Tapered-Wiggler Free-Electron Laser Oscillator Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

16 ) are usually ruled in substrates of pyrex or copper (for infrared applications). Typical CW S damage levels at 2.06 /lm wavelength are 10 XW/cm 2...degradation limit WW2 ; 2r/.D, (1) where r is either the average power or single-pulse integrated energy exposure within the cavity, whichever is

Characterization of Thallium Bromide Detectors Made From Material Purified by the Filter Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onodera, Toshiyuki; Hitomi, Keitaro; Tada, Tsutomu; Shoji, Tadayoshi; Mochizuki, Katsumi

2013-10-01

Thallium bromide (TlBr) has been regarded as candidate detector materials for the gamma-ray spectrometers operating at room temperature. In this study, a simple and rapid method, the filter method, was performed to purify a raw TlBr material used for fabrication of TlBr detectors. The material was loaded on shards of crashed quartz and installed in a Pyrex tube, and was melted using a furnace. A purified material passing through interspaces of the shards of quartz was collected in a quartz ampoule located at the outlet of the Pyrex tube. After the purification, impurities colored black extracted from the raw material remained. TlBr crystals were then grown by the travelling molten zone method both from the raw material and the purified material. TlBr detectors were fabricated from the grown crystals, and were characterized by measuring mobility-lifetime products (μτ) for carriers and gamma-ray spectra ( 137Cs) at room temperature. μτ for electrons of a TlBr detector fabricated from the purified material was around 5 times higher than that of a detector fabricated from the raw material.

RF Antenna Design for a Helicon Plasma Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godden, Katarina; Stassel, Brendan; Warta, Daniel; Yep, Isaac; Hicks, Nathaniel; Munk, Jens

2017-10-01

A helicon plasma source is under development for the new Plasma Science and Engineering Laboratory at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The helicon source is of a type comprising Pyrex and stainless steel cylindrical sections, joined to an ultrahigh vacuum chamber. A radio frequency (RF) helical antenna surrounds the Pyrex chamber, as well as DC solenoidal magnetic field coils. This presentation focuses on the design of the RF helical antenna and RF matching network, such that helicon wave power is coupled to argon plasma with minimal reflected power to the RF amplifier. The amplifier output is selectable between 2-30 MHz, with forward c.w. power up to 1.5 kW. Details and computer simulation of the antenna geometry, materials, and power matching will be presented, as well as the matching network of RF transmission line, tuning capacitors, and cooling system. An initial computational study of power coupling to the plasma will also be described. Supported by U.S. NSF/DOE Partnership in Basic Plasma Science and Engineering Grant PHY-1619615, by the Alaska Space Grant Program, and by UAA Innovate 2017.

Single crystal silicon filaments fabricated in SOI: A potential IR source for a microfabricated photometric CO2 sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tu, Juliana; Smith, Rosemary L.

1995-01-01

The objective of this project was to design, fabricate, and test single crystal silicon filaments as potential black body IR sources for a spectrophotometric CO2 sensing microsystem. The design and fabrication of the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) filaments are summarized and figures showing the composite layout of the filament die (which contains four filaments of different lengths -- 500 microns, 1 mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm -- and equal widths of 15 microns) are presented. The composite includes four mask layers: (1) silicon - defines the filament dimensions and contact pads; (2) release pit - defines the oxide removed from under the filament and hence, the length of the released filament; (3) Pyrex pit - defines the pit etched in the Pyrex cap (not used); and (4) metal - defines a metal pattern on the contact pads or used as a contact hole etch. I/V characteristics testing of the fabricated SOI filaments is described along with the nitride-coating procedures carried out to prevent oxidation and resistance instability.

High voltage variable diameter insulator

DOEpatents

Vanacek, D.L.; Pike, C.D.

1982-07-13

A high voltage feedthrough assembly having a tubular insulator extending between the ground plane ring and the high voltage ring. The insulator is made of Pyrex and decreases in diameter from the ground plane ring to the high voltage ring, producing equipotential lines almost perpendicular to the wall of the insulator to optimize the voltage-holding capability of the feedthrough assembly.

Design Study for Ground-Based Atmospheric Lidar System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-29

Diameter: 36 inches with center hole to pass telescope focus Material: Pyrex, Zerodur or equivalent f/number: f/4 Secondary Mirror : Diameter: 10...Measurement of Atmospheric Molecular Density Transmitter Section (includes Laser, Beam Expander and 45 Mirror ) Receiving Telescope (receives...Alignment .. .. ..... 134 6.4 Fixed Autocollimator:Receiver Alignment .. .. ... ....... 136 6.5 Adjustment and Use of Reference Mirrors

Piezoelectric Resonance Enhanced Microwave And Optoelectronic Interactive Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

0080 glass complex permittivity measured by NECVP method near 4.01GHz (TE103) and 5.19 (TE105) GHz...144 Table A.4 Corning 0080 glass complex permittivity measured by post resonant technique ...... 144 Table A.5...144 Table A.6 Complex permittivity of Pyrex glass rod measured by NECVP method near 4.01GHz (TE103) and 5.19

Wafer level fabrication of single cell dispenser chips with integrated electrodes for particle detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schoendube, Jonas; Yusof, Azmi; Kalkandjiev, Kiril; Zengerle, Roland; Koltay, Peter

2015-02-01

This work presents the microfabrication and experimental evaluation of a dispenser chip, designed for isolation and printing of single cells by combining impedance sensing and drop-on-demand dispensing. The dispenser chip features 50  ×  55 µm (width × height) microchannels, a droplet generator and microelectrodes for impedance measurements. The chip is fabricated by sandwiching a dry film photopolymer (TMMF) between a silicon and a Pyrex wafer. TMMF has been used to define microfluidic channels, to serve as low temperature (75 °C) bonding adhesive and as etch mask during 300 µm deep HF etching of the Pyrex wafer. Due to the novel fabrication technology involving the dry film resist, it became possible to fabricate facing electrodes at the top and bottom of the channel and to apply electrical impedance sensing for particle detection with improved performance. The presented microchip is capable of dispensing liquid and detecting microparticles via impedance measurement. Single polystyrene particles of 10 µm size could be detected with a mean signal amplitude of 0.39  ±  0.13 V (n=439 ) at particle velocities of up to 9.6 mm s-1 inside the chip.

Protection of MOS capacitors during anodic bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schjølberg-Henriksen, K.; Plaza, J. A.; Rafí, J. M.; Esteve, J.; Campabadal, F.; Santander, J.; Jensen, G. U.; Hanneborg, A.

2002-07-01

We have investigated the electrical damage by anodic bonding on CMOS-quality gate oxide and methods to prevent this damage. n-type and p-type MOS capacitors were characterized by quasi-static and high-frequency CV-curves before and after anodic bonding. Capacitors that were bonded to a Pyrex wafer with 10 μm deep cavities enclosing the capacitors exhibited increased leakage current and interface trap density after bonding. Two different methods were successful in protecting the capacitors from such damage. Our first approach was to increase the cavity depth from 10 μm to 50 μm, thus reducing the electric field across the gate oxide during bonding from approximately 2 × 105 V cm-1 to 4 × 104 V cm-1. The second protection method was to coat the inside of a 10 μm deep Pyrex glass cavity with aluminium, forming a Faraday cage that removed the electric field across the cavity during anodic bonding. Both methods resulted in capacitors with decreased interface trap density and unchanged leakage current after bonding. No change in effective oxide charge or mobile ion contamination was observed on any of the capacitors in the study.

The Influence of a Lower Heated Tube on Nucleate Pool Boiling from a Horizontal Tube

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-06-01

9 C. CONDENSER SECTION .................................... 12 D. COOLING SECTION...lower tube kc thermal conductivity of copper L active boiling tube length Lu non-boiling tube length x Nu Nusselt number p tube outside wall perimeter Pr...teflon endplates. 2. A condenser , assembled using a similar Pyrex-glass tee with aluminum endplates. 3. A reservoir for R- 114 liquid storage. 4. A

Sealing ceramic material in low melting point glass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moritoki, M.; Fujikawa, T.; Miyanaga, J.

1984-01-01

A structured device placed in an aerated crucible to pack ceramics molding substance that is to be processed was designed. The structure is wrapped by sealing material made of pyrex glass and graphite foil or sheet with a weight attached on top of it. The crucible is made of carbon; the ceramics material to be treated through heat intervenient press process is molding substance consisting mainly of silicon nitride.

High voltage variable diameter insulator

DOEpatents

Vanecek, David L.; Pike, Chester D.

1984-01-01

A high voltage feedthrough assembly (10) having a tubular insulator (15) extending between the ground plane ring (16) and the high voltage ring (30). The insulator (15) is made of Pyrex and decreases in diameter from the ground plane ring (16) to the high voltage ring (30), producing equipotential lines almost perpendicular to the wall (27) of the insulator (15) to optimize the voltage-holding capability of the feedthrough assembly (10).

Wireless hydrotherapy smart suit for monitoring handicapped people

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Correia, Jose H.; Mendes, Paulo M.

2005-02-01

This paper presents a smart suit, water impermeable, containing sensors and electronics for monitoring handicapped people at hydrotherapy sessions in swimming-pools. For integration into textiles, electronic components should be designed in a functional, robust and inexpensive way. Therefore, small-size electronics microsystems are a promising approach. The smart suit allows the monitoring of individual biometric data, such as heart rate, temperature and movement of the body. Two solutions for transmitting the data wirelessly are presented: through a low-voltage (3.0 V), low-power, CMOS RF IC (1.6 mm x 1.5 mm size dimensions) operating at 433 MHz, with ASK modulation and a patch antenna built on lossy substrates compatible with integrated circuits fabrication. Two different substrates were used for antenna implementation: high-resistivity silicon (HRS) and Corning Pyrex #7740 glass. The antenna prototypes were built to operate close to the 5 GHz ISM band. They operate at a center frequency of 5.705 GHz (HRS) and 5.995 GHz (Pyrex). The studied parameters were: substrate thickness, substrate losses, oxide thickness, metal conductivity and thickness. The antenna on HRS uses an area of 8 mm2, providing a 90 MHz bandwidth and ~0.3 dBi of gain. On a glass substrate, the antenna uses 12 mm2, provides 100 MHz bandwidth and ~3 dBi of gain.

Electrostatic transfer of epitaxial graphene to glass.

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

Ohta, Taisuke; Pan, Wei; Howell, Stephen Wayne

2010-12-01

We report on a scalable electrostatic process to transfer epitaxial graphene to arbitrary glass substrates, including Pyrex and Zerodur. This transfer process could enable wafer-level integration of graphene with structured and electronically-active substrates such as MEMS and CMOS. We will describe the electrostatic transfer method and will compare the properties of the transferred graphene with nominally-equivalent 'as-grown' epitaxial graphene on SiC. The electronic properties of the graphene will be measured using magnetoresistive, four-probe, and graphene field effect transistor geometries [1]. To begin, high-quality epitaxial graphene (mobility 14,000 cm2/Vs and domains >100 {micro}m2) is grown on SiC in an argon-mediated environmentmore » [2,3]. The electrostatic transfer then takes place through the application of a large electric field between the donor graphene sample (anode) and the heated acceptor glass substrate (cathode). Using this electrostatic technique, both patterned few-layer graphene from SiC(000-1) and chip-scale monolayer graphene from SiC(0001) are transferred to Pyrex and Zerodur substrates. Subsequent examination of the transferred graphene by Raman spectroscopy confirms that the graphene can be transferred without inducing defects. Furthermore, the strain inherent in epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) is found to be partially relaxed after the transfer to the glass substrates.« less

Radiation Hardness of Efratom M-100 Rubidium Frequency Standard

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

h i ghes t f l uence o f 6.15 x 1012n/crn2 t h e norma l i zed ac pho tocur ren ts were about 702 o f t he normal ized dc photo- c u r r...100, FRK, M-1000. Pyrex ( t r ade name of Corning Glass) . e Cells produced i n Munich use Schott Duran 50 g lass which i s nearly ident ica l

A mineral separation procedure using hot Clerici solution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rosenblum, Sam

1974-01-01

Careful boiling of Clerici solution in a Pyrex test tube in an oil bath is used to float minerals with densities up to 5.0 in order to obtain purified concentrates of monazite (density 5.1) for analysis. The "sink" and "float" fractions are trapped in solidified Clerici salts on rapid chilling, and the fractions are washed into separate filter papers with warm water. The hazardous nature of Clerici solution requires unusual care in handling.

Investigation of the Production of High Density Uniform Plasmas.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

first time with the framing camera. These are a considerable improvement upon the black and white films taken in earlier experi- ments. The different...i 111 I 11Il ELECTRON BEAM JvL ~f OIL REFLECTING PRISMS - -PYREX CELL SUSTAINER CATHODE LENS MIRROR LENS MINATURE ARC LAMP APERTURE FRAMING...was run to test the opposite limit. This cathode also arced earlier than the more con- ventional materials. The first run left several holes in the kap

Analysis of the Material Removal Rate in Magnetic Abrasive Finishing of Thin Film Coated Pyrex Glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hee Hwan; Lee, Seoung Hwan

The material removal rate (MRR) during precision finishing/polishing is a key factor, which dictates the process performance. Moreover, the MRR or wear rate is closely related to the material/part reliability. For nanoscale patterning and/or planarization on nano-order thickness coatings, the prediction and in-process monitoring of the MRR is necessary, because the process is not characterizable due to size effects and material property/process condition variations as a result of the coating/substrate interactions. The purpose of this research was to develop a practical methodology for the prediction and in-process monitoring of MRR during nanoscale finishing of coated surfaces. Using a specially designed magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring setup, experiments were carried out on indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) coated Pyrex glasses. After a given polishing time interval, AFM indentation was conducted for each workpiece sample to measure the adhesion force variations of the coating layers (IZO), which are directly related to the MRR changes. The force variation and AE monitoring data were compared to the MRR calculated form the surface measurement (Nanoview) results. The experimental results demonstrate strong correlations between AFM indentation and MRR measurement data. In addition, the monitored AE signals show sensitivity of the material structure variations of the coating layer, as the polishing progresses.

NON-AQUEOUS DISSOLUTION OF MASSIVE PLUTONIUM

DOEpatents

Reavis, J.G.; Leary, J.A.; Walsh, K.A.

1959-05-12

A method is presented for obtaining non-aqueous solutions or plutonium from massive forms of the metal. In the present invention massive plutonium is added to a salt melt consisting of 10 to 40 weight per cent of sodium chloride and the balance zinc chloride. The plutonium reacts at about 800 deg C with the zinc chloride to form a salt bath of plutonium trichloride, sodium chloride, and metallic zinc. The zinc is separated from the salt melt by forcing the molten mixture through a Pyrex filter.

Ex-Situ and In-Situ Ellipsometric Studies of the Thermal Oxide on InP

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-06

ion---- Distribution/ Availabilit ? Codes£v l llt Codes Avail and/or Dist| Special Abstract The thermally grown InP oxide as etched by an aqueous...aqueous NH4OH/NH4F, and Law(17) has reported observations of orientational ordering of water and organic solvents on pyrex surfaces by in-situ...minutes, followed by a sequence of acetone, deionized water (d. i. water ) rinse. After being dipped in a concentrated aqueous HF solution for 15 seconds

The Effect of Orthophosphate as a Copper Corrosion Inhibitor in High Alkalinity Drinking Water Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

490, respectively, on a Hach 2000 DR colorimeter . The results of the two jar test curves are provided in Chapter 4. These standardized curves are...laboratory: Hach Pocket Colorimeter II. Catalog no. 58700-00, lot L4301. - Dissolved oxygen meter (AFIT lab): YSI 85 Oxygen, Conductivity, Salinity...concentrations were measured using the Hach Pocket Colorimeter . Two 10-mL glass vials were filled from the Pyrex bottle. The first 10-mL sample is analyzed

Electrochemical Atomic Layer Processing

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-25

small parastaltic pumps were used. The solution reservoirs were made with Pyrex glass bottles and Teflon valves. The design of the flow-cell (FIG. 1...cells were used, as well (6). These electrodes consist of an Au rod set in a fitted glass cavity. The glass walls were designed to be on the order of...0.001" from the Au rod. Two pin holes were ground into the bottom of the glass in order for the solution to be flushed in and out of the thin-layer

New, Efficient Optically Pumped Solid State Lasers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-21

Lasers", during the contract period from 15 August 1984 thru 11 November 1988 (AFOSR-88-0378) has led to some notable advances. This effort h,.s focused...lower laser states of both Er and 1Ho. This work has led to the inves t igation of the Nd,Er ion-ion interactions in other crystals such as Nd,Er:YALO...backed pyrex reflector. While the laser may work in a gold-plated cavity, the many visible, blue and near uv pump bands suggest better efficiency is

Dynamic fracture of inorganic glasses by hard spherical and conical projectiles.

PubMed

Chaudhri, M Munawar

2015-03-28

In this article, high-speed photographic investigations of the dynamic crack initiation and propagation in several inorganic glasses by the impact of small spherical and conical projectiles are described. These were carried out at speeds of up to approximately 2×10(6) frames s(-1). The glasses were fused silica, 'Pyrex' (a borosilicate glass), soda lime and B(2)O(3). The projectiles were 0.8-2 mm diameter spheres of steel, glass, sapphire and tungsten carbide, and their velocities were up to 340 m s(-1). In fused silica and Pyrex, spherical projectiles' impact produced Hertzian cone cracks travelling at terminal crack velocities, whereas in soda-lime glass fast splinter cracks were generated. No crack bifurcation was observed, which has been explained by the nature of the stress intensity factor of the particle-impact-generated cracks, which leads to a stable crack growth. Crack bifurcation was, however, observed in thermally tempered glass; this bifurcation has been explained by the tensile residual stress and the associated unstable crack growth. A new explanation has been proposed for the decrease of the included angle of the Hertzian cone cracks with increasing impact velocity. B(2)O(3) glass showed dynamic compaction and plasticity owing to impact with steel spheres. Other observations, such as total contact time, crack lengths and response to oblique impacts, have also been explained. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Fabrication and testing of Wolter type-I mirrors for soft x-ray microscopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoshino, Masato; Aoki, Sadao; Watanabe, Norio; Hirai, Shinichiro

2004-10-01

Development of a small Wolter type-I mirror that is mainly used as an objective for the X-ray microscope is described. Small Wolter mirrors for X-ray microscopes are fabricated by the vacuum replication method because of their long aspherical shape. Master mandrel is ground and polished by an ultra-precision NC lathe. Tungsten carbide was selected as a material because its thermal expansion coefficient is a little larger than the replica glass. It was ground by ELID (Electrolytic In-process Dressing) grinding technique that is appropriate for the efficient mirror surface grinding. After ultra-precision grinding, the figure error of master mandrel was better than 0.5μm except the boundary between the hyperboloid and the ellipsoid. Before vacuum replication, the mandrel was coated with Au (thickness 50nm) as the parting layer. Pyrex glass was empirically selected as mirror material. The master mandrel was inserted into the Pyrex glass tube and heated up to 675°C in the electric furnace. Although vacuum replication is a proper technique in terms of its high replication accuracy, the surface roughness characterized by the high spatial frequency of the mandrel was replicated less accurate than the figure error characterized by the low spatial frequency. This indicates that the surface roughness and the figure error depend on the glass surface and the figure error of the master mandrel, respectively. A fabricated mirror was evaluated by the imaging performance with a laser plasma X-ray source (λ=3.2nm).

Vacuum Strength of Two Candidate Glasses for a Space Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, Timothy Andrew; Tucker, Dennis S.; Herren, Kenneth A.; Gregory, Don A.

2007-01-01

The strengths of two candidate glass types for use in a space observatory were measured. Samples of ultra-low expansion glass (ULE) and borosilicate (Pyrex) were tested in air and in vacuum at room temperature (20 degrees C) and in vacuum after being heated to 200 degrees C. Both glasses tested in vacuum showed a significant increase in strength over those tested in air. However, there was no statistical difference between the strength of samples tested in vacuum at room temperature and those tested in vacuum after heating to 200 degrees C.

Vacuum Strength of Two Candidate Glasses for a Space Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, T. a.; Tucker, D. S.; Herren, K. A.; Gregory, D. A.

2007-01-01

The strengths of two candidate glass types for use in a space observatory were measured. Samples of ultra-low expansion glass (ULE) and borosilicate (Pyrex) were tested in air and in vacuum at room temperature (20 C) and in vacuum after being heated to 200 C. Both glasses tested in vacuum showed an increase in strength over those tested in air. However, there was no statistical difference between the strength of samples tested in vacuum at room temperature and those tested in vacuum after heating to 200 C.

Visualization experiments on steam injection in Hele-Shaw cells

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

Kong, Xianli; Haghighi, M.; Yortsos, Y.C.

1992-03-01

Flow visualization experiments have been successfully employed in reservoir engineering research for many years. They involve 2-D geometries in transparent Hele-Shaw cells and glass micromodels. Although much work has been done on immiscible flows (drainage or imbibition), visualization of steamfloods, which constitute a major part of current EOR methods, has not been attempted to data. In this paper, we present experimental results on steam injection in a transparent, pyrex glass Hele-Shaw cell. Both synthetic (Dutrex 739) and natural heavy oils were used under a variety of conditions, including effects of gravity.

Magnitude of temperature elevation is associated with neurologic and survival outcomes in resuscitated cardiac arrest patients with postrewarming pyrexia.

PubMed

Grossestreuer, Anne V; Gaieski, David F; Donnino, Michael W; Wiebe, Douglas J; Abella, Benjamin S

2017-04-01

Avoidance of pyrexia is recommended in resuscitation guidelines, including after treatment with targeted temperature management (TTM). Which aspects of postresuscitation pyrexia are harmful and modifiable have not been conclusively determined. This retrospective multicenter registry study collected serial temperatures during 72 hours postrewarming to assess the relationship between 3 aspects of pyrexia (maximum temperature, pyrexia duration, timing of first pyrexia) and neurologic outcome (primary) and survival (secondary) at hospital discharge. Adult TTM-treated patients from 13 US hospitals between 2005 and 2015 were included. One hundred seventy-nine of 465 patients had at least 1 temperature greater than or equal to 38°C. Pyrexic temperatures were associated with better survival than nonpyrexic temperatures (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.35). Higher maximum temperature was associated with worse outcome (neurologic aOR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.10-0.84]; survival aOR, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.10-0.59]) in pyrexic patients. There was no significant relationship between pyrexia duration and outcomes unless duration was calculated as hours greater than or equal to 38.8°C, when longer duration was associated with worse outcomes (neurologic aOR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.75-1.00]; survival aOR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.72-0.93]). In postarrest TTM-treated patients, pyrexia was associated with increased survival. Patients experiencing postrewarming pyrexia had worse outcomes at higher temperatures. Longer pyrexia duration was associated with worse outcomes at higher temperatures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fractography and Mechanical Properties of Urethane Dimethacrylate Dental Composites Reinforced with Glass Nanoparticles.

PubMed

M, Monfared; Me, Bahrololoom

2016-12-01

Dental resin composites are becoming prevalent in restorative dentistry and have almost replaced amalgam nowadays. Consequently, their mechanical properties and durability are critical. The aim of this study was to produce Pyrex glass nano-particles by wet milling process and use them as reinforcement in dental resins for anterior restorations and then examination of fractographic properties of these composites. The glass nano-particles were achieved via wet milling. The surface of the particles was modified with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (γ-MPTMS) silane in order to improve their surface. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis showed that the silane groups provided double bonds to the surface of the particles and prevented agglomeration. Then, the composite resins were made with different weight percentages of Pyrex glass. The mechanical properties of samples flexural test were evaluated. The required energy for fracture of the specimens was achieved via this test. The fracture surfaces of the samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to explain the mechanisms of fracture. The results and analysis showed that increasing the glass nano-particles mass fraction had a great effect on mechanical properties of the composites due to the mechanisms of crack propagation and crack deflection as well as preventing void formation. The effective energy dissipation mechanisms such as crack pinning and deflection, was observed in SEM micrographs. Void formation in the low filler content composite is one of the mechanisms to decrease the energy required for fracture of these composites and eventually weaken them.

Fractography and Mechanical Properties of Urethane Dimethacrylate Dental Composites Reinforced with Glass Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

M*, Monfared; ME, Bahrololoom

2016-01-01

Statement of Problem: Dental resin composites are becoming prevalent in restorative dentistry and have almost replaced amalgam nowadays. Consequently, their mechanical properties and durability are critical. Objectives: The aim of this study was to produce Pyrex glass nano-particles by wet milling process and use them as reinforcement in dental resins for anterior restorations and then examination of fractographic properties of these composites. Materials and Methods: The glass nano-particles were achieved via wet milling. The surface of the particles was modified with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (γ-MPTMS) silane in order to improve their surface. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis showed that the silane groups provided double bonds to the surface of the particles and prevented agglomeration. Then, the composite resins were made with different weight percentages of Pyrex glass. The mechanical properties of samples flexural test were evaluated. The required energy for fracture of the specimens was achieved via this test. The fracture surfaces of the samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to explain the mechanisms of fracture. Results: The results and analysis showed that increasing the glass nano-particles mass fraction had a great effect on mechanical properties of the composites due to the mechanisms of crack propagation and crack deflection as well as preventing void formation. The effective energy dissipation mechanisms such as crack pinning and deflection, was observed in SEM micrographs. Conclusions: Void formation in the low filler content composite is one of the mechanisms to decrease the energy required for fracture of these composites and eventually weaken them. PMID:28959761

Proceedings of the U.S. Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center Scientific Conference on Chemical Defense Research Held in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland on 14-17 November 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-08-01

to react in a similar electrochemical manner to the agent 2,21- dichlorodiethylsulfide (Mustard gas or HD). As a simulant for the nerve agents ...attack which may permit effective discrimination of pesticides from nerve agents in a chemical agent detector. Table 1 shows the results of film badge...amount of CASARM agent ( GA , GB, HD or VX) was placed into a 5 mm O.D. Pyrex NMR tube and 1.0 ml of the decontaminating solution was added. The tube was

Failure Waves in Cylindrical Glass Bars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cazamias, James U.; Bless, Stephan J.; Marder, Michael P.

1997-07-01

Failure waves, a propagating front separating virgin and comminuted material, have been receiving a fair amount of attention the last couple of years. While most scientists have been looking at failure waves in plate impact geometries, we have conducted a series of experiments on Pyrex bars. In this paper, we present two types of photographic data from a series of tests. A streak camera was used to determine velocities of the failure front as a function of impact stress. A polaroid camera and a flash lamp provide detailed pictures of the actual event. Attempts were made to observe failure waves in amorphous quartz and acrylic.

Fabrication of a high-precision spherical micromirror by bending a silicon plate with a metal pad.

PubMed

Wu, Tong; Hane, Kazuhiro

2011-09-20

We demonstrate here the fabrication of a smooth mirror surface by bending a thin silicon plate. A spherical surface is achieved by the bending moment generated in the circumference of the micromirror. Both convex and concave spherical micromirrors are realized through the anodic bonding of silicon and Pyrex glass. Since the mirror surface is originated from the polished silicon surface and no additional etching is introduced for manufacturing, the surface roughness is thus limited to the polishing error. This novel approach opens possibilities for fabricating a smooth surface for micromirror and microlens applications.

Fabrication of an Absorber-Coupled MKID Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Ari; Hsieh, Wen-Ting; Moseley, Samuel; Stevenson, Thomas; U-Yen, Kongpop; Wollack, Edward

2012-01-01

Absorber-coupled microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays were developed for submillimeter and far-infrared astronomy. These sensors comprise arrays of lambda/2 stepped microwave impedance resonators patterned on a 1.5-mm-thick silicon membrane, which is optimized for optical coupling. The detector elements are supported on a 380-mm-thick micro-machined silicon wafer. The resonators consist of parallel plate aluminum transmission lines coupled to low-impedance Nb microstrip traces of variable length, which set the resonant frequency of each resonator. This allows for multiplexed microwave readout and, consequently, good spatial discrimination between pixels in the array. The transmission lines simultaneously act to absorb optical power and employ an appropriate surface impedance and effective filling fraction. The fabrication techniques demonstrate high-fabrication yield of MKID arrays on large, single-crystal membranes and sub-micron front-to-back alignment of the micro strip circuit. An MKID is a detector that operates upon the principle that a superconducting material s kinetic inductance and surface resistance will change in response to being exposed to radiation with a power density sufficient to break its Cooper pairs. When integrated as part of a resonant circuit, the change in surface impedance will result in a shift in its resonance frequency and a decrease of its quality factor. In this approach, incident power creates quasiparticles inside a superconducting resonator, which is configured to match the impedance of free space in order to absorb the radiation being detected. For this reason MKIDs are attractive for use in large-format focal plane arrays, because they are easily multiplexed in the frequency domain and their fabrication is straightforward. The fabrication process can be summarized in seven steps: (1) Alignment marks are lithographically patterned and etched all the way through a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer, which consists of a thin silicon membrane bonded to a thick silicon handle wafer. (2) The metal microwave circuitry on the front of the membrane is patterned and etched. (3) The wafer is then temporarily bonded with wafer wax to a Pyrex wafer, with the SOI side abutting the Pyrex. (4) The silicon handle component of the SOI wafer is subsequently etched away so as to expose the membrane backside. (5) The wafer is flipped over, and metal microwave circuitry is patterned and etched on the membrane backside. Furthermore, cuts in the membrane are made so as to define the individual detector array chips. (6) Silicon frames are micromachined and glued to the silicon membrane. (7) The membranes, which are now attached to the frames, are released from the Pyrex wafer via dissolution of the wafer wax in acetone.

Cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain mediate biochemical and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep homeostasis.

PubMed

Kalinchuk, Anna V; Porkka-Heiskanen, Tarja; McCarley, Robert W; Basheer, Radhika

2015-01-01

The tight coordination of biochemical and electrophysiological mechanisms underlies the homeostatic sleep pressure (HSP) produced by sleep deprivation (SD). We have reported that during SD the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), extracellular nitric oxide (NO), adenosine [AD]ex , lactate [Lac]ex and pyruvate [Pyr]ex increase in the basal forebrain (BF). However, it is not clear whether all of them contribute to HSP leading to increased electroencephalogram (EEG) delta activity during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) recovery sleep (RS) following SD. Previously, we showed that NREM delta increase evident during RS depends on the presence of BF cholinergic (ChBF) neurons. Here, we investigated the role of ChBF cells in coordination of biochemical and EEG changes seen during SD and RS in the rat. Increases in low-theta power (5-7 Hz), but not high-theta (7-9 Hz), during SD correlated with the increase in NREM delta power during RS, and with the changes in nitrate/nitrite [NOx ]ex and [AD]ex . Lesions of ChBF cells using IgG 192-saporin prevented increases in [NOx ]ex , [AD]ex and low-theta activity, during SD, but did not prevent increases in [Lac]ex and [Pyr]ex . Infusion of NO donor DETA NONOate into the saporin-treated BF failed to increase NREM RS and delta power, suggesting ChBF cells are important for mediating NO homeostatic effects. Finally, SD-induced iNOS was mostly expressed in ChBF cells, and the intensity of iNOS induction correlated with the increase in low-theta activity. Together, our data indicate ChBF cells are important in regulating the biochemical and EEG mechanisms that contribute to HSP. © 2014 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Microfabricated thermal modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional micro gas chromatography: design, thermal modeling, and preliminary testing.

PubMed

Kim, Sung-Jin; Reidy, Shaelah M; Block, Bruce P; Wise, Kensall D; Zellers, Edward T; Kurabayashi, Katsuo

2010-07-07

In comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC), a modulator is placed at the juncture between two separation columns to focus and re-inject eluting mixture components, thereby enhancing the resolution and the selectivity of analytes. As part of an effort to develop a microGC x microGC prototype, in this report we present the design, fabrication, thermal operation, and initial testing of a two-stage microscale thermal modulator (microTM). The microTM contains two sequential serpentine Pyrex-on-Si microchannels (stages) that cryogenically trap analytes eluting from the first-dimension column and thermally inject them into the second-dimension column in a rapid, programmable manner. For each modulation cycle (typically 5 s for cooling with refrigeration work of 200 J and 100 ms for heating at 10 W), the microTM is kept approximately at -50 degrees C by a solid-state thermoelectric cooling unit placed within a few tens of micrometres of the device, and heated to 250 degrees C at 2800 degrees C s(-1) by integrated resistive microheaters and then cooled back to -50 degrees C at 250 degrees C s(-1). Thermal crosstalk between the two stages is less than 9%. A lumped heat transfer model is used to analyze the device design with respect to the rates of heating and cooling, power dissipation, and inter-stage thermal crosstalk as a function of Pyrex-membrane thickness, air-gap depth, and stage separation distance. Experimental results are in agreement with trends predicted by the model. Preliminary tests using a conventional capillary column interfaced to the microTM demonstrate the capability for enhanced sensitivity and resolution as well as the modulation of a mixture of alkanes.

CHOLINERGIC NEURONS OF THE BASAL FOREBRAIN MEDIATE BIOCHEMICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING SLEEP HOMEOSTASIS

PubMed Central

Kalinchuk, Anna V.; Porkka-Heiskanen, Tarja; McCarley, Robert W.; Basheer, Radhika

2015-01-01

The tight coordination of biochemical and electrophysiological mechanisms underlies the homeostatic sleep pressure (HSP) produced by sleep deprivation (SD). We have reported that during SD the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), extracellular nitric oxide (NO), adenosine [AD]ex, lactate [Lac]ex and pyruvate [Pyr]ex increase in the basal forebrain (BF). However, it is not clear whether all of them contribute to HSP leading to increased electroencephalogram (EEG) delta activity during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) recovery sleep (RS) following SD. Previously, we showed that NREM delta increase evident during RS depends on the presence of BF cholinergic (ChBF) neurons. Here, we investigated the role of ChBF cells in coordination of biochemical and EEG changes seen during SD and RS in the rat. Increases in low theta power (5–7Hz), but not high theta (7–9Hz), during SD correlated with the increase in NREM delta power during RS, and with the changes in nitrate/nitrite [NOx]ex and [AD]ex. Lesions of ChBF cells using IgG 192-saporin prevented increases in [NOx]ex, [AD]ex and low theta activity, during SD, but did not prevent increases in [Lac]ex and [Pyr]ex. Infusion of NO donor DETA NONOate into the saporin-treated BF failed to increase NREM RS and delta power, suggesting ChBF cells are important for mediating NO homeostatic effects. Finally, SD-induced iNOS was mostly expressed in ChBF cells, and the intensity of iNOS induction correlated with the increase in low theta activity. Together, our data indicate ChBF cells are important in regulating the biochemical and EEG mechanisms that contribute to HSP. PMID:25369989

Capillary liquid chromatography-microchip atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Ostman, Pekka; Jäntti, Sirkku; Grigoras, Kestas; Saarela, Ville; Ketola, Raimo A; Franssila, Sami; Kotiaho, Tapio; Kostiainen, Risto

2006-07-01

A miniaturized nebulizer chip for capillary liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (capillary LC-microchip APCI-MS) is presented. The APCI chip consists of two wafers, a silicon wafer and a Pyrex glass wafer. The silicon wafer has a DRIE etched through-wafer nebulizer gas inlet, an edge capillary insertion channel, a stopper, a vaporizer channel and a nozzle. The platinum heater electrode and pads for electrical connection were patterned on to the Pyrex glass wafer. The two wafers were joined by anodic bonding, creating a microchip version of an APCI-source. The sample inlet capillary from an LC column is directly connected to the vaporizer channel of the APCI chip. The etched nozzle in the microchip forms a narrow sample plume, which is ionized by an external corona needle, and the formed ions are analyzed by a mass spectrometer. The nebulizer chip enables for the first time the use of low flow rate separation techniques with APCI-MS. The performance of capillary LC-microchip APCI-MS was tested with selected neurosteroids. The capillary LC-microchip APCI-MS provides quantitative repeatability and good linearity. The limits of detection (LOD) with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3 in MS/MS mode for the selected neurosteroids were 20-1000 fmol (10-500 nmol l(-1)). LODs (S/N = 3) with commercial macro APCI with the same compounds using the same MS were about 10 times higher. Fast heat transfer allows the use of the optimized temperature for each compound during an LC run. The microchip APCI-source provides a convenient and easy method to combine capillary LC to any API-MS equipped with an APCI source. The advantages and potentials of the microchip APCI also make it a very attractive interface in microfluidic APCI-MS.

