International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By the methods of the angular distribution of photon annihilation, time distribution of photon annihilation, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier IR-spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy the detail information on relation of the structural and physical properties of the porous nano-structures is obtained. Study of pores sizes in a different nano-porous materials, such as the porous silicon, porous anode aluminium oxide, porous solids exposed to light atoms ion implantation (hydrogen, deuterium, helium) is carried out.

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Nanostructured Materials from Impulse Plasma in Liquid: Studying of Physical-Chemical Properties, Optimization of Conditions of Obtaining

CERN Document Server

material, and that these magnetic properties vary systematically with the diameter of the spherical pores within the films. A new oscillation effect has been observed for the coercivity of macroporous Ni sub 8 sub 0 Fe sub 2 sub 0 film with different pore layer thickness. sphere templates, the resulting films show well-formed, regular, two- and three-dimensional macroporous networks consisting of spherical pores arranged in a highly ordered face centred cubic (fee) structure. The spherical voids are interconnected by a series of smaller windows that form an open porous structure embedded in the material framework. The diameter of the spherical pores can be precisely changed over the range from 200 to 1000 nm by changing the diameter of the latex spheres used to form the templates. The resulting macroporous material structures are robust, self-supported, dense, polycrystalline, uniform and free from ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents the effect of precursor powder size on the thermoelectric properties of sintered nanostructured bulk materials. The transport properties of the nanostructured bulk show a dramatic size effect. There are a lower thermal and electrical conductivity for the bulk with smaller nanopowders. The dimensionless figure-of merit values (ZT) of almost all the samples are much lower than those of the list reported data in the paper because the decrease in the thermal conductivity is counteracted by the reduction in the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. The combination route of hydro/solvothermal synthesis and spark-plasma-sintering method provide a well controlled way to significantly reduce the thermal conductivity.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nanocrystalline and nanostructured materials offer unique microstructure-dependent properties that are superior to coarse-grained materials. These materials have been shown to have very high hardness, strength, and wear resistance. However, most current methods of producing nanostructured materials in weapons-relevant materials create powdered metal that must be consolidated into bulk form to be useful. Conventional consolidation methods are not appropriate due to the need to maintain the nanocrystalline structure. This research investigated new ways of creating nanocrystalline material, new methods of consolidating nanocrystalline material, and an analysis of these different methods of creation and consolidation to evaluate their applicability to mesoscale weapons applications where part features ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The investigated hybrid nanocomposite consists of a porous silicon template with electrochemically embedded Ni or Co nanostructures and offers magnetic characteristics which can be tailored by the electrochemical process parameters during fabrication. A twofold magnetic behaviour can be observed, a first one due to the spinmagnetism at magnetic fields below the saturation magnetization of the deposited metals and a second non-saturating term at higher fields (>1 T up to 7 T) above the saturation magnetization. In case of Ni deposited within the pores this non-saturating term shows a paramagnetic characteristic and follows exactly the Curie-Weiss law, whereas for Co/porous silicon samples the temperature dependent magnetization shows some deviations from the Curie Weiss law. In this high field region a difference in the temperature dependence between Ni and Co is observed whereas the non-saturating term does not ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Porous SnO2 nanotubes were prepared via electrospinning followed by calcination in air. As anode materials for lithium ion batteries, the porous nanotubes delivered a high discharge capacity of 807mAhg^-^1 after 50cycles. Even after cycled at high rates, the electrode still retained a high fraction of its theoretical capacity. Such excellent performances of porous SnO2 nanotubes could be attributed to the porous and hollow structure which facilitated liquid electrolyte diffusion into the bulk materials and buffered large volume changes during lithium ions insertion/extraction. Furthermore, the nanoparticles of nanotubes provided the shorter diffusion length for lithium ions insertion which benefited in retaining the structural stability and good rate performance. Our results demonstrated t...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study shows that the physical conditions necessary for thermal waves to materialize in Dual-Phase-Lagging porous media conduction are not attainable in a porous slab subject to a combination of constant heat flux and temperature (Neumann and Dirichlet) boundary conditions. It is demonstrated that the approximate equivalence between Dual-Phase-Lagging (DuPhlag) heat conduction model and the Fourier heat conduction in porous media subject to Lack of Local Thermal Equilibrium (La Lotheq) that suggested the possibility of thermal oscillations and resonance reveals a condition that cannot be fulfilled because of physical constraints. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this work, the effects of the focus ion beam (FIB) milling process on the optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures were investigated. With this aim, a sensitive materials system based on InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots with well known and excellent optical properties was selected for the FIB treatment. The FIB technique was used to locally remove a metallic mask deposited on top of the quantum dot sample. The photoluminescence (PL) signal, collected from the circular openings, was used to infer the possible damage effects of the ion beam on the properties of the dots.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanocrystalline materials can exhibit properties which are considerably different from their coarse-grained counterparts, making them unique for basic or applied research and also very promising for potential applications. The topics which are addressed in the present paper are magnetic properties and magnetic correlations on the nanometer scale, mechanical properties, in particular the influence of grain boundaries on the elastic and plastic behaviour, and vibration models of grain boundary atoms in nanostructured materials. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optical, electromagnetic and mechanical properties of thin films (TFs) are directly correlated to their morphology at the nanoscale. This, in concert with the fact that new deposition techniques are enabling the growth of thin films with very complex morphologies, there is an increasing interest in model-based simulation (MBS) for the design of engineering structures (including nanostructures), and increasing computer speeds are beginning to make MBS an effective design tool capable of bridging the nanoscale with the continuum scale, has made it increasingly important to understand how the nanostructure of a thin film impacts its properties at all length scales. The authors have developed the capability to determine the mechanical properties of thin films with amorphous nanostructure by combining molecular dynamics, i.e., position of particles (e.g., atoms or molecules) and their interatomic potential(s), with continuum ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heat losses in duct flow and heat transfer enhancement are investigated through an analysis of natural convection about a horizontal cylinder with a porous or fibrous coating. The porous substrate may be used for two purposes. According to its properties, it may be employed as an insulating material or as a means to surface augmentation. An optimization study is then carried out in order to find the best conditions that allow good thermal insulation or heat transfer rate improvement. The flow motion and heat transfer coefficient are predicted for various conditions. The results show that an efficient insulation which means less than 10% in heat losses is obtained for a porous layer thickness of 0.8x tube diameter and a permeability corresponding to Da #<=# 10"-"7. Nevertheless, there is a Darcy number limit above which convection must be accounted for. Porous or fibrous ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

VT6 titanium alloy long-range fibers have been extracted from the suspended melt drop with the following high-rate solidification. Formation of the structure of fibrous porous material prepared from these fibers has been studied. 7 refs.; 5 figs.; 2 tabs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Field emitter devices are being developed for the gigatron, a high-efficiency, high frequency and high power microwave source. One approach being investigated is porous silicon, where a dense matrix of nanoscopic pores are galvanically etched into a silicon surface. In the present paper pore morphologies were used to characterize these materials. Using of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images of both N-type and P-type porous layers, it is found that pores propagate along the <100> crystallographic direction, perpendicular to the surface of (100) silicon. Distinct morphologies were observed systematically near the surface, in the main bulk and near the bottom of N-type (100) silicon lift-off samples. It is seen that the pores are not cylindrical but exhibit more or less approximately square cross sections. X-ray diffraction spectra and electron diffraction patterns ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A simplified approach has been proposed to model the drying of capillary-porous materials with small geometric parameters for practical purposes. Luikov`s theory of mass and heat transfer for capillary-porous bodies was applied to drying of biological materials and it was shown that the thermo diffusion effect can be neglected if the thermal gradient remains small during the whole period of drying. The resulting simplified equations can then be solved using available mathematical software. The simplified equations were applied to drying of wood and a peanut pod

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mono-dispersed cubic CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles have been synthesized using a surfactant-assisted method with laurylamine hydrochloride and cerium alkoxide modified with acetylacetone in an aqueous solution system. The prepared cubic CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles had a highly crystallized structure at 353 K and formed rod-like structures by calcination at 673 K after freeze-drying the CeO{sub 2} gel. We discovered a clear potential to make 1D, 2D or 3D CeO{sub 2}-materials with a well-controlled characteristic length and shape by assembling cubic-shaped CeO{sub 2} nanoparticle building blocks. CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} composite nanostructures have also been synthesized by changing the mole ratio of cerium alkoxide/titanium alkoxides. By utilizing the redox characteristic of CeO{sub 2}, CeO{sub 2} nanoparticles and CeO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} composite nanostructures after calcination, showed reaction activity toward the oxidization of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Deposition of CN-based films by a novel version of active screen plasma nitriding, aiming at surface modification of polymers, is reported. The approach relies on the use of pure graphite as the grid material, which was found to act both as an active screen and as a dry source of carbon atoms for the synthesis of thin films consisting mainly of a stoichiometric CN layer with columnar-type structure and dome-like nanostructured morphology.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscope (DTEM) is introduced as a novel tool for in situ processing of materials. Examples of various types of dynamic studies outline the advantages and differences of laser-based heating in the DTEM in comparison to conventional (resistive) heating in situ TEM methods. We demonstrate various unique capabilities of the drive laser, namely, in situ processing of nanoscale materials, rapid and high temperature phase transformations, and controlled thermal activation of materials. These experiments would otherwise be impossible without the use of the DTEM drive laser. Thus, the potential of the DTEM to as a new technique to process and characterize the growth of a myriad of micro and nanostructures is demonstrated.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: It was recently-established for hexagonal barium ferrite-industrially important magnetically hard material that refinement of the crystallite dimensions into the nanoscale regime, typically #<=# 10 nm, leads after heat treatment at temperatures 800-1000 deg C to significant coercivity increase of up to 6.5 kOe (#approx#3-4 times) with saturation magnetisation values of 50-55 emu/g (#approx#95% of bulk at room temperature). High-energy mechanochemical processing has been applied to prepare nanostructural (nanocrystalline-amorphous) composites. High resolution electron microscopy studies reveal that the enhancement of the final magnetic properties was due to formation of magnetically noninteracting #approx#l,#mu#m Ba-ferrite particles with 5-10 nm amorphous surface layer - depending on annealing parameters. Similar situation was established also for ball milled strontium ferrite (SrFe_1_2O_1_9) powders where short annealing 4 h at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method is proposed for making a filtering material (FM) through applying bitumen or tar to a porous substance and subsequent roasting. Blast furnace slag, pumice and other inorganic substances are used as the porous substance. The method makes it possible to acquire an inexpensive filtering material with a developed surface (Pv), which replaces activated charcoal. Example. Blast furnace slag is heated to 200 to 300 degrees and with mixing is impregnated by 5 to 15 percent bitumen or tar. The impregnated slag is roasted at 800 to 1,000 degrees until full carbonization of the bitumen or tar, acquiring in this way a filtering material, which is characterized by a specific surface of 700 to 1,000 square centimeters per gram and suitable as a replacement for activated charcoal for removing organic components and heavy metals from gaseous and liquid phases. The cost of the filtering ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new fuel-cell electrocatalyst based on highly porous carbonized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) microcellular foam with platinum particles was prepared recently in this laboratory. Its surface morphology, one of the most important aspects of a practical electrocatalyst, has been examined in terms of fractal theory and methods. The fractal dimension of the platinum particles dispersed in porous carbonized PAN foam was determined by using chronometric and rotating-disk-electrode methods in oxygen-saturated solutions. A fractal dimension smaller than 2 was obtained, which was attributed to the partially active nature of the surface of this electrocatalytic material. This value of fractal dimension is also proposed to be considered as a reaction dimension. A reaction dimension smaller than 2 may indicate that not all of the platinum particle surface is accessible to the incoming oxygen molecules.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A model for the structural relaxation of grain boundaries (GBs) in nanostructured materials (NSMs) by diffusion-accommodated rigid body translations along GBs is proposed. The model is based on the results of recent computer simulations that have demonstrated that the GBs in NSMs retain a high-energy structure with random translational states due to severe geometrical constraints applied from neighboring grains (J. Appl. Phys. 78 (1995) 847; Scripta Metall. Mater. 33 (1995) 1245). The shear stresses within a GB caused by non-optimized rigid-body translations (RBTs) can be accommodated by diffusive flow of atoms along a GB. This mechanism is particularly important for low-angle and vicinal GBs, the energy of which noticeably depends on the rigid body translations. At moderate and high temperatures the model yields relaxation times that are very short and therefore GBs in NSMs can attain an equilibrium structure with optimized rigid body ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An annealing with the nanosecond laser light pulse is applied for crystal lattice reconstruction of a disturbed near-surface layer, which was created in semiconductor material as a result of the implantation process. Radiation with energy density higher than the threshold value causes the melting of the surface layer and than the epitaxial recrystallization from the melt on a different substrate. Structural changes occurring in the Ge implanted Si crystals after annealing with different energy densities are investigated by means of the cross-section high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Porous nanostructured LiFePO{sub 4} powder with a narrow particle size distribution (100-300nm) for high rate lithium-ion battery cathode application was obtained using an ethanol based sol-gel route employing lauric acid as a surfactant. The synthesized LiFePO{sub 4} powders comprised of agglomerates of crystallites <65nm in diameter exhibiting a specific surface area ranging from 8m{sup 2}g{sup -1} to 36m{sup 2}g{sup -1} depending on the absence or presence of the surfactant. The LiFePO{sub 4} obtained using lauric acid resulted in a specific capacity of 123mAhg{sup -1} and 157mAhg{sup -1} at discharge rates of 10C and 1C with less than 0.08% fade per cycle, respectively. Structural and microstructural characterization were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis while electronic conductivity and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

