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Spherical nano-sized YSZ (yttria stabilized ZrO2) powders were successfully synthesized via a reverse microemulsion system. The water droplets in the microemulsion system of yclohexane/water/span85/Triton X-100/hexyl alcohol can act as the nano-reactors which solubilize zirconium oxychloride and ammonia water separately. The minute original reactors are favor to the formation of nano-sized spherical YSZ powders and the dispersibility of the powders can be controlled effectually by adjusting the weight ratio of the LiNO3 molten salt to the precursor. The phase transformation from cubic to monoclinic starts at and 500??C and finally monoclinic and cubic phase with increased crytallinity coexist at 800??C. The effect of LiNO3 molten salt in the formation of YSZ powders was also discussed.

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The effects of orthovanadate on the uptake of sucrose by Ricinus cotyledons and on sucrose-coupled proton influx were measured in order to gain insight into the relationship to the plasma membrane proton pump. Vanadate had no effect on short-term sucrose uptake. In long-term experiments (> 30 min) sucrose uptake was progressively inhibited, but only at high external sucrose concentrations. Vanadate did not affect proton efflux pumping in the absence of sucrose and neither did it change the initial rate of sucrose-coupled proton influx. However, it enhanced the maximal level of sucrose-induced alkalization of the medium at all sucrose concentrations tested. This is interpreted as an inhibiting effect of vanadate on the proton pump that recycles protons during sucrose-proton cotransport. The sensitivity towards vanadate indicates that this proton pump is an ATPase. A second proton-translocating system, ...

J-STORE (Japan)

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International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Metal Matrix Composites on the Basis of Nano-Materials

KoreaScience (Korea)

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The complex formation of zirconium with biphenyl mono- and biscatecholyazo derivatives has been studied spectrophotometrically. The composition of the complexes, form and charge of complex-forming zirconium ions have been established. A procedure is suggested for calculation of molar absorptivities and stability constants for each of the complexes formed simultaneously in the system. Possible complex formation schemes have been studied. The data obtained were used to develop a spectrophotometric method of determining zirconium in the presence of large amounts of copper.

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Nano photonic materials are synthetically manufactured crystals at the nano scale with the target of creating a microstructure with a special electro-magnetic periodicity. Such nano photonic materials have the ability to control light propagation and thus are capable of creating photonic bandgaps in the frequency domain. We propose using nano photonic crystals as sensors to detect microdamage in composite materials. We demonstrate using a simulation model that a nano photonic sensor attached to a composite bar experiences a significant change in its bandgap profile when damage is induced in the composite bar. The model predicts the frequency response of the nano photonic sensor using the transfer matrix method. A damage metric to evaluate the change in the frequency response is developed. Successful developments of nano photonic sensors ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electrochromatographic behavior of 25 metal ions on zirconium tungstate-impregnated papers is described. Six background electrolytes were used. On the basis of the differential mobilities of metal ions which depend on the ion-exchange properties of zirconium tungstate and the nature of complex formation with the electrolytes, some important binary and ternary separations have been achieved.

KoreaScience (Korea)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Preparation and electrocatalytic reactions of nano porous materials in biodegradable fluids were studied. Electrochemical etching was conducted to selectively extract metallic elements from alloys to form porous structures. Electrocatalytic properties of the porous electrodes were characterized. Comparative studies on the electrochemical activities of the nano porous metallic electrodes with bulk metallic wire catalysts were performed. It is found that the current density at the nano porous electrode is three times higher than that of the bulk electrode

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Multi-functional Bioactive Nano-structured Coatings for Load-Bearing Implants

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Reinforced (heterogel) silicate materials containing an amorphous and a crystalline phase are being used more and more industry. Such systems are energetically unsaturated and therefore promising for use in catalysts. The authors used two reinforced materials as supports: an aluminosilicate containing a zeolite (the cracking catalyst, tseokar) and asbestos-containing aluminosilicate. The active component was introduced by impregnation, and this was followed by heat treatment during which the chemical composition and porous structure were formed. The impregnating mixture consisted of solutions of potassium sulfate and vanadate of the required concentrations. The testing shows that reinforced heterogel systems are promising as support materials for sulfuric acid catalysts.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Flame propagating through zirconium particle cloud in a small-scale vertical rectangle chamber was investigated experimentally. In the experiments, the zirconium quoted 99% purity was used and the diameter of particles was distributed 1?22 ?m. The zirconium dust was dispersed into the chamber by air flow and ignited by an electrode spark. A high-speed video camera was used to record the images of the propagating flame. Micro-thermocouples, schlieren optical system and microscopic lens were used to obtain temperature profiles and flame structure, respectively. Based on the experimental results, flame propagation characteristics and flame structure of zirconium particle cloud were analyzed. The propagation velocity of the flame is quite slow in the initial 14 ms and then accelerates to maxim...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents the results of experimental study carried out to know whether the salicylic acid used as an additive during the precipitation of zirconium using ammonium hydroxide solution goes into the filtrate, remains in the hydrated zirconia or gets distributed between the both under the ambient conditions of precipitation. Keeping its simplicity and amenability to adopt on a routine basis, spectrophotometric method has been chosen for the purpose among the many methods available and the problems associated in determining salicylic acid in the presence of zirconium and the medial measures to circumvent the same have been brought out in detail. (author)

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The initiation and inhibition of pitting corrosion on zirconium and hafnium in aqueous solutions have been investigated by potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and galvanostatic measurements at 25/sup 0/C. Effects of Cl/sup -/, Br/sup -/and I/sup -/ have been examined over a range of salt concentrations and pH. All three halide ions cause pitting attack on the two metals, but this may be inhibited by other anions. The results show that hafnium is more easily protected against pitting than is zirconium. The data are treated by the Butler-Volmer equation to yield more information about the mechanisms of the pitting corrosion.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present invention concerns a method of evaluating corrosion resistance of a zirconium alloy easily and in a short period of time. An anode polarization curve of the zirconium alloy is measured to obtain an anode polarization curve expressed by logarithm. The curve is converted to a potential-current density curve expressed by absolute values. The peak area in the curve of the converted potential-current density is indicated by numerical values. Further, the corrosion resistance of the zirconium alloy is evaluated based on the peak area converted into the numerical values as a reference. This method is based on the finding that the peak area has a close relation with nodular corrosion resistance, and the corrosion resistance can be judged with respect to a specific zircaloy-2. (T.M.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... 30-31 Oct 2009 Tajik National University(Tajikistan) 146 p. INORGANIC,

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The existence of characteristic longitudinal optical and transverse optical phonons of cubic ZnO in ZnO nano-tetrapods is determined by Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. Stacking sequence change at the boundary of the core and legs is also identified by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Based on this experimental and theoretical evidence, we demonstrate that the lattice structure of ZnO nano-tetrapods is hierarchical with a zinc blende core connecting to four wurtzite legs. Furthermore, we establish the atomic configuration and propose a formation mechanism induced by Laplace pressure in the initial growth stage of ZnO nano-tetrapods.

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Using the PMR method the interaction of zirconium and hafnium tetrachlorides with tri.tet.butylphenyl ester of 1,2- naphthoquinonediazide (2)-5-sulfonic acid is studied. The formation of MCl/sub 4/xNQD complexes is established, the equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters of complexing reaction are determined. The presence of rapid ligand exchange, proceeding according to associative mechanism, is detected. The rate constants and activation energies of the exchange reaction are calculated.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method has been developed for the adsorption of Sc"I"I"I employing inorganic ion exchanger zirconium phosphosilicate by batch method. Effects of various parameters have been evaluated on the percentage adsorption of Sc"I"I"I. Separation of Sc"I"I"I from various other elements is standardized. (author)

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The kinetics of the reaction of zirconium phosphates with carbon tetrachloride in sodium and potassium chloride melt as well as the effect of temperature, gas flow, solubility and weight of the solid phase of the phosphate, and stirring of the melt on the chlorination rate has been studied. The kinetic parameters of the reaction (rate constants, activation energy, etc.) have been calculated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recently we have found that carbon nano-materials have ability to recognize softer actinides(III). In this presentation, separation of americium(III) from lanthanides(III) by chromatography with carbon nano-materials, such as carbon nano-tubes and graphite, has been investigated by batch adsorption experiments and chromatography. The separation factor (SF) between americium(III) and lanthanide(III) was about 2 in the range of pH from 1 to 4 by using carbon nano-tube, graphite and activated charcoal. The separation factor depended on the diameter of carbon nano-tubes. Smaller one, 3-20 nm diameter, showed the best selectivity for americium(III), which separation factor was about 2.0, although larger one, 40-70 nm, showed almost no selectivity. The same behavior has been observed by using graphite powder and activated charcoal although acid- or alkali pretreated activated charcoal ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Substantial roles of precipitates such as Zr-Fe-Cr type intermetallic compounds on uniform corrosion and hydrogen pickup of zirconium alloys in pure water autoclave tests were investigated from an electrochemical point of view. This paper describes the roles on corrosion. A corrosion test on precipitate-containing and precipitate-free materials made from pure zirconium and a small quantity of iron and chromium, rest potential measurements on an intermetallic compound of Zr(FeCr)_2 and zirconium matrix, and a galvanic coupling test of those were performed. Results showed that corrosion behavior of zirconium alloys could be attributed to the electrochemical properties of intermetallic compounds precipitated in each alloy. Namely, the cathodic and anodic polarization characteristics were associated with anodic protection provided by the precipitates on the alloys and the precipitates degradation in the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nano-materials in which a large fraction of atoms resides within a few atomic layers near the surface can be designed to have novel properties by manipulating their surface parameters. We show that the effective elastic constants of nano-porous/cellular materials can be made to exceed those of the parent materials provided the pore surface elastic parameters satisfy certain conditions. These stiff nano-porous materials herald a radical breakthrough in sandwich-type construction.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have fabricated nanometer-spaced electrodes on electron-transparent silicon nitride membranes. A thin Cr/Au layer is evaporated on the backside of the membrane which serves as a gate electrode. Using these devices, we have performed three-terminal electron transport measurements on gold nano-particles at liquid helium temperature. Coulomb Blockade features have been observed and the capacitance to the gate has been extracted. After transport measurements, the Cr/Au back gate is removed and the devices are inspected with a transmission-electron microscope (TEM). TEM inspection reveals the presence of a few nano-particles in the nanogap, which is in agreement with the transport measurements. In addition, the nano-particle size as observed by TEM coincides with the one estimated from the gate capacitance value.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nano materials are usually difficult to prepare. This work presents a simple way of preparing LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nano powders using the high-energy ball milling method. This method has the advantage of producing pure, single-phase and crystalline nano powders. The milling method is carefully controlled to avoid unwanted chemical reactions that may change the stoichiometry of the material. Nano powders of between 30 and 50 nm are obtained. Structural studies of the nano powders, as well as the more conventional micron-sized LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}, are made using X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction methods. Electrochemical evaluation of the materials is undertaken with a three-probe cyclic voltammetry technique and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. Structural studies reveal that not only are the crystallites of the nano powders much reduced in size ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Hard Nano-Strutural Coatings Resistant to the Extreme Conditions of Chemical, Abrasive and High Energy Media for Thermonuclear Power, Oil and Gas and Chemical Industries

