Sample records for fe micron particles

  1. [Particle size determination by radioisotope x-ray absorptiometry with sedimentation method].

    PubMed

    Matsui, Y; Furuta, T; Miyagawa, S

    1976-09-01

    The possibility of radioisotope X-ray absorptiometry to determine the particle size of powder in conjunction with sedimentation was investigated. The experimental accuracy was primarily determined by Cow and X-ray intensity. where Co'=weight concentration of the particle in the suspension w'=(micron/rho)l/(mu/rho)s-rhol/rhos rho; density micron/rho; mass absorption coefficient, suffix l and s indicate dispersion and particle, respectively. The radiosiotopes, Fe-55, Pu-238 and Cd-109 have high w-values over the wide range of the atomic number. However, a source of high micron value such as Fe-55 is not suitable because the optimal X-ray transmission length, Lopt is decided by the expression, micronlLopt approximately 2/(1+C'ow') by using Cd-109 AgKX-ray source, the weight size distribution of particles from the heavy elements such as PbO2 to light elements such as Al2O3 or flyash was determined.

  2. Unlocking the energy capabilities of micron-sized LiFePO4.

    PubMed

    Guo, Limin; Zhang, Yelong; Wang, Jiawei; Ma, Lipo; Ma, Shunchao; Zhang, Yantao; Wang, Erkang; Bi, Yujing; Wang, Deyu; McKee, William C; Xu, Ye; Chen, Jitao; Zhang, Qinghua; Nan, Cewen; Gu, Lin; Bruce, Peter G; Peng, Zhangquan

    2015-08-03

    Utilization of LiFePO4 as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries often requires size nanonization coupled with calcination-based carbon coating to improve its electrochemical performance, which, however, is usually at the expense of tap density and may be environmentally problematic. Here we report the utilization of micron-sized LiFePO4, which has a higher tap density than its nano-sized siblings, by forming a conducting polymer coating on its surface with a greener diazonium chemistry. Specifically, micron-sized LiFePO4 particles have been uniformly coated with a thin polyphenylene film via the spontaneous reaction between LiFePO4 and an aromatic diazonium salt of benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The coated micron-sized LiFePO4, compared with its pristine counterpart, has shown improved electrical conductivity, high rate capability and excellent cyclability when used as a 'carbon additive free' cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The bonding mechanism of polyphenylene to LiFePO4/FePO4 has been understood with density functional theory calculations.

  3. Unlocking the energy capabilities of micron-sized LiFePO4

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Limin; Zhang, Yelong; Wang, Jiawei; Ma, Lipo; Ma, Shunchao; Zhang, Yantao; Wang, Erkang; Bi, Yujing; Wang, Deyu; McKee, William C.; Xu, Ye; Chen, Jitao; Zhang, Qinghua; Nan, Cewen; Gu, Lin; Bruce, Peter G.; Peng, Zhangquan

    2015-01-01

    Utilization of LiFePO4 as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries often requires size nanonization coupled with calcination-based carbon coating to improve its electrochemical performance, which, however, is usually at the expense of tap density and may be environmentally problematic. Here we report the utilization of micron-sized LiFePO4, which has a higher tap density than its nano-sized siblings, by forming a conducting polymer coating on its surface with a greener diazonium chemistry. Specifically, micron-sized LiFePO4 particles have been uniformly coated with a thin polyphenylene film via the spontaneous reaction between LiFePO4 and an aromatic diazonium salt of benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The coated micron-sized LiFePO4, compared with its pristine counterpart, has shown improved electrical conductivity, high rate capability and excellent cyclability when used as a ‘carbon additive free' cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The bonding mechanism of polyphenylene to LiFePO4/FePO4 has been understood with density functional theory calculations. PMID:26235395

  4. Unlocking the energy capabilities of micron-sized LiFePO4

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Limin; Zhang, Yelong; Wang, Jiawei; Ma, Lipo; Ma, Shunchao; Zhang, Yantao; Wang, Erkang; Bi, Yujing; Wang, Deyu; McKee, William C.; Xu, Ye; Chen, Jitao; Zhang, Qinghua; Nan, Cewen; Gu, Lin; Bruce, Peter G.; Peng, Zhangquan

    2015-08-01

    Utilization of LiFePO4 as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries often requires size nanonization coupled with calcination-based carbon coating to improve its electrochemical performance, which, however, is usually at the expense of tap density and may be environmentally problematic. Here we report the utilization of micron-sized LiFePO4, which has a higher tap density than its nano-sized siblings, by forming a conducting polymer coating on its surface with a greener diazonium chemistry. Specifically, micron-sized LiFePO4 particles have been uniformly coated with a thin polyphenylene film via the spontaneous reaction between LiFePO4 and an aromatic diazonium salt of benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The coated micron-sized LiFePO4, compared with its pristine counterpart, has shown improved electrical conductivity, high rate capability and excellent cyclability when used as a `carbon additive free' cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The bonding mechanism of polyphenylene to LiFePO4/FePO4 has been understood with density functional theory calculations.

  5. Fe nanoparticles produced by electric explosion of wire for new generation of magneto-rheological fluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berasategi, Joanes; Gomez, Ainara; Mounir Bou-Ali, M.; Gutiérrez, Jon; Barandiarán, Jose Manuel; Beketov, Igor V.; Safronov, Aleksander P.; Kurlyandskaya, Galina V.

    2018-04-01

    Iron magnetic nanoparticles were produced by the technique of the electric explosion of a wire (EEW). The major crystalline phase (95 ± 1%) was α-Fe with lattice parameter a = 0.2863(3) nm. The size of the coherent diffraction domains of this phase was 77 ± 3 nm. The EEW MNPs presented a large saturation magnetization value, reaching about 87% of the saturation magnetization of the bulk iron. EEW NMPs demonstrated an improved magnetic performance when used in magnetorheological (MR) fluids with respect to the commercial carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) micron-sized particles studied for comparison. The MR fluids composed with the EEW nanoparticles showed larger yield stress values than those with CIP micron-sized particles, so proving that the EEW MNPs have a high potential for MR fluids applications.

  6. Venus Clouds: A dirty hydrochloric acid model

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hapke, B.

    1971-01-01

    The spectral and polarization data for Venus are consistent with micron-sized, aerosol cloud particles of hydrochloric acid containing soluble and insoluble iron compounds, whose source could be volcanic or crustal dust. The ultraviolet features could arise from variations in the Fe-HCl concentration in the cloud particles.

  7. Effect of iron sulfides on the space weathering of airless silicate bodies: Laboratory simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sasaki, Sho; Hiroi, Takahiro; Okazaki, Mizuki

    The spectral mismatch between S-type asteroids and ordinary chondrites is explained by the process "space weathering", which should change the optical properties of the surface of airless silicate bodies: darkening, spectral reddening, and attenuation of absorption bands in reflectance spectra. It is caused by nanophase metallic iron (nanoFe) particles within the amorphous rims, which are formed on regolith particles by high velocity dust impacts as well as irradiation of the solar wind ions. Those nanoFe particles were discovered in lunar soils, Kapoeta meteorite, and regolith grains from the surface of S-type asteroid Itokawa. Experimental studies using nano-second pulse laser confirmed that nanoFe should control the spectral darkening and reddening. In ordinary chondrites, iron sulfides, especially troilite FeS is the main sulfur-bearing mineral. TEM observation of a dust grain of Itokawa showed the presence of not only iron, but also nanophase FeS particles, which would be formed within a surface vapor-deposited thin layer (<10 to 15nm) (Noguchi et al., 2011). Among dust grains of Itokawa, one grain is composed mainly of FeS (-40 mum) with smaller olivine and pyroxene grains embedded in the FeS (Yada et al., 2014). Previously surface sulfur depletion of S-type asteroid Eros was explained by the same causes (high velocity dust impacts as well as irradiation of the solar wind ions) as space weathering (Loeffler et al. 2008), but the effect of FeS on the surface optical properties of silicate bodies has not discussed well. To examine this effect, we conducted pulse laser irradiation experiments on mixture of olivine (and pyroxene) and FeS particles with sizes typically 45-75micron, under various FeS fraction (0-20wt%). We found that addition of FeS promotes the change of optical properties in accordance with space weathering. Compared with the cases where Fe particles are mixed, darkening of 1.0 - 2.5 micron region is observed. Probably FeS nanoparticles would be formed to change the reflectance spectra. References: [1] Noguchi, T. et al. (2011) Science 333,1121., [2] Yada, T. et al. (2014) LPSC 45th, 1759., [3] Loeffler, M. J. et al. (2008) Icarus 195, 622.

  8. Apollo 17 Soil Characterization for Reflectance Spectroscopy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Taylor, L. A.; Pieters, C.; Patchen, A.; Morris, R. V.; Keller, L. P.; Wentworth, S.; McKay, D. S.

    1999-01-01

    It is the fine fractions that dominate the observed spectral signatures of bulk lunar soil, and the next to the smallest size fractions are the most similar to the overall properties of the bulk soil. Thus, our Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium has concentrated on understanding the inter-relations of compositional, mineralogical, and optical properties of the <45-micron size fraction and its component sizes (20-44 micron, 10-20 micron, and <10 micron size fractions). To be able to generalize our results beyond the particular sample set studied, it is necessary to quantitatively identify the observed effects of space weathering and evaluate the processes involved. For this, it is necessary to know the chemistry of each size fraction, modal abundances of each phase, average compositions of the minerals and glasses, I(sub s)/FeO values, reflectance spectra, and the physical makeup of the individual particles and their patinas. This characterization includes the important dissection of the pyroxene minerals into four separate populations, with data on both modes and average chemical compositions. Armed with such data, it should be possible to effectively isolate spectral effects of space weathering from spectral properties related to mineral and glass chemistry. Four mare soils from the Apollo 17 site were selected for characterization based upon similarities in bulk composition and their contrasting maturities, ranging from immature to submature to mature. The methodology of our characterization has been discussed previously. Results of the Apollo 17 mare soils, outlined herein, are being prepared for publication in MAPS. As shown, with decreasing grain size, the agglutinitic (impact) glass content profoundly increases. This is the most impressive change for the mare soils. In several soils we have examined, there is an over two-fold increase in the agglutinitic glass contents between the 90-150- micron and the 10-20-micron size fractions. Accompanying this increase in agglutinitic glass is a definite decrease in pyroxenes and to lesser extents, the oxides (ilmenite), volcanic glass, and olivine. Unexpectedly, however, the absolute plagioclase abundances stay relatively constant throughout the different grain sizes, although the abundance of plagioclase relative to the mafic minerals increases with decreasing particle size. These soils were chosen for study based upon their similarities in FeO and Ti02 content, allowing for direct comparisons between evolutions of chemistry between size fractions and among different maturities of soils. The bulk chemistry of these fractions was determined by EMP analyses of fused glass beads. In contrast to the systematic variations in bulk chemistry discussed below, the relatively uniform composition of agglutinitic glass with grain size and soil maturity is illustrated. The composition of the bulk fraction of each size fraction becomes more feldspathic with increasing maturity, with the effect being most pronounced for the finest fractions. The composition of the agglutinitic glass, however, is relatively invariant and more feldspathic (i.e., rich in Al2O3) than even the <10-micron fraction. This relation not only strengthens the "fusion of the finest fraction" (F(sup 3)) hypothesis, but also highlights the important role of plagioclase in the formation of agglutinitic glass. With decreasing grain size, FeO, MgO, and TiO2 contents decrease, whereas CaO, Na2O, and Al2O3 (plag components) increase for all soils. These chemical variations would appear to be coupled with the significant increase in agglutinitic glass and decrease in oxide (ilmenite),pyroxene, and volcanic glass. These changes in chemistry do not appear to be due to distinct changes in the compositions of individual phases but to their abundances. Values of I(sub s)/FeO increase with decreasing grain size, even though the bulk FeO contents decrease. That is, the percentage of the total Fe that is present as nanophase Fe(sup O) has increased substantially in the smaller size fraction. Note that the increase in nanophase FeO in smaller size fractions is significantly greater than the increase in agglutinitic glass content, with its single-domain FeO component. This would seem to indicate that at least some of the FeO is surface correlated. To illustrate this effect, if it is assumed that the nanophase FeO is entirely surface correlated, then equal masses of 15-micron and 6-micron spheres should have about 3x as much FeO in the finer fraction. The recent findings of Kelleret al. of the major role of vapor-deposited, nanophase FeO-containing patinas on most soil particles is a major breakthrough in our understanding of the distribution of FeO within agglutinitic glass and upon grain surfaces. Bidirectional reflectance spectra for a representative Apollo 17 soil (70181) are shown. The size separates all have similar albedo in the blue and follow a regular sequence in which the continuum slope increases, ferrous bands weaken, and albedo, increases with decreasing particle size. The bulk <45-micron soil is typically close to the 10-20 micron spectrum. It is important to note that although the finest fraction (<10 micron) is close in composition to the abundant agglutinitic glass in each size fraction, this size fraction is relatively featureless and does not dominate the spectrum of the bulk <45-micron soil. It has long been suspected that agglutinitic glass, to a large extent, is the product of melting of the finest fraction of the soils, with a dominance of plagioclase. Given the low abundance of pyroxene in the finest fractions of each soil the source of the FeO in these Apollo 17 agglutinitic glasses is not fully identified. We suspect the abundant volcanic glass in these samples may be a significant contributor and this hypothesis will be tested with the suite under study from other Apollo sites.

  9. Amine quinone polyurethane polymers for improved performance in advanced particulate media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Warren, G. W.; Sharma, Rahul; Nikles, D. E.; Hu, Y.; Street, S. C.

    1999-03-01

    The magnetic layer used in commercial, high density, metal particle recording media consists of sub-micron sized Fe particles suspended in a polyurethane polymer binder. New amine-quinone polymers, AQPU15 and AQPU100, have been developed for improving corrosion resistance of the particles. A fundamental study of the nature of the AQ polymer/metal oxide interface and its relationship to corrosion resistance is reported. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to evaluate corrosion behavior of Fe substrates coated with two different thicknesses of each polymer. The extent of corrosion of Fe particles coated with AQ polymers was also measured via the loss in MS with time of immersion in an acid solution. AQ coated particles showed significant improvement in corrosion resistance. FTIR-RA and XPS data show an interaction between AQM14A, a simple model for a portion of the polymer, and metal (Fe, Cu, Al) surfaces which occurs through the π system of the AQ functional group.

  10. Size of lethality target in mouse immature oocytes determined with accelerated heavy ions.

    PubMed

    Straume, T; Dobson, R L; Kwan, T C

    1989-01-01

    Mouse immature oocytes were irradiated in vivo with highly charged, heavy ions from the Bevalac accelerator at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. The particles used were 670-MeV/nucleon Si14+, 570-MeV/nucleon Ar18+, and 450-MeV/nucleon Fe26+. The cross-sectional area of the lethality target in these extremely radiosensitive cells was determined from fluence-response curves and information on energy deposition by delta rays. Results indicate a target cross-section larger than that of the nucleus, one which closely approximates the cross-sectional area of the entire oocyte. For 450-MeV/nucleon Fe26+ particles, the predicted target cross-sectional area is 120 +/- 16 microns2, comparing well with the microscopically determined cross-sectional area of 111 +/- 12 microns2 for these cells. The present results are in agreement with our previous target studies which implicate the oocyte plasma membrane.

  11. Effect of iron sulfides on space weathering: Lessons from the Itokawa particles and laboratory simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Okazaki, M.; Sasaki, S.; Tsuchiyama, A.; Miyake, A.; Matsumoto, T.; Hirata, T.; Hiroi, T.

    2014-07-01

    Space weathering is the process invoked to explain the spectral mismatch between S-type asteroids and ordinary chondrites: darkening, spectral reddening, and attenuation of absorption bands in the reflectance spectra. These changes of optical properties of the surface of airless silicate bodies are explained by nanophase metallic iron (nanoFe) particles, which are formed on regolith particles by high-velocity dust impacts as well as irradiation of the solar-wind ions (Hapke 2001). Those nanoFe particles were discovered in lunar soils, Kapoeta meteorite, and regolith grains from the surface of S-type asteroid Itokawa. Experimental studies using a nano-second-pulse laser confirmed that nanoFe should control the spectral darkening and reddening. The observed reddening of S-type asteroid families is correlated with dynamical asteroid ages after family-forming disruption (Jedicke, et al. 2004). Still, experiments showed that the weathering degree should depend on the composition such as the olivine/pyroxene ratio (Hiroi and Sasaki 2001). In ordinary chondrites, iron sulfides, typically, troilite FeS is the main sulfur-bearing mineral. TEM observation of a dust grain of Itokawa showed the presence of not only iron, but also nanophase FeS particles, which are embedded within a vapor-deposited thin surface layer (thinner than 10-15 nm; Noguchi et al. 2011). One of the Itokawa grains is composed mainly of FeS (about 40 microns) with smaller olivine and pyroxene particles (Yada et al., 2014). On the other hand, the surface sulfur depletion of S-type asteroid Eros was explained by the same mechanism (high-velocity dust and solar-wind particle impacts) of space weathering (Loeffler et al. 2008). To examine the effect of FeS on the surface optical properties of silicate bodies, we conducted pulse-laser irradiation experiments on mixtures of olivine (and pyroxene) and FeS particles with typical sizes of 45--75 micron, for varying FeS fractions (0--0.2 by weight). We find that the addition of Fes should promote the change of optical properties in accordance with space weathering, especially darkening. As compared to the cases where iron particles are mixed, darkening occurs characteristically in the infrared region. According to preliminary observations by the FESEM and HR microscopes, surfaces of olivine particles --- after laser irradiation --- are likely to be coated with vapor-deposited material. Moreover, some grains are covered by a smooth thicker FeS coating, which would contribute to the overall darkening. We suppose that iron sulfides may promote space weathering initially, even if some of the sulfides are, in time, decomposed to a lower surface sulfur abundance on small asteroids.

  12. Onsite aerosol measurements for various engineered nanomaterials at industrial manufacturing plants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ogura, I.; Sakurai, H.; Gamo, M.

    2011-07-01

    Evaluation of the health impact of and control over exposure to airborne engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) requires information, inter alia, the magnitude of environmental release during various industrial processes, as well as the size distribution and morphology of the airborne ENM particles. In this study, we performed onsite aerosol measurements for various ENMs at industrial manufacturing plants. The industrial processes investigated were the collection of SiC from synthesis reactors, synthesis and bagging of LiFePO4, and bagging of ZnO. Real-time aerosol monitoring using condensation particle counters, optical particle counters, and an electrical low-pressure impactor revealed frequent increases in the number concentrations of submicron- and micron-sized aerosol particles, but few increases in the number concentrations of nanoparticles. In the SEM observations, a large number of submicron- and micron-sized agglomerated ENM particles were observed.

  13. Simulated space weathering of Fe- and Mg-rich aqueously altered minerals using pulsed laser irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaluna, H. M.; Ishii, H. A.; Bradley, J. P.; Gillis-Davis, J. J.; Lucey, P. G.

    2017-08-01

    Simulated space weathering experiments on volatile-rich carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) have resulted in contrasting spectral behaviors (e.g. reddening vs bluing). The aim of this work is to investigate the origin of these contrasting trends by simulating space weathering on a subset of minerals found in these meteorites. We use pulsed laser irradiation to simulate micrometeorite impacts on aqueously altered minerals and observe their spectral and physical evolution as a function of irradiation time. Irradiation of the mineral lizardite, a Mg-phyllosilicate, produces a small degree of reddening and darkening, but a pronounced reduction in band depths with increasing irradiation. In comparison, irradiation of an Fe-rich aqueously altered mineral assemblage composed of cronstedtite, pyrite and siderite, produces significant darkening and band depth suppression. The spectral slopes of the Fe-rich assemblage initially redden then become bluer with increasing irradiation time. Post-irradiation analyses of the Fe-rich assemblage using scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal the presence of micron sized carbon-rich particles that contain notable fractions of nitrogen and oxygen. Radiative transfer modeling of the Fe-rich assemblage suggests that nanometer sized metallic iron (npFe0) particles result in the initial spectral reddening of the samples, but the increasing production of micron sized carbon particles (μpC) results in the subsequent spectral bluing. The presence of npFe0 and the possible catalytic nature of cronstedtite, an Fe-rich phyllosilicate, likely promotes the synthesis of these carbon-rich, organic-like compounds. These experiments indicate that space weathering processes may enable organic synthesis reactions on the surfaces of volatile-rich asteroids. Furthermore, Mg-rich and Fe-rich aqueously altered minerals are dominant at different phases of the aqueous alteration process. Thus, the contrasting spectral slope evolution between the Fe- and Mg-rich samples in these experiments may indicate that space weathering trends of volatile-rich asteroids have a compositional dependency that could be used to determine the aqueous histories of asteroid parent bodies.

  14. Multielement analysis of interplanetary dust particles using TOF-SIMS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stephan, T.; Kloeck, W.; Jessberger, E. K.; Rulle, H.; Zehnpfenning, J.

    1993-01-01

    Sections of three stratospheric particles (U2015G1, W7029*A27, and L2005P9) were analyzed with TOF-SIMS (Time Of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) continuing our efforts to investigate the element distribution in interplanetary dust particles (IDP's) with high lateral resolution (approximately 0.2 micron), to examine possible atmospheric contamination effects, and to further explore the abilities of this technique for element analysis of small samples. The samples, previously investigated with SXRF (synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis), are highly enriched in Br (Br/Fe: 59 x CI, 9.2 x CI, and 116 x CI, respectively). U2015G1 is the IDP with the by far highest Zn/Fe-ratio (81 x CI) ever reported in chondritic particles.

  15. Evidence of the impacting body of the Ries crater - the discovery of Fe-Cr-Ni veinlets below the crater bottom

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    El, Goresy A.; Chao, E.C.T.

    1976-01-01

    Fe-Cr-Ni particles and veinlets have been discovered in the top 15 m of the compressed zone with abundant shatter cones below the bottom of the Ries crater. The metallic particles are less than a few microns across. They occur in various minerals along healed intergranular and locally in intragranular microfractures in quartz diorite, amphibolite and chloritized granite of the basement crystalline rocks. The particles consist of major Fe, Cr, and Ni with minor Si and Ca. Origin due to contamination is absolutely ruled out. We believe that these Fe-Cr-Ni particles are probably condensed from the vaporized impacting body which produced the Ries crater. These particles were injected with high velocity into microfractures near the top of the compressed zone, implanted in and across various minerals before these microfractures were resealed. The presence of Si and Ca as well as the fact that the Cr content is nearly twice that of Ni, led us to conclude that the Ries impacting body is very likely not an iron meteorite but a stony meteorite. ?? 1976.

  16. Investigation of optimal route to fabricate submicron-sized Sm{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} particles with reduction-diffusion method

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Okada, Shusuke, E-mail: shusuke-okada@aist.go.jp; Takagi, Kenta; Ozaki, Kimihiro

    Submicron-sized Sm{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} powder samples were fabricated by a non-pulverizing process through reduction-diffusion of precursors prepared by a wet-chemical technique. Three precursors having different morphologies, which were micron-sized porous Sm-Fe oxide-impregnated iron nitrate, acicular goethite impregnated-samarium nitrate, and a conventional Sm-Fe coprecipitate, were prepared and subjected to hydrogen reduction and reduction-diffusion treatment to clarify whether these precursors could be convert to Sm{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} without impurity phases and which precursor is the most attractive for producing submicron-sized Sm{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} powder. As a result, all three precursors were successfully converted to Sm{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} powders without impurity phases, andmore » the synthesis route using iron-oxide particle-impregnated samarium oxide was revealed to have the greatest potential among the three routes.« less

  17. Determination of magnetic domain state of carbon coated iron nanoparticles via 57Fe zero-external-field NMR

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manjunatha, M.; Kumar, Rajeev; Sahoo, Balaram; Damle, Ramakrishna; Ramesh, K. P.

    2018-05-01

    The magnetic domain state of carbon coated iron nanopowder (Fe@C) was studied by the internal field nuclear magnetic resonance (IFNMR) at 77 K using the spin echo technique. The structure and magnetic properties of the sample were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman Spectroscopy. The obtained IFNMR results of Fe@C powder were compared with that of micron sized carbonyl iron (CI) and electrolytic iron (EI) powders. The calculated critical size of the single domain iron particles in Fe@C is ∼ 16 nm. A higher enhancement in echo amplitude was observed due to better response of the domain walls of multidomain particles in comparison to the single domain particles. The echo signal of CI and EI particles exhibit a single narrow intense peak corresponding to the domain walls, whereas Fe@C exhibits two low amplitude peaks at two different frequencies: a low frequency (46.6 MHz) peak corresponds to the response of the domain walls of the multidomain particles and the other high frequency (47.2 MHz) signal (a shoulder) corresponding to the response of the magnetic nuclei inside the domain. Our results help in determining the domain state of iron-based magnetic particles using 57Fe-IFNMR.

  18. Leonid's Particle Analyses from Stratospheric Balloon Collection on Xerogel Surfaces

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Noever, David; Phillips, Tony; Horack, John; Porter, Linda; Myszka, Ed

    1999-01-01

    Recovered from a stratospheric balloon above 20 km on 17-18 November 1998, at least eight candidate microparticles were collected and analyzed from low-density silica xerogel collection plates. Capture time at Leonids' storm peak was validated locally along the balloon trajectory by direct video imaging of meteor fluence up to 24/hr above 98% of the Earth's atmosphere. At least one 30 micron particle agrees morphologically to a smooth, unmelted spherule and compares most closely in non-volatile elemental ratios (Mg/Si, Al/Si, and Fe/Si) to compositional data in surface/ocean meteorite collections. A Euclidean tree diagram based on composition makes a most probable identification as a non-porous stratospherically collected particle and a least probable identification as terrestrial matter or an ordinary chondrite. If of extraterrestrial origin, the mineralogical class would be consistent with a stony (S) type of silicate, olivine [(Mg,Fe)2SiO4] and pyroxene [(Mg, Fe)Si!O3)--or oxides, herecynite [(Fe,Mg) Al2O4].

  19. Collection of microparticles at high balloon altitudes in the stratosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Testa, John P., Jr.; Stephens, John R.; Berg, Walter W.; Cahill, Thomas A.; Onaka, Takashi

    1990-01-01

    Stratospheric particles were collected between 34 and 36 km, using a combination of cascade impactors and filters lofted by a large helium balloon, and the particle concentration, size distribution, and bulk elemental composition were determined using SEM and proton-induced X-ray emission (PEXE) instrument. In addition, datailed particle morphology, elemental analysis, and electron diffraction data were obtained on 23 particles using a TEM. The concentration of particles between 0.045 and 1.0 micron in radius was found to be orders of magnitude above the concentrations predicted by the model of Hunten et al. (1980), but was consistent with balloon and satellite observations. Elemental composition analysis showed the presence of Cl, S, Ti, Fe, Br, Ni, Zr, Zn, Sr, and Cu in decreasing order of concentration. The 23 particles analyzed by TEM ranged from Al-rich silicates to almost pure Fe to one containing almost exclusively Ba and S. None were definitely chondritic in composition.

  20. Tunable morphology and magnetic properties of Bi2Fe4O9 nanocrystal synthesized by hydrothermal method.

    PubMed

    Du, Yi; Cheng, Zhenxiang; Dou, Shixue; Wang, Xiaolin

    2011-03-01

    Bi2Fe4O9 nano and micron powders have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The as-obtained samples are pure phase and crystallize in the orthorhombic structure. Diverse particle morphologies, including nanoplates, nanospheres, microcubes, and microcylinders, are obtained under different synthesis conditions. The solvent N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF), together with the mineralisers NaOH and NH4OH, are found to be the key factors for the formation of the particles with their diverse morphologies and sizes. The magnetization dependence of temperature (M-T), observed in a field of 1000 Oe from 10 to 340 K, and M-H loops measured at 10 K indicate that the Bi2Fe4O9 particles are paramagnetic at room temperature and undergo an antiferromagnetic transition at a Néel temperature (T(N)) of 250 K.

  1. Study on Preparing Al2O3 Particles Reinforced ZL109 Composite by in Situ Reaction of Fe2O3/Al System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Jing; Yu, Huashun; Zhao, Qi; Wang, Haitao; Min, Guanghui

    Al2O3 particles reinforced ZL109 composite was prepared by in situ reaction between Fe2O3 and Al. The phases were identified by XRD and the microstructures were observed by SEM and TEM. The Al2O3 particles in sub-micron size distribute uniformly in the matrix and Fe displaced from the in situ reaction forms net-like alloy phases with Cu, Ni, Al, Mn ect. The hardness and the tensile strength at room temperature of the composites have a small increase compared with the matrix. However, the tensile strength at 350°C can reach 92.18 MPa, which is 18.87 MPa higher than that of the matrix. The mechanism of the reaction in the Fe2O3/Al system was studied by DSC. The reaction between Fe2O3 and Al involves two steps. The first step in which Fe2O3 reacts with Al to form FeO and Al2O3 takes place at the matrix alloy melting temperature. The second step in which FeO reacts with Al to form Fe and Al2O3 takes place at a higher temperature.

  2. Structure and magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14B fine particles produced by spark erosion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wan, H.; Berkowitz, A. E.

    1994-11-01

    At present Nd2Fe14B is the best permanent magnet because of its extremely high coercivity and energy product. Optimum properties of Nd2Fe14B magnets can be attained by producing single domain particles, and then aligning and compacting them. Due to the reactivity of the Nd constitutent, it is challenging to produce and handle a large amount of fine particles of this material. We have prepared fine particles of Nd2Fe14B by spark erosion with various dielectric media. Yield, size, size distribution, structure, and magnetic properties are discussed. The Nd2Fe14B particles were made by the sharker pot spark erosion method. Relaxation oscillators or a pulse generator were used to power the park erosion. Commercial Neomax 35 was employed as the primary material. The dielectric media were liquid Ar, Ar gas, and hydrocarbons, which provided an oxygen free environment. Structure and size were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction. Magnetic properties were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) with temperatures in range of 4.2-1200 K. The particles produced in these three different dielectric media had different microstructures and crystal structures. The particles made in Ar gas were pure Nd2Fe14B phase. The particles made in liquid Ar were a mixture of amorphous and crystalline Nd2Fe14B, because the liquid Ar provided a much higher quench rate than Ar gas, which produced some amorphous Nd2Fe14B. Upon annealing, the amorphous particles became crystalline. The fine particles produced in hydrocarbons, such as pentane and dodecane, had more complex mixed phases, since the rare earth reacted with the hydrocarbons during the sparking process. The phases were NdC2, alpha-Fe, and amorphous and crystalline Nd2Fe14B. The effects of power parameters, such as voltage and capacitance, on particle size were investigated. Particle sizes from 20 nm to 50 microns were obtained.

  3. Imaging the surface morphology, chemistry and conductivity of LiNi 1/3 Fe 1/3 Mn 4/3 O 4 crystalline facets using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy

    DOE PAGES

    Zhou, Jigang; Wang, Jian; Cutler, Jeffrey; ...

    2016-07-26

    We have employed scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) using the X-ray fluorescence mode in order to elucidate the chemical structures at Ni, Fe, Mn and O sites from the (111) and (100) facets of micron-sized LiNi 1/3Fe 1/3Mn 4/3O 4 energy material particles. Furthermore, STXM imaging using electron yield mode has mapped out the surface conductivity of the crystalline particles. Our study presents a novel approach that visualizes local element segregation, chemistry and conductivity variation among different crystal facets, which will assist further tailoring of the morphology and surface structure of this high voltage spinel lithium ion battery cathode material.

  4. On improving the fracture toughness of a NiAl-based alloy by mechanical alloying

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kostrubanic, J.; Koss, D. A.; Locci, I. E.; Nathal, M.

    1991-01-01

    Mechanical alloying (MA) has been used to process the NiAl-based alloy Ni-35Al-20Fe, such that a fine-grain (about 2 microns) microstructure is obtained through the addition of 2 vol pct Y2O3 particles. When compared to a conventionally processed, coarse-grained (about 28 microns) Ni-35-20 alloy without the Y2O3 particles, the MA alloy exhibits two to three times higher fracture toughness values, despite a 50-percent increase in yield strength. Room-temperature K(O) values as high as 34 MPa sq rt m are observed, accompanied by a yield strength in excess of 1100 MPa. Fractography confirms a change in fracture characteristics of the fine-grained MA alloy.

  5. Does ascorbic acid supplementation affect iron bioavailability in rats fed micronized dispersible ferric pyrophosphate fortified fruit juice?

    PubMed

    Haro-Vicente, Juan Francisco; Pérez-Conesa, Darío; Rincón, Francisco; Ros, Gaspar; Martínez-Graciá, Carmen; Vidal, Maria Luisa

    2008-12-01

    Food iron (Fe) fortification is an adequate approach for preventing Fe-deficiency anemia. Poorly water-soluble Fe compounds have good sensory attributes but low bioavailability. The reduction of the particle size of Fe fortificants and the addition of ascorbic acid might increase the bioavailability of low-soluble compounds. The present work aims to compare the Fe absorption and bioavailability of micronized dispersible ferric pyrophosphate (MDFP) (poorly soluble) to ferrous sufate (FS) (highly soluble) added to a fruit juice in presence or absence of ascorbic acid (AA) by using the hemoglobin repletion assay in rats. After a hemoglobin depletion period, four fruit juices comprised of (1) FS, (2) MDFP, (3) FS + AA, (4) MDFP + AA were produced and administered to a different group of rats (n = 18) over 21 days. During the repletion period, Fe balance, hemoglobin regeneration efficiency (HRE), relative bioavailability (RBV) and Fe tissue content were determined in the short, medium and long term. Fe absorption and bioavailability showed no significant differences between fortifying the fruit juice with FS or MDFP. The addition of AA to the juice enhanced Fe absorption during the long-term balance study within the same Fe source. HRE and Fe utilization increased after AA addition in both FS and MDFP groups in every period. Fe absorption and bioavailability from MDFP were comparable to FS added to a fruit juice in rats. Further, the addition of AA enhanced Fe absorption in the long term, as well as Fe bioavailability throughout the repletion period regardless of the Fe source employed.

  6. Formation and alteration of airborne particles in the subway environment.

    PubMed

    Moreno, T; Querol, X; Martins, V; Minguillón, M C; Reche, C; Ku, L H; Eun, H R; Ahn, K H; Capdevila, M; de Miguel, E

    2017-01-25

    Most particles in the rail subway environment are sub-micron sized ferruginous flakes and splinters generated mechanically by frictional wear of brake pads, wheels and rails. To better understand the mechanisms of formation and the alteration processes affecting inhalable particles in subways, PM samples (1-2.5 μm and 2.5-10 μm) were collected in the Barcelona Metro and then studied under a scanning electron microscope. Most particles in these samples are hematitic (up to 88%), with relatively minor amounts of mineral matter (up to 9%) and sulphates (up to 5%). Detailed microscopy (using back scattered and TEM-DRX imaging) reveals how many of the metallic particles comprise the metallic Fe nucleus surrounded by hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ) and a coating of sulphate and chloride salts mixed with mineral matter (including Ca-carbonates, clay minerals and quartz). These observations record the emission of fine to ultrafine FePM by frictional wear at elevated temperatures that promote rapid partial (or complete) oxidation of the native metal. Water condensing on the PM surface during cooling leads to the adsorption of inorganic mineral particles that coat the iron oxide. The distinctively layered polymineralic structure that results from these processes is peculiar to particles generated in the subway environment and very different from PM typically inhaled outdoors.

  7. Method of making permanent magnets

    DOEpatents

    McCallum, R.W.; Dennis, K.W.; Lograsso, B.K.; Anderson, I.E.

    1993-09-07

    A method for making an isotropic permanent magnet comprises atomizing a melt of a rare earth-transition metal alloy (e.g., an Nd--Fe--B alloy enriched in Nd and B) under conditions to produce protectively coated, rapidly solidified, generally spherical alloy particles. Wherein a majority of the particles are produced/size classified within a given size fraction (e.g., 5 to 40 microns diameter) exhibiting optimum as-atomized magnetic properties and subjecting the particles to concurrent elevated temperature and elevated isotropic pressure for a time effective to yield a densified, magnetically isotropic magnet compact having enhanced magnetic properties and mechanical properties. 13 figures.

  8. Method of making permanent magnets

    DOEpatents

    McCallum, R. William; Dennis, Kevin W.; Lograsso, Barbara K.; Anderson, Iver E.

    1993-09-07

    A method for making an isotropic permanent magnet comprises atomizing a melt of a rare earth-transition metal alloy (e.g., an Nd--Fe--B alloy enriched in Nd and B) under conditions to produce protectively coated, rapidly solidified, generally spherical alloy particles wherein a majority of the particles are produced/size classified within a given size fraction (e.g., 5 to 40 microns diameter) exhibiting optimum as-atomized magnetic properties and subjecting the particles to concurrent elevated temperature and elevated isotropic pressure for a time effective to yield a densified, magnetically isotropic magnet compact having enhanced magnetic properties and mechanical properties.

  9. Analysis of the ultrafine fraction of the Apollo 14 regolith

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Finkelman, R. B.

    1973-01-01

    Analyses were obtained on more than 2400 randomly selected particles from the sub-37 micron (ultrafine) fraction of ten Apollo 14 regolith samples. The analyses were conducted with an energy dispersive electron microprobe system. The semiquantitative data were used to group the particles into ten categories. The pyroxene/plagioclase and olivine/plagioclase ratios are inconsistent with those ratios in the Apollo 14 breccias and rocks. The data suggest that fragmented basalts similar to Apollo 12 olivine basalts may have made significant contributions to the ultrafine fraction of the Fra Mauro regolith. Among a number of unusual particles encountered are brown, birefringent lath-shaped grains with 60 wt % SiO2 and 34 wt % FeO(FeSi2O5) and a glass with 20 to 25 wt % CaO, 0 to 8 wt % MgO, 40 to 45 wt % Al2O3 and approximately 30 wt % SiO2.

  10. Relative bioavailability of micronized, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate added to an apple juice drink.

    PubMed

    Roe, Mark A; Collings, Rachel; Hoogewerff, Jurian; Fairweather-Tait, Susan J

    2009-03-01

    Food iron fortification is a sustainable and relatively simple strategy to reduce/prevent iron deficiency but is a challenge for the food industry because of possible adverse organoleptic changes caused by the added iron. A micronized dispersible ferric pyrophosphate, trademarked as SunActive Fe, has recently been developed. SunActive Fe has a small particle size, is water soluble and may be suitable for fortifying liquid products. To determine the relative bioavailability of SunActive Fe and its suitability for addition to pure apple juice. Iron absorption from SunActive Fe added to pure apple juice (Minute Maid) was compared with absorption from ferrous sulphate, a highly bioavailable form of iron, in 15 women with relatively low iron stores. Both forms of iron were enriched with an iron stable isotope and iron absorption from the apple juice drinks was calculated from the isotopic enrichment of red blood cells 14 days after the last test meal. Although mean absorption of iron from SunActive Fe was significantly lower than from ferrous sulphate (5.5% compared with 9.1%), the mean bioavailability of SunActive Fe iron relative to ferrous sulphate was 0.6, indicating that it is a good source of bioavailable iron. Iron Absorption from SunActive Fe was positively correlated (r = 0.97, P = 0.01) with absorption from ferrous sulphate, and negatively correlated with serum ferritin concentration (ferrous sulphate r = -0.81, P < 0.001; SunActive Fe r = -0.76, P = 0.01). SunActive Fe was well absorbed from apple juice and is a potentially useful fortificant for liquid food products.

  11. Magnetic properties of Magneto-Rheological fluids with uniformly dispersed Fe nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Poddar, P.; Wilson, J. L.; Srikanth, H.; Wereley, N. M.; Radhakrishnan, R.

    2003-03-01

    A systematic study of the magnetic properties of MR fluids containing micron-size and nano-size iron particles is presented. Nano-particles with a size range of 15-20 nm were prepared using microwave plasma technique. The MR-fluids were prepared with hydraulic oil as the carrier liquid and lecithin as an effective surfactant medium that promotes uniform particle dispersion. Static and dynamic magnetic measurements clearly indicate that the replacement of the micron-size particles by nano-particles results in a much better suspension. The magnetization in the nanoparticulate MR fluid is dominated by superparamagnetic particle response. In addition, collective behavior due to strong dipolar interactions associated with chaining of the particles in the field direction was also observed. A sharp drop in susceptibility at 250K was noted and this is ascribed to the carrier fluid freezing transition. We also present optical micrographs of showing chain formation and rheological performance as measured by field-dependent yield stress experiments. Sharper magnetic response to applied fields and lower field requirement for saturation make nano-particles attractive candidates for improved MR-fluid based sensors, actuators and microfluidics for clinical diagnostics. HS acknowledges support from NSF through grants ECS-0140047 and ECS-0102622. NMW and RR acknowledge support from NSF grant DMI-0110447.

  12. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sullivan, Kyle T.

    Reactive composites utilizing nanoparticles have been the topic of extensive research in the past two decades. The driver for this is that, as the particle size is decreased, the mixing scale between constituents is greatly reduced, which has long thought to increase the rate of chemical reaction. While a general trend of increased reactivity has been seen for metal / metal oxide, or thermite, reactive materials, some results have demonstrated diminishing returns as the particle size is further decreased. Recent results have shown that nanoparticles, which are typically aggregates of several primary particles, can undergo very rapid coalescence to formmore » micron particles once a critical temperature is reached. Experiments on this topic to date have been performed on very small sample masses, and sometimes under vacuum; conditions which are not representative of the environment during a deflagration. In this feasibility study, a custom burn tube was used to ignite and react 100 mg powdered thermite samples in long acrylic tubes. X-ray imaging at APS Sector 32 was performed to image the particle field as a function of distance and time as the rarefied particle cloud expanded and flowed down the tube. Five different thermite formulations were investigated, Al / CuO, Al / Fe 2O 3, Al / SnO 2, Al / WO 3, and Al / Fe 2O 3, along with Al / CuO formulations with different sizes of Al particles ranging from 80 nm to approximate 10 μm. The results clearly show that the sample powder reacts and unloads into a distribution of larger micron-scale particles (~5-500 μm), which continue to react and propagate as the particle-laden stream flows down the tube. This was the first direct imaging of the particle field during a thermite deflagration, and gives significant insight into the evolution of reactants to products. Analysis of phase is currently being pursued to determine whether this method can be used to extract reaction kinetics.« less

  13. Magnetic and hydrogel composite materials for hyperthermia applications.

    PubMed

    Lao, L L; Ramanujan, R V

    2004-10-01

    Micron-sized magnetic particles (Fe3O4) were dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel to study their potential for hyperthermia applications. Heating characteristics of this ferrogel in an alternating magnetic field (375 kHz) were investigated. The results indicate that the amount of heat generated depends on the Fe3O4 content and magnetic field amplitude. A stable maximum temperature ranging from 43 to 47 degrees C was successfully achieved within 5-6 min. The maximum temperature was a function of Fe3O4 concentration. A specific absorption rate of up to 8.7 W/g Fe3O4 was achieved; this value was found to depend on the magnetic field strength. Hysteresis loss is the main contribution to the heating effect experienced by the sample.

  14. Exploring the synthesis and characterization of nanoenergetic materials from sol-gel chemistry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Jeremy D.

    Nanoenergetic composite materials have been synthesized by a sol-gel chemical process where the addition of a weak base molecule induces the gelation of a hydrated metal salt solution. A proposed 'proton scavenging' mechanism, where a weak base molecule extracts a proton from the coordination sphere of the hydrated iron (III) complex in the gelation process to form iron (III) oxide/hydroxide, FeIIIxOyHz, has been confirmed for the weak base propylene oxide (PO), a 1,2 epoxide, as well as for the weak bases tetrahydrofuran (THF), a 1,4 epoxide, and pyridine, a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compound. Gelation mechanisms for the formation of FeIIIxOyHz from THF and pyridine have been presented and confirmed through pH, XPS, and IR studies. THF follows a similar mechanism as PO, where the epoxide extracts a proton from the coordination sphere of the hydrated iron complex forming a protonated epoxide, which then undergoes irreversible ring-opening after reaction with a nucleophile in solution. Pyridine also extracts a proton from the hydrated metal complex, however, the stable six-membered molecule has low associated ring strain and does not endure ring-opening. Energetic properties for the Fe2O3/Al and RuO 2/Al sol-gel synthesized systems are also presented. Sol-gel chemistry synthesizes x-ray amorphous oxide matrices which contain substantial quantities of residual water and organic species. The iron (III) matrix, formed from the addition of a weak base epoxide molecule to a hydrated iron (III) nitrate solution, consists of stoichiometric Fe2O3, FeO(OH), and Fe(OH)3 and can only definitely be described as of Fe IIIxOyHz. XPS characterization of the metal oxide matrix synthesized from the addition of the weak base propylene oxide to a hydrated ruthenium (III) chloride solution corresponds to that of hydrous ruthenium (IV) oxide. Fe2O3/Al energetic systems were synthesized from the epoxides PO, trimethylene oxide (TMO) and 3,3 dimethyl oxetane (DMO). Energetic systems formed from each epoxide were each synthesized with different components, including: varying concentrations of nano-scale Al, micron Al, and carbon nanotubes. Surface area analysis of the synthesized matrices shows a direct correlation between the surface area of the iron (III) oxide matrix and the quantified exothermic heat of reaction of the energetic material due to the magnitude of the interfacial surface area contact between the iron (III) oxide matrix and the aluminum particles. The Fe2O3(PO)/Al systems possess the highest heat of reaction values due to the oxide surface area available for contact with the aluminum particles. Also, within systems, 1:1 Fe:nano Al samples possess the highest heat of reaction. Samples with nano-scale Al particles start reaction at 430°C, before the melting point of Al, whereas samples containing micron-Al do not react until ˜800°C, after the melting point of Al. The RuO2/Al energetic systems behave differently dependent on the atmosphere the sample is heated. Heating the RuO2/Al samples in an inert atmosphere results in the complete reduction of the ruthenium oxide matrix to Ru(0) before reaction with the aluminum particles. This results in the exothermic formation of RuxAly intermetallics, with the stoichiometry dependent on the initial Ru:Al concentration. However, heating the samples in an oxygen-rich atmosphere results in an exothermic reaction between RuO2 and Al. Post-reaction analysis of these samples reveals the sole existence of ruthenium (IV) oxide as the exothermic reaction vaporizes the aluminum particles.

  15. The Search for Interstellar Sulfide Grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, Lindsay P.; Messenger, Scott

    2010-01-01

    The lifecycle of sulfur in the galaxy is poorly understood. Fe-sulfide grains are abundant in early solar system materials (e.g. meteorites and comets) and S is highly depleted from the gas phase in cold, dense molecular cloud environments. In stark contrast, sulfur is essentially undepleted from the gas phase in the diffuse interstellar medium, indicating that little sulfur is incorporated into solid grains in this environment. It is widely believed that sulfur is not a component of interstellar dust grains. This is a rather puzzling observation unless Fe-sulfides are not produced in significant quantities in stellar outflows, or their lifetime in the ISM is very short due to rapid destruction. Fe sulfide grains are ubiquitous in cometary samples where they are the dominant host of sulfur. The Fe-sulfides (primarily pyrrhotite; Fe(1-x)S) are common, both as discrete 0.5-10 micron-sized grains and as fine (5-10 nm) nanophase inclusions within amorphous silicate grains. Cometary dust particles contain high abundances of well-preserved presolar silicates and organic matter and we have suggested that they should contain presolar sulfides as well. This hypothesis is supported by the observation of abundant Fe-sulfides grains in dust around pre- and post-main sequence stars inferred from astronomical spectra showing a broad 23 micron IR feature due to FeS. Fe-sulfide grains also occur as inclusions in bona fide circumstellar amorphous silicate grains and as inclusions within deuterium-rich organic matter in cometary dust samples. Our irradiation experiments show that FeS is far more resistant to radiation damage than silicates. Consequently, we expect that Fe sulfide stardust should be as abundant as silicate stardust in solar system materials.

  16. Detection of Crystalline Hematite Mineralization on Mars by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer: Evidence for Near-surface Water

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Christensen, P. R.; Bandfield, J. L.; Clark, R. N.; Edgett, K. S.; Hamilton, V. E.; Hoefen, T.; Kieffer, H. H.; Kuzmin, R. O.; Lane, M. D.; Malin, M. C.

    1999-01-01

    The Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) instrument on the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mission has discovered a remarkable accumulation of crystalline hematite ((alpha-Fe2O3) that covers an area with very sharp boundaries approximately 350 by 350-750 km in size centered near 2 S latitude between 0 and 5 W longitude (Sinus Meridiani). Crystalline hematite is uniquely identified by the presence of fundamental vibrational absorption features centered near 300, 450, and >525/cm, and by the absence of silicate fundamentals in the 1000/cm region. Spectral features resulting from atmospheric CO2, dust, and water ice were removed using a radiative transfer model. The spectral properties unique to Sinus Meridiani were emphasized by removing the average spectrum of the surrounding region. The depth and shape of the hematite fundamental bands show that the hematite is crystalline and relatively coarse grained (>5-10 micron). Diameters up to and greater than 100s of micrometers are permitted within the instrumental noise and natural variability of hematite spectra. Hematite particles <5-10 micron in diameter (either as an unpacked or hard-packed powders) fail to match the TES spectra. The spectrally-derived areal abundance of hematite varies with particle size from approximately 10% for particles >30 micron in diameter to 40-60% for unpacked 10 micron powders. The hematite in Sinus Meridiani is thus distinct from the fine-grained (diameter <5-10 micron), red, crystalline hematite considered, on the basis of visible, near-IR data, to be a minor spectral component in Martian bright regions like Olympus-Amazonis. Sinus Meridiani hematite is closely associated with a smooth, layered, friable surface that is interpreted to be sedimentary in origin. This material may be the uppermost surface in the region, indicating that it could be a late-stage sedimentary unit, or it could be a layered portion of the heavily cratered plains units. We consider five possible mechanisms for the formation of coarse-grained, crystalline hematite. These processes fall into two classes depending on whether they require a significant amount of near-surface water: (1) chemical precipitation that includes origin by (a) precipitation from oxygenated, Fe-rich water (iron formations), (b) hydrothermal extraction and crystal growth.

  17. Removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution using Fe3O4-SiO2-poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) core-shell sub-micron particles.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Fan; Lan, Jing; Zhao, Zongshan; Yang, Ye; Tan, Ruiqin; Song, Weijie

    2012-12-01

    In this work, Fe(3)O(4)-SiO(2)-poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) sub-micron particles (FSPs) with high saturated magnetization of ∼60-70 emu/g were developed and utilized for the removal of As(III), Cu(II), and Cr(III) ions from aqueous solution. The isothermal results fitted well with the Freundlich model and the kinetic results fitted well with the two-site pseudo-second-order model, which indicated that multilayer adsorption of As(III), Cu(II), and Cr(III) ions on FSPs occurred at two sites with different energy of adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities followed the order of As(III) (84±5 mg/g, pH=6.0)>Cr(III) (77±3 mg/g, pH=5.3)>Cu(II) (65±3 mg/g, pH=6.0). And the chelating interaction was considered as the main adsorption mechanism. The as-prepared materials were chemically stable with low leaching of Fe (≤1.7 wt.%) and poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) (≤4.9 wt.%) in tap water, sea water, and acidic/basic solutions. These metal-loaded FSPs could be easily recovered from aqueous solutions using a permanent magnet within 20s. They could also be easily regenerated with acid. The present work indicates that the FSPs are promising for removal of heavy metal ions in field application. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Nanoscale Mineralogy and Composition of Experimental Regolith Agglutinates Produced under Asteroidal Impact Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Christoffersen, Roy; Cintala, M. J.; Keller, L. P.; See, T. H.; Horz, F.

    2013-01-01

    On the Moon, the energetics of smaller impactors and the physical/chemical characteristics of the granular regolith target combine to form a key product of lunar space weathering: chemically reduced shock melts containing optically-active nanophase Fe metal grains (npFe0) [1]. In addition to forming the optically dark glassy matrix phase in lunar agglutinitic soil particles [1], these shock melts are becoming increasingly recognized for their contribution to optically active patina coatings on a wide range of exposed rock and grain surfaces in the lunar regolith [2]. In applying the lessons of lunar space weathering to asteroids, the potential similarities and differences in regolith-hosted shock melts on the Moon compared to those on asteroids has become a topic of increasing interest [3,4]. In a series of impact experiments performed at velocities applicable to the asteroid belt [5], Horz et al. [6] and See and Horz [7] have previously shown that repeated impacts into a gabbroic regolith analog target can produce melt-welded grain aggregates morphologically very similar to lunar agglutinates [6,7]. Although these agglutinate-like particles were extensively analyzed by electron microprobe and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as part of the original study [7], a microstructural and compositional comparison of these aggregates to lunar soil agglutinates at sub-micron scales has yet to be made. To close this gap, we characterized a representative set of these aggregates using a JEOL 7600 field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and JEOL 2500SE field-emission scanning transmission electron microscope (FE-STEM) both optimized for energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) compositional spectrum imaging at respective analytical spatial resolutions of 0.5 to 1 micron, and 2 to 4 nm.

  19. Single agglutinates: A comparative study of compositions of agglutinitic glass, whole-grain, bulk soil, and FMR

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Basu, A.; Robinson, R.; Mckay, D. S.; Blanchard, D. P.; Morris, R. V.; Wentworth, Susan J.

    1994-01-01

    Previous workers on single agglutinates have variously interpreted the composition of agglutinitic glass to represent impact melts of (1) bulk soil, (2) mixed components in finer sizes, and (3) microtargets. Separately, Papike has argued in favor of fusion of the finest fraction of bulk soils. Thirty-four single agglutinates were hand-picked from the mature Apollo 16 soil 61181 (I(sub s)/FeO = 82) and the FMR and chemical composition (INAA for Fe, Sc, Sm, Co, Ni, and Cr) of each agglutinate particle were measured. Thirteen of these single agglutinates were selected for electron beam microanalysis and imaging. Less than 1 micron spots were analyzed (for Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Ba) on pure glassy areas (approximately ten in each particle) selected on the basis of optical and BSE images (avoiding all clasts and inclusions) with an electron microprobe to obtain average glass compositions of each single agglutinate.

  20. Formation of Light Absorbing Soluble Secondary Organics and Insoluble Polymeric Particles from the Dark Reaction of Catechol and Guaiacol with Fe(III).

    PubMed

    Slikboer, Samantha; Grandy, Lindsay; Blair, Sandra L; Nizkorodov, Sergey A; Smith, Richard W; Al-Abadleh, Hind A

    2015-07-07

    Transition metals such as iron are reactive components of environmentally relevant surfaces. Here, dark reaction of Fe(III) with catechol and guaiacol was investigated in an aqueous solution at pH 3 under experimental conditions that mimic reactions in the adsorbed phase of water. Using UV-vis spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy techniques, we characterized the reactants, intermediates, and products as a function of reaction time. The reactions of Fe(III) with catechol and guaiacol produced significant changes in the optical spectra of the solutions due to the formation of light absorbing secondary organics and colloidal organic particles. The primary steps in the reaction mechanism were shown to include oxidation of catechol and guaiacol to hydroxy- and methoxy-quinones. The particles formed within a few minutes of reaction and grew to micron-size aggregates after half an hour reaction. The mass-normalized absorption coefficients of the particles were comparable to those of strongly absorbing brown carbon compounds produced by biomass burning. These results could account for new pathways that lead to atmospheric secondary organic aerosol formation and abiotic polymer formation on environmental surfaces mediated by transition metals.

  1. Spectroscopy and reactivity of mineral analogs of the Martian soil

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Banin, A.; Orenberg, J.; Roush, T.

    1991-01-01

    To answer the question of why life occurred on Earth but not on Mars requires a study of the geochemical and physical aspects of the Martian soil. Some of the best Mars analog mineral models of the soil have been prepared and justified according to known constraints of chemical composition, reflectance spectroscopy, and chemical reactivity. Detailed laboratory reflectance spectra in the ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared (.30 to 2.5 microns) and the infrared (2.5 to 25 microns) regions have been obtained for the pure candidate minerals and some analog mixtures and compared to Mars reflectance spectra. Modeling of the reflectance spectra from optical constraints determined for the analog minerals has begun and will be interpreted in terms of the effects of particle size variation, component mixing, and soil packing upon remotely sensed reflectance spectra. This has implications not only for Mars, but for other planets and planetoids. The ratio of Fe(II)/Fe(III) in the Martian soil analog materials on spectral reflectance in the visible range has begun, and the results will be evaluated according to conformity with the visible Mars reflectance spectrum. Some initial LR and GEX data have been collected for the mineral samples and their mixtures, which can be compared with the Viking data and interpreted in terms of the redox (Fe(II)/Fe(III) environment.

  2. The microstructural evolution, crystallography, and thermal processing of ultrahigh carbon Fe-1.85 pct C melt-spun ribbon

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Spanos, G.; Ayers, J. D.; Vold, C. L.; Locci, I. E.

    1993-01-01

    A study is presented to determine if fine microstructures could be achieved using rapid solidification to produce a fine-grained fully austenitic starting structure and then using thermal processing cycles to produce an even finer ferrite-cementite structure. The evolution, mechanisms of grain refinement, and crystallography of the resultant microstructures were examined by TEM. A thermal processing cycle consisted of quenching the ribbon in liquid nitrogen, tempering at 600 C for 10 sec, 'upquenching' to 750 C for 10 sec, and subsequently quenching again in liquid nitrogen. The heat-treatment resulted in martensite grains with sizes of about 1 micron or less in both length and thickness and cementite particles of 0.4 micron or less. It is concluded that these microstructures could be used for producing fine-grained ultrahigh carbon steels of very high strength without the brittleness associated with the formation of coarse carbide particles of the loss of strength due to graphite formation.

  3. Sub-micron particle sampler apparatus and method for sampling sub-micron particles

    DOEpatents

    Gay, D.D.; McMillan, W.G.

    1984-04-12

    Apparatus and method steps for collecting sub-micron sized particles include a collection chamber and cryogenic cooling. The cooling is accomplished by coil tubing carrying nitrogen in liquid form, with the liquid nitrogen changing to the gas phase before exiting from the collection chamber in the tubing. Standard filters are used to filter out particles of diameter greater than or equal to 0.3 microns; however, the present invention is used to trap particles of less than 0.3 micron in diameter. A blower draws air to said collection chamber through a filter which filters particles with diameters greater than or equal to 0.3 micron. The air is then cryogenically cooled so that moisture and sub-micron sized particles in the air condense into ice on the coil. The coil is then heated so that the ice melts, and the liquid is then drawn off and passed through a Buchner funnel where the liquid is passed through a Nuclepore membrane. A vacuum draws the liquid through the Nuclepore membrane, with the Nuclepore membrane trapping sub-micron sized particles therein. The Nuclepore membrane is then covered on its top and bottom surfaces with sheets of Mylar and the assembly is then crushed into a pellet. This effectively traps the sub-micron sized particles for later analysis. 6 figures.

  4. The Influence of Shielding on the Biological Effectiveness of Accelerated Particles for the Induction of Chromosome Damage

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goeorge, Kerry; Cucinotta, Francis A.

    2007-01-01

    Chromosome damage was assessed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after in vitro exposure to the either Si-28 (490 or 600 MeV/n), Ti-48 (1000 MeV/n), or Fe-56 (600, 1000, or 5000 MeV/n). LET values for these ions ranged from 51 to 184 keV/micron and doses ranged from 10 to 200 cGy. The effect of either aluminum or polyethylene shielding on the induction of chromosome aberrations was investigated for each ion. Chromosome exchanges were measured using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with whole chromosome probes in cells collected at G2 and mitosis in first division post irradiation after chromosomes were prematurely condensed using calyculin-A. The yield of chromosomal aberrations increased linearly with dose and the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for the primary beams, estimated from the initial slope of the dose response curve for total chromosomal exchanges with respect to gamma-rays, ranged from 9 to 35. The RBE values increased with LET, reaching a maximum for the 600 MeV/n Fe ions with LET of 184 keV/micron. When the LET of the primary beam was below approximately 100 keV/micron, the addition of shielding material increased the effectiveness per unit dose. Whereas shielding decreased the effectiveness per unit dose when the LET of primary beams was higher than 100 keV/micron. The yield of aberrations correlated with the dose-average LET of the beam after traversal through the shielding.

  5. Reflectance spectra of Fe(2+)-Mg(2+) disordered pyroxenes: Implications to remote-sensed spectra of planetary surfaces

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burns, Roger G.; Besancon, James R.; Pratt, Stephen F.

    1991-01-01

    The reflectance spectra of Fe(2+)-Mg(2+) disordered orthopyroxenes are relevant to surfaces of terrestrial planets onto which basaltic magma has been extruded. If cooling rates of basalt lava flows were fast, equilibrium iron intersite partitioning may not have been achieved so that abnormal enrichments of Fe(2+) ions in M1 sites would occur. The two intense pyroxene Fe(2+) site CF bands in the 1 micron and 2 micron regions would continue to dominate the the reflectance spectra so that the pyroxene composition and structure type would be readily identified in telescopic spectral profiles. However, abnormal intensification of the Fe(2+)/M1 site CF band at 1.20 microns could lead to the false identification of olivine in remote sensed spectra because in pyroxene-olivine mixtures the inflection around 1.20 microns is the only spectral feature for detecting the presence of olivine. The identification of iron-bearing plagioclase feldspars, too, would be obscured by the pyroxene Fe(2+)/M1 site CF band at 1.20 microns. Such interference would be a major problem if in situ reflectance spectra could be measured on the surface of Venus where ambient temperatures are as high as 475 C. Disordering of Fe(2+) and Mg(2+) ions comparable to that in the orthopyroxenes used in this spectral chemical study might be expected in low Ca pyroxenes occurring on the Venusian surface. Researchers conclude that Fe(2+)/M1 site spectral features need to be carefully assessed in remote-sensed spectra before deductions are made about the presence of olivine on planetary surfaces.

  6. A new look at inhalable metalliferous airborne particles on rail subway platforms.

    PubMed

    Moreno, Teresa; Martins, Vânia; Querol, Xavier; Jones, Tim; BéruBé, Kelly; Minguillón, Maria Cruz; Amato, Fulvio; Capdevila, Marta; de Miguel, Eladio; Centelles, Sonia; Gibbons, Wes

    2015-02-01

    Most particles breathed on rail subway platforms are highly ferruginous (FePM) and extremely small (nanometric to a few microns in size). High magnification observations of particle texture and chemistry on airborne PM₁₀ samples collected from the Barcelona Metro, combined with published experimental work on particle generation by frictional sliding, allow us to propose a general model to explain the origin of most subway FePM. Particle generation occurs by mechanical wear at the brake-wheel and wheel-rail interfaces, where magnetic metallic flakes and splinters are released and undergo progressive atmospheric oxidation from metallic iron to magnetite and maghemite. Flakes of magnetite typically comprise mottled mosaics of octahedral nanocrystals (10-20 nm) that become pseudomorphed by maghemite. Continued oxidation results in extensive alteration of the magnetic nanostructure to more rounded aggregates of non-magnetic hematite nanocrystals, with magnetic precursors (including iron metal) still preserved in some particle cores. Particles derived from steel wheel and rails contain a characteristic trace element chemistry, typically with Mn/Fe=0.01. Flakes released from brakes are chemically very distinctive, depending on the pad composition, being always carbonaceous, commonly barium-rich, and texturally inhomogeneous, with trace elements present in nanominerals incorporated within the crystalline structure. In the studied subway lines of Barcelona at least there appears to be only a minimal aerosol contribution from high temperature processes such as sparking. To date there is no strong evidence that these chemically and texturally complex inhalable metallic materials are any more or less toxic than street-level urban particles, and as with outdoor air, the priority in subway air quality should be to reduce high mass concentrations of aerosol present in some stations. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  7. Sub-micron particle sampler apparatus

    DOEpatents

    Gay, Don D.; McMillan, William G.

    1987-01-01

    Apparatus and method steps for collecting sub-micron sized particles include a collection chamber and cryogenic cooling. The cooling is accomplished by coil tubing carrying nitrogen in liquid form, with the liquid nitrogen changing to the gas phase before exiting from the collection chamber in the tubing. Standard filters are used to filter out particles of diameter greater than or equal to 0.3 microns; however the present invention is used to trap particles of less than 0.3 micron in diameter. A blower draws air to said collection chamber through a filter which filters particles with diameters greater than or equal to 0.3 micron. The air is then cryogenically cooled so that moisture and sub-micron sized particles in the air condense into ice on the coil. The coil is then heated so that the ice melts, and the liquid is then drawn off and passed through a Buchner funnel where the liquid is passed through a Nuclepore membrane. A vacuum draws the liquid through the Nuclepore membrane, with the Nuclepore membrane trapping sub-micron sized particles therein. The Nuclepore membrane is then covered on its top and bottom surfaces with sheets of Mylar.RTM. and the assembly is then crushed into a pellet. This effectively traps the sub-micron sized particles for later analysis.

  8. Method for sampling sub-micron particles

    DOEpatents

    Gay, Don D.; McMillan, William G.

    1985-01-01

    Apparatus and method steps for collecting sub-micron sized particles include a collection chamber and cryogenic cooling. The cooling is accomplished by coil tubing carrying nitrogen in liquid form, with the liquid nitrogen changing to the gas phase before exiting from the collection chamber in the tubing. Standard filters are used to filter out particles of diameter greater than or equal to 0.3 microns; however the present invention is used to trap particles of less than 0.3 micron in diameter. A blower draws air to said collection chamber through a filter which filters particles with diameters greater than or equal to 0.3 micron. The air is then cryogenically cooled so that moisture and sub-micron sized particles in the air condense into ice on the coil. The coil is then heated so that the ice melts, and the liquid is then drawn off and passed through a Buchner funnel where the liquid is passed through a Nuclepore membrane. A vacuum draws the liquid through the Nuclepore membrane, with the Nuclepore membrane trapping sub-micron sized particles therein. The Nuclepore membrane is then covered on its top and bottom surfaces with sheets of Mylar.RTM. and the assembly is then crushed into a pellet. This effectively traps the sub-micron sized particles for later analysis.

  9. Reflection spectra and magnetochemistry of iron oxides and natural surfaces

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wasilewski, P.

    1978-01-01

    The magnetic properties and spectral characteristics of iron oxides are distinctive. Diagnostic features in reflectance spectra (0.5 to 2.4 micron) for alpha Fe2O3, gamma Fe2O3, and FeOOH include location of Fe3(+) absorption features, intensity ratios at various wavelengths, and the curve shape between 1.2 micron and 2.4 micron. The reflection spectrum of natural rock surfaces are seldom those of the bulk rock because of weathering effects. Coatings are found to be dominated by iron oxides and clay. A simple macroscopic model of rock spectra (based on concepts of stains and coatings) is considered adequate for interpretation of LANDSAT data. The magnetic properties of materials associated with specific spectral types and systematic changes in both spectra and magnetic properties are considered.

  10. A Study of the Effects of Relative Humidity on Small Particle Adhesion to Surfaces

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Whitfield, W. J.; David, T.

    1971-01-01

    Ambient dust ranging in size from less than one micron up to 140 microns was used as test particles. Relative humidities of 33% to 100% were used to condition test surfaces after loading with the test particles. A 20 psi nitrogen blowoff was used as the removal mechanism to test for particle adhesion. Particles were counted before and after blowoff to determine retention characteristics. Particle adhesion increased drastically as relative humidity increased above 50%. The greatest adhesion changes occurred within the first hour of conditioning time. Data are presented for total particle adhesion, for particles 10 microns and larger, and 50 microns and larger.

  11. Process for selective grinding of coal

    DOEpatents

    Venkatachari, Mukund K.; Benz, August D.; Huettenhain, Horst

    1991-01-01

    A process for preparing coal for use as a fuel. Forming a coal-water slurry having solid coal particles with a particle size not exceeding about 80 microns, transferring the coal-water slurry to a solid bowl centrifuge, and operating same to classify the ground coal-water slurry to provide a centrate containing solid particles with a particle size distribution of from about 5 microns to about 20 microns and a centrifuge cake of solids having a particle size distribution of from about 10 microns to about 80 microns. The classifer cake is reground and mixed with fresh feed to the solid bowl centrifuge for additional classification.

  12. A Novel Hybrid Ultramicrotomy/FIB-SEM Technique: Preparation of Serial Electron-Transparent Thin Sections of a Hayabusa Grain

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Berger, Eve L.; Keller, Lindsay P.

    2014-01-01

    The Japanese space agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa mission returned the first particulate samples (typically <100micron) from the surface of an asteroid (25143 Itokawa). These precious samples provide important insights into early Solar System processes, but their sizes pose tremendous challenges to coordinated analysis using a variety of nano- and micro-beam techniques. The ability to glean maximal information from individual particles has become increasingly important and depends critically on sample preparation. We developed a hybrid technique combining traditional ultramicrotomy with focused ion beam (FIB) techniques, allowing for more thorough in situ investigations of grain surfaces and interiors. Using this method, we increase the number of FIB-prepared sections that can be recovered from a particle with dimensions on the order of tens of microns. These sections can be subsequently analyzed using a variety of analytical techniques. Particle RA-QD02-0211 is a approx. 40×40×20 micron particle from Itokawa containing olivine and Fe sulfides. It was embedded in low viscosity epoxy and partly sectioned to a depth of approx 10 micron; sections are placed on Cu grids with thin amorphous films for transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses. With the sample surface partly exposed, the epoxy bullet is trimmed to a height of approx. 5mm to accommodate the allowable dimensions for FIB work (FEI Quanta 600 3D dual beam FIB-SEM). Using a diamond trim knife, the epoxy surrounding the grain is removed on 3 sides (to within a few microns of the grain); the depth of material removed extends well below the bottom of the particle. The sample is attached to an SEM pin mount, the epoxy coated with conductive paint, and the entire assembly coated with approx. 40nm of carbon to eliminate sample charging during FIB work. A protective carbon cap is placed according to the plan for the 15 FIB sections. The central 'spine' of the cap runs perpendicular to the front of the sample, and the 'ribs' protruding from either side run parallel. Each rib indicates the location of a planned FIB section, and the spine contains the final two planned sections. We use a cap with a 4 micron-wide spine and 2micron-wide ribs that have ?3.5 micron of space between them (narrower cuts result in too much re-deposition of material inside the trenches). Using a 30kV, 3nA ion-beam we expose the front surface of the grain and commence milling trenches between sections. Rather than using the typical C-cut to prepare the sample for lift-out, an L-cut is used instead, leaving the sample connected by an interior tab. tab. Sections are lifted out, attached to TEM grids and thinned to electron transparency. TEM analyses show that our hybrid technique preserves both interior and edge features, including surface modifications from exposure to the space environment, such as damaged rims that form in response to solar wind implantation effects and adhering grains. In addition, the FIB sections provide larger areas that are free of fractures and chatter effects in comparison to the microtome thin sections, thus enabling more accurate measurements of solar flare particle track densities that are used to determine the surface exposure age of the particles.

  13. Preparation and Characterization of Micronized Artemisinin via a Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions (RESS) Method

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Huimin; Zhao, Xiuhua; Zu, Yuangang; Zhang, Xinjuan; Zu, Baishi; Zhang, Xiaonan

    2012-01-01

    The particle sizes of pharmaceutical substances are important for their bioavailability. Bioavailability can be improved by reducing the particle size of the drug. In this study, artemisinin was micronized by the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS). The particle size of the unprocessed white needle-like artemisinin particles was 30 to 1200 μm. The optimum micronization conditions are determined as follows: extraction temperature of 62 °C, extraction pressure of 25 MPa, precipitation temperature 45 °C and nozzle diameter of 1000 μm. Under the optimum conditions, micronized artemisinin with a (mean particle size) MPS of 550 nm is obtained. By analysis of variance (ANOVA), extraction temperature and pressure have significant effects on the MPS of the micronized artemisinin. The particle size of micronized artemisinin decreased with increasing extraction temperature and pressure. Moreover, the SEM, LC-MS, FTIR, DSC and XRD allowed the comparison between the crystalline initial state and the micronization particles obtained after the RESS process. The results showed that RESS process has not induced degradation of artemisinin and that processed artemisinin particles have lower crystallinity and melting point. The bulk density of artemisinin was determined before and after RESS process and the obtained results showed that it passes from an initial density of 0.554 to 0.128 g·cm−3 after the processing. The decrease in bulk density of the micronized powder can increase the liquidity of drug particles when they are applied for medicinal preparations. These results suggest micronized powder of artemisinin can be of great potential in drug delivery systems. PMID:22606030

  14. Characteristics of trace metals in traffic-derived particles in Hsuehshan Tunnel, Taiwan: size distribution, fingerprinting metal ratio, and emission factor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Y.-C.; Tsai, C.-J.; Wu, Y.-C.; Zhang, R.; Chi, K.-H.; Huang, Y.-T.; Lin, S.-H.; Hsu, S.-C.

    2014-05-01

    Traffic emissions are a significant source of airborne particulate matter (PM) in ambient environments. These emissions contain high abundance of toxic metals and thus pose adverse effects on human health. Size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected from May to September 2013 by using micro-orifice uniform deposited impactor (MOUDI). Sample collection was conducted simultaneously at the inlet and outlet sites of Hsuehshan Tunnel in northern Taiwan, which is the second longest freeway tunnel (12.9 km) in Asia. Such endeavor aims to characterize the chemical constituents, size distributions, and fingerprinting ratios, as well as the emission factors of particulate metals emitted by vehicle fleets. A total of 36 metals in size-resolved aerosols were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Three major groups, namely, tailpipe emissions (Zn, Pb, and V), wear debris (Cu, Cd, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Sb, and Sn), and resuspended dust (Ca, Mg, K, and Rb), of airborne PM metals were categorized on the basis of the results of enrichment factor, correlation matrix, and principal component analysis. Size distributions of wear-originated metals resembled the pattern of crustal elements, which were predominated by super-micron particulates (PM1-10). By contrast, tailpipe exhaust elements such as Zn, Pb, and V were distributed mainly in submicron particles. By employing Cu as a tracer of wear abrasion, several inter-metal ratios, including Fe/Cu (14), Ba/Cu (1.05), Sb/Cu (0.16), Sn/Cu (0.10), and Ga/Cu (0.03), served as fingerprints for wear debris. Emission factor of PM10 mass was estimated to be 7.7 mg vkm-1. The metal emissions were mostly predominated in super-micron particles (PM1-10). Finally, factors that possibly affect particulate metal emissions inside Hsuehshan Tunnel are discussed.

  15. Chemical Heterogeneity of a Large Cluster IDP: Clues to its Formation History Using X-ray Fluorescence Mapping and XANES Spectroscopy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wirick, S.; Flynn, G. J.; Sutton, S.; Zolensky, M. E.

    2013-01-01

    Chondritic porous IDPs may be among the most primitive objects found in our solar system [1]. They consist of many micron to submicron minerals, glasses and carbonaceous matter [2,3,4,5,6,7] with > 10(exp 4) grains in a 10 micron cluster [8]. Speculation on the environment where these fine grained, porous IDPs formed varies with possible sources being presolar dusty plasma clouds, protostellar condensation, solar asteroids or comets [4,6,9]. Also, fine grained dust forms in our solar system today [10,11]. Isotopic anomalies in some particles in IDPs suggest an interstellar source[4,7,12]. IDPs contain relic particles left from the dusty plasma that existed before the protostellar disk formed and other grains in the IDPs formed later after the cold dense nebula cloud collapsed to form our protostar and other grains formed more recently. Fe and CR XANES spectroscopy is used here to investigate the oxygen environment in a large (>50 10 micron or larger sub-units) IDP. Conclusions: Analyzing large (>50 10 micron or larger sub-units) CP IDPs gives one a view on the environments where these fine dust grains formed which is different from that found by only analyzing the small, 10 micron IDPs. As with cluster IDP L2008#5 [3], L2009R2 cluster #13 appears to be an aggregate of grains that sample a diversity of solar and perhaps presolar environments. Sub-micron, grain by grain measurement of trace element contents and elemental oxidation states determined by XANES spectroscopy offers the possibility of understanding the environments in which these grains formed when compared to standard spectra. By comparing thermodynamic modeling of condensates with analytical data an understanding of transport mechanisms operating in the early solar system may be attained.

  16. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Stephen Seong Lee

    Fuel flow to individual burners is complicated and difficult to determine on coal fired boilers, since coal solids were transported in a gas suspension that is governed by the complex physics of two-phase flow. The objectives of the project were the measurements of suspended coal solids-flows in the simulated test conditions. Various extractive methods were performed manually and can give only a snapshot result of fuel distribution. In order to measure particle diameter & velocity, laser based phase-Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were carefully applied. Statistical methods were used to analyze particle characteristics to see whichmore » factors have significant effect. The transparent duct model was carefully designed and fabricated for the laser-based-instrumentation of solids-flow monitoring (LISM). The experiments were conducted with two different kinds of particles with four different particle diameters. The particle types were organic particles and saw dust particles with the diameter range of 75-150 micron, 150-250 micron, 250-355 micron and 355-425 micron. The densities of the particles were measured to see how the densities affected the test results. Also the experiment was conducted with humid particles and fog particles. To generate humid particles, the humidifier was used. A pipe was connected to the humidifier to lead the particle flow to the intersection of the laser beam. The test results of the particle diameter indicated that, the mean diameter of humid particles was between 6.1703 microns and 6.6947 microns when the humid particle flow was low. When the humid particle flow was high, the mean diameter was between 6.6728 microns and 7.1872 microns. The test results of the particle mean velocity indicated that the mean velocity was between 1.3394 m/sec and 1.4556 m/sec at low humid particle flow. When the humid particle flow was high, the mean velocity was between 1.5694 m/sec and 1.7856 m/sec. The Air Flow Module, TQ AF 17 and shell ondina oil were used to generate fog particles. After the oil was heated inside the fog generator, the blower was used to generate the fog. The fog flew along the pipe to the intersection of the laser beam. The mean diameter of the fog particles was 5.765 microns. Compared with the humid particle diameter, we observed that the mean diameter of the fog particles was smaller than the humid particles. The test results of particle mean velocity was about 3.76 m/sec. Compared with the mean velocity of the humid particles, we can observed the mean velocity of fog particles were greater than humid particles. The experiments were conducted with four different kinds of particles with five different particle diameters. The particle types were organic particles, coal particles, potato particles and wheat particles with the diameter range of 63-75 micron, less than 150 micron, 150-250 micron, 250-355 micron and 355-425 micron. To control the flow rate, the control gate of the particle dispensing hopper was adjusted to 1/16 open rate, 1/8 open rate and 1/4 open rate. The captured image range was 0 cm to 5 cm from the control gate, 5 cm to 10 cm from the control gate and 10 cm to 15 cm from the control gate. Some of these experiments were conducted under both open environment conditions and closed environment conditions. Thus these experiments had a total of five parameters which were type of particles, diameter of particles, flow rate, observation range, and environment conditions. The coal particles (diameter between 63 and 75 microns) tested under the closed environment condition had three factors that were considered as the affecting factors. They were open rate, observation range, and environment conditions. In this experiment, the interaction of open rate and observation range had a significant effect on the lower limit. On the upper limit, the open rate and environment conditions had a significant effect. In addition, the interaction of open rate and environment conditions had a significant effect. The coal particles tested (diameter between 63 and 75 microns) under open environment, two factors were that considered as the affecting factors. They were the open rate and observation ranges. In this experiment, there was no significant effect on the lower limit. On the upper limit, the observation range had a significant effect. In addition, the interaction of open rate and observation range had a significant effect for the source of variation with 95% of confidence based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) results.« less

  17. Single step, phase controlled, large scale synthesis of ferrimagnetic iron oxide polymorph nanoparticles by thermal plasma route and their rheological properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raut, Suyog A.; Mutadak, Pallavi R.; Kumar, Shiv; Kanhe, Nilesh S.; Huprikar, Sameer; Pol, Harshawardhan V.; Phase, Deodatta M.; Bhoraskar, Sudha V.; Mathe, Vikas L.

    2018-03-01

    In this paper we report single step large scale synthesis of highly crystalline iron oxide nanoparticles viz. magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) via gas phase condensation process, where micron sized iron metal powder was used as a precursor. Selective phases of iron oxide were obtained by variation of gas flow rate of oxygen and hence partial pressure of oxygen inside the plasma reactor. Most of the particles were found to possesses average crystallite size of about 20-30 nm. The DC magnetization curves recorded indicate almost super-paramagnetic nature of the iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. Further, iron oxide nanoparticles were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy. In order to explore the feasibility of these nanoparticles for magnetic damper application, rheological studies have been carried out and compared with commercially available Carbonyl Iron (CI) particles. The nanoparticles obtained by thermal plasma route show improved dispersion which is useful for rheological applications.

