Comparative Study of Magnetic Ordering and Electrical Transport in Bulk and Nano-Grained Nd{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3} Manganites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Arun, B. [Materials Science and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum (India); Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR, Trivandrum (India); Suneesh, M.V. [Materials Science and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum (India); Vasundhara, M., E-mail: vasu.mutta@gmail.com [Materials Science and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum (India)

2016-11-15

We have prepared bulk and nano-sized Nd{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3} manganites by solid state and low-temperature mild solgel methods respectively. Both the compounds crystallized into an orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group confirmed from Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Nano-grained compound shows an average particle size of 22 nm with broad grain size distribution revealed from the Transmission electron micrographs. It appeared that the long range ferromagnetic order becomes unstable upon the reduction of the samples dimension down to nano meter scale. DC magnetization and AC susceptibility results showed frustration of spins in nano-grained compound and thereby it could lead to a cluster glass-like behaviour. Temperature dependence of electrical resistivity under different magnetic fields shows the broad maxima at higher temperatures and a low temperature upturn in both the compounds, however, the latter is more prominent in the nano grained compound. Combination of Kondo effect with electron and phonon interactions govern the low temperature resistivity and a small polaron hopping mechanism dominates at high temperatures for both the compounds. The magnetoresistance is understood by the effect of spin polarized tunneling through the grain boundary. The experimental results revealed that the reduction in particle size influences severely on the magnetic, electrical and magneto transport properties. - Highlights: • Long range ferromagnetic ordered state become unstable in case of nano compound. • It shows broad magnetic transition and cluster glass nature. • Kondo effect with electron-phonon interactions dominate the resistivity at low temperature.

Mineralogy and Petrography of MIL 090001, a Highly Altered CV Chondrite from the Reduced Sub-Group

Science.gov (United States)

Keller, Lindsay P.

2011-01-01

MIL 090001 is a large (greater than 6 kg) CV chondrite from the reduced subgroup (CV(sub red)) that was recovered during the 2009-2010 ANSMET field season [1]. The CV(sub red) subgroup meteorites retain primitive characteristics and have escaped the Na and Fe meta-somatism that affected the oxidized (CV(sub ox)) subgroups. MIL 090001 is, however, reported to be altered [1], and thus a major objective of this study is to characterize its mineralogy and petrography and the extent of the alteration.

Kinetics of Sub-Micron Grain Size Refinement in 9310 Steel

Science.gov (United States)

Kozmel, Thomas; Chen, Edward Y.; Chen, Charlie C.; Tin, Sammy

2014-05-01

Recent efforts have focused on the development of novel manufacturing processes capable of producing microstructures dominated by sub-micron grains. For structural applications, grain refinement has been shown to enhance mechanical properties such as strength, fatigue resistance, and fracture toughness. Through control of the thermo-mechanical processing parameters, dynamic recrystallization mechanisms were used to produce microstructures consisting of sub-micron grains in 9310 steel. Starting with initial bainitic grain sizes of 40 to 50 μm, various levels of grain refinement were observed following hot deformation of 9310 steel samples at temperatures and strain rates ranging from 755 K to 922 K (482 °C and 649 °C) and 1 to 0.001/s, respectively. The resulting deformation microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction techniques to quantify the extent of carbide coarsening and grain refinement occurring during deformation. Microstructural models based on the Zener-Holloman parameter were developed and modified to include the effect of the ferrite/carbide interactions within the system. These models were shown to effectively correlate microstructural attributes to the thermal mechanical processing parameters.

Micron Scale Mineralogy

Science.gov (United States)

Caldwell, W. A.; Tamura, N.; Celestre, R. S.; Padmore, H. A.; Patel, J. R.

2002-12-01

Although x-ray diffraction has been used for nearly a century as the mineralogist's definitive tool in determining crystalline structures, it has proved impossible to use this technique to spatially resolve the highly heterogeneous nature of many minerals at the mesoscopic level. Due to recent revolutions in the brightness of x-ray sources and in our ability to focus x-rays, we can now carry out conventional monochromatic rotation crystallography as well as Laue diffraction with sub-micron spatial resolution and produce maps of orientation, strain, mineral type, and even chemical speciation over tens of microns in a short amount of time. We have pioneered the development of these techniques at the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation source (Advanced Light Source) in Berkeley, and will describe their application to understanding the structure of a quartz-geode. Our results show the manner in which grain structure and texture change as a function of distance from the cavity wall and are compared with models of crystal growth in such systems. This example highlights the great utility of a synchrotron based x-ray micro-diffraction beamline and the possibilities it opens to the mineralogist.

Mineralogy, morphology, and textural relationships in coatings on quartz grains in sediments in a quartz-sand aquifer

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Shouliang; Kent, Douglas B.; Elbert, David C.; Shi, Zhi; Davis, James A.; Veblen, David R.

2011-01-01

Mineralogical studies of coatings on quartz grains and bulk sediments from an aquifer on Western Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA were carried out using a variety of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Previous studies demonstrated that coatings on quartz grains control the adsorption properties of these sediments. Samples for TEM characterization were made by a gentle mechanical grinding method and focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The former method can make abundant electron-transparent coating assemblages for comprehensive and quantitative X-ray analysis and the latter technique protects the coating texture from being destroyed. Characterization of the samples from both a pristine area and an area heavily impacted by wastewater discharge shows similar coating textures and chemical compositions. Major constituents of the coating include Al-substituted goethite and illite/chlorite clays. Goethite is aggregated into well-crystallized domains through oriented attachment resulting in increased porosity. Illite/chlorite clays with various chemical compositions were observed to be mixed with goethite aggregates and aligned sub-parallel to the associated quartz surface. The uniform spatial distribution of wastewater-derived phosphorus throughout the coating from the wastewater-contaminated site suggests that all of the coating constituents, including those adjacent to the quartz surface, are accessible to groundwater solutes. Both TEM characterization and chemical extraction results indicate there is a significantly greater amount of amorphous iron oxide in samples from wastewater discharge area compared to those from the pristine region, which might reflect the impact of redox cycling of iron under the wastewater-discharge area. Coating compositions are consistent with the moderate metal and oxy-metalloid adsorption capacities, low but significant cation exchange capacities, and control of iron(III) solubility by goethite observed in reactive transport

Thermally activated phase slippage in high- T sub c grain-boundary Josephson junctions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gross, R.; Chaudhari, P.; Dimos, D.; Gupta, A.; Koren, G. (IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, P.O. Box 218, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598 (USA))

1990-01-08

The effect of thermally activated phase slippage (TAPS) in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} grain-boundary Josephson junctions has been studied. TAPS has been found to be responsible for the dc noise voltage superimposed on the dc Josephson current near the transition temperature. Because of the reduced Josephson coupling energy of the grain-boundary junctions, which is caused by a reduced superconducting order parameter at the grain-boundary interface, TAPS is present over a considerable temperature range. The implications of TAPS on the applicability of high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} Josephson junctions are outlined.

Effect of grain size on charge and spin correlations in Bi{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5}MnO{sub 3} manganite nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ade, Ramesh; Singh, Rajender, E-mail: rssp@uohyd.ernet.in

2016-11-15

In this work we report the electron spin resonance (ESR) and magnetization (M) studies to understand the effect of grain size (GS) on the charge ordering and spin correlations in Bi{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5}MnO{sub 3} manganite synthesized by sol–gel method. The suppression of charge ordering (CO), long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, shifting of ferromagnetic (FM)-cluster glass (CG) transition towards higher temperatures and evolution of different magnetic correlations with decrease in GS are discussed in view of the changes in surface to volume ratio of nano-grains. - Highlights: • Effect of grain size on charge and spin correlations in Bi{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5}MnO{sub 3} are studied. • The samples with GS 27, 450 and 1080 nm were synthesized by sol–gel method. • The temperature dependent electron spin resonance (ESR) and magnetization measurements were carried out. • The evolution of different magnetic correlations with decrease in GS are ascribed to increase in surface to volume ratio of grains.

Deformation-induced microstructural evolution at grain scale

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Winther, Grethe

During plastic deformation metals develop microstructures which may be analysed on several scales,spanning from crystallographic textures averaged over the entire sample to the scale of individualgrains. Even within individual grains, intragranular phenomena in the form of orientation gradients...... aswell as dislocation patterning by formation of dislocation boundaries occur. Experimental data andassociated data analysis at the grain scale and below will be presented to illustrate our current level ofunderstanding. The basis for the analysis is the crystallographic orientation of the grain as well...... is presented for both fcc and bcc materials inseveral deformation modes, demonstrating a clear grain orientation dependence [Huang & Winther,2007]. This dependence has its origin in a dependence on the slip systems [Winther & Huang, 2007].This further implies that the dislocations in the boundaries come from...

Grain boundary defect compensation in Ti-doped BaFe{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 0.5}O{sub 3} ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sun, Xiaojun; Deng, Jianming; Liu, Saisai; Yan, Tianxiang; Fang, Liang; Liu, Laijun [Guilin University of Technology, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Materials and New Processing Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Non-ferrous Metal Oxide Electronic Functional Materials and Devices, Guilin (China); Peng, Biaolin [Guangxi University, School of Physical Science and Technology and Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, Nanning (China); Jia, Wenhao [Shanghai Getong Enterprise Co., Ltd., Shanghai (China); Mei, Zaoming [Henan LiHeng Building Materials Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou (China); Su, Hongbo [Henan Province Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, Zhengzhou (China)

2016-09-15

Giant dielectric ceramics Ba(Nb{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5-x}Ti{sub x})O{sub 3} (BNFT) have been fabricated by a conventional solid-state reaction. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, the crystal structure of these ceramics can be described by the cubic centrosymmetric with Pm-3m space group. The real part (ε') of dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss (tan δ) of the BNFT ceramics was measured in a frequency range from 40 Hz to 100 MHz at room temperature. The (ε') of all these samples displays a high value (∝6500) and a small frequency-dependence from 1 kHz to 1 MHz. We have established a link between conductivity activation energy and defect compensation at grain boundaries. The Ti{sup 4+}-doped Ba(Nb{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} as a donor makes a great influence on the grain boundary behavior, which restricts the migration of oxygen vacancy and depresses dielectric loss factor for Ba(Nb{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} ceramics. (orig.)

On the thermal stability of ultrafine-grained Al stabilized by in-situ amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} network

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Balog, Martin, E-mail: martin.balog@savba.sk [Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Racianska 75, 83102 Bratislava (Slovakia); Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 (United States); Hu, Tao [Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 (United States); Krizik, Peter [Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Racianska 75, 83102 Bratislava (Slovakia); Castro Riglos, Maria Victoria [Centro Atómico Bariloche, Av. Bustillo 9.500 (8400) Bariloche, Río Negro (Argentina); Saller, Brandon D.; Yang, Hanry; Schoenung, Julie M.; Lavernia, Enrique J. [Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 (United States)

2015-11-11

Bulk Al materials with average grain sizes of 0.47 and 2.4 µm, were fabricated by quasi-isostatic forging consolidation of two types of Al powders with average particle sizes of 1.3 and 8.9 μm, respectively. By utilizing the native amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (am-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) film on the Al powders surfaces, a continuous, ∼7 nm thick, am-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} network was formed in situ in the Al specimens. Systematic investigation of the changes to the am-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} network embedded in the Al matrix upon heating and annealing up to 600 °C was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At the same time, the stability of the Al grain structure was studied by transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD), and TEM. The am-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} network remained stable after annealing at 400 °C for 24 h. In-situ TEM studies revealed that at temperatures ≥450 °C, phase transformation of the am-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} network to crystalline γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles occurred. After annealing at 600 °C for 24 h the transformation was completed, whereby only nanometric γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles with an average size of 28 nm resided on the high angle grain boundaries of Al. Due to the pinning effect of γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, the Al grain and subgrain structures remained unchanged during annealing up to 600 °C for 24 h. The effect of the am-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}→γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} transformation on the mechanical properties of ultrafine- and fine-grained Al is discussed from the standpoint of the underlying mechanisms.

Multivariate analysis of the geochemistry and mineralogy of soils along two continental-scale transects in North America

Science.gov (United States)

Drew, L.J.; Grunsky, E.C.; Sutphin, D.M.; Woodruff, L.G.

2010-01-01

Soils collected in 2004 along two North American continental-scale transects were subjected to geochemical and mineralogical analyses. In previous interpretations of these analyses, data were expressed in weight percent and parts per million, and thus were subject to the effect of the constant-sum phenomenon. In a new approach to the data, this effect was removed by using centered log-ratio transformations to 'open' the mineralogical and geochemical arrays. Multivariate analyses, including principal component and linear discriminant analyses, of the centered log-ratio data reveal the effects of soil-forming processes, including soil parent material, weathering, and soil age, at the continental-scale of the data arrays that were not readily apparent in the more conventionally presented data. Linear discriminant analysis of the data arrays indicates that the majority of the soil samples collected along the transects can be more successfully classified with Level 1 ecological regional-scale classification by the soil geochemistry than soil mineralogy. A primary objective of this study is to discover and describe, in a parsimonious way, geochemical processes that are both independent and inter-dependent and manifested through compositional data including estimates of the elements and corresponding mineralogy. ?? 2010.

Lime treatment of an Italian pyroclastic soil: a multi-scale analysis for the correlation of mechanical and chemo-mineralogical effects.

Science.gov (United States)

Guidobaldi, Giulia; Cambi, Costanza; Cecconi, Manuela; Comodi, Paola; Zucchini, Azzurra

2017-04-01

In recent years, the ever-growing need to minimize costs and environmental impact in the construction of major civil infrastructure has led to the development of a large amount of methods based on the reuse of local materials. In particular, one of the most diffused methods is represented by lime treatment, widely applied in earthwork field to achieve mechanical improvement of otherwise unsuitable fine grained soils. However, unlike fine grained soils, many other types of world-wide common natural soils still represent a geotechnical obstacle. Among these, pyroclastic soils are a typology widely spread in Central and Southern Italy that finds marginal applications in earthworks practice due to the intrinsic complexities in terms of nature, heterogeneity, microstructural features and unsaturated hydro-mechanical behaviour. The need to overcome the described limitations motivates the focus of this work on the geotechnical characterization of pyroclastic deposits along with the increasing attention on the volume-scale and micro-scale features characterization and correlation. The main goal of the present study is to highlight the effects of lime treatment on a zeolite rich pyroclastic soil, focusing on the relationship between macro and micro modifications induced by lime addition. Within this research, an extensive experimental work was developed on a zeolitic pyroclastic soil coming from Orvieto cliff (Vulsini volcanic district, Central Italy). The overall investigation was organized in three phases: the first phase was devoted to the thorough chemo-physical and mineralogical characterization of the raw soil; subsequently, conventional direct shear tests were performed on reconstituted specimens of both raw and lime treated soil (2% and 5% Ca(OH)2) at increasing curing times and stress levels; finally, a wide chemo-mineralogical investigation was carried out on the lime treated samples to gain a more complete knowledge of the reactions responsible for the mechanical

Soil gas ({sup 222}Rn, CO{sub 2}, {sup 4}He) behaviour over a natural CO{sub 2} accumulation, Montmiral area (Drome, France): geographical, geological and temporal relationships

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gal, Frederick, E-mail: f.gal@brgm.f [BRGM, Metrology Monitoring Analysis Department, 3 Avenue Claude-Guillemin, B.P. 36009, 45060 Orleans cedex 2 (France); Joublin, Franck, E-mail: f.joublin@brgm.f [BRGM, Regional Geological Survey, 6 ter, Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 59260 Lezennes (France); Haas, Hubert, E-mail: h.haas@brgm.f [BRGM, Metrology Monitoring Analysis Department, 3 Avenue Claude-Guillemin, B.P. 36009, 45060 Orleans cedex 2 (France); Jean-prost, Veronique, E-mail: v.jean-prost@brgm.f [BRGM, Metrology Monitoring Analysis Department, 3 Avenue Claude-Guillemin, B.P. 36009, 45060 Orleans cedex 2 (France); Ruffier, Veronique, E-mail: v.ruffier@brgm.f [BRGM, Metrology Monitoring Analysis Department, 3 Avenue Claude-Guillemin, B.P. 36009, 45060 Orleans cedex 2 (France)

2011-02-15

The south east basin of France shelters deep CO{sub 2} reservoirs often studied with the aim of better constraining geological CO{sub 2} storage operations. Here we present new soil gas data, completing an existing dataset (CO{sub 2}, {sup 222}Rn, {sup 4}He), together with mineralogical and physical characterisations of soil columns, in an attempt to better understand the spatial distribution of gas concentrations in the soils and to rule on the sealed character of the CO{sub 2} reservoir at present time. Anomalous gas concentrations were found but did not appear to be clearly related to geological structures that may drain deep gases up to the surface, implying a dominant influence of near surface processes as indicated by carbon isotope ratios. Coarse grained, quartz-rich soils favoured the existence of high CO{sub 2} concentrations. Fine grained clayey soils preferentially favoured the existence of {sup 222}Rn but not CO{sub 2}. Soil formations did not act as barriers preventing gas migrations in soils, either due to water content or due to mineralogical composition. No abundant leakage from the Montmiral reservoir can be highlighted by the measurements, even near the exploitation well. As good correlation between CO{sub 2} and {sup 222}Rn concentrations still exist, it is suggested that {sup 222}Rn migration is also CO{sub 2} dependent in non-leaking areas - diffusion dominated systems.

EVIDENCE FOR H{sub 2} FORMATION DRIVEN DUST GRAIN ALIGNMENT IN IC 63

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Andersson, B-G; De Buizer, J.; Charcos-Llorens, M. [SOFIA Science Center, USRA, NASA Ames Research Center, M.S. N211-3 Moffett Field, CA 94035 (United States); Piirola, V. [Finnish Centre for Astronomy with ESO, University of Turku, Väisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö (Finland); Clemens, D. P. [Institute for Astrophysical Research, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215 (United States); Uomoto, A. [Observatories of the Carnegie Institution, 813 Santa Barbara Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 (United States); Geballe, T. R. [Gemini Observatory, Northern Operations Center, 670 N. A' ohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720 (United States); Lazarian, A.; Hoang, T. [Department of Astronomy, University of Wisconsin, 475 North Charter Street, Madison, WI 53706 (United States); Vornanen, T., E-mail: bg@sofia.usra.edu [Tuorla Observatory, University of Turku, Väisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö (Finland)

2013-10-01

In the interstellar medium (ISM), molecular hydrogen is expected to form almost exclusively on the surfaces of dust grains. Due to that molecule's large formation energy (–4.5 eV), several dynamical effects are likely associated with the process, including the alignment of asymmetric dust grains with the ambient magnetic field. Such aligned dust grains are, in turn, believed to cause the broadband optical/infrared polarization observed in the ISM. Here, we present the first observational evidence for grain alignment driven by H{sub 2} formation, by showing that the polarization of the light from stars behind the reflection nebula IC 63 appears to correlate with the intensity of H{sub 2} fluorescence. While our results strongly suggest a role for 'Purcell rockets' in grain alignment, additional observations are needed to conclusively confirm their role. By showing a direct connection between H{sub 2} formation and a probe of the dust characteristics, these results also provide one of the first direct confirmations of the grain-surface formation of H{sub 2}. We compare our observations to ab initio modeling based on Radiative Torque Alignment (RAT) theory.

Critical current through grain boundary of metal oxide superconductors YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub 7-. delta. Kriticheskij tok cherez granitsu zeren metallooksidnykh sverkhprovodnikov YBa sub 2 Cu3O sub 7-. delta

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ermolov, S N; Kislov, N A; Marchenko, V A [and others

1989-06-01

Josephson junction with characteristics, corresponding to sandwich type structure is produced at 78 K at the link of large YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} crystallite with fine-grain structure. J{sub c}(H) dependence on the thermomagnetic prehistory is explained with regard to scattering fields of magnetic flux captured by grains.

Kaolin clays from Patagonia - Argentina. Relationship between the mineralogy and ceramic properties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Factorovich, J.C.; Badino, D.; Cravero, F.; Dominguez, E.

1997-01-01

The mineralogy, grain size distribution, chemical composition, S and C contents, plasticity, and cationic exchange capacity are determined in the sedimentary kaolinitic clays from the clay pits Puma Negra, Puma Gris, Tincar Super; and Chenque and Cardenal located in Santa Cruz and Chubut Provinces. Mineralogy and Particle size distribution of > 5, 5-2 and <2μ fractions are determined. Modulus of rupture, 1100 and 1250 deg C shrinkage and water absorption and whiteness are found. It is accomplished a statistics correlation between the characteristics of grain size distribution, mineralogy, and other physical properties with the main ceramic properties to understand its influence in the ceramic process. (author)

Improved polycrystalline Ni{sub 54}Mn{sub 16}Fe{sub 9}Ga{sub 21} high-temperature shape memory alloy by γ phase distributing along grain boundaries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, Shuiyuan; Zhang, Fan; Zhang, Kaixin; Huang, Yangyang; Wang, Cuiping; Liu, Xingjun [Xiamen Univ. (China). Fujian Key Laboratory of Materials Genome

2016-09-15

In this study, the shape recovery and mechanical properties of Ni{sub 54}Mn{sub 16}Fe{sub 9}Ga{sub 21} high-temperature shape memory alloy are improved simultaneously. This results from the low, about 4.4%, volume fraction of γ phase being almost completely distributed along grain boundaries. The recovery strain gradually increases with the increase in residual strain with a shape recovery rate of above 68%, up to a maximum value of 5.3%. The compressive fracture strain of Ni{sub 54}Mn{sub 16}Fe{sub 9}Ga{sub 21} alloy is about 35%. The results further reveal that when applying a high compression deformation two types of cracks form and propagate either within martensite grains (type I) or along the boundaries between martensite phase and γ phase (type II) in the present two-phase alloy.

A national-scale geochemical and mineralogical survey of soils of the conterminous United States

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smith, David B.; Cannon, William F.; Woodruff, Laurel G.

2011-01-01

Highlights: → Sampling for national-scale soil geochemical and mineralogical survey completed for conterminous USA. → Natural variation for most elements is approximately three orders of magnitude. → Composition of soil parent material is the major controlling factor. → Climate (average annual precipitation) is also an important controlling factor for some elements. → Sample archive (4800 sites) available for future investigations. - Abstract: In 2007, the US Geological Survey initiated a low-density (1 site per 1600 km 2 , c. 4800 sites) geochemical and mineralogical survey of soils of the conterminous USA. The ideal sampling protocol at each site includes a sample from 0-5 cm depth, a composite of the soil A horizon, and a sample from the soil C horizon. The 3 , HClO 4 and HF. Separate methods are used for As, Hg, Se and total C on this same size fraction. The major mineralogical components are determined by a quantitative X-ray diffraction method. Sampling was completed in 2010 with chemical and mineralogical analysis currently underway. Preliminary results for a swath from the central USA to Florida clearly show the effects of soil parent material and climate on the chemical and mineralogical composition of soils. A sample archive will be established and made available for future investigations.

Thermal stability of the grain structure in the W-2V and W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} alloys produced by hot isostatic pressing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martínez, J.; Savoini, B.; Monge, M.A. [Departamento de Física, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911-Leganés Madrid (Spain); Muñoz, A., E-mail: angel.munoz@uc3m.es [Departamento de Física, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911-Leganés Madrid (Spain); Armstrong, D.E.J. [Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Park Road, Oxford OX1 3PH (United Kingdom); Pareja, R. [Departamento de Física, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911-Leganés Madrid (Spain)

2013-10-15

Highlights: • W-2V and ODS W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} alloys have been produced following a powder metallurgy route. • Grain microstructure and microhardness have been studied after isothermal treatments in vacuum. • Both alloys exhibit a duplex grain size population: a submicron-sized grain and a coarse grained one. • The Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} addition inhibits growth of the coarse grains for T < 1973 K. • The Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles enhance the microhardness of W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}. -- Abstract: W-2V and ODS W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} alloys have been produced following a powder metallurgy route consisting of mechanical alloying and a subsequent high isostatic pressing HIP at 1573 K. The grain microstructure and microhardness recovery of the alloys have been studied in samples subjected to isothermal treatments in vacuum in temperature range 1073–1973 K. Both alloys exhibit a duplex grain size distribution consisting of a submicron-sized grain and a coarse-grained population. It has been found that the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} addition inhibits growth of the coarse grains at T < 1973 K. Submicron grain growth, with activation enthalpy of 1.9 and 2.49 eV for W-2V and W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, respectively, was observed at T ≥ 1573 K. It resulted that the rate constant for grain growth is 30 times higher in W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} than in W-2V. The considerable enhancement of the microhardness in the W-2V-0.5Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} appears to be associated to dispersion strengthening.

Effects of artificial holes in very large single-grain Y{sub 1.5}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-y} bulk superconductors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Park, S. D.; Jun, B. H.; Kim, C. J. [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Park, H. W. [Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan (Korea, Republic of)

2017-09-15

The effects of artificial holes on the trapped magnetic fields and magnetic levitation forces of very large single-grain Y{sub 1.5}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-y} (Y1.5) bulk superconductors were studied. Artificial holes were made for Y1.5 powder compacts by die pressing using cylindrical dies with a diameter of 30 mm or 40 m, or rectangular dies with a side length of 50 mm. The single grain Y1.5 bulk superconductors (25 mm, 33 mm in diameter and 42 mm in side length) with artificial holes were fabricated using a top-seeded melt growth (TSMG) process for the die-pressed Y1.5 powder compacts. The magnetic levitation forces at 77 K of the 25 mm single grain Y1.5 samples with one (diameters of 4.2 mm) or six artificial holes (diameters of 2.5 mm) were 10-17% higher than that of the Y1.5 sample without artificial holes. The trapped magnetic fields at 77 K of the Y1.5 samples with artificial holes were also 9.6-18% higher than that of the Y1.5 sample without artificial holes. The 33 mm and 42 mm single grain Y1.5 samples with artificial holes (2.5 mm and 4.2 mm in diameter) also showed trapped magnetic fields 10-13% higher than that of the Y1.5 samples without artificial holes in spite of the reduced superconducting volume fraction due to the presence of artificial holes. The property enhancement in the large single grain Y1.5 bulk superconductors appears to be attributed to the formation of the pore-free regions near the artificial holes and the homogeneous oxygen distribution in the large Y123 grains.

Underlying physical aspects of fluctuations in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} grain boundary Josephson junctions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stornaiuolo, D. [CNR-INFM Coherentia, Dip. Scienze Fisiche, Universita di Napoli Federico II, 80125 Napoli (Italy); Gambale, E. [Dip. Ingegneria dell' Informazione, Seconda Universita di Napoli, 81031 Aversa (Italy); Bauch, T. [Department of Microelectronics and Nanoscience, MINA, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Goeteborg (Sweden); Born, D. [Dip. Ingegneria dell' Informazione, Seconda Universita di Napoli, 81031 Aversa (Italy); Cedergren, K. [Department of Microelectronics and Nanoscience, MINA, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Goeteborg (Sweden); Dalena, D. [Dip. Ingegneria dell' Informazione, Seconda Universita di Napoli, 81031 Aversa (Italy); Barone, A.; Tagliacozzo, A. [CNR-INFM Coherentia, Dip. Scienze Fisiche, Universita di Napoli Federico II, 80125 Napoli (Italy); Lombardi, F. [Department of Microelectronics and Nanoscience, MINA, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Goeteborg (Sweden); Tafuri, F. [CNR-INFM Coherentia, Dip. Scienze Fisiche, Universita di Napoli Federico II, 80125 Napoli (Italy); Dip. Ingegneria dell' Informazione, Seconda Universita di Napoli, 81031 Aversa (Italy)], E-mail: tafuri@na.infn.it

2008-02-15

High quality YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} biepitaxial grain boundary junctions allowed one of the first evidences of macroscopic quantum behavior and mesoscopic transport in high critical temperature superconductors (HTS) systems. Both these studies touch delicate issues on fluctuations and give important feedback on the understanding of coherent transport of quasiparticles and of the dissipation mechanisms in HTS.

Effect of microwave-enhanced superconductivity in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} bi-crystalline grain boundary weak-links

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fu, C.M.; Chen, C.M.; Lin, H.C. [National Chiao-Tung Univ., Taiwan (China)] [and others

1994-12-31

We have studied systematically the effect of microwave irradiation on the temperature dependent resistivity R(T) and the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-x} (YBCO) bicrystalline grain boundary weak-links (GBWLs), with grain boundary of three different tilt angles. The superconducting transition temperature, T{sub c}, has significant enhancement upon microwave irradiation. The microwave enhanced T{sub c} is increased as a function of incidence microwave power, but limited to an optimum power level. The GBWLs of 45{degrees} tilt boundary has shown to be most sensitive to the microwave irradiation power, and the GBWLs of 36.8{degrees} tilt boundary has displayed a moderate response. In contrast, no enhancement of T{sub c} was observed in the GBWLs of 24{degrees} tilt boundary, as well as in the uniform films. Under the microwave irradiation, the R(T) dependence is hysteretic as the transition taken from superconducting state to normal state and vice versa. Mechanisms associated with the redistribution of nonequilibrium quasiparticles under microwave irradiation are discussed.

Ag{sub 2}CdI{sub 4}: Synthesis, characterization and investigation the strain lattice and grain size

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ghanbari, Mojgan [Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, Kashan, P.O. Box 87317-51167, I.R. (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Gholamrezaei, Sousan [Young Researchers Club, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Salavati-Niasari, Masoud, E-mail: salavati@kashanu.ac.ir [Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, Kashan, P.O. Box 87317-51167, I.R. (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2016-05-15

In this work the Ag{sub 2}CdI{sub 4} nanostructures have been synthesized via a solid state reaction from reaction of AgI and CdI{sub 2} as precursors. The effect of the mole ratio of precursors, time and temperature of reaction has been optimized to achieve the best product on morphology and purity. Nanostructures have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman (FT-IR) techniques, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UVvis). The XRD patterns of nanostructures have been used to estimate the grain sizes and strain lattice. Grain size of nanostructures is in range of 5–17 nm and the strain of lattice is changed in range of 0.0024–0.014. The band gap of these nanostructures has been estimated by DRS spectrum about 5.4 eV. Raman spectroscopy has been confirmed the XRD results and show that the Ag{sub 2}CdI{sub 4} nanostructures have been synthesized. SEM and TEM images have been used for investigation of morphology of product. Results show that the best morphology and purity have been achieved in 12 h and 200 °C in 1:1 mol ratio of precursors. - Highlights: • Ag{sub 2}CdI{sub 4} nanostructures have been synthesized by low temperature solid state method. • The reaction has been optimized for purity, morphology, and grain size and strain lattice. • Effective parameters have been optimized such as time, temperature and mole ratio.

Evolution of grain structure in nickel oxide scales

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Atkinson, H.V.

1987-01-01

In systems such as the oxidation of nickel, in which grain-boundary diffusion in the oxide can control the rate of oxidation, understanding of the factors governing the grain structure is of importance. High-purity mechanically polished polycrystalline nickel was oxidized at 700 0 C, 800 0 C, and 1000 0 C for times up to 20 hr in 1 atm O 2 . The scale microstructures were examined by parallel and transverse cross section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Texture coefficients were found by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Each grain in the transverse section grain boundary networks was systematically analyzed for width parallel to the Ni-NiO interface and perpendicular length, for boundary radius of curvature and for number of sides. The variation of these parameters with depth in the scale was examined. In particular, grains were increasingly columnar (i.e., with ratio of grain length to width > 1) at higher temperatures and longer times. Columnar grain boundaries tended to be fairly static; the columnar grain width was less than the rate controlling grain size predicted from the oxidation rate. The mean boundary curvature per grain provided a guide to the tendency for grain growth, except in the region of the Ni-NiO interface, where the boundaries were thought to be pinned

Enhanced thermoelectric properties in p-type Bi{sub 0.4}Sb{sub 1.6}Te{sub 3} alloy by combining incorporation and doping using multi-scale CuAlO{sub 2} particles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Song, Zijun; Liu, Yuan; Zhou, Zhenxing; Lu, Xiaofang; Wang, Lianjun [State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai (China); Institute of Functional Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai (China); Zhang, Qihao [State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai (China); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (China); Jiang, Wan [State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai (China); Institute of Functional Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai (China); School of Material Science and Engineering, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen (China); Chen, Lidong [State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai (China)

2017-01-15

Multi-scale CuAlO{sub 2} particles are introduced into the Bi{sub 0.4}Sb{sub 1.6}Te{sub 3} matrix to synergistically optimize the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and the lattice thermal conductivity. Cu element originating from fine CuAlO{sub 2} grains diffuses into the Bi{sub 0.4}Sb{sub 1.6}Te{sub 3} matrix and tunes the carrier concentration while the coarse CuAlO{sub 2} particles survive as the second phase within the matrix. The power factor is improved at the whole temperatures range due to the low-energy electron filtering effect on Seebeck coefficient and enhanced electrical transport property by mild Cu doping. Meanwhile, the remaining CuAlO{sub 2} inclusions give rise to more boundaries and newly built interfaces scattering of heat-carrying phonons, resulting in the reduced lattice thermal conductivity. Consequently, the maximum ZT is found to be enhanced by 150% arising from the multi-scale microstructure regulation when the CuAlO{sub 2} content reaches 0.6 vol.%. Not only that, but the ZT curves get flat in the whole temperature range after introducing the multi-scale CuAlO{sub 2} particles, which leads to a remarkable increase in the average ZT. (copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Correlated Amino Acid and Mineralogical Analyses of Milligram and Submilligram Samples of Carbonaceous Chondrite Lonewolf Nunataks 94101

Science.gov (United States)

Burton, S.; Berger, E. L.; Locke, D. R.; Lewis, E. K.

2018-01-01

Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, have been found to be indigenous in the eight carbonaceous chondrite groups. The abundances, structural, enantiomeric and isotopic compositions of amino acids differ significantly among meteorites of different groups and petrologic types. These results suggest parent-body conditions (thermal or aqueous alteration), mineralogy, and the preservation of amino acids are linked. Previously, elucidating specific relationships between amino acids and mineralogy was not possible because the samples analyzed for amino acids were much larger than the scale at which petrologic heterogeneity is observed (sub mm-scale differences corresponding to sub-mg samples); for example, Pizzarello and coworkers measured amino acid abundances and performed X-ray diffraction (XRD) on several samples of the Murchison meteorite, but these analyses were performed on bulk samples that were 500 mg or larger. Advances in the sensitivity of amino acid measurements by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-FD/TOF-MS), and application of techniques such as high resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for mineralogical characterizations have now enabled coordinated analyses on the scale at which mineral heterogeneity is observed. In this work, we have analyzed samples of the Lonewolf Nunataks (LON) 94101 CM2 carbonaceous chondrite. We are investigating the link(s) between parent body processes, mineralogical context, and amino acid compositions in meteorites on bulk samples (approx. 20mg) and mineral separates (< or = 3mg) from several of spatial locations within our allocated samples. Preliminary results of these analyses are presented here.

Highly (002) textured large grain bcc Cr{sub 80}Mn{sub 20} seed layer on Cr{sub 50}Ti{sub 50} amorphous layer for FePt-C granular film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jeon, Seong-Jae, E-mail: jsjigst@ecei.tohoku.ac.jp; Saito, Shin [Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 (Japan); Hinata, Shintaro [Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 (Japan); Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Fellow (PD), 5-3-1, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083 (Japan); Takahashi, Migaku [New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University, 6-6-10 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 (Japan)

2015-05-07

Effect of bcc Cr{sub 80}Mn{sub 20} seed layer and Cr{sub 50}Ti{sub 50} amorphous texture inducing layer on the heteroepitaxy system in FePt-C granular film was studied by introducing a new concept of the layered structure. The concept suggested that the large grain seed layer in which the crystallographic texture was initially formed on an amorphous layer in the layered structure can reduce the angular distribution of (002) c-axis crystal orientation in the FePt-C granular film owing to heteroepitaxial growth. Structure analysis by X-ray diffraction revealed that (1) when the substrate heating temperature was elevated from 300 °C to 500 °C, grain size in the seed layer increased from 9.8 nm to 11.6 nm, and then decreased with further increasing the substrate temperature. The reduction of the grain size over 500 °C corresponds to the crystallization of the amorphous texture inducing layer, (2) when the grain size increased from 9.8 nm to 11.6 nm, the angular distribution of the (002) orientation in the seed layer dramatically decreased from 13.7° to 4.1°. It was shown that the large grain seed layer increased the perpendicular hysteresis in FePt-C granular film.

Grain growth behavior of Cr dispersed UO{sub 2} pellets according to change of oxygen potential during the isothermal sintering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oh, Jang Soo; Yang, Jae Ho; Kim, Dong Joo; Kim, Jong Hun; Nam, Ik Hui; Rhee, Young Woo; Kim, Keon Sik [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2012-10-15

Recent development of advanced UO{sub 2} pellet materials for commercial reactors is mainly focused on the large grain pellet which can deform easily at an elevated temperature. Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}-doped UO{sub 2} pellet is one of the promising candidates. To increase the grain size effectively, it is important to control the additive content and sintering atmosphere. Relevant research on the Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped UO{sub 2} system revealed that the doped Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} formed a liquid phase under optimized oxygen potential, and those liquid phases promoted the grain growth. Recent work also showed that step-wise variation of sintering atmosphere during the isothermal annealing step significantly increased the grain size of Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped UO{sub 2} pellet. In this paper, we investigated effect of oxygen potential change at the beginning of isothermal sintering stage on the grain growth in metallic Cr dispersed UO{sub 2} pellets. The study on the milling effect of powder mixture on the grain growth is also a part of this work.

Mineralogy and pore water chemistry of a boiler ash from a MSW fluidized-bed incinerator.

Science.gov (United States)

Bodénan, F; Guyonnet, D; Piantone, P; Blanc, P

2010-07-01

This paper presents an investigation of the mineralogy and pore water chemistry of a boiler ash sampled from a municipal solid waste fluidized-bed incinerator, subject to 18 months of dynamic leaching in a large percolation column experiment. A particular focus is on the redox behaviour of Cr(VI) in relation to metal aluminium Al(0), as chromium may represent an environmental or health hazard. The leaching behaviour and interaction between Cr(VI) and Al(0) are interpreted on the basis of mineralogical evolutions observed over the 18-month period and of saturation indices calculated with the geochemical code PhreeqC and reviewed thermodynamic data. Results of mineralogical analyses show in particular the alteration of mineral phases during leaching (e.g. quartz and metal aluminium grains), while geochemical calculations suggest equilibria of percolating fluids with respect to specific mineral phases (e.g. monohydrocalcite and aluminium hydroxide). The combination of leaching data on a large scale and mineralogical analyses document the coupled leaching behaviour of aluminium and chromium, with chromium appearing in the pore fluids in its hexavalent and mobile state once metal aluminium is no longer available for chromium reduction. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mineralogy and pore water chemistry of a boiler ash from a MSW fluidized-bed incinerator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bodenan, F.; Guyonnet, D.; Piantone, P.; Blanc, P.

2010-01-01

This paper presents an investigation of the mineralogy and pore water chemistry of a boiler ash sampled from a municipal solid waste fluidized-bed incinerator, subject to 18 months of dynamic leaching in a large percolation column experiment. A particular focus is on the redox behaviour of Cr(VI) in relation to metal aluminium Al 0 , as chromium may represent an environmental or health hazard. The leaching behaviour and interaction between Cr(VI) and Al 0 are interpreted on the basis of mineralogical evolutions observed over the 18-month period and of saturation indices calculated with the geochemical code PhreeqC and reviewed thermodynamic data. Results of mineralogical analyses show in particular the alteration of mineral phases during leaching (e.g. quartz and metal aluminium grains), while geochemical calculations suggest equilibria of percolating fluids with respect to specific mineral phases (e.g. monohydrocalcite and aluminium hydroxide). The combination of leaching data on a large scale and mineralogical analyses document the coupled leaching behaviour of aluminium and chromium, with chromium appearing in the pore fluids in its hexavalent and mobile state once metal aluminium is no longer available for chromium reduction.

Sulfosalt systematics: a review. Report of the sulfosalt sub-committee of the IMA Commission on Ore Mineralogy

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Moelo, Y.; Makovicky, E.; Mozgova, N.N.

2008-01-01

, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC-IMA). Part I presents generalities of sulfosalt definition and nomenclature. After an extended chemical definition of sulfosalts, attention is focused on "classic" sulfosalts with As3+, Sb3+, Bi3+ or Te4+ as cations, corresponding to the general formula (Me+, Me'(2+), etc......This report deals with a general reexamination of the systematics of sulfosalts. It represents an update of the activity of the Sulfosalt Sub-Committee within the Commission on Ore Mineralogy of the International Mineralogical Association, in connection with the Commission on New Minerals.......), [(Bi, Sb, As)(3+), Te4+](y) [(S, Se, Te)(2-)](z) (Me, Me': various metals). General aspects of their chemistry and classification principles are summarized, especially with regard to chemical substitutions and modular analysis of complex crystal structures. On this basis, Part II presents a review...

Post-irradiation examinations and high-temperature tests on undoped large-grain UO{sub 2} discs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Noirot, J., E-mail: jean.noirot@cea.fr [CEA, DEN, DEC, Cadarache, F-13108 St. Paul Lez Durance (France); Pontillon, Y. [CEA, DEN, DEC, Cadarache, F-13108 St. Paul Lez Durance (France); Yagnik, S. [EPRI, P.O. Box 10412, Palo Alto, CA 94303-0813 (United States); Turnbull, J.A. [Independent Consultant (United Kingdom)

2015-07-15

Within the Nuclear Fuel Industry Research (NFIR) programme, several fuel variants –in the form of thin circular discs – were irradiated in the Halden Boiling Water Reactor (HBWR) at burn-ups up to ∼100 GWd/t{sub HM}. The design of the fuel assembly was similar to that used in other HBWR programmes: the assembly contained several rods with fuel discs sandwiched between Mo discs, which limited temperature differences within each fuel disc. One such variant was made of large-grain UO{sub 2} discs (3D grain size = ∼45 μm) which were subjected to three burn-ups: 42, 72 and 96 GWd/t{sub HM}. Detailed characterizations of some of these irradiated large-grain UO{sub 2} discs were performed in the CEA Cadarache LECA-STAR hot laboratory. The techniques used included electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Comparisons were then carried out with more standard grain size UO{sub 2} discs irradiated under the same conditions. Examination of the high burn-up large-grain UO{sub 2} discs revealed the limited formation of a high burn-up structure (HBS) when compared with the standard-grain UO{sub 2} discs at similar burn-up. High burn-up discs were submitted to temperature transients up to 1200 °C in the heating test device called Merarg at a relatively low temperature ramp rate (0.2 °C/s). In addition to the total gas release during these tests, the release peaks throughout the temperature ramp were monitored. Tests at 1600 °C were also conducted on the 42 GWd/t{sub HM} discs. The fuels were then characterized with the same microanalysis techniques as those used before the tests, to investigate the effects of these tests on the fuel’s microstructure and on the fission gas behaviour. This paper outlines the high resistance of this fuel to gas precipitation at high temperature and to HBS formation at high burn-up. It also shows the similarity of the positions, within the grains, where HBS forms

Spatially resolved analytical electron microscopy at grain boundaries of {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}; Ortsaufgeloeste analytische Elektronenmikroskopie an Korngrenzen in {alpha}Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nufer, S.

2001-10-01

Aluminum oxide, {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, is a common structural ceramic material. The most technologically important properties are either determined or strongly influenced by the polycrystalline microstructure. For instance, the grain boundaries control the mechanical behavior (e.g. plasticity, creep, and fracture) or various transport phenomena (e.g. ion diffusion, segregation, and electrical resistivity). In order to understand the structure-properties relationships, it is therefore important to characterize the structure and chemistry of grain boundaries, both experimentally and theoretically. In this work the electronic structure of the basal and rhombohedral twin grain boundaries and the impurity excess at different tilt grain boundaries in bicrystals were investigated, using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). The electronic structure of the rhombohedral twin grain boundary was determined by comparing spatially resolved EELS measurements of the O-K ionisation edge with the theoretical density of states (DOS), obtained from local density functional theory (LDFT) calculations. The interface excess of impurities was quantitatively analysed at grain boundaries with and without Y-doping. (orig.)

Characterization of North American lignite fly ashes. II. XRD Mineralogy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McCarthy, G.J.; Johansen, D.M.; Thedchanamoorthy, A.; Steinwand, S.J.; Swanson, K.D.

1988-01-01

X-ray powder diffraction has been used to determine the crystalline phase mineralogy in samples of fly ash from each of the lignite mining areas of North America. The characteristic phases of North Dakota lignite fly ashes were periclase, lime, merwinite and the sulfate phases anhydrite, thenardite and a sodalite-structure phase. Mullite was absent in these low-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ ashes. Montana lignite ash mineralogy had characteristics of ND lignite and MT subbituminous coal fly ashes; mullite and C/sub 3/A were present and the alkali sulfates were absent. Texas and Louisiana lignite fly ashes had the characteristic mineralogy of bituminous coal fly ash: quartz, mullite, ferrite-spinel (magnetite) and minor hematite. Even though their analytical CaO contents were 7-14%, all but one lacked crystalline CaO-containing phases. Lignite fly ashes from Saskatchewan were generally the least crystalline of those studied and had a mineralogy consisting of quartz, mullite, ferrite spinel and periclase. Quantitative XRD data were obtained. The position of the diffuse scattering maximum in the x-ray diffractograms was indicative of the glass composition of the lignite fly ash

Characterizing Martian Soils: Correlating Orbital Observations with Chemistry and Mineralogy from Landed Missions

Science.gov (United States)

Bishop, J. L.

2010-12-01

Great advances have been achieved recently in our understanding of the surface of Mars at global scales from orbital missions and at local scales from landed missions. This presentation seeks to provide links between the chemistry and mineralogy observed by landed missions with remote detections of minerals from orbit. Spectral data from CRISM, OMEGA and TES characterize a mostly basaltic planet with some outcrops of hematite, clays, sulfates and carbonates at the surface. Recent alteration of these rocks to form soils has likely been dominated by physical processes; however, martian soils probably also contain relicts of early alteration involving aqueous processes. Clays, hydroxides, sulfates, carbonates and perchlorates are examples of surface components that may have formed early in the planet’s history in the presence of liquid water. Some of these minerals have not been detected in the soil, but all have likely contributed to the current soil composition. The grain size, shape, chemistry, mineralogy, and magnetic properties of Martian soils are similar to altered volcanic ash found at many analog sites on Earth. Reflectance and emission spectra of some of these analog soils are consistent with the basic soil spectral properties observed from orbit. The cemented soil units observed by rovers may have formed through interaction of the soil grains with salts, clays, and hydroxides. Lab experiments have shown that cementing of analog grains darkens the VN reflectance, which could explain the low reflectance of Martian soils compared to analog sites. Reflectance spectra of an analog soil mixture containing altered ash and sulfate are shown in Figure 1. A pellet was made by adding water and allowing the sample to dry in air. Finally, the pellet was crushed and ground again to properties might be.

A new database sub-system for grain-size analysis

Science.gov (United States)

Suckow, Axel

2013-04-01

Detailed grain-size analyses of large depth profiles for palaeoclimate studies create large amounts of data. For instance (Novothny et al., 2011) presented a depth profile of grain-size analyses with 2 cm resolution and a total depth of more than 15 m, where each sample was measured with 5 repetitions on a Beckman Coulter LS13320 with 116 channels. This adds up to a total of more than four million numbers. Such amounts of data are not easily post-processed by spreadsheets or standard software; also MS Access databases would face serious performance problems. The poster describes a database sub-system dedicated to grain-size analyses. It expands the LabData database and laboratory management system published by Suckow and Dumke (2001). This compatibility with a very flexible database system provides ease to import the grain-size data, as well as the overall infrastructure of also storing geographic context and the ability to organize content like comprising several samples into one set or project. It also allows easy export and direct plot generation of final data in MS Excel. The sub-system allows automated import of raw data from the Beckman Coulter LS13320 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer. During post processing MS Excel is used as a data display, but no number crunching is implemented in Excel. Raw grain size spectra can be exported and controlled as Number- Surface- and Volume-fractions, while single spectra can be locked for further post-processing. From the spectra the usual statistical values (i.e. mean, median) can be computed as well as fractions larger than a grain size, smaller than a grain size, fractions between any two grain sizes or any ratio of such values. These deduced values can be easily exported into Excel for one or more depth profiles. However, such a reprocessing for large amounts of data also allows new display possibilities: normally depth profiles of grain-size data are displayed only with summarized parameters like the clay

Influence of clay mineralogy on clay based ceramic products

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radzali Othman; Tuan Besar Tuan Sarif; Zainal Arifin Ahmad; Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Noor; Abu Bakar Aramjat

1996-01-01

Clay-based ceramic products can either be produced directly from a suitable clay source without the need further addition or such products can be produced from a ceramic body formulated by additions of other raw materials such as feldspar and silica sand. In either case, the mineralogical make-up of the clay component plays a dominating role in the fabrication and properties of the ceramic product. This study was sparked off by a peculiar result observed in one of five local ball clay samples that were used to reformulate a ceramic body. Initial characterisation tests conducted on the clays indicated that these clays can be classified as kaolinitic. However, one of these clays produced a ceramic body that is distinctively different in terms of whiteness, smoothness and density as compared to the other four clays. Careful re-examination of other characterisation data, such as particle size distribution and chemical analysis, failed to offer any plausible explanation. Consequently, the mineralogical analysis by x-ray diffraction was repeated by paying meticulous attention to specimen preparation. Diffraction data for the clay with anomalous behaviour indicated the presence of a ∼ 10A peak that diminished when the same specimen was re-tested after heating in an oven at 12O degree C whilst the other four clays only exhibit the characteristic kaolinite (Al sub 2 O sub 3. 2SiO sub 2. 2H sub 2 0) and muscovite peaks at ∼ 7A and ∼ 10A before and after heat treatment. This suggests the presence of the mineral halloysite (A1 sub 2 0 sub 3. 2SiO sub 2.4H sub 2 0) in that particular clay. This difference in mineralogy can be attributed to account for the variations in physical properties of the final product. Consequently, this paper reviews in general the precautionary measures that must be adhered to during any mineralogical investigation of clay minerals or clay-based materials. The common pitfalls during specimen preparation, machine settings and interpretation of

Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5} particle distribution in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-y} grains of melt growth processed YBCO oxides; Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5}-Partikelverteilung in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-y}-Koernern durch das Melt-Growth-Verfahren verarbeiteter YBCO-Oxide

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Chan-Joong; Park, Soon-Dong [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of). Neutron Science Div.; Park, Hai-Woong [Korea Univ. of Technology and Education, Chungnam (Korea, Republic of). College of Energy, Materials and Chemical Engineering

2013-02-01

Y{sub 2}BaCuO{sub 5} (Y211) particle distribution within YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-y} (Y123) grains of YBCO samples melt growth (MG) processed was examined. To understand the processing variables on the Y211 distribution, a cooling rate (R{sub C}=1 K/h to R{sub C}=20 K/h) through a peritectic temperature (T{sub p} = 1010 C), a precursor powder size and composition were changed. Two different Y211 distributions (a linear x-like track and planar butterfly-like pattern) were observed, depending on the processing variables. The linear x-like Y211 tracks were observed in the Y123 samples prepared using a stoichiometric Y123 precursor, whereas the planar butterfly-like Y211 patterns were observed in the Y{sub 1.8}Ba{sub 2.4}Cu{sub 3.4}O{sub 7-d} (Y1.8) samples prepared using an Y211-excess composition precursor. The track and planar Y211 patterns were clearer at lower R{sub C} (slower growth rate of Y123 grains) and for the smaller Y211 particles. In contrast, the random Y211 distribution was dominant at the higher R{sub C} and for the larger Y211 particles. The Y211 distribution patterns in the Y123 grains were explained in terms of the interfacial energy difference among growing Y123 fronts. (orig.)

Investigations of grain size dependent sediment transport phenomena on multiple scales

Science.gov (United States)

Thaxton, Christopher S.

Sediment transport processes in coastal and fluvial environments resulting from disturbances such as urbanization, mining, agriculture, military operations, and climatic change have significant impact on local, regional, and global environments. Primarily, these impacts include the erosion and deposition of sediment, channel network modification, reduction in downstream water quality, and the delivery of chemical contaminants. The scale and spatial distribution of these effects are largely attributable to the size distribution of the sediment grains that become eligible for transport. An improved understanding of advective and diffusive grain-size dependent sediment transport phenomena will lead to the development of more accurate predictive models and more effective control measures. To this end, three studies were performed that investigated grain-size dependent sediment transport on three different scales. Discrete particle computer simulations of sheet flow bedload transport on the scale of 0.1--100 millimeters were performed on a heterogeneous population of grains of various grain sizes. The relative transport rates and diffusivities of grains under both oscillatory and uniform, steady flow conditions were quantified. These findings suggest that boundary layer formalisms should describe surface roughness through a representative grain size that is functionally dependent on the applied flow parameters. On the scale of 1--10m, experiments were performed to quantify the hydrodynamics and sediment capture efficiency of various baffles installed in a sediment retention pond, a commonly used sedimentation control measure in watershed applications. Analysis indicates that an optimum sediment capture effectiveness may be achieved based on baffle permeability, pond geometry and flow rate. Finally, on the scale of 10--1,000m, a distributed, bivariate watershed terain evolution module was developed within GRASS GIS. Simulation results for variable grain sizes and for

The research on the effect of MgCO{sub 3} on the grain refinement in AZ31 magnesium alloy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gao, S.Y.; Cui, J.Z.; Li, Q.C.; Zhang, Z.Q. [Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Processing of Materials, Ministry of Education, Northeastern University, Shenyang (China)

2010-08-15

The effect of MgCO{sub 3} addition on the as-cast microstructure of AZ31 magnesium alloy has been widely investigated. The results show that the average grain size of the {alpha}-Mg grain in AZ31 magnesium alloy decreases from about 570 {mu}m to 100 {mu}m by the addition of 0.6 wt.% MgCO{sub 3} as gain refiner at 760 C. Based on the analysis of EDS, theoretical calculation of E{sub bind} and Gibbs free energy, we esteem that grain refiner mechanism is mainly attributed to the generation of Al{sub 4}C{sub 3}, which can be serviced as nucleation site and restrain grain boundary from growing and transferring. (Abstract Copyright [2010], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Towards modeling intergranular stress corrosion cracks on grain size scales

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Simonovski, Igor; Cizelj, Leon

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Simulating the onset and propagation of intergranular cracking. ► Model based on the as-measured geometry and crystallographic orientations. ► Feasibility, performance of the proposed computational approach demonstrated. - Abstract: Development of advanced models at the grain size scales has so far been mostly limited to simulated geometry structures such as for example 3D Voronoi tessellations. The difficulty came from a lack of non-destructive techniques for measuring the microstructures. In this work a novel grain-size scale approach for modelling intergranular stress corrosion cracking based on as-measured 3D grain structure of a 400 μm stainless steel wire is presented. Grain topologies and crystallographic orientations are obtained using a diffraction contrast tomography, reconstructed within a detailed finite element model and coupled with advanced constitutive models for grains and grain boundaries. The wire is composed of 362 grains and over 1600 grain boundaries. Grain boundary damage initialization and early development is then explored for a number of cases, ranging from isotropic elasticity up to crystal plasticity constitutive laws for the bulk grain material. In all cases the grain boundaries are modeled using the cohesive zone approach. The feasibility of the approach is explored.

