Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing thermodynamic stability of a hybrid organic inorganic perovskite through a partial fluorination of CH3NH3+ cation. The method identifies that optimal stability of perovskite material can be reached with low controlled concentration of modified fluorinated cations, which has a tendency to stabilize the material due to the strengthening of some initially weak hydrogen bonds between MA+ cations and surrounding lead-iodide framework. Fluorination also reduces significantly the iodine vacancy mediated diffusion in the perovskite under applied bias voltage.

Abstract: Methods of forming composite bodies and materials including a metal oxide, such as, uranium dioxide, and silicon carbide are disclosed. The composite materials may be formed from a metal oxide powder, a silicon carbide powder and, optionally, a carbon powder. For example, the metal oxide powder, the silicon carbide powder and the carbon powder, if present, may each be combined with a binder and may be deposited in succession to form a precursor structure. Segments of the precursor structure may be removed and pressed together to form a multi-matrix material that includes interlaced regions of material including at least one of the metal oxide powder, the silicon carbide powder and, optionally, the carbon powder. The segments may be extruded or coextruded with another material, such as, a silicon carbide material, to form a green body. The green body may be sintered to form the composite bodies and materials having a desired final density.

Abstract: Fuel elements for use in reactors include a cladding tube having a longitudinal axis and fuel disposed therein. At least one channel is formed in at least one of the fuel and the cladding tube and extends in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the cladding tube. The fuel element further includes a plenum having at least one getter material disposed therein. Methods of segregating gases in fuel elements may include forming a temperature differential in the fuel element, enabling at least one gas to travel into at least one channel formed in the fuel element, and retaining a portion of the at least one gas with at least one getter material. Methods of segregating gases in fuel elements also may include enabling at least one gas to travel through at least one channel of a plurality of channels formed in the fuel element.

Abstract: An optical device having an optical microsphere. Resonant electromagnetic radiation is trapped in the microsphere and manipulated with externally applied electric and magnetic fields to control polarization components of the excited energy within the microsphere. The optical microsphere can be used as a signal inverter. In the single photon regime, the optical microsphere can be used as a mechanism for entangling qubit states coded by the polarization states of whispering gallery modes excited in the microsphere. Furthermore, the device can be used as a switch for the absorption or reflection of photons in response to control photons.

Abstract: An optical transformer having an optical microsphere is disclosed. Resonant electromagnetic radiation can be trapped in the microsphere and can be manipulated with externally applied electric and magnetic fields to manipulate polarization components of the excited energy. In some embodiments, the resonant modes of the microsphere can be excited from optical fibers. Transitions between modes of the electromagnetic radiation trapped in the microsphere can be accomplished, providing mechanisms for manipulating excited energy in the microsphere. In the single photon regime, the disclosed optical transformer can be used as a quantum bit for application of quantum algorithms.