Capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization mass spectrometry interface

DOEpatents

Smith, Richard D.; Severs, Joanne C.

1999-01-01

The present invention is an interface between a capillary electrophoresis separation capillary end and an electrospray ionization mass spectrometry emitter capillary end, for transporting an anolyte sample from a capillary electrophoresis separation capillary to a electrospray ionization mass spectrometry emitter capillary. The interface of the present invention has: (a) a charge transfer fitting enclosing both of the capillary electrophoresis capillary end and the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry emitter capillary end; (b) a reservoir containing an electrolyte surrounding the charge transfer fitting; and (c) an electrode immersed into the electrolyte, the electrode closing a capillary electrophoresis circuit and providing charge transfer across the charge transfer fitting while avoiding substantial bulk fluid transfer across the charge transfer fitting. Advantages of the present invention have been demonstrated as effective in providing high sensitivity and efficient analyses.

Discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface for mass spectrometry using a solenoid pulse valve.

PubMed

Usmanov, Dilshadbek T; Hiraoka, Kenzo

2016-08-30

For the development of on-site mass spectrometry for security and safety, point-of-care analysis, etc., the gas volume introduced into the vacuum should be reduced to a minimum. To cope with this demand, a discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface using a solenoid pulse valve was developed. The sample gas was introduced discontinuously into the ionization cell with a volume of 0.17 cm(3) . The sampled gas in the cell was ionized by an alternating current (ac) corona discharge. The generated ions were sampled through a 0.25 mm i.d. and 12 mm long nickel capillary into the vacuum of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A gas flow rate of ~25 mL/min was achieved with the 1 Hz pulse valve operation and 20 ms valve opening time. Sub-ng limits of detection for less volatile compounds such as explosives and drugs were obtained. Due to its compact size and low gas load to the vacuum, this new interface may be useful for applications in miniaturized mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Recent progress in microchip electrophoresis-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kitagawa, Fumihiko; Otsuka, Koji

2011-06-25

This review highlights the methodological and instrumental developments in microchip electrophoresis (MCE)-mass spectrometry (MS) from 1997. In MCE-MS, the development of ionization interface is one of the most important issues to realize highly sensitive detection and high separation efficiency. Among several interfaces, electrospray ionization (ESI) has been mainly employed to MCE-MS since a simple structure of the ESI interface is suitable for coupling with the microchips. Although the number of publications is still limited, laser desorption ionization (LDI) interface has also been developed for MCE-MS. The characteristics of the ESI and LDI interfaces applied to the electrophoresis microchips are presented in this review. The scope of applications in MCE-MS covers mainly biogenic compounds such as bioactive amines, peptides, tryptic digests and proteins. This review provides a comprehensive table listing the applications in MCE-MS. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Wetting of Functionalized Polyethylene Film Having Ionizable Organic Acids and Bases at the Polymer-Water Interface: Relations between Functional Group Polarity, Extent of Ionization, and Contact Angle with Water.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

functional grouos in the interface contribute independently to the interfacial free energy is inaccurate, but leads to a tractable and physically reasonable...nonpolar, non -ionizable groups. As a limiting case, we consider a system *. containing only one type of polar and one type of nonpolar group (eq 9) with A...groups (protonition or deprotonation): these equations apply to both non - ionizable groups and to PE-CO 2H and PE-NR 2H + . Assuming that Figure 3

Soft Ionization of Saturated Hydrocarbons, Alcohols and Nonpolar Compounds by Negative-Ion Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cody, Robert B.; Dane, A. John

2013-03-01

Large polarizable n-alkanes (approximately C18 and larger), alcohols, and other nonpolar compounds can be detected as negative ions when sample solutions are injected directly into the sampling orifice of the atmospheric pressure interface of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer with the direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source operating in negative-ion mode. The mass spectra are dominated by peaks corresponding to [M + O2]‾•. No fragmentation is observed, making this a very soft ionization technique for samples that are otherwise difficult to analyze by DART. Detection limits for cholesterol were determined to be in the low nanogram range.

Soft ionization of saturated hydrocarbons, alcohols and nonpolar compounds by negative-ion direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Cody, Robert B; Dane, A John

2013-03-01

Large polarizable n-alkanes (approximately C18 and larger), alcohols, and other nonpolar compounds can be detected as negative ions when sample solutions are injected directly into the sampling orifice of the atmospheric pressure interface of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer with the direct analysis in real time (DART) ion source operating in negative-ion mode. The mass spectra are dominated by peaks corresponding to [M + O2]‾(•). No fragmentation is observed, making this a very soft ionization technique for samples that are otherwise difficult to analyze by DART. Detection limits for cholesterol were determined to be in the low nanogram range.

Use of an Open Port Sampling Interface Coupled to Electrospray Ionization for the On-Line Analysis of Organic Aerosol Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, Kenneth D.; Worth, Anne L.; Glish, Gary L.

2018-02-01

A simple design for an open port sampling interface coupled to electrospray ionization (OPSI-ESI) is presented for the analysis of organic aerosols. The design uses minimal modifications to a Bruker electrospray (ESI) emitter to create a continuous flow, self-aspirating open port sampling interface. Considerations are presented for introducing aerosol to the open port sampling interface including aerosol gas flow and solvent flow rates. The device has been demonstrated for use with an aerosol of nicotine as well as aerosol formed in the pyrolysis of biomass. Upon comparison with extractive electrospray ionization (EESI), this device has similar sensitivity with increased reproducibility by nearly a factor of three. The device has the form factor of a standard Bruker/Agilent ESI emitter and can be used without any further instrument modifications.

Laser Ablation-Aerosol Mass Spectrometry-Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Ambient Surface Imaging

DOE PAGES

Berry, Jennifer L.; Day, Douglas A.; Elseberg, Tim; ...

2018-02-20

Mass spectrometry imaging is becoming an increasingly common analytical technique due to its ability to provide spatially resolved chemical information. In this paper, we report a novel imaging approach combining laser ablation with two mass spectrometric techniques, aerosol mass spectrometry and chemical ionization mass spectrometry, separately and in parallel. Both mass spectrometric methods provide the fast response, rapid data acquisition, low detection limits, and high-resolution peak separation desirable for imaging complex samples. Additionally, the two techniques provide complementary information with aerosol mass spectrometry providing near universal detection of all aerosol molecules and chemical ionization mass spectrometry with a heated inletmore » providing molecular-level detail of both gases and aerosols. The two techniques operate with atmospheric pressure interfaces and require no matrix addition for ionization, allowing for samples to be investigated in their native state under ambient pressure conditions. We demonstrate the ability of laser ablation-aerosol mass spectrometry-chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LA-AMS-CIMS) to create 2D images of both standard compounds and complex mixtures. Finally, the results suggest that LA-AMS-CIMS, particularly when combined with advanced data analysis methods, could have broad applications in mass spectrometry imaging applications.« less

Laser Ablation-Aerosol Mass Spectrometry-Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Ambient Surface Imaging

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

Berry, Jennifer L.; Day, Douglas A.; Elseberg, Tim

Mass spectrometry imaging is becoming an increasingly common analytical technique due to its ability to provide spatially resolved chemical information. In this paper, we report a novel imaging approach combining laser ablation with two mass spectrometric techniques, aerosol mass spectrometry and chemical ionization mass spectrometry, separately and in parallel. Both mass spectrometric methods provide the fast response, rapid data acquisition, low detection limits, and high-resolution peak separation desirable for imaging complex samples. Additionally, the two techniques provide complementary information with aerosol mass spectrometry providing near universal detection of all aerosol molecules and chemical ionization mass spectrometry with a heated inletmore » providing molecular-level detail of both gases and aerosols. The two techniques operate with atmospheric pressure interfaces and require no matrix addition for ionization, allowing for samples to be investigated in their native state under ambient pressure conditions. We demonstrate the ability of laser ablation-aerosol mass spectrometry-chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LA-AMS-CIMS) to create 2D images of both standard compounds and complex mixtures. Finally, the results suggest that LA-AMS-CIMS, particularly when combined with advanced data analysis methods, could have broad applications in mass spectrometry imaging applications.« less

The role of exciton ionization processes in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Yunlong; Holmes, Russell

2015-03-01

Dissociating photogenerated excitons into their constituent charges is essential for efficient photoconversion in organic semiconductors. Organic photovoltaics cells (OPV) widely adopt a heterojunction architecture where dissociation is facilitated by charge transfer at a donor-acceptor (D-A) interface. Interestingly, recent work on MoOx/C60 Schottky OPVs has demonstrated that excitons in C60 may also undergo bulk-ionization to generate photocurrent, driven by the built-in field at the MoOx/C60 interface. Here, we show that bulk-ionization processes also contribute to the photocurrent in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OPVs with fullerene-rich compositions. The short-circuit current density (JSC) in a MoOx/C60 Schottky OPVs shows almost no dependence on temperature down to 80 K. This characteristic of bulk-ionization allows the use of temperature-dependent measurements of JSC to distinguish dissociation by bulk-ionization from charge transfer at a D-A interface. For BHJ OPVs constructed using the D-A pairing of boron subphthalocyanine chloride (SubPc)-C60, bulk-ionization is found to contribute >10% of the total photocurrent and >30% of the photocurrent from C60. We further find that fullerene-rich SubPc-C60 BHJ OPVs show a larger open-circuit voltage (VOC) than evenly mixed BHJs due to the presence of bulk-ionization. This talk will examine the dependence of JSC and VOC on the relative fraction of dissociation by charge transfer and bulk-ionization processes.

A High Pressure Pulsed Expansion Valve for Gases, Liquids, and Supercritical Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Köster, C.; Grotemeyer, J.; Schlag, E. W.

1990-12-01

A novel design of a pulsed valve for coupling chromatographic techniques with gaseous and liquid mobile phases to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with multiphoton ionization (MUPI) is presented. The valve can be operated in low pressure regions ( <10 bar) up to temperatures of 350 °C and at higher pressures (300 bar) up to temperatures of 200 °C. Pulse widths lower than 100 μs could be measured. First results demonstrate the ability of interfacing of liquid chromatography to MUPI-mass spectrometry. Additional coupling of CO2-laser desorption to the valve allows the interface to be used for mass spectrometric measurements of nonvolatile biomolecules.

Modeling Ionization Events iduced by Protein Protein Binding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitra, Rooplekha; Shyam, Radhey; Alexov, Emil

2009-11-01

The association of two or more biological macromolecules dramatically change the environment of the amino acids situated at binding interface and could change ionization states of titratable groups. The change of ionization due to the binding results in proton uptake/release and causes pH-dependence of the binding free energy. We apply computational method, as implemented in Multi Conformation Continuum Electrostatics (MCCE) algorithm, to study protonation evens on a large set of protein-protein complexes. Our results indicate that proton uptake/release is a common phenomena in protein binding since in vast majority of the cases (70%) the binding caused at least 0.5 units proton change. The proton uptake/release was further investigated with respect to interfacial area and charges of the monomers and it was found that macroscopic characteristics are not important determinants. Instead, charge complementarity across the interface and the number of unpaired ionizable groups at the interface are the primary source of proton uptake/release.

Ionization pattern obtained in electrospray ionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interfaces for authorized antidepressants in Romania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grecu, Iulia; Ionicǎ, Mihai; Vlǎdescu, Marian; Truţǎ, Elena; Sultan, Carmen; Viscol, Oana; Horhotǎ, Luminiţa; Radu, Simona

2016-12-01

Antidepressants were found in 1950. In the 1990s there was a new generation of antidepressants. They act on the level of certain neurotransmitters extrasinpatic by its growth. After their mode of action antidepressants may be: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors); (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors); SARIs (Serotonin Antagonist Reuptake Inhibitors); NRIs (Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors); NDRIs (Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors) NDRAs (Norepinephrine-Dopamine Releasing Agents); TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants); TeCAs (Tetracyclic Antidepressants); MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors); agonist receptor 5-HT1A (5- hydroxytryptamine); antagonist receptor 5-HT2; SSREs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Enhancers) and Sigma agonist receptor. To determine the presence of antidepressants in biological products, it has been used a system HPLC-MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) Varian 12001. The system is equipped with APCI (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization) or ESI (ElectroSpray Ionization) interface. To find antidepressants in unknown samples is necessary to recognize them after mass spectrum. Because the mass spectrum it is dependent on obtaining private parameters work of HPLC-MS system, and control interfaces, the mass spectra library was filled with the mass spectra of all approved antidepressants in Romania. The paper shows the mass spectra obtained in the HPLCMS system.

Frequency-dependent stability of CNT Joule heaters in ionizable media and desalination processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudchenko, Alexander V.; Chen, Chuxiao; Cardenas, Alexis; Rolf, Julianne; Jassby, David

2017-07-01

Water shortages and brine waste management are increasing challenges for coastal and inland regions, with high-salinity brines presenting a particularly challenging problem. These high-salinity waters require the use of thermally driven treatment processes, such as membrane distillation, which suffer from high complexity and cost. Here, we demonstrate how controlling the frequency of an applied alternating current at high potentials (20 Vpp) to a porous thin-film carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composite Joule heating element can prevent CNT degradation in ionizable environments such as high-salinity brines. By operating at sufficiently high frequencies, these porous thin-films can be directly immersed in highly ionizable environments and used as flow-through heating elements. We demonstrate that porous CNT/polymer composites can be used as self-heating membranes to directly heat high-salinity brines at the water/vapour interface of the membrane distillation element, achieving high single-pass recoveries that approach 100%, far exceeding standard membrane distillation recovery limits.

ERCS08: A FORTRAN program equipped with a Windows graphics user interface that calculates ECPSSR cross sections for the removal of atomic electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horvat, Vladimir

2009-06-01

ERCS08 is a program for computing the atomic electron removal cross sections. It is written in FORTRAN in order to make it more portable and easier to customize by a large community of physicists, but it also comes with a separate windows graphics user interface control application ERCS08w that makes it easy to quickly prepare the input file, run the program, as well as view and analyze the output. The calculations are based on the ECPSSR theory for direct (Coulomb) ionization and non-radiative electron capture. With versatility in mind, the program allows for selective inclusion or exclusion of individual contributions to the cross sections from effects such as projectile energy loss, Coulomb deflection of the projectile, perturbation of electron's stationary state (polarization and binding), as well as relativity. This makes it straightforward to assess the importance of each effect in a given collision regime. The control application also makes it easy to setup for calculations in inverse kinematics (i.e. ionization of projectile ions by target atoms or ions). Program summaryProgram title: ERCS08 Catalogue identifier: AECU_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AECU_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 12 832 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 318 420 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Once the input file is prepared (using a text editor or ERCS08w), all the calculations are done in FORTRAN using double precision. Computer: see "Operating system" below Operating system: The main program (ERCS08) can run on any computer equipped with a FORTRAN compiler. Its pre-compiled executable file (supplied) runs under DOS or Windows. The supplied graphics user interface control application (ERCS08w) requires a Windows operating system. ERCS08w is designed to be used along with a text editor. Any editor can be used, including the one that comes with the operating system (for example, Edit for DOS or Notepad for Windows). Classification: 16.7, 16.8 Nature of problem: ECPSSR has become a typical tag word for a theory that goes beyond the standard plane wave Born approximation (PWBA) in order to predict the cross sections for direct (Coulomb) ionization of atomic electrons by projectile ions, taking into account the energy loss (E) and Coulomb deflection (C) of the projectile, as well as the perturbed stationary state (PSS) and relativistic nature (R) of the target electron. Its treatment of non-radiative electron capture to the projectile goes beyond the Oppenheimer-Brinkman-Kramers approximation (OBK) to include the effects of C, PSS, and R. PSS is described in terms of increased target electron binding (B) due to the presence of the projectile in the vicinity of the target nucleus, and (for direct ionization only) polarization of the target electron cloud (P) while projectile is outside the electron's shell radius. Several modifications of the theory have been recently suggested or endorsed by one of its authors (Lapicki). These modifications are sometimes explicit in the tag word (for example, eCPSSR, eCUSR, ReCPSShsR, etc.) A cross section for the ionization of a target electron is assumed to equal the sum of the cross sections for direct ionization (DI) and electron capture (EC). Solution method: The calculations are based on the ECPSSR theory for direct (Coulomb) ionization and non-radiative electron capture. With versatility in mind, the program allows for selective inclusion or exclusion of individual contributions to the cross sections from effects such as projectile energy loss, Coulomb deflection of the projectile, perturbation of electron's stationary state (polarization and binding), as well as relativity. This makes it straightforward to assess the importance of each effect in a given collision regime. The control application also makes it easy to setup for calculations in inverse kinematics (i.e. ionization of projectile ions by target atoms or ions). Restrictions: The program is restricted to the ionization of K, L, and M electrons. The theory is non-relativistic, which effectively limits its applicability to projectile energies up to about 50 MeV/amu. However, the theory is extended to apply to relativistic light projectiles. Radiative electron capture is not taken into account, since its contribution is found to be negligible in the collision regimes covered by the ECPSSR theory. Unusual features: Windows graphics user interface along with a FORTRAN code for calculations, selective inclusion or exclusion of specific corrections, inclusion of the extension to relativistic light projectiles, inclusion of non-radiative electron capture. Running time: Running the program using the input data provided with the distribution only takes a few seconds.

MOSFET and MOS capacitor responses to ionizing radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benedetto, J. M.; Boesch, H. E., Jr.

1984-01-01

The ionizing radiation responses of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) field-effect transistors (FETs) and MOS capacitors are compared. It is shown that the radiation-induced threshold voltage shift correlates closely with the shift in the MOS capacitor inversion voltage. The radiation-induced interface-state density of the MOSFETs and MOS capacitors was determined by several techniques. It is shown that the presence of 'slow' states can interfere with the interface-state measurements.

RITRACKS: A Software for Simulation of Stochastic Radiation Track Structure, Micro and Nanodosimetry, Radiation Chemistry and DNA Damage for Heavy Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plante, I; Wu, H

2014-01-01

The code RITRACKS (Relativistic Ion Tracks) has been developed over the last few years at the NASA Johnson Space Center to simulate the effects of ionizing radiations at the microscopic scale, to understand the effects of space radiation at the biological level. The fundamental part of this code is the stochastic simulation of radiation track structure of heavy ions, an important component of space radiations. The code can calculate many relevant quantities such as the radial dose, voxel dose, and may also be used to calculate the dose in spherical and cylindrical targets of various sizes. Recently, we have incorporated DNA structure and damage simulations at the molecular scale in RITRACKS. The direct effect of radiations is simulated by introducing a slight modification of the existing particle transport algorithms, using the Binary-Encounter-Bethe model of ionization cross sections for each molecular orbitals of DNA. The simulation of radiation chemistry is done by a step-by-step diffusion-reaction program based on the Green's functions of the diffusion equation]. This approach is also used to simulate the indirect effect of ionizing radiation on DNA. The software can be installed independently on PC and tablets using the Windows operating system and does not require any coding from the user. It includes a Graphic User Interface (GUI) and a 3D OpenGL visualization interface. The calculations are executed simultaneously (in parallel) on multiple CPUs. The main features of the software will be presented.

Mass spectrometry of acoustically levitated droplets.

PubMed

Westphall, Michael S; Jorabchi, Kaveh; Smith, Lloyd M

2008-08-01

Containerless sample handling techniques such as acoustic levitation offer potential advantages for mass spectrometry, by eliminating surfaces where undesired adsorption/desorption processes can occur. In addition, they provide a unique opportunity to study fundamental aspects of the ionization process as well as phenomena occurring at the air-droplet interface. Realizing these advantages is contingent, however, upon being able to effectively interface levitated droplets with a mass spectrometer, a challenging task that is addressed in this report. We have employed a newly developed charge and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (CALDI) technique to obtain mass spectra from a 5-microL acoustically levitated droplet containing peptides and an ionic matrix. A four-ring electrostatic lens is used in conjunction with a corona needle to produce bursts of corona ions and to direct those ions toward the droplet, resulting in droplet charging. Analyte ions are produced from the droplet by a 337-nm laser pulse and detected by an atmospheric sampling mass spectrometer. The ion generation and extraction cycle is repeated at 20 Hz, the maximum operating frequency of the laser employed. It is shown in delayed ion extraction experiments that both positive and negative ions are produced, behavior similar to that observed for atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser absorption/ionization. No ion signal is observed in the absence of droplet charging. It is likely, although not yet proven, that the role of the droplet charging is to increase the strength of the electric field at the surface of the droplet, reducing charge recombination after ion desorption.

Mass Spectrometry of Acoustically Levitated Droplets

PubMed Central

Westphall, Michael S.; Jorabchi, Kaveh; Smith, Lloyd M.

2008-01-01

Containerless sample handling techniques such as acoustic levitation offer potential advantages for mass spectrometry, by eliminating surfaces where undesired adsorption/desorption processes can occur. In addition, they provide a unique opportunity to study fundamental aspects of the ionization process as well as phenomena occurring at the air–droplet interface. Realizing these advantages is contingent, however, upon being able to effectively interface levitated droplets with a mass spectrometer, a challenging task that is addressed in this report. We have employed a newly developed charge and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (CALDI) technique to obtain mass spectra from a 5-μL acoustically levitated droplet containing peptides and an ionic matrix. A four-ring electrostatic lens is used in conjunction with a corona needle to produce bursts of corona ions and to direct those ions toward the droplet, resulting in droplet charging. Analyte ions are produced from the droplet by a 337-nm laser pulse and detected by an atmospheric sampling mass spectrometer. The ion generation and extraction cycle is repeated at 20 Hz, the maximum operating frequency of the laser employed. It is shown in delayed ion extraction experiments that both positive and negative ions are produced, behavior similar to that observed for atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser absorption/ionization. No ion signal is observed in the absence of droplet charging. It is likely, although not yet proven, that the role of the droplet charging is to increase the strength of the electric field at the surface of the droplet, reducing chargere combination after ion desorption. PMID:18582090

Method for detection of dental caries and periodontal disease using optical imaging

DOEpatents

Nathel, Howard; Kinney, John H.; Otis, Linda L.

1996-01-01

A method for detecting the presence of active and inactive caries in teeth and diagnosing periodontal disease uses non-ionizing radiation with techniques for reducing interference from scattered light. A beam of non-ionizing radiation is divided into sample and reference beams. The region to be examined is illuminated by the sample beam, and reflected or transmitted radiation from the sample is recombined with the reference beam to form an interference pattern on a detector. The length of the reference beam path is adjustable, allowing the operator to select the reflected or transmitted sample photons that recombine with the reference photons. Thus radiation scattered by the dental or periodontal tissue can be prevented from obscuring the interference pattern. A series of interference patterns may be generated and interpreted to locate dental caries and periodontal tissue interfaces.

Interfaces Charged by a Nonionic Surfactant.

PubMed

Lee, Joohyung; Zhou, Zhang-Lin; Behrens, Sven Holger

2018-05-24

Highly hydrophobic, water-insoluble nonionic surfactants are often considered irrelevant to the ionization of interfaces at which they adsorb, despite observations that suggest otherwise. In the present study, we provide unambiguous evidence for the participation of a water-insoluble surfactant in interfacial ionization by conducting electrophoresis experiments for surfactant-stabilized nonpolar oil droplets in aqueous continuous phase. It was found that the surfactant with amine headgroup positively charged the surface of oil suspended in aqueous continuous phase (oil/water interface), which is consistent with its basic nature. In nonpolar oil continuous phase, the same surfactant positively charged the surface of solid silica (solid/oil interface) which is often considered acidic. The latter observation is exactly opposite to what the traditional acid-base mechanism of surface charging would predict, most clearly suggesting the possibility for another charging mechanism.

Ionizing Radiation Measurements Using Low Cost Instruments for Teaching in College or High-School in Brazil

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silva, M. C.; Vilela, D. C.; Migoto, V. G.; Gomes, M. P.; Martin, I. M.; Germano, J. S. E.

2017-01-01

Ionizing radiation one of modern physics experimental teaching in colleges and high school can be easily implemented today due to low coasts of detectors and also electronic circuits and data acquisition interfaces. First it is interesting to show to young's students what is ionizing radiation and from where they appears near ground level? How it…

What are the current solutions for interfacing supercritical fluid chromatography and mass spectrometry?

PubMed

Guillarme, Davy; Desfontaine, Vincent; Heinisch, Sabine; Veuthey, Jean-Luc

2018-04-15

Mass spectrometry (MS) is considered today as one of the most popular detection methods, due to its high selectivity and sensitivity. In particular, this detector has become the gold standard for the analysis of complex mixtures such as biological samples. The first successful SFC-MS hyphenation was reported in the 80's, and since then, several ionization sources, mass analyzers and interfacing technologies have been combined. Due to the specific physicochemical properties and compressibility of the SFC mobile phase, directing the column effluent into the ionization source is more challenging than in LC. Therefore, some specific interfaces have to be employed in SFC-MS, to i) avoid (or at least limit) analytes precipitation due to CO 2 decompression, when the SFC mobile phase is not anymore under backpressure control, ii) achieve adequate ionization yield, even with a low proportion of MeOH in the mobile phase and iii) preserve the chromatographic integrity (i.e. maintaining retention, selectivity, and efficiency). The goal of this review is to describe the various SFC-MS interfaces and highlight the most favorable ones in terms of reliability, flexibility, sensitivity and user-friendliness. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method for detection of dental caries and periodontal disease using optical imaging

DOEpatents

Nathel, H.; Kinney, J.H.; Otis, L.L.

1996-10-29

A method is disclosed for detecting the presence of active and inactive caries in teeth and diagnosing periodontal disease uses non-ionizing radiation with techniques for reducing interference from scattered light. A beam of non-ionizing radiation is divided into sample and reference beams. The region to be examined is illuminated by the sample beam, and reflected or transmitted radiation from the sample is recombined with the reference beam to form an interference pattern on a detector. The length of the reference beam path is adjustable, allowing the operator to select the reflected or transmitted sample photons that recombine with the reference photons. Thus radiation scattered by the dental or periodontal tissue can be prevented from obscuring the interference pattern. A series of interference patterns may be generated and interpreted to locate dental caries and periodontal tissue interfaces. 7 figs.

Surface State Density Determines the Energy Level Alignment at Hybrid Perovskite/Electron Acceptors Interfaces.

PubMed

Zu, Fengshuo; Amsalem, Patrick; Ralaiarisoa, Maryline; Schultz, Thorsten; Schlesinger, Raphael; Koch, Norbert

2017-11-29

Substantial variations in the electronic structure and thus possibly conflicting energetics at interfaces between hybrid perovskites and charge transport layers in solar cells have been reported by the research community. In an attempt to unravel the origin of these variations and enable reliable device design, we demonstrate that donor-like surface states stemming from reduced lead (Pb 0 ) directly impact the energy level alignment at perovskite (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3-x Cl x ) and molecular electron acceptor layer interfaces using photoelectron spectroscopy. When forming the interfaces, it is found that electron transfer from surface states to acceptor molecules occurs, leading to a strong decrease in the density of ionized surface states. As a consequence, for perovskite samples with low surface state density, the initial band bending at the pristine perovskite surface can be flattened upon interface formation. In contrast, for perovskites with a high surface state density, the Fermi level is strongly pinned at the conduction band edge, and only minor changes in surface band bending are observed upon acceptor deposition. Consequently, depending on the initial perovskite surface state density, very different interface energy level alignment situations (variations over 0.5 eV) are demonstrated and rationalized. Our findings help explain the rather dissimilar reported energy levels at interfaces with perovskites, refining our understanding of the operating principles in devices comprising this material.

Instrument interface description for NOAA 2000 instruments with European morning spacecraft and/or NOAA-OPQ spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

The purpose is to describe at a high level the common interface provisions and constraints placed on the NOAA-2000 instruments and the interfacing spacecraft elements in the following areas: electrical interface, mechanical interface, thermal interface, magnetic interface, electromagnetic compatibility, structural/mechanical environmental interface, contamination control, and the ionizing radiation environment. The requirements reflect the fact that these instruments must be compatible with a number of different polar orbiting satellite vehicles including the NOAA-OPQ satellites and the EUMETSAT METOP satellites.

Super-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry and its application to ultrafast online protein digestion analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Lee Chuin; Ninomiya, Satoshi; Hiraoka, Kenzo

2016-06-01

Ion source pressure plays a significant role in the process of ionization and the subsequent ion transmission inside a mass spectrometer. Pressurizing the ion source to a gas pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is a relatively new approach that aims to further improve the performance of atmospheric pressure ionization sources. For example, under a super-atmospheric pressure environment, a stable electrospray can be sustained for liquid with high surface tension such as pure water, because of the suppression of electric discharge. Even for nano-electrospray ionization (nano-ESI), which is known to work with aqueous solution, its stability and sensitivity can also be enhanced, particularly in the negative mode when the ion source is pressurized. A brief review on the development of super-atmospheric pressure ion sources, including high-pressure electrospray, field desorption and superheated ESI, and the strategies to interface these ion sources to a mass spectrometer will be given. Using a recent ESI prototype with an operating temperature at 220 °C under 27 atm, we also demonstrate that it is possible to achieve an online Asp-specific protein digestion analysis in which the whole processes of digestion, ionization and MS acquisition could be completed on the order of a few seconds. This method is fast, and the reaction can even be monitored on a near-real-time basis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Generation of multiple analog pulses with different duty cycles within VME control system for ICRH Aditya system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Ramesh; Singh, Manoj; Jadav, H. M.; Misra, Kishor; Kulkarni, S. V.; ICRH-RF Group

2010-02-01

Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) is a promising heating method for a fusion device due to its localized power deposition profile, a direct ion heating at high density, and established technology for high RF power generation and transmission at low cost. Multiple analog pulse with different duty cycle in master of digital pulse for Data acquisition and Control system for steady state RF ICRH System(RF ICRH DAC) to be used for operating of RF Generator in Aditya to produce pre ionization and second analog pulse will produce heating. The control system software is based upon single digital pulse operation for RF source. It is planned to integrate multiple analog pulses with different duty cycle in master of digital pulse for Data acquisition and Control system for RF ICRH System(RF ICRH DAC) to be used for operating of RF Generator in Aditya tokamak. The task of RF ICRH DAC is to control and acquisition of all ICRH system operation with all control loop and acquisition for post analysis of data with java based tool. For pre ionization startup as well as heating experiments using multiple RF Power of different powers and duration. The experiment based upon the idea of using single RF generator to energize antenna inside the tokamak to radiate power twise, out of which first analog pulse will produce pre ionization and second analog pulse will produce heating. The whole system is based on standard client server technology using tcp/ip protocol. DAC Software is based on linux operating system for highly reliable, secure and stable system operation in failsafe manner. Client system is based on tcl/tk like toolkit for user interface with c/c++ like environment which is reliable programming languages widely used on stand alone system operation with server as vxWorks real time operating system like environment. The paper is focused on the Data acquisition and monitoring system software on Aditya RF ICRH System with analog pulses in slave mode with digital pulse in master mode for control acquisition and monitoring and interlocking.

Rapid sample classification using an open port sampling interface coupled with liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

DOE PAGES

Van Berkel, Gary J.; Kertesz, Vilmos

2016-11-15

An “Open Access”-like mass spectrometric platform to fully utilize the simplicity of the manual open port sampling interface for rapid characterization of unprocessed samples by liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry has been lacking. The in-house developed integrated software with a simple, small and relatively low-cost mass spectrometry system introduced here fills this void. Software was developed to operate the mass spectrometer, to collect and process mass spectrometric data files, to build a database and to classify samples using such a database. These tasks were accomplished via the vendorprovided software libraries. Sample classification based on spectral comparison utilized themore » spectral contrast angle method. As a result, using the developed software platform near real-time sample classification is exemplified using a series of commercially available blue ink rollerball pens and vegetable oils. In the case of the inks, full scan positive and negative ion ESI mass spectra were both used for database generation and sample classification. For the vegetable oils, full scan positive ion mode APCI mass spectra were recorded. The overall accuracy of the employed spectral contrast angle statistical model was 95.3% and 98% in case of the inks and oils, respectively, using leave-one-out cross-validation. In conclusion, this work illustrates that an open port sampling interface/mass spectrometer combination, with appropriate instrument control and data processing software, is a viable direct liquid extraction sampling and analysis system suitable for the non-expert user and near real-time sample classification via database matching.« less

Rapid sample classification using an open port sampling interface coupled with liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

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

Van Berkel, Gary J.; Kertesz, Vilmos

An “Open Access”-like mass spectrometric platform to fully utilize the simplicity of the manual open port sampling interface for rapid characterization of unprocessed samples by liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry has been lacking. The in-house developed integrated software with a simple, small and relatively low-cost mass spectrometry system introduced here fills this void. Software was developed to operate the mass spectrometer, to collect and process mass spectrometric data files, to build a database and to classify samples using such a database. These tasks were accomplished via the vendorprovided software libraries. Sample classification based on spectral comparison utilized themore » spectral contrast angle method. As a result, using the developed software platform near real-time sample classification is exemplified using a series of commercially available blue ink rollerball pens and vegetable oils. In the case of the inks, full scan positive and negative ion ESI mass spectra were both used for database generation and sample classification. For the vegetable oils, full scan positive ion mode APCI mass spectra were recorded. The overall accuracy of the employed spectral contrast angle statistical model was 95.3% and 98% in case of the inks and oils, respectively, using leave-one-out cross-validation. In conclusion, this work illustrates that an open port sampling interface/mass spectrometer combination, with appropriate instrument control and data processing software, is a viable direct liquid extraction sampling and analysis system suitable for the non-expert user and near real-time sample classification via database matching.« less

Control of Analyte Electrolysis in Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Using Repetitively Pulsed High Voltage

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

Kertesz, Vilmos; Van Berkel, Gary J

2011-01-01

Analyte electrolysis using a repetitively pulsed high voltage ion source was investigated and compared to that using a regular, continuously operating direct current high voltage ion source in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The extent of analyte electrolysis was explored as a function of the length and frequency of the high voltage pulse using the model compound reserpine in positive ion mode. Using +5 kV as the maximum high voltage amplitude, reserpine was oxidized to its 2, 4, 6 and 8-electron oxidation products when direct current high voltage was employed. In contrast, when using a pulsed high voltage, oxidation of reserpinemore » was eliminated by employing the appropriate high voltage pulse length and frequency. This effect was caused by inefficient mass transport of the analyte to the electrode surface during the duration of the high voltage pulse and the subsequent relaxation of the emitter electrode/ electrolyte interface during the time period when the high voltage was turned off. This mode of ESI source operation allows for analyte electrolysis to be quickly and simply switched on or off electronically via a change in voltage pulse variables.« less

High resolution far-infrared observations of the evolved H II region M16

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

McBreen, B.; Fazio, G.G.; Jaffe, D.T.

1982-03-01

M16 is an evolved, extremely density bounded H II region, which now consists only of a series of ionization fronts at molecular cloud boundaries. The source of ionization is the OB star cluster (NGC 6611) which is about 5 x 10/sup 6/ years old. We used the CFA/UA 102 cm balloon-borne telescope to map this region and detected three far-infrared (far-IR) sources embedded in an extended ridge of emission. Source I is an unresolved far-IR source embedded in a molecular cloud near a sharp ionization front. An H/sub 2/O maser is associated with this source, but no radio continuum emissionmore » has been observed. The other two far-IR sources (II and III) are associated with ionized gas-molecular cloud interfaces, with the far-IR radiation arising from dust at the boundary heated by the OB cluster. Source II is located at the southern prominent neutral intrusion with its associated bright rims and dark ''elephant trunk'' globules that delineate the current progress of the ionization front into the neutral material, and Source III arises at the interface of the northern molecular cloud fragment.« less

Simultaneous flame ionization and absorbance detection of volatile and nonvolatile compounds by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with a water mobile phase.

PubMed

Bruckner, C A; Ecker, S T; Synovec, R E

1997-09-01

A flame ionization detector (FID) is used to detect volatile organic compounds that have been separated by water-only reversed-phase liquid chromatography (WRP-LC). The mobile phase is 100% water at room temperature, without use of organic solvent modifiers. An interface between the LC and detector is presented, whereby a helium stream samples the vapor of volatile components from individual drops of the LC eluent, and the vapor-enriched gas stream is sent to the FID. The design of the drop headspace cell is simple because the water-only nature of the LC separation obviates the need to do any organic solvent removal prior to gas phase detection. Despite the absence of organic modifier, hydrophobic compounds can be separated in a reasonable time due to the low phase volume ratio of the WRP-LC columns. The drop headspace interface easily handles LC flows of 1 mL/min, and, in fact, compound detection limits are improved at faster liquid flow rates. The transfer efficiency of the headspace interface was estimated at 10% for toluene in water at 1 mL/min but varies depending on the volatility of each analyte. The detection system is linear over more than 5 orders of 1-butanol concentration in water and is able to detect sub-ppb amounts of o-xylene and other aromatic compounds in water. In order to analyze volatile and nonvolatile analytes simultaneously, the FID is coupled in series to a WRP-LC system with UV absorbance detection. WRP-LC improves UV absorbance detection limits because the absence of organic modifier allows the detector to be operated in the short-wavelength UV region, where analytes generally have significantly larger molar absorptivities. The selectivity the headspace interface provides for flame ionization detection of volatiles is demonstrated with a separation of 1-butanol, 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCE), and chlorobenzene in a mixture of benzoic acid in water. Despite coelution of butanol and TCE with the benzoate anion, the nonvolatile benzoate anion does not appear in the FID signal, allowing the analytes of interest to be readily detected. The complementary selectivity of UV-visible absorbance detection and this implementation of flame ionization detection allows for the analysis of volatile and nonvolatile components of complex samples using WRP-LC without the requirement that all the components of interest be fully resolved, thus simplifying the sample preparation and chromatographic requirements. This instrument should be applicable to routine automated water monitoring, in which repetitive injection of water samples onto a gas chromatograph is not recommended.

Capillary Electrophoresis-nanoelectrospray Ionization-selected Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry Via A True Sheathless Metal-coated Emitter Interface For Robust And High Sensitivity Sample Quantification

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

Guo, Xuejiang; Fillmore, Thomas L.; Gao, Yuqian

A new sheathless CITP/CZE-MS interface, based on a commercially available capillary with an integrated metal coated ESI emitter, was developed in this study aiming at overcoming the reproducibility and ruggedness problems, suffered to a certain degree by almost all the available CE-MS interfaces, and pushing the CE-MS technology suitable for routine sample analysis with high sensitivity. The new CITP/CZE-MS interface allows the electric contact between ESI voltage power supply and the CE separation liquid by using a conductive liquid that comes in contact with the metal coated surface of the ESI emitter, making it a true sheathless CE-MS interface. Stablemore » electrospray was established by avoiding the formation of gas bubbles from electro chemical reaction at the emitter tip or inside of the CE capillary. Crucial operating parameters, such as sample loading volume, flow rate, and separation voltage, were systematically evaluated for their effects on both CITP/CZE separation efficiency and MS detection sensitivity. Around one hundred CITP/CZE-MS analyses can be easily achieved by using the new sheathless CITP/CZE interface without a noticeable loss of metal coating on the ESI emitter surface, or degrading of the ESI emitter performance. The reproducibility in analyte migration time and quantitative performance of the new interface was experimentally evaluated to demonstrate a LOQ bellow 5 attomole.« less

An electrodynamic ion funnel for electrospray ionization source based time-of-flight mass spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhushan, K. G.; Rao, K. C.; Sule, U.; Reddy, P.; Rodrigues, S. M.; Gaikwad, D. T.; Mukundhan, R.; Gupta, S. K.

2016-04-01

An electrodynamic ion funnel has been developed for improving the sensitivity of electrospray ionization sources widely used in the mass spectrometric study of proteins and other biological macromolecules. The ion funnel consists of 52 electrodes and works under the combined influence of RF and DC voltages in the pressure range of 0.1 to 5 mbar. A novel feature of this ion funnel is the specific shape of the exit electrode that improves transmission of lower mass ions by reducing the depth of effective trapping potentials. In this paper, we report on the optimization of the ion funnel design using ion trajectory simulation software SIMION 8.0 especially in the mass range 500-5000 amu, followed by experimental observations of the ion transmission from the electrospray interface. It is seen that the electrospray-ion funnel combination greatly enhances the transmission when compared with an electrospray-skimmer interface. Ion currents > 1 nA could be obtained at the exit of the ion funnel for dilute Streptomycin Sulphate (~ 1500 amu) solution with the ion funnel operating in the 500-900 kHz frequency range, amplitude of 70 Vp-p, under a DC gradient of about 20 Volts/cm at a background pressure of 0.3 mbar. Details of the construction of the ion funnel along with the experimental results are presented.

Rapid sample classification using an open port sampling interface coupled with liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Van Berkel, Gary J; Kertesz, Vilmos

2017-02-15

An "Open Access"-like mass spectrometric platform to fully utilize the simplicity of the manual open port sampling interface for rapid characterization of unprocessed samples by liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry has been lacking. The in-house developed integrated software with a simple, small and relatively low-cost mass spectrometry system introduced here fills this void. Software was developed to operate the mass spectrometer, to collect and process mass spectrometric data files, to build a database and to classify samples using such a database. These tasks were accomplished via the vendor-provided software libraries. Sample classification based on spectral comparison utilized the spectral contrast angle method. Using the developed software platform near real-time sample classification is exemplified using a series of commercially available blue ink rollerball pens and vegetable oils. In the case of the inks, full scan positive and negative ion ESI mass spectra were both used for database generation and sample classification. For the vegetable oils, full scan positive ion mode APCI mass spectra were recorded. The overall accuracy of the employed spectral contrast angle statistical model was 95.3% and 98% in case of the inks and oils, respectively, using leave-one-out cross-validation. This work illustrates that an open port sampling interface/mass spectrometer combination, with appropriate instrument control and data processing software, is a viable direct liquid extraction sampling and analysis system suitable for the non-expert user and near real-time sample classification via database matching. Published in 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published in 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Liquid Sampling-Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge (LS-APGD) Ionization Source for Elemental Mass Spectrometry: Preliminary Parametric Evaluation and Figures of Merit

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

Quarles, C. Derrick; Carado, Anthony J.; Barinaga, Charles J.

2012-01-01

A new, low power ionization source for the elemental analysis of aqueous solutions has recently been described. The liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) source operates at relatively low currents (<20 mA) and solution flow rates (<50 μL min-1), yielding a relatively simple alternative for atomic mass spectrometry applications. The LS-APGD has been interfaced to what is otherwise an organic, LC-MS mass analyzer, the Thermo Scientific Exactive Orbitrap without any modifications; other than removing the electrospray ionization (ESI) source supplied with that instrument. A glow discharge is initiated between the surface of the test solution exiting a glass capillary andmore » a metallic counter electrode mounted at a 90° angle and separated by a distance of ~5 mm. As with any plasma-based ionization source, there are key discharge operation and ion sampling parameters that affect the intensity and composition of the derived mass spectra; including signal-to-background ratios. We describe here a preliminary parametric evaluation of the roles of discharge current, solution flow rate, argon sheath gas flow rate, and ion sampling distance as they apply on this mass analyzer system. A cursive evaluation of potential matrix effects due to the presence of easily ionized elements (EIEs) indicate that sodium concentrations of up to 500 μg mL-1 generally cause suppressions of less than 50%, dependant upon the analyte species. Based on the results of this series of studies, preliminary limits of detection (LOD) have been established through the generation of calibration functions. Whilst solution-based concentrations LOD levels of 0.02 – 2 μg mL-1 3 are not impressive on the surface, the fact that they are determined via discrete 5 μL injections leads to mass-based detection limits at picogram to singlenanogram levels. The overhead costs associated with source operation (10 W d.c. power, solution flow rates of <50 μL min-1, and gas flow rates <10 mL min-1) are very attractive. While further optimization in the source design is suggested here, it is believed that the LS-APGD ion source may present a practical alternative to inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) sources typically employed in elemental mass spectrometry.« less

Ionization of Interstellar Hydrogen Beyond the Termination Shock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gruntman, Mike

2016-11-01

Models of solar wind interaction with the surrounding interstellar medium usually disregard ionization of interstellar hydrogen atoms beyond the solar wind termination shock. If and when included, the effects of ionization in the heliospheric interface region are often obscured by complexities of the interaction. This work assesses the importance of interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath. Photoionization could be accounted for in a straightforward way. In contrast, electron impact ionization is largely unknown because of poorly understood energy transfer to electrons at the termination shock and beyond. We first estimate the effect of photoionization and then use it as a yardstick to assess the role of electron impact ionization. The physical estimates show that ionization of interstellar hydrogen may lead to significant mass loading in the inner heliosheath which would slow down plasma flowing toward the heliotail and deplete populations of nonthermal protons, with the corresponding effect on heliospheric fluxes of energetic neutral atoms.

Radiation-Tolerant, SpaceWire-Compatible Switching Fabric

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katzman, Vladimir

2011-01-01

Current and future near-Earth and deep space exploration programs and space defense programs require the development of robust intra-spacecraft serial data transfer electronics that must be reconfigurable, fault-tolerant, and have the ability to operate effectively for long periods of time in harsh environmental conditions. Existing data transfer systems based on state-of-the-art serial data transfer protocols or passive backplanes are slow, power-hungry, and poorly reconfigurable. They provide limited expandability and poor tolerance to radiation effects and total ionizing dose (TID) in particular, which presents harmful threats to modern submicron electronics. This novel approach is based on a standard library of differential cells tolerant to TID, and patented, multi-level serial interface architecture that ensures the reliable operation of serial interconnects without application of a data-strobe or other encoding techniques. This proprietary, high-speed differential interface presents a lowpower solution fully compatible with the SpaceWire (SW) protocol. It replaces a dual data-strobe link with two identical independent data channels, thus improving the system s tolerance to harsh environments through additional double redundancy. Each channel incorporates an automatic line integrity control circuitry that delivers error signals in case of broken or shorted lines.

Hall Thruster Thermal Modeling and Test Data Correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, James

2016-01-01

HERMeS - Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding. Developed through a joint effort by NASA/GRC and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Design goals: High power (12.5 kW) high Isp (3000 sec), high efficiency (> 60%), high throughput (10,000 kg), reduced plasma erosion and increased life (5 yrs) to support Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM). Further details see "Performance, Facility Pressure Effects and Stability Characterization Tests of NASAs HERMeS Thruster" by H. Kamhawi and team. Hall Thrusters (HT) inherently operate at elevated temperatures approx. 600 C (or more). Due to electric magnetic (E x B) fields used to ionize and accelerate propellant gas particles (i.e., plasma). Cooling is largely limited to radiation in vacuum environment.Thus the hardware components must withstand large start-up delta-T's. HT's are constructed of multiple materials; assorted metals, non-metals and ceramics for their required electrical and magnetic properties. To mitigate thermal stresses HT design must accommodate the differential thermal growth from a wide range of material Coef. of Thermal Expansion (CTEs). Prohibiting the use of some bolted/torqued interfaces.Commonly use spring loaded interfaces, particularly at the metal-to-ceramic interfaces to allow for slippage.However most component interfaces must also effectively conduct heat to the external surfaces for dissipation by radiation.Thus contact pressure and area are important.

Enhanced direct ambient analysis by differential mobility-filtered desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Galhena, Asiri S; Harris, Glenn A; Kwasnik, Mark; Fernández, Facundo M

2010-11-15

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is rapidly becoming established as one of the most powerful ionization techniques allowing direct surface analysis by mass spectrometry (MS) in the ambient environment. DESI provides a significant number of unique analytical capabilities for a broad range of applications, both quantitative and qualitative in nature including biological tissue imaging, pharmaceutical quality control, in vivo analysis, proteomics, metabolomics, forensics, and explosives detection. Despite its growing adoption as a powerful high throughput analysis tool, DESI-MS analysis at trace levels often suffers from background chemical interferences generated during the electrospray ionization processes. In order to improve sensitivity and selectivity, a differential mobility (DM) ion separation cell was successfully interfaced to a custom-built DESI ion source. This new hybrid platform can be operated in two modes: the "DM-off" mode for standard DESI analysis and "DM-on mode" where DESI-generated ions are detected after discrimination by the differential mobility cell. The performance of the DESI-DM-MS platform was tested with several samples typically amenable to DESI analysis, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals and binary mixtures of isobaric chemicals of importance in the pharmaceutical and food industries. In the DM-on mode, DESI-MS signal-to-noise ratios were improved by 70-190% when compared to the DM-off mode. Also, the addition of the DM cell enabled selective in-source ion activation of specific DESI-generated precursor ions, providing tandem MS-like spectra in a single stage mass spectrometer.

Modeling carbon dioxide, pH, and un-ionized ammonia relationships in serial reuse systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Colt, J.; Watten, B.; Rust, M.

2009-01-01

In serial reuse systems, excretion of metabolic carbon dioxide has a significant impact on ambient pH, carbon dioxide, and un-ionized ammonia concentrations. This impact depends strongly on alkalinity, water flow rate, feeding rate, and loss of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. A reduction in pH from metabolic carbon dioxide can significantly reduce the un-ionized ammonia concentration and increase the carbon dioxide concentrations compared to those parameters computed from influent pH. The ability to accurately predict pH in serial reuse systems is critical to their design and effective operation. A trial and error solution to the alkalinity-pH system was used to estimate important water quality parameters in serial reuse systems. Transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the air-water interface, at overflow weirs, and impacts of substrate-attached algae and suspended bacteria were modeled. Gas transfer at the weirs was much greater than transfer across the air-water boundary. This simulation model can rapidly estimate influent and effluent concentrations of dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and un-ionized ammonia as a function of water temperature, elevation, water flow, and weir type. The accuracy of the estimates strongly depends on assumed pollutional loading rates and gas transfer at the weirs. The current simulation model is based on mean daily loading rates; the impacts of daily variation loading rates are discussed. Copies of the source code and executable program are available free of charge.

Modeling Carbon Dioxide, pH and Un-Ionized Ammonia Relationships in Serial Reuse Systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Watten, Barnaby J.; Rust, Michael; Colt, John

2009-01-01

In serial reuse systems, excretion of metabolic carbon dioxide has a significant impact on ambient pH, carbon dioxide, and un-ionized ammonia concentrations. This impact depends strongly on alkalinity, water flow rate, feeding rate, and loss of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. A reduction in pH from metabolic carbon dioxide can significantly reduce the un-ionized ammonia concentration and increase the carbon dioxide concentrations compared to those parameters computed from influent pH. The ability to accurately predict pH in serial reuse systems is critical to their design and effective operation. A trial and error solution to the alkalinity–pH system was used to estimate important water quality parameters in serial reuse systems. Transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide across the air–water interface, at overflow weirs, and impacts of substrate-attached algae and suspended bacteria were modeled. Gas transfer at the weirs was much greater than transfer across the air–water boundary. This simulation model can rapidly estimate influent and effluent concentrations of dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and un-ionized ammonia as a function of water temperature, elevation, water flow, and weir type. The accuracy of the estimates strongly depends on assumed pollutional loading rates and gas transfer at the weirs. The current simulation model is based on mean daily loading rates; the impacts of daily variation loading rates are discussed. Copies of the source code and executable program are available free of charge.

Controlling the electronic and geometric structures of 2D insertions to realize high performance metal/insertion-MoS2 sandwich interfaces.

PubMed

Su, Jie; Feng, Liping; Zeng, Wei; Liu, Zhengtang

2017-06-08

Metal/insertion-MoS 2 sandwich interfaces are designed to reduce the Schottky barriers at metal-MoS 2 interfaces. The effects of geometric and electronic structures of two-dimensional (2D) insertion materials on the contact properties of metal/insertion-MoS 2 interfaces are comparatively studied by first-principles calculations. Regardless of the geometric and electronic structures of 2D insertion materials, Fermi level pinning effects and charge scattering at the metal/insertion-MoS 2 interface are weakened due to weak interactions between the insertion and MoS 2 layers, no gap states and negligible structural deformations for MoS 2 layers. The Schottky barriers at metal/insertion-MoS 2 interfaces are induced by three interface dipoles and four potential steps that are determined by the charge transfers and structural deformations of 2D insertion materials. The lower the electron affinities of 2D insertion materials, the more are the electrons lost from the Sc surface, resulting in lower n-type Schottky barriers at Sc/insertion-MoS 2 interfaces. The larger the ionization potentials and the thinner the thicknesses of 2D insertion materials, the fewer are the electrons that accumulate at the Pt surface, leading to lower p-type Schottky barriers at Pt/insertion-MoS 2 interfaces. All Sc/insertion-MoS 2 interfaces exhibited ohmic characters. The Pt/BN-MoS 2 interface exhibits the lowest p-type Schottky barrier of 0.52 eV due to the largest ionization potential (∼6.88 eV) and the thinnest thickness (single atomic layer thickness) of BN. These results in this work are beneficial to understand and design high performance metal/insertion-MoS 2 interfaces through 2D insertion materials.

Measurement Error in Atomic-Scale Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy-Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) Mapping of a Model Oxide Interface.

PubMed

Spurgeon, Steven R; Du, Yingge; Chambers, Scott A

2017-06-01

With the development of affordable aberration correctors, analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies of complex interfaces can now be conducted at high spatial resolution at laboratories worldwide. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in particular has grown in popularity, as it enables elemental mapping over a wide range of ionization energies. However, the interpretation of atomically resolved data is greatly complicated by beam-sample interactions that are often overlooked by novice users. Here we describe the practical factors-namely, sample thickness and the choice of ionization edge-that affect the quantification of a model perovskite oxide interface. Our measurements of the same sample, in regions of different thickness, indicate that interface profiles can vary by as much as 2-5 unit cells, depending on the spectral feature. This finding is supported by multislice simulations, which reveal that on-axis maps of even perfectly abrupt interfaces exhibit significant delocalization. Quantification of thicker samples is further complicated by channeling to heavier sites across the interface, as well as an increased signal background. We show that extreme care must be taken to prepare samples to minimize channeling effects and argue that it may not be possible to extract atomically resolved information from many chemical maps.

Ionizing radiation effects on electrical and reliability characteristics of sputtered Ta2O5/Si interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, Ashwath; Verma, Ankita; Singh, B. R.

2015-06-01

This paper describes the effect of ionizing radiation on the interface properties of Al/Ta2O5/Si metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The devices were irradiated with X-rays at different doses ranging from 100 rad to 1 Mrad. The leakage behavior, which is an important parameter for memory applications of Al/Ta2O5/Si MOS capacitors, along with interface properties such as effective oxide charges and interface trap density with and without irradiation has been investigated. Lower accumulation capacitance and shift in flat band voltage toward negative value were observed in annealed devices after exposure to radiation. The increase in interfacial oxide layer thickness after irradiation was confirmed by Rutherford Back Scattering measurement. The effect of post-deposition annealing on the electrical behavior of Ta2O5 MOS capacitors was also investigated. Improved electrical and interface properties were obtained for samples deposited in N2 ambient. The density of interface trap states (Dit) at Ta2O5/Si interface sputtered in pure argon ambient was higher compared to samples reactively sputtered in nitrogen-containing plasma. Our results show that reactive sputtering in nitrogen-containing plasma is a promising approach to improve the radiation hardness of Ta2O5/Si MOS devices.

Study of Electrochemical Reactions Using Nanospray Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

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

Liu, Pengyuan; Lanekoff, Ingela T.; Laskin, Julia

2012-07-03

The combination of electrochemistry (EC) and mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical tool for studying mechanisms of redox reactions, identification of products and intermediates, and online derivatization/recognition of analytes. This work reports a new coupling interface for EC/MS by employing nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano-DESI), a recently developed ambient ionization method. We demonstrate online coupling of nano-DESI-MS with a traditional electrochemical flow cell, in which the electrolyzed solution emanating from the cell is ionized by nano-DESI for MS analysis. Furthermore, we show first coupling of nano-DESI-MS with an interdigitated array (IDA) electrode enabling chemical analysis of electrolyzed samples directlymore » from electrode surfaces. Because of its inherent sensitivity, nano-DESI enables chemical analysis of small volumes and concentrations of sample solution. Specifically, good-quality signal of dopamine and its oxidized form, dopamine ortho-quinone, was obtained using 10 μL of 1 μM solution of dopamine on the IDA. Oxidation of dopamine, reduction of benzodiazepines, and electrochemical derivatization of thiol groups were used to demonstrate the performance of the technique. Our results show the potential of nano-DESI as a novel interface for electrochemical mass spectrometry research.« less

Ionization state of L-phenylalanine at the air-water interface.

PubMed

Griffith, Elizabeth C; Vaida, Veronica

2013-01-16

The ionization state of organic molecules at the air-water interface and the related problem of the surface pH of water have significant consequences on the catalytic role of the surface in chemical reactions and are currently areas of intense research and controversy. In this work, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) is used to identify changes in the ionization state of L-phenylalanine in the surface region versus the bulk aqueous solution. L-phenylalanine has the unique advantage of possessing two different hydrophilic groups, a carboxylic acid and an amine base, which can deprotonate and protonate respectively depending on the ionic environment they experience at the water surface. In this work, the polar group vibrations in the surface region are identified spectroscopically in varying bulk pH solutions, and are subsequently compared with the ionization state of the polar groups of molecules residing in the bulk environment. The polar groups of L-phenylalanine at the surface transition to their deprotonated state at bulk pH values lower than the molecules residing in the bulk, indicating a decrease in their pK(a) at the surface, and implying an enhanced hydroxide ion concentration in the surface region relative to the bulk.

Conductivity measurements on H 2O-bearing CO 2-rich fluids

DOE PAGES

Capobianco, Ryan M.; Miroslaw S. Gruszkiewicz; Bodnar, Robert J.; ...

2014-09-10

Recent studies report rapid corrosion of metals and carbonation of minerals in contact with carbon dioxide containing trace amounts of dissolved water. One explanation for this behavior is that addition of small amounts of H 2O to CO 2 leads to significant ionization within the fluid, thus promoting reactions at the fluid-solid interface analogous to corrosion associated with aqueous fluids. The extent of ionization in the bulk CO 2 fluid was determined using a flow-through conductivity cell capable of detecting very low conductivities. Experiments were conducted from 298 to 473 K and 7.39 to 20 MPa with H 2O concentrationsmore » up to ~1600 ppmw (xH 2O ≈ 3.9 x 10 -3), corresponding to the H 2O solubility limit in liquid CO 2 at ambient temperature. All solutions showed conductivities <10 nS/cm, indicating that the solutions were essentially ion-free. Furthermore, this observation suggests that the observed corrosion and carbonation reactions are not the result of ionization in CO 2-rich bulk phase, but does not preclude ionization in the fluid at the fluid-solid interface.« less

Ferroelectric Thin-Film Capacitors As Ultraviolet Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakoor, Sarita

1995-01-01

Advantages include rapid response, solar blindness, and relative invulnerability to ionizing radiation. Ferroelectric capacitor made to function as photovoltaic detector of ultraviolet photons by making one of its electrodes semitransparent. Photovoltaic effect exploited more fully by making Schottky barrier at illuminated semitransparent-electrode/ferroelectric interface taller than Schottky barrier at other electrode/ferroelectric interface.

Sheathless interface for coupling capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry

DOEpatents

Wang, Chenchen; Tang, Keqi; Smith, Richard D.

2014-06-17

A sheathless interface for coupling capillary electrophoresis (CE) with mass spectrometry is disclosed. The sheathless interface includes a separation capillary for performing CE separation and an emitter capillary for electrospray ionization. A portion of the emitter capillary is porous or, alternatively, is coated to form an electrically conductive surface. A section of the emitter capillary is disposed within the separation capillary, forming a joint. A metal tube, containing a conductive liquid, encloses the joint.

Elastomeric Microchip Electrospray Emitter for Stable Cone-Jet Mode Operation in the Nano-Flow Regime

PubMed Central

Kelly, Ryan T.; Tang, Keqi; Irimia, Daniel; Toner, Mehmet; Smith, Richard D.

2009-01-01

Despite widespread interest in combining lab-on-a-chip technologies with mass spectrometry (MS)-based analyses, the coupling of microfluidics to electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS remains challenging. We report a robust, integrated poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip interface for ESI-MS using simple and widely accessible microfabrication procedures. The interface uses an auxiliary channel to provide electrical contact for the stable cone-jet electrospray without sample loss or dilution. The electric field at the channel terminus is enhanced by two vertical cuts that cause the interface to taper to a line rather than to a point, and the formation of a small Taylor cone at the channel exit ensures sub-nL post-column dead volumes. Cone-jet mode electrospray was demonstrated for up to 90% aqueous solutions and for extended durations. Comparable ESI-MS sensitivities were achieved using both microchip and conventional fused silica capillary emitters, but stable cone-jet mode electrosprays could be established over a far broader range of flow rates (from 50-1000 nL/min) and applied potentials using the microchip emitters. This attribute of the microchip emitter should simplify electrospray optimization and make the stable electrospray more resistant to external perturbations. PMID:18419138

Semiconductor detector with smoothly tunable effective thickness for the study of ionization loss by moderately relativistic electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shchagin, A. V.; Shul'ga, N. F.; Trofymenko, S. V.; Nazhmudinov, R. M.; Kubankin, A. S.

2016-11-01

The possibility of measurement of electrons ionization loss in Si layer of smoothly tunable thickness is shown in the proof-of-principle experiment. The Si surface-barrier detector with the depleted layer thickness controlled by the value of high voltage power supply has been used. Ionization loss spectra for electrons emitted by radioactive source 207Bi are presented and discussed. Experimental results for the most probable ionization loss in the Landau spectral peak are compared with theoretical calculations. The possibility of research of evolution of electromagnetic field of ultra-relativistic particles traversing media interface with the use of detectors with smoothly tunable thickness is proposed.

Measurement Error in Atomic-Scale Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy—Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) Mapping of a Model Oxide Interface

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

Spurgeon, Steven R.; Du, Yingge; Chambers, Scott A.

Abstract With the development of affordable aberration correctors, analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies of complex interfaces can now be conducted at high spatial resolution at laboratories worldwide. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in particular has grown in popularity, as it enables elemental mapping over a wide range of ionization energies. However, the interpretation of atomically resolved data is greatly complicated by beam–sample interactions that are often overlooked by novice users. Here we describe the practical factors—namely, sample thickness and the choice of ionization edge—that affect the quantification of a model perovskite oxide interface. Our measurements of the same sample,more » in regions of different thickness, indicate that interface profiles can vary by as much as 2–5 unit cells, depending on the spectral feature. This finding is supported by multislice simulations, which reveal that on-axis maps of even perfectly abrupt interfaces exhibit significant delocalization. Quantification of thicker samples is further complicated by channeling to heavier sites across the interface, as well as an increased signal background. We show that extreme care must be taken to prepare samples to minimize channeling effects and argue that it may not be possible to extract atomically resolved information from many chemical maps.« less

Measurement Error in Atomic-Scale Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy—Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) Mapping of a Model Oxide Interface

DOE PAGES

Spurgeon, Steven R.; Du, Yingge; Chambers, Scott A.

