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Microgel-clay composite particles were prepared by one-step surfactant-free precipitation polymerization. Laponite nanoparticles present in the reaction mixture become encapsulated during the microgel formation process. Microgel-clay composites based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate) containing different amount of incorporated clay nanoparticles were synthesized. The clay content was varied from 2 wt% to 18 wt%. The extremely high incorporation efficiency of the clay nanoparticles into microgels was detected. The size of the hybrid microgels was decreased from 700 nm to 100 nm by increase of the clay concentration in the reaction mixture. Obtained hybrid microgels exhibit negative surface charge and excellent colloidal stability. Microgel-clay composite particle...

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Nanoparticles represent versatile building blocks in material science and nanotechnology. Thereby, the defined assembly of nanostructures (13 and 56 nm in diameter, respectively) is of significant importance. Short DNA sequences can be bound to the nanoparticle surface thus enabling highly specific DNA hybridization-driven events that direct the formation of nanoparticle constructs.In this paper, examples for the defined formation of gold nanoparticle constructs are demonstrated. In addition, gold-silver core-shell nanoparticles are introduced as further building blocks for the hybridization-controlled formation of nanoparticle constructs.

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Monodisperse noble metal nanoparticles are of tremendous interest for numerous applications, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, catalysis or biosensing. However, preparation of monodisperse metal nanoparticles is still a challenging task, because typical preparation methods yield nanoparticle ensembles with broad shape and/or size distributions. To overcome this drawback, tailoring of metal nanoparticles with laser light has been developed, which is based on the pronounced shape- and size-dependent optical properties of metal nanoparticles. I will demonstrate that nanoparticle tailoring with ns-pulsed laser light is a suitable method to prepare nanoparticle ensembles with a narrow shape and/or size distribution. While irradiation with ns-pulsed laser light during ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Spectral and energy luminescence characteristics of R6G dye solutions in ethanol with addition of Ag nanoparticle suspensions in different aggregate states are experimentally investigated. It is demonstrated that incorporation of non-aggregated and aggregated nanoparticles causes the superluminescence thresholds in R6G solutions to decrease. It is established that the optical properties of the laser beam propagation channel are transformed when low-power (20?mW) cw laser radiation passes through the suspension of nanoparticles. This is manifested through the occurrence of a region with enhanced nanoparticle density in the laser beam center, on which diffraction of laser radiation is observed.

Science.gov (United States)

We report on the single-particle properties of lanthanide-ion doped oxide nanoparticles. We have demonstrated that their size can be accurately determined from their luminosity. The optically determined size distribution is in very good agreement with the distribution obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We also showed that the photobleaching of these nanoparticles is related to a reduction process and that we can use it to sense in a concentration-dependent manner the presence of an oxidant like H2O2. Finally, we propose a way to perform nanoparticle-protein coupling and to determine the protein-nanoparticle ratio at the single-particle level.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

By choosing appropriate microemulsion systems, hexagonal cobalt (Co) and cobalt-nickel (1:1) alloy nanoparticles have been obtained with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a cationic surfactant at 500degreeC. This method thus stabilizes the hcp cobalt even at sizes (<10nm) at which normally fcc cobalt is predicted to be stable. On annealing the hcp cobalt nanoparticles in H2 at 700degreeC we could transform them to fcc cobalt nanoparticles. Microscopy studies show the formation of spherical nanoparticles of hexagonal and cubic forms of cobalt and Co-Ni (1:1) alloy nanoparticles with the average size of 4, 8 and 20nm, respectively. Electrochemical studies show that the catalytic property towards oxygen evolution is dependent on the applied voltage. At low voltage (less than 0.65V) the Co (he...

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Size-selected SnO{sub 1.8}:Ag mixed nanoparticle films have been prepared using a gas phase condensation method. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the applied size-selection technique yields well-defined, monodisperse and spherical SnO{sub 1.8} and Ag nanoparticles, both with a fixed diameter of 20 nm. The technique allows an independent variation of the particle size of both materials as well as the concentration of Ag. It allows to assess the influence of these parameters on the gas-sensing properties of the films, here for ethanol vapor in synthetic air. SnO{sub 1.8}:Ag nanoparticle films show optimal values of the sensor signal and response time at a Ag nanoparticle concentration of 5%. Due to the fact that the Ag nanoparticles are clearly distinct from the SnO{sub 1.8} nanoparticles ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Novel fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomeric nanoparticles were prepared by the hydrolysis of the corresponding oligomer under alkaline conditions. The size of fluorinated nanoparticles thus obtained is of submicrometer levels and is not sensitive to the refractive indices of a variety of solvents; however, the turbidity of the dispersed fluorinated nanoparticles is extremely sensitive to the refractive indices of these solvents. In particular, the solvents of which the refractive indices are from 1.378 to 1.408 were found to afford the transparent colorless dispersed particle solutions. More interestingly, the modified glass surface treated with fluorinated nanoparticles exhibited a completely superhydrophobic characteristic (a water contact angle: 180?) with a nonwetting...

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Studying the structure of nanoparticles as a function of their size requires a correlation between the image and the diffraction pattern of single nanoparticles. Nanobeam diffraction technique is generally used but requires long and tedious TEM investigations, particularly when nanoparticles are randomly oriented on an amorphous substrate. We bring a new development to this structural study by controlling the nanoprobe of the Bright and Dark Field STEM (BF/DF STEM) modes of the TEM. The particularity of our experiment is to make the STEM nanoprobe parallel (probe size 1 nm and convergence angle <1 mrad) using a fine tuning of the focal lengths of the microscope illumination lenses. The accurate control of the beam position offered by this technique allowed us to obtain diffraction patterns of many single nanoparticles selected in the digital STEM image. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Size-controllable Ag nanoparticle ultrathin films, which were fabricated by vacuum deposition method from high purity Ag wire onto cleaned indium tin oxide conducting glass, have different color fabricated by variation of preparation conditions. The UV/Vis spectra showed that optical absorption peak of these Ag nanoparticle films can be tuned in a range from 457nm to >650nm. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that with increasing film thickness Ag particle size was larger. Ag/WO3 composite films were prepared by cathodic electrodeposition of WO3 onto the surface of Ag nanoparticle films. Spectroelectrochemistry and electrochromic properties of the resulting composite films were characterized. It was found that the electrochemical and electrochromatic properties of the composite fil...

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We report a templated-synthetic approach based on apoferritin to prepare radionuclide nanoparticle (NP) conjugates. Non-radioactive yttrium (89Y) was used as model target and surrogate for radioyttrium (90Y) to prepare the nanoparticle conjugate. The center cavity and multiple channel structure of apoferritin offer a fast and facile method to precipitate yttrium phosphate by diffusing yttrium and phosphate ions into the cavity of apofrritin, resulting a core-shell nanocomposite. The yttrium phosphate/apoferritin nanoparticle was functionalized with biotin for further application. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We found that the resulting nanoparticles were uniform in size, with a diameter of around 8 nm. We tested the pre-targeting capability of the ...

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Synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on a polyol process and variable frequency microwave (VFM) was investigated. Comparing to a thermal method, the reaction by VFM radiation was much faster. The effects of silver nitrate concentration, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature were studied. It was found that the higher concentration of silver nitrate, longer reaction time and higher temperature increased the particle size while the higher concentration of PVP decreased the particle size.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Gold nanoparticles were synthesized by using banana peel extract (BPE) as a simple, non-toxic, eco-friendly 'green material'. The boiled, crushed, acetone precipitated, air-dried peel powder was used to reduce chloroauric acid. A variety of nanoparticles were formed when the reaction conditions were altered with respect to pH, BPE content, chloroauric acid concentration and temperature of incubation. The reaction mixtures displayed vivid colors and UV-vis spectra characteristic of gold nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies revealed that the average size of the nanoparticles under standard synthetic conditions was around 300nm. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) confirmed these results. A coffee ring phenomenon, led to the aggregation of th...

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Metallic nanoparticles was synthesized in SiO{sub 2} matrices by means of a process of two stages. The first one proceeded via sol-gel, incorporating the metallic precursors to the reaction system before the solidification of the matrix. Later on, the samples underwent a thermal treatment in atmosphere of H{sub 2}, carrying out the reduction of the metals that finally formed to the nanoparticles. Then it was detected the presence of smaller nanoparticles than 20 nm, dispersed and with the property of being liberated easily of the matrix, conserving a free surface, chemically reactive and with response to external electromagnetic radiation. The system SiO{sub 2}-Pd showed an important thermoluminescent response. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using stoichiometrically controlled 1:1 functionalization of gold nanoparticles with fluorescent dye molecules in which the dye molecule is held away from the particle surface by a rigid DNA spacer allows precise determination of the distance-dependent effect of the metal nanoparticles on fluorescence intensity. Two dyes were studied, Cy3 and Cy5, with two sizes of nanoparticles, 5 and 10 nm. The larger the particle, the more quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity, due to increased overlap of the dye's emission spectrum with the Au surface plasmon resonance. Fluorescence is quenched significantly for distances somewhat larger than the particle diameter, in good agreement with the predictions of an electrodynamics model based on interacting dipoles. The distance dependence of surface energy transfer behavior, i.e. quenching efficiency, is proportional to 1/d4, which involves no consideration ...

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We demonstrate a preparative method which produces highly-monodisperse Pt-nanoparticles of tunable size without the external addition of seed particles. Hexachloroplatinic acid is dosed slowly to an ethylene glycol solution at 120 C and reduced in the presence of a stabilizing polymer poly-N-vinylpyrollidone (PVP). Slow addition of the Pt-salt first will first lead to the formation of nuclei (seeds) which then grow further to produce larger particles of any desired size between 3 and 8nm. The amount of added hexachloroplatinic acid precursor controls the size of the final nanoparticle product. TEM was used to determine size and morphology and to confirm the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. Good reproducibility of the technique was demonstrated. Above 7nm, the particle shape and morphology changes suddenly indicating a change in the ...

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.

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Ag nanoparticles were prepared in a water-phase system with a mixture of silver-ammonia complex, sodium borohydride, and lauric acid according to molar feed ratio of approximately 6:3:1. The mechanism of preparation and separation by chemical reduction-protection method was explored. The as-synthesized Ag nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that the size of high purity Ag particles was ranging from 30 to 50 nm with slight agglomeration. In addition, the as-synthesized wet Ag nanoparticles were dispersed stably in organic vehicle to formulate electrically conductive nanopaste. Upon direct-written and sintered, the array pattern of the nanopaste with the resolution of about 30 {mu}m was achieved with the electrical resistivity in the order of magnitude of 10{sup -5} {Omega} cm.

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The objective of this research project is to investigate the biocompatibility of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) nanoparticles in vitro. PNIPAAm nanoparticles of different sizes were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Cytotoxicity studies using MTS assays were conducted on fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. In addition, the concentration of NIPAAm monomers remaining on PNIPAAm nanoparticles was determined using bromination and spectrophotometry. The cytotoxicity results did not show a significant difference in cell survival when cells were exposed to different particle sizes (100, 300, and 500 nm). Dose studies showed that all three cell types exposed to 100 nm PNIPAAm nanoparticles at concentrations less than or equal to 5 mg/mL ...

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When Silk fibre derived from Bombyx mori, a native biopolymer, was dissolved in highly concentrated neutral salts such as CaCl{sub 2}, the regenerated liquid silk, a gradually degraded peptide mixture of silk fibroin, could be obtained. The silk fibroin nanoparticles were prepared rapidly from the liquid silk by using water-miscible protonic and polar aprotonic organic solvents. The nanoparticles are insoluble but well dispersed and stable in aqueous solution and are globular particles with a range of 35-125 nm in diameter by means of TEM, SEM, AFM and laser sizer. Over one half of the {epsilon}-amino groups exist around the protein nanoparticles by using a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) method. Raman spectra shows the tyrosine residues on the surface of the globules are more exposed than those on native silk fibers. The crystalline polymorph and conformation transition of the silk nanoparticles ...

