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The influence of Cu doping on phase transition, thermal strain, and thermal expansion property of polycrystalline Ni50Mn23−xCuxGa27(x = 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7) alloys is investigated. The results show that with increasing Cu concentration, martensitic transformation gradually gets close to Curie transition. A magnetostructural transition (MST) is observed in samples with x = 6 and 7. Such MST can enhance magnitude of transformation strain. Besides, Ni50Mn23−xCuxGa27 alloys possess an isotropic, recoverable, and thermally stable thermal strain. Excitedly, Cu doping can effectively tune the phase transition, thermal strain, and thermal expansion properties of Ni50Mn23−xCuxGa27 alloys. Adjustable coefficients of thermal expansion from positive to negative are obtained by Cu‐doped Ni50Mn23−xCuxGa27 alloys. The average linear expansion coefficient (α) between −140.44 and −207.70 ppm K−1 is observed in samples with x = 6 and 7 for a narrow temperature span of 11–14 K. When the temperature span is about 72 K (x = 6) and 73 K (x = 7), which is the largest temperature span observed in Ni–Mn–Ga‐based alloys recently, the α values decrease to about −36 ppm K−1. These findings are beneficial for manipulating the thermal expansion property of Ni–Mn–Ga–Cu alloys and their multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental investigation was conducted to understand the influence of hydrostatic pressure on phase transition, thermal expansion and barocaloric property of a polycrystalline Ni 54 Mn 23 Ga 23 alloy. Two pressure ranges of 0–1.28 GPa and 0–0.74 GPa were selected for thermal expansion and barocaloric property measurements due to the different test limits of instrumentals. The pressure dependence of fourteen parameters was studied systematically. It was found that the sample experiences a martensitic transformation (MT) near room temperature and the response of MT peak temperature (T M) to pressure is about 15.89 K/GPa. The phase transition strain (λ tr), transformation width (Δ T tr) relative volume change (|Δ V / V |) and maximum adiabatic temperature change (Δ T ad) max increase linearly with pressure and their shifting rates are about 0.071 %/GPa, 7.5 K/GPa, 0.211 %/GPa and 12.2 K/GPa, respectively. Simultaneously, applying hydrostatic pressure can also enhance the barocaloric property of the sample, leading to a large increase in the absolute value of the maximum entropy change (|Δ S | max), the refrigerating capacity (RC) and their reversible values. On cooling, the sensitivities of the reversible RC and its proportion to pressure are around 185.52 J/kg GPa and 16.7 %/GPa, respectively. Finally, the average linear expansion coefficient (α ave) of both martensite and austenite phases keeps unchanged while in the MT region it decreases from -99.84×10–6/K to -86.04×10–6/K with increasing pressure from 0 to 1.28 GPa. These findings indicate that applying hydrostatic pressure can effectively adjust the phase transformation, thermal expansion and barocaloric property of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys, which are meaningful for their application in solid-state refrigeration. • Pressure can effectively adjust phase transformation, thermal expansion and barocaloric property of Ni 54 Mn 23 Ga 23 alloy. • A large response of martensitic transformation (MT) peak temperature to pressure is reported. • The barocaloric property and its reversibility are highly sensitive to pressure. • The average linear expansion coefficient during MT decreases with increasing pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report effect of hydrostatic pressure on martensitic transformation in polycrystalline Ni 44.6 Co 5.5 Mn 35.5 In 14.4 . With applying pressure, the transformation moves to high temperatures at a rate of 4.4 K/kbar. Utilizing an indirect method, the calculated maximum isothermal entropy changes achieve ~ 14.3 J/kg K at 2.76 kbar and ~ 15.6 J/kg K at 5.98 kbar, which respectively output the values of ~ 5 K and ~ 6 K for the adiabatic temperature change near room temperature. After deducting the average hysteretic loss (~ 152 J/kg), the effective refrigeration capacities still reach ~ 38 J/kg at 2.76 kbar and ~ 247 J/kg at 5.98 kbar, performing an enhanced barocaloric effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined thermal strain and magnetization measurements were performed in polycrystalline alloys Ni 49.31 Mn 22.76 Ga 27.93 (Ni 49), Ni 53.00 Mn 21.04 Ga 25.96 (Ni 53) and Ni 55.62 Mn 17.52 Ga 26.86 (Ni 55.5) to understand the influence