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VS2 is a challenging material to prepare stoichiometrically in the bulk, and the single layer has not been successfully isolated before now. Here we report the first realization of single-layer VS2, which we have prepared epitaxially with high quality on Au(111) in the octahedral (1T) structure. We find that we can deplete the VS2 lattice of S by annealing in vacuum so as to create an entirely new two-dimensional compound that has no bulk analogue. The transition is reversible upon annealing in an H2S gas atmosphere. We report the structural properties of both the stoichiometric and S-depleted compounds on the basis of low-energy electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction, and scanning tunneling microscopy experiments., Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures

A recent article 'Burden of proof: A comprehensive review of the feasibility of 100% renewable-electricity systems' claims that many studies of 100% renewable electricity systems do not demonstrate sufficient technical feasibility, according to the criteria of the article's authors (henceforth 'the authors'). Here we analyse the authors' methodology and find it problematic. The feasibility criteria chosen by the authors are important, but are also easily addressed at low economic cost, while not affecting the main conclusions of the reviewed studies and certainly not affecting their technical feasibility. A more thorough review reveals that all of the issues have already been addressed in the engineering and modelling literature. Nuclear power, which the authors have evaluated positively elsewhere, faces other, genuine feasibility problems, such as the finiteness of uranium resources and a reliance on unproven technologies in the medium- to long-term. Energy systems based on renewables, on the other hand, are not only feasible, but already economically viable and decreasing in cost every year., Comment: 11+7 pages, 2 figures; version 2 contains clarifications and further references; version 3 is the accepted manuscript

Fracturing in reservoir rocks is an important issue for the petroleum industry - as productivity can be enhanced by a controlled fracturing operation. Fracturing also has a big impact on CO2 storage, geothermal installation and gas production at and from the reservoir rocks. Therefore, understanding the fracturing behavior of different types of reservoir rocks is a basic need for planning field operations towards these activities. In our study, the fracturing of rock sample is monitored by Acoustic Emission (AE) and post-experiment Computer Tomography (CT) scans. The fracturing experiments have been performed on hollow cylinder cores of different rocks - sandstones and chalks. Our analysis show that the amplitudes and energies of acoustic events clearly indicate initiation and propagation of the main fractures. The amplitudes of AE events follow an exponential distribution while the energies follow a power law distribution. Time-evolution of the radial strain measured in the fracturing-test will later be compared to model predictions of fracture size.