Computer Controlled Resonator Measurements with a 12-Liter Pyrex Sphere and a 100-Liter Titanium Sphere.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-30

04 C0 4~ >NC- -C 04 0 C)’ 00) Ci 04 0 C - 4 iim ClV thermistor L ___ Fig.4. Tmpertur eau in ciruit amplifier has selectable gain of 20 dB or 40 dB over...useful up to 500 kHz. The converter was adjusted to be linear over 80 dB. 6. Temperature measurements A cal ibrated thermistor which forms one arm of a...formed by stretching piano wire inside a ring. Three 5" long bars welded into this ring form feet in tripod fashion. The tension of these piano wires is

A new vapor-liquid equilibrium apparatus for hydrogen fluoride containing systems

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

Jongcheon Lee; Hwayong Kim; Jong Sung Lim

1996-12-31

A new circulating type apparatus has been constructed to obtain reliable equilibrium PTxy data for hydrogen fluoride (HF) containing system. Equilibrium cell with Pyrex windows protected by Teflon PFA sheets to prevent the corrosion was used. Isothermal vapor-liquid equilibrium data for the 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) + HF system at 288.23 and 298.35 K were obtained, and compared with PTx measurement results. Experimental data were correlated using Lencka and Anderko equation of state for HF with the Wong-Sandler mixing rule as well as the van der Waals one fluid mixing rule. The Wong-Sandler mixing rule gives better results. 5 refs., 3 figs.

Fiber-coupled thermal microscope for solid materials based on thermoreflectance method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyake, Shugo; Hatori, Kimihito; Ohtsuki, Tetsuya; Awano, Takaaki; Sekine, Makoto

2018-06-01

Measurement of the thermal properties of solid-state materials, including high- and low-thermal-conductivity materials in electronic devices, is very important to improve thermal design. The thermoreflectance method is well known as a powerful technique for measuring a wide range of thermal conductivity. However, in order to precisely determine the thermoreflectance signal, the alignment between two laser beams should be perfectly coaxial, similar to that in the numerical calculation model. In this paper, a developed fiber-coupled thermal microscope based on the thermoreflectance method is demonstrated, which we use to determine the frequency dependence of the temperature responses of silicon, sapphire, zirconium, and Pyrex glass samples.

Removal of glass adhered to sintered ceramics in hot isostatic pressing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

In the hot isostatic pressing of ceramic materials in molten glass using an inert gas as a pressing medium, glass adhered to the sintered ceramics is heated to convert it to a porous glass and removed. Thus, Si3N4 powder was compacted at 5000 kg/sq cm, coated with a 0.5 mm thick BN, embedded in Pyrex glass in a graphite crucible, put inside a hot isostatic press containing Argon, hot pressed at 1750 C and 100 kg/sq cm; cooled, taken out from the crucible, heated at 1100 C for 30 minutes, cooled, and then glass adhered to the sintered body was removed.

Irradiation of fish fillets: Relation of vapor phase reactions to storage quality

USGS Publications Warehouse

Spinelli, J.; Dollar, A.M.; Wedemeyer, G.A.; Gallagher, E.C.

1969-01-01

Fish fillets irradiated under air, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon dioxide atmospheres developed rancidlike flavors when they were stored at refrigerated temperatures. Packing and irradiating under vacuum or helium prevented development of off-flavors during storage.Significant quantities of nitrate and oxidizing substances were formed when oxygen, nitrogen, or air were present in the vapor or liquid phases contained in a Pyrex glass model system exposed to ionizing radiation supplied by a 60Co source. It was demonstrated that the delayed flavor changes that occur in stored fish fillets result from the reaction of vapor phase radiolysis products and the fish tissue substrates.

Degradation of edible oil during food processing by ultrasound: electron paramagnetic resonance, physicochemical, and sensory appreciation.

PubMed

Pingret, Daniella; Durand, Grégory; Fabiano-Tixier, Anne-Sylvie; Rockenbauer, Antal; Ginies, Christian; Chemat, Farid

2012-08-08

During ultrasound processing of lipid-containing food, some off-flavors can be detected, which can incite depreciation by consumers. The impacts of ultrasound treatment on sunflower oil using two different ultrasound horns (titanium and pyrex) were evaluated. An electron paramagnetic resonance study was performed to identify and quantify the formed radicals, along with the assessment of classical physicochemical parameters such as peroxide value, acid value, anisidine value, conjugated dienes, polar compounds, water content, polymer quantification, fatty acid composition, and volatiles profile. The study shows an increase of formed radicals in sonicated oils, as well as the modification of physicochemical parameters evidencing an oxidation of treated oils.

Effect of simulated lunar impact on the survival of bacterial spores.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitfield, O.; Merek, E. L.; Oyama, V. I.

1973-01-01

In order to test the effect of impact on organisms, the survival of bacterial spores after being propelled at high velocity in Pyrex and plastic beads into crushed basalt was measured. The beads were fired into sterilized canisters by both a conventional powder and a light gas gun. Results indicate that at the minimum (2.4 km/sec) lunar capture velocity, the number of colony forming units (CFUs) decreased by five orders of magnitude, and at 5.5 km/sec, statistically a more probable capture velocity, no CFUs were found. The decrease in CFUs observed with increasing velocity indicates that the spores were most probably killed by the impact.

Time Dependence of Tip Morphology during Cellular/Dendritic Arrayed Growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Song, H.; Tewari, S. N.

1996-01-01

Succinonitrile-1.9 wt pct acetone has been directionally solidified in 0.7 X 0.7-cm-square cross section pyrex ampoules in order to observe the cell/dendrite tip morphologies, not influenced by the 'wall effects', which are present during growth in the generally used thin (about 200 gm) crucibles. The tips do not maintain a steady-state shape, as is generally assumed. Instead, they fluctuate within a shape envelope. The extent of fluctuation increases with decreasing growth speed, as the micro structure changes from the dendritic to cellular. The influence of natural convection has been examined by comparing these morphologies with those grown, without convection, in the thin ampoules.

The effects of cyclical axial motion on rotary endodontic instrument fatigue.

PubMed

Dederich, D N; Zakariasen, K L

1986-02-01

A potential problem with the use of rotary engine-driven files to flare canals is metal fatigue and subsequent breakage. This study analyzes the effects of cyclical axial motion on instrument failure by fatigue testing of endodontic files with and without cyclical axial motion. Eighteen new instruments, sizes 15 to 45, were mounted in a lathe and turned at 1650 rpm in the lubricated lumen of a curved Pyrex capillary tube until failure occurred. Nine instruments of each size were turned with cyclical axial motion and nine were turned without it. The results indicated that cyclical axial motion can significantly extend the life span of rotary engine files. Torsional forces were not considered in this study.

Fabrication of Biomimetic Fog-Collecting Superhydrophilic-Superhydrophobic Surface Micropatterns Using Femtosecond Lasers.

PubMed

Kostal, Elisabeth; Stroj, Sandra; Kasemann, Stephan; Matylitsky, Victor; Domke, Matthias

2018-03-06

The exciting functionalities of natural superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces served as inspiration for a variety of biomimetic designs. In particular, the combination of both extreme wetting states to micropatterns opens up interesting applications, as the example of the fog-collecting Namib Desert beetle shows. In this paper, the beetle's elytra were mimicked by a novel three-step fabrication method to increase the fog-collection efficiency of glasses. In the first step, a double-hierarchical surface structure was generated on Pyrex wafers using femtosecond laser structuring, which amplified the intrinsic wetting property of the surface and made it superhydrophilic (water contact angle < 10°). In the second step, a Teflon-like polymer (CF 2 ) n was deposited by a plasma process that turned the laser-structured surface superhydrophobic (water contact angle > 150°). In the last step, the Teflon-like coating was selectively removed by fs-laser ablation to uncover superhydrophilic spots below the superhydrophobic surface, following the example of the Namib Desert beetle's fog-collecting elytra. To investigate the influence on the fog-collection behavior, (super)hydrophilic, (super)hydrophobic, and low and high contrast wetting patterns were fabricated on glass wafers using selected combinations of these three processing steps and were exposed to fog in an artificial nebulizer setup. This experiment revealed that high-contrast wetting patterns collected the highest amount of fog and enhanced the fog-collection efficiency by nearly 60% compared to pristine Pyrex glass. The comparison of the fog-collection behavior of the six samples showed that the superior fog-collection efficiency of surface patterns with extreme wetting contrast is due to the combination of water attraction and water repellency: the superhydrophilic spots act as drop accumulation areas, whereas the surrounding superhydrophobic areas allow a fast water transportation caused by gravity. The presented method enables a fast and flexible surface functionalization of a broad range of materials including transparent substrates, which offers exciting possibilities for the design of biomedical and microfluidic devices.

Chemical multisensors with selective encapsulation of ion-selective membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwager, Felix J.; Bousse, Luc J.; Bowman, Lyn; Meindl, J. D.

Chemical sensors fabricated with simultaneous wafer scale encapsulation of ion selective electrode mambranes are described. The sensors are miniature ion selective electrodes in chambers located on a silicon substrate. These chambers are made by anodically bonding to the silicon a no. 7740 pyrex glass wafer in which cavities were drilled. Pores with dimensions selectable from 50 microns upwards are opened in the roofs of the chambers by drilling with a CO2 laser. Each sensor die contains four cavities which are filled under reduced pressure with liquid membrane material which is subsequently polymerized. The transducers on the cavity floor are Ag/AgCl electrodes. Interconnects between the sensor chambers on each die and bonding pads are made in the silicon substrate.

The Syntheses and Structure of the First Vanadium(IV) and Vanadium(V) Binary Azides, V(N3)4, [V(N3)6]2- and [V(N3)6]- (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-17

V(N3)3(N3S2)] 2- , [22] have been reported, and no binary vanadium(V) compounds had been known except for VF5, VF6 - and V2O5 . By analogy with...valves. Volatile materials were handled in a Pyrex glass or stainless steel/Teflon-FEP vacuum line. [31] All reaction vessels were passivated with ClF3...successful synthesis of the [V(N3)6] - anion, the only binary vanadium(V) compound known besides VF5, VF6 - and V2O5 . N1’ N8 N9 N1 N2 N3 V N4 N5 N6 N2

Microengineered open tubular columns for GC analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiranto, Goib; Haskard, Malcolm R.; Mulcahy, Dennis E.; Davey, David E.; Dawes, Ernest F.

1999-09-01

Microengineered open tubular (MOT) columns with semi rectangular cross-sections have been designed and fabricated using microengineering techniques. The creation of 100-micrometers wide, 20-micrometers deep, and 125-cm long columns employed isotropic etching on (100) silicon and anodic bonding with a Pyrex 7740 glass cover plate. Column geometry has been optimized to achieve maximum efficiency and allow extreme operating conditions. The walls of the microcolumns were coated with a non-polar liquid stationary phase. Performances of the MOT columns have been demonstrated by their ability to completely separate a series of hydrocarbon mixture in less than 1.25 min under isothermal condition of 150 degrees C. The achievable column efficiencies as measured in terms of theoretical plate height ranged from 0.57 to 1.45 mm, which agreed well with theoretical predictions.

Cryogenic mirror analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nagy, S.

1988-01-01

Due to extraordinary distances scanned by modern telescopes, optical surfaces in such telescopes must be manufactured to unimaginable standards of perfection of a few thousandths of a centimeter. The detection of imperfections of less than 1/20 of a wavelength of light, for application in the building of the mirror for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility, was undertaken. Because the mirror must be kept very cold while in space, another factor comes into effect: cryogenics. The process to test a specific morror under cryogenic conditions is described; including the follow-up analysis accomplished through computer work. To better illustrate the process and analysis, a Pyrex Hex-Core mirror is followed through the process from the laser interferometry in the lab, to computer analysis via a computer program called FRINGE. This analysis via FRINGE is detailed.

Kinetic Behaviour of Failure Waves in a Filled Glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Resnyansky, A. D.; Bourne, N. K.

2007-12-01

Experimental stress and velocity profiles in a lead filled glass demonstrate a pronounced kinetic behaviour for failure waves in the material during shock loading. The present work summarises the experimental proofs of the kinetic behaviour obtained with stress and velocity gauges. The work describes a model for this behaviour employing a kinetic description used earlier for fracture waves in Pyrex glass. This model is part of a family of two-phase, strain-rate sensitive models describing the behaviour of damaged brittle materials. The modelling results describe well both the stress decay of the failure wave precursor in the stress profiles and main pulse attenuation in the velocity profiles. The influences of the kinetic mechanisms and wave interactions within the test assembly on the reduction of this behaviour are discussed.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Green emission and bandgap narrowing due to two-photon excitation in thin film CdS formed by spray pyrolysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullrich, B.; Schroeder, R.

2001-08-01

Thin (10 µm) film CdS on Pyrex® formed by spray pyrolysis is excited below the gap at 804 nm with 200 fs laser pulses at room temperature. Excitation intensities up to 250 GW cm-2 evoke green bandgap emission due to two-photon transitions. This two-photon photoluminescence does not show a red emission contribution in contrast to the single-photon excited emission, which is dominated by broad emission in the red spectral range. It is demonstrated that two-photon excitation causes photo-induced bandgap narrowing due to Debye screening. At 250 GW cm-2 bandgap narrowing of 47 meV is observed, which corresponds to an excited electron density of 1.6×1018 cm-3.

New leak assembly based on fluidic nanochannels

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

Zhu, Aiqing; Zhao, Yongheng; Wang, Xudi, E-mail: wxudi@hfut.edu.cn

2016-09-15

Fluidic nanochannels with a characteristic dimension of ∼280 nm were fabricated and designed as a leak assembly, where the nanochannels were formed on silicon wafers and enclosed with Pyrex{sup ®} glass. The geometric dimensions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the gas flow conductance of He and other heavy gases (N{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, and Ar) was measured, and its uncertainty estimated, by the difference method. The results indicated that the measured flow conductance values were 45% less than the calculated flow conductance values. For helium, molecular flow was shown to occur at pressures ranging from vacuum to atmospheric pressure.more » As a consequence of the well-defined geometry, the prediction of flow conductance could be achieved for various gas species.« less

An analytical and experimental study of the behavior of semi-infinite metal targets under hypervelocity impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chakrapani, B.; Rand, J. L.

1971-01-01

The material strength and strain rate effects associated with the hypervelocity impact problem were considered. A yield criterion involving the second and third invariants of the stress deviator and a strain rate sensitive constitutive equation were developed. The part of total deformation which represents change in shape is attributable to the stress deviator. Constitutive equation is a means for analytically describing the mechanical response of a continuum under study. The accuracy of the yield criterion was verified utilizing the published two and three dimensional experimental data. The constants associated with the constitutive equation were determined from one dimensional quasistatic and dynamic experiments. Hypervelocity impact experiments were conducted on semi-infinite targets of 1100 aluminum, 6061 aluminum alloy, mild steel, and commercially pure lead using spherically shaped and normally incident pyrex projectiles.

Partitioning coefficients of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in stack gas from a municipal incinerator

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

Lee, W.M.G.; Chen, J.C.

1995-12-31

In this study, solid-gas partitioning coefficients of PAHs on fly ash in stack gas from a municipal incinerator were determined according to elution analysis with gas-solid chromatography. The fly ash from the electrostatic precipitator was sieved and packed into a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) pyrex column. Elution analysis with gas-solid chromatography was conducted for three PAEs, Napthalene, Anthracene, and Pyrene. The temperature for elution analysis was in the range of 100{degrees}C to 300{degrees}C. Vg, specific retention volume obtained from elution analysis, and S, specific surface area of fly ash measured by a surface area measurement instrument were used to estimatemore » the solid-gas partitioning coefficient KR. In addition, the relationships between KR and temperature and KR and PAH concentrations were investigated.« less

Wetting properties of hybrid structure with hydrophilic ridges and hydrophobic channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Dong-Ki; Choi, Su Young; Park, Min Soo; Cho, Young Hak

2018-02-01

In the present study, we fabricated a hybrid structure where the upper surface of the ridge is hydrophilic and the inner surface of the channel is hydrophobic. Laser-induced backside wet etching (LIBWE) process was performed to machine the hybrid structure on a Pyrex glass substrate. Wetting properties were evaluated from static contact angles (CAs) measurement in parallel and orthogonal directions. The water droplet on the hybrid structure was in the Cassie-Baxter state and showed anisotropic wetting property along groove lines. Moisture condensation studies under humid condition indicated that water droplets grew and coalesced on the ridge with hydrophilicity. Furthermore, water-oil separation was tested using a microfluidic chip with the developed hybrid structure. In case of hybrid microfluidic chip, the water could not flow into channel but the hexadecane could flow due to the capillary pressure difference.

Long term storage test of titanium material with liquid fluorine propellant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Denson, J. R.; English, W. D.; Roth, J.; Toy, A.

1979-01-01

The compatibility of 6AL-4V Ti with propellant grade GF2 and LF2 at 77 K for up to 3 years was investigated. Titanium double coupons, annealed or heat treated, with 16 or 64 RMS finishes, were immersed in F2 in individual Pyrex capsules and stored under LN2 for 29 and 39 months. Pre and post immersion tests were performed on the propellant and coupons. Chemical analysis of the propellant did not reveal any significant changes due to titanium corrosion. Gravimetric, visual, microscopic, and metallurgical examination with pitting analysis did not reveal gross corrosion of the titanium although pitting appears to be greater after 39 months exposure. The increase in pit size and number raises the possibility of unpredictable crack propagation instability. Fracture toughness tests are necessary to define this possibility.

Rebuilding astronomy at Michigan: from Hussey to Goldberg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindner, Rudi Paul

2003-12-01

The University of Michigan astronomy programme, in research and teaching, was in terrible shape when W.J. Hussey returned to revive it in 1905. With support from the administration and an old friend, Hussey built a new, astrophysical observatory and planned a southern station to pursue his double star campaign. His successor, Ralph Hamilton Curtiss, developed a school of astronomical spectroscopy and saw the southern station, the Lamont-Hussey Observatory, in full operation. After Ralph Curtiss' early death, Heber Curtis continued, nurtured the McMath-Hulbert Observatory and wedded it to the Unoversity, and obtained the pyrex disk for a 2.49-m (98-inch) reflector. The Great Depression deprived the Ann Arbor programme of its momentum, but after World War II a new Director, Leo Goldberg, made the Department a formidable presence in American astronomical research and training.

Meshless modelling of dynamic behaviour of glasses under intense shock loadings: Application to matter ejection during high velocity impacts on thin brittle targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michel, Y.; Chevalier, J.-M.; Durin, C.; Espinosa, C.; Malaise, F.; Barrau, J.-J.

2006-08-01

The purpose of this study is to present a new material model adapted to SPH modelling of dynamic behaviour of glasses under shock loadings. This model has the ability to reproduce fragmentation and densification of glasses under compression as well as brittle tensile failure. It has been implemented in Ls-Dyna software and coupled with a SPH code. By comparison with CEA-CESTA experimental data the model has been validated for fused silica and Pyrex glass for stress level up to 35GPa. For Laser MegaJoule applications, the present material model was applied to 3D high velocity impacts on thin brittle targets with good agreement with experimental data obtained using CESTA's double stage light gas gun in term of damages and matter ejection.

Mechanical properties of silicate glasses exposed to a low-Earth orbit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wiedlocher, David E.; Tucker, Dennis S.; Nichols, Ron; Kinser, Donald L.

1992-01-01

The effects of a 5.8 year exposure to low earth orbit environment upon the mechanical properties of commercial optical fused silica, low iron soda-lime-silica, Pyrex 7740, Vycor 7913, BK-7, and the glass ceramic Zerodur were examined. Mechanical testing employed the ASTM-F-394 piston on 3-ball method in a liquid nitrogen environment. Samples were exposed on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) in two locations. Impacts were observed on all specimens except Vycor. Weibull analysis as well as a standard statistical evaluation were conducted. The Weibull analysis revealed no differences between control samples and the two exposed samples. We thus concluded that radiation components of the Earth orbital environment did not degrade the mechanical strength of the samples examined within the limits of experimental error. The upper bound of strength degradation for meteorite impacted samples based upon statistical analysis and observation was 50 percent.

Microfluidic device for trapping and monitoring three dimensional multicell spheroids using electrical impedance spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Luongo, Kevin; Holton, Angela; Kaushik, Ajeet; Spence, Paige; Ng, Beng; Deschenes, Robert; Sundaram, Shankar; Bhansali, Shekhar

2013-01-01

In this paper, we report the design, fabrication, and testing of a lab-on-a-chip based microfluidic device for application of trapping and measuring the dielectric properties of microtumors over time using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) techniques were used to embed opposing electrodes onto the top and bottom surfaces of a microfluidic channel fabricated using Pyrex substrate, chrome gold, SU-8, and polydimethylsiloxane. Differing concentrations of cell culture medium, differing sized polystyrene beads, and MCF-7 microtumor spheroids were used to validate the designs ability to detect background conductivity changes and dielectric particle diameter changes between electrodes. The observed changes in cell medium concentrations demonstrated a linear relation to extracted solution resistance (Rs), while polystyrene beads and multicell spheroids induced changes in magnitude consistent with diameter increase. This design permits optical correlation between electrical measurements and EIS spectra. PMID:24404028

Optoacoustic measurements of water vapor absorption at selected CO laser wavelengths in the 5-micron region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menzies, R. T.; Shumate, M. S.

1976-01-01

Measurements of water vapor absorption were taken with a resonant optoacoustical detector (cylindrical pyrex detector, two BaF2 windows fitted into end plates at slight tilt to suppress Fabry-Perot resonances), for lack of confidence in existing spectral tabular data for the 5-7 micron region, as line shapes in the wing regions of water vapor lines are difficult to characterize. The measurements are required for air pollution studies using a CO laser, to find the differential absorption at the wavelengths in question due to atmospheric constituents other than water vapor. The design and performance of the optoacoustical detector are presented. Effects of absorption by ambient NO are considered, and the fixed-frequency discretely tunable CO laser is found suitable for monitoring urban NO concentrations in a fairly dry climate, using the water vapor absorption data obtained in the study.

Use of tapered Pyrex capillary tubes to increase the mechanical stability of multiwall carbon nanotubes field emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousa, M. S.; Bani Ali, E. S.; Hagmann, M. J.

2018-02-01

In this study, NanocylTM NC 7000 Thin Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used with a high aspect ratio (>150) made by the process of catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD). The field emitter tips were prepared by inserting these MWCT into fine glass capillary tubes that were pulled at high temperatures and then cut. Measurements were carried out under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions with a base pressure of 10-9 mbar. The data show the effects of initial conditioning of MWCNT and hysteresis. Compression of the MWCNT by the capillary tubes appears to provide adequate mechanical support without requiring the use of a low-melting point electrically-conductive binder as has been used previously. Emission currents in excess of 1 μA were obtained so this technique shows promise as a reliable, stable, powerful electron source.

EURELIOS, the world's first thermomechanical helioelectric power plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gretz, J.

Characteristics of the power source, design, costs and operating mechanisms and performance of the EURELIOS central receiver solar electric power plant are described. Noting that the solar input at the earth's surface is about 1 kW/sq m, 6200 sq m of float glass mirrors mounted on 182 heliostats were fabricated to focus the incoming radiation onto a receiver aperture atop a 55 m high tower. The curved mirrors permit the focus of 80% of the energy input to be deposited on a 2.2 m diam aperture which is equipped with heat exchangers imbedded in pyrex and darkened and finned to maximize absorption. Feedwater is superheated in the receiver and is transferred to a buffer tank of hot water at 19 bar and molten salt at 410 C, and then on to turbines for actual power production. The grid serves as back-up power system. Total costs are calculated at $1600/kWe.

Novel micro-reactor flow cell for investigation of model catalysts using in situ grazing-incidence X-ray scattering

PubMed Central

Kehres, Jan; Pedersen, Thomas; Masini, Federico; Andreasen, Jens Wenzel; Nielsen, Martin Meedom; Diaz, Ana; Nielsen, Jane Hvolbæk; Hansen, Ole

2016-01-01

The design, fabrication and performance of a novel and highly sensitive micro-reactor device for performing in situ grazing-incidence X-ray scattering experiments of model catalyst systems is presented. The design of the reaction chamber, etched in silicon on insulator (SIO), permits grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) in transmission through 10 µm-thick entrance and exit windows by using micro-focused beams. An additional thinning of the Pyrex glass reactor lid allows simultaneous acquisition of the grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). In situ experiments at synchrotron facilities are performed utilizing the micro-reactor and a designed transportable gas feed and analysis system. The feasibility of simultaneous in situ GISAXS/GIWAXS experiments in the novel micro-reactor flow cell was confirmed with CO oxidation over mass-selected Ru nanoparticles. PMID:26917133

Estimating index of refraction from polarimetric hyperspectral imaging measurements.

PubMed

Martin, Jacob A; Gross, Kevin C

2016-08-08

Current material identification techniques rely on estimating reflectivity or emissivity which vary with viewing angle. As off-nadir remote sensing platforms become increasingly prevalent, techniques robust to changing viewing geometries are desired. A technique leveraging polarimetric hyperspectral imaging (P-HSI), to estimate complex index of refraction, N̂(ν̃), an inherent material property, is presented. The imaginary component of N̂(ν̃) is modeled using a small number of "knot" points and interpolation at in-between frequencies ν̃. The real component is derived via the Kramers-Kronig relationship. P-HSI measurements of blackbody radiation scattered off of a smooth quartz window show that N̂(ν̃) can be retrieved to within 0.08 RMS error between 875 cm^-1 ≤ ν̃ ≤ 1250 cm^-1. P-HSI emission measurements of a heated smooth Pyrex beaker also enable successful N̂(ν̃) estimates, which are also invariant to object temperature.

Bibliography on aircraft fire hazards and safety. Volume 1: Hazards. Part 1: Key numbers 1 to 817

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pelouch, J. J., Jr. (Compiler); Hacker, P. T. (Compiler)

1974-01-01

Ignition temperatures of n-hexane, n-octane, n-decane, JP-6 jet fuel, and aircraft engine oil MIL-7-7808 (0-60-18) were determined in air using heated Pyrex cylinders and Nichrome wires, rods, or tubes. Ignition temperature varied little with fuel-air ratio, but increased as the size of the heat source was decreased. Expressions are given which define the variation of the hot surface ignition temperatures of these combustibles with the radius and the surface area of the heat source. The expressions are applicable to stagnant or low velocity flow conditions (less than 0.2 in./sec.). In addition, the hot gas ignition temperatures of the combustible vapor-air mixtures were determined with jets of hot air. These ignition temperatures also varied little with fuel-air ratio and increased as the diameter of the heat sources was decreased.

Research on low-temperature anodic bonding using induction heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Mingxiang; Yi, Xinjian; Yuan, Liulin; Liu, Sheng

2006-04-01

This paper presents a new low temperature silicon-glass anodic bonding process using induction heating. Anodic bonding between silicon and glass (Pyrex 7740) has been achieved at temperature below 300 °C and almost bubble-free interfaces have been obtained. A 1KW 400KHz power supply is used to induce heat in graphite susceptors (simultaneously as the high-voltage electrodes of anodic bonding), which conduct heat to the bonding pair and permanently join the pair in 5 minutes. The results of pull tests indicate a bonding strength of above 5.0MPa for induction heating, which is greater than the strength for resistive heating at the same temperature. The fracture mainly occurs across the interface or inside the glass other than in the interface when the bonding temperature is over 200 °C Finally, the interfaces are examined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the bonding mechanisms are discussed.

STUDIES OF THE RADIATION CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. THE RADIOLYSIS OF METHANOL AND METHANOLIC SOLUTIONS

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

Lichtin, N.N.

1961-02-28

>Installation, equipping, and dosimetry of an 850-curie Schwarz-Allen type Co/sup 60/ source were completed. Dose rates are tabulated for six positions in the source. The dissolution of boron from pyrex by methanol was studied using the curcumin procedure. The results indicated <7 x 10/sup -6/M of boron in the methanol independent of irradiations. The gamma radiolysis of methanol resulted in G-values of: 4.66 plus or minus 0.07, H/sub 2/; 0.27 plus or minus 0.03, CH/sub 4/; 1.94 plus or minus 0.06, CH/sub 2/O; and 2.86 plus or minus 0.05, C/sub 2/H/sub 6/O/sub 2/. An improvement in the trapping of methanolmore » resulted in the reduction of the apparent yield of H/sub 2/ to 3.9. (B.O.G.)« less

A severe hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir following re-challenge.

PubMed

Todd, Sej; Emerson, C R

2017-03-01

We report this case to highlight the possibility of a severe hypersensitivity reaction as an important potential consequence of couples, living with HIV, sharing anti-retroviral treatment. An HIV-1 positive and carrier of HLA-B*57:01 allele, treatment experienced man was commenced one pill Regimen Stribild (tenofovir, emtricitabine, elvitegravir and cobicistat) in July 2015. On running short of medication, he admitted to sharing his partner's treatment (Triumeq; abacavir, lamivudine and dolutegravir). On the second occasion, re-introduction resulted in whole body rash 4 h post dose and was associated with fever, respiratory symptoms, headache and vomiting. On examination, he was pyrexic, tachyponeic, tachycardiac and hypotensive. Hypersensitivity to abacavir can cause significant morbidity. Re-challenge can result in a more rapid, severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. This potentially could become an increasing problem with more couples, living with HIV, sharing medication.

To catch a comet: Technical overview of CAN DO G-324

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obrien, T. J. (Editor)

1986-01-01

The primary objective of the C. E. Williams Middle School Get Away Special CAN DO is the photographing of Comet Halley. The project will involve middle school students, grades 6 through 8, in the study and interpretation of astronomical photographs and techniques. G-324 is contained in a 5 cubic foot GAS Canister with an opening door and pyrex window for photography. It will be pressurized with one atmosphere of dry nitrogen. Three 35mm still cameras with 250 exposure film backs and different focal length lenses will be fired by a combination of automatic timer and an active comet detector. A lightweight 35mm movie camera will shoot single exposures at about 1/2 minute intervals to give an overlapping skymap of the mission. The fifth camera is a solid state television camera specially constructed for detection of the comet by microprocessor.

Solar heat collector-generator for cooling purposes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdullah, K.

1982-01-01

The performance of an experimental LiBr-H2O solar collector powered absorption cooling system is described. A numerical model was developed of the energy, mass, and momentum balances across the heat-exchange loop to obtain the refrigerant vapor generation rate. The mechanism works by the thermosiphon principle, which eliminates mechanical devices from the loop. All leaks were fixed before measurements began with a test apparatus comprising a pyrex tube 1.87 m long with a 2.7 i.d. The refrigerant flow rate was monitored, along with temperature changes in the fluid and across the tube. Bubble initiation was observed from the free surface extending downward in the tube. Reynolds numbers varied from 6-43 in the liquid phase and 81-204 in the vapor phase. A formulation was made for the low-velocity two-phase flow and good agreement was demonstrated with the simulation.

Light-induced atomic desorption in a compact system for ultracold atoms

PubMed Central

Torralbo-Campo, Lara; Bruce, Graham D.; Smirne, Giuseppe; Cassettari, Donatella

2015-01-01

In recent years, light-induced atomic desorption (LIAD) of alkali atoms from the inner surface of a vacuum chamber has been employed in cold atom experiments for the purpose of modulating the alkali background vapour. This is beneficial because larger trapped atom samples can be loaded from vapour at higher pressure, after which the pressure is reduced to increase the lifetime of the sample. We present an analysis, based on the case of rubidium atoms adsorbed on pyrex, of various aspects of LIAD that are useful for this application. Firstly, we study the intensity dependence of LIAD by fitting the experimental data with a rate-equation model, from which we extract a correct prediction for the increase in trapped atom number. Following this, we quantify a figure of merit for the utility of LIAD in cold atom experiments and we show how it can be optimised for realistic experimental parameters. PMID:26458325

Japanese encephalitis in a racing thoroughbred gelding in Hong Kong.

PubMed

Lam, K H K; Ellis, T M; Williams, D T; Lunt, R A; Daniels, P W; Watkins, K L; Riggs, C M

2005-08-06

A horse in Hong Kong that had been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis suffered a pyrexic episode that culminated in a hyperexcitable state and self-inflicted trauma. Japanese encephalitis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, pathological and serological observations, and confirmed by the detection of genomic sequences of the virus in spinal cord tissue. Phylogenetic analyses of E gene and NS5-3'UTR sequences revealed divergent clustering of these segments with previously described genotypes, suggesting the possibility that the horse might have been infected with a recombinant between genotype I and genotype II viruses. Horses are considered to be dead-end hosts for the disease, but the occurrence of an infected horse in a population may have implications for the health status of the national herd. The effect that this case had on the horse industry in Hong Kong is discussed with specific reference to the movement of horses and the vaccination programme for Japanese encephalitis.

Opto-thermal analysis of a lightweighted mirror for solar telescope.