2017-04-05

Abstract With the development of affordable aberration correctors, analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies of complex interfaces can now be conducted at high spatial resolution at laboratories worldwide. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in particular has grown in popularity, as it enables elemental mapping over a wide range of ionization energies. However, the interpretation of atomically resolved data is greatly complicated by beam–sample interactions that are often overlooked by novice users. Here we describe the practical factors—namely, sample thickness and the choice of ionization edge—that affect the quantification of a model perovskite oxide interface. Our measurements of the same sample,more » in regions of different thickness, indicate that interface profiles can vary by as much as 2–5 unit cells, depending on the spectral feature. This finding is supported by multislice simulations, which reveal that on-axis maps of even perfectly abrupt interfaces exhibit significant delocalization. Quantification of thicker samples is further complicated by channeling to heavier sites across the interface, as well as an increased signal background. We show that extreme care must be taken to prepare samples to minimize channeling effects and argue that it may not be possible to extract atomically resolved information from many chemical maps.« less

Tunable Ionization Modes of a Flowing Atmospheric-Pressure Afterglow (FAPA) Ambient Ionization Source.

PubMed

Badal, Sunil P; Michalak, Shawn D; Chan, George C-Y; You, Yi; Shelley, Jacob T

2016-04-05

Plasma-based ambient desorption/ionization sources are versatile in that they enable direct ionization of gaseous samples as well as desorption/ionization of analytes from liquid and solid samples. However, ionization matrix effects, caused by competitive ionization processes, can worsen sensitivity or even inhibit detection all together. The present study is focused on expanding the analytical capabilities of the flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow (FAPA) source by exploring additional types of ionization chemistry. Specifically, it was found that the abundance and type of reagent ions produced by the FAPA source and, thus, the corresponding ionization pathways of analytes, can be altered by changing the source working conditions. High abundance of proton-transfer reagent ions was observed with relatively high gas flow rates and low discharge currents. Conversely, charge-transfer reagent species were most abundant at low gas flows and high discharge currents. A rather nonpolar model analyte, biphenyl, was found to significantly change ionization pathway based on source operating parameters. Different analyte ions (e.g., MH(+) via proton-transfer and M(+.) via charge-transfer) were formed under unique operating parameters demonstrating two different operating regimes. These tunable ionization modes of the FAPA were used to enable or enhance detection of analytes which traditionally exhibit low-sensitivity in plasma-based ADI-MS analyses. In one example, 2,2'-dichloroquaterphenyl was detected under charge-transfer FAPA conditions, which were difficult or impossible to detect with proton-transfer FAPA or direct analysis in real-time (DART). Overall, this unique mode of operation increases the number and range of detectable analytes and has the potential to lessen ionization matrix effects in ADI-MS analyses.

Ge/graded-SiGe multiplication layers for low-voltage and low-noise Ge avalanche photodiodes on Si

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyasaka, Yuji; Hiraki, Tatsurou; Okazaki, Kota; Takeda, Kotaro; Tsuchizawa, Tai; Yamada, Koji; Wada, Kazumi; Ishikawa, Yasuhiko

2016-04-01

A new structure is examined for low-voltage and low-noise Ge-based avalanche photodiodes (APDs) on Si, where a Ge/graded-SiGe heterostructure is used as the multiplication layer of a separate-absorption-carrier-multiplication structure. The Ge/SiGe heterojunction multiplication layer is theoretically shown to be useful for preferentially enhancing impact ionization for photogenerated holes injected from the Ge optical-absorption layer via the graded SiGe, reflecting the valence band discontinuity at the Ge/SiGe interface. This property is effective not only for the reduction of operation voltage/electric field strength in Ge-based APDs but also for the reduction of excess noise resulting from the ratio of the ionization coefficients between electrons and holes being far from unity. Such Ge/graded-SiGe heterostructures are successfully fabricated by ultrahigh-vacuum chemical vapor deposition. Preliminary pin diodes having a Ge/graded-SiGe multiplication layer act reasonably as photodetectors, showing a multiplication gain larger than those for diodes without the Ge/SiGe heterojunction.

Mobility Peak Tailing Reduction in a Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA) Coupled with a Mass Spectrometer and Several Ionization Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amo-Gonzalez, Mario; Fernandez de la Mora, Juan

2017-08-01

The differential mobility analyzer (DMA) is a narrow-band linear ion mobility filter operating at atmospheric pressure. It combines in series with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (Q-MS) for mobility/mass analysis, greatly reducing chemical noise in selected ion monitoring. However, the large flow rate of drift gas ( 1000 L/min) required by DMAs complicates the achievement of high gas purity. Additionally, the symmetry of the drying counterflow gas at the interface of many commercial MS instruments, is degraded by the lateral motion of the drift gas at the DMA entrance slit. As a result, DMA mobility peaks often exhibit tails due to the attachment of impurity vapors, either (1) to the reagent ion within the separation cell, or (2) to the analyte of interest in the ionization region. In order to greatly increase the noise-suppression capacity of the DMA, we describe various vapor-removal schemes and measure the resulting increase in the tailing ratio, ( TR = signal at the peak maximum over signal two half-widths away from this maximum). Here we develop a low-outgassing DMA circuit connected to a mass spectrometer, and test it with three ionization sources (APCI, Desolvating-nano ESI, and Desolvating low flow SESI). While prior TR values were in the range 100-1000, the three new sources achieve TR 105. The SESI source has been optimized for maximum sensitivity, delivering an unprecedented gain for TNT of 190 counts/fg, equivalent to an ionization efficiency of one out of 140 neutral molecules.

Time Resolved Studies of Interfacial Reactions of Ozone with Pulmonary Phospholipid Surfactants Using Field Induced Droplet Ionization Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Kim, Hugh I.; Kim, Hyungjun; Shin, Young Shik; Beegle, Luther W.; Goddard, William A.; Heath, James R.; Kanik, Isik; Beauchamp, J. L.

2013-01-01

Field induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry (FIDI-MS) comprises a soft ionization method to sample ions from the surface of microliter droplets. A pulsed electric field stretches neutral droplets until they develop dual Taylor cones, emitting streams of positively and negatively charged submicrometer droplets in opposite directions, with the desired polarity being directed into a mass spectrometer for analysis. This methodology is employed to study the heterogeneous ozonolysis of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) at the air–liquid interface in negative ion mode using FIDI mass spectrometry. Our results demonstrate unique characteristics of the heterogeneous reactions at the air–liquid interface. We observe the hydroxyhydroperoxide and the secondary ozonide as major products of POPG ozonolysis in the FIDI-MS spectra. These products are metastable and difficult to observe in the bulk phase, using standard electrospray ionization (ESI) for mass spectrometric analysis. We also present studies of the heterogeneous ozonolysis of a mixture of saturated and unsaturated phospholipids at the air–liquid interface. A mixture of the saturated phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) and unsaturated POPG is investigated in negative ion mode using FIDI-MS while a mixture of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (SOPC) surfactant is studied in positive ion mode. In both cases FIDI-MS shows the saturated and unsaturated pulmonary surfactants form a mixed interfacial layer. Only the unsaturated phospholipid reacts with ozone, forming products that are more hydrophilic than the saturated phospholipid. With extensive ozonolysis only the saturated phospholipid remains at the droplet surface. Combining these experimental observations with the results of computational analysis provides an improved understanding of the interfacial structure and chemistry of a surfactant layer system when subject to oxidative stress. PMID:20608690

The effects of surgery and anesthesia on blood magnesium and calcium concentrations in canine and feline patients.

PubMed

Brainard, Benjamin M; Campbell, Vicki L; Drobatz, Kenneth J; Perkowski, Sandra Z

2007-03-01

To demonstrate the effect of anesthesia and surgery on serum ionized magnesium and ionized calcium concentrations in clinical canine and feline patients. 37 client-owned dogs, ASA PS I-III and 10 client-owned cats, ASA PS I, all receiving anesthesia for elective or emergent surgery at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Plasma ionized and serum total magnesium, and plasma ionized calcium were measured prior to and after a group-standardized anesthetic protocol. Regardless of pre-operative medication (hydromorphone or butorphanol), anesthetic induction (thiopental or lidocaine/hydromorphone/diazepam (LHD) and propofol combination), or type of surgical procedure (peripheral surgery or laparotomy), post-operative plasma ionized calcium concentration decreased in all groups of dogs, while post-operative plasma ionized magnesium increased in all groups, although the changes were not always significant. The dogs who were induced with an LHD and propofol technique had a greater increase in ionized magnesium (0.36 +/- 0.07 to 0.42 +/- 0.07 mmol L(-1)) than the group in which anesthesia was induced with thiopental (0.41 +/- 0.07 to 0.42 +/- 0.07 mmol L(-1), p = 0.009). The cats showed similar changes in ionized magnesium and ionized calcium, and also had a significant increase in serum total magnesium (2.17 +/- 0.20 to 2.31 +/- 0.25 mg dL(-1), p = 0.009) CONCLUSIONS, CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A post-operative decrease in ionized calcium was demonstrated in healthy animals, as well as an increase in ionized or total magnesium after various anesthetic protocols and surgeries. These changes, while statistically significant, do not appear to be clinically significant, as values remained within reference ranges at all times.

Combined electrophoresis-electrospray interface and method

DOEpatents

Smith, Richard D.; Udseth, Harold R.; Barinaga, Charles J.

1995-01-01

An improvement to the system and method for analyzing molecular constituents of a composition sample that comprises improvements to an electrospray ionization source for interfacing to mass spectrometers and other detection devices. The improvement consists of establishing a unique electrical circuit pattern and nozzle configuration, a metallic coated and conical shaped capillary outlet, coupled with sizing of the capillary to obtain maximum sensitivity.

Effects of crystallization interfaces on irradiated ferroelectric thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brewer, S. J.; Williams, S. C.; Cress, C. D.; Bassiri-Gharb, N.

2017-11-01

This work investigates the role of crystallization interfaces and chemical heterogeneity in the radiation tolerance of chemical solution-deposited lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films. Two sets of PZT thin films were fabricated with crystallization performed at (i) every deposited layer or (ii) every three layers. The films were exposed to a range of 60Co gamma radiation doses, between 0.2 and 20 Mrad, and their functional response was compared before and after irradiation. The observed trends indicate enhancements of dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric responses at low radiation doses and degradation of the same at higher doses. Response enhancements are expected to result from low-dose (≤2 Mrad), ionizing radiation-induced charging of internal interfaces—an effect that results in neutralization of pre-existing internal bias in the samples. At higher radiation doses (>2 Mrad), accumulation and self-ordering of radiation-modified, mobile, oxygen vacancy-related defects contribute to degradation of dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties, exacerbated in the samples with more crystallization layers, potentially due to increased defect accumulation at these internal interfaces. These results suggest that the interaction between radiation and crystallization interfaces is multifaceted—the effects of ionization, domain wall motion, point defect mobility, and microstructure are considered.

The mechanism of detection of air pollution by an ionization chamber.

PubMed

Novković, D; Vukanac; Milosević, Z

2000-01-01

The mechanism of detection of chemical vapors in air by an ionization chamber supplied by DC and AC voltage has been described. The theoretical explanation is based on numerical solutions of the differential equations of the cylindrical ionization chamber. The current of the ionization chamber operating in the AC regime has two components: a conductive component, caused by the ions drifts, and a capacitive component, caused by the distortion of the electric field. The ionization chamber operating in the DC regime has only the first component; hence the AC supplied chamber has larger response than the DC supplied chamber.

Investigation of the chemical interface in the soybean–aphid and rice–bacteria interactions using MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging

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

Klein, Adam T.; Yagnik, Gargey B.; Hohenstein, Jessica D.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an emerging technology for high-resolution plant biology. It has been utilized to study plant–pest interactions, but limited to the surface interfaces. Here we expand the technology to explore the chemical interactions occurring inside the plant tissues. Two sample preparation methods, imprinting and fracturing, were developed and applied, for the first time, to visualize internal metabolites of leaves in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-MSI. This is also the first time nanoparticle-based ionization was implemented to ionize diterpenoid phytochemicals that were difficult to analyze with traditional organic matrices. The interactions between rice–bacterium and soybean–aphid were investigated asmore » two model systems to demonstrate the capability of high-resolution MSI based on MALDI. Localized molecular information on various plant- or pest-derived chemicals provided valuable insight for the molecular processes occurring during the plant–pest interactions. Basically, salicylic acid and isoflavone based resistance was visualized in the soybean–aphid system and antibiotic diterpenoids in rice–bacterium interactions.« less

Investigation of the chemical interface in the soybean–aphid and rice–bacteria interactions using MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging

DOE PAGES

Klein, Adam T.; Yagnik, Gargey B.; Hohenstein, Jessica D.; ...

2015-04-27

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an emerging technology for high-resolution plant biology. It has been utilized to study plant–pest interactions, but limited to the surface interfaces. Here we expand the technology to explore the chemical interactions occurring inside the plant tissues. Two sample preparation methods, imprinting and fracturing, were developed and applied, for the first time, to visualize internal metabolites of leaves in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-MSI. This is also the first time nanoparticle-based ionization was implemented to ionize diterpenoid phytochemicals that were difficult to analyze with traditional organic matrices. The interactions between rice–bacterium and soybean–aphid were investigated asmore » two model systems to demonstrate the capability of high-resolution MSI based on MALDI. Localized molecular information on various plant- or pest-derived chemicals provided valuable insight for the molecular processes occurring during the plant–pest interactions. Basically, salicylic acid and isoflavone based resistance was visualized in the soybean–aphid system and antibiotic diterpenoids in rice–bacterium interactions.« less

Railgun armature velocity improvement, SBIR phase 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thurmond, Leo E.; Bauer, David P.

1992-08-01

Railgun hypervelocity performance has not been repeatably demonstrated at velocities over 6 km/s. A significant performance limiting phenomena is the formation of secondary current paths in parallel with the main projectile accelerating plasma. A confined plasma armature technique was developed to prevent secondary armature formation. Confinement prevents loss of ionized material from the plasma armature and thereby prevents formation of a low rail-to-rail conductance. We controlled pressure in the confined armature via controlled venting through ports in the rails. Railgun tests with the confined armature show that sealing at the rail-confinement vessel interface is critical and difficult to achieve. Our tests show that during low seal leakage operation secondaries are prevented. However, maintaining good seal for the entire launch is very difficult.

Combined electrophoresis-electrospray interface and method

DOEpatents

Smith, R.D.; Udseth, H.R.; Barinaga, C.J.

1995-06-13

An improvement to the system and method is disclosed for analyzing molecular constituents of a composition sample that comprises improvements to an electrospray ionization source for interfacing to mass spectrometers and other detection devices. The improvement consists of establishing a unique electrical circuit pattern and nozzle configuration, a metallic coated and conical shaped capillary outlet, coupled with sizing of the capillary to obtain maximum sensitivity. 10 figs.

Photoemission and photoionization time delays and rates

PubMed Central

Gallmann, L.; Jordan, I.; Wörner, H. J.; Castiglioni, L.; Hengsberger, M.; Osterwalder, J.; Arrell, C. A.; Chergui, M.; Liberatore, E.; Rothlisberger, U.; Keller, U.

2017-01-01

Ionization and, in particular, ionization through the interaction with light play an important role in fundamental processes in physics, chemistry, and biology. In recent years, we have seen tremendous advances in our ability to measure the dynamics of photo-induced ionization in various systems in the gas, liquid, or solid phase. In this review, we will define the parameters used for quantifying these dynamics. We give a brief overview of some of the most important ionization processes and how to resolve the associated time delays and rates. With regard to time delays, we ask the question: how long does it take to remove an electron from an atom, molecule, or solid? With regard to rates, we ask the question: how many electrons are emitted in a given unit of time? We present state-of-the-art results on ionization and photoemission time delays and rates. Our review starts with the simplest physical systems: the attosecond dynamics of single-photon and tunnel ionization of atoms in the gas phase. We then extend the discussion to molecular gases and ionization of liquid targets. Finally, we present the measurements of ionization delays in femto- and attosecond photoemission from the solid–vacuum interface. PMID:29308414

Ionization of EPA Contaminants in Direct and Dopant-Assisted Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization and Atmospheric Pressure Laser Ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kauppila, Tiina J.; Kersten, Hendrik; Benter, Thorsten

2015-06-01

Seventy-seven EPA priority environmental pollutants were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) equipped with an optimized atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) and an atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI) interface with and without dopants. The analyzed compounds included e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro compounds, halogenated compounds, aromatic compounds with phenolic, acidic, alcohol, and amino groups, phthalate and adipatic esters, and aliphatic ethers. Toluene, anisole, chlorobenzene, and acetone were tested as dopants. The widest range of analytes was ionized using direct APPI (66/77 compounds). The introduction of dopants decreased the amount of compounds ionized in APPI (e.g., 54/77 with toluene), but in many cases the ionization efficiency increased. While in direct APPI the formation of molecular ions via photoionization was the main ionization reaction, dopant-assisted (DA) APPI promoted ionization reactions, such as charge exchange and proton transfer. Direct APLI ionized a much smaller amount of compounds than APPI (41/77 compounds), showing selectivity towards compounds with low ionization energies (IEs) and long-lived resonantly excited intermediate states. DA-APLI, however, was able to ionize a higher amount of compounds (e.g. 51/77 with toluene), as the ionization took place entirely through dopant-assisted ion/molecule reactions similar to those in DA-APPI. Best ionization efficiency in APPI and APLI (both direct and DA) was obtained for PAHs and aromatics with O- and N-functionalities, whereas nitro compounds and aliphatic ethers were the most difficult to ionize. Halogenated aromatics and esters were (mainly) ionized in APPI, but not in APLI.

Interface for liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer

DOEpatents

Andresen, B.D.; Fought, E.R.

1989-09-19

A moving belt interface is described for real-time, high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC)/mass spectrometer (MS) analysis which strips away the HPLC solvent as it emerges from the end of the HPLC column and leaves a residue suitable for mass-spectral analysis. The interface includes a portable, stand-alone apparatus having a plural stage vacuum station, a continuous ribbon or belt, a drive train magnetically coupled to an external drive motor, a calibrated HPLC delivery system, a heated probe tip and means located adjacent the probe tip for direct ionization of the residue on the belt. The interface is also capable of being readily adapted to fit any mass spectrometer. 8 figs.

Interface for liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer

DOEpatents

Andresen, Brian D.; Fought, Eric R.

1989-01-01

A moving belt interface for real-time, high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC)/mass spectrometer (MS) analysis which strips away the HPLC solvent as it emerges from the end of the HPLC column and leaves a residue suitable for mass-spectral analysis. The interface includes a portable, stand-alone apparatus having a plural stage vacuum station, a continuous ribbon or belt, a drive train magnetically coupled to an external drive motor, a calibrated HPLC delivery system, a heated probe tip and means located adjacent the probe tip for direct ionization of the residue on the belt. The interface is also capable of being readily adapted to fit any mass spectrometer.

Radiation hardening of metal-oxide semi-conductor (MOS) devices by boron

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danchenko, V.

1974-01-01

Technique using boron effectively protects metal-oxide semiconductor devices from ionizing radiation without using shielding materials. Boron is introduced into insulating gate oxide layer at semiconductor-insulator interface.

Molecular-dynamics simulation of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability on a Li-H2 interface at extreme compressing conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shenghong; Wang, Weirong; Luo, Xisheng

2018-06-01

The new characteristics of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) under extreme shock conditions are numerically studied by using molecular dynamics simulation incorporated with the electron force field model. The emphasis is placed on the ionization effects caused by different impacting speeds (6-30 km/s) on the microscale RMI on a Li-H2 interface. The linear region of the amplitude growth rate of the shocked interface under extreme shock conditions is observed to be much longer than that at the ordinary impact, which is in good accord with experimental results obtained with a Nova laser. It is also found that the amplitude of the nonlinear region is larger than the ordinary counterpart or the prediction by theory without considering the ionization effect. The two new characteristics are attributed to the ambipolar acceleration induced by the extra electric field due to the electron/ion separation under extreme shock conditions. These new findings may shed new light on the very complex physical process of the inertial confinement fusion on nanoscales.

Atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source

DOEpatents

McLuckey, Scott A.; Glish, Gary L.

1989-01-01

An atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source that can be used in combination with an analytical instrument which operates at high vacuum, such as a mass spectrometer. The atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source comprises a chamber with at least one pair of electrodes disposed therein, an inlet for a gaseous sample to be analyzed and an outlet communicating with an analyzer which operates at subatmospheric pressure. The ionization chamber is maintained at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, and a voltage difference is applied across the electrodes to induce a glow discharge between the electrodes, so that molecules passing through the inlet are ionized by the glow discharge and directed into the analyzer. The ionization source accepts the sample under atmospheric pressure conditions and processes it directly into the high vacuum instrument, bridging the pressure gap and drawing off unwanted atmospheric gases. The invention also includes a method for analyzing a gaseous sample using the glow discharge ionization source described above.

HST STIS Observations of the Mixing Layer in the Cat’s Eye Nebula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Xuan; Guerrero, Martín A.; Toalá, Jesús A.; Chu, You-Hua; Gruendl, Robert A.

2016-05-01

Planetary nebulae (PNe) are expected to have a ˜105 K interface layer between the ≥slant 106 K inner hot bubble and the ˜104 K optical nebular shell. The PN structure and evolution, and the X-ray emission, depend critically on the efficiency of the mixing of material at this interface layer. However, neither its location nor its spatial extent have ever been determined. Using high-spatial resolution HST STIS spectroscopic observations of the N v λ λ 1239,1243 lines in the Cat’s Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), we have detected this interface layer and determined its location, extent, and physical properties for the first time in a PN. We confirm that this interface layer, as revealed by the spatial distribution of the N v λ1239 line emission, is located between the hot bubble and the optical nebular shell. We estimate a thickness of 1.5× {10}16 cm and an electron density of ˜200 cm-3 for the mixing layer. With a thermal pressure of ˜2 × 10-8 dyn cm-2, the mixing layer is in pressure equilibrium with the hot bubble and ionized nebular rim of NGC 6543. Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555. The observations are associated with program #12509.

A simple, fast and sensitive screening LC-ESI-MS/MS method for antibiotics in fish.

PubMed

Guidi, Letícia Rocha; Santos, Flávio Alves; Ribeiro, Ana Cláudia S R; Fernandes, Christian; Silva, Luiza H M; Gloria, Maria Beatriz A

2017-01-15

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a fast, sensitive and simple liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method for the screening of six classes of antibiotics (aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides and tetracyclines) in fish. Samples were extracted with trichloroacetic acid. LC separation was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB C18 column and gradient elution using 0.1% heptafluorobutyric acid in water and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Analysis was carried out in multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray interface operated in the positive ionization mode, with sulfaphenazole as internal standard. The method was suitable for routine screening purposes of 40 antibiotics, according to EC Guidelines for the Validation of Screening Methods for Residues of Veterinary Medicines, taking into consideration threshold value, cut-off factor, detection capability, limit of detection, sensitivity and specificity. Real fish samples (n=193) from aquaculture were analyzed and 15% were positive for enrofloxacin (quinolone), one of them at a higher concentration than the level of interest (50µgkg -1 ), suggesting possible contamination or illegal use of that antibiotic. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ionization state and structure of l-1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol monolayers at the liquid/air interface.

PubMed

Maltseva, Elena; Shapovalov, Vladimir L; Möhwald, Helmuth; Brezesinski, Gerald

2006-01-19

Phosphatidylglycerols are components of biological membranes. The phase behavior of these phospholipids was extensively investigated. However, there is still no definite picture about the dependence of the ionization state and monolayer structure on subphase composition. The major problem of previous investigations is that none of the methods used allow obtaining the ionization degree directly. In the present work we apply techniques developed in the past decades for Langmuir monolayers: infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) as well as X-ray diffraction and reflectivity techniques, which provide straightforward information about structure and ionization state of a L-1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) monolayer. The Gouy-Chapman model is applied to evaluate the intrinsic pKa. Therewith, the ionization degree can be determined even at low pH values. The experimental titration curves are in good agreement with theoretical curves based on the Gouy-Chapman model. The obtained instrinic pKa amounts to 1. The ionization degree of a DPPG monolayer is independent of the monovalent cation size. In contrast, the structure of a DPPG monolayer is strongly affected by the type of divalent cations.

Remote mass spectrometric sampling of electrospray- and desorption electrospray-generated ions using an air ejector.

PubMed

Dixon, R Brent; Bereman, Michael S; Muddiman, David C; Hawkridge, Adam M

2007-10-01

A commercial air ejector was coupled to an electrospray ionization linear ion trap mass spectrometer (LTQ) to transport remotely generated ions from both electrospray (ESI) and desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) sources. We demonstrate the remote analysis of a series of analyte ions that range from small molecules and polymers to polypeptides using the AE-LTQ interface. The details of the ESI-AE-LTQ and DESI-AE-LTQ experimental configurations are described and preliminary mass spectrometric data are presented.

Remote Mass Spectrometric Sampling of Electrospray- and Desorption Electrospray-Generated Ions Using an Air Ejector

PubMed Central

Dixon, R. Brent; Bereman, Michael S.; Muddiman, David C.; Hawkridge, Adam M.

2007-01-01

A commercial air ejector was coupled to an electrospray ionization linear ion trap mass spectrometer (LTQ) to transport remotely generated ions from both electrospray (ESI) and desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) sources. We demonstrate the remote analysis of a series of analyte ions that range from small molecules and polymers to polypeptides using the AE-LTQ interface. The details of the ESI-AE-LTQ and DESI-AE-LTQ experimental configurations are described and preliminary mass spectrometric data is presented. PMID:17716909

Energy level alignment at the interfaces between typical electrodes and nucleobases: Al/adenine/indium-tin-oxide and Al/thymine/indium-tin-oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Younjoo; Lee, Hyunbok; Park, Soohyung; Yi, Yeonjin

2012-12-01

We investigated the interfacial electronic structures of Al/adenine/indium-tin-oxide (ITO) and Al/thymine/ITO using in situ ultraviolet and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Adenine shows both an interface dipole and level bending, whereas thymine shows only an interface dipole in contact with ITO. In addition, thymine possesses a larger ionization energy than adenine. These are understood with delocalized π states confirmed with theoretical calculations. For the interface between nucleobases and Al, both nucleobases show a prominent reduction of the electron injection barrier from Al to each base in accordance with a downward level shift.

Capillary zone electrophoresis-mass spectrometer interface

DOEpatents

D`Silva, A.

1996-08-06

A device for providing equal electrical potential between two loci unconnected by solid or liquid electrical conductors is provided. The device comprises a first electrical conducting terminal, a second electrical conducting terminal connected to the first terminal by a rigid dielectric structure, and an electrically conducting gas contacting the first and second terminals. This device is particularly suitable for application in the electrospray ionization interface between a capillary zone electrophoresis apparatus and a mass spectrometer. 1 fig.

Capillary zone electrophoresis-mass spectrometer interface

DOEpatents

D'Silva, Arthur

1996-08-06

A device for providing equal electrical potential between two loci unconnected by solid or liquid electrical conducts is provided. The device comprises a first electrical conducting terminal, a second electrical conducting terminal connected to the first terminal by a rigid dielectric structure, and an electrically conducting gas contacting the first and second terminals. This device is particularly suitable for application in the electrospray ionization interface between a capillary zone electrophoresis apparatus and a mass spectrometer.

Modeling Line Emission from Structures Seen at High Resolution in the Nebulae m1 and M16

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sankrit, Ravi

1998-12-01

Narrow band images of the Crab Nebula supernova remnant and of the Eagle Nebula H II region taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) show the ionization structure of the emitting gas in unprecedented detail because of the high spatial resolution. The physics of the emission processes-shock excited emission and photoionized emission-is well understood. Sophisticated numerical codes are used to model the ionization structure and emission observed in these images. It is found that the thin skin of material around the Crab synchrotron nebula visible in (O III) λ5007 emission is best explained as the cooling region behind a shock driven by the synchrotron nebula into a surrounding remnant of freely expanding ejecta. Shock models, with parameters derived from independently known properties of the Crab, explain the observed spectrum of the skin while photoionization models fail to explain the observed strength of high ionization lines such as C IV λ1549. This result is clear evidence that the synchrotron nebula is interacting with an extended remnant of ejecta, which in turn has significant implications for the structure and evolution of the Crab. At HST resolution, it is seen that low ionization emission, from lines such as (O I) λ6300, is concentrated in sharp structures while high ionization emission (from (O III) λ5007) is much more diffuse. Individual filaments are found to lie along a sequence of ionization structure ranging from features in which all lines are concentrated in the same compact volume through features with low ionization cores surrounded by high ionization envelopes. Photoionization models of cylindrically symmetrical filaments with varying 'core-halo' density profiles can match the observed variation in the filament structure in the Crab. A photoionization model of a uniform low density medium matches the extended diffuse component which dominates the high ionization emission. It is found that detailed knowledge of the filament structures present in an aperture is needed to correctly interpret ground-based spectra of the Crab. The images also show that many filament cores coincide with dust extinction features, which suggest that the dust to gas mass ratio may be up to an order of magnitude higher than is typical in the interstellar medium. Nebula show the interface between the ionized gas and the molecular cloud in tangency against the background of the ionized cavity which constitutes the H II region. A photoionization model using a density profile for the photoevaporative flow that is expected at such an interface is successful at explaining the observed emission profiles of Hα λ6563, (S II) λλ6716,6731, and (O III) λ5007. The ionizing flux is well constrained by the Hα emission and the sulphur abundance is constrained by the peak of the (S II) emission. A grid of models using the same density profiles shows how various emission properties depend on the ionizing continuum shape, ionizing flux and elemental abundances.

Kinetics of swelling of polyelectrolyte gels: Fixed degree of ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sen, Swati; Kundagrami, Arindam

2015-12-01

The swelling kinetics of uncharged and charged polymer (polyelectrolyte) gels in salt-free conditions is studied in one dimension by solving the constitutive equation of motion (Newton's law for the elementary gel volume) of the displacement variable by two theoretical methods: one in which the classical definition of stress is used with the bulk modulus taken as a parameter, and the other in which a phenomenological expression of the osmotic stress as a function of polymer density and degree of ionization is taken as an input to the dynamics. The time-evolution profiles for spatially varying polymer density and stress, along with the location of the gel-solvent interface, are obtained from the two methods. We show that both the polymer density (volume fraction) and stress inside the gel follow expected behaviours of being maximum for the uniformly shrunken gel, and relaxing slowly to the lowest values as the gel approaches equilibrium. We further show that, by comparing the temporal profiles of the gel-solvent interface and other variables between the two methods, one may attempt to assign an effective bulk modulus to the polyelectrolyte gel as a function of the degree of ionization and other parameters of the gel such as hydrophobicity, cross-link density, and the temperature. The major result we get is that the effective bulk modulus of a polyelectrolyte gel increases monotonically with its degree of ionization. In the process of identifying the parameters for a monotonic swelling, we calculated using a well-known expression of the free energy the equilibrium results of two-phase co-existence and the critical point of a polyelectrolyte gel with a fixed degree of ionization.

Kinetics of swelling of polyelectrolyte gels: Fixed degree of ionization.

PubMed

Sen, Swati; Kundagrami, Arindam

2015-12-14

The swelling kinetics of uncharged and charged polymer (polyelectrolyte) gels in salt-free conditions is studied in one dimension by solving the constitutive equation of motion (Newton's law for the elementary gel volume) of the displacement variable by two theoretical methods: one in which the classical definition of stress is used with the bulk modulus taken as a parameter, and the other in which a phenomenological expression of the osmotic stress as a function of polymer density and degree of ionization is taken as an input to the dynamics. The time-evolution profiles for spatially varying polymer density and stress, along with the location of the gel-solvent interface, are obtained from the two methods. We show that both the polymer density (volume fraction) and stress inside the gel follow expected behaviours of being maximum for the uniformly shrunken gel, and relaxing slowly to the lowest values as the gel approaches equilibrium. We further show that, by comparing the temporal profiles of the gel-solvent interface and other variables between the two methods, one may attempt to assign an effective bulk modulus to the polyelectrolyte gel as a function of the degree of ionization and other parameters of the gel such as hydrophobicity, cross-link density, and the temperature. The major result we get is that the effective bulk modulus of a polyelectrolyte gel increases monotonically with its degree of ionization. In the process of identifying the parameters for a monotonic swelling, we calculated using a well-known expression of the free energy the equilibrium results of two-phase co-existence and the critical point of a polyelectrolyte gel with a fixed degree of ionization.

Sub-mm CO Measurements of the Orion Molecular Cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, T. L.; Muders, D.; Kramer, C.; Henkel, C.

2000-05-01

Images of a >3' region around the Orion KL source have been made in the J=4-3 (461 GHz) and J=7-6 (806 GHz) lines of CO with angular resolutions of 18'' and 13'', using the 10-meter Heinrich Hertz Telescope (HHT) of the Sub-Millimeter Telescope Observatory (SMTO). This region contains a variety of objects: (1) the Hot Core (a region containing complex molecules) and Orion KL outflow (NE of the center of the 10'' diameter Hot Core, and very likely associated with the continuum source `I' (Menten & Reid 1995 ApJ 445, L157)), (2) another outflow source, Orion-S ( ~100'' south of the Hot Core (Rodriguez-Franco et al. 1999 A&A 344, L57)), (3) the ionized-neutral interface at the rear of the Orion HII region, and (4) the Orion Bar feature (an ionized-neutral interface to the SW of the HII region). Regions (3) and (4) are examples of `Photon Dominated Regions' or `PDR's'. The sub-mm CO lines are emitted from warm gas; the J=7-6 line is emitted from an energy level 156 Kelvin above the ground state. The excellent pointing and low sidelobes of the HHT allow accurate comparisons with high r! esolution CO images in lower J lines and images of other species. Our J=7-6 CO image was made with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Hot Electron Bolometer (Kawamura et al. 1999 IEEE Trans. on Appl. Superconductivity 9, 3753. The HHT is operated by the Submillimeter Telescope Observatory on behalf of the Max-Planck-Institut f. Radioastronomie and Steward Observatory of The University of Arizona. We thank the CfA receiver group for providing the Hot Electron Bolometer used to take the J=7-6 CO line data.

Coupling state-of-the-art supercritical fluid chromatography and mass spectrometry: from hyphenation interface optimization to high-sensitivity analysis of pharmaceutical compounds.

PubMed

Grand-Guillaume Perrenoud, Alexandre; Veuthey, Jean-Luc; Guillarme, Davy

2014-04-25

The recent market release of a new generation of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) instruments compatible with state-of-the-art columns packed with sub-2μm particles (UHPSFC) has contributed to the reemergence of interest in this technology at the analytical scale. However, to ensure performance competitiveness of this technique with modern analytical standards, a robust hyphenation of UHPSFC to mass spectrometry (MS) is mandatory. UHPSFC-MS hyphenation interface should be able to manage the compressibility of the SFC mobile phase and to preserve as much as possible the chromatographic separation integrity. Although several interfaces can be envisioned, each will have noticeable effects on chromatographic fidelity, flexibility and user-friendliness. In the present study, various interface configurations were evaluated in terms of their impact on chromatographic efficiency and MS detection sensitivity. An interface including a splitter and a make-up solvent inlet was found to be the best compromise and exhibited good detection sensitivity while maintaining more than 75% of the chromatographic efficiency. This interface was also the most versatile in terms of applicable analytical conditions. In addition, an accurate model of the fluidics behavior of this interface was created for a better understanding of the influence of chromatographic settings on its mode of operation. In the second part, the most influential experimental factors affecting MS detection sensitivity were identified and optimized using a design-of-experiment approach. The application of low capillary voltage and high desolvation temperature and drying gas flow rate were required for optimal ESI ionization and nebulization processes. The detection sensitivity achieved using the maximized UHPSFC-ESI-MS/MS conditions for a mixture of basic pharmaceutical compounds showed 4- to 10-fold improvements in peak intensity compared to the best performance achieved by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS with the same MS detector. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ion implantation reduces radiation sensitivity of metal oxide silicon /MOS/ devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

Implanting nitrogen ions improves hardening of silicon oxides 30 percent to 60 percent against ionizing radiation effects. Process reduces sensitivity, but retains stability normally shown by interfaces between silicon and thermally grown oxides.

Excitation and decay of aluminum bulk plasmons at the aluminum/copper phthalocyanine interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Filippo, Gianluca; Sbroscia, Marco; Stefani, Giovanni; Bartynski, Robert A.; Ruocco, Alessandro

2018-06-01

We present the results of an experiment aimed at studying the archetypal properties of the aluminum bulk plasmon at an organic/metal interface. Electron-electron coincidence spectroscopy is used to determine the contribution of aluminum bulk plasmon decay to the ionization of a thin copper phthalocyanine film. The latter directly depends on the amplitude of the bulk plasmon electric field (generated in the metal substrate) protruding inside the molecular overlayer. The emission of low-energy electrons from the clean substrate is dominated by plasmon-assisted ionization events. These events are not observed when the molecules are adsorbed onto the surface. Our findings suggest that, for the considered system, the bulk plasmon wave is confined within the medium in which it is generated and the interaction of the plasmon field with electrons located in the molecular overlayer does not lead to the emission of low-energy electrons.

Light-induced hysteresis and recovery behaviors in photochemically activated solution-processed metal-oxide thin-film transistors

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

Jo, Jeong-Wan; Park, Sung Kyu, E-mail: yhkim76@skku.edu, E-mail: skpark@cau.ac.kr; Kim, Yong-Hoon, E-mail: yhkim76@skku.edu, E-mail: skpark@cau.ac.kr

2014-07-28

In this report, photo-induced hysteresis, threshold voltage (V{sub T}) shift, and recovery behaviors in photochemically activated solution-processed indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) are investigated. It was observed that a white light illumination caused negative V{sub T} shift along with creation of clockwise hysteresis in electrical characteristics which can be attributed to photo-generated doubly ionized oxygen vacancies at the semiconductor/gate dielectric interface. More importantly, the photochemically activated IGZO TFTs showed much reduced overall V{sub T} shift compared to thermally annealed TFTs. Reduced number of donor-like interface states creation under light illumination and more facile neutralization of ionized oxygen vacancies bymore » electron capture under positive gate potential are claimed to be the origin of the less V{sub T} shift in photochemically activated TFTs.« less

Alkali metal ionization detector

DOEpatents

Bauerle, James E.; Reed, William H.; Berkey, Edgar

1978-01-01

Variations in the conventional filament and collector electrodes of an alkali metal ionization detector, including the substitution of helical electrode configurations for either the conventional wire filament or flat plate collector; or, the substitution of a plurality of discrete filament electrodes providing an in situ capability for transferring from an operationally defective filament electrode to a previously unused filament electrode without removing the alkali metal ionization detector from the monitored environment. In particular, the helical collector arrangement which is coaxially disposed about the filament electrode, i.e. the thermal ionizer, provides an improved collection of positive ions developed by the filament electrode. The helical filament design, on the other hand, provides the advantage of an increased surface area for ionization of alkali metal-bearing species in a monitored gas environment as well as providing a relatively strong electric field for collecting the ions at the collector electrode about which the helical filament electrode is coaxially positioned. Alternatively, both the filament and collector electrodes can be helical. Furthermore, the operation of the conventional alkali metal ionization detector as a leak detector can be simplified as to cost and complexity, by operating the detector at a reduced collector potential while maintaining the sensitivity of the alkali metal ionization detector adequate for the relatively low concentration of alkali vapor and aerosol typically encountered in leak detection applications.

Kinetics and Chemistry of Ionization Wave Discharges Propagating Over Dielectric Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrishchev, Vitaly

Experimental studies of near-surface ionization wave electric discharges generated by high peak voltage (20-30 kV), nanosecond duration pulses (full width at half-maximum 50-100 ns) of positive and negative polarity and propagating over dielectric surfaces have been performed. A novel way to sustain diffuse, reproducible, ns pulse surface plasmas at a liquid-vapor interface is demonstrated at buffer gas pressures ranging from 10 to 200 Torr. Generation of surface ionization waves well reproduced shot-to-shot and sustaining diffuse near-surface plasmas is one of the principal advantages of the use of ns pulse discharge waveforms. This makes possible characterization of these plasmas in repetitively pulsed experiments. Numerous applications of these plasmas include low-temperature plasma assisted combustion, plasma fuel reforming, plasma flow control, plasma materials processing, agriculture, biology, and medicine. The objectives of the present work are (i) to demonstrate that surface ionization wave discharge plasmas sustained at a liquid-vapor interface can be used as an experimental platform for studies of near-surface plasma chemical reaction kinetics, at the conditions when the interface acts as a high-yield source of radical species, and (ii) to obtain quantitative insight into dynamics, kinetics and chemistry of surface ionization wave discharges and provide experimental data for validation of kinetic models, to assess their predictive capability. Generation of the initial radical pool may trigger a number of plasma chemical processes leading to formation of a variety of stable product species, depending on the initial composition of the liquid and the buffer gas flow. One of the products formed and detected during surface plasma / liquid water interaction is hydroxyl radical, which is closely relevant to applications of plasmas for biology and medicine. The present work includes detailed studies of surface ionization wave discharges sustained in different buffer gases over solid and liquid dielectric surfaces, such as quartz, distilled water, saline solution, and alcohols, over a wide range of pressures. Specific experiments include: measurements of ionization wave speed; plasma emission imaging using a ns gate camera; detection of surface discharge plasma chemistry products using Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy; surface charge dynamics on short (ns) and long (hundreds of mus) time scales; time-resolved electron density and electron temperature measurements in a ns pulse surface discharge in helium by Thomson scattering; spatially-resolved absolute OH and H atom concentration measurements in ns pulse discharges over distilled water by single-photon and two-photon Laser Induced Fluorescence; and schlieren imaging of perturbations generated by a ns pulse dielectric barrier discharge in a surface plasma actuator in quiescent atmospheric pressure air.

Atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source

DOEpatents

McLuckey, S.A.; Glish, G.L.

1989-07-18

An atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source that can be used in combination with an analytical instrument which operates at high vacuum, such as a mass spectrometer. The atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source comprises a chamber with at least one pair of electrodes disposed therein, an inlet for a gaseous sample to be analyzed and an outlet communicating with an analyzer which operates at subatmospheric pressure. The ionization chamber is maintained at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, and a voltage difference is applied across the electrodes to induce a glow discharge between the electrodes, so that molecules passing through the inlet are ionized by the glow discharge and directed into the analyzer. The ionization source accepts the sample under atmospheric pressure conditions and processes it directly into the high vacuum instrument, bridging the pressure gap and drawing off unwanted atmospheric gases. The invention also includes a method for analyzing a gaseous sample using the glow discharge ionization source described above. 3 figs.

A Radical-Mediated Pathway for the Formation of [M + H](+) in Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization.

PubMed

Wolf, Jan-Christoph; Gyr, Luzia; Mirabelli, Mario F; Schaer, Martin; Siegenthaler, Peter; Zenobi, Renato

2016-09-01

Active capillary plasma ionization is a highly efficient ambient ionization method. Its general principle of ion formation is closely related to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). The method is based on dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI), and can be constructed in the form of a direct flow-through interface to a mass spectrometer. Protonated species ([M + H](+)) are predominantly formed, although in some cases radical cations are also observed. We investigated the underlying ionization mechanisms and reaction pathways for the formation of protonated analyte ([M + H](+)). We found that ionization occurs in the presence and in the absence of water vapor. Therefore, the mechanism cannot exclusively rely on hydronium clusters, as generally accepted for APCI. Based on isotope labeling experiments, protons were shown to originate from various solvents (other than water) and, to a minor extent, from gaseous impurities and/or self-protonation. By using CO2 instead of air or N2 as plasma gas, additional species like [M + OH](+) and [M - H](+) were observed. These gas-phase reaction products of CO2 with the analyte (tertiary amines) indicate the presence of a radical-mediated ionization pathway, which proceeds by direct reaction of the ionized plasma gas with the analyte. The proposed reaction pathway is supported with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These findings add a new ionization pathway leading to the protonated species to those currently known for APCI. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

A combinatorial histidine scanning library approach to engineer highly pH-dependent protein switches

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

Murtaugh, Megan L.; Fanning, Sean W.; Sharma, Tressa M.

2012-09-05

There is growing interest in the development of protein switches, which are proteins whose function, such as binding a target molecule, can be modulated through environmental triggers. Efforts to engineer highly pH sensitive protein-protein interactions typically rely on the rational introduction of ionizable groups in the protein interface. Such experiments are typically time intensive and often sacrifice the protein's affinity at the permissive pH. The underlying thermodynamics of proton-linkage dictate that the presence of multiple ionizable groups, which undergo a pK{sub a} change on protein binding, are necessary to result in highly pH-dependent binding. To test this hypothesis, a novelmore » combinatorial histidine library was developed where every possible combination of histidine and wild-type residue is sampled throughout the interface of a model anti-RNase A single domain VHH antibody. Antibodies were coselected for high-affinity binding and pH-sensitivity using an in vitro, dual-function selection strategy. The resulting antibodies retained near wild-type affinity yet became highly sensitive to small decreases in pH, drastically decreasing their binding affinity, due to the incorporation of multiple histidine groups. Several trends were observed, such as histidine 'hot-spots,' which will help enhance the development of pH switch proteins as well as increase our understanding of the role of ionizable residues in protein interfaces. Overall, the combinatorial approach is rapid, general, and robust and should be capable of producing highly pH-sensitive protein affinity reagents for a number of different applications.« less

Building blocks for the development of an interface for high-throughput thin layer chromatography/ambient mass spectrometric analysis: a green methodology.

PubMed

Cheng, Sy-Chyi; Huang, Min-Zong; Wu, Li-Chieh; Chou, Chih-Chiang; Cheng, Chu-Nian; Jhang, Siou-Sian; Shiea, Jentaie

2012-07-17

Interfacing thin layer chromatography (TLC) with ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) has been an important area of analytical chemistry because of its capability to rapidly separate and characterize the chemical compounds. In this study, we have developed a high-throughput TLC-AMS system using building blocks to deal, deliver, and collect the TLC plate through an electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization (ELDI) source. This is the first demonstration of the use of building blocks to construct and test the TLC-MS interfacing system. With the advantages of being readily available, cheap, reusable, and extremely easy to modify without consuming any material or reagent, the use of building blocks to develop the TLC-AMS interface is undoubtedly a green methodology. The TLC plate delivery system consists of a storage box, plate dealing component, conveyer, light sensor, and plate collecting box. During a TLC-AMS analysis, the TLC plate was sent to the conveyer from a stack of TLC plates placed in the storage box. As the TLC plate passed through the ELDI source, the chemical compounds separated on the plate would be desorbed by laser desorption and subsequently postionized by electrospray ionization. The samples, including a mixture of synthetic dyes and extracts of pharmaceutical drugs, were analyzed to demonstrate the capability of this TLC-ELDI/MS system for high-throughput analysis.

Quantum chemistry in arbitrary dielectric environments: Theory and implementation of nonequilibrium Poisson boundary conditions and application to compute vertical ionization energies at the air/water interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coons, Marc P.; Herbert, John M.

2018-06-01

Widely used continuum solvation models for electronic structure calculations, including popular polarizable continuum models (PCMs), usually assume that the continuum environment is isotropic and characterized by a scalar dielectric constant, ɛ. This assumption is invalid at a liquid/vapor interface or any other anisotropic solvation environment. To address such scenarios, we introduce a more general formalism based on solution of Poisson's equation for a spatially varying dielectric function, ɛ(r). Inspired by nonequilibrium versions of PCMs, we develop a similar formalism within the context of Poisson's equation that includes the out-of-equilibrium dielectric response that accompanies a sudden change in the electron density of the solute, such as that which occurs in a vertical ionization process. A multigrid solver for Poisson's equation is developed to accommodate the large spatial grids necessary to discretize the three-dimensional electron density. We apply this methodology to compute vertical ionization energies (VIEs) of various solutes at the air/water interface and compare them to VIEs computed in bulk water, finding only very small differences between the two environments. VIEs computed using approximately two solvation shells of explicit water molecules are in excellent agreement with experiment for F-(aq), Cl-(aq), neat liquid water, and the hydrated electron, although errors for Li+(aq) and Na+(aq) are somewhat larger. Nonequilibrium corrections modify VIEs by up to 1.2 eV, relative to models based only on the static dielectric constant, and are therefore essential to obtain agreement with experiment. Given that the experiments (liquid microjet photoelectron spectroscopy) may be more sensitive to solutes situated at the air/water interface as compared to those in bulk water, our calculations provide some confidence that these experiments can indeed be interpreted as measurements of VIEs in bulk water.

Quantum chemistry in arbitrary dielectric environments: Theory and implementation of nonequilibrium Poisson boundary conditions and application to compute vertical ionization energies at the air/water interface.

PubMed

Coons, Marc P; Herbert, John M

2018-06-14

Widely used continuum solvation models for electronic structure calculations, including popular polarizable continuum models (PCMs), usually assume that the continuum environment is isotropic and characterized by a scalar dielectric constant, ε. This assumption is invalid at a liquid/vapor interface or any other anisotropic solvation environment. To address such scenarios, we introduce a more general formalism based on solution of Poisson's equation for a spatially varying dielectric function, ε(r). Inspired by nonequilibrium versions of PCMs, we develop a similar formalism within the context of Poisson's equation that includes the out-of-equilibrium dielectric response that accompanies a sudden change in the electron density of the solute, such as that which occurs in a vertical ionization process. A multigrid solver for Poisson's equation is developed to accommodate the large spatial grids necessary to discretize the three-dimensional electron density. We apply this methodology to compute vertical ionization energies (VIEs) of various solutes at the air/water interface and compare them to VIEs computed in bulk water, finding only very small differences between the two environments. VIEs computed using approximately two solvation shells of explicit water molecules are in excellent agreement with experiment for F - (aq), Cl - (aq), neat liquid water, and the hydrated electron, although errors for Li + (aq) and Na + (aq) are somewhat larger. Nonequilibrium corrections modify VIEs by up to 1.2 eV, relative to models based only on the static dielectric constant, and are therefore essential to obtain agreement with experiment. Given that the experiments (liquid microjet photoelectron spectroscopy) may be more sensitive to solutes situated at the air/water interface as compared to those in bulk water, our calculations provide some confidence that these experiments can indeed be interpreted as measurements of VIEs in bulk water.

Choosing between atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray ionization interfaces for the HPLC/MS analysis of pesticides

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thurman, E.M.; Ferrer, I.; Barcelo, D.

2001-01-01

An evaluation of over 75 pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) clearly shows that different classes of pesticides are more sensitive using either atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or electrospray ionization (ESI). For example, neutral and basic pesticides (phenylureas, triazines) are more sensitive using APCI (especially positive ion). While cationic and anionic herbicides (bipyridylium ions, sulfonic acids) are more sensitive using ESI (especially negative ion). These data are expressed graphically in a figure called an ionization-continuum diagram, which shows that protonation in the gas phase (proton affinity) and polarity in solution, expressed as proton addition or subtraction (pKa), is useful in selecting APCI or ESI. Furthermore, sodium adduct formation commonly occurs using positive ion ESI but not using positive ion APCI, which reflects the different mechanisms of ionization and strengthens the usefulness of the ionization-continuum diagram. The data also show that the concept of "wrong-way around" ESI (the sensitivity of acidic pesticides in an acidic mobile phase) is a useful modification of simple pKa theory for mobile-phase selection. Finally, this finding is used to enhance the chromatographic separation of oxanilic and sulfonic acid herbicides while maintaining good sensitivity in LC/MS using ESI negative.

A Web 2.0 Interface to Ion Stopping Power and Other Physics Routines for High Energy Density Physics Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoltz, Peter; Veitzer, Seth

2008-04-01

We present a new Web 2.0-based interface to physics routines for High Energy Density Physics applications. These routines include models for ion stopping power, sputtering, secondary electron yields and energies, impact ionization cross sections, and atomic radiated power. The Web 2.0 interface allows users to easily explore the results of the models before using the routines within other codes or to analyze experimental results. We discuss how we used various Web 2.0 tools, including the Python 2.5, Django, and the Yahoo User Interface library. Finally, we demonstrate the interface by showing as an example the stopping power algorithms researchers are currently using within the Hydra code to analyze warm, dense matter experiments underway at the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment facility at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

An operator interface design for a telerobotic inspection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Won S.; Tso, Kam S.; Hayati, Samad

1993-01-01

The operator interface has recently emerged as an important element for efficient and safe interactions between human operators and telerobotics. Advances in graphical user interface and graphics technologies enable us to produce very efficient operator interface designs. This paper describes an efficient graphical operator interface design newly developed for remote surface inspection at NASA-JPL. The interface, designed so that remote surface inspection can be performed by a single operator with an integrated robot control and image inspection capability, supports three inspection strategies of teleoperated human visual inspection, human visual inspection with automated scanning, and machine-vision-based automated inspection.

Modeling pH-Responsive Adsorption of Polyelectrolytes at Oil-Water Interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Shiyi; Yong, Xin

We use dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) to discover the interfacial adsorption of pH-responsive polyelectrolytes in oil-water binary systems under different pH values. The electrostatic interactions between charged beads and the dielectric discontinuity across the interface are modeled by exploiting a modified Particle-Particle-Particle-Mesh (PPPM) method, which uses an iterative method to solve the Poisson equation on a uniform grid. We first model the adsorption behavior of a single linear polyelectrolyte from the aqueous phase. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation describes the relation between pH and the degree of ionization of the modeled polyelectrolytes. Through changing the degree of ionization, we explore the influence of pH on the adsorption behavior and show that the electrostatic interactions significantly modulate the adsorption. Time evolutions of the position and conformation of the polyelectrolytes and the variation in the oil-water surface tension will be measured to characterize the adsorption behavior. Furthermore, we model the pH-dependent adsorption behavior of polyelectrolytes with more complicated structures, namely, branched polyelectrolytes with hydrophobic backbones and hydrophilic side chains. We also find that the addition of salts in the medium and the lengths of the backbone and ionized side chain affect the adsorption. This research supported by the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (Award 56884-DNI9).

Simplified Numerical Description of SPT Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manzella, David H.

1995-01-01

A simplified numerical model of the plasma discharge within the SPT-100 stationary plasma thruster was developed to aid in understanding thruster operation. A one dimensional description was used. Non-axial velocities were neglected except for the azimuthal electron velocity. A nominal operating condition of 4.5 mg/s of xenon anode flow was considered with 4.5 Amperes of discharge current, and a peak radial magnetic field strength of 130 Gauss. For these conditions, the calculated results indicated ionization fractions of 0.99 near the thruster exit with a potential drop across the discharge of approximately 250 Volts. Peak calculated electron temperatures were found to be sensitive to the choice of total ionization cross section for ionization of atomic xenon by electron bombardment and ranged from 51 eV to 60 eV. The calculated ionization fraction, potential drop, and electron number density agree favorably with previous experiments. Calculated electron temperatures are higher than previously measured.

Ionizing radiation measurements using low cost instruments for teaching in college or high-school in Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, M. C.; Vilela, D. C.; Migoto, V. G.; Gomes, M. P.; Martin, I. M.; Germano, J. S. E.

2017-11-01

Ionizing radiation one of modern physics experimental teaching in colleges and high school can be easily implemented today due to low coasts of detectors and also electronic circuits and data acquisition interfaces. First it is interesting to show to young’s students what is ionizing radiation and from where they appears near ground level? How it is possible to measure these radiations and how to check intensities variation during day, night, dry and wet periods in the same school? For increasing interest and stimulation in others students how to proceed in making the graphics of the ionizing radiation and presenting him in real time using Web internet facilities? Many others facilities like calibration of the detector using low intensities radioactive ionizing radiation sources, make comparison of the measurements and discussions of the results should be possible between many groups of students from several schools in the region of Brazil. This paper presents the experimental procedures including detectors and associated electronic including data acquisition, graphics elaboration and Web internet procedures to discuss and exchanging data measurements from several schools.

The Focinator v2-0 - Graphical Interface, Four Channels, Colocalization Analysis and Cell Phase Identification.

PubMed

Oeck, Sebastian; Malewicz, Nathalie M; Hurst, Sebastian; Al-Refae, Klaudia; Krysztofiak, Adam; Jendrossek, Verena

2017-07-01

The quantitative analysis of foci plays an important role in various cell biological methods. In the fields of radiation biology and experimental oncology, the effect of ionizing radiation, chemotherapy or molecularly targeted drugs on DNA damage induction and repair is frequently performed by the analysis of protein clusters or phosphorylated proteins recruited to so called repair foci at DNA damage sites, involving for example γ-H2A.X, 53BP1 or RAD51. We recently developed "The Focinator" as a reliable and fast tool for automated quantitative and qualitative analysis of nuclei and DNA damage foci. The refined software is now even more user-friendly due to a graphical interface and further features. Thus, we included an R-script-based mode for automated image opening, file naming, progress monitoring and an error report. Consequently, the evaluation no longer required the attendance of the operator after initial parameter definition. Moreover, the Focinator v2-0 is now able to perform multi-channel analysis of four channels and evaluation of protein-protein colocalization by comparison of up to three foci channels. This enables for example the quantification of foci in cells of a specific cell cycle phase.

Clinical Application of Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Li, Li-Hua; Hsieh, Hua-Yi; Hsu, Cheng-Chih

2017-01-01

Ambient ionization allows mass spectrometry analysis directly on the sample surface under atmospheric pressure with almost zero sample pretreatment. Since the development of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) in 2004, many other ambient ionization techniques were developed. Due to their simplicity and low operation cost, rapid and on-site clinical mass spectrometry analysis becomes real. In this review, we will highlight some of the most widely used ambient ionization mass spectrometry approaches and their applications in clinical study. PMID:28337399

Design and Performance of a High-Flux Electrospray Ionization Source for Ion Soft-Landing

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

Gunaratne, Kalupathirannehelage Don D.; Prabhakaran, Venkateshkumar; Ibrahim, Yehia M.

2015-01-01

We report the design and evaluation of a new high-intensity electrospray ionization source for ion soft-landing experiments. The source incorporates a dual ion funnel, which enables operation with a higher gas load through an expanded heated inlet into the additional first region of differential pumping. This capability allowed us to examine the effect of the inner diameter (ID) of the heated stainless steel inlet on the total ion current transmitted through the dual funnel interface and, more importantly, the mass-selected ion current delivered to the deposition target. The ion transmission of the dual funnel is similar to the transmission ofmore » the single funnel used in our previous soft landing studies. However, substantially higher ion currents were obtained using larger ID heated inlets and an orthogonal inlet geometry, in which the heated inlet is positioned perpendicular to the direction of ion propagation through the instrument. The highest ion currents were obtained using the orthogonal geometry and a 1.4 mm ID heated inlet. The corresponding stable deposition rate of ~1 μg of mass-selected ions per day will facilitate future studies focused on the controlled deposition of biological molecules on substrates and preparation of materials for studies in catalysis, energy storage, and self-assembly« less

Copper cladding on polymer surfaces by ionization-assisted deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohno, Tomoki; Tanaka, Kuniaki; Usui, Hiroaki

2018-03-01

Copper thin films were prepared on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polyimide (PI) substrates by an ionization-assisted vapor deposition method. The films had a polycrystalline structure, and their crystallite size decreased with increasing ion acceleration voltage V a. Ion acceleration was effective in reducing the surface roughness of the films. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed that the copper/polymer interface showed increased corrugation with increasing V a. The increase in V a also induced the chemical modification of polymer chains of the PET substrate, but the PI substrate underwent smaller modification after ion bombardment. Most importantly, the adhesion strength between the copper film and the PET substrate increased with increasing V a. It was concluded that ionization-assisted deposition is a promising technique for preparing metal clad layers on flexible polymer substrates.

Surface charge dynamics and OH and H number density distributions in near-surface nanosecond pulse discharges at a liquid / vapor interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winters, Caroline; Petrishchev, Vitaly; Yin, Zhiyao; Lempert, Walter R.; Adamovich, Igor V.

2015-10-01

The present work provides insight into surface charge dynamics and kinetics of radical species reactions in nanosecond pulse discharges sustained at a liquid-vapor interface, above a distilled water surface. The near-surface plasma is sustained using two different discharge configurations, a surface ionization wave discharge between two exposed metal electrodes and a double dielectric barrier discharge. At low discharge pulse repetition rates (~100 Hz), residual surface charge deposition after the discharge pulse is a minor effect. At high pulse repetition rates (~10 kHz), significant negative surface charge accumulation over multiple discharge pulses is detected, both during alternating polarity and negative polarity pulse trains. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and two-photon absorption LIF (TALIF) line imaging are used for in situ measurements of spatial distributions of absolute OH and H atom number densities in near-surface, repetitive nanosecond pulse discharge plasmas. Both in a surface ionization wave discharge and in a double dielectric barrier discharge, peak measured H atom number density, [H] is much higher compared to peak OH number density, due to more rapid OH decay in the afterglow between the discharge pulses. Higher OH number density was measured near the regions with higher plasma emission intensity. Both OH and especially H atoms diffuse out of the surface ionization wave plasma volume, up to several mm from the liquid surface. Kinetic modeling calculations using a quasi-zero-dimensional H2O vapor / Ar plasma model are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data. The results demonstrate the experimental capability of in situ radical species number density distribution measurements in liquid-vapor interface plasmas, in a simple canonical geometry that lends itself to the validation of kinetic models.

First exploration of a single thermal interface between the two dominant phases of the interstellar medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gry, Cecile

2017-08-01

Two phases of the interstellar medium, the Warm Neutral Medium (WNM) and the Hot Ionized Medium (HIM) occupy most the volume of space in the plane of our Galaxy. Because the boundaries between these phases are important sources of energy loss for the hot gas, they are supposed to play an important role in the thermal structure and evolution of the ISM and of galaxies.Many theorists have created descriptions of the nature of such boundaries and have derived two fundamental concepts: (1) a conductive interface and (2) a turbulent mixing layer.We have yet to observe in detail either kind of boundary. This is achieved by using UV absorption lines of moderately high ionization stages of heavy elements. Yet, over most lines of sight the diagnostics are blurred out by the superposition of different regions with vastly different physical conditions, making them difficult to interpret. To characterize the nature of the physical processes at a boundary one must observe along a sight line that penetrates just one such region. The simplest configuration is the outer boundary of the Local Cloud, the WNM ((T 7000 K) that surrounds the Sun and which is embedded in a very low density, soft X-ray emitting hot medium ( 10^6 K) that fills a cavity ( 200 pc in diameter) called the Local Bubble.We propose to observe an ideal target: a nearby, bright B9V star (i.e. hot enough to provide a high-SNR continuum, but not enough to contaminate it with absorptions from circumstellar high-ionization species), located in a direction where the relative orientation of the magnetic field and the cloud boundary does not quench thermal conduction and thus favors a full extent of the interface.

