Abstract: One-dimensional nanostructures having uniform diameters of less than approximately 200 nm. These inventive nanostructures, which we refer to as “nanowires”, include single-crystalline homostructures as well as heterostructures of at least two single-crystalline materials having different chemical compositions. Because single-crystalline materials are used to form the heterostructure, the resultant heterostructure will be single-crystalline as well. The nanowire heterostructures are generally based on a semiconducting wire wherein the doping and composition are controlled in either the longitudinal or radial directions, or in both directions, to yield a wire that comprises different materials. Examples of resulting nanowire heterostructures include a longitudinal heterostructure nanowire (LOHN) and a coaxial heterostructure nanowire (COHN).

Abstract: This monitoring apparatus for monitoring the adhesion of a motive power unit of an electric rail vehicle set comprises a power control stage for controlling the power supplied to the motor of the motive power unit, and an adhesion monitoring stage proper delivering to the power control stage a reference signal generated on the basis of at least one operating characteristic of the motor so as to keep the slip of the wheels of the motive power unit under control. The apparatus further comprises means for generating an activation signal for activating the monitoring apparatus and means for injecting the activation signal into the reference signal so as to cause it to deliver a modified reference signal.

Abstract: A traction system in voltage mode includes power supply buses of an electric traction vehicle, the power supply buses each including a 2F filter with the midpoints of the 2F filters being linked together.

Abstract: A voltage lowering device includes at least one pair of forced commutation single-phase rectifiers connected to secondary windings of a main traction transformer. The power drawn from a direct current mains power supply passes through the main traction transformer and is recovered at a secondary winding by means of a forced commutation single-phase rectifier operating as a voltage increasing controlled rectifier. The other forced commutation single-phase rectifiers operate as synchronous voltage inverters. An asynchronous traction system supplied by a single-phase mains power supply includes a voltage lowering device as previously described.