Sample records for organically modified silicate

  1. PMR-15/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites For Improved Thermal Stability And Mechanical Properties

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campbell, Sandi; Scheiman, Daniel; Faile, Michael; Papadopoulos, Demetrios; Gray, Hugh R. (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    Montmorillonite clay was organically modified by co-exchange of an aromatic diamine and a primary alkyl amine. The clay was dispersed into a PMR (Polymerization of Monomer Reactants)-15 matrix and the glass transition temperature and thermal oxidative stability of the resulting nanocomposites were evaluated. PMR-15/ silicate nanocomposites were also investigated as a matrix material for carbon fabric reinforced composites. Dispersion of the organically modified silicate into the PMR-15 matrix enhanced the thermal oxidative stability, the flexural strength, flexural modulus, and interlaminar shear strength of the polymer matrix composite.

  2. Modifying Silicates for Better Dispersion in Nanocomposites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campbell, Sandi

    2005-01-01

    An improved chemical modification has been developed to enhance the dispersion of layered silicate particles in the formulation of a polymer/silicate nanocomposite material. The modification involves, among other things, the co-exchange of an alkyl ammonium ion and a monoprotonated diamine with interlayer cations of the silicate. The net overall effects of the improved chemical modification are to improve processability of the nanocomposite and maximize the benefits of dispersing the silicate particles into the polymer. Some background discussion is necessary to give meaning to a description of this development. Polymer/silicate nanocomposites are also denoted polymer/clay composites because the silicate particles in them are typically derived from clay particles. Particles of clay comprise layers of silicate platelets separated by gaps called "galleries." The platelet thickness is 1 nm. The length varies from 30 nm to 1 m, depending on the silicate. In order to fully realize the benefits of polymer/silicate nanocomposites, it is necessary to ensure that the platelets become dispersed in the polymer matrices. Proper dispersion can impart physical and chemical properties that make nanocomposites attractive for a variety of applications. In order to achieve nanometer-level dispersion of a layered silicate into a polymer matrix, it is typically necessary to modify the interlayer silicate surfaces by attaching organic functional groups. This modification can be achieved easily by ion exchange between the interlayer metal cations found naturally in the silicate and protonated organic cations - typically protonated amines. Long-chain alkyl ammonium ions are commonly chosen as the ion-exchange materials because they effectively lower the surface energies of the silicates and ease the incorporation of organic monomers or polymers into the silicate galleries. This completes the background discussion. In the present improved modification of the interlayer silicate surfaces, the co-ion exchange strengthens the polymer/silicate interface and ensures irreversible separation of the silicate layers. One way in which it does this is to essentially tether one amine of each diamine molecule to a silicate surface, leaving the second amine free for reaction with monomers during the synthesis of a polymer. In addition, the incorporation of alkyl ammonium ions into the galleries at low concentration helps to keep low the melt viscosity of the oligomer formed during synthesis of the polymer and associated processing - a consideration that is particularly important in the case of a highly cross-linked, thermosetting polymer. Because of the chemical bonding between the surface-modifying amines and the monomers, even when the alkyl ammonium ions become degraded at high processing temperature, the silicate layers do not aggregate and, hence, nanometer-level dispersion is maintained.

  3. Polymer/Silicate Nanocomposites Used to Manufacture Gas Storage Tanks With Reduced Permeability

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campbell, Sandi G.; Johnston, Chris

    2004-01-01

    Over the past decade, there has been considerable research in the area of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites. This research has shown that the dispersion of small amounts of an organically modified layered silicate improves the polymer strength, modulus, thermal stability, and barrier properties. There have been several reports on the dispersion of layered silicates in an epoxy matrix. Potential enhancements to the barrier properties of epoxy/silicate nanocomposites make this material attractive for low permeability tankage. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) have several advantages for cryogenic storage tanks. They are lightweight, strong, and stiff; therefore, a smaller fraction of a vehicle's potential payload capacity is used for propellant storage. Unfortunately, the resins typically used to make PMC tanks have higher gas permeability than metals. This can lead to hydrogen loss through the body of the tank instead of just at welds and fittings. One approach to eliminate this problem is to build composite tanks with thin metal liners. However, although these tanks provide good permeability performance, they suffer from a substantial mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion, which can lead to failure of the bond between the liner and the body of the tank. Both problems could be addressed with polymersilicate nanocomposites, which exhibit reduced hydrogen permeability, making them potential candidates for linerless PMC tanks. Through collaboration with Northrop Grumman and Michigan State University, nanocomposite test tanks were manufactured for the NASA Glenn Research Center, and the helium permeability was measured. An organically modified silicate was prepared at Michigan State University and dispersed in an epoxy matrix (EPON 826/JeffamineD230). The epoxy/silicate nanocomposites contained either 0 or 5 wt% of the organically modified silicate. The tanks were made by filament winding carbon fibers with the nanocomposite resin. Helium permeability was measured by Northrop Grumman, showing that the leak rate/day of the nanocomposite matrix tank was approximately 80-percent less than that of the neat epoxy matrix tank.

  4. Multifunctional Composites for Improved Polyimide Thermal Stability

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Miller, Sandi G.

    2007-01-01

    The layered morphology of silicate clay provides an effective barrier to oxidative degradation of the matrix resin. However, as resin thermal stability continues to reach higher limits, development of an organic modification with comparable temperature capabilities becomes a challenge. Typically, phyllosilicates used in polymer nanocomposites are modified with an alkyl ammonium ion. Such organic modifiers are not suited for incorporation into high temperature polymers as they commonly degrade below 200oC. Therefore, the development of nanoparticle specifically suited for high temperature applications is necessary. Several nanoparticles were investigated in this study, including pre-exfoliated synthetic clay, an organically modified clay, and carbon nanofiber. Dispersion of the layered silicate increases the onset temperature of matrix degradation as well as slows oxidative degradation. The thermally stable carbon nanofibers are also observed to significantly increase the resin thermal stability.

  5. Molecular simulation of dispersion and mechanical stability of organically modified layered silicates in polymer matrices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Yao-Tsung

    The experimental analysis of nanometer-scale separation processes and mechanical properties at buried interfaces in nanocomposites has remained difficult. We have employed molecular dynamics simulation in relation to available experimental data to alleviate such limitations and gain insight into the dispersion and mechanical stability of organically modified layered silicates in hydrophobic polymer matrices. We analyzed cleavage energies of various organically modified silicates as a function of the cation exchange capacity, surfactant head group chemistry, and chain length using MD simulations with the PCFF-PHYLLOSILICATE force field. The range of the cleavage energy is between 25 and 210 mJ/m2 upon the molecular structures and packing of surfactants. As a function of chain length, the cleavage energy indicates local minima for interlayer structures comprised of loosely packed layers of alkyl chains and local maxima for interlayer structures comprised of densely packed layers of alkyl chains between the layers. In addition, the distribution of cationic head groups between the layers in the equilibrium state determines whether large increases in cleavage energy due to Coulomb attraction. We have also examined mechanical bending and failure mechanisms of layered silicates on the nanometer scale using molecular dynamics simulation in comparison to a library of TEM data of polymer nanocomposites. We investigated the energy of single clay lamellae as a function of bending radius and different cation density. The layer energy increases particularly for bending radii below 20 nm and is largely independent of cation exchange capacity. The analysis of TEM images of agglomerated and exfoliated aluminosilicates of different CEC in polymer matrices at small volume fractions showed bending radii in excess of 100 nm due to free volumes in the polymer matrix. At a volume fraction >5%, however, bent clay layers were found with bending radii <20 nm and kinks as a failure mechanism in good agreement with simulation results. We have examined thermal conductivity of organically modified layered silicates using molecular dynamics simulation in comparison to experimental results by laser measurement. The thermal conductivity slightly increased from 0.08 to 0.14 Wm-1K-1 with increasing chain length, related to the gallery spacing and interlayer density of the organic material.

  6. Investigation of hydrogen concentration and hardness of ion irradiated organically modified silicate thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qi, Y.; Prenzel, T.; Harriman, T. A.; Wang, Y. Q.; Lucca, D. A.; Williams, D.; Nastasi, M.; Dong, J.; Mehner, A.

    2010-06-01

    A study of the effects of ion irradiation of organically modified silicate thin films on the loss of hydrogen and increase in hardness is presented. NaOH catalyzed SiNa wO xC yH z thin films were synthesized by sol-gel processing from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) precursors and spin-coated onto Si substrates. After drying at 300 °C, the films were irradiated with 125 keV H + or 250 keV N 2+ at fluences ranging from 1 × 10 14 to 2.5 × 10 16 ions/cm 2. Elastic Recoil Detection (ERD) was used to investigate resulting hydrogen concentration as a function of ion fluence and irradiating species. Nanoindentation was used to measure the hardness of the irradiated films. FT-IR spectroscopy was also used to examine resulting changes in chemical bonding. The resulting hydrogen loss and increase in hardness are compared to similarly processed acid catalyzed silicate thin films.

  7. 40 CFR 721.9513 - Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Modified magnesium silicate polymer... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9513 Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic). (a) Chemical... as modified magnesium silicate polymer (PMN P-98-604) is subject to reporting under this section for...

  8. 40 CFR 721.9513 - Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Modified magnesium silicate polymer... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9513 Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic). (a) Chemical... as modified magnesium silicate polymer (PMN P-98-604) is subject to reporting under this section for...

  9. 40 CFR 721.9513 - Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Modified magnesium silicate polymer... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9513 Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic). (a) Chemical... as modified magnesium silicate polymer (PMN P-98-604) is subject to reporting under this section for...

  10. 40 CFR 721.9513 - Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Modified magnesium silicate polymer... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9513 Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic). (a) Chemical... as modified magnesium silicate polymer (PMN P-98-604) is subject to reporting under this section for...

  11. 40 CFR 721.9513 - Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Modified magnesium silicate polymer... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9513 Modified magnesium silicate polymer (generic). (a) Chemical... as modified magnesium silicate polymer (PMN P-98-604) is subject to reporting under this section for...

  12. 40 CFR 721.9514 - Ethyl silicate, reaction products with modified alkoxysilane salt (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Ethyl silicate, reaction products with... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9514 Ethyl silicate, reaction products with.... (1) The chemical substance identified generically as Ethyl silicate, reaction products with modified...

  13. 40 CFR 721.9514 - Ethyl silicate, reaction products with modified alkoxysilane salt (generic).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Ethyl silicate, reaction products with... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.9514 Ethyl silicate, reaction products with.... (1) The chemical substance identified generically as Ethyl silicate, reaction products with modified...

  14. Analysis of the Barrier Properties of Polyimide-Silicate Nanocomposites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campbell, Sandi; Johnston, J. Chris; Inghram, Linda; McCorkle, Linda; Silverman, Edward

    2003-01-01

    Montmorillonite clay was organically modified and dispersed into a thermoplastic (BPADA-BAPP) and a thermosetting (PMR-15) polyimide matrix. The barrier properties of the neat resins and the nanocomposites were evaluated. Reductions in gas permeability and water absorption were observed in thermoplastic polyimide nanocomposites. The thermosetting polyimide showed a reduction in weight loss during isothermal aging at 288 C. Carbon fabric (T650-35, 8 HS, 8 ply) composites were prepared using both the BPADE-BAPP and PMR-15 based nanocomposites. Dispersion of the layered silicate in the BPADA-BAPP matrix reduced helium permeability by up to 70 percent. The PMR-15/ silicate nanocomposite matrix had an increase in thermal oxidative stability of up to 25 percent.

  15. Reactive molecular simulation on the calcium silicate hydrates/polyethylene glycol composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Yang; Hou, Dongshuai; Jiang, Jinyang; She, Wei; Yu, Jiao

    2017-11-01

    Calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) may potentially exhibit extraordinary performance when modified by polymers, in which way the properties of cement-based materials can be improved from the genetic level. In this molecular dynamics simulation of the interaction between C-S-H and polyethylene glycol, apart from the H bond network connection in the interface, another chemical adsorption was observed. Calcium of C-S-H broke the Csbnd O bond of PEG and formed a new Casbnd C connection, which created a stronger link between the organic and inorganic phases.

  16. Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Starch-Clay Nanocomposite Films

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The poor barrier and mechanical properties of biopolymer-based food packaging can potentially be enhanced by the use of layered silicates (nanoclay) to produce nanocomposites. In this study, starch-clay nano-composites were synthesized by a melt extrusion method. Natural (MMT) and organically modifi...

  17. Phenylethynyl Silsesquioxanes: Monomer Synthesis, Characterization,Thermolysis and Thermal Properties

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-12-14

    thermal, mechanical and surface properties of many polymeric systems. A useful analogy is that a POSS is nano-sized particle of silica solubilzed...with organic modifiers (RSiO1.5)n; the organic periphery determines how well the POSS can interact with any host polymer , while the siliceous core adds...various materials affects polymer properties. Herein is reported a synthesis strategy to produce POSS-containing, thermosetting phenylethynyls to yield

  18. International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes (1st)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-06-01

    second order transitions, and chemical stability, e.g. dehydration or chemical decomposition . This is a powerful technique which can be used...References (M.Watanabe et. al) 1) Polym.J., 15, 65, 175 (1983). 2) Polym.J., 16, 711 (1984); 17, 549 (1985). 3) Macromolecules, 18, 1945 (1985). 4) Nippon...material is an organically modified silicate which gives, alter hydrolysis and condensation, an organic-inorganic glass. The silica network gives good

  19. Characterization of layered silicate-reinforced blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate).

    PubMed

    Lendvai, László; Apostolov, Anton; Karger-Kocsis, József

    2017-10-01

    A two-step melt blending procedure was used to produce binary systems composed of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). To improve the properties of the blends, two different layered silicates, viz. bentonite (BT) and organically modified montmorillonite (oMMT) were incorporated. First, TPS and its layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared via extrusion compounding during which starch was plasticized with glycerol and water. In the second step, PBAT was added to TPS/layered silicate to produce blends in a batch-type mixer. Mechanical and thermal properties were determined. The blends showed acceptable ductility over 50wt.% PBAT content, although at the cost of strength and stiffness. By contrast to oMMT the BT became intercalated in TPS and TPS/PBAT blends. The reinforcing effect of BT and oMMT was most prominent for the glassy states of both TPS and TPS/PBAT blends. Thermal, and thermooxidative properties were not significantly affected by the presence of layered silicates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. A model for the effects of germanium on silica biomineralization in choanoflagellates

    PubMed Central

    Chappell, Helen; Ratcliffe, Sarah; Goldstein, Raymond E.

    2016-01-01

    Silica biomineralization is a widespread phenomenon of major biotechnological interest. Modifying biosilica with substances like germanium (Ge) can confer useful new properties, although exposure to high levels of Ge disrupts normal biosilicification. No clear mechanism explains why this disruption occurs. Here, we study the effect of Ge on loricate choanoflagellates, a group of protists that construct a species-specific extracellular lorica from multiple siliceous costal strips. High Ge exposures were toxic, whereas lower Ge exposures produced cells with incomplete or absent loricae. These effects can be ameliorated by restoring the germanium : silicon ratio, as observed in other biosilicifying organisms. We developed simulations of how Ge interacts with polymerizing silica. In our models, Ge is readily incorporated at the ends of silica forming from silicic acid condensation, but this prevents further silica polymerization. Our ‘Ge-capping’ model is supported by observations from loricate choanoflagellates. Ge exposure terminates costal strip synthesis and lorica formation, resulting in disruption to cytokinesis and fatal build-up of silicic acid. Applying the Ge-capping model to other siliceous organisms explains the general toxicity of Ge and identifies potential protective responses in metalloid uptake and sensing. This can improve the design of new silica biomaterials, and further our understanding of silicon metabolism. PMID:27655668

  1. Preparation, characterization and properties of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fonseca, Claudia Alencar

    Nanocomposites are a relatively new class of composites, that in the polymer area typically consist of particle-filled polymers where at least one dimension of the dispersed particles is in the nanometer range. Amongst all potential nanocomposite precursors, those based on clay and layered silicates have been more widely investigated. These nanocomposites exhibit markedly improved mechanical, thermal, optical and physico-chemical properties when compared to conventional (microscale) composites. In the present work, properties of nanocomposites of Ethylene Methacrylic Acid copolymers and organically modified Montmorillonite formed from the melt was investigated. Nanocomposites of Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Montmorillonite formed from solution was also studied.

  2. High-performance polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heidecker, Matthew J.

    High-performance layered-silicate nanocomposites of Polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and their blends were produced via conventional melt-blending techniques. The focus of this thesis was on the fundamentals of dispersion, control of thermal stability, maintenance of melt-blending processing conditions, and on optimization of the composites' mechanical properties via the design of controlled and thermodynamically favorable nano-filler dispersions within the polymer matrices. PET and PC require high temperatures for melt-processing, rendering impractical the use of conventional/commercial organically-modified layered-silicates, since the thermal degradation temperatures of their ammonium surfactants lies below the typical processing temperatures. Thus, different surfactant chemistries must be employed in order to develop melt-processable nanocomposites, also accounting for polymer matrix degradation due to water (PET) or amine compounds (PC). Novel high thermal-stability surfactants were developed and employed in montmorillonite nanocomposites of PET, PC, and PC/PET blends, and were compared to the respective nanocomposites based on conventional quaternary-ammonium modified montmorillonites. Favorable dispersion was achieved in all cases, however, the overall material behavior -- i.e., the combination of crystallization, mechanical properties, and thermal degradation -- was better for the nanocomposites based on the thermally-stable surfactant fillers. Studies were also done to trace, and ultimately limit, the matrix degradation of Polycarbonate/montmorillonite nanocomposites, through varying the montmorillonite surfactant chemistry, processing conditions, and processing additives. Molecular weight degradation was, maybe surprisingly, better controlled in the conventional quaternary ammonium based nanocomposites -- even though the thermal stability of the organically modified montmorillonites was in most cases the lowest. Dependence of the resultant nanocomposites' mechanical properties on the preferential alignment of the montmorillonite nano-platelet was also evaluated. Highly aligned filler platelets did not result in an additional enhancement in mechanical properties. PC/PET blends and their respective PC/PET/montmorillonite nanocomposites were synthesized and compared. The dispersion of the organically modified nano-fillers in the PC/PET blends was controlled via thermodynamic considerations, realized through proper surfactant choice: Nanocomposites in which the layered silicate was preferentially sequestered in the PET phase were designed and synthesized. This preferential dispersion of the nano-filler in the PET phase of the PC/PET blend was insensitive to processing conditions, including approaches employing a master-batch (filler concentrate); regardless of the master-batch matrix, both PC and PET were employed, thermodynamics drove the layered silicate to preferentially migrate to the PET phase of the PC/PET blend. In a second approach, the development of a nanocomposite with controlled PC/PET compatibilization near the montmorillonite platelets, in absence of appreciable transesterification reactions, led to the formation of very high performance nanocomposites. These latter systems, point to an exciting new avenue of future considerations for nanocomposite blends with selective nano-filler dispersions, where performance can be tailored via the controlled preferential dispersion of nano-fillers in one phase, or by filler-induced polymer compatibilization.

  3. Modified cleaning method for biomineralized components

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsutsui, Hideto; Jordan, Richard W.

    2018-02-01

    The extraction and concentration of biomineralized components from sediment or living materials is time consuming and laborious and often involves steps that remove either the calcareous or siliceous part, in addition to organic matter. However, a relatively quick and easy method using a commercial cleaning fluid for kitchen drains, sometimes combined with a kerosene soaking step, can produce remarkable results. In this study, the method is applied to sediments and living materials bearing calcareous (e.g., coccoliths, foraminiferal tests, holothurian ossicles, ichthyoliths, and fish otoliths) and siliceous (e.g., diatom valves, silicoflagellate skeletons, and sponge spicules) components. The method preserves both components in the same sample, without etching or partial dissolution, but is not applicable to unmineralized components such as dinoflagellate thecae, tintinnid loricae, pollen, or plant fragments.

  4. International Collaboration Program on Innovative Chemical Processing of Superior Electronic and Optical Materials

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-07-01

    Chem. Phys. Lett., 153 (1988) 351 . l -11- AFOSR 91-0317 Dense Sodium Borosilicate New Organically-Modified Glass as Matrix Silicate (Ormosil) as Matrix... GelI Oxidation in 02 (450’C, 24 hrs) SCdO-doped Gel Sulphuration in H2S (1 10"C, 24 hrs) CdS-doped Gel I Densification (540’C, 6 hrs) CdS in Sodium

  5. Q-Speciation and Network Structure Evolution in Invert Calcium Silicate Glasses.

    PubMed

    Kaseman, Derrick C; Retsinas, A; Kalampounias, A G; Papatheodorou, G N; Sen, S

    2015-07-02

    Binary silicate glasses in the system CaO-SiO2 are synthesized over an extended composition range (42 mol % ≤ CaO ≤ 61 mol %), using container-less aerodynamic levitation techniques and CO2-laser heating. The compositional evolution of Q speciation in these glasses is quantified using (29)Si and (17)O magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicate progressive depolymerization of the silicate network upon addition of CaO and significant deviation of the Q speciation from the binary model. The equilibrium constants for the various Q species disproportionation reactions for these glasses are found to be similar to (much smaller than) those characteristic of Li (Mg)-silicate glasses, consistent with the corresponding trends in the field strengths of these modifier cations. Increasing CaO concentration results in an increase in the packing density and structural rigidity of these glasses and consequently in their glass transition temperature Tg. This apparent role reversal of conventional network-modifying cations in invert alkaline-earth silicate glasses are compared and contrasted with that in their alkali silicate counterparts.

  6. Amorphous Silicate Smokes as Catalysts for the Production of Complex Organic Species in the Primitive Solar Nebula

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nuth, J. A., III; Hill, H. G. M.

    2002-01-01

    Amorphous Mg-silicates are excellent Fischer-Tropsch catalysts that convert H2 and CO into hydrocarbons almost as well as Fe-silicates. Mg-silicates do not catalyze formation of ammonia. N is incorporated into the organics if CO, N2 and H2 are used. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

  7. The effect of thermal and organic additive in morphology of ceramic based silicate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ginting, J.; Bangun, N.; Sembiring, H. Br; Putri, N. K.

    2017-04-01

    M-Silicate (M = Mg, Ca) has been prepared by exchange metal reaction from M-Chloride salts and sodium silicate. The resulting white solid of chloride salts then heated at 700, 800, 900 and 1000 °C. Due to increase the porosity of M-Silicate, 1,2-propanediol, oleic acid and glycerol were added, then formed M-silicates were heated at 800 °C. Then, obtained white solid M-Silicates were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM images show the variance of surface morphology when the temperature increases. The addition of organic compounds is involved in surface modification.

  8. DEMONSTRATION BULLETIN: SOLIDIFICATION/STABILIZATION OF ORGANIC/INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS - SILICATE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

    EPA Science Inventory

    Silicate Technology Corporation's (STC's) technology for treating hazardous waste utilizes silicate compounds to stabilize organic and inorganic constituents in contaminated soils and sludges. STC has developed two groups of reagents: SOILSORB HM for treating wastes with inorgan...

  9. Methylated silicates may explain the release of chlorinated methane from Martian soil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bak, Ebbe N.; Jensen, Svend J. Knak; Nørnberg, Per; Finster, Kai

    2016-01-01

    The only organic compounds that have been detected in the Martian soil are simple chlorinated compounds released from heated surface material. However, the sources of the organic carbon are in dispute. Wind abraded silicates, which are widespread on the Martian surface, can sequester atmospheric methane which generates methylated silicates and thus could provide a mechanism for accumulation of reduced carbon in the surface soil. In this study we show that thermal volatilization of methylated silicates in the presence of perchlorate leads to the production of chlorinated methane. Thus, methylated silicates could be a source of the organic carbon released as chlorinated methane upon thermal volatilization of Martian soil samples. Further, our experiments show that the ratio of the different chlorinated compounds produced is dependent on the mass ratio of perchlorate to organic carbon in the soil.

  10. Effects of ion irradiation on the mechanical properties of SiNa wO xC yH z sol-gel derived thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lucca, D. A.; Qi, Y.; Harriman, T. A.; Prenzel, T.; Wang, Y. Q.; Nastasi, M.; Dong, J.; Mehner, A.

    2010-10-01

    A study of the effects of ion irradiation of hybrid organic/inorganic modified silicate thin films on their mechanical properties is presented. NaOH catalyzed SiNa wO xC yH z thin films were synthesized by sol-gel processing from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) precursors and spin-coated onto Si substrates. After drying at 300 °C, the films were irradiated with 125 keV H + or 250 keV N 2+ at fluences ranging from 1 × 10 14 to 2.5 × 10 16 ions/cm 2. Nanoindentation was used to characterize the films. Changes in hardness and reduced elastic modulus were examined as a function of ion fluence and irradiating species. The resulting increases in hardness and reduced elastic modulus are compared to similarly processed acid catalyzed silicate thin films.

  11. Influence of the type of aqueous sodium silicate on the stabilization and rheology of kaolin clay suspensions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Izak, Piotr; Ogłaza, Longin; Mozgawa, Włodzimierz; Mastalska-Popławska, Joanna; Stempkowska, Agata

    2018-05-01

    To avoid agglomeration and sedimentation of grains, ceramic slurries should be modified by stabilizers in order to increase the electrostatic interactions between the dispersed particles. In this study we present the spectral analysis of aqueous sodium silicates obtained by different synthesis methods and their influence on the rheological properties of kaolin based slurries. Infrared and Raman spectra can be used to describe the structure of silicate structural units present in aqueous sodium silicates. It was confirmed that the best stabilization results possess aqueous sodium silicates of the silicate moduli of about 2 and the optimal concentration of the used fluidizer is 0.3 wt% to the kaolin clay dry mass. One of the most important conclusions is that the synthesis method of the fluidizer has no significant effect on its stabilization properties but used medium does create adequate stabilization mechanism depending on the silicate structures present in the sodium silicate solution.

  12. EFFECT OF SILICATE ON GRAM STAINING AND VIABILITY OF PNEUMOCOCCI AND OTHER BACTERIA

    PubMed Central

    MacLeod, Colin M.; Roe, Amy S.

    1956-01-01

    Application of silicate solutions to living or heat-killed pneumococci and to certain "viridans" streptococci causes their conversion from a Gram-positive to a Gram-negative state. The original staining properties can be restored by suspending the silicate-treated bacteria in alkaline solutions of various salts but not by simple washing in water. Living pneumococci and the strains of streptococci whose staining properties are similarly affected are killed when suspended in silicate solutions. In other Gram-positive species silicate causes conversion to Gram negativity but restoration to positivity occurs upon washing in water. In a third group of Gram-positive organisms silicate has no effect on the Gram reaction. The viability of organisms in these two groups is unaffected by silicate under the conditions employed. No effect on staining or viability of Gram-negative bacteria has been observed. The effects of silicate on staining and viability are inhibited by nutrient broth or whole serum but not by purified serum albumin. Lecithin, choline, and other substituted ammonium compounds also inhibit the effects of silicate on pneumococci. PMID:13306854

  13. Recovery of viruses from water by a modified flocculation procedure for second-step concentration.

    PubMed Central

    Dahling, D R; Wright, B A

    1986-01-01

    A reduction in virus recovery efficiencies stemming from a change in the commercial processing of powdered beef extract was reversed by the addition of Celite analytical filter aid. Supplementing beef extract with this silicate is recommended as a modification to the organic flocculation procedure for second-step concentration in monitoring for waterborne viruses. Considerable differences in virus recovery were found among lots of beef extract and Celite preparations; this indicates that the performance of each lot of these substances should be checked before use. PMID:3015024

  14. Dye-doped silica-based nanoparticles for bioapplications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nhung Tran, Hong; Nghiem, Thi Ha Lien; Thuy Duong Vu, Thi; Tan Pham, Minh; Van Nguyen, Thi; Trang Tran, Thu; Chu, Viet Ha; Thuan Tong, Kim; Thuy Tran, Thanh; Le, Thi Thanh Xuan; Brochon, Jean-Claude; Quy Nguyen, Thi; Nhung Hoang, My; Nguyen Duong, Cao; Thuy Nguyen, Thi; Hoang, Anh Tuan; Hoa Nguyen, Phuong

    2013-12-01

    This paper presents our recent research results on synthesis and bioapplications of dye-doped silica-based nanoparticles. The dye-doped water soluble organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles (NPs) with the size of 15-100 nm were synthesized by modified Stöber method from methyltriethoxysilane CH3Si(OCH3)3 precursor (MTEOS). Because thousands of fluorescent dye molecules are encapsulated in the silica-based matrix, the dye-doped nanoparticles are extremely bright and photostable. Their surfaces were modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and biocompatible chemical reagents. The highly intensive luminescent nanoparticles were combined with specific bacterial and breast cancer antigen antibodies. The antibody-conjugated nanoparticles can identify a variety of bacterium, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, through antibody-antigen interaction and recognition. A highly sensitive breast cancer cell detection has been achieved with the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody-nanoparticles complex. These results demonstrate the potential to apply these fluorescent nanoparticles in various biodetection systems.

  15. What can meteorites tell us about comets?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Anders, Edward

    1986-01-01

    Cometary silicates, carbon, and volatiles are reviewed using data from the Halley probes, interplanetary dust particles, and cometary spectra. The origins of anhydrous Fe(2+)-bearing silicates; whether hydrated silicates, if present, were made by gaseous or liquid H2O3; sources of organic compounds: ion-molecule reactions, photochemistry, grain catalysis; sources of CO2 and of organic polymers; and interstellar molecules and grains in comets are discussed.

  16. Constraints on cosmic silicates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ossenkopf, V.; Henning, Th.; Mathis, J. S.

    1992-08-01

    Observational determinations of opacities of circumstellar silicates, relative to the peak value near 10 microns, are used to estimate the optical constants n and k, the real and imaginary parts of the index of refraction. Circumstellar dust is modified by processing within the interstellar medium. This leads to higher band strengths and a somewhat larger ratio of the opacities at the 18 and 10-micron peaks, compared with circumstellar silicates. By using an effective-medium theory, we calculate the effects of small spherical inclusions of various materials (various oxides, sulfides, carbides, amorphous carbon, and metallic iron) upon silicate opacities. Some of these can increase the absorption coefficient k in the 2-8 micron region appreciably, as is needed to reconcile laboratory silicate opacities with observations of both the interstellar medium and envelopes around late-type stars. We give tables of two sets of optical constants for warm oxygen-deficient and cool oxygen-rich silicates, representative for circumstellar and interstellar silicates. The required opacity in the 2-8 micron region is provided by iron and magnetite.

  17. Nanohybrids of magnetic iron-oxide particles in hydrophobic organoclays for oil recovery.

    PubMed

    Hsu, Ru-Siou; Chang, Wen-Hsin; Lin, Jiang-Jen

    2010-05-01

    Nanohybrids with magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) embedded in the multilayered silicate clay were synthesized by in situ Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) coprecipitation. The natural clay, sodium montmorillonite (Na(+)-MMT), was first modified with hydrophobic poly(oxypropylene)amine salts (POP at 2000 and 4000 g/mol M(w)). The two POP-intercalated organoclays, with a silicate interlayer expansion from 1.2 to 5.2 and 9.2 nm, respectively, are suitable for embedding FeNPs. The presence of POP organics in layered structure created the space for intercalating with FeNPs of 2-4 nm in diameter, observed by transmission electronic microscope. The synthesized nanohybrids of POP4000/MMT-FeNP was composed of 17% iron oxide and 51 wt % POP within the silicate basal spacing of 5.0 nm. In contrast, the lower molecular weight of POP2000 intercalated MMT failed to encapsulate FeNPs in a significant amount, but resulting a "crowding-out effect" that caused the silicate interlayer space to shrink from 5.2 to 1.8 nm because of the replacement of the POP salt by Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ions. The synthesis required the use of high molecular weight POP4000 and low temperatures (<4 degrees C) for a better dispersion in the reaction medium. The presence of POP in the layered silicate facilitated a homogeneous POP/MMT in water, associating with Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ions and spatially accommodating for the subsequently generated FeNPs. The synthesized nanostructure consisting of POP and FeNP could be used as a pollutant remedy because of its ability to adsorbing crude oil and it is maneuverable under an applied magnetism.

  18. Production of High Molecular Weight Organic Compounds on the Surfaces of Amorphous Iron Silicate Catalysts: Implications for Organic Synthesis in the Solar Nebula

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gilmour, I.; Hill, H. G. M.; Pearson, V. K.; Sephton, M. A.; Nuth, J. A., III

    2002-01-01

    The high molecular weight organic products of Fischer-Tropsch/Haber-Bosch syntheses on the surfaces of Fe-silicate catalysts have been studied by GCMS. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

  19. Mineral stimulation of subsurface microorganisms: release of limiting nutrients from silicates

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Roger, Jennifer Roberts; Bennett, Philip C.

    2004-01-01

    Microorganisms play an important role in the weathering of silicate minerals in many subsurface environments, but an unanswered question is whether the mineral plays an important role in the microbial ecology. Silicate minerals often contain nutrients necessary for microbial growth, but whether the microbial community benefits from their release during weathering is unclear. In this study, we used field and laboratory approaches to investigate microbial interactions with minerals and glasses containing beneficial nutrients and metals. Field experiments from a petroleum-contaminated aquifer, where silicate weathering is substantially accelerated in the contaminated zone, revealed that phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe)-bearing silicate glasses were preferentially colonized and weathered, while glasses without these elements were typically barren of colonizing microorganisms, corroborating previous studies using feldspars. In laboratory studies, we investigated microbial weathering of silicates and the release of nutrients using a model ligand-promoted pathway. A metal-chelating organic ligand 3,4 dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4 DHBA) was used as a source of chelated ferric iron, and a carbon source, to investigate mineral weathering rate and microbial metabolism.In the investigated aquifer, we hypothesize that microbes produce organic ligands to chelate metals, particularly Fe, for metabolic processes and also form stable complexes with Al and occasionally with Si. Further, the concentration of these ligands is apparently sufficient near an attached microorganism to destroy the silicate framework while releasing the nutrient of interest. In microcosms containing silicates and glasses with trace phosphate mineral inclusions, microbial biomass increased, indicating that the microbial community can use silicate-bound phosphate inclusions. The addition of a native microbial consortium to microcosms containing silicates or glasses with iron oxide inclusions correlated to accelerated weathering and release of Si into solution as well as the accelerated degradation of the model substrate 3,4 DHBA. We propose that silicate-bound P and Fe inclusions are bioavailable, and microorganisms may use organic ligands to dissolve the silicate matrix and access these otherwise limiting nutrients.

  20. Down- and up-conversion luminescent carbon dot fluid: inkjet printing and gel glass fabrication

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Fu; Xie, Zheng; Zhang, Bing; Liu, Yun; Yang, Wendong; Liu, Chun-Yan

    2014-03-01

    Room temperature liquid-like nanoparticles have emerged as an exciting new research and development area, because their properties could be tailored over a broad range by manipulating geometric and chemical characteristics of the inorganic core and organic canopy. However, related applications are rarely reported due to the multi-step synthesis process and potential toxicity of cadmium based nanomaterials. In this study, we prepared inexpensive and eco-friendly carbon dot fluid by the direct thermal decomposition method. The carbon dot fluid can be excited from UV to near infrared light, and can be prepared as highly concentrated luminescent ink or incorporated into sol-gel derived organically modified silicate glass, suggesting that it has great application potential in the field of printable electronics, solid state lighting and so on.Room temperature liquid-like nanoparticles have emerged as an exciting new research and development area, because their properties could be tailored over a broad range by manipulating geometric and chemical characteristics of the inorganic core and organic canopy. However, related applications are rarely reported due to the multi-step synthesis process and potential toxicity of cadmium based nanomaterials. In this study, we prepared inexpensive and eco-friendly carbon dot fluid by the direct thermal decomposition method. The carbon dot fluid can be excited from UV to near infrared light, and can be prepared as highly concentrated luminescent ink or incorporated into sol-gel derived organically modified silicate glass, suggesting that it has great application potential in the field of printable electronics, solid state lighting and so on. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Details of FTIR, XRD and DLS of CDF, optical properties of CDF, TEM images of other obtained products, luminescent spectra of CDF at different temperatures, and the optical photographs of CDF inks and silica glasses with different concentrations under normal, UV and 800 nm light. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr05869g

  1. Biochemical activity and chemical-structural properties of soil organic matter after 17 years of amendments with olive-mill pomace co-compost.

    PubMed

    Aranda, V; Macci, C; Peruzzi, E; Masciandaro, G

    2015-01-01

    This study evaluates soil fertility, biochemical activity and the soil's ability to stabilize organic matter after application of composted olive-mill pomace. This organic amendment was applied in two different olive groves in southern Spain having different soil typologies (carbonated and silicic). Olive grove soils after 17 years of organic management with application of olive-mill pomace co-compost were of higher quality than those with conventional management where no co-compost had been applied. The main chemical parameters studied (total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity, total extractable carbon (TEC), and humic-to-fulvic acids ratio), significantly increased in soils treated with the organic amendment. In particular, the more resistant pool of organic matter (TEC) enhanced by about six and eight fold in carbonated and silicic soils, respectively. Moreover, the amended silicic soils showed the most significant increases in enzyme activities linked to C and P cycles (β-glucosidase twenty-five fold higher and phosphatase seven fold higher). Organic management in both soils induced higher organic matter mineralization, as shown by the higher pyrrole/phenol index (increasing 40% and 150% in carbonated and silicic soils, respectively), and lower furfural/pyrrole index (decreasing 27% and 71% in carbonated and silicic soils, respectively). As a result of mineralization, organic matter incorporated was also more stable as suggested by the trend of the aliphatic/aromatic index (decreasing 36% and 30% in carbonated and silicic soils, respectively). Therefore, management system and soil type are key factors in increasing long-term C stability or sequestration in soils. Thus application of olive-oil extraction by-products to soils could lead to important mid-to -long-term agro-environmental benefits, and be a valuable alternative use for one of the most widespread polluting wastes in the Mediterranean region. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Water diffusion in silicate glasses: the effect of glass structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuroda, M.; Tachibana, S.

    2016-12-01

    Water diffusion in silicate melts (glasses) is one of the main controlling factors of magmatism in a volcanic system. Water diffusivity in silicate glasses depends on its own concentration. However, the mechanism causing those dependences has not been fully understood yet. In order to construct a general model for water diffusion in various silicate glasses, we performed water diffusion experiments in silica glass and proposed a new water diffusion model [Kuroda et al., 2015]. In the model, water diffusivity is controlled by the concentration of both main diffusion species (i.e. molecular water) and diffusion pathways, which are determined by the concentrations of hydroxyl groups and network modifier cations. The model well explains the water diffusivity in various silicate glasses from silica glass to basalt glass. However, pre-exponential factors of water diffusivity in various glasses show five orders of magnitude variations although the pre-exponential factor should ideally represent the jump frequency and the jump distance of molecular water and show a much smaller variation. Here, we attribute the large variation of pre-exponential factors to a glass structure dependence of activation energy for molecular water diffusion. It has been known that the activation energy depends on the water concentration [Nowak and Behrens, 1997]. The concentration of hydroxyls, which cut Si-O-Si network in the glass structure, increases with water concentration, resulting in lowering the activation energy for water diffusion probably due to more fragmented structure. Network modifier cations are likely to play the same role as water. With taking the effect of glass structure into account, we found that the variation of pre-exponential factors of water diffusivity in silicate glasses can be much smaller than the five orders of magnitude, implying that the diffusion of molecular water in silicate glasses is controlled by the same atomic process.

  3. Effect of Fe2O3 on the physical and structural properties of bismuth silicate glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Parmar, Rajesh; Kundu, R. S.; Punia, R.; Aghamkar, P.; Kishore, N.

    2013-06-01

    Iron containing bismuth silicate glasses with compositions 70SiO2ṡ(100-x)Bi2O3ṡxFe2O3 have been prepared using conventional melt-quenching method and their amorphous nature has been investigated using XRD. Density has been measured using Archimedes' principle and molar volume (Vm) have also been estimated. With increase in Fe2O3 content, there is a decrease in density and molar volume of the glass samples. The glass transition temperature (Tg) have been determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and are observed to increase with increase in Fe2O3 content. In the present glass system bismuth and iron plays the role of network modifier and the symmetry of silicate network goes on increasing with Fe2O3 content and it modifies the physical and structural properties of these glasses.

  4. Wind-Eroded Silicate as a Source of Hydrogen Peroxide on Mars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bak, E. N.; Merrison, J. P.; Jensen, S. K.; Nørnberg, P.; Finster, K.

    2014-07-01

    Laboratory simulations show that wind-eroded silicate can be a source of hydrogen peroxide. The ubiquitous, fine-grained silicate dust might thus explain the oxidizing properties of the martian soil and affect the preservation of organic compounds.

  5. New poly(butylene succinate)/layered silicate nanocomposites: preparation and mechanical properties.

    PubMed

    Ray, Suprakas Sinha; Okamoto, Kazuaki; Maiti, Pralay; Okamoto, Masami

    2002-04-01

    New poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/layered silicate nanocomposites have been successfully prepared by simple melt extrusion of PBS and octadecylammonium modified montmorillonite (C18-mmt) at 150 degrees C. The d-spacing of both C18-mmt and intercalated nanocomposites was investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis. Bright-field transmission electron microscopic study showed several stacked silicate layers with random orientation in the PBS matrix. The intercalated nanocomposites exhibited remarkable improvement of mechanical properties in both solid and melt states as compared with that of PBS matrix without clay.

  6. 76 FR 14055 - Notice of Inventory Completion: California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-03-15

    ... silicate core, 2 lots of debitage, 490 faunal bones, 2 flake tools, 61 tule mat impressions, 20 modified bones, 1 modified shell, 2 modified stones, 20 pieces of ochre, 14 ornaments, 3 pestles, 20 projectile..., 5 faunal bones, 1 flake tool, 1 modified bone, 1 quartz rock, 1 steatite ring, and 5 bone whistles...

  7. SILICATE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION'S SOLIDIFICATION/ STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGY FOR ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN SOILS - APPLICATIONS ANALYSIS REPORT

    EPA Science Inventory

    This Applications Analysis Report evaluates the solidification/stabilization treatment process of Silicate Technology Corporation (STC) for the on-site treatment of hazardous waste. The STC immobilization technology utilizes a proprietary product (FMS Silicate) to chemically stab...

  8. CHEMICAL STABILIZATION OF MIXED ORGANIC AND METAL COMPOUNDS - EPA SITE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION OF THE SILICATE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION PROCESS

    EPA Science Inventory

    In November 1990, the Silicate Technology Corporation`s (STC) proprietary process for treating soil contaminated with toxic semivolatile organic and inorganic contaminants was evaluated in a Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) field demonstration at the Selma Pressu...

  9. Sequential solvent extraction for forms of antimony in five selected coals

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Qi, C.; Liu, Gaisheng; Kong, Y.; Chou, C.-L.; Wang, R.

    2008-01-01

    Abundance of antimony in bulk samples has been determined in five selected coals, three coals from Huaibei Coalfield, Anhui, China, and two from the Illinois Basin in the United States. The Sb abundance in these samples is in the range of 0.11-0.43 ??g/g. The forms of Sb in coals were studied by sequential solvent extraction. The six forms of Sb are water soluble, ion changeable, organic matter bound, carbonate bound, silicate bound, and sulfide bound. Results of sequential extraction show that silicate-bound Sb is the most abundant form in these coals. Silicate- plus sulfide-bound Sb accounts for more than half of the total Sb in all coals. Bituminous coals are higher in organic matterbound Sb than anthracite and natural coke, indicating that the Sb in the organic matter may be incorporated into silicate and sulfide minerals during metamorphism. ?? 2008 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

  10. A Preliminary ToF-SIMS Assessment of Preservation Potential of Organic Biomarkers in Modern Siliceous Sinter and Core, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Guidry, S. A.; Chafetz, H. S.; Steele, A.; Toporski, J. K. W.

    2000-01-01

    Until recently, most biomarker work has focused on morphological body fossils. As a complement to this, three suites of siliceous precipitates were chosen for ToF-SIMS investigation in order to elucidate potential organic biomarkers.

  11. Relations between aliphatics and silicate components in 12 stratospheric particles deduced from vibrational spectroscopy

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

    Merouane, S.; Djouadi, Z.; Le Sergeant d'Hendecourt, L., E-mail: sihane.merouane@ias.u-psud.fr

    2014-01-10

    Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are among the most pristine extraterrestrial samples available in the laboratory for analyses with moderate to high spatial- and spectral-resolution spectroscopic techniques. Their composition can provide precious information on the early stages of the solar nebula as well as on the processes on the surfaces of different small bodies in the solar system from which IDPs originate. In this work, we have analyzed six anhydrous IDPs and six stratospheric particles possibly of cosmic origin through infrared (IR) and Raman micro-spectroscopy to study and investigate their silicate and organic components. We find that the length/ramification of themore » aliphatic organics given by the CH{sub 2}/CH{sub 3} ratios in the IDPs is closely linked to the silicate family (pyroxene or olivine) present in the samples. Both IR and Raman data suggest that this relation is not correlated with either aqueous (as evidenced by the absence of aqueous related minerals) or thermal processes (as deduced from Raman measurements). Therefore, this observation might be related to the initial path of formation of the organics on the silicate surfaces, thus tracing a possible catalytic role that silicates would play in the formation and/or ramification of organic matter in the primitive nebula.« less

  12. Hydrophobic Modification of Layered Clays and Compatibility for Epoxy Nanocomposites

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Jiang-Jen; Chan, Ying-Nan; Lan, Yi-Fen

    2010-01-01

    Recent studies on the intercalation and exfoliation of layered clays with polymeric intercalating agents involving poly(oxypropylene)-amines and the particular uses for epoxy nanocomposites are reviewed. For intercalation, counter-ionic exchange reactions of clays including cationic layered silicates and anionic Al-Mg layered double hydroxide (LDH) with polymeric organic ions afforded organoclays led to spatial interlayer expansion from 12 to 92 Å (X-ray diffraction) as well as hydrophobic property. The inorganic clays of layered structure could be modified by the poly(oxypropylene)amine-salts as the intercalating agents with molecular weights ranging from 230 to 5,000 g/mol. Furthermore, natural montmorillonite (MMT) clay could be exfoliated into thin layer silicate platelets (ca. 1 nm thickness) in one step by using polymeric types of exfoliating agents. Different lateral dimensions of MMT, synthetic fluorinated Mica and LDH clays had been cured into epoxy nanocomposites. The hydrophobic amine-salt modification resulting in high spacing of layered or exfoliation of individual clay platelets is the most important factor for gaining significant improvements of properties. In particular, these modified clays were reported to gain significant improvements such as reduced coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), enhanced thermal stability, and hardness. The utilization of these layered clays for initiating the epoxy self-polymerization was also reported to have a unique compatibility between clay and organic resin matrix. However, the matrix domain lacks of covalently bonded crosslink and leads to the isolation of powder material. It is generally concluded that the hydrophobic expansion of the clay inter-gallery spacing is the crucial step for enhancing the compatibility and the ultimate preparation of the advanced epoxy materials.

  13. Spectroscopic evidence for organic diacid complexation with dissolved silica in aqueous systems—I. Oxalic acid

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Marley, N.A.; Bennett, P.; Janecky, D.R.; Gaffney, J.S.

    1989-01-01

    Increased solubility of quartz and mobilization in contaminated groundwater due to the complexation with dissolved organic acids has been recently proposed [Bennett and Siegel, Nature326, 684–686 (1987)]. Using laser Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, we have examined mixed solutions of oxalic and silicic acids at near neutral pH in the tenth molar concentration ranges in an attempt to directly observe the proposed organo-silicate complexes.In both laser Raman and infrared spectra, product bands were observed that indicate an oxalate/silicic acid ester is being formed in the reaction. These data support the observation that organic diacids can lead to enhanced solubility of quartz in hydrogeological systems.

  14. Down- and up-conversion luminescent carbon dot fluid: inkjet printing and gel glass fabrication.

    PubMed

    Wang, Fu; Xie, Zheng; Zhang, Bing; Liu, Yun; Yang, Wendong; Liu, Chun-yan

    2014-04-07

    Room temperature liquid-like nanoparticles have emerged as an exciting new research and development area, because their properties could be tailored over a broad range by manipulating geometric and chemical characteristics of the inorganic core and organic canopy. However, related applications are rarely reported due to the multi-step synthesis process and potential toxicity of cadmium based nanomaterials. In this study, we prepared inexpensive and eco-friendly carbon dot fluid by the direct thermal decomposition method. The carbon dot fluid can be excited from UV to near infrared light, and can be prepared as highly concentrated luminescent ink or incorporated into sol-gel derived organically modified silicate glass, suggesting that it has great application potential in the field of printable electronics, solid state lighting and so on.

  15. The importance of the Maillard-metal complexes and their silicates in astrobiology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liesch, Patrick J.; Kolb, Vera M.

    2007-09-01

    The Maillard reaction occurs when sugars and amino acids are mixed together in the solid state or in the aqueous solution. Since both amino acids and sugar-like compounds are found on meteorites, we hypothesized that they would also undergo the Maillard reaction. Our recent work supports this idea. We have shown previously that the water-insoluble Maillard products have substantial similarities with the insoluble organic materials from the meteorites. The Maillard organic materials are also part of the desert varnish on Earth, which is a dark, shiny, hard rock coating that contains iron and manganese and is glazed in silicate. Rocks that are similar in appearance to the desert varnish have been observed on the Martian surface. They may also contain the organic materials. We have undertaken study of the interactions between the Maillard products, iron and other metals, and silicates, to elucidate the role of the Maillard products in the chemistry of desert varnish and meteorites. Specifically, we have synthesized a series of the Maillard-metal complexes, and have tested their reactivity towards silicates. We have studied the properties of these Maillard-metal-silicate products by the IR spectroscopy. The astrobiological potential of the Maillard-metal complexes is assessed.

  16. Mountain ranges, climate and weathering. Do orogens strengthen or weaken the silicate weathering carbon sink?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maffre, Pierre; Ladant, Jean-Baptiste; Moquet, Jean-Sébastien; Carretier, Sébastien; Labat, David; Goddéris, Yves

    2018-07-01

    The role of mountains in the geological evolution of the carbon cycle has been intensively debated for the last decades. Mountains are thought to increase the local physical erosion, which in turns promotes silicate weathering, organic carbon transport and burial, and release of sulfuric acid by dissolution of sulfides. In this contribution, we explore the impact of mountain ranges on silicate weathering. Mountains modify the global pattern of atmospheric circulation as well as the local erosion conditions. Using an IPCC-class climate model, we first estimate the climatic impact of mountains by comparing the present day climate with the climate when all the continents are assumed to be flat. We then use these climate output to calculate weathering changes when mountains are present or absent, using standard expression for physical erosion and a 1D vertical model for rock weathering. We found that large-scale climate changes and enhanced rock supply by erosion due to mountain uplift have opposite effect, with similar orders of magnitude. A thorough testing of the weathering model parameters by data-model comparison shows that best-fit parameterizations lead to a decrease of weathering rate in the absence of mountain by about 20%. However, we demonstrate that solutions predicting an increase in weathering in the absence of mountain cannot be excluded. A clear discrimination between the solutions predicting an increase or a decrease in global weathering is pending on the improvement of the existing global databases for silicate weathering. Nevertheless, imposing a constant and homogeneous erosion rate for models without relief, we found that weathering decrease becomes unequivocal for very low erosion rates (below 10 t/km2/yr). We conclude that further monitoring of continental silicate weathering should be performed with a spatial distribution allowing to discriminate between the various continental landscapes (mountains, plains …).

  17. Influence of Chemical Conditions on the Nanoporous Structure of Silicate Aerogels

    PubMed Central

    Sinkó, Katalin

    2010-01-01

    Silica or various silicate aerogels can be characterized by highly porous, open cell, low density structures. The synthesis parameters influence the three-dimensional porous structures by modifying the kinetics and mechanism of hydrolysis and condensation processes. Numerous investigations have shown that the structure of porous materials can be tailored by variations in synthesis conditions (e.g., the type of precursors, catalyst, and surfactants; the ratio of water/precursor; the concentrations; the medium pH; and the solvent). The objectives of this review are to summarize and elucidate the effects of chemical conditions on the nanoporous structure of sol-gel derived silicate aerogels.

  18. Microbial Variants from Iron Ore Slimes: Mineral Specificity and pH Tolerance.

    PubMed

    Abhilash; Ghosh, A; Pandey, B D; Sarkar, S

    2015-12-01

    This paper describes the isolation of the native bacterial strains from the iron ore mines slime pond and its extremophilic characteristics. The two microbial isolates designated as CNIOS-1 and CNIOS-2 were grown in selective silicate broth at pH 7.0 and the organisms were tested for their selective adhesion on silicate and alumina minerals. The silicate bacteria with their exopolymers are very potent to grow over aluminosilicates. It was established that CNIOS-1 grew preferentially in the presence of silicate mineral compared to CNIOS-2 which grew in the presence of alumina. The organisms were tested for growth at various pH and trials were carried to define their efficacy for eventual applications to remove gangue minerals of silica and alumina from the raw material.

  19. High temperature calorimetric studies of heat of solution of NiO, CuO, La2O3, TiO2, HfO2 in sodium silicate liquids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Linard, Yannick; Wilding, Martin C.; Navrotsky, Alexandra

    2008-01-01

    The enthalpies of solution of La2O3, TiO2, HfO2, NiO and CuO were measured in sodium silicate melts at high temperature. When the heat of fusion was available, we derived the corresponding liquid-liquid enthalpies of mixing. These data, combined with previously published work, provide insight into the speciation reactions in sodium silicate melts. The heat of solution of La2O3 in these silicate solvents is strongly exothermic and varies little with La2O3 concentration. The variation of heat of solution with composition of the liquid reflects the ability of La(III) to perturb the transient silicate framework and compete with other cations for oxygen. The enthalpy of solution of TiO2 is temperature-dependent and indicates that the formation of Na-O-Si species is favored over Na-O-Ti at low temperature. The speciation reactions can be interpreted in terms of recent spectroscopic studies of titanium-bearing melts which identify a dual role of Ti4+ as both a network-former end network-modifier. The heats of solution of oxides of transition elements (Ni and Cu) are endothermic, concentration-dependent and reach a maximum with concentration. These indicate a charge balanced substitution which diminishes the network modifying role of Na+ by addition of Ni2+ or Cu2+. The transition metal is believed to be in tetrahedral coordination, charge balanced by the sodium cation in the melts.

  20. Global perspectives on oxidative weathering of organic carbon in sedimentary rocks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dellinger, M.; Hilton, R. G.; West, A. J.; Horan, K.; Gaillardet, J.

    2016-12-01

    Over geological timescales, the oxidation of organic carbon in sedimentary rocks is major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. The global magnitude of this flux remains poorly constrained, but it is likely to be between 40-100 x 1012 g C yr-1, similar to the CO2 emissions from volcanism. The rates of CO2 emission ultimately set the rate of silicate weathering by carbonic acid and new organic carbon burial, which act together to stabilise the climate system. To constrain how the geological carbon cycle operates and modifies Earth's climate over millions of years, we must better understand the controls on the oxidation of sedimentary rock-derived organic carbon (`petrogenic' OC, OCpetro). Here we examine new and published constraints on OCpetro oxidation flux, which come from indirect measurements (e.g. trace element proxies such as rhenium) and direct measurements (e.g. CO2 trapping and 14C). Existing datasets track the gaseous and dissolved products of weathering as well as the solid residues over a range of spatial scales, from soil profiles to large river catchments. Although the datasets are still sparse, they indicate that physical denudation plays a major role in setting OCpetro oxidation flux. These measurements are interrogated in the framework of a catchment-scale numerical model of OCpetro oxidation. By harnessing approaches developed to examine and quantify acid-hydrolysis reactions (i.e. silicate mineral weathering by carbonic acid) the model considers realistic geochemical processes and the links between erosion and weathering. Key parameters emerge, such as the `weathering thickness' which describes a depth to which oxidative waters penetrate. The reaction kinetics of OCpetro remain poorly constrained, but nevertheless, the model predicts that the kinetic limitation of OCpetro oxidation is not reached until physical erosion rates exceed 2 mm yr-1, which is much higher than for CO2 consumption by silicate weathering. These findings mirror data on sulphide oxidation, demonstrating that physical erosion can drive an important CO2 release to the atmosphere both from inorganic and organic reduced phases in sedimentary rocks. The degree to which this release is compensated by CO2 drawdown associated with the erosion and transfer of biospheric OC will also be considered.

  1. Physical characteristics, antimicrobial and odontogenesis potentials of calcium silicate cement containing hinokitiol.

    PubMed

    Huang, Ming-Hsien; Shen, Yu-Fang; Hsu, Tuan-Ti; Huang, Tsui-Hsien; Shie, Ming-You

    2016-08-01

    Hinokitiol is a natural material and it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the material characterization, cell viability, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities of the hinokitiol-modified calcium silicate (CS) cement as a root end filling material. The setting times, diametral tensile strength (DTS) values and XRD patterns of CS cements with 0-10mM hinokitiol were examined. Then, the antibacterial effect and the expression levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) of the hinokitiol-modified CS cements were evaluated. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility, the expression levels of the markers of odontoblastic differentiation, mineralized nodule formation and calcium deposition of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) cultured on hinokitiol-modified CS cements were determined. The hinokitiol-modified CS cements had better antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities and cytocompatibility than non-modified CS cements. Otherwise, the hinokitiol-modified CS cements had suitable setting times and better odontoblastic potential of hDPCs. Previous report pointed out that the root-end filling materials may induce inflammatory cytokines reaction. In our study, hinokitiol-modified CS cements not only inhibited the expression level of inflammatory cytokines, but also had better cytocompatibility, antimicrobial properties and active ability of odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs. Therefore, the hinokitiol-modified CS cement may be a potential root end filling material for clinic. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Synthesis of Non-Toxic Silica Particles Stabilized by Molecular Complex Oleic-Acid/Sodium Oleate

    PubMed Central

    Spataru, Catalin Ilie; Ianchis, Raluca; Petcu, Cristian; Nistor, Cristina Lavinia; Purcar, Violeta; Trica, Bogdan; Nitu, Sabina Georgiana; Somoghi, Raluca; Alexandrescu, Elvira; Oancea, Florin; Donescu, Dan

    2016-01-01

    The present work is focused on the preparation of biocompatible silica particles from sodium silicate, stabilized by a vesicular system containing oleic acid (OLA) and its alkaline salt (OLANa). Silica nanoparticles were generated by the partial neutralization of oleic acid (OLA), with the sodium cation present in the aqueous solutions of sodium silicate. At the molar ratio OLA/Na+ = 2:1, the molar ratio (OLA/OLANa = 1:1) required to form vesicles, in which the carboxyl and carboxylate groups have equal concentrations, was achieved. In order to obtain hydrophobically modified silica particles, octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODTES) was added in a sodium silicate sol–gel mixture at different molar ratios. The interactions between the octadecyl groups from the modified silica and the oleyl chains from the OLA/OLANa stabilizing system were investigated via simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (TG-DSC) analyses.A significant decrease in vaporization enthalpy and an increase in amount of ODTES were observed. Additionally, that the hydrophobic interaction between OLA and ODTES has a strong impact on the hybrids’ final morphology and on their textural characteristics was revealed. The highest hydrodynamic average diameter and the most negative ζ potential were recorded for the hybrid in which the ODTES/sodium silicate molar ratio was 1:5. The obtained mesoporous silica particles, stabilized by the OLA/OLANa vesicular system, may find application as carriers for hydrophobic bioactive molecules. PMID:27869768

  3. Synthesis, photophysical properties and application of dye doped water soluble silica-based nanoparticles to label bacteria E. coli O157:H7

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tan Pham, Minh; Van Nguyen, Thi; Thi, Thuy Duong Vu; Nghiem Thi, Ha Lien; Thuan Tong, Kim; Thuy Tran, Thanh; Chu, Viet Ha; Brochon, Jean-Claude; Nhung Tran, Hong

    2012-12-01

    Organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with rhodamine 6G and rhodamine B (RB) dyes were synthesized by Stöber method from methyltriethoxysilane CH3Si(OCH3)3 precursor (MTEOS). The NPs are surface functionalized by cationic amino groups. The optical characterization of dye-doped ORMOSIL NPs was studied in comparison with that of free dye in solution. The synthesized NPs were used for labeling bacteria E. coli O157:H7. The number of bacteria have been counted using the fluorescent spectra and microscope images of labeled bacteria. The results show the ability of NPs to work as biomarkers.

  4. Linear polarization of light scattered by cometary analogs: New samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hadamcik, E.; Renard, J.; Buch, A.; Carrasco, N.; Johnson, N.; Nuth, J.

    2014-07-01

    Mixtures of silicates (Mg and Fe) with carbonaceous compounds (carbon and/or organics) are currently proposed as cometary analogs. The particles are fluffy aggregates of submicron-sized constituent grains and compact grains (tens of micrometers), similar to those captured in the Earth's stratosphere (interplanetary dust particles or IDPs) and deduced from the Stardust results. They are lifted or in microgravity or levitated by an air-draught. The light source is unpolarized. The linear polarization of the scattered light floating in the beam is studied as a function of the phase angle. In previous experiments with the PROGRA2 instrument (Hadamcik et al., 2011), the general shape of the cometary polarimetric phase curves is reproduced with a shallow negative branch and a more developed positive branch (maximum polarization around 20--30 %) depending on the size distributions of the particles (compact and/or aggregates) and their constituent grains. To observe the increase of polarization with wavelength, the organic materials were necessary. When fluffy aggregates (silicates and carbon black mixtures) and compact silicate grains of tens of micrometers are present, the whole cometary coma polarization phase curve is well fitted by the phase curves obtained. The maximum polarization value decreases when the ratio of compact silicates to fluffy aggregates increases. The observed differences in polarization between different coma regions may be also simulated. When only fluffy aggregates are used, the maximum polarization corresponds to the polarization in jets of 'high polarization' active comets (Hadamcik and Levasseur-Regourd, 2003). A high polarization region may exist in some 'low polarization' comets, with large slowly moving particles; using the experimental results, we suggest the presence of dark relatively compact particles larger than 20 micrometers (Hadamcik et al., 2007; 2011). When not hidden by jets, a polarimetric halo is sometimes observed in the inner coma. The negative branch can be as deep as -6% and the positive branch is smaller as compared to the whole coma (Hadamcik et al., 2003). Zubko et al. (2012) have proposed an increased fraction of silicates. From the experiments, we suggest some carbonaceous compounds with refractive indices close to those of silicates (relatively transparent). This material, if heated by the Sun after ejection, should be darker as observed when these materials are heated to 200--300°C. We are working on new analogs with mixtures of silicates and organics (not only carbon), silicates coated by organics (Johnson et al., 2004), or organics heated or not and with different elemental compositions (N/C ratios).

  5. Organosilane self-assembled layers (SAMs) and hybrid silicate magnesium-rich primers for the corrosion protection of aluminum alloy 2024 T3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Duhua

    Although current chromate coatings function very well in corrosion protection for aircraft alloys, such as aluminum alloy 2024 T3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to totally ban the use of chromates as coating materials in the next decade or so because of their extremely toxic effect. For this purpose, both self-assembled layers and silicate magnesium-rich primers were tested to provide the corrosion protection for aluminum alloy. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a coating system to replace the current chromate coating for aircraft corrosion protection. Aluminum alloy 2024 T3 substrates were modified with self-assembled monolayer or multilayer thin films from different alkylsilane compounds. Mono-functional silanes, such as octadecyltrichlorosilane (C18SiCl3), can form a mixed hydrophobic monolayer or multilayer thin film on the aluminum oxide surface to provide a barrier to water and other electrolytes, so the corrosion resistance of the SAMs modified surface was increased significantly. On the other hand, the bi-functional silane self-assembly could attach the aluminum surface through the silicon headgroup while using its functional tailgroup to chemically bond the polymer coating, thus improving the adhesion between the aluminum substrate and coating substantially, and seems to contribute more to corrosion protection of aluminum substrate. Organosilanes were also combined with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in propel ratios to form a sol-gel binder to make silicate magnesium-rich primers. Analogue to the inorganic zinc-rich coatings, the silicate magnesium-rich primers also showed excellent adhesion and solvent resistance. The sacrificial magnesium pigments and the chemically inert silicate binder both contribute to the anti-corrosion properties. Future studies will be focused on the formula optimization for better toughness, chemical resistance and anticorrosion performance.

  6. Using MELTS to understand the evolution of silicic magmas: Challenges and successes in modeling the Highland Range Volcanic Sequence (NV)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vaum, R. C.; Gualda, G. A.; Ghiorso, M. S.; Miller, C. F.; Colombini, L. L.

    2009-12-01

    The Highland Range near Searchlight, Nevada is comprised of mid-Miocene, intermediate to silicic volcanic rocks. This study focuses on the most silicic portion of the eruptive sequence (16.0-16.5 Ma). The first eruptions during this interval were effusive and produced trachydacite (66-70 wt% SiO2), but later the eruptive style shifted to explosive and compositions were more evolved (70-78 wt% SiO2). Glass compositions in rocks saturated in both quartz and sanidine align along the 150 MPa quartz+sanidine saturation surface, suggesting that the Highland Range magmas equilibrated in a single reservoir at that pressure. We are interested in better understanding this transition in eruptive style from effusive to eruptive, and our approach is based on modeling melt evolution using MELTS thermodynamic modeling software. We selected representative samples from key stratigraphic units, and focused on samples for which whole-rock and glass compositions, as well as mineral abundances, are available. This allows for direct comparison of simulation results with existing data. Initial simulations showed that MELTS predicts unrealistic paths of evolution when compared to the glass compositions and to the phase relations in the Qz-Ab-Or ternary. In particular, the stability field of quartz predicted by MELTS is much too small, causing melts to become exceedingly silicic (>80 wt% SiO2). Sanidine, on the other hand, has fairly sodic compositions and crystallizes too early in the sequence; therefore, simulated melt compositions are never as potassic as the analyzed glasses. Similar results are obtained when modeling the evolution of the Bishop and Campanian magmas, showing that these are systematic problems in MELTS calibration. Accordingly, we have adjusted the enthalpy of quartz and potassium end-member of the feldspar solid solution in MELTS so that the quartz-sanidine saturation surface is correctly predicted. We find that this modified version of MELTS much better models the evolution of silicic magmas. Sanidine begins to crystallize at lower temperatures, causing evolved melts to become significantly more potassic. Also, MELTS prediction of quartz saturation is in agreement with the position of the experimentally determined 150 MPa quartz+sanidine saturation surface. Importantly, the melt evolution that this modified version of MELTS predicts is very consistent with whole-rock data, glass chemistry, and mineral abundances in samples from the Highland Range. Simulations using the modified version of MELTS show that it works remarkably well, at least for relatively low degrees of crystallization. But a more reliable model to simulate the evolution of silicic magmas is necessary to more properly simulate the evolution of silicic systems, in particular at high degrees of crystallinity. We are currently working to create gMELTS, an associated solution model of the haplogranitic system, which, once completed, will be optimized to simulate the evolution of silicic systems.

  7. Photo- and electroluminescence of sulfide and silicate phosphors embedded in synthetic opal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaplan, S. F.; Kartenko, N. F.; Kurdyukov, D. A.; Medvedev, A. V.; Badalyan, A. G.; Golubev, V. G.

    2007-02-01

    The sulfide (ZnS:Mn, Zn xCd 1 -xS:Mn, Zn xCd 1- xS:Ag) and silicate (Zn 2SiO 4:Mn) phosphors were synthesized directly inside the pores of synthetic opal by chemical bath deposition. These composites are perfect three-dimensional photonic crystals, which produce effective photo- and electroluminescence at room temperature. The emission spectra are considerably modified by the photonic crystal structure to become anisotropic in accordance with the photonic band gap angular dispersion.

  8. Alkali Silicate Vehicle Forms Durable, Fireproof Paint

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schutt, John B.; Seindenberg, Benjamin

    1964-01-01

    The problem: To develop a paint for use on satellites or space vehicles that exhibits high resistance to cracking, peeling, or flaking when subjected to a wide range of temperatures. Organic coatings will partially meet the required specifications but have the inherent disadvantage of combustibility. Alkali-silicate binders, used in some industrial coatings and adhesives, show evidence of forming a fireproof paint, but the problem of high surface-tension, a characteristic of alkali silicates, has not been resolved. The solution: Use of a suitable non-ionic wetting agent combined with a paint incorporating alkali silicate as the binder.

  9. The viscosity of magmatic silicate liquids: A model for calculation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bottinga, Y.; Weill, D. F.

    1971-01-01

    A simple model has been designed to allow reasonably accurate calculations of viscosity as a function of temperature and composition. The problem of predicting viscosities of anhydrous silicate liquids has been investigated since such viscosity numbers are applicable to many extrusive melts and to nearly dry magmatic liquids in general. The fluidizing action of water dissolved in silicate melts is well recognized and it is now possible to predict the effect of water content on viscosity in a semiquantitative way. Water was not incorporated directly into the model. Viscosities of anhydrous compositions were calculated, and, where necessary, the effect of added water and estimated. The model can be easily modified to incorporate the effect of water whenever sufficient additional data are accumulated.

  10. Characterization of Solids Deposited on the Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Unit (MCU) Strip Effluent (SE) Coalescer Media Removed in April 2015

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

    Fondeur, F. F.

    On June 2015, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) received a Strip Effluent (SE) coalescer (FLT-304) from MCU. That coalescer was first installed at MCU in late October 2014 and removed in April 2015. While processing approximately 48,700 gallons of strip solution, the pressure drop steadily increased linearly from 1 psi to near 16 psi (the administrative limit is 17 psi) with the total filtrate volume (2.1E-4 psi/gal of filtrate). The linear behavior is due to the combined effect of a constant deposition of material that starts from the closed-end to the mid-section of the coalescer reducing the available surface areamore » of the coalescer for fluid passage (linearly with filtrate volume) and the formation of a secondary emulsion (water in NG-CSSX) on the fibers of the coalescer media. Both effects reduced the coalescer porosity by at least 13% (after processing 48,700 gallons). Before the coalescer was removed, it was flushed with a 10 mM boric acid solution to reduce the dose level. To determine the nature of the deposited material, a physical and chemical analysis of the coalescer was conducted. Characterization of this coalescer revealed the adsorption of organic containing amines (secondary amides and primary amines), TiDG, degraded modifier (with no hydroxyl group), MaxCalix, and oxidized hydrocarbon (possibly from Isopar™L or from lubricant used at MCU) onto the coalescer media. The amide and amines are possibly from the decomposition of the suppressor (TiDG). The modifier and MaxCalix were the largest components of the deposited organic material, as determined from leaching the coalescer with dichloromethane. Both the Fourier-Transformed Infrared (FTIR) and Fourier-Transformed Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FT-HNMR) results indicated that some of the modifier was degraded (missing their OH groups). The modifier was observed everywhere in the examined coalescer pieces (FTIR), while the TiDG and its decomposition products were observed at the entrance discs of the coalescer. A solvent trim (a cocktail of solvent components with a high concentration of modifier) was added to the solvent on 2/22/2015. It is believed that the trim did not mix completely with the solvent and that it was subsequently spread around the MCU components including the coalescers, where it may have deposited. Chronologically, the modifier, the TiDG’s decomposition products and silicates deposited on the entrance discs first and after the pressure drop increased significantly, parts of the coalescer media detached itself from the central porous steel mandrel and a significant amount of steel debris, mercury, titanium, and additional aluminum and silicates deposited on the coalescer.« less

  11. Evaluating specificity of sequential extraction for chemical forms of lead in artificially-contaminated and field-contaminated soils.

    PubMed

    Tai, Yiping; McBride, Murray B; Li, Zhian

    2013-03-30

    In the present study, we evaluated a commonly employed modified Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR test) 3-step sequential extraction procedure for its ability to distinguish forms of solid-phase Pb in soils with different sources and histories of contamination. When the modified BCR test was applied to mineral soils spiked with three forms of Pb (pyromorphite, hydrocerussite and nitrate salt), the added Pb was highly susceptible to dissolution in the operationally-defined "reducible" or "oxide" fraction regardless of form. When three different materials (mineral soil, organic soil and goethite) were spiked with soluble Pb nitrate, the BCR sequential extraction profiles revealed that soil organic matter was capable of retaining Pb in more stable and acid-resistant forms than silicate clay minerals or goethite. However, the BCR sequential extraction for field-collected soils with known and different sources of Pb contamination was not sufficiently discriminatory in the dissolution of soil Pb phases to allow soil Pb forms to be "fingerprinted" by this method. It is concluded that standard sequential extraction procedures are probably not very useful in predicting lability and bioavailability of Pb in contaminated soils. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Ultraviolet interstellar linear polarization. I - Applicability of current dust grain models

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wolff, Michael J.; Clayton, Geoffrey C.; Meade, Marilyn R.

    1993-01-01

    UV spectropolarimetric observations yielding data on the wavelength-dependence of interstellar polarization along eight lines of sight facilitate the evaluation of dust grain models previously used to fit the extinction and polarization in the visible and IR. These models pertain to bare silicate/graphite grains, silicate cores with organic refractory mantles, silicate cores with amorphous carbon mantles, and composite grains. The eight lines-of-sight show three different interstellar polarization dependences.

  13. Rhenium Concentration Variations in the Non-flood Period of the Yangtze River Water and Estimation of the Oxidation Rate of Organic Carbon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, P.; Chen, Y.; Li, S.; Wang, K.

    2017-12-01

    In geological history, the uplift of the Tibet plateau has accelerated the silicate weathering and organic carbon burial at the same time, which made great influence on the global carbon cycle by increasing the carbon sink. Because of the vital connection between tectonic uplift and carbon cycle, more and more attention was casted on rivers originating from orogens. The Yangtze River, as an important large river in the world, is one of them. However, although silicate weathering has been studied thoroughly, researches on organic carbon cycle are much less, and oxidation of fossil organic carbon remained poorly constrained. In this study, we try to use rhenium(Re) as a proxy to estimate the oxidation rate of fossil organic carbon and thus proceed our understanding towards the carbon cycle, the silicate weathering. This is because Re has a close relationship with organic carbon in the sediments and will be released into hydrological network in the mountain river catchments by being oxidized and exist as soluble ReO4-, so that we can use Re concentration in river water to estimate the oxidation rate of organic carbon. We collected water samples from the Yangtze River fortnightly at Banqiao Ferry and the sampling date cover the non-flood period. In this way, we are able to have a rough estimate of the amount of carbon dioxide that released to the atmosphere by the oxidation of organic carbon, using the data of non-flood period we got. We found that Re concentration in Yangtze River ranges approximately from 45 to 85 pmol/L. The rate of organic carbon weathering is estimated using the expression, ΦCO2,fossil=[Re]×runoff×[OC/Re]rock, and according to researches on the black shale of Yangtze River, the value 2.86×106 is chosen as the ratio OC(organic carbon) to Re in the black shale. The result is a really high flux, up to 152×109mol/y, just a little less than of the CO2 consumption rates from silicate weathering which is 191×109mol/y and about 166×109mol/y in non-flood period. Our result indicates that in the Yangtze Basin, oxidation of fossil organic carbon can very likely offset the carbon dioxide that removed by silicate weathering.

  14. Immobilized lipase from Candida sp. 99-125 on hydrophobic silicate: characterization and applications.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Bin; Liu, Xinlong; Jiang, Yanjun; Zhou, Liya; He, Ying; Gao, Jing

    2014-08-01

    Lipase Candida sp. 99-125 has been proved to be quite effective in catalyzing organic synthesis reactions and is much cheaper than commercial lipases. Mesoporous silicates are attractive materials for the immobilization of enzymes due to their unique structures. The present research designed a hydrophobic silicate with uniform pore size suitable for the comfort of lipase Candida sp. 99-125 for improving its activity and stability. The resulting immobilized lipase (LP@PMO) by adsorption was employed to catalyze hydrolysis, esterification, and transesterification reactions, and the performances were compared with the lipase immobilized on hydrophilic silicate (LP@PMS) and native lipase. The LP@PMO showed as high activity as that of native lipase in hydrolysis and much increased catalytic activity and reusability in the reactions for biodiesel production. Besides, LP@PMO also possessed better organic stability. Such results demonstrate that immobilization of lipase onto hydrophobic supports is a promising strategy to fabricate highly active and stable biocatalysts for applications.