Investigation of some biologically relevant redox reactions using electrochemical mass spectrometry interfaced by desorption electrospray ionization.

PubMed

Lu, Mei; Wolff, Chloe; Cui, Weidong; Chen, Hao

2012-04-01

Recently we have shown that, as a versatile ionization technique, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) can serve as a useful interface to combine electrochemistry (EC) with mass spectrometry (MS). In this study, the EC/DESI-MS method has been further applied to investigate some aqueous phase redox reactions of biological significance, including the reduction of peptide disulfide bonds and nitroaromatics as well as the oxidation of phenothiazines. It was found that knotted/enclosed disulfide bonds in the peptides apamin and endothelin could be electrochemically cleaved. Subsequent tandem MS analysis of the resulting reduced peptide ions using collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-capture dissociation (ECD) gave rise to extensive fragment ions, providing a fast protocol for sequencing peptides with complicated disulfide bond linkages. Flunitrazepam and clonazepam, a class of nitroaromatic drugs, are known to undergo reduction into amines which was proposed to involve nitroso and N-hydroxyl intermediates. Now in this study, these corresponding intermediate ions were successfully intercepted and their structures were confirmed by CID. This provides mass spectrometric evidence for the mechanism of the nitro to amine conversion process during nitroreduction, an important redox reaction involved in carcinogenesis. In addition, the well-known oxidation reaction of chlorpromazine was also examined. The putative transient one-electron transfer product, the chlorpromazine radical cation (m/z 318), was captured by MS, for the first time, and its structure was also verified by CID. In addition to these observations, some features of the DESI-interfaced electrochemical mass spectrometry were discussed, such as simple instrumentation and the lack of background signal. These results further demonstrate the feasibility of EC/DESI-MS for the study of the biology-relevant redox chemistry and would find applications in proteomics and drug development research.

Interface contributions to peak broadening in CE-ESI-MS

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

Udseth, H.R.; Barinaga, C.J.; Smith, R.D.

1991-06-01

The applications of capillary electrophoresis (CE) are expanding, and a number of commercial CE instruments are now available. Combining CE with mass spectroscopy (MS), first done with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface, yields additional advantages. Other interfaces have been proposed, but CE-ESI-MS offers better sensitivity, reduced background, applicability to higher molecular weight (MW) compounds and a better interface design. Our aim has been to exploit the advantages of automated CE coupled to MS for separation of biological materials. Details of our instrument design are provided. Samples used for these studies were a mixture of myoglobin proteins (MW {approximately}17 kilodaltons) andmore » a tryptic digest of tuna cytochrome c. The results show the ESI-MS interface does not broaden bands, and ion dissociation in the mass spectrometer permits the unambiguous identification of fragments in cases where mass alone is insufficient. 2 refs., 2 figs. (MHB)« less

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

Phipps, Arran T.J.

Determining the composition of dark matter is at the forefront of modern scientific research. There is compelling evidence for the existence of vast quantities of dark matter throughout the universe, however it has so-far eluded all direct detection efforts and its identity remains a mystery. Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are a favored dark matter candidate and have been the primary focus of direct detection for several decades. The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) has developed the Z-dependent Ionization and Phonon (ZIP) detector to search for such particles. Typically made from germanium, these detectors are capable of distinguishing between electromagneticmore » background and a putative WIMP signal through the simultaneous measurement of ionization and phonons produced by scattering events. CDMS has operated several arrays of these detectors at the Soudan Underground Laboratory (Soudan, MN, USA) resulting in many competitive (often world-leading) WIMP exclusion limits. This dissertation focuses on ionization collection in these detectors under the sub-Kelvin, low electric field, and high crystal purity conditions unique to CDMS. The design and performance of a fully cryogenic HEMT-based amplifier capable of achieving the SuperCDMS SNOLAB ionization energy resolution goal of 100 eVee is presented. The experimental apparatus which has been used to record electron and hole properties under CDMS conditions is described. Measurements of charge transport, trapping, and impact ionization as a function of electric field in two CDMS detectors are shown, and the ionization collection efficiency is determined. The data is used to predict the error in the nuclear recoil energy scale under both CDMSlite and iZIP operating modes. A two species, two state model is developed to describe how ionization collection and space charge generation in CDMS detectors are controlled by the presence of “overcharged” D- donor and A+ acceptor impurity states. The thermal stability of these states is exclusive to sub-Kelvin operation, explaining why ionization collection in CDMS detectors differs from similar semiconductor detectors operating at higher temperature. This work represents a solid foundation for the understanding ionization collection in CDMS detectors.« less

A flux-limited treatment for the conductive evaporation of spherical interstellar gas clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalton, William W.; Balbus, Steven A.

1993-01-01

In this work, we present and analyze a new analytic solution for the saturated (flux-limited) thermal evaporation of a spherical cloud. This work is distinguished from earlier analytic studies by allowing the thermal conductivity to change continuously from a diffusive to a saturated form, in a manner usually employed only in numerical calculations. This closed form solution will be of interest as a computational benchmark. Using our calculated temperature profiles and mass-loss rates, we model the thermal evaporation of such a cloud under typical interstellar medium (ISM) conditions, with some restrictions. We examine the ionization structure of the cloud-ISM interface and evaluate column densities of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, and silicon ions toward the cloud. In accord with other investigations, we find that ionization equilibrium is far from satisfied under the assumed conditions. Since the inclusion of saturation effects in the heat flux narrows the thermal interface relative to its classical structure, we also find that saturation effects tend to lower predicted column densities.

Continuous Flow Atmospheric Pressure Laser Desorption/Ionization Using a 6–7-µm-Band Mid-Infrared Tunable Laser for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Hiraguchi, Ryuji; Hazama, Hisanao; Senoo, Kenichirou; Yahata, Yukinori; Masuda, Katsuyoshi; Awazu, Kunio

2014-01-01

A continuous flow atmospheric pressure laser desorption/ionization technique using a porous stainless steel probe and a 6–7-µm-band mid-infrared tunable laser was developed. This ion source is capable of direct ionization from a continuous flow with a high temporal stability. The 6–7-µm wavelength region corresponds to the characteristic absorption bands of various molecular vibration modes, including O–H, C=O, CH3 and C–N bonds. Consequently, many organic compounds and solvents, including water, have characteristic absorption peaks in this region. This ion source requires no additional matrix, and utilizes water or acetonitrile as the solvent matrix at several absorption peak wavelengths (6.05 and 7.27 µm, respectively). The distribution of multiply-charged peptide ions is extremely sensitive to the temperature of the heated capillary, which is the inlet of the mass spectrometer. This ionization technique has potential for the interface of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). PMID:24937686

Ionization behavior of polyphosphoinositides determined via the preparation of pH titration curves using solid-state 31P NMR.

PubMed

Graber, Zachary T; Kooijman, Edgar E

2013-01-01

Detailed knowledge of the degree of ionization of lipid titratable groups is important for the evaluation of protein-lipid and lipid-lipid interactions. The degree of ionization is commonly evaluated by acid-base titration, but for lipids localized in a multicomponent membrane interface this is not a suitable technique. For phosphomonoester-containing lipids such as the polyphosphoinositides, phosphatidic acid, and ceramide-1-phosphate, this is more conveniently accomplished by (31)P NMR. Here, we describe a solid-state (31)P NMR procedure to construct pH titration curves to determine the degree of ionization of phosphomonoester groups in polyphosphoinositides. This procedure can also be used, with suitable sample preparation conditions, for other important signaling lipids. Access to a solid-state, i.e., magic angle spinning, capable NMR spectrometer is assumed. The procedures described here are valid for a Bruker instrument, but can be adapted for other spectrometers as needed.

Recent advances in CE-MS coupling: Instrumentation, methodology, and applications.

PubMed

Týčová, Anna; Ledvina, Vojtěch; Klepárník, Karel

2017-01-01

This review focuses on the latest development of microseparation electromigration methods in capillaries and microfluidic devices coupled with MS for detection and identification of important analytes. It is a continuation of the review article on the same topic by Kleparnik (Electrophoresis 2015, 36, 159-178). A wide selection of 161 relevant articles covers the literature published from June 2014 till May 2016. New improvements in the instrumentation and methodology of MS interfaced with capillary or microfluidic versions of zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, and isoelectric focusing are described in detail. The most frequently implemented MS ionization methods include electrospray ionization, matrix-assisted desorption/ionization and inductively coupled plasma ionization. Although the main attention is paid to the development of instrumentation and methodology, representative examples illustrate also applications in the proteomics, glycomics, metabolomics, biomarker research, forensics, pharmacology, food analysis, and single-cell analysis. The combinations of MS with capillary versions of electrochromatography, and micellar electrokinetic chromatography are not included. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Improving N-Glycan Coverage using HPLC-MS with Electrospray Ionization at Subambient Pressure

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

Marginean, Ioan; Kronewitter, Scott R.; Moore, Ronald J.

Human serum glycan profiling with mass spectrometry (MS) has been employed to study several disease conditions and is demonstrating promise for e.g. clinical biomarker discovery. However, the poor glycan ionization efficiency and the large dynamic range of glycan concentrations in human sera hinder comprehensive profiling. In particular, large glycans are problematic because they are present at low concentrations and prone to fragmentation. Here we show that the sub-ambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray (SPIN)-MS can expand the serum glycome profile when compared with the conventional atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS with a heated capillary inlet. Notably, the ions generated by themore » SPIN interface were observed at higher charge states for 50% of the annotated glycans. Out of a total of 130 detected glycans, 34 were only detected with the SPIN-MS, resulting in improved coverage of glycan families as well as of glycans with larger numbers of labile monosaccharides.« less

Ionization Readout Electronics for SuperCDMS SNOLAB Employing a HEMT Front-End

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Partridge, R.

2014-09-01

The SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment seeks to deploy 200 kg of cryogenic Ge detectors employing phonon and ionization readout to identify dark matter interactions. One of the design challenges for the experiment is to provide amplification of the high impedance ionization signal while minimizing power dissipation and noise. This paper describes the design and expected performance of the ionization readout being developed for an engineering model of the SuperCDMS SNOLAB Ge Tower System. The readout features the use of a low-noise HEMT front end transistor operating at 4 K to achieve a power dissipation of 100 W per channel, local grounding to minimize noise injection, and biasing circuitry that allows precise control of the HEMT operating point.

Single photon ionization and chemical ionization combined ion source based on a vacuum ultraviolet lamp for orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Hua, Lei; Wu, Qinghao; Hou, Keyong; Cui, Huapeng; Chen, Ping; Wang, Weiguo; Li, Jinghua; Li, Haiyang

2011-07-01

A novel combined ion source based on a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamp with both single photon ionization (SPI) and chemical ionization (CI) capabilities has been developed for an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer (oaTOFMS). The SPI was accomplished using a commercial 10.6 eV krypton discharge lamp with a photon flux of about 10(11) photons s(-1), while the CI was achieved through ion-molecule reactions with O(2)(+) reactant ions generated by photoelectron ionization at medium vacuum pressure (MVP). To achieve high ionization efficiency, the ion source pressure was elevated to 0.3 mbar and the photoionization length was extended to 36 mm. As a result, limits of detection (LODs) down to 3, 4, and 6 ppbv were obtained for benzene, toluene, and p-xylene in MVP-SPI mode, and values of 8 and 10 ppbv were obtained for toluene and chloroform, respectively, in SPI-CI mode. As it is feasible to switch between MVP-SPI mode and SPI-CI mode rapidly, this system is capable of monitoring complex organic mixtures with a wide range of ionization energies (IEs). The analytical capacity of this system was demonstrated by measuring dehydrogenation products of long-chain paraffins to olefins through direct capillary sampling and drinking water disinfection byproducts from chlorine through a membrane interface.

FAMBE-pH: A Fast and Accurate Method to Compute the Total Solvation Free Energies of Proteins

PubMed Central

Vorobjev, Yury N.; Vila, Jorge A.

2009-01-01

A fast and accurate method to compute the total solvation free energies of proteins as a function of pH is presented. The method makes use of a combination of approaches, some of which have already appeared in the literature; (i) the Poisson equation is solved with an optimized fast adaptive multigrid boundary element (FAMBE) method; (ii) the electrostatic free energies of the ionizable sites are calculated for their neutral and charged states by using a detailed model of atomic charges; (iii) a set of optimal atomic radii is used to define a precise dielectric surface interface; (iv) a multilevel adaptive tessellation of this dielectric surface interface is achieved by using multisized boundary elements; and (v) 1:1 salt effects are included. The equilibrium proton binding/release is calculated with the Tanford–Schellman integral if the proteins contain more than ∼20–25 ionizable groups; for a smaller number of ionizable groups, the ionization partition function is calculated directly. The FAMBE method is tested as a function of pH (FAMBE-pH) with three proteins, namely, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL), and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNaseA). The results are (a) the FAMBE-pH method reproduces the observed pKa's of the ionizable groups of these proteins within an average absolute value of 0.4 pK units and a maximum error of 1.2 pK units and (b) comparison of the calculated total pH-dependent solvation free energy for BPTI, between the exact calculation of the ionization partition function and the Tanford–Schellman integral method, shows agreement within 1.2 kcal/mol. These results indicate that calculation of total solvation free energies with the FAMBE-pH method can provide an accurate prediction of protein conformational stability at a given fixed pH and, if coupled with molecular mechanics or molecular dynamics methods, can also be used for more realistic studies of protein folding, unfolding, and dynamics, as a function of pH. PMID:18683966

Characterization of photomultiplier tubes in a novel operation mode for Secondary Emission Ionization Calorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiras, E.; Dilsiz, K.; Ogul, H.; Southwick, D.; Bilki, B.; Wetzel, J.; Nachtman, J.; Onel, Y.; Winn, D.

2016-10-01

Hamamatsu single anode R7761 and multi-anode R5900-00-M16 Photomultiplier Tubes have been characterized for use in a Secondary Emission (SE) Ionization Calorimetry study. SE Ionization Calorimetry is a novel technique to measure electromagnetic shower particles in extreme radiation environments. The different operation modes used in these tests were developed by modifying the conventional PMT bias circuit. These modifications were simple changes to the arrangement of the voltage dividers of the baseboard circuits. The PMTs with modified bases, referred to as operating in SE mode, are used as an SE detector module in an SE calorimeter prototype, and placed between absorber materials (Fe, Cu, Pb, W, etc.). Here, the technical design of different operation modes, as well as the characterization measurements of both SE modes and the conventional PMT mode are reported.

Initial Flow Matching Results of MHD Energy Bypass on a Supersonic Turbojet Engine Using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benyo, Theresa L.

2010-01-01

Preliminary flow matching has been demonstrated for a MHD energy bypass system on a supersonic turbojet engine. The Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) environment was used to perform a thermodynamic cycle analysis to properly match the flows from an inlet to a MHD generator and from the exit of a supersonic turbojet to a MHD accelerator. Working with various operating conditions such as the enthalpy extraction ratio and isentropic efficiency of the MHD generator and MHD accelerator, interfacing studies were conducted between the pre-ionizers, the MHD generator, the turbojet engine, and the MHD accelerator. This paper briefly describes the NPSS environment used in this analysis and describes the NPSS analysis of a supersonic turbojet engine with a MHD generator/accelerator energy bypass system. Results from this study have shown that using MHD energy bypass in the flow path of a supersonic turbojet engine increases the useful Mach number operating range from 0 to 3.0 Mach (not using MHD) to an explored and desired range of 0 to 7.0 Mach.

Ionization degree measurement in the gain medium of a hydrocarbon-free rubidium vapor laser operating in pulsed and CW modes.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiaofan; Yang, Zining; Hua, Weihong; Wang, Hongyan; Xu, Xiaojun

2017-04-17

Although the diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) works in a three-level scheme, higher energy-state excitation and ionization processes exist during operation, which may lead to deleterious effects on laser performance. In this paper, we report the ionization degree measurement in the gain medium of an operational hydrocarbon-free Rb DPAL by using the optogalvanic method. The results show that, at the pulsed mode with a duration of ~1 ms, a maximal ionization degree of ~0.06% is obtained at a pump power of 140 W. While in the CW mode, the plasma reaches an ionization degree as high as ~2% at a pump power of 110 W, which is mainly due to the enough time for sufficient plasma development. A comparison with our previous work [Opt. Lett.39, 6501 (2014)] as well as modeling results is made and discussed. The influences of different population transfer channels on laser performance are simulated and analyzed. The results show that, for a typical hydrocarbon-free Rb laser (pump intensity of 15 kW/cm², helium pressure of 10 atm and cell temperature of 438 K), all the high-energy excitation effects give an overall negative influence on laser efficiency of ~3.78%, while the top two influencing channels are the photoionization (~1.8%) and the energy pooling (~1.53%). The work in this paper experimentally reveals the influence of the macroscopic ionization evolution process on an operational DPAL for the first time, which would be helpful for a more comprehensive understanding of the physics in DPALs.

Electrocapillary Phenomena at Edible Oil/Saline Interfaces.

PubMed

Nishimura, Satoshi; Ohzono, Takuya; Shoji, Kohei; Yagihara, Shin; Hayashi, Masafumi; Tanaka, Hisao

2017-03-01

Interfacial tension between edible oil and saline was measured under applied electric fields to understand the electrocapillary phenomena at the edible oil/saline interfaces. The electric responses of saline droplets in edible oil were also observed microscopically to examine the relationship between the electrocapillary phenomena and interfacial polarization. When sodium oleate (SO) was added to edible oil (SO-oil), the interfacial tension between SO-oil and saline decreased. However, no decrease was observed for additive-free oil or oleic acid (OA)-added oil (OA-oil). Microscopic observations suggested that the magnitude of interfacial polarization increased in the order of additive-free oil < OA-oil < SO-oil. The difference in electrocapillary phenomena between OA- and SO-oils was closely related to the polarization magnitude. In the case of SO-oil, the decrease in interfacial tension was remarkably larger for saline (pH 5.4~5.6) than that for phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2~7.4). However, no difference was observed between the electric responses of PBS and saline droplets in SO-oil. The difference in electrocapillary phenomena for PBS and saline could not be simply explained in terms of polarization magnitude. The ratio of ionized and non-ionized OA at the interfaces changed with the saline pH, possibly leading to the above difference.

Sheath liquid interface for the coupling of normal-phase liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry and its application to the analysis of neoflavonoids.

PubMed

Charles, Laurence; Laure, Frédéric; Raharivelomanana, Phila; Bianchini, Jean-Pierre

2005-01-01

A novel interface that allows normal-phase liquid chromatography to be coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) is reported. A make-up solution of 60 mM ammonium acetate in methanol, infused at a 5 microl min(-1) flow-rate at the tip of the electrospray probe, provides a sheath liquid which is poorly miscible with the chromatographic effluent, but promotes efficient ionization of the targeted analytes. Protonated molecules generated in the ESI source were subjected to tandem mass spectrometric experiments in a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The main fragmentation reactions were characterized for each analyte and specific mass spectral transitions were used to acquire chromatographic data in the multiple reaction monitoring detection mode. Results obtained during optimization of the sheath liquid composition and flow-rate suggest that the electrospray process was mainly under the control of the make-up solution, and that it forms an external charged layer around a neutral chromatographic mobile phase core. This sheath liquid interface was implemented for the analysis of some neoflavonoid compounds and its performance was evaluated. Limits of detection were established for calophillolide, inophyllum B, inophyllum P and inophyllum C at 100, 25, 15 and 100 ng ml(-1), respectively.

Dose equivalent near the bone-soft tissue interface from nuclear fragments produced by high-energy protons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shavers, M. R.; Poston, J. W.; Cucinotta, F. A.; Wilson, J. W.

1996-01-01

During manned space missions, high-energy nucleons of cosmic and solar origin collide with atomic nuclei of the human body and produce a broad linear energy transfer spectrum of secondary particles, called target fragments. These nuclear fragments are often more biologically harmful than the direct ionization of the incident nucleon. That these secondary particles increase tissue absorbed dose in regions adjacent to the bone-soft tissue interface was demonstrated in a previous publication. To assess radiological risks to tissue near the bone-soft tissue interface, a computer transport model for nuclear fragments produced by high energy nucleons was used in this study to calculate integral linear energy transfer spectra and dose equivalents resulting from nuclear collisions of 1-GeV protons transversing bone and red bone marrow. In terms of dose equivalent averaged over trabecular bone marrow, target fragments emitted from interactions in both tissues are predicted to be at least as important as the direct ionization of the primary protons-twice as important, if recently recommended radiation weighting factors and "worst-case" geometry are used. The use of conventional dosimetry (absorbed dose weighted by aa linear energy transfer-dependent quality factor) as an appropriate framework for predicting risk from low fluences of high-linear energy transfer target fragments is discussed.

Cold Multiphoton Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, Peter; Cooke, William; Tracy, Eugene

2008-05-01

We present evidence of a cold multiphoton MALDI process occurring at a Room Temperature Ionic Liquid (RTIL)/metal interface. Our RTIL, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, remains a stable liquid at room temperatures, even at pressures lower than 10-9 torr. We focus the 2^nd harmonic of a pulsed (2ns pulse length) Nd:YAG laser onto a gold grid coated with RTIL to generate a cold (narrow velocity spread) ion source with temporal resolution comparable to current MALDI ion sources. Unlike conventional MALDI, we believe multiphoton MALDI does not rely on collisional ionization within the ejection plume, and thus produces large signals at laser intensities just above threshold. Removing the collisional ionization process allow us to eject material from smaller regions of a sample, enhancing the suitability of multiphoton MALDI as an ion imaging technique.

Sensitive determination of RDX, nitroso-RDX metabolites, and other munitions in ground water by solid-phase extraction and isotope dilution liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure electro-spray [correction of chemical] ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Cassada, D A; Monson, S J; Snow, D D; Spalding, R F

1999-06-04

Recent improvements in the LC-MS interface have increased the sensitivity and selectivity of this instrument in the analysis of polar and thermally-labile aqueous constituents. Determination of RDX, nitroso-RDX metabolites, and other munitions was enhanced using LC-MS with solid-phase extraction, 15N3-RDX internal standard, and electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative ion mode. ESI produced a five-fold increase in detector response over atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) for the nitramine compounds, while the more energetic APCI produced more than twenty times the ESI response for nitroaromatics. Method detection limits in ESI for nitramines varied from 0.03 microgram l-1 for MNX to 0.05 microgram l-1 for RDX.

Conformational relaxation and water penetration coupled to ionization of internal groups in proteins.

PubMed

Damjanović, Ana; Brooks, Bernard R; García-Moreno, Bertrand

2011-04-28

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine the effects of ionization of internal groups on the structures of eighteen variants of staphylococcal nuclease (SNase) with internal Lys, Asp, or Glu. In most cases the RMSD values of internal ionizable side chains were larger when the ionizable moieties were charged than when they were neutral. Calculations of solvent-accessible surface area showed that the internal ionizable side chains were buried in the protein interior when they were neutral and moved toward crevices and toward the protein-water interface when they were charged. The only exceptions are Lys-36, Lys-62, and Lys-103, which remained buried even after charging. With the exception of Lys-38, the number of internal water molecules surrounding the ionizable group increased upon charging: the average number of water oxygen atoms within the first hydration shell increased by 1.7 for Lys residues, by 5.2 for Asp residues, and by 3.2 for Glu residues. The polarity of the microenvironment of the ionizable group also increased when the groups were charged: the average number of polar atoms of any kind within the first hydration shell increased by 2.7 for Lys residues, by 4.8 for Asp residues, and by 4.0 for Glu residues. An unexpected correlation was observed between the absolute value of the shifts in pK(a) values measured experimentally, and several parameters of structural relaxation: the net difference in the polarity of the microenvironment of the charged and neutral forms of the ionizable groups, the net difference in hydration of the charged and neutral forms of the ionizable groups, and the difference in RMSD values of the charged and neutral forms of the ionizable groups. The effects of ionization of internal groups on the conformation of the backbone were noticeable but mostly small and localized to the area immediately next to the internal ionizable moiety. Some variants did exhibit local unfolding.

Nanoelectrospray ion generation for high-throughput mass spectrometry using a micromachined ultrasonic ejector array

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

Aderogba, S.; Meacham, J.M.; Degertekin, F.L.

2005-05-16

Ultrasonic electrospray ionization (ESI) for high-throughput mass spectrometry is demonstrated using a silicon micromachined microarray. The device uses a micromachined ultrasonic atomizer operating in the 900 kHz-2.5 MHz range for droplet generation and a metal electrode in the fluid cavity for ionization. Since the atomization and ionization processes are separated, the ultrasonic ESI source shows the potential for operation at low voltages with a wide range of solvents in contrast with conventional capillary ESI technology. This is demonstrated using the ultrasonic ESI microarray to obtain the mass spectrum of a 10 {mu}M reserpine sample on a time of flight massmore » spectrometer with 197:1 signal-to-noise ratio at an ionization potential of 200 V.« less

Improvement of interfacial and electrical properties of Al2O3/ n-Ga0.47In0.53As for III-V impact ionization MOSFETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lechaux, Y.; Fadjie, A.; Bollaert, S.; Talbo, V.; Mateos, J.; González, T.; Vasallo, B. G.; Wichmann, N.

2015-10-01

In this work, Metal - Oxide - Semiconductor Capacitors (MOSCaps) based on Al2O3/ n-Ga0.47In0.53As interface have been studied. In order to have high MOSFETs performance, it is necessary to improve the semiconductor - oxide interface quality. It is observed that the (NH4)2S passivation shows lower interface trap density in the order of 6×1011cm-2.eV-1. Also, it is observed that O2 plasma densification after a passivation in a NH4OH solution improves the electrical behaviour of the charge control. Low interface trap density in the order of 1×1012cm-2.eV-1 was obtained for different treatments presented in this work.

Effects of structure and oxygen flow rate on the photo-response of amorphous IGZO-based photodetector devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Jun Tae; Ko, Daehyun; Choi, Sungju; Kang, Hara; Kim, Jae-Young; Yu, Hye Ri; Ahn, Geumho; Jung, Haesun; Rhee, Jihyun; Lee, Heesung; Choi, Sung-Jin; Kim, Dong Myong; Kim, Dae Hwan

2018-02-01

In this study, we investigated how the structure and oxygen flow rate (OFR) during the sputter-deposition affects the photo-responses of amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO)-based photodetector devices. As the result of comparing three types of device structures with one another, which are a global Schottky diode, local Schottky diode, and thin-film transistor (TFT), the IGZO TFT with the gate pulse technique suppressing the persistent photoconductivity (PPC) is the most promising photodetector in terms of a high photo-sensitivity and uniform sensing characteristic. In order to analyze the IGZO TFT-based photodetectors more quantitatively, the time-evolution of sub-gap density-of-states (DOS) was directly observed under photo-illumination and consecutively during the PPC-compensating period with applying the gate pulse. It shows that the increased ionized oxygen vacancy (VO2+) defects under photo-illumination was fully recovered by the positive gate pulse and even overcompensated by additional electron trapping. Based on experimentally extracted sub-gap DOS, the origin on PPC was successfully decomposed into the hole trapping and the VO ionization. Although the VO ionization is enhanced in lower OFR (O-poor) device, the PPC becomes more severe in high OFR (O-rich) device because the hole trapping dominates the PPC in IGZO TFT under photo-illumination rather than the VO ionization and more abundant holes are trapped into gate insulator and/or interface in O-rich TFTs. Similarly, the electron trapping during the PPC-compensating period with applying the positive gate pulse becomes more prominent in O-rich TFTs. It is attributed to more hole/electron traps in the gate insulator and/or interface, which is associated with oxygen interstitials, or originates from the ion bombardment-related lower quality gate oxide in O-rich devices.

Studying interfacial reactions of cholesterol sulfate in an unsaturated phosphatidylglycerol layer with ozone using field induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Ko, Jae Yoon; Choi, Sun Mi; Rhee, Young Min; Beauchamp, J L; Kim, Hugh I

2012-01-01

Field-induced droplet ionization (FIDI) is a recently developed ionization technique that can transfer ions from the surface of microliter droplets to the gas phase intact. The air-liquid interfacial reactions of cholesterol sulfate (CholSO(4)) in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG) surfactant layer with ozone (O(3)) are investigated using field-induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry (FIDI-MS). Time-resolved studies of interfacial ozonolysis of CholSO(4) reveal that water plays an important role in forming oxygenated products. An epoxide derivative is observed as a major product of CholSO(4) oxidation in the FIDI-MS spectrum after exposure of the droplet to O(3) for 5 s. The abundance of the epoxide product then decreases with continued O(3) exposure as the finite number of water molecules at the air-liquid interface becomes exhausted. Competitive oxidation of CholSO(4) and POPG is observed when they are present together in a lipid surfactant layer at the air-liquid interface. Competitive reactions of CholSO(4) and POPG with O(3) suggest that CholSO(4) is present with POPG as a well-mixed interfacial layer. Compared with CholSO(4) and POPG alone, the overall ozonolysis rates of both CholSO(4) and POPG are reduced in a mixed layer, suggesting the double bonds of both molecules are shielded by additional hydrocarbons from one another. Molecular dynamics simulations of a monolayer comprising POPG and CholSO(4) correlate well with experimental observations and provide a detailed picture of the interactions between CholSO(4), lipids, and water molecules in the interfacial region. © American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 2011

SuperCDMS Prototype Detector Design and Testing

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

Kennedy, Allison Blair

A substantial amount of astrophysical evidence indicates that approximately a quarter of all energy in the universe is composed of a nonluminous, and nonbaryonic \\dark" matter. Of the potential dark matter particle candidates, Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs, is particularly well motivated. As a means to directly detect WIMP interactions with baryonic matter, the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) project was established, operating at the Soudan Underground Laboratory from 2003 - 2015, under the CDMS II and SuperCDMS Soudan experiments. CDMS detectors simultaneously measure the ionization and phonon energies of recoil events in Si and Ge crystals kept atmore » cryogenic temperatures in a low-background environment. The ratio of ionization energy to recoil energy serves as a discrimination parameter to separate nuclear recoil events from the electron-recoil background. The next installation, SuperCDMS SNOLAB, is preparing for future operation, with an initial payload of eighteen Ge and six Si, 100 mm diameter, 33 mm thick detectors. Of this initial payload, eight Ge and four Si detectors will operate in a high-voltage ( 100 V) mode, which have an increased sensitivity to low-mass WIMPs due to decreased energy thresholds. The SuperCDMS test facility at University of Minnesota aids in the detector R&D and characterization of prototype detectors, as part of the scale-up eort for Super- CDMS SNOLAB. This thesis presents the rst full ionization and phonon characterization study of a 100 mm diameter, 33 mm thick prototype Ge detector with interleaved phonon and ionization channels. Measurements include ionization collection eciency, surface event rejection capabilities, and successful demonstration of nuclear recoil event discrimination. Results indicate that 100 mm diameter, interleaved Ge detectors show potential for use in SuperCDMS SNOLAB. As part of detector R&D, the Minnesota test facility also looks beyond the next stage of SuperCDMS, investigating larger individual detectors as a means to easily scale up the sensitive mass of future searches. This thesis presents the design and initial testing results of a prototype 150 mm diameter, 33 mm thick silicon ionization detector, which is 5.2 times larger than those used in SuperCDMS at Soudan and 2.25 times larger than those planned for use at SuperCDMS SNOLAB. In addition, the detector was operated with contact-free ionization electrodes to minimize bias leakage currents, which can limit operation at high bias voltages. The results show promise for the operation of both large volume silicon detectors and contact-free ionization electrodes for scaling up detector mass and bias.« less

Miniature Bipolar Electrostatic Ion Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartley, Frank T.

2006-01-01

The figure presents a concept of a bipolar miniature electrostatic ion thruster for maneuvering a small spacecraft. The ionization device in the proposed thruster would be a 0.1-micron-thick dielectric membrane with metal electrodes on both sides. Small conical holes would be micromachined through the membrane and electrodes. An electric potential of the order of a volt applied between the membrane electrodes would give rise to an electric field of the order of several mega-volts per meter in the submicron gap between the electrodes. An electric field of this magnitude would be sufficient to ionize all the molecules that enter the holes. In a thruster-based on this concept, one or more propellant gases would be introduced into such a membrane ionizer. Unlike in larger prior ion thrusters, all of the propellant molecules would be ionized. This thruster would be capable of bipolar operation. There would be two accelerator grids - one located forward and one located aft of the membrane ionizer. In one mode of operation, which one could denote the forward mode, positive ions leaving the ionizer on the backside would be accelerated to high momentum by an electric field between the ionizer and an accelerator grid. Electrons leaving the ionizer on the front side would be ejected into free space by a smaller accelerating field. The equality of the ion and electron currents would eliminate the need for an additional electron- or ion-emitting device to keep the spacecraft charge-neutral. In another mode of operation, which could denote the reverse mode, the polarities of the voltages applied to the accelerator grids and to the electrodes of the membrane ionizer would be the reverse of those of the forward mode. The reversal of electric fields would cause the ion and electrons to be ejected in the reverse of their forward mode directions, thereby giving rise to thrust in the direction opposite that of the forward mode.

TID Simulation of Advanced CMOS Devices for Space Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sajid, Muhammad

2016-07-01

This paper focuses on Total Ionizing Dose (TID) effects caused by accumulation of charges at silicon dioxide, substrate/silicon dioxide interface, Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) for scaled CMOS bulk devices as well as at Buried Oxide (BOX) layer in devices based on Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) technology to be operated in space radiation environment. The radiation induced leakage current and corresponding density/concentration electrons in leakage current path was presented/depicted for 180nm, 130nm and 65nm NMOS, PMOS transistors based on CMOS bulk as well as SOI process technologies on-board LEO and GEO satellites. On the basis of simulation results, the TID robustness analysis for advanced deep sub-micron technologies was accomplished up to 500 Krad. The correlation between the impact of technology scaling and magnitude of leakage current with corresponding total dose was established utilizing Visual TCAD Genius program.

Total Dose Effects on Single Event Transients in Linear Bipolar Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchner, Stephen; McMorrow, Dale; Bernard, Muriel; Roche, Nicholas; Dusseau, Laurent

2008-01-01

Single Event Transients (SETs) originating in linear bipolar integrated circuits are known to undermine the reliability of electronic systems operating in the radiation environment of space. Ionizing particle radiation produces a variety of SETs in linear bipolar circuits. The extent to which these SETs threaten system reliability depends on both their shapes (amplitude and width) and their threshold energies. In general, SETs with large amplitudes and widths are the most likely to propagate from a bipolar circuit's output through a subsystem. The danger these SET pose is that, if they become latched in a follow-on circuit, they could cause an erroneous system response. Long-term exposure of linear bipolar circuits to particle radiation produces total ionizing dose (TID) and/or displacement damage dose (DDD) effects that are characterized by a gradual degradation in some of the circuit's electrical parameters. For example, an operational amplifier's gain-bandwidth product is reduced by exposure to ionizing radiation, and it is this reduction that contributes to the distortion of the SET shapes. In this paper, we compare SETs produced in a pristine LM124 operational amplifier with those produced in one exposed to ionizing radiation for three different operating configurations - voltage follower (VF), inverter with gain (IWG), and non-inverter with gain (NIWG). Each configuration produces a unique set of transient shapes that change following exposure to ionizing radiation. An important finding is that the changes depend on operating configuration; some SETs decrease in amplitude, some remain relatively unchanged, some become narrower and some become broader.

Mass spectrometry based lipid(ome) analyzer and molecular platform: a new software to interpret and analyze electrospray and/or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric data of lipids: a case study from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

PubMed

Sabareesh, Varatharajan; Singh, Gurpreet

2013-04-01

Mass Spectrometry based Lipid(ome) Analyzer and Molecular Platform (MS-LAMP) is a new software capable of aiding in interpreting electrospray ionization (ESI) and/or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric data of lipids. The graphical user interface (GUI) of this standalone programme is built using Perl::Tk. Two databases have been developed and constituted within MS-LAMP, on the basis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) lipid database (www.mrl.colostate.edu) and that of Lipid Metabolites and Pathways Strategy Consortium (LIPID MAPS; www.lipidmaps.org). Different types of queries entered through GUI would interrogate with a chosen database. The queries can be molecular mass(es) or mass-to-charge (m/z) value(s) and molecular formula. LIPID MAPS identifier also can be used to search but not for M. tb lipids. Multiple choices have been provided to select diverse ion types and lipids. Satisfying to input parameters, a glimpse of various lipid categories and their population distribution can be viewed in the output. Additionally, molecular structures of lipids in the output can be seen using ChemSketch (www.acdlabs.com), which has been linked to the programme. Furthermore, a version of MS-LAMP for use in Linux operating system is separately available, wherein PyMOL can be used to view molecular structures that result as output from General Lipidome MS-LAMP. The utility of this software is demonstrated using ESI mass spectrometric data of lipid extracts of M. tb grown under two different pH (5.5 and 7.0) conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Electrochemical Ionization and Analyte Charging in the Array of Micromachined UltraSonic Electrospray (AMUSE) Ion Source

PubMed Central

Forbes, Thomas P.; Degertekin, F. Levent; Fedorov, Andrei G.

2010-01-01

Electrochemistry and ion transport in a planar array of mechanically-driven, droplet-based ion sources are investigated using an approximate time scale analysis and in-depth computational simulations. The ion source is modeled as a controlled-current electrolytic cell, in which the piezoelectric transducer electrode, which mechanically drives the charged droplet generation using ultrasonic atomization, also acts as the oxidizing/corroding anode (positive mode). The interplay between advective and diffusive ion transport of electrochemically generated ions is analyzed as a function of the transducer duty cycle and electrode location. A time scale analysis of the relative importance of advective vs. diffusive ion transport provides valuable insight into optimality, from the ionization prospective, of alternative design and operation modes of the ion source operation. A computational model based on the solution of time-averaged, quasi-steady advection-diffusion equations for electroactive species transport is used to substantiate the conclusions of the time scale analysis. The results show that electrochemical ion generation at the piezoelectric transducer electrodes located at the back-side of the ion source reservoir results in poor ionization efficiency due to insufficient time for the charged analyte to diffuse away from the electrode surface to the ejection location, especially at near 100% duty cycle operation. Reducing the duty cycle of droplet/analyte ejection increases the analyte residence time and, in turn, improves ionization efficiency, but at an expense of the reduced device throughput. For applications where this is undesirable, i.e., multiplexed and disposable device configurations, an alternative electrode location is incorporated. By moving the charging electrode to the nozzle surface, the diffusion length scale is greatly reduced, drastically improving ionization efficiency. The ionization efficiency of all operating conditions considered is expressed as a function of the dimensionless Peclet number, which defines the relative effect of advection as compared to diffusion. This analysis is general enough to elucidate an important role of electrochemistry in ionization efficiency of any arrayed ion sources, be they mechanically-driven or electrosprays, and is vital for determining optimal design and operation conditions. PMID:20607111

Analysis of Camp Pendleton California Medical Treatment Facility Budget and Execution Process

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

for the formal internship, residency, fellowship and graduate training in medicine and dentistry . Graduate Medical Education involves costs of in...Conservation, medical aspects of ergonomics , reproductive hazards, ionizing and non- ionizing radiation safety, workplace assessments (afloat & ashore...care and services to authorized beneficiaries through the operation of hospital departments of dentistry and dental clinics and operation of

Orientation dependent ionization potential of In2O3: a natural source for inhomogeneous barrier formation at electrode interfaces in organic electronics.

PubMed

Hohmann, Mareike V; Ágoston, Péter; Wachau, André; Bayer, Thorsten J M; Brötz, Joachim; Albe, Karsten; Klein, Andreas

2011-08-24

The ionization potentials of In(2)O(3) films grown epitaxially by magnetron sputtering on Y-stabilized ZrO(2) substrates with (100) and (111) surface orientation are determined using photoelectron spectroscopy. Epitaxial growth is verified using x-ray diffraction. The observed ionization potentials, which directly affect the work functions, are in good agreement with ab initio calculations using density functional theory. While the (111) surface exhibits a stable surface termination with an ionization potential of ∼ 7.0 eV, the surface termination and the ionization potential of the (100) surface depend strongly on the oxygen chemical potential. With the given deposition conditions an ionization potential of ∼ 7.7 eV is obtained, which is attributed to a surface termination stabilized by oxygen dimers. This orientation dependence also explains the lower ionization potentials observed for In(2)O(3) compared to Sn-doped In(2)O(3) (ITO) (Klein et al 2009 Thin Solid Films 518 1197-203). Due to the orientation dependent ionization potential, a polycrystalline ITO film will exhibit a laterally varying work function, which results in an inhomogeneous charge injection into organic semiconductors when used as electrode material. The variation of work function will become even more pronounced when oxygen plasma or UV-ozone treatments are performed, as an oxidation of the surface is only possible for the (100) surface. The influence of the deposition technique on the formation of stable surface terminations is also discussed. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd

Reducing/Eliminating ESD Hazards During Pyro Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soriano, Jose Francisco; Kelley, J. D. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Several safety concerns have occurred during pyro operations at 30% or lower RH in the OPF area based on the increase of electrostatic discharge (ESD). These concerns targeted the safety of personnel, flight hardware, and ground support equipment (GSE). Two proposed methods considered to control ESDs during pyro operations at 30% or lower RH are the use of an ionizer blower and to increase the moisture content. In order to demonstrate that the ionizer is effective in neutralizing static charge, a series of experimental runs were conducted in the Electrostatics Laboratory located in the Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The effectiveness of the ionizer blower was evaluated based upon the time lapse of a charged metal plate from initial 1000 to 400 volts. Distance, RH, and angle of attack were studied. A full factorial experiment (2(exp 3) = 8) was conducted. Since we did not have a statistical analysis program, such as SAS, available, calculations were done manually based on the method of ANOVA (Analysis of Variances), but R(exp 2) (fitness of curve) was not obtained. As conjectured, distance was found to be the major influencial variable. Therefore, we concluded that the best possible combination of situations would be to position the ionizer blower as close as possible and facing directly into the charged plate. This scenario resulted in the quickest discharge rate, which would be the most beneficial during pyro operations below 30% RH. The second method of increasing the moisture content in the work environment through a modification of the OPF ECS current configuration appeared to be dependent on budget constraints and currently not planned to be modified. Finally, some recommendations are discussed such as to test the ionizer in an actual field experiment with a mockup pyro connector and a technician with all the NASA KSC Safety-compliant PPE to assess the realistic effectiveness of the ionizer blower.

Low-Pressure, Field-Ionizing Mass Spectrometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartley, Frank; Smith, Steven

2009-01-01

A small mass spectrometer utilizing a miniature field ionization source is now undergoing development. It is designed for use in a variety of applications in which there are requirements for a lightweight, low-power-consumption instrument that can analyze the masses of a wide variety of molecules and ions. The device can operate without need for a high-vacuum, carrier-gas feed radioactive ionizing source, or thermal ionizer. This mass spectrometer can operate either in the natural vacuum of outer space or on Earth at any ambient pressure below 50 torr (below about 6.7 kPa) - a partial vacuum that can easily be reached by use of a small sampling pump. This mass spectrometer also has a large dynamic range - from singly charged small gas ions to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments larger than 104 atomic mass units - with sensitivity adequate for detecting some molecules and ions at relative abundances of less than one part per billion. This instrument (see figure) includes a field ionizer integrated with a rotating-field mass spectrometer (RFMS). The field ionizer effects ionization of a type characterized as "soft" in the art because it does not fragment molecules or initiate avalanche arcing. What makes the "soft" ionization mode possible is that the distance between the ionizing electrodes is less than mean free path for ions at the maximum anticipated operating pressure, so that the ionizer always operates on the non-breakdown side of the applicable Paschen curve (a standard plot of breakdown potential on the ordinate and pressure electrode separation on the abscissa). The field ionizer in this instrument is fabricated by micromachining a submicron-thick membrane out of an electrically nonconductive substrate, coating the membrane on both sides to form electrodes, then micromachining small holes through the electrodes and membrane. Because of the submicron electrode separation, even a potential of only 1 V applied between the electrodes gives rise to an electric field with a strength of in excess of a megavolt per meter strong enough to ionize any gas molecules passing through the holes. An accelerator grid and an electrostatic deflector focus the ions from the field ionizer into the rotating-field cell of the RFMS. The potentials applied to the electrodes of the cell to generate the rotating electric field typically range from 1 to 13 V. The ions travel in well-defined helices within this cell, after which they are collected in a Faraday cup. The mass of most of the molecules reaching the Faraday cup decreases with increasing frequency of rotation of the electric field in the cell. Therefore, the frequency of rotation of the electric field is made to vary in order to scan through a desired range of ion masses: For example, lightweight gas molecules are scanned at frequencies in the megahertz range, while DNA and other large organic molecules are scanned at kilohertz frequencies.

Transport Physics in Thin-Film Oxides: From Capacitors to Memristors1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tierney, Brian; Hjalmarson, Harold; McLain, Michael; Hughart, David; Marinella, Matthew; Mamaluy, Denis; Gao, Xujiao

A physics-based model of transport mechanisms in metal-insulator-metal (M-I-M) systems is developed to explain transport through the metal-oxide interfaces and in the bulk of the insulating oxide. Interface tunneling, such as that between the metal to the conduction band or bound defect states, is accounted for by a WKB model. Our model also incorporates the evolution of the associated oxide defect chemistry. Continuum calculations are performed for both Ta2O5 M-I-M capacitors and TaOx-Based M-I-M memristors, as both devices are structurally similar and can be characterized by a common set of transport mechanisms. However, due to the electroforming process for which memristors are subjected, different transport mechanisms dominate for each type of device. Also, the effects of pulsed ionizing radiation from an external source are included in the model. It is shown that such radiation can be used to probe whether the M-I-M system is in a capacitive or memristive state. 1Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Luminosity limits for liquid argon calorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

J, Rutherfoord; B, Walker R.

2012-12-01

We have irradiated liquid argon ionization chambers with betas using high-activity Strontium-90 sources. The radiation environment is comparable to that in the liquid argon calorimeters which are part of the ATLAS detector installed at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. We measure the ionization current over a wide range of applied potential for two different source activities and for three different chamber gaps. These studies provide operating experience at exceptionally high ionization rates. We can operate these chambers either in the normal mode or in the space-charge limited regime and thereby determine the transition point between the two. From the transition point we indirectly extract the positive argon ion mobility.

NIC atomic operation unit with caching and bandwidth mitigation

DOEpatents

Hemmert, Karl Scott; Underwood, Keith D.; Levenhagen, Michael J.

2016-03-01

A network interface controller atomic operation unit and a network interface control method comprising, in an atomic operation unit of a network interface controller, using a write-through cache and employing a rate-limiting functional unit.

Design for gas chromatography-corona discharge-ion mobility spectrometry.

PubMed

Jafari, Mohammad T; Saraji, Mohammad; Sherafatmand, Hossein

2012-11-20

A corona discharge ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (CD-IMS) with a novel sample inlet system was designed and constructed as a detector for capillary gas chromatography. In this design, a hollow needle was used instead of a solid needle which is commonly used for corona discharge creation, helping us to have direct axial interfacing for GC-IMS. The capillary column was passed through the needle, resulting in a reaction of effluents with reactant ions on the upstream side of the corona discharge ionization source. Using this sample introduction design, higher ionization efficiency was achieved relative to the entrance direction through the side of the drift tube. In addition, the volume of the ionization region was reduced to minimize the resistance time of compounds in the ionization source, increasing chromatographic resolution of the instrument. The effects of various parameters such as drift gas flow, makeup gas flow, and column tip position inside the needle were investigated. The designed instrument was exhaustively validated in terms of sensitivity, resolution, and reproducibility by analyzing the standard solutions of methyl isobutyl ketone, heptanone, nonanone, and acetophenone as the test compounds. The results obtained by CD-IMS detector were compared with those of the flame ionization detector, which revealed the capability of the proposed GC-IMS for two-dimensional separation (based on the retention time and drift time information) and identification of an analyte in complex matrixes.

Enhanced performance for the analysis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a new atmospheric pressure ionization source.

PubMed

Lubin, Arnaud; Geerinckx, Suzy; Bajic, Steve; Cabooter, Deirdre; Augustijns, Patrick; Cuyckens, Filip; Vreeken, Rob J

2016-04-01

Eicosanoids, including prostaglandins and thromboxanes are lipid mediators synthetized from polyunsaturated fatty acids. They play an important role in cell signaling and are often reported as inflammatory markers. LC-MS/MS is the technique of choice for the analysis of these compounds, often in combination with advanced sample preparation techniques. Here we report a head to head comparison between an electrospray ionization source (ESI) and a new atmospheric pressure ionization source (UniSpray). The performance of both interfaces was evaluated in various matrices such as human plasma, pig colon and mouse colon. The UniSpray source shows an increase in method sensitivity up to a factor 5. Equivalent to better linearity and repeatability on various matrices as well as an increase in signal intensity were observed in comparison to ESI. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pulsed helium ionization detection system

DOEpatents

Ramsey, R.S.; Todd, R.A.

1985-04-09

A helium ionization detection system is provided which produces stable operation of a conventional helium ionization detector while providing improved sensitivity and linearity. Stability is improved by applying pulsed dc supply voltage across the ionization detector, thereby modifying the sampling of the detectors output current. A unique pulse generator is used to supply pulsed dc to the detector which has variable width and interval adjust features that allows up to 500 V to be applied in pulse widths ranging from about 150 nsec to about dc conditions.

Pulsed helium ionization detection system

DOEpatents

Ramsey, Roswitha S.; Todd, Richard A.

1987-01-01

A helium ionization detection system is provided which produces stable operation of a conventional helium ionization detector while providing improved sensitivity and linearity. Stability is improved by applying pulsed dc supply voltage across the ionization detector, thereby modifying the sampling of the detectors output current. A unique pulse generator is used to supply pulsed dc to the detector which has variable width and interval adjust features that allows up to 500 V to be applied in pulse widths ranging from about 150 nsec to about dc conditions.

Rapid LC-MS method for the detection of common fragrances in personal care products without sample preparation.

PubMed

Famiglini, Giorgio; Termopoli, Veronica; Palma, Pierangela; Capriotti, Fabiana; Cappiello, Achille

2014-05-01

An LC-MS method for the analysis of personal care and household products without sample preparation is presented. The method takes advantage of the Direct-electron ionization (EI) LC-MS interface for the quantitation of principal components, as well as for the identification of unknown or undeclared ingredients. The technique has proven its inertness toward matrix effects and the electron ionization allows quantitation and library identification. Commercially available products (shower gel, perfume, and hand cream) were diluted with methanol and injected directly into a nano-LC column. Limonene, linalool, and citral were selected as target compounds because of their use as fragrances in toiletry and detergent products. These and all other fragrances are commonly determined with GC-MS analysis, prior to sample cleanup, a procedure that can lead to analytes loss. The selected compounds are not detected with ESI because of their poor or very low response. Figures of merit and validation studies were executed and special attention was devoted to matrix-effects evaluation, because a sample preparation procedure is not involved. No matrix effects were observed, and the repeatability was excellent even after several weeks of operation. Products composition was investigated in full scan mode to determine the presence of unknown or not listed ingredients. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ion-neutral Clustering of Bile Acids in Electrospray Ionization Across UPLC Flow Regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brophy, Patrick; Broeckling, Corey D.; Murphy, James; Prenni, Jessica E.

2018-02-01

Bile acid authentic standards were used as model compounds to quantitatively evaluate complex in-source phenomenon on a UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS operated in the negative mode. Three different diameter columns and a ceramic-based microfluidic separation device were utilized, allowing for detailed descriptions of bile acid behavior across a wide range of flow regimes and instantaneous concentrations. A custom processing algorithm based on correlation analysis was developed to group together all ion signals arising from a single compound; these grouped signals produce verified compound spectra for each bile acid at each on-column mass loading. Significant adduction was observed for all bile acids investigated under all flow regimes and across a wide range of bile acid concentrations. The distribution of bile acid containing clusters was found to depend on the specific bile acid species, solvent flow rate, and bile acid concentration. Relative abundancies of each cluster changed non-linearly with concentration. It was found that summing all MS level (low collisional energy) ions and ion-neutral adducts arising from a single compound improves linearity across the concentration range (0.125-5 ng on column) and increases the sensitivity of MS level quantification. The behavior of each cluster roughly follows simple equilibrium processes consistent with our understanding of electrospray ionization mechanisms and ion transport processes occurring in atmospheric pressure interfaces. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

P39-T Analysis of Oligosaccharides by Capillary-Scale High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (CHPAEC-PAD) and On-Line Electrospray-Ionization Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometry (CHPAEC-ITMS)

PubMed Central

Bruggink, C.; Koeleman, C.; Barreto, V.; Lui, Y.; Pohl, C.; Ingendoh, A.; Wuhrer, M.; Hokke, C.; Deelder, A.

2007-01-01

High-pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) is an established technique for selective separation and analysis of underivatized carbohydrates. The miniaturization of chromatographic techniques by means of capillary columns, and on-line coupling to mass spectrometry are critical to the further development of glycan analysis methods that are compatible with the current requirements in clinical settings. A system has been developed based on the Dionex BioLC equipped with a microbore gradient pump with PEEK flow splitter, a FAMOS micro autosampler, a modified electrochemical cell for on-line capillary PAD, and a capillary column (380 μm i.d.) packed with a new type of anion-exchange resin. This system operates with sensitivity in the low femtomol range. In addition, an on-line capillary desalter has been developed to allow direct coupling to the Bruker Esquire 3000 ion-trap mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization interface (ESI-IT-MS). Both systems have been evaluated using oligosaccharide standards as well as urine samples exhibiting various lysosomal oligosaccharide storage diseases. Initial data indicate that the robust and selective anion-exchange system, in combination with ESI-IT-MS for structure confirmation and analysis, provides a powerful platform that complements existing nano/capillary LC-MS methods for analytical determination of oligosaccharides in biological matrices.

Insight into acid-base nucleation experiments by comparison of the chemical composition of positive, negative, and neutral clusters.

PubMed

Bianchi, Federico; Praplan, Arnaud P; Sarnela, Nina; Dommen, Josef; Kürten, Andreas; Ortega, Ismael K; Schobesberger, Siegfried; Junninen, Heikki; Simon, Mario; Tröstl, Jasmin; Jokinen, Tuija; Sipilä, Mikko; Adamov, Alexey; Amorim, Antonio; Almeida, Joao; Breitenlechner, Martin; Duplissy, Jonathan; Ehrhart, Sebastian; Flagan, Richard C; Franchin, Alessandro; Hakala, Jani; Hansel, Armin; Heinritzi, Martin; Kangasluoma, Juha; Keskinen, Helmi; Kim, Jaeseok; Kirkby, Jasper; Laaksonen, Ari; Lawler, Michael J; Lehtipalo, Katrianne; Leiminger, Markus; Makhmutov, Vladimir; Mathot, Serge; Onnela, Antti; Petäjä, Tuukka; Riccobono, Francesco; Rissanen, Matti P; Rondo, Linda; Tomé, António; Virtanen, Annele; Viisanen, Yrjö; Williamson, Christina; Wimmer, Daniela; Winkler, Paul M; Ye, Penglin; Curtius, Joachim; Kulmala, Markku; Worsnop, Douglas R; Donahue, Neil M; Baltensperger, Urs

2014-12-02

We investigated the nucleation of sulfuric acid together with two bases (ammonia and dimethylamine), at the CLOUD chamber at CERN. The chemical composition of positive, negative, and neutral clusters was studied using three Atmospheric Pressure interface-Time Of Flight (APi-TOF) mass spectrometers: two were operated in positive and negative mode to detect the chamber ions, while the third was equipped with a nitrate ion chemical ionization source allowing detection of neutral clusters. Taking into account the possible fragmentation that can happen during the charging of the ions or within the first stage of the mass spectrometer, the cluster formation proceeded via essentially one-to-one acid-base addition for all of the clusters, independent of the type of the base. For the positive clusters, the charge is carried by one excess protonated base, while for the negative clusters it is carried by a deprotonated acid; the same is true for the neutral clusters after these have been ionized. During the experiments involving sulfuric acid and dimethylamine, it was possible to study the appearance time for all the clusters (positive, negative, and neutral). It appeared that, after the formation of the clusters containing three molecules of sulfuric acid, the clusters grow at a similar speed, independent of their charge. The growth rate is then probably limited by the arrival rate of sulfuric acid or cluster-cluster collision.

Sol-gel coated ion sources for liquid chromatography-direct electron ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Riboni, Nicolò; Magrini, Laura; Bianchi, Federica; Careri, Maria; Cappiello, Achille

2017-07-25

Advances in interfacing liquid chromatography and electron ionization mass spectrometry are presented. New ion source coatings synthesized by sol-gel technology were developed and tested as vaporization surfaces in terms of peak intensity, peak width and peak delay for the liquid chromatography-direct electron ionization mass spectrometry (Direct-EI) determination of environmental pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and steroids. Silica-, titania-, and zirconia-based coatings were sprayed inside the stainless steel ion source and characterized in terms of thermal stability, film thickness and morphology. Negligible weight losses until 350-400 °C were observed for all the materials, with coating thicknesses in the 6 (±1)-11 (±2) μm range for optimal ionization process. The best performances in terms of both peak intensity and peak width were obtained by using the silica-based coating: the detection of the investigated compounds was feasible at low ng μl -1 levels with a good precision (RSD < 9% for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and <11% for hormones). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Is electrospray emission really due to columbic forces?

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

Aliotta, Francesco, E-mail: aliotta@ipcf.cnr.it; Ponterio, Rosina C.; Salvato, Gabriele

2014-09-15

Electrospray ionization (ESI) is a widely adopted soft ionization method for mass spectroscopy (MS). In spite of the undeniable success of the technique, its mechanisms are difficult to be analytically modelled because the process is characterized by non-equilibrium conditions. The common belief is that the formation of gas-phase ions takes place at the apex of the Taylor cone via electrophoretic charging. The charge balance implies that a conversion of electrons to ions should occur at the metal-liquid interface of the injector needle. We have detected that the above description is based on unproved assumptions which are not consistent with themore » correct evaluation of the problem. The comparison between experiments performed under the usual geometry and observations obtained under symmetric field configurations suggests that the emitted droplets cannot be significantly charged or, at least, that any possible ionization mechanism is so poorly efficient to ensure that columbic forces cannot play a major role in jet formation, even in cases where the liquid consists of a solution of ionic species. Further work is required to clearly understand how ionization occurs in ESI-MS.« less

Ionizing radiation test results for an automotive microcontroller on board the Schiaparelli Mars lander

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tapani Nikkanen, Timo; Hieta, Maria; Schmidt, Walter; Genzer, Maria; Haukka, Harri; Harri, Ari-Matti

2016-04-01

The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has delivered a pressure and a humidity instrument for the ESA ExoMars 2016 Schiaparelli lander mission. Schiaparelli is scheduled to launch towards Mars with the Trace Gas Orbiter on 14th of March 2016. The DREAMS-P (pressure) and DREAMS-H (Humidity) instruments are operated utilizing a novel FMI instrument controller design based on a commercial automotive microcontroller (MCU). A custom qualification program was implemented to qualify the MCU for the relevant launch, cruise and surface operations environment of a Mars lander. Resilience to ionizing radiation is one of the most critical requirements for a digital component operated in space or at planetary bodies. Thus, the expected Total Ionizing Dose accumulated by the MCU was determined and a sample of these components was exposed to a Co-60 gamma radiation source. Part of the samples was powered during the radiation exposure to include the effect of electrical biasing. All of the samples were verified to withstand the expected total ionizing dose with margin. The irradiated test samples were then radiated until failure to determine their ultimate TID.

ECR Plasma Source for Heavy Ion Beam Charge Neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, P. C.; Gilson, E.; Grisham, L.; Davidson, R. C.; Yu, S.; Logan, B. G.

2002-11-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being considered as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus beyond the space-charge limit. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1 - 100 times the ion beam density and at a length ˜ 0.1-0.5 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. An ECR source has been built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) to support a joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization with plasma. The ECR source operates at 13.6 MHz and with solenoid magnetic fields of 1-10 gauss. The goal is to operate the source at pressures ˜ 10-5 Torr at full ionization. The initial operation of the source has been at pressures of 10-4 - 10-1 Torr. Electron densities in the range of 10^8 - 10^11 cm-3 have been achieved. Low-pressure operation is important to reduce ion beam ionization. A cusp magnetic field has been installed to improve radial confinement and reduce the field strength on the beam axis. In addition, axial confinement is believed to be important to achieve lower-pressure operation. At moderate pressures (> 1 mTorr) the wave damping is collisional, and at low pressures (< 1 mTorr) there is a distinct electron cyclotron resonance. The source has recently been configured to operate with 2.45 GHz microwaves with similar results. At the present operating range the source can simulate the plasma produced by photo-ionization in the target chamber.

Understanding paper degradation: identification of products of cellulosic paper decomposition at the wet-dry "tideline" interface using GC-MS.

PubMed

Sladkevich, Sergey; Dupont, Anne-Laurence; Sablier, Michel; Seghouane, Dalila; Cole, Richard B

2016-11-01

Cellulose paper degradation products forming in the "tideline" area at the wet-dry interface of pure cellulose paper were analyzed using gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) and high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS, LTQ Orbitrap) techniques. Different extraction protocols were employed in order to solubilize the products of oxidative cellulose decomposition, i.e., a direct solvent extraction or a more laborious chromophore release and identification (CRI) technique aiming to reveal products responsible for paper discoloration in the tideline area. Several groups of low molecular weight compounds were identified, suggesting a complex pathway of cellulose decomposition in the tidelines formed at the cellulose-water-oxygen interface. Our findings, namely the appearance of a wide range of linear saturated carboxylic acids (from formic to nonanoic), support the oxidative autocatalytic mechanism of decomposition. In addition, the identification of several furanic compounds (which can be, in part, responsible for paper discoloration) plus anhydro carbohydrate derivatives sheds more light on the pathways of cellulose decomposition. Most notably, the mechanisms of tideline formation in the presence of molecular oxygen appear surprisingly similar to pathways of pyrolytic cellulose degradation. More complex chromophore compounds were not detected in this study, thereby revealing a difference between this short-term tideline experiment and longer-term cellulose aging.