Grain-Scale Supercharging and Breakdown on Airless Regoliths

Science.gov (United States)

Zimmerman, M. I.; Farrell, W. M.; Hartzell, C.M.; Wang, X.; Horanyi, M.; Hurley, D. M.; Hibbitts, K.

2016-01-01

Interactions of the solar wind and emitted photoelectrons with airless bodies have been studied extensively. However, the details of how charged particles interact with the regolith at the scale of a single grain have remained largely uncharacterized. Recent efforts have focused upon determining total surface charge under photoemission and solar wind bombardment and the associated electric field and potential. In this work, theory and simulations are used to show that grain-grain charge differences can exceed classical sheath predictions by several orders of magnitude, sometimes reaching dielectric breakdown levels. Temperature-dependent electrical conductivity works against supercharging by allowing current to leak through individual grains; the balance between internal conduction and surface charging controls the maximum possible grain-to-grain electric field. Understanding the finer details of regolith grain charging, conductive equilibrium, and dielectric breakdown will improve future numerical studies of space weathering and dust levitation on airless bodies.

Model for evolution of grain size in the rim region of high burnup UO{sub 2} fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xiao, Hongxing, E-mail: xiaohongxing2003@163.com; Long, Chongsheng; Chen, Hongsheng

2016-04-01

The restructuring process of the high burnup structure (HBS) formation in UO{sub 2} fuel results in sub-micron size grains that accelerate the fission gas swelling, which will raise some concern over the safety of extended the nuclear fuel operation life in the reactor. A mechanistic and engineering model for evolution of grain size in the rim region of high burnup UO{sub 2} fuel based on the experimental observations of the HBS in the literature is presented. The model takes into account dislocations evolution under irradiation and the grain subdivision occur successively at increasing local burnup. It is assumed that the original driving force for subdivision of grain in the HBS of UO{sub 2} fuel is the production and accumulation of dislocation loops during irradiation. The dislocation loops can also be annealed through thermal diffusion when the temperature is high enough. The capability of this model is validated by the comparison with the experimental data of temperature threshold of subdivision, dislocation density and sub-grain size as a function of local burnup. It is shown that the calculated results of the dislocation density and subdivided grain size as a function of local burnup are in good agreement with the experimental results. - Highlights: • A model for evolution of dislocation density and grain size in HBS is proposed. • The dislocation can also be annealed when the temperature is high enough. • Original driving force for subdivision is mostly accumulation of dislocation loops. • The temperature threshold of the subdivision is predicted at 1300–1400 K.

Technical characterization by image analysis: an automatic method of mineralogical studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oliveira, J.F. de

1988-01-01

The application of a modern method of image analysis fully automated for the study of grain size distribution modal assays, degree of liberation and mineralogical associations is discussed. The image analyser is interfaced with a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive X-rays analyser. The image generated by backscattered electrons is analysed automatically and the system has been used in accessment studies of applied mineralogy as well as in process control in the mining industry. (author) [pt

Investigating the effect of multiple grain–grain interfaces on electric and magnetic properties of [50 wt% BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19}–50 wt% Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3}] composite system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pattanayak, Ranjit, E-mail: ranjit.p20@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Astronomy, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008 (India); Muduli, Rakesh; Panda, Ranjit Kumar [Department of Physics and Astronomy, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008 (India); Dash, Tapan [CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (India); Sahu, Priyanka; Raut, Subhajit; Panigrahi, Simanchala [Department of Physics and Astronomy, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008 (India)

2016-03-15

This report presents the fabrication, electrical properties along with the magnetic parameters of a composite system considering a strong ferrimagnetic (BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19}) and a ferroelectric (Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3}) material. Polycrystalline 50 wt% BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} (BaM)–50 wt% Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3} (NBT) composite system was prepared by the solid state reaction method. Rietveld refinement of XRD pattern confirms the presence of BaM and NBT phases without any impurity phase. From scanning electron micrograph both the phases are also clearly identified. In this report, the electric relaxation and conductivity properties were systematically investigated and analyzed in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz and temperature range of 30–200 °C. The presence of different type of grains and significant reduction in the resistance of the composite system were found to be responsible for the nature of electric relaxation behavior. A peculiar and interesting evolution of grain boundary conduction was detected which was argued due to the existence of three possible grain boundaries such as: (i) BaM–BaM interface, (ii) NBT–NBT interface and (iii) BaM–NBT interface. The magnetization study (M–H loop) paves that, the saturation magnetization and coercive field reduces for composite system.

Behavior of large grain UO{sub 2} pellet by new ADU powder

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Harada, Y [Nuclear Development Corp., Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan); Doi, S [Mitsubishi Atomic Power Industries Inc., Kobe (Japan); Abeta, S [Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Yokohama (Japan); Yamate, K [Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Osaka (Japan)

1997-08-01

In Japan, high burnup PWR fuel is being developed for assembly discharge burnups from 48 to 55GWd/t. As the pressure in the rods due to fission gas release from the pellets during the long burnup period is an important issue, some kinds of large grain pellets are being investigated in order to reduce fission gas release assuming their behavior will be as predicted by the simple diffusion mode. One kind of large grain pellet is manufactured from the highly sinterable powder produced by the new ADU (ammonium diuranate) process for converting UF{sub 6} gas to UO{sub 2+x} powder. First, we checked the difference in the characteristics of the new active powder and the one in current use by investigating its pelletizing (pressing and sintering), densification, grain growth and microstructure (pore and grain structure). Secondly, we measured the thermal creep, thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of the large grain pellet, in out-of-pile tests. As a results, it was found that the thermal properties of the large grain pellet are the same as those of the current. ADU pellet except for thermal densification and creep behavior. Thirdly, irradiation experiments were performed in the Halden test reactor and the pressure and fuel stack length change in the rods were monitored at power. After irradiation up to about 20GWd/t, PIE has been carried out. It was confirmed that the fission gas release of the large grain pellet is lower and the in-pile densification is smaller than for pellets in current use. The reduction due to the large grain size is lower than expected from the Booth model because the fission gas release rate is very small and the effect of recoil/knockout is comparable to that of diffusion for a low linear heat rate. This paper compares the microstructure of the new pellet with its large grains and pores produced by a performer and a current pellet with normal sized grains and intrinsic pores. It also describes how this comparison relates the in-pile behavior

Hydrothermally-induced changes in mineralogy and magnetic properties of oxidized A-type granites

Science.gov (United States)

Nédélec, Anne; Trindade, Ricardo; Peschler, Anne; Archanjo, Carlos; Macouin, Mélina; Poitrasson, Franck; Bouchez, Jean-Luc

2015-01-01

The changes in magnetic mineralogy due to the hydrothermal alteration of A-type granitic rocks have been thoroughly investigated in samples from the granite of Tana (Corsica, France), and compared with other A-type granites: Meruoca (NE Brazil), Bushveld (South Africa), Mount Scott (Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma, USA) and the stratoid hypersolvus granites of Madagascar. The altered red-colored samples and their non-altered equivalents were magnetically characterized by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements, hysteresis loops, remanent coercivity spectra, and Lowrie test. It is shown that hydrothermalization in magnetite-bearing granites is related to the formation of fine-grained magnetite and hematite, and to coeval depletion in the content of primary low-coercive coarse-grained magnetite. These mineralogical changes give typical rock magnetic signatures, namely lower susceptibility magnitudes and anisotropy degrees, prolate AMS (anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility) fabrics and increased coercivities. Optical microscopy and SEM (scanning electronic microscopy) images suggest that the orientation of the secondary magnetic minerals is related to fluid-pathways and micro-fractures formed during the hydrothermal event and therefore may be unrelated to magma emplacement and crystallization fabrics. Changes in magnetic mineralogy and grain-size distribution have also to be considered for any paleomagnetic and iron isotope studies in granites.

Chemistry, mineralogy, and grain properties at Namib and High dunes, Bagnold dune field, Gale crater, Mars: A synthesis of Curiosity rover observations.

Science.gov (United States)

Ehlmann, B L; Edgett, K S; Sutter, B; Achilles, C N; Litvak, M L; Lapotre, M G A; Sullivan, R; Fraeman, A A; Arvidson, R E; Blake, D F; Bridges, N T; Conrad, P G; Cousin, A; Downs, R T; Gabriel, T S J; Gellert, R; Hamilton, V E; Hardgrove, C; Johnson, J R; Kuhn, S; Mahaffy, P R; Maurice, S; McHenry, M; Meslin, P-Y; Ming, D W; Minitti, M E; Morookian, J M; Morris, R V; O'Connell-Cooper, C D; Pinet, P C; Rowland, S K; Schröder, S; Siebach, K L; Stein, N T; Thompson, L M; Vaniman, D T; Vasavada, A R; Wellington, D F; Wiens, R C; Yen, A S

2017-12-01

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover performed coordinated measurements to examine the textures and compositions of aeolian sands in the active Bagnold dune field. The Bagnold sands are rounded to subrounded, very fine to medium sized (~45-500 μm) with ≥6 distinct grain colors. In contrast to sands examined by Curiosity in a dust-covered, inactive bedform called Rocknest and soils at other landing sites, Bagnold sands are darker, less red, better sorted, have fewer silt-sized or smaller grains, and show no evidence for cohesion. Nevertheless, Bagnold mineralogy and Rocknest mineralogy are similar with plagioclase, olivine, and pyroxenes in similar proportions comprising >90% of crystalline phases, along with a substantial amorphous component (35% ± 15%). Yet Bagnold and Rocknest bulk chemistry differ. Bagnold sands are Si enriched relative to other soils at Gale crater, and H 2 O, S, and Cl are lower relative to all previously measured Martian soils and most Gale crater rocks. Mg, Ni, Fe, and Mn are enriched in the coarse-sieved fraction of Bagnold sands, corroborated by visible/near-infrared spectra that suggest enrichment of olivine. Collectively, patterns in major element chemistry and volatile release data indicate two distinctive volatile reservoirs in Martian soils: (1) amorphous components in the sand-sized fraction (represented by Bagnold) that are Si-enriched, hydroxylated alteration products and/or H 2 O- or OH-bearing impact or volcanic glasses and (2) amorphous components in the fine fraction (<40 μm; represented by Rocknest and other bright soils) that are Fe, S, and Cl enriched with low Si and adsorbed and structural H 2 O.

Influence of Al sub 2 O sub 3 nanoparticles on the thermal stability of ultra-fine grained copper prepared by high pressure torsion

CERN Document Server

Cizek, J; Kuzel, R; Islamgaliev, R K

2002-01-01

Ultra-fine grained (UFG) Cu (grain size 80 nm) containing 0.5 wt.% Al sub 2 O sub 3 nanoparticles (size 20 nm) was prepared by high pressure torsion (HPT). Positron lifetime spectroscopy was employed to characterize the microstructure of this material, especially with respect to types and concentration of lattice defects. The evolution of microstructure with increasing temperature was studied by positron lifetime spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction measurements. The thermal stability of the Cu + 0.5 wt.% Al sub 2 O sub 3 nanocomposite was compared with that of pure UFG Cu prepared by the same technique. The processes taking place during thermal recovery of the initial nanoscale structure in both studied materials are described. (author)

A micromechanical approach of suffusion based on a length scale analysis of the grain detachment and grain transport processes.

Science.gov (United States)

Wautier, Antoine; Bonelli, Stéphane; Nicot, François

2017-06-01

Suffusion is the selective erosion of the finest particles of a soil subjected to an internal flow. Among the four types of internal erosion and piping identified today, suffusion is the least understood. Indeed, there is a lack of micromechanical approaches for identifying the critical microstructural parameters responsible for this process. Based on a discrete element modeling of non cohesive granular assemblies, specific micromechanical tools are developed in a unified framework to account for the two first steps of suffusion, namely the grain detachment and the grain transport processes. Thanks to the use of an enhanced force chain definition and autocorrelation functions the typical lengths scales associated with grain detachment are characterized. From the definition of transport paths based on a graph description of the pore space the typical lengths scales associated with grain transport are recovered. For a uniform grain size distribution, a separation of scales between these two processes exists for the finest particles of a soil

Coupled X-ray computed tomography and grey level co-occurrence matrices as a method for quantification of mineralogy and texture in 3D

Science.gov (United States)

Jardine, M. A.; Miller, J. A.; Becker, M.

2018-02-01

Texture is one of the most basic descriptors used in the geological sciences. The value derived from textural characterisation extends into engineering applications associated with mining, mineral processing and metal extraction where quantitative textural information is required for models predicting the response of the ore through a particular process. This study extends the well-known 2D grey level co-occurrence matrices methodology into 3D as a method for image analysis of 3D x-ray computed tomography grey scale volumes of drill core. Subsequent interrogation of the information embedded within the grey level occurrence matrices (GLCM) indicates they are sensitive to changes in mineralogy and texture of samples derived from a magmatic nickel sulfide ore. The position of the peaks in the GLCM is an indication of the relative density (specific gravity, SG) of the minerals and when interpreted using a working knowledge of the mineralogy of the ore presented a means to determine the relative abundance of the sulfide minerals (SG > 4), dense silicate minerals (SG > 3), and lighter silicate minerals (SG < 3). The spread of the peaks in the GLCM away from the diagonal is an indication of the degree of grain boundary interaction with wide peaks representing fine grain sizes and narrow peaks representing coarse grain sizes. The method lends itself to application as part of a generic methodology for routine use on large XCT volumes providing quantitative, timely, meaningful and automated information on mineralogy and texture in 3D.

Grain boundary tunnel spectroscopy of the electron-doped cuprate superconductor La{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4}; Korngrenzen-Tunnelspektroskopie am elektronendotierten Kupratsupraleiter La{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wagenknecht, Michael

2008-07-01

The electron doped superconductor La{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4} (LCCO) has been investigated by electric transport measurements at low temperatures T down to 5 K and high magnetic fields up to 16 T. For this purpose LCCO thin film tunnel junctions have been prepared on bicrystal substrates by molecular beam epitaxy and micro structuring. The samples were characterised by measuring the thin film resistivity and the tunnel conductance of quasi particles across the grain boundary. By these measurements an unconventional symmetry of the order parameter could be revealed for La{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4}. Furthermore it was shown, that the tunnel conductance can be used as a probe for the upper critical field B{sub c2}(T). By using this method a value of B{sub c2}{proportional_to}24 T has been found for La{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4}, a value roughly three times bigger than previously known. By this observation it was shown that the superconducting phase covers a larger region in the B-T-phase diagram. In addition it was concluded, that the pseudogap phase in La{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4} is either not existent at all or covers only a small temperature region. Besides quasiparticle tunneling also the tunneling of Cooper pairs in small magnetic fields has been investigated. It was shown that the critical current across the grain boundary depends on the supplier of the bicrystal substrate. (orig.)

Scaling properties of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Arushanov, E [Institute of Applied Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Moldova Republic, Academie street 5, Chisinau, MD 2028 (Moldova, Republic of); Levcenko, S [Institute of Applied Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Moldova Republic, Academie street 5, Chisinau, MD 2028 (Moldova, Republic of); Alami, H El [GPMD-Universite Paris 12, 61 avenue De Gaulle, 94010 CRETEIL Cedex (France); Cavellin, C Deville [GPMD-Universite Paris 12, 61 avenue De Gaulle, 94010 CRETEIL Cedex (France)

2005-11-01

An alternative simple method is proposed for analysing the scaling properties of the high-T{sub c} superconductor cuprates. The temperature is rescaled with a parameter T{sub R} determined from the precise analysis of R{sub H}(1/T), where R{sub H} is the Hall coefficient, in the high-temperature range. To illustrate this new method, the resistivity and Hall effect data obtained on underdoped YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} epitaxial thin films are analysed. It is shown that the temperature-dependent resistivity {rho}(T), Hall coefficient R{sub H}(T) and the cotangent of the Hall angle cot {theta}{sub H}(T) of underdoped YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} can be scaled into universal curves using this parameter T{sub R} to make a linear transformation of temperature and {rho}(T), R{sub H}(T) or cot{theta}{sub H}(T)

Preparation mechanism of (Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.75}(Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.25} nano-crystalline solid electrolyte

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li Rong [Nano-science and Nano-technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444 (China); UCCS: Unite de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide - UMR CNRS 8181, ENSCL, Batiment C7, BP 90108, 59652 Villeneuve d' Ascq Cedex (France); Zhen Qiang, E-mail: zhenqiang@263.ne [Nano-science and Nano-technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444 (China); Drache, Michel; Rubbens, Annick; Vannier, Rose-Noelle [UCCS: Unite de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide - UMR CNRS 8181, ENSCL, Batiment C7, BP 90108, 59652 Villeneuve d' Ascq Cedex (France)

2010-04-02

(Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.75}(Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.25} nanopowder was prepared by reverse chemical titration co-precipitation method. The reaction mechanism during the precipitation process was discussed by thermodynamic analysis. Thermal decomposition behavior of the precursor was investigated using X-ray diffractometry and TG-MS analysis. The precursor was calcined at 500 {sup o}C for 3 h to obtain (Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.75}(Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 0.25} nanopowder. Using the nanopowder, pellets with relative density higher than 94% were obtained at 700 {sup o}C for 2 h by pressureless sintering, and the grains remained at the nano-scale with size of 72 nm.

Electromechanical Response of Polycrystalline Barium Titanate Resolved at the Grain Scale

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Majkut, Marta; Daniels, John E.; Wright, Jonathan P.

2017-01-01

critical for understanding bulk polycrystalline ferroic behavior. Here, three-dimensional X-ray diffraction is used to reconstruct a 3D grain map (grain orientations and neighborhoods) of a polycrystalline barium titanate sample and track the grain-scale non-180° ferroelectric domain switching strains...

Evaluation of Large Grained UO{sub 2} Pellet's Manufacturability in a Commercial Plant and Development of its Technology

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Seung Jae; Lee, J. N.; Lee, S. J. [Korea Nuclear Fuel Co. Ltd., Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)] (and others)

2007-02-15

To apply the various methods for grain growth of the fuel pellet to the commercial manufacturing process, which have been developed through the 'Advanced Fuel Pellet Development Program' in KAERI, it is necessary to conduct the performance test on the mass product line of UO{sub 2} pellets. For this purpose there are two main areas to be evaluated: The first area is the manufacturability of the lab-developed methods on large volume equipment (kg-batch) and commercial manufacturing scale. As a second part the material characteristics should satisfy the specification requirements for the UO{sub 2} pellet design. Above all, the applicability tests for the 'Seed' and 'Micro-doping' technology respectively were performed in the KNFC UO{sub 2} pellet commercial product line. These tests focused on the manufacturability on mass production and acceptable properties of the developed samples on demands of UO{sub 2} pellet design criteria. The tests showed very positive results. Judging from all the test results, the Al micro-doping method is likely to be the best way to enhance the grain size of UO{sub 2} pellet in the KNFC commercial product line without installation of any additional equipment. Through a series of additional reproducibility tests and process optimization, the micro-doping technology will be good applied for X-gen fuel pellet in the near future.

Sustainable intensification through rotations with grain legumes in Sub-Saharan Africa

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Franke, A.C.; Brand, van den G.J.; Vanlauwe, B.; Giller, K.E.

2018-01-01

We conducted a systematic review of literature on the residual effects of grain legumes in cereal-based systems of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to quantify the magnitude and variability of rotational effects, to explore the importance of environmental and management factors in determining variability

Mineralogical characteristics of Cretaceous-Tertiary kaolins of the Douala Sub-Basin, Cameroon

Science.gov (United States)

Bukalo, Nenita N.; Ekosse, Georges-Ivo E.; Odiyo, John O.; Ogola, Jason S.

2018-05-01

As a step in evaluating the quality of Cretaceous-Tertiary kaolins of the Douala Sub-Basin, their mineralogical characteristics were determined. The X-ray diffractometry technique was used to identify and quantify the mineral phases present in bulk and smectite > illite, with mean values of 33.01 > 11.20 > 4.41 wt %; and 72.23 > 10.69 > 4.69 wt %, in bulk and <2 μm fractions, respectively. The kaolins, micromorphologically, consisted of pseudo-hexagonal and thin platy particles; swirl-textured particles; and books or stacks of kaolinite particles. Three main reactions occurred during heating of the kaolins: a low temperature endothermic reaction, observed between 48 and 109 °C; a second low temperature peak, observed between 223 and 285 °C; and a third endothermic peak was found between 469 and 531 °C. In addition, an exothermic reaction also occurred between 943 and 988 °C in some of the samples. The absence of primary minerals such as feldspars and micas in most of these kaolins is an indication of intensive weathering, probably due to the humid tropical climate of the region. The different morphologies suggested that these kaolins might have been transported. Therefore, a humid tropical climate was responsible for the formation of Cretaceous-Tertiary kaolins of the Douala Sub-Basin through intense weathering of surrounding volcanic and metamorphic rocks.

Grain surface features and clay mineralogy of the quaternary sediments from Western Deccan Trap Region, India, and their palaeoclimatic significance

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Veena U. Joshi

2011-06-01

Full Text Available Quartz sand grains obtained from a deeply gullied topography along the banks of two tributaries of River Pravara in Maharashtra (India have been examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM. Quartz grains have been selected after a heavy mineral separation and micro-photographs of each grain were taken at various angles and magnifications. The sediments reveal features resulting from mechanical grinding as well as from chemical alteration. Conchoidal fractures, cleavage planes, grooves, v-shaped indentations etc. are the mechanical features documented on the grains whereas solution pits of varying sizes and intensity, precipitation surfaces, oriented v-pits, solution crevasses and etching are the features of chemical origin. Several evidences indicate that the samples have undergone digenetic changes. Few grains show the features of intense chemical breakdown. The overall assemblages of the grain surface features suggest that the samples have been subjected to subaqueous transport for a considerable period of time. The minor chemical features such as solution pits or semi circular arcuate steps found in abundance on these grains are due to the dissolution of the sediments in a low energy fluviatile environment. For clay mineralogy, fractions between <2 and <0.2 mm were separated out from the sediments. The clay fractions were then subjected to examination by X-ray diffraction (XRD of oriented K/Ca saturated samples using a Philips Diffractometer and Ni-filtered Cu Ka radiation with the scanning speed of 10 2Ө min -1. The main clay minerals for all the samples are identical and show the presence of hydroxy-interlayered smectites with minor quantities of mica, kaolinite, smectites, quartz and feldspar. The first weathering product of the Deccan Basalt (DB is the dioctahedral smectite. Since the present semi aridic climatic condition of the study area can not transform a smectite to HIS and either smectite to kaolin, it is quite likely that

Grain boundary engineering of La{sub 0.7} Sr{sub 0.3} MnO{sub 3} films on silicon substrate: Scanning Tunneling Microscopy-Spectroscopy study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Joshi, Anupama [Department of Applied Physics, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune 411025 (India); Nori, Rajashree [Centre of Excellence in Nanoelectronics, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay), Mumbai 400076 (India); Dhobale, Sandip [Department of Applied Physics, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune 411025 (India); Ramgopal Rao, V. [Centre of Excellence in Nanoelectronics, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay), Mumbai 400076 (India); Kale, S.N., E-mail: sangeetakale2004@gmail.com [Department of Applied Physics, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune 411025 (India); Datar, Suwarna, E-mail: suwarna.datar@gmail.com [Department of Applied Physics, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DU), Girinagar, Pune 411025 (India)

2014-09-01

We employed a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM) to study the surface topography and spatially resolved local electronic properties like local density of states (LDOS) of nanostructured films of La{sub 0.7} Sr{sub 0.3} MnO{sub 3} (LSMO). The nanostructured thin films of LSMO on silicon substrate were prepared using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique. The deposition conditions were tuned to yield two different morphologies; one with uniform columnar closely packed islands and other with larger grain distribution in random fashion. The Scanning Tunnelling Spectroscopy (STS) revealed the extent of variation of density of states (DOS) near the Fermi level. From the spectroscopic features obtained we found the occurrence of phase separation between conducting and semiconducting domains and its possible correlation with the properties of the system. Semiconducting nature was observed at the grain boundaries, which could be extremely promising in futuristic nano-devices.

Grain size distribution, clay mineralogy and chemistry of bottom sediments from the outer Thermaikos Gulf, Aegean Sea, Greece

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

K.G. PEHLIVANOGLOU

2004-06-01

Full Text Available The Thermaikos Gulf constitutes the NW part of the North Aegean Sea and is limited eastward from the Chalkidiki Peninsula and westward from the Pieria Prefecture. Its plateau covers an area of 3,500 km2. The mechanisms responsible for the grain size distribution into the Gulf, the clay mineralogy and the chemistry of some bottom sediments from the outer Thermaikos Gulf, are examined. Source mixing during transportation, flocculation, differential settling processes and organic matter appear to be the main mechanisms for the distribution of clay minerals in shallow waters. All grain size fractions studied present a wide range of values confirming the extreme variations of the discharged load and the variability in marine processes. Plagioclases predominate over K-feldspars, while quartz is the most abundant mineral present. In addition, micas, chlorites, amphiboles and pyroxenes exist as primary and/or accessory minerals in all samples. Among clay minerals, illite predominates over smectite and smectite over chlorite (+ kaolinite. The ordered interstratified phase of I/S, with 30-35% S layers, is present in the 2-0.25µm fraction. The randomly interstratified phase of I/S, with 50% S layers, is present in the <0.25& micro; m fraction. On average the clay mineral content of the studied samples is: 48% I, 23% S, 17% Ch (+K and 12% others for the 2-0.25µm fraction and 50% I, 30% S and 20% Ch (+K for the <0.25 µm fraction. All these minerals are the weathering products of the rocks from the drainage basins of the rivers flowing into the Gulf, as well as of the Neogene and Quaternary unconsolidated sediments of the surrounding coasts. The terrigenous input, the water mass circulation and, to a lesser extent, the quality of the discharged material and the differential settling of grains, control the grain size distribution within the outer Thermaikos Gulf. The chemical composition of the analysed samples is generally in agreement with their mineral

Laboratory-based grain-shape models for simulating dust infrared spectra

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Mutschke, H.; Min, M.; Tamanai, A.

2009-01-01

Context. Analysis of thermal dust emission spectra for dust mineralogy and physical grain properties depends on comparison spectra, which are either laboratory-measured infrared extinction spectra or calculated extinction cross sections based on certain grain models. Often, the agreement between

Quantifying Variability and Correlation in Biomarker and Mineralogical Measurements: Lessons from Five Astrobiological Mars Analogue Expeditions in Iceland

Science.gov (United States)

Gentry, D.; Amador, E. S.; Cable, M. L.; Cantrell, T.; Chaudry, N.; Duca, Z. A.; Jacobsen, M. B.; Kirby, J.; McCaig, H. C.; Murukesan, G.; Rader, E.; Cullen, T.; Rennie, V.; Schwieterman, E. W.; Stevens, A. H.; Sutton, S. A.; Tan, G.; Yin, C.; Cullen, D.; Geppert, W.; Stockton, A. M.

2017-12-01

Studies in planetary analogue sites correlating remote imagery, mineralogy, and biomarker assay results help predict biomarker distribution and preservation. The FELDSPAR team has conducted five expeditions (2012-2017) to Icelandic Mars analogue sites with an increasingly refined battery of physicochemical measurements and biomarker assays. Two additional expeditions are planned; here we report intermediate results.The biomarker assays performed represent a diversity of potential biomarker types: ATP, cell counts, qPCR with domain-level primers, and DNA content. Mineralogical, chemical, and physical measurements and observations include temperature, pH, moisture content, and Raman, near-IR reflectance, and X-ray fluorescence spectra. Sites are geologically recent basaltic lava flows (Fimmvörðuháls, Eldfell, Holuhraun) and barren basaltic sand plains (Mælifellssandur, Dyngjusandur). All samples were 'homogeneous' at the 1 m to 1 km scale in apparent color, morphology, and grain size.[1]Sample locations were arranged in hierarchically nested grids at 10 cm, 1 m, 10 m, 100 m, and >1 km scales. Several measures of spatial distribution and variability were derived: unbiased sample variance, F- and pairwise t-tests with Bonferroni correction, and the non-parametric H- and u-tests. All assay results, including preliminary mineralogical information in the form of notable spectral bands, were then tested for correlation using the non-parametric Spearman's rank test.[2] For Fimmvörðuháls, four years of data were also examined for temporal trends.Biomarker quantification (other than cell count) was generally well correlated, although all assays showed notable variability even at the smallest examined spatial scale. Pairwise comparisons proved to be the most intuitive measure of variability; non-parametric characterization indicated trends at the >100 m scale, but required more replicates than were feasible at smaller scales. Future work will integrate additional

Mineralogical and textural characteristics of Kakul (Hazara) phosphate rock, NWFP, Pakistan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mehmood, R.; Bhatti, M.A.; Kazmi, K.R.; Mehmood, A.; Sheikh, S.T.; Aleem Shah, S.A.

2010-01-01

Various types of minerals, present in phosphate rock of Hazara area of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Province of Pakistan, were identified and their concentration was determined using a suitable method. The characteristics of the rock were defined by petrography, X-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis and the textural characteristics such as grain size, grain shape and their arrangement in the rock body were also investigated. The degree of liberation of phosphate-bearing mineral was studied by the particle-counting method. Mineralogical and textural observations indicated that fine-grained rock may be suitable for beneficiation by the froth flotation separation technique. (author)

Spontaneous passivation observations during scale formation on mild steel in CO{sub 2} brines

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Han Jiabin, E-mail: jhan@lanl.gov [Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, 342 West State Street, Athens, OH 45701 (United States); Nesic, Srdjan, E-mail: nesic@ohio.edu [Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, 342 West State Street, Athens, OH 45701 (United States); Yang Yang; Brown, Bruce N. [Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, 342 West State Street, Athens, OH 45701 (United States)

2011-06-01

Highlights: > We observed spontaneous passivation was at pH > 7. A higher open circuit potential was achieved comparing to bare surface or FeCO{sub 3} scaled surface. > Effects of pH, temperature, CO{sub 2}/FeCO{sub 3} on spontaneous passivation were systematically investigated. > TEM analysis determined the structure and chemistry of the passive film is Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} instead of FeCO{sub 3}. > Root cause of the galvanic mechanism of localized CO{sub 2} corrosion is clarified. - Abstract: Previous study revealed localized corrosion in CO{sub 2} environments was driven by a galvanic cell established between pit surfaces and scaled surrounding area. In order to underpin the understanding of the galvanic mechanism of localized corrosion, the root cause of potential differences between these two surfaces, passivation of mild steel, in CO{sub 2} environments was investigated using transmission electron microscopy technique and electrochemical techniques including potentiodynamic polarization, cyclic polarization and open circuit potential techniques. Potentiodynamic polarization experiments showed that the passivation of the carbon steel surface favorably occurred at pH > 7 and facilitated with the presence of FeCO{sub 3} scale. Cyclic polarization tests showed that polarization rate had an important influence on passivation behavior. At a slower polarization rate, lower passivation potential and current density were observed. Spontaneous passivation was evidenced by a significant increase of corrosion resistance and an open circuit potential without any externally applied current or potential during electrode immersion. This process is affected by pH, temperature, presence of CO{sub 2} and iron carbonate. Nevertheless, iron carbonate film is not the only one responsible for passivation, as demonstrated from depassivation tests where passivity was lost without losing the existing iron carbonate film. Transmission electron microscopy technique was used to determine

The TiCl{sub 3} catalyst in NaAlH{sub 4} for hydrogen storage induces grain refinement and impacts on hydrogen vacancy formation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, S.; Eijt, S.W.H. [Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy, Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft (Netherlands); Huot, J. [Universite du Quebec a Trois Rivieres, Quebec (Canada); Kockelmann, W.A. [ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxfordshire (United Kingdom); Wagemaker, M. [Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy, Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft (Netherlands); Mulder, F.M. [Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy, Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft (Netherlands)], E-mail: f.m.mulder@tudelft.nl

2007-09-15

TiCl{sub 3} acts as an efficient catalyst for NaAlH{sub 4} (sodium alanate), altering its hydrogen sorption kinetics and reversibility considerably. In order to clarify its role, we performed in situ neutron diffraction experiments on protonated catalysed and uncatalysed NaAlH{sub 4}. The phase transformations were monitored in the first two reaction steps during hydrogen release and in the second step during reloading. Our study for the first time provides clear indications that both Ti{sub x}Al{sub 1-x} and NaCl formed act as grain refiner for Al and NaH, respectively, preventing particle growth. Particle sizes generally stay small upon desorption and reloading of TiCl{sub 3} catalysed NaAlH{sub 4}, while significant particle growth is observed for uncatalysed NaAlH{sub 4}. The small crystallite sizes and observed hydrogen vacancy formation greatly facilitate the mass transfer during loading and unloading. This study underlines the importance of grain refining for achieving reversibility and faster kinetics of the hydrogen sorption processes, with a crucial double role played by the catalyst.

Thermodynamic modeling of mineralogical phases formed by continuous casting powders

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Romo-Castaneda, Julio [Metallurgy and Materials Department, Instituto Politecnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Apdo. P. 118-431, 07051 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Cruz-Ramirez, Alejandro, E-mail: alcruzr@ipn.mx [Metallurgy and Materials Department, Instituto Politecnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Apdo. P. 118-431, 07051 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Romero-Serrano, Antonio; Vargas-Ramirez, Marissa; Hallen-Lopez, Manuel [Metallurgy and Materials Department, Instituto Politecnico Nacional-ESIQIE, Apdo. P. 118-431, 07051 Mexico D.F. (Mexico)

2011-01-10

A great amount of mineralogical phases were predicted and represented in stability phase diagrams, which were obtained by the use of the thermodynamic software FACTSage considering both the chemical composition and the melting temperature of the mould flux. Melting-solidification tests on commercial mould flux glasses for thin slab casting of steel revealed the existence of cuspidine (Ca{sub 4}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}F{sub 2}) as the main mineralogical phase formed during the flux solidification by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). This phase directly influences the heat transfer phenomena from the strand to the mould and it is obtained with higher fluorite content (22% CaF{sub 2}). Cuspidine is desirable only in fluxes to produce medium carbon (included peritectic grade) steels, because it reduces the heat flux from the strand to the mould, thus controlling the shrinkage rate during the flux solidification. The experimental results are in agreement with those obtained by the thermodynamic software. The stability phase diagrams could be used as an important tool in the flux design for continuous casting process.

Texture analysis of a friction stir welded ultrafine grained Al–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite produced by accumulative roll-bonding

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shamanian, Morteza, E-mail: shamanian@cc.iut.ac.ir [Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Mohammadnezhad, Mahyar [Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Szpunar, Jerzy [Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5A9 (Canada)

2014-12-05

Highlights: • Aluminum matrix composite was successfully bonded using friction stir welding. • After welding process the fraction of low angle boundary area rapidly decreases. • The grain growth in the NZ is related the increase of temperature during the FSW. • The aluminum matrix composite has a strong Rotated Cube texture. • The weld nugget has a Rotated Cube and shear texture. - Abstract: In recent years, several studies have been focused on friction stir welding of aluminum alloys, and some researchers have also been reported on welding of aluminum-based composites. In the present research, ultrafine grained sheets of aluminum matrix composite (Al–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) were produced by accumulative roll-bonding (ARB) technique. The aluminum composite sheets were then joined by friction stir welding. The present work describes the effect of the FSW process on the microstructure and crystallographic textures in the base metal and weld nugget. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) results demonstrated the existence of different grain orientations within the weld nugget as compared to the base metal. Al composite plates have a Rotated Cube texture component. Moreover, in the nugget, grain structure with Rotated Cube and shear texture developed. Friction stir welding coarsened the grain size in the weld zone from the original grain size of 3–17 μm.

Modulation of transport properties of optimally doped La{sub 1.85}Sr{sub 0.15}CuO{sub 4} thin films via electric field modification of the grain boundaries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hassan, Muhammad Umair [Center for Micro and Nano Devices, Department of Physics, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad (Pakistan); Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge (United Kingdom); Wimbush, Stuart C. [The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)

2015-09-15

Modulation of the transport properties of a superconducting La{sub 1.85}Sr{sub 0.15}CuO{sub 4}-based ionic-liquid gated transistor has been achieved. For an applied gate bias V{sub g} ≥ 2 V, the characteristic sheet resistivity vs. temperature (R{sub s}-T) curves exhibit a fully reversible foot feature below the superconducting transition temperature (T{sub c}). In contrast to the behaviour expected from the large charge carrier density of this high-T{sub c} superconductor material, the normal state conductance above T{sub c} also exhibits a large modulation, indicating a larger charge screening length than that predicted from a simple Thomas-Fermi model. We regard these changes as due to electrostatic modification of the charge density at structural imperfections such as grain boundaries present within the sample. Such modification alters the coupling between superconducting domains and dictates the overall R{sub s}-T trend of the gated film. To explain our findings, we employ Mannhart's model of electronic band bending at the grain boundaries and propose that this band bending can be modulated by large electric fields resulting in the observed modulation of the transport properties of the device. (copyright 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Mineralogy and Oxygen Isotope Compositions of an Unusual Hibonite-Perovskite Refractory Inclusion from Allende

Science.gov (United States)

Keller, L. P.; Snead, C.; Rahman, Z.; McKeegan, K. D.

2012-01-01

Hibonite-rich Ca- and Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) are among the earliest formed solids that condensed in the early nebula. We discovered an unusual refractory inclusion from the Allende CV3 chondrite (SHAL) containing an approx 500 micron long single crystal of hibonite and co-existing coarse-grained perovskite. The mineralogy and petrography of SHAL show strong similarities to some FUN inclusions, especially HAL. Here we report on the mineralogy, petrography, mineral chemistry and oxygen isotopic compositions in SHAL.

Role of grain size on the magnetic properties of La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yadav, P.A. [Center for Advanced Studies in Materials Science and Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, University of Pune, Pune 411007 (India); Deshmukh, A.V. [Department of Physics, Fergusson College, Pune 411004 (India); Adhi, K.P. [Center for Advanced Studies in Materials Science and Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, University of Pune, Pune 411007 (India); Kale, B.B. [Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Pune 411008 (India); Basavaih, N. [Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, New Mumbai 410218 (India); Patil, S.I., E-mail: patil@physics.unipune.ac.in [Center for Advanced Studies in Materials Science and Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, University of Pune, Pune 411007 (India)

2013-02-15

Nanophasic La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} samples were synthesized using the citrate-gel method. The samples were annealed at different temperatures ranging from 600 to 1200 Degree-Sign C. Grain size was observed to increase with the increase in annealing temperature. Furthermore, the magnetization data of these samples show well defined hysteresis. Saturation magnetization was observed to increase with increase in particle size. This gives evidence of formation of a magnetically dead layer at the surface. The thickness of the dead layer has also been calculated. The coercivity of nanoparticles follows the same trend as predicted theoretically and particles below 22 nm are found to be single domain. The ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition temperature also increases with increase in particle size. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Synthesis of nanocrystalline La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} by the citrate-gel method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Saturation magnetization increases with increase in particle size. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Formation of dead magnetic layer.

Cooperative doping effects of Ti and nano-SiC on transport critical current density and grain connectivity of in situ MgB{sub 2} tapes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pan, X.F., E-mail: PAN.Xifeng@nims.go.jp [National Institute for Materials Science, Superconducting Materials Research Center, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 (Japan)] [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity R and D Center (SRDC), Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China); Matsumoto, A.; Kumakura, H. [National Institute for Materials Science, Superconducting Materials Research Center, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 (Japan); Cheng, C.H.; Zhao, Y. [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity R and D Center (SRDC), Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031 (China)] [School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW (Australia)

2011-11-15

We studied the cooperative doping effects of Ti and nano-SiC on transport J{sub c} and grain connectivity of MgB{sub 2} tape. Ti doping significantly weakens the current dependence of T{sub c} of MgB{sub 2} tapes at self-field, and does not change T{sub c} or slightly increases T{sub c}. Further Ti adding can enhance in-field J{sub c} performance of SiC doped MgB{sub 2} tapes by a factor of 50-100% at 4.2 K and 10 T. Ti addition improves the J{sub c} performance of undoped and SiC doped MgB{sub 2} by modifying their grains connection. By now, nano-SiC powder (20-30 nm) is still the most effective additive for improving upper critical field and critical current density of MgB{sub 2}-based superconducting materials. However, some decomposed carbon aggregates at grain boundaries and results in serious weak-links of MgB{sub 2} grains, and these weak-links limit the further improvement of critical current density, J{sub c} of MgB{sub 2}, especially at lower fields. Ti doping is reported to increase the compactness of MgB{sub 2}, and modify its intergranular coupling by forming ultrathin TiB{sub 2} layer at grain boundaries. In this work, we studied the cooperative doping effects of Ti and nano-SiC on transport J{sub c} and grain connectivity of MgB{sub 2} and the possibility to improve transport J{sub c} of SiC doped MgB{sub 2} by introducing Ti additive. The results suggest the Ti addition can obviously improve J{sub c} of MgB{sub 2} at lower fields and also enhance the J{sub c} of SiC doped MgB{sub 2} by improving their grain connectivity which shows serious intergranular weak-links.

THE MINERALOGY OF PB SCALES IN DRINKING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AS REVEALED BY COMBINED XRD AND MICRO-RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

Science.gov (United States)

Dissolving Pb from lead service lines and Pb-containing brasses and solders has become a major health issue for many water distribution systems. Knowledge of the mineralogy of scales in these pipes is key to modeling this dissolution. The traditional method of determining their ...

First-principles study of nitrogen doping in cubic and amorphous Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Caravati, S; Mazzarello, R; Kuehne, T D; Parrinello, M [Computational Science, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, USI Campus, Via Giuseppe Buffi 13, CH-6900 Lugano (Switzerland); Colleoni, D; Bernasconi, M [Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Universita di Milano-Bicocca, Via R Cozzi 53, I-20125 Milano (Italy); Krack, M [Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen (Switzerland)

2011-07-06

We investigated the structural, electronic and vibrational properties of amorphous and cubic Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5} doped with N at 4.2 at.% by means of large scale ab initio simulations. Nitrogen can be incorporated in molecular form in both the crystalline and amorphous phases at a moderate energy cost. In contrast, insertion of N in the atomic form is very energetically costly in the crystalline phase, though it is still possible in the amorphous phase. These results support the suggestion that N segregates at the grain boundaries during the crystallization of the amorphous phase, resulting in a reduction in size of the crystalline grains and an increased crystallization temperature.

Effects of coarse-graining on the scaling behavior of long-range correlated and anti-correlated signals.

Science.gov (United States)

Xu, Yinlin; Ma, Qianli D Y; Schmitt, Daniel T; Bernaola-Galván, Pedro; Ivanov, Plamen Ch

2011-11-01

We investigate how various coarse-graining (signal quantization) methods affect the scaling properties of long-range power-law correlated and anti-correlated signals, quantified by the detrended fluctuation analysis. Specifically, for coarse-graining in the magnitude of a signal, we consider (i) the Floor, (ii) the Symmetry and (iii) the Centro-Symmetry coarse-graining methods. We find that for anti-correlated signals coarse-graining in the magnitude leads to a crossover to random behavior at large scales, and that with increasing the width of the coarse-graining partition interval Δ, this crossover moves to intermediate and small scales. In contrast, the scaling of positively correlated signals is less affected by the coarse-graining, with no observable changes when Δ 1 a crossover appears at small scales and moves to intermediate and large scales with increasing Δ. For very rough coarse-graining (Δ > 3) based on the Floor and Symmetry methods, the position of the crossover stabilizes, in contrast to the Centro-Symmetry method where the crossover continuously moves across scales and leads to a random behavior at all scales; thus indicating a much stronger effect of the Centro-Symmetry compared to the Floor and the Symmetry method. For coarse-graining in time, where data points are averaged in non-overlapping time windows, we find that the scaling for both anti-correlated and positively correlated signals is practically preserved. The results of our simulations are useful for the correct interpretation of the correlation and scaling properties of symbolic sequences.

High density of (pseudo) periodic twin-grain boundaries in molecular beam epitaxy-grown van der Waals heterostructure: MoTe{sub 2}/MoS{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Diaz, Horacio Coy; Ma, Yujing; Chaghi, Redhouane; Batzill, Matthias [Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620 (United States)

2016-05-09

Growth of transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) promises synthesis of artificial van der Waals materials with controllable layer compositions and separations. Here, we show that MBE growth of 2H-MoTe{sub 2} monolayers on MoS{sub 2} substrates results in a high density of mirror-twins within the films. The grain boundaries are tellurium deficient, suggesting that Te-deficiency during growth causes their formation. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy reveal that the grain boundaries arrange in a pseudo periodic “wagon wheel” pattern with only ∼2.6 nm repetition length. Defect states from these domain boundaries fill the band gap and thus give the monolayer an almost metallic property. The band gap states pin the Fermi-level in MoTe{sub 2} and thus determine the band-alignment in the MoTe{sub 2}/MoS{sub 2} interface.

Clays for brick manufacturing in Actopan, Hidalgo: physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Moreno-Tovar, Raul; Yañez-Hernández, Osiris Annel; Pérez-Moreno, Fidel; Rodríguez-Lugo, Ventura [Área de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (Mexico); Rivera, José de Jesús Cruz [Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (Mexico); Rivera, Ana Leonor, E-mail: analeonor.ventura.2016@gmail.com [Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, DF (Mexico)

2017-10-15

Samples of clays from Actopan, Hidalgo employed in brick manufacturing are physical, chemical and mineralogical characterized. Transmitted polarized light microscopy showed a uniform particle size with grain morphology characteristic of euhedral crystals with quartz, feldspars, nontronite, and iron oxides particles. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed 75 μm to 90 μm wide subhedral structures formed by particles from 2.0 μm to 5.0 μm; and rombohedrales forms 40 μm wide, 70 µm long, constituted of silicon, aluminum, iron, titanium, calcium, minor amounts of potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Minerals such as quartz, albite, cristobalite, calcium and Hematite phases were recognized by X-Ray Diffraction technique. Chemical analysis by atomic emission spectrometry with Inductively Coupled Plasma confirmed this mineralogy composition while laser granulometry method found the same particle size. Grain size analysis determined submicrometric dimensions, and multimodal type curves, that can be interpreted as the mixing of two or more different mineral phases in each sample. (author)

Clays for brick manufacturing in Actopan, Hidalgo: physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Moreno-Tovar, Raul; Yañez-Hernández, Osiris Annel; Pérez-Moreno, Fidel; Rodríguez-Lugo, Ventura; Rivera, José de Jesús Cruz; Rivera, Ana Leonor

2017-01-01

Samples of clays from Actopan, Hidalgo employed in brick manufacturing are physical, chemical and mineralogical characterized. Transmitted polarized light microscopy showed a uniform particle size with grain morphology characteristic of euhedral crystals with quartz, feldspars, nontronite, and iron oxides particles. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed 75 μm to 90 μm wide subhedral structures formed by particles from 2.0 μm to 5.0 μm; and rombohedrales forms 40 μm wide, 70 µm long, constituted of silicon, aluminum, iron, titanium, calcium, minor amounts of potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Minerals such as quartz, albite, cristobalite, calcium and Hematite phases were recognized by X-Ray Diffraction technique. Chemical analysis by atomic emission spectrometry with Inductively Coupled Plasma confirmed this mineralogy composition while laser granulometry method found the same particle size. Grain size analysis determined submicrometric dimensions, and multimodal type curves, that can be interpreted as the mixing of two or more different mineral phases in each sample. (author)

Sintering mantle mineral aggregates with submicron grains: examples of olivine and clinopyroxene

Science.gov (United States)

Tsubokawa, Y.; Ishikawa, M.

2017-12-01

Physical property of the major mantle minerals play an important role in the dynamic behavior of the Earth's mantle. Recently, it has been found that nano- to sub-micron scale frictional processes might control faulting processes and earthquake instability, and ultrafine-grained mineral aggregates thus have attracted the growing interest. Here we investigated a method for preparing polycrystalline clinoyproxene and polycrystalline olivine with grain size of sub-micron scale from natural crystals, two main constituents of the upper mantle. Nano-sized powders of both minerals are sintered under argon flow at temperatures ranging from 1130-1350 °C for 0.5-20 h. After sintering at 1180 °C and 1300 °C, we successfully fabricated polycrystalline clinopyroxene and polycrystalline olivine with grain size of physical properties of Earth's mantle.

Heterogeneous grain-scale response in ferroic polycrystals under electric field

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Daniels, John E.; Majkut, Marta; Cao, Qingua

2016-01-01

-ray diffraction (3D-XRD) is used to resolve the non-180° ferroelectric domain switching strain components of 191 grains from the bulk of a polycrystalline electro-ceramic that has undergone an electric-field-induced phase transformation. It is found that while the orientation of a given grain relative...... to the field direction has a significant influence on the phase and resultant domain texture, there are large deviations from the average behaviour at the grain scale. It is suggested that these deviations arise from local strain and electric field neighbourhoods being highly heterogeneous within the bulk...

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nigel J. Cook

2017-11-01

Full Text Available The study of ore minerals is rapidly transforming due to an explosion of new micro- and nano-analytical technologies. These advanced microbeam techniques can expose the physical and chemical character of ore minerals at ever-better spatial resolution and analytical precision. The insights that can be obtained from ten of today’s most important, or emerging, techniques and methodologies are reviewed: laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry; focussed ion beam-scanning electron microscopy; high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy; electron back-scatter diffraction; synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping; automated mineral analysis (Quantitative Evaluation of Mineralogy via Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mineral Liberation Analysis; nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry; atom probe tomography; radioisotope geochronology using ore minerals; and, non-traditional stable isotopes. Many of these technical advances cut across conceptual boundaries between mineralogy and geochemistry and require an in-depth knowledge of the material that is being analysed. These technological advances are accompanied by changing approaches to ore mineralogy: the increased focus on trace element distributions; the challenges offered by nanoscale characterisation; and the recognition of the critical petrogenetic information in gangue minerals, and, thus the need to for a holistic approach to the characterization of mineral assemblages. Using original examples, with an emphasis on iron oxide-copper-gold deposits, we show how increased analytical capabilities, particularly imaging and chemical mapping at the nanoscale, offer the potential to resolve outstanding questions in ore mineralogy. Broad regional or deposit-scale genetic models can be validated or refuted by careful analysis at the smallest scales of observation. As the volume of information at different scales of observation expands, the level of complexity

Kaolin clays from Patagonia - Argentina. Relationship between the mineralogy and ceramic properties; Arcillas caolinicas de la Patagonia argentina. Relacion entre la mineralogia y las propiedades ceramicas

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Factorovich, J.C.; Badino, D. [Piedra Grande S.A., Buenos Aires (Argentina); Cravero, F.; Dominguez, E. [Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia Blanca (Argentina). Dept. de Geologia

1997-12-31

The mineralogy, grain size distribution, chemical composition, S and C contents, plasticity, and cationic exchange capacity are determined in the sedimentary kaolinitic clays from the clay pits Puma Negra, Puma Gris, Tincar Super; and Chenque and Cardenal located in Santa Cruz and Chubut Provinces. Mineralogy and Particle size distribution of > 5, 5-2 and <2{mu} fractions are determined. Modulus of rupture, 1100 and 1250 deg C shrinkage and water absorption and whiteness are found. It is accomplished a statistics correlation between the characteristics of grain size distribution, mineralogy, and other physical properties with the main ceramic properties to understand its influence in the ceramic process. (author) 5 refs., 2 tabs.

Experimental determination and theoretical analysis of local residual stress at grain scale

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Basu, Indranil; Ocelík, Václav; De Hosson, Jeff Th M.

2017-01-01

Grain/phase boundaries contribute significantly to build up of residual stresses, owing to varied plastic/thermal response of different grain orientations or phases during thermomechanical treatment. Hence, accurate quantification of such local scale stress gradients in commercial components is

Influence of domain on grain size effects of the dielectric properties of BaTiO{sub 3} nanoceramics and nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fang Chao, E-mail: yyohjh@sina.com [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Chen Liangyan [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Zhou Dongxiang [Department of Electronic Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan City Hubei Province 430074 (China)

2013-01-15

The dielectric property of BaTiO{sub 3} nanoparticles and nanoceramics has been studied on the basis of Ginsburg-Landau-Devonshire thermodynamic theory. In this paper, considering nanodomains, Landau coefficients have been written as a function of grain size, and the dielectric constant of the material has been calculated at a variety of temperatures and grain size. The results indicate that with decreasing grain size, the dielectric peak decreases. The two lower dielectric peaks of the orthorhombic-rhombohedral phase and tetragonal-orthorhombic phase move to higher temperature, while cubic-tetragonal phase dielectric peak moves to lower temperature. The dielectric constant of BaTiO{sub 3} ceramics decreases with decreasing grain size. The dielectric constant peak at room temperature is at the grain size which is larger than the critical grain size 17-30 nm. The calculated result is consistent with the experimental data.

Comet Mineralogy as Inferred from Infrared Spectra of Comets

Science.gov (United States)

Wooden, Diane H.