  15. Biological and Organic Chemical Decomposition of Silicates. Chapter 7.2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Silverman, M. P.

    1979-01-01

    The weathering of silicate rocks and minerals, an important concern of geologists and geochemists for many years, traditionally has been approached from strictly physical and chemical points of view. Biological effects were either unrecognized, ignored, or were mentioned in passing to account for such phenomena as the accumulation of organic matter in sediments or the generation of reducing environments. A major exception occurred in soil science where agricultural scientists, studying the factors important in the development of soils and their ability to nourish and sustain various crops, laid the foundation for much of what is known of the biological breakdown of silicate rocks and minerals. The advent of the space age accelerated the realization that many environmental problems and geo- chemical processes on Earth can only be understood in terms of ecosystems. This in turn, spurred renewed interest and activity among modem biologists, geologists and soil scientists attempting to unravel the intimate relations between biology and the weathering of silicate rocks and minerals of the earth surface.

  16. Biological and Organic Chemical Decomposition of Silicates. Chapter 7.2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sliverman, M. P.

    1979-01-01

    The weathering of silicate rocks and minerals, an important concern of geologists and geochemists for many years, traditionally has been approached from strictly physical and chemical points of view. Biological effects were either unrecognized, ignored, or were mentioned in passing to account for such phenomena as the accumulation of organic matter in sediments or the generation of reducing environments. A major exception occurred in soil science where agricultural scientists, studying the factors important in the development of soils and their ability to nourish and sustain various crops, laid the foundation for much of what is known of the biological breakdown of silicate rocks and minerals. The advent of the space age accelerated the realization that many environmental problems and geochemical processes on Earth can only be understood in terms of ecosystems. This in turn, spurred renewed interest and activity among modem biologists, geologists and soil scientists attempting to unravel the intimate relations between biology and the weathering of silicate rocks and minerals of the earth's surface.

  17. Non-conductive nanomaterial enhanced electrochemical response in stripping voltammetry: The use of nanostructured magnesium silicate hollow spheres for heavy metal ions detection.

    PubMed

    Xu, Ren-Xia; Yu, Xin-Yao; Gao, Chao; Jiang, Yu-Jing; Han, Dong-Dong; Liu, Jin-Huai; Huang, Xing-Jiu

    2013-08-06

    Nanostructured magnesium silicate hollow spheres, one kind of non-conductive nanomaterials, were used in heavy metal ions (HMIs) detection with enhanced performance for the first time. The detailed study of the enhancing electrochemical response in stripping voltammetry for simultaneous detection of ultratrace Cd(2+), Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) was described. Electrochemical properties of modified electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The operational parameters which have influence on the deposition and stripping of metal ions, such as supporting electrolytes, pH value, and deposition time were carefully studied. The anodic stripping voltammetric performance toward HMIs was evaluated using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) analysis. The detection limits achieved (0.186nM, 0.247nM, 0.169nM and 0.375nM for Cd(2+), Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Hg(2+)) are much lower than the guideline values in drinking water given by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, the interference and stability of the modified electrode were also investigated under the optimized conditions. An interesting phenomenon of mutual interference between different metal ions was observed. Most importantly, the sensitivity of Pb(2+) increased in the presence of certain concentrations of other metal ions, such as Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) both individually and simultaneously. The proposed electrochemical sensing method is thus expected to open new opportunities to broaden the use of SWASV in analysis for detecting HMIs in the environment. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Natural Rubber/Dendrimer Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Mechanical and Flame-Retardant Properties

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Chenyang; Wang, Jincheng

    2017-01-01

    A series of flame-retardant nanocomposites were established based on compounding of natural rubber (NR) and dendrimer modified flame-retardant organic montmorillonite (FR-DOMt). The merits of these nanocomposites were focused on their better mechanical and flame-retardant properties. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) together with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that exfoliation, intercalation, or aggregation status in the NRmatrix can be achieved by addition of different amounts of FR-DOMt. The sound effects of blend ratio of FR-DOMt on mechanical, thermal stability, and flame-retardant (FR) properties of NR were studied. The NR/FR-DOMt-20 composite possessed the highest tensile strength, and this resulted from complicated interactions between layered silicates and elastomers. In addition, with loading of 20 phr of FR-DOMt, the flammability parameters of NR, such as heat release rate (HRR), smoke evolution area (SEA), and carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, were obviously reduced from cone calorimeter analysis. PMID:29283385

  19. Composites of cationic nanofibrillated cellulose and layered silicates: water vapor barrier and mechanical properties.

    PubMed

    Ho, Thao T T; Zimmermann, Tanja; Ohr, Steffen; Caseri, Walter R

    2012-09-26

    Composites of trimethylammonium-modified nanofibrillated cellulose and layered silicates (TMA-NFC/LS) were prepared by high-shear homogenization followed by pressure filtration and vacuum hot-pressing, which gave rise to particularly homogeneous dispersion of the silicate particles. Thirteen different clays and micas were employed. Water vapor barrier and mechanical properties (tensile strength, E-modulus, strain at break) of the composite films were investigated, considering the effects of layered silicate types and their concentration (in the range of 0 to 85 wt %). Good interactions between TMA-NFC and LS were obtained due to electrostatic attraction between cationic fibrils and anionic silicate layers, and even favored by high-shear homogenization process. Furthermore, oriented TMA-NFC/LS composite structure was achieved. Layered silicates exerted a pronounced influence on the water vapor barrier and mechanical properties; however, there was no common trend reflecting their types. The transport of water molecules through TMA-NFC/LS composites was studied considering both diffusion and adsorption mechanisms. As a result, diffusion pathways were proposed based on two new and one well-known models: the "native network", "covered fiber composite", and "fiber-brick composite" models. Importantly, it was found that the insertion of layered silicate particles did not improve automatically the barrier properties as indicated by the commonly used "fiber-brick composite" model. Mica R120 at a 50 wt % loading in composites with TMA-NFC matrix showed 30-fold improved water vapor permeability and 5-fold higher E-modulus compared to commercially used base paper.

  20. Effect of type and content of modified montmorillonite on the structure and properties of bio-nanocomposite films based on soy protein isolate and montmorillonite

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The non-biodegradable and non-renewable nature of plastic packaging has led to a renewed interest in packaging materials based on bio-nanocomposites (biopolymer matrix reinforced with nanoparticles such as layered silicates). Bio-nanocomposite films based on soy protein isolate (SPI) and modified mo...

  1. Sequential solvent extraction for the modes of occurrence of selenium in coals of different ranks from the Huaibei Coalfield, China

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Zhang, Y.; Liu, Gaisheng; Chou, C.-L.; Wang, L.; Kang, Y.

    2007-01-01

    Forms of selenium in bituminous coal, anthracite, and cokeite (natural coke) from Huaibei Coalfield, Anhui, China, have been determined by sequential solvent extraction. The selenium content in bulk samples is 4.0, 2.4, and 2.0 ??g/g in bituminous coal, anthracite, and cokeite, respectively. The six forms of selenium determined by six-step solvent extraction are water-leachable, ion-exchangeable, organic matter-associated, carbonate-associated, silicate-associated, and sulfide-associated. The predominant forms of selenium in bituminous coal are organic matter-associated (39.0%), sulfide-associated (21.1%), and silicate bound (31.8%); these three forms account for 92% of the total. The organic matter bound-selenium decrease dramatically from bituminous coal (39.0%) to anthracite (11.6%) and to cokeite (0%), indicating that organic matter bound selenium is converted to other forms during metamorphism of the coal, most likely sulfide-form. The sulfide-associated form increased remarkably from bituminous coal (21.1%) to anthracite (50.4%) and cokeite (54.5%), indicating the formation of selenium sulfide, possibly in pyrite during the transformation of bituminous coal to anthracite and cokeite. The silicate-associated selenium in bituminous coal (31.8%) is much higher than that in anthracite (16.4%) and cokeite (15.8%), indicating that silicate-associated selenium is partly converted to sulfide during metamorphism. ?? 2007 Zhang et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

  2. Phospho-silicate and silicate layers modified by hydroxyapatite particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rokita, M.; Brożek, A.; Handke, M.

    2005-06-01

    Common used metal materials do not ensure good connection between an implant and biological neighbourhood. Covering implants by thin silicate or phosphate layers enable to improve biological properties of implants and create conditions for producing the non-concrete bonding between the implant and tissue. The project includes preparing silicate sols of different concentrations and proper (powder) fraction of synthetic as well as natural ox hydroxyapatite, depositing the sol mixed with hydroxyapatite onto the base material (metal, ceramic carbon) and heat treatment. Our work includes also preparation of phospho-silicate layers deposited onto different base materials using sol-gel method. Deposited sols were prepared regarding composition, concentration and layer heat treatment conditions. The prepared layers are examined to determine their phase composition (XRD, IR spectroscopy methods), density and continuity (scanning microscopy with EDX methods). Biological activity of layers was evaluated by means of estimation of their corrosive resistance in synthetic body fluids ('in vitro' method) and of bone cells growth on the layers surface. Introducing hydroxyapatite to the layer sol should improve connection between tissue and implant as well as limit the disadvantageous, corrosive influence of implant material (metal) on the tissue.

  3. Quantitative analysis of major elements in silicate minerals and glasses by micro-PIXE

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Campbell, J.L.; Czamanske, G.K.; MacDonald, L.; Teesdale, W.J.

    1997-01-01

    The Guelph micro-PIXE facility has been modified to accommodate a second Si(Li) X-ray detector which records the spectrum due to light major elements (11 ??? Z ??? 20) with no deleterious effects from scattered 3 MeV protons. Spectra have been recorded from 30 well-characterized materials, including a broad range of silicate minerals and both natural and synthetic glasses. Sodium is mobile in some of the glasses, but not in the studied mineral lattices. The mean value of the instrumental constant H for each of the elements Mg, Al, and Si in these materials is systematically 6-8% lower than the H-value measured for the pure metals. Normalization factors are derived which permit the matrix corrections requisite for trace-element measurements in silicates to be based upon pure metal standards for Mg, Al and Si, supplemented by well-established, silicate mineral standards for the elements Na, K and Ca. Rigorous comparisons of electron microprobe and micro-PIXE analyses for the entire, 30-sample suite demonstrate the ability of micro-PIXE to produce accurate analysis for the light major elements in silicates. ?? 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

  4. Syntectic Reactions involving Limestones and Limestone-Derived Carbonatitic Melts in the Generation of some Peralkalic Magmas: Reflections on Reginald Daly's Insights 100 Years Later

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lentz, D.

    2017-12-01

    The theoretical analysis of how sedimentary limestones and marbles could melt as a result of infiltrative contact metasomatism associated with silicate magmas, enables reconsideration of the limestone syntectic (assimilation) hypothesis for the origin of some peralkalic rocks. Reginald Daly's syntectic model published in detail in early 1918 fell out of favor because experimental evidence from the early 1960's suggested; 1) that limestone assimilation would increase P(CO2) and cause solidification of the silicate intrusion, 2) that there is a thermal barrier between silica-saturated and undersaturated magmas that would inhibit extensive desilication of the magma, and 3) the endothermic decarbonation reactions would require heat via magmatic crystallization of near-solidus magmas. However, these concerns were not as critical for high-T mafic melts relative to more low-T silicic melts, although most subsequent researchers dismissed syntexis as isotopic arguments also seemed robust. However, skarn-related limestone melts can interact much more easily with silicate magma, resulting in calc-silicate-forming (endoskarn-like) limestone syntectic (desilication - calcification-magnesification processes) decarbonation reactions with compositional evolution into the silica-undersaturated field. If mafic in composition originally when syntectically modified, then the CO2-bearing derivative peralkalic melt may subsequently react with the dominant volume magma or fractionate separately into a more evolved composition. As well, an increase in P(CO2) within the modified silicate fraction coupled with compositional evolution to more silica-undersaturated compositions enhances the stability of the immiscible, extremely low viscosity carbonate melt fraction. In addition, dynamic interaction of these co-existing immiscible melts (analogous to the current hypothesis) would partition elements, as well as isotopic signatures, such that they would be virtually unrecognizable as having a crustal level syntectic origin, based on mass-balance principles and Rayleigh decarbonation isotopic equilibria, as they do in many infiltrative skarn systems. Essentially, this partly vindicates the basic premise of Daly's limestone syntectic hypothesis for the origin of some peralkalic igneous rocks.

  5. Geological carbon budget of the Mackenzie River Basin: New insight from the oxidation of rock-derived organic carbon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horan, K.; Hilton, R. G.; Dellinger, M.; Galy, V.; Gaillardet, J.; Tipper, E.; Selby, D. S.; Ottley, C. J.; Burton, K. W.

    2016-12-01

    Erosion and weathering transfer carbon between the atmosphere and lithospheric storage, thereby operating to modify Earth's long-term climate. Over millions of years, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is sequestered during the weathering of silicate minerals by carbonic acid, coupled to carbonate formation, and following the erosion of biospheric organic carbon and its burial in sediments. However, erosion and weathering also act together to release CO2 from the lithosphere. Erosion enhances the rate of oxidative weathering of organic carbon in rocks (petrogenic OC, OCpetro), which is a major CO2 source over geological time. In addition, oxidation of sulfide minerals can produce sulfuric acid that weathers carbonate minerals and results in transient CO2 release. Although these sources and sinks of CO2 are well recognised, limited case studies exist where they have been measured alongside each other. Here we calculate the geological carbon budget during weathering and erosion in the Mackenzie River Basin, Canada. The silicate weathering rate, carbonate weathering rate by sulfuric acid and the sedimentary burial of biospheric organic carbon have been constrained by prior work. Closing the long-term CO2 budget therefore requires us to quantify the OCpetro oxidation rate. To do this, we use dissolved rhenium (Re) concentrations as a proxy for OCpetro weathering using samples collected from 2009 to 2013. We normalise dissolved river Re concentrations to the rock Re concentration ([Re]diss/[Re]rock) to assess the variability in oxidative weathering efficiency. We find [Re]diss/[Re]rock ratios are 2-4 times lower than those calculated for rapidly eroding mountain catchments (e.g. Taiwan), which is consistent with a lower physical erosion rate in the Mackenzie Basin. By making assumptions about the concurrent mobility of Re and CO2 during OCpetro weathering we quantify the OCpetro weathering rate and constrain the associated CO2 flux to be 0.3 tC km-2 yr-1. The transient CO2 release by sulfuric acid driven carbonate weathering is 0.8 tC km-2 yr-1. Therefore, these two CO2 sources counter CO2 drawdown by silicate weathering (0.4 tC km-2 yr-1). Nevertheless, OCpetro oxidation does not negate the large CO2 sink driven by biospheric organic carbon erosion (2 tC km-2 yr-1), so the Mackenzie Basin is presently a CO2 sink.

  6. Identification of Highly Fractionated (18)O-Rich Silicate Grains in the Queen Alexandra Range 99177 CR3 Chondrite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Keller, L. P.; Messenger, S.; Rahman, Z.

    2015-01-01

    Carbonaceous chondrites contain a mixture of solar system condensates, presolar grains, and primitive organic matter. The CR3 chondrite QUE 99177 has undergone minimal al-teration [1], exemplified by abundant presolar silicates [2, 3] and anomalous organic matter [4]. Oxygen isotopic imaging studies of this meteorite have focused on finding submicrometer anomalous grains in fine-grained regions of thin sections. Here we present re-sults of an O isotopic survey of larger matrix grains.

  7. Investigation of Physico-Chemical Properties of Sand-Lime Products Modified of Diabase Aggregate and Chalcedonite Meal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dachowski, Ryszard; Komisarczyk, Katarzyna

    2017-10-01

    In the era of rapid development in the construction industry, particular attention is focused on harmless and natural materials. Some of the best materials for building masonry walls are sand-lime products. Silicates are obtained from a mixture of quartz, sand and a small amount of water. They emerge as a result of the hydrothermal treatment conducted under high pressure and at a temperature of app. 203 °C. Silicates were modified of different kinds of aggregates, glass or plastics, and the content of dry ingredients was changed because of this fact. The paper describes the studies where the combination of diabase aggregate and chalcedonite meal was used. Microstructure of the products was analyzed with the use of mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM and XRD methods. Variable content of chalcedonite meal changes the internal structure and the physico-chemical properties.

  8. Effect of thermal maturation on the K-Ar, Rb-Sr and REE systematics of an organic-rich New Albany Shale as determined by hydrous pyrolysis

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Clauer, Norbert; Chaudhuri, Sambhudas; Lewan, M.D.; Toulkeridis, T.

    2006-01-01

    Hydrous-pyrolysis experiments were conducted on an organic-rich Devonian-Mississippian shale, which was also leached by dilute HCl before and after pyrolysis, to identify and quantify the induced chemical and isotopic changes in the rock. The experiments significantly affect the organic-mineral organization, which plays an important role in natural interactions during diagenetic hydrocarbon maturation in source rocks. They produce 10.5% of volatiles and the amount of HCl leachables almost doubles from about 6% to 11%. The Rb-Sr and K-Ar data are significantly modified, but not just by removal of radiogenic 40Ar and 87Sr, as described in many studies of natural samples at similar thermal and hydrous conditions. The determining reactions relate to alteration of the organic matter marked by a significant change in the heavy REEs in the HCl leachate after pyrolysis, underlining the potential effects of acidic fluids in natural environments. Pyrolysis induces also release from organics of some Sr with a very low 87Sr/86Sr ratio, as well as part of U. Both seem to have been volatilised during the experiment, whereas other metals such as Pb, Th and part of U appear to have been transferred from soluble phases into stable (silicate?) components. Increase of the K2O and radiogenic 40Ar contents of the silicate minerals after pyrolysis is explained by removal of other elements that could only be volatilised, as the system remains strictly closed during the experiment. The observed increase in radiogenic 40Ar implies that it was not preferentially released as a volatile gas phase when escaping the altered mineral phases. It had to be re-incorporated into newly-formed soluble phases, which is opposite to the general knowledge about the behavior of Ar in supergene natural environments. Because of the strictly closed-system conditions, hydrous-pyrolysis experiments allow to better identify and even quantify the geochemical aspects of organic-inorganic interactions, such as elemental exchanges, transfers and volatilisation, in potential source-rock shales during natural diagenetic hydrocarbon maturation.

  9. Ion-Doped Silicate Bioceramic Coating of Ti-Based Implant

    PubMed Central

    Mohammadi, Hossein; Sepantafar, Mohammadmajid

    2016-01-01

    Titanium and its alloy are known as important load-bearing biomaterials. The major drawbacks of these metals are fibrous formation and low corrosion rate after implantation. The surface modification of biomedical implants through various methods such as plasma spray improves their osseointegration and clinical lifetime. Different materials have been already used as coatings on biomedical implant, including calcium phosphates and bioglass. However, these materials have been reported to have limited clinical success. The excellent bioactivity of calcium silicate (Ca-Si) has been also regarded as coating material. However, their high degradation rate and low mechanical strength limit their further coating application. Trace element modification of (Ca-Si) bioceramics is a promising method, which improves their mechanical strength and chemical stability. In this review, the potential of trace element-modified silicate coatings on better bone formation of titanium implant is investigated. PMID:26979401

  10. Production of reactive oxygen species from abraded silicates. Implications for the reactivity of the Martian soil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bak, Ebbe N.; Zafirov, Kaloyan; Merrison, Jonathan P.; Jensen, Svend J. Knak; Nørnberg, Per; Gunnlaugsson, Haraldur P.; Finster, Kai

    2017-09-01

    The results of the Labeled Release and the Gas Exchange experiments conducted on Mars by the Viking Landers show that compounds in the Martian soil can cause oxidation of organics and a release of oxygen in the presence of water. Several sources have been proposed for the oxidizing compounds, but none has been validated in situ and the cause of the observed oxidation has not been resolved. In this study, laboratory simulations of saltation were conducted to examine if and under which conditions wind abrasion of silicates, a process that is common on the Martian surface, can give rise to oxidants in the form of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radicals (ṡOH). We found that silicate samples abraded in simulated Martian atmospheres gave rise to a significant production of H2O2 and ṡOH upon contact with water. Our experiments demonstrated that abraded silicates could lead to a production of H2O2 facilitated by atmospheric O2 and inhibited by carbon dioxide. Furthermore, during simulated saltation the silicate particles became triboelectrically charged and at pressures similar to the Martian surface pressure we observed glow discharges. Electrical discharges can cause dissociation of CO2 and through subsequent reactions lead to a production of H2O2. These results indicate that the reactions linked to electrical discharges are the dominant source of H2O2 during saltation of silicates in a simulated Martian atmosphere, given the low pressure and the relatively high concentration of CO2. Our experiments provide evidence that wind driven abrasion could enhance the reactivity of the Martian soil and thereby could have contributed to the oxidation of organic compounds and the O2 release observed in the Labeled Release and the Gas Exchange experiments. Furthermore, the release of H2O2 and ṡOH from abraded silicates could have a negative effect on the persistence of organic compounds in the Martian soil and the habitability of the Martian surface.

  11. Synchrotron x-ray spectroscopy of EuHN O3 aqueous solutions at high temperatures and pressures and Nb-bearing silicate melt phases coexisting with hydrothermal fluids using a modified hydrothermal diamond anvil cell and rail assembly

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Mayanovic, Robert A.; Anderson, Alan J.; Bassett, William A.; Chou, I.-Ming

    2007-01-01

    A modified hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC) rail assembly has been constructed for making synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray fluorescence, and x-ray mapping measurements on fluids or solid phases in contact with hydrothermal fluids up to ???900??C and 700 MPa. The diamond anvils of the HDAC are modified by laser milling grooves or holes, for the reduction of attenuation of incident and fluorescent x rays and sample cavities. The modified HDAC rail assembly has flexibility in design for measurement of light elements at low concentrations or heavy elements at trace levels in the sample and the capability to probe minute individual phases of a multiphase fluid-based system using focused x-ray microbeam. The supporting rail allows for uniform translation of the HDAC, rotation and tilt stages, and a focusing mirror, which is used to illuminate the sample for visual observation using a microscope, relative to the direction of the incident x-ray beam. A structure study of Eu(III) aqua ion behavior in high-temperature aqueous solutions and a study of Nb partitioning and coordination in a silicate melt in contact with a hydrothermal fluid are described as applications utilizing the modified HDAC rail assembly. ?? 2007 American Institute of Physics.

  12. Synthesis and characterization of a novel porous titanium silicate/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} hybrid nanocomposite catalyst for environmental applications

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

    Adepu, Ajay Kumar; Narayanan, Venkatathri, E-mail: venkatathrin@yahoo.com, E-mail: ajay.kumar553@gmail.com

    2016-04-13

    Herein we developed a novel porous Titanium silicate/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} (TSCN) hybrid composite with a inorganic-organic heterojunction. The synthesized porous TSCN were well characterized by various analytical techniques for structural and chemical properties evaluation. FESEM results shows the growth of finely distributed porous titanium silicate on the surface of the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}. Porous TSCN hybrid nanocomposite has a great influence on the electronic and optical properties.

  13. Mid-infrared spectra of cometary dust: the evasion of its silicate mineralogy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kimura, H.; Chigai, T.; Yamamoto, T.

    2008-04-01

    Infrared spectra of dust in cometary comae provide a way to identify its silicate constituents, and this is crucial for correctly understanding the condition under which our planetary system is formed. Recent studies assign a newly detected peak at a wavelength of 9.3 μm to pyroxenes and regard them as the most abundant silicate minerals in comets. Here we dispense with this pyroxene hypothesis to numerically reproduce the infrared features of cometary dust in the framework of our interstellar dust models. Presolar interstellar dust in a comet is modeled as fluffy aggregates consisting of submicrometer-sized organic grains with an amorphous-silicate core that undergoes nonthermal crystallization in a coma. We assert that forsterite (Mg2SiO4) is the carrier of all the observed features, including the 9.3 μm peak and that the major phase of iron is sulfides rather than iron-rich silicates.

  14. An ORMOSIL-Containing Orthodontic Acrylic Resin with Concomitant Improvements in Antimicrobial and Fracture Toughness Properties

    PubMed Central

    Rueggeberg, Frederick A.; Niu, Li-na; Mettenberg, Donald; Yiu, Cynthia K. Y.; Blizzard, John D.; Wu, Christine D.; Mao, Jing; Drisko, Connie L.; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

    2012-01-01

    Global increase in patients seeking orthodontic treatment creates a demand for the use of acrylic resins in removable appliances and retainers. Orthodontic removable appliance wearers have a higher risk of oral infections that are caused by the formation of bacterial and fungal biofilms on the appliance surface. Here, we present the synthetic route for an antibacterial and antifungal organically-modified silicate (ORMOSIL) that has multiple methacryloloxy functionalities attached to a siloxane backbone (quaternary ammonium methacryloxy silicate, or QAMS). By dissolving the water-insoluble, rubbery ORMOSIL in methyl methacrylate, QAMS may be copolymerized with polymethyl methacrylate, and covalently incorporated in the pressure-processed acrylic resin. The latter demonstrated a predominantly contact-killing effect on Streptococcus mutans ATCC 36558 and Actinomyces naselundii ATCC 12104 biofilms, while inhibiting adhesion of Candida albicans ATCC 90028 on the acrylic surface. Apart from its favorable antimicrobial activities, QAMS-containing acrylic resins exhibited decreased water wettability and improved toughness, without adversely affecting the flexural strength and modulus, water sorption and solubility, when compared with QAMS-free acrylic resin. The covalently bound, antimicrobial orthodontic acrylic resin with improved toughness represents advancement over other experimental antimicrobial acrylic resin formulations, in its potential to simultaneously prevent oral infections during appliance wear, and improve the fracture resistance of those appliances. PMID:22870322

  15. A New Epoxy-Based Layered Silicate Nanocomposite Using a Hyperbranched Polymer: Study of the Curing Reaction and Nanostructure Development.

    PubMed

    Cortés, Pilar; Fraga, Iria; Calventus, Yolanda; Román, Frida; Hutchinson, John M; Ferrando, Francesc

    2014-03-04

    Polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites have been prepared with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy resin as the matrix and organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) as the clay nanofiller. Resin-clay mixtures with different clay contents (zero, two, five and 10 wt%) were cured, both isothermally and non-isothermally, using a poly(ethyleneimine) hyperbranched polymer (HBP), the cure kinetics being monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanostructure of the cured nanocomposites was characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their mechanical properties were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and impact testing. The results are compared with an earlier study of the structure and properties of the same DGEBA-MMT system cured with a polyoxypropylene diamine, Jeffamine. There are very few examples of the use of HBP as a curing agent in epoxy PLS nanocomposites; here, it is found to enhance significantly the degree of exfoliation of these nanocomposites compared with those cured with Jeffamine, with a corresponding enhancement in the impact energy for nanocomposites with the low clay content of 2 wt%. These changes are attributed to the different cure kinetics with the HBP, in which the intra-gallery homopolymerization reaction is accelerated, such that it occurs before the bulk cross-linking reaction.

  16. Multiple generations of grain aggregation in different environments preceded solar system body formation.

    PubMed

    Ishii, Hope A; Bradley, John P; Bechtel, Hans A; Brownlee, Donald E; Bustillo, Karen C; Ciston, James; Cuzzi, Jeffrey N; Floss, Christine; Joswiak, David J

    2018-06-26

    The solar system formed from interstellar dust and gas in a molecular cloud. Astronomical observations show that typical interstellar dust consists of amorphous ( a -) silicate and organic carbon. Bona fide physical samples for laboratory studies would yield unprecedented insight about solar system formation, but they were largely destroyed. The most likely repositories of surviving presolar dust are the least altered extraterrestrial materials, interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) with probable cometary origins. Cometary IDPs contain abundant submicron a- silicate grains called GEMS (glass with embedded metal and sulfides), believed to be carbon-free. Some have detectable isotopically anomalous a- silicate components from other stars, proving they are preserved dust inherited from the interstellar medium. However, it is debated whether the majority of GEMS predate the solar system or formed in the solar nebula by condensation of high-temperature (>1,300 K) gas. Here, we map IDP compositions with single nanometer-scale resolution and find that GEMS contain organic carbon. Mapping reveals two generations of grain aggregation, the key process in growth from dust grains to planetesimals, mediated by carbon. GEMS grains, some with a- silicate subgrains mantled by organic carbon, comprise the earliest generation of aggregates. These aggregates (and other grains) are encapsulated in lower-density organic carbon matrix, indicating a second generation of aggregation. Since this organic carbon thermally decomposes above ∼450 K, GEMS cannot have accreted in the hot solar nebula, and formed, instead, in the cold presolar molecular cloud and/or outer protoplanetary disk. We suggest that GEMS are consistent with surviving interstellar dust, condensed in situ, and cycled through multiple molecular clouds. Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

  17. Soil Organic Carbon Loss: An Overlooked Factor in the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Enhanced Mineral Weathering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dietzen, Christiana; Harrison, Robert

    2016-04-01

    Weathering of silicate minerals regulates the global carbon cycle on geologic timescales. Several authors have proposed that applying finely ground silicate minerals to soils, where organic acids would enhance the rate of weathering, could increase carbon uptake and mitigate anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Silicate minerals such as olivine could replace lime, which is commonly used to remediate soil acidification, thereby sequestering CO2 while achieving the same increase in soil pH. However, the effect of adding this material on soil organic matter, the largest terrestrial pool of carbon, has yet to be considered. Microbial biomass and respiration have been observed to increase with decreasing acidity, but it is unclear how long the effect lasts. If the addition of silicate minerals promotes the loss of soil organic carbon through decomposition, it could significantly reduce the efficiency of this process or even create a net carbon source. However, it is possible that this initial flush of microbial activity may be compensated for by additional organic matter inputs to soil pools due to increases in plant productivity under less acidic conditions. This study aimed to examine the effects of olivine amendments on soil CO2 flux. A liming treatment representative of typical agricultural practices was also included for comparison. Samples from two highly acidic soils were split into groups amended with olivine or lime and a control group. These samples were incubated at 22°C and constant soil moisture in jars with airtight septa lids. Gas samples were extracted periodically over the course of 2 months and change in headspace CO2 concentration was determined. The effects of enhanced mineral weathering on soil organic matter have yet to be addressed by those promoting this method of carbon sequestration. This project provides the first data on the potential effects of enhanced mineral weathering in the soil environment on soil organic carbon pools.

  18. Tip-induced nanoreactor for silicate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Ming; Ma, Liran; Liang, Yong; Gao, Yuan; Luo, Jianbin

    2015-09-01

    Nanoscale scientific issues have attracted an increasing amount of research interest due to their specific size-effect and novel structure-property. From macro to nano, materials present some unique chemical reactivity that bulk materials do not own. Here we introduce a facile method to generate silicate with nanoscale control based on the establishment of a confined space between a meso/nanoscale tungsten tip and a smooth silica/silicon substrate. During the process, local water-like droplets deposition can be obviously observed in the confinement between the Si/SiO2 surfaces and the KOH-modified tungsten tip. By the combination of in-situ optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we were able to take a deep insight of both the product composition and the underlying mechanism of such phenomena. It was indicated that such nanoreactor for silicate could be quite efficient as a result of the local capillarity and electric field effect, with implications at both nano and meso scales.

  19. Tip-induced nanoreactor for silicate.

    PubMed

    Gao, Ming; Ma, Liran; Liang, Yong; Gao, Yuan; Luo, Jianbin

    2015-09-14

    Nanoscale scientific issues have attracted an increasing amount of research interest due to their specific size-effect and novel structure-property. From macro to nano, materials present some unique chemical reactivity that bulk materials do not own. Here we introduce a facile method to generate silicate with nanoscale control based on the establishment of a confined space between a meso/nanoscale tungsten tip and a smooth silica/silicon substrate. During the process, local water-like droplets deposition can be obviously observed in the confinement between the Si/SiO2 surfaces and the KOH-modified tungsten tip. By the combination of in-situ optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we were able to take a deep insight of both the product composition and the underlying mechanism of such phenomena. It was indicated that such nanoreactor for silicate could be quite efficient as a result of the local capillarity and electric field effect, with implications at both nano and meso scales.

  20. Tip-induced nanoreactor for silicate

    PubMed Central

    Gao, Ming; Ma, Liran; Liang, Yong; Gao, Yuan; Luo, Jianbin

    2015-01-01

    Nanoscale scientific issues have attracted an increasing amount of research interest due to their specific size-effect and novel structure-property. From macro to nano, materials present some unique chemical reactivity that bulk materials do not own. Here we introduce a facile method to generate silicate with nanoscale control based on the establishment of a confined space between a meso/nanoscale tungsten tip and a smooth silica/silicon substrate. During the process, local water-like droplets deposition can be obviously observed in the confinement between the Si/SiO2 surfaces and the KOH-modified tungsten tip. By the combination of in-situ optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we were able to take a deep insight of both the product composition and the underlying mechanism of such phenomena. It was indicated that such nanoreactor for silicate could be quite efficient as a result of the local capillarity and electric field effect, with implications at both nano and meso scales. PMID:26364882

  1. Al Speciation in Silicate Melts: AlV a new Network Former?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neuville, D. R.; Florian, P.; de Ligny, D.; Montouillout, V.; Massiot, D.

    2009-05-01

    The first human glasses were made 3500 BC. It was essentially sodo-lime silicate glass. To improve the chemical resistance, the thermal properties and increase the viscosity it is interesting to add aluminum in these silicates. But what is the speciation of the aluminum and how it varies according to the chemical composition and to the temperature? The aluminum appears essentially in four or five fold coordination in glasses and melts melted. The proportion of [5]Al varies according to the alkaline or to the earth-alkaline content and to the temperature. We shall present in a first part the influence of the network-modifier on the proportion of [5]Al and then we shall present some new results of absorption of high-temperature using NMR and XANES spectroscopy at the Al K-edge. Finally, from glass transition temperature measurements we propose to explain that [5]Al can be a new network former.

  2. Influence of commercial and residual sorbents and silicates as additives on the stabilisation/solidification of organic and inorganic industrial waste.

    PubMed

    Coz, A; Andrés, A; Soriano, S; Viguri, J R; Ruiz, M C; Irabien, J A

    2009-05-30

    An environmental problem of the foundry activities is the management of industrial waste generated in different processes. The foundry sludge from gas wet cleaning treatment that contains organic and inorganic compounds and a high content of water is an interesting example. Due to their characteristics, they can be managed using different stabilisation/solidification (S/S) technologies prior to land disposal. The purpose of this work is to study S/S formulations in order to improve the control of the mobility of the pollutants and the ecotoxicity of the samples. Different mixtures of cement or lime as binders and additives (foundry sand, silica fume, sodium silicate, silicic acid, activated carbon and black carbon) have been used in order to reduce the mobility of the chemical and ecotoxicological regulated parameters and to compare the results for commercial and residual additives. The best results have been obtained with sorbents (activated carbon and black carbon) or sodium silicate. The results of the foundry sand ash as additive can conclude that it can be used as replacement in the cement products. However, silica fume in the samples with lime and siliceous resin sand as additives gives products that do not fulfil the regulated limits. Finally, some linear expressions between the chemical parameters and the quantity of material used in the samples have been obtained.

  3. Continental erosion and the Cenozoic rise of marine diatoms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cermeño, Pedro; Falkowski, Paul G.; Romero, Oscar E.; Schaller, Morgan F.; Vallina, Sergio M.

    2015-04-01

    Marine diatoms are silica-precipitating microalgae that account for over half of organic carbon burial in marine sediments and thus they play a key role in the global carbon cycle. Their evolutionary expansion during the Cenozoic era (66 Ma to present) has been associated with a superior competitive ability for silicic acid relative to other siliceous plankton such as radiolarians, which evolved by reducing the weight of their silica test. Here we use a mathematical model in which diatoms and radiolarians compete for silicic acid to show that the observed reduction in the weight of radiolarian tests is insufficient to explain the rise of diatoms. Using the lithium isotope record of seawater as a proxy of silicate rock weathering and erosion, we calculate changes in the input flux of silicic acid to the oceans. Our results indicate that the long-term massive erosion of continental silicates was critical to the subsequent success of diatoms in marine ecosystems over the last 40 My and suggest an increase in the strength and efficiency of the oceanic biological pump over this period.

  4. Continental erosion and the Cenozoic rise of marine diatoms

    PubMed Central

    Cermeño, Pedro; Falkowski, Paul G.; Romero, Oscar E.; Schaller, Morgan F.; Vallina, Sergio M.

    2015-01-01

    Marine diatoms are silica-precipitating microalgae that account for over half of organic carbon burial in marine sediments and thus they play a key role in the global carbon cycle. Their evolutionary expansion during the Cenozoic era (66 Ma to present) has been associated with a superior competitive ability for silicic acid relative to other siliceous plankton such as radiolarians, which evolved by reducing the weight of their silica test. Here we use a mathematical model in which diatoms and radiolarians compete for silicic acid to show that the observed reduction in the weight of radiolarian tests is insufficient to explain the rise of diatoms. Using the lithium isotope record of seawater as a proxy of silicate rock weathering and erosion, we calculate changes in the input flux of silicic acid to the oceans. Our results indicate that the long-term massive erosion of continental silicates was critical to the subsequent success of diatoms in marine ecosystems over the last 40 My and suggest an increase in the strength and efficiency of the oceanic biological pump over this period. PMID:25831504

  5. Continental erosion and the Cenozoic rise of marine diatoms.

    PubMed

    Cermeño, Pedro; Falkowski, Paul G; Romero, Oscar E; Schaller, Morgan F; Vallina, Sergio M

    2015-04-07

    Marine diatoms are silica-precipitating microalgae that account for over half of organic carbon burial in marine sediments and thus they play a key role in the global carbon cycle. Their evolutionary expansion during the Cenozoic era (66 Ma to present) has been associated with a superior competitive ability for silicic acid relative to other siliceous plankton such as radiolarians, which evolved by reducing the weight of their silica test. Here we use a mathematical model in which diatoms and radiolarians compete for silicic acid to show that the observed reduction in the weight of radiolarian tests is insufficient to explain the rise of diatoms. Using the lithium isotope record of seawater as a proxy of silicate rock weathering and erosion, we calculate changes in the input flux of silicic acid to the oceans. Our results indicate that the long-term massive erosion of continental silicates was critical to the subsequent success of diatoms in marine ecosystems over the last 40 My and suggest an increase in the strength and efficiency of the oceanic biological pump over this period.

  6. Isotope measurements of a comet by the Ptolemy instrument on Rosetta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Franchi, Ian; Morse, Andrew; Andrews, Dan; Sheridan, Simon; Barber, Simeon; Leese, Mark; Morgan, Geraint; Wright, Ian; Pillinger, Colin

    Remote observations of comets (spacecraft fly-bys and telescopes) reveal a vast reservoir of volatile organic species, along with the water ice, other volatiles and silicate dust fractions that make up these very primitive bodies. Understanding the nature of cometary materials, in order to unravel their origin and history, is particularly challenging. Remote observation is only possible for the coma, the constituents of which are likely fractionated and modified compared to the primordial material within the comet. A number of opportunities exist for very detailed study of cometary material with ground-based laboratory instrumentation. How-ever, dissipation of energy during capture (e.g. NASA Stardust samples) or atmospheric entry (stratospheric interplanetary dust particles) has the potential to extensively modify, or even obliterate, detailed information about the nature and origin of the more volatile, biologically important organic species present. Collecting and returning pristine material from the surface of a comet remains very challenging and therefore direct study of the volatile portions can only readily be performed on the comet itself by remote instruments. The ESA Rosetta mission, that will make long-term measurements of a comet as it approaches the sun from 3.5 AU to 1.4 AU over a period of at least six months, includes the Philae lander as well as the orbiter spacecraft. Ptolemy, on board Philae, is a GC-MS instrument designed for the analysis of cometary volatiles, organic materials and silicates. The objectives of Ptolemy are to provide a complete description of the nature and distribution of light elements (H, C, N and O) present in the nucleus of the comet, as well as determining their stable isotopic compositions. Ptolemy also aims to provide ground-truth measurements of those volatiles that are subsequently detected further out from the nucleus in the coma. Samples from the surface and sub-surface, collected by the lander drilling system (SD2), are heated in an oven and can be injected into one of three gas chromatography columns (GC) for analysis by the mass spectrometer. Accurate isotopic analysis is achieved by chemical processing before and/or after the GC columns and by direct comparison with reference materials of known isotopic composition. Recent operations of the Ptolemy mass spectrometer during recent spacecraft checkouts have shown that the Ptolemy instrument is operational and should be capable of meeting its science aims.

  7. The Abundance and Distribution of Presolar Materials in Cluster IDPS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Messenger, Scott; Keller, Lindsay; Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko; Ito, Motoo

    2007-01-01

    Presolar grains and remnants of interstellar organic compounds occur in a wide range of primitive solar system materials, including meteorites, interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), and comet Wild-2 samples. Among the most abundant presolar phases are silicate stardust grains and molecular cloud material. However, these materials have also been susceptible to destruction and alteration during parent body and nebular processing. In addition to their importance as direct samples of remote and ancient astrophysical environments, presolar materials thus provide a measure of how well different primitive bodies have preserved the original solar system starting materials. The matrix normalized abundances of presolar silicate grains in meteorites range from 20 ppm in Semarkona and Bishunpur to 170 ppm for Acfer 094. The lower abundances of presolar silicates in Bishunpur and Semarkona has been ascribed to the destruction of presolar silicates during aqueous processes. Presolar silicates appear to be significantly more abundant in anhydrous IDPs, possibly because these materials did not experience parent body hydrothermal alteration. Among IDPs the estimated abundances of presolar silicates vary by more than an order of magnitude, from 480 to 5500 ppm. The wide disparity in the abundances of presolar silicates of IDPs may be a consequence of the relatively small total area analyzed in those studies and the fine grain sizes of the IDPs. Alternatively, there may be a wide range in presolar silicate abundances between different IDPs. This view is supported by the observation that 15N-rich IDPs have higher presolar silicate abundances than those with isotopically normal N.

  8. The role of an organic matrix during the formation of siliceous scales in the heliozoon Actinophrys sol (actinophryida, protista).

    PubMed

    Newman, P J; Patterson, D J

    1993-07-25

    Actinophrys sol is a freshwater heliozoon which has trophic and encysted body forms. During encystment, siliceous scales are laid down in silica deposition vesicles. The scales form one layer of a multi-layered cyst wall. Scale production is described using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. Silica is laid down on an organic matrix which is visible prior to silicification and after removal of silica with hydrofluoric acid. Actinophrys sol can be cultured under silica impoverished conditions, with the result that the siliceous plates are absent. The cysts continue to form but are fragile. Silica is not a prerequisite for the processes of encystment and cyst formation. Copyright © 1993 Gustav Fischer Verlag · Stuttgart · Jena · New York. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.

  9. Microbial control of silicate weathering in organic-rich ground water

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hiebert, Franz K.; Bennett, Philip C.

    1992-01-01

    An in situ microcosm study of the influence of surface-adhering bacteria on silicate diagenesis in a shallow petroleum-contaminated aquifer showed that minerals were colonized by indigenous bacteria and chemically weathered at a rate faster than theoretically predicted. Feldspar and quartz fragments were placed in anoxic, organic-rich ground water, left for 14 months, recovered, and compared to unreacted controls with scanning electron microscopy. Ground-water geochemistry was characterized before and after the experiment. Localized mineral etching probably occurred in a reaction zone at the bacteria-mineral interface where high concentrations of organic acids, formed by bacteria during metabolism of hydrocarbon, selectively mobilized silica and aluminum from the mineral surface.

  10. Regenerable sorbents for CO.sub.2 capture from moderate and high temperature gas streams

    DOEpatents

    Siriwardane, Ranjani V [Morgantown, WV

    2008-01-01

    A process for making a granular sorbent to capture carbon dioxide from gas streams comprising homogeneously mixing an alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali titanate, alkali zirconate, alkali silicate and combinations thereof with a binder selected from the group consisting of sodium ortho silicate, calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO.sub.4.2H.sub.2O), alkali silicates, calcium aluminate, bentonite, inorganic clays and organic clays and combinations thereof and water; drying the mixture and placing the sorbent in a container permeable to a gas stream.

  11. Modified SBA-15 as the carrier for metoprolol and papaverine: Adsorption and release study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moritz, MichaŁ; łaniecki, Marek

    2011-07-01

    A series of modified SBA-15 materials were applied in drug delivery systems. The internal surface of siliceous hexagonal structure of SBA-15 was modified with different amount of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The sulfonated material was loaded with metoprolol tartrate or papaverine hydrochloride. Both drugs indicated strong chemical interaction with modified mesoporous surface. The characteristic of the obtained materials was performed with XRD and DRUV-vis spectrometry, themogravimetry and nitrogen adsorption (BET) measurements. The obtained results show that modification of the mesoporous materials leads towards significant decrease of the drug delivery rate.

  12. Controlled and localized delivery of c-myc AS-ODN to cells by 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxylsilane modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Juan; Chen, Minmin; Zhao, Xiqiu; Zhang, Min; Mao, Jinxiang; Cao, Xichuan; Zhang, Zhuoqi

    2018-01-01

    SBA-15 mesoporous silicate was synthesized and functionalized with 3-aminopropyl organic groups through a post-synthesis method. The materials were characterized consecutively by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption analysis and solid-state magic-angle spinning 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). Human c-myc anti-sense oligodeoxyneucleotide (AS-ODN) was selected as a model molecule to be loaded onto the surface of bare and functionalized SBA-15 via different loading conditions. It has been found that the amount of AS-ODN incorporated into the porous matrix is strongly dependent on the surface properties, pH of the loading solvent and AS-ODN concentration. The release behaviour of AS-ODN from modified SBA-15 materials was also investigated and depended on conditions chosen. Cellular uptake of the eluted AS-ODN into Hela cells was observed by fluorescent microscopy. The materials showed excellent cytocompatibility. The AS-ODN keeps full transfection and expression activities indicating its structural integrity. The functionalized SBA-15 is an excellent prospect as a biomedical material candidate for the future.

  13. PREFACE: 5th Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mezinskis, G.; Bragina, L.; Colombo, P.; Frischat, G. H.; Grabis, J.; Greil, P.; Deja, J.; Kaminskas, R.; Kliava, J.; Medvids, A.; Nowak, I.; Siauciunas, R.; Valancius, Z.; Zalite, I.

    2011-12-01

    Logo This Volume of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering presents a selection of the contributions to the 5th Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials (BaltSilica2011) held at Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia from 23-25 May 2011. The conference was organized by Riga Technical University (Latvia) and Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania). The series of Baltic conferences on silicate materials was started since 2004: the first conference was held in Riga, Latvia, 2004; the second conference was held in Kaunas, Lithuania 2005; the third was held again in Riga, Latvia, 2007, and the fourth was held in Kaunas, Lithuania 2009. BaltSilica 2011 was attended by around 50 participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Italy, France, Ukraine and Russia. In comparison with previous silicate materials conferences, the broadening of participating countries is an indication of the interest of scientists, engineers and students to exchange research ideas, latest results, and to find new research topics for cooperation in the fields of silicate, high temperature materials, and inorganic nanomaterials. The scientific programme included 8 invited plenary lectures 23 oral presentations and 25 posters [1]. Scientific themes covered in the conference and in this special issue: Natural and Artificial Stone Materials; Traditional and New Ceramic and Glass-Like Materials; Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials. This volume consists of 23 selected proceeding papers. The Editor of this special issue is grateful to all the contributors to BaltSilica 2011. I am also very grateful to the scientific committee, the local organizing committee, the session chairs, the referees who refereed the submitted articles to this issue, and to students from the Department of Silicate, High Temperature and Inorganic Nanomaterials Technology of the Riga Technical University who ensured the smooth running of the conference. Particular thanks goes to eight plenary speakers who provided interesting findings and thoughtful overviews in the scientific themes of the conference. Special thanks go to Prof., Dr.rer.nat. Günther Heinz Frischat (Germany) who encouraged and supported the organization of these scientific meetings from the very first BaltSilica conferences. With warm regards and best wishes for the next BaltSilica conference. The Conference Chairman Gundars Mezinskis Reference [1] Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials. Book of abstracts of the 5th Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials BaltSilica 2011 : 23-25 May 2011, Riga, Latvia ed G Mezinskis, G Sedmale, J Setina, I Sperberga, L Krage, I Pavlovska, D Andersone (Riga: RTU Publishing House) p 94

  14. In situ observation of D-rich carbonaceous globules embedded in NWA 801 CR2 chondrite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashiguchi, Minako; Kobayashi, Sachio; Yurimoto, Hisayoshi

    2013-12-01

    Eighty-five D-rich carbonaceous particles were identified in the matrix of the NWA 801 CR2 chondrite using isotope microscopy. The occurrence of 67 D-rich carbonaceous particles was characterized using secondary electron microscopy combined with X-ray elemental mapping. The close association of H and C, and D-enrichment suggests that the D-rich carbonaceous particles correspond to organic matter. The D-rich organic particles were scattered ubiquitously throughout the matrix at a concentration of approximately 660 ppm. The morphology of the D-rich carbonaceous particles is globular up to about 1 μm in diameter and is classified into four types: ring globules, round globules, irregular-shaped globules, and globule aggregates. The ring globules are ring-shaped organic matter containing silicate and/or oxide, with or without a void in the center. This is the first report of silicate and oxide grains surrounded by D-rich organic matter. The globule aggregates are composed of several D-rich organic globules mixed with silicates. Morphology of ring globules is very similar to core-mantle grain produced in the molecular cloud or in the outer solar nebula inferring by astronomy, suggesting that the organic globules have formed by UV photolysis in the ice mantle. Silicates or oxides attached to D-rich organic globules are the first observation among chondrites so far and may be unique nature of CR2 chondrites. The hydrogen isotopic compositions of the ring globules, round globules, irregular-shaped globules, and globule aggregates are δD = 3000-4800, 2900-8100, 2700-11,000, and 2500-11,000‰, respectively. Variations of D/H ratio of these organic globules seemed to be attributed to variations of D/H ratio of the organic radicals or differences of content of the D-rich organic radicals. There are no significant differences in the hydrogen isotopic compositions among the four types of D-rich carbonaceous matter. The D-enrichments suggest that these organic globules have formed in a cold molecular cloud and/or the outer protoplanetary disk of the early solar system. The oxygen isotopic compositions of the silicates and oxides attached to the ring globules and globule aggregates range from δ17O = -49 to 50‰ and δ18O = -46 to 64‰. The oxygen isotopic compositions are not distinct from those of solar system materials, which suggests that the organic globules were formed in the outer solar system rather than in the presolar environment. Therefore, it is possible that the ring globules and globule aggregates in NWA 801 may have formed in the outer protoplanetary disk of the early solar system. Organic globules that exhibit clear presolar origin were not identified in this study. The lack of clear presolar signatures might suggest that modifications of isotopic compositions or morphologies of the presolar organic matter occurred in the early solar nebula.

  15. Autoclaved Sand-Lime Products with a Polypropylene Mesh

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kostrzewa, Paulina; Stępień, Anna

    2017-10-01

    The paper presents the results of the research on modifications of silicate bricks with a polypropylene mesh and their influence on physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of such bricks. The main goal of the paper was to determine effects of the polypropylene mesh on sand-lime product parameters. The analysis has focused on compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density and structural features of the material. The obtained product is characterized by improved basic performance characteristics compared to traditional silicate products. Using the polypropylene mesh increased compressive strength by 25% while decreasing the product density. The modified products retain their form and do not disintegrate after losing their bearing capacity.

  16. Diffractive optics development using a modified stack-and-draw technique.

    PubMed

    Pniewski, Jacek; Kasztelanic, Rafal; Nowosielski, Jedrzej M; Filipkowski, Adam; Piechal, Bernard; Waddie, Andrew J; Pysz, Dariusz; Kujawa, Ireneusz; Stepien, Ryszard; Taghizadeh, Mohammad R; Buczynski, Ryszard

    2016-06-20

    We present a novel method for the development of diffractive optical elements (DOEs). Unlike standard surface relief DOEs, the phase shift is introduced through a refractive index variation achieved by using different types of glass. For the fabrication of DOEs we use a modified stack-and-draw technique, originally developed for the fabrication of photonic crystal fibers, resulting in a completely flat element that is easy to integrate with other optical components. A proof-of-concept demonstration of the method is presented-a two-dimensional binary optical phase grating in the form of a square chessboard with a pixel size of 5 μm. Two types of glass are used: low refractive index silicate glass NC21 and high refractive index lead-silicate glass F2. The measured diffraction characteristics of the fabricated component are presented and it is shown numerically and experimentally that such a DOE can be used as a fiber interconnector that couples light from a small-core fiber into the several cores of a multicore fiber.

  17. Alkali-Activated Aluminium-Silicate Composites as Insulation Materials for Industrial Application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dembovska, L.; Bajare, D.; Pundiene, I.; Bumanis, G.

    2015-11-01

    The article reports on the study of thermal stability of alkali-activated aluminium- silicate composites (ASC) at temperature 800-1100°C. ASC were prepared by using calcined kaolinite clay, aluminium scrap recycling waste, lead-silicate glass waste and quartz sand. As alkali activator, commercial sodium silicate solution modified with an addition of sodium hydroxide was used. The obtained alkali activation solution had silica modulus Ms=1.67. Components of aluminium scrap recycling waste (aluminium nitride (AlN) and iron sulphite (FeSO3)) react in the alkali media and create gases - ammonia and sulphur dioxide, which provide the porous structure of the material [1]. Changes in the chemical composition of ASC during heating were identified and quantitatively analysed by using DTA/TG, dimension changes during the heating process were determined by using HTOM, pore microstructure was examined by SEM, and mineralogical composition of ASC was determined by XRD. The density of ASC was measured in accordance with EN 1097-7. ASC with density around 560 kg/m3 and heat resistance up to 1100°C with shrinkage less than 5% were obtained. The intended use of this material is the application as an insulation material for industrial purposes at elevated temperatures.

  18. New Approach for Fractioning Metal Compounds Studies in Soils

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Minkina, Tatiana; Motuzova, Galina; Mandzhieva, Saglara; Bauer, Tatiana; Burachevskaya, Marina; Sushkova, Svetlana; Nevidomskaya, Dina; Kalinitchenko, Valeriy

    2016-04-01

    A combined approach for fractioning metal compounds in soils on the basis of sequential (Tessier, 1979) and parallel extractions (1 N NH4Ac, pH 8; 1% EDTA in NH4Ac; and 1N HCl) is proposed. Metal compounds in sequential and parallel extracts are grouped according to the strength of their bonds with soil components. A given group includes metal compounds with similar strengths of bonds and, hence, with similar migration capacities. The groups of firmly and loosely bound metal compounds can be distinguished. This approach has been used to assess the group composition of Zn, Cu, and Pb compounds in an ordinary chernozem and its changes upon the soil contamination with metals. Contamination of an ordinary chernozem from Rostov oblast with heavy metals caused a disturbance of the natural ratios between the metal compounds. In the natural soil, firmly bound metals predominate (88-95%of the total content), which is mainly caused by the fixation of metals in lattices of silicate minerals (56-83%of the total content). The mobility of the metals in the natural soil is low (5-12%) and is mainly related to metal compounds loosely bound with the soil carbonates. Upon the soil contamination with metals (application rates of 100-300 mg/kg), the content of all the metal compounds increases, but the ratio between them shifts towards a higher portion of the potentially mobile metal compounds (up to 30-40% of the bulk contents of the metals). Organic substances and non-silicate Fe, Al, and Mn minerals become the main carriers of the firmly and loosely bound metals. The strengths of their bonds with Cu, Pb, and Zn differ. Lead in the studied chernozems is mainly fixed in a loosely bound form with organic matter, whereas copper and zinc are fixed both by the organic matter and by the non-silicate Fe, Al, and Mn compounds. Firm fixation of the applied Cu and Pb is mainly ensured by the soil organic matter and non-silicate minerals, whereas firm fixation of Zn is mainly due to non-silicate minerals. The amount of the applied metals fixed in the lattices of the silicate minerals is insignificant. Hence, all the soil components participate in the loose and firm fixation of the metals. The leading role in mobilization-immobilization of natural metal compounds in the ordinary chernozem belongs to carbonates and silicate minerals. For exogenic metal compounds, this role belongs to the soil organic matter and Fe-Mn oxides and hydroxides. The obtained data are important for ecology because they enable us to predict the transformation of soil components responsible for metal fixation and the possibility of their secondary mobilization. The danger of metal mobilization is more probable for metal compounds with organic substances that are particularly active in the loose binding of the introduced metals. This work was supported by the Ministry of Science of the Russian Federation, project no. 5.885.2014/K, the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, projects no. № 14-05-00586_a.

  19. Spiculogenesis in the siliceous sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis studied with fluorescent staining.

    PubMed

    Annenkov, Vadim V; Danilovtseva, Elena N

    2016-04-01

    Siliceous sponges are the most primitive multicellular animals whose skeleton consists of spicules - needle-like constructions from silicon dioxide surrounding organic axial filaments. Mechanisms of spicule formation have been intensively studied due to the high ecological importance of sponges and their interest to materials science. Light and electron microscopy are not appropriate enough to display the process from silicon-enriched cells to mature spicules because of composite structure of the sponge tissues. In this article, spiculogenesis in the siliceous sponge has been studied for the first time with the use of fluorescent microscopy. Fluorescent vital dye NBD-N2 was applied to stain growing siliceous structures in the sponge and primmorph cell system. The main stages of spicule growth in the fresh-water sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis (Pallas, 1773) were visualized: silicon accumulation in sclerocytes; formation of an organic filament protruding from the cell; further elongation of the filament and growth of the spicule in a spindle-like form with enlargement in the center; merger with new sclerocytes and formation of the mature spicule. Fluorescent microscopy combined with SEM allows us to overcome the virtual differentiation between intra- and extracellular mechanisms of spicule growth. The growing spicule can capture silicic acid from the extracellular space and merge with new silicon-enriched cells. Visualization of the growing spicules with the fluorescent dye allows us to monitor sponge viability in ecological or toxicological experiments and to apply genomic, proteomic and biochemical techniques. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Space stable thermal control coatings

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Harada, Y.

    1982-01-01

    A specification quality zinc orthotitanate coating was developed. This silicate-bonded Zn2TiO4 coating is discussed. The effects of precursor chemistry, precursor mixing procedures, stoichiometry variations, and of different heat treatments on the physical and optical properties of Zn2TiO4 are investigated. Inorganic silicates are compared to organic silicone binder systems. The effects of pigment to binder ratio, water content, and of different curing procedures on the optical and physical properties of Zn2TiO4 potassium silicate coatings are also studied. Environmental tests were conducted to determine the UV vacuum stability of coatings for durations up to 5000 equivalent Sun hours.

  1. A New Epoxy-Based Layered Silicate Nanocomposite Using a Hyperbranched Polymer: Study of the Curing Reaction and Nanostructure Development

    PubMed Central

    Cortés, Pilar; Fraga, Iria; Calventus, Yolanda; Román, Frida; Hutchinson, John M.; Ferrando, Francesc

    2014-01-01

    Polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites have been prepared with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy resin as the matrix and organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) as the clay nanofiller. Resin-clay mixtures with different clay contents (zero, two, five and 10 wt%) were cured, both isothermally andnon-isothermally, using a poly(ethyleneimine) hyperbranched polymer (HBP), the cure kinetics being monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanostructure of the cured nanocomposites was characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their mechanical properties were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and impact testing. The results are compared with an earlier study of the structure and properties of the same DGEBA-MMT system cured with a polyoxypropylene diamine, Jeffamine. There are very few examples of the use of HBP as a curing agent in epoxy PLS nanocomposites; here, it is found to enhance significantly the degree of exfoliation of these nanocomposites compared with those cured with Jeffamine, with a corresponding enhancement in the impact energy for nanocomposites with the low clay content of 2 wt%. These changes are attributed to the different cure kinetics with the HBP, in which the intra-gallery homopolymerization reaction is accelerated, such that it occurs before the bulk cross-linking reaction. PMID:28788542

  2. Investigations of the 1 KHZ Sound Absorption in Sea Water.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-01-15

    York, 465 pages. Seward, T. M. (1974) Determination of the first ionization constant of silicic acid from quartz solubility in borate buffer...attenuation coefficient. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 42, 270-271. Uppstrom, L (1968) A modified method for the determination of boron with curcumin and a simplified

  3. Modified carbon fibers to improve composite properties. [sizing fibers for reduced electrical conductivity and adhesion during combustion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shepler, R. E.

    1979-01-01

    Thin coatings, 5 to 10 wt. percent, were applied to PAN-based carbon fibers. These coatings were intended to make the carbon fibers less electrically conductive or to cause fibers to stick together when a carbon fiber/epoxy composite burned. The effectiveness of the coatings in these regards was evaluated in burn tests with a test rig designed to simulate burning, impact and wind conditions which might release carbon fibers. The effect of the coatings on fiber and composite properties and handling was also investigated. Attempts at sizing carbon fibers with silicon dioxide, silicon carbide and boron nitride meet with varying degrees of success; however, none of these materials provided an electrically nonconductive coating. Coatings intended to stick carbon fibers together after a composite burned were sodium silicate, silica gel, ethyl silicate, boric acid and ammonium borate. Of these, only the sodium silicate and silica gel provided any sticking together of fibers. The amount of sticking was insufficient to achieve the desired objectives.

  4. Anionic silicate organic frameworks constructed from hexacoordinate silicon centres

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roeser, Jérôme; Prill, Dragica; Bojdys, Michael J.; Fayon, Pierre; Trewin, Abbie; Fitch, Andrew N.; Schmidt, Martin U.; Thomas, Arne

    2017-10-01

    Crystalline frameworks composed of hexacoordinate silicon species have thus far only been observed in a few high pressure silicate phases. By implementing reversible Si-O chemistry for the crystallization of covalent organic frameworks, we demonstrate the simple one-pot synthesis of silicate organic frameworks based on octahedral dianionic SiO6 building units. Clear evidence of the hexacoordinate environment around the silicon atoms is given by 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Characterization by high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction, density functional theory calculation and analysis of the pair-distribution function showed that those anionic frameworks—M2[Si(C16H10O4)1.5], where M = Li, Na, K and C16H10O4 is 9,10-dimethylanthracene-2,3,6,7-tetraolate—crystallize as two-dimensional hexagonal layers stabilized in a fully eclipsed stacking arrangement with pronounced disorder in the stacking direction. Permanent microporosity with high surface area (up to 1,276 m2 g-1) was evidenced by gas-sorption measurements. The negatively charged backbone balanced with extra-framework cations and the permanent microporosity are characteristics that are shared with zeolites.

  5. Fischer-Tropsch-Type Production of Organic Materials in the Solar Nebula: Studies Using Graphite Catalysts and Measuring the Trapping of Noble Gases

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nuth, Joseph A., III; Ferguson, Frank T.; Lucas, Christopher; Kimura, Yuki; Hohenberg, Charles

    2009-01-01

    The formation of abundant carbonaceous material in meteorites is a long standing problem and an important factor in the debate on the potential for the origin of life in other stellar systems. The Fischer-Tropsch-type (FTT) catalytic reduction of CO by hydrogen was once the preferred model for production of organic materials in the primitive solar nebula. We have demonstrated that many grain surfaces can catalyze both FTT and HB-type reactions, including amorphous iron and magnesium silicates, pure silica smokes as well as several minerals. Graphite is not a particularly good FTT catalyst, especially compared to iron powder or to amorphous iron silicate. However, like other silicates that we have studied, it gets better with exposure to CO. N2 and H2 over time: e.g., after formation of a macromolecular carbonaceous layer on the surfaces of the underlying gains. While amorphous iron silicates required only 1 or 2 experimental runs to achieve steady state reaction rates, graphite only achieved steady state after 6 or more experiments. We will present results showing the catalytic action of graphite grains increasing with increasing number of experiments and will also discuss the nature of the final "graphite" grains aster completion of our experiments.

  6. Formation of replicating saponite from a gel in the presence of oxalate: implications for the formation of clay minerals in carbonaceous chondrites and the origin of life.

    PubMed

    Schumann, Dirk; Hartman, Hyman; Eberl, Dennis D; Sears, S Kelly; Hesse, Reinhard; Vali, Hojatollah

    2012-06-01

    The potential role of clay minerals in the abiotic origin of life has been the subject of ongoing debate for the past several decades. At issue are the clay minerals found in a class of meteorites known as carbonaceous chondrites. These clay minerals are the product of aqueous alteration of anhydrous mineral phases, such as olivine and orthopyroxene, that are often present in the chondrules. Moreover, there is a strong correlation in the occurrence of clay minerals and the presence of polar organic molecules. It has been shown in laboratory experiments at low temperature and ambient pressure that polar organic molecules, such as the oxalate found in meteorites, can catalyze the crystallization of clay minerals. In this study, we show that oxalate is a robust catalyst in the crystallization of saponite, an Al- and Mg-rich, trioctahedral 2:1 layer silicate, from a silicate gel at 60°C and ambient pressure. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the saponite treated with octadecylammonium (n(C)=18) cations revealed the presence of 2:1 layer structures that have variable interlayer charge. The crystallization of these differently charged 2:1 layer silicates most likely occurred independently. The fact that 2:1 layer silicates with variable charge formed in the same gel has implications for our understanding of the origin of life, as these 2:1 clay minerals most likely replicate by a mechanism of template-catalyzed polymerization and transmit the charge distribution from layer to layer. If polar organic molecules like oxalate can catalyze the formation of clay-mineral crystals, which in turn promote clay microenvironments and provide abundant adsorption sites for other organic molecules present in solution, the interaction among these adsorbed molecules could lead to the polymerization of more complex organic molecules like RNA from nucleotides on early Earth.

  7. Formation of replicating saponite from a gel in the presence of oxalate: implications for the formation of clay minerals in carbonaceous chondrites and the origin of life

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Schumann, Dirk; Hartman, Hyman; Eberl, Dennis D.; Sears, S. Kelly; Hesse, Reinhard; Vali, Hojatollah

    2012-01-01

    The potential role of clay minerals in the abiotic origin of life has been the subject of ongoing debate for the past several decades. At issue are the clay minerals found in a class of meteorites known as carbonaceous chondrites. These clay minerals are the product of aqueous alteration of anhydrous mineral phases, such as olivine and orthopyroxene, that are often present in the chondrules. Moreover, there is a strong correlation in the occurrence of clay minerals and the presence of polar organic molecules. It has been shown in laboratory experiments at low temperature and ambient pressure that polar organic molecules, such as the oxalate found in meteorites, can catalyze the crystallization of clay minerals. In this study, we show that oxalate is a robust catalyst in the crystallization of saponite, an Al- and Mg-rich, trioctahedral 2:1 layer silicate, from a silicate gel at 60°C and ambient pressure. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the saponite treated with octadecylammonium (n(C)=18) cations revealed the presence of 2:1 layer structures that have variable interlayer charge. The crystallization of these differently charged 2:1 layer silicates most likely occurred independently. The fact that 2:1 layer silicates with variable charge formed in the same gel has implications for our understanding of the origin of life, as these 2:1 clay minerals most likely replicate by a mechanism of template-catalyzed polymerization and transmit the charge distribution from layer to layer. If polar organic molecules like oxalate can catalyze the formation of clay-mineral crystals, which in turn promote clay microenvironments and provide abundant adsorption sites for other organic molecules present in solution, the interaction among these adsorbed molecules could lead to the polymerization of more complex organic molecules like RNA from nucleotides on early Earth.

  8. The composition and origin of the C, P, and D asteroids - Water as a tracer of thermal evolution in the outer belt

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jones, Thomas D.; Lebofsky, Larry A.; Lewis, John S.; Marley, Mark S.

    1990-01-01

    A telescopic and laboratory investigation of water distribution among low albedo asteroids in the outer belt, using the 3-micron reflectance absorption of molecular H2O and structural OH ions (coincident with the 3-micron spectral signature of meteorite and asteroid hydrated silicates) shows that 66 percent of the C-class asteroids in the sample have hydrated silicate surfaces. In conjunction with the apparently anhydrous P and D surfaces, this pronounced hydration difference between C-class asteroids and the more distant P and D classes points to an original outer belt asteroid composition of anhydrous silicates, water ice, and complex organic material. Early solar-wind induction heating of protoasteroids, declining in intensity with distance from the sun, is conjectured to have produced the observed diminution of hydrated silicate abundance.

  9. Wastewater reuse in liquid sodium silicate manufacturing in alexandria, egypt.

    PubMed

    Ismail, Gaber A; Abd El-Salam, Magda M; Arafa, Anwar K

    2009-01-01

    Soluble sodium silicates (waterglass) are liquids containing dissolved glass which have some water like properties. They are widely used in industry as sealants, binders, deflocculants, emulsifiers and buffers. Their most common applications in Egypt are in the pulp and paper industry (where they improve the brightness and efficiency of peroxide bleaching) and the detergent industry, in which they improve the action of the detergent and lower the viscosity of liquid soaps. The survey results showed that the production was carried out batch-wise, in an autoclave (dissolver). Sodium silicate in the state of crushed glass was charged in an autoclave (dissolver) with sodium hydroxide and water. The product is filtered through a press. The left over sludge (mud and silicates impurities) is emptied into the local sewer system. Also, sludge (silica gel) was discharged from the neutralization process of the generated alkaline wastewater and consequently clogging the sewerage system. So this study was carried out to modify the current wastewater management system which eliminates sludge formation, the discharge of higher pH wastewater to the sewer system, and to assess its environmental and economic benefits. To assess the characteristics of wastewater to be reused, physico-chemical parameters of 12 samples were tested using standard methods. The survey results showed that a total capacity of the selected enterprise was 540 tons of liquid sodium silicates monthly. The total amount of wastewater being discharged was 335 m3/month. Reusing of wastewater as feed autoclave water reduced water consumption of 32.1% and reduced wastewater discharge/month that constitutes 89.6% as well as saving in final product of 6 ton/month. It was concluded that reusing of wastewater generated from liquid sodium silicate manufacturing process resulted in cheaper and environmental-friendly product.

  10. Carbonate and silicate cementation of siliciclastic sediments of the New Jersey shelf (IODP Expedition 313): relation with organic matter diagenesis and submarine groundwater discharge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pierre, Catherine; Blanc-Valleron, Marie-Madeleine; Boudouma, Omar; Lofi, Johanna

    2017-12-01

    The New Jersey continental shelf extends 150 km off the shoreline. During IODP Expedition 313, siliciclastic deposits of late Eocene to late Pleistocene age were drilled down to 631, 669 and 755 m below seafloor at sites 27A, 28A and 29A respectively in very shallow waters (33.5 to 36 m depth). Pore water salinities display multilayered brackish-salty-brine units 10 to 170 m thick, where low-salinity water is preferentially stored in fine-grained sediments. The sharp boundaries of these buried aquifers are often marked by cemented layers a few centimetres thick. The mineralogy and scanning electron microscope observations of these layers show two phases of cementation by authigenic minerals: (1) the early carbonate cement is frequently associated with pyrite, and (2) the late silicate cement infills the residual porosity. The isotopic compositions of the carbonate cements vary widely: -2.4 < δ18O ‰ VPDB < +2.8; -15.1 < δ13C ‰ VPDB < +15.6. The δ18O values indicate that the carbonate cements precipitated with pore waters comprising variable mixtures of seawater and 18O-depleted fresh water originating from submarine groundwater discharge. The δ13C values of the carbonate cements are related to organic matter diagenesis, providing 13C-depleted dissolved inorganic carbon during bacterial sulphate reduction and anaerobic oxidation of methane, and 13C-rich dissolved inorganic carbon during methanogenesis. The diagenetic cementation processes included chemical weathering of reactive silicate minerals by the CO2-rich pore waters issued from organic matter diagenesis that released bicarbonate, cations and dissolved silica, which were further precipitated as carbonate and silicate cements. The estimated range of temperature (18±4 °C) during carbonate precipitation is consistent with carbonate cementation at moderate burial depths; however, silicate cementation occurred later during diagenesis at deeper burial depths.

  11. Insights into the interfacial strengthening mechanisms of calcium-silicate-hydrate/polymer nanocomposites.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Yang; Hou, Dongshuai; Geng, Guoqing; Feng, Pan; Yu, Jiao; Jiang, Jinyang

    2018-03-28

    The mechanical properties of organic/inorganic composites can be highly dependent on the interfacial interactions. In this work, with organic polymers intercalated into the interlayer of inorganic calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), the primary binding phase of Portland cement, great ductility improvement is obtained for the nanocomposites. Employing reactive molecular dynamics, the simulation results indicate that strong interfacial interactions between the polymers and the substrate contribute greatly to strengthening the materials, when C-S-H/poly ethylene glycol (PEG), C-S-H/poly acrylic acid (PAA), and C-S-H/poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) were subject to uniaxial tension along different lattice directions. In the x and z direction tensile processes, the Si-OCa bonds of the C-S-H gel, which were elongated and broken to form Si-OH and Ca-OH, play a critical role in loading resistance, while the incorporation of polymers bridged the neighboring silicate sheets, and activated more the hydrolytic reactions at the interfaces to avoid strain localization, thus increasing the tensile strength and postponing the fracture. On the other hand, Si-O-Si bonds of C-S-H mainly take the load when tension was applied along the y direction. During the post-yield stage, rearrangements of silicate tetrahedra occurred to prevent rapid damage. The polymer intercalation further elongates this post-yield period by forming interfacial Si-O-C bonds, which promote rearrangements and improve the connectivity of the defective silicate morphology, significantly improving the ductility. Among the polymers, PEG exhibits the strongest interaction with C-S-H, and thus C-S-H/PEG possesses the highest ductility. We expect that the molecular-scale mechanisms interpreted here will shed new light on the stress-activated chemical interactions at the organic/inorganic interfaces, and help eliminate the brittleness of cement-based materials on a genetic level.

  12. Fossil diatoms imply common cometary origin of space-dust and the Polonnaruwa meteorite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miyake, N.; Wallis, M. K.; Wickramasinghe, N. C.

    2013-09-01

    IDPs collected in 2001 at 40km altitude by cryosamplers studied via scanning electron microscopy and EDX were found to contain siliceous fibres and whiskers, some isolated but often embedded in a mineral matrix. The newly-arrived Polonnaruwa meteorite gives strong evidence for the hypothesis that they are fragments of diatoms agglomerating on solar system icy bodies. Diatom frustules and even whole diatom skeletons are identifiable within the meteorite. Specimens of a siliceous exoskeleton with multiple spines/whiskers have also been found, thought to be freshwater diatoms. As diatoms are dependent on a source of nitrogenous organics, the siliceous whiskers within IDPs would be an indicator of a photosynthesizing ecosystem, probably on a comet.

  13. Formulation and characterization of a compacted multiparticulate system for modified release of water-soluble drugs--part 1--acetaminophen.

