We advance a tentative compositemodel for computer security at JPL, together with inter and intra networking with other NASA centers and overseas clients.
Analytical models for predicting the deformation and failure of composite sandwich panels subjected to blast and projectile impact loading are presented in this paper. The analytical predictions of the transient deformations and damage initiation in the composite sandwich panels were compared with finite element solutions using ABAQUS Explicit. For the blast model, the predicted transient deformation of the sandwich panel was within 7%of FEA results, while the predicted damage initiation using Hashin's composite failure criteria was about 15%higher than FEA results in most cases. For the high velocity impact model, the predicted transient deformations were within 20%of FEA results.
... describe the relationship (Peake and Quinn, 1993). The power model was considered best if the R2 from this ... when stone abundance was low (Fig. 2). The power model best described the nonlinear relations...
This work contains 27 chapters which cover recent advances in fracture mechanics applied to cement-based composites: concrete, reinforced concrete, and fiber reinforced concrete. The book, based on a NATO Advanced Study Institute, is a comprehensive survey of treating nonlinearity associated with crack growth in brittle materials such as cement composites, rocks and ice. The book is divided into 8 major themes: advances in nonlinear fracture mechanics; fracture processes; numerical modelling of fracture; experimental methods of determining fracture parameters; damage and continuum modelling; strain-rate and dynamic effects of crack propagation; stress-corrosion, time and temperature effects on fracture; and implications for concrete structures.
The paper studied a possibility of estimating characteristics of coal liquefaction residue from liquefaction conditions in the case of fixing coal kind in the NEDOL process coal liquefaction PSU. Wyoming coal was used for the study, and the already proposed simplified liquefaction reaction models were used. Among material balances explained by the models, those of asphaltene, preasphaltene, THF insoluble matters are concerned with residue composition. Ash content is separately calculated from ash balance. Reaction velocity constants of simplified liquefaction reaction models which influence the residue composition were obtained by the multiple regression method from experimental results in the past. The estimation expression of residue viscosity was introduced from residue ash/composition. When the residue composition is estimated by the ...
The effect of the coated composite surface of particles on the mechanical properties of the powder bed was investigated. Polyethylene-silica surface composite powder was prepared at several coating ratios with Hybridizer. Various tests on mechanical properties of the powder bed were carried out with the prepared powder, and the following results were obtained: The ultimate tensile strength depends only on the cohesive force between particles, and the contact probability model of composite particles led to good agreement between the experimental and calculated values. The coefficient of internal friction and cohesive shear strength were influenced due to the interlocking effect of the surface roughness of composite particles. The effects of coating particles became small with dynamic properties like angle of repose. It is possible to control the mechanical properties in a step wise ...
To improve the friction and wear behavior of carbon fabric reinforced polymer composites (CFRP), nano-SiO2 was deposited on the fabric surface. The friction and wear behavior of the resulting composites were investigated on a model ring-on-block test rig. Experimental results revealed that fiber surface treatment contributed to largely improve the tribological properties of the CFRP composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation showed that the worn surface of the surface modified CFRP composite was smoother under given load and sliding rate. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of the carbon fiber surface showed that nanostructured Sio2 thin film can be obtained by SiO2 sols deposition, which improved th...
With an increased use of fiber reinforced concrete in structural applications, proper characterization techniques and development of design guides are needed. This dissertation presents a multi-scale modeling approach for fiber and fabric reinforced cement-based composites. A micromechanics-based model of the yarn pullout mechanism due to the failure of the interfacial zone is presented. The effect of mechanical anchorage of transverse yarns is simulated using nonlinear spring elements. The yarn pullout mechanism was used in a meso-scale modeling approach to simulate the yarn bridging force in the crack evolution process. The tensile stress-strain response of a tension specimen that experiences distributed cracking can be simulated using a generalized finite difference approach. The stiffness degradation, tension stiffening, crack spacing evolution, and crack width characteristics of cement ...
A plane stress constitutive relation is developed for laminate composites undergoing matrix cracking and therefore displaying significant nonlinear stress-strain behavior. The constitutive relation is similar in some respects to a phenomenological theory of plasticity in that it is fit to data from uniaxial tests. The constitutive equations are specialized to brittle matrix composites (especially CMCs) in the form of cross-piles and quasi-isotropic laminates. Several problems involving stress redistribution at holes and notches due to nonlinear stress-strain behavior are investigated with the aid of the constitutive law.
A wood/polymer composite was produced by impregnating Ramin wood with methyl methacrylate monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by gamma irradiation. To assess the improvement in compression strength of the wood caused by the polymer impregnation, a microbuckling compression failure mechanism was used to model the compression failure of the composite. Such a mechanism was found to predict a linear relationship between the compression strength and the percentage polymer impregnation (by weight). Uniaxial compression test results at 45({plus minus}5)% and 90({plus minus}5)% relative humidity levels, after being statistically analysed, showed that such a linear relationship was valid for up to 100% polymer impregnation. (author).
A wood/polymer composite was produced by impregnating Ramin wood with methyl methacrylate monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by gamma irradiation. To assess the improvement in compression strength of the wood caused by the polymer impregnation, a microbuckling compression failure mechanism was used to model the compression failure of the composite. Such a mechanism was found to predict a linear relationship between the compression strength and the percentage polymer impregnation (by weight). Uniaxial compression test results at 45(#+-#5)% and 90(#+-#5)% relative humidity levels, after being statistically analysed, showed that such a linear relationship was valid for up to 100% polymer impregnation. (author).
This paper deals with the experimental identification and the validation of a non-parametric probabilistic approach allowing model uncertainties and data uncertainties to be taken into account in the numerical model developed to predict low- and medium-frequency dynamics of structures. The analysis is performed for a composite sandwich panel representing a complex dynamical system which is sufficiently simple to be completely described and which exhibits, not only data uncertainties, but above all model uncertainties. The dynamical identification is experimentally performed for eight panels. The experimental frequency response functions are used to identify the non-parametric probabilistic approach of model uncertainties. The prediction of the low- and medium-frequency dynamical responses obtained with the stochastic system is compared with the experimental measurements.
A method for estimating the form of magnetic nanoparticles in composite film structures based on the observation of ferromagnetic resonance phenomenon is offered. Within the model of the effective medium, an explanation is given for experimentally observed concentration and temperature dependences of resonant fields for composite nanosystem (Co45Fe45Z10) f +(Al2O3)100?f .
Analysis of the coke gas combustion porcess is presented. Standard kinetic relationships were utilized. Calculations were performed for coke gas with high and low content of H/sub 2/ and for blasting air 20 and 100/sup 0/C. Temperature relationships, composition of gas combustion products and release of nitrogen oxides were determined. Results are analyzed which will make it possible to control the composition of combustion products.
The heat capacity and heat of fusion were measured for a number of minerals using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC measurements showed that the heat of fusion for the minerals is very low compared to the heat of fusion for pure crystalline phases reported elsewhere. A model for the melting behaviour of mineral materials in terms of melting interval, heat capacities and heat of fusion has been developed. The only model input is the chemical composition of the mineral material. The model was developed to be implemented in a detailed model of a cupola furnace, thus the focus for the development was not only precision but also to obtain a model that was continuous and differentiable. The model is based on several different submodels that each covers a part of the heating and melting of rocks. Each submodel is based on large ...
Abstract An analytical model is developed to predict transient discharge flow into a tunnel drilled at various speeds through a heterogeneous formation. This model relies on simplifying assumptions commonly enforced in hydrogeologic engineering, and combines the convolution and superposition principles to account for composite sections with arbitrary parametric contrasts. An application to the data monitored during the exploratory drilling of an Alpine tunnel confirms the validity of the approach.
Assessment of subtle changes in the primary macromolecular components of cartilage, proteoglycan (PG) and collagen, is critical for the diagnosis of early stages of osteoarthritis (OA), but...Full Text Available
This book contains over 20 selections. Some of the titles are: Continuum damage mechanics studies on the dynamic fracture of concrete; Dynamic compressive strength of cementitious materials; Rate-sensitivity of mode I and mode II fracture concrete; and An impact damage model of concrete.
Pitch-based short carbon fibers (CFs) were treated by air oxidation and cryogenic nitrogen, respectively. Thereafter the treated and untreated CFs were incorporated into polyimide (PI) matrix to form composites. The CFs before and after treatment were examined by XPS and SEM.The flexural strength of the specimen was determined in a three-point test machine and the tribological properties of PI composites sliding against GCr15 steel rings were evaluated on an M-2000 model ring-on-block test rig. The results show that the surface of the treated CFs became rougher. Lots of active groups formed on the CF surface after air oxidation.The treatment can effectively improve the mechanical and tribological properties in their PI composites due to the enhanced fiber-matrix interfacial bonding. Copyri...
Nano photonic materials are synthetically manufactured crystals at the nano scale with the target of creating a microstructure with a special electro-magnetic periodicity. Such nano photonic materials have the ability to control light propagation and thus are capable of creating photonic bandgaps in the frequency domain. We propose using nano photonic crystals as sensors to detect microdamage in composite materials. We demonstrate using a simulation model that a nano photonic sensor attached to a composite bar experiences a significant change in its bandgap profile when damage is induced in the composite bar. The model predicts the frequency response of the nano photonic sensor using the transfer matrix method. A damage metric to evaluate the change in the frequency response is developed. Successful developments of nano photonic sensors allow damage identification at scales not ...
In this article, we propose a model selection method, the Bayesian compositemodel space approach, to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a half-sib population for continuous and binary traits. In our method, the identity-by-descent-based variance component model is used. To demonstrate the performance of this model, the method was applied to map QTL underlying production traits on BTA6 in a Chinese half-sib dairy cattle population. A total of four QTLs were detected, whereas only one QTL was identified using the traditional least square (LS) method. We also conducted two simulation experiments to validate the efficiency of our method. The results suggest that the proposed method based on a multiple-QTL model is efficient in mapping multiple QTL for an outbred half-sib population and is more powerful than the LS method based on a single-QTL ...
Lean premixed combustion (LPC) of natural gas is of considerable interest in land-based gas turbines for power generation. However, modeling such combustors and adequately addressing the concerns of LPC, which include emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, remains a significant challenge. In this paper, characteristics of published simulations of gas turbine combustion are summarised and methods of modeling turbulent combustion are reviewed. The velocity-composition PDF method is selected for implementation in a new comprehensive model that uses an unstructured-grid flow solver. Reduced mechanisms for methane combustion are evaluated in a partially stirred reactor model. Comprehensive model predictions of swirl-stabilised LPC of natural gas are compared with detailed measurements obtained in a laboratory-scale combustor. The ...
This paper presents a patient specific deformable heart model that involves the known electrical and mechanical properties of the cardiac cells and tissue. The whole heart model comprises ten Tusscher's ventricular and Nygren's atrial cell models, the anatomical and electrophysiological model descriptions of the atria (introduced by Harrild et al.) and ventricle (given by Winslow et al.), and the mechanical model of the periodical cardiac contraction and resting phenomena proposed by Moireau et al. During the propagation of the depolarization wave, the kinetic, compositional and rotational anisotropy is handled by the tissue, organ and torso model. The applied patient specific parameters were determined by an evolutionary computation method. An intensive parameter reduction was performed u...
A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) electrochemical model has been created to model high-temperature electrolysis stack performance and steam electrolysis in the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Integrated Lab Scale (ILS) experiment. The model is made of 60 planar cells stacked on top of each other operated as Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC). Details of the model geometry are specific to a stack that was fabricated by Ceramatec, Inc. and tested at INL. Inlet and outlet plenum flow and distribution are considered. Mass, momentum, energy, and species conservation and transport are provided via the core features of the commercial CFD code FLUENT. A solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) model adds the electrochemical reactions and loss mechanisms and computation of the electric field throughout the cell. The FLUENT SOFC user defined subroutine was modified for this work ...
In this study, the shear viscosities of wood?plastic composites (WPC)/supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) solutions at different die temperatures and sc-CO2 contents were measured by a slit die attached on a single-screw extrusion system. A theoretical model based on the Carreau-Yasuda model and Arrhenius equation was then developed to describe the shear-thinning behavior of the WPC/sc-CO2 solution. This model was incorporated into a finite element method software, POLYFLOW, to simulate the pressure and velocity field of WPC/sc-CO2 solution flowing through a foaming die. Based on the simulation results, the pressure drop rate and the location of the supersaturation point were estimated to investigate the cell nucleation. The saturation pressure of sc-CO2 in WPC was determined by a magnetic suspensi...
The contribution of pulsar accelerated nuclei to the cosmic rays inside the Galaxy is calculated assuming that a significant part of the pulsar rotational energy is lost on acceleration of iron nuclei extracted from the surface of the neutron star. Different models of the galactic pulsar population are discussed. It is shown that the best description of the observed cosmic ray spectrum and the mass composition between a few 10{sup 15} eV and a few 10{sup 18} eV is obtained for the model B of Lorimer et al. (1993)
A model has been developed to predict the chemical composition of lakes that form in pyrite-bearing open-pit mines. Pyrite oxidation in wall rock releases sulfuric acid and metals, which mix with ground waters in the lake. Aqueous metal concentrations are calculated using MINTEQA2.
Recently, the development of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, in the forms of wire, thin film and stent have been found increasingly in the fields of materials science and smart structures and engineering. The increase in attraction for using these materials is due to their many unique materials, mechanical, thermal and thermal-mechanical properties, which in turn, evolve their subsequent shape memory, pseudo-elasticity and super-elasticity properties. In this paper, a common type of SMA actuator, Nitinol wires, were embedded into advanced composite structures to modulate the structural dynamic responses, in terms of natural frequency and damping ratio by using its shape memory and pseudo-elastic properties. A simple theoretical model is introduced to estimate the natural frequency of the structures before and after actuating the embedded SMA wires. The damping ratios of different SMA composite beams were measured ...
The meeting was arranged into the following sessions: introductory; advanced ceramics and ceramic composites; ceramic and metal matrix composites; electronic materials and devices; acoustoelasticity, stress, and texture; composites-porosity, strength, and UT propagation; process modeling and monitoring; thermal wave physics; material properties, composites, surfaces, and interfaces; acoustic emission; ferromagnetic materials; new sensors; NDE reliability assessment; elastic wave scattering and propagation; image analysis, data storage, and signal processing; UT transducers; weldments and bonded materials; eddy current models; unified life cycle engineering; x rays, CT, and NMR; eddy current probes and instruments; acoustic microscopy imaging, and reconstruction; signal processing, measurement techniques, and systems; NDE applications of artificial intelligence; ...
An experiment was conducted on the structure of mesoscopic calculating method for cement-based composite materials. The purpose was utilization for the simulation of mesoscale failure processes and the development of new composite materials. Mesh split based on Voronoi polygons was applied as the discrete limit analysis of the cement-based composite materials containing aggregate particles taking the arrangement of random particles into consideration, and a two-dimensional rigid-body/spring model was employed as the model. The nonhomogeneity of concrete was represented by three kinds of different spring parameters which were aggregate, mortar matrix and their interfaces. The simulation results were summarized as follows: The stress-strain curve went into a non-linear state from the 30% of the maximum stress. The generation of interfacial crack started on the side of the aggregate, ...
This research involves the development of an analysis which yielded recommendations regarding the plate thickness at which the effects of transverse shear become significant enough to be taken into consideration during vibration testing of composite plates. The specimens designed using this analysis are to be used for the {open_quotes}inverse{close_quotes} problem of determining through-the-thickness elastic constants as well as in-plane elastic constants from modal vibration response data. The effects of transverse shear were studied over the range of practical plate aspect ratios (length to thickness ratios) and mode numbers. Behavior of composite plates ranging from isotropic to highly orthotropic was studied in order to investigate the effects of transverse shear. Orthotropic plates having in-plane dimensions of 254 x 254 mm and thicknesses varying from 10 mm to 80 mm, with free-free edge boundary conditions, were considered. A methodology ...
In this study, the influence of Beryllium (Be) content on the fracture behaviour of Al?15%Mg2Si composite was investigated. The results showed an increase in mechanical properties with increasing of Be content. The stress?strain curves of samples showed a same category of serrations reflecting non-uniform deformation. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the crack nucleation and fracture model. The results indicate that Al?15%Mg2Si composite shows different behaviours of crack initiation and fracture for samples with and without Be. Differences observed in the fracture behaviour were attributed to microstructural changes as well as morphological aspects of primary Mg2Si particles.
A wood-polymer composite has been produced by impregnating the wood with the monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by exposure to a gamma radiation source. To compare the improvement in creep deformation of the wood due to the polymer impregnation, a nonlinear Norton-Bailey isothermal mathematical function has been used to model the bending creep deformation of the wood-polymer composites. Results show that the impregnation significantly improves the creep resistance of the wood. The maximum creep resistance is obtained when the amount of polymer impregnation exceeds about 30%. An interfacial interaction between the wood cell wall and the polymer could explain the creep deformation improvement, as well as the maximum impregnation level beyond which little improvement occurs. The results indicate that polymer impregnation is a viable method for improving the poor creep properties of wood. (author).
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fabric (CF) was modified with strong HNO3 oxidation and then introduced into polyimide (PI) composites. The friction and wear properties of the carbon fabric reinforced polyimide composites (CFRP), sliding against GCr15 stainless steel rings, were investigated on an M-2000 model ring-on-block test rig under dry sliding. Experimental results revealed that the carbon fiber surface treatment largely reduced the friction and wear of the CFRP. Compared with the untreated ones, the surface-modified CF can enhance the tribological properties of CFRP efficiently due to the improved adhesion between the CF and the PI matrix. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of the carbon fiber surface showed that the fiber surfa...
Wood polymer composite (WPC) specimens were produced by impregnating a tropical wood with methyl methacrylate and subsequently polymerised by ..gamma..-irradiation. Beam specimens of varying weight percentages of polymer were then subjected to a three point bend creep test under a constant load condition, for 250, 300 and 350 N. A Norton-Bailey (power law) mathematical model was used to describe the creep behavior, with the creep components determined by a nonlinear regression analysis. Significant creep improvements were obtained from the composite specimens as compared to the untreated wood specimens. Results indicated that maximum creep resistance is obtained when the amount of polymer loading exceeded 30%. An interfacial interaction between the polymer and the wood cell wall was used to account for the behavior of the increase in the creep resistance.
In this article a methodology is presented for studying the influence of the biomass moisture content and the biomass/air ratio on the producer gas composition and on the chemiluminescent emissions during the combustion process. Firstly, a mathematical model based on the thermo-chemical processes inside the gasifier is used to predict the composition of the producer gas as a mixture of CO, CO2, H2, N2, CH4 and H2O gases. Secondly, the predicted composition is introduced into a constant volume combustion bomb (CVCB), which simulates the typical conditions inside the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, in order to characterize its combustion under gasoline-type conditions through the instantaneous pressure and the detection of the spontaneous luminous radiation (chemilumines...
Thermo-hygro-rheology of wood-adhesive systems plays an important role during the hot pressing process of wood based composites. The principal objective of this research is to quantitatively study the thermo-hygro rheological characteristics of wood-adhesive systems used in such composites. This is with a view to providing material characteristics which may be used in simulation models of industrial hot-pressing operations. For this purpose, a specially designed miniature hot press system mounted on a servo-hydraulic testing machine was used to compress pre-formed fiber networks. The environment for each test was maintained uniform throughout the specimen by pre-treating it inside the system until the desired conditions of temperature and moisture were achieved. Experiments were conducted under a range of test conditions of load (1 to 6 MPa), temperature (25 to 150C) and moisture content (0 to 16%). A five-element ...
A strategic partnership was formed among the American Foundrymen`s Society and the Federal government to develop and transfer the technology needed by the US foundry industry to: increase energy efficiency of cupola melting; improve recovery of carbon, silicon, and manganese through reduced oxidation losses; and improve productivity due to more uniform and predictable iron compositions. An effective mathematical model of the cupola offers a solution to the complex and interactive chemical and heat transfer processes to melt cast iron. The transient changes in charge size, charge composition, blast rate, and coke rate are used to optimize operation to improve melting rates, minimize oxidation losses of valuable alloying elements (C, Si, and Mn), and maintain iron composition. Despite these challenges, the cupola produces iron at a lower cost, and have better environmental controls than other melting ...
Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used to explore the nanometer-scale structure of Nafion, the widely used fuel cell membrane, and its composites. We have shown that solid-state NMR can characterize chemical structure and composition, domain size and morphology, internuclear distances, molecular dynamics, etc. The newly-developed water channel model of Nafion has been confirmed, and important characteristic length-scales established. Nafion-based organic and inorganic composites with special properties have also been characterized and their structures elucidated. The morphology of Nafion varies with hydration level, and is reflected in the changes in surface-to-volume (S/V) ratio of the polymer obtained by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The S/V ratios of different Nafion models have been evaluated numerically. It has been found that only the water channel ...
In general, macroscopic material failure is a manifestation of irreversible changes at the microscopic level. Many tissues, which may appear to be macroscopically homogeneous, are, at a fundamental microscopic level, a composite material. For example, cornea is composed of a hyaluronic acid matrix in which layers of collagen fibers are overlaid in a crossing pattern. The points where the collagen fibers intersect are potential nucleation sites for microscopic defects, which under the action of tensile stress, nucleate, grow and coalesce to form macroscopic failure planes, or spall planes. Using a model based on microstructural evolution, this paper examines the failure process during photoablation. Specifically, the paper describes a physically motivated, micromechanical model based on the nucleation and growth of spherical voids. This model is then used to simulate photoablation of cornea. Potential ...
In this study, ethanol organosolv pretreatment was investigated and optimized for the pretreatment of empty palm fruit bunch using (1) response surface methodology based on three-variable central composite design and (2) the combined severity parameters. The reaction parameters studied were sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-2.0%), reaction temperature (160-200^oC) and residence time (45-90min). Both models provide valuable and complementary informations: using combined severity parameters, very good predictions were obtained concerning xylan and lignin extraction whereas central composite design is the best model for glucose production. The optimal values of the variables were as the followings: sulfuric acid 2.0% w/w, 160^oC, 78min and the experimental values (96.0%) concerning glucose and...
Biodegradable helicoidal stent prototypes made up of layers of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers were fabricated by temperature conditioning the stents at different stages of fabrication. The process incorporated elastic memory, or self-expandability in the stent, which is desirable to minimize stent recoil. The collapse pressures of such stents were studied, with and without in vitro degradation. The effects of thickness and the composition of each layer on the collapse pressure were modeled using the simple series model. Results of the in vitro studies for over 3 months showed that collapse pressure of the stents depended mainly on the degradation and other side-effects brought about by the degradation of different polymer compositions. General...
In the present study, models of key chemical processes governing the compositions of the tapped metal from the cupola on the basis of physico-chemical fundamentals have been developed. As evident from the literature survey, the investigations conducted in the past have focused their attention on one phenomenon at a time; for example, a particular chemical reaction, measurement of gas composition or the temperature distribution inside a cupola. Notwithstanding the importance of these studies and their contribution toward the understanding of cupola operation, mathematical models of key chemical processes and their interdependence must be investigated to obtain a complete insight into the various interlinked phenomena occurring inside a cupola. For example, the oxidation of the metallic charge leads to the formation of iron oxide which influences the final content of elements such as silicon, manganese ...
The surface coverage of amorphous silica gels used in the synthesis of silica polyamine composites has been investigated by 29Si NMR. By diluting the polyamine anchor silane, chloropropyl trichlorosilane, with methyl trichlorosilane it was found that surface coverage could be markedly improved for a range of amine polymers after grafting to the silica surface. The commensurate decrease in the number of anchor points and increase in the number of free amines results in an increase in metal capacity and/or an improvement in capture kinetics. Solid state CPMAS-13C NMR has been employed to investigate the structure and metal ion binding of a series of these composite materials. It is reported that the highly branched polymer, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) exhibits much broader 13C NMR resonances than the linear polymers poly(allylamine) (PAA) and poly(vinylamine) (PVA). These results are understood in terms of the low energy conformations calculated ...
Glass produced during the Purex 4 campaigns of the Integrated Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) Melter System (IDMS) and the 774 Research Melter contained a lower fraction of sludge components than targeted by the Product Composition Control System (PCCS). Purex 4 glass was more durable than the benchmark (EA) glass, but less durable than most simulated SRS high-level waste glasses. Also, Purex 4 glass was considerably less durable than predicted by the algorithm which will be used to control production of DWPF glass. A melter run was performed using the 774 Research Melter to determine if the initial PCCS target composition determined for Purex 4 would produce acceptable glass whose durability could be accurately modeled by Hydration Thermodynamics. Reagent grade oxides and carbonates were added to Purex 4 melter feed stock to simulate a higher sludge loading. Each canister of glass produced was sampled and the ...
Discontinuously reinforced aluminium-based composites containing particulate or whisker SiC reinforcements at different volume fractions, were produced via a powder-route. Isothermal creep tests have been carried out at 270, 300 and 320 C. During these tests axial and transverse strains were monitored using a non-contacting laser scanning extensometer arrangement. At the same time neutron diffraction has been used to measure the elastic phase strain evolution with composite creep deformation. It was found that after the initial loading the phase strains remained essentially constant during primary and secondary creep. This indicates that the initial matrix/reinforcement inelastic misfits remain largely unchanged, probably due to the setting up of a dynamic equilibrium between misfit generation and stress relaxation. For each system, the neutron data has been combined with Eshelby modelling to obtain a measure of the load ...
Sensors installed at a telephone office building in Neenah, WI, continuously monitor 24 parameters related to the operation of the building's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This data is stored in a dedicated minicomputer and can be retrieved, in various formats, for subsequent analyses. For more than a year, we have measured indoor and outdoor concentrations of both fine and coarse airborne particles, their chemical constituents, and volatile organic compounds at this same location. Using this data, we have examined the composition of the indoor air as it correlates to the composition of the outdoor air and the various HVAC operating parameters. The steady-state indoor concentrations of the particles, particulate constituents, and organic vapors can be explained in the context of a mass balance model. This model can also be used to calculate the rate at which selected ...
Control of thermal expansion is often necessary in the design and selection of electronic packages. In some instances, it is desirable to have a coefficient of thermal expansion intermediate between values readily attainable with single or two phase materials. The addition of a third phase in the form of fillers, whiskers, or fibers can be used to attain intermediate expansions. To help design the thermal expansion of multiphase materials for specific applications, a closed form model has been developed that accurately predicts the effective elastic properties of isotropic filled materials and transversely isotropic lamina. Properties of filled matrix materials are used as inputs to the lamina model to obtain the composite elastic properties as a function of the volume fraction of each phase. Hybrid composites with two or more fiber types are easily handled with this model. This ...
Volatile fatty acids (VFA), produced in the rumen by microbial fermentation, are the main energy source for ruminants. The VFA profile, particularly the nonglucogenic (acetate, Ac; butyrate, Bu) to glucogenic (propionate, Pr) VFA ratio (NGR), is associated with effects on methane production, milk composition, and energy balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate extant rumen VFA stoichiometry models for their ability to predict in vivo VFA molar proportions. The models were evaluated using an independent data set consisting of 101 treatments from 24 peer-reviewed publications with lactating Holstein cows. All publications contained a full diet description, rumen pH, and rumen VFA molar proportions. Stoichiometric models were evaluated based on root mean squared prediction error (RMSPE)...
We solve an R -linear problem for a multiple-connected circular domain in a class of doubly periodic functions in analytic form by a method of functional equations. This problem models transport properties of two-dimensional composite materials made from a collection of disks embedded in an otherwise uniform host.
We solve an R -linear problem for a multiple-connected circular domain in a class of doubly periodic functions in analytic form by a method of functional equations. This problem models transport properties of two-dimensional composite materials made from a collection of disks embedded in an otherwise uniform host.
We study the temporal evolution of the market efficiency in the stock markets using the complexity, entropy density, standard deviation, autocorrelation function, and probability distribution of the log return for Standard and Poor's 500 (S&P 500), Nikkei stock average index, and Korean composition stock price index (KOSPI). Based on the microscopic spin model, we also find that these statistical quantities in stock markets depend on the market efficiency.
The dependence of Tsub(c) on composition and deformation is calculated and compared with the corresponding dependence for Tsub(m). It is shown that superconducting and structural properties of A-15 compounds can be described, at least qualitatively, by the quasi-one-dimensional model previously developed by the authors. The superconductivity mechanism is assumed to be analogous to the BCS theory. The upper critical field Hsub(c2) of the V_3Si or Nb_3Sn compounds is found to be much greater than that in V or Nb.
It is shown that both the Tsub(c) and Tsub(m) dependences on the deformations and composition for the A-15 compounds can be described at least qualitatively in the quasi-one-dimensional model developed by the authors previously. The mechanism for the superconductivity is supposed to be the same as in the BCS theory. The upper critical field near Tsub(c) is obtained. (author).
Thermodynamic states encountered during combustion of Aluminum powder in Shock-Dispersed-Fuel (SDF) explosions were analyzed with the Cheetah code. Results are displayed in the Le Chatelier diagram: the locus of states of specific internal energy versus temperature. Accuracy of the results was confirmed by comparing the fuel and products curves with the heats of detonation and combustion, and species composition as measured in bomb calorimeter experiments. Results were fit with analytic functions u = f(T) suitable for specifying the thermodynamic properties required for gas-dynamic models of combustion in explosions.
An equation of state of neutron star matter with strange baryons has been obtained. The effects of the strength of hyperon-hyperon interactions on the equations of state constructed for the chosen parameter sets have been analysed. Numerous neutron star models show that the appearance of hyperons is connected with the increasing density in neutron star interiors. The performed calculations have indicated that a change of the hyperon-hyperon coupling constants affects the chemical composition of a neutron star. The obtained numerical hyperon star models exclude a large population of strange baryons in the star interior.