  18. Characterization of bidisperse magnetorheological fluids utilizing maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles synthetized by flame spray pyrolysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jönkkäri, I.; Sorvali, M.; Huhtinen, H.; Sarlin, E.; Salminen, T.; Haapanen, J.; Mäkelä, J. M.; Vuorinen, J.

    2017-09-01

    In this study we have used liquid flame spray (LFS) process to synthetize γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles of two different average sizes. Different sized nanoparticles were generated with two different liquid precursor feed rates in the spray process, higher feed rate resulting in larger nanoparticles with higher saturation magnetization. The nanoparticles were used in bidisperse magnetorheological fluids to substitute 5% of the micron sized carbonyl iron particles. To our knowledge this is the first time particles synthetized by the LFS method have been used in magnetorheological fluids. The bidisperse fluids showed significantly improved sedimentation stability compared to a monodisperse suspension with the same solid concentration. The tradeoff was an increased viscosity without magnetic field. The effect of the nanoparticles on the rheological properties under external magnetic field was modest. Finally, the dynamic oscillatory testing was used to evaluate the structural changes in the fluids under magnetic field. The addition of nanoparticles decreased the elastic portion of the deformation and increased the viscous portion.

  19. Biocompatibility of ferric calcium phosphorous oxide ceramics.

    PubMed

    Stricker, N J; Larrabee, R A; Bajpai, P K

    1992-01-01

    The objective of this investigation was to ascertain the biocompatability of a ferric calcium phosphorous oxide ceramic (FECAP). The FECAP ceramic was fabricated from stock powders combined in a ratio of 46:40:14 by weight of Fe2O3:CaO:P2O5. The composite oxides were mixed for homogeneity, pressed into a 20g block, and calcined in a crucible at 1100 degrees C for 12 hours. The calcined ceramic was then ground in a ball mill before separation into particle sizes of 38-45 microns and 63-75 microns, by an automatic siever and shaker. Calcined powders of each particle size were mixed with polyvinyl alcohol binder (0.025g PVA/1.0g of FECAP), and pressed into 0.5g pellets in a 5/16" (internal diameter) die at a 1820 kilogram load using a Carver hydraulic press. FECAP pellets were then sintered at 1100 degrees C for 12 hours. For this investigation, sixty albino (Sprague-Dawley) rats weighing 125-425 g each, were distributed into four groups: non-operated controls, sham-operated controls, and two groups subcutaneously implanted with ceramics 38-45 microns and 63-75 microns FECAP ceramics, respectively. Three rats from each group were sacrificed at three, five, seven, and twenty-one days post-surgery. Morphologic examination of the implant and implant site as well as hematocrit data indicate that this ferric-calcium-phosphorous oxide ceramic is biocompatible. Data obtained todate suggest that sintered FECAP should have a wide variety of dental and medical applications, especially where iron deficiency is a concern.

  20. Inactivation of particle-associated coliforms by chlorine and monochloramine.

    PubMed Central

    Berman, D; Rice, E W; Hoff, J C

    1988-01-01

    Sieves and nylon screens were used to separate primary sewage effluent solids into particle fractions of less than 7- or greater than 7-micron size. The efficiency of separation was determined by using a particle counter. Indigenous coliforms associated with the particle fractions were tested for their resistance to chlorine and monochloramine. Coliforms associated with the less than 7-microns fraction were inactivated more rapidly by 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter at 5 degrees C and pH 7 than coliforms associated with the greater than 7-microns fraction. Homogenization of the greater than 7-microns fraction not only resulted in an increase in the number of less than 7-microns particles, but also increased the rate of inactivation to a rate similar to that of the less than 7-microns fraction. With 1 mg of monochloramine per liter at 5 degrees C and pH 7, particle size had no appreciable effect on the rate of inactivation. At pH 8, however, the less than 7-micron fraction was inactivated more rapidly than the greater than 7-micron fraction. The time required for 99% inactivation of the particle fractions with monochloramine at pH 7 or 8 was 20- to 50-fold greater than the time required for the same amount of inactivation with chlorine at pH 7. The results indicate that coliforms associated with sewage effluent particles are inactivated more rapidly with 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter than with 1.0 mg of monochloramine per liter. However, greater than 7-micron particles can have a protective effect against the disinfecting action of chlorine. PMID:3355136

  1. A new model for Mars atmospheric dust based upon analysis of ultraviolet through infrared observations from Mariner 9, Viking, and Phobos

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clancy, R. T.; Lee, S. W.; Gladstone, G. R.; McMillan, W. W.; Rousch, T.

    1995-01-01

    We propose key modifications to the Toon et al. (1977) model of the particle size distribution and composition of Mars atmospheric dust, based on a variety of spacecraft and wavelength observations of the dust. A much broader (r(sub eff)variance-0.8 micron), smaller particle size (r(sub mode)-0.02 microns) distribution coupled with a "palagonite-like" composition is argued to fit the complete ultraviolet-to-30-micron absorption properties of the dust better than the montmorillonite-basalt r(sub eff)variance= 0.4 micron, r(sub mode)= 0.40 micron dust model of Toon et al. Mariner 9 (infrared interferometer spectrometer) IRIS spectra of high atmospheric dust opacities during the 1971 - 1972 Mars global dust storm are analyzed in terms of the Toon et al. dust model, and a Hawaiian palagonite sample with two different size distribution models incorporating smaller dust particle sizes. Viking Infrared Thermal Mapper (IRTM) emission-phase-function (EPF) observations at 9 microns are analyzed to retrieve 9-micron dust opacities coincident with solar band dust opacities obtained from the same EPF sequences. These EPF dust opacities provide an independent measurement of the visible/9-microns extinction opacity ratio (> or equal to 2) for Mars atmospheric dust, which is consistent with a previous measurement by Martin (1986). Model values for the visible/9-microns opacity ratio and the ultraviolet and visible single-scattering albedos are calculated for the palagonite model with the smaller particle size distributions and compared to the same properties for the Toon et al. model of dust. The montmorillonite model of the dust is found to fit the detailed shape of the dust 9-micron absorption well. However, it predicts structured, deep absorptions at 20 microns which are not observed and requires a separate ultraviolet-visible absorbing component to match the observed behavior of the dust in this wavelength region. The modeled palagonite does not match the 8- to 9-micron absorption presented by the dust in the IRIS spectra, probably due to its low SiO2 content (31%). However, it does provide consistent levels of ultraviolet/visible absorption, 9- to 12-micron absorption, and a lack of structured absorption at 20 microns. The ratios of dust extinction opacities at visible, 9 microns, and 30 microns are strongly affected by the dust particle size distribution. The Toon et al. dust size distribution (r(sub mode)= 0.40, r(sub eff)variance= 0.4 microns, r(sub cw mu)= 2.7 microns) predicts the correct ratio of the 9- to 30-micron opacity, but underpredicts the visible/9-micron opacity ratio considerably (1 versus > or equal to 2). A similar particle distribution width with smaller particle sizes (r(sub mode)= 0.17, r(sub eff)variance= 0.4 microns, r(sub cw mu)=1.2 microns) will fit the observed visible/9-micron opacity ratio, but overpredicts the observed 9-micron/30-micron opacity ratio. A smaller and much broader particle size distribution (r(sub mode)= 0.02, r(sub eff)variance= 0.8 microns, r(sub cw mu)= 1.8 microns) can fit both dust opacity ratios. Overall, the nanocrystalline structure of palagonite coupled with a smaller, broader distribution of dust particle sizes provides a more consistent fit than the Toon et al. model of the dust to the IRIS spectra, the observed visible/9-micron dust opacity ratio, the Phobos occultation measurements of dust particle sizes, and the weakness of surface near IR absorptions expected for clay minerals.

  2. Towards High Capacity Li-ion Batteries Based on Silicon-Graphene Composite Anodes and Sub-micron V-doped LiFePO4 Cathodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Loveridge, M. J.; Lain, M. J.; Johnson, I. D.; Roberts, A.; Beattie, S. D.; Dashwood, R.; Darr, J. A.; Bhagat, R.

    2016-11-01

    Lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO4 (LFP) has demonstrated promising performance as a cathode material in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), by overcoming the rate performance issues from limited electronic conductivity. Nano-sized vanadium-doped LFP (V-LFP) was synthesized using a continuous hydrothermal process using supercritical water as a reagent. The atomic % of dopant determined the particle shape. 5 at. % gave mixed plate and rod-like morphology, showing optimal electrochemical performance and good rate properties vs. Li. Specific capacities of >160 mAh g-1 were achieved. In order to increase the capacity of a full cell, V-LFP was cycled against an inexpensive micron-sized metallurgical grade Si-containing anode. This electrode was capable of reversible capacities of approximately 2000 mAh g-1 for over 150 cycles vs. Li, with improved performance resulting from the incorporation of few layer graphene (FLG) to enhance conductivity, tensile behaviour and thus, the composite stability. The cathode material synthesis and electrode formulation are scalable, inexpensive and are suitable for the fabrication of larger format cells suited to grid and transport applications.

  3. Towards High Capacity Li-ion Batteries Based on Silicon-Graphene Composite Anodes and Sub-micron V-doped LiFePO4 Cathodes

    PubMed Central

    Loveridge, M. J.; Lain, M. J.; Johnson, I. D.; Roberts, A.; Beattie, S. D.; Dashwood, R.; Darr, J. A.; Bhagat, R.

    2016-01-01

    Lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO4 (LFP) has demonstrated promising performance as a cathode material in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), by overcoming the rate performance issues from limited electronic conductivity. Nano-sized vanadium-doped LFP (V-LFP) was synthesized using a continuous hydrothermal process using supercritical water as a reagent. The atomic % of dopant determined the particle shape. 5 at. % gave mixed plate and rod-like morphology, showing optimal electrochemical performance and good rate properties vs. Li. Specific capacities of >160 mAh g−1 were achieved. In order to increase the capacity of a full cell, V-LFP was cycled against an inexpensive micron-sized metallurgical grade Si-containing anode. This electrode was capable of reversible capacities of approximately 2000 mAh g−1 for over 150 cycles vs. Li, with improved performance resulting from the incorporation of few layer graphene (FLG) to enhance conductivity, tensile behaviour and thus, the composite stability. The cathode material synthesis and electrode formulation are scalable, inexpensive and are suitable for the fabrication of larger format cells suited to grid and transport applications. PMID:27898104

  4. Towards High Capacity Li-ion Batteries Based on Silicon-Graphene Composite Anodes and Sub-micron V-doped LiFePO4 Cathodes.

    PubMed

    Loveridge, M J; Lain, M J; Johnson, I D; Roberts, A; Beattie, S D; Dashwood, R; Darr, J A; Bhagat, R

    2016-11-29

    Lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO 4 (LFP) has demonstrated promising performance as a cathode material in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), by overcoming the rate performance issues from limited electronic conductivity. Nano-sized vanadium-doped LFP (V-LFP) was synthesized using a continuous hydrothermal process using supercritical water as a reagent. The atomic % of dopant determined the particle shape. 5 at. % gave mixed plate and rod-like morphology, showing optimal electrochemical performance and good rate properties vs. Li. Specific capacities of >160 mAh g -1 were achieved. In order to increase the capacity of a full cell, V-LFP was cycled against an inexpensive micron-sized metallurgical grade Si-containing anode. This electrode was capable of reversible capacities of approximately 2000 mAh g -1 for over 1 50 cycles vs. Li, with improved performance resulting from the incorporation of few layer graphene (FLG) to enhance conductivity, tensile behaviour and thus, the composite stability. The cathode material synthesis and electrode formulation are scalable, inexpensive and are suitable for the fabrication of larger format cells suited to grid and transport applications.

  5. Silica-protected micron and sub-micron capsules and particles for self-healing at the microscale.

    PubMed

    Jackson, Aaron C; Bartelt, Jonathan A; Marczewski, Kamil; Sottos, Nancy R; Braun, Paul V

    2011-01-03

    A generalized silica coating scheme is used to functionalize and protect sub-micron and micron size dicyclopentadiene monomer-filled capsules and polymer-protected Grubbs' catalyst particles. These capsules and particles are used for self-healing of microscale damage in an epoxy-based polymer. The silica layer both protects the capsules and particles, and limits their aggregation when added to an epoxy matrix, enabling the capsules and particles to be dispersed at high concentrations with little loss of reactivity. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Surface Material Analysis of the S-type Asteroids: Removing the Space Weathering Effect from Reflectance Spectrum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ueda, Y.; Miyamoto, M.; Mikouchi, T.; Hiroi, T.

    2003-01-01

    Recent years, many researchers have been observing a lot of asteroid reflectance spectra in the UV, visible to NIR at wavelength region. Reflectance spectroscopy of asteroid at this range should bring us a lot of information about its surface materials. Pyroxene and olivine have characteristic absorption bands in this wavelength range. Low-Ca pyroxene has two absorption bands around 0.9 microns and 1.9 microns. The more Ca and Fe content, the longer both absorption band centers. On the other hand, reflectance spectrum of olivine has three complicated absorption bands around 1 m, and no absorption feature around 2 microns. In general, reflectance spectra of many asteroids that are considered to be silicate rich (i.e., S- and A type asteroids) show redder slope and more subdued absorption bands than those of terrestrial minerals and meteorites. These features are now believed to be caused by the space weathering effect, which is probably caused by micrometeorite bombardment and/or solar wind. This process causes nanophase reduced iron (npFe(sup 0)) particles near the surface of mineral grains, which leads the optical change. Therefore, the space weathering effect should be removed from asteroid reflectance spectra to compare with those of meteorite and terrestrial minerals. In this report, we will apply the expanded modified Gaussian model (MGM) to the reflectance spectra of S-type asteroids 7 Iris and 532 Herculina and compare them with those of meteorites.

  7. Bioaccessibility of micron-sized powder particles of molybdenum metal, iron metal, molybdenum oxides and ferromolybdenum--Importance of surface oxides.

    PubMed

    Mörsdorf, Alexander; Odnevall Wallinder, Inger; Hedberg, Yolanda

    2015-08-01

    The European chemical framework REACH requires that hazards and risks posed by chemicals, including alloys and metals, that are manufactured, imported or used in different products (substances or articles) are identified and proven safe for humans and the environment. Metals and alloys need hence to be investigated on their extent of released metals (bioaccessibility) in biologically relevant environments. Read-across from available studies may be used for similar materials. This study investigates the release of molybdenum and iron from powder particles of molybdenum metal (Mo), a ferromolybdenum alloy (FeMo), an iron metal powder (Fe), MoO2, and MoO3 in different synthetic body fluids of pH ranging from 1.5 to 7.4 and of different composition. Spectroscopic tools and cyclic voltammetry have been employed to characterize surface oxides, microscopy, light scattering and nitrogen absorption for particle characterization, and atomic absorption spectroscopy to quantify released amounts of metals. The release of molybdenum from the Mo powder generally increased with pH and was influenced by the fluid composition. The mixed iron and molybdenum surface oxide of the FeMo powder acted as a barrier both at acidic and weakly alkaline conditions. These findings underline the importance of the surface oxide characteristics for the bioaccessibility of metal alloys. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Morphology and phase evolution in microwave synthesized Al/FeO4 system.

    PubMed

    Chuan, Lee Chang; Yoshikawaa, Noboru; Taniguchia, Shoji

    2011-01-01

    Thermite reaction between Al/Fe3O4 raised by microwave (MW) heating under N2 atmosphere has been investigated, and compared with that by the electric furnace. In addition to the stoichiometric ratio for the production of metallic iron and alumina, mixture with slightly Lower in Al content is also studied. As thermite reaction is highly exothermic, melting of reaction product and destruction of microstructure may occur, which corresponds to the enthalpy and adiabatic temperature of the reaction. Hence, to avoid this problem, reaction coupled with a smaller driving force by controlling the MW ignition condition at low temperature exotherm has been investigated. The phase and microstructure evolution during the reaction were analyzed by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogram of the DTA analysis, irrespective of their mole ratio, recorded two exothermic peaks, one at - 1310 degrees C and another one at - 1370 degrees C. When heated by microwave at 955 degrees C, the main products were identified as Al, FeO and Fe, minor amount of Fe3O4 and some Fe and alumina were detected. When heating to 1155 degrees C, Al and Fe3O4 peaks disappeared, formation of Fe-Al alloy was observed. For sample heated at 1265 degrees C, a porous body was obtained. Micron sized metal particles with complex morphology, irregular in size and shapes were formed, uniformly distributed within the spinel hercynite and/or alumina matrix. In contrast, conventional heating produced no porous products. Formation of alumina is also observed around the metal particles. Controlling of the reaction progress was possible while heating the sample by MW around the low temperature exotherm region, whereas the combustion wave could not be self-propagated.

  9. Method of producing carbon coated nano- and micron-scale particles

    DOEpatents

    Perry, W. Lee; Weigle, John C; Phillips, Jonathan

    2013-12-17

    A method of making carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles comprising entraining particles in an aerosol gas, providing a carbon-containing gas, providing a plasma gas, mixing the aerosol gas, the carbon-containing gas, and the plasma gas proximate a torch, bombarding the mixed gases with microwaves, and collecting resulting carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles.

  10. Strain-dependent dynamic compressive properties of magnetorheological elastomeric foams

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wereley, Norman M.; Perez, Colette; Choi, Young T.

    2018-05-01

    This paper addresses the strain-dependent dynamic compressive properties (i.e., so-called Payne effect) of magnetorheological elastomeric foams (MREFs). Isotropic MREF samples (i.e., no oriented particle chain structures), fabricated in flat square shapes (nominal size of 26.5 mm x 26.5 mm x 9.5 mm) were synthesized by randomly dispersing micron-sized iron oxide particles (Fe3O4) into a liquid silicone foam in the absence of magnetic field. Five different Fe3O4 particle concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 percent by volume fraction (hereinafter denoted as vol%) were used to investigate the effect of particle concentration on the dynamic compressive properties of the MREFs. The MREFs were sandwiched between two multi-pole flexible plate magnets in order to activate the magnetorheological (MR) strengthening effect. Under two different pre-compression conditions (i.e., 35% and 50%), the dynamic compressive stresses of the MREFs with respect to dynamic strain amplitudes (i.e., 1%-10%) were measured by using a servo-hydraulic testing machine. The complex modulus (i.e., storage modulus and loss modulus) and loss factors of the MREFs with respect to dynamic strain amplitudes were presented as performance indices to evaluate their strain-dependent dynamic compressive behavior.

  11. Infrared Spectroscopy of Pa-beta and [Fe II] Emission in NGC 4151

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Knop, R. A.; Armus, L.; Larkin, J. E.; Matthews, K.; Shupe, D. L.; Soifer, B. T.

    1996-01-01

    We present spatially resolved 1.24-1.30 micron spectroscopy with a resolution of 240 km/s of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 4151. Broad Pa-beta, narrow Pa-beta, and narrow [Fe II] (lambda = 1.2567 micron) emission lines are identified in the spectrum. Additionally, a spatially unresolved narrow component probably due to [S ix] (lambda = 1.25235 micron) is observed on the nucleus. The narrow Pa-beta and [Fe II] lines are observed to be extended over a scale of 5 sec. The spatial variation of the velocity centers of the Pa-beta and [Fe II] lines show remarkable similarity, and additionally show similarities to the velocity structure previously observed in ground based spectroscopy of [O III] emission in NGC 4151. This leads to the conclusion that the [Fe II] emission arises in clouds in the Seyfert narrow line region that are physically correlated with those narrow line clouds responsible for the optical emission. The [Fe II] emission line, however, is significantly wider than the Pa-beta emission line along the full spatial extent of the observed emission. This result suggests that despite the correlation between the bulk kinematics of Pa-beta and [Fe II], there is an additional process, perhaps fast shocks from a wind in the Seyfert nucleus, contributing to the [Fe II] emission.

  12. Limiting depth of magnetization in cratonic lithosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Toft, Paul B.; Haggerty, Stephen E.

    1988-01-01

    Values of magnetic susceptibility and natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of clino-pyroxene-garnet-plagioclase granulite facies lower crustal xenoliths from a kimberlite in west Africa are correlated to bulk geochemistry and specific gravity. Thermomagnetic and alternating-field demagnetization analyses identify magnetite (Mt) and native iron as the dominant magnetic phases (totaling not more than 0.1 vol pct of the rocks) along with subsidiary sulfides. Oxidation states of the granulites are not greater than MW, observed Mt occurs as rims on coarse (about 1 micron) Fe particles, and inferred single domain-pseudosingle domain Mt may be a result of oxidation of fine-grained Fe. The deepest limit of lithospheric ferromagnetism is 95 km, but a limit of 70 km is most reasonable for the West African Craton and for modeling Magsat anomalies over exposed Precambrian shields.

  13. Penetration of sub-micron particles into dentinal tubules using ultrasonic cavitation.

    PubMed

    Vyas, N; Sammons, R L; Pikramenou, Z; Palin, W M; Dehghani, H; Walmsley, A D

    2017-01-01

    Functionalised silica sub-micron particles are being investigated as a method of delivering antimicrobials and remineralisation agents into dentinal tubules. However, their methods of application are not optimised, resulting in shallow penetration and aggregation. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of cavitation occurring around ultrasonic scalers for enhancing particle penetration into dentinal tubules. Dentine slices were prepared from premolar teeth. Silica sub-micron particles were prepared in water or acetone. Cavitation from an ultrasonic scaler (Satelec P5 Newtron, Acteon, France) was applied to dentine slices immersed inside the sub-micron particle solutions. Samples were imaged with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess tubule occlusion and particle penetration. Qualitative observations of SEM images showed some tubule occlusion. The particles could penetrate inside the tubules up to 60μm when there was no cavitation and up to ∼180μm when there was cavitation. The cavitation bubbles produced from an ultrasonic scaler may be used to deliver sub-micron particles into dentine. This method has the potential to deliver such particles deeper into the dentinal tubules. Cavitation from a clinical ultrasonic scaler may enhance penetration of sub-micron particles into dentinal tubules. This can aid in the development of novel methods for delivering therapeutic clinical materials for hypersensitivity relief and treatment of dentinal caries. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Orbital debris and meteoroid population as estimated from LDEF impact data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zhang, Jingchang; Kessler, Donald J.

    1995-01-01

    Examination of LDEF's various surfaces shows numerous craters and holes due to hypervelocity impacts of meteoroids and man-made orbital debris. In this paper, the crater numbers as reported by Humes have been analyzed in an effort to understand the orbital debris and natural meteoroid environment in LEO. To determine the fraction of man-made to natural impacts, the side to top ratio of impacts and results of the Chemistry of Micrometeoroids Experiment are used. For craters in the 100 micron to 500 micron size range, about 25 percent to 30 percent of the impacts on the forward-facing surfaces and about 10 percent of the impacts on the trailing surfaces were estimated due to man-made orbital debris. A technique has been developed to convert crater numbers to particle fluxes, taking the fact into account that the distributions of impact velocity and incidence angle vary over the different surfaces of LDEF, as well as the ratio of the surface area flux to the cross-sectional area flux. Applying this technique, Humes' data concerning craters with limiting lip diameters of 100 micron, 200 micron and 500 micron have been converted into orbital debris and meteoroid fluxes ranging from about 20 micron to 200 micron particle diameter. The results exhibit good agreement with orbital debris model and meteoroid model. The converted meteoroid flux is slightly larger than Grun's model (by 40 to 70 percent). The converted orbital debris flux is slightly lower than Kessler's model for particle diameter smaller than about 30 micron and slightly larger than the model for particle diameter larger than about 40 micron. Taking also into account the IDE data point at about 0.8 micron particle diameter, it suggests to change the slope log (flux) versus log (diameter) of orbital debris flux in the 1 micron to 100 micron particle diameter range from 2.5 to 1.9.

  15. Sulfur Effect on the Space Weathering of Airless Bodies: Laboratory Simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sasaki, S.; Okazaki, M.; Tanaka, H.; Hiroi, T.

    2017-12-01

    Space weathering is the main process that should control the change of brightness and color of the surface of airless silicate bodies such and the Moon, Mercury and asteroids. S-type asteroids show more overall depletion and reddening of the spectra, and more weakening of absorption bands than ordinary chondrites. Vapor-deposition through at high-velocity dust impacts as well as implantation of intensive solar wind ions may produce the space weathering rims bearing nano-iron particles (npFe0), responsible for spectral change. Simulation experiments using nanosecond pulse laser successfully produced vapor-deposition type npFe0 to change the optical properties [1]. A small (500m) asteroid Itokawa has a weathered surface, although its surface is rocky (rough terrain) or pebble-rich (smooth terrain). In 2011, HAYABUSA returned the particulate samples from the smooth terrain. The most notable discoveries in Itokawa particles are amorphous space-weathering rims containing npFe0. Sulfur and magnesium abundances suggest the presence of nanophase FeS (and MgS) in addition to npFe0 [2]. The presence of npFeS in asteroidal regolith is compatible with the observation of regolith breccia meteorites. On Mercury, MESSENGER revealed a high sulfur abundance (2wt% on average up to 4wt%), which can account for all of Fe by FeS. Both npFeS and npMgS may play an important role also on the surface of Mercury by lowering albedo. In our laboratory simulation using pulsed laser, spectral changes of olivine samples are facilitated when FeS is mixed (5-10wt%) (Fig.1). Nanophase Fe is confirmed by TEM. The darkening feature is reduced by additional heading at 150C, which would suggest the presence of volatile residue. Mixing of pure sulfur particles showed some, but not significant changes after laser irradiation. We acknowledge A. Miyake and A. Tsuchiyama at Kyoto U. for TEM observation. Ref: [1] S. Sasaki et al.: Nature 410 (2001) 555; [2] T. Noguchi et al.: Science 333 (2011) 1121 Fig. 1. Spectral change after pulse laser irradiation. The vertical axis shows normalized reflectance at 2500 nm-infrared darkening, whereas the horizontal axis shows the spectral slope of reflectance ratio of 1600 nm to 560 nm that would show reddening. Size range of fine FeS is smaller than 45 micron.

  16. Mars atmospheric dust properties: A synthesis of Mariner 9, Viking, and Phobos observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clancy, R. T.; Lee, S. W.; Gladstone, G. R.

    1993-01-01

    We have modified a doubling-and-adding code to reanalyze the Mariner 9 IRIS spectra of Mars atmospheric dust as well as Viking IRTM EPF sequences in the 7, 9, and 20 micron channels. The code is capable of accurate emission/ absorption/scattering radiative transfer calculations over the 5-30 micron wavelength region for variable dust composition and particle size inputs, and incorporates both the Viking IRTM channel weightings and the Mariner 9 IRIS wavelength resolution for direct comparisons to these datasets. We adopt atmospheric temperature profiles according to the algorithm of Martin (1986) in the case of the Viking IRTM comparisons, and obtained Mariner 9 IRIS temperature retrievals from the 15 micron CO2 band for the case of the IRIS comparisons. We consider palagonite as the primary alternative to the montmorillonite composition of Mars atmospheric dust, based on several considerations. Palagonite absorbs in the ultraviolet and visible wavelength region due to its Fe content. Palagonite is also, in principal, consistent with the observed lack of clays on the Mars surface. Furthermore, palagonite does not display strong, structured absorption near 20 microns as does montmorillonite (in conflict with the IRIS observations). We propose that a palagonite composition with particle sizes roughly one-half that of the Toon et al. (1977) determination provide a much improved model to Mars atmospheric dust. Since palagonite is a common weathering product of terrrestrial basalts, it would not be unreasonable for palagonite to be a major surface component for Mars. The lack of even a minor component of Al-rich clays on the surface of Mars could be consistent with a palagonite composition for Mars dust if the conditions for basalt weathering on Mars were sufficiently anhydrous. Variations in palagonite composition could also lead to the inability of the modeled palagonite to fit the details of the 9 micron absorbtion indicated by the IRIS observations.

  17. Particle Size Effects on Flow Properties of PS304 Plasma Spray Feedstock Powder Blend

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stanford, Malcolm K.; DellaCorte, Christopher; Eylon, Daniel

    2002-01-01

    The effects of BaF2-CaF2 particle size and size distribution on PS304 feedstock powder flowability have been investigated. Angular BaF2-CaF2 eutectic powders were produced by comminution and classified by screening to obtain 38 to 45 microns 45 to 106 microns, 63 to 106 microns, 45 to 53 microns, 63 to 75 microns, and 90 to 106 microns particle size distributions. The fluorides were added incrementally from 0 to 10 wt% to the other powder constituents of the PS304 feedstock: nichrome, chromia, and silver powders. The flow rate of the powder blends decreased linearly with increasing concentration of the fluorides. Flow was degraded with decreasing BaF2-CaF2 particle size and with increasing BaF2-CaF2 particle size distribution. A semiempirical relationship is offered to describe the PS304 powder blend flow behavior. The Hausner Ratio confirmed the funnel flow test results, but was slightly less sensitive to differences in BaF2-CaF2 particle size and size distribution. These findings may have applicability to other powders that do not flow easily, such as ceramic powders.

  18. Space Weathering in the Fine Size Fractions of Lunar Soils: Soil Maturity Effects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, L. P.; Wentworth, S. J.; McKay, D. S.; Taylor, L. A.; Pieters, C.; Morris, R. V.

    1999-01-01

    The effects of space weathering on the optical properties of lunar materials have been well documented. These effects include a reddened continuum slope, lowered albedo, and attenuated absorption features in reflectance spectra of lunar soils as compared to finely comminuted rocks from the same Apollo sites. However, the regolith processes that cause these effects are not well known, nor is the petrographic setting of the products of these processes fully understood. A Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium has been formed with the purpose of systematically integrating chemical and mineralogical data with the optical properties of lunar soils. Understanding space-weathering effects is critical in order to fully integrate the lunar sample collection with remotely-sensed data from recent robotic missions (e.g., Lunar Prospector, Clementine, and Galileo) We have shown that depositional processes (condensation of impact-derived vapors, sputter deposits, accreted impact material, e.g., splash glass, spherules, etc.) are a major factor in the modification of the optical surfaces of lunar regolith materials. In mature soils, it is the size and distribution of the nanophase metal in the soil grains that has the major effect on optical properties. In this report, we compare and contrast the space-weathering effects in an immature and a mature soil with similar elemental compositions. For this study, we analyzed <10 micron sieve fractions of two Apollo 17 soils, 79221 (mature, Is/FeO = 81) and 71061 (immature, Is/FeO = 14). Details of the sieving procedures and allocation scheme are given else where. The results of other detailed chemical, mineralogical, and spectroscopic analyses of these soil samples are reported elsewhere. A representative sample of each soil was embedded in low-viscosity epoxy, and thin sections (about 70nm thick) were obtained through ultra microtomy. The thin sections used for these analyses typically contained cross sections of up to 500 individual grains. The thin sections were studied using a JEOL 2010 transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with a thin window energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometer. An individual thin section was selected from each soil, and for each grain in the section we determined (1) the elemental composition by EDX; (2) whether the grain was crystalline or glassy using electron diffraction and darkfield imaging; (3) the presence or absence of rims and accreted material; and (4) the distribution of nanophase Fe where present. Most of the categories are self-evident; however, we divide the agglutinate derived material into agglutinitic glass (glass with approximately the same composition as the bulk soil that contains nanophase Fe with or without vesicles) and agglutinate fragments, which are composed of crystalline grains and agglutinitic glass. Lithic fragments are defined as polymineralic grains with no glass. Pyroxene grains have been divided into high- and low-Ca groups. As expected, there are a number of differences in the petrography of the <10-microns fractions of 79221 and 71061 given the great difference in their respective maturities, but we focus here on two major distinctions: agglutinate content and the number of grains with micropatina. Slightly over 50% of the particles in 79221 consist of agglutinitic glass and agglutinate fragments, while the remainder are predominantly crystalline mineral grains. The agglutinic glass particles contain abundant nanophase Fe and vesicles. Angular particles are rare, with most showing smooth, rounded exteriors, Of the mineral grains analyzed thus far, over 90% of the grains have amorphous rims that contain nanophase Fe (these rims are believed to have formed by vapor deposition and irradiation effects). The nanophase Fe in these rims probably accounts for a significant fraction of the increase in Is/FeO measured in these size fractions. In addition to the rims, the majority of particles also show abundant accreted material in the form of glass splashes and spherules that also contain nanophase Fe. In stark contrast, the surfaces of the mineral grains in the 71061 sample are relatively prisitine, as only about 14% of the mineral grains in the sample exhibited amorphous rims. Furthermore, the mineral particles are more angular and show greater surface roughness than in the mature sample. Accreted material on particle surfaces is rare. Agglutinitic material is a major component of the 71061 sample; however, nanophase Fe and vesicles are not as well developed as in the 79221 sample. It is now recognized that nanophase Fe is probably the main agent in modifying the optical properties of lunar soil grains. The most important result of this study is the observation that in the fine size fractions of mature soils, nearly every grain has nanophase Fe within 100 run of the particle surface. (Additional Information contained in original)

  19. Dimensionally stable metallic hydride composition

    DOEpatents

    Heung, Leung K.

    1994-01-01

    A stable, metallic hydride composition and a process for making such a composition. The composition comprises a uniformly blended mixture of a metal hydride, kieselguhr, and a ballast metal, all in the form of particles. The composition is made by subjecting a metal hydride to one or more hydrogen absorption/desorption cycles to disintegrate the hydride particles to less than approximately 100 microns in size. The particles are partly oxidized, then blended with the ballast metal and the kieselguhr to form a uniform mixture. The mixture is compressed into pellets and calcined. Preferably, the mixture includes approximately 10 vol. % or more kieselguhr and approximately 50 vol. % or more ballast. Metal hydrides that can be used in the composition include Zr, Ti, V, Nb, Pd, as well as binary, tertiary, and more complex alloys of La, Al, Cu, Ti, Co, Ni, Fe, Zr, Mg, Ca, Mn, and mixtures and other combinations thereof. Ballast metals include Al, Cu and Ni.

  20. Production of cromolyn sodium microparticles for aerosol delivery by supercritical assisted atomization.

    PubMed

    Reverchon, Ernesto; Adami, Renata; Caputo, Giuseppe

    2007-12-21

    The purpose of this study was to produce cromolyn sodium (CS) micrometric particles with controlled particle size (PS) and PS distribution (PSD) suitable for aerosol delivery, using a supercritical fluids-based process. CS was micronized using the supercritical assisted atomization (SAA) technique at different solute concentrations in water and different precipitation temperatures. Two techniques were used to measure PS and PSD of produced particles: scanning electron microscopy image analysis and laser scattering analysis. The 2 techniques were compared to provide a complete description of the powder obtained. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was used to verify the absence of degradation of CS after micronization; differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray analysis were performed to study the effect of operative conditions on the crystalline structure and on the water content of SAA micronized particles. The CS particles obtained were spherical, with a volumetric percentage of particles with a diameter ranging between 1 and 5 microm of 50% to 66%. The precipitation temperature had no significant effect on PSD, but high drying temperatures led to product degradation. Increasing the concentration of CS in water solution produced an increase in PS of the micronized particles. TGA showed that the micronized CS had a different hydration state than the untreated CS did. The micronized product was stable after 12 months of storage, and no modifications in structure, morphology, or crystallinity were detected. In conclusion, SAA is an efficient technique for micronization of CS, and stable spherical amorphous particles suitable for aerosol delivery can be produced.

  1. Micrometeorite dynamic pyrometamorphism: Nonstoichiometric clinoenstatite (CLEN)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.

    1993-01-01

    Polymorphs of enstatite are common phases in many meteorites. They contain clues on their formation and the thermal evolution of their host rock which includes shock metamorphism. Rare, micron-sized, CLEN whiskers and thin platelets in chondritic porous micrometeorites were interpreted as solar nebula condensates that remained unaffected during atmospheric entry flash-heating. This CLEN formed by protoenstatite (PEN) inversion whereby the surface energy of the micron-sized PEN crystals aided the OREN-CLEN transformation or by metastable growth. Ca-poor, Mg,Fe-pyroxene with unequilibrated, intraparticle, Mg/(Mg+Fe) distributions occur in most chondritic micrometeorites. These distributions are a parent body signature that survived dynamic pyrometamorphism because the duration of the thermal spike during atmospheric entry is too short but this conclusion does not consider the ultrafine grain size of micrometeorites. The maximum temperature and duration of the heating event will depend on the kinetic energy and entry angle of the incoming micrometeorite. But lacking detailed petrological data for an individual particle, its thermal profile during atmospheric entry can not be deduced from its mass alone as a function of entry angle. In order to constrain dynamic pyrometamorphism in unmelted micrometeorites, I determined the petrological composition and silicate mineralogy in non-chondritic micrometeorites L2005T13, L2005E40, and L2006A28.

  2. A regression analysis of filler particle content to predict composite wear.

    PubMed

    Jaarda, M J; Wang, R F; Lang, B R

    1997-01-01

    It has been hypothesized that composite wear is correlated to filler particle content. There is a paucity of research to substantiate this theory despite numerous projects evaluating the correlation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a linear relationship existed between composite wear and filler particle content of 12 composites. In vivo wear data had been previously collected for the 12 composites and served as basis for this study. Scanning electron microscopy and backscatter electron imaging were combined with digital imaging analysis to develop "profile maps" of the filler particle composition of the composites. These profile maps included eight parameters: (1) total number of filler particles/28742.6 microns2, (2) percent of area occupied by all of the filler particles, (3) mean filler particle size, (4) percent of area occupied by the matrix, (5) percent of area occupied by filler particles, r (radius) 1.0 < or = micron, (6) percent of area occupied by filler particles, r = 1.0 < or = 4.5 microns, (7) percent of area occupied by filler particles, r = 4.5 < or = 10 microns, and (8) percent of area occupied by filler particles, r > 10 microns. Forward stepwise regression analyses were used with composite wear as the dependent variable and the eight parameters as independent variables. The results revealed a linear relationship between composite wear and the filler particle content. A mathematical formula was developed to predict composite wear.

  3. A major advance in powder metallurgy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, Brian E.; Stiglich, Jacob J., Jr.; Kaplan, Richard B.; Tuffias, Robert H.

    1991-01-01

    Ultramet has developed a process which promises to significantly increase the mechanical properties of powder metallurgy (PM) parts. Current PM technology uses mixed powders of various constituents prior to compaction. The homogeneity and flaw distribution in PM parts depends on the uniformity of mixing and the maintenance of uniformity during compaction. Conventional PM fabrication processes typically result in non-uniform distribution of the matrix, flaw generation due to particle-particle contact when one of the constituents is a brittle material, and grain growth caused by high temperature, long duration compaction processes. Additionally, a significant amount of matrix material is usually necessary to fill voids and create 100 percent dense parts. In Ultramet's process, each individual particle is coated with the matrix material, and compaction is performed by solid state processing. In this program, Ultramet coated 12-micron tungsten particles with approximately 5 wt percent nickel/iron. After compaction, flexure strengths were measured 50 percent higher than those achieved in conventional liquid phase sintered parts (10 wt percent Ni/Fe). Further results and other material combinations are discussed.

  4. Developmental phytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles to Arabidopsis thaliana.

    PubMed

    Lee, Chang Woo; Mahendra, Shaily; Zodrow, Katherine; Li, Dong; Tsai, Yu-Chang; Braam, Janet; Alvarez, Pedro J J

    2010-03-01

    Phytotoxicity is an important consideration to understand the potential environmental impacts of manufactured nanomaterials. Here, we report on the effects of four metal oxide nanoparticles, aluminum oxide (nAl(2)O(3)), silicon dioxide (nSiO(2)), magnetite (nFe(3)O(4)), and zinc oxide (nZnO), on the development of Arabidopsis thaliana (Mouse-ear cress). Three toxicity indicators (seed germination, root elongation, and number of leaves) were quantified following exposure to each nanoparticle at three concentrations: 400, 2,000, and 4,000 mg/L. Among these particles, nZnO was most phytotoxic, followed by nFe(3)O(4), nSiO(2), and nAl(2)O(3), which was not toxic. Consequently, nZnO was further studied to discern the importance of particle size and zinc dissolution as toxicity determinants. Soluble zinc concentrations in nanoparticle suspensions were 33-fold lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration of dissolved zinc salt (ZnCl(2)), indicating that zinc dissolution could not solely account for the observed toxicity. Inhibition of seed germination by ZnO depended on particle size, with nanoparticles exerting higher toxicity than larger (micron-sized) particles at equivalent concentrations. Overall, this study shows that direct exposure to nanoparticles significantly contributed to phytotoxicity and underscores the need for eco-responsible disposal of wastes and sludge containing metal oxide nanoparticles.

  5. Airborne particulate matter in spacecraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1988-01-01

    Acceptability limits and sampling and monitoring strategies for airborne particles in spacecraft were considered. Based on instances of eye and respiratory tract irritation reported by Shuttle flight crews, the following acceptability limits for airborne particles were recommended: for flights of 1 week or less duration (1 mg/cu m for particles less than 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter (AD) plus 1 mg/cu m for particles 10 to 100 microns in AD); and for flights greater than 1 week and up to 6 months in duration (0.2 mg/cu m for particles less than 10 microns in AD plus 0.2 mg/cu m for particles 10 to 100 microns in AD. These numerical limits were recommended to aid in spacecraft atmosphere design which should aim at particulate levels that are a low as reasonably achievable. Sampling of spacecraft atmospheres for particles should include size-fractionated samples of 0 to 10, 10 to 100, and greater than 100 micron particles for mass concentration measurement and elementary chemical analysis by nondestructive analysis techniques. Morphological and chemical analyses of single particles should also be made to aid in identifying airborne particulate sources. Air cleaning systems based on inertial collection principles and fine particle collection devices based on electrostatic precipitation and filtration should be considered for incorporation into spacecraft air circulation systems. It was also recommended that research be carried out in space in the areas of health effects and particle characterization.

  6. Relationship Between Iron Valence States of Serpentine in CM Chondrites and Their Aqueous Alteration Degrees

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mikouchi, T.; Zolensky, M.; Satake, W.; Le, L.

    2012-01-01

    The 0.6-0.7 micron absorption band observed for C-type asteroids is caused by the presence of Fe(3+) in phyllosilicates . Because Fe-bearing phyllosilicates, especially serpentine, are the most dominant product of aqueous alteration in the most abundant carbonaceous chondrites, CM chondrites, it is important to understand the crystal chemistry of serpentine in CM chondrites to better understand spectral features of C-type asteroids. CM chondrites show variable degrees of aqueous alteration, which should be related to iron valences in serpentine. It is predicted that the Fe(3+)/Sum of (Fe) ratios of serpentine in CM chondrites decrease as alteration proceeds by Si and Fe(3+) substitutions from end-member cronstedtite to serpentine, which should be apparent in the absorption intensity of the 0.6-0.7 micron band from C-type asteroids. In fact, the JAXA Hayabusa 2 target (C-type asteroid: 1993 JU3) exhibits heterogeneous spectral features (0.7 micron absorption band disappears by rotation). From these points of view, we have analyzed iron valences of matrix serpentine in several CM chondrites which span the entire observed range of aqueous alteration using Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (SR-XANES). In this abstract we discuss the relationship between obtained Fe(3+)/Sum of (Fe) ratios and alteration degrees by adding new data to our previous studies

  7. Effect of processing history on the surface interfacial properties of budesonide in carrier-based dry-powder inhalers.

    PubMed

    Shur, Jagdeep; Pitchayajittipong, Chonladda; Rogueda, Philippe; Price, Robert

    2013-08-01

    Influence of air-jet micronization, post-micronization conditioning and storage on the surface properties of budesonide in dry-powder inhaler formulations was investigated. Crystalline budesonide was air jet-micronized and conditioned using organic vapor. Particle engineering was also used to fabricate respirable particles of budesonide. Surface imaging by atomic force microscopy suggested that micronized material possessed process-induced surface disorder, which relaxed upon conditioning with organic vapor. Particle engineered material was devoid of such surface disorder. Surface interfacial properties of all batches were different and correlated to in vitro fine particle delivery. The surface properties and in vitro performance of the conditioned material changed upon storage of the budesonide at 44% relative humidity and 25°C, while the micronized and particle-engineered material remained stable. These data suggest that processing conditions of budesonide affected the surface properties of the material, which was demonstrated to have direct affect on dry-powder inhaler formulation performance.

  8. Fine coal cleaning via the micro-mag process

    DOEpatents

    Klima, Mark S.; Maronde, Carl P.; Killmeyer, Richard P.

    1991-01-01

    A method of cleaning particulate coal which is fed with a dense medium slurry as an inlet feed to a cyclone separator. The coal particle size distribution is in the range of from about 37 microns to about 600 microns. The dense medium comprises water and ferromagnetic particles that have a relative density in the range of from about 4.0 to about 7.0. The ferromagnetic particles of the dense medium have particle sizes of less than about 15 microns and at least a majority of the particle sizes are less than about 5 microns. In the cyclone, the particulate coal and dense-medium slurry is separated into a low gravity product stream and a high gravity produce stream wherein the differential in relative density between the two streams is not greater than about 0.2. The low gravity and high gravity streams are treated to recover the ferromagnetic particles therefrom.

  9. The chloride induced localised corrosion of aluminium and beryllium: A study by electron and X-ray spectroscopies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mallinson, Christopher F.

    Beryllium is an important metal in the nuclear industry for which there are no suitable replacements. It undergoes localised corrosion at the site of heterogeneities in the metal surface. Corrosion pits are associated with a range of second phase particles. To investigate the role of these particles in corrosion, a safe experimental protocol was established using an aluminium alloy as a corrosion material analogue. The 7075-T6 alloy had not previously been investigated using the experimental methodology used in this thesis. This work led to the development of the experimental methodology and safe working practices for handling beryllium. The range and composition of the second phase particles present in S-65 beryllium billet were identified using a combination of SEM, AES, EDX and WDX. Following the identification of a range of particles with various compositions, including the AlFeBe4 precipitate which has been previously associated with corrosion, the location of the particles were marked to enable their repeated study. Attention was focused on the microchemistry in the vicinity of second phase particles, as a function of immersion time in pH 7, 0.1 M NaCl solution. The corrosion process associated with different particles was followed by repeatedly relocating the particles to perform analysis by means of SEM, AES and EDX. The use of traditional chlorinated vapour degreasing solvents on beryllium was investigated and compared to two modern commercially available cleaning solutions designed as drop-in replacements. This work expanded the range of solvents suitable for cleaning beryllium and validated the conclusions from previous thermodynamic modelling. Additionally, a new experimental methodology has been developed which enables the acquisition of chemical state information from the surface of micron scale features. This was applied to sub-micron copper and iron particles, as well as a copper intermetallic.

  10. Long-term carcinogenicity study in Syrian golden hamster of particulate emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Persson, S.A.; Ahlberg, M.; Berghem, L.

    1988-04-01

    Male Syrian golden hamsters were given 15 weekly intratracheal instillations with suspensions of coal fly ash or oil fly ash. Controls were instilled with saline containing gelatine (0.5 g/100 mL) or to check particle effects with suspensions of hematite (Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/). The common weekly dose was 4.5 mg/hamster. In addition, one subgroup of hamsters was treated with oil fly ash at a weekly dose of 3.0 mg/hamster and another with coal fly ash at a weekly dose of 6.0 mg/hamster. Other groups of hamsters were treated with suspensions of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) or with suspensions on coal fly ash, oilmore » fly ash, or Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ coated with BaP. The mass median aerodynamic diameters of the coal and oil fly ashes were 4.4 microns and 28 microns, respectively. Hamsters treated with oil fly ash showed a higher frequency of bronchiolar-alveolar hyperplasia than hamsters in the other treatment groups. Squamous dysplasia and squamous metaplasia were most frequent in animals treated with suspensions of BaP or BaP-coated particles. The earliest appearance of a tumor, the highest incidence of tumors, and the highest incidence of malignant tumors were observed in hamsters treated with oil fly ash coated with BaP. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma were the most frequent malignant tumors. No malignant tumors and only few benign tumors were observed in hamsters instilled with suspensions of fly ash not coated with BaP. The present study gives no indication that coal fly ash could create more serious health problems than oil fly ash.« less

  11. Particle Engulfment and Pushing by Solidification Interfaces. Part 1; Ground Experiments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Juretzko, Frank R.; Dhindaw, Brij K.; Stefanescu, Doru M.; Sen, subhayu; Curreri, Peter A.

    1998-01-01

    Directional solidification experiments have been carried out to determine the pushing/engulfment transition for two different metal/particle systems. The systems chosen were aluminum/zirconia particles and zinc/zirconia particles. Pure metals (99.999% Al and 99.95% Zn) and spherical particles (500 microns in diameter) were used. The particles were non-reactive with the matrices within the temperature range of interest. The experiments were conducted such as to insure a planar solid/liquid interface during solidification. Particle location before and after processing was evaluated by X-ray transmission microscopy for the Al/ZrO2 samples. All samples were characterized by optical metallography after processing. A clear methodology for the experiment evaluation was developed to unambiguously interpret the occurrence of the pushing/engulfment transition. It was found that the critical velocity for engulfment ranges from 1.9 to 2.4 micron/s for Al/ZrO2 and from 1.9 to 2.9 microns/s for Zn/ZrO2.

  12. Airborne measurements of cloud-forming nuclei and aerosol particles in stabilized ground clouds produced by solid rocket booster firings

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hindman, E. E., II; Ala, G. G.; Parungo, F. P.; Willis, P. T.; Bendura, R. J.; Woods, D.

    1978-01-01

    Airborne measurements of cloud volumes, ice nuclei and cloud condensation nuclei, liquid particles, and aerosol particles were obtained from stabilized ground clouds (SGCs) produced by Titan 3 launches at Kennedy Space Center, 20 August and 5 September 1977. The SGCs were bright, white, cumulus clouds early in their life and contained up to 3.5 g/m3 of liquid in micron to millimeter size droplets. The measured cloud volumes were 40 to 60 cu km five hours after launch. The SGCs contained high concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei active at 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% supersaturation for periods of three to five hours. The SGCs also contained high concentrations of submicron particles. Three modes existed in the particle population: a 0.05 to 0.1 micron mode composed of aluminum-containing particles, a 0.2 to 0.8 micron mode, and a 2.0 to 10 micron mode composed of particles that contained primarily aluminum.

  13. Comparison of the Active Bagnold Dune Field with Other Aeolian Deposits Observed at Gale using ChemCam Data.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cousin, A.; Dehouck, E.; Meslin, P. Y.; Williams, A. J.; Stein, N.; Gasnault, O.; Bridges, N.; Ehlmann, B. L.; Schröder, S.; Payre, V.; Rapin, W.; Pinet, P. C.; Sautter, V.; Lanza, N.; Lasue, J.; Maurice, S.; Wiens, R. C.

    2017-12-01

    The Curiosity rover at Gale crater, Mars, had the opportunity to investigate an active dune field called Bagnold Dunes for the first time on another planet. The objectives of this campaign were threefold: Understand the present-day aeolian processes on Mars by investigating the grain size of the particles and their dynamics; Understand the past aeolian processes by looking at the morphology and texture of the dunes; and Investigate the source of the dunes material by measuring their chemistry and mineralogy. The ChemCam instrument acquired a large data volume during this campaign: 18 targets on barchan dunes, 15 targets on a linear dune and then 3 targets on a mega-ripple. In this study, we compare the Bagnold Dunes data to those acquired on soil patches (Aeolis Palus soils) along the traverse corresponding to 60 targets. We have observed that the major oxide composition of the dunes is similar to that of Aeolis Palus soils, with the exception of the FeO and MnO contents that are slightly more elevated in the dunes. Moreover, the material from the dunes and more particularly the coarser particles ( 200 microns) are depleted in volatiles (mostly H) compared to the Aeolis Palus soils. The grain size analyses show that the dunes are depleted in fine-grained particles (<100 microns) compared to Aeolis Palus soils. The leading hypothesis to explain this depletion in volatiles and fine-grained particles is that the dunes, being active, have undergone physical sorting and therefore have lost their finest particles that seem to be the carrier of the volatiles (amorphous component and dust). Moreover, the dunes seem to be enriched in mafic minerals compared to the Aeolis Palus soils, as also shown by the CheMin and APXS instruments. However, thanks to the small footprint of ChemCam, we have shown that the coarsest particles were even more enriched in mafic minerals than the finer ones, in agreement with multispectral ChemCam passive and Mastcam observations. Therefore, the olivine abundance measured by CheMin (analysing only particles < 150 microns) could represent a lower limit with respect of the bulk of the dunes. Nevertheless, no significant difference has been observed with ChemCam between the barchan and linear dunes, even though the linear dunes seem to contain more pyroxenes according to the orbital observations.

  14. Impacts on Hubble Space Telescope solar arrays: discrimination between natural and man-made particles.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kearsley, A. T.; Drolshagen, G.; McDonnell, J. A. M.; Mandeville, J.-C.; Moussi, A.

    A Post-Flight Investigation was initiated by the European Space Agency to analyze impact fluxes on solar arrays of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), exposed to space for 8.25 years at approximately 600 km altitude. The solar cells were deployed during servicing mission SM-1 (December 1993), and retrieved by shuttle orbiter Columbia in March 2002 (SM-3B). A sub-panel of 2 m2 was cut from the --V2 wing and cells were selected for in-depth analysis. Twelve cells (9.6x10-3 m2) were surveyed for flux of all craters of sizes greater than 5 microns Dco; six at the NHM, and six at ONERA. Cumulative flux plots reveal slightly greater abundance of very small craters than in a comparable survey of SM-1 cells. Analytical scanning electron microscopy was used to locate impact features and to analyse residues at the NHM. 103 features of 3 -- 4000 micron conchoidal detachment diameter (Dco) were located on a total of 17 solar cells. 78 features show identifiable residue: 36 are Space Debris impacts and 42 Micrometeoroid impacts. Of the remaining 25: 4 contain residue of ambiguous origin, 1 is a minor manufacturing flaw, 1 is obscured by contamination, and 19 are unresolved, lacking recognizable residue. Space debris impacts on the SM-3B cells are all less than 80 microns Dco, dominated by Al- rich residue, probably of solid rocket motor origin, some may be unburnt fuel. Three craters may be sodium metal droplet impacts. No residues from paint pigment, aluminium or ferrous alloys, or copper- and tin-bearing metal were found. All craters larger than 100 microns are of micrometeoroid origin, or unresolved. Most residues are magnesium-iron silicate or iron sulfide. A few craters show vesicular Mg, S, Fe and Ni residue. A single Fe Ni metal residue was found, as well as enigmatic Mg- and S-bearing residues, all considered of micrometeoroid origin. A few Fe-, O- and C-bearing residues were classified as of ambiguous origin. The quality and quantity of residue is clearly linked to the crater pit morphology, with oval pit features containing more identifiable residue, perhaps due to lower peak shock pressures experienced in these oblique-incidence impacts.

  15. Magnetic separation of general solid particles realised by a permanent magnet

    PubMed Central

    Hisayoshi, K.; Uyeda, C.; Terada, K.

    2016-01-01

    Most existing solids are categorised as diamagnetic or weak paramagnetic materials. The possibility of magnetic motion has not been intensively considered for these materials. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that ensembles of heterogeneous particles (diamagnetic bismuth, diamond and graphite particles, as well as two paramagnetic olivines) can be dynamically separated into five fractions by the low field produced by neodymium (NdFeB) magnets during short-duration microgravity (μg). This result is in contrast to the generally accepted notion that ordinary solid materials are magnetically inert. The materials of the separated particles are identified by their magnetic susceptibility (χ), which is determined from the translating velocity. The potential of this approach as an analytical technique is comparable to that of chromatography separation because the extraction of new solid phases from a heterogeneous grain ensemble will lead to important discoveries about inorganic materials. The method is applicable for the separation of the precious samples such as lunar soils and/or the Hayabusa particles recovered from the asteroids, because even micron-order grains can be thoroughly separated without sample-loss. PMID:27929081

  16. Magnetic separation of general solid particles realised by a permanent magnet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hisayoshi, K.; Uyeda, C.; Terada, K.

    2016-12-01

    Most existing solids are categorised as diamagnetic or weak paramagnetic materials. The possibility of magnetic motion has not been intensively considered for these materials. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that ensembles of heterogeneous particles (diamagnetic bismuth, diamond and graphite particles, as well as two paramagnetic olivines) can be dynamically separated into five fractions by the low field produced by neodymium (NdFeB) magnets during short-duration microgravity (μg). This result is in contrast to the generally accepted notion that ordinary solid materials are magnetically inert. The materials of the separated particles are identified by their magnetic susceptibility (χ), which is determined from the translating velocity. The potential of this approach as an analytical technique is comparable to that of chromatography separation because the extraction of new solid phases from a heterogeneous grain ensemble will lead to important discoveries about inorganic materials. The method is applicable for the separation of the precious samples such as lunar soils and/or the Hayabusa particles recovered from the asteroids, because even micron-order grains can be thoroughly separated without sample-loss.

  17. Magnetic separation of general solid particles realised by a permanent magnet.

    PubMed

    Hisayoshi, K; Uyeda, C; Terada, K

    2016-12-08

    Most existing solids are categorised as diamagnetic or weak paramagnetic materials. The possibility of magnetic motion has not been intensively considered for these materials. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that ensembles of heterogeneous particles (diamagnetic bismuth, diamond and graphite particles, as well as two paramagnetic olivines) can be dynamically separated into five fractions by the low field produced by neodymium (NdFeB) magnets during short-duration microgravity (μg). This result is in contrast to the generally accepted notion that ordinary solid materials are magnetically inert. The materials of the separated particles are identified by their magnetic susceptibility (χ), which is determined from the translating velocity. The potential of this approach as an analytical technique is comparable to that of chromatography separation because the extraction of new solid phases from a heterogeneous grain ensemble will lead to important discoveries about inorganic materials. The method is applicable for the separation of the precious samples such as lunar soils and/or the Hayabusa particles recovered from the asteroids, because even micron-order grains can be thoroughly separated without sample-loss.

  18. Solid rocket motor plume particle size measurements using multiple optical techniques in a probe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manser, John R.

    1995-03-01

    An experimental investigation to measure particle size distributions in the plume of sub-scale solid rocket motors was conducted. A phase-Doppler particle analyzer (pDPA) in conjunction with three-wavelength extinction measurements were used in a specially designed particle collection probe in an attempt to determine the entire plume particle size distribution. In addition, a laser ensemble particle sizer was used for comparative data. The PDPA and Malvem distributions agreed in the observed modes near 1 and 4.5 micron diameter (d). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures of collected particles were in good agreement with the measured Malvem Sauter mean diameter (d(sub 32)) of 2.59 micron. Data analysis indicates that less than 3% of the total mass of the particles was contained in particles with diameter d dess than 0.5 micron. Therefore, the PDPA, which can typically measure particles down to a minimum diameter of 0.5 micron with a dynamic range (d(sub max):d(sub min)) of 50:1, can be used by itself to determine the particle size distribution. Multiple wavelength measurements were found to be very sensitive to inaccuracies in the measured transmittances.

  19. New developments in magneto-optical imaging applied to rock magnetism: a case study on meteorites (Invited)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Uehara, M.; Gattacceca, J.; van der Beek, C. J.; Leroux, H.; Jacob, D.

    2010-12-01

    We present results of an integrated study of metallic grains in meteorites, combining magneto-optical imaging (MOI), petrography, FE-SEM, TEM, and microprobe analyses. Indeed, metallic Fe-Ni grains in meteorites have inner structures due to Ni diffusion during slow cooling subsequent to metamorphism on their parent body. Previous magnetic studies suggested that tetrataenite (ordered FeNi) is the stable magnetic carriers in these meteorites. On the other hand, mineralogical studies showed that tetrataenite is intimately mixed with other Fe-Ni phases (kamacite and taenite, that contain less than 10 wt.% and around 30 wt.% Ni, respectively), and forms complex microstructures (see below). However, due to the typical spatial resolution of classical bulk magnetic measurements (~1 mm), it has been so far difficult to isolate the contribution of these different Fe-Ni minerals. The MOI technique measures the magnetic flux threading a magneto-optically active film directly placed on the sample. This film rotates the polarization direction of transmitted light (Faraday rotation). Through the analyzer of a reflected light microscope, the vertical component of surface magnetic field of the sample is observed with a spatial resolution of a few µm, which allows direct comparison between mineralogical and magnetic microstructures of metal grains. We studied Agen (H5) and Ausson (L5) ordinary chondrites. Optical and electron microscopies showed two types of micron- to submicron-scaled tetrataenite-bearing microstructures: (1) Zoned taenite particles that consist of a taenite core, surrounded by a "cloudy zone" (20-150 nm large tetrataenite granules embedded in taenite matrix), and a 1-10 µm thick tetrataenite rim. (2) Zoneless plessite particles that consist of < 10 µm large tetrataenite grains embedded in a kamacite matrix. MOI of saturation remanence showed that only the nm-sized tetrataenite granules in cloudy zone carry very strong remanence. Micron-scale mapping of coercivity of remanence (Bcr), by means of DC demagnetization coupled with MOI, combined with FE-SEM and TEM study showed that this cloudy zone has zoning in Ni composition, tetrataenite grain size, and Bcr. The center part has finer tetrataenite (20 nm), lower bulk Ni composition (30 wt.%) and higher Bcr values (up to 1 T) than the outer part (150 nm, 55 wt.%, and 400 mT respectively). Therefore, tetrataenite in the cloudy zone is a potential very stable carrier of extraterrestrial remanence. Moreover, magnetically soft minerals (e.g. kamacite) are occasionally inversely magnetized by stray fields from adjacent cloudy zone. This implies that bulk measurements of FeNi-bearing meteorites may be misleading because of microscopic-scale interactions between magnetically hard tetrataenite and other soft minerals.

  20. Light scattering by dust particles (PROGRA2 experiment): size and structure effects for transparent and absorbing materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hadamcik, E.; Renard, J.-B.; Lasue, J.; Levasseur-Regourd, A. C.

    2007-08-01

    1- Introduction Cometary and possibly interplanetary dust particles seem to be mainly made of agglomerates of submicron and micron-sized grains. These particles are among the most primitive in our solar system. Regoliths on asteroidal and planetary surfaces seem to be loose materials produced by impinging meteorites on the surface of small bodies. Comparing their physical properties is thus fundamental to understand their evolution. To interpret remote observations of solar light scattered by dust particles and regoliths, it is necessary to use numerical and experimental simulations [1,2,3]. 2- PROGRA2 experiment PROGRA2 instruments are polarimeters; the light sources are two randomly polarized lasers (632.8 nm and 543.5 nm). Levitating particles (in microgravity or lifted by an air-draught) are studied by imaging polarimetry. Details on the instruments can be found in [4,5]. 3- Samples Two kinds of samples are studied: compact particles in the (1-400) micrometer size range and fluffy aggregates in the same size range, made from submicron and micronsized grains. The materials are transparent silica and absorbing carbon. Some deposited particles are huge agglomerates of micron-sized grains produced by random ballistic deposition of single grains [6,7] or produced by evaporation of mixtures in alcohol of fluffy aggregates of submicron-sized grains. Two samples are made of silica spheres coated by a carbonaceous black compound. Cometary analogues are mixtures of silica and amorphous carbon or Mg-Fe silicates mixed with amorphous carbon. 4- Results Phase curves and their main parameters (negative polarization at small phase angles and maximum polarization, Pmax, at 90-100° phase angle) for the different materials will be compared and related to the physical properties. For example, it is well known by numerical simulations and/or by experiments that the maximum polarization decreases when the size (submicrometer range) of the grains increases [2,8,9]. An inverse rule is found for compact grains, larger than the wavelength. Mixtures of fluffy silica and fined grained amorphous carbon or better Mg-Fe silicates with amorphous carbon are excellent cometary particles analogues (as light scattering is concerned) if they are mixed with some compact micron-sized grains [9]. Nevertheless the structure of the aggregates seems to play a major role to obtain the negative branch found on the polarimetric phase curves for comets [10]. 5- Discussion and conclusions The experiments purpose is to help to disentangle the different physical properties of dust particles that can be deduced from remote observations (cometary dust, regoliths). Differences between the main parameters influencing the variations of Pmax and the presence of a negative branch on the polarimetric phase curves for lifted and deposited particles (in huge agglomerates or not) will be discussed. Acknowledgments: Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina, Braunschweig, Deutschland (Pr Blum, Dr Schräpler); University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA (Pr Rietmeijer); NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland, USA (Dr Nuth) References [1] A.C. Levasseur-Regourd, E. Hadamcik, JQSRT 79-80, 903 (2003) [2] J. Lasue, A.C. Levasseur-Regourd, JQSRT 100, 220 (2006) [3] J.-B. Renard et al., ASR 31, 2511 (2003) [4] J.-B. Renard et al., Appl. Opt. 91, 609 (2002) [5] E. Hadamcik et al., JQSRT 106, 74 (2007) [6] J. Blum, R. Schreapler, Phys. Rev Let 93:115031 (2004) [7] J. Blum et al., Astrophys J 652, 1768 (2006) [8] R. West, Appl. Opt. 30, 5216 (1991) [9] E. Hadamcik et al., JQSRT 100, 143 (2006) [10] E. Hadamcik et al., Icarus, in press (2007)

  1. Enhancement of dissolution rate of poorly-soluble active ingredients by supercritical fluid processes. Part I: Micronization of neat particles.

    PubMed

    Perrut, M; Jung, J; Leboeuf, F

    2005-01-06

    In this first of two articles, we discuss some issues surrounding the dissolution rate enhancement of poorly-soluble active ingredients micronized into nano-particles using several supercritical fluid particle design processes including rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS), supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) and particles from gas-saturated solutions/suspensions (PGSS). Experimental results confirm that dissolution rates do not only depend on the surface area and particle size of the processed powder, but are greatly affected by other physico-chemical characteristics such as crystal morphology and wettability that may reduce the benefit of micronization.

  2. The Biological Effectiveness of Silicon Ions is Significantly Higher than Iron Ions for the Induction of Chromosome Damage in Human Lymphocytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    George, Kerry; Hada, Megumi; Cucinotta, F. A.

    2010-01-01

    Chromosome aberrations were measured in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after in vitro exposure to Si-28-ions with energies ranging from 90 to 600 MeV/u, or Fe-56-ions with energies ranging from 200 to 5,000 MeV/u. The LET of the various Fe beams in this study ranged from 145 to 440 keV/micron and the LET Si ions ranged from 48 to 158 keV/micron. Doses delivered were in the 10 to 200 cGy range. Dose response curves for chromosome exchanges in cells at first division after exposure, measured using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with whole chromosome probes, were fitted with linear or linear-quadratic functions. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was estimated from the initial slope of the dose response curve for chromosome damage with respect to gamma-rays. The estimates of RBE(sub max) values for total chromosome exchanges ranged from 4.4+/-0.4 to 31.5+/-2.6 for Fe ions, and 11.8+/-1.0 to 42.2+/-3.3 for Si ions. The highest RBE(sub max) value for Fe ions was obtained with the 600 Mev/u beam and 170 MeV/u beam produced the highest RBE(sub max) value for Si ions. For both ions the RBE(sub max) values increased with LET, reaching a maximum at about 180 keV/micron for Fe and about 100 keV/micron for Si, and decreased with further increase in LET.

  3. Global to Microscale Evolution of the Pinatubo Volcanic Aerosol Derived from Diverse Measurements and Analyses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Russell, P. B.; Livingston, J. M.; Pueschel, R. F.; Bauman, J. J.; Pollack, J. B.; Brooks, S. L.; Hamill, P.; Thomason, L. W.; Stowe, L. L.; Deshler, T.; hide

    2000-01-01

    We assemble data on the Pinatubo aerosol from space, air, and ground measurements, develop a composite picture, and assess the consistency and uncertainties of measurement and retrieval techniques. Satellite infrared spectroscopy, particle morphology, and evaporation temperature measurements agree with theoretical calculations in showing a dominant composition of H2SO4-H20 mixture, with H2SO4 weight fraction of 65-80% for most stratospheric temperatures and humidities. Important exceptions are (1) volcanic ash, present at all heights initially and just above the tropopause until at least March 1992, and (2) much smaller H2SO4 fractions at the low temperatures of high-latitude winters and the tropical tropopause. Laboratory spectroscopy and calculations yield wavelength- and temperature-dependent refractive indices for the H2SO4-H20 droplets. These permit derivation of particle size information from measured optical depth spectra, for comparison to impactor and optical-counter measurements. All three techniques paint a generally consistent picture of the evolution of R(sub eff), the effective radius. In the first month after the eruption, although particle numbers increased greatly, R(sub eff) outside the tropical core was similar to preeruption values of approx. 0.1 to 0.2 microns, because numbers of both small (r < 0.2 microns) and large (r > 0.6 microns) particles increased. In the next 3-6 months, extracore R(sub eff) increased to approx. 0.5 microns, reflecting particle growth through condensation and coagulation. Most data show that R(sub eff) continued to increase for about 1 year after the eruption. R(sub eff) values up to 0.6 - 0.8 microns or more are consistent with 0.38 - 1 micron optical depth spectra in middle to late 1992 and even later. However, in this period, values from in situ measurements are somewhat less. The difference might reflect in situ undersampling of the very few largest particles, insensitivity of optical depth spectra to the smallest particles, or the inability of flat spectra to place an upper limit on particle size. Optical depth spectra extending to wavelengths lambda > 1 micron are required to better constrain R(sub eff), especially for R(sub eff) > 0.4 microns. Extinction spectra computed from in situ size distributions are consistent with optical depth measurements; both show initial spectra with lambda(sub max) <= 0.42 microns, thereafter increasing to 0.78 <= lambda(sub max) <= 1 micron. Not until 1993 do spectra begin to show a clear return to the preeruption signature of lambda(sub max) <= 0.42 microns. The twin signatures of large R(sub eff) (> 0.3 microns) and relatively flat extinction spectra (0.4 - 1 microns) are among the longest-lived indicators of Pinatubo volcanic influence. They persist for years after the peaks in number, mass, surface area, and optical depth at all wavelengths <= 1 microns. This coupled evolution in particle size distribution and optical depth spectra helps explain the relationship between global maps of 0.5- and 1.0-micron optical depth derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) satellite sensors. However, there are important differences between the AVHRR and SAGE midvisible optical thickness products. We discuss possible reasons for these differences and how they might be resolved.

  4. Radiation Pressure Measurements on Micron Size Individual Dust Grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P.D.; Spann, J. F.; Tankosic, D.; Witherow, W. K.; LeClair, A.; West, E.; Sheldon, R.; Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.

    2003-01-01

    Measurements of electromagnetic radiation pressure have been made on individual silica (SiO2) particles levitated in an electrodynamic balance. These measurements were made by inserting single charged particles of known diameter in the 0.2 micron to 6.82 micron range and irradiating them from above with laser radiation focused to beam-widths of approx. 175-400 micron, at ambient pressures approx. 10(exp -3) to 10(exp -4) torr. The downward displacement of the particle due to the radiation force is balanced by the electrostatic force indicated by the compensating dc potential applied to the balance electrodes, providing a direct measure of the radiation force on the levitated particle. Theoretical calculations of the radiation pressure with a least-squares fit to the measured data yield the radiation pressure efficiencies of the particles, and comparisons with Mie scattering theory calculations provide the imaginary part of the refractive index of silica and the corresponding extinction and scattering efficiencies.

  5. Size of metallic and polyethylene debris particles in failed cemented total hip replacements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lee, J. M.; Salvati, E. A.; Betts, F.; DiCarlo, E. F.; Doty, S. B.; Bullough, P. G.

    1992-01-01

    Reports of differing failure rates of total hip prostheses made of various metals prompted us to measure the size of metallic and polyethylene particulate debris around failed cemented arthroplasties. We used an isolation method, in which metallic debris was extracted from the tissues, and a non-isolation method of routine preparation for light and electron microscopy. Specimens were taken from 30 cases in which the femoral component was of titanium alloy (10), cobalt-chrome alloy (10), or stainless steel (10). The mean size of metallic particles with the isolation method was 0.8 to 1.0 microns by 1.5 to 1.8 microns. The non-isolation method gave a significantly smaller mean size of 0.3 to 0.4 microns by 0.6 to 0.7 microns. For each technique the particle sizes of the three metals were similar. The mean size of polyethylene particles was 2 to 4 microns by 8 to 13 microns. They were larger in tissue retrieved from failed titanium-alloy implants than from cobalt-chrome and stainless-steel implants. Our results suggest that factors other than the size of the metal particles, such as the constituents of the alloy, and the amount and speed of generation of debris, may be more important in the failure of hip replacements.

  6. Trace element content and magnetic properties of commercial HOPG samples studied by ion beam microscopy and SQUID magnetometry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Spemann, D., E-mail: spemann@uni-leipzig.de; Esquinazi, P., E-mail: esquin@physik.uni-leipzig.de; Setzer, A.

    In this study, the impurity concentration and magnetic response of nine highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) samples with different grades and from different providers were determined using ion beam microscopy and SQUID magnetometry. Apart from sideface contaminations in the as-received state, bulk contamination of the samples in most cases consists of disk-shaped micron-sized particles made of Ti and V with an additional Fe contamination around the grain perimeter. The saturation magnetization typically increases with Fe concentration, however, there is no simple correlation between Fe content and magnetic moment. The saturation magnetization of one, respectively six, out of nine samples clearlymore » exceeds the maximum contribution from pure Fe or Fe{sub 3}C. For most samples the temperature dependence of the remanence decreases linearly with T – a dependence found previously for defect-induced magnetism (DIM) in HOPG. We conclude that apart from magnetic impurities, additional contribution to the ferromagnetic magnetization exists in pristine HOPG in agreement with previous studies. A comparative study between the results of ion beam microscopy and the commonly used EDX analysis shows clearly that EDX is not a reliable method for quantitative trace elemental analysis in graphite, clarifying weaknesses and discrepancies in the element concentrations given in the recent literature.« less

  7. Properties investigation and microstructures characterization of SiCp/6061Al composites produced by PM route

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, A. Q.; Tian, H. W.; Xie, J. P.

    2018-01-01

    In this study, 35 vol.% SiC particles with different sizes reinforced 6061 aluminium alloy matrix composites were prepared by a powder metallurgy method. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of composites were observed, the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) and tensile strength of composites were examined, and the influences of SiC particle size on microstructures and properties of the composites were analyzed. Furthermore, the SiCp/6061Al composites with SiC particle size of 7.5 µm were selected to investigate the SiCp/Al interface microstructure and precipitated phases by the means of SEM, TEM and HRTEM. The study indicated that, with the increase of SiC particle size, the SiC particles distributed more uniformly in the matrix, the CTE of composites increased, but the tensile strength of composites decreased. The SiCp/Al interface in this experiment is clean and smooth, and the combination mechanism of SiC and Al is the formation of a half coherent interface by closely matching of atoms. Some micron-sized coarse intermetallic particles existed in the hot-pressed composites, such as random-shaped Mg2Si, long stick shaped Al15(Mn, Fe, Cu)3Si2. When the composites were solution treated at 510 °C for 2 h and then aging treated at 190 °C for 9 h, except long stick shaped Al15(Mn, Fe, Cu)3Si2, numerous nano-sized precipitated phases (Mg2Si) with diameters of 50-200 nm dispersively distributed in the matrix. After heat treatment, the tensile strength of composite with SiC particle size of 7.5 µm enhance from 298 MPa to 341 MPa.

  8. Observations of condensation nuclei in the 1987 airborne Antarctic ozone experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilson, J. C.; Smith, S. D.; Ferry, G. V.; Loewenstein, M.

    1988-01-01

    The condensation nucleus counter (CNC) flown of the NASA ER-2 in the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment provides a measurement of the number mixing ratio of particles which can be grown by exposure to supersaturated n-butyl alcohol vapor to diameters of a few microns. Such particles are referred to as condensation nuclei (CN). The ER-2 CNC was calibrated with aerosols of known size and concentration and was found to provide an accurate measure of the number concentration of particles larger than about 0.02 micron. Since the number distribution of stratospheric aerosols is usually dominated by particles less than a few tenths of micron in diameter, the upper cutoff of the ER-2 CNC has not been determined experimentally. However, theory suggests that the sampling and counting efficiency should remain near one for particles as large as 1 micron in diameter. Thus, the CN mixing ratio is usually a good measure of the mixing ratio of submicron particles.

  9. MnFe2O4: Synthesis, morphology and electrochemical properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kulkarni, Shrikant; Thombare, Balu; Patil, Shankar

    2017-05-01

    MnFe2O4 has been synthesized by simple ammonia assisted co-precipitation method to obtain nanocrystalline powder. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed its crystallinity and phase purity. The MnFe2O4 calcined at 1000°C for 4 h has spinel crystal structure with Fd3m space group and lattice constant 8.511 Å. The electrode was prepared by dip coating method on stainless steel substrate and fired at 600°C for 2 h. Random shape grains of 0.2 to 1.5 micron with pores of 1-2 micron dimensions were observed in SEM images. The electrochemical studies of MnFe2O4 were carried out with 1 mole Na2SO4 electrolyte. The MnFe2O4 electrode shows highest specific capacitance of 27.53 F.g-1 and interfacial capacitance of 0.83 F.cm-2.

  10. Lungs deposition and pharmacokinetic study of submicron budesonide particles in Wistar rats intended for immediate effect in asthma.

    PubMed

    Rauf, Abdul; Bhatnagar, Aseem; Sisodia, S S; Khar, Roop K; Ahmad, Farhan J

    2017-01-01

    The purpose of the present investigation was to study the aerosolization, lungs deposition and pharmacokinetic study of inhalable submicron particles of budesonide in male Wistar rats. Submicron particles were prepared by antisolvent nanoprecipitation method and freeze-dried to obtain free flowing powder. The freeze-drying process yielded dry powder with desirable aerodynamic properties for inhalation therapy. An in-house model inhaler was designed to deliver medicine to lungs, optimized at dose level of 10 mg for 30 sec of fluidization. The in vitro aerosolization study demonstrates that submicron particles dissolve faster with improved aerosolization effect as compared to micronized budesonide. Both submicron and micron particles were compared for in vivo lungs deposition. The results showed that relatively high quantity of submicron particles reaches deep into the lungs as compared to micron particles. Most pronounced effect observed with submicron particles from pharmacokinetic parameters was the enhancement in peak plasma concentration (C max ) by 28.85 %, and increase in area under concentration curve (AUC 0-8h ) by 30.33 % compared to micron sized particles. The results suggested that developed submicronized formulation of budesonide can be used for pulmonary drug delivery for high deposition to deep lungs tissues.

  11. Fabrication of magnetic and fluorescent chitin and dibutyrylchitin sub-micron particles by oil-in-water emulsification.

    PubMed

    Blanco-Fernandez, Barbara; Chakravarty, Shatadru; Nkansah, Michael K; Shapiro, Erik M

    2016-11-01

    Chitin is a carbohydrate polymer with unique pharmacological and immunological properties, however, because of its unwieldy chemistry, the synthesis of discreet sized sub-micron particles has not been well reported. This work describes a facile and flexible method to fabricate biocompatible chitin and dibutyrylchitin sub-micron particles. This technique is based on an oil-in-water emulsification/evaporation method and involves the hydrophobization of chitin by the addition of labile butyryl groups onto chitin, disrupting intermolecular hydrogen bonds and enabling solubility in the organic solvent used as the oil phase during fabrication. The subsequent removal of butyryl groups post-fabrication through alkaline saponification regenerates native chitin while keeping particles morphology intact. Examples of encapsulation of hydrophobic dyes and nanocrystals are demonstrated, specifically using iron oxide nanocrystals and coumarin 6. The prepared particles had diameters between 300-400nm for dibutyrylchitin and 500-600nm for chitin and were highly cytocompatible. Moreover, they were able to encapsulate high amounts of iron oxide nanocrystals and were able to label mammalian cells. We describe a technique to prepare sub-micron particles of highly acetylated chitin (>90%) and dibutyrylchitin and demonstrate their utility as carriers for imaging. Chitin is a polysaccharide capable of stimulating the immune system, a property that depends on the acetamide groups, but its insolubility limits its use. No method for sub-micron particle preparation with highly acetylated chitins have been published. The only approach for the preparation of sub-micron particles uses low acetylation chitins. Dibutyrylchitin, a soluble chitin derivative, was used to prepare particles by oil in water emulsification. Butyryl groups were then removed, forming chitin particles. These particles could be suitable for encapsulation of hydrophobic payloads for drug delivery and cell imaging, as well as, adjuvants for vaccines. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Seed particle response and size characterization in high speed flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rudoff, Roger C.; Bachalo, William D.

    1991-01-01

    The response of seed particles ranging between 0.7 and 8.7 micron is determined using a phase Doppler particle analyzer which simultaneously measures particle size and velocity. The stagnant seed particles are entrained into a high speed free jet at velocities ranging from 40 to 300 m/s. The size-mean axial velocity correlation and size-rms velocity correlations are used to determine the particle response to the sudden acceleration. It was determined that at the lower speeds, seed particles up to approximately 5 microns are adequate, but as velocities approach 300 m/s only particles on the order of one micron are suitable. The ability to determine size and velocity simultaneously is essential if seeding with polydispersions is used since it allows the rejection of data which will not accurately represent the flow field.