2006-01-01

For most comets, infrared (IR) spectroscopy (remote sensing) is the method through which we diagnose the mineralogy and size distribution of dust in their comae. The shape and contrast of the IR spectral features depend on the particle size: optically active minerals (absorbing of visible and near-IR solar photons) and submicron solid grains or highly porous (> 90% vacuum) grains primarily contribute to the shapes of the observed resonances. Comet mineralogies typically are determined by fitting thermal emission models of ensembles of discrete mineral grains to observed IR spectral energy distributions. The absorptivities (Q-abs) and scattering efficiencies (Q-scat) of the discrete mineral grains are computed using Mie scattering, Maxwell-Garnet mixing, Discrete Dipole Approximation, and Multi-Layered Sphere codes. These techniques when applied to crystalline minerals, specifically olivine (Mg_x, Fe_1-x)2 Si04, x>0.9, require the use of ellipsoidal shaped particles with elongated axial ratios or hollow spheres to produce the shapes of the resonances observed both from comet comae and laboratory samples. The wavelength positions of the distinct resonances from submicron-radii crystalline silicates, as well as their thermal equilibrium temperatures, constrain the crystalline olivine to have a relatively high Mg-content (x>0.9, or Fo>90). Only resonances computed for submicron Mg-rich crystalline olivine and crystalline orthopyroxene match the observed IR spectral features. However, this has led to the interpretation that micron-radii and larger crystals are absent from comet comae. Furthermore, the mass fraction of silicate crystals is dependent upon whether just the submicron portion of the size distribution is being compared or the submicron crystals compare to the aggregates of porous amorphous silicates that are computationally tractable as porous spheres. We will discuss the Deep Impact results as examples of these challenges to interpreting mid-IR spectra of

Mechanical properties of cohesive soils in dependence on the water quantity and mineralogical composition

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ludvik Trauner

2003-12-01

Full Text Available This article explains the relationships between the water content, mineralogical properties and mechanical properties of saturated clays. The findings are based on theoretical analysis and were confirmed experimentally on monomineral clay samples. It was foundthat the quantity of intergrain water, which determines the undrained shear strength and compressibility of clays, consists of free pore water, and the firmly adsorbed water on the external surfaces of the clay grains. The free water quantity is the same for differentsaturated clays, at the same undrained shear strength, and same effective stress after consolidation and, likewise, the thickness of the water film around the clay grains. The total quantity of firmly adsorbed water depends on the specific surfaces of the clays. Theresult of this work is a new analytical formulation that gives the relationship between the water content and the mechanical properties of clays, taking into account their mineralogical characteristics.

Low-field magnetoresistance in La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3}/Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} composites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, X S; Yang, Y; He, W; Cheng, C H; Zhao, Y [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation Technologies and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity R and D Center (SRDC), Mail Stop 165, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031 (China)], E-mail: yzhao@home.swjtu.edu.cn

2008-06-07

Two-phase composites La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3}/Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} are synthesized and their magnetization and low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) characteristics are investigated. It is found that a small amount of Ta ions enter into LSMO grains near the grain surface region, resulting in the reduction of the cell volume, and consequently, an extra reduction of the saturate magnetization. The paramagnetism-to-ferromagnetism transition temperature, T{sub C}, does not show significant change. The LFMR enhancement is observed over a wide range of temperature from 50 to 350 K when the second phase material (Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}) is introduced. The magnetic disorder caused by the secondary phase at grain boundaries and the Ta doping effect on the surface of LSMO grains are believed to contribute to the enhanced MR.

Corrosion behavior and mechanism of MAO coated Ti{sub 6}Al{sub 4}V with a grain-fined surface layer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gu, Yanhong, E-mail: gu_yanhong@163.com [School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617 (China); Chen, Lingling, E-mail: daisy_chenlingling@163.com [School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617 (China); College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029 (China); Yue, Wen, E-mail: yw@cugb.edu.cn [School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083 (China); Chen, Ping, E-mail: chenp@ustb.edu.cn [School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Chen, Fei, E-mail: chenfei@bipt.edu.cn [School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617 (China); Ning, Chengyun, E-mail: imcyning@scut.edu.cn [College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China)

2016-04-15

In order to enhance the corrosion behavior of Ti{sub 6}Al{sub 4}V, a MAO coating was prepared on the surface refined by ultrasonic cold forging technology (UCFT). The surface roughness value and the grain were evaluated by atomic force microscope (AFM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The microstructure and phase component of the coated samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The corrosion behavior of all the samples was examined by potentiodynamic polarization and electrode impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The results show that UCFT can reduce the surface roughness value and refine the grains. The micro-pore size of the UCFT-MAO sample is smaller and the pore number is less than those of MAO sample. The thickness of the coated sample is about 10 μm. The UCFT-MAO sample possesses the highest micro-hardness among all the samples. The UCFT-MAO sample has the best corrosion resistance with the lowest corrosion current density and the highest electrochemical impedance, which is attributed to UCFT pretreatment prior to MAO process on titanium alloys. The influence of UCFT on the corrosion process and corrosion mechanism were discussed. - Highlights: • UCFT was used to refine the grain before MAO coatings were prepared on Ti alloys. • UCFT treated Ti alloys have decreased surface roughness and refined grain. • Surface performance of MAO coatings on UCFT treated Ti alloys has been improved. • The influence of UCFT on the corrosion behavior and mechanism of MAO coatings was discussed.

Structure and transport at grain boundaries in polycrystalline olivine: An atomic-scale perspective

Science.gov (United States)

Mantisi, Boris; Sator, Nicolas; Guillot, Bertrand

2017-12-01

Structure and transport properties at grain boundaries in polycrystalline olivine have been investigated at the atomic scale by molecular dynamics simulation (MD) using an empirical ionocovalent interaction potential. On the time scale of the simulation (a few tens of nanoseconds for a system size of ∼650,000 atoms) grain boundaries and grain interior were identified by mapping the atomic displacements along the simulation run. In the investigated temperature range (1300-1700 K) the mean thickness of the grain boundary phase is evaluated between 0.5 and 2 nm, a value which depends on temperature and grain size. The structure of the grain boundary phase is found to be disordered (amorphous-like) and is different from the one exhibited by the supercooled liquid. The self-diffusion coefficients of major elements in the intergranular region range from ∼10-13 to 10-10 m2/s between 1300 and 1700 K (with DSigb Kubo relation expressing the viscosity as function of the stress tensor time correlation function. In spite of a slow convergence of the calculation by MD, the grain boundary viscosity was estimated about ∼105 Pa s at 1500 K, a value in agreement with high-temperature viscoelastic relaxation data. An interesting information gained from MD is that sliding at grain boundaries is essentially controlled by the internal friction between the intergranular phase and the grain edges.

Low field magnetoresistance effects in fine particles of La sub 0 sub . sub 6 sub 7 Ca sub 0 sub . sub 3 sub 3 MnO sub 3 perovskites

CERN Document Server

Rivas, J; Fondado, A; Rivadulla, F; López-Quintela, M A

2000-01-01

In this work magnetic and magnetotransport experimental data in well-characterized small particles of La sub 0 sub . sub 6 sub 7 Ca sub 0 sub . sub 3 sub 3 MnO sub 3 are presented. Grain size reduction leads to a larger resistivity and a decrease in metal-insulator transition temperature. Intrinsic colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) is destroyed while intergranular one is promoted to larger values. This low field MR can be explained taking into account magnetization data through spin-polarized tunneling model, which ensures an acceptable first-order fit between both magnitudes. Finally, low-temperature resistivity upturn present in small particle size samples can be understood in terms of an electrostatic barrier between grains.

Grain boundary corrosion and alteration phase formation during the oxidative dissolution of UO{sub 2} pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wronkiewicz, D.J.; Buck, E.C.; Bates, J.K.

1996-12-31

Alteration behavior of UO{sub 2} pellets following reaction under unsaturated drip-test conditions at 90 C for up to 10 years was examined by solid phase and leachate analyses. Sample reactions were characterized by preferential dissolution of grain boundaries between the original press-sintered UO{sub 2} granules comprising the samples, development of a polygonal network of open channels along the intergrain boundaries, and spallation of surface granules that had undergone severe grain boundary corrosion. The development of a dense mat of alteration phases after 2 years of reaction trapped loose granules, resulting in reduced rates of particulate U release. The paragenetic sequence of alteration phases that formed on the present samples was similar to that observed in surficial weathering zones of natural uraninite (UO{sub 2}) deposits, with alkali and alkaline earth uranyl silicates representing the long-term solubility-limiting phases for U in both systems.

Flash Light Millisecond Self-Assembly of High χ Block Copolymers for Wafer-Scale Sub-10 nm Nanopatterning.

Science.gov (United States)

Jin, Hyeong Min; Park, Dae Yong; Jeong, Seong-Jun; Lee, Gil Yong; Kim, Ju Young; Mun, Jeong Ho; Cha, Seung Keun; Lim, Joonwon; Kim, Jun Soo; Kim, Kwang Ho; Lee, Keon Jae; Kim, Sang Ouk

2017-08-01

One of the fundamental challenges encountered in successful incorporation of directed self-assembly in sub-10 nm scale practical nanolithography is the process compatibility of block copolymers with a high Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ). Herein, reliable, fab-compatible, and ultrafast directed self-assembly of high-χ block copolymers is achieved with intense flash light. The instantaneous heating/quenching process over an extremely high temperature (over 600 °C) by flash light irradiation enables large grain growth of sub-10 nm scale self-assembled nanopatterns without thermal degradation or dewetting in a millisecond time scale. A rapid self-assembly mechanism for a highly ordered morphology is identified based on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the block copolymers with strong segregation. Furthermore, this novel self-assembly mechanism is combined with graphoepitaxy to demonstrate the feasibility of ultrafast directed self-assembly of sub-10 nm nanopatterns over a large area. A chemically modified graphene film is used as a flexible and conformal light-absorbing layer. Subsequently, transparent and mechanically flexible nanolithography with a millisecond photothermal process is achieved leading the way for roll-to-roll processability. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Impedance spectroscopic and dielectric analysis of Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rouahi, A. [Grenoble Electrical Engineering Laboratory (G2E Lab), CNRS, University of Grenoble (UJF), 25 Rue des Martyrs, BP 166, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France); Laboratory of Materials, Organization and Properties (LMOP), Campus Universities, El Manar, 2092 Tunis (Tunisia); Kahouli, A., E-mail: kahouli.kader@yahoo.fr [Grenoble Electrical Engineering Laboratory (G2E Lab), CNRS, University of Grenoble (UJF), 25 Rue des Martyrs, BP 166, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France); Laboratory of Materials, Organization and Properties (LMOP), Campus Universities, El Manar, 2092 Tunis (Tunisia); Sylvestre, A., E-mail: alain.sylvestre@grenoble.cnrs.fr [Grenoble Electrical Engineering Laboratory (G2E Lab), CNRS, University of Grenoble (UJF), 25 Rue des Martyrs, BP 166, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France); Defaye, E. [CEA-LETI, MINATEC Campus, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France); Yangui, B. [Laboratory of Materials, Organization and Properties (LMOP), Campus Universities, El Manar, 2092 Tunis (Tunisia)

2012-07-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The material exhibits the contribution of both grain and grain boundaries in the electric response of Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The plot of normalized complex dielectric modulus and impedance as a function of frequency exhibits both short and long-range conduction in the film. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The frequency dependence of ac conductivity exhibits a polaron hopping mechanism with activation energy of 0.38 eV. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The complex dielectric modulus analysis confirmed the presence of a non-Debye type of conductivity relaxation deduced from the KWW function. - Abstract: Polycrystalline Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} thin film with Pt/BST/Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} structure was prepared by ion beam sputtering. The film was post annealed at 700 Degree-Sign C. The dielectric and electric modulus properties were studied by impedance spectroscopy over a wide frequency range [0.1-10{sup 5} Hz] at different temperatures [175-350 Degree-Sign C]. The Nyquist plots (Z Double-Prime vs . Z Prime ) show the contribution of both grain and grain boundaries at higher temperature on the electric response of BST thin films. Moreover, the resistance of grains decreases with the rise in temperature and the material exhibits a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The electric modulus plot indicates the non-Debye type of dielectric relaxation. The values of the activation energy computed from both plots of Z Double-Prime and M Double-Prime are 0.86 eV and 0.81 eV respectively, which reveals that the species responsible for conduction are the same. The scaling behavior of M{sup Double-Prime }/M{sup Double-Prime }{sub max} shows the temperature independent nature of relaxation time. The plot of normalized complex dielectric modulus and impedance as a function of frequency exhibits both short and long-range conduction in the film.

Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the Old Tailings Dam, Australia: Evaluating the effectiveness of a water cover for long-term AMD control

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jackson, Laura M.; Parbhakar-Fox, Anita

2016-01-01

Establishing a shallow water cover over tailings deposited in a designated storage facility is one option to limit oxygen diffusion and retard oxidation of sulfides which have the potential to form acid mine drainage (AMD). The Old Tailings Dam (OTD) located at the Savage River mine, western Tasmania contains 38 million tonnes of pyritic tailings deposited from 1967 to 1982, and is actively generating AMD. The OTD was constructed on a natural gradient, resulting in sub-aerial exposure of the southern area, with the northern area under a natural water cover. This physical contrast allowed for the examination of tailings mineralogy and geochemistry as a function of water cover depth across the OTD. Tailings samples (n = 144, depth: ≤ 1.5 m) were collected and subjected to a range of geochemical and mineralogical evaluations. Tailings from the southern and northern extents of the OTD showed similar AMD potential based on geochemical (NAG pH range: 2.1 to 4.2) and bulk mineralogical parameters, particularly at depth. However, sulfide alteration index (SAI) assessments highlighted the microscale contrast in oxidation. In the sub-aerial zone pyrite grains are moderately oxidized to a depth of 0.3 m (maximum SAI of 6/10), under both gravel fill and oxidized covers, with secondary minerals (e.g., ferrihydrite and goethite) developed along rims and fractures. Beneath this, mildly oxidized pyrite is seen in fresh tailings (SAI = 2.9/10 to 5.8/10). In the sub-aqueous zone, the degree of pyrite oxidation demonstrates a direct relationship with cover depth, with unoxidized, potentially reactive tailings identified from 2.5 m, directly beneath an organic-rich sediment layer (SAI = 0 to 1/10). These findings are broadly similar to other tailings storage facilities e.g., Fox Lake, Sherritt-Gordon Zn−Cu mine, Canada and Stekenjokk mine, Sweden where water covers up to 2 m have successfully reduced AMD. Whilst geotechnical properties of the OTD restrict the extension

Occurrence of pesticides in groundwater and sediments and mineralogy of sediments and grain coatings underlying the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Upper Deerfield, New Jersey, 2007

Science.gov (United States)

Reilly, Timothy J.; Smalling, Kelly L.; Meyer, Michael T.; Sandstrom, Mark W.; Hladik, Michelle; Boehlke, Adam R.; Fishman, Neil S.; Battaglin, William A.; Kuivila, Kathryn

2014-01-01

Water and sediment samples were collected from June through October 2007 from seven plots at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Upper Deerfield, New Jersey, and analyzed for a suite of pesticides (including fungicides) and other physical and chemical parameters (including sediment mineralogy) by the U.S. Geological Survey. Plots were selected for inclusion in this study on the basis of the crops grown and the pesticides used. Forty-one pesticides were detected in 14 water samples; these include 5 fungicides, 13 herbicides, 1 insecticide, and 22 pesticide degradates. The following pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in 50 percent or more of the groundwater samples: 1-amide-4-hydroxy-chorothalonil, alachlor sulfonic acid, metolachlor oxanilic acid, metolachlor sulfonic acid, metalaxyl, and simazine. Dissolved-pesticide concentrations ranged from below their instrumental limit of detection to 36 micrograms per liter (for metolachlor sulfonic acid, a degradate of the herbicide metolachlor). The total number of pesticides found in groundwater samples ranged from 0 to 29. Fourteen pesticides were detected in sediment samples from continuous cores collected within each of the seven sampled plots; these include 4 fungicides, 2 herbicides, and 7 pesticide degradates. Pesticide concentrations in sediment samples ranged from below their instrumental limit of detection to 34.2 nanograms per gram (for azoxystrobin). The total number of pesticides found in sediment samples ranged from 0 to 8. Quantitative whole-rock and grain-coating mineralogy of sediment samples were determined by x-ray diffraction. Whole-rock analysis indicated that sediments were predominantly composed of quartz. The materials coating the quartz grains were removed to allow quantification of the trace mineral phases present.

Hydrogeochemical and mineralogical effects of sustained CO<sub>2sub> contamination in a shallow sandy aquifer: A field-scale controlled release experiment

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Cahill, Aaron Graham; Marker, Pernille Aabye; Jakobsen, Rasmus

2014-01-01

A shallow aquifer CO2 contamination experiment was performed to investigate evolution of water chemistry and sediment alteration following leakage from geological storage by physically simulating a leak from a hypothetical storage site. In a carbonate-free aquifer, in western Denmark, a total...... of 1600 kg of gas phase CO2 was injected at 5 and 10 m depth over 72 days through four inclined injection wells into aeolian and glacial sands. Water chemistry was monitored for pH, EC, and dissolved element evolution through an extensive network of multilevel sampling points over 305 days. Sediment cores...... were taken pre and postinjection and analyzed to search for effects on mineralogy and sediment properties. Results showed the simulated leak to evolve in two distinct phases; an advective elevated ion pulse followed by increasing persistent acidification. Spatial and temporal differences in evolution...

Effects of coarse-graining on the scaling behavior of long-range correlated and anti-correlated signals

OpenAIRE

Xu, Yinlin; Ma, Qianli D.Y.; Schmitt, Daniel T.; Bernaola-Galván, Pedro; Ivanov, Plamen Ch.

2011-01-01

We investigate how various coarse-graining methods affect the scaling properties of long-range power-law correlated and anti-correlated signals, quantified by the detrended fluctuation analysis. Specifically, for coarse-graining in the magnitude of a signal, we consider (i) the Floor, (ii) the Symmetry and (iii) the Centro-Symmetry coarse-graining methods. We find, that for anti-correlated signals coarse-graining in the magnitude leads to a crossover to random behavior at large scales, and th...

Electrical properties and scaling behaviour of rare earth based Ho{sub 2}CoZrO{sub 6} double perovskite ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mahato, Dev K., E-mail: drdevkumar@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Patna, Patna 800005 (India); Dutta, Alo; Sinha, T.P. [Department of Physics, Bose Institute, 93/1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700 009 (India)

2012-12-15

Graphical abstract: The X-ray diffraction analysis suggests that the compound crystallizes in monoclinic phase at room temperature with β = 108.51 ± 0.021° (a = 8.1858 ± 0.0023 Å, b = 5.2599 ± 0.0027 Å, c = 7.9874 ± 0.0031 Å) and cell volume = 324.17 Å{sup 3}. The SEM image indicates the uniformity of the grains in the samples. The grain size of the microstructure of HCZ is found to be ∼0.48 μm on average. Display Omitted Highlights: ► The conduction mechanism in HCZ may be due to hopping of small polaron. ► The material shows semiconducting behaviour. ► Conductivity obeys Jonscher's power law with high frequency dispersion. ► Both long-range and localized relaxation are present. -- Abstract: The Ho{sub 2}CoZrO{sub 6} (HCZ) double perovskite has been prepared in polycrystalline form by solid state reaction technique. The analysis of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern indicates that the crystal structure is monoclinic at room temperature with cell parameters a = 8.1858 ± 0.0023 Å, b = 5.2599 ± 0.0027 Å, c = 7.9874 ± 0.0031 Å and β = 108.51 ± 0.021°. The compound shows significant frequency dispersion in its dielectric properties. The Cole–Cole model is used to determine the polydispersive nature of dielectric relaxation. The scaling behaviour of dielectric loss and imaginary electric modulus suggest that the relaxation describe same mechanism at various temperatures. Impedance data presented in the Nyquist plot (Z″ versus Z′) are used to identify an equivalent circuit and to know the bulk and interface contributions. The complex impedance analysis of HCZ exhibits the appearance of both the grain and the grain-boundary contribution. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra follow the universal power law. The magnitude of the activation energy indicates that the carrier transport is due to the hopping conduction.

CO{sub 2} Energy Reactor – Integrated Mineral Carbonation: Perspectives on Lab-Scale Investigation and Products Valorization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Santos, Rafael M., E-mail: rafael.santos@alumni.utoronto.ca [Chemical and Environmental Laboratories (CEL), School of Applied Chemical and Environmental Sciences, Sheridan Institute of Technology, Brampton, ON (Canada); Knops, Pol C. M.; Rijnsburger, Keesjan L. [Innovation Concepts B.V., Twello (Netherlands); Chiang, Yi Wai [School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON (Canada)

2016-02-15

To overcome the challenges of mineral CO{sub 2} sequestration, Innovation Concepts B.V. is developing a unique proprietary gravity pressure vessel (GPV) reactor technology and has focussed on generating reaction products of high economic value. The GPV provides intense process conditions through hydrostatic pressurization and heat exchange integration that harvests exothermic reaction energy, thereby reducing energy demand of conventional reactor designs, in addition to offering other benefits. In this paper, a perspective on the status of this technology and outlook for the future is provided. To date, laboratory-scale tests of the envisioned process have been performed in a tubular “rocking autoclave” reactor. The mineral of choice has been olivine [~Mg{sub 1.6}Fe{sup 2+}{sub 0.4}(SiO{sub 4}) + ppm Ni/Cr], although asbestos, steel slags, and oil shale residues are also under investigation. The effect of several process parameters on reaction extent and product properties has been tested: CO{sub 2} pressure, temperature, residence time, additives (buffers, lixiviants, chelators, oxidizers), solids loading, and mixing rate. The products (carbonates, amorphous silica, and chromite) have been physically separated (based on size, density, and magnetic properties), characterized (for chemistry, mineralogy, and morphology), and tested in intended applications (as pozzolanic carbon-negative building material). Economically, it is found that product value is the main driver for mineral carbonation, rather than, or in addition to, the sequestered CO{sub 2}. The approach of using a GPV and focusing on valuable reaction products could thus make CO{sub 2} mineralization a feasible and sustainable industrial process.

Large scale statistics for computational verification of grain growth simulations with experiments

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Demirel, Melik C.; Kuprat, Andrew P.; George, Denise C.; Straub, G.K.; Misra, Amit; Alexander, Kathleen B.; Rollett, Anthony D.

2002-01-01

It is known that by controlling microstructural development, desirable properties of materials can be achieved. The main objective of our research is to understand and control interface dominated material properties, and finally, to verify experimental results with computer simulations. We have previously showed a strong similarity between small-scale grain growth experiments and anisotropic three-dimensional simulations obtained from the Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) measurements. Using the same technique, we obtained 5170-grain data from an Aluminum-film (120 (micro)m thick) with a columnar grain structure. Experimentally obtained starting microstructure and grain boundary properties are input for the three-dimensional grain growth simulation. In the computational model, minimization of the interface energy is the driving force for the grain boundary motion. The computed evolved microstructure is compared with the final experimental microstructure, after annealing at 550 C. Characterization of the structures and properties of grain boundary networks (GBN) to produce desirable microstructures is one of the fundamental problems in interface science. There is an ongoing research for the development of new experimental and analytical techniques in order to obtain and synthesize information related to GBN. The grain boundary energy and mobility data were characterized by Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) technique and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) observations (i.e., for ceramic MgO and for the metal Al). Grain boundary energies are extracted from triple junction (TJ) geometry considering the local equilibrium condition at TJ's. Relative boundary mobilities were also extracted from TJ's through a statistical/multiscale analysis. Additionally, there are recent theoretical developments of grain boundary evolution in microstructures. In this paper, a new technique for three-dimensional grain growth simulations was used to simulate interface migration

Sodium induced grain growth, defect passivation and enhancement in the photovoltaic properties of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} thin film solar cell

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, Om Pal; Gour, Kuldeep Singh [Physics of Energy Harvesting Division, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012 (India); Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012 (India); Parmar, Rahul [Physics of Energy Harvesting Division, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012 (India); Singh, Vidya Nand, E-mail: singhvn@nplindia.org [Physics of Energy Harvesting Division, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012 (India); Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012 (India)

2016-07-01

Sodium diffusion from soda lime glass (SLG) during high temperature annealing is known to play a crucial role in affecting the grain growth and defect passivation in chalocogenide/kesterite solar cells. Additional sodium is required when low temperature or short term annealing is used. Although this fact is known, a systematic comparative study for kesterite films is seldom reported. In the present study, Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} thin films were deposited on SLG and Mo coated SLG using stacked layer reactive sputtering. Na was deposited over the CZTS thin film and the film was annealed in N{sub 2} atmosphere in order to enhance the grain growth. This resulted in the shift in the XRD peak towards lower diffraction angle. The optical bandgap shifted from 1.45 eV to 1.38 eV with Na addition. Significant grain growth from hundreds of nanometer to micrometer was observed in samples with Na. Device fabricated in SLG/Mo/CZTS/CdS/ZnO/ITO configuration with Al front contact shows increase in efficiencies values from 1.50% to 2.84%. - Highlights: • Reactive sputtering with reduced annealing time have been used for the growth of CZTS thin film. • NaF has been deposited over precursor film before annealing. • Na addition resulted in grain growth, improved compactness and reduction in band gap. • An enhancement in the photovoltaic characteristics have been observed with addition of Na.

Initial Results on the Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Mar Exploration Rover Gusev Landing Site

Science.gov (United States)

Christensen, P. R.

2004-05-01

The Spirit rover has investigated the geochemistry and mineralogy of the Gusev crater site using in situ Alpha Proton X-Ray, Mossbauer, visible, and infrared spectroscopy. The Gusev site is covered with angular to sub-rounded rocks that are typically less than 1 m in maximum dimension. More than 90 percent of these rocks are dark-toned, with the remainder being lighter-toned rocks that may predominantly be dark rocks with a thin (10's of microns) coating of easily removed fines. APXS analysis has been obtained of a rock (Adirondack) following the removal by grinding of the surface dust and the upper few mm of the rock surface. These data give a modal mineralogy corresponding to olivine basalt. High quality Mini-TES data have not been obtained of a completely dust-free rock surface. The Mini-TES data of Adirondack do show long wavelength (15-25 microns) absorptions due to olivine of composition ~Fo60. All of the rocks observed are very compositionally homogeneous in the Mini-TES spectra. These findings are consistent with the detection of olivine-bearing basalt at this site from orbital TES infrared spectroscopy. Mossbauer spectra of Adirondack show the presence of forsteritic olivine and magnetite, with possible pyroxene. The soils at Gusev are a mixture of reddish fine-grained to sandy materials, granular-sized particles that occur in ripple forms, and minor pebbles. Mini-TES spectra of the soil show an excellent match to the TES spectra of high-albedo, fine-grained material found in regional bright regions that is interpreted to be windblown dust. This agreement suggests at least the uppermost layer of the soil at Gusev has been accumulated from airfall dust. By analogy with prior analysis of TES data these materials contain several percent carbonate, minor bound water, and a framework silicate interpreted to be either feldspar or zeolite. APXS spectra show similar oxide abundances to those determined for the Pathfinder site, except for higher MgO, and lower

Holocene debris flows on the Colorado Plateau: The influence of clay mineralogy and chemistry

Science.gov (United States)

Webb, R.H.; Griffiths, P.G.; Rudd, L.P.

2008-01-01

Holocene debris flows do not occur uniformly on the Colorado Plateau province of North America. Debris flows occur in specific areas of the plateau, resulting in general from the combination of steep topography, intense convective precipitation, abundant poorly sorted material not stabilized by vegetation, and the exposure of certain fine-grained bedrock units in cliffs or in colluvium beneath those cliffs. In Grand and Cataract Canyons, fine-grained bedrock that produces debris flows contains primarily single-layer clays - notably illite and kaolinite - and has low multilayer clay content. This clay-mineral suite also occurs in the colluvium that produces debris flows as well as in debris-flow deposits, although unconsolidated deposits have less illite than the source bedrock. We investigate the relation between the clay mineralogy and major-cation chemistry of fine-grained bedrock units and the occurrence of debris flows on the entire Colorado Plateau. We determined that 85 mapped fine-grained bedrock units potentially could produce debris flows, and we analyzed clay mineralogy and major-cation concentration of 52 of the most widely distributed units, particularly those exposed in steep topography. Fine-grained bedrock units that produce debris flows contained an average of 71% kaolinite and illite and 5% montmorillonite and have a higher concentration of potassium and magnesium than nonproducing units, which have an average of 51% montmorillonite and a higher concentration of sodium. We used multivariate statistics to discriminate fine-grained bedrock units with the potential to produce debris flows, and we used digital-elevation models and mapped distribution of debris-flow producing units to derive a map that predicts potential occurrence of Holocene debris flows on the Colorado Plateau. ?? 2008 Geological Society of America.

Applied pressure-dependent anisotropic grain connectivity in shock consolidated MgB{sub 2} samples

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ohashi, Wataru [Graduate School of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Takeda 4-3-11, Kofu 400-8511 (Japan); Takenaka, Kenta [Graduate School of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Takeda 4-3-11, Kofu 400-8511 (Japan); Kondo, Tadashi [Graduate School of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Takeda 4-3-11, Kofu 400-8511 (Japan); Tamaki, Hideyuki [Graduate School of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Takeda 4-3-11, Kofu 400-8511 (Japan); Matsuzawa, Hidenori [Graduate School of Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Takeda 4-3-11, Kofu 400-8511 (Japan)]. E-mail: matuzawa@mx3.nns.ne.jp; Kai, Shoichiro [Advanced Materials and Process Development Group, Explosive Division, Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, Oita 870-0392 (Japan); Kakimoto, Etsuji [Advanced Materials and Process Development Group, Explosive Division, Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, Oita 870-0392 (Japan); Takano, Yoshihiko [National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0047 (Japan); Minehara, Eisuke [FEL Laboratory, Tokai Site, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Shirakata-shirane 2-4, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195 (Japan)

2006-09-15

Three different cylindrical MgB{sub 2} bulk samples were prepared by the underwater shock consolidation method in which shock waves of several GPa, generated by detonation of explosives, were applied to a metallic cylinder containing commercially available MgB{sub 2} powders with no additives. Resistivity anisotropy of the samples increased with shock pressure. The highest- and medium-pressure applied samples had finite resistivities in the radial direction for the whole temperature range down to 12 K, whereas their axial and azimuthal resistivities dropped to zero at 32-35 K. By contrast, the lowest-pressure applied sample was approximately isotropic with a normal-state resistivity of {approx}40 {mu}{omega} cm, an onset temperature of {approx}38.5 K, and a transition width of {approx}4.5 K. These extremely anisotropic properties would have resulted from the distortion of grain boundaries and grain cores, caused by the shock pressures and their repeated bouncing.

Lime stabilization of fine-grained sediments in western Greenland

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jørgensen, Anders Stuhr; Ingeman-Nielsen, Thomas; Skels, Peteris

2011-01-01

Thick deposits of fine-grained marine sediments exist in large areas of western Greenland. Many places these sediments are located above sea-level, and now complicate construction projects in urban areas. The mineralogy of the fine-grained sediments is very different from European sediments, mainly...... due to the cold climate, and it is therefore of great interest to study possible methods to improve the stability and strength properties. This project includes laboratory studies of lime stabilization on fine-grained marine sediments from Kangerlussuaq, western Greenland. The results have included...

Analysis of the Determinants of Small-Scale Farmers' Grain Market ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

In some cases, farmers may sell at low price when they face financial constraints, especially ... Analysis of the Determinants of Small-Scale Farmers' Grain Market Participations. [76] ...... An MSc Thesis Presented to the School of Graduate.

Electromigration in 3D-IC scale Cu/Sn/Cu solder joints

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ho, Cheng-En, E-mail: ceho1975@hotmail.com; Lee, Pei-Tzu; Chen, Chih-Nan; Yang, Cheng-Hsien

2016-08-15

The electromigration effect on the three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D-IC) scale solder joints with a Cu/Sn(25–50 μm)/Cu configuration was investigated using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE–SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis system. Electron current stressing for a few days caused the pronounced accumulation of Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} in specific Sn grain boundaries (GBs). The EBSD analysis indicated that both the β-Sn crystallographic orientation and GB orientation play dominant roles in this accumulation. The dependencies of the Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} accumulation on the two above factors (i.e., Sn grain orientation and GB orientation) can be well rationalized via a proposed mathematic model based on the Huntington and Grone's electromigration theory with the Cu anisotropic diffusion data in a β-Sn lattice. - Highlights: • Anisotropic Cu electromigration in the 3D-IC scale microelectronic solder joints. • Pronounced accumulation of Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} intermetallic in specific Sn grain boundaries. • A linear dependence of Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} accumulation over the current stressing time. • β-Sn and grain boundary orientations are the dominant factors in Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} accumulation.

Mineralogy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Klein, C.

2006-01-01

The classic in the field since 1848, this extraordinary reference offers readers unsurpassed coverage of mineralogy and crystallography. The book is known for integrating complete coverage of concepts and principles with a more systematic and descriptive treatment of mineralogy. The revised edition now includes a CD-ROM to let readers see the minerals and crystals, while also viewing chemical composition, symmetry, and morphological crystallography.

Microstructure and mechanical strength of near- and sub-micrometre grain size copper prepared by spark plasma sintering

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zhu, K. N.; Godfrey, A.; Hansen, Niels

2017-01-01

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been used to prepare fully dense samples of copper in a fully recrystallized condition with grain sizes in the near- and sub-micrometre regime. Two synthesis routes have been investigated to achieve grain size control: (i) SPS at different temperatures from 800...... transmission electron microscope, and on electron back-scatter diffraction studies, confirms the samples are in a nearly fully recrystallized condition, with grains that are dislocation-free, and have a random texture, with a high fraction of high angle boundaries. The mechanical strength of the samples has...

H{sub 2} Ortho-to-para Conversion on Grains: A Route to Fast Deuterium Fractionation in Dense Cloud Cores?

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bovino, S. [Hamburger Sternwarte, Universität Hamburg, Gojenbergsweg 112, D-21029 Hamburg (Germany); Grassi, T. [Centre for Star and Planet Formation, Niels Bohr Institute and Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, DK-1350 Copenhagen (Denmark); Schleicher, D. R. G. [Departamento de Astronomía, Facultad Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Esteban Iturra s/n Barrio Universitario, Casilla 160, Concepción (Chile); Caselli, P., E-mail: stefano.bovino@uni-hamburg.de [Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstrasse 1, D-85748 Garching (Germany)

2017-11-10

Deuterium fractionation, i.e., the enhancement of deuterated species with respect to non-deuterated ones, is considered to be a reliable chemical clock of star-forming regions. This process is strongly affected by the ortho-to-para H{sub 2} ratio. In this Letter we explore the effect of the ortho–para (o–p) H{sub 2} conversion on grains on the deuteration timescale in fully-depleted dense cores, including the most relevant uncertainties that affect this complex process. We show that (i) the o–p H{sub 2} conversion on grains is not strongly influenced by the uncertainties on the conversion time and the sticking coefficient, and (ii) that the process is controlled by the temperature and the residence time of ortho-H{sub 2} on the surface, i.e., by the binding energy. We find that for binding energies between 330 and 550 K, depending on the temperature, the o–p H{sub 2} conversion on grains can shorten the deuterium fractionation timescale by orders of magnitude, opening a new route for explaining the large observed deuteration fraction D {sub frac} in dense molecular cloud cores. Our results suggest that the star formation timescale, when estimated through the timescale to reach the observed deuteration fractions, might be shorter than previously proposed. However, more accurate measurements of the binding energy are needed in order to better assess the overall role of this process.

Electron scattering at surfaces and grain boundaries in thin Au films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Henriquez, Ricardo [Departamento de Física, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Casilla 110-V, Valparaíso (Chile); Flores, Marcos; Moraga, Luis [Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2008, Casilla 487-3, Santiago 8370449 (Chile); Kremer, German [Bachillerato, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago 7800024 (Chile); González-Fuentes, Claudio [Departamento de Física, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Casilla 110-V, Valparaíso (Chile); Munoz, Raul C., E-mail: ramunoz@ing.uchile.cl [Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Blanco Encalada 2008, Casilla 487-3, Santiago 8370449 (Chile)

2013-05-15

The electron scattering at surfaces and grain boundaries is investigated using polycrystalline Au films deposited onto mica substrates. We vary the three length scales associated with: (i) electron scattering in the bulk, that at temperature T is characterized by the electronic mean free path in the bulk ℓ{sub 0}(T); (ii) electron-surface scattering, that is characterized by the film thickness t; (iii) electron-grain boundary scattering, that is characterized by the mean grain diameter D. We varied independently the film thickness from approximately 50 nm to about 100 nm, and the typical grain size making up the samples from 12 nm to 160 nm. We also varied the scale of length associated with electron scattering in the bulk by measuring the resistivity of each specimen at temperatures T, 4 K < T < 300 K. Cooling the samples to 4 K increases ℓ{sub 0}(T) by approximately 2 orders of magnitude. Detailed measurements of the grain size distribution as well as surface roughness of each sample were performed with a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM). We compare, for the first time, theoretical predictions with resistivity data employing the two theories available that incorporate the effect of both electron-surface as well as electron-grain boundary scattering acting simultaneously: the theory of A.F. Mayadas and M. Shatzkes, Phys. Rev. 1 1382 (1970) (MS), and that of G. Palasantzas, Phys. Rev. B 58 9685 (1998). We eliminate adjustable parameters from the resistivity data analysis, by using as input the grain size distribution as well as the surface roughness measured with the STM on each sample. The outcome is that both theories provide a fair representation of both the temperature as well as the thickness dependence of the resistivity data, but yet there are marked differences between the resistivity predicted by these theories. In the case of the MS theory, when the average grain diameter D is significantly smaller than ℓ{sub 0}(300) = 37 nm, the electron mean

Hydrogenation and Deuteration of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} and C{sub 2}H{sub 4} on Cold Grains: A Clue to the Formation Mechanism of C{sub 2}H{sub 6} with Astronomical Interest

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kobayashi, Hitomi; Kawakita, Hideyo [Koyama Astronomical Observatory, Kyoto Sangyo University Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8555 (Japan); Hidaka, Hiroshi; Hama, Tetsuya; Watanabe, Naoki [Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University N19-W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0819 (Japan); Lamberts, Thanja; Kästner, Johannes, E-mail: h_kobayashi@kyoto-nijikoubou.com [Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, D-70569 Stuttgart (Germany)

2017-03-10

We quantitatively investigated the hydrogen addition reactions of acetylene (C{sub 2}H{sub 2}) and ethylene (C{sub 2}H{sub 4}) on amorphous solid water (ASW) at 10 and 20 K relevant to the formation of ethane (C{sub 2}H{sub 6}) on interstellar icy grains. We found that the ASW surface enhances the reaction rates for C{sub 2}H{sub 2} and C{sub 2}H{sub 4} by approximately a factor of 2 compared to those on the pure-solid C{sub 2}H{sub 2} and C{sub 2}H{sub 4} at 10 K, probably due to an increase in the sticking coefficient and adsorption energy of the H atoms on ASW. In contrast to the previous proposal that the hydrogenation rate of C{sub 2}H{sub 4} is orders of magnitude larger than that of C{sub 2}H{sub 2}, the present results show that the difference in hydrogenation rates of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} and C{sub 2}H{sub 4} is only within a factor of 3 on both the surfaces of pure solids and ASW. In addition, we found the small kinetic isotope effect for hydrogenation/deuteration of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} and C{sub 2}H{sub 4} at 10 K, despite the requirement of quantum tunneling. At 20 K, the reaction rate of deuteration becomes even larger than that of hydrogenation. These unusual isotope effects might originate from a slightly larger number density of D atoms than H atoms on ASW at 20 K. The hydrogenation of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} is four times faster than CO hydrogenation and can produce C{sub 2}H{sub 6} efficiently through C{sub 2}H{sub 4} even in the environment of a dark molecular cloud.

A triple-scale crystal plasticity modeling and simulation on size effect due to fine-graining

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurosawa, Eisuke; Aoyagi, Yoshiteru; Tadano, Yuichi; Shizawa, Kazuyuki

2010-01-01

In this paper, a triple-scale crystal plasticity model bridging three hierarchical material structures, i.e., dislocation structure, grain aggregate and practical macroscopic structure is developed. Geometrically necessary (GN) dislocation density and GN incompatibility are employed so as to describe isolated dislocations and dislocation pairs in a grain, respectively. Then the homogenization method is introduced into the GN dislocation-crystal plasticity model for derivation of the governing equation of macroscopic structure with the mathematical and physical consistencies. Using the present model, a triple-scale FE simulation bridging the above three hierarchical structures is carried out for f.c.c. polycrystals with different mean grain size. It is shown that the present model can qualitatively reproduce size effects of macroscopic specimen with ultrafine-grain, i.e., the increase of initial yield stress, the decrease of hardening ratio after reaching tensile strength and the reduction of tensile ductility with decrease of its grain size. Moreover, the relationship between macroscopic yielding of specimen and microscopic grain yielding is discussed and the mechanism of the poor tensile ductility due to fine-graining is clarified. (author)

Randomly grain growth in metallic materials

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ramirez, A. [Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (SEPI-ESIME), Unidad Profesional Ticoman, Av. Ticoman 600, Del. G.A.M., C.P. 07340 Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mexico); Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (SEPI-ESIQIE), Unidad Profesional Zacatenco, Edif. 6 y Edif. Z planta baja C.P.07300, Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mexico)], E-mail: adaramil@yahoo.com.mx; Chavez, F. [Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (SEPI-ESIQIE), Unidad Profesional Zacatenco, Edif. 6 y Edif. Z planta baja C.P.07300, Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mexico); Demedices, L. [Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (SEPI-ESIME), Unidad Profesional Ticoman, Av. Ticoman 600, Del. G.A.M., C.P. 07340 Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mexico); Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (SEPI-ESIQIE), Unidad Profesional Zacatenco, Edif. 6 y Edif. Z planta baja C.P.07300, Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mexico); Cruz, A.; Macias, M. [Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (SEPI-ESIQIE), Unidad Profesional Zacatenco, Edif. 6 y Edif. Z planta baja C.P.07300, Distrito Federal, Mexico (Mexico)

2009-10-30

Computational modeling of grain structures is a very important topic in materials science. In this work, the development of the computational algorithms for a mathematical model to predict grain nucleation and grain growth is presented. The model place a number of nucleated points randomly in a liquid pool according with the solid and liquid fractions (X{sub sol} and X{sub liq}) of metal solute and the local temperature distribution (SS{sub I,J}). Then these points grows isotropically until obtain a grain structure with straight interfaces. Different grain morphologies such as columnar and equiaxed can be obtained as a function of the temperature distributions and growth directions.

Impact of tsunami on texture and mineralogy of a major placer deposit in southwest coast of India

Science.gov (United States)

Babu, N.; Babu, D. S. Suresh; Das, P. N. Mohan

2007-03-01

The great Indonesian earth quake (26 December 2004) triggered a tsunami wave across the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean basins and has brought a major havoc in several countries including India. The coastal segment between Thotapalli and Valiazhikal in Kerala state of southwest India, where considerably rich beach placer deposit with ilmenite percentage of more than 70% is concentrated, has been investigated to understand the impact of tsunami on coastal sediments. The grain size analysis flashes out the significant differences between the pre- and post-tsunami littoral environments. While the mineral grains collected during pre-tsunami period show well-sorted nature, the post-tsunami samples represent moderately to poorly sorted nature. Similarly, unimodal and bimodal distributions of the sediments have been recorded for pre- and post-tsunami sediments, respectively. Further, mineral assemblages corresponding to before and after this major wave activity clearly indicate the large-scale redistribution of sediments. The post-tsunami sediments register increasing trends of garnet, sillimanite and rutile. The total heavy mineral percentage of the post-tsunami sediment also shows an improved concentration, perhaps due to the large-scale transport of lighter fraction. Magnetite percentage of post-tsunami samples reflects higher concentration compared to the pre-tsunami samples, indicating the intensity of reworking process. X-ray diffraction patterns of ilmenite grains have confirmed the increased presence of pseduorutile, and pseudobrookite in post-tsunami samples, which could be due to the mixing of more altered grains. SEM examination of grains also confirms the significant alteration patterns on the ubiquitous mineral of placer body, the ilmenite. The reason for these textural, mineralogical and micromorphological changes in heavy minerals particularly in ilmenite, could be due to the churning action on the deeper sediments of onshore region or on the sediments

Sintering temperature and impedance analysis of Mn{sub 0.9}Co{sub 1.2}Ni{sub 0.27}Mg{sub 0.15}Al{sub 0.03}Fe{sub 0.45}O{sub 4} NTC ceramic prepared by W/O microemulsion method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xia, Junbo [Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices under Special Environments, CAS, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi 830011 (China); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Zhao, Qing, E-mail: zhaoq@ms.xjb.ac.cn [Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices under Special Environments, CAS, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi 830011 (China); Gao, Bo [Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices under Special Environments, CAS, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi 830011 (China); Chang, Aimin, E-mail: changam@ms.xjb.ac.cn [Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices under Special Environments, CAS, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi 830011 (China); Zhang, Bo; Zhao, Pengjun; Ma, Renjun [Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Devices under Special Environments, CAS, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, Urumqi 830011 (China); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China)

2014-12-25

Highlights: • The ceramics are mainly in spinel phase and cubic cobalt oxide phase. • A perfect sintering temperature of 1450 °C for the Mn–Co–Ni–Mg–Al–Fe–O was proposed. • The NTC characteristic of the ceramics derive from grain boundary resistance R{sub gb}. - Abstract: The Mn{sub 0.9}Co{sub 1.2}Ni{sub 0.27}Mg{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.03}Fe{sub 0.45}O{sub 4} negative temperature coefficient (NTC) ceramics derived from nano-particles were sintered at 1380 °C, 1450 °C and 1560 °C, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) result showed that the ceramics sintered at 1380 °C and 1450 °C were mainly in the cubic spinel structure except for a little of tetragonal spinel, and that sintered at 1560 °C was consisted of cubic spinel and cubic cobalt oxide phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image indicated that the grain size of the ceramic increased sharply when the sintering temperature increased from 1380 °C to 1450 °C, and it changed little when the temperature further increased to 1560 °C, while the porosity was enlarged seriously. Thus a perfect sintering temperature of 1450 °C was proposed. Impedance analysis revealed that the grain resistance R{sub g} showed positive temperature coefficient thermistor characteristic, while the grain boundary resistance R{sub gb} possessed negative temperature coefficient characteristic. Because the grain boundary resistance R{sub gb} was two orders of magnitude larger than the grain resistance R{sub g}, the material thus showed negative temperature coefficient thermistor characteristic.

The grain-eating birds of Sub-Saharan Africa: Identification, biology and management

OpenAIRE

Allan, R.

1996-01-01

Birds are not normally viewed as pests but, in the case of cereals and soft fruit, both resident and migrant species can cause significant losses. In sub-Saharan Africa, the expansion of the area under cereal crops, especially in displacing the normal food plants of the grain-eating birds, has exacerbated the problem and rendered ineffective many traditional me.t_hods of crop protection. Environmental considerations mean that management strategies must now be tackled at the government and com...

Surface morphology analysis of nanostructured (Ba sub x , Sr sub 1 sub - sub x)TiO sub 3 thin films using fractal method

CERN Document Server

Hong, K J; Choi, W K; Cho, J C

2003-01-01

Based on the fractal theory, this paper uses scanning electron microscopy images to investigate the roughness characteristics of nanostructured (Ba Sr)TiO sub 3 thin films by sol-gel methods. The percentage grain area, surface fractal dimensions and 3D image are evaluated using image analysis methods. The thickness of the (Ba Sr)TiO sub 3 thin films was 260-280 nm. The surface fractal dimensions were increased with strontium doping, and grain area, were decreased with it. The fractal dimension and the grain areas of the (Ba sub 0 sub . sub 7 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 3)TiO sub 3 thin films were 1.81 and 81%. Based on the image analysis, the roughness height of 3D images as 256 levels was about 3 nm and its distribution was about 35-40% for the (Ba sub 0 sub . sub 8 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 2)TiO sub 3 and (Ba sub 0 sub . sub 7 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 3)TiO sub 3 thin films. The roughness height of the BST thin films was distributed from 35% to 40% ranging from 3 nm to 4 nm. By increasing the strontium doping, the roughness hei...

Coulomb blockade and magnetoresistance in granular La{sub 1.32}Sr{sub 1.68}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 7} under hydrostatic pressure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Narjis, A., E-mail: narjis78@gmail.com [Research Group ESNPS, Physics Department, University Ibn Zohr, Faculty of Sciences, B.P 8106, Hay Dakhla, 80000 Agadir (Morocco); El Kaaouachi, A.; Limouny, L.; Dlimi, S.; Errai, M.; Sybous, A. [Research Group ESNPS, Physics Department, University Ibn Zohr, Faculty of Sciences, B.P 8106, Hay Dakhla, 80000 Agadir (Morocco); Kumaresavanji, M. [Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas (CBPF), Rua Dr. Xavier Sigaud, 150 Urca, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

2013-04-15

The transport properties in the La{sub 1.32}Sr{sub 1.68}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 7} layered manganite system have been studied in the presence of magnetic field up to 5 T. An analysis of the low temperature (T<45 K) dependence of the resistivity under hydrostatic pressure up to 25 kbars shows the spin-dependent Coulomb Blockade phenomenon. The surface phase and the link condition in grain boundaries are suggested to be responsible for the magnetoresistance data while influencing the charge transfer probability between grains. - Highlights: ►Magnetotransport in a colossal magnetoresistive material La{sub 1.32}Sr{sub 1.68}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 7}. ► The effect of the forming pressure on the magnetoresistance (MR). ► The grain size effect and charge transfer probability between grains. ► A simple model to explain the negative MR.

Iron mineralogy and uranium-binding environment in the rhizosphere of a wetland soil

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kaplan, Daniel I., E-mail: daniel.kaplan@srnl.doe.gov [Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808 (United States); Kukkadapu, Ravi [Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354 (United States); Seaman, John C. [Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802 (United States); Arey, Bruce W.; Dohnalkova, Alice C. [Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354 (United States); Buettner, Shea [Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802 (United States); Li, Dien [Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808 (United States); Varga, Tamas [Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354 (United States); Scheckel, Kirk G. [US Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 45224 (United States); Jaffé, Peter R. [Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540 (United States)

2016-11-01

Wetlands mitigate the migration of groundwater contaminants through a series of biogeochemical gradients that enhance multiple contaminant-binding processes. The hypothesis of this study was that wetland plant roots contribute organic carbon and release O{sub 2} within the rhizosphere (plant-impact soil zone) that promote the formation of Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides. In turn, these Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides stabilize organic matter that together contribute to contaminant immobilization. Mineralogy and U binding environments of the rhizosphere were evaluated in samples collected from contaminated and non-contaminated areas of a wetland on the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Based on Mössbauer spectroscopy, rhizosphere soil was greatly enriched with nanogoethite, ferrihydrite-like nanoparticulates, and hematite, with negligible Fe(II) present. X-ray computed tomography and various microscopy techniques showed that root plaques were tens-of-microns thick and consisted of highly oriented Fe-nanoparticles, suggesting that the roots were involved in creating the biogeochemical conditions conducive to the nanoparticle formation. XAS showed that a majority of the U in the bulk wetland soil was in the + 6 oxidation state and was not well correlated spatially to Fe concentrations. SEM/EDS confirm that U was enriched on root plaques, where it was always found in association with P. Together these findings support our hypothesis and suggest that plants can alter mineralogical conditions that may be conducive to contaminant immobilization in wetlands. - Highlights: • Uranium concentrated in wetland environments • Hypothesized that plant roots change mineralogy and contaminant binding environment, promoting contaminant immobilization • Field study showed sharp dissolved U concentration profiles over the centimeter scale. • Spectroscopy identified unique mineralogy in rhizosphere compared to non-rhizosphere soil. • Uranium concentrated in root plaques in the + 6

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF SUB-MICRON-SIZED DUST GRAINS IN THE ATMOSPHERES OF RED L0–L6 DWARFS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hiranaka, Kay; Cruz, Kelle L.; Baldassare, Vivienne F. [Hunter College, Department of Physics and Astronomy, City University of New York, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065 (United States); Douglas, Stephanie T. [American Museum of Natural History, Department of Astrophysics, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 (United States); Marley, Mark S., E-mail: khiranak@hunter.cuny.edu [NASA Ames Research Center, MS-245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (United States)

2016-10-20

We examine the hypothesis that the red near-infrared colors of some L dwarfs could be explained by a “dust haze” of small particles in their upper atmospheres. This dust haze would exist in conjunction with the clouds found in dwarfs with more typical colors. We developed a model that uses Mie theory and the Hansen particle size distributions to reproduce the extinction due to the proposed dust haze. We apply our method to 23 young L dwarfs and 23 red field L dwarfs. We constrain the properties of the dust haze including particle size distribution and column density using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. We find that sub-micron-range silicate grains reproduce the observed reddening. Current brown dwarf atmosphere models include large-grain (1–100 μ m) dust clouds but not sub-micron dust grains. Our results provide a strong proof of concept and motivate a combination of large and small dust grains in brown dwarf atmosphere models.

X-Ray Diffraction for In-Situ Mineralogical Analysis of Planetesimals.

Science.gov (United States)

Sarrazin, P.; Blake, D. F.; Dera, P.; Downs, R. T.; Taylor, J.

2017-12-01

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a general purpose technique for definitive, quantitative mineralogical analysis. When combined with XRF data for sample chemistry, XRD analyses yield as complete a characterization as is possible by any spacecraft-capable techniques. The MSL CheMin instrument, the first XRD instrument flown in space, has been used to establish the quantitative mineralogy of the Mars global soil, to discover the first habitable environment on another planet, and to provide the first in-situ evidence of silicic volcanism on Mars. CheMin is now used to characterize the depositional and diagenetic environments associated with the mudstone sediments of lower strata of Mt. Sharp. Conventional powder XRD requires samples comprised of small grains presented in random orientations. In CheMin, sample cells are vibrated to cause loose powder to flow within the cell, driven by granular convection, which relaxes the requirement for fine grained samples. Nevertheless, CheMin still requires mechanisms to collect, crush, sieve and deliver samples before analysis. XTRA (Extraterrestrial Regolith Analyzer) is an evolution of CheMin intended to analyze fines in as-delivered surface regolith, without sample preparation. Fine-grained regolith coats the surfaces of most airless bodies in the solar system, and because this fraction is typically comminuted from the rocky regolith, it can often be used as a proxy for the surface as a whole. HXRD (Hybrid-XRD) is concept under development to analyze rocks or soils without sample preparation. Like in CheMin, the diffracted signal is collected with direct illumination CCD's. If the material is sufficiently fine-grained, a powder XRD pattern of the characteristic X-ray tube emission is obtained, similar to CheMin or XTRA. With coarse grained crystals, the white bremsstrahlung radiation of the tube is diffracted into Laue patterns. Unlike typical Laue applications, HXRD uses the CCD's capability to distinguish energy and analyze the

Properties of morphotropic phase boundary Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} films with submicrometre range thickness on Si-based substrates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alguero, M; Ricote, J; Calzada, M L [Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid (Spain); Stewart, M; Cain, M G [National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW (United Kingdom); Ramos, P [Departamento de Electronica, Universidad de Alcala. 28871 Alcala de Henares (Spain)

2010-05-26

The electrical properties of (1 - x)Pb(Mg{sub 1/3} Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3} - xPbTiO{sub 3} films with composition in the morphotropic phase boundary region around x = 0.35, submicrometre thickness and columnar microstructure, prepared on Si-based substrates by chemical solution deposition are presented and discussed in relation to the properties of coarse and fine grained ceramics. The films show relaxor characteristics that are proposed to result from a grain size effect on the kinetics of the relaxor to ferroelectric transition. The transition is slowed down for grain sizes in the submicrometre range, and as a consequence intermediate polar domain configurations with typical length scales in the submicrometre- and nanoscales are stabilized. A high saturation polarization can be attained under field, but fast polarization relaxation occurs after its removal, and negligible remanent values are obtained. At the same time, they also show spontaneous piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity. Self-polarization is thus present, which indicates the existence of an internal electric field that is most probably a substrate effect. Films would then be in a phase instability, at an intermediate state between the relaxor and ferroelectric ones, and under a bias electric field, which would explain the very high spontaneous pyroelectric response found.