of magnetic field (B) on transformation strain (Δλ) and relative volume change (ω) at martensitic transformation (MT). It is found that during cooling and heating both Ni 49 and Ni 53 samples undergo a MT while the Ni 55.5 sample experiences a coupled magnetostructural transformation (MST). Such a MST can enhance the Δλ and ω whereas thermal hysteresis weakens them, which results in a non-monotonic variation in Δλ: 0.211% (Ni 49) → 0.166% (Ni 53) → 0.185% (Ni 55.5) under B = 0 T. Similar tendency was observed in ω. Besides, the values of Δλ and ω increase with increasing field, partially due to the contribution of magnetic field-induced strain. The maximum value ω = 0.674% was obtained in Ni 49 sample under 3 T, indicating that an extra volume space of ∼1% should be needed to avoid the destruction of refrigeration chamber. These findings provide key information for future use of Ni–Mn-Ga alloys in refrigeration engineering field. • Ni–Mn-Ga alloys exhibit a large transformation strain (Δλ) at martensitic transformation (MT). • Magnetostructural transformation can enhance transformation strain and relative volume change (ω). • Thermal hysteresis weakens the magnitude of Δλ and ω. • Magnetic field has a positive effect on the increase in Δλ and ω due to the magnetic field-induced strain. • A large relative volume change of 0.674% was obtained in Ni 49.31 Mn 22.76 Ga 27.93 under 3 T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic field effect on phase transition and thermal expansion properties were investigated in Ni 55 Mn 18 Ga 27 alloy. The results show that the alloy has an excellent isotropy, reproducibility and thermostability in thermal strain and exhibits a large negative thermal expansion (NTE) effect in the direct and reverse martensitic transformations (MTs). For the direct MT, the average linear expansion coefficient α is about −225.21 ppm/K and the corresponding temperature span is around 8.2 K. Additionally, the sensitivities of the transformation strain and peak temperatures to field are about 88.5 ppm/T and 1.31 K/T, respectively. The rates of α and temperature spans of NTE to magnetic field are about 8.88 ppm/K T and 0.82 K/T, indicating that the magnetic field can improve the NTE property of the Ni–Mn-Ga alloy. Finally, the NTE mechanism has also been discussed. Our findings are beneficial to improving the thermal expansion and NTE properties of Ni–Mn-Ga alloys. • The thermal strain of the Ni55Mn18Ga27 alloy is highly isotropic, reproducible and thermostable. • The alloy exhibits a large negative thermal expansion (NTE) effect during the martensitic transformations (MTs). • The average linear expansion coefficient α is −225.21 ppm/K for the direct MT and the rate of α to field is ∼8.88 ppm/K T. • The NTE mechanism has also been discussed. • Applying magnetic field can improve the NTE property of the Ni–Mn-Ga alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fanger''s PMV–PPD is the most famous thermal sensation indices but it is too complex to be applied in practice. To obtain simple and applicable correlations, taking Qujing of Yunnan province, China, as example, a wet season (six-month) field measurement was conducted in a naturally ventilated residential room. Based on collected data, PMV indices were calculated by using Newton''s iterative method. It is shown that the PMV values approximately vary from −1.0 to +1.0 and the indoor thermal environment is basically comfortable. Relationships of the parameters (indoor and outdoor air temperatures, mean radiant temperature, PMV and PPD) and indoor air temperature gradients (vertical and horizontal) were also studied by means of the linear regression and the quadratic polynomial fit techniques. Numerous correlations with high relativities have been developed. Moreover, the vertical and horizontal air temperature gradients range from 0.1K/m to 0.85K/m and from −0.208K/m to 0.063K/m in wet season. It is convenient to use these results to evaluate and assess the indoor thermal environment under similar climatic conditions. The results of this work enrich and develop the basic theory of the indoor thermal environment design and control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric and barocaloric properties were investigated in Ni 55.5 Mn 17.8 Ga 26.7 alloy. The results show that the sample experiences two successive magnetostructural transformations (MSTs) with decreasing/increasing temperature. The field-induced entropy change and pressure-induced entropy change are only −7.55 J/kg K for a field change of Δ H = 3 T and −10.52 J/kg K for a pressure change of Δ P = 