  13. Capacitor-type micrometeoroid detectors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wortman, J. J.; Griffis, D. P.; Bryan, S. R.; Kinard, W.

    1986-01-01

    The metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor micrometeroid detector consists of a thin dielectric capacitor fabricated on a silicon wafer. In operation, the device is charged to a voltage level sufficiently near breakdown that micrometeoroid impacts will cause dielectric deformation or heating and subsequent arc-over at the point of impact. Each detector is capable of recording multiple impacts because of the self-healing characteristics of the device. Support instrumentation requirements consist of a voltage source and pulse counters that monitor the pulse of recharging current following every impact. An investigation has been conducted in which 0.5 to 5 micron diameter carbonized iron spheres traveling at velocities of 4 to 10 Km/sec were impacted on to detectors with either a dielectric thickness of 0.4 or 1.0 micron. This study demonstrated that an ion microprobe tuned to sufficiently high resolution can detect Fe remaining on the detector after the impact. Furthermore, it is also possible to resolve Fe ion images free of mass interferences from Si, for example, giving its spatial distribution after impact. Specifically this technique has shown that significant amounts of impacting particles remain in the crater and near it which can be analyzed for isotopic content. Further testing and calibration could lead to quantitive analysis. This study has shown that the capacitor type micrometeroid detector is capable of not only time and flux measurements but can also be used for isotopic analysis.

  14. Non-random distribution of DNA double-strand breaks induced by particle irradiation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lobrich, M.; Cooper, P. K.; Rydberg, B.; Chatterjee, A. (Principal Investigator)

    1996-01-01

    Induction of DNA double-strand breaks (dsbs) in mammalian cells is dependent on the spatial distribution of energy deposition from the ionizing radiation. For high LET particle radiations the primary ionization sites occur in a correlated manner along the track of the particles, while for X-rays these sites are much more randomly distributed throughout the volume of the cell. It can therefore be expected that the distribution of dsbs linearly along the DNA molecule also varies with the type of radiation and the ionization density. Using pulsed-field gel and conventional gel techniques, we measured the size distribution of DNA molecules from irradiated human fibroblasts in the total range of 0.1 kbp-10 Mbp for X-rays and high LET particles (N ions, 97 keV/microns and Fe ions, 150 keV/microns). On a mega base pair scale we applied conventional pulsed-field gel electrophoresis techniques such as measurement of the fraction of DNA released from the well (FAR) and measurement of breakage within a specific NotI restriction fragment (hybridization assay). The induction rate for widely spaced breaks was found to decrease with LET. However, when the entire distribution of radiation-induced fragments was analysed, we detected an excess of fragments with sizes below about 200 kbp for the particles compared with X-irradiation. X-rays are thus more effective than high LET radiations in producing large DNA fragments but less effective in the production of smaller fragments. We determined the total induction rate of dsbs for the three radiations based on a quantitative analysis of all the measured radiation-induced fragments and found that the high LET particles were more efficient than X-rays at inducing dsbs, indicating an increasing total efficiency with LET. Conventional assays that are based only on the measurement of large fragments are therefore misleading when determining total dsb induction rates of high LET particles. The possible biological significance of this non-randomness for dsb induction is discussed.

  15. TOTAL RESPIRATORY TRACT DEPOSITION OF FINE MICRON-SIZED PARTICLES IN HEALTHY ADULTS: EMPIRICIAL EQUATIONS FOR GENDER AND BREATHING PATTERN

    EPA Science Inventory

    An accurate dose estimation under various inhalation conditions is important for assessing both the potential health effects of pollutant particles and the therapeutic efficacy of medical aerosols. We measured total deposition fraction (TDF) of monodisperse micron-sized particles...

  16. Effect of micronization on the physicochemical properties of insoluble dietary fiber from citrus (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) pomace.

    PubMed

    Ye, Fayin; Tao, Bingbing; Liu, Jia; Zou, Yan; Zhao, Guohua

    2016-04-01

    The aim of this work was to study the effect of micronization (mechanical and jet grindings) on the physicochemical properties of the insoluble dietary fiber from citrus pomace in comparison with ordinary grinding. The results showed that micronization treatment effectively pulverized the IDF-CP powders to micron scale and significantly increased the soluble dietary fiber content (p < 0.05). Compared with mechanical grinding, jet grinding was more effective in size reduction and resulted in IDF-CP powders with narrower particle size distributions. Micronized IDF-CP powders had smaller particle size, smoother surface, higher fluidity, cation-exchange capacity, and metal cation binding capacity values, but lower water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, and swelling capacity values. These functional properties were significantly dependent on surface area and particle size (D0.5). The present study suggested that micronization treatments could modify functional properties of IDF-CP powders, which promotes their use in food applications. © The Author(s) 2015.

  17. The 27-28 October 1986 FIRE IFO Cirrus case study: Comparison of radiative transfer theory with observations by satellite and aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wielicki, Bruce A.; Suttles, J. T.; Heymsfield, Andrew J.; Welch, Ronald M.; Spinhirne, James D.; Wu, Man-Li C.; Starr, David OC.; Parker, Lindsay; Arduini, Robert F.

    1989-01-01

    Observations of cirrus and altocumulus clouds during the First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Regional Experiment (FIRE) are compared to theoretical models of cloud radiative properties. Three tests are performed. First, LANDSAT radiances are used to compare the relationship between nadir reflectance ot 0.83 micron and beam emittance at 11.5 microns with that predicted for model calculations using spherical and nonspherical phase functions. Good agreement is found between observations and theory when water droplets dominate. Poor agreement is found when ice particles dominate, especially using scattering phase functions for spherical particles. Even when compared to a laboratory measured ice particle phase function, the observations show increased side scattered radiation relative to the theoretical calculations. Second, the anisotropy of conservatively scattered radiation is examined using simultaneous multiple angle views of the cirrus from LANDSAT and ER-2 aircraft radiometers. Observed anisotropy gives good agreement with theoretical calculations using the laboratory measured ice particle phase function and poor agreement with a spherical particle phase function. Third, Landsat radiances at 0.83, 1.65, and 2.21 microns are used to infer particle phase and particle size. For water droplets, good agreement is found with King Air FSSP particle probe measurements in the cloud. For ice particles, the LANDSAT radiance observations predict an effective radius of 60 microns versus aircraft observations of about 200 microns. It is suggested that this descrepancy may be explained by uncertainty in the imaginary index of ice and by inadequate measurements of small ice particles by microphysical probes.

  18. A Dust Grain Photoemission Experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venturini, C. C.; Spann, J. F., Jr.; Abbas, M. M.; Comfort, R. H.

    2000-01-01

    A laboratory experiment has been developed at Marshall Space Flight Center to study the interaction of micron-sized particles with plasmas and FUV radiation. The intent is to investigate the conditions under which particles of various compositions and sizes become charged, or discharged, while exposed to an electron beam and/or UV radiation. This experiment uses a unique laboratory where a single charged micron size particle is suspended in a quadrupole trap and then subjected to a controlled environment. Tests are performed using different materials and sizes, ranging from 10 microns to 1 micron, to determine the particle's charge while being subjected to an electron beam and /or UV radiation. The focus of this presentation will be on preliminary results from UV photoemission tests, but past results from electron beam, secondary electron emission tests will also be highlighted. A monochromator is used to spectrally resolve UV in the 120 nm to 300 nm range. This enables photoemission measurements as a function of wavelength. Electron beam tests are conducted using I to 3 micron sized aluminum oxide particles subjected to energies between 100 eV to 3 KeV. It was found that for both positive and negative particles the potential tended toward neutrality over time with possible equilibrium potentials between -0.8 Volts and 0.8 Volts.

  19. Improved Boron for Enhanced Combustion

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-06-01

    elements scanned. - 11 - C. Particle Dynamics Ultrafine particles on the order of 0.01 to 0.1 micron diameter are known to exhibit dynamic behavior...very short relaxation times after perturbations [7]. Of the four major regimes of particle dynamic behavior, these ultrafine particles are classified in...modeling. Ultrafine particles up to approximately 0.1 micron in diameter tend to have unequilibrated surface energy [7,8,9,101. This is particularly

  20. Physical and chemical characteristics including total and geochemical forms of phosphorus in sediment from the top 30 centimeters of cores collected in October 2006 at 26 sites in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Simon, Nancy S.; Ingle, Sarah N.

    2011-01-01

    μThis study of phosphorus (P) cycling in eutrophic Upper Klamath Lake (UKL), Oregon, was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Lakebed sediments from the upper 30 centimeters (cm) of cores collected from 26 sites were characterized. Cores were sampled at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm. Prior to freezing, water content and sediment pH were determined. After being freeze-dried, all samples were separated into greater than 63-micron (μm) particle-size (coarse) and less than 63-μm particle-size (fine) fractions. In the surface samples (0.5 to 4.5 cm below the sediment water interface), approximately three-fourths of the particles were larger than 63-μm. The ratios of the coarse particle-size fraction (>63 μm) and the fine particle-size fraction (<63 μm) were approximately equal in samples at depths greater than 10 cm below the sediment water interface. Chemical analyses included both size fractions of freeze-dried samples. Chemical analyses included determination of total concentrations of aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), carbon (C), iron (Fe), poorly crystalline Fe, nitrogen (N), P, and titanium (Ti). Total Fe concentrations were the largest in sediment from the northern portion of UKL, Howard Bay, and the southern portion of the lake. Concentrations of total Al, Ca, and Ti were largest in sediment from the northern, central, and southernmost portions of the lake and in sediment from Howard Bay. Concentrations of total C and N were largest in sediment from the embayments and in sediment from the northern arm and southern portion of the lake in the general region of Buck Island. Concentrations of total C were larger in the greater than 63-μm particle-size fraction than in the less than 63-μm particle-size fraction. Sediments were sequentially extracted to determine concentrations of inorganic forms of P, including loosely sorbed P, P associated with poorly crystalline Fe oxides, and P associated with mineral phases. The difference between the concentration of total P and sum of the concentrations of inorganic forms of P is referred to as residual P. Residual P was the largest fraction of P in all of the sediment samples. In UKL, the correlation between concentrations of total P and total Fe in sediment is poor (R2<0.1). The correlation between the concentrations of total P and P associated with poorly crystalline Fe oxides is good (R2=0.43) in surface sediment (0.5-4.5 cm below the sediment water interface) but poor (R2<0.1) in sediments at depths between 10 cm and 30 cm. Phosphorus associated with poorly crystalline Fe oxides is considered bioavailable because it is released when sediment conditions change from oxidizing to reducing, which causes dissolution of Fe oxides.

  1. Submillimeter studies of main-sequence stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zuckerman, B.; Becklin, E. E.

    1993-01-01

    JCMT maps of the 800-micron emission from Vega, Fomalhaut, and Beta Pictoris are interpreted to indicate that they are not ringed by large reservoirs of distant orbiting dust particles that are too cold to have been detected by IRAS. A search for 800-micron emission from stars in the Pleiades and Ursa Majoris open clusters is reported. In comparison with the mass of dust particles near T Tauri and Herbig Ae stars, the JCMT data indicate a decline in dust mass during the initial 3 x 10 exp 8 yr that a star spends on the main sequence that is at least as rapid as (time) exp -2. It is estimated that in the Kuiper belt the ratio of total mass carried by small particles to that carried by comets is orders of magnitude smaller than this ratio is 1 AU from the sun. If 800-micron opacities calculated by Pollack et al. (1993) are correct, then the particles with radii less than 100 microns that dominate the FIR fluxes measured by IRAS cannot entirely account for the measured 800-micron fluxes at Vega, Beta Pic, and Fomalhaut; larger particles must be present as well.

  2. Charge, energy and LET spectra of high LET primary and secondary particles in CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors of the P0006 experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Csige, I.; Frigo, L. A.; Benton, E. V.; Oda, K.

    1995-01-01

    We have measured the charge, energy and linear energy transfer (LET) spectra of about 800 high LET (LET(sub infinity) H2O greater than 50 keV/micron) particles in CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors in the P0006 experiment of LDEF. Primary particles with residual range at the reference surface greater than about 2 microns and secondary particles produced in the detector material with total range greater than about 4 microns were measured. We have used a multi-etch technique and an internal calibration to identify and measure the energy of the particles at the reference surface. The LET spectrum was obtained from the charge and energy distribution of the particles.

  3. Biogenic iron oxyhydroxide formation at mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vents: Juan de Fuca Ridge

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Toner, Brandy M.; Santelli, Cara M.; Marcus, Matthew A.

    2008-05-22

    Here we examine Fe speciation within Fe-encrusted biofilms formed during 2-month seafloor incubations of sulfide mineral assemblages at the Main Endeavor Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The biofilms were distributed heterogeneously across the surface of the incubated sulfide and composed primarily of particles with a twisted stalk morphology resembling those produced by some aerobic Fe-oxidizing microorganisms. Our objectives were to determine the form of biofilm-associated Fe, and identify the sulfide minerals associated with microbial growth. We used micro-focused synchrotron-radiation X-ray fluorescence mapping (mu XRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (mu EXAFS), and X-ray diffraction (mu XRD) in conjunction with focusedmore » ion beam (FIB) sectioning, and highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The chemical and mineralogical composition of an Fe-encrusted biofilm was queried at different spatial scales, and the spatial relationship between primary sulfide and secondary oxyhydroxide minerals was resolved. The Fe-encrusted biofilms formed preferentially at pyrrhotite-rich (Fe1-xS, 0<_ x<_ 0.2) regions of the incubated chimney sulfide. At the nanometer spatial scale, particles within the biofilm exhibiting lattice fringing and diffraction patterns consistent with 2-line ferrihydrite were identified infrequently. At the micron spatial scale, Fe mu EXAFS spectroscopy and mu XRD measurements indicate that the dominant form of biofilm Fe is a short-range ordered Fe oxyhydroxide characterized by pervasive edge-sharing Fe-O6 octahedral linkages. Double corner-sharing Fe-O6 linkages, which are common to Fe oxyhydroxide mineral structures of 2-line ferrihydrite, 6-line ferrihydrite, and goethite, were not detected in the biogenic iron oxyhydroxide (BIO). The suspended development of the BIO mineral structure is consistent with Fe(III) hydrolysis and polymerization in the presence of high concentrations of Fe-complexing ligands. We hypothesize that microbiologically produced Fe-complexing ligands may play critical roles in both the delivery of Fe(II) to oxidases, and the limited Fe(III) oxyhydroxide crystallinity observed within the biofilm. Our research provides insight into the structure and formation of naturally occurring, microbiologically produced Fe oxyhydroxide minerals in the deep-sea. We describe the initiation of microbial seafloor weathering, and the morphological and mineralogical signals that result from that process. Our observations provide a starting point from which progressively older and more extensively weathered seafloor sulfide minerals may be examined, with the ultimate goal of improved interpretation of ancient microbial processes and associated biological signatures.« less

  4. Biogenic iron oxyhydroxide formation at mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vents: Juan de Fuca Ridge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Toner, Brandy M.; Santelli, Cara M.; Marcus, Matthew A.; Wirth, Richard; Chan, Clara S.; McCollom, Thomas; Bach, Wolfgang; Edwards, Katrina J.

    2009-01-01

    Here we examine Fe speciation within Fe-encrusted biofilms formed during 2-month seafloor incubations of sulfide mineral assemblages at the Main Endeavor Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The biofilms were distributed heterogeneously across the surface of the incubated sulfide and composed primarily of particles with a twisted stalk morphology resembling those produced by some aerobic Fe-oxidizing microorganisms. Our objectives were to determine the form of biofilm-associated Fe, and identify the sulfide minerals associated with microbial growth. We used micro-focused synchrotron-radiation X-ray fluorescence mapping (μXRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (μΕXAFS), and X-ray diffraction (μXRD) in conjunction with focused ion beam (FIB) sectioning, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The chemical and mineralogical composition of an Fe-encrusted biofilm was queried at different spatial scales, and the spatial relationship between primary sulfide and secondary oxyhydroxide minerals was resolved. The Fe-encrusted biofilms formed preferentially at pyrrhotite-rich (Fe 1-xS, 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.2) regions of the incubated chimney sulfide. At the nanometer spatial scale, particles within the biofilm exhibiting lattice fringing and diffraction patterns consistent with 2-line ferrihydrite were identified infrequently. At the micron spatial scale, Fe μEXAFS spectroscopy and μXRD measurements indicate that the dominant form of biofilm Fe is a short-range ordered Fe oxyhydroxide characterized by pervasive edge-sharing Fe-O 6 octahedral linkages. Double corner-sharing Fe-O 6 linkages, which are common to Fe oxyhydroxide mineral structures of 2-line ferrihydrite, 6-line ferrihydrite, and goethite, were not detected in the biogenic iron oxyhydroxide (BIO). The suspended development of the BIO mineral structure is consistent with Fe(III) hydrolysis and polymerization in the presence of high concentrations of Fe-complexing ligands. We hypothesize that microbiologically produced Fe-complexing ligands may play critical roles in both the delivery of Fe(II) to oxidases, and the limited Fe(III) oxyhydroxide crystallinity observed within the biofilm. Our research provides insight into the structure and formation of naturally occurring, microbiologically produced Fe oxyhydroxide minerals in the deep-sea. We describe the initiation of microbial seafloor weathering, and the morphological and mineralogical signals that result from that process. Our observations provide a starting point from which progressively older and more extensively weathered seafloor sulfide minerals may be examined, with the ultimate goal of improved interpretation of ancient microbial processes and associated biological signatures.

  5. Gene transfer device utilizing micron-spiked electrodes produced by the self-organization phenomenon of Fe-alloy.

    PubMed

    Miyano, Naoki; Inoue, Yuuki; Teramura, Yuji; Fujii, Keisuke; Tsumori, Fujio; Iwata, Hiroo; Kotera, Hidetoshi

    2008-07-01

    In the diffusional phase transformation of two-phase alloys, the new phase precipitates form the matrix phase at specific temperatures, followed by the formation of a mixed microstructure comprising the precipitate and the matrix. It has been found that by specific chemical-etching treatment, the precipitate in Fe-25Cr-6Ni alloy projects substantially and clusters at the surface. The configuration of the precipitate has an extremely high aspect ratio: it is several microns in width and several tens of microns in length (known as micron-spiked). This study targets the development of a gene transfer device with a micro-spike produced based on the self-organization phenomenon of the Fe-25Cr-6Ni alloy. With this spike-projected device, we tried to efficiently transfer plasmid DNA into adherent cells by electric pulse-triggered gene transfer using a plasmid-loaded electrode (electroporation-based reverse transfection). The spiked structure was applied to a substrate of the device to allow efficient gene transfer into adherent cells, although the general substrate was flat and had a smooth surface. The results suggest that this unique spike-projected device has potential applications in gene transfer devices for the analysis of the human genome in the post-genome period.

  6. Negative Searches for Evidence of Aqueous Alteration on Asteroid Surfaces

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vilas, F.

    2005-01-01

    Small bodies in the Solar System preserve evidence of the processes occurring during early Solar System formation, unlike the larger planets that undergo continuous churning of their surfaces. We study these bodies to understand what processes affected different stages of Solar System formation. The action of aqueous alteration (the alteration of material by the interaction of that material with liquid formed by the melting of incorporated ice) of near-subsurface material has been inferred to occur on many asteroids based on the spectrophotometric evidence of phyllosilicates and iron alteration minerals. The definitive indication of aqueous alteration is the 3.0- micron absorption feature attributed to structural hydroxyl (OH) and interlayer and adsorbed water (H2O) in phyllosilicates (clays) (hereafter water of hydration). A weak absorption feature centered near 0.7 microns attributed to an Fe (2+) right arrow Fe (3+) charge transfer transition in oxidized iron in phyllosilicates has been observed in the reflectance spectra and photometry of approximately 50% of the main-belt C-class asteroids. An approximately 85% correlation between this 0.7- micron feature and the 3.0- micron water of hydration absorption feature was found among the low-albedo asteroids. The feature is usually centered near 0.68 microns in asteroid spectra, and ranges in wavelength from approximately 0.57 to 0.83 microns. Serendipitously, three of the Eight Color Asteroid Survey filters the v (0.550 microns), w (0.701 microns), and x (0.853 microns)-bracket this feature well, and can be used to determine the presence of this feature in the reflectance properties of an asteroid, and probe the aqueous alteration history of larger samples of asteroid data. Two efforts to search for evidence of aqueous alteration based on the presence of this 0.7- micron absorption feature are presented here.

  7. Dissolution enhancement of gliclazide using pH change approach in presence of twelve stabilizers with various physico-chemical properties.

    PubMed

    Talari, Roya; Varshosaz, Jaleh; Mostafavi, Seyed Abolfazl; Nokhodchi, Ali

    2009-01-01

    The micronization using milling process to enhance dissolution rate is extremely inefficient due to a high energy input, and disruptions in the crystal lattice which can cause physical or chemical instability. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to use in situ micronization process through pH change method to produce micron-size gliclazide particles for fast dissolution hence better bioavailability. Gliclazide was recrystallized in presence of 12 different stabilizers and the effects of each stabilizer on micromeritic behaviors, morphology of microcrystals, dissolution rate and solid state of recrystallized drug particles were investigated. The results showed that recrystallized samples showed faster dissolution rate than untreated gliclazide particles and the fastest dissolution rate was observed for the samples recrystallized in presence of PEG 1500. Some of the recrystallized drug samples in presence of stabilizers dissolved 100% within the first 5 min showing at least 10 times greater dissolution rate than the dissolution rate of untreated gliclazide powders. Micromeritic studies showed that in situ micronization technique via pH change method is able to produce smaller particle size with a high surface area. The results also showed that the type of stabilizer had significant impact on morphology of recrystallized drug particles. The untreated gliclazide is rod or rectangular shape, whereas the crystals produced in presence of stabilizers, depending on the type of stabilizer, were very fine particles with irregular, cubic, rectangular, granular and spherical/modular shape. The results showed that crystallization of gliclazide in presence of stabilizers reduced the crystallinity of the samples as confirmed by XRPD and DSC results. In situ micronization of gliclazide through pH change method can successfully be used to produce micron-sized drug particles to enhance dissolution rate.

  8. Transmission Electron Microscopy of Cometary Residues from Micron-Sized Craters in the Stardust Al-Foils

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leroux, Hugues; Stroud, Rhonda M.; Dai, Zu Rong; Graham, Giles A.; Troadec, David; Bradley, John P.; Teslich, Nick; Borg, Janet; Kearsley, Anton T.; Horz, Friedrich

    2008-01-01

    We report Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations of micro-craters that originated from hypervelocity impacts of comet 81P/Wild 2 dust particles on the aluminium foil of the Stardust collector. The craters were selected by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and then prepared by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling techniques in order to provide electron transparent cross-sections for TEM studies. The crater residues contain both amorphous and crystalline materials in varying proportions and compositions. The amorphous component is interpreted as resulting from shock melting during the impact and the crystalline phases as relict minerals. The latter show evidence for shock metamorphism. Based on the residue morphology and the compositional variation, the impacting particles are inferred to have been dominated by mixtures of submicron olivine, pyroxene and Fe-sulfide grains, in agreement with prior results of relatively coarse-grained mineral assemblages in the aerogel collector.

  9. Debris and meteoroid proportions deduced from impact crater residue analysis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Berthoud, Lucinda; Mandeville, Jean-Claude; Durin, Christian; Borg, Janet

    1995-01-01

    This study is a further investigation of space-exposed samples recovered from the LDEF satellite and the Franco-Russian 'Aragatz' dust collection experiment on the Mir Space Station. Impact craters with diameters ranging from 1 to 900 micron were found on the retrieved samples. Elemental analysis of residues found in the impact craters was carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The analyses show evidence of micrometeoroid and orbital debris origins for the impacts. The proportions of these two components vary according to particle size and experimental position with respect to the leading edge of the spacecraft. On the LDEF leading edge 17 percent of the impacts were apparently caused by micrometeoroids and 11 percent by debris; on the LDEF trailing edge 23 percent of the impacts are apparently caused by micrometeoroids and 4 percent consist of debris particles - mostly larger than 3 micron in diameter - in elliptical orbits around the Earth. For Mir, the analyses indicate that micrometeoroids form 23 percent of impacts and debris 9 percent. However, we note that 60-70 percent of the craters are unidentifiable, so the definitive proportions of natural v. man-made particles are yet to be determined. Experiments carried out using a light gas gun to accelerate glass spheres and fragments demonstrate the influence of particle shape on crater morphology. The experiments also show that it is more difficult to analyze the residues produced by an irregular fragment than those produced by a spherical projectile. If the particle is travelling above a certain velocity, it vaporizes upon impact and no residues are left. Simulation experiments carried out with an electrostatic accelerator indicate that this limit is about 14 km/s for Fe particles impacting Al targets. This chemical analysis cut-off may bias interpretations of the relative populations of meteoroid and orbital debris. Oblique impacts and multiple foil detectors provide a higher likelihood of detection of residues as the velocities involved are lower.

  10. Study of cosmic dust particles on board LDEF: The FRECOPA experiments AO138-1 and AO138-2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mandeville, J. C.; Borg, Janet

    1992-01-01

    Two experiments, within the French Cooperative Payload (FRECOPA) and devoted to the detection of cosmic dust, were flown on the LDEF. A variety of sensors and collecting devices have made possible the study of impact processes on materials of technological interest. Preliminary examination of hypervelocity impact features gives valuable data on size distribution and nature of interplanetary dust particles in low earth orbit, within the 0.5 to 300 micrometer size range. Most of the events detected on the trailing face of LDEF are expected to be the result of impacts of meteoritic particles only. So far, chemical analysis of craters by EDS clearly shows evidence of elements (Na, Mg, Si, S, Ca, and Fe) consistent with cosmic origin. Systematic occurrence of C and O in crater residues is an important result, to be compared with the existence of CHON particles detected in P-Halley comet nucleus. Crater size distribution is in good agreement with results from other dust experiments flown on LDEF. However, no crater smaller than 1.5 micron was observed, thus suggesting a cutoff in the near earth particle distribution. Possible origin and orbital evolution of micrometeoroids is discussed.

  11. Estimating Dermal Transfer of Copper Particles from the ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Lumber pressure-treated with micronized copper was examined for the release of copper and copper micro/nanoparticles using a surface wipe method to simulate dermal transfer. In 2003, the wood industry began replacing CCA treated lumber products for residential use with copper based formulations. Micronized copper (nano to micron sized particles) has become the preferred treatment formulation. There is a lack of information on the release of copper, the fate of the particles during dermal contact, and the copper exposure level to children from hand-to-mouth transfer. For the current study, three treated lumber products, two micronized copper and one ionic copper, were purchased from commercial retailers. The boards were left to weather outdoors for approximately 1 year. Over the year time period, hand wipe samples were collected periodically to determine copper transfer from the wood surfaces. The two micronized formulations and the ionic formulation released similar levels of total copper. The amount of copper released was high initially, but decreased to a constant level (~1.5 mg m-2) after the first month of outdoor exposure. Copper particles were identified on the sampling cloths during the first two months of the experiment, after which the levels of copper were insufficient to collect interpretable data. After 1 month, the particles exhibited minimal changes in shape and size. At the end of 2-months, significant deterioration of the particles was

  12. Influence of Poly (Ethylene Glycol) and Oleylamine on the Formation of Nano to Micron Size Spherical SiO2 Particles

    EPA Science Inventory

    We report an eco-friendly synthesis of well–controlled, nano-to-micron-size, spherical SiO2 particles using non-hazardous solvent and a byproducts-producing system. It was found that the morphology and size of spherical SiO2 particles are controlled by adjusting the concentration...

  13. Mesostructural investigation of micron-sized glass particles during shear deformation - An experimental approach vs. DEM simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Torbahn, Lutz; Weuster, Alexander; Handl, Lisa; Schmidt, Volker; Kwade, Arno; Wolf, Dietrich E.

    2017-06-01

    The interdependency of structure and mechanical features of a cohesive powder packing is on current scientific focus and far from being well understood. Although the Discrete Element Method provides a well applicable and widely used tool to model powder behavior, non-trivial contact mechanics of micron-sized particles demand a sophisticated contact model. Here, a direct comparison between experiment and simulation on a particle level offers a proper approach for model validation. However, the simulation of a full scale shear-tester experiment with micron-sized particles, and hence, validating this simulation remains a challenge. We address this task by down scaling the experimental setup: A fully functional micro shear-tester was developed and implemented into an X-ray tomography device in order to visualize the sample on a bulk and particle level within small bulk volumes of the order of a few micro liter under well-defined consolidation. Using spherical micron-sized particles (30 μm), shear tests with a particle number accessible for simulations can be performed. Moreover, particle level analysis allows for a direct comparison of experimental and numerical results, e.g., regarding structural evolution. In this talk, we focus on density inhomogeneity and shear induced heterogeneity during compaction and shear deformation.

  14. Effect of bismuth substitution in strontium hexaferrite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sahoo, M. R.; Kuila, S.; Sweta, K.; Barik, A.; Vishwakarma, P. N.

    2018-05-01

    Bismuth (Bi) substituted M-type strontium hexaferrite (Sr1-xBix Fe12O19, x=0 and 0.02) are synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion method. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows increase in lattice parameter and particle size (500 nm to 3 micron) respectively, for Bi substituted sample. Magnetization via M-H shows decrease in magnetic hardness for Bi substituted samples. M-T data for parent (x=0) sample shows an antiferromagnetic transition in the ZFC plot at 495 °C. This antiferromagnetic transition is replaced by a ferromagnetic transition for FCW measurement. Similar behavior is displayed by the Bi substituted sample with transition temperature reduced to 455 °C.

  15. Simultaneous sizing and electrophoretic mobility measurement of sub-micron particles using Brownian motion

    PubMed Central

    Palanisami, Akilan; Miller, John H.

    2011-01-01

    The size and surface chemistry of micron scale particles are of fundamental importance in studies of biology and air particulate pollution. However, typical electrophoretic measurements of these and other sub-micron scale particles (300 nm – 1 μm) cannot resolve size information within heterogeneous mixtures unambiguously. Using optical microscopy, we monitor electrophoretic motion together with the Brownian velocity fluctuations—using the latter to measure size by either the Green-Kubo relation or by calibration from known size standards. Particle diameters are resolved to ±12% with 95% confidence. Strikingly, the size resolution improves as particle size decreases due to the increased Brownian motion. The sizing ability of the Brownian assessed electrophoresis method described here complements the electrophoretic mobility resolution of traditional capillary electrophoresis. PMID:20882556

  16. Characterization of typical metal particles during haze episodes in Shanghai, China.

    PubMed

    Li, Rui; Yang, Xin; Fu, Hongbo; Hu, Qingqing; Zhang, Liwu; Chen, Jianmin

    2017-08-01

    Aerosol particles were collected during three heavy haze episodes at Shanghai in the winter of 2013. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the morphology and speciation of typical metal particles at a single-particle level. In addition, time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) was applied to identify the speciation of the Fe-containing particles. TEM analysis indicated that various metal-containing particles were hosted by sulfates, nitrates, and oxides. Fe-bearing particles mainly originated from vehicle emissions and/or steel production. Pb-, Zn-, and Sb-bearing particles were mainly contributed by anthropogenic sources. Fe-bearing particles were clustered into six groups by ATOFMS: Fe-Carbon, Fe-Inorganic, Fe-Trace metal, Fe-CN, Fe-PO 3, and Fe-NO 3 . ATOFMS data suggested that Fe-containing particles corresponded to different origins, including industrial activities, resuspension of dusts, and vehicle emissions. Fe-Carbon and Fe-CN particles displayed significant diurnal variation, and high levels were observed during the morning rush hours. Fe-Inorganic and Fe-Trace metal particle levels peaked at night. Furthermore, Fe-Carbon and Fe-PO 3 were mainly concentrated in the fine particles. Fe-CN, Fe-Inorganic, and Fe-Trace metal exhibited bimodal distribution. The mixing state of the particles revealed that all Fe-bearing particles tended to be mixed with sulfate and nitrate. The data presented herein is essential for elucidating the origin, evolution processes, and health effects of metal-bearing particles. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Heteroatom incorporated coke for electrochemical cell electrode

    DOEpatents

    Lewis, Irwin Charles; Greinke, Ronald Alfred

    1997-01-01

    This invention relates to an electrode for a coke/alkali metal electrochemical cell comprising: (a) calcined coke particles: (i) that contain at least 0.5 weight percent of nitrogen heteroatoms and at least 1.0 weight percent sulfur heteroatoms, and (ii) that have an average particle size from 2 microns to 40 microns with essentially no particles being greater than 50 microns. (b) a binder This invention also relates to a coke/alkali metal electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an electrode as described above, (b) a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising an organic aprotic solvent and an electrically conductive salt, and (c) a counterelectrode.

  18. Comparative microstructures and cytotoxicity assays for ballistic aerosols composed of micrometals and nanometals: respiratory health implications

    PubMed Central

    Machado, Brenda I; Suro, Raquel M; Garza, Kristine M; Murr, Lawrence E

    2011-01-01

    Aerosol particulates collected on filters from ballistic penetration and erosion events for W–Ni–Co and W–Ni–Fe kinetic energy rod projectiles penetrating steel target plates were observed to be highly cytotoxic to human epithelial A549 lung cells in culture after 48 hours of exposure. The aerosol consisted of micron-sized Fe particulates and nanoparticulate aggregates consisting of W, Ni or W, Co, and some Fe, characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and using energy-dispersive (X-ray) spectrometry for elemental analysis and mapping. Cytotoxic assays of manufactured micron-sized and nanosized metal particulates of W, Ni, Fe, and Co demonstrated that, consistent with many studies in the literature, only the nanoparticulate elements demonstrated measurable cytotoxicity. These results suggest the potential for very severe, short-term, human toxicity, in particular to the respiratory system on inhaling ballistic aerosols. PMID:21499416

  19. Generation of sub-micron particles and secondary pollutants from building materials by ozone reaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aoki, Taisuke; Tanabe, Shin-ichi

    This study reports results from two different experiments examining reactions between ozone and common building materials that can lead to the formation of secondary products and particulate-phase materials. Monitored species include sub-micron particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the first set of experiments, various building materials were placed in a 20 L stainless-steel chamber and exposed to ozone. The materials included expanded polystyrene, a natural rubber adhesive, cedar board, Japanese Cyprus board and silver fir board, as well as d-limonene, which is a known constituent of certain woods and cleaning products. The combination of ozone and either d-limonene, cedar board or cypress board produced sub-micron particles, with most of the increase occurring in the size range of 0.01- 0.5μm diameter. This was not observed for the other materials. In the case of cedar board, the consequence of ozone exposure over an extended time interval was monitored. As the exposure time elapsed, the concentration of sub-micron particles moderately decreased. In the second set of experiments, unwaxed or waxed plastic tiles were placed in the 20 L chamber and exposed to ozone. Sub-micron particles and organic compounds were measured during the course of the experiments. In the case of the waxed tile, the number of 0.01- 1.0μm size particles grew about 50×108particlesm-3; particle growth was significantly less for the un-waxed tile. For both the waxed and un-waxed tiles, the emission rates of heptane, nonane, nonanal, and decanal increased after ozone was added to the supply air. (However, it is not clear if some or all of this production was due to ozone reacting with the sorbent used for sampling or with compounds captured by the sorbent.) This study provides further evidence that ozone-initiated reactions with building materials can be a significant source of both sub-micron particles and secondary organic compounds in indoor environments.

  20. High explosive compound

    DOEpatents

    Crawford, Theodore C.

    1976-01-01

    1. A low detonation velocity explosive consisting essentially of a particulate mixture of ortho-boric acid and trinitrotoluene, said mixture containing from about 25 percent to about 65 percent by weight of ortho-boric acid, said ortho-boric acid comprised of from 60 percent to 90 percent of spherical particles having a mean particle size of about 275 microns and 10 percent to 40 percent of spherical particles having a particle size less than about 44 microns.

  1. Intercontinental Transport of Aerosols: Implication for Regional Air Quality

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chin, Mian; Diehl, Thomas; Ginoux, Paul

    2006-01-01

    Aerosol particles, also known as PM2.5 (particle diameter less than 2.5 microns) and PM10 (particle diameter less than 10 microns), is one of the key atmospheric components that determine ambient air quality. Current US air quality standards for PM10 (particles with diameter < 10 microns) and PM2.5 (particles with diameter 2.5 microns) are 50 pg/cu m and 15 pg/cu m, respectively. While local and regional emission sources are the main cause of air pollution problems, aerosols can be transported on a hemispheric or global scale. In this study, we use the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) model to quantify contributions of long-range transport vs. local/regional pollution sources and from natural vs. anthropogenic sources to PM concentrations different regions. In particular, we estimate the hemispheric impact of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols and dust from major source areas on other regions in the world. The GOCART model results are compared with satellite remote sensing and ground-based network measurements of aerosol optical depth and concentrations.

  2. Pre-Stressing Micron-Scale Aluminum Core-Shell Particles to Improve Reactivity

    PubMed Central

    Levitas, Valery I.; McCollum, Jena; Pantoya, Michelle

    2015-01-01

    The main direction in increasing reactivity of aluminum (Al) particles for energetic applications is reduction in their size down to nanoscale. However, Al nanoparticles are 30–50 times more expensive than micron scale particles and possess safety and environmental issues. Here, we improved reactivity of Al micron scale particles by synthesizing pre-stressed core-shell structures. Al particles were annealed and quenched to induce compressive stresses in the alumina passivation shell surrounding Al core. This thermal treatment was designed based on predictions of the melt-dispersion mechanism (MDM); a theory describing Al particle reaction under high heating rate. For all anneal treatment temperatures, experimental flame propagation rates for Al combined with nanoscale copper oxide (CuO) are in quantitative agreement with the theoretical predictions based on the MDM. The best treatment increases flame rate by 36% and achieves 68% of that for the best Al nanoparticles. PMID:25597747

  3. In-situ detection of micron-sized dust particles in near-Earth space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gruen, E.; Zook, H. A.

    1985-01-01

    In situ detectors for micron sized dust particles based on the measurement of impact ionization have been flown on several space missions (Pioneer 8/9, HEOS-2 and Helios 1/2). Previous measurements of small dust particles in near-Earth space are reviewed. An instrument is proposed for the measurement of micron sized meteoroids and space debris such as solid rocket exhaust particles from on board an Earth orbiting satellite. The instrument will measure the mass, speed, flight direction and electrical charge of individually impacting debris and meteoritic particles. It is a multicoincidence detector of 1000 sq cm sensitive area and measures particle masses in the range from 10 to the -14th power g to 10 to the -8th power g at an impact speed of 10 km/s. The instrument is lightweight (5 kg), consumes little power (4 watts), and requires a data sampling rate of about 100 bits per second.

  4. Evaluation of micron-sized wood and bark particles as filler in thermoplastic composites

    Treesearch

    David P. Harper; Thomas L. Eberhardt

    2010-01-01

    Micron-sized particles, prepared from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) wood and bark, were evaluated for use in wood-plastic composites (WPCs). Particles were also prepared from hard (periderm) and soft (obliterated phloem) components in the bark and compared to whole wood (without bark) filler commonly used by the WPC industry. All bark fillers had...

  5. Adsorption of Water on Simulated Moon Dust Samples

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goering, John P.; Sah, Shweta; Burghaus, Uwe; Street, Kenneth W., Jr.

    2008-01-01

    A lunar regolith simulant dust sample (JSC-1a) supported on a silica wafer (SiO2/Si(111)) has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The adsorption kinetics of water has been studied primarily by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) and also by collecting isothermal adsorption transients. The support has been characterized by water TDS. JSC-1a consists mostly of aluminosilicate glass and other minerals containing Fe, Na, Ca, and Mg. The particle sizes span the range from a few microns up to 100 microns. At small exposures, H2O TDS is characterized by broad (100 to 450 K) structures; at large exposures distinct TDS peaks emerge that are assigned to amorphous solid water (145 K) and crystalline ice (165 K). Water dissociates on JSC-1a at small exposures but not on the bare silica support. It appears that rather porous condensed ice layers form at large exposures. At thermal impact energies, the initial adsorption probability amounts to 0.92+/-0.05.

  6. Nanoparticulate, sub-micron and micron sized particles emanating from hydrothermal vents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luther, G. W., III; Gartman, A.; Findlay, A.; Yucel, M.; Chan, C. S. Y.

    2015-12-01

    Recent data from Geotraces cruises over the MAR and SEPR indicate dissolved and particulate Fe enrichment in waters 1000 and 4000 km from their vent sources, respectively. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and the waters in the reactive mixing zone above vent orifices have been suggested to be an important source of fine material that can pass through normal filters (0.2 and 0.4 μm). In this work, nanoparticles are defined operationally as that which can pass through a 0.2 μm filter. We investigated two vent sites (Lau Basin and the MAR). Chimneys from both vent sites have fluids that can be sulfide rich or metal rich. We also present chemical and physical chemical data (SEM-EDS, TEM, XRD, EELS) showing some of the materials found in these (nano)particulate phases including pyrite, metal sulfides, silicate and aluminosilicate material. Enrichment of Mg and K in the latter suggest that reverse weathering may occur in the waters within 1-2 meters of the vent orifice where vent waters mix with cold oxygenated bottom waters.

  7. Generating Color from Polydisperse, Near Micron-Sized TiO2 Particles.

    PubMed

    Alam, Al-Mahmnur; Baek, Kyungnae; Son, Jieun; Pei, Yi-Rong; Kim, Dong Ha; Choy, Jin-Ho; Hyun, Jerome K

    2017-07-19

    Single particle Mie calculations of near micron-sized TiO 2 particles predict strong light scattering dominating the visible range that would give rise to a white appearance. We demonstrate that a polydisperse collection of these "white" particles can result in the generation of visible colors through ensemble scattering. The weighted averaging of the scattering over the particle size distribution modifies the sharp, multiple, high order scattering modes from individual particles into broad variations in the collective extinction. These extinction variations are apparent as visible colors for particles suspended in organic solvent at low concentration, or for a monolayer of particles supported on a transparent substrate viewed in front of a white light source. We further exploit the color variations on optical sensitivity to the surrounding environment to promote micron-sized TiO 2 particles as stable and robust agents for detecting the optical index of homogeneous media with high contrast sensitivities. Such distribution-modulated scattering properties provide TiO 2 particles an intriguing opportunity to impart color and optical sensitivity to their widespread electronic and chemical platforms such as antibacterial windows, catalysis, photocatalysis, optical sensors, and photovoltaics.

  8. Reflectance spectroscopy of palagonite and iron-rich montmorillonite clay mixtures - Implications for the surface composition of Mars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Orenberg, James; Handy, Jonathan

    1992-01-01

    The diffuse reflectance spectra of Hawaiian palagonite mixtures with an Fe-rich montmorillonite have prompted their present use as spectral analogs of the Martian surface. Like the Mars spectrum and unlike clays, the 2.2-micron reflectance spectrum absorption band is not present in the palagonite sample; neither is the 2.2-micron Al-OH clay lattice band seen in palagonite-montmorillonite mixtures, where the latter component remains below 15 wt pct. Fe-rich montmorillonite clay may therefore be present in Mars, in combination with palagonite, while remaining undetected in remotely sensed spectra.

  9. Controlled and tunable polymer particles' production using a single microfluidic device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amoyav, Benzion; Benny, Ofra

    2018-04-01

    Microfluidics technology offers a new platform to control liquids under flow in small volumes. The advantage of using small-scale reactions for droplet generation along with the capacity to control the preparation parameters, making microfluidic chips an attractive technology for optimizing encapsulation formulations. However, one of the drawback in this methodology is the ability to obtain a wide range of droplet sizes, from sub-micron to microns using a single chip design. In fact, typically, droplet chips are used for micron-dimension particles, while nanoparticles' synthesis requires complex chips design (i.e., microreactors and staggered herringbone micromixer). Here, we introduce the development of a highly tunable and controlled encapsulation technique, using two polymer compositions, for generating particles ranging from microns to nano-size using the same simple single microfluidic chip design. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA 50:50) or PLGA/polyethylene glycol polymeric particles were prepared with focused-flow chip, yielding monodisperse particle batches. We show that by varying flow rate, solvent, surfactant and polymer composition, we were able to optimize particles' size and decrease polydispersity index, using simple chip designs with no further related adjustments or costs. Utilizing this platform, which offers tight tuning of particle properties, could offer an important tool for formulation development and can potentially pave the way towards a better precision nanomedicine.

  10. Efficiency of a new bioaerosol sampler in sampling Betula pollen for antigen analyses.

    PubMed

    Rantio-Lehtimäki, A; Kauppinen, E; Koivikko, A

    1987-01-01

    A new bioaerosol sampler consisting of Liu-type atmospheric aerosol sampling inlet, coarse particle inertial impactor, two-stage high-efficiency virtual impactor (aerodynamic particle sizes respectively in diameter: greater than or equal to 8 microns, 8-2.5 microns, and 2.5 microns; sampling on filters) and a liquid-cooled condenser was designed, fabricated and field-tested in sampling birch (Betula) pollen grains and smaller particles containing Betula antigens. Both microscopical (pollen counts) and immunochemical (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) analyses of each stage were carried out. The new sampler was significantly more efficient than Burkard trap e.g. in sampling particles of Betula pollen size (ca. 25 microns in diameter). This was prominent during pollen peak periods (e.g. May 19th, 1985, in the virtual impactor 9482 and in the Burkard trap 2540 Betula p.g. X m-3 of air). Betula antigens were detected also in filter stages where no intact pollen grains were found; in the condenser unit the antigen concentrations instead were very low.

  11. Super-micron Particles over US Coastal Region: Seasonal Changes from TCAP data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kassianov, E.; Pekour, M. S.; Flynn, C. J.; Berg, L. K.; Fast, J. D.; Zelenyuk, A.; Tomlinson, J. M.; Chand, D.; Barnard, J.; Jefferson, A.

    2016-12-01

    Numerous studies have demonstrated that wind-blown dust and ocean wave breaking are two major sources of atmospheric super-micron particles. However, the fate of generated super-micron particles and their relative contribution to the aerosol microphysical and optical properties is not well understood especially for coastal regions with complex interplay of local and large-scale flow patterns. To estimate this contribution, we take advantage of an integrated dataset collected from ground-based observations during the recent Two-Column Aerosol Project (TCAP; http://campaign.arm.gov/tcap/) over the North Atlantic Ocean and US coastal region (Cape Cod, MA, USA). This region represents a crossroads of flow patterns with pronounced seasonal changes. Conducted from June 2012 through June 2013, TCAP involved one-month summer and winter periods of intensive aircraft observations that included the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Gulfstream-159 (G-1) aircraft. Aerosol size spectra, chemical composition and total scattering data were collected with high temporal resolution (<1 min) during the TCAP flights. The twelve-month TCAP dataset integrates ground-based observations from a suite of instruments for measuring cloud, aerosol and radiative properties, including the Multi-Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (MFRSR), a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS), an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) and a three-wavelength nephelometer. To demonstrate the importance of super-micron particles on the climate-relevant aerosol microphysical and optical properties, we examine data from the ground-based and airborne instruments. In particular, we show that the contribution of super-micron particles to the total scattering can be large (up to 50%) during winter period and this large contribution is mostly associated with sea-salt particles. The expected application of our results to the evaluation and improvement of regional and global climate models will be discussed as well.

  12. Heteroatom incorporated coke for electrochemical cell electrode

    DOEpatents

    Lewis, I.C.; Greinke, R.A.

    1997-06-17

    This invention relates to an electrode for a coke/alkali metal electrochemical cell comprising: (a) calcined coke particles: (1) that contain at least 0.5 weight percent of nitrogen heteroatoms and at least 1.0 weight percent sulfur heteroatoms, and (2) that have an average particle size from 2 microns to 40 microns with essentially no particles being greater than 50 microns and (b) a binder. This invention also relates to a coke/alkali metal electrochemical cell comprising: (a) an electrode as described above, (b) a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising an organic aprotic solvent and an electrically conductive salt, and (c) a counterelectrode. 5 figs.

  13. Measurement of thermal radiation scattering characteristics of submicron refractory particles.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jacobs, W. R.; Williams, J. R.

    1971-01-01

    The differential scattering parameter has been measured for 0.04-micron tungsten particles in hydrogen and nitrogen at temperatures to 1080 K. The differential scattering parameter has also been measured for 0.1 micron tungsten, three types of carbon particles, and fly ash in nitrogen at temperatures to 1000 K. The 0.04 micron tungsten shows a temperature dependent total scattering parameter varying from around 4000 sq cm per g at room temperature to 7000 sq cm per g at 1088 K. The temperatures over which data were obtained are not high enough to confirm the temperature dependence of the total scattering parameter of tungsten.

  14. Micro-Raman spectroscopy: The analysis of micrometer and submicrometer atmospheric aerosols

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Klainer, S. M.; Milanovich, F. P.

    1985-01-01

    A nondestructive method of molecular analysis which is required to fully utilize the information contained within a collected particle is discussed. Upper atmosphere reaction mechanisms are assessed when the chemical compounds, the use of micro-Raman spectrometric techniques to perform micron and submicron particle analysis was evaluated. The results are favorable and it is concluded that micron and submicron particles can be analyzed by the micron-Raman approach. Completely automatic analysis should be possible to 0.3 micro m. No problems are anticipated with photo or thermal decomposition. Sample and impurity fluorescence are the key source of background as they cannot be completely eliminated.

  15. 40 CFR 355.16 - How do I determine the quantity of extremely hazardous substances present for certain forms of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... quantity of extremely hazardous substance present: (a) Solid in powdered form with a particle size less than 100 microns. Multiply the weight percent of solid with a particle size less than 100 microns in a...

  16. 40 CFR 355.16 - How do I determine the quantity of extremely hazardous substances present for certain forms of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... quantity of extremely hazardous substance present: (a) Solid in powdered form with a particle size less than 100 microns. Multiply the weight percent of solid with a particle size less than 100 microns in a...

  17. 40 CFR 355.16 - How do I determine the quantity of extremely hazardous substances present for certain forms of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... quantity of extremely hazardous substance present: (a) Solid in powdered form with a particle size less than 100 microns. Multiply the weight percent of solid with a particle size less than 100 microns in a...

  18. 40 CFR 355.16 - How do I determine the quantity of extremely hazardous substances present for certain forms of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... quantity of extremely hazardous substance present: (a) Solid in powdered form with a particle size less than 100 microns. Multiply the weight percent of solid with a particle size less than 100 microns in a...

  19. 40 CFR 355.16 - How do I determine the quantity of extremely hazardous substances present for certain forms of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... quantity of extremely hazardous substance present: (a) Solid in powdered form with a particle size less than 100 microns. Multiply the weight percent of solid with a particle size less than 100 microns in a...

  20. Lunar resources: Oxygen from rocks and soil

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Allen, C. C.; Gibson, M. A.; Knudsen, C. W.; Kanamori, H.; Morris, R. V.; Keller, L. P.; Mckay, D. S.

    1992-01-01

    The first set of hydrogen reduction experiments to use actual lunar material was recently completed. The sample, 70035, is a coarse-grained vesicular basalt containing 18.46 wt. percent FeO and 12.97 wt. percent TiO2. The mineralogy includes pyroxene, ilmenite, plagioclase, and minor olivine. The sample was crushed to a grain size of less than 500 microns. The crushed basalt was reduced with hydrogen in seven tests at temperatures of 900-1050 C and pressures of 1-10 atm for 30-60 minutes. A capacitance probe, measuring the dew point of the gas stream, was used to follow reaction progress. Experiments were also conducted using a terrestrial basalt similar to some lunar mare samples. Minnesota Lunar Simulant (MLS-1) contains 13.29 wt. percent FeO, 2.96 wt. percent Fe2O3, and 6.56 wt. percent TiO2. The major minerals include plagioclase, pyroxene, olivine, ilmenite, and magnetite. The rock was ground and seived, and experiments were run on the less than 74- and 500-1168-micron fractions. Experiments were also conducted on less than 74-micron powders of olivine, pyroxene, synthetic ilmenite, and TiO2. The terrestrial rock and mineral samples were reduced with flowing hydrogen at 1100 C in a microbalance furnace, with reaction progress monitored by weight loss. Experiments were run at atmospheric pressure for durations of 3-4 hr. Solid samples from both sets of experiments were analyzed by Mossbauer spectroscopy, petrographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tunneling electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Apollo 17 soil 78221 was examined for evidence of natural reduction in the lunar environment. This sample was chosen based on its high maturity level (I sub s/FeO = 93.0). The FeO content is 11.68 wt. percent and the TiO2 content is 3.84 wt. percent. A polished thin section of the 90-150 micron size fraction was analyzed by petrographic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

  1. Characteristics of Cometary Dust Tracks in Stardust Aerogel and Laboratory Calibrations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burchell, M. J.; Fairey, S. A. J.; Wozniakiewicz, P.; Brownlee, D. E.; Hoerz, F.; Kearsley, A. T.; See, T. H.; Tsou, P.; Westphal, A.; Green, S. F.; hide

    2007-01-01

    The cometary tray of the NASA Stardust spacecraft s aerogel collector has been examined to study the dust that was captured during the 2004 fly by of comet 81P/Wild-2. An optical scan of the entire collector surface revealed 256 impact features in the aerogel (width > 100 microns). 20 aerogel blocks (out of a total of 132) were removed from the collector tray for a higher resolution optical scan and 186 tracks were observed (track length > 50 microns and width > 8 microns). The impact features were classified into three types based on their morphology. Laboratory calibrations were conducted which reproduce all three types. This work suggests that the cometary dust consisted of some cohesive, relatively strong particles as well as particles with a more friable or low cohesion matrix containing smaller strong grains. The calibrations also permitted a particle size distribution to be estimated for the cometary dust. We estimate that approximately 1200 particles bigger than 1 micron struck the aerogel. The cumulative size distribution of the captured particles was obtained and compared with observations made by active dust detectors during the encounter. At large sizes (>20 microns) all measures of the dust are compatible, but at micrometer scales and smaller discrepancies exist between the various measurement systems which may reflect structure in the dust flux (streams, clusters etc.) along with some possible instrument effects.

  2. SEM Microanalysis of Particles: Concerns and Suggestions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fournelle, J.

    2008-12-01

    The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is well suited to examine and characterize small (i.e. <10 micron) particles. Particles can be imaged and sizes and shapes determined. With energy dispersive x-ray spectrometers (EDS), chemical compositions can be determined quickly. Despite the ease in acquiring x-ray spectra and chemical compositions, there are potentially major sources of error to be recognized. Problems with EDS analyses of small particles: Qualitive estimates of composition (e.g. stating that Si>Al>Ca>Fe plus O) are easy. However, to be able to have confidence that a chemical composition is accurate, several issues should be examined. (1) Particle Mass Effect: Is the accelerating voltage appropriate for the specimen size? Are all the incident electrons remaining inside the particle, and not traveling out of the sample side or bottom? (2) Particle Absorption Effect: What is the geometric relationship of the beam impact point to the x-ray detector? The x-ray intensity will vary by significant amounts for the same material if the grains are irregular and the path out of the sample in the direction of the detector is longer or shorter. (3) Particle Fluorescence Effect: This is generally a smaller error, but should be considered: for small particles, using large standards, there will be a few % less x-rays generated in a small particle relative to one of the same composition and 50-100 times larger. Also, if the sample sits on a grid of a particular composition (e.g. Si wafer) potentially several % of Si could appear in the analysis. (4) In a increasing number of laboratories, with environmental or variable pressure SEMs, the Gas Skirt Effect is operating against you: here the incident electron beam scatters in the gas in the chamber, with less electrons impacting the target spot and some others hitting grains 100s of microns away, producing spectra that could be faulty. (5) Inclusion of measured oxygen: if the measured oxygen x-ray counts are utilized, significant errors can be introduced by differential absorption of this low energy x-ray. (6) Standardless Analysis: This typical method of doing EDS analysis has a major pitfall: the printed analysis is normalized to 100 wt%, thereby eliminating an important clue to analytical error. Suggestions: (1) Use lower voltage, e.g. 10 kV, reducing effects 1,2,3 above. (2) Use standards--traditional flat polished ones--and don't initially normalize totals. Discrepancies can be observed and addressed, not ignored. (3) Alway include oxygen by stoichometry, not measured. (4) Experimental simulation. Using material of constant composition (e.g. NIST glass K-411, or other homogeneous multi-element material with the elements of interest), grind into fragments of similar size to your unknowns, and see what is the analytical error for measurements of these known particles. Analyses of your unknown material will be no better, and probably worse than that, particularly if the grains are smaller. The results of this experiment should be reported whenever discussing measurements on the unknown materials. (5) Monte Carlo simulation. Programs such PENEPMA allows creation of complex geometry samples (and samples on substrates) and resulting EDS spectra can be generated. This allows estimation of errors for representative cases. It is slow, however; other simulations such as DTSA-II promise faster simulations with some limitations. (6) EBSD: this is a perfectly suited for some problems with SEM identification of small particles, e.g. distinguishing magnetite (Fe3O4) from hematite (Fe2O3), which is virtually impossible to do by EDS. With the appropriate hardware and software, electron diffraction patterns on particles can be gathered and the crystal type determined.

  3. A Unified Picture of Pinatubo Aerosol Global-to Micro-Scale Evolution, From Space, Air, and Ground Measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Russell, Philip B.; Livingston, J. M.; Pueschel, R. F.; Pollack, J. B.; Brooks, S.; Hamill, P.; Hughes, J.; Thomason, L.; Stowe, L.; Deshler, T.; hide

    1995-01-01

    We combine a variety of measurements to develop a composite picture of the post-Pinatubo aerosol and assess the consistency and uncertainties of the measurement and retrieval techniques. Satellite infrared spectroscopy, particle morphology, and evaporation temperature measurements are in accord with theoretical calculations in showing a dominant particle composition of H2SO4-H2O mixture, with H2SO4 weight fraction of 65-80% for most stratospheric temperatures and humidities. Important exceptions are: (1) the presence of volcanic ash at all altitudes initially and in a layer just above the tropopause until at least March 1992, and (2) much smaller H2SO4 weight fractions at the low temperatures attained in high latitude winters and at the tropical tropopause, Laboratory spectroscopy and theoretical calculations yield wavelength- and temperature-dependent refractive indices for the dominant H2SO4-H2O droplets. These in turn permit derivation of particle size spectra from measured optical depth spectra, for comparison to direct measurements by impactors and optical counters. All three techniques paint a generally consistent picture of the evolution of R(sub eff), the effective, or area-weighted, particle radius. In the first month after the eruption, although particle numbers increased by orders of magnitude, R(sub eff) was similar to the preemption value of 0.1 to 0.2 microns, because both small (r less than 0.2 microns) and large (r greater than 0.6 micron particles increased in number. Over the next 3-6 months, R(sub eff) increased to about 0.5 microns reflecting particle growth through condensation and coagulation. In general, R(sub eff) continued to increase for about a year after the eruption. Extinction spectra computed from in situ size distribution measurements are consistent with optical depth measurements, which show spectra with maxima initially at wavelengths of 0.42 microns or less, and thereafter progressively increasing to between 0.78 and 1 micron. Not until 1993 do optical depth spectra begin to show a clear return to the preemption signature of maximizing at the shortest visible wavelengths or in the near UV. This coupled evolution in particle size distribution and optical depth spectra helps explain the relationship between the global maps of 0.5- 1.0- micron optical depth derived from the AVHRR and SAGE satellite measurements.

  4. Micrometeoroids and debris on LDEF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mandeville, Jean-Claude

    1993-01-01

    Two experiments within the French Cooperative Payload (FRECOPA) and devoted to the detection of cosmic dust were flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). A variety of sensors and collecting devices have made possible the study of impact processes on dedicated sensors and on materials of technological interest. Examination of hypervelocity impact features on these experiments gives valuable information on the size distribution and nature of interplanetary dust particles in low-Earth orbit (LEO), within the 0.5-300 micrometer size range. However no crater smaller than 1.5 microns has been observed, thus suggesting a cut-off in the near Earth particle distribution. Chemical investigation of craters by EDX clearly shows evidence of elements (Na, Mg, Si, S, Ca, and Fe) consistent with cosmic origin. However, remnants of orbital debris have been found in a few craters; this can be the result of particles in eccentric orbits about the Earth and of the 8 deg offset in the orientation of LDEF. Crater size distribution is compared with results from other dust experiments flown on LDEF and with current models. Possible origin and orbital evolution of micrometeoroids is discussed. Use of thin foil detectors for the chemical study of particle remnants looks promising for future experiments.

  5. Sub-micron particles in northwest Atlantic shelf water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Longhurst, A. R.; Koike, I.; Li, W. K. W.; Rodriguez, J.; Dickie, P.; Kepay, P.; Partensky, F.; Bautista, B.; Ruiz, J.; Wells, M.; Bird, D. F.

    1992-01-01

    The existence of numerous (1.0 × 10 7 ml -1) sub-micron particles has been confirmed in northwest Atlantic shelf water. These particles were counted independently by two different resistive-pulse instruments, and their existence confirmed by our ability to reduce their numbers by ultracentrifugation, serial dilution and surface coagulation in a bubbling column. There are important implications for the dynamics of DOM in seawater if, as seems probable, these particles represent a fraction of "dissolved" organic material in seawater.

  6. Radiation Pressure Measurements on Micron-Size Individual Dust Grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; Witherow, W. K.; West, E. A.; Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.; Fishman, G. J.; Tankosic, D.; LeClair, A.

    2003-01-01

    Measurements of electromagnetic radiation pressure have been made on individual silica (SiO2) particles levitated in an electrodynamic balance. These measurements were made by inserting single charged particles of known diameter in the 0.2- to 6.82-micron range and irradiating them from above with laser radiation focused to beam widths of approximately 175- 400 microns at ambient pressures particle due to the radiation force is balanced by the electrostatic force indicated by the compensating dc potential applied to the balance electrodes, providing a direct measure of the radiation force on the levitated particle. Theoretical calculations of the radiation pressure with a least-squares fit to the measured data yield the radiation pressure efficiencies of the particles, and comparisons with Mie scattering theory calculations provide the imaginary part of the refractive index of SiO2 and the corresponding extinction and scattering efficiencies.

  7. Lidar- and balloon-borne particle counter comparisons following recent volcanic eruptions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hofmann, D. J.; Rosen, J. M.; Reiter, R.; Jager, H.

    1983-01-01

    Balloon-borne particle counter measurements at Laramie, Wyoming (41 deg N) are used to calculate the expected lidar backscatter at 0.694 micron wavelength from July 1979 to February 1982, a period which included at least four detectable perturbations of the stratospheric aerosol layer due to volcanic eruptions. These calculations are compared with lidar measurements conducted at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (47.5 deg N) during the same period. While the agreement is generally good using only the main mode in the particle size distribution (radius about 0.07 micron) during approximately the first 6 months following a major volcanic eruption, a measured secondary mode near 1 micron radius, when included, improves the agreement. Calculations of the expected backscatter at 25-30 km reveal that substantial number of particles diffuse into this high altitude region about 7 months after a major eruption, and these particles should be taken into account when normalizing lidar at these altitudes.

  8. Mineralogical and Chemical Characterization of Lunar Highland Soils: Insights into the Space Weathering of Soils on Airless Bodies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Taylor, Lawrence A.; Patchen, Allan; Taylor, Dong-Hwa S.; Pieters, Carle; Morris, Richard V.; Keller, Lindsay P.; McKay, David S.

    2010-01-01

    With reflectance spectroscopy, one is measuring only properties of the fine-grained regolith, most affected by space weathering. The Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium has undertaken the task of coordinated characterization of lunar soils, with respect to their mineralogical and chemical makeup. It is these lunar soils that are being used as "ground-truth" for all air30 less bodies. Modal abundances and chemistries of minerals and glasses in the finest size fractions (20-45, 10-20, and <10 microns) of four Apollo 14 and six Apollo 16 highland soils have been determined, as well as their bulk chemistry and IS/FeO values. Bi-directional reflectance measurements (0.3-2.6 microns) of all samples were performed in the RELAB. A significant fraction of nanophase Fe(sup 0) (np-Fe(sup 0)) appears to reside in agglutinitic glasses. However, as grain size of a soil decreases, the percentage of total iron present as np-Fe0 increases significantly, whereas the agglutinitic glass content rises only slightly; this is evidence for a large contribution to the IS/FeO values from the surface-correlated nanophase Fe(sup 0), particularly in the <10 micron size fraction. The compositions of the agglutinitic glasses in these fine fractions of the highland soils are different from the bulk-chemistry of that size; however, compositional trends of the glasses are not the same as those observed for mare soils. It is apparent that the glasses in the highland soils contain chemical components from outside their terrains. It is proposed that the Apollo 16 soils have been adulterated by the addition of impact-transported soil components from surrounding maria.

  9. Effect of particle size and particle size distribution on physical characteristics, morphology and crystal structure of explosively compacted high-T(sub c) superconductors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kotsis, I.; Enisz, M.; Oravetz, D.; Szalay, A.

    1995-01-01

    A superconductor, of composition Y(Ba,K,Na)2Cu3O(x)/F(y) and a composite of composition Y(Ba,K,Na)2Cu3O(x)/F(y) + Ag, with changing K, Na and F content but a constant silver content (Ag = 10 mass%) was prepared using a single heat treatment. the resulting material was ground in a corundum lined mill, separated to particle size fractions of 0-40 micron, 0-63 micron and 63-900 micron and explosively compacted, using an explosive pressure of 10(exp 4) MPa and a subsequent heat treatment. Best results were obtained with the 63-900 micron fraction of composition Y(Ba(1.95) K(0.01)Cu3O(x)F(0),(05)/Ag: porosity less than 0.01 cu cm/g and current density 2800 A/sq cm at 77K.

  10. Counting Particles Emitted by Stratospheric Aircraft and Measuring Size of Particles Emitted by Stratospheric Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilson, James Charles

    1994-01-01

    There were two principal objectives of the cooperative agreement between NASA and the University of Denver. The first goal was to modify the design of the ER-2 condensation nuclei counter (CNC) so that the effective lower detection limit would be improved at high altitudes. This improvement was sought because, in the instrument used prior to 1993, diffusion losses prevented the smallest detectable particles from reaching the detection volume of the instrument during operation at low pressure. Therefore, in spite of the sensor's ability to detect particles as small as 0.008 microns in diameter, many of these particles were lost in transport to the sensing region and were not counted. Most of the particles emitted by aircraft are smaller than 0.1 micron in diameter. At the start date of this work, May 1990, continuous sizing techniques available on the ER-2 were only capable of detecting particles larger than 0.17 micron. Thus, the second objective of this work was to evaluate candidate sizing techniques in an effort to gain additional information concerning the size of particles emitted by aircraft.

  11. Airborne particulate matter and spacecraft internal environments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, Benjamin Y. H.; Rubow, Kenneth L.; Mcmurry, Peter H.; Kotz, Thomas J.; Russo, Dane

    1991-01-01

    Instrumentation, consisting of a Shuttle Particle Sampler (SPS) and a Shuttle Particle Monitor (SPM), has been developed to characterize the airborne particulate matter in the Space Shuttle cabin during orbital flight. The SPS size selectively collects particles in four size fractions (0-2.5, 2.5-10, 10-100, and greater than 100 microns) which are analyzed postflight for mass concentration and size distribution, elemental composition, and morphology. The SPM provides a continuous record of particle concentration through photometric light scattering. Measurements were performed onboard Columbia, OV-102, during the flight of STS-32 in January 1990. No significant changes were observed in the particle mass concentration, size distribution, or chemical composition in samples collected during flight-day 2 and flight-day 7. The total mass concentration was 56 microg/cu cm with approximately half of the particles larger than 100 microns. Elemental analysis showed that roughly 70 percent of the particles larger than 2.5 microns were carbonaceous with small amounts of other elements present. The SPM showed no temporal or spatial variation in particle mass concentration during the mission.

  12. New Insights into the Composition and Texture of Lunar Regolith Using Ultrafast Automated Electron-Beam Analysis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rickman, Doug; Wentworth, Susan J.; Schrader, Christian M.; Stoeser, Doug; Botha, Pieter WSK; Butcher, Alan R.; Horsch, Hanna E.; Benedictus, Aukje; Gottlieb, Paul; McKay, David

    2008-01-01

    Sieved grain mounts of Apollo 16 drive tube samples have been examined using QEMSCAN - an innovative electron beam technology. By combining multiple energy-dispersive X-ray detectors, fully automated control, and off-line image processing, to produce digital mineral maps of particles exposed on polished surfaces, the result is an unprecedented quantity of mineralogical and petrographic data, on a particle-by-particle basis. Experimental analysis of four size fractions (500-250 microns, 150-90 microns, 75-45 microns and < 20 microns), prepared from two samples (64002,374 and 64002,262), has produced a robust and uniform dataset which allows for the quantification of mineralogy; texture; particle shape, size and density; and the digital classification of distinct particle types in each measured sample. These preliminary data show that there is a decrease in plagioclase modal content and an opposing increase in glass modal content, with decreasing particle size. These findings, together with data on trace phases (metals, sulphides, phosphates, and oxides), provide not only new insights into the make-up of lunar regolith at the Apollo 16 landing site, but also key physical parameters which can be used to design lunar simulants, and compute Figures of Merit for each material produced.

  13. Chemical characteristics and source of size-fractionated atmospheric particle in haze episode in Beijing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tan, Jihua; Duan, Jingchun; Zhen, Naijia; He, Kebin; Hao, Jiming

    2016-01-01

    The abundance, behavior, and source of chemical species in size-fractionated atmospheric particle were studied with a 13-stage low pressure impactor (ELPI) during high polluted winter episode in Beijing. Thirty three elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, and Pb) and eight water soluble ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42 -, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2 +, and Mg2 +) were determined by ICP/MS and IC, respectively. The size distribution of TC (OC + EC) was reconstructed. Averagely, 51.5 ± 5.3% and 74.1 ± 3.7% of the total aerosol mass was distributed in the sub-micron (PM1) and fine particle (PM2.5), respectively. A significant shift to larger fractions during heavy pollution episode was observed for aerosol mass, NH4+, SO42 -, NO3-, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb. The mass size distributions of NH4+, SO42 -, NO3-, and K were dominated by accumulation mode. Size distributions of elements were classified into four main types: (I) elements were enriched within the accumulation mode (< 1 μm, Ge, Se, Ag, Sn, Sb, Cs, Hg, Ti, and Pb); (II) those mass (K, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, and Cd) was resided mainly within the accumulation mode, ranged from 1 to 2 μm; (III) Na, V, Co, Ni, and Ga were distributed among fine, intermediate, and coarse modes; and (IV) those which were mainly found within particles larger than 2.7 μm (Al, Mg, Si, Ca, Sc, Tl, Fe, Sr, Zr, and Ba). [H+]cor showed an accumulation mode at 600-700 nm and the role of Ca2 + should be fully considered in the estimation of acidity. The acidity in accumulation mode particles suggested that generally gaseous NH3 was not enough to neutralize sulfate completely. PMF method was applied for source apportionment of elements combined with water soluble ions. Dust, vehicle, aged coal combustion, and sea salt were identified, and the size resolved source apportionments were discussed. Aged coal combustion was the important source of fine particles and dust contributed most to coarse particle.

  14. Pulsed DF chain-laser breakdown induced by maritime aerosols

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amimoto, S. T.; Whittier, J. S.; Ronkowski, F. G.; Valenzuela, P. R.; Harper, G.

    1982-08-01

    Thresholds for breakdown induced by liquid and solid aerosols in room air have been measured for a 1 microsec-duration pulsed D2-F2 laser of 3.58 -4.78 micron bandwidth. The DF laser beam was directed into an aerosol chamber that simulated maritime atmospheres on the open sea. Both focus and collimated beams were studied. For a focused beam in which the largest encountered aerosol particles were of 1 to 4 micron diameter, pulsed DF breakdown thresholds were measured to lie in the range 0.6 to 1.8 GW/sq cm. Salt-water aerosol breakdown thresholds for micron-size particles were found to be 15 to 30% higher than the corresponding thresholds for fresh-water particles. For a collimated beam that encountered particle diameters as large as 100 microns, breakdown could not be induced using 0.5- microsec (FWHM) pulses at peak intensities of 59 MW/sq cm. Image converter camera measurements of the radial plasma growth rate of 1.3 cm/microsec (at 1.4 GW/sq cm) were consistent with measurements of the cutoff rate of the transmitted laser beam. Pulsed DF breakdown thresholds of 32 MW/sq cm for 30- micron diameter Al2O3 particles were also measured to permit comparison with the earlier pulsed-HF breakdown results of Lencioni, et al.; the solid-particle threshold measurements agree with the Lencioni data if one assumes that the thresholds for microsecond-duration pulses scales is 1/lambda. An approximate theoretical model of the water particle breakdown process is presented that permits the scaling of the present results to other laser pulse durations, aerosol distributions, and transmission path lengths.

  15. Particle size distribution of mainstream tobacco and marijuana smoke. Analysis using the electrical aerosol analyzer.

    PubMed

    Anderson, P J; Wilson, J D; Hiller, F C

    1989-07-01

    Accurate measurement of cigarette smoke particle size distribution is important for estimation of lung deposition. Most prior investigators have reported a mass median diameter (MMD) in the size range of 0.3 to 0.5 micron, with a small geometric standard deviation (GSD), indicating few ultrafine (less than 0.1 micron) particles. A few studies, however, have suggested the presence of ultrafine particles by reporting a smaller count median diameter (CMD). Part of this disparity may be due tot he inefficiency to previous sizing methods in measuring ultrafine size range, to evaluate size distribution of smoke from standard research cigarettes, commercial filter cigarettes, and from marijuana cigarettes with different delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol contents. Four 35-cm3, 2-s puffs were generated at 60-s intervals, rapidly diluted, and passed through a charge neutralizer and into a 240-L chamber. Size distribution for six cigarettes of each type was measured, CMD and GSD were determined from a computer-generated log probability plot, and MMD was calculated. The size distribution parameters obtained were similar for all cigarettes tested, with an average CMD of 0.1 micron, a MMD of 0.38 micron, and a GSD of 2.0. The MMD found using the EAA is similar to that previously reported, but the CMD is distinctly smaller and the GSD larger, indicating the presence of many more ultrafine particles. These results may explain the disparity of CMD values found in existing data. Ultrafine particles are of toxicologic importance because their respiratory tract deposition is significantly higher than for particles 0.3 to 0.5 micron and because their large surface area facilitates adsorption and delivery of potentially toxic gases to the lung.

  16. Physical and chemical characteristics of cenospheres from the combustion of heavy fuel oil

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clayton, R. M.; Back, L. H.

    1989-01-01

    Photomicrography of particle cross sections, measurements of density, porosity, and surface area, and determinations of chemical compositions, have been used in conjunction with SEM of surface structure to characterize cenospheres generated by combustion of residual oil in a steam power plant. Large and small cenospheres, which respectively fall into the 100-200 and small 20-40 micron range, are spheroidal and hollow, with at least one blowhole; outer/inner diameter ratios for the shells are of the order of 1.3-1.4. Typically, a cenosphere contains only about 18 vol pct solid material. The presence of S, Fe, Na, and V in substantial concentrations presage high temperature heat exchanger surface corrosion problems due to cenosphere deposition.

  17. Transformation and Release of Micronized Cu used as a Wood Preservative in Treated Wood in Wetland Soil

    EPA Science Inventory

    Micronized Cu (µ-Cu) is used as a wood preservative, replacing toxic Chromated Copper Arsenates. Micronized Cu is Malachite [Cu2CO3(OH)2] that has been milled to micron/submicron particles, many with diameters less than 100 nm, and then mixed with quat or azol biocides. I...

  18. Transformation and Release of Micronized Cu Used as a Wood Preservative in Treated Wood in Wetland Soil.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Micronized Cu (µ-Cu) is used as a wood preservative, replacing toxic Chromated Copper Arsenates. Micronized Cu is Malachite [Cu2CO3(OH)2] that has been milled to micron/submicron particles, many with diameters less than 100 nm, and then mixed with quat or azol biocides. I...

  19. A study of the effects of synthesis conditions on Li5FeO4/carbon nanotube composites

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Suk-Woo; Kim, Hyun-Kyung; Kim, Myeong-Seong; Roh, Kwang Chul; Kim, Kwang-Bum

    2017-01-01

    Li5FeO4/carbon nanotube (LFO/CNT) composites composed of sub-micron sized LFO and a nanocarbon with high electrical conductivity were successfully synthesized for the use as lithium ion predoping source in lithium ion cells. The phase of LFO in the composite was found to be very sensitive to the synthesis conditions, such as the heat treatment temperature, type of lithium salt, and physical state of the precursors (powder or pellet), due to the carbothermic reduction of Fe3O4 by CNTs during high temperature solid state reaction. Under optimized synthesis conditions, LFO/CNT composites could be synthesized without the formation of impurities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis and characterization of a sub-micron sized LFO/CNT composites. PMID:28422146

  20. A study of the effects of synthesis conditions on Li5FeO4/carbon nanotube composites.

    PubMed

    Lee, Suk-Woo; Kim, Hyun-Kyung; Kim, Myeong-Seong; Roh, Kwang Chul; Kim, Kwang-Bum

    2017-04-19

    Li 5 FeO 4 /carbon nanotube (LFO/CNT) composites composed of sub-micron sized LFO and a nanocarbon with high electrical conductivity were successfully synthesized for the use as lithium ion predoping source in lithium ion cells. The phase of LFO in the composite was found to be very sensitive to the synthesis conditions, such as the heat treatment temperature, type of lithium salt, and physical state of the precursors (powder or pellet), due to the carbothermic reduction of Fe 3 O 4 by CNTs during high temperature solid state reaction. Under optimized synthesis conditions, LFO/CNT composites could be synthesized without the formation of impurities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis and characterization of a sub-micron sized LFO/CNT composites.

  1. Ferric iron in primitive asteroids - A 0.43-micron absorption feature

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vilas, Faith; Hatch, Erin C.; Larson, Stephen M.; Sawyer, Scott R.; Gaffey, Michael J.

    1993-01-01

    A search of reflectance spectra of C- P-, D- and S-class asteroids to hunt for the Soret band near 0.4 micron that is indicative of porphyrins yielded an identification of an 0.43 micron absorption feature in 11 primitive asteroids of the C, P, and G classes and in one S-class asteroid. It is proposed that the feature is an Fe(3+) spin-forbidden transition in aqueously altered material, possibly located near 0.43 micron due to an enhancement effect similar to the mechanism operating in jarosite. The significance of the feature for the aqueous alteration history of these asteroids is addressed.

  2. Properties of grains derived from IRAS observations of dust

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wesselius, P. R.; Chlewicki, Grzegorz; Laureijs, Rene J.

    1989-01-01

    The authors used the results of Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) observations of diffuse medium dust to develop a theoretical model of the infrared properties of grains. Recent models based entirely on traditional observations of extinction and polarization include only particles whose equilibrium temperatures do not exceed 20 K in the diffuse interstellar medium. These classical grains, for which the authors have adopted the multipopulation model developed by Hong and Greenberg (1980), can explain only the emission in the IRAS 100 micron band. The measurements at shorter wavelengths (12, 25 and 60 microns) require two new particle populations. Vibrational fluorescence from aromatic molecules provides the most likely explanation for the emission observed at 12 microns, with polycyclic aeromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing about 10 percent of cosmic carbon. A simplified model of the emission process shows that PAH molecules can also explain most of the emission measured by IRAS at 25 microns. The authors identified the warm particles responsible for the excess 60 microns emission with small (a approx. equals 0.01 microns) iron grains. A compilation of the available data on the optical properties of iron indicates that the diffuse medium temperature of small iron particles should be close to 50 K and implies that a large, possibly dominant, fraction of cosmic iron must be locked up in metallic particles in order to match the observed 60 microns intensities. The model matches the infrared fluxes typically observed by IRAS in the diffuse medium and can also reproduce the infrared surface brightness distribution in individual clouds. In particular, the combination of iron and classical cool grains can explain the surprising observations of the 60/100 microns flux ratio in clouds, which is either constant or increases slightly towards higher opacities. The presence of metallic grains has significant implications for the physics of the interstellar medium, including catalytic H2 formation, for which iron grains could be the main site; differences in depletion patterns between iron and other refractory elements (Mg, Si); and superparamagnetic behavior of large grains with embedded iron clusters giving rise to the observed high degree of alignment by the galactic magnetic field.

  3. Aerosol Abundances and Optical Characteristics in the Pacific Basin Free Troposphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pueschel, R. F.; Livingston, J. M.; Ferry, G. V.; deFelice, T. E.