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)

We report studies of bimetallic nanoparticles with 15%-16% atomic crystal parameters size mismatch. The degree of alloying was probed in a 2-nm Pt core (smallest attainable core size) of Pt-Ag nanoparticles (completely immiscible in bulk) and 20-nm-diameter Pd-Ag nanowires (completely miscible in bulk). Particles were synthesized radiolytically, and depending on the initial parameters, they assume spherical or cylindrical (nanowire) morphologies. In all cases, the metals are seen to follow their bulk alloying characteristics. Pt and Ag segregate in both spherical and wire forms, which indicates that strain due to crystallographic mismatch overcomes the excess surface free energy in the small particles. The Pd-Ag nanowires alloy similar to previously reported spherical Pd-Ag particles of similar diameter and composition.

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A mesoscopically ordered lamellar gel phase of a polymer-grafted, lipid-based complex fluid is used as a scaffolding to spatially organize inorganic nanoparticles. The complex fluid provides both a highly anisotropic environment and a segregated aqueous and organic domains in which inorganic nanoparticles can be selectively placed by tailoring their size and surface characteristics. Three types of silver nanoparticles -- underivatized, surfactant-stabilized, and dodecanthiol-derivatized -- were evaluated. Comparison of the surface plasmon resonance of the various silver particles dispersed in conventional solvents to those contained within the complex fluid was used to determine the region of spatial localization in the lamellar gel phase. Silver particles rendered hydrophobic by capping with an alkane thiol insert into the hydrocarbon bilayer region. Surfactant-stabilized and underivatized silver ...

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In this study, silver nanoparticles were formed on a natural macroporous matrix, the stem of rice-paper plant, by reducing Ag{sup +} in aqueous solution through in situ processing without using any other stabilizers. The pores of the matrix, with their size of about 100 {mu}m, were thought to act as reaction compartments for the nucleation and growth of silver nanoparticles, and the control of nucleation of silver crystal during the reduction reaction was found to be important to the successful formation of nanosized silver particles onto the matrix. The diameter and amount of resultant silver particles can be controlled by changing the reaction conditions. Under optimized conditions, the content of silver particles in the matrix can reach as high as 1.8 wt% with the particle diameters being kept below 100 nm. The anti-microbial activities in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the silver ...

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 ...

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Carbon supported catalysts can lose their activity over a period of time due to the sintering of the nanometer-sized catalyst particles. The sintering of metal clusters on carbon supports can occur due to the weak interaction between the metal and the support and also due to the corrosion of carbon, especially in fuel cell electrocatalysts. The sintering may be reduced by increasing the interaction between the metal and the support and also by increasing the corrosion resistance of carbon supports. In an effort to mitigate the growth of the nanoparticles, carbon-substituted boron defects were introduced in the carbon lattice. The interaction between the Pt nanoparticles on the pure and boron-doped carbon supports was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the interaction between the Pt nanoparticles and the boron-doped carbon support was slightly stronger than ...

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Antibacterial activity of Transition metals (Mn, Co) doped ZnO nanopowders prepared by a DC thermal plasma method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are investigated. The phase and morphology studies have been carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. All the samples of the present investigation are found to have hexagonal wurtzite structure and crystallite sizes are found to vary from 25nm to 30nm. Our bacteriological study showed the enhanced antibacterial activity of transition metals doped ZnO nanoparticles than undoped ZnO indicating the great potential of ZnO nanoparticles in relevant clinical and biomedical applications.

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Polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been prepared and used as an immobilization matrix for the fabrication of solid-state tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The pre-synthesized maghemite (g-Fe2O3) MNPs were coated with poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid) based on an oxidative polymerization method using KMnO4. The poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid)-coated MNPs have formed the clusters with average diameter of 200-500nm. The multilayer films of poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid)-coated MNPs were uniformly formed on the surface of a Pt electrode by an external magnet. The Ru(bpy)32+ was rapidly incorporated into the multilayer films within 5min through the electrostatic interaction between the Ru(bpy)32+ and the negatively charged c...

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The goal of the present work was to develop a new synthetic nanosystem for gene delivery. For this purpose, we chose two polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS), as the main components of the nanocarrier. Nanoparticles with different hyaluronate:chitosan (HA:CS) mass ratios (0.5:1 and 1:1) and different polymer molecular weights (hyaluronate 170 (HA) or <10 kDa (HAO) and chitosan 125 (CS) or 10-12 (CSO) kDa) could be obtained using an ionic crosslinking method. These nanoparticles were loaded with pDNA and characterized for their size, zeta potential and pDNA association efficiency. Moreover, their toxicity and ability to transfect the model plasmid pEGFP-C1 were evaluated in the cell line HEK 293, as well as their intracellular fate. The results showed that HA:CS nanoparticles have a small size in the range of 110-230 nm, a positive zeta potential of +10 to ...

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A method to control charge transfer reaction in DNA using hybrid nanometer-sized TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles was developed. In this system extended charge separation reflects the sequence of DNA and was measured using metallic silver deposition or by photocurrent response. Light-induced extended charge separation in these systems was found to be dependent on the DNA-bridge length and sequence. The yield of photocatalytic deposition of silver was studied in systems having GG accepting sites imbedded in AT runs at varying distances from the TiO{sub 2} nanoparticle surface. Weak distance dependence of charge separation indicative of a hole hopping through mediating adenine (A) sites was found. The quantum yield of silver deposition in the system having a GG accepting site placed 8.5 {angstrom} from the nanoparticle surface was found to be {Phi} = 0.70 (70%) and {Phi} = 0.56 (56%) for (A){sub n} and (AT){sub ...

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CeO{sub 2} undergoes a first-order phase transition from fluorite to {alpha}-PbCl{sub 2}-type structure under high pressure. To evaluate the changes in physical properties of CeO{sub 2} nanomaterials as the particle size decreasing, high-pressure Raman study under quasi-hydrostatic condition has been performed on CeO{sub 2} nanospheres self-assembled by 5 nm CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles at room temperature. Surprisingly, as the pressure elevate to 34 GPa, the CeO{sub 2} nanospheres still retain the cubic fluorite-type structure, indicating the sample is more stable than the bulk counterpart. Whereas, previous high-pressure studies show the phase transition at 22.3/26.5 GPa for 12 nm CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles, which is less stable than the bulk materials. The enhancement of phase stability might be attributed to the increase of surface energy of CeO{sub 2} nanospheres as the size of the building units ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Olfactory tract has been demonstrated to be an important portal for inhaled solid nanoparticle transportation into the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously demonstrated that intranasally instilled Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles could transport into the CNS via olfactory pathway. In this study, we investigated the neurotoxicity and size effect of repeatedly low-dose (130 #mu#g) intranasal exposure of nano- and submicron-sized Fe_2O_3 particles (21 nm and 280 nm) to mice. The biomarkers of oxidative stress, activity of nitric oxide synthases and release of monoamine neurotransmitter in the brain were studied. Our results showed that significant oxidative stress was induced by the two sizes of Fe_2O_3 particles. The activities of GSH-Px, Cu,Zn-SOD, and cNOS significantly elevated and the total GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio significantly decreased in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus after ...

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We report the simultaneous formation of self-assembled surface ripples in Cd{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 7} pyrochlore caused by focused ion beam (FIB) patterning and uniformly distributed metallic nanodots induced by phase decomposition under ion bombardment. The characteristic wavelength of the surface ripples is controllable from the nm to the sub-{micro}m scale. High-density Cd metallic nanoparticles, {approx} 5 nm, formed and the distribution of nanoparticles is consistent with the morphological characteristics of the ripple pattern. This approach provides a means of fabricating surface nanostructure with various patterns and a controllable particle size and distribution by combining ion beam-induced phase decomposition with high-precision FIB patterning.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The CaWO_4:Ln"3"+ SiO_2 (Ln=Tb, Dy and Ho) nanoparticles were synthesized via a combustion process at 800 "oC, using citric acid as chelating agent and fuel, ammonium nitrate as fuel, boric acid as flux material and silica as supports. The persistent phosphor nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), reflectance UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. XRD patterns indicated that crystalline calcium tungstate with scheelite structure was produced. The reflectance UV-vis spectra showed the broad absorption band of WO_4"2"- groups and the PL spectra showed the WO_4"2"- wide excitation band, broad emission band of WO_4"2"- and characteristic emissions of Ln"3"+ ions. The average particle sizes were determined by TEM, which are about 50 nm.

Science.gov (United States)

A simple one-step method to fabricate hierarchically porous TiO2/Pd composite hollow spheres without any template was developed by using solvothermal treatment. Pd nanoparticles (2-5 nm) were well dispersed in the mesopores of the TiO2 hollow spheres via in-situ reduction. In our experiment, polyvinylpyrrolidone played an important role in the synthetic process as the reducing agent and the connective material between TiO2 and Pd nanoparticles. HF species generated from solvothermal reaction leaded to the formation of TiO2 hollow spheres and Ostwald ripening was another main factor that affected the size and structure of the hollow spheres. The as-prepared TiO2/Pd composite hollow spheres exhibited high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H2O2. The sensitivity was about 226.72 ?A mM-1 cm-2 with a detection limit of 3.81 ?M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. These results made the hierarchically porous TiO2/Pd ...

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Nano-particles of CeO{sub 2} with the smallest average particle size (18.7 nm) and spherical morphology were obtained from a mixture solution of Ce(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}{center_dot}6H{sub 2}O, citric acid, polyvinyl alcohol by an auto-combustion process exploiting sol-gel as precursors. The course of size control and shape control by polyvinyl alcohol was examined in detail. A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to characterize the particle-size and morphology of CeO{sub 2} particles. In addition, a sort of nano-metric solid acid SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/CeO{sub 2} based on CeO{sub 2} nano-particles was prepared by macerating, filtering, drying and calcining processes. The particle-size of SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/CeO{sub 2} was also assessed by TEM. The composition of SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/CeO{sub 2} was analyzed by X-ray ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Electrodeposition of tertiary alumina/yttria/carbon nanotube (Al2O3/Y2O3/CNT) nanocomposite by using pulsed current has been studied in this investigation. Coating process has been performed on nickel sulphate bath and nanostructure of obtained compound layer is examined with high precision figure analysis of SEM nanographs. The effects of process variables, i.e., Y2O3 concentration, treatment time, frequency and duty cycle, have been experimentally studied. Statistical methods are used to achieve the minimum of corrosion rate and average size of nanoparticles. Finally the contribution percentage of different effective factors is revealed and confirmation run shows the validity of obtained results. Also it has been revealed that by changing the size of nanoparticles, corrosion properties o...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The formation and growth of silicon-nanoparticles from silane in a microwave reactor was investigated. Experiments were performed for the following conditions: precursor concentration 380-2530 ppm, pressures of 20-30 mbar, microwave powers 120-300 W. The formed particles were examined in-situ with a particle mass spectrometer. Additionally, particles were collected on grids and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and by determining the specific surface area by BET. The particle size was found to be in the range of 5-8 nm in diameter. A simple model was used to simulate the particle formation processes taking place inside the reactor. The microwave energy coupled into the reactor flow was treated as a spatially distributed energy source resulting in a local temperature increase. The particles were assumed to have a monodisperse size distribution. To allow an approximation of their shape they were ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this work, we report the preparation of lead titanate (PT) nanoceramics (with an average grain size of ~200nm in diameter) by using hydrothermal PT nanoparticles as start materials and characterized the dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The dielectric constant of the ceramic was found to be ~180 (at 1kHz) at room temperature and reached a maximum value of 8330 at ~490^oC, suggesting that the Curie temperature of the nanoceramics is consistent with the known value of PT crystals. Ferroelectric domains and hysteresis loops were obtained through piezoelectric force microscopy measurements, which provide direct and clear evidence for the ferroelectricity in the nanoceramic samples.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Mesoporous films of platinized carbon nanotube-zirconia-Nafion composite have been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)32+) on an electrode surface to yield a solid-state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The composite films of Pt-CNT-zirconia-Nafion exhibit much larger pore diameter (3.55 nm) than that of Nafion (2.82 nm) and thus leading to much larger ECL response for tripropylamine (TPA) because of the fast diffusion of the analyte within the films. Due to the conducting and electrocatalytic features of CNTs and Pt nanoparticles, their incorporation into the zirconia-Nafion composite films resulted in the decreased electron transfer resistance within the films. The present ECL sensor based on the Pt-CNT-zirconia-Nafion gave a lin...