The 'elementary' particle physics began in 1935, when Hideki Yukawa published his pioneering pi-meson theory, and the problem of strong interaction was finally solved 40 years later by the establishment of the Standard Model. The compositemodels of hadrons by the Sakata school and Sin-itiro Tomonaga's renormalization theory for quantum electrodynamics played essential roles for finding this beautiful solution. It is really surprising that it took only 40 years to solve such desperately difficult problem. The 'elementary' particle physics then split into two new fields, quark-hadron physics' and 'unified (ultimate) theory of particle physics', which are now 30 years old already. (author)
The microstructure of Al/{alpha}-Al{sub 2}0{sub 3} composites made by infiltrating Al into dense mullite preforms has been characterized using transmission electron microscopy. Observations revealed that the formation of the Al/Al{sub 2}0{sub 3} composites involves three stages. Initially, Al infiltrates into a dense mullite preform through grain boundary diffusion, and reacts with mullite at grain boundaries to form a partial reaction zone. Then, a complete reaction takes place in the reaction region between the partial reaction zone and the full reaction zone to convert the dense mullite preform to a composite of {alpha}-Al{sub 2}0{sub 3} (matrix) and an Al-Si phase (thin channels). Finally, the reduced Si from the reaction diffuses out of the Al/Al{sub 2}0{sub 3} composite through the metal channels, whereas Al from the molten Al pool is continuously drawn to the reaction region until the mullite ...
We combine establishment-level employment data with trade data by port to examine the impact of accession to the European Economic Community on the spatial distribution of UK manufacturing. We test the predictions from economic geography models of how external trade affects the spatial distribution of employment. We treat accession as a natural experiment which helps mitigate problems of endogeneity. Our results suggest that accession changed the country composition of trade and via the port composition induced an exogenous shock to different locations. In line with theory, we find that better access to export markets and intermediate goods increase employment while increased import competition decreases employment.
Complex fluids have long posed a significant challenge in our ability to characterize and model fluid properties. Here, we consider complex fluids to be mixtures with many components that can differ significantly in polarity and polarizability. The penultimate complex fluid is crude oil, although many other fluids such as finished fuels are also highly complex. We have recently introduced a measurement strategy that can simplify these efforts and provides the added potential of linking chemical composition (i.e. analytical) information with physical property information. In addition to chemical characterization, the approach provides the ability to calculate thermodynamic and transport properties for such complex heterogeneous streams. The technique is based on the advanced distillation cu...
The thermal transformation of Al-base icosahedral phases was studied in-situ by real time neutron powder diffraction. Different compositions have been selected in order to vary the initial phase morphology and change the neutron scattering contrast between species. Alloys with low silicon and large aluminium contents produce first the orthorhombic O-Al_6Mn modification. In alloys with larger silicon content, the #alpha#-AlMnSi cubic phase appears soon after the beginning of the transformation but is still preceeded by O-Al_6Mn. Depending on compositions, the crystallization of the icosahedral phase is controlled either by the diffusion of Al through its interface with the residual fcc aluminium or that of Si within the bulk. The results are discussed in the light of current structural models. (author) 40 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs.
Photocurrent and capacitance measurements of semiconductor passive films formed on metals and alloys can be used to study the electronic properties and reveal indirect information about structure and composition. The current work used these techniques to investigate the electronic properties of the passive films formed on three austenitic stainless steels, types 304L, 316L and 254SMO, in borate. Evidence was found for the existence of a large number of localised mid bandgap states, consistent with amorphous oxides. However, the flat-band potentials of the austenitic stainless steel passive films were found to be independent of both composition and measuring frequency. The most credible explanation for the bandgap values determined from photocurrent measurements is that the passive films are formed as dual layers, iron oxide outer layer and chromium oxide inner layer. This model does not need to evoke the potential dependent ...
Photocurrent and capacitance measurements of semiconductor passive films formed on metals and alloys can be used to study the electronic properties and reveal indirect information about structure and composition. The current work used these techniques to investigate the electronic properties of the passive films formed on three austenitic stainless steels, types 304L, 316L and 254SMO, in borate. Evidence was found for the existence of a large number of localised mid bandgap states, consistent with amorphous oxides. However, the flat-band potentials of the austenitic stainless steel passive films were found to be independent of both composition and measuring frequency. The most credible explanation for the bandgap values determined from photocurrent measurements is that the passive films are formed as dual layers, iron oxide outer layer and chromium oxide inner layer. This model does not need to evoke the potential dependent ...
We summarize recent developments in x-ray microscopy of polymers by focusing on the characterization of organic electronic devices. The quantitative compositions of model polymer blends have been mapped at a resolution of {approx}35 nm. Since it could be inferred that these devices have structures smaller than 35 nm, quantitative compositional mapping at length scales below the present resolution limit of x-ray microscopy is required. Organic devices thus serve to both highlight the success of NEXAFS microscopy to date, but to also outline the very real need for higher spatial resolution. New approaches to create improved optics or different acquisition modalities are required if x-ray microscopy is to make sustained contributions to such an important area of research as organic devices.
In order to apply chemical-looping combustion to a practical power plant, carbon deposition on the solid particle is one of the key problems to be overcome. Six kinds of solid particles were examined to clarify the kinetic behavior of carbon deposition. The effects of the solid composition, feed gas composition, and reaction temperature on carbon deposition were investigated by thermogravimetrical reactor on the basis of NiO/YSZ particle. From the viewpoints of both reactivity and resistance against carbon deposition, the particle of NiO mixed with YSZ (i.e., yttria-stabilized zirconia) was found to be a good candidate for chemical-looping combustion. It has been observed that carbon deposition could be completely avoided with very low concentration of water vapor. By means of a proposed model, the condition that carbon deposition would be avoided was identified. 12 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.
A variety of observations suggest that the Universe had a hot dense origin and that the pregalactic composition of the Universe was determined by nuclear reactions that occurred in the first few minutes. There is no unique hot Big Bang theory, but the simplest version produces a primeval chemical composition that is in good qualitative agreement with the abundances deduced from observation. Whether or not any Big Bang theory will provide quantitative agreement with observations depends on a variety of factors in elementary particle physics (number and masses of stable or long-lived particles, half-life of neutron, structure of grand unified theories) and from observational astronomy (present mean baryon density of the Universe, the Hubble constant and deceleration parameter). The influence of these factors on the abundances is discussed, as is the effect of departures from homogeneity and isotropy in the early Universe.
A series of cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance experiments have been carried out in order to investigate the effect of cathode composition and porosity on the electrochemical characteristics of strontium-doped lanthanum, praseodymium and gadolinium cobaltite cathodes. The impedance responses at different electrode potentials of the half cell and symmetric single cell setups are compared and analyzed by the equivalent circuit modeling method. The deconvolution of impedance spectra for single cell cathode and anode reactions contributions based on the results of simultaneous analysis of half cells and symmetric single cells has been made by differential impedance real part vs. ac frequency plot analysis method. Noticeable influence of cathode chemical composition, meso-porosity and macro-porosity on the electrochemical activity of the oxygen electroreduction has been demonstrated. Seeming ...
Chemical characterization of passive films formed on AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel, in a borate/boric acid solution at pH 9.2, under various conditions of potential, temperature, and polarizations time, was made by Auger electron spectroscopy combined with ion sputtering, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The depth chemical composition, thickness, and duplex character of the passive layers were determined after processing AES sputter profiles by their quantitative approach based on the sequential layer sputtering model. Moreover, separated contributions of elements in their oxidized and unoxidized state could be disclosed from part to part of the oxide-alloy interface. The XPS study specified the chemical bondings which take placed inside the film, between Fe and oxygen (and water).
The work presented in this report is a continuation and expansion of a previous study. The aim of the work is to provide background information about pitting corrosion of copper for a safety analysis of copper canisters for final deposition of radioactive waste. A mathematical model for the propagation of corrosion pits is used to estimate the conditions required for stationary propagation of a localised anodic corrosion process. The model uses equilibrium data for copper and its corrosion products and parameters for the aqueous mass transport of dissolved species. In the present work we have, in the model, used a more extensive set of aqueous and solid compounds and equilibrium data from a different source. The potential dependence of pitting in waters with different compositions is studied in greater detail. More waters have been studied and single parameter variations in the ...
A numerical model is developed to study electrolyte dependent kinetics in fuel cells. The model is based on the Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) and generalized-Frumkin-Butler-Volmer (gFBV) equations, and is used to understand how the diffuse layer and ionic transport play a role in the performance difference between acidic and alkaline systems. The laminar flow fuel cell (LFFC) is used as the model fuel cell architecture to allow for the appropriate comparison of equivalent acidic and alkaline systems. We study the overall cell performance and individual electrode polarizations of acidic and alkaline fuel cells for both balanced and unbalanced electrode kinetics as well as in the presence of transport limitations. The results predict cell behavior based on electrolyte composition that strongly...
The emission of air pollutants from road vehicles is the most significant source of air pollution in towns. The chemical composition of these pollutive substances is dependent on the fuel, the type of vehicle and the character of the traffic system. The pollution concentration was measured, (nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide) in relation to each type of vehicle, in four streets in the Copenhagen area. The system of measurement used was the ''Operational Street Pollution Model'' (OSPM). Results are presented in the form of tables and charts. (AB) 11 refs.
Forest gap models have been used widely in the study of forest dynamics, including predicting long-term succession patterns and assessing the potential impacts of climate change on forest structure and composition. However, little effort is devoted to predict forest dynamics in the high elevation areas, although they have the sensitive response to global climate change. In the present study, based on a modified height-diameter function, we developed a new version (FAREAST-GFSM) of the forest patch model, FAREAST for simulating the changes of subalpine forests. The observed data from the Gongga Mt. Alpine Station were also used to test model precision. With the improved performance of FAREAST-GFSM, we explored the impact of three warming scenarios on subalpine forest on the eastern Tibetan ...
Modeling artificial scanning electron microscope (SEM) and scanning ion microscope images has recently become important. This is because of the need to provide repeatable images with a priori determined parameters. Modeled artificial images are highly useful in the evaluation of new imaging and metrological techniques, like image-sharpness calculation, or drift-corrected image composition (DCIC). Originally, the NIST-developed artificial image generator was designed only to produce the SEM images of gold-on-carbon resolution sample for image-sharpness evaluation. Since then, the new improved version of the software was written in C++ programming language and is in the Public Domain. The current version of the software can generate arbitrary samples, any drift function, and many other features. This work describes scanning in charged-particle microscopes, which is applied both in the artificial image generator and the DCIC ...
Abstract A control framework was developed for real time implementation of optimal control of emulsion polymerization with multiple monomers by integrating model based algorithms with software engines. The developed system was applied for controlling conversion, particle size, molar mass, and polymer composition using model predictive control (MPC) based on mechanistic models for emulsion polymerization. The control formulation was extended to account for existing process constraints on the input, input moves, and solids content. On experimental testing, the developed control scheme was found to achieve the desired objectives without violating the process constraints and showed good robustness in rejecting disturbances. Improvements in the process operation and polymer property control wer...
It has been shown by recent experiments that bulk immiscible metals (e.g. Ag/Cu, Ag/Co and Au/Ni) can form binary alloys on certain surfaces where the substrate mediates the elastic misfits between the two components, thus relieving the elastic strain in the overlayer. These novel surface alloys exhibit a rich phase structure. We formulate a two-component Frenkel-Kontorova model in one dimension to study surface alloy formation. This model can naturally incorporate dislocation formation that plays a crucial role in determining the actual structure of the system. Using energy minimization calculations we provide a phase diagram in terms of average alloy composition and the energy of mixing. Monte Carlo simulations were also performed to study the structure and interaction of the emerging dislocations.
Full text.Increased environmental concerns and the emphasis on material and energy recovery are gradually changing the orientation of municipal solid waste (MSW) management and planning. In this context, the application of optimization techniques have been introduced to design the least cost solid waste management systems, considering the variety of management processes (recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration and land filling) and the existence of uncertainties associated with the number of system components and their interrelations. This study presents a model that was developed and applied to serve as a solid socio-economic and environmental considerations. The model accounts for solid waste generation rates, composition, collection, treatment, disposal as well as potential environmental impacts of various MSW management techniques. The model follows a linear programming formulation ...
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 forming below the ...
Abstract in english The main objective of the research presented here is to relate anatomical features of wood species that affect the interactions between polymeric phases and performance of wood plastic composites (WPC). These interactions are related to the probable interlocking volume and surface area for stress transfer in a WPC. Composites were produced from different wood species and analyzed using SEM (scanning electron microscopy). Results showed that wood species with high interfac (more) ial areas may increase mechanical interlocking, reflected in the viscous constant of the Maxwell model. A complicating factor is that the relation of cell wall thickness-lumen diameter and the interconnectivity between wood cells in a wood, affect the potential for cell collapse. When wood cells collapse, the penetration of the thermoplastic into the wood structure is almost always ceased. The collapse of wood cells during ...
In the course of previous composite structures test programs, the need for and the feasibility of developing analyses for scale-up effects has been demonstrated. The analysis techniques for scale-up effects fall into two categories. The first category pertains to developing analysis methods independently for a single, unique failure mode in composites, and using this compendium of analysis methods together with a global structural model to identify and predict the response and failure mode of full-scale built-up structures. The second category of scale-up effects pertains to similitude in structural validation testing. In this latter category, dimensional analysis is used to develop scale-up laws that enable extrapolation of sub-scale component test data to full-scale structures. This viewgraph presentation describes the approach taken and some developments accomplished in the first category of analysis for scale-up ...
This report describes the first phase of the AFS/DOE program on mathematical modeling of cupola behavior, covering the period May 19, 1989 to July 19, 1990. The objective of the program is to develop a comprehensive mathematical model of the cupola furnace for on-line and off-line process control and optimization. The work is being carried out by five organizations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology with responsibility for heat transfer and fluid flow modeling, and incorporation of the chemical models being developed by the University of Michigan team. Modern Equipment Company has the responsibility of compiling information on needed sensors for monitoring operation and providing materials data to be used for cupola input. General Motors, Central Foundry Division, is investigating the potential to augment the mathematical models with artificial intelligence programs. Lastly, ...
The densities and refractive indices of two binary systems (water + MEA and water + MDEA) and three ternary systems (water + MEA + CO{sub 2}, water + MDEA + CO{sub 2}, and water + MEA + MDEA) used for carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) capture were measured over the range of compositions of the aqueous alkanolamine(s) used for CO{sub 2} absorption at temperatures from 295 to 338 K. Experimental densities were modeled empirically, while the experimental refractive indices were modeled using well-established models from the known values of their pure-component densities and refractive indices. The density and Gladstone-Dale refractive index models were then used to obtain the compositions of unknown samples of the binary and ternary systems by simultaneous solution of the density and refractive index equations. The results from this technique have been compared with HPLC ...
The general principles of Cu(II) binding to algal waste from agar extraction, composite material and algae Gelidium, and different modelling approaches, are discussed. FTIR analyses provided a detailed description of the possible binding groups present in the biosorbents, as carboxylic groups (D-glucuronic and pyruvic acids), hydroxyl groups (cellulose, agar and floridean starch) and sulfonate groups (sulphated galactans). Potentiometric acid-base titrations showed a heterogeneous distribution of two major binding groups, carboxyl and hydroxyl, following the quasi-Gaussian affinity constant distribution suggested by Sips, which permitted to estimate the maximum amount of acid functional groups (0.36, 0.25 and 0.1 mmol g{sup -1}) and proton binding parameters (pK{sup '}{sub H}=5.0,5.3and4.4;m{sub H} = 0.43, 0.37, 0.33), respectively for algae Gelidium, algal waste and composite material. A non-ideal, semi-empirical, ...
The authors present a search for excited and exotic muon states {mu}*, conducted using an integrated luminosity of 371 pb{sup -1} of data collected in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV at the Tevatron with the CDF II detector. They search for associated production of {mu}{mu}* followed by the decay {mu}* {yields} {mu}{gamma}, resulting in the {mu}{mu}{gamma} final state. They compare the data to model predictions as a function of the mass of the excited muon M{sub {mu}*}, the compositeness energy scale {Lambda}, and the gauge coupling factor f. No signal above the standard model expectation is observed in the {mu}{gamma} mass spectrum. In the contact interaction model, they exclude 107 < M{sub {mu}*} < 853 GeV/c{sup 2} for {Lambda} = M{sub {mu}*}; in the gauge-mediated model, they exclude 100 < M{sub {mu}*} < 410 GeV/c{sup 2} for f/{Lambda} = ...
We describe an efficient procedure for proving stabilization of biological systems modeled as qualitative networks or genetic regulatory networks. For scalability, our procedure uses modular proof techniques, where state-space exploration is applied only locally to small pieces of the system rather than the entire system as a whole. Our procedure exploits the observation that, in practice, the form of modular proofs can be restricted to a very limited set. For completeness, our technique falls back on a non-compositional counterexample search. Using our new procedure, we have solved a number of challenging published examples, including: a 3-D model of the mammalian epidermis; a model of metabolic networks operating in type-2 diabetes; a model of fate determination of vulval precursor cells in the C. elegans worm; and a model of pair-rule regulation during ...
The basic theoretical milestones were the Sakata SU(3) symmetry, the Goldberg-Ne'eman compositemodel with SU(3) triplets having baryon number (1/3) and the Nambu color gauge Lagrangian. The transition was led in right and wrong directions by experiments interpreted by phenomenology. A "good" experiment on $\\bar p p$ annihilation at rest showed that the Sakata model predictions disagreed with experiment. A "bad" experiment prevented the use of the Goldberg-Ne'eman triplet model to predict the existence and masses of the of the $\\Xi^*$ and $\\Omega^-$. More "good" experiments revealed the existence and mass of the $\\Xi^*$ and the $\\Omega^-$ and the absence of positive strangeness baryon resonances, thus confirming the "tenfold way". Further "good experiments" revealed the existence of the vector meson nonet, SU(3) breaking with singlet-octet mixing and the suppression of the $\\phi \\to \\rho \\pi$ ...
Light composite sandwich panels are increasingly used in automobiles, ships and aircraft, because of the advantages they offer of high strength-to-weight ratios. However, the acoustical properties of these light and stiff structures can be less desirable than those of equivalent metal panels. These undesirable properties can lead to high interior noise levels. A number of researchers have studied the acoustical properties of honeycomb and foam sandwich panels. Not much work, however, has been carried out on foam-filled honeycomb sandwich panels. In this dissertation, governing equations for the forced vibration of asymmetric sandwich panels are developed. An analytical expression for modal densities of symmetric sandwich panels is derived from a sixth-order governing equation. A boundary element analysis model for the sound transmission loss of symmetric sandwich panels is proposed. Measurements of the modal density, total loss factor, ...
A study has been made of the reaction [sup 86]Kr + [sup 63]Cu at incident energies of 486, 550, 640, and 730 MeV. Measurements include cross sections, angular distributions, and energy spectra for light charged particles ([sup 1,2,3]H and [sup 4]He), intermediate mass fragments (IMF) (4 [le] Z [le] 17), and heavy fragments (Z [ge] 18). Coincidences between light charged particles and between particles and fragments have been measured to obtain cross sections, energy spectra, and angular distributions. Statistical model analysis of the energy spectra for [sup 1]H and [sup 4]He detected in coincidence with the fragments has allowed estimation of [sup 1]H and [sup 4]He multiplicities associated with the evaporation residues, fragments, and composite nuclei prior to scission. A comparison of cross sections, energy spectra, angular distributions, and particle multiplicities for these matched entrance channels has provided the means for a detailed ...
Extracting useful information from high-dimensional data is an important focus of today's statistical research and practice. Penalized loss function minimization has been shown to be effective for this task both theoretically and empirically. With the virtues of both regularization and sparsity, the $L_1$-penalized squared error minimization method Lasso has been popular in regression models and beyond. In this paper, we combine different norms including $L_1$ to form an intelligent penalty in order to add side information to the fitting of a regression or classification model to obtain reasonable estimates. Specifically, we introduce the Composite Absolute Penalties (CAP) family, which allows given grouping and hierarchical relationships between the predictors to be expressed. CAP penalties are built by defining groups and combining the properties of norm penalties at the across-group and within-group levels. Grouped ...
The adverse effect of moisture diffusion on the properties of wood has been one of the main weaknesses of wood. Using a gamma irradiation method, wood-polymer composites have been produced which exhibit significant improvement in mechanical properties like compression, creep deformation and creep rupture particularly at high humidity. It has been thought that the impregnation of polymer into the wood has affected the moisture diffusion in the wood, so that its adverse effects on the mechanical properties has been reduced. In this report the apparent diffusion coefficients of a Ramin wood impregnated with varying amounts of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were determined using a Fick's law approach. An initial linear relationship was found for impregnation of up to 70% PMMA, after which the diffusion coefficient levels off to a maximum value, for the three environmental relative humidity levels of 40, 60 and 90({plus minus}5)%. The phenomenon could be ...
The adverse effect of moisture diffusion on the properties of wood has been one of the main weaknesses of wood. Using a gamma irradiation method, wood-polymer composites have been produced which exhibit significant improvement in mechanical properties like compression, creep deformation and creep rupture particularly at high humidity. It has been thought that the impregnation of polymer into the wood has affected the moisture diffusion in the wood, so that its adverse effects on the mechanical properties has been reduced. In this report the apparent diffusion coefficients of a Ramin wood impregnated with varying amounts of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were determined using a Fick's law approach. An initial linear relationship was found for impregnation of up to 70% PMMA, after which the diffusion coefficient levels off to a maximum value, for the three environmental relative humidity levels of 40, 60 and 90(#+-#5)%. The phenomenon could be explained by means of a ...
When a metallic alloy is quenched into a miscibility gap, a mixture of two phases develops, whose domain structure then coarsens because of the interfacial energy between the two phases. This spatial arrangement of the domains and the rate at which they evolve may be strongly influenced by elastic interactions. In a recent paper, the authors described a method for simulating the effect of anisotropic elastic interactions in a two-dimensional Ising model of a cubic alloy, using Kawasaki dynamics with the elastic interactions represented by a long-range two-body interaction potential. Here they present the results of such simulations at various temperatures, alloy compositions and misfits (by misfit they mean the difference in size between the two kinds of atom), exhibiting snapshots both of the microscopic configurations (corresponding to experimental measurements using transmission electron microscopy) and of their squared Fourier transforms ...
We explore the relation of nanostructures with the appearance of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in melt-spun CuCo ribbons. We find by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy that the ribbons are composed of a periodic distribution of Co within the Cu, as in spinodal decomposition. The lamellar structure should thus be associated with GMR, as only a small percentage of the Co is present in the form of grains. This is counterintuitive, for no clear interfaces are present as required by standard models, and the period of the composition oscillation (43-52 nm) is an order of magnitude larger than the mean free paths for electrons. Upon annealing, a secondary spinodal decomposition appears following the same direction as the original.
The influence of material configuration and impact parameters on the damage tolerance characteristics of sandwich composites comprised of carbon-epoxy woven fabric facesheets and Nomex honeycomb cores was investigated using empirically based response surfaces. A series of carefully selected tests were used to isolate the coupled influence of various combinations of the number of facesheet plies, core density, core thickness, impact energy, impactor diameter, and impact velocity on the damage formation and residual strength degradation due to normal impact. The ranges of selected material parameters were typical of those found in common aircraft applications. The diameter of the planar damage area associated with Through Transmission Ultrasonic C-scan measurements and the peak residual facesheet indentation depth were used to describe the extent of internal and detectable surface damage, respectively. Standard analysis of variance techniques were used to assess the ...
The effect of a substrate on the results of measuring tantalum coating thickness in two-layer compositions according to gamma radiation scattered by the substrate is studied. It is shown that by means of an albedo-radiometer realizing the physical model absorber-scatterer one can determine the thickness (application uniformity) of tantalum coatings up to 150-300 #mu#m depending on the substrate material (plexiglas, aluminium, iron, copper). In case of testing coatings on substrates of alloys and high-alloy steels in order to ensure high accuracy of measrurement it is expedient with the above albedo-radiometer to determine the value of the backscattered radiation flux for the substrate before coating application.
Corrosion testings of model alloys, corresponding by chemical composition to simple and complex-alloyed #gamma#- and #gamma#'-phases of nickel heat-resistant alloys are conducted in sodium sulfate and chloride melts. It is ascertained that heat resistant nickel alloys containing over 50 % of hardening #gamma#'-phase, are subject to disastrous sulfide corrosion (SC). Resistance against SC alloys containing below 50 % of #gamma#'-phase is determined by the resistance of #gamma#-solid solution. 10 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.
The first stage of the continuous coal hydrogenation unit has been used to test a number of coals with different processing strategies. This work has shown that conversion increases with product recycle, however after the second pass the increase is small but operability of the reactor is considerably improved. A kinetic model for the aromatic saturation of the recycle solvent in the second stage has been developed and will be used in the selection of conditions for oil upgrading processes. New insights into the structural composition of coal derived materials have been made due to the refinement of chromatographic or solubility separation analyses into routine operations and the development of a new technique in NMR spectroscopy.
Density oscillations induced by MHD activities were observed in NBI heated plasmas on CHS by using an HCN laser interferometer. The accompanied changes of the density profiles were also observed. The oscillations are composition of m=0 sawteeth like crash and m=2 sinusoidal oscillations as a post courser of the crash. Possible models of the oscillation structure are examined in order to explain experimental data of the interferometer. Rotating plasma core, which is hollow profile and keeps constant elongation of the flux surface can explain amplitude and phase distribution of the sinusoidal oscillation. (author)
The compositions of the Earth's crust and mantle, and those of the Moon and Mars, are relatively well known both isotopically and elementally. The same is true of our knowledge of the asteroid belt composition, based on meteorite analyses. Remote measurements of Venus, the Jovian atmosphere, and the outer planet moons, have provided some estimates of their compositions. The Sun constitutes a large majority, > 99%, of all the matter in the solar system. The elemental composition of the photosphere, the visible 'surface' of the Sun, is constrained by absorption lines produced by particles above the surface. Abundances for many elements are reported to the {+-}10 or 20% accuracy level. However, the abundances of other important elements, such as neon, cannot be determined in this way due to a relative lack of atomic states at low excitation energies. Additionally and most ...
Currently, x-ray mammography is the method of choice in breast cancer screening programmes. As the mammography technology moves from 2D imaging modalities to 3D, conventional computational phantoms do not have sufficient detail to support the studies of these advanced imaging systems. Studies of these 3D imaging systems call for a realistic and sophisticated computational model of the breast. DeBRa (Detailed Breast model for Radiological studies) is the most advanced, detailed, 3D computational model of the breast developed recently for breast imaging studies. A DeBRa phantom can be constructed to model a compressed breast, as in film/screen, digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis studies, or a non-compressed breast as in positron emission mammography and breast CT studies. Both the cranial-caudal and mediolateral oblique views can be modelled. The anatomical details ...
The proposed method to analyze the composition of the cost of electricity is based on the energy conversion processes and the destruction of the exergy through the several thermodynamic processes that comprise a combined cycle power plant. The method uses thermoeconomics to evaluate and allocate the cost of exergy throughout the processes, considering costs related to inputs and investment in equipment. Although the concept may be applied to any combined cycle or cogeneration plant, this work develops only the mathematical modeling for three-pressure heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) configurations and total condensation of the produced steam. It is possible to study any nx1 plant configuration (n sets of gas turbine and HRSGs associated to one steam turbine generator and condenser) with the developed model, assuming that every train operates identically and in steady state. The presented model was ...
This paper describes the design of a test rig, which is used to apply a representative pressure load to a full-scale composite sandwich secondary aircraft structure. A generic panel was designed with features to represent those in the composite sandwich secondary aircraft structure. To provide full-field strain data from the panels, the test rig was designed for use with optical measurement techniques such as thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) and digital image correlation (DIC). TSA requires a cyclic load to be applied to a structure for the measurement of the strain state; therefore, the test rig has been designed to be mounted on a standard servo-hydraulic test machine. As both TSA and DIC require an uninterrupted view of the surface of the test panel, an important consideration in the design is facilitating the optical access for the two techniques. To aid the test rig design a finite element (FE) model was produced. ...
The Toxicological Evaluation of Realistic Emissions of Source Aerosols (TERESA) study involved withdrawal, aging, and atmospheric transformation of emissions of three coal-fired power plants. Toxicological evaluations were carried out in rats exposed to different emission scenarios with extensive exposure characterization. Data generated had multiple levels of resolution: exposure, scenario, and constituent chemical composition. Here, we outline a multilayered approach to analyze the associations between exposure and health effects beginning with standard ANOVA models that treat exposure as a categorical variable. The model assessed differences in exposure effects across scenarios (by plant). To assess unadjusted associations between pollutant concentrations and health, univariate analyses...
Advances in the theory and practice of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) are reviewed for the period 1965-1990. The proceedings of two landmark conferences are used as a basis for discussion: Ohio State University (1967) and Kohler, WI (1988). The discussion is developed around the following topics: metal-environment combinations, testing, fractography, metallurgical aspects, electrochemical aspects and crack chemistry, mechanisms, and prediction and mitigation. It is concluded that the main developments since 1967 are the recognition of the lack of specificity of SCC environments, the use of slow strain rate and fracture mechanics testing, quantitative SEM fractography, studies of grain boundary structure and compositions, transient electrochemistry of bare metal surfaces, measurement and modelling of crack chemistry, elaboration of several SCC models, including slip-dissolution and film induced cleavage, and mitigation by ...
Theoretical and experimental research efforts in evaluating an innovative concept for vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) are described. The concept is that of using straight blades composed of circulation controlled airfoil sections. The theoretical analysis has been developed to determine the unsteady lift and moment characteristics of multiple-blade cross-flow wind turbines. To determine the drag data needed as input to the theoretical analysis, an outdoor test model VAWT has been constructed; design details, instrumentation, and calibration results are reported. Initial testing is with fixed pitch blades having cross-sections of conventional symmetrical airfoils. Costs of building the test model are included, as well as estimates for blades constructed with composite materials. These costs are compared with those of other types of wind turbines.
