We report magnetism in carbon doped ZnO. Our first-principles calculations based on density functional theory predicted that carbon substitution for oxygen in ZnO results in a magnetic moment of 1.78 µ B per carbon. The theoretical prediction was confirmed experimentally. Cdoped ZnO films deposited by pulsed laser deposition with various carbon concentrations showed ferromagnetism with Curie temperatures higher than 400 K, and the measured magnetic moment based on the content of carbide in the films (1.5 − 3.0µ B per carbon) is in agreement with the theoretical prediction. The magnetism is due to bonding coupling between Zn ions and doped C atoms. Results of magneto-resistance and abnormal Hall effect show that the doped films are ntype semiconductors with intrinsic ferromagnetism. The carbon doped ZnO could be a promising room temperature dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) and our work demonstrates possiblity of produing DMS with non-metal doping.

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Background Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a useful neuromodulatory technique for treatment of certain neuropathic pain conditions. However, the optimal stimulation parameters remain unclear. Methods In rats after L5 spinal nerve ligation, we compared the inhibitory effects on mechanical hypersensitivity from bipolar SCS of different intensities (20%, 40%, 80% motor threshold) and frequencies (50-Hz, 1-kHz, and 10-kHz). We then compared the effects of 1-kHz and 50-Hz dorsal column stimulation at high and low stimulus intensities on conduction properties of afferent Aα/β-fibers and spinal wide-dynamic-range neuronal excitability. Results Three consecutive daily SCS at different frequencies progressively inhibited mechanical hypersensitivity in an intensity-dependent manner. At 80% motor threshold, the ipsilateral paw withdrawal threshold (%preinjury) increased significantly from pre-SCS measures, beginning with the first day of SCS at the frequencies of 1-kHz (50.2 ± 5.7% from 23.9 ± 2.6%, n = 19, mean ± SEM) and 10-kHz (50.8 ± 4.4 % from 27.9 ± 2.3%, n = 17), while it was significantly increased beginning on the second day in the 50-Hz group (38.9 ± 4.6% from 23.8 ± 2.1%, n = 17). At high intensity, both 1-kHz and 50-Hz dorsal column stimulation reduced Aα/β-compound action potential size recorded at the sciatic nerve, but only 1-kHz stimulation was partially effective at the lower intensity. The number of actions potentials in C-fiber component of wide-dynamic-range neuronal response to windup-inducing stimulation was significantly decreased after 50-Hz (147.4 ± 23.6 from 228.1 ± 39.0, n = 13), but not 1-kHz (n = 15), dorsal column stimulation. Conclusions Kilohertz SCS attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity in a time course and amplitude that differed from conventional 50-Hz SCS, and may involve different peripheral and spinal segmental mechanisms.

Using KH as an additive to Mg(NH2)2/LiH drastically improves hydrogen desorption, which begins at ca. 80 °C (see graph). Circa 5 wt % of hydrogen can be reversibly desorbed and absorbed at about 107 °C. The presence of potassium in the reacting system weakens the amide NH and imide LiN bonds, leading to enhanced reaction kinetics.

In order to investigate the effect of graphene surface chemistry on the electrochemical performance of graphene/polyaniline composites as supercapacitor electrodes, graphene oxide (G-O), chemically reduced G-O (RG-O), nitrogen-doped RG-O (N-RG-O), and amine-modified RG-O (NH(2)-RG-O) were selected as carriers and loaded with about 9 wt % of polyaniline (PANi). The surface chemistry of these materials was analyzed by FTIR, NEXAFS, and XPS, and the type of surface chemistry was found to be important for growth of PANi that influences the magnitude of increase of specific capacitance. The NH(2)-RG-O/PANi composite exhibited the largest increase in capacitance with a value as high as 500 F g(-1) and good cyclability with no loss of capacitance over 680 cycles, much better than that of RG-O/PANi, N-RG-O/PANi, and G-O/PANi when measured in a three-electrode system. A NH(2)-RG-O/PANi//N-RG-O supercapacitor cell has a capacitance of 79 F g(-1), and the corresponding specific capacitance for NH(2)-RG-O/PANi is 395 F g(-1). This research highlights the importance of introducing -NH(2) to RG-O to achieve highly stable cycling performance and high capacitance values.