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Individual nanoscale building blocks exhibit a wide range of size-dependent properties, since their size can be tuned over known characteristic length scales of bulk materials. In the last several years, the possibility of combining different materials in the form of two and three component nanoparticles (NPs) has been extensively explored. Also multi-component materials can be obtained via self-assembly of NPs from their binary colloidal mixtures. These new nanocrystal solids may possess tunable collective properties that originate from interactions between size and composition controlled building blocks. Exchange coupling between neighboring NPs of magnetically soft and hard materials enhances the magnetic energy product of the nanocomposite material. Randomly mixed solids of small and large semiconducting CdSe NPs revealed enhancement of photoluminescence intensity of large semiconductor particles ...

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The thermal stability of nanoscale grains in cryomilled aluminum powders containing 1% diamantane was investigated. Diamantane is a diamondoid molecule consisting of 14 carbon atoms in a diamond cubic structure that is terminated by hydrogen atoms. The nanostructures of the resulting cryomilled powders were characterized using both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The average grain size was found to be on the order of 22?nm, a value similar to that obtained for cryomilled Al without diamantane. To determine thermal stability, the powders were heated in an inert gas atmosphere at constant temperatures between 423 and 773?K (0.51T m to 0.83T m) for exposure times of up to 10?h. The average grain size for all powders containing diamantane was obse...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The objective of materials research is the development of economical, safe and efficient synthesis routes that lead to the formation of a photocatalyst which is able to overcome performance problems related to particle size, crystallinity, or low surface area. Here, we report high-quality functional nanoparticles of calcium bismuth mixed oxide with 15nm nominal size corresponding to a specific surface area of 41m^2/g which were produced by single-step flame spray synthesis (FSS). The high temperature of the flame afforded creation of oxygen vacancies which were quantified by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra. These two parameters, developed active surface area and created in the flame oxygen vacancies, allowed to enhance the photocatalytic activity of calcium bismu...

Science.gov (United States)

A simple approach to controlling the loading percentage and size of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (ZVI NPs) immobilized within polyacrylic acid (PAA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous mats for dye remediation applications is described. A functional "nanoreactor" comprised by electrospun PAA/PVA nanofibers served to bind ferric ions with the carboxyl groups of PAA, prior to their reduction to ZVI NPs. The resulting ZVI NP-immobilized hybrid polymer nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology of the polymer nanofibers exhibited no appreciable change even after eight cycles of ferric ion binding/reduction, and the loading percentage and size of the ZVI NPs were controlled simply by varying the number of ferric ion binding/reduction cycles. Dye remediation experiments revealed that the decoloration effect of ZVI NPs ...

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Superparamagnetic MFe{sub 2}{sup 3+}O{sub 4} (M=Mn{sup 2+}, Fe{sup 2+} and Co{sup 2+}) inverse spinel ferrite (ISF) nanoparticles with narrow size distribution having average diameters of 6-8 nm were synthesized by a diol reduction of organic metals and the surface was modified to be hydrophilic by coating with succimer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement by dipolar coupling defined interactions between the synthesized ISFs and protons in the bulk water was investigated with initial susceptibility, magnetization and anisotropy of the succimer-coated ISFs. The relaxivity ratios, r{sub 2}/r{sub 1}, for MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were measured to be 12.2, 23.1 and 62.3, respectively, which demonstrate the potential usefulness of these magnetic nanoparticles as T{sub 2} contrast agents for MRI.

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.

Science.gov (United States)

The interaction of the globular protein lysozyme with silica nanoparticles of diameter 20 nm was studied in a pH range between the isoelectric points (IEPs) of silica and the protein (pH 3-11). The adsorption affinity and capacity of lysozyme on the silica particles is increasing progressively with pH, and the adsorbed protein induces bridging aggregation of the silica particles. Structural properties of the aggregates were studied as a function of pH at a fixed protein-to-silica concentration ratio which corresponds to a surface concentration of protein well below a complete monolayer in the complete-binding regime at pH > 6. Sedimentation studies indicate the presence of compact aggregates at pH 4-6 and a loose flocculated network at pH 7-9, followed by a sharp decrease of aggregate size near the IEP of lysozyme. The structure of the bridged silica aggregates was studied by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and small-angle ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The primary objective is to perform a fundamental study of filtration of nanoparticles, and to obtain filtration knowledge necessary to design particle collection devices/systems for nanoparticle processing and for preventing nanoparticle emissions into the environment. The research covered a wide area relevant to nanoparticle filtration, under these main topics: (1) nanoparticle filtration and molecular dynamics simulation, (2) nanoparticle virtual impactor, (3) particle transport under low pressure, and (4) development of a high-throughput nanoparticle generator. A number of novel tools and numerical models have been developed under the DOE support.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In vitro cytocompatibility and cellular interactions of lauric acid and dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles were evaluated with two different cell lines (mouse fibroblast and human cervical carcinoma). Lauric acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles were less cytocompatible than dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles and cellular uptake of lauric acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles was more than that of dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles. Lesser cytocompatibility and higher uptake of lauric acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles as compared to dextran-coated magnetic nanoparticles may be due to different cellular interactions by coating material. Thus, coating plays an important role in modulation of biocompatibility and cellular interaction of magnetic nanoparticles.

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In order to investigate the extrusion characteristics of magnesium alloy (AZ31), a computer simulation was attempted. Tensile properties of as-cast billet with different strain rates were incorporated into the simulation. The results showed a great change in distribution of stress and strain at near die region by the ram travel. It was found that the average grain size at longitudinal edge of the extruded sheet was smaller than that at center region, which might be attributed to recrystallization caused by severe plastic deformation. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The oxide colloidal route, developed in the laboratory for mono-metallic catalysts, consists in preparing a metallic oxide hydro-sol which leads to the supported catalyst after deposition onto a support and an activation stage. In this work, this method has been adapted to the preparation of alumina supported bimetallic Pd-Sn catalysts to determine its interest for the control of the properties of the bimetallic phase (size, composition and structure). In the preliminary study concerning tin oxide sols, SnO{sub 2} (size=2,3 nm) and Sn{sub 6}O{sub 4}(OH){sub 4} (size = 25 nm) nano-particles were synthesized by neutralization respectively for tin(IV) and tin(H). The control through the pH of the aggregation of the PdO and SnO{sub 2} particles revealed that increasing oxide solubility promotes integral re-dispersion of the oxide particles. To synthesize oxide bimetallic sols, three strategies were defined. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One-step synthesis of Pt-loaded carbon nanoparticles including single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) by arc plasma in liquid nitrogen was demonstrated using Pt-contained graphite anode. The size distribution of Pt particles can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of Pt in the graphite anode. In the observation by transmission electron microscope, the diameter of less than 5 nm of Pt particles were observed as approximately 90% among the Pt particles when Pt was contained in the anode at 1.3 at.%. When Pt concentration in the anode was decreased to 0.4 at.%, the percentage of Pt particles whose diameter is less than 5 nm decreased to approximately 60%. It was verified that the as-grown Pt-loaded products produced by this method can be useful for the power generation by polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Nanocrystalline MnFe"2O"4 ferrite was prepared by using autocombustion technique (flash). The microstructure and magnetic properties are studied. The results of XRD and TEM clarified that, this ferrite is nanosized with particle size (39 nm). Magnetic measurements showed a ferromagnetic behavior with T"C = 613 K, the saturation magnetization M"s = 13.71 emu/g, remanent magnetization M"r = 0.1694 emu/g and, coercivity H"c = 25.6 Oe. Natural material, egg white used as an aqueous medium to extend prepare nanoparticles better than other chemical interesting materials.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Co catalysts, obtained from a layered double Co?Zn?Al hydroxide, are highly active and stable towards the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) in aqueous media. The Co-673 catalyst, containing a CoO species, provided a glycerol conversion of 67.7% and a 1,2-PDO selectivity of 50.5%. The Co-873 catalyst comprising 16?nm Co nanoparticles gave a glycerol conversion of 70.6% and a 1,2-PDO selectivity of 57.8%. It was revealed that the CoO species in the Co-673 catalyst was readily converted to 50?nm Co particles under the glycerol hydrogenolysis conditions. The Co catalysts maintained a stable size and phase in recycling tests. Graphical Abstract

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND: It was previously reported that dendrosomes, i.e. neutral, biodegradable, covalent or self-assembled, hyperbranched, spheroidal nano-particles with a size ranging from 15 to 100 nm, provide a convenient and efficient means of gene delivery into various kinds of cells such as human hepatoma and kidney cells as well as animal models.RESULTS: New studies via circular dichroism show that hydrophilic and amphipathic dendrosomes either do not affect the DNA structure or moderately transform it from B- to A-conformation. Gene delivery into human liver, kidney, and endothelial cells as well as other animal cells like Bowes, U-937, Raw, CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4, K562, Huh-7 and VERO reveal that the genes are efficiently expressed and in comparison with other gene porters like Lipofectin or bact...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), the properties of laser-generated aerosols, such as size and composition, are crucial for matrix-independent quantification. In this study, the aerosol particle morphology and elemental composition generated by two state-of-the-art laser systems (ArF excimer nanosecond-UV laser and Ti:sapphire femtosecond-IR laser) were investigated by electron microscopic techniques. Electrostatic sampling of the aerosols directly onto transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids allowed us to study the morphology and elemental composition of the aerosols using TEM and TEM-EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analyses, respectively. The results of the electron microscopic studies were finally compared to the LA-ICPMS signals of the main matrix components. The investigations were carried out for non-conducting materials (glass and zircon), metallic samples (steel and brass) and semiconductors ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The final report for a Laboratory Directed Research and Development project entitled, ``Capturing Recrystallization of Metals in a Multiscale Materials Model'' is presented. In this project, deformation and recrystallization processes have been followed experimentally and theoretically in order to incorporate essential mechanisms from the defect (dislocation) and grain size length scales. A nonlinear rotational gradient theory has been developed which enables the incorporation of microstructural parameters. The evolution of these parameters during deformation and recrystallization has been characterized qualitatively and quantitatively, applying various electron optic techniques ranging over several length scales. The theoretical and experimental framework developed is general. It has been exemplified by an application to recrystallization in single crystals and bicrystals of aluminum. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are attractive because of their high conversion efficiency, low pollution, lightweight, and high power density. A major area of challenges is the design and engineering of active, robust, and low-cost electrocatalysts. This report discusses recent findings of our investigations of the design and nano-engineering of platinum-vanadium-iron catalysts for use in PEMFC. The membrane electrode assembly was prepared using nano-engineered PtVFe nanoparticles with controlled composition and size supported on carbon as cathode electrocatalysts. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of the catalysts have been characterized by both rotating disk electrode and membrane electrode assembly measurements. The trimetallic catalysts have been shown to exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance in PEMFC in comparison with commercial platinum catalysts. The results exhibited a good agreement between obtained ...