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Zirconium and particularly Zr-2.5wt%Nb (Zr2.5Nb) alloy are useful for engineering bearing applications because they can be oxidized in air to form a hard surface ceramic. Oxidized zirconium (OxZr) due to its abrasion resistant ceramic surface and biocompatible substrate alloy has been used as a bearing surface in total joint arthroplasty for several years. OxZr is characterized by hard zirconium oxide (oxide) formed on Zr2.5Nb using one step thermal oxidation carried out in air. Because the oxide is only at the surface, the bulk material behaves like a metal, with high toughness. The oxide, furthermore, exhibits high adhesion to the substrate because of an oxygen-rich diffusion hardened zone (DHZ) interposing between the oxide and the substrate. In this study, we demonstrate a two step pro...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The methods of surface modification of Ti-Zr alloy by laser treatment are considered. Characteristics of laser modification without- and with surface melting and with melting in different gaseous environments and with nickel microalloying are presented. Maximum depth, hardness and corrosion resistance are observed under nickel laser alloying.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using an expanded nuclear data base, the activation of nitrogen, aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, and lead were calculated for the first wall positions of the STARFIRE and MARS conceptual fusion reactors.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The structure and vibrational properties of high voltage cathode materials, namely LiNi{sub 1-y}CO{sub y}VO{sub 4} solid solution with (0{<=}y{<=}1), have been studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and FTIR measurements. Rietveld refinements show that LiNi{sub 1-y}Co{sub y}VO{sub 4} vanadates belong to the inverse spinel structure with Fd3m(O{sup 7}{sub h}) space group. Analysis of Raman spectra has been carried out in the molecular approximation using a local environment model including VO{sub 4} tetrahedra, (Ni, Co)O{sub 6} and LiO{sub 6} octahedra as vibrational local units. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The conductance in ferromagnetic Ni nano-wire is quantized in units of 2e{sup 2}/h in the absence of magnetic field, while the units switch to e{sup 2}/h in the magnetic field. The fractional units of 0.7e{sup 2}/h and 1.4e{sup 2}/h with and without magnetic field appear under the application of high bias-voltage. The spin polarization and bias-voltage play an important role in the electric conduction.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanocrystalline cemented tungsten carbide has attracted considerable interests for use in cutting tool because of its superior mechanical properties. In this study, nano-sized powders of mixed WC and Co were prepared from attrition-milled oxides by a gas reduction-carburization process. The effects of compacting pressure, heating schedule, additional ball-milling, and the presence of a grain growth inhibitor on the sintering properties of the nano-sized WC-Co powders were examined. The grain size and phases in WC-Co alloy were clearly affected by compacting pressure. Because of the trapped gases and the lower melting point of the cobalt binder, when a compact of nano-sized WC-Co powder was sintered through a heating schedule with holding steps, the sintered alloy maintained the small size of WC grains without any #eta# phase. In addition, the additional ball-milling improved the microstructure and mechanical properties of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Heat inactivated Aspergillus ustus (Asp), silicon dioxide-nano-powder (N Si), and silicon dioxide nano-powder-combined-heat inactivated Aspergillus ustus (N Si Asp) were used to study the biosorption of Cd(II) from aqueous solutions via batch equilibrium technique. Surface characterization and immobilization of the fungal cells on silicon dioxide-nano-powder were examined and confirmed by using FT-IR and ESM analysis. Cadmium biosorption processes were investigated under the effect of pH, contact time, sorbent dosage and initial metal concentration. The three examined sorbents were found to exhibit maximum mmolg^-^1 capacity values in pH 7.0. The maximum determined cadmium capacity by silicon dioxide-nano-powder (N Si) (600mmolg^-^1) was found higher than that exhibited by the heat inactiv...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alloys of zirconium are widely used in various core components of power reactors. Nuclear assemblies require high degree of reliability and integrity for performing in radiation and corrosive atmosphere. The hostile environments of reactor core and inaccessibility for repairs make it mandatory to select only those joining techniques which produce not only superior quality but are also amenable to NDT methods and such other techniques which ensure acceptable performance. The author has worked on various types of welding of zirconium alloys for different applications. Modern techniques in electron beam (EB) welding, resistance welding, GTAW welding and laser welding have been developed for joining Zr alloys components for different types of reactors. Many of these have been standardized and successfully used in production. Several advancements have been made in the welding technologies towards achieving high productivity and increased reliability ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

AbstractBackground In recent years nano-metaloxides which easily penetrate into the cells with special interest due to their higher chemical reactivity as compared to that of similar materials in the bulk form. Of particular interest are nano-TiO2 and ZnO, which have been widely used for their bactericidal and anticancerous properties. Purpose The aim of the present study was to examine the bactericidal properties of nano-TiO2 and ZnO combined with visible light on S. aureus and S. epidermitis, known for their high prevalence in infected wounds. Study Using the technique of electron-spin resonance (ESR) coupled with spin trapping, we examined the ability of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticle suspensions in water to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with and without visible light irradiation. Th...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present invention provides a fuel cladding tube having an excellent corrosion resistance and thus a long life, and a suitable manufacturing method therefor. Namely, in the fuel cladding tube, the outer circumference of an inner layer made of a zirconium base alloy is coated with an outer layer made of a metal more corrosion resistant than the zirconium base alloy. Ti or a titanium alloy is suitable for the corrosion resistant metal. In addition, the outer layer can be coated by a method such as vapor deposition or plating, not limited to joining of the inner layer material and the outer layer material. Specifically, a composite material having an inner layer made of a zirconium alloy coated by the outer material made of a titanium alloy is applied with hot fabrication at a temperature within a range of from 500 to 850degC and at a fabrication rate of not less than 5%. The fabrication method includes any of extrusion, ...

Science.gov (United States)

The interaction of Pu(IV) and Zr(IV) with citric acid in nitric acid solutions (C/sub HNO/sub 3// greater than 0.1 M) of lithium nitrate was studied by the distribution method in the interval of nitrate ion concentrations from 1 to 6 g-eq/liter. A 40 percent solution of TBP in decane was used as the extraction reagent. It was established that within the range of concentrations studied, complex compounds of plutonium and zirconium are formed: PuHCit/sup 2 +/ and ZrH/sub 2/Cit/sup 3 +/. The concentration equilibrium constants of the reactions of formation of these compounds retain a constant value at constant ionic strength and undergo substantial variation when the total concentration of the nitrate ion in solution is varied. The values of the effective equilibrium constants, calculated considering the change in the activity coefficient of the hydrogen ion, retain a constant value within a wide range of nitrate ion concentrations. It was shown that the effectiveness ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Substantial roles of precipitates such as Zr-Fe-Cr type intermetallic compounds on uniform corrosion and hydrogen pickup of zirconium alloys in pure water autoclave tests were investigated from an electrochemical point of view. In the previous paper, corrosion mechanism was elucidated by the anodic protection-precipitates degradation model. This paper describes the roles on hydrogen pickup. 633 K pure water autoclave test was performed on high purity zirconium, Zr-0.2Fe, Zr-0.2Cr, and Zr-0.1Fe-0.1Cr alloys. Hydrogen analysis after the corrosion test showed that hydrogen pickup ratio of Zr-0.2Fe alloy was about 80%. It was much higher than about 30% of pure Zr and about 10% of both Zr-0.2Cr and Zr-0.1Fe-0.1Cr alloys. Larger hydrogen content was introduced into Zr-0.2Fe alloy than the other ones by the cathodic hydrogen charging under coulombic equivalence. The precipitates at metal-oxide interface could act not only as cathodic sites in the ...

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This paper introduces a new method to produce nano-composite powder for the preparation of high performance ZnO varistors. ZnO particles were coated with Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Sb{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Co{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} and other additives via liquid nano-coating technique. Then the prepared powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravity and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and particle size distribution. The results showed that the ZnO composite powder is homogeneously coated and ultrafine. The densification, phase composition and microstructure of ZnO varistors was studied by linear shrinkage, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM, respectively. The preliminary electrical parameters of ZnO varistors showed that the breakdown voltage V {sub b} (1 mA/cm{sup 2}) and nonlinear coefficient {alpha} is 5400 V/cm and 50, respectively, much higher than that of ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Treating brain tumors using inhibitors of angiogenesis is extensively researched and tested in clinical trials. Although anti-angiogenic treatment holds a great potential for treating primary and secondary...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

This dissertation presents the development of the novel mechanical testing technique of in situ nanoindentation in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This technique makes it possible to simultaneously observe and quantify the mechanical behavior of nano-scale volumes of solids.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Attention has shifted from the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) to chemoprevention using aspirin and folic acid as agents capable of preventing the onset of colon cancer. However, no sensitive...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This patent describes the producing of a refractory metal wherein a sponge refractory metal is produced as an intermediate product by the use of magnesium with the incidental production of magnesium chloride, and wherein residual magnesium is separated from the magnesium chloride and from refractory metal to a vacuum distillation step which fractionally distills the magnesium, the magnesium chloride, and the metal sub-chlorides; the steps of: recovering fractionally distilled vapors of magnesium chloride and metal sub-chlorides from a sponge refractory metal; separately condensing the vapors as separately recovered; and recycling the separately recovered magnesium at a purity of at least about 96%.

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The incorporation of (a) Cs/Sr as simulated heat-generating isotopes contained in Purex reprocessing waste, (b) simulated actinides, and (c) simulated Purex waste in sodium zirconium phosphate (NZP) has been studied. The samples were prepared by sintering, by hot pressing and by hot isostatic pressing in metal bellows containers. The short-term chemical durability of the phosphate-based material containing Purex waste was within an order of magnitude of that for Synroc-C, as measured by 7-day MCC-1 tests at 90{degrees}C. The dissolution behavior showed evidence of re-precipitation phenomena, even after times as short as 28 days. Potential for improvement of NZP-based ceramics for HLW management is discussed. 19 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The shrinkage of the cement paste with low water-cement ratio at different relative humidity was observed and analyzed with ESEM and deformation map technique. The crack morphology was observed with different magnification with SEM and FESEM, and the formation of the crack was observed with AFM between two C-S-H nano particles. The observation by multi technique at multi scale indicated that the shrinkage was increase with the decrease of the humidity due to the increase of the pressure of the capillary pressure, the morphology of the crack in smaller scale was similar to that in the bigger scale, the smaller crack distributed in the latticework of the bigger ones, and the crack propagated along the gap between two nano particles of C-S-H with weaker bonding.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Full text of publication follows: Energy and environment are two major concerns in our modern society due to the coming shortage in fossil energy sources and the growing of greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge for the coming years is to discover new energy resources and to develop devices that are compatible with a sustainable development and generate few (or zero) emission. One of these devices is the fuel cell feed by hydrogen, whose application fields are very large. In particular, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the most realistic device for automotive application. However, hydrogen storage remains one of the most important challenges regarding its development. Although different techniques are available for storing hydrogen, no ideal solution has been found yet. Compression needs elaborated tanks in shape for supporting high pressures, liquefaction requires an expensive hydrogen cooling and adapted tanks. Chemical storage by hydrides imposes heavy devices. A ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to investigate the role of amorphous SiO{sub 2} particles in corrosion and wear resistance of Ni-based metal matrix composite alloying layer, the amorphous nano-SiO{sub 2} particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer has been prepared by double glow plasma alloying on AISI 316L stainless steel surface, where Ni/amorphous nano-SiO{sub 2} was firstly predeposited by brush plating. The composition and microstructure of the nano-SiO{sub 2} particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer were analyzed by using SEM, TEM and XRD. The results indicated that the composite alloying layer consisted of {gamma}-phase and amorphous nano-SiO{sub 2} particles, and under alloying temperature (1000 deg. C) condition, the nano-SiO{sub 2} particles were uniformly distributed in the alloying layer and still kept the amorphous structure. The corrosion resistance of composite ...

Science.gov (United States)

The TTT diagrams describing the beta to alpha isothermal transformation have been made by isothermal dilatometry for pure uranium and 21 alloys based on chromium, silicon, molybdenum, iron, aluminium, zirconium. The thermal cycle preceeding the isothermal...