A particle-laden turbulent reacting flow model is described and applied to in-furnace, dry SO_2 control in boilers. Sulfur capture by calcium-based sorbents is represented by a shrinking core model which accounts for surface areas loss and product layer diffusion. Sorbent particle trajectories and dispersion are followed with cloud statistics in a Lagrangian framework. The turbulent fluid mechanics and chemical reactions are coupled, and solutions obtained for mean and fluctuating velocity, composition, and particle position. Comparisons are made with data from an US EPA laboratory reactor. Practical implications for SO_2 control are examined including the effects of jet velocity, sorbent injection location, boiler load and thermal profiles.
This paper presents the application of artificial neural networks to adiabatic flame temperature prediction of hydrocarbon fuels. The investigation was conducted over a wide range of operating conditions in terms of fuel composition, pressure and temperature of reactants, fuel-air equivalence ratio and fuel vapour fraction. Several neural network models for predicting the flame temperature for different applicable fuel ranges were built and examined. The proper preparation of network training data and the appropriate choice of network parameters for achieving better prediction accuracy are discussed. The neural network prediction results were compared with those calculated by a thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium-based computer code - the NASA program CET89. It was shown that trained neural network models can provide the adiabatic flame temperature prediction with a good level of accuracy over a wide range of operating ...
Light Weight Composite Mirrors for Science Instruments. Composite Optics, Inc. San Diego, CA. INNOVATION. Light weight, large aperture reflectors of graphite ...
The presented paper describes the formulation of the fractional mass balances which are used to calculate the concentration and size distribution of char in the balance cells of a circulating fluidized bed boiler. In case of using the shrinking core model additionally the distribution of conversion of the char particles is calculated. Basically two reaction models (a shrinking particle and a shrinking core model) are available to describe the combustion process. The model considers all essential physico/chemical phenomena (primary fragmentation, attrition, mass transfer to gas phase) which have to be taken into account for the description of the combustion process. The model is part of an overall simulation program for circulating fluidized bed boilers. This engineering simulator has been developed to return the main performance parameters of such systems like temperature along the ...
The lakes formed in the Amazon floodplain play a key role in sustaining the highest populational density in the Amazon Basin because of its high primary productivity. The water volume in these lakes vary greatly during the year and possible water sources are the feeding river during high water state of the hydrographs and local inputs from its drainage basin. As these sources are chemically distinct, to understand the nutrient dynamics in these lakes, it is very important to know the relative water contribution of different water sources. In this paper we use "1"8O as a conservative to know the water sources for the lakes and our hypothesis is that: 1) In the high water stage lake water is derived predominantly from its feeding river. Therefore their #delta#"1"8O should be similar. 2) In the low water stage lake water is a mixture of watershed and last flood event waters. In this case, lake #delta#"1"8O should be indicative of the relative contribution of each source. To test this ...
The composition of the lower mantle can be investigated by examining densities and seismic velocities of compositionalmodels as functions of depth. In order to do this, it is necessary to know the volumes and thermoelastic properties of the compositional constituents under lower mantle conditions. We determined the thermal equation of state (EoS) of MgSiO3 perovskite using the non-empirical VIB interatomic potential with molecular dynamics simulations at pressures and temperatures of the lower mantle. We fit our P-V-T results to a thermal EoS of the form P(V,T) = P0(V,T0) + Delta Pth(T), where T0 = 300 K and P0 is the isothermal Universal EoS. The thermal pressure Delta Pth can be represented by a linear relationship Delta Pth = a + b T. We find V0 = 165.40 A^3, KT0 = 273 GPa, K'T0 = 3.86, a = -1.99 GPa, and b = 0.00664 GPa/K for pressures of 0-140 GPa and temperatures of 300-3000 K. By fixing V0 to ...
Thermodynamic Stable Metal Compositions for Improvement of an Operational Safety of Constructional Materials under Conditions of Multifactor Loadings of an Aggressive Environment
A fuel composition comprising a liquid hydrocarbon fuel and a detergent amount of the product of reaction between a polyamine and a stearic acid is described.
the progressive simplification of composite sandwich panels. The equations ... The thermal and structural behavior of composite sandwich panels with a ...
By magnetron sputtering model steel films with specific properties can be prepared for purposive surveys. By changing the deposition parameters certain properties of these films can be influenced. For this thesis steel films with 18% Cr and 8% Ni have been prepared in order to study specific parameters on the corrosion resistance of bulk stainless steel. Chemical composition, microstructure, and surface morphology of these films have been characterized. In comparison to bulk steel sheets with the same chemical composition they have a smaller grain size and a ferritic structure. In contrast to bulk steel sheets they don`t contain any nonmetallic inclusions like Mn-sulfides. The influence of these structural differences on the corrosion resistance has been studied. For this purpose the electrochemical properties of the sputter-deposited steels have been compared with the properties of steel sheets with a similar chemical ...
The genetic type, source and charging history of natural gas in the Yulin gas field in the Ordos Basin have been studied by combining the carbon isotopic composition of natural gas and geochemical characteristics of light hydrocarbons with carbon isotope fractionation model results and fluid inclusion analysis. The carbon isotopic composition of methane and ethane in the Yulin gas field is relatively enriched in ^1^3C with d^1^3C1 values ranging from -35.3%% to -29.8%% (average value=-32.4%%) and d^1^3C2 ranging from -26.3%% to -23.5%% (average value=-24.8%%). The C7 light hydrocarbons are predominated by methylcyclohexane, accounting for 65.8% to 80.9% (average value=71.6%), which is characteristic of coal-derived gas. Furthermore, the gas geochemistry indicates that, although marine lime...
Glass produced during the Purex 4 campaigns of the Integrated DWPF Melter System (IDMS) and the 774 Research Melter contained a lower fraction of sludge components than targeted by the Product Composition Control System (PCCS). Purex 4 glass was more durable than the benchmark (EA) glass, but was less durable than most other simulated SRS high-level waste glasses. Further, the measured durability of Purex 4 glass was not as well correlated with the durability predicted from the DWPF process control algorithm, probably because the algorithm was developed to predict the durability of SRS high-level waste glasses with higher sludge content than Purex 4. A melter run, designated Purex 4 Remediation, was performed using the 774 Research Melter to determine if the initial PCCS target composition determined for Purex 4 would produce acceptable glass whose durability could be accurately modeled by the DWPF glass durability ...
This paper presents the first results on formation and study of structure and properties of micro- and nanocomposite combined coatings. By means of modeling the deposition processes (deposition conditions, current density-discharge, plasma composition and density, voltage) we formed the three-layer nanocomposite coatings of Ti-Al-N/Ti-N/Al_2O_3. The coating composition, structure and properties were studied using physical and nuclear-physical methods. The Rutherford proton and helium ion backscattering, scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, as well as nanohardness tests (hardness) were used. Measurements of wear resistance and corrosion resistance in NaCl, HCl and H_2SO_4 solutions were also performed. For testing mechanical properties such characteristics of layered structures as hardness H, elastic modulus E: H"3/E"2 etc. were measured. It is demonstrated that the formed ...
Piezoelectric ceramics for acoustic applications have been prepared by mixing the piezoelectric phase Pb{sub 1-1.5x}La{sub x}{open_square}{sub x/2}(Ti{sub 1-y}Zr{sub y})O{sub 3} (PLZT) with variable fractions of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The samples are in form of pellets and polarized at high temperature. After thermal treatment, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy have been used to determine the phase and morphological modifications. The morphotropic PLZT initial phase disproportionates into modified PLZT and ZrO{sub 2} phases. Using electrical impedance spectroscopy, the resonance frequencies of the composite system have been determined and analyzed. As the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} volume fractions increase, the resonance frequency and the amplitude of the electrical response both decrease. An interpretation of the role of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} additions is proposed in terms of phase and microstructure modifications. Using LRC electrical equivalent circuits, the ...
Hydrolysis kinetics of the lead silicate glass (LSG) with 40 mol% PbO in 0.5 N HNO_3 aqueous acid solution was investigated. The surface morphology and the gel layer thickness were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) were used to determine the composition of the gel layer and the aqueous solution, respectively. The silicon content of the dissolution products was determined by using weight-loss data and compositions of the gel layer and the solution. The kinetic parameters were determined using the shrinking-core-model (SCM) for rate controlling step. The activation energy obtained for hydrolysis reaction was Q_c_h_e = 56.07 kJ/mole. The diffusion coefficient of the Pb ions from the gel layer was determined by using its concentration in solution and in LSG. The shrinkage of the sample and the gel layer ...
In this paper the authors present some final results from a research project focused on introducing automatic control to the operation of cupola iron furnaces. The main aim of this research is to improve the operational efficiency and performance of the cupola furnace, an important foundry process used to melt iron. Previous papers have described the development of appropriate control system architectures for the cupola. In this paper experimental data is used to calibrate the model, which is taken as a first-order multivariable system with time delay. Then relative gain analysis is used to select loop pairings to be used in a multiloop controller. The resulting controller pairs melt rate with blast volume, iron temperature with oxygen addition, and carbon composition with metal-to-coke ratio. Special (nonlinear) filters are used to compute melt rate from actual scale readings of the amount of iron produced and to smooth the temperature ...
The effects of key metallurgical variables on the low fluence hardening in a set of A533B model steels were evaluated over a wide range of irradiation temperatures. Above about 163 degrees C hardening increased with higher copper and nickel contents, as is typical of the pressure vessel operating regime around 290 degrees C. However, at 121 degrees C the hardening was generally lower and unaffected by copper and nickel variations. This observation of decreased hardening with lower temperature (e.g. an open-quotes invertedclose quotes temperature dependence) is tentatively attributed to a reduced contribution of copper precipitation. Tensile data for a set of commercial steels with a range of (uncontrolled) compositions also showed minimal sensitivity to copper variations at 121 degrees C. Unlike the hardness data no systematic reductions in the yield stress increases were observed between 163 and 121 degrees C. However, the ultimate tensile ...
The main drawback of Ni/YSZ anode supports for solid oxide fuel cell application is their low tolerance to reducing and oxidizing (RedOx) atmosphere changes, owing to the Ni/NiO volume variation. This work describes a structured approach based on design of experiments for optimizing the microstructure for RedOx stability enhancement. A full factorial hypercube design and the response surface methodology are applied with the variables and their variation range defined as: (1) NiO proportion (40-60wt% of the ceramic powders), (2) pore-former proportion (0-30wt% corresponding to 0-64vol.%), (3) NiO particle size (0.5-8mm) and (4) 8YSZ particle size (0.6-9mm). To obtain quadratic response models, 25 different compositions were prepared forming a central composite design. The measured responses...
Objectives To clarify the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in Japanese women aged 18?40?years with low forearm BMD. Methods The subjects were Japanese199 women who had been selected for inclusion in the study based on a low forearm BMD determined at the Annual Women?s Health Examination. The subjects? mean (? standard deviation) age, body height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) were 33.5 (?4.3) years, 158.1 (?5.1) cm, 49.6 (?5.7) kg, and 19.8 (?2.1), respectively. The BMD of the lumbar spine, total body, and left arm were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fat mass (FM), bone-free lean tissue mass (LTM), and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured simultaneously with DXA. Results In the structural equation model, the standardiz...
A range of additives has been developed for enhancing grafting yields in a variety of systems initiated by ionizing radiation. Cellulose has been adopted as the predominant naturally occurring model backbone polymer in these studies because of its structural relationship to wood which is the reference substrate for the work reported in the related second part of this paper concerning composites. Some experiments have been performed with the other major naturally occurring polymer, wool. For comparison purposes with synthetic materials, some studies have also been performed with polypropylene as trunk polymer. Styrene has been used as a predominant monomer in grafting with some experiments utilizing the acrulates like methyl methacrylate. The role of solvent in grafting has been evaluated. UV has been used as initiator to replace ionizing radiation for certain experiments. The additives used were mineral acids, lithium salts, multifunctional ...
Modelization of crack propagation and theoretical prediction of rupture are the two main objectives of researchers in stress corrosion cracking. Nevertheless, to reach this aim, the behavior of the passive film which appears spontaneously on the substrate in contact with an environment has to be known. This structural and mechanical characterization is all the more difficult because the number of parameters is important: crystallinity rate, defects concentration, thickness (about a few nanometers), electric field, chemical composition (a lot of oxides are present), peeling layers (atomic structure for example) and some hypothesis can be made about their multi-layer structure, their chemical composition or their epitaxial character... Passive films formed on 316L or 304L stainless steels in different aqueous solutions (in ambient air, in MgCl{sub 2} at 117 deg. C...) have been studied and some important remarks about their ...
Modelization of crack propagation and theoretical prediction of rupture are the two main objectives of researchers in stress corrosion cracking. Nevertheless, to reach this aim, the behavior of the passive film which appears spontaneously on the substrate in contact with an environment has to be known. This structural and mechanical characterization is all the more difficult because the number of parameters is important: crystallinity rate, defects concentration, thickness (about a few nanometers), electric field, chemical composition (a lot of oxides are present), peeling layers (atomic structure for example) and some hypothesis can be made about their multi-layer structure, their chemical composition or their epitaxial character... Passive films formed on 316L or 304L stainless steels in different aqueous solutions (in ambient air, in MgCl_2 at 117 deg. C...) have been studied and some important remarks about their ...
Nine extrasolar planets with masses between 110 and 430M are known to transit their star. The knowledge of their masses and radii allows an estimate of their composition, but uncertainties on equations of state, opacities and possible missing energy sources imply that only inaccurate constraints can be derived when considering each planet separately. Aims: We seek to better understand the composition of transiting extrasolar planets by considering them as an ensemble, and by comparing the obtained planetary properties to that of the parent stars. Methods: We use evolution models and constraints on the stellar ages to derive the mass of heavy elements present in the planets. Possible additional energy sources like tidal dissipation due to an inclined orbit or to downward kinetic energy transport are considered. Results: We show that the nine transiting planets discovered so far belong to a quite homogeneous ensemble that is ...
Numerical simulations are used to predict the migration of radionuclides from the disposal units at Material Disposal Area G through the vadose zone and into the main aquifer in support of a radiological performance assessment and composite analysis for the site. The calculations are performed with the finite element code, FEHM. The transport of nuclides through the vadose zone is computed using a three-dimensional model that describes the complex mesa top geology of the site. The model incorporates the positions and inventories of thirty-four disposal pits and four shaft fields located at Area G as well as those of proposed future pits and shafts. Only three nuclides, C-14, Tc-99, and I-129, proved to be of concern for the groundwater pathway over a 10,000-year period. The spatial and temporal flux of these three nuclides from the vadose zone is applied as a source term for the three-dimensional saturated zone ...
It is well known that composite armors, consisting of glass elements confined with metallic tampers, are extraordinarily effective against shaped charge attack. Early experiments showed that jets fired against glass targets appeared to be bombarded by tiny fragments that destroyed alignment and reduced residual jet penetration. This result was attributed to an elastic rebound effect in which the outward radial motion of the target around the jet periphery was supposed to be arrested by tensile hoop stresses which developed behind the divergent shock front. Glass fragments were then accelerated radially inward and these destabilized the jet. To sustain the large tensile hoop stresses required, the glass must not have been fractured by the initial shock, behind which the stress state is typically well above the Hugoniot elastic limit. Modeling the penetration of a jet into glass requires not only determining the spall strength, i.e., the tensile ...
Combustion of extremely fuel-rich ({phi}=4) methane/air mixtures at elevated pressures is investigated as a potential means to generate molecular hydrogen by non-catalytic partial oxidation. This system is investigated both computationally and experimentally. The computations use a perfectly-stirred reactor model and an explicit methane cool-flame mechanism to investigate the effects of reactor parameters on reaction time and product composition. Under adiabatic conditions, such mixtures are predicted to autoignite at low temperatures {approx}700 K for pressures exceeding 8.5 atm. Above 15 atm, conversion to products is complete in roughly 1 s. The dependence of reaction time and hydrogen yield is investigated as a function of inlet temperature, system pressure, and flame equivalence ratio. Actual product yields are measured in a tube reactor facility, and many of the predictions of the model, including long relaxation ...
For many years, the Lower Cretaceous Sunniland oil-producing fields have been interpreted as reef deposits. Petrologic evidence from cores from field and wildcat wells strongly indicates on the basis of faunal composition and character, that the fields are producing from moundlike shoals. These shoals are considered to have been deposited in a mudflat environment similar to that of present-day Florida Bay. This present-day Florida Bay analog is used to determine the various environmental subzones and controls on the deposition of the Sunniland Formation. This concept of using a model together with a modern analog can be a powerful tool in the exploration of stratigraphic traps. A petrologic and petrophysical study of the Sunniland Formation in the wells that have been drilled in the Florida Bay and Keys areas was made to extend the model and its application throughout the South Florida basin. The evaluation of these wells ...
In this research, hybrid composite materials were prepared from combination of oil palm Empty fruit bunches (EFB) fibre and jute fibre as reinforcement, epoxy as polymer matrix. This study intended to investigate the effect of jute fiber hybridization and different layering pattern on the physical properties of oil palm EFB-Epoxy composites. Water absorption and thickness swelling test reveal that hybrid composite shows a moderate water absorption which is 11.20% for hybrid EFB/Jute/EFB composite and 6.08% for hybrid Jute/EFB/Jute composite. The thickness swelling and water absorption of the hybrid composites slightly increased as the layering pattern of hybrid composites changed. Hybrid composites are more water resistance and dimensional stable compare to the pure EFB composites. This is...
The quasi-static normal indentation of sandwich panels with quasi-isotropic laminated composite skins and honeycomb or foam cores, by spherical indentors, has been investigated using experiments and finite element analysis. The experimental program emphasized the effects of indentor size on the resulting load indentation responses, failure mechanisms in the skin and the core, and the measurement of contact areas between indentor and the target. The sandwich panels were indented up to the initiation of skin fracture and the resulting contact data was used to characterize contact power laws. A non-linear finite element model was developed based on the experimental observations to systematically explore the indentation behavior of diverse sandwich configurations and to investigate the contact pressure distributions. The finite element model was used as an experimental tool in the development of a simple non-dimensional ...
In order to predict thermal hazards of high-energy materials, accurate kinetics constants must be determined. Predictions of thermal hazards for mixtures of high-energy materials require measurements on the mixtures, because interactions among components are common. A differential-scanning calorimeter (DSC) can be used to observe rate processes directly, and isothermal methods enable detection of mechanism changes. Rate-controlling processes will change as components of a mixture are depleted, and the correct depletion function must be identified for each specific stage of a complex process. A method for kinetics measurements on mixed explosives can be demonstrated with Composition B is an approximately 60/40 mixture of RDX and TNT, and is an important military explosive. Kinetics results indicate that the mator process is the decomposition of RDX in solution in TNT with a perturbation caused by interaction between the two components. It is concluded that a ...
The effect of particle/matrix interface debonding on composites consisting of elastic particles and viscoelastic matrix is studied. The interface debonding is represented by a nonlinear cohesive law for the high explosive PBX 9501. The Mori-Tanaka method gives the constitutive relation of the composite in terms of the properties of elastic particles, viscoelastic matrix, and nonlinear cohesive law for interfaces. For the example of a composite with spherical particles subject to hydrostatic tension, simple analytical expressions of the composite stress-strain relation are obtained. The strain rate and temperature have strong effects on the composite behavior. High strain rate and low temperature give high strength of the composite. However, the rate and temperature effects decrease as the ...
Abstract Questions: How important is the choice of flow routing algorithm with respect to application of topographic wetness index (TWI) in vegetation ecology? Which flow routing algorithms are preferable for application in vegetation ecology? Location: Forests in three different regions of the Czech Republic. Methods: We used vegetation data from 521 georeferenced plots, recently sampled in a wide range of forest communities. From a digital elevation model, we calculated 11 variations of TWI for each plot with 11 different flow routing algorithms. We evaluated the performance of differently calculated TWI by (1) Spearman rank correlation with average Ellenberg indicator values for soil moisture, (2) Mantel correlation coefficient between dissimilarities of species composition and dissimil...
In pre-experiments a tubular reactor was checked whether it is suitable for kinetic measurement on the system of the silver-catalysed partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. Detrimental effects of heat-transfer and mass-transfer on the experimental results were ruled out. Investigations on the characteristics of the reaction showed that it is possible to manipulate the composition of the product mixture by changing the inlet concentration of the reactants. A modified power-law model was established to describe the reaction kinetics. It considers the preadsorption step of oxygen on the catalysts surface and fits the experimental data quite well. During the rapid oxidation the catalysts surface undergoes a drastic change. It gets coarse and has an adsorption capacity of 11 m{sup 2}/g after being exposed to the reaction mixture. (orig.)
A thermodynamic analysis of the behaviour of Alloy 800 in helium based atmospheres relevant to the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor indicates that, depending upon the precise gas composition, oxidation and carburisation, or carburisation alone may be expected. The prime influence appears to be the moisture level. The morphology and structure of the reaction products are discussed. It is shown that the 'reactive' elements chromium, manganese, titanium and silicon are concentrated in the oxide scale which is normally duplex in structure. Aluminium oxide is formed at grain boundaries and in an internal oxidation zone together with titanium and sometimes silicon. In carburising conditions, mixed titanium-chromium carbides are formed. When this occurs, intergranular penetration is maximised. Weight gain data are assessed and briefly described and a tentative model for the mechanism of corrosion of Alloy 800 in HTR helium is proposed. Areas for ...
The depletion of stratospheric ozone is caused by chlorine species formed in heterogeneous processes on the surfaces of polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles. For studying local PSC formation processes in the Arctic a temperature lidar receiver was developed that makes use of the rotational Raman method, the only lidar technique for measuring atmospheric temperature profiles not perturbed by the presence of aerosols or cloud particles. The receiver was implemented in the mobile GKSS Raman lidar and transferred to Esrange (67.9 N, 21.1 E) near Kiruna in northern Sweden in winter 1997/98. Temperature data measured between January 22 and February 6, 1998, are presented and compared to model data analyzed by the European centre for medium-range weather forecast. Local temperature profiles are studied in three cases of type-Ib PSCs. This type is characterized by a low depolarization ratio. (orig.)
Classical methods for the study of complex fluid phase behavior include static and dynamic equilibrium cells that usually require vapor and liquid recirculation. These are sophisticated, costly apparatus that require highly trained operators, usually months of labor-intensive work per mixture, and the data analysis is also rather complex. Simpler approaches to the fundamental study of azeotropes are highly desirable, even if they provide only selected cuts through the phase diagram. Recently, we introduced an advanced distillation curve measurement method featuring: (1) a composition explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for both qualitative and quantitative analysis), (2) temperature measurements that are true thermodynamic state points that can be modeled with an equation o...
In this paper, steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis (SSITKA) is used to study two model reactions, CO oxidation and CO-NO reactions, on a typical formulation of a three-way auto-catalyst. Under steady-state conditions, abrupt switches in the isotopic composition of CO ("1"2C"1"6O/"1"3C"1"8O) were carried out to produce isotopic transients in both labeled reactants and products. Along with the determination of the average surface lifetimes and concentrations of reaction intermediates, an analysis of the transient responses along the carbon reaction pathway indicated that the distribution of active sites for the formation of CO_2 was bimodal for both reactions. Furthermore, relatively few surface sites contributed to the overall reaction rate.
New isotopic age determinations carried out with the rubidium-strontium method on granodioritic basement rocks from the Mecsek Mountains in Southeastern Transdanubia give further support to assumptions on a polyphase development of the Mecsek crystalline. As shown by initial Sr isotopic ratios, the protolith of the granodioritic assemblage of polymetamorphic-anatectic origin must have been strongly basic in its composition. The scatter of individual model ages obtained on total rock samples reflects the polymetamorphic-polytectonized character of the basement, and suggests that following a primary granitization process secondary events might have led to the total or partial recrystallization of the rocks in question. The tectonic development of the basement crystalline as reflected in the isotopic age data closed at about 270+-20 million years ago, with processes causing retrograde changes in the crystalline as a whole but leading to the ...
Abstract: The recent National Academy of Sciences report on forensic sciences states that the study of fire patterns and debris in arson fires is in need of additional work and eventual standardization. We discuss a recently introduced method that can provide predicted evaporation patterns for ignitable liquids as a function of temperature. The method is a complex fluid analysis protocol, the advanced distillation curve approach, featuring a composition explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for qualitative, quantitative, and trace analysis), low uncertainty temperature measurements that are thermodynamic state points that can be modeled with an equation of state, consistency with a century of historical data, and an assessment of the energy content of each distillate fraction...
A central composite design was employed to optimize the extraction of pectin with citric acid. The independent variables were citric acid concentration (0.086-2.91% w/v) and extraction time (17-102min). The combined effect of these variables on the degree of esterification was investigated. Results have shown that the generated regression models adequately explained the data variation and significantly represented the actual relationship between the independent variables and the responses. Besides that, the citric acid concentration was the most important factor to affect the degree of esterification, as it exerted a significant influence on the dependent variable. Lower citric acid concentration increased the pectin degree of esterification. The surface response showed the relationships b...
Summary Pectin was extracted from passion fruit peel using three different acids (citric, hydrochloric or nitric) at different temperatures (40-90 degreeC), pH (1.2-2.6) and extraction times (10-90 min), with and without skins using a 24 factorial design. Temperature, pH and extraction time had highly significant effects on the pectin yield. A central composite design with face centring was used to optimise the extraction process conditions for citric acid without skins. Pectin yields varied from 10% to 70%. The optimal conditions for maximisation of pectin yield were the use of citric acid at 80 degreeC and pH 1 with an extraction time of 10 min considering model extrapolation.
Certain allelochemicals of the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense cause lysis of a broad spectrum of target protist cells but the lytic mechanism is poorly defined. We first hypothesized that membrane sterols serve as molecular targets of these lytic compounds, and that differences in sterol composition among donor and target cells may cause insensitivity of Alexandrium and sensitivity of targets to lytic compounds. We investigated Ca^2^+ influx after application of lytic fractions to a model cell line PC12 derived from a pheochromocytoma of the rat adrenal medulla to establish how the lytic compounds affect ion flux associated with lysis of target membranes. The lytic compounds increased permeability of the cell membrane for Ca^2^+ ions even during blockade of Ca^2^+ channels wit...
Background, aim, and scope Soil as a landscape body contains wide ranges of physical, chemical, morphological, and mineralogical properties, both laterally and vertically. Soils with similar properties and environments are expected to behave similarly. A statement on land use potential will depend in part on the precision and accuracy of the statements that can be made about the soils. This information has some practical applications in optimizing land management and productivity improvement. The spatial patterns and dependence of some selected physicochemical properties of brackish marsh and surrounding soils were investigated using a 2-D kriging analysis in conjunction with a geostatistical (GS+, Michigan) model. Materials and methods Composite (four subsamples) surface samples (0?20?cm)...
Culture-independent microbiological technologies that interrogate complex microbial populations without prior axenic culture, coupled with high-throughput DNA sequencing, have revolutionized the scale, speed and economics of microbial ecological studies. Their application to the medical realm has led to a highly productive merger of clinical, experimental and environmental microbiology. The functional roles played by members of the human microbiota are being actively explored through experimental manipulation of animal model systems and studies of human populations. In concert, these studies have appreciably expanded our understanding of the composition and dynamics of human-associated microbial communities (microbiota). Of note, several human diseases have been linked to alterations in th...
Passive films formed on Alloy 690 in different pH solutions at high temperatures were studied by potentiodynamic polarization, Auger electron spectroscopy, thermodynamic diagrams and the Mott-Schottky relation. The chemical compositions and electronic structures of the passive films were found to be strongly pH-dependent. In alkaline solutions, a secondary passivation was clearly observed on potentiodynamic polarization curves. The passive films were a mixture of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} and FeCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} below the flat band potential of nickel oxide and were NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} above this potential. Electronic structure models, describing the electrochemical properties of the passive films, are proposed and discussed.
Passive films formed on Alloy 690 in different pH solutions at high temperatures were studied by potentiodynamic polarization, Auger electron spectroscopy, thermodynamic diagrams and the Mott-Schottky relation. The chemical compositions and electronic structures of the passive films were found to be strongly pH-dependent. In alkaline solutions, a secondary passivation was clearly observed on potentiodynamic polarization curves. The passive films were a mixture of Cr2O3 and FeCr2O4 below the flat band potential of nickel oxide and were NiFe2O4 above this potential. Electronic structure models, describing the electrochemical properties of the passive films, are proposed and discussed.
Thirteen summaries of exploratory development work carried out under a grant to the Naval Postgraduate School Research Foundation are included. This research was carried out in the areas of electrical engineering (slot lines; phase lock loops), aeronautics (aircraft survivability; composite materials for structures), material sciences (relation between high temperature compressive behavior and microstructure), mechanical engineering (fatigue life of ferrocement hull structures; flow fields), economics (hazardous employment incentives for DoD personnel), operations research (missile allocation modeling; combat dynamics; shipboard tank designs), oceanography breakwater construction effects on ecology), and physics (evaluation of an underwater acoustic parametric source).
Ozone has in recent years been increasingly investigated for its potential use in the control of insect pests of stored cereals. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that can react directly, or via production of reactive oxygen species, with proteins, DNA and double bonds of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The aim of the present study was to investigate the mode of action in ozone toxicity using the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), as a relevant model. Transcription of focal genes thought to be involved in protection against ozone, and repair of cellular damage caused by ozone exposure, was studied together with the composition of storage lipid fatty acids and membrane phospholipid fatty acids in order to detect lipid peroxidation. Contrary to expectations, transcription ...