Hysteresis loops and the demagnetization process at 4.2 K for melt-spun Nd sub 1 sub 3 Fe sub 7 sub 7 B sub 1 sub 0

CERN Document Server

Jin Han Min; Park, W S; Park, M J; Wang Xue Feng

1998-01-01

Hysteresis loops of melt-spun Nd sub 1 sub 3 Fe sub 7 sub 7 B sub 1 sub 0 cooled down at the remanent state were measured at 4.2 K. The loop for fields of H sub m sub a sub x =6.4 MA m sup - sup 1 is characterized by low- and high-field steps. The loop for fields of H sub m sub a sub x =4.0 MA m sup - sup 1 is very thin with only a low-field step and is shifted profoundly along the H-axes. The loops and the spin distribution during the demagnetization process were analysed by micromagnetic finite-element calculations. Quantitatively, the calculations reproduce the experimental loops fairly well. The spin distribution is fairly nonuniform, and a domain-wall-like distribution appears not only at some grain boundaries but also within some grains at the high-field step. The demagnetization proceeds by nonuniform reversion as a whole, and neither the model of single-domain reversion nor the model of domain-wall pinning in the grain boundary model describes the process appropriately. (author)

Resonant behavior of the barrier of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} grain boundary Josephson junctions fabricated on bicrystalline substrates with different geometries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Navacerrada, M.A., E-mail: mdelosangeles.navacerrada@upm.es [Grupo de Acustica Arquitectonica, Escuela Tecnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Avenida Juan de Herrera 4, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Lucia, M.L.; Sanchez-Quesada, F. [Departamento Fisica Aplicada III (Electricidad y Electronica), Facultad de Cc. Fisicas, Universidad Complutense, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid (Spain)

2012-12-14

We have analyzed a resonant behavior in the dielectric constant associated to the barrier of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} (YBCO) grain boundary Josephson junctions (GBJJs) fabricated on a wide variety of bicrystalline substrates: 12 Degree-Sign [0 0 1] tilt asymmetric, 24 Degree-Sign [0 0 1] tilt asymmetric, 24 Degree-Sign [0 0 1] tilt symmetric, 24 Degree-Sign [1 0 0] tilt asymmetric, 45 Degree-Sign [1 0 0] tilt asymmetric and 24 Degree-Sign [0 0 1] tilt symmetric +45 Degree-Sign [1 0 0] tilt asymmetric bicrystals. The resonance analysis allows us to estimate a more appropriate value of the relative dielectric constant, and so a more adequate value for the length L of the normal N region assuming a SNINS model for the barrier. In this work, the L dependence on the critical current density Jc has been investigated. This analysis makes possible a single representation for all the substrate geometries independently on around which axes the rotation is produced to generate the grain boundary. On the other hand, no clear evidences exist on the origin of the resonance. The resonance frequency is in the order of 10{sup 11} Hz, pointing to a phonon dynamic influence on the resonance mechanism. Besides, its position is affected by the oxygen content of the barrier: a shift at low frequencies is observed when the misorientation angle increases.

Mineralogy of the Chaparra IOCG deposit, southern Peru

Science.gov (United States)

Yáñez, Juan; Alfonso, Pura

2014-05-01

The Chaparra IOCG, located in southern Peru, near Chala, is mined and exploited by small-scale miners for gold, however, it has not been studied until now. Here we present a preliminary geological and mineralogic study of this deposit. Powder X ray diffraction, electron microscopy and electron microprobe were used to characterize the mineralization. This deposit is hosted in magmatic rocks from the Coastal Batholith. Host rocks belong to the Linga Super-unit, of Upper Cretaceous age and are mainly constituted by monzonites, monzogabbros and diorites. Major alterations are the propylitic (chlorite - albite - quartz), advanced argillic (jarosite - natrojarosite) and sericitic (muscovite-sericite-quartz). Gypsum and other alteration minerals such as potassium feldspar and phlogopite, vermiculite and natrolite are widespread. Mineralization occurs mainly in quartz veins up to 1 m thick, emplaced filling fractures. Ore mineralogy is mainly composed of hematite, goethite, and sulphides (mainly pyrite, chalcopyrite and covellite). Gold and REE-rich minerals also occur. Native gold can reach up to 1 mm in size, but usually is few μm in size. Its composition is 82-92 wt% Au, up to 12 wt% of Ag and Fe can reach up to 4 wt%. The paragenetic sequence in the Chaparra deposit was divided into three stages: (I) primary mineralization, (II) Fracture filling, and (III) supergene alteration. The sequence begins with the crystallization of magnetite, quartz, pyrrhotite and pyrite. Subsequently, native gold, native Bismuth and uraninite crystallices together with the former minerals, in which are enclosed. Later, monacite is formed, being enclosed in quartz. Pyrite also presents small grains of chalcopyrite inside. Galena, sphalerite and arsenopyrite also are formed, whether included in pyrite or outside. Scarce grains of sakuraiite also occur in this stage. Structural formula of sakuraiie from this deposit is Cu 01.78-1.90 Zn 0.07-12Fe 1.16-124In 0.22-0.26Sn 0.79-082S4). Indium

Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences

Science.gov (United States)

Official journal of Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences (JAMS), focusing on mineralogical and petrological sciences and their related fields. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences (JMPS) is the successor journal to both “Journal of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology” and “Mineralogical Journal”. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences (JMPS) is indexed in the ISI database (Thomson Reuters), the Science Citation Index-Expanded, Current Contents/Physical, Chemical & Earth Sciences, and ISI Alerting Services.

Coercivity enhancement of NdFeB sintered magnets by low melting point Dy{sub 32.5}Fe{sub 62}Cu{sub 5.5} alloy modification

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liang, Liping; Ma, Tianyu, E-mail: maty@zju.edu.cn; Zhang, Pei; Jin, Jiaying; Yan, Mi, E-mail: mse_yanmi@zju.edu.cn

2014-04-15

To improve coercivity without sacrificing other magnetic performance of NdFeB sintered magnets, a low melting point Dy{sub 32.5}Fe{sub 62}Cu{sub 5.5} alloy was introduced as an intergranular additive. Magnetic properties and microstructure of the magnets with different Dy{sub 32.5}Fe{sub 62}Cu{sub 5.5} contents were studied. At the optimum addition of 3 wt%, coercivity H{sub cj} was enhanced from 12.7 to 15.2 kOe, the maximum magnetic energy product (BH){sub max} was simultaneously increased from 46.6 to 47.8 MG Oe, accompanied by a slight reduction in remanence B{sub r}. Further investigation on microstructure and grain boundary composition indicated that the enhanced H{sub cj} and (BH){sub max} could be attributed to the refined and uniform 2:14:1 phase grains, continuous grain boundaries and a (Nd,Dy){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B hardening shell surrounding the 2:14:1 phase grains. - Highlights: • Low melting-point Dy{sub 32.5}Fe{sub 62}Cu{sub 5.5} alloy was introduced to NdFeB magnets. • The doped magnet exhibits enhanced coercivity and maximum energy product. • (Nd,Dy){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B shell was expected to form in the surface of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains. • The continuous grain boundary layer formed between neighboring Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains.

Variational Multi-Scale method with spectral approximation of the sub-scales.

KAUST Repository

Dia, Ben Mansour; Chá con-Rebollo, Tomas

2015-01-01

A variational multi-scale method where the sub-grid scales are computed by spectral approximations is presented. It is based upon an extension of the spectral theorem to non necessarily self-adjoint elliptic operators that have an associated base

Identification of a Compound Spinel and Silicate Presolar Grain in a Chondritic Interplanetary Dust Particle

Science.gov (United States)

Nguyen, A. N.; Nakamura-Messenger, K.; Messenger, S.; Keller, L. P.; Kloeck, W.

2014-01-01

Anhydrous chondritic porous interplanetary dust particles (CP IDPs) have undergone minimal parent body alteration and contain an assemblage of highly primitive materials, including molecular cloud material, presolar grains, and material that formed in the early solar nebula [1-3]. The exact parent bodies of individual IDPs are not known, but IDPs that have extremely high abundances of presolar silicates (up to 1.5%) most likely have cometary origins [1, 4]. The presolar grain abundance among these minimally altered CP IDPs varies widely. "Isotopically primitive" IDPs distinguished by anomalous bulk N isotopic compositions, numerous 15N-rich hotspots, and some C isotopic anomalies have higher average abundances of presolar grains (375 ppm) than IDPs with isotopically normal bulk N (<10 ppm) [5]. Some D and N isotopic anomalies have been linked to carbonaceous matter, though this material is only rarely isotopically anomalous in C [1, 5, 6]. Previous studies of the bulk chemistry and, in some samples, the mineralogy of select anhydrous CP IDPs indicate a link between high C abundance and pyroxene-dominated mineralogy [7]. In this study, we conduct coordinated mineralogical and isotopic analyses of samples that were analyzed by [7] to characterize isotopically anomalous materials and to establish possible correlations with C abundance.

Grain orientation and strain measurements in sub-micron wide passivated individual aluminum test structures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tamura, N.; Valek, B.C.; Spolenak, R.; MacDowell, A.A.; Celestre, R.S.; Padmore, H.A.; Brown, W.L.; Marieb, T.; Bravman, J.C.; Batterman, B.W.; Patel, J.R.

2001-01-01

An X-ray microdiffraction dedicated beamline, combining white and monochromatic beam capabilities, has been built at the Advanced Light Source. The purpose of this beamline is to address the myriad of problems in Materials Science and Physics that require submicron x-ray beams for structural characterization. Many such problems are found in the general area of thin films and nano-materials. For instance, the ability to characterize the orientation and strain state in individual grains of thin films allows us to measure structural changes at a very local level. These microstructural changes are influenced heavily by such parameters as deposition conditions and subsequent treatment. The accurate measurement of strain gradients at the micron and sub-micron level finds many applications ranging from the strain state under nano-indenters to gradients at crack tips. Undoubtedly many other applications will unfold in the future as we gain experience with the capabilities and limitations of this instrument. We have applied this technique to measure grain orientation and residual stress in single grains of pure Al interconnect lines and preliminary results on post-electromigration test experiments are presented. It is shown that measurements with this instrument can be used to resolve the complete stress tensor (6 components) in a submicron volume inside a single grain of Al under a passivation layer with an overall precision of about 20 MPa. The microstructure of passivated lines appears to be complex, with grains divided into identifiable subgrains and noticeable local variations of both tensile/compressive and shear stresses within single grains

Mineralogical characterization of quarry fines from Tracuateua city, state of Para, Brazil

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Costa, J.H.B. da; Negrao, R.C.; Angelica, R.S.; Universidade Federal do Para

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to characterize the mineralogy quarry fines samples for its reuse and thus contributing to mitigate the environmental impact caused by this waste. In order to achieve the results, samples were collected and prepared for assays and identification of the mineralogical phases present in the quarry fines from the samples. X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy techniques were used. The quarry of fines characterization was based on qualitatively identification the minerals present in the samples. It was detected the presence of quartz, muscovite and feldspar (albite and microclinite) by x-ray diffraction technique and microscopic and macroscopic observations. Moreover, the size distribution was determined, and the samples presented a medium to fine size (ranging from 9,5 mm to 0,075 mm) and the grains presented an irregular and angular shapes. (author)

Soil moisture memory at sub-monthly time scales

Science.gov (United States)

Mccoll, K. A.; Entekhabi, D.

2017-12-01

For soil moisture-climate feedbacks to occur, the soil moisture storage must have `memory' of past atmospheric anomalies. Quantifying soil moisture memory is, therefore, essential for mapping and characterizing land-atmosphere interactions globally. Most previous studies estimate soil moisture memory using metrics based on the autocorrelation function of the soil moisture time series (e.g., the e-folding autocorrelation time scale). This approach was first justified by Delworth and Manabe (1988) on the assumption that monthly soil moisture time series can be modelled as red noise. While this is a reasonable model for monthly soil moisture averages, at sub-monthly scales, the model is insufficient due to the highly non-Gaussian behavior of the precipitation forcing. Recent studies have shown that significant soil moisture-climate feedbacks appear to occur at sub-monthly time scales. Therefore, alternative metrics are required for defining and estimating soil moisture memory at these shorter time scales. In this study, we introduce metrics, based on the positive and negative increments of the soil moisture time series, that can be used to estimate soil moisture memory at sub-monthly time scales. The positive increments metric corresponds to a rapid drainage time scale. The negative increments metric represents a slower drying time scale that is most relevant to the study of land-atmosphere interactions. We show that autocorrelation-based metrics mix the two time scales, confounding physical interpretation. The new metrics are used to estimate soil moisture memory at sub-monthly scales from in-situ and satellite observations of soil moisture. Reference: Delworth, Thomas L., and Syukuro Manabe. "The Influence of Potential Evaporation on the Variabilities of Simulated Soil Wetness and Climate." Journal of Climate 1, no. 5 (May 1, 1988): 523-47. doi:10.1175/1520-0442(1988)0012.0.CO;2.

GRAIN-SCALE FAILURE IN THERMAL SPALLATION DRILLING

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Walsh, S C; Lomov, I; Roberts, J J

2012-01-19

Geothermal power promises clean, renewable, reliable and potentially widely-available energy, but is limited by high initial capital costs. New drilling technologies are required to make geothermal power financially competitive with other energy sources. One potential solution is offered by Thermal Spallation Drilling (TSD) - a novel drilling technique in which small particles (spalls) are released from the rock surface by rapid heating. While TSD has the potential to improve drilling rates of brittle granitic rocks, the coupled thermomechanical processes involved in TSD are poorly described, making system control and optimization difficult for this drilling technology. In this paper, we discuss results from a new modeling effort investigating thermal spallation drilling. In particular, we describe an explicit model that simulates the grain-scale mechanics of thermal spallation and use this model to examine existing theories concerning spalling mechanisms. We will report how borehole conditions influence spall production, and discuss implications for macro-scale models of drilling systems.

Mineralogical impact on long-term patterns of soil nitrogen and phosphorus enzyme activities

Science.gov (United States)

Mikutta, Robert; Turner, Stephanie; Meyer-Stüve, Sandra; Guggenberger, Georg; Dohrmann, Reiner; Schippers, Axel

2014-05-01

Soil chronosequences provide a unique opportunity to study microbial activity over time in mineralogical diverse soils of different ages. The main objective of this study was to test the effect of mineralogical properties, nutrient and organic matter availability over whole soil pro-files on the abundance and activity of the microbial communities. We focused on microbio-logical processes involved in nitrogen and phosphorus cycling at the 120,000-year Franz Josef soil chronosequence. Microbial abundances (microbial biomass and total cell counts) and enzyme activities (protease, urease, aminopeptidase, and phosphatase) were determined and related to nutrient contents and mineralogical soil properties. Both, microbial abundances and enzyme activities decreased with soil depth at all sites. In the organic layers, microbial biomass and the activities of N-hydrolyzing enzymes showed their maximum at the intermediate-aged sites, corresponding to a high aboveground biomass. In contrast, the phosphatase activity increased with site age. The activities of N-hydrolyzing enzymes were positively correlated with total carbon and nitrogen contents, whereas the phosphatase activity was negatively correlated with the phosphorus content. In the mineral soil, the enzyme activities were generally low, thus reflecting the presence of strongly sorbing minerals. Sub-strate-normalized enzyme activities correlated negatively to clay content as well as poorly crystalline Al and Fe oxyhydroxides, supporting the view that the evolution of reactive sec-ondary mineral phases alters the activity of the microbial communities by constraining sub-strate availability. Our data suggest a strong mineralogical influence on nutrient cycling par-ticularly in subsoil environments.

Matrix mineralogy of the Lance CO3 carbonaceous chondrite - A transmission electron microscope study

Science.gov (United States)

Keller, Lindsay P.; Buseck, Peter R.

1990-01-01

Results are presented on electron microprobe analyses of three CO chondrites, all of which are falls: Lance, Kainsaz, and Warrenton. The TEM mineralogy results of Lance chondrite show that Fe-rich matrix olivines have been altered to Fe-bearing serpentine and Fe(3+) oxide; matrix metal was also altered to produce Fe(3+) oxides, leaving the residual metal enriched in Ni. Olivine grains in Lance's matrix contain channels along their 100-line and 001-line directions; the formation and convergence of such channels resulted in a grain-size reduction of the olivine. A study of Kainsaz and Warrenton showed that these meteorites do not contain phyllosilicates in their matrices, although both contain Fe(3+) oxide between olivine grains. It is suggested that, prior to its alteration, Lance probably resembled Kainsaz, an unaltered CO3 chondrite.

Multiscale characteristics of mechanical and mineralogical heterogeneity using nanoindentation and Maps Mineralogy in Mancos Shale

Science.gov (United States)

Yoon, H.; Mook, W. M.; Dewers, T. A.

2017-12-01

Multiscale characteristics of textural and compositional (e.g., clay, cement, organics, etc.) heterogeneity profoundly influence the mechanical properties of shale. In particular, strongly anisotropic (i.e., laminated) heterogeneities are often observed to have a significant influence on hydrological and mechanical properties. In this work, we investigate a sample of the Cretaceous Mancos Shale to explore the importance of lamination, cements, organic content, and the spatial distribution of these characteristics. For compositional and structural characterization, the mineralogical distribution of thin core sample polished by ion-milling is analyzed using QEMSCAN® with MAPS MineralogyTM (developed by FEI Corporoation). Based on mineralogy and organic matter distribution, multi-scale nanoindentation testing was performed to directly link compositional heterogeneity to mechanical properties. With FIB-SEM (3D) and high-magnitude SEM (2D) images, key nanoindentation patterns are analyzed to evaluate elastic and plastic responses. Combined with MAPs Mineralogy data and fine-resolution BSE images, nanoindentation results are explained as a function of compositional and structural heterogeneity. Finite element modeling is used to quantitatively evaluate the link between the heterogeneity and mechanical behavior during nanoindentation. In addition, the spatial distribution of compositional heterogeneity, anisotropic bedding patterns, and mechanical anisotropy are employed as inputs for multiscale brittle fracture simulations using a phase field model. Comparison of experimental and numerical simulations reveal that proper incorporation of additional material information, such as bedding layer thickness and other geometrical attributes of the microstructures, may yield improvements on the numerical predictions of the mesoscale fracture patterns and hence the macroscopic effective toughness. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by

Improved Characterization and Modeling of Tight Oil Formations for CO<sub>2sub> Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential and Storage Capacity Estimation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sorensen, James [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Smith, Steven [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Kurz, Bethany [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Hawthorne, Steven [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Jin, Lu [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Bosshart, Nicholas [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Torres, Jose [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Nyberg, Carolyn [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Heebink, Loreal [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC); Hurley, John [Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC)

2018-03-09

emission (FE) SEM, and focused ion beam (FIB) SEM. Selected samples were also analyzed for geomechanical properties. X-ray CT imaging yielded information on the occurrence of fractures, bedding planes, fossils, and bioturbation in core, as well as data on bulk density and photoelectric factor logs, which were used to interpret porosity, organic content, and mineralogy. FESEM was used for characterization of nano- and microscale features, including nanoscale pore visualization and micropore and pore throat mineralogy. FIBSEM yielded micro- to nanoscale visualization of fracture networks, porosity and pore-size distribution, connected versus isolated porosity, and distribution of organics. Results from the characterization activities provide insight on nanoscale fracture properties, pore throat mineralogy and connectivity, rock matrix characteristics, mineralogy, and organic content. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that CO<sub>2sub> can permeate the tight matrix of Bakken shale and nonshale reservoir samples and mobilize oil from those samples. Geologic models were created at scales ranging from the core plug to the reservoir, and dynamic simulations were conducted. The data from the characterization and laboratory-based activities were integrated into modeling research activities to determine the fundamental mechanisms controlling fluid transport in the Bakken, which support EOR scheme design and estimation of CO<sub>2sub> storage potential in tight oil formations. Simulation results suggest a CO<sub>2sub> storage resource estimate range of 169 million to 1.5 billion tonnes for the Bakken in North Dakota, possibly resulting in 1.8 billion to 16 billion barrels of incremental oil.

Evaluation of Rock Powdering Methods to Obtain Fine-grained Samples for CHEMIN, a Combined XRD/XRF Instrument

Science.gov (United States)

Chipera, S. J.; Vaniman, D. T.; Bish, D. L.; Sarrazin, P.; Feldman, S.; Blake, D. F.; Bearman, G.; Bar-Cohen, Y.

2004-01-01

A miniature XRD/XRF (X-ray diffraction / X-ray fluorescence) instrument, CHEMIN, is currently being developed for definitive mineralogic analysis of soils and rocks on Mars. One of the technical issues that must be addressed to enable remote XRD analysis is how best to obtain a representative sample powder for analysis. For powder XRD analyses, it is beneficial to have a fine-grained sample to reduce preferred orientation effects and to provide a statistically significant number of crystallites to the X-ray beam. Although a two-dimensional detector as used in the CHEMIN instrument will produce good results even with poorly prepared powder, the quality of the data will improve and the time required for data collection will be reduced if the sample is fine-grained and randomly oriented. A variety of methods have been proposed for XRD sample preparation. Chipera et al. presented grain size distributions and XRD results from powders generated with an Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC) currently being developed at JPL. The USDC was shown to be an effective instrument for sampling rock to produce powder suitable for XRD. In this paper, we compare powder prepared using the USDC with powder obtained with a miniaturized rock crusher developed at JPL and with powder obtained with a rotary tungsten carbide bit to powders obtained from a laboratory bench-scale Retsch mill (provides benchmark mineralogical data). These comparisons will allow assessment of the suitability of these methods for analysis by an XRD/XRF instrument such as CHEMIN.

Clay Mineralogy of AN Alluvial Aquifer in a Mountainous, Semiarid Terrain, AN Example from Rifle, Colorado

Science.gov (United States)

Elliott, W. C.; Lim, D.; Zaunbrecher, L. K.; Pickering, R. A.; Williams, K. H.; Navarre-Sitchler, A.; Long, P. E.; Noel, V.; Bargar, J.; Qafoku, N. P.

2015-12-01

Alluvial sediments deposited along the Colorado River corridor in the semi-arid regions of central to western Colorado can be important hosts for legacy contamination including U, V, As and Se. These alluvial sediments host aquifers which are thought to provide important "hot spots" and "hot moments" for microbiological activity controlling organic carbon processing and fluxes in the subsurface. Relatively little is known about the clay mineralogy of these alluvial aquifers and the parent alluvial sediments in spite of the fact that they commonly include lenses of silt-clay materials. These lenses are typically more reduced than coarser grained materials, but zones of reduced and more oxidized materials are present in these alluvial aquifer sediments. The clay mineralogy of the non-reduced parent alluvial sediments of the alluvial aquifer located in Rifle, CO (USA) is composed of chlorite, smectite, illite, kaolinite and quartz. The clay mineralogy of non-reduced fine-grained materials at Rifle are composed of the same suite of minerals found in the sediments plus a vermiculite-smectite intergrade that occurs near the bottom of the aquifer near the top of the Wasatch Formation. The clay mineral assemblages of the system reflect the mineralogically immature character of the source sediments. These assemblages are consistent with sediments and soils that formed in a moderately low rainfall climate and suggestive of minimal transport of the alluvial sediments from their source areas. Chlorite, smectite, smectite-vermiculite intergrade, and illite are the likely phases involved in the sorption of organic carbon and related microbial redox transformations of metals in these sediments. Both the occurrence and abundance of chlorite, smectite-vermiculite, illite and smectite can therefore exert an important control on the contaminant fluxes and are important determinants of biogeofacies in mountainous, semiarid terrains.

Scaling-based prediction of magnetic anisotropy in grain-oriented steels

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Najgebauer Mariusz

2017-06-01

Full Text Available The paper presents the scaling-based approach to analysis and prediction of magnetic anisotropy in grain-oriented steels. Results of the anisotropy scaling indicate the existence of two universality classes. The hybrid approach to prediction of magnetic anisotropy, combining the scaling analysis with the ODFs method, is proposed. This approach is examined in prediction of angular dependencies of magnetic induction as well as magnetization curves for the 111-35S5 steel. It is shown that it is possible to predict anisotropy of magnetic properties based on measurements in three arbitrary directions for φ = 0°, 60° and 90°. The relatively small errors between predicted and measured values of magnetic induction are obtained.

Multi-scale mechanics of granular solids from grain-resolved X-ray measurements

Science.gov (United States)

Hurley, R. C.; Hall, S. A.; Wright, J. P.

2017-11-01

This work discusses an experimental technique for studying the mechanics of three-dimensional (3D) granular solids. The approach combines 3D X-ray diffraction and X-ray computed tomography to measure grain-resolved strains, kinematics and contact fabric in the bulk of a granular solid, from which continuum strains, grain stresses, interparticle forces and coarse-grained elasto-plastic moduli can be determined. We demonstrate the experimental approach and analysis of selected results on a sample of 1099 stiff, frictional grains undergoing multiple uniaxial compression cycles. We investigate the inter-particle force network, elasto-plastic moduli and associated length scales, reversibility of mechanical responses during cyclic loading, the statistics of microscopic responses and microstructure-property relationships. This work serves to highlight both the fundamental insight into granular mechanics that is furnished by combined X-ray measurements and describes future directions in the field of granular materials that can be pursued with such approaches.

Forged HITEMAL: Al-based MMCs strengthened with nanometric thick Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} skeleton

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Balog, Martin, E-mail: ummsbama@savba.sk [Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Racianska 75, 83102 Bratislava (Slovakia); Krizik, Peter; Nosko, Martin; Hajovska, Zuzana [Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Racianska 75, 83102 Bratislava (Slovakia); Victoria Castro Riglos, Maria [Centro Atómico Bariloche, Av. Bustillo 9.500, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro (Argentina); Rajner, Walter [New Materials Development GmbH, Römerstrasse 28, 83410 Laufen, Leobendorf (Germany); Liu, De-Shin [National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Rd., Min-Hsiung, 62102 Chia-Yi, Taiwan (China); Simancik, Frantisek [Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Racianska 75, 83102 Bratislava (Slovakia)

2014-09-08

Bulk Al–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} metal matrix composites (MMCs) named HITEMAL (high temperature aluminum) were fabricated in situ by forging compaction of five different types of gas-atomized commercial purity Al powders with a mean particle size in the range of 1–9 µm. As-forged HITEMAL consisted of (sub)micrometric Al grains (matrix) decorated with nanometric thick amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (a-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) skeleton. Low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) free of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were located in the Al grain interior. The Al grain size and the portion of LAGBs increased with the increase in the relative powder surface area. As-forged HITEMAL shows excellent thermal stability up to 400 °C for 24 h. Annealing at temperatures ≥450 °C led to crystallization and morphological transformation from a-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} skeleton to nanometric γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles. Owing to the pinning effect of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase, no Al grain growth took place during annealing up to 500 °C. HITEMAL showed attractive mechanical properties especially when tested at 300 °C (yield strength up to 220 MPa, Young's modulus up to 58 GPa). Despite the presence of a nearly continuous a-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} skeleton along adjacent Al grains, forged HITEMAL materials had reasonable room temperature elongation of 7–26%. HITEMAL's elongation decreased as the Al grain size decreased and with increased testing temperature. The loss in elongation (uniform and total) was attributed to the inhomogeneous flow, which occurred due to high densities of high angle grain boundaries (dislocation sinks) and small content of LAGBs. The strength of HITEMAL stemmed from grain boundary mediated strengthening mechanisms. The results showed a positive deviation from the Hall–Petch plot, which is typical behavior of ultrafine-grained metals. Transformation of a-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} skeleton to γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles led to deterioration of the HITEMAL strength and Young's modulus.

Current percolation and the V-I transition in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} bicrystals and granular coated conductors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Evetts, J E; Hogg, M J; Glowacki, B A; Rutter, N A; Tsaneva, V N [Department of Materials Science and IRC in Superconductivity, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3QZ (United Kingdom)

1999-07-01

There is considerable interest in the dynamics of vortices in granular 'coated conductors' consisting of a 2D network of low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs). The V-I characteristic of the conductor is determined by a combination of flux vortex channelling along the grain boundaries and current percolation within the grain network.In this work it is shown that measurements of viscous flow for a YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} bicrystal LAGB can be applied in a statistical model that predicts the characteristic V-I response for a particular grain-to-grain dispersion of grain boundary angles. (author)

Role of Surface Chemistry in Grain Adhesion and Dissipation during Collisions of Silica Nanograins

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Quadery, Abrar H.; Tucker, William C.; Dove, Adrienne R.; Schelling, Patrick K. [Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816-2385 (United States); Doan, Baochi D., E-mail: patrick.schelling@ucf.edu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816-2385 (United States)

2017-08-01

The accretion of dust grains to form larger objects, including planetesimals, is a central problem in planetary science. It is generally thought that weak van der Waals interactions play a role in accretion at small scales where gravitational attraction is negligible. However, it is likely that in many instances, chemical reactions also play an important role, and the particular chemical environment on the surface could determine the outcomes of dust grain collisions. Using atomic-scale simulations of collisional aggregation of nanometer-sized silica (SiO{sub 2}) grains, we demonstrate that surface hydroxylation can act to weaken adhesive forces and reduce the ability of mineral grains to dissipate kinetic energy during collisions. The results suggest that surface passivation of dangling bonds, which generally is quite complete in an Earth environment, should tend to render mineral grains less likely to adhere during collisions. It is shown that during collisions, interactions scale with interparticle distance in a manner consistent with the formation of strong chemical bonds. Finally, it is demonstrated that in the case of collisions of nanometer-scale grains with no angular momentum, adhesion can occur even for relative velocities of several kilometers per second. These results have significant implications for early planet formation processes, potentially expanding the range of collision velocities over which larger dust grains can form.

Processing cereal grains, thin stillage, and cheese whey to fuel ethanol in a farm-scale plant

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gibbons, W R; Westby, C A

1988-01-01

Hydrous fuel ethanol (95%) and distiller's wet grain (DWG) were produced in a farm-scale plant from corn, wheat, and grain sorghum particles of various sizes, from corn combined with thin stillage-whey, and from various other cereal grains. These variations were made in a search to find the best set of conditions for maximizing the energy balance and minimizing the cost of ethanol production. We found that the optimum hammermill screen size for corn, wheat, and grain sorghum was 1.59 - 2.38 mm. In tests with thin stillage and whey a higher energy balance (2.91) occurred when one part whey was mixed with three parts stillage, rather than the reverse (2.69). However, the reverse (three parts whey and one part stillage) gave a lower ethanol cost ($0.45 liter/sup -1/) than the original ($0.47 liter/sup -1/). Tests with various cereal grains (corn, oats, wheat, barley, rye, and grain sorghum) gave identical energy balance values (2.26) when 10% (v/v) ethanol beers were produced. However, rye ($0.50 liter/sup -1/), grain sorghum ($0.46 liter/sup -1/), and corn ($0.51 liter/sup -1/) yielded ethanol at the lowest net cost. Recommendations for farm-scale plants are also provided.

Anomalous Hall effect in Zn{sub x}Fe{sub 3-x}O{sub 4}: Universal scaling law and electron localization below the Verwey transition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jedrecy, N., E-mail: jedrecy@insp.jussieu.fr; Hamieh, M.; Hebert, C.; Escudier, M.; Becerra, L.; Perriere, J. [Institut des Nano Sciences de Paris, UPMC-Sorbonne Universités, CNRS-UMR7588, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 05 (France)

2016-08-15

We show that the well-established universal scaling σ{sub xy}{sup AHE} ∼ σ{sub xx}{sup 1.6} between anomalous Hall and longitudinal conductivities in the low conductivity regime (σ{sub xx} < 10{sup 4} Ω{sup −1} cm{sup −1}) transforms into the scaling σ{sub xy}{sup AHE} ∼ σ{sub xx}{sup 2} at the onset of strong electron localization. The crossover between the two relations is observed in magnetite-derived Zn{sub x}Fe{sub 3-x}O{sub 4} thin films where an insulating/hopping regime follows a bad metal/hopping regime below the Verwey transition temperature T{sub v}. Our results demonstrate that electron localization effects come into play in the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) modifying significantly the scaling exponent. In addition, the thermal evolution of the anomalous Hall resistivity suggests the existence of spin polarons whose size would decrease below T{sub v}.

Ascertaining Grain Scale Effects Of Seismic Or Aseismic Stimulation Upon Strength Of Near Surface Geological Materials

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bilal Hassan

2017-02-01

Full Text Available Certain peculiarities of inelastic nonlinearity of unconsolidated near surface periodically stressed granular media contributed at micro- scale are investigated to ascertain possible anomalous time dependent strength behavior macro-effects with geotechnicalgeo-environmental implications. Comparative examination of ultrasonic P- and S-wave repeatable displacement response wave-forms in time records and spectra of pulse stimulated both confined dry and fully saturated ceramic grains analogue endorsable by pertinent theory is performed. Examination is primarily aimed at both understanding connectivity of louder response generated by seemingly unobtrusive quieter seismic and aseismic events in granular sediments. Secondarily results impart an enhanced conceptual substantiation of some previously disseminated andor published results. The results hint certain persistive time and frequency restricted occurrences vouching vital insights. It could be unambiguously clarified that subtle acoustic emission andor stick-slip type micro events in stimulated i.e. seismic or aseismic unconsolidated granular sediments do occur. When spread over time andor space their cumulated effect may be capable of altering granular material macro strength behavior. It is clearly deducible from resonant type spectral results that material fragmentation or force chain formation type phenomenon occurs possibly due to macro-scale friction mobilization by grain-scale events. It is further speculated that invisible high frequency events may irreversibly alter grain-scale surface properties andor intergranular friction as pseudo enhanced elasticity type effect more elusive with saturation. An assessment of an examined temporal distribution of grain-scale stick-slip type events when stimulated by P- and S-wave modes is posited to be non-identical. The former as if is retardation associated while the latter relaxation type in a characteristic sense. Presented result forms combined not

Coulombic faulting from the grain scale to the geophysical scale: lessons from ice

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weiss, Jerome [Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Geophysique de l' Environnement, CNRS, 54 rue Moliere, BP 96, 38402 St Martin d' Heres Cedex (France); Schulson, Erland M, E-mail: weiss@lgge.obs.ujf-grenoble.f, E-mail: Erland.M.Schulson@Dartmouth.ED [Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755 (United States)

2009-11-07

Coulombic faulting, a concept formulated more than two centuries ago, still remains pertinent in describing the brittle compressive failure of various materials, including rocks and ice. Many questions remain, however, about the physical processes underlying this macroscopic phenomenology. This paper reviews the progress made in these directions during the past few years through the study of ice and its mechanical behaviour in both the laboratory and the field. Fault triggering is associated with the formation of specific features called comb-cracks and involves frictional sliding at the micro(grain)-scale. Similar mechanisms are observed at geophysical scales within the sea ice cover. This scale-independent physics is expressed by the same Coulombic phenomenology from laboratory to geophysical scales, with a very similar internal friction coefficient ({mu} {approx} 0.8). On the other hand, the cohesion strongly decreases with increasing spatial scale, reflecting the role of stress concentrators on fault initiation. Strong similarities also exist between ice and other brittle materials such as rocks and minerals and between faulting of the sea ice cover and Earth's crust, arguing for the ubiquitous nature of the underlying physics.

Ultra-large single crystals by abnormal grain growth.

Science.gov (United States)

Kusama, Tomoe; Omori, Toshihiro; Saito, Takashi; Kise, Sumio; Tanaka, Toyonobu; Araki, Yoshikazu; Kainuma, Ryosuke

2017-08-25

Producing a single crystal is expensive because of low mass productivity. Therefore, many metallic materials are being used in polycrystalline form, even though material properties are superior in a single crystal. Here we show that an extraordinarily large Cu-Al-Mn single crystal can be obtained by abnormal grain growth (AGG) induced by simple heat treatment with high mass productivity. In AGG, the sub-boundary energy introduced by cyclic heat treatment (CHT) is dominant in the driving pressure, and the grain boundary migration rate is accelerated by repeating the low-temperature CHT due to the increase of the sub-boundary energy. With such treatment, fabrication of single crystal bars 70 cm in length is achieved. This result ensures that the range of applications of shape memory alloys will spread beyond small-sized devices to large-scale components and may enable new applications of single crystals in other metallic and ceramics materials having similar microstructural features.Growing large single crystals cheaply and reliably for structural applications remains challenging. Here, the authors combine accelerated abnormal grain growth and cyclic heat treatments to grow a superelastic shape memory alloy single crystal to 70 cm.

Thin-foil phase transformations of tetragonal ZrO/sub 2/ in a ZrO/sub 2/-8 wt% Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ alloy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bestgen, H.; Chaim, R.; Heuer, A.H.

1988-01-01

Tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO/sub 2/) grains in an annealed ZrO/sub 2/-8 wt% Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ alloy transformed to orthorhombic (o) or mono-clinic (m) symmetry by stresses induced by localized electron beam heating in the transmission electron microscope. Different transformation mechanisms were observed, depending on foil thickness and orientation of individual grains. In thicker grains (≥150 nm), the transformation proceeded by a burst-like growth of m laths, and this is believed to approximate bulk behavior. In thinner grains near the edge of the foil, usually those with a [100]/sub t/ orientation perpendicular to the thin-foil surface, continuous growth of an o or m phase with an antiphase-boundary-containing microstructure was observed. The o phase is believed to be a high-pressure polymorph of ZrO/sub 2/, which forms (paradoxically) as a thin-foil artifact because it is less dense than t-ZrO/sub 2/, but more dense than m-ZrO/sub 2/. In some very thin grains, the t → m transformation was thermoelastic. Furthermore, a mottled structure often occurred just before the t → m or t → o transformation, which is attributed to surface transformation. Aside from the lath formation, the observed transformation modes are a result of the reduced constraints in thin foils

Grain size dependent phase stabilities and presence of a monoclinic (Pm) phase in the morphotropic phase boundary region of (1−x)Bi(Mg{sub 1/2}Ti{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-xPbTiO{sub 3} piezoceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Upadhyay, Ashutosh; Singh, Akhilesh Kumar, E-mail: akhilesh-bhu@yahoo.com, E-mail: aksingh.mst@itbhu.ac.in [School of Materials Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221005 (India)

2015-04-14

Results of the room temperature structural studies on (1−x)Bi(Mg{sub 1/2}Ti{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-xPbTiO{sub 3} ceramics using Rietveld analysis of the powder x-ray diffraction data in the composition range 0.28 ≤ x ≤ 0.45 are presented. The morphotropic phase boundary region exhibits coexistence of monoclinic (space group Pm) and tetragonal (space group P4 mm) phases in the composition range 0.33 ≤ x ≤ 0.40. The structure is nearly single phase monoclinic (space group Pm) in the composition range 0.28 ≤ x ≤ 0.32. The structure for the compositions with x ≥ 0.45 is found to be predominantly tetragonal with space group P4 mm. Rietveld refinement of the structure rules out the coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases in the morphotropic phase boundary region reported by earlier authors. The Rietveld structure analysis for the sample x = .35 calcined at various temperatures reveals that phase fraction of the coexisting phases in the morphotropic phase boundary region varies with grain size. The structural parameters of the two coexisting phases also change slightly with changing grain size.

Crystallographic structure and grain size of polycrystalline Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoparticles and thin films studied with XRD and SEM

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zutz, Folker; Chory, Christine; Riedel, Ingo; Parisi, Juergen [Thin Film Photovoltaics, Energy and Semiconductor Research Laboratory, University of Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg (Germany)

2011-07-01

Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) is a compound semiconductor with an absorption coefficient of >10{sup 4} cm{sup -1} and energy gap of about 1.5 eV. Because CZTS is comprised of abundant and non-toxic precursor elements the semiconductor represents an attractive material for low-cost thin film solar cells. CZTS nanoparticles (NP) were prepared in a low-temperature colloidal synthesis yielding high amounts per synthesis cycle. For thin film deposition the NPs were converted to an ink which can be processed to thin films via printing techniques. Finally, the thin films were annealed in argon atmosphere at different temperatures in order to control the growth of microcrystallites. The photoelectrical quality of the semiconductor sensitively depends on the relative concentrations of the precursor elements (band gap, crystallographic phases) and the average grain size (charge transport). We report on structural investigations (X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy) of CZTS dried powders and thin films processed from inks with varying chemical compositions. Further, the evolution of the grain size was studied as function of the annealing temperature.

Influence of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of 3YSZ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Abden, Md. Jaynul [International Islamic Univ., Chittagong (Bangladesh). Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Afroze, Jannatul Dil [Noakhali Science and Technology Univ. (Bangladesh). Faculty of Science and Engineering; Gafur, Md. Abdul [Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhaka (Bangladesh). Pilot Plant and Process Development Centre; Chowdhury, Faruque-Uz-Zaman [Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Bangladesh). Dept. of Physics

2015-07-01

The effect of the amount of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} content on microstructure, tetragonal phase stability and mechanical properties of 3YSZ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composites are investigated in this study. The ceramic composites are obtained by means of uniaxial compacting at 210 MPa and green compacts are sintered at 1550 C for 3 h in air. The monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO{sub 2}) phase has completely been transformed into tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO{sub 2}) phase with corresponding higher Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} content. The t-ZrO{sub 2} grains induce transgranular fracture mode that has contribution in improvement of fracture toughness. The maximum flexural strength of 340 MPa, Vickers hardness value of 14.31 GPa and fracture toughness of 5.1 MPa x m{sup 1/2} in the composition containing 40 wt.-% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} is attributed to the microstructure with t-ZrO{sub 2} grains as inter- and intragranular particles in the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} grains, which makes it suitable for dental applications.

Ultrasonic-assisted in situ synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Feng Jie [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064 (China); Mao Jian, E-mail: maojianemail@163.com [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064 (China); Wen Xiaogang; Tu Mingjing [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064 (China)

2011-09-15

Highlights: > Fe{sup 3+} as the only Fe source for preparing Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles through in situ cover and sonication method. > Surface modification enables the reduction of the grain size of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. > Increasing temperature reduces grain size of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} until it exceeds 80 deg. C. > Increasing pH values reduces grain size of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} until it exceeds 11. > Saturation magnetizations depend on the grain size of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. - Abstract: Superparamagnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized via a modified coprecipitation method, and were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Zeta potential and FT-IR, respectively. The influences of different kinds of surfactants (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, polyethyleneglycol, oleic acid and dextran), temperatures and pH values on the grain size and properties were also investigated. In this method, Fe{sup 3+} was used as the only Fe source and partially reduced to Fe{sup 2+} by the reducing agent with precise content. The following reaction between Fe{sup 3+}, Fe{sup 2+} and hydroxide radical brought pure Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. The tiny fresh nanoparticles were coated in situ with surfactant under the action of sonication. Comparing with uncoated sample, the mean grain size and saturation magnetization of coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles decrease from 18.4 nm to 5.9-9.0 nm, and from 63.89 emu g{sup -1} to 52-58 emu g{sup -1} respectively. When oleic was used as the surfactant, the mean grain size of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles firstly decreases with the increase of reaction temperature, but when the temperature is exceed to 80 deg. C, the continuous increase of temperature resulted in larger nanoparticles. the grain size decreases gradually with the increasing of pH values, and it remains unchanged when the PH value is up to 11. The saturation magnetization of as-prepared Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4

Shielded high-T{sub c} (Bi, Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (Bi-2223) superconducting tapes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lelovic, M.; Eror, N.G. [Department of Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (United States); Balachandran, U.; Prorok, B. [Energy Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States); Selvamanickam, V.; Haldar, P. [Intermagnetics General Corporations, Latham, NY (United States); Talvacchio, J.; Young, R. [Science and Technology Center, Northrop Grumman, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

1998-11-01

A new composite tape was fabricated in which the primary function of the central Ag-sheathed (Bi, Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (Bi-2223) filaments was to conduct transport current. A YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} (Y-123) thin film was deposited on the top of the Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 tape to shield the applied magnetic field and to protect the central Bi-2223 filaments. The critical current densities of the Y-123-coated, Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 tapes were better than those of an uncoated tape. However, the Y-123 thin film exhibited T{sub c} approx.= 72 K and a broad transition region that shifted the effect to lower temperatures. Furthermore, pole figure measurements showed widely spread a,b planes along the rolling direction, indicating high-angle grain boundaries that diminished the magnitude of the effect. Microstructural observations showed platelike grains of Y-123 with fine growth ledges in the thin film that was heat treated, in contrast with the microstructure of an as-coated thin film that showed large twinned grains. From the processing point of view, the results showed that heat treating Y-123 thin film according to the Bi-2223 tape schedule was compatible with and beneficial for Y-123. These preliminary results may provide a basis for further improvements in processing of long-length Bi-2223 tapes for high-field applications. (author)

Roles of grain boundary and oxygen vacancies in Ba{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}TiO{sub 3} films for resistive switching device application

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yan, Xiaobing, E-mail: xiaobing-yan@126.com, E-mail: mseyanx@nus.edu.sg [Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, College of Electron and Information Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding 071002 (China); Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore 117576 (Singapore); Li, Yucheng; Zhao, Jianhui; Li, Yan [Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, College of Electron and Information Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding 071002 (China); Bai, Gang [College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023 (China); Zhu, Siqi [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 (China)

2016-01-18

Oxygen vacancies are widely thought to be responsible for resistive switching (RS) effects based on polycrystalline oxides films. It is also well known that grain boundaries (GB) serve as reservoirs for accumulating oxygen vacancies. Here, Ar gas was introduced to enlarge the size of GB and increase the quantity of oxygen vacancies when the Ba{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}TiO{sub 3} (BST) films were deposited by pulse laser deposition technique. The experimental results indicate that the RS properties of the device exhibits better in the Ar-introduced BST films than in the O{sub 2}-grown BST films. High resolution transmission electron microscopy images show that an amorphous region GB with large size appears between two lattice planes corresponding to oxygen vacancies defects in the Ar-introduced BST. Fourier-transform infrared reflectivity spectroscopy results also reveal highly accumulated oxygen vacancies in the Ar-introduced BST films. And we propose that the conduction transport of the cell was dominantly contributed from not ions migration of oxygen vacancies but the electrons in our case according to the value of activation energies of two kinds of films.

Compressive strain-dependent bending strength property of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-ZrO{sub 2} (1.5 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}) composites performance by HIP

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reyes-Rojas, A. [Centro de Investigacion en Materiales Avanzados S.C. (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Cd. de Chihuahua, Chihuahua (Mexico)], E-mail: armando_reyesmx@yahoo.com.mx; Esparza-Ponce, H. [Centro de Investigacion en Materiales Avanzados S.C. (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Cd. de Chihuahua, Chihuahua (Mexico); De la Torre, S.D. [Centro de Investigacion e Innovacion Tecnologica (CIITEC)-IPN, D.F. Mexico (Mexico); Torres-Moye, E. [Centro de Investigacion en Materiales Avanzados S.C. (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, Cd. de Chihuahua, Chihuahua (Mexico)

2009-04-15

Nanometric powders and sintered ceramics of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-ZrO{sub 2} (1.5 mol% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}) prepared by hot isostatic pressing HIP have been studied. A detailed crystallographic study has been performed through X-ray diffraction, Williamson-Hall method, Rietveld method and high-resolution electron microscopy HREM analysis. The crystallographic structure data, such as domain size, lattice parameters, wt% phase, and micro-strain direction have been obtained using Rietveld refinement and Williamson-Hall methods. The results revealed that the compressive strain ({epsilon}) increased from 0.56 to 1.18 (10{sup -3}) as the t-ZrO{sub 2} content increased too. The HREM interface study conducted along the [0 0 0 1]Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}||[0 0 1]ZrO{sub 2} zone axis revealed a micro-strain lattice distortion accumulated at the grain boundary due to the ZrO{sub 2} martensitic phase transformation on cooling, t-ZrO{sub 2} grains coalescence and to the grain growth of {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} which cause elongated tetragonal crystals. Micro-strain lattice distortion is adjusted by the shear displacements of the planes (1 1 0) and (11-bar0) along [1-bar10] and [1-bar1-bar0] crystallographic directions, respectively; these planes are arrested by the (101-bar0) alumina plane. In this case, semi-coherent interfaces were observed along the grain boundary. It is verified that the bending strength increased in connection with the strain accumulation and amount of tetragonal structure.

Fe{sub 2} O{sub 3} addition influence on the Sn O{sub 2}.Co O.Nb{sub 2} O{sub 5} varistors system; Influencia da adicao de Fe{sub 2} O{sub 3} no sistema varistor Sn O{sub 2}.Co O.Nb{sub 2} O{sub 5}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Antunes, A.C.; Antunes, S.R.M. [Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR (Brazil). Dept. de Quimica; Castilhos, J.G.R.; Pianaro, S.R.; Zara, J.A. [Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR (Brazil). Dept. de Engenharia dos Materiais; Longo, E. [Sao Carlos Univ., SP (Brazil). Dept. de Quimica; Varela, J.A. [UNESP, Araraquara, SP (Brazil). Inst. de Quimica

1997-12-31

The effect 0.05 to 0.30 mol% Fe{sub 2} 0{sub 3} addition on the electrical and microstructural properties of ternary varistor system composed by tin oxide, niobium oxide and cobaltum oxide was studied in this work. The samples were sintered at 1300 deg C for two hours. The characterizations were performed by Vxi measurements, scanning electron microscopy and X - ray diffraction. The Fe{sub 2} O{sub 3} additions up to 0,10% increased the {alpha} values breakdown electric fields (E{sub r}) and it was observed that the barrier voltage (v{sub b}) depends on the chemical composition. The second phase had high concentration of iron that precipitated in the grain boundaries and inhibited the grain growth during sintering. Fe{sub 2} O{sub 3} concentrations upper 0,10 mol% were deleterious for electrical properties of the ceramics. (author) 7 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.

Benefits of oxygen in CuInSe{sub 2} and CuGaSe{sub 2} containing Se-rich grain boundaries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Feng, Chunbao, E-mail: chunbaofeng@126.com [Department of Mathematics and Physics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065 (China); Luo, Min; Li, Bolin; Li, Dengfeng [Department of Mathematics and Physics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065 (China); Nie, Jinlan [Department of Applied Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 (China); Dong, Huining [Department of Mathematics and Physics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065 (China)

2014-05-01

Using density functional theory calculation, we show that oxygen (O) exhibits an interesting effect in CuInSe{sub 2} and CuGaSe{sub 2}. The Se atoms with dangling bonds in a Se-rich Σ3 (114) grain boundary (GB) create deep gap states due to strong interaction between Se atoms. However, when such a Se atom is substituted by an O atom, the deep gap states can be shifted into valence band, making the site no longer a harmful non-radiative recombination center. We find that O atoms prefer energetically to substitute these Se atoms and induce significant lattice relaxation due to their smaller atomic size and stronger electronegativity, which effectively reduces the anion–anion interaction. Consequently, the deep gap states are shifted to lower energy regions close or even below the top of the valence band.

Reconstructing the Holocene depositional environments along the northern coast of Sfax (Tunisia): Mineralogical and sedimentological approaches

Science.gov (United States)

Lamourou, Ali; Touir, Jamel; Fagel, Nathalie

2017-05-01

A sedimentological and mineralogical study of sedimentary cores allowed reconstructing the evolution of depositional environments along the Northern coast of Sfax (Tunisia). The aim of this research work is to identify the factors controlling the sedimentation from the Holocene to the Present time. Three 30-m sediment cores collected by drilling at 30 m water depth were analyzed for their color, magnetic susceptibility signal, grain size by laser diffraction, organic matter content by loss of ignition, carbonate content by calcimetry and mineralogy by X-ray diffraction on bulk powder and clay <2 μm. They broadly present the same sedimentological and mineralogical features. Microscopical observations of petrographic slides allowed identifying six main sedimentary facies. Bulk mineralogical assemblages comprised clay minerals, quartz, calcite, gypsum and K-feldspars were examined. Considerable change was observed in the carbonate content that mimicked the bioclaste abundance and diluted the detrital minerals (clay minerals, quartz and feldspars). The gypsum mainly occurred in the lower sedimentary columns (SC12 and SC9) and in the upper/middle of core SC6. The clay fraction was made of a mixture of kaolinite, illite, smectite and palygorskite with no clear variation through core depth. Both grain-size parameters and magnetic susceptibility profile showed a sharp transition in the upper 2-5 m of the sedimentological columns. Coarse, sandy to gravely sediments characterized by a low magnetic susceptibility signal were replaced by fine bioclastic-rich clayey sediments. The analysis of vertical succession of depositional facies revealed a fluvial depositional environment (coastal plain) basically marked by fluvial channels and inundation plains at the bottom of all cores. However, core-top sediments recorded a littoral marine environment with sand depositions rich in gastropods, lamellibranches and algæ. Depositional facies, sedimentological and mineralogical

Influence of grain size and ordering degree of the parent phase on M/sub s/ in a CuZnAl alloy containing boron

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jianxin, W.; Bohong, J.; Hsu, T.Y.

1988-01-01

In this paper, the influence of the average grain size and ordering degree of the parent phase on the starting temperature of thermoelastic martensitic transformation in a Cu-25.62 Zn-3.97 Al-0.0018 B (wt%) shape memory alloy is studied. Based on the thermodynamics of phase transformation, a linear relationship between the starting temperature of martensitic transformation and the reciprocal of the square root of grain size is obtained, i.e. M/sub s/ temperature decreases with increasing grain size. Application of Landau's theory gives a quantitative relationship between M/sub s/ temperature and the ordering parameter of the parent phase, which is confirmed by the results of X-ray diffraction and electric resistance measurement. The activation energy of the ordering process is calculated to be 46 kJ/mol

Effect of pulse current parameters on microstructure of tungsten coating electroplated from Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4}–WO{sub 3}–NaPO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiang, Fan; Zhang, Yingchun, E-mail: zycustb@163.com; Sun, Ningbo; Len, Jiaxun

2015-03-15

Highlights: • Tungsten coatings were electroplated on cooper alloy by pulse plating. • Increasing current density resulted in an increase in grain size of tungsten coating. • With the increase in duty cycle, the grain size of tungsten coating increased. • The pulse period had an insignificant effect on the tungsten grain size. - Abstract: The tungsten coatings with low oxygen content were prepared on copper alloy substrate by pulse electroplating in Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4}–WO{sub 3}–NaPO{sub 3} molten salt. A series of tungsten coatings with compact morphologies were successfully obtained under various conditions. The influences of current density, duty cycle and period on tungsten grain size and coatings thickness were investigated. The results demonstrated that current density was the most important factor influencing tungsten grain size, which had a positive correlation with current density. The thickness of coating decreased when the current density was up to 80 mA cm{sup −2}. However, the tungsten grain size, tungsten coating thickness and current efficiency changed a little with the increase in pulse periods.