Science.gov (United States)

A large double-focusing mass spectrometer was used to obtain new values for the masses of Sr/sup 86/, Sr/sup 88/, and Zr/sup 90/. Mass differences calculated from these values are found to be in better agreement with nuclear transmutation information than were previous mass spectroscopically derived values. (auth)

Science.gov (United States)

The production of water from a subterranean formation is reduced by contacting the formation with a water dispersible hydrophilic organic polymer having a molecular weight greater than 100,000 and containing carboxyl functionality and a crosslinking composition comprising water, a zirconium compound having a value of 4+, an alpha-hydroxy acid and an amine compound.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The evaluated data testing for Si, Zr, Nb and Fe materials has been performed through the analyses of the neutron leakage spectrum from spherical assemblies measured in integral benchmark experiments with (d,t) and Cf fission neutron sources. Intercomparisons of the calculated from BROND-2, ENDF/B-6 and JENDL-3 data files with experimental results are presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An austenitic alloy having good thermal stability and resistance to sodium corrosion at 700.degree. C. consists essentially of 35-45% nickel 7.5-14% chromium 0.8-3.2% molybdenum 0.3-1.0% silicon 0.2-1.0% manganese 0-0.1% zirconium 2.0-3.5% titanium 1.0-2.0% aluminum 0.02-0.1% carbon 0-0.01% boron and the balance iron.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The active site of chicken gizzard myosin was labeled by direct photoaffinity labeling with ["3H]UDP. ["3H] UDP was stably trapped at the active site by addition of vanadate (Vi) and Co"2"+. The extraordinary stability of the myosin.Co2+.[3H]UDP.Vi complex (t1/2 greater than 5 days at 0 degrees C) allowed it to be purified free of extraneous ["3H]UDP before irradiation began. Upon UV irradiation, greater than 60% of the trapped ["3H]UDP was photoincorporated into the active site. Only the 200-kDa heavy chain was labeled, confirming earlier results using ["3H]UTP. Extensive tryptic digestion of photolabeled myosin subfragment 1 followed by high performance liquid chromatography separations and removal of nucleotide phosphates by treatment with alkaline phosphatase allowed two labeled peptides to be isolated. Sequencing of the labeled peptides and radioactive counting showed that Glu185 was the residue labeled. Since UDP is a zero-length cross-linker, Glu185 is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper deals with preparation of PE clay nano composite specimen for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and studying the difference between dispersion of clay in low density polyethylene using poly(hydrogen methyl siloxane) (PHMS) as coupling agent and untreated one. Argon ion milling is the conventional means by which film sections are thinned to electron transparency for TEM analysis, but this technique exhibits significant problems. In particular, selective thinning and imaging of sub-micrometer inclusions during sample milling are highly problematic. We have achieved successful results using the focused ion beam (FIB) lift-out technique, which utilizes a 30 kV Ga"+ ion beam to extract electron transparent specimens with nanometer scale precision. Using this procedure, we have prepared a number of thin film materials representing a range of structures and compositions for TEM analysis. We believe that FIB milling will create major new opportunities in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For the purpose of digging up themes of the joint research which develop the R and D in the industrial technology field in Japan to a new stage, researchers were sent to the world representing research institutes to conduct the research survey of 'Nano-structured carbon and hydrogen absorption' and 'Development of the creation technology of nano-porous materials.' As to the former, an experiment on electrochemical hydrogen absorption of carbon materials including nanotubes was conducted by researchers dispatched, but the large absorption amount was not observed. As to the latter, visits were paid to Fraunhofer Institute and the related facilities in Germany, Princeton University, MIT, GIT and Naval Research Laboratories in the U.S., Orleans University in France, AO Research Institute (bone repair study) in Switzerland, Cambridge University and University of Bristol in the U.K., etc., and the research survey ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We demonstrate detection of a single core-shell magnetite-silica nanoparticle (outer diameter #approx#120 nm, moment #approx#10"4#mu#_B) using an Nb dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with the loop size of 350 nm operational at T < 10 K. The system noise was minimized down to 0.2 #mu##PHI#_0 Hz"-"1"/"2 using a cryogenic SQUID series array pre-amplifier. Initial measurements of an individual magnetic nanoparticle were performed and a clear change of the noise spectra of the nano-SQUID was detected at low frequencies in the presence of the nanoparticle. Similar behaviour was confirmed with an FePt nanoparticle with a larger magnetic moment (diameter #approx#150 nm, moment #approx#10"6#mu#_B). Thus, we demonstrate a magnetic sensor based on a dc nano-SQUID and enabling detection of small moments (potentially down to a few electron spins). Such a sensor is of considerable significance for nanomagnetic metrology and quantum ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the present study, new light weight nano-composites (AZ31B-3.3Al2O3-Cu) based on magnesium alloy AZ31B are developed using disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies revealed grain refinement and significant increase in amount of second phases as a result of increasing presence of copper. All the samples exhibited minimal porosity and good matrix-second phase interfacial integrity. The results also showed that addition of both nano-Al2O3 and Cu led to a simultaneous improvement in 0.2% yield compressive strength (0.2%YCS), ultimate compressive strength (UCS) and work of fracture (WoF) of the AZ31B magnesium alloy while failure strain was marginally affected. The results of this study clearly illustrate the capability of AZ31B-Al2O3-Cu formulations ...

Science.gov (United States)

Besides the multifunctionality, another equally important aspect of nanoparticles is their engineerability to control the geometrical and chemical properties during fabrication. In this work, we exploited this aspect to define asymmetric surface chemistry of an iron oxide nanosphere by controlling the topology of ligand expression on its surface resulting in a particle with two faces, one displaying only amines and the other only thiols. Specifically, amine-functionalized iron oxide nanospheres were attached on a solid support via a crosslinker containing a disulfide bridge. Liberation of the nanosphere using thiolytic cleavage created thiols on the portion of the particle's surface that interacted with the solid support. Employing a solid-phase strategy and a step-by-step addition of particles, the two unique faces on the same nanosphere served as fittings to assemble them into linear nano-chains. Assembly of chains with various lengths and aspect ratios was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Continuous freestanding SiC(Al) films were fabricated by melt spinning the aluminum-containing polycarbosilane (A-PCS) precursor. The results showed that the films contained #beta#-SiC crystals, #alpha#-SiC nano-crystals, C clusters and small amount of Al_4O_4C and Al_4SiC_4. The Al atoms in the films played important roles as both sintering aids and grain growth inhibitor. The PL spectrum showed a wide luminescence band from 320 nm to 440 nm, and the origin of PL centered at 385 nm might be related to the #alpha#-SiC nano-crystals using quantum size effects. The obtained films are expected to have important applications in MEMS for the environment of high temperature and optoelectronic devices.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Thin films of Ni and Ni alloy have been widely used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and magnetic storage systems. As the dimensions of components in these systems decrease to the micro-scale, even the nano-scale, the interfacial phenomena significantly differ to the counterparts on the macro-scale. A better understanding of micro-/nano-tribology will benefit the fabrication of the small components. In this manuscript parallel molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted to investigate the nanoscratch behavior of nickel. The simulations are performed for two cases with different indenter shapes. Case I has a sharp indenter, while the indenter in Case II is blunt. It has been found that the indenter shape significantly influences the nanoscratch deformation. The sharp ind...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The structure of nano-porous carbon, obtained by means of chlorination of carbide compounds with various crystal structure (SiC, TiC, Mo_2C) is studied through the method of small-angle diffraction. The angular dependences of the scattering intensity obtained are interpreted as the result of scattering from the nanoparticles of different size. The functions of the scattering particles distribution by the m(R_g) inertia radii are determined. It is shown that in spite of the source carbide, the highest fraction of the volume in the porous carbon constitute the particles with R_g #approx# 5 A. The nanoparticles in the samples obtained from SiC, wherein the average value of the R_g"a"v < 6 A, are most uniform by size. The nanoparticles in the porous carbon, obtained from Mo_2C, are on the average by two times larger

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To sophisticate the nuclear fuel recycling processes, the transfer percentages for Pd, Mo, Te, and Sb should be determined. Each element solution containing NaNO_3 or HNO_3 was fed consistently into the thin film evaporator regulated in vac and at 50 deg C. The analyte percentages in the inside of the lid, in the condenser, and in the distillate were 10"-"1%/m"2, 10"-"3%/m"2, and 10"-"3% (DF = 10"5), respectively. The Mo percentage in the condenser was lower by a factor of 10 than those of other elements investigated. The NO_3"- percentages were nearly constant despite increasing HNO_3 concentrations, however, the ratios decreased with increasing NaNO_3 concentrations. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present work focuses on investigations of a highly selective ligand for Am(III)/Ln(III) separation: bis-triazinyl-pyridine (BTP). By means of nano-electro-spray mass spectrometry, complex formation of BTP with selected elements of the lanthanide series is investigated. We show that the diluent drastically influences complex speciation. Measurements obtained in the extraction-relevant diluent 1-octanol show the occurrence of Ln(BTP){sub i} (i 1-3) species in different relative abundances, depending on the lanthanide used. Here, the relative abundances of the Ln(BTP){sub 3} complexes correlate with the distribution ratios for extraction to the organic phase of the respective lanthanide. (authors)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Nanoscale yttrium?barium?copper oxide (Y2BaCuO5, Y211) particles were synthesized using the emulsion method and the solution method. The basic water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion system consisted of n-octane (continuous oil phase), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic surfactant), butanol (cosurfactant) and water. The composition of the emulsion system was varied and characterized by measuring the conductivity of the solutions and droplet size. The droplet size of emulsion was determined by using the dynamic light scattering method. The water content, cosurfactant content, and surfactant/n-octane ratio affected the droplet size which was in the range of 3?8?nm, and hence the w/o emulsion system was referred to as a nano-emulsion system. A model was used to verify the droplet size. The influenc...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Theoretical assessment on the chromatographic {sup 99m}Tc generator preparation using (n, {gamma}) {sup 99}Mo produced ex-natural molybdenum was carried out. The relationship between the neutron flux for MoO{sub 3} target activation, Mo-content or Mo adsorption capacity of column packing material, {sup 99m}Tc pertechnetate concentration and/or {sup 99m}Tc radioactivity of eluate was established. The reasonably lower limit of neutron flux of reactor and Molybdenum content of column packing material were found out to estimate the production of portable chromatographic generators available for nuclear medicine application. The concentration of {sup 99m}Tc pertechnetate eluate of low {sup 99m}Tc concentration using the column elution technique was also evaluate theoretically and conducted successfully in practice. Three options of {sup 99m}Tc generator using Titanium-Molybdate, Zirconium-Molybdate and Zirconium Oxide as generator column-packing ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cold-worked Zr-2.5%Nb alloy is used as material for the pressure tubes in CANDU nuclear reactors. During the service life in reactor, diffusion of hydrogen and/or deuterium in the pressure tubes wall occur. Below a certain temperature, a stable hydride of zirconium is formed, as a brittle phase which can lead to catastrophic failures. For this reason, it is very important to be able to investigate the hydrogen effect on the micro structural properties of zirconium alloys. In the present paper a non-destructive testing technique is used, known as ultrasonic spectral analysis. When an ultrasonic signal traverses a medium, the frequency components associated with the input signal are altered. By frequency analysing the reflected signals, it is possible to study and compare the material properties. The two major parameters measured in ultrasonic spectroscopy are the attenuation and the velocity of the waves. Attenuation is determined by the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A zirconium alloy comprising from 0.8 to 1.6wt% of Sn, from 0.17 to 0.25wt% of Fe, from 0.15 to 0.25wt% of Cr and from 0.01 to 0.08wt% of Ni and Si at a concentration of 120ppm or lower as an impurity and the balance of Zr is melted into cast pieces and then subjected to an #beta# annealing. It is controlled so as to satisfy Fe + Cr + Ni #<=# 0.52wt%. Then, rolling and annealing are applied so that the total heat injection amount #SIGMA#A_i to the materials is within a range of from 1 x 10"-"1"9 to 1 x 10"-"1"7. #SIGMA#A_i = #SIGMA#t_i #centre dot# exp(-Q/RT_i), in which t_i represents processing time (hour) at an ith heat treatment step after the #beta# annealing, T_i represents a processing temperature (K) in the step i. Q represents an activating energy, R represents a gas constant, and Q/R 40,000. (I.N.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ten different alloys of zirconium have been tested with regard to the effect of irradiation on their mechanical properties and their sensitivity to environmentally induced failure. Two different environments were used: iodine vapour and liquid cesium with an addition of 2% cadmium. The neutron dose was 10"2"1n/cm"2 (E>1MeV) and the irradiation temperature was about 300 degrees C. All alloy additions increased the irradiation hardening. Especially notable was the large effect of titanium and tin on irradiation hardening. A limited amount of transmission electron microscopy was carried out in order to find an explanation to the effects. The testing in different environments showed that there is no clear correlation between environmental sensitivity and yield stress. For materials of similar yield stress an alloyed material tends to be more sensitive to environmental cracking than a material which only contains oxygen as an impurity. There also seems to be an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The CeO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2}-Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} samples with different bismuth content were prepared in this study. By the doping of Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} into the lattice, TPR profiles of the CeO{sub 2}-ZrO{sub 2} shifted to lower temperatures and oxygen storage capacity increased remarkably. It is concluded that the reason for such a behavior is probably due to both the formation of oxygen vacancies which enhance the oxygen mobility and the simultaneous reduction of Ce{sup 4+} and Bi{sup 3+} in the mixed oxides. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The description is presented of binary phase diagrams of titanium alloyed with the following elements: silver, aluminium, arsenic, gold, boron, barium, beryllium, bismuth, carbon, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, gallium, germanium, hydrogen, hafnium, indium, iridium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nitrogen, sodium, niobium, nickel, oxygen, osmium, phosphorus, lead, palladium, platinum, plutonium, rhenium, lanthanium, cerium, preseodymium, neodymium, gadolinium, erbium, terbium, thulium, lutetium, rhodium, ruthenium, scandium, silicon, tin, strontium, tantalum, technetium, thorium, uranium, vanadium, tungsten, yttrium, ytterbium, zinc and zirconium.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The theoretical principles underlying the formation of oxide and, in particular, anodic oxide coatings on metals produced by chemical oxidation, anodizing in solutions, and anodizing in cold plasmas are reviewed. The mechanisms and conditions of anodic oxidation are described, and the structure of anodic oxide coatings on aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, zinc, cadmium, iron, cobalt, nickel, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and chromium alloys is examined. Attention is also given to various applictins of anodized coatings. 54 references.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In one of the first uses of high Tc superconductors in an end-use product, Lake Shore Cryotronics and a Swiss lab have developed a liquid nitrogen level sensor using a high Tc thin film. The probe is manufactured using a seamless stainless steel tube with an yttrium-based zirconium oxide flame-sprayed on the tube. A plasma-sprayed superconductor compound is deposited on top of that. The probe is coated with a sealant that protects the superconducting film from the atmosphere. This manufacturing method has yielded an extremely durable product. Unaffected by ice formation and related mechanical problems, the superconducting level sensor can be kept in the dewar for long periods of time.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In association with periodic inspection of CANDU nuclear power plant components, Canadian Standards Association issued CSA N285.8 in 2005 as technical requirements for in-service evaluation of zirconium alloy pressure tubes in CANDU reactors. This first version, CSA N285.8 involves procedures for, firstly, the evaluation of pressure tube flaws, secondly, the evaluation of pressure tube to calandria tube contact and, thirdly, the assessment of a reactor core, and material properties and derived quantities. The evaluation of pressure tube flaws includes delayed hydride cracking evaluation the procedures of which are stipulated based on the existing delayed hydride cracking models. For example, the evaluation of flaw-tip hydride precipitation during reactor cooldown involves a procedure to calculate the equilibrium hydrogen equivalent concentration in solution at the flaw tip, Htipas follows: Htip=Hfexp[- (VH delta no.)/RT], where Hf is the total bulk hydrogen ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Short and long-term pulmonary response to inhaled nickel hydroxide nanoparticles (nano-Ni(OH)₂, CMD = 40 nm) in C57BL/6 mice was assessed using a whole body exposure system. For short-term...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