As portable electronics become more advanced and alternative energy demands become more prevalent, the development of advanced energy storage technologies is becoming ever more critical in today's society. In order to develop higher power and energy density batteries, innovative electrode materials that provide increased storage capacity, greater rate capabilities, and good cyclability must be developed. Nanostructured materials are gaining increased attention because of their potential to mitigate current electrode limitations. Here we report on the use of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWNTs) as the active electrode material in lithium-ion batteries. At low specific currents, these VA-MWNTs have shown high reversible specific capacities (up to 782mAhg^-^1 at 57mAg^-...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The following methods of quartz ceramics alloying were considered: alloying of initial quartz glass; introduction of alloying additive into water slip of quartz glass; porous materials impregnation with salt aqueous solutions and subsequent salt thermal decomposition with formation of stable oxides in pores of ceramics. Oxygen free compounds BN, SiB_4, SiC, Si_3N_4, REM oxides and transition metal oxides were used as alloying additives. Main properties of the materials and compositions obtained are presented.

Science.gov (United States)

Natural bone consists of hard nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) in a nanostructured protein-based soft hydrogel template (ie, mostly collagen). For this reason, nanostructured HA has been an intriguing coating material on traditionally used titanium for improving orthopedic applications. In addition, helical rosette nanotubes (HRNs), newly developed materials which form through the self-assembly process of DNA base pair building blocks in body solutions, are soft nanotubes with a helical architecture that mimics natural collagen. Thus, the objective of this in vitro study was for the first time to combine the promising attributes of HRNs and nanocrystalline HA on titanium and assess osteoblast (bone-forming cell) functions. Different sizes of nanocrystalline HA were synthesized in this study through a wet chemical precipitation process following either hydrothermal treatment or ...

Science.gov (United States)

Feasibility of depositing continuous films of nano-porous alumino-silicates, primarily zeolites and MCM-41, on metallic and non-metallic substrates was examined with an aim to develop membranes for separation of gaseous mixtures and also for application as hydrogen storage material. Mesoporous silica was deposited in-side the pores of these nano-porous disks with an aim to develop membranes for selective separations. Our study involves supported zeolite film growth on substrates using in-situ hydrothermal synthesis. Faujasite, Silicalite and Mesoporous silica have been grown on various metallic and non-metallic supports. Metallic substrates used for film growth included anodized titanium, sodium hydroxide treated Titanium, Anodized aluminum, and sintered copper. A non-metallic substrate used was nano-porous aluminum oxide. Zeolite film growth was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (AMRAY ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This invention relates to the production method of composite electrode substrate for fuel cell. An impermeable material is used for edge sealant. The sealant is put in the clearance between two electrodes consisting of porous carbon material via thermoplastic resin sheet, and heated while being pressed. This production method increases the adherence between the porous carbon bodies and reduces the contact resistivity at the joint interface. Consequently, it becomes possible to produce the composite electrode for fuel cell without separator, resulting in simplification of assembly work, weight reduction, and downsizing. The preferable porous carbon body is made from shrinkage-treated fiber. After sheet forming, the thermosetting resin is impregnated, and then it is burnt to carbonization. Or mixed sheet of rayon and acrylic fiber is laminated to be heated and pressed without ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

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

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Porous flow occurs in a wide range of materials and applies to many commercially relevant applications such as oil recovery, chemical reactors and contaminant transport in soils. Typically, breakthrough and pressure curves of column floods are used in the laboratory characterization of these materials. These characterization methods lack the detail to easily and unambiguously resolve flow mechanisms with similar effects at the core scale that can dominate at the aquifer or oil field scale, as well as the effects of geometry that control the flow at interfaces as in a perforated well or the inlet of an improperly designed column. Non-invasive imaging techniques such as MRI have been shown to provide a far more detailed characterization of the properties of the solid matrix and flow, but usu...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The formation of nanoparticles during the radiation-induced chemical reduction of silver ions, copper ions, and nickel ions in films based on poly(acrylic acid)-poly(ethylenimine) complexes are studied via electron microscopy. This approach allows preparation of composites containing nanoparticles that are randomly distributed in the polymer matrix and materials with a regular spatial distribution of nanoparticles across the film thickness and in subsurface layers. The structure of metal-polymer hybrid materials is dependent on the irradiation conditions, the type of reduced metal ions, and their initial content in polymer matrices. The ratio between the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth of nanoparticles in the matrices of interpolyelectrolyte complexes depends on the intensity of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

As part of a study into the properties of ferroelectric single crystals at nanoscale dimensions, the effects that focused ion beam (FIB) processing can have, in terms of structural damage and ion implantation, on perovskite oxide materials has been examined, and a post-processing procedure developed to remove such effects. Single crystal material of the perovskite ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO_3) has been patterned into thin film lamellae structures using a FIB microscope. Previous work had shown that FIB patterning induced gallium impregnation and associated creation of amorphous layers in a surface region of the single crystal material some 20 nm thick, but that both recrystallization and expulsion of gallium could be achieved through thermal annealing in air. Here we confirm this observation, but find that thermally induced gallium expulsion is associated with the formation of gallium-rich platelets on the surface ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear in current knee prosthesis causes prosthesis loosening after no more than 15 years. In this work, a steady state one-dimensional lubrication model with non- Newtonian fluid, porous elastic layer on tibial component, ultra-filtration mechanism of fluid and some features of the surface roughness is studied through a numerical technique based on the Finite Element Method. The results show that the UHMWPE stiffness makes difficult the lubrication mechanism of the artificial joint and promotes abrasive and fatigue wear. Nevertheless, the use of compliant porous materials on the tibial component could reduce friction and wear. Moreover, the ultra-filtration mechanism promotes efficiency on the joint.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In recent years, interest in the development of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) has considerably increased due to its advantages (e.g., high power density) compared with other fuel cell systems, and its potentials to become the power plant for the next generation, nonpolluting automobile engine. For large scale application of fuel cells, low platinum loading electrode structures are necessary. An electrode based on a highly porous carbonized polyacrylonitrile foam material with very low platinum loading ({approximately} 13 {micro}g/cm{sup 2}) was prepared. The performance of this electrode for oxygen reduction was evaluated and compared with bulk platinum and glassy carbon electrodes.

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 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanoporous materials have become indispensable in many fields ranging from photonics, catalysis and semiconductor processing to biosensor infrastructure. Rapid and energy efficient process fabrication of these materials is, however, nontrivial. In this communication, we describe a simple method for the rapid fabrication of these materials from colloidal dispersions of Polymethyl Silsesquioxane nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-polymer composites above the decomposition temperature of the polymer are examined and the entropic gain experienced by the nanoparticles in this rubric is harnessed to fabricate novel highly porous films composed of nanoparticles. Optically smooth, hydrophobic films with low refractive indices (as low as 1.048) and high surface areas (as high as 1325 m2 g-1) have been achieved with this approach. In this communication we address the behavior of such systems that are both temperature ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Vulnerability to xylem embolism by freeze-thaw cycles and water stress was quantified in ring-porous (Quercus gambelii Nutt.), diffuse-porous (Populus tremuloides Michx.,...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

A novel reactor combining a flame-deposited nanostructured titanium dioxide film and a set of embedded ceramic electrodes was designed, developed and tested for degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water. On applying a voltage to the ceramic electrodes, a surface coro...

Environmental Research Database

Objectives1. To develop new photoactive materials and fabricate demonstration QD (quantum dot) solar cells. This will be achieved by:~%~1.1. Materials preparation and characterisation of QD/polymer systems~%~1.2. Optimising structures of QDs, nanorods and polymer for quantum yield and charge transfer~%~1.3 Fabricating demonstration QD/polymer solar cells and measuring power conversion efficiencies~%~2. To demonstrate multiexciton generation (MEG) and harvesting within nanostructured QDs. This will involv [continued...]DescriptionWidespread implementation of photovoltaic electricity to meet changing energy demands requires a step-change in the cost of photovoltaic power. This proposal assembles a consortium of chemists, physicists, materials scientists and electrical engineers from The University of Manchester and Imperial College London to address this need through the development of new low-cost, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been conducted on a new fuel cell electrocatalytic material based on a highly porous carbonized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) microcellular foam with very low platinum loading ({approximately}13 to 23 {micro}g/cm{sup 2}). TEM images of this material clearly show the existence of nanometer size platinum particles which are homogeneously distributed in the highly porous carbonized PAN matrix. An XPS study of Pt-loaded PAN indicates that C 1s, O 1s, and N 1s peaks shift to lower binding energies, compared to virgin PAN. It was concluded that special metal-support interaction exists, through the formation of a charge-transfer complex between platinum and pyridine-type nitrogen atoms of PAN support. This interaction leads to the enhancement of the catalytic activity, and the improvement of the long-time stability of this ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radon migration in porous, earthen materials is characterized by diffusion in both the air and water components of the system as well as by the interaction of the radon between the air and water. The size distribution and configuration of the pore spaces and their moisture distributions are key parameters in determining the radon diffusion coefficient for the bulk material. A mathematical model is developed and presented for calculating radon diffusion coefficients solely from the moisture content and pore size distribution of a soil, reducing the need for resorting to radon diffusion measurements. The resulting diffusion coefficients increase with the median pore diameter of the soil and decrease with increasing widths of the pore size distribution. The calculated diffusion coefficients are suitable for use in simple homogeneous-medium diffusion expressions for predicting radon transport and compare well with measured ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Focused Ion Beams are an important approach for nanostructure fabrication in the semiconductor industry and material sciences. Applications in sputtering and ion induced deposition of materials are investigated. The IMSA FIB system equipped with the high resolution Orsay Physics CANION M31plus ion column with current densities up to 10 A/cm"2 including a gas injection system is applied. In this work the ion beam induced chemical vapour deposition of tungsten, wherefore tungsten hexacarbonyl as precursor gas is used for a first investigation. Conductive tungsten-nanowires with smallest cross-section upon a substrate of Si and SiO_2 are produced. The ion beam parameters of this focused ion beam system are optimized for the metal deposition. A short insight in the theory of layer nucleation and growth induced by the ion beam during the metal deposition is given. The layer quality is determined by Auger electron analysis which ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