J-STORE (Japan)

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DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Udgivelsesdato: 2008/5

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

W have introduced template-synthesized metal phosphate nanoparticle labels for electrochemical immunoassay. Such use of an apoferritin template offers a simple and convenient route to prepare metallic nanoparticle labels for electrochemical immunoassays and avoid the complicated and time-consuming nanoparticle synthesis process (QD synthesis). Releasing metal ions from metal phosphate in an acetate buffer (pH 4.6) eliminates the harsh condition in the traditional metallic nanoparticle dissolution (e.g., strong acid dissolution of QDs and gold nanoparticles). This method is ultrasensitive and its DL is low to 77fM. The simultaneous detection of multiple protein targets is easily performed by using different metal phosphate nanoparticle labels (cadmium phosphate and lead phosphate). This approach can be extended to prepare multiple metal (such as zinc, lead, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Longitudinal space charge (LSC) force can be a main effect driving the microbunching instability in the linac for an x-ray free-electron laser (FEL). In this paper, the LSC-induced beam modulation is studied using an integral equation approach that takes into account the transverse (radial) variation of LSC field for both the coasting beam limit and bunched beam. Changes of beam energy and the transverse beam size can be also incorporated. We discuss the validity of this approach and compare it with other analyses as well as numerical simulations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Computed tomography (CT) has been incorporated in an industrial Diode-Array Digital Radiography (DADR) system. An input data size of 512 pixel points x 400 projections yielded a 400x400 output image matrix. Reconstruction algorithms used are the filtered backprojection (FBP) and the direct Fourier reconstruction (DFR). Various filters were used in the FBP reconstruction process and their effects on image quality were evaluated. A spatial resolution of 100 {mu}m was measured with a block of plates and a minimum detectable feature size in the range of 10-100 {mu}m was measured using thin wires. Industrial specimens imaged have included ceramic samples, ball bearings and integrated circuits. A number of engineering problems have been solved, such as adjustment of the X-ray source, centering of the rotator spindle in the view field and beam-hardening corrections. (orig.).

Science.gov (United States)

BackgroundIn recent years, near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)-labeled iron nanoparticles have been synthesized and applied in a number of applications, including the labeling of human cells for monitoring the engraftment process, imaging tumors, sensoring the in vivo molecular environment surrounding nanoparticles and tracing their in vivo biodistribution. These studies demonstrate that NIRF-labeled iron nanoparticles provide an efficient probe for cell labeling. Furthermore, the in vivo imaging studies show excellent performance of the NIR fluorophores. However, there is a limited selection of NIRF-labeled iron nanoparticles with an optimal wavelength for imaging around 800 nm, where tissue autofluorescence is minimal. Therefore, it is necessary to develop additional alternative NIRF-labeled iron nanoparticles for application in this area.ResultsThis study manufactured 12-nm ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inorganic nanoparticles are indispensable for science and technology as materials, pigments and cosmetics products. Improving the dispersion stability of nanoparticles in various liquids is essential for those applications. In this review, we discuss why it is difficult to control the stability of nanoparticles in liquids. We also overview the role of surface interaction between nanoparticles in their dispersion and characterization, e.g. by colloid probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM). Two types of surface modification concepts, post-synthesis and in situ modification, were investigated in many previous studies. Here, we focus on post-synthesis modification using adsorption of various kinds of polymer dispersants and surfactants on the particle surface, as well as surface chemical reactions of silane coupling agents. We discuss CP-AFM as a technique to analyze the surface interaction between ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In situ synthesis of silver chloride (AgCl) nanoparticles was carried out under ambient conditions in nanoporous bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes as nanoreactors. The growth of the nanoparticles was readily obtained by alternating dipping of BC membranes in the solution of silver nitrate or sodium chloride followed by a rinse step. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated the existence of AgCl nanoparticles in the BC and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the AgCl nanoparticles well dispersed on the surface of BC and penetrated into the BC network. The AgCl nanoparticle-impregnated BC membranes exhibited high hydrophilic ability and strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). The preparative proced...

Science.gov (United States)

We prepared submicron-scale spherical hollow particles of anatase TiO2 by using a polystyrene-bead template. The obtained particles were very uniform in size, with a diameter of 490 nm and a shell thickness of 30 nm. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements revealed a large value of 70 m2/g. The photocatalytic property was investigated by the complete decomposition of gaseous isopropyl alcohol under UV irradiation. It was indicated that the activity of the hollow spheres was 1.8 times higher than that of the conventional P25 TiO2 nanoparticles with a diameter of 30 nm. Furthermore, we fabricated a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) using an electrode of the TiO2 hollow spheres, and examined the photovoltaic performance under simulated sunlight. Although the per-area efficiency was rather low (1.26%) because of a low area density of TiO2 on the electrode, the per-weight efficiency was 2.5 times higher than those of the conventional DSCs ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A dense silica glass was prepared by consolidating a highly dispersed silicic acid powder (particle size 1H magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR confirmed an increase in hydroxyl groups in the sample prepared by SPS relative to that of the conventional SiO2 reference glass. Aside from the comparably high water content, we conclude from the similarity of the IR-reflectance and the 29Si MAS NMR spectra of the SPS sample and the corresponding spectra of the conventionally prepared silica glass, that the short- and medium-range order is virtually the same in both materials. Raman spectroscopy, however, suggests that the number of three- and four-membered rings is significantly smaller in the SPS sample compared to the conventionally prepared sample. Based on these results we conclude that it is possible to prepare glasses by compacting amorphous powders by the SPS process. The SPS process may therefore enable the preparation of glasses with compositions inaccessible by ...

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Yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries have been difficult to construct with average insert sizes >400 kilobase pairs when DNA is size-fractionated in low-melting-point agarose. By using yeast chromosomes in mock cloning experiments, the authors found that polyamines should be present whenever agarose containing high molecular weight DNA is melted to protect DNA from degradation. By incorporating polyamines during the cloning procedure, they constructed YAC libraries from mouse and human DNA with average insert sizes of 700 and 620 kilobase pairs, respectively. Several genome equivalents of these YAC libraries were replicated onto the surface of many duplicate agar plates using a 40,000 multipin transfer device. High-density filter replicas were screened by hybridization, and 70 mouse YAC clones from 31 loci and 132 human YAC clones from 49 loci were isolated.

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Background: The difficulty of directly measuring cellular dose is a significant obstacle to application of target tissue dosimetry for nanoparticle and microparticle toxicity assessment. As a consequence, the target tissue paradigm for dosimetry and hazard assessment of nanoparticles has largely been ignored in favor of using metrics of exposure (e.g. ?g particle/mL culture medium, particle surface area/mL, particle number/mL). We have developed a computational model of solution particokinetics (sedimentation, diffusion) and dosimetry for non-interacting spherical particles and their agglomerates in monolayer cell culture systems. Particle transport to cells is calculated by simultaneous solution of Stokes Law (sedimentation) and the Stokes-Einstein equation (diffusion). Results: The In vitro Sedimentation, Diffusion and Dosimetry model (ISDD) was tested against measured transport rates or cellular doses for multiple sizes ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanometre-sized materials, like nanowires, nanoparticles or nanobelts, are gaining huge interest as building blocks of modern electronic nanodevices. Their fabrication feasibility has been demonstrated in the last years, and different routes are already well established in order to synthesize these materials. However, the assessment of their electrical properties is still a challenging issue, due to the difficulty to perform a precise nanolithography process allowing the access to such small structures. The fabrication of metallic contacts with precision in the nanometre range is necessary, as well as achieving a flexible system that allows to contact individual structures. Such a system could be a dual-beam Focused Ion Beam instrument, which combines Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Focused Ion Beam (FIB) in one machine, able to assist deposition of materials with nanometre precision. In this work, the methodology of fabrication of ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of novel thermoresponsive highly-branched polyamidoamine-polyethylene glycol-poly (D, L-lactide) (PAMAM-PEG-PDLLA) core-shell nanoparticles....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Responsive biomaterials play important roles in imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments are one class of biomaterial...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Rheological properties of moderately concentrated solutions of cellulose in methylmorpholine N-oxide-dimethylformamide mixtures containing hydrophilic montmorillonite nanoparticles were studied. Film composite materials were prepared, and their physicomechanical properties and structural organization were studied.

Science.gov (United States)

A novel drug delivery system for the treatment of brain tumors was formulated by methotrexate (MTX)-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) based on Glycol chitosan (GCS) and Dextran sulfate (DS). The physicochemical properties of resulting particles were investigated, evidencing the contribution of these nanoparticles for brain targeting. In vitro release of MTX was also evaluated. The GCS-DS nanoparticles have been developed based on the modulation of ratio show promise as a system for controlled delivery of the drug to the brain. PMID:21782844

Science.gov (United States)

We have demonstrated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between lanthanide-ion doped oxide nanoparticles acting as donors and organic acceptor molecules (Cy5). Due to the long nanoparticle lifetime and the large Stokes shift between nanoparticle absorption and emission, unambiguous and precise FRET measurements can be performed despite the presence of large free acceptor oncentrations. We determined FRET efficiencies as a function of Cy5 concentration which are in very good agreement with a multiple acceptor-multiple donor calculation.

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In this paper we describe a fractal assembly of copper nanoparticles on different substrates by controlling the chemical replacement reaction. Through calculation, we found that the 'fractal dimensions' of copper dendrites synthesized by us were about 1.832, which agreed well with the 'fractal dimensions' of natural fern leaves (fractal dimension, 1.826), suggesting that the fern fractal model was useful to describe the self-assembly of our copper nanoparticles during the chemical replacement reaction process. These results will be beneficial for the understanding of the role that highly nonequilibrium conditions play in the formation of fractal clusters as well as the self-assembly mystique of metallic nanoparticles in nonequilibrium conditions and also helpful in the future assembly of complicated nanoarchitectures of metallic nanoparticles for potential ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work, we have investigated the capability of different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations to be used in fibre optic sensors based on the technique of surface plasmon resonance. The metals considered for this analysis are silver, gold, copper and aluminium. The performance of the sensor with different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations is evaluated and compared numerically. The performance is analysed in terms of three parameters: sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and operating range for the sensing layer refractive index values. On the basis of the comparison and some logistic criteria, the best possible bimetallic alloy combinations along with a requisite alloy composition ratio are predicted. The bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combination is capable of simultaneously providing larger values of sensitivity, SNR and operating range, which is not possible with any single metallic ...

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We described the use of silica nanoparticles as building blocks for the immobilization of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) reagent Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} and the fabrication of layer-by-layer assembly film by alternating the deposition of the Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+}-doped silica nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry and ECL were used to characterize the uniform growth of the multilayer film. Since Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} could still maintain its ECL property when doped into the silica nanoparticles, the as-prepared multilayer film could be used as an effective ECL sensor, and the sensor showed high sensitivity and good stability.

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We described the use of silica nanoparticles as building blocks for the immobilization of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) reagent Ru(bpy)32+ and the fabrication of layer-by-layer assembly film by alternating the deposition of the Ru(bpy)32+-doped silica nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry and ECL were used to characterize the uniform growth of the multilayer film. Since Ru(bpy)32+ could still maintain its ECL property when doped into the silica nanoparticles, the as-prepared multilayer film could be used as an effective ECL sensor, and the sensor showed high sensitivity and good stability.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Compared with that of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, the reactor power of QS-II Nuclear Power Plant is decreased and the primary coolant system is changed from three loops to two loops. Thereby the related systems were re-designed, and corresponding tests and engineering validation were carried out. Results of preliminary operation indicate that it is successful. The author describes the design modifications, features and corresponding tests of some systems, reflecting the successful incorporation of engineering and testing, and revealing the capability to develop nuclear power and design the large or medium sized commercial NPP on Self-Reliance in China

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At Los Alamos, we are building a free-electron laser (FEL) for industrial, medical, and research applications. This FEL, which will incorporate many of the new technologies developed over the last decade, will be compact in size, robust, and user-friendly. Electrons produced by a photocathode will be accelerated to 20 MeV by a high-brightness accelerator and transported using permanent-magnet quadrupoles and dipoles. They will form an electron beam with an excellent instantaneous beam quality of 10 {pi} mm mrad in transverse emittance and 0.3% in energy spread at a peak current up to 300 A. Including operation at higher harmonics, the laser wavelength extends form 3.7 {mu}m to 0.4 {mu}m. In this paper, we will describe the project and the programs to date. 10 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.