A new membrane inlet interface of a vacuum ultraviolet lamp ionization miniature mass spectrometer for on-line rapid measurement of volatile organic compounds in air.

PubMed

Hou, Keyong; Wang, Junde; Li, Haiyang

2007-01-01

A novel membrane inlet interface coupled to a single-photon ionization (SPI) miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been developed for on-line rapid measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light source for SPI was a commercial krypton discharge lamp with photon energy of 10.6 eV and photon flux of 10(10) photons/s. The experimental results showed that the sensitivity was 5 times as high as obtained with the traditional membrane inlet. The enrichment efficiency could be adjusted in the range of 10 to 20 times for different VOCs when a buffer cell was added to the inlet interface, and the memory effect was effectively eliminated. A detection limit as low as 25 parts-per-billion by volume (ppbv) for benzene has been achieved, with a linear dynamic range of three orders of magnitude. The rise times were 6 s, 10 s and 15 s for benzene, toluene and p-xylene, respectively, and the fall time was only 6 s for all of these compounds. The analytical capacity of this system was demonstrated by the on-line analysis of VOCs in single puff mainstream cigarette smoke, in which more than 50 compounds were detected in 2 s. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Graphical Operator Interface for a Telerobotic Inspection System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, W. S.; Tso, K. S.; Hayati, S.

1993-01-01

Operator interface has recently emerged as an important element for efficient and safe operatorinteractions with the telerobotic system. Recent advances in graphical user interface (GUI) andgraphics/video merging technologies enable development of more efficient, flexible operatorinterfaces. This paper describes an advanced graphical operator interface newly developed for aremote surface inspection system at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The interface has been designed sothat remote surface inspection can be performed by a single operator with an integrated robot controland image inspection capability. It supports three inspection strategies of teleoperated human visual inspection, human visual inspection with automated scanning, and machine-vision-based automated inspection.

Speech-generating devices: effectiveness of interface design-a comparative study of autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Chen, Chien-Hsu; Wang, Chuan-Po; Lee, I-Jui; Su, Chris Chun-Chin

2016-01-01

We analyzed the efficacy of the interface design of speech generating devices on three non-verbal adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in hopes of improving their on-campus communication and cognitive disability. The intervention program was created based on their social and communication needs in school. Two operating interfaces were designed and compared: the Hierarchical Relating Menu and the Pie Abbreviation-Expansion Menu. The experiment used the ABCACB multiple-treatment reversal design. The test items included: (1) accuracy of operating identification; (2) interface operation in response to questions; (3) degree of independent completion. Each of these three items improved with both intervention interfaces. The children were able to operate the interfaces skillfully and respond to questions accurately, which evidenced the effectiveness of the interfaces. We conclude that both interfaces are efficacious enough to help nonverbal children with ASD at different levels.

Ultrafast high-power microwave window breakdown: nonlinear and postpulse effects.

PubMed

Chang, C; Verboncoeur, J; Guo, M N; Zhu, M; Song, W; Li, S; Chen, C H; Bai, X C; Xie, J L

2014-12-01

The time- and space-dependent optical emissions of nanosecond high-power microwave discharges near a dielectric-air interface have been observed by nanosecond-response four-framing intensified-charged-coupled device cameras. The experimental observations indicate that plasma developed more intensely at the dielectric-air interface than at the free-space region with a higher electric-field amplitude. A thin layer of intense light emission above the dielectric was observed after the microwave pulse. The mechanisms of the breakdown phenomena are analyzed by a three-dimensional electromagnetic-field modeling and a two-dimensional electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulation, revealing the formation of a space-charge microwave sheath near the dielectric surface, accelerated by the normal components of the microwave field, significantly enhancing the local-field amplitude and hence ionization near the dielectric surface. The nonlinear positive feedback of ionization, higher electron mobility, and ultraviolet-driven photoemission due to the elevated electron temperature are crucial for achieving the ultrafast discharge. Following the high-power microwave pulse, the sheath sustains a glow discharge until the sheath collapses.

Coupling of Ultrafast LC with Mass Spectrometry by DESI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Yi; Liu, Yong; Helmy, Roy; Chen, Hao

2014-10-01

Recently we reported a desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) interface to combine liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS) using a new LC eluent splitting strategy through a tiny orifice on LC capillary tube [ J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 25, 286 (2014)]. The interface introduces negligible dead volume and back pressure, thereby allowing "near real-time" MS detection, fast LC elution, and online MS-directed purification. This study further evaluates the LC/DESI-MS performance with focus of using ultra-fast LC. Using a monolithic C18 column, metabolites in urine can be separated within 1.6 min and can be online collected for subsequent structure elucidation (e.g., by NMR, UV, IR) in a recovery yield up to 99%. Using a spray solvent with alkaline pH, negative ions could be directly generated for acidic analytes (e.g., ibuprofen) in acidic LC eluent by DESI, offering a novel protocol to realize "wrong-way around" ionization for LC/MS analysis. In addition, DESI-MS is found to be compatible with ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) for the first time.

Designing an operator interface? Consider user`s `psychology`

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

Toffer, D.E.

The modern operator interface is a channel of communication between operators and the plant that, ideally, provides them with information necessary to keep the plant running at maximum efficiency. Advances in automation technology have increased information flow from the field to the screen. New and improved Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) packages provide designers with powerful and open design considerations. All too often, however, systems go to the field designed for the software rather than the operator. Plant operators` jobs have changed fundamentally, from controlling their plants from out in the field to doing so from within control rooms.more » Control room-based operation does not denote idleness. Trained operators should be engaged in examination of plant status and cognitive evaluation of plant efficiencies. Designers who are extremely computer literate, often do not consider demographics of field operators. Many field operators have little knowledge of modern computer systems. As a result, they do not take full advantage of the interface`s capabilities. Designers often fail to understand the true nature of how operators run their plants. To aid field operators, designers must provide familiar controls and intuitive choices. To achieve success in interface design, it is necessary to understand the ways in which humans think conceptually, and to understand how they process this information physically. The physical and the conceptual are closely related when working with any type of interface. Designers should ask themselves: {open_quotes}What type of information is useful to the field operator?{close_quotes} Let`s explore an integration model that contains the following key elements: (1) Easily navigated menus; (2) Reduced chances for misunderstanding; (3) Accurate representations of the plant or operation; (4) Consistent and predictable operation; (5) A pleasant and engaging interface that conforms to the operator`s expectations. 4 figs.« less

Discovery of multiple, ionization-created CS{sub 2} anions and a new mode of operation for drift chambers

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

Snowden-Ifft, Daniel P.

2014-01-15

This paper focuses on the surprising discovery of multiple species of ionization-created CS{sub 2} anions in gas mixtures containing electronegative CS{sub 2} and O{sub 2}, identified by their slightly different drift velocities. Data are presented to understand the formation mechanism and identity of these new anions. Regardless of the micro-physics, however, this discovery offers a new, trigger-less mode of operation for the drift chambers. A demonstration of trigger-less operation is presented.

Irradiated interfaces in the Ara OB1, Carina, Eagle Nebula, and Cyg OB2 massive star formation regions

DOE PAGES

Hartigan, P.; Palmer, J.; Cleeves, L. I.

2012-09-05

Regions of massive star formation offer some of the best and most easily-observed examples of radiation hydrodynamics. Boundaries where fully-ionized H II regions transition to neutral/molecular photodissociation regions (PDRs) are of particular interest because marked temperature and density contrasts across the boundaries lead to evaporative flows and fluid dynamical instabilities that can evolve into spectacular pillar-like structures. Furthermore, when detached from their parent clouds, pillars become ionized globules that often harbor one or more young stars. H2 molecules at the interface between a PDR and an H II region absorb ultraviolet light from massive stars, and the resulting fluoresced infraredmore » emission lines are an ideal way to trace this boundary independent of obscuring dust. This paper presents H2 images of four regions of massive star formation that illustrate different types of PDR boundaries. The Ara OB1 star formation region contains a striking long wall that has several wavy structures which are present in H2, but the emission is not particularly bright because the ambient UV fluxes are relatively low. In contrast, the Carina star formation region shows strong H2 fluorescence both along curved walls and at the edges of spectacular pillars that in some cases have become detached from their parent clouds. The less-spectacular but more well-known Eagle Nebula has two regions that have strong fluorescence in addition to its pillars. And while somewhat older than the other regions, Cyg OB2 has the highest number of massive stars of the regions surveyed and contains many isolated, fluoresced globules that have head–tail morphologies which point towards the sources of ionizing radiation. Our images provide a collection of potential astrophysical analogs that may relate to ablated interfaces observed in laser experiments of radiation hydrodynamics.« less

Formation of structures around HII regions: ionization feedback from massive stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tremblin, P.; Audit, E.; Minier, V.; Schmidt, W.; Schneider, N.

2015-03-01

We present a new model for the formation of dense clumps and pillars around HII regions based on shocks curvature at the interface between a HII region and a molecular cloud. UV radiation leads to the formation of an ionization front and of a shock ahead. The gas is compressed between them forming a dense shell at the interface. This shell may be curved due to initial interface or density modulation caused by the turbulence of the molecular cloud. Low curvature leads to instabilities in the shell that form dense clumps while sufficiently curved shells collapse on itself to form pillars. When turbulence is high compared to the ionized-gas pressure, bubbles of cold gas have sufficient kinetic energy to penetrate into the HII region and detach themselves from the parent cloud, forming cometary globules. Using computational simulations, we show that these new models are extremely efficient to form dense clumps and stable and growing elongated structures, pillars, in which star formation might occur (see Tremblin et al. 2012a). The inclusion of turbulence in the model shows its importance in the formation of cometary globules (see Tremblin et al. 2012b). Globally, the density enhancement in the simulations is of one or two orders of magnitude higher than the density enhancement of the classical ``collect and collapse`` scenario. The code used for the simulation is the HERACLES code, that comprises hydrodynamics with various equation of state, radiative transfer, gravity, cooling and heating. Our recent observations with Herschel (see Schneider et al. 2012a) and SOFIA (see Schneider et al. 2012b) and additional Spitzer data archives revealed many more of these structures in regions where OB stars have already formed such as the Rosette Nebula, Cygnus X, M16 and Vela, suggesting that the UV radiation from massive stars plays an important role in their formation. We present a first comparison between the simulations described above and recent observations of these regions.

Interfacing Capillary-Based Separations to Mass Spectrometry Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization

PubMed Central

Barbula, Griffin K.; Safi, Samir; Chingin, Konstantin; Perry, Richard H.; Zare, Richard N.

2014-01-01

The powerful hybrid analysis method of capillary-based separations followed by mass spectrometric analysis gives substantial chemical identity and structural information. It is usually carried out using electrospray ionization. However, the salts and detergents used in the mobile phase for electrokinetic separations suppress ionization efficiencies and contaminate the inlet of the mass spectrometer. This report describes a new method that uses desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) to overcome these limitations. Effluent from capillary columns is deposited on a rotating Teflon disk that is covered with paper. As the surface rotates, the temporal separation of the eluting analytes (i.e., the electropherogram) is spatially encoded on the surface. Then, using DESI, surface-deposited analytes are preferentially ionized, reducing the effects of ion suppression and inlet contamination on signal. With the use of this novel approach, two capillary-based separations were performed: a mixture of the rhodamine dyes at milligram/milliliter levels in a 10 mM sodium borate solution was separated by capillary electrophoresis, and a mixture of three cardiac drugs at milligram/milliliter levels in a 12.5 mM sodium borate and 12.5 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate solution was separated by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. In both experiments, the negative effects of detergents and salts on the MS analyses were minimized. PMID:21319740

Characterization of breakdown behavior of diamond Schottky barrier diodes using impact ionization coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Driche, Khaled; Umezawa, Hitoshi; Rouger, Nicolas; Chicot, Gauthier; Gheeraert, Etienne

2017-04-01

Diamond has the advantage of having an exceptionally high critical electric field owing to its large band gap, which implies its high ability to withstand high voltages. At this maximum electric field, the operation of Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs), as well as FETs, may be limited by impact ionization, leading to avalanche multiplication, and hence the devices may breakdown. In this study, three of the reported impact ionization coefficients for electrons, αn, and holes, αp, in diamond at room temperature (300 K) are analyzed. Experimental data on reverse operation characteristics obtained from two different diamond SBDs are compared with those obtained from their corresponding simulated structures. Owing to the crucial role played by the impact ionization rate in determining the carrier transport, the three reported avalanche parameters implemented affect the behavior not only of the breakdown voltage but also of the leakage current for the same structure.

Probing the interface of doped isotopically mixed helium droplets by the directional anisotropy of interatomic Coulombic decay.

PubMed

Kryzhevoi, Nikolai V; Mateo, David; Pi, Martí; Barranco, Manuel; Cederbaum, Lorenz S

2013-11-07

Interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) represents an efficient electronic relaxation mechanism of an ionized or an excited system embedded in an environment. The type of this environment and its size have a great impact on the ICD performance. It is stressed that ICD is sensitive to the arrangement of neighboring atoms when the initially created vacancy has a polarization direction. This is demonstrated in the present paper for the case of a 3p-ionized Ca surrounded by He atoms. Useful explicit expressions are derived for the ICD widths which show that the neighbors located along the polarization direction of the ionized orbital have the largest contribution to the ICD rate. By comparison with ab initio results for small clusters, we also show that in a helium environment, the pairwise approximation represents a reliable approach for computing ICD widths. Using this approximation and the density distribution of the helium atoms obtained within density functional theory, we explore ICD in large isotopically mixed helium droplets doped with Ca. A special emphasis is given to the difference between the ICD widths for the Ca3p orbitals directed perpendicular and parallel to the droplet surface. Depending on the size and isotopic composition of the droplet, Ca resides in the interfacial layer between the (4)He core and the (3)He outer shell. Hence, ICD studies in these droplets may provide valuable information on the properties of this interface.

Orbital operations study. Volume 2: Interfacing activities analyses. Part 3: Data management activity group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehrbach, E.; Turkel, S. H.

1972-01-01

A summary of the findings of the data management group of the orbital operations study is presented. Element interfaces, alternate approaches, design concepts, operational procedures, functional requirements, design influences, and approach selection are described. The following interfacing activities are considered: (1) communications, (2) rendezvous, (3) stationkeeping, and (4) detached element operations.

Operator interface for vehicles

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

Bissontz, Jay E

2015-03-10

A control interface for drivetrain braking provided by a regenerative brake and a non-regenerative brake is implemented using a combination of switches and graphic interface elements. The control interface comprises a control system for allocating drivetrain braking effort between the regenerative brake and the non-regenerative brake, a first operator actuated control for enabling operation of the drivetrain braking, and a second operator actuated control for selecting a target braking effort for drivetrain braking. A graphic display displays to an operator the selected target braking effort and can be used to further display actual braking effort achieved by drivetrain braking.

Properties of the +70 kilometers per second cloud toward HD 203664

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sembach, Kenneth R.

1995-01-01

I present high-resolution International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spectra of the ultraviolet absorption in an intermediate-velocity interstellar cloud (nu(sub LSR) approximately equal to +70 km/s) toward HD 203664. The combined, multiple IUE images result in spectra with S/N = 15-40 and resolutions of approximately 20-25 km/s. The intermediate-velocity cloud absorption is present in ultraviolet lines of C II, C II(sup *), C IV, N I, O I, Mg I, Mg II, Al II, Al III, Si II, Si III, Si IV, S II, Cr II, Mn II, Fe II, and Zn II. The relative abundances of low-ionization species suggest an electron density of 0.15-0.34/cu cm and a temperature of 5300-6100 K in the neutral and weakly ionized gas. Given the presence of high-ionization gas tracers such as Si IV and C IV, ionized portions of the cloud probably contribute to the relatively large values of n(sub e) derived from measurements of the lower ionization species. The high-ionization species in the cloud have an abundance ratio, N(C IV)/N(Si IV) approximately equal to 4.5, similar to that inferred for collisionally ionized cloud interfaces at temperatures near 10(exp 5) K along other sight lines. When referenced to sulfur, the abundances of most elements in the cloud are within a factor of 5 of their solar values, which suggests that the +70 km/s gas has a previous origin in the Galactic disk despite a recent determination by Little et al. that the cloud lies at a distance of 200-1500 pc below the Galactic plane. I have checked this result against a model of the ionization for the diffuse ionized gas layer of the Galaxy and find that this conclusion is essentially unchanged as long as the ionization parameter is low as implied by the abundances of adjoining ionization states of aluminum and silicon. The processes responsible for the production of highly ionized gas in the +70 km/s cloud appear to be able to account for the inferred dust grain destruction as well.

XPS studies of structure-induced radiation effects at the Si/SiO2 interface. [X ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grunthaner, F. J.; Lewis, B. F.; Zamini, N.; Maserjian, J.; Madhukar, A.

1980-01-01

The interfacial structures of radiation hard and soft oxides grown by dry and wet processes on silicon substrates have been examined by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the primary difference in the local atomic structure at the Si/SiO2 interface is the significantly higher concentration of strained 120 deg SiO2 bonds and SiO interfacial species in soft samples. Results of in situ radiation damage experiments using low energy electrons (0-20 eV) are reported which correlate with the presence of a strained layer of SiO2 (20 A) at the interface. The results are interpreted in terms of a structural model for hole and electron trap generation by ionizing radiation.

Orbital operations study. Appendix B: Operational procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Galvin, D. M.; Mattson, H. L.; True, D. M.; Anderson, N. R.; Mehrbach, E.; Gianformaggio, A.; Steinwachs, W. L.; Turkel, S. H.

1972-01-01

Operational procedures for each alternate approach for each interfacing activity of the orbital operations study are presented. The applicability of the procedures to interfacing element pairs is identified.

Desorption in Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Usmanov, Dilshadbek Tursunbayevich; Ninomiya, Satoshi; Chen, Lee Chuin; Saha, Subhrakanti; Mandal, Mridul Kanti; Sakai, Yuji; Takaishi, Rio; Habib, Ahsan; Hiraoka, Kenzo; Yoshimura, Kentaro; Takeda, Sen; Wada, Hiroshi; Nonami, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

In mass spectrometry, analytes must be released in the gas phase. There are two representative methods for the gasification of the condensed samples, i.e. , ablation and desorption. While ablation is based on the explosion induced by the energy accumulated in the condensed matrix, desorption is a single molecular process taking place on the surface. In this paper, desorption methods for mass spectrometry developed in our laboratory: flash heating/rapid cooling, Leidenfrost phenomenon-assisted thermal desorption (LPTD), solid/solid friction, liquid/solid friction, electrospray droplet impact (EDI) ionization/desorption, and probe electrospray ionization (PESI), will be described. All the methods are concerned with the surface and interface phenomena. The concept of how to desorb less-volatility compounds from the surface will be discussed.

Fischer Indole Synthesis in the Gas Phase, the Solution Phase, and at the Electrospray Droplet Interface.

PubMed

Bain, Ryan M; Ayrton, Stephen T; Cooks, R Graham

2017-07-01

Previous reports have shown that reactions occurring in the microdroplets formed during electrospray ionization can, under the right conditions, exhibit significantly greater rates than the corresponding bulk solution-phase reactions. The observed acceleration under electrospray ionization could result from a solution-phase, a gas-phase, or an interfacial reaction. This study shows that a gas-phase ion/molecule (or ion/ion) reaction is not responsible for the observed rate enhancement in the particular case of the Fischer indole synthesis. The results show that the accelerated reaction proceeds in the microdroplets, and evidence is provided that an interfacial process is involved. Graphical Abstract .

Ionizing power and nucleophilicity in water in oil AOT-based microemulsions.

PubMed

García-Río, Luis; Hervella, Pablo; Leis, José Ramón

2005-08-16

A study was carried out on the solvolysis of substituted phenyl chloroformates in AOT/isooctane/water microemulsions. (AOT is the sodium salt of bis(2-ethyhexyl)sulfosuccinate.) The results obtained have been interpreted by taking into account the distribution of the chloroformates between the continuous medium and the interface of the microemulsions, where the reactions take place. The values obtained for the rate constant in the interface, k(i), decreases as the water content of the microemulsions increases, as a consequence of the decrease in its nucleophilic capacity. This behavior is consistent with a rate-determining step of water addition to the carbonyl group. The values of k(i) allow us to obtain the slopes of the Hammett correlations at the interface of the microemulsions, rho = 2.25, whose values are greater than those obtained in an aqueous medium, rho = 0.82. This increase in the Hammett slope is similar to that observed in ethanol/water mixtures and is a consequence of a variation in the structure of the transition state of the reaction where there is a smaller extension of the expulsion of the leaving group. The values of the rate constants at the interface of the microemulsions have allowed us, by means of the Grunwald-Winstein equation, to obtain the solvent ionizing power and the nucleophilicity of the solvent. The values obtained for Y(Cl) increase together with the water content of the microemulsion, whereas the values of N(T) decrease. These variations are a consequence of the interaction between the AOT headgroups and the interfacial water, where the water molecules act like electronic acceptors. The intensity of this interaction is greater if the system has a small water content, which explains the variation of Y(Cl) and N(T).

Charging system with galvanic isolation and multiple operating modes

DOEpatents

Kajouke, Lateef A.; Perisic, Milun; Ransom, Ray M.

2013-01-08

Systems and methods are provided for operating a charging system with galvanic isolation adapted for multiple operating modes. A vehicle charging system comprises a DC interface, an AC interface, a first conversion module coupled to the DC interface, and a second conversion module coupled to the AC interface. An isolation module is coupled between the first conversion module and the second conversion module. The isolation module comprises a transformer and a switching element coupled between the transformer and the second conversion module. The transformer and the switching element are cooperatively configured for a plurality of operating modes, wherein each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes corresponds to a respective turns ratio of the transformer.

X-Ray and Energy-Loss Spectroscopy | Materials Science | NREL

Science.gov Websites

, we see sharp peaks corresponding to the characteristic X-rays emitted by the atoms of the different ionization edges at high-energy losses, whose onset position is characteristic of the different types of flat c-Si/a-Si interface (see next). A graph with red, green, and blue curves shows different

Identifying Gel-Separated Proteins Using In-Gel Digestion, Mass Spectrometry, and Database Searching: Consider the Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albright, Jessica C.; Dassenko, David J.; Mohamed, Essa A.; Beussman, Douglas J.

2009-01-01

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry is an important bioanalytical technique in drug discovery, proteomics, and research at the biology-chemistry interface. This is an especially powerful tool when combined with gel separation of proteins and database mining using the mass spectral data. Currently, few hands-on…

An Inexpensive Autosampler to Maximize Throughput for an Ion Source that Samples Surfaces in Open Air

EPA Science Inventory

An autosampler was built to pull cotton swab heads mounted into a 3-foot long, square Al rod in ambient air through the He ionizing beam of a Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) ion source interfaced to an orthogonal acceleration, time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The cost of th...

Detection of explosives using negative ion mobility spectrometry in air based on dopant-assisted thermal ionization.

PubMed

Shahraki, Hassan; Tabrizchi, Mahmoud; Farrokhpor, Hossein

2018-05-26

The ionization source is an essential component of most explosive detectors based on negative ion mobility spectrometry. Conventional ion sources suffer from such inherent limitations as special safety regulations on radioactive sources or generating interfering ions (for non-radioactive sources) such as corona discharge operating in the air. In this study, a new negative ion source is introduced for ion mobility spectrometry that is based on thermal ionization and operates in the air, applicable to explosives detection. Our system consists of a heating filament powered by an isolated power supply connected to negative high voltage. The ionization is assisted by doping chlorinated compounds in the gas phase using chlorinated hydrocarbons in contact with the heating element to yield Cl - reactant ions. Several chlorinated hydrocarbons are evaluated as the reagent chemicals for providing Cl- reactant ions, of which CCl 4 is identified as the best ionizing reagent. The ion source is evaluated by recording the ion mobility spectra of common explosives, including TNT, RDX, and PETN in the air. A detection limit of 150 pg is obtained for TNT. Compared to other ionization sources, the new source is found to be low-cost, simple, and long-lived, making it suited to portable explosives detection devices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Volunteers Oriented Interface Design for the Remote Navigation of Rescue Robots at Large-Scale Disaster Sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Zhixiao; Ito, Kazuyuki; Saijo, Kazuhiko; Hirotsune, Kazuyuki; Gofuku, Akio; Matsuno, Fumitoshi

This paper aims at constructing an efficient interface being similar to those widely used in human daily life, to fulfill the need of many volunteer rescuers operating rescue robots at large-scale disaster sites. The developed system includes a force feedback steering wheel interface and an artificial neural network (ANN) based mouse-screen interface. The former consists of a force feedback steering control and a six monitors’ wall. It provides a manual operation like driving cars to navigate a rescue robot. The latter consists of a mouse and a camera’s view displayed in a monitor. It provides a semi-autonomous operation by mouse clicking to navigate a rescue robot. Results of experiments show that a novice volunteer can skillfully navigate a tank rescue robot through both interfaces after 20 to 30 minutes of learning their operation respectively. The steering wheel interface has high navigating speed in open areas, without restriction of terrains and surface conditions of a disaster site. The mouse-screen interface is good at exact navigation in complex structures, while bringing little tension to operators. The two interfaces are designed to switch into each other at any time to provide a combined efficient navigation method.

Low pressure spark gap triggered by an ion diode

DOEpatents

Prono, Daniel S.

1985-01-01

Spark gap apparatus for use as an electric switch operating at high voltage, high current and high repetition rate. Mounted inside a housing are an anode, cathode and ion plate. An ionizable fluid is pumped through the chamber of the housing. A pulse of current to the ion plate causes ions to be emitted by the ion plate, which ions move into and ionize the fluid. Electric current supplied to the anode discharges through the ionized fluid and flows to the cathode. Current stops flowing when the current source has been drained. The ionized fluid recombines into its initial dielectric ionizable state. The switch is now open and ready for another cycle.

Low-pressure spark gap triggered by an ion diode

DOEpatents

Prono, D.S.

1982-08-31

Spark gap apparatus for use as an electric switch operating at high voltage, high current and high repetition rate. Mounted inside a housing are an anode, cathode and ion plate. An ionizable fluid is pumped through the chamber of the housing. A pulse of current to the ion plate causes ions to be emitted by the ion plate, which ions move into and ionize the fluid. Electric current supplied to the anode discharges through the ionized fluid and flows to the cathode. Current stops flowing when the current source has been drained. The ionized fluid recombines into its initial dielectric ionizable state. The switch is now open and ready for another cycle.

[Interface interconnection and data integration in implementing of digital operating room].

PubMed

Feng, Jingyi; Chen, Hua; Liu, Jiquan

2011-10-01

The digital operating-room, with highly integrated clinical information, is very important for rescuing lives of patients and improving quality of operations. Since equipments in domestic operating-rooms have diversified interface and nonstandard communication protocols, designing and implementing an integrated data sharing program for different kinds of diagnosing, monitoring, and treatment equipments become a key point in construction of digital operating room. This paper addresses interface interconnection and data integration for commonly used clinical equipments from aspects of hardware interface, interface connection and communication protocol, and offers a solution for interconnection and integration of clinical equipments in heterogeneous environment. Based on the solution, a case of an optimal digital operating-room is presented in this paper. Comparing with the international solution for digital operating-room, the solution proposed in this paper is more economical and effective. And finally, this paper provides a proposal for the platform construction of digital perating-room as well as a viewpoint for standardization of domestic clinical equipments.

Strategies Involving Mass Spectrometry Combined with Capillary Electrophoresis in Metabolomics.

PubMed

Rodrigues, Karina Trevisan; Cieslarová, Zuzana; Tavares, Marina Franco Maggi; Simionato, Ana Valéria Colnaghi

2017-01-01

This chapter focuses on the important contribution of CE-MS in metabolomics, describing the nature of CE-MS coupling and the technical improvements that have led to the interfaces used in modern instrumentation. Moreover, it will discourse how the variety of electrolyte compositions and additives, which has conferred CE the exceptional selectivity of its multiple separation modes, has been handled to allow interfacing with MS without compromising ionization efficiency and the spectrometer integrity. Finally, the methodologies of CE-MS in current use for metabolomics will be discussed in detail. To verify the scope of CE-MS in clinical metabolomics, a myriad of representative applications has been compiled.

Time resolved study of hydroxyl radical oxidation of oleic acid at the air-water interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xinxing; Barraza, Kevin M.; Upton, Kathleen T.; Beauchamp, J. L.

2017-09-01

The ubiquity of oleic acid (OA) renders it a poster child for laboratory investigations of environmental oxidation chemistry. In the current study, mechanistic details of the oxidation of OA by hydroxyl radicals at the air-water interface are investigated using field-induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry (FIDI-MS). Products from OH oxidation of both unsaturated and saturated carbon atoms are identified, and mechanisms for both types of oxidation processes are proposed. Uptake of oxygen in the interfacial layer increases linearly with time, consistent with Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction kinetics. These results provide fundamental knowledge relating to OH initiated degradation of fatty acids in atmospheric aerosols.

Improving Performance During Image-Guided Procedures

PubMed Central

Duncan, James R.; Tabriz, David

2015-01-01

Objective Image-guided procedures have become a mainstay of modern health care. This article reviews how human operators process imaging data and use it to plan procedures and make intraprocedural decisions. Methods A series of models from human factors research, communication theory, and organizational learning were applied to the human-machine interface that occupies the center stage during image-guided procedures. Results Together, these models suggest several opportunities for improving performance as follows: 1. Performance will depend not only on the operator’s skill but also on the knowledge embedded in the imaging technology, available tools, and existing protocols. 2. Voluntary movements consist of planning and execution phases. Performance subscores should be developed that assess quality and efficiency during each phase. For procedures involving ionizing radiation (fluoroscopy and computed tomography), radiation metrics can be used to assess performance. 3. At a basic level, these procedures consist of advancing a tool to a specific location within a patient and using the tool. Paradigms from mapping and navigation should be applied to image-guided procedures. 4. Recording the content of the imaging system allows one to reconstruct the stimulus/response cycles that occur during image-guided procedures. Conclusions When compared with traditional “open” procedures, the technology used during image-guided procedures places an imaging system and long thin tools between the operator and the patient. Taking a step back and reexamining how information flows through an imaging system and how actions are conveyed through human-machine interfaces suggest that much can be learned from studying system failures. In the same way that flight data recorders revolutionized accident investigations in aviation, much could be learned from recording video data during image-guided procedures. PMID:24921628

Transitioning to Integrated Modular Avionics with a Mission Management System

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-10-01

software structure, which is based on the use of a of interchangeable processing modules of a limited COTS Real - Time Operating System . number of...open standardised interfaces system hardware or the Real - Time Operating System directly supports the use of COTS components, which implementation, to...System RTOS Real - Time Operating System SMBP System Management Blueprint Interface SMOS System Management to Operating System Interface Figure 2: The ASAAC

Revisiting and Extending Interface Penalties for Multi-Domain Summation-by-Parts Operators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, Mark H.; Nordstrom, Jan; Gottlieb, David

2007-01-01

General interface coupling conditions are presented for multi-domain collocation methods, which satisfy the summation-by-parts (SBP) spatial discretization convention. The combined interior/interface operators are proven to be L2 stable, pointwise stable, and conservative, while maintaining the underlying accuracy of the interior SBP operator. The new interface conditions resemble (and were motivated by) those used in the discontinuous Galerkin finite element community, and maintain many of the same properties. Extensive validation studies are presented using two classes of high-order SBP operators: 1) central finite difference, and 2) Legendre spectral collocation.

Mechanistic Insights on the Photosensitized Chemistry of a Fatty Acid at the Air/Water Interface

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Interfaces are ubiquitous in the environment and many atmospheric key processes, such as gas deposition, aerosol, and cloud formation are, at one stage or another, strongly impacted by physical and chemical processes occurring at interfaces. Here, the photoinduced chemistry of an air/water interface coated with nonanoic acid—a fatty acid surfactant we use as a proxy for chemically complex natural aqueous surface microlayers—was investigated as a source of volatile and semivolatile reactive organic species. The carboxylic acid coating significantly increased the propensity of photosensitizers, chosen to mimic those observed in real environmental waters, to partition to the interface and enhance reactivity there. Photochemical formation of functionalized and unsaturated compounds was systematically observed upon irradiation of these coated surfaces. The role of a coated interface appears to be critical in providing a concentrated medium allowing radical–radical reactions to occur in parallel with molecular oxygen additions. Mechanistic insights are provided from extensive analysis of products observed in both gas and aqueous phases by online switchable reagent ion-time of flight-mass spectrometry and by off-line ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to a Q Exactive high resolution mass spectrometer through heated electrospray ionization, respectively. PMID:27611489

The effects of electric field and gate bias pulse on the migration and stability of ionized oxygen vacancies in amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin film transistors

PubMed Central

Oh, Young Jun; Noh, Hyeon-Kyun; Chang, Kee Joo

2015-01-01

Oxygen vacancies have been considered as the origin of threshold voltage instability under negative bias illumination stress in amorphous oxide thin film transistors. Here we report the results of first-principles molecular dynamics simulations for the drift motion of oxygen vacancies. We show that oxygen vacancies, which are initially ionized by trapping photoexcited hole carriers, can easily migrate under an external electric field. Thus, accumulated hole traps near the channel/dielectric interface cause negative shift of the threshold voltage, supporting the oxygen vacancy model. In addition, we find that ionized oxygen vacancies easily recover their neutral defect configurations by capturing electrons when the Fermi level increases. Our results are in good agreement with the experimental observation that applying a positive gate bias pulse of short duration eliminates hole traps and thus leads to the recovery of device stability from persistent photoconductivity. PMID:27877799

Lipidomic analysis of glycerolipid and cholesteryl ester autooxidation products.

PubMed

Kuksis, Arnis; Suomela, Jukka-Pekka; Tarvainen, Marko; Kallio, Heikki

2009-06-01

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), and liquid chromatography (LC) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) have been adopted for the isolation and identification of oxolipids and for determining their functionality. TLC provides a rapid separation and access to most oxolipids as intact molecules and has recently been effectively interfaced with time-of-flight (TOF) MS (TOF-MS). GC with flame ionization (FI) (GC/FI) and electron impact (EI) MS (GC/EI-MS) has been extensively utilized in the analysis of isoprostanes and other low-molecular-weight oxolipids, although these methods require derivatization of the analytes. In contrast, LC with ultraviolet (UV) absorption (LC/UV) or evaporate light scattering detection (ELSD) (LC/ELSD) as well as electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) MS (LC/ESI-MS) or LC/APCI-MS has proven to be well suited for the analysis of intact oxolipids and their conjugates without or with minimal derivatization. Nevertheless, kit-based colorimetric and fluorescent procedures continue to serve as sensitive indicators of the presence of hydroperoxides and aldehydes.

Design considerations to improve cognitive ergonomic issues of unmanned vehicle interfaces utilizing video game controllers.

PubMed

Oppold, P; Rupp, M; Mouloua, M; Hancock, P A; Martin, J

2012-01-01

Unmanned (UAVs, UCAVs, and UGVs) systems still have major human factors and ergonomic challenges related to the effective design of their control interface systems, crucial to their efficient operation, maintenance, and safety. Unmanned system interfaces with a human centered approach promote intuitive interfaces that are easier to learn, and reduce human errors and other cognitive ergonomic issues with interface design. Automation has shifted workload from physical to cognitive, thus control interfaces for unmanned systems need to reduce mental workload on the operators and facilitate the interaction between vehicle and operator. Two-handed video game controllers provide wide usability within the overall population, prior exposure for new operators, and a variety of interface complexity levels to match the complexity level of the task and reduce cognitive load. This paper categorizes and provides taxonomy for 121 haptic interfaces from the entertainment industry that can be utilized as control interfaces for unmanned systems. Five categories of controllers were based on the complexity of the buttons, control pads, joysticks, and switches on the controller. This allows the selection of the level of complexity needed for a specific task without creating an entirely new design or utilizing an overly complex design.

Interface Design Optimization by an Improved Operating Model for College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ko, Ya-Chuan; Lo, Chi-Hung; Hsiao, Shih-Wen

2017-01-01

A method was proposed in this study for assessing the interface operating efficiency of a remote control. The operating efficiency of a product interface can be determined by the proposed approach in which the related dimensions of human palms were measured. The reachable range (blue zone) and the most comfortable range (green zone) were…

Gas engineering studies for high pressure self-sustained diffuse discharge closing switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunter, S. R.; Christophorou, L. G.; Carter, J. G.

The operating voltage and discharge stability of diffuse discharges for fast-closing switch applications are critically dependent on the variation of the ionization (alpha/N) and attachment (eta/N) coefficients with E/N (gas density normalized electric field strength). Gases and gas mixtures which possess low (E/N)/sub lim/ values (i.e., the E/N value when anti alpha/N = alpha/N - eta/N = 0) and effective ionization coefficients, anti alpha/N, which vary slowly with E/N near (E/N)(sub lim) lead to lower voltage (i.e., more efficient) operation with increased discharge stability. Several gas mixtures with these characteristics are discussed. It is argued that further improvements in switch efficiency and discharge stability can be obtained by adding a low ionization onset gas additive to these binary mixtures, such that at low E/N, alpha/N is greater than eta/N, while at higher E/N, eta/N is greater than alpha/N over a restricted E/N range. Several low ionization onset gas additives are suggested and the electron attachment and ionization coefficients in selected gas mixtures which possess these desirable characteristics are given.

Electronic drive and acquisition system for mass spectrometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schaefer, Rembrandt Thomas (Inventor); Chutjian, Ara (Inventor); Tran, Tuan (Inventor); Madzunkov, Stojan M. (Inventor); Thomas, John L. (Inventor); Mojarradi, Mohammad (Inventor); MacAskill, John (Inventor); Blaes, Brent R. (Inventor); Darrach, Murray R. (Inventor); Burke, Gary R. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

The present invention discloses a mixed signal RF drive electronics board that offers small, low power, reliable, and customizable method for driving and generating mass spectra from a mass spectrometer, and for control of other functions such as electron ionizer, ion focusing, single-ion detection, multi-channel data accumulation and, if desired, front-end interfaces such as pumps, valves, heaters, and columns.

AN ION CORRELATION PROGRAM FOR DECONVOLUTING COMPOSITE MASS SPECTRA ACQUIRED USING A DIRECT SURFACE IONIZATION SOURCE INTERFACED TO A TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER

EPA Science Inventory

The rapid sampling provided by the DART in ambient air will allow rapid delineation of areas of dispersed chemicals after natural or man-made disasters. Exact masses and RIAs of dimer, precursor, and product ions measured by the oa-TOFMS entered dinto the Ion Correlation Program...

Simulating the Heliosphere with Kinetic Hydrogen and Dynamic MHD Source Terms

DOE PAGES

Heerikhuisen, Jacob; Pogorelov, Nikolai; Zank, Gary

2013-04-01

The interaction between the ionized plasma of the solar wind (SW) emanating from the sun and the partially ionized plasma of the local interstellar medium (LISM) creates the heliosphere. The heliospheric interface is characterized by the tangential discontinuity known as the heliopause that separates the SW and LISM plasmas, and a termination shock on the SW side along with a possible bow shock on the LISM side. Neutral Hydrogen of interstellar origin plays a critical role in shaping the heliospheric interface, since it freely traverses the heliopause. Charge-exchange between H-atoms and plasma protons couples the ions and neutrals, but themore » mean free paths are large, resulting in non-equilibrated energetic ion and neutral components. In our model, source terms for the MHD equations are generated using a kinetic approach for hydrogen, and the key computational challenge is to resolve these sources with sufficient statistics. For steady-state simulations, statistics can accumulate over arbitrarily long time intervals. In this paper we discuss an approach for improving the statistics in time-dependent calculations, and present results from simulations of the heliosphere where the SW conditions at the inner boundary of the computation vary according to an idealized solar cycle.« less

Axisymmetric Self-Consistent Model of the Solar Wind Interaction with the Lism: Basic Results and Possible Ways of Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranov, V. B.; Malama, Yu. G.

1996-10-01

We analyze the main results of the axisymmetric self-consistent model of the solar wind (SW) and supersonic local interstellar medium (LISM) interaction proposed by Baranov and Malama (1993, hereafter BM93, 1995) for an interstellar flow assumed to be composed of protons, electrons and hydrogen atoms. Here, in addition to the resonant charge exchange we also take into account the photoionization and the ionization by electron impact. The characteristics of the plasma in the interface region and inside the heliosphere depend strongly on the ionization degree of the LISM. The distribution function of the H atoms which penetrate the solar system from the LISM is non-Maxwellian, which implies that a pure hydrodynamic description of their motion is not appropriate. The H atom number density is a non-monotonic function of the heliocentric distance and the existence of a “hydrogen wall” in the vicinity of the heliopause is important for the interpretation of solar Lyman-alpha scattering experiments. The influence of the interface plasma structure on the interstellar oxygen penetration into the solar system is also illustrated. Possible ways of development of the model are analyzed.

Study of the Synchronous Operation of an Annular Field Reversed Configuration Plasma Device

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-05

of pulsed diagnostics were developed to explore the operational characteristics of a 40 -cm outer diameter annular theta pinch and its pre-ionization...Optimized pre-ionization conditions, neutral gas densities, and plasma transition energies were determined for the 40 cm annulus in both argon and xenon...MSNW 100 25 10 10 150 Formation 1985 HBQM U Wash 300 22 5 5 30 Formation 1986 TRX-2 STI 100 24 13 10 100 Confinement 1987 CSS U Wash 100 45 3 40 60

Low pressure electrospray ionization system and process for effective transmission of ions

DOEpatents

Tang, Keqi [Richland, WA; Page, Jason S [Kennewick, WA; Kelly, Ryan T [West Richland, WA; Smith, Richard D [Richland, WA

2012-05-08

Systems and methods that provide up to complete transmission of ions between coupled stages with low effective ion losses. An "interfaceless" electrospray ionization system is further described that operates an electrospray at a reduced pressure such that standard electrospray sample solutions can be directly sprayed into an electrodynamic ion funnel which provides ion focusing and transmission of ions into a mass analyzer. Furthermore, chambers maintained at different pressures can allow for more optimal operating conditions for an electrospray emitter and an ion guide.

Development of primary standards for mass spectrometry to increase accuracy in quantifying environmental contaminants.

PubMed

Oates, R P; Mcmanus, Michelle; Subbiah, Seenivasan; Klein, David M; Kobelski, Robert

2017-07-14

Internal standards are essential in electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS) to correct for systematic error associated with ionization suppression and/or enhancement. A wide array of instrument setups and interfaces has created difficulty in comparing the quantitation of absolute analyte response across laboratories. This communication demonstrates the use of primary standards as operational qualification standards for LC-MS instruments and their comparison with commonly accepted internal standards. In monitoring the performance of internal standards for perfluorinated compounds, potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) presented lower inter-day variability in instrument response than a commonly accepted deuterated perfluorinated internal standard (d3-PFOS), with percent relative standard deviations less than or equal to 6%. The inter-day precision of KHP was greater than d3-PFOS over a 28-day monitoring of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), across concentrations ranging from 0 to 100μg/L. The primary standard trometamol (Trizma) performed as well as known internal standards simeton and tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), with intra-day precision of Trizma response as low as 7% RSD on day 28. The inter-day precision of Trizma response was found to be greater than simeton and TCPP, across concentrations of neonicotinoids ranging from 1 to 100μg/L. This study explores the potential of primary standards to be incorporated into LC-MS/MS methodology to improve the quantitative accuracy in environmental contaminant analysis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis in ginseng and spinach by nontargeted and targeted screening procedures.

PubMed

Hayward, Douglas G; Wong, Jon W; Zhang, Kai; Chang, James; Shi, Feng; Banerjee, Kaushik; Yang, Paul

2011-01-01

Five different mass spectrometers interfaced to GC or LC were evaluated for their application to targeted and nontargeted screening of pesticides in two foods, spinach and ginseng. The five MS systems were capillary GC/MS/MS, GC-high resolution time-of-flight (GC/HR-TOF)-MS, TOF-MS interfaced with a comprehensive multidimensional GC (GCxGC/TOF-MS), an MS/MS ion trap hybrid mass (qTrap) system interfaced with an ultra-performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC-qTrap), and UPLC interfaced to an orbital trap high resolution mass spectrometer (UPLC/Orbitrap HR-MS). Each MS system was tested with spinach and ginseng extracts prepared through a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) procedure. Each matrix was fortified at 10 and 50 ng/g for spinach or 25 and 100 ng/g for ginseng with subsets of 486 pesticides, isomers, and metabolites representing most pesticide classes. HR-TOF-MS was effective in a targeted search for characteristic accurate mass ions and identified 97% of 170 pesticides in ginseng at 25 ng/g. A targeted screen of either ginseng or spinach found 94-95% of pesticides fortified for analysis at 10 ng/g with GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) procedures. Orbitrap-MS successfully found 89% of 177 fortified pesticides in spinach at 25 ng/g using a targeted search of accurate mass pseudomolecular ions in the positive electrospray ionization mode. A comprehensive GCxGC/TOF-MS system provided separation and identification of 342 pesticides and metabolites in a single 32 min acquisition with standards. Only 67 or 81% of the pesticides were identified in ginseng and spinach matrixes at 25 ng/g or 10 ng/g, respectively. MS/MS or qTrap-MS operated in the MRM mode produced the lowest false-negative rates, at 10 ng/g. Improvements to instrumentation, methods, and software are needed for efficient use of nontargeted screens in parallel with triple quadrupole MS.

Orbital operations study. Volume 1: Mission analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinwachs, W. L.

1972-01-01

The final report of the orbital operations study and a summary of the 25 elements in the study inventory are presented. Fourteen interfacing activities are defined. Eleven mission models encompassing all potential interfacing element pairs and interfacing activities are included.

Near infrared observations of S155. evidence of induced star formation?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunt, L. K.; Lisi, F.; Felli, M.; Tofani, G.

At the interface of the giant molecular cloud Cepheus OB3, S155 represents one of the most interesting examples of bright rim produced by the ionization of a nearby O-star. The interaction between the ionized HII region S155 and the hot molecular core Cepheus B may constitute the ideal site for new stars, according to the sequential star-formation theory. Past observations of molecular lines have shown the evidence of a hot spot in the cloud core, probably a compact region associated to a young stellar object. New J,H,K images recently obtained with the ARNICA array at the TIRGO telescope give evidence of stars with strong near-infrared excess, which must represent the newest generation of young stars.

Reactions of solvated electrons initiated by sodium atom ionization at the vacuum-liquid interface.

PubMed

Alexander, William A; Wiens, Justin P; Minton, Timothy K; Nathanson, Gilbert M

2012-03-02

Solvated electrons are powerful reagents in the liquid phase that break chemical bonds and thereby create additional reactive species, including hydrogen atoms. We explored the distinct chemistry that ensues when electrons are liberated near the liquid surface rather than within the bulk. Specifically, we detected the products resulting from exposure of liquid glycerol to a beam of sodium atoms. The Na atoms ionized in the surface region, generating electrons that reacted with deuterated glycerol, C(3)D(5)(OD)(3), to produce D atoms, D(2), D(2)O, and glycerol fragments. Surprisingly, 43 ± 4% of the D atoms traversed the interfacial region and desorbed into vacuum before attacking C-D bonds to produce D(2).

Desorption in Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Usmanov, Dilshadbek Tursunbayevich; Ninomiya, Satoshi; Chen, Lee Chuin; Saha, Subhrakanti; Mandal, Mridul Kanti; Sakai, Yuji; Takaishi, Rio; Habib, Ahsan; Hiraoka, Kenzo; Yoshimura, Kentaro; Takeda, Sen; Wada, Hiroshi; Nonami, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

In mass spectrometry, analytes must be released in the gas phase. There are two representative methods for the gasification of the condensed samples, i.e., ablation and desorption. While ablation is based on the explosion induced by the energy accumulated in the condensed matrix, desorption is a single molecular process taking place on the surface. In this paper, desorption methods for mass spectrometry developed in our laboratory: flash heating/rapid cooling, Leidenfrost phenomenon-assisted thermal desorption (LPTD), solid/solid friction, liquid/solid friction, electrospray droplet impact (EDI) ionization/desorption, and probe electrospray ionization (PESI), will be described. All the methods are concerned with the surface and interface phenomena. The concept of how to desorb less-volatility compounds from the surface will be discussed. PMID:28337398

The Johnson Space Center Management Information Systems (JSCMIS): An interface for organizational databases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bishop, Peter C.; Erickson, Lloyd

1990-01-01

The Management Information and Decision Support Environment (MIDSE) is a research activity to build and test a prototype of a generic human interface on the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Information Network (CIN). The existing interfaces were developed specifically to support operations rather than the type of data which management could use. The diversity of the many interfaces and their relative difficulty discouraged occasional users from attempting to use them for their purposes. The MIDSE activity approached this problem by designing and building an interface to one JSC data base - the personnel statistics tables of the NASA Personnel and Payroll System (NPPS). The interface was designed against the following requirements: generic (use with any relational NOMAD data base); easy to learn (intuitive operations for new users); easy to use (efficient operations for experienced users); self-documenting (help facility which informs users about the data base structure as well as the operation of the interface); and low maintenance (easy configuration to new applications). A prototype interface entitled the JSC Management Information Systems (JSCMIS) was produced. It resides on CIN/PROFS and is available to JSC management who request it. The interface has passed management review and is ready for early use. Three kinds of data are now available: personnel statistics, personnel register, and plan/actual cost.

Graphene-based filament material for thermal ionization

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

Hewitt, J.; Shick, C.; Siegfried, M.

The use of graphene oxide materials for thermal ionization mass spectrometry analysis of plutonium and uranium has been investigated. Filament made from graphene oxide slurries have been 3-D printed. A method for attaching these filaments to commercial thermal ionization post assemblies has been devised. Resistive heating of the graphene based filaments under high vacuum showed stable operation in excess of 4 hours. Plutonium ion production has been observed in an initial set of filaments spiked with the Pu 128 Certified Reference Material.

Stand-alone digital data storage control system including user control interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Kenneth D. (Inventor); Gray, David L. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A storage control system includes an apparatus and method for user control of a storage interface to operate a storage medium to store data obtained by a real-time data acquisition system. Digital data received in serial format from the data acquisition system is first converted to a parallel format and then provided to the storage interface. The operation of the storage interface is controlled in accordance with instructions based on user control input from a user. Also, a user status output is displayed in accordance with storage data obtained from the storage interface. By allowing the user to control and monitor the operation of the storage interface, a stand-alone, user-controllable data storage system is provided for storing the digital data obtained by a real-time data acquisition system.

IUS/TUG orbital operations and mission support study. Volume 3: Space tug operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A study was conducted to develop space tug operational concepts and baseline operations plan, and to provide cost estimates for space tug operations. Background data and study results are presented along with a transition phase analysis (the transition from interim upper state to tug operations). A summary is given of the tug operational and interface requirements with emphasis on the on-orbit checkout requirements, external interface operational requirements, safety requirements, and system operational interface requirements. Other topics discussed include reference missions baselined for the tug and details for the mission functional flows and timelines derived for the tug mission, tug subsystems, tug on-orbit operations prior to the tug first burn, spacecraft deployment and retrieval by the tug, operations centers, mission planning, potential problem areas, and cost data.

Spontaneous-Desorption Ionizer for a TOF-MS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schultz, J. Albert

2006-01-01

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) like the one mentioned in the immediately preceding article has been retrofitted with an ionizer based on a surface spontaneous-desorption process. This ionizer includes an electron multiplier in the form of a microchannel plate (MCP). Relative to an ionizer based on a hot-filament electron source, this ionizer offers advantages of less power consumption and greater mechanical ruggedness. The current density and stability characteristics of the electron emission of this ionizer are similar to those of a filament-based ionizer. In tests of various versions of this ionizer in the TOF-MS, electron currents up to 100 nA were registered. Currents of microamperes or more - great enough to satisfy requirements in most TOFMS applications - could be obtained by use of MCPs different from those used in the tests, albeit at the cost of greater bulk. One drawback of this ionizer is that the gain of the MCP decreases as a function of the charge extracted thus far; the total charge that can be extracted over the operational lifetime is about 1 coulomb. An MCP in the ion-detector portion of the TOF-MS is subject to the same limitation.

Diagnostic studies of ion beam formation in inductively coupled plasma

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

Jacobs, Jenee L.

2015-01-01

This dissertation describes a variety of studies focused on the plasma and the ion beam in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ability to use ICP-MS for measurements of trace elements in samples requires the analytes to be efficiently ionized. Updated ionization efficiency tables are discussed for ionization temperatures of 6500 K and 7000 K with an electron density of 1 x 10 15 cm -3. These values are reflective of the current operating parameters of ICP-MS instruments. Calculations are also discussed for doubly charged (M 2+) ion formation, neutral metal oxide (MO) ionization, and metal oxide (MO +)more » ion dissociation for similar plasma temperature values. Ionization efficiency results for neutral MO molecules in the ICP have not been reported previously.« less

Automatic system for ionization chamber current measurements.

PubMed

Brancaccio, Franco; Dias, Mauro S; Koskinas, Marina F

2004-12-01

The present work describes an automatic system developed for current integration measurements at the Laboratório de Metrologia Nuclear of Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares. This system includes software (graphic user interface and control) and a module connected to a microcomputer, by means of a commercial data acquisition card. Measurements were performed in order to check the performance and for validating the proposed design.

Electrical Breakdown Phenomena Involving Material Interfaces

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

create ozone through chemical reactions involving reactive species created by the electrical discharge [3]. The glow discharge breakdown in such...2. REPORT TYPE N/A 3. DATES COVERED - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Investigation Of Pre-Ionization And Atmospheric Pulsed Discharge Plasma 5a...growth of the air discharge in the form of a conductive filament consisting of electrons and ions. This filament is created by temporal pulse that

Simulator training to minimize ionizing radiation exposure in the catheterization laboratory.

PubMed

Katz, Aric; Shtub, Avraham; Solomonica, Amir; Poliakov, Adva; Roguin, Ariel

2017-03-01

To learn about radiation and how to lower it. Patients and operators are routinely exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation during catheterization procedures. This increased exposure to ionizing radiation is partially due to a lack of awareness to the effects of ionizing radiation, and lack of knowledge on the distribution and behavior of scattered radiation. A simulator, which incorporates data on scattered ionizing radiation, was built based on multiple phantom measurements and used for teaching radiation safety. The validity of the simulator was confirmed in three catheterization laboratories and tested by 20 interventional cardiologists. All evaluators were tested by an objective knowledge examination before, immediately following, and 12 weeks after simulator-based learning and training. A subjective Likert questionnaire on satisfaction with simulation-based learning and training was also completed. The 20 evaluators learned and retained the knowledge that they gained from using the simulator: the average scores of the knowledge examination pre-simulator training was 54 ± 15% (mean ± standard deviation), and this score significantly increased after training to 94 ± 10% (p < 0.001). The evaluators also reported high levels of satisfaction following simulation-based learning and training according to the results of the subjective Likert questionnaire. Simulators can be used to train cardiology staff and fellows and to further educate experienced personnel on radiation safety. As a result of simulator training, the operator gains knowledge, which can then be applied in the catheterization laboratory in order to reduce radiation doses to the patient and to the operator, thereby improving the safety of the intervention.

Advanced understanding on electronic structure of molecular semiconductors and their interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akaike, Kouki

2018-03-01

Understanding the electronic structure of organic semiconductors and their interfaces is critical to optimizing functionalities for electronics applications, by rational chemical design and appropriate combination of device constituents. The unique electronic structure of a molecular solid is characterized as (i) anisotropic electrostatic fields that originate from molecular quadrupoles, (ii) interfacial energy-level lineup governed by simple electrostatics, and (iii) weak intermolecular interactions that make not only structural order but also energy distributions of the frontier orbitals sensitive to atmosphere and interface growth. This article shows an overview on these features with reference to the improved understanding of the orientation-dependent electronic structure, comprehensive mechanisms of molecular doping, and energy-level alignment. Furthermore, the engineering of ionization energy by the control of the electrostatic fields and work function of practical electrodes by contact-induced doping is briefly described for the purpose of highlighting how the electronic structure impacts the performance of organic devices.

EL2 deep-level transient study in semi-insulating GaAs using positron-lifetime spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Y. Y.; Ling, C. C.; Deng, A. H.; Panda, B. K.; Beling, C. D.; Fung, S.

1997-03-01

Positron lifetime measurements performed on Au/GaAs samples at room temperature with an applied square-wave ac bias show a frequency dependent interface related lifetime intensity that peaks around 0.4 Hz. The observation is explained by the ionization of the deep-donor level EL2 to EL2+ in the GaAs region adjacent to the Au/GaAs interface, causing a transient electric field to be experienced by positrons drifting towards the interface. Without resorting to temperature scanning or any Arrhenius plot the EL2 donor level is found to be located 0.80+/-0.01+/-0.05 eV below the conduction-band minimum, where the first error estimate is statistical and the second systematic. The result suggests positron annihilation may, in some instances, act as an alternative to capacitance transient spectroscopies in characterizing deep levels in both semiconductors and semi-insulators.

A study of usability principles and interface design for mobile e-books.

PubMed

Wang, Chao-Ming; Huang, Ching-Hua

2015-01-01

This study examined usability principles and interface designs in order to understand the relationship between the intentions of mobile e-book interface designs and users' perceptions. First, this study summarised 4 usability principles and 16 interface attributes, in order to conduct usability testing and questionnaire survey by referring to Nielsen (1993), Norman (2002), and Yeh (2010), who proposed the usability principles. Second, this study used the interviews to explore the perceptions and behaviours of user operations through senior users of multi-touch prototype devices. The results of this study are as follows: (1) users' behaviour of operating an interactive interface is related to user prior experience; (2) users' rating of the visibility principle is related to users' subjective perception but not related to user prior experience; however, users' ratings of the ease, efficiency, and enjoyment principles are related to user prior experience; (3) the interview survey reveals that the key attributes affecting users' behaviour of operating an interface include aesthetics, achievement, and friendliness. This study conducts experiments to explore the effects of users’ prior multi-touch experience on users’ behaviour of operating a mobile e-book interface and users’ rating of usability principles. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyses were performed. By applying protocol analysis, key attributes affecting users’ behaviour of operation were determined.

Multi-Robot Interfaces and Operator Situational Awareness: Study of the Impact of Immersion and Prediction

PubMed Central

Peña-Tapia, Elena; Martín-Barrio, Andrés; Olivares-Méndez, Miguel A.

2017-01-01

Multi-robot missions are a challenge for operators in terms of workload and situational awareness. These operators have to receive data from the robots, extract information, understand the situation properly, make decisions, generate the adequate commands, and send them to the robots. The consequences of excessive workload and lack of awareness can vary from inefficiencies to accidents. This work focuses on the study of future operator interfaces of multi-robot systems, taking into account relevant issues such as multimodal interactions, immersive devices, predictive capabilities and adaptive displays. Specifically, four interfaces have been designed and developed: a conventional, a predictive conventional, a virtual reality and a predictive virtual reality interface. The four interfaces have been validated by the performance of twenty-four operators that supervised eight multi-robot missions of fire surveillance and extinguishing. The results of the workload and situational awareness tests show that virtual reality improves the situational awareness without increasing the workload of operators, whereas the effects of predictive components are not significant and depend on their implementation. PMID:28749407

A novel APPI-MS setup for in situ degradation product studies of atmospherically relevant compounds: capillary atmospheric pressure photo ionization (cAPPI).

PubMed

Kersten, Hendrik; Derpmann, Valerie; Barnes, Ian; Brockmann, Klaus J; O'Brien, Rob; Benter, Thorsten

2011-11-01

We report on the development of a novel atmospheric pressure photoionization setup and its applicability for in situ degradation product studies of atmospherically relevant compounds. A custom miniature spark discharge lamp was embedded into an ion transfer capillary, which separates the atmospheric pressure from the low pressure region in the first differential pumping stage of a conventional atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. The lamp operates with a continuous argon flow and produces intense light emissions in the VUV. The custom lamp is operated windowless and efficiently illuminates the sample flow through the transfer capillary on an area smaller than 1 mm(2). Limits of detection in the lower ppbV range, a temporal resolution of milliseconds in the positive as well as the quasi simultaneously operating negative ion mode, and a significant reduction of ion transformation processes render this system applicable to real time studies of rapidly changing chemical systems. The method termed capillary atmospheric pressure photo ionization (cAPPI) is characterized with respect to the lamp emission properties as a function of the operating conditions, temporal response, and its applicability for in situ degradation product studies of atmospherically relevant compounds, respectively.

Rapid identification of regulated organic chemical compounds in toys using ambient ionization and a miniature mass spectrometry system.

PubMed

Guo, Xiangyu; Bai, Hua; Lv, Yueguang; Xi, Guangcheng; Li, Junfang; Ma, Xiaoxiao; Ren, Yue; Ouyang, Zheng; Ma, Qiang

2018-04-01

Rapid, on-site analysis was achieved through significantly simplified operation procedures for a wide variety of toy samples (crayon, temporary tattoo sticker, finger paint, modeling clay, and bubble solution) using a miniature mass spectrometry system with ambient ionization capability. The labor-intensive analytical protocols involving sample workup and chemical separation, traditionally required for MS-based analysis, were replaced by direct sampling analysis using ambient ionization methods. A Mini β ion trap miniature mass spectrometer was coupled with versatile ambient ionization methods, e.g. paper spray, extraction spray and slug-flow microextraction nanoESI for direct identification of prohibited colorants, carcinogenic primary aromatic amines, allergenic fragrances, preservatives and plasticizers from raw toy samples. The use of paper substrates coated with Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles allowed a great increase in sensitivity for paper spray. Limits of detection as low as 5μgkg -1 were obtained for target analytes. The methods being developed based on the integration of ambient ionization with miniature mass spectrometer represent alternatives to current in-lab MS analysis operation, and would enable fast, outside-the-lab screening of toy products to ensure children's safety and health. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Empirical Study on Operator Interface Design for Handheld Devices to Control Micro Aerial Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

An Empirical Study on Operator Interface Design for Handheld Devices to Control Micro Aerial Vehicles Ming Hou...Report DRDC Toronto TR 2010-075 October 2010 An Empirical Study on Operator Interface Design for Handheld Devices to...drives the need for a small and light controller which will not hinder a soldier carrying it. This requirement brings an issue of designing an

Orbital operations study. Appendix A: Interactivity analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Supplemental analyses conducted to verify that safe, feasible, design concepts exist for accomplishing the attendant interface activities of the orbital operations mission are presented. The data are primarily concerned with functions and concepts common to more than one of the interfacing activities or elements. Specific consideration is given to state vector update, payload deployment, communications links, jet plume impingement, attached element operations, docking and structural interface assessment, and propellant transfer.