When liquids are confined in nano-scopic dimensions, their properties differ from the corresponding bulk liquid, due to their reduced dimensionality and surface effects. Phase transition temperatures and pressures are often shifted from the bulk values and new phases can appear due to the strong interactions of the molecules with the confining walls. We have studied the structural and dynamical properties of aromatic liquids such as benzene, toluene, and ortho-terphenyl confined in nano-porous materials, MCM-41 and SBA-15, synthesized and characterized in our laboratory. A non-trivial dependence of the glass transition temperature, T{sub g}, on the pore size and surface treatment of nano-porous materials is confirmed and interpreted as resulting from a competition between the fluid-wall and fluid-fluid intermolecular interactions. An increase of T{sub g} is observed for small pore sizes and attractive ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) is a combination of a microwave technique and conventional solvent extraction used in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. The effective component of medicinal herbs is mostly cellular material which can be released via solvent extraction. The material is diffused to solvents via the porous membrane wall. The structure of herb morphology and characteristics of the solute's molecular weight play an important role in the extraction process of target compounds. Astragalus pieces were chosen for this study in which an ultra-filtration membrane method was used to determine the molecular weight distribution characteristics of Astragalus water extraction liquid in the process of MAE. The fine structure of matrix materials was also characterized by scanning election microscopy (SEM). The phenomenon of mass flow and mass transfer in the plant ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Coir pith (CP), an abundantly available lignocellulosic agricultural waste from the local coir industry has been found to be an effective biosorbent for removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Transition metal hexacyanoferrates, in particular nickel hexacyano ferrate (NiHCF) also referred to as Prussian blue analogue (PBA), is known to be highly selective for removal of cesium from aqueous solutions. A novel method for the synthesis of PBA inside the porous matrix of coir pith and use of this composite material for the sorption of cesium is described in this paper. Equilibrium experiments showed that the sorption capacity of coir pith nearly doubled due to the modification. Owing to its low cost and rapid sorption kinetics, this hybrid material seems to be one of the most promising compounds for the recovery of cesium from liquid nuclear wastes. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

Science.gov (United States)

We present computer modeling along with experimental data on the formation of sharp conical tips on silicon-based three-layer structures that consist of a single-crystal Si layer on a 1 {mu}m layer of silica on a bulk Si substrate. The upper Si layers with thicknesses in the range of 0.8-4.1 {mu}m were irradiated by single pulses from a KrF excimer laser focused onto a spot several micrometers in diameter. The computer simulation includes two-dimensional time-dependent heat transfer and phase transformations in Si films that result from the laser irradiation (the Stefan problem). After the laser pulse, the molten material self-cools and resolidifies, forming a sharp conical structure, the height of which can exceed 1 {mu}m depending on the irradiation conditions. We also performed computer simulations for experiments involving single-pulse irradiation of bulk silicon, reported by other groups. We discuss conditions under which different types of structures (cones ...

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This document is a user`s manual for the Rn3D finite element code. Rn3D was developed to simulate gas flow and radon transport in variably saturated, nonisothermal porous media. The Rn3D model is applicable to a wide range of problems involving radon transport in soil because it can simulate either steady-state or transient flow and transport in one-, two- or three-dimensions (including radially symmetric two-dimensional problems). The porous materials may be heterogeneous and anisotropic. This manual describes all pertinent mathematics related to the governing, boundary, and constitutive equations of the model, as well as the development of the finite element equations used in the code. Instructions are given for constructing Rn3D input files and executing the code, as well as a description of all output files generated by the code. Five verification problems are given that test various aspects of code operation, complete ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have successfully incorporated high surface area particles of titanate ion exchange materials (monosodium titanate and crystalline silicotitanate) with acceptable particle size distribution into porous and inert support membrane fibrils consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon(reg_sign)), polyethylene and cellulose materials. The resulting membrane sheets, under laboratory conditions, were used to evaluate the removal of surrogate radioactive materials for cesium-137 and strontium-90 from high caustic nuclear waste simulants. These membrane supports met the nominal requirement for nonchemical interaction with the embedded ion exchange materials and were porous enough to allow sufficient liquid flow. Some of this 47-mm size stamped out prototype titanium impregnated ion exchange membrane discs was found to remove more than 96% of dissolved cesium-133 and ...

Science.gov (United States)

The variation of metallic particle size and sample porosity significantly alters the dynamic mechanical properties of high density granular composite materials processed using a cold isostatically pressed mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), aluminum (Al), and tungsten (W) powders. Quasistatic and dynamic experiments are performed with identical constituent mass fractions with variations in the size of the W particles and pressing conditions. The relatively weak polymer matrix allows the strength and fracture modes of this material to be governed by the granular type behavior of agglomerated metal particles. A higher ultimate compressive strength was observed in relatively high porosity samples with small W particles compared to those with coarse W particles in all experiments. Mesoscale granular force chains of the metallic particles explain this unusual phenomenon as observed in hydrocode simulations of a drop-weight test. Macrocracks ...

Science.gov (United States)

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Norwegian Open Research Archives (NORA)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sulfate attack of cement-based materials remains an important problem for the durability assessment of containers and disposal engineering barriers dedicated to the long-term storage of radioactive wastes since underground water which may reach these elements contains small quantities of sulfates (7-31 mmol/1). This work contributes to the study of sulfate-induced damage mechanisms, to their understanding and modelling. The experimental phases of this study aimed at the understanding of the different physico-chemical phenomena involved during an external sulfate attack at following their evolution and their impact on the transport and mechanical properties of the material. Leaching experiments in pure water and in a solution of sodium sulfate (with a sulfate content of 15 mmol/1), have been performed simultaneously on OPC paste (w/c 0,4)in order to allow a comparison of test results. The frequent analysis of the leachant has shown a consumption ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this article, the authors analyzed the effect of thermal conductivity on unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection in a micro-polar fluid past a semi-infinite vertical porous plate. The fluid thermal conductivity is assumed to vary as a linear function of temperature. By using the Chebyshev collocation method in the spatial direction and the Crank-Nicolson method in the time direction, the boundary layer equations are transformed into a linear algebraic system. There are several material parameters whose affect on the flow have been studied, for instance, thermal conductivity, radiation, magnetic, micro-polar, suction (or injection) parameters, and Prandtl number. Boundary layer and Boussineq approximations have been introduced together to describe the flow field. The domain of...

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A method of modeling freeze-thaw cycles of naturally deposited snowpacks is presented. The model involves the Stefan condition as an independent governing equation on the exterior moving boundary to calculate snowpack thinning, flow of water through a variably saturated layered porous medium as described by the Richards equation, and heat conduction with a phase change. The heat conduction problem was treated in two ways. Local heat conduction between a snow grain and its surrounding water film was treated by using a simple energy balance. Global heat conduction with a phase change (the Stefan problem) was introduced to calculate the space-time temperature distribution. In order to handle multiple interior moving boundaries, a specific form of the enthalpy formulation was used for heat conduction with a phase change. Changing material properties were considered according to the calculated meltwater refreezing. 48 refs., 11 figs., 2 tabs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Tests using reconstituted samples have been performed to assess the diffusive transport of 137Cs and 60Co through natural regolith materials from a region in South Australia being considered for a radioactive waste repository. A double diffusion cell apparatus made of polycarbonate resin was developed to estimate the effective diffusion (De) and sorption coefficients (Kd) that allowed large withdrawals from the source and collector cells and has enabled tests with low concentrations of radioactivity. An alternative to porous stainless steel filter plates has also been used to reduce uncertainty in test interpretation. Analysis of the transient data used a staged method of the Laplace transform to take into consideration the volume of the samples withdrawn from the apparatus during testing....

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using methods of the Moessbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermodynamic analysis of phase formation in silicate multi-component melts, the detailed study of composition, morphology, and properties of fly ash microspheres resulting from combustion of three coals (Irsha-Borodinskii, Kuznetskii and Ekibastuzskii) was carried out. About 60 microspherical products with an iron content of 2-94 wt.% Fe_2O_3 were obtained. The ranges of microsphere composition, suitable for liquid radioactive waste solidification in the forms of iron phosphate (36-94 wt.% Fe_2O_3) and aluminosilicate (2-20 wt.% Fe_2O_3) ceramics were determined. The possibility of producing porous materials and specific microspherical sorbents, based on coal fly ash cenospheres and their application for mobilisation of liquid radioactive waste solidification was demonstrated. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The modification of polymers by radiation grafting has been utilized for several decades. The penetrability of gamma rays allows to modify the internal surfaces of porous materials retaining its mechanical properties. In recent years applications of these materials to obtain chromatographic supports and biocatalysts have been reported. In this work, we described the grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto a macroporous polysulfone polymer. Reproducible amount of grafting, from 10% to 60% was obtained by choosing favourable monomer concentration and gamma radiation doses from 6 kGy up. Afterwards, iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and amino phenyl arsine oxide (PAO) were covalently attached to the grafted polyGMA, in correspondence with the grafting degree. Later on, a recombinant histidin-patch thioredoxin protein (HP-rTrx) was immobilized onto this surface by two different ways, involving specific protein orientations. The ...

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Proof-of-principle experiments are reported for a new concept in electrically rechargeable zinc-air battery. The zinc electrode is a porous flow-thru type using a copper foam metal substrate with zinc deposition onto the foam metal from concentrated zincate electrolyte (as used in zinc-slurry type batteries). The bifunctional air electrode employs low-cost materials, being fabricated entirely from carbon-based precursors and small amounts of nickel and/or cobalt oxide. Corrosion measurements on the graphite materials in the air electrode indicate sufficient corrosion resistance for 8000 h life on charge. A prototype single cell was constructed having 1.5 Ah capacity producing 1.2 V discharge -2.0 charge at the three hour rate and has produced stable voltages for more than 150 cycles. Based on the 1.5 Ah prototype characteristics, design calculations for a 32 kWh battery project an energy density of about 110 Wh/kg, peak ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Single-crystalline nanostructures often exhibit gradients of surface (and/or interface) curvature that emerge from fabrication and growth processes or from thermal fluctuations. Thus, the system-inherent capillary force can initiate morphological transformations during further processing steps or during operation at elevated temperature. Therefore and because of the ongoing miniaturization of functional structures which causes a general rise in surface-to-volume ratios, solid-state capillary phenomena will become increasingly important: On the one hand diffusion-mediated capillary processes can be of practical use in view of non-conventional nanostructure fabrication methods based on self-organization mechanisms, on the other hand they can destroy the integrity of nanostructures which can go along with the failure of functionality. Additionally, capillarity-induced shape transformations are effected and can thereby be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Our institute has been investigating laser-produced tin, lithium and xenon plasma for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source of EUV lithography system, and found the highest conversion efficiency of 3% at 13.5 nm in 2% bandwidth. In the present paper, we introduce fabrication methods of density-controlled tin targets to generate relatively monochromatic EUV, and higher conversion efficiency than bulk tin. The first method is the nano-template method, where liquid tin solution was immersed into a polymer film with monodispersed size nano-particle. The density can be controlled by tin concentration of the solution. The target can be classified into mass-limited target. We have shown a tendency of monochromatic EUV emission around 13.5 nm with decreasing of tin density. The intensity was higher than tin foil with bulk density. The tendency has a merit to mitigate heat effect of the first EUV mirror. The fabrication method has another merit to control not only density but also the pore ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The preparation and performance of membranes for application to hydrogen separation from coal-derived gas is described. The membrane material investigated was dense amorphous silica deposited on a suitable support by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Two types of support materials were pursued. One type consisted of a two-layer composite, zeolite silicalite/{alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, in the form of tubes approximately 0.7 cm in diameter. The other type was porous glass tubes of diameter below 0.2 cm. The first type of support was prepared starting from {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} tubes of 1{micro}m mean pore diameter and growing by hydrothermal reaction a zeolite silicalite layer inside the pores of the alumina at the OD side. After calcination to remove the organic template used in the hydrothermal reaction, CVD was carried out to deposit the final silica layer. CVD was carried out by alternating exposure of the surface with ...