After slow progress in the efforts to develop phase plates for electron microscopes, functional phase plate using thin carbon film has been reported recently. It permits collecting high-contrast images...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This report is a brief review of biological and medical applications of ion-track membranes. The review aims at informing nuclear physicists about alternative (i.e. non-fundamental-science) use of heavy ion accelerators such as production of micro- and nano-porous materials. The ion-track membranes produced this way are employed in life sciences and numerous technological applications. The author focuses on recent results from the Flerov laboratory in co-operation with other scientific institutions and industrial partners.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Systems with small sizes show significant changes compared to the bulk system. These changes are of major interest regarding the size reduction of technological applications. The hydrogen-metal system can be used as a model alloy to study small size features: shifted phase boundaries and sloped isotherms are found and, also, new materials structures. Most features can be attributed to surface- and interface contributions as well as to mechanical stress. (Abstract Copyright [2004], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

CERN Document Server

Here we show that self-propulsion in quantum vacuum may be achieved by rotating or aggregating magneto-electric nano-particles. The back-action follows from changes in momentum of electro-magnetic zero-point fluctuations, generated in magneto-electric materials. This effect may provide new tools for investigation of the quantum nature of our world. It might also serve in the future as a "quantum wheel" to correct satellite orientation in space.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carbothermal reduction-nitridation (CRN) of SiO_2 is an attractive method for manufacturing Si_3N_4 powders with controlled grain morphology. Moreover, #beta#-sialon powders could also be synthesized from either pure powder mixtures or some inexpensive raw minerals by CRN. The resultant powders have shown some advantages, especially in manufacturing sialon products at low cost. However, there have been only a few works on preparing #alpha#-sialon powders. In this work, Ca-#alpha# sialon powder was synthesized by CRN of a SiO_2-Al_2O_3 and CaCO_3 powder mixture An unusual morphology of hollow balls of 200 to 500nm with many nano size #alpha#-sialon particles of 10 to 30nm was identified from the resultant Ca-#alpha# sialon powders. This has never been previously reported for sialon ceramics. It was consequently confirmed that the morphologies of the products were clearly related to the intermediate products appearing during CRN reaction. Copyright (2000) The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Single-electrode transient behavior was measured mainly during the discharging process for a model cell of electric double layer capacitor with nano-porous carbon electrodes and reference electrode. Apparent conductivity in the cell, which we call `effective conductivity,` is determined with approximation of current in transient behavior to a one-dimensional electrophoretic model. A comparison of effective conductivity with conductivity of bulk solution suggests an interesting mechanism of transfer of electrolyte ions. The difference in transient behavior between various electrolyte ions was not conspicuous in spite of distinctive differences in conductivity of each bulk solution. The large pore diameter of the carbon electrode results in rapid transient behavior and such an electrode should be suitable for rapid charge and discharge. The effect of origin of carbon electrode is found to be significant to bring considerable differences in discharge rate. However, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nano-sized zinc oxide was synthesized and deposited onto cellulosic fibers using the sol-gel process at ambient temperature. The prepared materials were characterized using several techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray diffraction studies of the ZnO-coated fiber indicate formation of the hexagonal crystal phase which was satisfactory crystallized on the fiber surface. The electron micrographs show formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles within 10-15 nm in size which have been homogeneously dispersed on the fiber surface. The prepared materials show significant photocatalytic self-cleaning activity, which was monitored by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photoactivity was studied upon measuring the photodegradation of methylene blue and eosin yellowish under UV-Vis irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of the treated fabrics ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optical properties and microstructure of germanium (Ge) films, prepared by ion-assisted deposition (IAD) process, were investigated. The Ge films were deposited on sapphire and silicon substrates, with and without simultaneous Ar+ bombardment. Higher index films, with a refractive index 7.7% larger than that of the single crystalline Ge wafer, were obtained with the IAD process. The density of the IAD film could be 1.5% greater than that of the e-beam film. The results of the heat treatment indicated that the optical and structural properties of the IAD films were more stable. Ge nano-crystallites could be observed under high ion power density, which induced a crystalline structure in the Ge thin films. The average size of the nano-crystallites, as determined from both the X-ray diffraction data and the transmission electron microscopy images, showed that no systematic change had occurred. The results presented in this work suggest that the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nano-wire arrays of Niobium were produced by small angle sputtering on facetted sapphire, using the self shadowing effect of the facets. A wire width of about 80 nm was adjusted, the mean (maximum) wire height was about 20 nm (30 nm), the length can be in the cm range. Meander-film morphologies of 20 nm mean (26 nm maximum) thickness were produced by conventional sputtering onto smooth sapphire substrates at elevated temperatures. The morphology of the wires was investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM), using contact mode. Meander-films were studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). Hydrogen loading was performed by instantaneously increasing the hydrogen gas pressure above the solubility limit. Thus, an elongated hydride could be monitored in an about 30 nm thick wire. STM studies on meander-films show the presence of cylindrical hydrides. Local out-of-plane and in-plane expansion can be explained by the formation of hydrides, being coherent with the ...

Science.gov (United States)

We report on studies of field-effect transistor (FET) and transparent thin-film transistor (TFT) devices based on lightly Ta-doped SnO2 nano-wires. The nanowire-based devices exhibit uniform characteristics with average field-effect mobilities exceeding 100 cm2/V x s. Prototype nano-wire-based TFT (NW-TFT) devices on glass substrates showed excellent optical transparency and transistor performance in terms of transconductance, bias voltage range, and on/off ratio. High on-currents and field-effect mobilities were obtained from the NW-TFT devices even at low nanowire coverage. The SnO2 nanowire-based TFT approach offers a number of desirable properties such as low growth cost, high electron mobility, and optical transparency and low operation voltage, and may lead to large-scale applications of transparent electronics on diverse substrates. PMID:17595151

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present article describes a novel synthesis route for nano-sized goethite ({alpha}-FeOOH) using hydrazine sulphate as an additive. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks of synthesized powder matched well with those of {alpha}-FeOOH. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the particles of irregular shape in the range of 1-10 nm. Batch adsorption experiments for fluoride uptake were performed to study the influence of various experimental parameters such as contact time (10 min to 7 h), initial fluoride concentration (10-150 mg L{sup -1}), pH (2-11.6) and the presence of competing anions. The time data fitted well to pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The fluoride removal passed through broad maxima in pH ranges of 6-8. High adsorption capacity of 59 mg g{sup -1} goethite was obtained. The isothermic data fitted well to Freundlich model. The presence of other ions namely chloride and sulphate adversely affected fluoride removal. Fluoride from contaminated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been a very powerful tool to study nanoscale (1-100 nm) bulk structures in various materials such as polymer, self assembled materials, nano-porous materials, nano-magnetic materials, metal and ceramics. Understanding the importance of the SANS instrument, the 8m SANS instrument was installed at the CN beam port of HANARO in 2001. However, without having a cold neutron source, the beam intensity is fairly low and the Q-range is rather limited due to short instrument length. In July 1, 2003, therefore, the HANARO cold neutron research facility project was launched and a state of the art 40m SANS instrument was selected as top-priority instrument. The development of the 40m SANS instrument was completed as a joint project between Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the HANARO in 2010. Here, we report the specification of a state of art 40m SANS instrument at HANARO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cross section and activity profile of different radioisotopes produced by #alpha#-induced nuclear reaction on natural zirconium, have been obtained by stacked foil activation using 40 MeV #alpha#-particles from Variable Energy Cyclotron (VEC) machine at Calcutta. The activity profile would be used to study the surface loss of zircaloy materials of engineering components by thin layer activation (TLA) technique. Generally, isotopes with suitable #gamma#-rays and long half-lives are the most useful in TLA technique, e.g., "9"2Nb, "9"5"gNb and "9"5Zr. (author). 2 refs., 1 tab.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stable boiloff of core water during a severe LWR accident, that is, boiloff driven only by the decay power generated below the water level, is tractable analytically and is relatively insensitive to axial power distribution. As might be expected, calculated accident event times are sensitive to the fidelity of the decay power model. During later stages of boiloff, heat transfer or transport of energy from above the water level to the residual water can result in an unstable condition during which the boiloff rate increases greatly. The unstable boiloff phenomenon illustrates the highly nonlinear influence of core heat transfer during meltdown and emphasizes the great accuracy requirements which attend the modeling of the accident during periods of enhanced heat transfer when significant zirconium oxidation is possible.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zirconia-toughened sialon composites have been fabricated using conventional hot-pressing techniques. The fracture toughness and microstructure were determined for CeO_2- and Y_2O_3-stabilized ZrO_2 additives and also as a function of volume percent ZrO_2. The Yttria system showed a linear increase in fracture toughness with increasing volume fraction zirconia content while the ceria-stabilized system exhibited a peak in fracture toughness at 20 vol% ZrO_2 content. The fracture toughness at 800 C was measured and correlated with the microstructure. High-temperature stability was determined and it was found that the deleterious nitride phases of zirconium could be precluded from the microstructure.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to improve the well-known short operational life time of BF3 counters, three potential adsorbents for impurity gases (graphite, activated charcoal and a zirconium-aluminum mixture) were introduced into BF3 counters in the form of coating on the aluminum cathode surface. Tests in el fields revealed that a partial coating of activated charcoal provides the best result. The improvement of their operational life in el fields was about three orders of magnitude in terms of tolerable exposure. Many counters with a partial coating of activated charcoal were further tested from the following viewpoints: background noise, vibration and shock, el pulse discrimination, operational life in a neutron field and non-operational in-reactor exposure life. The results were satisfactory for reactor control and protection usage. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ionizing radiations that differ in number, size, and distribution of energy deposition events might be expected to cause different effects for the same absorbed dose. Furthermore, microdosimetry calculations suggest that large variations in biological effectiveness might be expected for internally deposited alpha-emitting radionuclides for the same absorbed dose, depending upon the specific activity and spatial distribution of the sources in tissue. The study described in this article was designed to demonstrate these phenomena in vitro. Cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1 BH4) cells were exposed in vitro to inert, insoluble ceramic microspheres in zirconium dioxide labeled with "2"3"9Pu. The average exit energy of the 5.15 MeV alpha particle was calculated to be 4.3 MeV. Exposure times varied from four to seven hours to achieve the desired dose level.