0.622 GPa while the corresponding refrigeration capacity (RC) achieves 68.80 J/kg and 247.83 J/kg, respectively. Such considerable RC values can be ascribed to the broadening of the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) due to the two successive MSTs. It was observed that RC and FWHM increase with magnetic field and pressure, which results in an enhancement of magnetocaloric and barocaloric effects. Importantly, RC and FWHM under Δ P = 0.622 GPa are comparable to and even larger than those reported in some expensive rare-earth-based magnetic refrigerants. The responses of RC and FWHM to pressure are 89.05 J/kg GPa and 4.77 K/GPa for 0 ≤ P ≤ 0.3 GPa and the values are 654.57 J/kg GPa and 73.86 K/GPa for 0.3 ≤ P ≤ 0.622 GPa. The FWHMs of 11.23 K under Δ H = 3 T and of 32.83 K under Δ P = 0.622 GPa are obtained. All these excellent properties originated from two successive MSTs would make Ni 55.5 Mn 17.8 Ga 26.7 alloy promising as a new and inexpensive multicaloric material used in the solid refrigeration technology. • Ni 55.5 Mn 17.8 Ga 26.7 alloy exhibits two successive magnetostructural transformations (MSTs). • Large magnetocaloric and barocaloric effects were observed due to the two successive MSTs. • Two successive MSTs and hydrostatic pressure can effectively broaden the phase transforming temperature span. • A large refrigerant capacity of 247.83 J/kg was obtained under a pressure change of 0.622 GPa. • An inexpensive multicaloric material Ni 55.5 Mn 17.8 Ga 26.7 alloy was reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structure, transformation property and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) were investigated in Ni 55.5 Mn 17.8 Ga 26.7 alloy. The sample at room temperature exhibits an unmodulated martensitic structure with a small residual trace of 7 M modulated martensitic structure. Two successive magneto-structural transformations (MSTs) consisting of martensitic and intermartensitic transformations are observed. It is found that the maximum isothermal entropy change |Δ S | max of 7.65 J/kg K at 309 K and refrigeration capacity (RC) of 78.84 J/kg are attained for a field change μ 0 Δ H = 3 T under ambient pressure (p = 0 GPa). The enhanced MCE can be ascribed to the two successive MSTs. Much importantly, the |Δ S | max is basically independent of hydrostatic pressure and equals to 7.74 J/kg K at 314 K for p = 0.622 GPa. Besides, the application of hydrostatic pressure improve the width of phase transition and a large RC of 101.57 J/kg has been observed for p = 0.622 GPa under μ 0 Δ H = 3 T. Consequently, the response of RC to magnetic field increases from 26.86 J/kg T for p = 0 GPa to 34.13 J/kg T for p = 0.622 GPa. The reversible RC is also improved by pressure. Such an enhanced MCE and the non-toxic raw materials make this alloy particularly appealing for solid-state cooling technologies. • Ni 55.5 Mn 17.8 Ga 26.7 alloy exhibits two successive magneto-structural transformations. • An enhanced MCE associated with the two successive MSTs was obtained. • The maximum isothermal entropy change almost keeps constant under ambient and high pressures. • Application of hydrostatic pressure can effectively broaden the phase transforming temperature span. • A considerable refrigerant capacity was obtained under hydrostatic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetocaloric materials with first-order phase transition are potential refrigerant media for solid state refrigeration. In this work, the Ni45Co5Mn35In15 alloy possesses a representative first-order martensitic transition (MT), which is found to be sensitive to both magnetic field and isostatic pressure with rates of ∼−6.4 K T−1 and ∼4.24 K kbar−1. Such an active response to multi-stimuli derives from the strong coupling of the spin and the lattice. A low magnetic field of 1 T can drive nearly 100% of the total entropy change corresponding to the whole transformation in this alloy. However, the prominent magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is almost irreversible owing to the intrinsic hysteresis of the first-order phase transition. By virtue of the strong magnetostructural coupling during the MT, a hydrostatic pressure assisted magnetic field loading loop has been constructed for eliminating the hysteresis and to a large extent improve the reversibility of the MCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the barocaloric effect (BCE) and its reversible behavior during martensitic transformation (MT) have been experimentally investigated in Ni 42.3 Co 7.9 Mn 38.8 Sn 11 quaternary Heusler alloy. The experimental results