Protein oxidative modifications during electrospray ionization: solution phase electrochemistry or corona discharge-induced radical attack?

PubMed

Boys, Brian L; Kuprowski, Mark C; Noël, James J; Konermann, Lars

2009-05-15

The exposure of solution-phase proteins to reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes oxidative modifications, giving rise to the formation of covalent +16 Da adducts. Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) is the most widely used method for monitoring the extent of these modifications. Unfortunately, protein oxidation can also take place as an experimental artifact during ESI, such that it may be difficult to assess the actual level of oxidation in bulk solution. Previous work has demonstrated that ESI-induced oxidation is highly prevalent when operating at strongly elevated capillary voltage V(0) (e.g., +8 kV) and with oxygen nebulizer gas in the presence of a clearly visible corona discharge. Protein oxidation under these conditions is commonly attributed to OH radicals generated in the plasma of the discharge. On the other hand, charge balancing oxidation reactions are known to take place at the metal/liquid interface of the emitter. Previous studies have not systematically explored whether such electrochemical processes could be responsible for the formation of oxidative +16 Da adducts instead of (or in combination with) plasma-generated ROS. Using hemoglobin as a model system, this work illustrates the occurrence of extensive protein oxidation even under typical operating conditions (e.g., V(0) = 3.5 kV, N(2) nebulizer gas). Surprisingly, measurements of the current flowing in the ESI circuit demonstrate that a weak corona discharge persists for these relatively gentle settings. On the basis of comparative experiments with nebulizer gases of different dielectric strength, it is concluded that ROS generated under discharge conditions are solely responsible for ESI-induced protein oxidation. This result is corroborated through off-line electrolysis experiments designed to mimic the electrochemical processes taking place during ESI. Our findings highlight the necessity of using easily oxidizable internal standards in biophysical or biomedical ESI-MS studies where knowledge of protein oxidation in bulk solution is desired. Strategies for eliminating ESI-induced oxidation artifacts are discussed.

Improved Quick Disconnect (QD) Interface Through Fail Safe Parts Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blanch-Payne, Evelyn

2001-01-01

An extensive review of existing Quick Disconnects (QDs) mating and demating operations was performed to determine which shuttle part interface identifications and procedures contribute to human factor errors. The research methods used consisted of interviews with engineers and technicians, examination of incident reports, critiques of video and audio tapes of QD operations, and attendance of a Hyper QD operational course. The data strongly suggests that there are inherit human factor errors involved in QD operations. To promote fail-safe operations, QD interface problem areas and recommendations were outlined and reviewed. It is suggested that dialogue, investigations and recommendations continue.

Upper Hybrid Effects in Artificial Ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papadopoulos, K.; Eliasson, B. E.

2014-12-01

A most fascinating result of recent ionospheric experiments has been the discovery of artificial ionization by Pedersen et al. (GRL, 37, L02106, 2010). The Artificial Ionospheric Layers (AIL) were the result of F-region O-mode HF irradiation using the HAARP ionospheric heater operating at 3.6 MW power. As demonstrated by Eliasson et al. (JGR, 117, A10321, 2012) the physics controlling the observed phenomenon and its threshold can be summarized as: " Collisional ionization due to high energy (~ 20 eV) electron tails generated by the interaction of strong Langmuir turbulence with plasma heated at the upper hybrid resonance and transported at the reflection height". The objective of the current presentation is to explore the role of the upper hybrid heating in the formation of AIL and its implications to future experiments involving HF heaters operating in middle and equatorial latitudes.

Computational Model of D-Region Ion Production Caused by Energetic Electron Precipitations Based on General Monte Carlo Transport Calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouznetsov, A.; Cully, C. M.

2017-12-01

During enhanced magnetic activities, large ejections of energetic electrons from radiation belts are deposited in the upper polar atmosphere where they play important roles in its physical and chemical processes, including VLF signals subionospheric propagation. Electron deposition can affect D-Region ionization, which are estimated based on ionization rates derived from energy depositions. We present a model of D-region ion production caused by an arbitrary (in energy and pitch angle) distribution of fast (10 keV - 1 MeV) electrons. The model relies on a set of pre-calculated results obtained using a general Monte Carlo approach with the latest version of the MCNP6 (Monte Carlo N-Particle) code for the explicit electron tracking in magnetic fields. By expressing those results using the ionization yield functions, the pre-calculated results are extended to cover arbitrary magnetic field inclinations and atmospheric density profiles, allowing ionization rate altitude profile computations in the range of 20 and 200 km at any geographic point of interest and date/time by adopting results from an external atmospheric density model (e.g. NRLMSISE-00). The pre-calculated MCNP6 results are stored in a CDF (Common Data Format) file, and IDL routines library is written to provide an end-user interface to the model.

Orbital operations study. Volume 2: Interfacing activities analysis. Part 4: Support operations activity group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinwachs, W. L.; Patrick, J. W.; Galvin, D. M.; Turkel, S. H.

1972-01-01

The findings of the support operations activity group of the orbital operations study are presented. Element interfaces, alternate approaches, design concepts, operational procedures, functional requirements, design influences, and approach selection are presented. The following areas are considered: (1) crew transfer, (2) cargo transfer, (3) propellant transfer, (4) attached element operations, and (5) attached element transport.

Effects of ionizing radiation on charge-coupled imagers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killiany, J. M.; Baker, W. D.; Saks, N. S.; Barbe, D. F.

1975-01-01

The effects of ionizing radiation on three different charge coupled imagers have been investigated. Device performance was evaluated as a function of total gamma ray dose. The principal failure mechanisms have been identified for each particular device structure. The clock and bias voltages required for high total dose operation of the devices are presented.

Depth profiling of inks in authentic and counterfeit banknotes by electrospray laser desorption ionization/mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kao, Yi-Ying; Cheng, Sy-Chyi; Cheng, Chu-Nian; Shiea, Jentaie

2016-01-01

Electrospray laser desorption ionization is an ambient ionization technique that generates neutrals via laser desorption and ionizes those neutrals in an electrospray plume and was utilized to characterize inks in different layers of copy paper and banknotes of various currencies. Depth profiling of inks was performed on overlapping color bands on copy paper by repeatedly scanning the line with a pulsed laser beam operated at a fixed energy. The molecules in the ink on a banknote were desorbed by irradiating the banknote surface with a laser beam operated at different energies, with results indicating that different ions were detected at different depths. The analysis of authentic $US100, $100 RMB and $1000 NTD banknotes indicated that ions detected in 'color-shifting' and 'typography' regions were significantly different. Additionally, the abundances of some ions dramatically changed with the depth of the aforementioned regions. This approach was used to distinguish authentic $1000 NTD banknotes from counterfeits. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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

Bowring, Daniel; Freemire, Ben; Kochemirovskiy, Alexey

Ionization cooling of intense muon beams requires the operation of high-gradient, normal-conducting RF structures within multi-Tesla magnetic fields. The application of strong magnetic fields has been shown to lead to an increase in vacuum RF breakdown. This phenomenon imposes operational (i.e. gradient) limitations on cavities in ionization cooling channels, and has a bearing on the design and operation of other RF structures as well, such as photocathodes and klystrons. We present recent results from Fermilab's MuCool Test Area (MTA), in which 201 and 805 MHz cavities were operated at high power both with and without the presence of multi-Tesla magneticmore » fields. We present an analysis of damage due to breakdown in these cavities, as well as measurements related to dark current and their relation to a conceptual model describing breakdown phenomena.« less

Bipolar Mass Spectrometry of Labile Coordination Complexes, Redox Active Inorganic Compounds, and Proteins Using a Glass Nebulizer for Sonic-Spray Ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonakis, Manolis M.; Tsirigotaki, Alexandra; Kanaki, Katerina; Milios, Constantinos J.; Pergantis, Spiros A.

2013-08-01

In this study, we report on the development of a novel nebulizer configuration for sonic-spray ionization (SSI) mass spectrometry (MS), more specifically for a version of SSI that is referred to as Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (V-EASI) MS. The developed nebulizer configuration is based on a commercially available pneumatic glass nebulizer that has been used extensively for aerosol formation in atomic spectrometry. In the present study, the nebulizer was modified in order to achieve efficient V-EASI-MS operation. Upon evaluating this system, it has been demonstrated that V-EASI-MS offers some distinct advantages for the analysis of coordination compounds and redox active inorganic compounds over the predominantly used electrospray ionization (ESI) technique. Such advantages, for this type of compounds, are demonstrated here for the first time. More specifically, a series of labile heptanuclear heterometallic [CuII 6LnIII] clusters held together with artificial amino acid ligands, in addition to easily oxidized inorganic oxyanions of selenium and arsenic, were analyzed. The observed advantages pertain to V-EASI appearing to be a "milder" ionization source than ESI, not requiring electrical potentials for gas phase ion formation, thus eliminating the possibility of unwanted redox transformations, allowing for the "simultaneous" detection of negative and positive ions (bipolar analysis) without the need to change source ionization conditions, and also not requiring the use of syringes and delivery pumps. Because of such features, especially because of the absence of ionization potentials, EASI can be operated with minimal requirements for source parameter optimization. We observed that source temperature and accelerating voltage do not seem to affect labile compounds to the extent they do in ESI-MS. In addition, bipolar analysis of proteins was demonstrated here by acquiring both positive and negative ion mass spectra from the same protein solutions, without the need to independently adjust solution and source conditions in each mode. Finally, the simple and efficient operation of a dual-nebulizer configuration was demonstrated for V-EASI-MS for the first time.

Bipolar mass spectrometry of labile coordination complexes, redox active inorganic compounds, and proteins using a glass nebulizer for sonic-spray ionization.

PubMed

Antonakis, Manolis M; Tsirigotaki, Alexandra; Kanaki, Katerina; Milios, Constantinos J; Pergantis, Spiros A

2013-08-01

In this study, we report on the development of a novel nebulizer configuration for sonic-spray ionization (SSI) mass spectrometry (MS), more specifically for a version of SSI that is referred to as Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (V-EASI) MS. The developed nebulizer configuration is based on a commercially available pneumatic glass nebulizer that has been used extensively for aerosol formation in atomic spectrometry. In the present study, the nebulizer was modified in order to achieve efficient V-EASI-MS operation. Upon evaluating this system, it has been demonstrated that V-EASI-MS offers some distinct advantages for the analysis of coordination compounds and redox active inorganic compounds over the predominantly used electrospray ionization (ESI) technique. Such advantages, for this type of compounds, are demonstrated here for the first time. More specifically, a series of labile heptanuclear heterometallic [Cu(II) 6Ln(III)] clusters held together with artificial amino acid ligands, in addition to easily oxidized inorganic oxyanions of selenium and arsenic, were analyzed. The observed advantages pertain to V-EASI appearing to be a "milder" ionization source than ESI, not requiring electrical potentials for gas phase ion formation, thus eliminating the possibility of unwanted redox transformations, allowing for the "simultaneous" detection of negative and positive ions (bipolar analysis) without the need to change source ionization conditions, and also not requiring the use of syringes and delivery pumps. Because of such features, especially because of the absence of ionization potentials, EASI can be operated with minimal requirements for source parameter optimization. We observed that source temperature and accelerating voltage do not seem to affect labile compounds to the extent they do in ESI-MS. In addition, bipolar analysis of proteins was demonstrated here by acquiring both positive and negative ion mass spectra from the same protein solutions, without the need to independently adjust solution and source conditions in each mode. Finally, the simple and efficient operation of a dual-nebulizer configuration was demonstrated for V-EASI-MS for the first time.

The Rapid Response Radiation Survey (R3S) Mission Using the HISat Conformal Satellite Architecture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Nathanael

2015-01-01

The Rapid Response Radiation Survey (R3S) experiment, designed as a quick turnaround mission to make radiation measurements in LEO, will fly as a hosted payload in partnership with NovaWurks using their Hyper-integrated Satlet (HiSat) architecture. The need for the mission arises as the Nowcast of Atmospheric Ionization Radiation for Aviation Safety (NAIRAS) model moves from a research effort into an operational radiation assessment tool. The data collected by R3S, in addition to the complementary data from a NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) atmospheric balloon mission entitled Radiation Dosimetry Experiment (RaDX), will validate exposure prediction capabilities of NAIRAS. This paper discusses the development of the R3S experiment as made possible by use of the HiSat architecture. The system design and operational modes of the experiment are described, as well as the experiment interfaces to the HiSat satellite via the user defined adapter (UDA) provided by NovaWurks. This paper outlines the steps taken by the project to execute the R3S mission in the 4 months of design, build, and test. Finally, description of the engineering process is provided, including the use of facilitated rapid/concurrent engineering sessions, the associated documentation, and the review process employed.

A Novel Unitized Regenerative Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, O. J.; Cisar, A. J.; Gonzalez-Martin, A.; Salinas, C. E.; Simpson, S. F.

1996-01-01

A difficulty encountered in designing a unitized regenerative proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell lies in the incompatibility of electrode structures and electrocatalyst materials optimized for either of the two functions (fuel cell or electrolyzer) with the needs of the other function. This difficulty is compounded in previous regenerative fuel cell designs by the fact that water, which is needed for proton conduction in the PEM during both modes of operation, is the reactant supplied to the anode in the electrolyzer mode of operation and the product formed at the cathode in the fuel cell mode. Drawbacks associated with existing regenerative fuel cells have been addressed. In a first innovation, electrodes function either as oxidation electrodes (hydrogen ionization or oxygen evolution) or as reduction electrodes (oxygen reduction or hydrogen evolution) in the fuel cell and electrolyzer modes, respectively. Control of liquid water within the regenerative fuel cell has been brought about by a second innovation. A novel PEM has been developed with internal channels that permit the direct access of water along the length of the membrane. Lateral diffusion of water along the polymer chains of the PEM provides the water needed at electrode/PEM interfaces. Fabrication of the novel single cell unitized regenerative fuel cell and results obtained on testing it are presented.

A novel unitized regenerative proton exchange membrane fuel cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, O. J.; Cisar, A. J.; Gonzalez-Martin, A.; Salinas, C. E.; Simpson, S. F.

1995-01-01

A difficulty encountered in designing a unitized regenerative proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell lies in the incompatibility of electrode structures and electrocatalyst materials optimized for either of the two functions (fuel cell or electrolyzer) with the needs of the other function. This difficulty is compounded in previous regenerative fuel cell designs by the fact that water, which is needed for proton conduction in the PEM during both modes of operation, is the reactant supplied to the anode in the electrolyzer mode of operation and the product formed at the cathode in the fuel cell mode. Drawbacks associated with existing regenerative fuel cells have been addressed in work performed at Lynntech. In a first innovation, electrodes function either as oxidation electrodes (hydrogen ionization or oxygen evolution) or as reduction electrodes (oxygen reduction or hydrogen evolution) in the fuel cell and electrolyzer modes, respectively. Control of liquid water within the regenerative fuel cell has been brought about by a second innovation. A novel PEM has been developed with internal channels that permit the direct access of water along the length of the membrane. Lateral diffusion of water along the polymer chains of the PEM provides the water needed at electrode/PEM interfaces. Fabrication of the novel unitized regenerative fuel cell and results obtained on testing it will be presented.

Research the mobile phone operation interfaces for vision-impairment.

PubMed

Yao, Yen-Ting; Leung, Cherng-Yee

2012-01-01

Due to the vision-impaired users commonly having difficulty with mobile-phone function operations and adaption any manufacturer's user interface design, the goals for this research are established for evaluating how to improve for them the function operation convenience and user interfaces of either mobile phones or electronic appliances in the market currently. After applying collecting back 30 effective questionnaires from 30 vision-impairment, the comments have been concluded from this research include: (1) All mobile phone manufactures commonly ignorant of the vision-impairment difficulty with operating mobile phone user interfaces; (2) The vision-impairment preferential with audio alert signals; (3) The vision-impairment incapable of mobile-phone procurement independently unless with assistance from others; (4) Preferential with adding touch-usage interface design by the vision-impairment; in contrast with the least requirement for such functions as braille, enlarging keystroke size and diversifying-function control panel. With exploring the vision-impairment's necessary improvements and obstacles for mobile phone interface operation, this research is established with goals for offering reference possibly applied in electronic appliance design and . Hopefully, the analysis results of this research could be used as data references for designing electronic and high-tech products and promoting more usage convenience for those vision-impaired.

Design and implementation of an inter-agency, multi-mission space flight operations network interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byrne, R.; Scharf, M.; Doan, D.; Liu, J.; Willems, A.

2004-01-01

An advanced network interface was designed and implemented by a team from the Jet Propulsion Lab with support from the European Space Operations Center. This poster shows the requirements for the interface, the design, the topology, the testing and lessons learned from the whole implementation.

Compensation for electrical converter nonlinearities

DOEpatents

Perisic, Milun; Ransom, Ray M; Kajouke, Lateef A

2013-11-19

Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module between the input interface and the output interface, an inductive element between the input interface and the energy conversion module, and a control module. The control module determines a compensated duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface and operates the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value. The compensated duty cycle control value is influenced by the current through the inductive element and accounts for voltage across the switching elements of the energy conversion module.

Open Port Probe Sampling Interface for the Direct Coupling of Biocompatible Solid-Phase Microextraction to Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Gómez-Ríos, Germán Augusto; Liu, Chang; Tascon, Marcos; Reyes-Garcés, Nathaly; Arnold, Don W; Covey, Thomas R; Pawliszyn, Janusz

2017-04-04

In recent years, the direct coupling of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and mass spectrometry (MS) has shown its great potential to improve limits of quantitation, accelerate analysis throughput, and diminish potential matrix effects when compared to direct injection to MS. In this study, we introduce the open port probe (OPP) as a robust interface to couple biocompatible SPME (Bio-SPME) fibers to MS systems for direct electrospray ionization. The presented design consisted of minimal alterations to the front-end of the instrument and provided better sensitivity, simplicity, speed, wider compound coverage, and high-throughput in comparison to the LC-MS based approach. Quantitative determination of clenbuterol, fentanyl, and buprenorphine was successfully achieved in human urine. Despite the use of short extraction/desorption times (5 min/5 s), limits of quantitation below the minimum required performance levels (MRPL) set by the world antidoping agency (WADA) were obtained with good accuracy (≥90%) and linearity (R 2 > 0.99) over the range evaluated for all analytes using sample volumes of 300 μL. In-line technologies such as multiple reaction monitoring with multistage fragmentation (MRM 3 ) and differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) were used to enhance the selectivity of the method without compromising analysis speed. On the basis of calculations, once coupled to high throughput, this method can potentially yield preparation times as low as 15 s per sample based on the 96-well plate format. Our results demonstrated that Bio-SPME-OPP-MS efficiently integrates sampling/sample cleanup and atmospheric pressure ionization, making it an advantageous configuration for several bioanalytical applications, including doping in sports, in vivo tissue sampling, and therapeutic drug monitoring.

A Function-Behavior-State Approach to Designing Human Machine Interface for Nuclear Power Plant Operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Y.; Zhang, W. J.

2005-02-01

This paper presents an approach to human-machine interface design for control room operators of nuclear power plants. The first step in designing an interface for a particular application is to determine information content that needs to be displayed. The design methodology for this step is called the interface design framework (called framework ). Several frameworks have been proposed for applications at varying levels, including process plants. However, none is based on the design and manufacture of a plant system for which the interface is designed. This paper presents an interface design framework which originates from design theory and methodology for general technical systems. Specifically, the framework is based on a set of core concepts of a function-behavior-state model originally proposed by the artificial intelligence research community and widely applied in the design research community. Benefits of this new framework include the provision of a model-based fault diagnosis facility, and the seamless integration of the design (manufacture, maintenance) of plants and the design of human-machine interfaces. The missing linkage between design and operation of a plant was one of the causes of the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor incident. A simulated plant system is presented to explain how to apply this framework in designing an interface. The resulting human-machine interface is discussed; specifically, several fault diagnosis examples are elaborated to demonstrate how this interface could support operators' fault diagnosis in an unanticipated situation.

A Literature Review on Operator Interface Technologies for Network Enabled Operational Environments Using Complex System Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-30

d’interface fondées sur le comportement et sur la psychologie , ainsi que des méthodes de conception et de mise en œuvre d’interfaces multi-agents. On a mis...réseaucentriques. Ces technologies comprennent des approches de conception d’interface fondées sur le comportement et sur la psychologie , ainsi que des

Survey of ion plating sources. [conferences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1979-01-01

Based on the type of evaporation source, gaseous media and mode of transport, the following is discussed: resistance, electron beam, sputtering, reactive and ion beam evaporation. Ionization efficiencies and ion energies in the glow discharge determine the percentage of atoms which are ionized under typical ion plating conditions. The plating flux consists of a small number of energetic ions and a large number of energetic neutrals. The energy distribution ranges from thermal energies up to a maximum energy of the discharge. The various reaction mechanisms which contribute to the exceptionally strong adherence - formation of a graded sustrate/coating interface are not fully understood, however the controlling factors are evaluated. The influence of process variables on the nucleation and growth characteristics are illustrated in terms of morphological changes which affect the mechanical and tribological properties of the coating.

Modal Interfaces in Hawaii

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, E. Alvey

1974-01-01

Hawaii, an archipelago where transportation distances are short but the interfaces are many, seeks elimination of modal changes by totally-submerged hydrofoil craft operating at the water surface directly between tourist resort destinations, by dual mode rapid transit vehicles operating directly between the deplaning bridges at Honolulu International Airport and hotel porte-cochere at Waikiki, by demand responsive vehicles for collection and distribution operating on fixed guideways for line haul, and by roll-on/roll-off inter-island ferries for all models of manually operated ground vehicles. The paper also describes facilitation of unavoidable interfaces by innovative sub-systems.

Mold Heating and Cooling Pump Package Operator Interface Controls Upgrade

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

Josh A. Salmond

2009-08-07

The modernization of the Mold Heating and Cooling Pump Package Operator Interface (MHC PP OI) consisted of upgrading the antiquated single board computer with a proprietary operating system to off-the-shelf hardware and off-the-shelf software with customizable software options. The pump package is the machine interface between a central heating and cooling system that pumps heat transfer fluid through an injection or compression mold base on a local plastic molding machine. The operator interface provides the intelligent means of controlling this pumping process. Strict temperature control of a mold allows the production of high quality parts with tight tolerances and lowmore » residual stresses. The products fabricated are used on multiple programs.« less

Synthetic oligomer analysis using atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry at different photon energies.

PubMed

Desmazières, Bernard; Legros, Véronique; Giuliani, Alexandre; Buchmann, William

2014-01-15

Atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) followed by mass spectrometric detection was used to ionize a variety of polymers: polyethylene glycol, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and polysiloxane. In most cases, whatever the polymer or the solvent used (dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, hexane, acetone or toluene), only negative ion mode produced intact ions such as chlorinated adducts, with no or few fragmentations, in contrast to the positive ion mode that frequently led to important in-source fragmentations. In addition, it was shown that optimal detection of polymer distributions require a fine tuning of other source parameters such as temperature and ion transfer voltage. Series of mass spectra were recorded in the negative mode, in various solvents (dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, hexane, toluene, and acetone), by varying the photon energy from 8eV up to 10.6eV using synchrotron radiation. To these solvents, addition of a classical APPI dopant (toluene or acetone) was not necessary. Courtesy of the synchrotron radiation, it was demonstrated that the photon energy required for an efficient ionization of the polymer was correlated to the ionization energy of the solvent. As commercial APPI sources typically use krypton lamps with energy fixed at 10eV and 10.6eV, the study of the ionization of polymers over a wavelength range allowed to confirm and refine the previously proposed ionization mechanisms. Moreover, the APPI source can efficiently be used as an interface between size exclusion chromatography or reverse phase liquid chromatography and MS for the study of synthetic oligomers. However, the photoionization at fixed wavelength of polymer standards with different molecular weights showed that it was difficult to obtain intact ionized oligomers with molecular weights above a few thousands. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A review of nanoelectrospray ionization applications for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.

PubMed

Wickremsinhe, Enaksha R; Singh, Gurkeerat; Ackermann, Bradley L; Gillespie, Todd A; Chaudhary, Ajai K

2006-12-01

Although traditionally reserved for proteomic analysis, nanoESI has found increased use for small molecule applications related to drug metabolism/pharmacokinetics (DMPK). NanoESI, which refers to ESI performed at flow rates in the range of 200 to 1000 nL/min using smaller diameter emitters (10 to 100 microm id), produces smaller droplets than conventional ESI resulting in more efficient ionization. Benefits include greater sensitivity, enhanced dynamic range, and a reduced competition for ionization. These advantages may now be harnessed largely due to the introduction of a commercial system for automated nanoESI infusion. This development in turn has allowed ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) scientists to consider novel approaches to mass spectrometric analysis without direct LC interfacing. While it is freely acknowledged that nanoESI infusion is not likely to supplant LC-MS as the primary analytical platform for ADME, nanoESI infusion has been successfully applied to both quantitative (bioanalysis) and qualitative (metabolite identification) applications. This review summarizes published applications of this technology and offers a perspective on where it fits best into the DMPK laboratory.

Improving the Sensitivity of Mass Spectrometry by Using a New Sheath Flow Electrospray Emitter Array at Subambient Pressures

DOE PAGES

Cox, Jonathan T.; Marginean, Ioan; Kelly, Ryan T.; ...

2014-03-28

Arrays of chemically etched emitters with individualized sheath gas capillaries have been developed to enhance electrospray ionization (ESI) at subambient pressures. By including an emitter array in a subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray (SPIN) source, ionization and transmission efficiency can be maximized allowing for increased sensitivity in mass spectrometric analyses. The SPIN source eliminates the major ion losses at conventional ESI-mass spectrometry (MS) interface by placing the emitter in the first vacuum region of the instrument. To facilitate stable electrospray currents in such conditions we have developed an improved emitter array with individualized sheath gas around each emitter. The utilitymore » of the new emitter arrays for generating stable multi-electrosprays at subambient pressures was probed by coupling the emitter array/SPIN source with a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The instrument sensitivity was compared between single emitter/SPIN-MS and multi-emitter/SPIN-MS configurations using an equimolar solution of 9 peptides. An increase in sensitivity correlative to the number of emitters in the array was observed.« less

Improving the Sensitivity of Mass Spectrometry by Using a New Sheath Flow Electrospray Emitter Array at Subambient Pressures

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

Cox, Jonathan T.; Marginean, Ioan; Kelly, Ryan T.

Arrays of chemically etched emitters with individualized sheath gas capillaries have been developed to enhance electrospray ionization (ESI) at subambient pressures. By including an emitter array in a subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray (SPIN) source, ionization and transmission efficiency can be maximized allowing for increased sensitivity in mass spectrometric analyses. The SPIN source eliminates the major ion losses at conventional ESI-mass spectrometry (MS) interface by placing the emitter in the first vacuum region of the instrument. To facilitate stable electrospray currents in such conditions we have developed an improved emitter array with individualized sheath gas around each emitter. The utilitymore » of the new emitter arrays for generating stable multi-electrosprays at subambient pressures was probed by coupling the emitter array/SPIN source with a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The instrument sensitivity was compared between single emitter/SPIN-MS and multi-emitter/SPIN-MS configurations using an equimolar solution of 9 peptides. An increase in sensitivity correlative to the number of emitters in the array was observed.« less

Mass Spectrometric Imaging Using Laser Ablation and Solvent Capture by Aspiration (LASCA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brauer, Jonathan I.; Beech, Iwona B.; Sunner, Jan

2015-09-01

A novel interface for ambient, laser ablation-based mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) referred to as laser ablation and solvent capture by aspiration (LASCA) is presented and its performance demonstrated using selected, unaltered biological materials. LASCA employs a pulsed 2.94 μm laser beam for specimen ablation. Ablated materials in the laser plumes are collected on a hanging solvent droplet with electric field-enhanced trapping, followed by aspiration of droplets and remaining plume material in the form of a coarse aerosol into a collection capillary. The gas and liquid phases are subsequently separated in a 10 μL-volume separatory funnel, and the solution is analyzed with electrospray ionization in a high mass resolution Q-ToF mass spectrometer. The LASCA system separates the sampling and ionization steps in MSI and combines high efficiencies of laser plume sampling and of electrospray ionization (ESI) with high mass resolution MS. Up to 2000 different compounds are detected from a single ablation spot (pixel). Using the LASCA platform, rapid (6 s per pixel), high sensitivity, high mass-resolution ambient imaging of "as-received" biological material is achieved routinely and reproducibly.

Laser-Induced Ionization Efficiency Enhancement On A Filament For Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

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

Siegfried, M.

2015-10-14

The evaluation of trace Uranium and Plutonium isotope ratios for nanogram to femtogram material quantities is a vital tool for nuclear counter-proliferation and safeguard activities. Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) is generally accepted as the state of the art technology for highly accurate and ultra-trace measurements of these actinide ratios. However, the very low TIMS ionization yield (typically less than 1%) leaves much room for improvement. Enhanced ionization of Nd and Sm from a TIMS filament was demonstrated using wavelength resonance with a nanosecond (pulse width) laser operating at 10 Hz when light was directed toward the filament.1 For thismore » study, femtosecond and picosecond laser capabilities were to be employed to study the dissociation and ionization mechanisms of actinides/lanthanides and measure the enhanced ionization of the metal of interest. Since the underlying chemistry of the actinide/lanthanide carbides produced and dissociated on a TIMS filament is not well understood, the experimental parameters affecting the photodissociation and photoionization with one and two laser beams were to be investigated.« less

Positron transport studies at the Au - (InP:Fe) interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Au, H. L.; Lee, T. C.; Beling, C. D.; Fung, S.

1996-03-01

Positron mobility and lifetime measurements have been carried out on semi-insulating Fe-doped InP samples with Au contacts used for electric field application. The lifetime measurements, with electric fields directed towards the Au - InP:Fe interface, reveal no component associated with interfacial open-volume sites and thus give no evidence of any positron mobility. The mobility measurements, made using the Doppler-shifted annihilation radiation technique, however, reveal a temperature independent positron mobility of about 0953-8984/8/10/012/img1 in the range 150 - 300 K. These observations, together with results from I - V analysis, are discussed with reference to two possible band-bending schemes. The first, which requires an ionized shallow donor region adjacent to the Au - InP interface, seems less plausible on a number of grounds. In the second, however, an 0953-8984/8/10/012/img2 negative space charge produces an adverse diffusion barrier for positrons approaching the interface together with a non-uniform electric field in the samples capable of explaining the observed mobility results.

Hysteresis free negative total gate capacitance in junctionless transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Manish; Kranti, Abhinav

2017-09-01

In this work, we report on the hysteresis free impact ionization induced off-to-on transition while preserving sub-60 mV/decade Subthreshold swing (S-swing) using asymmetric mode operation in double gate silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) junctionless (JL) transistor. It is shown that sub-60 mV/decade steep switching due to impact ionization implies a negative value of the total gate capacitance. The performance of asymmetric gate JL transistor is compared with symmetric gate operation of JL device, and the condition for hysteresis free current transition with a sub-60 mV/decade switching is analyzed through the product of current density (J) and electric field (E). It is shown that asymmetric gate operation limits the degree of impact ionization inherent in the semiconductor film to levels sufficient for negative total gate capacitance but lower than that required for the occurrence of hysteresis. The work highlights new viewpoints related to the suppression of hysteresis associated with steep switching JL transistors while maintaining S-swing within the range 6-15 mV/decade leading to the negative value of total gate capacitance.

Enhanced operator interface for hand-held landmine detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, Herman; McMahill, Jeffrey D.; Kantor, George

2001-10-01

As landmines get harder to detect, the complexity of landmine detectors has also been increasing. To increase the probability of detection and decrease the false alarm rate of low metallic landmines, many detectors employ multiple sensing modalities, which include radar and metal detector. Unfortunately, the operator interface for these new detectors stays pretty much the same as for the older detectors. Although the amount of information that the new detectors acquire has increased significantly, the interface has been limited to a simple audio interface. We are currently developing a hybrid audiovisual interface for enhancing the overall performance of the detector. The hybrid audiovisual interface combines the simplicity of the audio output with the rich spatial content of the video display. It is designed to optimally present the output of the detector and also to give the proper feedback to the operator. Instead of presenting all the data to the operator simultaneously, the interface allows the operator to access the information as needed. This capability is critical to avoid information overload, which can significantly reduce the performance of the operator. The audio is used as the primary notification signal, while the video is used for further feedback, discrimination, localization and sensor fusion. The idea is to let the operator gets the feedback that he needs and enable him to look at the data in the most efficient way. We are also looking at a hybrid man-machine detection system which utilizes precise sweeping by the machine and powerful human cognitive ability. In such a hybrid system, the operator is free to concentrate on discriminant task, such as manually fusing the output of the different sensing modalities, instead of worrying about the proper sweep technique. In developing this concept, we have been using the virtual mien lane to validate some of these concepts. We obtained some very encouraging results form our preliminary test. It clearly shows that with the proper feedback, the performance of the operator can be improved significantly in a very short time.

Interface design in the process industries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beaverstock, M. C.; Stassen, H. G.; Williamson, R. A.

1977-01-01

Every operator runs his plant in accord with his own mental model of the process. In this sense, one characteristic of an ideal man-machine interface is that it be in harmony with that model. With this theme in mind, the paper first reviews the functions of the process operator and compares them with human operators involved in control situations previously studied outside the industrial environment (pilots, air traffic controllers, helmsmen, etc.). A brief history of the operator interface in the process industry and the traditional methodology employed in its design is then presented. Finally, a much more fundamental approach utilizing a model definition of the human operator's behavior is presented.

Serial Interface through Stream Protocol on EPICS Platform for Distributed Control and Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das Gupta, Arnab; Srivastava, Amit K.; Sunil, S.; Khan, Ziauddin

2017-04-01

Remote operation of any equipment or device is implemented in distributed systems in order to control and proper monitoring of process values. For such remote operations, Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) is used as one of the important software tool for control and monitoring of a wide range of scientific parameters. A hardware interface is developed for implementation of EPICS software so that different equipment such as data converters, power supplies, pump controllers etc. could be remotely operated through stream protocol. EPICS base was setup on windows as well as Linux operating system for control and monitoring while EPICS modules such as asyn and stream device were used to interface the equipment with standard RS-232/RS-485 protocol. Stream Device protocol communicates with the serial line with an interface to asyn drivers. Graphical user interface and alarm handling were implemented with Motif Editor and Display Manager (MEDM) and Alarm Handler (ALH) command line channel access utility tools. This paper will describe the developed application which was tested with different equipment and devices serially interfaced to the PCs on a distributed network.

Ubiquitous remote operation collaborative interface for MRI scanners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, H. Douglas

2001-05-01

We have developed a remote control interface for research class magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spectrometers. The goal of the interface is to provide a better collaborative environment for geographically dispersed researchers and a tool that can teach students of medical imaging in a network-based laboratory using state-of-the-art MR instrumentation that would not otherwise be available. The interface for the remote operator(s) is now ubiquitous web browser, which was chosen for the ease of controlling the operator interface, the display of both image and text information, and the wide availability on many computer platforms. The remote operator is presented with an active display in which they may select and control most of the parameters in the MRI experiment. The MR parameters are relayed via web browser to a CGI program running in a standard web server, which passes said parameters to the MRI manufacturers control software. The data returned to the operator(s) consists of the parameters used in acquiring that image, a flat 8-bit grayscale GIF representation of the image, and a 16-bit grayscale image that can be viewed by an appropriate application. It is obvious that the utility of this interface would be helpful for researchers of regional and national facilities to more closely collaborate with colleagues across their region, the nation, or the world. And medical imaging students can put much of their classroom discussions into practice on machinery that would not normally be available to them.

Systems and methods for compensating for electrical converter nonlinearities

DOEpatents

Perisic, Milun; Ransom, Ray M.; Kajouke, Lateef A.

2013-06-18

Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module coupled between the input interface and the output interface, and a control module. The control module determines a duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface. The control module determines an input power error at the input interface and adjusts the duty cycle control value in a manner that is influenced by the input power error, resulting in a compensated duty cycle control value. The control module operates switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value.

Electrospray Modifications for Advancing Mass Spectrometric Analysis

PubMed Central

Meher, Anil Kumar; Chen, Yu-Chie

2017-01-01

Generation of analyte ions in gas phase is a primary requirement for mass spectrometric analysis. One of the ionization techniques that can be used to generate gas phase ions is electrospray ionization (ESI). ESI is a soft ionization method that can be used to analyze analytes ranging from small organics to large biomolecules. Numerous ionization techniques derived from ESI have been reported in the past two decades. These ion sources are aimed to achieve simplicity and ease of operation. Many of these ionization methods allow the flexibility for elimination or minimization of sample preparation steps prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Such ion sources have opened up new possibilities for taking scientific challenges, which might be limited by the conventional ESI technique. Thus, the number of ESI variants continues to increase. This review provides an overview of ionization techniques based on the use of electrospray reported in recent years. Also, a brief discussion on the instrumentation, underlying processes, and selected applications is also presented. PMID:28573082

Large-Area Plasma-Panel Radiation Detectors for Nuclear Medicine Imaging to Homeland Security and the Super Large Hadron Collider

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

Friedman, Dr. Peter S.; Ball, Robert; Chapman, J. Wehrley

2010-01-01

A new radiation sensor derived from plasma panel display technology is introduced. It has the capability to detect ionizing and non-ionizing radiation over a wide energy range and the potential for use in many applications. The principle of operation is described and some early results presented.

Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) Balloon Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wefel, John P.; Guzik, T. Gregory

2001-01-01

During grant NAG5-5064, Louisiana State University (LSU) led the ATIC team in the development, construction, testing, accelerator validation, pre-deployment integration and flight operations of the Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) Balloon Experiment. This involved interfacing among the ATIC collaborators (UMD, NRL/MSFC, SU, MSU, WI, SNU) to develop a new balloon payload based upon a fully active calorimeter, a carbon target, a scintillator strip hodoscope and a pixilated silicon solid state detector for a detailed investigation of the very high energy cosmic rays to energies beyond 10(exp 14) eV/nucleus. It is in this very high energy region that theory predicts changes in composition and energy spectra related to the Supernova Remnant Acceleration model for cosmic rays below the "knee" in the all-particle spectrum. This report provides a documentation list, details the anticipated ATIC science return, describes the particle detection principles on which the experiment is based, summarizes the simulation results for the system, describes the validation work at the CERN SPS accelerator and details the balloon flight configuration. The ATIC experiment had a very successful LDB flight from McMurdo, Antarctica in 12/00 - 1/01. The instrument performed well for the entire 15 days. Preliminary data analysis shows acceptable charge resolution and an all-particle power law energy deposition distribution not inconsistent with previous measurements. Detailed analysis is underway and will result in new data on the cosmic ray charge and energy spectra in the GeV - TeV energy range. ATIC is currently being refurbished in anticipation of another LDB flight in the 2002-03 period.

Lifetime improvement mechanism in organic light-emitting diodes with mixed materials at a heterojunction interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minagawa, Masahiro; Takahashi, Noriko

2016-02-01

To investigate the lifetime improvement mechanism caused by mixing at the heterojunction interface, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with stacked and mixed 4,4‧-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-biphenyl (α-NPD)/tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) interfaces were fabricated, and changes in their displacement current due to continuous operation were measured. A decrease in accumulated holes at the α-NPD/Alq3 interface was observed in the stacked configuration devices over longer operations. These results indicate that the injected hole density was reduced during continuous operation, implying that the carrier balance became uneven in the emission region. However, few accumulated holes and changes in the displacement current due to continuous operation were observed in the devices having the mixed layer. Therefore, it was deduced that the number of holes concentrated between the α-NPD and Alq3 layers was decreased by mixing at the heterojunction interface, and that the change in the number of holes was smaller during continuous operation, resulting in less degradation.

Design and validation of an improved graphical user interface with the 'Tool ball'.

PubMed

Lee, Kuo-Wei; Lee, Ying-Chu

2012-01-01

The purpose of this research is introduce the design of an improved graphical user interface (GUI) and verifies the operational efficiency of the proposed interface. Until now, clicking the toolbar with the mouse is the usual way to operate software functions. In our research, we designed an improved graphical user interface - a tool ball that is operated by a mouse wheel to perform software functions. Several experiments are conducted to measure the time needed to operate certain software functions with the traditional combination of "mouse click + tool button" and the proposed integration of "mouse wheel + tool ball". The results indicate that the tool ball design can accelerate the speed of operating software functions, decrease the number of icons on the screen, and enlarge the applications of the mouse wheel. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

User interface and operational issues with thermionic space power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dahlberg, R. C.; Fisher, C. R.

1987-01-01

Thermionic space power systems have unique features which facilitate predeployment operations, provide operational flexibility and simplify the interface with the user. These were studied in some detail during the SP-100 program from 1983 to 1985. Three examples are reviewed in this paper: (1) system readiness verification in the prelaunch phase; (2) startup, shutdown, and dormancy in the operations phase; (3) part-load operation in the operations phase.

ECR Plasma Source for Heavy Ion Beam Charge Neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, P. C.; Gilson, E.; Grishman, L.; Kolchin, P.; Davidson, R. C.

2002-01-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being considered as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus beyond the space-charge limit. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1 - 100 times the ion beam density and at a length of approximately 0.1-2 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. An ECR source has been built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) to support a joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization with plasma. The ECR source operates at 13.6 MHz and with solenoid magnetic fields of 1-10 gauss. The goal is to operate the source at pressures of approximately 10-6 torr at full ionization. The initial operation of the source has been at pressures of 10-4 - 10-1. Electron densities in the range of 108 - 1011 per cubic centimeter have been achieved. Low-pressure operation is important to reduce ion beam ionization. A cusp magnetic field has been installed to improve radial confinement and reduce the field strength on the beam axis. In addition, axial confinement is believed to be important to achieve lower-pressure operation. To further improve breakdown at low pressure, a weak electron source will be placed near the end of the ECR source.

RF Plasma Source for Heavy Ion Beam Charge Neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, P. C.; Gilson, E.; Grisham, L.; Davidson, R. C.

2003-10-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being employed as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus to a small spot size. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1 - 100 times the ion beam density and at a length 0.1-0.5 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. An ECR source has been built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in support of the joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization with plasma. The ECR source operates at 13.6 MHz and with solenoid magnetic fields of 0-10 gauss. The goal is to operate the source at pressures 10-5 Torr at full ionization. The initial operation of the source has been at pressures of 10-4 - 10-1 Torr. Electron densities in the range of 10^8 - 10^11 cm-3 have been achieved. Recently, pulsed operation of the source has enabled operation at pressures in the 10-6 Torr range with densities of 10^11 cm-3. Near 100% ionization has been achieved. The source has been integrated with NTX and is being used in the experiments. The plasma is approximately 10 cm in length in the direction of the beam propagation. Modifications to the source will be presented that increase its length in the direction of beam propagation.

An impulse-driven liquid-droplet deposition interface for combining LC with MALDI MS and MS/MS.

PubMed

Young, J Bryce; Li, Liang

2006-03-01

A simple and robust impulse-driven droplet deposition system was developed for off-line liquid chromatography matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MALDI MS). The system uses a solenoid operated with a pulsed voltage power supply to generate impulses that dislodge the hanging droplets from the LC outlet directly to a MALDI plate via a momentum transfer process. There is no contact between the LC outlet and the collection surface. The system is compatible with solvents of varying polarity and viscosity, and accommodates the use of hydrophobic and hydrophilic MALDI matrices. MALDI spots are produced on-line with the separation, and do not require further processing before MS analysis. It is shown that high quality MALDI spectra from 5 fmol of pyro-Glu-fibrinopeptide deposition after LC separation could be obtained using the device, indicating that there was no sample loss in the interface. To demonstrate the analytical performance of the system as a proteome analysis tool, a range of BSA digest concentrations covering about 3 orders of magnitude, from 5 fmol to 1 pmol, were analyzed by LC-MALDI quadrupole time-of-flight MS, yielding 6 and 57% amino acid sequence coverage, respectively. In addition, a complex protein mixture of an E. coli cell extract was tryptically digested and analyzed by LC-MALDI MS, resulting in the detection of a total of 409 unique peptides from 100 fractions of 15-s intervals.

Characterization of Novel Operation Modes for Secondary Emission Ionization Calorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiras, Emrah; Dilsiz, Kamuran; Ogul, Hasan; Snyder, Christina; Bilki, Burak; Onel, Yasar; Winn, David

2017-01-01

Secondary Emission (SE) Ionization Calorimetry is a novel technique to measure electromagnetic showers in high radiation environments. We have developed new operation modes by modifying the bias of the conventional PMT circuits. Hamamatsu single anode R7761 and multi-anode R5900-00-M16 Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) with modified bases are used as SE detector modules in our SE calorimetry prototype. In this detector module, the first dynode is used as the active media as opposed to photocathode. Here, we report the technical design of new modes and characterization measurements for both SE and PMT modes.

The Operator Guide: An Ambient Persuasive Interface in the Factory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meschtscherjakov, Alexander; Reitberger, Wolfgang; Pöhr, Florian; Tscheligi, Manfred

In this paper we introduce the context of a semiconductor factory as a promising area for the application of innovative interaction approaches. In order to increase efficiency ambient persuasive interfaces, which influence the operators' behaviour to perform in an optimized way, could constitute a potential strategy. We present insights gained from qualitative studies conducted in a specific semiconductor factory and provide a description of typical work processes and already deployed interfaces in this context. These findings informed the design of a prototype of an ambient persuasive interface within this realm - the "Operator Guide". Its overall aim is to improve work efficiency, while still maintaining a minimal error rate. We provide a detailed description of the Operator Guide along with an outlook of the next steps within a user-centered design approach.

Semantic modeling and structural synthesis of onboard electronics protection means as open information system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhevnerchuk, D. V.; Surkova, A. S.; Lomakina, L. S.; Golubev, A. S.

2018-05-01

The article describes the component representation approach and semantic models of on-board electronics protection from ionizing radiation of various nature. Semantic models are constructed, the feature of which is the representation of electronic elements, protection modules, sources of impact in the form of blocks with interfaces. The rules of logical inference and algorithms for synthesizing the object properties of the semantic network, imitating the interface between the components of the protection system and the sources of radiation, are developed. The results of the algorithm are considered using the example of radiation-resistant microcircuits 1645RU5U, 1645RT2U and the calculation and experimental method for estimating the durability of on-board electronics.

The Environment-Power System Analysis Tool development program. [for spacecraft power supplies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jongeward, Gary A.; Kuharski, Robert A.; Kennedy, Eric M.; Wilcox, Katherine G.; Stevens, N. John; Putnam, Rand M.; Roche, James C.

1989-01-01

The Environment Power System Analysis Tool (EPSAT) is being developed to provide engineers with the ability to assess the effects of a broad range of environmental interactions on space power systems. A unique user-interface-data-dictionary code architecture oversees a collection of existing and future environmental modeling codes (e.g., neutral density) and physical interaction models (e.g., sheath ionization). The user-interface presents the engineer with tables, graphs, and plots which, under supervision of the data dictionary, are automatically updated in response to parameter change. EPSAT thus provides the engineer with a comprehensive and responsive environmental assessment tool and the scientist with a framework into which new environmental or physical models can be easily incorporated.

Characterization of direct-current atmospheric-pressure discharges useful for ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Shelley, Jacob T; Wiley, Joshua S; Chan, George C Y; Schilling, Gregory D; Ray, Steven J; Hieftje, Gary M

2009-05-01

Two relatively new ambient ionization sources, direct analysis in real time (DART) and the flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow (FAPA), use direct current, atmospheric-pressure discharges to produce reagent ions for the direct ionization of a sample. Although at a first glance these two sources appear similar, a fundamental study reveals otherwise. Specifically, DART was found to operate with a corona-to-glow transition (C-G) discharge whereas the FAPA was found to operate with a glow-to-arc transition (G-A) discharge. The characteristics of both discharges were evaluated on the basis of four factors: reagent-ion production, response to a model analyte (ferrocene), infrared (IR) thermography of the gas used for desorption and ionization, and spatial emission characteristics. The G-A discharge produced a greater abundance and a wider variety of reagent ions than the C-G discharge. In addition, the discharges yielded different adducts and signal strengths for ferrocene. It was also found that the gas exiting the discharge chamber reached a maximum of 235 degrees C and 55 degrees C for the G-A and C-G discharges, respectively. Finally, spatially resolved emission maps of both discharges showed clear differences for N(2)(+) and O(I). These findings demonstrate that the discharges used by FAPA and DART are fundamentally different and should have different optimal applications for ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (ADI-MS).

Considerations for human-machine interfaces in tele-operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newport, Curt

1991-01-01

Numerous factors impact on the efficiency of tele-operative manipulative work. Generally, these are related to the physical environment of the tele-operator and how he interfaces with robotic control consoles. The capabilities of the operator can be influenced by considerations such as temperature, eye strain, body fatigue, and boredom created by repetitive work tasks. In addition, the successful combination of man and machine will, in part, be determined by the configuration of the visual and physical interfaces available to the teleoperator. The design and operation of system components such as full-scale and mini-master manipulator controllers, servo joysticks, and video monitors will have a direct impact on operational efficiency. As a result, the local environment and the interaction of the operator with the robotic control console have a substantial effect on mission productivity.

Method and apparatus for the measurement of signals from radiation sensors

DOEpatents

De Geronimo, Gianluigi

2012-09-18

The preferred embodiments of the present invention include a device for measuring an ionizing event in a radiation sensor. The device can include a charge amplifier and a timing shaper. The charge amplifier receives a cathode signal and is configured to output an amplified cathode signal. The timing shaper is operatively connected to the charge amplifier to receive the amplified cathode signal. The timing shaper is configured to generate a first pulse in response to a beginning of the ionizing event and a second pulse in response to an end of the ionizing event. The first and second pulses are associated with a depth of interaction of the ionizing event and are generated in response to a slope of the amplified cathode signal changing.

Portable liquid collection electrostatic precipitator

DOEpatents

Carlson, Duane C.; DeGange, John J.; Halverson, Justin E.

2005-10-18

A portable liquid collection electrostatic collection precipitator for analyzing air is provided which is a relatively small, self-contained device. The device has a tubular collection electrode, a reservoir for a liquid, and a pump. The pump pumps the liquid into the collection electrode such that the liquid flows down the exterior of the collection electrode and is recirculated to the reservoir. An air intake is provided such that air to be analyzed flows through an ionization section to ionize analytes in the air, and then flows near the collection electrode where ionized analytes are collected. A portable power source is connected to the air intake and the collection electrode. Ionizable constituents in the air are ionized, attracted to the collection electrode, and precipitated in the liquid. The precipitator may also have an analyzer for the liquid and may have a transceiver allowing remote operation and data collection.

A new ring-shaped graphite monitor ionization chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshizumi, M. T.; Caldas, L. V. E.

2010-07-01

A ring-shaped monitor ionization chamber was developed at the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares. This ionization chamber presents an entrance window of aluminized polyester foil. The guard ring and collecting electrode are made of graphite coated Lucite plates. The main difference between this new ionization chamber and commercial monitor chambers is its ring-shaped design. The new monitor chamber has a central hole, allowing the passage of the direct radiation beam without attenuation; only the penumbra radiation is measured by the sensitive volume. This kind of ionization chamber design has already been tested, but using aluminium electrodes. By changing the electrode material from aluminium to a graphite coating, an improvement in the chamber response stability was expected. The pre-operational tests, as saturation curve, recombination loss and polarity effect showed satisfactory results. The repeatability and the long-term stability tests were also evaluated, showing good agreement with international recommendations.

Absolute measurement of the extreme UV solar flux

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carlson, R. W.; Ogawa, H. S.; Judge, D. L.; Phillips, E.

1984-01-01

A windowless rare-gas ionization chamber has been developed to measure the absolute value of the solar extreme UV flux in the 50-575-A region. Successful results were obtained on a solar-pointing sounding rocket. The ionization chamber, operated in total absorption, is an inherently stable absolute detector of ionizing UV radiation and was designed to be independent of effects from secondary ionization and gas effusion. The net error of the measurement is + or - 7.3 percent, which is primarily due to residual outgassing in the instrument, other errors such as multiple ionization, photoelectron collection, and extrapolation to the zero atmospheric optical depth being small in comparison. For the day of the flight, Aug. 10, 1982, the solar irradiance (50-575 A), normalized to unit solar distance, was found to be 5.71 + or - 0.42 x 10 to the 10th photons per sq cm sec.

Atmospheric, Magnetospheric and Plasmas in Space (AMPS) spacelab payload definition study. Volume 3: Interface control documents. Part 3: AMPS payload to instruments ICD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

General physical, functional, and operational interface control requirements for instruments on the first AMPS payload are presented. Interface specifications are included to satisfy ground handling, prelaunch, launch, stowage, operation, and landing activities. Applicable supporting documentation to implement the information is also given.

Human Factors Guidance for Control Room and Digital Human-System Interface Design and Modification, Guidelines for Planning, Specification, Design, Licensing, Implementation, Training, Operation and Maintenance

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

R. Fink, D. Hill, J. O'Hara

2004-11-30

Nuclear plant operators face a significant challenge designing and modifying control rooms. This report provides guidance on planning, designing, implementing and operating modernized control rooms and digital human-system interfaces.

Operator Performance Evaluation of Fault Management Interfaces for Next-Generation Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayashi, Miwa; Ravinder, Ujwala; Beutter, Brent; McCann, Robert S.; Spirkovska, Lilly; Renema, Fritz

2008-01-01

In the cockpit of the NASA's next generation of spacecraft, most of vehicle commanding will be carried out via electronic interfaces instead of hard cockpit switches. Checklists will be also displayed and completed on electronic procedure viewers rather than from paper. Transitioning to electronic cockpit interfaces opens up opportunities for more automated assistance, including automated root-cause diagnosis capability. The paper reports an empirical study evaluating two potential concepts for fault management interfaces incorporating two different levels of automation. The operator performance benefits produced by automation were assessed. Also, some design recommendations for spacecraft fault management interfaces are discussed.

Dual mode ion mobility spectrometer and method for ion mobility spectrometry

DOEpatents

Scott, Jill R [Idaho Falls, ID; Dahl, David A [Idaho Falls, ID; Miller, Carla J [Idaho Falls, ID; Tremblay, Paul L [Idaho Falls, ID; McJunkin, Timothy R [Idaho Falls, ID

2007-08-21

Ion mobility spectrometer apparatus may include an ion interface that is operable to hold positive and negative ions and to simultaneously release positive and negative ions through respective positive and negative ion ports. A first drift chamber is operatively associated with the positive ion port of the ion interface and encloses an electric field therein. A first ion detector operatively associated with the first drift chamber detects positive ions from the first drift chamber. A second drift chamber is operatively associated with the negative ion port of the ion interface and encloses an electric field therein. A second ion detector operatively associated with the second drift chamber detects negative ions from said second drift chamber.

High-resolution ionization detector and array of such detectors

DOEpatents

McGregor, Douglas S [Ypsilanti, MI; Rojeski, Ronald A [Pleasanton, CA

2001-01-16

A high-resolution ionization detector and an array of such detectors are described which utilize a reference pattern of conductive or semiconductive material to form interaction, pervious and measurement regions in an ionization substrate of, for example, CdZnTe material. The ionization detector is a room temperature semiconductor radiation detector. Various geometries of such a detector and an array of such detectors produce room temperature operated gamma ray spectrometers with relatively high resolution. For example, a 1 cm.sup.3 detector is capable of measuring .sup.137 Cs 662 keV gamma rays with room temperature energy resolution approaching 2% at FWHM. Two major types of such detectors include a parallel strip semiconductor Frisch grid detector and the geometrically weighted trapezoid prism semiconductor Frisch grid detector. The geometrically weighted detector records room temperature (24.degree. C.) energy resolutions of 2.68% FWHM for .sup.137 Cs 662 keV gamma rays and 2.45% FWHM for .sup.60 Co 1.332 MeV gamma rays. The detectors perform well without any electronic pulse rejection, correction or compensation techniques. The devices operate at room temperature with simple commercially available NIM bin electronics and do not require special preamplifiers or cooling stages for good spectroscopic results.

Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Capillary Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization-Mass Spectrometry for Direct Analysis of Polar and Nonpolar Compounds.

PubMed

Mirabelli, Mario F; Zenobi, Renato

2018-04-17

A novel capillary ionization source based on atmospheric pressure photoionization (cAPPI) was developed and used for the direct interfacing between solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and mass spectrometry (MS). The efficiency of the source was evaluated for direct and dopant-assisted photoionization, analyzing both polar (e.g., triazines and organophosphorus pesticides) and nonpolar (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) compounds. The results show that the range of compound polarity, which can be addressed by direct SPME-MS can be substantially extended by using cAPPI, compared to other sensitive techniques like direct analysis in real time (DART) and dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI). The new source delivers a very high sensitivity, down to sub parts-per-trillion (ppt), making it a viable alternative when compared to previously reported and less comprehensive direct approaches.

Immunohistochemical evidence of rapid extracellular matrix remodeling after iron-particle irradiation of mouse mammary gland

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ehrhart, E. J.; Gillette, E. L.; Barcellos-Hoff, M. H.; Chaterjee, A. (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

High-LET radiation has unique physical and biological properties compared to sparsely ionizing radiation. Recent studies demonstrate that sparsely ionizing radiation rapidly alters the pattern of extracellular matrix expression in several tissues, but little is known about the effect of heavy-ion radiation. This study investigates densely ionizing radiation-induced changes in extracellular matrix localization in the mammary glands of adult female BALB/c mice after whole-body irradiation with 0.8 Gy 600 MeV iron particles. The basement membrane and interstitial extracellular matrix proteins of the mammary gland stroma were mapped with respect to time postirradiation using immunofluorescence. Collagen III was induced in the adipose stroma within 1 day, continued to increase through day 9 and was resolved by day 14. Immunoreactive tenascin was induced in the epithelium by day 1, was evident at the epithelial-stromal interface by day 5-9 and persisted as a condensed layer beneath the basement membrane through day 14. These findings parallel similar changes induced by gamma irradiation but demonstrate different onset and chronicity. In contrast, the integrity of epithelial basement membrane, which was unaffected by sparsely ionizing radiation, was disrupted by iron-particle irradiation. Laminin immunoreactivity was mildly irregular at 1 h postirradiation and showed discontinuities and thickening from days 1 to 9. Continuity was restored by day 14. Thus high-LET radiation, like sparsely ionizing radiation, induces rapid-remodeling of the stromal extracellular matrix but also appears to alter the integrity of the epithelial basement membrane, which is an important regulator of epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation.

User productivity as a function of AutoCAD interface design.

PubMed

Mitta, D A; Flores, P L

1995-12-01

Increased operator productivity is a desired outcome of user-CAD interaction scenarios. Two objectives of this research were to (1) define a measure of operator productivity and (2) empirically investigate the potential effects of CAD interface design on operator productivity, where productivity is defined as the percentage of a drawing session correctly completed per unit time. Here, AutoCAD provides the CAD environment of interest. Productivity with respect to two AutoCAD interface designs (menu, template) and three task types (draw, dimension, display) was investigated. Analysis of user productivity data revealed significantly higher productivity under the menu interface condition than under the template interface condition. A significant effect of task type was also discovered, where user productivity under display tasks was higher than productivity under the draw and dimension tasks. Implications of these results are presented.

Does this interface make my sensor look bad? Basic principles for designing usable, useful interfaces for sensor technology operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNamara, Laura A.; Berg, Leif; Butler, Karin; Klein, Laura

2017-05-01

Even as remote sensing technology has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past decade, the remote sensing community lacks interfaces and interaction models that facilitate effective human operation of our sensor platforms. Interfaces that make great sense to electrical engineers and flight test crews can be anxiety-inducing to operational users who lack professional experience in the design and testing of sophisticated remote sensing platforms. In this paper, we reflect on an 18-month collaboration which our Sandia National Laboratory research team partnered with an industry software team to identify and fix critical issues in a widely-used sensor interface. Drawing on basic principles from cognitive and perceptual psychology and interaction design, we provide simple, easily learned guidance for minimizing common barriers to system learnability, memorability, and user engagement.

An ionization region model of the reactive Ar/O2 high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gudmundsson, J. T.; Lundin, D.; Brenning, N.; Raadu, M. A.; Huo, Chunqing; Minea, T. M.

2016-12-01

A new reactive ionization region model (R-IRM) is developed to describe the reactive Ar/O2 high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge with a titanium target. It is then applied to study the temporal behavior of the discharge plasma parameters such as electron density, the neutral and ion composition, the ionization fraction of the sputtered vapor, the oxygen dissociation fraction, and the composition of the discharge current. We study and compare the discharge properties when the discharge is operated in the two well established operating modes, the metal mode and the poisoned mode. Experimentally, it is found that in the metal mode the discharge current waveform displays a typical non-reactive evolution, while in the poisoned mode the discharge current waveform becomes distinctly triangular and the current increases significantly. Using the R-IRM we explore the current increase and find that when the discharge is operated in the metal mode Ar+ and Ti+ -ions contribute most significantly (roughly equal amounts) to the discharge current while in the poisoned mode the Ar+ -ions contribute most significantly to the discharge current and the contribution of O+ -ions, Ti+ -ions, and secondary electron emission is much smaller. Furthermore, we find that recycling of atoms coming from the target, that are subsequently ionized, is required for the current generation in both modes of operation. From the R-IRM results it is found that in the metal mode self-sputter recycling dominates and in the poisoned mode working gas recycling dominates. We also show that working gas recycling can lead to very high discharge currents but never to a runaway. It is concluded that the dominating type of recycling determines the discharge current waveform.

Orbital operation study. Volume 2: Interfacing activities analysis. Part 1: Introduction and summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, N. R.

1972-01-01

The summary of the interfacing activity analyses for the orbital operations study is presented. The significant analyses are grouped into categories as follows: (1) structural and mechanical activity, (2) data management, and (3) support operations. Specific subjects concerning payload deployment, communications, rendezvous, and stationkeeping are discussed.

