[en] The discovery of the exceptional stability of C₆₀ (Buckminsterfullerene) and its ions has prompted a large number of experimental and theoretical investigations concerning this soccerball-shaped molecule. After the discovery of a method, by which macroscopic quantities of C₆₀ are available, this molecule has become an obvious candidate for structural and dynamic investigations by atomic-collision experiments. In our experiments, the fragment distributions suggest a mechanism where fragmentation occurs by sequential loss of 'pairs' of carbon atoms. We have continued the C⁺₆₀ fragmentation studies and also included negative and multiply charged as well as other fullerene ions besides C₆₀. In the case of positive fullerenes, only even-numbered molecules were observed, but for the negative fullerenes, also odd-numbered molecules were recorded on the ∼ 0.5% level relative to the even-numbered components. This finding indicates that the electron structure also plays an important role for the stability of fullerene ions, or perhaps that negative molecules can exist in some isomeric form. The total destruction cross sections for fullerene ions have been measured in several target gases. We are planning to continue with collisional studies of various fullerene ions with special emphasis on a better understanding of the collisionally induced fragmentation for ions in well prepared states, and also endohedral complexes and fusion will be investigated in collision studies. (EG) (8 refs.)

[en] The distribution of fragments resulting from collisions between 50--200-keV C₆₀⁺ ions and H₂ and He is found to follow approximately a simple power law I(m)=cp^m where p is a constant depending on both energy and target gas, and m is the number of missing ''pairs'' of carbon atoms. Based on this observation, a new dynamical fragmentation model involving the ratio of two characteristic times is proposed. In collisions by 300-keV C₆₀⁺⁺ ions, the singly charged products are distributed quite differently, which implies the first evidence of the presence of charge-separation reactions

[en] From our investigations of natural composite materials such as abalone shell and bone we have learned the following. (1) Nature is frugal with resources: it uses just a few per cent glue, by weight, to glue together composite materials. (2) Nature does not avoid voids. (3) Nature makes optimized glues with sacrificial bonds and hidden length. We discuss how optimized adhesives combined with high specific stiffness/strength structures such as carbon nanotubes or graphene sheets could yield remarkably strong, lightweight, and damage-resistant materials

[en] The effects of non-ideal experimental configuration on the mechanical resonance of boron (B) nanowires (NWs) were studied to obtain the corrected value for the Young's modulus. The following effects have been theoretically considered: (i) the presence of intrinsic curvature (ii) non-ideal clamps (iii) spurious masses (iv) coating layer, and (v) large displacements. An energy-based analytical analysis was developed to treat such effects and their interactions. Here, we focus on treating the effect of the intrinsic curvature on the mechanical resonance. The analytical approach has been confirmed by numerical FEM analysis. A parallax method was used to obtain the three-dimensional geometry of the NW

[en] Electron capture in collisions of C²⁺₆₀ and C³⁺₆₀ molecular ions with atomic and molecular gases has been studied at impact energies around 100 keV. The cross-section dependence on the target-ionization potentials is discussed, and a simple over-barrier model is evoked to explain the energy dependences. The cross sections for endothermic processes are discussed in the light of a simple two-state model, and a general understanding of their behaviour is obtained. (orig.)

[en] Composites were prepared by using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and methyl-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, modified with nonionic surfactant to improve the carbon nanotube dispersion and workability. The thermal results show that the polymer glass transition temperature increases up to 10 deg. C and that only 1wt% CNT content improves the mechanical response by more than 200%, substantially above other reports where large quantities of CNTs were used