    PubMed

    Cantor, Stuart L; Hoag, Stephen W; Augsburger, Larry L

    2009-03-01

    The aim of this study was to characterize and evaluate a modified release, multiparticulate tablet formulation consisting of placebo beads and drug-loaded beads. Acetaminophen (APAP) bead formulations containing ethylcellulose (EC) from 40-60% and placebo beads containing 30% calcium silicate and prepared using 0-20% alcohol were developed using extrusion-spheronization and studied using a central composite experimental design. Particle size and true density of beads were measured. Segregation testing was performed using the novel ASTM D6940-04 method on a 50:50 blend of uncoated APAP beads (60%EC) : calcium silicate placebo beads (10% alcohol). Tablets were prepared using an instrumented Stokes-B2 rotary tablet press and evaluated for crushing strength and dissolution rate. Compared with drug beads (60%EC), placebo beads (10% alcohol) were smaller but had higher true densities: 864.8 mum and 1.27 g/cm(3), and 787.1 mum and 1.73 g/cm(3), respectively. Segregation testing revealed that there was approximately a 20% difference in drug content (as measured by the coefficient of variation) between initial and final blend samples. Although calcium silicate-based placebo beads were shown to be ineffective cushioning agents in blends with Surelease(R)-coated APAP beads, they were found to be very compactibile when used alone and gave tablet crushing strength values between 14 and 17 kP. The EC in the APAP bead matrix minimally suppressed the drug release from uncoated beads (t(100%) = 2 h). However, while tablets containing placebo beads reformulated with glycerol monostearate (GMS) showed a slower release rate (t(60%)= 5 h) compared with calcium silicate-based placebos, some coating damage ( approximately 30%) still occurred on compression as release was faster than coated APAP beads alone. While tablets containing coated drug beads can be produced with practical crushing strengths (>8 kP) and low compression pressures (10-35 MPa), dissolution studies revealed that calcium silicate-based placebos are ineffective as cushioning agents. Blend segregation was likely observed due to the particle size and the density differences between APAP beads and calcium silicate-based placebo beads; placebo bead percolation can perhaps be minimized by increasing their size during the extrusion-spheronization process. The GMS- based placebos offer greater promise as cushioning agents for compacted, coated drug beads; however, this requires an optimized compression pressure range and drug bead : placebo bead ratio (i.e., 50:50).

  14. Na/Ca Intermixing around Silicate and Phosphate Groups in Bioactive Phosphosilicate Glasses Revealed by Heteronuclear Solid-State NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

    PubMed

    Mathew, Renny; Stevensson, Baltzar; Edén, Mattias

    2015-04-30

    We characterize the intermixing of network-modifying Na(+)/Ca(2+) ions around the silicate (QSi(n)) and phosphate (QP(n)) tetrahedra in a series of 16 Na2O–CaO–SiO2–P2O5 glasses, whose P content and silicate network connectivity were varied independently. The set includes both bioactive and bioinactive compositions and also encompasses two soda-lime-silicate members devoid of P, as well as two CaO–SiO2 glasses and one Na2O–SiO2–P2O5 glass. The various Si/P↔Na/Ca contacts were probed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations together with heteronuclear magic-angle-spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimentation utilizing (23)Na{(31)P} and (23)Na{(29)Si} REDOR, as well as (31)P{ (23)Na} and (29)Si{(23)Na} REAPDOR. We introduce an approach for quantifying the extent of Na(+)/Ca(2+) ordering around a given QP(n) or QSi(n) group, encoded by the preference factor 0⩽ PM ⩽ 1 conveying the relative weights of a random cation intermixing (PM = 0) and complete preference/ordering (PM = 1) for one of the species M, which represents either Na(+) or Ca(2+). The MD-derived preference factors reveal phosphate and silicate species surrounded by Na(+)/Ca(2+) ions intermixed nearly randomly (PM ≲ 0.15), except for the QSi(4) and QSi(1) groups, which manifest more significant cation ordering with preference for Na+ and Ca2+, respectively. The overall weak preferences are essentially independent of the Si and P contents of the glass, whereas PM primarily correlates with the total amount of network modifiers: as the latter is increased, the Na/Ca distribution around the {QP(0), QSi(1), QSi(2)} groups with preference for Ca2(+ )tend to randomize (i.e., PCa decreases), while the PNa-values grow slightly for the {QP(1), QSi(3), QSi(4)} species already preferring coordination of Na. The set of experimental preference factors {PCa} for the orthophosphate (QP(0)) groups extracted from (31)P{(23)Na} REAPDOR NMR-derived M2(P–Na) dipolar second moments agrees well with the MD-generated counterparts. Our results on the Na/Ca intermixing in soda-lime-silicate glasses are discussed in relation to previous reports, highlighting the dependence of the conclusion on the approach to data evaluation.

  15. COHESION OF AMORPHOUS SILICA SPHERES: TOWARD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE COAGULATION GROWTH OF SILICATE DUST AGGREGATES

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

    Kimura, Hiroshi; Wada, Koji; Senshu, Hiroki

    2015-10-10

    Adhesion forces between submicrometer-sized silicate grains play a crucial role in the formation of silicate dust agglomerates, rocky planetesimals, and terrestrial planets. The surface energy of silicate dust particles is the key to their adhesion and rolling forces in a theoretical model based on contact mechanics. Here we revisit the cohesion of amorphous silica spheres by compiling available data on the surface energy for hydrophilic amorphous silica in various circumstances. It turned out that the surface energy for hydrophilic amorphous silica in a vacuum is a factor of 10 higher than previously assumed. Therefore, the previous theoretical models underestimated themore » critical velocity for the sticking of amorphous silica spheres, as well as the rolling friction forces between them. With the most plausible value of the surface energy for amorphous silica spheres, theoretical models based on the contact mechanics are in harmony with laboratory experiments. Consequently, we conclude that silicate grains with a radius of 0.1 μm could grow to planetesimals via coagulation in a protoplanetary disk. We argue that the coagulation growth of silicate grains in a molecular cloud is advanced either by organic mantles rather than icy mantles or, if there are no mantles, by nanometer-sized grain radius.« less

  16. Hard X-ray irradiation of cosmic silicate analogs: structural evolution and astrophysical implications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gavilan, L.; Jäger, C.; Simionovici, A.; Lemaire, J. L.; Sabri, T.; Foy, E.; Yagoubi, S.; Henning, T.; Salomon, D.; Martinez-Criado, G.

    2016-03-01

    Context. Protoplanetary disks, interstellar clouds, and active galactic nuclei contain X-ray-dominated regions. X-rays interact with the dust and gas present in such environments. While a few laboratory X-ray irradiation experiments have been performed on ices, X-ray irradiation experiments on bare cosmic dust analogs have been scarce up to now. Aims: Our goal is to study the effects of hard X-rays on cosmic dust analogs via in situ X-ray diffraction. By using a hard X-ray synchrotron nanobeam, we seek to simulate cumulative X-ray exposure on dust grains during their lifetime in these astrophysical environments and provide an upper limit on the effect of hard X-rays on dust grain structure. Methods: We prepared enstatite (MgSiO3) nanograins, which are analogs to cosmic silicates, via the melting-quenching technique. These amorphous grains were then annealed to obtain polycrystalline grains. These were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) before irradiation. Powder samples were prepared in X-ray transparent substrates and were irradiated with hard X-rays nanobeams (29.4 keV) provided by beamline ID16B of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble). X-ray diffraction images were recorded in transmission mode, and the ensuing diffractograms were analyzed as a function of the total X-ray exposure time. Results: We detected the amorphization of polycrystalline silicates embedded in an organic matrix after an accumulated X-ray exposure of 6.4 × 1027 eV cm-2. Pure crystalline silicate grains (without resin) do not exhibit amorphization. None of the amorphous silicate samples (pure and embedded in resin) underwent crystallization. We analyze the evolution of the polycrystalline sample embedded in an organic matrix as a function of X-ray exposure. Conclusions: Loss of diffraction peak intensity, peak broadening, and the disappearance of discrete spots and arcs reveal the amorphization of the resin embedded (originally polycrystalline) silicate sample. We explore the astrophysical implications of this laboratory result as an upper limit to the effect of X-rays on the structure of cosmic silicates.

  17. Organic Biomarker Preservation in Silica-Rich Hydrothermal Systems with Implications to Mars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jahnke, L. L.; Parenteau, M. N.; Farmer, J. D.

    2016-05-01

    Microbial community structure and preservation of organic matter in siliceous hydrothermal environments is a critical issue given the discovery of hydrothermal vents and silica on Mars. Here we discuss preservation of cyanobacterial biomarker lipid.

  18. A model for the biological precipitation of Precambrian iron-formation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Laberge, G. L.

    1986-01-01

    A biological model for the precipitation of Precambrian iron formations is presented. Assuming an oxygen deficient atmosphere and water column to allow sufficient Fe solubility, it is proposed that local oxidizing environments, produced biologically, led to precipitation of iron formations. It is further suggested that spheroidal structures about 30 mm in diameter, which are widespread in low grade cherty rion formations, are relict forms of the organic walled microfossil Eosphaera tylerii. The presence of these structures suggests that the organism may have had a siliceous test, which allowed sufficient rigidity for accumulation and preservation. The model involves precipitation of ferric hydrates by oxidation of iron in the photic zone by a variety of photosynthetic organisms. Silica may have formed in the frustules of silica secreting organisms, including Eosphaera tylerii. Iron formates formed, therefore, by a sediment rain of biologically produced ferric hydrates and silica and other organic material. Siderite and hematite formed diagenetically on basin floors, and subsequent metamorphism produced magnetite and iron silicates.

  19. Characterization and enhanced nonlinear optical limiting response in carbon nanodots dispersed in solid-state hybrid organically modified silica gel glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Li; Zheng, Chan; Guo, Qiaohang; Huang, Dongdong; Wu, Xiukai; Chen, Ling

    2018-02-01

    Freely dispersed carbon nanodots (CNDs) were introduced into a 3-glycidoxy-propyltrimethoxysilane modified silicate gel glass (i.e. an organically modified silica or ORMOSIL) by a highly efficient and simple sol-gel process, which could be easily extended to prepare functional molecules/nanoparticles solid state optoelectronic devices. Scanning electron microscope imaging, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pore structure measurements, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to investigate the surface characteristics, structure, texture, and linear optical properties of the CND/SiO2 ORMOSIL gel glasses. Images and UV/Vis spectra confirmed the successful dispersion of CNDs in the ORMOSIL gel glass. The surface characteristics and pore structure of the host SiO2 matrix were markedly changed through the introduction of the CNDs. The linear optical properties of the guest CNDs were also affected by the sol-gel procedure. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the CNDs were investigated by a nanosecond open-aperture Z-scan technique at 532 nm both in liquid and solid matrices. We found that the NLO response of the CNDs was considerably improved after their incorporation into the ORMOSIL gel glasses. Possible enhancement mechanisms were also explored. The nonlinear extinction coefficient gradually increased while the optical limiting (OL) threshold decreased as the CND doping level was increased. This result suggests that the NLO and OL properties of the composite gel glasses can be optimized by tuning the concentration of CNDs in the gel glass matrix. Our findings show that CND/SiO2 ORMOSIL gel glasses are promising candidates for optical limiters to protect sensitive instruments and human eyes from damage caused by high power lasers.

  20. Mechanochemical Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite and Its Modifications: Composition, Structure, and Properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chaikina, M. V.; Bulina, N. V.; Ishchenko, A. V.; Prosanov, I. Yu.

    2014-02-01

    The mechanochemical method is used to synthesize samples of hydroxyapatite (HA) with substitution of the phosphate ion by silicate and zirconate ions, and substitution of calcium ions by copper ions. In the process of mechanochemical synthesis, carbonate ions and water molecules are incorporated into the structure of HA due to interaction of components of the reaction mixture with air. Intrusion of carbonate into the structure of HA is a competing process with modification of apatite by silicate and zirconate anions; therefore, the composition of the product during synthesis differs from the prescribed one. After annealing of the samples, the composition of the anion-modified HA can be described by the formula Са10(РО4)6- х (АО4) х (ОН)2- х , where (АО4)4- is the modifying anion. Substitution of calcium by copper ions localized at the Са1 position has been detected. Silver ions are not incorporated into the structure of HA, but are distributed in the apatite matrix in the form of nanocrystals of metallic silver.

  1. Diatomite silica nanoparticles for drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruggiero, Immacolata; Terracciano, Monica; Martucci, Nicola M.; De Stefano, Luca; Migliaccio, Nunzia; Tatè, Rosarita; Rendina, Ivo; Arcari, Paolo; Lamberti, Annalisa; Rea, Ilaria

    2014-07-01

    Diatomite is a natural fossil material of sedimentary origin, constituted by fragments of diatom siliceous skeletons. In this preliminary work, the properties of diatomite nanoparticles as potential system for the delivery of drugs in cancer cells were exploited. A purification procedure, based on thermal treatments in strong acid solutions, was used to remove inorganic and organic impurities from diatomite and to make them a safe material for medical applications. The micrometric diatomite powder was reduced in nanoparticles by mechanical crushing, sonication, and filtering. Morphological analysis performed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy reveals a particles size included between 100 and 300 nm. Diatomite nanoparticles were functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and labeled by tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate. Different concentrations of chemically modified nanoparticles were incubated with cancer cells and confocal microscopy was performed. Imaging analysis showed an efficient cellular uptake and homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in cytoplasm and nucleus, thus suggesting their potentiality as nanocarriers for drug delivery.

  2. Application of Modified Nanonaturally Montmorillonite in Monochlorobenzene Remediation in River Water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Chen; Chen, Jun-Feng; Li, Yun; Chen, Rong-Chang; Asaoka, Sachio; Yuan, Guo-Li

    2012-12-01

    As the inland waterway transportation developed rapidly in China, the frequency of hazardous chemical leakage accidents is increasing every year. Such pollution to inland river environment has become a world-wide issue. Montmorillonite (Mont) is typical 2:1 layer type silicate clay and due to their special structure, it has been used in organic pollution removal process. In order to improve their ability in pollution adsorption, the pillared Mont was made in this work. Since the common toxic structure in most chemical pollutants is the halogen atom-benzene ring part, we select a typical compound Monochlorobenzene (MCB) as the aim contaminant. In this research, the original Mont, Na-Mont, TiO2 and TiO2-Mont were prepared and used in MCB degradation experiment as catalysts. The influence of catalyst amount, promoter (H2O2) amount, MCB concentration and reaction time to MCB removal rate were studied, respectively in detail.

  3. Quaternary ammonium silane-functionalized, methacrylate resin composition with antimicrobial activities and self-repair potential

    PubMed Central

    Gong, Shi-qiang; Niu, Li-na; Kemp, Lisa K.; Yiu, Cynthia K.Y.; Ryou, Heonjune; Qi, Yi-pin; Blizzard, John D.; Nikonov, Sergey; Brackett, Martha G.; Messer, Regina L.W.; Wu, Christine D.; Mao, Jing; Brister, L. Bryan; Rueggeberg, Frederick A.; Arola, Dwayne D.; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

    2012-01-01

    Design of antimicrobial polymers for enhancing healthcare issues and minimizing environmental problems is an important endeavor with both fundamental and practical implications. Quaternary ammonium silane-functionalized methacrylate (QAMS) represents an example of antimicrobial macromonomers synthesized by a sol-gel chemical route; these compounds possess flexible Si-O-Si bonds. In present work, a partially-hydrolyzed QAMS copolymerized with bis-GMA is introduced. This methacrylate resin was shown to possess desirable mechanical properties with both a high degree of conversion and minimal polymerization shrinkage. Kill-on-contact microbiocidal activities of this resin were demonstrated using single-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 36558), Actinomyces naeslundii (ATCC 12104) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). Improved mechanical properties after hydration provided the proof-of-concept that QAMS-incorporated resin exhibits self-repair potential via water-induced condensation of organic modified silicate (ormosil) phases within the polymerized resin matrix. PMID:22659173

  4. Trapping Planetary Noble Gases During the Fischer-Tropsch-Type Synthesis of Organic Materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nuth, Joseph A.; Johnson, N. M.; Meshik, A.

    2010-01-01

    When hydrogen, nitrogen and CO arc exposed to amorphous iron silicate surfaces at temperatures between 500 - 900K, a carbonaceous coating forms via Fischer-Tropsch type reactions!, Under normal circumstances such a catalytic coating would impede or stop further reaction. However, we find that this coating is a better catalyst than the amorphous iron silicates that initiate these rcactions:u . The formation of a self-perpetuating catalytic coating on grain surfaces could explain the rich deposits of macromolecular carbon found in primitive meteorites and would imply that protostellar nebulae should be rich in organic materiaL Many more experiments are needed to understand this chemical system and its application to protostellar nebulae.

  5. Role of magnesium oxide and strontium oxide as modifiers in silicate-based bioactive glasses: Effects on thermal behaviour, mechanical properties and in-vitro bioactivity.

    PubMed

    Bellucci, Devis; Sola, Antonella; Salvatori, Roberta; Anesi, Alexandre; Chiarini, Luigi; Cannillo, Valeria

    2017-03-01

    The composition of a CaO-rich silicate bioglass (BG_Ca-Mix, in mol%: 2.3 Na 2 O; 2.3 K 2 O; 45.6 CaO; 2.6 P 2 O 5 ; 47.2 SiO 2 ) was modified by replacing a fixed 10mol% of CaO with MgO or SrO or fifty-fifty MgO-SrO. The thermal behaviour of the modified glasses was accurately evaluated via differential thermal analysis (DTA), heating microscopy and direct sintering tests. The presence of MgO and/or SrO didn't interfere with the thermal stability of the parent glass, since all the new glasses remained completely amorphous after sintering (treatment performed at 753°C for the glass with MgO; at 750°C with SrO; at 759°C with MgO and SrO). The sintered samples achieved good mechanical properties, with a Young's modulus ranging between 57.9±6.7 for the MgO-SrO modified composition and 112.6±8.0GPa for the MgO-modified one. If immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF), the modified glasses after sintering retained the strong apatite forming ability of the parent glass, in spite of the presence of MgO and/or SrO. Moreover, the sintered glasses, tested with MLO-Y4 osteocytes by means of a multi-parametrical approach, showed a good bioactivity in vitro, since neither the glasses nor their extracts caused any negative effect on cell viability or any inhibition on cell growth. The best results were achieved by the MgO-modified glasses, both BGMIX_Mg and BGMIX_MgSr, which were able to exert a strong stimulating effect on the cell growth, thus confirming the beneficial effect of MgO on the glass bioactivity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Fibrillar Organic Phases And Their Roles In Rigid Biological Composites

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

    Arey, Bruce W.; Park, John J.; Mayer, George

    2015-06-01

    This study focused on determining the presence of organic phases in the siliceous components of rigid marine composites ("glass" sponge spicules), and thereby to clarify how those composites dissipate significant mechanical energy. Through the use of imaging by helium ion microscopy in the examination of the spicules, the organic phase that is present between the layers of hydrated silica was also detected within the silica cylinders of the composite, indicating the existence therein of a network, scaffolding, or other pattern that has not yet been determined. It was concluded that the presence of an interpenetrating network of some kind, andmore » tenacious fibrillar interfaces are responsible for the large energy dissipation in these siliceous composites by viscoelastic processes. This discovery means that future mechanics analyses of such composites, extending to large deformations must consider such interpenetrating phases.« less

  7. Comment on "The shape and composition of interstellar silicate grains"

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

    Bradley, J P; Ishii, H

    2007-09-27

    In the paper entitled 'The shape and composition of interstellar silicate grains' (A & A, 462, 667-676 (2007)), Min et al. explore non-spherical grain shape and composition in modeling the interstellar 10 and 20 {micro}m extinction features. This progression towards more realistic models is vitally important to enabling valid comparisons between dust observations and laboratory measurements. Min et al. proceed to compare their model results with GEMS (glass with embedded metals and sulfides) from IDPs (interplanetary dust particles) and to discuss the nature and origin of GEMS. Specifically, they evaluate the hypothesis of Bradley (1994) that GEMS are interstellar (IS)more » amorphous silicates. From a comparison of the mineralogy, chemical compositions, and infrared (IR) spectral properties of GEMS with their modeling results, Min et al. conclude: 'GEMS are, in general, not unprocessed leftovers from the diffuse ISM'. This conclusion is based, however, on erroneous and incomplete GEMS data. It is important to clarify first that Bradley (1994) never proposed that GEMS are unprocessed leftovers from the diffuse ISM, nor did he suggest that individual subnanogram mass GEMS are a representative sampling of the enormous mass of silicates in the diffuse ISM. Bradley (1994) simply showed that GEMS properties are consistent with those of IS amorphous silicates. It is widely accepted that circumstellar outflows are important sources of IS silicates, and whether GEMS are processed or not, the circumstellar heritage of some has been rigorously confirmed through measurements of non-solar oxygen (O) isotope abundances (Messenger et al., 2003; Floss et al., 2006). Keller et al. (2000) assert that even GEMS without detectable O isotope anomalies are probably also extrasolar IS silicates because they are embedded in carbonaceous material with non-solar D/H isotopic composition. (Much of the silicate dust in the ISM may be isotopically homogenized (Zhukovska et al., 2007)). Recent measurements show that the elemental compositions of GEMS with non-solar isotopic compositions are 'remarkably similar' to those with solar isotopic compositions (Keller & Messenger, 2007). About 80% of all isotopically anomalous IS silicates identified to date are GEMS with detectable and variable O isotopic memories of a circumstellar ancestry (Messenger, 2007). Bradley (1999) proposed that GEMS are IS silicates from 'a presolar interstellar molecular cloud, presumably the local molecular cloud from which the solar system formed'. Although based on incorrect data (detailed below), Min et al. propose that most GEMS actually formed in the presolar molecular cloud, and they further propose that none of them are IS silicates. IS silicate sources include molecular clouds, circumstellar outflows, supernovae, and even recently discovered black hole winds (Molster & Waters; 2003; Jones, 2005; Zhukovska et al. 2007; Markwick-Kemper et al. 2007). The average IS 10 {micro}m extinction feature observed along lines of sight towards the galactic center (modeled by Min et al.) presumably provides a good average for IS silicates, but it cannot distinguish amorphous silicates originating in the presolar molecular cloud from amorphous silicates originating in other interstellar molecular clouds or indeed other sources of amorphous IS silicates. Even if most GEMS accreted in the presolar molecular cloud, then they must also be representatives of some portion of the IS amorphous silicate population. Laboratory heating experiments indicate it is highly unlikely that GEMS were modified in a protoplanetary accretion disk environment (Brownlee et al. 2005). In summary, Min et al. conclude from their modeling of the shape and composition of IS silicates that the properties of GEMS are generally inconsistent with those of IS silicates. First, it has been rigorously confirmed via ion microprobe measurements that some GEMS are indeed presolar IS silicates. Second, regardless of whether GEMS, or components of GEMS, originated in presolar circumstellar outflows or a presolar molecular cloud they are all IS silicates. Third, key GEMS data reported in Min et al. are inaccurate. Had complete isotopic, chemical, mineralogical and infrared (IR) spectral properties of GEMS been considered, Min et al. may have concluded that the properties of GEMS, although not an exact match, are generally consistent with those of amorphous silicates in the ISM.« less

  8. Revealing the Effect of Irradiation on Cement Hydrates: Evidence of a Topological Self-Organization.

    PubMed

    Krishnan, N M Anoop; Wang, Bu; Sant, Gaurav; Phillips, James C; Bauchy, Mathieu

    2017-09-20

    Despite the crucial role of concrete in the construction of nuclear power plants, the effects of radiation exposure (i.e., in the form of neutrons) on the calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H, i.e., the glue of concrete) remain largely unknown. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we systematically investigate the effects of irradiation on the structure of C-S-H across a range of compositions. Expectedly, although C-S-H is more resistant to irradiation than typical crystalline silicates, such as quartz, we observe that radiation exposure affects C-S-H's structural order, silicate mean chain length, and the amount of molecular water that is present in the atomic network. By topological analysis, we show that these "structural effects" arise from a self-organization of the atomic network of C-S-H upon irradiation. This topological self-organization is driven by the (initial) presence of atomic eigenstress in the C-S-H network and is facilitated by the presence of water in the network. Overall, we show that C-S-H exhibits an optimal resistance to radiation damage when its atomic network is isostatic (at Ca/Si = 1.5). Such an improved understanding of the response of C-S-H to irradiation can pave the way to the design of durable concrete for radiation applications.

  9. The Search for Interstellar Sulfide Grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, Lindsay P.; Messenger, Scott

    2010-01-01

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

  10. Synthesis of non-siliceous mesoporous oxides.

    PubMed

    Gu, Dong; Schüth, Ferdi

    2014-01-07

    Mesoporous non-siliceous oxides have attracted great interest due to their unique properties and potential applications. Since the discovery of mesoporous silicates in 1990s, organic-inorganic assembly processes by using surfactants or block copolymers as soft templates have been considered as a feasible path for creating mesopores in metal oxides. However, the harsh sol-gel conditions and low thermal stabilities have limited the expansion of this method to various metal oxide species. Nanocasting, using ordered mesoporous silica or carbon as a hard template, has provided possibilities for preparing novel mesoporous materials with new structures, compositions and high thermal stabilities. This review concerns the synthesis, composition, and parameter control of mesoporous non-siliceous oxides. Four synthesis routes, i.e. soft-templating (surfactants or block copolymers as templates), hard-templating (mesoporous silicas or carbons as sacrificial templates), colloidal crystal templating (3-D ordered colloidal particles as a template), and super lattice routes, are summarized in this review. Mesoporous metal oxides with different compositions have different properties. Non-siliceous mesoporous oxides are comprehensively described, including a discussion of constituting elements, synthesis, and structures. General aspects concerning pore size control, atomic scale crystallinity, and phase control are also reviewed.

  11. Cellular morphology of organic-inorganic hybrid foams based on alkali alumino-silicate matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verdolotti, Letizia; Liguori, Barbara; Capasso, Ilaria; Caputo, Domenico; Lavorgna, Marino; Iannace, Salvatore

    2014-05-01

    Organic-inorganic hybrid foams based on an alkali alumino-silicate matrix were prepared by using different foaming methods. Initially, the synthesis of an inorganic matrix by using aluminosilicate particles, activated through a sodium silicate solution, was performed at room temperature. Subsequently the viscous paste was foamed by using three different methods. In the first method, gaseous hydrogen produced by the oxidization of Si powder in an alkaline media, was used as blowing agent to generate gas bubbles in the paste. In the second method, the porous structure was generated by mixing the paste with a "meringue" type of foam previously prepared by whipping, under vigorous stirring, a water solution containing vegetal proteins as surfactants. In the third method, a combination of these two methods was employed. The foamed systems were consolidated for 24 hours at 40°C and then characterized by FTIR, X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests. Low density foams (˜500 Kg/m3) with good cellular structure and mechanical properties were obtained by combining the "meringue" approach with the use of the chemical blowing agent based on Si.

  12. Influence of surface modified basalt fiber on strength of cinder lightweight aggregate concrete

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiao, Liguang; Li, Jiheng; Liu, Qingshun

    2017-12-01

    In order to improve the bonding and bridging effect between volcanic slag lightweight aggregate concrete cement and basalt fiber, The basalt fiber was subjected to etching and roughening treatment by NaOH solution, and the surface of the basalt fiber was treated with a mixture of sodium silicate and micro-silica powder. The influence of modified basalt fiber on the strength of volcanic slag lightweight aggregate concrete was systematically studied. The experimental results show that the modified basalt fiber volcanic slag lightweight aggregate concrete has a flexural strength increased by 47%, the compressive strength is improved by 16% and the toughness is increased by 27% compared with that of the non-fiber.

  13. Polyethylenimine-magadiite layered silicate sorbent for CO2 capture.

    PubMed

    Vieira, Rômulo B; Pastore, Heloise O

    2014-02-18

    This paper describes the preparation of a Layered Silicate Sorbent (LSS) for CO2 capture using the layered silicate magadiite and organo-magadiite modified with polyethylenimine (PEI). The sorbents were characterized and revealed the presence of PEI as well as its interaction with CO2 at low temperatures. The thermal stability of sorbents was confirmed by thermogravimetry experiments, and the adsorption capacity was evaluated by CO2-TPD experiments. Two kinds of PEI are present in the sorbent, one exposed PEI layer that is responsible for higher CO2 adsorption because its sites are external and another one, bulky PEI, capable of low CO2 adsorption due to the internal position of sites. The contribution of the exposed PEI layer may be increased by a previous exchange of CTA(+), but the presence of the surfactant decreased the total adsorption capacity. MAG-PEI25 reached a maximum adsorption capacity of 6.11 mmol g(-1) at 75 °C for 3 h of adsorption and showed a kinetic desorption of around 15 min at 150 °C.

  14. Production of Organic Grain Coatings by Surface-Mediated Reactions and the Consequences of This Process for Meteoritic Constituents

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nuth, Joseph A., III; Johnson, Natasha M.

    2011-01-01

    When hydrogen, nitrogen and CO are exposed to amorphous iron silicate surfaces at temperatures between 500 - 900K, a carbonaceous coating forms via Fischer-Tropsch type reactions. Under normal circumstances such a catalytic coating would impede or stop further reaction. However, we find that this coating is a better catalyst than the amorphous iron silicates that initiate these reactions. The formation of a self-perpetuating catalytic coating on grain surfaces could explain the rich deposits of macromolecular carbon found in primitive meteorites and would imply that protostellar nebulae should be rich in organic material. Many more experiments are needed to understand this chemical system and its application to protostellar nebulae.

  15. Heavy metal distribution in organic and siliceous marine sponge tissues measured by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry.

    PubMed

    Illuminati, S; Annibaldi, A; Truzzi, C; Scarponi, G

    2016-10-15

    May sponge spicules represent a "tank" to accumulate heavy metals? In this study we test this hypothesis determining the distribution of Cd, Pb and Cu concentrations between organic and siliceous tissues in Antarctic Demospongia (Sphaerotylus antarcticus, Kirkpatrikia coulmani and Haliclona sp.) and in the Mediterranean species Petrosia ficiformis. Results show that although, in these sponges, spicules represent about 80% of the mass content, the accumulation of pollutant is lower in the spicules than in the corresponding organic fraction. The contribution of tissues to the total sponge content of Cd, Pb and Cu is respectively 99%, 82% and 97% for Antarctic sponges and 96%, 95% and 96% for P. ficiformis, similar in polar and temperate organisms. These results pave the way to a better understanding of the role of marine sponges in uptaking heavy metals and to their possible use as monitor of marine ecosystems, recommend by the Water Framework Directive. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry with tricaprylylmethylammonium chloride

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Viets, J.G.

    1978-01-01

    Interferences commonly encountered in the determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc at crustal abundance levels are effectively eliminated using a rapid, sensitive, organic extraction technique. A potassium chlorate-hydrochloric acid digestion solubilizes the metals not tightly bound in the silicate lattice of rocks, soils, and stream sediments. The six metals are selectively extracted into a 10% Aliquat 336-MIBK organic phase in the presence of ascorbic acid and potassium iodide. Metals in the organic extract are determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry to the 0.02-ppm level for silver, cadmium, copper, and zinc and to the 0.2-ppm level for bismuth and lead with a maximum relative standard deviation of 18.8% for known reference samples. An additional hydrofluoric acid digestion may be used to determine metals substituted in the silicate lattice.

  17. Processes Influencing the Timing and Volume of Eruptions From the Youngest Supervolcano on Earth

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, C. J. N.; Barker, S. J.; Morgan, D. J.; Rowland, J. V.; Schipper, I.

    2015-12-01

    In their stratigraphic records, silicic caldera volcanoes display wide ranges of eruptive styles and volumes. However, relationships between frequency and magnitude are often complex, and the forecasting of future activity is inherently problematic. Taupo volcano, New Zealand, provides a unique opportunity to investigate eruptive histories from a hyperactive, large silicic magmatic system with eruptive volumes that span 3-4 orders of magnitude, and show no clear relationships with the repose period. Taupo hosted the world's most recent supereruption at 25.4 ka, which discharged 530 km3 of magma in the episodic 10-phase Oruanui event. Only 5 kyr later, Taupo revived, with 3 dacitic eruptions from 21.5-17 ka and 25 rhyolite eruptions from 12-1.7 ka. Here we use trends in whole rock, glass and mineral chemistry to show how the magma system reestablished following the Oruanui event, and to consider what processes influence the state of the modern volcano. The post-Oruanui dacites reflect the first products of the rebuilding silicic magma system, as most of the Oruanui mush was reconfigured or significantly modified in composition following thermal fluxing accompanying post-caldera collapse readjustment. Compositional variations within the younger rhyolites at <12 ka reflect fine-scale temporal changes in mineral phase stability, closely linked to the development, stabilization and maturation of a new silicic mush system. For the most recent eruptions, the system underwent destabilization, resulting in increased volumes of melt extraction from the silicic mush. Orthopyroxene Fe-Mg diffusion timescales indicate that the onset of rapid heating and priming of the silicic mush occurred <100 years prior to the <2.15 ka eruptions, with subsequent melt accumulation occurring in only decades. The largest post-Oruanui eruption at 232 AD culminated from elevated mafic magma supply to the silicic mush pile, rapid melt accumulation and high differential tectonic stress build up, leading to one of the largest and most violent Holocene eruptions globally. The latest eruptions of Taupo highlight the multiple controls on the timing of eruptions, and demonstrate how the magmatic system can rapidly change behavior to generate large eruptible melt bodies on timescales of direct relevance to humans and monitoring initiatives.

  18. Direct measurement of the combined effects of lichen, rainfall, and temperature on silicate weathering

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

    Brady, P.V.; Dorn, R.I.; Brazel, A.J.

    1999-10-01

    A key uncertainty in models of the global carbonate-silicate cycle and long-term climate is the way that silicates weather under different climatologic conditions, and in the presence or absence of organic activity. Digital imaging of basalts in Hawaii resolves the coupling between temperature, rainfall, and weathering in the presence and absence of lichens. Activation energies for abiotic dissolution of plagioclase (23.1 {+-} 2.5 kcal/mol) and olivine (21.3 {+-} 2.7 kcal/mol) are similar to those measured in the laboratory, and are roughly double those measured from samples taken underneath lichen. Abiotic weathering rates appear to be proportional to rainfall. Dissolution ofmore » plagioclase and olivine underneath lichen is far more sensitive to rainfall.« less

  19. Evaluation of the Ca ion release, pH and surface apatite formation of a prototype tricalcium silicate cement.

    PubMed

    Yamamoto, S; Han, L; Noiri, Y; Okiji, T

    2017-12-01

    To evaluate the Ca 2+ -releasing, alkalizing and apatite-like surface precipitate-forming abilities of a prototype tricalcium silicate cement, which was mainly composed of synthetically prepared tricalcium silicate and zirconium oxide radiopacifier. The prototype tricalcium silicate cement, white ProRoot MTA (WMTA) and TheraCal LC (a light-cured resin-modified calcium silicate-filled material) were examined. The chemical compositions were analysed with a wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy electron probe microanalyser with an image observation function (SEM-EPMA). The pH and Ca 2+ concentrations of water in which the set materials had been immersed were measured, and the latter was assessed with the EDTA titration method. The surface precipitates formed on the materials immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were analysed with SEM-EPMA and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). The prototype cement contained Ca, Si and Zr as major elemental constituents, whereas it did not contain some metal elements that were detected in the other materials. The Ca 2+ concentrations and pH of the immersion water samples exhibited the following order: WMTA = prototype cement > TheraCal LC (P < 0.05). All three materials produced Ca- and P-containing surface precipitates after PBS immersion, and the precipitates produced by TheraCal LC displayed lower Ca/P ratios than those formed by the other materials. XRD peaks corresponding to hydroxyapatite were detected in the precipitates produced by the prototype cement and WMTA. The prototype tricalcium silicate cement exhibited similar Ca 2+ -releasing, alkalizing and apatite-like precipitate-forming abilities to WMTA. The Ca 2+ -releasing, alkalizing and apatite-like precipitate-forming abilities of TheraCal LC were lower than those of the other materials. © 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  20. Measurements of the Activity of dissolved H2O in an Andesite Melt

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moore, G. M.; Touran, J. P.; Pu, X.; Kelley, K. A.; Cottrell, E.; Ghiorso, M. S.

    2016-12-01

    The large effect of dissolved H2O on the physical and chemical nature of silicate melts, and its role in driving volcanism, is well known and underscores the importance of this volatile component. A complete understanding of the chemical behavior of dissolved H2O in silicate melts requires the quantification of its thermodynamic activity as a function of pressure, temperature, and melt composition, particularly at low H2O contents (i.e. at under-saturated conditions). Knowledge of the activity of H2O in silicate melts at H2O-undersaturated conditions will improve our understanding of hydrous phase equilibria, as well as our models of physical melt properties. Measurement of the activity of any silicate melt component, much less that of a volatile component such as H2O, is a difficult experimental task however. By using a modified double capsule design (Matjuschkin et al, 2015) to control oxygen fugacity in piston cylinder experiments, along with high precision X-ray absorption techniques (XANES) to measure iron oxidation state in silicate glasses (Cottrell et al, 2009), we are able to constrain the H2O activity in silicate melts at under-saturated conditions. Preliminary results on an andesite melt with low H2O content (3 wt%) have been shown (Moore et al, 2016) to match predicted H2O activity values calculated using the H2O equation of state of Duan and Zhang (1996) and the H2O solubility model of Ghiorso and Gualda (2015). More recent results on the same andesite melt containing approximately 5 wt% H2O however show a large negative deviation from the predicted values. Reversal experiments involving an oxidized starting material are ongoing, as well as further characterization of the samples to detect the presence of possible contaminants that would induce reduction of the melt beyond that related to the H2O activity (e.g. graphite contamination).

  1. Laboratory-Scale Solidification of Basin F Concentrate, Rocky Mountain Arsenal

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-07-01

    follows: ," a. Cement-based processes b. Pozzolanic processes (silicate processes that do not use cement) c. Thermoplastic techniques d. Organic polymer ...ARSENAL 6. AUTHOR(S) MYERST.; THOMPSON.D. 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER ARMY ENG!NEER...SWLP Leachates Organics in EP and SWLP Leachates Leachable Contaminant Densities Qualitative Assessments of Ammonia Gas Release by Solidification

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

    Moritz, MichaL; Laniecki, Marek, E-mail: laniecki@amu.edu.pl

    A series of modified SBA-15 materials were applied in drug delivery systems. The internal surface of siliceous hexagonal structure of SBA-15 was modified with different amount of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The sulfonated material was loaded with metoprolol tartrate or papaverine hydrochloride. Both drugs indicated strong chemical interaction with modified mesoporous surface. The characteristic of the obtained materials was performed with XRD and DRUV-vis spectrometry, themogravimetry and nitrogen adsorption (BET) measurements. The obtained results show that modification of the mesoporous materials leads towards significant decrease of the drug delivery rate. - Graphical abstract: XRDmore » and DSC of the -SO{sub 3}H modified SBA-15 loaded with metoprolol. Highlights: > Modification of SBA-15 internal channels with SO{sub 3}H groups. > Adsorption of metoprolol and papaverine on modified SBA-15. > Uniform and homogeneous distribution of the drugs inside the mesoporous structure of SBA-15. > Release of the supported drugs.« less

  3. Pyroxene-melt equilibria. [for lunar maria basalts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nielsen, R. L.; Drake, M. J.

    1979-01-01

    A thermodynamic analysis of pyroxene-melt equilibria is performed through use of a literature survey of analyses of high-Ca pyroxene and coexisting silicate melt pairs and analyses of low-Ca pyroxene silicate melt pairs. Reference is made to a modified version of a model developed by Bottinga and Weill (1972) which more successfully accounts for variations in melt composition than does a model which considers the melt to be composed of simple oxides which mix ideally. By using a variety of pyroxene melt relations, several pyroxene-melt and low-Ca pyroxene-high-Ca pyroxene geothermometers are developed which have internally consistant precisions of approximately + or - 20 C. Finally, it is noted that these equations may have application in modeling the evolution of mineral compositions during differentiation of basaltic magmas.

  4. Underground Organic-Rich Fluids on Mars: Biotic vs Abiotic Processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Y.; El Goresy, A.; Hu, S.; Zhang, J.; Gillet, P.; Xu, Y.; Hao, J.; Miyahara, M.; Ouyang, Z.; Ohtani, E.; Xu, L.; Yang, W.; Feng, L.; Zhao, X.; Yang, J.; Ozawa, S.

    2013-09-01

    We report kerogen-like organic carbon in fractures of silicates and a few in shock melt veins in the Tissint Martian meteorite. The D-enrichment evidences for a Martian origin, and the δ^13C down to -33 permil is consistent with a biogenic origin.

  5. Modifier cation effects on 29Si nuclear shielding anisotropies in silicate glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baltisberger, Jay H.; Florian, Pierre; Keeler, Eric G.; Phyo, Pyae A.; Sanders, Kevin J.; Grandinetti, Philip J.

    2016-07-01

    We have examined variations in the 29Si nuclear shielding tensor parameters of SiO4 tetrahedra in a series of seven alkali and alkaline earth silicate glass compositions, Cs2O · 4.81 SiO2, Rb2O · 3.96 SiO2, Rb2O · 2.25 SiO2, K2O · 4.48 SiO2, Na2O · 4.74 SiO2, BaO · 2.64 SiO2, and SrO · 2.36 SiO2, using natural abundance 29Si two-dimensional magic-angle flipping (MAF) experiments. Our analyses of these 2D spectra reveal a linear dependence of the 29Si nuclear shielding anisotropy of Q(3) sites on the Si-non-bridging oxygen bond length, which in turn depends on the cation potential and coordination of modifier cations to the non-bridging oxygen. We also demonstrate how a combination of Cu2+ as a paramagnetic dopant combined with echo train acquisition can reduce the total experiment time of 29Si 2D NMR measurements by two orders of magnitude, enabling higher throughput 2D NMR studies of glass structure.

  6. Mesoporous titanosilicates with high loading of titanium synthesized in mild acidic buffer solution.

    PubMed

    Tang, Jianting; Liu, Jian; Yang, Jie; Feng, Zhaochi; Fan, Fengtao; Yang, Qihua

    2009-07-15

    Mesoporous titanosilicates with high titanium content were synthesized under mild acidic conditions (pH=4.4, HAc-NaAc buffer solution) by co-condensation of acetylacetone-modified titanium isopropoxide (Ti(OBu(n))(3) (acac)) and mixture of sodium silicate with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)orthosilicate (EGMS), using block copolymer Pluronic P123 as template. The combined results of XRD, N(2) sorption and TEM show that the highly regular structure of the mesoporous titanosilicates can still be obtained when Ti/Si molar ratio in the final product is as high as 0.059. The results of UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and UV resonance Raman spectra show that the framework titanium species are predominant in the mesoporous titanosilicates when Ti/Si molar ratio in the final product is less than 0.042. The mixture of sodium silicate and EGMS was proved to be the best silicon source for the synthesis of titanosilicates with ordered mesostructure and high titanium content. The efficiency of this synthetic method may be attributed to the mild acidic medium as well as the modified hydrolysis-condensation rate and hydrophility of the precursors.

  7. Modifier cation effects on (29)Si nuclear shielding anisotropies in silicate glasses.

    PubMed

    Baltisberger, Jay H; Florian, Pierre; Keeler, Eric G; Phyo, Pyae A; Sanders, Kevin J; Grandinetti, Philip J

    2016-07-01

    We have examined variations in the (29)Si nuclear shielding tensor parameters of SiO4 tetrahedra in a series of seven alkali and alkaline earth silicate glass compositions, Cs2O·4.81 SiO2, Rb2O·3.96 SiO2, Rb2O·2.25 SiO2, K2O·4.48 SiO2, Na2O·4.74 SiO2, BaO·2.64 SiO2, and SrO·2.36 SiO2, using natural abundance (29)Si two-dimensional magic-angle flipping (MAF) experiments. Our analyses of these 2D spectra reveal a linear dependence of the (29)Si nuclear shielding anisotropy of Q((3)) sites on the Si-non-bridging oxygen bond length, which in turn depends on the cation potential and coordination of modifier cations to the non-bridging oxygen. We also demonstrate how a combination of Cu(2+) as a paramagnetic dopant combined with echo train acquisition can reduce the total experiment time of (29)Si 2D NMR measurements by two orders of magnitude, enabling higher throughput 2D NMR studies of glass structure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Aqueous Dispersions of Silica Stabilized with Oleic Acid Obtained by Green Chemistry.

    PubMed

    Nistor, Cristina Lavinia; Ianchis, Raluca; Ghiurea, Marius; Nicolae, Cristian-Andi; Spataru, Catalin-Ilie; Culita, Daniela Cristina; Pandele Cusu, Jeanina; Fruth, Victor; Oancea, Florin; Donescu, Dan

    2016-01-05

    The present study describes for the first time the synthesis of silica nanoparticles starting from sodium silicate and oleic acid (OLA). The interactions between OLA and sodium silicate require an optimal OLA/OLANa molar ratio able to generate vesicles that can stabilize silica particles obtained by the sol-gel process of sodium silicate. The optimal molar ratio of OLA/OLANa can be ensured by a proper selection of OLA and respectively of sodium silicate concentration. The titration of sodium silicate with OLA revealed a stabilization phenomenon of silica/OLA vesicles and the dependence between their average size and reagent's molar ratio. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements emphasized the successful synthesis of silica nanoparticles starting from renewable materials, in mild condition of green chemistry. By grafting octadecyltrimethoxysilane on the initial silica particles, an increased interaction between silica particles and the OLA/OLANa complex was achieved. This interaction between the oleyl and octadecyl chains resulted in the formation of stable gel-like aqueous systems. Subsequently, olive oil and an oleophylic red dye were solubilized in these stable aqueous systems. This great dispersing capacity of oleosoluble compounds opens new perspectives for future green chemistry applications. After the removal of water and of the organic chains by thermal treatment, mesoporous silica was obtained.

  9. Silicates Eroded under Simulated Martian Conditions Effectively Kill Bacteria—A Challenge for Life on Mars

    PubMed Central

    Bak, Ebbe N.; Larsen, Michael G.; Moeller, Ralf; Nissen, Silas B.; Jensen, Lasse R.; Nørnberg, Per; Jensen, Svend J. K.; Finster, Kai

    2017-01-01

    The habitability of Mars is determined by the physical and chemical environment. The effect of low water availability, temperature, low atmospheric pressure and strong UV radiation has been extensively studied in relation to the survival of microorganisms. In addition to these stress factors, it was recently found that silicates exposed to simulated saltation in a Mars-like atmosphere can lead to a production of reactive oxygen species. Here, we have investigated the stress effect induced by quartz and basalt abraded in Mars-like atmospheres by examining the survivability of the three microbial model organisms Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, and Deinococcus radiodurans upon exposure to the abraded silicates. We found that abraded basalt that had not been in contact with oxygen after abrasion killed more than 99% of the vegetative cells while endospores were largely unaffected. Exposure of the basalt samples to oxygen after abrasion led to a significant reduction in the stress effect. Abraded quartz was generally less toxic than abraded basalt. We suggest that the stress effect of abraded silicates may be caused by a production of reactive oxygen species and enhanced by transition metal ions in the basalt leading to hydroxyl radicals through Fenton-like reactions. The low survivability of the usually highly resistant D. radiodurans indicates that the effect of abraded silicates, as is ubiquitous on the Martian surface, would limit the habitability of Mars as well as the risk of forward contamination. Furthermore, the reactivity of abraded silicates could have implications for future manned missions, although the lower effect of abraded silicates exposed to oxygen suggests that the effects would be reduced in human habitats. PMID:28955310

  10. Silicates Eroded under Simulated Martian Conditions Effectively Kill Bacteria-A Challenge for Life on Mars.

    PubMed

    Bak, Ebbe N; Larsen, Michael G; Moeller, Ralf; Nissen, Silas B; Jensen, Lasse R; Nørnberg, Per; Jensen, Svend J K; Finster, Kai

    2017-01-01

    The habitability of Mars is determined by the physical and chemical environment. The effect of low water availability, temperature, low atmospheric pressure and strong UV radiation has been extensively studied in relation to the survival of microorganisms. In addition to these stress factors, it was recently found that silicates exposed to simulated saltation in a Mars-like atmosphere can lead to a production of reactive oxygen species. Here, we have investigated the stress effect induced by quartz and basalt abraded in Mars-like atmospheres by examining the survivability of the three microbial model organisms Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis , and Deinococcus radiodurans upon exposure to the abraded silicates. We found that abraded basalt that had not been in contact with oxygen after abrasion killed more than 99% of the vegetative cells while endospores were largely unaffected. Exposure of the basalt samples to oxygen after abrasion led to a significant reduction in the stress effect. Abraded quartz was generally less toxic than abraded basalt. We suggest that the stress effect of abraded silicates may be caused by a production of reactive oxygen species and enhanced by transition metal ions in the basalt leading to hydroxyl radicals through Fenton-like reactions. The low survivability of the usually highly resistant D. radiodurans indicates that the effect of abraded silicates, as is ubiquitous on the Martian surface, would limit the habitability of Mars as well as the risk of forward contamination. Furthermore, the reactivity of abraded silicates could have implications for future manned missions, although the lower effect of abraded silicates exposed to oxygen suggests that the effects would be reduced in human habitats.

  11. In vitro cytotoxicity of calcium silicate-containing endodontic sealers.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Hui-min; Du, Tian-feng; Shen, Ya; Wang, Zhe-jun; Zheng, Yu-feng; Haapasalo, Markus

    2015-01-01

    The cytotoxicity of 2 novel calcium silicate-containing endodontic sealers to human gingival fibroblasts was studied. EndoSequence BC (Brasseler, Savannah, GA), MTA Fillapex (Angelus Indústria de Produtos Odontológicos S/A, Londrina, PR, Brazil) and a control sealer (AH Plus; Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) were evaluated. Human gingival fibroblasts were incubated for 3 days both with the extracts from fresh and set materials in culture medium and cultured on the surface of the set materials in Dulbecco-modified Eagle medium. Fibroblasts cultured in Dulbecco-modified Eagle medium were used as a control group. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the adhesion of the fibroblasts to the surface of the set materials was assessed using scanning electron microscopy. The data of cell cytotoxicity were analyzed statistically using a 1-way analysis of variance test at a significance level of P < .05. Cells incubated with extracts from BC Sealer showed higher viabilities at all extract concentrations than cells incubated with extracts from freshly mixed AH Plus and fresh and set MTA Fillapex, esspecially for the high extract concentrations (1:2 and 1:8 dilutions). Extracts from set MTA Fillapex of 2 weeks and older were more cytotoxic than extracts from freshly mixed and 1-week-old cement. With extract concentrations of 1:32 and lower, MTA Fillapex was no longer cytotoxic. After setting, AH Plus was no longer cytotoxic, and the fibroblast cells grew on set AH Plus equally as well as on BC Sealer. BC Sealer and MTA Fillapex, the 2 calcium silicate-containing endodontic sealers, exhibited different cytotoxicity to human gingival fibroblasts. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Multiple enrichment of the Carpathian-Pannonian mantle: Pb-Sr-Nd isotope and trace element constraints

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosenbaum, Jeffrey M.; Wilson, Marjorie; Downes, Hilary

    1997-07-01

    Pb isotope compositions of acid-leached clinopyroxene and amphibole mineral separates from spinel peridotite mantle xenoliths entrained in Tertiary-Quaternary alkali basalts from the Carpathian-Pannonian Region of eastern Europe provide important constraints on the processes of metasomatic enrichment of the mantle lithosphere in an extensional tectonic setting associated with recent subduction. Principal component analysis of Pb-Sr-Nd isotope and rare earth element compositions of the pyroxenes is used to identify the geochemical characteristics of the original lithospheric mantle protolith and a spectrum of infiltrating metasomatic agents including subduction-related aqueous fluids and silicate melts derived from a subduction-modified mantle wedge which contains a St. Helena-type (HIMU) plume component. The mantle protolith is highly depleted relative to mid-ocean ridge basalt-source mantle with Pb-Nd-Sr isotope compositions consistent with an ancient depletion event. Silicate melt infiltration into the protolith accounts for the primary variance in the Pb-Sr-Nd isotope compositions of the xenoliths and has locally generated metasomatic amphibole. Infiltration of aqueous fluids has introduced radiogenic Pb and Sr without significantly perturbing the rare earth element signature of the protolith. The Pb isotope compositions of the fluid-modified xenoliths suggest that they reacted with aqueous fluids released from a subduction zone which had equilibrated with sediment derived from an ancient basement terrain. We propose a model for mantle lithosphere evolution consistent with available textural and geochemical data for the xenolith population. The Pb-Sr-Nd isotope compositions of both alkaline mafic magmas and rare, subduction-related, calc-alkaline basaltic andesites from the region provide important constraints for the nature of the asthenospheric mantle wedge and confirm the presence of a HIMU plume component. These silicate melts contribute to the metasomatism of the mantle lithosphere rather than being derived therefrom.

  13. Silicate Weathering and Carbon Cycle Controls on the Oligocene-Miocene Transition Glaciation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stewart, Joseph A.; James, Rachael H.; Anand, Pallavi; Wilson, Paul A.

    2017-10-01

    Changes in both silicate weathering rates and organic carbon burial have been proposed as drivers of the transient "Mi-1" glaciation event at the Oligocene-Miocene transition (OMT; 23 Ma). However, detailed geochemical proxy data are required to test these hypotheses. Here we present records of Li/Ca, Mg/Ca, Cd/Ca, U/Ca, δ18O, δ13C, and shell weight in planktonic foraminifera from marine sediments spanning the OMT in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Li/Ca values increase by 1 μmol/mol across this interval. We interpret this to indicate an 20% increase in silicate weathering rates, which would have lowered atmospheric CO2, potentially forcing the Antarctic glaciation 23 Ma. δ13C of thermocline dwelling planktonic foraminifera track the global increase in seawater δ13C across the OMT and during the Mi-1 event, hence supporting a hypothesized global increase in organic carbon burial rates. High δ13C previously measured in epipelagic planktonic foraminifera and high Cd/Ca ratios during Mi-1 are interpreted to represent locally enhanced primary productivity, stimulated by increased nutrients supply to surface waters. The fingerprint of high export production and associated organic carbon burial at this site is found in reduced bottom water oxygenation (inferred from high foraminiferal U/Ca) and enhanced respiratory dissolution of carbonates, characterized by reduced foraminiferal shell weight. Replication of our results elsewhere would strengthen the case that weathering-induced CO2 sequestration preconditioned climate for Antarctic ice sheet growth across the OMT, and increased burial of organic carbon acted as a feedback that intensified cooling at this time.

  14. Photophysical and antibacterial properties of complex systems based on smectite, a cationic surfactant and methylene blue.

    PubMed

    Donauerová, Alena; Bujdák, Juraj; Smolinská, Miroslava; Bujdáková, Helena

    2015-10-01

    Solid or colloidal materials with embedded photosensitizers are promising agents from the medical or environmental perspective, where the direct use of photoactive solutions appears to be problematic. Colloids based on layered silicates of the saponite (Sap) and montmorillonite (Mon) type, including those modified with dodecylammonium cations (C12) and photosensitizer--methylene blue (MB) were studied. Two representatives of bacteria, namely Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli, were selected for this work. A spectral study showed that MB solutions and also colloids with Sap including C12 exhibited the highest photoactivities. The antimicrobial properties of the smectite colloids were not directly linked to the photoactivity of the adsorbed MB cations. They were also influenced by other parameters, such as light vs. dark conditions, the spectrum, power and duration of the light used for the irradiation; growth phases, and the pre-treatment of microorganisms. Both the photoactivity and antimicrobial properties of the colloids were improved upon pre-modification with C12. Significantly higher antimicrobial properties were observed for the colloids based on Mon with MB in the form of molecular aggregates without significant photoactivities. The MB/Mon colloids, both modified and non-modified with C12 cations, exhibited higher antimicrobial effects than pure MB solution. Besides the direct effect of photosensitization, the surface properties of the silicate particles likely played a crucial role in the interactions with microorganisms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Note: Making tens of centimeter long uniform microfluidic channels using commercial glass pipette

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ou, Neil; Lee, Huang-Ming; Wu, Jong-Ching

    2018-03-01

    Producing microchannels with diameters between 10 and 20 μm and with lengths in the tens of centimeters is reported. The method can be modified to obtain diameters as narrow as 350 nm. Length-to-diameter aspect ratios that surpass 104 can be produced for a fraction of current production costs. The controllable channel is produced by applying a flame to the narrow end of a commercial pipette that is made from a soda-lime silicate. In combination with a pulling mechanism, applying heat to the composite material lengthens the pipette in a highly uniform way. Given that the materials and methods in this research are cost-effective when compared to femtosecond laser micromachining on 2D silicon-based surfaces, further research into producing microchannels from soda-lime silicates may revolutionize access to 3D controllable microchannels.

  16. Bonelike apatite formation on ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer modified with silane coupling agent and calcium silicate solutions.

    PubMed

    Oyane, Ayako; Kawashita, Masakazu; Nakanishi, Kazuki; Kokubo, Tadashi; Minoda, Masahiko; Miyamoto, Takeaki; Nakamura, Takashi

    2003-05-01

    An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) was treated with a silane coupling agent and calcium silicate solutions, and then soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations approximately equal to those of human blood plasma. A smooth and uniform bonelike apatite layer was successfully formed on both the EVOH plate and the EVOH-knitted fibers in SBF within 2 days. Part of the structure of the resulting apatite-EVOH fiber composite was similar to that of natural bone. If this kind of composite can be fabricated into a three-dimensional structure similar to natural bone, the resultant composite is expected to exhibit both mechanical properties analogous to those of natural bone and bone-bonding ability. Hence, it has great potential as a bone substitute. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd.

  17. Developing a novel magnesium glycerophosphate/silicate-based organic-inorganic composite cement for bone repair.

    PubMed

    Ding, Zhengwen; Li, Hong; Wei, Jie; Li, Ruijiang; Yan, Yonggang

    2018-06-01

    Considering that the phospholipids and glycerophosphoric acid are the basic materials throughout the metabolism of the whole life period and the bone is composed of organic polymer collagen and inorganic mineral apatite, a novel self-setting composite of magnesium glycerophosphate (MG) and di-calcium silicate(C2S)/tri-calcium silicate(C3S) was developed as bio-cement for bone repair, reconstruction and regeneration. The composite was prepared by mixing the MG, C2S and C3S with the certain ratios, and using the deionized water and phosphoric acid solution as mixed liquid. The combination and formation of the composites was characterized by FTIR, XPS and XRD. The physicochemical properties were studied by setting time, compressive strength, pH value, weight loss in the PBS and surface change by SEM-EDX. The biocompatibility was evaluated by cell culture in the leaching solution of the composites. The preliminary results showed that when di- and tri-calcium silicate contact with water, there are lots of Ca(OH) 2 generated making the pH value of solution is higher than 9 which is helpful for the formation of hydroxyapatite(HA) that is the main bone material. The new organic-inorganic self-setting bio-cements showed initial setting time is ranged from 20 min to 85 min and the compressive strength reached 30 MPa on the 7th days, suitable as the bone fillers. The weight loss was 20% in the first week, and 25% in the 4th week. Meanwhile, the new HA precipitated on the composite surface during the incubation in the SBF showed bioactivity. The cell cultured in the leaching liquid of the composite showed high proliferation inferring the new bio-cement has good biocompatibility to the cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Comparison of the Nanostructure and Mechanical Performance of Highly Exfoliated Epoxy-Clay Nanocomposites Prepared by Three Different Protocols

    PubMed Central

    Shiravand, Fatemeh; Hutchinson, John M.; Calventus, Yolanda; Ferrando, Francesc

    2014-01-01

    Three different protocols for the preparation of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites based upon a tri-functional epoxy resin, triglycidyl para-amino phenol (TGAP), have been compared in respect of the cure kinetics, the nanostructure and their mechanical properties. The three preparation procedures involve 2 wt% and 5 wt% of organically modified montmorillonite (MMT), and are: isothermal cure at selected temperatures; pre-conditioning of the resin-clay mixture before isothermal cure; incorporation of an initiator of cationic homopolymerisation, a boron tri-fluoride methyl amine complex, BF3·MEA, within the clay galleries. It was found that features of the cure kinetics and of the nanostructure correlate with the measured impact strength of the cured nanocomposites, which increases as the degree of exfoliation of the MMT is improved. The best protocol for toughening the TGAP/MMT nanocomposites is by the incorporation of 1 wt% BF3·MEA into the clay galleries of nanocomposites containing 2 wt% MMT. PMID:28788672

  19. Diatomite silica nanoparticles for drug delivery

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Diatomite is a natural fossil material of sedimentary origin, constituted by fragments of diatom siliceous skeletons. In this preliminary work, the properties of diatomite nanoparticles as potential system for the delivery of drugs in cancer cells were exploited. A purification procedure, based on thermal treatments in strong acid solutions, was used to remove inorganic and organic impurities from diatomite and to make them a safe material for medical applications. The micrometric diatomite powder was reduced in nanoparticles by mechanical crushing, sonication, and filtering. Morphological analysis performed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy reveals a particles size included between 100 and 300 nm. Diatomite nanoparticles were functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and labeled by tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate. Different concentrations of chemically modified nanoparticles were incubated with cancer cells and confocal microscopy was performed. Imaging analysis showed an efficient cellular uptake and homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in cytoplasm and nucleus, thus suggesting their potentiality as nanocarriers for drug delivery. PACS 87.85.J81.05.Rm; 61.46. + w PMID:25024689

  20. Diatomite silica nanoparticles for drug delivery.

    PubMed

    Ruggiero, Immacolata; Terracciano, Monica; Martucci, Nicola M; De Stefano, Luca; Migliaccio, Nunzia; Tatè, Rosarita; Rendina, Ivo; Arcari, Paolo; Lamberti, Annalisa; Rea, Ilaria

    2014-01-01

    Diatomite is a natural fossil material of sedimentary origin, constituted by fragments of diatom siliceous skeletons. In this preliminary work, the properties of diatomite nanoparticles as potential system for the delivery of drugs in cancer cells were exploited. A purification procedure, based on thermal treatments in strong acid solutions, was used to remove inorganic and organic impurities from diatomite and to make them a safe material for medical applications. The micrometric diatomite powder was reduced in nanoparticles by mechanical crushing, sonication, and filtering. Morphological analysis performed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy reveals a particles size included between 100 and 300 nm. Diatomite nanoparticles were functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and labeled by tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate. Different concentrations of chemically modified nanoparticles were incubated with cancer cells and confocal microscopy was performed. Imaging analysis showed an efficient cellular uptake and homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in cytoplasm and nucleus, thus suggesting their potentiality as nanocarriers for drug delivery. 87.85.J81.05.Rm; 61.46. + w.

  1. Comparison of the Nanostructure and Mechanical Performance of Highly Exfoliated Epoxy-Clay Nanocomposites Prepared by Three Different Protocols.

    PubMed

    Shiravand, Fatemeh; Hutchinson, John M; Calventus, Yolanda; Ferrando, Francesc

    2014-05-30

    Three different protocols for the preparation of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites based upon a tri-functional epoxy resin, triglycidyl para -amino phenol (TGAP), have been compared in respect of the cure kinetics, the nanostructure and their mechanical properties. The three preparation procedures involve 2 wt% and 5 wt% of organically modified montmorillonite (MMT), and are: isothermal cure at selected temperatures; pre-conditioning of the resin-clay mixture before isothermal cure; incorporation of an initiator of cationic homopolymerisation, a boron tri-fluoride methyl amine complex, BF₃·MEA, within the clay galleries. It was found that features of the cure kinetics and of the nanostructure correlate with the measured impact strength of the cured nanocomposites, which increases as the degree of exfoliation of the MMT is improved. The best protocol for toughening the TGAP/MMT nanocomposites is by the incorporation of 1 wt% BF₃·MEA into the clay galleries of nanocomposites containing 2 wt% MMT.

  2. 76 FR 62336 - Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-07

    ..., only until October 21, 2014.'' Lignin sulfonate Relist. Magnesium sulfate Relist. Ethylene gas Relist. Sodium silicate Relist. Lignin sulfonate Relist. Magnesium sulfate Relist. Ethylene gas Relist. Sodium...

  3. Co-settling of Chromite and Sulfide Melt Droplets and Trace Element Partitioning between Sulfide and Silicate Melts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manoochehri, S.; Schmidt, M. W.; Guenther, D.

    2013-12-01

    Gravitational settling of immiscible, dense sulfide melt droplets together with other cumulate phases such as chromite, combined with downward percolation of these droplets through a cumulate pile, is thought to be one of the possible processes leading to the formation of PGE rich sulfide deposits in layered mafic intrusions. Furthermore some chromitite seams in the Merensky Reef (Bushveld Complex) are considered to be acting as a filter or barrier for further downward percolation of sulfide melts into footwall layers. To investigate the feasibility of such mechanical processes and to study the partitioning behavior of 50 elements including transition metals and REEs (but not PGEs) between a silicate and a sulfide melt, two separate series of high temperature (1250-1380 °C) centrifuge-assisted experiments at 1000 g, 0.4-0.6 GPa were conducted. A synthetic silicate glass with a composition representative of the parental magma of the Bushveld Complex (~ 55 wt% SiO2) was mixed with pure FeS powder. For the first series of experiments, 15 or 25 wt% natural chromite with average grain sizes of ~ 5 or 31 μm were added to a mixture of silicate glass and FeS (10 wt%) adding 1 wt% water. For the second series, a mixture of the same glass and FeS was doped with 50 trace elements. These mixtures were first statically equilibrated and then centrifuged. In the first experimental series, sulfide melt droplets settled together with, but did not segregate from chromite grains even after centrifugation at 1000 g for 12 hours. A change in initial chromite grain size and proportions didn't have any effect on segregation. Without chromite, the starting mixture resulted in the formation of large sulfide melt pools together with finer droplets still disseminated through the silicate glass and both at the bottom of the capsule. The incomplete segregation of sulfide melt is interpreted as being due to high interfacial energies between sulfide and silicate melts/crystals which hinder both, the nucleation of newly formed sulfide droplets and the interconnectivity of separate droplets. The interfacial energies between sulfide melt and silicate or oxide crystals is even higher than for silicate melt, consequently in experiments with chromite, sulfide segregation is even more hindered. Partition coefficients of 50 elements between a sulfide and a silicate melt are determined as a function of differing temperature between 1250 - 1380 °C. As a proxy to investigate the bond strength of network modifier cations, the relation between the partition coefficients and ionic potentials of different groups of elements has been determined.

  4. Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: A Review

    PubMed Central

    Mittal, Vikas

    2009-01-01

    This review aims to present recent advances in the synthesis and structure characterization as well as the properties of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites. The advent of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites has revolutionized research into polymer composite materials. Nanocomposites are organic-inorganic hybrid materials in which at least one dimension of the filler is less than 100 nm. A number of synthesis routes have been developed in the recent years to prepare these materials, which include intercalation of polymers or pre-polymers from solution, in-situ polymerization, melt intercalation etc. The nanocomposites where the filler platelets can be dispersed in the polymer at the nanometer scale owing to the specific filler surface modifications, exhibit significant improvement in the composite properties, which include enhanced mechanical strength, gas barrier, thermal stability, flame retardancy etc. Only a small amount of filler is generally required for the enhancement in the properties, which helps the composite materials retain transparency and low density.

  5. Spectrofluorimetric determination of thallium in silicate rocks with rhodamine b in the presence of aluminum chloride

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Shnepfe, M.M.

    1975-01-01

    A sensitive spectrofluorimetric procedure with rhodamine B in the presence of aluminum chloride is given for determining submicrogram and microgram quantities of thallium in silicate rocks. Samples are decomposed with a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids and then treated with hydrochloric acid. Thallium is extracted as its dithizonate with chloroform from an alkaline medium containing ascorbate, citrate, and cyanide and then back-extracted with dilute nitric acid. After destruction of the organic matter and treatment with bromine, hydrochloric acid, aluminum chloride, and rhodamine B, the {A table is presented}. ?? 1975.

  6. Protective Coating

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1984-01-01

    Inorganic Coatings, Inc.'s K-Zinc 531 protective coating is water-based non-toxic, non-flammable and has no organic emissions. High ratio silicate formula bonds to steel, and in 30 minutes, creates a very hard ceramic finish with superior adhesion and abrasion resistance. Improved technology allows application over a minimal commercial sandblast, fast drying in high humidity conditions and compatibility with both solvent and water-based topcoats. Coating is easy to apply and provides long term protection with a single application. Zinc rich coating with water-based potassium silicate binder offers cost advantages in materials, labor hours per application, and fewer applications over a given time span.

  7. Fluoride-containing nanoporous calcium-silicate MTA cements for endodontics and oral surgery: early fluorapatite formation in a phosphate-containing solution.

    PubMed

    Gandolfi, M G; Taddei, P; Siboni, F; Modena, E; Ginebra, M P; Prati, C

    2011-10-01

    To test the chemical-physical properties and apatite-forming ability of experimental fluoride-doped calcium silicate cements designed to create novel bioactive materials for use in endodontics and oral surgery. A thermally treated calcium silicate cement (wTC) containing CaCl(2) 5%wt was modified by adding NaF 1%wt (FTC) or 10%wt (F10TC). Cements were analysed by environmental scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, IR and micro-Raman spectroscopy in wet conditions immediately after preparation or after ageing in a phosphate-containing solution (Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline). Calcium and fluoride release and pH of the storage solution were measured. The results obtained were analysed statistically (Tukey's HSD test and two-way anova). The formation of calcium phosphate precipitates (spherulites) was observed on the surface of 24 h-aged cements and the formation of a thick bone-like B-type carbonated apatite layer (biocoating) on 28 day-aged cements. The rate of apatite formation was FTC>F10TC>wTC. Fluorapatite was detected on FTC and F10TC after 1 day of ageing, with a higher fluoride content on F10TC. All the cements released calcium ions. At 5 and 24 h, the wTC had the significantly highest calcium release (P<0.001) that decreased significantly over the storage time. At 3-28 days, FTC and F10TC had significantly higher calcium release than wTC (P<0.05). The F10TC had the significantly highest fluoride release at all times (P<0.01) that decreased significantly over storage time. No significant differences were observed between FTC and wTC. All the cements had a strong alkalinizing activity (OH(-) release) that remained after 28 days of storage. The addition of sodium fluoride accelerated apatite formation on calcium silicate cements. Fluoride-doped calcium silicate cements had higher bioactivity and earlier formation of fluorapatite. Sodium fluoride may be introduced in the formulation of mineral trioxide aggregate cements to enhance their biological behaviour. F-doped calcium silicate cements are promising bone cements for clinical endodontic use. © 2011 International Endodontic Journal.

  8. A Review: Fundamental Aspects of Silicate Mesoporous Materials

    PubMed Central

    ALOthman, Zeid A.

    2012-01-01

    Silicate mesoporous materials have received widespread interest because of their potential applications as supports for catalysis, separation, selective adsorption, novel functional materials, and use as hosts to confine guest molecules, due to their extremely high surface areas combined with large and uniform pore sizes. Over time a constant demand has developed for larger pores with well-defined pore structures. Silicate materials, with well-defined pore sizes of about 2.0–10.0 nm, surpass the pore-size constraint (<2.0 nm) of microporous zeolites. They also possess extremely high surface areas (>700 m2 g−1) and narrow pore size distributions. Instead of using small organic molecules as templating compounds, as in the case of zeolites, long chain surfactant molecules were employed as the structure-directing agent during the synthesis of these highly ordered materials. The structure, composition, and pore size of these materials can be tailored during synthesis by variation of the reactant stoichiometry, the nature of the surfactant molecule, the auxiliary chemicals, the reaction conditions, or by post-synthesis functionalization techniques. This review focuses mainly on a concise overview of silicate mesoporous materials together with their applications. Perusal of the review will enable researchers to obtain succinct information about microporous and mesoporous materials.

  9. Influence of CuO and ZnO addition on the multicomponent phosphate glasses: Spectroscopic studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szumera, Magdalena; Wacławska, Irena; Sułowska, Justyna

    2016-06-01

    The spectra of phosphate-silicate glasses from the P2O5-SiO2-K2O-MgO-CaO system modified with the addition of CuO or ZnO have been studied by means of FTIR, Raman and 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy. All glasses were synthesized by the conventional melt-quenching technique and their homogeneous chemical composition was controlled and confirmed. By using the aforementioned research techniques, the presence of structural units with various degrees of polymerization was shown in the structure of analyzed phosphate-silicate glasses: Q3, Q2, Q1 and Q0. It was found that an increase in the content of CuO or ZnO in the composition of analyzed glasses, which are introduced at the expense of decreasing amounts of CaO and MgO, has a different influence on the phospho-oxygen network. It was shown that copper ions cause its gradual polymerization, while zinc ions cause its depolymerization. At the same time, polymerization of the silico-oxygen subnetwork was found. Additionally, in the case of glasses containing increasing amounts of ZnO, a change of the role of zinc ions in the vitreous matrix was confirmed (from the modifier to a structure-forming component).

  10. Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants.

    PubMed

    2013-01-01

    This report represents the conclusions of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee convened to evaluate the safety of various food additives and a food contaminant with a view to concluding as to safety concerns and to preparing specifications for identity and purity. The first part of the report contains a general discussion of the principles governing the toxicological evaluation of and assessment of dietary exposure to food additives. A summary follows of the Committee's evaluations of technical, toxicological and dietary exposure data for seven food additives (advantame; glucoamylase from Trichoderma reesei expressed in Trichoderma reesei; glycerol ester of gum rosin; glycerol ester of tall oil rosin; glycerol ester of wood rosin; nisin; and octenyl succinic acid modified gum arabic) and an assessment of dietary exposure to cadmium from cocoa and cocoa products. Specifications for the following food additives were revised: annatto extracts (solvent-extracted bixin and solvent-extracted norbixin); Benzoe tonkinensis; food additives containing aluminium and/or silicon; mineral oil (medium viscosity); modified starches; paprika extract; phosphates (analytical methods for the determination of phosphorus and revision of specifications); 3-phytase from Aspergillus niger expressed in Aspergillus niger; potassium aluminium silicate; and potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments. Annexed to the report are tables summarizing the Committee's recommendations for dietary exposures to and toxicological evaluations of the food additives and contaminant considered.

  11. Ultrasmall Zeolite L Crystals Prepared from Highly-Interdispersed Alkali-Silicate Precursors.

    PubMed

    Li, Rui; Linares, Noemi; Sutjianto, James G; Chawla, Aseem; Garcia Martinez, Javier; Rimer, Jeffrey D

    2018-06-19

    The preparation of nanosized zeolites is critical for applications where mass transport limitations within microporous networks hinder their performance. Oftentimes the ability to generate ultrasmall zeolite crystals is dependent upon the use of expensive organics with limited commercial relevance. Here, we report the generation of zeolite L crystals with uniform sizes less than 30 nm using a facile, organic-free method. Time-resolved analysis of precursor assembly and evolution during nonclassical crystallization highlights key differences among silicon sources. Our findings reveal that a homogenous dispersion of potassium ions throughout silicate precursors is critical to enhancing the rate of nucleation and facilitating the formation of ultrasmall crystals. Intimate contact between the inorganic structure-directing agent and silica leads to the formation of a metastable nonporous phase, identified as KAlSi2O6, which undergoes an intercrystalline transformation to zeolite L. The presence of highly-interdispersed alkali-silicate precursors is seemingly integral to a reduced zeolite induction time and may facilitate the development of ultrasmall crystals. Given the general difficulty of achieving nanosized crystals in zeolite synthesis, it is likely that using well-dispersed precursors does not have the same effect on all framework types; however, in select cases it may provide an alternative strategy for optimizing zeolite synthesis. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Experimental evidence of {alpha}-olefin readsorption in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on ruthenium-supported ETS-10 titanium silicate catalysts

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

    Bianchi, C.L.; Ragaini, V.