PubMed

Banyal, Ravinder K; Ravindra, B; Chatterjee, S

2013-03-25

In this paper, an opto-thermal analysis of a moderately heated lightweighted solar telescope mirror is carried out using 3D finite element analysis (FEA). A physically realistic heat transfer model is developed to account for the radiative heating and energy exchange of the mirror with surroundings. The numerical simulations show the non-uniform temperature distribution and associated thermo-elastic distortions of the mirror blank clearly mimicking the underlying discrete geometry of the lightweighted substrate. The computed mechanical deformation data is analyzed with surface polynomials and the optical quality of the mirror is evaluated with the help of a ray-tracing software. The thermal print-through distortions are further shown to contribute to optical figure changes and mid-spatial frequency errors of the mirror surface. A comparative study presented for three commonly used substrate materials, namely, Zerodur, Pyrex and Silicon Carbide (SiC) is relevant to vast area of large optics requirements in ground and space applications.

Unraveling the mysteries of microwave chemistry using silicon carbide reactor technology.

PubMed

Kappe, C Oliver

2013-07-16

In the past few years, the use of microwave energy to heat chemical reactions has become an increasingly popular theme in the scientific community. This nonclassical heating technique has slowly progressed from a laboratory curiosity to an established method commonly used both in academia and in industry. Because of its efficiency, microwave heating dramatically reduces reaction times (from days and hours to minutes and seconds) and improves product purities or material properties among other advantages. Since the early days of microwave chemistry, researchers have observed rate-accelerations and, in some cases, altered product distributions as compared with reactions carried out using classical oil-bath heating. As a result, researchers have speculated that so-called specific or nonthermal microwave effects could be responsible for these differences. Much of the debate has centered on the question of whether the electromagnetic field can exert a direct influence on a chemical transformation outside of the simple macroscopic change in bulk reaction temperature. In 2009, our group developed a relatively simple "trick" that allows us to rapidly evaluate whether an observed effect seen in a microwave-assisted reaction results from a purely thermal phenomenon, or involves specific or nonthermal microwave effects. We use a microwave reaction vessel made from silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic. Because of its high microwave absorptivity, the vessel shields its contents from the electromagnetic field. As a result, we can easily mimic a conventionally heated autoclave experiment inside a microwave reactor under carefully controlled reaction conditions. The switch from an almost microwave transparent glass (Pyrex) to a strongly microwave absorbing SiC reaction vial under otherwise identical reaction conditions (temperature profiles, pressure, stirring speed) then allows us to carefully evaluate the influence of the electromagnetic field on the particular chemical transformation. Over the past five years we have subjected a wide variety of chemical transformations, including organic reactions, preparations of inorganic nanoparticles, and the hydrolysis of proteins, to the "SiC test." In nearly all of the studied examples, we obtained identical results from reactions carried out in Pyrex vials and those carried out in SiC vials. The data obtained from these investigations confirm that in the overwhelming majority of cases a bulk temperature phenomenon drives the enhancements in microwave chemistry and that the electromagnetic field has no direct influence on the reaction pathway.

H partitioning between NAMs in garnet-bearing peridotite at subsolidus conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demouchy, S. A.; Shcheka, S.; Denis, C. M. M.; Thoraval, C.

2017-12-01

Hydrogen distribution between nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs) of a garnet-lherzolite under subsolidus conditions has been investigated. Separated NAMs from a garnet-peridotite from Patagonia (Chile) are annealed together (olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and garnet) using a piston-cylinder at 3 GPa and 1100 °C using talc-Pyrex cell assembly for 10, 25 and 100 hours. The talc-pyrex assembly provides enough hydrogen in the system to re-equilibrate the hydrogen concentrations at high pressure. The three co-existing nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs, i.e., olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene) were successfully analyzed using FTIR. The resulting hydrogen concentrations exceed significantly the initial hydrogen concentration by a factor of 13 for olivine and a factor of 3 for both pyroxenes. Once mineral-specific infrared calibrations are applied, the average concentrations in NAMs are 115±12 ppm wt H2O for olivine, 635±75 ppm wt H2O for orthopyroxene and 1214±137 ppm wt H2O for clinopyroxene, garnet grains are dry. Since local equilibrium seems achieved over time (for 100 hours), the calculated concentration ratios are interpreted as mineral-to-mineral hydrogen partition coefficients (i.e., Nernst `s law) for a garnet-peridotite assemblage. It yields, based on mineral-specific infrared calibrations, Dopx/ol=5±1, Dcpx/ol= 10±2, and Dcpx/opx=1.9±0.4. While Dcpx/opx is in agreement (within error) with previous results from experimental studies and concentration ratios observed in mantle-derived peridotites, the Dpx/ol from this study are significantly lower than the values reported from mantle-derived xenoliths and also at odd with several previous experimental studies where melt and/or hydrous minerals co-exists with NAMs. The results confirm the sensitivity of hydrogen incorporation in olivine regarding the amount of water-derived species (H) in the system and/or the amount of water in the co-existing silicate melt. The results are in agreement with an important but incomplete dehydration of mantle-derived olivine occurring at depth, during transport by the host magma or during slow lava flow cooling at the surface. The rapid concentration modification in mantle pyroxenes also points out that pyroxenes might not be a hydrogen recorder as reliable as previously thought.

Photo-reorganization of 3-alkoxy-6-chloro-2-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-ones: a green and convenient synthesis of angular pentacyclics.

PubMed

Dalal, Aarti; Khanna, Radhika; Kumar, Parvin; Kamboj, Ramesh C

2017-05-17

Photo-reorganization of 3-alkoxy-6-chloro-2-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-ones in methanol with Pyrex filtered UV-light from a medium pressure 125 W Hg-vapor lamp led to the formation of angular pentacyclic compounds (dihydro and aromatic products) along with some rearranged chromenones where the product(s) distribution depended upon the structure of 3-alkoxy groups (methoxy, ethoxy, allyloxy and benzyloxy). The phenyl moiety in the 3-benzyloxy group had a profound effect on the dihydro product(s) formation as the latter was in high yield when the alkoxy group was benzyloxy followed by allyloxy, ethoxy and methoxy groups. The present photochemical study represents a general method for the synthesis of some angular pentacyclic - benzothiophene fused xanthenone derivatives in a single step without using any specific and toxic reagent. The structures of the new organic scaffolds obtained were established by their spectral data (UV, IR and NMR).

Study program to develop and evaluate die and container materials for the growth of silicon ribbons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Initial sessile drop experiments on SiC, Si3N4 and A1N were conducted. Very promising results were achieved on both SiC and Si3N4 where minimal penetration of these CNTD coatings by molten silicon was observed. More detailed characterization of the CNTD microstructures was accomplished as well as X-ray characterization of the third and fourth candidate materials system sets (i.e. A1N and altered Si3N4). Polished sections of post sessile drop specimens were also prepared and evaluated. The techniques of full scale crucible hot pressing were developed and die grinding development was initiated. The apparatus for measurement of oxygen partial pressure was reconstructed and calibrated. The sessile drop temperature measurement procedure was calibrated for absorption by the pyrex view-port and additional Auger electron analysis was performed at the interface of molten silicon with CNTD Si3N4 and A1N.

Resonant photoacoustic detection of NO2 traces with a Q-switched green laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slezak, Verónica; Codnia, Jorge; Peuriot, Alejandro L.; Santiago, Guillermo

2003-01-01

Resonant photoacoustic detection of NO2 traces by means of a high repetition pulsed green laser is presented. The resonator is a cylindrical Pyrex glass cell with a measured Q factor 380 for the first radial mode in air at atmospheric pressure. The system is calibrated with known mixtures in dry air and a minimum detectable volume concentration of 50 parts in 109 is obtained (S/N=1). Its sensitivity allows one to detect and quantify NO2 traces in the exhaust gases of cars. Previously, the analysis of gas adsorption and desorption on the walls and of changes in the sample composition is carried out in order to minimize errors in the determination of NO2 content upon application of the extractive method. The efficiency of catalytic converters of several models of automobiles is studied and the NO2 concentration in samples from exhausts of different types of engine (gasoline, diesel, and methane gas) at idling operation are measured.

Experimental constraints on impact-induced winds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quintana, Stephanie N.; Schultz, Peter H.; Horowitz, Seth S.

2018-05-01

A new class of wind streaks on Mars uniquely associated with impact craters is most clearly detected in nighttime thermal infrared imaging. Thermally bright streaks radiate from some well-preserved impact craters and are related to the impact process. Using laboratory experiments performed at the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range, we test the hypothesis that these streaks are formed from either the winds within an air-blast or winds set up by expanding impact vapor interacting with the atmosphere. The experiments use a variety of tracers and instruments to document three interrelated processes occurring in the impact of a Pyrex projectile into an easily vaporized powdered dolomite target: (1) a surface roughening spreading outward from the impact point, (2) an expanding vapor plume, and (3) outward winds made visible by dust trails from vertically placed, dusty pipe cleaners. The clear connection between the surface roughening, vapor expansion, and outward winds implicate an expanding vapor interacting with the atmosphere as the controlling process.

Toward a biophotonic MEMS cell sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powers, Michael A.; Koev, Stephan T.; Schleunitz, Arne; Yi, Hyunmin; Hodzic, Vildana; Bentley, William E.; Payne, Gregory F.; Rubloff, Gary W.; Ghodssi, Reza

2005-06-01

We present a new platform for the optical analysis of biomolecules based upon the polysaccharide chitosan. The versatile, stable, and compatible nature of chitosan makes it an ideal material for integrating biological materials in microfabricated systems. Chitosan"s pH-responsive solubility allows electrochemical deposition, while its chemical reactivity enables facile coupling of proteins, oligonucleotides, and other biomolecules by covalent bonds. This work demonstrates the spatially selective assembly of a fluorescent molecule on chitosan and its applicability to microscale optical transducers. We define multimode waveguides and fluidic channels on a Pyrex wafer using a single layer of SU-8. Our implementation of sidewall patterning of transparent electrodes (indium tin oxide) on SU-8 structures is demonstrated and can be highly beneficial to fluorescent signal transduction. In this optical configuration, normally incident excitation light illuminates a chitosan surface on the vertical face of a collector waveguide intersected by a microfluidic channel. We demonstrate the collection of the optical signal in the integrated waveguide and analyze the signal by coupling the waveguide to a grating spectrometer.

Some physical investigations on ZnS 1- xSe x films obtained by selenization of ZnS sprayed films using the Boubaker polynomials expansion scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fridjine, S.; Touihri, S.; Boubaker, K.; Amlouk, M.

2010-01-01

ZnS 1- xSe x thin films have been grown by selenization process, applied to ZnS sprayed thin films deposited on Pyrex glass substrates at 550 °C. The crystal structure and surface morphology were investigated by the XRD technique and by the atomic force microscopy. This structural study shows that selenium-free ( x=0) ZnS thin films, prepared at substrate temperature TS=450 °C, were well crystallized in cubic structure and oriented preferentially along (1 1 1) direction. The thermal and mechanical properties were also investigated using a photothermal protocol along with Vickers hardness measurements. On the other hand, the analyze of the transmittance T( λ) and the reflectance R( λ), optical measurements of these films depicts a decrease in the band gap energy value Eg with an increase in Se content ( x). Indeed, Eg values vary from 3.6 to 3.1 eV.

Long-range pulselength scaling of 351nm laser damage thresholds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foltyn, S. R.; Jolin, L. J.

1986-12-01

In a series of experiments incorporating 351nm pulselength of 9, 26, 54, and 625ns, it was found that laser damage thresholds increased as (pulselength)/sup x/, and that the exponent averaged 0.36 and ranged, for different samples, from 0.23 to 0.48. Similar results were obtained when only catastrophic damage was considered. Samples included Al2O3/SiO2 in both AR and HR multilayers, HR's of Sc2O3/SiO2 and HfO2/SiO2, and Al-on-pyrex mirror; 9ns thresholds were between 0.2 to 5.6 J/sq cm. When these data were compared with a wide range of other results - for wavelengths from 0.25 to 10.6 microns and pulselengths down to 4ps - a remarkably consistent picture emerged. Damage thresholds, on average, increase approximately as the cube-root of pulselength from picoseconds to nearly a microsecond, and do so regardless of wavelength or material under test.

Method for determination of some soluble atmospheric carbonyl compounds

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

Lee, Y.N.; Zhou, X.

1993-04-01

A technique was developed for the measurement of soluble atmospheric carbonyl compounds, which uses a pyrex coil gas-liquid scrubber sampler in conjunction with a high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a UV-visible detector for separation and identification following derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Carbonyls exhibiting a Henry's law solubility similar to or greater than that of formaldehyde (FA) can be determined by this method; these include FA, glycolaldehyde (GA), glyoxal (GL), and methylglyoxal (MG). Based on liquid standards and field-developed chromatographic characteristics, the limits of detection are about 0.005 ppb (in the gas phase) for MG, about 0.01 ppb for GL, and aboutmore » 0.02 ppb for FA and GA. Because of the short air-liquid contact time in the coil sampler (smaller than 10 s), interferences from aqueous-phase reactions of ozone are insignificant. Also, at the low pH of the scrubbing solution, interference resulting from reactions of carbonyls with S(IV) is unimportant. 43 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.« less

SQUID-Detected MRI in the Limit of Zero Static Field

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

Kelso, Nathan Dean

2009-12-14

This thesis describes an implementation of the so-called"zero-field MRI" (ZFMRI) pulse sequence, which allows for imaging in an arbitrarily low B 0 field. The ZFMRI sequence created an effective unidirectional gradient field by using a train of pi pulses to average out the concomitant gradient components during encoding. The signals were acquired using a low-transition temperature dc Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (low-Tc dc SQUID) coupled to a first-order axial gradiometer. The experiments were carried out in a liquid helium dewar which was magnetically shielded with a single-layer mu-metal can around the outside and a superconducting Pb can contained within themore » helium space. We increased the filling factor of the custom-made, double-walled Pyrex insert by placing the liquid alcohol sample, at a temperature of approximately -50 degrees C, at the center of one loop of the superconducting gradiometer, which was immersed in the helium bath.« less

Alternate cathodes for sodium-metal chloride batteries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratnakumar, B. V.; Attia, A. I.; Halpert, G.

1991-01-01

Various metal chlorides were tested as possible cathode materials for sodium-metal batteries (in addition to Fe and Ni chlorides, which have been already developed to a stage of commercialization), using an electrochemical cell consisting of a pyrex tube, heated to 250 C, with the metal wire as working electrode, concentric Ni foil as counterelectrode, and high-purity Al as reference electrode. In particular, the aim of this study was to identify metal chlorides insoluble even in neutral melts, possible at the interface during overcharge, in order to eliminate the failure mode of the cell through a cationic exchange of the dissolved metal ions with sodium beta-double-prime alumina solid electrolyte. Results indicate that Mo and Co are likely alternatives to FeCl2 and NiCl2 cathodes in sodium batteries. The open circuit voltages of Na/CoCl(x) and Na/MoCl(x) cells at 250 C would be 2.55 V and 2.64 V, respectively.

Viscosities of nonelectrolyte liquid mixtures. III. Selected binary and quaternary mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wakefield, D. L.

1988-05-01

This paper is the final in a series of three viscosity and density studies of pure n-alkanes and selected binary and quaternary mixtures. A standard U-tube viscometer was used for viscosity measurements, and a Pyrex flask-type pycnometer was used for density determinations. Results are given here for pure alkane and selected binary mixtures of n-tetradecane + n-octane, for selected quaternary mixtures of n-hexadecane + n-dodecane + n-decane + n-hexane, and for pure and selected quaternary mixtures of n-hexadecane + n-dodecane + n-nonane + n-heptane at 303.16 and 308.16 K. The principle of congruence was tested, as was the Grunberg and Nissan equation, as they have been shown to be useful as prediction techniques for other n-alkane binary mixtures. Comparisons were made between the two groups of quaternary alkane mixtures and the binary n-tetradecane + n-octane mixtures of the same “pseudo” composition to understand better the dependence of mixture viscosities on the composition parameter.

THE PREPARATION AND STABILITY OF CARRIER-FREE AMALGAMS. Annual Report, June 1960-July 1961

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

Kahn, M.; Hamester, H.L.

1962-10-31

Results of investigations concerning the preparation and properties of amalgams of 10.6-hour carrier-free Pb/sup 212/ and the radiocolloidal and adsorptive properties of carrierfree Ag/sup 110/ are reported. Data and discussion related to recovery of Pb/sup 212/ activity from active acetic acidhydroxylamine hydrochloride -potassium bitartrate electrolyte are presented along with similar information on stability and homogeneity of Pb/sup 212/ -Hg amalgams. In work on Ag/sup 110/ the rate of carrier-free Ag adsorption by glass, teflon, polyethylene, and precipitates, and the formation rate of carrier- free radiocolloids was initiated. Data are included on Ag adsorption from nitric acid solutions on pyrex atmore » 3l.8 deg C as a function of reagent concentration and time. Also included are data on adsorption of glass from water, ammonium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate, and from perchloric, hydrochloric, acetic, and sulfuric acid solutions. (J.R.D.)« less

Ampule tests to simulate glass corrosion in ambient temperature lithium batteries. Volume 2

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

Douglas, S.C.; Bunker, B.C.; Crafts, C.C.

1984-06-01

Glass corrosion in battery headers has been found to limit the shelf life of ambient temperature lithium batteries. Glass corrosion can lead to loss of battery electrolytes or to shorts across the conductive corrosion product. Tests have been conducted which simulate the corrosive environment in a battery by sealing headers attached to lithium metal into Pyrex ampules containing battery electrolyte. Using the ampule test, glass corrosion kinetics have been determined at 70/sup 0/C for the Li/SO/sub 2/, Li/SOCl/sub 2/, and Li/SOCl/sub 2/ + BrCl battery systems. Test results indicate that corrosion of commercial glass compositions is extensive in all electrolytesmore » tested, resulting in predicted battery failures after several months. Sandia's TA-23 glass corrodes at a much slower rate, indicating a projected battery lifetime of over five years in the Li/SO/sub 2/ system. Test results reveal that corrosion kinetics are sensitive to header polarization, stress, and configuration as well as glass composition.« less

LC and ferromagnetic resonance in soft/hard magnetic microwires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Bin; Vazquez, Manuel

2015-12-01

The magnetic behavior of soft/hard biphase microwires is introduced here. The microwires consist of a Co59.1Fe14.8Si10.2B15.9 soft magnetic nucleus and a Co90Ni10 hard outer shell separated by an intermediate insulating Pyrex glass microtube. By comparing the resistance spectrums of welding the ends of metallic core (CC) or welding the metallic core and outer shell (CS) to the connector, it is found that one of the two peaks in the resistance spectrum is because the LC resonance depends on the inductor and capacitors in which one is the capacitor between the metallic core and outer shell, and the other is between the outer shell and connector. Correspondingly, another peak is for the ferromagnetic resonance of metallic core. After changing the capacitance of the capacitors, the frequency of LC resonance moves to high frequency band, and furthermore, the peak of LC resonance in the resistance spectrum disappeared. These magnetostatically coupled biphase systems are thought to be of large potential interest as sensing elements in sensor devices.

Microfabricated alkali vapor cell with anti-relaxation wall coating

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

Straessle, R.; Pétremand, Y.; Briand, D.

2014-07-28

We present a microfabricated alkali vapor cell equipped with an anti-relaxation wall coating. The anti-relaxation coating used is octadecyltrichlorosilane and the cell was sealed by thin-film indium-bonding at a low temperature of 140 °C. The cell body is made of silicon and Pyrex and features a double-chamber design. Depolarizing properties due to liquid Rb droplets are avoided by confining the Rb droplets to one chamber only. Optical and microwave spectroscopy performed on this wall-coated cell are used to evaluate the cell's relaxation properties and a potential gas contamination. Double-resonance signals obtained from the cell show an intrinsic linewidth that is significantlymore » lower than the linewidth that would be expected in case the cell had no wall coating but only contained a buffer-gas contamination on the level measured by optical spectroscopy. Combined with further experimental evidence this proves the presence of a working anti-relaxation wall coating in the cell. Such cells are of interest for applications in miniature atomic clocks, magnetometers, and other quantum sensors.« less

[Studies on sintering of dental porcelain. (Part 1) Binary system sintering of alumina and low fusing frit (author's transl)].

PubMed

Kuwayama, N; Kon, M

1981-04-01

Dental porcelains were made from frit and glass powder with electro fused alumina powder addition in the range from 20 to 60 wt% using sintering method at the temperature from 500 degree C to 1 000 degree C, and the effects of alumina content and firing temperature on firing processes of sintered composite were investigated. Shrinkage curves of the powder compacts varied with kind of frit and content of alumina. Particulary, powder compact with alumina addition in the range from 50 to 55% was found to have a remarkable influence for extention of firing temperature range. The densification of the powder compacts was considered to be accelerated by the dissolution of a small a mount of alumina particle into the frit and glass above 900 degree C. Expansion coefficient value of sintered composite of alumina and Pyrex glass powder gradually increased with increase of alumina content. Inversely, expansion coefficient of soda-lime-silica glass showed the minimum value at 40 wt% alumina content and then had a tendency of slight increases with increase of alumina content.

Design and Optimization of the SPOT Primary Mirror Segment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Budinoff, Jason G.; Michaels, Gregory J.

2005-01-01

The 3m Spherical Primary Optical Telescope (SPOT) will utilize a single ring of 0.86111 point-to-point hexagonal mirror segments. The f2.85 spherical mirror blanks will be fabricated by the same replication process used for mass-produced commercial telescope mirrors. Diffraction-limited phasing will require segment-to-segment radius of curvature (ROC) variation of approx.1 micron. Low-cost, replicated segment ROC variations are estimated to be almost 1 mm, necessitating a method for segment ROC adjustment & matching. A mechanical architecture has been designed that allows segment ROC to be adjusted up to 400 microns while introducing a minimum figure error, allowing segment-to-segment ROC matching. A key feature of the architecture is the unique back profile of the mirror segments. The back profile of the mirror was developed with shape optimization in MSC.Nastran(TradeMark) using optical performance response equations written with SigFit. A candidate back profile was generated which minimized ROC-adjustment-induced surface error while meeting the constraints imposed by the fabrication method. Keywords: optimization, radius of curvature, Pyrex spherical mirror, Sigfit

A study of mercuric iodide near melting using differential scanning calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burger, A.; Morgan, S.; Jiang, H.; Silberman, E.; Schieber, M.; Van Den Berg, L.; Keller, L.; Wagner, C. N. J.

1989-11-01

High-temperature studies of mercuric iodide (HgI2) involving differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction have failed to confirm the existence of a red-colored tetragonal high-temperature phase called α'-HgI2 reported by S.N. Toubektsis et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 58 (1988) 2070] using DSC measurements. The multiple DSC peaks near melting reported by Toubektsis are found by the present authors only if the sample is heated in a stainless-steel container. Using a Pyrex container or inserting a platinum foil between the HgI2 and the stainless-steel container yields only one sharp, single DSC peak at the melting point. The nonexistence of the α' phase is confirmed by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy performed in the vicinity of the melting point. These methods clearly, indicate the existence of only the yellow orthorhombic β-HgI2 phase. The experimental high-temperature DSC, Raman and X-ray diffraction data are presented and discussed.

Numerical predictions of shock propagation through unreactive and reactive liquids with experimental validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stekovic, Svjetlana; Nissen, Erin; Bhowmick, Mithun; Stewart, Donald S.; Dlott, Dana D.

2017-06-01

The objective of this work is to numerically analyze shock behavior as it propagates through compressed, unreactive and reactive liquid, such as liquid water and liquid nitromethane. Parameters, such as pressure and density, are analyzed using the Mie-Gruneisen EOS and each multi-material system is modeled using the ALE3D software. The motivation for this study is based on provided high-resolution, optical interferometer (PDV) and optical pyrometer measurements. In the experimental set-up, a liquid is placed between an Al 1100 plate and Pyrex BK-7 glass. A laser-driven Al 1100 flyer impacts the plate, causing the liquid to be highly compressed. The numerical model investigates the influence of the high pressure, shock-compressed behavior in each liquid, the energy transfer, and the wave impedance at the interface of each material in contact. The numerical results using ALE3D will be validated by experimental data. This work aims to provide further understanding of shock-compressed behavior and how the shock influences phase transition in each liquid.

Pool boiling with high heat flux enabled by a porous artery structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Lizhan; Zhang, Lianpei; Lin, Guiping; Peterson, G. P.

2016-06-01

A porous artery structure utilizing the concept of "phase separation and modulation" is proposed to enhance the critical heat flux of pool boiling. A series of experiments were conducted on a range of test articles in which multiple rectangular arteries were machined directly into the top surface of a 10.0 mm diameter copper rod. The arteries were then covered by a 2.0 mm thickness microporous copper plate through silver brazing. The pool wall was fabricated from transparent Pyrex glass to allow a visualization study, and water was used as the working fluid. Experimental results confirmed that the porous artery structure provided individual flow paths for the liquid supply and vapor venting, and avoided the detrimental effects of the liquid/vapor counter flow. As a result, a maximum heat flux of 610 W/cm2 over a heating area of 0.78 cm2 was achieved with no indication of dryout, prior to reaching the heater design temperature limit. Following the experimental tests, the mechanisms responsible for the boiling critical heat flux and performance enhancement of the porous artery structure were analyzed.

MEMS fiber-optic Fabry-Perot pressure sensor for high temperature application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, G. C.; Jia, P. G.; Cao, Q.; Xiong, J. J.

2016-10-01

We design and demonstrate a fiber-optic Fabry-Perot pressure sensor (FOFPPS) for high-temperature sensing by employing micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology. The FOFPPS is fabricated by anodically bonding the silicon wafer and the Pyrex glass together and fixing the facet of the optical fiber in parallel with the silicon surface by glass frit and organic adhesive. The silicon wafer can be reduced through dry etching technology to construct the sensitive diaphragm. The length of the cavity changes with the deformation of the diaphragm due to the loaded pressure, which leads to a wavelength shift of the interference spectrum. The pressure can be gauged by measuring the wavelength shift. The pressure experimental results show that the sensor has linear pressure sensitivities ranging from 0 kPa to 600 kPa at temperature range between 20°C to 300°C. The pressure sensitivity at 300°C is approximately 27.63 pm/kPa. The pressure sensitivities gradually decrease with increasing the temperature. The sensor also has a linear thermal drift when temperature changes from 20°C - 300°C.

A sensitive Faraday rotation setup using triple modulation

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

Phelps, G.; Abney, J.; Broering, M.

2015-07-15

The utilization of polarized targets in scattering experiments has become a common practice in many major accelerator laboratories. Noble gases are especially suitable for such applications, since they can be easily hyper-polarized using spin exchange or metastable pumping techniques. Polarized helium-3 is a very popular target because it often serves as an effective polarized neutron due to its simple nuclear structure. A favorite cell material to generate and store polarized helium-3 is GE-180, a relatively dense aluminosilicate glass. In this paper, we present a Faraday rotation method, using a new triple modulation technique, where the measurement of the Verdet constantsmore » of SF57 flint glass, pyrex glass, and air was tested. The sensitivity obtained shows that this technique may be implemented in future cell wall characterization and thickness measurements. We also discuss the first ever extraction of the Verdet constant of GE-180 glass for four wavelength values of 632 nm, 773 nm, 1500 nm, and 1547 nm, whereupon the expected 1/λ{sup 2} dependence was observed.« less

Determination of the neutral oxygen atom density in a plasma reactor loaded with metal samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mozetic, Miran; Cvelbar, Uros

2009-08-01

The density of neutral oxygen atoms was determined during processing of metal samples in a plasma reactor. The reactor was a Pyrex tube with an inner diameter of 11 cm and a length of 30 cm. Plasma was created by an inductively coupled radiofrequency generator operating at a frequency of 27.12 MHz and output power up to 500 W. The O density was measured at the edge of the glass tube with a copper fiber optics catalytic probe. The O atom density in the empty tube depended on pressure and was between 4 and 7 × 1021 m-3. The maximum O density was at a pressure of about 150 Pa, while the dissociation fraction of O2 molecules was maximal at the lowest pressure and decreased with increasing pressure. At about 300 Pa it dropped below 10%. The measurements were repeated in the chamber loaded with different metallic samples. In these cases, the density of oxygen atoms was lower than that in the empty chamber. The results were explained by a drain of O atoms caused by heterogeneous recombination on the samples.

Zeolite based microconcentrators for volatile organic compounds sensing at trace-level: fabrication and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almazán, Fernando; Pellejero, Ismael; Morales, Alberto; Urbiztondo, Miguel A.; Sesé, Javier; Pina, M. Pilar; Santamaría, Jesús

2016-08-01

A novel 6-step microfabrication process is proposed in this work to prepare microfluidic devices with integrated zeolite layers. In particular, microfabricated preconcentrators designed for volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensing applications are fully described. The main novelty of this work is the integration of the pure siliceous MFI type zeolite (silicalite-1) polycrystalline layer, i.e. 4.0  ±  0.5 μm thick, as active phase, within the microfabrication process just before the anodic bonding step. Following this new procedure, Si microdevices with an excellent distribution of the adsorbent material, integrated resistive heaters and Pyrex caps have been obtained. Firstly, the microconcentrator performance has been assessed by means of the normal hexane breakthrough curves as a function of sampling and desorption flowrates, temperature and micropreconcentrator design. In a step further, the best preconcentrator device has been tested in combination with downstream Si based microcantilevers deployed as VOC detectors. Thus, a preliminar evaluation of the improvement on detection sensitivity by silicalite-1 based microconcentrators is presented.

The contamination of rain samples by dry deposition on rain collectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fowler, D.; Cape, J. N.

A series of short-term experiments at a rural site in eastern Scotland showed that dry deposition of SO 2 gas onto pyrex glass rain collectors in dry weather approached saturation after 24 h and contributed c. 80 % of dry-deposited S, the remaining 20 % being attributable to Particulate sulphate. A comparison over 3 years of soluble sulphate from funnel washings after dry days with daily concentrations of SO 2 and particulate sulphate was well fitted by a linear dependence on Particulate sulphate and a logarithmic dependence on SO 2 concentrations. Particulate sulphate contributed 34 (+- 7) % of the dry deposition on dry days, although there was a marked seasonal variation in the total dry deposit of S on the collector which was independent of SO 2 and particulate sulphate concentrations. A comparison of monthly and daily collectors at the same site from April to September was consistent with these estimates of dry deposition on dry days. An extrapolation to sites with similar collectors in northern Britain showed that between 1S and 35 % of the monthly collected non-marine sulphate could have been dry-deposited on the collector.

Laser for high frequency modulated interferometry

DOEpatents

Mansfield, D.K.; Vocaturo, M.; Guttadora, L.J.

1991-07-23

A Stark-tuned laser operating in the 119 micron line of CH[sub 3]OH has an output power of several tens of milliwatts at 30 Watts of pump power while exhibiting a doublet splitting of about ten MHz with the application of a Stark field on the order of 500 volts/cm. This output power allows for use of the laser in a multi-channel interferometer, while its high operating frequency permits the interferometer to measure rapid electron density changes in a pellet injected or otherwise fueled plasma such as encountered in magnetic fusion devices. The laser includes a long far-infrared (FIR) pyrex resonator tube disposed within a cylindrical water jacket and incorporating charged electrodes for applying the Stark field to a gas confined therein. With the electrodes located within the resonator tube, the resonator tube walls are cooled by a flowing coolant without electrical breakdown in the coolant liquid during application of the Stark field. Wall cooling allows for substantially increased FIR output powers. Provision is made for introducing a buffer gas into the resonator tube for increasing laser output power and its operating bandwidth. 10 figures.

Laser for high frequency modulated interferometry

DOEpatents

Mansfield, Dennis K.; Vocaturo, Michael; Guttadora, Lawrence J.

1991-01-01

A Stark-tuned laser operating in the 119 micron line of CH.sub.3 OH has an output power of several tens of milliwatts at 30 Watts of pump power while exhibiting a doublet splitting of about ten MHz with the application of a Stark field on the order of 500 volts/cm. This output power allows for use of the laser in a multi-channel interferometer, while its high operating frequency permits the interferometer to measure rapid electron density changes in a pellet injected or otherwise fueled plasma such as encountered in magnetic fusion devices. The laser includes a long far-infrared (FIR) pyrex resonator tube disposed within a cylindrical water jacket and incorporating charged electrodes for applying the Stark field to a gas confined therein. With the electrodes located within the resonator tube, the resonator tube walls are cooled by a flowing coolant without electrical breakdown in the coolant liquid during application of the Stark field. Wall cooling allows for substantially increased FIR output powers. Provision is made for introducing a buffer gas into the resonator tube for increasing laser output power and its operating bandwidth.

Photochemical transformation of azoxystrobin in aqueous solutions.

PubMed

Boudina, A; Emmelin, C; Baaliouamer, A; Païssé, O; Chovelon, J M

2007-07-01

The photochemical behaviour of azoxystrobin fungicide (AZX) in water was studied under laboratory conditions. Photodegradation was initiated using a solar simulator (xenon arc lamp) or a jacketed Pyrex reaction cell equipped with a 125 W, high-pressure mercury lamp. HPLC/MS analysis (APCI and ESI in positive and negative modes) was used to identify AZX photoproducts. The calculated polychromatic quantum efficiencies (phi) of AZX at pH 4.5, 7 and 9 were 5.42 x 10(-3), 3.47 x 10(-3) and 3.06 x 10(-3) (degraded molecules per absorbed photon), respectively. The relatively narrow range of values indicates the stability of AZX with respect to photodegradation in the studied pH range. Results from the HPLC/MS analysis suggest that the phototransformation of AZX proceeds via multiple, parallel reaction pathways including: (1) photo-isomerization (E-->Z), (2) photo-hydrolysis of the methyl ester and of the nitrile group, (3) cleavage of the acrylate double bond, (4) photohydrolytic ether cleavage between the aromatic ring giving phenol, and (5) oxidative cleavage of the acrylate double bond.

Silica-Based and Borate-Based, Titania-Containing Bioactive Coatings Characterization: Critical Strain Energy Release Rate, Residual Stresses, Hardness, and Thermal Expansion.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Omar; Matinmanesh, Ali; Phull, Sunjeev; Schemitsch, Emil H; Zalzal, Paul; Clarkin, Owen M; Papini, Marcello; Towler, Mark R

2016-12-01

Silica-based and borate-based glass series, with increasing amounts of TiO₂ incorporated, are characterized in terms of their mechanical properties relevant to their use as metallic coating materials. It is observed that borate-based glasses exhibit CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) closer to the substrate's (Ti6Al4V) CTE, translating into higher mode I critical strain energy release rates of glasses and compressive residual stresses and strains at the coating/substrate interface, outperforming the silica-based glasses counterparts. An increase in the content of TiO₂ in the glasses results in an increase in the mode I critical strain energy release rate for both the bulk glass and for the coating/substrate system, proving that the addition of TiO₂ to the glass structure enhances its toughness, while decreasing its bulk hardness. Borate-based glass BRT3, with 15 mol % TiO₂ incorporated, exhibits superior properties overall compared to the other proposed glasses in this work, as well as 45S5 Bioglass ® and Pyrex.