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A surplus USN 40 mm ammunition can was subjected to a variety of tests. Pressure tests were carried out with nitrogen gas, followed by the venting of actual Li/SO/sub 2/ cells and batteries inside the can. A fire test was also conducted on a can packed with 10 each 10-cell batteries surrounded by vermiculite. Test results indicate the US Navy (USN) 40-mm ammunition can is suitable as a shipping container for Li/SO/sub 2/ batteries on passenger aircraft. To provide a further measure of safety, a sulfur dioxide getter was incorporated into the can. Studies indicated a commercial material, ASC carbon, is suitable for this purpose. The granular material was packaged in porous paper desiccant bags and placed in the can with the batteries and vermiculite. The batteries were vented inside the sealed can and the internal pressure monitored. Pressure returned to normal within several minutes, indicating that this arrangement should ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Spray depositing allows the production of steels having a structure which is free of any macro-segregation, homogeneous and equiaxed. Nevertheless the spray deposition of steels shows some effects that have to be regarded as disadvantages. A porous region at the billet border and a rather coarse-grained microstructure can be noticed. As a result, in the presented work the influence of a subsequent hot rolling and a following heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties has been investigated. For this purpose the bearing steel SAE 52100 has been used as master material. The initial microstructure has been transformed to a homogeneous equiaxed fine-grained pearlitic microstructure without any remaining porosity. To get use of the characteristic properties of this high-strength steel an isothermal bainitic hardening has been carried out. Information about the mechanical properties of this material has been gained ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Highly swollen nanoporous layers produced in material surfaces by He implantation are of special interest for applications such as catalysis. Here we investigate whether nanoporous layers can be produced in the covalently bonded insulating ceramic, SiAlON. The retention of highly swollen porous structures in thinned TEM sections prepared from such hard brittle materials is particularly challenging. We have successfully prepared such sections both parallel to, and perpendicular to, the implanted surface. At intermediate doses the bubble structures are very similar to those found in metals. At high helium doses local swellings at depths around the mean projected range of the He ions (#approx#360 nm) are estimated to be well in excess of 200%. Bubble structures are stable under heating to temperatures up to 1200 deg. C. It is found that the highly cavitated layer is buried below a crystalline overlayer of compact SiAlON. This ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Neutron radiography and neutron radioscopy are rapidly becoming the valuable tools for nondestructive testing and basic research. The Phoenix Memorial Laboratory has developed a neutron facility capable of both film neutron radiography and real time neutron radioscopy, and has used this facility to study several phenomena of interest to the researchers in many areas. Neutrons can be used for imaging the phenomena that X-ray cannot image, such as the presence, absence or movement of hydrogenous materials inside metals such as aluminum or steel. There are three basic methods for obtaining images using neutrons: high resolution film neutron radiography, real-time neutron radioscopy and transfer film neutron radiography. The neutron radiography facility at Phoenix Memorial Laboratory, the neutron radioscopic imaging systems, the neutron radiographic detectors, lubrication studies, spray imaging, flow in porous media, three-dimensional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The diffusion coefficient of radioactive radon (Rn) through buffer materials from low-level radwaste disposal site was determined in this present study by measuring the time-dependent diffusion of radon through a thin slab of the material. The diffusion process was required to reach a steady state so as to obtain a good estimate of the diffusion coefficient. A numerical method using the nonlinear least-squares and Marquardt`s method (NLSM method) was proposed for characterizing the diffusion coefficient of Rn so as to determine whether the process has reached steady-state or not. Natural mordenite, a potential buffer material of LLW disposal facility, was selected as testing porous material. The NLSM method was shown by the results to be able to estimate the diffusion coefficient even if the process was in transient period. Additionally, this method was also demonstrated to agree ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes a new idea for zinc-air battery design. The novel idea is a porous zinc electrode surrounded with a supersaturated zincate solution. 3 figs. (JDH)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Skin protects the body from pathogens and degradation. Mummified skin in particular is extremely resistant to decomposition. External influences or the action of micro-organisms, however, can degrade...Full Text Available

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Development of Bipolar Separator Plates with Porous Insertions of Metal Felt as Bearing Surfaces for Fuel Cell Electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A theoretical analysis of two-dimensional unsteady flow in a porous medium bounded by a horizontal wall is presented as a perturbation on a basic flow. It is assumed that the perturbation is occasioned by a sudden suction at the wall. Even for a highly permeable medium the characteristic Reynolds number in porous media flow is usually small and asymptotic solutions are developed by the Laplace transform technique. It is observed that the perturbed shear stress at the wall decays exponentially with time. (author). 5 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A laboratory model of a TPV generator in the kilowatt range was developed and tested. It was based on methane/oxygen combustion and a spectrally matched selective emitter/collector pair (ytterbia emitter-silicon PV cell). The system demonstrated a power output of 2.4 kilowatts at an overall efficiency of 4.5{percent} without recuperation of heat from the exhaust gases. Key aspects of the effort include: (1) process development and fabrication of mechanically strong selective emitter ceramic textile materials; (2) design of a stirred reactor emitter/burner capable of handling up to 175,000 Btu/hr fuel flows; (3) support to the developer of the production silicon concentrator cells capable of withstanding TPV environments; (4) assessing the apparent temperature exponent of selective emitters; and (5) determining that the remaining generator efficiency improvements are readily defined combustion engineering problems that do not necessitate breakthrough technology. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

After pioneering work in the 1980s, plasma-based ion implantation (PBII) and plasma-based ion implantation and deposition (PBIID) can now be considered mature technologies for surface modification and thin film deposition. This review starts by looking at the historical development and recalling the basic ideas of PBII. Advantages and disadvantages are compared to conventional ion beam implantation and physical vapor deposition for PBII and PBIID, respectively, followed by a summary of the physics of sheath dynamics, plasma and pulse specifications, plasma diagnostics, and process modeling. The review moves on to technology considerations for plasma sources and process reactors. PBII surface modification and PBIID coatings are applied in a wide range of situations. They include the by-now traditional tribological applications of reducing wear and corrosion through the formation of hard, tough, smooth, low-friction and chemically inert phases and coatings, e.g. for engine components. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the course of designing a catalytic porous membrane reactor for experimental studies, both inside and outside of the non-reaction zones as well as the two ends of the membrane need to be completely sealed to ensure that there is no flow across the membrane in the non-reaction zone. Experiments show that up to 50% of the total flow across the membrane may be contributed by the axial flow along the wall of the non-reaction zones if only one side of the membrane is sealed. Another problem that cannot be solved by sealing is the capillary flow of the catalyst along the tube wall into the non-reaction zones when the catalyst is doped on the membrane. One of the best ways to avoid this axial flow of catalyst would be to use non-porous tubes in the non-reaction zones and join them with the porous membrane tube. In doing so, the cost of the membrane reactor could be reduced simply because shorter membrane tube is needed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

An analysis is presented for the effects of chemical reaction and thermal radiation on hydromagnetic free convection heat and mass transfer for a micropolar fluid via a porous medium bounded by a semi-infinite vertical porous plate in the presence of heat generation. The plate moves with a constant velocity in the longitudinal direction and the free stream velocity follows an exponentially small perturbation law. A uniform magnetic field acts perpendicularly to the porous surface in which absorbs the micropolar fluid with a suction velocity varying with time. Analytical expressions are computed numerically. Numerical calculations are carried out the purpose of the discussion of the results which are shown on graphs and the effects of the various dimensionless parameters entering into the p...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mullite long fibres, which are a candidate for high temperature applications were prepared by sol-gel method from water solvent systems. They were synthesized from three different combinations of raw materials as follows: (1):Al(O{sub 1}C{sub 3}H{sub 7}){sub 3}, Al-nitrate and Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 4} (TEOS), (2):Al metal, Al-chloride and TEOS, (3):Al metal, Al-nitrate and TEOS. In the methods (1) and (2), very fine SiO{sub 2} aerosol particles were also used partially replacing TEOS. The prepared solutions were condensed and examined the spinability by a hand drawing method. Dense and crack free mullite fibres were prepared from the methods (1) and (3) by firing up to 1100 C. Whereas the fibres prepared from the method (2) were less SiO{sub 2} than mullite composition and were porous by the firing due to evaporation of residual Cl ions at high temperature. (orig.) 10 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Experience at SRS, ORNL, BNL, and Georgia Institute of Technology involving irradiated aluminum clad fuel and target elements, as well as studies of non-irradiated aluminum indicate that some types of aluminum assemblies can be kept in a continually well-deionized water atmosphere for up to 25 years without problems. SRS experience ranges from 2.75 years for the L-1.1 charge kept in deionized D[sub 2]O[sup 1] to greater than 10 years for assemblies stored in the Receiving Basin for Off-site Fuel (RBOF)[sup 2]. Experience at Georgia Institute of Technology reactor in Atlanta yielded the longest value of 25 years without problems. The common denominators in all of the reports is that the water is continually deionized to approximately 2 M[Omega] (2 [times] 10[sup 6]ohms) resistivity and the containers for the water are stainless steel or other non-porous material. This resistivity value is equivalent to a value of 0.5 micromhos or microSiemens ...

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Recently, the capabilities of the CORMLT code, which was designed to predict heatup, degradation, and meltdown of core and Reactor Pressure VEssel (RPV) internals during postulated severe accidents, were enhanced to enable tracking of individual fission product species during core meltdown. In addition, a mechanistic treatment of the release and flow of molten materials was developed to replace the engineering models developed earlier. In the present paper, the improved models are described and predictions of melt progression for a postullated accident sequence (TMLB') are discussed. A key issue in the new modeling is the mechanical behavior of fuel pellet stacks during run-off of molten cladding. One view is that capillary forces result in ''welding'' of porous fuel, thereby promoting free-standing pellet stacks; another is that rubblization and slumping of fuel take place. Results are reported for ...

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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alloy 690 and Alloy600 are used as a material for the steam generator tubing in the pressurized water reactor(PWR) of nuclear power plants due to its high corrosion resistance. Although those are a highly corrosion resistance material, their stress corrosion cracking(SCC) have been found on occasion, which are deeply related to a surface oxide film on a base material which have occurred on the primary side as well as the secondary side of a tubing. And The SCC is accelerated in the existing Pb which is the impurity of secondary steam generator components. The Oxide on a steel surface in an aqueous solution above 100 .deg. C is composed of a duplex film structure. The inner layer of the oxide is dense and less porous, which is formed by a growth of the oxide layer on the metal surface. The outer layer of the oxide is less adhesive, which is formed by a dissolution and precipitation mechanism. Growth ...