This paper aims to estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking among students in Vietnam ages 13-15 and examines its relationship with compositional and contextual factors. The data used in this paper were obtained from the 2007 Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in nine provinces in Vietnam. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to analyse the association between the current incidence of cigarette smoking and factors on both the individual and school level. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among students was 3.3% overall. The prevalence of smoking among male students (5.9%) was higher than that among females (1.2%). Parental smoking was a significant risk factor for smoking among the students. Having a friend who smoked was the strongest predictor of smoking status amo...
IHI has developed a new Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Design (3D-CAD) system to improve the design efficiency and quality of the steel structure of nuclear power plants. This system covers every design phase from the initial arrangement of structure to the production design sharing the same database. The system incorporates the design rules and professional expertise of designers, and enable easy and efficient design. The system can easily generate the three-dimensional data for structures, model data for stress analyses and composite arrangement data. The system has already been applied to several plants under construction and has achieved excellent results. The outline of the new CAD system is introduced. (author)
Under operational conditions in nuclear power plants, the carbon steel components of the primary and secondary circuits react with high temperature cooling agent forming several iron oxides and oxyhydroxides. These deposits can result in tubes' constrictions, pitting and intergranular corrosion and finally to heat transfer reducing and increasing of radiation fields around the circuits, as well. The descaling process involves the chemical dissolution of the corrosion deposits by means of diluted organic acidic solutions containing usually a carboxylic acid, a reductant and one or more corrosion inhibitors. To evaluate the removing rates of these superficial films two types of methods were used, the gravimetric and potentiodynamic techniques. By correlating the experimental results, we established the chemical composition of descaling solution and two models of mechanisms applicable to our specific conditions. (authors)
Nanoscale yttrium?barium?copper oxide (Y2BaCuO5, Y211) particles were synthesized using the emulsion method and the solution method. The basic water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion system consisted of n-octane (continuous oil phase), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic surfactant), butanol (cosurfactant) and water. The composition of the emulsion system was varied and characterized by measuring the conductivity of the solutions and droplet size. The droplet size of emulsion was determined by using the dynamic light scattering method. The water content, cosurfactant content, and surfactant/n-octane ratio affected the droplet size which was in the range of 3?8?nm, and hence the w/o emulsion system was referred to as a nano-emulsion system. A model was used to verify the droplet size. The influenc...
In previous work, several significant improvements in the measurement of distillation curves for complex fluids were introduced. The modifications to the classical measurement provide for (1) temperature and volume measurement(s) of low uncertainty, and most important, (2) a composition-explicit data channel in addition to the usual temperature?volume relationship. This latter modification is achieved with a new sampling approach that allows precise qualitative as well as quantitative analyses of each fraction, on the fly. In the new approach, the distillation temperature is measured in two locations. The temperature is measured in the usual location, at the bottom of the take-off in the distillation head, but it is also measured directly in the fluid. We have further modified our developm...
In order to better understand the structure and composition of forest plant communities, we aimed to predict the abundance of understory herbaceous species locally at the stand level and according to different environments. For this, we seeked to model species distributions of abundance at a regional scale in relationship with the local stand structure (canopy openness) and regional soil resources (soil pH). Floristic inventories, performed in different light and soil conditions located in 1202 records of north eastern France, were used to analyze the combined effect of canopy openness and soil pH on the abundance of 12 common western European forest species: Anemone nemorosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca altissima, Hedera helix, Lamium galeobdolon, Lonicera periclymenum, Molinia caerulea...
(Boiling site densities and heat-transfer coefficients have been measured for ethanol-water and ethanol-benzene mixtures at 1.01 bar for a heated vertical brass disk. A strong effect of composition on the boiling site density was observed, which was attributed to the nature of the activation of the boiling surface and mass diffusion effects. The boiling heat-transfer coefficient was found to decrease with increasin subcooling, but for the mixtures at a given level of subcooling the decrease was less than that for the single components and azeotropic mixtures.) The heat-transfer coefficient at a given heat flux was seen to be quite insensitive to the very large increase in boiling site density in comparing the pure water and the ethanol-water azeotrope results, leading one to question pool boiling models that predict heat-transfer rates on the basis of boiling site density.
The first-principles energetics of the constituent elements Ca and Mg and the Mg_2Ca C14 laves phase (C14) in the Ca-Mg binary system were used in the computational thermodynamic modeling, with models for the Gibbs energy of individual phases. C14 was modeled as (Ca,Mg)_2(Ca,Mg)_1 with four end-members. The first-principles calculations were performed using two computer codes: (i) WIEN2K based on the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FLAPW) method and (ii) VASP based on the pseudo-potentials and a plane wave basis set. The total energies of the pure Ca and Mg in the fcc, bcc, and hcp structures, three laves phase structures of Mg_2Ca, and the four end-members of C14 were calculated at 0 K. The enthalpies of formation of the four end-members were obtained accordingly and used as input data in evaluating the Gibbs energy functions of C14. The entropy contribution in the Gibbs energy function for C14 was obtained ...
The applicability of Pd/sub x/Ta/sub 1-x/ as a diffusion barrier on Si has been investigated. For this purpose Pd/sub x/Ta/sub 1-x/ films of 200 nm thickness (x ranges from 0 to 1) were deposited on Si(100), and the reaction between over-layer and substrate was studied as a function of temperature. Interaction was found to occur at temperatures increasing with the Ta content. The as-deposited Pd/sub x/Ta/sub 1-x/ films with 0.2 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.6 were found to be amorphous. The amorphous phase had a higher reaction temperature than the crystalline one, causing a discontinuous step in the reaction temperature. RBS spectra revealed that for the Pd-rich compositions first a stoichiometric Pd2Si layer formed underneath a pure Ta layer. At higher temperatures TaSi2 formed at the surface. For Ta-rich compositions Pd2Si formed first as well, however, the reaction temperature was so high that Pd2Si grains formed in a Si ...
A tobermorite/hydroxyapatite composite was prepared by hydrothermal treatment using diatomaceous earth, ?-tricalcium phosphate and slaked lime starting materials. The XRD patterns of the composite confirmed that tobermorite and hydroxyapatite were formed after the hydrothermal process. The bending strength of the composite reached a level higher than 9?MPa after the hydrothermal process. The development of the bending strength was due to the formation of tobermorite and hydroxyapatite during the hydrothermal process. The composite had a high specific surface area due to these newly formed crystals.
Silicon/carbon composite anode materials were prepared by pyrolyzing the phenol-formaldehyde resin (PFR) mixed with silicon and graphite powders. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation showed that the morphology stability of the composite electrodes can be retained during cycling. A structure evolution mechanism is proposed to illuminate the enhancement of cycleability of the composite electrode. The composite used as anode material for lithium ion batteries possesses a reversible capacity of over 700 mAh/g.
A process is provided for conducting organic compound conversion over a catalyst composition comprising a supported crystalline zeolite having a high initial silica-to-alumina mole ratio, said supported zeolite being prepared by compositing said crystalline zeolite with alumina, reacting the composite with a particular hydrogen fluoride solution in a specified way, drying the hydrogen fluoride reacted composite, treating the dried composite by hydrolysis, ammonolysis and/or by contact with an ammonium salt solution, and calcining the resulting material.
This paper proposes a model to explain tritium release behavior of an irradiated Li_4SiO_4 sample made by Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The release curves were obtained in a series of experiments carried out using out-pile temperature programmed desorption techniques in the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). Tritium release curves obtained for different purge gas compositions (N_2, N_2 + H_2, N_2 + H_2O) were compared for selection of suitable conditions to determine the apparent diffusivity of tritium in a crystal grain of Li_4SiO_4.In the model formation, some mass transfer steps in the bulk of the crystal grain and those on the surface of the grain were taken into account, which were diffusion of tritium in the grain, adsorption and desorption of water on the surface of the grain, two types of isotope exchange reactions, and water formation reaction by the addition of hydrogen to the purge gas.Diffusivities of tritium in the ...
The Flory model is applied to predict the isobaric expansion coefficients, {alpha}{sub P}, isentropic, {kappa}{sub S}, and isothermal, {kappa}{sub T}, compressibilities and speeds of sound, u, of the highly complex mixtures: hydroxyether + alkane, + dibutylether, + 1-butanol or + 2-methoxyethanol, 1-alkanol + alkane, and 1-alkanol + dibutylether. Predictions were obtained using the energetic parameter, {chi}{sub 12}, determined from values of excess enthalpies, H{sup E}, and from values of the excess isochoric internal energies, U{sub V}{sup E}, at equimolar composition. No meaningful differences exist between such predictions. Deviations between experimental and calculated values are lower than 2% for mixtures containing alkoxyethanols. Poorer results are obtained for 1-alkanol + dibutylether mixtures with deviations up to 5%. It is shown that predictions on {alpha}{sub P}, {kappa}{sub S}, {kappa}{sub T}, and u essentially depend on structural ...
The Flory model is applied to predict the isobaric expansion coefficients, ?P, isentropic, ?S, and isothermal, ?T, compressibilities and speeds of sound, u, of the highly complex mixtures: hydroxyether + alkane, + dibutylether, + 1-butanol or + 2-methoxyethanol, 1-alkanol + alkane, and 1-alkanol + dibutylether. Predictions were obtained using the energetic parameter, ?12, determined from values of excess enthalpies, HE, and from values of the excess isochoric internal energies, UVE, at equimolar composition. No meaningful differences exist between such predictions. Deviations between experimental and calculated values are lower than 2% for mixtures containing alkoxyethanols. Poorer results are obtained for 1-alkanol + dibutylether mixtures with deviations up to 5%. It is shown that predictions on ?P, ?S, ?T, and u essentially depend on structural effects and not on the orientational effects present in the studied mixtures. Results are improved ...
We present a forward modelling technique for calculating the surface X-ray spectra for a variety of lunar terrains. Our calculations considered variations in solar fluxes from solar quiescent condition to large flare activity (M1 flare), and expected elemental concentrations in the target, as well as yield, instrumental, and viewing geometry parameters for X-ray induced fluorescence from the lunar surface. Additionally, we present estimates of anticipated XRF signals from prominent Ka lines observable by a collimated 14cm2 X-ray detector from a 100km lunar orbit with 20km spatial resolution. Our results show that Mg, Al and Si characteristic Ka lines can be observed for all solar conditions. The Ca Ka lines line can be differentiated from a fixed background during more energetic solar cond...
One of the main objectives of the Finnish Research Programme on Climate Change (SILMU) has been to assess the possible impacts of future changes in climate due to the enhanced greenhouse effect on natural systems and human activities in Finland. In order to address this objective, it was first necessary to specify the types of climate changes to be expected in the Finnish region. Estimates of future climate are conventionally obtained using numerical models, which simulate the evolution of the future climate in response to radiative forcing due to changes in the composition of the atmosphere (i.e. of greenhouse gases and aerosols). However, there are large uncertainties in the model estimates because current knowledge and understanding of atmospheric processes remains incomplete. Since accurate predictions of climate change are not available, an alternative approach is to develop scenarios. These are plausible projections ...
Petrographic research for the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations focused on xenolithic variability in the Topopah Spring Member and on variations of clinoptilolite composition at Yucca Mountain. Zeolite and smectite occurrences were considered in terms of their relation to a disturbed zone beneath the potential repository, and mineral stability experiments have produced a new clinoptilolite structure as a result of prolonged heating at low temperature. Limitations were defined on the abundance of erionite and of sulfur. X-ray diffraction studies lead to improved analytical methods. Progress was made in the comparative study of mineralogy in sand ramps and in faults. Geological modeling considered the differences of the diffusion of nonsorbing tracers in vertically and in horizontally fractured rock. Modeling also treated the diffusion of a nonsorbing tracer in devitrified and in zeolitized rock. The results of ...
Two computational problems were worked on for this study. The first chapter examines the option of coal combustion using oxygen feed with carbon dioxide recycle to control the adiabatic flame temperature. Computer simulations using an existing state-of-the-art 3-dimensional computer code for turbulent reacting flows with reacting particles were employed to study the effects of increased carbon dioxide mole fraction on the char burnout, radiant heat transfer, metal partitioning, and NOx formation. The second chapter compares assumptions for the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio at the surface of mineral inclusions made in previous studies to predictions obtained from a pseudo-steady state kinetic model (SKIPPY) for a single porous particle. The detailed kinetic simulations from SKIPPY for varying particle sizes and bulk gas compositions were used to develop algebraic expressions for the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio that can be incorporated into metal vaporization ...
A method of kinetic analysis applicable to non-isothermal oxidation processes of ceramic nanocomposites is presented using Ti-Si-C-N powder as the substrate. The nanoparticle size and phase composition were determined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermogravimetric measurements were carried out for powder samples in dry air in the temperature range 298-1770 K. The following heating rates were applied: 3, 5, 10, 20 K min{sup -1}. Mass spectrometry was used to analyze gaseous oxidation products and solid products were identified by the XRD technique. The Coats-Redfern equation was applied for the kinetic analysis. For each stage of the oxidation kinetic models, the best accuracy was achieved using a series of criteria, and then the A and E parameters of the Arrhenius equations were estimated. Both linear regression and artificial neural networks were applied in testing kinetic ...
We calculate the structure of accretion disks around Kerr black holes for accretion rates 0.001 - 10 M_sun/s. Such disks are plausible candidates for the central engine of gamma-ray bursts. Our disk model is fully relativistic and treats accurately microphysics of the accreting matter: neutrino emissivity, opacity, electron degeneracy, and nuclear composition. The neutrino-cooled disk forms above a critical accretion rate that depends on the black hole spin. The disk has the ``ignition'' radius r_ign where neutrino flux rises dramatically, cooling becomes efficient, and the proton-to-nucleon ratio Y_e drops. Other characteristic radii are r_alpha where most of alpha-particles are disintegrated, r_nu where the disk becomes neutrino-opaque, and r_trap where neutrinos get trapped and advected into the black hole. We find r_alpha, r_ign, r_nu, r_trap and show their dependence on the accretion rate. We discuss the qualitative picture of accretion ...
A one-dimensional numerical model for the expansion of impact-produced vapor clouds is used to investigate magnetic field generation mechanisms in events such as meteor collisions with the moon. The resulting cloud properties, such as ionization fraction, electrical conductivity, radial expansion velocity, mass density, and energy density are estimated. The model is initiated with the peak shock states and pressure thresholds for incipient and complete vaporization of anorthosite lunar surface materials by iron and GA composition meteorites. The expansion of the spherical gas cloud into a vacuum was traced with a one-dimensional explicit lagrangian hydrodynamic code. The hypervelocity impact plasmas produced are found to be significant in the amplitudes and orientations of the magnetic fields generated. An ambient magnetic field could have been provided by the core dynamo, which would have interacted with the expanding ...
The population growth, changing consumption patterns, and rapid urbanization contribute significantly to the growing volumes of solid waste that are generated in urban settings. As the rate of urbanization increases, demand on the services of solid waste management increases. The rapid urban growth in Langkawi Island, Malaysia, combined with the increasing rates of solid waste production has provided evidence that the traditional solid waste management practices, particularly the methods of waste collection and disposal, are inefficient and quite nonsustainable. Accordingly, municipal managers and planners in Langkawi need to look for and adopt a model for solid waste ...
Under typical conditions found in Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion (PFBC), the calcination reaction of limestones is thermodynamically inhibited, and the sorbent reacts with SO{sub 2} by a direct mechanism. Direct sulfation reactivity of different Spanish sorbents was studied by high-pressure thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the physical structure of the surface of the particles influence the sulfation behaviour of the sorbents. Total pore volume and pore surface area correlated well with the reactivity of the sorbents. Temperatures between 800 and 925{degree}C, and pressure between 12 and 25 bar, promoted an increase in reactivity, while the gas composition had no effect when changed from 15% CO{sub 2}, 3% O{sub 2}, 0.5% SO{sub 2}, balance N{sub 2} to 12% CO{sub 2}, 7% O{sub 2}, 0.5% SO{sub 2}, balance N{sub 2}. It was found that the unreacted shrinking core model could not satisfactorily describe the sulfation reaction under ...
We give a theoretical design for a locally resonant two-dimensional cylindrical structure involving a pair of C-shaped voids in an elastic medium which we term as double 'C' resonators (DCRs) and imbedded thin stiff bars, that displays the negative refraction effect in the low frequency regime. DCRs are responsible for a low frequency band gap which hybridizes with a tiny gap associated with the presence of the thin bars. Using an asymptotic analysis, typical working frequencies are given in closed form: DCRs behave as Helmholtz resonators modeled by masses connected to clamped walls by springs on either side, while thin bars behave as a periodic bi-atomic chain of masses connected by springs. The discrete models give an accurate description of the location and width of the stop band in the case of the DCR and the first two dispersion bands for the periodic thin bars. We then combine our asymptotic formulae for arrays of DCR ...
We give a theoretical design for a locally resonant two-dimensional cylindrical structure involving a pair of C-shaped voids in an elastic medium which we term as double 'C' resonators (DCRs) and imbedded thin stiff bars, that displays the negative refraction effect in the low frequency regime. DCRs are responsible for a low frequency band gap which hybridizes with a tiny gap associated with the presence of the thin bars. Using an asymptotic analysis, typical working frequencies are given in closed form: DCRs behave as Helmholtz resonators modeled by masses connected to clamped walls by springs on either side, while thin bars behave as a periodic bi-atomic chain of masses connected by springs. The discrete models give an accurate description of the location and width of the stop band in the case of the DCR and the first two dispersion bands for the periodic thin bars. We then combine our asymptotic formulae for arrays of DCR and thin-bars to ...
Effect of nitrogen-containing additives in the study of wood plastic composites of MMA with simul and mango wood of Bangladesh has been investigated. Nine different additives were used and the additives containing carboamide group induce the highest tensile strength to the composite. (author).
Effect of nitrogen-containing additives in the study of wood plastic composites of MMA with simul and mango wood of Bangladesh has been investigated. Nine different additives were used and the additives containing carboamide group induce the highest tensile strength to the composite. (author).
Effect of nitrogen-containing additives in the study of wood plastic composites of MMA with simul and mango wood of Bangladesh has been investigated. Nine different additives were used and the additives containing carboamide group induce the highest tensile strength to the composite.
A composite is any combination of two or more resources held together by some type of mastic or matrix. This report will describe several different types of composites with regard to thermoplasticization, improved mechanical properties, and stiffness.
This study investigated weathering effects on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based wood plastic composites (WPC), with a focus on the color and structure that is attributed to the material composition. It is directed towards quantifying the main chemical modifi...
Dimethacrylate polymers and composites are seeing increased usage in orthopedics. As these applications require the material to integrate with the surrounding tissues, direct contact cytotoxicity...Full Text Available
Interactions beween a high latitude, continental shelf, spring phytoplankton bloom and water column physics and chemistry were studied using /sup 15/N measured rates of nitrogen uptake. Peak bloom conditions commenced when the mixed layer shallowed and minimized respirational losses. Integrative light-mixing growth models were accurate during early bloom stages. An advection-diffusion model associated peak bloom nitrate uptake with pycnocline mixing rates of 2.1 m d/sup -1/ in an 18 m mixed layer. Maximum nitrogen specific uptake rates (hr/sup -1/), unlike those of carbon, coincided with peak bloom conditions. Although species compositions among peak bloom periods were similar, particulate C/N ratios were not. Apparently, both intercellular factors and prevailing mixing conditions influence specific uptake rates and cell composition. A large proportion of new (nitrate) to total productivity was ...
Dysprosium ion doped fluorophosphate glasses with compositions of PKMAFDy: (56-x/2) P2O5+17K2O+8Al2O3+(15-x/2)MgO+4AlF3+xDy2O3 (x=0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mol%) have been prepared by melt quenching technique and are characterized by optical absorption, emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime measurements. The observed bands in the absorption spectrum are analysed by using free-ion Hamiltonian (HFI) model. The Judd-Ofelt (JO) analysis has been performed and the intensity parameters (??, ?=2, 4, 6) have been evaluated that are used to predict radiative properties. From emission spectra, the effective bandwidth (??eff) and the stimulated emission cross-section (?(?p)) were evaluated. The fluorescence decay from the 4F9/2 level of Dy3+ ions have been measured by monitoring the intense 4F9/2#->#6H13/2 transition (573 nm). The lifetimes (?) are found to decrease with increasing concentration due to concentration quenching. The decay curves ...
The information of phase transformation is attained by in situ XRD experiments leading to the knowledge of topological threshold in GeS2-Ga2S3 glasses. The turning point of phase transformation behavior is demonstrated to be glasses containing 14-15 mol% Ga2S3. To interpret it a network demixing model is further improved and proposed for the structure of these ternary or quasi-binary chalcogenide glasses. For the nearest-neighbor coordination environment of glass with a transitional composition of 85.7 mol% (6/7) GeS2.14.3 mol% (1/7) Ga2S3, six-coordinated [S3Ga-X-GaS3] units (X=S or None) are well isolated by the [GeS4] structures, which contributes to the decreasing of precipitation of Ga2S3 crystals in (100-x)GeS2-xGa2S3 (x?14.3) glasses corresponding to the experimental evidence of the phase transformation behavior. This scenario of intermediate-range structural order, firstly, includes the arrangement of structural units which is ...
INTRODUCTION. We searched for a pathophysiologically based feature of major water electrolytes, which may define water quality better than the water hardness, respecting urinary calculus formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Utilizing a multistage stratified sampling, 2310 patients were diagnosed in the imaging centers of the provincial capitals in Iran between 2007 and 2008. These were composed of 1755 patients who were settled residents of 24 provincial capitals. Data on the regional drinking water composition, obtained from an accredited registry, and their relationships with the region's incidence of urinary calculi were evaluated by metaregression models. The stone risk index (defined as the ratio of calcium to magnesium-bicarbonate product in drinking water) was used to assess the risk of calculus formation. RESULTS. No correlation was found between the urinary calculus incidence and the amount of calcium, bicarbonate, or the total hardness ...
Surface modification of topography and chemistry in order to achieve a specific water contact angle (CA) has been explored by using a novel combinatorial screening platform. The screening arrays consisted of 507 distinct combinations of micro-topographies and chemical compositions. By performing chemical modifications with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H perfluoroethyltriethoxy-silane (PFS) and n-octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODS) on standard silicon wafers it was possible to include both superhydrophobic and very hydrophilic pad arrays in the same screening platform. Surfaces modified with PFS were more hydrophobic than surfaces modified with ODS, while the unmodified silicon surfaces were hydrophilic. For the PFS modified surfaces the largest CAs were achieved with a small pillar size of X = 1 {mu}m and an intermediate inter-pillar gap size of Y = 4 {mu}m with superhydrophobic CAs over 170 . Surface analysis with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that CF{sub 3} groups ...
This report presents a brief description of the fabrication and advantages of a composite, carbon-metal fiber material which does not require lubrication.
The relative role of the maternal source and the filial sink in controlling the composition of maize (Zea mays L.) kernels is unclear and may be influenced by the genotype and the N...Full Text Available
Composite Sandwich Panels under Different Thermal Environments, Composite Structures, Vol. 25,. July 1993, pp. 227239. 11. Ko, William L., Mechanical and ...
As a new composition of matter, alkali metal or ammonium or tetraalkylammonium diazidoperfluorophthalocyanatoferrate. Other embodiments of the invention comprise compositions wherein the metal of the coordination complex is cobalt, manganese and chromium.
This article addresses the need for new data on indirect effects of natural and anthropogenic aerosol particles on atmospheric ice clouds. Simultaneous measurements of the concentration and composition...Full Text Available
Aesthetic dentistry continues to evolve through innovations in bonding agents, restorative materials, and conservative preparation techniques. The use of direct composite restoration in posterior teeth...Full Text Available
hlgh fiber content composites met the minlmum requirements. (1400 O F ) , the hlgher fiber content as-fabricated composites have impact strengths distinctly ...
structures made out of composite laminates and/or composite sandwich panels. A Spectral Finite Element Method (SFEM) [19, 20] is used for evaluating the ...
The objectives of the Phase-I research address the development of mechanics- based structural integrity analysis methodologies for composite sandwich panels ...
A Composite Architecture for Network Security at JPL. Robert B. Mead, Tom G. Dearmond, and Joseph S. Sherif. JPL, California Institute of Technology ...
Detailed quantitative sequence stratigraphic analysis and three-dimensional (3-D) modeling of the fluvio-deltaic Pikeville, Hyden, and four Corners formations of the Breathitt Group, eastern Kentucky, indicate that it is possible to make confident deterministic correlations of sand bodies at offshore development well spacings. The key to high-confidence correlation is the delineation of the 3-D architecture of third-order composite sequences, which are seismically mappable, and the recognition of internal fourth-order sequences, which are stacked into lowstand, transgressive, and highstand sequence sets. Volumetric partitioning of reservoir sand bodies between systems tracts and sequences allows prediction of channel sandstone geometries and channel: crevasse splay ratios. Furthermore, channel-fill type is predictable from the sequence stratigraphy. Within 13 studied fourth-order sequences, incised valley fills represent the main reservoirs, ...
Geologic sequestration represents a promising strategy for isolating CO{sub 2} waste streams from the atmosphere. Successful implementation of this approach hinges on our ability to predict the relative effectiveness of subsurface CO{sub 2} migration and sequestration as a function of key target-formation and cap-rock properties, which will enable us to identify optimal sites and evaluate their long-term isolation performance. Quantifying this functional relationship requires a modeling capability that explicitly couples multiphase flow and kinetically controlled geochemical processes. We have developed a unique computational package that meets these criteria, and used it to model CO{sub 2} injection at Statoil's North-Sea Sleipner facility, the world's first saline-aquifer storage site. The package integrates a state-of-the-art reactive transport simulator (NUFT) with supporting geochemical software and databases (SUPCRT92). ...
The high temperature abrasive wear resistant of the composites with different Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} volume fractions, particle coating and size were investigated and the failure action of composites under different conditions at high temperature was analyzed. The results showed that the high temperature abrasive wear resistant of composite with Ni coating and wide size and 39% volume fraction of particle is the best among all composites examined. (orig.)
... and testing of unidirectional composites, there are serious doubts about the possibility of obtaining a true ultimate compressive strength for this kind ...
The method of production of xAl{sub 2}O{sub 3}-yTiO{sub 2} compositions provides for the depth distribution of coating components and specifies its mechanical properties. In case of the composition obtained by cladding, titanium is mainly concentrated at the substrate. In case of mechanical mixture or composition obtained by sintering the oxides, the depth distribution of coating components is random.
Characteristics of advanced composites are investigated. The fibers considered are Kevlar and carbon. The greatest advantage of composites over metals is emphasized, and lies in their permitting designers to obtain properties in exactly the locations desired. Kevlar replaced S-glass on the Trident 2 missile, saving 800 lbs. and adding 800 miles to its range. Military aircraft builders find that advanced carbon composites more often than not win out over Kevlar.
The construction materials used in coolant systems in nuclear power plants become covered with oxide films as a result of exposure to the aqueous environment. The susceptibility of the materials to different forms of corrosion, as well as the extent of the incorporation of radioactive species on the surfaces of the primary circuit, are greatly influenced by the physical and chemical properties of these oxide films. The composition and characteristics of the oxide films in turn depend on the applied water chemistry. This work was undertaken in order to collect and evaluate the present views on the structure and behaviour of oxide films formed on iron- and nickel-based materials in aqueous environments. This survey should serve to recognise the areas in which more understanding and research effort is needed. The review begins with a discussion on the bulk oxides of iron, nickel and chromium, as well as their mixed oxides. In addition to bulk oxides, the structure and ...
Wood plastic composites are prepared under radiation of "6"0Co gamma source with simul, a low grade wood of Bangladesh using a water soluble monomer acrylamide (AM) mixed with a swelling solvent methanol, water or methanol/water (1:1) at different compositions in the presence of a number of additives and co-additives such as NVP (N-vinylpyrrolidone), TPGDA (tripropylene glycol diacrylate), TMPTA (trimethylol propane triacrylate), sulfuric acid, urea and copper sulfate. Polymer loading (PL) and tensile strength (TS) of the composites are measured. The role of these additives on the composites is also discussed. It is observed that nitrogen-atom containing-materials like urea, NVP and AM produce composites with the highest mechanical strength, and incorporation of copper into this system provides additional property of protection and preservation of the composites ...
The thermal properties of five types of radiation-induced wood-polymer composites based on a tropical hardwood, rubberwood (Hevea braziliensis), was studied by oxygen index measurement, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG). The DTA and TG curves of composites were different from those of rubberwood, which can be attributed to the presence of the incorporated polymers. Of the five composites, the one impregnated with bis(2-chloroethyl)vinyl phosphonate reduced the initial temperature of decomposition, increased the peak temperatures of exothermic reactions, and increased the char yield. Comparison with physical blends of rubberwood and the corresponding polymer provided some evidence of chemical interaction of wood and polymer in some of the composites. (author).
Polymerizing effects of high energy radiation has been found suitable for preparation of wood-polymer composites. In the present work after evaluating polymer products that have been obtained by irradiation method, wood-polymer composites have been prepared by in situ polymerization of vinyl acetate, acrylic acid and acrylic acid/styrene mixture using two samples of Iranian hardwoods, Beech and Hornbeam. These woods and their composites have been tested for their physical and mechanical properties. The results have shown that chemical bonding between polymer and the cell wall component lead to better strength properties in the composites. (author).
As wastewater travels through a sewer system it undergoes changes in composition. The changes in composition may be caused by chemical, physical and/or biological processes. At present engineers do not take into consideration the impacts of these processes on the wastewater quality when designing wastewater treatment systems. However, the impact of these processes on the chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and phosphorus content of the wastewater can be significant. In the case of the biological processes, microorganisms present in the water as it travels through the sewer system are similar to those found in an activated sludge process. Given that the microorganism population and the hydraulic retention time often resembles that of an activated sludge process, it would seem only reasonable to look further into the possibility of using sewers as wastewater treatment systems. Furthermore, the plug flow regime of a ...