    1994-01-01

    During NASA's Global Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) mission flights in November 1989 and May 1990, a DC-8 research aircraft probed the Pacific Basin free troposphere for about 90 flight hours in each month between +72 and -62 degrees latitude, +130 and -120 degrees longitude, and up to 39,000 feet pressure altitudes. Aerosols were sampled continuously in situ by optical particle counters to measure concentration and particle size, and during 48 10-min intervals during each mission by wire impactors for concentration, size, composition, phase and shape analyses. The optical particle counters cover a particle diameter range between 0.3 and 20 microns; wire impactors extend the range down to 0.03 microns. Results of particle number, size, shape, together with the assumption of a refractive index corresponding to (NH4)2SO4 to account for the prevalence of aerosol sulfur, were utilized in a Mie algorithm to calculate aerosol extinction and backscatter for a range of wavelengths (0.385 less than lambda less than 10.64 microns). Computations for 22 randomly selected size distributions yield coefficients of extinction E(0.525) = (2.03 +/- 1.20) x 10(exp -4) km(exp -1) and backscatter beta(0.525) = (6.45 +/- 3.49) x 10(exp -6) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1) in the visible, and E(10.64) = (8.13 +/- 6.47) x 10(exp -6) km(exp -1) and beta(10.64) = (9.98 +/- 10.69) x 10(exp -8) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1) in the infrared, respectively. Large particles (D greater than 0.3 microns) contribute two-thirds to the total extinction in the visible (lambda = 0.525 microns), and almost 100% in the infrared (lambda = 10.64 microns). These results have been used to define an IR optical aerosol climatology of the Pacific Basin free troposphere, from which it follows that the infrared backscatter coefficient at lambda = 9.25 microns wavelength fluctuates between 5.0 x 10(exp -10) and 2.0 x 10(exp -7) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1) with a modal value 2.0 x 10(exp -8) km(exp -1) sr(exp -1).

  4. Reduced Uranium Phases Produced from Anaerobic Reaction with Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron.

    PubMed

    Tsarev, Sergey; Collins, Richard N; Fahy, Adam; Waite, T David

    2016-03-01

    Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has shown potential to be an effective remediation agent for uranium-contaminated subsurface environments, however, the nature of the reaction products and their formation kinetics have not been fully elucidated over a range of environmentally relevant conditions. In this study, the oxygen-free reaction of U(VI) with varying quantities of nZVI was examined at pH 7 in the presence of both calcium and carbonate using a combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that the structure of the reduced U solid phases was time dependent and largely influenced by the ratio of nZVI to U in the system. At the highest U:Fe molar ratio examined (1:4), nanoscale uraninite (UO2) was predominantly formed within 1 day of reaction. At lower U:Fe molar ratios (1:21), evidence was obtained for the formation of sorbed U(IV) and U(V) surface complexes which slowly transformed to UO2 nanoparticles that were stable for up to 1 year of anaerobic incubation. After 8 days of reaction at the lowest U:Fe molar ratio examined (1:110), sorbed U(IV) was still the major form of U associated with the solid phase. Regardless of the U:Fe molar ratio, the anaerobic corrosion of nZVI resulted in the slow formation of micron-sized fibrous chukanovite (Fe2(OH)2CO3) particles.

  5. Effect of Biophysical Properties of Phosphatidylserine Particle on Immune Tolerance Induction Toward Factor VIII in a Hemophilia A Mouse Model.

    PubMed

    Ramakrishnan, Radha; Balu-Iyer, Sathy V

    2016-10-01

    A major complication in the replacement therapy of Factor VIII (FVIII) for Hemophilia A is the development of unwanted immune responses. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that pretreatment of FVIII in the presence of phosphatidylserine (PS) resulted in hyporesponsiveness to subsequent administration of FVIII alone, due to the ability of PS to convert an immunogen to a tolerogen. We investigated the importance of biophysical properties of PS liposomes on its ability to convert an immunogen to a tolerogen. PS particles were prepared differing in size, protein-lipid topology, lamellarity, and % association to FVIII keeping the composition of the particle same. PS particles were prepared in 2 different sizes with differing biophysical properties: smaller particles in the nanometer range (200 nm) and larger size particles in the micron range (2 μm). Hemophilia A animals treated with both the nanometer and micron size PS particles showed a significant reduction in anti-FVIII antibody titers when compared to animals receiving free FVIII alone. Upon rechallenge with free FVIII animals that received FVIII along with the nanometer size particle continued to show reduced antibody responses. Animals receiving the micron size particle showed a slight increase in titers although they remained significantly lower than the free FVIII treated group. Upon culture with bone marrow derived dendritic cells, the nanometer size particle showed a reduction in CD40 expression and an increase in transforming growth factor-β cytokine production, which was not observed with the micron size particle. These results show that biophysical properties of PS play an important role in tolerance. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Photometric and polarimetric properties of the Bruderheim chondritic meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Egan, W. G.; Veverka, J.; Noland, M.; Hilgeman, T.

    1973-01-01

    Photometric and polarimetric laboratory measurements were made as a function of phase angle in the U(0.36 microns), G(0.54 microns) and R(0.67 microns) bands for 0, 30 and 60 deg incident illumination on four particle size ranges of Bruderheim, an L6 olivine-hypersthene chondritic meteorite. The four particle size ranges were: 0.25-4.76 mm coated with less than 74 microns powder, 74-250 microns, and less than 37 microns. In addition, normal reflectance measurements were made in the spectral range from 0.31 to 1.1 microns. Comparison with astronomical data reveals that none of the asteroids in the main belt for which adequate observations exist can be matched with Bruderheim, which is representative of the most common meteoritic material encountered by the Earth. However, it appears from the polarization and photometry data that the surface of the Apollo asteroid Icarus is consistent with an ordinary chondrite composition. This suggests the possibility that this material, although common in Earth-crossing orbits, is rare as a surface constituent in the main asteroid belt.

  7. Hypervelocity impact effects on solar cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rose, M. Frank

    1993-01-01

    One of the space hazards of concern is the problem of natural matter and space debris impacting spacecraft. This phenomena has been studied since the early sixties and a methodology has been established to determine the relative abundance of meteoroids as a function of mass. As the mass decreases, the probability of suffering collisions increases, resulting in a constant bombardment from particles in the sub-micron range. The composition of this 'cosmic dust' is primarily Fe, Ni, Al, Mg, Na, Ca, Cr, H, O, and Mn. In addition to mechanical damage, impact velocities greater than 5 k m/sec can produce shock induced ionization effects with resultant surface charging and complex chemical interactions. The upper limit of the velocity distribution for these particles is on the order of 70 km/sec. The purpose of this work was to subject samples from solar power arrays to debris flux typical of what would be encountered in space, and measure the degradation of the panels after impact.

  8. Characterization of an aerosol sample from the auxiliary building of the Three Mile Island reactor.

    PubMed

    Kanapilly, G M; Stanley, J A; Newton, G J; Wong, B A; DeNee, P B

    1983-11-01

    Analyses for radioisotopic composition and dissolution characteristics were performed on an aerosol filter sample collected for a week by an air sampler located in the auxiliary building of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. The major radioisotopes found on the filter were 89Sr, 90Sr, 134Cs and 137Cs. Greater than 90% of both 89-90Sr and 134-137Cs dissolved within 48 hr in an in vitro test system. Scanning electron microscopic analyses showed the presence of respirable size particles as well as larger particles ranging up to 10 micron in diameter. The major matrix components were Fe, Ca, S, Mg, Al and Si. Although the radionuclides were present in a heterogeneous matrix, they were in a soluble form. This information enables a better evaluation of bioassay data and predictions of dose distribution resulting from an inhalation exposure to this aerosol. Further, the combination of techniques used in this study may be applicable to the characterization of other aerosols of unknown composition.

  9. Dechlorination of disinfection by-product monochloroacetic acid in drinking water by nanoscale palladized iron bimetallic particle.

    PubMed

    Chen, Chao; Wang, Xiangyu; Chang, Ying; Liu, Huiling

    2008-01-01

    Nanoscale palladized iron (Pd/Fe) bimetallic particles were prepared by reductive deposition method. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-nitrogen (BET-N2) method. Data obtained from those methods indicated that nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles contained alpha-Fe0. Detected Pd to Fe ratio by weight (Pd/Fe ratio) was close to theoretical value. Spherical granules with diameter of 47 +/- 11.5 nm connected with one another to form chains and the chains composed nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles. Specific surface area of particles was 51 m2/g. The factors, such as species of reductants, Pd/Fe ratio, dose of nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles added into solutions, solution initial pH, and a variety of solvents were studied. Dechlorination effect of monochloroacetic acid by different reductants followed the trend: nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles of 0.182% Pd/Fe > nanoscale Fe > reductive Fe. When the Pd/Fe ratio was lower than 0.083%, increasing Pd/Fe ratio would increase dechlorination efficiency (DE) of MCAA. When the Pd/Fe ratio was higher than 0.083%, increasing Pd/Fe ratio caused a decrease in DE. Adding more nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles to solution would enhance DE. The DE of MCAA decreased as initial pH of solution increased.

  10. DISPERSION POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE IN SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE UTILIZING RANDOM COPOLYMERS INCLUDING FLUORINATED ACRYLATE FOR PREPARING MICRON-SIZE POLYSTYRENE PARTICLES. (R826115)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The dispersion polymerization of styrene in supercritical CO2 utilizing CO2-philic random copolymers was investigated. The resulting high yield of polystyrene particles in the micron-size range was formed using various random copolymers as stabilizers. The p...

  11. Stardust (Comet 81P/Wild-2) Samples and Early Solar Sys-tem Processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ebel, Denton S.; Weisberg, M. K.; Connolly, H. C.; Zolensky, M.; Mineralogy/Petrology Preliminary Examination Subteam, Stardust

    2006-12-01

    Dust particles from comet 81P/Wild-2 were captured in silica aerogel (also as impact debris on Al-foil strips) at 6.1 km/s relative velocity by the Stardust spacecraft on 2-Jan-2004, and returned to Earth 15-Jan-2006 [1]. A pre-liminary examination team (PET) of 150 are preparing reports on a subset of samples [2, 3, e.g., 4]. PET investigations in a short time on a limited number of <10 micron grains show that olivine, pyroxene, FeNi-metal and sulfide are common. Olivine and low-Ca pyroxene are unequilibrated in Mg/(Fe+Mg). Some for-sterite is low-iron, Mn-enriched as also found in some in-terplanetary dust particles (IDPs), and in matrix and amoe-boid olivine aggregates in CR carbonaceous chondrites (CC)[5]. Diopside and melilite are found, similar to those in spinel-pyroxene aggregates in CM chondrites and in re-fractory IDPs[6,7]. FeNi-metal and Fe-Ni, Fe-Ni-Cu and Fe-Zn sulfides are observed, and the highly reduced phase osbornite (TiN). Hydrous silicates and carbonates are not observed. A primary result is the preponderance of high temperature and reduced crystalline phases. These may form from amorphous precursors heated near the sun[8], or by viscosity-related processes farther out in the disk[9]. Silicate, metal and sulfide compositions are consistent with chondrites, particularly the CR clan. A better comparison may perhaps be made to anhydrous IDPs, which probably sample outer regions of the Solar System. The isotopic homogeneity of the grains will have important implications for mixing in the early disk. References: [1] Brownlee et al. (2004) Science 304, 1764.[2] ftp://ftp.lpi.usra.edu/pub/outgoing/lpsc2006/full101.pdf [3] Zolensky et al. (2006) LPSC XXXVII #1203. [4] Zolensky et al. (2006, in prep.) Science. [5] Weisberg et al. (2004) MaPS 39, 1741. [6] McKeegan (1987) Science 237, 1468. [7] Zolensky (1987) Science 237, 1466. [8] Scott and Krot (2005) Chondrules and the Protoplanetary Disk, 15-54. [9] Joung et al. (2004) ApJ 606, 532.

  12. Electron backscatter diffraction as a domain analysis technique in BiFeO(3)-PbTiO(3) single crystals.

    PubMed

    Burnett, T L; Comyn, T P; Merson, E; Bell, A J; Mingard, K; Hegarty, T; Cain, M

    2008-05-01

    xBiFeO(3)-(1-x)PbTiO(3) single crystals were grown via a flux method for a range of compositions. Presented here is a study of the domain configuration in the 0.5BiFeO(3)-0.5PbTiO(3) composition using electron backscatter diffraction to demonstrate the ability of the technique to map ferroelastic domain structures at the micron and submicron scale. The micron-scale domains exhibit an angle of approximately 85 degrees between each variant, indicative of a ferroelastic domain wall in a tetragonal system with a spontaneous strain, c/a - 1 of 0.10, in excellent agreement with the lattice parameters derived from x-ray diffraction. Contrast seen in forescatter images is attributed to variations in the direction of the electrical polarization vector, providing images of ferroelectric domain patterns.

  13. Effect of erodent particles on the erosion of metal specimens

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Razzaque, M. Mahbubur, E-mail: mmrazzaque@me.buet.ac.bd; Alam, M. Khorshed; Khan, M. Ishak, E-mail: ishak.buet@gmail.com

    2016-07-12

    This paper presents the experimental results of the measurement of erosion rate of carbon steel specimens in sand water slurry system in a slurry pot tester. Sylhet sand has been sieved to get three sizes of erodent particles; namely, less than 250 micron, 250 to 590 micron and 590 to 1190 micron. Experiments are done with three sand concentrations (10%, 15% and 20%). The rate of erosion of the carbon steel specimens is measured as the loss of weight per unit surface area per unit time under the dynamic action of solid particles. The eroded surfaces of the specimens aremore » examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to visualize the impact of the slurry of various conditions. It is seen that irrespective of the particle size the rate of erosion increases with the increase of slurry concentration. This increment of erosion rate at high concentration is high for large particles. High erosion rate is observed in case of large sand particles. In case of small and fine particles erosion rate is small because of low impact energy as well as the wastage of energy to overcome the hindrance of the finer particles before striking on the specimen surface.« less

  14. Effect of erodent particles on the erosion of metal specimens

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Razzaque, M. Mahbubur; Alam, M. Khorshed; Khan, M. Ishak

    2016-07-01

    This paper presents the experimental results of the measurement of erosion rate of carbon steel specimens in sand water slurry system in a slurry pot tester. Sylhet sand has been sieved to get three sizes of erodent particles; namely, less than 250 micron, 250 to 590 micron and 590 to 1190 micron. Experiments are done with three sand concentrations (10%, 15% and 20%). The rate of erosion of the carbon steel specimens is measured as the loss of weight per unit surface area per unit time under the dynamic action of solid particles. The eroded surfaces of the specimens are examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to visualize the impact of the slurry of various conditions. It is seen that irrespective of the particle size the rate of erosion increases with the increase of slurry concentration. This increment of erosion rate at high concentration is high for large particles. High erosion rate is observed in case of large sand particles. In case of small and fine particles erosion rate is small because of low impact energy as well as the wastage of energy to overcome the hindrance of the finer particles before striking on the specimen surface.

  15. 3 micron spectrophotometry of Comet Halley - Evidence for water ice

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bregman, Jesse D.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.; Witteborn, Fred C.; Rank, David M.; Wooden, Diane

    1988-01-01

    Structure has been observed in the 3-3.6 micron preperihelion spectrum of Comet Halley consistent with either an absorption band near 3.1 microns or emission near 3.3 microns. The results suggest that a large fraction of the water molecules lost by the comet are initially ejected in the form of small ice particles rather than in the gas phase.

  16. [Are inhaled dust particles harmful for our lungs?].

    PubMed

    Brändli, O

    1996-12-14

    Particles with diameters ranging from less than 0.02 to more than 100 microns and in concentration up to 120 micrograms/m3 daily average TSP (total suspended particles) are measurable in the air of Swiss cities and responsible for the decrease of visibility on the Swiss Plateau and south of the Alps. The particle size shows a typical distribution: the coarse particles (> 2.5 microns mass median diameter) are mostly of natural origin (plants, pollen, earth particles) and are deposited in the upper airways. The fine particles (PM2.5 < 2.5 microns) are predominantly deposited into the alveolar space. These fine and ultrafine particles (< 0.02 microns) are produced by the burning of fossil fuels or by photochemical reactions. By bypassing the mucociliary and cellular defense mechanisms, fine particles can invade the lung parenchyma and cause an inflammatory response. The additional chemical layering of a carbon core by nitrates, sulfates and other organic materials and metals such as iron cause greater local oxidative and/or carcinogenic damage than in the vaporized state. In comparing worldwide epidemiological studies, there seems to be a cohesive and consistent relationship between increases of particle concentration and the increase of mortality (mostly among patients over 65 with concomitant lung and heart diseases and among smokers) and morbidity (bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, and, less convincingly, asthma). An increase in daily average PM10 (particles < 10 microns) is correlated with an increase in mortality not related to accidents and suicides of 1.0% for the same and/or the following days. In Switzerland, mean annual concentrations of 14-53 micrograms/m3 TSP or 10-33 micrograms/m3 PM10, well below the national standard (annual mean TSP 70 micrograms/m3) have been measured in rural and urban areas. Even at these concentrations an increase in respiratory symptoms and a decrease in lung function, without evidence for a "safe" threshold, have been observed in the Swiss study of air pollution and lung diseases in adults (SAPALDIA). Although the noxious effects of the particles cannot be clearly separated from the effect of other pollutants (e.g. NOx, SO2, ozone) in complex pollutant mixtures, the emission standards and national standards for ambient air should be revised, in particular by adding a standard for fine particles (e.g. PM10 or PM2.5).

  17. The spectroscopy and chemical dynamics of microparticles explored using an ultrasonic trap.

    PubMed

    Mason, N J; Drage, E A; Webb, S M; Dawes, A; McPheat, R; Hayes, G

    2008-01-01

    Microsized particles play an important role in many diverse areas of science and technology, for example, surface reactions of micron-sized particles play a key role in astrochemistry, plasma reactors and atmospheric chemistry. To date much of our knowledge of such surface chemistry is derived from 'traditional' surface science-based research. However, the large surface area and morphology of surface material commonly used in such surface science techniques may not necessarily mimic that on the surface of micron/nano scale particles. Hence, a new generation of experiments in which the spectroscopy (e.g., albedo) and chemical reactivity of micron-sized particles can be studied directly must be developed. One, as yet underexploited, non-invasive technique is the use of ultrasonic levitation. In this article, we describe the operation of an 'ultrasonic trap' to store and study the physical and chemical properties of microparticles.

  18. Colour dependence of zodiacal light models

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Giese, R. H.; Hanner, M. S.; Leinert, C.

    1973-01-01

    Colour models of the zodiacal light in the ecliptic have been calculated for both dielectric and metallic particles in the sub-micron and micron size range. Two colour ratios were computed, a blue ratio and a red ratio. The models with a size distribution proportional to s to the -2.5 power ds (where s is the particle radius) generally show a colour close to the solar colour and almost independent of elongation. Especially in the blue colour ratio there is generally no significant dependence on the lower cutoff size (0.1-1 micron). The main feature of absorbing particles is a reddening at small elongations. The models for size distributions proportional to s to the -4 power ds show larger departures from solar colour and more variation with model parameters. Colour measurements, including red and near infra-red, therefore are useful to distinguish between flat and steep size spectra and to verify the presence of slightly absorbing particles.

  19. Identification of Martian Regolith Sulfur Components in Shergottites Using Sulfur K Xanes and Fe/S Ratios

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sutton, S. R.; Ross, D. K.; Rao, M. N.; Nyquist, L. E.

    2014-01-01

    Based on isotopic anomalies in Kr and Sm, Sr-isotopes, S-isotopes, XANES results on S-speciation, Fe/S ratios in sulfide immiscible melts [5], and major element correlations with S determined in impact glasses in EET79001 Lith A & Lith B and Tissint, we have provided very strong evidence for the occurrence of a Martian regolith component in some impact melt glasses in shergottites. Using REE measurements by LA-ICP-MS in shergottite impact glasses, Barrat and co-workers have recently reported conflicting conclusions about the occurrence of Martian regolith components: (a) Positive evidence was reported for a Tissint impact melt, but (b) Negative evidence for impact melt in EET79001 and another impact melt in Tissint. Here, we address some specific issues related to sulfur speciation and their relevance to identifying Martian regolith components in impact glasses in EET79001 and Tissint using sulfur K XANES and Fe/S ratios in sulfide immiscible melts. XANES and FE-SEM measurements in approx. 5 micron size individual sulfur blebs in EET79001 and Tissint glasses are carried out by us using sub-micron size beams, whereas Barrat and coworkers used approx. 90 micron size laser spots for LA- ICP-MS to determine REE abundances in bulk samples of the impact melt glasses. We contend that Martian regolith components in some shergottite impact glasses are present locally, and that studying impact melts in various shergottites can give evidence both for and against regolith components because of sample heterogeneity.

  20. Separating the signal from the noise: Expanding flow cytometry into the sub-micron range.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Cytometry Part A Special Section: Separating the signal from the noise: Expanding flow cytometry into the sub-micron range. The current Cytometry Part A Special Section presents three studies that utilize cytometers to study sub-micron particles. The three studies involve the 1...

  1. On-chip photonic particle sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Robin; Ma, Danhao; Agarwal, Anu; Anthony, Brian

    2018-02-01

    We propose an on-chip photonic particle sensor design that can perform particle sizing and counting for various environmental applications. The sensor is based on micro photonic ring resonators that are able to detect the presence of the free space particles through the interaction with their evanescent electric field tail. The sensor can characterize a wide range of the particle size ranging from a few nano meters to micron ( 1 micron). The photonic platform offers high sensitivity, compactness, fast response of the device. Further, FDTD simulations are performed to analyze different particle-light interactions. Such a compact and portable platform, packaged with integrated photonic circuit provides a useful sensing modality in space shuttle and environmental applications.

  2. Performance of laser Doppler velocimeter with polydisperse seed particles in high speed flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Samimy, M.; Bhattacharyya, S.; Abu-Hijleh, B. A./K.

    1988-01-01

    The flowfield behind an oblique shock wave, where the LDV measured velocities are seed particle size dependent, was used to investigate the effects of LDV system parameters on the range of detectable polydisperse seed particles. The parameters included frequency shifting, laser power, scattered signal amplification level, and number of required fringe crossings. The results showed that with polydisperse seed particles ranging from 0.1 to 4.0 microns available in the flow, the average diameter of the detected particles could change from 0.2 to 3.0 microns by changing different LDV system parameters. The effects of this shift in the range of detectable particles on the frequency response of LDV was discussed.

  3. Performance of laser Doppler velocimeter with polydisperse seed particles in high-speed flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Samimy, M.; Abu-Hijleh, B. A. K.

    1989-01-01

    The flowfield behind an oblique shock wave, where the LDV measured velocities are seed-particle-size dependent, was used to investigate the effects of LDV system parameters on the range of detectable polydisperse seed particles. The parameters included frequency shifting, laser power, scattered signal amplification level, and number of required fringe crossings. The results showed that with polydisperse seed particles ranging from 0.1 to 4.0 microns available in the flow, the average diameter of the detected particles could change from 0.2 to 3.0 microns by changing different LDV system parameters. The effects of this shift in the range of detectable particles on the frequency response of LDV are discussed.

  4. Pinatubo and Pre-Pinatubo Optical-Depth Spectra: Mauna Loa Measurements, Comparisons, Inferred Particle Size Distributions, Radiative Effects, and Relationship to Lidar Data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Russell, P. B.; Livingston, J. M.; Dutton, E. G.; Pueschel, R. F.; Reagan, J. A.; DeFoor, T. E.; Box, M. A.; Pilewskie, P.; Herman, B. M.; Kinne, S. A.; hide

    1993-01-01

    The Ames airborne tracking sunphotometer was operated at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) in 1991 and 1992 along with the NOAA Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) automated tracking sunphotometer and lidar. June 1991 measurements provided calibrations, optical-depth spectra, and intercomparisons under relatively clean conditions; later measurements provided spectra and comparisons for the Pinatubo cloud plus calibration checks. June 1991 results are similar to previous MLO springtime measurements, with midvisible particle optical depth tau(sub p)(lambda = 0.526 microns) at the near-background level of 0.012 +/- 0.006 and no significant wavelength dependence in the measured range (lambda = 0.38 to 1.06 microns). The arrival of the Pinatubo cloud in July 1991 increased midvisible particle optical depth by more than an order of magnitude and changed the spectral shape of tau(sub p)(lambda) to an approximate power law with an exponent of about -1.4. By early September 1991, the spectrum was broadly peaked near 0.5 microns, and by July 1992, it was peaked near 0.8 microns. Our optical-depth spectra include corrections for diffuse light which increase postvolcanic midvisible tau(sub p) values by 1 to 3% (i.e., 0.0015 to 0.0023). NOAA- and Ames Research Center (ARC)-measured spectra are in good agreement. Columnar size distributions inverted from the spectra show that the initial (July 1991) post-Pinatubo cloud was relatively rich in small particles (r less than 0.25 microns), which were progressively depleted in the August-September 1991 and July 1992 periods. Conversely, both of the later periods had more of the optically efficient medium-sized particles (0.25 less than r less than 1 micron) than did the fresh July 1991 cloud. These changes are consistent with particle growth by condensation and coagulation. The effective, or area-weighted, radius increased from 0.22 +/- 0.06 micron in July 1991 to 0.56 +/- 0.12 micron in August-September 1991 and to 0.86 +/- 0.29 micron in July 1992. Corresponding column mass values were 4.8 +/- 0.7, 9.1 +/- 2.7, and 5.5 +/- 2 micro g/sq cm, and corresponding column surface areas were 4.4 +/- 0.5, 2.9 +/- 0.2, and 1.1 +/- 0.1 sq micron/sq cm,. Photometer-inferred column backscatter values agree with those measured by the CMDL lidar on nearby nights. Combining lidar-measured backscatter profiles with photometer-derived backscatter-to-area ratios gives peak particle areas that could cause rapid heterogeneous loss of ozone, given sufficiently low particle acidity and suitable solar zenith angles (achieved at mid- to high latitudes). Top-of-troposphere radiative forcings for the September 1991 and July 1992 optical depths and size distributions over MLO are about -5 and -3 W 1/sq m, respectively (hence comparable in magnitude but opposite in sign to the radiative forcing caused by the increase in manmade greenhouse gases since the industrial revolution). Heating rates in Pinatubo layer over MLO are 0.55 +/- 0.13 and 0.41 +/- 0.14 K/d for September 1991 and July 1992, respectively.

  5. Growth and characterization of magnetite-maghemite thin films by the dip coating method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Velásquez, A. A.; Arnedo, A.

    2017-11-01

    We present the process of growth and characterization of magnetite-maghemite thin films obtained by the dip coating method. The thin films were deposited on glass substrates, using a ferrofluid of nanostructured magnetite-maghemite particles as precursor solution. During the growth of the films the following parameters were controlled: number of dips of the substrates, dip velocity of the substrates and drying times. The films were characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Elelectron Microscopy, four-point method for resistance measurement, Room Temperature Mössbauer Spectroscopy and Hall effect. Mössbauer measurements showed the presence of a sextet attributed to maghemite ( γ-Fe2O3) and two doublets attributed to superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4), indicating a distribution of oxidation states of the iron as well as a particle size distribution of the magnetic phases in the films. Atomic force microscopy measurements showed that the films cover quasi uniformly the substrates, existing in them some pores with sub-micron size. Scanning Electron Microscopy measurements showed a uniform structure in the films, with spherical particles with size around 10 nm. Voltage versus current measurements showed an ohmic response of the films for currents between 0 and 100 nA. On the other hand, Hall effect measurements showed a nonlinear response of the Hall voltage with the magnetic flux density applied perpendicular to the plane of the films, however the response is fairly linear for magnetic flux densities between 0.15 and 0.35 T approximately. The results suggest that the films are promising for application as magnetic flux density sensors.

  6. Grooved impactor and inertial trap for sampling inhalable particulate matter

    DOEpatents

    Loo, Billy W.

    1984-01-01

    An inertial trap and grooved impactor for providing a sharp cutoff for particles over 15 microns from entering an inhalable particulate sampler. The impactor head has a tapered surface and is provided with V-shaped grooves. The tapered surface functions for reducing particle blow-off or reentrainment while the grooves prevent particle bounce. Water droplets and any resuspended material over the 15 micron size are collected by the inertial trap and deposited in a reservoir associated with the impactor.

  7. Comparison of visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra of CM2 carbonaceous chondrites and primitive asteroids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vilas, F.; Hiroi, T.; Zolensky, M. E.

    1993-01-01

    Spectra of primitive asteroids (defined as C, P, and D classes and associated subclasses) were compared to the limited number of spectra of CM2 carbonaceous chondrites. An absorption feature located at 0.7 microns attributed to an Fe(+2) - Fe(+3) charge transfer absorption in iron oxides in phyllosilicates is apparent in some of the CM2 carbonaceous chondrite spectra and many of the asteroid spectra. Sawyer found a correlation between the area of the 0.7 micron feature and the mean semimajor axis of the asteroids. Spectra of a larger sample of carbonaceous chondrites, including 7 CM2 chondrites, covering a spectral interval of 0.30-2.5 microns were recently obtained using the Relab instrument at Brown University. These spectra were compared with spectrophotometric asteroid observations in a separate abstract. Those spectra of CM2 chondrites were isolated into the UV, visible and near-infrared spectral regions in order to compare them with high-quality narrowband reflectance spectra.

  8. High temperature refractory of MgCr.sub.2 O.sub.4 matrix and unstabilized ZrO.sub.2 particles

    DOEpatents

    Singh, Jitendra P.; James, Jawana J.; Picciolo, John J.

    1987-01-01

    A high chromia refractory composite has been developed with improved thermal shock resistance and containing about 5-30 wt. % of unstabilized ZrO.sub.2 having a temperature-dependent phase change resulting in large expansion mismatch between the ZrO.sub.2 and the chromia matrix which causes microcracks to form during cooling in the high chromia matrix. The particle size preferably is primarily between about 0.6-5 microns and particularly below about 3 microns with an average size in the order of 1.2-1.8 microns.

  9. The Importance of pH, Oxygen, and Bitumen on the Oxidation and Precipitation of Fe(III)-(oxy)hydroxides during Hydraulic Fracturing of Oil/Gas Shales

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jew, A. D.; Dustin, M. K.; Harrison, A. L.; Joe-Wong, C. M.; Thomas, D.; Maher, K.; Brown, G. E.; Bargar, J.

    2016-12-01

    Due to the rapid growth of hydraulic fracturing in the United States, understanding the cause for the rapid production drop off of new wells over the initial months of production is paramount. One possibility for the production decrease is pore occlusion caused by the oxidation of Fe(II)-bearing phases resulting in Fe(III) precipitates. To understand the release and fate of Fe in the shale systems, we reacted synthesized fracture fluid at 80oC with shale from four different geological localities (Marcellus Fm., Barnett Fm., Eagle Ford Fm., and Green River Fm.). A variety of wet chemical and synchrotron-based techniques (XRF mapping and x-ray absorption spectroscopy) were used to understand Fe release and solid phase Fe speciation. Solution pH was found to be the greatest factor for Fe release. Carbonate-poor Barnett and Marcellus shale showed rapid Fe release into solution followed by a plateau or significant drop in Fe concentrations indicating mineral precipitation. Conversely, in high carbonate shales, Eagle Ford and Green River, no Fe was detected in solution indicating fast Fe oxidation and precipitation. For all shale samples, bulk Fe EXAFS data show that a significant amount of Fe in the shales is bound directly to organic carbon. Throughout the course of the experiments inorganic Fe(II) phases (primarily pyrite) reacted while Fe(II) bound to C showed no indication of reaction. On the micron scale, XRF mapping coupled with μ-XANES spectroscopy showed that at pH < 4.0, Fe(III) bearing phases precipitated as diffuse surface precipitates of ferrihydrite, goethite, and magnetite away from Fe(II) point sources. In near circum-neutral pH systems, Fe(III)-bearing phases (goethite and hematite) form large particles 10's of μm's in diameter near Fe(II) point sources. Idealized systems containing synthesized fracturing fluid, dissolved ferrous chloride, and bitumen showed that bitumen released during reaction with fracturing fluids is capable of oxidizing Fe(II) to Fe(III) at pH's 2.0 and 7.0. This indicates that bitumen can play a large role in Fe oxidation and speciation in the subsurface. This work shows that shale mineralogy has a significant impact on the morphology and phases of Fe(III) precipitates in the subsurface which in turn can significantly impact subsurface solution flow.

  10. Development of Ferrite-Based Temperature Sensors for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Study of Cu1 -xZnxFe2O4

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alghamdi, N. A.; Hankiewicz, J. H.; Anderson, N. R.; Stupic, K. F.; Camley, R. E.; Przybylski, M.; Żukrowski, J.; Celinski, Z.

    2018-05-01

    We investigate the use of Cu1 -xZnxFe2O4 ferrites (0.60

  11. High magnetization Fe-Co and Fe-Ni submicron and nanosize particles by thermal decomposition and hydrogen reduction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cui, B. Z.; Marinescu, M.; Liu, J. F.

    2014-05-01

    This paper reports morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of air-stable soft magnetic FexCo100-x (x = 65, 50, and 34) and Fe50Ni50 (at. %) submicron and nanosize particles fabricated by template-free thermal decomposition of nitrates of Fe, Co, and Ni and subsequent hydrogen reduction. The particle compositions were tuned by modification of the precursor solution concentrations. The as-synthesized Fe-Co and Fe50Ni50 particles have body centered cubic and face centered cubic poly-nanocrystalline structures, respectively. The Fe-Co and Fe50Ni50 particles have particle sizes in the range of 28-200 nm and 70-480 nm, and average grain sizes of 16-29 nm and 20-24 nm, respectively. The particle and grain sizes were controlled by tuning particle composition, and the temperature and time of hydrogen reduction. Saturation magnetization Ms as high as 207-224 emu/g and intrinsic coercivity Hci of 59-228 Oe were obtained in the Fe-Co particles reduced at 550 °C for 90 min. Of special note, the Ms of 224 emu/g (˜2.3 T) obtained in the Fe65Co35 particles is among the highest values for Fe-Co particles reported so far. Ms of 135-137 emu/g and Hci of 59-111 Oe were obtained in the Fe50Ni50 particles reduced at 500 or 550 °C for 20 min.

  12. Enhanced pulmonary absorption of poorly soluble itraconazole by micronized cocrystal dry powder formulations.

    PubMed

    Karashima, Masatoshi; Sano, Noriyasu; Yamamoto, Syunsuke; Arai, Yuta; Yamamoto, Katsuhiko; Amano, Nobuyuki; Ikeda, Yukihiro

    2017-06-01

    Micronized cocrystal powders and amorphous spray-dried formulations were prepared and evaluated in vivo and in vitro as pulmonary absorption enhancement formulations of poorly soluble itraconazole (ITZ). ITZ cocrystals with succinic acid (SA) or l-tartaric acid (TA) with a particle size diameter of <2μm were successfully micronized using the jet-milling system. The cocrystal crystalline morphologies observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested particle shapes that differed from those of the crystalline or spray-dried amorphous ITZ. The micronized ITZ cocrystal powders showed better intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) and pulmonary absorption profile in rats than that of the amorphous spray-dried formulation and crystalline ITZ with comparable particle sizes. Specifically, in rat pharmacokinetic studies following pulmonary administration, micronized ITZ-SA and ITZ-TA cocrystals showed area under the curve from 0 to 8h (AUC 0-8h ) values approximately 24- and 19-fold higher than those of the crystalline ITZ and 2.0- and 1.6-fold higher than the spray-dried ITZ amorphous values, respectively. The amorphous formulation appeared physically instable during the studies due to rapid crystallization of ITZ, which was its disadvantage compared to the crystalline formulations. Therefore, this study demonstrated that micronized cocrystals are promising formulations for enhancing the pulmonary absorption of poorly soluble compounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Iron oxide bands in the visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra of primitive asteroids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jarvis, Kandy S.; Vilas, Faith; Gaffey, Michael J.

    1993-01-01

    High resolution reflectance spectra of primitive asteroids (C, P, and D class and associated subclasses) have commonly revealed an absorption feature centered at 0.7 microns attributed to an Fe(2+)-Fe(3+) charge transfer transition in iron oxides and/or oxidized iron in phyllosilicates. A smaller feature identified at 0.43 microns has been attributed to an Fe(3+) spin-forbidden transition in iron oxides. In the spectra of the two main-belt primitive asteroids 368 Haidea (D) and 877 Walkure (F), weak absorption features which were centered near the location of 0.60-0.65 microns and 0.80-0.90 microns prompted a search for features at these wavelengths and an attempt to identify their origin(s). The CCD reflectance spectra obtained between 1982-1992 were reviewed for similar absorption features located near these wavelengths. The spectra of asteroids in which these absorption features have been identified are shown. These spectra are plotted in order of increasing heliocentric distance. No division of the asteroids by class has been attempted here (although the absence of these features in the anhydrous S-class asteroids, many of which have presumably undergone full heating and differentiation should be noted). For this study, each spectrum was treated as a continuum with discrete absorption features superimposed on it. For each object, a linear least squares fit to the data points defined a simple linear continuum. The linear continuum was then divided into each spectrum, thus removing the sloped continuum and permitting the intercomparison of residual spectral features.

  14. Laser-induced volatilization and ionization of microparticles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sinha, M. P.

    1984-01-01

    A method for the laser vaporization and ionization of individual micron-size particles is presented whereby a particle is ionized by a laser pulse while in flight in the beam. Ionization in the beam offers a real-time analytical capability and eliminates any possible substrate-sample interferences during an analysis. An experimental arrangement using a high-energy Nd-YAG laser is described, and results are presented for ions generated from potassium biphthalate particles (1.96 micron in diameter). The method proposed here is useful for the chemical analysis of aerosol particles by mass spectrometry and for other spectroscopic and chemical kinetic studies.

  15. Dusty gas influences on transport in turbulent erosive propellant flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buckingham, A. C.

    1980-01-01

    A theoretical-numerical model is introduced which relates the influences of particles on erosive transport in a turbulent reactive boundary layer. Specifically, this discussion concerns additive particles used to suppress wall erosion in gun barrel turbulent propellant combustion. The turbulent-particle interactions are modeled with random particulate motion computations. These produce particulate trajectories, distributions and momenta. The interaction model includes effects of particle size, mass, and rotation as well as two-particle hard sphere collisions. The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the effects of the particles on the energy, mass, and momentum transport in the erosive wall boundary layer region. Neglecting thermal relaxation, the heat transfer rates are found to be substantially reduced when smaller diameter (0.2 micron) particles are introduced as compared to larger diameter particles (5 microns).

  16. Preparation, Characterization, and Enhanced Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy-Titania Composites

    PubMed Central

    Rubab, Zakya; Siddiqi, Humaira M.; Saeed, Shaukat

    2014-01-01

    This paper presents the synthesis and thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy-titania composites. First, submicron titania particles are prepared via surfactant-free sol-gel method using TiCl4 as precursor. These particles are subsequently used as inorganic fillers (or reinforcement) for thermally cured epoxy polymers. Epoxy-titania composites are prepared via mechanical mixing of titania particles with liquid epoxy resin and subsequently curing the mixture with an aliphatic diamine. The amount of titania particles integrated into epoxy matrix is varied between 2.5 and 10.0 wt.% to investigate the effect of sub-micron titania particles on thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy-titania composites. These composites are characterized by X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TG), and mechanical analyses. It is found that sub-micron titania particles significantly enhance the glass transition temperature (>6.7%), thermal oxidative stability (>12.0%), tensile strength (>21.8%), and Young's modulus (>16.8%) of epoxy polymers. Epoxy-titania composites with 5.0 wt.% sub-micron titania particles perform best at elevated temperatures as well as under high stress. PMID:24578638

  17. Nanoscale imaging of alteration layers of corroded international simple glass particles using ToF-SIMS

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, Jiandong; Neeway, James J.; Zhang, Yanyan

    Glass particles with dimensions typically ranging from tens to hundreds of microns are often used in glass corrosion research in order to accelerate testing. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanoscale imaging techniques are badly needed to characterize the alteration layers at the surfaces of these corroded glass particles. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) can provide a lateral resolution as low as ~100 nm, and, compared to other imaging techniques, is sensitive to elements lighter than carbon. In this work, we used ToF-SIMS to characterize the alteration layers of corroded international simple glass (ISG) particles. At most particle surfaces, inhomogeneous or nomore » alteration layers were observed, indicating that the thickness of the alterations layers may be too thin to be observable by ToF-SIMS imaging. Relatively thick (e.g., 1-10 microns) alteration layers were inhomogeneously distributed at a small portion of surfaces. More interestingly, some large-size (tens of microns) glass particles were fully altered. Above observations suggest that weak attachment and the defects on ISG particle surfaces play an important role in ISG glass corrosion.« less

  18. Parameterization of volcanic ash remobilization by wind-tunnel erosion experiments.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Del Bello, Elisabetta; Taddeucci, Jacopo; Merrison, Jonathan; Alois, Stefano; Iversen, Jens Jacob; Scarlato, Piergiorgio

    2017-04-01

    The remobilization of volcanic ash from the ground is one of the many problems posing threat to life and infrastructures during and after the course of an explosive volcanic eruption. A proper management of the risks connected to this problem requires a thorough understanding of the factors that influence and promote the dispersal of particles over large distances. Towards this target, we conducted a series of experiments aimed at defining first-order processes controlling the remobilization threshold of ash particles by wind erosion. In the framework of the EU-funded Europlanet project, we joinly used the environmental wind tunnel facility at Aarhus University (DK) and the state-of-the art high-speed imaging equipment of INGV experimental lab (Italy) to capture at unparalleled temporal and spatial resolution the removal dynamics of ash-sized (half-millimetre to micron-sized) particles. A homogenous layer of particles was set at on a plate placed downwind a boundary layer setup. Resuspension processes were filmed at 2000 fps and 50 micron pixel resolution, and the plate weighted pre and post-experiment. Explored variables include: 1) wind speed (from ca. 1 to 7 m/s) and boundary layer structure; 2) particle grain size (from 32-63 to 90-125 micron), and sample sorting); 3) chemical and textural features, using basalt and trachyte samples from Campi Flegrei (Pomici Principali,10 ka) and Eyjafjallajökull (May 2010) eruptions; and 4) temperature and humidity, by conducting experiments either at ambient conditions or with a heated sample. We found that the grain size distribution exerts a strong control on the fundamental dynamics of gas-particle coupling. Particles > 90 micron detach from the particles layer individually, also entering the gas flow individually. Conversely, removal < 63 micron particles occurs in clumps of aggregates. These clumps, once taken in charge by the gas flow, are frequently disaggregated and dispersed rapidly (order of few milliseconds). Our preliminary results shows that, for a given size distribution, the boundary between the two dynamics may shift greatly as a function of ambient humidity.

  19. Thermal Emission Spectroscopy of 1 Ceres: Evidence for Olivine

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Witteborn, F. C.; Roush, T. L.; Cohen, M.

    1999-01-01

    Thermal emission spectra of the largest asteroid 1 Ceres obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory display features that may provide information on its surface mineralogy. A plot of the Ceres spectrum (calibrated using alpha Boo as a standard) divided by a standard thermal model (STM) is shown. Also shown is the emissivity spectrum deduced from reflectivity measurements for olivine grains <5 microns in diameter. The general shape of the Ceres and the olivine curves agree in essential details, such as the maxima from 8 to 12 microns, the minimum between 12 and 14 microns, the broad peak near 17.5 micron, and the slope beyond 22 micron. (Use of the 10 to 15-micron grain reflectivities provides a better match to the 12- to 14-micron dip. We used a value of unity for beta, the beaming factor associated with small-scale surface roughness in our STM. Adjustment of beta to a lower value raises the long-wavelength side of the Ceres spectrum, providing an even better match to the olivine curve.) The emissivity behavior roughly matches the emission coefficients which were calculated for olivine particles with a particle radius of 3 microns. Their calculations show not only the negative slope from 23 to 25 pm, but a continued decrease past 30 micron. The Ceres emissivity is thus similar to that of small olivine grains from 8 to 30 micron, but olivine's emissivity is lower from 5 to 8 pm.

  20. The RBE-LET relationship for rodent intestinal crypt cell survival, testes weight loss, and multicellular spheroid cell survival after heavy-ion irradiation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rodriguez, A.; Alpen, E. L.; Powers-Risius, P.

    1992-01-01

    This report presents data for survival of mouse intestinal crypt cells, mouse testes weight loss as an indicator of survival of spermatogonial stem cells, and survival of rat 9L spheroid cells after irradiation in the plateau region of unmodified particle beams ranging in mass from 4He to 139La. The LET values range from 1.6 to 953 keV/microns. These studies examine the RBE-LET relationship for two normal tissues and for an in vitro tissue model, multicellular spheroids. When the RBE values are plotted as a function of LET, the resulting curve is characterized by a region in which RBE increases with LET, a peak RBE at an LET value of 100 keV/microns, and a region of decreasing RBE at LETs greater than 100 keV/microns. Inactivation cross sections (sigma) for these three biological systems have been calculated from the exponential terminal slope of the dose-response relationship for each ion. For this determination the dose is expressed as particle fluence and the parameter sigma indicates effect per particle. A plot of sigma versus LET shows that the curve for testes weight loss is shifted to the left, indicating greater radiosensitivity at lower LETs than for crypt cell and spheroid cell survival. The curves for cross section versus LET for all three model systems show similar characteristics with a relatively linear portion below 100 keV/microns and a region of lessened slope in the LET range above 100 keV/microns for testes and spheroids. The data indicate that the effectiveness per particle increases as a function of LET and, to a limited extent, Z, at LET values greater than 100 keV/microns. Previously published results for spread Bragg peaks are also summarized, and they suggest that RBE is dependent on both the LET and the Z of the particle.

  1. Comparison of directly compressed vitamin B12 tablets prepared from micronized rotary-spun microfibers and cast films.

    PubMed

    Sebe, István; Bodai, Zsolt; Eke, Zsuzsanna; Kállai-Szabó, Barnabás; Szabó, Péter; Zelkó, Romána

    2015-01-01

    Fiber-based dosage forms are potential alternatives of conventional dosage forms from the point of the improved extent and rate of drug dissolution. Rotary-spun polymer fibers and cast films were prepared and micronized in order to direct compress after homogenization with tabletting excipients. Particle size distribution of powder mixtures of micronized fibers and films homogenized with tabletting excipients were determined by laser scattering particle size distribution analyzer. Powder rheological behavior of the mixtures containing micronized fibers and cast films was also compared. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was applied for the microstructural characterization of micronized fibers and films. The water-soluble vitamin B12 release from the compressed tablets was determined. It was confirmed that the rotary spinning method resulted in homogeneous supramolecularly ordered powder mixture, which was successfully compressed after homogenization with conventional tabletting excipients. The obtained directly compressed tablets showed uniform drug release of low variations. The results highlight the novel application of micronized rotary-spun fibers as intermediate for further processing reserving the original favorable powder characteristics of fibrous systems.

  2. Stardust (Comet) Samples and the Meteorite Record

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weisberg, M.; Connolly, H.; Zolensky, M.; Bland, P.; Bradley, J.; Braerley, A.; Bridges, J.; Brownlee, D.; Butterworth, A.; Dai, Z.; Ebel, D.; Genge, M.; Gounelle, M.; Graham, G.; Grossman, J.; Grossman, L.; Harvey, R.; Ishii, H.; Kearsley, A.; Keller, L.; Krot, A.; Langenhorst, F.; Lanzirotti, A.; Leroux, H.; Matrajt, G.; Messenger, K.; Mikouchi, T.; Nakamura, T.; Ohsumi, K.; Okudaira, K.; Perronnet, M.; Simon, S.; Stephan, T.; Stroud, R.; Taheri, M.; Tomeoka, K.; Toppani, A.; Tsou, P.; Tsuchiyama, A.; Velbel, M.; Weber, I.; Westphal, A.; Yano, H.; Zega, T.

    2006-12-01

    Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the material collected by Stardust from `comet Wild 2 is the preponderance of high temperature and reduced crystalline phases, which are characteristic of chondrites thought to derive from the main Asteroid Belt (2-4 AU) [1]. Here we compare the mineralogy of Stardust samples to that of chondrite groups. Results: Investigation by the Preliminary Examination Team (PET) of particles from Wild 2 shows a mineral assemblage typical of chondrites, with olivine, pyroxene, FeNi-metal and sulfide as common components. Olivine and low-Ca pyroxene have a range of mg# (Fa0.5-41 and Fs0-48, respectively), which indicates that the material is unequilibrated, similar to types 2 and 3 chondrites. Some forsterite with <1 wt% FeO has up to 6.4 wt% MnO and 1.4 wt% Cr2O3. Other silicates observed are Ti-bearing aluminus diopside and rare melilite, typical of some calcium, aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) in carbonaceous (C) chondrites. Additionally, FeNi- metal and sulfides including pentlandite [(FeNi)9S8)] and Fe-Ni-Cu and Fe-Zn sulfide, phases observed in C and enstatite (E) chondrites, are present in some particles. V-bearing osbornite (TiN), a phase also observed in some C and E chondrites, occurs associated with unidentified Zr-rich phase(s). Discussion: The observations by the PET are based on work done in a short period of time on a limited number of particles less than several microns in size, and, hence, conclusions based on these data are tentative. Many C chondrite groups have the wide range of ferromagnesian silicate compositions found in the Stardust samples. However, the range of olivine and pyroxene compositions, occurrence of Mn-, Cr-rich olivine, metal and pentlandite are features most consistent with CR and CH chondrites, though a CM-like lithology cannot be ruled out. Mn-, Cr- rich forsterite is found in the matrix and in amoeboid olivine aggregates in CR chondrites [2, 3]; Osbornite-bearing CAIs have been identified in the ALH 85085 CH chondrite [4] and the Isheyevo CH/CB chondrite [5]. Thus, the Stardust samples analyzed thus far have mineral assemblages close to those of CR and CH chondrites, members of the CR chondrite clan. References: [1] Scott and Krot (2005) Chondrules and the Protoplanetary Disk, 15-54. [2] Weisberg et al. (1993) GCA 57, 1567-1586. [3] Weisberg et al. (2004) MAPS 39, 1741-1753. [4] Weisberg et al. (1988) EPSL 91, 19-32. [5] Krot et al. (2006) MAPS #1506.

  3. The Biological Effectiveness of Different Radiation Qualities for the Induction of Chromosome Damage in Human Lymphocytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hada, M.; George, Kerry; Cucinotta, F. A.

    2011-01-01

    Chromosome aberrations were measured in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after in vitro exposure to Si-28-ions with energies ranging from 90 to 600 MeV/u, Ti-48-ions with energies ranging from 240 to 1000 MeV/u, or to Fe-56-ions with energies ranging from 200 to 5,000 MeV/u. The LET of the various Si beams in this study ranged from 48 to 158 keV/ m, the LET of the Ti ions ranged from 107 to 240 keV/micron, and the LET of the Fe-ions ranged from 145 to 440 keV/ m. Doses delivered were in the 10- to 200-cGy range. Dose-response curves for chromosome exchanges in cells at first division after exposure, measured using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with whole-chromosome probes, were fitted with linear or linear-quadratic functions. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was estimated from the initial slope of the dose-response curve for chromosome damage with respect to gamma-rays. The estimates of RBEmax values for total chromosome exchanges ranged from 4.4+/-0.4 to 31.5+/-2.6 for Fe ions, 21.4+/-1.7 to 28.3+/-2.4 for Ti ions, and 11.8+/-1.0 to 42.2+/-3.3 for Si ions. The highest RBEmax value for Fe ions was obtained with the 600 MeV/u beam, the highest RBEmax value for Ti ions was obtained 1000 MeV/u beam, and the highest RBEmax value for Si ions was obtained with the 170 MeV/u beam. For Si and Fe ions the RBEmax values increased with LET, reaching a maximum at about 180 keV/micron for Fe and about 100 keV/micron for Si, and decreasing with further increase in LET. Additional studies for low doses Si-28-ions down to 0.02 Gy will be discussed.

  4. Ion mediated targeting of cells with nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maheshwari, Vivek; Fu, Jinlong

    2010-03-01

    In eukaryotic cells, Ca^2+ ions are necessary for intracellular signaling, in activity of mitochondria and a variety of other cellular process that have been linked to cell apoptosis, proteins synthesis and cell-cycle regulation. Here we show that Ca^2+ ions, serving as the bio-compatible interface can be used to target Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SaC, baker's yeast), a model eukaryotic cell, with Au nanoparticles (10 nm). The Ca^2+ ions bind to the carboxylic acid groups in the citrate functionalized Au nanoparticles. This transforms the nanoparticles into micron long 1-D branched chain assemblies due to inter-particle dipole-dipole interaction and inter-particle bonding due to the divalent nature of the Ca^2+ ion. A similar transformation is observed with the use of divalent ions Mg^2+, Cd^2+ and Fe^2+. The 1-D assembly aids the interfacing of ion-nanoparticles on the cell by providing multiple contact points. Further monovalent ions such as Na^+ are also effective for the targeting of the cell with nanoparticles. However Na-Au nanoparticles are limited in their deposition as they exist in solution as single particles. The cells remain alive after the deposition process and their vitality is unaffected by the interfacing with ion-nanoparticles.

  5. Micro/nano-particles and Cells: Manipulation, Transport, and Self-assembly

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-10-23

    SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: Technologies that control nano- and micron- sized inert as well as biological materials are crucial to realizing engineered...that control nano- and micron- sized inert as well as biological materials are crucial to realizing engineered systems that can assemble, transport, and...nano-scale particles offer several advantages as building blocks of artificial materials . The relative ease of modifying their charge states

  6. 49 CFR 173.132 - Class 6, Division 6.1-Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... the particles available for inhalation in the test must have a diameter of 10 microns or less if it is... aerodynamic diameter of that particle-fraction is 10 microns or less. A liquid substance should be tested if a... constituent A, B ... Z in the mixture; T = the oral LD50 values of constituent A, B ... Z; TM = the oral LD50...

  7. 49 CFR 173.132 - Class 6, Division 6.1-Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... the particles available for inhalation in the test must have a diameter of 10 microns or less if it is... aerodynamic diameter of that particle-fraction is 10 microns or less. A liquid substance should be tested if a... constituent A, B ... Z in the mixture; T = the oral LD50 values of constituent A, B ... Z; TM = the oral LD50...

  8. 49 CFR 173.132 - Class 6, Division 6.1-Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... the particles available for inhalation in the test must have a diameter of 10 microns or less if it is... aerodynamic diameter of that particle-fraction is 10 microns or less. A liquid substance should be tested if a... constituent A, B ... Z in the mixture; T = the oral LD50 values of constituent A, B ... Z; TM = the oral LD50...

  9. Submicron-scale mineralogy of lithotypes and the implications for trace element associations: Blue Gem coal, Knox County, Kentucky

    DOE PAGES

    Hower, James C.; Berti, Debora; Hochella, Michael F.; ...

    2018-04-16

    Transmission electron microscopy accompanied by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction of density-gradient separates from two lithotypes of the low-ash, low-sulfur Blue Gem coal, eastern Kentucky, revealed an array of previously unrecognized (in this coal, and arguable in most others) sub-micron minerals, some <10 nm in size. The first sample representing the 1.22–1.24 specific gravity fraction of the middle bench contains a mineral identified as a La-, Ce-, Nd-bearing monazite; other minerals with CrFe, CuFeS, FeZn-S, and Pb; and areas, probably comprising agglomerates of several grains, if not several minerals, with concentrations of Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe, Zn, Zr,more » and Mo. The second sample representing the 1.30–1.31 specific gravity fraction of the basal lithotype has aggregates of particles enriched in Mg, Ca, Ti, and Fe. Individual grains not specifically quantified include CrNiMnCuFeS, AgS, and CuS. Detailed investigation of one area (most of the variation within a <4 μm 2 region) demonstrates the presence of greenockite (CdS); minute phases containing NiCoGe and AgCdBi, the latter with a more evident S association than the former; metallic Bi; nisnite (Ni 3Sn); silver cadmium; manganosite (MnO); and siderite. Some minerals, such as the monazite, are most likely of detrital or tuffaceous origin. Many of the other assemblages could be of hydrothermal origin, a hypothesis supported by known regional geochemical and coal rank trends, but not previously demonstrated in mineral assemblages at the 10's of nm scale in this region.« less

  10. Submicron-scale mineralogy of lithotypes and the implications for trace element associations: Blue Gem coal, Knox County, Kentucky

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hower, James C.; Berti, Debora; Hochella, Michael F.

    Transmission electron microscopy accompanied by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction of density-gradient separates from two lithotypes of the low-ash, low-sulfur Blue Gem coal, eastern Kentucky, revealed an array of previously unrecognized (in this coal, and arguable in most others) sub-micron minerals, some <10 nm in size. The first sample representing the 1.22–1.24 specific gravity fraction of the middle bench contains a mineral identified as a La-, Ce-, Nd-bearing monazite; other minerals with CrFe, CuFeS, FeZn-S, and Pb; and areas, probably comprising agglomerates of several grains, if not several minerals, with concentrations of Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe, Zn, Zr,more » and Mo. The second sample representing the 1.30–1.31 specific gravity fraction of the basal lithotype has aggregates of particles enriched in Mg, Ca, Ti, and Fe. Individual grains not specifically quantified include CrNiMnCuFeS, AgS, and CuS. Detailed investigation of one area (most of the variation within a <4 μm 2 region) demonstrates the presence of greenockite (CdS); minute phases containing NiCoGe and AgCdBi, the latter with a more evident S association than the former; metallic Bi; nisnite (Ni 3Sn); silver cadmium; manganosite (MnO); and siderite. Some minerals, such as the monazite, are most likely of detrital or tuffaceous origin. Many of the other assemblages could be of hydrothermal origin, a hypothesis supported by known regional geochemical and coal rank trends, but not previously demonstrated in mineral assemblages at the 10's of nm scale in this region.« less

  11. Internal stresses in pre-stressed micron-scale aluminum core-shell particles and their improved reactivity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Levitas, Valery I., E-mail: vlevitas@iastate.edu; McCollum, Jena; Pantoya, Michelle L.

    2015-09-07

    Dilatation of aluminum (Al) core for micron-scale particles covered by alumina (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) shell was measured utilizing x-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation for untreated particles and particles after annealing at 573 K and fast quenching at 0.46 K/s. Such a treatment led to the increase in flame rate for Al + CuO composite by 32% and is consistent with theoretical predictions based on the melt-dispersion mechanism of reaction for Al particles. Experimental results confirmed theoretical estimates and proved that the improvement of Al reactivity is due to internal stresses. This opens new ways of controlling particle reactivity through creating and monitoringmore » internal stresses.« less

  12. Release of Micronized Copper Particles from Pressure ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Micronized copper pressure treated lumber (PTL) has recently been introduced to the consumer market as a replacement for ionized copper PTL. The presence of particulate rather than aqueous copper raises concerns about the exposure of humans as well as the environment to the particles. Two common pathways of exposure, leaching during contact with water and transfer during physical contact, were investigated to gage potential human and environmental risk during intended use of the product. Characterization, leaching tests, and wipe tests were conducted on two representative formulations of micronized copper PTL (micronized copper azole or MCA) to quantify the levels of copper present in the treated material and the amount of copper released during use as well as to determine the form (particle or ion) of the copper after it was released. Additionally, an ionized copper pressure treated wood (alkaline copper azole or ACA) was tested for comparison. The characterization showed that copper carbonate is the primary particle form in the MCA treated wood, but other forms are also present, particularly in the MCA-1 formulation, which contained a large amount of organically complexed copper. Microscopy showed that MCA-1 contained particles roughly half the size of MCA-2. The leaching results indicate that mostly (> ~95%) ionic copper is released from the MCA wood and that the particulate copper that was released is attached to cellulose and not free in solution. A sma

  13. Factors affecting the transverse force measurements of an optical trap: I

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wood, Tiffany A.; Wright, Amanda; Gleeson, Helen F.; Dickenson, Mark; Mullin, Tom; Murray, Andrew

    2002-03-01

    The transverse force of an optical trap is usually measured by equating the trapping force to the viscous drag force applied to the trapped particle according to Stokes' Law. Under normal conditions, the viscous drag force on a trapped particle is proportional to the fluid velocity of the medium. In this paper we show that an increase of particle concentration within the medium affects force measurements. In order to trap the particle, 1064 nm light from a Nd:YVO4 laser was brought to a focus in a sample slide, of thickness around 380 microns, by using an inverted Zeiss microscope objective, with NA equals 1.3. The slide was filled with distilled water containing 6 micron diameter polystyrene spheres. Measurements were taken at a fluid velocity of 0.75 microns/sec, achieved by moving the sample stage with a piezo-electric transducer whilst a particle was held stationary in the trap. The laser power required to hold a sphere at different trap depths for various concentrations was measured. Significant weakening of the trap was found for concentrations >0.03% solids by weight, becoming weaker for higher trap depths. These results are explained in terms of aberrations, particle-particle interactions and distortion of the beam due to particle-light interactions.

  14. Physical stability of micronized powders produced by spray-freezing into liquid (SFL) to enhance the dissolution of an insoluble drug.

    PubMed

    Rogers, True L; Johnston, Keith P; Williams, Robert O

    2003-01-01

    The objective of this study was to investigate the physical stability of micronized powders produced by the spray-freezing into liquid (SFL) particle engineeringtechnology. Danazol was formulated with polyvinyl alcohol (MW 22,000), poloxamer 407, and polyvinylpyrrolidone K-15 to form a cosolvent solution that was SFL processed. The dried micronized SFL powders were sealed in glass vials with desiccant and exposed to 25 degrees C/60% RH for 3 and 6 mo, 40 degrees C/75% RH for 1, 2, 3, and 6 mo, and conditions where the temperature was cycled between -5 and +40 degrees C (6 cycles/24 hr) with constant 75% RH for 1, 2, 3 and 4 wk. The samples were characterized by using Karl-Fisher titration, differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, specific surface area, scanning electron microscopy, and dissolution testing. Micronized SFL powders consisting of porous aggregates with small-particle domains were characterized as having high surface areas and consisted of amorphous danazol embedded within a hydrophilic excipient matrix. Karl-Fischer titration revealed no moisture absorption over the duration of the stability studies. Differential scanning calorimetry studies demonstrated high degrees of molecular interactions between danazol, PVA, poloxamer, and PVP. Scanning electron microscopy studies confirmed these interactions, especially those between danazol and poloxamer. These interactions facilitated API dissolution in the aqueous media. Powder surface area remained constant during storage at the various stability conditions, and danazol recrystallization did not occur during the entirety of the stability studies. Micronized SFL powders containing danazol dissolved rapidly and completely within 5 min in aqueous media. No differences were observed in the enhanced dissolution profiles of danazol after exposure to the storage conditions investigated. Physically stable micronized powders produced by the SFL particle engineering technology were produced for the purpose of enhancing the dissolution of an insoluble drug. The potential of the SFL particle-engineering technology as a micronization technique for enhancing the dissolution of hydrophobic drugs was demonstrated in this study. The robustness of the micronized SFL powders to withstand stressed storage conditions was shown.

  15. Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Dominated Micron-Wide Stripe Patterned-Based Ferroelectric Field-Effect Transistors with HfO2 Defect Control Layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tan, Qiuhong; Wang, Qianjin; Liu, Yingkai; Yan, Hailong; Cai, Wude; Yang, Zhikun

    2018-04-01

    Ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) with single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dominated micron-wide stripe patterned as channel, (Bi,Nd)4Ti3O12 films as insulator, and HfO2 films as defect control layer were developed and fabricated. The prepared SWCNT-FeFETs possess excellent properties such as large channel conductance, high on/off current ratio, high channel carrier mobility, great fatigue endurance performance, and data retention. Despite its thin capacitance equivalent thickness, the gate insulator with HfO2 defect control layer shows a low leakage current density of 3.1 × 10-9 A/cm2 at a gate voltage of - 3 V.

  16. Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Dominated Micron-Wide Stripe Patterned-Based Ferroelectric Field-Effect Transistors with HfO2 Defect Control Layer.

    PubMed

    Tan, Qiuhong; Wang, Qianjin; Liu, Yingkai; Yan, Hailong; Cai, Wude; Yang, Zhikun

    2018-04-27

    Ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) with single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dominated micron-wide stripe patterned as channel, (Bi,Nd) 4 Ti 3 O 12 films as insulator, and HfO 2 films as defect control layer were developed and fabricated. The prepared SWCNT-FeFETs possess excellent properties such as large channel conductance, high on/off current ratio, high channel carrier mobility, great fatigue endurance performance, and data retention. Despite its thin capacitance equivalent thickness, the gate insulator with HfO 2 defect control layer shows a low leakage current density of 3.1 × 10 -9  A/cm 2 at a gate voltage of - 3 V.

  17. Enhanced sub-micron colloidal particle separation with interdigitated microelectrode arrays using mixed AC/DC dielectrophoretic scheme.

    PubMed

    Swaminathan, Vikhram V; Shannon, Mark A; Bashir, Rashid

    2015-04-01

    Dielectrophoretic separation of particles finds a variety of applications in the capture of species such as cells, viruses, proteins, DNA from biological systems, as well as other organic and inorganic contaminants from water. The ability to capture particles is constrained by poor volumetric scaling of separation force with respect to particle diameter, as well as the weak penetration of electric fields in the media. In order to improve the separation of sub-micron colloids, we present a scheme based on multiple interdigitated electrode arrays under mixed AC/DC bias. The use of high frequency longitudinal AC bias breaks the shielding effects through electroosmotic micromixing to enhance electric fields through the electrolyte, while a transverse DC bias between the electrode arrays enables penetration of the separation force to capture particles from the bulk of the microchannel. We determine the favorable biasing conditions for field enhancement with the help of analytical models, and experimentally demonstrate the improved capture from sub-micron colloidal suspensions with the mixed AC/DC electrostatic excitation scheme over conventional AC-DEP methods.

  18. Discrimination Between Maturity and Composition from Integrated Clementine UltraViolet-Visible and Near-Infrared Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Le Mouelic, S.; Langevin, Y.; Erard, S.; Pinet, P.; Daydou, Y.; Chevrel, S.

    1999-01-01

    The Clementine UV-VIS dataset has greatly improved our understanding of the Moon. The UV-VIS camera was limited to five spectral channels from 415 to 1000 nm. The Clementine near-infrared (NIR) camera was designed to complement this spectral coverage. The NIR filter at 2000 run allows the discrimination between olivine and pyroxene within identified mare basalts. In addition, we will show that the integration of Clementine UV-VIS and NIR datasets allows a better evaluation of the ferrous 1-micron absorption band depth and gives access to the slope of the continuum. The discrimination between maturity and FeO composition can be achieved by a principal component analysis performed on spectral parameters. We selected 952 Clementine UV-VIS and NIR images to compute a multispectral cube covering the Aristarchus Plateau. Aristarchus Plateau is one of the most heterogeneous areas on the Moon. Highland-type materials, mare basalts, and dark mantle deposits have previously been mentioned. The mosaic represents a set of about 500 x 600 nine-channel spectra. UV-VIS filters at 415, 750, 900, 950, and 1000 run were calibrated using the ISIS software. We applied the reduction method described elsewhere to reduce the NIR filters at 1100, 1250, 1500 and 2000 nm. Absolute gain and offset values were refined for the NIR images by using eight telescopic spectra acquired as references. With this calibration test, we were able to reproduce the eight telescopic spectra with a maximum error of 1.8%. The integration of UV-VIS and NIR spectral channels allows the visualization of complete low-resolution spectra. In order to investigate the spectral effects of the space-weathering processes, we focused our analysis on a small mare crater and its immediate surroundings. According to the small size of the crater (about 2-km) and its location on an homogeneous mare area, we can reasonably assume that the content in FeO is homogeneous. The impact event has induced a variation of the maturity of the soil by excavating fresh material. Graphs displays five absolute reflectance spectra extracted from this area. One graph displays the same spectra divided by a continuum, which is considered to be a right line fitting the spectra at 0.75 and 1.5 micron. Spectrum 1 is extracted from the brightest part of the crater interior, and spectrum 5 is extracted from the surrounding mare material. Spectra 2, 3, and 4 are extracted from intermediate distances between the two areas. The 1-and-2 micron absorption band depths and the overall reflectance increase from spectrum 5 (corresponding to a mature area) to spectrum 1 (the most immature area). Conversely, the continuum slope decreases from spectrum 5 to spectrum 1. These three spectral effects of maturity have also been identified on laboratory spectra of lunar samples. Most of the lunar soils exhibit a signature near 1 micron. This absorption band is due to the presence of Fe2+ in mafic minerals such as orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and olivine. In the case of Clementine UV-VIS data alone, the depth of the 1-micron feature is evaluated by the 950/750-nm reflectance ratio. This ratio combined to the reflectance at 750nm has been used to evaluate the global content in FeO of the lunar surface. Near-infrared data makes a more precise evaluation of the 1 micron band depth possible by providing the right side of the band. The continuum in the vicinity of the band can be evaluated by an arithmetic mean or a geometric interpolation of both sides of the band, which are taken at 750 and 1500nm. The geometric interpolation is less sensitive to residual calibration uncertainties. With this method, the 1-micron absorption band depth for the Aristarchus; Plateau can be refined by as much as 10%. The difference is maximum on Fe-poor, highland-type materials. Similarly, the NIR data provide the possibility to investigate the continuum slope of the spectra. The continuum slope is a key parameter in any spectral analysis. The continuum slope variations seem to be mainly dominated by maturity effects, as suggested by the high correlation with the independent evaluation of maturity (OMAT parameter). We have also found a good correlation between the continuum slope and the OMAT parameter on laboratory spectra of lunar samples of the J. B. Adams collection. The discrimination between maturity effects and composition effects can be achieved by using a principal component analysis (PCA) on three spectral parameters, which are the reflectance at 0.75 micron the depth of the 1-micron feature, and the continuum slope. These parameters are mostly affected by maturity and FeO content. The effects of various glass content are assimilated to maturity. The aim of the PCA is to decorrelate the FeO content and maturity effects in the three input parameters. The integration of UV-VIS and NIR datasets allows for a better understanding of the spectral properties of the lunar surface by giving access to key parameters such as the 1 and 2-micron band depths and the continuum slope. The continuum slope can be combined with the depth of the mafic 1-micron absorption feature and the reflectance at 750 nm to discriminate between maturity and composition. NIR images of the sample return stations will be very interesting to refine absolute FeO content and maturity evaluations. Additional information is available in original.

  19. Design evaluations for a flight cloud physics holocamera. [holographic/photographic camera for low-g Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moore, W. W., Jr.; Kurtz, R. L.; Lemons, J. F.

    1976-01-01

    The paper describes a holographic/photographic camera to be used with the zero-g or low-g Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory. The flight prototype holocamera is intended to record particles from 0.01 to 5 microns for an optimum two-dimensional plane only in the microscopic photography mode, particles on a volume basis in the in-line holography mode from 5 microns up, and all particle sizes possible on a volume basis in the acute sideband holography mode.

  20. Apparatus for producing carbon-coated nanoparticles and carbon nanospheres

    DOEpatents

    Perry, W. Lee; Weigle, John C.; Phillips, Jonathan

    2015-10-20

    An apparatus for producing carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles comprising a container for entraining particles in an aerosol gas, providing an inlet for carbon-containing gas, providing an inlet for plasma gas, a proximate torch for mixing the aerosol gas, the carbon-containing gas, and the plasma gas, bombarding the mixed gases with microwaves, and providing a collection device for gathering the resulting carbon-coated nano- or micron-scale particles. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for making hollow carbon nano- or micro-scale spheres.

  1. Ice Particle Analysis of the Honeywell AL502 Engine Booster

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bidwell, Colin S.; Rigby, David L.

    2015-01-01

    A flow and ice particle trajectory analysis was performed for the booster of the Honeywell ALF502 engine. The analysis focused on two closely related conditions one of which produced an icing event and another which did not during testing of the ALF502 engine in the Propulsion Systems Lab (PSL) at NASA Glenn Research Center. The flow analysis was generated using the NASA Glenn GlennHT flow solver and the particle analysis was generated using the NASA Glenn LEWICE3D v3.63 ice accretion software. The inflow conditions for the two conditions were similar with the main differences being that the condition that produced the icing event was 6.8 K colder than the non-icing event case and the inflow ice water content (IWC) for the non-icing event case was 50% less than for the icing event case. The particle analysis, which considered sublimation, evaporation and phase change, was generated for a 5 micron ice particle with a sticky impact model and for a 24 micron median volume diameter (MVD), 7 bin ice particle distribution with a supercooled large droplet (SLD) splash model used to simulate ice particle breakup. The particle analysis did not consider the effect of the runback and re-impingement of water resulting from the heated spinner and anti-icing system. The results from the analysis showed that the amount of impingement for the components were similar for the same particle size and impact model for the icing and non-icing event conditions. This was attributed to the similar aerodynamic conditions in the booster for the two cases. The particle temperature and melt fraction were higher at the same location and particle size for the non-icing event than for the icing event case due to the higher incoming inflow temperature for the non-event case. The 5 micron ice particle case produced higher impact temperatures and higher melt fractions on the components downstream of the fan than the 24 micron MVD case because the average particle size generated by the particle breakup was larger than 5 microns which yielded less warming and melting. The analysis also showed that the melt fraction and wet bulb temperature icing criterion developed during tests in the Research Altitude Test Facility (RATFac) at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada were useful in predicting icing events in the ALF502 engine. The development of an ice particle impact model which includes the effects of particle breakup, phase change, and surface state is necessary to further improve the prediction of ice particle transport with phase change through turbomachinery.

  2. Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic properties of delafossite CuGaO2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Jahangeer; Mao, Yuanbing

    2016-10-01

    Delafossite CuGaO2 has been employed as photocatalysts for solar cells, but their electrocatalytic properties have not been extensively studied, especially no comparison among samples made by different synthesis routes. Herein, we first reported the successful synthesis of delafossite CuGaO2 particles with three different morphologies, i.e. nanocrystalline hexagons, sub-micron sized plates and micron-sized particles by a modified hydrothermal method at 190 °C for 60 h [1-3], a sono-chemical method followed by firing at 850 °C for 48 h, and a solid state route at 1150 °C, respectively. Morphology, composition and phase purity of the synthesized samples was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic studies, and then their electrocatalytic performance as active and cost effective electrode materials to the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in 0.5 M KOH electrolyte versus Ag/AgCl was investigated and compared under the same conditions for the first time. The nanocrystalline CuGaO2 hexagons show enhanced electrocatalytic activity than the counterpart sub-micron sized plates and micron-sized particles.

  3. Increased absorption by coarse aerosol particles over the Gangetic–Himalayan region

    DOE PAGES

    Manoharan, Vani Starry; Kotamarthi, R.; Feng, Yan; ...

    2014-02-03

    Each atmospheric aerosol type has distinctive light-absorption characteristics related to its physical/chemical properties. Climate models treat black carbon as the main light-absorbing component of carbonaceous atmospheric aerosols, while absorption by some organic aerosols is also considered, particularly at ultraviolet wavelengths. Most absorbing aerosols are assumed to be < 1 μm in diameter (sub-micron). Here we present results from a recent field study in India, primarily during the post-monsoon season (October–November), suggesting the presence of absorbing aerosols sized 1–10 μm. Absorption due to super-micron-sized particles was nearly 30% greater than that due to smaller particles. Periods of increased absorption by largermore » particles ranged from a week to a month. Radiative forcing calculations under clear-sky conditions show that super-micron particles account for nearly 44% of the total aerosol forcing. The origin of the large aerosols is unknown, but meteorological conditions indicate that they are of local origin. Such economic and habitation conditions exist throughout much of the developing world. Furthermore, large absorbing particles could be an important component of the regional-scale atmospheric energy balance.« less

  4. The 27-28 October 1986 FIRE IFO cirrus case study: Comparison of satellite and aircraft derived particle size

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wielicki, Bruce A.; Suttles, J. T.; Heymsfield, Andrew J.; Welch, Ronald M.; Spinhirne, James D.; Wu, Man-Li C.; Starr, David; Parker, Lindsay; Arduini, Robert F.

    1990-01-01

    Theoretical calculations predict that cloud reflectance in near infrared windows such as those at 1.6 and 2.2 microns should give lower reflectances than at visible wavelengths. The reason for this difference is that ice and liquid water show significant absorption at those wavelengths, in contrast to the nearly conservative scattering at wavelengths shorter than 1 micron. In addition, because the amount of absorption scales with the path length of radiation through the particle, increasing cloud particle size should lead to decreasing reflectances at 1.6 and 2.2 microns. Measurements at these wavelengths to date, however, have often given unpredicted results. Twomey and Cocks found unexpectedly high absorption (factors of 3 to 5) in optically thick liquid water clouds. Curran and Wu found expectedly low absorption in optically thick high clouds, and postulated the existence of supercooled small water droplets in place of the expected large ice particles. The implications of the FIRE data for optically thin cirrus are examined.

  5. The Stardust: A Successful Encounter with the Remarkable Comet Wild 2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brownlee, D. E.; Anderson, J. D.; Atkins, K.; Bhaskaran, S.; Cheuvront, A. R.; Clark, B. C.; Duxbury, T. C.; Economou, T.; Hanner, M. S.; Hoerz, F.

    2004-01-01

    On January 2, 2004 the Stardust spacecraft completed a close flyby of comet Wild2 (P81). Flying at a relative speed of 6.1 km/s within 237km of the 5 km nucleus, the spacecraft took 72 close-in images, measured the flux of impacting particles and did in-situ compositional analysis of freshly released dust with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The primary goal of the mission is to collect >500 particles >15 m diameter and return them to Earth on January 15, 2006. The cometary particles ranging in size from a micron to approx.100 microns were collected in low density silica aerogel. After returning over a hundred 2x4x3 cm aerogel collection cells will be processed at the curatorial facility at the NASA Johnson Space Center and 5 to 100 micron size extracted cometary particles will be distributed to analysts by a system that will be based on the allocation procedures for cosmic dust, Antarctic meteorites and lunar samples.

  6. Transport dynamics calculated under the full Mie scattering theory for micron and submicron lunar ejecta in selenocentric, cislunar, and geocentric space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hyde, T. W.; Alexander, W. M.

    1989-01-01

    In 1967, Lunar Explorer 35 was launched from the earth and placed into a stable orbit around the moon. The data from the dust particle experiment on this spacecraft were essentially continuous over a 5-yr period from the time of insertion in lunar orbit. Analysis of this data has been interpreted to show that micron-sized lunar ejecta leave the moon and traverse through selenocentric and cislunar space and obtain either interplanetary/heliocentric orbits or intercept the earth's magnetosphere and move into geocentric orbits. Extensive studies of the orbital trajectories of lunar particles in this size range have now been conducted that include a calculation of the solar radiation force using the full Mie scattering theory. A significant flux of particles with radii less than 0.1 micron are found to intercept the earth's magnetopause surface. This flux is shown to be strongly dependent upon both the particle's density and its index of refraction.

  7. Data on microscale atmospheric pollution of Bolshoy Kamen town (Primorsky region, Russia)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kholodov, Aleksei; Ugay, Sergey; Drozd, Vladimir; Maiss, Natalia; Golokhvast, Kirill

    2017-10-01

    The paper discusses the study of atmospheric particulate matter of Bolshoy Kamen town by means of laser granulometry of snow water samples. Snow sampling points were selected close to major enterprises, along the main streets and roads of the town and in the residential area. The near-ground layer of atmospheric air of the town contains particulate matter of three main size classes: under 10 microns, 10-50 microns and over 700 microns. It is shown that the atmosphere of this town is lightly polluted with particles under 10 μm (PM10). Only in 5 sampling points out of 11 we found microparticles potentially hazardous to human health in significant quantities - from 16.2% to 34.6%. On the most territory of the town large particles (over 400 μm) dominate reaching 79.2%. We can conclude that judging by the particle size analysis of snow water samples Bolshoy Kamen town can be considered safe in terms of presence of particles under 10 μm (PM10) in the atmosphere.

  8. The 7.5- to 13.5-micron spectrum of Saturn

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gillett, F. C.; Forrest, W. J.

    1974-01-01

    A medium-resolution spectrum of Saturn in the 7.5-13.5 micron range is presented. The observed low brightness temperature between 9 and 11 microns of about 100-105 K rules out gaseous NH3 as the dominant absorber in this spectral range. Absorption features due to PH3 may be present around 10 microns and cloud particles could be an important source of opacity in this wavelength range. There are strong indications of a temperature inversion in the upper atmosphere, including high brightness temperature in the 7.7-micron CH4 band, and possible emission from C2H6 around 12 microns.

  9. Room temperature deformation mechanisms of alumina particles observed from in situ micro-compression and atomistic simulations.