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The transport of radon in concrete takes place through the complicated network of interconnected pores that is, at any time, the result of the process of hydration of cement and of moisture distribution and transport. Initially the microstructure of concrete depends on the mix proportions and curing conditions, its time-evolution being conditioned by its surrounding environment. Radon transport will be consequently a function of time, as it is influenced by the changing microstructure (total porosity and its distribution) and by the amount and distribution of the moisture contained in the pore system. A selection of information from the large amount of literature available on concrete is presented in chapter 2. A model that describes the process of hydration, of microstructure development and of moisture transport is presented in chapter 3. The physics of radon diffusion in homogeneous porous materials is outlined in chapter 4. The coupling of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A single crystalline ternary nanostructure having the formula A.sub.xB.sub.yO.sub.z, wherein x ranges from 0.25 to 24, and y ranges from 1.5 to 40, and wherein A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Tc, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn, wherein the nanostructure is at least 95% free of defects and/or dislocations.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A mass separated focused ion beam (FIB) is a very useful tool to fabricate nanostructures by writing implantation within an ion beam synthesis process. In these investigations the IMSA-OrsayPhysics FIB, equipped with a Co_3_6Nd_6_4 alloy liquid metal ion source, was applied. Si(100) and (111) wafers were implanted with 60 keV Co"+"+ ions in the dose range of 2 . 10"1"6 to 2 . 10"1"7 cm"-"2. Implantation parameters were investigated, like pixel dwell time, relaxation time (time between two cycles), dose rate as well as the pixel overlapping factor. The subsequent annealing was done in a two step process, namely 600 deg. C for 60 min and 1000 deg. C for 30 min in a N_2 ambient. The results obtained by SEM investigations in terms of continuous nanowire structures following the direction and interrupted CoSi_2 pattern in the direction show a clear dependence on the time scale as well as the scanning mode of the irradiation. Structure sizes as small as 10 nm are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Porous media approach method was applied to the MULTID component of MARS which was developed by KAERI. This method has been widely used for analysis of large regions containing only fluid and for flows in regions with immersed solids. It can calculate flow distribution more correctly in case of flow area or volume change. Application of this method to the MULTID component in MARS was evaluated and the results were compared with those of CFD code, FLUENT. As a result, the calculated flow distributions of MARS and FLUENT show similar trend, so the effect of porous media in MARS can be applied to the other cases.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2009 p. 200-201 Ukraine Glushkov, AV Odesa State Environmental

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Means of intensifying heat transfer with nucleate boiling, based on boiling under constrained conditions (in slots, on a capillary-porous surface) are the most promising since a high intensity of heat transfer is ensured. In the present work we attempt to evolve the main assumptions for the physical model of the process of vapour formation under constrained conditions and to extend them to the boiling of cryogenic liquids on surfaces with a capillary-porous deposit; also, the results are given of experimental investigations of heat transfer with the boiling of nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen at atmospheric perssures and below on capillary-porous surfaces of various metals of different structure produced by an electric arc method of gasothermal spray coating.

Science.gov (United States)

... technique aBF n-Butyiferrocene P-33 Thermal carbon black PAP Porous Amnmonium Perchlorate Plastinox 711 Antioxidant ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The evolution of metallic substance atomic structure is studied on temperature variation including crystal heating up to melting points, a crystal- liquid phase transition and initiation of a high-density liquid specific structure. It is marked that heat induced changes of simple metal structure can be described as changes around a natural elementary cell which is common for both a crystal and a liquid and consists of a central atom and Z_1 atoms of the first coordination sphere. On this basis the vacancy model of melting is verified. Concentrations of melting vacancies are determined by coordination numbers in the form of Z_1/(1+Z_1)"2 which are the same for both a crystal and a natural elementary cell. The size of natural elementary cells is in an agreement with that of the coordination sphere featured in the liquid and phase transition statistical theory. Calculated data are given for a number of metals, Cs, Eu, Ni, V included

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The present investigation deals with the synthesis of nanostructured nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and their liquid petroleum gas-sensing characteristics. The 15-20nm size nickel ferrite has been synthesized at 700degreeC by a simple molten-salt route using sodium chloride as grain growth inhibitor. These nanoparticles exhibit significantly high response towards liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in comparison with ethanol vapor, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and hydrogen. The gas response towards various gases at their 200ppm concentrations is investigated at 200-450degreeC. Different characterization techniques have been employed, such as differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission elec...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of the workshop was to determine the status of the field, to define instrumental and computational requirements, and to establish minimum specifications required by possible users. The most important message sent by implementers was the remainder that CMT is a tool. It solves a wide spectrum of scientific problems and is complementary to other microscopy techniques, with certain important advantages that the other methods do not have. High-resolution CMT can be used non-invasively and non-destructively to study a variety of hierarchical three-dimensional microstructures, which in turn control body function. X-ray computed microtomography can also be used at the frontiers of physics, in the study of granular systems, for example. With high-resolution CMT, for example, three-dimensional pore geometries and topologies of soils and rocks can be obtained readily and implemented directly in transport models. In turn, these geometries can be used to calculate fundamental physical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The diffusion of alkali vapours in the anode compartment of a DIR-MCFC produces the deactivation of the internal reforming catalyst. Sets of ceramic porous membranes purposed to limit the diffusion have been manufactured by different techniques and the influence of the preparation technique and of the preparative variables on the morphological characteristics of the membranes structures has been studied.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The feasibility of using a thermoplastic-powder metallurgy technique for the fabrication of porous niobium rods was investigated. Some early problems were overcome to successfully extrude the polymer coated niobium powder into long lengths. The effects of certain process variables were investigated. Residual porosity and extrusion pressure were found to be regulated by the polymer fraction. The procedures for taking the extruded polystyrene--niobium rods through the heat treatments to the final, tin infiltrated stage are explained.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In this work, porous TiO₂ hollow spheres with an average diameter of 100 nm and shell thickness of 20 nm were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method with NH₄HCO₃...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

In this Communication, we report the fabrication of well-crystallized rutile-phase TiO2 hollow spheres using potassium titanium oxalate as the precursor. The spheres exhibited unique three-dimensional hierarchical architectures and demonstrated a significantly improved photocatalytic performance. The synthetic strategy used in this process represents a general approach and therefore may contribute to the formation mechanisms of hollow nanostructures. PMID:16634578

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this study, a high-resolution characteristic-based finite-volume (FV) method on unstructured grids [Int. J. Numer. Method Eng. 50 (2001) 11; Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 21 (2000) 432] is extended by a matrix-free implicit dual-time stepping scheme for the numerical simulation of steady and unsteady flow and heat transfer with porous media. The method has been used to study the characteristics of a complex problem: flow and heat transfer in a channel with multiple discrete porous blocks, which was originally proposed by Huang and Vafai [J. Thermophys. Heat Transfer 8 (3) (1994) 563]. In addition, flow and heat transfer in a channel partially or fully filled with porous layers and containing solid protruding blocks with constant heat flux on its lower surface are also investigated in details. Hydrodynamic and heat transfer results are reported for both steady and transient flow cases. In particular, the effects of Darcy and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Textured silicon nitride (Si_3N_4) has been intensively studied over the past 15 years because of its use for achieving its superthermal and mechanical properties. In this review we present the fundamental aspects of the processing and anisotropic properties of textured Si_3N_4, with emphasis on the anisotropic and abnormal grain growth of #beta#-Si_3N_4, texture structure and texture analysis, processing methods and anisotropic properties. On the basis of the texturing mechanisms, the processing methods described in this article have been classified into two types: hot-working (HW) and templated grain growth (TGG). The HW method includes the hot-pressing, hot-forging and sinter-forging techniques, and the TGG method includes the cold-pressing, extrusion, tape-casting and strong magnetic field alignment techniques for #beta#-Si_3N_4 seed crystals. Each processing technique is thoroughly discussed in terms of theoretical models and experimental data, including the texturing mechanisms ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alloy 600 is used as a material for steam generator tubing in pressurized water reactors(PWR) due to its high corrosion resistance under PWR environment. In spite of its corrosion resistance, stress corrosion cracking(SCC) has occurred on the primary side as well as the secondary side of the tubing. Oxide on steel surfaces in aqueous solution above 100 .deg. C is composed of duplex film structure. Inner layer of the oxide is dense and less porous, which is formed by growth of oxide layer on metal surface. Outer layer of the oxide is loose adhesive, which is formed by dissolution precipitation mechanism. Growth processes occur at the metal/oxide and oxide/electrolyte interfaces and are controlled by transport of the layer forming species through the layer, i.e. by the inward diffusion of oxygen including electrolyte species and the outward diffusion of metal cations. Understanding of basic electrochemical behaviors about anodic dissolution and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this article, we studied the effects of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity on an unsteady two-dimensional laminar flow of a viscous incompressible conducting fluid past a semi-infinite vertical porous moving plate taking into account the effect of a magnetic field in the presence of variable suction. The fluid viscosity is assumed to vary as an inverse linear function of temperature but the thermal conductivity is assumed to vary as a linear function of temperature. It is assumed that the porous plate moves with a constant velocity in the direction of fluid flow, and the free stream velocity follows the exponentially increasing small perturbation law. The governing equations for the flow are transformed into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by perturbation ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The understanding of transport processes that occur in naturally fractured geothermal systems is far from being complete. Often, evaluation and numerical simulations of fractured geothermal reservoirs, are carried out by assuming equivalent porous media and homogeneous petrophysical properties within big matrix blocks. The purpose of this paper, is to present a comparison between results obtained from numerical studies of a naturally fractured reservoir treated as a simple porous medium and the simulation of some real aspects of the fractured reservoir. A general conclusion outlines the great practical importance of considering even approximately, the true nature of such systems. Our results show that the homogeneous simplified evaluation of the energy resource in a fractured system, could result in unrealistic estimates of the reservoir capacity to generate electricity.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present volume on modeling of batteries and fuel cells discusses the significance of the effectiveness factor for flooded porous electrodes, active pore distribution spectroscopy for characterizing porous battery electrodes, the agglomerate model for porous electrodes, and dynamic-performance measurements of battery cells for electric vehicles and other applications. Attention is given to mathematical modeling of a primary zinc/air battery, mathematical modeling of Grace Li-TiS2 cells, modeling of electrocrystallization processes in battery systems, and rotating disk electrode studies in molten Li/K carbonate eutectic. Topics addressed include the variability of nickel oxide cathode dissolution in molten carbonate fuel cells, water transport properties of fuel cell ionomers, modeling water content effects in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and computer algebra applied in electrochemistry and fuel cell modeling.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Existing oil reservoirs might be more fully exploited if the properties of the flow of oil and water in porous media were better known. In laboratory experiments it is important to collect as much information as possible to make a descriptive model of the system, including position imaging and chemical binding information. This thesis develops nuclear methods for obtaining position image and chemical binding information from flow experiments of porous media. A combined positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography system to obtain position images, and a time-differential perturbed angular correlation system to obtain chemical binding information, have been built and thoroughly tested. 68 refs., 123 figs., 14 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

