This article describes the studies of a photomagnetic cyanide-bridged Cu-Mo bimetallic assembly, Cu(II)(2)[Mo(IV)(CN)(8)].8H(2)O (Cu(II), S = (1)/(2); Mo(IV), S = 0) (1), which has an intervalence transfer (IT) band from Mo(IV)-CN-Cu(II) to Mo(V)-CN-Cu(I) around 480 nm. Wide-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray spectroscopic studies provide precise information about the 3D connectivity and the local environment of the transition metal ions. Irradiating with blue light causes solid 1 to exhibit a spontaneous magnetization (Curie temperature = 25 K). The thermal reversibility is carefully studied and shows the long-time stability of the photoinduced state up to 100 K. Photoreversibility is also observed; i.e., the magnetization is induced by irradiation with light below 520 nm, while the magnetization is reduced by irradiation with light above 520 nm. The UV-vis absorption spectrum after irradiation shows a decrease of the IT band and the appearance of the reverse-IT band in the region of 600-900 nm (lambda(max) = 710 nm). This UV-vis absorption spectrum is recovered to the original spectrum by irradiation with 658-, 785-, and 840-nm light. In this photomagnetic effect, the excitation of the IT band causes an electron transfer from Mo(IV) to Cu(II), producing a ferromagnetic mixed-valence isomer of Cu(I)Cu(II)[Mo(V)(CN)(8)].8H(2)O (Cu(I), S = 0; Cu(II), S = (1)/(2); Mo(V), S = (1)/(2)) (1'). 1' returns to 1 by irradiation of the reverse-IT band, which obeys the scheme for the potential energy surface in mixed-valence class II compounds.

The optical and photomagnetic properties of [{Cu II (bipy) 2 } 2 {Mo IV (CN) 8 }]$9H 2 O$CH 3 OH (1) have been reinvestigated. A comparison between spectra in solution and in the solid state revealed the presence of an intervalence band (or MetaleMetal Charge Transfer, hereafter noted MMCT) at 570 nm. The photomagnetic properties have been performed in a Superconducting QUantum Interference Device at 10 K with irradiation in the range of the MMCT: 488 nm, 520 nm and 647 nm at 10 K. An important increase of the magnetic signal has been measured after 1 h of irradiation at 488 nm, whereas a weaker increase has been obtained for the irradiation at 520 nm in the same conditions. Moreover, after an excitation at 488 nm, an irradiation at 647 nm has induced a decrease of the magnetic moment, which corresponds to a partial deexcitation. The complete characterization of the photoproduct has been realised after an irradiation of 4 h at 488 nm. The photomagnetic properties have shown an increase of the paramagnetism of 1 at low temperature. After a thermal heating at 300 K, the material goes back to its initial state before irradiation. It is the first time that a fully reversible photomagnetic behaviour for the compound [{Cu II (bipy) 2 } 2 {Mo IV (CN) 8 }]$9H 2 O$CH 3 OH has been described. The observed properties have been discussed in terms of an electron transfer mechanism Mo / Cu.

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BaTiO3/hyperbranched polyester/methacrylate core-shell nanoparticles were studied by varying the shell thickness and the methacrylate ratio. We demonstrated that coalescence typically observed in traditional composites employing polymer matrices is significantly reduced. By modifying the shell thickness, the equivalent filler fraction was tuned from 7 wt. % to 41 wt. %. Obtained permittivities were compared with reported models for two-phase mixtures. The nonlinear behavior of the dielectric constant as a function of the equivalent filler fraction has been fitted with the Bruggeman equation. Methacrylate groups reduce by a decade the loss factor by improving nanoparticles adhesion. The permittivity reaching 85 at 1 kHz makes core-shell nanoparticles a promising material for embedded capacitors.

Using Radio Frequency (RF) waves, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems can make detailed images of human organs for accurate diagnostic processes and disease detection. The overhaul of certain electronic components has become necessary to keep up with the progress of MRI systems. Among the components responsible for image quality, the adjustable non-magnetic capacitors, also called trimmers, are of great importance. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a new design of a trimmer using non-magnetic materials, able to hold a high voltage ( >3 kV) and reach a resonance frequency above 100 MHz. Constructional analysis performed on existing commercial trimmers, combined with the electrical Finite Element Method, were carried out to propose a prototype matching the desired specifications. A dielectric shield surrounding the electrodes was sized to ensure voltage withstand. Moreover, the rotor and the worm-and-gear set were joined together to combat the vibrations generated by the MRI system. The present study includes the modelling step of the component by numerical simulation, the manufacturing, the electrical performance characterization, and the mechanical solution for tuning capacitance. The final prototype combines electrical performance corresponding to the required specifications in particular a high breakdown voltage (39.7 kV) and a resonance frequency (130 MHz).

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International audienceExtensive research is being conducted on the development of inorganic/organic nanocomposites for a wide variety of applications in microelectronics, biotechnologies, photonics, adhesives, or optical coatings. High filler contents are usually required to fully optimize the nanocomposites properties. However, numerous studies demonstrated that traditional composite viscosity increases with increasing the filler concentration reducing therefore significantly the material processability. In this work, we synthesized inorganic/organic core-shell nanocomposites with different shell thicknesses. By reducing the shell thickness while maintaining a constant core size, the nanopar- ticle molecular mass decreases but the nanocomposite filler fraction is correlatively increased. We performed viscosity measurements, which clearly highlighted that intrinsic viscosity of hybrid nanoparticles decreases as the molecular mass decreases, and thus, as the filler fraction increases, as opposed to Einstein predictions about the viscosity of traditional inorganic/polymer two-phase mixtures. This exceptional behavior, modeled by Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation, proves to be a significant breakthrough for the development of industrializable nanocomposites with high filler contents