CERN Document Server

We numerically demonstrate selective near-field localization determined by the polarization state of a single emitter coupled to plasmonic nano-cluster. Seven gold nanospheres are carefully arranged such that up to ten polarization states of the single emitter, including linear, circular, and elliptical polarizations, can be distinguished via the distinct field localization in four gaps. The ability to transform polarization state into field spatial localization may find application for single emitter polarization analysis.

CERN Document Server

The refractive index of novel organosilica (nano/micro)material is determined using two methods. The first method is based on analysis of optical extinction efficiency of organosilica beads versus wavelength, which is obtained by a standard laboratory spectrometer. The second method relies on the measurable trapping potential of these beads in the focused light beam (laser tweezers). Polystyrene beads were used to test these methods, and the determined dispersion curves of refractive index values have been found accurate. The refractive index of organosilica beads has been determined to range from 1.60-1.51 over the wavelength range of 300-1100 nm.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

New data about the structure of high-temperature resistant metalloceramic plasma sprayed coatings in micro and nano areas are presented. Application of the new instrumental methods: transmission electron microscopy combined with selected area electron diffraction mode is possible to obtain these data. The first layer in Ni based metallic bond coat shows nanocrystalline structure. External ceramic layer based on stabilised ZrO_2 is polycrystalline and contains both cubic and tetragonal crystalline phases. Local inhomogeneities in coatings phase composition are determined. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The magnetoresistance in an FeNi submicron-structure comprising two wires of 80 and 200 nm in width connected in series was measured at 77 K. When the external magnetic field was applied parallel to the wire axis, two switching fields corresponding to the distinct coercive force of the two wires were observed. When the external magnetic field was applied at an angle of {theta}>30 deg. to the wire axis one switching field was observed, indicating simultaneous magnetization reversal in both wires. This indicates that the domain-wall trapping around the joint can be controlled systematically in terms of the direction of the external magnetic field.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The ZnO nanorods were used as a template to fabricate nickel nanoclusters by electrodeposition. The ZnO nanorod arrays act as a nano-semiconductor electrode for depositing metallic and magnetic nickel nanoclusters. The growth sites of Ni nanoclusters could be controlled by adjusting the applied potential. Under -1.15 V the Ni nanoclusters could be grown on the tips of ZnO nanorods. On increasing the potential to be more negative the ZnO nanorods were covered by Ni nanoclusters. The magnetic properties of the electrodeposited Ni nanoclusters also evolved with the applied potentials.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Most of the investigations have a theoretical sustenance based on molecular simulation. The area of application of molecular simulation is very wide, in the Materials Technology Department assigned to the Applied Sciences Management have been treated problems about metallic nano structures, glasses, interfaces, and molecules, to sustain and to explain some of the experimental results. Energy calculations are carried out to determine minimum energy structures, for later on to carry out calculations of some of their properties; as well as the images simulation of Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Our institute has been investigating laser-produced tin, lithium and xenon plasma for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source of EUV lithography system, and found the highest conversion efficiency of 3% at 13.5 nm in 2% bandwidth. In the present paper, we introduce fabrication methods of density-controlled tin targets to generate relatively monochromatic EUV, and higher conversion efficiency than bulk tin. The first method is the nano-template method, where liquid tin solution was immersed into a polymer film with monodispersed size nano-particle. The density can be controlled by tin concentration of the solution. The target can be classified into mass-limited target. We have shown a tendency of monochromatic EUV emission around 13.5 nm with decreasing of tin density. The intensity was higher than tin foil with bulk density. The tendency has a merit to mitigate heat effect of the first EUV mirror. The fabrication method has another merit to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Scanning ion microscopy with polarization analysis (SIMPA) is used to study the spin-resolved surface magnetic structure of nano-sized magnetic systems. SIMPA is utilized for in situ topographic and spin-resolved magnetic domain imaging as well as for focused ion beam (FIB) etching of desired structures in magnetic or non-magnetic systems. Ultra-thin Co films are deposited on surfaces of Si(1 0 0) substrates, and ultra-thin, tri-layered, bct Fe(1 0 0)/Mn/bct Fe(1 0 0) wedged magnetic structures are deposited on fcc Pd(1 0 0) substrates. SIMPA experiments clearly show that ion-induced electrons emitted from magnetic surfaces exhibit non-zero electron spin polarization (ESP), whereas electrons emitted from non-magnetic surfaces such as Si and Pd exhibit zero ESP, which can be used to calibrate sputtering rates in situ. We report on new, spin-resolved magnetic microstructures, such as magnetic 'C' states and magnetic vortices, found at surfaces of FIB patterned ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The burning characteristics of fuel droplets containing nano and micron-sized aluminum particles were investigated. Particle size, surfactant concentration, and the type of base fluid were varied. In general, nanosuspensions can last much longer than micron suspensions, and ethanol-based fuels were found to achieve much better suspension than n-decane-based fuels. Five distinctive stages (preheating and ignition, classical combustion, microexplosion, surfactant flame, and aluminum droplet flame) were identified for an n-decane/nano-Al droplet, while only the first three stages occurred for an n-decane/micron-Al droplet. For the same solid loading rate and surfactant concentration, the disruption and microexplosion behavior of the micron suspension occurred later with much stronger intensity. The intense droplet fragmentation was accompanied by shell rupture, which caused a massive explosion of particles, and most of them were burned during this ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lead 203 has been used as a tracer for lead in the field of nuclear medicine for several years. It is produced in a cyclotron usually by proton or deuteron bombardment of a thallium target principally by the p,n or d,2n reaction on "2"0"3Tl or the p,3n or d,4n reaction on "2"0"5Tl. Several different methods have been reported for the separation of "2"0"3Pb from the thallium target. These generally involve a combination of precipitation and solvent extraction techniques. A new method has been developed for the separation of Pb from Tl using ion exchange chromatography over hydrous zirconium oxide (HZO). Lead is taken up by this inorganic ion exchanger at pH > 3 whereas Tl(I) is not. Lead can subsequently be eluted with acid of pH 1-1.5. The recovery of "2"0"3Pb has been approximately 75% and the Tl impurity level has not been in excess of 10 ppm. Reference is made to the application of this separation method to the preparation of "2"0"1Tl from the reaction ...

Science.gov (United States)

The heterogeneous processing of atmospheric aerosols by reaction with nitrogen oxides results in the formation of particulate and adsorbed nitrates. The water content of these hygroscopic nitrate aerosols and consequently the nitrate ion concentration depend on relative humidity, which can impact the physicochemical properties of these aerosols. This report focuses on the 310 nm photolysis of aqueous sodium and calcium nitrate solutions at pH 4 over a wide concentration range of nitrate ion concentrations representative of atmospheric aerosols. In particular, the quantum yield (phi) of nitrite formation was measured and found to significantly decrease at high concentrations of nitrate for Ca(NO(3))(2). In particular, phi for Ca(NO(3))(2) was found to have a maximum value of (7.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(-3) for nitrate ion solution concentrations near one molal, with the smallest quantum yield for the highest concentration solution above 14 m nitrate ion, phi = (2.3 +/- 2.0) x 10(-4). The effect ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Nano- and microstructured surfaces are known to impact on the binding and differentiation of cells, but the detailed basic understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms is still scarce, which impedes the rational design of smart biomaterials. Towards a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between topographical parameters such as feature design and lateral and vertical dimensions we here report on a combinatorial screening approach, BioSurface Structure Array (BSSA) of test squares each with a distinct topography. Using such BSSA libraries of 504 topographically distinct surface structures, we have identified combinations of size, gap and height of structures which enhance mineralization as well as the expression of osteogenic markers of a preosteoblastic murine cell line. This g...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An efficient method of hydrogen storage in nano-porous carbons is its reversible sorption by electrochemical decomposition of a KOH water solution [1-3] according to the following equation: C + xH{sub 2}O + xe{sup -} {yields} (CH{sub x}) + xOH{sup -} where (CH{sub x}) stands for the hydrogen inserted into the nano-porous carbon during charging and oxidized during discharging. Although various carbon materials have been investigated as hydrogen adsorbents, the information about the storage mechanism as well as the nature of the hydrogen/carbon interaction is still not sufficient. In order to extend the understanding of the process, carbon samples charged electrochemically were investigated by temperature programmed desorpt(TPD). The nature of the hydrogen/carbon interaction was studied by electrochemical analysis at different temperatures. The TPD experiments consist of heating the samples from room temperature to 950 C and of quantitative ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, we report an optical fiber sensor for measuring temperature based on bimetallic concept. The sensor is designed by following the basic principle of Fabry-Perot interferometer and theoretical detail of the sensor has been outlined here with a numerical study. An important feature of the proposed sensor is that the fabrication will be done on a commercial multimode optical fiber. The Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based fabrication process could be performed directly on a multimode optical fiber end face which will eliminate the need for adhesive in packaging. The sensor could be fabricated as sensor arrays for micro level applications. The potential application of the proposed optical sensor includes biomedical applications, nano research, microfluidics, and other ME...