Silica-Based and Borate-Based, Titania-Containing Bioactive Coatings Characterization: Critical Strain Energy Release Rate, Residual Stresses, Hardness, and Thermal Expansion

PubMed Central

Rodriguez, Omar; Matinmanesh, Ali; Phull, Sunjeev; Schemitsch, Emil H.; Zalzal, Paul; Clarkin, Owen M.; Papini, Marcello; Towler, Mark R.

2016-01-01

Silica-based and borate-based glass series, with increasing amounts of TiO2 incorporated, are characterized in terms of their mechanical properties relevant to their use as metallic coating materials. It is observed that borate-based glasses exhibit CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) closer to the substrate’s (Ti6Al4V) CTE, translating into higher mode I critical strain energy release rates of glasses and compressive residual stresses and strains at the coating/substrate interface, outperforming the silica-based glasses counterparts. An increase in the content of TiO2 in the glasses results in an increase in the mode I critical strain energy release rate for both the bulk glass and for the coating/substrate system, proving that the addition of TiO2 to the glass structure enhances its toughness, while decreasing its bulk hardness. Borate-based glass BRT3, with 15 mol % TiO2 incorporated, exhibits superior properties overall compared to the other proposed glasses in this work, as well as 45S5 Bioglass® and Pyrex. PMID:27916951

Dynamic Characteristics of Regional Flows around the Pyrénées in View of the PYREX Experiment. Part I: Analysis of the Pressure and Wind Fields and Experimental Assessment of the Applicability of the Linear Theory.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bénech, B.; Koffi, E.; Druilhet, A.; Durand, P.; Bessemoulin, P.; Campins, J.; Jansa, A.; Terliuc, B.

1998-01-01

regarding (a) the perturbation of the surface pressure field, which resembles the predicted bipolar distribution; (b) the dependence of the drag on Fr1, which enables the assessment of the linear theory and the definition of the conditions of applicability of two models [(i) a two-dimensional model, for which it was possible to define quantitatively the effective blocked area, and (ii) a three-dimensional model, for which a scaling function that combines the direction of incidence, the mountain shape, and the Coriolis effect was found almost constant, with an average value of 0.2 for all the cases under study]; (c) the extension of the area affected by the blocking effect, estimated to be 4.5-5 times the width of the barrier and the drift of the strong deceleration point due to the Coriolis effect; (d) the dependence of the wind velocities on Fr1 at the edges of the barrier; and (e) the asymmetric flow deviation induced by the Coriolis effect and biased by the departure of the flow from normal incidence.

Unusual behavior in the reactivity of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles in a resistively heated microreactor

PubMed Central

Gutmann, Bernhard; Glasnov, Toma N; Razzaq, Tahseen; Goessler, Walter; Roberge, Dominique M

2011-01-01

Summary The decomposition of 5-benzhydryl-1H-tetrazole in an N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone/acetic acid/water mixture was investigated under a variety of high-temperature reaction conditions. Employing a sealed Pyrex glass vial and batch microwave conditions at 240 °C, the tetrazole is comparatively stable and complete decomposition to diphenylmethane requires more than 8 h. Similar kinetic data were obtained in conductively heated flow devices with either stainless steel or Hastelloy coils in the same temperature region. In contrast, in a flow instrument that utilizes direct electric resistance heating of the reactor coil, tetrazole decomposition was dramatically accelerated with rate constants increased by two orders of magnitude. When 5-benzhydryl-1H-tetrazole was exposed to 220 °C in this type of flow reactor, decomposition to diphenylmethane was complete within 10 min. The mechanism and kinetic parameters of tetrazole decomposition under a variety of reaction conditions were investigated. A number of possible explanations for these highly unusual rate accelerations are presented. In addition, general aspects of reactor degradation, corrosion and contamination effects of importance to continuous flow chemistry are discussed. PMID:21647324

Greywater as a sustainable water source: A photocatalytic treatment technology under artificial and solar illumination.

PubMed

Tsoumachidou, Sophia; Velegraki, Theodora; Antoniadis, Apostolos; Poulios, Ioannis

2017-06-15

Greywater considers being a highly reclaimable water source particularly important for water-stressed nations. In this work, heterogeneous photocatalysis using artificial and solar illumination has been applied for the mineralization of simulated light greywater (effluents from dishwashers and kitchen sinks were excluded from the study). The effects on the process' efficiency of TiO 2 P25 catalyst's concentration, initial concentration of H 2 O 2 and Fe 3+ , pH of the solution, as well as the type of radiation, were evaluated in a bench-scale Pyrex reactor and a pilot-scale slurry fountain photoreactor. The treatment efficiency has been followed through the evolution of the organic matter content expresses as dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Best results were obtained with the photo-Fenton-assisted TiO 2 photocatalytic process with 72% DOC removal after 210 min of bench scale treatment, while under the same photocatalytic conditions in the pilot reactor the DOC removal reached almost 64%. Moreover, the decrease in toxicity, phytotoxicity and biodegradability of the simulated wastewater has been observed after solar-induced photocatalytic treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ozone kinetics in low-pressure discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerra, Vasco; Marinov, Daniil; Guaitella, Olivier; Rousseau, Antoine

2012-10-01

Ozone kinetics is quite well established at atmospheric pressure, due to the importance of ozone in atmospheric chemistry and to the development of industrial ozone reactors. However, as the pressure is decreased and the dominant three-body reactions lose importance, the main mechanisms involved in the creation and destruction of ozone are still surrounded by important uncertainties. In this work we develop a self-consistent model for a pulsed discharge and its afterglow operating in a Pyrex reactor with inner radius 1 cm, at pressures in the range 1-5 Torr and discharge currents of 40-120 mA. The model couples the electron Boltzmann equation with a system of equations for the time evolution of the heavy particles. The calculations are compared with time-dependent measurements of ozone and atomic oxygen. Parametric studies are performed in order to clarify the role of vibrationally excited ozone in the overall kinetics and to establish the conditions where ozone production on the surface may become important. It is shown that vibrationally excited ozone does play a significant role, by increasing the time constants of ozone formation. Moreover, an upper limit for the ozone formation at the wall in these conditions is set at 10(-4).

Experimental observation of ion beams in the Madison Helicon eXperiment

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

Wiebold, Matt; Sung, Yung-Ta; Scharer, John E.

2011-06-15

Argon ion beams up to E{sub b} = 165 eV at P{sub rf} = 500 W are observed in the Madison Helicon eXperiment (MadHeX) helicon source with a magnetic nozzle. A two-grid retarding potential analyzer (RPA) is used to measure the ion energy distribution, and emissive and rf-filtered Langmuir probes measure the plasma potential, electron density, and temperature. The supersonic ion beam (M = v{sub i}/c{sub s} up to 5) forms over tens of Debye lengths and extends spatially for a few ion-neutral charge-exchange mean free paths. The parametric variation of the ion beam energy is explored, including flow rate,more » rf power, and magnetic field dependence. The beam energy is equal to the difference in plasma potentials in the Pyrex chamber and the grounded expansion chamber. The plasma potential in the expansion chamber remains near the predicted eV{sub p} {approx} 5kT{sub e} for argon, but the upstream potential is much higher, likely due to wall charging, resulting in accelerated ion beam energies E{sub b} = e[V{sub beam} - V{sub plasma}] > 10kT{sub e}.« less

A hybrid electronically scanned pressure module for cryogenic environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, J. J.; Hopson, P., Jr.; Kruse, N.

1995-01-01

Pressure is one of the most important parameters measured when testing models in wind tunnels. For models tested in the cryogenic environment of the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, the technique of utilizing commercially available multichannel pressure modules inside the models is difficult due to the small internal volume of the models and the requirement of keeping the pressure transducer modules within an acceptable temperature range well above the -173 degrees C tunnel temperature. A prototype multichannel pressure transducer module has been designed and fabricated with stable, repeatable sensors and materials optimized for reliable performance in the cryogenic environment. The module has 16 single crystal silicon piezoresistive pressure sensors electrostatically bonded to a metalized Pyrex substrate for sensing the wind tunnel model pressures. An integral temperature sensor mounted on each silicon micromachined pressure sensor senses real-time temperature fluctuations to within 0.1 degrees C to correct for thermally induced non-random sensor drift. The data presented here are from a prototype sensor module tested in the 0.3 M cryogenic tunnel and thermal equilibrium conditions in an environmental chamber which approximates the thermal environment (-173 degrees C to +60 degrees C) of the National Transonic Facility.

Hydrodynamic cavitation in microsystems. II. Simulations and optical observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medrano, M.; Pellone, C.; Zermatten, P. J.; Ayela, F.

2012-04-01

Numerical calculations in the single liquid phase and optical observations in the two-phase cavitating flow regime have been performed on microdiaphragms and microventuris fed with deionized water. Simulations have confirmed the influence of the shape of the shrinkage upon the contraction of the jet, and so on the localisation of possible cavitating area downstream. Observations of cavitating flow patterns through hybrid silicon-pyrex microdevices have been performed either via a laser excitation with a pulse duration of 6 ns, or with the help of a high-speed camera. Recorded snapshots and movies are presented. Concerning microdiaphragms, it is confirmed that very high shear rates downstream the diaphragms are the cause of bubbly flows. Concerning microventuris, a gaseous cavity forms on a boundary downstream the throat. As a consequence of a microsystem instability, the cavity displays a high frequency pulsation. Low values Strouhal numbers are associated to such a sheet cavitation. Moreover, when the intensity of the cavitating flow is reduced, there is a mismatch between the frequency of the pulsation of the cavity and the frequency of shedded clouds downstream the channel. That may be the consequence of viscous effects limiting the impingement of a re-entrant liquid jet on the attached cavity.

Multi-Probe SPM using Interference Patterns for a Parallel Nano Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koyama, Hirotaka; Oohira, Fumikazu; Hosogi, Maho; Hashiguchi, Gen

This paper proposes a new composition of the multi-probe using optical interference patterns for a parallel nano imaging in a large area scanning. We achieved large-scale integration with 50,000 probes fabricated with MEMS technology, and measured the optical interference patterns with CCD, which was difficult in a conventional single scanning probe. In this research, the multi-probes are made of Si3N4 by MEMS process, and, the multi-probes are joined with a Pyrex glass by an anodic bonding. We designed, fabricated, and evaluated the characteristics of the probe. In addition, we changed the probe shape to decrease the warpage of the Si3N4 probe. We used the supercritical drying to avoid stiction of the Si3N4 probe with the glass surface and fabricated 4 types of the probe shapes without stiction. We took some interference patterns by CCD and measured the position of them. We calculate the probe height using the interference displacement and compared the result with the theoretical deflection curve. As a result, these interference patterns matched the theoretical deflection curve. We found that this multi-probe chip using interference patterns is effective in measurement for a parallel nano imaging.

Decreasing the Effective Thermal Conductivity in Glass Supported Thermoelectric Layers.

PubMed

Bethke, Kevin; Andrei, Virgil; Rademann, Klaus

2016-01-01

As thermoelectric devices begin to make their way into commercial applications, the emphasis is put on decreasing the thermal conductivity. In this purely theoretical study, finite element analysis is used to determine the effect of a supporting material on the thermal conductivity of a thermoelectric module. The simulations illustrate the heat transfer along a sample, consisting from Cu, Cu2O and PbTe thermoelectric layers on a 1 mm thick Pyrex glass substrate. The influence of two different types of heating, at a constant temperature and at a constant heat flux, is also investigated. It is revealed that the presence of a supporting material plays an important role on lowering the effective thermal conductivity of the layer-substrate ensemble. By using thinner thermoelectric layers the effective thermal conductivity is further reduced, almost down to the value of the glass substrate. As a result, the temperature gradient becomes steeper for a fixed heating temperature, which allows the production of devices with improved performance under certain conditions. Based on the simulation results, we also propose a model for a robust thin film thermoelectric device. With this suggestion, we invite the thermoelectric community to prove the applicability of the presented concept for practical purposes.

Plasma focus neutron anisotropy measurements and influence of a deuteron beam obstacle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talebitaher, A.; Springham, S. V.; Rawat, R. S.; Lee, P.

2017-03-01

The deuterium-deuterium (DD) fusion neutron yield and anisotropy were measured on a shot-to-shot basis for the NX2 plasma focus (PF) device using two beryllium fast-neutron activation detectors at 0° and 90° to the PF axis. Measurements were performed for deuterium gas pressures in the range 6-16 mbar, and positive correlations between neutron yield and anisotropy were observed at all pressures. Subsequently, at one deuterium gas pressure (13 mbar), the contribution to the fusion yield produced by the forwardly-directed D+ ion beam, emitted from the plasma pinch, was investigated by using a circular Pyrex plate to obstruct the beam and suppress its fusion contribution. Neutron measurements were performed with the obstacle positioned at two distances from the anode tip, and also without the obstacle. It was found that 80% of the neutron yield originates in the plasma pinch column and just above that. In addition, proton pinhole imaging was performed from the 0° and 90° directions to the pinch. The obtained proton images are consistent with the conclusion that DD fusion is concentrated ( 80%) in the pinch column region.

Decreasing the Effective Thermal Conductivity in Glass Supported Thermoelectric Layers

PubMed Central

Bethke, Kevin; Andrei, Virgil; Rademann, Klaus

2016-01-01

As thermoelectric devices begin to make their way into commercial applications, the emphasis is put on decreasing the thermal conductivity. In this purely theoretical study, finite element analysis is used to determine the effect of a supporting material on the thermal conductivity of a thermoelectric module. The simulations illustrate the heat transfer along a sample, consisting from Cu, Cu2O and PbTe thermoelectric layers on a 1 mm thick Pyrex glass substrate. The influence of two different types of heating, at a constant temperature and at a constant heat flux, is also investigated. It is revealed that the presence of a supporting material plays an important role on lowering the effective thermal conductivity of the layer-substrate ensemble. By using thinner thermoelectric layers the effective thermal conductivity is further reduced, almost down to the value of the glass substrate. As a result, the temperature gradient becomes steeper for a fixed heating temperature, which allows the production of devices with improved performance under certain conditions. Based on the simulation results, we also propose a model for a robust thin film thermoelectric device. With this suggestion, we invite the thermoelectric community to prove the applicability of the presented concept for practical purposes. PMID:26982458

Surface vibrational relaxation of N2 studied by infrared titration with time resolved Quantum Cascade Laser diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinov, D.; Guaitella, O.; Rousseau, A.; Lopatik, D.; Hübner, M.; Röpcke, J.; Ionikh, Yu

2012-10-01

Relaxation of vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules on reactor walls is the most efficient N2(v) loss mechanism in laboratory plasmas at pressures up to few tens of mbars. In the present study a new method for determination of the de-excitation probability γN2 of vibrationally excited N2 on different surfaces has been developed. A short dc discharge pulse was applied to a mixture containing 0.05-1% of CO2, N2O or CO in N2 at 1.3 mbar. Due to a very efficient vibrational coupling between N2(v) and CO2 (N2O, CO), the vibrational excitation of these titrating molecules is an image of the vibrational excitation of N2. In the afterglow, the vibrational relaxation was monitored in-situ using quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy. The measurements were performed in a single discharge pulse without signal accumulation. Experimental results were interpreted in terms of a numerical model of non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics. The value of γN2 was determined from the best agreement between the measured and calculated relaxation times. Using new technique the relaxation probability of N2(v) was measured for SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Pyrex and anodized aluminum.

A two-axis micromachined silicon actuator with micrometer range electrostatic actuation and picometer sensitive capacitive detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayela, F.; Bret, J. L.; Chaussy, J.; Fournier, T.; Ménégaz, E.

2000-05-01

This article presents an innovative micromachined silicon actuator. A 50-μm-thick silicon foil is anodically bonded onto a broached Pyrex substrate. A free standing membrane and four coplanar electrodes in close proximity are then lithographied and etched. The use of phosphorus doped silicon with low electrical resistivity allows the application of an electrostatic force between one electrode and the moving diaphragm. This plane displacement and the induced interelectrode variation are capacitively detected. Due to the very low electrical resistivity of the doped silicon, there is no need to metallize the vertical trenches of the device. No piezoelectric transducer takes place so that the mechanical device is free from any hysteretic or temperature dependance. The range of the possible actuation along the x and y axis is around 5 μm. The actual sensitivity is xn=0.54 Å/Hz1/2 and yn=0.14 Å/Hz1/2. The microengineering steps and the electronic setup devoted to design the actuator and to perform relative capacitive measurements ΔC/C=10-6 from an initial value C≈10-13 F are described. The elaborated tests and performances of the device are presented. As a conclusion, some experimental projects using this subnanometric sensitive device are mentioned.

Fast and accurate preparation fatty acid methyl esters by microwave-assisted derivatization in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Khoomrung, Sakda; Chumnanpuen, Pramote; Jansa-ard, Suwanee; Nookaew, Intawat; Nielsen, Jens

2012-06-01

We present a fast and accurate method for preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using microwave-assisted derivatization of fatty acids present in yeast samples. The esterification of free/bound fatty acids to FAMEs was completed within 5 min, which is 24 times faster than with conventional heating methods. The developed method was validated in two ways: (1) through comparison with a conventional method (hot plate) and (2) through validation with the standard reference material (SRM) 3275-2 omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in fish oil (from the Nation Institute of Standards and Technology, USA). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in yields of FAMEs with both validations. By performing a simple modification of closed-vessel microwave heating, it was possible to carry out the esterification in Pyrex glass tubes kept inside the closed vessel. Hereby, we are able to increase the number of sample preparations to several hundred samples per day as the time for preparation of reused vessels was eliminated. Pretreated cell disruption steps are not required, since the direct FAME preparation provides equally quantitative results. The new microwave-assisted derivatization method facilitates the preparation of FAMEs directly from yeast cells, but the method is likely to also be applicable for other biological samples.

Progress on Pre-Stage Magnetic Coil to Enhance Helicon Mode Excitation and Data Acquisition Software on the Helicon Plasma Experiment (HPX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherman, Justin; Azzari, Phillip; Crilly, P. B.; Duke-Tinson, Omar; James, Royce W.; Karama, Jackson; Page, E. J.; Schlank, Carter; Zuniga, Jonathan

2014-10-01

CGAPL is conducting small investigations in plasma physics and magneto-hydrodynamics buoy positioning. For data management, we are developing capability to analyze/digitize data with a National Instruments Data Acquisition board, 2 MS/s sampling rate (long time scale), and an Express Octopus card, 125 MS/s sampling rate (short scale). Sampling at 12 bits precision, we use LabVIEW as a programing language; GUIs will control variables in 1 or more concurrent runs and monitor of diagnostics. HPX utilizes high density (1013 cm3 up), low pressure (.01 T) Ar gas (fill pressure: on 104 mTorr order). Helicon/W Mode plasmas become a diagnostics test-bed for other investigations and a tool for future spacecraft propulsion devices. Plasmas created by directing energy into gas-filled Pyrex tube; power supply and matching box, up to 250 W power in 20-100 MHz frequencies, provide energy to ignite. Uniform magnetic field needed to reach the W-Mode. We employ an electromagnet to B-field while an acceleration coil positions plasma in vacuum chamber, facilitating analysis. Initial field requirements and accuracy calibration have been completed. Progress on development and implementation of probes and DAQ/GUI system will be reported. Supported by U.S. DEPS Grant [HEL-JTO] PRWJFY13.

A kinetic study of the interaction between atomic oxygen and aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akers, F. I.; Wightman, J. P.

1976-01-01

This study was concerned with the effects of NH4Cl and (NH4)2SO4 aerosols on the kinetics of disappearance of atomic oxygen. Atomic oxygen was generated by a 2.45-GHz microwave discharge and the kinetics of disappearance measured in a fast flow system using NO2 titration. Values of the recombination coefficient for heterogeneous wall recombination were determined for clean, H2SO4-coated, and (NH4)2SO4-coated Pyrex to be 0.000050, 0.000020, and 0.000019, respectively. A rapid exothermic chemical reaction was found to occur between atomic oxygen and an NH4Cl wall coating; the products were NH3, NO, H2O, and HCl. The NH4Cl aerosol was generated by gas phase reaction of NH3 with HCl. The aerosol particles were approximately spherical and nearly monodisperse with a mean diameter of 1.6 plus or minus 0.2 micron. The rate constant for the disappearance of atomic oxygen in the presence of NH4Cl aerosol was measured. No significant decrease was observed in the rate of disappearance of atomic oxygen in the presence of an (NH4)2SO4 aerosol at a concentration of 285 mg per cu m.

Thermal analysis on x-ray tube for exhaust process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Rakesh; Rao Ratnala, Srinivas; Veeresh Kumar, G. B.; Shivakumar Gouda, P. S.

2018-02-01

It is great importance in the use of X-rays for medical purposes that the dose given to both the patient and the operator is carefully controlled. There are many types of the X- ray tubes used for different applications based on their capacity and power supplied. In present thesis maxi ray 165 tube is analysed for thermal exhaust processes with ±5% accuracy. Exhaust process is usually done to remove all the air particles and to degasify the insert under high vacuum at 2e-05Torr. The tube glass is made up of Pyrex material, 95%Tungsten and 5%rhenium is used as target material for which the melting point temperature is 3350°C. Various materials are used for various parts; during the operation of X- ray tube these waste gases are released due to high temperature which in turn disturbs the flow of electrons. Thus, before using the X-ray tube for practical applications it has to undergo exhaust processes. Initially we build MX 165 model to carry out thermal analysis, and then we simulate the bearing temperature profiles with FE model to match with test results with ±5%accuracy. At last implement the critical protocols required for manufacturing processes like MF Heating, E-beam, Seasoning and FT.

Radiation-induced degradation of cyclohexanebutyric acid in aqueous solutions by gamma ray irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Wenbao; He, Yanquan; Ling, Yongsheng; Hei, Daqian; Shan, Qing; Zhang, Yan; Li, Jiatong

2015-04-01

The radiation-induced degradation of cyclohexanebutyric acid under gamma ray irradiation was investigated. Degradation experiments were performed with 100 mL sealed Pyrex glass vessels loaded with 80 mL of cyclohexanebutyric acid solutions at various initial concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg L-1. The absorbed doses were controlled at 0, 0.65, 1.95, 3.25, 6.5, 9.75, and 13 kGy. The results showed that gamma ray irradiation could effectively degrade cyclohexanebutyric acid in aqueous solutions. The removal rate of cyclohexanebutyric acid increased significantly with the increase of absorbed dose and the decrease of its initial concentration. At the same time, the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was as effective as that of cyclohexanebutyric acid. The kinetic studies showed that the degradation of cyclohexanebutyric acid followed pseudo first-order reaction. Above all, the proposed mechanism obtained when NaNO2, NaNO3 and tert-butanol were added showed that the •OH radical played a major role in the gamma degradation process of cyclohexanebutyric acid, while •H and eaq- played a minor role in the gamma degradation process. The degradation products were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) during cyclohexanebutyric acid degradation.

Frequency-tuning radiofrequency plasma source operated in inductively-coupled mode under a low magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Kazunori; Nakano, Yudai; Ando, Akira

2017-07-01

A radiofrequency (rf) inductively-coupled plasma source is operated with a frequency-tuning impedance matching system, where the rf frequency is variable in the range of 20-50 MHz and the maximum power is 100 W. The source consists of a 45 mm-diameter pyrex glass tube wound by an rf antenna and a solenoid providing a magnetic field strength in the range of 0-200 Gauss. A reflected rf power for no plasma case is minimized at the frequency of ˜25 MHz, whereas the frequency giving the minimum reflection with the high density plasma is about 28 MHz, where the density jump is observed when minimizing the reflection. A high density argon plasma above 1× {{10}12} cm-3 is successfully obtained in the source for the rf power of 50-100 W, where it is observed that an external magnetic field of a few tens of Gauss yields the highest plasma density in the present configuration. The frequency-tuning plasma source is applied to a compact and high-speed silicon etcher in an Ar-SF6 plasma; then the etching rate of 8~μ m min-1 is obtained for no bias voltage to the silicon wafer, i.e. for the case that a physical ion etching process is eliminated.

Laser-initiated decomposition products of indocyanine green (ICG) and carbon black sensitized biological tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokosa, John M.; Przyjazny, Andrzej; Bartels, Kenneth E.; Motamedi, Massoud; Hayes, Donald J.; Wallace, David B.; Frederickson, Christopher J.

1997-05-01

Organic dyes have found increasing use a s sensitizers in laser surgical procedures, due to their high optical absorbances. Little is known, however, about the nature of the degradation products formed when these dyes are irradiated with a laser. Previous work in our laboratories has shown that irradiation of polymeric and biological tissues with CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers produces a host of volatile and semivolatile by-products, some of which are known to be potential carcinogens. This work focuses on the identification of the chemical by-products formed by diode laser and Nd:YAG laser irradiation of indocyanine green (ICG) and carbon black based ink sensitized tissues, including bone, tendon and sheep's teeth. Samples were mounted in a 0.5-L Pyrex sample chamber equipped with quartz optical windows, charcoal filtered air inlet and an outlet attached to an appropriate sample trap and a constant flow pump. By-products were analyzed by GC/MS and HPLC. Volatiles identified included benzene and formaldehyde. Semi-volatiles included traces of polycyclic aromatics, arising from the biological matrix and inks, as well as fragments of ICG and the carbon ink components. The significance of these results will be discussed, including the necessity of using appropriate evacuation devices when utilizing lasers for surgical procedures.

Illustrating Thermodynamic Concepts Using a Hero's Engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muiño, Pedro L.; Hodgson, James R.

2000-05-01

A modified Hero's engine is used to illustrate concepts of thermodynamics and engineering design suitable for introductory chemistry courses and more advanced physical chemistry courses. The engine is a boiler made of Pyrex with two off-center nozzles. Upon boiling, the vapor exits the nozzles, creating two opposite, off-center forces that result in a circular motion by the engine around the vertical axis. The engine is suspended from a horizontal bar by means of two parallel threads. The rotation of the engine results in the twisting of the threads, with two important effects: the engine is raised vertically, and potential energy is stored in the coiling of the threads. When the engine is raised, it is removed from the heating source. This stops the boiling. The stored potential energy is then released into kinetic energy; that is, the threads uncoil, and the engine rotates in the opposite direction. This lowers the engine into the flame, so the water resumes boiling and the engine can be raised again. This cycle continues until all the liquid water is vaporized. This demonstration is suitable to illustrate concepts like gas expansion, gas cooling through expansion (Joule-Thompson experiment), conversion of heat to work, interconversion between kinetic energy and potential energy, and feedback mechanisms.

A Lorentz force actuated magnetic field sensor with capacitive read-out

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stifter, M.; Steiner, H.; Kainz, A.; Keplinger, F.; Hortschitz, W.; Sauter, T.

2013-05-01

We present a novel design of a resonant magnetic field sensor with capacitive read-out permitting wafer level production. The device consists of a single-crystal silicon cantilever manufactured from the device layer of an SOI wafer. Cantilevers represent a very simple structure with respect to manufacturing and function. On the top of the structure, a gold lead carries AC currents that generate alternating Lorentz forces in an external magnetic field. The free end oscillation of the actuated cantilever depends on the eigenfrequencies of the structure. Particularly, the specific design of a U-shaped structure provides a larger force-to-stiffness-ratio than standard cantilevers. The electrodes for detecting cantilever deflections are separately fabricated on a Pyrex glass-wafer. They form the counterpart to the lead on the freely vibrating planar structure. Both wafers are mounted on top of each other. A custom SU-8 bonding process on wafer level creates a gap which defines the equilibrium distance between sensing electrodes and the vibrating structure. Additionally to the capacitive read-out, the cantilever oscillation was simultaneously measured with laser Doppler vibrometry through proper windows in the SOI handle wafer. Advantages and disadvantages of the asynchronous capacitive measurement configuration are discussed quantitatively and presented by a comprehensive experimental characterization of the device under test.

Photocatalytic reduction of NO with NH3 using Si-doped TiO2 prepared by hydrothermal method.

PubMed

Jin, Ruiben; Wu, Zhongbiao; Liu, Yue; Jiang, Boqiong; Wang, Haiqiang

2009-01-15

A series of Si-doped TiO2 (Si/TiO2) photocatalysts supported on woven glass fabric were prepared by hydrothermal method for photocatalytic reduction of NO with NH3. The photocatalytic activity tests were carried out in a continuous Pyrex reactor with the flow rate of 2000mL/min under UV irradiation (luminous flux: 1.1x10(4)lm, irradiated catalyst area: 160cm2). The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The experiment results showed that NO conversion on Si/TiO2 at 323K could exceed 60%, which was about 50% higher than that on Degussa P25 and pure TiO2. With the doping of Si, photocatalysts with smaller crystal size, larger surface area and larger pore volume were obtained. It was also found that Ti-O-Si bands were formed on the surface of Si/TiO2 and that the surface hydroxyl concentration was greatly increased. As a result, total acidity and NH3 chemisorption amount were enhanced for Si/TiO2 leading to its photocatalytic activity improvement.

Control and monitoring of oxygen fugacity in piston cylinder experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matjuschkin, Vladimir; Brooker, Richard A.; Tattitch, Brian; Blundy, Jon D.; Stamper, Charlotte C.

2015-01-01

We present a newly developed capsule design that resolves some common problems associated with the monitoring and control of oxygen fugacity ( fO2) in high-pressure piston cylinder experiments. The new fO2 control assembly consists of an AuPd outer capsule enclosing two inner capsules: one of AuPd capsule containing the experimental charge (including some water), and the other of Pt containing a solid oxygen buffer plus water. The inner capsules are separated by crushable alumina. The outer capsule is surrounded by a Pyrex sleeve to simultaneously minimise hydrogen loss from the cell and carbon infiltration from the graphite furnace. Controlled fO2 experiments using this cell design were carried out at 1.0 GPa and 1,000 °C. We used NiPd, CoPd and (Ni, Mg)O fO2 sensors, whose pressure sensitivity is well calibrated, to monitor the redox states achieved in experiments buffered by Re-ReO2, Ni-NiO and Co-CoO, respectively. Results for the fO2 sensors are in good agreement with the intended fO2 established by the buffer, demonstrating excellent control for durations of 24-48 h, with uncertainties less than ± 0.3 log bar units of fO2.

Development path and current status of the NANIVID: a new device for cancer cell studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, Waseem Khan; Padgen, Michael R.; Williams, James K.; Wyckoff, Jeffrey; Condeelis, John; Castracane, James

2011-02-01

Cancer cells create a unique microenvironment in vivo which enables migration to distant organs. To better understand the tumor microenvironment, special tools and devices are required to monitor the interactions between different cell types and the effects of particular chemical gradients. This study presents the design and optimization of a new, versatile chemotaxis device called the NANIVID (NANo IntraVital Device). The device is fabricated using BioMEMS techniques and consists of etched and bonded Pyrex substrates, a soluble factor reservoir, fluorescent tracking beads and a microelectrode array for cell quantification. The reservoir contains a customized hydrogel blend loaded with EGF which diffuses out of the hydrogel to create a chemotactic gradient. This reservoir sustains a steady release of growth factor into the surrounding environment for many hours and establishes a concentration gradient that attracts specific cells to the device. In addition to a cell collection tool, the NANIVID can be modified to act as a delivery vehicle for the local generation of alternate soluble factor gradients to initiate controlled changes to the microenvironment such as hypoxia, ECM stiffness and etc. The focus of this study is to design and optimize the new device for wide ranging studies of breast cancer cell dynamics in vitro and ultimately, implantation for in vivo work.

Effect of insulator sleeve material on the x-ray emission from a plasma focus device

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

Hussain, S.; Badar, M. A.; Shafiq, M.

The effect of insulator sleeve material on x-ray emission from a 2.3 kJ Mather type plasma focus device operated in argon-hydrogen mixture is investigated. The time and space resolved x-ray emission characteristics are studied by using a three channel p-i-n diode x-ray spectrometer and a multipinhole camera. The x-ray emission depends on the volumetric ratio of argon-hydrogen mixture as well as the filling pressure and the highest x-ray emission is observed for a volumetric ratio 40% Ar to 60%H{sub 2} at 2.5 mbar filling pressure. The fused silica insulator sleeve produces the highest x-ray emission whereas nonceramic insulator sleeves suchmore » as nylon, Perspex, or Teflon does not produce focus or x-rays. The pinhole images of the x-ray emitting zones reveal that the contribution of the Cu K{alpha} line is weak and plasma x-rays are intense. The highest plasma electron temperature is estimated to be 3.3 and 3.6 keV for Pyrex glass and fused silica insulator sleeves, respectively. It is speculated that the higher surface resistivity of fused silica is responsible for enhanced x-ray emission and plasma electron temperature.« less

The influence of a surface tension minimum on the convective motion of a fluid in microgravity (D1 mission results)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limbourg, M. C.; Legros, J. C.; Petre, G.

The experiment STEM (Surface Tension Minimum) was performed in an experimental cell integrated in the FMP (Fluid Physics Module) during the D1 mission of Spacelab. The observation volume (1×2×3) cm3 was constituted by a stainless steel frame and by two optical Pyrex windows. It was fixed on the front disk of the FPM. The cell was filled under microgravity conditions by an aqueous solution of n-heptanol 6,04 10-3 molal. At equilibrium this system presents a minimum of surface tension as a function of temperature around 40°C. The fluid was heated from the front disk side of the cell. A temperature difference of 35°C was maintained between two opposite sides of the cell, by using the large heat capacity of a water reservoir in thermal contact with the cold side of the cell. The thermal gradient was parallel to the liquid/gas interface. The motions of the fluid were recorded on video-tapes and the velocities were determined by following latex particles used as tracers. The convective pattern is analysed and compared with ground experiments. In this case the tracer trajectories allow to determine the convective patterns and the velocities are determined by laser doppler anemometry.

Recent developments in multidimensional transport methods for the APOLLO 2 lattice code

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

Zmijarevic, I.; Sanchez, R.