    1997-05-01

    Fischer-Tropsch synthesis seems to develop the following two consecutive paths: a primary process that involves the formation of {alpha}-olefin products and a secondary process leading to the production of branched isomers and paraffins and requiring the readsorption of primary {alpha}-olefin products. It was already shown by Iglesia et al. that such readsorption steps are of fundamental importance for Ru catalysts and that they occur due to the slow diffusive removal of {alpha}-olefins when the molecular size increases, this resulting in a long intraparticle residence time. In the present paper {alpha}-olefins readsorption was enhanced by changing the metal distribution inside themore » pores of a titanium silicate (ETS-10), modified by ion exchange with alkali metal ions, used as a support for Ru-based catalysts. 24 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.« less

  13. Shock compression of stishovite and melting of silica at planetary interior conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Millot, M.; Dubrovinskaia, N.; Černok, A.; Blaha, S.; Dubrovinsky, L.; Braun, D. G.; Celliers, P. M.; Collins, G. W.; Eggert, J. H.; Jeanloz, R.

    2015-01-01

    Deep inside planets, extreme density, pressure, and temperature strongly modify the properties of the constituent materials. In particular, how much heat solids can sustain before melting under pressure is key to determining a planet’s internal structure and evolution. We report laser-driven shock experiments on fused silica, α-quartz, and stishovite yielding equation-of-state and electronic conductivity data at unprecedented conditions and showing that the melting temperature of SiO2 rises to 8300 K at a pressure of 500 gigapascals, comparable to the core-mantle boundary conditions for a 5-Earth mass super-Earth. We show that mantle silicates and core metal have comparable melting temperatures above 500 to 700 gigapascals, which could favor long-lived magma oceans for large terrestrial planets with implications for planetary magnetic-field generation in silicate magma layers deep inside such planets.

  14. An efficient method for supercontinuum generation in dispersion-tailored Lead-silicate fiber taper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Z.; Ma, S.; Dutta, N. K.

    2010-08-01

    In this paper we theoretically study the broadband mid-IR supercontinuum generation (SCG) in a lead-silicate microstructured fiber (the glass for simulation is SF57). The total dispersion of the fiber can be tailored by changing the core diameter of the fiber so that dispersion profiles with two zero dispersion wavelengths (ZDWs) can be obtained. Numerical simulations of the SCG process in a 4 cm long SF57 fiber/fiber taper seeded by femto-second pulses at telecommunications wavelength of 1.55 µm are presented. The results show that a fiber taper features a continuous shift of the longer zero dispersion wavelength. This extends the generated continuum to a longer wavelength region compared to fibers with fixed ZDWs. The phase-matching condition (PMC) is continuously modified in the fiber taper and the bandwidth of the generated dispersive waves (DWs) is significantly broadened.

  15. Planetary science. Shock compression of stishovite and melting of silica at planetary interior conditions.

    PubMed

    Millot, M; Dubrovinskaia, N; Černok, A; Blaha, S; Dubrovinsky, L; Braun, D G; Celliers, P M; Collins, G W; Eggert, J H; Jeanloz, R

    2015-01-23

    Deep inside planets, extreme density, pressure, and temperature strongly modify the properties of the constituent materials. In particular, how much heat solids can sustain before melting under pressure is key to determining a planet's internal structure and evolution. We report laser-driven shock experiments on fused silica, α-quartz, and stishovite yielding equation-of-state and electronic conductivity data at unprecedented conditions and showing that the melting temperature of SiO2 rises to 8300 K at a pressure of 500 gigapascals, comparable to the core-mantle boundary conditions for a 5-Earth mass super-Earth. We show that mantle silicates and core metal have comparable melting temperatures above 500 to 700 gigapascals, which could favor long-lived magma oceans for large terrestrial planets with implications for planetary magnetic-field generation in silicate magma layers deep inside such planets. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  16. Self-organization of the earth's biosphere-geochemical or geophysiological?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schwartzman, David W.; Shore, Steven N.; Volk, Tyler; Mcmenamin, Mark

    1994-01-01

    We explore the implications of indicating the biosphere's self-organization by the trend over time of the net entropic flow from the Earth's surface, the actual physical boundary of virtually all biotic mass. This flow, derived from the radiative surface entropy budget, is approximately inversely related to the surface temperature when the solar incident flux remains constant. In the geophysiological ('gaian') interpretation, biospheric self-organization has increased with the progressive colonization of the continents and evolutionary developments in the land biota, as a result of surface cooling arising from biotic enhancement of weathering. The key site for this self-organization is at the interface between land and atmosphere, the soil, where carbon is sequestered by its reaction (as carbonic and organic acids) with calcium magnesium silicates. Along with disequilibrium (steady-state) levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the occurrence of differentiated soil is the critical material evidence for biospheric self-organization, whether it be geophysiological or geochemical (ie., purely result of inorganic reactions). The computed equilibrium levels of carbon dioxide and corresponding equilibrium temperatures in the past are dramatically different from the steady-state levels. With future solar luminosity increase, the biospheric capacity for climatic regulation will decrease, leading to the ending of self-organization some two billion years from now. The Earth's surface will then approach chemical equilibrium with respect to the carbonate-silicate cycle.

  17. Interaction among minerals, organics and water in comets: insights from Antarctic micrometeorites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nagahara, Hiroko; Noguchi, Takaaki; Yabuta, Hikaru; Itoh, Shoichi; Sakamoto, Naoya; Mitsunari, Takuya; Okubo, Aya; Okazaki, Ryuji; Nakamura, Tomoki; Tachibana, Shogo; Terada, Kentaro; Ebihara, Mitsuru; Imae, Naoya; Kimura, Makoto

    2016-04-01

    The evolution and interaction of inorganic materials and organic materials are one of the crucial issues of space science, which is also a main topic of current planetary missions. In order to clarify the early stage of evo-lution of primitive materials in the solar system, we have carried out a comprehensive study on micrometeorites collected from the Antarctica virgin snow with SEM, TEM, Carbon-, N-, and O-XANES, and SIMS. On the basis of observation, we estimate the primary materials and the sequence of aqueous reaction in the inorganic and organic materials. The most primitive materials are GEMS (amorphous silicate with Fe-metal and sulfide), small olivine and low-Ca pyroxene, and pyrrhotite, which are embedded in organic materials. The or-ganic materials are macromolecules being rich in C=O groups with subordinate amount of C≡N and/or C=N-C groups, and they accompany D and 15N enrichments. Due to the heavy hydrogen and nitrogen isotopic composi-tions, the organics are estimated to be originated at very low temperature in the molecular cloud or a prestellar environment, which also generated various organic molecules. The aqueous alteration reaction started at first in organic materials, where N-heterocycle, δD, and δ15N are lost and the organics become aromatic-rich. GEMS altered next, where metallic Fe dissolved into water to form Fe-rich saponite remaining Mg-rich amorphous silicate (Stage I). The aromaticity of the organics increases, and the chemical nature of organics becomes close to insoluble organic materials in primitive chondrites. Then, sulfide in GEMS, small olivine and low-Ca pyroxene grains, and Fe-rich saponite react with water to form Mg-rich saponite and Fe-hydroxide (Stage II). Sulfur may have been incorporated into phyllosilicate and/or organics or flew away. Finally, heterogeneous phyllosilicates at Stage II were homogenized to be Mg-rich saponite with formation of carbonate and loss of organics (Stage III). Carbon to form carbonate were supplied from organics or carbon dioxide and/or methane ice. Finally, the assemblage of micrometeorites becomes Mg-saponite, magnetite, and carbonates, of which mineral assemblage and chemical compositions are very similar to those of primitive carbonaceous chondrites. Stages I and II should have taken place at ~0 °C and almost instantaneously, probably in hours to days, in order to prevent total aqueous alteration of silicates. Therefore, most plausible process would be transient heat-ing by an impact. On the other hand, Stage III was at a little higher temperature in order to homogenize Mg and Fe in heterogeneous phyllosilicates and/or lasted for a little longer duration. A possible process may be either by a shock or approaching of cometary bodies to the Sun. However, we should evaluate the temperature and dura-tion very carefully, because the Rosetta mission showed us extremely porous nature of comets. It should be noted that the final products of aqueous reactions shown in the present study are the same as those of primitive carbonaceous chondrites. More compact nature of chondrites and probably higher temperature by short-lived radio-isotopes resulted in pervasive water flow in the bodies and through alteration of silicates into phyllosilicates.

  18. Investigation of nanoscopic free volume and interfacial interaction in an epoxy resin/modified clay nanocomposite using positron annihilation spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Patil, Pushkar N; Sudarshan, Kathi; Sharma, Sandeep K; Maheshwari, Priya; Rath, Sangram K; Patri, Manoranjan; Pujari, Pradeep K

    2012-12-07

    Epoxy/clay nanocomposites are synthesized using clay modified with the organic modifier N,N-dimethyl benzyl hydrogenated tallow quaternary ammonium salt (Cloisite 10A). The purpose is to investigate the influence of the clay concentration on the nanostructure, mainly on the free-volume properties and the interfacial interactions, of the epoxy/clay nanocomposite. Nanocomposites having 1, 3, 5 and 7.5 wt. % clay concentrations are prepared using the solvent-casting method. The dispersion of clay silicate layers and the morphologies of the fractured surfaces in the nanocomposites are studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The observed XRD patterns reveal an exfoliated clay structure in the nanocomposite with the lowest clay concentration (≤1 wt. %). The ortho-positronium lifetime (τ(3)), a measure of the free-volume size, as well as the fractional free volume (f(v)) are seen to decrease in the nanocomposites as compared to pristine epoxy. The intensity of free positron annihilation (I(2)), an index of the epoxy-clay interaction, decreases with the addition of clay (1 wt. %) but increases linearly at higher clay concentrations. Positron age-momentum correlation measurements are also carried out to elucidate the positron/positronium states in pristine epoxy and in the nanocomposites. The results suggest that in the case of the nanocomposite with the studied lowest clay concentration (1 wt. %), free positrons are primarily localized in the epoxy-clay interfaces, whereas at higher clay concentrations, annihilation takes place from the intercalated clay layers. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. Infrared Spectroscopy of the Dust in Comets and Relationships to Interstellar Dust

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hanner, Martha S.

    2003-01-01

    Infrared spectroscopy of the dust in comets reveals a complex mix of silicate materials, including both crystalline and non-crystalline components of both olivine (forsterite) and pyroxene composition. These various components do not necessarily share a common origin. Since comets formed in cold regions of the solar nebula, pre-solar grains in the nebula could have been accreted into comets with little alteration. Some of the cometary silicates may be of circumstellar (formed in circumstellar outflows of evolved stars) or interstellar (formed in dense region of the interstellar medium) origin. Spectral similarities to both circumstellar and interstellar silicates are seen in comet spectra. the short-period Kuiper Belt comets) show weak or no spectral features. The lack of features is generally explained as a particle size effect: the small silicate grains are embedded in larger, optically thick particles. However, compositional differences cannot be ruled out. For example, no unambiguous signature of forsterite has yet been seen in the spectrum of a short-period comet. Thus, the Stardust sample from short-period comet P/Wild 2 will be extremely valuable. Not only grain by grain composition and isotopic ratios but also grain morphology, irradiation history, and evidence of organic refractory mantles are important for understanding their origin. The relative abundance and distinguishing characteristics of the various crystalline and non-crystalline silicate components needs to be established. While some comets, such as Hale-Bopp, display a rich infrared spectrum, others (particularly

  20. Spectroscopic study of biologically active glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Szumera, M.; Wacławska, I.; Mozgawa, W.; Sitarz, M.

    2005-06-01

    It is known that the chemical activity phenomenon is characteristic for some inorganic glasses and they are able to participate in biological processes of living organisms (plants, animals and human bodies). An example here is the selective removal of silicate-phosphate glass components under the influence of biological solutions, which has been applied in designing glasses acting as ecological fertilizers of controlled release rate of the nutrients for plants. The structure of model silicate-phosphate glasses containing the different amounts of the glass network formers, i.e. Ca 2+ and Mg 2+, as a binding components were studied. These elements besides other are indispensable of the normal growth of plants. In order to establish the function and position occupied by the particular components in the glass structure, the glasses were examined by FTIR spectroscopy (with spectra decomposition) and XRD methods. It has been found that the increasing amount of MgO in the structure of silicate-phosphate glasses causes the formation of domains the structure of which changes systematically from a structure of the cristobalite type to a structure corresponding to forsterite type. Whilst the increasing content of CaO in the structure of silicate-phosphate glasses causes the formation of domains the structure of which changes from a structure typical for cristobalite through one similar to the structure of calcium orthophosphate, to a structure corresponding to calcium silicates. The changing character of domains structure is the reason of different chemical activity of glasses.

  1. Trends in Effective Diffusion Coefficients for Ion-exchange Strengthening of Soda Lime Silicate Glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karlsson, Stefan; Wondraczek, Lothar; Ali, Sharafat; Jonson, Bo

    2017-04-01

    Monovalent cations enable efficient ion exchange processes due to their high mobility in silicate glasses. Numerous properties can be modified in this way, e.g., mechanical, optical, electrical or chemical performance. In particular, alkali cation exchange has received significant attention, primarily with respect to introducing compressive stress into the surface region of a glass, which increases mechanical durability. However, most of the present applications rely on specifically tailored matrix compositions in which the cation mobility is enhanced. This largely excludes the major area of soda lime silicates (SLS) such as are commodity in almost all large-scale applications of glasses. Basic understanding of the relations between structural parameters and the effective diffusion coefficients may help to improve ion-exchanged SLS glass products, on the one hand in terms of obtainable strength and on the other in terms of cost. In the present paper, we discuss the trends in the effective diffusion coefficients when exchanging Na+ for various monovalent cations (K+, Cu+, Ag+, Rb+ and Cs+) by drawing relations to physico-chemical properties. Correlations of effective diffusion coefficients were found for the bond dissociation energy and the electronic cation polarizability, indicating that localization and rupture of bonds are of importance for the ion exchange rate.

  2. Magmatic evolution of a Cordilleran flare-up and its role in the creation of silicic crust.

    PubMed

    Ward, Kevin M; Delph, Jonathan R; Zandt, George; Beck, Susan L; Ducea, Mihai N

    2017-08-22

    The role of magmatic processes as a significant mechanism for the generation of voluminous silicic crust and the development of Cordilleran plateaus remains a lingering question in part because of the inherent difficulty in quantifying plutonic volumes. Despite this difficulty, a growing body of independently measured plutonic-to-volcanic ratios suggests the volume of plutonic material in the crust related to Cordilleran magmatic systems is much larger than is previously expected. To better examine the role of crustal magmatic processes and its relationship to erupted material in Cordilleran systems, we present a continuous high-resolution crustal seismic velocity model for an ~800 km section of the active South American Cordillera (Puna Plateau). Although the plutonic-to-volcanic ratios we estimate vary along the length of the Puna Plateau, all ratios are larger than those previously reported (~30:1 compared to 5:1) implying that a significant volume of intermediate to silicic plutonic material is generated in the crust of the central South American Cordillera. Furthermore, as Cordilleran-type margins have been common since the onset of modern plate tectonics, our findings suggest that similar processes may have played a significant role in generating and/or modifying large volumes of continental crust, as observed in the continents today.

  3. Synchrotron X-ray spectroscopic investigations of an Nb-bearing silicate melt in contact with an aqueous fluid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mayanovic, R. A.; Anderson, A. J.; Bassett, W. A.; Chou, I.

    2006-05-01

    Understanding the structural properties of trace elements in hydrous silicate melts in contact with a hydrothermal fluid is fundamentally important for a better assessment of the role of such elements in silicate melts being subjected to hydrothermal processes. We describe the use of synchrotron x-ray microprobe techniques and the modified hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell for in-situ spectroscopic analysis of individual phases of a silicate-melt/fluid system. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Nb K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements were made on sectors ID20 and ID13 at the Advanced Photon Source, at the Argonne National Laboratory, on a Nb-bearing granitic glass in H2O and separately in a 1 M Na2CO3 aqueous solution at temperatures ranging from 25 to 880 °C and at up to 700 MPa of pressure. Individual phases of the Nb-glass/fluid system (at low temperatures) or the hydrous-silicate-melt/fluid system (at elevated temperatures) were probed using an X-ray beam focused to a diameter of 5 μm at the location of the sample. XRF analysis shows that the Nb partitions selectively from the hydrous silicate melt into the aqueous fluid at high temperatures in the Nb-glass/Na2CO3/H2O system but not so in the Nb-glass/H2O system. Analysis of XAFS spectra measured from the hydrous silicate melt phase of the Nb-glass/H2O sample in the 450 to 700 °C range shows that the first shell contains six oxygen atoms at a distance of ~1.98 Å. Our results suggest that reorganization of the silicate structure surrounding Nb occurs in the melt when compared to that of the starting glass. The X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra show a pre-edge peak feature located at ~18995 eV that exhibits sharpening and becomes more intensified in the 450 to 700 °C range. Fitting of the Nb K-edge XANES spectra measured from the melt is accomplished using FEFF8.28 and an atomic model NbSi4O6-4(Na, K). The model is based on the structure of fresnoite (Ba2TiSi2O8), in which an NbO6 octahedron unit is substituted for the TiO5 unit, four Na and four K atoms are placed alternately on nearby Ba atom sites, and four Si atoms are arranged in a single plane intersecting the NbO6 unit. The results from fitting indicate that the local structure of Nb in the silicate melt is altered from its local structure in the quenched glass before heating and in the glass after heating in the diamond anvil cell. The importance of in situ analysis of melts and hydrothermal fluids at various temperatures and pressures is discussed in the context of our study.

  4. Developing the Surface Chemistry of Transparent Butyl Rubber for Impermeable Stretchable Electronics.

    PubMed

    Vohra, Akhil; Carmichael, R Stephen; Carmichael, Tricia Breen

    2016-10-11

    Transparent butyl rubber is a new elastomer that has the potential to revolutionize stretchable electronics due to its intrinsically low gas permeability. Encapsulating organic electronic materials and devices with transparent butyl rubber protects them from problematic degradation due to oxygen and moisture, preventing premature device failure and enabling the fabrication of stretchable organic electronic devices with practical lifetimes. Here, we report a methodology to alter the surface chemistry of transparent butyl rubber to advance this material from acting as a simple device encapsulant to functioning as a substrate primed for direct device fabrication on its surface. We demonstrate a combination of plasma and chemical treatment to deposit a hydrophilic silicate layer on the transparent butyl rubber surface to create a new layered composite that combines Si-OH surface chemistry with the favorable gas-barrier properties of bulk transparent butyl rubber. We demonstrate that these surface Si-OH groups react with organosilanes to form self-assembled monolayers necessary for the deposition of electronic materials, and furthermore demonstrate the fabrication of stretchable gold wires using nanotransfer printing of gold films onto transparent butyl rubber modified with a thiol-terminated self-assembled monolayer. The surface modification of transparent butyl rubber establishes this material as an important new elastomer for stretchable electronics and opens the way to robust, stretchable devices.

  5. Low-temperature MIR to submillimeter mass absorption coefficient of interstellar dust analogues. II. Mg and Fe-rich amorphous silicates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demyk, K.; Meny, C.; Leroux, H.; Depecker, C.; Brubach, J.-B.; Roy, P.; Nayral, C.; Ojo, W.-S.; Delpech, F.

    2017-10-01

    Context. To model the cold dust emission observed in the diffuse interstellar medium, in dense molecular clouds or in cold clumps that could eventually form new stars, it is mandatory to know the physical and spectroscopic properties of this dust and to understand its emission. Aims: This work is a continuation of previous studies aiming at providing astronomers with spectroscopic data of realistic cosmic dust analogues for the interpretation of observations. The aim of the present work is to extend the range of studied analogues to iron-rich silicate dust analogues. Methods: Ferromagnesium amorphous silicate dust analogues were produced by a sol-gel method with a mean composition close to Mg1-xFexSiO3 with x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4. Part of each sample was annealed at 500 °C for two hours in a reducing atmosphere to modify the oxidation state of iron. We have measured the mass absorption coefficient (MAC) of these eight ferromagnesium amorphous silicate dust analogues in the spectral domain 30-1000 μm for grain temperature in the range 10-300 K and at room temperature in the 5-40 μm range. Results: The MAC of ferromagnesium samples behaves in the same way as the MAC of pure Mg-rich amorphous silicate samples. In the 30-300 K range, the MAC increases with increasing grain temperature whereas in the range 10-30 K, we do not see any change of the MAC. The MAC cannot be described by a single power law in λ- β. The MAC of the samples does not show any clear trend with the iron content. However the annealing process has, on average, an effect on the MAC that we explain by the evolution of the structure of the samples induced by the processing. The MAC of all the samples is much higher than the MAC calculated by dust models. Conclusions: The complex behavior of the MAC of amorphous silicates with wavelength and temperature is observed whatever the exact silicate composition (Mg vs. Fe amount). It is a universal characteristic of amorphous materials, and therefore of amorphous cosmic silicates, that should be taken into account in astronomical modeling. The enhanced MAC of the measured samples compared to the MAC calculated for cosmic dust model implies that dust masses are overestimated by the models. The tabulated mass absorption coefficients are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/606/A50

  6. THE EFFECT OF FLUORIDE ON LEAD SOLUBILITY

    EPA Science Inventory

    Difficulties in predicting and controlling lead corrosion are encountered by hundreds of water systems across the country. Inorganic carbonate, sulfate, silicate, orthophosphate, pH, total organic carbon, temperature and the type/amount of chlorine residual are all known factors ...

  7. Solid state NMR and LVSEM studies on the hardening of latex modified tile mortar systems

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

    Rottstegge, J.; Arnold, M.; Herschke, L.

    Construction mortars contain a broad variety of both inorganic and organic additives beside the cement powder. Here we present a study of tile mortar systems based on portland cement, quartz, methyl cellulose and different latex additives. As known, the methyl cellulose stabilizes the freshly prepared cement paste, the latex additive enhances final hydrophobicity, flexibility and adhesion. Measurements were performed by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and low voltage scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) to probe the influence of the latex additives on the hydration, hardening and the final tile mortar properties. While solid state NMR enables monitoring of the bulkmore » composition, scanning electron microscopy affords visualization of particles and textures with respect to their shape and the distribution of the different phases. Within the alkaline cement paste, the poly(vinyl acetate) (VAc)-based latex dispersions stabilized by poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were found to be relatively stable against hydrolysis. The influence of the combined organic additives methyl cellulose, poly(vinyl alcohol) and latexes stabilized by poly(vinyl alcohol) on the final silicate structure of the cement hydration products is small. But even small amounts of additives result in an increased ratio of ettringite to monosulfate within the final hydrated tile mortar as monitored by {sup 27}Al NMR. The latex was found to be adsorbed to the inorganic surfaces, acting as glue to the inorganic components. For similar latex water interfaces built up by poly(vinyl alcohol), a variation in the latex polymer composition results in modified organic textures. In addition to the networks of the inorganic cement and of the latex, there is a weak network build up by thin polymer fibers, most probably originating from poly(vinyl alcohol). Besides the weak network, polymer fibers form well-ordered textures covering inorganic crystals such as portlandite.« less

  8. Organic or organometallic template mediated clay synthesis

    DOEpatents

    Gregar, Kathleen C.; Winans, Randall E.; Botto, Robert E.

    1994-01-01

    A method for incorporating diverse Varieties of intercalants or templates directly during hydrothermal synthesis of clays such as hectorite or montmorillonite-type layer-silicate clays. For a hectorite layer-silicate clay, refluxing a gel of silica sol, magnesium hydroxide sol and lithium fluoride for two days in the presence of an organic or organometallic intercalant or template results in crystalline products containing either (a) organic dye molecules such as ethyl violet and methyl green, (b) dye molecules such as alcian blue that are based on a Cu(II)-phthalocyannine complex, or (c) transition metal complexes such as Ru(II)phenanthroline and Co(III)sepulchrate or (d) water-soluble porphyrins and metalloporphyrins. Montmorillonite-type clays are made by the method taught by U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,454 issued to Hickson, Jun. 13, 1975; however, a variety of intercalants or templates may be introduced. The intercalants or templates should have (i) water-solubility, (ii) positive charge, and (iii) thermal stability under moderately basic (pH 9-10) aqueous reflux conditions or hydrothermal pressurized conditions for the montmorillonite-type clays.

  9. Organic or organometallic template mediated clay synthesis

    DOEpatents

    Gregar, K.C.; Winans, R.E.; Botto, R.E.

    1994-05-03

    A method is described for incorporating diverse varieties of intercalates or templates directly during hydrothermal synthesis of clays such as hectorite or montmorillonite-type layer-silicate clays. For a hectorite layer-silicate clay, refluxing a gel of silica sol, magnesium hydroxide sol and lithium fluoride for two days in the presence of an organic or organometallic intercalate or template results in crystalline products containing either (a) organic dye molecules such as ethyl violet and methyl green, (b) dye molecules such as alcian blue that are based on a Cu(II)-phthalocyannine complex, or (c) transition metal complexes such as Ru(II)phenanthroline and Co(III)sepulchrate or (d) water-soluble porphyrins and metalloporphyrins. Montmorillonite-type clays are made by the method taught by U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,454 issued to Hickson, Jun. 13, 1975; however, a variety of intercalates or templates may be introduced. The intercalates or templates should have (i) water-solubility, (ii) positive charge, and (iii) thermal stability under moderately basic (pH 9-10) aqueous reflux conditions or hydrothermal pressurized conditions for the montmorillonite-type clays. 22 figures.

  10. Gels composed of sodium-aluminum silicate, Lake Magadi, Kenya

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Eugster, H.P.; Jones, B.F.

    1968-01-01

    Sodium-aluminum silicate gels are found in surftcial deposits as thick as 5 centimeters in the Magadi area of Kenya. Chemical data indicate they are formed by the interaction of hot alkaline springwaters (67?? to 82??C; pH, about 9) with alkali trachyte flows and their detritus, rather than by direct precipitation. In the process, Na2O is added from and silica is released to the saline waters of the springs. Algal mats protect the gels from erosion and act as thermal insulators. The gels are probably yearly accumulates that are washed into the lakes during floods. Crystallization of these gels in the laboratory yields analcite; this fact suggests that some analcite beds in lacustrine deposits may have formed from gels. Textural evidence indicates that cherts of rocks of the Pleistocene chert series in the Magadi area may have formed from soft sodium silicate gels. Similar gels may have acted as substrates for the accumulation and preservation of prebiological organic matter during the Precambrian.

  11. Modified tricalcium silicate cement formulations with added zirconium oxide.

    PubMed

    Li, Xin; Yoshihara, Kumiko; De Munck, Jan; Cokic, Stevan; Pongprueksa, Pong; Putzeys, Eveline; Pedano, Mariano; Chen, Zhi; Van Landuyt, Kirsten; Van Meerbeek, Bart

    2017-04-01

    This study aims to investigate the effect of modifying tricalcium silicate (TCS) cements on three key properties by adding ZrO 2 . TCS powders were prepared by adding ZrO 2 at six different concentrations. The powders were mixed with 1 M CaCl 2 solution at a 3:1 weight ratio. Biodentine (contains 5 wt.% ZrO 2 ) served as control. To evaluate the potential effect on mechanical properties, the mini-fracture toughness (mini-FT) was measured. Regarding bioactivity, Ca release was assessed using ICP-AES. The component distribution within the cement matrix was evaluated by Feg-SEM/EPMA. Cytotoxicity was assessed using an XTT assay. Adding ZrO 2 to TCS did not alter the mini-FT (p = 0.52), which remained in range of that of Biodentine (p = 0.31). Ca release from TSC cements was slightly lower than that from Biodentine at 1 day (p > 0.05). After 1 week, Ca release from TCS 30 and TCS 50 increased to a level that was significantly higher than that from Biodentine (p < 0.05). After 1 month, Ca release all decreased (p < 0.05), yet TCS 0 and TCS 50 released comparable amounts of Ca as at 1 day (p > 0.05). EPMA revealed a more even distribution of ZrO 2 within the TCS cements. Particles with an un-reacted core were surrounded by a hydration zone. The 24-, 48-, and 72-h extracts of TCS 50 were the least cytotoxic. ZrO 2 can be added to TCS without affecting the mini-FT; Ca release was reduced initially, to reach a prolonged release thereafter; adding ZrO 2 made TCS cements more biocompatible. TCS 50 is a promising cement formulation to serve as a biocompatible hydraulic calcium silicate cement.

  12. Silicification in Grasses: Variation between Different Cell Types

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Santosh; Soukup, Milan; Elbaum, Rivka

    2017-01-01

    Plants take up silicon as mono-silicic acid, which is released to soil by the weathering of silicate minerals. Silicic acid can be taken up by plant roots passively or actively, and later it is deposited in its polymerized form as amorphous hydrated silica. Major silica depositions in grasses occur in root endodermis, leaf epidermal cells, and outer epidermal cells of inflorescence bracts. Debates are rife about the mechanism of silica deposition, and two contrasting scenarios are often proposed to explain it. According to the passive mode of silicification, silica deposition is a result of silicic acid condensation due to dehydration, such as during transpirational loss of water from the aboveground organs. In general, silicification and transpiration are positively correlated, and continued silicification is sometimes observed after cell and tissue maturity. The other mode of silicification proposes the involvement of some biological factors, and is based on observations that silicification is not necessarily coupled with transpiration. Here, we review evidence for both mechanisms of silicification, and propose that the deposition mechanism is specific to the cell type. Considering all the cell types together, our conclusion is that grass silica deposition can be divided into three modes: spontaneous cell wall silicification, directed cell wall silicification, and directed paramural silicification in silica cells. PMID:28400787

  13. Rock weathering by indigenous heterotrophic bacteria of Bacillus spp. at different temperature: a laboratory experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Štyriaková, I.; Štyriak, I.; Oberhänsli, H.

    2012-07-01

    The bio-weathering of basalt, granite and gneiss was experimentally investigated in this study. These rock-forming minerals weathered more rapidly via the ubiquitous psychrotrophic heterotrophic bacteria . With indigenous bacteria of Bacillus spp. from sediments of Lake Baikal, we traced the degradation process of silicate minerals to understand the weathering processes occurring at the change temperature in the subsurface environment with organic input. The bacteria mediated dissolution of minerals was monitored with solution and solid chemistry, X-ray analyses as well as microscopic techniques. We determined the impact of the bacteria on the mineral surface and leaching of K, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, and Al from silicate minerals. In the samples the release of major structural elements of silicates was used as an overall indicator of silicate mineral degradation at 4°C and 18°C from five medium exchanges over 255 days of rock bioleaching. The increase of temperature importantly affected the efficiency of Fe extraction from granite and basalt as well as Si extraction from granite and gneiss. In comparison with elemental extraction order at 4°C, Ca was substituted first by Fe or Si. It is evident that temperature influences rock microbial weathering and results in a change of elements extraction.

  14. Influence of Magnetite Stoichiometry on the Binding of Emerging Organic Contaminants.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Wei; Marsac, Rémi; Hanna, Khalil

    2018-01-16

    While the magnetite stoichiometry (i.e., Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio) has been extensively studied for the reductive transformation of chlorinated or nitroaromatic compounds, no work exists examining the influence of stoichiometry of magnetite on its binding properties. This study, for the first time, demonstrates that the stoichiometry strongly affects the capacity of magnetite to bind not only quinolone antibiotics such as nalidixic acid (NA) and flumequine (FLU), but also salicylic acid (SA), natural organic matter (humic acid, HA), and dissolved silicates. Fe(II)-amendment of nonstoichiometric magnetite (Fe(II)/Fe(III) = 0.40) led to similar sorbed amounts of NA, FLU, SA, silicates or HA as compared to the stoichiometric magnetite (i.e., Fe(II)/Fe(III) = 0.50). At any pH between 6 and 10, all magnetites exhibiting similar Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio in the solid phase showed similar adsorption properties for NA or FLU. This enhancement in binding capability of magnetite for NA is still observed in the presence of environmentally relevant ligands (e.g., 10 mg L -1 of HA or 100 μM of silicates). Using surface complexation modeling, it was shown that the NA-magnetite complexation constant does not vary with Fe(II)/Fe(III) between 0.24 and 0.40, but increases by 8 orders of magnitude when Fe(II)/Fe(III) increases from 0.40 to 0.50.

  15. Calcium Silicate/Chitosan-Coated Electrospun Poly (Lactic Acid) Fibers for Bone Tissue Engineering.

    PubMed

    Su, Chu-Jung; Tu, Ming-Gene; Wei, Li-Ju; Hsu, Tuan-Ti; Kao, Chia-Tze; Chen, Tsui-Han; Huang, Tsui-Hsien

    2017-05-05

    Electrospinning technology allows fabrication of nano- or microfibrous fibers with inorganic and organic matrix and it is widely applied in bone tissue engineering as it allows precise control over the shapes and structures of the fibers. Natural bone has an ordered composition of organic fibers with dispersion of inorganic apatite among them. In this study, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) mats were fabricated with electrospinning and coated with chitosan (CH)/calcium silicate (CS) mixer. The microstructure, chemical component, and contact angle of CS/CH-PLA composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro, various CS/CH-coated PLA mats increased the formation of hydroxyapatite on the specimens' surface when soaked in cell cultured medium. During culture, several biological characteristics of the human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured on CS/CH-PLA groups were promoted as compared to those on pure PLA mat. Increased secretion levels of Collagen I and fibronectin were observed in calcium silicate-powder content. Furthermore, with comparison to PLA mats without CS/CH, CS10 and CS15 mats markedly enhanced the proliferation of hMSCs and their osteogenesis properties, which was characterized by osteogenic-related gene expression. These results clearly demonstrated that the biodegradable and electroactive CS/CH-PLA composite mats are an ideal and suitable candidate for bone tissue engineering.

  16. Morphology and Structure of Amino-fatty Acid Intercalated Montmorillonite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reyes, Larry; Sumera, Florentino

    2015-04-01

    Natural clays and its modified forms have been studied for their wide range of applications, including polymer-layered silicate, catalysts and adsorbents. For nanocomposite production, montmorillonite (MMT) clays are often modified with organic surfactants to favor its intermixing with the polymer matrix. In the present study, Na+-montmorillonite (Na+-MMT) was subjected to organo-modification with a protonated 12-aminolauric acid (12-ALA). The amount of amino fatty acid surfactants loaded was 25, 50, 100 and 200% the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of Na+-MMT (25CEC-AMMT, 50CEC-AMMT, 100CEC-AMMT and 200CEC-AMMT). Fatty acid-derived surfactants are an attractive resource of intercalating agents for clays due to their renewability and abundance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to determine the occurrence of intercalation of 12-ALA and their molecular structure in the clay's silicates. XRD analysis revealed that the interlayer spacing between the alumino-silicate layers increased from 1.25 nm to 1.82 nm with increasing ALA content. The amino fatty acid chains were considered to be in a flat monolayer structure at low surfactant loading, and a bilayered to a pseudotrilayered structure at high surfactant loading. On the other hand, FTIR revealed that the alkyl chains adopt a gauche conformation, indicating their disordered state based on their CH2symmetric and asymmetric vibrations. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) allows the determination of the moisture and organic content in clays. Here, TGA revealed that the surfactant in the clay was thermally stable, with Td ranging from 353° C to 417° C. The difference in the melting behavior of the pristine amino fatty acids and confined fatty acids in the interlayer galleries of the clay were evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimerty (DSC). The melting temperatures (Tm) of the amino fatty acid in the clay were initially found to be higher than those of the free amino fatty acid, but decreased with increasing surfactant loading. This suggested that the amino fatty acid may be tethered to the clay structure via ionic interaction and/or ion-dipole attraction. Significant changes in the clay morphology, particle size and surface charge were observed after organo-modification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the organo-clays have a disordered and flaky morphology, while the unmodified MMT appeared to be dispersed spherical grains. The effective (Z) diameter of Na+-MMT was found to be ~520 nm, but increased up to ~937 nm upon intercalation of 12-ALA. The zeta potential (ξ) of the clay materials, on the other hand, ranged from -33 mV for undmodified MMT to -16 mv (200CEC-AMMT clay). The possible occupational hazards of working with nanoclays should also be explored. Presently, the MTT-dye reduction assay was performed to determine cell viability of mouse monocyte-macrophages (J774A.1) after direct exposure to the clays. The cytotoxicity of the clays exhibited a chemistry and dose dependent response, with unmodified Na+-MMT as the most cytotoxic while the organo-clays exhibited low toxicity. These results demonstrated the successful intercalation of the surfactant for the production of organophilic clay materials for a wide range of applications.

  17. Alteration layer formation of Ca- and Zn-oxide bearing alkali borosilicate glasses for immobilisation of UK high level waste: A vapour hydration study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cassingham, N. J.; Corkhill, C. L.; Stennett, M. C.; Hand, R. J.; Hyatt, N. C.

    2016-10-01

    The UK high level nuclear waste glass modified with CaO/ZnO was investigated using the vapour phase hydration test, performed at 200 °C, with the aim of understanding the impact of the modification on the chemical composition and microstructure of the alteration layer. Experiments were undertaken on non-modified and CaO/ZnO-modified base glass, with or without 25 wt% of simulant Magnox waste calcine. The modification resulted in a dramatic reduction in gel layer thickness and also a reduction in the reaction rate, from 3.4 ± 0.3 g m-2 d-1 without CaO/ZnO modification to 0.9 ± 0.1 g m-2 d-1 with CaO/ZnO. The precipitated phase assemblage for the CaO/ZnO-modified compositions was identified as hydrated Ca- and Zn-bearing silicate phases, which were absent from the non-modified counterpart. These results are in agreement with other recent studies showing the beneficial effects of ZnO additions on glass durability.

  18. Variation of mineralogy and organic material during the early stages of aqueous activity recorded in Antarctic micrometeorites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Noguchi, T.; Yabuta, H.; Itoh, S.; Sakamoto, N.; Mitsunari, T.; Okubo, A.; Okazaki, R.; Nakamura, T.; Tachibana, S.; Terada, K.; Ebihara, M.; Imae, N.; Kimura, M.; Nagahara, H.

    2017-07-01

    Micrometeorites (MMs) recovered from surface snow near the Dome Fuji Station, Antarctica are almost free from terrestrial weathering and contain very primitive materials, and are suitable for investigation of the evolution and interaction of inorganic and organic materials in the early solar system. We carried out a comprehensive study on seven porous and fluffy MMs [four Chondritic porous (CP) MMs and three fluffy fine-grained (Fluffy Fg) MMs] and one fine-grained type 1 (Fg C1) MM for comparison with scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis, and secondary ion mass spectrometer. They show a variety of early aqueous activities. Four out of the seven CP MMs contain glass with embedded metal and sulfide (GEMS) and enstatite whiskers/platelets and do not have hydrated minerals. Despite the same mineralogy, organic chemistry of the CP MMs shows diversity. Two of them contain considerable amounts of organic materials with high carboxyl functionality, and one of them contains nitrile (Ctbnd N) and/or nitrogen heterocyclic groups with D and 15N enrichments, suggesting formation in the molecular cloud or a very low temperature region of the outer solar system. Another two CP MMs are poorer in organic materials than the above-mentioned MMs. Organic material in one of them is richer in aromatic C than the CP MMs mentioned above, being indistinguishable from those of hydrated carbonaceous chondrites. In addition, bulk chemical compositions of GEMS in the latter organic poor CP MMs are more homogeneous and have higher Fe/(Si + Mg + Fe) ratios than those of GEMS in the former organic-rich CP MMs. Functional group of the organic materials and amorphous silicate in GEMS in the organic-poor CP MMs may have transformed in the earliest stage of aqueous alteration, which did not form hydrated minerals. Three Fluffy Fg MMs contain abundant phyllosilicates, showing a clear evidence of aqueous alteration. Phyllosilicates in thee MMs are richer in Fe than those in hydrated IDPs, typical fine-grained hydrated (Fg C1) MMs, and hydrated carbonaceous chondrites. One of the Fluffy Fg MMs contains amorphous silicate, which is richer in Fe than GEMS and contains little or no nanophase Fe metal but contains Fe sulfide. Because the chemical compositions of the amorphous silicate are within the compositional field of GEMS in CP IDPs, the amorphous silicate may be alteration products of GEMS. The entire compositional field of GEMS in the CP MMs and the amorphous silicate in the Fluffy Fg MM matches that of the previously reported total compositional range of GEMS in IDPs. One Fluffy Fg MM contains Mg-rich phyllosilicate along with Fe-rich phyllosilicate and Mg-Fe carbonate. Mg-rich phyllosilicate and Mg-Fe carbonate may have been formed through the reaction of Fe-rich phyllosilicate, Mg-rich olivine and pyroxene, and water with C-bearing chemical species. These data indicate that CP MMs and Fluffy Fg MMs recovered from Antarctic surface snow contain materials that throw a light on the earliest stages of aqueous alteration on very primitive solar system bodies. Because mineralogy and isotopic and structural features of organic materials in D10IB009 are comparable with isotopically primitive IDPs, its parent body could be comets or icy asteroids showing mass ejection (active asteroids). By contrast, organic-poor CP MMs may have experienced the earliest stage of aqueous alteration and Fluffy Fg MMs experienced weak aqueous alteration. The precursor materials of the parent bodies of Fluffy Fg MMs probably contained abundant GEMS or GEMS-like materials like CP IDPs, which is common to fine-grained matrices of very primitive carbonaceous chondrites such as CR3s. However, highly porous nature of organic-poor CP MMs and Fluffy Fg MMs suggests that parent bodies of these MMs must have been much more porous than the parent bodies of primitive carbonaceous chondrites. Given no phyllosilicate among the returned samples of 81P/Wild 2 comet, the MMs may have been derived from porous icy asteroids such as active asteroids as well as P- and D-type asteroids rather than comets.

  19. Self-repairing properties of OPC clinker/natural zeolite blend in water and alkali carbonate environments at 270°C

    DOE PAGES

    Pyatina, Tatiana; Sugama, Toshifumi; Ronne, Arthur; ...

    2018-01-01

    The 10 d recoveries of the mechanical properties and crack sealing of an ordinary Portland cement (OPC) clinker/natural zeolite (ferrierite (Fer)) blend modified or unmodified with silica were tested at 270°C in water and alkali carbonate environments. The recoveries of the samples depended on their modification with silica and the curing environment, but were more than 100% after repeated damage under some test conditions. The mechanical properties and phase compositions of recovered samples were evaluated by compressive strength measurements and x-ray diffraction, differential thermogravimetric analyses, Fourier transform infrared analyses and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Themore » sealing of 0·25 mm wide and ~2 mm deep cracks was visualised with a three-dimensional optical microscope. Fer decomposed under high-temperature alkaline conditions with the release of hydrolysates that, along with the hydrating clinker, participated in the formation of new phases contributing to strength recoveries. Here, these phases included crystalline magnesium and aluminium-containing silicates, calcium and carbonated calcium silicates and amorphous hydrates. Crack sealing was complete for the silica-modified samples and partial for unmodified ones cured in carbonate environments. The sealing was very poor for samples cured in water. Lastly, the main sealing phases included crystalline and amorphous silica, high-temperature-stable zeolites and talc mineral.« less

  20. Self-repairing properties of OPC clinker/natural zeolite blend in water and alkali carbonate environments at 270°C

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

    Pyatina, Tatiana; Sugama, Toshifumi; Ronne, Arthur

    The 10 d recoveries of the mechanical properties and crack sealing of an ordinary Portland cement (OPC) clinker/natural zeolite (ferrierite (Fer)) blend modified or unmodified with silica were tested at 270°C in water and alkali carbonate environments. The recoveries of the samples depended on their modification with silica and the curing environment, but were more than 100% after repeated damage under some test conditions. The mechanical properties and phase compositions of recovered samples were evaluated by compressive strength measurements and x-ray diffraction, differential thermogravimetric analyses, Fourier transform infrared analyses and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Themore » sealing of 0·25 mm wide and ~2 mm deep cracks was visualised with a three-dimensional optical microscope. Fer decomposed under high-temperature alkaline conditions with the release of hydrolysates that, along with the hydrating clinker, participated in the formation of new phases contributing to strength recoveries. Here, these phases included crystalline magnesium and aluminium-containing silicates, calcium and carbonated calcium silicates and amorphous hydrates. Crack sealing was complete for the silica-modified samples and partial for unmodified ones cured in carbonate environments. The sealing was very poor for samples cured in water. Lastly, the main sealing phases included crystalline and amorphous silica, high-temperature-stable zeolites and talc mineral.« less

  1. Organic and inorganic correlations for Northwest Africa 852 by synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yesiltas, Mehmet; Peale, Robert E.; Unger, Miriam; Sedlmair, Julia; Hirschmugl, Carol J.

    2015-10-01

    Relationships between organic molecules and inorganic minerals are investigated in a single 34 μm diameter grain of the CR2 chondrite Northwest Africa 852 (NWA) 852 with submicron spatial resolution using synchrotron-based imaging micro-FTIR spectroscopy. Correlations based on absorption strength for the various constituents are determined using statistical correlation analysis. The silicate band is found to be correlated with the hydration band, and the latter is highly correlated with stretching modes of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Spatial distribution maps show that water+organic combination, silicate, OH, and C-H distributions overlap, suggesting a possible catalytic role of phyllosilicates in the formation of organics. In contrast, the carbonate band is anticorrelated with water+organic combination, however uncorrelated with any other spectral feature. The average ratio of asymmetric CH2 and CH3 band strengths (CH2/CH3 = 2.53) for NWA 852 is similar to the average ratio of interplanetary dust particles (~2.40) and Wild 2 cometary dust particles (2.50), but it significantly exceeds that of interstellar medium objects (~1.00) and several aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrites (~1.40). This suggests organics of similar length/branching, and perhaps similar formation regions, for NWA 852, Wild 2 dust particles, and interplanetary dust particles. The heterogeneous spatial distribution of ratio values indicates the presence of a mixture of aliphatic organic material with different length/branching, and thus a wide range of parent body processes, which occurred before the considered grain was formed.

  2. Does Silicate Weathering of Loess Affect Atmospheric CO2?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anderson, S. P.

    2002-12-01

    Weathering of glacial loess may be a significant, yet unrecognized, component of the carbon cycle. Glaciers produce fine-grained sediment, exposing vast amounts of mineral surface area to weathering processes, yet silicate mineral weathering rates at glacier beds and of glacial till are not high. Thus, despite the tremendous potential for glaciers to influence global weathering rates and atmospheric CO2 levels, this effect has not been demonstrated. Loess, comprised of silt-clay sizes, may be the key glacial deposit in which silicate weathering rates are high. Loess is transported by wind off braid plains of rivers, and deposited broadly (order 100 km from the source) in vegetated areas. Both the fine grain size, and hence large mineral surface area, and presence of vegetation should render loess deposits highly susceptible to silicate weathering. These deposits effectively extend the geochemical impact of glaciation in time and space, and bring rock flour into conditions conducive to chemical weathering. A simple 1-d model of silicate weathering fluxes from a soil profile demonstrates the potential of loess deposition to enhance CO2 consumption. At each time step, computed mineral dissolution (using anorthite and field-based rate constants) modifies the size of mineral grains within the soil. In the case of a stable soil surface, this results in a gradual decline in weathering fluxes and CO2 consumption through time, as finer grain sizes dissolve away. Computed weathering fluxes for a typical loess, with an initial mean grain size of 25 μm, are an order of magnitude greater than fluxes from a non-loess soil that differs only in having a mean grain size of 320 μm. High weathering fluxes are maintained through time if loess is continually deposited. Deposition rates as low as 0.01 mm/yr (one loess grain thickness per year) can lead to a doubling of CO2 consumption rates within 5 ka. These results suggest that even modest loess deposition rates can significantly increase CO2 consumption rates due to silicate weathering in soils. Thick loess deposits cover 5-10% of the global land surface, and loess deposits too thin to be included in global inventories cover a much greater area. Loess deposition and weathering over timescales greater than the duration of glaciation must be considered in models of atmospheric CO2 variation.

  3. The role of modifier cation field strength, oxygen speciation and network cation interaction in pressure-induced structural changes of silicate melts and glasses: 27Al, and 11B MAS NMR studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bista, S.; Stebbins, J. F.

    2017-12-01

    In aluminosilicate melts and glasses, both non-bridging oxygen content (NBO) and modifier cation field strength (Mg>Ca>Na>K) are known to facilitate network cation (e.g. Al, B) coordination increase with pressure. However, the role of these two compositional parameters in pressure-induced structural changes is derived from data for a limited set of compositions, where effects of the interaction between these parameters is less understood. For example, the effects of NBO are largely based on studies of Na and K aluminosilicate glasses, but effects of geologically important, higher field strength modifier cations such as Mg2+ and Fe2+ could well be significantly different. In this study, we look at a wide compositional range of Na, Ca and Mg aluminosilicate glasses (quenched from high pressure melts near to the glass transition temperature) to understand the roles of NBO and modifier cation field strength that can extend our view of processes important for silicate melts common in nature. Our results show that the role of NBO in pressure-induced structural changes varies systematically with increasing field strength of the modifier cation. In Na aluminosilicate glasses recovered from 1.5 to 3 GPa, large increases in average aluminum coordination are observed in glasses with high NBO content, while no detectable increases are seen for low nominal NBO (jadeite). In contrast, Mg aluminosilicate glasses with both high and low NBO show similar, large increases in average aluminum coordination with increasing pressure. The behaviors of Ca aluminosilicates fall between those of Na and Mg-rich glasses. We have also looked at interactions between different network forming cations in pressure-induced structural changes in low NBO Ca-aluminoborosilicate glasses with varying B/Si. Both aluminum and boron increase dramatically in coordination in these compositions 1.5 to 3 GPa. Increases in both average aluminum coordination and densification are larger in compositions containing higher boron concentrations, suggesting an interaction between boron and aluminum network cations in pressure-induced structural changes.

  4. Hybrid organic-inorganic coatings including nanocontainers for corrosion protection of magnesium alloy ZK30

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kartsonakis, I. A.; Koumoulos, E. P.; Charitidis, C. A.; Kordas, G.

    2013-08-01

    This study is focused on the fabrication, characterization, and application of corrosion protective coatings to magnesium alloy ZK30. Hybrid organic-inorganic coatings were synthesized using organic-modified silicates together with resins based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether. Cerium molybdate nanocontainers (ncs) with diameter 100 ± 20 nm were loaded with corrosion inhibitor 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and incorporated into the coatings in order to improve their anticorrosion properties. The coatings were investigated for their anticorrosion and nanomechanical properties. The morphology of the coatings was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The composition was estimated by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The mechanical integrity of the coatings was studied through nanoindentation and nanoscratch techniques. Scanning probe microscope imaging of the coatings revealed that the addition of ncs creates surface incongruity; however, the hardness to modulus ratio revealed significant strengthening of the coating with increase of ncs. Studies on their corrosion behavior in 0.5 M sodium chloride solutions at room temperature were made using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Artificial defects were formatted on the surface of the films in order for possible self-healing effects to be evaluated. The results showed that the coated magnesium alloys exhibited only capacitive response after exposure to corrosive environment for 16 months. This behavior denotes that the coatings have enhanced barrier properties and act as an insulator. Finally, the scratched coatings revealed a partial recovery due to the increase of charge-transfer resistance as the immersion time elapsed.

  5. High Temperature Thermosetting Polyimide Nanocomposites Prepared with Reduced Charge Organoclay

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Campbell, Sandi; Liang, Margaret I.

    2005-01-01

    The naturally occurring sodium and calcium cations found in bentonite clay galleries were exchanged with lithium cations. Following the cation exchange, a series of reduced charge clays were prepared by heat treatment of the lithium bentonite at 130 C, 150 C, or 170 C. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis showed that heating the lithium clay at elevated temperatures reduced its cation exchange capacity. Ion exchange of heat-treated clays with either a protonated alkyl amine or a protonated aromatic diamine resulted in decreasing amounts of the organic modifier incorporated into the lithium clay. The level of silicate dispersion in a thermosetting polyimide matrix was dependent upon the temperature of Li-clay heat treatment as well as the organic modification. In general, clays treated at 150 C or 170 C, and exchanged with protonated octadcylamine or protonated 2,2'-dimethlybenzidine (DMBZ) showed a higher degree of dispersion than clays treated at 130 C, or exchanged with protonated dodecylamine. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed little change in the storage modulus or T(sub g) of the nanocomposites compared to the base resin. However, long term isothermal aging of the samples showed a significant decrease in the resin oxidative weight loss. Nanocomposite samples aged in air for 1000 hours at 288 C showed of to a decrease in weight loss compared to that of the base resin. This again was dependent on the temperature at which the Li-clay was heated and the choice of organic modification.

  6. Comets and the origin of the solar system - Reading the Rosetta Stone

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mumma, Michael J.; Weissman, Paul R.; Stern, S. A.

    1993-01-01

    It is argued that, from the measured volatile abundances, comets formed at temperatures near or below about 60 K and possibly as low as about 25 K. Grains in Comet Halley were found to be of two types: silicates and organics. Isotopic evidence shows that Comet Halley formed from material with the same compositional mix as the rest of the solar system, and is consistent with comets having been a major contributor to the volatile reservoirs on the terrestrial planets. A variety of processes have been shown to modify and reprocess the outer layers of comets both during their long residence time in the Oort cloud and following their entry back into the planetary system. The most likely formation site for comets is in the Uranus-Neptune zone or just beyond, with dynamical ejection by the growing protoplanets to distant orbits to form the Oort cloud. A substantial flux of interstellar comets was likely created by the same process, and may be detectable if cometary formation is common in planetary systems around other stars.

  7. Thermal and colloidal behavior of amine-treated clays: the role of amphiphilic organic cation concentration.

    PubMed

    Marras, S I; Tsimpliaraki, A; Zuburtikudis, I; Panayiotou, C

    2007-11-15

    The modification of sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) through the insertion of amphiphilic hexadecylammonium cations into the clay's interlayer spaces has been studied. Alkylammonium concentrations equivalent to 0.15-3.00 times the cation exchange capacity of the clay were used. The conformation of the surfactant cations in the confined space of the silicate galleries was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy, while the organoclay's thermal stability was examined by thermogravimetric analysis. The clay's surface properties induced by the ion-exchange process were followed by measurements of the mineral's zeta potential as a function of pH and surfactant concentration, while the coagulation rates of organoclay suspensions in water and in chloroform were examined using dynamic light scattering. All the results are consistent with showing that the overall characteristics and thus the behavior of the modified MMT particles strongly depend on the alkylammonium surfactant concentration used in the modification process. This, however, has very important implications for any attempt to incorporate the organomodified MMT particles into different media for various applications such as polymer nanocomposite preparation.

  8. Interfacial Connection Mechanisms in Calcium-Silicate-Hydrates/Polymer Nanocomposites: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Yang; Hou, Dongshuai; Manzano, Hegoi; Orozco, Carlos A; Geng, Guoqing; Monteiro, Paulo J M; Liu, Jiaping

    2017-11-22

    Properties of organic/inorganic composites can be highly dependent on the interfacial connections. In this work, molecular dynamics, using pair-potential-based force fields, was employed to investigate the structure, dynamics, and stability of interfacial connections between calcium-silicate-hydrates (C-S-H) and organic functional groups of three different polymer species. The calculation results suggest that the affinity between C-S-H and polymers is influenced by the polarity of the functional groups and the diffusivity and aggregation tendency of the polymers. In the interfaces, the calcium counterions from C-S-H act as the coordination atoms in bridging the double-bonded oxygen atoms in the carboxyl groups (-COOH), and the Ca-O connection plays a dominant role in binding poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) due to the high bond strength defined by time-correlated function. The defective calcium-silicate chains provide significant numbers of nonbridging oxygen sites to accept H-bonds from -COOH groups. As compared with PAA, the interfacial interactions are much weaker between C-S-H and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Predominate percentage of the -OH groups in the PVA form H-bonds with inter- and intramolecule, which results in the polymer intertwining and reduces the probability of H-bond connections between PVA and C-S-H. On the other hand, the inert functional groups (C-O-C) in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) make this polymer exhibit unfolded configurations and move freely with little restrictions. The interaction mechanisms interpreted in this organic-inorganic interface can give fundamental insights into the polymer modification of C-S-H and further implications to improving cement-based materials from the genetic level.

  9. Chemical Evolution of Groundwater Near a Sinkhole Lake, Northern Florida: 2. Chemical Patterns, Mass Transfer Modeling, and Rates of Mass Transfer Reactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Katz, Brian G.; Plummer, L. Niel; Busenberg, Eurybiades; Revesz, Kinga M.; Jones, Blair F.; Lee, Terrie M.

    1995-06-01

    Chemical patterns along evolutionary groundwater flow paths in silicate and carbonate aquifers were interpreted using solute tracers, carbon and sulfur isotopes, and mass balance reaction modeling for a complex hydrologic system involving groundwater inflow to and outflow from a sinkhole lake in northern Florida. Rates of dominant reactions along defined flow paths were estimated from modeled mass transfer and ages obtained from CFC-modeled recharge dates. Groundwater upgradient from Lake Barco remains oxic as it moves downward, reacting with silicate minerals in a system open to carbon dioxide (CO2), producing only small increases in dissolved species. Beneath and downgradient of Lake Barco the oxic groundwater mixes with lake water leakage in a highly reducing, silicate-carbonate mineral environment. A mixing model, developed for anoxic groundwater downgradient from the lake, accounted for the observed chemical and isotopic composition by combining different proportions of lake water leakage and infiltrating meteoric water. The evolution of major ion chemistry and the 13C isotopic composition of dissolved carbon species in groundwater downgradient from the lake can be explained by the aerobic oxidation of organic matter in the lake, anaerobic microbial oxidation of organic carbon, and incongruent dissolution of smectite minerals to kaolinite. The dominant process for the generation of methane was by the CO2 reduction pathway based on the isotopic composition of hydrogen (δ2H(CH4) = -186 to -234‰) and carbon (δ13C(CH4) = -65.7 to -72.3‰). Rates of microbial metabolism of organic matter, estimated from the mass transfer reaction models, ranged from 0.0047 to 0.039 mmol L-1 yr-1 for groundwater downgradient from the lake.

  10. Combining Sequential Extractions and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Quantitative and Qualitative Zinc Speciation in Soil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bauer, Tatiana; Minkina, Tatiana; Batukaev, Abdulmalik; Nevidomskaya, Dina; Burachevskaya, Marina; Tsitsuashvili, Viktoriya; Urazgildieva, Kamilya

    2017-04-01

    The combined use of X-ray absorption spectrometry and extractive fractionation is an effective approach for studying the interaction of metal ions with soil compounds and identifying the phases-carriers of metals in soil and their stable fixation. These studies were carried out using the technique of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and chemical extractive fractionation. In a model experiment the samples taken in Calcic Chernozem were artificially contaminated with higher portion of Zn(NO3)2 (2000 mg/kg). The metal were incubated in soil samples for 2 year. The samples of soil mineral and organic phases (calcite, kaolinite, bentonite, humic acids) were saturated with Zn2+ from a solution of nitrate salts of metal. The total content of Zn in soil and soil various phases was determined using the X-ray fluorescence method. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) Zn was measured at the Structural Materials Science beamline of the Kurchatov Center for Synchrotron Radiation. Sequential fractionation of Zn in soil conducted by Tessier method (Tessier et al., 1979) which determining 5 fractions of metals in soil: exchangeable, bound to Fe-Mn oxide, bound to carbonate, bound to the organic matter, and bound to silicate (residual). This methodology has so far more than 4000 citations (Web of Science), which demonstrates the popularity of this approach. Much Zn compounds are contained in uncontaminated soils in stable primary and secondary silicates inherited from the parental rocks (67% of the total concentrations in all fractions), which is a regional trait of soils in the fore-Caucasian plain. Extracted fractionation of metal compounds in soil samples, artificially contaminated with Zn salts, indicates the priority holding of Zn2+ ions by silicates, carbonates and Fe-Mn oxides. The Zn content significantly increases in the exchangeable fraction. Atomic structure study of the soil various phases saturated with Zn2+ ion by using (XANES) X-ray absorption spectroscopy allowed the determination of mechanism of metal ions interaction with soil phases and the resulting types of chemical bonds. Interaction with soil components modifies the electron structure of the metal ions themselves. The soil contamination with Zn is accompanied by decreasing the stable connection between metal and soil components. Interacting with humic acids in chernozem, the Zn2+ ion is coordinated by functional groups and ligands and forms unstable outer-sphere complexes. Zinc included into octahedral structures of layered minerals and hydro(oxides) can be inner-and outer-sphere adsorbed. The Zn2+ ions enable to replace Ca2+ ions in octahedral positions being coordinated with carbonate ions as ligands, thus forming absorbed complexes at the surface of mineral calcite. This work was supported by grant of the Russian Scientific Foundation № 16-14-10217.

  11. Mitigating yield-scaled greenhouse gas emissions through combined application of soil amendments: A comparative study between temperate and subtropical rice paddy soils.

    PubMed

    Ali, Muhammad Aslam; Kim, P J; Inubushi, K

    2015-10-01

    Effects of different soil amendments were investigated on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, global warming potential (GWP) and yield scaled GWPs in paddy soils of Republic of Korea, Japan and Bangladesh. The experimental treatments were NPK only, NPK+fly ash, NPK+silicate slag, NPK+phosphogypsum(PG), NPK+blast furnace slag (BFS), NPK+revolving furnace slag (RFS), NPK+silicate slag (50%)+RFS (50%), NPK+biochar, NPK+biochar+Azolla-cyanobacteria, NPK+silicate slag+Azolla-cyanobacteria, NPK+phosphogypsum (PG)+Azolla-cyanobacteria. The maximum decrease in cumulative seasonal CH4 emissions was recorded 29.7% and 32.6% with Azolla-cyanobacteria plus phospho-gypsum amendments in paddy soils of Japan and Bangladesh respectively, followed by 22.4% and 26.8% reduction with silicate slag plus Azolla-cyanobacteria application. Biochar amendments in paddy soils of Japan and Bangladesh decreased seasonal cumulative N2O emissions by 31.8% and 20.0% respectively, followed by 26.3% and 25.0% reduction with biochar plus Azolla-cyanobacteria amendments. Although seasonal cumulative CH4 emissions were significantly increased by 9.5-14.0% with biochar amendments, however, global warming potentials were decreased by 8.0-12.0% with cyanobacterial inoculation plus biochar amendments. The maximum decrease in GWP was calculated 22.0-30.0% with Azolla-cyanobacteria plus silicate slag amendments. The evolution of greenhouse gases per unit grain yield (yield scaled GWP) was highest in the NPK treatment, which was decreased by 43-50% from the silicate slag and phosphogypsum amendments along with Azolla-cyanobacteria inoculated rice planted soils. Conclusively, it is recommended to incorporate Azolla-cyanobacteria with inorganic and organic amendments for reducing GWP and yield scaled GWP from the rice planted paddy soils of temperate and subtropical countries. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Experimental Calcium Silicate-Based Cement with and without Zirconium Oxide Modulates Fibroblasts Viability.

    PubMed

    Slompo, Camila; Peres-Buzalaf, Camila; Gasque, Kellen Cristina da Silva; Damante, Carla Andreotti; Ordinola-Zapata, Ronald; Duarte, Marco Antonio Hungaro; de Oliveira, Rodrigo Cardoso

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study was to verify whether the use of zirconium oxide as a radiopacifier of an experimental calcium silicate-based cement (WPCZO) leads to cytotoxicity. Fibroblasts were treated with different concentrations (10 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 0.1 mg/mL) of the cements diluted in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) for periods of 12, 24, and 48 h. Groups tested were white Portland cement (WPC), white Portland cement with zirconium oxide (WPCZO), and white mineral trioxide aggregate Angelus (MTA). Control group cells were not treated. The cytotoxicity was evaluated through mitochondrial-activity (MTT) and cell-density (crystal violet) assays. All cements showed low cytotoxicity. In general, at the concentration of 10 mg/mL there was an increase in viability of those groups treated with WPC and WPCZO when compared to the control group (p<0.05). A similar profile for the absorbance values was noted among the groups: 10 mg/mL presented an increase in viability compared to the control group. On the other hand, smaller concentrations presented a similar or lower viability compared to the control group, in general. A new dental material composed of calcium silicate-based cement with 20% zirconium oxide as the radiopacifier showed low cytotoxicity as a promising material to be exploited for root-end filling.

  13. Use of barium-strontium carbonatite for flux welding and surfacing of mining machines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kryukov, R. E.; Kozyrev, N. A.; Usoltsev, A. A.

    2017-09-01

    The results of application of barium-strontium carbonatite for modifying and refining iron-carbon alloys, used for welding and surfacing in ore mining and smelting industry, are generalized. The technology of manufacturing a flux additive containing 70 % of barium-strontium carbonatite and 30 % of liquid glass is proposed. Several compositions of welding fluxes based on silicomanganese slag were tested. The flux additive was introduced in an amount of 1, 3, 5 %. Technological features of welding with the application of the examined fluxes are determined. X-ray spectral analysis of the chemical composition of examined fluxes, slag crusts and weld metal was carried out, as well as metallographic investigations of welded joints. The principal possibility of applying barium-strontium carbonatite as a refining and gas-protective additive for welding fluxes is shown. The use of barium-strontium carbonatite reduces the contamination of the weld seam with nonmetallic inclusions: non-deforming silicates, spot oxides and brittle silicates, and increases the desulfurizing capacity of welding fluxes.

  14. Nanoparticle induced piezoelectric, super toughened, radiation resistant, multi-functional nanohybrids.

    PubMed

    Tiwari, Vimal K; Shripathi, T; Lalla, N P; Maiti, Pralay

    2012-01-07

    We have developed multifunctional nanohybrids of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (CTFE) with a small percentage of surface modified inorganic layered silicate showing dramatic improvement in toughness, radiation resistant and piezoelectric properties vis-à-vis pristine polymer. Massive intercalation (d(001) 1.8 → 3.9 nm) of polymer inside the nanoclay galleries and unique crystallization behavior of the fluoropolymer on the surface of individual silicate layer has been reported. Toughness in the nanohybrid increases more than three orders of magnitude as compared to pure CTFE. High energy radiation (80 MeV Si(+7)) causes chain session, amorphization and creates olefinic bonds in the pure polymer while the nanohybrids are radiation resistant at a similar dose. Nanoclay induces the metastable piezoelectric β-phase in CTFE, suitable for sensor and actuator application. Molecular level changes after irradiation and controlled morphology for smart membrane have been confirmed by using spectroscopy, sol-gel technique, surface morphology studies and in situ residual gas analysis.

  15. Zeta potentials in the flotation of oxide and silicate minerals.

    PubMed

    Fuerstenau, D W; Pradip

    2005-06-30

    Adsorption of collectors and modifying reagents in the flotation of oxide and silicate minerals is controlled by the electrical double layer at the mineral-water interface. In systems where the collector is physically adsorbed, flotation with anionic or cationic collectors depends on the mineral surface being charged oppositely. Adjusting the pH of the system can enhance or prevent the flotation of a mineral. Thus, the point of zero charge (PZC) of the mineral is the most important property of a mineral in such systems. The length of the hydrocarbon chain of the collector is important because of chain-chain association enhances the adsorption once the surfactant ions aggregate to form hemimicelles at the surface. Strongly chemisorbing collectors are able to induce flotation even when collector and the mineral surface are charged similarly, but raising the pH sufficiently above the PZC can repel chemisorbing collectors from the mineral surface. Zeta potentials can be used to delineate interfacial phenomena in these various systems.

  16. Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Silica Functionalized with Calix[4]arene Derivatives

    PubMed Central

    Alahmadi, Sana M.; Mohamad, Sharifah; Maah, Mohd Jamil

    2012-01-01

    This work reports a new method to covalently attach calix[4]arene derivatives onto MCM-41, using a diisocyanate as a linker. The modified mesoporous silicates were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA) and elemental analysis. The FTIR spectra and TGA analysis verified that the calix[4]arene derivates are covalently attached to the mesoporous silica. The preservation of the MCM-41 channel system was checked by X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption analysis. PMID:23202977

  17. European Science Notes Information Bulletin. Reports on Current European and Middle Eastern Science

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-01-01

    network. Mechanical properties of ormolytes can tion of TiO2 to "open-up" the structure tb.r Li be modified by altering the structure of the silicate...Cambridge es. The group from the University of California, group has demonstrated that the color (wavelength) Santa Barbara, and Uniax Corporation...A.J. of the electroluminescence can be tuned over a Heeger, F. Wudi, P. Smith) reported on their work range of colors . with polymer 12 in several talks

  18. Record of seismotectonic events in siliceous cyanobacterial sediments (Magadi cherts), Lake Magadi, Kenya

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Behr, H.-J.; Röhricht, C.

    The Quaternary sediments of Lake Magadi in the Kenya Rift include large volumes of chert. Before their lithification, these siliceous sediments underwent very strong deformation, as recorded by diapirism with pillow-chert mounds, extrusion along dykes and fault ramps, horizontal liquefaction slides with brecciation, slumping, as well as petee-, flow- and shear structures. Eugster (1969) considered these structures to have resulted from desiccation of Na-silicate precipitates (magadiite) that were deposited over wide areas and were several metres thick. Magadiite can remain soft over long periods; therefore, these ``Magadi-type cherts'' are called the type examples of inorganic cherts. However, field observations and microbiological studies of the cherts show that real inorganic cherts are rare at the type locality of Magadi-type cherts. Most of the cherts are older than the High Magadi Beds and developed from flat-topped calcareous bioherms of Pleurocapsa, Gloecocapsa, and other coccoid cyanobacteria, thinly bedded filamentous microbial mats, stromatolites, bacterial slimes, diatoms, Dascladiacea colonies and other organic matter. Silicification occurred from a silicasol via opal-A to opal-C with final recrystallisation to a chert of quartzine composition. The metabolic processes of cyanobacteria controlled the pH and influenced the dissolution-precipitation mechanism. Collapse, liquefaction and extrusion of the pre-lithified siliceous matrix was caused by seismotectonic rift activity, which activated fault scarplets and large-scale dyke systems. It led to liquefaction and other earthquake-induced structures along the fault ramps and on tilted blocks. Concentrated silicasols were generated by the interaction of alkaline waters with volcanic detritus, coupled with biochemical processes. After liquefaction and extrusion, the material solidified by spontaneous crystallisation in an environment that was characterised by highly variable pH and salinity. The Lake Magadi basin is a remarkable example of sedimentation in a continuously seismotectonically active basin. This paper presents a first description of the micro-organisms in Magadi-type cherts, the silicification process, and the deformation that occurred still in the putty-like state before lithification.

  19. Distribution of ferromanganese nodules in the Pacific Ocean.

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Piper, D.Z.; Swint-Iki, T.R.; McCoy, F.W.

    1987-01-01

    The occurrence and distribution of deep-ocean ferromanganese nodules are related to the lithology of pelagic surface-sediment, sediment accumulation rates, sea-floor bathymetry, and benthic circulation. Nodules often occur in association with both biosiliceous and pelagic clay, and less often with calcareous sediment. Factors which influence the rather complex patterns of sediment lithology and accumulation rates include the supply of material to the sea-floor and secondary processes in the deep ocean which alter or redistribute that supply. The supply is largely controlled by: 1) proximity to a source of alumino-silicate material and 2) primary biological productivity in the photic zone of the ocean. Primary productivity controls the 'rain' to the sea-floor of biogenic detritus, which consists mostly of siliceous and calcareous tests of planktonic organisms but also contains smaller proportions of phosphatic material and organic matter. The high accumulation rate (5 mm/1000 yr) of sediment along the equator is a direct result of high productivity in this region of the Pacific. Secondary processes include the dissolution of particulate organic matter at depth in the ocean, notably CaCO3, and the redistribution of sedimentary particles by deep-ocean currents. -J.M.H.

  20. Post-glacial climate forcing of surface processes in the Ganges-Brahmaputra river basin and implications for carbon sequestration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hein, Christopher J.; Galy, Valier; Galy, Albert; France-Lanord, Christian; Kudrass, Hermann; Schwenk, Tilmann

    2017-11-01

    Climate has been proposed to control both the rate of terrestrial silicate weathering and the export rate of associated sediments and terrestrial organic carbon to river-dominated margins - and thus the rate of sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in the coastal ocean - over glacial-interglacial timescales. Focused on the Ganges-Brahmaputra rivers, this study presents records of post-glacial changes in basin-scale Indian summer monsoon intensity and vegetation composition based on stable hydrogen (δD) and carbon (δ13C) isotopic compositions of terrestrial plant wax compounds preserved in the channel-levee system of the Bengal Fan. It then explores the role of these changes in controlling the provenance and degree of chemical weathering of sediments exported by these rivers, and the potential climate feedbacks through organic-carbon burial in the Bengal Fan. An observed 40‰ shift in δD and a 3-4‰ shift in both bulk organic-carbon and plant-wax δ13C values between the late glacial and mid-Holocene, followed by a return to more intermediate values during the late Holocene, correlates well with regional post-glacial paleoclimate records. Sediment provenance proxies (Sr, Nd isotopic compositions) reveal that these changes likely coincided with a subtle focusing of erosion on the southern flank of the Himalayan range during periods of greater monsoon strength and enhanced sediment discharge. However, grain-size-normalized organic-carbon concentrations in the Bengal Fan remained constant through time, despite order-of-magnitude level changes in catchment-scale monsoon precipitation and enhanced chemical weathering (recorded as a gradual increase in K/Si* and detrital carbonate content, and decrease in H2O+/Si*, proxies) throughout the study period. These findings demonstrate a partial decoupling of climate change and silicate weathering during the Holocene and that marine organic-carbon sequestration rates primary reflect rates of physical erosion and sediment export as modulated by climatic changes. Together, these results reveal the magnitude of climate changes within the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin following deglaciation and a closer coupling of monsoon strength with OC burial than with silicate weathering on millennial timescales.

  1. Water speciation in sodium silicate glasses (quenched melts): A comprehensive NMR study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xue, X.; Kanzaki, M.; Eguchi, J.

    2012-12-01

    Dissolution mechanism of water is an important factor governing how the dissolved water affects the physical and thermodynamic properties of silicate melts and glasses. Our previous studies have demonstrated that 1H MAS NMR in combination with 29Si-1H and 27Al-1H double-resonance NMR experiments is an effective approach for unambiguously differentiating and quantifying different water species in quenched silicate melts (glasses). Several contrasting dissolution mechanisms have been revealed depending on the melt composition: for relatively polymerized melts, the formation of SiOH/AlOH species (plus molecular H2O) and depolymerization of the network structure dominate; whereas for depolymerized Ca-Mg silicate melts, free OH (e.g. MgOH) become increasingly important (cf. [1]). The proportion of free OH species has been shown to decrease with both increasing melt polymerization (silica content) and decreasing field strength of the network modifying cations (from Mg to Ca). Our previous 1H and 29Si MAS NMR results for hydrous Na silicate glasses of limited compositions (Na2Si4O9 and Na2Si2O5) were consistent with negligible free OH (NaOH) species and depolymerizing effect of water dissolution [2]. On the other hand, there were also other studies that proposed the presence of significant NaOH species in hydrous glasses near the Na2Si2O5 composition. The purpose of this study is apply the approach of combined 1H MAS NMR and double-resonance (29Si-1H and 23Na-1H) NMR to gain unambiguous evidence for the OH speciation in Na silicate glasses (melts) as a function of composition. Hydrous Na silicate glasses containing mostly ≤ 1 wt% H2O for a range of Na/Si ratios from 0.33 to 1.33 have been synthesized by rapidly quenching melts either at 0.2 GPa using an internally heated gas pressure vessel or at 1 GPa using a piston cylinder high-pressure apparatus. NMR spectra have been acquired using a 9.4 T Varian Unity-Inova spectrometer. The 29Si and 1H chemical shifts are reported relative to TMS. The 1H MAS NMR spectra show broad peaks covering a chemical shift range of 1 to 17 ppm, with peak maxima near 4 and 15 ppm for more Si-rich compositions and near 12 ppm for less Si-rich compositions. The 1H-29Si-1H and 23Na-1H cross-polarization (CP) MAS NMR spectra for all the hydrous Na silicate glasses suggest negligible NaOH species, which, if present, should show enhanced relative intensity with 23Na-1H CP and the opposite with 1H-29Si-1H CP. All the observed 1H NMR intensities can be attributed to SiOH species of a range of hydrogen-bonding distances, plus a small amount of molecular H2O for higher water-content samples that contribute to intensities around 6 ppm. In conclusion, our combined 1H MAS NMR and double-resonance (1H-29Si-1H and 23Na-1H CP) MAS NMR study on Na silicate glasses of a range of Na/Si ratios has confirmed that water dissolves predominantly as SiOH and molecular H2O species in Na silicate melts (glasses), consistent with the trend predicted from studies on the Ca-Mg silicate system [1,2]. References:[1] Xue, X. Y.; Kanzaki, M. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 2009, 92, 2803-2830. [2] Xue, X. Y.; Kanzaki, M. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 2004, 68, 5027-5057.