CERN Document Server

We report on the magnetic hyperthermia properties of chemically synthesized ferromagnetic 11 and 16 nm Fe(0) nanoparticles of cubic shape displaying the saturation magnetization of bulk iron. The specific absorption rate measured on 16 nm nanocubes is 1690+-160 W/g at 300 kHz and 66 mT. This corresponds to specific losses-per-cycle of 5.6 mJ/g, largely exceeding the ones reported in other systems. A way to quantify the degree of optimization of any system with respect to hyperthermia applications is proposed. Applied here, this method shows that our nanoparticles are not fully optimized, probably due to the strong influence of magnetic interactions on their magnetic response. Once protected from oxidation and further optimized, such nano-objects could constitute efficient magnetic cores for biomedical applications requiring very large heating power.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Focused Ion Beam (FIB) technology has become an indispensable enabling tool for micro nano fabrications. One important application is to use FIB for patterning conducting nanowires of metals down to a few tens of nanometre for applications such as interconnects, heaters and temperature nanosensors. A series of experiments on Au nanowires fabricated by FIB on SixNy membrane show that nanowires with width 50nm have structural instabilities. These are liquid like and first show-up as undulations in nanowire width with clearly defined wave lengths. For smaller widths (20nm) the instabilities grow and the wires eventually break-up into spherical balls. Further experiments show that the nanowires can be made stable to smaller widths by the use of a Cr underlayer to enhance surface wetting. The o...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study addresses the solar thermal decomposition of natural gas for the co-production of hydrogen, as well as Carbon Black as a high-value nano-material, with the bonus of zero CO2 emissions. The work focused on the development of a medium-scale solar reactor (10kW) based on the concept of indirect heating. The solar reactor is composed of a cubic cavity receiver (20cm side), which absorbs concentrated solar irradiation through a quartz window via a 9cm-diameter aperture. The reacting gas flows inside four graphite tubular reaction zones that are settled vertically inside the cavity. Experimental results were as follows: methane conversion and hydrogen yield of up to 98% and 90%, respectively, were achieved at 1770K, and acetylene was the most important by-product, with a mole fraction...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To improve the friction and wear behavior of carbon fabric reinforced polymer composites (CFRP), nano-SiO2 was deposited on the fabric surface. The friction and wear behavior of the resulting composites were investigated on a model ring-on-block test rig. Experimental results revealed that fiber surface treatment contributed to largely improve the tribological properties of the CFRP composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation showed that the worn surface of the surface modified CFRP composite was smoother under given load and sliding rate. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of the carbon fiber surface showed that nanostructured Sio2 thin film can be obtained by SiO2 sols deposition, which improved th...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The energy levels scheme of octahedrally coordinated Ni2+ ion in single crystal, powder nano-single crystal, ceramics and glass-ceramics of MgGa2O4 host matrix, has been calculated in the exchange charge model of crystal field. The parameters of the crystal field acting on the Ni2+ ion are calculated from the crystal structure data, after optimization of the geometry of the system. The energy level schemes have been calculated by diagonalization of the crystal field Hamiltonian of this system. The obtained results were compared with experimental data; a good agreement were demonstrated, which confirm the validity of the model and used method.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

SBA-15 supported nano-scaled copper oxide was synthesized by impregnation method via ultrasonic-assisted route. The removal test from gas mixture containing 0.1?vol.% hydrogen sulfide was carried out over this material at atmospheric conditions. The effects of the chemical nature of copper oxide and the textural properties of the material on removal capacity were studied. The materials before and after the removal test were analyzed by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscope, X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer and Inductive Coupled Plasma. The results showed that copper species are located predominantly in mesopore channels, existing as copper oxide nanoparticles. Mesopores are active sites for removal reaction. The ou...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Silicon thin film with thickness in range 1000-5300 A deposited on rough Cu foil by a radio frequency magnetron sputtering is used as anode materials for Li-ion rechargeable batteries. The SEM, XRD and TEM analysis reveals that the Si thin film has a floccular nano-sized multi-crystalline structure. Li ions insertion/extraction evaluation is performed mainly with constant current charge/discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry (CV) at room temperature. The cycleability and reversible discharge capacity are found to depend on the film thickness, and thinner films give larger accommodation capacity. A 3120 A Si film provides a reversible specific capacity over 3500 mA hg{sup -1} with excellent cycleability under 0.5 C charge/discharge rate.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uranium-aluminum alloys with a significant enrichment of uranium with "2"3"3U or "2"3"5U serve as nuclear fuels in research reactors. The quality assurance of this fuel requires, among other things, precise knowledge that all trace metal constituents that affect neutron economy, fuel integrity, and fuel fabrication process parameters are well within the specification limits. Trace metal characterization of "2"3"5U-Al alloy has been carried out by atomic spectrometry. The trace metal constituents of interest are grouped into common metals (silver, boron, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, nickel, lead, silicon, tin, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, and zinc) and lanthanides (cerium, dysprosium, europium, gadolinium, holminium, lutetium, samarium, and terbium). The elements yttrium and zirconium are grouped with the latter in view of the chemical separation procedure used. The alloy samples are dissolved in 6 M ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present design of Blanket Shield and Primary Wall for ITER envisages construction of the wall with a water cooled, stainless steel outer layer and a water cooled, copper liner on the inside plasma facing surface. Protection of the inner copper surface with an armour layer is necessary to cope with plasma to wall interaction. There are a number of armour materials under consideration, for this project beryllium was used. The scope of work was to produce a series of mock-ups, each consisting of a different combination of materials, which included Dispersion Strengthened Copper, Copper-Chrome-Zirconium alloy, Beryllium and Stainless Steel. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) was the method used to ensure that a fully diffused bonded joint was achieved giving the necessary strength and thermal conductivity. The first five of the mock ups have been successfully completed and are being tested at the various laboratories in Europe. The remaining mock ups are awaiting the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A type of mesoporous ZrO{sub 2} was synthesized and its phosphate removal potential was investigated in this study. The adsorption isotherm, pH effect, ionic strength effect and desorption were examined in batch experiments. The adsorption data fitted well to the Langmuir model with which the maximum P adsorption capacity was estimated to be 29.71 mg P/g. The amount of phosphate adsorbed increased rapidly in the first 5 h and slowly towards the end of the run, suggesting the possible monolayer coverage of phosphate ions on the surface of the adsorbent. The phosphate adsorption tended to increase with a decrease of pH and an increase of ionic strength. A phosphate desorbability of approximately 60% was observed with 0.5 M NaOH, which indicated a relatively strong bonding between the adsorbed PO{sub 4}{sup 3-} and the sorptive sites on the surface of the adsorbent. The immobilization of phosphate probably occurs by the mechanisms of ion exchange and physicochemical attraction. Due to its ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

At least quinary alloys form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature at a rate less than 10.sup.3 K/s. Such alloys comprise zirconium and/or hafnium in the range of 45 to 65 atomic percent, titanium and/or niobium in the range of 4 to 7.5 atomic percent, and aluminum and/or zinc in the range of 5 to 15 atomic percent. The balance of the alloy compositions comprise copper, iron, and cobalt and/or nickel. The composition is constrained such that the atomic percentage of iron is less than 10 percent. Further, the ratio of copper to nickel and/or cobalt is in the range of from 1:2 to 2:1. The alloy composition formula is: (Zr,Hf).sub.a (Al,Zn).sub.b (Ti,Nb).sub.c (Cu.sub.x Fe.sub.y (Ni,Co).sub.z).sub.d wherein the constraints upon the formula are: a ranges from 45 to 65 atomic percent, b ranges from 5 to 15 atomic percent, c ranges from 4 to 7.5 atomic percent, d comprises the balance, d.multidot.y is less than 10 atomic percent, and x/z ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Propylene polymerizations were carried out with #phi#_2C(Flu)(Cp)ZrCl_2 and SiMe_2(Ind)2ZrCl_2 catalysts supported on silica, zeolite sodic mordenite (NaM) and acid mordenite (HM). The polymerizations were performed at different temperatures and varying aluminium/zirconium molar ratios ([Al]/[Zr]). The effect of these reaction parameters on the catalyst activity was investigated using a proposed statistical experimental planning. In the case of f_2C(Flu)(Cp)ZrCl_2, SiO_2 and NaM were used as support and the catalyst performance evaluated using toluene and pentane as polymerization solvent. The molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, melting point and crystallinity of the polymers were examined. The results indicate very high activities for the syndiospecific heterogeneous system. Also, the polymers obtained had superior Mw and stereo regularity. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This project of law concerns an additional protocol to the agreement of warranties signed on September 22, 1998 between France, the European atomic energy community and the IAEA. This agreement concerns the declaration of all information relative to the R and D activities linked with the fuel cycle and involving the cooperation with a foreign country non endowed with nuclear weapons. These information include the trade and processing of nuclear and non-nuclear materials and equipments devoted to nuclear reactors (pressure vessels, fuel loading/unloading systems, control rods, force and zirconium tubes, primary coolant pumps, deuterium and heavy water, nuclear-grade graphite), to fuel reprocessing plants, to isotope separation plants (gaseous diffusion, laser enrichment, plasma separation, electromagnetic enrichment), to heavy water and deuterium production plants, and to uranium conversion plants. (J.S.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electrometallurgical treatment process described in this paper builds on our experience in treating spent fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor (EBR-II). The work is also to some degree, a spin-off from applying electrometallurgical treatment to spent fuel from the Hanford single pass reactors (SPRs) and fuel and flush salt from the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) in treating EBR-II fuel, we recover the actinides from a uranium-zirconium fuel by electrorefining the uranium out of the chopped fuel. With SPR fuel, uranium is electrorefined out of the aluminum cladding. Both of these processes are conducted in a LiCl-KCl molten-salt electrolyte. In the case of the MSRE, which used a fluoride salt-based fuel, uranium in this salt is recovered through a series of electrochemical reductions. Recovering high-purity uranium from an aluminum-matrix fuel is more challenging than treating SPR or EBR-II fuel because the aluminum- matrix fuel is typically -90% ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