Experimental results are presented for a new and unique heat transfer augmentation technique in tubes. The technique consists of inserting a porous mesh structure into the flow passage of the tube. Due to the increased degree of turbulence, both the singl...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Systemic chemotherapy has been relatively ineffective in the treatment of malignant brain tumors even though systemic chemotherapy drugs are small molecules that can readily extravasate across the porous...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Information is presented concerning solute concentration in a porous layer; solute concentration in a packed crevice; corrosion of a packed carbon steel crevice in NaCl-O"2 solutions; and effect of copper on corrosion in NaCl-O"2 solutions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of standard cementitious material creates pulses of pH in the magnitude of 12-13 in the leachates and release alkalis. Such a high pH is detrimental and also unnecessarily complicates the safety analysis of the repository. As no reliable pH-plume models exist, the use of products giving a pH below 11 in the leachates facilitates the safety analysis. Also, according to current understanding, the use of low-pH cement (pH = 11) will not disturb the functioning of the bentonite, although limiting the amount of low-pH cement is recommended. A result of the project is that there are both low-pH cementitious material for grouting larger fractures (= 100 {mu}m) and non-cementitious material for grouting smaller fractures (< 100 {mu}m) that will, after further optimisation work, be recommended for grouting of deep repositories. This project concentrated on the technical development of properties for the low pH grouts. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molybdenum oxide nanostructures were synthesized utilizing the solution combustion method where the ammonium molybdate powder and an organic additive were used as precursors. Different organic additives including ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200), sorbitol and urea were used as surfactants in order to investigate the effect of additive structure on morphology and particle size of products. Also various reaction parameters such as the additive/Mo molar ratio, concentration of metal ion in solution, pH of the reaction, and temperature of the synthesis media were changed to study effects on product morphology and size. Outcomes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. Results show a variety of MoO_3 nanoparticles and nanorods produced within the size range of 10-80 nm. Furthermore, microrods and microsheets were also obtained through ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spherical nanostructured Si/C composite was prepared by spray drying technique, followed by heat treatment, in which nanosized silicon and fine graphite particles were homogeneously embedded in carbon matrix pyrolyzed by phenol formaldehyde resin. Cyclic voltammetry tests showed two pairs of redox peaks corresponding to lithiation and delithiation of Si/C composite. The Si/C composite exhibited a reversible capacity of 635 mAh g"-"1 and good cycle performance used in lithium ion batteries. To improve cycle performance of this Si/C composite further, the carbon-coated Si/C composite was synthesized by the second spray drying and heat treatment processing. The cycle performance of carbon-coated Si/C composite was improved significantly, which was attributed to the formation of stable SEI passivation layers on the outer surface of carbon shell which protected the bared silicon from exposing to electrolyte directly.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present work the hydrogen desorption properties of nanostructured magnesium hydride (MgH2) synthesized by controlled reactive mechanical milling (CRMM) of elemental Mg powder under hydrogen are investigated. A profound effect of the particle size of synthesized MgH2 hydride on its hydrogen desorption characteristics measured by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) has been found. All synthesized MgH2 powders are characterized by a double hydrogen desorption peak. Furthermore, below a certain threshold particle size the DSC desorption temperature of the peak doublet starts decreasing rapidly with decreasing of the mean hydride powder particle size (expressed as equivalent circle diameter-ECD). In contrast, the nanograin (crystallite) size of MgH2 does not seem to have apparent effect on the DSC desorption temperature. It is also observed that for powder particles smaller than some threshold value, X-ray diffraction shows the presence of two polymorphic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present paper it is assumed that above a limiting value of fission fluency (burn-up) a more intensive process of irradiation introduced chemical interaction occurs. A significant part of fission gas product is thus expected to be chemically bounded in the matrix of UO_2 fuel. The fission gas atoms substituting, for example, uranium atoms in the crystallographic lattice can form weak facets. At a certain saturation condition, division of the grains can occur at the weak facets and the increase in fission-gas products release may be expected. The fact that the process of grain division for high burn-ups (70-80 MWd/kgU) forms an extremely fine structure up to the temperature as high as 1100 "oC and simultaneously the observed decreases in fission gas concentration in the fuel supports this concept. The analysis of fission gas concentration change due to the formation of nanostructures in UO_2 fuel at high burn-ups in terms of total surface area change in a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Analytical solutions are derived for a flow in a semi-infinite vertical porous medium with heat and mass transfer. When the temperature and mass concentration are uniform a constant pressure is possible and sustains a fully developed flow. Thereafter there is a small perturbation on the wall temperature and concentration and the subsequent two-dimensional problem is tackled for a large Prandtl number, free convection parameters and small Reynolds number. The heat transfer rate at the wall is discussed quantitatively. (author). 4 refs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The chemical reaction effect on an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow past a semi-infinite vertical porous plate with viscous dissipation is analyzed. The governing equations of motion, energy, and species are transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the time dependent similarity parameter. The resultant ODEs are then solved numerically by a finite element method. The effects of various parameters on the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles are presented graphically, and the values of the skin-friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number for various values of physical parameters are presented through tables.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

HgTe rod-shape composed of crystalline particles has been prepared by a hydrothermal method, and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transition electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of capping agents, reductants, reaction temperatures, and reaction times on crystal structures and shapes of HgTe have been investigated. The results showed that the CTAB as capping agent plays a crucial role in the hydrothermal process. The synthesis procedure is simple and uses less toxic reagents than the previously reported methods.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We investigate the formation of nanostructures in 2D strained alloys on face centered cubic (111) surfaces by means of equilibrium Monte Carlo simulations. In the framework of an off-lattice model, we consider one monolayer of two bulk-immiscible adsorbates A and B with negative and positive misfit relative to the substrate, respectively. Simulations show that the adsorbates partly self-organize into island or stripe-like patterns. We show how these structures depend on the relative misfits, interaction, and concentration of components. The morphology is quite different for phase separation and intermixing regimes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reports the presence of face centered cubic cobalt precipitates inside tungsten carbide in nanocomposite of WC-Co synthesized by spray conversion processing. EDS was used to identify the presence and micro-diffraction was employed to determine the nature of the precipitates. There is entrapment of cobalt in tungsten carbide during the spray conversion process used to form WC/Co powder. During consolidation, at high temperatures, the cobalt attains enough mobility to precipitate inside WC. A vanadium containing compound was seen at the interfaces in samples which incorporated VC as a grain growth inhibitor. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this work is to determine the ability of indigenous bacteria from a Venezuelan oil field to grow under reservoir conditions inside a porous media, and to produce metabolites capable of recovering residual crude oil. For this purpose, samples of formation waters from a central-eastern Venezuelan oil reservoir were enriched with different carbon sources and a mineral basal media. Formation water was used as a source of trace metals. The enrichments obtained were incubated at reservoir temperature (71{degrees}C), reservoir pressure (1,200 psi), and under anaerobic conditions for both outside and inside porous media (Berea core). Growth and metabolic activity was followed outside porous media by measuring absorbance at 660 nm, increases in pressure, and decreases in pH. Inside porous media bacterial activity was determined by visual examination of the produced waters (gas bubbles and ...

CERN Document Server

Materials science and technology

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The performance of a geologic repository for high-level nuclear waste will be influenced to a large degree by thermohydrologic phenomena created by the emplacement of heat-generating radioactive waste. The importance of these phenomena is manifest in that they can greatly affect the movement of moisture and the resulting transport of radionuclides from the repository. Thus, these phenomena must be well understood prior to a definitive assessment of a potential repository site. An investigation has been undertaken along three separate avenues of analysis: (i) laboratory experiments, (ii) mathematical models, and (iii) similitude analysis. A summary of accomplishments to date is as follows. (1) A review of the literature on the theory of heat and mass transfer in partially saturated porous medium. (2) A development of the governing conservation and constitutive equations. (3) A development of a dimensionless form of the governing equations. (4) A numerical study of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Soil contamination by liquid organic pollutants represents a serious threat to phreatic ground water. These organic liquids get into the ground and migrate through the porous medium until they finally reach the aquifer. After a critical study of the literature, we listed various existing multiple displacements under three-phase conditions of a disconnected polluting phase that may or not spread over water. The aim of this thesis is to model (at pore scale level) and integrate in the pore network model the various flows that occur when three phases (gas, pollutant and air) are present in a porous medium. The porous medium is supposed completely water-wet. The polluting phase may be connected or not, and the spreading coefficient of the pollutant over water may either be positive or negative. The goal of our study is to obtain macroscopic parameters such as relative permeabilities and capillary pressure. These parameters can ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The stability of a couple stress fluid saturated horizontal porous layer heated from below and cooled from above when the fluid and solid phases are not in local thermal equilibrium is investigated. The Darcy model is used for the momentum equation and a two-field model is used for energy equation each representing the solid and fluid phases separately. The linear stability theory is employed to obtain the condition for the onset of convection. The effect of thermal non-equilibrium on the onset of convection is discussed. It is shown that the results of the thermal non-equilibrium Darcy model for the Newtonian fluid case can be recovered in the limit as couple stress parameter C?0. We also present asymptotic analysis for both small and large values of the inter phase heat transfer coefficient H. We found an excellent agreement between the exact solutions and asymptotic solutions when H is very small.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The double diffusive convection in a horizontal couple stress fluid saturated anisotropic porous layer, which is heated and salted from below, is studied analytically. The modified Darcy equation that includes the time derivative term is used to model the momentum equation. The critical Rayleigh number, wavenumber for stationary and oscillatory modes, and frequency of oscillations are obtained analytically using linear theory. The effect of anisotropy parameter, solute Rayleigh number, Lewis number, couple stress parameter, and Vadasz number on the stationary, oscillatory, and finite amplitude convection is shown graphically. It is found that the thermal anisotropy parameter, couple stress parameter, and solute Rayleigh number have stabilizing effect on the stationary, oscillatory, and fin...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mobility reduction induced by the growth and metabolism of bacteria in high-permeability layers of heterogeneous reservoirs is an economically attractive technique to improve sweep efficiency. This paper describes an experimental study conducted in sandpacks using an injected bacterium to investigate the strength and stability of microbial plugs in porous media. Successful convective transport of bacteria is important for achieving sufficient initial bacteria distribution. The chemotactic and diffusive fluxes are probably not significant even under static conditions. Mobility reduction depends upon the initial cell concentrations and increase in cell mass. For single or multiple static or dynamic growth techniques, permeability reduction was approximately 70% of the original permeability. The stability of these microbial plugs to increases in pressure gradient and changes in cell physiology in a nutrient-depleted environment needs to be improved.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Porous ?-SiAlON ceramics are synthesized by reaction bonded method using hollow alumina spheres (HASs) as both sintering aids and pore-forming agents. Both micropores and macropores, which are constructured by SiAlON grains with different morphologies, are formed in the final SiAlON samples. The micropores are three-dimentional, and are built by equiaxial grains. While the hollow macropores, which have the similar morphology to hollow alumina sphere, are packed by elongated grains. In the sintering process, the solid dissolution process takes place, giving rise to the different alumina concentration of liquid phase, and thus resulting in the formation of two kinds of grains, the equiaxial grain and the elongated grain.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nanowires, films, and membranes comprising ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieves, and methods of making, are disclosed. A single crystal ultra-long nanowire includes an ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve, and has an average length greater than about 10 micrometers and an average diameter of about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. A film comprises a microporous network comprising a plurality of single crystal nanowires in the form of a layer, wherein a plurality of layers is stacked on a surface of a substrate, wherein the nanowires of each layer are substantially axially aligned. A free standing membrane comprises a microporous network comprising a plurality of single crystal nanowires in the form of a layer, wherein a plurality of layers is aggregately stacked, and wherein the nanowires of each layer are substantially axially aligned.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper is concerned with the study of the Electrorheological RayleighTaylor instability (ERTI) at the interface between a densely packed saturated poorly conducting couple stress porous layer accelerated by a lighter poorly conducting couple stress fluid in a thin shell in the presence of a transverse electric field and laser radiation. A simple theory based on fully developed flow approximations is used to derive the dispersion relation for the growth rate of ERTI. The cutoff and the maximum wave numbers and the corresponding maximum frequencies are obtained. It is shown that the effects of couple stress parameter and the electric field reduce the growth rate considerably compared to a non-conducting fluid in the absence of an electric field. These are favorable to control the surface...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