The genetic type, source and charging history of natural gas in the Yulin gas field in the Ordos Basin have been studied by combining the carbon isotopic composition of natural gas and geochemical characteristics of light hydrocarbons with carbon isotope fractionation model results and fluid inclusion analysis. The carbon isotopic composition of methane and ethane in the Yulin gas field is relatively enriched in {sup 13}C with {delta}{sup 13}C{sub 1} values ranging from - 35.3 permille to - 29.8 permille (average value = - 32.4 permille) and {delta}{sup 13}C{sub 2} ranging from - 26.3 permille to - 23.5 permille (average value = - 24.8 permille). The C{sub 7} light hydrocarbons are predominated by methylcyclohexane, accounting for 65.8% to 80.9% (average value = 71.6%), which is characteristic of coal-derived gas. Furthermore, the gas geochemistry indicates that, although marine limestone source rocks are present in the ...
The growth of stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric silicon nitride films was studied experimentally on 100 mm silicon wafers by batch depositions from the dichlorosilane (SiH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2})-ammonia (NH{sub 3}) system in a hot-wall horizontal low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) reactor. The growth kinetics were discussed in terms of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The kinetic parameters were determined by comparing the experimental data with a one-dimensional simulation model. The decomposition of NH{sub 3} at high temperatures was included in the simulation procedure. When the SiH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2}:NH{sub 3} ratios were greater than 1.5, a quantity higher than the thermodynamic critical values above which Si-rich nitride films begin to deposit, various SiN{sub x} films with x < 4/3 were obtained. The composition of the SiN{sub x} films was found to vary along the LPCVD reactor. The film stoichiometry was examined by Rutherford ...
We report an analysis of four strains of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using biocavity laser spectroscopy. The four strains are grouped in two pairs (wild type and altered), in which one strain differs genetically at a single locus, affecting mitochondrial function. In one pair, the wild-type rho+ and a rho0 strain differ by complete removal of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In the second pair, the wild-type rho+ and a rho- strain differ by knock-out of the nuclear gene encoding Cox4, an essential subunit of cytochrome c oxidase. The biocavity laser is used to measure the biophysical optic parameter Deltalambda, a laser wavelength shift relating to the optical density of cell or mitochondria that uniquely reflects its size and biomolecular composition. As such, Deltalambda is a powerful parameter that rapidly interrogates the biomolecular state of single cells and mitochondria. Wild-type cells and mitochondria produce Gaussian-like distributions ...
The surface of low alloy steel (En40B) has been engineered in the plasma of a glow discharge via plasma nitriding and ion plating of titanium nitride (TiN) coatings on the nitrided substrates with the purpose of enhancing the surface properties and fatigue strength. The nitriding response of the steel has been accessed by the evaluation of phase composition, layer thickness, hardness profile, residual stresses and nitrogen and carbon distributions. The wear and fatigue characteristics of the plasma-nitrided steel have been investigated and simple models have been developed to describe the influence of such properties as depth and strength of the nitrided case on the fatigue limit and load-bearing capacity of the nitrided steel. In order to further improve the tribological properties and load-bearing capacity of the low alloy steel, a duplex plasma surface-engineering technique has been developed. This is achieved by plasma nitriding the steel ...
As an explosion develops in the collapsed core of a massive star, neutrino emission drives convection in a hot bubble of radiation, nucleons, and pairs just outside a proto-neutron star. Shortly thereafter, neutrinos drive a wind-like outflow from the neutron star. In both the convective bubble and the early wind, weak interactions temporarily cause a proton excess (Y{sub e} {approx}> 0.50) to develop in the ejected matter. This situation lasts for at least the first second, and the approximately 0.05-0.1 M{sub {circle_dot}} that is ejected has an unusual composition that may be important for nucleosynthesis. Using tracer particles to follow the conditions in a two-dimensional model of a successful supernova explosion calculated by Janka, Buras, and Rampp (2003), they determine the composition of this material. most of it is helium and {sup 56}Ni. The rest is relatively rare species produced by the decay of ...
Seismic transects in this area show a strongly reflective Moho of generally low relief, which, in the area of modern transects, consists of a thin zone (< 2 km thick) of short reflectors. The upper mantle is transparent and has a P{sub n} of 7.8-8.0 km/s similar to much of the western US. A lower crustal zone, 2-13 km thick, has variable internal reflectivity and a relatively low velocity of 6.6-6.8 km/s. Upper mantle peridotite xenoliths show both ductile and brittle deformational features and have structures and composition affected by magmatic intrusion; intrusions form complex dike systems and extensive zones of grain boundary infiltration in peridotite xenoliths. Whereas melt infiltration preceded and followed ductile deformation, brittle deformation, represented by closely spaced joint systems and faults, followed ductile deformation and is related to the youngest magmatic episodes. Lower crustal xenoliths are dominantly igneous-textured pyroxenites and ...
In this paper we present some final results from a research project focused on introducing automatic control to the operation of cupola iron furnaces. The main aim of this research is to improve the operational efficiency and performance of the cupola furnace, an important foundry process used to melt iron. Previous papers have described the development of appropriate control system architectures for the cupola. These results are summarized. Then we describe the experimental results obtained with the U.S. Department of Energy Albany Research Center`s research cupola. First, experimental data is used to calibrate the model, which is taken as a first-order multivariable system with time delay. Then relative gain analysis is used to select loop pairings to be used in a multi-loop controller. The resulting controller pairs meltrate with blast volume, iron temperature with oxygen addition, and carbon composition with percent coke. Special ...
Formaldehyde oxidation was examined in a laboratory reactor over alumina-supported Pt, Pd, Rh, Ag, Cu-Cr, and Pd-Ag catalysts as part of a program to develop catalysts for lean-exhaust methanol-fueled vehicles. In general, the H/sub 2/CO oxidation behavior of the catalysts paralleled the CH/sub 3/OH oxidation behavior reported in Parts 1 and 2 of this series (Appl. Catal. 27(1986) 83; J. Catal. 103(1987) 419). Principal similarities were: high activity of Pt when there was no carbon monoxide (CO) in the feed, but strong inhibition by added CO; lower activity of Ag and Cu-Cr catalysts, but only weak inhibition due to added CO; enhanced activity of the Pd-Ag catalyst compared to Pd and Ag alone for feeds containing CO in addition to H/sub 2/CO; and, relatively poor activity of the Rh catalyst. The most unusual behavior was observed with the Pd catalyst, which showed local minima in the H/sub 2/CO conversion vs. temperature profiles. These saddles were similar to, but more pronounced ...
The intermetallic phase NiAl is a potential material for high-temperature applications; however, its technical application was prevented so far by its high brittleness at room temperature. This problem may be solved by incorporating relatively high-ductility particles into the NiAl matrix. Controlled crack propagation experiments, tensile and pressure tests were carried out in order to analyze the toughness and deformation characteristics of NiAl composite materials containing niobium or molybdenum particles at room temperature and in ambient atmosphere. Both the niobium and the molybdenum particles increase the toughness as compared to the pure NiAl matrix, but no ductilisation was observed in the composite materials investigated. Model experiments in consideration of experimental data suggest, hovewer, that the toughness and ductility of NiAl may be enhanced by optimizing the microstructural and production parameters of ...
The experimental has been performed with a view to studying complete and incomplete fusion in "1"4N + "1"6"3D_y system below 7 MeV/nucleon. The excitation functions for several reactions have been measured using the activation technique and compared with the theoretical predictions based on statistical models. The codes ALICE-91 and CASCADE used earlier for the analysis of excitation functions in case of "1"2C + "1"6"5H_0 system have been used here also with the same set of input parameters. It has been observed that the theoretical calculations do not match with the experimental excitation functions well but the overall shape of the excitation function is reproduced satisfactorily. The composite nucleus ("1"7"7T_a) formed in this ("1"4N + "1"6"3D_y) case is the same as the one formed in "1"2C + "1"6"5H_0 system studied earlier. Measured excitation functions for the same decay channels in the two cases (i.e. "1"2C + "1"6"5H_0 and "1"4N + ...
The traditional process for developing large-scale simulations is cumbersome, time consuming, costly, and in some cases, inadequate. The topics of software components and component-based software engineering are being explored by software professionals in academic and industrial settings. A component is a well-delineated, relatively independent, and replaceable part of a software system that performs a specific function. Many researchers have addressed the potential to derive a component-based approach to simulations in general, and a few have focused on military simulations in particular. In a component-based approach, functional or logical blocks of the simulation entities are represented as coherent collections of components satisfying explicitly defined interface requirements. A simulation is a top-level aggregate comprised of a collection of components that interact with each other in the context of a simulated environment. A component may represent a simulation artifact, an ...
The vast majority of fundamental studies of metal oxide selective oxidation catalysts have been performed with single phase systems. These investigations established the basic tenents of the redox mechanism of selective oxidation and ammoxidation catalysis. By comparison, structural and kinetic investigations of multiphase oxide catalysts are less numerous because of the inherent difficulties in understanding the relative contributions of separate phases to the catalytic behavior of the composite catalyst. Some attempts have been made in the past to understand the complex chemistry of multiphase catalysts and additional important insights have been realized more recently. However, a clear understanding of the most significant catalytic interactions between individual phases of a multiphase multicomponent redox catalyst is still lacking. In an effort to provide an understanding and a physical basis for the observed synergism in multiphase oxide catalysts, the ...
Positron annihilation experiments on Fe-Cu model dilute alloys of nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels have been performed after neutron irradiation in JMTR. Nanovoids whose inner surfaces were covered by Cu atoms were clearly observed. The nanovoids transformed to ultrafine Cu precipitates by dissociating their vacancies after annealing at around 400degC. The nanovoids and the ultrafine Cu precipitates are strongly suggested to be responsible for irradiation-induced embrittlement of RPV steels. Effects of Ni, Mn and P addition on the nanovoid and Cu precipitate formations were also studied. The nanovoid formation was enhanced by Ni and P, but suppressed by Mn. The Cu precipitates after annealing around 400degC were almost free from these doping elements and hence were pure Cu in the chemical composition. Furthermore the Fermi surface of the 'embedded' Cu precipitates with a body centered cubic crystal structure was ...
It is anticipated that early in the next century manned missions into outer space will occur, with a mission to Mars scheduled between 2015 and 2020. However, before such missions can be undertaken, a realistic estimation of the potential risks to the flight crews is required. One of the uncertainties remaining in this risk estimation is that posed by the effects of exposure to the radiation environment of outer space. Although the composition of this environment is fairly well understood, the biological effects arising from exposure to it are not. The reasons for this are three-fold: (1) A small but highly significant component of the radiation spectrum in outer space consists of highly charged, high energy (HZE) particles which are not routinely experienced on earth, and for which there are insufficient data on biological effects; (2) Most studies on the biological effects of radiation to date have been high-dose, high dose-rate, whereas in space, with the ...
The physical structure of a limestone or dolomite to be used in in-bed sulfur capture in fluidized bed boilers has great impact on the efficiency of sulfur capture and sorbent use. Therefore in process optimization and model calculations parameters describing the pore structure of these sorbents must be included. In this study an unreacted shrinking core model with variable effective diffusivity is applied to sulfation test data from a pressurized thermogravimetric apparatus (P-TGA) for various limestone and dolomite samples. The particle size was 250--300 {micro}m for all sorbents. The tests were done under typical conditions for a pressurized fluidized bed combustor, i.e. 850 C or 950 C, 15 bar, and were reported earlier at the 12th International Conference on Fluidized Bed Combustion. At these conditions the limestone remains uncalcined, while the dolomite is half-calcined. The sorbents were characterized by chemical ...
Full text of publication follows: Low activation ferritic/martensitic steels are receiving a high priority in the European long term materials research. Although extensively investigated, the available experimental data do not cover all required parameter ranges and cannot unambiguously be used to produce hardening/embrittlement trend curves. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to provide a physically-based engineering model offering a rational to experimental observations. From the literature, experimental data were selected to establish a database that mainly consists of 8 to 9Cr-steels irradiated in the range of 50 to 600 deg. C up to 30 dpa and with a He-content up to 5000 appm. The database includes neutron and proton irradiations, He-implanted as well as B- and Ni-doped steels. Because of the difficulty of interpretation inherent to the Charpy impact test, only tensile data were considered. The difficulty stems from the large range of specimen sizes ...
Water repellency en the microstructure super-hydrophobic cured surface is important for research and industrial purposes. This microstructure film can be cured on polyethylene terephthalate PET surface by electron beam (EB) at different irradiation doses 10-100 kGy. The microstructure formulation composed from hydrophobic acrylate oligomer (EB 244) and monomer (SR 440). The irradiation induced cross linking of the prepared microstructure was proved by FTIR spectroscopy and the adhesion force by abrasion test. Some factors affecting the adhesion force of the prepared microstructure film such as oligomer/monomer composition ratio and the thickness of the microstructure cured film were studied. The contact angles (8) were measured on cured surfaces before and after adding the super hydrophobic nanoparticles (Zonyl 9361). The super-hydrophobic cured surface showed the self-cleaning property. The volume of water droplet affected both the observed contact angle and its ...
Using a sample of 30,000 quasars from SDSS-DR7, we explore the range of properties exhibited by high-ionization, broad emission lines, such as CIV 1549. Specifically we investigate the anti-correlation between L_UV and emission line EQW (the Baldwin Effect) and the "blueshifting" of high-ionization emission lines. The blueshift of the CIV emission line is nearly ubiquitous, with a mean shift of 810 km/s for radio-quiet (RQ) quasars and 360 km/s for radio-loud (RL) quasars, and the Baldwin Effect is present in both RQ and RL samples. Composite spectra are constructed as a function of CIV emission line properties in attempt to reveal empirical relationships between different line species and the SED. Within a two-component disk+wind model of the broad emission line region (BELR), where the wind filters the continuum seen by the disk component, we find that RL quasars are consistent with being dominated by the disk component, while BALQSOs are ...
In this work, amorphous hydrocarbon (a-C:H) film deposition on metallic mirrors was studied during working shots in tokamak T-10 and at exposure in Ar/CHD3/D2 dc magnetron discharge in a special laboratory high vacuum setup. Analysis of film composition (including hydrogen content) was carried out using nuclear physical methods. Thickness and optical parameters (refractive and extinction coefficients) of the films were estimated by ellipsometry. Laboratory films can be characterized as soft a-C:H films in comparison with hard tokamak films (? = 1.2 and 1.8 g/cm3, respectively). For the first one, a linear dependence of deposition rate on mirror temperature was observed in a wide temperature range. The addition of methane into initial Ar/D2 magnetron gas mixture leads to an increase of deposition rate. The data obtained should be taken into account to prevent hydrocarbon film formation on the surface of first mirrors in ITER.
The kinetics of calcium sulfate crystal growth is of importance in various fields, such as geochemistry, desalination technology, petroleum industry, and water and wastewater treatment. The seeded crystal growth rate of calcium sulfate dihydrate was measured as a function of supersaturation in NaCl electrolyte solutions from 0 to 6 m at temperatures of 25, 50, 70, and 90 C. The growth followed a second-order parabolic rate law with activation energies greater than 53 kJ/mol which suggested the surface reaction as the rate-limiting step. It was observed that the rate constant and the activation energy are solution composition dependent. The rate constant increases with NaCl concentration up to 3 molal and then begins to fall slightly. The activation energy dropped from 61 kJ/mol in the pure Ca-SO[sub 4]H[sub 2]O system to 53 kJ/mol in 3.0 m NaCl solutions. The electrolyte effect was similar to the crystal solubility behavior in aqueous electrolyte solutions ...
Tremendous progress in the science of extrasolar planets has been achieved since the discovery of a Jupiter orbiting the nearby Sun-like star 51 Pegasi in 1995. Theoretical models have now reached enough maturity to predict the characteristic properties of these new worlds, mass, radius, atmospheric signatures, and can be confronted with available observations. We review our current knowledge of the physical properties of exoplanets, internal structure and composition, atmospheric signatures, including expected biosignatures for exo-Earth planets, evolution, and the impact of tidal interaction and stellar irradiation on these properties for the short-period planets. We discuss the most recent theoretical achievements in the field and the still pending questions. We critically analyze the different solutions suggested to explain abnormally large radii of a significant fraction of transiting exoplanets. Special attention is devoted to the ...
In this study, the nearly complete sequence (14,519 bp) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the entomophagous endoparasite Xenos vesparum (Insecta: Strepsiptera) is described. All protein coding genes (PCGs) are in the arrangement known to be ancestral for insects, but three tRNA genes (trnA, trnS(gcu), and trnL(uag)) have transposed to derived positions and there are three tandem copies of trnH, each of which is potentially functional. All of these rearrangements except for that of trnL(uag) is within the short span between nad3 and nad4 and there are numerous blocks of unassignable sequence in this region, perhaps as remnants of larger scale predisposing rearrangements. X. vesparum mtDNA nucleotide composition is strongly biased toward As and Ts, as is typical for insect mtDNAs. There is also significant strand skew in the distribution of these nucleotides, with the J-strand being richer in A than T and in C than G, and the N-strand showing an opposite skew for ...
We present a detailed spectral analysis of point-like X-ray sources in the XMM-COSMOS field. Our sample of 135 sources only includes those that have more than 100 net counts in the 0.3-10 keV energy band and have been identified through optical spectroscopy. The majority of the sources are well described by a simple power-law model with either no absorption (76%) or a significant intrinsic, absorbing column (20%).As expected, the distribution of intrinsic absorbing column densities is markedly different between AGN with or without broad optical emission lines. We find within our sample four Type-2 QSOs candidates (L_X > 10^44 erg/s, N_H > 10^22 cm^-2), with a spectral energy distribution well reproduced by a composite Seyfert-2 spectrum, that demonstrates the strength of the wide field XMM/COSMOS survey to detect these rare and underrepresented sources.
We demonstrate that a massive asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star is a good candidate as the main source of short-lived radionuclides in the early solar system. Recent identification of massive (4-8 solar masses) AGB stars in the Galaxy, which are both lithium- and rubidium-rich, demonstrates that these stars experience proton captures at the base of the convective envelope (hot bottom burning), together with high-neutron density nucleosynthesis with 22Ne as a neutron source in the He shell and efficient dredge-up of the processed material. A model of a 6.5 solar masses star of solar metallicity can simultaneously match the abundances of 26Al, 41Ca, 60Fe, and 107Pd inferred to have been present in the solar nebula by using a dilution factor of 1 part of AGB material per 300 parts of original solar nebula material, and taking into account a time interval between injection of the short-lived nuclides and consolidation of the first meteorites equal to 0.53 Myr. Such a ...
Activities in British Columbia's Fraser Valley generate an estimated 3 million tones of agriculture and food wastes annually, of which 85 per cent are readily available for anaerobic digestion. The potential for energy generation from biogas through anaerobic digestion is approximately 30 MW. On-farm manure-based systems represent the most likely scenario for the development of anaerobic digestion in British Columbia in the near future. Off-farm food processing wastes may be an alternative option to large centralized industrial complexes. Odour control, pathogen reduction, improved water quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduced landfill usage are among the environmental benefits of anaerobic digestion. The economical benefits include power and heat generation, biogas upgrading, and further processing of the residues to produce compost or animal bedding. This paper described a newly developed anaerobic digestion (AD) calculator that helps users regarding their ...
We studied the influence of alloying on the structural and electronic properties of the unrelaxed and relaxed Si_1_-_yC_y random alloys by means of ab initio theoretical calculations using two methods: (i) a supercell approach in connection with the plane-wave pseudopotential method; (ii) the full-potential augmented plane-wave plus local orbitals (APW+lo) method. The first method is used to obtain the relaxed atomic structure. The relaxed atomic positions obtained by pseudopotential calculations were used to calculate the band structure via the second method. The local density approximation was used for the exchange and correlation energy density functional. We investigated the lattice parameters and band gap energies. We found that a quite smaller gap appears in the neighborhood of y=0.03125 concentration of C atoms. The band gap shows a large anomalous bowing and is strongly composition dependent. The electron densities of states for the unrelaxed and relaxed ...
The ultra-precise photometric space satellite MOST (Microvariability and Oscillations of STars) will provide the first opportunity to measure the albedos and scattered light curves from known short-period extrasolar planets. Due to the changing phases of an extrasolar planet as it orbits its parent star, the combined light of the planet-star system will vary on the order of tens of micromagnitudes. The amplitude and shape of the resulting light curve is sensitive to the planet's radius and orbital inclination, as well as the composition and size distribution of the scattering particles in the planet's atmosphere. To predict the capabilities of MOST and other planned space missions, we have constructed a series of models of such light curves, improving upon earlier work by incorporating more realistic details such as: limb darkening of the star, intrinsic granulation noise in the star itself, tidal distortion and back-heating, higher angular ...
Analyses of the roles of cement-based barriers in radioactive waste isolation show that models used to estimate their characteristics during the lifetime of the repository must consider the alteration of material properties with time due to degradation processes. Reinforced concrete barriers at repositories shall be designed in such manner that they fulfil besides isolative capabilities also the required functions of mechanical resistance and stability. Key elements of safety evaluation are mainly the correct selection of materials for mineral composites with cement binder (cements, aggregates, mineral additives and chemical admixtures) and their design, execution of construction works and production of precast concrete containers (continuous casting of concrete - no cold joints, limited number of construction joints, proper placing and consolidation, finishing and curing), strict control of used materials and inspection of works, as well as ...
The role of the unsaturated properties of sand as a drainage layer in a composite liner system for landfills is investigated. The effect of the unsaturated properties of coarse-grained soil on contaminant migration was evaluated by means of a series of simulations using a one-dimensional model of a two- and a three-layer soil liner system for advection and diffusion, respectively. The results showed that under seepage conditions, the effect of an unsaturated sand layer on the advancement of the concentration front was quite insignificant. The arrival time of the C/C{sub o} = 0.5 concentration front increased from 651 days for the case with no sand layer to approximately 951 days for the case with a 1.0-m sand layer. A steady-state flow condition was ultimately established in the sand, and this fact suggests that the capillary action might not be effective. For diffusion, the arrival time of the concentration front increased nonlinearly with a ...
The Atmospheric Radiation Monitor (ARM) uninhabited aerospace vehicle (UAV) program aims to develop measurement techniques and instruments suitable for a new class of high altitude, long endurance UAVs while supporting the climate community with valuable data sets. Using the Scaled Composites Proteus aircraft, ARM UAV participated in Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment (M-PACE), obtaining unique data to help understand the interaction of clouds with solar and infrared radiation. Many measurements obtained using the Proteus were coincident with in-situ observations made by the UND Citation. Data from M-PACE are needed to understand interactions between clouds, the atmosphere and ocean in the Arctic, critical interactions given large-scale models suggest enhanced warming compared to lower latitudes is occurring.
The optical properties of divalent europium activated Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON were investigated and the excitation and emission processes were discussed. The emission wavelength is influenced by the activator concentration of Eu more than the codopant concentration of Ca, in case of the same matrix composition of #alpha#-SiAlON. The red-shift of emission increases when the concentration of Eu increases. In addition, it was revealed that the red-shift of emission would be caused by the construction of the package of optical device. The correlated color temperature becomes low by the red-shift for the white light-emitting diode (LED) lamp using Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON:Eu phosphor when the phosphor powder concentration increases in the transparent resin which coats the primary light source of a blue LED die. The additional red-shift can be observed when the excessive amount of phosphor coating is intentionally poured to the white LED lamps. These red-shifts of emission wavelength ...
Data on the recovery of Tsub(c) for several neutron irradiated A-15 compounds are presented. A model for the mechanism of recovery is suggested and has been applied to isothermal annealing data at 550"0C on a sample of Nb_3Ge and to isochronal annealing (200"0C-900"0C) data on V_3Si, Nb_3Ge and Nb_3Sn subjected to varying doses of fast neutrons and on Nb_3Al of various compositions subjected to the same dose. The recovery is assumed to take place by vacancy assisted reordering and occurs in several stages. The major low temperature stage is attributed to irradiation induced vacancies, while at high temperatures there are depleted and recovery is ascribed to the motion of thermal equilibrium vacancies. Activation energies deduced for these processes, approximately 1 eV for vacancy motion and approximately 1-2 eV for vacancy formation, are consistent with what is known about diffusion in the A-15 structure. (Auth.).
We discuss recent results obtained for the heavy-fermion metals UPd{sub 2}Al{sub 3} and YbRh{sub 2}Si{sub 2}. UPd{sub 2}Al{sub 3} is the first among all superconductors for which tunneling and inelastic neutron-scattering data highlight a non-phononic, i.e., magnetic-exciton mediated, pair state. YbRh{sub 2}Si{sub 2} represents a model system exhibiting pronounced non-Fermi liquid effects above a weak antiferromagnetic phase transition at T{sub N}=70 mK. Upon approaching the quantum critical point (T{sub N}{yields}0), by low doping with Ge, one observes for T<0.3 K disparate behavior in the temperature dependences of both the electrical resistivity and the electronic specific heat as well as a Curie-Weiss law in the uniform magnetic susceptibility, implying uncompensated large 4f moments. These observations indicate a break up of the composite quasiparticles into their local f-spin and itinerant conduction-electron parts.
We present a phenomenological analysis of the recent Tevatron results on the $t \\bar t$ forward-backward asymmetry and invariant-mass spectrum assuming a new contribution from an s-channel gluon resonance with a mass in the range from 700 to 2500 GeV. In contrast to most of the previous works, this analysis shows that for masses below ~1 TeV resonant New Physics could accommodate the experimental data. In general, we find that axial-like couplings are preferred for light and top quark couplings, and that only top quark couples strongly to New Physics. We find that compositemodel scenarios arise naturally from only phenomenological analyses of the experimental results. We show that our results are compatible with recent LHC limits in dijet and $t \\bar t$ production, and find some tension for large resonance mass ~2.5 TeV. We indicate as best observables for discriminating a relatively light new gluon a better resolution in CDF ...
Projected scenarios for the proposed Yucca Mountain repository include significant periods of time when high relative humidity atmospheres will be present, thus the reaction processes of interest will include those known to occur under these conditions. The ideal natural analog for the proposed Yucca Mountain repository would consist of natural borosilicate glasses exposed to expected repository conditions for thousands of years; however, the prospects for identifying such an analog are remote, but an important caveat for using natural analog studies is to relate the reaction processes in the analog to those in the system of interest, rather than a strict comparison of the glass compositions. In lieu of this, identifying natural glasses that have reacted via reaction processes expected in the repository is the most attractive option. The goal of this study is to quantify molecular water diffusion in the natural analogs obsidian and tektites. Results from this study ...
The effects of neutron irradiation on the superconducting and normal state properties of alloys and compounds are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the A-15 compounds where the effects of neutron irradiation on Tsub(c), Hsub(c_2), long range order parameter and lattice parameter are described. Large depressions (up to 80%) in Tsub(c) are observed for all the A-15 compounds studied with the exception of Mo_3Os where much smaller decreases in Tsub(c) are seen. Along with the decrease in Tsub(c) and increase in lattice parameter, the degree of long range order, as measured by X-ray and neutron diffraction, decreases. Also presented are the results of isothermal and isochronal anneals up to 900"0C. The unirradiated value of Tsub(c) can be restored by annealing, and for those systems where measurements have been made, recovery of the lattice parameter and order parameter also takes place. The effects observed in irradiated material, together with those observed in unirradiated but ...
Heterogeneous gasless reactive systems, including high-energy density metal-nonmetal compositions, have seen increasing study due to their various applications. However, owing to their high reaction temperature, short reaction time, and small scale of heterogeneity, investigation of their reaction mechanisms and kinetics is very difficult. In this study, microstructural changes and the kinetics of product layer growth in the W-Si system was investigated using a high-speed x-ray phase-contrast imaging technique. Using the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratory, this method allowed direct imaging of irreversible reactions in the W-Si reactive system at frame rates up to 36 000 frames per second with 4 {mu}s exposure and spatial resolution of 10 {mu}m. Details of the Si melt and reactions between W and Si, that are unable to be viewed with visible-light imaging, were revealed. These include processes such as the initiation of nucleated melting and other ...
Heterogeneous gasless reactive systems, including high-energy density metal-nonmetal compositions, have seen increasing study due to their various applications. However, owing to their high reaction temperature, short reaction time, and small scale of heterogeneity, investigation of their reaction mechanisms and kinetics is very difficult. In this study, microstructural changes and the kinetics of product layer growth in the W-Si system was investigated using a high-speed x-ray phase-contrast imaging technique. Using the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratory, this method allowed direct imaging of irreversible reactions in the W-Si reactive system at frame rates up to 36 000 frames per second with 4 #mu#s exposure and spatial resolution of 10 #mu#m. Details of the Si melt and reactions between W and Si, that are unable to be viewed with visible-light imaging, were revealed. These include processes such as the initiation of nucleated melting and other ...
An objective methodology is presented for determining the number and disposition of ambient air-quality stations in a monitoring network for the primary purpose of compliance with air-quality standards. The methodology utilizes a data base with real or simulated data from an air quality dispersion model for application with a two-step process for ascertaining the optimal monitoring network. In the first step, the air-quality patterns in the data base are collapsed into a single composite pattern through a figure-of-merit (FOM) concept. The most-desirable locations are ranked and identified using the resultant FOM fields. In the second step the network configuration is determined on the basis of the concept of spheres of influence (SOI) developed from cutoff values of spatial-correlation coefficients between potential monitoring sites and adjacent locations. The minimum number of required stations is then determined by deletion of lower-ranked ...
A number of agricultural and engineering uses for fixated flue gas desulfurization (FGD) material exist; however, the potential for leaching of hazardous elements has limited widespread application and the processes controlling the leaching of this material are poorly understood. In this study, a flow-through rotating-disk system was applied to elucidate the relative importance of bulk diffusion, pore diffusion, and surface chemical reaction in controlling the leaching of fixated FGD material under pH conditions ranging from 2.2 to 6.8. Changing the hydrodynamics in the rotating disk system did not affect the leaching kinetics at both pH 2.2 and 6.8, indicating that bulk diffusion was not the kinetic-limiting step. Application of the shrinking core model (SCM) to the data suggested a surface reaction-controlled mechanism, rather than a pore diffusion mechanism. The leaching of fixated FGD material increased with decreasing pH, suggesting it can be described by a ...