During 17 years since the start of operation of the first commercial LWR in Japan, many LWRs have experienced various corrosion damages, but the causes of them were clarified, and the counter-measures were executed effectively in actual plants, as the results, the cause of corrosion damage decreased remarkably, and now, the high rate of operation has become to be maintained. In this paper, the major cases of corrosion damage experienced in LWRs in Japan and foreign countries, the causes of them and the countermeasures, the problems of hereafter and so on are described. The corrosion damage of metallic materials in the environment of LWRs occurs in the parts in contact with high temperature, high pressure water and steam, such as stainless steel piping in the primary cooling system of BWRs, and nickel alloy heating tubes of steam generators, carbon steel feed water piping and zirconium alloy fuel cladding tubes in PWRs. Recently, accompanying the advance of LWR ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents a new methodology to create realistic 3D microstructures of polycrystals. The virtual microstructures are based on statistical data describing the morphological and crystallographic textures of a sample, obtained from an EBSD analysis. In addition, the methodology can reproduce the observed surface on top of the simulated microstructure. This feature allows finite element calculations on these virtual aggregates to be compared to experimental results of mechanical tests. Such a comparison leads to the identification of the mechanical parameters of constitutive laws, such as critical resolved shear stress and strain hardening, using an optimization algorithm. Two materials were simulated in this study: TiAl and grade 702 zirconium. The first one presents twins inside the microstructure and the second one has an anisotropic texture. Based on 2D simulations, the important parameters necessary to describe a microstructure were identified as grain ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reviews our simulation study by numerical calculation based on two-, three- and multi-grain-size models on WC grain growth in fine grained WC-Co hardmetal doped with VC. The study aimed to presume or predict the following: (1) the cause and conditions for the abnormal grain growth which occurs in some cases in the fine grained hardmetal prepared from fine WC powders with mean grain size below about 0.2{mu}m, and (2) how the mean grain size of the hardmetal varies with decreasing mean grain size of the WC starting powder to 0.1 pm or nano-meter size. The calculation results by these three kinds of models suggested the following, respectively: (1) the occurrence of the abnormal grain growth is generally substantial for WC starting powder with bimodal size-distribution and mean gram size below 0.1 - 0.2{mu}m, and not due to the non-uniform distribution of the grain growth inhibitor, (2) the introduction of middle grains caused the disappearance of small ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The diffusion of methane confined in nano-porous carbon aerogel with the average pore size 48 {angstrom} and porosity 60% was investigated as a function of pressure at T = 298 K using quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). The diffusivity of methane shows a clear effect of confinement: it is about two orders of magnitude lower than in bulk at the same thermodynamic conditions and is close to the diffusivity of liquid methane at 100 K (i.e. {approx} 90 K below the liquid-gas critical temperature T{sub C} {approx} 191 K). The diffusion coefficient (D) of methane initially increases with pressure by a factor of {approx}2.5 from 3.47 {+-} 0.41 x 10{sup -10} m{sup 2} s{sup -1} at 0.482 MPa to D = 8.55 {+-} 0.33 x 10{sup -10} m{sup 2} s{sup -1} at 2.75 MPa and starts to decrease at higher pressures. An explanation of the observed non-monotonic behavior of the diffusivity in the confined fluid is based on the results of small-angle neutron scattering experiments of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ultraviolet light can be used to immobilize biomolecules onto thiol reactive surfaces in order to, e.g., make biosensors. The mechanism involves light-induced formation of free, reactive thiol groups in disulphide containing molecules. This technology allows for the creation of arrays of biomolecules with a high degree of reproducibility, circumventing the need for often expensive nano/micro-dispensing technologies. The ultimate size of the immobilized spots is defined by the focal area of the UV beam. Light-induced immobilization has the added benefit that the immobilized molecules will be spatially oriented and covalently bound to the surface. In this paper, we demonstrate the utility of a sensor array created with the new sensor technology when integrated into a microfluidic system. Protein arrays made using light-induced immobilization showed successful antigen/antibody binding in a flow cell allowing the visualisation of real time binding and enzyme activity. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The influence of chemical composition and heat treatment on a low-carbon steel, chromium steel and high speed steel has been examined by polarisation curves and electrochemical parameters deduced from the Tafel plots. The electrochemical corrosion resistance, which is small between the as-received steels become greater after heat treatment, following the order: carbon steel < chromium steel #approx# high speed steel. To explain these differences, the nano- and microstructure of the steels has been characterized by the ex situ techniques of atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy, before and after surface etching with Nital (a solution of 5% HNO_3 in ethanol). This causes preferential attack of the ferrite phases showing the carbide phases more clearly. From these nanostructural studies it was possible to better understand why the passive films formed on chromium steel and high speed steel have superior protective properties to those formed on carbon ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This introductory text treats thermodynamics as an incomplete description of quantum systems with many degrees of freedom. Its main goal is to show that the approach to equilibrium -with equilibrium characterized by maximum ignorance about the open system of interest- neither requires that many particles nor is the precise way of partitioning, relevant for the salient features of equilibrium and equilibration. Furthermore, the text depicts that it is indeed quantum effects that are at work in bringing about thermodynamic behavior of modest-sized open systems, thus making Von Neumann's concept of entropy appear much more widely useful than sometimes feared, far beyond truly macroscopic systems in equilibrium. This significantly revised and expanded second edition pays more attention to the growing number of applications, especially non-equilibrium phenomena and thermodynamic processes of the nano-domain. In addition, to improve readability and reduce unneeded ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The synthesis of narrowly dispersed nanocrystalline TiO_2 was investigated with a surfactant aided solvothermal synthetic method in toluene solutions. When a sufficient amount of titanium isopropoxide, Ti[OCH(CH_3)_2]_4 (TIP), was added to the solution, the shapes of TiO_2 nanoparticles changed from spheres to rods. The aggregated microstructures of the nano-sized TiO_2 in systems of spheres, rods, and mixtures of spheres and rods was studied using TEM. The morphological shape of the aggregation was described in terms of the fractal dimensions. We used a box-counting method to get the fractal dimension of these systems. The fitted fractal dimensions for spheres, sphere/rod mixtures, and rods are D = 1.54, D = 1.81, and D = 1.89, respectively. The fractal dimension changed from 1.54 to 1.9 with the TIP/toluene ratio, indicating that the growth mechanism for aggregations showed different behaviors.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents the first results on formation and study of structure and properties of micro- and nanocomposite combined coatings. By means of modeling the deposition processes (deposition conditions, current density-discharge, plasma composition and density, voltage) we formed the three-layer nanocomposite coatings of Ti-Al-N/Ti-N/Al_2O_3. The coating composition, structure and properties were studied using physical and nuclear-physical methods. The Rutherford proton and helium ion backscattering, scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, as well as nanohardness tests (hardness) were used. Measurements of wear resistance and corrosion resistance in NaCl, HCl and H_2SO_4 solutions were also performed. For testing mechanical properties such characteristics of layered structures as hardness H, elastic modulus E: H"3/E"2 etc. were measured. It is demonstrated that the formed three-layer nanocomposite coatings have hardness of 32 to 36 GPa ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Ferroelectric barium strontium titanate (Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3)(BST) thin films have been prepared from barium 2-ethylhexanoate [Ba[CH3(CH2)3CH(C2H5)CO2]2], strontium 2-ethylhexanoate [Sr[CH3(CH2)3CH(C2H5)CO2]2] and titanium(IV) isopropoxide [TiOCH(CH3)2]4 precursors using a modified sol-gel technique. The precursor except [TiOCH(CH3)2]4 were synthesized in the laboratory. Transparent and crack-free films were fabricated on pre-cleaned quartz substrates by spin coating. The structural and optical properties of films annealed at different temperatures have been investigated. The as-fired films were found to be amorphous that crystallized to the tetragonal phase after annealing at 550degreeC for 1h in air. The lattice constants "a" and "c" were found to be 3.974A and 3.990A, respectively. The grain...

Science.gov (United States)

Electrospinning has gained much attention in the past decade as an effective means of generating nano- to micro-scale polymer fibers that resemble native extracellular matrix. High porosity, pore interconnectivity, and large surface area to volume ratio of electrospun scaffolds make them highly conducive to cellular adhesion and growth. However, inherently small pores of electrospun scaffolds do not promote adequate cellular infiltration and tissue ingrowth. Cellular infiltration into the scaffold is essential for a range of tissue engineering applications and is particularly important in skin and musculoskeletal engineering. Pore size, porosity, and pore interconnectivity dictate the extent of cellular infiltration and tissue ingrowth into the scaffold; influence a range of cellular processes; and are crucial for diffusion of nutrients, metabolites, and waste products. A number of electrospinning techniques and postelectrospinning modifications have, therefore, ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We describe a method for the analysis of multi-site phosphorylation in serine/threonine (Ser/Thr)-rich protein sequences. Site-specific mutagenesis was used to introduce tryptic cleavage sites in the serine glutamine/threonine glutamine cluster domain (SCD) of the human checkpoint protein kinase (Chk2). The mutant proteins were shown to autophosphorylate on residues that are inducibly phosphorylated when mammalian cells are exposed to ionizing radiation (serine 33/35, serine 516, threonine 68 and threonine 432). Five Ser/Thr clusters within the SCD were flanked by arginine or lysine residues to produce tryptic peptides for nanospray liquid chromatography (nanoLC)/linear quadrupole ion trap Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Phosphorylation sites were assigned usin...

Science.gov (United States)

Enthalpy relaxation properties of the ethylene glycol (EG) aqueous solutions confined within silica-gel void spaces of 1.1 nm in the average void thickness and 6, 12 and 52 nm in their average diameters were examined by an adiabatic calorimetry to understand the glass transition behavior of the solutions and the rearrangement processes of the molecules. The glass transition temperature Tg of EG was found to decrease with adding the water molecules which are mobile under the condition lacking in the full hydrogen-bond network. Meanwhile, the Tg in the water-rich region showed a rise towards pure water; after a phase separation in a 25 mol% (x = 0.25) EG solution, the Tg was 160 K which was higher than that derived by extrapolating the composition dependence to pure water. The Tg = 160 K is the same as observed in the pure water confined within 1.1 nm voids; this indicates the validity of the interpretation that the glass transition at 160 K of the confined water originates from the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For rational use of energy resources, the process technology which allows harmonization and multiplication of conflicting characteristics was developed for development of new ceramic system materials. This paper summarizes the result in fiscal 1997. On a structural reaction process among creation technologies of ultra-reliable structure, study was made on structure control and hot-working technology through atmosphere control in ceramics synthesis. On basic technology for analysis and evaluation, study was made on the effect of particle bridging on strengthening and toughening of ceramic materials. Study was also made on a toughness expression mechanism, FEM model analysis of particle bridging, and crack growth resistance of ceramics. On control of solid solution precipitation, new alumina ceramics with high strength, hardness and wear resistance was obtained by transgranularly precipitating nano-size particles from a fine-grain high-density matrix through an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This work has been undertaken with a view to study the effect of lanthanum content on properties of PLZT ceramics. The polycrystalline complex compounds of PLZT with Pb{sub 1-x}La{sub x}(Zr{sub 0.40}Ti{sub 0.60}){sub 1-x/4}O{sub 3}, +10% PbO formula were prepared from the nano-size individual oxides powders by hot-pressed process. Transparent PLZT (x/40/60) bulk ceramics with pure tetragonal phase was obtained. The studies of the microstructures, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of the ceramics were carried out. The experiment results showed that when La content increased from 7 to 13 mol.%, the grain size increased from 2 to 7 {mu}m. La content also effects the dielectric property obviously, the dielectric constant increased with La content increasing. Moreover, the ferroelectric properties are sensitive to the variation of La content.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study addresses the solar thermal decomposition of natural gas for the co-production of hydrogen and carbon black (CB) as a high-value nano-material with the bonus of zero CO2 emission. The work focused on the development of a medium-scale solar reactor (10kW) based on the indirect heating concept. The solar reactor is composed of a cubic cavity receiver (20cm-side), which absorbs concentrated solar irradiation through a quartz window by a 9cm-diameter aperture. The reacting gas flows inside four graphite tubular reaction zones that are settled vertically inside the cavity. Experimental results in the temperature range 1740-2070K are presented: acetylene (C2H2) was the most important by-product with a mole fraction of up to about 7%, depending on the gas residence time. C2H2 content i...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We review the recent development of bendable x-ray optics used for focusing of beams of soft and hard x-rays at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) x-ray free electron laser (FEL) at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) National Accelerator Laboratory. For simultaneous focusing in the tangential and sagittal directions, two elliptically cylindrical reflecting elements, a Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) pair, are used. Because fabrication of elliptical surfaces is complicated, the cost of directly fabricated tangential elliptical cylinders is often prohibitive. Moreover, such optics cannot be easily readjusted for use in multiple, different experimental arrangements, e.g. at different focal distances. This is in contrast to flat optics that are simpler to manufacture and easier to measure by conventional interferometry. The tangential figure of a flat substrate is changed by placing torques (couples) at ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An effective procedure for removing _3H, Xe and Kr from irradiated fuels was demonstrated using Shippingport UO"2 fuel. The release characteristics of _3H, Kr, Xe, and I from irradiated nuclear fuel have been determined as a function of temperature and gaseous environment. Vacuum outgassing and a flowing gas stream have been used to vary the gaseous environment. Vacuum outgassing released about 99% of the _3H and 20% of both Kr and Xe within a 3 h at 1500_0C. Similar results were obtained using a carrier gas of He containing 6% H"2. However, a carrier gas containing only He resulted in the release of approximately 80% of the _3H and 99% of both Kr and Xe. These results indicate that the release of these volatile fission products from irradiated nuclear fuel is a function of the chemical composition of the gaseous environment. The rate of tritium release increased with increasing temperature (1100 to 1500_0C) and with the addition of hydrogen to the gas stream. Using crushed UO"2 fuel ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Three kinds of surface modifications were carried out on LiNi{sub 1/2}Mn{sub 3/2}O{sub 4} thin-films to improve the charge and discharge characteristics of LiNi{sub 1/2}Mn{sub 3/2}O{sub 4} positive electrodes. Among them, Zr(OBu){sub 4}/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-treated LiNi{sub 1/2}Mn{sub 3/2}O{sub 4} thin-film electrodes showed charge and discharge efficiency of 80-84% in the first cycle, which was much higher than that for an untreated LiNi{sub 1/2}Mn{sub 3/2}O{sub 4} thin-film electrode (73%). The values of the charge and discharge efficiency were still higher than that for an untreated electrode after the 30th cycle. The charge and discharge curves gave two plateaus at around 4.72 and 4.76 V, which were very similar to those for the untreated electrode. Ac impedance spectroscopy revealed that the surface film resistance should not increase by Zr(OBu){sub 4}/PMMA treatment. XPS measurements suggest that a composite layer should be formed on a LiNi{sub 1/2}Mn{sub 3/2}O{sub 4} ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Over the recent years the nuclear structure around the N = 50 shell closure, which is very pronounced in the strontium and zirconium isotopes, has been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical work. On the proton side Z = 38 and Z = 40 provide fairly closed sub-shells. In the strontium isotopes the lg/sub 9/2/ neutron shell is closed at "8"8Sr, supplying relatively pure neutron-hole and neutron-particle states with large spectroscopic factors in "8"7Sr and "8"9Sr, as well as core-coupled states. The mass region is thus ideally suited to examine the transition from a correlated to an uncorrelated (chaotic?) excitational behavior. These two types are characterized e.g. by the density of excited states, the transition strengths, and the spectroscopic factors observed in transfer reactions. We conducted (n,#gamma#) and (d,p) reactions leading to /sup 87,88,89/Sr in addition to "8"8Sr(d,t)"8"7Sr and 24 keV neutron capture in "8"8Sr. The vast amounts of data ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The reaction of uranium oxides and chlorine to prepare anhydrous uranium tetrachloride (UCl{sub 4}) are important to more economical preparation of uranium metal. The most practical reactions require carbon or carbon monoxide (CO) to give CO or carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) as waste gases. The chemistry of U-O-Cl compounds is very complex with valances of 3, 4, 5, and 6 and with stable oxychlorides. Literature was reviewed to collect thermochemical data, phase equilibrium information, and results of experimental studies. Calculations using thermodynamic data can identify the probable reactions, but the results are uncertain. All the U-O-Cl compounds have large free energies of formation and the calculations give uncertain small differences of large numbers. The phase diagram for UCl{sub 4}-UO{sub 2} shows a reaction to form uranium oxychloride (UOCl{sub 2}) that has a good solubility in molten UCl{sub 4}. This appears more favorable to good rates of reaction than reaction of solids and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4 tubing materials were irradiated with 1 MeV proton at 350 degrees C to doses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 dpa respectively. Both microstructure examination and nodular corrosion test (500 degrees C, 1500 psi steam) were performed in order to understand the relationship between the microstructural evolution and the corrosion resistance of these alloys under irradiation. Neutron-irradiated Zircaloy-2 specimens which were obtained from a failed BWR fuel rod cladding were also studied. Specimens of three different neutron fluences were investigated; namely, 2.6x10"2"4, 3.2x10"2"5, 3.8x10"2"5, (E_n#>=#1MeV). The results indicated that the higher the irradiation dose the better the nodular corrosion resistance of both Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4. It is concluded that irradiation-induced precipitate dissolution and irradiation-enhanced diffusion may increase the solute concentration in the matrix and make it distributed more evenly which in turn increases the nodular ...

