Main difficulties on synthesis of LiFeAs:

1. FeAs with acetylene black, binder and N-methyl-pyrrolidone were mixed and ground into a jelly Painting the jelly onto a clean copper foil (FeAs/Cu-electrode) Dried at 60℃ until N-methyl-pyrrolidone completely evaporated Densify FeAs on the surface of copper foil by pressing then dried in vacuum oven at 120℃ for 2 hours After it cooled down to room temperature, punched the electrode into a certain shape Synthesis of LiFeAs Superconductor at Room TemperatureYang Li, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, DMR 0821284 A new synthesis technique is developed to prepare LiFeAs superconductor at room temperature by using an electrochemical approach which differs from the traditional solid-state reaction at high temperature. Under the electrochemical drive, lithium ions in the solution are inserted into FeAs lattice to directly form LiFeAs on the surface of FeAs substrate at room temperature. The characterization of resulting LiFeAs samples indicate superconducting transition temperature at about 13 K, which is consistent with the reported results. This electrochemical technique offers a promising approach to prepare LiFeAs superconductors as well as thin films. (J. Appl. Phys. 2010) The motif of synthesis of LiFeAs by inserting Li atoms into FeAs lattice. Main difficulties on synthesis of LiFeAs: (1) LiFeAs is sensitive to moisture and reacts with oxygen and nitrogen. (2) The toxic As-contained compounds should be sealed. (3) The preparation of thin films has not been achieved. Susceptibility of the anode film of LiFeAs (TC  13 K) under initial charging in both ZFC and FC procedure. The process of preparing the FeAs electrode

2. New materials investigated by using Cryogen-free Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) Yang Li, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, DMR 0821284 • This instrument immediately support the interdisciplinary research and materials science and engineering training for over 20 undergrads, 20 graduate students, 2 postdoctoral researchers and 7 faculty. • Education activities aim to increase and enhance the education and participation of Hispanics, especially undergraduate and graduate students attending the UPRM. • Research activities requiring PPMS areintimately linked with teaching at UPRM. • The PPMS generates a broader impact on education of pre-college students and their teachers in underserved Puerto Ricoareas. • Pre-existing courses and new developed courses immediately benefit from the instrument. • Approximately 15% of the instrument operating time is dedicated to education and training.