    DOE PAGES

    Sarobol, Pylin; Chandross, Michael E.; Carroll, Jay D.; ...

    2015-09-22

    Aerosol deposition (AD) is a solid-state deposition technology that has been developed to fabricate ceramic coatings nominally at room temperature. Sub-micron ceramic particles accelerated by pressurized gas impact, deform, and consolidate on substrates under vacuum. Ceramic particle consolidation in AD coatings is highly dependent on particle deformation and bonding; these behaviors are not well understood. In this work, atomistic simulations and in situ micro-compressions in the scanning electron microscope, and the transmission electron microscope (TEM) were utilized to investigate fundamental mechanisms responsible for plastic deformation/fracture of particles under applied compression. Results showed that highly defective micron-sized alumina particles, initially containingmore » numerous dislocations or a grain boundary, exhibited no observable shape change before fracture/fragmentation. Simulations and experimental results indicated that particles containing a grain boundary only accommodate low strain energy per unit volume before crack nucleation and propagation. In contrast, nearly defect-free, sub-micron, single crystal alumina particles exhibited plastic deformation and fracture without fragmentation. Dislocation nucleation/motion, significant plastic deformation, and shape change were observed. Simulation and TEM in situ micro-compression results indicated that nearly defect-free particles accommodate high strain energy per unit volume associated with dislocation plasticity before fracture. As a result, the identified deformation mechanisms provide insight into feedstock design for AD.« less

  10. Application of dense gas techniques for the production of fine particles.

    PubMed

    Foster, Neil R; Dehghani, Fariba; Charoenchaitrakoo, Kiang M; Warwick, Barry

    2003-01-01

    The feasibility of using dense gas techniques such as rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) and aerosol solvent extraction system (ASES) for micronization of pharmaceutical compounds is demonstrated. The chiral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory racemic ibuprofen is soluble in carbon dioxide at 35 degrees C and pressures above 90 bar. The particle size decreased to less than 2 microm while the degree of crystallinity was slightly decreased when processed by RESS. The dissolution rate of the ibuprofen (a poorly water-soluble compound) was significantly enhanced after processing by RESS. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Cu2(indomethacin)4L2(Cu-Indo); (L = dimethylformamide [DMF]), which possessed very low solubility in supercritical CO2, was successfully micronized by ASES at 25 degrees C and 68.9 bar using DMF as the solvent and CO2 as the antisolvent. The concentration of solute dramatically influenced the precipitate characteristics. The particles obtained from the ASES process were changed from bipyramidal to spherical, with particle size less than 5 microm, as the concentration increased from 5 to 100 mg/g. A further increase in solute concentration to 200 mg/g resulted in large porous spheres, between 20 and 50 micron, when processing Cu-Indo by the ASES method. The dissolution rate of the micronized Cu-Indo was significantly higher than the commercial product.

  11. Characterization of soil and postlaunch pad debris from Cape Canaveral launch complex and analysis of soil interaction with aqueous HCl

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pellett, G. L.; Spangler, L. W.; Storey, R. W.; Bendura, R. J.

    1982-01-01

    Soil samples were fractionated and analyzed in order to assess the physical and chemical interactions of entrained soil with solid-rocket exhaust clouds. The sandy soil consisted primarily of quartz (silica) particles, 30 to 500 microns in diameter, and also contained seashell fragments. Differential and cumulative soil-mass size distributions are presented along with mineralogy, elemental compositions, and solution pH histories. About 90 percent of the soil mass consisted of particles 165 microns in diameter. Characteristic reaction times in aqueous HC1 slurries varied from a few minutes to several days, and capacities for reaction under acidic conditions varied from 10 to 40 g HCl/kg soil, depending on particle size. Airborne lifetimes of particles 165 microns are conservatively 30 min, and this major grouping is predicted to represent a small short-term chemical sink for up to 5% of the total HC1. The smaller and more minor fractions, below a 165 micron diameter, may act as giant cloud condensation nuclei over much longer airborne lifetimes. Finally, the demonstrated time dependency of neutralization is a complicating factor; it can influence the ability to deduce in-cloud HCl scavenging with reaction and can affect the accuracy of measured chemical compositions of near-field wet deposition.

  12. Feasibility study of electrophoresis deposition of DyF3 on Nd-Fe-B particles for coercivity enhancement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, K. M.; Kang, M. S.; Kwon, H. W.; Lee, J. G.; Yu, J. H.

    2018-05-01

    Feasibility of the electrophoresis deposition (EPD) technique for homogeneous and adhesive deposition of DyF3 particles on the Nd-Fe-B-type particles was studied, and coercivity enhancement in the diffusion-treated Nd-Fe-B-type particles deposited with DyF3 by EPD was investigated. HDDR-treated Nd12.5Fe80.6B6.4Ga0.3Nb0.2 particles were deposited with DyF3 particles by EPD. More homogeneous and adhesive deposition of DyF3 particles on the surface of Nd-Fe-B particles was made by the EPD with respect to conventional dip-coating, and this led to more active and homogeneous diffusion of Dy. More profound coercivity enhancement was achieved in the diffusion-treated Nd-Fe-B-type particles deposited with DyF3 by EPD compared to dip-coated particles.

  13. Properties of the Hermean Regolith. 5; New Optical Reflectance Spectra, Comparison with Lunar Anorthosites and Mineralogical Modelling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Warell, J.; Blewett, D. T.

    2003-01-01

    We present new optical (0.4-0.65 micron) spectra of Mercury and lunar pure anorthosite locations, obtained quasi-simultaneously with the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) in 2002. A comparative study is performed with the model of Lucey et al. between iron-poor, mature, pure anorthosite (less than 90% plagioclase feldspar) Clementine spectra from the lunar farside and a combined 0.4-1.0 micron mercurian spectrum, obtained with the NOT, calculated for standard photometric geometry. Mercury is located at more extreme locations in the Lucey ratio-reflectance diagrams than any known lunar soil, specifically with respect to the extremely iron-poor mature anorthosites. Though quantitative prediction of FeO and TiO2 abundances cannot be made without a more generally applicable model, we find qualitatively that the abundances of both these oxides must be near zero for Mercury. We utilize the theory of Hapke, with realistic photometric parameters, to model laboratory spectra of matured mineral powders and lunar soils, and remotely sensed spectra of lunar anorthosites and Mercury. An important difference between fabricated and natural powders is the high value for the internal scattering parameter necessary to interpret the spectra for the former, and the requirement of rough and non-isotropically scattering surfaces in the modelling of the latter. The mature lunar anorthosite spectra were well modelled with binary mixtures of calcic feldspars and olivines, grain sizes of 25-30 micron and a concentration of submicroscopic metallic iron (SMFe) of 0.12-0.15% in grain coatings. The mercurian spectrum is not possible to interpret from terrestrial mineral powder spectra without introducing an average particle scattering function for the bulk soil that increases in backscattering efficiency with wavelength. The observed spectrum is somewhat better predicted with binary mixture models of feldspars and pyroxenes, that single-component regoliths consisting of either albite or diopside. Correct spectral reflectance values were predicted with a concentration of 0.1 wt% SMFe in coatings of 15-30 micron sized grains. Since reasonable cosmogonical formation scenarios for Mercury, or meteoritic infall, predict iron concentrations at least this high, we draw the conclusion that the average grain size of Mercury is about a factor of two smaller than for average returned lunar soil samples. The 0.6-2.5 micron spectrum of McCord and Clark is used to further limit the possible range of mineralogical composition of Mercury. It is found that an intimately mixed and matured 3 : 1 labradorite-to-enstatite regolith composition best matches both the optical and near-infrared spectra, yielding an abundance of approx. 1.2 wt% FeO and -approx. 0 wt% TiO2.

  14. Search for Fluid Inclusions in a Carbonaceous Chondrite Using a New X-Ray Micro-Tomography Technique Combined with FIB Sampling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsuchiyama, A.; Miyake, A.; Zolensky, M. E.; Uesugi, K.; Nakano, T.; Takeuchi, A.; Suzuki, Y.; Yoshida, K.

    2014-01-01

    Early solar system aqueous fluids are preserved in some H chondrites as aqueous fluid inclusions in halite (e.g., [1]). Although potential fluid inclusions are also expected in carbonaceous chondrites [2], they have not been surely confirmed. In order to search for these fluid inclusions, we have developped a new X-ray micro-tomography technique combined with FIB sampling and applied this techniqu to a carbanaceous chondrite. Experimental: A polished thin section of Sutter's Mill meteorite (CM) was observed with an optical microscope and FE-SEM (JEOL 7001F) for chosing mineral grains of carbonates (mainly calcite) and sulfides (FeS and ZnS) 20-50 microns in typical size, which may have aqueous fluid inclusions. Then, a "house" similar to a cube with a roof (20-30 microns in size) is sampled from the mineral grain by using FIB (FEI Quanta 200 3DS). Then, the house was atached to a thin W-needle by FIB and imaged by a SR-based imaging microtomography system with a Fresnel zone plate at beamline BL47XU, SPring-8, Japan. One sample was imaged at two X-ray energies, 7 and 8 keV, to identify mineral phases (dual-enegy microtomography: [3]). The size of voxel (pixel in 3D) was 50-80 nm, which gave the effective spatial resolution of approx. 200 nm. A terrestrial quartz sample with an aqueous fluid inclusion with a bubble was also examined as a test sample by the same method. Results and discussion: A fluid inclusion of 5-8 microns in quartz was clearly identified in a CT image. A bubble of approx. 4 microns was also identified as refraction contrast although the X-ray absorption difference between fluid and bubble is small. Volumes of the fluid and bubble were obtained from the 3D CT images. Fourteen grains of calcite, two grains of iron sulfide and one grain of (Zn,Fe)S were examined. Ten calcite, one iron sulfide and one (Zn,Fe)S grains have inclusions >1 micron in size (the maximum: approx. 5 microns). The shapes are spherical or irregular. Tiny inclusions (<1 micron) are also present in all the grains examined. These results show that mineral grains have more inclusions than expected from 2D observations. The X-ray absorption of the inclusions shows that they are not solid inclusions. No bubbles were observed inside, indicating that we cannot determine whether they are really aqueous fluids or merely voids. One calcite grain has an inclusion approx. 2 microns in size, which seems to have a bubble and a tiny solid daughter crystal inside (three-phase inclusion). As we know the exact 3D position of the inclusion, we will anlyze the inclusion by SIMS after freezing the sample as has been done for a halite sample [3]. The present technique is useful for finding small inclusions not only in carbonaceous chondrites but also for terrestrial materials.

  15. Digital PIV Measurements of Acoustic Particle Displacements in a Normal Incidence Impedance Tube

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Humphreys, William M., Jr.; Bartram, Scott M.; Parrott, Tony L.; Jones, Michael G.

    1998-01-01

    Acoustic particle displacements and velocities inside a normal incidence impedance tube have been successfully measured for a variety of pure tone sound fields using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV). The DPIV system utilized two 600-mj Nd:YAG lasers to generate a double-pulsed light sheet synchronized with the sound field and used to illuminate a portion of the oscillatory flow inside the tube. A high resolution (1320 x 1035 pixel), 8-bit camera was used to capture double-exposed images of 2.7-micron hollow silicon dioxide tracer particles inside the tube. Classical spatial autocorrelation analysis techniques were used to ascertain the acoustic particle displacements and associated velocities for various sound field intensities and frequencies. The results show that particle displacements spanning a range of 1-60 microns can be measured for incident sound pressure levels of 100-130 dB and for frequencies spanning 500-1000 Hz. The ability to resolve 1 micron particle displacements at sound pressure levels in the 100 dB range allows the use of DPIV systems for measurement of sound fields at much lower sound pressure levels than had been previously possible. Representative impedance tube data as well as an uncertainty analysis for the measurements are presented.

  16. Natural 13C abundance: a tool to trace the incorporation of dung-derived carbon into soil particle-size fractions.

    PubMed

    Amelung, W; Bol, R; Friedrich, C

    1999-01-01

    During the decay of 13C enriched dung patches, the; delta 13C signal of surface soil (1-5 cm) increased with a temporary maximum after 42 d. To understand the underlying processes, we investigated the incorporation of dung-derived C into soil particle-size fractions. Dung, collected from beef steers fed on maize (delta 13C = -15.36/1000) or ryegrass (delta 13C = -25.67/1000), was applied in circular patches to a C3 pasture at North Wyke, UK. Triplicates were sampled from surface soil (1-5 cm) at 14, 28, 42, and 70 d after application, pooled, separated into fine (< 0.2 micron) and coarse clay (0.2-2 microns), silt plus fine sand (2-250 microns), and coarse sand (250-2000 microns), and analyzed for total C, N, and delta 13C. As particle-size diameter decreased, the C/N ratios decreased and delta 13C values increased at all plots due to increasing microbial alteration of soil organic matter. After dung application, ca. 60% of dung-derived C in soil was recovered in the 0.2-250 microns fractions during the whole experiment. The proportion of dung-derived C in the fine clay peaked 42 d after dung application, coinciding with the delta 13C maximum in the bulk soil and the maximum leaching rate measured in lysimeters at this time in another study at the same sites. The percentage of dung-derived C as particulate C in the coarse sand fraction increased until the end of the experiment. We conclude that incorporation of C into soil from decomposing dung patches involved both temporary sorption of leached dung C to < 0.2 micron fractions and continuous accumulation of particulate C (> 250 microns).

  17. Intestinal absorption of PLAGA microspheres in the rat.

    PubMed Central

    Damgé, C; Aprahamian, M; Marchais, H; Benoit, J P; Pinget, M

    1996-01-01

    Rhodamine B-labelled poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA) microspheres of 2 different sizes, 1-5 microns and 5-10 microns, were administered as a single dose (1.44 x 10(9) and 1.83 x 10(8) particles, respectively) into the ileal lumen of adult rats. The content of rhodamine in the mesenteric vein and ileal lumen was analysed periodically from 10 min to 48 h as well as the distribution of microspheres in the intestinal mucosa and various other tissues. The concentration of rhodamine decreased progressively in the intestinal lumen and was negligible after 24 h. The number of microspheres in the mesenteric vein increased rapidly and reached a maximum after 4 h whatever the size of the particles. It then decreased progressively, but more rapidly with microspheres > 5 microns than with microspheres < 5 microns. The absorption efficiency was low for the former batch (about 0.11% of the administered dose) and higher for the latter (about 12.7%). The intraileal administration of free rhodamine B was followed by intense labelling of the epithelial cells and basement membranes in mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, kidney and liver. PLAGA microspheres mainly crossed the intestinal mucosa at the site of Peyer's patches where microspheres of < 5 microns appeared after 3 h. Microspheres > 5 microns were retained in the ileal lumen. A few small microspheres were occasionally observed in the epithelial cells. Only the smallest particles were recovered in the liver, lymph nodes and spleen while basement membranes were always labelled. It is concluded that PLAGA microspheres could be useful for the oral delivery of antigens if their size is between 1 and 5 microns. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 PMID:8982822

  18. Intestinal absorption of PLAGA microspheres in the rat.

    PubMed

    Damgé, C; Aprahamian, M; Marchais, H; Benoit, J P; Pinget, M

    1996-12-01

    Rhodamine B-labelled poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA) microspheres of 2 different sizes, 1-5 microns and 5-10 microns, were administered as a single dose (1.44 x 10(9) and 1.83 x 10(8) particles, respectively) into the ileal lumen of adult rats. The content of rhodamine in the mesenteric vein and ileal lumen was analysed periodically from 10 min to 48 h as well as the distribution of microspheres in the intestinal mucosa and various other tissues. The concentration of rhodamine decreased progressively in the intestinal lumen and was negligible after 24 h. The number of microspheres in the mesenteric vein increased rapidly and reached a maximum after 4 h whatever the size of the particles. It then decreased progressively, but more rapidly with microspheres > 5 microns than with microspheres < 5 microns. The absorption efficiency was low for the former batch (about 0.11% of the administered dose) and higher for the latter (about 12.7%). The intraileal administration of free rhodamine B was followed by intense labelling of the epithelial cells and basement membranes in mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, kidney and liver. PLAGA microspheres mainly crossed the intestinal mucosa at the site of Peyer's patches where microspheres of < 5 microns appeared after 3 h. Microspheres > 5 microns were retained in the ileal lumen. A few small microspheres were occasionally observed in the epithelial cells. Only the smallest particles were recovered in the liver, lymph nodes and spleen while basement membranes were always labelled. It is concluded that PLAGA microspheres could be useful for the oral delivery of antigens if their size is between 1 and 5 microns.

  19. The effects of particle size on the optical properties and surface roughness of a glass-balloon-filled black paint

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Heslin, T.; Heaney, J.; Harper, M.

    1974-01-01

    The effects of particle size on the optical properties and surface roughness of a glass-balloon-filled, carbon-pigmented paint were studied in order to develop a diffuse-reflecting, low-total-reflectance, low-outgassing black paint. Particle sizes ranged between 20 microns and 74 microns. Surface roughness was found to increase with increasing particle size. Relative total reflectance at near-normal incidence (MgO standard) of the filled paints was less than for the unfilled paint between 230 nm and 1800 nm. Total absolute reflectance at 546 nm decreased with increasing particle size at grazing angles of incidence. Near-normal, total emittance was greater for the filled paints than for the unfilled paint. Specularity decreased with increasing particle size over the range studied.

  20. A Lagrangian parcel based mixing plane method for calculating water based mixed phase particle flows in turbo-machinery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bidwell, Colin S.

    2015-05-01

    A method for calculating particle transport through turbo-machinery using the mixing plane analogy was developed and used to analyze the energy efficient engine . This method allows the prediction of temperature and phase change of water based particles along their path and the impingement efficiency and particle impact property data on various components in the engine. This methodology was incorporated into the LEWICE3D V3.5 software. The method was used to predict particle transport in the low pressure compressor of the . The was developed by NASA and GE in the early 1980s as a technology demonstrator and is representative of a modern high bypass turbofan engine. The flow field was calculated using the NASA Glenn ADPAC turbo-machinery flow solver. Computations were performed for a Mach 0.8 cruise condition at 11,887 m assuming a standard warm day for ice particle sizes of 5, 20 and 100 microns and a free stream particle concentration of . The impingement efficiency results showed that as particle size increased average impingement efficiencies and scoop factors increased for the various components. The particle analysis also showed that the amount of mass entering the inner core decreased with increased particle size because the larger particles were less able to negotiate the turn into the inner core due to particle inertia. The particle phase change analysis results showed that the larger particles warmed less as they were transported through the low pressure compressor. Only the smallest 5 micron particles were warmed enough to produce melting with a maximum average melting fraction of 0.18. The results also showed an appreciable amount of particle sublimation and evaporation for the 5 micron particles entering the engine core (22.6 %).

  1. Protostellar jets in the NIR: interaction with the ISM and correlation with the exciting source evolutionary phase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Caratti o Garatti, Alessio

    2006-03-01

    I present an in-depth near-IR (NIR) analysis of a sample of H2 jets from young embedded sources to compare the physical, kinematical properties and cooling mechanisms of the different flows. The sample comprises 23 outflows driven by Class 0 and I sources having low-intermediate solar luminosity (1-600 L(sun)). For such an analysis, I have utilized narrow band images centered on the H2 (2.12 micron) and [FeII] (1.64 micron) spectral lines, low resolution spectra (R~600) in the range 1-2.5 micron and high resolution spectra (R~10000) centered on H2 (2.12 micron) and [FeII] (1.64 micron) lines. At NIR wavelengths these two tracers (H2,[FeII]) are the main coolants of the gas, that is excited by strong radiative shocks. Narrow band images have been used to detect such shocked regions in both ionic and molecular components. [FeII] have been observed in ~74% of the outflows which in some cases indicate the presence of embedded Herbig Haro (HH) like objects. H2 line ratios have been used to estimate the visual extinction and the average temperature of the molecular gas. A(V) values range from ~2 to ~15 mag, while average temperatures range between ~2000 and ~4000 K. In several knots, however, a stratification of temperatures is found with maximum values up to 5000 K. Such a stratification is more commonly observed in those knots which also show [FeII] emission, while a thermalized gas at a single temperature is generally found in knots emitting only in molecular lines. Combining narrow band imaging with the parameters derived from the spectroscopic analysis, it was possible to measure the total luminosity of the H2 and [FeII] shocked regions (L(H2) and L([FeII])) in each flow. H2 is the major NIR coolant with an average L(H2)/L([FeII]) ratio of ~10^2. About 83% of the sources have a L(H2)/L(bol) ratio ~0.04, irrespective of the Class of the driving source, while a smaller group of sources (mostly Class I) have L(H2)/L(bol) an order of magnitude smaller. Such a separation reveals the non-homogeneous behaviour of Cl ass I, where sources with very different outflow activity can be found. These less luminous jets are originated by older sources, where L(bol) is not dominated anymore by the accretion luminosity. This is confirmed by a further analysis conducted on jets from six intermediate and high mass sources, four of them not included in the original sample. They have a faster evolution with respect to the low mass ones and thus only a fraction of their L(bol) is due to the accretion luminosity. For these objects I find a defined separation between the two Classes in the L(H2)-L(bol) plot. Viceversa, there is a straight correlation between L(H2) and L(acc) for all these sources. Finally, I compare the derived jet physical parameters to theoretical shock models. The observed H2 emission in the HH objects can be mostly reproduced by models of J-type shocks with magnetic precursors.

  2. Radiative Properties of Cirrus Clouds in the Infrared (8-13 microns) Spectral Region

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yang, Ping; Gao, Bo-Cai; Baum, Bryan A.; Hu, Yong X.; Wiscombe, Warren J.; Tsay, Si-Chee; Winker, Dave M.; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

    2000-01-01

    Atmospheric radiation in the infrared (IR) 8-13 microns spectral region contains a wealth of information that is very useful for the retrieval of ice cloud properties from aircraft or space-borne measurements. To provide the scattering and absorption properties of nonspherical ice crystals that are fundamental to the IR retrieval implementation, we use the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method to solve for the extinction efficiency, single-scattering albedo, and the asymmetry parameter of the phase function for ice crystals smaller than 40 microns. For particles larger than this size, the improved geometric optics method (IGOM) can be employed to calculate the asymmetry parameter with an acceptable accuracy, provided that we properly account for the inhomogeneity of the refracted wave due to strong absorption inside the ice particle. A combination of the results computed from the two methods provides the asymmetry parameter for the entire practical range of particle sizes between 1 micron and 10000 microns over wavelengths ranging from 8 microns to 13 microns. For the extinction and absorption efficiency calculations, several methods including the IGOM, Mie solution for equivalent spheres (MSFES), and the anomalous diffraction theory (ADT) can lead to a substantial discontinuity in comparison with the FDTD solutions for particle sizes on the order of 40 microns. To overcome this difficulty, we have developed a novel approach called the stretched scattering potential method (SSPM). For the IR 8-13 microns spectral region, we show that SSPM is a more accurate approximation than ADT, MSFES, and IGOM. The SSPM solution can be further refined numerically. Through a combination of the FDTD and SSPM, we have computed the extinction and absorption efficiency for hexagonal ice crystals with sizes ranging from 1 to 10000 microns at 12 wavelengths between 8 and 13 microns Calculations of the cirrus bulk scattering and absorption properties are performed for 30 size distributions obtained from various field campaigns for midlatitude and tropical cirrus cloud systems. Parameterization of these bulk scattering properties is carried out by using second-order polynomial functions for the extinction efficiency and the single-scattering albedo and the power law expression for the asymmetry parameter. We note that the volume-normalized extinction coefficient can be separated into two parts: one is inversely proportional to effective size and is independent of wavelength, and the other is the wavelength-dependent effective extinction efficiency. Unlike conventional parameterization efforts, the present parameterization scheme is more accurate because only the latter part of the volume-normalized extinction coefficient is approximated in terms of an analytical expression. After averaging over size distribution, the single-scattering albedo is shown to decrease with an increase in effective size for wavelengths shorter than 10.0 microns whereas the opposite behavior is observed for longer wavelengths. The variation of the asymmetry parameter as a function of effective size is substantial when the effective size is smaller than 50 microns. For effective sizes larger than 100 microns, the asymmetry parameter approaches its asymptotic value. The results derived in this study can be useful to remote sensing applications involving IR window bands under cirrus cloud conditions.

  3. Ice Particle Transport Analysis With Phase Change for the E(sup 3) Turbofan Engine Using LEWICE3D Version 3.2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bidwell, Colin, S.

    2012-01-01

    Ice Particle trajectory calculations with phase change were made for the Energy Efficient Engine (E(sup 3)) using the LEWICE3D Version 3.2 software. The particle trajectory computations were performed using the new Glenn Ice Particle Phase Change Model which has been incorporated into the LEWICE3D Version 3.2 software. The E(sup 3) was developed by NASA and GE in the early 1980 s as a technology demonstrator and is representative of a modern high bypass turbofan engine. The E(sup 3) flow field was calculated using the NASA Glenn ADPAC turbomachinery flow solver. Computations were performed for the low pressure compressor of the E(sup 3) for a Mach 0.8 cruise condition at 11,887 m assuming a standard warm day for ice particle sizes of 5, 20, and 100 microns and a free stream particle concentration of 0.3 g/cu m. The impingement efficiency results showed that as particle size increased average impingement efficiencies and scoop factors increased for the various components. The particle analysis also showed that the amount of mass entering the inner core decreased with increased particle size because the larger particles were less able to negotiate the turn into the inner core due to particle inertia. The particle phase change analysis results showed that the larger particles warmed less as they were transported through the low pressure compressor. Only the smallest 5 micron particles were warmed enough to produce melting and the amount of melting was relatively small with a maximum average melting fraction of 0.836. The results also showed an appreciable amount of particle sublimation and evaporation for the 5 micron particles entering the engine core (22 percent).

  4. Laboratory Studies of the Optical Properties and Condensation Processes of Cosmic Dust Particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Abbas, Mian M.; Craven, Paul D.; Spann, James F.; Tankosic, Dragana; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    A laboratory facility for levitating single isolated dust particles in an electrodynamics balance has been developing at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center for conducting a variety of experimental, of astrophysical interest. The objective of this research is to employ this innovative experimental technique for studies of the physical and optical properties of the analogs of cosmic grains of 0.2-10 micron size in a chamber with controlled pressure/temperatures simulating astrophysical environments. In particular, we will carry out three classes of experiments to investigate the microphysics of the analogs of interstellar and interplanetary dust grains. (1) Charge characteristics of micron size single dust grains to determine the photoelectric efficiencies, yields, and equilibrium potentials when exposed to UV radiation. These measurements will provide the much-needed photoelectric emission data relating to individual particles as opposed to that for the bulk materials available so far. (2) Infrared optical properties of dust particles obtained by irradiating the particles with radiation from tunable infrared diode lasers and measuring the scattered radiation. Specifically, the complex refractive indices, the extinction coefficients, the scattering phase functions, and the polarization properties of single dust grains of interest in interstellar environments, in the 1-25 micron spectral region will be determined. (3) Condensation experiments to investigate the deposition of volatile gases on colder nucleated particles in dense interstellar clouds and lower planetary atmospheres. The increase in the mass or m/q ratio due to condensation on the particle will be monitored as a function of the dust particle temperature and the partial pressure of the injected volatile gas. The measured data wild permit determination of the sticking efficiencies of volatile gases of astrophysical interest. Preliminary results based on photoelectric emission experiments on 0.2-6.6 micron size silica particles exposed to UV radiation in the 120-200 nm spectral region will be presented.

  5. Interaction of micron and nano-sized particles with cells of the dura mater.

    PubMed

    Papageorgiou, Iraklis; Marsh, Rainy; Tipper, Joanne L; Hall, Richard M; Fisher, John; Ingham, Eileen

    2014-10-01

    Intervertebral total disc replacements (TDR) are used in the treatment of degenerative spinal disc disease. There are, however, concerns that they may be subject to long-term failure due to wear. The adverse effects of TDR wear have the potential to manifest in the dura mater and surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological structure of the dura mater, isolate the resident dural epithelial and stromal cells and analyse the capacity of these cells to internalise model polymer particles. The porcine dura mater was a collagen-rich structure encompassing regularly arranged fibroblastic cells within an outermost epithelial cell layer. The isolated dural epithelial cells had endothelial cell characteristics (positive for von Willebrand factor, CD31, E-cadherin and desmoplakin) and barrier functionality whereas the fibroblastic cells were positive for collagen I and III, tenascin and actin. The capacity of the dural cells to take up model particles was dependent on particle size. Nanometer sized particles readily penetrated both types of cells. However, dural fibroblasts engulfed micron-sized particles at a much higher rate than dural epithelial cells. The study suggested that dural epithelial cells may offer some barrier to the penetration of micron-sized particles but not nanometer sized particles. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Structure of a black chrome solar selective surface

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lampert, C.M.

    1978-07-01

    The structure of ''CHROM-ONYX'' type of black chrome/metal selective absorber was studied to gain a better understanding of its influence upon the mechanism of wavelength selectivity. Spectral reflectance measurements were performed on seven samples. The best selectivity was found by these measurements to be 0.7 micron of black chrome on nickel and 1.0 micron of black chrome on copper. Both scanning and transmission electron microscopy were employed to study microstructure and chemical composition. As a result of the combined studies, some effects of black chrome thickness and the metallic substrate were determined. It was found that black chrome consisted ofmore » a very fine metallic distribution of particles of chromium, possibly suspended within a matrix of an oxide of chromium. This combination was, in turn, agglomerated into larger particles within the 0.05 to 0.3 micron size range. These larger particles formed a network which constituted the surface coating.« less

  7. Standoff detection of explosives: a challenging approach for optical technologies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Désilets, S.; Hô, N.; Mathieu, P.; Simard, J. R.; Puckrin, E.; Thériault, J. M.; Lavoie, H.; Théberge, F.; Babin, F.; Gay, D.; Forest, R.; Maheux, J.; Roy, G.; Châteauneuf, M.

    2011-06-01

    Standoff detection of explosives residues on surfaces at few meters was made using optical technologies based on Raman scattering, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and passive standoff FTIR radiometry. By comparison, detection and analysis of nanogram samples of different explosives was made with a microscope system where Raman scattering from a micron-size single point illuminated crystal of explosive was observed. Results from standoff detection experiments using a telescope were compared to experiments using a microscope to find out important parameters leading to the detection. While detection and spectral identification of the micron-size explosive particles was possible with a microscope, standoff detection of these particles was very challenging due to undesired light reflected and produced by the background surface or light coming from other contaminants. Results illustrated the challenging approach of detecting at a standoff distance the presence of low amount of micron or submicron explosive particles.

  8. Observational evidence of crystalline iron oxides on Mars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bell, James F., III; Mccord, Thomas B.; Owensby, Pamela D.

    1990-01-01

    A series of new spectral observations of Mars was obtained at Mauna Kea Observatory in the 0.4-1.0-micron wavelength range during the extremely favorable 1988 opposition, which yielded new spectral reflectance and relative reflectance data for a number of distinct spots on the Martian surface at 500-600 km spatial resolution. The new spectra revealed absorptions at 0.62-0.72 micron and at 0.81-0.94 micron, both seen clearly for the first time. These absorption features are interpreted as Fe(3+) electronic transition bands that indicate the presence of crystalline ferric oxide or hydroxide minerals on the Martian surface.

  9. A New Model of Size-graded Soil Veneer on the Lunar Surface

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Basu, Abhijit; McKay, David S.

    2005-01-01

    Introduction. We propose a new model of distribution of submillimeter sized lunar soil grains on the lunar surface. We propose that in the uppermost millimeter or two of the lunar surface, soil-grains are size graded with the finest nanoscale dust on top and larger micron-scale particles below. This standard state is perturbed by ejecta deposition of larger grains at the lunar surface, which have a coating of dusty layer that may not have substrates of intermediate sizes. Distribution of solar wind elements (SWE), agglutinates, vapor deposited nanophase Fe0 in size fractions of lunar soils and ir spectra of size fractions of lunar soils are compatible with this model. A direct test of this model requires bringing back glue-impregnated tubes of lunar soil samples to be dissected and examined on Earth.

  10. Particle flow within a transonic compressor rotor passage with application to laser-Doppler velocimetry

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maxwell, B. R.

    1975-01-01

    A theoretical analysis was conducted of the dynamic behavior of micron size particles moving in the three-dimensional flow field of a rotating transonic axial-flow air compressor rotor. The particle velocity lag and angular deviation relative to the gas were determined as functions of particle diameter, mass density and radial position. Particle size and density were varied over ranges selected to correspond to typical laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) flow field mapping applications. It was found that the particles move essentially on gas stream surfaces and that particle tracking is relatively insensitive to the rotor radial coordinate. Velocity lag and angular deviation increased whenever particle size or mass density increased, and particle tracking was more sensitive to a change in particle diameter than to a corresponding change in mass density. Results indicated that velocity and angular deviations generally less than 1 percent and 1 degree could be achieved with 1 gm/cc tracer particles with diameters of 1 micron or less.

  11. MapX An In Situ, Full-frame X-Ray Spectroscopic Imager for Planetary Science and Astrobiology

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Blake, David; Sarrazin, Philippe; Thompson, Kathleen; Bristow, Thomas

    2017-01-01

    Microbial life exploits micron-scale disequilibria at boundaries where valence, chemical potential, pH, Eh, etc. vary on a length scale commensurate with the organisms - 10's to 100's of microns. The detection of accumulations of the biogenic elements C,N,O,P,S at appropriate concentrations on or in a mineral/ice substrate would constitute permissive evidence of extant life, but context is also required. Does the putative biosignature exist under habitable conditions? Under what conditions of P, T, and chemical potential was the host mineralogy formed? MapX is an in situ robotic spacecraft instrument that images the biogenic elements C, N, O, P, S, as well as the cations of the rock-forming minerals (Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe) and important anions such as Cl, Fl. MapX provides element maps with less than or equal to100 microns resolution over a 2.5 cm X 2.5 cm area, as well as quantitative XRF spectra from ground- or instrument-selected Regions of Interest (ROI). XRF spectra are converted to mineralogies using ground- or instrument-based algorithms. Either X-ray tube or radioisotope sources such as 244Cm (Alpha-particle and gamma- ray fluorescence) can be used. Fluoresced sample Xrays are imaged onto an X-ray sensitive CCD through an X-ray MicroPore Optic (MPO). The MapX design as well as baseline performance requirements for a MapX instrument intended for life detection / identification of habitable environments will be presented.

  12. TiC Reinforcement Composite Coating Produced Using Graphite of the Cast Iron by Laser Cladding

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Yanhui; Qu, Weicheng; Su, Yu

    2016-01-01

    In this study, a TiC-reinforced composite coating was produced to improve the wear resistance of a pearlite matrix grey iron using a pre-placed Ti powder by laser cladding. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the coating was composed of TiC particles and two kinds of α-Fe phase. The fine TiC particles were only a few microns in size and uniformly distributed on the matrix phase in the composite coating. The microstructure characteristic of the composite coating resulted in the microhardness rising to about 1000 HV0.3 (China GB/T 4342-1991) and the wear resistance significantly increased relative to the substrate. In addition, the fine and homogeneous solidification microstructure without graphite phase in the transition zone led to a good metallurgical bonding and transition between the coating and the substrate. It was of great significance for the cast iron to modify the surface and repair surface defects or surface damage. PMID:28773934

  13. TiC Reinforcement Composite Coating Produced Using Graphite of the Cast Iron by Laser Cladding.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yanhui; Qu, Weicheng; Su, Yu

    2016-09-30

    In this study, a TiC-reinforced composite coating was produced to improve the wear resistance of a pearlite matrix grey iron using a pre-placed Ti powder by laser cladding. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the coating was composed of TiC particles and two kinds of α -Fe phase. The fine TiC particles were only a few microns in size and uniformly distributed on the matrix phase in the composite coating. The microstructure characteristic of the composite coating resulted in the microhardness rising to about 1000 HV0.3 (China GB/T 4342-1991) and the wear resistance significantly increased relative to the substrate. In addition, the fine and homogeneous solidification microstructure without graphite phase in the transition zone led to a good metallurgical bonding and transition between the coating and the substrate. It was of great significance for the cast iron to modify the surface and repair surface defects or surface damage.

  14. Biocompatibility of designed MicNo-ZnO particles: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phototoxicity in human skin keratinocyte cells.

    PubMed

    Genç, Hatice; Barutca, Banu; Koparal, A Tansu; Özöğüt, Uğurcan; Şahin, Yücel; Suvacı, Ender

    2018-03-01

    Recently, designed platelet shaped micron particles that are composed of nano primary particles, called MicNo (=Micron+naNo) particles, have been developed to exploit the benefits of nano size, while removing the adverse effects of nanoparticles. It has been shown that MicNo-ZnO particles exhibit both micron and nanosized particle characteristics. Although physical and chemical properties of MicNo-ZnO particles have been studied, their biocompatibility has not yet been evaluated. Accordingly, the research objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phototoxicity behaviors of designed MicNo-ZnO particles over human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. MicNo-ZnO particles exhibit much less cytotoxicity with IC 50 concentrations between 40 and 50μg/ml, genotoxicity above 40μg/ml and lower photo genotoxicity under UVA on HaCaT than the ZnO nanoparticles. Although their chemistries are the same, the source of this difference in toxicity values may be attributed to size differences between the particles that are probably due to their ability to penetrate into the cells. In the present study, the expansive and detailed in vitro toxicity tests show that the biocompatibility of MicNo-ZnO particles is much better than that of the ZnO nanoparticles. Consequently, MicNo-ZnO particles can be considered an important active ingredient alternative for sunscreen applications due to their safer characteristics with respect to ZnO nanoparticles. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Polishing compound for plastic surfaces

    DOEpatents

    Stowell, Michael S.

    1995-01-01

    A polishing compound for plastic surfaces. The compound contains by weight approximately 4 to 17 parts at least one petroleum distillate lubricant, 1 to 6 parts mineral spirits, 2.5 to 15 parts abrasive particles, and 2.5 to 10 parts water. The abrasive is tripoli or a similar material that contains fine particles silica. Preferably, most of the abrasive particles are less than approximately 10 microns, more preferably less than approximately 5 microns in size. The compound is used on PLEXIGLAS.TM., LEXAN.TM., LUCITE.TM., polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar plastic materials whenever a smooth, clear polished surface is desired.

  16. Polishing compound for plastic surfaces

    DOEpatents

    Stowell, M.S.

    1995-08-22

    A polishing compound for plastic surfaces is disclosed. The compound contains by weight approximately 4 to 17 parts at least one petroleum distillate lubricant, 1 to 6 parts mineral spirits, 2.5 to 15 parts abrasive particles, and 2.5 to 10 parts water. The abrasive is tripoli or a similar material that contains fine particles silica. Preferably, most of the abrasive particles are less than approximately 10 microns, more preferably less than approximately 5 microns in size. The compound is used on PLEXIGLAS{trademark}, LEXAN{trademark}, LUCITE{trademark}, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar plastic materials whenever a smooth, clear polished surface is desired. 5 figs.

  17. Pinatubo Aerosol Global-to-Micro-Scale Evolution: A Unified Picture From Space, Air, and Ground Measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Russell, Philip B.; Livingston, J. M.; Pueschel, R. F.; Pollack, J. B.; Brooks, S.; Hamill, P.; Hughes, J.; Thomason, L.; Stowe, L.; Deshler, T.; hide

    1995-01-01

    We combine a variety of measurements to develop a composite picture of the post-Pinatubo aerosol and assess the consistency and uncertainties of the measurement and retrieval techniques Satellite infrared spectroscopy, particle morphology, and evaporation temperature measurements are in accord with theoretical calculations In showing a dominant particle composition of H2SO4-H2O mature with H2SO4 weight traction of 65-80% for most stratospheric temperatures and humidities. Important exceptions are: (1) the presence of volcanic ash at all attitudes initially and in a layer just above the tropopause until at least March 1992, and (2) much smaller H2SO4 weight fractions at the low temperatures attained In high latitude winters and at the tropical tropopause. Laboratory spectroscopy and theoretical calculations yield wavelength- and temperature-dependent refractive indices for the dominant H2SO4-H2O droplets. These in turn permit derivation of particle size spectra from measured optical depth spectra for comparison to direct measurements by impactors and optical counters, All three techniques paint a generally consistent picture of the evolution of R(sub eff) the effective, or area-weighted, particle radius. In the first month after the eruption, although particle numbers increased by orders of magnitude, R(sub eff) was similar to the pre-eruption value of 0.1 to 0.2 microns because both small (r less than 0.2 microns) and large (r greater than 0.6 microns) particles increased in number. Over the next 3-6 months, R(sub eff) increased to about 0.5 microns, reflecting particle growth through condensation and coagulation. In general, R(sub eff) continued to increase for about a year after the eruption. Extinction spectra computed from in situ size distribution measurements are consistent with optical depth measurements, which show spectra with maxima initially at wavelengths of 0.42 microns or less, and thereafter progressively increasing to between 0.78 and 1 micron. Not until 1993 does optical depth spectra begin to show a clear return to the preeruption signature of maximizing at the shortest visible wavelengths or in the near UV. This coupled evolution in particle size distribution and optical depth spectra helps explain the relationship between the global maps of 0.5- and 1.0-kilometer optical depth derived from the AVHRR and SAGE satellite measurements. It also sets a context for evaluating remaining uncertainties in each of these satellite data products. We also show how the effects of wavelength-dependent refractive index on backscatter spectra can influence particle sizes retrieved from multiwavelength lidar measurements.

  18. Assessing mechanical deconstruction of softwood cell wall for cellulosic biofuels production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Jinxue

    Mechanical deconstruction offers a promising strategy to overcome biomass recalcitrance for facilitating enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated substrates with zero chemicals input and presence of inhibitors. The goal of this dissertation research is to gain a more fundamental understanding on the impact of mechanical pretreatment on generating digestible micronized-wood and how the physicochemical characteristics influence the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of micronized wood. The initial moisture content of feedstock was found to be the key factor affecting the development of physical features and enzymatic hydrolysis of micronized wood. Lower moisture content resulted in much rounder particles with lower crystallinity, while higher moisture content resulted in the milled particles with larger aspect ratio and crystallinity. The enzymatic hydrolysis of micronized wood was improved as collectively increasing surface area (i.e., reducing particle size and aspect ratio) and decreasing crystallinity during mechanical milling pretreatment. Energy efficiency analysis demonstrated that low-moisture content feedstock with multi-step milling process would contribute to cost-effectiveness of mechanical pretreatment for achieving more than 70% of total sugars conversion. In the early stage of mechanical pretreatment, the types of cell fractures were distinguished by the initial moisture contents of wood, leading to interwall fracture at the middle lamella region for low moisture content samples and intrawall fracture at the inner cell wall for high moisture content samples. The changes in cell wall fractures also resulted in difference in the distribution of surface chemical composition and energy required for milling process. In an effort to exploit the underlying mechanism associated with the reduced recalcitrance in micronized wood, we reported the increased enzymatic sugar yield and correspondingly structural and accessible properties of micronized feedstock. Electronic microscopy analysis detailed the structural alternation of cell wall during mechanical process, including cell fracture and delamination, ultrastructure disintegration, and cell wall fragments amorphization, as coincident with the particle size reduction. It was confirmed with Simons' staining that longer milling time resulted in increased substrate accessibility and porosity. The changes in cellulose molecular structure with respect to degree of polymerization (DP) and crystallinity index (CrI) also benefited to decreasing recalcitrance and facilitating enzymatic hydrolysis of micronized wood.

  19. The relation between pre-eruptive bubble size distribution, ash particle morphology, and their internal density: Implications to volcanic ash transport and dispersion models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Proussevitch, Alexander

    2014-05-01

    Parameterization of volcanic ash transport and dispersion (VATD) models strongly depends on particle morphology and their internal properties. Shape of ash particles affects terminal fall velocities (TFV) and, mostly, dispersion. Internal density combined with particle size has a very strong impact on TFV and ultimately on the rate of ash cloud thinning and particle sedimentation on the ground. Unlike other parameters, internal particle density cannot be measured directly because of the micron scale sizes of fine ash particles, but we demonstrate that it varies greatly depending on the particle size. Small simple type ash particles (fragments of bubble walls, 5-20 micron size) do not contain whole large magmatic bubbles inside and their internal density is almost the same as that of volcanic glass matrix. On the other side, the larger compound type ash particles (>40 microns for silicic fine ashes) always contain some bubbles or the whole spectra of bubble size distribution (BSD), i.e. bubbles of all sizes, bringing their internal density down as compared to simple ash. So, density of the larger ash particles is a function of the void fraction inside them (magmatic bubbles) which, in turn, is controlled by BSD. Volcanic ash is a product of the fragmentation of magmatic foam formed by pre-eruptive bubble population and characterized by BSD. The latter can now be measured from bubble imprints on ash particle surfaces using stereo-scanning electron microscopy (SSEM) and BubbleMaker software developed at UNH, or using traditional high-resolution X-Ray tomography. In this work we present the mathematical and statistical formulation for this problem connecting internal ash density with particle size and BSD, and demonstrate how the TFV of the ash population is affected by variation of particle density.

  20. Detection of nanoparticles in carbon arc discharge with laser-induced incandescence

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yatom, S.; Bak, J.; Khrabryi, A.

    Laser-induced incandescence measurements were conducted in the carbon arc discharge, used for synthesis of carbon nanostructures. The results reveal two spatial regions occupied by dominant populations of carbon particles with different sizes. Close to the axis of the arc, large micron size particles dominate the incandescence signal. In the arc periphery, the dominant population of nanoparticles has diameter of 20 nm. Using a heat transfer model between the gas, arc plasma and the particles, it is shown that such a drastic difference in the particle sizes can be explained by evaporation of the micron-scale particles which move across the arcmore » plasma towards the arc periphery. It is also hypothesized that mass evaporated from the micro particles contributes to the carbon feedstock for the formation of nanostructures. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.« less

  1. Intracavity optical trapping with Ytterbium doped fiber ring laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sayed, Rania; Kalantarifard, Fatemeh; Elahi, Parviz; Ilday, F. Omer; Volpe, Giovanni; Maragò, Onofrio M.

    2013-09-01

    We propose a novel approach for trapping micron-sized particles and living cells based on optical feedback. This approach can be implemented at low numerical aperture (NA=0.5, 20X) and long working distance. In this configuration, an optical tweezers is constructed inside a ring cavity fiber laser and the optical feedback in the ring cavity is controlled by the light scattered from a trapped particle. In particular, once the particle is trapped, the laser operation, optical feedback and intracavity power are affected by the particle motion. We demonstrate that using this configuration is possible to stably hold micron-sized particles and single living cells in the focal spot of the laser beam. The calibration of the optical forces is achieved by tracking the Brownian motion of a trapped particle or cell and analysing its position distribution.

  2. Detection of nanoparticles in carbon arc discharge with laser-induced incandescence

    DOE PAGES

    Yatom, S.; Bak, J.; Khrabryi, A.; ...

    2017-02-20

    Laser-induced incandescence measurements were conducted in the carbon arc discharge, used for synthesis of carbon nanostructures. The results reveal two spatial regions occupied by dominant populations of carbon particles with different sizes. Close to the axis of the arc, large micron size particles dominate the incandescence signal. In the arc periphery, the dominant population of nanoparticles has diameter of 20 nm. Using a heat transfer model between the gas, arc plasma and the particles, it is shown that such a drastic difference in the particle sizes can be explained by evaporation of the micron-scale particles which move across the arcmore » plasma towards the arc periphery. It is also hypothesized that mass evaporated from the micro particles contributes to the carbon feedstock for the formation of nanostructures. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.« less

  3. Is the 21-micron Feature Observed in Some Post-AGB Stars Caused by the Interaction Between Ti Atoms and Fullerenes?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kimura, Yuki; Nuth, Joseph A. III; Ferguson, Frank T.

    2005-01-01

    Recent measurements of fullerenes and Ti atoms recorded in our laboratory have demonstrated the presence of an infrared feature near 21 pm. The feature observed has nearly the same shape and position as is observed for one of the most enigmatic features in post-asymptotic giant blanch (AGB) stars. In our experimental system large cage carbon particles, such as large fullerenes, were produced from CO gas by the Boudouard reaction. Large-cage carbon particles intermixed with Ti atoms were produced by the evaporation of a Ti metal wrapped carbon electrode in CO gas. The infrared spectra of large fullerenes interacting with Ti atoms show a characteristic feature at 20.3 micron that closely corresponds to the 20.1 micron feature observed in post-AGB stars. Both the lab- oratory and stellar spectra also show a small but significant peak at 19.0 micron, which is attributed to fullerenes. Here, we propose that the interaction between fullerenes and Ti atoms may be a plausible explanation for the 21-micron feature seen in some post-AGB stars.

  4. Invisible and microscopic gold in pyrite: Methods and new data for massive sulfide ores of the Urals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vikentyev, I. V.

    2015-07-01

    Au speciation in sulfides (including "invisible" Au), which mostly controls the loss of Au during ore dressing, is discussed. Modern methods of analysis of Au speciation, with discussion of limitations by locality and sensitivity, are reviewed. The results of sulfide investigation by the methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, mass spectrometric analysis with laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS), the thermochemical method (study of ionic Au speciation), and automated "quantitative mineralogy," are demonstrated for weakly metamorphosed VHMS deposits of the Urals (Galkinsk and Uchaly). Significant content of Au is scattered in sulfides, such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, with quantitative predomination of pyrite. The portion of such "invisible" gold ranges from <10% (Galkinsk deposit) to 85% (Uchaly deposit). Major part of "invisible" gold occurs as micron- to nanoscale particles of Au minerals. The portion of gold structurally bound in pyrite lattice (from the bulk concentration of Au in pyrite) is estimated to be from few % (the Galkinsk deposit) to 20-25% (the Uchaly deposit). The presence of As and Sb in pyrite and sphalerite, as well as other trace elements (Te, Co, Mn, Cu, Hg, and Ag in both as well as Fe in sphalerite) stimulates the incorporation of Au in sulfide, but mostly in defect-associated, not isomorphic form. Micron particles of Ag sulfosalts (pyrargyrite, freibergite, stephanite, polybasite, pyrostilpnite, argentotetrahedrite, pearceite, proustite), Au-Ag alloys (from gold of high fineness to küstelite), Ag and Au-Ag tellurides (hessite, empressite, calaverite), and occasional Au-Ag sulfides (petrovskaite, uytenbogaardtite) were registered in the areas of Au enrichment of both deposits; selenotelluride (kurilite) particles were found on the Galkinsk deposit. Nanoscale (1-50 nm) native gold (spherical and disk-shaped particles, flakes) with a monocrystal diffraction pattern of some particles and a ring diffraction pattern of other particles was registered in the ores of these deposits by the methods of transmission electron microscopy. The low degree (or absence) of metamorphic recrystallization results in (1) predomination of thin intergrowths of sulfides, which is the main reason for the bad concentration of ores (especially for the Galkinsk deposit) and (2) the high portion of "invisible" gold in the massive sulfide ores, which explains the low yield of Au in copper and zinc concentrates, since it is lost in tailings with predominating pyrite.

  5. Performance evaluation of bimodal thermite composites : nano- vs miron-scale particles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Moore, K. M.; Pantoya, M.; Son, S. F.

    2004-01-01

    In recent years many studies of metastable interstitial composites (MIC) have shown vast combustion improvements over traditional thermite materials. The main difference between these two materials is the size of the fuel particles in the mixture. Decreasing the fuel size from the micron to nanometer range significantly increases the combustion wave speed and ignition sensitivity. Little is known, however, about the critical level of nano-sized fuel particles needed to enhance the performance of the traditional thermite. Ignition sensitivity experiments were performed using Al/MoO{sub 3} pellets at a theoretical maximum density of 50% (2 g/cm{sup 3}). The Al fuel particles weremore » prepared as bi-modal size distributions with micron (i.e., 4 and 20 {micro}m diameter) and nano-scale Al particles. The micron-scale Al was replaced in 10% increments by 80 nm Al particles until the fuel was 100% 80 nm Al. These bi-modal distributions allow the unique characteristics of nano-scale materials to be better understood. The pellets were ignited using a 50-W CO{sub 2} laser. High speed imaging diagnostics were used to measure ignition delay times, and micro-thermocouples were used to measure ignition temperatures. Combustion wave speeds were also examined.« less

  6. The effect of particle size on the dehydration/rehydration behaviour of lactose.

    PubMed

    Crisp, J L; Dann, S E; Edgar, M; Blatchford, C G

    2010-05-31

    Ethanolic suspensions of spray dried and micronized alpha lactose monohydrate (L(alpha)xH(2)O) with average particle size between 3 and 200 microm, have been prepared and their dehydration behaviour was investigated by (13)C CP-MASNMR spectroscopy. Sub-micron lactose suspension prepared by a novel high pressure homogenisation method has been compared with the standard ethanolic suspensions of (L(alpha).H(2)O prepared by reflux or static room temperature methods. In all cases, suspensions were shown to contain the stable anhydrous form of lactose ((L(alpha)(S)). Several approaches were employed to remove ethanol from these suspensions and the resulting dry lactose powders were then analysed by FT-IR, PXRD and SEM to evaluate the effect of drying procedure on type and distribution of lactose polymorphs and particle size. For samples with mean particle size greater than 1 microm, the stable anhydrous polymorphic form of lactose was retained on removal of the ethanol, although differences in the morphology and particle size of the crystals were apparent depending on method of suspension formation. Sub-micron (L(alpha)(S), while stable in dry conditions, has been shown to be less stable to atmospheric water vapour than (L(alpha)(S) with particle size between 3 and 200 microm. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Determination of the optical thickness and effective particle radius of clouds from reflected solar radiation measurements. II - Marine stratocumulus observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nakajima, Teruyuki; King, Michael D.; Spinhirne, James D.; Radke, Lawrence F.

    1991-01-01

    A multispectral scanning radiometer has been used to obtain measurements of the reflection function of marine stratocumulus clouds at 0.75 micron and at 1.65 and 2.16 microns. These observations were obtained from the NASA ER-2 aircraft as part of the FIRE, conducted off the coast of southern California during July 1987. Multispectral images of the reflection function were used to derive the optical thickness and the effective particle radius of stratiform cloud layers on four days. In addition to the radiation measurements, in situ microphysical measurements were obtained from an aircraft. In this paper, the remote sensing results are compared with in situ observations, which show a good spatial correlation for both optical thickness and effective radius. These comparisons further show systematic differences between remote sensing and in situ values, with a tendency for remote sensing to overestimate the effective radius by about 2-3 microns, independent of particle radius. The optical thickness, in contrast, is somewhat overestimated for small optical thicknesses and underestimated for large optical thicknesses. An introduction of enhanced gaseous absorption at a wavelength of 2.16 microns successfully explains some of these observed discrepancies.

  8. Bifunctional air electrodes containing elemental iron powder charging additive

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Chia-tsun; Demczyk, Brian G.; Gongaware, Paul R.

    1982-01-01

    A bifunctional air electrode for use in electrochemical energy cells is made, comprising a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer, where the hydrophilic layer essentially comprises a hydrophilic composite which includes: (i) carbon; (ii) elemental iron particles having a particle size of between about 25 microns and about 700 microns diameter; (iii) an oxygen evolution material; (iv) a nonwetting agent; and (v) a catalyst, where at least one current collector is formed into said composite.

  9. Effect of Fe-Mn addition on microstructure and magnetic properties of NdFeB magnetic powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurniawan, C.; Purba, A. S.; Setiadi, E. A.; Simbolon, S.; Warman, A.; Sebayang, P.

    2018-03-01

    In this paper, the effect of Fe-Mn alloy addition on microstructures and magnetic properties of NdFeB magnetic powders was investigated. Varied Fe-Mn compositions of 1, 5, and 10 wt% were mixed with commercial NdFeB type MQA powders for 15 minutes using shaker mill. The characterizations were performed by powder density, PSA, XRD, SEM, and VSM. The Fe-Mn addition increased the powder density of NdFeB/Fe-Mn powders. On the other side, particle size distribution slightly decreased as the Fe-Mn composition increases. Magnetic properties of NdFeB/Fe-Mn powders changed with the increasing of Fe-Mn content. SEM analysis showed the particle size of NdFeB/Fe-Mn powder was smaller as the Fe-Mn composition increases. It showed that NdFeB/Fe-Mn particles have different size and shape for NdFeB and Fe-Mn particles separately. The optimum magnetic properties of NdFeB/Fe-Mn powder was achieved on the 5 wt% Fe-Mn composition with remanence M r = 49.45 emu/g, coercivity H c = 2.201 kOe, and energy product, BH max = 2.15 MGOe.

  10. Acoustic Resonator Optimisation for Airborne Particle Manipulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Devendran, Citsabehsan; Billson, Duncan R.; Hutchins, David A.; Alan, Tuncay; Neild, Adrian

    Advances in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and biomedical research necessitate micro-machined manipulators to capture, handle and position delicate micron-sized particles. To this end, a parallel plate acoustic resonator system has been investigated for the purposes of manipulation and entrapment of micron sized particles in air. Numerical and finite element modelling was performed to optimise the design of the layered acoustic resonator. To obtain an optimised resonator design, careful considerations of the effect of thickness and material properties are required. Furthermore, the effect of acoustic attenuation which is dependent on frequency is also considered within this study, leading to an optimum operational frequency range. Finally, experimental results demonstrated good particle levitation and capture of various particle properties and sizes ranging to as small as 14.8 μm.

  11. Interaction measurement of particles bound to a lipid membrane

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sarfati, Raphael; Dufresne, Eric

    2015-03-01

    The local shape and dynamics of the plasma membrane play important roles in many cellular processes. Local membrane deformations are often mediated by the adsorption of proteins (notably from the BAR family), and their subsequent self-assembly. The emerging hypothesis is that self-assembly arises from long-range interactions of individual proteins through the membrane's deformation field. We study these interactions in a model system of micron-sized colloidal particles adsorbed onto a lipid bilayer. We use fluorescent microscopy, optical tweezers and particle tracking to measure dissipative and conservative forces as a function of the separation between the particles. We find that particles are driven together with forces of order 100 fN and remain bound in a potential well with a stiffness of order 100 fN/micron.

  12. Densities of 5-15 micron interplanetary dust particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Love, S. G.; Joswiak, D. J.; Brownlee, D. E.

    1993-01-01

    We have measured the densities of about 100 5-15 micron stratospheric IDPs. Great care was taken to minimize selection bias in the sample population. Masses were determined using an absolute x-ray analysis technique with a transmission electron microscope, and volumes were found using scanning electron microscope imagery. Unmelted chondritic particles have densities between 0.5 and 6.0 g/cc. Roughly half of the particles have densities below 2 g/cc, indicating appreciable porosity, but porosities greater than about 70 percent are rare. IDPs with densities above 3.5 g/cc usually contain large sulfide grains. We find no evidence of bimodality in the unmelted particle density distribution. Chondritic spherules (melted particles) have densities near 3.5 g/cc, consistent with previous results for deep sea spherules.

  13. Physical properties of organic particulate UV-absorbers used in sunscreens. I. Determination of particle size with fiber-optic quasi-elastic light scattering (FOQELS), disc centrifugation, and laser diffractometry.

    PubMed

    Herzog, Bernd; Katzenstein, Armin; Quass, Katja; Stehlin, Albert; Luther, Helmut

    2004-03-01

    In this study microparticles consisting of a benzotriazole derivative, which are used as absorbers for UV radiation in cosmetic sunscreens, were investigated. The particles were micronized in presence of a dispersing agent by means of a ball milling process. According to the energy input different particle sizes were produced in the range of 0.16 to 4 microm. The particle sizes obtained after different stages of the micronization process were measured using fiber-optic quasi-elastic light scattering (FOQELS), disc centrifugation, and laser diffractometry. All methods showed satisfactory agreement over the whole range of sizes. With the FOQELS technique the particle size distribution could be resolved to sizes well below 0.1 microm.

  14. Numerical Simulations of Martian Fog Formation in the Low Latitudes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Inada, A.

    2002-09-01

    The formation of Martian surface fog is simulated by a one-dimensional model including the micro-physical processes of heterogeneous nucleation, condensation, and sublimation. The model includes diurnal cycle of water vapor in the 1 km surface layer which is spatially resolved. The results show that the column density of water ice in fog strongly depends on the water vapor density near the surface. If the mixing ratio of water vapor is 300 ppm near the surface, the simulations show that a thin fog layer appears with a maximum column density of 0.145 precipitable microns. If the mixing ratio is 600 ppm, the value measured by the Mars Pathfinder, the column density of water ice reaches 0.75 precipitable microns. It is also found that if the boundary layer is strongly turbulent the total amount of ice formed is small, since the ice particles are transported to the unsaturated higher atmospheric layers and sublimate there. Fog particles, which are large enough to precipitate to the lower atmosphere play a significant role in determining the altitude distribution of water vapor. It is noteworthy that the size distribution of all of the aerosols has two peaks once fog appears. This is because nucleation on large dust particles is so much faster than on the small ones, that the small dust particles are hardly coated by ice. The simulations assume an initial dust distribution with effective radius of 1.6 microns. Once fog forms this peak remains and is populated with particles with little water ice. A secondary peak is formed at about 10 microns corresponding to particles which are mostly water ice. This research was carried out under the partial support of JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research Abroad.

  15. Kinetics of successive seeding of monodisperse polystyrene latexes. I - Initiation via potassium persulfate. II - Azo initiators with and without inhibitors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sudol, E. D.; El-Aasser, M. S.; Vanderhoff, J. W.

    1986-01-01

    The polymerization kinetics of monodisperse polystyrene latexes with diameters of 1 micron are studied. The monodisperse latexes were prepared by the successive seeding method using 1 mM K2S2O8 with an 8 percent emulsifier surface coverage and 0.5 mM K2S2O8 with a 4 percent emulsifier surface coverage, and the kinetics were measured in a piston/cylinder dialometer. The data reveal that the polymerization rate decreases with increasing particle size; and the surface charge decreases with increasing particle size. The effects of initiators (AIBN and AMBN) and inhibitors (NH24SCN, NaNO2, and hydroquinone) on the product monodispersity and polymerization kinetics of latexes with diameters greater than 1 micron are investigated in a second experiment. It is observed that hydroquinone combined with AMBN are most effective in reducing nucleation without causing flocculation. It is noted that the kinetic transition from emulsion to bulk is complete for a particle size exceeding 1 micron in which the polymerization rate is independent of the particle size.

  16. Volcanic ash as an oceanic iron source and sink

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rogan, Nicholas; Achterberg, Eric P.; Le Moigne, Frédéric A. C.; Marsay, Chris M.; Tagliabue, Alessandro; Williams, Richard G.

    2016-03-01

    Volcanic ash deposition to the ocean forms a natural source of iron (Fe) to surface water microbial communities. Inputs of lithogenic material may also facilitate Fe removal through scavenging. Combining dissolved Fe (dFe) and thorium-234 observations alongside modeling, we investigate scavenging of Fe in the North Atlantic following the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption. Under typical conditions biogenic particles dominate scavenging, whereas ash particles dominate during the eruption. The size of particles is important as smaller scavenging particles can become saturated with surface-associated ions. Model simulations indicate that ash deposition associated with Eyjafjallajökull likely led to net Fe removal. Our model suggests a threefold greater stimulation of biological activity if ash deposition had occurred later in the growing season when the region was Fe limited. The implications of ash particle scavenging, eruption timing, and particle saturation need to be considered when assessing the impact of ash deposition on the ocean Fe cycle and productivity.

  17. Remediation of hexavalent chromium spiked soil by using synthesized iron sulfide particles.

    PubMed

    Li, Yujie; Wang, Wanyu; Zhou, Liqiang; Liu, Yuanyuan; Mirza, Zakaria A; Lin, Xiang

    2017-02-01

    Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) stabilized microscale iron sulfide (FeS) particles were synthesized and applied to remediate hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) spiked soil. The effects of parameters including dosage of FeS particles, soil moisture, and natural organic matter (NOM) in soil were investigated with comparison to iron sulfate (FeSO 4 ). The results show that the stabilized FeS particles can reduce Cr(VI) and immobilize Cr in soil quickly and efficiently. The soil moisture ranging from 40% to 70% and NOM in soil had no significant effects on Cr(VI) remediation by FeS particles. When molar ratio of FeS to Cr(VI) was 1.5:1, about 98% of Cr(VI) in soil was reduced by FeS particles in 3 d and Cr(VI) concentration decreased from 1407 mg kg -1 to 16 mg kg -1 . The total Cr and Cr(VI) in Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) leachate were reduced by 98.4% and 99.4%, respectively. In FeS particles-treated soil, the exchangeable Cr fraction was mainly converted to Fe-Mn oxides bound fraction because of the precipitation of Cr(III)-Fe(III) hydroxides. The physiologically based extraction test (PBET) bioaccessibility of Cr was decreased from 58.67% to 6.98%. Compared to FeSO 4 , the high Cr(VI) removal and Cr immobilization efficiency makes prepared FeS particles a great potential in field application of Cr(VI) contaminated soil remediation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. In-situ observations of Eyjafjallajökull ash particles by hot-air balloon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petäjä, T.; Laakso, L.; Grönholm, T.; Launiainen, S.; Evele-Peltoniemi, I.; Virkkula, A.; Leskinen, A.; Backman, J.; Manninen, H. E.; Sipilä, M.; Haapanala, S.; Hämeri, K.; Vanhala, E.; Tuomi, T.; Paatero, J.; Aurela, M.; Hakola, H.; Makkonen, U.; Hellén, H.; Hillamo, R.; Vira, J.; Prank, M.; Sofiev, M.; Siitari-Kauppi, M.; Laaksonen, A.; lehtinen, K. E. J.; Kulmala, M.; Viisanen, Y.; Kerminen, V.-M.

    2012-03-01

    The volcanic ash cloud from Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption seriously distracted aviation in Europe. Due to the flight ban, there were only few in-situ measurements of the properties and dispersion of the ash cloud. In this study we show in-situ observations onboard a hot air balloon conducted in Central Finland together with regional dispersion modelling with SILAM-model during the eruption. The modeled and measured mass concentrations were in a qualitative agreement but the exact elevation of the layer was slightly distorted. Some of this discrepancy can be attributed to the uncertainty in the initial emission height and strength. The observed maximum mass concentration varied between 12 and 18 μg m -3 assuming a density of 2 g m -3, whereas the gravimetric analysis of the integrated column showed a maximum of 45 μg m -3 during the first two descents through the ash plume. Ion chromatography data indicated that a large fraction of the mass was insoluble to water, which is in qualitative agreement with single particle X-ray analysis. A majority of the super-micron particles contained Si, Al, Fe, K, Na, Ca, Ti, S, Zn and Cr, which are indicative for basalt-type rock material. The number concentration profiles indicated that there was secondary production of particles possibly from volcano-emitted sulfur dioxide oxidized to sulfuric acid during the transport.

  19. The magnetic structure and palaeomagnetic recording fidelity of sub-micron greigite (Fe3S4)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valdez-Grijalva, Miguel A.; Nagy, Lesleis; Muxworthy, Adrian R.; Williams, Wyn; Fabian, Karl

    2018-02-01

    We present the results of a finite-element micromagnetic model of 30nm to 300nm greigite (Fe3S4) grains with a variety of equant morphologies. This grain size range covers the magnetic single-domain (SD) to pseudo single-domain (PSD) transition, and possibly also the PSD to multi-domain (MD) transition. The SD-PSD threshold d0 is determined to be 50nm ≤d0 ≤ 56nm depending on grain shape. The nudged elastic-band method was used to determine the room temperature energy barriers between stable states and thus the blocking volumes. It is found that, in the absence of interparticle magnetostatic interactions, the magnetisation of equant SD greigite is not stable on a geological scale and only PSD grains ≥ 70nm can be expected to carry a stable magnetisation over billion-year timescales, i.e., all non-interacting SD particles are essentially superparamagnetic. We further identify a mechanism for the PSD to multi-domain (MD) transition, which is of a continuous nature from PSD nucleation up to 300nm, when structures typical of MD behaviour like closure domains begin to form.

  20. On the nature of the Fe-bearing particles influencing hard anodizing behavior of AA 7075 extrusion products

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mukhopadhyay, A. K.

    1998-03-01

    The deleterious effects of Fe-bearing constituent particles on the fracture toughness of wrought A1 alloys have been known. Recent studies have shown that the presence of Fe-bearing, constituent particles is also determental to the nature and growth of the hard anodic oxide coating formed on such materials. The present study, using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), was made to examine the influence of the nature of the Fe-bearing particles on the hard anodizing behavior of AA 7075 extrusion products containing varying amounts of Si, Mn, and Fe impurities. It was found that, in the alloy containing 0.25 wt pct Si, 0.27 wt pct Mn, and 0.25 wt pct Fe, the Fe-bearing constituent particles are based on the Al12(FeMn)3Si phase (bcc with α=1.260 nm). These particles survive the hard anodizing treatment, add resistance to the electrical path, causing a rapid rise in the bath voltage with time, and cause a nonuniform growth of the anodic oxide film. In the materials containing 0.05 wt pct Si, 0.04 wt pct Mn, and 0.18 wt pct Fe, on the other hand, the formation of the Al12(FeMn)3Si-based phase is suppressed, and two different Fe-bearing phases, based on Al-Fe-Cu-Mn-based (simple cubic with a=1.265 nm) and Al7Cu2Fe, respectively form. Neither the Al-Fe-Cu-Mn-based phase nor the Al7Cu2Fe-based phase survive the hard anodizing treatment, and this results in a steady rise in the bath voltage with time and a relatively uniform growth of the anodic oxide film. Consideration of the size of the Fe-bearing, particles reveals that the smaller the particle, the more uniform the growth of the anodic oxide film.

  1. Chemical compositions of subway particles in Seoul, Korea determined by a quantitative single particle analysis.

    PubMed

    Kang, Sunni; Hwang, HeeJin; Park, YooMyung; Kim, HyeKyoung; Ro, Chul-Un

    2008-12-15

    A novel single particle analytical technique, low-Z particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis, was applied to characterize seasonal subway samples collected at a subway station in Seoul, Korea. For all 8 samples collected twice in each season, 4 major types of subway particles, based on their chemical compositions, are significantly encountered: Fe-containing; soil-derived; carbonaceous; and secondary nitrate and/or sulfate particles. Fe-containing particles are generated indoors from wear processes at rail-wheel-brake interfaces while the others may be introduced mostly from the outdoor urban atmosphere. Fe-containing particles are the most frequently encountered with relative abundances in the range of 61-79%. In this study, it is shown that Fe-containing subway particles almost always exist either as partially or fully oxidized forms in underground subway microenvironments. Their relative abundances of Fe-containing particles increase as particle sizes decrease. Relative abundances of Fe-containing particles are higher in morning samples than in afternoon samples because of heavier train traffic in the morning. In the summertime samples, Fe-containing particles are the most abundantly encountered, whereas soil-derived and nitrate/sulfate particles are the least encountered, indicating the air-exchange between indoor and outdoor environments is limited in the summer, owing to the air-conditioning in the subway system. In our work, it was observed that the relative abundances of the particles of outdoor origin vary somewhat among seasonal samples to a lesser degree, reflecting that indoor emission sources predominate.

  2. Sea-urchin-like Fe3O4@C@Ag particles: an efficient SERS substrate for detection of organic pollutants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ye, Yingjie; Chen, Jin; Ding, Qianqian; Lin, Dongyue; Dong, Ronglu; Yang, Liangbao; Liu, Jinhuai

    2013-06-01

    Ag-coated sea-urchin-like Fe3O4@C core-shell particles can be synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method, followed by deposition of high-density Ag nanoparticles onto the carbon surface through an in situ growth process, respectively. The as-synthesized Ag-coated Fe3O4@C particles can be used as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate holding reproducible properties under an external magnetic force. The magnetic function of the particles allows concentrating the composite particles into small spatial regions, which can be exploited to decrease the amount of material per analysis while improving its SERS detection limit. In contrast to the traditional SERS substrates, the present Fe3O4@C@Ag particles hold the advantages of enrichment of organic pollutants for improving SERS detection limit and recycled utilization.Ag-coated sea-urchin-like Fe3O4@C core-shell particles can be synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method, followed by deposition of high-density Ag nanoparticles onto the carbon surface through an in situ growth process, respectively. The as-synthesized Ag-coated Fe3O4@C particles can be used as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate holding reproducible properties under an external magnetic force. The magnetic function of the particles allows concentrating the composite particles into small spatial regions, which can be exploited to decrease the amount of material per analysis while improving its SERS detection limit. In contrast to the traditional SERS substrates, the present Fe3O4@C@Ag particles hold the advantages of enrichment of organic pollutants for improving SERS detection limit and recycled utilization. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional XRD patterns and SEM images of Fe3O4@C particles, SERS spectra of 4-ATP and 4-MPY using Fe3O4@C@Ag particles as the active substrates, magnetic behaviour of Fe3O4@C and Fe3O4@C@Ag particles. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01273e

  3. Determination of mammalian cell counts, cell size and cell health using the Moxi Z mini automated cell counter.

    PubMed

    Dittami, Gregory M; Sethi, Manju; Rabbitt, Richard D; Ayliffe, H Edward

    2012-06-21

    Particle and cell counting is used for a variety of applications including routine cell culture, hematological analysis, and industrial controls(1-5). A critical breakthrough in cell/particle counting technologies was the development of the Coulter technique by Wallace Coulter over 50 years ago. The technique involves the application of an electric field across a micron-sized aperture and hydrodynamically focusing single particles through the aperture. The resulting occlusion of the aperture by the particles yields a measurable change in electric impedance that can be directly and precisely correlated to cell size/volume. The recognition of the approach as the benchmark in cell/particle counting stems from the extraordinary precision and accuracy of its particle sizing and counts, particularly as compared to manual and imaging based technologies (accuracies on the order of 98% for Coulter counters versus 75-80% for manual and vision-based systems). This can be attributed to the fact that, unlike imaging-based approaches to cell counting, the Coulter Technique makes a true three-dimensional (3-D) measurement of cells/particles which dramatically reduces count interference from debris and clustering by calculating precise volumetric information about the cells/particles. Overall this provides a means for enumerating and sizing cells in a more accurate, less tedious, less time-consuming, and less subjective means than other counting techniques(6). Despite the prominence of the Coulter technique in cell counting, its widespread use in routine biological studies has been prohibitive due to the cost and size of traditional instruments. Although a less expensive Coulter-based instrument has been produced, it has limitations as compared to its more expensive counterparts in the correction for "coincidence events" in which two or more cells pass through the aperture and are measured simultaneously. Another limitation with existing Coulter technologies is the lack of metrics on the overall health of cell samples. Consequently, additional techniques must often be used in conjunction with Coulter counting to assess cell viability. This extends experimental setup time and cost since the traditional methods of viability assessment require cell staining and/or use of expensive and cumbersome equipment such as a flow cytometer. The Moxi Z mini automated cell counter, described here, is an ultra-small benchtop instrument that combines the accuracy of the Coulter Principle with a thin-film sensor technology to enable precise sizing and counting of particles ranging from 3-25 microns, depending on the cell counting cassette used. The M type cassette can be used to count particles from with average diameters of 4 - 25 microns (dynamic range 2 - 34 microns), and the Type S cassette can be used to count particles with and average diameter of 3 - 20 microns (dynamic range 2 - 26 microns). Since the system uses a volumetric measurement method, the 4-25 microns corresponds to a cell volume range of 34 - 8,180 fL and the 3 - 20 microns corresponds to a cell volume range of 14 - 4200 fL, which is relevant when non-spherical particles are being measured. To perform mammalian cell counts using the Moxi Z, the cells to be counted are first diluted with ORFLO or similar diluent. A cell counting cassette is inserted into the instrument, and the sample is loaded into the port of the cassette. Thousands of cells are pulled, single-file through a "Cell Sensing Zone" (CSZ) in the thin-film membrane over 8-15 seconds. Following the run, the instrument uses proprietary curve-fitting in conjunction with a proprietary software algorithm to provide coincidence event correction along with an assessment of overall culture health by determining the ratio of the number of cells in the population of interest to the total number of particles. The total particle counts include shrunken and broken down dead cells, as well as other debris and contaminants. The results are presented in histogram format with an automatic curve fit, with gates that can be adjusted manually as needed. Ultimately, the Moxi Z enables counting with a precision and accuracy comparable to a Coulter Z2, the current gold standard, while providing additional culture health information. Furthermore it achieves these results in less time, with a smaller footprint, with significantly easier operation and maintenance, and at a fraction of the cost of comparable technologies.

  4. Smyer H-Chondrite Impact-Melt Breccia and Evidence for Sulfur Vaporization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rubin, Alan E.

    2002-01-01

    Smyer is an H-chondrite impact-melt breccia containing approx.20 vol% 0.5- to 13-mm-thick silicate-rich melt veins surrounding unmelted subrounded chondritic clasts up to 7 cm in maximum dimension. At the interface between some of the melt veins and chondritic clasts, there are troilite-rich regions consisting of unmelted. crushed 0.2- to 140-micron-size angular silicate grains and chondrule fragments surrounded by troilite and transected by thin troilite veins. Troilite fills every available fracture in the silicates. including some as thin as 0.1 microns. Little metallic Fe-Ni is present in these regions: the FeS/Fe modal ratio ranges from -25: 1 to approx.500: 1, far higher than the eutectic weight ratio of 7.5: 1. The texture of these regions indicates that the sulfide formed from a fluid of very low viscosity. The moderately high viscosity (0.2 poise) and large surface tension of liquid FeS, its inability to wet silicate grain surfaces at low oxygen fugacities. and the supereutectic FeS/Fe ratios in the troilite-rich regions indicate that the fluid was a vapor. It seems likely that during the shock event that melted Smyer, many silicates adjacent to the melt veins were crushed. Upon release of shock pressure. some of the troilite evaporated and dissociated. Molecules of S2 were transported and condensed into fractures and around tiny silicate grains: there, they combined with Fe from small adjacent metallic Fe-Ni grains to form troilite. The Ni content at the edges of some of these metal grains increased significantly; Co from these Ni-rich grains diffused into nearby kamacite. Impact-induced S volatilization may have played a major role in depleting the surface of 433 Eros (and other chondritic asteroids) in S.

  5. Production of BCG alginate-PLL microcapsules by emulsification/internal gelation.

    PubMed

    Esquisabel, A; Hernández, R M; Igartua, M; Gascón, A R; Calvo, B; Pedraz, J L

    1997-01-01

    A biocompatible emulsification method for microencapsulation of live cells and enzymes within a calcium alginate matrix applied to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been developed. Small-diameter alginate beads (microcapsules) were formed via internal gelation of an alginate solution emulsified within vegetable oil. Five different oils (sesame, sweet almond, perhydrosqualene, camomile and jojoba) were used. The rheological analysis of the oils showed a Newtonian behaviour, with viscosities = 30.0, 37.7, 51.2, 59.3 and 67.1 mPa.s for perhydrosqualene, jojoba, camomile, sesame and sweet almond oil respectively. The particle size of the microcapsules obtained ranged from 30.3 microns for the microcapsules prepared with sweet almond oil to 57.0 microns for those made with perhydrosqualene. The mean particle diameter obtained was found to be dependent on the viscosity of the oil employed, according to the equation: phi (micron) = 76.6-0.628 eta (mPa.s) (r2 = 0.943). The encapsulated BCG was identified by the Difco TB stain set K, followed by observation under optical microscopy. Freeze-drying of the microcapsules was carried out to ensure their stability during storage. Two batches of microcapsules (those prepared with sesame and jojoba oil) and four types of cryoprotectors (glucose, trehalose, mannitol and sorbitol), at three concentration levels (5, 10 and 20% w/v) were studied. The parameters evaluated were particle size, physical appearance, reconstitution of lyophilizates and microscopical evaluation. For both batches of microcapsules the best results were obtained with trehalose 5%, showing particle sizes of 42.1 microns in the case of the microcapsules prepared with sesame oil, and of 45.3 microns for those prepared with jojoba.

  6. The Mineralogy of the Youngest Lunar Basalts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Staid, M. I.; Pieters, C. M.