show that the studied alloy experiences the MT from the ferromagnetic L 2 1 -type cubic structure to the paramagnetic-like three-layered (3 M ) modulated monoclinic structure, resulting in a value of ∼1.1% for the relative volume change ε between two phases. Due to appearance of an enhanced ε , the migration rate of martensitic transformation with respect to the hydrostatic pressure reaches ∼4.7 K/kbar, while a high transition entropy change (∼28 J/kg K) is still maintained. Based on an indirectly estimated method, the calculated maximum value for isothermal entropy change Δ S T achieves ∼ -23 J/kg K with the pressure change of 6.2 kbar, which yields the values of ∼10 K for adiabatic temperature change Δ T a d and ∼786 J/kg for relative cooling power (RCP), performing a large BCE. According to the change of phase fraction at selected hydrostatic pressures, a detailed schematic diagram has been established to evaluate the reversibility of this effect. With applying an external cyclic pressure of 6.2 kbar, the maximum repeatable values calculated for both Δ S T and Δ T a d are decreased to ∼ -15 J/kg K and ∼5 K, respectively. This is attributed to an insufficient driving force, which can only partially transform this material, leading to a reversible MT appeared in the mixed state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sm 0.5 Y 0.5 FeO 3 single crystal was successfully synthesized using the optical floating zone method. A systematic study was conducted to investigate the spin reorientation transition process in the Sm 0.5 Y 0.5 FeO 3 single crystal, as well as the effects of applied magnetic fields and isostatic pressure on the spin reorientation transition. Analysis of the M (T) curves revealed that the spin reorientation transition process in the single crystal occurs from Γ 4 to Γ 2 between 310 and 350 K. In addition, the spin reorientation phase transition is quite sensitive to magnetic fields and isostatic pressure, particularly when the isostatic pressure exceeds 0.81 GPa, where the rare Γ 3 phase is observed. The M (T) curve under different measurements of isostatic pressure indicates that the spin reorientation phase transition occurs in the sequence of Γ 4 → Γ 2 + Γ 3 + Γ 4 → Γ 2 + Γ 3 with a decrease in temperature once the isostatic pressure exceeds ∼0.72 GPa. Notably, to provide a more comprehensive description of the changes in phase transition configurations with temperature under different isostatic pressure, a detailed phase diagram was established. These findings present new avenues and possibilities for the development of ultrafast spintronic devices and optical magnetic memory systems operating at near room temperature. • Sm 0.5 Y 0.5 FeO 3 single crystals are grown by optical floating zone method. • Laue and X-ray studies confirmed high crystalline quality of the single crystal. • Magnetic fields and isostatic pressures can effectively regulate the spin reorientation phase transition. • The spin reorientation phase transition under high pressure occurs in the sequence Γ 4 → Γ 2 + Γ 3 + Γ 4 → Γ 2 + Γ 3. • A detailed phase diagram was established to depict the spin configuration vary with temperature and isostatic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a non-spontaneous martensitic transformation (MT) activated by the hydrostatic pressure has been observed in polycrystalline Ni43Co7Mn35In15 Heusler alloy. This alloy can experience a nearly complete metamagnetic MT with the assistance of an enough pressure. As the change of pressure reaches 20 kbar, the maximum baroresistance (BR) of the studied alloy achieves ~ 825% at 50 K and remains ~ 280% even in the vicinity of room temperature revealing a giant BR effect over a wide temperature range. More interestingly, the perfectly reversible isothermal BR effects as high as over 650% have been also found at the temperatures below 130 K by overcoming a thermal barrier between direct and reverse MTs. Such an interesting behavior could be ascribed to a pressure-induced continuous first-order MT accompanied by a prominent change of spin ordering, which brings about a combined contribution of electron-spin and electron-lattice scatterings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spin reorientation vanishes at a high magnetic field for a TmFeO 3 single crystal. • Evidence of magneto-structural coupling in the TmFeO 3 single crystal is provided. • Spin reorientation shifts and widens under hydrostatic pressure. • Widening of spin reorientation transition is attributed to an intermediate phase. We report the growth of a TmFeO 3 single crystal, its magnetic and