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The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has developed a mobile field laboratory for remote measurement of atmospheric processes and observables that are important in global climate change, dispersal of hazardous materials, and atmospheric pollution. Specific observables of interest are water vapor, trace gases, aerosol size and density, wind, and temperature. The goal is to study atmospheric processes continuously for extended periods in remote field locations. This laboratory has just reached field ready status with sensors for aerosol and trace gas measurement based on established techniques. A development program is underway to enhance the sensor suite with several new techniques and instruments that are expected to significantly extend the state of the art in remote trace gas analysis. The new sensors will be incorporated into the lab during the next two years.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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)

Novel CdS hollow microspheres have been successfully synthesized via a facile template-free solution-phase reaction from cadmium nitrate and thioacetamide precursors. The morphology of CdS hollow microspheres depends strongly on the ratio between the precursors, cadmium nitrate to thioacetamide ratio. The physical properties of the hollow microspheres have systematically been studied by different characterization methods. The stoichiometry of the hollow microspheres studied by the energy dispersive X-ray diffraction spectroscopy confirmed that the synthesized CdS hollow microspheres are nearly stoichiometric bulk like CdS. The morphology of the hollow microspheres studied by high resolution scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations showed that the CdS hollow microspheres of the size of 2.5 ?m have hollow structure and are constructed by several nanoparticles of the size between 30 and 40 ...

CERN Document Server

We use direct N-body simulations to investigate the evolution of star clusters with large size-scales with the particular goal of understanding the so-called extended clusters observed in various Local Group galaxies, including M31 and NGC6822. The N-body models incorporate a stellar mass function, stellar evolution and the tidal field of a host galaxy. We find that extended clusters can arise naturally within a weak tidal field provided that the tidal radius is filled at the start of the evolution. Differences in the initial tidal filling-factor can produce marked differences in the subsequent evolution of clusters and the size-scales that would be observed. These differences are more marked than any produced by internal evolution processes linked to the properties of cluster binary stars or the action of an intermediate-mass black hole, based on models performed in this work and previous work to date. Models evolved in a ...

Science.gov (United States)

The relationship between processing, microstructure, and properties was studied for A-15 compounds in multifilamentary composites produced by solid-state diffusion and in thin-film samples produced by vapor deposition. Grain sizes of A-15 superconducting compounds were measured by transmission electron microscopy of multifilamentary composites reacted at various temperatures. Critical current densities at 4.2 K and fields up to 6 T were found to be similar for niobium-tin, vanadium-gallium, and vanadium-silicon of the same grain size. Study of the Cu-V-Si phase diagram led to the production of improved multifilamentary vanadium-silicon conductors. The effects of various alloying elements on A-15 layers produced by solid-state diffusion were studied. The most promising new observation was that tantalum can be incorporated into niobium-tin reaction layers, leading to an enhancement of critical currents at high fields. The ...

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Gold and silver nanoparticles display extraordinarily large apparent refractive indices near their plasmon resonance (PR) wavelengths. These nanoparticles show good contrast in a narrow spectral band but are poorly resolved at other wavelengths in differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. The wavelength dependence of DIC contrast of gold/silver nanoparticles is interpreted in terms of Mie's theory and DIC working principles. We further exploit this wavelength dependence by modifying a DIC microscope to enable simultaneous imaging at two wavelengths. We demonstrate that gold/silver nanoparticles immobilized on the same glass slides through hybridization can be differentiated and imaged separately. High-contrast, video-rate images of living cells can be recorded both with and without illuminating the gold nanoparticle probes, providing definitive probe ...

Science.gov (United States)

Magnetic drug targeting, using core-shell magnetic carrier particles loaded with anti-cancer drugs, is an emerging and significant method of cancer treatment. Gold shell-iron core nanoparticles (Fe@Au) were synthesized by the reverse micelle method with aqueous reactants, surfactant, co-surfactant and oil phase. XRD, XPS, TEM and magnetic property measurements were utilized to characterize these core-shell nanoparticles. Magnetic measurements showed that the particles were superparamagnetic at room temperature and that the saturation magnetization decreased with increasing gold concentration. The anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto these Fe@Au nanoparticle carriers and the drug release profiles showed that upto 25% of adsorbed drug was released in 80 h. It was found that the amine (-NH2) group of DOX binds to the gold shell. An in vitro apparatus simulating the human circulatory system was used to determine ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, an environmentally friendly metal corrosion inhibitor, phytic acid, was assembled into the walls of silica nanoparticles via layer-by-layer self-assembly technique (LbL) with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). Such functionalized nanoparticles were uniformly distributed into sol-gel films for metal anticorrosion. The films showed very pronounced and lasting protective efficiency in concentrated salt aqueous solutions as indicated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement. These results may provide a new route for the preparation of environment-friendly anticorrosion coatings.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A nanoparticle generator based on the principle of electrical discharge (PALAS GFG-1000) was used to produce nanoparticles of different chemical natures. The fractions of electrically neutral particles were then measured by means of a Spectrometre de Mobilite Electrique Circulaire (SMEC, i.e. radial-flow mobility analyzer) for different operating conditions. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical values calculated from the Fuchs extended charge equilibrium model for spherical particles and agglomerates. For the smallest particles (below 20 nm), the deviations observed remain below 10%, and tend towards 20% for larger particles (over 35 nm).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The variation of surface composition and sintering of the binary Pd_7Ag_3 nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction were studied. The composition of the as-prepared Pd_7Ag_3 nanoparticles across the diameter is inhomogeneous due to different reduction potentials of Pd and Ag. Upon heating, Ag will migrate to the surface because of its lower surface energy. Surface modification results in variation of surface composition during the sintering process. Stearic acid acts as a grain growth inhibitor. The migration of Ag to the surface is suppressed and the sintering is retarded. Modification by polyethylene glycol leads to more migration of Ag atoms from the core to the surface. This makes the nanoparticles easier to sinter.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work, we have investigated the capability of different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations to be used in fibre optic temperature sensing based on the technique of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The metals considered for the present analysis are silver, gold and aluminium. The analysis is derived mainly from the thermo-optic effect along with some fundamental concepts of metal optics such as surface scattering, phonon-electron scattering and electron-electron scattering. The performance of the sensor with three different bimetallic nanoparticle alloy combinations is evaluated and compared, numerically, in terms of its sensitivity and accuracy. On the basis of the comparison and some logistic criterion, we predict the best possible bimetallic alloy combination along with a requisite alloy composition ratio that simultaneously provides higher values of both sensitivity and accuracy which is not possible with any single metallic ...

Science.gov (United States)

... M(TH) in applied magnetic fields up to ± 7 T and for temperatures ranging from 2 to 300 K. The superparamagnetic (SPM) behavior of these metallic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cytotoxicity of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles was investigated by using crystalline silica (Min-U-Sil 5) as a positive control in cultured human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells. Exposure to 15-nm or 46-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles for 48 h at dosage levels between 10 and 100 #mu#g/ml decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Both SiO_2 nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than Min-U-Sil 5; however, the cytotoxicities of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles were not significantly different. The 15-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles were used to determine time-dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress responses. Cell viability decreased significantly as a function of both nanoparticle dosage (10-100 #mu#g/ml) and exposure time (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Indicators of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, including total reactive oxygen species (ROS), ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bacterial cellulose was produced by Acetobacter xylinum (strain TISTR 975). Bacterial cellulose is an interesting material for using as a wound dressing since it provides moist environment to a wound resulting in a better wound healing. However, bacterial cellulose itself has no antimicrobial activity to prevent wound infection. To achieve antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles were impregnated into bacterial cellulose by immersing bacterial cellulose in silver nitrate solution. Sodium borohydride was then used to reduce the absorbed silver ion (Ag+) inside of bacterial cellulose to the metallic silver nanoparticles (Ag0). Silver nanoparticles displayed the optical absorption band around 420nm. The red-shift and broadening of the optical absorption band was observed when the mole rat...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for itopride was developed based on tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+)-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticles/biopolymer chitosan composites membrane modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The RuDS nanoparticles (52+-5nm) were prepared by a modified Stber synthesis method and were characterized by electrochemical, fluorometric and transmission electron microscopy technology. The Ru(bpy)32+ encapsulation interior of the silica nanoparticle maintains its electrochemical activities and also reduces Ru(bpy)32+ leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. The ECL analytical performances of this ECL sensor for itopride based on its enhancement ECL emission of Ru(bpy)32+ were investigated in d...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bio-inspired silver nanoparticles were synthesized with the aid of a novel, non-toxic, eco-friendly biological material namely, banana peel extract (BPE). Boiled, crushed, acetone precipitated, air-dried peel powder was used for reducing silver nitrate. Silver nanoparticles were formed when the reaction conditions were altered with respect to pH, BPE content, concentration of silver nitrate and incubation temperature. The colorless reaction mixtures turned brown and displayed UV-visible spectra characteristic of silver nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations revealed the predominance of silver nanosized crystallites after short incubation periods. When the reaction mixtures were incubated for 15 days, some micro-aggregates were also observed. Energy dispersive spectr...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leakage of CO{sub 2} and displaced brine from geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) sites into potable groundwater or to the near-surface environment is a primary concern for safety and effectiveness of GCS. The focus of this study is on the estimation of the probability of CO{sub 2} leakage along conduits such as faults and fractures. This probability is controlled by (1) the probability that the CO{sub 2} plume encounters a conductive fault that could serve as a conduit for CO{sub 2} to leak through the sealing formation, and (2) the probability that the conductive fault(s) intersected by the CO{sub 2} plume are connected to other conductive faults in such a way that a connected flow path is formed to allow CO{sub 2} to leak to environmental resources that may be impacted by leakage. This work is designed to fit into the certification framework for geological CO{sub 2} storage, which represents vulnerable resources such as potable groundwater, health and safety, and the near-surface ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Magnetite nanoparticles with high self-heating capacity and low toxicity characteristics are a promising candidate for cancer hyperthermia treatment. In order to achieve minimum dosage to a patient, magnetic nanoparticles with high heating capacity are needed. In addition, the influence of physiological factors on the heat capacity of a material should be investigated in order to determine the feasibility. In this study, magnetite nanoparticles coated with lauric acid were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe{sup 3+}:Fe{sup 2+} in a ratio of 2:1, 5:3, 3:2, and 4:3, and the pH was controlled using NaOH. Structural and magnetization characterization by means of X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) revealed that the main species was Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and further showed that most of the nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic properties. All of the magnetic ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Zinc tetraaminophthalocyanine-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle composites were prepared by organic-inorganic complex technology and characterized. It has been proved that the ZnTAPc dispersed...Full Text Available