1995-12-31

A usual method of preparation of homogenized cross sections for reactor coarse-mesh calculations is based on two-dimensional multigroup transport treatment of an assembly together with an appropriate leakage model and reaction-rate-preserving homogenization technique. The actual generation of assembly spectrum codes based on collision probability methods is capable of treating complex geometries (i.e., irregular meshes of arbitrary shape), thus avoiding the modeling error that was introduced in codes with traditional tracking routines. The power and architecture of current computers allow the treatment of spatial domains comprising several mutually interacting assemblies using fine multigroup structure and retaining all geometric details of interest.more » Increasing safety requirements demand detailed two- and three-dimensional calculations for very heterogeneous problems such as control rod positioning, broken Pyrex rods, irregular compacting of mixed- oxide (MOX) pellets at an MOX-UO{sub 2} interface, and many others. An effort has been made to include accurate multi- dimensional transport methods in the APOLLO 2 lattice code. These include extension to three-dimensional axially symmetric geometries of the general-geometry collision probability module TDT and the development of new two- and three-dimensional characteristics methods for regular Cartesian meshes. In this paper we discuss the main features of recently developed multidimensional methods that are currently being tested.« less

Vertical Diaphragm Electrostatic Actuator for a High Density Ink Jet Printer Head

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norimatsu, Takayuki; Tanaka, Shuji; Esashi, Masayoshi

This paper describes the design, fabrication process and preliminary evaluation of an electrostatic ink jet printer head with vertical diaphragms in deep trenches. By adopting the novel structure where an ink cavity is surrounded by the vertical diaphragm, the footprint of each unit (40 μm × 500 μm) becomes approximately one fifth as small as that of a conventional one. Such small footprint is advantageous in cost, resolution and printing speed. To make the vertical diaphragms, a 0.5 μm thick sacrificial thermally-oxidized layer and a 4.5 μm thick poly-silicon layer are sequentially formed in deep-reactive-ion-etched trenches, and then the sacrificial layer is etched away by fluoric acid. The nozzles are fabricated on a Pyrex glass substrate by femtosecond laser ablation, and the nozzle outside is covered with a water repellant Au/Pt/Ti layer. Impedance measurement found that the electrostatic gaps were in contact or closely approaching. This could be because the diaphragms buckled by compressive stress induced in low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). Ink ejection was tried using commercially-available blue ink, but failed. The nozzles were covered with the ink, because the water repellant finish of the nozzle outside was not good.

Effect of disjoining pressure on terminal velocity of a bubble sliding along an inclined wall.

PubMed

Del Castillo, Lorena A; Ohnishi, Satomi; White, Lee R; Carnie, Steven L; Horn, Roger G

2011-12-15

The influence of salt concentration on the terminal velocities of gravity-driven single bubbles sliding along an inclined glass wall has been investigated, in an effort to establish whether surface forces acting between the wall and the bubble influence the latter's mobility. A simple sliding bubble apparatus was employed to measure the terminal velocities of air bubbles with radii ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 mm sliding along the interior wall of an inclined Pyrex glass cylinder with inclination angles between 0.6 and 40.1°. Experiments were performed in pure water, 10 mM and 100 mM KCl solutions. We compared our experimental results with a theory by Hodges et al. which considers hydrodynamic forces only, and with a theory developed by two of us which considers surface forces to play a significant role. Our experimental results demonstrate that the terminal velocity of the bubble not only varies with the angle of inclination and the bubble size but also with the salt concentration, particularly at low inclination angles of ∼1-5°, indicating that double-layer forces between the bubble and the wall influence the sliding behavior. This is the first demonstration that terminal velocities of sliding bubbles are affected by disjoining pressure. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laser Spectroscopic Study on Oxygen Isotope Effects in Ozone Surface Decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minissale, Marco; Boursier, Corinne; Elandaloussi, Hadj; Te, Yao; Jeseck, Pascal; Rouille, Christian; Zanon-Willette, Thomas; Janssen, Christof

2016-04-01

The isotope kinetics of ozone formation in the Chapman reaction [1] O + O2 + M → O3 + M (1) provides the primary example for a chemically induced oxygen isotope anomaly and is associated with large [2] and mass independent [3] oxygen isotope enrichments in the product molecule, linked to a symmetry selection in the ozone formation kinetics [4-5]. The isotopic composition of ozone and its transfer to other molecules is a powerful tracer in the atmospheric and biogeochemical sciences [6] and serves as a primary model for a possible explanation of the oxygen isotopic heterogeneity in the Solar system [7-8]. Recently, the isotope fractionation in the photolytic decomposition process O3 + hν → O2 + O (2) using visible light has been studied in detail [9-10]. Much less is currently known about the isotope fractionation in the dry deposition or in the gas phase thermal decomposition of ozone O3 + M → O2 + O +M. (3) Here we report on first spectroscopic studies of non-photolytic ozone decomposition using a cw-quantum cascade laser at 9.5 μm. The concentration of individual ozone isotopomers (16O3,16O16O17O, and 16O17O16O) in a teflon coated reaction cell is followed in real time at temperatures between 25 and 150 °C. Observed ozone decay rates depend on homogeneous (reaction (3)) processes in the gas phase and on heterogeneous reactions on the wall. A preliminary analysis reveals agreement with currently recommended ozone decay rates in the gas phase and the absence of a large symmetry selection in the surface decomposition process, indicating the absence of a mass independent fractionation effect. This result is in agreement with previous mass spectrometer (MS) studies on heterogeneous ozone formation on pyrex [11], but contradicts an earlier MS study [12] on ozone surface decomposition on pyrex and quartz. Implications for atmospheric chemistry will be discussed. [1] Morton, J., Barnes, J., Schueler, B. and Mauersberger, K. J. Geophys. Res. 95, 901 - 907 (1990). [2] Mauersberger, K. Geophys. Res. Lett. 8, 935-937 (1981). [3] Thiemens, M. H. and Heidenreich, J. E. Science 219, 1073 - 1075 (1983). [4] Janssen, C., Guenther, J., Mauersberger, K. and Krankowsky, D. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 3, 4718-4721 (2001). [5] Gao, Y. Q. and Marcus, R. A. Science 293, 259-263 (2001). [6] Brenninkmeijer, C. A. M. et al. Chem. Rev. 103, 5125 - 5162 (2003). [7] Thiemens, M. H. and Shaheen, in Treatise on Geochemistry, Holland H. and Turekian K. eds., 151 - 177 (2014). [8] Marcus, R. A. J. Chem. Phys. 121, 8201 - 8211 (2004). [9] Früchtl, M., Janssen, C. and Röckmann, T. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos. 120, 4398 - 4416 (2015). [10] Früchtl, M., Janssen, C., Taraborrelli, D., Gromov, S. and Röckmann, T. Geophys. Res. Lett. (2015). [11] Janssen, C. and Tuzson, B. J. Phys. Chem. A 114, 9709-9719 (2010). [12] Chakraborty, S. and Bhattacharya, S. K. Chem. Phys. Lett. 369, 662-667 (2003).

Removal of CO2 from the terrestrial atmosphere to curtail global warming: From methodology to laboratory prototype

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orton, Andrea E.

This research has focused on the initial phase of required investigations in pursuit of a global scale methodology for reduction of CO 2 in terrestrial air for the purpose of curtailment of global warming. This methodology was initially presented by Agee, Orton, and Rogers (2013), and has provided the basis for pursuing this thesis research. The first objective of the research project was to design and build a laboratory prototype system, capable of depleting CO2 from terrestrial air at 1 bar of pressure through LN2 refrigeration. Design considerations included a 26.5L cylindrical Pyrex glass sequestration chamber, a container to hold a reservoir of LN2 and an interface between the two to allow for cooling and instrumentation ports for measurements inside the sequestration chamber. Further, consideration was given to the need for appropriate insulating material to enclose the assembled apparatus to help achieve efficient cooling and the threshold depositional temperature of 135 K. The Amy Facility in the Department of Chemistry provided critical expertise to machine the apparatus to specifications, especially the stainless steel interface plate. Research into available insulating materials resulted in the adaption of TRYMER RTM 2500 Polyisocyanurate, effective down to 90 K. The above described DAC prototype designed for CO2 sequestration accomplished two of the initial research objectives investigated: 1) conduct refrigeration experiments to achieve CO2 terrestrial deposition temperature of 135 K (uniformly) and 2) deplete CO2 from the chamber air at 1 bar of pressure, documented by appropriate measurements. It took approximately 5.5 hours for the chamber to be completely uniform in temperature of 135 K (and below) through the use of LN2 poured into the container sitting on an aluminum interface on top of the sequestration Pyrex chamber. As expected, Rayleigh-Taylor instability (more dense fluid over less dense fluid) was observed through the duration of the experiments, which helped to achieve approximate uniform temperature within the sequestration chamber. The lowest temperature achieved in any experiment was 125 K. Using ambient laboratory air to fill the chamber naturally, CO2 depletion was observed to be 90% with residual CO2 contained in air that was pulled through the leaks into the sequestration chamber. CO2 values were taken from 440-500 ppmv down to 30-50 ppmv, in the series of experiments executed. An appropriate new consideration for the sequestration process is to determine how the CO2 is being deposited within the chamber, i.e. on the base of the aluminum plate (and possibly the side walls of the chamber) in the form of frost, or as a CO2 cloud of suspended dry ice particles through deposition of CO2 gas onto Ice Nuclei (IN), or by a combination of both processes. Although this was an early envisioned research goal, such was not pursued in this M.S. thesis research. Further, CO2 snow would only be expected if large amounts of CO2 gas were sequestered, producing a precipitating cloud.

Detection mechanism and characteristics of ZnO-based N2O sensors operating with photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, T. S.; Yu, J. H.; Mo, H. S.; Kim, T. S.; Youn, C. J.; Hong, K. J.

2013-11-01

N2O sensors made with ZnO-based ZnCdO films were grown on Pyrex substrates by using the RF co-sputtering method. The structure of the N2O sensor was electrode/sensor/glass/illuminant. The mechanism of the photo-assisted oxidation and reduction process on the surface of the N2O sensors was investigated using light from a UV lamp and violet light emitting diode (LED). For photon exposure wavelengths of 365 and 405 nm, the sensitivity of the ZnO-based ZnCdO sensors was measured. From these measurements, the values of the sensitivity of the sensors with x = 0, 0.01, and 0.05 were found to be S = 1.44, 1.39, and 1.33 under LED light with a wavelength of 405 nm, respectively. These sensitivities were compared to those of SnO2 and WO3 materials measured at operating temperatures of 300-600 °C. Also, under exposure with UV light, the response times were observed to be 130 to 270 sec. These response times were slightly slower than that for the traditional method of thermal heating. However, they indicate that the described photon exposure method for N2O detection can replace the conventional heating mode. Consequently, we demonstrated that portable N2O sensors for room-temperature operation could be fabricated without thermal heating.

Hydrogen production from water-glucose solution over NiO/La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mardian, R.; Husin, H.; Pontas, K.; Zaki, M.; Asnawi, T. M.; Ahmadi

2018-03-01

This paper reports the evaluation of La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst performance in producing hydrogen from water-glucose solution. The main goal of the studies is to investigate the influence of glucose as a sacrificial reagent on the photocatalytic efficiency in water splitting reactions under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Photocatalyst has been fabricated via sol-gel method and being confirmed using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nickel loaded La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst are prepared by impregnation method. It was observed that the prepared photocatalysts displayed particle sizes in the 30-250 nm range with orthorhombic structure. Their photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production via water splitting was conducted in a Pyrex glass reactor under UV light irradiation. The aqueous solution contained glucose employed as a renewable organic scavenger. A significant improvement in hydrogen production was observed in glucose-water mixtures and NiO loaded photocatalyst. The prepared La-NaTaO3 showed that the highest activity for hydrogen generation of 35.1 mmol h-1.g-1 was obtained at 0.10 mol.L-1 glucose and 0.3 wt.% NiO. This suggests the important role played by the glucose as electron donor and loading nickel on La-NaTaO3 as a cocatalyst increasing electron storage and suppressing electron-hole recombination.

Separation and Detection of Toxic Gases with a Silicon Micromachined Gas Chromatography System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kolesar, Edward S.; Reston, Rocky R.

1995-01-01

A miniature gas chromatography (GC) system was designed and fabricated using silicon micromachining and integrated circuit (IC) processing techniques. The silicon micromachined gas chromatography system (SMGCS) is composed of a miniature sample injector that incorporates a 10 microliter sample loop; a 0.9 meter long, rectangular shaped (300 micrometer width and 10 micrometer height) capillary column coated with a 0.2 micrometer thick copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) stationary phase; and a dual detector scheme based upon a CuPc-coated chemiresistor and a commercially available 125 micrometer diameter thermal conductivity detector (TCD) bead. Silicon micromachining was employed to fabricate the interface between the sample injector and the GC column, the column itself, and the dual detector cavity. A novel IC thin-film processing technique was developed to sublime the CuPc stationary phase coating on the column walls that were micromachined in the host silicon wafer substrate and Pyrex (r) cover plate, which were then electrostatically bonded together. The SMGCS can separate binary gas mixtures composed of parts-per-million (ppm) concentrations of ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) when isothermally operated (55-80 degrees C). With a helium carrier gas and nitrogen diluent, a 10 microliter sample volume containing ammonia and nitrogen dioxide injected at 40 psi ((2.8 x 10(exp 5)Pa)) can be separated in less than 30 minutes.

Examination of Ion Beam Acceleration and Self-Bias Effect in the Modified MadHeX Plasma Source with Conducting and Insulating Upstream Boundary Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, Yung-Ta; Devinney, Michael; Scharer, John

2013-10-01

The MadHeX experiment consists of a Pyrex tube connected to a stainless steel magnetic field expansion chamber (expansion ratio RE = 4.5) has been upgraded with an axial magnetic mirror field and an additional magnet in the transition region. This configuration enhances electron temperature and ionization fraction and minimizes neutral reflux. A half-turn double-helix antenna is used to excite electrostatic or inductive regime waves in the source. An ion beam of energy, E = 160 eV at 500 W RF power, has been observed in a low pressure (0.3 mtorr) argon plasma formed in the expansion region with a 340 G magnetic field with a R = 1.4 nozzle. The effects of upstream end plate boundary conditions on the plasma self-bias and ion beam acceleration are discussed. The effect of lower flow rates and pressures, higher RF powers (500 W-8 kW) and magnetic field strength dependence on the ion beam acceleration, plasma potential, electron density and temperature are explored. The axial ion velocity distribution function and temperatures at higher powers are observed by argon 668 nm laser induced fluorescence with density measurements obtained by mm wave interferometry. The EEDF and non-Maxwellian tail are examined using optical emission spectroscopy. Research supported by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Nested potassium hydroxide etching and protective coatings for silicon-based microreactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Mas, Nuria; Schmidt, Martin A.; Jensen, Klavs F.

2014-03-01

We have developed a multilayer, multichannel silicon-based microreactor that uses elemental fluorine as a reagent and generates hydrogen fluoride as a byproduct. Nested potassium hydroxide etching (using silicon nitride and silicon oxide as masking materials) was developed to create a large number of channels (60 reaction channels connected to individual gas and liquid distributors) of significantly different depths (50-650 µm) with sloped walls (54.7° with respect to the (1 0 0) wafer surface) and precise control over their geometry. The wetted areas were coated with thermally grown silicon oxide and electron-beam evaporated nickel films to protect them from the corrosive fluorination environment. Up to four Pyrex layers were anodically bonded to three silicon layers in a total of six bonding steps to cap the microchannels and stack the reaction layers. The average pinhole density in as-evaporated films was 3 holes cm-2. Heating during anodic bonding (up to 350 °C for 4 min) did not significantly alter the film composition. Upon fluorine exposure, nickel films (160 nm thick) deposited on an adhesion layer of Cr (10 nm) over an oxidized silicon substrate (up to 500 nm thick SiO2) led to the formation of a nickel fluoride passivation layer. This microreactor was used to investigate direct fluorinations at room temperature over several hours without visible signs of film erosion.

Photodegradation of 2,4-D induced by NO₂(-) in aqueous solutions: the role of NO₂.

PubMed

Yu, Chunyan; Wang, Hua; Liu, Xuan; Quan, Xie; Chen, Shuo; Zhang, Jianlin; Zhang, Peng

2014-07-01

To elucidate the effect of nitrite ion (NO₂(-)) on the photodegradation of organic pollutants, a 300 W mercury lamp and Pyrex tubes restricting the transmission of wavelengths below 290 nm were used to simulate sunlight, and the photodegradation processes of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with different concentrations of NO₂(-) in freshwater and seawater were studied. The effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the photolysis of 2,4-D was also demonstrated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The results indicated that the 2,4-D photolysis reaction followed the first-order kinetics in freshwater and seawater under different concentrations of NO₂(-). Meanwhile, the photochemical reaction rate of 2,4-D increased with increasing concentration of NO₂(-). When the concentration of NO₂(-) was lower than 23 mg/L, the photodegradation rate of 2,4-D in seawater was higher than that in freshwater. However, when the concentration of NO₂(-) was reached 230 mg/L, 2,4-D degradation slowed down in seawater. It was important to note that EPR spectra showed NO₂ radical was generated in the NO₂(-) solution under simulated sunlight irradiation, indicating that 2,4-D photodegradation could be induced by NO₂. These results show the key role of NO₂(-) in photochemistry and are helpful for better understanding of the phototransformation of environmental contaminants in natural aquatic systems. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A Si/Glass Bulk-Micromachined Cryogenic Heat Exchanger for High Heat Loads: Fabrication, Test, and Application Results.

PubMed

Zhu, Weibin; White, Michael J; Nellis, Gregory F; Klein, Sanford A; Gianchandani, Yogesh B

2010-02-01

This paper reports on a micromachined Si/glass stack recuperative heat exchanger with in situ temperature sensors. Numerous high-conductivity silicon plates with integrated platinum resistance temperature detectors (Pt RTDs) are stacked, alternating with low-conductivity Pyrex spacers. The device has a 1 x 1-cm(2) footprint and a length of up to 3.5 cm. It is intended for use in Joule-Thomson (J-T) coolers and can sustain pressure exceeding 1 MPa. Tests at cold-end inlet temperatures of 237 K-252 K show that the heat exchanger effectiveness is 0.9 with 0.039-g/s helium mass flow rate. The integrated Pt RTDs present a linear response of 0.26%-0.30%/K over an operational range of 205 K-296 K but remain usable at lower temperatures. In self-cooling tests with ethane as the working fluid, a J-T system with the heat exchanger drops 76.1 K below the inlet temperature, achieving 218.7 K for a pressure of 835.8 kPa. The system reaches 200 K in transient state; further cooling is limited by impurities that freeze within the flow stream. In J-T self-cooling tests with an external heat load, the system reaches 239 K while providing 1 W of cooling. In all cases, there is an additional parasitic heat load estimated at 300-500 mW.

Chemical synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing the Dewar valence isomer of the (6–4) photoproduct and their use in (6–4) photolyase studies

PubMed Central

Yamamoto, Junpei; Hitomi, Kenichi; Todo, Takeshi; Iwai, Shigenori

2006-01-01

The pyrimidine(6–4)pyrimidone photoproduct, a major UV lesion formed between adjacent pyrimidine bases, is transformed to its Dewar valence isomer upon exposure to UVA/UVB light. We have synthesized a phosphoramidite building block of the Dewar photoproduct formed at the thymidylyl(3′–5′)thymidine site and incorporated it into oligodeoxyribonucleotides. The diastereoisomers of the partially protected dinucleoside monophosphate bearing the (6–4) photoproduct, which were caused by the chirality of the phosphorus atom, were separated by reversed-phase chromatography, and the (6–4) photoproduct was converted to the Dewar photoproduct by irradiation of each isomer with Pyrex-filtered light from a high-pressure mercury lamp. The Dewar photoproduct was stable under both acidic and alkaline conditions at room temperature. After characterization of the isomerized base moiety by NMR spectroscopy, a phosphoramidite building block was synthesized in three steps. Although the ordinary method could be used for the oligonucleotide synthesis, benzimidazolium triflate as an alternative activator yielded better results. The oligonucleotides were used for the analysis of the reaction and the binding of Xenopus (6–4) photolyase. Although the affinity of this enzyme for the Dewar photoproduct-containing duplex was reportedly similar to that for the (6–4) photoproduct-containing substrate, the results suggested a difference in the binding mode. PMID:16936311

Effects of cadmium-enriched sediment on fish and amphibian embryo-larval stages

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

Francis, P.C.; Birge, W.J.; Black, J.A.

1984-08-01

Aquatic toxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of cadmium-enriched sediment on embryo-larval stages of the goldfish (Carassius auratus), leopard frog (Rana pipiens), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Natural stream sediment was collected and enriched with cadmium to nominal concentrations of 1.0, 10.0, 100, and 1000 mg/kg. Enriched sediments were placed in Pyrex dishes and covered with 350 ml of reconstituted water. Fertilized eggs were placed in the dishes and maintained through 4 days posthatching, giving a total exposure time of 6 to 7 days. For all tests the cadmium concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 76.5 micrograms/liter in watermore » above sediments containing 1 to 1000 mg Cd/kg, respectively. Although low frequencies of mortality were observed in all tests, goldfish, leopard frog, and bass exposed to sediments enriched to 1000 mg Cd/kg accumulated 4.61, 12.55, and 60.0 micrograms Cd/g, respectively. No significant correlations were found between mortality of the goldfish and leopard frog and the cadmium concentrations in either water or sediment. However, all three species showed strong correlations between cadmium concentrations in water and tissue, sediment and tissue, and water and sediment. Tissue cadmium concentrations were related to the length of time test organisms were in direct contact with cadmium-enriched sediment.« less

Michigan Turns to Leo Goldberg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindner, Rudi P.

2006-12-01

The death of Heber D. Curtis at the beginning of 1942 emphasized the difficult circumstances facing Michigan's astronomy program. There were no funds to figure or mount the 98" pyrex blank; the 37" reflector labored under floodlights; and the war sapped the graduate program. For a number of years the staff argued over the best path for the future, goaded by the unwelcome intervention of the "amateurs" McMath and Hulbert. The administration brought in outside consultants, attempted to prevent the observatory staff from making separate arrangements, trawled in western waters without success, and took conflicting advice on the future direction of the science. In 1946 the university leadership had, as well, to consider the aftermath of the war: new possibilities in physics, new funding opportunities, a booming student population, and the encapsulation of the observatory within the medical campus. At this time, Leo Goldberg was on the McMath-Hulbert staff, had little to do with the Ann Arbor community, and was considered to be an outsider, beholden to astrophysical theory and his promoters at Harvard. Leo Goldberg's rise from relative obscurity, his transformation from assistant to leader, and the university leadership's assessment of the possibilities for the transformation of a midwest, urban, and traditional program form the topic of this paper, based upon the Michigan and Harvard archives as well as the memories of Goldberg's cohort.

Structure, Surface Morphology, and Optical and Electronic Properties of Annealed SnS Thin Films Obtained by CBD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reghima, Meriem; Akkari, Anis; Guasch, Cathy; Turki-Kamoun, Najoua

2014-09-01

SnS thin films were initially coated onto Pyrex substrates by the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method and annealed at various temperatures ranging from 200°C to 600°C for 30 min in nitrogen gas. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that a structural transition from face-centered cubic to orthorhombic occurs when the annealing temperature is over 500°C. The surface morphology of all thin layers was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The elemental composition of Sn and S, as measured by energy dispersive spectroscopy, is near the stoichiometric ratio. Optical properties studied by means of transmission and reflection measurements show an increase in the absorption coefficient with increasing annealing temperatures. The band gap energy is close to 1.5 eV, which corresponds to the optimum for photovoltaic applications. Last, the thermally stimulated current measurements show that the electrically active traps located in the band gap disappear after annealing at 500°C. These results suggest that, once again, annealing as a post-deposition treatment may be useful for improving the physical properties of the SnS layers included in photovoltaic applications. Moreover, the thermo-stimulated current method may be of practical relevance to explore the electronic properties of more conventional industrial methods, such as sputtering and chemical vapor deposition.

Effect of disjoining pressure on terminal velocity of a bubble sliding along an inclined wall

PubMed Central

Del Castillo, Lorena A.; Ohnishi, Satomi; White, Lee R.; Carnie, Steven L.; Horn, Roger G.

2011-01-01

The influence of salt concentration on the terminal velocities of gravity-driven single bubbles sliding along an inclined glass wall has been investigated, in an effort to establish whether surface forces acting between the wall and the bubble influence the latter’s mobility. A simple sliding bubble apparatus was employed to measure the terminal velocities of air bubbles with radii ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 mm sliding along the interior wall of an inclined Pyrex glass cylinder with inclination angles between 0.6 and 40.1°. Experiments were performed in pure water, 10 mM and 100 mM KCl solutions. We compared our experimental results with a theory by Hodges et al. [1] which considers hydrodynamic forces only, and with a theory developed by two of us [2] which considers surface forces to play a significant role. Our experimental results demonstrate that the terminal velocity of the bubble not only varies with the angle of inclination and the bubble size but also with the salt concentration, particularly at low inclination angles of ∼1–5°, indicating that double-layer forces between the bubble and the wall influence the sliding behavior. This is the first demonstration that terminal velocities of sliding bubbles are affected by disjoining pressure. PMID:21924429

A Si/Glass Bulk-Micromachined Cryogenic Heat Exchanger for High Heat Loads: Fabrication, Test, and Application Results

PubMed Central

Zhu, Weibin; White, Michael J.; Nellis, Gregory F.; Klein, Sanford A.; Gianchandani, Yogesh B.

2010-01-01

This paper reports on a micromachined Si/glass stack recuperative heat exchanger with in situ temperature sensors. Numerous high-conductivity silicon plates with integrated platinum resistance temperature detectors (Pt RTDs) are stacked, alternating with low-conductivity Pyrex spacers. The device has a 1 × 1-cm2 footprint and a length of up to 3.5 cm. It is intended for use in Joule–Thomson (J–T) coolers and can sustain pressure exceeding 1 MPa. Tests at cold-end inlet temperatures of 237 K–252 K show that the heat exchanger effectiveness is 0.9 with 0.039-g/s helium mass flow rate. The integrated Pt RTDs present a linear response of 0.26%–0.30%/K over an operational range of 205 K–296 K but remain usable at lower temperatures. In self-cooling tests with ethane as the working fluid, a J–T system with the heat exchanger drops 76.1 K below the inlet temperature, achieving 218.7 K for a pressure of 835.8 kPa. The system reaches 200 K in transient state; further cooling is limited by impurities that freeze within the flow stream. In J–T self-cooling tests with an external heat load, the system reaches 239 K while providing 1 W of cooling. In all cases, there is an additional parasitic heat load estimated at 300–500 mW. PMID:20490284

Experimental evaluation of an adaptive Joule–Thomson cooling system including silicon-microfabricated heat exchanger and microvalve components

PubMed Central

Zhu, Weibin; Park, Jong M.; White, Michael J.; Nellis, Gregory F.; Gianchandani, Yogesh B.

2011-01-01

This article reports the evaluation of a Joule–Thomson (JT) cooling system that combines two custom micromachined components—a Si/glass-stack recuperative heat exchanger and a piezoelectrically actuated expansion microvalve. With the microvalve controlling the flow rate, this system can modulate cooling to accommodate varying refrigeration loads. The perforated plate Si/glass heat exchanger is fabricated with a stack of alternating silicon plates and Pyrex glass spacers. The microvalve utilizes a lead zirconate titanate actuator to push a Si micromachined valve seat against a glass plate, thus modulating the flow passing through the gap between the valve seat and the glass plate. The fabricated heat exchanger has a footprint of 1×1 cm2 and a length of 35 mm. The size of the micromachined piezoelectrically actuated valve is about 1×1×1 cm3. In JT cooling tests, the temperature of the system was successfully controlled by adjusting the input voltage of the microvalve. When the valve was fully opened (at an input voltage of −30 V), the system cooled down to a temperature as low as 254.5 K at 430 kPa pressure difference between inlet and outlet at steady state and 234 K at 710 kPa in a transient state. The system provided cooling powers of 75 mW at 255 K and 150 mW at 258 K. Parasitic heat loads at 255 K are estimated at approximately 700 mW. PMID:21552354

LDR segmented mirror technology assessment study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krim, M.; Russo, J.

1983-01-01

In the mid-1990s, NASA plans to orbit a giant telescope, whose aperture may be as great as 30 meters, for infrared and sub-millimeter astronomy. Its primary mirror will be deployed or assembled in orbit from a mosaic of possibly hundreds of mirror segments. Each segment must be shaped to precise curvature tolerances so that diffraction-limited performance will be achieved at 30 micron (nominal operating wavelength). All panels must lie within 1 micron on a theoretical surface described by the optical precipitation of the telescope's primary mirror. To attain diffraction-limited performance, the issues of alignment and/or position sensing, position control of micron tolerances, and structural, thermal, and mechanical considerations for stowing, deploying, and erecting the reflector must be resolved. Radius of curvature precision influences panel size, shape, material, and type of construction. Two superior material choices emerged: fused quartz (sufficiently homogeneous with respect to thermal expansivity to permit a thin shell substrate to be drape molded between graphite dies to a precise enough off-axis asphere for optical finishing on the as-received a segment) and a Pyrex or Duran (less expensive than quartz and formable at lower temperatures). The optimal reflector panel size is between 1-1/2 and 2 meters. Making one, two-meter mirror every two weeks requires new approaches to manufacturing off-axis parabolic or aspheric segments (drape molding on precision dies and subsequent finishing on a nonrotationally symmetric dependent machine). Proof-of-concept developmental programs were identified to prove the feasibility of the materials and manufacturing ideas.

Preliminary Investigation of Impact on Multiple-Sheet Structures and an Evaluation of the Meteoroid Hazard to Space Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nysmith, C. Robert; Summers, James L.

1961-01-01

Small pyrex glass spheres, representative of stoney meteoroids, were fired into 2024-T3 aluminum alclad multiple-sheet structures at velocities to 11,000 feet per second to evaluate the effectiveness of multisheet hull construction as a means of increasing the resistance of a spacecraft to meteoroid penetrations. The results of these tests indicate that increasing the number of sheets in a structure while keeping the total sheet thickness constant and increasing the spacing between sheets both tend to increase the penetration resistance of a structure of constant weight per unit area. In addition, filling the space between the sheets with a light filler material was found to substantially increase structure penetration resistance with a small increase in weight. An evaluation of the meteoroid hazard to space vehicles is presented in the form of an illustrative-example for two specific lunar mission vehicles, a single-sheet, monocoque hull vehicle and a glass-wool filled, double-sheet hull vehicle. The evaluation is presented in terms of the "best" and the "worst" conditions that might be expected as determined from astronomical and satellite measurements, high-speed impact data, and hypothesized meteoroid structures and compositions. It was observed that the vehicle flight time without penetration can be increased significantly by use of multiple-sheet rather than single-sheet hull construction with no increase in hull weight. Nevertheless, it is evident that a meteoroid hazard exists, even for the vehicle with the selected multiple-sheet hull.

Some effects of prostaglandins E1 and E2 and of endotoxin injected into the hypothalamus of young chicks: dissociation between endotoxin fever and the effects of prostaglandins.

PubMed

Artunkal, A A; Marley, E; Stephenson, J D

1977-09-01

Prostaglandins E1 and E2 elevated body temperature of young chicks when injected into the hypothalamus at thermoneutrality (31 degrees C). In contrast, they lowered body temperature when so injected below thermoneutrality (16degreesC): the relation of the fall in body temperature to increased heat loss and decreased heat production was examined. 2 The above effects below thermoneutrality were potentiated by pretreatment with inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase and possible reasons for this potentation are given. 3 The O-somatic antigen of Shigella dysenteriae consistently evoked hyperthermia when injected into the hypothalamus, irrespective of whether the chicks were within or below thermoneutrality. 4 Pretreatment with prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors failed to prevent the onset of endotoxin fever; however, duration of the fever, induced by intrahypothalamic injection of the O-somatic antigen of Shigella dysenteriae was reduced. 5 The intrahypothalamic injection, belwo thermoneutrality of prostaglandins E1, E2, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine or carbachol reversed endotoxin fever, inducing even substantial falls in body temperature. 6 While the results cast some doubts on the role of prostaglandins of the E series as mediators of endotoxin fever in chicks, they cannot be eliminated as mediators until the significance of the reduction in duration of the pyrexic response by indomethacin and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, and the degree of synthesis inhibition attained, are known.

Some effects of prostaglandins E1 and E2 and of endotoxin injected into the hypothalamus of young chicks: dissociation between endotoxin fever and the effects of prostaglandins.

PubMed Central

Artunkal, A A; Marley, E; Stephenson, J D

1977-01-01

Prostaglandins E1 and E2 elevated body temperature of young chicks when injected into the hypothalamus at thermoneutrality (31 degrees C). In contrast, they lowered body temperature when so injected below thermoneutrality (16degreesC): the relation of the fall in body temperature to increased heat loss and decreased heat production was examined. 2 The above effects below thermoneutrality were potentiated by pretreatment with inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase and possible reasons for this potentation are given. 3 The O-somatic antigen of Shigella dysenteriae consistently evoked hyperthermia when injected into the hypothalamus, irrespective of whether the chicks were within or below thermoneutrality. 4 Pretreatment with prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors failed to prevent the onset of endotoxin fever; however, duration of the fever, induced by intrahypothalamic injection of the O-somatic antigen of Shigella dysenteriae was reduced. 5 The intrahypothalamic injection, belwo thermoneutrality of prostaglandins E1, E2, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine or carbachol reversed endotoxin fever, inducing even substantial falls in body temperature. 6 While the results cast some doubts on the role of prostaglandins of the E series as mediators of endotoxin fever in chicks, they cannot be eliminated as mediators until the significance of the reduction in duration of the pyrexic response by indomethacin and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, and the degree of synthesis inhibition attained, are known. PMID:334308

Plutonium and uranium determination in environmental samples: combined solvent extraction-liquid scintillation method.

PubMed

McDowell, W J; Farrar, D T; Billings, M R

1974-12-01

A method for the determination of uranium and plutonium by a combined high-resolution liquid scintillation-solvent extraction method is presented. Assuming a sample count equal to background count to be the detection limit, the lower detection limit for these and other alpha-emitting nuclides is 1.0 dpm with a Pyrex sample tube, 0.3 dpm with a quartz sample tube using present detector shielding or 0.02 d.p.m. with pulse-shape discrimination. Alpha-counting efficiency is 100%. With the counting data presented as an alpha-energy spectrum, an energy resolution of 0.2-0.3 MeV peak half-width and an energy identification to +/-0.1 MeV are possible. Thus, within these limits, identification and quantitative determination of a specific alpha-emitter, independent of chemical separation, are possible. The separation procedure allows greater than 98% recovery of uranium and plutonium from solution containing large amounts of iron and other interfering substances. In most cases uranium, even when present in 10(8)-fold molar ratio, may be quantitatively separated from plutonium without loss of the plutonium. Potential applications of this general analytical concept to other alpha-counting problems are noted. Special problems associated with the determination of plutonium in soil and water samples are discussed. Results of tests to determine the pulse-height and energy-resolution characteristics of several scintillators are presented. Construction of the high-resolution liquid scintillation detector is described.

Fabrication of Silicon Nitride Dental Core Ceramics with Borosilicate Veneering material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wananuruksawong, R.; Jinawath, S.; Padipatvuthikul, P.; Wasanapiarnpong, T.

