The capability of nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) to manage high levels of transmutation product helium will help resolve one of the grand challenges to transforming the promise of C-free fusion energy into a reality. NFAs are dispersion strengthened by an ultrahigh density of Y-Ti-O nano-oxides (NOs), which result in both high strength and temperature limits, as well as unique irradiation tolerance. Here, aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the NOs in four NFA conditions, including following severe deformation and extreme neutron radiation exposure. Fast Fourier Transform analysis of focal series images revealed the NO crystal structure, including the smallest at < 2 nm in diameter, to be Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlore in all cases, consistent with both exit wave analysis and scanning transmission Z-contrast imaging of the atomic columns in a larger feature. The faceted NOs exhibit a quasi-epitaxial orientation relationship with the ferrite matrix: [110]YTO||[100]Fe and [001]YTO||[010]Fe, forming a 5 × 7 near coincidence site interface. The NOs also exhibit size-dependent strains in both the oxide and matrix ferrite phases.

We herein report a new facile strategy to ellipsoidal block copolymer nanoparticles that exhibit a pH-triggered anistropic swelling profile. In a first step, elongated particles with an axially stacked lamellae structure are selectively prepared by utilizing functional surfactants to control the phase separation of symmetric polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) in dispersed droplets. In a second step, the dynamic shape change is realized by cross-linking the P2VP domains, thereby connecting glassy PS discs with pH-sensitive hydrogel actuators.

Previously reported TiO2 nanowire fabrication from Ni catalysts shows a surprising amount of phosphorous (P) contamination incorporated into the seed particle. We proposed this unintentional P-doping of Ni particles aids the mechanism for nanowire growth and occurs by an alternative pathway from the Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) mechanism. To confirm this new mechanism, mixed phase NiP/Ni2P (NixPy) and Ni2P nanoparticles were fabricated and the central role of phosphorous in TiO 2 nanowire synthesis confirmed. This newly developed P-assisted fabrication method yielded crystalline rutile TiO2 nanowires. In this mechanism solid, quasi-spherical catalyst particles attached to the ends of nanowires and surrounded by a Ni/P liquid shell are responsible for the nanowire growth. The growing end of the nanowire appears to form a "tangent- plane" to the solid catalyst core with the liquid shell wetting and occupying the interstice between the catalyst and the nanowire. In Ni xPy assisted growth, nanowire diameters occurred as small as 12.3 nm, some of the thinnest yet reported TiO2 nanowires resulting from atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) growth. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.

We report a method for preparing p-type silicon germanium bulk alloys directly from a boron-doped silica germania nanocomposite. This is the first successful attempt to produce and characterize the thermoelectric properties of SiGe-based thermoelectric materials prepared at temperatures below the alloy's melting point through a magnesiothermic reduction of the silica-germania nanocomposite. We observe a thermoelectric power factor that is competitive with the literature record obtained for high energy ball milled nanocomposites. The large grain size in our hot pressed samples limits the thermoelectric figure of merit to 0.5 at 800 C for an optimally doped Si80Ge20 alloy. © 2013 American Chemical Society.