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

Environmental Research Database

Objectives1) To establish a protocol for transfection of immortalised type I cells with SiRNA and its effect on cell viability; 2) To optimise silencing of genes involved in endocystosis using SiRNA and confirm successful transfection with western blotting; 3) To investigate the effect of gene silencing on uptake of flourescently-labelled latex nanoparticles.DescriptionTo investigate the mechanisms of particle uptake.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Calcined and sulfided Ni-Mo catalysts supported on ultrastable Y zeolite (USY), NaY zeolite, mordenite, and ZSM-5 were studied by high-resolution electron transmission microscopy (HRTEM) with selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Ni and Mo oxide aggregates were rarely observed in the USY-supported Ni-Mo catalyst, indicating that most of Ni and Mo may be incorporated into USY, e.g., supercavities and possibly sodalite cages. However, there were a large number of {alpha}-NiMoO{sub 4} aggregates of different particle sizes in NaY-, mordenite-, and ZSM-5-supported catalysts, and the mordenite-supported catalyst also contained MoO{sub 3} crystals. The {alpha}-NiMoO{sub 4} may be attached to the surface of substrates as individual particles or needle aggregates, it may be disseminated into mordenite particles, or it may even form an isolated sphere (in Ni-Mo/NaY) or a needle (in Ni-Mo/ZSM-5) aggregates. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work come along of the necessity to utilize an unique High-Energy Electron Linear Accelerator (10 MV) for radiant treatments which require higher doses in the surface levels of tissue. It is analyzed the interposition of acrylic degraders (spoilers) in the beam, especially for opposed and parallel fields in the cases of head and neck. It was analyzed the possible combinations of the following parameters: 1) Field sizes defined at isocenter (100 cm) 6 x 6 cm"2, 8 x 8 cm"2 and 10 x 10 cm"2 ; 2) Surface-spoiler distance (DSS) of 4, 7 and 10 cm; 3) Spoilers with different thickness 1.1 and 1.5 cm. It was observed a displacement of the maximum dose toward the surface, and an increase in the percentile doses in the build-up zone when the spoiler is nearing and/or increasing its thickness. It is verified that the use of spoilers, support the symmetry and plane of the beam inside of the clinically acceptable margins. When the results obtained are analyzed then it is ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Mesoporous V2O5/Nafion composite films have been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)$\\rm{ {_{3}^{2+}}}$) on an electrode surface to yield a solid-state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The electrochemical and ECL behavior of Ru(bpy)$\\rm{ {_{3}^{2+}}}$ ion-exchanged into the composite films has been characterized as a function of the amount of Nafion incorporated into the V2O5/Nafion composite. The composite film with 80% Nafion content has the largest pore diameter (4.19 nm) and yields the maximum ECL response for tripropylamine (TPA) because of the fast diffusion of analyte into the film with large pores. Due to the enlarged pore size and enhanced conductivity of the V2O5/Nafion composite, the present ECL sensor based on the compo...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The bullet evidence in the JFK assassination investigation was reexamined from metallurgical and statistical standpoints. The questioned specimens are comprised of soft lead, possibly from full-metal-jacketed Mannlicher-Carcano, 6.5-mm ammunition. During lead refining, contaminant elements are removed to specified levels for a desired alloy or composition. Microsegregation of trace and minor elements during lead casting and processing can account for the experimental variabilities measured in various evidentiary and comparison samples by laboratory analysts. Thus, elevated concentrations of antimony and copper at crystallographic grain boundaries, the widely varying sizes of grains in Mannlicher-Carcano bullet lead, and the 5-60 mg bullet samples analyzed for assassination intelligence effectively resulted in operational sampling error for the analyses. This deficiency was not considered in the original data interpretation and resulted in an invalid conclusion in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To dispose the radioactive waste drums, the waste form's integrity and the nuclides inventories must be assured according to the national and site waste acceptance criteria. Because they might be would gravely affected the performance objectives of disposal site. Our national regulation for the waste inventory related to 'Radioactive Waste Acceptance Criteria' requires that the activities of 13 nuclides and gross {alpha} must be measured and the 95 % of nuclides incorporated in the drum must be identified. It is very difficult to measure the radioactivity with accuracy from the regulated waste drum(200L), and have a large error in the analysis results. In present, there are two system, SGS (Segmented Gamma Scanning System) and TGS (Tomographic Gamma Scanning System) for the analysis of radionuclides from the waste drums. In general, it is known that the accuracy of TGS is below 20 % and that of SGS is below 30 %. The accuracy of TGS is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Individual monitoring of personal exposure to inhalation of uranium oxides throughout the manufacture of fuel for pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes lung gamma-spectrometry, fecal analysis and urine analysis. Examination of the results shows the following: internal exposure is the consequence of repeated intake incidents as revealed by early peaks of urinary and particularly fecal elimination; a shift is often observed with the results of aerosol concentration measured through air collectors; the measured variations of uranium lung incorporations are relatively fast (apparent mean period 165 d). Correct evaluation of the effective dose equivalent from inhalation requires further information concerning the aerosol size distribution at work stations, the physico-chemical characteristics of the product leading to an estimate of its actual biological solubility, and the measurement of the fraction of aerosol liable to intake with an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents the new thermal hydraulic models describing the hydrodynamics of the solid fuel/steel chunks during an LMFBR hypothetical core-disruptive accident. These models, which account for two-way coupling between the solid and fluid phases, describe the mass, momentum, and energy exchanges which occur when the chunks are present at any axial location. They have been incorporated in LEVITATE, a code for the analysis of fuel and cladding dynamics under Loss-of-Flow (LOF) conditions. Their influence on fuel motion is presented in the context of the L6 TREAT experiment analysis. It is shown that the overall hydrodynamic behavior of the molten fuel and solid-fuel chunks is dependent on both the size of the chunks and the power level. At low and intermediate power levels the fuel motion is more dispersive when small chunks, rather than large ones, are present. At high power levels the situation is reversed. These effects are explained in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A glass furnace, consisting of a combustion space and a glass melter, uses combustion heat to melt sand and cullet into liquid glass to make products. Glass quality is mainly dependent on the temperature, glass composition, and the level of impurities in a glass melter, which include solid batch/cullet particles, liquid glass, and gas bubbles. A comprehensive computational model using an Eulerian approach has been developed to simulate multiphase flows in a glass melter. It includes all the phases, divides solid particles or gas bubbles into various size groups, and treats each group as a continuum. The derived mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations of the flow are solved for local properties for each phase. The simulation considers the heating and melting of the batch (mainly from the radiative heat from combustion and from the convective heat from the molten glass), the formation and transport of bubbles, and the heating and mixing of the liquid glass. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Research highlights: #-># Morphological and chemical characterization at atomic scale of porous alumina layers anodised in ordered regimes. #-># Characterization based on the use of FEG-SEM, STEM-HAADF, STEM-EELS and STEM-X-EDS. #-># Nanoscale distribution of P-, C- and S-bearing species in the pore wall. - Abstract: Ordered porous alumina layers prepared by two-step anodising in phosphoric, oxalic and sulphuric acids have been characterized at sub-nanometer scale using electron microscopy techniques. FEG-SEM and STEM-HAADF images allowed estimating the pore size, cell wall and pore wall thicknesses of the layers. Nanoanalytical characterization has been performed by STEM-EELS and STEM-X-EDS. Detailed features of the spatial distribution of anions in the pore wall of the films have been obtained. Maximum concentration of P-species occurs, approximately, at the middle of the pore wall; adjacent to the pore for C-species, whereas the distribution of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reported on a life cycle assessment (LCA) study that compared the environmental impacts of business-as-usual manure management with those of a manure management operation incorporating anaerobic digestion with combined heat and power generation. The case study was based on a medium sized dairy farm in northern New York State. The study identified the benefits resulting from the displacement of fossil fuels, and reduction of related emissions. Although anaerobic digestion of dairy manure with energy recovery through biogas combustion is viewed as a positive environmental approach to increase the use of renewable energy, there are potential negative impacts that can counteract the environmental benefits. The negative impacts are associated with emissions of methane and nitrogen species during digestion and after spreading of digester effluent. The environmental impacts and their causes should be evaluated in order to promote best ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report summarizes the work that was completed in FY 1992 on the program {open_quotes}Technology Development for Concentrating Process Streams.{close_quotes} The purpose of this program is to evaluate and develop evaporator technology for concentrating radioactive waste and product streams such as those generated by the TRUEX process. Concentrating these streams and minimizing the volume of waste generated can significantly reduce disposal costs; however, equipment to concentrate the streams and recycle the decontaminated condensates must be installed. LICON, Inc., is developing an evaporator that shows a great deal of potential for this application. In this report, concepts that need to be incorporated into the design of an evaporator operated in a radioactive environment are discussed. These concepts include criticality safety, remote operation and maintenance, and materials of construction. Both solubility and vapor-liquid equilibrium data are needed to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The PDIM multifunction regulator offers in one single unit the basic functions filtering, slamshut safety valve, pressure reduction and a gas flow straightening vane. This concept formulated by the engineer J.-P. Cornil is a Gaz de France patent. Developed and manufactured by a French industrial company it incorporates some astute innovations in the field of fluid dynamics. Its technical caracteristics make a significant step forward in gas technology. Since the first unit was brought into service over 1000 PDIM units have been built and incorporated in gas regulating and metering stations for transport, distribution and industrial applications. The very compact nature of the PDIM enhanced by its direct bolting to a turbine or other type of gas meter leads to small size stations allowing lower cost projects and making it easier to set in populated or architecturally significant areas. (orig.) [Deutsch] Der PDIM ist eine ...

Science.gov (United States)

Scanning electron microscopy and an electron-microprobe analysis of a sample of blast furnace (BF) coke have revealed alkalization (5.64 wt % Na{sub 2}O + K{sub 2}O) and Al saturation (17.28 wt % Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) of SiO{sub 2} by BF gases. The K/Na{sub at} value of 1.15 in the new phase (alteration zone) reflects close atomic proportions of the elements and suggests that the abilities to incorporate K and Na during the process are almost equal. This Al saturation and alkalization of SiO{sub 2} indicates an active role for Al along with alkali metals in BF gases. The average width of the altered area in the SiO{sub 2} grain is about 10 m, which suggests that SiO{sub 2} particles of that size can be transformed fully to the new phase, provided that at least one of their faces is open to an external pore (surface of the coke) or internal pore with circulating BF gases. The grains that exceed 10 {mu}m can only be partly altered, which means that ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Elaboration of Electrochemical Solar Energy Converter Incorporating Cadmium Selenide Semiconductor Developed Electrochemically

Science.gov (United States)