Sediment tracing in the upper Hunter catchment using elemental and mineralogical compositions: Implications for catchment-scale suspended sediment (dis)connectivity and management

Science.gov (United States)

Fryirs, Kirstie; Gore, Damian

2013-07-01

River bed colmation layers clog the interstices of gravel-bed rivers, impeding the vertical exchange of water and nutrients that drives ecosystem function in the hyporheic zone. In catchments where fine-grained sediment supply has increased since human disturbance, understanding sediment provenance and the (dis)connectivity of supply allows practitioners to target sediment source problems and treat them within catchment management plans. Release of alluvial fine-grained sediment from channel bank erosion since European settlement has resulted in the formation of a colmation layer along the upper Hunter River at Muswellbrook, eastern Australia. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) are used to determine the elemental and mineralogical signatures of colmation layer and floodplain sediment sources across this 4480 km2 catchment. This sediment tracing technique is used to construct a picture of how suspended sediment supply and (dis)connectivity operates in this catchment. In this system, the primary source areas are subcatchments in which sediments are stored largely in partly confined floodplain pockets, but from which sediment supply is unimpeded and directly connected to the receiving reach. Subcatchments in which alluvial sediment storage is significant — and which contain large, laterally unconfined valleys — are essentially 'switched off' or disconnected from the receiving reach. This is because large sediment sinks act to trap fine-grained sediment before it reaches the receiving reach, forming a buffer along the sediment conveyor belt. Given the age structure of floodplains in the receiving reach, this pattern of source area contributions and (dis)connectivity must have occurred throughout the Holocene.

Grain size, morphometry and mineralogy of airborne input in the Canary basin: evidence of iron particle retention in the mixed layer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alfredo Jaramillo-Vélez

2016-09-01

Full Text Available Aeolian dust plays an important role in climate and ocean processes. Particularly, Saharan dust deposition is of importance in the Canary Current due to its content of iron minerals, which are fertilizers of the ocean. In this work, dust particles are characterized mainly by granulometry, morphometry and mineralogy, using image processing and scanning northern Mauritania and the Western Sahara. The concentration of terrigenous material was measured in three environments: the atmosphere (300 m above sea level, the mixed layer at 10 m depth, and 150 m depth. Samples were collected before and during the dust events, thus allowing the effect of Saharan dust inputs in the water column to be assessed. The dominant grain size was coarse silt. Dominant minerals were iron oxy-hydroxides, silicates and Ca-Mg carbonates. A relative increase of iron mineral particles (hematite and goethite was detected in the mixed layer, reflecting a higher permanence of iron in the water column despite the greater relative density of these minerals in comparison with the other minerals. This higher iron particle permanence does not appear to be explained by physical processes. The retention of this metal by colloids or microorganisms is suggested to explain its long residence time in the mixed layer.

Sub-scale Inverse Wind Turbine Blade Design Using Bound Circulation

Science.gov (United States)

Kelley, Christopher; Berg, Jonathan

2014-11-01

A goal of the National Rotor Testbed project at Sandia is to design a sub-scale wind turbine blade that has similitude to a modern, commercial size blade. However, a smaller diameter wind turbine operating at the same tip-speed-ratio exhibits a different range of operating Reynolds numbers across the blade span, thus changing the local lift and drag coefficients. Differences to load distribution also affect the wake dynamics and stability. An inverse wind turbine blade design tool has been implemented which uses a target, dimensionless circulation distribution from a full-scale blade to find the chord and twist along a sub-scale blade. In addition, airfoil polar data are interpolated from a few specified span stations leading to a smooth, manufacturable blade. The iterative process perturbs chord and twist, after running a blade element momentum theory code, to reduce the residual sum of the squares between the modeled sub-scale circulation and the target full-scale circulation. It is shown that the converged sub-scale design also leads to performance similarity in thrust and power coefficients. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Molecular dynamics simulations of self-diffusion near a symmetrical tilt grain boundary in UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vincent-Aublant, E.; Delaye, J.M. [CEA-Marcoule, DEN/DTCD/SECM, B.P. 17171, 30207 Bagnols sur Ceze cedex (France); Van Brutzel, L. [CEA-Saclay, DEN-DANS/DPC/SCP/LM2T, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

2008-07-01

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the influence of symmetrical tilt grain boundaries (GBs) in stoichiometric UO{sub 2} on uranium and oxygen self-diffusions. The study was performed on a large range of temperature varying from 300 K to 2100 K. First, the effect of the temperature on the structure and the formation energies of 6 relaxed tilt GBs was investigated. The {sigma}5 and {sigma}41 GBs geometries were chosen to study the diffusion. O and U diffusion coefficients have been calculated and compared to those obtained in a perfect stoichiometric UO{sub 2} as well as in over and under-stoichiometric matrices. (authors)

Orientation and thickness dependence of magnetic levitation force and trapped magnetic field of single grain YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-y} bulk superconductors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jung, Y.; Go, S. J.; Joo, H. T. [Korea Science Academy of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Pusan (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Y. J.; Park, S. D.; Jun, B. H.; KIm, C. J. [Neutron Utilization Technology Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2017-03-15

The effects of the crystallographic orientation and sample thickness on the magnetic levitation forces (F) and trapped magnetic field (B) of single grain YBCO bulk superconductors were examined. Single grain YBCO samples with a (001), (110) or (100) surface were used as the test samples. The samples used for the force-distance (F-d) measurement were cooled at 77 K without a magnetic field (zero field cooling, ZFC), whereas the samples used for the B measurement were cooled under the external magnetic field of a Nd-B-Fe permanent magnet (field cooling, FC). It was found that F and B of the (001) surface were higher than those of the (110) or (100) surface, which is attributed to the higher critical current density (J{sub c}) of the (001) surface. For the (001) samples with t=5–18 mm, the maximum magnetic levitation forces (F{sub max}s) of the ZFC samples were larger than 40 N. About 80% of the applied magnetic field was trapped in the FC samples. However, the F and B decreased rapidly as t decreased below 5 mm. There exists a critical sample thickness (t=5 mm for the experimental condition of this study) for maintaining the large levitation/trapping properties, which is dependent on the material properties and magnitude of the external magnetic fields.

Influence of Si and N additions on structure and phase stability of Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Koelpin, Helmut; Music, Denis; Mykhaylonka, Ruslan; Schneider, Jochen M [Materials Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, D-52056 Aachen (Germany); Laptyeva, Galyna; Ghadimi, Reza; Richter, Silvia; Mayer, Joachim [Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, RWTH Aachen University, Ahornstrasse 55, D-52074 Aachen (Germany); Merget, Florian [Institute of Semiconductor Electronics, RWTH Aachen University, Sommerfeldstrasse 24, D-52074 Aachen (Germany)

2009-10-28

The influence of Si and N in Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5} (space group Fm3-barm) on structure and phase stability thereof was studied experimentally by thin film growth and characterization as well as theoretically by ab initio calculations. It was found that Si and N most probably accumulate in the amorphous matrix embedding Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5} grains. The incorporation of Si and N in these samples causes an increase of the crystallization temperature and the formation of finer grains. N is more efficient in increasing the crystallization temperature and in reducing the grain size than Si which can be understood based on the bonding analysis. The incorporation of both Si and N in Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5} is energetically unfavourable, leading to finer grains and larger crystallization temperatures. While in the case of Si additions no significant changes in bonding are observed, N additions appear to enable the formation of strong Te-N bonds in the amorphous matrix, which are shown to be almost twice as strong as the strongest bonds in unalloyed Ge{sub 2}Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 5}.

Impedance/modulus analysis of sol-gel Ba{sub x}Sr{sub 1-x}TiO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saif, Alaeddin A.; Poopalan, P. [University Malaysia Perlis, Perlis (Malaysia)

2010-12-15

Perovskite-structure-type sol-gel barium-strontium-titanate (BST) thin films with molar formula Ba{sub x}Sr{sub 1-x}TiO{sub 3} (x = 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8) have been successfully fabricated as Al/BST/Pt capacitors. In order to study the role of the grain size in the conduction mechanisms, we present atomic force microscopy (AFM) results. The impedance and the electric modulus of Ba{sub x}Sr{sub 1-x}TiO{sub 3} thin films have been analyzed in order to correlate the effect of the film regional processes on the conduction mechanism. The impedance and the electric modulus complex planes show three overlapping regions as response for the bulk, the grain boundary and the film/electrode interface mechanisms, and an equivalent circuit has been proposed for each mechanism. The conduction mechanism resulting from the bulk and the grain boundaries is discussed; the results show that the grain boundaries have less effect on the conduction mechanism than the bulk.

CCD-Based XRD/XRF for Determining Environmental Mineralogy on Mars

Science.gov (United States)

Vaniman, D. T.; Bish, D. L.; Blake, D. F.; Chipera, S. J.

2000-01-01

Health effects from Martian dusts will be a concern for any manned Mars missions. Nuisance dusts plagued the Apollo astronauts, but dusts of more hazardous mineralogy, in habitats occupied by Mars astronauts weakened by a long-duration mission, may be more than a nuisance. Chemical hazards in Martian regolith attributable to S, Cl, Br, Cd, and Pb are known or strongly suspected to be present, but terrestrial studies of the health effects of dusts indicate that accurate determination of mineralogy is a critical factor in evaluating inhalation hazards. Mineral inhalation hazards such as the Group-I carcinogenic zeolite erionite, which is demonstrated to cause mesothelioma, cannot be identified by chemical analysis alone. Studies of palagonite analogs raise the possibility that erionite may occur on Mars. In addition to health effects concerns, environmental mineralogy has significant importance in resource extraction, groundwater use, and sustained agriculture. The high sulfur and chlorine content of Martian regolith will affect all of these uses, but the nature of mineralogic reservoirs for S and Cl will determine their uptake and concentration in extracted groundwater and in agricultural applications of regolith. Wet chemistry experiments planned for the Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment (MECA) will define some of the consequences of water/soil interaction, but an understanding of the mineralogic basis for water-rock reactions is needed to understand the mechanisms of reaction and to apply the results of a few experiments to larger scales and different conditions.

Transparent conducting properties of anatase Ti{sub 0.94}Nb{sub 0.06}O{sub 2} polycrystalline films on glass substrate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hitosugi, T. [Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan); Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), Kawasaki 213-0012 (Japan)], E-mail: hitosugi@chem.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Ueda, A. [Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan); Nakao, S.; Yamada, N.; Furubayashi, Y.; Hirose, Y.; Konuma, S. [Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), Kawasaki 213-0012 (Japan); Shimada, T.; Hasegawa, T. [Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan); Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), Kawasaki 213-0012 (Japan)

2008-07-01

We report on transparent conducting properties of anatase Ti{sub 0.94}Nb{sub 0.06}O{sub 2} (TNO) polycrystalline films on glass substrate, and discuss the role of grain crystallinity and grain boundary on resistivity. Thin films of TNO were deposited using pulsed laser deposition at substrate temperature ranging from room temperature to 350 deg. C, with subsequent H{sub 2}-annealing at 500 deg. C. Polycrystalline TNO films showed resistivity of 4.5 x 10{sup -4} {omega} cm and 1.5 x 10{sup -3} {omega} cm for films prepared at substrate temperature of room temperature and 250 deg. C, respectively. X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy reveal that grain crystallinity and grain boundary play key roles in conductive films.

Origin of the high performance of perovskite solar cells with large grains

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, Jian; Shi, Tongfei, E-mail: tongfeishi@gmail.com; Li, Xinhua; Zhou, Bukang; Cao, Huaxiang; Wang, Yuqi [Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China)

2016-02-01

Due to excellent carrier transport characteristics, CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} film made of large single crystal grains is considered as a key to improve upon already remarkable perovskite solar cell (PSC) efficiency. We have used a simple and efficient solvent vapor annealing method to obtain CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} films with grain size over 1 μm. PSCs with different grain size films have been fabricated and verified the potential of large grains for improving solar cells performance. Moreover, the larger grain films have shown stronger light absorption ability and more photon-generated carriers under the same illumination. A detailed temperature-dependent PL study has indicated that it originates from larger radius and lower binding energy of donor-acceptor-pair (DAP) in larger grains, which makes the DAP is easily to be separated and difficult to be recombine.

Characterization of grain boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} by atom probe tomography

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schwarz, Torsten; Cojocaru-Miredin, Oana; Choi, Pyuck-Pa; Raabe, Dierk [Max-Planck Institute for Iron Research GmbH, Duesseldorf (Germany); Wuerz, Roland [Zentrum fuer Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW), Stuttgart (Germany)

2012-07-01

Solar cells based on the compound semiconductor Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} (CIGS) as absorber material exhibit the highest efficiency among all thin-film solar cells. This is surprising high in view of the polycrystalline defect-rich structure of the CIGS absorber films. The high efficiency has been commonly ascribed to the diffusion of alkali metal atoms from the soda-lime glass substrate into the CIGS layer, which can render the grain boundaries (GB) electrically inactive. However, the exact mechanisms of how these impurities enhance the cell efficiency are yet to be clarified. As a step towards a better understanding of CIGS solar cells, we have analyzed the composition of solar-grade CIGS layers at the atomic-scale by using pulsed laser Atom Probe Tomography (APT). To perform APT analyses on selected GBs site-specific sample preparation was carried out using the Focused Ion Beam lift-out technique. In addition, Electron Back Scattered Diffraction was performed to characterize the structure and misorientation of selected GBs. Using APT, segregation of impurities at the GBs was directly observed. APT data of various types of GBs are presented and discussed with respect to the possible effects on the cell efficiency.

Preliminary analysis of the regolithic clay covers from the region of Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, aiming to evaluate its use in the traditional ceramic industry; Analise preliminar das coberturas regoliticas argilosas da regiao de Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brasil, visando sua utilizacao na industria de ceramica vermelha

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gaspar, Junior, L A; Varajao, A F.D.C. [Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), MG (Brazil). Escola de Minas. Dept. de Geologia; Moreno, M M.T. [Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP (Brazil). Dept. de Petrologia e Metalogenia

2009-07-01

The region of Alfenas, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is predominantly constituted of Pre-Cambrian rocks with well developed alteration profiles in association with colluvial and alluvial sediments. No study to date has examined in detail its potential use in the ceramic industry. The scarce knowledge of its mineralogical and technological properties limits its value and consequently its industrial use. Until now, these clay materials have been used in a rudimental manner, in small scale in the fabrication of red tiles. The present study aimed at analyzing these clays mineralogically (X-ray diffraction), chemically (major and minor elements by X-ray fluorescence and organic carbon analysis) and technologically (pressing granulometric distribution; mechanical resistance; water absorption, apparent porosity; linear firing shrinkage; color of firing and others) in order to better understand the raw material and develop adequate technological applications. The best results of ceramic properties were the samples with higher organic content (more plastic clays) and higher values of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (kaolinite and gibbsite) and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} as well lower SiO{sub 2} content and finer grain size which contribute to a better sintering. (author)

Microstructural characterization of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} ODS-Fe-Cr model alloys

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Castro, V. de [Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PH (United Kingdom)], E-mail: vanessa.decastro@materials.ox.ac.uk; Leguey, T.; Munoz, A.; Monge, M.A.; Pareja, R. [Departamento de Fisica, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Leganes (Spain); Marquis, E.A.; Lozano-Perez, S.; Jenkins, M.L. [Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PH (United Kingdom)

2009-04-30

Two Fe-12 wt% Cr alloys, one containing 0.4 wt% Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and the other Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}-free, have been produced by mechanical alloying followed by hot isostatic pressing. These oxide dispersion strengthened and reference alloys were characterized both in the as-HIPed state and after tempering by transmission electron microscopy and atom-probe tomography. The as-HIPed alloys exhibited the characteristic microstructure of lath martensite and contained a high density of dislocations. Small voids with sizes <10 nm were also observed. Both alloys also contained M{sub 3}C and M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides (M = Cr, Fe) probably as a result of C ingress during milling. After tempering at 1023 K for 4 h the microstructures had partially recovered. In the recovered regions, martensite laths were replaced by equiaxed grains in which M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides decorated the grain boundaries. In the ODS alloy nanoparticles containing Y were commonly observed within grains, although they were also present at grain boundaries and adjacent to large carbides.

Effects of grain size and test temperature on ductility and fracture behavior of a b-doped Ni/sub 3/Al alloy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Takeyama, M.; Liu, C.T.

1988-01-01

Effect of grain size on ductility and fracture behavior of boron-doped Ni/sub 3/Al(Ni-23Al-0.5Hf, at.%) was studied by tensile tests using a strain rate of 3.3 x 10/sup -3/s/sup -1/ at temperatures to 1000 0 C under a high vacuum of 0 C, the alloy showed essentially ductile transgranular fracture with more than 30% elongation whereas it exhibited ductile grain-boundary fracture in the temperature range from 700 to 800 0 C. In both cases, the ductility was insensitive to grain size. On the other hand, at room temperatures above 800 0 C, the ductility decreased from about 17 to 0% with increasing grain size. The corresponding fracture mode changed from grain-boundary fracture with dynamic recrystallization to brittle grain-boundary fracture. The ductile transgranular fracture at lower temperatures is explained by stress concentration at the intersection of slip bands. The grain-size dependence of ductility is interpreted in terms of stress concentration at the grain boundaries. Finally, it is suggested that the temperature dependence of ductility in this alloy might be related to the thermal behavior of boron segregated to the grain boundaries

Atomic-scale simulation of dust grain collisions: Surface chemistry and dissipation beyond existing theory

Science.gov (United States)

Quadery, Abrar H.; Doan, Baochi D.; Tucker, William C.; Dove, Adrienne R.; Schelling, Patrick K.

2017-10-01

The early stages of planet formation involve steps where submicron-sized dust particles collide to form aggregates. However, the mechanism through which millimeter-sized particles aggregate to kilometer-sized planetesimals is still not understood. Dust grain collision experiments carried out in the environment of the Earth lead to the prediction of a 'bouncing barrier' at millimeter-sizes. Theoretical models, e.g., Johnson-Kendall-Roberts and Derjaguin-Muller-Toporov theories, lack two key features, namely the chemistry of dust grain surfaces, and a mechanism for atomic-scale dissipation of energy. Moreover, interaction strengths in these models are parameterized based on experiments done in the Earth's environment. To address these issues, we performed atomic-scale simulations of collisions between nonhydroxylated and hydroxylated amorphous silica nanoparticles. We used the ReaxFF approach which enables modeling chemical reactions using an empirical potential. We found that nonhydroxylated nanograins tend to adhere with much higher probability than suggested by existing theories. By contrast, hydroxylated nanograins exhibit a strong tendency to bounce. Also, the interaction between dust grains has the characteristics of a strong chemical force instead of weak van der Waals forces. This suggests that the formation of strong chemical bonds and dissipation via internal atomic vibration may result in aggregation beyond what is expected based on our current understanding. Our results also indicate that experiments should more carefully consider surface conditions to mimic the space environment. We also report results of simulations with molten silica nanoparticles. It is found that molten particles are more likely to adhere due to viscous dissipation, which supports theories that suggest aggregation to kilometer scales might require grains to be in a molten state.

Variational Multi-Scale method with spectral approximation of the sub-scales.

KAUST Repository

Dia, Ben Mansour

2015-01-07

A variational multi-scale method where the sub-grid scales are computed by spectral approximations is presented. It is based upon an extension of the spectral theorem to non necessarily self-adjoint elliptic operators that have an associated base of eigenfunctions which are orthonormal in weighted L2 spaces. We propose a feasible VMS-spectral method by truncation of this spectral expansion to a nite number of modes.

Relation between Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grain alignment and coercive force decrease ratio in NdFeB sintered magnets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matsuura, Yutaka, E-mail: Yutaka_Matsuura@hitachi-metals.co.jp [Hitachi Metals Ltd., NEOMAX Division, 2-15-17 Egawa, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0013 (Japan); Hoshijima, Jun; Ishii, Rintaro [Hitachi Metals Ltd., NEOMAX Division, 2-15-17 Egawa, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0013 (Japan)

2013-06-15

It was found that the coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets decreases as the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grain alignment improves. Because of this phenomenon, studies looked at the relation between this alignment and the coercive force decrease ratio. In experiments, it was expected that the coercive force of perfectly aligned magnet reached 0.7 of coercive force in istotropically aligned magnet. When it is postulated that the coercive force is determined by the Stoner–Wohlfarth model, coercive force increases as the alignment improves and it becomes difficult to explain our experimental data. On the other hand, when the coercive force is determined by magnetic domain wall motion, the coercive force decreases as the alignment improves and the coercive force of the perfectly aligned magnet reaches 1/√(2) of the isotropically aligned magnet. This tendency and value was very close to our data. It strongly suggests that the coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets is determined by the domain wall motion. - Highlights: ► Coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets decreases as grains alignment improves. ► Coercive force decrease ratio reaches −30% at the perfect aligned magnet. ►These experimental results are different from the Stoner–Wohlfarth model. ► The magnetic domain wall motion could explain this coercive force decrease ratio.

The mineralogical characterization of tellurium in copper anodes

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, T. T.; Dutrizac, J. E.

1993-12-01

A mineralogical study of a «normal» commercial copper anode and six tellurium-rich copper anodes from the CCR Refinery of the Noranda Copper Smelting and Refining Company was carried out to identify the tellurium carriers and their relative abundances. In all the anodes, the major tellurium carrier is the Cu2Se-Cu2Te phase which occurs as a constituent of complex inclusions at the copper grain boundaries. In tellurium-rich anodes, the molar tellurium content of the Cu2Se-Cu2Te phase can exceed that of selenium. Although >85 pct of the tellurium occurs as the Cu2Se-Cu2Te phase, minor amounts are present in Cu-Pb-As-Bi-Sb oxide, Cu-Bi-As oxide, and Cu-Te-As oxide phases which form part of the grain-boundary inclusions. About 1 pct of the tellurium content of silver-rich anodes occurs in various silver alloys, but gold tellurides were never detected. Surprising is the fact that 2 to 8 pct of the total tellurium content of the anodes occurs in solid solution in the copper-metal matrix, and presumably, this form of tellurium dissolves at the anode interface during electrorefining.

Mineralogical diversity and geology of Humboldt crater derived using Moon Mineralogy Mapper data

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Martinot, M.; Besse, S.; Flahaut, J.; Quantin-Nataf, C.; Lozac'h, L.; van Westrenen, W.

2018-01-01

Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) spectroscopic data and high-resolution imagery data sets were used to study the mineralogy and geology of the 207 km diameter Humboldt crater. Analyses of M3 data, using a custom-made method for M3 spectra continuum removal and spectral parameters calculation, reveal

Nanoscale spatial non-homogeneity of 3D in {delta}{sub {pi}} Mg{sub 0.9}Al{sub 0.1}B{sub 2} single crystals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Giubileo, F. [CNR-INFM Laboratorio Regionale SUPERMAT e Dipartimento di Fisica ' E.R. Caianiello' , Universita degli Studi di Salerno, via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi (Italy)], E-mail: giubileo@sa.infn.it; Bobba, F.; Scarfato, A. [CNR-INFM Laboratorio Regionale SUPERMAT e Dipartimento di Fisica ' E.R. Caianiello' , Universita degli Studi di Salerno, via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi (Italy); Roditchev, D. [Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, INSP, Universite P. et M.Curie Paris 6, CNRS, UMR 75-88, Paris (France); Zhigadlo, N.; Karpinski, J. [Solid State Physics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich (Switzerland); Cucolo, A.M. [CNR-INFM Laboratorio Regionale SUPERMAT e Dipartimento di Fisica ' E.R. Caianiello' , Universita degli Studi di Salerno, via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi (Italy)

2007-09-01

We have performed I(V) and dI/dV(V) measurements on high quality Mg{sub 0.9}Al{sub 0.1}B{sub 2} single crystals by means of a variable temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) working in magnetic field up to 7 T. c-axis tunneling showed a single gap, probing the three-dimensional Dp that appeared highly non-homogeneous in its spatial distribution on nanometer scale, with an amplitude between 1.5 meV and 2.3 meV. Temperature and magnetic field dependence of the conductance spectra were studied in S-I-N configuration as well as in S-I-S configuration, after pushing the Pt/Ir tip in the sample to capture a superconducting grain at the very apex of the tip. For the largest energy gap (2.3 meV), we found H{sub c2} {approx} 3 T, i.e., a 25% raising with respect to what observed in the pure crystal.

Placer chromite along south Maharashtra, central west coast of India

Digital Repository Service at National Institute of Oceanography (India)

Gujar, A.R.; Ambre, N.V.; Iyer, S.D.; Mislankar, P.G.; Loveson, V.J.

. An examination of the electron photomicrographs revealed several features of the chromite grains (Figure 5 c to f ). Grains display mechanical breaking such as con- choidal to sub-conchoidal fractures, V-shaped impact depressions and irregular cracks... . In this article we describe the occurrence, mineralogy, geochemistry, transport mechanisms, provenance and economic feasibility of the chromite deposit of south Maharashtra coast. Methodology Surficial and sub-surficial samples from various physi- ographic...

Synthesis and enhancement of multiferroic properties of (x)Ba{sub 0.95}Sr{sub 0.05}TiO{sub 3}–(1−x)BiFe{sub 0.90}Dy{sub 0.10}O{sub 3} ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Miah, M.J. [Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh); Department of Physics, Comilla University, Comilla (Bangladesh); Khan, M.N.I. [Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh); Akther Hossain, A.K.M., E-mail: akmhossain@phy.buet.ac.bd [Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh)

2016-01-01

Polycrystalline (x)Ba{sub 0.95}Sr{sub 0.05}TiO{sub 3}–(1−x)BiFe{sub 0.90}Dy{sub 0.10}O{sub 3} [(x)BST–(1−x)BFDO] ceramics were synthesized by the standard solid-state reaction method. Samples prepared from these powders were sintered at various temperatures (900–1000 °C). The crystal structure, microstructure, magnetic, dielectric, complex impedance and magnetoelectric properties of the (x)BST–(1−x)BFDO ceramics were systematically investigated. The X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that (x)BST–(1−x)BFDO ceramics showed a structural transition from rhombohedral to cubic phase. The average grain size increased to a maximum 2.86 μm for x=0.20 and then decreased. M–H plot showed weak ferromagnetism for x=0.00 to 0.30. The magnetization value increased for increasing BST substitution up to x=0.20 due to the modification of crystal structure and then decreased for further increasing due to the nonmagnetic behavior of BST. A significant remnant magnetization (0.086 emu/g) and a coercive magnetic field (103.62 Oe) were also obtained for this solid solution. The complex initial permeability increased with the increase of both BST content (up to x=0.20) and sintering temperatures. The room-temperature dielectric constant increased whereas dielectric loss decreased with increasing BST content because of reducing oxygen vacancies. Impedance spectroscopy analysis confirmed the conducting grains and highly resistive grain boundaries affecting the conductivity but the grains had major contribution in the conduction mechanism. Magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (α{sub ME}) increased with the increase of BST content because of strong interaction between magnetic and ferroelectric domains. The highest value of α{sub ME}=1.67 mV cm{sup −1} Oe{sup −1} was observed for x=0.20 solid solution sintered at T{sub s}=1000 °C because of uniform grains in size and shape at this composition. - Highlights: • (x)BST–(1−x)BFDO ceramics transformed from

Influence of particle sizes on the electronic behavior of Zn{sub x}Co{sub 1−x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinels (x = 0.2, 0.3)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Viñas, R. [Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Álvarez-Serrano, I., E-mail: ias@quim.ucm.es [Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid (Spain); López, M.L.; Pico, C.; Veiga, M.L. [Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid (Spain); Mompeán, F.; García-Hernández, M. [Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales, CSIC, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, 3, 28049 Madrid (Spain)

2014-07-15

Graphical abstract: Relaxor ferroelectric behavior and superparamagnetism in nanoparticles of Zn{sub x}Co{sub 1−x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} obtained in supercritical water. - Highlights: • Title ferrites were prepared by hydrothermal techniques (sub and supercritical). • In supercritical (SCW) conditions highly monodispersive samples were obtained. • All samples are semiconductors; n-type or p-type response depends on the composition. • Superparamagnetic and relaxor ferroelectric response coexist in SCW samples. - Abstract: The effect of composition and particle size on the electrical and magnetic behavior of Zn{sub x}Co{sub 1−x}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinels (x = 0.2 and 0.3) has been studied. Powdered samples of these ferrites have been synthetized by the liquid mix technique and hydrothermal method (in sub and supercritical conditions), leading to average particle sizes of ca. 50 and 10 nm, respectively. They have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and impedance and magnetic measurements. Permittivity values up to ca. 500 were registered at 375 K, which remained almost constant at moderate frequencies, between 10{sup 3} and 10{sup 6} Hz. Stabilization of polarization phenomena is very sensitive to grain size and composition. Dielectric behavior evolves to a relaxor ferroelectric response when grain size becomes nanometric and, particularly, when the sample shows high monodispersion. The conduction mechanism and type of majority charge carriers have been established from Seebeck measurements. The x = 0.3 sample, prepared in supercritical water for the first time, exhibits homogeneous particle size distribution, superparamagnetic behavior and Curie temperature lower than those corresponding to similar microsized samples. The electronic response of the ferrites obtained in supercritical conditions is interpreted considering the possible short scale polarization of nanodomains.

Grain alignment in starless cores

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jones, T. J.; Bagley, M. [Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (United States); Krejny, M. [Cree Inc., 4600 Silicon Dr., Durham, NC (United States); Andersson, B.-G. [SOFIA Science Center, USRA, Moffett Field, CA (United States); Bastien, P., E-mail: tjj@astro.umn.edu [Centre de recherche en astrophysique du Québec and Départment de Physique, Université de Montréal, Montréal (Canada)

2015-01-01

We present near-IR polarimetry data of background stars shining through a selection of starless cores taken in the K band, probing visual extinctions up to A{sub V}∼48. We find that P{sub K}/τ{sub K} continues to decline with increasing A{sub V} with a power law slope of roughly −0.5. Examination of published submillimeter (submm) polarimetry of starless cores suggests that by A{sub V}≳20 the slope for P versus τ becomes ∼−1, indicating no grain alignment at greater optical depths. Combining these two data sets, we find good evidence that, in the absence of a central illuminating source, the dust grains in dense molecular cloud cores with no internal radiation source cease to become aligned with the local magnetic field at optical depths greater than A{sub V}∼20. A simple model relating the alignment efficiency to the optical depth into the cloud reproduces the observations well.

PROPERTIES OF DUST GRAINS PROBED WITH EXTINCTION CURVES

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nozawa, Takaya; Fukugita, Masataka [Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (WPI), University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8583 (Japan)

2013-06-10

Modern data of the extinction curve from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared are revisited to study properties of dust grains in the Milky Way (MW) and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We confirm that the graphite-silicate mixture of grains yields the observed extinction curve with the simple power-law distribution of the grain size but with a cutoff at some maximal size: the parameters are tightly constrained to be q = 3.5 {+-} 0.2 for the size distribution a {sup -q} and the maximum radius a{sub max} = 0.24 {+-} 0.05 {mu}m, for both MW and SMC. The abundance of grains, and hence the elemental abundance, is constrained from the reddening versus hydrogen column density, E(B - V)/N{sub H}. If we take the solar elemental abundance as the standard for the MW, >56% of carbon should be in graphite dust, while it is <40% in the SMC using its available abundance estimate. This disparity and the relative abundance of C to Si explain the difference of the two curves. We find that 50%-60% of carbon may not necessarily be in graphite but in the amorphous or glassy phase. Iron may also be in the metallic phase or up to {approx}80% in magnetite rather than in silicates, so that the Mg/Fe ratio in astronomical olivine is arbitrary. With these substitutions, the parameters of the grain size remain unchanged. The mass density of dust grains relative to hydrogen is {rho}{sub dust}/{rho}{sub H}= 1 / (120{sup +10}{sub -16}) for the MW and 1 / (760{sup +70}{sub -90}) for the SMC under the elemental abundance constraints. We underline the importance of the wavelength dependence of the extinction curve in the near-infrared in constructing the dust model: if A{sub {lambda}}{proportional_to}{lambda}{sup -{gamma}} with {gamma} {approx_equal} 1.6, the power-law grain-size model fails, whereas it works if {gamma} {approx_equal} 1.8-2.0.

Enhanced ionic transport in fine-grained scandia-stabilized zirconia ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Abdala, Paula M.; Lamas, Diego G. [CINSO (Centro de Investigaciones en Solidos), CONICET-CITEFA, J.B. de La Salle 4397 (B1603ALO) Villa Martelli, Pcia. de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Custo, Graciela S. [Gerencia de Area Seguridad Nuclear y Ambiente, Gerencia Quimica, Departamento Quimica Analitica, Centro Atomico Constituyentes, Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica, Av. Constituyentes 1499 (B1650KNA) San Martin, Pcia. de Buenos Aires (Argentina)

2010-06-01

In this work, the transport properties of fine-grained scandia-stabilized zirconia ceramics with low Si content have been investigated. These materials were prepared from ZrO{sub 2}-6 mol% Sc{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanopowders synthesized by a nitrate-lysine gel-combustion route. High relative densities and excellent electrical properties were obtained, even for sintering temperatures as low as 1350 C. Our electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study showed that both the volume fraction of grain boundaries and the specific grain-boundary conductivity are significantly enhanced with decreasing grain size, resulting in a higher total ionic conductivity. (author)

Bench Scale Development and Testing of Aerogel Sorbents for CO<sub>2sub> Capture Final Technical Report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Begag, Redouane [Aspen Aerogels, Northborough, MA (United States)

2017-03-30

The primary objective of this project was scaling up and evaluating a novel Amine Functionalized Aerogel (AFA) sorbent in a bench scale fluidized bed reactor. The project team (Aspen Aerogels, University of Akron, ADA-ES, and Longtail Consulting) has carried out numerous tests and optimization studies to demonstrate the CO<sub>2sub> capture performance of the AFA sorbent in all its forms: powder, pellet, and bead. The CO<sub>2sub> capture target performance of the AFA sorbent (all forms) were set at > 12 wt.% and > 6 wt.% for total and working CO<sub>2sub> capacity, respectively (@ 40 °C adsorption / 100 – 120 °C desorption). The optimized AFA powders outperformed the performance targets by more than 30%, for the total CO<sub>2sub> capacity (14 - 20 wt.%), and an average of 10 % more for working CO<sub>2sub> capacity (6.6 – 7.0 wt.%, and could be as high as 9.6 wt. % when desorbed at 120 °C). The University of Akron developed binder formulations, pellet production methods, and post treatment technology for increased resistance to attrition and flue gas contaminants. In pellet form the AFA total CO<sub>2sub> capacity was ~ 12 wt.% (over 85% capacity retention of that of the powder), and there was less than 13% degradation in CO<sub>2sub> capture capacity after 20 cycles in the presence of 40 ppm SO<sub>2sub>. ADA-ES assessed the performance of the AFA powder, pellet, and bead by analyzing sorption isotherms, water uptake analysis, cycling stability, jet cup attrition and crush tests. At bench scale, the hydrodynamic and heat transfer properties of the AFA sorbent pellet in fluidized bed conditions were evaluated at Particulate Solid Research, Inc. (PSRI). After the process design requirements were completed, by Longtail Consulting LLC, a techno-economic analysis was achieved using guidance from The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) report. This report provides the necessary framework to estimate costs for a temperature swing post

Heteroepitaxial growth of Fe{sub 2}Al{sub 5} inhibition layer in hot-dip galvanizing of an interstitial-free steel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Kuang-Kuo [Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan (China); Chang, Liuwen, E-mail: lwchang@mail.nsysu.edu.t [Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan (China); Gan, Dershin; Wang, Hung-Ping [Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan (China)

2010-02-01

This work presents characterization results on inhibition layers formed on a TiNb-stabilized interstitial-free steel after short time galvanizing. The Fe-Al and steel interface was free from oxide, so that the Fe-Al intermetallic compound could directly nucleate on ferrite grains. Electron diffraction performed in a transmission electron microscope showed that only Fe{sub 2}Al{sub 5} was formed and it had a well-defined orientation relationship of [110]{sub Fe(sub/2)Al(sub/5)}// [111]{sub Fe}, (001){sub Fe(sub/2)Al(sub/5)}//(011){sub Fe} and (110){sub Fe(sub/2)Al(sub/5)}//(211){sub Fe} with Fe substrate. The structure of the interfaces between Fe{sub 2}Al{sub 5} and Fe is discussed. The epitaxially nucleated Fe{sub 2}Al{sub 5} grains on Fe substrate had very small grain size, 20 nm or less, and several variants were intimately mixed. The grains grew rapidly to hundreds of nanometers toward the Zn side.

Impact of energetic cosmic-ray ions on astrophysical ice grains

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mainitz, Martin; Anders, Christian; Urbassek, Herbert M., E-mail: urbassek@rhrk.uni-kl.de

2017-02-15

Highlights: • We use the REAX potential to model dissociations and reactions. • An ice grain consisting of a mixture of small molecules is considered. • The passage of a cosmic-ray ion initiates an ion track. • The track induces a shock wave and disintegrates the grain. • Abundant fragments and reaction products are detected. - Abstract: Using molecular-dynamics simulation with REAX potentials, we study the consequences of cosmic-ray ion impact on ice grains. The grains are composed of a mixture of H{sub 2}O, CO{sub 2}, NH{sub 3}, and CH{sub 3}OH molecules. Due to the high energy deposition of the cosmic-ray ion, 5 keV/nm, a strong pressure wave runs through the grain, while the interior of the ion track gasifies. Abundant molecular dissociations occur; reactions of the fragments form a variety of novel molecular product species.

Magnetic properties improvement of melt spun Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 11.5}B{sub 2} nanocomposites by refractory elements substitution

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chang, H.W. [Department of Applied Physics, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan (China); Lin, Y.H.; Shih, C.W.; Liao, M.C.; Lee, Y.I. [Department of Physics, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621, Taiwan (China); Chang, W.C., E-mail: phywcc@ccu.edu.tw [Department of Physics, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621, Taiwan (China); Yang, C.C. [Department of Physics, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan (China); Shaw, C.C. [Superrite Electronics Co. Ltd., Taipei 111, Taiwan (China)

2016-03-01

Magnetic properties of melt spun Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 10.5}MB{sub 2} ribbons with refractory elements substitution (M=Cr, Nb, Ti, Zr) have been studied. For ternary Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 11.5}B{sub 2} ribbon, permanent magnetic properties of B{sub r}=0.71 T, {sub i}H{sub c}=192 kA/m, and (BH){sub max}=34.4 kJ/m{sup 3} are obtained, and they are significantly improved to B{sub r}=0.73–0.76 T, {sub i}H{sub c}=136–216 kA/m and (BH){sub max}=38.4–52.8 kJ/m{sup 3} with M substitution. Summarized with the results of x-ray diffraction refinement, thermal magnetic analysis, and transmission electron microscopy, the Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 10.5}MB{sub 2} nanocomposites following the optimal crystallization treatment mainly consist of orthorhombic 7:1 and face-center-cubic Co phases. Fine microstructure with average grain size in the range of 12.5−19.6 nm promotes exchange coupling effect between magnetic grains, thus improving permanent magnetic properties. The magnetic field dependence of coercivity reveals that coercivity of the studied Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 10.5}MB{sub 2} nonocomposites is mainly governed by the reverse domain nucleation mechanism. - Highlights: • M substitution refines the grain size. • M substitution strengthens the exchange coupling effect between grains. • M substitution improves hard magnetic properties of Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 10.5}MB{sub 2} ribbons. • The coercivity is mainly governed by the reverse domain nucleation mechanism. • Co{sub 86.5}Hf{sub 10.5}MB{sub 2} ribbons are relevant candidate for RE free permanent magnets.

Mineralogical Diversity and Geology of Humboldt Crater Derived Using Moon Mineralogy Mapper Data

Science.gov (United States)

Martinot, M.; Besse, S.; Flahaut, J.; Quantin-Nataf, C.; Lozac'h, L.; van Westrenen, W.

2018-02-01

Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) spectroscopic data and high-resolution imagery data sets were used to study the mineralogy and geology of the 207 km diameter Humboldt crater. Analyses of M3 data, using a custom-made method for M3 spectra continuum removal and spectral parameters calculation, reveal multiple pure crystalline plagioclase detections within the Humboldt crater central peak complex, hinting at its crustal origin. However, olivine, spinel, and glass are observed in the crater walls and rims, suggesting these minerals derive from shallower levels than the plagioclase of the central peak complex. High-calcium pyroxenes are detected in association with volcanic deposits emplaced on the crater's floor. Geologic mapping was performed, and the age of Humboldt crater's units was estimated from crater counts. Results suggest that volcanic activity within this floor-fractured crater spanned over a billion years. The felsic mineralogy of the central peak complex region, which presumably excavated deeper material, and the shallow mafic minerals (olivine and spinel) detected in Humboldt crater walls and rim are not in accordance with the general view of the structure of the lunar crust. Our observations can be explained by the presence of a mafic pluton emplaced in the anorthositic crust prior to the Humboldt-forming impact event. Alternatively, the excavation of Australe basin ejecta could explain the observed mineralogical detections. This highlights the importance of detailed combined mineralogical and geological remote sensing studies to assess the heterogeneity of the lunar crust.

Mineralogical Diversity and Geology of Humboldt Crater Derived Using Moon Mineralogy Mapper Data.

Science.gov (United States)

Martinot, M; Besse, S; Flahaut, J; Quantin-Nataf, C; Lozac'h, L; van Westrenen, W

2018-02-01

Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M 3 ) spectroscopic data and high-resolution imagery data sets were used to study the mineralogy and geology of the 207 km diameter Humboldt crater. Analyses of M 3 data, using a custom-made method for M 3 spectra continuum removal and spectral parameters calculation, reveal multiple pure crystalline plagioclase detections within the Humboldt crater central peak complex, hinting at its crustal origin. However, olivine, spinel, and glass are observed in the crater walls and rims, suggesting these minerals derive from shallower levels than the plagioclase of the central peak complex. High-calcium pyroxenes are detected in association with volcanic deposits emplaced on the crater's floor. Geologic mapping was performed, and the age of Humboldt crater's units was estimated from crater counts. Results suggest that volcanic activity within this floor-fractured crater spanned over a billion years. The felsic mineralogy of the central peak complex region, which presumably excavated deeper material, and the shallow mafic minerals (olivine and spinel) detected in Humboldt crater walls and rim are not in accordance with the general view of the structure of the lunar crust. Our observations can be explained by the presence of a mafic pluton emplaced in the anorthositic crust prior to the Humboldt-forming impact event. Alternatively, the excavation of Australe basin ejecta could explain the observed mineralogical detections. This highlights the importance of detailed combined mineralogical and geological remote sensing studies to assess the heterogeneity of the lunar crust.

Single-phase ceramics with La{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}Ga{sub 1-y}Mg{sub y}O{sub 3-{delta}} composition from precursors obtained by mechanosynthesis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Moure, A.; Tartaj, J.; Moure, C. [Instituto de Ceramica y Vidrio, CSIC, C/Kelsen 5, 28049 Madrid (Spain); Castro, A. [Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, c/Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, 3 Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid (Spain)

2009-03-15

Dense ceramics with La{sub 0.80}Sr{sub 0.20}Ga{sub 0.85}Mg{sub 0.15}O{sub 2.825} and La{sub 0.80}Sr{sub 0.15}Ga{sub 0.85}Mg{sub 0.20}O{sub 2.825} compositions have been prepared by sintering of mechanosynthesized precursors. The perovskite is synthesized after 85 h of milling in a planetary mill. Single phases have been obtained at conditions that are not possible if traditional solid-state reaction (SSR) method is used. The influence of milling time and composition in the reactivity of the precursors is studied. Highest purity is obtained in Sr = 0.15 and Mg = 0.20 composition, with relative density higher than 97%. The total elimination of typical secondary phases for these compositions, as SrLaGaO{sub 4} and SrLaGa{sub 3}O{sub 7}, allows the total conductivity of the ceramics to be improved. The influence of the grain size and the nature of the grain boundaries on the electrical characteristic of the ceramics are also discussed. (author)

Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of carbonaceous chondritic clasts in the LEW 85300 polymict eucrite

Science.gov (United States)

Zolensky, M. E.; Hewins, R. H.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Lindstrom, M. M.; Xiao, X.; Lipschutz, M. E.

1992-01-01

We have performed a detailed petrologic and mineralogic study of two chondritic clasts from the polymict eucrite Lewis Cliff (LEW) 85300, and performed chemical analyses by INAA and RNAA on one of these. Petrologically, the clasts are identified and are composed of dispersed aggregates, chondrules, and chondrule fragments supported by matrix. The aggregates and chondrules are composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, plus some diopside. The matrix consists of fine-grained olivine, and lesser orthopyroxene and augite. Fine-grained saponite is common in the matrix. The bulk major composition of the clast studied by INAA and RNAA shows unusual abundance patterns for lithophile, siderophile and chalcophile elements but is basically chondritic. The INAA/RNAA data preclude assignment of the LEW 85300,15 clast to any commonly accepted group of carbonaceous chondrite.

Site dependence of the Kondo scale in CePd{sub 1-x}Rh{sub x} evidenced by thermopower

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stockert, Ulrike; Hartmann, Stefanie; Deppe, Micha; Caroca-Canales, Nubia; Geibel, Christoph; Steglich, Frank [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany); Sereni, Julian [Division Bajas Temperaturas, Centro Atomico Bariloche (Argentina)

2015-07-01

CePd{sub 1-x}Rh{sub x} undergoes a continuous evolution from ferromagnetic order in CePd to an intermediate-valence (IV) ground state for CeRh. Close to the disappearance of magnetic order at x{sub cr} ∼ 0.87 unusual behavior of the ac susceptibility and the specific heat was observed. It was explained with a broad distribution of local Kondo temperatures T{sub K} from below 2 K to above 50 K due to the disorder introduced by Pd-Rh exchange. The thermopower S is very sensitive to Kondo scattering even for diluted 4f systems. In Ce compounds a large positive maximum in S(T) is usually observed around T{sub K}. We studied S(T) in CePd{sub 1-x}Rh{sub x} in order to evaluate the presence of Kondo scattering and the involved energy scales. Pure CeRh shows typical IV behavior with a large maximum at 220 K and small values at low T. Already 5 % Pd substitution leads to a strong enhancement of the low-T thermopower. Even larger values are found around x{sub cr}, while the high-T maximum shifts only moderately. Our results are in line with the existence of low (local) Kondo scales in the presence of IV behavior at high Rh content x > x{sub cr}. For lower Rh content a decreasing (average) Kondo scale is found.

Effect of diagenesis on pore pressures in fine-grained rocks in the Egersund Basin, Central North Sea

OpenAIRE

Kalani, Mohsen; Zadeh, Mohammad Koochak; Jahren, Jens; Mondol, Nazmul Haque; Faleide, Jan Inge

2015-01-01

- Pore pressure in fine-grained rocks is important with respect to drilling problems such as kicks, blowouts, borehole instability, stuck pipe and lost circulation. In this study, a succession of overpressured, fine-grained, sedimentary rocks located in the Egersund Basin, Central North Sea, was analysed with respect to mineralogical composition, source-rock maturation and log-derived petrophysical properties to highlight the effect of diagenetic processes on the pore pressure. Pe...

Mineralogy and skarnification processes at the Avan Cu-Fe Skarn, northeast of Kharvana, NW Iran

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mir Ali Asghar Mokhtari

2017-02-01

Full Text Available Introduction The Avan Cu-Fe skarn is located at the southern margin of Qaradagh batholith, about 60 km north of Tabriz. The Skarn-type metasomatic alteration is the result of Qaradagh batholith intrusion into the Upper Cretaceous impure carbonates. The studied area belongs to the Central Iranian structural zone. In regional scale, the studied area is a part of the Zangezour mineralization zone in the Lesser Caucasus. Several studies (Karimzadeh Somarin and Moayed, 2002; Calagari and Hosseinzadeh, 2005; Mokhtari, 2008; Baghban Asgharinezhad, 2012; Mokhtari, 2012 including master’s theses and research programs have been done on some skarns in the Azarbaijan area considering their petrologic and mineralization aspects. However, before this study, the Avan skarn aureole has not been studied in detail. In this paper, various geological aspects of the Avan skarn including mineralogy, bi-metasomatic alteration, metasomatism and mineralization during the progressive and retrograde stages of the skarnification processes have been studied in detail. Research Method This research consists of field and laboratory studies. Field studies include preparation of the geological map, identifying the relationship between the intrusion and the skarn aureole, identifying the relationship between different parts of the skarn zone and also collecting samples for laboratory studies. Laboratory studies include petrography, mineralography and microprobe studies. Cameca SX100 Microprobe belonging to Geological Survey of the Czech Republic was used in order to determine the chemical composition of the calc-silicate minerals such as pyroxene and garnet in garnet skarn and pyroxene- garnet skarn sub-zones. Discussion and conclusion Qaradagh batholith is composed of discrete acid to mafic phases including gabbro, diorite, quartz diorite, quartz monzonite, quartz monzodiorite, tonalite, granodiorite, monzogranite and granite porphyry which is dominated by granodiorite

TEMPERATURE SPECTRA OF INTERSTELLAR DUST GRAINS HEATED BY COSMIC RAYS. I. TRANSLUCENT CLOUDS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kalvāns, Juris, E-mail: juris.kalvans@venta.lv [Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center” of Ventspils University College, Inzenieru 101, Ventspils, LV-3601 (Latvia)

2016-06-01

Heating of whole interstellar dust grains by cosmic-ray (CR) particles affects the gas–grain chemistry in molecular clouds by promoting molecule desorption, diffusion, and chemical reactions on grain surfaces. The frequency of such heating, f{sub T}, s{sup −1}, determines how often a certain temperature T{sub CR}, K, is reached for grains hit by CR particles. This study aims to provide astrochemists with a comprehensive and updated data set on CR-induced whole-grain heating. We present calculations of f{sub T} and T{sub CR} spectra for bare olivine grains with radius a of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 μ m and such grains covered with ice mantles of thickness 0.1 a and 0.3 a . Grain shape and structure effects are considered, as well as 30 CR elemental constituents with an updated energy spectrum corresponding to a translucent cloud with A{sub V} = 2 mag. Energy deposition by CRs in grain material was calculated with the srim program. We report full T{sub CR} spectra for all nine grain types and consider initial grain temperatures of 10 K and 20 K. We also provide frequencies for a range of minimum T{sub CR} values. The calculated data set can be simply and flexibly implemented in astrochemical models. The results show that, in the case of translucent clouds, the currently adopted rate for heating of whole grains to temperatures in excess of 70 K is underestimated by approximately two orders of magnitude in astrochemical numerical simulations. Additionally, grains are heated by CRs to modest temperatures (20–30 K) with intervals of a few years, which reduces the possibility of ice chemical explosions.

Microstructure and enhanced dielectric properties of yttrium and zirconium co-doped CaCu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu, Zunping, E-mail: xzp16213@163.com [Faculty of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715 (China); Qiang, Hua [College of Electromechanical Engineering, Chongqing College of Humanities, Science and Technology, Chongqing 401524 (China); Chen, Yi; Chen, Zhiqian [Faculty of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715 (China)

2017-04-15

CaCu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} (CCTO) ceramics doped with Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, ZrO{sub 2}, and (Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}+ZrO{sub 2}) were prepared by the citrate-nitrate combustion derived powders in order to investigate the effect of dopants on the microstructure and electrical properties. The results showed that giant dielectric response was enhanced by co-doping of Y{sup 3+} and Zr{sup 4+} ions at the Ti site. Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and ZrO{sub 2} additive can inhibit the grain growth. Compared with other samples, (Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}+ZrO{sub 2}) co-doped ceramics exhibit a dense and homogenous fine-grained microstructure. A much better temperature and frequency stability of dielectric properties were realized in these ceramics. The dielectric loss (tan δ) < 0.05 in the frequency range of 200 Hz–60 kHz at room temperature, and in the temperature range of 15–72 °C at 10 kHz was successfully accomplished in (Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}+ZrO{sub 2}) co-doped CCTO ceramics. Low tan δ ∼0.039 and high dielectric constant (ε{sub r} ∼10196) were observed at room temperature and 10 kHz for the above ceramic samples, and the characteristic frequency shifts to higher frequency with increasing measuring temperature. The present results indicate that (Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}+ZrO{sub 2}) co-doping may improve the dielectric properties and increase the grain boundary resistance of CCTO. - Highlights: • Y and Zr co-doped CCTO exhibits a dense and homogenous fine-grained microstructure. • Y and Zr co-doped CCTO performs a lower dielectric loss in wide-range of frequency. • Temperature and frequency stability of dielectric properties were greatly enhanced.

Effect of direct current density on microstructure of tungsten coating electroplated from Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4}-WO{sub 3}-NaPO{sub 3} system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiang, Fan, E-mail: jiangfan1109@163.com; Zhang, Yingchun, E-mail: zycustb@163.com; Sun, Ningbo, E-mail: suningbo682@163.com; Liu, Zhi’ang, E-mail: zhiang_001@163.com

2014-10-30

Highlights: • Tungsten coatings were electroplated from the Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4}-WO{sub 3}-NaPO{sub 3} melt. • Tungsten coating comprised a tooth-like layer and a columnar growth layer. • The average grain size increases as increasing current density. • (2 1 1) Orientation is favored most likely for samples obtained at various durations. • The growth rate of tungsten crystal nucleus is higher than the nucleation rate. - Abstract: Pure tungsten coating with body-centered cubic (bbc) structure was successfully electrodeposited from Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4}-WO{sub 3}-NaPO{sub 3} molten salt at 1153 K in atmosphere. The coatings comprised an inner layer of tooth-like grains and an outer layer of columnar grains with a thin diffusion layer of tungsten in the Cu substrate. The effects of current density and electrodeposition duration on the morphology and microstructure of the coatings were investigated in this paper. With increasing of current density from 50 to 80 mA cm{sup −2}, the grain size of the tungsten coating increased from 7.01 μm to 12.44 μm. With the increase of the current density, the thickness of the coating changed from 25.92 μm to 34.40 μm, and then dropped to 29.72 μm. The preferred orientation of the coatings changed from (2 2 0) to (2 1 1). With the increasing of duration, the grain size and thickness of tungsten coatings increased while the (2 1 1) favored orientation dot not changed. Because of the low current efficiency at long duration of direct current electrodeposition, it should not be suitable for the electroplating of thick tungsten coating.