Real-time breath analysis with active capillary plasma ionization-ambient mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Bregy, Lukas; Sinues, Pablo Martinez-Lozano; Nudnova, Maryia M; Zenobi, Renato

2014-06-01

On-line analysis of exhaled human breath is a growing area in analytical science, for applications such as fast and non-invasive medical diagnosis and monitoring. In this work, we present a novel approach based on ambient ionization of compounds in breath and subsequent real-time mass spectrometric analysis. We introduce a plasma ionization source for this purpose, which has no need for additional gases, is very small, and is easily interfaced with virtually any commercial atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (API-MS) without major modifications. If an API-MS instrument exists in a laboratory, the cost to implement this technology is only around [Formula: see text]500, far less than the investment for a specialized mass spectrometric system designed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis. In this proof-of-principle study we were able to measure mass spectra of exhaled human breath and found these to be comparable to spectra obtained with other electrospray-based methods. We detected over 100 VOCs, including relevant metabolites like fatty acids, with molecular weights extending up to 340 Da. In addition, we were able to monitor the time-dependent evolution of the peaks and show the enhancement of the metabolism after a meal. We conclude that this approach may complement current methods to analyze breath or other types of vapors, offering an affordable option to upgrade any pre-existing API-MS to a real-time breath analyzer.

Technical note: A new wedge-shaped ionization chamber component module for BEAMnrc to model the integral quality monitoring system®

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oderinde, Oluwaseyi Michael; du Plessis, FCP

2017-12-01

The purpose of this study was to develop a new component module (CM) namely IQM to accurately model the integral quality monitoring (IQM) system® to be used in the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code. The IQM is essentially a double wedge ionization chamber with the central electrode plate bisecting the wedge. The IQM CM allows the user to characterize the double wedge of this ionization chamber and BEAMnrc can then accurately calculate the dose in this CM including its enclosed air regions. This has been verified against measured data. The newly created CM was added into the standard BEAMnrc CMs, and it will be made available through the NRCC website. The BEAMnrc graphical user interface (GUI) and particle ray-tracing techniques were used to validate the IQM geometry. In subsequent MC simulations, the dose scored in the IQM was verified against measured data over a range of square fields ranging from 1 × 1-30 × 30 cm2. The IQM system is designed for the present day need for a device that could verify beam output in real-time during treatment. This CM is authentic, and it can serve as a basis for researchers that have an interest in real-time beam delivery checking using wedge-shaped ionization chamber based instruments like the IQM.

Surface analysis under ambient conditions using plasma-assisted desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Ratcliffe, Lucy V; Rutten, Frank J M; Barrett, David A; Whitmore, Terry; Seymour, David; Greenwood, Claire; Aranda-Gonzalvo, Yolanda; Robinson, Steven; McCoustra, Martin

2007-08-15

A novel plasma-assisted desorption/ionization (PADI) method that can be coupled with atmospheric pressure sampling mass spectrometry to yield mass spectral information under ambient conditions of pressure and humidity from a range of surfaces without the requirement for sample preparation or additives is reported. PADI is carried out by generating a nonthermal plasma which interacts directly with the surface of the analyte. Desorption and ionization then occur at the surface, and ions are sampled by the mass spectrometer. The PADI technique is demonstrated and compared with desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) for the detection of active ingredients in a range of over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical formulations, including nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (mefenamic acid, Ibugel, and ibuprofen), analgesics (paracetamol, Anadin Extra), and Beecham's "all in one" cold and flu remedy. PADI has also been successfully applied to the analysis of nicotine in tobacco and thiosulfates in garlic. PADI experiments have been performed using a prototype source interfaced with a Waters Platform LCZ single-quadrupole mass spectrometer with limited modifications and a Hiden Analytical HPR-60 molecular beam mass spectrometer (MBMS). The ability of PADI to rapidly detect active ingredients in pharmaceuticals without the need for prior sample preparation, solvents, or exposed high voltages demonstrates the potential of the technique for high-throughput screening in a pharmaceutical or forensic environment.

Detection and identification of immobilized low-volatility organophosphates by desorption ionization mass spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagan, Nathan A.; Cornish, Timothy J.; Pilato, Robert S.; van Houten, Kelly A.; Antoine, Miquel D.; Lippa, Timothy P.; Becknell, Alan F.; Demirev, Plamen A.

2008-12-01

Two desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MS) techniques - ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization (LDI) and desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) - have been used to detect and identify low-volatility organophosphates when deposited on surfaces or loaded into the pore volume of porous inorganic or polymeric organic powders. The insecticides malathion and dicrotophos were chosen for this study as simulants of low vapor pressure chemical warfare agents which are inherently difficult to detect directly by traditional methods. Both liquid and powdered forms of either insecticide were readily detected by LDI or DESI MS. LDI MS was performed on a miniaturized home-built time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer and a commercial TOF/TOF instrument. For DESI MS, a home-built ion source was interfaced to a commercial quadrupole ion trap. In LDI, intact molecular ion signatures could be acquired by using an appropriate cationizing agent and powder additive in positive ion mode. Tandem MS was used to confirm the identity of each analyte based on the observed characteristic fragmentation pattern. In DESI, less than 100 pg of the liquid insecticides spotted on clean surfaces were detected, while detection limits for the powder-loaded preparations were lower than 1 [mu]g. The effects of sample surface, salt additives, nanoparticle admixtures, and analyte solubility on the LDI and DESI MS sensitivity have been investigated as well.

Design, development and evaluation of a compact telerobotic catheter navigation system.

PubMed

Tavallaei, Mohammad Ali; Gelman, Daniel; Lavdas, Michael Konstantine; Skanes, Allan C; Jones, Douglas L; Bax, Jeffrey S; Drangova, Maria

2016-09-01

Remote catheter navigation systems protect interventionalists from scattered ionizing radiation. However, these systems typically require specialized catheters and extensive operator training. A new compact and sterilizable telerobotic system is described, which allows remote navigation of conventional tip-steerable catheters, with three degrees of freedom, using an interface that takes advantage of the interventionalist's existing dexterity skills. The performance of the system is evaluated ex vivo and in vivo for remote catheter navigation and ablation delivery. The system has absolute errors of 0.1 ± 0.1 mm and 7 ± 6° over 100 mm of axial motion and 360° of catheter rotation, respectively. In vivo experiments proved the safety of the proposed telerobotic system and demonstrated the feasibility of remote navigation and delivery of ablation. The proposed telerobotic system allows the interventionalist to use conventional steerable catheters; while maintaining a safe distance from the radiation source, he/she can remotely navigate the catheter and deliver ablation lesions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Microchip and wedge ion funnels and planar ion beam analyzers using same

DOEpatents

Shvartsburg, Alexandre A; Anderson, Gordon A; Smith, Richard D

2012-10-30

Electrodynamic ion funnels confine, guide, or focus ions in gases using the Dehmelt potential of oscillatory electric field. New funnel designs operating at or close to atmospheric gas pressure are described. Effective ion focusing at such pressures is enabled by fields of extreme amplitude and frequency, allowed in microscopic gaps that have much higher electrical breakdown thresholds in any gas than the macroscopic gaps of present funnels. The new microscopic-gap funnels are useful for interfacing atmospheric-pressure ionization sources to mass spectrometry (MS) and ion mobility separation (IMS) stages including differential IMS or FAIMS, as well as IMS and MS stages in various configurations. In particular, "wedge" funnels comprising two planar surfaces positioned at an angle and wedge funnel traps derived therefrom can compress ion beams in one dimension, producing narrow belt-shaped beams and laterally elongated cuboid packets. This beam profile reduces the ion density and thus space-charge effects, mitigating the adverse impact thereof on the resolving power, measurement accuracy, and dynamic range of MS and IMS analyzers, while a greater overlap with coplanar light or particle beams can benefit spectroscopic methods.

Anomalous abundances of solar energetic particles and coronal gas: Coulomb effects and First Ionization Potential (FIP) ordering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mullan, D. J.

1985-01-01

The first ionization potential (FIP) ordering of elemental abundances in solar energetic particles and in the corona which can both be explained Coulomb effects is discussed. Solar energetic particles (SEP) and coronal gas have anomalous abundances relative to the photosphere. The anomalies are similar in both cases: which led to the conclusion that SEP acceleration is not selective, but merely preserves the source abundances. It is argued that SEP acceleration can be selective, because identical selectivity operates to determine the coronal abundances. The abundance anomalies are ordered by first ionization potential (FIP).

Intelligent user interface concept for space station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Comer, Edward; Donaldson, Cameron; Bailey, Elizabeth; Gilroy, Kathleen

1986-01-01

The space station computing system must interface with a wide variety of users, from highly skilled operations personnel to payload specialists from all over the world. The interface must accommodate a wide variety of operations from the space platform, ground control centers and from remote sites. As a result, there is a need for a robust, highly configurable and portable user interface that can accommodate the various space station missions. The concept of an intelligent user interface executive, written in Ada, that would support a number of advanced human interaction techniques, such as windowing, icons, color graphics, animation, and natural language processing is presented. The user interface would provide intelligent interaction by understanding the various user roles, the operations and mission, the current state of the environment and the current working context of the users. In addition, the intelligent user interface executive must be supported by a set of tools that would allow the executive to be easily configured and to allow rapid prototyping of proposed user dialogs. This capability would allow human engineering specialists acting in the role of dialog authors to define and validate various user scenarios. The set of tools required to support development of this intelligent human interface capability is discussed and the prototyping and validation efforts required for development of the Space Station's user interface are outlined.

How Long Can the Hubble Space Telescope Operate Reliably?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xapsos, M. A.; Stauffer, C.; Jordan, T.; Poivey, C.; Lum, G.; Haskins, D. N.; Pergosky, A. M.; Smith, D. C.; LaBel, K. A.

2014-01-01

Total ionizing dose exposure of electronic parts in the Hubble Space Telescope is analyzed using 3-D ray trace and Monte Carlo simulations. Results are discussed along with other potential failure mechanisms for science operations.

Operator Interface for the ALMA Observing System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grosbøl, P.; Schilling, M.

2009-09-01

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is a major new ground-based radio-astronomical facility being constructed in Chile in an international collaboration between Europe, Japan and North America in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. The facility will include 54 12m and 12 7m antennas at the Altiplano de Chajnantor and be operated from the Operations Support Facilities (OSF) near San Pedro. This paper describes design and baseline implementation of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) used by operators to monitor and control the observing facility. It is written in Java and provides a simple plug-in interface which allows different subsystems to add their own panels to the GUI. The design is based on a client/server concept and supports multiple operators to share or monitor operations.

Systems and methods for commutating inductor current using a matrix converter

DOEpatents

Ransom, Ray M; Kajouke, Lateef A; Perisic, Milun

2012-10-16

Systems and methods are provided for delivering current using a matrix converter in a vehicle. An electrical system comprises an AC interface, a first conversion module coupled to the AC interface, an inductive element coupled between the AC interface and the first conversion module, and a control module coupled to the first conversion module. The control module is configured to operate the first conversion module in a bidirectional operating mode to commutate current bidirectionally. When a magnitude of the current through the inductive element is greater than a first threshold value, the control module operates the conversion module in a unidirectional operating mode, wherein current is commutated unidirectionally.

Effects of fluoride residue on thermal stability in Cu/porous low-k interconnects

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

Kobayashi, Y.; Ozaki, S.; Nakamura, T.

2014-06-19

We have investigated the effects of fluoride residue on the thermal stability of a Cu/barrier metal (BM)/porous low-k film (k < 2.3) structure. We confirmed that the Cu agglomerated more on a BM/inter layer dielectric (ILD) with a fluoride residue. To consider the effect of fluoride residue on Cu agglomeration, the structural state at the Cu/BM interface was evaluated with a cross-section transmission electron microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In addition, the chemical bonding state at the Cu/BM interface was evaluated with the interface peeling-off method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, we confirmed the ionization of fluoridemore » residue and oxidation of Cu with fluoride and moisture to clarify the effect of fluoride residue on Cu. Our experimental results indicated that the thermal stability in Cu/porous low-k interconnects was degraded by enhancement of Cu oxidation with fluoride ions diffusion as an oxidizing catalyst.« less

THERMALLY OPERATED VAPOR VALVE

DOEpatents

Dorward, J.G. Jr.

1959-02-10

A valve is presented for use in a calutron to supply and control the vapor to be ionized. The invention provides a means readily operable from the exterior of the vacuum tank of the apparatuss without mechanical transmission of forces for the quick and accurate control of the ionizing arc by a corresponding control of gas flow theretos thereby producing an effective way of carefully regulating the operation of the calutron. The invention consists essentially of a tube member extending into the charge bottle of a calutron devices having a poppet type valve closing the lower end of the tube. An electrical heating means is provided in the valve stem to thermally vary the length of the stem to regulate the valve opening to control the flow of material from the charge bottle.

The SPES surface ionization source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manzolaro, M.; D'Agostini, F.; Monetti, A.; Andrighetto, A.

2017-09-01

Ion sources and target systems play a crucial role in isotope separation on line facilities, determining the main characteristics of the radioactive ion beams available for experiments. In the context of the selective production of exotic species (SPES) facility, a 40 MeV, 200 μA proton beam directly impinges a uranium carbide target, generating approximately 1013 fissions per second. The radioactive isotopes produced by the 238U fissions are delivered to the 1+ ion source by means of a tubular transfer line. Here they can be ionized and subsequently accelerated toward the experimental areas. In this work, the characterization of the surface ionization source currently adopted for the SPES facility is presented, taking as a reference ionization efficiency and transversal emittance measurements. The effects of long term operation at high temperature are also illustrated and discussed.

Deep-down ionization of protoplanetary discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glassgold, A. E.; Lizano, S.; Galli, D.

2017-12-01

The possible occurrence of dead zones in protoplanetary discs subject to the magneto-rotational instability highlights the importance of disc ionization. We present a closed-form theory for the deep-down ionization by X-rays at depths below the disc surface dominated by far-ultraviolet radiation. Simple analytic solutions are given for the major ion classes, electrons, atomic ions, molecular ions and negatively charged grains. In addition to the formation of molecular ions by X-ray ionization of H2 and their destruction by dissociative recombination, several key processes that operate in this region are included, e.g. charge exchange of molecular ions and neutral atoms and destruction of ions by grains. Over much of the inner disc, the vertical decrease in ionization with depth into the disc is described by simple power laws, which can easily be included in more detailed modelling of magnetized discs. The new ionization theory is used to illustrate the non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic effects of Ohmic, Hall and Ambipolar diffusion for a magnetic model of a T Tauri star disc using the appropriate Elsasser numbers.

Rapid screening of basic colorants in processed vegetables through mass spectrometry using an interchangeable thermal desorption electrospray ionization source.

PubMed

Chao, Yu-Ying; Chen, Yen-Ling; Lin, Hong-Yi; Huang, Yeou-Lih

2018-06-20

Thermal desorption electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (TD-ESI-MS) employing a quickly interchangeable ionization source is a relatively new ambient ionization mass spectrometric technique that has had, to date, only a limited number of applications related to food safety control. With reallocation of resources, this direct-analysis technique has had wider use in food analysis when operated in dual-working mode (pretreatment-free qualitative screening and conventional quantitative confirmation) after switching to an ambient ionization source from a traditional atmospheric pressure ionization source. Herein, we describe the benefits and challenges associated with the use of a TD-ESI source to detect adulterants in processed vegetables (PVs), as a proof-of-concept for the detection of basic colorants. While TD-ESI can offer direct qualitative screening analyses for PVs with detection capabilities lower than those provided with liquid chromatography/UV detection within 30 s, the use of TD-ESI for semi-quantification is applicable only for homogeneous food matrices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In situ measurements of the mesosphere and stratosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crosky, C.

1976-01-01

The operation of a subsonic, Gerdien condenser probe for in situ measurements of the mesosphere and stratosphere is presented. The inclusion of a flashing Lyman alpha ultraviolet source provides an artifically produced ionization of particular constituents. Detailed theory of operation is presented and the data results from two flights are shown. A great deal of fine structure in mobility is observed due to the presence of various hydrated positive ions. The effect of the Lyman alpha source in the 35 km region was to dissociate a light hydrate ion rather than produce additional ionization. At the 70 km region, photodissociation of the heaviest ions (probably ice crystals) was also observed.

A comparison of flame ionization and ozone chemiluminescence for the determination of atmospheric hydrocarbons.

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

Marley, N. A.; Gaffney, J. S.; Environmental Research

A reactive hydrocarbon analyzer has been constructed on the basis of chemiluminescence reaction with ozone. This detector is designed to operate at varying temperatures which take advantage of the different rates of reaction of the hydrocarbon classes with ozone to yield a measure of their atmospheric reactivity. When operated at high temperatures (170 C), all hydrocarbons will give a chemiluminescence signal. Reported here is a direct comparison of the ozone chemiluminescent detector (operated at a temperature of 170 C) with a flame ionization detector. This comparison was accomplished by connecting a capillary gas chromatograph to each of the two detectorsmore » by means of a switching valve. Twenty-seven compounds representing alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, and oxygenated hydrocarbons (aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and ethers) were studied. For the compounds studied, analytical sensitivities were 10-1000 times better for the chemiluminescence detector. The results of this comparison indicate that the response of the chemiluminescent detector at 170 C correlates with a total carbon detector (flame ionization detection) and that total response is a measure of total carbon in the sample. The chemiluminescent system will be very useful for gas chromatographic detection of atmospheric hydrocarbons, particularly of oxygenates in complex mixtures.« less

Optical Characterization of Component Wear and Near-Field Plasma of the Hermes Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, George J., Jr.; Kamhawi, Hani

2015-01-01

Optical emission spectral (OES) data are presented which correlate trends in sputtered species and the near-field plasma with the Hall-Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) thruster operating condition. The relative density of singly-ionized xenon (Xe II) is estimated using a collisional-radiative model. OES data were collected at three radial and several axial locations downstream of the thruster's exit plane. These data were deconvolved to show the structure for the near-field plasma as a function of thruster operating condition. The magnetic field is shown to have a much greater affect on plasma structure than the discharge voltage with the primary ionization/acceleration zone boundary being similar for all nominal operating voltages at constant power. OES measurement of sputtered boron shows that the HERMeS thruster is magnetically shielded across its operating envelope. Preliminary assessment of carbon sputtered from the keeper face suggest it increases significantly with operating voltage, but the uncertainty associated with these measurements is very high.

Fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher

DOEpatents

Kolber, Zbigniew; Falkowski, Paul

1997-02-11

A fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher suitable for high flash photolysis including kinetic chemical and biological analysis. The flasher includes a power supply, a discharge capacitor operably connected to be charged by the power supply, and a flash lamp for producing a series of flashes in response to discharge of the discharge capacitor. A triggering circuit operably connected to the flash lamp initially ionizes the flash lamp. A current switch is operably connected between the flash lamp and the discharge capacitor. The current switch has at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor for switching current that is operable to initiate a controllable discharge of the discharge capacitor through the flash lamp. Control means connected to the current switch for controlling the rate of discharge of the discharge capacitor thereby to effectively keep the flash lamp in an ionized state between Successive discharges of the discharge capacitor. Advantageously, the control means is operable to discharge the discharge capacitor at a rate greater than 10,000 Hz and even up to a rate greater than about 250,000 Hz.

A virtual reality interface for pre-planning of surgical operations based on a customized model of the patient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witkowski, Marcin; Lenar, Janusz; Sitnik, Robert; Verdonschot, Nico

2012-03-01

We present a human-computer interface that enables the operator to plan a surgical procedure on the musculoskeletal (MS) model of the patient's lower limbs, send the modified model to the bio-mechanical analysis module, and export the scenario parameters to the surgical navigation system. The interface provides the operator with tools for: importing customized MS model of the patient, cutting bones and manipulating/removal of bony fragments, repositioning muscle insertion points, muscle removal and placing implants. After planning the operator exports the modified MS model for bio-mechanical analysis of the functional outcome. If the simulation result is satisfactory the exported scenario data may be directly used during the actual surgery. The advantages of the developed interface are the possibility of installing it in various hardware configurations and coherent operation regardless of the devices used. The hardware configurations proposed to be used with the interface are: (a) a standard computer keyboard and mouse, and a 2-D display, (b) a touch screen as a single device for both input and output, or (c) a 3-D display and a haptic device for natural manipulation of 3-D objects. The interface may be utilized in two main fields. Experienced surgeons may use it to simulate their intervention plans and prepare input data for a surgical navigation system while student or novice surgeons can use it for simulating results of their hypothetical procedure. The interface has been developed in the TLEMsafe project (www.tlemsafe.eu) funded by the European Commission FP7 program.

Photovoltaic array: Power conditioner interface characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gonzalez, C. C.; Hill, G. M.; Ross, R. G., Jr.

1982-01-01

The electrical output (power, current, and voltage) of flat plate solar arrays changes constantly, due primarily to changes in cell temperature and irradiance level. As a result, array loads such as dc-to-ac power conditioners must be capable of accommodating widely varying input levels while maintaining operation at or near the maximum power point of the array. The array operating characteristics and extreme output limits necessary for the systematic design of array load interfaces under a wide variety of climatic conditions are studied. A number of interface parameters are examined, including optimum operating voltage, voltage energy, maximum power and current limits, and maximum open circuit voltage. The effect of array degradation and I-V curve fill factor or the array power conditioner interface is also discussed. Results are presented as normalized ratios of power conditioner parameters to array parameters, making the results universally applicable to a wide variety of system sizes, sites, and operating modes.

Telerobot control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Backes, Paul G. (Inventor); Tso, Kam S. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

This invention relates to an operator interface for controlling a telerobot to perform tasks in a poorly modeled environment and/or within unplanned scenarios. The telerobot control system includes a remote robot manipulator linked to an operator interface. The operator interface includes a setup terminal, simulation terminal, and execution terminal for the control of the graphics simulator and local robot actuator as well as the remote robot actuator. These terminals may be combined in a single terminal. Complex tasks are developed from sequential combinations of parameterized task primitives and recorded teleoperations, and are tested by execution on a graphics simulator and/or local robot actuator, together with adjustable time delays. The novel features of this invention include the shared and supervisory control of the remote robot manipulator via operator interface by pretested complex tasks sequences based on sequences of parameterized task primitives combined with further teleoperation and run-time binding of parameters based on task context.

Dosimetry for electron Intra-Operative RadioTherapy: Comparison of output factors obtained through alanine/EPR pellets, ionization chamber and Monte Carlo-GEANT4 simulations for IORT mobile dedicate accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marrale, Maurizio; Longo, Anna; Russo, Giorgio; Casarino, Carlo; Candiano, Giuliana; Gallo, Salvatore; Carlino, Antonio; Brai, Maria

2015-09-01

In this work a comparison between the response of alanine and Markus ionization chamber was carried out for measurements of the output factors (OF) of electron beams produced by a linear accelerator used for Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT). Output factors (OF) for conventional high-energy electron beams are normally measured using ionization chamber according to international dosimetry protocols. However, the electron beams used in IORT have characteristics of dose per pulse, energy spectrum and angular distribution quite different from beams usually used in external radiotherapy, so the direct application of international dosimetry protocols may introduce additional uncertainties in dosimetric determinations. The high dose per pulse could lead to an inaccuracy in dose measurements with ionization chamber, due to overestimation of ks recombination factor. Furthermore, the electron fields obtained with IORT-dedicated applicators have a wider energy spectrum and a wider angular distribution than the conventional fields, due to the presence of electrons scattered by the applicator's wall. For this reason, a dosimetry system should be characterized by a minimum dependence from the beam energy and from angle of incidence of electrons. This become particularly critical for small and bevelled applicators. All of these reasons lead to investigate the use of detectors different from the ionization chamber for measuring the OFs. Furthermore, the complete characterization of the radiation field could be accomplished also by the use of Monte Carlo simulations which allows to obtain detailed information on dose distributions. In this work we compare the output factors obtained by means of alanine dosimeters and Markus ionization chamber. The comparison is completed by the Monte Carlo calculations of OFs determined through the use of the Geant4 application "iort _ therapy" . The results are characterized by a good agreement of response of alanine pellets and Markus ionization chamber and Monte Carlo results (within about 3%) for both flat and bevelled applicators.

Interface Anywhere: Development of a Voice and Gesture System for Spaceflight Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Shelby; Haddock, Maxwell; Overland, David

2013-01-01

The Interface Anywhere Project was funded through Innovation Charge Account (ICA) at NASA JSC in the Fall of 2012. The project was collaboration between human factors and engineering to explore the possibility of designing an interface to control basic habitat operations through gesture and voice control; (a) Current interfaces require the users to be physically near an input device in order to interact with the system; and (b) By using voice and gesture commands, the user is able to interact with the system anywhere they want within the work environment.

Highly ionized gas absorption in the disk and halo toward HD 167756 at 3.5 kilometers per second resolution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Savage, Blair D.; Sembach, Kenneth R.; Cardelli, Jason A.

1994-01-01

High-resolution spectra of interstellar Si IV, C IV, and N V absorption lines along the 4 kpc path to the inner Galaxy star HD 167756 at z = -0.85 kpc are presented. The spectra were obtained with the echelle mode of Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and have signal-to-noise ratios ranging from 23 to 38. The high resolution of the measurements full width at half maximum (FWHM = 3.5 km/s) results in fully resolved line profiles for the highly ionized gas absorption. The measurements provide information on the column density per unit velocity, N(v), as a function of velocity for Si IV, C IV, and N V. The C IV and N V profiles extend from -70 to +70 km/s, while the Si IV profiles extend from -40 to +70 km/s. The integrated logarithmic column densities are long N(Si IV) = 13.09 +/- 0.02, log N(C IV) = 13.83 +/- 0.02, and log N(N V) = 13.56 +/- 0.03. The N V profile is broad, asymmetric, and featureless, while the Si IV profile contains narrow absorption components near V(sub LSR) = -19, 0, +20, and +52 km/s with Doppler spread parameters, b about = 10-12 km/s. The C IV profile contains both broad and narrow structure. The high ion feature near +52 km/s is also detected in the low-ionization lines of Ca II, O I, Si II, and Fe II. The other narrow Si IV and C IV components occur within several km/s of components seen in low-ionization species. The sight line contains at least two types of highly ionized gas. One type gives rise to a broad N V profile, and the other results in the more structured Si IV profile. The C IV profile contains contributions from both types of highly ionized gas. The broad but asymmetric N V profile is well represented by a large Galactic scale height gas which is participating in Galactic rotation and has a combination of thermal and turbulent broadening with b(sub tot) about = 42 km/s. The C IV to N V abundance ratio of 1.0 +/- 0.3 for the gas implies T about 1.6 x 10(exp 5) K or about 8 x 10(exp 5) K if the gas is in collisional ionization equilibrium and has a solar carbon to nitrogen abundance ratio. This absorption may be associated with cooling hot gas situated in Galactic shells and supershells along the sight line. The gas producing the narrow Si IV and C IV absorption components has line widths that are compatible with origins in conductive interfaces between the warm and hot interstellar medium. Kinematic flows associated with the photoionized edges of clouds might also produce Si IV and C IV lines with Doppler spread parameters similar to those observed, but the C IV to Si IV ratio in this gas is 3.5, which leads us to favor the conductive interface interpretation.

The violent interstellar medium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccray, R.; Snow, T. P., Jr.

1979-01-01

Observational evidence for high-velocity and high-temperature interstellar gas is reviewed. The physical processes that characterize this gas are described, including the ionization and emissivity of coronal gas, the behavior and appearance of high-velocity shocks, and interfaces between coronal gas and cooler interstellar gas. Hydrodynamical models for the action of supernova explosions and stellar winds on the interstellar medium are examined, and recent attempts to synthesize all the processes considered into a global model for the interstellar medium are discussed.

Neutron Source Facility Training Simulator Based on EPICS

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

Park, Young Soo; Wei, Thomas Y.; Vilim, Richard B.

A plant operator training simulator is developed for training the plant operators as well as for design verification of plant control system (PCS) and plant protection system (PPS) for the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology Neutron Source Facility. The simulator provides the operator interface for the whole plant including the sub-critical assembly coolant loop, target coolant loop, secondary coolant loop, and other facility systems. The operator interface is implemented based on Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS), which is a comprehensive software development platform for distributed control systems. Since its development at Argonne National Laboratory, it has beenmore » widely adopted in the experimental physics community, e.g. for control of accelerator facilities. This work is the first implementation for a nuclear facility. The main parts of the operator interface are the plant control panel and plant protection panel. The development involved implementation of process variable database, sequence logic, and graphical user interface (GUI) for the PCS and PPS utilizing EPICS and related software tools, e.g. sequencer for sequence logic, and control system studio (CSS-BOY) for graphical use interface. For functional verification of the PCS and PPS, a plant model is interfaced, which is a physics-based model of the facility coolant loops implemented as a numerical computer code. The training simulator is tested and demonstrated its effectiveness in various plant operation sequences, e.g. start-up, shut-down, maintenance, and refueling. It was also tested for verification of the plant protection system under various trip conditions.« less

Development and validation of LC-MS/MS methods for the determination of mirabegron and its metabolites in human plasma and their application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study.

PubMed

Teijlingen, Raymond van; Meijer, John; Takusagawa, Shin; Gelderen, Marcel van; Beld, Cas van den; Usui, Takashi

2012-03-01

Mirabegron is being developed for the treatment of overactive bladder. To support the development of mirabegron, including pharmacokinetic studies, liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods for mirabegron and eight metabolites (M5, M8, M11-M16) were developed and validated for heparinized human plasma containing sodium fluoride. Four separate bioanalytical methods were developed for the analysis of: (1) mirabegron; (2) M5 and M16; (3) M8; and (4) M11-M15. Either solid-phase extraction or liquid-liquid extraction was used to extract the analytes of interest from matrix constituents. For mirabegron, an Inertsil C₈-3 analytical column was used and detection was performed using a triple-quad mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface. For the metabolite assays, chromatographic separation was performed through a Phenomenex Synergi Fusion-RP C₁₈ analytical column and detection was performed using a triple-quad mass spectrometer equipped with a Heated Electrospray Ionization interface. The validation results demonstrated that the developed liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods were precise, accurate, and selective for the determination of mirabegron and its metabolites in human plasma. All methods were successfully applied in evaluating the pharmacokinetic parameters of mirabegron and metabolites in human plasma. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A software architecture for automating operations processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Kevin J.

1994-01-01

The Operations Engineering Lab (OEL) at JPL has developed a software architecture based on an integrated toolkit approach for simplifying and automating mission operations tasks. The toolkit approach is based on building adaptable, reusable graphical tools that are integrated through a combination of libraries, scripts, and system-level user interface shells. The graphical interface shells are designed to integrate and visually guide a user through the complex steps in an operations process. They provide a user with an integrated system-level picture of an overall process, defining the required inputs and possible output through interactive on-screen graphics. The OEL has developed the software for building these process-oriented graphical user interface (GUI) shells. The OEL Shell development system (OEL Shell) is an extension of JPL's Widget Creation Library (WCL). The OEL Shell system can be used to easily build user interfaces for running complex processes, applications with extensive command-line interfaces, and tool-integration tasks. The interface shells display a logical process flow using arrows and box graphics. They also allow a user to select which output products are desired and which input sources are needed, eliminating the need to know which program and its associated command-line parameters must be executed in each case. The shells have also proved valuable for use as operations training tools because of the OEL Shell hypertext help environment. The OEL toolkit approach is guided by several principles, including the use of ASCII text file interfaces with a multimission format, Perl scripts for mission-specific adaptation code, and programs that include a simple command-line interface for batch mode processing. Projects can adapt the interface shells by simple changes to the resources configuration file. This approach has allowed the development of sophisticated, automated software systems that are easy, cheap, and fast to build. This paper will discuss our toolkit approach and the OEL Shell interface builder in the context of a real operations process example. The paper will discuss the design and implementation of a Ulysses toolkit for generating the mission sequence of events. The Sequence of Events Generation (SEG) system provides an adaptable multimission toolkit for producing a time-ordered listing and timeline display of spacecraft commands, state changes, and required ground activities.

Structured Ionomer Thin Films at Water Interface: Molecular Dynamics Simulation Insight

DOE PAGES

Aryal, Dipak; Agrawal, Anupriya; Perahia, Dvora; ...

2017-08-23

Controlling the structure and dynamics of thin films of ionizable polymers at water interfaces is critical to their many applications. As the chemical diversity within one polymer is increased, controlling the structure and dynamics of the polymer, which is a key to their use, becomes a challenge. Here molecular dynamics simulations (MD) are used to obtain molecular insight into the structure and dynamics of thin films of one such macromolecule at the interface with water. The polymer consists of an ABCBA topology with randomly sulfonated polystyrene (C), tethered symmetrically to flexible poly(ethylene- r-propylene) blocks (B), and end-capped by a poly(more » t-butylstyrene) block (A). The compositions of the interfacial and bulk regions of thin films of the ABCBA polymers are followed as a function of exposure time to water. We find that interfacial rearrangements take place where buried ionic segments migrate toward the water interface. The hydrophobic blocks collapse and rearrange to minimize their exposure to water. In conclusion, the water that initially drives interfacial reengagements breaks the ionic clusters within the film, forming a dynamic hydrophilic internal network within the hydrophobic segments.« less

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fractions in asphalt mixtures using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.

PubMed

Nascimento, Paulo Cicero; Gobo, Luciana Assis; Bohrer, Denise; Carvalho, Leandro Machado; Cravo, Margareth Coutinho; Leite, Leni Figueiredo Mathias

2015-07-01

An analytical method using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt fractions has been developed. The 14 compounds determined, characterized by having two or more condensed aromatic rings, are expected to be present in asphalt and are considered carcinogenic and mutagenic. The parameters of the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface were optimized to obtain the highest possible sensitivity for all of the compounds. The limits of detection ranged from 0.5 to 346.5 μg/L and the limits of quantification ranged from 1.7 to 1550 μg/L. The method was validated against a diesel particulate extract standard reference material (NIST SRM 1975), and the obtained concentrations agreed with the certified values. The method was applied to asphalt samples after its fractionation according to ASTM D4124 and the method of Green. The concentrations of the seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons quantified in the sample ranged from 0.86 mg/kg for benzo[ghi]perylene to 98.32 mg/kg for fluorene. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quantitation of phlorizin and phloretin using an ultra high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric method.

PubMed

Lijia, Xu; Guo, Jianru; Chen, QianQian; Baoping, Jiang; Zhang, Wei

2014-06-01

A sensitive and selective ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of phlorizin and phloretin in human plasma has been firstly developed. Samples were prepared after protein precipitation and analyzed on a C18 column interfaced with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. Negative electrospray ionization was employed as the ionization source. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water (0.02% formic acid), using a gradient procedure. The analytes and internal standard dihydroquercetin were both detected by use of multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was linear in the concentration range of 2.5-1000.0 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 2.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation across three validation runs over the entire concentration range was less than 9.2%. The accuracy determined at three concentrations was within ± 7.3% in terms of relative error. The total run time was 12.0 min. This assay offers advantages in terms of expediency, and suitability for the analysis of phlorizin and phloretin in various biological fluids. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of soil pH on the sorption of ionizable chemicals: modeling advances.

PubMed

Franco, Antonio; Fu, Wenjing; Trapp, Stefan

2009-03-01

The soil-water distribution coefficient of ionizable chemicals (K(d)) depends on the soil acidity, mainly because the pH governs speciation. Using pH-specific K(d) values normalized to organic carbon (K(OC)) from the literature, a method was developed to estimate the K(OC) of monovalent organic acids and bases. The regression considers pH-dependent speciation and species-specific partition coefficients, calculated from the dissociation constant (pK(a)) and the octanol-water partition coefficient of the neutral molecule (log P(n)). Probably because of the lower pH near the organic colloid-water interface, the optimal pH to model dissociation was lower than the bulk soil pH. The knowledge of the soil pH allows calculation of the fractions of neutral and ionic molecules in the system, thus improving the existing regression for acids. The same approach was not successful with bases, for which the impact of pH on the total sorption is contrasting. In fact, the shortcomings of the model assumptions affect the predictive power for acids and for bases differently. We evaluated accuracy and limitations of the regressions for their use in the environmental fate assessment of ionizable chemicals.

Analytical studies on the crystal melt interface shape in the Czochralski process for oxide single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Ja Hoon; Kang, In Seok

2000-09-01

Effects of the operating conditions on the crystal-melt interface shape are analytically investigated for the Czochralski process of the oxide single crystals. The ideas, which were used for the silicon single-crystal growth by Jeong et al. (J. Crystal Growth 177 (1997) 157), are extended to the oxide single-crystal growth problem by considering the internal radiation in the crystal phase and the melt phase heat transfer with the high Prandtl number. The interface shape is approximated in the simplest form as a quadratic function of radial position and an expression for the deviation from the flat interface shape is derived as a function of operating conditions. The radiative heat transfer rate between the interface and the ambient is computed by calculating the view factors for the curved interface shape with the assumption that the crystal phase is completely transparent. For the melt phase, the well-known results from the thermal boundary layer analysis are applied for the asymptotic case of high Prandtl number based on the idea that the flow field near the crystal-melt interface can be modeled as either a uniaxial or a biaxial flow. Through this work, essential information on the interface shape deformation and the effects of operating conditions are brought out for the oxide single-crystal growth.

Cycling excitation process: An ultra efficient and quiet signal amplification mechanism in semiconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yu-Hsin; Yan, Lujiang; Zhang, Alex Ce; Hall, David; Niaz, Iftikhar Ahmad; Zhou, Yuchun; Sham, L. J.; Lo, Yu-Hwa

2015-08-01

Signal amplification, performed by transistor amplifiers with its merit rated by the efficiency and noise characteristics, is ubiquitous in all electronic systems. Because of transistor thermal noise, an intrinsic signal amplification mechanism, impact ionization was sought after to complement the limits of transistor amplifiers. However, due to the high operation voltage (30-200 V typically), low power efficiency, limited scalability, and, above all, rapidly increasing excess noise with amplification factor, impact ionization has been out of favor for most electronic systems except for a few applications such as avalanche photodetectors and single-photon Geiger detectors. Here, we report an internal signal amplification mechanism based on the principle of the phonon-assisted cycling excitation process (CEP). Si devices using this concept show ultrahigh gain, low operation voltage, CMOS compatibility, and, above all, quantum limit noise performance that is 30 times lower than devices using impact ionization. Established on a unique physical effect of attractive properties, CEP-based devices can potentially revolutionize the fields of semiconductor electronics.

Combined corona discharge and UV photoionization source for ion mobility spectrometry.

PubMed

Bahrami, Hamed; Tabrizchi, Mahmoud

2012-08-15

An ion mobility spectrometer is described which is equipped with two non-radioactive ion sources, namely an atmospheric pressure photoionization and a corona discharge ionization source. The two sources cannot only run individually but are additionally capable of operating simultaneously. For photoionization, a UV lamp was mounted parallel to the axis of the ion mobility cell. The corona discharge electrode was mounted perpendicular to the UV radiation. The total ion current from the photoionization source was verified as a function of lamp current, sample flow rate, and drift field. Simultaneous operation of the two ionization sources was investigated by recording ion mobility spectra of selected samples. The design allows one to observe peaks from either the corona discharge or photoionization individually or simultaneously. This makes it possible to accurately compare peaks in the ion mobility spectra from each individual source. Finally, the instrument's capability for discriminating two peaks appearing in approximately identical drift times using each individual ionization source is demonstrated. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Orbital operations study. Volume 2: Interfacing activities analysis. Part 2: Structural and mechanical group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mattson, H. L.; Gianformaggio, A.; Anderson, N. R.

1972-01-01

The activities of the structural and mechanical activity group of the orbital operations study project are discussed. Element interfaces, alternate approaches, design concepts, operational procedures, functional requirements, design influences, and approach selection are presented. The following areas are considered: (1) mating, (2) orbital assembly, (3) separation, EOS payload deployment, and EOS payload retraction.

Combination of electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure photoionization and laser desorption ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotronic resonance mass spectrometry for the investigation of complex mixtures - Application to the petroleomic analysis of bio-oils.

PubMed

Hertzog, Jasmine; Carré, Vincent; Le Brech, Yann; Mackay, Colin Logan; Dufour, Anthony; Mašek, Ondřej; Aubriet, Frédéric

2017-05-29

The comprehensive description of complex mixtures such as bio-oils is required to understand and improve the different processes involved during biological, environmental or industrial operation. In this context, we have to consider how different ionization sources can improve a non-targeted approach. Thus, the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has been coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI), laser desorption ionization (LDI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) to characterize an oak pyrolysis bio-oil. Close to 90% of the all 4500 compound formulae has been attributed to C x H y O z with similar oxygen class compound distribution. Nevertheless, their relative abundance in respect with their double bound equivalent (DBE) value has evidenced significant differences depending on the ion source used. ESI has allowed compounds with low DBE but more oxygen atoms to be ionized. APPI has demonstrated the efficient ionization of less polar compounds (high DBE values and less oxygen atoms). The LDI behavior of bio-oils has been considered intermediate in terms of DBE and oxygen amounts but it has also been demonstrated that a significant part of the features are specifically detected by this ionization method. Thus, the complementarity of three different ionization sources has been successfully demonstrated for the exhaustive characterization by petroleomic approach of a complex mixture. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An evaluation of ionizing radiation emitted by high power microwave generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovell, C. David; Bolch, W. Emmett

1992-02-01

Ionizing radiation emitted by electron-beam driven high power microwave (HPM) generators were measured in the near and far-field using lithium fluoride (LiF) thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's). Simplified photon energy spectra were determined by measuring radiation transmission, at electron beam energies of 300 to 650 keV, through various thicknesses of steel and lead attenuators. These data were used to calculate the effective energy of the x-rays produced by interactions between the electrons and the walls or other structures of the HPM generators. Operators were polled to determine locations of burn marks or other visible damage to locate potential ionizing radiation source regions.

[Use of ionizing radiation sources in metallurgy: risk assessment].

PubMed

Giugni, U

2012-01-01

Use of ionizing radiation sources in the metallurgical industry: risk assessment. Radioactive sources and fixed or mobile X-ray equipment are used for both process and quality control. The use of ionizing radiation sources requires careful risk assessment. The text lists the characteristics of the sources and the legal requirements, and contains a description of the documentation required and the methods used for risk assessment. It describes how to estimate the doses to operators and the relevant classification criteria used for the purpose of radiation protection. Training programs must be organized in close collaboration between the radiation protection expert and the occupational physician.

Surfactant-enhanced alkaline flooding: Buffering at intermediate alkaline pH

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

Rudin, J.; Wasan, D.T.

1993-11-01

The alkaline flooding process involves injecting alkaline agents into the reservoir to produce more oil than is produced through conventional waterflooding. The interaction of the alkali in the flood water with the naturally occurring acids in the reservoir oil results in in-situ formation of soaps, which are partially responsible for lowering IFT and improving oil recovery. The extent to which IFT is lowered depends on the specific oil and injection water properties. Numerous investigators have attempted to clarify the relationship between system chemical composition and IFT. An experimental investigation of buffered alkaline flooding system chemistry was undertaken to determine themore » influence of various species present on interfacial tension (IFT) as a function of pH and ionic strength. IFT was found to go through an ultralow minimum in certain pH ranges. This synergism results from simultaneous adsorption of un-ionized and ionized acid species on the interface.« less

High Resolution Separations and Improved Ion Production and Transmission in Metabolomics

PubMed Central

Metz, Thomas O.; Page, Jason S.; Baker, Erin S.; Tang, Keqi; Ding, Jie; Shen, Yufeng; Smith, Richard D.

2008-01-01

The goal of metabolomics analyses is the detection and quantitation of as many sample components as reasonably possible in order to identify compounds or “features” that can be used to characterize the samples under study. When utilizing electrospray ionization to produce ions for analysis by mass spectrometry (MS), it is important that metabolome sample constituents be efficiently separated prior to ion production, in order to minimize ionization suppression and thereby extend the dynamic range of the measurement, as well as the coverage of the metabolome. Similarly, optimization of the MS inlet and interface can lead to increased measurement sensitivity. This perspective review will focus on the role of high resolution liquid chromatography (LC) separations in conjunction with improved ion production and transmission for LC-MS-based metabolomics. Additional emphasis will be placed on the compromise between metabolome coverage and sample analysis throughput. PMID:19255623

Interfaces - Weak Links, Yet Great Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, Robert C.; Dimofte, Florin; Chupp, Raymond E.; Steinetz, Bruce M.

2011-01-01

Inadequate turbomachine interface design can rapidly degrade system performance, yet provide great opportunity for improvements. Engineered coatings of seals and bearing interfaces are major issues in the operational life of power systems. Coatings, films, and combined use of both metals and ceramics play a major role in maintaining component life. Interface coatings, like lubricants, are sacrificial for the benefit of the component. Bearing and sealing surfaces are routinely protected by tribologically paired coatings such as silicon diamond like coatings (SiDLC) in combination with an oil lubricated wave bearing that prolongs bearing operational life. Likewise, of several methods used or researched for detecting interface failures, dopants within coatings show failures in functionally graded ceramic coatings. The Bozzolo-Ferrante-Smith (BFS) materials models and quantum mechanical tools, employed in interface design, are discussed.

Automation of PCXMC and ImPACT for NASA Astronaut Medical Imaging Dose and Risk Tracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bahadori, Amir; Picco, Charles; Flores-McLaughlin, John; Shavers, Mark; Semones, Edward

2011-01-01

To automate astronaut organ and effective dose calculations from occupational X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations incorporating PCXMC and ImPACT tools and to estimate the associated lifetime cancer risk per the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements (NCRP) using MATLAB(R). Methods: NASA follows guidance from the NCRP on its operational radiation safety program for astronauts. NCRP Report 142 recommends that astronauts be informed of the cancer risks from reported exposures to ionizing radiation from medical imaging. MATLAB(R) code was written to retrieve exam parameters for medical imaging procedures from a NASA database, calculate associated dose and risk, and return results to the database, using the Microsoft .NET Framework. This code interfaces with the PCXMC executable and emulates the ImPACT Excel spreadsheet to calculate organ doses from X-rays and CTs, respectively, eliminating the need to utilize the PCXMC graphical user interface (except for a few special cases) and the ImPACT spreadsheet. Results: Using MATLAB(R) code to interface with PCXMC and replicate ImPACT dose calculation allowed for rapid evaluation of multiple medical imaging exams. The user inputs the exam parameter data into the database and runs the code. Based on the imaging modality and input parameters, the organ doses are calculated. Output files are created for record, and organ doses, effective dose, and cancer risks associated with each exam are written to the database. Annual and post-flight exposure reports, which are used by the flight surgeon to brief the astronaut, are generated from the database. Conclusions: Automating PCXMC and ImPACT for evaluation of NASA astronaut medical imaging radiation procedures allowed for a traceable and rapid method for tracking projected cancer risks associated with over 12,000 exposures. This code will be used to evaluate future medical radiation exposures, and can easily be modified to accommodate changes to the risk calculation procedure.

Planar differential mobility spectrometer as a pre-filter for atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

PubMed Central

Schneider, Bradley B.; Covey, Thomas R.; Coy, Stephen L.; Krylov, Evgeny V.

2010-01-01

Ion filters based on planar DMS can be integrated with the inlet configuration of most mass spectrometers, and are able to enhance the quality of mass analysis and quantitative accuracy by reducing chemical noise, and by pre-separating ions of similar mass. This paper is the first in a series of three papers describing the optimization of DMS / MS instrumentation. In this paper the important physical parameters of a planar DMS-MS interface including analyzer geometry, analyzer coupling to a mass spectrometer, and transport gas flow control are considered. The goal is to optimize ion transmission and transport efficiency, provide optimal and adjustable resolution, and produce stable operation under conditions of high sample contamination. We discuss the principles of DMS separations and highlight the theoretical underpinnings. The main differences between planar and cylindrical geometries are presented, including a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of RF ion focusing. In addition, we present a description of optimization of the frequency and amplitude of the DMS fields for resolution and ion transmission, and a discussion of the influence and importance of ion residence time in DMS. We have constructed a mass spectrometer interface for planar geometries that takes advantage of atmospheric pressure gas dynamic principles, rather than ion focusing, to minimize ion losses from diffusion in the analyzer and to maximize total ion transport into the mass spectrometer. A variety of experimental results has been obtained that illustrate the performance of this type of interface, including tests of resistance to high contamination levels, and the separation of stereoisomers. In a subsequent publication the control of the chemical interactions that drive the separation process of a DMS / MS system will be considered. In a third publication we describe novel electronics designed to provide the high voltages asymmetric waveform fields (SV) required for these devices as well as the effects of different waveforms. PMID:21278836

DSMS Operations Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spradlin, G.

2000-01-01

The concept provides an overview of operational roles and responsibilities in a service system environment. It describes changed and new interfaces between the customers and the service system, and variations on these interfaces as a function of the level of support required by the customer.

Computerized procedures system

DOEpatents

Lipner, Melvin H.; Mundy, Roger A.; Franusich, Michael D.

2010-10-12

An online data driven computerized procedures system that guides an operator through a complex process facility's operating procedures. The system monitors plant data, processes the data and then, based upon this processing, presents the status of the current procedure step and/or substep to the operator. The system supports multiple users and a single procedure definition supports several interface formats that can be tailored to the individual user. Layered security controls access privileges and revisions are version controlled. The procedures run on a server that is platform independent of the user workstations that the server interfaces with and the user interface supports diverse procedural views.

The ArDM experiment

DOE PAGES

Harańczyk, M.; Amsler, C.; Badertscher, A.; ...

2010-08-24

The aim of the ArDM project is the development and operation of a one ton double-phase liquid argon detector for direct Dark Matter searches. The detector measures both the scintillation light and the ionization charge from ionizing radiation using two independent readout systems. This paper briefly describes the detector concept and presents preliminary results from the ArDM R & D program, including a 3 l prototype developed to test the charge readout system.

Low pressure electrospray ionization system and process for effective transmission of ions

DOEpatents

Tang, Keqi [Richland, WA; Page, Jason S [Kennewick, WA; Kelly, Ryan T [Wet Richland, WA; Smith, Richard D [Richland, WA

2010-03-02

A system and method are disclosed that provide up to complete transmission of ions between coupled stages with low effective ion losses. A novel "interfaceless" electrospray ionization system is further described that operates the electrospray at a reduced pressure such that standard electrospray sample solutions can be directly sprayed into an electrodynamic ion funnel which provides ion focusing and transmission of ions into a mass analyzer.

INVESTIGATION OF DENSITY EFFECT IN SOLIDS AND GASES.

DTIC Science & Technology

electron-positron pair production by 150 MeV electrons. (5) Investiga tion of the density effect in C, Al, Fe, Cu, Ni, Ag, Ta, and Au. (Author)...This report describes the results obtained for the following experiments: (1) The pressure dependence of ionization by relativistic elec trons. (2...Ionization by relativistic particles in helium-hydrogen gas mixtures. (3) Investiga tion of the operation of secondary emission monitors. (4) Direct

User interface for a tele-operated robotic hand system

DOEpatents

Crawford, Anthony L

2015-03-24

Disclosed here is a user interface for a robotic hand. The user interface anchors a user's palm in a relatively stationary position and determines various angles of interest necessary for a user's finger to achieve a specific fingertip location. The user interface additionally conducts a calibration procedure to determine the user's applicable physiological dimensions. The user interface uses the applicable physiological dimensions and the specific fingertip location, and treats the user's finger as a two link three degree-of-freedom serial linkage in order to determine the angles of interest. The user interface communicates the angles of interest to a gripping-type end effector which closely mimics the range of motion and proportions of a human hand. The user interface requires minimal contact with the operator and provides distinct advantages in terms of available dexterity, work space flexibility, and adaptability to different users.

Highly ionized physical vapor deposition plasma source working at very low pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stranak, V.; Herrendorf, A.-P.; Drache, S.; Cada, M.; Hubicka, Z.; Tichy, M.; Hippler, R.

2012-04-01

Highly ionized discharge for physical vapor deposition at very low pressure is presented in the paper. The discharge is generated by electron cyclotron wave resonance (ECWR) which assists with ignition of high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge. The magnetron gun (with Ti target) was built into the single-turn coil RF electrode of the ECWR facility. ECWR assistance provides pre-ionization effect which allows significant reduction of pressure during HiPIMS operation down to p = 0.05 Pa; this is nearly more than an order of magnitude lower than at typical pressure ranges of HiPIMS discharges. We can confirm that nearly all sputtered particles are ionized (only Ti+ and Ti++ peaks are observed in the mass scan spectra). This corresponds well with high plasma density ne ˜ 1018 m-3, measured during the HiPIMS pulse.

The NGC 281 west cluster. I. Star formation in photoevaporating clumps.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Megeath, S. T.; Wilson, T. L.

1997-09-01

The NGC281 West molecular cloud is an excellent test case for studying star formation in the clumpy interface between a \\hii region and a giant molecular cloud. We present here a study based on new high resolution radio and near-infrared data. Using the IRAM 30-meter telescope, we have mapped the interface in the \\cotwo, \\coone, and \\cs transitions with FWHP beamwidths <= 22''. We have imaged the same region with the VLA in the 20, 6 and 2 cm continuum bands to obtain complementary maps of the ionized gas distribution with angular resolutions <= 13''. In addition, we have obtained near-infrared J and K'-band images to detect young stars in the interface. The 30-meter data shows the molecular gas is concentrated into three clumps with masses of 570, > 210, and 300 \\msun and average volume densities of 1.4, >1, and 2 x 10(4) \\cm. We detect \\cs emission in two of the clumps, indicating peak densities in excess of 5x 10(5) \\cm are attained in the clumps. A comparison of the \\co line data with the 20 cm continuum image suggests that the molecular clumps are being photoevaporated through their direct exposure to the UV radiation from neighboring OB stars. The luminosity and extent of the observed 20 cm emission is in good agreement with theoretical predictions. We use models of photoevaporative flows to estimate the pressure exerted on the clumps by the ionized gas and find that it exceeds the internal, turbulent pressure of the clumps by a factor of a 2.5. Although a pressure equilibrium is not excluded given the uncertainties inherent in determining the pressures of the ionized and molecular gases, our best estimates of the clumps and flow parameters favor the the existence of low velocity shocks (1.5 \\kms) in the clumps. The clumps exhibit broad, non-gaussian lineshapes and complex kinematical structures suggestive of shocks. Further evidence for shocks is found in a comparison of position-velocity diagrams with published numerical simulations of imploding spherical clumps. We discuss the possibility that the knots of \\cs emission may trace gas compressed by converging shock waves. The K'-band observations show a rich cluster of primarily low mass stars in the \\hii/molecular interface, which we argue is divided into two distinct sub-clusters. We associate one sub-cluster with the two clumps nearest the OB stars, and the second sub-cluster with the third clump. The two clumps nearest the OB stars contain an embedded population, suggesting that star formation is ongoing. We discuss the impact photoevaporation is having on star formation in these two clumps. We find that photoevaporation is dispersing the molecular gas from which the cluster is forming and estimate that the molecular gas will be completely evaporated in 5 Myr. Deep K'-band imaging of the two clumps show that the stars are detected primarily on the sides of the clumps facing the OB stars and in the adjoining \\hii region. We examine three explanations for this asymmetry: displacement of the clump centers from the cluster center by the acceleration of the molecular gas through photoevaporation (i.e. the rocket effect), unveiling of young, embedded stars by ionization-shock fronts, and the triggered formation of stars by shocks advancing into the clumps. If shock compression is indeed ongoing in the clumps, then we argue that there is a good case for shock triggered star formation.

Sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of five ganoderic acids in Ganoderma lucidum and its related species.

PubMed

Liu, Yongli; Liu, Youping; Qiu, Feng; Di, Xin

2011-03-25

The present paper describes a novel, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of ganoderic acids C(2), B, A, H, D in Ganoderma lucidum and its related species. Ganoderma samples were prepared using simple ultrasonic extraction. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Agilent Zorbax XDB C(18) column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5μm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile, water and formic acid (42:58:0.5, v/v/v). Mass spectrometric detection was achieved by a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface operating in negative and positive ionization mode via a single within-run polarity switching. Quantitation of five ganoderic acids was performed using selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The intra- and inter-day precision was less than 6.2% and the accuracy ranged from 90.0% to 105.7%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 20.0-40.0 ng/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) was 3.0-25.0 ng/mL. With this method, low levels of ganoderic acids in the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinense and Ganoderma applanatum were accurately quantified for the first time. Importantly, the method allows unequivocal quantification of the five ganoderic acids in the spores and fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, whereas the previously published methods have lacked the capability. The method presented will be a powerful tool for quality control of Ganoderma lucidum and its related species. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Results from prototypes of environmental and health alarm devices based on gaseous detectors operating in air in counting mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charpak, G.; Benaben, P.; Breuil, P.; Martinengo, P.; Nappi, E.; Peskov, V.

2011-02-01

We have developed and successfully tested two prototypes of detectors of dangerous gases based on wire-type counters operating in air in avalanche mode: one is for radon (Rn) detection whereas the other one is for the detection of gases with an ionization potential less than the air components. Due to the operation in pulse counting mode these prototypes have sensitivities comparable to (in the case of the Rn detector) or much higher than (in the case of the detector for low ionization gases) the best commercial devices currently available on the market. We believe that due to their high sensitivity, simplicity and low cost such new detectors will find massive applications. One of them, discussed in this paper, could be the on-line monitoring of Rn for the prediction of earthquakes.

Evaluation of a commercial electro-kinetically pumped sheath-flow nanospray interface coupled to an automated capillary zone electrophoresis system.

PubMed

Peuchen, Elizabeth H; Zhu, Guije; Sun, Liangliang; Dovichi, Norman J

2017-03-01

Capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS) is attracting renewed attention for proteomic and metabolomic analysis. An important reason for this interest is the maturation and commercialization of interfaces for coupling CZE with ESI-MS. One of these interfaces is an electro-kinetically pumped sheath flow nanospray interface developed by the Dovichi group, in which a very low sheath flow is generated based on electroosmosis within a glass emitter. CMP Scientific has commercialized this interface as the EMASS-II ion source. In this work, we compared the performance of the EMASS-II ion source with our in-house system. The performance of the systems is equivalent. We also coupled the EMASS-II ion source with a PrinCE Next|480 capillary electrophoresis autosampler and an Orbitrap mass spectrometer, and analyzed this system's performance in terms of sensitivity, reproducibility, and separation performance for separation of tryptic digests, intact proteins, and amino acids. The system produced reproducible analysis of BSA digest; the RSDs of peptide intensity and migration time across 24 runs were less than 20 and 6%, respectively. The system produced a linear calibration curve of intensity across a 30-fold range of tryptic digest concentration. The combination of a commercial autosampler and electrospray interface efficiently separated amino acids, peptides, and intact proteins, and only required 5 μL of sample for analysis. Graphical Abstract The commercial and locally constructed versions of the interface provide similar numbers of protein identifications from a Xenopus laevis fertilized egg digest.

Mapping a Noncovalent Protein-Peptide Interface by Top-Down FTICR Mass Spectrometry Using Electron Capture Dissociation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clarke, David J.; Murray, Euan; Hupp, Ted; Mackay, C. Logan; Langridge-Smith, Pat R. R.

2011-08-01

Noncovalent protein-ligand and protein-protein complexes are readily detected using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). Furthermore, recent reports have demonstrated that careful use of electron capture dissociation (ECD) fragmentation allows covalent backbone bonds of protein complexes to be dissociated without disruption of noncovalent protein-ligand interactions. In this way the site of protein-ligand interfaces can be identified. To date, protein-ligand complexes, which have proven tractable to this technique, have been mediated by ionic electrostatic interactions, i.e., ion pair interactions or salt bridging. Here we extend this methodology by applying ECD to study a protein-peptide complex that contains no electrostatics interactions. We analyzed the complex between the 21 kDa p53-inhibitor protein anterior gradient-2 and its hexapeptide binding ligand (PTTIYY). ECD fragmentation of the 1:1 complex occurs with retention of protein-peptide binding and analysis of the resulting fragments allows the binding interface to be localized to a C-terminal region between residues 109 and 175. These finding are supported by a solution-phase competition assay, which implicates the region between residues 108 and 122 within AGR2 as the PTTIYY binding interface. Our study expands previous findings by demonstrating that top-down ECD mass spectrometry can be used to determine directly the sites of peptide-protein interfaces. This highlights the growing potential of using ECD and related top-down fragmentation techniques for interrogation of protein-protein interfaces.

Deep Space Network (DSN), Network Operations Control Center (NOCC) computer-human interfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellman, Alvin; Carlton, Magdi

1993-01-01

The Network Operations Control Center (NOCC) of the DSN is responsible for scheduling the resources of DSN, and monitoring all multi-mission spacecraft tracking activities in real-time. Operations performs this job with computer systems at JPL connected to over 100 computers at Goldstone, Australia and Spain. The old computer system became obsolete, and the first version of the new system was installed in 1991. Significant improvements for the computer-human interfaces became the dominant theme for the replacement project. Major issues required innovating problem solving. Among these issues were: How to present several thousand data elements on displays without overloading the operator? What is the best graphical representation of DSN end-to-end data flow? How to operate the system without memorizing mnemonics of hundreds of operator directives? Which computing environment will meet the competing performance requirements? This paper presents the technical challenges, engineering solutions, and results of the NOCC computer-human interface design.

Ecological Interfaces for Improving Mobile Robot Teleoperation

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-01

reviewers’ comments. C. W. Nielsen is with the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415 USA (e-mail: curtis.nielsen@inl.gov). M . A. Goodrich is with...tele- operation. Section III presents the ecological interface paradigm and describes the 3-D interface. Section IV presents the sum- maries from new...in an empty laboratory environment that was filled with cardboard boxes and was more than 700 m from the operator. The display that the test subjects

Simultaneous testing of multiclass organic contaminants in food and environment by liquid chromatography/dielectric barrier discharge ionization-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Gilbert-López, Bienvenida; García-Reyes, Juan F; Meyer, Cordula; Michels, Antje; Franzke, Joachim; Molina-Díaz, Antonio; Hayen, Heiko

2012-11-21

A Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization (DBDI) LC/MS interface is based on the use of a low-temperature helium plasma, which features the possibility of simultaneous ionization of species with a wide variety of physicochemical properties. In this work, the performance of LC/DBDI-MS for trace analysis of highly relevant species in food and environment has been examined. Over 75 relevant species including multiclass priority organic contaminants and residues such as pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine species, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and drugs of abuse were tested. LC/DBDI-MS performance for this application was assessed and compared with standard LC/MS sources (electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)). The used benchtop Orbitrap mass spectrometer features a 10 Hz polarity switching mode, so that both positive and negative ion mode acquisitions are possible with acquisition cycles matching the requirements of fast liquid chromatography. Both polar and nonpolar species (including those typically analyzed by GC/electron ionization-MS) can be tested in a single run using polarity switching mode. The methodology was found to be effective in detecting a wide array of organic compounds at concentration levels in the low ng L(-1) to μg kg(-1) range in wastewater and food matrices, respectively. The linearity was evaluated in an olive oil extract, obtaining good correlation coefficients in the studied range. Additionally, minor matrix effects (≤15% of signal suppression or enhancement) were observed for most of the studied analytes in this complex fatty matrix. The results obtained were compared with data from both ESI and APCI sources, obtaining a merged coverage between ESI and APCI in terms of analyte ionization and higher overall sensitivity for the proposed ion source based on the DBD principle. The use of this approach further extends the coverage of current LC/MS methods towards an even larger variety of chemical species including both polar and nonpolar (non-ESI amenable) species and may find several applications in fields such as food and environment testing or metabolomics where GC/MS and LC/MS are combined to cover as many different species as possible.