A laboratory differential simulation method is used for the design of carbonization columns at coal-tar processing in which phenols are regenerated from phenolate solution by carbon dioxide absorption. The design method is based on integration of local absorption rates of carbon dioxide along the column. The local absorption rates into industrial phenolate mixture are measured in a laboratory model contactor for various compositions of the gas and liquid phases under the conditions that ensure the absorption rates in the laboratory absorber simulate the local rates in the industrial column. On the bases of the calculations, two-step carbonization columns were designed for 30000 t/year of the phenolate solution treatment by carbon dioxide. The absorption proceeds at higher pressure of 500 kPa and temperatures from 50 to 65 C, pure carbon dioxide is used and toluene is added. These conditions have the following favourable effects: (I) significant ...
The thermal regime immediately downstream from bottom release reservoirs is often characterized by reduced diel and seasonal (winter warm/summer cool) conditions. These unusual thermal patterns have often been implicated as a primary factor underlying observed downstream changes in the species composition of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. The potential mechanisms for selective elimination of benthic species by unusual thermal regimes has been reviewed. Although the effects of temperature on the rate and magnitude of larval growth and development has been included in the list of potential mechanisms, only recently have field studies below dams focused on this interrelationship. This study investigates the overall community structure as well as the seasonal pattern of larval growth and development for several univoltine species of insects in the Delaware River below or near the hypolimnetic discharge of the Cannonsville and Pepeacton dams. These dams, which ...
A glass furnace, consisting of a combustion space and a glass melter, uses combustion heat to melt sand and cullet into liquid glass to make products. Glass quality is mainly dependent on the temperature, glass composition, and the level of impurities in a glass melter, which include solid batch/cullet particles, liquid glass, and gas bubbles. A comprehensive computational model using an Eulerian approach has been developed to simulate multiphase flows in a glass melter. It includes all the phases, divides solid particles or gas bubbles into various size groups, and treats each group as a continuum. The derived mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations of the flow are solved for local properties for each phase. The simulation considers the heating and melting of the batch (mainly from the radiative heat from combustion and from the convective heat from the molten glass), the formation and transport of bubbles, and the heating and mixing ...
A glass furnace, consisting of a combustion space and a glass melter, uses combustion heat to melt sand and cullet into liquid glass to make products. Glass quality is mainly dependent on the temperature, glass composition, and the level of impurities in a glass melter, which include solid batch/cullet particles, liquid glass, and gas bubbles. A comprehensive computational model using an Eulerian approach has been developed to simulate multiphase flows in a glass melter. It includes all the phases, divides solid particles or gas bubbles into various size groups, and treats each group as a continuum. The derived mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations of the flow are solved for local properties for each phase. The simulation considers the heating and melting of the batch (mainly from the radiative heat from combustion and from the convective heat from the molten glass), the formation and transport of bubbles, and the heating and mixing ...
Abstract We have experimentally and theoretically investigated the equivalent magnetic noise in a magnetoelectric Metglas/ 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 laminate sensor unit by considering the constituent noise sources of dielectric loss (NDE) and DC leakage resistance (NR). In the low frequency range (f = 1 Hz), theory predicts that NR dominates the noise charge (1.6 times larger than NDE), with a 1 Hz noise of 9.1\\;{\\rm pt}/\\sqrt {\\rm Hz}. The experimental equivalent magnetic noise was 10.8\\;{\\rm pt}/\\sqrt {\\rm Hz}. This observed value is slightly higher than the predicted one, which might be due to an oversimplification of the theoretical model in terms of electrical charge amplifier and external vibration noise sources. ( 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The passivation of low carbon steel was studied in aqueous solution of 0.5M Na[sub 2]SO[sub 4]+0.001M NaHSO[sub 3] (pH 3.5, 6.5 and 8.5) which can be considered as a model of acid rain. The used conversion electron Moessbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) with the complementary electrochemical investigations proved that the sulfite ions induce pitting corrosion at pH 3.5 and 6.5, while the measurements showed much weaker pitting at pH 8.5. The compositions and thicknesses of the passive films formed during the electrochemical treatments are determined from the CEM spectra. Only [gamma]-FeOOH was found on the surface of the samples at pH 6.5 and 8.5. Nevertheless, at pH 3.5 the sextet belonging to Fe[sub 3]C appears in the spectra, and also FeSO[sub 4].H[sub 2]O could be detected in low concentration. (orig.).
The influence of the sulfur dioxide emissions from a large copper smelter in Tacoma, Washington, USA, was studied by measuring the chemical composition of rainwater collected upwind and downwind of the source, before and after permanent closure of the smelter in 1985. Data analysis was based on a statistical model that accounted for variability associated with location of 25 sampling sites within three geographic regions, smelter operation, ten individual rain events observed over 2 years, and measurement uncertainty. After smelter closure, the upwind-downwind differences in mean hydrogen ion and excess sulfate ion concentrations within a 600 km/sup 2/ region extending to 25 km downwind of the source had decreased significantly compared to the pre-closure value. No significant decreases in mean ion concentrations were observed farther downwind in the Seattle, urban area. During five events sampled prior to smelter closure, we estimate that an ...
Due to the advantages of the flexibility and economics in exploration and production of offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG), the floating production storage and offloading unit for liquefied natural gas (LNG-FPSO) has attracted wide attentions in recent years. The offloading system for LNG transportation from LNG-FPSO to LNG carrier is one of the most important parts in LNG-FPSO. The influences of the main parameters such as the mass flow rate and the height difference of the pipeline. on the performance of LNG offloading in offshore associated gas fields were investigated. A model based on a typical offshore LNG offloading system was first established and simulations were conducted. The governing equations were then used to evaluate the effects of parameters together with the simulation results. It was found that there was an economic mass flow rate for practical design on balance of the cost in pump head and BOG. The height difference of the pipeline must be ...
We have begun the ExploreNEOs project in which we observe some 700 Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) at 3.6 and 4.5 ?m with the Spitzer Space Telescope in its Warm Spitzer mode. From these measurements and catalog optical photometry we derive albedos and diameters of the observed targets. The overall goal of our ExploreNEOs program is to study the history of near-Earth space by deriving the physical properties of a large number of NEOs. In this paper, we describe both the scientific and technical construction of our ExploreNEOs program. We present our observational, photometric, and thermal modeling techniques. We present results from the first 101 targets observed in this program. We find that the distribution of albedos in this first sample is quite broad, probably indicating a wide range of compositions within the NEO population. Many objects smaller than 1 km have high albedos (?>0.35), but few objects larger than 1 km have high albedos. This ...
The deformation characteristics of pellets of electrolyte-binder (EB) mixes based on MgO were measured under simulated, thermal-battery conditions. Measurements (using a statistically designed experimental strategy) were made as a function of applied pressure, temperature, and percentage of theoretical density for four molten-salt electrolytes at two levels of MgO. The EB mixes are used as separators in Li-alloy thermal batteries. The electrolytes included LiCl-KCI eutectic, LiCl-LiBr-KBr eutectic, LiBr-KBr-LiF eutectic, and a LiCl-LiBr-LiF electrolyte with a minimum-melting composition. The melting points ranged from 313 C to 436 C. The experimental data were used to develop statistical models that approximate the deformation behavior of pellets of the various EB mixes over the range of experimental conditions we examined. This report, discusses the importance of the deformation response surfaces to thermal-battery design.
Vegetation is a key compartment of ecosystems. It contains a large part of the biodiversity at the species level. For the evaluation of critical loads, we have to separate different receptors: lower plants (algae, fungi, lichens and mosses) and vascular plants. Trees must be distinguished due to their economic value. We analyze the different changes that pollution produces on vegetation: the state of health of individuals, changes in the biology and genetics at the population level, changes in the biodiversity or the specific composition at the community level. Calculation of critical loads is based on observational or experimental studies, in more or less controlled environments. However, they cannot yet be obtained through models of vegetation changes. Some results have been acquired at the European level, mainly for critical loads for nitrogen, but these results have come mostly from Northern Europe. Moreover, only heathlands and acidic ...
We investigated the effect of pretreatment on the physicochemical characteristics-crystallinity, bed porosity, and volumetric specific surface of soybean hulls and production of cellulolytic enzymes in solid-state fermentation of Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus oryzae cultures. Mild acid and alkali and steam pretreatments significantly increased crystallinity and bed porosity without significant change inholocellulosic composition of substrate. Crystalline and porous steam-pretreated soybean hulls inoculated with T. reesei culture had 4 filter paper units (FPU)/g-ds, 0.6?IU/g-ds ?-glucosidase, and 45?IU/g-ds endocellulase, whereas untreated hulls had 0.75?FPU/g-ds, 0.06?IU/g-ds ?-glucosidase, and 7.29?IU/g-ds endocellulase enzyme activities. In A. oryzae steam-pretreated soybean hulls had 47.10?IU/g-ds endocellulase compared to 30.82?IU/g-ds in untreated soybean hulls. Generalized linear statistical model fitted to enzyme activity data ...
In the present dissertation, a hierarchical multiscale approach for modeling FePt nanoparticles by atomistic computer simulations is developed. By describing the interatomic interactions on different levels of sophistication, various time and length scales can be accessed. Methods range from static quantum-mechanic total-energy calculations of small periodic systems to simulations of whole particles over an extended time by using simple lattice Hamiltonians. By employing these methods, the energetic and thermodynamic stability of non-crystalline multiply twinned FePt nanoparticles is investigated. Subsequently, the thermodynamics of the order-disorder transition in FePt nanoparticles is analyzed, including the influence of particle size, composition and modified surface energies by different chemical surroundings. In order to identify processes that reduce or enhance the rate of transformation from the disordered to the ordered state, the ...
This report summarizes the work that was completed in FY 1992 on the program {open_quotes}Technology Development for Concentrating Process Streams.{close_quotes} The purpose of this program is to evaluate and develop evaporator technology for concentrating radioactive waste and product streams such as those generated by the TRUEX process. Concentrating these streams and minimizing the volume of waste generated can significantly reduce disposal costs; however, equipment to concentrate the streams and recycle the decontaminated condensates must be installed. LICON, Inc., is developing an evaporator that shows a great deal of potential for this application. In this report, concepts that need to be incorporated into the design of an evaporator operated in a radioactive environment are discussed. These concepts include criticality safety, remote operation and maintenance, and materials of construction. Both solubility and vapor-liquid equilibrium data are needed to design an effective ...
Kerf geometry, kerf wall features, and cutting front characteristics of an Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) machined Graphite/Epoxy (Gr/Ep) laminate were studied. A macroscopic analyses suggests that geometrical features associated with AWJ machining of Gr/Ep laminates are influenced by three macro regions along the cutting depth. The presence of these regions, including initial damage at jet entry, smooth cutting, and rough cutting near the jet exit, depends on the operating conditions. Design of experiments and analysis of variance were used to determine the effect of cutting parameters on kerf characteristics and to develop empirical models for kerf profile and features of the three distinct macroscopic regions. Cutting front analysis revealed that the mechanisms of material removal in AWJ machining of Gr/Ep do not change over the jet penetration depth. In general, high quality uniform cuts may be obtained by minimizing initial damage at the jet entry and by extending ...
Complementary electrochemical, spectrophotometric and electron microsopic investigations were made in addition to the conversion electron Moessbauer spectroscopic (CEMS) measurements to learn more about the mechanism of corrosion of low carbon steel samples in aqueous sulfate and sulfite containing sulfate solutions (pH 3.5, 6.5 and 8.5). Passivation of iron in pure sulfate solution was studied in detail in earlier papers. In the present work, we used a solution containing both sulfate and sulfite anions to obtain more information about the effect of acid rain on low carbon steel samples. The compositions and thicknesses of the passive films formed due to the electrochemical treatments were determined from the CEM spectra. [gamma]-FeOOH was found in each case on the surface of the samples; nevertheless, at pH 3.5 the sextet belonging to Fe[sub 3]C appears in the CEM spectra, and also FeSO[sub 4] . H[sub 2]O was detected in low concentration after the shortest ...
Despite the rapid development of literature pertaining to fundamental (1-4) studies of oxidation catalysis, a general theory of heterogeneous selective oxidation catalysis explaining the selectivity behavior of different metal oxide systems has not yet been developed. Redox mechanisms have been widely invoked in the kinetic and mechanistic descriptions of selective oxidation reactions, suggesting a dynamic behavior of hydrocarbon and oxygen interactions with the catalyst surface. Nevertheless, most of the recent theoretical approaches of this subject matter (5-7) are essentially static in nature. Correlations are made with surface structure on the basis of crystallographic considerations with selectivity being related to the nature, number, bond-strength and nearness of oxygen atoms in the neighborhood of adsorption centers. The effect of the reaction medium on the configuration of the catalyst surface, and thus its influence on the reaction path, are generally not taken into account. ...
The objective of this project is to increase oil recovery from fractured reservoirs through improved fundamental understanding of the process of spontaneous imbibition by which oil is displaced from the rock matrix into the fractures. Spontaneous imbibition is fundamentally dependent on the reservoir surface free energy but this has never been investigated for rocks. In this project, the surface free energy of rocks will be determined by using liquids that can be solidified within the rock pore space at selected saturations. Thin sections of the rock then provide a two-dimensional view of the rock minerals and the occupant phases. Saturations and oil/rock, water/rock, and oil/water surface areas will be determined by advanced petrographic analysis and the surface free energy which drives spontaneous imbibition will be determined as a function of increase in wetting phase saturation. The inherent loss in surface free energy resulting from capillary instabilities at the microscopic (pore ...
The molar heat capacities (Cp,m) of a series of synthetic forsterite (Fo)-fayalite (Fa), (Mg2SiO4+Fe2SiO4), olivines have been measured between 5K and 300K on milligram-sized samples with the Physical Properties Measurement System (Quantum Design(R)). Sharp, ?-type heat capacity anomalies are observed in the Fe-rich compositions fayalite, Fo10Fa90, Fo20Fa80, Fo30Fa70, and Fo40Fa60. The corresponding Neel temperatures TN decrease linearly from 64.5K in fayalite to 32.8K in Fo40Fa60 following the relationship TN=79.02.xFa-14.07. Fo50Fa50 and Mg-richer olivines show weak broad features in the heat capacity data around 15K to 20K that decrease in magnitude with increasing forsterite content. In order to derive and separate molar electronic, magnetic and vibrational heat capacity contributions, Cel,m, Cmag,m, and Cvib,m from the experimental heat capacities (Ctot,m), we used a single-parametric phonon dispersion model to calculate Cvib,m for the ...
Chemical composition of fine aerosol particles over the northern Chilean coastal waters was determined onboard the U.S. DOE G-1 aircraft during the VOCALS (VAMOS Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere-Land Study) field campaign between October 16 and November 15, 2008. SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, and total organics (Org) were determined using an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, and SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, Na+, Cl-, CH3SO3-, Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ were determined using a particle-into-liquid sampler-ion chromatography technique. The results show the marine boundary layer (MBL) aerosol mass was dominated by non- sea-salt SO42- followed by Na+, Cl-, Org, NO3-, and NH4+, in decreasing importance; CH3SO3-, Ca2+, and K+ rarely exceeded their respective limits of detection. The SO42- aerosols were strongly acidic as the equivalent NH4+ to SO42- ratio was only ~0.25 on average. NaCl particles, presumably of sea-salt origin, showed chloride deficits but retained Cl- typically more than half the ...
Composites based on pure gypsum and polyester-styrene resin have been prepared using various doses of gamma radiation. Some physical properties of the prepared composites and the influence of irradiation dose on it have been studied as: compression strength, hardness, thermal decomposition temperature in nitrogen or oxygen, and the change in weight in aqueous solutions with different pH values. The glass transition temperature of the pure polymer and the composites increases with increasing the irradiation dose up to a plateau, and the glass transition temperature of the pure polymer is lower than that of the composites. The irradiation dose does not seem to affect the decomposition temperature of the pure polymer or the composites significantly and the decomposition temperature in presence of nitrogen is higher than that in presence of oxygen. Increasing the irradiation dose leads ...
There is growing interest in the use of natural fibres as the reinforcements for polymer composites in the automotive industry and as matrix for composites in building products application to replace synthetic fibres. In this respect the aim of this study is to develop an environmental friendly composites for furniture industry based on EFB fibres and sago starch. In this preliminary study, a basic composition and processing of EFB fibres-sago starch composites were established and the properties of the composites were determined. EFB fibre content was varied between 50-80% by weight. The amount of sago starch in liquid form was also varied and final weight percentage of sago starch added into the EFB fibres was adjusted accordingly. The mixtures of EFB fibres and sago starch were blended using Haake Rheomixer. The preliminary results indicate that the impact ...
Quasi-carbon fibers (QCFs) were prepared from Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor by pyrolysis in the temperature range from 400{degrees}C to 950{degrees}C. The QCF-reinforced composites were fabricated by impregnating the QCFs with the PAN resin. The microstructural changes of both QCFs and their composites were characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. The stacking size and the crystallinity of the QCFs increased with the increasing heat treatment temperature (HTT). The crystallinity of the PAN matrix in a composite was also affected by various QCFs. DSC data indicated that thermal reaction mechanism of the composite could be altered due to the interaction between the fiber and the matrix. DMTA studies showed that good adhesion existed at the interface of the QCF-reinforced composites containing lower HTT fibers. The modulus magnitudes of QCFs and their ...
To study the effect of CuO on the electrochemical properties of MgNi alloy, the MgNi-xCuO (x = 3, 5 and 10 wt%) composites were prepared by ball-milling method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the structures of the composites were amorphous. The cycle stability of the composites was improved compared to pure MgNi alloy due to the enhancement of the anti-corrosion property in the alkaline electrolyte, and the composite with 5 wt% CuO ball-milled for 15 h exhibited the best performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potential-step measurements indicated that the electrochemical kinetics of the composites was improved.
Tri layer hybrid composites of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and jute fibres was prepared by keeping oil palm EFB as skin material and jute as the core material and vice versa. The chemical resistance, void content and tensile properties of oil palm EFB/Jute composites was investigated with reference to the relative weight of oil palm EFB/Jute, i.e. 4:1, the fibre loading was optimized and different layering pattern were investigated. It is found from the chemical resistance test that all the composites are resistant to various chemicals. It was observed that marked reduction in void content of hybrid composites in different layering pattern. From the different layering pattern, the tensile properties were slightly higher for the composite having jute as skin and oil palm EFB as core ...
The goal of this project is to provide materials engineers, chemical engineers and plant operators with a software tool that will enable them to predict localized corrosion of process equipment including fabricated components as well as base alloys. For design and revamp purposes, the software predicts the occurrence of localized corrosion as a function of environment chemistry and assists the user in selecting the optimum alloy for a given environment. For the operation of existing plants, the software enables the users to predict the remaining life of equipment and help in scheduling maintenance activities. This project combined fundamental understanding of mechanisms of corrosion with focused experimental results to predict the corrosion of advanced, base or fabricated, alloys in real-world environments encountered in the chemical industry. At the heart of this approach is the development of models that predict the fundamental parameters that control the ...
The purpose of this study was to assess changes in dairy herd milk production and milk composition associated with changes in Salmonella contamination of bulk milk on dairy farms in southwestern Ontario....Full Text Available
The effect of reinforcement in the cross-linked poly(propylene fumarate-co-caprolactone diol) thermoset composites based on Kevlar fibres and hydroxyapatite was studied. Cross-linked poly(propylene...Full Text Available
ABSTRACTPurpose: To describe previously reported locomotor muscle and whole-body composition factors related to mobility in older individuals.Methods:...Full Text Available
Superconducting Cu-rich composites containing the A-15 compounds V_3Si or V_3Ga were made by the ''Tsuei'' process (melting into ingots followed by cold working and heat treatment). Superconducting transition temperatures of the composites were measured. X-ray diffraction analyses were performed. Microstructures were studied using both the optical metallograph and the scanning electron microscope. For some composites containing V_3Ga, the critical current densities as functions of transverse magnetic field up to 60 kG, and as functions of temperature from 4.2 to 12"0K were measured. It was found that the Tsuei process does not work for the composites containing V_3Si, but works satisfactorily for V_3Ga; reasons are discussed. Relations between measured properties and various metallurgical factors such as alloy compositions, cross-section reduction ratios, and heat treatment are ...
Rheological properties of moderately concentrated solutions of cellulose in methylmorpholine N-oxide-dimethylformamide mixtures containing hydrophilic montmorillonite nanoparticles were studied. Film composite materials were prepared, and their physicomechanical properties and structural organization were studied.
In this study, we report the physico-chemical and biological properties of a novel biodegradable composite scaffold made of nano-hydroxyapatite and natural derived polymers of chitosan and carboxymethyl...Full Text Available
A polyolefin composition is described comprising: 100 parts by weight of polyolefin, not less than 0.5 part by weight of a polyamide selected from the group consisting of nylon 6 and nylon 66, and from 3 to 30 percent by weight of a novolak based on the weight of the polyamide.
The present invention relates to a method of acidizing a subterranean formation or well bore employing an acidic solution containing a corrosion inhibitor composition comprising an inhibiting effective amount of an acetylenic alcohol, a quaternary ammonium compound, an aromatic hydrocarbon and an antimony compound.
Ca #alpha#-sialon is a high hardness material that exhibits in-situ growth of elongated grains during pressureless sintering. This potentially gives the material very good fracture toughness. This paper examined the effects of a number of variables on microstructural development during sintering. The effect of composition was investigated by studying seven different compositions. Densification was seen to be hindered in compositions that produced only small quantities of liquid phase during sintering. Elongated #alpha#-sialon was observed in all the compositions. It was in combination with equiaxed #alpha#--sialon in low liquid compositions, but only elongated #alpha#-sialon was present in the liquid rich compositions. The effects of using P-Si_3N_4 instead of #alpha#-Si_3N_4 starting powders were also examined. Compositions using only ...
Improving the anti-demineralizing/remineralizing and mechanical properties of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) composites has been the focus of our recent research. In this study, an ethoxylated...Full Text Available
This report documents the collaborative effort between the United States and Canada to investigate the impact of process-induced defects on strength and stiffness under static and fatigue loading and for low-cost composite aircraft structures, in particul...
This study compared the effectiveness of collaborative group composition and instructional method on reasoning gains and achievement in college biology. Based on initial student reasoning ability (i.e.,...Full Text Available
Thermal behaviors of eucalyptus wood residue (EWR) filled recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites have been measured applying the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning...Full Text Available
A summary of research conducted during the first year is presented. The research objectives were sought by conducting two tasks: (1) investigation of probabilistic design techniques for reliability-based design of composite sandwich panels, and (2) examin...
This investigation clearly demonstrates that through partial impregnation techniques wood-polymer composites can be formed from the Pinus species grown in South Africa with a considerable saving in monomer costs without sacrificing the important physical properties of these materials.
In this study we determined the composition and biogeochemistry of novel, brightly colored, white and orange microbial mats at the surface of a brine seep at the outer rim of the Chefren mud volcano....Full Text Available
The report gives results of an examination, including mutagenic screening, of the chemical composition of residual fuel oils and their column chromatography pre-fractions. A degree of correlation between composition and mutagenicity has been achieved. Radionuclide data has been o...
The objectives of this study were to quantify the effect of 16 ppm of dietary monensin on milk production and composition of dairy cows, and to investigate factors having a potential impact on this...Full Text Available
Using acrylic-group containing isocyanates together with methyl methacrylate as impregnating mixture and gamma rays for curing wood-plastic composites have been produced, which show high-dimensional stability and toughness (low brittleness) compared to commonly used wood-plastics. The syntheses of proper acrylic-group containing isocyanates are as well described as the properties of the produced composites, made from maple wood. Also the direct use of the initial compounds, necessary for the syntheses, resulted in products of similar properties. These wood-plastic composites are to be suggested for the production of high-class products, e.g. wood-wind instruments. (author).
The load-carrying capacity and ultimate deformation capacity of timber-concrete composite systems can be significantly influenced by the ductility of the connection between the two materials. The use of more ductile connections can increase the load-carrying capacity of the composite system as well as its ultimate deformation capacity. In this work, the potential increase that might be expected for these two parameters due to the use of ductile connections will be assessed through numerical simulations, taking the non-linear behaviour of the connections into account. Furthermore, the connection ductility required to achieve the maximum load capacity depends on the mechanical properties of the connection as well as on the geometric and mechanical properties of the composite system. There ar...
One of the greatest opportunities for using of biomass as a precursor in the production of polymeric materials is the lignocellulose composites that can combine high performance with low costs. This work is a initial study on the production of a lignocellulose reinforced polyethylene composite. A compatibilization made by a induced gamma radiation grafting reaction was used to increase the adhesion between the matrix and the reinforced or filled fibers. The lignocellulose materials were exposed to gamma radiation in order to promote a molecular degradation and increase its reactivity. The polymer, the lignocellulose material and the compatibilization were processed by extrusion and the composite produced by this process were characterized by mechanical tests. (author)
This is a preliminary study on the sound absorption properties of two tropical hardwoods, Light Red Meranti and Ramin, and their wood-polymer composites. Sound absorption is measured using a standing wave apparatus. The samples are of one thickness (7 mm) and cut longitudinally. Wood-polymer composites are made by impregnating the samples with methyl methacrylate which is polymerized in situ through #gamma#-irradiation. Both woods and their composites are better sound absorbers at higher sound frequencies. With partial impregnation, the absorption coefficients are improved upon particularly in the region between 1-3 kHz. (author).
Compositions (oligomers with suitable properties and Al, Fe, Cu, Ta, W powders) were hardured by the flux of accelerated electrons at 10 mA beam current and 1.5 MeV energy. Dielectric and mechanical properties of metal-filled polymeric compositions as well as their radioply sicl properties in SHF-range are studied. It is shown that the produced compositions belong tot he absorbing protective materials in which the protection effect is mainly achieved through the absorption losses. 6 refs.; 3 tabs.
... interactive surfaces and interfaces, and 3) the more complex a ... carbonate or calcium phosphate with a thin interface ... diameter) for nerve prosthesis. ...
... The task consisted of determination of the most economical composition of the charge of the cupola furnace of the foundry. 21s was no simple task. ...
A heat storage compostion comprises sodium sulfate decahydrate as main component, a supercooling inhibitor, and a solid-liquid separation inhibitor. The composition is characterized in that hydraulic calcium sulfate and/or calcium sulfate dihydrate is contained as the solid-liquid separation inhibitor in an amount of 2-15 wt% base on the whole weight of the composition, whereby the solid-liquid separation, i.e. the sedimentation of the anhydrous sodium sulfate during the phase transition, is effectively prevented and the long-term stability is improved. The long-term stabilty of the composition can be more improved by addition of a silcia series of thickener.
The Cu- and Ni-based bulk metallic glass matrix composites were fabricated by spark plasma sintering of a mixture of gas-atomized metallic glass powders and ductile brass powders. The brass powders added for the enhancement of plasticity are well distributed in the matrix after consolidation. The matrix of the composite materials remains as a fully amorphous phase after consolidation process. With increasing the brass content, the level of plasticity strain increased, although the level of strength decreased. The successful consolidation of metallic glass matrix composite with high density was attributed to viscous flow in the supercooled liquid state during spark plasma sintering.
A variety of engineering and experimental applications require primary support structures which are self-centering. High mechanical strength, low-density, carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composite springs are used in unique planar, cylindrical, conical, and spherical configurations to self-center components. The sinusoidal and triangular-shaped composite springs are readily manufactured and assembled into component hardware. Design considerations, flexural strength properties, load bearing and centering data plus procedures for the manufacture of composite springs are presented.
... energy absorption characteristics of composite sandwich panels, thermoplastic energy-absorbing subfloor structures, and shoulder belt pre- tensioners. ...
A new high capacity anode composite based on mesoporous silicon is proposed. By virtue of a structure that resembles a pseudo one-dimensional phase, ...
Ruthenium is one of the fission products in the reprocessing of irradiated fuels that requires a specific processing management. Its elimination, upstream by the PUREX process, has been considered. A process, called electro-volatilization, which take advantage of the RuO{sub 4} volatility, has been optimised in the present study. It consists in a continuous electrolysis of ruthenium solutions in order to generate RuO{sub 4} species that is volatilized and easily trapped. This process goes to satisfying ruthenium elimination yields with RuNO(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2} synthetic solutions but not with fuel dissolution solutions. Consequently, this work consisted in the speciation studies of dissolved ruthenium species were carried out by simulating fuel solutions produced by hot acid attack of several ruthenium compounds (Ru(0), RuO{sub 2},xH{sub 2}O, polymetallic alloy). In parallel with dissolution kinetic studies, the determination of dissolved species was performed using ...
Two branches of research are conducted in this thesis. The first deals with nonlinear combustion response as a mechanism for triggering combustion instabilities in solid rocket motors. A nonlinear wave equation is developed to study a wide class of combustion response functions to second-order in fluctuation amplitude. Conditions for triggering are derived from analysis of limit cycles, and regions of triggering are found in parametric space. Introduction of linear cross-coupling and quadratic self-coupling among the acoustic modes appears to be how the nonlinear combustion response produces triggering to a stable limit cycle. Regions of initial conditions corresponding to stable pulses were found, suggesting that stability depends on initial phase angle and harmonic content, as well as the composite amplitude, of the pulse. Also, dependence of nonlinear stability upon system parameters is considered. The second part of this thesis presents research for a ...