Translocation mechanism of C{sub 60} and C{sub 60} derivations across a cell membrane

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liang, Lijun, E-mail: michael.lijunl@gmail.com [Hangzhou Dianzi University, College of Life Information Science and Instrument Engineering (China); Kang, Zhengzhong [Zhejiang University, Department of Chemistry (China); Shen, Jia-Wei, E-mail: shen.jiawei@hotmail.com [Hangzhou Normal University, School of Medicine (China)

2016-11-15

Carbon-based nanoparticles (NPs) such as fullerenes and nanotubes have been extensively studied for drug delivery in recent years. The permeation process of fullerene and its derivative molecules through membrane is essential to the utilization of fullerene-based drug delivery system, but the mechanism and the dynamics of permeation through cell membrane are still unclear. In this study, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the permeation process of functionalized fullerene molecules (ca. 0.72 nm) through the membrane. Our results show that single functionalized fullerene molecule in such nanoscale could permeate the lipid membrane in micro-second time scale. Pristine C{sub 60} molecules prefer to aggregate into several small clusters while C{sub 60}OH{sub 15} molecules could aggregate into one big cluster to permeate through the lipid membrane. After permeation of C{sub 60} or its derivatives into membrane, all C{sub 60} and C{sub 60}OH{sub 15} molecules disaggregated and monodispersed in the lipid membrane.

Length-scale dependent microalloying effects on precipitation behaviors and mechanical properties of Al–Cu alloys with minor Sc addition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiang, L.; Li, J.K. [State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi' an Jiaotong University, Xi' an 710049 (China); Liu, G., E-mail: lgsammer@mail.xjtu.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi' an Jiaotong University, Xi' an 710049 (China); Wang, R.H. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi' an University of Technology, Xi' an 710048 (China); Chen, B.A.; Zhang, J.Y. [State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi' an Jiaotong University, Xi' an 710049 (China); Sun, J., E-mail: junsun@mail.xjtu.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi' an Jiaotong University, Xi' an 710049 (China); Yang, M.X.; Yang, G. [Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081 (China); Yang, J.; Cao, X.Z. [Key Laboratory of Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Energy Technology, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China)

2015-06-18

Heat-treatable Al alloys containing Al–2.5 wt% Cu (Al–Cu) and Al–2.5 wt% Cu–0.3 wt% Sc (Al–Cu–Sc) with different grain length scales, i.e., average grain size >10 μm ( defined coarse grained, CG), 1–2 μm (fine grained, FG), and <1 μm (ultrafine grained, UFG), were prepared by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). The length scale and Sc microalloying effects and their interplay on the precipitation behavior and mechanical properties of the Al–Cu alloys were systematically investigated. In the Al–Cu alloys, intergranular θ-Al{sub 2}Cu precipitation gradually dominated by sacrificing the intragranular θ′-Al{sub 2}Cu precipitation with reducing the length scale. Especially in the UFG regime, only intergranular θ-Al{sub 2}Cu particles were precipitated and intragranular θ′-Al{sub 2}Cu precipitation was completely disappeared. This led to a remarkable reduction in yield strength and ductility due to insufficient dislocation storage capacity. The minor Sc addition resulted in a microalloying effect in the Al–Cu alloy, which, however, is strongly dependent on the length scale. The smaller is the grain size, the more active is the microalloying effect that promotes the intragranular precipitation while reduces the intergranular precipitation. Correspondingly, compared with their Sc-free counterparts, the yield strength of post-aged CG, FG, and UFG Al–Cu alloys with Sc addition increased by ~36 MPa, ~56 MPa, and ~150 MPa, simultaneously in tensile elongation by ~20%, ~30%, and 280%, respectively. The grain size-induced evolutions in vacancy concentration/distribution and number density of vacancy-solute/solute–solute clusters and their influences on precipitation nucleation and kinetics have been comprehensively considered to rationalize the length scale-dependent Sc microalloying mechanisms using positron annihilation lifetime spectrum and three dimension atom probe. The increase in ductility was analyzed in the light of Sc microalloying

Superficial alteration mineralogy in active volcanic systems : An example of Poás volcano, Costa Rica

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Rodríguez, Alejandro; van Bergen, Manfred J.

2017-01-01

The alteration mineralogy in the crater area of Poás volcano (Costa Rica) has been studied to constrain acid fluid-rock interaction processes and conditions relevant for the formation of sulphate-bearing mineral assemblages found on the surface of Mars. Individual sub-environments, which include the

Coarse-graining to the meso and continuum scales with molecular-dynamics-like models

Science.gov (United States)

Plimpton, Steve

Many engineering-scale problems that industry or the national labs try to address with particle-based simulations occur at length and time scales well beyond the most optimistic hopes of traditional coarse-graining methods for molecular dynamics (MD), which typically start at the atomic scale and build upward. However classical MD can be viewed as an engine for simulating particles at literally any length or time scale, depending on the models used for individual particles and their interactions. To illustrate I'll highlight several coarse-grained (CG) materials models, some of which are likely familiar to molecular-scale modelers, but others probably not. These include models for water droplet freezing on surfaces, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) models of explosives where particles have internal state, CG models of nano or colloidal particles in solution, models for aspherical particles, Peridynamics models for fracture, and models of granular materials at the scale of industrial processing. All of these can be implemented as MD-style models for either soft or hard materials; in fact they are all part of our LAMMPS MD package, added either by our group or contributed by collaborators. Unlike most all-atom MD simulations, CG simulations at these scales often involve highly non-uniform particle densities. So I'll also discuss a load-balancing method we've implemented for these kinds of models, which can improve parallel efficiencies. From the physics point-of-view, these models may be viewed as non-traditional or ad hoc. But because they are MD-style simulations, there's an opportunity for physicists to add statistical mechanics rigor to individual models. Or, in keeping with a theme of this session, to devise methods that more accurately bridge models from one scale to the next.

Grain distinct stratified nanolayers in aluminium alloys

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Donatus, U., E-mail: uyimedonatus@yahoo.com [School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, England (United Kingdom); Thompson, G.E.; Zhou, X.; Alias, J. [School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, England (United Kingdom); Tsai, I.-L. [Oxford Instruments NanoAnalysis, HP12 2SE, High Wycombe (United Kingdom)

2017-02-15

The grains of aluminium alloys have stratified nanolayers which determine their mechanical and chemical responses. In this study, the nanolayers were revealed in the grains of AA6082 (T6 and T7 conditions), AA5083-O and AA2024-T3 alloys by etching the alloys in a solution comprising 20 g Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} + 30 ml HPO{sub 3} in 1 L H{sub 2}O. Microstructural examination was conducted on selected grains of interest using scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction technique. It was observed that the nanolayers are orientation dependent and are parallel to the {100} planes. They have ordered and repeated tunnel squares that are flawed at the sides which are aligned in the <100> directions. These flawed tunnel squares dictate the tunnelling corrosion morphology as well as appearing to have an affect on the arrangement and sizes of the precipitation hardening particles. The inclination of the stratified nanolayers, their interpacing, and the groove sizes have significant influence on the corrosion behaviour and seeming influence on the strengthening mechanism of the investigated aluminium alloys. - Highlights: • Stratified nanolayers in aluminium alloy grains. • Relationship of the stratified nanolayers with grain orientation. • Influence of the inclinations of the stratified nanolayers on corrosion. • Influence of the nanolayers interspacing and groove sizes on hardness and corrosion.

Transport Barkhausen-like noise in uniaxially pressed Bi{sub 1.65}Pb{sub 0.35}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10+{delta}}ceramic samples

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Garcia-Fornaris, I. [Departamento de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad de Granma, Apdo. 21, P.O. Box 85100, Bayamo (Cuba); Govea-Alcaide, E. [Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de Oriente, Patricio Lumumba s/n, P.O. Box 90500, Santiago de Cuba (Cuba); Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, CP 66318, 05315-970 Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); Alberteris-Campos, M. [Departamento de Engenharia Mecanica, Escola Politecnica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, 05508-900 Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); Mune, P. [Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de Oriente, Patricio Lumumba s/n, P.O. Box 90500, Santiago de Cuba (Cuba); Jardim, R.F., E-mail: rjardim@if.usp.b [Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, CP 66318, 05315-970 Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil)

2010-08-01

We report on the detection of the transport Barkhausen-like noise (TBN) in polycrystalline samples of Bi{sub 1.65}Pb{sub 0.35}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2} Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10+{delta}}(Bi-2223) which were subjected to different uniaxial compacting pressures. The transport Barkhausen-like noise was measured when the sample was subjected to an ac triangular-shape magnetic field (f {approx} 1 Hz) with maximum amplitude B{sub max} {approx} 5.5 mT, in order to avoid the flux penetration within the superconducting grains. Analysis of the TBN signal, measured for several values of excitation current density, indicated that the applied magnetic field in which the noise signal first appears, B{sub a}(t{sub i}), is closely related to the magnetic-flux pinning capability of the material. The combined results are consistent with the existence of three different superconducting levels within the samples: (i) the superconducting grains; (ii) the superconducting clusters; and (iii) the weak-links. We finally argue that TBN measurements constitute a powerful tool for probing features of the intergranular transport properties in polycrystalline samples of high-T{sub c} superconductors.

Grain formation in cool stellar envelopes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Deguchi, S.

1980-01-01

The nucleation and growth of dust grains in the stellar envelope are investigated for the case of oxygen-rich stars, where the mass loss occurs as a result of the radiation pressure on the dust grains. The number density of grains, the final grain sizes, and the final amount of metals remaining in gaseous states are calculated based on the grain-nucleation theory proposed by Yamamoto and Hasegawa and Draine and Salpeter. It is shown that, even if we base our calculations on the Lothe-Pound nucleation rate equation instead of the classical, homogeneous nucleation rate equation, the proposed theory gives a number density of grains quite similar to that based on the classical rate equation. The approximate solution of the flow, in this paper, brings physical insight to the problem of how the formation of grains couples the flow passing the sonic point. The metals in the outer envelope remain in gaseous state by the amount of 1--10% of the initial content for the mass-loss rate of 10 -5 M/sub sun/ yr -1 and by less than 1% for the massloss are less than 3 x 10 -6 M/sub sun/ yr -1 . Species of metals condensed onto the grains are also discussed

Preferential orientation relationships in Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} Ruddlesden-Popper thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacotte, M.; David, A.; Prellier, W., E-mail: wilfrid.prellier@ensicaen.fr [Laboratoire CRISMAT, CNRS UMR 6508, ENSICAEN, Université de Basse-Normandie, 6 Bd Maréchal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex 4 (France); Rohrer, G. S.; Salvador, P. A. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 (United States)

2015-07-28

A high-throughput investigation of local epitaxy (called combinatorial substrate epitaxy) was carried out on Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} Ruddlesden-Popper thin films of six thicknesses (from 20 to 400 nm), all deposited on isostructural polycrystalline Sr{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} substrates. Electron backscatter diffraction revealed grain-over-grain local epitaxial growth for all films, resulting in a single orientation relationship (OR) for each substrate-film grain pair. Two preferred epitaxial ORs accounted for more than 90% of all ORs on 300 different microcrystals, based on analyzing 50 grain pairs for each thickness. The unit cell over unit cell OR ([100][001]{sub film} ∥ [100][001]{sub substrate}, or OR1) accounted for approximately 30% of each film. The OR that accounted for 60% of each film ([100][001]{sub film} ∥ [100][010]{sub substrate}, or OR2) corresponds to a rotation from OR1 by 90° about the a-axis. OR2 is strongly favored for substrate orientations in the center of the stereographic triangle, and OR1 is observed for orientations very close to (001) or to those near the edge connecting (100) and (110). While OR1 should be lower in energy, the majority observation of OR2 implies kinetic hindrances decrease the frequency of OR1. Persistent grain over grain growth and the absence of variations of the OR frequencies with thickness implies that the growth competition is finished within the first few nm, and local epitaxy persists thereafter during growth.

Grain boundary and triple junction diffusion in nanocrystalline copper

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wegner, M., E-mail: m.wegner@uni-muenster.de; Leuthold, J.; Peterlechner, M.; Divinski, S. V., E-mail: divin@uni-muenster.de [Institut für Materialphysik, Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, D-48149, Münster (Germany); Song, X., E-mail: xysong@bjut.edu.cn [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124 Beijing (China); Wilde, G. [Institut für Materialphysik, Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, D-48149, Münster (Germany); Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444 Shanghai (China)

2014-09-07

Grain boundary and triple junction diffusion in nanocrystalline Cu samples with grain sizes, 〈d〉, of ∼35 and ∼44 nm produced by spark plasma sintering were investigated by the radiotracer method using the {sup 63}Ni isotope. The measured diffusivities, D{sub eff}, are comparable with those determined previously for Ni grain boundary diffusion in well-annealed, high purity, coarse grained, polycrystalline copper, substantiating the absence of a grain size effect on the kinetic properties of grain boundaries in a nanocrystalline material at grain sizes d ≥ 35 nm. Simultaneously, the analysis predicts that if triple junction diffusion of Ni in Cu is enhanced with respect to the corresponding grain boundary diffusion rate, it is still less than 500⋅D{sub gb} within the temperature interval from 420 K to 470 K.

Magneto-caloric and magneto-resistive properties of La{sub 0.67}Ca{sub 0.33-x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reves Dinesen, Anders

2004-08-01

. Characteristic grain boundary effects, such as a low-field magnetoresistance, which is absent in single-crystalline perovskites, were observed. The low-field effect is usually ascribed to spin-dependent scattering in grain boundaries. Qualitatively the results obtained for the La{sub 0.67}Ca{sub 0.33-x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} samples were consistent with this model. The resistivity contribution arising from the presence of grain boundaries increased with increasing Sr content. Reducing the sintering temperature also enhanced the grain boundary effects. The samples with low Sr content showed colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) near room temperature ({approx} 20-45 % with {mu}{sub 0}H = 0.8 T). The CMR effect was negligible for the samples with high Sr content. However, these samples exhibited a grain boundary-related magnetoresistance at room temperature. (au)

Effect of Ta buffer and NiFe seed layers on pulsed-DC magnetron sputtered Ir{sub 20}Mn{sub 80}/Co{sub 90}Fe{sub 10} exchange bias

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oksuezoglu, Ramis Mustafa, E-mail: rmoksuzoglu@anadolu.edu.t [University of Anadolu, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iki Eyluel Campus, 26555 Eskisehir (Turkey); Yildirim, Mustafa; Cinar, Hakan [University of Anadolu, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iki Eyluel Campus, 26555 Eskisehir (Turkey); Hildebrandt, Erwin; Alff, Lambert [Department of Materials Sciences, Darmstadt University of Technology, Petersenstrasse 23, D-64287 Darmstadt (Germany)

2011-07-15

A systematic investigation has been done on the correlation between texture, grain size evolution and magnetic properties in Ta/Ni{sub 81}Fe{sub 19}/Ir{sub 20}Mn{sub 80}/Co{sub 90}Fe{sub 10}/Ta exchange bias in dependence of Ta buffer and NiFe seed layer thickness in the range of 2-10 nm, deposited by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering technique. A strong dependence of <1 1 1> texture on the Ta/NiFe thicknesses was found, where the reducing and increasing texture was correlated with exchange bias field and unidirectional anisotropy energy constant at both NiFe/IrMn and IrMn/CoFe interfaces. However, a direct correlation between average grain size in IrMn and H{sub ex} and H{sub c} was not observed. L1{sub 2} phase IrMn{sub 3} could be formed by thickness optimization of Ta/NiFe layers by deposition at room temperature, for which the maximum exchange coupling parameters were achieved. We conclude finally that the coercivity is mainly influenced by texture induced interfacial effects at NiFe/IrMn/CoFe interfaces developing with Ta/NiFe thicknesses. - Research highlights: We discussed the influence of Ta/NiFe thicknesses on structure and grain size in AF layer and texture. A direct correlation between the <1 1 1> texture and exchange coupling was found. A direct relation between average grain size and H{sub ex} and H{sub c} was not observed. L1{sub 2} phase IrMn{sub 3} was formed by deposition at room temperature for Ta (5-6 nm)/NiFe (6-8 nm). We conclude that the coercivity is influenced by order/disorder at NiFe/IrMn/CoFe interfaces.

Processing, microstructure and properties of grain-oriented ferroelectric ceramics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Okazaki, K.; Igarashi, H.; Nagata, K.; Yamamoto, T.; Tashiro, S.

1986-01-01

Grain oriented ferroelectric ceramics such as PbBi/sub 2/Nb/sub 2/O/sub 9/, bismuth compound with layer structure, (PbLa)Nb/sub 2/O/sub 6/, tungsten-bronze structure and SbSI were prepared by an uni-axial hot-pressing, a double-stage hot-pressing and tape casting methods. Microstructures of them were examined by SEM and the prefered textures of the ceramics composed of thin plate and/or needle crystallites were ascertained. Grain orientation effects on electrical, piezoelectric, optical and mechanical properties are discussed

A simple large-scale synthesis of mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} for gas sensing applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Su; Song, Peng, E-mail: mse_songp@ujn.edu.cn; Yan, Huihui; Yang, Zhongxi; Wang, Qi, E-mail: mse_wangq@ujn.edu.cn

2016-08-15

Graphical abstract: Large-scale mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures for gas-sensing applications were successfully fabricated via a facile Lewis acid catalytic the furfural alcohol resin template route. - Highlights: • Mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures with high-yield have been successfully fabricated via a facile strategy. • The microstructure and formation mechanism of mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were discussed based on the experimental results. • The as-prepared In{sub 2}O{sub 3} samples exhibited high response, short response-recovery times and good selectivity to ethanol gas. - Abstract: In this paper, large-scale mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were synthesized by a facile Lewis acid catalytic the furfural alcohol resin (FAR) template route for the high-yield. Their morphology and structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential thermal and thermogravimetry analysis (DSC-TG) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) approach. The as-obtained mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures possess excellent mesoporous and network structure, which increases the contact area with the gases, it is conducive for adsorption-desorption of gas on the surface of In{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The In{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles and pores were both about 15 nm and very uniform. In gas-sensing measurements with target gases, the gas sensor based on mesoporous In{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures showed a good response, short response-recovery time, good selectivity and stability to ethanol. These properties are due to the large specific surface area of mesoporous structure. This synthetic method could use as a new design concept for functional mesoporous nanomaterials and for mass production.

Connecting grain-scale physics to macroscopic granular flow behavior using discrete contact-dynamics simulations, centrifuge experiments, and continuum modeling

Science.gov (United States)

Reitz, Meredith; Stark, Colin; Hung, Chi-Yao; Smith, Breannan; Grinspin, Eitan; Capart, Herve; Li, Liming; Crone, Timothy; Hsu, Leslie; Ling, Hoe

2014-05-01

A complete theoretical understanding of geophysical granular flow is essential to the reliable assessment of landslide and debris flow hazard and for the design of mitigation strategies, but several key challenges remain. Perhaps the most basic is a general treatment of the processes of internal energy dissipation, which dictate the runout velocity and the shape and scale of the affected area. Currently, dissipation is best described by macroscopic, empirical friction coefficients only indirectly related to the grain-scale physics. Another challenge is describing the forces exerted at the boundaries of the flow, which dictate the entrainment of further debris and the erosion of cohesive surfaces. While the granular effects on these boundary forces have been shown to be large compared to predictions from continuum approximations, the link between granular effects and erosion or entrainment rates has not been settled. Here we present preliminary results of a multi-disciplinary study aimed at improving our understanding of granular flow energy dissipation and boundary forces, through an effort to connect grain-scale physics to macroscopic behaviors. Insights into grain-scale force distributions and energy dissipation mechanisms are derived from discrete contact-dynamics simulations. Macroscopic erosion and flow behaviors are documented from a series of granular flow experiments, in which a rotating drum half-filled with grains is placed within a centrifuge payload, in order to drive effective gravity levels up to ~100g and approach the forces present in natural systems. A continuum equation is used to characterize the flowing layer depth and velocity resulting from the force balance between the down-slope pull of gravity and the friction at the walls. In this presentation we will focus on the effect of granular-specific physics such as force chain networks and grain-grain collisions, derived from the contact dynamics simulations. We will describe our efforts to

Grain scale stresses and strains determination by X-ray diffraction; Contribution a l'analyse par diffractometrie X des deformations et des contraintes a l'echelle des grains

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Huang, W

2007-03-15

A new methodology for strain and stress analysis by X ray diffraction (XRD) in single crystal was developed. It can be applied to determine the second order stress (in grain scale) in single and multi-crystal material with non-cubic lattice. This method is based on the method Ortner I. It has introduced the metric tensor G which is deduced from the lattice space measured by XRD. In the developed method, when the crystal reference is non-orthonormal, an orthonormal reference associated with the crystal basis is defined, so all calculation could be done with usual calculation laws. The use of the least square method allows the acquisition of many more measurements than the six absolute necessary. Then a better metric tensor G is calculated and the statistical error is obtained. This developed method was applied in a bi crystal copper. The experimental results have shown that this method is also effective. The second order residuals stresses for coarse Zn grains in a galvanized coating were determined after annealing. The four coarse grains with different orientations were also characterized and demonstrated the elastic and plastic deformation mechanism in a grain or between the grains during in situ tensile loading. So this method is well able to determine the strains and stresses in grain scale in a mono crystal or multi crystal with any crystalline structure. (author)

Oxidant effect of La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O solution on the crystalline characteristics of nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2} films grown by atomic layer deposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oh, Nam Khen [Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134 (Korea, Republic of); Vacuum Center, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), 267 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113 (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Jin-Tae [Vacuum Center, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), 267 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113 (Korea, Republic of); Department of Nanomaterials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113 (Korea, Republic of); Kang, Goru; An, Jong-Ki; Nam, Minwoo [Vacuum Center, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), 267 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113 (Korea, Republic of); Kim, So Yeon [Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134 (Korea, Republic of); Park, In-Sung, E-mail: parkis77@hanyang.ac.kr [Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763 (Korea, Republic of); Yun, Ju-Young, E-mail: jyun@kriss.re.kr [Vacuum Center, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), 267 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113 (Korea, Republic of); Department of Nanomaterials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34113 (Korea, Republic of)

2017-02-01

Highlights: • The La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O aqua solution is introduced as an oxidant in ALD process. • The H{sub 2}O and La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O lead different crystalline properties of ZrO{sub 2} films. • Concentration of La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O solution minimally influences crystalline status. - Abstract: Nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2} films were synthesized by atomic layer deposition method using CpZr[N(CH{sub 3}){sub 2}]{sub 3} (Cp = C{sub 5}H{sub 5}) as the metal precursor and La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O solution as the oxygen source. La element in the deposited ZrO{sub 2} films could not be detected as its content was below the resolution limit of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The alternative introduction of La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O solution to conventionally used H{sub 2}O as the oxidant effectively altered the crystalline structure, grain size, and surface roughness of the grown ZrO{sub 2} films. Specifically, the crystalline structure of the ZrO{sub 2} film changed from a mixture of tetragonal and monoclinic phases to monoclinic phase. The average grain size also increased, and the resulting film surface became rougher. The average grain sizes of the ZrO{sub 2} films prepared from La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O solution at concentrations of 10, 20, 30, and 40% were 280, 256, 208, and 200 nm, respectively, whereas that prepared using H{sub 2}O oxidant was 142 nm. However, the concentration of La(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O solution minimally influenced the crystalline characteristics of the nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2} films i.e., the crystalline structure, grain size, and surface roughness except for crystallite size.

Morphology Dependent Flow Stress in Nickel-Based Superalloys in the Multi-Scale Crystal Plasticity Framework

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shahriyar Keshavarz

2017-11-01

Full Text Available This paper develops a framework to obtain the flow stress of nickel-based superalloys as a function of γ-γ’ morphology. The yield strength is a major factor in the design of these alloys. This work provides additional effects of γ’ morphology in the design scope that has been adopted for the model developed by authors. In general, the two-phase γ-γ’ morphology in nickel-based superalloys can be divided into three variables including γ’ shape, γ’ volume fraction and γ’ size in the sub-grain microstructure. In order to obtain the flow stress, non-Schmid crystal plasticity constitutive models at two length scales are employed and bridged through a homogenized multi-scale framework. The multi-scale framework includes two sub-grain and homogenized grain scales. For the sub-grain scale, a size-dependent, dislocation-density-based finite element model (FEM of the representative volume element (RVE with explicit depiction of the γ-γ’ morphology is developed as a building block for the homogenization. For the next scale, an activation-energy-based crystal plasticity model is developed for the homogenized single crystal of Ni-based superalloys. The constitutive models address the thermo-mechanical behavior of nickel-based superalloys for a large temperature range and include orientation dependencies and tension-compression asymmetry. This homogenized model is used to obtain the morphology dependence on the flow stress in nickel-based superalloys and can significantly expedite crystal plasticity FE simulations in polycrystalline microstructures, as well as higher scale FE models in order to cast and design superalloys.

Mineralogy of soils from two continental-scale transects across the United States and Canada and its relation to soil geochemistry and climate

Science.gov (United States)

Eberl, D.D.; Smith, D.B.

2009-01-01

Quantitative mineralogy correlates with major-, minor- and trace-element chemistry for 387 samples of A-horizon and deeper soils collected from east-west and north-south transects across the USA and Canada, where the deeper soils were collected beneath the A-horizon samples. Concentrations of the major elements correlate with specific mineral phases. Minor- and trace-element concentrations correlate with the same phases as the major elements with which they share similar geochemical behavior. Concentrations of quartz and feldspar correlate with precipitation trends east of the Rocky Mountains, and are independent of the underlying rock type and age, indicating that the weathering of soils in this region may have reached a steady-state mineralogy. Other trends in mineralogy relate to physiographic province. The combination of quantitative mineralogy and chemical analysis yields a much richer portrait of soils than can be gained from chemistry alone, because the origins of chemical trends and the chemical availability of specific elements are related to mineralogy.

Improving chemical solution deposited YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} film properties via high heating rates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Siegal, M.P.; Dawley, J.T.; Clem, P.G.; Overmyer, D.L

2003-12-01

The superconducting and structural properties of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} (YBCO) films grown from chemical solution deposited (CSD) metallofluoride-based precursors improve by using high heating rates to the desired growth temperature. This is due to avoiding the nucleation of undesirable a-axis grains at lower temperatures, from 650 to 800 deg. C in p(O{sub 2})=0.1%. Minimizing time spent in this range during the temperature ramp of the ex situ growth process depresses a-axis grain growth in favor of the desired c-axis orientation. Using optimized conditions, this results in high-quality YBCO films on LaAlO{sub 3}(1 0 0) with J{sub c}(77 K) {approx} 3 MA/cm{sup 2} for films thicknesses ranging from 60 to 140 nm. In particular, there is a dramatic decrease in a-axis grains in coated-conductors grown on CSD Nb-doped SrTiO{sub 3}(1 0 0) buffered Ni(1 0 0) tapes.

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of xMoS{sub 2}–TiS{sub 2} nanocomposites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ye, Yang; Wang, Yulong; Shen, YaWei [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009 (China); Wang, Yifeng, E-mail: yifeng.wang@njtech.edu.cn [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009 (China); Pan, Lin [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009 (China); Tu, Rong [State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070 (China); Lu, Chunhua [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009 (China); Huang, Rong [School of Information Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062 (China); Koumoto, Kunihito [Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute, Nagakute 4801192 (Japan)

2016-05-05

A series of nanocomposite ceramics of micro-scale TiS{sub 2} containing MoS{sub 2} nanoparticles mainly embedded along grain boundaries were prepared and investigated attempting to enhance the thermoelectric performance of TiS{sub 2}. Results show that, compared with that of pristine TiS{sub 2} ceramic, the power factor of the composites was improved by virtues of enhanced Seebeck coefficient that should be brought out due to reduced carrier concentration and electron scattering or filtering at the MoS{sub 2}/matrix interfaces. Moreover, thanks to the significantly reduced thermal conductivity that originated from the intensified multi-scale phonon scattering and the decreased electronic contribution, a maximal ZT value of 0.29 at 573 K was obtained in the sample with 3 mol % MoS{sub 2}, which is 60% higher than that of pristine TiS{sub 2}. These findings promise nanocomposite as an effective approach to suppress its thermal conduction without degradation of power factor and thus to enhance the performance of TiS{sub 2}-based thermoelectrics. - Highlights: • Nanocomposites of TiS{sub 2} including nano-MoS{sub 2} were prepared by SPS. • Distribution of MoS{sub 2} mainly along the boundaries was confirmed. • Seebeck coefficient increased by reduced electron density with electron filtering. • Thermal conductivity decreased by suppressed phonon and electron transport. • A maximal ZT value of 0.29 was obtained at 573 K.

ACCURATE MODELING OF X-RAY EXTINCTION BY INTERSTELLAR GRAINS

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoffman, John; Draine, B. T.

2016-01-01

Interstellar abundance determinations from fits to X-ray absorption edges often rely on the incorrect assumption that scattering is insignificant and can be ignored. We show instead that scattering contributes significantly to the attenuation of X-rays for realistic dust grain size distributions and substantially modifies the spectrum near absorption edges of elements present in grains. The dust attenuation modules used in major X-ray spectral fitting programs do not take this into account. We show that the consequences of neglecting scattering on the determination of interstellar elemental abundances are modest; however, scattering (along with uncertainties in the grain size distribution) must be taken into account when near-edge extinction fine structure is used to infer dust mineralogy. We advertise the benefits and accuracy of anomalous diffraction theory for both X-ray halo analysis and near edge absorption studies. We present an open source Fortran suite, General Geometry Anomalous Diffraction Theory (GGADT), that calculates X-ray absorption, scattering, and differential scattering cross sections for grains of arbitrary geometry and composition

ACCURATE MODELING OF X-RAY EXTINCTION BY INTERSTELLAR GRAINS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hoffman, John; Draine, B. T., E-mail: jah5@astro.princeton.edu, E-mail: draine@astro.princeton.edu [Princeton University Observatory, Peyton Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544-1001 (United States)

2016-02-01

Interstellar abundance determinations from fits to X-ray absorption edges often rely on the incorrect assumption that scattering is insignificant and can be ignored. We show instead that scattering contributes significantly to the attenuation of X-rays for realistic dust grain size distributions and substantially modifies the spectrum near absorption edges of elements present in grains. The dust attenuation modules used in major X-ray spectral fitting programs do not take this into account. We show that the consequences of neglecting scattering on the determination of interstellar elemental abundances are modest; however, scattering (along with uncertainties in the grain size distribution) must be taken into account when near-edge extinction fine structure is used to infer dust mineralogy. We advertise the benefits and accuracy of anomalous diffraction theory for both X-ray halo analysis and near edge absorption studies. We present an open source Fortran suite, General Geometry Anomalous Diffraction Theory (GGADT), that calculates X-ray absorption, scattering, and differential scattering cross sections for grains of arbitrary geometry and composition.

Bench Scale Process for Low Cost CO<sub>2sub> Capture Using a Phase-Changing Absorbent: Final Scientific/Technical Report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Westendorf, Tiffany [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Buddle, Stanlee [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Caraher, Joel [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Chen, Wei [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Doherty, Mark [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Farnum, Rachel [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Giammattei, Mark [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Hancu, Dan [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Miebach, Barbara [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Perry, Robert [GE Global Research, Niskayuna, New York (United States); Rubinsztajn, Gosia; Spiry, Irina; Wilson, Paul; Wood, Benjamin

2017-05-31

The objective of this project is to design and build a bench-scale process for a novel phase-changing aminosilicone-based CO<sub>2sub>-capture solvent. The project will establish scalability and technical and economic feasibility of using a phase-changing CO<sub>2sub>-capture absorbent for post-combustion capture of CO<sub>2sub> from coal-fired power plants. The U.S. Department of Energy’s goal for Transformational Carbon Capture Technologies is the development of technologies available for demonstration by 2025 that can capture 90% of emitted CO<sub>2sub> with at least 95% CO<sub>2sub> purity for less than $40/tonne of CO<sub>2sub> captured. In the first budget period of the project, the bench-scale phase-changing CO2 capture process was designed using data and operating experience generated under a previous project (ARPA-e project DE-AR0000084). Sizing and specification of all major unit operations was completed, including detailed process and instrumentation diagrams. The system was designed to operate over a wide range of operating conditions to allow for exploration of the effect of process variables on CO<sub>2sub> capture performance. In the second budget period of the project, individual bench-scale unit operations were tested to determine the performance of each of each unit. Solids production was demonstrated in dry simulated flue gas across a wide range of absorber operating conditions, with single stage CO<sub>2sub> conversion rates up to 75mol%. Desorber operation was demonstrated in batch mode, resulting in desorption performance consistent with the equilibrium isotherms for GAP-0/CO<sub>2sub> reaction. Important risks associated with gas humidity impact on solids consistency and desorber temperature impact on thermal degradation were explored, and adjustments to the bench-scale process were made to address those effects. Corrosion experiments were conducted to support selection of suitable materials of construction for the major

Interplane redistribution of oxygen in fine-grained HTSC

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Makarov, E.F. [Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 4, Moscow 119991 (Russian Federation); Mamsurova, L.G. [Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 4, Moscow 119991 (Russian Federation)]. E-mail: mamsurova@chph.ras.ru; Permyakov, Yu.V. [National Institute for Physical, Radio and Technical Measurements (VNIIFTRI), Mendeleevo, Moscow Region 141570 (Russian Federation); Pigalskiy, K.S. [Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 4, Moscow 119991 (Russian Federation); Vishnev, A.A. [Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 4, Moscow 119991 (Russian Federation)

2004-10-01

Moessbauer spectra (T = 78 and 293 K) and X-ray (T = 293 K) studies of fine-grained high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 2.985}{sup 57}Fe{sub 0.015}O{sub y} (y = 6.92-6.93, T{sub c} = 91-91.5 K) with the average grain sizes equal to 0.4, 1, and 2 {mu}m are carried out. The redistribution in the intensities of Moessbauer spectra components with the decrease in the average grain size is found. The latter evidences the oxygen content to increase in (CuO{sub {delta}}) basal planes at the expense of its decrease in (CuO{sub 2}) and (BaO) planes. The redistribution of the oxygen between the different planes of the unit cell is accompanied by the decrease in the lattice parameter c. These effects are caused likely by nonequilibrium conditions which are commonly used in preparation of fine-grained HTSC. The assumption about the existence of partial disorder between Y{sup 3+} and Ba{sup 2+} sites in the samples explains the observed changes in the values of {delta} and c parameters. An efficiency of Moessbauer spectra studies for the compounds of YBaCuO type in the case of the enhanced oxygen parameter {delta} and the possibility of its quantitative estimation from the analysis of the intensities of Moessbauer spectrum components is demonstrated.

Removal of tetrachloroethylene from fine-grained soils by electrokinetic processes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Steger, H.; Zorn, R.; Haus, R.; Czurda, K. [Dept. of Applied Geology, Karlsruhe Univ. (Germany)

2001-07-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the mobilization of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) by a bench scale experiment in a naturally contaminated, undisturbed soil core of a fine-grained valley deposit, which was taken on a factory site in Germany. In order to regard the physico-chemical properties of PCE the experiment was carried out in an especially developed laboratory cell. In the beginning of the bench scale test natural in situ temperature conditions of 9 C were simulated in the sample by using an external, infinitely variable cooling. After 6 days the cooling was switched off. During the cooling period the electroosmotic permeability was about 1.5-2 times lower than under laboratory conditions. After 3.5 displaced pore volumes almost all PCE was removed out of the soil. Furthermore, no significant degradation reaction of PCE to trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene, trans-1,2 dichloroethene and 1,1 dichloroethene took place. A variation in the mineralogical composition was determined, due to the production of hydronium ions and hydroxide ions by electrolyse reactions at the electrodes. At the anode region carbonate was dissolved and at the cathode region calcium and magnesium hydroxide precipitated. (orig.)

Study of new CaO-SiO/sub 2/-P/sub 2/O/sub 5/CaF/sub 2/ bioactive ceramic

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shamim, A.; Arif, I.; Siddiqi, S.A.; Shah, W.A.

1997-01-01

A new bioactive glass ceramic having, composition 48CaO-32SiO/sub 2/-16P/sub 2/O/sub 5/-4CaF/sub 2/ has been developed and studied for its physical and biological properties. Like the natural bone in which spastic particles are reinforced by collagen, in the present glass-ceramic, fine grained ceramic particles embedded in a glass matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals wollastonite and oxyfluorapatite as the crystalline part of the glass-ceramic. Scanning electron microscopy of the samples has been carried out to see the grain size and grain distribution. Bending and compressive strength of the glass ceramic have been carried out to measured and found to be 208.60 m.Pa and 788.61 M.Pa respectively. Growth of apatite layer, which is responsible for bonding the broken part of a natural bone, on a bioactive glass-ceramic in a simulated body fluid has been studied. A small rectangular piece of this glass-ceramic has also been implanted successfully in a dog's tibia. (author)

Studies on structural, optical, and photoelectric properties of CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} films fabricated by selenization of chemical bath deposited CdS films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lu, Tianyu; Gu, Han; Ge, Zhenhua; Zhang, Lei; Wang, Zhicheng; Fang, Yong; Han, Zhida; Qian, Bin; Jiang, Xuefan [Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu (China); Wu, Wangping [School of Mechanical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou (China)

2017-02-15

In this paper, high-photosensitive CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} films are synthesized by a two-step technique, which includes the chemical bath deposition of CdS films and a following selenization process. The structural, optical, and photoelectric properties of the CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} films were investigated. With the substitution of selenium for sulfur atoms, grain sizes of the as-prepared CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} films are effectively enlarged and reach the scales of the films thickness when the selenization temperature exceeds 450 C. With increasing the selenization temperature from 350 to 550 C, the band gaps of CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} films gradually decrease from 2.37 to 1.82 eV. Under the co-action of the grain-size enlargement and band-gap decrease, the CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} films fabricated at 450 C show very pronounced photosensitivity. Noteworthy, the ratio of photo to dark conductivity of the CdS{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} film selenized at 450 C reaches 1.1 x 10{sup 5}, suggesting a promising application potential in the photoelectric devices. (copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Impedance and electric modulus analysis of Sm-modified Pb(Zr{sub 0.55}Ti{sub 0.45}){sub 1-x/4}O{sub 3} ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ranjan, Rajiv [Department of Physics, J. Co-operative College, Kolhan University, Jharkhand 831036 (India); Kumar, Rajiv [Department of Physics, J. Worker' s College, Kolhan University, Jharkhand 831012 (India); Kumar, Nawnit [Department of Physics and Meteorology, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302 (India); Behera, Banarji [School of Physics, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Bula 768019, Orissa (India); Choudhary, R.N.P., E-mail: crnpfl@gmail.com [Department of Physics, ITER, S.O.A. University, Bhubaneswar 751 013, Orissa (India)

2011-06-02

Highlights: > The PSZT ceramics with samarium were prepared by solid-state reaction technique. > Bulk resistive contribution is found to decrease with the increase in temperature. > PSZT ceramics exhibit NTCR type behavior usually found in semiconductors. > Modulus plots show the presence of grain boundary along with bulk contributions. > Impedance analysis has confirmed the presence of non-Debye type of relaxation. - Abstract: The polycrystalline ceramic samples of Pb{sub 1-x}Sm{sub x}(Zr{sub 0.55}Ti{sub 0.45}){sub 1-x/4}O{sub 3} (x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.09) were prepared by solid-state reaction technique at high temperature. Electric impedance (Z) and modulus (M) properties of the materials have been investigated within a wide range of temperature and frequency using complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique. The complex impedance analysis has suggested the presence of mostly bulk resistive (grain) contributions in the materials. This bulk resistance is found to decrease with the increase in temperature. It indicates that the PSZT compounds exhibit a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior. The bulk contribution also exhibits an increasing trend with the increase in Sm{sup 3+} substitution to PZT. The complex modulus plots have confirmed the presence of grain (bulk) as well as grain boundary contributions in the materials. Both the complex impedance and modulus studies have suggested the presence of non-Debye type of relaxation in the materials.

Coercivity enhancement of Dy-free Nd–Fe–B sintered magnets by intergranular adding Ho{sub 63.4}Fe{sub 36.6} alloy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liang, Liping; Ma, Tianyu, E-mail: maty@zju.edu.cn; Wu, Chen; Zhang, Pei; Liu, Xiaolian; Yan, Mi, E-mail: mse_yanmi@zju.edu.cn

2016-01-01

High coercivity Nd–Fe–B sintered magnets serving in high-temperature environments always consume expensive and scarce heavy rare-earth Dy, which has simulated considerable interest to reduce Dy usage. In this work, coercivity of Dy-free magnets was investigated through intergranular adding eutectic Ho{sub 63.4}Fe{sub 36.6} powders. The coercivity increases gradually up to 4 wt% Ho{sub 63.4}Fe{sub 36.6} addition, however the remanence starts to deteriorate drastically as the addition is over 2.5 wt%. Coercivity above 18.0 kOe is obtained at the expense of a slight reduction in remanence through optimizing the addition amount and sintering conditions. The coercivity enhancement is explained through microstructural observations and elemental distribution analysis. (i) (Nd, Ho){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B shell forms in the outer region of 2:14:1 phase grains, strengthening the local magnetic anisotropy filed, (ii) RE-rich grain boundary phase with low Fe content is thickened, weakening the magnetic coupling between adjacent 2:14:1 phase grains, and (iii) 2:14:1 phase grains are refined upon lowering sintering temperature, reducing the microstructural defects and the stray fields aroused from neighboring grains. - Highlights: • Eutectic Ho{sub 63.4}Fe{sub 36.6} powders were intergranular added to NdFeB sintered magnets. • The doped Dy-free magnet possessed coercivity of 18.0 kOe, remanence of 13.15 kGs. • (Nd, Ho){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B shell formed in the surface of the matrix grains, increasing the H{sub A}. • Thick grain boundaries with low Fe content formed, decoupling the matrix grains. • By sintered at lower temperature, the matrix phase grains were refined.

Grain growth in thoria and thoria-base fuel pellets (LWBR development program)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Smid, R.J.

1976-01-01

The kinetics of grain growth in ThO/sub 2/-base sintered compacts were investigated to determine the cause of a nonuniform microstructural cross section. It was concluded that trace impurities which inhibit continuous grain growth at the pellet interior were removed by vaporization at the pellet exterior. This resulted in relatively normal grain growth at the pellet surface and discontinuous grain growth at the pellet interior. Calcining the starting ThO/sub 2/ powder to a slightly higher temperature removed inhibiting impurities but also decreased the driving force for grain growth by reducing the surface area of the powder. Mixing high and low temperature calcined ThO/sub 2/ resulted in improved grain growth. Increased oxygen partial pressure and temperature during sintering increased grain boundary mobility in spite of the inhibiting impurity. The specific inhibiting impurity was not isolated during this investigation.

Single-grain 40Ar-39Ar ages of glauconies: implications for the geologic time scale and global sea level variations

Science.gov (United States)

Smith; Evensen; York; Odin

1998-03-06

The mineral series glaucony supplies 40% of the absolute-age database for the geologic time scale of the last 250 million years. However, glauconies have long been suspected of giving young potassium-argon ages on bulk samples. Laser-probe argon-argon dating shows that glaucony populations comprise grains with a wide range of ages, suggesting a period of genesis several times longer ( approximately 5 million years) than previously thought. An estimate of the age of their enclosing sediments (and therefore of time scale boundaries) is given by the oldest nonrelict grains in the glaucony populations, whereas the formation times of the younger grains appear to be modulated by global sea level.

Measurement and correlation of optical and TEM twins in Y/sub 1/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-δ/

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chumbley, L.S.; Verhoeven, J.D.; Kim, M.R.; Cornelius, A.L.; Kramer, M.J.

1989-01-01

The spacing of the twins present in Y/sub 1/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-δ/ has been investigated using optical and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Studies have reported that the value of the average twin spacing obtained by optical measurements is much larger than that measured in thin foils prepared for TEM observation, and controversy exists as to the exact nature of the optical twins. Experiments have been conducted which show that the twins observed optically correspond to those seen using TEM and are not produced by an optical interference effect. Using electron channeling, equations have been formulated which allow optical determination of the true spacing of twins present in a selected grain as well as the orientation of that grain. The average twin spacing measured in TEM has been found to vary with sample preparation method, being smaller for crushed chip samples than for bulk samples prepared by ion milling or jet-polishing. A variation of the twin spacing with grain size has also been noted

Radiation-resistant composite scintillators based on GSO and GPS grains

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boyarintsev, A.Yu. [Institute for Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 60 Nauki Avenue, 61001 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Galunov, N.Z. [Institute for Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 60 Nauki Avenue, 61001 Kharkiv (Ukraine); V.N. Karasin Kharkov National University, 4 Svobody Sq., 61022 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Gerasymov, Ia.V.; Karavaeva, N.L. [Institute for Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 60 Nauki Avenue, 61001 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Krech, A.V., E-mail: AntonKrech@gmail.com [Institute for Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 60 Nauki Avenue, 61001 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Levchuk, L.G.; Popov, V.F. [National Science Center, Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology, 1 Akademicheskaya Str., 61108 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Sidletskiy, O.Ts. [Institute for Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 60 Nauki Avenue, 61001 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Sorokin, P.V. [National Science Center, Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology, 1 Akademicheskaya Str., 61108 Kharkiv (Ukraine); Tarasenko, O.A. [Institute for Scintillation Materials, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 60 Nauki Avenue, 61001 Kharkiv (Ukraine)

2017-01-01

The effect of irradiation on the scintillation light output, optical transmittance, and luminescent spectra of composite scintillators based on grains of single crystals Gd{sub 2}SiO{sub 5}:Ce (GSO) and Gd{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Ce (GPS) is studied. The dielectric gel Sylgard-184 is the base and the binder for the grains inside the composite scintillator. The paper presents and analyzes the results obtained for the scintillators exposed by 10 MeV electrons from the linear electron accelerator at room temperature. The exposure doses D≤250 Mrad. The dose rate is 0.2 or 1500 Mrad/h. The study has shown that the composite scintillators based on the grains of GSO and GPS are radiation-resistant over the range of the irradiation.

Second order magnetic phase transition and scaling analysis in iron doped manganite La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 3} compounds

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ginting, Dianta [Department of Applied Physics and Institute of Natural Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 446-701 (Korea, Republic of); Nanto, Dwi [Physics Education, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta 15412 (Indonesia); Denny, Yus Rama [Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Banten 42435 (Indonesia); Tarigan, Kontan [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mercu Buana University, Jakarta-Barat, Jakarta 11650 (Indonesia); Hadi, Syamsul [Department of Mechanical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang, East Java 65100 (Indonesia); Ihsan, Mohammad [PSTBM-BATAN, Kawasan Puspiptek Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314 (Indonesia); Institute of Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522 (Australia); Rhyee, Jong-Soo, E-mail: jsrhyee@khu.ac.kr [Department of Applied Physics and Institute of Natural Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 446-701 (Korea, Republic of)

2015-12-01

We investigated magnetic properties of La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0.09 and 0.11) compounds in terms of isothermal magnetization analysis and scaling behavior with various critical exponents. From the Landau theory of magnetic phase transition, we found that the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition in La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0.09 and 0.11) compounds is the type of second order magnetic transition (SOMT), which contrary to the first order magnetic transition (FOMT) for low Fe-doped compounds (x<0.09) in previous reports. When we investigate the critical behavior of the compounds near T=T{sub c} by the modified Arrott plot, Kouvel–Fisher plots, and critical isothermal analysis, the estimated critical exponents β, γ, and δ are in between the theoretically predicted values for three-dimensional Heisenberg and mean-field interaction models. It is noteworthy that the scaling relations are obeyed in terms of renormalization magnetization m=ε{sup −β}M(H,ε) and renormalized field h=|ε|{sup β+γ}H. Temperature-dependent effective exponents β{sub eff} and γ{sub eff} correspond to the ones of disordered ferromagnets. It is shown that the magnetic state of the compounds is not fully described by the conventional localized-spin interaction model because the ferromagnetic interaction has itinerant character by increasing Fe-doping concentration. - Highlights: • The ferromagnetic phase transition is of second order in La{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 3}. • The critical exponents are in between the 3D Heisenberg and mean-field models. • The ferromagnetic interaction becomes more itinerant by Fe-doping.

Oxidation behavior of Ti{sub 2}AlC in the temperature range of 1400 °C–1600 °C in steam

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tang, Chongchong, E-mail: Chongchong.tang@kit.edu; Steinbrück, Martin; Große, Mirco; Bergfeldt, Thomas; Seifert, Hans Jürgen

2017-07-15

The oxidation behavior of bulk Ti{sub 2}AlC ceramic in steam has been investigated in the temperature range of 1400 °C–1600 °C. The oxidation kinetics followed a sub-parabolic law at the early stage of oxidation, then tended to be a linear law beyond 18 h at 1400 °C, and obeyed a linear law during the whole exposure up to 24 h at 1500 °C. At the initial stage of oxidation at 1400 °C and 1500 °C, randomly Al{sub 2}TiO{sub 5} isolated islands with large elongated grains were observed on the surface. A continuous inner α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer with a thin discontinuous outer layer of Al{sub 2}TiO{sub 5} formed with prolonged exposure time. Outward diffusion of Ti and C through grain boundaries of the α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} scale during steady-state oxidation result in segregation of TiO{sub 2} at the grain boundaries of α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and formation of gaseous CO and CO{sub 2}, respectively. The scale adhesion was reduced in steam compared to that in air due to the accumulation of stresses, and generation of voids at the scale/substrate interface. The mechanical disruption of the oxide scale to relief the stresses contribute to the breakaway oxidation of Ti{sub 2}AlC at 1400 °C and to the non-protective effect at 1500 °C. The sample was rapidly and completely consumed during isothermal oxidation at 1600 °C accompanied by release of heat and hydrogen. The maximum tolerant temperature of Ti{sub 2}AlC in steam was approximate 1555 °C, which can be extended via a tailored pre-oxidation process. - Highlights: •Breakaway oxidation of Ti{sub 2}AlC was observed in steam at 1400 °C after initial sub-parabolic oxidation kinetics. •The oxidation kinetics obeyed a linear law, showing non-protective effect of the scale, at 1500 °C. •The maximum tolerant temperature of Ti{sub 2}AlC in steam was approximate 1555 °C. •The growth and failure mechanisms of the scale were discussed.

In situ construction of carbon nano-interconnects between the LiFePO{sub 4} grains using ultra low-cost asphalt

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang Wenkui; Zhou Xiaozheng [College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 (China); Tao Xinyong, E-mail: tao@zjut.edu.c [College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 (China); Huang Hui; Gan Yongping [College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 (China); Wang Chuntao [College of Electromechanical Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Hangzhou 316000 (China)

2010-03-01

LiFePO{sub 4}/C composite cathode materials with carbon nano-interconnect structures were synthesized by one-step solid state reaction using low-cost asphalt as both carbon source and reducing agent. Based on the thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, a growth model was proposed to illustrate the formation of the carbon nano-interconnect between the LiFePO{sub 4} grains. The LiFePO{sub 4}/C composite shows enhanced discharge capacity (150 mAh g{sup -1}) with excellent capacity retention compared with the bare LiFePO{sub 4} (41 mAh g{sup -1}) due to the electronically conductive nanoscale networking provided by the asphalt-based carbon. The results prove that the asphalt is a perfect carbon source and reduction agent for cost-effective production of high performance LiFePO{sub 4}/C composite.

A mineralogical investigation of samples from the Eenzaamheid cobalt-molybdenum deposit

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

De Nooy, C.D.

1987-01-01

The cobalt-molybdenum deposit on the farm Eenzaamheid, near Balmoral, is situated in gabbroic dykes in the higly altered quartzites and shales of the Pretoria beds in the Transvaal Supergroup. The mineralogy of both unmineralized and mineralized samples from the deposit was studied. The main minerals in the host rock are tremolite, albite, quartz and prehnite. Safflorite and molybdenite are the main ore minerals, with minor cobaltite, niccolite, and gersdorffite. The mineralization is associated with quartz- and albite-rich host rocks, whereas the tremolite- and albite-rich rocks are usually unmineralized. A cobalt content of 1,76 per cent and a molybdenum content of 0,20 per cent were determined by the chemical analysis of a representative sample. Owing to the coarse-grained and interstitial nature of the ore minerals, the ore should be free milling, and liberation is expected at a fairly coarse grain size (about 0,5 mm). The cobalt minerals and the molybdenite should be easily concentrated by gravity methods and flotation methods respectively. 18 figs., 4 tabs., 3 refs

A facile route to large-scale synthesis MoO{sub 2} and MoO{sub 3} as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xuan, H.C.; Du, Y.W. [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024 (China); Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 (China); Zhang, Y.Q.; Xu, Y.K.; Li, H.; Han, P.D. [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024 (China); Wang, D.H. [Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 (China)

2016-09-15

MoO{sub 3} and MoO{sub 2} materials have been successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition of ammonium paramolybdate in air and a sealed quartz tube, respectively. The microstructure of as-synthesized MoO{sub 3} is composed of irregular lamellar plates with a plate thickness around 100 nm and MoO{sub 2} has the larger grain size with lamellar plates connected with each other. A maximum specific capacitance of 318 F/g at 0.5 A/g is obtained for MoO{sub 2} prepared in a closed environment. On the other hand, the sample MoO{sub 3} exhibits excellent rate capacity with specific capacitances of 218, 209, 196, 188, 176, and 160 F/g at current densities of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 A/g, respectively. These results pave the way to consider MoO{sub 3} and MoO{sub 2} as prospective materials for energy-storage applications. (copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Durability of the earth mortar: Physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization for the reduction of the capillary rise

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ammari A.

2018-01-01

the standards in force, allows strong results of strength and durability. The chemical and mineralogical elements play an important role, in the presence of an 'optimum' cement dosage, to strengthen the ties between the clays and the grains of the earth.. This approach targets the search for better performances in the use of natural materials resource in an eco-responsible habitat. This study presents the experimental results of the four techniques of mineralogical and chemical analysis on mortar specimens obtained from earth of the city of Fez. The results of the uni-axial compressive tests of the cylindrical specimens for this earth, associated by various percentages 0%, 4%, 7% and 10% by weight of cement, make it possible to analyze the effect of the mineralogical and chemical elements on the mechanical properties, namely Young's modulus, compressive strength and limiting deformation. However, we determine the water absorption coefficient of the mortar for different cement dosages in order to optimize the durability of the mortar against bad weather, rain and / or very wet climates. In the earth mortar of Fez, the strong presence of calcite (CaCO3, quartz SiO2 and dolomite CaMg (CO32 amplifies the improvement of the behavior of the material by the addition of cement. In fact, this strong presence of calcite stabilized the clay by cementing quartz and the cement matrix to strengthen the ties between the grains of the earth. In addition, with respect to the capillary rise, the water absorption decreases with the addition of cement. We also note that the evolution of the mechanical properties is of no importance except in the interval [4 to 7%] which represents the zone of effect for cement stabilization and which houses the optimum technicoeconomic cement dosing.