  2. Siliceous Shrubs in Yellowstone's Hot Springs: Implications for Exobiological Investigations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Guidry, S. A.; Chafetz, H. S.

    2003-01-01

    Potential relict hot springs have been identified on Mars and, using the Earth as an analog, Martian hot springs are postulated to be an optimal locality for recognizing preserved evidence of extraterrestrial life. Distinctive organic and inorganic biomarkers are necessary to recognize preserved evidence of life in terrestrial and extraterrestrial hot spring accumulations. Hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A., contain a wealth of information about primitive microbial life and associated biosignatures that may be useful for future exobiological investigations. Numerous siliceous hot springs in Yellowstone contain abundant, centimeter-scale, spinose precipitates of opaline silica (opal-A). Although areally extensive in siliceous hot spring discharge channel facies, these spinose forms have largely escaped attention. These precipitates referred to as shrubs, consist of porous aggregates of spinose opaline silica that superficially resemble miniature woody plants, i.e., the term shrubs. Shrubs in carbonate precipitating systems have received considerable attention, and represent naturally occurring biotically induced precipitates. As such, shrubs have great potential as hot spring environmental indicators and, more importantly, proxies for pre-existing microbial life.

  3. Interstellar and Solar Nebula Materials in Cometary Dust

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Messenger, Scott; Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko; Keller, Lindsay; Nguyen, Ann; Clemett, Simon

    2017-01-01

    Laboratory studies of cometary dust collected in the stratosphere and returned from comet 81P/Wild 2 by the Stardust spacecraft have revealed ancient interstellar grains and molecular cloud organic matter that record a range of astrophysical processes and the first steps of planetary formation. Presolar materials are rarer meteorites owing to high temperature processing in the solar nebula and hydrothermal alteration on their asteroidal parent bodies. The greater preservation of presolar materials in comets is attributed to their low accretion temperatures and limited planetary processing. Yet, comets also contain a large complement of high temperature materials from the inner Solar System. Owing to the limited and biased sampling of comets to date, the proportions of interstellar and Solar System materials within them remains highly uncertain. Interstellar materials are identified by coordinated isotopic, mineralogical, and chemical measurements at the scale of individual grains. Chondritic porous interplanetary dust particles (CP IDPs) that likely derive from comets are made up of 0.1 - 10 micron-sized silicates, Fe-Ni-sulfides, oxides, and other phases bound by organic material. As much as 1% of the silicates are interstellar grains that have exotic isotopic compositions imparted by nucleosynthetic processes in their parent stars. Crystalline silicates in CP IDPs dominantly have normal isotopic compositions and probably formed in the Solar System. 81P samples include isotopically normal refractory minerals that resemble Ca-Al rich inclusions and chondrules common in meteorites. The origins of sub-micron amorphous silicates in IDPs are not certain, but at least a few % of them are interstellar grains. The remainder have isotopic compositions consistent with Solar System origins and elemental compositions that are inconsistent with interstellar grain properties, thus favoring formation in the solar nebula [4]. The organic component in comets and primitive meteorites has large enrichments in D/H and N-15/N-14 relative to terrestrial materials. These isotopic signatures are probably due to low temperature chemical processes in cold molecular clouds or the outermost reaches of the protoplanetary disk. The greatest isotopic anomalies are found in sub-micron organic nanoglobules that show chemical signatures of interstellar chemistry. The observation that cometary dust is mostly composed of isotopically normal minerals within isotopically anomalous organic matter is difficult to reconcile with the formation models of each component. The mineral component likely formed in high temperature processes in the inner Solar System, while the organic fraction shows isotopic and chemical signatures of formation near 10 K. Studying more primitive remnants of the Solar System starting materials would help in resolving this paradox. Comets formed across a vast expanse of the outer disk under differing thermal and collisional regimes, and some are likely to be better preserved than others. Finding truly pristine aggregates of presolar materials may require return of a pristine sample of comet nucleus material.

  4. Direct measurement of the combined effects of lichen, rainfall, and temperature onsilicate weathering

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Brady, P.V.; Dorn, R.I.; Brazel, A.J.; Clark, J.; Moore, R.B.; Glidewell, T.

    1999-01-01

    A key uncertainty in models of the global carbonate-silicate cycle and long-term climate is the way that silicates weather under different climatologic conditions, and in the presence or absence of organic activity. Digital imaging of basalts in Hawaii resolves the coupling between temperature, rainfall, and weathering in the presence and absence of lichens. Activation energies for abiotic dissolution of plagioclase (23.1 ?? 2.5 kcal/mol) and olivine (21.3 ?? 2.7 kcal/mol) are similar to those measured in the laboratory, and are roughly double those measured from samples taken underneath lichen. Abiotic weathering rates appear to be proportional to rainfall. Dissolution of plagioclase and olivine underneath lichen is far more sensitive to rainfall.

  5. Diatoms in comets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hoover, R.; Hoyle, F.; Wallis, M. K.; Wickramasinghe, N. C.

    1986-01-01

    The fossil record of the microscopic algae classified as diatoms suggests they were injected to earth at the Cretaceous boundary. Not only could diatoms remain viable in the cometary environment, but also many species might replicate in illuminated surface layers or early interior layers of cometary ice. Presumably they reached the solar system on an interstellar comet as an already-evolved assemblage of organisms. Diatoms might cause color changes to comet nuclei while their outgassing decays and revives around highly elliptical orbits. Just as for interstellar absorption, high-resolution IR observations are capable of distinguishing whether the 10-micron feature arises from siliceous diatom material or mineral silicates. The 10-30-micron band and the UV 220-nm region can also provide evidence of biological material.

  6. Airborne and groundbased spectrophotometry of comet P/Halley from 5-13 micrometers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bregman, J. D.; Witteborn, F. C.; Allamandola, L. J.; Campins, H.; Wooden, D. H.; Rank, D. M.; Cohen, M.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.

    1987-01-01

    Spectrophotometry of comet Halley from 5-13 microns was obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory and from the Lick Observatory Nickel Telescope, revealing a strong broad emission band at 10 microns and a weak feature at 6.8 microns. The 10-micron band is identified with silicate materials, and the primary component of the silicate emission is suggested to be due to olivine. The 6.8 micron feature may be due either to carbonates or the C-H deformation mode in organic molecules. The data indicate that small particles are abundant in the coma and that the dust contains at least two physically separate components. Significant spatial and temporal variations are also noted in the spectrum.

  7. The dusty atmosphere of the brown dwarf Gliese 229B.

    PubMed

    Griffith, C A; Yelle, R V; Marley, M S

    1998-12-11

    The brown dwarf Gliese 229B has an observable atmosphere too warm to contain ice clouds like those on Jupiter and too cool to contain silicate clouds like those on low-mass stars. These unique conditions permit visibility to higher pressures than possible in cool stars or planets. Gliese 229B's 0.85- to 1.0-micrometer spectrum indicates particulates deep in the atmosphere (10 to 50 bars) having optical properties of neither ice nor silicates. Their reddish color suggests an organic composition characteristic of aerosols in planetary stratospheres. The particles' mass fraction (10(-7)) agrees with a photochemical origin caused by incident radiation from the primary star and suggests the occurrence of processes native to planetary stratospheres.

  8. Microstructure and corrosion behavior of coated AZ91 alloy by microarc oxidation for biomedical application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Y. M.; Wang, F. H.; Xu, M. J.; Zhao, B.; Guo, L. X.; Ouyang, J. H.

    2009-08-01

    Magnesium and its alloy currently are considered as the potential biodegradable implant materials, while the accelerated corrosion rate in intro environment leads to implant failure by losing the mechanical integrity before complete restoration. Dense oxide coatings formed in alkaline silicate electrolyte with and without titania sol addition were fabricated on magnesium alloy using microarc oxidation process. The microstructure, composition and degradation behavior in simulated body fluid (SBF) of the coated specimens were evaluated. It reveals that a small amount of TiO 2 is introduced into the as-deposited coating mainly composed of MgO and Mg 2SiO 4 by the addition of titania sol into based alkaline silicate electrolytic bath. With increasing concentration of titania sol from 0 to 10 vol.%, the coating thickness decreases from 22 to 18 μm. Electrochemical tests show that the Ecorr of Mg substrate positively shifted about 300˜500 mV and icorr lowers more than 100 times after microarc oxidation. However, the TiO 2 modified coatings formed in electrolyte containing 5 and 10 vol.% titania sol indicate an increasing worse corrosion resistance compared with that of the unmodified coating, which is possibly attributed to the increasing amorphous components caused by TiO 2 involvement. The long term immersing test in SBF is consistent with the electrochemical test, with the coated Mg alloy obviously slowing down the biodegradation rate, meanwhile accompanied by the increasing damage trends in the coatings modified by 5 and 10 vol.% titania sol.

  9. Modifying Si-based consolidants through the addition of colloidal nano-particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ksinopoulou, E.; Bakolas, A.; Moropoulou, A.

    2016-04-01

    The modification of silicon-based stone consolidants has been the subject of many scientific studies aiming to overcome the commonly reported drawbacks of these materials, such as the tendency to shrink and crack during drying. The addition of nano-particle dispersions into silica matrix has been found to enhance their effectiveness in several ways. Objective of the current research was to study the preparation of particle-modified consolidants (PMC), consisting of an ethyl silicate matrix (TEOS) loaded with colloidal silica (SiO2) nano-particles and oxide titania (TiO2) particles. The effect of the polyacrylic acid on the dispersion stability was also investigated, by varying its concentration into PMC samples. The prepared materials were allowed to dry in two different relative humidity environments and then evaluated based on their stability in the sol phase, the aggregation sizes, determined through dynamic light scattering, the % solids content and their morphological characteristics, observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDAX). Mercury intrusion porosimetry was also applied to investigate the microstructural characteristics and differences between the prepared consolidants. Significant role in the final form of the material is played by both the initial molar ratios in the mixtures, as well as the conditions where the drying and aging takes place. Based on the results, the three-component PMCs appear to be promising in stone consolidation, as they show a reduction in cracking and shrinkage during drying and a more porous network, compared with the siliceous material, or the two-component TEOS-SiO2 formulation.

  10. Interstellar and Solar System Organic Matter Preserved in Interplanetary Dust

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Messenger, Scott; Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko

    2015-01-01

    Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected in the Earth's stratosphere derive from collisions among asteroids and by the disruption and outgassing of short-period comets. Chondritic porous (CP) IDPs are among the most primitive Solar System materials. CP-IDPs have been linked to cometary parent bodies by their mineralogy, textures, C-content, and dynamical histories. CP-IDPs are fragile, fine-grained (less than um) assemblages of anhydrous amorphous and crystalline silicates, oxides and sulfides bound together by abundant carbonaceous material. Ancient silicate, oxide, and SiC stardust grains exhibiting highly anomalous isotopic compositions are abundant in CP-IDPs, constituting 0.01 - 1 % of the mass of the particles. The organic matter in CP-IDPs is isotopically anomalous, with enrichments in D/H reaching 50x the terrestrial SMOW value and 15N/14N ratios up to 3x terrestrial standard compositions. These anomalies are indicative of low T (10-100 K) mass fractionation in cold molecular cloud or the outermost reaches of the protosolar disk. The organic matter shows distinct morphologies, including sub-um globules, bubbly textures, featureless, and with mineral inclusions. Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry studies of organic matter in IDPs reveals diverse species including aliphatic and aromatic compounds. The organic matter with the highest isotopic anomalies appears to be richer in aliphatic compounds. These materials also bear similarities and differences with primitive, isotopically anomalous organic matter in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. The diversity of the organic chemistry, morphology, and isotopic properties in IDPs and meteorites reflects variable preservation of interstellar/primordial components and Solar System processing. One unifying feature is the presence of sub-um isotopically anomalous organic globules among all primitive materials, including IDPs, meteorites, and comet Wild-2 samples returned by the Stardust mission.

  11. Reduction of nitrogen compounds in oceanic basement and its implications for HCN formation and abiotic organic synthesis

    PubMed Central

    2009-01-01

    Hydrogen cyanide is an excellent organic reagent and is central to most of the reaction pathways leading to abiotic formation of simple organic compounds containing nitrogen, such as amino acids, purines and pyrimidines. Reduced carbon and nitrogen precursor compounds for the synthesis of HCN may be formed under off-axis hydrothermal conditions in oceanic lithosphere in the presence of native Fe and Ni and are adsorbed on authigenic layer silicates and zeolites. The native metals as well as the molecular hydrogen reducing CO2 to CO/CH4 and NO3-/NO2- to NH3/NH4+ are a result of serpentinization of mafic rocks. Oceanic plates are conveyor belts of reduced carbon and nitrogen compounds from the off-axis hydrothermal environments to the subduction zones, where compaction, dehydration, desiccation and diagenetic reactions affect the organic precursors. CO/CH4 and NH3/NH4+ in fluids distilled out of layer silicates and zeolites in the subducting plate at an early stage of subduction will react upon heating and form HCN, which is then available for further organic reactions to, for instance, carbohydrates, nucleosides or even nucleotides, under alkaline conditions in hydrated mantle rocks of the overriding plate. Convergent margins in the initial phase of subduction must, therefore, be considered the most potent sites for prebiotic reactions on Earth. This means that origin of life processes are, perhaps, only possible on planets where some kind of plate tectonics occur. PMID:19849830

  12. Reduction of nitrogen compounds in oceanic basement and its implications for HCN formation and abiotic organic synthesis.

    PubMed

    Holm, Nils G; Neubeck, Anna

    2009-10-22

    Hydrogen cyanide is an excellent organic reagent and is central to most of the reaction pathways leading to abiotic formation of simple organic compounds containing nitrogen, such as amino acids, purines and pyrimidines. Reduced carbon and nitrogen precursor compounds for the synthesis of HCN may be formed under off-axis hydrothermal conditions in oceanic lithosphere in the presence of native Fe and Ni and are adsorbed on authigenic layer silicates and zeolites. The native metals as well as the molecular hydrogen reducing CO2 to CO/CH4 and NO3-/NO2- to NH3/NH4+ are a result of serpentinization of mafic rocks. Oceanic plates are conveyor belts of reduced carbon and nitrogen compounds from the off-axis hydrothermal environments to the subduction zones, where compaction, dehydration, desiccation and diagenetic reactions affect the organic precursors. CO/CH4 and NH3/NH4+ in fluids distilled out of layer silicates and zeolites in the subducting plate at an early stage of subduction will react upon heating and form HCN, which is then available for further organic reactions to, for instance, carbohydrates, nucleosides or even nucleotides, under alkaline conditions in hydrated mantle rocks of the overriding plate. Convergent margins in the initial phase of subduction must, therefore, be considered the most potent sites for prebiotic reactions on Earth. This means that origin of life processes are, perhaps, only possible on planets where some kind of plate tectonics occur.

  13. 9 CFR 130.17 - User fees for other veterinary diagnostic laboratory tests performed at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Nitrate/nitrite Test 66.00 67.00 68.00 70.00 72.00 Organic compound confirmation Test 88.00 90.00 92.00 94.00 96.00 Organic compound screen Test 151.00 155.00 158.00 161.00 165.00 Parasitology Test 29.00 29....00 103.00 105.00 107.00 Selenium Test 44.00 45.00 46.00 47.00 48.00 Silicate/carbonate disinfectant...

  14. 9 CFR 130.17 - User fees for other veterinary diagnostic laboratory tests performed at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Nitrate/nitrite Test 66.00 67.00 68.00 70.00 72.00 Organic compound confirmation Test 88.00 90.00 92.00 94.00 96.00 Organic compound screen Test 151.00 155.00 158.00 161.00 165.00 Parasitology Test 29.00 29....00 103.00 105.00 107.00 Selenium Test 44.00 45.00 46.00 47.00 48.00 Silicate/carbonate disinfectant...

  15. 9 CFR 130.17 - User fees for other veterinary diagnostic laboratory tests performed at NVSL (excluding FADDL) or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Nitrate/nitrite Test 66.00 67.00 68.00 70.00 72.00 Organic compound confirmation Test 88.00 90.00 92.00 94.00 96.00 Organic compound screen Test 151.00 155.00 158.00 161.00 165.00 Parasitology Test 29.00 29....00 103.00 105.00 107.00 Selenium Test 44.00 45.00 46.00 47.00 48.00 Silicate/carbonate disinfectant...

  16. Evidence for Extended Aqueous Alteration in CR Carbonaceous Chondrites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Trigo-Rodriquez, J. M.; Moyano-Cambero, C. E.; Mestres, N.; Fraxedas, J.; Zolensky, M.; Nakamura, T.; Martins, Z.

    2013-01-01

    We are currently studying the chemical interrelationships between the main rockforming components of carbonaceous chondrites (hereafter CC), e.g. silicate chondrules, refractory inclusions and metal grains, and the surrounding meteorite matrices. It is thought that the fine-grained materials that form CC matrices are representing samples of relatively unprocessed protoplanetary disk materials [1-3]. In fact, modern non-destructive analytical techniques have shown that CC matrices host a large diversity of stellar grains from many distinguishable stellar sources [4]. Aqueous alteration has played a role in homogeneizing the isotopic content that allows the identification of presolar grains [5]. On the other hand, detailed analytical techniques have found that the aqueously-altered CR, CM and CI chondrite groups contain matrices in which the organic matter has experienced significant processing concomitant to the formation of clays and other minerals. In this sense, clays have been found to be directly associated with complex organics [6, 7]. CR chondrites are particularly relevant in this context as this chondrite group contains abundant metal grains in the interstitial matrix, and inside glassy silicate chondrules. It is important because CR are known for exhibiting a large complexity of organic compounds [8-10], and only metallic Fe is considered essential in Fischer-Tropsch catalysis of organics [11-13]. Therefore, CR chondrites can be considered primitive materials capable to provide clues on the role played by aqueous alteration in the chemical evolution of their parent asteroids.

  17. The geochemical record of the last 17,000 years in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Dean, W.E.

    2006-01-01

    Sediments deposited on the western slope of the Guaymas Basin in the central Gulf of California are composed predominantly of detrital clastic material and biogenic silica (biopal), with minor organic material (average of 2.8% organic carbon) and calcium carbonate. The CaCO3 is derived from calcareous plankton and is highly variable ranging from 0% to 16%. In general, the CaCO3 content of the sediments varies inversely with the biopal content, reflecting the relative abundance of calcareous and siliceous plankton in the photic zone. Siliceous plankton dominate when winds are predominantly out of the northwest producing strong upwelling. Calcareous plankton indicates weak southeasterly winds that bring warm, tropical Pacific surface water into the Gulf. Based mainly on relative abundances of biopal and CaCO3, the sediments deposited over the last 17,000 years in the western Guaymas Basin can be divided into five intervals. In general, the sediments in the intervals with high biopal and low CaCO3 are laminated, but this is not always true. Unlike most other continental margins of the world with well-developed oxygen minimum zones where highest concentrations of organic carbon and redox-sensitive trace metals occur in laminated sediments, the laminated sediments on the anoxic slope of the western Guaymas Basin do not always have the highest concentrations of organic carbon and trace metals such as Mo and Cd.

  18. Major ion chemistry in the headwaters of the Yamuna river system:. Chemical weathering, its temperature dependence and CO 2 consumption in the Himalaya

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dalai, T. K.; Krishnaswami, S.; Sarin, M. M.

    2002-10-01

    The Yamuna river and its tributaries in the Himalaya constitute the Yamuna River System (YRS). The YRS basin has a drainage area and discharge comparable in magnitude to those of the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda rivers, which merge to form the Ganga at the foothills of the Himalaya. A detailed geochemical study of the YRS was carried out to determine: (i) the relative significance of silicate, carbonate and evaporite weathering in contributing to its major ion composition; (ii) CO 2 consumption via silicate weathering; and (iii) the factors regulating chemical weathering of silicates in the basin. The results show that the YRS waters are mildly alkaline, with a wide range of TDS, ˜32 to ˜620 mg l-1. In these waters, the abundances of Ca, Mg and alkalinity, which account for most of TDS, are derived mainly from carbonates. Many of the tributaries in the lower reaches of the Yamuna basin are supersaturated with calcite. In addition to carbonic acid, sulphuric acid generated by oxidation of pyrites also seems to be supplying protons for chemical weathering. Silicate weathering in YRS basin contributes, on average, ˜25% (molar basis) of total cations on a basin wide scale. Silicate weathering, however, does not seem to be intense in the basin as evident from low Si/(Na*+K) in the waters, ˜1.2 and low values of chemical index of alteration (CIA) in bed sediments, ˜60. CO 2 drawdown resulting from silicate weathering in the YRS basin in the Himalaya during monsoon ranges between (4 to 7) × 10 5 moles km -2 y -1. This is higher than that estimated for the Ganga at Rishikesh for the same season. The CO 2 consumption rates in the Yamuna and the Ganga basins in the Himalaya are higher than the global average value, suggesting enhanced CO 2 drawdown in the southern slopes of the Himalaya. The impact of this enhanced drawdown on the global CO 2 budget may not be pronounced, as the drainage area of the YRS and the Ganga in the Himalaya is small. The CO 2 drawdown by silicates in the YRS basin is marginally higher than the reported values of CO 2 release from oxidation of organic rich sediments, estimated using Re as a proxy. This comparison shows the need to constrain CO 2 sources and sinks better to balance its budget in a regional scale. The results also show that silicate weathering rate in the YRS basin is ˜10 mm ky -1 and on the Ganga basin, it is ˜5 mm ky -1, which are several times lower than the carbonate weathering rates. The significantly higher silicate weathering rate observed in the YRS basin seems to be governed by rapid physical erosion in this region. The apparent activation energy for overall silicate weathering in the YRS basin, derived from Na* and Si concentrations and water temperature, ranges from ˜50 to 80 kJ mol -1. These values are comparable to those reported for granitoid weathering in natural watersheds and feldspar weathering in laboratory experiments. This study brings to light the sources contributing to major ions, enhanced chemical weathering rates in the Yamuna River Basin and interdependence of silicate weathering on physical erosion and temperature.

  19. Determination of total tin in silicate rocks by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Elsheimer, H.N.; Fries, T.L.

    1990-01-01

    A method is described for the determination of total tin in silicate rocks utilizing a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer with a stabilized-temperature platform furnace and Zeeman-effect background correction. The sample is decomposed by lithium metaborate fusion (3 + 1) in graphite crucibles with the melt being dissolved in 7.5% hydrochloric acid. Tin extractions (4 + 1 or 8 + 1) are executed on portions of the acid solutions using a 4% solution of tricotylphosphine oxide in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Ascorbic acid is added as a reducing agent prior to extraction. A solution of diammonium hydrogenphosphate and magnesium nitrate is used as a matrix modifier in the graphite furnace determination. The limit of detection is > 10 pg, equivalent to > 1 ??g l-1 of tin in the MIBK solution or 0.2-0.3 ??g g-61 in the rock. The concentration range is linear between 2.5 and 500 ??g l-1 tin in solution. The precision, measured as relative standard deviation, is < 20% at the 2.5 ??g l-1 level and < 7% at the 10-30 ??g l-1 level of tin. Excellent agreement with recommended literature values was found when the method was applied to the international silicate rock standards BCR-1, PCC-1, GSP-1, AGV-1, STM-1, JGb-1 and Mica-Fe. Application was made to the determination of tin in geological core samples with total tin concentrations of the order of 1 ??g g-1 or less.

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

    Cantrill, E.R.; Ray, A.; Stevens, M.G.

    The interfacial bond between fiber and matrix is one of the most important factors influencing fiber-reinforced composites. This is particularly apparent in cellulose wood pulp reinforced cement/quartz composites cured by autoclaving under saturated steam at 180 C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies have shown that there is little modification of the surface of the hydrated calcium silicate matrix immediately adjacent to the cellulose fiber surface, provided the cellulose fiber is relatively free from lignin, hemicelluloses, or chemicals from the pulping process. Coutts & Campbell (1979) in their investigation of water cured cement composites, applied several commercial coupling agents to cellulosemore » fibres and established that two of these agents significantly increased the strength of the interfacial bond. In this paper, the surface of cellulose fibres was modified by sodium silicate, CTBN [carboxy terminated butadiene nitrile] and ATBN [amino terminated butadiene nitrile] in order to enhance the interfacial bond, and also to increase the resistance of the cellulose to oxidation, alkaline or thermal degradation, and algal attack. Algal attack can occur as the calcium silicate matrix is neutralized by atmospheric carbonation, especially in external wall board applications of the sheet composite. In addition, suitable coatings will protect the cellulose fiber from degradation arising from the presence of elevated temperature and alkaline solutions during the autoclaving process. Cellulose reinforced composites with substandard strengths, due to inhibited autoclave reactions, cannot be reautoclaved as the resultant material is too brittle due, in part, to the degradation of the cellulose fiber.« less

  1. A-thermal elastic behavior of silicate glasses.

    PubMed

    Rabia, Mohammed Kamel; Degioanni, Simon; Martinet, Christine; Le Brusq, Jacques; Champagnon, Bernard; Vouagner, Dominique

    2016-02-24

    Depending on the composition of silicate glasses, their elastic moduli can increase or decrease as function of the temperature. Studying the Brillouin frequency shift of these glasses versus temperature allows the a-thermal composition corresponding to an intermediate glass to be determined. In an intermediate glass, the elastic moduli are independent of the temperature over a large temperature range. For sodium alumino-silicate glasses, the a-thermal composition is close to the albite glass (NaAlSi3O8). The structural origin of this property is studied by in situ high temperature Raman scattering. The structure of the intermediate albite glass and of silica are compared at different temperatures between room temperature and 600 °C. When the temperature increases, it is shown that the high frequency shift of the main band at 440 cm(-1) in silica is a consequence of the cristobalite-like alpha-beta transformation of 6-membered rings. This effect is stronger in silica than bond elongation (anharmonic effects). As a consequence, the elastic moduli of silica increase as the temperature increases. In the albite glass, the substitution of 25% of Si(4+) ions by Al(3+) and Na(+) ions decreases the proportion of SiO2 6-membered rings responsible for the silica anomaly. The effects of the silica anomaly balance the anharmonicity in albite glass and give rise to an intermediate a-thermal glass. Different networks, formers or modifiers, can be added to produce different a-thermal glasses with useful mechanical or chemical properties.

  2. Petrophysical, Lithological and Mineralogical Characteristics of the Shale Strata of the Volga- Ural Region

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morozov, Vladimir P.; Plotnikova, Irina N.; Pronin, Nikita V.; Nosova, Fidania F.; Pronina, Nailya R.

    2014-05-01

    The objects of the study are Upper Devonian carbonate rocks in the territory of South-Tatar arch and Melekess basin in the Volga- Urals region. We studied core material of Domanicoid facies from the sediments of Mendymski and Domanik horizons of middle substage of Frasnian stage of the Upper Devonian. Basic analytical research methods included the following: study of the composition, structural and textural features of the rocks, the structure of their voids, filter and reservoir properties and composition of the fluid. The complex research consisted of macroscopic description of the core material, optical microscopy analysis, radiographical analysis, thermal analysis, x-ray tomography, electron microscopy, gas-liquid chromatography, chromate-mass spectrometry, light hydrocarbons analysis using paraphase assay, adsorbed gases analysis, and thermal vacuum degassing method. In addition, we performed isotopic studies of hydrocarbons saturating shale rocks. Shale strata are mainly represented by carbonate-chert rocks. They consist mainly of calcite and quartz. The ratio of these rock-forming minerals varies widely - from 25 to 75 percent. Pyrite, muscovite, albite, and microcline are the most common inclusions. Calcareous and ferruginous dolomite (ankerite), as well as magnesian calcite are tracked down as secondary minerals. While performing the tests we found out that the walls of open fractures filled with oil are stacked by secondary dolomite, which should be considered as an indication moveable oil presence in the open-cut. Electron microscopy data indicate that all the studied samples have porosity - both carbonates and carbonate-siliceous rocks. Idiomorphism of the rock-forming grains and pores that are visible under a microscope bring us to that conclusion. The analysis of the images indicates that the type of reservoir is either porous or granular. The pores are distributed evenly in the volume of rock. Their size is very unstable and varies from 0.5 microns to 100 microns. The lowest value are observed in long carbonate-siliceous rocks, the highest values are found in carbonate rocks. The latter is caused by the fact that there is a very strong recrystallization of calcite and its dolomite substitution in carbonates. Open porosity ranges from 0.65 to 7.98 percent, average value is 4.1percent . Effective porosity has an average value of 0.44 percent, ranging from 0.22 to 1.97. Permeability varies from 0.043 to 1.49 mD, average value is 0,191 mD. Organic matter was found in all samples. Its content varies within the section. The fluctuation range of from 1.0 to 20 percent. The lowest content of carbonates is found in carbonates, while the highest is observed in carbonate-siliceous rocks with a high content of chalcedony. Average organic matter content is 5-7 percent. According to Rock-Eval studies of the core, the catagenetic maturity of organic matter corresponds to MK1 - MK2 degree. We found a connection between the type of organic matter and the composition of adsorbed gas. We also could see that the samples with humic organics present in their organic matter and can be characterized by a fair dominance of methane over other gases. There is a clear relationship between organic matter content and the intensity of the gas saturation of the rock. Organic matter is characteristic mainly of the most siliceous formations. In "pure" carbonates, which are represented by micro-layers with different capacities, OM is not observed at all or its content is quite low.

  3. Silicate calculi, a rare cause of kidney stones in children.

    PubMed

    Taşdemir, Mehmet; Fuçucuoğlu, Dilara; Özman, Oktay; Sever, Lale; Önal, Bülent; Bilge, Ilmay

    2017-02-01

    Urinary silicate calculi in humans are extremely rare. Reported cases of silicate calculi are mostly documented in adults and are commonly related to an excessive intake of magnesium trisilicate in food or drugs. Published studies on the presence of silicate calculi in children are scarce. Three cases of silicate kidney stones without prior silicate intake are reported. Two patients underwent surgical treatment, and the third patient was treated using conservative methods. Urinalysis revealed no underlying metabolic abnormalities. Analyses revealed that silicate was the major component of the stones. Siliceous deposits in urinary stones may be more common than anticipated, and the underlying pathophysiology remains to be clarified.

  4. Genome-Wide Transcriptome Analyses of Silicon Metabolism in Phaeodactylum tricornutum Reveal the Multilevel Regulation of Silicic Acid Transporters

    PubMed Central

    Sapriel, Guillaume; Quinet, Michelle; Heijde, Marc; Jourdren, Laurent; Tanty, Véronique; Luo, Guangzuo; Le Crom, Stéphane; Lopez, Pascal Jean

    2009-01-01

    Background Diatoms are largely responsible for production of biogenic silica in the global ocean. However, in surface seawater, Si(OH)4 can be a major limiting factor for diatom productivity. Analyzing at the global scale the genes networks involved in Si transport and metabolism is critical in order to elucidate Si biomineralization, and to understand diatoms contribution to biogeochemical cycles. Methodology/Principal Findings Using whole genome expression analyses we evaluated the transcriptional response to Si availability for the model species Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Among the differentially regulated genes we found genes involved in glutamine-nitrogen pathways, encoding putative extracellular matrix components, or involved in iron regulation. Some of these compounds may be good candidates for intracellular intermediates involved in silicic acid storage and/or intracellular transport, which are very important processes that remain mysterious in diatoms. Expression analyses and localization studies gave the first picture of the spatial distribution of a silicic acid transporter in a diatom model species, and support the existence of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. Conclusions/Significance Our global analyses revealed that about one fourth of the differentially expressed genes are organized in clusters, underlying a possible evolution of P. tricornutum genome, and perhaps other pennate diatoms, toward a better optimization of its response to variable environmental stimuli. High fitness and adaptation of diatoms to various Si levels in marine environments might arise in part by global regulations from gene (expression level) to genomic (organization in clusters, dosage compensation by gene duplication), and by post-transcriptional regulation and spatial distribution of SIT proteins. PMID:19829693

  5. Trace element geochemistry and mineralogy of coal from Samaleswari open cast coal block (S-OCB), Eastern India

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saha, Debasree; Chatterjee, Debashis; Chakravarty, Sanchita; Mazumder, Madhurina

    2018-04-01

    Coal samples of Samaleswari open cast coal block (S-OCB) are high ash (Aad, mean value 35.43%) and low sulphur content (St, on dry basis, mean value 0.91% < 1%) in quality. The stratigraphic variation of volatile matter and fixed carbon (dry ash-free) reflect a progress of coal metamorphism with depth that accordance to the coal rank variation from lignite to high volatile bituminous in the studied borehole. The younger coal seams have greater detrital minerals (quartz, illite, rutile) influence whereas older coal seams have greater authigenic mineral (kaolinite, dolomite, siderite, apatite) contribution that are possibly due to subsidence and sediment transportation. In S-OCB coal trace elements affinities in-between mineral and organic fraction are identified with statistical hierarchical cluster analysis. The work is further supported by the use of chemical fractionation experiment that reveals the multi mode of occurrence of several environmentally concern and interested trace elements (Sb, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn). Among the analysed trace elements Co, Mn and Zn have major silicate association along with significant carbonate/oxide/monosulfide association. Whereas As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Ni have dominant pyritic association with notable silicate and carbonate/oxide/monosulfide association. The rest three elements (Sb, Be, Cr) have principally organic association with minor silicate and carbonate/oxide/monosulfide association. The stratigraphic variation of organo-mineral matrix content and detrital-authigenic mineral ratio are primarily related to coal rank. Geochemical character of coal also reflects a light towards proper utilisation of S-OCB coal from technical and environmental view point.

  6. Calcium isotope fractionation in a silicate dominated Cenozoic aquifer system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Junxia; DePaolo, Donald J.; Wang, Yanxin; Xie, Xianjun

    2018-04-01

    To understand the characteristics of Ca isotope composition and fractionation in silicate-dominated Quaternary aquifer system, hydrochemical and isotope studies (87Sr/86Sr, 13CDIC and 44/40Ca) were conducted on groundwater, sediment and rock samples from the Datong basin, China. Along the groundwater flow path from the basin margin to the center, groundwater hydrochemical type evolves from Ca-HCO3 to Na-HCO3/Na-Cl type, which results from aluminosilicate hydrolysis, vertical mixing, cation exchange between CaX2 and NaX, and calcite/dolomite precipitation. These processes cause the decrease in groundwater Ca concentration and the associated modest fractionation of groundwater Ca isotopes along the flowpath. The groundwater δ44/40Ca value varies from -0.11 to 0.49‰. The elevated δ44/40Ca ratios in shallow groundwater are attributed to vertical mixing involving addition of irrigation water, which had the average δ44/40Ca ratio of 0.595‰. Chemical weathering of silicate minerals and carbonate generates depleted δ44/40Ca signatures in groundwater from Heng Mountain (east area) and Huanghua Uplift (west area), respectively. Along the groundwater flow path from Heng Mountain to central area of east area, cation exchange between CaX2 and NaX on clay mineral results in the enrichment of heavier Ca isotope in groundwater. All groundwater samples are oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite. The groundwater environment rich in organic matter promotes the precipitation of carbonate minerals via the biodegradation of organic carbon, thereby further promoting the elevation of groundwater δ44/40Ca ratios.

  7. Organics on Fe-Silicate Grains: Potential Mimicry of Meteoritic Processes?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnson, N. M.; Nuth, J. A., III; Cody, G. D.

    2004-01-01

    Currently, it is unknown what exact process or combination of processes produced organics that are found in meteorites or are detected in comets and nebulas. One particular process that forms organics involves Fischer-Tropsch type (FTT) reactions. Fischer-Tropsch type reactions produce hydrocarbons by hydrogenating carbon monoxide via catalytic reactions. The overall reaction is shown. The products of these reactions have been studied using natural catalysts and calculations of the efficiency of FTT synthesis in the Solar Nebula suggest that these types of reactions could make significant contributions to the composition of material near three AU. We use FTT synthesis to coat amorphous Fesilicate grains with organic material to simulate the chemistry in the early Solar Nebula. We used lab-synthesized amorphous Fe-silicate grains for the catalyst because they might better simulate the starting materials found in protostellar nebulas. A brief description of the synthesis of these grains is given in Experiments. This work is different from previous studies because we focus here on the carbonaceous material deposited on the grains. In our experiments, we roughly simulate a model of the nebular environment where grains are successively transported from hot to cold regions of the nebula. In other words, the starting cold regions of the nebula. In other words, the starting gases and FTT products are continuously circulated through the grains at high temperature with intervals of cooling. Overall, organics generated in this manner could represent the carbonaceous material incorporated into comets and meteorites. We present the analyses of the organics produced using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and compare the results with those organics found in the Murchison meteorite.

  8. Composition and process for organic and metal contaminant fixation in soil

    DOEpatents

    Schwitzgebel, Klaus

    1994-02-08

    A method and compositions using a first ferrous iron containing solution with the iron concentration in excess of theoretical requirements to treat a contaminated site to reduce hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium and coprecipitate trivalent chromium with other heavy metals and using a second solution of silicate containing a destabilizing salt to form a relatively impermeable gel in the contaminated site thereby fixing metals and organics to the extent that there should be no detectable ground water contamination.

  9. Zinc-rich coatings: A market survey

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lizak, R.

    1975-01-01

    Zinc-rich coatings with both organic and inorganic binders were considered for coastal bridges which require more corrosion protection than inland bridges because of exposure to salt spray and fog. Inorganics give longer protection and may be applied without a finish coat; those currently available are harder to apply than organics. The NASA potassium silicate/zinc - dust coating appears to provide longer protection, resist thermal shock, and overcome the application problem. Panels coated with the formulation withstood 5308 hours in a salt spray chamber with no rusting or blistering.

  10. Germanium geochemistry and mineralogy

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bernstein, L.R.

    1985-01-01

    Germanium is enriched in the following geologic environments: 1. (1) iron meteorites and terrestrial iron-nickel; 2. (2) sulfide ore deposits, particularly those hosted by sedimentary rocks; 3. (3) iron oxide deposits; 4. (4) oxidized zones of Ge-bearing sulfide deposits; 5. (5) pegmatites, greisens, and skarns; and 6. (6) coal and lignitized wood. In silicate melts, Ge is highly siderophile in the presence of native iron-nickel; otherwise, it is highly lithophile. Among silicate minerals, Ge is concentrated in those having less polymerized silicate tetrahedra such as olivine and topaz. In deposits formed from hydrothermal solutions, Ge tends to be enriched mostly in either sulfides or in fluorine-bearing phases; it is thus concentrated both in some hydrothermal sulfide deposits and in pegmatites, greisens, and skarns. In sulfide deposits that formed from solutions having low to moderate sulfur activity, Ge is concentrated in sphalerite in amounts up to 3000 ppm. Sulfide deposits that formed from solutions having higher sulfur activity allowed Ge to either form its own sulfides, particularly with Cu, or to substitute for As, Sn, or other metals in sulfosalts. The Ge in hydrothermal fluids probably derives from enrichment during the fractional crystallization of igneous fluids, or is due to the incorporation of Ge from the country rocks, particularly from those containing organic material. Germanium bonds to lignin-derivative organic compounds that are found in peat and lignite, accounting for its common concentration in coals and related organic material. Germanium is precipitated from water together with iron hydroxide, accounting for its concentration in some sedimentary and supergene iron oxide deposits. It also is able to substitute for Fe in magnetite in a variety of geologic environments. In the oxidized zone of Ge-bearing sulfide deposits, Ge is concentrated in oxides, hydroxides, and hydroxy-sulfates, sometimes forming its own minerals. It is particularly enriched in some iron- and manganese-bearing oxides and hydroxides, including goethite (up to 5300 ppm) and hematite (up to 7000 ppm). ?? 1985.

  11. Geotechnical and mineralogical characterisations of marine-dredged sediments before and after stabilisation to optimise their use as a road material.

    PubMed

    Saussaye, L; van Veen, E; Rollinson, G; Boutouil, M; Andersen, J; Coggan, J

    2017-12-01

    Dredging activities to extend, deepen and maintain access to harbours generate significant volumes of waste dredged material. Some ways are investigated to add value to these sediments. One solution described here is their use in road construction following treatment with hydraulic binders. This paper presents the characterisation of four sediments, in their raw state and after 90 days of curing following stabilisation treatment with lime and cement, using a combination of novel and established analytical techniques to investigate subsequent changes in mineralogy. These sediments are classified as fine, moderately to highly organic and highly plastic and their behaviour is linked to the presence of smectite clays. The main minerals found in the sediments using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and automated mineralogy are quartz, calcite, feldspars, aluminium silicates, pyrite and halite. Stabilisation was found to improve the mechanical performances of all the sediments. The formation of cementitious hydrates was not specifically detected using automated mineralogy or XRD. However, a decrease in the percentage volume of aluminium silicates and aluminium-iron silicates and an increase of the percentage volume of feldspars and carbonates was observed.

  12. Soil development over millennial timescales - a comparison of soil chronosequences of different climates and lithologies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sauer, D.; Schülli-Maurer, I.; Wagner, S.; Scarciglia, F.; Sperstad, R.; Svendgård-Stokke, S.; Sørensen, R.; Schellmann, G.

    2015-07-01

    This paper reports soil development over time in different climates, on time-scales ranging from a few thousand to several hundred thousand years. Changes in soil properties over time, underlying soil-forming processes and their rates are presented. The paper is based on six soil chronosequences, i.e. sequences of soils of different age that are supposed to have developed under the similar conditions with regard to climate, vegetation and other living organisms, relief and parent material. The six soil chronosequences are from humid-temperate, Mediterranean and semi-arid climates. They are compared with regard to soil thickness increase, changes in soil pH, formation of pedogenic iron oxides (expressed as Fed/Fet ratios), clay formation, dust influx (both reflected in clay/silt ratios), and silicate weathering and leaching of base cations(expressed as (Ca+Mg+K+Na)/Al molar ratios) over time. This comparison reveals that the increase of solum thickness with time can be best described by logarithmic equations in all three types of climates. Fed/Fet ratios (proportion of pedogeniciron Fed compared to total iron Fet) reflects the transformation of iron in primary minerals into pedogeniciron. This ratio usually increases with time, except for regions, where the influx of dust (having low Fed/Fet ratios) prevails over the process of pedogeniciron oxide formation, which is the case in the Patagonian chronosequences. Dust influx has also a substantial influence on the time courses of clay/silt ratios and on element indices of silicate weathering. Using the example of a 730 kasoil chronosequence from southern Italy, the fact that soils of long chronosequences inevitably experienced major environmental changes is demonstrated, and, consequentially a modified definition of requirements for soil chronosequences is suggested. Moreover, pedogenic thresholds, feedback systems and progressive versus regressive processes identified in the soil chronosequences are discussed.

  13. 21 CFR 172.410 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 172.410 Section 172.410 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN... Agents § 172.410 Calcium silicate. Calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, may be safely...

  14. 21 CFR 172.410 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Calcium silicate. 172.410 Section 172.410 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN... Agents § 172.410 Calcium silicate. Calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, may be safely...

  15. 21 CFR 172.410 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 172.410 Section 172.410 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN... Agents § 172.410 Calcium silicate. Calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, may be safely...

  16. 21 CFR 172.410 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 172.410 Section 172.410 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN... Agents § 172.410 Calcium silicate. Calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, may be safely...

  17. 21 CFR 172.410 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 172.410 Section 172.410 Food and... PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION Anticaking Agents § 172.410 Calcium silicate. Calcium silicate, including synthetic calcium silicate, may be safely used in food in accordance with the...

  18. Coma in Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) at ~4 au

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Videen, Gorden; Zubko, Evgenij; Hines, Dean C.; Shkuratov, Yuriy; Kaydash, Vadym; Muinonen, Karri; Knight, Matthew W.; Sitko, Michael L.; Lisse, Carrey M.; Mutchler, Max; Wooden, Diane H.; Li, Jian-Yang; Kobayashi, Hiroshi

    2015-11-01

    We analyze HST observations of Comet ISON (C/2012 S1) at heliocentric distance ~4 au and phase angle ~12-14 degree. The inner coma (< 5000 km) reveals two polarimetric features, positive degree of linear polarization P = (2.48 ± 0.45)% at projected distances less than 236 km and negative polarization P = - (1.6 ± 0.45)% at 1000 - 5000 km [Hines et al. 2014: ApJL 780, L32]. At these projected distances, average color slope was found to be ~6% per 100 nm [Li et al. 2013: ApJL 779, L3]. When considered simultaneously, these two features place significant constraint on the physical and chemical properties of dust particles [Zubko et al. 2015: Planet. Space Sci., http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2015.08.002].We model this response with agglomerated debris particles, having highly irregular morphology and density of constituent material being consistent with in situ studies of comets. We consider particles of 28 different refractive indices that correspond to in situ studies of comets and plausible assumptions on chemical composition of cometary dust and ices. What emerges from our analysis is that the ISON coma was chemically heterogeneous at the epoch of observation. The positive polarization at small projected distances suggests a high spatial concentration of highly absorbing materials, such as amorphous carbon and/or organics highly irradiated with UV radiation. At larger distances, the negative polarization P = - (1.6 ± 0.45)% and color slope ~6% per 100 nm appear consistent with organics slightly processed with UV radiation, tholins, Mg-Fe silicates, and Mg-rich silicates contaminated with ~10% (by volume) amorphous carbon. A significant abundance of pure water-ice particles and/or pure Mg-rich silicates must be ruled out in this region. These materials have been found in situ in other comets and also detected with imaging polarimetry in the circumnucleus halo regions. Analyses of polarimetric images suggest that Mg-rich silicates could originate from a refractory surface layer on the surface of cometary nuclei [Zubko et al. 2012: A&A 544, L8]. A depletion of such particles in Comet ISON could imply an absence of such a layer on its nucleus.

  19. Mineralogy and Isotopic Records of Carbonate and Silicate Cementation of the Siliciclastic Sediments of the New Jersey Shelf (IODP Expedition 313)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pierre, C.; Blanc-Valleron, M. M.; Lofi, J.

    2016-12-01

    The New Jersey continental shelf extends up to 150 km away from the shoreline. During IODP Expedition 313 the siliciclastic deposits of late Eocene to late Pleistocene age were drilled down to 631 mbsf, 669 mbsf and 700 mbsf at the three sites 27A, 28A, 29A respectively, in very shallow water depth (33.5 to 36 m). Pore water salinities display multilayered fresh-salty-brine units 10 to 170 m thick, where freshwater is preferentially stored in fine-grained sediments (van Geldern et al 2013 ; Lofi et al 2013). The sharp boundaries of these buried aquifers are often marked by hardly cemented layers a few centimeters thick. The mineralogy and SEM observations of these layers show two phases of cementation by authigenic minerals : (1) the early carbonate cement is made of Fe-dolomite, ankerite and occasionally calcite, frequently associated with pyrite (2) the late silicate cement (silica, K-Fe-rich clay minerals, zeolites) fills in the residual porosity. The isotopic compositions of the carbonate cements vary in wide ranges : -2.4 < δ18O‰ VPDB < +2.8 ; -15.1< δ13C ‰ VPDB <+15.6. The δ18O values indicate carbonate precipitation with pore waters more or less depleted in 18O of the buried aquifers. The δ13C values of carbonate are related to organic matter diagenesis providing 13C-depleted DIC during bacterial sulphate reduction (with pyrite as a by-product of the reaction) and 13C-rich DIC during methanogenesis. The diagenetic cementation processes included chemical weathering of reactive silicate minerals by the CO2-rich pore waters issued from organic matter diagenesis that released bicarbonate, cations and dissolved silica, which were further precipitated as carbonate and silicate cements. The temperature estimated (18 ± 4°C) for the precipitation of carbonate indicates that cementation occurred at moderate burial depths, i.e. probably very soon after deposition. Lofi J et al 2013. Geosphere, 9, 4, 1009-1024 Van Geldern R et al 2013. Geosphere, 9, 1, 96-112

  20. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy.

    PubMed

    Jurkić, Lela Munjas; Cepanec, Ivica; Pavelić, Sandra Kraljević; Pavelić, Krešimir

    2013-01-08

    Silicon (Si) is the most abundant element present in the Earth's crust besides oxygen. However, the exact biological roles of silicon remain unknown. Moreover, the ortho-silicic acid (H4SiO4), as a major form of bioavailable silicon for both humans and animals, has not been given adequate attention so far. Silicon has already been associated with bone mineralization, collagen synthesis, skin, hair and nails health atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, immune system enhancement, and with some other disorders or pharmacological effects. Beside the ortho-silicic acid and its stabilized formulations such as choline chloride-stabilized ortho-silicic acid and sodium or potassium silicates (e.g. M2SiO3; M= Na,K), the most important sources that release ortho-silicic acid as a bioavailable form of silicon are: colloidal silicic acid (hydrated silica gel), silica gel (amorphous silicon dioxide), and zeolites. Although all these compounds are characterized by substantial water insolubility, they release small, but significant, equilibrium concentration of ortho-silicic acid (H4SiO4) in contact with water and physiological fluids. Even though certain pharmacological effects of these compounds might be attributed to specific structural characteristics that result in profound adsorption and absorption properties, they all exhibit similar pharmacological profiles readily comparable to ortho-silicic acid effects. The most unusual ortho-silicic acid-releasing agents are certain types of zeolites, a class of aluminosilicates with well described ion(cation)-exchange properties. Numerous biological activities of some types of zeolites documented so far might probably be attributable to the ortho-silicic acid-releasing property. In this review, we therefore discuss biological and potential therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and ortho-silicic acid -releasing silicon compounds as its major natural sources.

  1. Method 366.0 Determination of Dissolved Silicate in Estuarine and Coastal Watersby Gas Segmented Continuous Flow Colorimetric Analysis

    EPA Science Inventory

    This method provides a procedure for the determination of dissolved silicate concentration in estuarine and coastal waters. The dissolved silicate is mainly in the form of silicic acid, H SiO , in estuarine and 4 4 coastal waters. All soluble silicate, including colloidal silici...

  2. Icy Saturnian satellites: Disk-integrated UV-IR characteristics and links to exogenic processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hendrix, Amanda R.; Filacchione, Gianrico; Paranicas, Chris; Schenk, Paul; Scipioni, Francesca

    2018-01-01

    Combined Cassini observations obtained at similar observing geometries in the ultraviolet through infrared spectral range, along with additional ultraviolet (UV) data from Hubble Space Telescope where available, are used to study system-wide trends in spectral albedos of the inner icy Saturnian satellites (Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea). We derive UV and visible geometric albedos and UV absorption strengths of the leading and trailing hemispheres and compare with E ring grain flux and charged particle intensities (electrons and ions of varying energies) to those hemispheres. We find that the UV absorption strength on the leading and trailing hemispheres is anti-correlated with E ring grain flux. On the trailing hemispheres, the UV absorption strength is correlated with intensity of electrons in the tens of keV range. We suggest that these relationships could imply links with the organic component of the E ring. Radiolytic processing of organics causes the products to become spectrally redder, increasing the UV absorption strength. Such processing occurs while organic-rich grains are in the E ring, and increases with exposure time in the E ring, such that grains interacting with Rhea are redder (more processed) than those impacting moons closer to Enceladus. Further processing (and associated darkening/reddening) occurs on the trailing hemispheres of the satellites, via radiolysis by electrons in the tens of keV range. Silicates and salts also redden with weathering; however because organics are present in the E ring in significantly greater abundance than salts or silicates, we suggest here that weathering of organics dominates the coloring of the inner Saturnian moons.

  3. Salinization of porewater in a multiple aquitard-aquifer system in Jiangsu coastal plain, China

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jing; Liang, Xing; Zhang, Yanian; Liu, Yan; Chen, Naijia; Abubakari, Alhassan; Jin, Menggui

    2017-12-01

    Chemical and isotopic compositions were analyzed in porewater squeezed from a clayey aquitard in Jiangsu coastal plain, eastern China, to interpret the salinity origin, chemical evolution and water-mass mixing process. A strong geochemical fingerprint was obtained with an aligned Cl/Br ratio of 154 in the salinized aquitard porewater over a wide Cl- concentration range (396-9,720 mg/L), indicating that porewater salinity is likely derived from a mixing with old brine with a proportion of less than 20%. Very small contributions of brine exerted limited effects on water stable isotopes. The relationships between porewater δ18O and δD indicate that shallow and intermediate porewaters could be original seawater and were subsequently diluted with modern meteoric water, whereas deep porewaters with depleted stable isotopic values were probably recharged during a cooler period and modified by evaporation and seawater infiltration. The cation-Cl relationship and mineralogy of associated strata indicate that porewater has been chemically modified by silicate weathering and ion-exchange reactions. 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7094-0.7112 further confirm the input source of silicate minerals. Numerical simulations were used to evaluate the long-term salinity evolution of the deep porewater. The alternations of boundary conditions (i.e., the third aquifer mixed with brine at approximately 70 ka BP, followed by recharge of glacial meltwater at 20-25 ka BP, and then mixing with Holocene seawater at 7-10 ka BP) are responsible for the shift in porewater salinity. These timeframes correspond with the results of previous studies on ancient marine transgression-regression in Jiangsu coastal plain.

  4. Insights into Surface Structure and Performance of Fluorinated Silicates from Cohesive Energy Studies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-03-17

    Mabry 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER Q16J 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING...ordering is likely to take place ; concentration of F-decyl-M2 at the air interface likely facilitates the random configurations typical of bulk material

  5. Water and organics in interplanetary dust particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bradley, John

    Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and larger micrometeorites (MMs) impinge on the upper atmosphere where they decelerate at 90 km altitude and settle to the Earths surface. Comets and asteroids are the major sources and the flux, 30,000-40,000 tons/yr, is comparable to the mass of larger meteorites impacting the Earths surface. The sedimentary record suggests that the flux was much higher on the early Earth. The chondritic porous (CP) subset of IDPs together with their larger counterparts, ultracarbonaceous micrometeorites (UCMMs), appear to be unique among known meteoritic materials in that they are composed almost exclusively of anhydrous minerals, some of them contain >> 50% organic carbon by volume as well as the highest abundances of presolar silicate grains including GEMS. D/H and 15N abundances implicate the Oort Cloud or presolar molecular cloud as likely sources of the organic carbon. Prior to atmospheric entry, IDPs and MMs spend 104-105 year lifetimes in solar orbit where their surfaces develop amorphous space weathered rims from exposure to the solar wind (SW). Similar rims are observed on lunar soil grains and on asteroid Itokawa regolith grains. Using valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy (VEELS) we have detected radiolytic water in the rims on IDPs formed by the interaction of solar wind protons with oxygen in silicate minerals. Therefore, IDPs and MMs continuously deliver both water and organics to the earth and other terrestrial planets. The interaction of protons with oxygen-rich minerals to form water is a universal process.

  6. Barrier Properties of Layered-Silicate Reinforced Ethylenepropylenediene Monomer/Chloroprene Rubber Nanorubbers.

    PubMed

    Wu, Chang Mou; Hsieh, Wen Yen; Cheng, Kuo Bin; Lai, Chiu-Chun; Lee, Kuei Chi

    2018-05-09

    The triacetin and nitroglycerin barrier properties of layered-silicate reinforced ethylenepropylenediene monomer/chloroprene rubber (EPDM/CR) nanorubbers were investigated as rocket-propellant inhibitors. EPDM/CR nanorubbers with intercalated structures were formulated and prepared by the melt-compounding method. The triacetin permeability and nitroglycerin absorption were observed to decrease with increasing layered-silicate content. The layered silicates also improved the flame retardancies of the nanorubbers by forming silicate reinforced carbonaceous chars. Layered-silicate reinforced EPDM/CR nanorubbers are potentially effective rocket propellant-inhibiting materials.

  7. Rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial cement replacement in modifying peat soil properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Daud, Nik Norsyahariati Nik; Daud, Mohd Nazrin Mohd; Muhammed, Abubakar Sadiq

    2018-02-01

    This paper describes the effect of rice husk ash (RHA) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as a potential binder for modifying the properties of peat soil. The amounts RHA and OPC added to the peat soil sample, as percentage of the dry soil mass were in the range of 10-15% and 15%, respectively. Observations were made for the changes in the properties of the soil such as maximum dry density (MDD), optimum moisture content (OMC) and shear strength. Scanning Electron Micrograph-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) test were also conducted to observe the microstructure of treated and untreated peat soil. The results show that the modified soil of MDD and OMC values are increased due to the increment amount of binder material. Shear strength values of modified peat showing a good result by assuming that it is relative to the formation of major reaction products such as calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). The presence of C-S-H formation is indicated by the results produced from microstructural analysis of peat before and after modification process. This depicts the potential usage of RHA as a partial cement replacement in peat soil which is also improving its engineering properties.

  8. Raining a magma ocean: Thermodynamics of rocky planets after a giant impact

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stewart, S. T.; Lock, S. J.; Caracas, R.

    2017-12-01

    Rocky planets in exoplanetary systems have equilibrium temperatures up to a few 1000 K. The thermal evolution after a giant impact is sensitive to the equilibrium temperature. Post-impact rocky bodies are thermally stratified, with cooler, lower-entropy silicate overlain by vaporized, higher-entropy silicate. The radii of impact-vaporized rocky planets are much larger than the radii of equivalent condensed bodies. Furthermore, after some high-energy, high-angular momentum collisions, the post-impact body exceeds the corotation limit for a rocky planet and forms a synestia. Initially, volatiles and silicates are miscible at the high temperatures of the outer layer. If the equilibrium temperature with the star is lower than the silicate condensation temperature ( 2000 K), silicate droplets form at the photosphere and fall while volatile components remain in the vapor. Radiation and turbulent convection cool the vapor outer layer to the silicate vapor curve. A distinct magma ocean forms as the thermal profile crosses the silicate vapor curve and the critical curves for the volatiles. Near the temperatures and pressures of the critical curves, volatiles and silicates are partially soluble in each other. As the system continues cooling, the volatile vapor and silicate liquid separate toward the end member compositions, which are determined by the equilibrium temperature and the total vapor pressure of volatiles. If the equilibrium temperature with the star is near or above the condensation temperature for silicates, there would be limited condensation at the photosphere. Initially, the cooler lower mantle would slowly, diffusively equilibrate with the hotter upper mantle. In some cases, the thermal profile may cross the silicate vapor curve in the middle of the silicate layer, producing a silicate rain layer within the body. With continued evolution toward an adiabatic thermal profile, the body would separate into a silicate liquid layer underlying a silicate-volatile vapor layer. As the hottest rocky planets become tidally locked to their star, cooling progresses asymmetrically. The timing and degree of differentiation of rocky planets into silicate mantles and volatile atmospheres depends on the thermal evolution of vaporized rocky planets and may vary widely with equilibrium temperature.

  9. Laboratory simulations of the Vis-NIR spectra of comet 67P using sub-μm sized cosmochemical analogues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rousseau, B.; Érard, S.; Beck, P.; Quirico, É.; Schmitt, B.; Brissaud, O.; Montes-Hernandez, G.; Capaccioni, F.; Filacchione, G.; Bockelée-Morvan, D.; Leyrat, C.; Ciarniello, M.; Raponi, A.; Kappel, D.; Arnold, G.; Moroz, L. V.; Palomba, E.; Tosi, F.; Virtis Team

    2018-05-01

    Laboratory spectral measurements of relevant analogue materials were performed in the framework of the Rosetta mission in order to explain the surface spectral properties of comet 67P. Fine powders of coal, iron sulphides, silicates and their mixtures were prepared and their spectra measured in the Vis-IR range. These spectra are compared to a reference spectrum of 67P nucleus obtained with the VIRTIS/Rosetta instrument up to 2.7 μm, excluding the organics band centred at 3.2 μm. The species used are known to be chemical analogues for cometary materials which could be present at the surface of 67P. Grain sizes of the powders range from tens of nanometres to hundreds of micrometres. Some of the mixtures studied here actually reach the very low reflectance level observed by VIRTIS on 67P. The best match is provided by a mixture of sub-micron coal, pyrrhotite, and silicates. Grain sizes are in agreement with the sizes of the dust particles detected by the GIADA, MIDAS and COSIMA instruments on board Rosetta. The coal used in the experiment is responsible for the spectral slope in the visible and infrared ranges. Pyrrhotite, which is strongly absorbing, is responsible for the low albedo observed in the NIR. The darkest components dominate the spectra, especially within intimate mixtures. Depending on sample preparation, pyrrhotite can coat the coal and silicate aggregates. Such coating effects can affect the spectra as much as particle size. In contrast, silicates seem to play a minor role.

  10. Effect of temperature on hydration kinetics and polymerization of tricalcium silicate in stirred suspensions of CaO-saturated solutions

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

    Grant, Steven A.; Boitnott, Ginger E.; Korhonen, Charles J.

    2006-04-15

    Tricalcium silicate was hydrated at 274, 278, 283, 298, and 313 K in stirred suspensions of saturated CaO solutions under a nitrogen-gas atmosphere until the end of deceleratory period. The suspension conductivities and energy flows were measured continuously. The individual reaction rates for tricalcium silicate dissolution, calcium silicate hydrate precipitation, and calcium hydroxide precipitation were calculated from these measurements. The results suggest that the proportion of tricalcium silicate dissolved was determined by the rate of tricalcium silicate dissolution and the time to very rapid calcium hydroxide precipitation. The time to very rapid calcium hydroxide precipitation was more sensitive to changesmore » in temperature than was the rate of tricalcium silicate dissolution, so that the proportion of tricalcium silicate hydration dissolved by the deceleratory period increased with decreasing temperature. The average chain length of the calcium silicate hydrate ascertained by magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy increased with increasing temperature.« less

  11. In vitro effects of two silicate-based materials, Biodentine and BioRoot RCS, on dental pulp stem cells in models of reactionary and reparative dentinogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Loison-Robert, Ludwig Stanislas; Berbar, Tsouria; Isaac, Juliane; Berdal, Ariane; Simon, Stéphane

    2018-01-01

    Background Calcium silicate-based cements are biomaterials with calcium oxide and carbonate filler additives. Their properties are close to those of dentin, making them useful in restorative dentistry and endodontics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro biological effects of two such calcium silicate cements, Biodentine (BD) and Bioroot (BR), on dental stem cells in both direct and indirect contact models. The two models used aimed to mimic reparative dentin formation (direct contact) and reactionary dentin formation (indirect contact). An original aspect of this study is the use of an interposed thin agarose gel layer to assess the effects of diffusible components from the materials. Results The two biomaterials were compared and did not modify dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) proliferation. BD and BR showed no significant cytotoxicity, although some cell death occurred in direct contact. No apoptosis or inflammation induction was detected. A striking increase of mineralization induction was observed in the presence of BD and BR, and this effect was greater in direct contact. Surprisingly, biomineralization occurred even in the absence of mineralization medium. This differentiation was accompanied by expression of odontoblast-associated genes. Exposure by indirect contact did not stimulate the induction to such a level. Conclusion These two biomaterials both seem to be bioactive and biocompatible, preserving DPSC proliferation, migration and adhesion. The observed strong mineralization induction through direct contact highlights the potential of these biomaterials for clinical application in dentin-pulp complex regeneration. PMID:29370163

  12. In-situ hybridization of calcium silicate and hydroxyapatite-gelatin nanocomposites enhances physical property and in vitro osteogenesis.

    PubMed

    Chiu, Chi-Kai; Lee, Dong Joon; Chen, Hsin; Chow, Laurence C; Ko, Ching-Chang

    2015-02-01

    Low mechanical strengths and inadequate bioactive material-tissue interactions of current synthetic materials limit their clinical applications in bone regeneration. Here, we demonstrate gelatin modified siloxane-calcium silicate (GEMOSIL-CS), a nanocomposite made of gelatinous hydroxyapatite with in situ pozzolanic formation of calcium silicate (CS) interacting among gelatin, silica and Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). It is shown the formation of CS matrices, which chemically bonds to the gelatinous hydroxyapatite, provided hygroscopic reinforcement mechanism and promoted both in vitro and in vivo osteogenic properties of GEMOSIL-CS. The formation of CS was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and powder X-ray diffraction. The interfacial bindings within nanocomposites were studied by FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis. Both gelatin and CS have been found critical to the structure integrity and mechanical strengths (93 MPa in compressive strength and 58.9 MPa in biaxial strength). The GEMOSIL-CS was biocompatible and osteoconductive as result of type I collagen secretion and mineralized nodule formation from MC3T3 osteoblasts. SEM and TEM indicated the secretion of collagen fibers and mineral particles as the evidence of mineralization in the early stage of osteogenic differentiation. In vivo bone formation capability was performed by implanting GEMOSIL-CS into rat calvarial defects for 12 weeks and the result showed comparable new bone formation between GEMOSIL-CS group (20%) and the control (20.19%). The major advantage of GEMOSIL-CS composites is in situ self-hardening in ambient or aqueous environment at room temperature providing a simple, fast and cheap method to produce porous scaffolds.

  13. Characterization of un-hydrated and hydrated BioAggregate™ and MTA Angelus™.

    PubMed

    Camilleri, J; Sorrentino, F; Damidot, D

    2015-04-01

    BioAggregate™ is a novel material introduced for use as a root-end filling material. It is tricalcium silicate-based, free of aluminium and uses tantalum oxide as radiopacifier. BioAggregate contains additives to enhance the material performance. The purpose of this research was to characterize the un-hydrated and hydrated forms of BioAggregate using a combination of techniques, verify whether the additives if present affect the properties of the set material and compare these properties to those of MTA Angelus™. Un-hydrated and hydrated BioAggregate and MTA Angelus were assessed. Un-hydrated cement was tested for chemical composition, specific surface area, mineralogy and kinetics of hydration. The set material was investigated for mineralogy, microstructure and bioactivity. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and isothermal calorimetry were employed. The specific surface area was investigated using a gas adsorption method with nitrogen as the probe. BioAggregate was composed of tricalcium silicate, tantalum oxide, calcium phosphate and silicon dioxide and was free of aluminium. On hydration, the tricalcium silicate produced calcium silicate hydrate and calcium hydroxide. The former was deposited around the cement grains, while the latter reacted with the silicon dioxide to form additional calcium silicate hydrate. This resulted in reduction of calcium hydroxide in the aged cement. MTA Angelus reacted in a similar fashion; however, since it contained no additives, the calcium hydroxide was still present in the aged cement. Bioactivity was demonstrated by deposition of hydroxyapatite. BioAggregate exhibited a high specific surface area. Nevertheless, the reactivity determined by isothermal calorimetry appeared to be slow compared to MTA Angelus. The tantalum oxide as opposed to bismuth oxide was inert, and tantalum was not leached in solution. BioAggregate exhibited high calcium ion release early, which was maintained over the 28-day period as opposed to MTA Angelus, which demonstrated low early calcium ion release which increased as the material aged. The mineralogical composition of BioAggregate was different to MTA Angelus. As opposed to MTA Angelus, BioAggregate did not contain aluminium and contained additives such as calcium phosphate and silicon dioxide. As a consequence, BioAggregate reacted more slowly and formation of calcium hydroxide and leaching of calcium ions in solution were not evident as the material aged. The additives in BioAggregate modify the kinetics and the end products of hydration. Although newer generation tricalcium silicate-based materials contain similar constituents to MTA, they do not undergo the same setting reactions, and thus, their clinical performance will not be comparable to that of MTA.

  14. Steam based conversion coating on AA6060 alloy: Effect of sodium silicate chemistry and corrosion performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Din, Rameez Ud; Bordo, Kirill; Tabrizian, Naja; Jellesen, Morten Stendahl; Ambat, Rajan

    2017-11-01

    Surface treatment of aluminium alloy AA6060 using an industrially applicable pilot steam jet system with and without silicate chemistry has been investigated. Treatment using steam alone and steam with silicate, resulted in an oxide layer formation with thickness ∼425 nm and ∼160 nm, respectively. Moreover, the use of sodium silicate resulted in the formation of distinct microstructure and incorporation of silicate into the oxide film. These oxide films reduced the anodic activity 4 times, while the corrosion protection by silicate containing oxide was the function of its concentration. Further, in acid salt spray and filiform corrosion tests, oxide layer containing silicate exhibited two times higher corrosion resistance.

  15. Cytotoxicity of modified glass ionomer cement on odontoblast cells.

    PubMed

    Chen, Song; Mestres, Gemma; Lan, Weihua; Xia, Wei; Engqvist, Håkan

    2016-07-01

    Recently a modified glass ionomer cement (GIC) with enhanced bioactivity due to the incorporation of wollastonite or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the modified GIC on odontoblast-like cells. The cytotoxicity of a conventional GIC, wollastonite modified GIC (W-mGIC), MTA modified GIC (M-mGIC) and MTA cement has been evaluated using cement extracts, a culture media modified by the cement. Ion concentration and pH of each material in the culture media were measured and correlated to the results of the cytotoxicity study. Among the four groups, conventional GIC showed the most cytotoxicity effect, followed by W-mGIC and M-mGIC. MTA showed the least toxic effect. GIC showed the lowest pH (6.36) while MTA showed the highest (8.62). In terms of ion concentration, MTA showed the largest Ca(2+) concentration (467.3 mg/L) while GIC showed the highest concentration of Si(4+) (19.9 mg/L), Al(3+) (7.2 mg/L) and Sr(2+) (100.3 mg/L). Concentration of F(-) was under the detection limit (0.02 mg/L) for all samples. However the concentrations of these ions are considered too low to be toxic. Our study showed that the cytotoxicity of conventional GIC can be moderated by incorporating calcium silicate based ceramics. The modified GIC might be promising as novel dental restorative cements.

  16. The nature, fabrication, and applications of photosensitive, bulk, germano-silicate glass

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heaney, Alan Douglas

    2000-08-01

    The photosensitive nature of germano-silicate glass is widely used to create fiber-optic devices. This thesis examines the cause of photosensitivity in germano- silicate glass. The results of this research elucidate the role that germanium oxygen deficient defects play in the photosensitivity of hydrogen-loaded, germano-silicate glass. We find that defects are not vital to the photosensitivity of hydrogen-loaded, germano-silicate glass but they do enhance the effect. Quantitative measurements show that germanium oxygen deficient defects promote the formation of OH, GeH, and GeH2 when hydrogen-loaded, germano-silicate glass is exposed to ultraviolet light. A sol-gel process for fabricating germano-silicate glass in bulk samples has been developed. The sol-gel process produces high-quality, germano-silicate glass which can be tailored to contain defects or be relatively free of defects. Control over the glass defect concentration allows us to use sol-gel derived glass for comparative studies of the photosensitive process and for device applications. The unique properties of germano-silicate glass make it a likely choice for use in optical applications. To prove the feasibility of bulk devices, chirped-pulse amplification is demonstrated using gratings written in bulk germano-silicate glass.

  17. Attitudes to genetically modified food over time: How trust in organizations and the media cycle predict support.

    PubMed

    Marques, Mathew D; Critchley, Christine R; Walshe, Jarrod

    2015-07-01

    This research examined public opinion toward genetically modified plants and animals for food, and how trust in organizations and media coverage explained attitudes toward these organisms. Nationally representative samples (N=8821) over 10 years showed Australians were less positive toward genetically modified animals compared to genetically modified plants for food, especially in years where media coverage was high. Structural equation modeling found that positive attitudes toward different genetically modified organisms for food were significantly associated with higher trust in scientists and regulators (e.g. governments), and with lower trust in watchdogs (e.g. environmental movement). Public trust in scientists and watchdogs was a stronger predictor of attitudes toward the use of genetically modified plants for food than animals, but only when media coverage was low. Results are discussed regarding the moral acceptability of genetically modified organisms for food, the media's role in shaping public opinion, and the role public trust in organizations has on attitudes toward genetically modified organisms. © The Author(s) 2014.

  18. Geological characterization of remote field sites using visible and infrared spectroscopy: Results from the 1999 Marsokhod field test

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Johnson, J. R.; Ruff, S.W.; Moersch, J.; Roush, T.; Horton, K.; Bishop, J.; Cabrol, N.A.; Cockell, C.; Gazis, P.; Newsom, Horton E.; Stoker, C.

    2001-01-01

    Upcoming Mars Surveyor lander missions will include extensive spectroscopic capabilities designed to improve interpretations of the mineralogy and geology of landing sites on Mars. The 1999 Marsokhod Field Experiment (MFE) was a Mars rover simulation designed in part to investigate the utility of visible/near-infrared and thermal infrared field spectrometers to contribute to the remote geological exploration of a Mars analog field site in the California Mojave Desert. The experiment simultaneously investigated the abilities of an off-site science team to effectively analyze and acquire useful imaging and spectroscopic data and to communicate efficiently with rover engineers and an on-site field team to provide meaningful input to rover operations and traverse planning. Experiences gained during the MFE regarding effective communication between different mission operation teams will be useful to upcoming Mars mission teams. Field spectra acquired during the MFE mission exhibited features interpreted at the time as indicative of carbonates (both dolomitic and calcitic), mafic rocks and associated weathering products, and silicic rocks with desert varnish-like coatings. The visible/near-infrared spectra also suggested the presence of organic compounds, including chlorophyll in one rock. Postmission laboratory petrologic and spectral analyses of returned samples confirmed that all rocks identified as carbonates using field measurements alone were calc-silicates and that chlorophyll associated with endolithic organisms was present in the one rock for which it was predicted. Rocks classified from field spectra as silicics and weathered mafics were recognized in the laboratory as metamorphosed monzonites and diorite schists. This discrepancy was likely due to rock coatings sampled by the field spectrometers compared to fresh rock interiors analyzed petrographically, in addition to somewhat different surfaces analyzed by laboratory thermal spectroscopy compared to field spectra. Copyright 2001 by the American Geophysical Union.

  19. Potential effects of climate change on the distribution range of the main silicate sinker of the Southern Ocean.

    PubMed

    Pinkernell, Stefan; Beszteri, Bánk

    2014-08-01

    Fragilariopsis kerguelensis, a dominant diatom species throughout the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, is coined to be one of the main drivers of the biological silicate pump. Here, we study the distribution of this important species and expected consequences of climate change upon it, using correlative species distribution modeling and publicly available presence-only data. As experience with SDM is scarce for marine phytoplankton, this also serves as a pilot study for this organism group. We used the maximum entropy method to calculate distribution models for the diatom F. kerguelensis based on yearly and monthly environmental data (sea surface temperature, salinity, nitrate and silicate concentrations). Observation data were harvested from GBIF and the Global Diatom Database, and for further analyses also from the Hustedt Diatom Collection (BRM). The models were projected on current yearly and seasonal environmental data to study current distribution and its seasonality. Furthermore, we projected the seasonal model on future environmental data obtained from climate models for the year 2100. Projected on current yearly averaged environmental data, all models showed similar distribution patterns for F. kerguelensis. The monthly model showed seasonality, for example, a shift of the southern distribution boundary toward the north in the winter. Projections on future scenarios resulted in a moderately to negligibly shrinking distribution area and a change in seasonality. We found a substantial bias in the publicly available observation datasets, which could be reduced by additional observation records we obtained from the Hustedt Diatom Collection. Present-day distribution patterns inferred from the models coincided well with background knowledge and previous reports about F. kerguelensis distribution, showing that maximum entropy-based distribution models are suitable to map distribution patterns for oceanic planktonic organisms. Our scenario projections indicate moderate effects of climate change upon the biogeography of F. kerguelensis.

