Jordi Sort

This study analyzes the mechanical and elemental properties of lunar meteorites DHOFAR 1084, JAH 838, NWA 11444, and HED meteorite NWA 6013. Utilizing microscale rock mechanics experiments, that is, nanoindentation testing, this research reveals significant heterogeneity in both mechanical and elemental attributes across the mineral samples. Olivines, pyroxene, feldspar, and spinel demonstrate similar compositional and mechanical characteristics. Conversely, other silicate and oxide minerals display variations in their mechanical properties. Terrestrial olivines subjected to nanoindentation tests exhibit increased hardness and a higher Young's modulus than their lunar counterparts. A linear correlation is observed between the H/Er ratio and both plastic and elastic energies. Additionally, the alignment of mineral phases along a constant H/Er ratio suggests variations in local porosity. This study also …

Rapid progress in information technologies has spurred the need for innovative memory concepts, for which advanced data-processing methods and tailor-made materials are required. Here we introduce a previously unexplored nanoscale magnetic object: an analog magnetic vortex controlled by electric-field-induced ion motion, termed magneto-ionic vortex or "vortion". This state arises from paramagnetic FeCoN through voltage gating and gradual N3-ion extraction within patterned nanodots. Unlike traditional vortex states, vortions offer comprehensive analog adjustment of key properties such as magnetization amplitude, nucleation/annihilation fields, or coercivity using voltage as an energy-efficient tuning knob. This manipulation occurs post-synthesis, obviating the need for energy-demanding methods like laser pulses or spin-torque currents. By leveraging an overlooked aspect of N3-magneto-ionics -- planar ion migration within nanodots -- precise control of the magnetic layer's thickness is achieved, which enables reversible transitions among paramagnetic, single-domain, and vortion states, offering future prospects for analog computing, multi-state data storage, or brain-inspired devices.

CuNi alloys constitute a promising alternative to noble metals as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts, owing to their low cost, high corrosion resistance and environment friendly properties. In this study, homogeneous magnetic fields applied during hydrogen bubble template-assisted electrodeposition of CuNi foam films are shown to have an effect on the resulting morphology and chemical composition of the foam films. The reason for this is the interplay between the applied current density and the orientation of magnetic fields, both influencing the Lorentz forces acting during the growth of the films. With upward Lorentz force, both the pore size and the relative Ni content decrease within the window of studied current densities (−0.7 to −3.5 A cm−2) compared to deposits grown under downward Lorentz force or no applied field. The electrochemical activity towards HER in alkaline media of the CuNi …

This dataset contains the information on our recent body of work on the electrodeposition of composite films comprising a calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite matrix with nanoscale Ag- or Zn-based particles and all the relevant data files. A fundamental study regarding the electrochemical synthesis of composite coatings with application in the orthopaedic field has been conducted. In particular, the electrodeposition of calcium phosphate coatings with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) from either a single electrolyte (one-step, 1S) or two electrolytes (two-step, 2S) on a b-Ti alloy (Ti-18Mo-6Nb-4Ta in wt%) was investigated. Pulse current deposition was implemented to produce the composite coatings by the 1S approach from a simple solution containing 42 mM Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, 25 mM NH4H2PO4, and 0.5 mM AgNO3 at 65 °C. Meanwhile, the calcium phosphate matrix was also deposited by pulse current, and Ag was afterwards grown by direct current from 0.1 M KNO3 + x mM AgNO3 (x = 5, 10) at 25 ºC (2S approach). The Ca/P ratio of the matrix was compatible with the formation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA). The resulting Ag content in the composites could be varied between 4 and 13 wt% as a function of the working conditions. The 2S-derived coatings produced by electroplating Ag at j = –20.8 mA/cm2 from 0.1 M KNO3 + 10 mM AgNO3 furnished an optimal dispersion of the AgNPs on top of the CDHA matrix, while aggregation and/or dendritic growth was observed in other cases. Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES) measurements indicated that a given amount of AgNPs becomes engulfed in the CDHA matrix during the …

Here, we report the synthesis of BCN-93, a meltable, functionalized, and permanently porous metal–organic polyhedron (MOP) and its subsequent transformation into amorphous or crystalline, shaped, self-standing, transparent porous films via melting and subsequent cooling. The synthesis entails the outer functionalization of a MOP with meltable polymer chains: in our model case, we functionalized a Rh(II)-based cuboctahedral MOP with poly(ethylene glycol). Finally, we demonstrate that once melted, BCN-93 can serve as a porous matrix into which other materials or molecules can be dispersed to form mixed-matrix composites. To illustrate this, we combined BCN-93 with one of various additives (either two MOF crystals, a porous cage, or a linear polymer) to generate a series of mixed-matrix films, each of which exhibited greater CO2 uptake relative to the parent film.

Magnetoelectric multiferroics, either single-phase or composites comprising ferroelectric/ferromagnetic coupled films, are promising candidates for energy efficient memory computing. However, most of the multiferroic magnetoelectric systems studied so far are based on materials that are not compatible with industrial processes. Doped hafnia is emerging as one of the few CMOS-compatible ferroelectric materials. Thus, it is highly relevant to study the integration of ferroelectric hafnia into multiferroic systems. In particular, ferroelectricity in hafnia, and the eventual magnetoelectric coupling when ferromagnetic layers are grown atop of it, are very much dependent on quality of interfaces. Since magnetic metals frequently exhibit noticeable reactivity when grown onto oxides, it is expected that ferroelectricity and magnetoelectricity might be reduced in multiferroic hafnia-based structures. In this article, we present …

Effective classification of meteorites and minerals with novel machine learning methods and mechanical property prediction using regression models based only on elemental content.

Optical means instead of electric fields may offer a new pathway for low-power and wireless control of magnetism, holding great potential to design next-generation memory and spintronic devices. Artificial multiferroic materials have shown remarkable suitability as platforms towards the optical control of magnetic properties. However, the practical use of magnetic modulation should be both stable and reversible and, particularly, it should occur at room temperature. Here we show an unprecedented reversible modulation of magnetism using low-intensity visible-light in Fe75Al25/BaTiO3 heterostructures, at room temperature. This is enabled by the existence of highly oriented charged domain walls arranged in arrays of alternating in-plane and out-of-plane ferroelectric domains with stripe morphology. Light actuation yields a net anisotropic stress caused by ferroelectric domain switching, which leads to a 90-degree …