Magnetization and resisitivity steps under application of a magnetic field are evidenced in absence of charge ordering at low temperature $\text{(T=2.5}$ K), in the manganite ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{\text{0.5}}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{\text{0.5}}{\mathrm{MnO}}_3.$ Electron microscopy observations emphasize the important role of phase separation, suggesting that the observed antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic metamagnetic transition originates from cation-ordered ${\mathrm{PrBaMn}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_6$ nanoregions.

The piezoelectric properties of compositional spread (1 − x)BiFeO₃-xGaFeO₃ epitaxial thin films are investigated where Ga³⁺ substitution for Bi³⁺ is attempted in Bi_1−xGa_xFeO₃ compounds. Ga content x was varied from 0 to 12% (atomic). Ferroelectric characterizations are reported at various length scales. Around 6.5% of Ga content, an enhancement of the effective piezoelectric coefficient ${\mathrm{d}}_{33}^{\text{eff}}$ is observed together with a change of symmetry of the film. Measured ${\mathrm{d}}_{33}^{\text{eff}}$ values in 135 nm thick films increased from 25 pm/V for undoped BiFeO₃ to 55 pm/V for 6.5% Ga with no extrinsic contribution from ferroelastic domain rearrangement.

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel into electricity. With regard to electrodes, the development of materials with mixed conduction properties is a key issue for improving the performance of SOCs at high temperatures. New Cu and Nb co-doping La_1−xSr_xFe_yCo_1−yO_3−δ (LSCF) materials were studied as electrode materials on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) supports. The results show that Cu_0.05 + Nb_0.05 co-doped LSCF maintains a stable cubic structure even after several heat treatments and has better conductivity than a classically used LSCF.