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

    Ballering, Nicholas P.; Su, Kate Y. L.; Rieke, George H.

    We investigate whether varying the dust composition (described by the optical constants) can solve a persistent problem in debris disk modeling—the inability to fit the thermal emission without overpredicting the scattered light. We model five images of the β Pictoris disk: two in scattered light from the Hubble Space Telescope ( HST )/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph at 0.58 μ m and HST /Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC 3) at 1.16 μ m, and three in thermal emission from Spitzer /Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) at 24 μ m, Herschel /PACS at 70 μ m, and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Arraymore » at 870 μ m. The WFC3 and MIPS data are published here for the first time. We focus our modeling on the outer part of this disk, consisting of a parent body ring and a halo of small grains. First, we confirm that a model using astronomical silicates cannot simultaneously fit the thermal and scattered light data. Next, we use a simple generic function for the optical constants to show that varying the dust composition can improve the fit substantially. Finally, we model the dust as a mixture of the most plausible debris constituents: astronomical silicates, water ice, organic refractory material, and vacuum. We achieve a good fit to all data sets with grains composed predominantly of silicates and organics, while ice and vacuum are, at most, present in small amounts. This composition is similar to one derived from previous work on the HR 4796A disk. Our model also fits the thermal spectral energy distribution, scattered light colors, and high-resolution mid-IR data from T-ReCS for this disk. Additionally, we show that sub-blowout grains are a necessary component of the halo.« less

  1. Step-changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the Gulf of Maine, as documented by the GNATS time series

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Balch, William M.; Drapeau, D.T.; Bowler, B.C.; Huntington, Thomas G.

    2012-01-01

    We identify step-changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the Gulf of Maine (GoM) using the Gulf of Maine North Atlantic Time Series (GNATS), a series of oceanographic measurements obtained between September 1998 and December 2010 along a transect in the GoM running from Portland, ME, to Yarmouth, NS. GNATS sampled a period of extremes in precipitation and river discharge (4 of the 8 wettest years of the last century occurred between 2005 and 2010). Coincident with increased precipitation, we observed the following shifts: (1) decreased salinity and density within the surface waters of the western GoM; (2) both reduced temperature and vertical temperature gradients in the upper 50 m; (3) increased colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentrations and particle scattering in the western GoM; (4) increased concentrations of nitrate and phosphate across all but the eastern GoM; (5) increased silicate, particularly in the western GoM, with a sharp increase in the ratio of silicate to dissolved inorganic nitrogen; (6) sharply decreased carbon fixation by phytoplankton; (7) moderately decreased chlorophyll, particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) in the central GoM and (8) decreased POC- and PIC-specific growth rates. Gulf-wide anomaly analyses suggest that (1) the surface density changes were predominantly driven by temperature, (2) dissolved nutrients, as well as POC/PON, varied in Redfield ratios and (3) anomalies for salinity, density, CDOM, particle backscattering and silicate were significantly correlated with river discharge. Precipitation and river discharge appear to be playing a critical role in controlling the long-term productivity of the Gulf of Maine by supplying CDOM and detrital material, which ultimately competes with phytoplankton for light absorption.

  2. Modelling the leaching of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr from cementitious waste using PHREEQC.

    PubMed

    Halim, Cheryl E; Short, Stephen A; Scott, Jason A; Amal, Rose; Low, Gary

    2005-10-17

    A leaching model was developed using the United States Geological Survey public domain PHREEQC geochemical package to simulate the leaching of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr from cementitious wastes. The model utilises both kinetic terms and equilibrium thermodynamics of key compounds and provides information on leachate and precipitate speciation. The model was able to predict the leaching of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr from cement in the presence of both simple (0.1 and 0.6M acetic acid) and complex municipal landfill leachates. Heavy metal complexation by the municipal landfill leachate was accounted for by the introduction of a monoprotic organic species into the model. The model indicated Pb and As were predominantly incorporated within the calcium silicate hydrate matrix while a greater portion of Cd was seen to exist as discrete particles in the cement pores and Cr (VI) existed mostly as free CrO4(2-) ions. Precipitation was found to be the dominant mechanism controlling heavy metal solubility with carbonate and silicate species governing the solubility of Pb and carbonate, silicate and hydroxide species governing the solubility of Cd. In the presence of acetic acid, at low pH values Pb and Cd acetate complexes were predominant whereas, at high pH values, hydroxide species dominated. At high pH values, the concentration of As in the leachate was governed by the solubility of Ca3(AsO4)2 with the presence of carbonate alkalinity competing with arsenate for Ca ions. In the presence of municipal landfill leachate, Pb and Cd organic complexes dominated the heavy metal species in solution. The reduction of As and Cr in municipal landfill leachate was crucial for determining aqueous speciation, with typical municipal landfill conditions providing the reduced forms of As and Cr.

  3. Barrier Properties of Layered-Silicate Reinforced Ethylenepropylenediene Monomer/Chloroprene Rubber Nanorubbers

    PubMed Central

    Hsieh, Wen Yen; Cheng, Kuo Bin; Lai, Chiu-Chun; Lee, Kuei Chi

    2018-01-01

    The triacetin and nitroglycerin barrier properties of layered-silicate reinforced ethylenepropylenediene monomer/chloroprene rubber (EPDM/CR) nanorubbers were investigated as rocket-propellant inhibitors. EPDM/CR nanorubbers with intercalated structures were formulated and prepared by the melt-compounding method. The triacetin permeability and nitroglycerin absorption were observed to decrease with increasing layered-silicate content. The layered silicates also improved the flame retardancies of the nanorubbers by forming silicate reinforced carbonaceous chars. Layered-silicate reinforced EPDM/CR nanorubbers are potentially effective rocket propellant-inhibiting materials. PMID:29747427

  4. Diel fluctuations in natural organic matter quality in an oligotrophic cave system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brown, T.; Engel, A. S.; Pfiffner, S. M.

    2016-12-01

    Transformations of natural organic matter (NOM) and effects of photochemical degradation on dissolved organic matter (DOM) quality in recharge can be readily studied in cave systems with hydrologic connections between the surface and subsurface. Specifically, diel controls on photodegradation, fresh NOM production, and microbial C cycling were examined from recharge to resurgence of an oligotrophic cave stream in Kentucky. We used NOM isolation and spectroscopic analysis to concentrate and characterize DOM, and lipid profiling to evaluate microbial community structure. A hydrophilic fraction of DOM was isolated from bulk waters in the field using diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) weak anion exchange column chromatography, and isolates were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy to identify differences in macromolecular structure between surface and subsurface (downstream) DOM. Lipids from colloidal NOM (retained on 0.2 µm filter) and stream sediments were extracted using a modified Bligh Dyer method, segregated into classes, and converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for quantification and identification by GC-MS. During a late summer, low flow, 24-hour sampling event, the quality of surface water DOM recharged at night was 40% richer in aliphatic esters, 30% richer in phenols and alkanes, and elevated in polysaccharides compared with DOM recharged during daylight. IR absorptivity in nocturnal DOM isolates was an order of magnitude lower in the cave stream, with recalcitrant DOM interpreted from bands of aliphatic esters, alkanes, and organo-silicates. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles indicated that the abundance of polyunsaturated PLFA associated with algae, fungi, and higher plants decreased along the flowpath. Cave microbes exhibited elevated trans:cis ratios relative to surface communities, and the ratio increased at night. This suggested that downstream microbial communities existed in a state of reduced activity without inputs of photosynthates at night.

  5. Refractory Organics in Comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Additional Evidence for Large-scale Mixing in the Primitive Solar Nebula?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nuth, J. A.; Johnson, N. M.; Ferguson, F. T.; Hilchenbach, M.; Merouane, S.; Paquette, J. A.; Stenzel, O.; Cottin, H.; Fray, N.; Bardyn, A.; hide

    2017-01-01

    The COSIMA instrument onboard the Rosetta spacecraft collected and analyzed samples of individual particles from the coma of Comet67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Initial results of the analysis of several particles have been presented elsewhere while analyses of the organic component of the dust particles has been shown to compare favor ably to laboratory spectra of IOM extracted from the Orguil and Murchison meteorites. Here we will compare the spectra of the same two particles to laboratory spectra of organic grain coatings produced via Surface Mediated Reactions of CO, H2 and N2 on amorphous iron silicate grains.

  6. Effects of ion irradiation on the surface mechanical behavior of hybrid sol-gel derived silicate thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghisleni, Rudy

    A study on the effects of ion irradiation on the surface mechanical behavior of hybrid sol-gel derived thin films has been performed. Hybrid organic/inorganic modified silicate thin films were synthesized by sol-gel processing from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) precursors and spin-coated onto (100) Si substrates. The synthesized films were investigated by nanoindentation, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Hybrid TEOS/MTES sol-gel films modified by ion irradiation with deposited electronic energies of 1.87 x 1025 eV/cm3 or higher showed higher values of reduced elastic modulus and hardness than 800°C heat treated films. Thus, ion irradiation was found to be an effective means in converting the polymer sol into ceramic type coatings. The ions used in this study were Cu2+, N2+, Si+, O+, N+, He+, and H+, with incident energies ranging from 100 keV to 2 MeV, and fluences ranging from 1 x 1014 to 1 x 1017 ions/cm2. Both the reduced elastic modulus and hardness were seen to increase monotonically with the increase in ion fluence, with an observed maximum hardness of 7.7 GPa (an unirradiated film hardness was 0.4 GPa) and a maximum reduced elastic modulus of 84.0 GPa (an unirradiated film reduced elastic modulus was 7.1 GPa) for 250 keV N2+ irradiation with a 5 x 1016 ions/cm2 fluence. The electronic stopping power was found to be principally responsible for the film hardening, while the role of nuclear stopping power was minimal. A monotonic increase in hardness with increase in electronic energy deposited to the film surface was found. A model describing the hardening of ion irradiated films was developed. This model characterizes the hardening effectiveness of the ion species considered by two parameters: the constant hardening cross-section and the hardening coefficient. Where the hardening cross-section represents the cross-sectional area hardened by the interaction of an incident ion with the target, and the hardening coefficient represents an index of the cross-sectional area gradient as a function of fluence. The increase in hardness of hybrid sol-gel films following ion irradiation was linked to structural changes. Ion irradiation results in a cross-linked silica film as well as the segregation of amorphous carbon clusters, both of which contributed to increase the mechanical properties of the films.

  7. Solubility of copper in silicate melts as function of oxygen and sulfur fugacities, temperature, and silicate composition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holzheid, A.; Lodders, K.

    2001-06-01

    The solubility of Cu in silicate melts coexisting with liquid Cu(Fe) metal and liquid Cu(Fe) sulfide was determined experimentally at oxygen fugacities ranging from 10 -9.1 to 10 -13.6 bar and sulfur fugacities ranging from 10 -2.5 to 10 -6.3 bar at 1300°C. An iron oxide-free silicate of anorthite-diopside eutectic composition and a synthetic MgO-rich basaltic silicate (FeO-bearing) were used in the partitioning experiments. In S-containing systems, some of the metal reacted to metal sulfide. The silicates in the four systems investigated (Fe-free and S-free; Fe-containing and S-free; Fe-free and S-containing; Fe-containing and S-containing) had different colors depending on the dissolved Cu species and the presence of iron and/or sulfur. Irrespective of the presence of sulfur, the solubility of Cu in the silicate increases with increasing oxygen fugacity and metal/silicate partition coefficients for Cu decrease. Increasing the temperature from 1300°C to 1514°C increases the Cu solubility (decreases the metal/silicate partition coefficient) at an oxygen fugacity 0.5 log units below the iron-wüstite (IW) equilibrium in the Fe-free, S-free and Fe-containing, S-free systems. We infer the presence of monovalent Cu + ("CuO 0.5") in the silicate melt on the basis of the solubility of Cu as function of oxygen fugacity. Experiments containing iron yield a formal valence of ˜0.5 for Cu at very low oxygen fugacities, which is not observed in Fe-free systems. The low formal valence is explained by redox reactions between iron and copper in the silicate melts. There is no evidence for sulfidic dissolution of Cu in the silicates but sulfur has indirect effects on Cu partitioning. Iron metal/silicate partition coefficients depend on oxygen fugacity and on sulfur fugacity. Sulfidic dissolution of iron and oxide-sulfide exchange reactions with Cu cause a small increase in Cu metal/silicate partition coefficients. We derive an activity coefficient (γ CuO 0.5) of 10 ± 1 for liquid CuO 0.5 at 1300°C for the silicate melts used here. A comparison with literature data shows that log γ CuO 0.5 increases in proportion to the mass percentages [CaO +(Al 2O 3)/2] in silicate melts. We recommend the following equations for Cu metal/silicate and sulfide/silicate partitioning for geochemical and cosmochemical modeling if silicate composition and the activity of Cu in the metal or sulfide is known: log D met/sil = -0.48 - 0.25 · log fO 2 - log γ Cu metal + 0.02 · [CaO + (Al 2O 3)/2; wt%] silicate logD sul/sil=+0.76-0.25 · logfO 2+0.25logfS 2-logγ CS 0.5,sulfide +0.02 · [CaO+Al 2O 3/2;wt%] silicate. The derived Cu metal/silicate and metal/sulfide partition coefficients are applied to core formation in the Earth and Mars. The observed Cu abundances in the Earth cannot be easily explained by simple core-mantle equilibrium, but the observed Cu abundances for Mars are consistent with core-mantle equilibrium at low pressure and temperatures.

  8. An Investigation into the Properties and Microstructure of Cement Mixtures Modified with Cellulose Nanocrystal

    PubMed Central

    Flores, Jessica; Kamali, Mahsa; Ghahremaninezhad, Ali

    2017-01-01

    This paper aims to examine the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on the hydration, transport behavior, and microstructure of cement mixtures. The addition of CNC delayed hydration at an early age but improved hydration at later ages. A small increase in the electrical resistivity of the cement mixtures with CNC was observed. Statistical nanoindentation showed a small tendency to a larger volume fraction of high density calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) and a smaller volume fraction of low-density C-S-H in the mixture with CNC. PMID:28772857

  9. Atmospheric bulk deposition of dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus and silicate in the Gulf of Gabès (South Ionian Basin); implications for marine heterotrophic prokaryotes and ultraphytoplankton

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khammeri, Yosra; Hamza, Ismail Sabeur; Zouari, Amel Bellaaj; Hamza, Asma; Sahli, Emna; Akrout, Fourat; Ben Kacem, Mohamed Yassine; Messaoudi, Sabri; Hassen, Malika Bel

    2018-05-01

    Monthly variability of atmospheric deposition of dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus and silicate was assessed during the year period from June 2014 to May 2015 in the Gulf of Gabès, situated near the most active source of dust. Nutrient concentrations, ultraphytoplankton <10 μm and heterotrophic prokaryotes abundances were simultaneously investigated in the surface coastal water near the sampling site. Results showed that most of the bulk nutrient deposition (more than 66%) occurred during wet season, from October to February, characterized by air masses originating from the Tunisian desert. Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) deposition was very low, whereas Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus (DIP) bulk deposition was within the range of that observed in the Eastern Mediterranean. High organic nitrogen (30.47%) and phosphorus (83,5%) content contributed to the bulk nitrogen and phosphorus deposition respectively. Months marked by high deposition were accompanied by an increase of carbon biomass from picophytoplankton, Synecococcus and heterotrophic prokaryotes while nanophytoplankton biomass decreased from 62.38% to 43.39% towards the wet season. During the wet season, heterotrophic prokaryotes become the first contributors to the carbon biomass in the surface water. This suggests a possible contribution of bacteria to the organic nutrient pool driven by atmospheric deposition or/and a reinforcement of the heterotrophic character of the system due to the organic content mineralization processes.

  10. Layer-by-Layer Templated Assembly of Silica at the Nanoscale

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

    Hinestrosa, Juan Pablo; Sutton, Jonathan E.; Allison, David P.

    2013-01-29

    Bioinspired bottom-up assembly and layer-by-layer (LbL) construction of inorganic materials from lithographically defined organic templates enables the fabrication of nanostructured systems under mild temperature and pH conditions. Such processes open the door to low-impact manufacturing and facile recycling of hybrid materials for energy, biology, and information technologies. Here, templated LbL assembly of silica was achieved using a combination of electron beam lithography, chemical lift-off, and aqueous solution chemistry. Nanopatterns of lines, honeycomb-lattices, and dot arrays were defined in polymer resist using electron beam lithography. Following development, exposed areas of silicon were functionalized with a vapor deposited amine-silane monolayer. Silicic acidmore » solutions of varying pH and salt content were reacted with the patterned organic amine-functional templates. Vapor treatment and solution reaction could be repeated, allowing LbL deposition. Conditions for the silicic acid deposition had a strong effect on thickness of each layer, and the morphology of the amorphous silica formed. Defects in the arrays of silica nanostructures were minor and do not affect the overall organization of the layers. In conclusion, the bioinspired method described here facilitates the bottom-up assembly of inorganic nanostructures defined in three dimensions and provides a path, via LbL processing, for the construction of layered hybrid materials under mild conditions.« less

  11. Synthesis and characterization of nanoporous silica aerogel beads using cheap industrial grade sodium silacte precursor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khan, Tasneem M. A.; Khan, Asiya; Sarawade, Pradip B.

    2018-05-01

    We report a method to synthesize low-density transparent mesoporous silica aerogel beads by ambient pressure drying (APD). The beads were prepared by acid-base sol-gel polymerization of sodium silicate in via the ball dropping method (BDM). To minimize shrinkage during drying, wet silica beads were initially prepared; their surfaces were then modified using trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) via simultaneous solvent exchange and surface modification. The specific surface area and cumulative pore volume of the silica aerogel beads increased with an increase in the %V of TMCS. Silica aerogel beads with low packing bed density, high surface area, and large cumulative pore volume was obtained when TMCS was used. Properties of the final product were examined by BET, and TG-DT analyses. The hydrophobic silica aerogel beads were thermally stable up to 350°C. We discuss our results and compare our findings for modified versus unmodified silica beads.

  12. The utilization of waste by-products for removing silicate from mineral processing wastewater via chemical precipitation.

    PubMed

    Kang, Jianhua; Sun, Wei; Hu, Yuehua; Gao, Zhiyong; Liu, Runqing; Zhang, Qingpeng; Liu, Hang; Meng, Xiangsong

    2017-11-15

    This study investigates an environmentally friendly technology that utilizes waste by-products (waste acid and waste alkali liquids) to treat mineral processing wastewater. Chemical precipitation is used to remove silicate from scheelite (CaWO 4 ) cleaning flotation wastewater and the waste by-products are used as a substitute for calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ). A series of laboratory experiments is conducted to explain the removal of silicate and the characterization and formation mechanism of calcium silicate. The results show that silicate removal reaches 90% when the Ca:Si molar ratio exceeds 1.0. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm the characterization and formation of calcium silicate. The pH is the key factor for silicate removal, and the formation of polysilicic acid with a reduction of pH can effectively improve the silicate removal and reduce the usage of calcium. The economic analysis shows that the treatment costs with waste acid (0.63 $/m 3 ) and waste alkali (1.54 $/m 3 ) are lower than that of calcium chloride (2.38 $/m 3 ). The efficient removal of silicate is confirmed by industrial testing at a plant. The results show that silicate removal reaches 85% in the recycled water from tailings dam. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Influence of nano-dispersive modified additive on cement activity

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

    Sazonova, Natalya, E-mail: n.a.sazonova@mail.ru; Badenikov, Artem, E-mail: rector@agta.ru; Ivanova, Elizaveta, E-mail: lisik-iva@mail.ru

    2016-01-15

    In the work the influence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) on the cement activity and the processes of structure formation of the hardened cement paste in different periods of hydration are studied. The changes in the kinetic curves of the sample strength growth modified with SWCNT in amount of 0.01 and 0.0005 % are stipulated by the results of differential scanning colorimetry, scanning electronic and ionic microscopy, X-ray-phase analysis. It was found that the nano-modified additive may increase in the axis compressive strength of the system by 1.4–6.3 fold relatively to the reference samples and may reach 179.6 MPa. It maymore » intensify the hydration process of calcium silicates as well as influence on the matrix of hardened cement paste. The studies are conducted on the structural changes in the hardened cement paste, the time periods of increase and decrease of the compressive strength of the samples, the amount of the calcium hydroxide and tobermorite-like gel as well as the degree of hydration C{sub 3}S and β-C{sub 2}S.« less

  14. Multiphotonic Confocal Microscopy 3D imaging: Application to mantle sulfides in sub-arc environment (Avacha Volcano, Kamchatka)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Antoine, Bénard; Luc-Serge, Doucet; Sabine, Palle; Dmitri A., Ionov

    2010-05-01

    Petrogenetic relations in igneous rocks are usually studied in natural samples using classical optical microscopy and subsequent geochemical data acquisition. Multiphotonic Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (MLSCM) can be a powerful tool to section geological materials optically with sub-micrometric resolution and then generate a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction (ca. 106 μm3 stack). MLSCM is used here to investigate textural relations of Monosulfide Solid Solution (MSS) with silicate phases in fresh spinel harzburgite xenoliths from the andesitic Avacha volcano (Kamchatka, Russia). The xenoliths contain MSS disseminated in olivine and orthopyroxene (opx) neoblasts as well as MSS-rich quenched magmatic opx veins [1]. First, Reflection Mode (RM) was tested on vein sulfides in resin-impregnated thick (120 μm) polished rock sections. Then we used a combination of Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) with a transmitted light detector, two photons-excited fluorescence (2PEF) and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). Sequential imaging feature of the Leica TCS-SP2 software was applied. The excitation laser used for 2PEF was a COHERENT MIRA 900 with a 76Hz repetition rate and 800nm wavelength. Image stacks were analysed using ImageJ software [2]. The aim of the tests was to try to discriminate sulfides in silicate matrix as a tool for a better assessment of equilibrium conditions between the two phases. Preliminary results show that Fe-Ni rich MSS from vein and host rock have a strong auto-fluorescence in the Near UV-VIS domain (392-715 nm) whereas silicate matrix is only revealed through DIC. SHG is obtained only from dense nanocentrosymmetrical structures such as embedded medium (organic matter like glue and resin). The three images were recorded sequentially enabling efficient discrimination between the different components of the rock slices. RM permits reconstruction of the complete 3D structure of the rock slice. High resolution (ca. 0.2 μm along X-Y axis vs. 0.4 along Z axis) 2PEF enables analysis of 3D textural relations of tiny individual MSS globules (˜10 μm) in their various habitus. Statistical microgeometric descriptions can be derived from volumetric image data. These results may permit refinement of models concerning (re-) crystallisation kinetics and miscibility conditions of sulphur species in various media likely to act in different mantle environments: silicate melt, fluid-rich silicate melt, silicate-rich fluid. Furthermore, this study provides 3D images with improved resolution of several components (silicate phases, sulfides, silicate glass) over the full thickness (>100 μm) of rock slices which cannot be done with classical methods. Besides 3D imaging of ‘hidden' phases in mantle rocks, it opens up new possibilities for other domains in geosciences like crystallography or petrophysics. [1] Bénard & Ionov (2010) GRA, this volume [2] Abramoff, M.D., Magelhaes, P.J. & Ram, S.J. (2004) Image processing with ImageJ. Biophoton. Int., 11, 36-42

  15. Multidiffusion mechanisms for noble gases (He, Ne, Ar) in silicate glasses and melts in the transition temperature domain: Implications for glass polymerization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amalberti, Julien; Burnard, Pete; Laporte, Didier; Tissandier, Laurent; Neuville, Daniel R.

    2016-01-01

    Noble gases are ideal probes to study the structure of silicate glasses and melts as the modifications of the silicate network induced by the incorporation of noble gases are negligible. In addition, there are systematic variations in noble gas atomic radii and several noble gas isotopes with which the influence of the network itself on diffusion may be investigated. Noble gases are therefore ideally suited to constrain the time scales of magma degassing and cooling. In order to document noble gas diffusion behavior in silicate glass, we measured the diffusivities of three noble gases (4He, 20Ne and 40Ar) and the isotopic diffusivities of two Ar isotopes (36Ar and 40Ar) in two synthetic basaltic glasses (G1 and G2; 20Ne and 36Ar were only measured in sample G1). These new diffusion results are used to re-interpret time scales of the acquisition of fractionated atmospheric noble gas signatures in pumices. The noble gas bearing glasses were synthesized by exposing the liquids to high noble gas partial pressures at high temperature and pressure (1750-1770 K and 1.2 GPa) in a piston-cylinder apparatus. Diffusivities were measured by step heating the glasses between 423 and 1198 K and measuring the fraction of gas released at each temperature step by noble gas mass spectrometry. In addition we measured the viscosity of G1 between 996 and 1072 K in order to determine the precise glass transition temperature and to estimate network relaxation time scales. The results indicate that, to a first order, that the smaller the size of the diffusing atom, the greater its diffusivity at a given temperature: D(He) > D(Ne) > D(Ar) at constant T. Significantly, the diffusivities of the noble gases in the glasses investigated do not display simple Arrhenian behavior: there are well-defined departures from Arrhenian behavior which occur at lower temperatures for He than for Ne or Ar. We propose that the non-Arrhenian behavior of noble gases can be explained by structural modifications of the silicate network itself as the glass transition temperature is approached: as the available free volume (available site for diffusive jumps) is modified, noble gas diffusion is no longer solely temperature-activated but also becomes sensitive to the kinetics of network rearrangements. The non-Arrhenian behavior of noble gas diffusion close to Tg is well described by a modified Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equation: Finally, our step heating diffusion experiments suggest that at T close to Tg, noble gas isotopes may suffer kinetic fractionation at a degree larger than that predicted by Graham's law. In the case of 40Ar and 36Ar, the traditional assumption based on Graham's law is that the ratio D40Ar/D36Ar should be equal to 0.95 (the square root of the ratio of the mass of 36Ar over the mass of 40Ar). In our experiment with glass G1, D40Ar/D36Ar rapidly decreased with decreasing temperature, from near unity (0.98 ± 0.14) at T > 1040 K to 0.76 when close to Tg (T = 1003 K). Replicate experiments are needed to confirm the strong kinetic fractionation of heavy noble gases close to the transition temperature.

  16. Argillization by descending acid at Steamboat Springs, Nevada

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Schoen, Robert; White, Donald E.; Hemley, J.J.

    1974-01-01

    Steamboat Springs, Nevada, an area of present-day hot springs, clearly illustrates the genetic dependence of some kaolin deposits on hot-spring activity. Andesite, granodiorite and arkosic sediments are locally altered at the land surface to siliceous residues consisting of primary quartz and anatase, plus opal from primary silicates. These siliceous residues commonly exhibit the textural and structural features of their unaltered equivalents. Beneath the siliceous residues, kaolin and alunite replace primary silicates and fill open spaces, forming a blanketlike deposit. Beneath the kaolin-alunite zone, montmorillonite, commonly accompanied by pyrite, replaces the primary silicates. On the ground surface, the same alteration mineral zones can be traced outward from the siliceous residue; however, hematite rather than pyrite accompanies montmorillonite.Chemical analysis indicates that sulfuric acid is the active altering agent. The acid forms from hydrogen sulfide that exsolves from deep thermal water, rises above the water table and is oxidized by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria living near the ground surface. This acid dissolves in precipitation or condensed water vapor and percolates downward destroying most of the primary minerals producing a siliceous residue. Coincidence of the water table with the downward transition from siliceous residue to kaolin-alunite signifies decreasing hydrogen metasomatism because of dilution of descending acid by ground water.In hot-spring areas, beds of siliceous sinter deposited at the surface by hypogene thermal water look, superficially, like areas of surficial acid alteration. Features diagnostic of a surficial alteration are the relict rock structures of a siliceous residue and a kaolin-alunite zone immediately beneath.

  17. Influence of Silicate Melt Composition on Metal/Silicate Partitioning of W, Ge, Ga and Ni

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Singletary, S. J.; Domanik, K.; Drake, M. J.

    2005-01-01

    The depletion of the siderophile elements in the Earth's upper mantle relative to the chondritic meteorites is a geochemical imprint of core segregation. Therefore, metal/silicate partition coefficients (Dm/s) for siderophile elements are essential to investigations of core formation when used in conjunction with the pattern of elemental abundances in the Earth's mantle. The partitioning of siderophile elements is controlled by temperature, pressure, oxygen fugacity, and by the compositions of the metal and silicate phases. Several recent studies have shown the importance of silicate melt composition on the partitioning of siderophile elements between silicate and metallic liquids. It has been demonstrated that many elements display increased solubility in less polymerized (mafic) melts. However, the importance of silicate melt composition was believed to be minor compared to the influence of oxygen fugacity until studies showed that melt composition is an important factor at high pressures and temperatures. It was found that melt composition is also important for partitioning of high valency siderophile elements. Atmospheric experiments were conducted, varying only silicate melt composition, to assess the importance of silicate melt composition for the partitioning of W, Co and Ga and found that the valence of the dissolving species plays an important role in determining the effect of composition on solubility. In this study, we extend the data set to higher pressures and investigate the role of silicate melt composition on the partitioning of the siderophile elements W, Ge, Ga and Ni between metallic and silicate liquid.

  18. Tableting properties of silica aerogel and other silicates.

    PubMed

    Hentzschel, C M; Alnaief, M; Smirnova, I; Sakmann, A; Leopold, C S

    2012-04-01

    In solid oral dosage forms silicates are commonly used as glidants in low concentration. However, due to their large specific surface area, silicates may also be used as carrier materials for drugs. Moreover, silicates allow amorphisation of drugs by co-grinding or processing with supercritical fluids. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical and the tableting properties of Silica Aerogel (special type of silica with an extremely large specific surface area), Neusilin(®) US2 (magnesium aluminometasilicate), Florite(®) (calcium silicate) and Aerosil(®) 200 (colloidal silica). Powder blends of Avicel(®) PH102 (microcrystalline cellulose) and different amounts of the respective silicate were compacted and analyzed for their tabletability (tensile strength vs. compaction pressure) as well as their Heckel plot. With Neusilin(®) the tabletability appeared to be independent of the silicate concentration, whereas with Florite(®) an increasing silicate concentration led to a higher tensile strength. In contrast, the addition of Silica Aerogel and Aerosil(®) resulted in a decrease of the tensile strength. With Aerosil(®) a maximum tolerable concentration of 20% [w/w] was determined. Plastic deformation of all powder blends decreased with increasing silicate concentration. This effect was most pronounced with Aerosil(®) and least with Florite(®). Tablets with acceptable tensile strength were obtained with all plain silicates except for Aerosil(®). Therefore, these silicates may be used in tablet formulations, e.g. as carrier materials for liquid or amorphous drugs.

  19. Onset and ending of the late Palaeozoic ice age triggered by tectonically paced rock weathering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goddéris, Yves; Donnadieu, Yannick; Carretier, Sébastien; Aretz, Markus; Dera, Guillaume; Macouin, Mélina; Regard, Vincent

    2017-04-01

    The onset of the late Palaeozoic ice age about 340 million years ago has been attributed to a decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentrations associated with expansion of land plants, as plants both enhance silicate rock weathering--which consumes CO2--and increase the storage of organic carbon on land. However, plant expansion and carbon uptake substantially predate glaciation. Here we use climate and carbon cycle simulations to investigate the potential effects of the uplift of the equatorial Hercynian mountains and the assembly of Pangaea on the late Palaeozoic carbon cycle. In our simulations, mountain uplift during the Late Carboniferous caused an increase in physical weathering that removed the thick soil cover that had inhibited silicate weathering. The resulting increase in chemical weathering was sufficient to cause atmospheric CO2 concentrations to fall below the levels required to initiate glaciation. During the Permian, the lowering of the mountains led to a re-establishment of thick soils, whilst the assembly of Pangaea promoted arid conditions in continental interiors that were unfavourable for silicate weathering. These changes allowed CO2 concentrations to rise to levels sufficient to terminate the glacial event. Based on our simulations, we suggest that tectonically influenced carbon cycle changes during the late Palaeozoic were sufficient to initiate and terminate the late Palaeozoic ice age.

  20. Regularities in Low-Temperature Phosphatization of Silicates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Savenko, A. V.

    2018-01-01

    The regularities in low-temperature phosphatization of silicates are defined from long-term experiments on the interaction between different silicate minerals and phosphate-bearing solutions in a wide range of medium acidity. It is shown that the parameters of the reaction of phosphatization of hornblende, orthoclase, and labradorite have the same values as for clayey minerals (kaolinite and montmorillonite). This effect may appear, if phosphotization proceeds, not after silicate minerals with a different structure and composition, but after a secondary silicate phase formed upon interaction between silicates and water and stable in a certain pH range. Variation in the parameters of the reaction of phosphatization at pH ≈ 1.8 is due to the stability of the silicate phase different from that at higher pH values.

  1. 21 CFR 582.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 582.2437 Section 582.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  2. 21 CFR 582.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 582.2437 Section 582.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  3. 21 CFR 582.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 582.2437 Section 582.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  4. 21 CFR 582.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 582.2437 Section 582.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  5. 21 CFR 582.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 582.2437 Section 582.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  6. SILICATE COMPOSITION OF THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

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

    Fogerty, S.; Forrest, W.; Watson, D. M.

    2016-10-20

    The composition of silicate dust in the diffuse interstellar medium and in protoplanetary disks around young stars informs our understanding of the processing and evolution of the dust grains leading up to planet formation. An analysis of the well-known 9.7 μ m feature indicates that small amorphous silicate grains represent a significant fraction of interstellar dust and are also major components of protoplanetary disks. However, this feature is typically modeled assuming amorphous silicate dust of olivine and pyroxene stoichiometries. Here, we analyze interstellar dust with models of silicate dust that include non-stoichiometric amorphous silicate grains. Modeling the optical depth alongmore » lines of sight toward the extinguished objects Cyg OB2 No. 12 and ζ Ophiuchi, we find evidence for interstellar amorphous silicate dust with stoichiometry intermediate between olivine and pyroxene, which we simply refer to as “polivene.” Finally, we compare these results to models of silicate emission from the Trapezium and protoplanetary disks in Taurus.« less

  7. Local electric field direct writing – Electron-beam lithography and mechanism

    DOE PAGES

    Jiang, Nan; Su, Dong; Spence, John C. H.

    2017-08-24

    Local electric field induced by a focused electron probe in silicate glass thin films is evaluated in this paper by the migration of cations. Extremely strong local electric fields can be obtained by the focused electron probe from a scanning transmission electron microscope. As a result, collective atomic displacements occur. This newly revised mechanism provides an efficient tool to write patterned nanostructures directly, and thus overcome the low efficiency of the conventional electron-beam lithography. Applying this technique to silicate glass thin films, as an example, a grid of rods of nanometer dimension can be efficiently produced by rapidly scanning amore » focused electron probe. This nanopatterning is achieved through swift phase separation in the sample, without any post-development processes. The controlled phase separation is induced by massive displacements of cations (glass modifiers) within the glass-former network, driven by the strong local electric fields. The electric field is induced by accumulated charge within the electron probed region, which is generated by the excitation of atomic electrons by the incident electron. Throughput is much improved compared to other scanning probe techniques. Finally, the half-pitch spatial resolution of nanostructure in this particular specimen is 2.5 nm.« less

  8. Redox equilibria and the structural role of iron in alumino-silicate melts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dickenson, M. P.; Hess, P. C.

    1982-01-01

    The relationship between the redox ratio Fe+2/(Fe+2+Fe+3) and the K2O/(K2O + Al2O3) ratio (K2O*) were experimentally investigated in silicate melts with 78 mol% SiO2 in the system SiO2-Al2O3-K2O-FeO-Fe2O3, in air at 1,400° C. Quenched glass compositions were analyzed by electron microprobe and wet chemical microtitration techniques. Minimum values of the redox ratio were obtained at K2O*≈0.5. The redox ratio in peralkaline melts (K2O*>0.5) increases slightly with K2O* whereas this ratio increases dramatically in peraluminous melts (K2O*<0.5) as K2O is replaced by Al2O3. These data indicate that all Fe+3 (and Al+3) occur as tetrahedral species charge balanced with K+ in peralkaline melts. In peraluminous melts, Fe+3 (and Al+3) probably occur as both tetrahedral species using Fe+2 as a charge-balancing cation and as network-modifying cations associated with non-bridging oxygen.

  9. Local electric field direct writing – Electron-beam lithography and mechanism

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

    Jiang, Nan; Su, Dong; Spence, John C. H.

    Local electric field induced by a focused electron probe in silicate glass thin films is evaluated in this paper by the migration of cations. Extremely strong local electric fields can be obtained by the focused electron probe from a scanning transmission electron microscope. As a result, collective atomic displacements occur. This newly revised mechanism provides an efficient tool to write patterned nanostructures directly, and thus overcome the low efficiency of the conventional electron-beam lithography. Applying this technique to silicate glass thin films, as an example, a grid of rods of nanometer dimension can be efficiently produced by rapidly scanning amore » focused electron probe. This nanopatterning is achieved through swift phase separation in the sample, without any post-development processes. The controlled phase separation is induced by massive displacements of cations (glass modifiers) within the glass-former network, driven by the strong local electric fields. The electric field is induced by accumulated charge within the electron probed region, which is generated by the excitation of atomic electrons by the incident electron. Throughput is much improved compared to other scanning probe techniques. Finally, the half-pitch spatial resolution of nanostructure in this particular specimen is 2.5 nm.« less

  10. Modeling the Onset of Phase Separation in CaO-SiO2-CaCl2 Chlorine-Containing Silicate Glasses.

    PubMed

    Swansbury, Laura A; Mountjoy, Gavin; Chen, Xiaojing; Karpukhina, Natalia; Hill, Robert

    2017-06-08

    The addition of chlorine into a bioactive glass composition is expected to reduce its abrasiveness and increase its bioactivity, which is important for dental applications such as toothpastes. There is a lack of information and understanding regarding the structural role of chlorine in chlorine-containing bioactive silicate glasses. This has prompted classical core-shell model molecular dynamics simulations of (50 - x/2)CaO-(50 - x/2)SiO 2 -xCaCl 2 glasses to be performed, where x ranges from x = 0.0 to 43.1 mol % CaCl 2 . These ternary glasses are advantageous for a fundamental study because they do not have additional network formers (e.g., phosphorus pentoxide) or modifiers (e.g., sodium) typically found in bioactive glass compositions. The (50 - x/2)CaO-(50 - x/2)SiO 2 -xCaCl 2 glasses were seen to become phase-separated around the x = 16.1 mol % CaCl 2 composition, and chlorine predominantly coordinated with calcium. These findings provide a solid foundation for further computational modeling work on more complex chlorine-containing bioactive glass compositions.

  11. 21 CFR 182.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 182.2437 Section 182.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  12. 21 CFR 182.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Magnesium silicate. 182.2437 Section 182.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  13. 21 CFR 182.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 182.2437 Section 182.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  14. 21 CFR 182.2437 - Magnesium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Magnesium silicate. 182.2437 Section 182.2437 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Magnesium silicate. (a) Product. Magnesium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions...

  15. 21 CFR 182.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Aluminum calcium silicate. 182.2122 Section 182.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  16. 21 CFR 182.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 182.2122 Section 182.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  17. 21 CFR 582.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 582.2122 Section 582.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  18. 21 CFR 582.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 582.2122 Section 582.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  19. 21 CFR 582.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 582.2227 Section 582.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  20. 21 CFR 582.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 582.2227 Section 582.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  1. 21 CFR 582.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 582.2122 Section 582.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  2. 21 CFR 582.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 582.2227 Section 582.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  3. 21 CFR 182.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 182.2122 Section 182.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  4. 21 CFR 582.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 582.2122 Section 582.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  5. 21 CFR 582.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 582.2227 Section 582.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  6. 21 CFR 582.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 582.2122 Section 582.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  7. 21 CFR 182.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 182.2227 Section 182.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) SUBSTANCES GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE Anticaking Agents § 182.2227 Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate...

  8. 21 CFR 582.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 582.2227 Section 582.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) ANIMAL... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  9. 21 CFR 182.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 182.2122 Section 182...) SUBSTANCES GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE Anticaking Agents § 182.2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c) Limitations, restrictions, or explanation. This...

  10. 21 CFR 182.2122 - Aluminum calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Aluminum calcium silicate. 182.2122 Section 182.2122 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED....2122 Aluminum calcium silicate. (a) Product. Aluminum calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent. (c...

  11. Mesoporous Silicate Materials in Sensing

    PubMed Central

    Melde, Brian J.; Johnson, Brandy J.; Charles, Paul T.

    2008-01-01

    Mesoporous silicas, especially those exhibiting ordered pore systems and uniform pore diameters, have shown great potential for sensing applications in recent years. Morphological control grants them versatility in the method of deployment whether as bulk powders, monoliths, thin films, or embedded in coatings. High surface areas and pore sizes greater than 2 nm make them effective as adsorbent coatings for humidity sensors. The pore networks also provide the potential for immobilization of enzymes within the materials. Functionalization of materials by silane grafting or through co-condensation of silicate precursors can be used to provide mesoporous materials with a variety of fluorescent probes as well as surface properties that aid in selective detection of specific analytes. This review will illustrate how mesoporous silicas have been applied to sensing changes in relative humidity, changes in pH, metal cations, toxic industrial compounds, volatile organic compounds, small molecules and ions, nitroenergetic compounds, and biologically relevant molecules. PMID:27873810

  12. Near-infrared Spectroscopy Of Outer Main Belt Asteroids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takir, Driss; Emery, J.

    2009-09-01

    We have recently begun a spectral survey of the outer Main Belt population (3.2 AU < a < 4.6 AU), using near-infrared spectroscopy (0.8-2.5 μm). The objective of this survey is to search for signatures of H2O, organics, hydrated silicates, and/or anhydrous silicates on this group of asteroids. Studying the outer Main Belt asteroids will allow us to better understand the dynamical evolution of the Solar System and provide crucial constrains on nebular composition. Our first observing run, using the SpeX spectrograph/imager at the NASA IRTF, took place remotely form the University of Tennessee Knoxville on the nights of April 15, 16, and 17, 2009 (UT). More observing runs will be conducted this year and the beginning of next year. The initial data reduction process reveals that some of these asteroids exhibit weak and strong absorption features. We will present some of these initial spectra and results.

  13. Thermal airborne multispectral aster simulator and its preliminary results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mills, F.; Kannari, Y.; Watanabe, H.; Sano, M.; Chang, S. H.

    1994-03-01

    An Airborne ASTER Simulator (AAS) is being developed for the Japan Resources Observation System Organization (JAROS) by the Geophysical Environmental Research (GER) Corporation. The first test flights of the AAS were over Cuprite, Nevada; Long Valley, California; and Death Valley, California, in December 1991. Preliminary laboratory tests at NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) were completed in April 1992. The results of the these tests indicate the AAS can discriminate between silicate and non-silicate rocks. The improvements planned for the next two years may give a spectral Full-Width at Half-Maximum (FWHM) of 0.3 μm and NEΔT of 0.2 - 0.5°K. The AAS has the potential to become a good tool for airborne TIR research and can be used for simulations of future satellite-borne TIR sensors. Flight tests over Cuprite, Nevada, and Castaic Lake, California, are planned for October-December 1992.

  14. Infrared Spectroscopy of Anhydrous Interplanetary Dust Particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, L. P.; Flynn, G. J.

    2003-01-01

    Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is the primary means of mineralogical analysis of materials outside our solar system. The identity and properties of circumstellar grains are inferred from spectral comparisons between astronomical observations and laboratory data from natural and synthetic materials. These comparisons have been facilitated by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), which obtained IR spectra from numerous astrophysical objects over a wide spectral range (out to 50/cm) where crystalline silicates and other phases have distinct features. The anhydrous interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are particularly important comparison materials because some IDPs contain carbonaceous material with non-solar D/H and N-15/N-14 ratios and amorphous and crystalline silicates with non-solar 0- isotopic ratios, demonstrating that these IDPs contain preserved interstellar material. Here, we report on micro- Fourier transform (FT) IR spectrometry of IDPs, focusing on the inorganic components of primitive IDPs (FTIR spectra from the organic/carbonacecous materials in IDPs are described elsewhere).

  15. Formation of siliceous sediments in brandy after diatomite filtration.

    PubMed

    Gómez, J; Gil, M L A; de la Rosa-Fox, N; Alguacil, M

    2015-03-01

    Brandy is quite a stable spirit but sometimes light sediment appears. This sediment was separated and analysed by IR and SEM-EDX. It was revealed that the sediment is composed mostly of silica and residual organic matter. Silica was present as an amorphous phase and as microparticles. In an attempt to reproduce the formation of the sediment, a diatomite extract was prepared with an ethanol/water mixture (36% vol.) and a calcined diatomite similar to that used in brandy filtration. This extract was added to unfiltered brandy in different amounts. After 1 month, the Si concentration decreased in all samples and sediments with similar compositions and features to those found in the unstable brandy appeared. The amounts of sediment obtained were directly related to the decrease in Si concentration in solution. Consequently, it can be concluded that siliceous sediment in brandy originates from Si released during diatomite filtration. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Migration Processes and Volatiles Inventory to the Inner Planets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Marov, M. Y.; Ipatov, S. I.

    2004-01-01

    Comets and asteroids colliding with the terrestrial planets can deliver volatiles and organic or prebiotic compounds to the planets, thereby depositing on the planets the fundamental building-blocks for life. The inner planets contain heavier and cosmically less abundant elements in an iron-silicate matrix than the giant planets. This can be caused by the following three mechanisms: uneven fractionation and condensation in the accretionary disk; unequal degree of degassing of the composed matter; and heterogeneous accretion. Asteroid-size bodies consisting of the last low-temperature condensates (similar to most primitive chondritic meteorites, and enriched in hydrated silicates and trapped gases) are believed to have fallen onto the inner planets during the process of the giant planets formation. The relative contribution of either endogenous (i.e. outgassing) or exogenous (i.e. asteroid/comet collisions) sources is difficult to assess, although it is constrained by the pattern of noble gas abundances in the planetary atmospheres.

  17. Corrosion resistant thermal barrier coating. [protecting gas turbines and other engine parts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Levine, S. R.; Miller, R. A.; Hodge, P. E. (Inventor)

    1981-01-01

    A thermal barrier coating system for protecting metal surfaces at high temperature in normally corrosive environments is described. The thermal barrier coating system includes a metal alloy bond coating, the alloy containing nickel, cobalt, iron, or a combination of these metals. The system further includes a corrosion resistant thermal barrier oxide coating containing at least one alkaline earth silicate. The preferred oxides are calcium silicate, barium silicate, magnesium silicate, or combinations of these silicates.

  18. Spectroscopic Evidence for the Asteroidal Nature of the July 2009 Jovian Impactor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lisse, Carey; Orton, Glenn; Yanamandra-Fisher, Padma; Fletcher, Leigh; Depater, Imke; Hammel, Heidi

    2010-05-01

    The collision of a large object with Jupiter on July 19, 2009, heated its atmosphere, modified its composition and generated a prominent field of deposited particulate debris. Low-resolution 7-24 μm spectroscopy of the impact field obtained using the T-ReCS mid-infrared camera/spectrometer on Gemini/South on 24 July 2009 has revealed an excess 9-μm absorption in the impact debris in addition to that supplied by hot ammonia created in the impact. We have searched for candidate materials that would best fit the spectral feature near 9 μm, and find that the feature cannot be matched with candidate materials in Jupiter's atmosphere. A search through a large suite of gaseous and solid absorption spectra (c.f Lisse et al. 2008, 2009) revealed that the major competent matches were for (a) obsidian, a glassy silica, and (b) quartz and cristobalite, crystalline silicas, kinetic alteration products of primitive body ferromagnesian silicates formed at high pressures and temperatures over 1500 K. There are also weak features at 10 - 11 um consistent with olivine absorptions. While the high temperatures required to create silicas are also high enough to destroy the non-refractory water and organics dominating icy cometary bodies, and thus destroy their spectral signal, there was no detectable absorption due to pyroxene materials, which, along with olivines in roughly equal measure, comprise the majority of refractory silicaceous species found in comets (Lisse et al. 2007). This suggests that the impacting body was not a comet, but an olivine-rich differentiated body similar to asteroids that are abundant in the outer regions of the main asteroid belt (Lodders and Fegley 1998). We speculate that the weak structural strength of bulk cometary material causes a comet impactor to catastrophically disrupt at higher altitudes and lower temperatures than a strong, dense asteroidal body, so that the cometary refractory dust component remains relatively cold and unaltered through blowback and Jovian surface deposition, while asteroidal dust is heated enough to be transformed from silicates to silicas. Ancillary evidence for the asteroidal nature of the impactor arises from the singular nature of the impact site, the existence of asteroidal orbits consistent with the observed geometry (Chodas 2009, Orton et al. 2010), and the differences between the observed 2009 opacity spectra of the debris and the observed debris opacity created in July 1994 by the SL9 fragments. Nicholson et al. (1995) noted the presence of a non-gaseous component of their spectrum of the SL9 R fragment impact, which they fit with the 'astronomical silicate' of Draine (1985). Griffith et al. (1997) also required an opacity source besides NH3 gas in order to explain the spectral continuum associated with debris from the L fragment, inferring that it was most likely the result of a silicate feature similar to those in comets (Hanner et al. 1994). Both of these are consistent with increased opacity in the 10-12 μm region due to a mix of stratospheric debris consisting of olivines and pyroxenes, typically found in comets, without any additional opacity at ~9 um due to silica.

  19. The influence of changes in nitrogen: silicon ratios on diatom growth dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gilpin, L. C.; Davidson, K.; Roberts, E.

    2004-02-01

    Nitrate loading to coastal waters has increased over recent decades while silicon loading has remained relatively constant or decreased. As the N:Si ratio in coastal waters shifts due to these anthropogenic influences, silicate limitation of diatom biomass may become a feature of the biogeochemistry in coastal waters especially in regions of reduced exchange. Two sets of nutrient enrichment mesocosm experiments were conducted in successive years using a natural planktonic assemblage obtained from the Trondheimsfjord, Norway. The inorganic nutrient concentrations at the start of the experiments were manipulated to give a variety of N:Si concentrations at ratios representative of current and possible future values, should N loading continue. In June 1999 experiments were conducted with a gradient of inorganic N:Si ratios (1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1) to investigate the influence of low and high N:Si ratio conditions and to determine the conditions that would generate Si limitation of diatom growth. In June 2000, based on 1999 data, highly replicated experiments were conducted at N:Si ratios of 1:1 and 4:1 which were expected to result in N and Si limitation of diatom growth, respectively; statistical differences in cellular composition were recorded. N limitation of diatom biomass increase was observed under the three lowest N:Si ratios: particulate carbon (C) accumulation continued to occur following N exhaustion resulting in an increase in the organic C:N ratio. Silicate limitation of diatom biomass increase only occurred at the highest N:Si ratio of 4:1. Silicate exhaustion was followed by continued nitrate uptake for several days, at a slower rate than previously. The resulting increase in organic N was accompanied by an increase in organic C such that the C:N ratio of the organic material at the highest N:Si ratio failed to increase to the extent observed under the N limited conditions. Statistically significant differences in chlorophyll-a yield per unit nitrate, C:chlorophyll-a ratios, C:N ratio and diatom cell yield per unit nitrate or Si were observed in Si compared to N limited conditions. All mesocosms became dominated numerically and in terms of biomass by the diatom Skeletonema costatum. The potential implications of changing N and Si regimes in coastal waters are discussed.

  20. A New Method of Absorption-Phase Nanotomography for 3D Observation of Mineral-Organic-Water Textiles and its Application to Pristine Carbonaceous Chondrites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsuchiyama, A.; Nakato, A.; Matsuno, J.; Sugimoto, M.; Uesugi, K.; Takeuchi, A.; Nakano, T.; Vaccaro, E.; Russel, S.; Nakamura-Messenger, K.; hide

    2017-01-01

    Pristine carbonaceous chondrites contain fine-grained matrix, which is composed largely of amorphous silicates, sub-micron silicate and sulfide crystals, and organic materials. They are regarded as primitive dust in the early Solar System that have suffered minimal alteration in their parent bodies. The matrix generally has different lithologies; some of them are unaltered but some are more or less aqueously altered. Their textures have been examined in 2D usually by FE-SEM/EDS, TEM/EDS, nano-SIMS and micro-XRD. Observation of their complex fine textures, such as spatial relation between different lithologies in 3D, is important for understanding aggregation and alteration processes. Synchrotron radiation (SR)-based X-ray tomography reveals 3D structures nondestructively with high spatial resolution of approximately greater than 100 nm. We have developed a new technique using absorption contrasts called "dual-energy tomography" (DET) to obtain 3D distribution of minerals at SPring-8, SR facility in Japan, and applied successfully to Itokawa particles. Phase and absorption contrast images can be simultaneously obtained in 3D by using "scanning-imaging x-ray microscopy" (SIXM) at SPring-8, which can discriminate between void, water and organic materials. We applied this technique combined with FIB micro-sampling to carbonaceous chondrites to search for primitive liquid water. In this study, we combined the DET and SIXM to obtain three dimensional submicron-scale association between minerals, organic materials and water and applied this to pristine carbonaceous chondrites.

  1. Metal-silicate interaction in quenched shock-induced melt of the Tenham L6-chondrite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leroux, Hugues; Doukhan, Jean-Claude; Guyot, François

    2000-07-01

    The metal-silicate microstructures in the shock-induced melt pockets of the Tenham (L6) chondrite have been investigated by analytical transmission electron microscopy. The melt areas, formed under high-pressure, high-temperature dynamic shock conditions, consist of spherical Fe-Ni metal/iron sulfide globules embedded in a silicate glass matrix, showing that the melt was quenched at high cooling rate. The Fe-Ni fraction in the globules is two-phase, composed of a bcc phase (˜5 wt% Ni) and an fcc phase (˜49 wt% Ni), indicating that fractional crystallisation of the metal occurred during the fast cooling. The metal fraction also contains appreciable amounts of non-siderophile elements (mostly Si, Mg and O) suggesting that these elements were trapped in the metal, either as alloying components or as tiny silicate or oxide inclusions. In the iron sulfide fraction, the Na content is high (>3 wt%), suggesting chalcophile behaviour for Na during the shock event. The composition of the silicate glass reflects non-equilibrium melting of several silicate phases (olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase). Moreover, the FeO content is high compared to the FeO contents of the unmelted silicates. Some Fe redistribution took place between metal and silicate liquids during the shock event. The silicate glass also contains tiny iron sulfide precipitates which most probably originated by exsolution during quench, suggesting that the molten silicate retained significant amounts of S, dissolved at high temperature and high pressure. Based on these observations, we suggest that non-equilibrium phenomena may be important in determining the compositions of metal and silicate reservoirs during their differentiation.

  2. Experimental segregation of iron-nickel metal, iron-sulfide, and olivine in a thermal gradient: Preliminary results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jurewicz, Stephen R.; Jones, J. H.

    1993-01-01

    Speculation about the possible mechanisms for core formation in small asteroids raises more questions than answers. Petrologic evidence from iron meteorites, pallasites, and astronomical observations of M asteroids suggests that many small bodies were capable of core formation. Recent work by Taylor reviews the geochemical evidence and examines the possible physical/mechanical constraints on segregation processes. Taylor's evaluation suggests that extensive silicate partial melting (preferably 50 vol. percent or greater) is required before metal can segregate from the surrounding silicate and form a metal core. The arguments for large degrees of silicate partial melting are two-fold: (1) elemental trends in iron meteorites require that the metal was at is liquidus; and (2) experimental observations of metal/sulfide inclusions in partially molten silicate meteorites show that the metal/sulfide tends to form spherules in the liquid silicate due to surface tension effects. Taylor points out that for these metal spherules to sink through a silicate mush, high degrees of silicate partial melting are required to lower the silicate yield strength. Although some qualitative experimental data exists, little is actually known about the behavior of metals and liquid sulfides dispersed in silicate systems. In addition, we have been impressed with the ability of cumulative olivine to expel trapped liquid when placed in a thermal gradient. Consequently, we undertook to accomplish the following: (1) experimentally evaluate the potential for metal/sulfide/silicate segregation in a thermal gradient; and (2) obtain quantitative data of the wetting parameters of metal-sulfide melts among silicate grains.

  3. Cluster formation of network-modifier cations in cesium silicate glasses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jardón-Álvarez, Daniel; Sanders, Kevin J.; Phyo, Pyae; Baltisberger, Jay H.; Grandinetti, Philip J.

    2018-03-01

    Natural abundance 29Si two-dimensional magic-angle flipping (2D MAF) NMR spectra were measured in a series of ten cesium silicate glass compositions xCs2O.(1 - x)SiO2, where x is 0.067, 0.113, 0.175, 0.179, 0.218, 0.234, 0.263, 0.298, 0.31, and 0.36. The Q3 shielding anisotropy decreases with increasing Cs content—interpreted as an increase in the non-bridging oxygen (NBO) bond length from increasing Cs coordination (clustering) around the NBO. The 29Si 2D MAF spectra for four glass compositions x = 0.218, 0.234, 0.263, 0.298 exhibit a second co-existing and distinctly smaller shielding anisotropy corresponding to a significantly longer Si-NBO length arising from a higher degree of Cs clustering around the NBO. This second Q3 site appears at a Cs2O mole fraction close to the critical mole fraction of x = 0.24 associated with the percolation threshold of non-bridging oxygen in random close packing of oxygen, thus suggesting that the longer Si-NBO length is associated with an infinite size spanning cluster while the sites with larger anisotropies are associated with shorter Si-NBO lengths and belong to finite size clusters. The equilibrium constant of the Q3 disproportionation reaction was determined as k3 = 0.005, indicating a Qn anionic species distribution close to a binary model as expected for a low field strength modifier such as cesium. It is also found that evolution of the isotropic Q4 and line shapes with increasing Cs content are consistent with a random connectivity model between Qn of differing number of bridging oxygen, n.

  4. Boson peak of alkali and alkaline earth silicate glasses: influence of the nature and size of the network-modifying cation.

    PubMed

    Richet, Nicolas F

    2012-01-21

    The influence of the size of the alkaline earth cation on the boson peak of binary metasilicate glasses, MSiO(3) (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba), has been investigated from vibrational densities of states determined by inversion of low-temperature heat capacities. As given both by C(p)/T(3) and g(ω)/ω(2), the intensity of the boson peak undergoes a 7-fold increase from Mg to Ba, whereas its temperature and frequency correlatively decrease from 18 to 10 K and from 100 to 20 cm(-1), respectively. The boson peak results from a combination of librations of SiO(4) tetrahedra and localized vibrations of network-modifying cations with non-bridging oxygens whose contribution increases markedly with the ionic radius of the alkaline earth. As a function of ionic radii, the intensity for Sr and Ba varies in the same way as previously found for alkali metasilicate glasses. The localized vibrations involving alkali and heavy alkaline earth cations appear to be insensitive to the overall glass structure. Although the new data are coherent with an almost linear relationship between the temperature of the boson peak and transverse sound velocity, pure SiO(2) and SiO(2)-rich glasses make marked exceptions to this trend because of the weak transverse character of SiO(4) librations. Finally, the universality of the calorimetric boson peak is again borne out because all data for silicate glasses collapse on the same master curve when plotted in a reduced form (C(P)∕/T(3))/(C(P)/T(3))(b) vs. T/T(b). © 2012 American Institute of Physics

  5. The physical properties and ion release of CPP-ACP-modified calcium silicate-based cements.

    PubMed

    Dawood, A E; Manton, D J; Parashos, P; Wong, Rhk; Palamara, Jea; Stanton, D P; Reynolds, E C

    2015-12-01

    This study investigated the physical properties and ion release of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-modified calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) and compared the properties of a trial mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with two commercially available CSCs, Biodentine(™) and Angelus(®) MTA. The setting time, solubility, compressive strength and Vickers surface microhardness of the three CSCs incorporated with 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0% (w/w) CPP-ACP were investigated. Release of calcium (Ca(2+) ), phosphate ions (Pi ) and pH of the test cements were measured after 24, 72, 168 and 336 h of storage. The addition of up to 1.0% CPP-ACP into Biodentine(™) and 0.5% into the other cements did not adversely affect their physical properties except for the setting time. The addition of 0.5% CPP-ACP increased Ca(2+) released from Biodentine(™) (after 168 and 336 h), Angelus(®) MTA (after 168 h) and the trial MTA (after 72 h). The addition of 1.0-3.0% CPP-ACP increased Ca(2+) and Pi released from all the cements. Biodentine(™) released more Ca(2+) particularly in the early stages and showed shorter setting time and higher mechanical properties than the other cements. The mechanical properties of Angelus(®) MTA and the trial MTA were similar. All the cements produced highly alkaline storage solutions. Up to 1.0% CPP-ACP in Biodentine(™) improves Ca(2+) and Pi release and 0.5% CPP-ACP in Angelus(®) MTA and the trial MTA improves Ca(2+) release without altering the mechanical properties and solubility. The addition of CPP-ACP into CSCs prolonged the setting time. © 2015 Australian Dental Association.

  6. The solvation radius of silicate melts based on the solubility of noble gases and scaled particle theory.

    PubMed

    Ottonello, Giulio; Richet, Pascal

    2014-01-28

    The existing solubility data on noble gases in high-temperature silicate melts have been analyzed in terms of Scaling Particle Theory coupled with an ab initio assessment of the electronic, dispersive, and repulsive energy terms based on the Polarized Continuum Model (PCM). After a preliminary analysis of the role of the contracted Gaussian basis sets and theory level in reproducing appropriate static dipole polarizabilities in a vacuum, we have shown that the procedure returns Henry's law constants consistent with the values experimentally observed in water and benzene at T = 25 °C and P = 1 bar for the first four elements of the series. The static dielectric constant (ɛ) of the investigated silicate melts and its optical counterpart (ɛ(∞)) were then resolved through the application of a modified form of the Clausius-Mossotti relation. Argon has been adopted as a probe to depict its high-T solubility in melts through an appropriate choice of the solvent diameter σs, along the guidelines already used in the past for simple media such as water or benzene. The σs obtained was consistent with a simple functional form based on the molecular volume of the solvent. The solubility calculations were then extended to He, Ne, and Kr, whose dispersive and repulsive coefficients are available from theory and we have shown that their ab initio Henry's constants at high T reproduce the observed increase with the static polarizability of the series element with reasonable accuracy. At room temperature (T = 25 °C) the calculated Henry's constants of He, Ne, Ar, and Kr in the various silicate media predict higher solubilities than simple extrapolations (i.e., Arrhenius plots) based on high-T experiments and give rise to smooth trends not appreciably affected by the static polarizabilities of the solutes. The present investigation opens new perspectives on a wider application of PCM theory which can be extended to materials of great industrial interest at the core of metallurgical processes, ceramurgy, and the glass industry.

  7. Dust in the Solar System - Properties and Origins

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Messenger, Scott; Keller, Lindsay; Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko

    2013-01-01

    Interplanetary dust pervades the inner Solar System, giving rise to a prominent glow above the horizon at sunrise and sunset known as the zodiacal light. This dust derives from the disintegration of comets as they approach the Sun and from collisions among main-belt asteroids. The Earth accretes roughly 4x10(exp 6) kg/year of 1 - 1,000 micron dust particles as they spiral into the Sun under the influence of Poynting-Robertson drag and solar wind drag. Samples of these grains have been collected from deep sea sediments, Antarctic ice and by high-altitude aircraft and balloon flights. Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected in the stratosphere have been classified by their IR spectra into olivine, pyroxene, and hydrated silicate-dominated classes. Most IDPs have bulk major and minor element abundances that are similar to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Hydrated silicate-rich IDPs are thought to derive from asteroids based on their mineralogy and low atmospheric entry velocities estimated from peak temperatures reached during atmospheric entry. Anhydrous IDPs are typically aggregates of 0.1 - approx. 1 micron Mg-rich olivine and pyroxene, amorphous silicates (GEMS), Fe, Nisulfides and rare spinel and oxides bound together by carbonaceous material. These IDPs are often argued to derive from comets based on compositional similarities and high atmospheric entry velocities that imply high eccentricity orbits. Infrared spectra obtained from anhydrous IDPs closely match remote IR spectra obtained from comets. The most primitive (anhydrous) IDPs appear to have escaped the parent-body thermal and aqueous alteration that has affected meteorites. These samples thus consist entirely of grains that formed in the ancient solar nebula and pre-solar interstellar and circumstellar environments. Isotopic studies of IDPs have identified silicate stardust grains that formed in the outflows of red giant and asymptotic giant branch stars and supernovae]. These stardust grains include both amorphous and crystalline silicates. The organic matter in these samples also exhibits highly anomalous H, C, and N isotopic compositions that are consistent with formation in low temperature environments at the outermost regions of the solar nebula or presolar cold molecular cloud. The scientific frontiers for these samples include working toward a better understanding of the origins of the solar system amorphous and crystalline grains in IDPs and the very challenging task of determining the chemical composition of sub-micron organic grains. Laboratory studies of ancient and present-day dust in the Solar System thus reveal in exquisite detail the chemistry, mineralogy and isotopic properties of materials that derive from a range of astrophysical environments. These studies are an important complement to astronomical observations that help to place the laboratory observations into broader context.

  8. 21 CFR 182.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Calcium silicate. 182.2227 Section 182.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  9. 21 CFR 182.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 182.2227 Section 182.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  10. 21 CFR 182.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 182.2227 Section 182.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  11. 21 CFR 182.2227 - Calcium silicate.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Calcium silicate. 182.2227 Section 182.2227 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR... Calcium silicate. (a) Product. Calcium silicate. (b) Tolerance. 2 percent and 5 percent. (c) Limitations...

  12. Adsorption of Cu2+ to biomass ash and its modified product.

    PubMed

    Xu, Lei; Cui, Hongbiao; Zheng, Xuebo; Liang, Jiani; Xing, Xiangyu; Yao, Lunguang; Chen, Zhaojin; Zhou, Jing

    2017-04-01

    Ash produced by biomass power plants has great potential for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The pollution of toxic heavy metals to water is a worldwide environmental problem. Discharges containing copper, in particular, are strictly controlled because the excessive copper can cause serious harm to the environment and human health. This work aims to investigate the adsorption characteristics of copper ions in aqueous solution by biomass ash and the modified products, and to evaluate their potential application in water pollution control. The biomass ash was modified with a mesoporous siliceous material and functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The surface properties of the biomass ash and the new matrix were studied to evaluate their adsorption property for Cu 2+ ions at different pHs, initial metal concentrations and the thermodynamic and kinetic were studied. The chemical and morphological properties of this modified material are analyzed; the specific surface area of the modified biomass ash was nine times that of the initial ash. Both of the two materials showed a strong affinity for Cu 2+ , and the Langmuir model could best represent the adsorption characteristics of Cu 2+ on the two kinds of materials. The adsorption capacity of copper on the material increased with the increase of pH and pH 6 was the optimum pH. Thermodynamic analysis results showed that the adsorption of Cu 2+ was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The adsorptions of Cu 2+ onto the modified biomass ash followed pseudo-second-order kinetics.

  13. Genesis of IIICD Iron Meteorites: Evidence From Silicate Inclusions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McCoy, T. J.; Keil, K.; Scott, E. R. D.; Haack, H.

    1992-07-01

    The IAB and IIICD iron meteorite groups exhibit much larger ranges in siderophile concentrations than other groups and commonly contain silicate inclusions. Extensive studies of metal in both groups and silicates in IAB irons have led to a variety of ideas to explain the genesis of these groups. Wasson et al. (1980) envision each meteorite forming in a separate impact melt pool. Kracher (1982, 1985) suggested that the siderophile trends might result from fractional crystallization of both metal and troilite in a S-saturated magma. A role for oxidation-reduction in these groups has been proposed by Scott and Bild (1974). Similarities in siderophile elemental trends indicate that IIICD metal has a similar origin, although data on silicate inclusions in IIICD irons are scarce (Ramdohr, 1973; Scott and Bild, 1974; Kracher and Kurat, 1977; Prinz et al., 1982; Clayton et al., 1983). We report the first detailed study of silicate inclusions in IIICD iron meteorites in an attempt to elucidate their history. We have studied the only silicate-bearing IIICD irons - Carlton, Dayton, and the recently reported Maltahohe. Silicate-graphite-phosphate inclusions comprise at most a few percent of the bulk meteorite, and silicates comprise <25 vol% of the inclusion. Silicate mineralogy and chemistry vary systematically with increasing M content of the metal. Maltahohe (10.7 wt% Ni) and Carlton (13.0%) contain olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase, whereas Dayton (17.0%) contains pyroxene, plagioclase, and SiO2. Pyroxene becomes more FeO-rich from Maltahohe (FS(sub)7.8) to Carlton (Fs(sub)9.7) to Dayton (Fs(sub)11.6). Inverse FeO zoning in silicates and lower Fa than Fs indicate reduction in all three meteorites. Plagioclase compositions in IIICD (An(sub)1.1-4.9) are lower than IAB (An(sub)9.2-2l.5) and uncorrelated with Ni content. The abundances of associated phases also vary. Graphite comprises ~25 vol% of Maltahohe silicate inclusions, but only a few percent in Carlton, and is absent in Dayton silicate inclusions. Phosphate mineralogy and modal abundance also vary, with phosphates absent in Maltahohe, chlorapatite comprising 0-70 vol% of inclusions in Carlton, and the unusual phosphates brianite and panethite, along with whitlockite, comprising up to 55 vol% of Dayton's inclusions. The small number of silicate-bearing IIICD irons require that any conclusions must be considered tentative. The precursor silicate assemblage was similar for IAB and IIICD, as suggested by the general similarity between Maltahohe and IAB silicate inclusions. With increasing Ni contents, however, IIICD and IAB silicate inclusions become dramatically different, as indicated by the mineralogical and chemical trends present in IIICD and absent in IAB silicate inclusions. Silicate inclusions in the Ni-rich IAB irons (e.g., San Cristobal, 25 wt% Ni) do not resemble the phosphate-rich, evolved-silicate assemblages observed in Dayton. It is clear that one or more processes were capable of producing changes in metal compositions and silicate inclusion mineralogy, which correlated with one another. None of the observed trends in silicate mineralogy are predicted by the impact-melt model, although impact might have played a role in mixing silicates into the metallic magma. Some trends are consistent with oxidation-reduction, but variations in some siderophiles (e.g., Ir, Cu) cannot be explained easily by this mechanism. We believe that solid silicates must have been mixed with an evolving metallic melt, with the metallic magma dramatically influencing the mineralogy and chemistry of the inclusion, similar to the fractional crystallization model of Kracher (1982,1985). However, many details of this process remain obscure, including the mechanism that concentrated a S-rich melt, the mixing of metal and silicates, and the fractionation of S. References: Clayton et al. (1983) EPSL 65, 229-232. Kracher (1982) GRL 9, 412-415. Kracher (1985) PLPSC 15, C689-C698. Kracher and Kurat (1977) Meteoritics 12, 282-283. Scott and Bild (1974) GCA 38, 1379-1391. Prinz et al. (1982) LPSC XIlI, 632-633. Ramdohr (1973) Elsevier Pub. Co. Wasson et al. (1980) Z. Naturforsch. 35a, 781-795.

  14. Geochemical and Isotopic Data from Micron to Across-Arc Scales in the Andean Central Volcanic Zone: Applications for Resolving Crustal Magmatic Differentiation and Modification Processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Michelfelder, G.; Wilder, A.; Feeley, T.

    2014-12-01

    Plagioclase crystals from silicic (andesitic to dacitic) lavas and domes at Volcán Uturuncu, a potentially active volcano in the back-arc of the Andean CVZ (22.3°S, 67.2°W), exhibit large variations in An contents, textures, and core to rim 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Many of the isotopic variations can not have existed at magmatic temperatures for more than a few thousand years. The crystals likely derived from different locations in the crustal magmatic system and mixed just prior to eruption. Uturuncu magmas initially assimilated crustal rocks with high 87Sr/86Sr ratios. The magmas were subsequently modified by frequent recharge of more mafic magmas with lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios. A typical Uturuncu silicic magma therefore only attains its final composition just prior to or during eruption. In the Lazufre region of active surface uplift (~25˚14'S; Volcán Lastarria and Cordon del Azufre) closed system differentiation processes are not the only factors influencing silicic magma compositions. 87Sr/86Sr (0.70651-0.70715) and 206Pb/204Pb ratios (18.83-18.88) are highly elevated and143Nd/144Nd ratios (0.512364 -0.512493) are low relative to similar composition rocks from the "southern Cordillera domain." These data, along with major and trace element trends, reflect a multitude of differentiation processes and magma sources including crystallization-differentiation of more mafic magmas, melting and assimilation of older crustal rocks, and magma mixing and mingling. On an arc-wide scale silicic lavas erupted from three well-characterized composite volcanoes between 21oS and 22oS (Aucanquilcha, Ollagüe, and Uturuncu) display systematically higher K2O, LILE, REE and HFSE contents and 87Sr/86Sr ratios with increasing distance from the arc-front. In contrast, the lavas have systematically lower Na2O, Sr, and Ba contents; LILE/HFSE ratios; 143Nd/144Nd ratios; and more negative Eu anomalies. Silicic magmas along the arc-front apparently reflect melting of relatively young, mafic composition amphibolitic source rocks with the continental crust becoming increasingly older with a more felsic bulk composition toward the east. We suggest this results from progressively smaller degrees of mantle partial melting, primary melt generation, and crustal hybridization with distance from the arc-front.

  15. Coordination chemistry of titanium (IV) in silicate glasses and melts: IV. XANES studies of synthetic and natural volcanic glasses and tektites at ambient temperature and pressure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farges, François; Brown, Gordon E.

    1997-05-01

    The coordination environment of Ti(IV) in seven natural and synthetic glasses of basaltic, trachytic, rhyolitic composition as well as four tektites has been studied using high-resolution Ti K-edge x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at ambient temperature and pressure. Pre-edge features of Ti K-edge XANES spectra for these glasses suggest that [5]Ti is the dominant Ti coordination in all volcanic glasses. However, in the less polymerized glasses studied (basaltic and trachytic), [6]Ti is also important (30-50% of the total Ti) but [4]Ti was not detected. In contrast, [4]Ti is important in the most polymerized glasses (rhyolites and tektites) (from 30 to 60% of the total Ti depending on NBO/T) with [6]Ti below the detection level (≈10 at%). The local structure around Ti in the natural volcanic glasses is similar to that observed in compositionally similar synthetic silicate glasses and also in Ti-bearing silicate glass and melts with simpler compositions. The presence of F, Cl, and H 2O does not appear to affect the coordination of Ti, based on Ti K-edge XANES measurements of natural glasses bearing these volatile components. In contrast, the presence of nonbridging oxygens (produced by network modifiers) favors [5]Ti in these glass/melts. In parallel, [4]Ti is important when nonbridging oxygens are at small concentrations (NBO/T < 0.1). [6]Ti is detected (i.e., when present >10% of the total Ti) when alkaline-earths are dominant over alkalis, in agreement with bond-valence predictions for Ti-bearing silicate glass/melts below TiO 2 saturation. The abundance of [5]Ti in these silicate glasses (and presumably their melts) is in sharp contrast with the rarity of this Ti coordination state in common rock-forming minerals. Titanium cannot readily enter the structure of most rock-forming minerals, because it is present dominantly as titanyl-bearing ( [5]TiO) units in most natural magmas. In contrast, [6]Ti and [4]Ti (present, respectively, in basic and acidic magmas) are better able to enter inosilicates, but these coordination states represent only a fraction of the Ti in basalts, explaining the usually moderate level of incompatibility of Ti during magmatic differentiation. Finally, [5]Ti transforms to [6]Ti during crystallization of Ti-rich minerals (ilmenite, rutile, pyrochlore).