    1999-01-01

    The last stage of lunar volcanism produced spectrally distinct basalts on the western nearside of the Moon, which remain unsampled by landing missions. The spectral properties of these late-stage basalts are examined using high-spatial-resolution Clementine images to constrain their mineralogic composition. The young high-Ti basalts in the western Procellarum and Imbrium Basins display a significantly stronger ferrous absorption than earlier mare basalts, suggesting that they may be the most Fe-rich deposits on the Moon. The distinct long-wavelength shape of this ferrous absorption is found to be similar for surface soils and materials excavated from depth. The pervasive character of this absorption feature supports the interpretation of abundant olivine within these late-stage lunar deposits. Important distinctions exist between the early-stage eastern maria and the late-stage western basalts, even though both appear to be Ti-rich. For example, the western maria are more radiogenic than eastern deposits. Telescopic spectra of the high-Ti western maria also exhibit a unique combination of a strong 1 micron feature and a relatively weak or attenuated 2-micron absorption. Pieters et al. concluded that the unusual strength and shape of the 1-micron absorption in western basalts results from an additional absorption from abundant olivine and/or Fe-bearing glass. Either mineralogy could produce the strong long wavelength 1-micron band, but a glassy Fe-rich surface could only form by rapid cooling along the exterior surfaces of flows. Clementine UV-VIS data of late-stage basalts are examined for regions in Oceanus Procellarum and Mare Imbrium. The spectral properties of western regions are compared to the sampled Apollo 11 basalts in Mare Tranquillitatis, which contain similar albedos and UV-VIS spectral properties. For reference, the western basalts are also compared to the low-Ti and Fe-rich basalts in Mare Serenitatis (mISP). Serenitatis basalts have the strongest mafic absorption of any eastern nearside maria in Clementine imagery. Unlike previous Earth-based and Galileo imagery, Clementine data resolve the spectral properties of immature crater deposits small enough to sample individual volcanic flows. A strategy has been developed to reevaluate lunar basalt types using Clementine imagery of such fresh mare craters and their associated soils. To allow direct comparisons between regions, scatter plots of useful spectral parameters were constructed by sampling a fixed number of evenly spaced pixels from each mare region. Scatter plots comparing the mare study areas are shown. Since mature soils dominate the surfaces exposed, the density distribution of each data cloud has been presented after a root stretch to enhance the visibility of the less-abundant immature materials. Five-color spectra were also collected for all fresh craters within each mare region and grouped according to size. The UV-VIS ratio has been used extensively to estimate Ti in mature soils and plots of this parameter against 0.75-micron reflectance are included for each mare region. The UV-VIS ratio coupled with the 0.75-micron parameter has been applied more recently to estimate Ti content across many lunar materials. High-Ti basalts plot in the upper left portion because of their low-albedo and high-UV-VIS ratio values. Clementine UV-VIS ratio values for the Procellarum HDSA unit are similar to, but slightly lower than, HDWA Apollo 11 basalts. These values are consistent with previous evaluations of the western high Ti basalts using telescopic and Apollo gamma-ray data, which suggest only a minor difference in TiO, contents between these mare deposits. The Imbrium hDSA and Serenitatis mISP basalts are seen to be progressively less dark and blue, consistent with the previously noted decreasing amount of weight percent TiO2. The scatter plot captures the micron absorption strength and albedo of large areas for each study region over a range of optical maturities. This scatter plot allows trends related to maturity to be evaluated. Materials whose soil surfaces have not achieved optical maturity are slightly brighter and display a stronger ferrous band. For each basalt type, the result is a roughly parallel range of values for these spectral parameters forming a distinct "weathering cloud" of data. The western HDSA and hDSA basalts, show a much stronger mafic ratio than the Tranquillitatis basalts for both mature soils and immature crater materials. Despite a higher abundance of opaques (which should subdue absorption features) the western HDSA and hDSA mare units also exhibit a stronger mafic ratio than the Fe-rich Serenitatis basalts. These combined properties indicate an exceptionally high abundance of mafic minerals and suggest that the Eratosthenian deposits within Procellarum may be the most Fe-rich basalts extruded on the surface of the Moon. It is difficult to estimate the FeO content of these young basalts since returned samples demonstrate that all lunar soils contain a fraction of foreign materials and mare soils have a lower weight percent FeO than their associated basalts. We are in the process of considering such sample information and mixing issues in order to estimate the actual FeO abundances of the mafic-rich western basalts. Regions that represent the most immature materials within each mare area were selected by identifying pixels that correspond to the lower-right limit of each mare unit's 1 micron vs. 0.75 micron scatter plot cloud. These spectra, shown, allow comparisons of the strong ferrous absorption for the most crystalline materials within each basalt type. The shape of the 1 micron feature is much flatter and centered at a longer wavelength in the spectra of the western Procellarum basalts compared to the eastern Serenitatis and Tranquillitatis basalts. Additional information contained in original.

  7. Numerical study of hydrophobic micron particle's impaction on liquid surface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, Bingqiang; Song, Qiang; Yao, Qiang

    2017-07-01

    In this study, a simulation method is established for the impaction of micron particles on liquid surfaces, by which the processes of two impaction modes (submergence and oscillation) are studied. The submergence is found to go through three stages, each of which shows different characteristics of particle velocity and gas-liquid interface variance. The dominant forces of the early and late times of the submergence mode are hydrodynamic force and surface tension, respectively, the accumulated work of which is in the same order. The lost particle kinetic energy is converted to the surface energy of the interfaces, the internal energy and the kinetic energy of fluids. The primary part of the oscillation is the first cycle, and the characteristics of its sinking process are similar to that of the submergence. In the reverting stage, the particle rising velocity increases first and then decreases, and the cavity retracts until the gas-liquid interface flattens. The dominant forces of the early and late times of the reverting stage are surface tension and hydrodynamic force, respectively. The positive accumulated work of surface tension on the particle is considerably limited due to the large contact angle hysteresis at the early times of the reverting stage. The negative accumulated work of the hydrodynamic force on the particle at the late times causes a fast decrease in particle kinetic energy, which leads to particle floating on the gas-liquid interface. The results are helpful in understanding the mechanism of micron particle impaction and developing the prediction method of attachment efficiency.

  8. Polystyrene/Fe3O4 magnetic emulsion and nanocomposite prepared by ultrasonically initiated miniemulsion polymerization.

    PubMed

    Qiu, Guihua; Wang, Qi; Wang, Chao; Lau, Willie; Guo, Yili

    2007-01-01

    Ultrasonically initiated miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was successfully employed to prepare polystyrene (PS)/Fe3O4 magnetic emulsion and nanocomposite. The effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on miniemulsion polymerization process, the structure, morphology and properties of PS/Fe3O4 nanocomposite were investigated. The increase in the amount of Fe3O4 nanoparticles drastically increases the polymerization rate due to that Fe3O4 nanoparticles increase the number of radicals and the cavitation bubbles. Polymerization kinetics of ultrasonically initiated miniemulsion polymerization is similar to that of conventional miniemulsion polymerization. PS/Fe3O4 magnetic emulsion consists of two types of particles: latex particles with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and latex particles with no encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Fe3O4 nanoparticles lower the molecular weight of PS and broaden the molecular weight and particle size distribution. Thermal stability of PS/Fe3O4 nanocomposite increases with the increase in Fe3O4 content. PS/Fe3O4 emulsion and nanocomposite exhibit magnetic properties. PS/Fe3O4 magnetic particles can be separated from the magnetic emulsion by an external magnetic field and redispersed into the emulsion with agitation.

  9. Characterization of size-resolved urban haze particles collected in summer and winter at Taiyuan City, China using quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Geng, Hong; Jin, Chun-Song; Zhang, Dong-Peng; Wang, Shu-Rong; Xu, Xiao-Tian; Wang, Xu-Ran; Zhang, Yuan; Wu, Li; Ro, Chul-Un

    2017-07-01

    The aim of the study is to characterize the size-resolved urban haze particles and investigate their modification in morphology and composition in summer and winter using the semi-quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) based on both scanning and transmission electron microscopies equipped with ultrathin-window energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (SEM-EDX and TEM-EDX). The haze and non-haze particles were collected through a seven-stage May cascade impactor on Dec. 29-30, 2009 and Jan. 8-9 and July 11-14, 2010 in Taiyuan, a typical inland city in the North China Plain. Approximately 3752 atmospheric particles in the size ranges of 4-2 μm, 2-1 μm, 1-0.5 μm, and 0.5-0.25 μm in aerodynamic diameter were measured and identified according to their secondary electron or TEM images and elemental atomic concentrations calculated through a Monte Carlo simulation program. Results show that on the haze days many reacted or aged mineral dust particles were encountered, in which the sulfate-containing ones outnumbered the nitrate-containing ones in the winter samples while it was on the contrary in the summer samples, suggesting different haze formation and evolution mechanisms in summer and winter. Furthermore, in the haze events (especially in summer), many CNOS-rich particles, likely mixtures of water-soluble organic carbon with (NH4)2SO4 or NH4HSO4, were observed not only in the submicron but also in the super-micron fractions. The simultaneous observation of the fresh and aged CNOS-rich particles in the same SEM or TEM images implied that the status and components of secondary particles were complicated and changeable. The significant increase of both elemental concentration ratios of [N]/[S] and [C]/[S] in the aged ones compared to the fresh ones indicated that NH4NO3 and secondary organic matter were likely absorbed onto (NH4)2SO4 or NH4HSO4 particles and mixed with them. K-rich, Fe-rich, and heavy metal-containing particles in TEM-EDX measurement were detected more in the winter haze samples than in the summer ones, suggesting that they tend to be smaller in size and mainly derive from anthropogenic biomass burning and coal combustion. It was concluded that the combined use of SEM-EDX and TEM-EDX can identify both submicron and super-micron urban haze particles in a straightforward way and trace their modifications in size, shape, mixing state, and chemical compositions in different seasons, helping address their evolution processes and hazards on human health.

  10. The mechanisms of fine particle generation and electrification during Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cheng, R. J.

    1982-01-01

    Microscopical investigation of volcanic ash collected from ground stations during Mount St. Helens eruptions reveal a distinctive bimodel size distribution with high concentrations of particle ranges at (1) 200-100 microns and (2) 20-0.1 microns. Close examination of individual particles shows that most larger ones are solidified magma particles of porous pumice with numerous gas bubbles in the interior and the smaller ones are all glassy fragments without any detectable gas bubbles. Elemental analysis demonstrates that the fine fragments all have a composition similar to that of the larger pumice particles. Laboratory experiments suggest that the formation of the fine fragments is by bursting of glassy bubbles from a partially solidified surface of a crystallizing molten magma particle. The production of gas bubbles is due to the release of absorbed gases in molten magma particles when solubility decreases during phase transition. Diffusion cloud chamber experiments strongly indicate that sub-micron volcanic fragments are highly hygroscopic and extremely active as cloud condensation nuclei. Ice crystals also are evidently formed on those fragments in a supercooled (-20 C) cloud chamber. It has been reported that charge generation from ocean volcanic eruptions is due to contact of molten lava with sea water. This seems to be insufficient to explain the observed rapid and intense lightning activities over Mount St. Helens eruptions. Therefore, a hypothesis is presented here that highly electrically charged fine solid fragments are ejected by bursting of gas bubbles from the surface of a crystallizing molten magma particles.

  11. Interaction of micron and nano-sized particles with cells of the dura mater

    PubMed Central

    Papageorgiou, Iraklis; Marsh, Rainy; Tipper, Joanne L; Hall, Richard M; Fisher, John; Ingham, Eileen

    2014-01-01

    Intervertebral total disc replacements (TDR) are used in the treatment of degenerative spinal disc disease. There are, however, concerns that they may be subject to long-term failure due to wear. The adverse effects of TDR wear have the potential to manifest in the dura mater and surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological structure of the dura mater, isolate the resident dural epithelial and stromal cells and analyse the capacity of these cells to internalise model polymer particles. The porcine dura mater was a collagen-rich structure encompassing regularly arranged fibroblastic cells within an outermost epithelial cell layer. The isolated dural epithelial cells had endothelial cell characteristics (positive for von Willebrand factor, CD31, E-cadherin and desmoplakin) and barrier functionality whereas the fibroblastic cells were positive for collagen I and III, tenascin and actin. The capacity of the dural cells to take up model particles was dependent on particle size. Nanometer sized particles readily penetrated both types of cells. However, dural fibroblasts engulfed micron-sized particles at a much higher rate than dural epithelial cells. The study suggested that dural epithelial cells may offer some barrier to the penetration of micron-sized particles but not nanometer sized particles. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1496–1505, 2014. PMID:24604838

  12. Bench-level characterization of a CMOS standard-cell D-latch using alpha-particle sensitive test circuits

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Blaes, B. R.; Soli, G. A.; Buehler, M. G.

    1991-01-01

    A methodology is described for predicting the SEU susceptibility of a standard-cell D-latch using an alpha-particle sensitive SRAM, SPICE critical charge simulation results, and alpha-particle interaction physics. Measurements were made on a 1.6-micron n-well CMOS 4-kb test SRAM irradiated with an Am-241 alpha-particle source. A collection depth of 6.09 micron was determined using these results and TRIM computer code. Using this collection depth and SPICE derived critical charge results on the latch design, an LET threshold of 34 MeV sq cm/mg was predicted. Heavy ion tests were then performed on the latch and an LET threshold of 41 MeV sq cm/mg was determined.

  13. Dielectrophoretic separation of micron and submicron particles: a review.

    PubMed

    Dash, Swagatika; Mohanty, Swati

    2014-09-01

    This paper provides an overview on separation of micron and submicron sized biological (cells, yeast, virus, bacteria, etc.) and nonbiological particles (latex, polystyrene, CNTs, metals, etc.) by dielectrophoresis (DEP), which finds wide applications in the field of medical and environmental science. Mathematical models to predict the electric field, flow profile, and concentration profiles of the particles under the influence of DEP force have also been covered in this review. In addition, advancements made primarily in the last decade, in the area of electrode design (shape and arrangement), new materials for electrode (carbon, silicon, polymers), and geometry of the microdevice, for efficient DEP separation of particles have been highlighted. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Characterisation of iron-rich atmospheric submicrometre particles in the roadside environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sanderson, P.; Su, S. S.; Chang, I. T. H.; Delgado Saborit, J. M.; Kepaptsoglou, D. M.; Weber, R. J. M.; Harrison, Roy M.

    2016-09-01

    Human exposure to ambient metallic nanoparticles is an area of great interest owing to their potential health impacts. Ambient metallic nanoparticles found in the roadside environment are contributed by combustion engines and wear of brakes, tyres and road surfaces. Submicrometre atmospheric particles collected at two UK urban sites have been subject to detailed characterisation. It is found that many metallic nanoparticles collected from roadside sampling sites are rich in iron. The Fe-rich nanoparticles can be classified into (1) high Fe content (ca 90 wt%) with each alloying element less than 1 wt%; and (2) moderate Fe content (<75 wt%) with high manganese and silicon content. Both clusters contain a variable mix of minor constituents, Mn, S and Si being most important in the high-Fe group. The moderate Fe group also contains Zn, Cu, Ba, Al and Ca. The Fe-rich nanoparticles exhibit primary particle sizes ranging between 20 and 30 nm, although some much larger particles up to around 100 nm can also be observed, along with some very small particles of 10 nm or less. These tend to agglomerate forming clusters ranging from ∼200 nm to 1 μm in diameter. The iron-rich particles observed are oxides, taking the form of spheres or multifaceted regular polyhedra. Analysis by EELS shows that both high- and moderate-Fe groups include particles of FeO, Fe3O4, α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 of which γ-Fe2O3 is the most prominent. Internal mixing of different Fe-oxides is not observed.

  15. Physical Principles of Development of the State Standard of Biological Cell Polarizability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shuvalov, G. V.; Generalov, K. V.; Generalov, V. M.; Kruchinina, M. V.; Koptev, E. S.; Minin, O. V.; Minin, I. V.

    2018-03-01

    A new state standard of biological cell polarizability based on micron-size latex particles has been developed. As a standard material, it is suggested to use polystyrene. Values of the polarizability calculated for erythrocytes and values of the polarizability of micron-size spherical latex particles measured with measuring-computing complexes agree within the limits of satisfactory relative error. The Standard allows one the unit of polarizability measurements [m3] to be assigned to cells and erythrocytes for the needs of medicine.

  16. Release of Micronized Copper Particles from Pressure Treated Wood Products.

    EPA Science Inventory

    Micronized copper pressure treated lumber (PTL) has recently been introduced to the consumer market as a replacement for ionized copper PTL. The presence of particulate rather than aqueous copper raises concerns about possible human or environmental exposure. Two common pathways ...

  17. Voltage-Induced Nonlinear Conduction Properties of Epoxy Resin/Micron-Silver Particles Composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qu, Zhaoming; Lu, Pin; Yuan, Yang; Wang, Qingguo

    2018-01-01

    The nonlinear conduction properties of epoxy resin (ER)/micron-silver particles (MP) composites were investigated. Under sufficient high intensity applied constant voltage, the obvious nonlinear conduction properties of the samples with volume fraction 25% were found. With increments in the voltage, the conductive switching effect was observed. The nonlinear conduction mechanism of the ER/MP composites under high applied voltages could be attributed to the electrical current conducted via discrete paths of conductive particles induced by the electric field. The test results show that the ER/MP composites with nonlinear conduction properties are of great potential application in electromagnetic protection of electron devices and systems.

  18. Carbon-coated CoFe-CoFe2O4 composite particles with high and dual-band electromagnetic wave absorbing properties.

    PubMed

    Guan, Zhen-Jie; Jiang, Jian-Tang; Chen, Na; Gong, Yuan-Xun; Zhen, Liang

    2018-07-27

    SiO 2 and TiO 2 , as conventional dielectric shells of ferromagnetic/dielectric composite particles, can protect ferromagnetic particles from aggregation and oxidation, but contribute little to electromagnetic loss. In this work, we designed nano-assembled CoFe-CoFe 2 O 4 @C composite particles, in which ferrites with high permeability were dielectric elements and carbon was introduced as protective layers, aiming for high-efficiency microwave absorption. These assembled particles with different CoFe contents were prepared through solvothermal methods and subsequent hydrogen-thermal reduction. CoFe nanoparticles were dispersed on a CoFe 2 O 4 matrix via an in situ reduction transformation from CoFe 2 O 4 to CoFe. The microstructure evolution of composite particles and corresponding electromagnetic properties tailoring were investigated. The content and size of CoFe as well as the porosity of composite particles increase gradually as the annealing temperature increases. A maximum reflection loss (RL max ) of -71.73 dB is observed at 4.78 GHz in 3.4 mm thick coating using particles annealed at 500 °C as fillers. The coating presents double-band absorbing characteristics, as broad effective absorption bandwidth with RL > 5 (ERL 5 ) and high RL max are observed in both S-C and X-K u bands. The tunability as well as the assembled characteristic of the electromagnetic property that endued from the composite structure contributes to the excellent electromagnetic wave absorbing performances.

  19. Method of Manufacturing Micro-Disperse Particles of Sodium Borohydride

    DOEpatents

    Kravitz, Stanley H.; Hecht, Andrew M.; Sylwester. Alan P.; Bell, Nelson S.

    2008-09-23

    A compact solid source of hydrogen gas, where the gas is generated by contacting water with micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as cobalt or ruthenium. The micro-disperse particles can have a substantially uniform diameter of 1-10 microns, and preferably about 3-5 microns. Ruthenium or cobalt catalytic nanoparticles can be incorporated in the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride, which allows a rapid and complete reaction to occur without the problems associated with caking and scaling of the surface by the reactant product sodium metaborate. A closed loop water management system can be used to recycle wastewater from a PEM fuel cell to supply water for reacting with the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in a compact hydrogen gas generator. Capillary forces can wick water from a water reservoir into a packed bed of micro-disperse fuel particles, eliminating the need for using an active pump.

  20. Exposure to heavy charged particles affects thermoregulation in rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kandasamy, S.B.; Hunt, W.A.; Dalton, T.K.

    1994-09-01

    Rats exposed to 0.1-5 Gy of heavy particles ({sup 56}Fe, {sup 40}Ar, {sup 20}Ne or {sup 4}He) showed dose-dependent changes in body temperature. Lower doses of all particles produced hyperthermia, and higher doses of {sup 20}Ne and {sup 56}Fe produced hypothermia. Of the four HZE particles, {sup 56}Fe particles were the most potent and {sup 4}He particles were the least potent in producing changes in thermoregulation. The {sup 20}Ne and {sup 40}Ar particles produced an intermediate level of change in body temperature. Significantly greater hyperthermia was produced by exposure to 1 Gy of {sup 20}Ne, {sup 40}Ar and {sup 56}Femore » particles than by exposure to 1 Gy of {sup 60}Co {gamma} rays. Pretreating rats with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin attenuated the hyperthermia produced by exposure to 1 Gy of {sup 56}Fe particles, indicating that prostaglandins mediate {sup 56}Fe-particle-induced hyperthermia. The hypothermia produced by exposure to 5 Gy of {sup 56}Fe particles is mediated by histamine and can be attenuated by treatment with the antihistamines mepyramine and cimetidine. 15 refs., 4 figs.« less

  1. Variations in the Infrared Spectra of Wüstite with Defects and Disorder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koike, C.; Matsuno, J.; Chihara, H.

    2017-08-01

    The presence of FeO particles in circumstellar space has been suggested based on the observation of a mysterious 21 μm emission band. However, the complete infrared spectra of FeO have not been obtained so far; hence, data of the infrared (IR) spectra of FeO need to be investigated. We prepared synthetic and commercial samples of FeO, which were obtained by crushing bulk samples, annealing iron oxalate dihydrate ({{FeC}}2{{{O}}}4\\cdot 2{{{H}}}2{{O}}), and mechanical milling of a powder mixture comprising (Fe and {{Fe}}2{{{O}}}3) particles with different milling times. We present a new study on the IR spectra of these samples, and show that these spectra changed according to defects and disorders. Furthermore, FeO particles are very sensitive to oxygen fugacity and temperature. The spectra of FeO particles were compared with the unidentified observed feature. It may be difficult for FeO particles to exist alone in the ISM and circumstellar space. This may be connected to the problem of missing iron in the ISM.

  2. Microstructure of a black chrome solar selective absorber

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lampert, C.M.

    1978-08-01

    The structure of Harshaw Chemicals' CHROM-ONYX type of black chrome/metal selective absorber was studied to gain a better understanding of its influence upon the mechanism of wavelength selectivity. Spectral reflectance measurements were performed on seven samples. In this study, the best selectivity was found by these measurements to be 1.0 micron of black chrome on copper and 0.7 micron of black chrome on nickel. Both transmission and scanning electron microscopy were employed to study microstructure and chemical composition. As a result of the combined studies, some effects of black chrome thickness and the metallic substrate were determined. It was foundmore » that black chrome consisted of a very fine metallic distribution of particles of chromium, possibly suspended within a matrix of an oxide of chromium. This combination was, in turn, agglomerated into larger particles within the 0.05--0.3 micron size range. These larger particles formed a network which constituted the surface coating.« less

  3. Effects of processing, particle size and moisturizing of sorghum-based feeds on pellet quality and broiler production.

    PubMed

    da Silva, Patrícia Garcia; Oliveira, Luana Martins Schaly; de Oliveira, Nayanne Rodrigues; de Moura Júnior, Fábio Ataides; Silva, Maura Regina Sousa; Cordeiro, Deibity Alves; Minafra, Cibele Silva; Dos Santos, Fabiana Ramos

    2018-01-01

    This study aimed to assess the effect of pelleted and expanded sorghum-based feeds prepared with different moisture levels and particle size of ingredients on metabolizable energy, ileal digestibility of amino acids and broiler performance. The experiment was performed with 720 male broiler chicks of the Cobb strain, with treatments of six replications, with 15 birds each; they were arranged in a completely randomized design and 2×2×2 factorial scheme (pelleted or expanded feed processing, 0.8% or 1.6% moisture addition in the mixer, and particle size of 650 or 850 microns). Higher pellet quality (pellets, % and pellet durability index [PDI]) was obtained in expanded diets and inclusion of 1.6% moisture. The particle size of 850 microns increased the PDI of final diet. All studied treatments had no significant effect on weight gain and broiler carcass and cut yields. Lower feed conversion occurred for birds fed pelleted feed at 42 d. The highest apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) values of feed in the initial rearing phase (10 to 13 days) were observed in birds fed pelleted feed or for feed prepared with 1.6% moisture. The highest ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids were obtained with the consumption of pelleted feed prepared with a particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture. Pelleted feed prepared with a milling particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture provided increased ileal digestibility of amino acids and AMEn in the starter period. However, the expanded feed improved pellet quality and feed conversion of broilers at 42 days of age. We conclude that factors such as moisture, particle size and processing affect the pellet quality, and therefore should be considered when attempting to optimize broiler performance.

  4. Laboratory Studies of the Optical Properties and Condensation Processes of Cosmic Dust Grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; Tankosic, D.; LeClair, A.; West, E.; Sheldon, R.; Witherow, W. K.; Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.

    2002-01-01

    A laboratory facility for conducting a variety of experiments on single isolated dust particles of astrophysical interest levitated in an electrodynamics balance has been developed at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center. The objective of the research is to employ this experimental technique for studies of the physical and optical properties of individual cosmic dust grains of 0.1-100 micron size in controlled pressure/temperatures environments simulating astrophysical conditions. The physical and optical properties of the analogs of interstellar and interplanetary dust grains of known composition and size distribution will be investigated by this facility. In particular, we will carry out three classes of experiments to study the micro-physics of cosmic dust grains. (1) Charge characteristics of micron size single dust grains to determine the photoelectric efficiencies, yields, and equilibrium potentials when exposed to UV radiation. (2) Infrared optical properties of dust particles (extinction coefficients and scattering phase functions) in the 1-30 micron region using infrared diode lasers and measuring the scattered radiation. (3) Condensation experiments to investigate the condensation of volatile gases on colder nucleated particles in dense interstellar clouds and lower planetary atmospheres. The condensation experiments will involve levitated nucleus dust grains of known composition and initial mass (or m/q ratio), cooled to a temperature and pressure (or scaled pressure) simulating the astrophysical conditions, and injection of a volatile gas at a higher temperature from a controlled port. The increase in the mass due to condensation on the particle will be monitored as a function of the dust particle temperature and the partial pressure of the injected volatile gas. The measured data will permit determination of the sticking coefficients of volatile gases and growth rates of dust particles of astrophysical interest. Some preliminary results based on measurements of photoelectric emission and radiation pressure on single isolated 0.2 to 6.6 micron size silica particles exposed to UV radiation at 120-200 nm and green laser light at 532 nm are presented.

  5. Effects of processing, particle size and moisturizing of sorghum-based feeds on pellet quality and broiler production

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    Objective This study aimed to assess the effect of pelleted and expanded sorghum-based feeds prepared with different moisture levels and particle size of ingredients on metabolizable energy, ileal digestibility of amino acids and broiler performance. Methods The experiment was performed with 720 male broiler chicks of the Cobb strain, with treatments of six replications, with 15 birds each; they were arranged in a completely randomized design and 2×2×2 factorial scheme (pelleted or expanded feed processing, 0.8% or 1.6% moisture addition in the mixer, and particle size of 650 or 850 microns). Results Higher pellet quality (pellets, % and pellet durability index [PDI]) was obtained in expanded diets and inclusion of 1.6% moisture. The particle size of 850 microns increased the PDI of final diet. All studied treatments had no significant effect on weight gain and broiler carcass and cut yields. Lower feed conversion occurred for birds fed pelleted feed at 42 d. The highest apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) values of feed in the initial rearing phase (10 to 13 days) were observed in birds fed pelleted feed or for feed prepared with 1.6% moisture. The highest ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids were obtained with the consumption of pelleted feed prepared with a particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture. Conclusion Pelleted feed prepared with a milling particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture provided increased ileal digestibility of amino acids and AMEn in the starter period. However, the expanded feed improved pellet quality and feed conversion of broilers at 42 days of age. We conclude that factors such as moisture, particle size and processing affect the pellet quality, and therefore should be considered when attempting to optimize broiler performance. PMID:28920405

  6. Novel perovskite coating of strontium zirconate in Inconel substrate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Venkatesh, G.; Blessto, B.; Rao, C. Santhosh Kumar; Subramanian, R.; Berchmans, L. John

    2018-02-01

    Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC) provides a low thermal conductivity barrier to heat transfer from the hot gas in the engine to the surface of the coated alloy component. SrZrO3 powder are prepared by Sol Gel synthesis method. The synthesized powder sample is characterized by X Ray Diffraction Technique (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and the results are interpreted. The Polycrystalline nature of SrZrO3 is confirmed and lattice spacing are determined in XRD. SEM shows sub-micron sized particles and a fringed pattern is observed in TEM. The IN718 specimen is Wire Cut and Sand Blasted. A SrZrO3 double layer is coated over the Inconel specimen through a Bond Coat made of NiCoCrAlY by Plasma spraying Process and also characterized. SEM analysis of the Coating shows diffusion of Fe, Sr into the substrate.

  7. Evaluation of micron size carbon fibers released from burning graphite composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sussholz, B.

    1980-01-01

    Quantitative estimates were developed of micron carbon fibers released during the burning of graphite composites. Evidence was found of fibrillated particles which were the predominant source of the micron fiber data obtained from large pool fire tests. The fibrillation phenomena were attributed to fiber oxidation effects caused by the fire environment. Analysis of propane burn test records indicated that wind sources can cause considerable carbon fiber oxidation. Criteria estimates were determined for the number of micron carbon fibers released during an aircraft accident. An extreme case analysis indicated that the upper limit of the micron carbon fiber concentration level was only about half the permissible asbestos ceiling concentration level.

  8. Characterization of Aluminum-Based-Surface Matrix Composites with Iron and Iron Oxide Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing

    PubMed Central

    Mahmoud, Essam R. I.; Tash, Mahmoud M.

    2016-01-01

    Surface composite layers were successfully fabricated on an A 1050-H24 aluminum plate by dispersed iron (Fe) and magnetite (Fe3O4) particles through friction stir processing (FSP). Fe and Fe3O4 powders were packed into a groove of 3 mm in width and 1.5 mm in depth, cut on the aluminum plate, and covered with an aluminum sheet that was 2-mm thick. A friction stir processing (FSP) tool of square probe shape, rotated at a rate of 1000–2000 rpm, was plunged into the plate through the cover sheet and the groove, and moved along the groove at a travelling speed of 1.66 mm/s. Double and triple passes were applied. As a result, it is found that the Fe particles were homogenously distributed in the whole nugget zone at a rotation speed of 1000 rpm after triple FSP passes. Limited interfacial reactions occurred between the Fe particles and the aluminum matrix. On the other hand, the lower rotation speed (1000 rpm) was not enough to form a sound nugget when the dispersed particles were changed to the larger Fe3O4. The Fe3O4 particles were dispersed homogenously in a sound nugget zone when the rotation speed was increased to 1500 rpm. No reaction products could be detected between the Fe3O4 particles and the aluminum matrix. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of the Fe-dispersed nugget zone was higher than that of the Fe3O4-dispersed nugget zone. Moreover, there were good agreement between the obtained saturation magnetization values relative to that of pure Fe and Fe3O4 materials and the volume content of the dispersed particles in the nugget zone. PMID:28773629

  9. Solubility of iron from combustion source particles in acidic media linked to iron speciation.

    PubMed

    Fu, Hongbo; Lin, Jun; Shang, Guangfeng; Dong, Wenbo; Grassian, Vichi H; Carmichael, Gregory R; Li, Yan; Chen, Jianmin

    2012-10-16

    In this study, iron solubility from six combustion source particles was investigated in acidic media. For comparison, a Chinese loess (CL) dust was also included. The solubility experiments confirmed that iron solubility was highly variable and dependent on particle sources. Under dark and light conditions, the combustion source particles dissolved faster and to a greater extent relative to CL. Oil fly ash (FA) yielded the highest soluble iron as compared to the other samples. Total iron solubility fractions measured in the dark after 12 h ranged between 2.9 and 74.1% of the initial iron content for the combustion-derived particles (Oil FA > biomass burning particles (BP) > coal FA). Ferrous iron represented the dominant soluble form of Fe in the suspensions of straw BP and corn BP, while total dissolved Fe presented mainly as ferric iron in the cases of oil FA, coal FA, and CL. Mössbauer measurements and TEM analysis revealed that Fe in oil FA was commonly presented as nanosized Fe(3)O(4) aggregates and Fe/S-rich particles. Highly labile source of Fe in corn BP could be originated from amorphous Fe form mixed internally with K-rich particles. However, Fe in coal FA was dominated by the more insoluble forms of both Fe-bearing aluminosilicate glass and Fe oxides. The data presented herein showed that iron speciation varies by source and is an important factor controlling iron solubility from these anthropogenic emissions in acidic solutions, suggesting that the variability of iron solubility from combustion-derived particles is related to the inherent character and origin of the aerosols themselves. Such information can be useful in improving our understanding on iron solubility from combustion aerosols when they undergo acidic processing during atmospheric transport.

  10. A novel 3D micron-scale DPTV (Defocused Particle Tracking Velocimetry) and its applications in microfluidic devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roberts, John

    2005-11-01

    The rapid advancements in micro/nano biotechnology demand quantitative tools for characterizing microfluidic flows in lab-on-a-chip applications, validation of computational results for fully 3D flows in complex micro-devices, and efficient observation of cellular dynamics in 3D. We present a novel 3D micron-scale DPTV (defocused particle tracking velocimetry) that is capable of mapping out 3D Lagrangian, as well as 3D Eulerian velocity flow fields at sub-micron resolution and with one camera. The main part of the imaging system is an epi-fluorescent microscope (Olympus IX 51), and the seeding particles are fluorescent particles with diameter range 300nm - 10um. A software package has been developed for identifying (x,y,z,t) coordinates of the particles using the defocused images. Using the imaging system, we successfully mapped the pressure driven flow fields in microfluidic channels. In particular, we measured the Laglangian flow fields in a microfluidic channel with a herring bone pattern at the bottom, the later is used to enhance fluid mixing in lateral directions. The 3D particle tracks revealed the flow structure that has only been seen in numerical computation. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (CTS - 0514443), the Nanobiotechnology Center at Cornell, and The New York State Center for Life Science Enterprise.

  11. Ozone reaction with clothing and its initiated particle generation in an environmental chamber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rai, Aakash C.; Guo, Bing; Lin, Chao-Hsin; Zhang, Jianshun; Pei, Jingjing; Chen, Qingyan

    2013-10-01

    Ozone-initiated chemistry in indoor air can produce sub-micron particles, which are potentially harmful for human health. Occupants in indoor spaces constitute potential sites for particle generation through ozone reactions with human skin and clothing. This investigation conducted chamber experiments to examine particle generation from ozone reactions with clothing (a T-shirt) under different indoor conditions. We studied the effect of various factors such as ozone concentration, relative humidity, soiling levels of T-shirt with human skin oils, and air change rate on particle generation. The results showed that ozone reactions with the T-shirt generated sub-micron particles, which were enhanced by the soiling of the T-shirt with human skin oils. In these reactions, a burst of ultrafine particles was observed about one hour after ozone injection, and then the particles grew to larger sizes. The particle generation from the ozone reactions with the soiled T-shirt was significantly affected by the different factors studied and these reactions were identified as another potential source for indoor ultrafine particles.

  12. Particle sizes and composition of Mars atmospheric dust based upon Viking and Mariner 9 observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clancy, R. T.; Lee, S. W.; Gladstone, G. R.

    1993-01-01

    Mars atmospheric dust can play an important role in the thermal structure of the Mars atmosphere during periods of high dust loading. However, the radiative properties of Mars atmospheric dust remain uncertain due to uncertain definitions of the dust composition and size distribution. The analysis by Toon et al., of Mariner 9 IRIS spectra during the 1971-1972 global dust storm indicated a reasonable match between the modeled 9-micron absorption of montmorillinite and the observed 9-micron absorption. Toon et al. also determined that an effective (cross-section weighted) mean radius of 2.5 microns (R(sub mode) = 0.4 microns) provided a consistent fit of montmorillinite to the IRIS dust spectra at 9 microns. Pollack et al. analyzed Viking lander observations of atmospheric extinction and scattering at visible-near IR wavelengths (0.5-1.0 microns), and obtained consistency with the Toon et al. dust size distribution when the effects of nonspherical particle shapes were included. An additional, minor (1 percent) component of visible-ultraviolet absorbing material was required to model the derived visible (0.86) and ultraviolet (0.4-0.6) single-scattering albedos of the dust, since montmorillinite does not absorb sufficiently in this wavelength region. A combined analysis of the Viking IRTM and Mariner 9 observations was conducted to reassess the model of Mars atmospheric ultraviolet-to-infrared measurements of dust absorption and scattering. The optical constants for palagonite are incorporated in a doubling-adding radiative transfer model of the Mars atmosphere to simulate Mariner 9 IRIS spectra as well as the Viking IRTM IR band observations. Visible and ultraviolet single-scattering albedos based on the Hansen and Travis Mie scattering code were also derived. A tentative conclusion is that smaller dust particles (R(sub mode) = 0.15 microns, cross-section weighted mean R = 1.2 microns) composed of palagonite provide a much improved fit to the Mariner 9 IRIS spectra; agreement with the observed ratio of visible-to-infrared extinction opacities; and ultraviolet and visible single-scattering albedos comparable to their observed values.

  13. Optical Spectroscopy of Stardust Samples

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, Lindsay P.

    2006-01-01

    The Stardust spacecraft collected dust samples of the Kuiper belt comet 81P Wild-2 in aerogel and returned them to Earth January 15, 2006. Preliminary examination (PE) of the collected dust includes teams focused on mineralogy, chemical composition, isotopic measurements, organic analysis, cratering and spectroscopic properties. The main PE science goals are to provide an initial characterization of the returned samples with an emphasis on the capture process and its effects on the samples, a comparison of Stardust samples to other meteoritic materials, and the abundance of presolar materials in the Stardust samples. The science objectives of the Spectroscopy team are to obtain spectroscopic data on Stardust particles through infrared (IR), UV/Vis and Raman measurements of particles in aerogel, extracted particles, keystones, and microtome thin sections. These data will be used to answer fundamental science questions about the nature of the samples, but will also serve as preliminary mineralogical data to guide follow-on measurements that will be performed in the other preliminary examination teams. The IR characteristics of Stardust particles are measured to determine: 1) the nature of the indigenous 3.4 micron organic feature, is it detected and can it be differentiated/deconvolved from the contaminated aerogel? How does it compare to features observed in interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and to astronomical measurements of comets and interstellar dust? 2) the shape and fine structure within the 10 micron silicate feature. Overlap with the strong Si-O stretching vibration from the aerogel complicates this analysis, but we hope to determine if the feature is dominated by amorphous silicates such as those observed in IDPs and comets and whether or not crystalline silicates (e.g. olivine, pyroxene, clays) are present, 3) the presence of secondary (alteration) phases. Deep Impact results suggest that IR observations of Stardust particles should be evaluated for the presence of hydrated materials (water bands at 3 and 6 microns) and carbonates (6.8 microns and other resonances) and 4) the detection of crystalline features in the far-IR (20-100 microns) region where crystalline silicates and other minerals have strong bands that can be used both for phase analysis and phase chemistry. It has been demonstrated that these far-IR measurements can be obtained in situ on particles in aerogel keystones.

  14. Study of iron-borate materials systems processed in space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Neilson, G. F.

    1978-01-01

    It was calculated that an FeBO3B2O3 glass-ceramic containing only 1 mole% FeBO3 would be equivalent for magnetooptic application to a YIG crystal of equal thickness. An Fe2O3B2O3 composition containing 2 mole% FeBO3 equivalent (98B) could be converted largely to a dense green, though opaque, FeBO3 glass-ceramic through suitable heat treatments. However, phase separation (and segregation) and Fe+3 reduction could not be entirely avoided with the various procedures that were employed. From light scattering calculations, it was estimated that about 100 A to allow 90% light transmission through a 1 cm thick sample. However, the actual FeBO3 crystallite sizes obtained in 98B were of the order of 1 micron or greater.

  15. Mars 2001 Mission: Addressing Scientific Questions Regarding the Characteristics and Origin of Local Bedrock and Soil

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Saunders, R. S.; Arvidson, R. E.; Weitz, C. M.; Marshall, J.; Squyres, S. W.; Christensen, P. R.; Meloy, T.; Smith, P.

    1999-01-01

    The Mars Surveyor Program 2001 Mission will carry instruments on the orbiter, lander and rover that will support synergistic observations and experiments to address important scientific questions regarding the local bedrock and soils. The martian surface is covered in varying degrees by fine materials less than a few mms in size. Viking and Pathfinder images of the surface indicate that soils at those sites are composed of fine particles. Wheel tracks from the Sojourner rover suggest that soil deposits are composed of particles <40 mm. Viking images show that dunes are common in many areas on Mars and new MOC images indicate that dunes occur nearly everywhere. Dunes on Mars are thought to be composed of 250-500 microns particles based upon Viking IRTM data and Mars wind tunnel experiments. If martian dunes are composed of sand particles > 100 microns and soils are dominated by <10 micron particles, then where are the intermediate grain sizes? Have they been wom away through prolonged transport over the eons? Were they never generated to begin with? Or are they simply less easy to identify because do they not form distinctive geomorphic features such as dunes or uniform mantles that tend to assume superposition in the soil structure?

  16. The mineralogy and petrology of I-type cosmic spherules: Implications for their sources, origins and identification in sedimentary rocks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Genge, Matthew J.; Davies, Bridie; Suttle, Martin D.; van Ginneken, Matthias; Tomkins, Andrew G.

    2017-12-01

    I-type cosmic spherules are micrometeorites that formed by melting during atmospheric entry and consist mainly of iron oxides and FeNi metal. I-types are important because they can readily be recovered from sedimentary rocks allowing study of solar system events over geological time. We report the results of a study of the mineralogy and petrology of 88 I-type cosmic spherules recovered from Antarctica in order to evaluate how they formed and evolved during atmospheric entry, to constrain the nature of their precursors and to establish rigorous criteria by which they may be conclusively identified within sediments and sedimentary rocks. Two textural types of I-type cosmic spherule are recognised: (1) metal bead-bearing (MET) spherules dominated by Ni-poor (<1.5 wt%) wüstite and FeNi metal (10-95 wt% Ni) with minor magnetite, and (2) metal bead-free (OX) spherules dominated by Ni-rich wüstite (0.5-22.5 wt%) and magnetite. Two varieties of OX spherule are distinguished, magnetite-poor dendritic spherules and magnetite-rich coarse spherules. Six OXMET particles having features of both MET and OX spherules were also observed. The wüstite to magnetite ratios and metal contents of the studied particles testify to their formation by melting of extraterrestrial FeNi grains during progressive oxidation in the atmosphere. Precursors are suggested to be mainly kamacite and rare taenite grains. Vesicle formation within metal beads and extrusion of metallic liquid into surrounding wüstite grain boundaries suggests an evaporated iron sulphide or carbide component within at least 23% of particles. The Ni/Co ratios of metal vary from 14 to >100 and suggest that metal from H-group ordinary, CM, CR and iron meteorites may form the majority of particles. Oxidation during entry heating increases in the series MET < magnetite-poor OX < magnetite-rich OX spherules owing to differences in particle size, entry angle and velocity. Magnetite-poor OX spherules are shown to form by crystallisation of non-stoichiometric wüstite at the liquidus followed by sub-solidus decomposition to magnetite, whilst in magnetite-rich OX spherules magnetite crystallises directly at the liquidus. Magnetite rims found on most particles are suggested to form by oxidation during sub-solidus flight. The separation of metal beads due to deceleration is proposed to have been minor with most OX spherules shown to have been in equilibrium with metal beads containing >80 wt% Ni comprising a particle mass fraction of <0.2. Non-equilibrium effects in the exchange of Ni between wüstite and metal, and magnetite and wüstite are suggested as proxies for the rate of oxidation and cooling rate respectively. Variations in magnetite and wüstite crystal sizes are also suggested to relate to cooling rate allowing relative entry angle of particles to be evaluated. The formation of secondary metal in the form of sub-micron Ni-rich or Pt-group nuggets and as symplectite with magnetite was also identified and suggested to occur largely due to the exsolution of metallic alloys during decomposition of non-stoichiometric wüstite. Weathering is restricted to replacement of metal by iron hydroxides. The following criteria are recommended for the conclusive identification of I-type spherules within sediments and sedimentary rocks: (i) spherical particle morphologies, (ii) dendritic crystal morphologies, (iii) the presence of wüstite and magnetite, (iv) Ni-bearing wüstite and magnetite, and (v) the presence of relict FeNi metal.

  17. Fractional iron solubility of aerosol particles enhanced by biomass burning and ship emission in Shanghai, East China.

    PubMed

    Fu, H B; Shang, G F; Lin, J; Hu, Y J; Hu, Q Q; Guo, L; Zhang, Y C; Chen, J M

    2014-05-15

    In terms of understanding Fe mobilization from aerosol particles in East China, the PM2.5 particles were collected in spring at Shanghai. Combined with the backtrajectory analysis, the PM2.5/PM10 and Ca/Al ratios, a serious dust-storm episode (DSE) during the sampling was identified. The single-particle analysis showed that the major iron-bearing class is the aluminosilicate dust during DSE, while the Fe-bearing aerosols are dominated by coal fly ash, followed by a minority of iron oxides during the non-dust storm days (NDS). Chemical analyses of samples showed that the fractional Fe solubility (%FeS) is much higher during NDS than that during DSE, and a strong inverse relationship of R(2)=0.967 between %FeS and total atmospheric iron loading were found, suggested that total Fe (FeT) is not controlling soluble Fe (FeS) during the sampling. Furthermore, no relationship between FeS and any of acidic species was established, suggesting that acidic process on aerosol surfaces are not involved in the trend of iron solubility. It was thus proposed that the source-dependent composition of aerosol particles is a primary determinant for %FeS. Specially, the Al/Fe ratio is poorly correlated (R(2)=0.113) with %FeS, while the apparent relationship between %FeS and the calculated KBB(+)/Fe ratio (R(2)=0.888) and the V/Fe ratio (R(2)=0.736) were observed, reflecting that %FeS could be controlled by both biomass burning and oil ash from ship emission, rather than mineral particles and coal fly ash, although the latter two are the main contributors to the atmospheric Fe loading during the sampling. Such information can be useful improving our understanding on iron solubility on East China, which may further correlate with iron bioavailability to the ocean, as well as human health effects associated with exposure to fine Fe-rich particles in densely populated metropolis in China. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Simultaneous micronization and purification of bioactive fraction by supercritical antisolvent technology

    PubMed Central

    Hiendrawan, Stevanus; Veriansyah, Bambang; Widjojokusumo, Edward; Tjandrawinata, Raymond R.

    2017-01-01

    Simultaneous micronization and purification of DLBS3233 bioactive fraction, a combination of two Indonesian herbals Lagerstroemia speciosa and Cinnamomum burmannii has been successfully performed via supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) technology. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of SAS technology to micronize and reduce coumarin content of DLBS3233. The effects of four SAS process parameters, i.e. pressure, temperature, concentration and solution flow rate on particle formation were investigated. In SAS process, DLBS3233 was dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) as the liquid solvent. The solution was then pumped through a nozzle into a chamber simultaneously with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) which acts as the anti-solvent, resulting in DLBS3233 precipitation. Physicochemical properties of unprocessed DLBS3233 and SAS-processed DLBS3233 particles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total polyphenol content (TPC) was also analyzed. Particles with mean particle size ranging from 0.107±0.028 μm to 0.298±0.138 μm were obtained by varying the process parameters. SAS-processed DLBS3233 particles showed no coumarin content in all experiments studied in this work. Results of TPC analysis revealed no significant change in SAS-processed DLBS3233 particles compared to unprocessed DLBS3233. Nano-sized DLBS3233 particles with no coumarin content have been successfully produced using SAS process. This study demonstrates the ability of SAS for processing herbal medicine in single step process. PMID:28516056

  19. Simultaneous micronization and purification of bioactive fraction by supercritical antisolvent technology.

    PubMed

    Hiendrawan, Stevanus; Veriansyah, Bambang; Widjojokusumo, Edward; Tjandrawinata, Raymond R

    2017-01-01

    Simultaneous micronization and purification of DLBS3233 bioactive fraction, a combination of two Indonesian herbals Lagerstroemia speciosa and Cinnamomum burmannii has been successfully performed via supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) technology. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of SAS technology to micronize and reduce coumarin content of DLBS3233. The effects of four SAS process parameters, i.e. pressure, temperature, concentration and solution flow rate on particle formation were investigated. In SAS process, DLBS3233 was dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) as the liquid solvent. The solution was then pumped through a nozzle into a chamber simultaneously with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) which acts as the anti-solvent, resulting in DLBS3233 precipitation. Physicochemical properties of unprocessed DLBS3233 and SAS-processed DLBS3233 particles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total polyphenol content (TPC) was also analyzed. Particles with mean particle size ranging from 0.107±0.028 μ m to 0.298±0.138 μ m were obtained by varying the process parameters. SAS-processed DLBS3233 particles showed no coumarin content in all experiments studied in this work. Results of TPC analysis revealed no significant change in SAS-processed DLBS3233 particles compared to unprocessed DLBS3233. Nano-sized DLBS3233 particles with no coumarin content have been successfully produced using SAS process. This study demonstrates the ability of SAS for processing herbal medicine in single step process.

  20. Oleic acid coated magnetic nano-particles: Synthesis and characterizations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Panda, Biswajit, E-mail: bpanda@mes.ac.in; Goyal, P. S.

    2015-06-24

    Magnetic nano particles of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} coated with oleic acid were synthesized using wet chemical route, which involved co-precipitation of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} ions. The nano particles were characterized using XRD, TEM, FTIR, TGA and VSM. X-ray diffraction studies showed that nano particles consist of single phase Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} having inverse spinel structure. The particle size obtained from width of Bragg peak is about 12.6 nm. TEM analysis showed that sizes of nano particles are in range of 6 to 17 nm with a dominant population at 12 - 14 nm. FTIR and TGA analysis showed that -COOH groupmore » of oleic acid is bound to the surface of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} particles and one has to heat the sample to 278° C to remove the attached molecule from the surface. Further it was seen that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} particles exhibit super paramagnetism with a magnetization of about 53 emu/ gm.« less

  1. Simulating the Dynamics of Particles Interacting with Solidification Fronts (Preprint - Briefing Charts)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-07-01

    A π =Π )( lslpsp γγγγ +−=Δ A = Hamaker constant ~ Δγ Δγ > 0 repulsive Δγ < 0 attractive VSparticle solid liquid d Previous work on thermal effects of...Solidification velocity = 500 microns/sec, Rp = 1 micron, Hamaker = -8E-19 J, kp/kl = 1.0 (planar), no premelting Vs Vt Vp Velocity vs. t and d vs. t plots...premelting Solidification velocity = 500 microns/sec, Rp = 1 micron, Hamaker = -8E-19 J, kp/kl = 1.0 (planar), premelting kp/kl ≥ 1.0 ALWAYS ENGULFS

  2. Iron oxide and iron carbide particles produced by the polyol method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamada, Y.; Shimizu, R.; Kobayashi, Y.

    2016-12-01

    Iron oxide ( γ-Fe2O3) and iron carbide (Fe3C) particles were produced by the polyol method. Ferrocene, which was employed as an iron source, was decomposed in a mixture of 1,2-hexadecandiol, oleylamine, and 1-octadecene. Particles were characterized using Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that oleylamine acted as a capping reagent, leading to uniform-sized (12-16 nm) particles consisting of γ-Fe 2O3. On the other hand, 1-octadecene acted as a non-coordinating solvent and a carbon source, which led to particles consisting of Fe3C and α-Fe with various sizes.

  3. Electromechanical characterization of individual micron-sized metal coated polymer particles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bazilchuk, Molly; Kristiansen, Helge; Conpart AS, Skjetten 2013

    Micron-sized polymer particles with nanoscale metal coatings are essential in conductive adhesives for electronics assembly. The particles function in a compressed state in the adhesives. The link between mechanical properties and electrical conductivity is thus of the utmost importance in the formation of good electrical contact. A custom flat punch set-up based on nanoindentation has been developed to simultaneously deform and electrically probe individual particles. The set-up has a sufficiently low internal resistance to allow the measurement of sub-Ohm contact resistances. Additionally, the set-up can capture mechanical failure of the particles. Combining this data yields a fundamental understanding of contactmore » behavior. We demonstrate that this method can clearly distinguish between particles of different sizes, with different thicknesses of metal coating, and different metallization schemes. The technique provides good repeatability and physical insight into the behavior of these particles that can guide adhesive design and the optimization of bonding processes.« less

  4. Release of Micronized Copper Particles from Pressure Treated Wood Products

    EPA Science Inventory

    Micronized copper pressure treated lumber (PTL) has recently been introduced to the consumer market as a replacement for ionized copper PTL. The presence of particulate rather than aqueous copper raises concerns about the exposure of humans as well as the environment to the parti...

  5. Electrostatic removal of airborne particulates employing fiber beds

    DOEpatents

    Postma, Arlin Keith; Winegardner, W. Kevin

    1977-01-01

    A method and apparatus for collecting aerosol particles. The particles are subjected to an electrostatic charge prior to collection in an electrically resistive fiber bed. The method is applicable to particles in a broad size range, including the difficult-to-remove particles having diameters between 0.01 and 2 microns.

  6. Measurements of micron-scale meteoroids and orbital debris with the Space Dust (SPADUS) instrument on the upcoming ARGOS P91-1 mission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McKibben, R. B.; Simpson, J. A.; Tuzzolino, A. J.

    1997-01-01

    The space dust (SPADUS) experiment, to be launched into a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 833 km onboard the USAF ARGOS P91-1 mission, will provide time-resolved measurements of the intensity, size spectrum and geocentric trajectories of dust particles encountered during the nominal three year mission. The experiment uses polyvinylidene fluoride dust sensors with a total detector area of 576 sq cm. The SPADUS will measure particle sizes between 2 and 200 microns, particle velocities between 1 and 10 km/s to better than 4 percent, and the direction of incidence with a mean error of 7 percent. These data will identify the particles as being debris or of natural origin.

  7. Rare earth elements in Hamersley BIF minerals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alibert, Chantal

    2016-07-01

    Minerals from the Hamersley banded iron formation, Western Australia, were analyzed for Y and rare earth elements (YREEs) by laser ablation ICP-MS to investigate diagenetic pathways, from precursor phases to BIF minerals. One group of apatites carries the seawater REE signature, giving evidence that P and REEs, thoroughly scavenged from the water column by Si-ferrihydrite particles, were released upon microbial Fe3+ reductive dissolution of Si-ferrihydrite in pore-water and finally sequestered mainly in authigenic apatite. The absence of fractionation between apatite and seawater suggests that REE were first incorporated into an amorphous calcium phosphate as fully hydrated cations, i.e. as outer-sphere complexes. The iron oxides and carbonates carry only a small fraction of the whole-rock REE budget. Their REE patterns are distinctly enriched in Yb and show some M-type tetrad effect consistent with experimental Kd(REE) between solid and saline solution with low carbonate ion concentrations. It is deduced that hematite formed at an incipient stage of Fe2+-catalyzed dissolution of Si-ferrihydrite, via a dissolution-reprecipitation pathway. The REE pattern of greenalite, found as sub-micron particles in quartz in a chert-siderite sample, is consistent with its authigenic origin by precipitation in pore-water after dissolution of a small amount of Si-ferrihydrite. Magnetite carries very low YREEs (ppb-level), has an homogeneous pattern distinctly enriched in the mid-REEs compared to hematite, and includes a late population depleted in light-REEs, Ba and As. Magnetite forming aggregates and massive laminae is tentatively interpreted as reflecting some fluid-aided hematite-magnetite re-equilibration or transformation at low-grade metamorphic temperatures.

  8. Characterization of Secondary Mineral Grain Coatings and their Role as Diffusion-controlled Sinks and Sources for Metal Contaminants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Davis, J. A.; Guo, H.; Lai, B.; Kemner, K. M.; Ercius, P.; Fox, P. M.; Singer, D. M.; Minor, A.; Waychunas, G.

    2012-12-01

    Many important geochemical reactions occur at the mineral-water interface, including sorption and desorption reactions of contaminants. Fundamental knowledge of the kinetics of these processes is based primarily on experimental observations of reactions at faces of single crystals or macroscopic data from pure mineral powder suspensions. Sorption reactions at crystal faces are generally very fast, on the order of microseconds or less, with reaction times often limited only by film diffusion at the mineral-water interface. In well-stirred suspensions of aquifer sediments, however, sorptive equilibrium can take many hours or days to achieve steady-state concentrations. We have examined the potential reasons for sorption rate limitation using uranium(VI) sorption by sediments from a sandy aquifer in Savannah River, South Carolina (USA). U(VI) sorption by sand-sized grains from the aquifer is dominated by reaction with secondary mineral coatings on quartz and feldspar grains. The coatings studied were on the order of 15 microns in thickness (i.e., from quartz grain to aqueous solution) and composed primarily of clay minerals and hematite of varying particle size. Microfocused-XRF imaging of elemental concentrations (e.g., U, Fe) of polished cross-sections of the grain/coating contact showed strong spatial correlations of U and Fe within the coatings, regardless of the length of reaction time (30 minutes to 4 weeks). The spatial resolution of the μ-XRF technique is of the order of 2 microns in horizontal directions, but the uncertainty of the observed spatial gradients is high due to grain curvature away from the polished surface and fluorescence contributed from the entire 30 micron thickness of a typical grain/epoxy thin section. TEM characterization of focused-ion-beam (FIB), vertically-extracted samples of the grain-coating contact shows that complex pore networks exist within the coatings of variable dimensions and unknown connectivity. Using scanning TEM (STEM) tomography, it can be seen that there are large numbers of pore throat sizes less than 10 nm within the coatings. We hypothesize that diffusion through these pores, which likely have electrically charged surfaces, controls the observed macroscopic rates of U(VI) sorption in batch experiments with sand grains. Evidence to support this hypothesis was observed by studying U and Fe fluorescence spatial variation within FIB samples (1 micron thick) at 200 nm spatial resolution. With this greater spatial resolution, it is possible to see U concentration variations within the coatings that are dependent on the time of sorption reaction, and illustrates how the coating environment constitutes a diffusion constraint to achieve adsorptive equilibrium between an aqueous phase and the mineral surfaces. Including this diffusion constraint within conceptual models for reactive contaminant transport may be significant at the field scale, because secondary mineral coatings are potentially both sinks and sources of contaminants depending on the history of a contaminated site. This is important in resolving long-term transport predictions at DOE sites, such as Hanford and Savannah River, where equilibrium versus kinetic reactive transport models are being evaluated.

  9. Rapid removal of chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene in water by aluminum-iron alloy particles.

    PubMed

    Xu, Jie; Pu, Yuan; Yang, Xiao Jin; Wan, Pingyu; Wang, Rong; Song, Peng; Fisher, Adrian

    2017-09-05

    Water contamination with chlorinated hydrocarbons such as chloroform (CHCl 3 ), carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) and trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the major public health concerns. In this study, we explored the use of aluminum-iron alloys particles in millimeter scale for rapid removal of CHCl 3 , CCl 4 and TCE from water. Three types of Al-Fe alloy particles containing 10, 20 and 58 wt% of Fe (termed as Al-Fe10, Al-Fe20 and Al-Fe58) were prepared and characterized by electrochemical polarization, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometer. For concentrations of 30-180 μg/L CHCl 3 , CCl 4 and TCE, a removal efficiency of 45-64% was achieved in a hydraulic contact time of less than 3 min through a column packed with 0.8-2 mm diameter of Al-Fe alloy particles. The concentration of Al and Fe ions released into water was less than 0.15 and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. Alloying Al with Fe enhances reactivity towards chlorinated hydrocarbons' degradation and the enhancement is likely the consequence of galvanic effects between different phases (Al, Fe and intermetallic Al-Fe compounds such as Al 13 Fe 4 , Fe 3 Al and FeAl 2 ) and catalytic role of these intermetallic Al-Fe compounds. The results demonstrate that the use of Al-Fe alloy particles offers a viable and green option for chlorinated hydrocarbons' removal in water treatment.

  10. Rare-earth substitution in (BiYCa)3(FeSiGe)5O12 bubble films

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Luther, L. C.; Slusky, S. E. G.; Brandle, C. D.; Norelli, M. P.

    1987-01-01

    The substitution of Y by Sm, Tb, Gd, and Ho in (BiYCa)3 FeSiGe)5O12 bubble garnet is shown to have large effects on the growth-induced anisotropy (GIA). The presently accepted film composition intended for 6-or 8-micron-period bubble memory devices demands partial substitution of Y by Gd and Ho. However, comparing films grown under the same growth conditions, it is observed that YGdHoBilG films posess less (GIA) than their Gd, Ho-free counterparts. Thus, to satisfy (GIA) requirements, the supercooling during growth must be increased by 20 K to 80 K with undesirable effects on defect densities. A new film composition containing Sm, Tb, and Gd has been formulated to satisfy all known material property specifications for 6- or 8-micron-period memory devices. It can be grown with only 45-50 K supercooling.

  11. High Curie temperature drive layer materials for ion-implanted magnetic bubble devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fratello, V. J.; Wolfe, R.; Blank, S. L.; Nelson, T. J.

    1984-01-01

    Ion implantation of bubble garnets can lower the Curie temperature by 70 C or more, thus limiting high temperature operation of devices with ion-implanted propagation patterns. Therefore, double-layer materials were made with a conventional 2-micron bubble storage layer capped by an ion-implantable drive layer of high Curie temperature, high magnetostriction material. Contiguous disk test patterns were implanted with varying doses of a typical triple implant. Quality of propagation was judged by quasistatic tests on 8-micron period major and minor loops. Variations of magnetization, uniaxial anisotropy, implant dose, and magnetostriction were investigated to ensure optimum flux matching, good charged wall coupling, and wide operating margins. The most successful drive layer compositions were in the systems (SmDyLuCa)3(FeSi)5O12 and (BiGdTmCa)3(FeSi)5O12 and had Curie temperatures 25-44 C higher than the storage layers.

  12. Thermal emission spectra of Mars (5.4-10.5 microns) - Evidence for sulfates, carbonates, and hydrates

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pollack, James B.; Roush, Ted; Witteborn, Fred; Bregman, Jesse; Wooden, Diane; Stoker, Carol; Toon, Owen B.

    1990-01-01

    Spectra of the Martian thermal emission in the 5.4-10.5 micron region are reported. Emission features at 7.8 and 9.7 microns are attributed to surface silicates, and an emission feature at 6.1 micron is attributed to a molecular water component of the surface material. An absorption band at 8.7 micron and a possible one at 9.8 microns is attributed to sulfate or bisulfate anions probably located at a distorted crystalline site, and an absorption band at 6.7 microns is attributed to carbonate or bicarbonate anions located in a distorted crystalline site. Spectral simulations indicate that the sulfate- and carbonate-bearing minerals are contained in the same particles of airborne dust as the dominant silicate minerals, that the dust optical depth is about 0.6 at a reference wavelength of 0.3 micron over the area of the observed spots, and that sulfates and carbonates constitute 10-15 percent and 1-3 percent by volume of the airborne dust, respectively.

  13. Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Image Cubes of Mars during the 1999 Opposition

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hillman, John J.; Glenar, D.; Espenak, F.; Chanover, N.; Murphy, J.; Young, L.; Blass, W.

    1999-01-01

    We used the Goddard Space Flight Center, Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) Camera to obtain near-IR spectral image sets of Mars over the 1.6-3.6 micron region during the April 1999 opposition. A complete image set consists of 280 images with a spectral full-width-half maximum of 10 wavenumbers (fixed in frequency), 90 images in H-band (1.55-1.80 micron), 115 images in K-band (1.95-2.50 micron) and 75 images in L-band (2.90-3.70 micron). The short-wavelength limit is set by transmission of AOTF cell and long-wavelength limit is imposed by sensitivity of PICNIC, 256x256, HgCdTe array detector. We will discuss the new array performance and provide preliminary interpretations of some of these results. These measurements were part of a 4-observatory coordinated effort whose overall objective was to assemble a photometrically calibrated, spectrally complete ground-based image cube over the visible and near-IR spectral region. To accomplish this, four observing teams conducted the investigations with instruments spanning 0.4 to 5.0 micron. The instruments and observing facilities were (a) AOTF camera at Apache Point Observatory, 3.5m, f/10, Nasymth focus (this abstract). Primary science targets included the 3 micron water-of hydration feature and CO2, H2O ice (polar regions and clouds); (b) Visible/NIR interference-filter (24 filters) camera at Lowell Observatory, 72" telescope. 430-1050 nm. Science targets were Fe(2+), Fe(3+) mineralogy and coarse grain hematite search; (c) NMSU Tortugas Mountain Observatory, 60 cm telescope, CCD photometry with same filter set as Lowell; (d) KPNO cryogenic grating/slit spectrometer (CRSP/SALLY) at KPNO 2.1 m, f/15 Cassegrain focus (see abstract by D. Glenar, et. al., this meeting). Selected wavelengths in 3-5 micron region (L, M band). Science targets included water-of-hydration feature (3-4 micron long wave extension) and sulfate mineralogy. Observers participating in this campaign included Dave Glenar, John Hillman, Gordon Bjoraker and Fred Espenak from GSFC, Nancy Chanover, Jim Murphy and A. S. MurTell from NMSU, Leslie Young from BU, Diana Blaney from JPL and Dick Joyce from KPNO.

  14. Ablation of silicate particles in high-speed continuum and transition flow with application to the collection of interplanetary dust particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rulison, Aaron J.; Flagan, Richard C.; Ahrens, Thomas J.; Miller, Wayne F.

    1991-01-01

    The ablative deceleration of spheres in the continuum and slip regimes is studied using spherical 7.1-micron-diam soda-lime glass particles launched from vacuum at about 4500 m/sec speed through a 13-micron-thick plastic film into a capture chamber containing Xe at 0.1 or 0.2 atm pressure and 295 K temperature. The results of SEM examinations of the collected ablated particles showed that the ratio of the ablated-particle radius (Rf) to the initial radius (R0) increased with gas pressure (from Rf/R0 about 0.67 at 0.1 atm, to about 0.88 at 0.2 atm). A model was developed to describe the ablation and deceleration of spheres in high-speed continuum and slip flow. The pressure dependence predicted by the model agreed with experimental results.

  15. Method of generating hydrogen gas from sodium borohydride

    DOEpatents

    Kravitz, Stanley H.; Hecht, Andrew M.; Sylwester, Alan P.; Bell, Nelson S.

    2007-12-11

    A compact solid source of hydrogen gas, where the gas is generated by contacting water with micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as cobalt or ruthenium. The micro-disperse particles can have a substantially uniform diameter of 1-10 microns, and preferably about 3-5 microns. Ruthenium or cobalt catalytic nanoparticles can be incorporated in the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride, which allows a rapid and complete reaction to occur without the problems associated with caking and scaling of the surface by the reactant product sodium metaborate. A closed loop water management system can be used to recycle wastewater from a PEM fuel cell to supply water for reacting with the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in a compact hydrogen gas generator. Capillary forces can wick water from a water reservoir into a packed bed of micro-disperse fuel particles, eliminating the need for using an active pump.

  16. Compact solid source of hydrogen gas

    DOEpatents

    Kravitz, Stanley H.; Hecht, Andrew M.; Sylwester, Alan P.; Bell, Nelson S.

    2004-06-08

    A compact solid source of hydrogen gas, where the gas is generated by contacting water with micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as cobalt or ruthenium. The micro-disperse particles can have a substantially uniform diameter of 1-10 microns, and preferably about 3-5 microns. Ruthenium or cobalt catalytic nanoparticles can be incorporated in the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride, which allows a rapid and complete reaction to occur without the problems associated with caking and scaling of the surface by the reactant product sodium metaborate. A closed loop water management system can be used to recycle wastewater from a PEM fuel cell to supply water for reacting with the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in a compact hydrogen gas generator. Capillary forces can wick water from a water reservoir into a packed bed of micro-disperse fuel particles, eliminating the need for using an active pump.

  17. Dust grain resonant capture: A statistical study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Marzari, F.; Vanzani, V.; Weidenschilling, S. J.

    1993-01-01

    A statistical approach, based on a large number of simultaneous numerical integrations, is adopted to study the capture in external mean motion resonances with the Earth of micron size dust grains perturbed by solar radiation and wind forces. We explore the dependence of the resonant capture phenomenon on the initial eccentricity e(sub 0) and perihelion argument w(sub 0) of the dust particle orbit. The intensity of both the resonant and dissipative (Poynting-Robertson and wind drag) perturbations strongly depends on the eccentricity of the particle while the perihelion argument determines, for low inclination, the mutual geometrical configuration of the particle's orbit with respect to the Earth's orbit. We present results for three j:j+1 commensurabilities (2:3, 4:5 and 6:7) and also for particle sizes s = 15, 30 microns. This study extends our previous work on the long term orbital evolution of single dust particles trapped into resonances with the Earth.

  18. Assessing the Release of Copper from Nanocopper-treated and Conventional Copper-treated Lumber into Marine Waters I: Concentrations and Rates

    EPA Science Inventory

    Little is known about the release of metal engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) from consumer goods, including lumber treated with micronized copper. Micronized copper is a recent form of antifouling wood preservative containing nanosized copper particles for use in pressure‐tre...

  19. Comparison of reductive dechlorination of p-chlorophenol using Fe0 and nanosized Fe0.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Rong; Wang, Jian-Long; Zhang, Wei-xian

    2007-06-01

    Chlorophenols, as a kind of important contaminants in groundwater, are toxic and difficult to biodegrade. Laboratory tests were conducted to examine zero-valent iron as an enhancing agent in the dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds. Nanoscale iron particles were synthesized from common precursors KBH(4) and FeSO(4). Batch experiments were performed to investigate the reduction of p-chlorophenol (4-CP) by both common Fe(0) and nanoscale Fe(0). Comparison of 300 mesh/100 mesh/commercial reductive iron powders showed that size of iron particles played an important role in reduction process. Initial concentration and pretreatment of iron particles also influenced the chlorination rate. Nanoscale Fe(0) offered much more advantages for treatment of 4-CP compared with common iron particles, such as stability and durability. And they can be used to treat contaminants in groundwater over a long time. Among different parts of synthesized nanoscale iron particle solution, the very fine particles were the major agent for treatment of pollutants. As for preservation of nanoscale Fe(0), ethanol was recommended.

  20. Impact of Microcystis aeruginosa Exudate on the Formation and Reactivity of Iron Oxide Particles Following Fe(II) and Fe(III) Addition.

    PubMed

    Garg, Shikha; Wang, Kai; Waite, T David

    2017-05-16

    Impact of the organic exudate secreted by a toxic strain of Microcystis aeruginosa on the formation, aggregation, and reactivity of iron oxides that are formed on addition of Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts to a solution of the exudate is investigated in this study. The exudate has a stabilizing effect on the particles formed with decreased aggregation rate and increased critical coagulant concentration required for diffusion-limited aggregation to occur. These results suggest that the presence of algal exudates from Microcystis aeruginosa may significantly influence particle aggregation both in natural water bodies where Fe(II) oxidation results in oxide formation and in water treatment where Fe(III) salts are commonly added to aid particle growth and contaminant capture. The exudate also affects the reactivity of iron oxide particles formed with exudate coated particles undergoing faster dissolution than bare iron oxide particles. This has implications to iron availability, especially where algae procure iron via dissolution of iron oxide particles as a result of either reaction with reducing moieties, light-mediated ligand to metal charge transfer and/or reaction with siderophores. The increased reactivity of exudate coated particles is attributed, for the most part, to the smaller size of these particles, higher surface area and increased accessibility of surface sites.

  1. Characterisation of Fe-bearing particles and colloids in the Lena River basin, NE Russia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirst, Catherine; Andersson, Per S.; Shaw, Samuel; Burke, Ian T.; Kutscher, Liselott; Murphy, Melissa J.; Maximov, Trofim; Pokrovsky, Oleg S.; Mörth, Carl-Magnus; Porcelli, Don

    2017-09-01

    Rivers are significant contributors of Fe to the ocean. However, the characteristics of chemically reactive Fe remain poorly constrained, especially in large Arctic rivers, which drain landscapes highly susceptible to climate change and carbon cycle alteration. The aim of this study was a detailed characterisation (size, mineralogy, and speciation) of riverine Fe-bearing particles (>0.22 μm) and colloids (1 kDa-0.22 μm) and their association with organic carbon (OC), in the Lena River and tributaries, which drain a catchment almost entirely underlain by permafrost. Samples from the main channel and tributaries representing watersheds that span a wide range in topography and lithology were taken after the spring flood in June 2013 and summer baseflow in July 2012. Fe-bearing particles were identified, using Transmission Electron Microscopy, as large (200 nm-1 μm) aggregates of smaller (20-30 nm) spherical colloids of chemically-reactive ferrihydrite. In contrast, there were also large (500 nm-1 μm) aggregates of clay (illite) particles and smaller (100-200 nm) iron oxide particles (dominantly hematite) that contain poorly reactive Fe. TEM imaging and Scanning Transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) indicated that the ferrihydrite is present as discrete particles within networks of amorphous particulate organic carbon (POC) and attached to the surface of primary produced organic matter and clay particles. Together, these larger particles act as the main carriers of nanoscale ferrihydrite in the Lena River basin. The chemically reactive ferrihydrite accounts for on average 70 ± 15% of the total suspended Fe in the Lena River and tributaries. These observations place important constraints on Fe and OC cycling in the Lena River catchment area and Fe-bearing particle transport to the Arctic Ocean.

  2. Characterization of fine volcanic ash from explosive eruption from Sakurajima volcano, South Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nanayama, F.; Furukawa, R.; Ishizuka, Y.; Yamamoto, T.; Geshi, N.; Oishi, M.

    2013-12-01

    Explosive volcanic eruptions can affect infrastructure and ecosystem by their dispersion of the volcanic particle. Characterization of volcanic particle expelled by explosive eruption is crucial for evaluating for quantitative hazard assessment by future volcanic eruption. Especially for fine volcanic ash less than 64 micron in diameter, it can disperse vast area from the source volcano and be easily remobilized by surface wind and precipitation after the deposition. As fine volcanic ash is not preserved well at the earth surface and in strata except for enormously large scale volcanic eruption. In order to quantify quantitative characteristics of fine volcanic ash particle, we sampled volcanic ash directly falling from the eruption cloud from Showa crater, the most active vent of Sakurajima volcano, just before landing on ground. We newly adopted high precision digital microscope and particle grain size analyzer to develop hazard evaluation method of fine volcanic ash particle. Field survey was performed 5 sequential days in January, 2013 to take tamper-proof volcanic ash samples directly obtained from the eruption cloud of the Sakurajima volcano using disposable paper dishes and plastic pails. Samples were taken twice a day with time-stamp in 40 localities from 2.5 km to 43 km distant from the volcano. Japan Meteorological Agency reported 16 explosive eruptions of vulcanian style occurred during our survey and we took 140 samples of volcanic ash. Grain size distribution of volcanic ash was measured by particle grain size analyzer (Mophologi G3S) detecting each grain with parameters of particle diameter (0.3 micron - 1 mm), perimeter, length, area, circularity, convexity, solidity, and intensity. Component of volcanic ash was analyzed by CCD optical microscope (VHX-2000) which can take high resolution optical image with magnifying power of 100-2500. We discriminated each volcanic ash particle by color, texture of surface, and internal structure. Grain size distributions of volcanic ash from Sakurajima volcano have basically characteristics of unimodal and gaussian. Mode of distributions are 150 - 200 micron at 5 km and 70-80 micron at 20 km respectively from the Showa crater. Mode and deviation of the grain size distribution are function of distance from the source. Fine volcanic ash less than 1 micron in diameter is few and exists in every samples. Component of volcanic ash samples are dark-colored dense glass shard (ca. 50%), light-colored dense glass shard (10%), variously colored and vesiculated glass shard (10%), free crystal (20%), lithic fragment (10%), and altered fragment (less than 5%) which are mostly having similar ratio in every location suggesting single source process of the eruption. We also found fine volcanic ash samples less than 10 micron are frequently aggregated. The present study includes the result of "Research and Development of Margin Assessment Methodology of Decay Heat Removal Function against External Hazards" entrusted to Japan Atomic Energy Agency by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT).

  3. Airborne and groundbased spectrophotometry of comet P/Halley from 5-13 micrometers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bregman, J. D.; Witteborn, F. C.; Allamandola, L. J.; Campins, H.; Wooden, D. H.; Rank, D. M.; Cohen, M.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.

    1987-01-01

    Spectrophotometry of comet Halley from 5-13 microns was obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory and from the Lick Observatory Nickel Telescope, revealing a strong broad emission band at 10 microns and a weak feature at 6.8 microns. The 10-micron band is identified with silicate materials, and the primary component of the silicate emission is suggested to be due to olivine. The 6.8 micron feature may be due either to carbonates or the C-H deformation mode in organic molecules. The data indicate that small particles are abundant in the coma and that the dust contains at least two physically separate components. Significant spatial and temporal variations are also noted in the spectrum.

  4. Size-tunable drug-delivery capsules composed of a magnetic nanoshell.

    PubMed

    Fuchigami, Teruaki; Kitamoto, Yoshitaka; Namiki, Yoshihisa

    2012-01-01

    Nano-sized FePt capsules with two types of ultrathin shell were fabricated using a template method for use in a nano-scale drug delivery system. One capsule was composed of an inorganic-organic hybrid shell of a water-soluble polymer and FePt nanoparticles, and the other capsule was composed of a network of fused FePt nanoparticles. We demonstrated that FePt nanoparticles selectively accumulated on the polymer molecules adsorbed on the template silica particles, and investigated the morphologies of the particle accumulation by changing the concentration of the polymer solution with which the template particles were treated. Capsular size was reduced from 340 to less than 90 nm by changing the size of the silica template particles, and the shell thickness was controlled by changing the amount of FePt nanoparticles adsorbed on the template particles. The hybrid shell was maintained by the connection of FePt nanoparticles and polymer molecules, and the shell thickness was 10 nm at the maximum. The FePt network shell was fabricated by hydrothermal treatment of the FePt/polymer-modified silica composite particles. The FePt network shell was produced from only the FePt alloy, and the shell thickness was 3 nm. Water-soluble anti-cancer drugs could be loaded into the hollow space of FePt network capsules, and lipid-coated FePt network capsules loaded with anti-cancer drugs showed cellular toxicity. The nano-sized capsular structure and the ultrathin shell suggest applicability as a drug carrier in magnetically guided drug delivery systems.

  5. Size-tunable drug-delivery capsules composed of a magnetic nanoshell

    PubMed Central

    Fuchigami, Teruaki; Kitamoto, Yoshitaka; Namiki, Yoshihisa

    2012-01-01

    Nano-sized FePt capsules with two types of ultrathin shell were fabricated using a template method for use in a nano-scale drug delivery system. One capsule was composed of an inorganic-organic hybrid shell of a water-soluble polymer and FePt nanoparticles, and the other capsule was composed of a network of fused FePt nanoparticles. We demonstrated that FePt nanoparticles selectively accumulated on the polymer molecules adsorbed on the template silica particles, and investigated the morphologies of the particle accumulation by changing the concentration of the polymer solution with which the template particles were treated. Capsular size was reduced from 340 to less than 90 nm by changing the size of the silica template particles, and the shell thickness was controlled by changing the amount of FePt nanoparticles adsorbed on the template particles. The hybrid shell was maintained by the connection of FePt nanoparticles and polymer molecules, and the shell thickness was 10 nm at the maximum. The FePt network shell was fabricated by hydrothermal treatment of the FePt/polymer-modified silica composite particles. The FePt network shell was produced from only the FePt alloy, and the shell thickness was 3 nm. Water-soluble anti-cancer drugs could be loaded into the hollow space of FePt network capsules, and lipid-coated FePt network capsules loaded with anti-cancer drugs showed cellular toxicity. The nano-sized capsular structure and the ultrathin shell suggest applicability as a drug carrier in magnetically guided drug delivery systems. PMID:23507895

  6. Preparation of nano-hydroxyapatite particles with different morphology and their response to highly malignant melanoma cells in vitro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Bo; Guo, Bo; Fan, Hongsong; Zhang, Xingdong

    2008-11-01

    To investigate the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) particles with different morphology on highly malignant melanoma cells, three kinds of HA particles with different morphology were synthesized and co-cultured with highly malignant melanoma cells using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as control. A precipitation method with or without citric acid addition as surfactant was used to produce rod-like hydroxyapatite (HA) particles with nano- and micron size, respectively, and a novel oil-in-water emulsion method was employed to prepare ellipse-like nano-HA particles. Particle morphology and size distribution of the as prepared HA powders were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering technique. The nano- and micron HA particles with different morphology were co-cultured with highly malignant melanoma cells. Immunofluorescence analysis and MTT assay were employed to evaluate morphological change of nucleolus and proliferation of tumour cells, respectively. To compare the effects of HA particles on cell response, the PBS without HA particles was used as control. The experiment results indicated that particle nanoscale effect rather than particle morphology of HA was more effective for the inhibition on highly malignant melanoma cells proliferation.