In the present work, a new kind of myoglobin (Mb)/Au nanoparticles composite film was fabricated on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrodes. Oppositely charged chitosan (CS) and silica (SiO(2)) nanoparticles were alternately adsorbed on the PG surface by the electrostatic interaction between them, forming {CS/SiO(2)}(5) layer-by-layer films. Mb and HAuCl(4) in solution were then simultaneously loaded into {CS/SiO(2)}(5) films. The loaded Au(III) in the films were electrochemically reduced into Au nanoparticles, forming nanocomposite films, designated as {CS/SiO(2)}(5)-Mb-Au. Various techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were used to characterize the films. Compared with {CS/SiO(2)}(5)-Mb films without Au ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Silica glasses containing Pr"3"+ with and without CdS nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel technique. The influence of CdS nanoparticles on Pr"3"+ doped glass was studied by absorption, photoluminescence and up-conversion. From the measured intensities of various absorption bands of these glasses, the Judd-Ofelt parameters ?_2, ?_4 and ?_6 have been evaluated. The radiative transition probability (A), radiative lifetime (?_R), branching ratio (?_R) and integrated emission cross-section (?_P) were calculated from excited states of "3P_1 and "3P_0 levels. The up-conversion emissions were found in the green, orange and red regions under 800 nm excitation with peaks 559, 612 and 688 nm respectively. On excitation with 370 nm also leads to similar green, orange and red regions.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Cellulose whiskers and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were extracted from the rachis of date palm tree and characterized. These cellulosic nanoparticles were used as reinforcing phase to prepare nanocomposite films using latex of natural rubber as matrix. These films were obtained by the casting/evaporation method. The properties of the ensuing nanocomposite films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, toluene and water uptake experiments, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests. The stiffness of the natural rubber was significantly increased above its glass-rubber transition temperature upon nanoparticles addition. The reinforcing effect was shown to be higher for nanocomposites with MFC compared to whiskers. It was ascribed to the higher aspect ratio and possi...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report on the fabrication of nanomechanical devices for shuttling of electrons from one electrode to another. Each device consists of a 20 nm diameter gold nanoparticle embedded within the gap between two gold electrodes. In two different kinds of shuttle-junctions the nanoparticle is attached to the electrodes through either (i) a single layer of 1,8-octanedithiol or (ii) a multilayer of 1-octanethiol molecules. The thiol layers play the role of 'damped springs', such that when a sufficient voltage bias is applied to the junction, the nanoparticle is expected to start oscillating and thereby transferring electrons from one electrode to the other. For both kinds of shuttle-junctions we observed an abrupt increase in the transmitted current above a threshold voltage, which can be attributed to a transition from the stationary to the oscillating regime. The threshold voltage was found to be lower for single-layer ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A number of high voltage cathode materials are now being considered for their ability to increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. In this study, a lithium-nickel composite alloy (LiNiVO{sub 4}) was synthesized using a rheological phase reduction method that incorporated mixtures of LiOH-H{sub 2}O, Ni(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 2}, 4H{sub 2}O, NH{sub 4}VO{sub 3} and C{sub 2}H{sub 2}O{sub 4}-2H{sub 2}O. The rheological phase method was used to prepare the compounds from a solid-liquid rheological mixture. Solid reactants were first mixed in a proper molar ratio, and water or solvents were added to the solid-liquid rheological body. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform (FT) analyses were conducted to characterize the powders. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the morphological features and particle sizes of the powders. Results of the analyses indicated that the single-phase LiNiVO{sub 4} composite is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The distribution of graphite particles in graphite containing copper alloy was further improved very significantly using several procedures and technological modifications. The developed techniques attacked the graphite distribution problem in two ways. Realizing that clustering of very fine (5um) graphite particles is one of the two major problems, a pretreatment process has been developed using aluminum powders to deagglomerate graphite particles. Along with this, a two-stage stirring technique was used to first incorporate and then to distribute uniformly the deagglomerated particles in the melt. During this year, based on these developments, several components were cast to evaluate the castability of Cu alloy-graphite melts. In addition, machinability tests were done to clearly established that addition of graphite particles improve the machinability of copper MMC alloys over and above that of monolithic copper alloys. The results show that the machining chip ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During the last few years, research on toxicologically relevant properties of engineered nanoparticles has increased tremendously. A number of international research projects and additional activities...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of piperidine in silver colloid solution, on roughened silver electrode and on roughened silver electrode modified with silver nanoparticles were studied, and the high-quality SERS spectra of piperidine on roughened silver electrode modified with silver nanoparticles were obtained for the first time. Surface selection rules derived from the EM enhancement model were employed to deduce piperidine orientations on the different surfaces. On the basis of this, two models of piperidine adsorbed on the surface of the silver nanoparticles were built, and DFT-B3PW91/LanL2dz was applied to calculate the Raman frequencies. It proves that, at higher potential values, the piperidine is perpendicularly standing on the roughened silver electrode surface though its lone-electron pair, but in silver colloid solution and on the silver nanoparticles modified silver ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus that cost nearly 800 lives. While there have been no recent outbreaks of the disease, the threat...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution by magnetic nanoparticles prepared and impregnated onto tea waste (Fe3O4-TW) from agriculture biomass was investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by chemical precipitation of a Fe^2^+ and Fe^3^+ salts from aqueous solution by ammonia solution. These magnetic nanoparticles of the adsorbent Fe3O4 were characterized by surface area (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effects of various parameters, such as contact time, pH, concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature were studied. The kinetics followed is first order in nature, and the value of rate constant was found to be 1.90x10^-^2min^-^1 at 100mgL^-^1 and 303K. Removal ef...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAntigen sparing and cross-protective immunity are regarded as crucial in pandemic influenza vaccine development. Both targets can be achieved by adjuvantation strategy...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Clinical applications of genetic therapies, including delivery of short, interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for RNA interference (RNAi), are limited due to the difficulty of delivering nucleic acids...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundParticulate systems are well known to be able to deliver drugs with high efficiency and fewer adverse side effects, possibly by endocytosis of the drug carriers. On the...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

SnO{sub 2}-carbon nanotube (CNT) composite sheets are synthesized using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) to uniformly load a monolayer of SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles onto the surfaces of CNTs and CNT bundles within cross-stacked CNT sheets. When they are used as high-capacity (over 850 mA h g{sup -1}) and binder-free anodes in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, they exhibit good cycle performance. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

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. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ruthenium-106 administered to newborn rats and swine was incorporated into the epithelium of the lower small intestine and retained there for a few weeks after gavage; the stomach and small bowel of guinea pigs incorporated "1"0"6Ru but did not retain it.

Science.gov (United States)

... program incorporates the proven concepts of advanced distributed learning, modeling and simulation, and electronic digital libraries (Figure 1) to ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... In 1982 an acousto-optic spectrum analyzer incorporated ... the OPTIMP is the optically controlled optical ... switch that changes the intensity reflectance ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Metal nanoparticles have many potential technological applications. Biological routes to the synthesis of these particles have been proposed including production by vascular plants, known as phytoextraction. While many studies have looked at metal uptake by plants, particularly with regard to phytoremediation and hyperaccumulation, few have distinguished between metal deposition and metal salt accumulation. This work describes the uptake of AgNO{sub 3}, Na{sub 3}Ag(S{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 2}, and Ag(NH{sub 3}){sub 2}NO{sub 3} solutions by hydroponically grown Brassica juncea and the quantitative measurement of the conversion of these salts to silver metal nanoparticles. Using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) to determine the metal speciation within the plants, combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for total Ag, the quantity of reduction of Ag{sup I} to Ag{sup 0} is reported. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) ...

Science.gov (United States)

The demand for rapidly disintegrating tablets (RDT) has been growing during the last decade especially for elderly and children who have swallowing difficulties. The problem of certain RDT is their low physical resistance and high friability. This work describes a new approach to prepare RDT with sufficient mechanical integrity, involving the use of a hydrophilic waxy binder (Superpolystate, PEG-6-stearate). Superpolystate is a waxy material with a melting point of 33-37 degrees C and an HLB value of 9. So it will not only act as a binder and increase the physical resistance of tablets but will also help the disintegration of the tablets as it melts in the mouth and solublises rapidly leaving no residues. The incorporation of Superpolystate in the formulation of RDT was realised by means of two different granulation methods: wet granulation by using an emulsion of this waxy binder as granulating liquid and melt granulation where the molten form of the binder was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The resident bald eagles of the lower Columbia River have lower productivity and higher contaminant levels than other bald eagles of the Pacific Northwest. The primary population stressors are believed to be habitat loss, human disturbance, p,p{prime}DDE, PCBs, dioxins and furans. The primary effect of habitat loss is to reduce the carrying capacity of the region for nesting sites, and the primary effects of human disturbance and contamination by organic compounds are to reduce productivity. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effects of all of, these potential stressors on the bald eagle population dynamics. A model of the population dynamics was developed. The model structure includes a physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PBTK) submodel to estimate the degree of contamination, which is linked via a toxicology submodel to a population dynamics submodel. The PBTK submodel is time-variable, incorporating species-specific bioenergetics, as ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The mixing process of feedwater and reactor water in the downcomer of an internal-pump BWR (Forsmark 1 and 2) has been numerically modelled by means of a CFD-code (FLUENT/UNS). Earlier studies with a very rough model, have shown that a new sparger design is necessary to achieve an effective HWC through improved mixing in the downcomer,. This requires detailed and accurate modelling of the flow, not only for determining the mixing quality but for avoiding negative effects like increased thermal loading of internal parts. Through three 22.5deg models containing a sparger end and half the region between spargers, the principles of a new design have been defined. Their length scales range from 7-14 mm to ca 12 m. Also the steam separator region has been incorporated in the models. A 90deg model shows that they are sufficiently accurate for the actual region. The results cannot be generalised to other regions between spargers due to geometrical differences affecting the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Currently, x-ray mammography is the method of choice in breast cancer screening programmes. As the mammography technology moves from 2D imaging modalities to 3D, conventional computational phantoms do not have sufficient detail to support the studies of these advanced imaging systems. Studies of these 3D imaging systems call for a realistic and sophisticated computational model of the breast. DeBRa (Detailed Breast model for Radiological studies) is the most advanced, detailed, 3D computational model of the breast developed recently for breast imaging studies. A DeBRa phantom can be constructed to model a compressed breast, as in film/screen, digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis studies, or a non-compressed breast as in positron emission mammography and breast CT studies. Both the cranial-caudal and mediolateral oblique views can be modelled. The anatomical details inside the phantom include the lactiferous duct system, the Cooper ligaments and the pectoral muscle. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In radiotherapy treatment planning, convolution/superposition algorithms currently represent the best practical approach for accurate photon dose calculation in heterogeneous tissues. In this work, the implementation, accuracy and performance of the FFT convolution (FFTC) and multigrid superposition (MGS) algorithms are presented. The FFTC and MGS models use the same 'TERMA' calculation and are commissioned using the same parameters. Both models use the same spectra, incorporate the same off-axis softening and base incident lateral fluence on the same measurements. In addition, corrections are explicitly applied to the polyenergetic and parallel kernel approximations, and electron contamination is modelled. Spectra generated by Monte Carlo (MC) modelling of treatment heads are used. Calculations using the MC spectra were in excellent agreement with measurements for many linear accelerator types. To speed up the calculations, a number of calculation techniques were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells, incorporating BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-? (BZCY) electrolyte, NiO-BZCY anode, and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-?-Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-? (SSC-SDC) cathode, were successfully fabricated by a combined co-pressing and printing technique after a one-step co-firing process at 1100, 1150, or 1200 oC. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed that the co-firing temperature significantly affected not only the density of the electrolyte membrane but the grain size and porosity of the electrodes. Influences of the co-firing temperature on the electrochemical performances of the single cells were also studied in detail. Using wet hydrogen (2% H2O) as the fuel and static air as the oxidant, the cell co-fired at 1150 oC showed the highest maximum power density (PDmax) of 552 and 370 mW cm-2 at 700 and 650 oC, respectively, while the one co-fired at 1100 oC showed the highest PDmax of 276 and 170 mWcm-2 at 600 and 550 oC, respectively. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Effective commercial liquid absorption technology currently applicable for CO{sub 2} capture from power plant flue gases uses a conventional chemical solvent, MEA(monoethanolamine), which was developed over 60 years ago as general non selective solvent to remove acid gases from natural gas streams. The application to CO{sub 2} capture from almost atmospheric pressure flue gases required modification of the technology on account of the oxygen content to incorporate inhibitors to resist solvent degradation and equipment corrosion, as well as upstream treatment of the flue gases to remove both SO{sub x} and NO{sub x} present. The solvent strength used by such processes is relatively low in comparison with high strength modern chemical solvents. The resultant effect is large equipment and high regeneration energy requirements which is a parasitic load on the power plant. Using current technology for CO{sub 2} capture from flue gas derived from conventional pulverized ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A Lurgi baseline study was requested by the DOE/GRI Operating Committee of the Joint Coal Gasification Program for the purpose of updating the economics of earlier Lurgi coal gasification plant studies for the production of substitute natural gas (SNG) based on commercially advanced technologies. The current study incorporates the recent experience with large size Lurgi plants in an effort to improve capital and operating costs of earlier plant designs. The present coal gasification study is based on a mine mouth plant producing 250 billion Btu (HHV) per day of SNG using the Lurgi dry bottom coal gasification technology. A Western subbituminous coal was designated as the plant food, obtained from the Rosebud seam at Colstrip, Montana. This study presents the detailed description of an integrated facility which utilizes coal, air, and water to produce 250 billion Btu (HHV) per day of SNG. The plant consists of coal handling and preparation, ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Body size variation across the Metazoa is immense, encompassing 17 orders of magnitude in biovolume. Factors driving this extreme diversification in size and the consequences of size variation for biological...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A novel method for the determination of metoclopramide (MCP) using electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) is presented. A tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+)-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticle/perfluoinated ion-exchange resin (Nafion) with nanocomposite membrane modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is used. The Ru(bpy)32+ encapsulation interior of the silica nanoparticle maintains its electrochemical activities and also reduces Ru(bpy)32+ leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. The analytical performance of this ECL sensor for MCP is shown in detail. Under optimal experimental conditions, it has good linearity in the concentration range from 2x10-8mol/L to 1x10-5mol/L (R=0.9989) with a detection limit of 7x10-9mo...