2011-10-01

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic is a great candidate for clinical applications due to its high fracture toughness, strength, hardness and bio-inertness. This study has focused on the Si3N4 ceramic as a dental core material. The white Si3N4 was prepared by pressureless sintering at relative low sintering temperature of 1650 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of Si3N4 ceramic is lower than that of Zirconia and Alumina ceramic which are popular in this field. The borosilicate glass veneering was employed due to its compatibility in thermal expansion. The sintered Si3N4 specimens represented the synthetic dental core were paintbrush coated by a veneer paste composed of borosilicate glass powder (<150 micrometer, Pyrex) with 5 wt% of zirconia powder (3 wt% Y2O3 - partial stabilized zirconia) and 30 wt% of polyvinyl alcohol (5 wt% solution). After coating the veneer on the Si3N4 specimens, the firing was performed in electric tube furnace between 1000-1200°C. The veneered specimens fired at 1100°C for 15 mins show good bonding, smooth and glossy without defect and crazing. The veneer has thermal expansion coefficient as 3.98×10-6 °C-1, rather white and semi opaque, due to zirconia addition, the Vickers hardness as 4.0 GPa which is closely to the human teeth.

Hydrodynamic cavitation in microsystems. I. Experiments with deionized water and nanofluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medrano, M.; Zermatten, P. J.; Pellone, C.; Franc, J. P.; Ayela, F.

2011-12-01

An experimental study of hydrodynamic cavitation downstream microdiaphragms and microventuris is presented. Deionized water and nanofluids have been characterized within silicon-Pyrex micromachined devices with hydraulic diameters ranging from 51 μm to 104 μm. The input pressure could reach up to 10 bars, and the flow rate was below 1 liter per hour. The output pressure of the devices was fixed at values ranging from 0.3 bar to 2 bars, so that it was possible to study the evolution of the cavitation number as a function of the Reynolds number in the orifice of the diaphragms or in the throat of the venturis. A delay on the onset of cavitation has been recorded for all the devices when they are fed with deionized water, because of the metastability of the liquid and because of the lack of roughness of the walls. For the first time, hydrodynamic cavitation of nanofluids (nanoparticles dispersed into the liquid) has been considered. The presence of nano-aggregates in the liquid does not exhibit any noticeable effect on the cavitation threshold through the venturis. However, such a presence has a strong influence on the cavitation onset in microdiaphragms: above a critical volume solid concentration of ≈10-5, the metastability is broken and the nanofluids behave as tap water filled up with large nuclei. These microdevices, where a low amount of fluid is required to reach cavitating flows, appear to be useful tools in order to study cavitating phenomena in localized area with specific fluids.

A Novel Portable Absolute Transient Hot-Wire Instrument for the Measurement of the Thermal Conductivity of Solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assael, Marc J.; Antoniadis, Konstantinos D.; Metaxa, Ifigeneia N.; Mylona, Sofia K.; Assael, John-Alexander M.; Wu, Jiangtao; Hu, Miaomiao

2015-11-01

A new portable absolute Transient Hot-Wire instrument for measuring the thermal conductivity of solids over a range of 0.2 { W}{\\cdot }m^{-1}{\\cdot }{K}^{-1} to 4 { W}{\\cdot }m^{-1}{\\cdot }{K}^{-1} is presented. The new instrument is characterized by three novelties: (a) an innovative two-wires sensor which provides robustness and portability, while at the same time employs a soft silicone layer to eliminate the effect of the contact resistance between the wires and the sample, (b) a newly designed compact portable printed electronic board employing an FPGA architecture CPU to the control output voltage and data processing—the new board replaces the traditional, large in size Wheatstone-type bridge system required to perform the experimental measurements, and (c) a cutting-edge software suite, developed for the mesh describing the structure of the sensor, and utilizing the Finite Elements Method to model the heat flow. The estimation of thermal conductivity is modeled as a minimization problem and is solved using Bayesian Optimization. Our revolutionizing proposed methodology exhibits radical speedups of up to × 120, compared to previous approaches, and considerably reduces the number of simulations performed, achieving convergence only in a few minutes. The new instrument was successfully employed to measure, at room temperature, the thermal conductivity of two thermal conductivity reference materials, Pyroceram 9606 and Pyrex 7740, and two possible candidate glassy solids, PMMA and BK7, with an absolute low uncertainty of 2 %.

Next-generation hollow retroreflectors for lunar laser ranging.

PubMed

Preston, Alix; Merkowitz, Stephen

2013-12-20

The three retroreflector arrays put on the Moon 40 years ago by the Apollo astronauts and the French-built arrays on the Soviet Lunokhod rovers continue to be useful targets, and have provided the most stringent tests of the Strong Equivalence Principle and the time variation of Newton's gravitational constant, as well as valuable insight into the Moon's interior. However, the precision of the ranging measurements are now being limited by the physical size of the arrays and a new generation of retroreflectors is required to make significant advances over current capabilities. Large single-cube retroreflectors represent the most promising approach to overcoming current limitations, and hollow retroreflectors in particular have the potential to maintain their good optical performance over the nearly 300 K temperature swing that occurs during the lunar cycle. Typically, epoxies are used for aligning and bonding hollow retroreflectors, but their thermal stability will predominantly be limited by the difference of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the epoxy and the glass. A relatively new bonding method known as hydroxide catalysis bonding (HCB) has been used to adhere complex optical components for space-based missions. HCB has an extremely thin bond, a low CTE, and a high breaking strength that makes it an ideal candidate for bonding hollow retroreflectors for lunar laser ranging (LLR). In this work, we present results of a feasibility study of bonded Pyrex and fused silica hollow retroreflectors using both epoxy and HCB methods, including the results of thermally cycling the hollow retroreflectors from 295 to 185 K. Finally, we discuss the potential for using these retroreflectors for future LLR.

Microfabrication and characterization of an array of dielectric elastomer actuators generating uniaxial strain to stretch individual cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbari, S.; Shea, H. R.

2012-04-01

Cells regulate their behavior in response to mechanical strains. Cell cultures to study mechanotransuction are typically cm2 in area, far too large to monitor single cell response. We have developed an array of dielectric elastomer microactuators as a tool to study mechanotransduction of individual cells. The array consists of 72 100 µm × 200 µm electroactive polymer actuators which expand uniaxially when a voltage is applied. Single cells will be attached on each actuator to study their response to periodic mechanical strains. The device is fabricated by patterning compliant microelectrodes on both sides of a 30 µm thick polydimethylsiloxane membrane, which is bonded to a Pyrex chip with 200 µm wide trenches. Low-energy metal ion implantation is used to make stretchable electrodes and we demonstrate here the successful miniaturization of such ion-implanted electrodes. The top electrode covers the full membrane area, while the bottom electrodes are 100 µm wide parallel lines, perpendicular to the trenches. Applying a voltage between the top and bottom electrodes leads to uniaxial expansion of the membrane at the intersection of the bottom electrodes and the trenches. To characterize the in-plane strain, an array of 4 µm diameter aluminum dots is deposited on each actuator. The position of each dot is tracked, allowing displacement and strain profiles to be measured as a function of voltage. The uniaxial strain reaches 4.7% at 2.9 kV with a 0.2 s response time, sufficient to stimulate most cells with relevant biological strains and frequencies.

Quasi-solid polymer electrolytes using photo-cross-linked polymers. Lithium and divalent cation conductors and their applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, Shoichiro; Mori, Yoichi; Furuhashi, Yuri; Masuda, Hideki; Yamamoto, Osamu

In this report, we will present the results on the photo-cross-linked poly-(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) based quasi-solid, i.e. gel, polymer electrolyte systems with lithium, magnesium and zinc trifluoromethanesulfonates [triflate; M n(CF 3SO 3) n] and their preliminary applications to primary cells. The Celgard® membrane-impregnated electrolytes were prepared in the same manner as Abraham et al. [K.M. Abraham, M. Alamgir, D.K. Hoffman, J. Electrochem. Soc. 142 (1995) 683]. The precursor solutions were composed of metal triflates, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and tetraethylene glycol diacrylate. The Celgard® #3401 membrane was soaked overnight in the precursor solution, then clamped between two Pyrex glass plates and irradiated with UV light to form a gel electrolyte. The maxima of the conductivity obtained were 4.5×10 -4 S cm -1 at 12 mol% for LiCF 3SO 3, 1.7×10 -4 S cm -1 at 1 mol% for Mg(CF 3SO 3) 2, and 2.1×10 -4 S cm -1 at 4 mol% for Zn(CF 3SO 3) 2 system, respectively. The Arrhenius plots of the conductivities are almost linear between 268 and 338 K with 15-25 kJ/mol of activation energy for conduction. The cell, Li|LiCF 3SO 3-SPE+Celgard® #3401|(CH 3) 4NI 5+acetylene black, showed 2.86 V of OCV and could discharge up to 25% with respect to the cathode active material at a discharging current of 0.075 mA/cm 2.

Effect of thermocycling on nickel release from orthodontic arch wires: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Sheibaninia, Ahmad

2014-12-01

The amount of daily intake of metals from orthodontic appliances over time is a matter of great concern. Nickel results in one of the most common metal-induced allergic contact dermatitis in humans; it produces more allergic reactions than all the other metals combined together. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermocycling on the nickel release from orthodontic arch wires stored in artificial saliva with different pH values. Forty new wire pieces were selected. Each wire piece was placed in a special capillary Pyrex tube filled with artificial saliva, which was sealed and immersed in deionized water at 37 °C. The samples were divided into four groups of ten. Group I received no treatment; group II was subjected to thermocycling. The pH of storage in groups III and IV was reduced to 4.5, and group IV was subjected to thermocycling. Thermocycling was carried out between 5 and 55 °C for 500 cycles. The release of nickel ions was statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA for the effects of two variables: pH and thermocycling. The interaction between pH and thermocycling was found to be statistically significant (F = 12.127, P = 0.001). Two-way ANOVA showed that different storage media or pH and thermocycling had a significant effect on the nickel release (F = 52.812, P < 0.001 and F = 197.035, P < 0.001, respectively). Thermocycling and pH can adversely affect the release of nickel from orthodontic wires, while thermocycling is clearly the dominant factor.

Evaluation of adsorption effects on measurements of ammonia, acetic acid, and methanol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokelson, R. J.; Christian, T. J.; Bertschi, I. T.; Hao, W. M.

2003-10-01

We examined how adsorption and desorption of gases from inlets and a cell could affect the accuracy of closed-cell FTIR measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), methanol (CH3OH), acetic acid (CH3COOH), and ammonia (NH3). When standards were delivered to the cell through a stainless steel inlet, temporarily reduced transmission was observed for CH3OH and NH3. However, a halocarbon wax coated inlet (normally used on the system) had excellent transmission (comparable to room temperature Teflon) for both CH3OH and NH3, even at temperatures as low as 5°C. Thus the wax is valuable for coating sampling system components that cannot be fashioned from Teflon. The instrument had a delayed response (˜10-40 s) for NH3 only, which was attributed to passivation of the Pyrex multipass cell. To determine sampling artifacts that could arise from the complex sample matrix presented by smoke, the closed-cell FTIR system was intercompared with an open-path FTIR system (which is immune to sampling artifacts) in well-mixed smoke. A similar cell passivation delay for NH3 was the only artifact found in this test. Overall, the results suggest that ˜10 s is sufficient to detect >80% of an NH3/CO ratio sampled by our fast-flow, closed-cell system. Longer sampling times or consecutive samples return better results. In field campaigns the closed-cell system sampling times were normally 10 to >100 s so NH3 was probably underestimated by 5-15%.

Design and Simulation of a MEMS Structure for Electrophoretic and Dielectrophoretic Separation of Particles by Contactless Electrodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaw, Harry C.

2007-01-01

Rapid identification of pathogenic bacterial species is an important factor in combating public health problems such as E. coli contamination. Food and waterborne pathogens account for sickness in 76 million people annually (CDC). Diarrheagenic E. coli is a major source of gastrointestinal illness. Severe sepsis and Septicemia within the hospital environment are also major problems. 75 1,000 cases annually with a 30-50% mortality rate (Crit Care Med, July '01, Vol. 29, 1303-10). Patient risks run the continuum from fever to organ failure and death. Misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment increases mortality. There exists a need for rapid screening of samples for identification of pathogenic species (Certain E. coli strains are essential for health). Critical to the identification process is the ability to isolate analytes of interest rapidly. This poster discusses novel devices for the separation of particles on the basis of the dielectric properties, mass and surface charge characteristics is presented. Existing designs involve contact between electrode surfaces and analyte medium resulting in contamination of the electrode bearing elements Two different device designs using different bulk micromachining MEMS processes (PolyMUMPS and a PyrexBIGold electrode design) are presented. These designs cover a range of particle sizes from small molecules through eucaryotic cells. The application of separation of bacteria is discussed in detail. Simulation data for electrostatic and microfluidic characteristics are provided. Detailed design characteristics and physical features of the as fabricated PolyMUMPS design are provided. Analysis of the simulation data relative to the expected performance of the devices will be provided and subsequent conclusions discussed.

Fatal disseminated toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent cat.

PubMed

Nagel, Susanna S; Williams, June H; Schoeman, Johannes P

2013-02-14

A 10-year-old domestic short hair cat was referred for investigation of anorexia and polydipsia of 3 days' duration. Clinically the cat was obese, pyrexic (39.8 °C), had acute abdominal pain and severe bilirubinuria. Haematology and serum biochemistry revealed severe panleukopenia, thrombocytopenia, markedly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and five-fold increased pre-prandial bile acids. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen did not identify any abnormalities. Serum tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) were negative. Broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment for infectious hepatitis was to no avail; the cat deteriorated and died 72 h after admission. Necropsy revealed mild icterus and anaemia, severe multifocal hepatic necrosis, serofibrinous hydrothorax, pulmonary oedema and interstitial pneumonia. Histopathology confirmed the macroscopic findings and revealed multifocal microgranulomata in the brain and myocardium, as well as areas of necrosis in lymph nodes and multifocally in splenic red pulp. Long bone shaft marrow was hyperplastic with a predominance of leukocyte precursors and megakaryocytes and splenic red pulp showed mild extramedullary haemopoiesis. Immunohistochemical staining for Toxoplasma gondii was strongly positive, with scattered cysts and tachyzoites in the liver, lymph nodes, spleen, lungs, brain, salivary glands and intracellularly in round cells in occasional blood vessels. Immunohistochemical staining for corona virus on the same tissues was negative, ruling out feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on formalin-fixed paraffin-wax embedded tissues was positive for Toxoplasma sp., but attempts at sequencing were unsuccessful. This was the first case report of fulminant disseminated toxoplasmosis in South Africa, in which detailed histopathology in an apparently immunocompetent cat was described.

Production of low molecular weight hydrocarbons by volcanic eruptions on early Mars.

PubMed

Segura, Antígona; Navarro-González, Rafael

2005-10-01

Methane and other larger hydrocarbons have been proposed as possible greenhouse gases on early Mars. In this work we explore if volcanic processes may have been a source for such molecules based on theoretical and experimental considerations. Geologic evidence and numerical simulations indicate that explosive volcanism was widely distributed throughout Mars. Volcanic lightning is typically produced in such explosive volcanism. Therefore this geologic setting was studied to determine if lightning could be a source for hydrocarbons in volcanic plumes. Volcanic lightning was simulated by focusing a high-energy infrared laser beam inside of a Pyrex reactor that contained the proposed volcanic gas mixture composed of 64% CH(4), 24% H(2), 10% H(2)O and 2% N(2), according to an accretion model and the nitrogen content measured in Martian meteorites. The analysis of products was performed by gas chromatography coupled to infrared and mass spectroscopy. Eleven hydrocarbons were identified among the products, of which acetylene (C(2)H(2)) was the most abundant. A thermochemical model was used to determine which hydrocarbons could arise only from volcanic heat. In this case, acetylene and ethylene are formed at magmatic temperatures. Our results indicate that explosive volcanism may have injected into the atmosphere of early Mars approximately 6 x 10(12) g yr(-1) of acetylene, and approximately 2 x 10(12) g yr(-1) of 1,3-butadiyne, both produced by volcanic lightning, approximately 5 x 10(11) g yr(-1) of ethylene produced by volcanic heat, and 10(13) g yr(-1) of methane.

Light desorption from an yttrium neutralizer for Rb and Fr magneto-optical trap loading

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

Coppolaro, V.; Papi, N.; Khanbekyan, A.

2014-10-07

We present here the first evidence of photodesorption induced by low-intensity non-resonant light from an yttrium thin foil, which works as a neutralizer for Rb and Fr ions beam. Neutral atoms are suddenly ejected from the metal surface in a pulsed regime upon illumination with a broadband flash light and then released in the free volume of a pyrex cells. Here atoms are captured by a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT), which is effectively loaded by the photodesorption. Loading times of the order of the flash rise time are measured. Desorption is also obtained in the continuous regime, by exploiting CW visiblemore » illumination of the metallic neutralizer surface. We demonstrate that at lower CW light intensities vacuum conditions are not perturbed by the photodesorption and hence the MOT dynamics remains unaffected, while the trap population increases thanks to the incoming desorbed atoms flux. Even with the Y foil at room temperature and hence with no trapped atoms, upon visible illumination, the number of trapped atoms reaches 10{sup 5}. The experimental data are then analyzed by means of an analytical rate equation model, which allows the analysis of this phenomenon and its dynamics and allows the determination of critical experimental parameters and the test of the procedure in the framework of radioactive Francium trapping. In this view, together with an extensive investigation of the phenomenon with {sup 85}Rb, the first demonstration of the photodesorption-aided loading of a {sup 210}Fr MOT is shown.« less

Possible formation of amino acid precursors in the lower atmosphere of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, K.; Taniuchi, T.; Kaneko, T.; Al-Hanbali, H.; Yamori, A.; Miyakawa, S.; Takano, Y.

Titan is a quite interesting satellite of Saturn from the point of view of astrobiology and origins of life It has ca 0 15 MPa atmosphere mainly composed of nitrogen and methane which can give us the possible implication of primitive Earth environments There have been a great number of experiments simulating chemical reactions in Titan atmosphere In most experiments electric discharges and ultraviolet light were used as energy sources The former is simulation of charged particles trapped in Saturn s magnetosphere and the latter is simulation of solar light Thus it can be said that these experiments simulate chemical reaction in the upper thin atmosphere Cosmic rays are another possible energy source available in Titan atmosphere Their energy is so high that they can penetrate into the lower atmosphere of Titan The energy flux of cosmic rays in the lower Titan atmosphere was estimated as to 9 0 x 10 -3 erg cm -2 s -1 Sagan and Thompson 1984 In order to simulate the action of cosmic rays in Titan atmosphere we irradiated simulated Titan atmosphere with high-energy protons A gas mixture of methane 1-10 and nitrogen balance total pressure was 700 Torr was sealed in a Pyrex tube with a window of Havar foil 0 01 mm thick It was irradiated with 3 MeV protons from a van de Graaff accelerator Tokyo Institute of Technology The products were dissolved in water dichloromethane tetrahydrofuran or benzene They were evaporated to dryness and then acid-hydrolyzed Amino acids were analyzed by cation exchange HPLC

Micro-Columnated Loop Heat Pipe: The Future of Electronic Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhillon, Navdeep Singh

The modern world is run by semiconductor-based electronic systems. Due to continuous improvements in semiconductor device fabrication, there is a clear trend in the market towards the development of electronic devices and components that not only deliver enhanced computing power, but are also more compact. Thermal management has emerged as the primary challenge in this scenario where heat flux dissipation of electronic chips is increasing exponentially, but conventional cooling solutions such as conduction and convection are no longer feasible. To keep device junction temperatures within the safe operating limit, there is an urgent requirement for ultra-high-conductivity thermal substrates that not only absorb and transport large heat fluxes, but can also provide localized cooling to thermal hotspots. This dissertation describes the design, modeling, and fabrication of a phase change-based, planar, ultra-thin, passive thermal transport system that is inspired by the concept of loop heat pipes and capillary pumped loops. Fabricated on silicon and Pyrex wafers using microfabrication techniques, the micro-columnated loop heat pipe (muCLHP) can be integrated directly with densely packed or multiply-stacked electronic substrates, to provide localized high-heat-flux thermal management. The muCLHP employs a dual-scale coherent porous silicon(CPS)-based micro-columnated wicking structure, where the primary CPS wick provides large capillary forces for fluid transport, while a secondary surface-wick maximizes the rate of thin-film evaporation. To overcome the wick thickness limitation encountered in conventional loop heat pipes, strategies based on MEMS surface micromachining techniques were developed to reduce parasitic heat flow from the evaporator to the compensation chamber of the device. Finite element analysis was used to confirm this reduction in a planar evaporator design, thus enabling the generation of a large motive temperature head for continuous device operation. To predict the overall heat carrying capacity of the muCLHP in the capillary pumping limit, an analytical model was developed to account for a steady state pressure balance in the device flow loop. Based on this model, a design optimization study, employing monotonicity analysis and numerical optimization techniques, was undertaken. It was found that an optimized muCLHP device can absorb heat fluxes as large as 1293 W/cm2 when water is used as a working fluid. A finite volume method-based numerical model was also developed to compute the rates of thin-film evaporation from the patterned surface of the secondary wick. The numerical results indicated that, by properly optimizing the dual-scale wick topology, allowable evaporative heat fluxes can be made commensurate with the heat flux performance predicted by the capillary pumping limit. The latter part of the dissertation deals with the fabrication, packaging, and experimental testing of several in-plane-wicking micro loop heat pipe (muLHP) prototypes. These devices were fabricated on silicon and Pyrex substrates and closely resemble the muCLHP design philosophy, with the exception that the CPS wick is substituted with an easier to fabricate in-plane wick. A novel thermal-flux method was developed for the degassing and fluid charging of the muLHP prototypes. Experiments were conducted to study the process of evaporation and dynamics of the liquid and vapor phases in the device flow loop. Using these results, the overall device and individual component topologies critical to the operation of the two-phase flow loop were identified. A continuous two-phase device flow loop was demonstrated for applied evaporator heat fluxes as high as 41 W/cm2. The performance of these devices, currently found to be limited by the motive temperature head requirement, can be significantly improved by implementing the parasitic heat flow-reduction strategies developed in this work. The 3-D thin-film evaporation model, when integrated into the overall device modeling framework, will enable a design optimization of the micro-columnated wick for further device performance enhancements.

The fabrication of a double-layer atom chip with through silicon vias for an ultra-high-vacuum cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Ho-Chiao; Lin, Yun-Siang; Lin, Yu-Hsin; Huang, Chi-Sheng

2014-04-01

This study presents a double-layer atom chip that provides users with increased diversity in the design of the wire patterns and flexibility in the design of the magnetic field. It is more convenient for use in atomic physics experiments. A negative photoresist, SU-8, was used as the insulating layer between the upper and bottom copper wires. The electrical measurement results show that the upper and bottom wires with a width of 100 µm can sustain a 6 A current without burnout. Another focus of this study is the double-layer atom chips integrated with the through silicon via (TSV) technique, and anodically bonded to a Pyrex glass cell, which makes it a desired vacuum chamber for atomic physics experiments. Thus, the bonded glass cell not only significantly reduces the overall size of the ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) chamber but also conducts the high current from the backside to the front side of the atom chip via the TSV under UHV (9.5 × 10-10 Torr). The TSVs with a diameter of 70 µm were etched through by the inductively coupled plasma ion etching and filled by the bottom-up copper electroplating method. During the anodic bonding process, the electroplated copper wires and TSVs on atom chips also need to pass the examination of the required bonding temperature of 250 °C, under an applied voltage of 1000 V. Finally, the UHV test of the double-layer atom chips with TSVs at room temperature can be reached at 9.5 × 10-10 Torr, thus satisfying the requirements of atomic physics experiments under an UHV environment.

Characterization of the thin layer photocatalysts TiO2 and V2O5- and Fe2O3- doped TiO2 prepared by the sol-gel method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loc Luu, Cam; Nguyen, Quoc Tuan; Thoang Ho, Si; Nguyen, Tri

2013-09-01

The catalysts TiO2 and TiO2 doped with Fe and V were prepared using the sol-gel method. TiO2-modified samples were obtained in the form of a thick film on pyrex glass sticks and tubes and were used as catalysts in the gas phase photo-oxidation of p-xylene. The physico-chemical characteristics of the catalysts were determined using the methods of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller adsorption, x-ray diffraction, and infrared, ultraviolet and visible and Raman spectroscopies. The experimental results show that the introduction of V did not expand the region of light absorption, but slightly reduced the size of the TiO2 particles, and reduced the number of OH-groups, which should decrease the photocatalytic activity and efficiency of the obtained catalysts compared to those of pure TiO2. The Fe-doped TiO2 samples, in contrast, are characterized by an extension of the spectrum of photon absorption to the visible region with wavenumbers λ up to 464 nm and the values of their band gap energy decreased to lower quantities (up to 2.67 eV), therefore they should have higher catalytic activity and conversion efficiency of p-xylene in the visible region than the original sample. For these catalysts, a combined utilization of radiation by ultraviolet (λ = 365 nm) and visible (λ = 470 nm) light increased the activity and the yield in p-xylene conversion by a factor of around 2-3, as well as making these quantities more stable in comparison with those of TiO2-P25 Degussa.

The discrete regime of flame propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Francois-David; Goroshin, Samuel; Higgins, Andrew

The propagation of laminar dust flames in iron dust clouds was studied in a low-gravity envi-ronment on-board a parabolic flight aircraft. The elimination of buoyancy-induced convection and particle settling permitted measurements of fundamental combustion parameters such as the burning velocity and the flame quenching distance over a wide range of particle sizes and in different gaseous mixtures. The discrete regime of flame propagation was observed by substitut-ing nitrogen present in air with xenon, an inert gas with a significantly lower heat conductivity. Flame propagation in the discrete regime is controlled by the heat transfer between neighbor-ing particles, rather than by the particle burning rate used by traditional continuum models of heterogeneous flames. The propagation mechanism of discrete flames depends on the spa-tial distribution of particles, and thus such flames are strongly influenced by local fluctuations in the fuel concentration. Constant pressure laminar dust flames were observed inside 70 cm long, 5 cm diameter Pyrex tubes. Equally-spaced plate assemblies forming rectangular chan-nels were placed inside each tube to determine the quenching distance defined as the minimum channel width through which a flame can successfully propagate. High-speed video cameras were used to measure the flame speed and a fiber optic spectrometer was used to measure the flame temperature. Experimental results were compared with predictions obtained from a numerical model of a three-dimensional flame developed to capture both the discrete nature and the random distribution of particles in the flame. Though good qualitative agreement was obtained between model predictions and experimental observations, residual g-jitters and the short reduced-gravity periods prevented further investigations of propagation limits in the dis-crete regime. The full exploration of the discrete flame phenomenon would require high-quality, long duration reduced gravity environment available only on orbital platforms.

A High-Q Resonant Pressure Microsensor with Through-Glass Electrical Interconnections Based on Wafer-Level MEMS Vacuum Packaging

PubMed Central

Luo, Zhenyu; Chen, Deyong; Wang, Junbo; Li, Yinan; Chen, Jian

2014-01-01

This paper presents a high-Q resonant pressure microsensor with through-glass electrical interconnections based on wafer-level MEMS vacuum packaging. An approach to maintaining high-vacuum conditions by integrating the MEMS fabrication process with getter material preparation is presented in this paper. In this device, the pressure under measurement causes a deflection of a pressure-sensitive silicon square diaphragm, which is further translated to stress build up in “H” type doubly-clamped micro resonant beams, leading to a resonance frequency shift. The device geometries were optimized using FEM simulation and a 4-inch SOI wafer was used for device fabrication, which required only three photolithographic steps. In the device fabrication, a non-evaporable metal thin film as the getter material was sputtered on a Pyrex 7740 glass wafer, which was then anodically bonded to the patterned SOI wafer for vacuum packaging. Through-glass via holes predefined in the glass wafer functioned as the electrical interconnections between the patterned SOI wafer and the surrounding electrical components. Experimental results recorded that the Q-factor of the resonant beam was beyond 22,000, with a differential sensitivity of 89.86 Hz/kPa, a device resolution of 10 Pa and a nonlinearity of 0.02% F.S with the pressure varying from 50 kPa to 100 kPa. In addition, the temperature drift coefficient was less than −0.01% F.S/°C in the range of −40 °C to 70 °C, the long-term stability error was quantified as 0.01% F.S over a 5-month period and the accuracy of the microsensor was better than 0.01% F.S. PMID:25521385

Evaluation of the thermal conductance of flip-chip bonding structure utilizing the measurement based on Fourier's law of heat conduction at steady-state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Chia-Yu; Huang, Yin-Hsien; Wu, Hsin-Han; Hsieh, Tsung-Eong

2018-06-01

Fourier's law of heat conduction at steady-state was adopted to establish a measurement method utilizing platinum (Pt) thin-film electrodes as the heater and the temperature sensor. The thermal conductivities (κ's) of Pyrex glass, an epoxy resin and a commercial underfill for flip-chip devices were measured and a good agreement with previously reported values was obtained. The thermal boundary resistances (RTBR's) of Pt/sample interfaces were also extracted for discussing their influence on the thermal conduction of samples. Afterward, the flip-chip samples with 2×2 solder joint array utilizing Si wafers as the die and the substrate, without and with the underfills, were prepared and their thermal conductance were measured. For the sample without underfill, the air presenting in the gap of die and the substrate led to the poor thermal conductance of sample. With the insertion of underfills, the thermal conductance of flip-chip samples improved. The resistance to heat transfer across Si/underfill interfaces was also suppressed and to promote the thermal conductance of samples. The thermal properties of underfill and RTBR at Si/underfill interface were further implanted in the calculation of thermal conductance of flip-chip samples containing various solder joint arrays. The increasing number of solder joints diminished the influence of thermal conduction of underfill and RTBR of Si/underfill interface on the thermal conductance of samples. The insertion of underfill with high-κ value might promote the heat conductance of samples containing low-density solder joint arrays; however, it became insignificant in improving the heat conductance of samples containing high-density solder joint arrays.

Optical pumping and xenon NMR

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

Raftery, M. Daniel

1991-11-01

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of xenon has become an important tool for investigating a wide variety of materials, especially those with high surface area. The sensitivity of its chemical shift to environment, and its chemical inertness and adsorption properties make xenon a particularly useful NMR probe. This work discusses the application of optical pumping to enhance the sensitivity of xenon NMR experiments, thereby allowing them to be used in the study of systems with lower surface area. A novel method of optically-pumping 129Xe in low magnetic field below an NMR spectrometer and subsequent transfer of the gas to highmore » magnetic field is described. NMR studies of the highly polarized gas adsorbed onto powdered samples with low to moderate surface areas are now possible. For instance, NMR studies of optically-pumped xenon adsorbed onto polyacrylic acid show that xenon has a large interaction with the surface. By modeling the low temperature data in terms of a sticking probability and the gas phase xenon-xenon interaction, the diffusion coefficient for xenon at the surface of the polymer is determined. The sensitivity enhancement afforded by optical pumping also allows the NMR observation of xenon thin films frozen onto the inner surfaces of different sample cells. The geometry of the thin films results in interesting line shapes that are due to the bulk magnetic susceptibility of xenon. Experiments are also described that combine optical pumping with optical detection for high sensitivity in low magnetic field to observe the quadrupoler evolution of 131 Xe spins at the surface of the pumping cells. In cells with macroscopic asymmetry, a residual quadrupolar interaction causes a splitting in the 131Xe NMR frequencies in bare Pyrex glass cells and cells with added hydrogen.« less

Optical pumping and xenon NMR

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

Raftery, M.D.

1991-11-01

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of xenon has become an important tool for investigating a wide variety of materials, especially those with high surface area. The sensitivity of its chemical shift to environment, and its chemical inertness and adsorption properties make xenon a particularly useful NMR probe. This work discusses the application of optical pumping to enhance the sensitivity of xenon NMR experiments, thereby allowing them to be used in the study of systems with lower surface area. A novel method of optically-pumping [sup 129]Xe in low magnetic field below an NMR spectrometer and subsequent transfer of the gas tomore » high magnetic field is described. NMR studies of the highly polarized gas adsorbed onto powdered samples with low to moderate surface areas are now possible. For instance, NMR studies of optically-pumped xenon adsorbed onto polyacrylic acid show that xenon has a large interaction with the surface. By modeling the low temperature data in terms of a sticking probability and the gas phase xenon-xenon interaction, the diffusion coefficient for xenon at the surface of the polymer is determined. The sensitivity enhancement afforded by optical pumping also allows the NMR observation of xenon thin films frozen onto the inner surfaces of different sample cells. The geometry of the thin films results in interesting line shapes that are due to the bulk magnetic susceptibility of xenon. Experiments are also described that combine optical pumping with optical detection for high sensitivity in low magnetic field to observe the quadrupoler evolution of 131 Xe spins at the surface of the pumping cells. In cells with macroscopic asymmetry, a residual quadrupolar interaction causes a splitting in the [sup 131]Xe NMR frequencies in bare Pyrex glass cells and cells with added hydrogen.« less

Effect of heat treatment on the antioxidant activity of extracts from citrus peels.

PubMed

Jeong, Seok-Moon; Kim, So-Young; Kim, Dong-Ryul; Jo, Seong-Chun; Nam, K C; Ahn, D U; Lee, Seung-Cheol

2004-06-02

The effect of heat treatment on the antioxidant activity of extracts from Citrus unshiu peels was evaluated. Citrus peels (CP) (5 g) were placed in Pyrex Petri dishes (8.0 cm diameter) and heat-treated at 50, 100, or 150 degrees C for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min in an electric muffle furnace. After heat treatment, 70% ethanol extract (EE) and water extract (WE) (0.1 g/10 mL) of CP were prepared, and total phenol contents (TPC), radical scavenging activity (RSA), and reducing power of the extracts were determined. The antioxidant activities of CP extracts increased as heating temperature increased. For example, heat treatment of CP at 150 degrees C for 60 min increased the TPC, RSA, and reducing power of EE from 71.8 to 171.0 microM, from 29.64 to 64.25%, and from 0.45 to 0.82, respectively, compared to non-heat-treated control. In the case of WE from CP heat-treated at the same conditions (150 degrees C for 60 min), the TPC, RSA, and reducing power also increased from 84.4 to 204.9 microM, from 15.81 to 58.26%, and from 0.27 to 0.96, respectively. Several low molecular weight phenolic compounds such as 2,3-diacetyl-1-phenylnaphthalene, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldoxime, 5-hydroxyvaleric acid, 2,3-diacetyl-1-phenylnaphthalene, and vanillic acid were newly formed in the CP heated at 150 degrees C for 30 min. These results indicated that the antioxidant activity of CP extracts was significantly affected by heating temperature and duration of treatment on CP and that the heating process can be used as a tool for increasing the antioxidant activity of CP.