Ionizable Nitroxides for Studying Local Electrostatic Properties of Lipid Bilayers and Protein Systems by EPR

PubMed Central

Voinov, Maxim A.; Smirnov, Alex I.

2016-01-01

Electrostatic interactions are known to play one of the major roles in the myriad of biochemical and biophysical processes. In this Chapter we describe biophysical methods to probe local electrostatic potentials of proteins and lipid bilayer systems that is based on an observation of reversible protonation of nitroxides by EPR. Two types of the electrostatic probes are discussed. The first one includes methanethiosulfonate derivatives of protonatable nitroxides that could be used for highly specific covalent modification of the cysteine’s sulfhydryl groups. Such spin labels are very similar in magnetic parameters and chemical properties to conventional MTSL making them suitable for studying local electrostatic properties of protein-lipid interfaces. The second type of EPR probes is designed as spin-labeled phospholipids having a protonatable nitroxide tethered to the polar head group. The probes of both types report on their ionization state through changes in magnetic parameters and a degree of rotational averaging, thus, allowing one to determine the electrostatic contribution to the interfacial pKa of the nitroxide, and, therefore, determining the local electrostatic potential. Due to their small molecular volume these probes cause a minimal perturbation to the protein or lipid system while covalent attachment secure the position of the reporter nitroxides. Experimental procedures to characterize and calibrate these probes by EPR and also the methods to analyze the EPR spectra by least-squares simulations are also outlined. The ionizable nitroxide labels and the nitroxide-labeled phospholipids described so far cover an exceptionally wide pH range from ca. 2.5 to 7.0 pH units making them suitable to study a broad range of biophysical phenomena especially at the negatively charged lipid bilayer surfaces. The rationale for selecting proper electrostatically neutral interface for calibrating such probes and example of studying surface potential of lipid bilayer is also described. PMID:26477252

Modelling Situation Awareness Information for Naval Decision Support Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-10-01

Modelling Situation Awareness Information for Naval Decision Support Design Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Doering, Dipl.-Ing. Gert Doerfel, Dipl.-Ing... knowledge -based user interfaces. For developing such interfaces information of the three different SA levels which operators need in performing their...large scale on situation awareness of operators which is defined as the state of operator knowledge about the external environment resulting from

A feasibility study of ion implantation techniques for mass spectrometer calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koslin, M. E.; Krycuk, G. A.; Schatz, J. G., Jr.; White, F. A.; Wood, G. M.

1978-01-01

An experimental study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of using ion-implanted filaments doped with either an alkali metal or noble gas for in situ recalibration of onboard mass spectrometers during extended space missions. Implants of rubidium and krypton in rhenium ribbon filaments were subsequently tested in a bakeable 60 deg sector mass spectrometer operating in the static mode. Surface ionization and electron impact ion sources were both used, each yielding satisfactory results. The metallic implant with subsequent ionization provided a means of mass scale calibration and determination of system operating parameters, whereas the noble gas thermally desorbed into the system was more suited for partial pressure and sensitivity determinations.

Integrating critical interface elements for intuitive single-display aviation control of UAVs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Joseph L.; Goodrich, Michael A.

2006-05-01

Although advancing levels of technology allow UAV operators to give increasingly complex commands with expanding temporal scope, it is unlikely that the need for immediate situation awareness and local, short-term flight adjustment will ever be completely superseded. Local awareness and control are particularly important when the operator uses the UAV to perform a search or inspection task. There are many different tasks which would be facilitated by search and inspection capabilities of a camera-equipped UAV. These tasks range from bridge inspection and news reporting to wilderness search and rescue. The system should be simple, inexpensive, and intuitive for non-pilots. An appropriately designed interface should (a) provide a context for interpreting video and (b) support UAV tasking and control, all within a single display screen. In this paper, we present and analyze an interface that attempts to accomplish this goal. The interface utilizes a georeferenced terrain map rendered from publicly available altitude data and terrain imagery to create a context in which the location of the UAV and the source of the video are communicated to the operator. Rotated and transformed imagery from the UAV provides a stable frame of reference for the operator and integrates cleanly into the terrain model. Simple icons overlaid onto the main display provide intuitive control and feedback when necessary but fade to a semi-transparent state when not in use to avoid distracting the operator's attention from the video signal. With various interface elements integrated into a single display, the interface runs nicely on a small, portable, inexpensive system with a single display screen and simple input device, but is powerful enough to allow a single operator to deploy, control, and recover a small UAV when coupled with appropriate autonomy. As we present elements of the interface design, we will identify concepts that can be leveraged into a large class of UAV applications.

Detection of low-metallicity warm plasma in a galaxy overdensity environment at z ˜ 0.2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanan, Anand; Savage, Blair D.; Mishra, Preetish K.; Wakker, Bart P.; Khaire, Vikram; Wadadekar, Yogesh

2018-04-01

We present results from the analysis of a multiphase O VI-broad Ly α (BLA) absorber at z = 0.19236 in the HubbleSpaceTelescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph spectrum of PG 1121 + 422. The low and intermediate ionization metal lines in this absorber have a single narrow component, whereas the Ly α has a possible broad component with b({H {I}}) ˜ 71 km s-1. Ionization models favour the low and intermediate ions coming from a T ˜ 8500 K, moderately dense (n H ˜ 10 - 3 cm-3) photoionized gas with near solar metallicities. The weak O VI requires a separate gas phase that is collisionally ionized. The O VI coupled with BLA suggests T ˜ 3.2 × 105 K, with significantly lower metal abundance and ˜1.8 orders of magnitude higher total hydrogen column density compared to the photoionized phase. Sloan Digitial Sky Survey (SDSS) shows 12 luminous (>L*) galaxies in the ρ ≤ 5 Mpc, |Δv| ≤ 800 km s-1 region surrounding the absorber, with the absorber outside the virial bounds of the nearest galaxy. The warm phase of this absorber is consistent with being transition temperature plasma either at the interface regions between the hot intragroup gas and cooler photoionized clouds within the group, or associated with high velocity gas in the halo of a ≲L* galaxy. The absorber highlights the advantage of O VI-BLA absorbers as ionization model independent probes of warm baryon reserves.

TIME DEPENDENT NONEQUILIBRIUM IONIZATION OF TRANSITION REGION LINES OBSERVED WITH IRIS

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

Martínez-Sykora, Juan; Pontieu, Bart De; Hansteen, Viggo H.

The properties of nonstatistical equilibrium ionization of silicon and oxygen ions are analyzed in this work. We focus on five solar targets (quiet Sun; coronal hole; plage; quiescent active region, AR; and flaring AR) as observed with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). IRIS is best suited for this work owing to the high cadence (up to 0.5 s), high spatial resolution (up to 0.″32), and high signal-to-noise ratios for O iv λ1401 and Si iv λ1402. We find that the observed intensity ratio between lines of three times ionized silicon and oxygen ions depends on their total intensity and that this correlationmore » varies depending on the region observed (quiet Sun, coronal holes, plage, or active regions) and on the specific observational objects present (spicules, dynamic loops, jets, microflares, or umbra). In order to interpret the observations, we compare them with synthetic profiles taken from 2D self-consistent radiative MHD simulations of the solar atmosphere, where the statistical equilibrium or nonequilibrium treatment of silicon and oxygen is applied. These synthetic observations show vaguely similar correlations to those in the observations, i.e., between the intensity ratios and their intensities, but only in the nonequilibrium case do we find that (some of) the observations can be reproduced. We conclude that these lines are formed out of statistical equilibrium. We use our time-dependent nonequilibrium ionization simulations to describe the physical mechanisms behind these observed properties.« less

Pillars and globules at the edges of H ii regions. Confronting Herschel observations and numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tremblin, P.; Minier, V.; Schneider, N.; Audit, E.; Hill, T.; Didelon, P.; Peretto, N.; Arzoumanian, D.; Motte, F.; Zavagno, A.; Bontemps, S.; Anderson, L. D.; André, Ph.; Bernard, J. P.; Csengeri, T.; Di Francesco, J.; Elia, D.; Hennemann, M.; Könyves, V.; Marston, A. P.; Nguyen Luong, Q.; Rivera-Ingraham, A.; Roussel, H.; Sousbie, T.; Spinoglio, L.; White, G. J.; Williams, J.

2013-12-01

Context. Herschel far-infrared imaging observations have revealed the density structure of the interface between H ii regions and molecular clouds in great detail. In particular, pillars and globules are present in many high-mass star-forming regions, such as the Eagle nebula (M 16) and the Rosette molecular cloud, and understanding their origin will help characterize triggered star formation. Aims: The formation mechanisms of these structures are still being debated. The initial morphology of the molecular cloud and its turbulent state are key parameters since they generate deformations and curvatures of the shell during the expansion of the H ii region. Recent numerical simulations have shown how pillars can arise from the collapse of the shell in on itself and how globules can be formed from the interplay of the turbulent molecular cloud and the ionization from massive stars. The goal here is to test this scenario through recent observations of two massive star-forming regions, M 16 and the Rosette molecular cloud. Methods: First, the column density structure of the interface between molecular clouds and associated H ii regions was characterized using column density maps obtained from far-infrared imaging of the Herschel HOBYS key programme. Then, the DisPerSe algorithm was used on these maps to detect the compressed layers around the ionized gas and pillars in different evolutionary states. Column density profiles were constructed. Finally, their velocity structure was investigated using CO data, and all observational signatures were tested against some distinct diagnostics established from simulations. Results: The column density profiles have revealed the importance of compression at the edge of the ionized gas. The velocity properties of the structures, i.e. pillars and globules, are very close to what we predict from the numerical simulations. We have identified a good candidate of a nascent pillar in the Rosette molecular cloud that presents the velocity pattern of the shell collapsing on itself, induced by a high local curvature. Globules have a bulk velocity dispersion that indicates the importance of the initial turbulence in their formation, as proposed from numerical simulations. Altogether, this study re-enforces the picture of pillar formation by shell collapse and globule formation by the ionization of highly turbulent clouds. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

JFET/SOS (Junction Field-Effect Transistor/Silicon-on-Sapphire) Devices: Gamma-Radiation-Induced Effects.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

Results, ATR-86A(8501)-1, The Aerospace Corporation: El Segundo, Calif. (20 May 1987). 3. D. Neaman , W. Shedd, and B. Buchanan, "Permanently Ionizing...Radiation Effects in Dielectrically Bounded Field-Effect Transistors," IEEE Trans.. Nucl. Sci. NS-20 [6], 158-165 (Decembe. 1973). 4. D. Neaman , W. Shedd...1974). 5. D. Neaman , W. Shedd, and B. Buchanan, "Silicon-Sapphire Interface Charge Trapping -- Effects of Sapphire Type and Epi Growth Conditions

A Brain-Machine-Brain Interface for Rewiring of Cortical Circuitry after Traumatic Brain Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

cerebral cortex of a rat’s brain. The flow chart for spike discrimination algorithm is also shown. Negative threshold level (not shown in bottom left...portion of the transistor drain current can flow into its bulk due to impact ionization effect [40], greatly degrading the output impedance of the...current source. This can be solved by connecting the bulk and source of together, as also seen in Fig. 4, allowing its drain-bulk current to also flow

Simulation of the human-telerobot interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stuart, Mark A.; Smith, Randy L.

1988-01-01

A part of NASA's Space Station will be a Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) used to help assemble, service, and maintain the Space Station. Since the human operator will be required to control the FTS, the design of the human-telerobot interface must be optimized from a human factors perspective. Simulation has been used as an aid in the development of complex systems. Simulation has been especially useful when it has been applied to the development of complex systems. Simulation should ensure that the hardware and software components of the human-telerobot interface have been designed and selected so that the operator's capabilities and limitations have been accommodated for since this is a complex system where few direct comparisons to existent systems can be made. Three broad areas of the human-telerobot interface where simulation can be of assistance are described. The use of simulation not only can result in a well-designed human-telerobot interface, but also can be used to ensure that components have been selected to best meet system's goals, and for operator training.

A 205 Hour Krypton Propellant Life Test of the SPT-100 Operating at 3 kW

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

advantageous, such as orbit raising missions. Bismuth’s main drawback is that the metal must be vaporized to be ionized and accelerated within a Hall...the performance of the SPT-100 operating on krypton was characterized using an inverted pendulum thrust stand over a wide range of thruster operating

Investigation of ionized metal flux in enhanced high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharges

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

Stranak, Vitezslav, E-mail: stranak@prf.jcu.cz; Hubicka, Zdenek; Cada, Martin

2014-04-21

The metal ionized flux fraction and production of double charged metal ions Me{sup 2+} of different materials (Al, Cu, Fe, Ti) by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) operated with and without a pre-ionization assistance is compared in the paper. The Electron Cyclotron Wave Resonance (ECWR) discharge was employed as the pre-ionization agent providing a seed of charge in the idle time of HiPIMS pulses. A modified grid-free biased quartz crystal microbalance was used to estimate the metal ionized flux fraction ξ. The energy-resolved mass spectrometry served as a complementary method to distinguish particular ion contributions to the total ionizedmore » flux onto the substrate. The ratio between densities of doubly Me{sup 2+} and singly Me{sup +} charged metal ions was determined. It is shown that ECWR assistance enhances Me{sup 2+} production with respect of absorbed rf-power. The ECWR discharge also increases the metal ionized flux fraction of about 30% especially in the region of lower pressures. Further, the suppression of the gas rarefaction effect due to enhanced secondary electron emission of Me{sup 2+} was observed.« less

ECR plasma source for heavy ion beam charge neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efthimion, Philip C.; Gilson, Erik; Grisham, Larry; Kolchin, Pavel; Davidson, Ronald C.; Yu, Simon; Logan, B. Grant

2003-01-01

Highly ionized plasmas are being considered as a medium for charge neutralizing heavy ion beams in order to focus beyond the space-charge limit. Calculations suggest that plasma at a density of 1 100 times the ion beam density and at a length [similar]0.1 2 m would be suitable for achieving a high level of charge neutralization. An Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) source has been built at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) to support a joint Neutralized Transport Experiment (NTX) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to study ion beam neutralization with plasma. The ECR source operates at 13.6 MHz and with solenoid magnetic fields of 1 10 gauss. The goal is to operate the source at pressures [similar]10[minus sign]6 Torr at full ionization. The initial operation of the source has been at pressures of 10[minus sign]4 10[minus sign]1 Torr. Electron densities in the range of 108 to 1011 cm[minus sign]3 have been achieved. Low-pressure operation is important to reduce ion beam ionization. A cusp magnetic field has been installed to improve radial confinement and reduce the field strength on the beam axis. In addition, axial confinement is believed to be important to achieve lower-pressure operation. To further improve breakdown at low pressure, a weak electron source will be placed near the end of the ECR source. This article also describes the wave damping mechanisms. At moderate pressures (> 1 mTorr), the wave damping is collisional, and at low pressures (< 1 mTorr) there is a distinct electron cyclotron resonance.

Airborne Precision Spacing for Dependent Parallel Operations Interface Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Volk, Paul M.; Takallu, M. A.; Hoffler, Keith D.; Weiser, Jarold; Turner, Dexter

2012-01-01

This paper describes a usability study of proposed cockpit interfaces to support Airborne Precision Spacing (APS) operations for aircraft performing dependent parallel approaches (DPA). NASA has proposed an airborne system called Pair Dependent Speed (PDS) which uses their Airborne Spacing for Terminal Arrival Routes (ASTAR) algorithm to manage spacing intervals. Interface elements were designed to facilitate the input of APS-DPA spacing parameters to ASTAR, and to convey PDS system information to the crew deemed necessary and/or helpful to conduct the operation, including: target speed, guidance mode, target aircraft depiction, and spacing trend indication. In the study, subject pilots observed recorded simulations using the proposed interface elements in which the ownship managed assigned spacing intervals from two other arriving aircraft. Simulations were recorded using the Aircraft Simulation for Traffic Operations Research (ASTOR) platform, a medium-fidelity simulator based on a modern Boeing commercial glass cockpit. Various combinations of the interface elements were presented to subject pilots, and feedback was collected via structured questionnaires. The results of subject pilot evaluations show that the proposed design elements were acceptable, and that preferable combinations exist within this set of elements. The results also point to potential improvements to be considered for implementation in future experiments.

Atomistic study of mixing at high Z / low Z interfaces at Warm Dense Matter Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haxhimali, Tomorr; Glosli, James; Rudd, Robert; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Team

2016-10-01

We use atomistic simulations to study different aspects of mixing occurring at an initially sharp interface of high Z and low Z plasmas in the Warm/Hot Dense Matter regime. We consider a system of Diamond (the low Z component) in contact with Ag (the high Z component), which undergoes rapid isochoric heating from room temperature up to 10 eV, rapidly changing the solids into warm dense matter at solid density. We simulate the motion of ions via the screened Coulomb potential. The electric field, the electron density and ionizations level are computed on the fly by solving Poisson equation. The spatially varying screening lengths computed from the electron cloud are included in this effective interaction; the electrons are not simulated explicitly. We compute the electric field generated at the Ag-C interface as well as the dynamics of the ions during the mixing process occurring at the plasma interface. Preliminary results indicate an anomalous transport of high Z ions (Ag) into the low Z component (C); a phenomenon that is partially related to the enhanced transport of ions due to the generated electric field. These results are in agreement with recent experimental observation on Au-diamond plasma interface. This work was performed under the auspices of the US Dept. of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Plug-and-Play Environmental Monitoring Spacecraft Subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patel, Jagdish; Brinza, David E.; Tran, Tuan A.; Blaes, Brent R.

2011-01-01

A Space Environment Monitor (SEM) subsystem architecture has been developed and demonstrated that can benefit future spacecraft by providing (1) real-time knowledge of the spacecraft state in terms of exposure to the environment; (2) critical, instantaneous information for anomaly resolution; and (3) invaluable environmental data for designing future missions. The SEM architecture consists of a network of plug-and- play (PnP) Sensor Interface Units (SIUs), each servicing one or more environmental sensors. The SEM architecture is influenced by the IEEE Smart Transducer Interface Bus standard (IEEE Std 1451) for its PnP functionality. A network of PnP Spacecraft SIUs is enabling technology for gathering continuous real-time information critical to validating spacecraft health in harsh space environments. The demonstrated system that provided a proof-of-concept of the SEM architecture consisted of three SIUs for measurement of total ionizing dose (TID) and single event upset (SEU) radiation effects, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and deep dielectric charging through use of a prototype Internal Electro-Static Discharge Monitor (IESDM). Each SIU consists of two stacked 2X2 in. (approximately 5X5 cm) circuit boards: a Bus Interface Unit (BIU) board that provides data conversion, processing and connection to the SEM power-and-data bus, and a Sensor Interface Electronics (SIE) board that provides sensor interface needs and data path connection to the BIU.

An approach to a real-time distribution system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kittle, Frank P., Jr.; Paddock, Eddie J.; Pocklington, Tony; Wang, Lui

1990-01-01

The requirements of a real-time data distribution system are to provide fast, reliable delivery of data from source to destination with little or no impact to the data source. In this particular case, the data sources are inside an operational environment, the Mission Control Center (MCC), and any workstation receiving data directly from the operational computer must conform to the software standards of the MCC. In order to supply data to development workstations outside of the MCC, it is necessary to use gateway computers that prevent unauthorized data transfer back to the operational computers. Many software programs produced on the development workstations are targeted for real-time operation. Therefore, these programs must migrate from the development workstation to the operational workstation. It is yet another requirement for the Data Distribution System to ensure smooth transition of the data interfaces for the application developers. A standard data interface model has already been set up for the operational environment, so the interface between the distribution system and the application software was developed to match that model as closely as possible. The system as a whole therefore allows the rapid development of real-time applications without impacting the data sources. In summary, this approach to a real-time data distribution system provides development users outside of the MCC with an interface to MCC real-time data sources. In addition, the data interface was developed with a flexible and portable software design. This design allows for the smooth transition of new real-time applications to the MCC operational environment.

Ioss IO Subsystem

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

Sjaardema, Gregory; Bauer, David; Erik, & Illescas

2017-01-06

The Ioss is a database-independent package for providing an object-oriented, abstract interface to IO capabilities for a finite element application; and concrete database interfaces which provided input and/or output to exodusII, xdmf, generated, and heartbeat database formats. The Ioss provides an object-oriented C++-based IO interface for a finite element application code. The application code can perform all IO operations through the Ioss interface which is typically at a higher abstraction level than the concrete database formats. The Ioss then performs the needed operations to translate the finite element data to the specific format required by the concrete database implementations. Themore » Ioss currently supports interfaces to exodusII, xdmf, generated, and heartbeat formats, but additional formats can be easily added.« less

RECORDING DEVICE FOR 128 CHANNEL IONIZATION CHAMBERS (in Russian)

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

Goryunov, N.N.

1959-05-01

Descriptions are given of a 128-channel amplitude recording device desiged for operation with ionization chambers. Each channl has a large puse recording dynamic amplitude range (amplitudes can vary from each other up to 8000 fold). The recording of amplitudes is accomplished by photographing pulses on a cathode ray tube. With the aid of a commutation device it is possible to record 64 pulses simultaneously on one tube screen. (tr-auth)

Closed-loop pulsed helium ionization detector

DOEpatents

Ramsey, Roswitha S.; Todd, Richard A.

1987-01-01

A helium ionization detector for gas chromatography is operated in a constant current, pulse-modulated mode by configuring the detector, electrometer and a high voltage pulser in a closed-loop control system. The detector current is maintained at a fixed level by varying the frequency of fixed-width, high-voltage bias pulses applied to the detector. An output signal proportional to the pulse frequency is produced which is indicative of the charge collected for a detected species.

Fundamental Scaling of Microplasmas and Tunable UV Light Generation.

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

Manginell, Ronald P.; Sillerud, Colin Halliday; Hopkins, Matthew M.

2016-11-01

The temporal evolution of spectral lines from microplasma devices (MD) was studied, including impurity transitions. Long-wavelength emission diminishes more rapidly than deep UV with decreasing pulse width and RF operation. Thus, switching from DC to short pulsed or RF operation, UV emissions can be suppressed, allowing for real-time tuning of the ionization energy of a microplasma photo-ionization source, which is useful for chemical and atomic physics. Scaling allows MD to operate near atmospheric pressure where excimer states are efficiently created and emit down to 65 nm; laser emissions fall off below 200 nm, making MD light sources attractive for deepmore » UV use. A first fully-kinetic three-dimensional model was developed that explicitly calculates electron-energy distribution function. This, and non-continuum effects, were studied with the model and how they are impacted by geometry and transient or DC operation. Finally, a global non-dimensional model was developed to help explain general trends MD physics.« less

Operating Comfort Prediction Model of Human-Machine Interface Layout for Cabin Based on GEP.

PubMed

Deng, Li; Wang, Guohua; Chen, Bo

2015-01-01

In view of the evaluation and decision-making problem of human-machine interface layout design for cabin, the operating comfort prediction model is proposed based on GEP (Gene Expression Programming), using operating comfort to evaluate layout scheme. Through joint angles to describe operating posture of upper limb, the joint angles are taken as independent variables to establish the comfort model of operating posture. Factor analysis is adopted to decrease the variable dimension; the model's input variables are reduced from 16 joint angles to 4 comfort impact factors, and the output variable is operating comfort score. The Chinese virtual human body model is built by CATIA software, which will be used to simulate and evaluate the operators' operating comfort. With 22 groups of evaluation data as training sample and validation sample, GEP algorithm is used to obtain the best fitting function between the joint angles and the operating comfort; then, operating comfort can be predicted quantitatively. The operating comfort prediction result of human-machine interface layout of driller control room shows that operating comfort prediction model based on GEP is fast and efficient, it has good prediction effect, and it can improve the design efficiency.

Operating Comfort Prediction Model of Human-Machine Interface Layout for Cabin Based on GEP

PubMed Central

Wang, Guohua; Chen, Bo

2015-01-01

In view of the evaluation and decision-making problem of human-machine interface layout design for cabin, the operating comfort prediction model is proposed based on GEP (Gene Expression Programming), using operating comfort to evaluate layout scheme. Through joint angles to describe operating posture of upper limb, the joint angles are taken as independent variables to establish the comfort model of operating posture. Factor analysis is adopted to decrease the variable dimension; the model's input variables are reduced from 16 joint angles to 4 comfort impact factors, and the output variable is operating comfort score. The Chinese virtual human body model is built by CATIA software, which will be used to simulate and evaluate the operators' operating comfort. With 22 groups of evaluation data as training sample and validation sample, GEP algorithm is used to obtain the best fitting function between the joint angles and the operating comfort; then, operating comfort can be predicted quantitatively. The operating comfort prediction result of human-machine interface layout of driller control room shows that operating comfort prediction model based on GEP is fast and efficient, it has good prediction effect, and it can improve the design efficiency. PMID:26448740

International Space Station Alpha user payload operations concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schlagheck, Ronald A.; Crysel, William B.; Duncan, Elaine F.; Rider, James W.

1994-01-01

International Space Station Alpha (ISSA) will accommodate a variety of user payloads investigating diverse scientific and technology disciplines on behalf of five international partners: Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia, and the United States. A combination of crew, automated systems, and ground operations teams will control payload operations that require complementary on-board and ground systems. This paper presents the current planning for the ISSA U.S. user payload operations concept and the functional architecture supporting the concept. It describes various NASA payload operations facilities, their interfaces, user facility flight support, the payload planning system, the onboard and ground data management system, and payload operations crew and ground personnel training. This paper summarizes the payload operations infrastructure and architecture developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to prepare and conduct ISSA on-orbit payload operations from the Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC), and from various user operations locations. The authors pay particular attention to user data management, which includes interfaces with both the onboard data management system and the ground data system. Discussion covers the functional disciplines that define and support POIC payload operations: Planning, Operations Control, Data Management, and Training. The paper describes potential interfaces between users and the POIC disciplines, from the U.S. user perspective.

Display analysis with the optimal control model of the human operator. [pilot-vehicle display interface and information processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baron, S.; Levison, W. H.

1977-01-01

Application of the optimal control model of the human operator to problems in display analysis is discussed. Those aspects of the model pertaining to the operator-display interface and to operator information processing are reviewed and discussed. The techniques are then applied to the analysis of advanced display/control systems for a Terminal Configured Vehicle. Model results are compared with those obtained in a large, fixed-base simulation.

Fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher

DOEpatents

Kolber, Z.; Falkowski, P.

1997-02-11

A fast repetition rate (FRR) flasher is described suitable for high flash photolysis including kinetic chemical and biological analysis. The flasher includes a power supply, a discharge capacitor operably connected to be charged by the power supply, and a flash lamp for producing a series of flashes in response to discharge of the discharge capacitor. A triggering circuit operably connected to the flash lamp initially ionizes the flash lamp. A current switch is operably connected between the flash lamp and the discharge capacitor. The current switch has at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor for switching current that is operable to initiate a controllable discharge of the discharge capacitor through the flash lamp. Control means connected to the current switch for controlling the rate of discharge of the discharge capacitor thereby to effectively keep the flash lamp in an ionized state between successive discharges of the discharge capacitor. Advantageously, the control means is operable to discharge the discharge capacitor at a rate greater than 10,000 Hz and even up to a rate greater than about 250,000 Hz. 14 figs.

Electronic energy level alignment at metal-molecule interfaces with a GW approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamblyn, Isaac; Darancet, Pierre; Quek, Su Ying; Bonev, Stanimir A.; Neaton, Jeffrey B.

2011-11-01

Using density functional theory and many-body perturbation theory within a GW approximation, we calculate the electronic structure of a metal-molecule interface consisting of benzene diamine (BDA) adsorbed on Au(111). Through direct comparison with photoemission data, we show that a conventional G0W0 approach can underestimate the energy of the adsorbed molecular resonance relative to the Au Fermi level by up to 0.8 eV. The source of this discrepancy is twofold: a 0.7 eV underestimate of the gas phase ionization energy (IE), and a 0.2 eV overestimate of the Au work function. Refinements to self-energy calculations within the GW framework that account for deviations in both the Au work function and BDA gas-phase IE can result in an interfacial electronic level alignment in quantitative agreement with experiment.

Ionizing radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: current radiation protection practice of invasive cardiology operators in Lithuania.

PubMed

Valuckiene, Zivile; Jurenas, Martynas; Cibulskaite, Inga

2016-09-01

Ionizing radiation management is among the most important safety issues in interventional cardiology. Multiple radiation protection measures allow the minimization of x-ray exposure during interventional procedures. Our purpose was to assess the utilization and effectiveness of radiation protection and optimization techniques among interventional cardiologists in Lithuania. Interventional cardiologists of five cardiac centres were interviewed by anonymized questionnaire, addressing personal use of protective garments, shielding, table/detector positioning, frame rate (FR), resolution, field of view adjustment and collimation. Effective patient doses were compared between operators who work with and without x-ray optimization. Thirty one (68.9%) out of 45 Lithuanian interventional cardiologists participated in the survey. Protective aprons were universally used, but not the thyroid collars; 35.5% (n  =  11) operators use protective eyewear and 12.9% (n  =  4) wear radio-protective caps; 83.9% (n  =  26) use overhanging shields, 58.1% (n  =  18)-portable barriers; 12.9% (n  =  4)-abdominal patient's shielding; 35.5% (n  =  11) work at a high table position; 87.1% (n  =  27) keep an image intensifier/receiver close to the patient; 58.1% (n  =  18) reduce the fluoroscopy FR; 6.5% (n  =  2) reduce the fluoro image detail resolution; 83.9% (n  =  26) use a 'store fluoro' option; 41.9% (N  =  13) reduce magnification for catheter transit; 51.6% (n  =  16) limit image magnification; and 35.5% (n  =  11) use image collimation. Median effective patient doses were significantly lower with x-ray optimization techniques in both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Many of the ionizing radiation exposure reduction tools and techniques are underused by a considerable proportion of interventional cardiology operators. The application of basic radiation protection tools and techniques effectively reduces ionizing radiation exposure and should be routinely used in practice.

A combined thermal dissociation and electron impact ionization source for RIB generation

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

Alton, G.D.; Williams, C.

1995-12-31

The probability for simultaneously dissociating and efficiently ionizing the individual atomic constituents of molecular feed materials with conventional, hot-cathode, electron-impact ion sources is low and consequently, the ion beams from these sources often appear as mixtures of several molecular sideband beams. This fragmentation process leads to dilution of the intensity of the species of interest for RIB applications where beam intensity is at a premium. We have conceived an ion source that combines the excellent molecular dissociation properties of a thermal dissociator and the high ionization efficiency characteristics of an electron impact ionization source that will, in principle, overcome thismore » handicap. The source concept will be evaluated as a potential candidate for use for RIB generation at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF), now under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The design features and principles of operation of the source are described in this article.« less

Small-signal modeling with direct parameter extraction for impact ionization effect in high-electron-mobility transistors

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

Guan, He; Lv, Hongliang; Guo, Hui, E-mail: hguan@stu.xidian.edu.cn

2015-11-21

Impact ionization affects the radio-frequency (RF) behavior of high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs), which have narrow-bandgap semiconductor channels, and this necessitates complex parameter extraction procedures for HEMT modeling. In this paper, an enhanced small-signal equivalent circuit model is developed to investigate the impact ionization, and an improved method is presented in detail for direct extraction of intrinsic parameters using two-step measurements in low-frequency and high-frequency regimes. The practicability of the enhanced model and the proposed direct parameter extraction method are verified by comparing the simulated S-parameters with published experimental data from an InAs/AlSb HEMT operating over a wide frequency range. The resultsmore » demonstrate that the enhanced model with optimal intrinsic parameter values that were obtained by the direct extraction approach can effectively characterize the effects of impact ionization on the RF performance of HEMTs.« less

Ion time-of-flight determinations of doubly to singly ionized mercury ion ratios from a mercury electron bombardment discharge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sellen, J. M., Jr.; Kemp, R. F.; Hall, D. F.

1973-01-01

Doubly to singly charged mercury ion ratios in electron bombardment ion thruster exhaust beams have been determined as functions of bombardment discharge potential, thrust beam current, thrust beam radial position, acceleration-deceleration voltage ratio, and propellant utilization fraction. A mathematical model for two-step ionization processes has been derived, and calculated ion ratios are compared to observed ratios. Production of Hg(++) appears to result primarily from sequential ionization of Hg(+) in the discharge. Experimental and analytical results are presented, and design, construction, and operation features of an electrostatic deflection ion time-of-flight analyzer for the determination of the above-mentioned ratios are reviewed.

Robust generation of Fourier-synthesized laser fields and their estimation of the optical phase by using quantum control of molecular tunneling ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Tsuyoshi; Saito, Naoaki; Ohmura, Hideki

2018-03-01

Intense (5.0 × 1012 W cm-2) nanosecond Fourier-synthesized laser fields consisting of fundamental, second-, third-, and fourth-harmonic light generated by an interferometer-free Fourier-synthesized laser field generator induce orientation-selective ionization based on directionally asymmetric molecular tunneling ionization (TI). The laser field generator ensures adjustment-free operation, high stability, and high reproducibility. Phase-sensitive, orientation-selective molecular TI provides a simple way to estimate the relative phase differences between the fundamental light and each harmonic by data-fitting analysis. This application of Fourier-synthesized laser fields will facilitate not only lightwave engineering but also the control of matter.

Operation of a LAr-TPC equipped with a multilayer LEM charge readout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baibussinov, B.; Centro, S.; Farnese, C.; Fava, A.; Gibin, D.; Guglielmi, A.; Meng, G.; Pietropaolo, F.; Varanini, F.; Ventura, S.; Zatrimaylov, K.

2018-03-01

A novel detector for ionization signals in a single phase LAr-TPC has been experimented in the ICARINO test facility at the INFN Laboratories in Legnaro. It is based on the adoption of a multilayer Large Electron Multiplier (LEM) replacing the traditional anodic wire arrays. Cosmic muon tracks were detected allowing the measurement of energy deposition and a first determination of the signal to noise ratio. The analysis of the recorded events demonstrated the 3D reconstruction capability of this device for ionizing events in liquid Argon. The collected fraction of ionization charge is close to about 90%, with signal to noise ratio similar to that measured with more traditional wire chambers.

Empirical Observations on the Sensitivity of Hot Cathode Ionization Type Vacuum Gages

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Summers, R. L.

1969-01-01

A study of empirical methods of predicting tile relative sensitivities of hot cathode ionization gages is presented. Using previously published gage sensitivities, several rules for predicting relative sensitivity are tested. The relative sensitivity to different gases is shown to be invariant with gage type, in the linear range of gage operation. The total ionization cross section, molecular and molar polarizability, and refractive index are demonstrated to be useful parameters for predicting relative gage sensitivity. Using data from the literature, the probable error of predictions of relative gage sensitivity based on these molecular properties is found to be about 10 percent. A comprehensive table of predicted relative sensitivities, based on empirical methods, is presented.

DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTS OF THE INTERFACE FOR AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

PubMed

Rakhra, Aadesh K; Mann, Danny D

2018-01-29

If a user-centered approach is not used to design information displays, the quantity and quality of information presented to the user may not match the needs of the user, or it may exceed the capability of the human operator for processing and using that information. The result may be an excessive mental workload and reduced situation awareness of the operator, which can negatively affect the machine performance and operational outcomes. The increasing use of technology in agricultural machines may expose the human operator to excessive and undesirable information if the operator's information needs and information processing capabilities are ignored. In this study, a user-centered approach was used to design specific interface elements for an agricultural air seeder. Designs of the interface elements were evaluated in a laboratory environment by developing high-fidelity prototypes. Evaluations of the user interface elements yielded significant improvement in situation awareness (up to 11%; overall mean difference = 5.0 (4.8%), 95% CI (6.4728, 3.5939), p 0.0001). Mental workload was reduced by up to 19.7% (overall mean difference = -5.2 (-7.9%), n = 30, a = 0.05). Study participants rated the overall performance of the newly designed user-centered interface elements higher in comparison to the previous designs (overall mean difference = 27.3 (189.8%), 99% CI (35.150, 19.384), p 0.0001. Copyright© by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

Back bias induced dynamic and steep subthreshold swing in junctionless transistors

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

Parihar, Mukta Singh; Kranti, Abhinav, E-mail: akranti@iiti.ac.in

In this work, we analyze back bias induced steep and dynamic subthreshold swing in junctionless double gate transistors operated in the asymmetric mode. This impact ionization induced dynamic subthreshold swing is explained in terms of the ratio between minimum hole concentration and peak electron concentration, and the dynamic change in the location of the conduction channel with applied front gate voltage. The reason for the occurrence of impact ionization at sub-bandgap drain voltages in silicon junctionless transistors is also accounted for. The optimum junctionless transistor operating at a back gate bias of −0.9 V, achieves over 5 orders of change inmore » drain current at a gate overdrive of 200 mV and drain bias of 1 V. These results for junctionless transistors are significantly better than those exhibited by silicon tunnel field effect transistors operating at the same drain bias.« less

Multiplexed electronically programmable multimode ionization detector for chromatography

DOEpatents

Wise, M.B.; Buchanan, M.V.

1988-05-19

Method and apparatus for detecting and differentiating organic compounds based on their electron affinity. An electron capture detector cell (ECD) is operated in a plurality of multiplexed electronically programmable operating modes to alter the detector response during a single sampling cycle to acquire multiple simultaneous chromatograms corresponding to each of the different operating modes. The cell is held at a constant subatmospheric pressure while the electron collection bias voltage applied to the cell is modulated electronically to allow acquisition of multiple chromatograms for a single sample elution from a chromatograph representing three distinctly different response modes. A system is provided which automatically controls the programmed application of bias pulses at different intervals and/or amplitudes to switch the detector from an ionization mode to the electron capture mode and various degrees therebetween to provide an improved means of tuning an ECD for multimode detection and improved specificity. 6 figs.

Multiplexed electronically programmable multimode ionization detector for chromatography

DOEpatents

Wise, Marcus B.; Buchanan, Michelle V.

1989-01-01

Method and apparatus for detecting and differentiating organic compounds based on their electron affinity. An electron capture detector cell (ECD) is operated in a plurality of multiplexed electroncially programmable operating modes to alter the detector response during a single sampling cycle to acquire multiple simultaneous chromatograms corresponding to each of the different operating modes. The cell is held at a constant subatmospheric pressure while the electron collection bias voltage applied to the cell is modulated electronically to allow acquisition of multiple chromatograms for a single sample elution from a chromatograph representing three distinctly different response modes. A system is provided which automatically controls the programmed application of bias pulses at different intervals and/or amplitudes to switch the detector from an ionization mode to the electron capture mode and various degrees therebetween to provide an improved means of tuning an ECD for multimode detection and improved specificity.

Main principles of developing exploitation models of semiconductor devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gradoboev, A. V.; Simonova, A. V.

2018-05-01

The paper represents primary tasks, solutions of which allow to develop the exploitation modes of semiconductor devices taking into account complex and combined influence of ionizing irradiation and operation factors. The structure of the exploitation model of the semiconductor device is presented, which is based on radiation and reliability models. Furthermore, it was shown that the exploitation model should take into account complex and combine influence of various ionizing irradiation types and operation factors. The algorithm of developing the exploitation model of the semiconductor devices is proposed. The possibility of creating the radiation model of Schottky barrier diode, Schottky field-effect transistor and Gunn diode is shown based on the available experimental data. The basic exploitation model of IR-LEDs based upon double AlGaAs heterostructures is represented. The practical application of the exploitation models will allow to output the electronic products with guaranteed operational properties.

Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report 6: Space shuttle interfaces/utilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

An analysis was conducted to determine the compatibility of the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) with the space shuttle. The mechanical interfaces and provisions required for a launch or retrieval of the EOS by the space shuttle are summarized. The space shuttle flight support equipment required for the operation is defined. Diagrams of the space shuttle in various configurations are provised to show the mission capability with the EOS. The subjects considered are as follows: (1) structural and mechanical interfaces, (2) spacecraft retention and deployment, (3) spacecraft retrieval, (4) electrical interfaces, (5) payload shuttle operations, (6) shuttle mode cost analysis, (7) shuttle orbit trades, and (8) safety considerations.

Transfer of control system interface solutions from other domains to the thermal power industry.

PubMed

Bligård, L-O; Andersson, J; Osvalder, A-L

2012-01-01

In a thermal power plant the operators' roles are to control and monitor the process to achieve efficient and safe production. To achieve this, the human-machine interfaces have a central part. The interfaces need to be updated and upgraded together with the technical functionality to maintain optimal operation. One way of achieving relevant updates is to study other domains and see how they have solved similar issues in their design solutions. The purpose of this paper is to present how interface design solution ideas can be transferred from domains with operator control to thermal power plants. In the study 15 domains were compared using a model for categorisation of human-machine systems. The result from the domain comparison showed that nuclear power, refinery and ship engine control were most similar to thermal power control. From the findings a basic interface structure and three specific display solutions were proposed for thermal power control: process parameter overview, plant overview, and feed water view. The systematic comparison of the properties of a human-machine system allowed interface designers to find suitable objects, structures and navigation logics in a range of domains that could be transferred to the thermal power domain.

40 CFR 89.319 - Hydrocarbon analyzer calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... start-up and basic operating adjustment using the appropriate fuel (see § 89.312(e)) and zero-grade air... flow. Heated Flame Ionization Detectors (HFIDs) must be at their specified operating temperature. One.... (1) Adjust analyzer to optimize performance. (2) Zero the hydrocarbon analyzer with zero-grade air...

Human-Robot Interaction Directed Research Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandor, Aniko; Cross, Ernest V., II; Chang, M. L.

2014-01-01

Human-robot interaction (HRI) is a discipline investigating the factors affecting the interactions between humans and robots. It is important to evaluate how the design of interfaces and command modalities affect the human's ability to perform tasks accurately, efficiently, and effectively when working with a robot. By understanding the effects of interface design on human performance, workload, and situation awareness, interfaces can be developed to appropriately support the human in performing tasks with minimal errors and with appropriate interaction time and effort. Thus, the results of research on human-robot interfaces have direct implications for the design of robotic systems. This DRP concentrates on three areas associated with interfaces and command modalities in HRI which are applicable to NASA robot systems: 1) Video Overlays, 2) Camera Views, and 3) Command Modalities. The first study focused on video overlays that investigated how Augmented Reality (AR) symbology can be added to the human-robot interface to improve teleoperation performance. Three types of AR symbology were explored in this study, command guidance (CG), situation guidance (SG), and both (SCG). CG symbology gives operators explicit instructions on what commands to input, whereas SG symbology gives operators implicit cues so that operators can infer the input commands. The combination of CG and SG provided operators with explicit and implicit cues allowing the operator to choose which symbology to utilize. The objective of the study was to understand how AR symbology affects the human operator's ability to align a robot arm to a target using a flight stick and the ability to allocate attention between the symbology and external views of the world. The study evaluated the effects type of symbology (CG and SG) has on operator tasks performance and attention allocation during teleoperation of a robot arm. The second study expanded on the first study by evaluating the effects of the type of navigational guidance (CG and SG) on operator task performance and attention allocation during teleoperation of a robot arm through uplinked commands. Although this study complements the first study on navigational guidance with hand controllers, it is a separate investigation due to the distinction in intended operators (i.e., crewmembers versus ground-operators). A third study looked at superimposed and integrated overlays for teleoperation of a mobile robot using a hand controller. When AR is superimposed on the external world, it appears to be fixed onto the display and internal to the operators' workstation. Unlike superimposed overlays, integrated overlays often appear as three-dimensional objects and move as if part of the external world. Studies conducted in the aviation domain show that integrated overlays can improve situation awareness and reduce the amount of deviation from the optimal path. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether these results apply to HRI tasks, such as navigation with a mobile robot. HRP GAPS This HRI research contributes to closure of HRP gaps by providing information on how display and control characteristics - those related to guidance, feedback, and command modalities - affect operator performance. The overarching goals are to improve interface usability, reduce operator error, and develop candidate guidelines to design effective human-robot interfaces.

Hierarchy of on-orbit servicing interfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moe, Rud V.

1989-01-01

A series of equipment interfaces is involved in on-orbit servicing operations. The end-to-end hierarchy of servicing interfaces is presented. The interface concepts presented include structure and handling, and formats for transfer of resources (power, data, fluids, etc.). Consequences on cost, performance, and service ability of the use of standard designs or unique designs with interface adapters are discussed. Implications of the interface designs compatibility with remote servicing using telerobotic servicers are discussed.

Multi-Wavelength Laser Transmitter for the Two-Step Laser Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Anthony W.; Li, Steven X.; Fahey, Molly E.; Grubisic, Andrej; Farcy, Benjamin J.; Uckert, Kyle; Li, Xiang; Getty, Stephanie

2017-01-01

Missions to diverse Outer Solar System bodies will require investigations that can detect a wide range of organics in complex mixtures, determine the structure of selected molecules, and provide powerful insights into their origin and evolution. Previous studies from remote spectroscopy of the Outer Solar System showed a diverse population of macromolecular species that are likely to include aromatic and conjugated hydrocarbons with varying degrees of methylation and nitrile incorporation. In situ exploration of Titan's upper atmosphere via mass and plasma spectrometry has revealed a complex mixture of organics. Similar material is expected on the Ice Giants, their moons, and other Outer Solar System bodies, where it may subsequently be deposited onto surface ices. It is evident that the detection of organics on other planetary surfaces provides insight into the chemical and geological evolution of a Solar System body of interest and can inform our understanding of its potential habitability. We have developed a prototype two-step laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (L2MS) instrument by exploiting the resonance-enhanced desorption of analyte. We have successfully demonstrated the ability of the L2MS to detect hydrocarbons in organically-doped analog minerals, including cryogenic Ocean World-relevant ices and mixtures. The L2MS instrument operates by generating a neutral plume of desorbed analyte with an IR desorption laser pulse, followed at a delay by a ultraviolet (UV) laser pulse, ionizing the plume. Desorption of the analyte, including trace organic species, may be enhanced by selecting the wavelength of the IR desorption laser to coincide with IR absorption features associated with vibration transitions of minerals or organic functional groups. In this effort, a preliminary laser developed for the instrument uses a breadboard mid-infrared (MIR) desorption laser operating at a discrete 3.475 µm wavelength, and a breadboard UV ionization laser operating at a wavelength of 266 nm. The MIR wavelength was selected to overlap the C-H stretch vibrational transition of certain aromatic hydrocarbons, and the UV wavelength provides additional selectivity to aromatic species via UV resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization effects. The use of distinct laser wavelengths allows efficient coupling to the vibrational and electronic spectra of the analyte in independent desorption and ionization steps, mitigating excess energy that can lead to fragmentation during the ionization process and leading to selectivity that can aid in data interpretation.

Chemistry of MOS-LSI radiation hardening

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grunthaner, P.

1985-01-01

The objective of this task was to obtain chemical information on MOS test samples. Toward this end, high resolution X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) has been the primary techniques used to characterize the chemistry and structure of the SiO2/Si interface for a variety of MOS structures with differing degrees of susceptibility to damage by ionizing radiation. The major accomplishments of this program are: (1) the identification of a structurally distinct region of SiO2 in the near-interfacial region of thermal SiO2 on Si; (2) the identification in the near-interfacial region of SiO2 structural differences between radiation hard and soft gate oxides; (3) the direct observation of radiation-induced damage sites in thermal SiO2 with XPS using in situ electron stress; (4) the correlation of suboxide state distributions at the SiO2/Si interface with processing parameters and radiation susceptibility; (5) the development of a chemical mechanism for radiation-induced interface state generation in SiO2/Si structures; and (6) the development benign chemical profiling techniques which permit the investigation of oxide/semiconductor structures using surface sensitive electron spectroscopic techniques.

Micro-Raman imaging on 4H-SiC in contact with the electrode at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suda, Jun; Suwa, Satoshi; Mizuno, Shugo; Togo, Kouki; Mastuo, Yuya

2018-03-01

Raman images (30 μm × 30 μm × 180 μm) of a bulk 4H-SiC wafer in contact with a Ni/Au electrode film in 100 nm/200 nm thick were measured with Micro-Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. As the imaging area approached the interface between the SiC and electrode, the center frequency of the E2(TO) mode (778 cm- 1) immediately declined; in the Raman imaging, relative distribution of compressive residual stress around residual tensile stress, and linewidth were broadened due to crystal distortion. For LOPC (LO-phonon-plasmon-coupled) mode (970 cm- 1), center frequency showed variation right next to the interface, while linewidth decreased slowly as the imaging area approached the interface. We evaluated the temperature dependence of the line broadening and the center frequency of the LOPC mode in 4H-SiC in a high-temperature region. Free carrier concentration increased with temperature, and remained almost constant in the center frequency after impurities were ionized completely.

Electron kinetics at the plasma interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bronold, Franz Xaver; Fehske, Holger; Pamperin, Mathias; Thiessen, Elena

2018-05-01

The most fundamental response of an ionized gas to a macroscopic object is the formation of the plasma sheath. It is an electron depleted space charge region, adjacent to the object, which screens the object's negative charge arising from the accumulation of electrons from the plasma. The plasma sheath is thus the positively charged part of an electric double layer whose negatively charged part is inside the wall. In the course of the Transregional Collaborative Research Center SFB/TRR24 we investigated, from a microscopic point of view, the elementary charge transfer processes responsible for the electric double layer at a floating plasma-wall interface and made first steps towards a description of the negative part of the layer inside the wall. Below we review our work in a colloquial manner, describe possible extensions, and identify key issues which need to be resolved to make further progress in the understanding of the electron kinetics across plasma-wall interfaces. Contribution to the Topical Issue "Fundamentals of Complex Plasmas", edited by Jürgen Meichsner, Michael Bonitz, Holger Fehske, Alexander Piel.

IUS/TUG orbital operations and mission support study. Volume 4: Project planning data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Planning data are presented for the development phases of interim upper stage (IUS) and tug systems. Major project planning requirements, major event schedules, milestones, system development and operations process networks, and relevant support research and technology requirements are included. Topics discussed include: IUS flight software; tug flight software; IUS/tug ground control center facilities, personnel, data systems, software, and equipment; IUS mission events; tug mission events; tug/spacecraft rendezvous and docking; tug/orbiter operations interface, and IUS/orbiter operations interface.

Atmospheric, Magnetospheric and Plasmas in Space (AMPS) spacelab payload definition study. Volume 3: Interface control documents. Part 1: AMPS payload to shuttle ICD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Physical, functional, and operational interfaces between the space shuttle orbiter and the AMPS payload are described for the ground handling and test phases, prelaunch, launch and ascent, operational, stowage, and reentry and landing activities.

Space shuttle engineering and operations support. Orbiter to spacelab electrical power interface. Avionics system engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Emmons, T. E.

1976-01-01

The results are presented of an investigation of the factors which affect the determination of Spacelab (S/L) minimum interface main dc voltage and available power from the orbiter. The dedicated fuel cell mode of powering the S/L is examined along with the minimum S/L interface voltage and available power using the predicted fuel cell power plant performance curves. The values obtained are slightly lower than current estimates and represent a more marginal operating condition than previously estimated.

The intelligent user interface for NASA's advanced information management systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, William J.; Short, Nicholas, Jr.; Rolofs, Larry H.; Wattawa, Scott L.

1987-01-01

NASA has initiated the Intelligent Data Management Project to design and develop advanced information management systems. The project's primary goal is to formulate, design and develop advanced information systems that are capable of supporting the agency's future space research and operational information management needs. The first effort of the project was the development of a prototype Intelligent User Interface to an operational scientific database, using expert systems and natural language processing technologies. An overview of Intelligent User Interface formulation and development is given.

ORELA data acquisition system hardware. Vol. 5. SEL 810B/PDP-4/PDP-9 intercomputer link

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

Reynolds, J.W.; Holladay, J.H.

1977-01-01

A report is given describing the IOT assignments and programming for the PDP-4 and PDP-9, the ground isolation wiring, the connector pin assignments, a simplified theory of operation for the SEL 810B link interface, a detailed theory of operation for the link interfaces at the PDP-4 and the PDP-9, and the use of the PDP-4 and PDP-9 link interfaces as an input to the SEL 810B Four-Channel Priority Multiplexer.

Low energy stage study. Volume 3: Conceptual design, interface analysis, flight and ground operations. [launching space shuttle payloads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Low energy conceptual stage designs and adaptations to existing/planned shuttle upper stages were developed and their performance established. Selected propulsion modes and subsystems were used as a basis to develop airborne support equipment (ASE) design concepts. Orbiter installation and integration (both physical and electrical interfaces) were defined. Low energy stages were adapted to the orbiter and ASE interfaces. Selected low energy stages were then used to define and describe typical ground and flight operations.

Ambient aerodynamic ionization source for remote analyte sampling and mass spectrometric analysis.

PubMed

Dixon, R Brent; Sampson, Jason S; Hawkridge, Adam M; Muddiman, David C

2008-07-01

The use of aerodynamic devices in ambient ionization source development has become increasingly prevalent in the field of mass spectrometry. In this study, an air ejector has been constructed from inexpensive, commercially available components to incorporate an electrospray ionization emitter within the exhaust jet of the device. This novel aerodynamic device, herein termed remote analyte sampling, transport, and ionization relay (RASTIR) was used to remotely sample neutral species in the ambient and entrain them into an electrospray plume where they were subsequently ionized and detected using a linear ion trap Fourier transform mass spectrometer. Two sets of experiments were performed in the ambient environment to demonstrate the device's utility. The first involved the remote (approximately 1 ft) vacuum collection of pure sample particulates (i.e., dry powder) from a glass slide, entrainment and ionization at the ESI emitter, and mass spectrometric detection. The second experiment involved the capture (vacuum collection) of matrix-assisted laser desorbed proteins followed by entrainment in the ESI emitter plume, multiple charging, and mass spectrometric detection. This approach is in principle a RASTIR-assisted matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization source (Sampson, J. S.; Hawkridge, A. M.; Muddiman, D. C. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2006, 17, 1712-1716; Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2007, 21, 1150-1154.). A detailed description of the device construction, operational parameters, and preliminary small molecule and protein data are presented.

Relativistic features and time delay of laser-induced tunnel ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakaboylu, Enderalp; Klaiber, Michael; Bauke, Heiko; Hatsagortsyan, Karen Z.; Keitel, Christoph H.

2013-12-01

The electron dynamics in the classically forbidden region during relativistic tunnel ionization is investigated. The classical forbidden region in the relativistic regime is identified by defining a gauge-invariant total-energy operator. Introducing position-dependent energy levels inside the tunneling barrier, we demonstrate that the relativistic tunnel ionization can be well described by a one-dimensional intuitive picture. This picture predicts that, in contrast to the well-known nonrelativistic regime, the ionized electron wave packet arises with a momentum shift along the laser's propagation direction. This is compatible with results from a strong-field approximation calculation where the binding potential is assumed to be zero ranged. Further, the tunneling time delay, stemming from Wigner's definition, is investigated for model configurations of tunneling and compared with results obtained from the exact propagator. By adapting Wigner's time delay definition to the ionization process, the tunneling time is investigated in the deep-tunneling and in the near-threshold-tunneling regimes. It is shown that while in the deep-tunneling regime signatures of the tunneling time delay are not measurable at remote distance, they are detectable, however, in the latter regime.

Evolvable synthetic neural system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curtis, Steven A. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

An evolvable synthetic neural system includes an evolvable neural interface operably coupled to at least one neural basis function. Each neural basis function includes an evolvable neural interface operably coupled to a heuristic neural system to perform high-level functions and an autonomic neural system to perform low-level functions. In some embodiments, the evolvable synthetic neural system is operably coupled to one or more evolvable synthetic neural systems in a hierarchy.

Cycling excitation process: An ultra efficient and quiet signal amplification mechanism in semiconductor

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

Liu, Yu-Hsin; Yan, Lujiang; Zhang, Alex Ce

2015-08-03

Signal amplification, performed by transistor amplifiers with its merit rated by the efficiency and noise characteristics, is ubiquitous in all electronic systems. Because of transistor thermal noise, an intrinsic signal amplification mechanism, impact ionization was sought after to complement the limits of transistor amplifiers. However, due to the high operation voltage (30-200 V typically), low power efficiency, limited scalability, and, above all, rapidly increasing excess noise with amplification factor, impact ionization has been out of favor for most electronic systems except for a few applications such as avalanche photodetectors and single-photon Geiger detectors. Here, we report an internal signal amplification mechanismmore » based on the principle of the phonon-assisted cycling excitation process (CEP). Si devices using this concept show ultrahigh gain, low operation voltage, CMOS compatibility, and, above all, quantum limit noise performance that is 30 times lower than devices using impact ionization. Established on a unique physical effect of attractive properties, CEP-based devices can potentially revolutionize the fields of semiconductor electronics.« less

Multi-purpose two- and three-dimensional momentum imaging of charged particles for attosecond experiments at 1 kHz repetition rate

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

Månsson, Erik P., E-mail: erik.mansson@sljus.lu.se; Sorensen, Stacey L.; Gisselbrecht, Mathieu

2014-12-15

We report on the versatile design and operation of a two-sided spectrometer for the imaging of charged-particle momenta in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D). The benefits of 3D detection are to discern particles of different mass and to study correlations between fragments from multi-ionization processes, while 2D detectors are more efficient for single-ionization applications. Combining these detector types in one instrument allows us to detect positive and negative particles simultaneously and to reduce acquisition times by using the 2D detector at a higher ionization rate when the third dimension is not required. The combined access to electronic andmore » nuclear dynamics available when both sides are used together is important for studying photoreactions in samples of increasing complexity. The possibilities and limitations of 3D momentum imaging of electrons or ions in the same spectrometer geometry are investigated analytically and three different modes of operation demonstrated experimentally, with infrared or extreme ultraviolet light and an atomic/molecular beam.« less

A validated methodology for determination of laboratory instrument computer interface efficacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1984-12-01

This report is intended to provide a methodology for determining when, and for which instruments, direct interfacing of laboratory instrument and laboratory computers is beneficial. This methodology has been developed to assist the Tri-Service Medical Information Systems Program Office in making future decisions regarding laboratory instrument interfaces. We have calculated the time savings required to reach a break-even point for a range of instrument interface prices and corresponding average annual costs. The break-even analyses used empirical data to estimate the number of data points run per day that are required to meet the break-even point. The results indicate, for example, that at a purchase price of $3,000, an instrument interface will be cost-effective if the instrument is utilized for at least 154 data points per day if operated in the continuous mode, or 216 points per day if operated in the discrete mode. Although this model can help to ensure that instrument interfaces are cost effective, additional information should be considered in making the interface decisions. A reduction in results transcription errors may be a major benefit of instrument interfacing.

User interface customization on Endoscopy Department Mini-PACS and its impact on examination workflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osada, Masakazu; Kaise, Mitsuru; Ozeki, Takeshi; Tsunakawa, Hirofumi; Tsunakawa, Kiyoshi; Takayanagi, Takashi; Suzuki, Nobuaki; Miwa, Jun; Ohta, Yasuhiko; Kanai, Koichi

1999-07-01

We have proposed a new user interface with workflow customization, implemented and evaluted in Endoscopy Department Mini-PACS that has been introduced and routinely used for two years at Toshiba General Hospital. We have set some task at endoscopy image acquisition units during examinations for two different types of user interfaces and compared performance. One is a command-button based operation using a remote control, and another is that with eight graphic buttons which are displayed on a CRT monitor and can be customized. Results of the two-year study show that mean number of input diagnosis codes per examination with graphic and customized interface is significantly greater than that with conventional interface. Also, mean time to complete one upper gastric endoscopy examination with new user interface is about 17 percent less than that with conventional interface. These result suggest that systems with the visualized and customized operation and feedback encourages physicians to use more functions and to compete tasks more efficiently than systems with conventional command-button based user interfaces.

Development of injector/amplifier XUV lasers and initial studies of ultrashort pulse UV multiphoton ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Key, Michael H.; Blyth, W. J.; Cairns, Gerald F.; Damerell, A. R.; Dangor, A. E.; Danson, Colin N.; Evans, J. M.; Hirst, Graeme J.; Holden, M.; Hooker, Chris J.; Houliston, J. R.; Krishnan, J.; Lewis, Ciaran L. S.; Lister, J. M. D.; MacPhee, Andrew G.; Najmudin, Z.; Neely, David; Norreys, Peter A.; Offenberger, Allen A.; Osvay, Karoly; Pert, Geoffrey J.; Preston, S. G.; Ramsden, Stuart A.; Ross, Ian N.; Sibbett, Wilson; Tallents, Gregory J.; Smith, C.; Wark, Justin S.; Zhang, Jie

1994-02-01

An injector-amplifier architecture for XUV lasers has been developed and demonstrated using the Ge XXIII collisional laser. Results are described for injection into single and double plasma amplifiers. Prismatic lens-like and higher order aberrations in the amplifier are considered. Limitations on ultimate brightness are discussed and also scaling to operation at shorter wavelengths. A preliminary study has been made of UV multiphoton ionization using 300 fs pulses at high intensity.

Classification of Astrocytomas and Oligodendrogliomas from Mass Spectrometry Data Using Sparse Kernel Machines

PubMed Central

Huang, Jacob; Gholami, Behnood; Agar, Nathalie Y. R.; Norton, Isaiah; Haddad, Wassim M.; Tannenbaum, Allen R.

2013-01-01

Glioma histologies are the primary factor in prognostic estimates and are used in determining the proper course of treatment. Furthermore, due to the sensitivity of cranial environments, real-time tumor-cell classification and boundary detection can aid in the precision and completeness of tumor resection. A recent improvement to mass spectrometry known as desorption electrospray ionization operates in an ambient environment without the application of a preparation compound. This allows for a real-time acquisition of mass spectra during surgeries and other live operations. In this paper, we present a framework using sparse kernel machines to determine a glioma sample’s histopathological subtype by analyzing its chemical composition acquired by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. PMID:22256188

Interfacial reactions of ozone with surfactant protein B in a model lung surfactant system.