structural properties upon varying temperature, magnetic field, and hydrostatic pressure. The abrupt change related to the spin reorientation (SR) process vanishes under a 30 kOe magnetic field in both thermomagnetic and strain curves, indicating strong magneto-structural coupling in such orthoferrite. Interestingly, the thermomagnetic curve under hydrostatic pressure reveals that the SR shifts towards higher temperatures and its temperature interval widens upon the application of external hydrostatic pressure. Combining the strain data obtained under similar conditions, the onset temperature shift of SR is concluded to originate from changes in structural parameters and widening of the SR transition is attributed to the presence of an intermediate phase. These findings may shed light on the envisage of potential uses in magneto-mechanical and transducer devices, based on the interaction between structure and magnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hollow SnO 2 nanospheres have been successfully fabricated through a simple hydrothermal method by using carbon spheres as template. Microstructure observation showed that the hollow SnO 2 had uniform nanoscale size and single-shelled structure assembled by individual nanocrystallines. Being employed as the supercapacitor electrode materials, the resultant hollow SnO 2 nanospheres displayed a considerable specific capacitance of 332.7 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g, much higher than the pristine SnO 2 particles (143.5 F/g). The hollow SnO 2 also exhibited good rate capability remained relatively high capacitance of 174.9 F/g at a large current density of 20 A/g, as well as excellent cycling properties without capacitance degradation over 2000 charging/discharging cycles. Such excellent electrochemical performance of the hollow SnO 2 nanosphere can be attributed to its unique nanosized and single-shelled hollow structure which greatly increases the available surface area and providing hierarchical porosity for the electrode materials. Highlights • Hollow SnO 2 nanospheres were successfully fabricated by a hydrothermal method. • The hollow SnO 2 possesses novel nanoscale size and single-shelled structure. • The hollow SnO 2 exhibited enhanced capacitive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large-size single crystal of Mn 4 Ta 2 O 9 with ∼3.5 mm in diameter and ∼65 mm in length was successfully grown for the first time by a newly designed one-step method based on the optical floating zone technique. Both the clear Laue spots and sharp XRD Bragg reflections suggest the high quality of the single crystal. In Mn 4 Ta 2 O 9 single crystal, an antiferromagnetic phase transition was observed below Néel temperature 102 K along c axis, which is similar to the isostructural compound Mn 4 Nb 2 O 9 , but differs from the isostructural Co 4 Nb 2 O 9 . Relative dielectric constant at 30 kOe suggests that no magnetoelectric coupling exists in Mn 4 Ta 2 O 9 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutions of phase transformation, magnetic and electrical transport properties with the change of Fe concentration have been systematically investigated in a series of Ni 60- x Fe 13+ x Ga 27 (x = 0–10) Heusler alloys. The structure and heat flow measurements reveal every sample undergoes a disordered-ordered transition from a disordered B 2 structure to a L 2 1 ordered structure, and a first-order structural transformation from the L 2 1 cubic structure to a L 1 0 tetragonal structure is corresponding to the martensitic transformation (MT). With increasing Fe concentration, the disordered-ordered transition and ferromagnetic transition shift to higher temperature, while the MT shifts to lower temperature. According to phase diagram established in the present investigation, it is also found that the increase of Fe content can convert the first-order MT from a paramagnetic type to a ferromagnetic one, which is accompanying by an obvious increase of both effective and spontaneous magnetic moments. Furthermore, the calculated magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant (K 1) of the studied alloys monotonically increases as Fe increases. It is evident that the magnetic degrees of freedom in these two MTs remain almost unchanged so that the electron-spin scattering doesn't change, which results in the resistivity difference between the austenitic and martensitic states is feeble. Such an intrinsic nature leads to a weak magnetoresistance (MR) and baroresistance (BR) effects in the studied samples because of only contribution of electron-lattice scattering change