A high-Q resonant pressure microsensor with through-glass electrical interconnections based on wafer-level MEMS vacuum packaging.

PubMed

Luo, Zhenyu; Chen, Deyong; Wang, Junbo; Li, Yinan; Chen, Jian

2014-12-16

This paper presents a high-Q resonant pressure microsensor with through-glass electrical interconnections based on wafer-level MEMS vacuum packaging. An approach to maintaining high-vacuum conditions by integrating the MEMS fabrication process with getter material preparation is presented in this paper. In this device, the pressure under measurement causes a deflection of a pressure-sensitive silicon square diaphragm, which is further translated to stress build up in "H" type doubly-clamped micro resonant beams, leading to a resonance frequency shift. The device geometries were optimized using FEM simulation and a 4-inch SOI wafer was used for device fabrication, which required only three photolithographic steps. In the device fabrication, a non-evaporable metal thin film as the getter material was sputtered on a Pyrex 7740 glass wafer, which was then anodically bonded to the patterned SOI wafer for vacuum packaging. Through-glass via holes predefined in the glass wafer functioned as the electrical interconnections between the patterned SOI wafer and the surrounding electrical components. Experimental results recorded that the Q-factor of the resonant beam was beyond 22,000, with a differential sensitivity of 89.86 Hz/kPa, a device resolution of 10 Pa and a nonlinearity of 0.02% F.S with the pressure varying from 50 kPa to 100 kPa. In addition, the temperature drift coefficient was less than -0.01% F.S/°C in the range of -40 °C to 70 °C, the long-term stability error was quantified as 0.01% F.S over a 5-month period and the accuracy of the microsensor was better than 0.01% F.S.

Permanent physico-chemical properties of extremely diluted aqueous solutions of homeopathic medicines.

PubMed

Elia, V; Baiano, S; Duro, I; Napoli, E; Niccoli, M; Nonatelli, L

2004-07-01

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the influence of successive dilutions and succussions on the water structure. 'Extremely diluted solutions' (EDS) are solutions obtained through the iteration of two processes: dilution in stages of 1:100 and succussion, typically used in homeopathic medicine. The iteration is repeated until extreme dilutions are reached, so that the chemical composition of the solution is identical to that of the solvent. Nine different preparations, were studied from the 3cH to 30cH (Hahnemannian Centesimal Dilution). Four of those were without the active principle (potentized water). Two different active principles were used: Arsenicum sulphuratum rubrum (ASR), As4S4, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D). The solvents were: a solution of sodium bicarbonate and of silicic acid at 5 x 10(-5) M (mol/l) each, and solutions of sodium bicarbonate 5 x 10(-5), 7.5 x 10(-5) and 10 x 10(-5) M (mol/l) in double-distilled water. The containers were Pyrex glass to avoid the release of alkaline oxide and silica from the walls. Conductivity measurements of the solutions were carried out as a function of the age of the potencies. We found increases of electrical conductivity compared to untreated solvent. Successive dilution and succussion can permanently alter the physico-chemical properties of the aqueous solvent. But we also detected changes in physio-chemical parameters with time. This has not previously been reported. The modification of the solvent could provide an important support to the validity of homeopathic medicine, that employs 'medicines without molecules'. The nature of the phenomena here described remains still unexplained, nevertheless some significant experimental results were obtained.

Kinetics of heterogeneous reactions of HO2 radical at ambient concentration levels with (NH4)2SO4 and NaCl aerosol particles.

PubMed

Taketani, Fumikazu; Kanaya, Yugo; Akimoto, Hajime

2008-03-20

The HO2 uptake coefficient (gamma) for inorganic submicrometer wet and dry aerosol particles ((NH4)2SO4 and NaCl) under ambient conditions (760 Torr and 296 +/- 2 K) was measured using an aerosol flow tube (AFT) coupled with a chemical conversion/laser-induced fluorescence (CC/LIF) technique. The CC/LIF technique enabled experiments to be performed at almost the same HO2 radical concentration as that in the atmosphere. HO2 radicals were injected into the AFT through a vertically movable Pyrex tube. Injector position-dependent profiles of LIF intensity were measured as a function of aerosol concentration. Measured gamma values for dry aerosols of (NH4)2SO4 were 0.04 +/- 0.02 and 0.05 +/- 0.02 at 20% and 45% relative humidity (RH), respectively, while those of NaCl were <0.01 and 0.02 +/- 0.01 at 20% and 53% RH, respectively. For wet (NH4)2SO4 aerosols, measured gamma values were 0.11 +/- 0.03, 0.15 +/- 0.03, 0.17 +/- 0.04, and 0.19 +/- 0.04, at 45%, 55%, 65%, and 75% RH, respectively, whereas for wet NaCl aerosols the values were 0.11 +/- 0.03, 0.09 +/- 0.02, and 0.10 +/- 0.02 for 53%, 63%, and 75% RH, respectively. Wet (NH4)2SO4 and NaCl aerosols doped with CuSO4 showed gamma values of 0.53 +/- 0.12 and 0.65 +/- 0.17, respectively. These results suggest that compositions, RH, and phase for aerosol particles are significant to HO2 uptake. Potential HO2 loss processes and their atmospheric contributions are discussed.

Submillimeter Wave Spectrum of Thioacetaldehyde and its Search in SgrB2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margulès, L.; Motiyenko, R. A.; Guillemin, J.-C.; Ellinger, Y.; McGuire, Brett A.; Remijan, Anthony

2017-06-01

Sulfur chemistry in the interstellar medium is clearly misunderstood, the tenth most abundant element in the Galaxy, it is depleted in molecular clouds by a factor of 1000. This suggests that sulfur chemistry is important on icy grain mantles, and that sulfur-bearing molecules may be not detected yet due to the lack of laboratory data. The present study is about thioacetaldehyde (CH_3CHS), the analog of acetaldehyde. Previously, the rotational spectra were recorded up to 40 GHz. New spectra were recorded from 150 to 660 GHz using the Lille solid-state based spectrometer. The new fast version of the spectrometer using DDS component is particulary suitable for reactive species like thioacetaldehyde. Thioacetaldehyde was produced in-situ by pyrolisis at 750° {C} and introduced in a 1m long pyrex cell in a flow mode. Analysis of the spectra is not obvious, like in acetaldehyde, as this molecule exhibits internal rotation of the methyl group. The internal rotation barrier is higher in thioacetaldehyde, 542 cm-1, than in acetaldehyde, 408 cm-1. However, the coupling between the internal rotation and the overall rotation in thioacetaldehyde is strong, the coupling parameter ρ value is 0.261 just slightly smaller than the acetaldehyde value of 0.329. The spectroscopic results and its searches in SgrB2 will be presented. A. Tieftrunk; et al., 1994, A&A 289, 579 H. Kroto; et al., 1974, Chem. Phys. Lett. 29, 265 H. Kroto; et al., 1976, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 62, 346 This work was supported by the CNES and the Action sur Projets de l'INSU, PCMI. This work was also done under ANR-13-BS05-0008-02 IMOLABS

Ultraviolet irradiation effects incorporation of nitrate and nitrite nitrogen into aquatic natural organic matter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thorn, Kevin A.; Cox, Larry G.

2012-01-01

One of the concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of ultraviolet radiation for treatment of drinking water and wastewater is the fate of nitrate, particularly its photolysis to nitrite. In this study, 15N NMR was used to establish for the first time that UV irradiation effects the incorporation of nitrate and nitrite nitrogen into aquatic natural organic matter (NOM). Irradiation of 15N-labeled nitrate in aqueous solution with an unfiltered medium pressure mercury lamp resulted in the incorporation of nitrogen into Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) via nitrosation and other reactions over a range of pH from approximately 3.2 to 8.0, both in the presence and absence of bicarbonate, confirming photonitrosation of the NOM. The major forms of the incorporated label include nitrosophenol, oxime/nitro, pyridine, nitrile, and amide nitrogens. Natural organic matter also catalyzed the reduction of nitrate to ammonia on irradiation. The nitrosophenol and oxime/nitro nitrogens were found to be susceptible to photodegradation on further irradiation when nitrate was removed from the system. At pH 7.5, unfiltered irradiation resulted in the incorporation of 15N-labeled nitrite into SRNOM in the form of amide, nitrile, and pyridine nitrogen. In the presence of bicarbonate at pH 7.4, Pyrex filtered (cutoff below 290–300 nm) irradiation also effected incorporation of nitrite into SRNOM as amide nitrogen. We speculate that nitrosation of NOM from the UV irradiation of nitrate also leads to production of nitrogen gas and nitrous oxide, a process that may be termed photo-chemodenitrification. Irradiation of SRNOM alone resulted in transformation or loss of naturally abundant heterocyclic nitrogens.

Effect of Temperature of Liquid Nitrogen on Radiation Resistance of Spores of Clostridium botulinum1

PubMed Central

Grecz, Nicholas; Snyder, O. P.; Walker, A. A.; Anellis, A.

1965-01-01

An apparatus consisting of a Dewar flask and a relay system controlling the flow of liquid nitrogen permitted the irradiation of samples in tin cans or Pyrex tubes at temperatures ranging from 0 ± 1.5 C to -194 ± 2 C. An inoculated pack comprising 320 cans of ground beef containing 5 × 104 spores of Clostridium botulinum 33A per can (10 cans per radiation dose) was irradiated with Co60 at 0 and -196 C. Incubation was carried out at 30 C for 6 months. Approximately 0.9 Mrad more radiation was required to inactivate the spores at -196 C than at 0 C. Cans irradiated at -196 C showed partial spoilage at 3.6 Mrad and no spoilage at 3.9 Mrad; the corresponding spoilage-no spoilage doses at 0 C were 2.7 and 3.0, respectively. The majority of positive cans swelled in 2 to 14 days; occasional swelling occurred as late as 20 days. At progressively higher doses, swelling was delayed proportionally to the radiation dose received. The remaining nonswollen cans had no toxin after 6 months of storage, although occasional cans contained very low numbers of viable spores comprising on the average 0.1% of the original spore inoculum. The D10 values in phosphate buffer were 0.290 Mrad for 0 C and 0.396 Mrad for -196 C; in ground beef, the corresponding D10 values were 0.463 Mrad and 0.680 Mrad, respectively. These D10 values indicate that the lethal effect of γ rays decreased at -196 C as compared with 0 C by 13.5% in phosphate buffer, and by 47% in ground beef. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 PMID:14339257

Surface vibrational relaxation of N2 studied by CO2 titration with time-resolved quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinov, D.; Lopatik, D.; Guaitella, O.; Hübner, M.; Ionikh, Y.; Röpcke, J.; Rousseau, A.

2012-05-01

A new method for determination of the wall de-excitation probability \\gamma _{N_2 } of vibrationally excited N2 on different surfaces exposed to low-pressure plasmas has been developed. A short dc discharge pulse of only a few milliseconds was applied to a mixture containing 0.05-1% of CO2 in N2 at a pressure of 133 Pa. Due to a nearly resonant fast vibrational transfer between N2(v) and the asymmetric ν3 mode of CO2 the vibrational excitation of these titrating molecules is an image of the degree of vibrational excitation of N2. In the afterglow, the vibrational relaxation of CO2 was monitored in situ using quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy. The experimental results were interpreted in terms of a numerical model of non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics in CO2-N2 mixtures. Heterogeneous relaxation was the main quenching process of N2(v) under the conditions of this study, which allowed determination of the value of \\gamma _{N_2 } from the best agreement between the experiment and the model. The new method is suitable for \\gamma _{N_2 } determination in a single plasma pulse with the discharge tube surface pretreated by a low-pressure plasma. The relaxation probability of the first vibrational level of nitrogen γ1 = (1.1 ± 0.15) × 10-3 found for Pyrex and silica is in reasonable agreement with the literature data. Using the new technique the N2(v = 1) quenching probability was measured on TiO2 surface, γ1 = (9 ± 1) × 10-3. A linear enhancement of the N2(v) wall deactivation probability with an increase in the admixture of CO2 was observed for all studied materials. In order to explain this effect, a vibrational energy transfer mechanism between N2(v) and adsorbed CO2 is proposed.

New method of metallization for silicon solar cells. Final report, December 1978-September 1979

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

Macha, Milo

1979-12-01

Research on a new metallization process based on the Mo-Sn system is described. MoO/sub 3/ is used as the source of Mo, since its relatively low melting point and ease of reduction to metallic molybdenum. The tasks performed during this study include: (1) establishing the reduction cycle for MoO/sub 3/; (2) determining the reaction mechanism for MoO/sub 3/-Sn mixture; (3) establishing the ratio of MoO/sub 3/-Sn for the ink composition; (4) formulation of screenable ink; (5) evaluation of photovoltaic cells metallized with the ink; (6) comparison of the Mo-Sn metallization with nickel plated and silk screened silver contacts; (7) environmentalmore » test of metallized cells; (8) metallization of N/P cells with BSF and comparison with cells metallized with evaporated Ti-Ag contact; and (9) cost analysis of the process. The reaction mechanism study of MoO/sub 3/ and its mixture with Sn was conducted in an experimental station consisting of a graphite strip-heater and a Pyrex belljar under close control of temperature-atmosphere-time while allowing visual observations of the reactions. The metallization of the cells was done in a diffusion tube furnace. In order to obtain a low ohmic contact to the cell, the basic ink composition was modified with a small addition of titanium in the form of titanium resinate. The electrical characteristics of the cells were comparable with the existing metallization processes. The cost analysis was based on projected production output of one MegaWatt per year, using 2''diam. Silicon crystal wafers and the current material costs. In comparison with the standard processes using silver as the contacting metal, the saving obtained by the use of this new process is a direct result of the price difference between silver and molybdenum oxide with tin.« less

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus vaccine candidate (V3526) safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in horses.

PubMed

Fine, Donald L; Roberts, Brian A; Teehee, Max L; Terpening, Sara J; Kelly, Cindy L H; Raetz, Janae L; Baker, Dale C; Powers, Ann M; Bowen, Richard A

2007-02-26

A new vaccine, V3526, is a live-attenuated virus derived by site-directed mutagenesis from a virulent clone of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) IA/B Trinidad donkey (TrD) strain, intended for human use in protection against Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE). Two studies were conducted in horses to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, ability to boost and protective efficacy of V3526 against challenges of TrD and VEEV IE 64A99. Horses were vaccinated subcutaneously (SC) with 10(7), 10(5), 10(3) or 10(2) plaque-forming units (pfu) of V3526. Control horses were sham immunized. In the first study, challenge viruses (TrD or 64A99) were administered SC 28 days post-vaccination (PV). No viremia and only mild fluctuation in white blood cell counts were observed PV. None of the V3526 vaccinated horses showed clinical signs of disease or pathology of VEE post-challenge (PC). In contrast, control horses challenged SC with 10(4)pfu TrD became viremic and showed classical signs of VEE beginning on Day 3 PC, including elevated body temperature, anorexia, leukopenia and malaise. Moderate to severe encephalitis was found in three of five control horses challenged with TrD. Control horses challenged with 64A99 failed to develop detectable viremia, but did exhibit a brief febrile episode at 1-3 days PC. None of the 10 immunized horses challenged with 64A99 became pyrexic. Twenty four of 25 horses immunized with V3526 in the first study developed serum neutralizing antibody to TrD and 64A99 within 14 days PV. Vaccinations with V3526, at doses as low as 10(2)pfu, were safe and efficacious in protecting horses against a virulent TrD virus challenge. The second study supported that repeat dosing resulted in an increase in serum neutralizing antibody to TrD.

Pressure-Dependent Yields and Product Branching Ratios in the Broadband Photolysis of Chlorine Nitrate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nickolaisen, Scott L.; Sander, Stanley P.; Friedl, Randall R.

1996-01-01

The photolysis of chlorine nitrate was studied using broadband flash photolysis coupled with long-path ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. Branching ratios for the Cl + NO3 and ClO + NO2 product channels were determined from time-dependent measurements of ClO and NO3 concentrations. Yields of the ClO and NO3 products displayed a dependence on the bath gas density and the spectral distribution of the photolysis pulse. Product yields decreased with increasing bath gas density regardless of the spectral distribution of the photolysis pulse; however, the decrease in product yield was much more pronounced when photolysis was limited to longer wavelengths. For photolysis in a quartz cell (lambda > 200 nm) the yield decreased by a factor of 2 over the pressure 10-100 Torr. In a Pyrex cell (lambda > 300 nm), the yield decreased by a factor of 50 over the same pressure range. When photolysis was limited to lambda > 350 nm, the yield decreased by a factor of 250. Branching ratios for the photolysis channels [ClONO2 + h.nu yields ClO + NO2 (1a) and ClONO2 + h.nu yields Cl + NO3 (lb)] were determined from the relative ClO and NO3 product yields at various pressures. Although the absolute product yield displayed a pressure dependence, the branching between the two channels was independent of pressure. The relative branching ratios (assuming negligible contributions from other channels) are 0.61 +/- 0.20 for channel 1a and 0.39 +/- 0.20 for channel lb for photolysis with lambda > 200 nm and 0.44 +/- 0.08 for channel 1a and 0.56 +/- 0.08 for channel 1b for photolysis with lambda > 300 nm. The implications of these results for the chemistry of the lower stratosphere are discussed.

UV absorption cross sections between 290 and 380 nm of a series of furanaldehydes: Estimation of their photolysis lifetimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colmenar, Inmaculada; González, Sergio; Jiménez, Elena; Martín, Pilar; Salgado, Sagrario; Cabañas, Beatriz; Albaladejo, José

2015-02-01

Furanaldehydes, such as 2-furanaldehyde (also known as furfural), 3-furanaldehyde and 5-methyl-2-furanaldehyde, are aromatic aldehydes which can be present in the atmosphere as primary and secondary pollutants. The atmospheric removal initiated by sunlight for these species is not well-known in the solar actinic region (at λ > 290 nm), mainly due to the absence of data concerning the UV absorption cross sections (σλ) and photolysis frequencies (Ji(z,θ)). In this work σλ for the mentioned furanaldehydes have been determined between 290 and 380 nm at room temperature for the first time. Experiments were performed in an absorption jacketed Pyrex cell, employing a deuterium lamp as irradiation source and a CCD detector. The obtained absorption spectra exhibit absorption maxima around 320 nm with absolute absorption cross sections of 1.13, 0.75 and 1.14 × 10-19 cm2 molecule-1 for 2-furanaldehyde, 3-furanaldehyde and 5-methyl-2-furanaldehyde, respectively. The reported UV absorption cross sections were used to provide estimates of Ji(z,θ) and, therefore, estimates of the lifetime (τhν) due to this atmospheric removal process, under different solar radiation situations. Estimated τhν have been compared with the lifetimes due to the homogeneous reaction with the main diurnal tropospheric oxidants. The results obtained suggest that photolysis in the actinic region can be the main degradation pathway for these furanaldehydes when assuming a quantum yield (Φλ) of unity and the maximum solar actinic flux, while photolysis can compete with the reaction of OH radicals when assuming Φλ = 0.1. On the contrary, the removal of all three furanaldehydes by the reactions with OH radicals becomes more important than the UV photolysis under low solar actinic flux conditions independently of Φλ. If the emission source of these furanaldehydes also occurs during the nighttime NO3 radicals will dominate the elimination process of these species.

Education and equipment for people who smoke crack cocaine in Canada: progress and limits.

PubMed

Strike, Carol; Watson, Tara Marie

2017-05-12

People who smoke crack cocaine experience a wide variety of health-related issues. However, public health programming designed for this population is limited, particularly in comparison with programming for people who inject drugs. Canadian best practice recommendations encourage needle and syringe programs (NSPs) to provide education about safer crack cocaine smoking practices, distribute safer smoking equipment, and provide options for safer disposal of used equipment. We conducted an online survey of NSP managers across Canada to estimate the proportions of NSPs that provide education and distribute safer smoking equipment to people who smoke crack cocaine. We also assessed change in pipe distribution practices between 2008 and 2015 in the province of Ontario. Analysis of data from 80 programs showed that the majority (0.76) provided education to clients on reducing risks associated with sharing crack cocaine smoking equipment and about when to replace smoking equipment (0.78). The majority (0.64) also distributed safer crack cocaine smoking equipment and over half of these programs (0.55) had done so for less than 5 years. Among programs that distributed pipes, 0.92 distributed the recommended heat-resistant Pyrex and/or borosilicate glass pipes. Only 0.50 of our full sample reported that their program provides clients with containers for safer disposal of used smoking equipment. The most common reasons for not distributing safer smoking equipment were not enough funding (0.32) and lack of client demand (0.25). Ontario-specific sub-analyses showed a significant increase in the proportion of programs distributing pipes in Ontario from 0.15 (2008) to 0.71 (2015). Our findings point to important efforts by Canadian NSPs to reduce harm among people who smoke crack cocaine through provision of education and equipment, but there are still limits that could be addressed. Our study can provide guidance for future cross-jurisdiction studies to describe relationships involving harm reduction programs and provision of safer crack cocaine smoking education and equipment.

First Results of the Testing of the Liquid Gallium Jet Limiter Concept for ISTTOK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomes, R. B.; Fernandes, H.; Silva, C.; Borba, D.; Carvalho, B.; Varandas, C.; Lielausis, O.; Klyukin, A.; Platacis, E.; Mikelsons, A.; Platnieks, I.

2006-12-01

The use of liquid metals as plasma facing components in tokamaks has recently experienced a renewed interest stimulated by their advantages to the development of a fusion reactor. Liquid metals have been proposed to solve problems related to the erosion and neutronic activation of solid walls submitted to high power loads allowing an efficient heat exhaustion from fusion devices. Presently the most promising materials are Lithium and Gallium. ISTTOK, a small size tokamak, will be used to test the behavior of a liquid Gallium jet in the vacuum chamber and its influence on the plasma. This paper presents a description of the conceived setup as well as experimental results. The liquid Gallium jet is generated by hydrostatic pressure and injected in a radial position close to a moveable stainless steel limiter. Both the jet and the limiter positions are variable allowing for a controlled exposure of the liquid Gallium to the edge plasma. The main components of the Gallium loop are a MHD pump, the liquid metal injector and a filtering system. The MHD pump is of the induction type, based on rotating permanent magnets. The injector is build from a ¼″ stainless steel pipe ended by a shaping nozzle. A setup has been developed to introduce oxide-free Gallium inside the loop's main supply tank. Raw liquid metal is placed inside a chamber heated and degassed under high vacuum while clean Gallium is extracted from the main body of the liquefied metal. Prior to installation on the tokamak, the experimental rig has been implemented using a Pyrex tube as test chamber to investigate the stability of the Gallium jet and its break-up length for several nozzle sizes. Results are presented in this paper. This rig was also useful to assess the behavior of the overall implemented apparatus.

Study of two different thin film coating methods in transmission laser micro-joining of thin Ti-film coated glass and polyimide for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Sultana, T; Georgiev, G L; Baird, R J; Auner, G W; Newaz, G; Patwa, R; Herfurth, H J

2009-07-01

Biomedical devices and implants require precision joining for hermetic sealing which can be achieved with low power lasers. The effect of two different thin metal film coating methods was studied in transmission laser micro-joints of titanium-coated glass and polyimide. The coating methods were cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (CA-PVD) and electron beam evaporation (EB-PVD). Titanium-coated glass joined to polyimide film can have neural electrode application. The improvement of the joint quality will be essential for robust performance of the device. Low power fiber laser (wave length = 1100 nm) was used for transmission laser micro-joining of thin titanium (Ti) film (approximately 200 nm) coated Pyrex borosilicate 7740 glass wafer (0.5 mm thick) and polyimide (Imidex) film (0.2 mm thick). Ti film acts as the coupling agent in the joining process. The Ti film deposition rate in the CA-PVD was 5-10 A/s and in the EB-PVD 1.5 A/s. The laser joint strength was measured by a lap shear test, the Ti film surfaces were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the lap shear tested joints were analyzed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The film properties and the failure modes of the joints were correlated to joint strength. The CA-PVD produced around 4 times stronger laser joints than EB-PVD. The adhesion of the Ti film on glass by CA-PVD is better than that of the EB-PVD method. This is likely to be due to a higher film deposition rate and consequently higher adhesion or sticking coefficient for the CA-PVD particles arriving on the substrate compared to that of the EB-PVD film. EB-PVD shows poor laser bonding properties due to the development of thermal hotspots which occurs from film decohesion.

Physical and photoelectrochemical properties of spherical nanoparticles of α-AgBiS2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellal, B.; Berger, M. H.; Trari, M.

2017-10-01

We have investigated the physical and photo electrochemical properties of α-AgBiS2 (schapbachite), synthesized from Bi2S3 and Ag2S in evacuated Pyrex ampoule at 550 °C. The precursors are prepared by precipitation from nitrates in ethylene glycol using thiourea as complexing agent and sulfide source. AgBiS2 crystallizes in a rock salt structure (Fm-3m). The transmission electron micrograph shows spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 30 nm, a value very close to that obtained from the Williamson-Hall plot of the XRD powder pattern (33.06±1.28 nm). HRTEM gives inter reticular distance of 0.33 nm, a value in excellent agreement with that of the SAED analysis (d111=0.3276 nm). The diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates a direct optical transition of 0.89 eV. The thermal variation of the electrical conductivity is characteristic of semiconducting behavior with activation energy of 0.20 eV, electron mobility (μ300K) of 2.43 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1 and an effective mass of 2.88 mo. The intensity-potential J(V) curve in alkaline medium (pH 10.2) shows a good electrochemical stability. The dark capacitance (C-2-V) exhibits a linear behavior, characteristic of n-type conduction (dC-2/dE>0), from which a flat band potential of 0.33 VSCE and an electrons density of 2.57 × 1021 cm-3 are determined. The valence band derives from S2-: 3p states while the conduction band is made up mainly of Ag+: 5 s orbital. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), measured in the dark and under illumination over the frequency range (10-3-105 Hz), indicates the contribution of both the bulk and grain boundaries. An equivalent electrical circuit was simulated from the Nyquist diagram at pH 10, indicating the bulk contribution in the transport mechanism.

Improvement of the 2D/1D Method in MPACT Using the Sub-Plane Scheme

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

Graham, Aaron M; Collins, Benjamin S; Downar, Thomas

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Michigan are jointly developing the MPACTcode to be the primary neutron transport code for the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA). To solve the transport equation, MPACT uses the 2D/1D method, which decomposes the problem into a stack of 2D planes that are then coupled with a 1D axial calculation. MPACT uses the Method of Characteristics for the 2D transport calculations and P3 for the 1D axial calculations, then accelerates the solution using the 3D Coarse mesh Finite Dierence (CMFD) method. Increasing the number of 2D MOC planes will increase the accuracymore » of the alculation, but will increase the computational burden of the calculations and can cause slow convergence or instability. To prevent these problems while maintaining accuracy, the sub-plane scheme has been implemented in MPACT. This method sub-divides the MOC planes into sub-planes, refining the 1D P3 and 3D CMFD calculations without increasing the number of 2D MOC planes. To test the sub-plane scheme, three of the VERA Progression Problems were selected: Problem 3, a single assembly problem; Problem 4, a 3x3 assembly problem with control rods and pyrex burnable poisons; and Problem 5, a quarter core problem. These three problems demonstrated that the sub-plane scheme can accurately produce intra-plane axial flux profiles that preserve the accuracy of the fine mesh solution. The eigenvalue dierences are negligibly small, and dierences in 3D power distributions are less than 0.1% for realistic axial meshes. Furthermore, the convergence behavior with the sub-plane scheme compares favorably with the conventional 2D/1D method, and the computational expense is decreased for all calculations due to the reduction in expensive MOC calculations.« less

Presheath and Double Layer Structures in an Argon Helicon Plasma Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siddiqui, M. Umair

Ion velocities and temperatures, plasma density, potential, and electron temperatures are measured in a 13.56 MHz helicon produced argon plasma upstream from a grounded plate inside a 10 cm ID cylindrical Pyrex vacuum chamber. The plate is held at psi = 0° → 60° relative to the background axial magnetic field in the system. For the psi = 0° experiment, two distinct helicon discharge equilibria are observed at 500 W rf power, 900 G magnetic field, and a neutral pressure of 3 → 4 mTorr. Both modes exhibit a localized region of hot electrons (Th ≈ 10 eV, Tc ≈ 3.5 eV). For the first mode the hot electrons are confined by a localized potential structure and the density decreases monotonically towards the grounded plate. For the second mode the hot electrons cool off gradually in space due to heat conduction generating a downstream density peak and no major potential structures are observed. It is found that the type of discharge mode is determined by the location of the grounded plate, the length of the presheath, and the rf electron heating mechanism. For the psi = 16° → 60° plate positions, ion flow to the boundary where a 1 kG magnetic field is obliquely incident is measured at 1, 3, and 6.5 mTorr neutral pressure and 450 → 750 W rf power. The results are compared to the magnetic presheath models put forth by Chodura [Phys. Fluids 25, 1628 (1982)], Riemann [Phys. Plasmas 1, 552 (1994)], and Ahedo [Phys. Plasmas 4, 4419 (1997)]. The 1 mTorr dataset is used to benchmark a one-dimensional fluid model for the ion flow in the presheath. Definitions of the "magnetic presheath" are discussed. The fluid model in conjuction with the data show that the ion velocities in the E x B direction can be 10% → 40% percent of the sound speed for the angles investigated. Ion flow to fusion experiment boundaries and Hall thruster walls is discussed.

SU-E-CAMPUS-T-05: Validation of High-Resolution 3D Patient QA for Proton Pencil Beam Scanning and IMPT by Polymer Gel Dosimetry

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

Cardin, A; Avery, S; Ding, X

2014-06-15

Purpose: Validation of high-resolution 3D patient QA for proton pencil beam scanning and IMPT by polymer gel dosimetry. Methods: Four BANG3Pro polymer gel dosimeters (manufactured by MGS Research Inc, Madison, CT) were used for patient QA at the Robert's Proton Therapy Center (RPTC, Philadelphia, PA). All dosimeters were sealed in identical thin-wall Pyrex glass spheres. Each dosimeter contained a set of markers for 3D registration purposes. The dosimeters were mounted in a consistent and reproducible manner using a custom build holder. Two proton pencil beam scanning plans were designed using Varian Eclipse™ treatment planning system: 1) A two-field intensity modulatedmore » proton therapy (IMPT) plan and 2) one single field uniform dose (SFUD) plan. The IMPT fields were evaluated as a composite plan and individual fields, the SFUD plan was delivered as a single field plan.Laser CT scanning was performed using the manufacturer's OCTOPUS-IQ axial transmission laser CT scanner using a 1 mm slice thickness. 3D registration, analysis, and OD/cm to absorbed dose calibrations were perfomed using DICOM RT-Dose and CT files, and software developed by the manufacturer. 3D delta index, a metric equivalent to the gamma tool, was used for dose comparison. Results: Very good agreement with single IMPT fields and with SFUD was obtained. Composite IMPT fields had a less satisfactory agreement. The single fields had 3D delta index passing rates (3% dose difference, 3 mm DTA) of 98.98% and 94.91%. The composite 3D delta index passing rate was 80.80%. The SFUD passing rate was 93.77%. Required shifts of the dose distributions were less than 4 mm. Conclusion: A formulation of the BANG3Pro polymer gel dosimeter, suitable for 3D QA of proton patient plans is established and validated. Likewise, the mailed QA analysis service provided by the manufacturer is a practical option when required resources are unavailable. We fully disclose that the subject of this research regards a production of MGS Research, Inc.« less

Impact Flash Physics: Modeling and Comparisons With Experimental Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rainey, E.; Stickle, A. M.; Ernst, C. M.; Schultz, P. H.; Mehta, N. L.; Brown, R. C.; Swaminathan, P. K.; Michaelis, C. H.; Erlandson, R. E.

2015-12-01

Hypervelocity impacts frequently generate an observable "flash" of light with two components: a short-duration spike due to emissions from vaporized material, and a long-duration peak due to thermal emissions from expanding hot debris. The intensity and duration of these peaks depend on the impact velocity, angle, and the target and projectile mass and composition. Thus remote sensing measurements of planetary impact flashes have the potential to constrain the properties of impacting meteors and improve our understanding of impact flux and cratering processes. Interpreting impact flash measurements requires a thorough understanding of how flash characteristics correlate with impact conditions. Because planetary-scale impacts cannot be replicated in the laboratory, numerical simulations are needed to provide this insight for the solar system. Computational hydrocodes can produce detailed simulations of the impact process, but they lack the radiation physics required to model the optical flash. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) developed a model to calculate the optical signature from the hot debris cloud produced by an impact. While the phenomenology of the optical signature is understood, the details required to accurately model it are complicated by uncertainties in material and optical properties and the simplifications required to numerically model radiation from large-scale impacts. Comparisons with laboratory impact experiments allow us to validate our approach and to draw insight regarding processes that occur at all scales in impact events, such as melt generation. We used Sandia National Lab's CTH shock physics hydrocode along with the optical signature model developed at APL to compare with a series of laboratory experiments conducted at the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range. The experiments used Pyrex projectiles to impact pumice powder targets with velocities ranging from 1 to 6 km/s at angles of 30 and 90 degrees with respect to horizontal. High-speed radiometer measurements were made of the time-dependent impact flash at wavelengths of 350-1100 nm. We will present comparisons between these measurements and the output of APL's model. The results of this validation allow us to determine basic relationships between observed optical signatures and impact conditions.

MicroChemLab, A Novel Approach for Handheld Chemical Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Patrick

2003-03-01

In 1996, Sandia National Laboratories began development of a chemical sensing platform based on microfabricated components. The goal of the project was to develop a handheld system for the detection of chemical warfare (CW) agent vapors in air. The components developed for this project are analogous to devices used in analytical laboratories. The benefit of microfabrication is that the resulting components are small and require little power to operate. The key elements of MicroChemLab are a sample collector - preconcentrator, a GC column and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) array detector. The preconcentrator is a thermally isolated silicon nitride membrane with a resistive heater patterned on one side and a sorptive sol gel film deposited on the other. Since the membrane has a very small mass, the resistive heater can ballistically elevate the temperature of the sorptive film to 200° C in approximately 10 ms. The sol gel film collects target compounds efficiently, but rejects volatile industrial solvents like alcohols, ketones, etc. The GC column is a one-meter high aspect ratio spiral channel etched in silicon with an anodically bonded pyrex lid completing the channel. A heater patterned on the silicon allows the column to be temperature ramped. Analytes injected from the preconcentrator are separated in this stage. The SAW array detector contains 3 delay lines used for sensing and 1 reference delay line. Each delay line is driven by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) at 500 MHz. Instead of counting frequency, additional ASICs incorporate a phase comparator that delivers a DC signal proportional to the amount of phase change. The three sensing elements of the detector provide a pattern that is indicative of the class of compound detected i.e. nerve agents or blister agents. Combined, these components provide a selective and sensitive handheld solution for the detection of chemical warfare agents. We will present lab data showing the performance of individual components and field data demonstrating the performance of this system. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Influence of electron injection into 27 cm audio plasma cell on the plasma diagnostics

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

Haleem, N. A.; Ragheb, M. S.; Zakhary, S. G.

