Pt2AlSb double half-Heusler compound is a non-magnetic semiconductor with an indirect bandgap of 1.49 eV, while Ti2Pt2GaSb and Ti2Pt2InSb are non-magnetic semiconductors with direct bandgaps of 1.40 eV. The alloys exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity (2.35–2.66 W/mK) and high melting temperature (1211–1248 K), making them promising candidates for high-technological applications. Further performed analysis, including phonon dispersion curves, electron localization function (ELF), and Bader charge analysis, provides insights into the bonding character and vibrational properties of these materials.

Abstract: This paper presents results of complimentary experimental (by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, photoluminescence (PL) and FTIR spectroscopy) and computational (by molecular dynamics and DFT-based electronic structure methods) studies of oxide glasses of xP2O5-yMoO3-zBi2O3-(1-x-y-z)K2O system and glass ceramics based on them (crystal @glass), where the KBi(MoO4)2 complex oxide is the crystal component (KBi(MoO4)2 @glass). The behavior of the observed PL characteristics is analyzed in synergy with results of calculations of their atomic structures and changes in the oxygen environment of bismuth atoms during the transition crystal interphase glass. It has been shown that the optical absorption and PL characteristics of such systems are largely determined by content of Bi2O3 and MoO3 oxides in the initial charge, and by content bismuth ions in different charge states which exist in the produced glass and glass ceramics. It was found that the blue PL (spectral range 375 – 550 nm) of both glasses and glass ceramics originates from radiative transitions 3P1 1S0 in bismuth ions Bi3+. The yellow-red PL (range 550 – 850 nm) should be mainly associated with the luminescence of bismuth ions in lower charge states, Bi2+, Bi+ and Bi0. The thickness of the interphase layers of glass ceramics is estimated to be 1.5-2.0 nm. It has been shown that the changes in the spectra of optical absorption and PL / PL excitation of the glass ceramics occur due to the decrease in the number of oxygen atoms in the nearest surrounding of bismuth ions in the interphase region and these changes can be used for spectral probing of the formation and presence of interphase layers.

Abstract: The discrete version of the Biswas-Chatterjee-Sen model, defined on D-dimensional hypercubic Solomon networks, with 1≤D≤6, has been studied by means of extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Thermodynamic-like variables have been computed as a function of the external noise probability. Finite-size scaling theory, applied to different network sizes, has been utilized in order to characterize the phase transition the system presents in the thermodynamic limit. It has been noticed that the model undergoes a second-order phase transition for all considered dimensions. Despite the lower critical dimension being zero, this dynamical system seems not having any upper critical dimension, since the critical exponents change with D and go away from the expected mean-field values. Although larger networks could not be simulated because the number of sites drastically increases with the dimension D, the scaling regime has been achieved when computing the critical exponent ratios. However, logarithm corrections to scaling are present when analyzing the behavior of the critical noise probability.

Abstract: Recently, two research groups [1–3] reported on the observation of ambient pressure superconductivity in a few nanometres thick La_3-xPr_xNi₂O_7-δ (x = 0.0, 0.15, 1.0) films with the T_c,onset = 40 K and T_c,zero = 2-14 K. Here I have analysed the reported self-field critical current density, J_c(sf,T), and upper critical field, B_c2(T), for these films and showed that La_3-xPr_xNi₂O_7-δ films exhibit a large in-plane London penetration depth, λ_ab(0) = (1.9-6.8) μm, and the Ginzburg-Landau parameter κ_c(0) = 500-1000. Deduced λ_ab(0) values are within uncertainty range for independently reported [2] λ_ab(0) = (3.7±1.4) μm. Such large λ_ab(0) implies that the La_3-xPr_xNi₂O_7-δ exhibits low ground state lower critical field B_c1(0) = (20-240) μT. On the other hand, such large values of λ_ab(0) explain a broad resistive transition in La_3-xPr_xNi₂O_7-δ films [1–3], because large λ_ab(0) implies low superfluid density, and therefore large thermal fluctuations. Consequently, I calculated the phase fluctuation temperature, T_fluc, and found that the T_c,zero < T_fluc. I also found that λ_ab(T) and B_c2(T) data are nicely fitted to two-band models, from which the preference has been given to two-band (s+s)-wave model. Besides I showed that bulk highly compressed Ruddlesden–Popper nickelates La_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 (n = 2,3) and ambient pressure La_n+1Ni_nO_2n+2 (n = 5) thin film also demonstrate evidences for two-band superconductivity.

Abstract: In this work, we present an improved model for ionization potential depression (IPD) in dense plasmas that builds upon the approach introduced by Lin et al., which utilizes a dynamical structure factor (SF) to account for ionic microfield fluctuations. The main refinements include: (1) replacing the Wigner–Seitz radius with an ion-sphere radius, thereby treating individual ionization events as dynamically independent; and (2) incorporating electron degeneracy through a tailored interpolation between Debye–Hückel and Thomas–Fermi screening lengths. Additionally, we solve the Saha equation iteratively, ensuring self-consistent determination of the ionization balance and IPD corrections. These modifications yield significantly improved agreement with recent high-density and high-temperature experimental data on warm dense aluminum, especially in regimes where strong coupling and partial degeneracy are crucial. The model remains robust over a broad parameter space, spanning temperatures from 1 eV up to 1 keV and pressures beyond the Mbar range, thus making it suitable for applications in high-energy-density physics, inertial confinement fusion, and astrophysical plasma research. Our findings underscore the importance of accurately capturing ion microfield fluctuations and electron quantum effects to properly describe ionization processes in extreme environments.

Abstract: In recent decades, substantial progress has been made in embedding molecules, nanocrystals, and nanograins into nanofibers, resulting in a new class of hybrid functional materials with exceptional physical properties. Among these materials, functional nanofibers exhibiting ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, multiferroic, and nonlinear optical characteristics, have attracted considerable attention and undergone substantial improvements. This review critically examines these developments, focusing on strategies for incorporating diverse compounds into nanofibers and their impact on enhancing their physical properties, particularly ferroelectric behavior and nonlinear optical conversion. These developments have transformative potential across electronics, photonics, biomaterials, and energy harvesting. By synthesizing recent advancements in the design and application of nano-fiber embedded materials, this review seeks to highlight their potential impact on both scientific research, technological innovation and the development of next-generation devices.