Science.gov (United States)

We report here a new approach to introduce the effect of chemisorption in the Monte-Carlo simulation procedure for studying the segregation behaviour in bimetallic nanoparticles at low pressures. A coordination-dependent pair interaction energy is constructed in terms of partial bond energies and the exchange energy where the partial bond energy can be empirically calculated from the experimental values of dimer energy, the pressure-dependent surface energy and the bulk cohesive energy of the constituent metals. The advantage of this procedure is the ability to estimate the pressure-dependent surface composition of the nanoparticles. The method has been applied to oxygen-adsorbed Pd-Ag systems; and it is found that while Ag segregate in clean particles, at higher oxygen pressures Pd atoms segregate to the surface. The present technique has been argued to be suitable for higher pressures (>10-5Torr) when coverage cannot be accurately ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A stable BSA blocking poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchannel was prepared based on in situ synthesized PDMS-gold nanoparticles composite films. The modified microchip could successfully suppress protein adsorption. The assembly was followed by contact angle, charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging, electroosmotic flow (EOF) measurements and electrophoretic separation methods. Contact angle measurements revealed the coated surface was hydrophilic, water contact angle for coated chips was 45.2^o compared to a water contact angle for native PDMS chips of 88.5^o. The coated microchips exhibited reproducible and stable EOF behavior. With FITC-labeled myoglobin incubation in the coated channel, no fluorescence was observed with CCD image, and the protein exhibited good electrophoretic effect in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Magnetic fluids (MFs), prepared by chemical co-precipitation followed by double layer steric and electrostatic (combined) stabilization of magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in water, are presented. Several combinations of surfactants with different chain lengths (lauric acid (LA), myristic acid (MA), oleic acid (OA) and dodecyl-benzene-sulphonic acid (DBS)) were used, such as LA+LA, MA+MA, LA+DBS, MA+DBS, OA+DBS, OA+OA and DBS+DBS. Static light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, magnetic and magneto-rheological measurements revealed that MFs with MA+MA or LA+LA biocompatible double layer covered magnetite nanoparticles are the most stable colloidal systems among the investigated samples, and thus suitable for biomedical applications.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As thin films become increasingly popular (for solar cells, LEDs, microelectronics, batteries), quantitative morphological information is needed to predict and optimize the film's electronic, optical and mechanical properties. This quantification can be obtained quickly and easily with X-ray diffraction using an area detector and synchrotron radiation in two simple geometries. In this paper, we describe a methodology for constructing complete pole figures for thin films with fiber texture (isotropic in-plane orientation). We demonstrate this technique on semicrystalline polymer films, self-assembled nanoparticle semiconductor films, and randomly-packed metallic nanoparticle films. This method can be immediately implemented to help understand the relationship between film processing and microstructure, enabling the development of better and less expensive electronic and optoelectronic devices.

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)

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...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of catalase (Cat) was studied based on a nano-composite film consisting of amine functionalized graphene and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode. Graphene was synthesized chemically by Hummers and Offeman method and then was functionalized with amino groups via chemical modification of carboxyl groups introduced on the graphene surface. The nano-composite film showed an obvious promotion of the direct electron transfer between Cat and the underlying electrode, which attributed to the synergistic effect of graphene-NH2 and AuNPs. The resultant bioelectrode retained its biocatalytic activity and offered fast and sensitive H2O2 quantification. Under the optimized experimental conditions, hydrogen peroxide was detected in the...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Nanocomposites based on SnO2 with carbon scaffold were used as highly porous anode films on Ni substrates. The films were obtained by in situ deposition of the particles without any binder or excess carbon black avoiding any secondary treatment. Compared to similarly prepared uncoated SnO2 nanoparticles as well as conventionally prepared powder samples the capacity loss of the in situ deposited nanocomposite films is significantly reduced. Thus, this newly developed anode material combined with in situ film formation is a promising approach for high capacity anodes in Li-ion batteries. SEM-micrograph of a SnO2/C nanoparticle film.

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...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this work, silver-montmorillonite (Ag-MMT) antimicrobial nanoparticles have been obtained by allowing silver ions from nitrate solutions to replace the Na^+ of natural montmorillonite and then to be reduced by a thermal treatment. Ag-MMT were used as active antimicrobial compounds to improve the shelf life of fresh fruit salad. In order to assess their influence on product shelf life, sensorial and microbiological quality has been monitored during the storage. The microbiological quality was determined by monitoring the principal spoilage microorganisms (mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, coliforms, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds). Additionally, the evolution of sensorial quality was assessed by monitoring color, odor, firmness and product overall quality. The Ag-MMT nanopa...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Four low activation alloy classes, two austenitic and two ferritic, have been incorporated into the MOTA-1B experiment in the FFTF reactor to provide an early assessment of the suitability of such alloys for reactor service.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved installation having a pressurized fluid circuit incorporating fluidic brakes for restricting fluid flow through a breach of the installation. (author).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveTo describe the development and assessment of monographs as an assignment to incorporate evidence-based medicine (EBM) and pharmacoeconomic principles into a third-year...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A method for estimating the form of magnetic nanoparticles in composite film structures based on the observation of ferromagnetic resonance phenomenon is offered. Within the model of the effective medium, an explanation is given for experimentally observed concentration and temperature dependences of resonant fields for composite nanosystem (Co45Fe45Z10) f +(Al2O3)100?f .

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A super-hydrophobic coating was prepared by combining a rigid base film with crater-like hemispherical holes and acicular nanoparticles. The acicular boehmite powder provides a high contact angle on the film surface. The rigid base film with crater-like hemispherical holes inhibits the rapid decrease of contact angle by surface rubbing. The combination of different roughness is an effective method for improving the abrasion resistance of super-hydrophobic films.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A diacrylate polysulfone oligomer is synthesized and used as the acrylic oligomer for the in situ synthesis of noble metal/PSU nanocomposites through UV-induced simultaneous radical polymerization of acrylic functionalities and NP formation by reduction of their precursors. Thus, silver or gold NPs are formed in situ during polymer network formation. FESEM analysis of the morphology of the cured systems demonstrates that the nanoparticles of the noble metals are homogeneously distributed in the network without macroscopic agglomeration.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Based on theoretical calculations of powder diffraction data it is shown that the assumption of the infinite crystal lattice for small particles is not justified, leads to significant changes of the diffraction patterns, and may lead to erroneous interpretation of the experimental results. An alternate evaluation of diffraction data of nanoparticles, based on the so-called 'apparent lattice parameter', alp, is proposed. (author)

Science.gov (United States)

Milk substitutes are used for the breakfast of the recipients of the National School Feeding Programme in Chile. The major ingredients of milk substitutes are milk, sugar and cereal flours. The technical specifications to produce this type of food state, beside their proportions, that the flours must be precooked. This requisite is controlled by determining the gelatinization degree which must be 92% as a minimum. At present, a cheaper new alternative of milk substitute fabricated with uncooked flours and containing an enzymatic preparation has been presented to the Programme. It is postulated that when reconstituted in water under the manufacturer's directions (85 degrees C, 5 min settling time) precooking of the flours is reached. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro digestibility, the effect of the enzymatic preparation (molecular size of starch and dextrose equivalent) and the degree of gelatinization of this product (MSE) when reconstituted ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

With the advent of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the inclusion of heterogeneity corrections is further complicated by the conformal delivery of many small beams forming steep dose gradients. Radiation treatment planning has evolved to take into account even small changes in tissue density so that the dose to tumor can be further optimized. However, different treatment planning systems incorporate different heterogeneity correction algorithms, and it is unclear whether any of these algorithms are superior to others in terms of accurately predicting delivered radiation doses relative to measurement in a clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of heterogeneity dose calculations from two widely used IMRT treatment planning systems (Pinnacle and Corvus) against measurement. These two systems handle heterogeneity dose corrections by means of a collapsed-cone convolution superposition algorithm and a ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Eukaryotic genome size varies over five orders of magnitude; however, the distribution is strongly skewed toward small values. Genome size is highly correlated to a number of phenotypic traits, suggesting...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Kin form important political groups, which change in size and relative inequality with demographic shifts. Increases in the rate of population growth increase the size of kin groups but decrease their...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Contrary to the electronic excitation induced phenomena of desorption and sputtering, we observed incorporation of oxygen in a thin Fe film during its irradiation with swift heavy ions. It is observed that the adsorbed oxygen diffuses in to the Fe film. The incorporation of oxygen and its diffusion in the bulk of the film is a manifestation of extremely large electronic energy deposition by the incident ions. It is shown that the experimentally observed high diffusivity of oxygen in Fe during irradiation is due to the existence of transient melt phase of Fe.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It was shown that the incorporation of "1"4C-linoleic acid in cerebrosides of normal and psoriatic human skin is different. In psoriatic epidermis and corium the turnover of this fatty acid is significantly elevated. It is suggested that in psoriasis the epidermal cell is not able to build up a regular carbohydrate sequences of lipids because the false carbohydrate chain activates the degradation of glycolipids and in compensating for the increased degradation raises the synthesis rate of glycolipids. (orig./MG).

Science.gov (United States)

Wade. Jackson. - Army. VTD at NASA. Langley. ABSTRACT. Panel size has a large effect on the impact response and resultant damage level of honeycomb sandwich ...

Science.gov (United States)

The uptake and incorporation of (/sup 3/H)adenine as a measure of total microbial (bacteria and unicellular algae) nucleic acid synthesis depends on the validity of several assumptions. A unique characteristic of the (/sup 3/H)adenine method is the ability to measure the specific radioactivity (nCi pmol/sup -1/) of the immediate precursor pool of the adenine incorporated into nucleic acids. This measurement permits correction for isotope dilution when the added radiotracer mixes with exogenous pools of structurally related compounds before uptake and with endogenous pools after transport into the cells. The immediate precursors to (/sup 3/H)adenine incorporation into cellular RNA and DNA are ATP and dATP. Since the intracellular dATP pool is in isotopic equilibrium with the ATP pool, one can determine the specific radioactivity of both precursor pools by measuring that of the intracellular ATP pool. If the specific activity ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

... INFRARED THERMOMETERS AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS--A POCKET-SIZE, PORTABLE INFRARED THERMOMETER, AND A ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stearic acid gel is employed to study the phase evolution of MgTiO{sub 3} nanoparticles by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared. During the preparation of stearic acid gel, tetrabutyl titanate easily absorbed moisture to hydrolyze into Ti(OH){sub 4} firstly, and then reacts with stearic acid and magnesium stearate to form magnesium-titanium oxide network polymer gel, meanwhile n-butanol is generated. When stearic acid gel is calcined in air, a series of oxidation and combustion reactions occur, meanwhile apparent heat is given off. The results show that a metastable intermediate phase Mg{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} is generated at 450 {sup o}C and nearly disappeared at 550 {sup o}C. Simultaneously, a new solid phase of MgTiO{sub 3} appears. The metastable intermediate phase Mg{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} is successfully identified in the current work.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Single crystal tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles were prepared via a microwave-assisted method. Electrochemical activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on WO3 supported on carbon black (WO3/C) electrocatalyst was first studied in acid solution (0.5 M H2SO4) and alkaline solution (1.0 M KOH) at room temperature. The overall experimental results revealed that the electrocatalytic activity for HER on WO3/C is one order magnitude higher than those obtained with carbon black in 0.5 M H2SO4 and is six times than in the case of carbon black in 1.0 M KOH. These results demonstrated that WO3 could enhance the electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in acid solution (0.5 M H2SO4) and alkaline solution (1.0 M KOH). On the other hand, the kinetic reaction mechanisms were disc...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel composite film, comprising of hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNP), was fabricated and characterized. The GNP was introduced through electrochemical deposition on IL-MWNT gel film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Experiments showed that both IL and MWNTs could facilitate the GNP deposition. With GNP the composite film exhibited smaller electron transfer resistance and higher sensitivity in sensing guanine (G) and adenine (A). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the anodic peak currents were linear to the analyte concentration in the ranges of 0.008-2.0 {mu}M. The detection limits were down to nanomole level after an accumulation of 150 s on open-circuit. In addition, on the composite film coated GCE, the anodic peaks of G and A were well separated, and their response sensitivities kept almost unchanged no matter whether they coexisted or not. This proposed procedure was successfully ...