  7. Combination of multi-scale and multi-edge X-ray spectroscopy for investigating the products obtained from the interaction between kaolinite and metallic iron in anoxic conditions at 90 °C

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rivard, Camille; Montargès-Pelletier, Emmanuelle; Vantelon, Delphine; Pelletier, Manuel; Karunakaran, Chithra; Michot, Laurent J.; Villieras, Frédéric; Michau, Nicolas

    2013-02-01

    In the context of radioactive waste repository in geological formation, kaolinite-metallic iron interaction in chlorine solution was conducted in batch experiments, under anoxic conditions at 90 °C during 9 months. After a mineralogical characterization at a global scale, products were analyzed at the micrometer and nanometer scales by X-ray absorption spectroscopic techniques (XAS and STXM). Absorption at Al, Si and Fe edges was investigated to have a complete overview of the distribution and status of constituting elements. Whereas Si K-edge results do not evidence significant evolution of silicon status, investigations at Al K-edge and Fe L-edges demonstrate variations at aggregate and particle scales of IVAl:VIAl and Fe2+:Fe3+ ratios. Spectroscopic data evidence the systematic crystallization of Fe-serpentines onto the remaining particles of kaolinite and the absence of pure species (kaolinite or Fe-serpentines). Combination of spatially resolved spectroscopic analyses and TEM-EDXS elemental distribution aims to calculate unit cell formulae of Fe-serpentines layers and abundance of each species in mixed particles. For most of the investigated particles, results reveal that the variations of particles composition are directly linked to the relative contributions of kaolinite and Fe-berthierine in mixed particles. However, for some particles, microscale investigations evidence crystallization of two other Fe-serpentines species, devoid of aluminum, cronstedtite and greenalite.

  8. Size effect on L10 ordering and magnetic properties of chemically synthesized FePt and FePtAu nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jia, Zhiyong; Kang, Shishou; Shi, Shifan; Nikles, David E.; Harrell, J. W.

    2005-05-01

    There is growing evidence that FePt nanoparticles become increasingly difficult to chemically order as the size approaches a few nanometers. We have studied the chemical ordering of FePt and FePtAu nanoparticle arrays as a function of particle size. Monodisperse Fe49Pt51 and Fe48Pt44Au8 nanoparticles with a size about 6nm were synthesized by the simultaneous decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl and reduction of platinum acetylacetonate and gold (III) acetate in a mixture of phenyl ether and hexadecylamine (HDA), with 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid and HDA as stabilizers. The nanoparticles were dispersed in toluene, films of the particles were cast onto silicon wafers from the dispersion, and the films were annealed in a tube furnace with flowing Ar +5%H2. The magnetic anisotropy and switching volumes were determined from time- and temperature-dependent coercivity measurements. By comparing with 3-nm FePt and FePtAu nanoparticles of comparable composition, the phase transformation is easier for the larger particles. Under the same annealing conditions, the larger particles have higher anisotropy and order parameter. Additive Au is very effective in enhancing the chemical ordering in both small and large particles, with x-ray diffraction superlattice peaks appearing after annealing at 350°C. Dynamic remnant coercivity measurements and magnetic switching volumes suggest particle aggregation at the higher annealing temperatures in both small and large particles.

  9. Carbon-coated CoFe–CoFe2O4 composite particles with high and dual-band electromagnetic wave absorbing properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guan, Zhen-Jie; Jiang, Jian-Tang; Chen, Na; Gong, Yuan-Xun; Zhen, Liang

    2018-07-01

    SiO2 and TiO2, as conventional dielectric shells of ferromagnetic/dielectric composite particles, can protect ferromagnetic particles from aggregation and oxidation, but contribute little to electromagnetic loss. In this work, we designed nano-assembled CoFe–CoFe2O4@C composite particles, in which ferrites with high permeability were dielectric elements and carbon was introduced as protective layers, aiming for high-efficiency microwave absorption. These assembled particles with different CoFe contents were prepared through solvothermal methods and subsequent hydrogen-thermal reduction. CoFe nanoparticles were dispersed on a CoFe2O4 matrix via an in situ reduction transformation from CoFe2O4 to CoFe. The microstructure evolution of composite particles and corresponding electromagnetic properties tailoring were investigated. The content and size of CoFe as well as the porosity of composite particles increase gradually as the annealing temperature increases. A maximum reflection loss (RL max) of –71.73 dB is observed at 4.78 GHz in 3.4 mm thick coating using particles annealed at 500 °C as fillers. The coating presents double-band absorbing characteristics, as broad effective absorption bandwidth with RL > 5 (ERL 5) and high RL max are observed in both S-C and X-Ku bands. The tunability as well as the assembled characteristic of the electromagnetic property that endued from the composite structure contributes to the excellent electromagnetic wave absorbing performances.

  10. Further characterization of spectral features attributable to titanium on the moon

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burns, R. G.; Parkin, K. M.; Loeffler, B. M.; Leung, I. S.; Abu-Eid, R. M.

    1976-01-01

    The following transitions are observed in the electronic absorption spectra of lunar titanaugites: Fe(2+) spin-allowed and spin-forbidden crystal field; Ti(3+) spin allowed and Jahn-Teller split crystal field; Ti(3+)-Ti(4+) CT; Fe(2+)-Ti(4+) CT; and O(2-)-Fe(2+), Ti(3+), Ti(4+) CT. Of these, the transitions involving Ti(3+) are unique to lunar or nonferric-bearing titanaugites. All titanaugites have the Fe(2+) crystal field and Fe(2+)-Ti(4+) CT transitions in common. These features in the diffuse reflectance spectra of lunar materials give rise to the '1.0 band' and to the observed absorption around 0.5-0.6 micron, respectively. Since regolith contains a variety of phases with coexisting Fe(2+), Ti(3+), and Ti(4+) ions, several metal-metal charge transfer processes are possible.

  11. Magnetization reversal and confinement effects across the metamagnetic phase transition in mesoscale FeRh structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ander Arregi, Jon; Horký, Michal; Fabianová, Kateřina; Tolley, Robert; Fullerton, Eric E.; Uhlíř, Vojtěch

    2018-03-01

    The effects of mesoscale confinement on the metamagnetic behavior of lithographically patterned FeRh structures are investigated via Kerr microscopy. Combining the temperature- and field-dependent magnetization reversal of individual sub-micron FeRh structures provides specific phase-transition characteristics of single mesoscale objects. Relaxation of the epitaxial strain caused by patterning lowers the metamagnetic phase transition temperature by more than 15 K upon confining FeRh films below 500 nm in one lateral dimension. We also observe that the phase transition becomes highly asymmetric when comparing the cooling and heating cycles for 300 nm-wide FeRh structures. The investigation of FeRh under lateral confinement provides an interesting platform to explore emergent metamagnetic phenomena arising from the interplay of the structural, magnetic and electronic degrees of freedom at the mesoscopic length scale.

  12. Controlled Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Uniform Hierarchical Polyhedral α-Fe2O3 Particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Long, Nguyen Viet; Yang, Yong; Thi, Cao Minh; Phuc, Le Hong; Nogami, Masayuki

    2017-06-01

    The controlled synthesis of uniform hierarchical polyhedral iron (Fe) micro-/nanoscale oxide particles with the α-Fe2O3 structure is presented. The hierarchical polyhedral iron oxide particles were synthesized by modified polyol methods with sodium borohydride as a powerful and efficient reducing agent. A critical heat treatment process used during the synthesis allowed for the interesting formation of α-Fe2O3 hematite with a micro-/nanoscale structure. The structure and weak ferromagnetism of the α-Fe2O3 particles were investigated by x-ray diffraction with whole pattern fitting and Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, and by vibrating sample magnetometry. The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 particles and the three dimensional models presented have promising practical applications for energy storage and conversion in batteries, capacitors, and fuel cells, and related spintronic devices and technologies.

  13. Chemical Composition and Oxidation State of Iron-Containing Aerosol Particles Over West Antarctic Peninsula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, S.; Yu, S.; Lai, B.; Gao, Y.

    2017-12-01

    Iron is a limiting micronutrient element critical for the marine ecosystem. In the extensive high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) regions of the Southern Ocean, the activities of phytoplankton are partly controlled by iron (Fe) from different sources, including atmospheric deposition. Among important properties of atmospheric Fe are the elemental composition and Fe oxidation state of Fe-containing aerosol particles, as these properties affect aerosol Fe solubility. To explore these issues, aerosol samples were collected at Palmer Station in West Antarctic Peninsula. Samples were analyzed by submicron synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy for the Fe oxidation state and elemental composition of aerosol particles. The morphological information of aerosol particles was also observed by the high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, revealing possible sources and formation processes of iron-containing particles. More detailed results will be discussed in this presentation.

  14. Large Stratospheric IDPs: Chemical Compostion and Comparison with Smaller Stratospheric IDPs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flynn, G. J.; Bajt, S.; Sutton, S. R.; Klock, W.

    1995-09-01

    Six large stratospheric IDPs, each greater than 35 microns, previously analyzed using the X-Ray Microprobe at the National Synchrotron Light Source showed an average volatile content consistent with CI or CM meteorites [1]. Seven additional large IDPs, ranging from 37x33 to 50x44 microns in size and having chondritic major element abundances, have been analyzed using the same instrument. Each of these 7 IDPs is depleted in Ca compared to CI (Avg. Ca = 0.48xCI), a feature also observed in the first set of 6, suggesting most or all of these IDPs are hydrated. The average trace element content of these 7 large IDPs is similar to the previous set of 6 (see Figure 1), though Mn and Cu are about 70% higher in this set. The average composition of these large IDPs is distinctly different from that of smaller IDPs (generally 10 to 20 microns), which show enrichments of the volatiles Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, and Se by factors of 1.5 to 3 over CI [2]. This suggests large IDPs which are strong enough to resist fragmentation on collection are chemically different from typical smaller IDPs. This may reflect a difference in the source(s) being sampled by the two types of IDPs. A subgroup of the smaller IDPs (9 of 51 particles) have a composition similar to CI meteorites and these large IDPs [2]. Bromine is enriched in most of these large IDPs. Two Br-rich IDPs (Br >300 ppm) and one Br-poor IDP (Br ~5 ppm) were each analyzed twice. The two Br-rich IDPs showed about a factor of two Br loss between the first and second analyses, presumably due to sample heating during the first analysis. This suggests some of the Br is very weakly bound in these Br-rich IDPs, a possible signature of Br surface contamination. However, the Br contents measured in the second analyses were still ~50xCI. No loss of Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge or Se was detected in these IDPs, suggesting these elements are in more retentive sites. The Br-poor IDP (Br ~1.5xCI) showed no Br loss in the second analysis. Only one of these IDPs, L2008G10, showed a large Zn depletion (Zn/Fe <0.01xCI). This was accompanied by low contents of Ga, Ge and Br (see Figure 1). This pattern of Zn, Ge, Br and Ga depletions was previously seen in smaller IDPs which were severely heated, presumably on atmospheric entry [2]. Sulfur and K are also low in L2008G10, suggesting these elements are also lost during heating, but the Se content is 0.8xCI. A second particle, L2009C8, has a Zn/Fe=0.26xCI, possibly indicating less severe heating. The low fraction of severely heated IDPs, only one in this set of 7 and none in the set of 6 [1] suggests a very low atmospheric entry velocity for these large IDPs [3]. References: [1] Flynn G. J. et al. (1995) LPS XXVI, 407-408. [2] Flynn G. J. et al. (1993) LPS XXIV, 495-496. [3] Flynn G. J., this volume. Figure 1: Average Fe and CI normalized element abundances in 7 large IDPs, 6 different large IDPs [1], 51 smaller IDPs [2], and the single low-Zn IDP, L2008G10, included in the set of 7 large IDPs.

  15. DNA tagged microparticles

    DOEpatents

    Farquar, George R.; Leif, Roald N.; Wheeler, Elizabeth

    2016-03-22

    In one embodiment, a product includes a plurality of particles, each particle including: a carrier that includes a non-toxic material; and at least one DNA barcode coupled to the carrier, where the particles each have a diameter in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 100 microns.

  16. Selection of quasi-monodisperse super-micron aerosol particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rösch, Michael; Pfeifer, Sascha; Wiedensohler, Alfred; Stratmann, Frank

    2014-05-01

    Size-segregated quasi monodisperse particles are essential for e.g. fundamental research concerning cloud microphysical processes. Commonly a DMA (Differential Mobility Analyzer) is used to produce quasi-monodisperse submicron particles. Thereto first, polydisperse aerosol particles are bipolarly charged by a neutralizer, and then selected according to their electrical mobility with the DMA [Knutson et al. 1975]. Selecting a certain electrical mobility with a DMA results in a particle size distribution, which contains singly charged particles as well as undesired multiply charged larger particles. Often these larger particles need to either be removed from the generated aerosol or their signals have to be corrected for in the data inversion and interpretation process. This problem becomes even more serious when considering super-micron particles. Here we will present two different techniques for generating quasi-monodisperse super-micron aerosol particles with no or only an insignificant number of larger sized particles being present. First, we use a combination of a cyclone with adjustable aerodynamic cut-off diameter and our custom-built Maxi-DMA [Raddatz et al. 2013]. The cyclone removes particles larger than the desired ones prior to mobility selection with the DMA. This results in a reduction of the number of multiply charged particles of up to 99.8%. Second, we utilize a new combination of cyclone and PCVI (Pumped Counterflow Virtual Impactor), which is based on purely inertial separation and avoids particle charging. The PCVI instrument was previously described by Boulter et al. (2006) and Kulkarni et al. (2011). With our two setups we are able to produce quasi-monodisperse aerosol particles in the diameter range from 0.5 to 4.4 µm without a significant number of larger undesired particles being present. Acknowledgements: This work was done within the framework of the DFG funded Ice Nucleation research UnIT (INUIT, FOR 1525) under WE 4722/1-1. References: Knutson, E. O. and Whitby, K. T.: Aerosol classification by electric mobility: apparatus, theory, and applications. Aerosol Science, 6:443--451, 1975 Raddatz, M., Wiedensohler, A., Wex, H., and Stratmann, F.: Size selection of sub- and super-micron clay mineral kaolinite particles using a custom-built Maxi-DMA. Nucleation and Atmospheric Aerosols, Vol. 1527, AIP Conference Proceedings, pages 457-460. AMER INST PHYSICS, 2013 Boulter, J. E., Cziczo, D. J., Middlebrook, A. M., Thomson, D. S., and Murphy, D. M.: Design and performance of a Pumped Counterflow Virtual Impactor. Aerosol Science and Technology, 40(11): 969-976, 2006 Kulkarni, G., Pekour, M., Afchine, A., Murphy, D. M., and Cziczo, D. J.: Comparison of experimental and numerical studies of the performance characteristics of a pumped counterflow virtual impactor. Aerosol Science and Technology, 45:382-392, 2011

  17. Chemical leaching methods and measurements of marine labile particulate Fe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Revels, B. N.; John, S.

    2012-12-01

    Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for life. Yet its low solubility and concentration in the ocean limits marine phytoplankton productivity in many regions of the world. Dissolved phase Fe (<0.4μm) has traditionally been considered the most biologically accessible form, however, the particulate phase (>0.4μm) may contain an important, labile reservoir of Fe that may also be available to phytoplankton. However, concentration data alone cannot elucidate the sources of particulate Fe to the ocean and to what extent particulate iron may support phytoplankton growth. Isotopic analysis of natural particles may help to elucidate the biogeochemical cycling of Fe, though it is important to find a leaching method which accesses bioavailable Fe. Thirty-three different chemical leaches were performed on a marine sediment reference material, MESS-3. The combinations included four different acids (25% acetic acid, 0.01M HCl, 0.5M HCl, 0.1M H2SO4 at pH2), various redox conditions (0.02M hydroxylamine hydrochloride or 0.02M H2O2), three temperatures (25°C, 60°C, 90°C), and three time points (10 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours). Leached Fe concentrations varied from 1mg/g to 35mg/g, with longer treatment times, stronger acids, and hotter temperatures generally associated with an increase in leached Fe. δ56Fe in these leaches varied from -1.0‰ to +0.2‰. Interestingly, regardless of leaching method used, there was a very similar relationship between the amount of Fe leached from the particles and the δ56Fe of this iron. Isotopically lighter δ56Fe values were associated with smaller amounts of leached Fe whereas isotopically heavier δ56Fe values were associated with larger amounts of leached Fe. Two alternate hypotheses could explain these data. Either, the particles may contain pools of isotopically light Fe that are easily accessed early in dissolution, or isotopically light Fe may be preferentially leached from the particle due to a kinetic isotope effect during dissolution. To explore the first hypothesis, we modeled dissolution of Fe from particles assuming two separate pools, labile and refractory. The model produces a good fit to the data assuming 3mg/g of a labile Fe pool with δ56Fe = -0.9‰ and a refractory Fe pool with δ56Fe = +0.1‰. If the second hypothesis is true, and there is a kinetic isotope effect during dissolution, the similar relationship between amount of Fe leached and δ56Fe for both organic and mineral acids suggests that Fe is leached from particles via proton-promoted dissolution. Several of these leaching techniques will be employed on sediment trap material from the Cariaco Basin to further investigate the relationship between δ56Fe and the labile, bioavailable fraction of iron particles. A leach or series of leaches will be chosen to provide the most useful information about the bioavailability of iron from particles, and they will be applied to filtered particle samples from portions of the US GEOTRACES A10 (North Atlantic) transect. δ56Fe values from particulate material in these regions will provide a better understanding of the sources of particulate iron to the ocean, and may help to trace how particulate iron is involved in global biogeochemical cycles.

  18. Analysis of heavy metals in road-deposited sediments.

    PubMed

    Herngren, Lars; Goonetilleke, Ashantha; Ayoko, Godwin A

    2006-07-07

    Road-deposited sediments were analysed for heavy metal concentrations at three different landuses (residential, industrial, commercial) in Queensland State, Australia. The sediments were collected using a domestic vacuum cleaner which was proven to be highly efficient in collecting sub-micron particles. Five particle sizes were analysed separately for eight heavy metal elements (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Al and Mn). At all sites, the maximum concentration of the heavy metals occurred in the 0.45-75 microm particle size range, which conventional street cleaning services do not remove efficiently. Multicriteria decision making methods (MCDM), PROMETHEE and GAIA, were employed in the data analysis. PROMETHEE, a non-parametric ranking analysis procedure, was used to rank the metal contents of the sediments sampled at each site. The most polluted site and particle size range were the industrial site and the 0.45-75 microm range, respectively. Although the industrial site displayed the highest metal concentrations, the highest heavy metal loading coincided with the highest sediment load, which occurred at the commercial site. GAIA, a special form of principal component analysis, was applied to determine correlations between the heavy metals and particle size ranges and also to assess possible correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). The GAIA-planes revealed that irrespective of the site, most of the heavy metals are adsorbed to sediments below 150 microm. A weak correlation was found between Zn, Mn and TOC at the commercial site. This could lead to higher bioavailability of these metals through complexation reactions with the organic species in the sediments.

  19. Sub-micron filter

    DOEpatents

    Tepper, Frederick [Sanford, FL; Kaledin, Leonid [Port Orange, FL

    2009-10-13

    Aluminum hydroxide fibers approximately 2 nanometers in diameter and with surface areas ranging from 200 to 650 m.sup.2/g have been found to be highly electropositive. When dispersed in water they are able to attach to and retain electronegative particles. When combined into a composite filter with other fibers or particles they can filter bacteria and nano size particulates such as viruses and colloidal particles at high flux through the filter. Such filters can be used for purification and sterilization of water, biological, medical and pharmaceutical fluids, and as a collector/concentrator for detection and assay of microbes and viruses. The alumina fibers are also capable of filtering sub-micron inorganic and metallic particles to produce ultra pure water. The fibers are suitable as a substrate for growth of cells. Macromolecules such as proteins may be separated from each other based on their electronegative charges.

  20. 8- to 13-micron spectrophotometry of Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Feierberg, M. A.; Witteborn, F. C.; Johnson, J. R.; Campins, H.

    1984-01-01

    Spectrophotometry between 8.0 and 13.0 microns at 2 percent spectral resolution is presented for areas in and near the nuclear condensation of Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d) on May 11 and 12, 1983. All the spectra can be fit very well by blackbody curves, and no 10-micron silicate emissions are seen. The temperature structure of the coma suggests the presence of small (radii less than 5 microns) dust particles within 150 km of the nucleus and larger ones further out. The change in the spatial distribution of the infrared flux between the two nights suggests that an outburst may have occurred sometime on May 11.

  1. Air pollution-aerosol interactions produce more bioavailable iron for ocean ecosystems.

    PubMed

    Li, Weijun; Xu, Liang; Liu, Xiaohuan; Zhang, Jianchao; Lin, Yangting; Yao, Xiaohong; Gao, Huiwang; Zhang, Daizhou; Chen, Jianmin; Wang, Wenxing; Harrison, Roy M; Zhang, Xiaoye; Shao, Longyi; Fu, Pingqing; Nenes, Athanasios; Shi, Zongbo

    2017-03-01

    It has long been hypothesized that acids formed from anthropogenic pollutants and natural emissions dissolve iron (Fe) in airborne particles, enhancing the supply of bioavailable Fe to the oceans. However, field observations have yet to provide indisputable evidence to confirm this hypothesis. Single-particle chemical analysis for hundreds of individual atmospheric particles collected over the East China Sea shows that Fe-rich particles from coal combustion and steel industries were coated with thick layers of sulfate after 1 to 2 days of atmospheric residence. The Fe in aged particles was present as a "hotspot" of (insoluble) iron oxides and throughout the acidic sulfate coating in the form of (soluble) Fe sulfate, which increases with degree of aging (thickness of coating). This provides the "smoking gun" for acid iron dissolution, because iron sulfate was not detected in the freshly emitted particles and there is no other source or mechanism of iron sulfate formation in the atmosphere.

  2. A pilot study to characterize fine particles in the environment of an automotive machining facility.

    PubMed

    Sioutas, C

    1999-04-01

    The main goal of this study was to characterize fine particles (e.g., smaller than about 3 microns) in an automotive machining environment. The Toledo Machining Plant of Chrysler Corporation was selected for this purpose. The effect of local mechanical processes as aerosol sources was a major part of this investigation. To determine the size-dependent mass concentration of particles in the plant, the Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI Model 100, MSP Corp., Minneapolis, Minnesota) was used. The MOUDI was placed at central locations in departments with sources inside the plant, so that the obtained information on the size distribution realistically represents the aerosol to which plant workers are exposed. Sampling was conducted over a 4-day period, and during three periods per day, each matching the work shifts. A special effort was made to place the MOUDI at a central location of a department with relatively homogeneous particle sources. The selected sampling sites included welding, grinding, steel machining, and heat treating processes. The average 24-hour mass concentrations of particles smaller than 3.2 microns in aerodynamic diameter were 167.8, 103.9, 201.7, and 112.7 micrograms/m3 for welding, grinding, mild steel, and heat treating processes, respectively. Finally, the mass median diameters of welding, heat treatment, machining, and grinding operations were approximately 0.5, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 micron, respectively.

  3. A model to estimate the size of nanoparticle agglomerates in gas-solid fluidized beds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Martín, Lilian; van Ommen, J. Ruud

    2013-11-01

    The estimation of nanoparticle agglomerates' size in fluidized beds remains an open challenge, mainly due to the difficulty of characterizing the inter-agglomerate van der Waals force. The current approach is to describe micron-sized nanoparticle agglomerates as micron-sized particles with 0.1-0.2-μm asperities. This simplification does not capture the influence of the particle size on the van der Waals attraction between agglomerates. In this paper, we propose a new description where the agglomerates are micron-sized particles with nanoparticles on the surface, acting as asperities. As opposed to previous models, here the van der Waals force between agglomerates decreases with an increase in the particle size. We have also included an additional force due to the hydrogen bond formation between the surfaces of hydrophilic and dry nanoparticles. The average size of the fluidized agglomerates has been estimated equating the attractive force obtained from this method to the weight of the individual agglomerates. The results have been compared to 54 experimental values, most of them collected from the literature. Our model approximates without a systematic error the size of most of the nanopowders, both in conventional and centrifugal fluidized beds, outperforming current models. Although simple, the model is able to capture the influence of the nanoparticle size, particle density, and Hamaker coefficient on the inter-agglomerate forces.

  4. Structure and electromagnetic properties of FeSiAl particles coated by MgO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yu; Zhou, Ting-dong

    2017-03-01

    FeSiAl particles with a layer of MgO surface coating have excellent soft magnetic and electromagnetic properties. In order to obtain the FeSiAl/MgO composites, Mg(OH)2 sol prepared by sol-gel process was well-mixed with FeSiAl flake particles, and then treated by calcination at 823 K in vacuum. The microstructural, morphological and electromagnetic parameters of FeSiAl/MgO particles were tested. Accordingly, the electromagnetic wave reflection loss in the frequency range of 0.5-18 GHz was calculated. The results show that the surface coating increases coercivity Hc and decreases complex permittivity, leading to a good impedance matching. When the coating amount was 7.5%, reflection loss of the composite particles can reach to -33 dB.

  5. Magnetic characteristics of ultrafine Fe particles reduced from uniform iron oxide particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bridger, K.; Watts, J.; Tadros, M.; Xiao, Gang; Liou, S. H.; Chien, C. L.

    1987-04-01

    Uniform, cubic 0.05-μm iron oxide particles were formed by forced hydrolysis of ferric perchlorate. These particles were reduced to α-Fe by heating in hydrogen at temperatures between 300 and 500 °C. The effect of reduction temperature and various prereduction treatments on the microstructure of the iron particles will be discussed. Complete reduction to α-Fe was established by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. Magnetic measurements on epoxy and polyurethane films containing these particles with various mass fractions gave coercivities as high as 1000 Oe. The relationship between the magnetic measurements and the microstructure will be discussed. Na2SiO3 is found to be the best coating material for the process of reducing iron oxide particles to iron.

  6. Response of mouse epidermal cells to single doses of heavy-particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leith, J. T.; Schilling, W. A.; Welch, G. P.

    1972-01-01

    The survival of mouse epidermal cells to heavy-particles has been studied In Vivo by the Withers clone technique. Experiments with accelerated helium, lithium and carbon ions were performed. The survival curve for the helium ion irradiations used a modified Bragg curve method with a maximum tissue penetration of 465 microns, and indicated that the dose needed to reduce the original cell number to 1 surviving cell/square centimeters was 1525 rads with a D sub o of 95 rads. The LET at the basal cell layer was 28.6 keV per micron. Preliminary experiments with lithium and carbon used treatment doses of 1250 rads with LET's at the surface of the skin of 56 and 193 keV per micron respectively. Penetration depths in skin were 350 and 530 microns for the carbon and lithium ions whose Bragg curves were unmodified. Results indicate a maximum RBE for skin of about 2 using the skin cloning technique. An attempt has been made to relate the epidermal cell survival curve to mortality of the whole animal for helium ions.

  7. Size and modal analyses of fines and ultrafines from some Apollo 17 samples

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Greene, G. M.; King, D. T., Jr.; Banholzer, G. S., Jr.; King, E. A.

    1975-01-01

    Scanning electron and optical microscopy techniques have been used to determine the grain-size frequency distributions and morphology-based modal analyses of fine and ultrafine fractions of some Apollo 17 regolith samples. There are significant and large differences between the grain-size frequency distributions of the less than 10-micron size fraction of Apollo 17 samples, but there are no clear relations to the local geologic setting from which individual samples have been collected. This may be due to effective lateral mixing of regolith particles in this size range by micrometeoroid impacts. None of the properties of the frequency distributions support the idea of selective transport of any fine grain-size fraction, as has been proposed by other workers. All of the particle types found in the coarser size fractions also occur in the less than 10-micron particles. In the size range from 105 to 10 microns there is a strong tendency for the percentage of regularly shaped glass to increase as the graphic mean grain size of the less than 1-mm size fraction decreases, both probably being controlled by exposure age.

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

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hiranaka, Kay; Cruz, Kelle L.; Baldassare, Vivienne F.

    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 Markovmore » 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.« less

  9. Dimethylsulfide/cloud condensation nuclei/climate system - Relevant size-resolved measurements of the chemical and physical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Quinn, P. K.; Covert, D. S.; Bates, T. S.; Kapustin, V. N.; Ramsey-Bell, D. C.; Mcinnes, L. M.

    1993-01-01

    The mass and number relationships occurring within the atmospheric dimethylsulfide/cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)/climate system, using simultaneous measurements of particulate phase mass size distributions of nss SO4(2-), methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and NH4(+); number size distributions of particles having diameters between 0.02 and 9.6 microns; CCN concentrations at a supersaturation of 0.3 percent; relative humidity; and temperature, obtained for the northeastern Pacific Ocean in April and May 1991. Based on these measurements, particulate nss SO4(2-), MSA, and NH4(+) mass appeared to be correlated with both particle effective surface area and number in the accumulation mode size range (0.16 to 0.5 micron). No correlations were found in the size range below 0.16 micron. A correlation was also found between nss SO4(2-) mass and the CCN number concentration, such that a doubling of the SO4(2-) mass corresponded to a 40 percent increase in the CCN number concentration. However, no correlation was found between MSA mass and CCN concentration.

  10. Fabrication and characterization of novel iodine doped hollow and mesoporous hematite (Fe2O3) particles derived from sol-gel method and their photocatalytic performances.

    PubMed

    Demirci, Selim; Yurddaskal, Metin; Dikici, Tuncay; Sarıoğlu, Cevat

    2018-03-05

    In this work, iodine (I) doped hollow and mesoporous Fe 2 O 3 photocatalyst particles were fabricated for the first time through sol-gel method. Phase structure, surface morphology, particle size, specific surface area and optical band gap of the synthesized Fe 2 O 3 photocatalysts were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface analysis, particle size analyzer and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV-vis DRS), respectively. Also, electrochemical properties and photoluminescence spectra of Fe 2 O 3 particles were measured. The results illustrated that high crystalline, hollow and mesoporous Fe 2 O 3 particles were formed. The optical band gap values of the Fe 2 O 3 photocatalysts changed between 2.104 and 1.93eV. Photocatalytic efficiency of Fe 2 O 3 photocatalysts were assessed via MB solution. The photocatalytic activity results exhibited that I doping enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency. 1% mole iodine doped (I-2) Fe 2 O 3 photocatalyst had 97.723% photodegradation rate and 8.638×10 -2 min -1 kinetic constant which showed the highest photocatalytic activity within 45min. Moreover, stability and reusability experiments of Fe 2 O 3 photocatalysts were carried out. The Fe 2 O 3 photocatalysts showed outstanding stability after four sequence tests. As a result, I doped Fe 2 O 3 is a good candidate for photocatalysts. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Differential Effects of Monovalent Cations and Anions on Key Nanoparticle Attributes

    EPA Science Inventory

    Understanding the key particle attributes such as particle size, size distribution and surface charge of both the nano- and micron-sized particles is the first step in drug formulation as such attributes are known to directly influence several characteristics of drugs including d...

  12. Different copolymer films on ZnFeCo particles: Synthesis and anticorrosion properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ozyilmaz, A. Tuncay; Avsar, Busra; Ozyilmaz, Gul; Karahan, İ. Hakkı; Camurcu, Taskin; Colak, Fatma

    2014-11-01

    Zinc-iron-cobalt (ZnFeCo) particles were electrochemically deposited on carbon steel (CS) electrode applying current of 3 mA with chronopotentiometry technique. ZnFeCo particles had homogenous, smooth with prismatic structure. It was shown that the ZnFeCo particles exhibited important barrier effect on CS substrate. Poly(aniline-co-o-anisidine), poly(aniline-co-pyrrole), poly(aniline-co-N-methylpyrrole) and poly(o-anisidine-co-pyrrole) copolymer films were obtained on CS/ZnFeCo electrode. Evaluation of anticorrosion performance of copolymer coatings in 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by using AC impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique, anodic polarization and the Eocp-time curves. Copolymer films exhibited significant physical barrier behavior on ZnFeCo plated carbon steel, in longer exposure time.

  13. Kinect the dots: 3D control of optical tweezers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shaw, Lucy; Preece, Daryl; Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina

    2013-07-01

    Holographically generated optical traps confine micron- and sub-micron sized particles close to the center of focused light beams. They also provide a way of trapping multiple particles and moving them in three dimensions. However, in many systems the user interface is not always advantageous or intuitive especially for collaborative work and when depth information is required. We discuss and evaluate a set of multi-beam optical tweezers that utilize off the shelf gaming technology to facilitate user interaction. We use the Microsoft Kinect sensor bar as a way of getting the user input required to generate arbitrary optical force fields and control optically trapped particles. We demonstrate that the system can also be used for dynamic light control.

  14. Comparative study of three magnetic nano-particles (FeSO4, FeSO4/SiO2, FeSO4/SiO2/TiO2) in plasmid DNA extraction.

    PubMed

    Rahnama, H; Sattarzadeh, A; Kazemi, F; Ahmadi, N; Sanjarian, F; Zand, Z

    2016-11-15

    Recent updates on Magnetic Nano-Particles (MNPs) based separation of nucleic acids have received more attention due to their easy manipulation, simplicity, ease of automation and cost-effectiveness. It has been indicated that DNA molecules absorb on solid surfaces via hydrogen-bonding, and hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. These properties highly depend on the surface condition of the solid support. Therefore, surface modification of MNPs may enhance their functionality and specification. In the present study, we functionalized Fe3O4 nano-particle surface utilizing SiO2 and TiO2 layer as Fe3O4/SiO2 and Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 and then compare their functionality in the adsorption of plasmid DNA molecules with the naked Fe3O4 nano-particles. The result obtained showed that the purity and amount of DNA extracted by Fe3O4 coated by SiO2 or SiO2/TiO2 were higher than the naked Fe3O4 nano-particles. Furthermore, we obtained pH 8 and 1.5 M NaCl as an optimal condition for desorption of DNA from MNPs. The result further showed that, 0.2 mg nano-particle and 10 min at 55 °C are the optimal conditions for DNA desorption from nano-particles. In conclusion, we recommended Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2 as a new MNP for separation of DNA molecules from biological sources. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Role of PO4 tetrahedron in LiFePO4 and FePO4 system.

    PubMed

    Zeng, Yuewu

    2015-06-01

    Using high resolution transmission electron microscopy with image simulation and Fourier analysis, the Li1- x FePO4 (x < 0.01), Li1- x FePO4 (x ∼ 0.5), and FePO4 particles, prepared by charging or discharging the 053048 electrochemical cells (thickness: 5 mm, width: 30 mm, height: 48 mm) and dismantled inside an Ar-filled dry box, were investigated. The high resolution images reveal: (1) the solid solution of Li1- x FePO4 (x < 0.01) contains some missing Li ions leading PO4 group distorted around M1 tunnel of the unit cell; (2) the texture of the particles of Li1- x FePO4 (x ∼0.5) has homogeneously distributed compositional domains of LiFePO4 and FePO4 resulting from spinodal decomposition which promote Li ion easily getting into the particle due to uphill diffusion, (3) the particles of FePO4 formed in charging have heavily distorted lattice and contain some isolated LiFePO4 , (4) interface between LiFePO4 and FePO4 and between amorphous and crystal region provides the lattice distortion of small polarons. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Arsenic Mobilization Through Microbial Bioreduction of Ferrihydrite Nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tadanier, C. J.; Roller, J.; Schreiber, M. E.

    2004-12-01

    Under anaerobic conditions Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms can couple the reduction of solid phase Fe(III) (hydr)oxides with the oxidation of organic carbon. Nutrients and trace metals, such as arsenic, associated with Fe(III) hydroxides may be mobilized through microbially-mediated surface reduction. Although arsenic mobilization has been attributed to mineral surface reduction in a variety of pristine and contaminated environments, minimal information exists on the mechanisms causing this arsenic mobilization. Understanding of the fundamental biochemical and physicochemical processes involved in these mobilization mechanisms is still limited, and has been complicated by the often contradictory and interchangeable terminology used in the literature to describe them. We studied arsenic mobilization mechanisms using a series of controlled microcosm experiments containing aggregated arsenic-bearing ferrihydrite nanoparticles and an Fe(III)-reducing microorganism, Geobacter metallireducens. The phase distribution of iron and arsenic was determined through filtration and ultracentrifugation techniques. Experimental results showed that in the biotic trials, approximately 10 percent of the Fe(III) was reduced to Fe(II) by microbial activity, which remained associated with ferrihydrite surfaces. Biotic activity resulted in changes in nanoparticle surface potential and caused deflocculation of nanoparticle aggregates. Deflocculated nanoparticles were able to pass through a 0.2 micron filter and could only be removed from solution by ultracentrifugation. Arsenic mobilized over time in the biotic trials was found to be exclusively associated with the nanoparticles; 98 percent of arsenic that passed through a 0.2 micron filter was removed from solution by ultracentrifugation. None of these changes were observed in abiotic controls. Because arsenic contamination of natural waters due to mobilization from mineral surfaces is a significant route of human arsenic exposure worldwide, improved understanding of the biologically-mediated mechanisms that partition arsenic between solid and solution phases is required for development of effective treatment and remediation strategies.

  17. Airborne spectrophotometry of Comet Halley from 5 to 9 microns

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campins, H.; Bregman, J. D.; Witteborn, F. C.; Wooden, D. H.; Rank, D. M.; Cohen, M.; Allamandola, Louis J.; Tielens, Alexander G. G. M.

    1986-01-01

    Spectrophotometry from 5 to 9 microns (resolution = 0.02) of comet Halley was obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory on 1985 Dec. 12.1 and 1986 April 8.6 and 10.5 UT. Two spectral features are apparent in all the observations, one from 5.24 to 5.6 microns, and the silicate emission feature which has an onset between 7 and 8 microns. There is no evidence for the 7.5 microns feature observed by the Vega 1 spacecraft; the large difference between the areal coverage viewed from the spacecraft and the airplane may explain the discrepancy. Color temperatures significantly higher than a blackbody indicate that small particles are abundant in the coma. Significant spatial and temporal variations in the spectrum show trends similar to those observed from the ground.

  18. Iron Speciation and Mixing in Single Aerosol Particles from the Asian Continental Outflow

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Moffet, Ryan C.; Furutani, Hiroshi; Rodel, Tobias

    2012-04-04

    Bioavailable iron from atmospheric aerosol is an essential nutrient that can control oceanic productivity, thereby impacting the global carbon budget and climate. Particles collected on Okinawa Island during an atmospheric pollution transport event from China were analyzed using complementary single particle techniques to determine the iron source and speciation. Comparing the spatial distribution of iron within ambient particles and standard Asian mineral dust, it was determined that field-collected atmospheric Fe-containing particles have numerous sources, including anthropogenic sources such as coal combustion. Fe-containing particles were found to be internally mixed with secondary species such as sulfate, soot, and organic carbon. Themore » mass weighted average Fe(II) fraction (defined as Fe(II)/[Fe(II)+Fe(III)]) was determined to be 0.33 {+-} 0.08. Within the experimental uncertainty, this value lies close to the range of 0.26-0.30 determined for representative Asian mineral dust. Previous studies have indicated that the solubility of iron from combustion is much higher than that from mineral dust. Therefore, chemical and/or physical differences other than oxidation state may help explain the higher solubility of iron in atmospheric particles.« less

  19. Apparatus for continuous, fast, and precise measurements of position and velocity of a small spherical particle

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venkataraman, T. S.; Eidson, W. W.; Cohen, L. D.; Farina, J. D.; Acquista, C.

    1983-01-01

    The position and velocity of optically levitated glass spheres (radii 10-20 microns) movng in a gas are measured accurately, rapidly, and continuously using a high-speed rotating polygon mirror. The experimental technique developed here has repeatable position accuracies better than 20 microns. Each measurement takes less than 1 microsec and can be repeated every 100 microsec. The position of the levitated glass spheres can be manipulated accurately by modulating the laser power with an acoustic optic modulator. The technique provides a fast and accurate method to study general particle dynamics in a fluid.

  20. Calibration of the active radiation detector for Spacelab-One

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1982-01-01

    The flight models of the active radiation detector (ARD) for the ENV-01 environmental monitor were calibrated using gamma radiation. Measured sensitivities of the ion chambers were 6.1 + or - 0.3 micron rad per count for ARD S/N1, and 10.4 + or - 0.5 micron rad per count for ARD S/N2. Both were linear over the measured range 0.10 to 500 m/rad hour. The particle counters (proportional counters) were set to respond to approximately 85% of minimum ionizing particles of unit charge passing through them. These counters were also calibrated in the gamma field.

  1. Polishing compound for plastic surfaces

    DOEpatents

    Stowell, M.S.

    1993-01-01

    A polishing compound for plastic surfaces is disclosed. The compound contains by weight approximately 4 to 17 parts at least one petroleum distillate lubricant, 1 to 6 parts mineral spirits, 2.5 to 15 parts abrasive particles, and 2.5 to 10 parts water. The abrasive is tripoli or a similar material that contains colloidal silica. Preferably, most of the abrasive particles are less than approximately 10 microns, more preferably less than approximately 5 microns in size. The compound is used on PLEXIGLAS{sup TM}, LEXAN{sup TM}, LUCITE{sup TM}, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and similar plastic materials whenever a smooth, clear polished surface is desired.

  2. Quantification of hydrophobic interaction affinity of colloids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saini, G.; Nasholm, N.; Wood, B. D.

    2009-12-01

    Colloids play an important role in a wide variety of disciplines, including water and wastewater treatment, subsurface transport of metals and organic contaminants, migration of fines in oil reservoirs, biocolloid (virus and bacteria) transport in subsurface, and are integral to laboratory transport studies. Although the role of hydrophobicity in adhesion and transport of colloids, particularly bacteria, is well known; there is scarcity of literature regarding hydrophobicity measurement of non-bacterial colloids and other micron-sized particles. Here we detail an experimental approach based on differential partitioning of colloids between two liquid phases (hydrocarbon and buffer) as a measure of the hydrophobic interaction affinity of colloids. This assay, known as Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons or MATH, is frequently used in microbiology and bacteriology for quantifying the hydrophobicity of microbes. Monodispersed colloids and particles, with sizes ranging from 1 micron to 33 micron, were used for the experiments. A range of hydrophobicity values were observed for different particles. The hydrophobicity results are also verified against water contact angle measurements of these particles. This liquid-liquid partitioning assay is quick, easy-to-perform and requires minimal instrumentation. Estimation of the hydrophobic interaction affinity of colloids would lead to a better understanding of their adhesion to different surfaces and subsequent transport in porous media.

  3. Synthesis and Reaction Chemistry of Nanosize Monosodium Titanate

    PubMed Central

    Elvington, Mark C.; Taylor-Pashow, Kathryn M. L.; Tosten, Michael H.; Hobbs, David T.

    2016-01-01

    This paper describes the synthesis and peroxide-modification of nanosize monosodium titanate (nMST), along with an ion-exchange reaction to load the material with Au(III) ions. The synthesis method was derived from a sol-gel process used to produce micron-sized monosodium titanate (MST), with several key modifications, including altering reagent concentrations, omitting a particle seed step, and introducing a non-ionic surfactant to facilitate control of particle formation and growth. The resultant nMST material exhibits spherical-shaped particle morphology with a monodisperse distribution of particle diameters in the range from 100 to 150 nm. The nMST material was found to have a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 285 m2g-1, which is more than an order of magnitude higher than the micron-sized MST. The isoelectric point of the nMST measured 3.34 pH units, which is a pH unit lower than that measured for the micron-size MST. The nMST material was found to serve as an effective ion exchanger under weakly acidic conditions for the preparation of an Au(III)-exchange nanotitanate. In addition, the formation of the corresponding peroxotitanate was demonstrated by reaction of the nMST with hydrogen peroxide. PMID:26967828

  4. Synthesis, microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} soft magnetic composite core

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, Jian, E-mail: snove418562@163.com; Key Laboratory for Ferrous Metallurgy and Resources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081; Fan, Xi’an, E-mail: groupfxa@163.com

    2015-11-15

    Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} soft magnetic composite core have been synthesized via a modified stöber method combined with following high temperature sintering process. Most of conductive Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} particles could be uniformly coated by insulating SiO{sub 2} using the modified stöber method. The Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles exhibited good soft magnetic properties with low coercivity and high saturation magnetization. The reaction 4Al+3SiO{sub 2}=2α-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}+3Si took place during the sintering process. As a result the new Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite was formed. The Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{submore » 3} composite core displayed more excellent soft magnetic properties, better frequency stability at high frequencies, much higher electrical resistivity and lower core loss than the pure Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} core. The method of introducing insulating layers surrounding magnetic particles provides a promising route to develop new and high compact soft magnetic materials with good magnetic and electric properties. - Graphical abstract: In Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite, Fe{sub 3}Si phases are separated by Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layers and the eddy currents are confined in Fe{sub 3}Si phases, thus increasing resistivity and reducing core loss. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} core–shell particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} cores were prepared. • Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} particles could be uniformly coated by nano-sized SiO{sub 2} clusters. • Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3}@SiO{sub 2} particles and Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} cores showed good soft magnetic properties. • Fe{sub 3}Si/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} had lower core loss and better frequency stability than Fe{sub 3}Si{sub 0.7}Al{sub 0.3} cores.« less

  5. Optical Levitation of Micro-Scale Particles in Air

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wrbanek, Susan Y.; Weiland, Kenneth E.

    2004-01-01

    Success has been achieved using a radiation pressure gradient to levitate microscale particles in air for as long as four hours. This work is performed as a precursor to the development of a vacuum based optical tweezers interrogation tool for nanotechnology research. It was decided to first proceed with solving the problem of achieving optical levitation of a micro-scale particle in air before trying the same in a vacuum environment. This successful optical levitation in air confirms the work of Ashkin and Dziedzic. Levitation of 10 and 13.8 microns diameter polystyrene spheres was achieved, as well as the levitation of 10 and 100 microns diameter glass spheres. Particles were raised and lowered. A modicum of success was achieved translating particles horizontally. Trapping of multiple particles in one laser beam has been photographed. Also, it has been observed that particles, that may be conglomerates or irregular in shape, can also be trapped by a focused laser beam. Levitated glass beads were photographed using laser light scattered from the beads. The fact that there is evidence of optical traps in air containing irregular and conglomerate particles provides hope that future tool particles need not be perfect spheres.

  6. [Experimental ultrasound angioplasty: in vitro resolution of thrombi].

    PubMed

    Stähr, P; Erbel, R; Weber, W; Fischer, H; Meyer, J

    1995-05-01

    A new ultrasonic angioplasty ablation catheter connected to a 19.5 kHz. 25 W transducer was tested in vitro for its ability to disrupt 12-h. 24-h, and 5-day-old whole blood thrombi (n = 45.697 mg +/- 223 mg) and fibrin thrombi (n = 45.338 mg +/- 133 mg), as well as 5-day-old cadaver thrombi (n = 8.270 mg +/- 71 mg) within 10 min. Five of each age were used as control thrombi in which the catheter was moved back and forth without ultrasound emission. The size of ablated thrombus particles was measured by a laser device. The power output at the end of the catheter was assessed calorimetrically. The loss of weight of whole blood thrombi was between 429 (74%) and 524 mg (91%) (p < 0.01, whole blood thrombi vs. control thrombi) and between 302 (85%) and 314 mg (95%) (p < 0.05) for fibrin thrombi, respectively. Thrombus age did not prove to be a highly significant influencing factor. The disruption rate for whole blood thrombi was 0.75 to 1.05 mg/s and for fibrin thrombi 0.69 to 0.7 mg/s. It was only 0.09 mg/s for the cadaver thrombi. 93% of all particles ablated from whole blood thrombus ranged between 0-5 micron, less than 0.2% between 30-150 microns. For fibrin thrombi 69% of all particles were < 10 microns (25% between 10-20 microns). Only 0.02% ranged between 300-600 microns, which was similar for cadaver thrombi. The mean measured power output at the catheter tip was 5.9 W compared to the power output of 25 W at the ultrasound generator.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  7. Synthesis of ferrite and nickel ferrite nanoparticles using radio-frequency thermal plasma torch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Son, S.; Taheri, M.; Carpenter, E.; Harris, V. G.; McHenry, M. E.

    2002-05-01

    Nanocrystalline (NC) ferrite powders have been synthesized using a 50 kW-3 MHz rf thermal plasma torch for high-frequency soft magnet applications. A mixed powder of Ni and Fe (Ni:Fe=1:2), a NiFe permalloy powder with additional Fe powder (Ni:Fe=1:2), and a NiFe permalloy powder (Ni:Fe=1:1) were used as precursors for synthesis. Airflow into the reactor chamber was the source of oxygen for oxide formation. XRD patterns clearly show that the precursor powders were transformed into NC ferrite particles with an average particle size of 20-30 nm. SEM and TEM studies indicated that NC ferrite particles had well-defined polygonal growth forms with some exhibiting (111) faceting and many with truncated octahedral and truncated cubic shapes. The Ni content in the ferrite particles was observed to increase in going from mixed Ni and Fe to mixed permalloy and iron and finally to only permalloy starting precursor. The plasma-torch synthesized ferrite materials using exclusively the NiFe permalloy precursor had 40%-48% Ni content in the Ni-ferrite particle, differing from the NiFe2O4 ideal stoichiometry. EXAFS was used to probe the cation coordination in low Ni magnetite species. The coercivity and Neel temperature of the high Ni content ferrite sample were 58 Oe and ˜590 °C, respectively.

  8. Asteroid spectral reflectivities.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chapman, C. R.; Mccord, T. B.; Johnson, T. V.

    1973-01-01

    We measured spectral reflectivities (0.3-1.1 micron) for 32 asteroids. There are at least 14 different curve types. Common types are: (a) reddish curves with 10% absorptions near 0.95 micron or beyond 1.0 micron, due to Fe(2+) in minerals such as pyroxenes; (b) flat curves in the visible and near-IR with sharp decreases in the UV and (c) flat curves even into the UV. Several asteroids show probable color variations with rotation, especially 6 Hebe. A sample of 102 asteroids with reliably known colors is derived from the reflectivities and from earlier colorimetry. Several correlations of colors and spectral curve types with orbital and physical parameters are examined: (1) asteroids with large aphelia have flat reflectivities while those with small perihelia are mostly reddish, (2) curve types show evidence for clustering on an a vs e plot, with 0.95 micron bands occuring mainly for Mars-approaching asteroids, (3) no strong correlation exists between color and either proper eccentricity or proper inclination.

  9. A preliminary report on the study of the impact sites and particles of the solar maximum satellite thermal blanket

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zook, H. A.

    1985-01-01

    A preliminary study of the work on examination of the impact pits in, or penetrations through, the thermal blankets of the Solar Maximum Satellite is presented. The three largest pieces of the thermal blanket were optically scanned with a total surface area of about one half square meter. Over 1500 impact sites of all sizes, including 432 impacts larger than 40 microns in diameter, have been documented. Craters larger in diameter than about 100 microns found on the 75 micron thick Kapton first sheet of the main electronics box blanket are actually holes and constitute perforations through the blanket. A summary of the impact pit population that were found is given. The chemical study of these craters is only in the initial stages, with only about 250 chemical spectra of particles observed in or around impact pits or in the debris pattern being recorded.

  10. Pulmonary Deposition of Aerosols in Microgravity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Prisk, G. Kim

    1997-01-01

    The intrapulmonary deposition of airborne particles (aerosol) in the size range of 0.5 to 5 microns is primarily due to gravitational sedimentation. In the microgravity (muG) environment, sedimentation is no longer active, and thus there should be marked changes in the amount and site of the deposition of these aerosol. We propose to study the total intrapulmonary deposition of aerosol spanning the range 0.5 to 5 microns in the KC-135 at both muG and at 1.8-G. This will be followed by using boli of 1.0 micron aerosol, inhaled at different points in a breath to study aerosol dispersion and deposition as a function of inspired depth. The results of these studies will have application in better understanding of pulmonary diseases related to inhaled particles (pneumoconioses), in studying drugs delivered by inhalation, and in understanding the consequence of long-term exposure to respirable aerosols in long-duration space flight.

  11. Vacancy-mediated fcc/bcc phase separation in Fe1 -xNix ultrathin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Menteş, T. O.; Stojić, N.; Vescovo, E.; Ablett, J. M.; Niño, M. A.; Locatelli, A.

    2016-08-01

    The phase separation occurring in Fe-Ni thin films near the Invar composition is studied by using high-resolution spectromicroscopy techniques and density functional theory calculations. Annealed at temperatures around 300 ∘C ,Fe0.70Ni0.30 films on W(110) break into micron-sized bcc and fcc domains with compositions in agreement with the bulk Fe-Ni phase diagram. Ni is found to be the diffusing species in forming the chemical heterogeneity. The experimentally determined energy barrier of 1.59 ±0.09 eV is identified as the vacancy formation energy via density functional theory calculations. Thus, the principal role of the surface in the phase separation process is attributed to vacancy creation without interstitials.

  12. The One Micron Fe II Lines in Active Galaxies and Emission Line Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rudy, R. J.; Mazuk, S.; Puetter, R. C.; Hamann, F. W.

    1999-05-01

    The infrared multiplet of Fe II lines at 0.9997, 1.0501, 1.0863, and 1.1126 microns are particularly strong relative to other red and infrared Fe II features. They reach their greatest strength, relative to the hydrogen lines, in the Seyfert 1 galaxy I Zw 1, and are a common, although not ubiquitous feature, in the broad line regions of active galaxies. In addition, they are seen in a diverse assortment of Galactic sources including young stars, Herbig Ae and Be stars, luminous blue variables, proto-planetary nebulae, and symbiotic novae. They are probably excited by Lyman alpha florescence but the exact path of the cascade to their upper levels is uncertain. They arise in dense, sheltered regions of low ionization and are frequently observed together with the infrared Ca II triplet and the Lyman beta excited O I lines 8446 and 11287. The strengths of the four Fe II features, relative to each other, are nearly constant from object to object suggesting a statistical population of their common upper multiplet. Their intensities, in comparison to the Paschen lines, indicate that they can be important coolants for regions with high optical depths in the hydrogen lines. In addition to I Zw 1 and other active galaxies, we present spectra for the Galactic sources MWC 17, MWC 84, MWC 340, MWC 922, PU Vul, and M 1-92. We review the status of the Fe II observations and discuss the excitation process and possible implications. This work was supported by the IR&D program of the Aerospace Corporation. RCP and FWH acknowledge support from NASA.

  13. Too Big for the Sieve

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-10-11

    In this image, the scoop on NASA Curiosity rover shows the larger soil particles that were too big to filter through a sample-processing sieve that is porous only to particles less than 0.006 inches 150 microns across.

  14. Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) Instrument Handbook

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Watson, Thomas B.

    The Aerodyne Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) measures particle mass loading and chemical composition in real time for non-refractory sub-micron aerosol particles. The ACSM is designed for long-term unattended deployment and routine monitoring applications.

  15. Particle Aggregation During Fe(III) Bioreduction in Nontronite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jaisi, D. P.; Dong, H.; Hi, Z.; Kim, J.

    2005-12-01

    This study was performed to evaluate the rate and mechanism of particle aggregation during bacterial Fe (III) reduction in different size fractions of nontronite and to investigate the role of different factors contributing to particle aggregation. To achieve this goal, microbial Fe(III) reduction experiments were performed with lactate as an electron donor, Fe(III) in nontronite as an electron acceptor, and AQDS as an electron shuttle in bicarbonate buffer using Shewanella putrefaceins CN32. These experiments were performed with and without Na- pyrophosphate as a dispersant in four size fractions of nontronite (0.12-0.22, 0.41-0.69, 0.73-0.96 and 1.42-1.8 mm). The rate of nontronite aggregation during the Fe(III) bioreduction was measured by analyzing particle size distribution using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and SEM images analysis. Similarly, the changes in particle morphology during particle aggregation were determined by analyses of SEM images. Changes in particle surface charge were measured with electrophoretic mobility analyzer. The protein and carbohydrate fraction of EPS produced by cells during Fe(III) bioreduction was measured using Bradford and phenol-sulfuric acid extraction method, respectively. In the presence of the dispersant, the extent of Fe(III) bioreduction was 11.5-12.2% within the first 56 hours of the experiment. There was no measurable particle aggregation in control experiments. The PCS measurements showed that the increase in the effective diameter (95% percentile) was by a factor of 3.1 and 1.9 for particle size of 0.12-0.22 mm and 1.42-1.80 mm, respectively. The SEM image analyses also gave the similar magnitude of increase in particle size. In the absence of the dispersant, the extent of Fe(III) bioreduction was 13.4-14.5% in 56 hours of the experiment. The rate of aggregation was higher than that in the presence of the dispersant. The increase in the effective diameter (95% percentile) was by a factor of 13.6 and 4.1 for the particles size of 0.12-0.22 and 1.42-1.8 mm, respectively. The particle aggregation was limited in control experiment to the factor of 2.8 and 2.1 for these two size fractions, respectively. The measured electrophoretic mobility decreased with increase in the extent of bioreduction and aggregation, but the rate of decrease was greatest in the finest size fraction. The EPS measurements showed the increase in the carbohydrate and protein fractions as a result of bioreduction. Separate experiments were performed to understand the relative contribution of Fe(III) reduction and EPS production in controlling nontronite particle aggregation The rate of particle aggregation was measured for nontronite that was chemically pre-reduced by dithionite to various extents, both with and without addition of dextran, a neutral and pure EPS. The aggregation rate was greater in the nontronite that were pre-reduced to a higher extent than those with a lower extent of reduction. The relative contribution to particle aggregation due to Fe(III) reduction and polysaccharide bridging was about 4:1. However, in the real system where bacterial cells are involved, and amount of EPS production and extent of Fe(III) bioreduction increase with time, the relative contribution may be different than in this simple system. In summary, we conclude that both Fe(III) reduction and microbial production of EPS contribute to the observed nontronite particle aggregation with Fe(III) reduction playing more dominant role.

  16. Hypervelocity Impact Testing of IM7/977-3 with Micro-Sized Particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, J. G.; Jegley, D. C.; Siochi, E. J.; Wells, B. K.

    2010-01-01

    Ground-based hypervelocity imapct testing was conducted on IM7/977-3 quasi-isotropic flat panels at normal incidence using micron-sized particles (i.e. less than or equal to 100 microns) of soda lime glass and olivine. Testing was performed at room temperature (RT) and 175 C with results from the 175 C test compared to those obtained at RT. Between 10 and 30 particles with velocities ranging from 5 to 13 km/s impacted each panel surface for each test temperature. Panels were ultrasonically scanned prior to and after impact testing to assess internal damage. Post-impact analysis included microscopic examination of the surface, determination of particle speed and location, and photomicroscopy for microcrack assessment. Internal damage was observed by ultrasonic inspection on panels impacted at 175 C, whereas damage for the RT impacted panels was confined to surface divets/craters as determined by microscopic analysis.

  17. Coagulation of grains in static and collapsing protostellar clouds

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weidenschilling, S. J.; Ruzmaikina, T. V.

    1993-01-01

    The wavelength dependence of extinction in the diffuse interstellar medium implies that it is produced by particles of dominant size of approximately 10(exp -5) cm. There is some indication that in the cores of dense molecular clouds, sub-micron grains can coagulate to form larger particles; this process is probably driven by turbulence. The most primitive meteorites (carbonaceous chondrites) are composed of particles with a bimodal size distribution with peaks near 1 micron (matrix) and 1 mm (chondrules). Models for chondrule formation that involve processing of presolar material by chemical reactions or through an accretion shock during infall assume that aggregates of the requisite mass could form before or during collapse. The effectiveness of coagulation during collapse has been disputed; it appears to depend on specific assumptions. The first results of detailed numerical modeling of spatial and temporal variations of particle sizes in presolar clouds, both static and collapsing, is reported in this article.

  18. Dependence of catalytic properties of Al/Fe2O3 thermites on morphology of Fe2O3 particles in combustion reactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Ningning; He, Cuicui; Liu, Jianbing; Gong, Hujun; An, Ting; Xu, Huixiang; Zhao, Fengqi; Hu, Rongzu; Ma, Haixia; Zhang, Jinzhong

    2014-11-01

    Three Fe2O3 particle samples with the same crystal structure but different morphologies were prepared by the hydrothermal method and then combined with Al nanoparticles to produce Al/Fe2O3 thermites using ultrasonic mixing. The properties of Fe2O3 and Al/Fe2O3 were studied using a combination of experimental techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influences of the three Al/Fe2O3 thermites on the combustion properties of the AP/HTPB (ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) composite propellant were investigated in comparison to those of Fe2O3. The results show that the Al/Fe2O3 thermites are better than Fe2O3 in enhancing the combustion performance of AP/HTPB. Furthermore, the surface area, which depends on size and mophology, of Fe2O3 particles was found to play a vital role in improving the burning rate of the thermites-containing propellant formulation, with the smallest particles with the largest surface-to-volume (S/V) ratio performing the best. The enhanced catalytic property of the granular-shape Fe2O3 and the corresponding thermite is attributed to the large specific surface area of Fe2O3. The different thermal behaviors of these three superthemites were supposed to be attributed to the surface site of Fe2O3 particles. This work provides a better understanding on the catalytic properties of thermites that are important for combustion applications.

  19. Physical-mathematical model of condensation process of the sub-micron dust capture in sprayer scrubber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shilyaev, M. I.; Khromova, E. M.; Grigoriev, A. V.; Tumashova, A. V.

    2011-09-01

    A physical-mathematical model of the heat and mass exchange process and condensation capture of sub-micron dust particles on the droplets of dispersed liquid in a sprayer scrubber is proposed and analysed. A satisfactory agreement of computed results and experimental data on soot capturing from the cracking gases is obtained.

  20. The enrichment of the ISM: Evolved stars and meteorites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jura, M.

    1995-01-01

    Small inclusions (diameters ranging from 0.001 microns to 10 microns) of isotopically anomalous material within meteorites were almost certainly produced in mass-losing stars. These solid particles preserved their individual identities as they passed through the interstellar medium and the pre-solar nebular. The relationship between studies of meteorites and mass-losing red giants is explored.

  1. West Antarctica as a Natural Laboratory for Single- and Mixed-Phase Cloud Microphysics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, A.; Scott, R. C.; Lubin, D.

    2016-12-01

    As part of the ARM West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE), a micropulse lidar (MPL) and a shortwave spectroradiometer were deployed to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide Ice Camp during December 2015 and January 2016. Contrasting meteorological conditions gave rise to several distinct episodes of mixed-phase clouds, liquid water clouds, and entirely glaciated clouds. These phases were readily distinguished in the polarization signature from the MPL. The spectroradiometer measured downwelling hemispheric irradiance in the wavelength interval 0.35-2.2 microns, with 3-nanometer resolution at visible and 10-nanometer resolution at near-infrared wavelengths. Under overcast sky conditions, this measured irradiance is sensitive to total cloud optical depth for wavelengths shorter than 1.1 microns, and is sensitive at both cloud phase and effective particle size in the 1.6-micron window. For single-phase clouds, the spectral irradiance in the 1.6-micron window shows marked contrasts between liquid and ice water. For mixed phase clouds, this spectral dependence of the 1.6-micron irradiance is consistent with the prevailing phase, but in all cases the irradiance is small than that under a liquid water cloud having the same total optical depth. Radiative transfer retrievals of effective particle size from the 1.6-micron irradiance data reveal liquid water effective radii typically 2 microns smaller than found in the spring and summertime high Arctic. Most of the clouds sampled here were within 2 km of the surface, and there are comprehensive ancillary data including sondes four times daily, additional microwave radiometer data, and broadband radiometry. This AWARE data set from WAIS Divide provides a unique opportunity for testing and improving cloud microphysical parameterizations in extreme cold and pristine conditions.

  2. Synthesis of FeCoB amorphous nanoparticles and application in ferrofluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Shuchun; Bian, Xiufang; Yang, Chuncheng; Yu, Mengchun; Wang, Tianqi

    2018-03-01

    Magnetic FeCoB amorphous nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by borohydride reduction in water/n-hexane (W/He) microemulsions. The as-prepared FeCoB alloys are amorphous and spherical nanoparticles with an average particle size about 10.7 nm, compared to FeCoB alloys with an average particle size about 304.2 nm which were synthesized by a conventional aqua-solution method. Furthermore, three kinds of FeCoB ferrofluids (FFs) were prepared by dispersing FeCoB particles into W/He microemulsion, water and silicone oil respectively. Results show that the W/He-based FeCoB FFs are superparamagnetic with saturation magnetization (Ms) reaching to 12.4 emu/g. Besides, compared to water-based and silicone oil-based FFs, W/He-based FeCoB FFs exhibit high stability, with magnetic weights decreasing slightly even under the magnetic field intensity of H = 210 mT. In the W/He-based FeCoB FFs, interfacial tensions of water phase and oil phase are supposed to prevent the agglomeration and sedimentation of FeCoB nanoparticles dispersed in different water droplets of the microemulsion, compared to the current stabilizing method of directly modifying the surface of particles.

  3. Hypervelocity sub 10-micron impacts into aluminium foil: new experimental data and implications for comet 81P/Wild-2's dust fluence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Price, Mark C.; Kearsley, Anton T.; Burchell, Mark J.; Horz, Friedrich; Cole, Mike J.

    2009-06-01

    Recent experimental work (Price, M. C. et. al., LPSC XXXX, #1564, 2009) has shown that the lip-to-lip diameter of hypervelocity impact craters at micron-scales (Dp< 10 microns) is a non-linear function of the impactor's diameter (Dp). We present data for monodisperse silica projectiles impacting aluminium-1100 and elemental aluminium at 6.1 kmsec and discuss the implications of this effect for the Stardust fluence calibration for micron-scale particles (which make up the majority of the impactor flux). Hydrocodes have been used to investigate the potential causes of the phenomena and the results are presented.

  4. Aluminum Hydride as a Fuel Supplement to NanoThermites

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-01

    nanocomposite thermite based on CuO, Bi2O3, and Fe2O3. Pressure cell and burn tube experiments demonstrated enhancements in absolute pressure...pressurization rate, and burning velocity when micron-scale aluminum hydride was used as a minor fuel component in a nanoaluminum–copper-oxide thermite ...alane, AlH3) replaced nanoaluminum incrementally as a fuel in a nanocomposite thermite based on CuO, Bi2O3, and Fe2O3. Pressure cell and burn tube

  5. Thermodynamic Properties of α-Fe 2O 3 and Fe 3O 4 Nanoparticles

    DOE PAGES

    Spencer, Elinor C.; Ross, Nancy L.; Olsen, Rebecca E.; ...

    2015-04-21

    Here we comprehansively assessed the thermodynamic properties of hydrated α-Fe 2O 3 (hematite) and Fe 3O 4 (magnetite) nanoparticles. In addition to 9 nm Fe 3O 4, three α-e 2O 3nanoparticles samples of different sizes (11, 14, and 25 nm) and bulk α-e 2O 3 have been evaluated by inelastic neutron scattering methods. The contribution of the two-level magnetic spin flip transition to the heat capacity of the α-e 2O 3 particles has been determined. The isochoric heat capacity of the water confined on the surface of these two types of iron oxide particles have been calculated from their INSmore » spectra, and is affected by the chemical composition of the underlying particle. Furthermore, the heat capacity and dynamics of the particle hydration layers appear to be influenced by a complex array of factors including particle size, water coverage, and possibly the magnetic state of the particle itself.« less

  6. Air pollution–aerosol interactions produce more bioavailable iron for ocean ecosystems

    PubMed Central

    Li, Weijun; Xu, Liang; Liu, Xiaohuan; Zhang, Jianchao; Lin, Yangting; Yao, Xiaohong; Gao, Huiwang; Zhang, Daizhou; Chen, Jianmin; Wang, Wenxing; Harrison, Roy M.; Zhang, Xiaoye; Shao, Longyi; Fu, Pingqing; Nenes, Athanasios; Shi, Zongbo

    2017-01-01

    It has long been hypothesized that acids formed from anthropogenic pollutants and natural emissions dissolve iron (Fe) in airborne particles, enhancing the supply of bioavailable Fe to the oceans. However, field observations have yet to provide indisputable evidence to confirm this hypothesis. Single-particle chemical analysis for hundreds of individual atmospheric particles collected over the East China Sea shows that Fe-rich particles from coal combustion and steel industries were coated with thick layers of sulfate after 1 to 2 days of atmospheric residence. The Fe in aged particles was present as a “hotspot” of (insoluble) iron oxides and throughout the acidic sulfate coating in the form of (soluble) Fe sulfate, which increases with degree of aging (thickness of coating). This provides the “smoking gun” for acid iron dissolution, because iron sulfate was not detected in the freshly emitted particles and there is no other source or mechanism of iron sulfate formation in the atmosphere. PMID:28275731

  7. Temperature and magnetic field responsive hyaluronic acid particles with tunable physical and chemical properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ekici, Sema; Ilgin, Pinar; Yilmaz, Selahattin; Aktas, Nahit; Sahiner, Nurettin

    2011-01-01

    We report the preparation and characterization of thiolated-temperature-responsive hyaluronic acid-cysteamine-N-isopropyl acrylamide (HA-CYs-NIPAm) particles and thiolated-magnetic-responsive hyaluronic acid (HA-Fe-CYs) particles. Linear hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked with divinyl sulfone as HA particles was prepared using a water-in-oil micro emulsion system which were then oxidized HA-O with NaIO4 to develop aldehyde groups on the particle surface. HA-O hydrogel particles were then reacted with cysteamine (CYs) which interacted with aldehydes on the HA surface to form HA particles with cysteamine (HA-CYs) functionality on the surface. HA-CYs particles were further exposed to radical polymerization with NIPAm to obtain temperature responsive HA-CYs-NIPAm hydrogel particles. To acquire magnetic field responsive HA composites, magnetic iron particles were included in HA to form HA-Fe during HA particle preparation. HA-Fe hydrogel particles were also chemically modified. The prepared HA-CYs-NIPAm demonstrated temperature dependent size variations and phase transition temperature. HA-CYs-NIPAm and HA-Fe-CYs particles can be used as drug delivery vehicles. Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), an antibacterial drug, was used as a model drug for temperature-induced release studies from these particles.

  8. A simple route to synthesize conductive stimuli-responsive polypyrrole nanocomposite hydrogel particles with strong magnetic properties and their performance for removal of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmad, Hasan; Rahman, Mohammad Mostafizar; Ali, Mohammad Azgar; Minami, Hideto; Tauer, Klaus; Gafur, Mohammad Abdul; Rahman, Mohammad Mahbubor

    2016-08-01

    A combination of maghemite polypyrrole (PPy/γ-Fe2O3) and stimuli-responsive properties in the same hydrogel microspheres is expected to enhance their application potential in various fields such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biosensors, biomedical applications and removal of heavy metals from waste water, catalysis etc. In this investigation a simple two step process is used to prepare conductive stimuli-responsive polypyrrole (PPy) composite hydrogel particles with strong magnetic properties. Poly(styrene-methacrylic acid-N-isopropylacrylamide-polyethelene glycol methacrylate) or P(S-NIPAM-MAA-PEGMA) hydrogel seed particles are first prepared by soap-free precipitation copolymerization. The copolymer hydrogel particles exhibited both temperature- and pH-responsive volume phase transition. Conductive P(S-NIPAM-MAA-PEGMA)/PPy/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite hydrogel particles are then prepared by seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of P(S-NIPAM-MAA-PEGMA) hydrogel seed particles using FeCl3 as a oxidant and p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) as a dopant. In the reaction system FeCl3 functioned as a source of Fe(III) for the formation of γ-Fe2O3. This reaction also requires the initial presence of Fe(II) provided by the addition of FeCl2. The size and size distribution, surface structure, and morphology of the prepared conductive composite hydrogel particles are confirmed by FTIR, electron micrographs, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The performance of nanocomposite hydrogel particles has been evaluated for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr) ions from water.

  9. Fe embedded in ice: The impacts of sublimation and energetic particle bombardment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Frankland, Victoria L.; Plane, John M. C.

    2015-05-01

    Icy particles containing a variety of Fe compounds are present in the upper atmospheres of planets such as the Earth and Saturn. In order to explore the role of ice sublimation and energetic ion bombardment in releasing Fe species into the gas phase, Fe-dosed ice films were prepared under UHV conditions in the laboratory. Temperature-programmed desorption studies of Fe/H2O films revealed that no Fe atoms or Fe-containing species co-desorbed along with the H2O molecules. This implies that when noctilucent ice cloud particles sublimate in the terrestrial mesosphere, the metallic species embedded in them will coalesce to form residual particles. Sputtering of the Fe-ice films by energetic Ar+ ions was shown to be an efficient mechanism for releasing Fe into the gas phase, with a yield of 0.08 (Ar+ energy=600 eV). Extrapolating with a semi-empirical sputtering model to the conditions of a proton aurora indicates that sputtering by energetic protons (>100 keV) should also be efficient. However, the proton flux in even an intense aurora will be too low for the resulting injection of Fe species into the gas phase to compete with that from meteoric ablation. In contrast, sputtering of the icy particles in the main rings of Saturn by energetic O+ ions may be the source of recently observed Fe+ in the Saturnian magnetosphere. Electron sputtering (9.5 keV) produced no detectable Fe atoms or Fe-containing species. Finally, it was observed that Fe(OH)2 was produced when Fe was dosed onto an ice film at 140 K (but not at 95 K). Electronic structure theory shows that the reaction which forms this hydroxide from adsorbed Fe has a large barrier of about 0.7 eV, from which we conclude that the reaction requires both translationally hot Fe atoms and mobile H2O molecules on the ice surface.

  10. MULPEX: a compact multi-layered polymer foil collector for micrometeoroids and orbital debris.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kearsley, A. T.; Graham, G. A.; Burchell, M. J.; Taylor, E. A.; Drolshagen, G.; Chater, R. J.; McPhail, D.

    Detailed studies of preserved hypervelocity impact residues on spacecraft multi-layer insulation foils have yielded important information about the flux of small particles from different sources in low-Earth orbit (LEO). We have extended our earlier research on impacts occurring in LEO to design and testing of a compact capture device. MULPEX (MUlti-Layer Polymer EXperiment) is simple, cheap to build, lightweight, of no power demand, easy to deploy, and optimised for the efficient collection of impact residue for analysis on return to Earth. The capture medium is a stack of very thin (8 micron and 40 micron) polyimide foils, supported on poly-tetrafluoroethylene sheet frames, surrounded by a protective aluminium casing. The uppermost foil has a very thin metallic coating for thermal protection and resistance to atomic oxygen and ultra-violet exposure. The casing provides a simple detachable interface for deployment on the spacecraft, facing into the desired direction for particle collection. On return to the laboratory, the stacked foils are separated for examination in a variable pressure scanning electron microscope, without need for surface coating. Analysis of impact residue is performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers. Our laboratory experiments, utilising buck-shot firings of analogues to micrometeoroids (35-38 micron olivine) and space debris (4 micron alumina and 1mm stainless steel) in a light gas gun, have shown that impact residue is abundant within the foil layers, and preserves a record of the impacting particle, whether of micrometer or millimetre dimensions. Penetrations of the top foil are easily recognised, and act as a proxy for dimensions of the penetrating particle. Impact may cause disruption and melting, but some residue retains sufficient crystallographic structure to show clear Raman lines, diagnostic of the original mineral.

  11. Non-absorbable mesoporous silica for the development of protein sequestration therapies

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Garcia-Bennett, Alfonso E., E-mail: alf.garcia@mq.edu.au; Ballell, Lluis, E-mail: lluis.p.ballell@gsk.com

    While our understanding of the molecular events leading to disease onset and progression have increased exponentially, our capacity to therapeutically intervene in these events with new chemical diversity has clearly fallen short of that pace. In the quest to readdress this situation, the drug discovery sector is slowly but increasingly exploring sources of alternative chemical matter, such as the ones provided by material science and nanotechnology. While new functional nano-sized materials hold great promise for the future, our lack of understanding of the long term safety implications associated with systemic exposure as well as the unclear regulatory path ahead hampermore » their present impact in drug development. Paradoxically, the exploitation of novel, functionally active micron-sized, synthetic, non-absorbable chemical matter, for the treatment or prevention of a number of epidemiologically significant conditions remains clearly underexplored. A combination of pre-existing evidence and future potential indicates that micron-sized mesoporous silica materials could be an untapped source of new drug candidates. These are free from both the dreaded high attrition associated with small molecule drug discovery and the uncertainties of nano-size technologies. This, together with the coming of age of synthetic methodologies to control particle size and shape; pore size and geometry; surface chemistry, bioconjugation and formulation, open up exciting possibilities to exploit this novel chemistry-biology therapeutic interface. - Highlights: • The development of functionally active micron-sized particles in medicine is underexplored. • Mesoporous materials offer the advantage of nanostructured particles in the micron size. • Non-absorbable drugs based on such particles for enzyme inhibition are being developed. • Several conditions can be targeted such as obesity, sepsis or celiac disease.« less

  12. Micrometeoroid and Lunar Secondary Ejecta Flux Measurements: Comparison of Three Acoustic Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Corsaro, R. D.; Giovane, F.; Liou, Jer-Chyi; Burtchell, M.; Pisacane, V.; Lagakos, N.; Williams, E.; Stansbery, E.

    2010-01-01

    This report examines the inherent capability of three large-area acoustic sensor systems and their applicability for micrometeoroids (MM) and lunar secondary ejecta (SE) detection and characterization for future lunar exploration activities. Discussion is limited to instruments that can be fabricated and deployed with low resource requirements. Previously deployed impact detection probes typically have instrumented capture areas less than 0.2 square meters. Since the particle flux decreases rapidly with increased particle size, such small-area sensors rarely encounter particles in the size range above 50 microns, and even their sampling the population above 10 microns is typically limited. Characterizing the sparse dust population in the size range above 50 microns requires a very large-area capture instrument. However it is also important that such an instrument simultaneously measures the population of the smaller particles, so as to provide a complete instantaneous snapshot of the population. For lunar or planetary surface studies, the system constraints are significant. The instrument must be as large as possible to sample the population of the largest MM. This is needed to reliably assess the particle impact risks and to develop cost-effective shielding designs for habitats, astronauts, and critical instrument. The instrument should also have very high sensitivity to measure the flux of small and slow SE particles. is the SE environment is currently poorly characterized, and possess a contamination risk to machinery and personnel involved in exploration. Deployment also requires that the instrument add very little additional mass to the spacecraft. Three acoustic systems are being explored for this application.

  13. Tiny Particles, So Far Away

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2005-01-10

    NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope recently captured these images of the star Vega, located 25 light years away in the constellation Lyra. Spitzer was able to detect the heat radiation from the cloud of dust around the star and found that the debris disc is much larger than previously thought. This side by side comparison, taken by Spitzer's multiband imaging photometer, shows the warm infrared glows from dust particles orbiting the star at wavelengths of 24 microns (figure 2 in blue) and 70 microns (figure 3 in red). Both images show a very large, circular and smooth debris disc. The disc radius extends to at least 815 astronomical units. (One astronomical unit is the distance from Earth to the Sun, which is 150-million kilometers or 93-million miles). Scientists compared the surface brightness of the disc in the infrared wavelengths to determine the temperature distribution of the disc and then infer the corresponding particle size in the disc. Most of the particles in the disc are only a few microns in size, or 100 times smaller than a grain of Earth sand. These fine dust particles originate from collisions of embryonic planets near the star at a radius of approximately 90 astronomical units, and are then blown away by Vega's intense radiation. The mass and short lifetime of these small particles indicate that the disc detected by Spitzer is the aftermath of a large and relatively recent collision, involving bodies perhaps as big as the planet Pluto. The images are 3 arcminutes on each side. North is oriented upward and east is to the left. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07218

  14. PREPARATION OF SPHERICAL URANIUM DIOXIDE PARTICLES

    DOEpatents

    Levey, R.P. Jr.; Smith, A.E.

    1963-04-30

    This patent relates to the preparation of high-density, spherical UO/sub 2/ particles 80 to 150 microns in diameter. Sinterable UO/sub 2/ powder is wetted with 3 to 5 weight per cent water and tumbled for at least 48 hours. The resulting spherical particles are then sintered. The sintered particles are useful in dispersion-type fuel elements for nuclear reactors. (AEC)

  15. Galileo Probe Measurements of Thermal and Solar Radiation Fluxes in the Jovian Atmosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sromovsky, L. A.; Collard, A. D.; Fry, P. M.; Orton, G. S.; Lemmon, M. T.; Tomasko, M. G.; Freedman, R. S.