  16. METHOD OF INCREASING THE DISPERSIBILITY OF SLURRY PARTICLES

    DOEpatents

    McBride, J.P.

    1959-12-15

    A method is described for increasing the dispersibility of metallic oxide particles, particularly thorium oxide, in slurries. Organo-silicon compounds, such as organosilicon halides and silicate esters, are deposited on the surface of the oxide particles. A firing step conducted at temperatures of 600 to 1200 deg C removes the organic groups leaving a surface coating of silica, which provides the desired increase in particle dispersibility.

  17. Transformation of silicate gels during heat treatment in air and in argon - Spectroscopic studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rokita, M.; Mozgawa, W.; Adamczyk, A.

    2014-07-01

    The sol-gel method offers the possibility of obtaining silicate materials with different chemical compositions. When using TEOS or other organic precursor to silica capable of hydrolysis and poly-condensation, it is possible to use inorganic or organic precursors to produce other ingredients. This paper presents results of studying two series of silicate sols with the addition of calcium, in which the molar ratio of calcium to silicon was Ca/Si = x/(100 - x), where x was, respectively, 0-40 (x = 0-control sample). The resulting gels were subjected to heat treatment, wherein the heating was carried out simultaneously in air or in argon. To study the various stages of transformation of the gels, IR spectroscopy was used as the main research method to observe gradual disappearance of bands associated with bonds typical of organic materials and formation of bands characteristic of Si-O-Si bridging bonds. Due to the amorphous or fine crystalline nature of the resulting material, as confirmed in XRD studies, the different bands on the IR spectra were characterized by large full width at half maximum, hence an attempt was made to decompose the spectra into component bands. The analytic parameters of the resulting bands warranted the conclusion that there had been structural changes caused by the varying synthesis parameters. A comparison of the sol spectra after heat treatment in air and in argon at different temperatures showed a clear decrease in the full width at half maximum in the case of bands of samples with calcium content x ⩾ 30. The resulting spectra were compared with spectra of crystalline tobermorite, quartz and pseudowollastonite, which suggested the possibility of existence of areas with quartz-like ordering in the case of materials with calcium content x ⩾ 20 for the samples heated in argon and areas with pseudowollastonite-like ordering in the case of materials with calcium content x ⩾ 10 for the samples heated in air atmosphere. The conclusions drawn on the basis of infrared spectra were confirmed by XRD - prolonged heating of gels at 700 °C allowed us to obtain fine quartz and pseudowollastonite.

  18. Organically Modified Silicas on Metal Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Organically modified silica coatings were prepared on metal nanowires using a variety of silicon alkoxides with different functional groups (i.e., carboxyl groups, polyethylene oxide, cyano, dihydroimidazole, and hexyl linkers). Organically modified silicas were deposited onto the surface of 6-μm-long, ∼300-nm-wide, cylindrical metal nanowires in suspension by the hydrolysis and polycondensation of silicon alkoxides. Syntheses were performed at several ratios of tetraethoxysilane to an organically modified silicon alkoxide to incorporate desired functional groups into thin organosilica shells on the nanowires. These coatings were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. All of the organically modified silicas prepared here were sufficiently porous to allow the removal of the metal nanowire cores by acid etching to form organically modified silica nanotubes. Additional functionality provided to the modified silicas as compared to unmodified silica prepared using only tetraethoxysilane precursors was demonstrated by chromate adsorption on imidazole-containing silicas and resistance to protein adsorption on polyethyleneoxide-containing silicas. Organically modified silica coatings on nanowires and other nano- and microparticles have potential application in fields such as biosensing or nanoscale therapeutics due to the enhanced properties of the silica coatings, for example, the prevention of biofouling. PMID:20715881

  19. 3-D-Observation of Matrix of MIL 090657 Meteorite by Absorption-Phase Tomography

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Miyama, Sugimoto; Tsuchiyama, Akira; Matsuno, Junya; Miyake, Akira; Nakano, Tsukasa; Uesugi, Kentaro; Takeuchi, Akihisa; Takigawa, Aki; Takayama, Akiko; Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko; hide

    2017-01-01

    MIL 090657 meteorite (CR2.7) is one of the least altered primitive carbonaceous c hondrites [1]. This meteorite has amorphous silicates like GEMS (glass with embedded metal and sulfide), which are characteristically contained in cometary dust, in matrix [2,3] as with the Paris meteorite [4]. Three lithologies have been recognized; lithology-1 (L 1) dominated by submicron anhydrous silicates, lithology-2 (L2) by GEMS-like amorphous silicates and lithology-3 (L3) by phyllosilicates [2]. Organic materials are abundant in L 1 and L2 [2,3]. L 1 and L2 were further divided into sub-lithology respectively based on their textures and compositions [5]. These studies were performed by 2D SEM and TEM observations of sample surfaces and thin sections that are unable to reveal what constitute each lithology and how these lithologies are distributed and related to each other. This information will provide important insights into alteration and aggregation processes on asteroids and in the early solar nebula. In this study, MIL 090657 matrix was examined in 3D using two types of X-ray tomography; DET (dual-energy tomography) [6] and SIXM (scanning-imaging X-ray microscopy) [7]. Mineral phases can be discriminated based on absorption contrasts at two different X-ray energies in DET. In SIXM, materials composed of light elements such as water or organic materials can be identified based on phase and absorption contrasts. By combining these methods, we can discriminate not only organic materials from voids but also hydrous alteration products, such as hydrated silicates and carbonates, from anhydrous minerals [8]. In this study, we first observed cross sections of MIL 090657 matrix fragments C1 00 mm) in detail using FE-SEM/ EDS. Based on the results, three house-shaped samples (3 0 -50 mm) were extracted from L 1, L2 and their boundary (H1, H3 and H5, respectively) using FIB. 3D imaging of these samples were conducted at BL47XU of SPring-8, a synchrotron radiation facility, with -30-40 nm/ voxel and - 70-80 nm/ voxel at 7keV and 8keV in DET and -100 nm/ voxel at 8keV in SIXM. We found new lithologies that we named L4, L5 and L6 in H1 and H3 in addition to L 1 and L2. L4. L5 and L6 are mainly composed of probably phyllosilicates with different Fe contents. Sulfide and framboidal magnetite were recognized in L4. L5 includes magnetite and carbonate and L6 includes anhydrous silicates having cracks inside. L 1, L2, L4 and L5 are porous while few voids were observed in L6. L4 adjoins to L 1 with boundary, which is not very distinct. L2, L5 and L6 adjoin to each other, and the boundaries of L6 with L2 and L5 are clear. In H5, coarse mineral grains C5-1 0 mm) such as Fe-metal and enstatite are present in L 1 and L2. L 1-L2 boundary is not sharp in 3 D. In conclusion, we found a variety of lithologies by 3D observation for the first time, suggesting that t he MIL 0 90657 meteorite experienced complex alteration and aggregation histories. As L2 is dominated by amorphous silicates, which are extremely susceptible to aqueous alteration, t his is p resumed to be t he most primitive lithology. The contact between L2 and phyllosilicate-bearing lithologies (L5 and L6) with clear boundaries indicates that they were aggregated after aqueous alteration of L5 and L6. The indistinct boundary between L 1 and L2 is suggesting that these two lithologies might originally be the same aggregate composed of amorphous silicates and coarse mineral grains. L 1 might have experienced weak aqueous alteration followed by mild thermal alteration [2], while L2 did not undergo aqueous alteration.

  20. In situ study at high pressure and temperature of the environment of water in hydrous Na and Ca aluminosilicate melts and coexisting aqueous fluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Le Losq, Charles; Dalou, Célia; Mysen, Bjorn O.

    2017-07-01

    The bonding and speciation of water dissolved in Na silicate and Na and Ca aluminosilicate melts were inferred from in situ Raman spectroscopy of the samples, in hydrothermal diamond anvil cells, while at crustal temperature and pressure conditions. Raman data were also acquired on Na silicate and Na and Ca aluminosilicate glasses, quenched from hydrous melts equilibrated at high temperature and pressure in a piston cylinder apparatus. In the hydrous melts, temperature strongly influences O-H stretching ν(O-H) signals, reflecting its control on the bonding of protons between different molecular complexes. Pressure and melt composition effects are much smaller and difficult to discriminate with the present data. However, the chemical composition of the melt + fluid system influences the differences between the ν(O-H) signals from the melts and the fluids and, hence, between their hydrogen partition functions. Quenching modifies the O-H stretching signals: strong hydrogen bonds form in the glasses below the glass transition temperature Tg, and this phenomenon depends on glass composition. Therefore, glasses do not necessarily record the O-H stretching signal shape in melts near Tg. The melt hydrogen partition function thus cannot be assessed with certainty using O-H stretching vibration data from glasses. From the present results, the ratio of the hydrogen partition functions of hydrous silicate melts and aqueous fluids mostly depends on temperature and the bulk melt + fluid system chemical composition. This implies that the fractionation of hydrogen isotopes between magmas and aqueous fluids in water-saturated magmatic systems with differences in temperature and bulk chemical composition will be different.

  1. Method for the production of mineral wool and iron from serpentine ore

    DOEpatents

    O'Connor, William K [Albany, OR; Rush, Gilbert E [Scio, OR; Soltau, Glen F [Lebanon, OR

    2011-10-11

    Magnesium silicate mineral wools having a relatively high liquidus temperature of at least about 1400.degree. C. and to methods for the production thereof are provided. The methods of the present invention comprise melting a magnesium silicate feedstock (e.g., comprising a serpentine or olivine ore) having a liquidus temperature of at least about 1400.degree. C. to form a molten magnesium silicate, and subsequently fiberizing the molten magnesium silicate to produce a magnesium silicate mineral wool. In one embodiment, the magnesium silicate feedstock contains iron oxide (e.g., up to about 12% by weight). Preferably, the melting is performed in the presence of a reducing agent to produce an iron alloy, which can be separated from the molten ore. Useful magnesium silicate feedstocks include, without limitation, serpentine and olivine ores. Optionally, silicon dioxide can be added to the feedstock to lower the liquidus temperature thereof.

  2. Mineralogical Characterization of Fe-Bearing AGB and Supernova Silicate Grains From the Queen Alexandra Range 99177 Meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Keller, L. P.; Messenger, S.; Rahman, Z.

    2017-01-01

    Spectroscopic observations of the circumstellar envelopes of evolved O-rich stars indicate the dust is mostly amorphous silicate with olivine-like compositions. Spectral modeling suggests these grains are Fe-rich [Mg/(Mg+Fe) 0.5], but it is not known whether the Fe is distributed within the silicate matrix or exists as metal inclusions. In contrast, the crystalline silicates are inferred to be extremely Mg-rich [Mg/(Mg+Fe) > 0.95]. The mineralogies and chemical compositions of dust in supernova (SN) remnants are not as well constrained, but abundant silicates of olivine-like and enstatite-like compositions have been fit to the infrared emission features. Silicates in the interstellar medium (ISM) are >99% amor-phous and Fe-bearing. The dearth of crystalline silicates in the ISM requires that some amorphization or destruction mechanisms process these grains.

  3. IN SITU INFRARED MEASUREMENTS OF FREE-FLYING SILICATE DURING CONDENSATION IN THE LABORATORY

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

    Ishizuka, Shinnosuke; Kimura, Yuki; Sakon, Itsuki

    2015-04-20

    We developed a new experimental system for infrared (IR) measurements on free-flying nucleating nanoparticles in situ and applied it to studies on silicate particles. We monitored the condensation of magnesium-bearing silicate nanoparticles from thermally evaporated magnesium and silicon monoxide vapor under an atmosphere of oxygen and argon. The IR spectrum of newly condensed particles showed a spectral feature for non-crystalline magnesium-bearing silicate that is remarkably consistent with the IR spectrum of astronomically observed non-crystalline silicate around oxygen-rich evolved stars. The silicate crystallized at <500 K and eventually developed a high crystallinity. Because of the size effects of nanoparticles, the silicatemore » would be expected to be like a liquid at least during the initial stages of nucleation and growth. Our experimental results therefore suggest decreasing the possible formation temperature of crystalline silicates in dust formation environments with relatively higher pressure.« less

  4. Rice husks as a sustainable silica source for hierarchical flower-like metal silicate architectures assembled into ultrathin nanosheets for adsorption and catalysis.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shouwei; Gao, Huihui; Li, Jiaxing; Huang, Yongshun; Alsaedi, Ahmed; Hayat, Tasawar; Xu, Xijin; Wang, Xiangke

    2017-01-05

    Metal silicates have attracted extensive interests due to their unique structure and promising properties in adsorption and catalysis. However, their applications were hampered by the complex and expensive synthesis. In this paper, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical flower-like metal silicate, including magnesium silicate, zinc silicate, nickel silicate and cobalt silicate, were for the first time prepared by using rice husks as a sustainable silicon source. The flower-like morphology, interconnected ultrathin nanosheets structure and high specific surface area endowed them with versatile applications. Magnesium silicate was used as an adsorbent with the maximum adsorption capacities of 557.9, 381.3, and 482.8mg/g for Pb 2+ , tetracycline (TC), and UO 2 2+ , respectively. Ni nanoparticles/silica (Ni NPs/SiO 2 ) exhibited high catalytic activity and good stability for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction within only ∼160s, which can be attributed to the ultra-small particle size (∼6.8nm), good dispersion and high loading capacity of Ni NPs. Considering the abundance and renewability of rice husks, metal silicate with complex architecture can be easily produced at a large scale and become a sustainable and reliable resource for multifunctional applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. A comparative study of the continuum and emission characteristics of comet dust. 1: Are the silicates in Comet Halley and Kohoutek amorphous or crystalline

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nansheng, Zhao; Greenberg, J. Mayo; Hage, J. I.

    1989-01-01

    A continuum emission was subtracted from the 10 micron emission observed towards comets Halley and Kohoutek. The 10 micron excess emissions were compared with BN absorption and laboratory amorphous silicates. The results show that cometary silicates are predominantly amorphous which is consistent with the interstellar dust model of comets. It is concluded that cometary silicates are predominantly similar to interstellar silicates. For a periodic comet like Comet Halley, it is to be expected that some of the silicate may have been heated enough to convert to crystalline form. But apparently, this is only a small fraction of the total. A comparison of Comet Halley silicates with a combination of the crystalline forms observed in interplanetary dust particles (IPDs) seemed reasonable at first sight (Walker 1988, Brownlee 1988). But, if true, it would imply that the total silicate mass in Comet Halley dust is lower than that given by mass spectrometry data of Kissel and Krueger (1987). They estimated m sub org/m sub sil = 0.5 while using crystalline silicate to produce the 10 micron emission would give m sub org/m sub sil = 5 (Greenberg et al. 1988). This is a factor of 10 too high.

  6. Calcium silicate-based drug delivery systems.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Ying-Jie; Guo, Xiao-Xuan; Sham, Tsun-Kong

    2017-02-01

    Compared with other inorganic materials such as silica, metal oxides, noble metals and carbon, calcium silicate-based materials, especially nanostructured calcium silicate materials, have high biocompatibility, bioactivity and biodegradability, high specific surface area, nanoporous/hollow structure, high drug-loading capacity, pH-responsive drug release behavior and desirable drug release properties, and thus they are promising for the application in drug delivery. Calcium silicate-based drug delivery systems have a long drug-release time, which can significantly prolong the therapeutic effect of drugs. Another advantage of calcium silicate-based drug delivery systems is their pH-responsive drug release property, which can act as an ideal platform for targeted drug delivery. Areas covered: In recent years, studies have been carried out on calcium silicate-based drug delivery systems, and important results and insights have been documented. This article is not intended to offer a comprehensive review on the research on calcium silicate-based drug delivery systems, but presents some examples reported in the literature, and includes new insights obtained by tracking the interactions between drug molecules and calcium silicate carriers on the molecular level using the synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy. Expert opinion: Finally, our opinions on calcium silicate-based drug delivery systems are provided, and several research directions for the future studies are proposed.

  7. Cluster self-organization of inorganic crystal-forming systems: Templated nanocluster precursors and self-assembly of framework MT structures of A/B,Zr silicates (A = Na, K; B = Ca, Sr)

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

    Ilyushin, G. D., E-mail: ilyushin@ns.crys.ras.ru

    The basic concepts that are used to describe crystallization as a phenomenon of the hierarchical (cluster) self-organization of a chemical system are considered. The templation of theoretically possible nan-ocluster precursors composed of M octahedra and T tetrahedra by atoms of (A) alkaline and (B) alkaline earth metals is considered for the first time. A relationship between the A/B,M,T composition of templated nanocluster precursors with the composition of A/B,M silicates is established. The model that is developed is used to search for nanocluster precursors in framework MT structures of A/B,Zr silicates. Computer methods (TOPOS 4.0 program package) were used to performmore » complete 3D reconstruction of the self-assembly of all (four) structural types of A/B,Zr silicates (A = Na, K; B = Ca, Sr) with frameworks of the MT{sub 2}O{sub 7} type: nan-ocluster precursor S{sub 3}{sup 0}-primary chain S{sub 3}{sup 1}-microlayer S{sub 3}{sup 2}-microframework S{sub 3}{sup 3}. The invariant type of mono-cyclic nanocluster precursor M{sub 2}T{sub 4} (with the point symmetries 1-bar and 2), stabilized by one or two template cations (A and B), is determined. Bifurcations of the paths of evolution at the S{sub 3}{sup 1} level (structural branching point) are established for the self-assembly of the following frameworks: MT-1 in CaZrSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (gittinsite, C2), MT-2 in SrZrSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (P2{sub 1}/c); MT-3 in Na{sub 2}ZrSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (parakeldyshite,), K{sub 2}ZrSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (khibinskite, P2{sub 1}/b), and K{sub 2}ZrGe{sub 2}O{sub 7} (C2/c); and MT-4 in Na{sub 2}ZrSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (H{sub 2}O)(C2/c), Na{sub 3}ScSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (Pbnm), and K{sub 3}ScSi{sub 2}O{sub 7} (P6{sub 3}/mmc).« less

  8. Optical Spectroscopy of Stardust Samples

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, Lindsay P.

    2006-01-01

    The Stardust spacecraft collected dust samples of the Kuiper belt comet 81P Wild-2 in aerogel and returned them to Earth January 15, 2006. Preliminary examination (PE) of the collected dust includes teams focused on mineralogy, chemical composition, isotopic measurements, organic analysis, cratering and spectroscopic properties. The main PE science goals are to provide an initial characterization of the returned samples with an emphasis on the capture process and its effects on the samples, a comparison of Stardust samples to other meteoritic materials, and the abundance of presolar materials in the Stardust samples. The science objectives of the Spectroscopy team are to obtain spectroscopic data on Stardust particles through infrared (IR), UV/Vis and Raman measurements of particles in aerogel, extracted particles, keystones, and microtome thin sections. These data will be used to answer fundamental science questions about the nature of the samples, but will also serve as preliminary mineralogical data to guide follow-on measurements that will be performed in the other preliminary examination teams. The IR characteristics of Stardust particles are measured to determine: 1) the nature of the indigenous 3.4 micron organic feature, is it detected and can it be differentiated/deconvolved from the contaminated aerogel? How does it compare to features observed in interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and to astronomical measurements of comets and interstellar dust? 2) the shape and fine structure within the 10 micron silicate feature. Overlap with the strong Si-O stretching vibration from the aerogel complicates this analysis, but we hope to determine if the feature is dominated by amorphous silicates such as those observed in IDPs and comets and whether or not crystalline silicates (e.g. olivine, pyroxene, clays) are present, 3) the presence of secondary (alteration) phases. Deep Impact results suggest that IR observations of Stardust particles should be evaluated for the presence of hydrated materials (water bands at 3 and 6 microns) and carbonates (6.8 microns and other resonances) and 4) the detection of crystalline features in the far-IR (20-100 microns) region where crystalline silicates and other minerals have strong bands that can be used both for phase analysis and phase chemistry. It has been demonstrated that these far-IR measurements can be obtained in situ on particles in aerogel keystones.

  9. Wind driven saltation: a hitherto overlooked challenge for life on Mars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bak, Ebbe; Goul, Michael; Rasmussen, Martin; Moeller, Ralf; Nørnberg, Per; Knak Jensen, Svend; Finster, Kai

    2017-04-01

    The Martian surface is a hostile environment characterized by low water availability, low atmospheric pressure and high UV and ionizing radiation. Furthermore, wind-driven saltation leads to abrasion of silicates with a production of reactive surface sites and, through triboelectric charging, a release of electrical discharges with a concomitant production of reactive oxygen species. While the effects of low water availability, low pressure and radiation have been extensively studied in relation to the habitability of the Martian surface and the preservation of organic biosignatures, the effects of wind-driven saltation have hitherto been ignored. In this study, we have investigated the effect of exposing bacteria to wind-abraded silicates and directly to wind-driven saltation on Mars in controlled laboratory simulation experiments. Wind-driven saltation was simulated by tumbling mineral samples in a Mars-like atmosphere in sealed quartz ampoules. The effects on bacterial survival and structure were evaluated by colony forming unit counts in combination with scanning electron microscopy, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and life/dead-staining with flow cytometry. The viability of vegetative cells of P. putida, B. subtilis and D. radiodurans in aqueous suspensions was reduced by more than 99% by exposure to abraded basalt, while the viability of B. subtilis endospores was unaffected. B. subtilis mutants lacking different spore components were likewise highly resistant to the exposure to abraded basalt, which indicates that the resistance of spores is not associated with any specific spore component. We found a significant but reduced effect of abraded quartz and we suggest that the stress effect of abraded silicates is induced by a production of reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radicals produced by Fenton-like reactions in the presence of transition metals. Direct exposure to simulated saltation had a dramatic effect on both D. radiodurans cells and B. subtilis spore with a more than 99.9% decrease in survival after 17 days. The high susceptibility of the usually multi-resistant D. radiodurans cells and B. sublitis spores to the effects of wind-driven saltation indicates that wind abraded silicates as well as direct exposure to saltation represent a considerable stress for microorganisms at the Martian surface, which may have limited the chance of indigenous life, could limit the risk of forward contamination and may have degraded potential organic biosignatures.

  10. The Middle and Upper Eocene sections of the Omsk trough, West Siberian Platform: Palynological, stratigraphic, hydrologic, and climatic aspects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zaporozhets, N. I.; Akhmetiev, M. A.

    2013-01-01

    The thorough analysis and correlation of Middle-Upper Eocene sections in the Omsk trough (southern West Siberian Platform) recovered by Borehole 9 in its axial part near the Chistoozernoe Settlement (Novosibirsk region) and Borehole 8 on the southern limb near the Russkaya Polyana Settlement (southern Omsk region) revealed hiatuses at the base and top of the Russkaya Polyana Beds, a lithostratigraphic unit defined in the Lyulinvor Formation based on its substantially fine-grained composition and poor siliceous microplankton fossil remains. The overlying Tavda Formation (Middle-Upper Eocene) is traditionally accepted to consist of two subformations. The last formation was deposited in the West Siberian inner sea isolated from the Arctic basin. Particular attention is paid to eustatic sea level fluctuation especially during the period marked by accumulation of Azolla Beds under considerable desalination of surface waters in the basin. The curve of variations in the open sea factor based on the quantitative ratio between organic-walled phytoplankton fossils and higher plant palynomorphs is correlated with the modified version of the wellknown Vail curve. It is established that the West Siberian sea level experienced a brief rise in the terminal late Eocene prior to its complete desiccation at the Eocene-Oligocene transition because of global regression in response to glaciation in Antarctica.

  11. Multiple Routes to Smart Nanostructured Materials from Diatom Microalgae: A Chemical Perspective.

    PubMed

    Ragni, Roberta; Cicco, Stefania R; Vona, Danilo; Farinola, Gianluca M

    2018-05-01

    Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic microalgae, ubiquitously diffused in both marine and freshwater environments, which exist worldwide with more than 100 000 species, each with different morphologies and dimensions, but typically ranging from 10 to 200 µm. A special feature of diatoms is their production of siliceous micro- to nanoporous cell walls, the frustules, whose hierarchical organization of silica layers produces extraordinarily intricate pore patterns. Due to the high surface area, mechanical resistance, unique optical features, and biocompatibility, a number of applications of diatom frustules have been investigated in photonics, sensing, optoelectronics, biomedicine, and energy conversion and storage. Current progress in diatom-based nanotechnology relies primarily on the availability of various strategies to isolate frustules, retaining their morphological features, and modify their chemical composition for applications that are not restricted to those of the bare biosilica produced by diatoms. Chemical or biological methods that decorate, integrate, convert, or mimic diatoms' biosilica shells while preserving their structural features represent powerful tools in developing scalable, low-cost routes to a wide variety of nanostructured smart materials. Here, the different approaches to chemical modification as the basis for the description of applications relating to the different materials thus obtained are presented. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Measurement of the efficacy of calcium silicate for the protection and repair of dental enamel.

    PubMed

    Parker, Alexander S; Patel, Anisha N; Al Botros, Rehab; Snowden, Michael E; McKelvey, Kim; Unwin, Patrick R; Ashcroft, Alexander T; Carvell, Mel; Joiner, Andrew; Peruffo, Massimo

    2014-06-01

    To investigate the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) from calcium silicate and the deposition of calcium silicate onto sound and acid eroded enamel surfaces in order to investigate its repair and protective properties. Calcium silicate was mixed with phosphate buffer for seven days and the resulting solids analysed for crystalline phases by Raman spectroscopy. Deposition studies were conducted on bovine enamel surfaces. Acid etched regions were produced on the enamel surfaces using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) with acid filled pipettes and varying contact times. Following treatment with calcium silicate, the deposition was visualised with FE-SEM and etch pit volumes were measured by AFM. A second set of bovine enamel specimens were pre-treated with calcium silicate and fluoride, before acid exposure with the SECCM. The volumes of the resultant acid etched pits were measured using AFM and the intrinsic rate constant for calcium loss was calculated. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that HAP was formed from calcium silicate. Deposition studies demonstrated greater delivery of calcium silicate to acid eroded than sound enamel and that the volume of acid etched enamel pits was significantly reduced following one treatment (p<0.05). In the protection study, the intrinsic rate constant for calcium loss from enamel was 0.092 ± 0.008 cm/s. This was significantly reduced, 0.056 ± 0.005 cm/s, for the calcium silicate treatments (p<0.0001). Calcium silicate can transform into HAP and can be deposited on acid eroded and sound enamel surfaces. Calcium silicate can provide significant protection of sound enamel from acid challenges. Calcium silicate is a material that has potential for a new approach to the repair of demineralised enamel and the protection of enamel from acid attacks, leading to significant dental hard tissue benefits. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Upgrading of recycled plastics obtained from flexible packaging waste by adding nanosilicates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garofalo, E.; Claro, M.; Scarfato, P.; Di Maio, L.; Incarnato, L.

    2015-12-01

    Currently, the growing consumption of polymer products creates large quantities of waste materials resulting in public concern in the environment and people life. The efficient treatment of polymer wastes is still a difficult challenge and the recycling process represents the best way to manage them. Recently, many researchers have tried to develop nanotechnology for polymer recycling. The products prepared through the addition of nanoparticles to post-used plastics could offer the combination of improved properties, low weight, easy of processing and low cost which is not easily and concurrently found by other methods of plastic recycling. In this study materials, obtained by the separation and mechanical recycling of post-consumer packaging films of small size (

  14. Predicting the Sources and Formation Mechanisms of Evolved Lunar Crust by Linking K/Ca Ratios of Lunar Granites to Analogous Terrestrial Igneous Rocks

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mills, R. D.; Simon, J. I.

    2012-01-01

    Although silicic rocks (i.e. granites and rhyolites) comprise a minor component of the sampled portion of the lunar crust, recent remote sensing studies [e.g., 1-4] indicate that several un-sampled regions of the Moon have significantly higher concentrations of silicic material (also high in [K], [U], and [Th]) than sampled regions. Within these areas are morphological features that are best explained by the existence of chemically evolved volcanic rocks. Observations of silicic domes [e.g., 1-5] suggest that sizable networks of silicic melt were present during crust formation. Isotopic data indicate that silicic melts were generated over a prolonged timespan from 4.3 to 3.9 Ga [e.g., 6-8]. The protracted age range and broad distribution of silicic rocks on the Moon indicate that their petrogenesis was an important mechanism for secondary crust formation. Understanding the origin and evolution of such silicic magmas is critical to determining the composition of the lunar crustal highlands and will help to distinguish between opposing ideas for the Moon's bulk composition and differentiation. The two main hypotheses for generating silicic melts on Earth are fractional crystallization or partial melting. On the Moon silicic melts are thought to have been generated during extreme fractional crystallization involving end-stage silicate liquid immiscibility (SLI) [e.g. 9, 10]. However, SLI cannot account for the production of significant volumes of silicic melt and its wide distribution, as reported by the remote global surveys [1, 2, 3]. In addition, experimental and natural products of SLI show that U and Th, which are abundant in the lunar granites and seen in the remote sensing data of the domes, are preferentially partitioned into the depolymerized ferrobasaltic magma and not the silicic portion [11, 12]. If SLI is not the mechanism that generated silicic magmas on the Moon then alternative processes such as fractional crystallization (only crystal-liquid separation) or partial melting should be considered as viable possibilities to be tested.

  15. Redox systematics of a magma ocean with variable pressure-temperature gradients and composition.

    PubMed

    Righter, K; Ghiorso, M S

    2012-07-24

    Oxygen fugacity in metal-bearing systems controls some fundamental aspects of the geochemistry of the early Earth, such as the FeO and siderophile trace element content of the mantle, volatile species that influence atmospheric composition, and conditions for organic compounds synthesis. Redox and metal-silicate equilibria in the early Earth are sensitive to oxygen fugacity (fO(2)), yet are poorly constrained in modeling and experimentation. High pressure and temperature experimentation and modeling in metal-silicate systems usually employs an approximation approach for estimating fO(2) that is based on the ratio of Fe and FeO [called "ΔIW (ratio)" hereafter]. We present a new approach that utilizes free energy and activity modeling of the equilibrium: Fe + SiO(2) + O(2) = Fe(2)SiO(4) to calculate absolute fO(2) and relative to the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer at pressure and temperature [ΔIW (P,T)]. This equilibrium is considered across a wide range of pressures and temperatures, including up to the liquidus temperature of peridotite (4,000 K at 50 GPa). Application of ΔIW (ratio) to metal-silicate experiments can be three or four orders of magnitude different from ΔIW (P,T) values calculated using free energy and activity modeling. We will also use this approach to consider the variation in oxygen fugacity in a magma ocean scenario for various thermal structures for the early Earth: hot liquidus gradient, 100 °C below the liquidus, hot and cool adiabatic gradients, and a cool subsolidus adiabat. The results are used to assess the effect of increasing P and T, changing silicate composition during accretion, and related to current models for accretion and core formation in the Earth. The fO(2) in a deep magma ocean scenario may become lower relative to the IW buffer at hotter and deeper conditions, which could include metal entrainment scenarios. Therefore, fO(2) may evolve from high to low fO(2) during Earth (and other differentiated bodies) accretion. Any modeling of core formation and metal-silicate equilibrium should take these effects into account.

  16. Final report on the safety assessment of potassium silicate, sodium metasilicate, and sodium silicate.

    PubMed

    Elmore, Amy R

    2005-01-01

    Potassium Silicate, Sodium Metasilicate, and Sodium Silicate combine metal cations with silica to form inorganic salts used as corrosion inhibitors in cosmetics. Sodium Metasilicate also functions as a chelating agent and Sodium Silicate as a buffering and pH adjuster. Sodium Metasilicate is currently used in 168 formulations at concentrations ranging from 13% to 18%. Sodium Silicate is currently used in 24 formulations at concentrations ranging from 0.3% to 55%. Potassium Silicate and Sodium Silicate have been reported as being used in industrial cleaners and detergents. Sodium Metasilicate is a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) food ingredient. Aqueous solutions of Sodium Silicate species are a part of a chemical continuum of silicates based on an equilibrium of alkali, water, and silica. pH determines the solubility of silica and, together with concentration, determines the degree of polymerization. Sodium Silicate administered orally is readily absorbed from the alimentary canal and excreted in the urine. The toxicity of these silicates has been related to the molar ratio of SiO2/Na2O and the concentration being used. The Sodium Metasilicate acute oral LD50 ranged from 847 mg/kg in male rats to 1349.3 mg/kg in female rats and from 770 mg/kg in female mice to 820 mg/kg in male mice. Gross lesions of variable severity were found in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, larynx, lungs, and kidneys of dogs receiving 0.25 g/kg or more of a commercial detergent containing Sodium Metasilicate; similar lesions were also seen in pigs administered the same detergent and dose. Male rats orally administered 464 mg/kg of a 20% solution containing either 2.0 or 2.4 to 1.0 ratio of sodium oxide showed no signs of toxicity, whereas doses of 1000 and 2150 mg/kg produced gasping, dypsnea, and acute depression. Dogs fed 2.4 g/kg/day of Sodium Silicate for 4 weeks had gross renal lesions but no impairment of renal function. Dermal irritation of Potassium Silicate, Sodium Metasilicate, and Sodium Silicate ranged from negligible to severe, depending on the species tested and the molar ratio and concentration tested. Sodium Metasilicate was negative in the local lymph node assay (LLNA), but a delayed-type hypersensitivity response was observed in mice. Potassium Silicate was nonirritating in two acute eye irritation studies in rabbits. Sodium Metasilicate (42.4% H2O) was corrosive to the rabbit eye. Sodium Silicate was a severe eye irritant in some eye irritation studies, but was irritating or nonirritating in others. A skin freshener containing Sodium Silicate was nonirritating. Sodium Metasilicate was nonmutagenic in bacterial cells. Rats given Sodium Silicate (600 and 1200 ppm of added silica) in the drinking water in reproductive studies produced a reduced number of offspring: to 67% of controls at 600 ppm and to 80% of controls at 1200 ppm. Three adult rats injected intratesticularly and subcutaneously with 0.8 mM/kg of Sodium Silicate showed no morphological changes in the testes and no effect on the residual spermatozoa in the ductus deferens. Sodium Metasilicate (37% in a detergent) mixed with water was a severe skin irritant when tested on intact and abraded human skin, but 6%, 7%, and 13% Sodium Silicate were negligible skin irritants to intact and abraded human skin. Sodium Silicate (10% of a 40% aqueous solution) was negative in a repeat-insult predictive patch test in humans. The same aqueous solution of Sodium Silicate was considered a mild irritant under normal use conditions in a study of cumulative irritant properties. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel recognized the irritation potential of these ingredients, especially in leave-on products. However, because these ingredients have limited dermal absorption and Sodium Metasilicate is a GRAS direct food substance, the Panel deemed the ingredients safe for use in cosmetic products in the practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment, when formulated to avoid irritation.

  17. 40 CFR 180.1268 - Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Potassium silicate; exemption from the... Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1268 Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. Potassium silicate is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance in or on all food commodities so long as...

  18. 40 CFR 180.1268 - Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Potassium silicate; exemption from the... Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1268 Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. Potassium silicate is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance in or on all food commodities so long as...

  19. 40 CFR 180.1268 - Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Potassium silicate; exemption from the... Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1268 Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. Potassium silicate is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance in or on all food commodities so long as...

  20. 40 CFR 180.1268 - Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Potassium silicate; exemption from the... Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1268 Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. Potassium silicate is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance in or on all food commodities so long as...

  1. 40 CFR 180.1268 - Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Potassium silicate; exemption from the... Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1268 Potassium silicate; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. Potassium silicate is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance in or on all food commodities so long as...

  2. Soft X-Ray Irradiation of Silicates: Implications for Dust Evolution in Protoplanetary Disks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ciaravella, A.; Cecchi-Pestellini, C.; Chen, Y.-J.; Muñoz Caro, G. M.; Huang, C.-H.; Jiménez-Escobar, A.; Venezia, A. M.

    2016-09-01

    The processing of energetic photons on bare silicate grains was simulated experimentally on silicate films submitted to soft X-rays of energies up to 1.25 keV. The silicate material was prepared by means of a microwave assisted sol-gel technique. Its chemical composition reflects the Mg2SiO4 stoichiometry with residual impurities due to the synthesis method. The experiments were performed using the spherical grating monochromator beamline at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center in Taiwan. We found that soft X-ray irradiation induces structural changes that can be interpreted as an amorphization of the processed silicate material. The present results may have relevant implications in the evolution of silicate materials in X-ray-irradiated protoplanetary disks.

  3. Interstellar Grains: 50 Years On

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wickramasinghe, N. Chandra

    2011-12-01

    Our understanding of the nature of interstellar grains has evolved considerably over the past half century with the present author and Fred Hoyle being intimately involved at several key stages of progress. The currently fashionable graphite-silicate-organic grain model has all its essential aspects unequivocally traceable to original peer-reviewedpublicationsbytheauthorand/orFredHoyle. Theprevailingreluctancetoaccepttheseclear-cut priorities may be linked to our further work that argued for interstellar grains and organics to have a biological provenance - a position perceived as heretical. The biological model, however, continues to provide a powerful unifying hypothesis for a vast amount of otherwise disconnected and disparate astronomical data.

  4. The composition and structure of planetary rings

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burns, J. A.

    1985-01-01

    The properties of planetary ring systems are summarized herein; emphasis is given to the available evidence on their compositions and to their dynamical attributes. Somewhat contaminated water ice makes up the vast expanse of Saturn's rings. Modified methane ice may comprise Uranus' rings while silicates are the likely material of the Jovian ring. Saturn's rings form an elaborate system whose characteristics are still being documented and whose nature is being unravelled following the Voyager flybys. Uranus' nine narrow bands display an intriguing dynamical structure thought to be caused by unseen shephard satellites. Jupiter's ring system is a mere wisp, probably derived as ejecta off hidden parent bodies.

  5. Interstellar organic matter in meteorites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yang, J.; Epstein, S.

    1983-01-01

    Deuterium-enriched hydrogen is present in organic matter in such meteorites as noncarbonaceous chondrites. The majority of the unequilibrated primitive meteorites contain hydrogen whose D/H ratios are greater than 0.0003, requiring enrichment (relative to cosmic hydrogen) by isotope exchange reactions taking place below 150 K. The D/H values presented are the lower limits for the organic compounds derived from interstellar molecules, since all processes subsequent to their formation, including terrestrial contamination, decrease their D/H ratios. In contrast, the D/H ratios of hydrogen associated with hydrated silicates are relatively uniform for the meteorites analyzed. The C-13/C-12 ratios of organic matter, irrespective of D/H ratio, lie well within those observed for the earth. Present findings suggest that other interstellar material, in addition to organic matter, is preserved and is present in high D/H ratio meteorites.

  6. Formation and Evolution of the Continental Lithospheric Mantle: Perspectives From Radiogenic Isotopes of Silicate and Sulfide Inclusions in Macrodiamonds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shirey, S. B.; Richardson, S. H.

    2007-12-01

    Silicate and sulfide inclusions that occur in diamonds comprise the oldest (>3 Ga), deepest (>140 km) samples of mantle-derived minerals available for study. Their relevance to the evolution of the continental lithosphere is clear because terrestrial macrodiamonds are confined to regions of the Earth with continental lithospheric mantle keels. The goals of analytical work on inclusions in diamond are to obtain paragenesis constraints, radiogenic ages, and initial isotopic compositions. The purpose is to place diamond formation episodes into the broader framework of the geological processes that create and modify the continental lithosphere and to relate the source of the C and N in diamond-forming fluids to understanding the Earth's C and N cycles in the Archean. Although sulfide and silicate inclusions rarely occur in the same diamond, they both can be grouped according to their geochemical similarity with the chief rock types that comprise the mantle keel: peridotite and eclogite. Silicate inclusions are classified as harzburgitic (depleted; olivine > Fo91, garnet Cr2O3 > 3 wt% and CaO from 0 to 5 wt%), lherzolitic (fertile), or eclogitic (basaltic; garnet Cr2O3 < 2 wt% and CaO from 3 to 15 wt%, clinopyroxene with higher Na2O, Al2O3, and FeO); they are amenable for trace element study by SIMS and for Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr analysis by conventional P-TIMS after grouping by mineralogical similarity. Sulfide inclusions (chiefly FeS with lesser Ni, Cu, and Co) are classified as peridotitic (Ni > 14 wt%; Os > 2 ppm) versus eclogitic (Ni < 10 wt%; Os < 200 ppb); single sulfides are amenable for S isotopic study by SIMS or TIMS, and Re-Os analysis by N-TIMS. Work on inclusions in diamonds depends on the distribution of mined, diamond-bearing kimberlites, and the generosity of mining companies because of the extreme rarity of inclusions in suites of mostly gem-quality diamonds. Most isotopic work has been on the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe craton with lesser work on the Slave, Siberian, and Australian cratons. Sm-Nd ages on silicate suites and Re-Os ages on sulfide suites confirm diamond formation from the Mesoarchean though the Neoproterozoic. Most important are the systematics across cratons in the context of crustal geology that lead to generalities about craton evolution. Inclusion suites date mantle keels as Mesoarchean and clearly point to subduction as the major process to form the earliest continental nuclei and to amalgamate the cratons in their present form. This is evident from the elevated initial Os isotopic compositions in 3.5 Ga Slave (Panda) and 2.9 Ga Kaapvaal (Kimberley) sulfides, the low Sm/Nd and elevated initial Sr isotopic compositions of 3.4 Ga Kaapvaal (Kimberley) harzburgitic garnets, the preponderance of 2.9 Ga eclogitic sulfides in every western Kaapvaal craton locality, and the occurrence of surficial, volcanogenic S in Kaapvaal (Orapa) sulfides. The continental lithosphere was accessible to melts and fluids from the asthenosphere throughout the Proterozoic as evident from silicate and sulfide inclusion suites of 0.9 to 2.0 Ga age in every locality studied in the Kaapvaal craton. The correspondence of silicate inclusion type with current seismic velocity structure of the Kaapvaal mantle keel shows that its structure is at least Bushveld age (2 Ga) and due to compositional differences. Seismic velocity structures of continental mantle keels may be more a function of their geologic history than current temperature distribution.

  7. FE and MG Isotopic Analyses of Isotopically Unusual Presolar Silicate Grains

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Messenger, S.; Ito, M.; Rahman, Z.

    2011-01-01

    Interstellar and circumstellar silicate grains are thought to be Mg-rich and Fe-poor, based on astronomical observations and equilibrium condensation models of silicate dust formation in stellar outflows. On the other hand, presolar silicates isolated from meteorites have surprisingly high Fe contents and few Mg-rich grains are observed. The high Fe contents in meteoritic presolar silicates may indicate they formed by a non-equilibrium condensation process. Alternatively, the Fe in the stardust grains could have been acquired during parent body alteration. The origin of Fe in presolar silicates may be deduced from its isotopic composition. Thus far, Fe isotopic measurements of presolar silicates are limited to the Fe-54/Fe-56 ratios of 14 grains. Only two slight anomalies (albeit solar within error) were observed. However, these measurements suffered from contamination of Fe from the adjacent meteorite matrix, which diluted any isotopic anomalies. We have isolated four presolar silicates having unusual O isotopic compositions by focused ion beam (FIB) milling and obtained their undiluted Mg and Fe isotopic compositions. These compositions help to identify the grains stellar sources and to determine the source of Fe in the grains.

  8. Mineralogical Studies of a Highly O-17-Depleted and an O-17-Rich Presolar Grain from the Acfer 094 Meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Keller, L. P.; Rahman, Z.; Messenger, S.

    2012-01-01

    Silicate grains are the most abundant condensate around O-rich evolved stars, including red giants, supernovae (SNe) and binary systems. These grains have been identified in abundance in primitive meteorites and interplanetary dust particles [1,2]. Astronomical observations of the silicate spectroscopic features around circumstellar disks indicate that most silicates are amorphous olivine-like grains, though some sources show a large crystalline portion [3]. Fewer astronomical observations of SN and nova silicates exist, but amorphous Mg-rich grains predominate [4,5]. The laboratory analysis of presolar silicates by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers more details on the structure and chemistry of individual grains. These studies provide information on the physical and chemical conditions of the parent stellar atmosphere during grain condensation. Moreover, be-cause silicates are susceptible to secondary alteration, processing events succeeding condensation can be traced. Thus far, similar microstructures have been observed for silicates that condensed in SN outflows and in the envelopes of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, but not as many of the comparatively rare SN grains have been analyzed. Here we examine the mineralogies of two presolar silicate grains having different origins.

  9. Cooked GEMS - Insights into the Hot Origins of Crystalline Silicates in Circumstellar Disks and the Cold Origins of GEMS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brownlee, D. E.; Joswiak, D. J.; Bradley, J. P.; Matrajt, G.; Wooden, D. H.

    2005-01-01

    The comparison of interstellar, circumstellar and primitive solar nebula silicates has led to a significant conundrum in the understanding of the nature of solid materials that begin the planet forming processes. Crystalline silicates are found in circumstellar regions around young stars and also evolved stars ejecting particles into the interstellar medium (ISM) but they are not seen in the interstellar medium itself, the source material for star and planet formation. Crystalline silicates are minor to major components of all known early solar system materials that have been examined as meteorites or interplanetary dust samples. The strong presence of Mg-rich crystalline silicates in Oort cloud comets and their minor presence in some Kuiper belt comets is also indicated by 11.2 m peak in approx. 10 microns "silicate" infrared feature. This evidence strongly indicates that Mg-rich crystalline silicates were abundant components of the solar nebula disk out to at least 10 AU, and present out to 30 AU.

  10. Battery components employing a silicate binder

    DOEpatents

    Delnick, Frank M [Albuquerque, NM; Reinhardt, Frederick W [Albuquerque, NM; Odinek, Judy G [Rio Rancho, NM

    2011-05-24

    A battery component structure employing inorganic-silicate binders. In some embodiments, casting or coating of components may be performed using aqueous slurries of silicates and electrode materials or separator materials.

  11. SOFT X-RAY IRRADIATION OF SILICATES: IMPLICATIONS FOR DUST EVOLUTION IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS

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

    Ciaravella, A.; Cecchi-Pestellini, C.; Jiménez-Escobar, A.

    2016-09-01

    The processing of energetic photons on bare silicate grains was simulated experimentally on silicate films submitted to soft X-rays of energies up to 1.25 keV. The silicate material was prepared by means of a microwave assisted sol–gel technique. Its chemical composition reflects the Mg{sub 2}SiO{sub 4} stoichiometry with residual impurities due to the synthesis method. The experiments were performed using the spherical grating monochromator beamline at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center in Taiwan. We found that soft X-ray irradiation induces structural changes that can be interpreted as an amorphization of the processed silicate material. The present results may havemore » relevant implications in the evolution of silicate materials in X-ray-irradiated protoplanetary disks.« less

  12. Identification of an Extremely 180-Rich Presolar Silicate Grain in Acfer 094

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Messenger, S.

    2009-01-01

    Presolar silicate grains have been abundantly identified since their first discovery less than a decade ago [1,2,3]. The O isotopic compositions of both silicate and oxide stardust indicate the vast majority (>90%) condensed around Orich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Though both presolar phases have average sizes of 300 nm, grains larger than 1 m are extremely uncommon for presolar silicates. Thus, while numerous isotopic systems have been measured in presolar oxide grains [4], very few isotopic analyses for presolar silicates exist outside of O and Si [2,5]. And still, these measurements suffer from isotopic dilution with surrounding matrix material [6]. We conduct a search for presolar silicates in the primitive carbonaceous chondrite Acfer 094 and in some cases obtain high spatial resolution, high precision isotopic ratios.

  13. JPRS Report, Science & Technology USSR: Chemistry

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-08-12

    KH1M1CHESKIKHNAUK No 1 , Jan-Feb 91] 18 Synthesis of Neodymium Silicates and Glass Prepared From Them by Laser Irradiation of Co-Precipitated...KHIMICHESKIY ZHURNAL No 1 , Jan-Feb 91] 28 Synthesis and Investigation of Antiarrhythmic Activity of Alkoxyaminoalcohol Salts of Cyclohexane Series [N.S...Catalysts in Organic Synthesis . Communication 25. Synthesis of Polymer Supported Tetrazols 917M0091D Riga LATVIYSKIY KHIMICHESKIY ZHURNAL in Russian No 1

  14. Installation Restoration Program. Preliminary Assessment: Connecticut Air National Guard, 103rd Tactical Fighter Group (TFG), Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut and 103rd Tactical Control Squadron (TCS), Orange/West Haven, Connectiut

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-11-01

    poorly sorted, not I E compacted, very plastic . Contains siliceous N diatoms and spores. Organic content high (17.2 T percent of sample lost during...physical character of a rock (e.g., particle size, color, mineral content, primary strutures, thickness, weathering caracteristics , and other physical

  15. Prokaryotic silicon utilizing microorganisms in the biosphere

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gupta, D.; Das, S.

    2012-12-01

    Although a little study has been done to determine the silicon utilizing prokaryotes, our previous experiments indicated that almost all Gram-positive bacteria are silicon utilizing; one of them, Streptococci survived exposure on the lunar surface for a long period in experiment done by others. Our initial experiments with these Gram positive microorganisms showed that there were limited growths of these microorganisms on carbon free silicate medium probably with the help of some carry over carbon and nitrogen during cultivation procedures. However, increase in growth rate after repeated subcultures could not be explained at present. The main groups of prokaryotes which were found silicon utilizing microorganisms were Mycobacterium, Bacillus, Nocardia, Streptomyces, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium. In a another previous study by us when silicon level was studied in such grown up cells on carbon "free" silicate medium by electron prove microanalyser, it was found that silicon in cells grown on carbon "free" silicate medium was much higher (24.9%) than those grown on conventional carbon based medium (0.84%). However, these initial findings are encouraging for our future application of this group of organisms on extraterrestrial surfaces for artificial micro-ecosystem formation. It was found that when electropositive elements are less in extraterrestrial situation, then polymerization of silicon-oxygen profusion may occur easily, particularly in carbon and nitrogen paucity in the rocky worlds of the Universe.

  16. Chitosan-coated mesoporous microspheres of calcium silicate hydrate: environmentally friendly synthesis and application as a highly efficient adsorbent for heavy metal ions.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Jing; Zhu, Ying-Jie; Wu, Jin; Zheng, Jian-Qiang; Zhao, Xin-Yu; Lu, Bing-Qiang; Chen, Feng

    2014-03-15

    Chitosan-coated calcium silicate hydrate (CSH/chitosan) mesoporous microspheres formed by self-assembly of nanosheets have been synthesized in aqueous solution under ambient conditions without using any toxic surfactant or organic solvent. The method reported herein has advantages of simplicity, low cost and being environmentally friendly. The BET specific surface area of CSH/chitosan mesoporous microspheres is measured to be as high as ~356 m(2) g(-1), which is considerably high among calcium silicate materials. The as-prepared CSH/chitosan mesoporous microspheres are promising adsorbent and exhibit a quick and highly efficient adsorption behavior toward heavy metal ions of Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cr(3+), Pb(2+) Cu(2+) and Cd(2+) in aqueous solution. The adsorption kinetics can be well fitted by the pseudo second-order model. The maximum adsorption amounts of Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Cd(2+) on CSH/chitosan mesoporous microspheres are extremely high, which are 406.6, 400, 796, 425 and 578 mg/g, respectively. The CSH/chitosan adsorbent exhibits the highest affinity for Pb(2+) ions among five heavy metal ions. The adsorption capacities of the CSH/chitosan adsorbent toward heavy metal ions are relatively high compared with those reported in the literature. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Determination of the mode of occurrence of As, Cr, and Hg in three Chinese coal samples by sequential acid leaching

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

    Wang, B.; Li, W.; Wang, G.

    2007-07-01

    Sequential acid leaching was used to leach minerals and the trace elements they contain. One-step leaching uses concentrated nitric acid as solvent, while three-step leaching uses 5M hydrochloric acid, concentrated hydrofluoric acid, and concentrated hydrochloric acid as solvents. The sequential acid leaching by three-and one-step leach was also examined. The results showed that one-step leaching could leach over 80% of arsenic from coal samples, and also could leach mercury to a certain degree. During one-step leaching, little chromium is removed, but it is available to leach by three-step leaching; and during the sequential acid leaching by three and one-step leaching,more » almost 98% ash is leached. The result of acid leaching could also give detailed information on mode of occurrence of As, Cr, and Hg, which could be classified into: silicate association, pyrite association, organic association, and carbonates and sulfates association. Over half of chromium in the three coals is associated with organic matters and the rest is associated with silicates. The mode of occurrence of arsenic and mercury is mainly associated with different mineral matters depending on the coal samples studied.« less

  18. MIR Solar Array Return Experiment: Power Performance Measurements and Molecular Contamination Analysis Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Visentine, James; Kinard, William; Brinker, David; Scheiman, David; Banks, Bruce; Albyn, Keith; Hornung, Steve; See, Thomas

    2001-01-01

    A solar array segment was recently removed from the Mir core module and returned for ground-based analysis. The segment, which is similar to the ones the Russians have provided for the FGB and Service Modules, was microscopically examined and disassembled by US and Russian science teams. Laboratory analyses have shown the segment to he heavily contaminated by an organic silicone coating, which was converted to an organic silicate film by reactions with atomic oxygen within the. orbital flight environment. The source of the contaminant was a silicone polymer used by the Russians as an adhesive and bonding agent during segment construction. During its life cycle, the array experienced a reduction in power performance from approx. 12%, when it was new and first deployed, to approx. 5%, when it was taken out of service. However, current-voltage measurements of three contaminated cells and three pristine, Russian standard cells have shown that very little degradation in solar array performance was due to the silicate contaminants on the solar cell surfaces. The primary sources of performance degradation is attributed to "thermal hot-spotting" or electrical arcing; orbital debris and micrometeoroid impacts; and possibly to the degradation of the solar cells and interconnects caused by radiation damage from high energy protons and electrons.

  19. A review of bioactive silicate ceramics.

    PubMed

    Wu, Chengtie; Chang, Jiang

    2013-06-01

    Silicate bioceramics, as a new family of biomaterials, have received significant attention in their application to hard tissue regeneration. Some silicate bioceramics have shown excellent apatite mineralization in simulated body fluids and their ionic products have been shown to enhance the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and gene expression of stem cells. In this paper, we review the advances in the research of silicate system bioceramics, including preparation methods, mechanical strength, apatite mineralization, dissolution and in vitro and in vivo biological properties. The biological properties and the corresponding mechanism have been highlighted. A look forward to the application of silicate bioceramics to bone regeneration is further suggested.

  20. Dynamics of soil organic carbon fractions in olive groves in Andalusia (Southern Spain) in soils with contrasted parent material and under different management practices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vicente-Vicente, Jose Luis; García-Ruiz, Roberto; Calero, Julio; Aranda, Victor

    2016-04-01

    Spain has 2.5 million hectares of olive groves, 60 % of which are situated in Andalusia (Southern Spain). The most common agricultural management consist of a conventional or reduced tillage combined with herbicides to eliminate weeds. This might lead to some ecological problems (e.g. erosion, soil nutrient and organic carbon losses). The recommended management consist of a plant cover of spontaneous herbaceous plant in the inter row of olive oil orchards which are usually mowed early in spring. In this study, we assessed the influence of: i) two soil managements: non-covered and weed-covered, and ii) soil parent material (carbonated and siliceous), on soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions. In addition, we assessed the existence of a saturation limit for the different SOC fractions by including calcareous and siliceous soils under natural vegetation. Weed-covered soils accumulated more total SOC than soils under the non-covered management and this was independent on the parent material type. Same was true for most of the SOC fractions. However, the relative proportion of the SOC fractions was not affected by the presence of weeds, but it was due to the parent material type; carbonated soils had more unprotected and physically protected SOC, whereas the siliceous soils were relatively enriched in biochemically protected pool. Otherwise, table 1 shows that the chemically protected SOC pool was best fit to a saturation function, especially in the siliceous plots. The other fractions were best fit to a linear function. Therefore, these results suggest that chemically protected pools are the only protected fractions which can be saturated considering the SOC in the natural vegetation soils as the SOC limit. Considering SOC levels in the weed-covered and non-covered managements of all protected fractions and their respective limits of total SOC, saturation deficits in the non-covered and weed-covered plots were 75% and 60% of total SOC, respectively. Table 1. Significance of the linear and saturation models between total SOC and SOC of each isolated fraction for the whole set of plots and for plots of similar mineralogy. Physically protected fraction is comprised of three sub-fractions: iPOM, chemically and biochemically protected within microaggregates. "-" stands for non-analysed fractions. Fraction/Sub-fraction Whole set of plots Siliceous Carbonated Linear Saturation Linear Saturation Linear Saturation Unprotected 0.87 0.76 - - - - Physically protected 0.82 0.86 - - - - iPOM 0.75 0.73 - - - - Chemically protected within microaggregates 0.26 0.49 0.72 0.79 0.63 0.65 Biochemically protected within microaggregates 0.75 0.66 0.87 0.82 0.73 0.66 Chemically protected 0.41 0.62 0.69 0.79 0.78 0.71 Biochemically protected 0.76 0.69 0.89 0.90 0.72 0.62 These results suggest that there is a high potential for SOC sequestration in Andalusian olive grove soils. Nevertheless, it is very important to analyse in detail the influence of the soil mineralogy properties on SOC accumulation. The management clearly affects the total amount of SOC and its fractions, whereas the parent material type mainly affects the proportion of these.

  1. Pt, Au, Pd and Ru Partitioning Between Mineral and Silicate Melts: The Role of Metal Nanonuggets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Malavergne, V.; Charon, E.; Jones, J.; Agranier, A.; Campbell, A.

    2012-01-01

    The partition coefficients of Pt and other Pt Group Elements (PGE) between metal and silicate D(sub Metal-Silicate) and also between silicate minerals and silicate melts D(sub Metal-Silicate) are among the most challenging coefficients to obtain precisely. The PGE are highly siderophile elements (HSE) with D(sub Metal-Silicate) >10(exp 3) due to the fact that their concentrations in silicates are very low (ppb to ppt range). Therefore, the analytical difficulty is increased by the possible presence of HSE-rich-nuggets in reduced silicate melts during experiments). These tiny HSE nuggets complicate the interpretation of measured HSE concentrations. If the HSE micro-nuggets are just sample artifacts, then their contributions should be removed before calculations of the final concentration. On the other hand, if they are produced during the quench, then they should be included in the analysis. We still don't understand the mechanism of nugget formation well. Are they formed during the quench by precipitation from precursor species dissolved homogeneously in the melts, or are they precipitated in situ at high temperature due to oversaturation? As these elements are important tracers of early planetary processes such as core formation, it is important to take up this analytical and experimental challenge. In the case of the Earth for example, chondritic relative abundances of the HSE in some mantle xenoliths have led to the concept of the "late veneer" as a source of volatiles (such as water) and siderophiles in the silicate Earth. Silicate crystal/liquid fractionation is responsible for most, if not all, the HSE variation in the martian meteorite suites (SNC) and Pt is the element least affected by these fractionations. Therefore, in terms of reconstructing mantle HSE abundances for Mars, Pt becomes a very important player. In the present study, we have performed high temperature experiments under various redox conditions in order to determine the abundances of Pt, Au, Ru and Pd in minerals (olivine and diopside) and in silicate melts, but also to characterize the sizes, density and chemistry of HSE nuggets when present in the samples.

  2. Experimental evidence for the absence of iron isotope fractionation between metal and silicate liquids at 1 GPa and 1250-1300 °C and its cosmochemical consequences

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hin, Remco C.; Schmidt, Max W.; Bourdon, Bernard

    2012-09-01

    Iron isotope fractionation during metal-silicate differentiation has been proposed as a cause for differences in iron isotope compositions of chondrites, iron meteorites and the bulk silicate Earth. Stable isotope fractionation, however, rapidly decreases with increasing temperature. We have thus performed liquid metal-liquid silicate equilibration experiments at 1250-1300 °C and 1 GPa to address whether Fe isotope fractionation is resolvable at the lowest possible temperatures for magmatic metal-silicate differentiation. A centrifuging piston cylinder apparatus enabled quantitative metal-silicate segregation. Elemental tin or sulphur was used in the synthetic metal-oxide mixtures to lower the melting temperature of the metal. The analyses demonstrate that eight of the 10 experimental systems equilibrated in a closed isotopic system, as was assessed by varying run durations and starting Fe isotope compositions. Statistically significant iron isotope fractionation between quenched metals and silicates was absent in nine of the 10 experiments and all 10 experiments yield an average metal-silicate fractionation factor of 0.01 ± 0.04‰, independent of whether graphite or silica glass capsules were used. This implies that Fe isotopes do not fractionate during low pressure metal-silicate segregation under magmatic conditions. In large bodies such as the Earth, fractionation between metal and high pressure (>20 GPa) silicate phases may still be a possible process for equilibrium fractionation during metal-silicate differentiation. However, the 0.07 ± 0.02‰ heavier composition of bulk magmatic iron meteorites relative to the average of bulk ordinary/carbonaceous chondrites cannot result from equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation during core segregation. The up to 0.5‰ lighter sulphide than metal fraction in iron meteorites and in one ordinary chondrite can only be explained by fractionation during subsolidus processes.

  3. The effect of melt composition on metal-silicate partitioning of siderophile elements and constraints on core formation in the angrite parent body

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Steenstra, E. S.; Sitabi, A. B.; Lin, Y. H.; Rai, N.; Knibbe, J. S.; Berndt, J.; Matveev, S.; van Westrenen, W.

    2017-09-01

    We present 275 new metal-silicate partition coefficients for P, S, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Ge, Mo, and W obtained at moderate P (1.5 GPa) and high T (1683-1883 K). We investigate the effect of silicate melt composition using four end member silicate melt compositions. We identify possible silicate melt dependencies of the metal-silicate partitioning of lower valence elements Ni, Ge and V, elements that are usually assumed to remain unaffected by changes in silicate melt composition. Results for the other elements are consistent with the dependence of their metal-silicate partition coefficients on the individual major oxide components of the silicate melt composition suggested by recently reported parameterizations and theoretical considerations. Using multiple linear regression, we parameterize compiled metal-silicate partitioning results including our new data and report revised expressions that predict their metal-silicate partitioning behavior as a function of P-T-X-fO2. We apply these results to constrain the conditions that prevailed during core formation in the angrite parent body (APB). Our results suggest the siderophile element depletions in angrite meteorites are consistent with a CV bulk composition and constrain APB core formation to have occurred at mildly reducing conditions of 1.4 ± 0.5 log units below the iron-wüstite buffer (ΔIW), corresponding to a APB core mass of 18 ± 11%. The core mass range is constrained to 21 ± 8 mass% if light elements (S and/or C) are assumed to reside in the APB core. Incorporation of light elements in the APB core does not yield significantly different redox states for APB core-mantle differentiation. The inferred redox state is in excellent agreement with independent fO2 estimates recorded by pyroxene and olivine in angrites.

  4. Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Behavior of Modified HKUST-1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Lan; Tang, Huamin; Zhou, Chaohua; Zhang, Hongpeng; Yan, Chunxiao; Hu, Xiaochun; Yang, Yang; Yang, Weiwei; Li, Yuming; He, Dehua

    2014-12-01

    A kind of typical metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) material, HKUST-1 was prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD and SEM. The results of characterizations manifested that HKUST-1 showed a regular octahedral crystal structure. The as-prepared HKUST-1 was modified by several kinds of organic base materials and the CO2 adsorption behaviors of modified HKUST-1 materials were evaluated. The CO2 adsorption capacities of different base modified HKUST-1 varied with the base intensity of modified organic base materials.

  5. Not all GMOs are crop plants: non-plant GMO applications in agriculture.

    PubMed

    Hokanson, K E; Dawson, W O; Handler, A M; Schetelig, M F; St Leger, R J

    2014-12-01

    Since tools of modern biotechnology have become available, the most commonly applied and often discussed genetically modified organisms are genetically modified crop plants, although genetic engineering is also being used successfully in organisms other than plants, including bacteria, fungi, insects, and viruses. Many of these organisms, as with crop plants, are being engineered for applications in agriculture, to control plant insect pests or diseases. This paper reviews the genetically modified non-plant organisms that have been the subject of permit approvals for environmental release by the United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service since the US began regulating genetically modified organisms. This is an indication of the breadth and progress of research in the area of non-plant genetically modified organisms. This review includes three examples of promising research on non-plant genetically modified organisms for application in agriculture: (1) insects for insect pest control using improved vector systems; (2) fungal pathogens of insects to control insect pests; and (3) virus for use as transient-expression vectors for disease control in plants.

  6. Sulfur Saturation Limits in Silicate Melts and their Implications for Core Formation Scenarios for Terrestrial Planets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holzheid, Astrid; Grove, Timothy L.

    2002-01-01

    This study explores the controls of temperature, pressure, and silicate melt composition on S solubility in silicate liquids. The solubility of S in FeO-containing silicate melts in equilibrium with metal sulfide increases significantly with increasing temperature but decreases with increasing pressure. The silicate melt structure also exercises a control on S solubility. Increasing the degree of polymerization of the silicate melt structure lowers the S solubility in the silicate liquid. The new set of experimental data is used to expand the model of Mavrogenes and O'Neill(1999) for S solubility in silicate liquids by incorporating the influence of the silicate melt structure. The expected S solubility in the ascending magma is calculated using the expanded model. Because the negative pressure dependence of S solubility is more influential than the positive temperature dependence, decompression and adiabatic ascent of a formerly S-saturated silicate magma will lead to S undersaturation. A primitive magma that is S-saturated in its source region will, therefore, become S-undersaturated as it ascends to shallower depth. In order to precipitate magmatic sulfides, the magma must first cool and undergo fractional crystallization to reach S saturation. The S content in a metallic liquid that is in equilibrium with a magma ocean that contains approx. 200 ppm S (i.e., Earth's bulk mantle S content) ranges from 5.5 to 12 wt% S. This range of S values encompasses the amount of S (9 to 12 wt%) that would be present in the outer core if S is the light element. Thus, the Earth's proto-mantle could be in equilibrium (in terms of the preserved S abundance) with a core-forming metallic phase.

  7. Lattice thermal conductivity of silicate glasses at high pressures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Y. Y.; Hsieh, W. P.

    2016-12-01

    Knowledge of the thermodynamic and transport properties of magma holds the key to understanding the thermal evolution and chemical differentiation of Earth. The discovery of the remnant of a deep magma ocean above the core mantle boundary (CMB) from seismic observations suggest that the CMB heat flux would strongly depend on the thermal conductivity, including lattice (klat) and radiative (krad) components, of dense silicate melts and major constituent minerals around the region. Recent measurements on the krad of dense silicate glasses and lower-mantle minerals show that krad of dense silicate glasses could be significantly smaller than krad of the surrounding solid mantle phases, and therefore the dense silicate melts would act as a thermal insulator in deep lower mantle. This conclusion, however, remains uncertain due to the lack of direct measurements on the lattice thermal conductivity of silicate melts under relevant pressure-temperature conditions. Besides the CMB, magmas exist in different circumstances beneath the surface of the Earth. Chemical compositions of silicate melts vary with geological and geodynamic settings of the melts and have strong influences on their thermal properties. In order to have a better view of heat transport within the Earth, it is important to study compositional and pressure dependences of thermal properties of silicate melts. Here we report experimental results on lattice thermal conductivities of silicate glasses with basaltic and rhyolitic compositions up to Earth's lower mantle pressures using time-domain thermoreflectance coupled with diamond-anvil cell techniques. This study not only provides new data for the thermal conductivity of silicate melts in the Earth's deep interior, but is crucial for further understanding of the evolution of Earth's complex internal structure.

  8. Modification of Montmorillonite with Cetyl Trimethylammonium Bromide and Tetra Ethyl Ortho Silicate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Widjonarko, D. M.; Mayasari, O. D.; Wahyuningsih, S.; Nugrahaningtyas, K. D.

    2018-03-01

    Modification of montmorillonite (MMt) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetraethyl ortosilicate (TEOS) has been done. The aim of the research is to study the effect of TEOS and CTAB into MMt. This research is a preliminary step to invent material that can be modified with other functional materials. The study was conducted by recting TEOS with MMt and varying CTAB concentration on MMt previously modified with TEOS. The TEOS concentration was 4.72 M while CTAB concentration was 0.25; 0.5; 2; 3.5; and 5 mmol/g in MMt which has been reacted with TEOS. Material characterization was done by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourrier Transform Infra-Red Spectrophotometer (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of materials was analyzed by titration method. The results show that TEOS and CTAB successfully modified. TEOS adsorbed onto MMt. It was identified from increased basal spacing, specific group and also by its elemental composition, originally having basal spacing 16 Å. After modification with CTAB, basal spacing increased to 28.45 Å or 77.64%. This indicates that CTAB is intercalated within the MMt layers. The CEC of new material is 0.93 meq/g, increase from 0.83 meq/g.

  9. Silicate Inclusions in the Kodaikanal IIE Iron Meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kurat, G.; Varela, M. E.; Zinner, E.

    2005-01-01

    Silicate inclusions in iron meteorites display an astonishing chemical and mineralogical variety, ranging from chondritic to highly fractionated, silica- and alkali-rich assemblages. In spite of this, their origin is commonly considered to be a simple one: mixing of silicates, fractionated or unfractionated, with metal. The latter had to be liquid in order to accommodate the former in a pore-free way which all models accomplish by assuming shock melting. II-E iron meteorites are particularly interesting because they contain an exotic zoo of silicate inclusions, including some chemically strongly fractionated ones. They also pose a formidable conundrum: young silicates are enclosed by very old metal. This and many other incompatibilities between models and reality forced the formulation of an alternative genetic model for irons. Here we present preliminary findings in our study of Kodaikanal silicate inclusions.

  10. Crystal Structure and Chemical Composition of a Presolar Silicate from the Queen Elizabeth Range 99177 Meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Keller, L. P.; Rahman, Z.; Messenger, S.

    2013-01-01

    Mineral characterization of presolar silicate grains, the most abundant stardust phase, has provided valuable information about the formation conditions in circumstellar environments and in super-nova (SN) outflows. Spectroscopic observations of dust around evolved stars suggest a majority of amor-phous, Mg-rich olivine grains, but crystalline silicates, most of which are pyroxene, have also been observed [1]. The chemical compositions of hundreds of presolar silicates have been determined by Auger spectroscopy and reveal high Fe contents and nonstoichiometric compositions intermediate to olivine and pyroxene [2-6]. The unexpectedly high Fe contents can partly be attributed to secondary alteration on the meteorite parent bodies, as some grains have Fe isotopic anomalies from their parent stellar source [7]. Only about 35 presolar silicates have been studied for their mineral structures and chemical compositions by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These grains display a wide range of compositions and structures, including crystalline forsterite, crystalline pyroxene, nanocrystalline grains, and a majority of amorphous nonstoichiometric grains. Most of these grains were identified in the primitive Acfer 094 meteorite. Presolar silicates from this meteorite show a wide range of Fe-contents, suggestive of secondary processing on the meteorite parent body. The CR chondrite QUE 99177 has not suffered as much alteration [8] and displays the highest presolar silicate abundance to date among carbonaceous chondrites [3, 6]. However, no mineralogical studies of presolar silicates from this meteorite have been performed. Here we examine the mineralogy of a presolar silicate from QUE 99177.

  11. Luminescence quenching of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) by 2,6-dimethylphenol and 4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenol in sol-gel-processed silicate thin films.

    PubMed

    Altamirano, M; Senz, A; Gsponer, H E

    2004-02-15

    The luminescence properties of tris(1,2-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)), included in different organically modified silicate gel matrixes were investigated. Spin and dip-coated thin films were prepared from methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS). A blue shift in the emission spectrum of the MLCT excited state of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) with respect to the aqueous solution was observed in all the films, practically independent of the reaction pH used to prepare the "sol," silane-derived precursor, and procedure used (dip-coating or spin-coating) to obtain the film. A bimodal distribution of probe sites in the films was obtained from modeling of the emission decays by a double exponential and from application of the exponential series method. The parameters of the decay components depended principally on the thermal treatment used in the processing of the films. The lifetimes decreased with the increase in the drying temperature of the films; at the same time, the emission spectra showed a red shift and the luminescence efficiency decreased. A luminescence quenching of the ruthenium complex in the films by 4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenol and 2,6-dimethylphenol in aerated aqueous solution at pH 12 in contact with the film was also observed. The quenching plots obtained from luminescence intensities or luminescence intensity decay measurements showed a downward curvature. These plots could be fitted satisfactorily by a sum of two Stern-Volmer terms with quenching constants K(SV1) and K(SV2) associated with two different binding sites of the ruthenium complex. This result is indicative of the matrix microheterogeneity in the films and is fully consistent with the biexponential nature of the luminescence intensity decay profiles. The Stern-Volmer parameter values for both sites in the films suggest that only a low percentage of the probe is accessible to the quencher and its respective constant K(SV1) is lower than in water.

  12. Occurrence and mobility of toxic elements in coals from endemic fluorosis areas in the Three Gorges Region, SW China.

    PubMed

    Xiong, Yan; Xiao, Tangfu; Liu, Yizhang; Zhu, Jianming; Ning, Zengping; Xiao, Qingxiang

    2017-10-01

    Fluorine (F) is a topic of great interest in coal-combustion related endemic fluorosis areas. However, little extent research exists regarding the environmental geochemistry of toxic elements that are enriched in coals and coal wastes in traditional endemic fluorosis areas, particularly focusing on their occurrences and mobilities during the weathering-leaching processes of coals and coal wastes in the surface environment. This paper addressed the issue of toxic elements in coals and coal wastes in the Three Gorges Region, Southwest (SW) China, where endemic fluorosis has historically prevailed, and investigated the distribution, occurrence, mobility features, and associated potential health risks. For this purpose, a modified experiment combined with long-term humidity cell test and column leaching trial was applied to elucidate the mobility of toxic elements in coals and coal wastes. In addition, sequential chemical extraction (SCE) was used to ascertain the modes of occurrence of toxic elements. The results demonstrated that the contents of toxic elements in the study area followed the order: stone coals > gangues > coal balls > coals. Furthermore, modes of occurrence of toxic elements were obviously different in coals and coal wastes. For example, cadmium (Cd) was mainly associated with monosulfide fraction in coals, molybdenum (Mo) and arsenic (As) were mainly associated with carbonate and silicate in coal gangues and stone coals, chromium (Cr) mainly existed in silicate and insoluble matter in coal gangues and coal balls, thallium (Tl) mainly occurred in organic matter in stone coals and sulfide in coals, and the occurrence of antimony (Sb) varied with different kinds of samples. Moreover, a large amount of toxic elements released to the leachates during the weathering and leaching process, which might pollute the environment and threaten human health. Based on the geo-accumulation index (I geo ), single factor index (P i ) and Nemerow index (P N ), soils i n the study area were mainly polluted by Cd, which constituted a potential risk to locally planted crops. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Surface Composition of Trojan Asteroids from Thermal-Infrared Spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martin, A.; Emery, J. P.; Lindsay, S. S.

    2017-12-01

    Asteroid origins provide an effective means of constraining the events that dynamically shaped the solar system. Jupiter Trojan asteroids (hereafter Trojans) may help in determining the extent of radial mixing that occurred during giant planet migration. Previous studies aimed at characterizing surface composition show that Trojans have low albedo surfaces and fall into two distinct spectral groups the near infrared (NIR). Though, featureless in this spectral region, NIR spectra of Trojans either exhibit a red or less-red slope. Typically, red-sloped spectra are associated with organics, but it has been shown that Trojans are not host to much, if any, organic material. Instead, the red slope is likely due to anhydrous silicates. The thermal infrared (TIR) wavelength range has advantages for detecting silicates on low albedo asteroids such as Trojans. The 10 µm region exhibits strong features due to the Si-O fundamental molecular vibrations. We hypothesize that the two Trojan spectral groups have different compositions (silicate mineralogy). With TIR spectra from the Spitzer Space Telescope, we identify mineralogical features from the surface of 11 Trojan asteroids, five red and six less-red. Preliminary results from analysis of the 10 µm region indicate red-sloped Trojans have a higher spectral contrast compared to less-red-sloped Trojans. Fine-grain mixtures of crystalline pyroxene and olivine exhibit a 10 µm feature with sharp cutoffs between about 9 µm and 12 µm, which create a broad flat plateau. Amorphous phases, when present, smooth the sharp emission features, resulting in a dome-like shape. Further spectral analysis in the 10 µm, 18 µm, and 30 µm band region will be performed for a more robust analysis. If all Trojans come from the same region, it is expected that they share spectral and compositional characteristics. Therefore, if spectral analysis in the TIR reinforce the NIR spectral slope dichotomy, it is likely that Trojans were sourced from two different regions of the solar system. This result would provide new constraints for dynamical models that explain giant planet migration.