on the resistivity. This demonstrates from a negative perspective that the electron-spin scattering change originated from the variation in the magnetic degrees of freedom acts as a dominant role in improvement of the MR and BR effects for the Heusler system possessed the first-order MT. • The phase diagram including the structural ordering transition for Ni-Fe-Ga alloys was established. • Ni 60- x Fe 13+ x Ga 27 alloys undergo a disordered-ordered transition from a disordered B 2 structure to a L 2 1 ordered structure. • The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant monotonically increases as Fe increases. • The baroresistance and magnetoresistance effect of Ni-Fe-Ga has been obtained around the room temperature. • The electron-spin scattering change acts as a crucial role to improve the MR and BR effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• (Mn 2 Sb) 1- x Bi x single crystals were batch-grown by an improved Bridgeman method. • Substitution of Sb by Bi leads to a shrinkage of cell volume and occurrence of the first-order transition. • Effects of chemical doping and hydrostatic pressure application were compared for the crystal with x = 0.12. • Large magnetoresistance and magnetostrain with good reversibility were attained at 120 K under 30 kOe for x = 0.12. We investigate the effects of Bi substitution on the structure, magnetization, magnetoresistance, and magnetostrain in single crystals of (Mn 2 Sb) 1- x Bi x (x = 0.06, 0.08, 0.1, and 0.12). It is found that the element Bi can be partially substituted for Sb in the tetragonal Mn 2 Sb main phase, and partially forms the MnBi and Bi-rich secondary phases. The introduction of Bi causes the simultaneous lattice shrinkages in a and c for the main phase, and also enhances the transition temperature of the first-order magnetoelastic ferrimagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition. Such an enhancement in transition temperature due to contraction of the unit-cell volume contraction is also experimentally proven based on the thermomagnetic curves under hydrostatic pressure for a crystal with × = 0.12. The volume contraction rate due to hydrostatic pressure is deduced to be −0.0386 Å3/GPa. Moreover, the highest values of in-plane magnetoresistance (∼-30%) and magnetostrain (∼−1448 ppm) with good reversibility are attained at 120 K under 30 kOe, which was proven to be the optimal magnetic field. Our experimental results show that Mn 2 Sb-based intermetallic compounds can be considered promising candidates for low-cost, multifunctional magnetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of isotropic physical pressure, applied either during the high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) annealing or the measuring processes, on the magnetic properties of NdFeO 3 single crystal, has been investigated. In comparison to the complete spin reorientation (SR) in an as-grown NdFeO 3 single crystal, the thermomagnetic M (T) and isothermal M (H) curves for a HPHT-annealed sample indicates an incomplete SR transition from a Γ 2 -rich to a Γ 4 -rich Γ 24 mixed phase. Moreover, the M (T) curves of the as-grown sample under different measuring hydrostatic pressures suggest that the SR transition takes place in the sequence of Γ 2 → Γ 1 + Γ 2 + Γ 4 → Γ 1 + Γ 4 → Γ 4 , instead of the Γ 2 → Γ 2 + Γ 4 → Γ 4, without applying pressure during the measuring process. Such manipulation of the magnetic configuration reveals that the 3 d -4 f interaction in the NdFeO 3 could be greatly affected by the isotropic pressure. These findings may provide a new perspective and possibility for the tuning of the magnetism and corresponding microscopic interactions. • A comparative study of isotropic pressure on NdFeO3 single crystal is carried out. • High-pressure-high-temperature annealing leads to an incomplete spin reorientation • Hydrostatic pressure in the measuring process introduces an intermediate phase. • Isotropic pressure can tune the magnetism and microscopic interactions in NdFeO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The performances of solar cell arrays based on a Trough Concentrating Photovoltaic/Thermal (TCPV/T) system have been studied via both experiment and theoretical calculation. The I–V characteristics of the solar cell arrays and the output performances of the TCPV/T system demonstrated that among the investigated four types of solar cell arrays, the triple junction GaAs cells possessed good performance characteristics and the polysilicon cells exhibited poor performance characteristics under concentrating conditions. The optimum concentration