    1998-01-01

    The Galileo probe net flux radiometer (NFR) measured radiation fluxes in Jupiter's atmosphere from about 0.44 to 14 bars, using five spectral channels to separate solar and thermal components. Onboard calibration results confirm that the NFR responded to radiation approximately as expected. NFR channels also responded to a superimposed thermal perturbation, which can be approximately removed using blind channel measurements and physical constraints. Evidence for the expected NH3 cloud was seen in the spectral character of spin-induced modulations of the direct solar beam signals. These results are consistent with an overlying cloud of small NH3 ice particles (0.5-0.75 microns in radius) of optical depth 1.5-2 at 0.5 microns. Such a cloud would have so little effect on thermal fluxes that NFR thermal channels provide no additional constraints on its properties. However, evidence for heating near 0.45 bar in the NFR thermal channels would seem to require either an additional opacity source beyond this small-particle cloud, implying a heterogeneous-cloud structure to avoid conflicts with solar modulation results, or a change in temperature lapse rate just above the probe measurements. The large thermal flux levels imply water vapor mixing ratios that are only 6% of solar at 10 bars, but possibly increasing with depth, and significantly subsaturated ammonia at pressures less than 3 bars. If deep NH3 mixing ratios at the probe entry site are 3-4 times ground-based inferences, as suggested by probe radio signal attenuation, then only half as much water is needed to match NFR observations. No evidence of a water cloud was seen near the 5-bar level. The 5 microns thermal channel detected the presumed NH4SH cloud base near 1.35 bars. Effects of this cloud were also seen in the solar channel upflux measurements but not in the solar net fluxes, implying that the cloud is a conservative scatterer of sunlight. The minor thermal signature of this cloud is compatible with particle radii near 3 microns, but it cannot rule out smaller particles. Deeper than about 3 bars, solar channels indicate unexpectedly large absorption of sunlight at wavelengths longer than 0.6 microns, which might be due to unaccounted-for absorption by NH3 between 0.65 and 1.5 microns.

  16. Characteristics of trace metals in traffic-derived particles in Hsuehshan Tunnel, Taiwan: size distribution, potential source, and fingerprinting metal ratio

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Y.-C.; Tsai, C.-J.; Wu, Y.-C.; Zhang, R.; Chi, K.-H.; Huang, Y.-T.; Lin, S.-H.; Hsu, S.-C.

    2015-04-01

    Traffic emissions are a significant source of airborne particulate matter (PM) in ambient environments. These emissions contain an abundance of toxic metals and thus pose adverse effects on human health. Size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected from May to September 2013 by using micro-orifice uniform deposited impactors (MOUDIs). Sample collection was conducted simultaneously at the inlet and outlet sites of Hsuehshan Tunnel in northern Taiwan, which is the second-longest freeway tunnel (12.9 km) in Asia. This endeavor aims to characterize the chemical constituents and size distributions, as well as fingerprinting ratios of particulate metals emitted by vehicle fleets. A total of 36 metals in size-resolved aerosols were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Three major groups - namely, tailpipe emissions (Zn, Pb, and V in fine mode), wear debris (Cu, Cd, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Sb, and Sn), and resuspended dust (Ca, Mg, K, and Rb) - of airborne PM metals were categorized on the basis of the results of enrichment factor, correlation matrix, and principal component analysis. Size distributions of wear-originated metals resembled the pattern of crustal elements, which were predominated by super-micron particulates (PM1-10). By contrast, tailpipe exhaust elements such as Zn, Pb, and V were distributed mainly in submicron particles. By employing Cu as a tracer of wear abrasion, several inter-metal ratios - including Fe / Cu (14), Ba / Cu (1.05), Sb / Cu (0.16), Sn / Cu (0.10), and Ga / Cu (0.03) - served as fingerprints for wear debris. However, the data set collected in this work is useful for further studies on traffic emission inventory and human health effects of traffic-related PM.

  17. Preparation of SiO2/(PMMA/Fe3O4) from monolayer linolenic acid modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles via miniemulsion polymerization.

    PubMed

    He, Lei; Li, Zhiyang; Fu, Jing; Deng, Yan; He, Nongyue; Wang, Zhifei; Wang, Hua; Shi, Zhiyang; Wang, Zunliang

    2009-10-01

    SiO2/(PMMA/Fe3O4) composite particles were prepared from linolenic acid (LA) instead of oleic acid (OA) modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization. LA has three unsaturated double bonds with which it can polymerizate more easily than OA. And coating Fe3O4 with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer beforehand can prevent magnetic nanoparticles from the aggregation that usually comes from the increasing of ionic strength during the hydrolyzation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) by the steric hindrance. Finally, the resulting PMMA/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with silica, forming SiO2/(PMMA/Fe3O4) core-shell structure particles. The sizes of nanoparticles with core-shell structure were in the range from 300 to 600 nm. The nanoparticles were spherical particles and had consistent size. The result of magnetic measurement showed that the composite particles had superparamagnetic property.

  18. Formation of the ZnFe2O4 phase in an electric arc furnace off-gas treatment system.

    PubMed

    Suetens, T; Guo, M; Van Acker, K; Blanpain, B

    2015-04-28

    To better understand the phenomena of ZnFe2O4 spinel formation in electric arc furnace dust, the dust was characterized with particle size analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). Different ZnFe2O4 formation reaction extents were observed for iron oxide particles with different particle sizes. ZnO particles were present as both individual particles and aggregated on the surface of larger particles. Also, the slag particles found in the off-gas were shown not to react with the zinc vapor. After confirming the presence of a ZnFe2O4 formation reaction, the thermodynamic feasibility of in-process separation - a new electric arc furnace dust treatment technology - was reevaluated. The large air intake and the presence of iron oxide particles in the off-gas were included into the thermodynamic calculations. The formation of the stable ZnFe2O4 spinel phase was shown to be thermodynamically favorable in current electric arc furnace off-gas ducts conditions even before reaching the post combustion chamber. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Chemical Imaging Analysis of Environmental Particles Using the Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy Technique. Microanalysis Insights into Atmospheric Chemistry of Fly Ash

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Haihan; Grassian, Vicki H.; Saraf, Laxmikant V.

    2012-11-08

    Airborne fly ash from coal combustion may represent a source of bioavailable iron (Fe) in the open ocean. However, few studies have been made focusing on Fe speciation and distribution in coal fly ash. In this study, chemical imaging of fly ash has been performed using a dual-beam FIB/SEM (focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope) system for a better understanding of how simulated atmospheric processing modify the morphology, chemical compositions and element distributions of individual particles. A novel approach has been applied for cross-sectioning of fly ash specimen with a FIB in order to explore element distribution within the interior ofmore » individual particles. Our results indicate that simulated atmospheric processing causes disintegration of aluminosilicate glass, a dominant material in fly ash particles. Aluminosilicate-phase Fe in the inner core of fly ash particles is more easily mobilized compared with oxide-phase Fe present as surface aggregates on fly ash spheres. Fe release behavior depends strongly on Fe speciation in aerosol particles. The approach for preparation of cross-sectioned specimen described here opens new opportunities for particle microanalysis, particular with respect to inorganic refractive materials like fly ash and mineral dust.« less

  20. Particulate-matter content of 11 cephalosporin injections: conformance with USP limits.

    PubMed

    Parkins, D A; Taylor, A J

    1987-05-01

    The particulate-matter content of 11 dry-powder cephalosporin injections was determined using a modified version of the official United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) method for particulate matter in small-volume injections (SVIs). Ten vials of each cephalosporin product were each constituted with 10 mL of Water for Injections BP that had been filtered through a 0.22-micron membrane. The pooled contents of the 10 vials for each product were allowed to stand under reduced pressure to ensure removal of gas bubbles. Particulate-matter content was determined using a HIAC/Royco particle counter on six 10-mL samples obtained from the pooled solutions for each product. All solution preparation and particle counting was performed in a horizontal-laminar-airflow hood. Modifications of the USP method used in this study included the use of six rather than two samples from each pooled solution, the addition of diluent to the injections through the rubber closure with a needle instead of into the open container, and changes in the degassing method. Particle counts for all products examined were lower than USP limits for SVIs. All but two products contained less than 15% of USP limits for particles greater than or equal to 10 microns in effective diameter and particles greater than or equal to 25 microns in effective diameter. The standard USP method for degassing (standing for two minutes) was inadequate. Application of reduced pressure for up to 10 minutes was necessary for thorough degassing of products.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  1. Effect of annealing on magnetic properties of Ni80Fe20 permalloy nanoparticles prepared by polyol method.

    PubMed

    Qin, G W; Pei, W L; Ren, Y P; Shimada, Y; Endo, Y; Yamaguchi, M; Okamoto, S; Kitakami, O

    2011-12-01

    Ni80Fe20 permalloy nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and homogeneous composition have been prepared by the polyol processing at 180 degrees C for 2 h and their particle sizes can be tunable in the size range of 20-440 nm by proper addition of K2PtCI4 agent. X-ray diffraction results show that the NiFe nanoparticles are of face centered cubic structure. The addition of K2PtCl4 does not affect the composition of NiFe NPs but decreases the particle size remarkably. Both saturation magnetization and coercivity of the as-prepared NiFe nanoparticles decrease with decreasing particle size. Annealed at 280 degrees C, however, the saturation magnetization of various sized NiFe nanoparticles increases drastically and approaches to the bulk for the -440 nm NiFe particles, and a maximum coercivity (-270 Oe) happens at a critical size of -50 nm. The magnetic property dependency of these NiFe nanoparticles on annealing has been discussed by considering the surface chemistry.

  2. Reflectance Spectroscopy of Palagonite and Iron-Rich Montmorillonite Clay Mixtures: Implications for the Surface Composition of Mars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Orenberg, James; Handy, Jonathan

    1992-01-01

    Mixtures of a Hawaiian palagonite and an iron-rich, montmorillonite clay (15.8 +/- 0.4 wt% Fe as Fe2O3) were evaluated as Mars surface spectral analogs from their diffuse reflectance spectra. The presence of the 2.2 microns absorption band in the reflectance spectrum of clays and its absence in the Mars spectrum have been interpreted as indicating that highly crystalline aluminous hydroxylated clays cannot be a major mineral component of the soil on Mars. The palagonite sample used in this study does not show this absorption feature in its spectrum. In mixtures of palagonite and iron-rich montmorillonite, the 2.2 microns Al-OH clay lattice band is not seen below 15 wt% montmorillonite. This suggests the possibility that iron-rich montmorillonite clay may be present in the soil of Mars at up to 15 wt% in combination with palagonite, and remain undetected in remotely sensed spectra of Mars.

  3. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, Jiandong; Neeway, James J.; Zhang, Yanyan

    Glass particles with dimensions typically ranging from tens to hundreds of microns are often used in glass corrosion research in order to accelerate testing. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanoscale imaging techniques are badly needed to characterize the alteration layers at the surfaces of these corroded glass particles. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) can provide a lateral resolution as low as ~100 nm, and, compared to other imaging techniques, is sensitive to elements lighter than carbon. Here, we used ToF-SIMS to characterize the alteration layers of corroded international simple glass (ISG) particles. At most particle surfaces, we observed inhomogeneous or nomore » alteration layers, indicating that the thickness of the alterations layers may be too thin to be observable by ToF-SIMS imaging. Relatively thick (e.g., 1–10 µm) alteration layers were inhomogeneously distributed at a small portion of surfaces.Interestingly, some large-size (tens of microns) glass particles were fully altered. Above observations suggest that weak attachment and the defects on ISG particle surfaces play an important role in ISG glass corrosion.« less

  4. Performance Test of Laser Velocimeter System for the Langley 16-foot Transonic Tunnel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Meyers, J. F.; Hunter, W. W., Jr.; Reubush, D. E.; Nichols, C. E., Jr.; Hepner, T. E.; Lee, J. W.

    1985-01-01

    An investigation in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel has been conducted in which a laser velocimeter was used to measure free-stream velocities from Mach 0.1 to 1.0 and the flow velocities along the stagnating streamline of a hemisphere-cylinder model at Mach 0.8 and 1.0. The flow velocity was also measured at Mach 1.0 along the line 0.533 model diameters below the model. These tests determined the performance characteristics of the dedicated two-component laser velocimeter at flow velocities up to Mach 1.0 and the effects of the wind tunnel environment on the particle-generating system and on the resulting size of the generated particles. To determine these characteristics, the measured particle velocities along the stagnating streamline at the two Mach numbers were compared with the theoretically predicted gas and particle velocities calculated using a transonic potential flow method. Through this comparison the mean detectable particle size (2.1 micron) along with the standard deviation of the detectable particles (0.76 micron) was determined; thus the performance characteristics of the laser velocimeter were established.

  5. Martian Dust Devils: Laboratory Simulations of Particle Threshold

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Greeley, Ronald; Balme, Matthew R.; Iverson, James D.; Metzger, Stephen; Mickelson, Robert; Phoreman, Jim; White, Bruce

    2003-01-01

    An apparatus has been fabricated to simulate terrestrial and Martian dust devils. Comparisons of surface pressure profiles through the vortex core generated in the apparatus with both those in natural dust devils on Earth and those inferred for Mars are similar and are consistent with theoretical Rankine vortex models. Experiments to determine particle threshold under Earth ambient atmospheric pressures show that sand (particles > 60 micron in diameter) threshold is analogous to normal boundary-layer shear, in which the rotating winds of the vortex generate surface shear and hence lift. Lower-pressure experiments down to approx. 65 mbar follow this trend for sand-sized particles. However, smaller particles (i.e., dust) and all particles at very low pressures (w 10-60 mbar) appear to be subjected to an additional lift function interpreted to result from the strong decrease in atmospheric pressure centered beneath the vortex core. Initial results suggest that the wind speeds required for the entrainment of grains approx. 2 microns in diameter (i.e., Martian dust sizes) are about half those required for entrainment by boundary layer winds on both Earth and Mars.

  6. A dimorphic magnetorheological elastomer incorporated with Fe nano-flakes modified carbonyl iron particles: preparation and characterization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, M.; Zhu, M.; Fu, J.; Yang, P. A.; Qi, S.

    2015-11-01

    This paper describes a simple and convenient approach for the synthesis of Fe nano-flakes coated spherical carbonyl iron particles (CIP-Nano-Fe). The morphology and composition of CIP-Nano-Fe were characterized using electron scanning microscope and x-ray diffraction analysis. The results indicated that the CI particles were coated with uniform and continuous Fe nanostructures. Partial substitution of CI particles with CIP-Nano-Fe constituted a novel dimorphic magnetorheological elastomer (D-MRE), and the influence of the content of CIP-Nano-Fe on the viscoelastic performance of the magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) were systematically studied. The magnetorheological properties and the damping properties of the D-MRE samples were analyzed to evaluate their dynamic properties. The experimental results indicated that the MR effect, the max loss factor and the magneto-induced loss factor in the sample 3 (CIP-Nano-Fe weight content 6 wt%) were approximately 1.32, 1.45 and 1.56 times that in the sample 1 (non-doped MRE). The approach to synthesize CIP-Nano-Fe reported here can be readily explored for fabricating particles modified by other metal nanostructures, and the resulting D-MREs are expected to be applied in various applications, especially in the field of vibration and noise control, involving vibration isolators, tunable engine mounts, noise insulation devices, and so forth.

  7. The Carnegie Chicago Hubble Program: The Mid-Infrared Colours of Cepheids and the Effect of Metallicity on the CO Band-Head at 4.6 Micron

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Scowcroft, Victoria; Seibert, Mark; Freedman, Wendy L.; Beaton, Rachael L.; Madore, Barry F.; Monson, Andrew J.; Rich, Jeffery A.; Rigby, Jane R.

    2016-01-01

    We compare mid-infrared (IR) 3.6 and 4.5 micron Warm Spitzer observations for Cepheids in the Milky Way and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Using models, we explore in detail the effect of the CO rotation-vibration band-head at 4.6 micron on the mid-IR photometry. We confirm the temperature sensitivity of the CO band-head at 4.6 micron and find no evidence for an effect at 3.6 micron. We compare the ([3.6]-[4.5]) period-colour relations in the MW, LMC and SMC. The slopes of the period-colour relations for the three galaxies are in good agreement, but there is a trend in zero-point with metallicity, with the lowest metallicity Cepheids having redder mid-IR colours. Finally, we present a colour-[Fe/H] relation based on published spectroscopic metallicities. This empirical relation, calibrated to the metallicity system of Genovali et al., demonstrates that the ([3.6]-[4.5]) colour provides a reliable metallicity indicator for Cepheids, with a precision comparable to current spectroscopic determinations.

  8. Composition distributions in FePt(Au) nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Srivastava, C.; Nikles, D. E.; Harrell, J. W.; Thompson, G. B.

    2010-08-01

    Ternary alloy FePt(Au) nanoparticles were prepared by the co-reduction of platinum(II) acetylacetonate and gold(III) acetate and the thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl in hot phenyl ether in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine ligands. This gave spherical particles with an average diameter of 4.4 nm with a range of diameters from approximately 1.6-9 nm. The as-synthesized particles had a solid solution, face-centered-cubic structure. Though the average composition of the particles was Fe44Pt45Au11, individual particle analysis by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy-X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy showed a broad distribution in composition. In general, smaller-sized particles tended to have a lower amount of Au as compared to larger-sized particles. As the Au content increased, the ratio of Fe/Pt widened.

  9. Fractionation of iron isotopes during leaching of natural particles by acidic and circumneutral leaches and development of an optimal leach for marine particulate iron isotopes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Revels, Brandi N.; Zhang, Ruifeng; Adkins, Jess F.; John, Seth G.

    2015-10-01

    Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for life on land and in the oceans. Iron stable isotope ratios (δ56Fe) can be used to study the biogeochemical cycling of Fe between particulate and dissolved phases in terrestrial and marine environments. We have investigated the dissolution of Fe from natural particles both to understand the mechanisms of Fe dissolution, and to choose a leach appropriate for extracting labile Fe phases of marine particles. With a goal of finding leaches which would be appropriate for studying dissolved-particle interactions in an oxic water column, three particle types were chosen including oxic seafloor sediments (MESS-3), terrestrial dust (Arizona Test Dust - A2 Fine), and ocean sediment trap material from the Cariaco basin. Four leaches were tested, including three acidic leaches similar to leaches previously applied to marine particles and sediments (25% acetic acid, 0.01 N HCl, and 0.5 N HCl) and a pH 8 oxalate-EDTA leach meant to mimic the dissolution of particles by organic complexation, as occurs in natural seawater. Each leach was applied for three different times (10 min, 2 h, 24 h) at three different temperatures (25 °C, 60 °C, 90 °C). MESS-3 was also leached under various redox conditions (0.02 M hydroxylamine hydrochloride or 0.02 M hydrogen peroxide). For all three sample types tested, we find a consistent relationship between the amount of Fe leached and leachate δ56Fe for all of the acidic leaches, and a different relationship between the amount of Fe leached and leachate δ56Fe for the oxalate-EDTA leach, suggesting that Fe was released through proton-promoted dissolution for all acidic leaches and by ligand-promoted dissolution for the oxalate-EDTA leach. Fe isotope fractionations of up to 2‰ were observed during acidic leaching of MESS-3 and Cariaco sediment trap material, but not for Arizona Test Dust, suggesting that sample composition influences fractionation, perhaps because Fe isotopes are greatly fractionated during leaching of silicates and clays but only minimally fractionated during dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides. Two different analytical models were developed to explain the relationship between amount of Fe leached and δ56Fe, one of which assumes mixing between two Fe phases with different δ56Fe and different dissolution rates, and the other of which assumes dissolution of a single phase with a kinetic isotope effect. We apply both models to fit results from the acidic leaches of MESS-3 and find that the fit for both models is very similar, suggesting that isotope data will never be sufficient to distinguish between these two processes for natural materials. Next, we utilize our data to choose an optimal leach for application to marine particles. The oxalate-EDTA leach is well-suited to this purpose because it does not greatly fractionate Fe isotopes for a diversity of particle types over a wide variety of leaching conditions, and because it approximates the conditions by which particulate Fe dissolves in the oceans. We recommend a 2 h leach at 90 °C with 0.1 M oxalate and 0.05 M EDTA at pH 8 to measure labile ;ligand-leachable; particulate δ56Fe on natural marine materials with a range of compositions.

  10. Anisotropic Morphological Changes in Goethite during Fe(2+)-Catalyzed Recrystallization.

    PubMed

    Joshi, Prachi; Gorski, Christopher A

    2016-07-19

    When goethite is exposed to aqueous Fe(2+), rapid and extensive Fe atom exchange can occur between solid-phase Fe(3+) and aqueous Fe(2+) in a process referred to as Fe(2+)-catalyzed recrystallization. This process can lead to the structural incorporation or release of trace elements, which has important implications for contaminant remediation and nutrient biogeochemical cycling. Prior work found that the process did not cause major changes to the goethite structure or morphology. Here, we further investigated if and how goethite morphology and aggregation behavior changed temporally during Fe(2+)-catalyzed recrystallization. On the basis of existing literature, we hypothesized that Fe(2+)-catalyzed recrystallization of goethite would not result in changes to individual particle morphology or interparticle interactions. To test this, we reacted nanoparticulate goethite with aqueous Fe(2+) at pH 7.5 over 30 days and used transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryogenic TEM, and (55)Fe as an isotope tracer to observe changes in particle dimensions, aggregation, and isotopic composition over time. Over the course of 30 days, the goethite particles substantially recrystallized, and the particle dimensions changed anisotropically, resulting in a preferential increase in the mean particle width. The temporal changes in goethite morphology could not be completely explained by a single mineral-transformation mechanism but rather indicated that multiple transformation mechanisms occurred concurrently. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the morphology of goethite nanoparticles does change during recrystallization, which is an important step toward identifying the driving force(s) of recrystallization.

  11. Pulsed Electrodeposition of Ni with Uniform Co-Deposition of Micron Sized Diamond Particles on Copper Substrate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Prashant; Mahato, Neelima

    Nanocrystalline nickel was deposited on annealed copper substrate of unit surface area (1 cm2) via pulsed electrodeposition technique using potentiostat (model 263A, Princeton Applied Research, USA) from Watts bath containing nickel sulfate, nickel chloride ,boric acid and sodium citrate. Diamond particles of three different dimensions, viz., 1, 3, and 6 micron were added separately (5 g/L) to the watts bath and co-deposited along with nanocrystalline nickel. The temperature was kept constant at 55 °C. The solution was ultrasonicated for 45-60 minutes prior to deposition to disperse the diamond particles uniformly in the bath. Depositions were carried out at different current densities, viz., 50, 100,150 and 200 mA/ cm2 for different durations, i.e.7, 14 and 21 minutes and best results are optimized for 200mA/cm2 so it is used for all process here .Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) show uniform deposition of microstructure of micron diamond on the surface of copper embedded in the nickel matrix. Elemental mapping confirmed uniform deposition of nickel and diamond with almost no cracks or pits. Mechanical properties of the sample such as, Vicker's hardness increased abruptly after the electrodeposition. Improved microstructural and mechanical properties were found in the case of electrodeposited surfaces containing followed by 3 and 6 micron diamond. The properties were also found better than those processed via stirring the solution during deposition.

  12. Microstructural Evolution during the Dynamic Deformation of High Strength Navy Steels

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-05-19

    phase particles (Figures 23d,e). These include carbides as well as copper precipitates that are of the order of 10 nm or less in size. These particles ...Microstructure and kinetics of martensite transformations in splat-quenched Fe and Fe-Ni alloys - I pure Fe: Acta Metallurgica 30(1982)323. 22. Y. Inokuti...and B. Cantor, Microstructure and kinetics of martensite transformations in splat-quenched Fe and Fe-Ni alloys - II Fe-Ni alloys : Acta

  13. A novel method for preparing pomegranate-structured FePO{sub 4}/C composite materials as cathode for lithium-ion batteries

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hao, Guan-nan; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029; Zhang, Hao, E-mail: dr.h.zhang@hotmail.com

    2012-12-15

    Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► We designed and synthesized a pomegranate-structured FePO{sub 4}/C composite. ► We used a combination of electrospinning and solid-state reaction for preparation. ► We showed how the performance of pomegranate-structured FePO{sub 4} is highly enhanced. -- Abstract: A pomegranate-structured FePO{sub 4}/C composite was synthesized via a combination of electrospinning and high temperature reaction using micron-level FePO{sub 4} and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Systematic studies on synthesis, modification, and characterization of FePO{sub 4}/C composites were conducted. The FePO{sub 4}/C composites delivered a specific discharge capacity of 109 mAh g{sup −1} at 0.2 C and 39 mAh g{sup −1}more » at 10 C, which were comparable with the reported nanometer-level FePO{sub 4}. We demonstrated that the three-dimensional net-like structure covered by porous carbon layers could highly enhance the electrochemical performance of FePO{sub 4}.« less

  14. Effect of iron particle size and volume fraction on the magnetic properties of Fe/silicate glass soft magnetic composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ding, Wei; Jiang, Longtao; Liao, Yaqin; Song, Jiabin; Li, Bingqing; Wu, Gaohui

    2015-03-01

    Fe/silicate glass soft magnetic composites (SMC) were fabricated by powder metallurgy with 1000 MPa pressure at room temperature, and then annealed at 700 °C for 90 min. The iron particles distributed uniformly in the composites, and have been separated from each other by a continuous silicate glass insulating layer. Fe/glass interface was well bonded and a quasi-continuous layer Fe3O4 and FeO exited. Very fine crystalline phases Na12Ca3Fe2(Si6O18)2 were formed in silicate glass. Composite containing 57 vol% 75 μm iron particles demonstrated highest resistivity of 7.8×10-3 Ω m. The μm, Bs and Bt increased while Hc of Fe/silicate glass composites decreased with the increase of average size of iron particles. The composite with highest amount (82 vol%) and largest average size (140 μm) of iron particles demonstrated best μm, Bs and Bt and Hc, which were 622, 1.57 T, 1.43 T, 278 A/m, respectively. The composite containing 57 vol% 75 μm iron particles demonstrated minimum core loss of 3.5 W/kg at 50 Hz and 28.1 W/kg at 400 Hz, while the composite containing 82 vol% 140 μm iron particles exhibited maximum core loss of 5.2 W/kg at 50 Hz and 67.7 W/kg at 400 Hz.

  15. Electrically conductive material

    DOEpatents

    Singh, Jitendra P.; Bosak, Andrea L.; McPheeters, Charles C.; Dees, Dennis W.

    1993-01-01

    An electrically conductive material for use in solid oxide fuel cells, electrochemical sensors for combustion exhaust, and various other applications possesses increased fracture toughness over available materials, while affording the same electrical conductivity. One embodiment of the sintered electrically conductive material consists essentially of cubic ZrO.sub.2 as a matrix and 6-19 wt. % monoclinic ZrO.sub.2 formed from particles having an average size equal to or greater than about 0.23 microns. Another embodiment of the electrically conductive material consists essentially at cubic ZrO.sub.2 as a matrix and 10-30 wt. % partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) formed from particles having an average size of approximately 3 microns.

  16. Combined infrared and analytical electron microscope studies of interplanetary dust particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bradley, J. P.; Humecki, H. J.; Germani, M. S.

    1992-01-01

    Ultramicrotomed thin sections (less than 100 nm thick) of eight chondritic interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) were studied by analytical electron microscopy and IR microspectroscopy with the objective of identifying IDPs or their specific components with IR spectral transmission characteristics at 10 microns similar to those of comets. Two IDPs are identified whose silicate emission characteristics between 8 and 12 microns are similar to those of comets Halley and Bradfield. Implanted solar flare tracks and sputtered rims resulting from solar wind damage suggest that the minerology and petrography of these IDPs have not been significantly perturbed since ejection from their parent bodies.

  17. Structure and magnetic properties of Co and Ni nano-ferrites prepared by a two step direct microemulsions synthesis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pulišová, P.; Kováč, J.; Voigt, A.; Raschman, P.

    2013-09-01

    Nano-particles of CoFe2O4, NiFe2O4 and Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 were synthesized by a two step microemulsion precipitation where inverse micelles of water in hexanol were stabilized using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis and Transmission electron microscopy measurements provided data to clarify the crystal structure and size of the produced nano-particles. Different measurements of magnetic properties at low temperatures of 2 K revealed that nano-particles of NiFe2O4 represent magnetically soft ferrite with a coercivity ∼40 kA/m, whereas nano-particles of CoFe2O4 and Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 were magnetically harder with a coercivity of 815 and 947 kA/m, respectively. Additionally zero field cooling and field cooling measurements provided data for estimating the blocking temperature of the materials produced. For NiFe2O4 this temperature is lower, 23 K. The blocking temperature of CoFe2O4 of 238 K and Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 of 268 K are higher in comparison with NiFe2O4.

  18. Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of an Individual Catalyst Particle with Soft X-ray Ptychography

    DOE PAGES

    Wise, Anna M.; Weker, Johanna Nelson; Kalirai, Sam; ...

    2016-02-26

    Understanding Fe deposition in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysis is critical for the mitigation of catalyst degradation. We employ soft X-ray ptychography to determine at the nanoscale the distribution and chemical state of Fe in an aged FCC catalyst particle. We also show that both particle swelling due to colloidal Fe deposition and Fe penetration into the matrix as a result of precracking of large organic molecules occur. Furthermore, the application of ptychography allowed us to provide direct visual evidence for these two distinct Fe-based deactivation mechanisms, which have so far been proposed only on the basis of indirect evidence.

  19. Laboratory simulation of infrared astrophysical features. [Terrestrial silicate, meteoritic and lunar soil 10-micron spectral comparisons with comets Bennet and Kohoutek

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rose, L. A.

    1979-01-01

    Laboratory infrared emission and absorption spectra have been taken of terrestrial silicates, meteorites, and lunar soils in the form of micrometer and submicrometer grains. The emission spectra were taken in a way that imitates telescopic observations. The purpose was to see which materials best simulate the 10-micron astrophysical feature. The emission spectra of dunite, fayalite, and Allende give a good fit to the 10-micron broadband emission feature of comets Bennett and Kohoutek. A study of the effect of grain size on the presence of the 10-micron emission feature of dunite shows that for particles larger than 37 microns no feature is seen. The emission spectrum of the Murray meteorite, a Type 2 carbonaceous chrondrite, is quite similar to the intermediate-resolution spectrum of comet Kohoutek in the 10-micron region. Hydrous silicates or amorphous magnesium silicates in combination with high-temperature condensates, such as olivine or anorthite, would yield spectra that match the intermediate-resolution spectrum of comet Kohoutek in the 10-micron region. Glassy olivine and glassy anorthite in approximately equal proportions would also give a spectrum that is a good fit to the cometary 10-micron feature.

  20. THE EFFECT OF OXIDANTS ON THE PROPERTIES OF FE (III) PARTICLES AND SUSPENSIONS FORMED FROM THE OXIDATION OF FE (II)

    EPA Science Inventory

    Oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) is an important reaction in drinking water treatment and distribution systems, and the ferric particles that form are a major source of consumer complaints of colored water. Ferrous iron is found naturally in many ground waters and can be released ...

  1. Dependence of catalytic properties of Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} thermites on morphology of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles in combustion reactions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhao, Ningning; He, Cuicui; Liu, Jianbing

    2014-11-15

    Three Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} particle samples with the same crystal structure but different morphologies were prepared by the hydrothermal method and then combined with Al nanoparticles to produce Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} thermites using ultrasonic mixing. The properties of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} were studied using a combination of experimental techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influences of the three Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} thermites on the combustion properties of the AP/HTPB (ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) composite propellant were investigated in comparisonmore » to those of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The results show that the Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} thermites are better than Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} in enhancing the combustion performance of AP/HTPB. Furthermore, the surface area, which depends on size and mophology, of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles was found to play a vital role in improving the burning rate of the thermites-containing propellant formulation, with the smallest particles with the largest surface-to-volume (S/V) ratio performing the best. The enhanced catalytic property of the granular-shape Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and the corresponding thermite is attributed to the large specific surface area of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The different thermal behaviors of these three superthemites were supposed to be attributed to the surface site of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles. This work provides a better understanding on the catalytic properties of thermites that are important for combustion applications. - Graphical abstract: Effects of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} have been compared for the first time by analyzing combustion properties of formulations containing them, suggesting their potential application in AP/HTPB composite propellant systems. - Highlights: • Three Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} particles with different morphologies (polyhedral, oval and granular) were prepared by the hydrothermal method. • Thermal behaviors of thermites Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} are studied upon DSC data. • Effects of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the combustion properties of the AP/HTPB composite propellant are first investigated.« less

  2. The spectral effects of subsolidus reduction of olivine and pyroxene

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Britt, D. T.

    1993-01-01

    The surfaces of atmosphereless bodies are subjected to a variety of chemical, thermal, accretionary, and shock processes related to their regolith environment. These processes are responsible for a number of alterations that occur in regoliths. Alterations include particle size commutation, implantation of solar wind gases, formation of agglutinates, spectral darkening, and, in the lunar case, the development of the very strong red continuum slope in the visible and near infrared spectra. A great deal of work has pointed to the role of agglutinates as the principal agent for darkening and reddening the lunar soil. The measures of regolith maturity are strongly linked to the accumulation of agglutinates. Recent work has suggested that the finest fractions of agglutinitic glass are major source of the spectral red slope. In particular, the red slope is most strongly associated with the agglutinitic glasses that are rich in blebs of sub-micron sized metal particles. It is thought that these metal particles, because of their size and scattering efficiently relative to the wavelength of light, are responsible for the red continuum slope. This fine fraction of metal particles is produced primarily by reduction of Fe(+2) from silicates. One mechanism for the reduction process is the reaction of solar implanted wind protons with the regolith soil during impact events. In this case the presence of hydrogen creates a reducing environment and the thermal pulse from the impact greatly speeds the reaction kinetics. To explore other reducing and thermal environments a series of experiments were done using samples in evacuated capsules buffered by Tantalum and heated to subsolidus temperatures.

  3. Saturn's satellites - Near-infrared spectrophotometry (0.65-2.5 microns) of the leading and trailing sides and compositional implications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Steele, A.; Clark, R. N.; Brown, R. H.; Owensby, P. D.

    1984-01-01

    Water ice absorptions at 2.0, 1.5, and 1.25 microns are noted in near-IR spectra of Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Iapetus, and Hyperion, and the weak 1.04-micron ice absorption, which is detected for Rhea and Dione, is studied to establish band depth upper limits. The leading-trailing side 1.04-micron ice band depth differences on Saturn's satellites are similar to those for the Galilean satellites, indicating possible surface modification by magnetospheric charged particle bombardment. Limits are obtained for the amounts of particulates, trapped gases, and ammonium hydroxide on the surface. With the exception of the dark side of Iapetus, the surfaces of all of Saturn's satellites are nearly pure ice water.

  4. Vacancy-mediated fcc/bcc phase separation in Fe 1-xNi x ultrathin films

    DOE PAGES

    Mentes, T. O.; Stojic, N.; Vescovo, E.; ...

    2016-08-01

    The phase separation occurring in Fe-Ni thin lms near the Invar composition is studied by using high resolution spectromicroscopy techniques and density functional theory calculations. Annealed at temperatures around 300 C, Fe 0.70Ni 0.30 lms on W(110) break into micron-sized bcc and fcc domains with compositions in agreement with the bulk Fe-Ni phase diagram. Ni is found to be the di using species in forming the chemical heterogeneity. The experimentally-determined energy barrier of 1.59 0.09 eV is identi ed as the vacancy formation energy via density functional theory calculations. Thus, the principal role of the surface in the phase separationmore » process is attributed to vacancy creation without interstitials.« less

  5. Evidence for Natural Variability in Marine Stratocumulus Cloud Properties Due to Cloud-Aerosol

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Albrecht, Bruce; Sharon, Tarah; Jonsson, Haf; Minnis, Patrick; Minnis, Patrick; Ayers, J. Kirk; Khaiyer, Mandana M.

    2004-01-01

    In this study, aircraft observations from the Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) Twin Otter are used to characterize the variability in drizzle, cloud, and aerosol properties associated with cloud rifts and the surrounding solid clouds observed off the coast of California. A flight made on 16 July 1999 provided measurements directly across an interface between solid and rift cloud conditions. Aircraft instrumentation allowed for measurements of aerosol, cloud droplet, and drizzle spectra. CCN concentrations were measured in addition to standard thermodynamic variables and the winds. A Forward Scatter Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) measured size distribution of cloud-sized droplets. A Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) was used to measure distributions of drizzle-sized droplets. Aerosol distributions were obtained from a Cloud Aerosol Scatterprobe (CAS). The CAS probe measured aerosols, cloud droplets and drizzle-sized drops; for this study. The CAS probe was used to measure aerosols in the size range of 0.5 micron - 1 micron. Smaller aerosols were characterized using an Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) sensor. The CPC was used to measure particles with diameters greater than 0.003 micron. By subtracting different count concentrations measured with the CPC, this probe was capable of identifying ultrafine particles those falling in the size range of 3 nanometers - 7 nanometers that are believed to be associated with new particle production.

  6. Tailoring sub-micron PLGA particle release profiles via centrifugal fractioning

    PubMed Central

    Dutta, Dipankar; Salifu, Mariama; Sirianni, Rachael W.; Stabenfeldt, Sarah E.

    2016-01-01

    Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based submicron particles are uniquely posed to overcome limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. However, tailoring cargo/payload release profiles from PLGA micro/nanoparticles typically requires optimization of the multi-parameter formulation, where small changes may cause drastic shifts in the resulting release profiles. In this study, we aimed to establish whether refining the average diameter of submicron particle populations after formulation alters protein release profiles. PLGA particles were first produced via double emulsion-solvent evaporation method to encapsulate bovine serum albumin. Particles were then subjected to centrifugal fractioning protocols varying in both spin time and force to determine encapsulation efficiency and release profile of differently sized populations that originated from a single batch. We found the average particle diameter was related to marked alterations in encapsulation efficiencies (range: 36.4–49.4%), burst release (range: 15.8–49.1%), and time for total cargo release (range: 38–78 days). Our data corroborate previous reports relating PLGA particle size with such release characteristics, however, this is the first study, to our knowledge, to directly compare particle population size while holding all formulation parameters constant. In summary, centrifugal fractioning to selectively control the population distribution of sub-micron PLGA particles represents a feasible tool to tailor release characteristics. PMID:26517011

  7. Nanoscale imaging of alteration layers of corroded international simple glass particles using ToF-SIMS

    DOE PAGES

    Zhang, Jiandong; Neeway, James J.; Zhang, Yanyan; ...

    2017-02-24

    Glass particles with dimensions typically ranging from tens to hundreds of microns are often used in glass corrosion research in order to accelerate testing. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanoscale imaging techniques are badly needed to characterize the alteration layers at the surfaces of these corroded glass particles. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) can provide a lateral resolution as low as ~100 nm, and, compared to other imaging techniques, is sensitive to elements lighter than carbon. Here, we used ToF-SIMS to characterize the alteration layers of corroded international simple glass (ISG) particles. At most particle surfaces, we observed inhomogeneous or nomore » alteration layers, indicating that the thickness of the alterations layers may be too thin to be observable by ToF-SIMS imaging. Relatively thick (e.g., 1–10 µm) alteration layers were inhomogeneously distributed at a small portion of surfaces.Interestingly, some large-size (tens of microns) glass particles were fully altered. Above observations suggest that weak attachment and the defects on ISG particle surfaces play an important role in ISG glass corrosion.« less

  8. WE-AB-BRB-05: Toward a 2D Water-Equivalent Dosimetry Panel Using KCl:Eu2+

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mazur, T; Wang, Y; Li, H

    Purpose: KCl:Eu2+ storage phosphor shows promise for radiation therapy dosimetry. The purpose of this work is to investigate several important aspects of this material for potential commercial use. Methods: KCl:Eu2+ chips were fabricated and a conformal coating using Parylene was applied. Material’s dose response in a 6 MV beam was investigated using Monte-Carlo simulations. We attempted to micronize the materials using a spiral jet mill. As we did not have a water-free glovebox, we used commercially available non-hygroscopic BaFBr0.85I0.15:Eu2+ computed radiography material to test if a homogeneous panel can be made using micron-sized phosphors. Results: Dosimeters remained intact and showedmore » no change in PSL intensity after eight hrs of submersion in water. We then optically bleached the samples for reuse, irradiated and immersed for another 24 hrs. We observed marginal worsening of the PSL signal for both the soaked and un-soaked chips. By contrast, we were unable to measure PSL intensity of the un-coated pellets due to these pellets dissolving within minutes of being immersed in water. MC data indicate that the micron-sized KCl:Eu2+ is predicted to have a nearly water-equivalent response. KCl:Eu2+ particles with a median size of 3 microns can be produced using a jet mill, which could be reduced further if necessary. While the particles tend to agglomerate over time when stored in a desiccator, they still possess favorable d50’s and d99’s even after 100 minutes, providing an adequate time window for making a panel via tape casting. A panel cast using optimized methods exhibits nearly perfect particle arrangement. Conclusions: Data shown here support ongoing efforts in fabricating a reusable, high resolution dosimetry panel in a water-free glovebox using micron-sized KCl:Eu2+ particles separated by water-equivalent polymers. The conformal coating thereafter will provide good humidity resistance. HL is the founder of DoseImaging, LLC that is exclusively dedicated to commercializing this technology.« less

  9. Dietary modulation of the effects of exposure to 56Fe particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rabin, B. M.; Joseph, J. A.; Shukitt-Hale, B.; Carey, A. N.

    On exploratory missions to other planets, astronauts will be exposed to galactic cosmic rays composed of protons and heavy particles, such as 56Fe. Long-term exposure to these particles can cause cancer. However, there are significant uncertainties in the risk estimates for the probability of developing heavy particle-induced cancer, and in the amount of shielding needed to provide an adequate level of radiation protection. The results of this preliminary study, using a ground-based model for exposure to cosmic rays, show reduced tumorigenesis in rats maintained on diets containing blueberry or strawberry extract prior to exposure to 56Fe particles. Because the study was not initially designed to evaluate tumorigenesis following exposure to 56Fe particles, additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of strawberry and blueberry supplementation. However, the preliminary results presented in this study suggest that diets containing antioxidant phytochemicals can provide additional radiation protection on interplanetary voyages.

  10. Novel Electro-Analytical Tools for Phase-Transformation Electrode Materials

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-08-13

    words) We measured and compared phase transformation accommodation energy (AE) for Li4Ti5O12 and LiFePO4 with different particle size by using...larger than next cycles due to inducing of defects; Because of smaller volume difference, AE of Li4Ti5O12 was lower than that of LiFePO4 ; AE of... LiFePO4 with small particle size was lower than that of LiFePO4 with large particle size. By plugging the AE measured by GITT into mixed control

  11. Investigating Changes in Iron Solubility and Isotopic Composition of Mineral Dust and Industrial Ash during Simulated Atmospheric Processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maters, E. C.; Flament, P.; de Jong, J.; Mattielli, N. D. C.; Deboudt, K.

    2017-12-01

    Iron (Fe) is a key element in ocean biogeochemistry and hence the carbon cycle. Its low concentration in seawater limits primary production in >30% of the surface ocean, and thus strong interest lies in constraining Fe inputs to the ocean on different spatial and temporal scales. During Earth's past, large fluctuations in atmospheric deposition fluxes of continental particles including mineral dust and volcanic ash to the ocean may have played a role in climate change events. At present, anthropogenic particles from metal working, biomass burning, and fossil fuel combustion are increasingly recognised to deliver Fe to the ocean as well. To assess the relative importance of these particulate Fe sources, knowledge of their deposition flux (overall dominated by natural dusts) and their Fe solubility (a proxy for Fe bioavailability, and typically higher in anthropogenic materials) is needed, although large uncertainties remain in these parameters. A potential tool for tracing atmospheric inputs to the ocean is the Fe isotope composition (δ56Fe), previously reported to be distinct for natural versus anthropogenic particles. However, it remains unknown if and how the δ56Fe is influenced by various physicochemical processes (e.g. acidification, photochemistry) shown to enhance Fe solubility in airborne particles. Iron isotopic fractionation has been observed during ligand-controlled and photo-reductive dissolution of goethite at low pH,[1] and similar effects may apply to more complex materials during atmospheric transport. Specifically, isotopic enrichment in partially dissolved particles may result from initial preferential release of 54Fe over 56Fe from the solid surface. To test these hypotheses, we subjected natural and anthropogenic specimens, including mineral dust from the Sahara desert and industrial ash from an Fe-Mn alloy factory, to simulated atmospheric processing in pH 2 solution in the presence/absence of oxalic acid and solar radiation. The Fe solubility and δ56Fe/IRMM-014 values of the solid samples were measured to determine the extents of fractionation relative to unprocessed particles. The results of these experiments and the implications for tracing atmospheric Fe inputs to the ocean will be presented. [1] Wiederhold, J. G. et. al. (2006) Environ. Sci. Technol., 40, 3787-3793.

  12. Nano-scale Characterization of Basalt - Quenched Lava and Reheated Products

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burkhard, D. J.; Wirth, R.

    2001-12-01

    In order to trace the mechanism of crystallization in basalt we investigated basalt lava from active Pu'u O'o, Kilauea, Hawaii with TEM. We considered (1) quenched melt (glass, obtained by dipping a hammer into the lava (April 1996) and subsequent quenching in air), and (2) that glass after reheating for 48 hr at 850° C, and (3) after reheating for 48 hr at 930° C. Previous investigations had illustrated interface-controlled growth of pyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides at 850° C and volumetric growth of these phases in addition to plagioclase above 920° C [1]. In general, (1) is a perfect glass to the nano-scale. Occasional inhomogeneities are identified as plagioclase. With a size of no more than approximately 100 unit cells, these "crystals" might be considered as nuclei. Dendrites of pyroxene, identified on the micron scale with back scattered electrons [1], occur as a sequence of slightly displaced plates with equal orientation on the nano-scale. HREM, diffraction pattern and EDS confirm that this is augite, in agreement with investigations on the micron-scale [1]. Fe-Ti oxides occur isolated in the matrix with a diameter less than 100 nm, in contrast to the micron-scale, where Fe-Ti oxides appear at the apices of augite. In (3) we find in addition plagioclase with thin lamellae, indicating twinning. In (3),augite contains lamellae parallel to (001), and they are identified as pigeonite by HREM and electron diffraction. Pigeonite lamellae occur also in (2), however, less developed. Electron diffraction suggests that reflections of augite correspond to the space group C 2/c, and of exsolved pigeonite to P 21/c, which is a low pigeonite. These exsolution phenomena are undistiguishable from what is usually observed in relation to high cooling rates [e.g. 2]. The stability of pigeonite at these temperatures suggests a Fe/Fe+Mg ratio above 0.6 for pyroxene in the quadilateral [3]. Microprobe analyses [1] suggest ratios of 0.4 to 0.5. [1] Burkhard D.J.M. (2001) J. Petrol. 42, 507-527; [2] Philpotts A.R. (1990) Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Prentice; [3] Lindsley A.(1983) Am. Mineral. 68, 477-493.

  13. From iron(III) precursor to magnetite and vice versa

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gotic, M., E-mail: gotic@irb.hr; Jurkin, T.; Music, S.

    2009-10-15

    The syntheses of nanosize magnetite particles by wet-chemical oxidation of Fe{sup 2+} have been extensively investigated. In the present investigation the nanosize magnetite particles were synthesised without using the Fe(II) precursor. This was achieved by {gamma}-irradiation of water-in-oil microemulsion containing only the Fe(III) precursor. The corresponding phase transformations were monitored. Microemulsions (pH {approx} 12.5) were {gamma}-irradiated at a relatively high dose rate of {approx}22 kGy/h. Upon 1 h of {gamma}-irradiation the XRD pattern of the precipitate showed goethite and unidentified low-intensity peaks. Upon 6 h of {gamma}-irradiation, reductive conditions were achieved and substoichiometric magnetite ({approx}Fe{sub 2.71}O{sub 4}) particles with insignificantmore » amount of goethite particles found in the precipitate. Hydrated electrons (e{sub aq}{sup -}), organic radicals and hydrogen gas as radiolytic products were responsible for the reductive dissolution of iron oxide in the microemulsion and the reduction Fe{sup 3+} {yields} Fe{sup 2+}. Upon 18 h of {gamma}-irradiation the precipitate exhibited dual behaviour, it was a more oxidised product than the precipitate obtained after 6 h of {gamma}-irradiation, but it contained magnetite particles in a more reduced form ({approx}Fe{sub 2.93}O{sub 4}). It was presumed that the reduction and oxidation processes existed as concurrent competitive processes in the microemulsion. After 18 h of {gamma}-irradiation the pH of the medium shifted from the alkaline to the acidic range. The high dose rate of {approx}22 kGy/h was directly responsible for this shift to the acidic range. At a slightly acidic pH a further reduction of Fe{sup 3+} {yields} Fe{sup 2+} resulted in the formation of more stoichiometric magnetite particles, whereas the oxidation conditions in the acidic medium permitted the oxidation Fe{sup 2+} {yields} Fe{sup 3+}. The Fe{sup 3+} was much less soluble in the acidic medium and it hydrolysed and recrystallised as goethite. The {gamma}-irradiation of the microemulsion for 25 h at a lower dose rate of 16 kGy/h produced pure substoichiometric nanosize magnetite particles of about 25 nm in size and with the stoichiometry of Fe{sub 2.83}O{sub 4}.« less

  14. Metal-to-metal charge transfer transitions - Interpretation of visible-region spectra of the moon and lunar materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Loeffler, B. M.; Burns, R. G.; Tossell, J. A.

    1975-01-01

    Prominent bands in the spectral profiles of Fe-Ti phases in lunar samples have been attributed to charge-transfer transitions between Fe and Ti cations, and a model is presented for calculating charge transfer energies from energy levels computed by the SCF-X(alpha) scattered wave molecular orbital method for isolated MO6 octahedral coordination clusters containing Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Ti(3+), and Ti(4+) cations. The calculated charge transfer energy for the Fe(2+) to Ti(4+) transition correlates well with a measured spectral feature around 0.6 micron in ilmenite, and, since ilmenite is a major constituent of mare basalts and dark-mantling material, the observed darkness and blueness of the regolith in lunar black spots is attributed primarily to this transition. The Ti(3+) to Ti(4+) transition is thought to contribute to some phases.

  15. On-the-fly cross flow laser guided separation of aerosol particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lall, A. A.; Terray, A.; Hart, S. J.

    2010-08-01

    Laser separation of particles is achieved using forces resulting from the momentum exchange between particles and photons constituting the laser radiation. Particles can experience different optical forces depending on their size and/or optical properties, such as refractive index. Thus, particles can move at different speeds in the presence of an optical force, leading to spatial separations. Several studies for aqueous suspension of particles have been reported in the past. In this paper, we present extensive analysis for optical forces on non-absorbing aerosol particles. We used a loosely focused Gaussian 1064 nm laser to simultaneously hold and deflect particles entrained in flow perpendicular to their direction of travel. The gradient force is used to hold the particles against the viscous drag for a short period of time. The scattering force simultaneously pushes the particles during this period. Theoretical calculations are used to simulate particle trajectories and to determine the net deflection: a measure of the ability to separate. We invented a novel method for aerosol generation and delivery to the flow cell. Particle motion was imaged using a high speed camera working at 3000+ frames per second with a viewing area up to a few millimeters. An 8W near-infrared 1064 nm laser was used to provide the optical force to the particles. Theoretical predictions were corroborated with measurements using polystyrene latex particles of 20 micron diameter. We measured particle deflections up to about 1500 microns. Such large deflections represent a new milestone for optical chromatography in the gas phase.

  16. AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE INTERMETALLIC PARTICLES IN ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS USING A BITTER FIGURE TECHNIQUE

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cox, B.; Harder, B.R.

    1961-10-01

    The compound ZrFe/sub 2/ is known to be ferromagnetic, and an attempt to locate particles of magnetic material in zircaloy-2 and dilute Zr- Fe alloys by a Bitter figure technlque is described. An Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ sol in water-soluble plastic was used to prepare Bitter figures of the alloy surfaces in the form of replicas, which were then examined in an electron microscope. No magnetic particles were located in either zircaloy-2 or a Zr-O.3% Fe alloy. Subsequent work on specimens of ZrFe/sub 2/ showed that the failure to detect it in the dilute alloys arose because the size of themore » intermetallic particles in the latter was smaller than the size of the magnetic domains. (auth)« less

  17. Improved high temperature refractory. [MgCr/sub 2/O/sub 4/ composite with ZrO/sub 2/

    DOEpatents

    Singh, J.P.; James, J.; Picciolo, J.J.

    1985-12-10

    A high chromia refractory composite has been developed with improved thermal shock resistance and containing about 5 to 30 wt % of unstabilized ZrO/sub 2/ having a temperature-dependent phase change resulting in large expansion mismatch between the ZrO/sub 2/ and the chromia matrix which causes microcracks to form during cooling in the high chromia matrix. The particle size preferably is primarily between about 0.6 to 5 microns and particularly below about 3 microns with an average size in the order of 1.2 to 1.8 microns.

  18. Atmospheric aerosol backscatter measurements using a tunable coherent CO2 lidar

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Menzies, R. T.; Kavaya, M. J.; Flamant, P. H.; Haner, D. A.

    1984-01-01

    Measurements of atmospheric aerosol backscatter coefficients, using a coherent CO2 lidar at 9.25- and 10.6-micron wavelengths, are described. Vertical profiles of the volume backscatter coefficient beta have been measured to a 10-km altitude over the Pasadena, CA, region. These measurements indicate a wide range of variability in beta both in and above the local boundary layer. Certain profiles also indicate a significant enhancement in beta at the 9.25-micron wavelength compared with beta at the 10.6-micron wavelength, which possibly indicates a major contribution to the volume backscatter from ammonium sulfate aerosol particles.

  19. The Biological Effectiveness of Different Radiation Qualities for the Induction of Chromosome Damage in Human Lymphocytes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hada, M.; George, K.; Cucinotta, F. A.

    2010-01-01

    Chromosome aberrations were measured in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after in vitro exposure to 28Si- ions with energies ranging from 90 to 600 MeV/u, or to 56Fe-ions with energies ranging from 200 to 5,000 MeV/u. The LET of the various Fe beams in this study ranged from 145 to 440 keV/micron and the LET of the Si ions ranged from 48 to 158 keV/ m. Doses delivered were in the 10- to 200-cGy range. Dose-response curves for chromosome exchanges in cells at first division after exposure, measured using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with whole-chromosome probes, were fitted with linear or linear-quadratic functions. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was estimated from the initial slope of the dose-response curve for chromosome damage with respect to -rays. The estimates of RBE(sub max) values for total chromosome exchanges ranged from 4.4+/-0.4 to 31.5+/-2.6 for Fe ions, and 11.8+/-1.0 to 42.2+/-3.3 for Si ions. The highest RBE(sub max) value for Fe ions was obtained with the 600-Mev/u beam, and the highest RBE(sub max) value for Si ions was obtained with the 170 MeV/u beam. For both ions the RBEmax values increased with LET, reaching a maximum at about 180 keV/micron for Fe and about 100 keV/ m for Si, and decreasing with further increase in LET. Additional studies for low doses 28Si-ions down to 0.02 Gy will be discussed.

  20. Portable sample preparation and analysis system for micron and sub-micron particle characterization using light scattering and absorption spectroscopy

    DOEpatents

    Stark, Peter C [Los Alamos, NM; Zurek, Eduardo [Barranquilla, CO; Wheat, Jeffrey V [Fort Walton Beach, FL; Dunbar, John M [Santa Fe, NM; Olivares, Jose A [Los Alamos, NM; Garcia-Rubio, Luis H [Temple Terrace, FL; Ward, Michael D [Los Alamos, NM

    2011-07-26

    There is provided a method and device for remote sampling, preparation and optical interrogation of a sample using light scattering and light absorption methods. The portable device is a filtration-based device that removes interfering background particle material from the sample matrix by segregating or filtering the chosen analyte from the sample solution or matrix while allowing the interfering background particles to be pumped out of the device. The segregated analyte is then suspended in a diluent for analysis. The device is capable of calculating an initial concentration of the analyte, as well as diluting the analyte such that reliable optical measurements can be made. Suitable analytes include cells, microorganisms, bioparticles, pathogens and diseases. Sample matrixes include biological fluids such as blood and urine, as well as environmental samples including waste water.

  1. Infrared Micro-Spectroscopy of Organic and Hydrous Components in Some Antarctic Micrometeorites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Suzuki, A.; Kebukawa, Y.; Nakashima, S.; Keller, L. P.; Zolensky, M. E.; Nakamura, T.

    2005-01-01

    Micrometeorites extracted from Antarctic ice are a major source of extraterrestrial materials available for study in the laboratory. Materials in this size range are important because the peak in the mass flux distribution of extraterrestrial particles accreted by the Earth occurs for particles approximately 200 microns in diameter with a mass accretion rate estimated at approximately 40 x 10(exp 6) kilograms per year. It has been suggested that micrometeorites may have contributed much pre-biotic organic matter to the early Earth, but the types and abundances of organic material in micrometeorites are poorly known. We have conducted infrared (IR) micro-spectrocopy of small micrometeorites (about 100 microns in size) in order to characterize organic matter that is present in the particles. The obtained results were compared with IR signatures of representative carbonaceous chondrites.

  2. Effect of capping and particle size on Raman laser-induced degradation of {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Varadwaj, K.S.K.; Panigrahi, M.K.; Ghose, J.

    2004-11-01

    Diol capped {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles are prepared from ferric nitrate by refluxing in 1,4-butanediol (9.5nm) and 1,5-pentanediol (15nm) and uncapped particles are prepared by refluxing in 1,2-propanediol followed by sintering the alkoxide formed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that all the samples have the spinel phase. Raman spectroscopy shows that the samples prepared in 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol and 1,2-propanediol (sintered at 573 and 673K) are {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and the 773K-sintered sample is Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. Raman laser studies carried out at various laser powers show that all the samples undergo laser-induced degradation to {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} at higher lasermore » power. The capped samples are however, found more stable to degradation than the uncapped samples. The stability of {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} sample with large particle size (15.4nm) is more than the sample with small particle size (10.2nm). Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} having a particle size of 48nm is however less stable than the smaller {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles.« less

  3. Ambient and microenvironmental particles and exhaled nitric oxide before and after a group bus trip.

    PubMed

    Adar, Sara Dubowsky; Adamkiewicz, Gary; Gold, Diane R; Schwartz, Joel; Coull, Brent A; Suh, Helen

    2007-04-01

    Airborne particles have been linked to pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammation. Because these effects may be particularly great for traffic-related particles, we examined associations between particle exposures and exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) in a study of 44 senior citizens, which involved repeated trips aboard a diesel bus. Samples of FE(NO) collected before and after the trips were regressed against microenvironmental and ambient particle concentrations using mixed models controlling for subject, day, trip, vitamins, collection device, mold, pollen, room air nitric oxide, apparent temperature, and time to analysis. Although ambient concentrations were collected at a fixed location, continuous group-level personal samples characterized microenvironmental exposures throughout facility and trip periods. In pre-trip samples, both microenvironmental and ambient exposures to fine particles were positively associated with FE(NO). For example, an interquartile increase of 4 microg/m(3) in the daily microenvironmental PM(2.5) concentration was associated with a 13% [95% confidence interval (CI), 2-24%) increase in FE(NO). After the trips, however, FE(NO) concentrations were associated pre-dominantly with microenvironmental exposures, with significant associations for concentrations measured throughout the whole day. Associations with exposures during the trip also were strong and statistically significant with a 24% (95% CI, 15-34%) increase in FE(NO) predicted per interquartile increase of 9 microg/m(3) in PM(2.5). Although pre-trip findings were generally robust, our post-trip findings were sensitive to several influential days. Fine particle exposures resulted in increased levels of FE(NO) in elderly adults, suggestive of increased airway inflammation. These associations were best assessed by microenvironmental exposure measurements during periods of high personal particle exposures.

  4. Adsorption, oxidation, and reduction behavior of arsenic in the removal of aqueous As(III) by mesoporous Fe/Al bimetallic particles.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Zihang; Fu, Fenglian; Dionysiou, Dionysios D; Tang, Bing

    2016-06-01

    In this study, mesoporous iron/aluminum (Fe/Al) bimetallic particles were synthesized and employed for the removal of aqueous As(III). Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis method, Vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize the Fe/Al bimetals before and after reaction with As(III). The physical properties, compositions, and structures of Fe/Al bimetallic particles as well as the As(III) removal mechanism were investigated. The characterization of the bimetallic particles after the reaction has revealed the removal of As(III) is a complex process including surface adsorption and oxidation, and intraparticle reduction. The good As(III) removal capability and stability of the Fe/Al bimetallic particles exhibited its great potential as an effective and environmental friendly agent for As(III) removal from water. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. High saturation magnetization of γ-Fe2O3 nano-particles by a facile one-step synthesis approach

    PubMed Central

    Cao, Derang; Li, Hao; Pan, Lining; Li, Jianan; Wang, Xicheng; Jing, Panpan; Cheng, Xiaohong; Wang, Wenjie; Wang, Jianbo; Liu, Qingfang

    2016-01-01

    We have demonstrated the synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 nano-particles through a facile and novel calcination process in the air. There is no pH regulation, gas atmosphere, additive, centrifugation or other complicated procedures during the preparing process. A detailed formation process of the nano-particles is proposed, and DMF as a polar solvent may slower the reaction process of calcination. The structures, morphologies, and magnetic properties of γ-Fe2O3 nano-particles were investigated systematically, and the pure γ-Fe2O3 nano-particles obtained at 200 °C display uniform morphology good magnetic property. The saturation magnetization of obtained pure γ-Fe2O3 is about 74 emu/g, which is comparable with bulk material (76 emu/g) and larger than other results. In addition, the photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue is also studied, which shows proper photocatalytic activity. PMID:27581732

  6. Influence of stabilizers on the physicochemical characteristics of inhaled insulin powders produced by supercritical antisolvent process.

    PubMed

    Kim, Yong Ho; Sioutas, Constantinos; Shing, Katherine S

    2009-01-01

    To examine the effect of stabilizers on aerosol physicochemical characteristics of inhaled insulin particles produced using a supercritical fluid technology. Insulin with stabilizers such as mannitol and trehalose was micronized by aerosol solvent extraction system (ASES). The supercritically-micronized insulin particles were characterized for size, shape, aerosol behavior, crystallinity and secondary structure. Experimental results indicated that when insulin was incorporated with the most commonly used stabilizer mannitol (insulin/mannitol: 15/85 wt.%, designated IM), the particles formed were irregular and needle-shaped and had a tendency to agglomerate. With the incorporation of a second stabilizer trehalose (insulin/mannitol/trehalose: 15/70/15 wt.%, designated IMT), the particles were relatively uniform, more spherical, less cohesive, and less agglomerated in an air flow, when compared to IM particles. The mass median aerodynamic diameter of the IMT particles was 2.32 mum which is suitable for use in inhalation therapy. In vitro deposition test using micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor showed 69 +/- 7 wt.% of the IMT particles was deposited in stage 3, 4, 5 and 6 while 41 +/- 15 wt.% of the IM particles was deposited in the same stages. In terms of insulin stability, secondary structures of insulin particles were not adversely affected by the ASES processing studied here. When properly formulated (as in IMT particles), ASES process can produce particles with appropriate size and size distribution suitable for pulmonary insulin delivery.

  7. Magnetic separation of carbon-encapsulated Fe nanoparticles from thermally-treated wood char

    Treesearch

    Sung Phil Mun; Zhiyong Cai; Jilei Zhang

    2013-01-01

    Wood char,a by-product from the fast-pyrolysis process of southern yellow pine wood for bio-oil production, was carbonized with Fenano particles (FeNPs) as a catalyst to prepare carbon-encapsulated Fe nanoparticles. A magnetic separation method was tested to isolate carbon-encapsulated Fe nano particles from the carbonized char. X-ray diffraction pattern clearly shows...

  8. The Nucleation Potency of In Situ-Formed Oxides in Liquid Iron

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Mingqin; Wang, Lu; Lu, Wenquan; Zeng, Long; Nadendla, Hari-Babu; Wang, Yun; Li, Jun; Hu, Qiaodan; Xia, Mingxu; Li, Jianguo

    2018-03-01

    The nucleation potency of iron oxides was verified experimentally through nucleation undercooling of liquid iron using aerodynamic levitation technology for minimized container contaminations. Steady undercooling values were subsequently obtained from multiple melting and freezing thermal cycles, with the average undercooling values of 223 K ± 3 K and 75 K ± 6 K (223 °C ± 3 °C and 75 °C ± 6 °C) for FeO-contained liquid and Fe3O4-contained liquid, respectively. The statistical results showed a negligible difference in the sizes and numbers of particles between FeO and Fe3O4 particles, indicating that the nucleation potency difference is attributed to the nature of nucleants rather than particle size or numbers. Furthermore, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the potential nucleation interfaces can be assumed as { 1 1 0}_{{δ {{-Fe}}}} //( 0 0\\bar{2})_{FeO} and { 1 1 2}_{{δ {{-Fe}}}} //(\\bar{2} 0 2 )_{{{Fe}3 {O}4 }} , based on the detected exposed crystal planes of the oxide particles. Both the interfaces have relatively large values of lattice misfit, consistent with the experimentally measured undercooling based on Turnbull's lattice matching theory.

  9. Electrodeposition of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} layer from solution of Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} with addition ethylene glycol

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dahlan, Dahyunir, E-mail: dahyunir@yahoo.com; Asrar, Allan

    2016-03-11

    The electrodeposition of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} layer from the solution Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} with the addition of ethylene glycol on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrate has been performed. The electrodeposition was carried out using a voltage of 5 volts for 120 seconds, with and without the addition of 2% wt ethylene glycol. Significant effects of temperature on the resulting the samples is observed when they are heated at 400 °C. Structural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that all samples produce a layer of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} with particle size less than 50 nanometers. The addition of ethylene glycolmore » and the heating of the sample causes a shrinkage in particle size. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization shows that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} layer resulting from the process of electrodeposition of Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} without ethylene glycol, independent of whether the sample is heated or not, is uneven and buildup. Layer produced by the addition of ethylene glycol without heating produces spherical particles. On contrary, when the layer is heated the spherical particles transform to irregularly-shaped particles with smaller size.« less

  10. Formation of Aluminum Particles with Shell Morphology during Pressureless Spark Plasma Sintering of Fe–Al Mixtures: Current-Related or Kirkendall Effect?

    PubMed Central

    Dudina, Dina V.; Bokhonov, Boris B.; Mukherjee, Amiya K.

    2016-01-01

    A need to deeper understand the influence of electric current on the structure and properties of metallic materials consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) stimulates research on inter-particle interactions, bonding and necking processes in low-pressure or pressureless conditions as favoring technique-specific local effects when electric current passes through the underdeveloped inter-particle contacts. Until now, inter-particle interactions during pressureless SPS have been studied mainly for particles of the same material. In this work, we focused on the interactions between particles of dissimilar materials in mixtures of micrometer-sized Fe and Al powders forming porous compacts during pressureless SPS at 500–650 °C. Due to the chemical interaction between Al and Fe, necks of conventional shape did not form between the dissimilar particles. At the early interaction stages, the Al particles acquired shell morphology. It was shown that this morphology change was not related to the influence of electric current but was due to the Kirkendall effect in the Fe–Al system and particle rearrangement in a porous compact. No experimental evidence of melting or melt ejection during pressureless SPS of the Fe–Al mixtures or Fe and Al powders sintered separately was observed. Porous FeAl-based compacts could be obtained from Fe-40at.%Al mixtures by pressureless SPS at 650 °C. PMID:28773498

  11. Evolution of Primary Fe-Rich Compounds in Secondary Al-Si-Cu Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fabrizi, Alberto; Capuzzi, Stefano; Timelli, Giulio

    Although iron is usually added in die cast Al-Si foundry alloys to prevent die soldering, primary Fe-rich particles are generally considered as "hardspot" inclusions which compromise the mechanical properties of the alloy, namely ductility and toughness. As there is no economical methods to remove the Fe excess in secondary Al-Si alloys at this time, the control of solidification process and chemical composition of the alloy is a common industrial practice to overcome the negative effects connected with the presence of Fe-rich particles. In this work, the size and morphology as well as the nucleation density of primary Fe-rich particles have been studied as function of cooling rate and alloy chemical composition for secondary Al-Si-Cu alloys. The solidification experiments were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry whereas morphology investigations were conducted using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Mcrosegregations and chemical composition of primary Fe-rich particles were examined by energy dispersive spectroscopy.

  12. Visualized effect of oxidation on magnetic recording fidelity in pseudo-single-domain magnetite particles

    PubMed Central

    Almeida, Trevor P.; Kasama, Takeshi; Muxworthy, Adrian R.; Williams, Wyn; Nagy, Lesleis; Hansen, Thomas W.; Brown, Paul D.; Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal E.

    2014-01-01

    Magnetite (Fe3O4) is an important magnetic mineral to Earth scientists, as it carries the dominant magnetic signature in rocks, and the understanding of its magnetic recording fidelity provides a critical tool in the field of palaeomagnetism. However, reliable interpretation of the recording fidelity of Fe3O4 particles is greatly diminished over time by progressive oxidation to less magnetic iron oxides, such as maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), with consequent alteration of remanent magnetization potentially having important geological significance. Here we use the complementary techniques of environmental transmission electron microscopy and off-axis electron holography to induce and visualize the effects of oxidation on the magnetization of individual nanoscale Fe3O4 particles as they transform towards γ-Fe2O3. Magnetic induction maps demonstrate a change in both strength and direction of remanent magnetization within Fe3O4 particles in the size range dominant in rocks, confirming that oxidation can modify the original stored magnetic information. PMID:25300366

  13. Visualized effect of oxidation on magnetic recording fidelity in pseudo-single-domain magnetite particles.

    PubMed

    Almeida, Trevor P; Kasama, Takeshi; Muxworthy, Adrian R; Williams, Wyn; Nagy, Lesleis; Hansen, Thomas W; Brown, Paul D; Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal E

    2014-10-10

    Magnetite (Fe3O4) is an important magnetic mineral to Earth scientists, as it carries the dominant magnetic signature in rocks, and the understanding of its magnetic recording fidelity provides a critical tool in the field of palaeomagnetism. However, reliable interpretation of the recording fidelity of Fe3O4 particles is greatly diminished over time by progressive oxidation to less magnetic iron oxides, such as maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), with consequent alteration of remanent magnetization potentially having important geological significance. Here we use the complementary techniques of environmental transmission electron microscopy and off-axis electron holography to induce and visualize the effects of oxidation on the magnetization of individual nanoscale Fe3O4 particles as they transform towards γ-Fe2O3. Magnetic induction maps demonstrate a change in both strength and direction of remanent magnetization within Fe3O4 particles in the size range dominant in rocks, confirming that oxidation can modify the original stored magnetic information.

  14. EVALUATION OF FABRIC MEMBRANES FOR USE IN SALTSTONE DRAIN WATER SYSTEM

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pickenheim, B.; Miller, D.; Burket, P.

    2012-03-08

    Saltstone Disposal Unit 2 contains a sheet drain fabric intended to separate solids from drain water to be returned to the Salt Feed Tank. A similar system installed in Vault 4 appears to be ineffective in keeping solids out of the drain water return lines. Waste Solidification Engineering is considering installation of an additional fabric membrane to supplement the existing sheet drain in SDU 2. Amerdrain 200 is the product currently installed in SDU 2. This product is no longer available, so Sitedrain 94 was used as the replacement product in this testing. Fabrics with apparent opening sizes of 10,more » 25, 50 and 100 microns were evaluated. These fabrics were evaluated under three separate test conditions, a water flow test, a solids retention test and a grout pour test. A flow test with water showed that installation of an additional filter layer will predictably reduce the theoretical flux through the sheet drain. The manufacturer reports the flux for Sitedrain 94 as 150 gpm/ft{sup 2} by ASTM D-4491. This compares reasonably well with the 117 gpm/ft{sup 2} obtained in this testing. A combination of the 10 micron fabric with Sitedrain 94 could be expected to decrease flux by about 10 times as compared to Sitedrain 94 alone. The different media were used to filter a slag and fly ash mixture from water. Slag historically has the smallest nominal particle size of the premix components. Cement was omitted from the test because of its reactivity with water would prohibit accurately particle size measurements of the filtered samples. All four media sizes were able to remove greater than 95% of particles larger than 100 microns from the slurry. The smaller opening sizes were increasingly effective in removing more particles. The 10 micron filter captured 15% of the total amount of solids used in the test. This result implies that some insoluble particles may still be able to enter the drain water collection system, although the overall solids rejection is significantly improved over the current design. Test boxes were filled with grout to evaluate the performance of the sheet drain and fabrics in a simulated vault environment. All of the tests produced a similar amount of drain water, between 8-11% of the amount of water in the mix, which is expected with the targeted formulation. All of the collected drain waters contained some amount of solids, although the 10 micron filter did not appear to allow any premix materials to pass through. The solids collected from this box are believed to consist of calcium carbonate based on one ICP-AES measurement. Any of the four candidate fabrics would be an improvement over the sheet drain alone relative to solids removal. The 10 micron fabric is the only candidate that stopped all premix material from passing. The 10 micron fabric will also cause the largest decrease in flux. This decrease in flux was not enough to inhibit the total amount of drain water removed, but may lead to increased time to remove standing water prior to subsequent pours in the facility. The acceptability of reduced liquid flux through the 10 micron fabric will depend on the amount of excess water to be removed, the time available for water removal and the total area of fabric installed at the disposal cell.« less

  15. Low-cost wind tunnel for aerosol inhalation studies.

    PubMed

    Chung, I P; Dunn-Rankin, D; Phalen, R F; Oldham, M J

    1992-04-01

    A low-cost wind tunnel for aerosol studies has been designed, constructed, and evaluated for aerosol uniformity with 2- and 0.46-micron particles. A commercial nebulizer was used to produce the suspended test particles, and a custom-made, four-hole injector was used to introduce the aerosol into the wind tunnel. A commercially available optical particle counter measured the particle concentration. Performance tests of the velocity profile and particle concentration distribution at two flow rates showed that the system performs well for small particles.

  16. Examination of returned solar-max surfaces for impacting orbital debris and meteoroids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kessler, D. J.; Zook, H. A.; Potter, A. E.; McKay, D. S.; Clanton, U. S.; Warren, J. L.; Watts, L. A.; Schultz, R. A.; Schramm, L. S.; Wentworth, S. J.

    1985-11-01

    Previous theoretical studies predicted that in certain regions of earth orbit, the man-made earth orbiting debris environment will soon exceed the interplanetary meteoroid environment for sizes smaller than 1 cm. The surfaces returned from the repaired Solar Max Mission (SMM) by STS 41-C on April 12, 1984, offered an excellent opportunity to examine both the debris and meteoroid environments. To date, approximately 0.7 sq. met. of the thermal insulation and 0.05 sq. met of the aluminum louvers have been mapped by optical microscope for crater diameters larger than 40 microns. Craters larger in diameter than about 100 microns found on the initial 75 micron thick Kapton first sheet on the MEB (Main Electronics Box) blanket are actually holes and constitute perforations through that blanket. The following populations have been found to date in impact sites on these blankets: (1) meteoritic material; (2) thermal paint particles; (3) aluminum droplets; and (4) waste particles.

  17. Trace element abundance determinations by Synchrotron X Ray Fluorescence (SXRF) on returned comet nucleus mineral grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Flynn, G. J.; Sutton, S. R.

    1989-01-01

    Trace element analyses were performed on bulk cosmic dust particles by Proton Induced X Ray Emission (PIXE) and Synchrotron X Ray Fluorescence (SXRF). When present at or near chondritic abundances the trace elements K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Se, and Br are presently detectable by SXRF in particles of 20 micron diameter. Improvements to the SXRF analysis facility at the National Synchrotron Light Source presently underway should increase the range of detectable elements and permit the analysis of smaller samples. In addition the Advanced Photon Source will be commissioned at Argonne National Laboratory in 1995. This 7 to 8 GeV positron storage ring, specifically designed for high-energy undulator and wiggler insertion devices, will be an ideal source for an x ray microprobe with one micron spatial resolution and better than 100 ppb elemental sensitivity for most elements. Thus trace element analysis of individual micron-sized grains should be possible by the time of the comet nucleus sample return mission.

  18. Examination of returned solar-max surfaces for impacting orbital debris and meteoroids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kessler, D. J.; Zook, H. A.; Potter, A. E.; Mckay, D. S.; Clanton, U. S.; Warren, J. L.; Watts, L. A.; Schultz, R. A.; Schramm, L. S.; Wentworth, S. J.

    1985-01-01

    Previous theoretical studies predicted that in certain regions of earth orbit, the man-made earth orbiting debris environment will soon exceed the interplanetary meteoroid environment for sizes smaller than 1 cm. The surfaces returned from the repaired Solar Max Mission (SMM) by STS 41-C on April 12, 1984, offered an excellent opportunity to examine both the debris and meteoroid environments. To date, approximately 0.7 sq. met. of the thermal insulation and 0.05 sq. met of the aluminum louvers have been mapped by optical microscope for crater diameters larger than 40 microns. Craters larger in diameter than about 100 microns found on the initial 75 micron thick Kapton first sheet on the MEB (Main Electronics Box) blanket are actually holes and constitute perforations through that blanket. The following populations have been found to date in impact sites on these blankets: (1) meteoritic material; (2) thermal paint particles; (3) aluminum droplets; and (4) waste particles.

  19. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ballinger, Ronald G

    A material that resists lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) attack and retains its strength at 700°C would be an enabling technology for LBE-cooled reactors. No single alloy currently exists that can economically meet the required performance criteria of high strength and corrosion resistance. A Functionally Graded Composite (FGC) was developed with layers engineered to perform these functions. F91 was chosen as the structural layer of the composite for its strength and radiation resistance. Fe-12Cr-2Si, an alloy developed from previous work in the Fe-Cr-Si system, was chosen as the corrosion-resistant cladding layer because of its chemical similarity to F91 and its superior corrosionmore » resistance in both oxidizing and reducing environments. Fe-12Cr-2Si experienced minimal corrosion due to its self-passivation in oxidizing and reducing environments. Extrapolated corrosion rates are below one micron per year at 700ï°C. Corrosion of F91 was faster, but predictable and manageable. Diffusion studies showed that 17 microns of the cladding layer will be diffusionally diluted during the three year life of fuel cladding. 33 microns must be accounted for during the sixty year life of coolant piping. 5 cm coolant piping and 6.35 mm fuel cladding preforms were produced on a commercial scale by weld-overlaying Fe-12Cr-2Si onto F91 billets and co-extruding them. An ASME certified weld was performed followed by the prescribed quench-and-tempering heat treatment for F91. A minimal heat affected zone was observed, demonstrating field weldability. Finally, corrosion tests were performed on the fabricated FGC at 700ï°C after completely breaching the cladding in a small area to induce galvanic corrosion at the interface. None was observed. This FGC has significant impacts on LBE reactor design. The increases in outlet temperature and coolant velocity allow a large increase in power density, leading to either a smaller core for the same power rating or more power output for the same size core. This FGC represents an enabling technology for LBE cooled fast reactors.« less

  20. Detection of Remarkably Low Isotopic Ratio of Iron in Anthropogenic Aerosols and Evaluation of its Contribution to the Surface Ocean

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurisu, M.; Iizuka, T.; Sakata, K.; Uematsu, M.; Takahashi, Y.

    2015-12-01

    It has been reported that phytoplankton growth in the High Nutrient-Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) regions is limited by dissolved iron (DFe) concentration (e.g., Martin and Fitzwater, 1988). Aerosol is known as one of the dominant sources of DFe to the ocean and classified into two origins such as anthropogenic and natural. A series of recent studies showed that Fe in anthropogenic aerosols is more soluble than that in natural aerosols (Takahashi et al., 2013) and has lower isotopic ratio (Mead et al., 2013). However, the difference between Fe isotopic ratio (δ56Fe: [(56Fe/54Fe)sample/(56Fe/54Fe)IRMM-14]-1) of two origins reported in Mead et al. (2013) is not so large compared with the standard deviation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine Fe species and δ56Fe in anthropogenic aerosols more accurately and to evaluate its contribution to the ocean surface. Iron species were determined by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis, while δ56Fe in size-fractionated aerosols were measured by MC-ICP-MS (NEPTUNE Plus) after chemical separation using anion exchange resin. Dominant Fe species in the samples were, ferrihydrite, hematite, and biotite. It was also revealed that coarse particles contained a larger amount of biotite and that fine particles contained a larger amount of hematite, which suggested that anthropogenic aerosols were emitted during combustion processes. In addition, results of Fe isotopic ratio analysis suggested that δ56Fe of coarse particles were around +0.25‰, whereas that of fine particles were -0.5 ˜ -2‰, which was lower than the δ56Fe in anthropogenic aerosol by Mead et al. (2013). The size-fractionated sampling made it possible to determine the δ56Fe in anthropogenic aerosol. Soluble component in fine particles extracted by simulated rain water also showed much lower δ56Fe (δ56Fe = -3.9±0.12‰), suggesting that anthropogenic Fe has much lower isotopic ratio. The remarkably low δ56Fe may be caused by the anthropogenic combustion process. The δ56Fe in anthropogenic aerosols measured here is important to model the budget of iron in the surface ocean.

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