Structural and magnetic properties of Co substituted Li{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2.5}O{sub 4}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Patil, R.P., E-mail: raj_rbm_raj@yahoo.co.in [Department of Chemistry, M.H. Shinde Mahavidyalaya, Tisangi 416206, MH (India); Patil, S.B. [Department of Physics, Krantisinh Nana Patil College Walwa, Sangli 416313, MH (India); Jadhav, B.V. [Department of Chemistry, Changu Kana Thakur Arts, Commerce and Science College, New Panvel 400035, MH (India); Delekar, S.D.; Hankare, P.P. [Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416004, MH (India)

2016-03-01

Nanocrystalline Li{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2.5−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 4} (2.5≥x≥0) system was prepared by sol–gel route. Formation of single phase cubic spinel structure for all the compositions was confirmed from their X-ray diffraction studies. These ferrite samples existed as homogenous and uniform grains as observed from Scanning Electron Microscopy technique. The magnetic studies indicated that, the ferrimagnetic behavior decreases with Cobalt substitution. In general, the substitution of cobalt plays an important role in changing the structural and magnetic properties of these ferrites. - Highlights: • Novel Co doped Li{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2.5}O{sub 4} system. • Sol–gel method synthesized Co–Lithium ferrites. • Single Phase Cubic spinel structure. • Homogenous and uniform grain size of samples. • Ferrimagnetic behavior for all the samples.

Mechanical properties of granular materials: A variational approach to grain-scale simulations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Holtzman, R.; Silin, D.B.; Patzek, T.W.

2009-01-15

The mechanical properties of cohesionless granular materials are evaluated from grain-scale simulations. A three-dimensional pack of spherical grains is loaded by incremental displacements of its boundaries. The deformation is described as a sequence of equilibrium configurations. Each configuration is characterized by a minimum of the total potential energy. This minimum is computed using a modification of the conjugate gradient algorithm. Our simulations capture the nonlinear, path-dependent behavior of granular materials observed in experiments. Micromechanical analysis provides valuable insight into phenomena such as hysteresis, strain hardening and stress-induced anisotropy. Estimates of the effective bulk modulus, obtained with no adjustment of material parameters, are in agreement with published experimental data. The model is applied to evaluate the effects of hydrate dissociation in marine sediments. Weakening of the sediment is quantified as a reduction in the effective elastic moduli.

Concurrent doping effect of Ti and nano-diamond on flux pinning of MgB{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhao, Y., E-mail: yzhao@swjtu.edu.c [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity R and D Center (SRDC), Mail Stop 165, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031 (China); Superconductivity Research Group, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052 NSW (Australia); Ke, C. [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity R and D Center (SRDC), Mail Stop 165, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031 (China); Cheng, C.H. [Superconductivity Research Group, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052 NSW (Australia); Feng, Y. [Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research, P.O. Box 51, Xian, Shaanxi 710016 (China); Western Superconductivity Technology Company, Xian (China); Yang, Y. [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Levitation and Maglev Trains (Ministry of Education of China), Superconductivity R and D Center (SRDC), Mail Stop 165, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031 (China); Munroe, P. [Superconductivity Research Group, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052 NSW (Australia)

2010-11-01

Nano-diamond and titanium concurrently doped MgB{sub 2} nanocomposites have been prepared by solid state reaction method. The effects of carbon and Ti concurrent doping on J{sub c}-H behavior and pinning force scaling features of MgB{sub 2} have been investigated. Although T{sub c} was slightly depressed, J{sub c} of MgB{sub 2} have been significantly improved by the nano-diamond doping, especially in the high field region. In the mean time, the J{sub c} value in low field region is sustained though concurrent Ti doping. Microstructure analysis reveals that when nano-diamond was concurrently doped with titanium in MgB{sub 2}, a unique nanocomposite in which TiB{sub 2} forms a thin layer surrounding MgB{sub 2} grains whereas nano-diamond particles were wrapped inside the MgB{sub 2} grains. Besides, nano-diamond doping results in a high density stress field in the MgB{sub 2} samples, which may take responsibility for the {Delta}{kappa} pinning behavior in the carbon-doped MgB{sub 2} system.

Electronic and molecular structure of carbon grains

Science.gov (United States)

Almloef, Jan; Luethi, Hans-Peter

1990-01-01

Clusters of carbon atoms have been studied with large-scale ab initio calculations. Planar, single-sheet graphite fragments with 6 to 54 atoms were investigated, as well as the spherical C(sub 60) Buckminsterfullerene molecule. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have also been considered. Thermodynamic differences between diamond- and graphite-like grains have been studied in particular. Saturation of the peripheral bonds with hydrogen is found to provide a smooth and uniform convergence of the properties with increasing cluster size. For the graphite-like clusters the convergence to bulk values is much slower than for the three-dimensional complexes.

Effects of TiO{sub 2} and Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} combination additions on the elemental distribution and electromagnetic properties of Mn–Zn power ferrites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, W.D.; Wang, Y.G., E-mail: yingang.wang@nuaa.edu.cn

2015-06-15

The effects of TiO{sub 2} and Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} combination additions on the elemental distribution and electromagnetic properties of Mn–Zn power ferrites are investigated. TiO{sub 2} addition can promote Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} transfer from grain boundaries to the bulk of the grains. The temperature at which the highest initial permeability μ{sub i} and the lowest power losses P{sub L} appear shifts to low temperature range with the increase of Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} content. Compared with the reference sample without TiO{sub 2} and Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} addition, the microstructure and electromagnetic properties of Mn–Zn power ferrites can be considerably improved with suitable amounts of TiO{sub 2} and Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} combination additions. At the peak temperature, the sample with the 0.1 wt% TiO{sub 2} and 0.08 wt% Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} additions has an increase of 15.8% in μ{sub i} to 3951, and a decrease of 22.9% in P{sub L} to 286 kW/m{sup 3}. The saturation magnetic induction B{sub s} and electrical resistivity ρ at 25 °C reach the highest values of 532 mT and 8.12 Ω m, respectively. - Highlights: • TiO{sub 2} addition can promote Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} transfer from grain boundaries to the bulk of grains. • The Co{sup 2+} ion addition has a compensation for the effect of Ti{sup 4+}on the Mn–Zn ferrites. • The combination of TiO{sub 2} and Co{sub 2}O{sub 3} additions insures stabilization of crystal lattice. • The lowest power loss P{sub L} as 286 kW/m{sup 3} is relatively lower than reported now.

Synthesis of Bi{sub 1.8}Pb{sub 0.4}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} superconductor

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, M.G.

1996-10-29

Two-powder processes for the synthesis of superconducting (Bi, Pb)-2223/Ag-clad wires by the oxide-powder-in-the-robe are provided. The first precursor powder, of nominal stoichiometry CaCuO{sub x}, is a solution-synthesized mixture of Ca{sub 0.45}Cu{sub 0.55}O{sub 2} and CaO. Using these oxide precursor mixtures, superconducting tapes with well-aligned grains and reproducible critical current densities J{sub c} in the range of 20,000 to 26,000 A/cm{sup 2} at 75 K in self-field after annealing less than 200 hours were obtained. 2 figs.

Influence of porosity on densification and grain growth kinetics of Ce<sub>0.9sub>Gd>0.1sub>O>1.95sub> tape

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ni, De Wei; Esposito, Vincenzo; Foghmoes, Søren Preben Vagn

porous layer allowing gas flow is necessary in catalytic and in gas purification devices. During the sintering with shrinkage, the total solid volume is maintained to be a constant value but the shape and size of each particle change with the formation of grain boundaries. This change in solid particles...... is accompanied by the change of shape, size and fraction of pores in a given volume. Therefore, porosity can be treated as an extra phase during sintering study. In this work, we presented the densification and grain growth behaviour of Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 tape cast layers with different percentage of porosity....... The emphasis was put on the effect of porosity on densification and grain growth kinetics. Derived from the sintering constitutive laws, the densification and grain growth kinetics were experimentally characterized and analyzed. Furthermore, the activation energies for viscous flow were determined from master...

Effect of magnetic field on the microstructure and electrochemical performance of rapidly quenched La{sub 0.1}Nd{sub 0.075}Mg{sub 0.04}Ni{sub 0.65}Co{sub 0.12} alloy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, Xiangrong [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083 (China); Wang, Haiyan, E-mail: wanghy419@126.com [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083 (China); Hunan Dahua New Energy Co., Ltd., Changsha 410600 (China); Zhu, Shuping; Li, Fangfang [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083 (China); Tang, Yougen, E-mail: ygtang@csu.edu.cn [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083 (China); Liu, Zuming [State Key Laboratory for Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083 (China)

2014-12-25

Highlights: • La{sub 0.1}Nd{sub 0.075}Mg{sub 0.04}Ni{sub 0.65}Co{sub 0.12} alloy is rapidly quenched in a 0.18 T static magnetic field. • The multiphase structures of as-treated alloys remain unchanged. • Grain refinement is achieved with the aid of magnetic field. • Magnetic field favors the formation of La{sub 2}Ni{sub 7} phase. • The as-prepared alloy exhibits improved electrochemical performance. - Abstract: Rare earth–Mg–Ni-based (RE–Mg–Ni-based) La{sub 0.1}Nd{sub 0.075}Mg{sub 0.04}Ni{sub 0.65}Co{sub 0.12} hydrogen storage alloys were rapidly quenched with and without exerting a 0.18 T static magnetic field and investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) studies and various electrochemical measurements. The results show that all samples hold a two-phase structure consisting of La{sub 2}Ni{sub 7} phase and LaNi{sub 5} phase, suggesting that the structure remains unchanged after treatment. Grain refinement, homogeneous composition and increase in La{sub 2}Ni{sub 7} phase abundance are achieved when magnetic field is applied. In comparison to quenched alloys, higher discharge capacities are obtained for the alloys prepared with the aid of magnetic field mainly due to the larger La{sub 2}Ni{sub 7} phase abundance. Cycling stability is improved with increasing quenching rate probably owing to better anti-pulverization ability resulted from refined grain size. Ameliorated electrochemical kinetics of the magnetic field assisted rapidly quenched alloys has been confirmed by potential-step measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests in accordance with the enhanced electrochemical properties.

Electric transport properties study of bulk BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} by complex impedance spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pattanayak, R., E-mail: ranjit.p20@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Astronomy, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha (India); Panigrahi, S. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha (India); Dash, T. [CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (India); Muduli, R.; Behera, D. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha (India)

2015-10-01

Polycrystalline M-type hexagonal Barium ferrite (BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19}) was prepared by the solid state reaction method. The single phase and well grain growth of micrometer range was confirmed by XRD pattern and SEM image respectively. The presence of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} states were verified by XPS study. In this report, the electric transport properties of BaFe{sub 12}O{sub 19} (BaM) was systematically investigated and analyzed in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz and temperature range of 30–200 °C. The relaxation behaviors were examined by considering both impedance and modulus formalism, to differentiate intrinsic (grain) and extrinsic (grain boundary and electrode polarization) conduction process. The co-contribution effect of grain and grain boundary was verified which appeared as a single relaxation process in the chosen frequency and temperature range. However, the sample experienced the early (even at room temperature) arrival of surface conduction which dominates over grain boundary with increasing of temperature.

Quantitative mineralogy and preliminary pore-water chemistry of candidate buffer and backfill materials for a nuclear fuel waste disposal vault

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Quigley, R.M.

1984-07-01

The quantitative mineralogy of seven candidate buffer and backfill materials for a nuclear fuel waste disposal vault is presented. Two of the materials were coarse grained: one a blended very pure silica sand, and the other a crushed plagioclase-rich granite or granodiorite. Five materials were fine-grained soils containing abundant clay minerals. Of these, three were fairly pure, Cretaceous, ash-derived bentonites that contained up to 3 percent of soluble sulphates; one was a freshwater glacial clay containing 59 percent interlayered smectite-illite; and one was a crushed Paleozoic shale containing abundant illite and chlorite. The adsorbed cation regimes and the pore-water chemistry of the clays are discussed

Substitution-induced near phase transition with Maxwell-Wagner polarization in SrBi{sub 2}(Nb{sub 1-x}A{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 9} ceramics [A = W, Mo and x = 0, 0.025

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Banerjee, Prasun; Franco, Adolfo Jr. [Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal de Goias, Goiania (Brazil)

2017-10-15

The synthesis, micro-structure, spectroscopic, and dielectric properties of SrBi{sub 2}(Nb{sub 1-x}A{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 9} [with A=W, Mo and x = 0, 0.025] ceramics were systematically studied. A relative density of ≥98% was obtained for all the samples using a two-step solid state sintering process. XRD images showed that a single phase layered perovskite structure of SrBi{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9} (SBN) was formed. The orthorhombic structure with A2{sub 1}am phase group was found up to ∝2.5 at.% substitution of W and Mo into the SBN matrix. SEM revealed the rod-like grain structure similar to the Maxwell-Wagner (MW) parallel plate capacitor model in SBN ceramic, whereas smaller heterogeneous grain structure was observed in W and Mo donor doped ceramics. The initial high value of real and imaginary part of relative permittivity also indicated the presence of interfacial MW relaxation in the SBN ceramics. The experimental data fit well to the theoretical data obtained from MW polarization model in SBN ceramics. The possible origin of the difference of the properties present in the doped sample has been explained based on grain size, orientation, and modification done in the ceramic matrices. (copyright 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Bench-scale Development of an Advanced Solid Sorbent-based CO<sub>2sub> Capture Process for Coal-fired Power Plants

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nelson, Thomas [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Kataria, Atish [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Soukri, Mustapha [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Farmer, Justin [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Mobley, Paul [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Tanthana, Jak [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Wang, Dongxiang [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Wang, Xiaoxing [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Song, Chunshan [Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)

2015-12-31

It is increasingly clear that CO<sub>2sub> capture and sequestration (CCS) must play a critical role in curbing worldwide CO<sub>2sub> emissions to the atmosphere. Development of these technologies to cost-effectively remove CO<sub>2sub> from coal-fired power plants is very important to mitigating the impact these power plants have within the world’s power generation portfolio. Currently, conventional CO<sub>2sub> capture technologies, such as aqueous-monoethanolamine based solvent systems, are prohibitively expensive and if implemented could result in a 75 to 100% increase in the cost of electricity for consumers worldwide. Solid sorbent CO<sub>2sub> capture processes – such as RTI’s Advanced Solid Sorbent CO<sub>2sub>, Capture Process – are promising alternatives to conventional, liquid solvents. Supported amine sorbents – of the nature RTI has developed – are particularly attractive due to their high CO<sub>2sub> loadings, low heat capacities, reduced corrosivity/volatility and the potential to reduce the regeneration energy needed to carry out CO<sub>2sub> capture. Previous work in this area has failed to adequately address various technology challenges such as sorbent stability and regenerability, sorbent scale-up, improved physical strength and attrition-resistance, proper heat management and temperature control, proper solids handling and circulation control, as well as the proper coupling of process engineering advancements that are tailored for a promising sorbent technology. The remaining challenges for these sorbent processes have provided the framework for the project team’s research and development and target for advancing the technology beyond lab- and bench-scale testing. Under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Energy, and part of NETL’s CO<sub>2sub> Capture Program, RTI has led an effort to address and mitigate the challenges associated with solid sorbent CO<sub>2sub> capture. The overall objective

Ellipsometric investigation of nitrogen doped diamond thin films grown in microwave CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/N{sub 2} plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ficek, Mateusz, E-mail: rbogdan@eti.pg.gda.pl [Department of Metrology and Optoelectronics, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdansk (Poland); Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, B-3590 Diepenbeek (Belgium); Sankaran, Kamatchi J.; Haenen, Ken [Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, B-3590 Diepenbeek (Belgium); IMOMEC, IMEC vzw, Wetenschapspark 1, B-3590 Diepenbeek (Belgium); Ryl, Jacek; Darowicki, Kazimierz [Department of Electrochemistry, Corrosion and Material Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdansk (Poland); Bogdanowicz, Robert [Department of Metrology and Optoelectronics, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdansk (Poland); Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125 (United States); Lin, I-Nan [Department of Physics, Tamkang University, Tamsui 251, Taiwan (China)

2016-06-13

The influence of N{sub 2} concentration (1%–8%) in CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/N{sub 2} plasma on structure and optical properties of nitrogen doped diamond (NDD) films was investigated. Thickness, roughness, and optical properties of the NDD films in the VIS–NIR range were investigated on the silicon substrates using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The samples exhibited relatively high refractive index (2.6 ± 0.25 at 550 nm) and extinction coefficient (0.05 ± 0.02 at 550 nm) with a transmittance of 60%. The optical investigation was supported by the molecular and atomic data delivered by Raman studies, bright field transmission electron microscopy imaging, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy diagnostics. Those results revealed that while the films grown in CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2} plasma contained micron-sized diamond grains, the films grown using CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/(4%)N{sub 2} plasma exhibited ultranano-sized diamond grains along with n-diamond and i-carbon clusters, which were surrounded by amorphous carbon grain boundaries.

Thermally-induced electronic relaxation in structurally-modified Cu{sub 0.1}Ni{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 1.9}O{sub 4} spinel ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shpotyuk, O., E-mail: shpotyuk@novas.lviv.ua [Institute of Materials, Scientific Research Company “Carat”, 202, Stryjska Street, Lviv 79031 (Ukraine); Institute of Physics, Jan Dlugosz University, 13/15, al. Armii Krajowej, Czestochowa 42200 Poland (Poland); Balitska, V. [Institute of Materials, Scientific Research Company “Carat”, 202, Stryjska Street, Lviv 79031 (Ukraine); Lviv State University of Vital Activity Safety, 35, Kleparivska Street, Lviv 79007 (Ukraine); Brunner, M. [Fachhochschule Köln/University of Applied Sciences, 2, Betzdorfer Strasse, Köln 50679 (Germany); Hadzaman, I. [Institute of Materials, Scientific Research Company “Carat”, 202, Stryjska Street, Lviv 79031 (Ukraine); Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, 24, I. Franko Street, Drohobych 82100 (Ukraine); Klym, H. [Institute of Materials, Scientific Research Company “Carat”, 202, Stryjska Street, Lviv 79031 (Ukraine); Lviv Polytechnic National University, 12, Bandera Street, Lviv 79013 (Ukraine)

2015-02-15

Thermally-induced electronic relaxation in structurally-modified Cu{sub 0.1}Ni{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 1.9}O{sub 4} spinel ceramics is shown to be adequately described by stretched exponential function on time. This kinetics is defined by microsctructure perfectness of the relaxing media, showing obvious onset to stretched exponential behaviour with non-exponentionality index attaining close to 0.43 values for high-monolith ceramics and smaller ones in fine-grained ceramics. Percolation threshold in relaxation-degradation kinetics is detected for ceramics with 10% of NiO extractions, showing the smallest but most prolonged single-path degradation effect. This finding is treated in terms of Phillips’ axiomatic diffusion-to-trap model, where only one of two relaxation channels (caused by operative short-range forces) occurs to be effective, while additional non-operative channels contribute to electronic relaxation in fine-grained ceramics.

Monoclinic β-Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} nanocrystalline particles employing novel urea assisted solid state route: Synthesis, characterization and sintering behavior

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tripathi, Biranchi M., E-mail: biranchi.barc@gmail.com [Powder Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Vashi Complex, Navi Mumbai 400705 (India); Mohanty, Trupti; Prakash, Deep [Powder Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Vashi Complex, Navi Mumbai 400705 (India); Tyagi, A.K. [Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085 (India); Sinha, P.K. [Powder Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Vashi Complex, Navi Mumbai 400705 (India)

2017-07-15

Pure phase monoclinic nano-crystalline Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powder was synthesized by a novel urea assisted solid state synthesis method using readily available and economical precursors. A single phase and well crystalline Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powder has been obtained at slightly lower temperature (600–700 °C) and shorter duration (2 h) as compared to the conventional solid state method. The proposed method has significant advantages in comparison to other viable methods mainly in terms of phase purity, powder properties and sinterability. Analysis of chemical composition using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) shows no loss of lithium from Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} in the proposed method. The emergence of monoclinic Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of as-synthesized powder. The crystallite size of Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powder was calculated to be in the range of 15–80 nm, which varied as a function of urea composition and temperature. The morphology of as-prepared Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powders was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effect of urea composition on phase and morphology was investigated so as to delineate the role of urea. Upon sintering at < 1000 °C temperature, the Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powder compact attained about 98% of the theoretical density with fine grained (grain size: 2–3 μm) microstructure. It indicates excellent sinter-ability of Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powder synthesized by the proposed method. The fine grained structure is desirable for better tritium breeding performance of Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3}. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at variable temperature showed good electrical properties of Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3}. The proposed method is simple, anticipated to be cost effective and convenient to realise for large scale production of phase pure nanocrystalline and having significantly enhanced sinter-ability Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} powder.

Coarse-graining and hybrid methods for efficient simulation of stochastic multi-scale models of tumour growth

Science.gov (United States)

de la Cruz, Roberto; Guerrero, Pilar; Calvo, Juan; Alarcón, Tomás

2017-12-01

The development of hybrid methodologies is of current interest in both multi-scale modelling and stochastic reaction-diffusion systems regarding their applications to biology. We formulate a hybrid method for stochastic multi-scale models of cells populations that extends the remit of existing hybrid methods for reaction-diffusion systems. Such method is developed for a stochastic multi-scale model of tumour growth, i.e. population-dynamical models which account for the effects of intrinsic noise affecting both the number of cells and the intracellular dynamics. In order to formulate this method, we develop a coarse-grained approximation for both the full stochastic model and its mean-field limit. Such approximation involves averaging out the age-structure (which accounts for the multi-scale nature of the model) by assuming that the age distribution of the population settles onto equilibrium very fast. We then couple the coarse-grained mean-field model to the full stochastic multi-scale model. By doing so, within the mean-field region, we are neglecting noise in both cell numbers (population) and their birth rates (structure). This implies that, in addition to the issues that arise in stochastic-reaction diffusion systems, we need to account for the age-structure of the population when attempting to couple both descriptions. We exploit our coarse-graining model so that, within the mean-field region, the age-distribution is in equilibrium and we know its explicit form. This allows us to couple both domains consistently, as upon transference of cells from the mean-field to the stochastic region, we sample the equilibrium age distribution. Furthermore, our method allows us to investigate the effects of intracellular noise, i.e. fluctuations of the birth rate, on collective properties such as travelling wave velocity. We show that the combination of population and birth-rate noise gives rise to large fluctuations of the birth rate in the region at the leading edge of

Quantitative grain-scale ferroic domain volume fractions and domain switching strains from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Oddershede, Jette; Majkut, Marta; Caosyd, Qinghua

2015-01-01

A method for the extension of the three-dimensional X-ray diffraction technique to allow the extraction of domain volume fractions in polycrystalline ferroic materials is presented. This method gives access to quantitative domain volume fractions of hundreds of independent embedded grains within...... are applied to tetragonal coarse-grained Ba0.88Ca0.12Zr0.06Ti0.94O3 and rhombohedral fine-grained (0.82)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–(0.18)Bi0.5K0.5TiO3 electroceramic materials. The fitted volume fraction information is used to calculate grain-scale non-180° ferroelectric domain switching strains. The absolute errors...

High abundances of presolar grains and 15N-rich organic matter in CO3.0 chondrite Dominion Range 08006

Science.gov (United States)

Nittler, Larry R.; Alexander, Conel M. O'D.; Davidson, Jemma; Riebe, My E. I.; Stroud, Rhonda M.; Wang, Jianhua

2018-04-01

NanoSIMS C-, N-, and O-isotopic mapping of matrix in CO3.0 chondrite Dominion Range (DOM) 08006 revealed it to have in its matrix the highest abundance of presolar O-rich grains (257 +76/-96 ppm, 2σ) of any meteorite. It also has a matrix abundance of presolar SiC of 35 (+25/-17, 2σ) ppm, similar to that seen across primitive chondrite classes. This provides additional support to bulk isotopic and petrologic evidence that DOM 08006 is the most primitive known CO meteorite. Transmission electron microscopy of five presolar silicate grains revealed one to have a composite mineralogy similar to larger amoeboid olivine aggregates and consistent with equilibrium condensation, two non-stoichiometric amorphous grains, and two olivine grains, though one is identified as such solely based on its composition. We also found insoluble organic matter (IOM) to be present primarily as sub-micron inclusions with ranges of C- and N-isotopic anomalies similar to those seen in primitive CR chondrites and interplanetary dust particles. In contrast to other primitive extraterrestrial materials, H isotopic imaging showed normal and homogeneous D/H. Most likely, DOM 08006 and other CO chondrites accreted a similar complement of primitive and isotopically anomalous organic matter to that found in other chondrite classes and IDPs, but the very limited amount of thermal metamorphism experienced by DOM 08006 has caused loss of D-rich organic moieties, while not substantially affecting either the molecular carriers of C and N anomalies or most inorganic phases in the meteorite. One C-rich grain that was highly depleted in 13C and 15N was identified; we propose it originated in the Sun's parental molecular cloud.

Skeletal carbonate mineralogy of Scottish bryozoans

Science.gov (United States)

Spencer Jones, Mary; Najorka, Jens; Smith, Abigail M.

2018-01-01

This paper describes the skeletal carbonate mineralogy of 156 bryozoan species collected from Scotland (sourced both from museum collections and from waters around Scotland) and collated from literature. This collection represents 79% of the species which inhabit Scottish waters and is a greater number and proportion of extant species than any previous regional study. The study is also of significance globally where the data augment the growing database of mineralogical analyses and offers first analyses for 26 genera and four families. Specimens were collated through a combination of field sampling and existing collections and were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-XRD to determine wt% MgCO3 in calcite and wt% aragonite. Species distribution data and phylogenetic organisation were applied to understand distributional, taxonomic and phylo-mineralogical patterns. Analysis of the skeletal composition of Scottish bryozoans shows that the group is statistically different from neighbouring Arctic fauna but features a range of mineralogy comparable to other temperate regions. As has been previously reported, cyclostomes feature low Mg in calcite and very little aragonite, whereas cheilostomes show much more variability, including bimineralic species. Scotland is a highly variable region, open to biological and environmental influx from all directions, and bryozoans exhibit this in the wide range of within-species mineralogical variability they present. This plasticity in skeletal composition may be driven by a combination of environmentally-induced phenotypic variation, or physiological factors. A flexible response to environment, as manifested in a wide range of skeletal mineralogy within a species, may be one characteristic of successful invasive bryozoans. PMID:29897916

Studies on structural, dielectric, and transport properties of Ni{sub 0.65}Zn{sub 0.35}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pradhan, Dhiren K.; Misra, Pankaj; Sahoo, Satyaprakash; Katiyar, Ram S., E-mail: rkatiyar@hpcf.upr.edu [Department of Physics and Institute of Functional Nanomaterials, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico (United States); Puli, Venkata S. [Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 (United States); Pradhan, Dillip K. [Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008 (India)

2014-06-28

We report the crystal structure, dielectric, transport, and magnetic properties of Ni{sub 0.65}Zn{sub 0.35}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Rietveld refinement results of X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the phase formation of the material with cubic crystal structure (Fd3{sup ¯}m). The frequency dependent ac conductivity behavior obeys the Jonscher's power law and is explained using the jump relaxation model. The observed behavior of temperature dependent bulk conductivity is attributed to the variable-range hopping of localized polarons. The correlation of polaron conduction and high permittivity behavior of NZFO is established on the basis of long range and short range conduction mechanisms. The complex impedance spectra clearly show the contribution of both grain and grain boundary effect on the electrical properties.

The seeding effect of floating zone growth on Nd sub 1 sub . sub 8 sub 5 Ce sub 0 sub . sub 1 sub 5 CuO sub 4 and Bi sub 2 Sr sub 2 CaCu sub 2 O sub 8 sub - subdelta single crystals

CERN Document Server

Lin, C T; Liang, B

2002-01-01

Single crystals with the [100] orientation were selected and used as seeds to investigate the effect of travelling solvent floating zone growth on superconducting oxides of Nd sub 1 sub . sub 8 sub 5 Ce sub 0 sub . sub 1 sub 5 CuO sub 4 and Bi sub 2 Sr sub 2 CaCu sub 2 O sub 8 sub - subdelta. The number of nuclei was remarkably reduced and random nuclei could be eased when the seeding was applied during the growth of Nd sub 1 sub . sub 8 sub 5 Ce sub 0 sub . sub 1 sub 5 CuO sub 4 single crystals, compared to the crystals grown without seed. The crystal could preferentially grow on the seed although some additional nuclei occurred at the solid-liquid interface during the initial growth process. In consequence, the crystal ingot obtained is a large single grain having dimensions of 5 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. The orientation of the seeded growth crystal was found to be 5deg off the [100] seed identified by an x-ray Laue pattern. For the growth of Bi sub 2 Sr sub 2 CaCu sub 2 O sub 8 sub - subdelta, it...

Preparation, structural characterization, and enhanced electrical conductivity of pyrochlore-type (Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xia, X.L. [Institute for Advanced Ceramics, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin (China); Institute of Oceanography Instruments, Shandong Academy of Science, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Marine Monitoring Equipment, Qingdao (China); Liu, Z.G.; Ouyang, J.H. [Institute for Advanced Ceramics, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin (China); Zheng, Y. [Institute of Oceanography Instruments, Shandong Academy of Science, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Marine Monitoring Equipment, Qingdao (China)

2012-08-15

(Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} (0 {<=} x {<=} 1.0) samples are prepared by solid state reaction method using Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and ZrO{sub 2} as starting materials. The phase composition and microstructure of (Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) coupled with selected area electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. XRD and TEM show that all the samples exhibit a single pyrochlore-type structure. HRTEM observation indicates that the whole grain interior of Sm{sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramic is a perfect crystal free of any dislocation. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the degree of structural disorder of (Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics increases gradually with increasing Eu content. The electrical conductivity of (Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics is investigated by impedance spectroscopy in the air and hydrogen atmospheres, respectively. The electrical conductivity of (Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics increases with increasing Eu content at identical temperature levels. Both the activation energy E{sub g} and the pre-exponential factor {sigma}{sub 0g} for the grain conductivity gradually increase with increasing Eu content. As the ionic conductivity shows no obvious change in both air and hydrogen atmospheres, the conduction of (Sm{sub 1-x}Eu{sub x}){sub 2}Zr{sub 2}O{sub 7} is purely ionic with negligible electronic conduction. (Copyright copyright 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Synthesis, structural characteristics and dielectric properties of a new K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type phase Sr{sub 2}Mn{sub 0.5}Ti{sub 0.5}O{sub 4}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chupakhina, T.I., E-mail: chupakhina@ihim.uran.ru [Institute of Solid State Chemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 91, Pervomaiskaya Str., Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation); Melnikova, N.V. [Ural Federal University, 19, Mira Str., Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation); Gyrdasova, O.I. [Institute of Solid State Chemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 91, Pervomaiskaya Str., Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation)

2016-06-15

A new K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type phase Sr{sub 2}Mn{sub 0,5}Ti{sub 0,5}O{sub 4} have been synthesized by a sol–gel procedure and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. There are no oxide ion vacancies in these materials; oxidation states of manganese and titanium were estimated as +4. Rietveld profile analysis shows that the phase crystallizes with tetragonal unit cell in the space group I4/mmm. Substitution of Ti{sup 4+} for Mn{sup 4+} does not affect the distortion of coordination polyhedra (Mn,Ti)O{sub 6} and SrO{sub 9}. The dielectric properties of the ceramic samples are caused by structural and charge characteristics, regular coordination polyhedra SrO{sub 9} and lack of charge ordering, which can lead to significant permittivity. Increase of the dielectric constant at temperatures above 453 K is caused mainly by the grain boundary processes explained in terms of the Maxwell–Wagner polarization model. - Highlights: • The new complex oxide Sr{sub 2}Mn{sub 0,5}Ti{sub 0,5}O{sub 4} was prepared. • The structures of the compound were analyzed by Rietveld refinement. • Distortions of SrO{sub 9} and (Mn,Ti)O{sub 6} polyhedra are not strong. • Dielectric properties are determined by regular structure and lack of charge ordering. • Permittivity increase under heat is associated with processes at the grain boundaries.

Study on the electrical transport properties of La{sub 2/3}Ba{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3}:Ag{sub 0.04}/LaAlO{sub 3} (001) films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Liu, Xiang, E-mail: lxjim@126.com; Zhao, Shuang; Zhang, Shao-Chun

2017-01-01

La{sub 2/3}Ba{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3}: wt%Ag{sub x} (LBMO:Ag{sub x}, x=0.04) films were prepared on single crystalline (001)-orientated LaAlO{sub 3} substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique. All the samples show along the (00l) orientation in rhombohedral structure with R3c space group. The surface roughness (Ra), insulator-metal transition temperature (Tp) and resistivity at Tp (ρ{sub Tp}) of the LBMO:Ag{sub 0.04} films reached optimal values of 3.29 nm, 288 K and 0.033 Ω cm at 740 °C, respectively. The improvement of electrical transport properties in the films are attributed to the optimal growth temperature and Ag-doping improve the microstructure of the surfaces, grain boundaries (GBs) in connectivity and better crystallization. In addition, the electrical conduction behaviors can be well fitted with the grain/domain boundary, electron–electron and magnon scattering mechanisms in the ferromagnetic metallic region (TTp).

Low-field tunnel-type magnetoresistance properties of polycrystalline and epitaxial La sub 0 sub . sub 6 sub 7 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 3 sub 3 MnO sub 3 thin films

CERN Document Server

Shim, I B; Choi, S Y

2000-01-01

The low-field tunnel-type magnetoresistance (TMB) properties of sol-gel derived polycrystalline and epitaxial La sub 0 sub . sub 6 sub 7 Sr sub 0 sub . sub 3 sub 3 MnO sub 3 (LSMO) thin films were investigated. The polycrystalline thin films were fabricated on Si (100) with a thermally oxidized SiO sub 2 layer while the epitaxial thin films were grown on LaAlO sub 3 (001) single-crystal substrates. The epitaxial thin films displayed both typical intrinsic colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) and abnormal extrinsic tunnel-type magnetoresistance behaviors. Tunnel-type MR ratio as high as 0.4% were observed in the polycrystalline thin films at a field of 120 Oe at room temperature (300 K) whereas the ratios were less than 0.1% for the epitaxial films in the same field range. The low-field tunnel-type MR of polycrystalline LSMO/SiO sub 2 ?Si (100) thin films originated from the behaviors of the grain-boundary properties.

Studies of Sub-Synchronous Oscillations in Large-Scale Wind Farm Integrated System

Science.gov (United States)

Yue, Liu; Hang, Mend

2018-01-01

With the rapid development and construction of large-scale wind farms and grid-connected operation, the series compensation wind power AC transmission is gradually becoming the main way of power usage and improvement of wind power availability and grid stability, but the integration of wind farm will change the SSO (Sub-Synchronous oscillation) damping characteristics of synchronous generator system. Regarding the above SSO problem caused by integration of large-scale wind farms, this paper focusing on doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind farms, aim to summarize the SSO mechanism in large-scale wind power integrated system with series compensation, which can be classified as three types: sub-synchronous control interaction (SSCI), sub-synchronous torsional interaction (SSTI), sub-synchronous resonance (SSR). Then, SSO modelling and analysis methods are categorized and compared by its applicable areas. Furthermore, this paper summarizes the suppression measures of actual SSO projects based on different control objectives. Finally, the research prospect on this field is explored.

Spin glass behavior in nanogranular La{sub 0.25}Ca{sub 0.75}MnO{sub 3} manganites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fernández-Martínez, Antoni [Grup de Magnetisme, Dept. Física Fonamental, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, planta 4, edifici nou, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN" 2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, planta 3, edifici nou, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); García-Santiago, Antoni, E-mail: agarciasan@ub.edu [Grup de Magnetisme, Dept. Física Fonamental, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, planta 4, edifici nou, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN" 2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, planta 3, edifici nou, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Hernàndez, Joan Manel [Grup de Magnetisme, Dept. Física Fonamental, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, planta 4, edifici nou, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN" 2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, planta 3, edifici nou, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Zhang, Tao [Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China)

2014-06-01

The magnetic properties of two nanogranular La{sub 0.25}Ca{sub 0.75}MnO{sub 3} manganites with different average grain sizes have been studied. Besides the well-known exchange bias effect and the appearance of ferromagnetic clusters in the grains of both samples, the results show the occurrence of an antiferromagnetic transition and spin-glass properties. Both samples are described as core–shell magnetic systems, whose main difference is found in the interface between the outer ferromagnetic and the inner antiferromagnetic phases of the grains. - Highlights: • Nanogranular manganites show antiferromagnetism in magnetic measurements. • Exchange bias effect was observed in magnetic hysteresis cycles. • Spin-glass properties were detected at low temperatures. • A core-shell model was applied to describe the results in both samples. • These features have nothing to do with usual properties of nanoparticle manganites.

Study of grain boundary tunneling in barium-titanate ceramic films

CERN Document Server

Wong, H; Poon, M C

1999-01-01

The temperature and the electric-field dependences of the current-voltage characteristics and the low-frequency noise of barium-titanate ceramic films are studied. An abnormal field dependence is observed in the resistivity of BaTiO sub 3 materials with a small average grain size. In addition, experiments show that the low-frequency noise behaviors are governed by grain-boundary tunneling at room temperature and by trapping-detrapping of grain-boundary states at temperatures above the Curie point. Physical models for the new observations are developed. Results suggest that grain-boundary tunneling of carriers is as important as the double Schottky barrier in the current conduction in BaTiO sub 3 materials with small grain sizes.

Photonic sintering of thin film prepared by dodecylamine capped CuIn{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}Se{sub 2} nanoparticles for printed photovoltaics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, Manjeet, E-mail: msitbhu@gmail.com; Jiu, Jinting; Sugahara, Tohru; Suganuma, Katsuaki

2014-08-28

In this paper, we report solution phase large scale synthesis of monodisperse phase pure CuIn{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}Se{sub 2} (CIGS) nanoparticles by using dodecylamine as solvent and dispersant. Various compositions of CIGS nanoparticles with different Ga content are synthesized by simply adding different amounts of Ga precursors. The band gap of CIGS nanoparticles can be tuned by changing Ga content. Effort is given to understand the formation pathway of CIGS phase so as to make the synthesis easier for the desired product. High intensity pulsed light technique, which provides extreme local heating, is used to sinter the thin film prepared using these nanoparticles on a Mo–glass surface. A uniformly conductive and dense CIGS film can be prepared by adjusting the energy of light and exposure time. The high intensity light irradiation of the CIGS film leads to diffusion of smaller CIGS nanoparticles to form a particle with larger grain size and thus enables sintering of particles without using high temperature processing. - Highlights: • Large scale synthesis of CuIn{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}Se{sub 2} (CIGS) is reported. • Dodecylamine is used as surfactant and solvent. • CIGS phase formation mechanism is described. • High intensity pulsed light technique is used to sinter the CIGS film.

Chemical and mineralogical characterization of the bentonite buffer for the acceptance control procedure in a KBS-3 repository

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Karnland, Ola (Clay Technology AB, Lund (Sweden))

2010-09-15

The present report concerns the chemical and mineralogical characterization of potential buffer materials. A short mineralogical description of bentonite and montmorillonite is given. The report defines, and exemplifies analyses and tests planned for the acceptance control of the bulk material concerning chemical composition, mineralogical composition, original exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity (CEC), grain density, specific surface area, granule size, water content. In addition, analyses of the clay fraction, i.e. material with a grain size smaller than 2 mum, are described with respect to chemical composition including layer charge, layer charge distribution and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Results from the report by /Karnland et al. 2006/ concerning the two reference bentonites MX-80 and IBECO RWC are used to illustrate the accuracy and precision of the analyses. For each type of analyses the purpose, technique and, in relevant cases, also limits are discussed briefly. An empirical model for determining swelling pressure is presented and used for the quantification of the expected sealing properties given the limits concerning buffer density and montmorillonite content. For the reference bentonites MX-80, the stipulated montmorillonite content interval from 0.75 to 0.9 gives a pressure interval from 8 to 11 MPa at the nominal saturated density 2,000 kg/m3. The stipulated saturated density interval from 1,950 to 2,050 kg/m3 gives a pressure range from 6 to 15 MPa at the measured montmorillonite content of 83% by weight. The combined effects of the stipulated montmorillonite content interval and saturated density interval lead to a pressure range from 5 to 17 MPa. If the increasing effect of accessory minerals, which is proposed by the model, is not taken into account then the combined pressure range is 3 to 14 MPa

Effect of grain boundary phase on the magnetization reversal process of nanocrystalline magnet using large-scale micromagnetic simulation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hiroshi Tsukahara

2018-05-01

Full Text Available We investigated the effects of grain boundary phases on magnetization reversal in permanent magnets by performing large-scale micromagnetic simulations based on Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation under a periodic boundary. We considered planar grain boundary phases parallel and perpendicular to an easy axis of the permanent magnet and assumed the saturation magnetization and exchange stiffness constant of the grain boundary phase to be 10% and 1%, respectively, for Nd2Fe14B grains. The grain boundary phase parallel to the easy axis effectively inhibits propagation of magnetization reversal. In contrast, the domain wall moves across the grain boundary perpendicular to the easy axis. These properties of the domain wall motion are explained by dipole interaction, which stabilizes the antiparallel magnetic configuration in the direction perpendicular to the magnetization orientation. On the other hand, the magnetization is aligned in the same direction by the dipole interaction parallel to the magnetization orientation. This anisotropy of the effect of the grain boundary phase shows that improvement of the grain boundary phase perpendicular to the easy axis effectively enhances the coercivity of permanent magnets.

Effect of zirconium on grain growth and mechanical properties of a ball-milled nanocrystalline FeNi alloy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kotan, Hasan, E-mail: hkotan@ncsu.edu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NC State University, 911 Partners Way, Room 3078, Raleigh, NC 27606-7907 (United States); Darling, Kris A. [U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, RDRL-WMM-F, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5069 (United States); Saber, Mostafa; Koch, Carl C.; Scattergood, Ronald O. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NC State University, 911 Partners Way, Room 3078, Raleigh, NC 27606-7907 (United States)

2013-02-25

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Pure Fe, Fe{sub 92}Ni{sub 8}, and Fe{sub 91}Ni{sub 8}Zr{sub 1} powders were hardened up to 10 GPa by ball milling. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Annealing of Fe and Fe{sub 92}Ni{sub 8} leads to reduced hardness and extensive grain growth. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The addition of Zr to Fe{sub 92}Ni{sub 8} increases its stability and strength by second phases. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The second phases are found to promote the stability of Fe{sub 91}Ni{sub 8}Zr{sub 1} by Zener pinning. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Zr-containing precipitates contribute to the overall strength of the material. - Abstract: Grain growth of ball-milled pure Fe, Fe{sub 92}Ni{sub 8}, and Fe{sub 91}Ni{sub 8}Zr{sub 1} alloys has been studied using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), focused ion beam (FIB) microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mechanical properties with respect to compositional changes and annealing temperatures have been investigated using microhardness and shear punch tests. We found the rate of grain growth of the Fe{sub 91}Ni{sub 8}Zr{sub 1} alloy to be much less than that of pure Fe and the Fe{sub 92}Ni{sub 8} alloy at elevated temperatures. The microstructure of the ternary Fe{sub 91}Ni{sub 8}Zr{sub 1} alloy remains nanoscale up to 700 Degree-Sign C where only a few grains grow abnormally whereas annealing of pure iron and the Fe{sub 92}Ni{sub 8} alloy leads to extensive grain growth. The grain growth of the ternary alloy at high annealing temperatures is coupled with precipitation of Fe{sub 2}Zr. A fine dispersion of precipitated second phase is found to promote the microstructural stability at high annealing temperatures and to increase the hardness and ultimate shear strength of ternary Fe{sub 91}Ni{sub 8}Zr{sub 1} alloy drastically when the grain size is above nanoscale.

Grain refining efficiency of Al-Ti-C alloys

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Birol, Yuecel [Materials Institute, Marmara Research Center, TUBITAK, 41470 Gebze, Kocaeli (Turkey)]. E-mail: yucel.birol@mam.gov.tr

2006-09-28

The problems associated with boride agglomeration and the poisoning effect of Zr in Zr-bearing alloys have created a big demand for boron-free grain refiners. The potential benefits of TiC as a direct nucleant for aluminium grains have thus generated a great deal of interest in TiC-bearing alloys in recent years. In Al-Ti-C grain refiners commercially available today, Al{sub 3}Ti particles are introduced into the melt along with the TiC particles. Since the latter are claimed to nucleate {alpha}-Al directly, it is of great technological interest to see if reducing the Ti:C ratio further, i.e., increasing the C content of the grain refiner, will produce an increase in the grain refining efficiency of these alloys. A series of grain refiner samples with the Ti concentration fixed at 3% and a range of C contents between 0 and 0.75 were obtained by appropriately mixing an experimental Al-3Ti-0.75C alloy with Al-10Ti alloy and commercial purity aluminium. The grain refining efficiency of these grain refiners was assessed to investigate the role of the insoluble TiC and the soluble Al{sub 3}Ti particles. The optimum chemistry for the Al-Ti-C grain refiners was also identified.

Direct imaging of enhanced current collection on grain boundaries of Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, JunHo, E-mail: jhk@incheon.ac.kr [Department of Physics, Incheon National University, Incheon 406-772 (Korea, Republic of); National Center for Photovoltaics, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado 80401 (United States); Kim, SeongYeon [Department of Physics, Incheon National University, Incheon 406-772 (Korea, Republic of); Jiang, Chun-Sheng; Ramanathan, Kannan; Al-Jassim, Mowafak M. [National Center for Photovoltaics, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado 80401 (United States)

2014-02-10

We report on direct imaging of current collection by performing conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) measurement on a complete Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} solar cell. The localized current was imaged by milling away the top conductive layer of the device by repeated C-AFM scans. The result exhibits enhanced photocurrent collection on grain boundaries (GBs) of CIGS films, consistent with the argument for electric-field-assisted carrier collection on the GBs.

Investigation of conduction and relaxation phenomena in BaZr{sub x}Ti{sub 1−x}O{sub 3} (x=0.05) by impedance spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mahajan, Sandeep, E-mail: sandeepmahajan02@yahoo.com [Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), IDA Phase-III, Cherlapally, HCl (PO), Hyderabad-500051 (India); Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi-110054 (India); Haridas, Divya [Keshav Mahavidyalaya, H-4-5 Zone, Sainik Vihar Pitampura, Delhi-110034 (India); Ali, S.T.; Munirathnam, N.R. [Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), IDA Phase-III, Cherlapally, HCl (PO), Hyderabad-500051 (India); Sreenivas, K. [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi-110054 (India); Thakur, O.P.; Prakash, Chandra [Solid State Physics Laboratory, Lucknow Road, Delhi-110054 (India)

2014-10-15

In present study we have prepared ferroelectric BaZr{sub x}Ti{sub 1−x}O{sub 3} (x=0.05) ceramic by conventional solid state reaction route and studied its electrical properties as a function of temperature and frequency. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows single-phase formation of the compound with orthorhombic crystal structure at room temperature. Impedance and electric modulus spectroscopy analysis in the frequency range of 40 Hz–1 MHz at high temperature (200–600 °C) suggests two relaxation processes with different time constant are involved which are attributed to bulk and grain boundary effects. Frequency dependent dielectric plot at different temperature shows normal variation with frequency while dielectric loss (tanδ) peak was found to obey an Arrhenius law with activation energy of 1.02 eV. The frequency-dependent AC conductivity data were also analyzed in a wide temperature range. - Graphical abstract: The electrical properties which give electrical microstructure that correlates to its ceramic microstructure are less studied for BZT. Various parameters such as grain, grain boundary and electrode/interface that affect the electrical properties in ceramics. The charge transport can be attributed to the charge displacement, dipole reorientation and space charge formation. In present work we have studied the role of grain and grain boundaries on the electrical behaviour of Zr-doped BaTiO{sub 3} and their dependence on temperature and frequency by complex impedance and modulus spectroscopy (CIS) technique in a wide frequency (40 Hz–1 MHz) and high temperature range. - Highlights: • BaZr{sub x}Ti{sub 1−x}O{sub 3} (x=0.05) ceramic by conventional solid state reaction route. • CIS used to study the material behaviour in wide range of frequency and temperature. • tanδ peak was found to obey an Arrhenius law with activation energy of 1.02 eV. • A parallel combination of RC circuit found for grain and grain boundaries.

Hot corrosion of the ceramic composite coating Ni{sub 3}Al-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/MgO plasma sprayed on 316L stainless steel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shirazi, Amir Khodaparast; Kiahosseini, Seyed Rahim [Islamic Azad Univ., Damghan (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Dept. of Engineering

2017-08-15

Ni{sub 3}Al-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/MgO three-layered coatings with thicknesses of 50, 100, and 150 μm for Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/MgO and 100 μm for the other layers were deposited on 316L stainless steel using plasma spraying. X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, furnace hot corrosion testing in the presence of a mixture of Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} and V{sub 2}O{sub 5} corrosive salts and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the structural, morphological and hot corrosion resistance of samples. Results revealed that the crystalline grains of MgO and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} coating were very small. Weight loss due to hot corrosion decreased from approximately 4.267 g for 316L stainless steel without coating to 2.058 g. The samples with 150 μm outer coating showed improved resistance with the increase in outer layer thickness. Scanning electron microscopy of the coated surface revealed that the coating's resistance to hot corrosion is related to the thickness and the grain size of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/MgO coatings.

Synthesis of (Zn, Mg)TiO{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} composite ceramics for multilayer ceramic capacitors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiang, C. [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641 (China); Wu, S.P., E-mail: chwsp@scut.edu.cn [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641 (China); Tu, W.P.; Jiao, L.; Zeng, Z.O. [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641 (China)

2010-11-01

(Zn{sub 0.8}Mg{sub 0.2})TiO{sub 3}-xTiO{sub 2} composite ceramics has been prepared via the solid-phase synthesis method. TiO{sub 2} was employed to tone temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ({tau}{sub f}) and stabilize hexagonal (Zn, Mg)TiO{sub 3} phase. 3ZnO-B{sub 2}O{sub 3} was effective to promote sintering. The movement of grain boundary was obvious because of the liquid phase sintering. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) patterns showed that segregation and precipitation of dissociative (Zn, Mg)TiO{sub 3} grains occurred at grain boundary during sintering. SnO{sub 2} was used as inhibitor to prevent the grain boundary from moving. The dielectric behaviors of specimen strongly depended on structural transition and microstructure. We found that 1.0 wt.% 3ZnO-B{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped (Zn, Mg)TiO{sub 3}-0.25TiO{sub 2} ceramics with 0.1 wt.% SnO{sub 2} additive displayed excellent dielectric properties (at 1000 deg. C): {epsilon}{sub r} = 27.7, Q x f = 65,490 GHz (at 6.07 GHz) and {tau}{sub f} = -8.88 ppm deg. C{sup -1}. The above-mentioned material was applied successfully to make multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), which exhibited an excellent electrical property. The self-resonance frequency (SRF) and equivalent series resistance (ESR) of capacitor decreased with capacitance increasing, and the quality factor (Q) of capacitor reduced as frequency or capacity increased.

Sintering densification of CaO–UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} nuclear fuel pellets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Yun [Fundamental Science on Radioactive Geology and Exploration Technology Laboratory, East China Institute of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, Jiangxi (China); Sun, Huidong [China Nucle Power Engineering Co., Ltd (China); Wang, Hui, E-mail: yinchanggeng5525@163.com [National Key Laboratory for Nuclear Fuel and Materials, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu, 610041 (China); Pan, Xiaoqiang; Li, Tongye; Liu, Jinhong; Zhang, Yong; Wang, Xinjie [National Key Laboratory for Nuclear Fuel and Materials, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu, 610041 (China)

2015-10-15

CaO-doped UO{sub 2}-10 wt% Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} burnable poison fuel was prepared by co-precipitation reaction method. It was found that 0.3 wt% CaO-doping significantly improved the sintered density, grain sizes and crushing strength of UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} fuel pellets at the sintering temperature of 1650 °C in the sintering atmosphere of hydrogen for 3.5 h. In addition, homogeneous solid solution without precipitation of free phases of CaO and Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was successfully achieved. CaO doping in UO{sub 2}–Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3} fuel pellet system accelerated the thermally activated material transport, so the onset temperature of densification as well as the temperature of the maximum densification rate shifted to a lower temperature region. - Highlights: • A small amount of 0.3% doped CaO{sub 2} can significantly improve the sintered density. • Homogeneous solid solution forms without precipitation of free phases. • The pellet has good density, high strength and increasing grain sizes with homogeneity. • The pellet accelerates a thermally activated material transport.

Super-No-Scale F-SU(5): A dynamic determination of M{sub 1/2} and tan{beta}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li Tianjun, E-mail: junlt@physics.tamu.edu [George P. and Cynthia W. Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843 (United States); Key Laboratory of Frontiers in Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China); Maxin, James A., E-mail: jmaxin@physics.tamu.edu [George P. and Cynthia W. Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843 (United States); Nanopoulos, Dimitri V., E-mail: dimitri@physics.tamu.edu [George P. and Cynthia W. Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843 (United States); Astroparticle Physics Group, Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Mitchell Campus, Woodlands, TX 77381 (United States); Academy of Athens, Division of Natural Sciences, 28 Panepistimiou Avenue, Athens 10679 (Greece); Walker, Joel W., E-mail: jwalker@shsu.edu [Department of Physics, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341 (United States)

2011-09-20

We study the Higgs potential in No-Scale F-SU(5), a model built on the tripodal foundations of the F-lipped SU(5)xU(1){sub X} Grand Unified Theory, extra F-theory derived TeV scale vector-like particle multiplets, and the high scale boundary conditions of no-scale supergravity. V{sub min}, the minimum of the potential following radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, is a function at fixed Z-boson mass of the universal gaugino boundary mass M{sub 1/2} and tan{beta}, the ratio of Higgs vacuum expectation values. The so-scale nullification of the bilinear Higgs soft term B{sub {mu}} at the boundary reduces V{sub min}(M{sub 1/2}) to a one-dimensional dependency, which may be secondarily minimized. This 'Super-No-Scale' condition dynamically fixes tan{beta} and M{sub 1/2} at the local minimum minimorum of V{sub min}. Fantastically, the walls of this theoretically established secondary potential coalesce in descent to a striking concurrency with the previously phenomenologically favored 'Golden Point' and 'Golden Strip'.