The themal neutron sensitivities of SEI and Toshiba FD-P10-7 radiophotoluminescent silver activated metaphosphate glass dosimeters have been measured and studied theoretically. The graphite thermal neutron column attached to the AEEW reactor NESTOR was utilised as a source of thermal neutrons with minimal fast neutron and gamma-ray contamination. Both the neutron removal and gamma correction measurement techniques were applied and these gave consistent results. It was found that the thermal neutron sensitivity of the Toshiba dosimeters is comparable to the most neutron intensitive thermoluminescent materials available. Because of their larger size and higher silver concentration, however, SEI dosimeters are an order of magnitude more neutron sensitive. The neutron sensitivity of FD-7 glass has not been reported previously, whereas in the case of SEI glass, there exists a modest body of previous work on dosimeters of nominally identical composition. The present ...
The themal neutron sensitivities of SEI and Toshiba FD-P10-7 radiophotoluminescent silver activated metaphosphate glass dosimeters have been measured and studied theoretically. The graphite thermal neutron column attached to the AEEW reactor NESTOR was utilised as a source of thermal neutrons with minimal fast neutron and gamma-ray contamination. Both the neutron removal and gamma correction measurement techniques were applied and these gave consistent results. It was found that the thermal neutron sensitivity of the Toshiba dosimeters is comparable to the most neutron intensitive thermoluminescent materials available. Because of their larger size and higher silver concentration, however, SEI dosimeters are an order of magnitude more neutron sensitive. The neutron sensitivity of FD-7 glass has not been reported previously, whereas in the case of SEI glass, there exists a modest body of previous work on dosimeters of nominally identical composition. The present ...
The Two-Column Aerosol Project (TCAP) field campaign will provide a detailed set of observations with which to (1) perform radiative and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) closure studies, (2) evaluate a new retrieval algorithm for aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the presence of clouds using passive remote sensing, (3) extend a previously developed technique to investigate aerosol indirect effects, and (4) evaluate the performance of a detailed regional-scale model and a more parameterized global-scale model in simulating particle activation and AOD associated with the aging of anthropogenic aerosols. To meet these science objectives, the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility will deploy the ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) and the Mobile Aerosol Observing System (MAOS) on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for a 12-month period starting in the summer of 2012 in order to quantify aerosol properties, radiation, and cloud characteristics ...
In the hypothetical event of a severe accident in a Light Water Reactor, scenarios in which the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) fails and the core melt mixture (called corium) relocates into the reactor cavity, cannot be excluded. The viscosity (in fact, corium rheological behaviour) plays a major role in many phenomena such as core melt down, discharge from reactor pressure vessel, interaction with structural materials (concrete,...) and spreading in a core-catcher. For these reasons, it is important to be able to predict the rheological behaviour of corium melts of different compositions (essentially based on UO{sub 2}, ZrO{sub 2}, Fe{sub x}O{sub y} and Fe for in-vessel scenarios, plus SiO{sub 2} and CaO for ex-vessel scenarios) at temperatures above solidus temperature. In the case of corium-concrete mixtures, the increase of viscosity depends not only on the increase of particles in the melts but also on the increase of the residual liquid phase viscosity (due to ...
From the crystal field analysis of optical absorption spectra on monoclinic S.G. P2{sub 1}/c MgNd(BO{sub 2}){sub 5}, where Nd{sup 3+} occupies a single crystallographic position with no symmetry elements, energy level schemes and an expression of the associated wavefunctions for the 4f{sup 3} configuration of Nd{sup 3+} have been derived, considering approximate C{sub 2v} and C{sub s} (C{sub 2}) symmetries. Despite of the low symmetry of Nd{sup 3+}, resulting rms deviations between calculated and experimental levels are very satisfactory. The composition of the crystal field wavefunctions from both sets of phenomenological free-ion and crystal field parameters has been checked through a calculation of the thermal evolution of the paramagnetic susceptibility {chi}, according to the Van Vleck formula. The same simulation was performed with crystal field parameters (CFPs) resulting from the ab initio simple overlap model (SOM), considering the ...
The poster illustrates how the recent developments in genetic stratigraphy have contributed to constrain reservoir layering and to improve prediction of reservoir quality in the oil-bearing reservoir of N`KOSSA. The mixed lithology deposits formed during Albian times. Thanks to the excellent core coverage of the reservoir (4 cored wells over the entire reservoir interval), continuous sedimentological examination and interpretation of the facies succession have been carried out. The reservoir can be subdivided into composite sequences (50 to 150 in thick) which are made up of stacked metre-scale genetic units. Three different stacking patterns of genetic units have been identified; retrogradation, aggradation and progradation. These patterns reflect a gradual change of depositional regimes through time. Facies variations (texture, bio-association, geometry, spatial distribution) and early diagenetic overprints can be related to each type of stacking pattern. One ...
The use of aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) for selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from acid gas streams has been studied in a 2 inch column packed with 1/4 inch ceramic Intalox saddles. The column was operated in a counter-current, steady state fashion. The feed gas composition varied between 1 and 5 mole % hydrogen sulfide and between 0 and 50 mole % carbon dioxide. In order to assist the development of packed column absorption models, the rate at which pure carbon dioxide absorbs into 2 M MDEA was measured as a function of pressure, liquid flow rate and packed bed length. The importance of end effects was carefully evaluated. In addition, draining and tracer methods were used to estimate the amount of static holdup present in the column. Using classical draining methods, as much as 50 % of the total holdup was found to be static. However, according to the step decrease in tracer method, less than 5 % of the total holdup was static. ...
A fully implicit compositional simulator was written to predict the drawdown and buildup responses for a single well in a gas condensate reservoir. The model uses the Redlich-Kwong equation of state to compute fluid properties and to determine phase equilibrium. The accuracy of the model predictions in the two-phase flow regime is tested using the results of a steady-state theory developed here. Two new correlating functions for transient flow - the reservoir integral and the sandface integral - are presented. The reservoir integral is shown to be a good liquid analogue during transient flow (drawdown). The sandface integral correlates with the liquid solution only in the slope. These two theoretical functions are shown to reduce to a computable pseudopressure function by using the results of the steady-state theory. The usefulness of this pseudopressure function for computing the permeability-thickness product and the skin ...
A flutter-motion equation is presently derived for a 2D composite sandwich panel considering the total lateral displacement of the plate as the sum of the displacement due to bending of the plate, and that which is due to shear deformation at the core. The effects of core thickness and stacking sequence of the faces on the flutter boundary of the plate are discussed; it is shown that the sandwich panel greatly improves the flutter boundary over that of a composite laminate panel, provided it has sufficient core thickness.
The physics and technology of a new class of efficient composite piezoelectrics are described. This material combines nanostructured and micropiezoelectric matrix composites. They consist of a polymer matrix, an insulating nanodimensional phase, and a microdimensional piezoelectric phase. It is shown that the nanostructuring of the near-surface region of polymer-PZT piezoelectric composites greatly improves their piezoelectric, mechanical, and electromechanical characteristics. A plausible mechanism underlying this effect is suggested.
A new method for the determination of the cmc using a dialysis technique which allows monometric species to diffuse through but no micelles has been applied for determining the mixed micelle composition. The method is based on determining the amount of surfactant that diffuses through at two different times which allows for the calculation of the cmc by use of the appropriate equation. This method requires the preparation of only one concentration of solution and lends itself particularly well to the determination of the composition of mixed micelles. (orig.)
X-ray scattering methods suitable for the investigation of the morphology and chemical composition of self-organized quantum dots and quantum wires are reviewed. Their application is demonstrated in experimental examples showing that a combination of small angle X-ray scattering with high-resolution X-ray diffraction can reveal both the shape and the chemical composition of the self-organized objects. (author)
The structure and properties of composite powder coatings on the base of titanium carbide are studied. It is shown the electron-beam welding deposition of powders on the base of nickel and titanium carbide allows to produce of high-quality wear-resistant coatings which superior in density and hardness compared with sputtered ones. Changes of hardening phase volume percentage as well as composition of metal matrix make possible to control coatings hardness
Annealing of magnetostrictive Metglas foils, subsequently incorporated into laminated Metglas/Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 magnetoelectric (ME) composites, is shown to result in improved magnetic properties, as well as ME coefficients. Annealing of the foils at 350 ?C resulted in partial crystallization, without oxidation or magnetic cluster formation that would reduce the magnetization. Laminate composites made with these annealed Metglas foils had improved ME coefficients.
The gas composition of recent thermal waters is in perfect conformity with their geologic-tectonic positions. The composition of gas-liquid inclusions in the basic-hyperbasic xenoliths of basaltoid lavas depends on the depth from which xenoliths are supplied. (The depth is determined by using the methods of geological thermobarometers). By comparing available data the conclusion was drawn that the gas compositions of thermal waters reflect the depth of generation of deep fluid which heats them and depends on the penetration depth of the fluid-conducting fissure zones.
Radiation processed wood-polymer composites (WPC) can replace conventional wood in many industrial applications. However, for proper utilization of the composites, adequate testing and evaluation programmes are essential. The paper briefly describes the development of WPC at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay, and the evaluation of WPC for various applications in greater details. The various mechanical properties and their significance in overall performance of WPC are also discussed. (author).
The experimental has been performed with a view to studying complete and incomplete fusion in {sup 14}N + {sup 163}D{sub y} system below 7 MeV/nucleon. The excitation functions for several reactions have been measured using the activation technique and compared with the theoretical predictions based on statistical models. The codes ALICE-91 and CASCADE used earlier for the analysis of excitation functions in case of {sup 12}C + {sup 165}H{sub 0} system have been used here also with the same set of input parameters. It has been observed that the theoretical calculations do not match with the experimental excitation functions well but the overall shape of the excitation function is reproduced satisfactorily. The composite nucleus ({sup 177}T{sub a}) formed in this ({sup 14}N + {sup 163}D{sub y}) case is the same as the one formed in {sup 12}C + {sup 165}H{sub 0} system studied earlier. Measured excitation functions for the same decay channels in ...
The integration of the environmental problem in the design of industrial products leads us to incorporate vegetal fibres and recycled polymers into composite materials. The aim of this work is to study the behaviour and the environmental interest of a recycled PP/hemp fibre after several injection cycles. The mechanical and rheological behaviour of recycled PP/hemp composite was first studied by using tensile, dynamical mechanic analysis and rheological measurements. Then, to better understand the influence of the recycling, a morphology study was carried out on composites by using optical and electron microscopy. Finally, we investigated the environmental advantages of our composite thanks to a simplified environmental assessment. Our results highlighted the environmental interest of usin...
A highly sensitive and stable tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was developed based on carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersed in mesoporous composite films of sol-gel titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion). Single-wall (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be easily dispersed in the titania-Nafion composite solution. The hydrophobic CNT in the titania-Nafion composite films coated on a glassy carbon electrode certainly increased the amount of Ru(bpy)32+ immobilized in the ECL sensor by adsorption of Ru(bpy)32+ onto CNT surface, the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrophobic analytes, and the electronic conductivity of the composite films. Therefore, the present ECL sensor based on the CNT-...
The age hardening behavior of Al-4.5%Cu alloy composite reinforced with zircon sand particulates and produced by stir casting route has been investigated in different quenching media viz, water, oil, and salt brine solution (7wt%). Optical microscopy of the as cast alloy composite indicates that the matrix of the composite has the cellular structure. Copper rich CuAl2 precipitates have been found near particle matrix interface. The results of ageing demonstrate that the microhardness of age hardenable Al-Cu based alloy composites depend on the quenching medium in which they are heat treated. Salt brine quenching is faster as compared to water and oil, even if higher strength is obtained but cannot be used for complex shapes and thin sections where oil quenching is the alternative due to mi...
This study investigated the effect of board type (unmodified vs. MAPE modified) on the surface quality and thickness swelling-water absorption properties of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) based wood plastic composites. Additionally, two commercially available coatings (cellulosic coating and polyurethane lacquer coating) were also applied to composite surfaces and their adhesion strength, abrasion and scratch resistance, and gloss values were determined. This study showed that modification of the composites with MAPE coupling agent increased the surface smoothness and reduced the water absorption and thickness swelling of the panels. Abrasion resistance of the composites was also improved through MAPE modification. Regardless of board type, higher scratch resistance and gloss values were observed for polyurethane lacquer coated samples compared to those of cellulosic varnish coated ones. ...
This study is an attempt to measure the quantities of elements in a composite by irradiating that composite with #gamma#-rays of various energies and detecting the transmitted radiation through the composite. A previous knowledge of the number of the elements and their attenuation coefficients is required. The quantities are calculated by solving the matrix of a linear system of equations. A computer program was developed to select the best combinations of the available energies. Five criteria were established to determine these energy combinations: (i) the determinant of the attenuation coefficient matrix; (ii) the condition number, (iii) the number of times the solution of the matrix leads to acceptable results; (iv) the indicator, (a new concept); (v) the standard deviations of the results. The intended application of this technique in medicine is to measure the bone mineral content of the skeleton. An examination of the ...
The patent describes a method for repairing leakage-causing cracks and fissures in a cryogenic heat exchanger. It comprises: reducing the interior pressure of the heat exchanger to a level which does not exceed the external pressure upon the hear exchanger while maintaining the temperature of the heat exchanger at a low level relative to the ambient external temperature; applying a curable liquid filler composition to the surface of the heat exchanger proximal the leakage site for seepage into the cracks and fissures located at the leakage. The composition upon a relatively short period of cure at low temperature forming a solid material which fills the cracks and fissures; curing the filler composition; and, applying a sealant composition to the surface of the heat exchanger at the filled leakage site. The sealant composition having long-term sealing performance under cyrogenic ...
Abstract Poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared using a melt-blending process and used to examine the effects on the composite structure and properties of replacing PBT with acrylic acid-grafted PBT (PBT-g-AA). PBT-g-AA and multihydroxyl-functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs-OH) were used to improve the compatibility and dispersibility of the MWCNTs within the PBT matrix. The composites were characterized morphologically using transmission electron microscopy, and chemically using Fourier transform infrared, solid-state 13C NMR and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The antibacterial and electrical conductivity properties of the composites were also evaluated. MWCNTs or MWCNTs-OH enhanced the antibacterial activity and electric...
Twelve powders of TiO_2-Y_2O_3-ZrO_2 solid solution of the methodically changed composition were prepared by a coprecipitation-calcination technique. After mixing with phenol-formaldehyde resin, the powders were calcinated for 2 hours at 1200"oC in vacuum. The resultant composite powders contained TiC and non-reacted carbon. Green compacts were sintered in vacuum at 1500"oC for 2 hours. A temperature increase was stopped at 1200"oC to react remains of carbon. There were two carbides in the composites TiC and ZrC. TiC non-stoichiometry depended on carbon content in the system. Phase composition of the depended on of titania and yttria in zirconia solid solution. The majority of the samples showed two tetragonal zirconia phases differing in lattice parameter and tetragonality. (author)
The microstructure of the interphase in semicrystalline polymer matrix composites has a dramatic influence on their mechanical properties. Studies have been performed to alter this region and to correlate various interphase morphologies with changes in fiber-matrix adhesion. A reinforced nylon 66 composite, when subjected to specific thermal histories, contains an interphase composed of transcrystallinity. This region has been altered by coating fibers with a diluent, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), and/or adding the diluent to the matrix material in very small quantities. Interphase morphology was investigated with optical microscopy, and adhesion was measured using a modified fiber pull-out test. It was found that transcrystallinity increases the interfacial shear strength. The effect different interphase morphologies have on the durability of bulk composite samples is currently under investigation.
Composite materials of synthetics (based on monomers, oligomers and thermoplastics) and of natural polymers (wood and other fibrous cellulosics) prepared by radiation processing, offer valuable structural materials with enhanced coupling forces between the components. The applied polymer chemistry of such composites shows several common features with that of radiation grafting. E.g. the polymerization rate of oligomer-monomer mixtures in wood remains in most cases proportional to the square-root of the initiating dose-rate, just as in the simultaneous grafting, demonstrating that the chain termination kinetics remain regularly bimolecular in the corresponding dose-rate ranges. In the processing experiences of such composites, low dose requirement, easy process-control, and good technical feasibility have been found for composites of wood with oligomer-monomer mixtures, for coconut fibres with ...
Composite materials of synthetics (based on monomers, oligomers and thermoplastics) and of natural polymers (wood and other fibrous cellulosics) prepared by radiation processing, offer valuable structural materials with enhanced coupling forces between the components. The applied polymer chemistry of such composites shows several common features with that of radiation grafting, e.g. the polymerization rate of oligomer-monomer mixtures in wood remains in most cases proportional to the square-root of the initiating dose-rate, just as in the simultaneous grafting, demonstrating that the chain termination kinetics remain regularly bimolecular in the corresponding dose-rate ranges. In the processing experiences of such composites, low dose requirement, easy process-control, and good technical feasibility have been found for composites of wood with oligomer-monomer mixtures, for coconut fibres with ...
To make the surface composites with hard ceramics particles is an effective means for satisfying the request for the wear-resistance of the casting products. Covering casting is a general method for forming the composites by adding the adhesive into ceramics particles. However, due to the using of adhesive, pore and intermediate are easy to generate, and it is one of the reasons making the wear-resistance unstable. In the present study, it is attempted to form the wear-resistant composite layer by dispersing cast tungsten carbide (CTC) particles on the surface of wear-resistant 7 mass% Mn steel without using adhesives. Subsequently, the experiments on the wear-resistance of the obtained surface composites under several wear conditions are carried out. It is revealed by the results thereof that 7 mass% Mn steel surface composites with CTC particles have the wear-resistance which is ...
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 ...
The ultrafine fibers based on the composites of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a series of fatty acids, lauric acid (LA), myristic acid (MA), palmitic acid (PA), and stearic acid (SA), were prepared successfully via electrospinning as form-stable phase change materials (PCMs). The morphology and thermal properties of the composite fibers were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. It was found that the average fiber diameter increased generally with the content of fatty acid (LA) in the LA/PET composite fibers. The fibers with the low mass ratio maintained cylindrical shape with smooth surface while the quality became worse when the mass ratio is too high (more than 100/100). Moreover, the latent heat of the composite fibers increased with the increase of LA content and the phase transition temperature of the ...
The composite of doped lanthanum gallate (La_0_._9Sr_0_._1Ga_0_._8Mg_0_._2O_2_._8_5, LSGM) and doped ceria (Ce_0_._8Sm_0_._2O_1_._9, CSO) was investigated as an electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The LSGM-CSO composite was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the sintered LSGM-CSO composite contains mainly fluorite CeO_2 phase and a minority impurity phase, Sm_3Ga_5O_1_2. The LSGM-CSO composite electrolyte shows a small grain boundary response in the impedance spectroscopy as compared to LSGM and CSO pellets. The composite electrolyte exhibits the highest conductivity in the temperature range of 250-600 "oC, compared to LSGM and CSO. The LSGM-CSO composite can be expected to be an attractive intermediate temperature electrolyte material for solid oxide fuel cells.
Four species of nanocomposites organized by hydroxyapatite (HAp), hyaluronic acid (HyA), chondroitin sulfate (ChS) and type II collagen (Col), i.e. HAp/HyA, HAp/ChS, HAp/HyA/Col and HAp/ChS/Col composites, were synthesized by coprecipitation methods. The composites could retain lots of water: 40%, 32%, 42% and 58% for the HAp/HyA, HAp/ChS, HAp/HyA/Col and HAp/ChS/Col composites, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the HAp/HyA and HAp/ChS composites consisted of island-like aggregations whose sizes were 300 nm in length and 30 nm in width, and 150 nm in length and 30 nm in width, respectively. In the aggregations, there were many HAp nanocrystals of 20 nm in length, and their c-axes were aligned along the respective polymer molecules through a self-organization process. Animal tests showed that chondrocyte-like cells penetrated into the HAp/ChS/Col ...
MmMg{sub 12}-Ni amorphous or nanocrystalline composites (Mm: Ce-rich mischmetal) were prepared through the ball-milling method, and their electrochemical hydrogen storage performance was investigated and compared with that of ball-milled CeMg{sub 12}-Ni composites. It was found that the ball-milled MmMg{sub 12}-Ni composites had larger initial discharge capacities and better high rate dischargeability. Analysis of electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) shows that the reaction resistance and hydrogen diffusion resistance of the ball-milled MmMg{sub 12}-Ni composites are lower as a result of the decrease in Ce content, and thus can contribute to the larger discharge capacity and better high rate dischargeability. Additionally, the cycle performance of the ball-milled MmMg{sub 12}-Ni composites is better than those of the ball-milled CeMg{sub 12}-Ni composites. ...
The ultimate goal of this research was to develop technology to convert recycled wood fiber and plastics into durable products that are recyclable and otherwise environmentally friendly. Two processing technologies were used to prepare wood-plastic composites: air-laying and melt-blending. Research was conducted in (1) developing laboratory methods for converting waste wood, wastepaper, and waste plastics into forms suitable for processing into composites; (2) optimizing laboratory methods for making composite panels from the waste materials; (3) establishing a database on the effects of formulation and bonding agent on physical and mechanical properties of composites; (4) establishing the extent to which the composites can be recycled without unacceptable loss in properties; and (5) reaching out to industry to provide education, to develop applications, and to extend the database. ...
In order to investigate the role of amorphous SiO{sub 2} particles in corrosion and wear resistance of Ni-based metal matrix composite alloying layer, the amorphous nano-SiO{sub 2} particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer has been prepared by double glow plasma alloying on AISI 316L stainless steel surface, where Ni/amorphous nano-SiO{sub 2} was firstly predeposited by brush plating. The composition and microstructure of the nano-SiO{sub 2} particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer were analyzed by using SEM, TEM and XRD. The results indicated that the composite alloying layer consisted of {gamma}-phase and amorphous nano-SiO{sub 2} particles, and under alloying temperature (1000 deg. C) condition, the nano-SiO{sub 2} particles were uniformly distributed in the alloying layer and still kept the amorphous structure. The corrosion resistance of ...
In order to investigate the role of amorphous SiO2 particles in corrosion and wear resistance of Ni-based metal matrix composite alloying layer, the amorphous nano-SiO2 particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer has been prepared by double glow plasma alloying on AISI 316L stainless steel surface, where Ni/amorphous nano-SiO2 was firstly predeposited by brush plating. The composition and microstructure of the nano-SiO2 particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer were analyzed by using SEM, TEM and XRD. The results indicated that the composite alloying layer consisted of ?-phase and amorphous nano-SiO2 particles, and under alloying temperature (1000 deg. C) condition, the nano-SiO2 particles were uniformly distributed in the alloying layer and still kept the amorphous structure. The corrosion resistance of composite alloying layer was ...
In this thesis, increased hemicellulose retention during kraft pulping has been studied. The work has been divided into three parts: i) Development of an accessible and reliable method for determination of carbohydrate composition of kraft pulps ii) Investigation of the composition and molecular mass distributions of the carbohydrates in kraft pulps with increased hemicellulose content iii) Investigation of the effect of increased hemicellulose content on the sheet properties of kraft pulps with increased hemicellulose content. A method for carbohydrate determination was developed. In this method, enzymes are used to hydrolyse the pulp into monosaccharides. A relatively mild acid hydrolysis is performed prior to detection on an HPLC with an RI-detector. The pulp is not derivatized and no pre-treatment (mechanical or chemical) is needed to determine the carbohydrate composition using the method developed here. Peak ...
The Cox proportional hazards model is the most widely used model for survival analysis because of its simplicity. The fundamental assumption in this model is the proportionality of the hazard function....Full Text Available
For several decades, ceramic matrix composite have been attracted attention in advanced structural and tribological applications. Advanced structural ceramics are presently used in diverse tribological applications such as tips for ballpoint pens, precision instrument bearings and cutting tools inserts. Design and selection of ceramics for these applications require reliable data on the effects of temperature, load and environment on the tribological behavior of these ceramics. In the present work, #alpha#-sialon matrix composites reinforced with different amounts of #beta#-sialon fibers were produced with the aim of improving their toughness to increase the industrial applications. The wear properties of #alpha#-sialon matrix composites were evaluated by carried out wear tests using a pin-on-disk tribometer under dry conditions. The #alpha#-sialon matrix composites were manufactured by slip casting and ...
Mesoporous V2O5/Nafion composite films have been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)$\\rm{ {_{3}^{2+}}}$) on an electrode surface to yield a solid-state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The electrochemical and ECL behavior of Ru(bpy)$\\rm{ {_{3}^{2+}}}$ ion-exchanged into the composite films has been characterized as a function of the amount of Nafion incorporated into the V2O5/Nafion composite. The composite film with 80% Nafion content has the largest pore diameter (4.19 nm) and yields the maximum ECL response for tripropylamine (TPA) because of the fast diffusion of analyte into the film with large pores. Due to the enlarged pore size and enhanced conductivity of the V2O5/Nafion composite, the present ECL sensor based on the compo...
General estimates and references are made in connection with the role of technological physics in obtaining materials with specific features. The first part of the paper presents the modification of weak wood essences as well as technological processes at bench-scale and semi industrial scale of wood-plastic composites, under various irradiation conditions. Two technological installations for the fabrication of wood-plastic composites on both scales with technical and practical specifications of their performances are presented. Experimental data for different wood-plastic composite systems using some local wood essences in combination with several polymer and copolymer systems are given. Impregnation and polymerization levels are mentioned for every specific system. The radiation dose rate and integrated dose are given for every experimental polymerization system. The features of the wood-plastic ...
Fine ceramic particles of zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA), titania toughened alumina (TTA), and zirconia-titania toughened alumina (ZTTA) have been synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) at various temperatures from starting salt solutions of various compositions aiming for the development of catalytic material. These particles were characterized for properties such as shape, size and size distribution, diffraction pattern, and chemical and phase composition of elements by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analyzer (PSA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Chemical compositions and sizes of ceramic composites have been controlled by the stoichiometry of salt solutions and the flow rate of spraying solutions. The optimum experimental conditions for the various composite particle synthesis have been ...
Fine ceramic particles of zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA), titania toughened alumina (TTA), and zirconia-titania toughened alumina (ZTTA) have been synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) at various temperatures from starting salt solutions of various compositions aiming for the development of catalytic material. These particles were characterized for properties such as shape, size and size distribution, diffraction pattern, and chemical and phase composition of elements by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analyzer (PSA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Chemical compositions and sizes of ceramic composites have been controlled by the stoichiometry of salt solutions and the flow rate of spraying solutions. The optimum experimental conditions for the various composite particle synthesis have been ...
Coal ash is a substance that has been mixed into minerals in the earth`s crust during their coalification process. Estimation was made on what kinds of mineral composition have been mixed into coals. Noted first was the kinds of compounds contained in the ash, wherein the ratios of mass in the compounds and minerals were correlated, and selection was made on minerals which are thought correlated. The selection criterion was based on minerals containing silica, alumina, iron oxide, lime and magnesium as compounds. Then, a phase equilibrium line diagram was used to estimate compositions and melting points of minerals which are thought to have been produced from these compounds. By comparing the estimation with the measured melting points of the ashes, mineral compositions thought reasonable were all selected. Assumption was possible on minerals that are thought to have been transferred into coal ash. Compound indications of ...
Researches on oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers and thermoplastic composites have been carried out by many workers in the last decade. The main focus was to enhance the properties of the resultant composites in view of the incompatibility of the two components. Thus, efforts have been made to enhance their properties by using coupling agents, treating the fibers and modifying the matrices. In this study, the effects of electron beam (EB) irradiation and some reactive additives (RAs) on the mechanical properties of EFB-PP (polypropylene) composites were evaluated. Different modes of irradiation were investigated. Mono, di and tri functional of monomers of RAs were used. irradiating PP alone, compared to irradiating the EFB fibers or irradiating both components, gave optimum properties for EFB-PP composites. Further, improvements of the properties of the composites were achieved ...
The effect of irradiation on the tensile properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber reinforced poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blend using HAAKE Rheomixer at 150 deg. C. The composites were then irradiated by using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine at doses ranging from 0 to 100 kGy in air and room temperature. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break and gel fraction of the composites were measured. Comparative studies were also made by using poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB fiber in the similar blend system. An increase in tensile strength, Young's modulus and gel fraction, with a concurrent reduction in the elongation at break (Eb) of the PVC/ENR/OPEFB composites were observed upon electron beam irradiation. Studies revealed that grafting of ...
For the development of high ionic conductive solid electrolyte, LiTi2(PO4)3 (LTP), one of the promising inorganic solid electrolyte, was synthesized to investigate an effect of additional lithium salt on the ion conductivity. Lithium salt added LTP composite electrolyte sintered at 900{degree}C exhibited highest conductivity, which was two order magnitude higher than pure LTP. Effects of lithium salt addition are as follows. Conductivity of the composite electrolyte provided larger sintering temperature dependence than the pure LTP. From X-ray diffraction analysis, structures and compositions were resemble between two composite electrolytes. Byproducts except LTP provided rather low conductivity. It was suggested that melted constitution in the composite can affect the sintering improvement by the additional lithium salt at temperatures over 800 {degree}C. From the observation of ...
The {beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}w/6061 Al composite was fabricated by the squeeze casting and extruded with the extrusion ratios of 44 and 100 at 773 K. Its tensile strength and superplastic characteristics were investigated and the following results were obtained: (1) the {beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}w/6061 Al composite exhibits the tensile strengths of about 400 MPa at room temperature and of about 250 MPa at 773 K; (2) the m value of the composite pulled at 818 K is 0.33 in the strain rate range from 0.02 up to 1.0 s{sup {minus}1}; (3) the total elongation of the composite becomes about 173 % at the strain rate of 0.02 s{sup {minus}1} even in the case of the high volume fraction of 0.25; (4) no reaction product on the surface of {beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} whisker after removing a matrix by etching was detected except AlN; (5) the fracture surface of the composite includes the melt matrix ...