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A molybdenum (Mo) adsorbent called PZC (Poly Zirconium Compound) with high efficiency of Mo adsorption has been developed in order to generate {sup 99m}Tc from {sup 99}Mo produced from natural Mo by (n, gamma) method. The {sup 99m}Tc generator using PZC has cleared mostly the technical subjects. By the results of many experiments, cold and hot test with {sup 99}Mo activity from low level (10{sup 5} Bq) to high level (10{sup 10} Bq), it has been confirmed that the PZC method can be practically applied for the (n, gamma) {sup 99}Mo-{sup 99m}Tc generator. From the reasons that PZC has the ability and many merits such as high adsorption capacity (>250 mg-Mo/g-PZC) of Mo, high elution yield (av. 80%) of {sup 99m}Tc, the low breakthrough (<0.05 kBq-{sup 99m}Mo/MBq-{sup 99m}Tc) of {sup 99}Mo and others, the current (n, fission) {sup 99m}Tc generator utilizing {sup 99}Mo produced from enriched uranium will be taken the place by PZC method. In this paper, the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alloying elements such as Fe and Cr are generally considered to be effective even in small quantities for corrosion resistance of Zircaloy-4. The maximum total solubility of Fe + Cr in a Zr-Sn matrix has been reported to be very low. Therefore, most of these elements are observed in the form of ternary Zr-Fe-Cr-type precipitates. To clarify the effects of precipitates on corrosion property, Zr-1.3 Sn-(Fe,Cr) alloys containing Fe + Cr from 45 up to 180 ppm (the Fe to Cr ratio is about 2) were melted from pure zirconium (X-bar Zr and EB-Zr) and pure alloying elements. They were subjected to corrosion testing in 633 K water and microstructural analysis. It was found that precipitate-free materials showed much larger weight gains than precipitate-containing materials even at the same alloy compositions. Subsequently, a corrosion test on the precipitate-free material galvanically coupled with a noble intermetallic compound of Zr(Fe{sub 0.66}Cr{sub 0.33}){sub 2} was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

On the basis of cylindrical roller thrust bearings it was systematically examined to what extent PVD-coatings are able to take over the function of EP/AW-additives. The bearings were tested under heavy-duty conditions in order to distinguish very fast the efficiency of different coating-substrate-systems. Several coatings were tested for their ability to protect an un-coated counterpart. So just the washers of the roller bearings were coated, the rollers stayed un-coated. Four Me-C:H-coatings showed the best performance and fulfilled the required criterion for roller bearings in the boundary friction: low loss of mass and hardly surface deviation. Material carryover from the carbonaceous coating to the 100Cr6 steel surface was developed by the Me-C:H-coatings during the tests. This mechanism was able to protect the un-coated rollers. Closer investigations were done with an ESMA analysis (electron beam micro range analysis) on ZrC{sub g}-coatings. It could be seen, that a reaction layer ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full Text: Smallstage Dualbeam (SDB) systems, that is a Focussed Ion Beam column coupled with a SEM column, have been around for about five years now. There impact on the Semiconductor industry has been enormous, with virtually every lab having a SDB to produce, characterise and analyse cross sections and TEM samples on the Nano-scale. But what about other industries? What else can SDB system be used for? The SEM column in itself is a very powerful tool for sample characterisation, modification and analysis. An electron beam from a Tungsten or Thermal Field Emission source has enough current to allow sophisticated patterns to be created in photo-resist samples, a process known as lithography. The current is also high enough to allow for a process known as Electron Beam Induced Deposition (EBID), where the beam interacts with an introduced gas and material is deposited in a controlled manner on the sample. With the addition of the Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) direct ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a promising source of power generation in terms of conversion efficiency which is higher than the conventional one, as it is not limited by the Carnot efficiency. Theoretically, the SOFC have an efficiency of the order of 60-80 % but it is limited by the number of active side available for the reaction i.e. TPB (triple phase boundary) at the electrode-electrolyte interface which depends on the particle size of the materials employed during the fabrication of SOFC components (i.e. the method employed during the synthesis). Literally, there are several methods used in the syntheses of oxide materials such as conventional solid-state reaction, co-precipitation, hydrothermal rout, sol-gel and Glycine nitrate process (GNP) but among these GNP found to be effective over the other because of homogeneity, phase purity and smaller particle size of final product. In this work, the Nano-crystalline Ln_0_._6Sr_0_._4Co_0_._8Fe_0_._2O_3_-_#delta# ...

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Lithium (Li) plating-stripping reaction properties at the lithium phosphorus oxynitride glass electrolyte (LiPON)/copper thin film (Cu) interface is improved by the insertion of nano-thickness platinum (Pt) layer at the interface. The LiPON films are formed on mirror-polished lithium-ion conductive solid electrolyte sheets, and current collector thin films of Li, Cu-Pt multi layer, and Cu are formed on the LiPON films. The plating-stripping reactions at the LiPON/current collector films interface are carried out by galvanostatic and potential sweep measurements. Galvanostatic measurements reveal that Pt layer insertion reduces the overvoltage of the reaction and improves its coulomb efficiency. Also, cyclic voltammetry measurement suggests formation of Li-Pt alloys at higher voltages than 0 V (vs. Li/Li{sup +}) during the lithium plating process. Scanning electron microscopy observation clarifies that platinum insertion moderate non-uniform lithium plating ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A bottom-up approach is used here to combine carbon nanotubes synthesized by CVD and organically capped platinum nanoparticles electrocatalyst exhibiting a direct electrochemical activity towards oxygen reduction. Both nano-objects are handled in liquid suspension and are associated together in a controlled way. The nanocomposite liquid dispersions can be precisely controlled in terms of platinum nanoparticles to carbon nanotubes weight ratios (NP/NT) which correspond to different coverages of nanotubes by nanoparticles. Electrodes with low to ultra-low platinum loadings can then be prepared on porous fuel cell carbon supports by filtration. The direct electrochemical activity towards aqueous oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of electrodes with platinum loadings ranging from about 1 to 60 {mu}g/cm{sup 2} is reported without any activation step in order to keep the features of the nanoparticles intact. Before that, we studied the responses obtained when impregnating ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To heighten durability and safety of materials/parts for undersea oil drilling, the development of ceramic base materials was made by developing function harmony type process technology which harmonizes on a high grade contrary characteristics and various functions. The paper summed up the fiscal 1997 results. In the design of system formation, computational simulation technology was developed to the composite process and the diploid system. The development of multifunction simultaneous manifestation materials was trially made by the higher nano structure process. A study was made of control of microstructures of porous materials and matrix filling by the gas phase precipitation control. Proposed were selective control of grain growth from species crystals and the columnar particle orientation laminated structure of simultaneous manifestation of strength and toughness. By composite precipitation reaction control, studied were simultaneous dispersion of whisker and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study, nanoparticle penetration was measured with a wide range of filter media using silver nanoparticles from 3 nm to 20 nm at three different face velocities in order to define nanoparticle filtration characteristics of commercial fibrous filter media. The silver particles were generated by heating a pure silver powder source via an electric furnace with a temperature of 870 deg. C, which was found to be the optimal temperature for generating an adequate amount of silver nanoparticles for the size range specified above. After size classification using a nano-DMA, the particle counts were measured by an Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (UCPC) both upstream and downstream of the test filter to determine the nanoparticle penetration for each specific particle size. Particle sampling time continued long enough to detect more than 10{sup 5} counts at the upstream and 10 counts at the downstream sampling point so that 99.99% efficiency can be detected ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Over the last decade techniques such as confocal light microscopy, in combination with fluorescent labelling, have helped biologists and life scientists to study biological architectures at tissue and cell level in great detail. Meanwhile, obtaining information at very small length scales is possible with the combination of sample preparation techniques and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is well known for the determination of surface characteristics and morphology. However, the desire to understand the three dimensional relationships of meso-scale hierarchies has led to the development of advanced microscopy techniques, to give a further complementary approach. A focused ion beam (FIB) can be used as a nano-scalpel and hence allows us to reveal internal microstructure in a site-specific manner. Whilst FIB instruments have been used to study and verify the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Micron-size Ni-base alloy (NBA) powders were mixed with both 1.5 wt.% (hereinafter %) micron-size CeO{sub 2} (m-CeO{sub 2}) and also 1.5% and 3.0% nano-size CeO{sub 2} (n- CeO{sub 2}) powders. These mixtures were coated on low-carbon steel (Q235) by 2.0 kW CO{sub 2} laser cladding. The effects on the microstructures, phases and electrochemical corrosion of the coatings upon the addition of m- and n- CeO{sub 2} powders to NBA (m- and n- CeO{sub 2} /NBA) have been investigated. The results showed that a smooth coating was prepared under suitable processing parameters (P= 2.0 kW, V= 180 mm min{sup -1}) by adding 1.5% n- CeO{sub 2}. In addition to the primary phases of {gamma}-Ni, Cr{sub 23} C{sub 6} and Ni{sub 3} B in the Ni-base alloy coating, CeNi{sub 3} was formed in Ni-base alloy coatings with both n- CeO{sub 2} and m-CeO{sub 2} particles, and CeNi{sub 5} appeared in the coating upon decreasing the size of CeO{sub 2} particles. Well-developed dendrites were ...