Boundary structure modification and magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets by co-doping with Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S powders

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, Fang [Institute for Advanced Materials& Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Guo, Leichen [School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (United States); Li, Ping [Institute for Advanced Materials& Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Zhao, Xuzhe [School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (United States); Sui, Yanli [State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Guo, Zhimeng, E-mail: guozhimengustb@163.com [Institute for Advanced Materials& Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Gao, Xuexu [State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China)

2017-05-01

In this paper, the effect of Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S co-doping on the magnetic properties and microstructure was studied in Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets. With S co-doping, the coercivity increased due to grain boundary modification and Dy selective introduction. Continuous grain boundary phases were formed in the co-doped magnets with smaller grain size. The average grain size after a doping of 0.2 wt% S is 7.25 µm, which is approximately 2.37 µm smaller than that of the S-free sintered magnets(9.62 µm). The coercivity of the Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/0.2 wt% S co-doped magnets could be increased from 20.9 to 22.8 kOe with changing the remanence and the maximum magnetic energy product slightly. S precipitates in the Nd-rich phases were hexagonal Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phase. Dy avoided the Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phase in the triple junction region, resulting in more available Dy atoms diffusing into the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phase grains to enhance the anisotropy field. Dy-saving was achieved by forming Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phase in the Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S co-doped magnets. - Highlights: • The average grain size of Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S co-doped magnets is 2.37 μm smaller than that of Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped magnets. • The Dy atoms avoid the Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phases and more of them become available to diffuse into the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phases. • The coercivity reaches maximum when S content is 0.2 wt%, 9% higher than the 20.9 kOe coercivity of the S-free magnets.

Petrological mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the granitoids and fracture fillings developed in Ratones Mines (Spain)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buil Gutierrez, B.

2002-01-01

The petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characterisation of the granitoids and fracture fillings developed in the Ratones Mine (Caceres, Spain) has been done in order to understand rock-water interaction processes which control water geochemical parameters. Special interest has been devoted to the analysis and interpretation of REE patterns in the solid phase (granitoids and fracture fillings) because they constitute geochemical tracers in water-rock interaction process. Moreover, REE are considered as actinide analogues. In order to characterise the solid phase (granitoids and fracture fillings) several investigation scales (system, outcrop, whole rock, mineral and geochemical components) have been considered and different types of samples have been analysed. These factors control the methodological approach used in this investigation. The analytical methods we have used in this investigation are microscope, qualitative and semi-quantitative methods (XRD, SEM,EDAX) and quantitative methods (ICP-MS, XRF, EM, LAM-IC-MS). The bulk of the granitoids located around the Ratones Mine Belongs to the alkaline feldspar granite-sienogranite lihotype and they show a peraluminous and subalkaline pattern. From the mineralogical point of view, they are composed by quartz, K-feldspar (Or>90%), showing sericitation, moscovitization and turmolinization altherations, alkaline plagioclase (An-=-3%), usually altered to sericite, saussirite and less frequently affected by moscovitization processes, Fe-Al biotite, frequently affected by chloritization processes and sometimes replaced by muscovite, and finally muscovite (>2% celadonite and <4% paragonite) both of primary and secondary origin. The differences observed between the different lithotypes are related with the modal proportion of the principal minerals,with the presence or absence of certain accessory minerals ( turmaline, cordierite), with specific textural patterns, grain size and also with the richness in specific

A variational multi-scale method with spectral approximation of the sub-scales: Application to the 1D advection-diffusion equations

KAUST Repository

Chacó n Rebollo, Tomá s; Dia, Ben Mansour

2015-01-01

This paper introduces a variational multi-scale method where the sub-grid scales are computed by spectral approximations. It is based upon an extension of the spectral theorem to non necessarily self-adjoint elliptic operators that have an associated base of eigenfunctions which are orthonormal in weighted L2 spaces. This allows to element-wise calculate the sub-grid scales by means of the associated spectral expansion. We propose a feasible VMS-spectral method by truncation of this spectral expansion to a finite number of modes. We apply this general framework to the convection-diffusion equation, by analytically computing the family of eigenfunctions. We perform a convergence and error analysis. We also present some numerical tests that show the stability of the method for an odd number of spectral modes, and an improvement of accuracy in the large resolved scales, due to the adding of the sub-grid spectral scales.

A variational multi-scale method with spectral approximation of the sub-scales: Application to the 1D advection-diffusion equations

KAUST Repository

Chacón Rebollo, Tomás

2015-03-01

This paper introduces a variational multi-scale method where the sub-grid scales are computed by spectral approximations. It is based upon an extension of the spectral theorem to non necessarily self-adjoint elliptic operators that have an associated base of eigenfunctions which are orthonormal in weighted L2 spaces. This allows to element-wise calculate the sub-grid scales by means of the associated spectral expansion. We propose a feasible VMS-spectral method by truncation of this spectral expansion to a finite number of modes. We apply this general framework to the convection-diffusion equation, by analytically computing the family of eigenfunctions. We perform a convergence and error analysis. We also present some numerical tests that show the stability of the method for an odd number of spectral modes, and an improvement of accuracy in the large resolved scales, due to the adding of the sub-grid spectral scales.

Effect of pelletization pressure on structural properties and critical current hysteresis of ceramic superconducting Bi sub 1 sub . sub 7 Pb sub 0 sub . sub 3 Sr sub 2 Ca sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub y

CERN Document Server

Tepe, M; Abukay, D

2003-01-01

The effect of pelletization pressures on structural properties and critical current hysteresis of Bi sub 1 sub . sub 7 Pb sub 0 sub . sub 3 Sr sub 2 Ca sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub y samples was investigated. The samples used in this study were prepared by classical solid-state reaction at the pressures from 100 up to 500 MPa. The obtained samples were characterized by resistance vs. temperature, (R-T), critical current density vs. applied magnetic field, (J sub c -H), material density vs. pressure, (rho-P), XRD, SEM, and EDAX. The results of this study showed that the quality of electrical and structural properties of Bi-2223 bulk superconductors strongly depends on the pelletization pressure. Pressing of bulk samples at 400 MPa produces textured grain alignment and associates microstructural modifications in order to enhance flux pinning and thus increases current carrying capacities. (Abstract Copyright [2003], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Interfacial microstructure of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} brazing joint with Cu-Zn-Ti filler alloy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, J. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China)], E-mail: hitzhangjie@hit.edu.cn; Zhang, X.M.; Zhou, Y. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Naka, M. [Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047 (Japan); Svetlana, Atroshenko [Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, Saint-Petersburg State University (Russian Federation)

2008-11-15

In this study, Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ceramic was jointed by a brazing technique with a Cu-Zn-Ti filler alloy. The interfacial microstructure between Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ceramic and filler alloy in the Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} joint was observed and analyzed by using electron-probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that there are two reaction layers at the ceramic/filler interface in the joint, which was obtained by brazing at a temperature and holding time of 1223 K and 15 min, respectively. The layer nearby the Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ceramic is a TiN layer with an average grain size of 100 nm, and the layer nearby the filler alloy is a Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3}N{sub x} layer with an average grain size of 1-2 {mu}m. Thickness of the TiN and Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3}N{sub x} layers is about 1 {mu}m and 10 {mu}m, respectively. The formation mechanism of the reaction layers was discussed. A model showing the microstructure from Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ceramic to filler alloy in the Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} joint was provided as: Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ceramic/TiN reaction layer/Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3}N{sub x} reaction layer/Cu-Zn solution.

Formulations development for improving the classification of ceramic tile manufactured in the Sergipe state - part one: mineralogical characterization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Goes, J.R.; Azevedo, T.F.; Barreto, L.S.

2011-01-01

The ceramic tiles manufactured in Sergipe State are classified in Absorption 'BIIb' Group. Studies have been developed to obtain the classification 'BIIa' Group. This first part is about the mineralogical characterization of raw materials used for ceramics tiles, collected for three different fields. The mineralogical characterization was made with: X-ray Diffraction, Infrared, Thermogravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis, and was also obtained clays plasticity indices. The samples were heated up to 500 deg C, 900° C and 1100° C. Clays were classified as highly plastics and moderately plastics with a large number of grain with size order smaller than 0,074 mm. The main minerals identified were: kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, quartz, feldspar and calcite. Two of the three studied fields had high calcite content. The Calcite retards the sintering process causing higher porosity to the ceramic tiles. (author)

CaCO{sub 3} scaling in pressure retarded osmosis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thelin, Willy; Holt, Torleif; Sivertsen, Edvard

2010-07-01

Full text: Osmotic power is a renewable energy source exploiting the energy of mixing between freshwater and seawater. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is one of the methods that is technically feasible to extract this energy. In PRO, freshwater and seawater are separated by a semi permeable membrane that ideally only will allow transport of water, whereas salts and dissolved constituents will be retained by the membrane. Due to the difference in osmotic pressure across the membrane, there will be an osmotic transport of water from the freshwater side to the seawater side of the membrane. The osmotic transport of water will take place against a pressure gradient equal to approximately half the osmotic pressure between the two solutions. The resulting net volume increase on the seawater side will be utilised to drive a turbine. One of the major challenges towards realisation of osmotic power as a commercially feasible renewable energy source will be to maintain stable performance of the PRO membranes over time. In this respect the control of membrane fouling and scaling will be essential. Both adequate pre-treatment, in order to reduce the fouling potential of incoming feed waters, and operation and maintenance aspects such as flux control, disinfection and suitable membrane cleaning procedures will be important. A study investigating the CaCO{sub 3} scaling potential in PRO has been accomplished. Laboratory experiments with model solutions having different saturation index (SI) with respect to CaCO{sub 3} have been performed, and the flux decline over time due to precipitation of CaCO{sub 3} scale was monitored. A transport model estimating the concentration of Ca{sup 2+} and CO{sub 3}{sup 2-} at the membrane surface was developed and used to determine the SI for each of the experiments. Further, the SI of CaCO{sub 3} for a selection of 32 Norwegian rivers were calculated and for all cases the SI at the membrane surface was simulated for operation in PRO. (Author)

Reflectance spectroscopy and asteroid surface mineralogy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gaffey, M.J.; Bell, J.F.; Cruikshank, D.P.

1989-01-01

Information available from reflectance spectroscopy on the surface mineralogy of asteroids is discussed. Current spectral interpretive procedures used in the investigations of asteroid mineralogy are described. Present understanding of the nature and history of asteroids is discussed together with some still unresolved issues such as the source of ordinary chondrites. 100 refs

Pulsed cathodoluminescence and Raman spectra of MoS{sub 2} and WS{sub 2} nanocrystals and their combination MoS{sub 2}/WS{sub 2} produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bozheyev, Farabi, E-mail: farabi.bozheyev@gmail.com [Institute of High Technology Physics, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk (Russian Federation); National Nanolaboratory, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi Ave., 050000 Almaty (Kazakhstan); Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System, 53 Kabanbay Batyr St., 010000 Astana (Kazakhstan); Valiev, Damir [Institute of High Technology Physics, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk (Russian Federation); Nemkayeva, Renata [National Nanolaboratory, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi Ave., 050000 Almaty (Kazakhstan)

2016-02-29

Molybdenum and tungsten disulfide nanoplates were produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in argon atmosphere. This method provides an easy way to produce MoS{sub 2} and WS{sub 2} from nanoplates up to single- and several layers. The Raman peak intensities corresponding to in-plane E{sup 1}{sub 2g} and out-of-plane A{sub 1g} vibration modes and their shifts strongly depend on the thicknesses of the MoS{sub 2} and WS{sub 2} platelets indicating size-dependent scaling laws and properties. An electron beam irradiation of MoS{sub 2} and WS{sub 2} powders leads to an occurrence of pulsed cathodoluminescence (PCL) spectra at 575 nm (2.15 eV) and 550 nm (2.25 eV) characteristic to their intrinsic band gaps. For the combination of MoS{sub 2} and WS{sub 2} nanopowders, a PCL shoulder at 430 nm (2.88 eV) was observed, which is explained by the radiative electron-hole recombination at the MoS{sub 2}/WS{sub 2} grain boundaries. The luminescence decay kinetics of the MoS{sub 2}/WS{sub 2} nanoplates appears to be slower than for individual MoS{sub 2} and WS{sub 2} platelets due to a spatial separation of electrons and holes at MoS{sub 2}/WS{sub 2} junction resulting in extension of recombination time.

Studies of electrical conductivity and complex initial permeability of multiferroic xBa{sub 0.95}Sr{sub 0.05}TiO{sub 3}-(1-x)BiFe{sub 0.90}Gd{sub 0.10}O{sub 3} ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Miah, Mohammad J., E-mail: mmjulhash@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Dhaka (Bangladesh); Department of Physics, Comilla University, Comilla (Bangladesh); Khan, M. N. I. [Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka (Bangladesh); Hossain, A. K. M. Akther [Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Dhaka (Bangladesh)

2016-07-12

Multiferroic xBa{sub 0.95}Sr{sub 0.05}TiO{sub 3}-(1-x)BiFe{sub 0.90}Gd{sub 0.10}O{sub 3} [xBST-(1-x)BFGO] (x = 0.00, 0.10 and 0.20) ceramics were prepared by the standard solid-state reaction technique. Crystal structure of the ceramics was determined by X-ray diffraction pattern. All the compositions exhibited rhombohedral crystal structure. The tolerance factor ‘t’ varied from 0.847 to 0.864. The AC conductivity spectrum followed the Jonscher’s power law. The Nyquist plots indicated that only grains have the contribution to the resistance in this material and the values of grain resistance (R{sub g}) increased with BST content. The real part of complex initial permeability decreased with the increase in frequency and increased with increasing BST content. Magnetoelectric coefficient was determined for all compositions. The maximum value of magnetoelectric coefficient was found to be 1.467 mV.cm{sup −1}.Oe{sup −1} for x = 0.20.

A new and improved methodology for qualitative and quantitative mineralogical analysis of Boom Clay

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zeelmaekers, E.; Vandenberghe, N.; Honty, M.; De Craen, M.; Derkowski, A.; Van Geet, M.

2010-01-01

Document available in extended abstract form only. A good knowledge of the mineralogy of any host formation studied for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, is a prerequisite for understanding the geochemical environment which will determine the migration and retention behaviour of radionuclides. In this respect, the Boom Clay mineralogical composition has been extensively studied last decades as reference host formation (e.g. ARCHIMEDEARGILE project, OECD-NEA clay catalogue report) with the aim to provide reliable data for a safety assessment. However, a comparison of the available literature data clearly showed a serious discrepancy among studies, not only in the quantitative, but also in the qualitative mineralogical composition of the Boom Clay (SAFIR II). The reason for such a huge disagreement could be related, among others, to variable grain size distributions of the studied samples (sample heterogeneity) and differences in the methodological approaches. In particular, the unambiguous characterisation of clay minerals and the quantification of mixed-layer phases appeared as an everlasting problem. This study is aimed at achieving a consensus on the qualitative and quantitative mineralogical data of the Boom Clay using the most advanced techniques currently available in the clay science. A new sampling campaign was performed in such a way that samples are (20 in total) more or less regularly distributed over Boom Clay Formation, ensuring that variations in the grain size distributions due to silty clay-clayey silt layers alternations are accounted for. The novel concept based on an analysis at two levels was applied: (1) bulk rock and (2) clay fraction analysis. (1) A bulk rock analysis consists of conventional XRD analysis with the identification of the principal mineral phases. As a next step, the bulk rock was mixed with a ZnO internal standard and experimental diffraction patterns of randomly oriented powders were analyzed using &apos

Copper substitutions in synthetic miargyrite α-AgSbS{sub 2} mineral: Synthesis, characterization and dielectrical properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Galdámez, A., E-mail: agaldamez@uchile.cl [Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago (Chile); López-Vergara, F.; Veloso Cid, N.; Manríquez, V. [Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago (Chile); Ávila, R.E. [Departamento de Producción y Servicios, Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, Casilla 188-D, Santiago (Chile)

2014-02-14

The nominal compositions Ag{sub 0.8}Cu{sub 0.2}SbS{sub 2} and Ag{sub 0.7}Cu{sub 0.3}SbS{sub 2} have been synthesized by conventional ceramic solid-state reaction at high temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy chemical analysis (SEM-EDAX) revealed single phases, isostructural to the natural miargyrite α-AgSbS{sub 2} mineral. Examination of the lattice parameters shows a decrease in the cell volume with increasing copper substitutions. The Raman analysis displays absorptions which may be assigned to the Sb–S stretching vibrations of the SbS{sub 3} pyramids. The impedance-frequency analysis showed grain boundary and electrode interface contributions in non-Debye type relaxation, following Jonscher's universal power law. The giant permittivity response is attributed to extrinsic effects without evidence of a ferroelectric transition. Summerfield scaling, leading to the superposition of impedance analysis, implies that the relaxation is thermally activated, without introducing more than one underlying transport mechanism. - Highlights: • Ag{sub 0.8}Cu{sub 0.2}SbS{sub 2} and Ag{sub 0.7}Cu{sub 0.3}SbS{sub 2} are isostructural with the natural miargyrite α-AgSbS{sub 2} mineral. • The overall resistance correspond to grain boundary and electrode/sample interface responses. • In these solid solutions no ferroelectric-like transition is noticed. • The overall frequency dependence follows the Jonscher's universal power law. • σ{sub ac} vs. frequency can be normalized by Summerfield scaling procedure.

Intermediate Scale Laboratory Testing to Understand Mechanisms of Capillary and Dissolution Trapping during Injection and Post-Injection of CO<sub>2sub> in Heterogeneous Geological Formations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Illangasekare, Tissa [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Trevisan, Luca [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Agartan, Elif [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Mori, Hiroko [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Vargas-Johnson, Javier [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Gonzalez-Nicolas, Ana [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Cihan, Abdullah [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Birkholzer, Jens [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States); Zhou, Quanlin [Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)

2015-03-31

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) represents a technology aimed to reduce atmospheric loading of CO<sub>2sub> from power plants and heavy industries by injecting it into deep geological formations, such as saline aquifers. A number of trapping mechanisms contribute to effective and secure storage of the injected CO<sub>2sub> in supercritical fluid phase (scCO<sub>2sub>) in the formation over the long term. The primary trapping mechanisms are structural, residual, dissolution and mineralization. Knowledge gaps exist on how the heterogeneity of the formation manifested at all scales from the pore to the site scales affects trapping and parameterization of contributing mechanisms in models. An experimental and modeling study was conducted to fill these knowledge gaps. Experimental investigation of fundamental processes and mechanisms in field settings is not possible as it is not feasible to fully characterize the geologic heterogeneity at all relevant scales and gathering data on migration, trapping and dissolution of scCO<sub>2sub>. Laboratory experiments using scCO<sub>2sub> under ambient conditions are also not feasible as it is technically challenging and cost prohibitive to develop large, two- or three-dimensional test systems with controlled high pressures to keep the scCO<sub>2sub> as a liquid. Hence, an innovative approach that used surrogate fluids in place of scCO<sub>2sub> and formation brine in multi-scale, synthetic aquifers test systems ranging in scales from centimeter to meter scale developed used. New modeling algorithms were developed to capture the processes controlled by the formation heterogeneity, and they were tested using the data from the laboratory test systems. The results and findings are expected to contribute toward better conceptual models, future improvements to DOE numerical codes, more accurate assessment of storage capacities, and optimized placement strategies. This report presents the experimental and modeling methods

The magnetic, structure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified (Nd{sub 7}Y{sub 2.5})-(Fe{sub 64.5}Nb{sub 3})-B{sub 23} nanocomposite permanent magnet

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ahmad, Zubair; Tao Shan; Ma Tianyu; Zhao Guoliang [State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 312007 (China); Yan Mi, E-mail: mse_yanmi@zju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 312007 (China)

2011-09-08

The Nd{sub 7}Y{sub 2.5}Fe{sub 64.5}Nb{sub 3}B{sub 23} nanocomposite permanent magnets in the form of rods with 2 mm in diameter have been developed by annealing the amorphous precursors produced by copper mold casting technique. The phase evolution, structure, magnetic and mechanical properties were investigated with X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, magnetometry and universal uniaxial compression strength techniques. The heat treatment conditions under which the magnets attained maximum magnetic and mechanical properties have been established. The results indicate that magnet properties are sensitive to grain size and volume content of the magnetic phases present in the microstructure. The composite microstructure was mainly composed of soft {alpha}-Fe (20-30 nm) and hard Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B (45-65 nm) magnetic phase grains. The maximum coercivity of 959.18 kA/m was achieved with the magnets annealed at 760 deg. C whereas the highest remanence of 0.57 T was obtained with the magnets treated at 710 deg. C. The optimally annealed magnets possessed promising magnetic properties such as {sub j}H{sub c} of 891.52 kA/m, B{sub r} of 0.57 T, M{sub r}/M{sub s} = 0.68, (BH){sub max} of 56.8 kJ/m{sup 3} as well as the micro-Vickers hardness (H{sub v}) of 1138 {+-} 20 and compressive stress ({sigma}{sub f}) of 239 {+-} 10 MPa.

Ceres Revealed in a Grain of Salt

Science.gov (United States)

Zolensky, M. E.; Bodnar, R. J.; Fries, M.; Chan, Q. H.-S.; Kebukawa, Y.; Mikouchi, T.; Hagiya, K.; Komatsu, M.; Ohsumi, K.; Steele, A.

2016-01-01

Introduction: Zag and Monahans (1998) are H chondrite regolith breccias containing 4.5 giga-year-old halite crystals which contain abundant inclusions of aqueous fluids, solids and organics. These all originated on a cryo-volcanically-active C class asteroid, probably 1 Ceres; the halite was transported to the regolith of the H chondrite parent asteroid, potentially 6 Hebe. Detailed analysis of these solids will thus potentially reveal the mineralogy of Ceres. Mineralogy of solids in the Monahans Halite Solid grains are present in the halites, which were entrained within the mother brines during eruption, including material from the interior and surface of the erupting body. The solids include abundant, widely variable organics that could not have been significantly heated (which would have resulted in the loss of fluids from the halite). Our analyses by Raman microprobe, SEM/EDX, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, UPLC-FD/QToF-MS, C-XANES and TEM reveal that these trapped grains include macromolecular carbon (MMC) similar in structure to CV3 chondrite matrix carbon, aliphatic carbon compounds, olivine (Fo99-59), high- and low-Ca pyroxene, feldspars, phyllosilicates, magnetite, sulfides, metal, lepidocrocite, carbonates, diamond, apatite and zeolites. Conclusions: The halite in Monahans and Zag derive from a water and carbon-rich object that was cryo-volcanically active in the early solar system, probably Ceres. The Dawn spacecraft found that Ceres includes C chondrite materials. Our samples include both protolith and aqueously-altered samples of the body, permitting understanding of alteration conditions. Whatever the halite parent body, it was rich in a wide variety of organics and warm, liquid water at the solar system's dawn.

Influence of hydrogen addition to a sweep gas on tritium behavior in a blanket module containing Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} pebbles

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Katayama, K., E-mail: kadzu@nucl.kyushu-u.ac.jp [Department of Advanced Energy Engineering Science, Kyushu University 6-1, Kasugakoen, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka 816-8580 (Japan); Someya, Y.; Tobita, K. [National Institutes for Quantum and radiological Science and Technology, 2-166 Omotedate, Obuchi, Rokkasho-mura, Kamikita-gun, Aomori 039-3212 (Japan); Fukada, S. [Department of Advanced Energy Engineering Science, Kyushu University 6-1, Kasugakoen, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka 816-8580 (Japan); Hatano, Y. [Hydrogen Isotope Research Center, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555 (Japan); Chikada, T. [Department of Chemistry, Graduate school of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529 (Japan)

2016-12-15

Highlights: • Mass balance equations of H{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O, T{sub 2} and T{sub 2}O in a Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} pebble bed were numerically calculated. • In the temperature rising process, the pebbles were exposed to water vapor of relatively high concentration. • Tritium permeation rate to cooling water reduced with increasing hydrogen concentration in the sweep gas. • Tritium inventory in the grain bulk and the grain surface occupied 99.6% of total inventory. - Abstract: Hydrogen addition to a sweep gas of a solid breeder blanket module has been proposed to enhance tritium recovery from the surface of the breeders. However, the influence of hydrogen addition on the bred tritium behavior is not understood completely. Tritium behavior in the simplified blanket module of Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} pebbles was numerically calculated considering diffusion in the grain bulk, surface reactions on the grain surface and permeation through the cooling pipe. Although a partial pressure of T{sub 2} increases with increasing a partial pressure of H{sub 2} in the sweep gas, it was estimated that tritium permeation rate to the cooling water decreases. Additionally, the release duration of water vapor generated by the reaction of the pebbles and hydrogen is shortened with increasing a partial pressure of H{sub 2}. Tritium inventory in the grain bulk and the grain surface occupies 99.6 % of total tritium inventory in the blanket module.

Investigation of various synthetic conditions for large-scale synthesis and electrochemical properties of Li{sub 3.98}Al{sub 0.06}Ti{sub 4.96}O{sub 12}/C as anode material

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dong, Guo-Hui, E-mail: dgh1516@gmail.com [Shanghai Shanshan Tech Co., Ltd., 3158 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209 (China); Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240 (China); Liu, Hua-Jing; Zhou, Liang [Shanghai Shanshan Tech Co., Ltd., 3158 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209 (China); Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, 2360 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209 (China); Chong, Lina; Yang, Jun [Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240 (China); Qiao, Yong-Min; Zhang, Dian-Hao [Shanghai Shanshan Tech Co., Ltd., 3158 Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209 (China)

2014-12-05

Graphical abstract: A gel and spray-drying method is demonstrated for large-scale preparation of Li{sub 3.98}Al{sub 0.06}Ti{sub 4.96}O{sub 12}/C secondary microspheres via optimizing various synthetic conditions. The electrochemical performances of the Li{sub 3.98}Al{sub 0.06}Ti{sub 4.96}O{sub 12}/C microspheres are investigated. - Highlights: • Various synthetic conditions are investigated. • Materials can be produced at ∼1 kg scale by using our demonstrated synthesis method. • Li{sub 3.98}Al{sub 0.06}Ti{sub 4.96}O{sub 12}/C sample possesses high electronic conductivity and rate property, and excellent cycling performance. • Secondary micro-spherical Li{sub 3.98}Al{sub 0.06}Ti{sub 4.96}O{sub 12}/C sample has high tap density et al. - Abstract: Poor electronic conductivity is one of the biggest obstacles for practical application of lithium titanate as lithium-ion battery anode material. Utilizing the advantages of coating and doping techniques to optimize the conductive and rate performances of lithium titanate was reported in this work. Herein, the effects of various synthetic conditions including calcination temperatures and holding times, lithium overdoses, carbon contents, doping contents and doping elements on phase, primary particles’ size and electrochemical performance were comprehensively investigated. The optimal Li{sub 3.98}Al{sub 0.06}Ti{sub 4.96}O{sub 12}/C secondary microspheres were synthesized, which possessed high electronic conductivity, tap density, reversible capacity and first columbic efficiency, and excellent rate performances. Furthermore, the synthesized samples were characterized by various techniques.

Sub-seasonal predictability of water scarcity at global and local scale

Science.gov (United States)

Wanders, N.; Wada, Y.; Wood, E. F.

2016-12-01

Forecasting the water demand and availability for agriculture and energy production has been neglected in previous research, partly due to the fact that most large-scale hydrological models lack the skill to forecast human water demands at sub-seasonal time scale. We study the potential of a sub-seasonal water scarcity forecasting system for improved water management decision making and improved estimates of water demand and availability. We have generated 32 years of global sub-seasonal multi-model water availability, demand and scarcity forecasts. The quality of the forecasts is compared to a reference forecast derived from resampling historic weather observations. The newly developed system has been evaluated for both the global scale and in a real-time local application in the Sacramento valley for the Trinity, Shasta and Oroville reservoirs, where the water demand for agriculture and hydropower is high. On the global scale we find that the reference forecast shows high initial forecast skill (up to 8 months) for water scarcity in the eastern US, Central Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Adding dynamical sub-seasonal forecasts results in a clear improvement for most regions in the world, increasing the forecasts' lead time by 2 or more months on average. The strongest improvements are found in the US, Brazil, Central Asia and Australia. For the Sacramento valley we can accurately predict anomalies in the reservoir inflow, hydropower potential and the downstream irrigation water demand 6 months in advance. This allow us to forecast potential water scarcity in the Sacramento valley and adjust the reservoir management to prevent deficits in energy or irrigation water availability. The newly developed forecast system shows that it is possible to reduce the vulnerability to upcoming water scarcity events and allows optimization of the distribution of the available water between the agricultural and energy sector half a year in advance.

Mineralogy of Fluvio-Lacustrine Sediments Investigated by Curiosity During the Prime Mission: Implications for Diagenesis

Science.gov (United States)

Rampe, Elizabeth B.; Morris, R. V.; Bish, D. L.; Vaniman, D. T.; Bristow, T. F.; Chipera, S. J.; Blake, D. F.; Ming, D. W.; Farmer, J. D.; Morrison, S. M.;

Mineralogy. 2. rev., enlarged ed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matthes, S.

1987-01-01

The textbook is intended for students with a basic knowledge of descriptive mineralogy and crystallography who wish to enhance their knowledge in the fields of determinative mineralogy, petrology, and the geology and genesis of mineral deposits. The material presented concentrates on the essential aspects of the subject fields and is completed by up-to-date information concerning the technical and economic significance of the minerals, rocks and ores as raw materials. With 165 figs., 2 tabs [de

Carbon inequality at the sub-national scale: A case study of provincial-level inequality in CO{sub 2} emissions in China 1997-2007

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Clarke-Sather, Afton, E-mail: Afton.Clarke-Sather@colorado.edu [Scientific Information Center for Resources and Environment, Lanzhou Branch of the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 8 Middle Tianshui Road, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder, 260 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309 (United States); Qu Jiansheng [Scientific Information Center for Resources and Environment, Lanzhou Branch of the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 8 Middle Tianshui Road, Lanzhou 730000 (China); MOE Key Laboratory of Western China' s Environmental Systems, Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou (China); Wang Qin [MOE Key Laboratory of Western China' s Environmental Systems, Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou (China); Zeng Jingjing [Scientific Information Center for Resources and Environment, Lanzhou Branch of the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 8 Middle Tianshui Road, Lanzhou 730000 (China); Li Yan [MOE Key Laboratory of Western China' s Environmental Systems, Research School of Arid Environment and Climate Change, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou (China)

2011-09-15

This study asks whether sub-national inequalities in carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) emissions mirror international patterns in carbon inequality using the case study of China. Several studies have examined global-level carbon inequality; however, such approaches have not been used on a sub-national scale. This study examines inter-provincial inequality in CO{sub 2} emissions within China using common measures of inequality (coefficient of variation, Gini Index, Theil Index) to analyze provincial-level data derived from the IPCC reference approach for the years 1997-2007. It decomposes CO{sub 2} emissions inequality into its inter-regional and intra-regional components. Patterns of per capita CO{sub 2} emissions inequality in China appear superficially similar to, though slightly lower than, per capita income inequality. However, decomposing these inequalities reveals different patterns. While inter-provincial income inequality is highly regional in character, inter-provincial CO{sub 2} emissions inequality is primarily intra-regional. While apparently similar, global patterns in CO{sub 2} emissions are not mirrored at the sub-national scale. - Highlights: > Carbon inequality is different in character within China than at global scale. > Interprovincial CO{sub 2} emissions inequality in China is slightly lower than income inequality. > Interprovincial GDP inequality in China is regional in character. > Interprovincial CO{sub 2} emissions inequality in China is not regional in character.

Coarse-graining and hybrid methods for efficient simulation of stochastic multi-scale models of tumour growth

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cruz, Roberto de la; Guerrero, Pilar; Calvo, Juan; Alarcón, Tomás

2017-01-01

The development of hybrid methodologies is of current interest in both multi-scale modelling and stochastic reaction–diffusion systems regarding their applications to biology. We formulate a hybrid method for stochastic multi-scale models of cells populations that extends the remit of existing hybrid methods for reaction–diffusion systems. Such method is developed for a stochastic multi-scale model of tumour growth, i.e. population-dynamical models which account for the effects of intrinsic noise affecting both the number of cells and the intracellular dynamics. In order to formulate this method, we develop a coarse-grained approximation for both the full stochastic model and its mean-field limit. Such approximation involves averaging out the age-structure (which accounts for the multi-scale nature of the model) by assuming that the age distribution of the population settles onto equilibrium very fast. We then couple the coarse-grained mean-field model to the full stochastic multi-scale model. By doing so, within the mean-field region, we are neglecting noise in both cell numbers (population) and their birth rates (structure). This implies that, in addition to the issues that arise in stochastic-reaction diffusion systems, we need to account for the age-structure of the population when attempting to couple both descriptions. We exploit our coarse-graining model so that, within the mean-field region, the age-distribution is in equilibrium and we know its explicit form. This allows us to couple both domains consistently, as upon transference of cells from the mean-field to the stochastic region, we sample the equilibrium age distribution. Furthermore, our method allows us to investigate the effects of intracellular noise, i.e. fluctuations of the birth rate, on collective properties such as travelling wave velocity. We show that the combination of population and birth-rate noise gives rise to large fluctuations of the birth rate in the region at the leading edge

Coarse-graining complex dynamics

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sibani, Paolo

2013-01-01

Continuous Time Random Walks (CTRW) are widely used to coarse-grain the evolution of systems jumping from a metastable sub-set of their configuration space, or trap, to another via rare intermittent events. The multi-scaled behavior typical of complex dynamics is provided by a fat...... macroscopic variables all produce identical long time relaxation behaviors. Hence, CTRW shed no light on the link between microscopic and macroscopic dynamics. We then highlight how a more recent approach, Record Dynamics (RD) provides a viable alternative, based on a very different set of physical ideas......: while CTRW make use of a renewal process involving identical traps of infinite size, RD embodies a dynamical entrenchment into a hierarchy of traps which are finite in size and possess different degrees of meta-stability. We show in particular how RD produces the stretched exponential, power...

Quartzites beneath pyroclastic flows – mineralogical aspects

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Malý, Karel; Cajz, Vladimír

2005-01-01

Roč. 37, č. 3 (2005), s. 370-371 ISSN 0369-2086 R&D Projects: GA AV ČR(CZ) IAA3013302 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z30130516 Keywords : quartzite * ignimbrite * mineralogy Subject RIV: DB - Geology ; Mineralogy

Fine-grained suspended sediment source identification for the Kharaa River basin, northern Mongolia

Science.gov (United States)

Rode, Michael; Theuring, Philipp; Collins, Adrian L.

2015-04-01

Fine sediment inputs into river systems can be a major source of nutrients and heavy metals and have a strong impact on the water quality and ecosystem functions of rivers and lakes, including those in semiarid regions. However, little is known to date about the spatial distribution of sediment sources in most large scale river basins in Central Asia. Accordingly, a sediment source fingerprinting technique was used to assess the spatial sources of fine-grained (source discrimination with geochemical composite fingerprints based on a new Genetic Algorithm (GA)-driven Discriminant Function Analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Principal Component Analysis. The composite fingerprints were subsequently used for numerical mass balance modelling with uncertainty analysis. The contributions of the individual sub-catchment spatial sediment sources varied from 6.4% (the headwater sub-catchment of Sugnugur Gol) to 36.2% (the Kharaa II sub-catchment in the middle reaches of the study basin) with the pattern generally showing higher contributions from the sub-catchments in the middle, rather than the upstream, portions of the study area. The importance of riverbank erosion was shown to increase from upstream to midstream tributaries. The source tracing procedure provides results in reasonable accordance with previous findings in the study region and demonstrates the general applicability and associated uncertainties of an approach for fine-grained sediment source investigation in large scale semi-arid catchments. The combined application of source fingerprinting and catchment modelling approaches can be used to assess whether tracing estimates are credible and in combination such approaches provide a basis for making sediment source apportionment more compelling to catchment stakeholders and managers.

Growth of Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} Ruddlesden-Popper structured thin films using combinatorial substrate epitaxy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacotte, M.; David, A.; Pravarthana, D.; Prellier, W., E-mail: wilfrid.prellier@ensicaen.fr [Laboratoire CRISMAT, CNRS UMR 6508, ENSICAEN, Université de Basse-Normandie, 6 Bd Maréchal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex 4 (France); Grygiel, C. [Laboratoire CIMAP, CEA, CNRS UMR 6252, ENSICAEN, Université de Basse-Normandie, 6 Bd Maréchal Juin, F-14050 Caen Cedex 4 (France); Rohrer, G. S.; Salvador, P. A. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 (United States); Velazquez, M. [CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, ICMCB, UPR 9048, F-33600 Pessac (France); Kloe, R. de [AMETEK B.V, EDAX Application Laboratory, Tilburg (Netherlands)

2014-12-28

The local epitaxial growth of pulsed laser deposited Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} films on polycrystalline spark plasma sintered Sr{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} substrates was investigated to determine phase formation and preferred epitaxial orientation relationships (ORs) for isostructural Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) heteroepitaxy, further developing the high-throughput synthetic approach called Combinatorial Substrate Epitaxy (CSE). Both grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction patterns of the film and substrate were indexable as single-phase RP-structured compounds. The optimal growth temperature (between 650 °C and 800 °C) was found to be 750 °C using the maximum value of the average image quality of the backscattered diffraction patterns. Films grew in a grain-over-grain pattern such that each Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} grain had a single OR with the Sr{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} grain on which it grew. Three primary ORs described 47 out of 49 grain pairs that covered nearly all of RP orientation space. The first OR, found for 20 of the 49, was the expected RP unit-cell over RP unit-cell OR, expressed as [100][001]{sub film}||[100][001]{sub sub}. The other two ORs were essentially rotated from the first by 90°, with one (observed for 17 of 49 pairs) being rotated about the [100] and the other (observed for 10 of 49 pairs) being rotated about the [110] (and not exactly by 90°). These results indicate that only a small number of ORs are needed to describe isostructural RP heteroepitaxy and further demonstrate the potential of CSE in the design and growth of a wide range of complex functional oxides.

Effect of Ca{sup 2+} substitution on impedance and electrical conduction mechanism of Ba{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x}Zr{sub 0.1}Ti{sub 0.9}O{sub 3} (0.00≤x≤0.20) ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mondal, Tanusree [Functional Ceramics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad 826004 (India); Das, Sayantani [Department of Physics, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700009 (India); Badapanda, T. [Department of Physics, C.V. Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 7520544 (India); Sinha, T.P. [Department of Physics, Bose Institute, 93/1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700009 (India); Sarun, P.M., E-mail: sarun.res@gmail.com [Functional Ceramics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad 826004 (India)

2017-03-01

The Ca modified Ba{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x}Zr{sub 0.1}Ti{sub 0.9}O{sub 3} (BCZT) system for x=0.00–0.20 is synthesized by the high-temperature conventional solid state reaction method. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between the tetragonal and cubic structure is obtained at room temperature for the composition x=0.15. The doping of Ca facilitates the enhancement of the homogeneity of microstructure and growth of the grain size. The phase transition is also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. In order to explore the effect of Ca concentration variation on the conduction mechanism of BaZr{sub 0.1}Ti{sub 0.9}O{sub 3} (BZT) ceramic, the frequency dependent ac impedance spectroscopy technique is used at various temperatures. The effect of Ca doping on the electrical properties of BZT is clearly noticeable. The resistance of the grain (bulk) and the grain boundary is increased as a consequence of the increase in the activation energy of Ca substituted BZT samples. The enhanced resistivity of the Ca substituted BZT ceramics is explained in terms of the decrease in the mobility of the charge carriers associated with the lattice distortion. The electric modulus analysis reveals the enhanced capacitance of BCZT ceramics which is in good agreement with the results obtained from complex impedance analysis.

Utilisation of the image analysis method for the detection of the morphological anisotropy of calcite grains in marble

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Obara, B.; Kožušníková, Alena

2007-01-01

Roč. 11, č. 4 (2007), s. 275-281 ISSN 1420-0597 R&D Projects: GA ČR GA105/04/1019 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z30860518 Keywords : image analysis * calcite grains * morphological anisotropy Subject RIV: DB - Geology ; Mineralogy Impact factor: 0.742, year: 2007 http://springerlink.com

Binding energetics of substitutional and interstitial helium and di-helium defects with grain boundary structure in α-Fe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tschopp, M. A., E-mail: mark.tschopp@gatech.edu [Dynamic Research Corporation, (on site at) U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005 (United States); Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi 39762 (United States); Gao, F.; Yang, L. [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352 (United States); Solanki, K. N. [Arizona State University, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Tempe, Arizona 85287 (United States)

2014-01-21

The formation/binding energetics and length scales associated with the interaction between He atoms and grain boundaries in BCC α-Fe were explored. Ten different low Σ grain boundaries from the 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 symmetric tilt grain boundary systems were used. In this work, we then calculated formation/binding energies for 1–2 He atoms in the substitutional and interstitial sites (HeV, He{sub 2}V, HeInt, He{sub 2}Int) at all potential grain boundary sites within 15 Å of the boundary (52 826 simulations total). The present results provide detailed information about the interaction energies and length scales of 1–2 He atoms with grain boundaries for the structures examined. A number of interesting new findings emerge from the present study. For instance, the Σ3(112) twin boundary in BCC Fe possesses a much smaller binding energy than other boundaries, which corresponds in long time dynamics simulations to the ability of an interstitial He defect to break away from the boundary in simulations on the order of nanoseconds. Additionally, positive correlations between the calculated formation/binding energies of the He defects (R > 0.9) asserts that the local environment surrounding each site strongly influences the He defect energies and that highly accurate quantum mechanics calculations of lower order defects may be an adequate predictor of higher order defects. Various metrics to quantify or classify the local environment were compared with the He defect binding energies. The present work shows that the binding and formation energies for He defects are important for understanding the physics of He diffusion and trapping by grain boundaries, which can be important for modeling He interactions in polycrystalline steels.

Grain scale simulation of multiphase flow through porous media; Simulacao em escala granular do escoamento multifasico em meio poroso

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Domingos, Ricardo Golghetto; Cheng, Liang-Yee [Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), SP (Brazil). Escola Politecnica

2012-07-01

Since the grain scale modeling of multi-phase flow in porous media is of great interest for the oil industry, the aim of the present research is to show an implementation of Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) method for the grain scale simulation of multi-phase flow in porous media. Geometry data obtained by a high-resolution CT scan of a sandstone sample has been used as input for the simulations. The results of the simulations performed considering different resolutions are given, the head loss and permeability obtained numerically, as well as the influence of the wettability of the fluids inside the sample of the reservoir's sandstone. (author)

Grain Formation Processes in Oxygen-Rich Circumstellar Outflows: Testing the Metastable Eutectic Condensation Hypothesis and Measuring Atom-Grain & Grain-Grain Sticking Coefficients (A Sub-orbital Investigation)

Science.gov (United States)

Nuth, Joseph

An experimentally-based model of grain formation in oxygen-rich circumstellar outflows that includes vapor-solid nucleation, grain growth, thermal annealing and grain aggregation in sufficient detail to predict the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the shells for comparison with observations of a wide range of stellar sources still lacks critical data. In order to gather this data we propose to conduct a series of laboratory experiments using our proven experimental system and microgravity condensation, growth and grain aggregation experiments on sounding rockets with a flight-proven payload provided by Dr. Yuki Kimura of Hokkaido University. We have proposed that solids from a hydrogen-rich, supersaturated, Fe-Mg-SiO vapor condense at metastable eutectic points in this ternary phase diagram. Because the FeOMgO system is totally miscible (has no eutectic or metastable eutectic compositions), this predicts that condensates will be pure Mg-silicate or Fe-silicate grains and that no primary condensate will be a mixed Fe-Mg-silicate. We have shown that this observation leads to a logical explanation as to why pure magnesium olivine and enstatite minerals are detected in circumstellar winds rather than the mixed Mg-Fe-silicate grains that might otherwise be expected (Rietmeijer, Nuth & Karner, 1999). This simplifying hypothesis has been built into our models of circumstellar condensation and growth. However, these experimental results require confirmation and testing since they should apply to other, quite similar condensable systems. We propose to test this hypothesis by condensing solids from the Fe-Mg-AlO ternary vapor system. Since FeO-MgO miscibility also applies to this system, the primary condensates from such a vapor should consist of pure amorphous Fe-aluminates and Mg-aluminates. No mixed Fe-Mg-spinels should be detected as primary condensates if this hypothesis is correct, just as none were detected for the FeO-MgO-SiO system. Confirmation of this

A multi-scale homogenization model for fine-grained porous viscoplastic polycrystals: I - Finite-strain theory

Science.gov (United States)

Song, Dawei; Ponte Castañeda, P.

2018-06-01

We make use of the recently developed iterated second-order homogenization method to obtain finite-strain constitutive models for the macroscopic response of porous polycrystals consisting of large pores randomly distributed in a fine-grained polycrystalline matrix. The porous polycrystal is modeled as a three-scale composite, where the grains are described by single-crystal viscoplasticity and the pores are assumed to be large compared to the grain size. The method makes use of a linear comparison composite (LCC) with the same substructure as the actual nonlinear composite, but whose local properties are chosen optimally via a suitably designed variational statement. In turn, the effective properties of the resulting three-scale LCC are determined by means of a sequential homogenization procedure, utilizing the self-consistent estimates for the effective behavior of the polycrystalline matrix, and the Willis estimates for the effective behavior of the porous composite. The iterated homogenization procedure allows for a more accurate characterization of the properties of the matrix by means of a finer "discretization" of the properties of the LCC to obtain improved estimates, especially at low porosities, high nonlinearties and high triaxialities. In addition, consistent homogenization estimates for the average strain rate and spin fields in the pores and grains are used to develop evolution laws for the substructural variables, including the porosity, pore shape and orientation, as well as the "crystallographic" and "morphological" textures of the underlying matrix. In Part II of this work has appeared in Song and Ponte Castañeda (2018b), the model will be used to generate estimates for both the instantaneous effective response and the evolution of the microstructure for porous FCC and HCP polycrystals under various loading conditions.

The influence of the grain boundary strength on the macroscopic properties of a polycrystalline aggregate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Simonovski, Igor, E-mail: Igor.Simonovski@ec.europa.eu [European Commission, DG-JRC, Institute for Energy and Transport, P.O. Box 2, NL-1755 ZG Petten (Netherlands); Cizelj, Leon, E-mail: Leon.Cizelj@ijs.si [Jožef Stefan Institute, Reactor Engineering Division, Jamova Cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana (Slovenia); Garrido, Oriol Costa, E-mail: Oriol.Costa@ijs.si [Jožef Stefan Institute, Reactor Engineering Division, Jamova Cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana (Slovenia)

2013-08-15

Highlights: ► Grain boundary stiffness should be at least 1.5× higher that the stiffness of bulk grains. ► The ratio δ{sub n}{sup pl}/δ{sub n}{sup el} should be at least 400. ► Simultaneous increase of δ{sub n}{sup el} and δ{sub n}{sup pl} at constant grain boundary strength increases numerical stability but results in high percentage of damage grain boundary area. ► Shear contributes significantly to damage initialization. -- Abstract: In this work a model, based on a X-ray diffraction contrast tomography data of a stainless steel wire with a diameter of 0.4 mm is presented. As measured 3D grain geometry and crystallographic orientation of individual grains are directly transferred into a finite element model. Anisotropic elasticity and crystal plasticity constitutive laws are used for the bulk grain material while the grain boundaries are explicitly modeled using the cohesive zone approach. A parametric study on the effects of the grain boundary strength and other cohesive zone parameters on the macroscopic response and damaged grain boundary area of a polycrystalline aggregate is presented. Recommendations for the cohesive zone parameters values aimed at achieving low damaged grain boundary area during numerical tensile tests are given while at the same time taking into account the numerical stability of the simulations.

Effect of titania addition on hot hardness of UO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sengupta, A.K. E-mail: arghya@apsara.barc.ernet.in; Basak, C.B.; Jarvis, T.; Bhagat, R.K.; Pandey, V.D.; Majumdar, S

2004-02-15

Large grain UO{sub 2} is a potential fuel for LWR's for achieving extended burn up. Large grains are obtained by addition of dopants like Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}, TiO{sub 2}, Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}, V{sub 2}O{sub 5} etc. However, presence of such dopants might affect the thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of the fuel. In the present investigation the effect of TiO{sub 2} addition on the hot hardness (H) of sintered UO{sub 2} fuel has been studied from ambient to 1573 K in vacuum. TiO{sub 2} content was varied from 0.01 to 0.15 w/o resulting in a grain size (G) variation of 9 to 94 {mu}m. With increase in grain size (or TiO{sub 2} content) H first decreases, attains a minima and then increases further. The increase is more prominent at lower temperature (<773 K) than that at higher temperatures. H vs. G{sup -1/2} plots indicates the same type of variation like other oxide ceramics with H minima at an intermediate grain size at low temperature. The intrinsic hardness and softening coefficient of UO{sub 2} indicate cubic dependence on TiO{sub 2} content.

Synthesis of zeolites from boiler fly ash: physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization; Sintese de zeolitas a partir de cinza volante de caldeiras: caracterizacao fisica, quimica e mineralogica

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rocha Junior, C.A.F.; Santos, S.C.A.; Souza, C.A.G., E-mail: augustorocha2@gmail.com [Programa de Pos Graduacao em Engenharia Quimica (PPEQ-UFPA), Belem, PA (Brazil); Angelica, R.S.; Neves, R.F. [Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Geologia e Geoquimica, Instituto de Geociencias (PPGG-IG-UFPA), Ananindeua, PA (Brazil)

2012-01-15

Along the years, worldwide industrial development has causing a growing generation of residues, bringing potentials environmental problems. A study of the characteristics of these wastes, as well as the development of techniques for their use in new processes becomes indispensable for the environment preservation. The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the possible use of two important industrial residues from the Amazon region for zeolite synthesis: (a) the fly ash (particle size < 100 {mu}m) that comes from burning of mineral coal in boiler; and (b) the micro silica, a by-product of the reaction between quartz and coal in the production of metallic silicon and alloys iron-silicon.The following chemical, physical and mineralogical characterization methods were carried out: X-ray diffractometry, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, granulometric analysis, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TG). The analyses were carried out at the following conditions: 60, 100, 150 and 190 deg C, Na{sub 2}O/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} molar ratio of 5 and Si/Al molar ratio ranging from 2.12 to 15, and reaction time of 24 h. The results of the fly characterization demonstrate its enormous potential as raw material for the zeolite synthesis. SiO{sub 2} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} represent more than 50% of its composition, mineralogical phases defined, low humidity content, low particle size (d{sub 90} < 10 {mu}m), among others. Mineralogical analyses of the synthesized products showed the formation of some zeolite types, as follow: analcime, phillipsite, sodalite, zeolite P and tobermorite. The results show that the mixture fly ash-micro silica in these reaction conditions point to a promising material for zeolite synthesis (author)

Dynamic and impact contact mechanics of geologic materials: Grain-scale experiments and modeling

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cole, David M.; Hopkins, Mark A.; Ketcham, Stephen A.

2013-01-01

High fidelity treatments of the generation and propagation of seismic waves in naturally occurring granular materials is becoming more practical given recent advancements in our ability to model complex particle shapes and their mechanical interaction. Of particular interest are the grain-scale processes that are activated by impact events and the characteristics of force transmission through grain contacts. To address this issue, we have developed a physics based approach that involves laboratory experiments to quantify the dynamic contact and impact behavior of granular materials and incorporation of the observed behavior indiscrete element models. The dynamic experiments do not involve particle damage and emphasis is placed on measured values of contact stiffness and frictional loss. The normal stiffness observed in dynamic contact experiments at low frequencies (e.g., 10 Hz) are shown to be in good agreement with quasistatic experiments on quartz sand. The results of impact experiments – which involve moderate to extensive levels of particle damage – are presented for several types of naturally occurring granular materials (several quartz sands, magnesite and calcium carbonate ooids). Implementation of the experimental findings in discrete element models is discussed and the results of impact simulations involving up to 5 × 105 grains are presented.

Dynamic and impact contact mechanics of geologic materials: Grain-scale experiments and modeling

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cole, David M.; Hopkins, Mark A.; Ketcham, Stephen A. [Engineer Research and Development Center - Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, 72 Lyme Rd., Hanover, NH 03755 (United States)

2013-06-18

High fidelity treatments of the generation and propagation of seismic waves in naturally occurring granular materials is becoming more practical given recent advancements in our ability to model complex particle shapes and their mechanical interaction. Of particular interest are the grain-scale processes that are activated by impact events and the characteristics of force transmission through grain contacts. To address this issue, we have developed a physics based approach that involves laboratory experiments to quantify the dynamic contact and impact behavior of granular materials and incorporation of the observed behavior indiscrete element models. The dynamic experiments do not involve particle damage and emphasis is placed on measured values of contact stiffness and frictional loss. The normal stiffness observed in dynamic contact experiments at low frequencies (e.g., 10 Hz) are shown to be in good agreement with quasistatic experiments on quartz sand. The results of impact experiments - which involve moderate to extensive levels of particle damage - are presented for several types of naturally occurring granular materials (several quartz sands, magnesite and calcium carbonate ooids). Implementation of the experimental findings in discrete element models is discussed and the results of impact simulations involving up to 5 Multiplication-Sign 105 grains are presented.

Influence of grain size and upper critical magnetic field on global pinning force of bronze-processed Nb/sub 3/Sn compound

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ochiai, S.; Osamura, K.

1986-01-01

In order to know the dependency of global pinning force of Nb/sub 3/Sn compound on grain size and upper critical magnetic field, the global pinning force was measured at 3-15 T using bronze-processed multifilamentary composites. The grain size and upper critical magnetic field were varied by two types of annealing treatment: one is the isothermal annealing at 873, 973 and 1073 K up to 1730 ks and another is the two-stage annealing (low temperature annealing to form fine grains at 873 K for 1730 ks + high temperature annealing to raise upper critical magnetic field at 1073 K up to 18 ks). In the case of isothermal annealing treatment, both of grain size and upper critical magnetic field increased with increasing annealing temperature and time except for the annealing treatments at high temperature for prolonged times. In the case of two-stage annealing, both of them increased with second stage annealing time. The increase in grain size led to decrease in the pinning force but the increase in upper critical magnetic field to increase in it. From the analysis of the present data based on the Suenaga's speculation concerning with the density of pinning site and the Kramer's equation, it was suggested that the pinning force is, to a first approximation, proportional to the product of inverse grain size and (1-h)/sup 2/h/sup 1/2/ where h is the reduced magnetic field