PubMed

Kim, Hugh I; Kim, Hyungjun; Shin, Young Shik; Beegle, Luther W; Jang, Seung Soon; Neidholdt, Evan L; Goddard, William A; Heath, James R; Kanik, Isik; Beauchamp, J L

2010-02-24

Oxidative stresses from irritants such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone (O(3)) can cause dysfunction of the pulmonary surfactant (PS) layer in the human lung, resulting in chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. For identification of structural changes of pulmonary surfactant protein B (SP-B) due to the heterogeneous reaction with O(3), field-induced droplet ionization (FIDI) mass spectrometry has been utilized. FIDI is a soft ionization method in which ions are extracted from the surface of microliter-volume droplets. We report structurally specific oxidative changes of SP-B(1-25) (a shortened version of human SP-B) at the air-liquid interface. We also present studies of the interfacial oxidation of SP-B(1-25) in a nonionizable 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (POG) surfactant layer as a model PS system, where competitive oxidation of the two components is observed. Our results indicate that the heterogeneous reaction of SP-B(1-25) at the interface is quite different from that in the solution phase. In comparison with the nearly complete homogeneous oxidation of SP-B(1-25), only a subset of the amino acids known to react with ozone are oxidized by direct ozonolysis in the hydrophobic interfacial environment, both with and without the lipid surfactant layer. Combining these experimental observations with the results of molecular dynamics simulations provides an improved understanding of the interfacial structure and chemistry of a model lung surfactant system subjected to oxidative stress.

High-resolution droplet-based fractionation of nano-LC separations onto microarrays for MALDI-MS analysis.

PubMed

Küster, Simon K; Pabst, Martin; Jefimovs, Konstantins; Zenobi, Renato; Dittrich, Petra S

2014-05-20

We present a robust droplet-based device, which enables the fractionation of ultralow flow rate nanoflow liquid chromatography (nano-LC) eluate streams at high frequencies and high peak resolution. This is achieved by directly interfacing the separation column to a micro T-junction, where the eluate stream is compartmentalized into picoliter droplets. This immediate compartmentalization prevents peak dispersion during eluate transport and conserves the chromatographic performance. Subsequently, nanoliter eluate fractions are collected at a rate of one fraction per second on a high-density microarray to retain the separation with high temporal resolution. Chromatographic separations of up to 45 min runtime can thus be archived on a single microarray possessing 2700 sample spots. The performance of this device is demonstrated by fractionating the separation of a tryptic digest of a known protein mixture onto the microarray chip and subsequently analyzing the sample archive using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Resulting peak widths are found to be significantly reduced compared to standard continuous flow spotting technologies as well as in comparison to a conventional nano-LC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry interface. Moreover, we demonstrate the advantage of our high-definition nanofractionation device by applying two different MALDI matrices to all collected fractions in an alternating fashion. Since the information that is obtained from a MALDI-MS measurement depends on the choice of MALDI matrix, we can extract complementary information from neighboring spots containing almost identical composition but different matrices.

Investigation on sense of control parameters for joystick interface in remote operated container crane application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdullah, U. N. N.; Handroos, H.

2017-09-01

Introduction: This paper presents the study of sense of control parameters to improve the lack of direct motion feeling through remote operated container crane station (ROCCS) joystick interface. The investigations of the parameters in this study are important to develop the engineering parameters related to the sense of control goal in the next design process. Methodology: Structured interviews and observations were conducted to obtain the user experience data from thirteen remote container crane operators from two international terminals. Then, interview analysis, task analysis, activity analysis and time line analysis were conducted to compare and contrast the results from interviews and observations. Results: Four experience parameters were identified to support the sense of control goal in the later design improvement of the ROCC joystick interface. The significance of difficulties to control, unsynchronized movements, facilitate in control and decision making in unexpected situation as parameters to the sense of control goal were validated by' feedbacks from operators as well as analysis. Contribution: This study provides feedback directly from end users towards developing a sustainable control interface for ROCCS in specific and remote operated off-road vehicles in general.

VEVI: A Virtual Reality Tool For Robotic Planetary Explorations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Piguet, Laurent; Fong, Terry; Hine, Butler; Hontalas, Phil; Nygren, Erik

1994-01-01

The Virtual Environment Vehicle Interface (VEVI), developed by the NASA Ames Research Center's Intelligent Mechanisms Group, is a modular operator interface for direct teleoperation and supervisory control of robotic vehicles. Virtual environments enable the efficient display and visualization of complex data. This characteristic allows operators to perceive and control complex systems in a natural fashion, utilizing the highly-evolved human sensory system. VEVI utilizes real-time, interactive, 3D graphics and position / orientation sensors to produce a range of interface modalities from the flat panel (windowed or stereoscopic) screen displays to head mounted/head-tracking stereo displays. The interface provides generic video control capability and has been used to control wheeled, legged, air bearing, and underwater vehicles in a variety of different environments. VEVI was designed and implemented to be modular, distributed and easily operated through long-distance communication links, using a communication paradigm called SYNERGY.

Customizing graphical user interface technology for spacecraft control centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beach, Edward; Giancola, Peter; Gibson, Steven; Mahmot, Ronald

1993-01-01

The Transportable Payload Operations Control Center (TPOCC) project is applying the latest in graphical user interface technology to the spacecraft control center environment. This project of the Mission Operations Division's (MOD) Control Center Systems Branch (CCSB) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has developed an architecture for control centers which makes use of a distributed processing approach and the latest in Unix workstation technology. The TPOCC project is committed to following industry standards and using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software components wherever possible to reduce development costs and to improve operational support. TPOCC's most successful use of commercial software products and standards has been in the development of its graphical user interface. This paper describes TPOCC's successful use and customization of four separate layers of commercial software products to create a flexible and powerful user interface that is uniquely suited to spacecraft monitoring and control.

Analysis of conductive target influence in plasma jet experiments through helium metastable and electric field measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darny, T.; Pouvesle, J.-M.; Puech, V.; Douat, C.; Dozias, S.; Robert, Eric

2017-04-01

The use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets for in vivo treatments implies most of the time plasma interaction with conductive targets. The effect of conductive target contact on the discharge behavior is studied here for a grounded metallic target and compared to the free jet configuration. In this work, realized with a plasma gun, we measured helium metastable HeM (23S1) concentration (by laser absorption spectroscopy) and electric field (EF) longitudinal and radial components (by electro-optic probe). Both diagnostics were temporally and spatially resolved. Mechanisms after ionization front impact on the target surface have been identified. The remnant conductive ionized channel behind the ionization front electrically transiently connects the inner high voltage electrode to the target. Due to impedance mismatching between the ionized channel and the target, a secondary ionization front is initiated and rapidly propagates from the target surface to the inner electrode through this ionized channel. This leads to a greatly enhanced HeM production inside the plasma plume and the capillary. Forward and reverse dynamics occur with further multi reflections of more or less damped ionization fronts between the inner electrode and the target as long as the ionized channel is persisting. This phenomenon is very sensitive to parameters such as target distance and ionized channel conductivity affecting electrical coupling between these two and evidenced using positive or negative voltage polarity and nitrogen admixture. In typical operating conditions for the plasma gun used in this work, it has been found that after the secondary ionization front propagation, when the ionized channel is conductive enough, a glow like discharge occurs with strong conduction current. HeM production and all species excitation, especially reactive ones, are then driven by high voltage pulse evolution. The control of forward and reverse dynamics, impacting on the production of the glow like discharge, will be useful for biomedical applications on living tissues.

Flat-panel display solutions for ground-environment military displays (Invited Paper)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, J., II; Roach, R.

2005-05-01

Displays for military vehicles have very distinct operational and cost requirements that differ from other military applications. These requirements demand that display suppliers to Army and Marine ground-environments provide low cost equipment that is capable of operation across environmental extremes. Inevitably, COTS components form the foundation of these "affordable" display solutions. This paper will outline the major display requirements and review the options that satisfy conflicting and difficult operational demands, using newly developed equipment as an example. Recently, a new supplier was selected for the Drivers Vision Enhancer (DVE) equipment, including the Display Control Module (DCM). The paper will outline the DVE and describe development of a new DCM solution. The DVE programme, with several thousand units presently in service and operational in conflicts such as "Operation Iraqi Freedom", represents a critical balance between cost and performance. We shall describe design considerations that include selection of COTS sources, the need to minimise display modification; video interfaces, power interfaces, operator interfaces and new provisions to optimise displayed video content.

Direct profiling of phytochemicals in tulip tissues and in vivo monitoring of the change of carbohydrate content in tulip bulbs by probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yu, Zhan; Chen, Lee Chuin; Suzuki, Hiroaki; Ariyada, Osamu; Erra-Balsells, Rosa; Nonami, Hiroshi; Hiraoka, Kenzo

2009-12-01

Probe electrospray ionization (PESI) is a recently developed ESI-based ionization technique which generates electrospray from the tip of a solid needle. In this study, we have applied PESI interfaced with a time of flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) for direct profiling of phytochemicals in a section of a tulip bulb in different regions, including basal plate, outer and inner rims of scale, flower bud and foliage leaves. Different parts of tulip petals and leaves have also been investigated. Carbohydrates, amino acids and other phytochemicals were detected. A series of in vivo PESI-MS experiments were carried out on the second outermost scales of four living tulip bulbs to monitoring the change of carbohydrate content during the first week of initial growth. The breakdown of carbohydrates was observed which was in accordance with previous reports achieved by other techniques. This study has indicated that PESI-MS can be used for rapid and direct analysis of phytochemicals in living biological systems with advantages of low sample consumption and little sample preparation. Therefore, PESI-MS can be a new choice for direct analysis/profiling of bioactive compounds or monitoring metabolic changes in living biological systems.

An open design microfabricated nib-like nanoelectrospray emitter tip on a conducting silicon substrate for the application of the ionization voltage.

PubMed

Le Gac, Séverine; Rolando, Christian; Arscott, Steve

2006-01-01

This paper describes a novel emitter tip having the shape of a nib and based on an open structure for nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS). The nib structure is fabricated with standard lithography techniques using SU-8, an epoxy-based negative photoresist. The tip is comprised of a reservoir, a capillary slot and a point-like feature, and is fabricated on a silicon wafer. We present here a novel scheme for interfacing such nib tips to MS by applying the ionization voltage directly onto the semi-conductor support. The silicon support is in direct contact with the liquid to be analyzed at the reservoir and microchannel level, thus allowing easy use in ESI-MS. This scheme is especially advantageous for automated analysis as the manual step of positioning a metallic wire into the reservoir is avoided. In addition, the analysis performance was enhanced compared with the former scheme, as demonstrated by the tests of standard peptides (gramicidin S, Glu-fibrinopeptide B). The limit of detection was determined to be lower than 10(-2) microM. Due to their enhanced performance, these microfabricated sources might be of great interest for analysis requiring very high sensitivity, such as proteomics analysis using nanoESI-MS.

Ultrafast Screening and Quantitation of Pesticides in Food and Environmental Matrices by Solid-Phase Microextraction-Transmission Mode (SPME-TM) and Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART).

PubMed

Gómez-Ríos, Germán Augusto; Gionfriddo, Emanuela; Poole, Justen; Pawliszyn, Janusz

2017-07-05

The direct interface of microextraction technologies to mass spectrometry (MS) has unquestionably revolutionized the speed and efficacy at which complex matrices are analyzed. Solid Phase Micro Extraction-Transmission Mode (SPME-TM) is a technology conceived as an effective synergy between sample preparation and ambient ionization. Succinctly, the device consists of a mesh coated with polymeric particles that extracts analytes of interest present in a given sample matrix. This coated mesh acts as a transmission-mode substrate for Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART), allowing for rapid and efficient thermal desorption/ionization of analytes previously concentrated on the coating, and dramatically lowering the limits of detection attained by sole DART analysis. In this study, we present SPME-TM as a novel tool for the ultrafast enrichment of pesticides present in food and environmental matrices and their quantitative determination by MS via DART ionization. Limits of quantitation in the subnanogram per milliliter range can be attained, while total analysis time does not exceed 2 min per sample. In addition to target information obtained via tandem MS, retrospective studies of the same sample via high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) were accomplished by thermally desorbing a different segment of the microextraction device.

Synthetic IRIS spectra of the solar transition region: Effect of high-energy tails

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dzifčáková, E.; Vocks, C.; Dudík, J.

2017-06-01

Aims: The solar transition region satisfies the conditions for presence of non-Maxwellian electron energy distributions with high-energy tails at energies corresponding to the ionization potentials of many ions emitting in the extreme-ultraviolet and ultraviolet portions of the spectrum. Methods: We calculate the synthetic Si iv, O iv, and S iv spectra in the far ultraviolet channel of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). Ionization, recombination, and excitation rates are obtained by integration of the cross-sections or their approximations over the model electron distributions considering particle propagation from the hotter corona. Results: The ionization rates are significantly affected by the presence of high-energy tails. This leads to the peaks of the relative abundance of individual ions to be broadened with pronounced low-temperature shoulders. As a result, the contribution functions of individual lines observable by IRIS also exhibit low-temperature shoulders, or their peaks are shifted to temperatures an order of magnitude lower than for the Maxwellian distribution. The integrated emergent spectra can show enhancements of Si iv compared to O iv by more than a factor of two. Conclusions: The high-energy particles can have significant impact on the emergent spectra and their presence needs to be considered even in situations without strong local acceleration.

IONIZED GAS KINEMATICS AT HIGH RESOLUTION. V. [Ne ii], MULTIPLE CLUSTERS, HIGH EFFICIENCY STAR FORMATION, AND BLUE FLOWS IN HE 2–10

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

Beck, Sara; Turner, Jean; Lacy, John

2015-11-20

We measured the 12.8 μm [Ne ii] line in the dwarf starburst galaxy He 2–10 with the high-resolution spectrometer TEXES on the NASA IRTF. The data cube has a diffraction-limited spatial resolution of ∼1″ and a total velocity resolution, including thermal broadening, of ∼5 km s{sup −1}. This makes it possible to compare the kinematics of individual star-forming clumps and molecular clouds in the three dimensions of space and velocity, and allows us to determine star formation efficiencies. The kinematics of the ionized gas confirm that the starburst contains multiple dense clusters. From the M/R of the clusters and themore » ≃30%–40% star formation efficiencies, the clusters are likely to be bound and long lived, like globulars. Non-gravitational features in the line profiles show how the ionized gas flows through the ambient molecular material, as well as a narrow velocity feature, which we identify with the interface of the H ii region and a cold dense clump. These data offer an unprecedented view of the interaction of embedded H ii regions with their environment.« less

Thin-film CdTe detector for microdosimetric study of radiation dose enhancement at gold-tissue interface.

PubMed

Paudel, Nava Raj; Shvydka, Diana; Parsai, E Ishmael

2016-09-08

Presence of interfaces between high and low atomic number (Z) materials, often encountered in diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy, leads to radiation dose perturbation. It is characterized by a very narrow region of sharp dose enhancement at the interface. A rapid falloff of dose enhancement over a very short distance from the interface makes the experimental dosimetry nontrivial. We use an in-house-built inexpensive thin-film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) photodetector to study this effect at the gold-tissue interface and verify our experimental results with Monte Carlo (MC) modeling. Three-micron thick thin-film CdTe photodetectors were fabricated in our lab. One-, ten- or one hundred-micron thick gold foils placed in a tissue-equivalent-phantom were irradiated with a clinical Ir-192 high-dose-rate (HDR) source and current measured with a CdTe detector in each case was compared with the current measured for all uniform tissue-equivalent phantom. Percentage signal enhancement (PSE) due to each gold foil was then compared against MC modeled percentage dose enhancement (PDE), obtained from the geometry mimicking the experimental setup. The experimental PSEs due to 1, 10, and 100 μm thick gold foils at the closest measured distance of 12.5μm from the interface were 42.6 ± 10.8 , 137.0 ± 11.9, and 203.0 ± 15.4, respectively. The corresponding MC modeled PDEs were 38.1 ± 1, 164 ± 1, and 249 ± 1, respectively. The experimental and MC modeled values showed a closer agreement at the larger distances from the interface. The dose enhancement in the vicinity of gold-tissue interface was successfully measured using an in-house-built, high-resolution CdTe-based photodetector and validated with MC simulations. A close agreement between experimental and the MC modeled results shows that CdTe detector can be utilized for mapping interface dose distribution encountered in the application of ionizing radiation. © 2016 The Authors.

Creation and utilization of a World Wide Web based space radiation effects code: SIREST

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singleterry, R. C. Jr; Wilson, J. W.; Shinn, J. L.; Tripathi, R. K.; Thibeault, S. A.; Noor, A. K.; Cucinotta, F. A.; Badavi, F. F.; Chang, C. K.; Qualls, G. D.;

High speed acquisition of multiparameter data using a Macintosh IIcx

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berno, Anthony; Vogel, John S.; Caffee, Marc

1991-05-01

Accelerator mass spectrometry systems based on > 3 MV tandem accelerators often use multianode ionization detectors and/or time-of-flight detectors to identify individual isotopes through multiparameter analysis. A Macintosh IIcx has been programmed to collect AMS data from a CAMAC-implemented analyzer and to display the histogrammed individual parameters and a doubleparameter array. The computer-CAMAC connection is through a NuBus to CAMAC dataway interface which allows direct addressing to all functions and registers in the crate. Asynchronous data from the rare isotope are sorted into a CAMAC memory module by a list sequence controller. Isotope switching is controlled by a one-cycle timing generator. A rate-dependent amount of time is used to transfer the data from the memory module at the end of each timing cycle. The present configuration uses 10-75 ms for rates of 500-10000 cps. Parameter analysis occurs during the rest of the 520 ms data collection cycle. Completed measurements of the isotope concentrations of each sample are written to files which are compatible with standard Macintosh databases or other processing programs. The system is inexpensive and operates at speeds comparable to those obtainable using larger computers.

Towards Intelligent Environments: An Augmented Reality–Brain–Machine Interface Operated with a See-Through Head-Mount Display

PubMed Central

Takano, Kouji; Hata, Naoki; Kansaku, Kenji

2011-01-01

The brain–machine interface (BMI) or brain–computer interface is a new interface technology that uses neurophysiological signals from the brain to control external machines or computers. This technology is expected to support daily activities, especially for persons with disabilities. To expand the range of activities enabled by this type of interface, here, we added augmented reality (AR) to a P300-based BMI. In this new system, we used a see-through head-mount display (HMD) to create control panels with flicker visual stimuli to support the user in areas close to controllable devices. When the attached camera detects an AR marker, the position and orientation of the marker are calculated, and the control panel for the pre-assigned appliance is created by the AR system and superimposed on the HMD. The participants were required to control system-compatible devices, and they successfully operated them without significant training. Online performance with the HMD was not different from that using an LCD monitor. Posterior and lateral (right or left) channel selections contributed to operation of the AR–BMI with both the HMD and LCD monitor. Our results indicate that AR–BMI systems operated with a see-through HMD may be useful in building advanced intelligent environments. PMID:21541307

Ada/POSIX binding: A focused Ada investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Legrand, Sue

1988-01-01

NASA is seeking an operating system interface definition (OSID) for the Space Station Program (SSP) in order to take advantage of the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products available today and the many that are expected in the future. NASA would also like to avoid the reliance on any one source for operating systems, information system, communication system, or instruction set architecture. The use of the Portable Operating System Interface for Computer Environments (POSIX) is examined as a possible solution to this problem. Since Ada is already the language of choice for SSP, the question of an Ada/POSIX binding is addressed. The intent of the binding is to provide access to the POSIX standard operation system (OS) interface and environment, by which application portability of Ada applications will be supported at the source code level. A guiding principle of Ada/POSIX binding development is a clear conformance of the Ada interface with the functional definition of POSIX. The interface is intended to be used by both application developers and system implementors. The objective is to provide a standard that allows a strictly conforming application source program that can be compiled to execute on any conforming implementation. Special emphasis is placed on first providing those functions and facilities that are needed in a wide variety of commercial applications

Aerospace Ground Equipment for model 4080 sequence programmer. A standard computer terminal is adapted to provide convenient operator to device interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nissley, L. E.

1979-01-01

The Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) provides an interface between a human operator and a complete spaceborne sequence timing device with a memory storage program. The AGE provides a means for composing, editing, syntax checking, and storing timing device programs. The AGE is implemented with a standard Hewlett-Packard 2649A terminal system and a minimum of special hardware. The terminal's dual tape interface is used to store timing device programs and to read in special AGE operating system software. To compose a new program for the timing device the keyboard is used to fill in a form displayed on the screen.

CoNNeCT Baseband Processor Module Boot Code SoftWare (BCSW)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamamoto, Clifford K.; Orozco, David S.; Byrne, D. J.; Allen, Steven J.; Sahasrabudhe, Adit; Lang, Minh

2012-01-01

This software provides essential startup and initialization routines for the CoNNeCT baseband processor module (BPM) hardware upon power-up. A command and data handling (C&DH) interface is provided via 1553 and diagnostic serial interfaces to invoke operational, reconfiguration, and test commands within the code. The BCSW has features unique to the hardware it is responsible for managing. In this case, the CoNNeCT BPM is configured with an updated CPU (Atmel AT697 SPARC processor) and a unique set of memory and I/O peripherals that require customized software to operate. These features include configuration of new AT697 registers, interfacing to a new HouseKeeper with a flash controller interface, a new dual Xilinx configuration/scrub interface, and an updated 1553 remote terminal (RT) core. The BCSW is intended to provide a "safe" mode for the BPM when initially powered on or when an unexpected trap occurs, causing the processor to reset. The BCSW allows the 1553 bus controller in the spacecraft or payload controller to operate the BPM over 1553 to upload code; upload Xilinx bit files; perform rudimentary tests; read, write, and copy the non-volatile flash memory; and configure the Xilinx interface. Commands also exist over 1553 to cause the CPU to jump or call a specified address to begin execution of user-supplied code. This may be in the form of a real-time operating system, test routine, or specific application code to run on the BPM.

Soft Argon-Propane Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization.

PubMed

Schütz, Alexander; Lara-Ortega, Felipe J; Klute, Felix David; Brandt, Sebastian; Schilling, Michael; Michels, Antje; Veza, Damir; Horvatic, Vlasta; García-Reyes, Juan F; Franzke, Joachim

2018-03-06

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) have been used as soft ionization sources (DBDI) for organic mass spectrometry (DBDI-MS) for approximately ten years. Helium-based DBDI is often used because of its good ionization efficiency, low ignition voltage, and homogeneous plasma conditions. Argon needs much higher ignition voltages than helium when the same discharge geometry is used. A filamentary plasma, which is not suitable for soft ionization, may be produced instead of a homogeneous plasma. This difference results in N 2 , present in helium and argon as an impurity, being Penning-ionized by helium but not by metastable argon atoms. In this study, a mixture of argon and propane (C 3 H 8 ) was used as an ignition aid to decrease the ignition and working voltages, because propane can be Penning-ionized by argon metastables. This approach leads to homogeneous argon-based DBDI. Furthermore, operating DBDI in an open environment assumes that many uncharged analyte molecules do not interact with the reactant ions. To overcome this disadvantage, we present a novel approach, where the analyte is introduced in an enclosed system through the discharge capillary itself. This nonambient DBDI-MS arrangement is presented and characterized and could advance the novel connection of DBDI with analytical separation techniques such as gas chromatography (GC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the near future.

Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit

DOEpatents

Copeland, R.J.

1982-09-30

A method and apparatus for operating a thermocline storage unit in which an insulated barrier member is provided substantially at the interface region between the hot and cold liquids in the storage tank. The barrier member physically and thermally separates the hot and cold liquids substantially preventing any diffusing or mixing between them and substantially preventing any heat transfer there between. The barrier member follows the rise and fall of the interface region between the liquids as the tank is charged and discharged. Two methods of maintaining it in the interface region are disclosed. With the structure and operation of the present invention and in particular the significant reduction in diffusing or mixing between the hot and cold liquids as well as the significant reduction in the thermal heat transfer between them, the performance of the storage tank is improved. More specifically, the stability of the interface region or thermocline is enhanced and the thickness of the thermocline is reduced producing a corresponding increase in the steepness of the temperature gradient across the thermocline and a more efficiently operating thermocline storage unit.

Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit

DOEpatents

Copeland, Robert J.

1985-01-01

A method and apparatus for operating a thermocline storage unit in which an insulated barrier member is provided substantially at the interface region between the hot and cold liquids in the storage tank. The barrier member physically and thermally separates the hot and cold liquids substantially preventing any diffusing or mixing between them and substantially preventing any heat transfer therebetween. The barrier member follows the rise and fall of the interface region between the liquids as the tank is charged and discharged. Two methods of maintaining it in the interface region are disclosed. With the structure and operation of the present invention and in particular the significant reduction in diffusing or mixing between the hot and cold liquids as well as the significant reduction in the thermal heat transfer between them, the performance of the storage tank is improved. More specifically, the stability of the interface region or thermocline is enhanced and the thickness of the thermocline is reduced producing a corresponding increase in the steepness of the temperature gradient across the thermocline and a more efficiently operating thermocline storage unit.

Service offerings and interfaces for the ACTS network of earth stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coney, T. A.; Dobyns, T. R.; Chitre, D. M.; Lindstrom, R.

1988-01-01

The NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) will use a network of about 20 earth stations to operate as a Mode 1 network. This network will support two ACTS program objectives: to verify the technical performance of ACTS Mode 1 operation in GEO and to demonstrate the types and quality of services that can be provided by an ACTS Mode 1 communications system. The terrestrial interface design is a critical element in assuring that these network earth stations will meet the objectives. In this paper, the applicable terrestrial interface design requirements, the resulting interface specifications, and the associated terrestrial input/output hardware are discussed. A functional block diagram of a network earth station is shown.

Improving low-level plasma protein mass spectrometry-based detection for candidate biomarker discovery and validation

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

Page, Jason S.; Kelly, Ryan T.; Camp, David G.

2008-09-01

Methods. To improve the detection of low abundance protein candidate biomarker discovery and validation, particularly in complex biological fluids such as blood plasma, increased sensitivity is desired using mass spectrometry (MS)-based instrumentation. A key current limitation on the sensitivity of electrospray ionization (ESI) MS is due to the fact that many sample molecules in solution are never ionized, and the vast majority of the ions that are created are lost during transmission from atmospheric pressure to the low pressure region of the mass analyzer. Two key technologies, multi-nanoelectrospray emitters and the electrodynamic ion funnel have recently been developed and refinedmore » at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to greatly improve the ionization and transmission efficiency of ESI MS based analyses. Multi-emitter based ESI enables the flow from a single source (typically a liquid chromatography [LC] column) to be divided among an array of emitters (Figure 1). The flow rate delivered to each emitter is thus reduced, allowing the well-documented benefits of nanoelectrospray 1 for both sensitivity and quantitation to be realized for higher flow rate separations. To complement the increased ionization efficiency afforded by multi-ESI, tandem electrodynamic ion funnels have also been developed at PNNL, and shown to greatly improve ion transmission efficiency in the ion source interface.2, 3 These technologies have been integrated into a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of probable biomarker candidates in blood plasma and show promise for the identification of new species even at low level concentrations.« less

Plasma-gun-assisted field-reversed configuration formation in a conical θ-pinch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, T. E.; Intrator, T. P.; Smith, R. J.

2015-04-01

Injection of plasma via an annular array of coaxial plasma guns during the pre-ionization phase of field-reversed configuration (FRC) formation is shown to catalyze the bulk ionization of a neutral gas prefill in the presence of a strong axial magnetic field and change the character of outward flux flow during field-reversal from a convective process to a much slower resistive diffusion process. This approach has been found to significantly improve FRC formation in a conical θ-pinch, resulting in a ˜350% increase in trapped flux at typical operating conditions, an expansion of accessible formation parameter space to lower densities and higher temperatures, and a reduction or elimination of several deleterious effects associated with the pre-ionization phase.

Operation of a LAr-TPC equipped with a multilayer LEM charge readout

DOE PAGES

Baibussinov, B.; Centro, S.; Farnese, C.; ...

2018-03-01

A novel detector for ionization signals in a single phase LAr-TPC has been experimented in the ICARINO test facility at the INFN Laboratories in Legnaro. It is based on the adoption of a multilayer Large Electron Multiplier (LEM) replacing the traditional anodic wire arrays. Cosmic muon tracks were detected allowing the measurement of energy deposition and a first determination of the signal to noise ratio. The analysis of the recorded events thus demonstrated the 3D reconstruction capability of this device for ionizing events in liquid Argon. The collected fraction of ionization charge is close to about 90%, with signal tomore » noise ratio similar to that measured with more traditional wire chambers.« less

Operation of a LAr-TPC equipped with a multilayer LEM charge readout

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

Baibussinov, B.; Centro, S.; Farnese, C.

A novel detector for ionization signals in a single phase LAr-TPC has been experimented in the ICARINO test facility at the INFN Laboratories in Legnaro. It is based on the adoption of a multilayer Large Electron Multiplier (LEM) replacing the traditional anodic wire arrays. Cosmic muon tracks were detected allowing the measurement of energy deposition and a first determination of the signal to noise ratio. The analysis of the recorded events thus demonstrated the 3D reconstruction capability of this device for ionizing events in liquid Argon. The collected fraction of ionization charge is close to about 90%, with signal tomore » noise ratio similar to that measured with more traditional wire chambers.« less

Numerical study of the Columbia high-beta device: Torus-II

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

Izzo, R.

1981-01-01

The ionization, heating and subsequent long-time-scale behavior of the helium plasma in the Columbia fusion device, Torus-II, is studied. The purpose of this work is to perform numerical simulations while maintaining a high level of interaction with experimentalists. The device is operated as a toroidal z-pinch to prepare the gas for heating. This ionization of helium is studied using a zero-dimensional, two-fluid code. It is essentially an energy balance calculation that follows the development of the various charge states of the helium and any impurities (primarily silicon and oxygen) that are present. The code is an atomic physics model ofmore » Torus-II. In addition to ionization, we include three-body and radiative recombination processes.« less

Simulation and experimental studies of operators` decision styles and crew composition while using an ecological and traditional user interface for the control room of a nuclear power plant

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

Meshkati, N.; Buller, B.J.; Azadeh, M.A.

1995-04-01

The goal of this research is threefold: (1) use of the Skill-, Rule-, and Knowledge-based levels of cognitive control -- the SRK framework -- to develop an integrated information processing conceptual framework (for integration of workstation, job, and team design); (2) to evaluate the user interface component of this framework -- the Ecological display; and (3) to analyze the effect of operators` individual information processing behavior and decision styles on handling plant disturbances plus their performance on, and preference for, Traditional and Ecological user interfaces. A series of studies were conducted. In Part I, a computer simulation model and amore » mathematical model were developed. In Part II, an experiment was designed and conducted at the EBR-II plant of the Argonne National Laboratory-West in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is concluded that: the integrated SRK-based information processing model for control room operations is superior to the conventional rule-based model; operators` individual decision styles and the combination of their styles play a significant role in effective handling of nuclear power plant disturbances; use of the Ecological interface results in significantly more accurate event diagnosis and recall of various plant parameters, faster response to plant transients, and higher ratings of subject preference; and operators` decision styles affect on both their performance and preference for the Ecological interface.« less

Oxidative Ionization Under Certain Negative-Ion Mass Spectrometric Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassan, Isra; Pavlov, Julius; Errabelli, Ramu; Attygalle, Athula B.

2017-02-01

1,4-Hydroquinone and several other phenolic compounds generate (M - 2) -• radical-anions, rather than deprotonated molecules, under certain negative-ion mass spectrometric conditions. In fact, spectra generated under helium-plasma ionization (HePI) conditions from 1,4-hydroquinone and 1,4-benzoquinone (by electron capture) were practically indistinguishable. Because this process involves a net loss of H• and H+, it can be termed oxidative ionization. The superoxide radical-anion (O2 -•), known to be present in many atmospheric-pressure plasma ion sources operated in the negative mode, plays a critical role in the oxidative ionization process. The presence of a small peak at m/z 142 in the spectrum of 1,4-hydroquinone, but not in that of 1,4-benzoquinone, indicated that the initial step in the oxidative ionization process is the formation of an O2 -• adduct. On the other hand, under bona fide electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions, 1,4-hydroquinone generates predominantly an (M - 1) - ion. It is known that at sufficiently high capillary voltages, corona discharges begin to occur even in an ESI source. At lower ESI capillary voltages, deprotonation predominates; as the capillary voltage is raised, the abundance of O2 -• present in the plasma increases, and the source in turn increasingly behaves as a composite ESI/APCI source. While maintaining post-ionization ion activation to a minimum (to prevent fragmentation), and monitoring the relative intensities of the m/z 109 (due to deprotonation) and 108 (oxidative ionization) peaks recorded from 1,4-hydroquinone, a semiquantitative estimation of the APCI contribution to the overall ion-generation process can be obtained.

Predictive Interfaces for Long-Distance Tele-Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wheeler, Kevin R.; Martin, Rodney; Allan, Mark B.; Sunspiral, Vytas

2005-01-01

We address the development of predictive tele-operator interfaces for humanoid robots with respect to two basic challenges. Firstly, we address automating the transition from fully tele-operated systems towards degrees of autonomy. Secondly, we develop compensation for the time-delay that exists when sending telemetry data from a remote operation point to robots located at low earth orbit and beyond. Humanoid robots have a great advantage over other robotic platforms for use in space-based construction and maintenance because they can use the same tools as astronauts do. The major disadvantage is that they are difficult to control due to the large number of degrees of freedom, which makes it difficult to synthesize autonomous behaviors using conventional means. We are working with the NASA Johnson Space Center's Robonaut which is an anthropomorphic robot with fully articulated hands, arms, and neck. We have trained hidden Markov models that make use of the command data, sensory streams, and other relevant data sources to predict a tele-operator's intent. This allows us to achieve subgoal level commanding without the use of predefined command dictionaries, and to create sub-goal autonomy via sequence generation from generative models. Our method works as a means to incrementally transition from manual tele-operation to semi-autonomous, supervised operation. The multi-agent laboratory experiments conducted by Ambrose et. al. have shown that it is feasible to directly tele-operate multiple Robonauts with humans to perform complex tasks such as truss assembly. However, once a time-delay is introduced into the system, the rate of tele\\ioperation slows down to mimic a bump and wait type of activity. We would like to maintain the same interface to the operator despite time-delays. To this end, we are developing an interface which will allow for us to predict the intentions of the operator while interacting with a 3D virtual representation of the expected state of the robot. The predictive interface anticipates the intention of the operator, and then uses this prediction to initiate appropriate sub-goal autonomy tasks.

Metallic Wall Hall Thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goebel, Dan Michael (Inventor); Hofer, Richard Robert (Inventor); Mikellides, Ioannis G. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional non-magnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.

Metallic Wall Hall Thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goebel, Dan Michael (Inventor); Hofer, Richard Robert (Inventor); Mikellides, Ioannis G. (Inventor)

2018-01-01

A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional nonmagnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.

The Effects of Low Dose-Rate Ionizing Radiation on the Shapes of Transients in the LM124 Operational Amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchner, Stephen; McMorrow, Dale; Roche, Nicholas; Dusseau, Laurent; Pease, Ron L.

2008-01-01

Shapes of single event transients (SETs) in a linear bipolar circuit (LM124) change with exposure to total ionizing dose (TID) radiation. SETs shape changes are a direct consequence of TID-induced degradation of bipolar transistor gain. A reduction in transistor gain causes a reduction in the drive current of the current sources in the circuit, and it is the lower drive current that most affects the shapes of large amplitude SETs.

Flight Telerobotic Servicer prototype simulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schein, Rob; Krauze, Linda; Hartley, Craig; Dickenson, Alan; Lavecchia, Tom; Working, Bob

A prototype simulator for the Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) system is described for use in the design development of the FTS, emphasizing the hand controller and user interface. The simulator utilizes a graphics workstation based on rapid prototyping tools for systems analyses of the use of the user interface and the hand controller. Kinematic modeling, manipulator-control algorithms, and communications programs are contained in the software for the simulator. The hardwired FTS panels and operator interface for use on the STS Orbiter are represented graphically, and the simulated controls function as the final FTS system configuration does. The robotic arm moves based on the user hand-controller interface, and the joint angles and other data are given on the prototype of the user interface. This graphics simulation tool provides the means for familiarizing crewmembers with the FTS system operation, displays, and controls.

Characterization of Defects in Scaled Mis Dielectrics with Variable Frequency Charge Pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulsen, Ronald Eugene

1995-01-01

Historically, the interface trap has been extensively investigated to determine the effects on device performance. Recently, much attention has been paid to trapping in near-interface oxide traps. Performance of high precision analog circuitry is affected by charge trapping in near-interface oxide traps which produces hysteresis, charge redistribution errors, and dielectric relaxation effects. In addition, the performance of low power digital circuitry, with reduced noise margins, may be drastically affected by the threshold voltage shifts associated with charge trapping in near -interface oxide traps. Since near-interface oxide traps may substantially alter the performance of devices, complete characterization of these defects is necessary. In this dissertation a new characterization technique, variable frequency charge pumping, is introduced which allows charge trapped at the interface to be distinguished from the charge trapped within the oxide. The new experimental technique is an extension of the charge pumping technique to low frequencies such that tunneling may occur from interface traps to near-interface oxide traps. A generalized charge pumping model, based on Shockley-Read-Hall statistics and trap-to-trap tunneling theory, has been developed which allows a more complete characterization of near-interface oxide traps. A pair of coupled differential equations governing the rate of change of occupied interface and near-interface oxide traps have been developed. Due to the experimental conditions in the charge pumping technique the equations may be decoupled, leading to an equation governing the rate of change of occupied interface traps and an equation governing the rate of change of occcupied near-interface oxide traps. Solving the interface trap equation and applying non-steady state charge dynamics leads to an interface trap component of the charge pumping current. In addition, solution to the near-interface oxide trap equation leads to an additional oxide trap component to the charge pumping current. Numerical simulations have been performed to support the analytical development of the generalized charge pumping model. By varying the frequency of the applied charge pumping waveform and monitoring the charge recombined per cycle, the contributions from interface traps may be separated from the contributions of the near-interface oxide traps. The generalized charge pumping model allows characterization of the density and spatial distribution of near-interface oxide traps from this variable frequency charge pumping technique. Characterization of interface and near-interface oxide trap generation has been performed on devices exposed to ionizing radiation, hot electron injection, and high -field/Fowler-Nordheim stressing. Finally, using SONOS nonvolatile memory devices, a framework has been established for experimentally determining not only the spatial distribution of near-interface oxide traps, but also the energetic distribution. An experimental approach, based on tri-level charge pumping, is discussed which allows the energetic distribution of near-interface oxide traps to be determined.

Increase in Efficiency of Use of Pedestrian Radiation Portal Monitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solovev, D. B.; Merkusheva, A. E.

2017-11-01

Most international airports in the world use radiation portal monitors (RPM) for primary radiation control organization. During the exploitation pedestrian radiation portal monitors operators (in the Russian Federation it is a special subdivision of customs officials) have certain problems related to the search of an ionizing radiation source causing the alarm signal of a radiation monitor. Radiation portal monitors at standard (factory) settings have to find out the illegal moving of the radioisotopes moved by physical persons passing through a controlled zone and having a steady radiation by the gamma or neutron channel. The problem is that recently the number of the ownerships who underwent treatment or medical diagnostics with the use of radio pharmaceuticals considerably increased, i.e,. ownerships represent such an ionizing radiation source. The operator of the radiation portal monitor has to define very quickly whether the ownership is a violator (takes unsolved radioisotopes illegally) or is just a patient of the clinic who underwent treatment/diagnostics with the use of radio pharmaceuticals. The research showing the radioisotopes which are most often used in the medical purposes are given in article, it is offered to use the new software developed by the authors allowing the operator of the radiation portal monitor to define the location of the ownership which has such ionizing radiation source by the activity of radiation similar to the radiation from radio pharmaceuticals.

A numerical algorithm for MHD of free surface flows at low magnetic Reynolds numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samulyak, Roman; Du, Jian; Glimm, James; Xu, Zhiliang

2007-10-01

We have developed a numerical algorithm and computational software for the study of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) of free surface flows at low magnetic Reynolds numbers. The governing system of equations is a coupled hyperbolic-elliptic system in moving and geometrically complex domains. The numerical algorithm employs the method of front tracking and the Riemann problem for material interfaces, second order Godunov-type hyperbolic solvers, and the embedded boundary method for the elliptic problem in complex domains. The numerical algorithm has been implemented as an MHD extension of FronTier, a hydrodynamic code with free interface support. The code is applicable for numerical simulations of free surface flows of conductive liquids or weakly ionized plasmas. The code has been validated through the comparison of numerical simulations of a liquid metal jet in a non-uniform magnetic field with experiments and theory. Simulations of the Muon Collider/Neutrino Factory target have also been discussed.

RAD-ADAPT: Software for modelling clonogenic assay data in radiation biology.

PubMed

Zhang, Yaping; Hu, Kaiqiang; Beumer, Jan H; Bakkenist, Christopher J; D'Argenio, David Z

2017-04-01

We present a comprehensive software program, RAD-ADAPT, for the quantitative analysis of clonogenic assays in radiation biology. Two commonly used models for clonogenic assay analysis, the linear-quadratic model and single-hit multi-target model, are included in the software. RAD-ADAPT uses maximum likelihood estimation method to obtain parameter estimates with the assumption that cell colony count data follow a Poisson distribution. The program has an intuitive interface, generates model prediction plots, tabulates model parameter estimates, and allows automatic statistical comparison of parameters between different groups. The RAD-ADAPT interface is written using the statistical software R and the underlying computations are accomplished by the ADAPT software system for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic systems analysis. The use of RAD-ADAPT is demonstrated using an example that examines the impact of pharmacologic ATM and ATR kinase inhibition on human lung cancer cell line A549 after ionizing radiation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Fukushima radiation accident: consequences for radiation accident medical management.

PubMed

Meineke, Viktor; Dörr, Harald

2012-08-01

The March 2011 radiation accident in Fukushima, Japan, is a textbook example of a radiation accident of global significance. In view of the global dimensions of the accident, it is important to consider the lessons learned. In this context, emphasis must be placed on consequences for planning appropriate medical management for radiation accidents including, for example, estimates of necessary human and material resources. The specific characteristics of the radiation accident in Fukushima are thematically divided into five groups: the exceptional environmental influences on the Fukushima radiation accident, particular circumstances of the accident, differences in risk perception, changed psychosocial factors in the age of the Internet and globalization, and the ignorance of the effects of ionizing radiation both among the general public and health care professionals. Conclusions like the need for reviewing international communication, interfacing, and interface definitions will be drawn from the Fukushima radiation accident.

Complex oxide ferroelectrics: Electrostatic doping by domain walls

DOE PAGES

Maksymovych, Petro

2015-06-19

Electrically conducting interfaces can form, rather unexpectedly, by breaking the translational symmetry of electrically insulating complex oxides. For example, a nanometre-thick heteroepitaxial interface between electronically insulating LaAlO 3 and SrTiO 3 supports a 2D electron gas1 with high mobility of >1,000 cm 2 V -1 s -1 (ref. 2). Such interfaces can exhibit magnetism, superconductivity and phase transitions that may form the functional basis of future electronic devices2. A peculiar conducting interface can be created within a polar ferroelectric oxide by breaking the translational symmetry of the ferroelectric order parameter and creating a so-called ferroelectric domain wall (Fig. 1a,b). Ifmore » the direction of atomic displacements changes at the wall in such a way as to create a discontinuity in the polarization component normal to the wall (Fig. 1a), the domain wall becomes electrostatically charged. It may then attract compensating mobile charges of opposite sign produced by dopant ionization, photoexcitation or other effects, thereby locally, electrostatically doping the host ferroelectric film. In contrast to conductive interfaces between epitaxially grown oxides, domain walls can be reversibly created, positioned and shaped by electric fields, enabling reconfigurable circuitry within the same volume of the material. Now, writing in Nature Nanotechnology, Arnaud Crassous and colleagues at EPFL and University of Geneva demonstrate control and stability of charged conducting domain walls in ferroelectric thin films of BiFeO 3 down to the nanoscale.« less

Silicon Schottky Diode Safe Operating Area

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casey, Megan C.; Campola, Michael J.; Lauenstein, Jean-Marie; Wilcox, Edward P.; Phan, Anthony M.; LaBel, Kenneth A.

2016-01-01

Vulnerability of a variety of candidate spacecraft electronics to total ionizing dose and displacement damage is studied. Devices tested include optoelectronics, digital, analog, linear bipolar devices, and hybrid devices.

Comprehensive hydrophilic interaction and ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography for analysis of di- to deca-oligonucleotides.

PubMed

Li, Qin; Lynen, Frédéric; Wang, Jian; Li, Hanlin; Xu, Guowang; Sandra, Pat

2012-09-14

A comprehensive two-dimensional HPLC approach with a high degree of orthogonality was developed for analysis of di- to deca-oligonucleotides (ONs). Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was used in the first dimension, and ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography (IP-RPLC) was employed in the second dimension. The two dimensions were connected via a ten-port valve interface equipped with octadecyl silica (ODS) traps to immobilize and focus the ONs eluting from the first dimension prior to IP-RPLC separation. An aqueous make-up flow was used for effective trapping. The comprehensive two-dimensional HPLC system was optimized with a mixture consisting of 27 oligonucleotide standards. An overall chromatographic peak capacity of 500 was obtained. The use of the volatile buffer triethylamine acetate in the second dimension allowed straightforward coupling to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and detection of each ON in the negative ionization mode. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A quantitative approach for pesticide analysis in grape juice by direct interfacing of a matrix compatible SPME phase to dielectric barrier discharge ionization-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Mirabelli, Mario F; Gionfriddo, Emanuela; Pawliszyn, Janusz; Zenobi, Renato

2018-02-12

We evaluated the performance of a dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) source for pesticide analysis in grape juice, a fairly complex matrix due to the high content of sugars (≈20% w/w) and pigments. A fast sample preparation method based on direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was developed, and novel matrix compatible SPME fibers were used to reduce in-source matrix suppression effects. A high resolution LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer allowed for rapid quantification in full scan mode. This direct SPME-DBDI-MS approach was proven to be effective for the rapid and direct analysis of complex sample matrices, with limits of detection in the parts-per-trillion (ppt) range and inter- and intra-day precision below 30% relative standard deviation (RSD) for samples spiked at 1, 10 and 10 ng ml -1 , with overall performance comparable or even superior to existing chromatographic approaches.

Mechanistic Analysis of Cocrystal Dissolution as a Function of pH and Micellar Solubilization

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The purpose of this work is to provide a mechanistic understanding of the dissolution behavior of cocrystals under the influence of ionization and micellar solubilization. Mass transport models were developed by applying Fick’s law of diffusion to dissolution with simultaneous chemical reactions in the hydrodynamic boundary layer adjacent to the dissolving cocrystal surface to predict the pH at the dissolving solid–liquid interface (i.e., interfacial pH) and the flux of cocrystals. To evaluate the predictive power of these models, dissolution studies of carbamazepine–saccharin (CBZ-SAC) and carbamazepine–salicylic acid (CBZ-SLC) cocrystals were performed at varied pH and surfactant concentrations above the critical stabilization concentration (CSC), where the cocrystals were thermodynamically stable. The findings in this work demonstrate that the pH dependent dissolution behavior of cocrystals with ionizable components is dependent on interfacial pH. This mass transport analysis demonstrates the importance of pH, cocrystal solubility, diffusivity, and micellar solubilization on the dissolution rates of cocrystals. PMID:26877267

Mechanistic Analysis of Cocrystal Dissolution as a Function of pH and Micellar Solubilization.

PubMed

Cao, Fengjuan; Amidon, Gordon L; Rodriguez-Hornedo, Nair; Amidon, Gregory E

2016-03-07

The purpose of this work is to provide a mechanistic understanding of the dissolution behavior of cocrystals under the influence of ionization and micellar solubilization. Mass transport models were developed by applying Fick's law of diffusion to dissolution with simultaneous chemical reactions in the hydrodynamic boundary layer adjacent to the dissolving cocrystal surface to predict the pH at the dissolving solid-liquid interface (i.e., interfacial pH) and the flux of cocrystals. To evaluate the predictive power of these models, dissolution studies of carbamazepine-saccharin (CBZ-SAC) and carbamazepine-salicylic acid (CBZ-SLC) cocrystals were performed at varied pH and surfactant concentrations above the critical stabilization concentration (CSC), where the cocrystals were thermodynamically stable. The findings in this work demonstrate that the pH dependent dissolution behavior of cocrystals with ionizable components is dependent on interfacial pH. This mass transport analysis demonstrates the importance of pH, cocrystal solubility, diffusivity, and micellar solubilization on the dissolution rates of cocrystals.

Far Infrared Line Profiles from Photodissociation Regions and Warm Molecular Clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boreiko, R. T.; Betz, A. L.

1998-01-01

This report summarizes the work done under NASA Grant NAG2-1056 awarded to the University of Colorado. The aim of the project was to analyze data obtained over the past several years with the University of Colorado far-infrared heterodyne spectrometer (Betz & Boreiko 1993) aboard the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Of particular interest were observations of CO and ionized carbon (C II) in photodissociation regions (PDRs) at the interface between UV-ionized H II regions and the neutral molecular clouds supporting star formation. These data, obtained with a heterodyne spectrometer having a resolution of 3.2 MHz, which is equivalent to a velocity resolution of 0.2 km/s at 60 microns and 1.0 km/s at 300 microns, were analyzed to obtain physical parameters such as density and temperature in the observed PDR. The publication resulting from the work reported here is appended. No inventions were made nor was any federally owned property acquired as a result of the activities under this grant.

Earthquake forewarning — A multidisciplinary challenge from the ground up to space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freund, Friedemann

2013-08-01

Most destructive earthquakes nucleate at between 5-7 km and about 35-40 km depth. Before earthquakes, rocks are subjected to increasing stress. Not every stress increase leads to rupture. To understand pre-earthquake phenomena we note that igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks contain defects which, upon stressing, release defect electrons in the oxygen anion sublattice, known as positive holes. These charge carriers are highly mobile, able to flow out of stressed rocks into surrounding unstressed rocks. They form electric currents, which emit electromagnetic radiation, sometimes in pulses, sometimes sustained. The arrival of positive holes at the ground-air interface can lead to air ionization, often exclusively positive. Ionized air rising upward can lead to cloud condensation. The upward flow of positive ions can lead to instabilities in the mesosphere, to mesospheric lightning, to changes in the Total Electron Content (TEC) at the lower edge of the ionosphere, and electric field turbulences. Advances in deciphering the earthquake process can only be achieved in a broadly multidisciplinary spirit.

Effect of X-ray irradiation on the optical absorption of СdSe1-xTex nanocrystals embedded in borosilicate glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prymak, M. V.; Azhniuk, Yu. M.; Solomon, A. M.; Krasilinets, V. M.; Lopushansky, V. V.; Bodnar, I. V.; Gomonnai, A. V.; Zahn, D. R. T.

2012-07-01

The effect of X-ray irradiation on the optical absorption spectra of CdSe1-xTex nanocrystals embedded in a borosilicate matrix is studied. The observed blue shift of the absorption edge and bleaching of the confinement-related features in the spectra are related to X-ray induced negative ionization of the nanocrystals with charge transfer across the nanocrystal/matrix interface. The radiation-induced changes are observed to recover after longer post-irradiation storage at room temperature.

Photoionization and High Density Gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kallman, T.; Bautista, M.; White, Nicholas E. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We present results of calculations using the XSTAR version 2 computer code. This code is loosely based on the XSTAR v.1 code which has been available for public use for some time. However it represents an improvement and update in several major respects, including atomic data, code structure, user interface, and improved physical description of ionization/excitation. In particular, it now is applicable to high density situations in which significant excited atomic level populations are likely to occur. We describe the computational techniques and assumptions, and present sample runs with particular emphasis on high density situations.

Polarization and mass transfer during the electrolysis of molten salts with liquid metallic electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhalev, Yu. G.

2014-08-01

Calculations are used to show that the fraction of the overvoltage of the stage of discharge-ionization can be significant in the total overvoltage during the polarization of liquid metallic electrodes in molten chlorides depleted of electrochemically active particles (depending on the type of the dissipative structures that appear near the electrode/electrolyte interface). This finding is taken into account to obtain criterion equations to describe the mass-transfer rate as a function of the physicochemical properties of the electrolyte and the metal electrode.

Transient Turbine Engine Modeling with Hardware-in-the-Loop Power Extraction (PREPRINT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

Furthermore, it must be compatible with a real - time operating system that is capable of running the simulation. For some models, especially those that use...problem of interfacing the engine/control model to a real - time operating system and associated lab hardware becomes a problem of interfacing these...model in real-time. This requires the use of a real - time operating system and a compatible I/O (input/output) board. Figure 1 illustrates the HIL

Interaction design challenges and solutions for ALMA operations monitoring and control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietriga, Emmanuel; Cubaud, Pierre; Schwarz, Joseph; Primet, Romain; Schilling, Marcus; Barkats, Denis; Barrios, Emilio; Vila Vilaro, Baltasar

2012-09-01

The ALMA radio-telescope, currently under construction in northern Chile, is a very advanced instrument that presents numerous challenges. From a software perspective, one critical issue is the design of graphical user interfaces for operations monitoring and control that scale to the complexity of the system and to the massive amounts of data users are faced with. Early experience operating the telescope with only a few antennas has shown that conventional user interface technologies are not adequate in this context. They consume too much screen real-estate, require many unnecessary interactions to access relevant information, and fail to provide operators and astronomers with a clear mental map of the instrument. They increase extraneous cognitive load, impeding tasks that call for quick diagnosis and action. To address this challenge, the ALMA software division adopted a user-centered design approach. For the last two years, astronomers, operators, software engineers and human-computer interaction researchers have been involved in participatory design workshops, with the aim of designing better user interfaces based on state-of-the-art visualization techniques. This paper describes the process that led to the development of those interface components and to a proposal for the science and operations console setup: brainstorming sessions, rapid prototyping, joint implementation work involving software engineers and human-computer interaction researchers, feedback collection from a broader range of users, further iterations and testing.

Present-day Galaxy Evolution through Baryon Flows in the Circumgalactic Medium of the Galactic-Magellanic System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barger, Kathleen Ann

Galaxy evolution is governed by an intricate ballet of gas flows. To sustain star formation over many billions of years, more gas must inflow than outflow. Although numerous gas clouds surround the Milky Way, their attributes, origins, destinations, and responses to their surroundings need thorough investigation on an individual basis to realize how the entire population affects Galactic evolution. This dissertation hones in on two circumgalactic gas structures near the Milky Way: Complex A and the Magellanic Bridge. Complex A is an elongated gas structure that is traversing the hot Halo of the Milky Way, plummeting towards the Galaxy's disk. The Magellanic Bridge is a bridge of gas and stars that connects the Magellanic Clouds, created by galaxy interactions. In this thesis, I present the results of the highest sensitivity and kinematically resolved Halpha emission-line survey of Complex A and Halpha, [S II], and [N II] surveys of the Magellanic Bridge using the Wisconsin Halpha Mapper to explore their properties, surroundings, origins, and fates to unravel how circumgalactic structures influence galaxy evolution. I find that the observational properties of Complex A closely match with radiative transfer model predictions of a cloud ionized by the Milky Way and extragalactic background, implying a 5% escape fraction of ionizing photons from the Galactic disk. The multiline observations and modeling place the cloud's metallicity below solar. These results combined with other studies suggests the cloud has an intergalactic medium origin. I find that the global distribution of the warm ionized gas traces the neutral gas in the Magellanic Bridge. These observations place the ionized gas mass between (0.7 -- 1.6) x 108 solar masses, implying an ionization fraction of 25 -- 33% and a 5% maximum escape fraction of ionizing photons from the Magellanic Clouds. The line ratios reveal that the physical state of the the SMC-Tail and the LMC-Bridge interface regions differ from the Magellanic Bridge. The multiple component structure and line ratios reveal that at least two coherent structures with different physical properties exist throughout the Bridge.

INCOMMANDS TDP: Human Factors Design and Evaluation Guide (PDT INCOMMANDS: Guide de Conception et d’Evaluation des Facteurs Humains)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

Human-Computer Interface (AHCI) Style Guide, (Report No. 64201-97U/61223), Veridian, Veda Operations, Dayton Ohio. [13] CSFAB Osga, G. and Kellmeyer, D...Interface (AHCI) Style Guide, (Report No. 64201-97U/61223), Veridian, Veda Operations, Dayton Ohio. [14] Osga, G. and Kellmeyer, D. (2000), Combat

The Evolvable Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System (AMMOS): Making Systems Interoperable

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, Adans Y.; Maldague, Pierre F.; Bui, Tung; Lam, Doris T.; McKinney, John C.

2010-01-01

The Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System (AMMOS) provides a common Mission Operation System (MOS) infrastructure to NASA deep space missions. The evolution of AMMOS has been driven by two factors: increasingly challenging requirements from space missions, and the emergence of new IT technology. The work described in this paper focuses on three key tasks related to IT technology requirements: first, to eliminate duplicate functionality; second, to promote the use of loosely coupled application programming interfaces, text based file interfaces, web-based frameworks and integrated Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) to connect users, data, and core functionality; and third, to build, develop, and deploy AMMOS services that are reusable, agile, adaptive to project MOS configurations, and responsive to industrially endorsed information technology standards.

Wheat stress indicator model, Crop Condition Assessment Division (CCAD) data base interface driver, user's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, R. F. (Principal Investigator)

1981-01-01

The use of the wheat stress indicator model CCAD data base interface driver is described. The purpose of this system is to interface the wheat stress indicator model with the CCAD operational data base. The interface driver routine decides what meteorological stations should be processed and calls the proper subroutines to process the stations.

Ionizing radiation detector

DOEpatents

Thacker, Louis H.

1990-01-01

An ionizing radiation detector is provided which is based on the principle of analog electronic integration of radiation sensor currents in the sub-pico to nano ampere range between fixed voltage switching thresholds with automatic voltage reversal each time the appropriate threshold is reached. The thresholds are provided by a first NAND gate Schmitt trigger which is coupled with a second NAND gate Schmitt trigger operating in an alternate switching state from the first gate to turn either a visible or audible indicating device on and off in response to the gate switching rate which is indicative of the level of radiation being sensed. The detector can be configured as a small, personal radiation dosimeter which is simple to operate and responsive over a dynamic range of at least 0.01 to 1000 R/hr.

Development and human factors analysis of an augmented reality interface for multi-robot tele-operation and control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sam; Lucas, Nathan P.; Ellis, R. Darin; Pandya, Abhilash

2012-06-01

This paper presents a seamlessly controlled human multi-robot system comprised of ground and aerial robots of semiautonomous nature for source localization tasks. The system combines augmented reality interfaces capabilities with human supervisor's ability to control multiple robots. The role of this human multi-robot interface is to allow an operator to control groups of heterogeneous robots in real time in a collaborative manner. It used advanced path planning algorithms to ensure obstacles are avoided and that the operators are free for higher-level tasks. Each robot knows the environment and obstacles and can automatically generate a collision-free path to any user-selected target. It displayed sensor information from each individual robot directly on the robot in the video view. In addition, a sensor data fused AR view is displayed which helped the users pin point source information or help the operator with the goals of the mission. The paper studies a preliminary Human Factors evaluation of this system in which several interface conditions are tested for source detection tasks. Results show that the novel Augmented Reality multi-robot control (Point-and-Go and Path Planning) reduced mission completion times compared to the traditional joystick control for target detection missions. Usability tests and operator workload analysis are also investigated.

User participation in the development of the human/computer interface for control centers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Broome, Richard; Quick-Campbell, Marlene; Creegan, James; Dutilly, Robert

1996-01-01

Technological advances coupled with the requirements to reduce operations staffing costs led to the demand for efficient, technologically-sophisticated mission operations control centers. The control center under development for the earth observing system (EOS) is considered. The users are involved in the development of a control center in order to ensure that it is cost-efficient and flexible. A number of measures were implemented in the EOS program in order to encourage user involvement in the area of human-computer interface development. The following user participation exercises carried out in relation to the system analysis and design are described: the shadow participation of the programmers during a day of operations; the flight operations personnel interviews; and the analysis of the flight operations team tasks. The user participation in the interface prototype development, the prototype evaluation, and the system implementation are reported on. The involvement of the users early in the development process enables the requirements to be better understood and the cost to be reduced.

The need for separate operational and engineering user interfaces for command and control of airborne synthetic aperture radar systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Laura M.; McNamara, Laura A.

2017-05-01

In this paper, we address the needed components to create usable engineering and operational user interfaces (UIs) for airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems. As airborne SAR technology gains wider acceptance in the remote sensing and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) communities, the need for effective and appropriate UIs to command and control these sensors has also increased. However, despite the growing demand for SAR in operational environments, the technology still faces an adoption roadblock, in large part due to the lack of effective UIs. It is common to find operational interfaces that have barely grown beyond the disparate tools engineers and technologists developed to demonstrate an initial concept or system. While sensor usability and utility are common requirements to engineers and operators, their objectives for interacting with the sensor are different. As such, the amount and type of information presented ought to be tailored to the specific application.

Interatomic Coulombic decay cascades in multiply excited neon clusters

PubMed Central

Nagaya, K.; Iablonskyi, D.; Golubev, N. V.; Matsunami, K.; Fukuzawa, H.; Motomura, K.; Nishiyama, T.; Sakai, T.; Tachibana, T.; Mondal, S.; Wada, S.; Prince, K. C.; Callegari, C.; Miron, C.; Saito, N.; Yabashi, M.; Demekhin, Ph. V.; Cederbaum, L. S.; Kuleff, A. I.; Yao, M.; Ueda, K.

2016-01-01

In high-intensity laser light, matter can be ionized by direct multiphoton absorption even at photon energies below the ionization threshold. However on tuning the laser to the lowest resonant transition, the system becomes multiply excited, and more efficient, indirect ionization pathways become operative. These mechanisms are known as interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD), where one of the species de-excites to its ground state, transferring its energy to ionize another excited species. Here we show that on tuning to a higher resonant transition, a previously unknown type of interatomic Coulombic decay, intra-Rydberg ICD occurs. In it, de-excitation of an atom to a close-lying Rydberg state leads to electron emission from another neighbouring Rydberg atom. Moreover, systems multiply excited to higher Rydberg states will decay by a cascade of such processes, producing even more ions. The intra-Rydberg ICD and cascades are expected to be ubiquitous in weakly-bound systems exposed to high-intensity resonant radiation. PMID:27917867