New technologies are needed to reduce the current high rate of well abandonment. Improved sweep efficiency, reservoir conformance, and permeability modification can have a significant impact on oil recovery processes. Microorganisms can be used to selectively plug high-permeability zones to improve sweep efficiency and impart conformance control. Studies of a promising microbial system for polymer production were conducted to evaluate reservoir conditions in which this system would be effective. Factors which can affect microbial growth and polymer production include salinity, pH, temperature, divalent ions, presence of residual oil, and rock matrix. Flask tests and coreflooding experiments were conducted to optimize and evaluate the effectiveness of this system. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) was used to visualize microbial polymer production in porous media. Changes in fluid distribution within the pore system of the core were detected.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this paper, the unsteady MHD free convection heat and mass transfer of viscous fluid flowing through a Darcian porous regime adjacent to a moving vertical semi-infinite plate under Soret and Dufour effect have been examined. Viscous dissipation effects are included in the energy equation. A uniform magnetic field is applied transversely to the direction of the flow. The differential equations governing the problem have been transformed by a similarity transformation into a system of non-dimensional differential equations which are solved numerically by element free Galerkin method. The influence of Grashof number (Gr), magnetic parameter (M), heat absorption parameter (Q), permeability parameter (K), Schmidt number (Sc), Soret number (Sr), and Dufour number (Du) on the velocity, tempera...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The light-emitting properties of cubic silicon carbide films grown by vacuum vapor phase epitaxy on Si(100) and Si(111) substrates under conditions of decreased growth temperatures (T gr ? 900?700?C) have been discussed. Structural investigations have revealed a nanocrystalline structure and, simultaneously, a homogeneity of the phase composition of the grown 3C-SiC films. Photoluminescence spectra of these structures under excitation of the electronic subsystem by a helium-cadmium laser (?excit = 325 nm) are characterized by a rather intense luminescence band with the maximum shifted toward the ultraviolet (?3 eV) region of the spectral range. It has been found that the integral curve of photoluminescence at low temperatures of measurements is split into a set of Lorentzian components. Th...

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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.

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Thin films of sodium montmorillonite clay and cationic polyacrylamide were grown on a polyethylene terephthalate film using layer-by-layer assembly. After 30 clay-polymer layers are deposited, with a thickness of 571 nm, the resulting transparent film has an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) below the detection limit of commercial instrumentation (< 0.005 cc/m{sup 2}/day/atm). This low OTR, which is unprecedented for a clay-filled polymer composite, is believed to be due to a brick wall nanostructure comprised of completely exfoliated clay in polymeric mortar. With an optical transparency greater than 90% and potential for microwaveability, this thin composite is a good candidate for foil replacement in food packaging and may also be useful for flexible electronics packaging.

CERN Document Server

The controlled growth of nanowires (NWs) with dimensions comparable to the Fermi wavelengths of the charge carriers allows fundamental investigations of quantum confinement phenomena. Here, we present studies of proximity-induced superconductivity in undoped Ge/Si core/shell NW heterostructures contacted by superconducting leads. By using a top gate electrode to modulate the carrier density in the NW, the critical supercurrent can be tuned from zero to greater than 100 nA. Furthermore, discrete sub-bands form in the NW due to confinement in the radial direction, which results in stepwise increases in the critical current as a function of gate voltage. Transport measurements on these superconductor-NW-superconductor devices reveal high-order (n = 25) resonant multiple Andreev reflections, indicating that the NW channel is smooth and the charge transport is highly coherent. The ability to create and control coherent superconducting ordered states in semiconductor-superconductor hybrid ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One-dimensional core-shell polymer nanowires offer many advantages and great potential for many different applications. In this paper we introduce a highly versatile two-step template wetting process to fabricate two-component core-shell polymer nanowires with controllable shell thickness. PLLA and PMMA were chosen as model polymers to demonstrate the feasibility of this process. Solution wetting with different concentrations of polymer solutions was used to fabricate the shell layer and melt wetting was used to fill the shell with the core polymer. The shell thickness was analyzed as a function of the polymer solution concentration and viscosity, and the core-shell morphology was observed with TEM. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating polymer core-shell nanostructures using our two-step template wetting process and opens the arena for optimization and future experiments with polymers that are desirable for specific applications.

Science.gov (United States)

... Materials (PREM) Synopsis of Program: The objective of PREM is to enhance diversity in materials ... careers in materials research. The Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM ...

Science.gov (United States)

... centers in materials research. MRSECs address fundamental materials research topics of intellectual ... in materials research. II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION MRSECs are supported by NSF to undertake materials ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR) Division of Materials Research Synopsis of Program ... for Materials Research (IMR) program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) is designed to ...

Science.gov (United States)

... materials science and engineering, condensed-matter or materials physics, solid-state or materials ... include materials theory, condensed-matter and materials physics, solid-state and materials ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the area of seasonally thawing soil, porous or broken coatings cannot significantly retard the process of pile metal destruction, since it will occur through electroosmotic penetration of the base electrolyte to the metal surface. Such processes can be prevented by electrochemical protective methods. Systems based on grid cathode stations with power control and distribution units are recommended for use for cathode protection of steel pile foundations.

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The objective of this work was to identify methods of improving the performance of gas-fired radiant burners through the use of Continuous Fiber Ceramic Composites (CFCCs). Methods have been identified to improve the price and performance characteristics of the porous surface burner. Results are described.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A zinc-air battery in a case is described including a zinc particle bed supported adjacent the current feeder and diaphragm on a porous support plate which holds the particles but passes electrolyte solution. Electrolyte is recycled through a conduit between the support plate and top of the bed by convective forces created by a density of differential caused by a higher concentration of high density discharge products in the interstices of the bed than in the electrolyte recycle conduit. 7 figures.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We present in this paper the computer code BACCHUS, to analyze the thermal-hydraulics in a rod bundle in single or two-phase flow regime. The model is 2-D and uses the porous body approach. The two-phase model is an extension of the classical homogeneous model, and includes a differential non-equilibrium equation. Results are shown for the extension of the boiling region in a 19-pin bundle. (orig.).

Science.gov (United States)

Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and ... Program Title: Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US ...

Science.gov (United States)

NSF-NIST Interaction in Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular Biosciences, Bioengineering, and ... Laboratory (CSTL). Materials research is centralized in the Materials Science and Engineering ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method is described for immobilizing or solidifying waste material, which includes blending the waste material with powdered metal and subjecting the mixture of waste material and powdered metal to high pressure. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

... of this material is, however, outside the currently approved earth fill materials collection area ... fill material suitable for its intended use. The currently approved site contains material that is ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Development of Oxygen Ion-Implanted Collector materials for Thermal Emission Converters of Thermal Energy into the Electric One.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS borophosphate glass

CERN Document Server

Decomissioning Strategies for Facilities Using Radioactive Material

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Development of Technologies for Boron-10 Isotope Modified Boron-containing Materials Production and their Properties Investigation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mixed-convection phenomena can occur within liquid-dominated geothermal reservoirs due to interactions of injected flows, or ground-water flows, with the buoyancy-induced fluid motion. This problem was studied experimentally and numerically for the case of opposing flows about a vertical heat source in a liquid-saturated porous medium. The ratio of the Rayleigh number (Ra) to the Peclet number (Pe) was identified as the nondimensional parameter which characterizes the relative influence of buoyancy-driven to pressure-gradient-driven fluid motion. The transition from mixed to forced convection was numerically determined to be (Ra/Pe) approx. = -0.5, where the minus sign denotes superimposed downflow. Agreement between measured and predicted thermal-field results showed that the finite-element code of Gartling and Hickox (1982 a,b) can be used to model low-temperature (single-phase) geothermal reservoirs throughout the natural, mixed, and forced convection regimes. 9 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The single-electrode capacitance of a nano-porous carbon electrode used as an electric double layer capacitor was measured. The charged state of the electrolyte ion was discussed from the results. Single-electrode capacitance was not proportional to the specific surface area of the electrode. This implies that the whole surface of the electrode is not effective for the formation of an electric double layer. It is considered that edge orientation of the carbon structure would give a dominant contribution to capacitance. For measurements with aqueous solutions of various electrolytes, capacitance was about the same value for each salt compound. For aqueous acid solution, on the other hand, capacitance was twice to three times as large as that for salt compounds. This difference, however, became negligibly small if the concentration of electrolyte solution was lowered. Taking account of the hydrated ionic radius of each ion, it was considered that ions in salt ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Onset of convection in a layer of couple-stress fluid-saturated porous medium is investigated for different types of basic temperature gradients. The boundaries are considered to be adiabatically insulated to temperature perturbations. The eigenvalue equations of the perturbed state obtained from the normal mode analysis are solved analytically using a regular perturbation technique with wave number as a perturbation parameter and also numerically using the Galerkin technique. The critical stability parameters obtained from these two techniques are in excellent agreement and an increase in the value of couple-stress parameter is found to delay the onset of convection. The results also indicate that the piecewise linear temperature profile hastens the onset of convection when compared to linear, parabolic, and inverted parabolic temperature profiles. In addition, the influence of thermal depth on the critical conditions is assessed in the case of piecewise linear ...

Science.gov (United States)

A "hemispheres-in-cell" geometry is provided for prediction of colloid retention during transport in porous media. This new geometry preserves the utilities provided in the Happel sphere-in-cell geometry; namely, the ability to predict deposition for a range of porosities, and representation of the influence of neighboring collectors on the fluid flow field. The new geometry, which includes grain to grain contact, is justified by the eventual goal of predicting colloid deposition in the presence of energy barriers, which has been shown in previous literature to involve deposition within grain to grain contacts for colloid:collector ratios greater than approximately 0.005. In order to serve as a platform for predicting deposition in the presence of energy barriers, the model must be shown capable of quantitatively predicting deposition in the absence of energy barriers, which is a requirement that was not met by previous grain to grain contact geometries. This paper ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An experimental investigation of premixed methane-air combustion within the one-dimensional porous ceramic burners for various burner configurations is presented. The burner is nonhomogeneous because of different pore size ceramic block used in different section of the burner. Therefore, the thermophysical and transport properties are nonuniform along the burner core length. The burners are constructed of partially stabilized zirconia. The CO and NO{sub x} emissions, flame speed, and flame stability are examined and compared at lean equivalence ratios for five different burner configurations. The sandwich-structured burner has very favorable flame stabilizing characteristic due to the radiation reflecting region. While the combustion proceeds at faster rate than other burner configurations, the radiation reflecting region and the exit surface have low temperature. Thus the NO{sub x} emission can be kept at the same low level as the other burner configurations ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The onset of double-diffusive convection in a couple-stress fluid-saturated horizontal porous layer is studied using linear and weak nonlinear stability analyses. The modified Darcy equation that includes the time derivative term and the inertia term is used to model the momentum equation. The expressions for stationary, oscillatory and finite-amplitude Rayleigh number are obtained as a function of the governing parameters. The effect of couple-stress parameter, solute Rayleigh number, Vadasz number and diffusivity ratio on stationary, oscillatory and finite-amplitude convection is shown graphically. It is found that the couple-stress parameter and the solute Rayleigh number have a stabilizing effect on stationary, oscillatory and finite-amplitude convection. The diffusivity ratio has a destabilizing effect in the case of stationary and finite-amplitude modes, with a dual effect in the case of oscillatory convection. The Vadasz number advances the onset of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The concept of relative permeability is the key concept in extending Darcy's law for single phase flow through porous media to the two-phase flow regime. Relative permeability functions are needed for simulation studies of two-phase geothermal reservoirs. These are poorly known inspite of considerable theoretical and experimental investigations during the last decade. Since no conclusive results exist, many investigators use ad hoc parametrization, or adopt results obtined from flow of oil and gas (Corey, 1954). It has been shown by Reda and Eaton (1980) that this can lead to serious deficiencies. Sensitivity of the relative permeability curves for prediction of mass flow rate and flowing enthalpy into geothermal wells has been studied by many investigators (e.g. Eaton and Reda (1980), Bodvarsson et al (1980), Sun and Ershagi (1979) etc.). It can be concluded from these studies that the beehavior of a two-phase steam/water reservoir depends greatly on the ...