The fuel composition heterogeneity effect on reactor performance parameters was assessed by refueling simulations for three DUPIC fuel options of fuel composition heterogeneity control: the fissile content adjustment, the reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, and the reactivity control by natural uranium. For each DUPIC fuel option, the simulations were performed using 30 heterogeneous fuel types which were determined by the agglomerative hierarchical clustering method. The heterogeneity effect was considered during the refueling simulation by randomly selecting fuel types for the refueling operation. The refueling simulations of the heterogeneous core have shown that the key performance parameters such as the maximum channel power (MCP), maximum bundle power (MBP), and channel power peaking factor (CPPF) are close to those of the core that has single fuel type. For the three DUPIC fuel options, the uncertainties of MCP, ...
The composition of sputter-deposited HgS films was determined by electron microprobe analysis. From the relative x-ray intensity as a function of film thickness, the depth of the ionizations that produce SK sub(..cap alpha..) and HgM sub(..cap alpha..) was found to be approximately 0.65 ..mu..m at an accelerating voltage of 15 kV. This value agreed well with a value calculated from Castaings' empirical law after absorption correction. The determination of film composition was limited to sufficiently thicker films than this critical value, usually 1 - 2 ..mu..m thick. The relation between the conposition of bulk standard determined by chemical analysis and the x-ray intensity ratio was used for the correction of film composition. The results showed that the crystal structure of HgS films was independent of the composition, i.e., the growth of metastable ..beta..-HgS films was not caused by the ...
The composition of sputter-deposited HgS films was determined by electron microprobe analysis. From the relative x-ray intensity as a function of film thickness, the depth of the ionizations that produce SK sub(#alpha#) and HgM sub(#alpha#) was found to be approximately 0.65 #mu#m at an accelerating voltage of 15 kV. This value agreed well with a value calculated from Castaings' empirical law after absorption correction. The determination of film composition was limited to sufficiently thicker films than this critical value, usually 1 - 2 #mu#m thick. The relation between the conposition of bulk standard determined by chemical analysis and the x-ray intensity ratio was used for the correction of film composition. The results showed that the crystal structure of HgS films was independent of the composition, i.e., the growth of metastable #betta#-HgS films was not caused by the nonstoichiometry, and that ...
Two geochemical surveys were conducted in 1992 and 2000 respectively in the Yimeng Uplift of the Ordos Basin, China. The earlier survey grid had 1 x 5km spacing and the later survey grid had 0.5 x 0.5km spacing. The acid-extractable hydrocarbons of both surveys show similar geochemical trends. However, the anomalies obtained with traditional statistical methods do not correlate with existing oil/gas fields. This study reveals two problems in the data and their processing. The first one is interference caused by the variation of soil composition. We applied a wavelet-analysis-based method to eliminate this interference in the data of the later survey. The second is that micro-seepage anomalies did not identify existing oil/gas fields and seepage anomalies related with faults had not been previously recognized. We modified the logic multiplication cluster analysis and applied a multi-fractal model and a back propagation artificial neural network ...
Full text: The maturation of chicken forebrain is protracted and occurs well after synapse formation providing a good model for studying mechanisms of brain maturation. Using microslices from immature (10 day) and adult chicken forebrain prepared after decapitation, we have examined functional properties of NMDA and AMPA receptors by measuring agonist-induced uptake of "4"5Ca"2"+ . The rate and extent of NMDA induced "4"5Ca"2"+ accumulation decreased during maturation with no change in EC_5_0. The rate and extent of the AMPA induced response also decreased with a 60-fold increase in EC_5_0. However, the total NMDA receptor content did not change as indicated by 3 H-MK801 binding and NR1 immunoreactivity in P2 fractions. Similarly, there was no change in the B_m_a_x of "3H-AMPA, though there was a two-fold increase in K_D, and little or no change in the immunoreactivity in GluR1, 2, 2/3 or 4. These results suggest that it is the regulation of receptors, their ...
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 ...
Elastic and elasto-plastic modelling of indentation in CFRP cross-ply laminates has been performed. Detailed knowledge of the field solutions in the volume below the indentor forms the basis for the reported micromechanical interpretation of the observed damage in test specimens. The analysis shows that matrix cracks originate at sites of maximum tensile stress perpendicular to fibers. The predicted stress fields due to indentation show that stress concentrations occur in the interface between alternating plies. It is found that microcracking in this zone is a precursor to the observed failure. This analysis is supported by in-situ scanning electron microscopy during loading by a cylindrical indentor onto the laminate supported on a rigid substrate. The microscopy reveals microdamage in the region of interfacial tensile stress concentrations. The onset of indentation failure in these layered composites suggests that plastic interleaves would ...
A large matrix of simple alloys and complex commercial type steels was irradiated over a range of fluxes at 60 FC up to a fast fluence of about 3 x 10"2"2 n/m"2. Combined with data in the literature, these results show a negligible effect of flux on irradiation hardening in the range of 2 x 10"1"3 to 5 x 10"1"8 n/m"2-s. This observation lends indirect support to the proposal that the accelerated embrittlement in the High Flux Isotope Reactor surveillance steels was due to an anomalously high level of damage from gamma rays. A weak dependence of hardening on a number of elements, including copper, nickel, phosphorus, molybdenum and manganese, can be described by a simple empirical chemistry factor. Particular combinations of elements resulted in hardening differences of up to about 60% in the complex commercial type steels and up to about 100% in simple model alloys. Direct effects of microstructure appear to be minimal. Hardening varies with the square root of ...
Neutron reflectometry (NR) was used to measure the concentration profile of a symmetric PEP/dPEP polymer blend with nanometer-scale resolution in the one-phase region. The shape of the profile near the surface was found to differ significantly from mean-field theory predictions for all bulk concentrations and temperatures surveyed. The profile shape is flattened at the surface over a distance about half the bulk correlation length, a length scale far greater than that of the dispersive forces that are the dominant microscopic interaction in such blends. We introduce a new method for extracting the surface energy difference that drives segregation based on the Gibbs adsorption equation (GAE) and compare it to a previous method based on mean-field theory. While both methods produce qualitatively similar results (the surface energy of pure dPEP is {approx}0.21 mJ/m{sup 2} smaller than pure PEP), the GAE method is much less model dependent, requiring knowledge of only ...
The overarching goals of the 'Kootenai River Floodplain Ecosystem Operational Loss Assessment, Protection, Mitigation and Rehabilitation' Project (BPA Project No.2002-011-00) are to: (1) assess abiotic and biotic factors (i.e., geomorphologic, hydrological, aquatic and riparian/floodplain communities) in determining a definitive composition of ecological integrity, (2) develop strategies to assess and mitigate losses of ecosystem functions, and (3) produce a regional operational loss assessment framework. To produce a scientifically defensible, repeatable, and complete assessment tool, KTOI assembled a team of top scientists in the fields of hydrology, hydraulics, ornithology, entomology, statistics, and river ecology, among other expertise. This advisory team is known as the Research Design and Review Team (RDRT). The RDRT scientists drive the review, selection, and adaptive management of the research designs to evaluate the ecologic functions ...
By means of an audio frequency plasma polymerisation ultra-thin gradient plasma polymer layers were deposited on zinc and zinc-coated iron. The aim was to generate an interfacial polymeric layer which bonds to an oxidised metal as well as to a subsequently applied organic coating and acts as an interfacial barrier layer for ions and water. Surface modifications were done in an in situ plasma cell with infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). The zinc surface was first activated by an oxygen plasma to provide a freshly oxidised and contamination free oxide surface. The intermediate stages of the surface reactions could be revealed. Carbon dioxide molecules as oxidation products adsorbed on the growing zinc oxide and were desorbed at a later stage. An organosilicon plasma polymer was deposited directly on top of the oxide layer from a hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) plasma. Afterwards a cyclohexene (CHEX)/hexamethyldisilane co-plasma polymer was deposited. The top plasma polymer ...
Anthropogenic sulfate aerosol, together with particles from biomass burning, may significantly reduce the climatic warming due to man-made greenhouse gases. The radiative forcing of aerosol particles is based on their ability to scatter and absorb solar radiation (direct effect), and on their influences on cloud albedos and lifetimes (indirect effect). The direct aerosol effect depends strongly on the size, number and chemical composition of particles, being greatest for particles of 0.1-1 {mu}m in diameter. The indirect aerosol effect is dictated by the number of particles being able to act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). For sulfate particles, the minimum CCN size in tropospheric clouds is of the order of 0.05-0.2 {mu}m. To improve aerosol parameterizations in future climate models, it is required that (1) both primary and secondary sources of various particle types will be characterized at a greater accuracy, and (2) the influences of ...
We derive stellar masses, ages, and star formation histories (SFHs) of massive early-type galaxies in the z = 1.237 RDCS1252.9-2927 cluster and compare them with those measured in a similarly mass-selected sample of field contemporaries drawn from the Great Observatories Origin Deep Survey South Field. Robust estimates of these parameters are obtained by comparing a large grid of composite stellar population models with 8-9 band photometry in the rest-frame near-ultraviolet, optical, and IR, thus sampling the entire relevant domain of emission of the different stellar populations. Additionally, we present new, deep U-band photometry of both fields, giving access to the critical far-ultraviolet rest frame, in order to empirically constrain the dependence of the most recent star formation processes on the environment. We also analyze the morphological properties of both samples to examine the dependence of their scaling relations on their mass ...
New studies are always needed to better determine the physico-chemical processes involved in the combustion of natural gas. The understanding of the reaction mechanisms that lead to the formation of nitrogen oxides or volatile organic compounds requires to identify the inner mechanisms which take place during combustion and in particular the mechanisms of formation of intermediate products. The aim of this study is to analyze the thermal degradation of methane and ethane in low pressure pre-mixed stabilized laminar flames condition, because both of these compounds represent the major part of natural gas composition. The main chemical reaction ways identified in the studied flames and responsible for combustion have been identified after a comparison between experimental results and the computerized simulation performed using an a-priori postulated chemical mechanism. This study stresses on the transfer reaction schemes between the different C1, C2 and C3 oxidation ...
Provenance and paleocurrent data from synorogenic fluvial sandstones can be used to constrain theories about the timing and structural style of Laramide foreland uplifts and associated basins. The Green River basin of southwestern Wyoming is a large ellipsoidal basin bounded by uplifts with diverse orientations and basement rock compositions. Sandstone from the main body of the Eocene Wasatch Formation in the Green River basin was sampled along the south and west flanks of the Rock Springs uplift. Petrographic examination and paleocurrent measurements reveal two main facies. The first facies is rich in feldspar and metamorphic rock fragments derived from the Wind River Mountains to the north. The second facies is dominated by quartz and sedimentary rock fragments, reflecting a source in the Uinta Mountains to the south. Distribution of these facies indicates that a sediment lobe extends 15 km into the basin from the Uinta Mountains. Another sediment lobe originates ...
Surface analytical studies of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels exposed to deaerated 0.1M HCl have revealed that nitrogen alloying additions influence the composition of salt layers and the passive film/alloy interface. In this study the authors employ electrochemical techniques and variable angle X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the passive films formed on a series of austenitic stainless steels, Fe18Cr8Ni, Fe18Cr8Ni0.2N, Fe20Cr20Ni, Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo and Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo0.2N, in acidic chloride aqueous solution. In addition, several other model alloys, Fe19Cr, Fe19Cr9Ni, Fe19Cr2.5Mo, and Fe19Cr9Ni2.5Mo, were examined before and after electrochemical surface nitriding, a technique proven to have an effect analogous to N alloying. It was shown that nitrogen, nickel and molybdenum additions independently and in certain combinations stimulate selective dissolution of iron, resulting in a significant enrichment of chromium ...
Surface analytical studies of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels exposed to deaerated 0.1M HCl have revealed that nitrogen alloying additions influence the composition of salt layers and the passive film/alloy interface. In this study the authors employ electrochemical techniques and variable angle X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to examine the passive films formed on a series of austenitic stainless steels, Fe18Cr8Ni, Fe18Cr8Ni0.2N, Fe20Cr20Ni, Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo and Fe20Cr20Ni6Mo0.2N, in acidic chloride aqueous solution. In addition, several other model alloys, Fe19Cr, Fe19Cr9Ni, Fe19Cr2.5Mo, and Fe19Cr9Ni2.5Mo, were examined before and after electrochemical surface nitriding, a technique proven to have an effect analogous to N alloying. It was shown that nitrogen, nickel and molybdenum additions independently and in certain combinations stimulate selective dissolution of iron, resulting in a significant enrichment of chromium ...
Fully fluorinated compounds (perfluoro compounds) represent a class of chemicals which include many extremely inert species-inert to both chemical reaction and photodissociation. Well known examples include SF6 and the perfluorocarbons (PFCs) CF_4 and Teflon. SF_6 is used industrially in electrical switch gear and as an atmospheric tracer. CF_4 and C_2F_6 are released into the atmosphere as a by-product of aluminum manufacture. Several perfluoro compounds have been proposed as substitutes for the ozone-destroying Freons and halons; proposed substitutes include SF_6, c-C_4F_8, C_5F_1_2, and C_6F_1_4. These chemicals were chosen in part because they do not harm the stratospheric ozone layer and were therefore considered environmentally friendly. Recently, Ravishankara et al. reported that perfluoro compounds have significant global warming potential (GWP), contributing to the greenhouse effect due to strong infrared absorption. The perfluoro compounds have particularly high GWPs because ...
Findings indicate an urgent need to establish a monitoring program for persistent organic pollutants in water and sediment. - Marine culture is thriving in China and represents a major component of the regional economy in coastal zones, yet the environmental quality of many of those areas has never been studied. This paper attempts to investigate the quality status of Daya Bay, a key aquaculture area in China. The levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in water and sediment samples of the bay. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 4228 to 29325 ng l"-"1 in water, and from 115 to 1134 ng g"-"1 dry weight in sediments. In comparison to many other marine systems studied, the PAH levels in Daya Bay waters were relatively high, and at six sites they were sufficiently high (>10 #mu#g l"-"1) to cause acute toxicity. The PAH composition pattern in sediments suggest dominance by medium to high molecular weight compounds, and the ...
The generation of thermal energy is the great importance for the agribusiness of dairy industry to conservation the quality of milk, taking into account that the electricity is the main source currently used for the thermal energy input. The small agribusiness dairy industry currently practiced in Brazil faces several problems related to the cost of electricity and the distance of rural properties of networks of power. In the current scenario of Brazilian dairy production, there is need for the generation of cold for the milk cooling, and also the heat for the production of hot water around 50 deg C to 60 deg C and also for cleaning of equipment used for milk production and processing. The main objective of this study is the modeling and simulation of integrated recovery process of solid waste, effluents and bioconversion. The specific project objectives are: comparison study of options and technological routes of low cost material for power generation using ...
The one-particle models of crystal-field theory provide a qualitative interpretation for the observed ground state splitting of four Kramers doublets of the {sup 8}S{sub 7/2} of Bk{sup 4+} doped into CeF{sub 4}. A set of nine nonzero (B{sup k}{sub q}) parameters corresponding a C{sub 2v} point symmetry provide a very good correlation between the experimental data and simulated energy level schemes within a rms deviation of 13.7 cm{sup -1}. The calculated and experimental energy values have the same order-of-magnitude for the ground state and excited components. The total ground state splitting of the S-state ions of f-elements such as Bk{sup 4+} in CeF{sub 4} is larger when compared with Cm{sup 3+} :LaCl{sub 3} and Gd{sup 3+} :La(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}SO{sub 4}){sub 3}-9H{sub 2}O ions. The so-called crystal-field strength parameter, N{sub v}, increases as a function of the increasing maximum splitting of the ground state due to a decrease in the participation of the pure ...
In light water reactors, austenitic stainless steels (SSs) are used extensively as structural alloys in reactor core internal components because of their high strength, ductility, and fracture toughness. However, exposure to high levels of neutron irradiation for extended periods degrades the fracture properties of these steels by changing the material microstructure (e.g., radiation hardening) and microchemistry (e.g., radiation-induced segregation). Experimental data are presented on the fracture toughness and crack growth rates (CGRs) of wrought and cast austenitic SSs, including weld heat-affected-zone materials, that were irradiated to fluence levels as high as {approx} 2x 10{sup 21} n/cm{sup 2} (E > 1 MeV) ({approx} 3 dpa) in a light water reactor at 288-300 C. The results are compared with the data available in the literature. The effects of material composition, irradiation dose, and water chemistry on CGRs under cyclic and stress corrosion cracking ...
For the intermetallic system CaCdsub(1-x)Tlsub(x), 0 <= x <= 1, the Knight shift Ksub(s) of the Cd-NMR and the Tl-NMR were calculated as a function of x, Ksub(s) = Ksub(s)(x). The theoretical investigations were performed on the basis of relativistic augmented-plane-wave (RAPW) band-structure calculations for the boundary phases CaCd and CaTl respectively, and by using the rigid band model for the ternary phases. The density of states and the matrix elements of the relativistic hyperfine operator for electron states at the Fermi surface were calculated in detail. The obtained values were compared with nonrelativistic calculations. The effect of using different exchange potentials was studied for Ksub(s)(Tl). For the Cd-NMR the relativistic effects enhance the nonrelativistic results by a factor of about 1.4. The theoretical value for the Knight shift is smaller than the experimental one by a factor of 1.13. The band structure for CaTl differs significantly ...
This Dissertation presents the author's investigation and development of a systematic method for evaluating the aerodynamic performance of Vertical Axis Wind Energy Capture Systems (WECS) apart from their electrical generation capability. The current standard method for specifying a wind energy machine is to discuss its rated power in kilowatts (or megawatts when capacity exceeds 100 kW). While this holistic method is effective for comparing machines it does not reveal the essential characteristics necessary for optimization of individual machine components. The method developed herein separates the performance characteristics of the WECS from the generation characteristics and isolates them for benchmarking and optimization. In order to develop an evaluation criterion, it was essential to evaluate and benchmark the current state of the art for wind energy capture. A thorough history of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) development and technology transfer, a standardized set of VAWT ...
Wood plastic composite (WPC) has been prepared with a low grade wood simul (Salmalia malabarica) of Bangladesh under Co-60 gamma irradiation using MMA as the bulk monomer combined with methanol as the swelling solvent at different urea concentrations. Effect of a second solute such as NVP, TPGDA and TMPTA in the impregnating solution is evaluated. NVP appears to be the best co-additive/second solute among all the additives used to yield the composite with the highest polymer loading (PL) and tensile strength (TS) at 0.5% urea concentration. (author).
Wood plastic composite (WPC) has been prepared with a low grade wood simul (Salmalia malabarica) of Bangladesh under Co-60 gamma irradiation using MMA as the bulk monomer combined with methanol as the swelling solvent at different urea concentrations. Effect of a second solute such as NVP, TPGDA and TMPTA in the impregnating solution is evaluated. NVP appears to be the best co-additive/second solute among all the additives used to yield the composite with the highest polymer loading (PL) and tensile strength (TS) at 0.5% urea concentration. (author).
Wood plastic composites formation has been studied with simul (soft wood, density = 0.4 g/cm{sup 3}) and butylmethacrylate (BA) monomer using 10% methanol as the swelling agent. The effect of additives like sulfuric acid, multifunctional monomers (NVP, TPGDA, TMPTA) and oligomers (PEA, UA and EA) has been investigated using 1-3 Mrad dose at 0.8 Mrad/h. Synergistic polymer yields have been achieved in presence of the additives. The tensile properties of the composite are also reported. (author).
The results of studies on: (1) development of suitable glass compositions for solidification and vitrification of high level radioactive wastes, and (2) the characteristics of these compositions, namely, leaching, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, viscosity and homogeneity evaluation are reported. Inactive simulated purex waste was used for compositions reported herein. The data generated on leaching and other product characteristics of the selected vitrified waste products was used to evaluate the performance of corresponding experimental units and techniques with respect to their reproducibility and reliability.
Some aspects of metrological provision of X-ray radiometric analyzers for mineral raw composition and gamma-gamma-logging equipment are considered. Standard samples (SS) based on the phenol-formaldehyde resin with the introduced quantities calculated of element compositions in the form of oxides and salts are described. Principles of metrological provision developed are used when carrying out state acceptance tests of X-ray radiometric analyzer RAL-M-102 ''Ehkran'' and gamma-gamma-logging equipmnt RSK-102. Economic benefit from introduction of an SS set is #approx# 60-100 thousand roubles per year.
The resistance of six tropical hardwoods to fungal degradation by two wild-type strains of Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burdsall was investigated using vermiculite burial and wood-block weight loss techniques. Radiation-induced wood-polymer composites (WPC), based on two hardwoods Ramin and Rubberwood with methyl methacrylate, were prepared, and samples were also exposed to the wood-rotting fungus. A significant improvement in resistance to fungal decay was observed in the WPC. Scanning-electron micrographs of the two woods and their composites after fungal degradation are presented and discussed.
A billet of low-density carbon-bonded carbon fiber (CBCF) composite is machined into a desired attenuator or load element shape (usually tapering). The CBCF composite is used as a free-standing load element or, preferably, brazed to the copper, brass or aluminum components of coaxial transmission lines or microwave waveguides. A novel braze method was developed for the brazing step. The resulting attenuator and/or load devices are robust, relatively inexpensive, more easily fabricated, and have improved performance over conventional graded-coating loads.
Presented are the results of the investigation of the kinetics and micromechanism of the failure in impact bending of oriented-crystallized specimens having the eutectic composition Ni_3Al-Ni_3Nb and of the bimetal composed of 45 steel + M3 copper. The failure kinetics was studied by high-speed filming, whereas the fractures were studied by electron fractography. The particularities of the failure of the laminar-type composite materials were found. Analyzed was the effect of the kinetic factors and the mechanism of failure upon its energy consumption.
The repeated use and limited lifetime of a composite tiring vessel compel a need to survey techniques for monitoring the structural integrity of the vessel in order to determine when it should be retired. Various nondestructive techniques were researched and evaluated based on their applicability to the vessel. The methods were visual inspection, liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, surface mounted strain gauges, thermal inspection, acoustic emission, ultrasonic testing, radiography, eddy current testing, and embedded fiber optic sensors. It was determined that embedded fiber optic sensor is the most promising technique due to their ability to be embedded within layers of composites and their immunity to electromagnetic interference.
In this study, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) / Hydroxylapatite (HAp) composites were made to improve mechanical properties by using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method. Slurry 6 mol of CaHPO4#centre dot#2H2O (DCPD), 4 mol calcium hydroxide and MWCNTs were mixed and sintered by using SPS at 5-120 MPa pressure, 1200-1250 deg. C and in vacuum or N2 atmosphere. The fracture toughness of sintered MWCNTs/HAp composites was increased.
A gelcasting composition has improved drying behavior, machinability and shelf life in the dried and unfired state. The composition includes an inorganic powder, solvent, monomer system soluble in the solvent, an initiator system for polymerizing the monomer system, and a plasticizer soluble in the solvent. Dispersants and other processing aides to control slurry properties can be added. The plasticizer imparts an ability to dry thick section parts, to store samples in the dried state without cracking under conditions of varying relative humidity, and to machine dry gelcast parts without cracking or chipping. A method of making gelcast parts is also disclosed.
Hardness of beta-sialon with four different composition index values of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 in the system Ni/sub 3/N/sub 4/-AlN-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ with the addition of 6% Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ as sintering aid has been reported. These composition were pressureless sintered for 90, 180 and 270 min in nitrogen atmospheres at temperatures ranging from 1650 to 1800 deg. C. Highest hardness was achieved when the composition index was 0.25 was sintered for 270 minutes at 1750 deg. C. (author).
We proposed and numerically investigated the influence of spatial symmetry on the terahertz frequency region response of composite planar metamaterials based on deformed split ring resonators. Compared with the original simple structures, the composite metamaterials with different spatial symmetries exhibited exotic electromagnetic properties. The electromagnetic response of a specific configuration with C4 symmetry was identical to the structure with simple lattice. Especially, for configurations with broken symmetry, very sharp Drude-like resonances with high quality factor were observed. The electric field and current distribution associated the resonances were analyzed for deep understanding of the underlying physical properties.
Evaluation of grain boundary composition and structure in superplastically deformed AA5083-based alloys (Al-4.5Mg-1.6Mn-0.2Zr) was carried out in a field-emission gun transmission electron microscope (FEG-TEM). During superplastic deformation at high homologous temperatures materials undergo extensive grain boundary sliding (GBS) which creates a flow of defects in the near-boundary region. Recent literature has shown that the grain-boundary composition in Al-Mg alloys is not necessarily the same as the matrix, and that these differences can have an effect on GBS.
The concentrates of scattered organic matter???kerogen-like polymer, which is insoluble in acids and organic solvents???were isolated from rock samples taken at different depths from various stratigraphic units at the productive deposits of the Orenburg oil-gas condensate field using chemical methods. The chemical composition of the kerogen-like polymer and the concentrations of trace elements in it were studied. The regularities of evolutionary changes in the composition of the organic matter and the concentrations of trace elements in it in the order of the kerogen-like polymer and the following its consecutive derivatives were established: asphaltenes, ethanol-benzene tars, benzene tars, oils, and paraffins
The surface composition and composition near the surface and properties of high-silica zeolites of the TsVK-1 type were studied by XPES, IRS, and low-temperature adsorption of N/sub 2/. It was found that changing the sequence of operations during preparation of the H form of the zeolites results in a different set of acid centers on their surface, caused by migration of cations into the bulk of the zeolites. Migration of elements is also observed during the catalytic reaction of conversion of ethanol.
The aim of this paper was to describe ability to intercalation of laboratory prepared carbon composites and their constituents. In work the following materials were tested; pinch-based fibres of P-120 and K-1100 manufacturer's designations, carbon matrix and resulting composites. To prepare a matrix of composites, phenol-formaldehyde resin (Z) and pinch-based precursor (PAK) were used. After initial carbonization, the carbon matrix was heated to 2150 "oC i to improve ability to the future intercalation. Three kinds of composites (P/Z, K/Z and K/PAK), with two directional reinforcement (2D), were prepared. All carbon samples were intercalated with copper chloride(II). To study the structure of all materials, before and after intercalation, X-ray diffraction method was used. It enabled to measure microstructure parameters (L_c and L_a), interplanar distance (d_0_0_2) thickness of an intercalation layer ...
ObjectivesObjectives Not AvailableDescriptionTo determine the effects of water penetration on the burst strength of filament wound composite pipes which have been damaged by impact and then subjected to long term pressurisation with sea water. ~%~ To monitor and characterise the damage and effects of sea water penetration using ultrasonic NDT. To determine the burst strength of bonded composite pipe joints with and without defects and to see whether the defects can be detected using ultrasonic NDT. [continued...
Three bonding agents were evaluated to determine which were most effective in enhancing the bond of resin composite to stainless steel. A light-activated resin composite was bonded to a total of 60 stainless steel specimens using Panavia, Cover-Up, or Silicoating. Tensile bond strength measurements revealed that all three agents provide a satisfactory means of increasing adherence of the esthetic veneer without decreasing bonding through thermocycling of the specimens. Panavia and Cover-Up were significantly more effective than Silicoating and appear to be easier to use. PMID:8297460
Both microstructural graded and homogenous single-phase #alpha#-Sialon is obtained from Si_3N_4 powder for a broad range of compositions of practical interest. Elongated grains of #alpha#-Sialon could be developed in the monophase material by controlled mechanism of nucleation and growth. Tailoring of microstructure was realized through slow transformation reaction from Si_3N_4 to #alpha#-Sialon at lower temperature than sintering temperature when the composition is near the #alpha#-Sialon phase boundary. The mechanical properties are strongly correlated with the microstructure and are enhanced greatly in the optimized Sialon composition. (author)
Mesoporous films of platinized carbon nanotube-zirconia-Nafion composite have been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2prime-bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)32+) on an electrode surface to yield a solid-state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The composite films of Pt-CNT-zirconia-Nafion exhibit much larger pore diameter (3.55 nm) than that of Nafion (2.82 nm) and thus leading to much larger ECL response for tripropylamine (TPA) because of the fast diffusion of the analyte within the films. Due to the conducting and electrocatalytic features of CNTs and Pt nanoparticles, their incorporation into the zirconia-Nafion composite films resulted in the decreased electron transfer resistance within the films. The present ECL sensor based on the Pt-CNT-zirconia-Nafion gave a lin...
A highly sensitive and stable tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)_3 "2"+) electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was developed based on carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersed in mesoporous composite films of sol-gel titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion). Single-wall (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be easily dispersed in the titania-Nafion composite solution. The hydrophobic CNT in the titania-Nafion composite films coated on a glassy carbon electrode certainly increased the amount of Ru(bpy)_3 "2"+ immobilized in the ECL sensor by adsorption of Ru(bpy)_3 "2"+ onto CNT surface, the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrophobic analytes, and the electronic conductivity of the composite films. Therefore, the present ECL sensor based on the CNT-titania-Nafion showed improved ECL sensitivity for tripropylamine (TPA) compared to the ECL sensors based on ...
A highly sensitive and stable tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy){sub 3} {sup 2+}) electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was developed based on carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersed in mesoporous composite films of sol-gel titania and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion). Single-wall (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be easily dispersed in the titania-Nafion composite solution. The hydrophobic CNT in the titania-Nafion composite films coated on a glassy carbon electrode certainly increased the amount of Ru(bpy){sub 3} {sup 2+} immobilized in the ECL sensor by adsorption of Ru(bpy){sub 3} {sup 2+} onto CNT surface, the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrophobic analytes, and the electronic conductivity of the composite films. Therefore, the present ECL sensor based on the CNT-titania-Nafion showed improved ECL sensitivity for tripropylamine (TPA) ...
The protocols presently established for optimum seed storage do not account for the chemical composition of different seed species, the physiological status of the seed, and the physical status of water...Full Text Available
(Lactuca scariole),morning glory (Ipomea sp.), broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus ) and numerous composites. Because this area is leveed -and managed it ...