ratios for the single crystalline silicon cell, the Super cells and the GaAs cells were also studied by experiments. The optimum concentration ratios for the single crystalline silicon cells and Super cells were 4.23 and 8.46 respectively, and the triple junction GaAs cells could work well at higher concentration ratio. Besides, some theoretical calculations and experiments were performed to explore the influences of the series resistances and the working temperature. When the series resistances Rs changed from 0Ω to 1Ω, the maximum power Pm of the single crystalline silicon, the polycrystalline silicon, the Super cell and the GaAs cell arrays decreased by 67.78%, 74.93%, 77.30% and 58.07% respectively. When the cell temperature increased by 1K, the short circuit current of the four types of solar cell arrays decreased by 0.11818A, 0.05364A, 0.01387A and 0.00215A respectively. The research results demonstrated that the output performance of the solar cell arrays with lower series resistance was better and the working temperature had a negative impact on the current under concentration. In addition, solar irradiation intensity had certain effects on the solar cell’s performance. For the crystalline silicon solar cell arrays, when the solar direct radiation exceeded a certain value, the I–V curves almost became a straight line and the output performances decreased due to the high series resistance leading to the high power loss. For the triple junction GaAs solar cell array, its performance was always excellent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Applying hydrostatic pressure can push the MT to a higher temperature. • Curie transition almost remains unchanged under hydrostatic pressure. • The average magnetic moment and mass susceptibility of SPM cluster are reduced. • The strength of FM/AFM interactions are suppressed by hydrostatic pressure. • The application of hydrostatic pressure suppresses the exchange bias effect. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on martensitic transformation (MT), superparamagnetic (SPM) and exchange bias (EB) behaviors in polycrystalline Ni 45 Cu 5 Mn 35 In 15 has been intensively investigated by various experimental methods. The experimental results show that the studied alloy experiences a MT from the austenitic state with a L 2 1 -type cubic structure to the martensitic state with a seven-layer (7 M) modulated orthorhombic structure with decreasing temperature, accompanied by a significant change in magnetization. It is found that applying hydrostatic pressure can induce the MT to occur in the higher temperature, while the Curie transition almost remains unchanged due to the suppression of ferromagnetic (FM) coupling. In addition, the applied hydrostatic pressure can suppress the EB field and coercivity of the studied alloy due to the reduction of the competition between FM and AFM interactions. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that the application of hydrostatic pressure reduces the size of the SPM cluster and its average magnetic moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure, transition properties, and hydrostatic pressure (p) and magnetic field (B) dependence of transition temperatures and operation-temperature window (Δ T , defined as the temperature range of martensitic transition) were investigated in Ni 53 Mn 21 Ga 26 alloy. The results reveal that all the transition temperatures and Δ T increase almost linearly with increasing magnetic field and pressure. Particularly, a stronger dependence of peak temperature (T M) and Δ T on pressure, d T M /d p = 25.7 K/GPa and dΔ T /d p = 18.7–22.7 K/GPa, is observed in contrast with the smaller values of d T M /d B = 1.3 K/T and dΔ T /d B = 1.4–1.7 K/T found in Ni 53 Mn 21 Ga 26 alloy. Furthermore, the value of 25.7 K/GPa may be the largest shift in T M with pressure observed in polycrystalline Ni–Mn-Ga systems. Clearly, the sensitivities of T M and Δ T to pressure are much higher than those to magnetic field. These findings illustrate that applying hydrostatic pressure is beneficial to broaden Δ T in Ni 53 Mn 21 Ga 26 alloy. • Ni 53 Mn 21 Ga 26 alloy exhibits a magnetostructural transformation (MST). • Hydrostatic pressure effects on the phase transition properties and operation-temperature window (Δ T) have been studied. • A large shift in peak temperature with pressure of 25.7 K/GPa was observed. • A strong response of Δ T to pressure p , dΔ T /d p = 18.7–22.7 K/GPa, was reported. • Hydrostatic pressure can effectively broaden the operation-temperature window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]