  14. Paleoproterozoic mantle enrichment beneath the Fennoscandian Shield: Isotopic insight from carbonatites and lamprophyres

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Woodard, Jeremy; Huhma, Hannu

    2015-11-01

    The isotope geochemistry of carbonatite from Naantali, southwest Finland as well as lamprophyres from North Savo, eastern Finland and the NW Ladoga region, northwest Russia has been investigated. These Paleoproterozoic dykes represent melting of an enriched mantle source spread over a 96,000 km2 area within the Fennoscandian Shield and intruded during post-collisional extension. The carbonatites have εNd(T) ranging from -0.8 to + 0.4, while lamprophyres have εNd(T) between -0.8 and + 0.3. 87Sr/86Sr ratios from the primary carbonatite samples from Naantali form a tight cluster between 0.70283 and 0.70303. For the lamprophyres, 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.70327-0.70339 from NW Ladoga and 0.70316-0.70327 from North Savo. These characteristics are consistent with derivation from an enriched mantle showing an EMII trend, formed when sediments of mixed Archean and Proterozoic provenance were recycled back into the mantle via subduction during the preceding Svecofennian orogeny. Linear mixing of these subducted sediments and depleted mantle shows that a multistage process of enrichment is required to produce the observed isotope compositions. Batch melting of the subducted sediment first generated hydrous alkaline silicate melt, which crystallised as mica- and amphibole-rich veins in the mantle wedge. Continued melting of the subducted material under higher P-T conditions produced carbonatite melt, which infiltrated preferentially into this vein network. Assuming the silicate melt exerts greater influence on 87Sr/86Sr ratios while the carbonatite more greatly affects 143Nd/144Nd ratios, the model predicts significant regional variation in the silicate metasomatism with more consistent carbonatite metasomatism throughout the Fennoscandian subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The subducted sediments were likely also rich in organic matter, resulting in highly negative δ13C in mantle carbonates. The model predicts a higher content of organic carbon in the sediments in close proximity to the Archean continent, decreasing with distance.

  15. Partial Melting of the Indarch (EH4) Meteorite : A Textural, Chemical and Phase Relations View of Melting and Melt Migration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McCoy, Timothy J.; Dickinson, Tamara L.; Lofgren, Gary E.

    2000-01-01

    To Test whether Aubrites can be formed by melting of enstatite Chondrites and to understand igneous processes at very low oxygen fugacities, we have conducted partial melting experiments on the Indarch (EH4) chondrite at 1000-1500 C. Silicate melting begins at 1000 C. Substantial melt migration occurs at 1300-1400 C and metal migrates out of the silicate change at 1450 C and approx. 50% silicate partial melting. As a group, our experiments contain three immiscible metallic melts 9Si-, and C-rich), two immiscible sulfide melts(Fe-and FeMgMnCa-rich) and Silicate melt. Our partial melting experiments on the Indarch (EH4) enstatite Chondrite suggest that igneous processes at low fO2 exhibit serveral unique features. The complete melting of sulfides at 1000 C suggest that aubritic sulfides are not relicts. Aubritic oldhamite may have crystallized from Ca and S complexed in the silicate melt. Significant metal-sulfide melt migration might occur at relatively low degrees of silicate partial melting. Substantial elemental exchange occurred between different melts (e.g., between sulfide and silicate, Si between silicate and metal), a feature not observed during experiments at higher fO2. This exchange may help explain the formation of aubrites from known enstatite chondrites.

  16. A design of spectrophotometric microfluidic chip sensor for analyzing silicate in seawater

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cao, X.; Zhang, S. W.; Chu, D. Z.; Wu, N.; Ma, H. K.; Liu, Y.

    2017-08-01

    High quality and continuous in situ silicate data are required to investigate the mechanism of the biogeochemical cycles and the formation of red tide. There is an urgently growing need for autonomous in situ silicate instruments that perform determination on various platforms. However, due to the high reagents and power consumption, as well as high system complexity leading to low reliability and robustness, the performance of the commercially available silicate sensors is not satisfactory. With these problems, here we present a new generation of microfluidic continuous flow analysis silicate sensor with sufficient analytical performance and robustness, for in situ determination of soluble silicate in seawater. The reaction mechanism of this sensor is based on the reaction of silicate with ammonium molybdate to form a yellow silicomolybdate complex and further reduction to silicomoIybdenum blue by ascorbic acid. The minimum limit of detection was 45.1 nmol L-1, and the linear determination range of the sensor is 0-400 μmol L-1. The recovery rate of the actual water is between 98.1%-104.0%, and the analyzing cycle of the sensor is about 5 minutes. This sensor has the advantages of high accuracy, high integration, low water consumption, and strong anti-interference ability. It has been successfully applied to measuring the silicate in seawater in Jiaozhou Bay.

  17. The biocompatability of mesoporous inorganic-organic hybrid resin films with ionic and hydrophilic characteristics.

    PubMed

    Kim, Gahee; Hong, Lan Young; Jung, Jungwoon; Kim, Dong-Pyo; Kim, Heesoo; Kim, Ik Jung; Kim, Jung Ran; Ree, Moonhor

    2010-03-01

    New mesoporous silicate-titania resin systems hybridized with 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid and poly(ethylene glycol)-dimethacrylate component were developed. These inorganic-organic hybrid resins were found to reveal highly controlled ionic and hydrophilic surface with excellent durability and adhesion onto various substrates. The resin films revealed high resistance to nonspecific adsorption of fibrinogen and to adherence by several bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, excellent biocompatibility of the developed resins was proved by both HEp-2 cell adhesion in vitro and subcutaneous implantation in mice. The inorganic-organic hybrid resins are strongly promising for biomedical applications including biomedical devices and biosensors. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Effect of silicate ions on electrode overvoltage

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gras, J. M.; Seite, C.

    1979-01-01

    The influence of the addition of a silicate to a caustic solution (KOH) is studied in order to determine the degree to which silicates inhibit the corrosion of chrysotile under conditions of electrolysis at working temperatures of 100 C and above. In an alkaline solution containing various silicate concentrations, current density was increased and electrode overvoltage was measured. Results show that silicate ion concentrations in the electrolyte increase with temperature without effecting electrochemical performance up to 115 C at 700 MA/sqcm. At this point the concentration is about 0.5 g Si/100 g KOH. Beyond this limit, electrolytic performance rapidly degenerates due to severe oxidation of the electrodes.

  19. Laboratory simulation of infrared astrophysical features. Ph.D. Thesis; [emission spectra of comets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rose, L. A.

    1977-01-01

    Intermediate resolution emission spectroscopy was used to study a group of 9 terrestrial silicates, 1 synthetic silicate, 6 meteorites and 2 lunar soils; comparisons were made with the intermediate resolution spectra of Comet Kohoutek in order to determine which materials best simulate the 10um astrophysical feature. Mixtures of silicates which would yield spectra matching the spectrum of the comet in the 10um region include: (1) A hydrous layer lattice silicate in combination with a high temperature condensate; (2) an amorphous magnesium silicate in combination with a high temperature condensate and (3) glassy olivine and glassy anorthite in approximately equal proportions.

  20. Nature of very small grains - PAH molecules or silicates?. [Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in interstellar dust

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Desert, F. X.; Leger, A.; Puget, J. L.; Boulanger, F.; Sellgren, K.

    1986-01-01

    The predictions of the model of Puget et al. (1985) for the emission from Very Small Grains (VSGs) including both graphitic and silicate components are compared with published 8-13-micron observations of astronomical sources. The VSGs are found to be mainly graphitic and an upper limit is placed on the relative mass of silicates based on lack of the 9.7-micron silicate emission feature on M 82 and NGC 2023. This dissymetry in the composition of VSGs supports the suggestion that they are formed in grain-grain collisions where the behaviors of graphite and silicate grains are expected to be quite different.

  1. Microfabrics in Siliceous Hotsprings: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Guidry, S. A.; Chafetz, H. S.; Westall, F.

    2001-01-01

    Microfabrics shed light on the mechanisms governing siliceous sinter precipitation, the profound effects of microorganisms, as well as a conventional facies model for siliceous hotsprings. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

  2. APTES-modified mesoporous silicas as the carriers for poorly water-soluble drug. Modeling of diflunisal adsorption and release

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Geszke-Moritz, Małgorzata; Moritz, Michał

    2016-04-01

    Four mesoporous siliceous materials such as SBA-16, SBA-15, PHTS and MCF functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane were successfully prepared and applied as the carriers for poorly water-soluble drug diflunisal. Several techniques including nitrogen sorption analysis, XRD, TEM, FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to characterize mesoporous matrices. Adsorption isotherms were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. In order to find the best-fit isotherm for each model, both linear and nonlinear regressions were carried out. The equilibrium data were best fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model revealing maximum adsorption capacity of 217.4 mg/g for aminopropyl group-modified SBA-15. The negative values of Gibbs free energy change indicated that the adsorption of diflunisal is a spontaneous process. Weibull release model was employed to describe the dissolution profile of diflunisal. At pH 4.5 all prepared mesoporous matrices exhibited the improvement of drug dissolution kinetics as compared to the dissolution rate of pure diflunisal.

  3. Copolymerization of Glycolide and ɛ-Caprolactone Using 12-Aminolauric Acid Modified Montmorillonite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gallos, HAV; Reyes, LQ

    2017-09-01

    Poly(glycolide-co-ɛ-caprolactone) (PGLYCL) nanocomposites were prepared by copolymerization glycolide (GLY) and ɛ-caprolactone (ɛ-CL) in the presence of varying loadings 12-aminolauric acid (12-ALA)-modified montmorillonite. Copolymerization was successfully achieved based on the increase in polymer molecular weight after the reaction determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The amount of the poly(glycolide) block and poly(ɛ-caprolactone) block units in the copolymer, identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, suggested that the increase in organo-clay loading cause a reduction GLYL: ɛ-CLL ratio. The arrangement of the monomers in the polymer products was elucidated to have an ABA triblock structure, where PCL block is the central block and the PGLY is found at both end of the copolymer. The presence of intercalated and exfoliated silicates in the nanocomposites were observed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The biocompatibility of the nanocomposites with NCTC 292 mouse normal fibroblast was high relative to untreated cell cultures using tetrazolium bromide (MTT)-dye reduction assay.

  4. Selective modification of halloysite lumen with octadecylphosphonic acid: new inorganic tubular micelle.

    PubMed

    Yah, Weng On; Takahara, Atsushi; Lvov, Yuri M

    2012-01-25

    Selective fatty acid hydrophobization of the inner surface of tubule halloysite clay is demonstrated. Aqueous phosphonic acid was found to bind to alumina sites at the tube lumen and did not bind the tube's outer siloxane surface. The bonding was characterized with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance ((29)Si, (13)C, (31)P NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. NMR and FTIR spectroscopy of selectively modified tubes proved binding of octadecylphosphonic acid within the halloysite lumen through bidentate and tridentate P-O-Al linkage. Selective modification of the halloysite clay lumen creates an inorganic micelle-like architecture with a hydrophobic aliphatic chain core and a hydrophilic silicate shell. An enhanced capacity for adsorption of the modified halloysite toward hydrophobic derivatives of ferrocene was shown. This demonstrates that the different inner and outer surface chemistry of clay nanotubes can be used for selective modification, enabling different applications from water purification to drug immobilization and controlled release. © 2011 American Chemical Society

  5. Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Silicate Vaporization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jacobson, Nathan S.; Costa, Gustavo C. C.

    2015-01-01

    Silicates are a common class of materials that are often exposed to high temperatures. The behavior of these materials needs to be understood for applications as high temperature coatings in material science as well as the constituents of lava for geological considerations. The vaporization behavior of these materials is an important aspect of their high temperature behavior and it also provides fundamental thermodynamic data. The application of Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry (KEMS) to silicates is discussed. There are several special considerations for silicates. The first is selection of an appropriate cell material, which is either nearly inert or has well-understood interactions with the silicate. The second consideration is proper measurement of the low vapor pressures. This can be circumvented by using a reducing agent to boost the vapor pressure without changing the solid composition or by working at very high temperatures. The third consideration deals with kinetic barriers to vaporization. The measurement of these barriers, as encompassed in a vaporization coefficient, is discussed. Current measured data of rare earth silicates for high temperature coating applications are discussed. In addition, data on magnesium-iron-silicates (olivine) are presented and discussed.

  6. On the Relation of Silicates and SiO Maser in Evolved Stars

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

    Liu, Jiaming; Jiang, Biwei, E-mail: bjiang@bnu.edu.cn

    2017-04-01

    The SiO molecule is one of the candidates for the seed of silicate dust in the circumstellar envelope of evolved stars, but this opinion is challenged. In this work we investigate the relation of the SiO maser emission power and the silicate dust emission power. With both our own observation by using the PMO/Delingha 13.7 m telescope and archive data, a sample is assembled of 21 SiO v  = 1, J  = 2 − 1 sources and 28 SiO v  = 1, J  = 1 − 0 sources that exhibit silicate emission features in the ISO /SWS spectrum as well. The analysis of their SiO maser and silicatemore » emission power indicates a clear correlation, which is not against the hypothesis that the SiO molecules are the seed nuclei of silicate dust. On the other hand, no correlation is found between SiO maser and silicate crystallinity, which may imply that silicate crystallinity does not correlate with mass-loss rate.« less

  7. AC electrical breakdown phenomena of epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposite in needle-plate electrodes.

    PubMed

    Park, Jae-Jun; Lee, Jae-Young

    2013-05-01

    Epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposite for the insulation of heavy electric equipments were prepared by dispersing 1 wt% of a layered silicate into an epoxy matrix with a homogenizing mixer and then AC electrical treeing and breakdown tests were carried out. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation showed that nano-sized monolayers were exfoliated from a multilayered silicate in the epoxy matrix. When the nano-sized silicate layers were incorporated into the epoxy matrix, the breakdown rate in needle-plate electrode geometry was 10.6 times lowered than that of the neat epoxy resin under the applied electrical field of 520.9 kV/mm at 30 degrees C, and electrical tree propagated with much more branches in the epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposite. These results showed that well-dispersed nano-sized silicate layers retarded the electrical tree growth rate. The effects of applied voltage and ambient temperature on the tree initiation, growth, and breakdown rate were also studied, and it was found that the breakdown rate was largely increased, as the applied voltage and ambient temperature increased.

  8. How modifiable factors influence parental decision-making about organ donation.

    PubMed

    Luberda, Kamila; Cleaver, Karen

    2017-11-07

    A global shortage of organs from children and adults available for transplantation is compounded by the failure of next of kin to consent for organs to be donated after death. Non-modifiable and modifiable factors influence decision-making in this area. Modifiable factors are of interest when examining families' decision-making about the donation of organs from their deceased child. A scoping review was undertaken to determine how modifiable factors influence parental decision-making about organ donation. Thematic analysis identified two themes: interactions with healthcare professionals and pre-disposition to organ donation. Satisfaction with experiences of hospital care, the information provided and the way it was communicated, as well as interactions pertaining to emotional support were all found to be modifiable factors that influenced decision making. Likewise, a predisposition to organ donation and knowing the deceased's wishes were associated with the consent decision. Nurses working in critical care environments need to be able to support parents during this difficult time. This article aims to raise awareness of modifiable factors that influence parental decision-making, highlighting their relevance for children's nursing practice. ©2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.

  9. Traditional Portland cement and MgO-based cement: a promising combination?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tonelli, Monica; Martini, Francesca; Calucci, Lucia; Geppi, Marco; Borsacchi, Silvia; Ridi, Francesca

    2017-06-01

    MgO/SiO2 cements are materials potentially very useful for radioactive waste disposal, but knowledge about their physico-chemical properties is still lacking. In this paper we investigated the hydration kinetics of cementitious formulations prepared by mixing MgO/SiO2 and Portland cement in different proportions and the structural properties of the hydrated phases formed in the first month of hydration. In particular, the hydration kinetics was investigated by measuring the free water index on pastes by means of differential scanning calorimetry, while the structural characterization was carried out by combining thermal (DTA), diffractometric (XRD), and spectroscopic (FTIR, 29Si solid state NMR) techniques. It was found that calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) gels mainly form as separate phases, their relative amount and structural characteristics depending on the composition of the hydrated mixture. Moreover, the composition of the mixtures strongly affects the kinetics of hydration and the pH of the aqueous phase in contact with the cementitious materials. The results here reported show that suitable mixtures of Portland cement and MgO/SiO2 could be used to modify the properties of hydrated phases with potential application in the storage of nuclear waste in clayey disposal.

  10. Indirect zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic CAD/CAM restorations: Preliminary clinical results after 12 months.

    PubMed

    Zimmermann, Moritz; Koller, Christina; Mehl, Albert; Hickel, Reinhard

    2017-01-01

    No clinical data are available for the new computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) material zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramic. This study describes preliminary clinical results for indirect ZLS CAD/CAM restorations after 12 months. Indirect restorations were fabricated, using the CEREC method and intraoral scanning (CEREC Omnicam, CEREC MCXL). Sixty-seven restorations were seated adhesively (baseline). Sixty restorations were evaluated after 12 months (follow-up), using modified FDI criteria. Two groups were established, according to ZLS restorations' post-processing procedure prior to adhesive seating: group I (three-step polishing, n = 32) and group II (fire glazing, n = 28). Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test (P < .05). The success rate of indirect ZLS CAD/CAM restorations after 12 months was 96.7%. Two restorations clinically failed as a result of bulk fracture (failure rate 3.3%). No statistically significant differences were found for baseline and follow-up criteria (Wilcoxon test, P > .05). Statistically significant differences were found for criteria surface gloss for group I and group II (Mann-Whitney U test, P < .05). This study demonstrates ZLS CAD/CAM restorations have a high clinical success rate after 12 months. A longer clinical evaluation period is necessary to draw further conclusions.

  11. Preservation in microbial mats: mineralization by a talc-like phase of a fish embedded in a microbial sarcophagus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iniesto, Miguel; Zeyen, Nina; López-Archilla, Ana; Bernard, Sylvain; Buscalioni, Ángela; Guerrero, M. Carmen; Benzerara, Karim

    2015-09-01

    Microbial mats have been repeatedly suggested to promote early fossilization of macroorganisms. Yet, experimental simulations of this process remain scarce. Here, we report results of 5 year-long experiments performed onfish carcasses to document the influence of microbial mats on mineral precipitation during early fossilization. Carcasses were initially placed on top of microbial mats. After two weeks, fishes became coated by the mats forming a compact sarcophagus, which modified the microenvironment close to the corpses. Our results showed that these conditions favoured the precipitation of a poorly crystalline silicate phase rich in magnesium. This talc-like mineral phase has been detected in three different locations within the carcasses placed in microbial mats for more than 4 years: 1) within inner tissues, colonized by several bacillary cells; 2) at the surface of bones of the upper face of the corpse buried in the mat; and 3) at the surface of several bones such as the dorsal fin which appeared to be gradually replaced by the Mg-silicate phase. This mineral phase has been previously shown to promote bacteria fossilization. Here we provide first experimental evidence that such Mg-rich phase can also be involved in exceptional preservation of animals.

  12. The removal of arsenate from water using iron-modified diatomite (D-Fe): isotherm and column experiments.

    PubMed

    Pantoja, M L; Jones, H; Garelick, H; Mohamedbakr, H G; Burkitbayev, M

    2014-01-01

    Iron hydroxide supported onto porous diatomite (D-Fe) is a low-cost material with potential to remove arsenic from contaminated water due to its affinity for the arsenate ion. This affinity was tested under varying conditions of pH, contact time, iron content in D-Fe and the presence of competitive ions, silicate and phosphate. Batch and column experiments were conducted to derive adsorption isotherms and breakthrough behaviours (50 μg L(-1)) for an initial concentration of 1,000 μg L(-1). Maximum capacity at pH 4 and 17% iron was 18.12-40.82 mg of arsenic/g of D-Fe and at pH 4 and 10% iron was 18.48-29.07 mg of arsenic/g of D-Fe. Adsorption decreased in the presence of phosphate and silicate ions. The difference in column adsorption behaviour between 10% and 17% iron was very pronounced, outweighing the impact of all other measured parameters. There was insufficient evidence of a correlation between iron content and arsenic content in isotherm experiments, suggesting that ion exchange is a negligible process occurring in arsenate adsorption using D-Fe nor is there co-precipitation of arsenate by rising iron content of the solute above saturation.

  13. 46 CFR 52.25-10 - Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). 52.25-10 Section 52.25-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS Other Boiler Types § 52.25-10 Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). (a) Organic...

  14. 46 CFR 52.25-10 - Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). 52.25-10 Section 52.25-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS Other Boiler Types § 52.25-10 Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). (a) Organic...

  15. 46 CFR 52.25-10 - Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). 52.25-10 Section 52.25-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS Other Boiler Types § 52.25-10 Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). (a) Organic...

  16. 46 CFR 52.25-10 - Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). 52.25-10 Section 52.25-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS Other Boiler Types § 52.25-10 Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). (a) Organic...

  17. 46 CFR 52.25-10 - Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). 52.25-10 Section 52.25-10 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS Other Boiler Types § 52.25-10 Organic fluid vaporizer generators (modifies PVG-1 through PVG-12). (a) Organic...

  18. 40 CFR 721.10018 - Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10018 Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2... substance identified as calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3) (PMN P-01-442; CAS No. 13169...

  19. 40 CFR 721.10018 - Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10018 Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2... substance identified as calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3) (PMN P-01-442; CAS No. 13169...

  20. 40 CFR 721.10018 - Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10018 Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2... substance identified as calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3) (PMN P-01-442; CAS No. 13169...

  1. 40 CFR 721.10018 - Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10018 Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2... substance identified as calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3) (PMN P-01-442; CAS No. 13169...

  2. 40 CFR 721.10018 - Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6... New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10018 Calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2... substance identified as calcium hydroxide oxide silicate (Ca6(OH)2O2(Si2O5)3) (PMN P-01-442; CAS No. 13169...

  3. Polysilicate binding for silicate paints

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ivanovna, Loganina Valentina; Nikolaevna, Kislitsyna Svetlana; Bisengalievich, Mazhitov Yerkebulan

    2018-06-01

    It was suggested, that the polysilicate solutions obtained by mixing liquid glass and silicic acid sol as a binder in the manufacture of silicate paints. Information is provided on the structure and a property of the sodium polysilicate binder is presented. It has been found that the addition of silica powder to a liquid glass causes gelling in the course of time. It has been established that the introduction of the sol (increasing the silicate module) contributes to an increase in the fraction of high-polymer fractions of silicic anion, with the increase in the sol content of the polymer form of silica increasing. The research results the structure of sols and polysilicate solutions by the method of violation of total internal reflection. By the method of IR spectroscopy, the molybdate method established the presence of silica in the polysilicate binder polymeric varieties, which provides an increase in the stability of silicate coatings.

  4. THE METABOLISM OF SILICON IN THE RAT AND ITS RELATION TO THE FORMATION OF ARTIFICIAL SILICEOUS CALCULI

    PubMed Central

    Keeler, Richard F.; Lovelace, Stuart A.

    1959-01-01

    The urinary excretion of silicon in the rat was found to be enhanced beyond normal levels by the administration of various chemical forms of silicon. The excretion was enhanced to a much greater degree by the administration of ethyl silicate than by magnesium trisilicate, sodium metasilicate, or water glass. The tolerance level of rats to sustained daily doses of ethyl silicate fed via stomach tube was approximately 15 to 30 mg. of silicon per rat per day. Urinary silicon excretion was found to be a straight line function of the concentration of ethyl silicate administered, via stomach tube, with approximately 18 per cent of the administered silicon appearing in the urine at all levels tested. Using sustained dietary additions of ethyl silicate as a means of enhancing urine silicon levels, artificial siliceous urinary calculi were consistently produced on zinc pellets implanted in the bladders of rats. PMID:13654631

  5. Search for Large Presolar Silicate Grains in the QUE 99177 CR Chondrite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, A. N.; Messenger, S.

    2012-01-01

    Silicates are among the most abundant pre-solar grain type, and their diverse chemical and isotopic compos-tions preserve detailed constraints on their stellar origins, condensation conditions, and nucleosynthetic and interstellar processes. Yet, owing to their small sizes, relatively few grains have been measured for isotopic compositions besides O and Si, and their mineralogy is poorly characterized. The average grain size (approx 270 nm) limits the number of analyses that can be conducted on a given grain, and their identification among solar system silicates introduces contaminating signal. These difficulties can be overcome by identifying large presolar silicate grains. However, such grains are very rare and only two approx 1 micron grains have been discovered. We are conducting a dedicated search for large presolar silicates in size-separated QUE 99177 matrix material. This primitive meteorite has among the highest abundance of presolar silicates

  6. Farmers prevailing perception profiles regarding GM crops: A classification proposal.

    PubMed

    Almeida, Carla; Massarani, Luisa

    2018-04-01

    Genetically modified organisms have been at the centre of a major public controversy, involving different interests and actors. While much attention has been devoted to consumer views on genetically modified food, there have been few attempts to understand the perceptions of genetically modified technology among farmers. By investigating perceptions of genetically modified organisms among Brazilian farmers, we intend to contribute towards filling this gap and thereby add the views of this stakeholder group to the genetically modified debate. A comparative analysis of our data and data from other studies indicate there is a complex variety of views on genetically modified organisms among farmers. Despite this diversity, we found variations in such views occur within limited parameters, concerned principally with expectations or concrete experiences regarding the advantages of genetically modified crops, perceptions of risks associated with them, and ethical questions they raise. We then propose a classification of prevailing profiles to represent the spectrum of perceptions of genetically modified organisms among farmers.

  7. Tailored Organometallic Polymers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-01-31

    2-4). These synthetic pathways provide access to a wide variety of new silicon compounds for use as reagents in organic syntheses and the electronics...34Si0 2 as a Source of Si Containing Compounds / Polymers", D.J. Ray, R.M. Laine, C. Viney and T.R. Robinson, ACS Polymer Preprints (1991) 32(3), 550...3) as precursors to orgar.osilicon compounds .[10-12] Pentacoordinate silicates are easily prepa’ed frotv tetrasubstituted Si centers containing

  8. Integration of Nanofluids into Commercial Antifreeze Concentrates with ASTM D15 Corrosion Testing

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-05-01

    are also proprietary. Blending and Milling A Fisher Scientific Model 550 Sonic Disembrator was used in making nano dispersions. A horizontal 2L...Commercial Antifreeze Zerex/Water Three Zerex antifreeze concentrates were chosen: Zerex G-05: Phosphate free, long life hybrid formulation, mostly used ...for passenger cars. Zerex 618: Fully formulated with organic acid, mostly used for heavy duty diesel engines. Zerex Dex-Cool: Phosphate and silicate

  9. Cell-based composite materials with programmed structures and functions

    DOEpatents

    None

    2016-03-01

    The present invention is directed to the use of silicic acid to transform biological materials, including cellular architecture into inorganic materials to provide biocomposites (nanomaterials) with stabilized structure and function. In the present invention, there has been discovered a means to stabilize the structure and function of biological materials, including cells, biomolecules, peptides, proteins (especially including enzymes), lipids, lipid vesicles, polysaccharides, cytoskeletal filaments, tissue and organs with silicic acid such that these materials may be used as biocomposites. In many instances, these materials retain their original biological activity and may be used in harsh conditions which would otherwise destroy the integrity of the biological material. In certain instances, these biomaterials may be storage stable for long periods of time and reconstituted after storage to return the biological material back to its original form. In addition, by exposing an entire cell to form CSCs, the CSCs may function to provide a unique system to study enzymes or a cascade of enzymes which are otherwise unavailable.

  10. Interstellar Dust Models Consistent with Extinction, Emission, and Abundance Constraints

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zubko, Viktor; Dwek, Eli; Arendt, Richard G.

    2004-01-01

    We present new interstellar dust models which have been derived by simultaneously fitting the far ultraviolet to near infrared extinction, the diffuse infrared emission, and, unlike previous models, the elemental abundances in dust for the diffuse interstellar medium. We found that dust models consisting of a mixture of spherical graphite and silicate grains, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules, in addition to porous composite particles containing silicate, organic refractory, and water ice, provide an improved .t to the UV-to-infrared extinction and infrared emission measurements, while consuming the amounts of elements well within the uncertainties of adopted interstellar abundances, including B star abundances. These models are a signi.cant improvement over the recent Li & Draine (2001, ApJ, 554, 778) model which requires an excessive amount of silicon to be locked up in dust: 48 ppm (atoms per million of H atoms), considerably more than the solar abundance of 34 ppm or the B star abundance of 19 ppm.

  11. Cell-based composite materials with programmed structures and functions

    DOEpatents

    Kaehr, Bryan J.; Brinker, C. Jeffrey; Townson, Jason L.

    2018-05-15

    The present invention is directed to the use of silicic acid to transform biological materials, including cellular architecture into inorganic materials to provide biocomposites (nanomaterials) with stabilized structure and function. In the present invention, there has been discovered a means to stabilize the structure and function of biological materials, including cells, biomolecules, peptides, proteins (especially including enzymes), lipids, lipid vesicles, polysaccharides, cytoskeletal filaments, tissue and organs with silicic acid such that these materials may be used as biocomposites. In many instances, these materials retain their original biological activity and may be used in harsh conditions which would otherwise destroy the integrity of the biological material. In certain instances, these biomaterials may be storage stable for long periods of time and reconstituted after storage to return the biological material back to its original form. In addition, by exposing an entire cell to form CSCs, the CSCs may function to provide a unique system to study enzymes or a cascade of enzymes which are otherwise unavailable.

  12. Mesocrystalline calcium silicate hydrate: A bioinspired route toward elastic concrete materials

    PubMed Central

    Picker, Andreas; Nicoleau, Luc; Burghard, Zaklina; Bill, Joachim; Zlotnikov, Igor; Labbez, Christophe; Nonat, André; Cölfen, Helmut

    2017-01-01

    Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) is the binder in concrete, the most used synthetic material in the world. The main weakness of concrete is the lack of elasticity and poor flexural strength considerably limiting its potential, making reinforcing steel constructions necessary. Although the properties of C-S-H could be significantly improved in organic hybrids, the full potential of this approach could not be reached because of the random C-S-H nanoplatelet structure. Taking inspiration from a sea urchin spine with highly ordered nanoparticles in the biomineral mesocrystal, we report a bioinspired route toward a C-S-H mesocrystal with highly aligned C-S-H nanoplatelets interspaced with a polymeric binder. A material with a bending strength similar to nacre is obtained, outperforming all C-S-H–based materials known to date. This strategy could greatly benefit future construction processes because fracture toughness and elasticity of brittle cementitious materials can be largely enhanced on the nanoscale. PMID:29209660

  13. The role of boric acid in the synthesis of Eni Carbon Silicates.

    PubMed

    Zanardi, Stefano; Bellussi, Giuseppe; Parker, Wallace O'Neil; Montanari, Erica; Bellettato, Michela; Cruciani, Giuseppe; Carati, Angela; Guidetti, Stefania; Rizzo, Caterina; Millini, Roberto

    2014-07-21

    The influence of H3BO3 on the crystallization of hybrid organic-inorganic aluminosilicates denoted as Eni Carbon Silicates (ECS's) was investigated. Syntheses were carried out at 100 °C under different experimental conditions, using bridged silsesquioxanes of general formula (EtO)3Si-R-Si(OEt)3 (R = -C6H4- (BTEB), -C10H6- (BTEN) and -C6H4-C6H4- (BTEBP)), in the presence of equimolar concentrations of NaAlO2 and H3BO3. The study, involving the synthesis of three different but structurally related phases (ECS-14 from BTEB, ECS-13 here described for the first time from BTEN, and ECS-5 from BTEBP), confirmed a catalytic role for H3BO3 which in general increased the crystallization rate and improved the product quality in terms of amount of crystallized phase (crystallinity), size of the crystallites and phase purity, while it was weakly incorporated in trace amounts in the framework of ECS's.

  14. The Mineralogy of Circumstellar Silicates Preserved in Cometary Dust

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keller, L. P.; Messenger, S.

    2010-01-01

    Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) contain a record of the building blocks of the solar system including presolar grains, molecular cloud material, and materials formed in the early solar nebula. Cometary IDPs have remained relatively unaltered since their accretion because of the lack of parent body thermal and aqueous alteration. We are using coordinated transmission electron microscope (TEM) and ion microprobe studies to establish the origins of the various components within cometary IDPs. Of particular interest is the nature and abundance of presolar silicates in these particles because astronomical observations suggest that crystalline and amorphous silicates are the dominant grain types produced in young main sequence stars and evolved O-rich stars. Five circumstellar grains have been identified including three amorphous silicate grains and two polycrystalline aggregates. All of these grains are between 0.2 and 0.5 micrometers in size. The isotopic compositions of all five presolar silicate grains fall within the range of presolar oxides and silicates, having large (17)O-enrichments and normal (18)O/(16)O ratios (Group 1 grains from AGB and RG stars). The amorphous silicates are chemically heterogeneous and contain nanophase FeNi metal and FeS grains in a Mg-silicate matrix. Two of the amorphous silicate grains are aggregates with subgrains showing variable Mg/Si ratios in chemical maps. The polycrystalline grains show annealed textures (equilibrium grains boundaries, uniform Mg/Fe ratios), and consist of 50-100 nm enstatite and pyrrhotite grains with lesser forsterite. One of the polycrystalline aggregates contains a subgrain of diopside. The polycrystalline aggregates form by subsolidus annealing of amorphous precursors. The bulk compositions of the five grains span a wide range in Mg/Si ratios from 0.4 to 1.2 (avg. 0.86). The average Fe/Si (0.40) and S/Si (0.21) ratios show a much narrower range of values and are approximately 50% of their solar abundances. The latter observation may indicate a decoupling of the silicate and sulfide components in grains that condense in stellar outflows. The amorphous silicate grains described here were not extensively affected by irradiation, sputtering, or thermal processing and may represent relatively pristine circumstellar grains. They are strong candidates for the "dirty silicates" in astronomical observations of circumstellar dust shells. The polycrystalline grains were originally amorphous silicate grains that were likely annealed in the early solar nebula but the processing was not sufficient to erase their anomalous oxygen isotopic compositions.

  15. Partitioning of carbon between Fe-rich alloy melt and silicate melt in a magma ocean - Implications for the abundance and origin of volatiles in Earth, Mars, and the Moon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chi, Han; Dasgupta, Rajdeep; Duncan, Megan S.; Shimizu, Nobumichi

    2014-08-01

    The budget and origin of carbon in Earth and other terrestrial planets are debated and one of the key unknowns is the fate of carbon during early planetary processes including accretion, core formation, and magma ocean (MO) crystallization. Here we determine, experimentally, the solubility of carbon in coexisting Fe-Ni alloy melt and basaltic silicate melt in shallow MO conditions, i.e., at 1-3 GPa, 1500-1800 °C. Oxygen fugacity of the experiments, estimated based on Fe (in metallic alloy melt)-FeO (in silicate melt) equilibrium, varied between ∼IW-0.4 and IW-1.0, where IW refers to the oxygen fugacity imposed by the coexistence of iron and wüstite. Four different starting mixes, each with 7:3 silicate:metal mass ratio and silicate melt NBO/T (estimated proportion of non-bridging oxygen with respect to tetrahedral cations; NBO/T=2×/total OT -4, where T = Si + Ti + Al + Cr + P) ranging from 0.81 to 1.54 were studied. Concentrations of carbon in the alloy melt were determined using electron microprobe whereas carbon contents of quenched basaltic glasses were determined using secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS). Identification of carbon and hydrogen-bearing species in silicate glasses was performed using Raman and Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Our results show that carbon in the metallic melt varies between 4.4 wt.% and 7.4 wt.% and increases with increasing temperature and modestly with increasing pressure but decreases with increasing Ni content of the alloy melt. Carbon concentration in the silicate melts, on the other hand, varies from 11 ± 1 ppm to 111 ± 7 ppm and is negatively correlated with pressure but positively correlated with temperature, the NBO/T, the oxygen fugacity and the water content of the silicate melts. Raman and FTIR results show that at our experimental conditions, carbon in silicate melt is dissolved both as hydrogenated species and CO32-. The calculated carbon partition coefficient DCmetal/silicate varies from 510 ± 53 to 5369 ± 217 and varies systematically as a function of P, T, fO2, water content, the composition of the silicate melt (expressed using NBO/T), and Ni content of alloy melt (XNi). The range of DCmetal/silicate measured in our study with carbonated and hydrogenated carbon species in silicate melt is similar to that reported in the literature for experiments where carbonyl complexes are the chief carbon species in silicate melts. A parameterization was derived using the data from this and existing studies such as lnDCmetal/silicate=a/T+b·P/T+c·ln(fO2)+d·(NBO/T)+e·ln(1-XNi)+f where a = -33,510, b = 1357, c = -0.596, d = -1.182, e = 4.15, f = 13.38, the temperature is in Kelvin, and the pressure is in gigapascal. Using this parameterization and the estimated conditions for the base of the MOs, the average DCmetal/silicate value for Earth, Mars, and the Moon can be predicted. The deep MO of Earth is predicted to cause the strongest depletion of its silicate carbon budget, closely followed by Mars with intermediate depth MO, and then the Moon with a shallow MO. We predict that the lunar mantle carbon budget, similar to that of the Earth’s present-day upper mantle, might have been set by equilibrium core-mantle fractionation in MO; whereas for Earth, later processes such as ingassing from a proto-atmosphere and late-stage accretion of volatile-rich material was necessary for delivery of carbon and other volatiles. Finally, the comparison of our measured and predicted value of DCmetal/silicate for terrestrial MO with similar constraints on DNmetal/silicate from the literature suggests that the apparent depletion of nitrogen relative to carbon for the bulk silicate Earth and the Earth’s upper mantle is unlikely to be caused by preferential partitioning of nitrogen to alloy melt during core formation.

  16. Spinodal decomposition in amorphous metal-silicate thin films: Phase diagram analysis and interface effects on kinetics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, H.; McIntyre, P. C.

    2002-11-01

    Among several metal silicate candidates for high permittivity gate dielectric applications, the mixing thermodynamics of the ZrO2-SiO2 system were analyzed, based on previously published experimental phase diagrams. The driving force for spinodal decomposition was investigated in an amorphous silicate that was treated as a supercooled liquid solution. A subregular model was used for the excess free energy of mixing of the liquid, and measured invariant points were adopted for the calculations. The resulting simulated ZrO2-SiO2 phase diagram matched the experimental results reasonably well and indicated that a driving force exists for amorphous Zr-silicate compositions between approx40 mol % and approx90 mol % SiO2 to decompose into a ZrO2-rich phase (approx20 mol % SiO2) and SiO2-rich phase (>98 mol % SiO2) through diffusional phase separation at a temperature of 900 degC. These predictions are consistent with recent experimental reports of phase separation in amorphous Zr-silicate thin films. Other metal-silicate systems were also investigated and composition ranges for phase separation in amorphous Hf, La, and Y silicates were identified from the published bulk phase diagrams. The kinetics of one-dimensional spinodal decomposition normal to the plane of the film were simulated for an initially homogeneous Zr-silicate dielectric layer. We examined the effects that local stresses and the capillary driving force for component segregation to the interface have on the rate of spinodal decomposition in amorphous metal-silicate thin films.

  17. Interstellar Grains: 50 Years on

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wickramasinghe, N. C.

    Our understanding of the nature of interstellar grains has evolved considerably over the past half century with the present author and Fred Hoyle being intimately involved at several key stages of progress. The currently fashionable graphite-silicate-organic grain model has all its essential aspects unequivocally traceable to original peer-reviewed publications by the author and/or Fred Hoyle. The prevailing reluctance to accept these clear-cut priorities may be linked to our further work that argued for interstellar grains and organics to have a biological provenance -- a position perceived as heretical. The biological model, however, continues to provide a powerful unifying hypothesis for a vast amount of otherwise disconnected and disparate astronomical data.

  18. Organoclay nanocomposites of post-industrial waste poly(butylene terephthalate) from automotive parts.

    PubMed

    Quispe, Noe B; Fernandes, Elizabeth G; Zanata, Fernanda; Bartoli, Julio R; Souza, Diego H S; Ito, Edson N

    2015-10-01

    Polymeric nanocomposites are novel materials of huge interest owing to their favourable cost/performance ratio with low amount of nanofillers, improved thermal resistance, flame retardancy and mechanical properties in relation to their matrices. In this work, composites based on post-industrial waste or primary recycled poly(butylene terephthalate) and 5 wt.% of organic modified montmorillonite clays were melt compounded using a twin-screw extruder. A 2(2) factorial experimental design was used to study the compounding and processing variables: Organic modified montmorillonite with one or two hydrogenated tallow (initial basal spacing) and screw speed of the extruder. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy suggest that a partial exfoliation of the organoclay in the recycled poly(butylene terephthalate) matrix was achieved for organic modified montmorillonite with lower initial basal spacing. On the other hand, formulations containing organic modified montmorillonite with higher initial basal spacing showed only intercalated structure. The recycled poly(butylene terephthalate)-organic modified montmorillonite nanocomposites did not drip flaming material during burning tests. Storage of dynamic-mechanical, tensile and flexural moduli of the recycled poly(butylene terephthalate)-organic modified montmorillonite were improved when compared with both virgin and recycled poly(butylene terephthalate)s, mainly for nanocomposites formulated at a lower initial basal spacing organoclay. This could be related to a better diffusion of polymer into organic modified montmorillonite layers compared with the higher initial basal spacing organoclay. The improvements on the physical properties of recycled poly(butylene terephthalate) showed the feasibility to add value to primary recycled engineering thermoplastics with a very small amount of organic modified montmorillonite. © The Author(s) 2015.

  19. Protective Coating For Laser Drilling Of Silicon

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shlichta, Paul J.

    1988-01-01

    Sodium silicate prevents spattered silicon from fusing with surrounding material. Sodium silicate solution applied to wafer by dipping and draining or by spinning; application by spraying also works. When dried in oven, solution leaves thin coating of sodium silicate glass.

  20. Isolation of nonvolatile, organic solutes from natural waters by zeotrophic distillation of water from N,N-dimethylformamide

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Leenheer, J.A.; Brown, P.A.; Stiles, E.A.

    1987-01-01

    Nonvolatile, organic solutes that comprise the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in saline waters were isolated by removal of the water by distillation from a N,N-dimethylformamideformic acid-acetonitrile mixture. Salts isolated with the DOC were removed by crystallization of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate from the solvent mixture, removal of silicic acid by acidification and precipitation, removal of boric acid by methylation and volatilization, and removal of phosphate by zinc acetate precipitation. Chemical alteration of the organic solutes was minimized during evaporative concentration steps by careful control of acid concentrations in the solvent mixture and was minimized during drying by conversion of the samples to pyridinium and sodium salts. Recoveries of various hydrophilic organic standards from aqueous salt solutions and recoveries of natural organic solutes from various water samples varied from 60 to 100%. Losses of organic solutes during the isolation procedure were nonselective and related to the number of salt- and precipitate-washing cycles in the procedure.

  1. Fossilization Processes in Thermal Springs

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Farmer, Jack D.; Cady, Sherry; Desmarais, David J.; Chang, Sherwood (Technical Monitor)

    1995-01-01

    To create a comparative framework for the study of ancient examples, we have been carrying out parallel studies of the microbial biosedimentology, taphonomy and geochemistry of modem and sub-Recent thermal spring deposits. One goal of the research is the development of integrated litho- and taphofacies models for siliceous and travertline sinters. Thermal springs are regarded as important environments for the origin and early evolution of life on Earth, and we seek to utilize information from the fossil record to reconstruct the evolution of high temperature ecosystems. Microbial contributions to the fabric of thermal spring sinters occur when population growth rates keep pace with, or exceed rates of inorganic precipitation, allowing for the development of continuous biofilms or mats. In siliceous thermal springs, microorganisms are typically entombed while viable. Modes of preservation reflect the balance between rates of organic matter degradation, silica precipitation and secondary infilling. Subaerial sinters are initially quite porous and permeable and at temperatures higher than about 20 C, organic materials are usually degraded prior to secondary infilling of sinter frameworks. Thus, organically-preserved microfossils are rare and fossil information consists of characteristic biofabrics formed by the encrustation and underplating of microbial mat surfaces. This probably accounts for the typically low total organic carbon values observed in thermal spring deposits. In mid-temperature, (approx. 35 - 59 C) ponds and outflows, the surface morphology of tufted Phormidium mats is preserved through mat underplating by thin siliceous: crusts. Microbial taxes lead to clumping of ceils and/or preferred filament orientations that together define higher order composite fabrics in thermal spring stromatolites (e.g. network, coniform, and palisade). At lower temperatures (less than 35 C), Calothrix mats cover shallow terracette pools forming flat carpets or pustular surfaces that produce palisade and "shrub" fabrics, respectively. At finer scales, composite fabrics are seen to consist distinctive associations of microstructures formed by the encrustation of individual cells and filaments. Composite fabrics survive the diagenetic transitions from primary opaline silica to quartz and are known from subaerial thermal spring deposits as old as Lower Carboniferous. However, fossil microorganisms tend to be rare in older deposits, and are usually preserved only where cells or sheaths have been stained by iron oxides. In subaqueous mineralizing springs at lower temperatures, early infilling leads to a more rapid and complete reduction in porosity and permeability. This process, along with the slower rates of microbial degradation at lower temperatures, creates a more favorable situation for organic matter preservation. Application of this taphonomic model to the Rhynie Chert, previously interpreted as subaerial, suggest it was probably deposited in a subaqueous spring setting at lower temperatures.

  2. Pyrolytic Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes from Sucrose on a Mesoporous Silicate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Abdel-Fattah, Tarek; Siochi, Mia; Crooks, Roy

    2005-01-01

    Multiwall carbon nanotubes were synthesized from sucrose by a pyrolytic technique using mesoporous MCM-41 silicate templates without transition metal catalysts. The Nanotubes were examined in the carbon/silicate composite and after dissolution of the silicate. High resolution transmission electron microscopy study of the multiwall nanotubes showed them to be 15 nm in diameter, 200 nm in length and close-ended. There was variation in crystallinity with some nanotubes showing disordered wall structures.

  3. Reagentless and calibrationless silicate measurement in oceanic waters.

    PubMed

    Giraud, William; Lesven, Ludovic; Jońca, Justyna; Barus, Carole; Gourdal, Margaux; Thouron, Danièle; Garçon, Véronique; Comtat, Maurice

    2012-08-15

    Determination of silicate concentration in seawater without addition of liquid reagents was the key prerequisite for developing an autonomous in situ electrochemical silicate sensor (Lacombe et al., 2007) [11]. The present challenge is to address the issue of calibrationless determination. To achieve such an objective, we chose chronoamperometry performed successively on planar microelectrode (ME) and ultramicroelectrode (UME) among the various possibilities. This analytical method allows estimating simultaneously the diffusion coefficient and the concentration of the studied species. Results obtained with ferrocyanide are in excellent agreement with values of the imposed concentration and diffusion coefficient found in the literature. For the silicate reagentless method, successive chronoamperometric measurements have been performed using a pair of gold disk electrodes for both UME and ME. Our calibrationless method was tested with different concentrations of silicate in artificial seawater from 55 to 140×10(-6) mol L(-1). The average value obtained for the diffusion coefficient of the silicomolybdic complex is 2.2±0.4×10(-6) cm(2) s(-1), consistent with diffusion coefficient values of molecules in liquid media. Good results were observed when comparing known concentration of silicate with experimentally derived ones. Further work is underway to explore silicate determination within the lower range of oceanic silicate concentration, down to 0.1×10(-6) mol L(-1). Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. The effects of sulfide composition on the solubility of sulfur in coexisting silicate melts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smythe, Duane; Wood, Bernard; Kiseeva, Ekaterina

    2016-04-01

    The extent to which sulfur dissolves in silicate melts saturated in an immiscible sulfide phase is a fundamental question in igneous petrology and plays a primary role in the generation of magmatic ore deposits, volcanic degassing and planetary differentiation. Terrestrial sulfide melts often contain over 20 weight percent Ni + Cu, however, most experimental studies investigating sulfur solubility in silicate melt have been primarily concerned with the effects of silicate melt composition, and pure FeS has been use as the immiscible sulfide melt (O'Neill and Mavrogenes, 2002; Li and Ripley, 2005). To investigation of the effects of sulfide composition, in addition to those of temperature, pressure and silicate melt composition, on sulfur solubility in silicate melts, we have carried out a series of experiments done at pressures between 1.5 and 3 GPa and temperatures from 1400 to 1800C over a range of compositions of both the silicate and sulfide melt. We find that the solubility of sulfur in silicate melts drops significantly with the substitution of Ni and Cu for Fe in the immiscible sulfide melt, decreasing by approximately 40% at mole fractions of NiS + Cu2S of 0.4. Combining our results with those from the previous studies investigating sulfur solubility in silicate melts we have also found that solubility increases with increasing temperature and decreases pressure. These results show that without considering the composition of the immiscible sulfide phase the sulfur content of silicate melts can be significantly overestimated. This may serve to explain the relatively low sulfur concentrations in MORB melts, which previous models predict to be undersaturated in a sulfide phase despite showing chemical and textural evidence for sulfide saturation. Li, C. & Ripley, E. M. (2005). Empirical equations to predict the sulfur content of mafic magmas at sulfide saturation and applications to magmatic sulfide deposits. Mineralium Deposita 40, 218-230. O'Neill, H. S. C. & Mavrogenes, J. A. (2002). The Sulfide Capacity and the Sulfur Content at Sulfide Saturation of Silicate Melts at 1400°C and 1 bar. Journal of Petrology 43, 1049-1087.

  5. Encapsulation of enzyme via one-step template-free formation of stable organic-inorganic capsules: A simple and efficient method for immobilizing enzyme with high activity and recyclability.

    PubMed

    Huang, Renliang; Wu, Mengyun; Goldman, Mark J; Li, Zhi

    2015-06-01

    Enzyme encapsulation is a simple, gentle, and general method for immobilizing enzyme, but it often suffers from one or more problems regarding enzyme loading efficiency, enzyme leakage, mechanical stability, and recyclability. Here we report a novel, simple, and efficient method for enzyme encapsulation to overcome these problems by forming stable organic-inorganic hybrid capsules. A new, facile, one-step, and template-free synthesis of organic-inorganic capsules in aqueous phase were developed based on PEI-induced simultaneous interfacial self-assembly of Fmoc-FF and polycondensation of silicate. Addition of an aqueous solution of Fmoc-FF and sodium silicate into an aqueous solution of PEI gave a new class of organic-inorganic hybrid capsules (FPSi) with multi-layered structure in high yield. The capsules are mechanically stable due to the incorporation of inorganic silica. Direct encapsulation of enzyme such as epoxide hydrolase SpEH and BSA along with the formation of the organic-inorganic capsules gave high yield of enzyme-containing capsules (∼1.2 mm in diameter), >90% enzyme loading efficiency, high specific enzyme loading (158 mg protein g(-1) carrier), and low enzyme leakage (<3% after 48 h incubation). FPSi-SpEH capsules catalyzed the hydrolysis of cyclohexene oxide to give (1R, 2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diol in high yield and concentration, with high specific activity (6.94 U mg(-1) protein) and the same high enantioselectivity as the free enzyme. The immobilized SpEH demonstrated also excellent operational stability and recyclability: retaining 87% productivity after 20 cycles with a total reaction time of 80 h. The new enzyme encapsulation method is efficient, practical, and also better than other reported encapsulation methods. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. The Lack of Chemical Equilibrium does not Preclude the Use of the Classical Nucleation Theory in Circumstellar Outflows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Paquette, John A.; Nuth, Joseph A., III

    2011-01-01

    Classical nucleation theory has been used in models of dust nucleation in circumstellar outflows around oxygen-rich asymptotic giant branch stars. One objection to the application of classical nucleation theory (CNT) to astrophysical systems of this sort is that an equilibrium distribution of clusters (assumed by CNT) is unlikely to exist in such conditions due to a low collision rate of condensable species. A model of silicate grain nucleation and growth was modified to evaluate the effect of a nucleation flux orders of magnitUde below the equilibrium value. The results show that a lack of chemical equilibrium has only a small effect on the ultimate grain distribution.

  7. The librational band of water ice in AFGL 961: revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, R. G.; Wright, C. M.

    2011-07-01

    Of all the water ice absorption bands seen in the laboratory, the librational band near 12-13 μ m has proven the most difficult to conclusively identify in observational spectra. Cox reported the detection of this band in the IRAS spectrum of the massive protostar AFGL 961 near 13.6 μ m; however, the details of the structure of the band were limited by the quality of the IRAS spectrum and the accuracy of the subtracted silicate absorption. AFGL 961 is also a double system comprising two point-like components separated by ˜6 arcsec (AFGL 961E and AFGL 961W) so the IRAS aperture included both components - it is unclear how the combination of the intrinsic spectra of these two sources may have affected the resultant IRAS spectrum. In this paper we report Spitzer and European Southern Observatory (ESO) 3.6-m mid-infrared spectroscopic observations of each component of AFGL 961. We find a broad absorption feature near 13.1 μ m common to both AFGL 961E and W. The profile and peak wavelength of this feature are well matched by the laboratory spectrum of the librational band of amorphous H2O ice in the temperature range 10-30 K, in agreement with the Cox result. Both AFGL 961E and W also have strong CO2 ice absorption near 15.2 μ m, indistinguishable in profile between the two. However, AFGL 961E shows silicates in absorption near 9.7 μ m, while AFGL 961W shows polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in emission and, in a small aperture, also silicates in emission. Uncertainty in where the true continuum lies in the 8-13 μ m spectral region for both AFGL 961E and W means we cannot rule out the possibility that a combination of silicate emission and absorption could be responsible for at least some of the features we see in this region. In this case, a much weaker librational band could still be present, but not as a distinct feature. In either case, the ice must be located in a cool, outer envelope surrounding both stars or a cool foreground cloud, far enough away that the ice is not appreciably modified by the local environment of either one.

  8. The composition of Earth's core from equations of state, metal-silicate partitioning, and core formation modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fischer, Rebecca; Campbell, Andrew; Ciesla, Fred

    2016-04-01

    The Earth accreted in a series of increasingly large and violent collisions. Simultaneously, the metallic core segregated from the silicate mantle, acquiring its modern composition through high pressure (P), high temperature (T) partitioning reactions. Here we present a model that couples these aspects of early planetary evolution, building on recent accretion simulations and metal-silicate partitioning experiments, constrained by density measurements of Fe-rich alloys. Previously, the equations of state of FeO, Fe-9Si, Fe-16Si, and FeSi were measured to megabar pressures and several thousand K using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell. With these equations of state, we determined that the core's density can be reproduced through the addition of 11.3 +/- 0.6 wt% silicon or 8.1 +/- 1.1 wt% oxygen to an Fe-Ni alloy (Fischer et al., 2011, 2014). Metal-silicate partitioning experiments of Ni, Co, V, Cr, Si, and O have been performed in a diamond anvil cell to 100 GPa and 5700 K, allowing the effects of P, T, and composition on the partitioning behaviors of these elements to be parameterized (Fischer et al., 2015; Siebert et al., 2012). Here we apply those experimental results to model Earth's core formation, using N-body simulations to describe the delivery, masses, and original locations of planetary building blocks (Fischer and Ciesla, 2014). As planets accrete, their core and mantle compositions are modified by high P-T reactions with each collision (Rubie et al., 2011). For partial equilibration of the mantle at 55% of the evolving core-mantle boundary pressure and the liquidus temperature, we find that the core contains 5.4 wt% Si and 1.9 wt% O. This composition is consistent with the seismologically-inferred density of Earth's core, based on comparisons to our equations of state, and indicate that the core cannot contain more than ~2 wt% S or C. Earth analogues experience 1.2 +/- 0.2 log units of oxidation during accretion, due to both the effects of high P-T partitioning and the temporal evolution of the Earth's feeding zone. This modeling can reveal the relative importance of various accretion and differentiation processes to core composition, highlighting targets for future experimental and numerical studies.

  9. Investigation of the noble gas solubility in H 2O-CO 2 bearing silicate liquids at moderate pressure II: the extended ionic porosity (EIP) model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nuccio, P. M.; Paonita, A.

    2000-12-01

    A semi-theoretical model is proposed to predict partitioning of noble gases between any silicate liquid and a H 2O-CO 2 gas phase with noble gas as a minor component, in a large range of pressures (at least up to 300 MPa). The model is based on the relationship between the concentration of dissolved noble gas and ionic porosity of the melt, found by Carroll and Stolper [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 57 (1993) 5039-5051] for H 2O-CO 2 free melts. It evaluates the effect of dissolved H 2O and CO 2 on the melt ionic porosity and, consequently on Henry's constants of noble gases. The fugacities of the noble gases in the H 2O-CO 2-noble gas mixtures are also considered in our equilibrium calculations of dissolved gas by using a modified Redlich-Kwong equation of state for the H 2O-CO 2-noble gas system. The formulated model (referred to as the extended ionic porosity model) clearly predicts a positive dependence of noble gas solubility on dissolved H 2O in melt, which becomes negligible when water concentration is higher than 3 wt%. Oppositely, noble gas solubility decreases as a consequence of increasing CO 2 in both basaltic and rhyolitic melts. The increase of noble gas solubility as a consequence of H 2O addition to the melt grows exponentially with the increase of the noble gas atomic size. As a result, although xenon solubility is much lower than the helium solubility in anhydrous melts, they become almost comparable at several percent of dissolved H 2O in the melt. On this basis, an exponential augmentation of the number of large free spaces in silicate liquid can be inferred in relation to increasing dissolved H 2O. Comparison between our predicted values and available experimental data [A. Paonita et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 181 (2000) 595-604] shows good agreement. At present, the EIP model is the unique tool which predicts how the main volatiles in magmatic systems affect the noble gas solubility in silicate melts, therefore it should be taken into account for future studies of noble gas fractionation in degassing natural magmas.

  10. MID-INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC OBSERVATIONS OF FRAGMENTS B AND C OF COMET 73P/SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN 3

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

    Harker, David E.; Woodward, Charles E.; Kelley, Michael S.

    2011-01-15

    We present mid-infrared spectra and images from the Gemini-N (+ Michelle) observations of fragments SW3-[B] and SW3-[C] of the ecliptic (Jupiter family) comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 pre-perihelion. We observed fragment B soon after an outburst event (between 2006 April 16-26 UT) and detected crystalline silicates. The mineralogy of both fragments was dominated by amorphous carbon and amorphous pyroxene. The grain size distribution (assuming a Hanner-modified power law) for fragment SW3-[B] has a peak grain radius of a{sub p} {approx} 0.5 {mu}m, and for fragment SW3-[C], a{sub p} {approx} 0.3 {mu}m; both values are larger than the peak grain radius of themore » size distribution for the dust ejected from ecliptic comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the Deep Impact event (a{sub p} = 0.2 {mu}m). The silicate-to-carbon ratio and the silicate crystalline mass fraction for the submicron to micron-sized portion of the grain size distribution on the nucleus of fragment SW3-[B] were 1.341{sup +0.250}{sub -0.253} and 0.335{sup +0.089}{sub -0.112}, respectively, while on the nucleus of fragment SW3-[C] they were 0.671{sup +0.076}{sub -0.076} and 0.257{sup +0.039}{sub -0.043}, respectively. The similarity in mineralogy and grain properties between the two fragments implies that 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 is homogeneous in composition. The slight differences in grain size distribution and silicate-to-carbon ratio between the two fragments likely arise because SW3-[B] was actively fragmenting throughout its passage while the activity in SW3-[C] was primarily driven by jets. The lack of diverse mineralogy in the fragments SW3-[B] and SW3-[C] of 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 along with the relatively larger peak in the coma grain size distribution suggests that the parent body of this comet may have formed in a region of the solar nebula with different environmental properties than the natal sites where comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) and 9P/Tempel 1 nuclei aggregated.« less

  11. Relationships between CO 2, thermodynamic limits on silicate weathering, and the strength of the silicate weathering feedback

    DOE PAGES

    Winnick, Matthew J.; Maher, Kate

    2018-01-27

    Recent studies have suggested that thermodynamic limitations on chemical weathering rates exert a first-order control on riverine solute fluxes and by extension, global chemical weathering rates. As such, these limitations may play a prominent role in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels (pCO 2) over geologic timescales by constraining the maximum global weathering flux. In this study, we develop a theoretical scaling relationship between equilibrium solute concentrations and pCO 2 based on equilibrium constants and reaction stoichiometry relating primary mineral dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. Here, we test this theoretical scaling relationship against reactive transport simulations of chemical weathering profilesmore » under open-and closed-system conditions, representing partially and fully water-saturated regolith, respectively. Under open-system conditions, equilibrium bicarbonate concentrations vary as a power-law function of pCO 2(y =kx n)where nis dependent on reaction stoichiometry and kis dependent on both reaction stoichiometry and the equilibrium constant. Under closed-system conditions, bicarbonate concentrations vary linearly with pCO 2 at low values and approach open-system scaling at high pCO 2. To describe the potential role of thermodynamic limitations in the global silicate weathering feedback, we develop a new mathematical framework to assess weathering feedback strength in terms of both (1) steady-state atmospheric pCO 2 concentrations, and (2) susceptibility to secular changes in degassing rates and transient carbon cycle perturbations, which we term 1st and 2nd order feedback strength, respectively. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the effects of vascular land plant evolution on feedback strength, the potential role of vegetation in controlling modern solute fluxes, and the application of these frameworks to a more complete functional description of the silicate weathering feedback. Most notably, the dependence of equilibrium solute concentrations on pCO 2 may represent a direct weathering feedback largely independent of climate and modulated by belowground organic carbon respiration.« less

  12. The Carbonate-Silicate Cycle on Earth-like Planets Near The End Of Their Habitable Lifetimes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rushby, A. J.; Mills, B.; Johnson, M.; Claire, M.

    2016-12-01

    The terrestrial cycle of silicate weathering and metamorphic outgassing buffers atmospheric CO2 and global climate over geological time on Earth. To first order, the operation of this cycle is assumed to occur on Earth-like planets in the orbit of other main-sequence stars in the galaxy that exhibit similar continent/ocean configurations. This has important implications for studies of planetary habitability, atmospheric and climatic evolution, and our understanding of the potential distribution of life in the Universe. We present results from a simple biogeochemical carbon cycle model developed to investigate the operation of the carbonate-silicate cycle under conditions of differing planet mass and position within the radiative habitable zone. An active carbonate-silicate cycle does extend the length of a planet's habitable period through the regulation of the CO2 greenhouse. However, the breakdown of the negative feedback between temperature, pCO2, and weathering rates towards the end of a planet's habitable lifespan results in a transitory regime of `carbon starvation' that would inhibit the ability of oxygenic photoautotrophs to metabolize, and result in the collapse of any putative biosphere supported by these organisms, suggesting an earlier limit for the initiation of inhabitable conditions than when considering temperature alone. This conclusion stresses the importance of considering the full suite of planetary properties when determining potential habitability. A small sample of exoplanets was tested using this model, and the length of their habitable periods were found to be significantly longer than that of the Earth, primarily as a function of the differential rates of stellar evolution expected from their host stars. Furthermore, we carried out statistical analysis of a series of model input parameters, determining that both the mass of the planet and the sensitivity of seafloor weathering processes to dissolved CO2 exhibit significant controls on the length of a planet's habitable period.

  13. Relationships between CO 2, thermodynamic limits on silicate weathering, and the strength of the silicate weathering feedback

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

    Winnick, Matthew J.; Maher, Kate

    Recent studies have suggested that thermodynamic limitations on chemical weathering rates exert a first-order control on riverine solute fluxes and by extension, global chemical weathering rates. As such, these limitations may play a prominent role in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels (pCO 2) over geologic timescales by constraining the maximum global weathering flux. In this study, we develop a theoretical scaling relationship between equilibrium solute concentrations and pCO 2 based on equilibrium constants and reaction stoichiometry relating primary mineral dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. Here, we test this theoretical scaling relationship against reactive transport simulations of chemical weathering profilesmore » under open-and closed-system conditions, representing partially and fully water-saturated regolith, respectively. Under open-system conditions, equilibrium bicarbonate concentrations vary as a power-law function of pCO 2(y =kx n)where nis dependent on reaction stoichiometry and kis dependent on both reaction stoichiometry and the equilibrium constant. Under closed-system conditions, bicarbonate concentrations vary linearly with pCO 2 at low values and approach open-system scaling at high pCO 2. To describe the potential role of thermodynamic limitations in the global silicate weathering feedback, we develop a new mathematical framework to assess weathering feedback strength in terms of both (1) steady-state atmospheric pCO 2 concentrations, and (2) susceptibility to secular changes in degassing rates and transient carbon cycle perturbations, which we term 1st and 2nd order feedback strength, respectively. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the effects of vascular land plant evolution on feedback strength, the potential role of vegetation in controlling modern solute fluxes, and the application of these frameworks to a more complete functional description of the silicate weathering feedback. Most notably, the dependence of equilibrium solute concentrations on pCO 2 may represent a direct weathering feedback largely independent of climate and modulated by belowground organic carbon respiration.« less

  14. Relationships between CO2, thermodynamic limits on silicate weathering, and the strength of the silicate weathering feedback

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Winnick, Matthew J.; Maher, Kate

    2018-03-01

    Recent studies have suggested that thermodynamic limitations on chemical weathering rates exert a first-order control on riverine solute fluxes and by extension, global chemical weathering rates. As such, these limitations may play a prominent role in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels (pCO2) over geologic timescales by constraining the maximum global weathering flux. In this study, we develop a theoretical scaling relationship between equilibrium solute concentrations and pCO2 based on equilibrium constants and reaction stoichiometry relating primary mineral dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. We test this theoretical scaling relationship against reactive transport simulations of chemical weathering profiles under open- and closed-system conditions, representing partially and fully water-saturated regolith, respectively. Under open-system conditions, equilibrium bicarbonate concentrations vary as a power-law function of pCO2 (y = kxn) where n is dependent on reaction stoichiometry and k is dependent on both reaction stoichiometry and the equilibrium constant. Under closed-system conditions, bicarbonate concentrations vary linearly with pCO2 at low values and approach open-system scaling at high pCO2. To describe the potential role of thermodynamic limitations in the global silicate weathering feedback, we develop a new mathematical framework to assess weathering feedback strength in terms of both (1) steady-state atmospheric pCO2 concentrations, and (2) susceptibility to secular changes in degassing rates and transient carbon cycle perturbations, which we term 1st and 2nd order feedback strength, respectively. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the effects of vascular land plant evolution on feedback strength, the potential role of vegetation in controlling modern solute fluxes, and the application of these frameworks to a more complete functional description of the silicate weathering feedback. Most notably, the dependence of equilibrium solute concentrations on pCO2 may represent a direct weathering feedback largely independent of climate and modulated by belowground organic carbon respiration.

  15. Understanding Vesuvius magmatic processes: Evidence from primitive silicate-melt inclusions in medieval scoria clinopyroxenes (Terzigno formation)

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lima, A.; Belkin, H.E.; Torok, K.

    1999-01-01

    Microthermometric investigations of silicate-melt inclusions and electron microprobe analyses were conducted on experimentally homogenized silicate-melt inclusions and on the host clinopyroxenes from 4 scoria samples of different layers from the Mt. Somma-Vesuvius medieval eruption (Formazione di Terzigno, 893 A.D.). The temperature of homogenization, considered the minimum trapping temperature, ranges from 1190 to 1260??5 ??C for all clinopyroxene-hosted silicate melt inclusions. The major and minor-element compositional trends shown by Terzigno scoria and matrix glass chemical analysis are largely compatible with fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides. Sulfur contents of the homogenized silicate-melt inclusions in clinopyroxene phenocrysts compared with that in the host scoria show that S has been significantly degassed in the erupted products; whereas, Cl has about the same abundance in the inclusions and in host scoria. Fluorine is low (infrequently up to 800 ppm) in the silicate-melt inclusions compared to 2400 ppm in the bulk scoria. Electron microprobe analyses of silicate-melt inclusions show that they have primitive magma compositions (Mg# = 75-91). The composition of the host clinopyroxene phenocrysts varies from typical plinian-related (Mg#???85) to non-plinian related (Mg#???85). The mixed source of the host clinopyroxenes and primitive nature of the silicate-melt inclusions implies that these phenocrysts, in part, may be residual and/or have a polygenetic origin. The similar variation trends of major and minor-elements between homogenized silicate-melt inclusions from the Terzigno scoria, and silicate-melt inclusions in olivine and diopside phenocrysts from plinian eruptions (Marianelli et al., 1995) suggest that the trapped inclusions represent melts similar to those that supplied the plinian and sub-plinian magma chambers. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the Vesuvius magmatic system retained a vestige of the most recent plinian event.

  16. Cometary crystalline silicate before and after perihelion passage II

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ootsubo, Takafumi

    2014-01-01

    Crystalline silicate is often observed in comets as an 11.3-micron resonant emission feature, and may be used for probing the early solar nebula. Because the formation of the crystalline silicate requires high temperature, they are thought to have been born from amorphous silicate at the inner region, and then transported toward the outer regions where comets were born. This transportation can produce the difference in the crystalline fraction in the cometary silicate dust between two dynamical types of comets, Oort-cloud comets (OCs) and Ecliptic comets (ECs), due to the different heliocentric distances of their birth places. The study of peak wavelengths in crystalline features is important to investigate the conditions of the crystalline silicate formation as well. Thus far, we don't have enough observational samples of OCs. Fortunately, we can observe comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS) along with C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) in this semester. In particular, the comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS) is a bright and good target for this silicate peak feature study. Observations at pre- and post-perihelion provide us precious information on the dust evolution of the comet.

  17. A SYSTEMATIC SEARCH FOR THE SPECTRA WITH FEATURES OF CRYSTALLINE SILICATES IN THE SPITZER IRS ENHANCED PRODUCTS

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

    Chen, Rui; Luo, Ali; Liu, Jiaming

    2016-06-01

    The crystalline silicate features are mainly reflected in infrared bands. The Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) collected numerous spectra of various objects and provided a big database to investigate crystalline silicates in a wide range of astronomical environments. We apply the manifold ranking algorithm to perform a systematic search for the spectra with crystalline silicate features in the Spitzer IRS Enhanced Products available. In total, 868 spectra of 790 sources are found to show the features of crystalline silicates. These objects are cross-matched with the SIMBAD database as well as with the Large Sky Area Multi-object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST)/DR2. Themore » average spectrum of young stellar objects shows a variety of features dominated either by forsterite or enstatite or neither, while the average spectrum of evolved objects consistently present dominant features of forsterite in AGB, OH/IR, post-AGB, and planetary nebulae. They are identified optically as early-type stars, evolved stars, galaxies and so on. In addition, the strength of spectral features in typical silicate complexes is calculated. The results are available through CDS for the astronomical community to further study crystalline silicates.« less

  18. Redox systematics of a magma ocean with variable pressure-temperature gradients and composition

    PubMed Central

    Righter, K.; Ghiorso, M. S.

    2012-01-01

    Oxygen fugacity in metal-bearing systems controls some fundamental aspects of the geochemistry of the early Earth, such as the FeO and siderophile trace element content of the mantle, volatile species that influence atmospheric composition, and conditions for organic compounds synthesis. Redox and metal-silicate equilibria in the early Earth are sensitive to oxygen fugacity (fO2), yet are poorly constrained in modeling and experimentation. High pressure and temperature experimentation and modeling in metal-silicate systems usually employs an approximation approach for estimating fO2 that is based on the ratio of Fe and FeO [called “ΔIW (ratio)” hereafter]. We present a new approach that utilizes free energy and activity modeling of the equilibrium: Fe + SiO2 + O2 = Fe2SiO4 to calculate absolute fO2 and relative to the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer at pressure and temperature [ΔIW (P,T)]. This equilibrium is considered across a wide range of pressures and temperatures, including up to the liquidus temperature of peridotite (4,000 K at 50 GPa). Application of ΔIW (ratio) to metal-silicate experiments can be three or four orders of magnitude different from ΔIW (P,T) values calculated using free energy and activity modeling. We will also use this approach to consider the variation in oxygen fugacity in a magma ocean scenario for various thermal structures for the early Earth: hot liquidus gradient, 100 °C below the liquidus, hot and cool adiabatic gradients, and a cool subsolidus adiabat. The results are used to assess the effect of increasing P and T, changing silicate composition during accretion, and related to current models for accretion and core formation in the Earth. The fO2 in a deep magma ocean scenario may become lower relative to the IW buffer at hotter and deeper conditions, which could include metal entrainment scenarios. Therefore, fO2 may evolve from high to low fO2 during Earth (and other differentiated bodies) accretion. Any modeling of core formation and metal-silicate equilibrium should take these effects into account. PMID:22778438

  19. SILICATES FOR CORROSION CONTROL IN BUILDING POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Silicates have been used to control the corrosion of drinking water distribution system materials. Previous work has shown that they are particularly useful in reducing the release of zinc from galvanized materials in hot water systems. Negatively charged silicate species were re...

  20. HST-STIS spectra and the redness of Saturn's rings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.; French, Richard G.; Hendrix, Amanda R.; Olson, Daniel M.; Roush, Ted; Vahidinia, Sanaz

    2018-07-01

    We have observed the main rings of Saturn with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer (STIS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), covering the spectral region from 180-570 nm (including for the first time the critical near-UV range 190-340 nm) with very good signal to noise ratio and a radial resolution of approximately 160-330 km. After correcting for an unexpected grating scatter problem associated with the bright, red, extended planet-ring target, we obtained complete I/F spectra for each major ring region. We have interpreted the spectra in terms of the ring particle material composition using a combination of traditional "Hapke" theory and a new correction for shadowing on the rough, re-entrant ring particle surfaces, along with a correction for the nonclassical scattering of the ring layer itself. We tested a variety of UV absorbers: iron (including nano-iron) grains, hematite, "planetary silicates", organic carbon-ring tholins of varying aromaticity, and amorphous carbon. The A and B rings can contain no more NH3 than about 10-4 by volume. We conclude that the best spectral fit for the well-known, unusually red color of the A and B rings is provided by a sub-percent mass fraction of organic tholins. It appears that the most likely regolith configuration for the A and B Rings is a heterogeneous "intimate mixture", dominated by relatively pure water ice, with some 2-40% of the grains containing roughly 5-10% tholin by volume (the amount depending on whether silicates are present), but it is hard to allow much amorphous carbon to be present in the B Ring material at least. These predictions of compositional heterogeneity can be tested by Cassini direct compositional measurements. There is some suggestion that the tholin properties differ slightly between the A and B rings. We show that tholins of this type, in the abundance we predict, would be difficult to detect at near-IR wavelengths. The C Ring particles have lower albedos, and the best fit models require a significantly higher abundance of silicates and (more importantly) "neutral" absorber which we model as amorphous carbon, plausibly representing meteoritic infall. Because of our new treatment of shadowing, our estimates of the abundance of amorphous carbon in the C Ring particles are lower (1-5% in the particle regoliths) than previously obtained. The relative abundance of silicate and carbonaceous materials in the C Ring remains uncertain due to uncertainties in how to model the C ring particle phase function.

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