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This study presents a dynamic analysis of a flexible rotor supported by two porous squeeze couple stress fluid film journal bearings with non-linear suspension. The dynamics of the rotor center and bearing center are studied. The analysis of the rotor-bearing system is investigated under the assumptions of non-Newtonian fluid and a short bearing approximation. The spatial displacements in the horizontal and vertical directions are considered for various non-dimensional speed ratios. The dynamic equations are solved using the Runge-Kutta method. The analysis methods employed in this study is inclusive of the dynamic trajectories of the rotor center and bearing center, power spectra, Poincare maps and bifurcation diagrams. The maximum Lyapunov exponent analysis is also used to identify the onset of chaotic motion. The numerical results show that the stability of the system varies with the non-dimensional speed ratios, the non-dimensional parameter l* and the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

10%Pt/C catalysts were prepared by liquid reduction method. PTFE and Pt/ C catalysts were adhered to porous metal and hydrophobic Pt/C/PTFE catalysts were prepared. The structure and size of Pt crystal particles of Pt/C catalysts were analyzed by XRD, and their mean size was 3.1 nm. The dispersion state of Pt/C and PTFE was analyzed by SEM, and they had good dispersion mostly, but PTFE membrane could be observed on local parts of Pt/C/PTFE surface. Because of low hydrophobicity, Pt/C/ PTFE catalysts have low activity when the mass ratio of PTFE and Pt/C is 0.5: 1, and their catalytic activity increases markedly when the ratio is 1:1. When the ratio increases again, more Pt active sites would be covered by PTFE and interior diffusion effect would increase, which result in the decrease of catalytic activity of Pt/C/PTFE. By PTFE pretreatment of porous metal carrier, the activity of Pt/C/PTFE catalysts decreases when the mass ratio of PTFE and ...

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...

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The optoelectronic and excitonic properties in a series of linear acenes are investigated using range-separated methods within time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). In these highly-conjugated systems, we find that the range-separated formalism provides a substantially improved description of excitation energies compared to conventional hybrid functionals, which surprisingly fail for the various low-lying valence transitions. Moreover, we find that even if the percentage of Hartree-Fock exchange in conventional hybrids is re-optimized to match wavefunction-based CC2 benchmark calculations, they still yield serious errors in excitation energy trends. Based on an analysis of electron-hole transition density matrices, we also show that conventional hybrid functionals overdelocalize excitons and underestimate quasiparticle energy gaps in the acene systems. The results of the present study emphasize the importance of a range-separated and asymptotically-correct contribution of ...

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In ionic nanocrystals the cationic sub-lattice can be replaced with a different metal ion via a fast, simple, and reversible place-exchange, allowing post-synthetic modification of the composition of the nanocrystal, while preserving its size and shape. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that during such an exchange, the anionic framework of the crystal is preserved. When applied to nanoheterostructures, this phenomenon ensures that compositional interfaces within the heterostructure are conserved throughout the transformation. For instance, a morphology composed of a CdSe nanocrystal embedded in a CdS rod (CdSe/CdS) was exchanged to a PbSe/PbS nanorod via a Cu2Se/Cu2S structure. During every exchange cycle, the seed size and position within the nanorod were preserved, as evident by excitonic features, Z-contrast imaging, and elemental line-scans. Anionic framework conservation extends the domain of cation exchange to the design of more complex and unique ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly has been extensively used as a simple and effective method for the preparation of polyelectrolyte multilayer films. In this work, we utilized this unique method to prepare polyimide precursor/layered double hydroxide (LDH) ultrathin films. Well-crystallized Co-Al-CO_3 LDH and subsequent anion exchanged Co-Al-NO_3 LDH were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). By vigorous shaking of the as-prepared Co-Al-NO_3 LDH, positively charged and exfoliated LDH nanosheets were obtained. Atomic force microscopy and XRD investigations indicated the delamination of LDH nanosheets. The precursor of polyimide, poly(amic acid) tertiary amine salt (PAS) was prepared by the polycondensation of dianhydride and diamine, and subsequent amine salt formation. By using the LBL method, heterogeneous ultrathin films of PAS and LDH were prepared. The formation of the ordered nanostructured assemblies was ...

Science.gov (United States)

Hybridization and thermal evolution of the Ni+C{sub 60} composites, deposited on Si(001) at room temperature, were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy, {mu}-Raman spectroscopy and Rutherford Backscattering. As-deposited, the hybrid films exhibited a granular nano-structure with Ni nano-particles encapsulated in C{sub 60} polymerized rinds. The Ni and C (C{sub 60}) distributions in a top layer were found homogeneous with a stable Ni/C (C{sub 60}) ratio; in the larger depth the distributions were inhomogeneous and their ratio dramatically varied. At elevated temperatures, all structural parameters were changed. In the subsurface layer Ni- and C (C{sub 60})-rich zones were formed (due to the induced phase separation), C{sub 60}-molecules decayed and their fragments were transformed into amorphous carbon (a-C). The free volume distribution of the stressed hybrid matter was analyzed by the Hg marker that (in a form of vapors) in-diffused in to the samples. The ...

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CuAg core-shell nanoparticles are synthesized by ultra-high vacuum thermal evaporation. We show on this system how the Energy-Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy (EFTEM) technique allows one to improve the characterization by precisely pointing out the formation of core-shell arrangements in bimetallic nanoparticle assemblies. A criterion to measure the shell thickness from EFTEM images on unique core-shell nanoparticles is defined, that can be used for core-shell nanoparticles of any sizes, with shell thicknesses over 1 nm. It is based on the intensity variation along a line drawn across a core-shell nanoparticle on a EFTEM image. This criterion has been validated by a close comparison of the shell thickness measurements performed in this work and the ones obtained by acoustic micro-Raman spectroscopy. Using this criterion, we report a strong correlation between the size of the Cu cores and the formation of the core-shell arrangements in the nanoparticle assembly studied in this ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A survey is given on the results in hand on the natural radioactivity of building materials. It is shown that only a small percentage of building materials has an increased content of radioactive materials. The results are compared with approximate values given in a Russian publication. (orig./AK).

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... materials science and education beyond what is expected from any one Center. "Advanced materials are ... for DMR's Division of Materials Research. "Fundamental research on materials is essential to the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the present study, electrically conducting carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats were produced by incorporating tetraethoxy orthosilicate (TEOS) into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) via electrospinning. A simple thermal treatment was applied to the electrospun nanofibers to create ultramicropores that could accommodate a large number of ions were formed on the surface of the CNFs, removing the need for a time-consuming activation step. The Si/CNF composites showed high capacitance and energy/power density values due to the formation of ultramicropores and the introduction of heteroatoms.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In PWR steam-generators, the crevice between tube and tube-support plate tends to fill with porous deposits during operation and acts as a concentration site for chemicals in the boiler water, which may lead to corrosion of the tube and tube-support-plate. The rate of concentration, the magnitude of the concentration factor and the rate of release of solute when conditions change are important parameters for devising strategies to minimize corrosion. Values of these parameters for salt concentration have therefore been measured in a laboratory simulation of the crevice and are used to formulate a model of the concentrating process.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The present contribution deals with the thermophoresis particle deposition and thermal radiation effects on the flow, heat and mass transfer characteristics in a viscous fluid over a semi-infinite vertical porous plate. The governing boundary layer equations are written into a dimensionless form by similarity transformations. The transformed coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved numerically by means of the fourth-order Runge?Kutta method with a shooting technique. The effects of different parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles are shown graphically. In addition, results for the local skin-friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number, and the local Sherwood number are tabulated and discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The development of new electro-optical instrumentation for studying the annular dispersed two-phase flow regime is described. The system measures the thickness of the water film and droplet size and velocity distributions which would be encountered in such a flow regime. The water film thickness is measured by an improved capacitance method with a short time constant using newly developed sensor electrodes. The electrodes are made flush with the inner wall of a cylindrical tube and do not disturb the flow. In the test equipment, steady, laminar flow of water along the inner wall of the tube is controlled by appropriate valves and a porous jacket while droplets are introduced by means of a special spray nozzle.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A three-dimensional, three-phase, multiple-component numerical simulator was developed to investigate transport and growth of microorganisms in porous media and the impacts of microbial activities on oil recovery. The microbial activities modeled in this study included: (1) growth, retention, chemotaxis, and end product inhibition of growth, (2) the formation of metabolic products, and (3) the consumption of nutrients. Major mechanisms for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) processes were modeled as follows: (1) improvement in sweep efficiency of a displacement process due to in situ plugging of highly-permeable production zones by cell mass or due to improved mobility control achieved by increasing the viscosity of the displacing fluid with a biopolymer, and (2) solubilization and mobilization of residual oil in porous media due to the reduction of the interfacial tension between oleic and aqueous phases by the production of a ...

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Production of porous membranes using heavy ion bombardment and subsequent chemical etching of poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) films has been reported several years ago. However, porous membranes with pore diameter in the nanometer scale requires a better understanding of the chemical etching mechanism. In this work PVDF foils irradiated with Sn ions (2.85 MeV per nucleon) were exposed to several etching conditions which involved permanganate oxidation in different alkaline environments. The solution of KOH 9 mol L{sup -1} and saturated in KMnO{sub 4} was the best etching reactant for PVDF. Functional groups created in the alkaline and oxidative attack by permanganate were studied by FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data reveals that the formation of pores occurs by a two-step mechanism: (i) double bonds as a result of dehydrofluorination induced by alkaline media and (ii) oxidation of these double bonds in permanganate ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

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... Astronomy & Space Biology Chemistry & Materials Computing Earth & Environment Education ... Materials Research Center at the University of Chicago, one of nearly 30 NSF-supported Materials ...

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... of Award Costs (Schedule A), are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a ... support costs, materials and supplies, and the indirect costs. We found two material internal ...

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... s guides and "how-to" videos and other materials, and 7. Receive continuing support from GLOBE's ... and educational materials that result from international proposals in its materials and support ...

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As adulterated and substituted Chinese medicinal materials are common in the market, therapeutic effectiveness of such materials cannot be guaranteed. Identification at species-, strain- and locality-levels,...Full Text Available

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PMID:4317460

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