2013-08-15

In this article, the plasma is created in a Pyrex tube (L = 27 cm, φ= 4 cm) as a single cell, by a capacitive audio frequency (AF) discharge (f = 10–100 kHz), at a definite pressure of ∼0.2 Torr. A couple of tube linear and deviating arrangements show plasma characteristic conformity. The applied AF plasma and the injection of electrons into two gas mediums Ar and N{sub 2} revealed the increase of electron density at distinct tube regions by one order to attain 10{sup 13}/cm{sup 3}. The electrons temperature and density strengths are in contrast to each other. Whilemore » their distributions differ along the plasma tube length, they show a decaying sinusoidal shape where their peaks position varies by the gas type. The electrons injection moderates electron temperature and expands their density. The later highest peak holds for the N{sub 2} gas, at electrons injection it changes to hold for the Ar. The sinusoidal decaying density behavior generates electric fields depending on the gas used and independent of tube geometry. The effect of the injected electrons performs a responsive impact on electrons density not attributed to the gas discharge. Analytical tools investigate the interaction of the plasma, the discharge current, and the gas used on the electrodes. It points to the emigration of atoms from each one but for greater majority they behave to a preferred direction. Meanwhile, only in the linear regime, small percentage of atoms still moves in reverse direction. Traces of gas atoms revealed on both electrodes due to sheath regions denote lack of their participation in the discharge current. In addition, atoms travel from one electrode to the other by overcoming the sheaths regions occurring transportation of particles agglomeration from one electrode to the other. The electrons injection has contributed to increase the plasma electron density peaks. These electrons populations have raised the generated electrostatic fields assisting the elemental ions emigration to a preferred electrode direction. Regardless of plasma electrodes positions and plasma shape, ions can be departed from one electrode to deposit on the other one. In consequence, as an application the AF plasma type can enhance the metal deposition from one electrode to the other.« less

Measurement of Cerium and Gadolinium in Solid Lithium Chloride-Potassium Chloride Salt Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

PubMed

Williams, Ammon; Bryce, Keith; Phongikaroon, Supathorn

2017-10-01

Pyroprocessing of used nuclear fuel (UNF) has many advantages-including that it is proliferation resistant. However, as part of the process, special nuclear materials accumulate in the electrolyte salt and present material accountability and safeguards concerns. The main motivation of this work was to explore a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) approach as an online monitoring technique to enhance the material accountability of special nuclear materials in pyroprocessing. In this work, a vacuum extraction method was used to draw the molten salt (CeCl 3 -GdCl 3 -LiCl-KCl) up into 4 mm diameter Pyrex tubes where it froze. The salt was then removed and the solid salt was measured using LIBS and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). A total of 36 samples were made that varied the CeCl 3 and GdCl 3 (surrogates for uranium and plutonium, respectively) concentrations from 0.5 wt% to 5 wt%. From these samples, univariate calibration curves for Ce and Gd were generated using peak area and peak intensity methods. For Ce, the Ce 551.1 nm line using the peak area provided the best calibration curve with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.099 wt% and a root mean squared error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 0.197 wt%. For Gd, the best curve was generated using the peak intensities of the Gd 564.2 nm line resulting in a LOD of 0.027 wt% and a RMSECV of 0.295 wt%. The RMSECV for the univariate cases were determined using leave-one-out cross-validation. In addition to the univariate calibration curves, partial least squares (PLS) regression was done to develop a calibration model. The PLS models yielded similar results with RMSECV (determined using Venetian blind cross-validation with 17% left out per split) values of 0.30 wt% and 0.29 wt% for Ce and Gd, respectively. This work has shown that solid pyroprocessing salt can be qualitatively and quantitatively monitored using LIBS. This work has the potential of significantly enhancing the material monitoring and safeguards of special nuclear materials in pyroprocessing.

Light-induced heterogeneous reactions of NO2 on indoor surfaces: How they affect the balance of nitrous acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez Alvarez, E.; Soergel, M.; Bassil, S.; Zetzsch, C.; Gligorovski, S.; Wortham, H.

2011-12-01

Nitrous acid (HONO) is an important indoor pollutant. The adverse health effects due to the formation of nitrosamines are well known. HONO acts as a nitrosating agent after wall reactions of HONO with nicotine [Sleiman et al., 2010]. Indoor air can be surprisingly rich in HONO (homes with fireplaces, stoves, gas heating and cooking) and also surfaces are abundant. High HONO concentrations have been measured in indoor environments, from the direct emissions and heterogeneous reactions of NO2 in darkness. However, the measured HONO concentrations do not correspond to the HONO levels determined by the models [Carslaw, 2007]. We have tested in a flow tube reactor on-line coupled to a NOx analyzer and a sensitive Long Path Absorption Photometry instrument, the behaviour of various indoor surfaces towards NO2 under simulated solar light irradiation (λ= 300-700 nm). Our study has allowed us to obtain a deeper knowledge on the mechanisms of heterogeneous formation of HONO, quantifying the dependence of HONO formation on behalf of NO2 concentration and relative humidity and the enhancement of HONO formation in the presence of light. Pyrex, acidic detergent, alkaline detergent, paint and lacquer were tested on behalf of their heterogeneous reactivity towards NO2 in the absence and in presence of light. The results obtained demonstrated that indoor surfaces are photo-chemically active under atmospherically relevant conditions. The strongly alkaline surfaces (such as certain types of detergent) show a strong long-term uptake capacity. However, other surfaces such as detergents with a more acidic character released HONO. In some cases such as paint and varnish, a strong HONO release with light was detected, which was significantly higher than that obtained over clean glass surfaces. Certain organics present on their composition could exert a photo-sensitizing effect that may explain their increased reactivity. Unfortunately, the final balance points towards an important net production of HONO from organics usually applied on different indoor surfaces that add to the very powerful HONO production simply due to heterogeneous reactivity on bare indoor surfaces. The results of this study add to the increasing concern over the reactivity in indoor environments and in particular from the point of view of HONO formation kinetics.

Crystallization of Yamato 980459 at 0.5 GPA: Are Residual Liquids Like QUE 94201?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rapp, J. F.; Draper, D. S.; Mercer, C.

2012-01-01

The Martian basaltic meteorites Y980459 and QUE94201 (henceforth referred to as Y98 and QUE respectively) are thought to represent magmatic liquid compositions, rather than being products of protracted crystallization and accumulation like the majority of other martian meteorites. Both meteorite compositions have been experimentally crystallized at 1 bar, and liquidus phases were found to match corresponding mineral core compositions in the meteorites, consistent with the notion that these meteorites represent bona fide melts. They also represent the most primitive and most evolved basaltic martian samples, respectively. Y98 has Mg# (molar Mg/Mg+Fe) approximates 65, and lacks plagioclase; whereas QUE has Mg# approximates 40, and lacks olivine. However they share important geochemical characteristics (e.g. superchondritic CaO/Al2O3, very high epsilon(sub Nd) and low Sr-87/Sr-87) that suggest they sample a similar highly depleted mantle reservoir. As such, they represent likely endmembers of martian magmatic liquid compositions, and it is natural to seek petrogenetic linkages between the two. We make no claim that the actual meteorites themselves share a genetic link (the respective ages rule that out); we are exploring only in general whether primitive martian liquids like Y98 could evolve to liquids resembling QUE. Both experimental and computational efforts have been made to determine if there is indeed such a link. Recent petrological models at 1 bar generated using MELTS suggest that a QUE-like melt can be derived from a parental melt with a Y98 composition. However, experimental studies at 1 bar have been less successful at replicating this progression. Previous experimental crystallization studies of Y98 by our group at 0.5 GPa have produced melt compositions approaching that of QUE, although these results were complicated by the presence of small, variable amounts of H2O in some of the runs owing to the use of talc/pyrex experimental assemblies. Therefore we have repeated the four experiments, augmented with additional runs, all using BaCO3 cell assemblies, which are devoid of water, and these new experiments supersede those reported earlier. Here we report results of experiments simulating equilibrium crystallization; fractional crystallization experiments are currently underway.

FTIR gas-phase kinetic study on the reactions of some acrylate esters with OH radicals and Cl atoms.

PubMed

Moreno, A; Gallego-Iniesta, M P; Taccone, R; Martín, M P; Cabañas, B; Salgado, M S

2014-10-01

Acrylate esters are α,β-unsaturated esters that contain vinyl groups directly attached to the carbonyl carbon. These compounds are widely used in the production of plastics and resins. Atmospheric degradation processes of these compounds are currently not well understood. The kinetics of the gas phase reactions of OH radicals with methyl 3-methylacrylate and methyl 3,3-dimethylacrylate were determined using the relative rate technique in a 50 L Pyrex photoreactor using in situ FTIR spectroscopy at room temperature (298 ± 2 K) and atmospheric pressure (708 ± 8 Torr) with air as the bath gas. Rate coefficients obtained were (in units cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)): (3.27 ± 0.33) × 10(-11) and (4.43 ± 0.42) × 10(-11), for CH3CH═CHC(O)OCH3 and (CH3)2CH═CHC(O)OCH3, respectively. The same technique was used to study the gas phase reactions of hexyl acrylate and ethyl hexyl acrylate with OH radicals and Cl atoms. In the experiments with Cl, N2 and air were used as the bath gases. The following rate coefficients were obtained (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)): k3 (CH2═CHC(O)O(CH2)5CH3 + Cl) = (3.31 ± 0.31) × 10(-10), k4(CH2═CHC(O)OCH2CH(CH2CH3)(CH2)3CH3 + Cl) = (3.46 ± 0.31) × 10(-10), k5(CH2═CHC(O)O(CH2)5CH3 + OH) = (2.28 ± 0.23) × 10(-11), and k6(CH2═CHC(O)OCH2CH(CH2CH3)(CH2)3CH3 + OH) = (2.74 ± 0.26) × 10(-11). The reactivity increased with the number of methyl substituents on the double bond and with the chain length of the alkyl group in -C(O)OR. Estimations of the atmospheric lifetimes clearly indicate that the dominant atmospheric loss process for these compounds is their daytime reaction with the hydroxyl radical. In coastal areas and in some polluted environments, Cl atom-initiated degradation of these compounds can be significant, if not dominant. Maximum Incremental Reactivity (MIR) index and global warming potential (GWP) were also calculated, and it was concluded that these compounds have significant MIR values, but they do not influence global warming.

Heterogeneous Reactivity of NO2 with Photocatalytic Paints: A Possible Source of Nitrous Acid (HONO) in the Indoor Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gligorovski, S.; Bartolomei, V.; Gandolfo, A.; Gomez Alvarez, E.; Kleffmann, J.; Wortham, H.

2014-12-01

There is an increasing concern about the indoor air environment, where we spend most of our time. Common methods of improving indoor air quality include controlling pollution sources, increasing ventilation rates or using air purifiers. Photocatalytic remediation technology was suggested as a new possibility to eliminate indoor air pollutants instead of just diluting or disposing them. In the present study, heterogeneous reactions of NO2 were studied on photocatalytic paints containing different size and quantity of TiO2. The heterogeneous reactions were conducted in a photo reactor under simulated atmospheric conditions. The flat pyrex rectangular plates covered with the paint were inserted into the reactor. These plates have been sprayed with the photocatalytic paints at our industrial partner's (ALLIOS) facilities using a high precision procedure that allowed the application of a thin layer of a given thickness of the paint. This allows a homogeneous coverage of the surface with the paint and an accurate determination of the exact amount of paint exposed to gaseous NO2. We demonstrate that the indoor photocatalytic paints which contain TiO2 can substantially reduce the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). We show that the efficiency of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) removal increase with the quantity of TiO2 in the range 0 - 7 %. The geometric uptake coefficients increase from 5 · 10-6 to 1.6 · 10-5 under light irradiation of the paints. On the other hand, during the reactions of NO2 with this paint (7 % of TiO2) nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous acid (HONO) are formed. Nitrous acid (HONO) is an important harmful indoor pollutant and its photolysis leads to the formation of highly reactive OH radicals (Gomez Alvarez et al., 2013). Maximum conversion efficiencies of NO2to HONO and NO of 15 % and 33 % were observed at 30 % RH, respectively. Thus, the quantity of TiO2 embedded in the paint is an important parameter regarding the nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) remediation, but may also influence formation of harmful by-products such as HONO, which should be considered for future optimization of photocatalytic paints aimed for indoor applications. Reference: Gómez Alvarez E., Amedro D., Afif C., Gligorovski S., Schoemacker C., Fittschen C., Doussin J.F., Wortham H. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 110(33), 13294-13299, 2013.

Associated with aerospace vehicles development of methodologies for the estimation of thermal properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott, Elaine P.

1994-01-01

Thermal stress analyses are an important aspect in the development of aerospace vehicles at NASA-LaRC. These analyses require knowledge of the temperature distributions within the vehicle structures which consequently necessitates the need for accurate thermal property data. The overall goal of this ongoing research effort is to develop methodologies for the estimation of the thermal property data needed to describe the temperature responses of these complex structures. The research strategy undertaken utilizes a building block approach. The idea here is to first focus on the development of property estimation methodologies for relatively simple conditions, such as isotropic materials at constant temperatures, and then systematically modify the technique for the analysis of more and more complex systems, such as anisotropic multi-component systems. The estimation methodology utilized is a statistically based method which incorporates experimental data and a mathematical model of the system. Several aspects of this overall research effort were investigated during the time of the ASEE summer program. One important aspect involved the calibration of the estimation procedure for the estimation of the thermal properties through the thickness of a standard material. Transient experiments were conducted using a Pyrex standard at various temperatures, and then the thermal properties (thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity) were estimated at each temperature. Confidence regions for the estimated values were also determined. These results were then compared to documented values. Another set of experimental tests were conducted on carbon composite samples at different temperatures. Again, the thermal properties were estimated for each temperature, and the results were compared with values obtained using another technique. In both sets of experiments, a 10-15 percent off-set between the estimated values and the previously determined values was found. Another effort was related to the development of the experimental techniques. Initial experiments required a resistance heater placed between two samples. The design was modified such that the heater was placed on the surface of only one sample, as would be necessary in the analysis of built up structures. Experiments using the modified technique were conducted on the composite sample used previously at different temperatures. The results were within 5 percent of those found using two samples. Finally, an initial heat transfer analysis, including conduction, convection and radiation components, was completed on a titanium sandwich structural sample. Experiments utilizing this sample are currently being designed and will be used to first estimate the material's effective thermal conductivity and later to determine the properties associated with each individual heat transfer component.

Microscope Cells Containing Multiple Micromachined Wells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Walter; Skupinski, Robert

2003-01-01

Tech Briefs, May 2003 19 Manufacturing Microscope Cells Containing Multiple Micromachined Wells The cost per cell has been reduced substantially. John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio An improved design for multiple-well microscope cells and an associated improved method of fabricating them have been devised. [As used here, "well" denotes a cavity that has a volume of about 1 or 2 L and that is used to hold a sample for examination under a microscope. As used here, "cell" denotes a laminate, based on a standard 1- by 3-in. (2.54- by 7.62-cm) microscope slide, that comprises (1) the slide as the lower layer, (2) an intermediate layer that contains holes that serve as the wells, and (3) a top layer that either consists of, or is similar to, a standard microscope-slide cover slip.] The improved design and method of fabrication make it possible to increase (relative to a prior design and method of fabrication) the number of wells per cell while reducing the fabrication loss and reducing the cost per cell to about one-tenth of the prior value. In the prior design and method, the slide, well, and cover-slip layers were made from silicate glass. The fabrication of each cell was a labor-intensive process that included precise cutting and grinding of the glass components, fusing of the glass components, and then more grinding and polishing to obtain desired dimensions. Cells of the prior design were expensive and fragile, the rate of loss in fabrication was high, and the nature of the glass made it difficult to increase the number of cells per well. Efforts to execute alternative prior designs in plastic have not yielded satisfactory results because, for typical applications, plastics are not sufficiently thermally or chemically stable, not sufficiently optically clear, and/or not hard enough to resist scratching. The figure depicts a cell of the present improved type. The slide and cover-slip layers are made of a low-thermal-expansion glass (Pyrex(TradeMark) or equivalent) and the intermediate (well layer) is made of SiO2 - a combination of materials that results in a laminate stronger than one made from layers of silicate glass. Before the layers are assembled into the laminate, the SiO2 layer is micromachined to form the wells plus shallow grooves that, when subsequently covered with the cover slip, become capillary channels that are used to fill the wells with samples. The micromachining is accomplished by use of the same patterning and etching techniques used to fabricate microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

Magnetic resonance studies of inorganic oxides and a new pulse programming system for pulsed EMR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwartz, Dwight Allen

We have investigated several inorganic oxide systems using nuclear and electron magnetic resonance spectroscopies and also report a new pulse programming system for a pulsed S-band EMR spectrometer. We show in a study of simple perovskites (Ca,Sr,Ba)(Ti,Zr) Osb3 that magic-angle spinning O-17 NMR provides unique, highly-resolved spectra in these materials and gives evidence of being useful as a diagnostic tool in mixed phase materials (Asb{x}Asbsp{1-x}{'})BOsb3. Various used NMR and EMR techniques to study of the commercial borosilicate glasses CGW-3320, CGW-7502, CGW-7740 (Pyrex) and GSC-4, and T-08 (pure silica glass) which had received 5-10 gigarad doses of Co-60 gamma-radiation in the presence and absence of hydrogen gas. We show that B-11, Al-27 and Si-29 MAS NMR spectra contain indications of structural changes in these glasses as a result of large doses of radiation. We also observed the reduction of trace Ti(IV) to Ti(III) when Hsb2 gas was present during irradiation of glass samples. Static NMR and EMR studies in the (Na,Li)POsb3 system indicate a possible mixed alkali effect in the spin-lattice relaxation of Na-23 in NaPOsb3 and Lisb{0.4}Nasb{0.6}POsb3. Static Na-23 NMR studies of NaPOsb3 reveal the presence of different structural or dynamical environments as a function of temperatures between 23-566 C. We have investigated glass and glass fibers of Lisb{0.6}Nasb{0.4}POsb3 and Na(Psb{0.99},Vsb{0.01})Osb3, and show P-31 NMR and EMR evidence that these materials remained structurally isotropic when pulled into fibers. We show that vanadium (in Na(Psb{0.99},Vsb{0.01})Osb3) appears to suppress radiolytic unpaired electron and hole defect production which does take place in nominally vanadium-free NaPOsb3 during small doses of gamma-radiation. We describe hardware and software developed for a pulse programming system for a pulsed S-band EMR spectrometer. This system supports user-programmable automatic independent control of all pulse sequence parameters (pulse and delay durations, and pulse phases). We demonstrate the capabilities of this new system in 2-, 3-, and 4-pulse EMR experiments, and also demonstrate a new software suite for interactive simulation and simulation optimization of electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) patterns using a genetic algorithm.

Effect of fO2 on phase relationship in basaltic andesites during magmatic differentiation: Control of fO2 and sulphur speciation in piston cylinder experiments.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matjuschkin, Vladimir; Tattitch, Brian; Blundy, Jonathan D.; Skora, Susanne

2014-05-01

Within the mantle wedge above subduction zones, oxidation reaction take place by interaction of reduced mantle rocks with more oxidized, hydrous fluids, which can cause a local drop of the solidus, resulting in partial melting (2,6,7). The resultant melts are more oxidized that their ocean floor counterparts, which has implications for their subsequent differentiation paths, the speciation of multivalent elements and the solubility and transport of chemical compounds in magmatic systems (1,4,5). We present a series of sulphur-doped high-pressure experiments conducted to investigate the effect of oxygen fugacity on phase relationships and the behaviour of sulphur in silicate melts. Natural aphyric andesite (FM37) erupted from Laguna del Maule volcano, Chile (3) was selected as a starting composition. Experiments were carried out at 5kbar, 950-1150° C and variable oxygen fugacity conditions. New experiments buffered at Co-CoO and Ni-NiO buffer conditions have been performed using a new "MTB capsule design" developed in order to accurately control fO2 by means of a double capsule containing metal-oxide buffers and a pyrex sleeve to minimise H2 diffusion. This new design constrains oxygen fugacity to within ±0.1-0.2logfO2 units of the target value. Before conducting these experiments, the assemblage was tested multiple times at 10kbar, 1000° C over 24-48 hours and demonstrated consistent, accurate fO2 control. Analyses of the preliminary experimental run products, from a related Chilean basaltic andesite starting composition, demonstrate a clear effect of fO2 on phase relationships and the proportion of melt generated during experiments. Under oxidized conditions, as temperature decreased from 1150° C to 1050° C, the amount of melt decreased from 100% to ~80%, due to the formation of orthopyroxene, anhydrite and plagioclase. In contrast, in reduced runs the system remains nearly liquid (~5% crystals) down to 950° C due to the change in sulphur speciation and onset of orthopyroxene precipitation at much lower temperatures. The change in temperature from 1150 to 950° C resulted in a drop in S content from ~2500ppm to ~1000ppm in the melt for oxidized experiments, whereas S slightly increased from ~3000 to ~3500ppm in the reduced experiments. Quantitative control over fO2 will allow for more precise determination of phase relations and control of sulphur specification, offering a possibility of detailed reconstruction of metals enrichment in silicate melts. Cited references: [1] Botcharnikov et al. (2011) Nature 4:217-230, [2] Foley (2011) J Petrol 52:1363-1391, [3] Frey et al. (1984) CMP 88:133-149, [4] Jenner et al. (2010) J Petrol 51:2445-2464, [5] Jugo et al. (2010) GCA 74:5926-5938, [6] Rohrbach et al. (2007) Nature 449:456-458, [7] Taylor and Green (1988) Nature 332:349-352

Catalytic generation of methane at 60-100 °C and 0.1-300 MPa from source rocks containing kerogen Types I, II, and III

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Lin; Schimmelmann, Arndt; Mastalerz, Maria; Lahann, Richard W.; Sauer, Peter E.; Drobniak, Agnieszka; Strąpoć, Dariusz; Mango, Frank D.

2018-06-01

Low temperature (60 and 100 °C) and long-term (6 months to 5 years) heating of pre-evacuated and sterilized shales and coals containing kerogen Types I (Mahogany Shale), II (Mowry Shale and New Albany Shale), and III (Springfield Coal and Wilcox Lignite) with low initial maturities (vitrinite reflectance Ro 0.39-0.62%) demonstrates that catalytically generated hydrocarbons may explain the occurrence of some non-biogenic natural gas accumulations where insufficient thermal maturity contradicts the conventional thermal cracking paradigm. Extrapolation of the observed rate of catalytic methanogenesis in the laboratory suggests that significant amounts of sedimentary organic carbon can be converted to relatively dry natural gas over tens of thousands of years in sedimentary basins at temperatures as low as 60 °C. Our laboratory experiments utilized source rock (shale and coal) chips sealed in gold and Pyrex® glass tubes in the presence of hydrogen-isotopically contrasting waters. Parallel heating experiments applied hydrostatic pressures from 0.1 to 300 MPa. Control experiments constrained the influence of pre-existing and residual methane in closed pores of rock chips that was unrelated to newly generated methane. This study's experimental methane yields at 60 and 100 °C are 5-11 orders of magnitude higher than the theoretically predicted yields from kinetic models of thermogenic methane generation, which strongly suggests a contribution of catalytic methanogenesis. Higher temperature, longer heating time, and lower hydrostatic pressure enhanced catalytic methanogenesis. No clear relationships were observed between kerogen type or total organic carbon content and methane yields via catalysis. Catalytic methanogenesis was strongest in Mowry Shale where methane yields at 60 °C amounted to ∼2.5 μmol per gram of organic carbon after one year of hydrous heating at ambient pressure. In stark contrast to the earlier findings of hydrogen isotopic exchange between water and thermogenic methane in hydrous pyrolysis experiments above 300 °C, the hydrogen isotopic composition of added water exerted limited influence on the δ2H value of methane generated catalytically at low temperatures. We hypothesize that the catalytic sites responsible for methanogenesis are located in hydrophobic microenvironments with limited access to water. The δ13CCH4 values of methane generated catalytically at 60-100 °C range from ∼-57.6 to -41.4‰ and are thus similar to typical thermogenic methane (δ13CCH4 >-50‰) and microbially generated methane (<-55‰). Future studies need to evaluate the possibility that clumped isotope characteristics of catalytically generated methane can diagnose the low-temperature regime of catalytic methanogenesis. Furthermore, testing of freshly cored anoxic rocks is needed to determine whether the use of archived, oxygen-exposed rocks in geochemical maturation/catalysis studies introduces artifacts in experimental hydrocarbon yields.

Fever produced by endotoxin injected into the hypothalamus of the monkey and its antagonism by salicylate

PubMed Central

Myers, R. D.; Rudy, T. A.; Yaksh, T. L.

1974-01-01

1. A suspension of the killed cell bodies of either E. coli, S. dysenteriae or S. typhosa was micro-injected through cannulae implanted chronically at specific sites within the diencephalon and mid-brain of the unanaesthetized monkey. A biphasic, monophasic or an undifferentiated fever could be induced by each type of micro-organism, but the type of response depended solely upon the locus of injection. 2. Although little difference in the potency of the three pyrogens was found, the rise in body temperature was in each instance dependent upon the concentration of the endotoxin. A more intense fever was accompanied by shivering, vasoconstriction of the ear vessels, piloerection and huddling behaviour. Tolerance to the pyrexic effect of repeated injections of endotoxin did not develop. 3. The febrile response having the shortest latency, greatest maximum rise in temperature and largest 10-hr fever index was evoked by micro-injections into the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic area. The incidence of biphasic fevers was also greater after endotoxin was injected into this same region. Endotoxin given similarly in the posterior hypothalamus or in the mesencephalon had either no effect or produced a smaller elevation in temperature after a longer latency. The distance of an injection site from the coronal plane formed by the optic chiasm and anterior commissure correlated significantly with the latency and magnitude of the temperature change as well as the fever index. 4. When given intravenously, endotoxin in a quantity at least 100 times greater was required to evoke a fever similar to that produced when the pyrogen was micro-injected into the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic region. However, a biphasic fever was evoked with a latency of from 3 to 15 min when a larger amount of endotoxin was injected intravenously. Tolerance developed rapidly to the febrile effect of endotoxin administered by this route although toxic reactions were not observed. 5. After the fever evoked by the hypothalamic injection of endotoxin had reached a plateau, 300-1200 mg sodium salicylate administered intragastrically produced a dose-dependent fall in temperature, but had no effect on the body temperature of an afebrile monkey. 6. It is concluded that in the rhesus monkey, a bacterial pyrogen can evoke a fever which is mediated entirely by an action on the central nervous system, the principal site being the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic area. The first phase of a biphasic fever caused by bacteria acting either by the central or peripheral route seems to be due either to a direct action of the pyrogen on the cells of the anterior hypothalamus, or to the secondary release within this region of an intermediary thermogenic substance such as 5-hydroxytryptamine or prostaglandin. The finding that sodium salicylate counteracts a centrally evoked fever is not compatible with the hypothesis that an antipyretic exerts its action by preventing a pyrogen that is circulating in the blood stream from entering the central nervous system. PMID:4615138

The lower-temperature-pressure stability of pyrope in the presence of quartz in the system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, N.; Jenkins, D. M.

2017-12-01

Pyrope (Mg3Al2Si3O12) is the dominant component in garnets from type A eclogites. Determining the lower-pressure-temperature (P-T) stability of pyrope in the presence of quartz helps put constraints on the stability of quartz-bearing eclogites and therefore the depths to which crustal rocks in high pressure/ultra-high pressure (HP/UHP) terranes can be transferred. It also defines the lower-pressure stability of the nearly pure pyrope-bearing quartzites of the Dora Maira massif of the Western Alps (Chopin, 1984, Contrib. Min. Pet.). Aside from the approximate boundary proposed by Hensen & Essene (1971, Contrib. Min. Pet.), there has been no detailed study of the lower P-T stability of pyrope + quartz. A reversed determination of the reaction 3 enstatite + 2 kyanite = 2 pyrope + 2 quartz has been done in the system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 over the P-T range of 900-1100 °C and 1.6-2.5 GPa for durations of 24 hours. Double capsules, one using pure enstatite and the other Al-rich (10 wt% Al2O3) enstatite in the starting mixtures, were used to obtain reversals on the Al content in the orthopyroxene (Opx). Experiments were done using a ½-inch diameter piston-cylinder press and NaCl-pyrex-MgO pressure media. Run products were analyzed using powder XRD and electron microprobe. Reaction direction was readily determined from peak height changes on XRD patterns. The reaction has been bracketed at 1.65 GPa at 1100 °C with > 12 wt% Al2O3 in Opx; 2.05 GPa at 1000 °C with 10 wt% Al2O3 in Opx; and 2.4 GPa at 930 °C with 5 wt% Al2O3 in Opx. The reaction boundary is slightly curved to higher P with increasing T caused by increasing Al in Opx. The boundary observed in this study is about 100 °C or 0.4 GPa higher than previously proposed by Hensen & Essene (1971) and 70-170 °C or 0.6-0.7 GPa higher than the boundary calculated in this system using THERMOCALC ds6.22 (Holland & Powell, 2011, J. Meta. Geol.) and about 1-4 wt% higher Al2O3 contents in Opx. Higher pressure runs in the field of coesite are being done using a multi-anvil press to extend these results to the lower T range reported for many UHP terranes. Minor extrapolation of the present data to lower T puts the absolute minimum depth for pyrope-quartzites in Dora Maira at 95 km (3.0 GPa) at 800°C; even greater depths are expected for the reaction of pyrope + quartz + H2O to talc-bearing assemblages.

Final Report on Development of Optimized Field-Reversed Configuration Plasma Formation Techniques for Magnetized Target Fusion

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

Lynn, Alan

2013-11-01

The University of New Mexico (UNM) proposed a collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to develop and test methods for improved formation of field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas relevant to magnetized target fusion (MTF) energy research. MTF is an innovative approach for a relatively fast and cheap path to the production of fusion energy that utilizes magnetic confinement to assist in the compression of a hot plasma to thermonuclear conditions by an external driver. LANL is currently pursing demonstration of the MTF concept via compression of an FRC plasma by a metal liner z-pinch in conjunction with the Air Forcemore » Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM. A key physics issue for the FRC's ultimate success as an MTF target lies in the initial pre-ionization (PI) stage. The PI plasma sets the initial conditions from which the FRC is created. In particular, the PI formation process determines the amount of magnetic flux that can be trapped to form the FRC. A ringing theta pinch ionization (RTPI) technique, such as currently used by the FRX-L device at LANL, has the advantages of high ionization fraction, simplicity (since no additional coils are required), and does not require internal electrodes which can introduce impurities into the plasma. However RTPI has been shown to only trap 50% of the initial bias flux at best and imposes additional engineering constraints on the capacitor banks. The amount of trapped flux plays an important role in the FRC's final equilibrium, transport, and stability properties, and provides increased ohmic heating of the FRC through induced currents as the magnetic field decays. Increasing the trapped flux also provides the route to greatest potential gains in FRC lifetime, which is essential to provide enough time to translate and compress the FRC effectively. In conjunction with LANL we initially planned to develop and test a microwave break- down system to improve the initial PI plasma formation. The UNM team would design the microwave optics and oversee the fabrication and assembly of all components and assist with integration into the FRX-L machine control system. LANL would provide a preexisting 65 kW X-band microwave source and some associated waveguide hardware. Once constructed and installed, UNM would take the lead in operating the microwave breakdown system and conducting studies to optimize its use in FRC PI formation in close cooperation with the needs of the LANL MTF team. In conjunction with our LANL collaborators, we decided after starting the project to switch from a microwave plasma breakdown approach to a plasma gun technology to use for enhanced plasma formation in the FRX-L field-reversed configuration experiment at LANL. Plasma guns would be able to provide significantly higher density plasma with greater control over its distribution in time and space within the experiment. This would allow greater control and ne-tuning of the PI plasma formed in the experiment. Multiple plasma guns would be employed to fill a Pyrex glass test chamber (built at UNM) with plasma which would then be characterized and optimized for the MTF effort.« less

Determination of Natural 14C Abundances in Dissolved Organic Carbon in Organic-Rich Marine Sediment Porewaters by Thermal Sulfate Reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, L.; Komada, T.

2010-12-01

The abundances of natural 14C in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the marine environment hold clues regarding the processes that influence the biogeochemical cycling of this large carbon reservoir. At present, UV irradiation is the widely accepted method for oxidizing seawater DOC for determination of their 14C abundances. This technique yields precise and accurate values with low blanks, but it requires a dedicated vacuum line, and hence can be difficult to implement. As an alternative technique that can be conducted on a standard preparatory vacuum line, we modified and tested a thermal sulfate reduction method that was previously developed to determine δ13C values of marine DOC (Fry B. et al., 1996. Analysis of marine DOC using a dry combustion method. Mar. Chem., 54: 191-201.) to determine the 14C abundances of DOC in marine sediment porewaters. In this method, the sample is dried in a 100 ml round-bottom Pyrex flask in the presence of excess oxidant (K2SO4) and acid (H3PO4), and combusted at 550 deg.C. The combustion products are cryogenically processed to collect and quantify CO2 using standard procedures. Materials we have oxidized to date range from 6-24 ml in volume, and 95-1500 μgC in size. The oxidation efficiency of this method was tested by processing known amounts of reagent-grade dextrose and sucrose (as examples of labile organic matter), tannic acid and humic acid (as examples of complex natural organic matter), and porewater DOC extracted from organic-rich nearshore sediments. The carbon yields for all of these materials averaged 99±4% (n=18). The 14C abundances of standard materials IAEA C-6 and IAEA C-5 processed by this method using >1mgC aliquots were within error of certified values. The size and the isotopic value of the blank were determined by a standard dilution technique using IAEA C-6 and IAEA C-5 that ranged in size from 150 to 1500 μgC (n=4 and 2, respectively). This yielded a blank size of 6.7±0.7 μgC, and a blank isotopic value of 0.54±0.05 fMC. The size of the blank agreed well with that determined directly by processing variable volumes of UV-irradiated deionized water (5.6±0.7 μgC, n=9). The size of the blank amounts to <~5% of the size of porewater DOC samples that are typically recovered from organic-rich sediment cores (~100-500 μgC). The fMC value of the blank suggests that there may be multiple sources of extraneous carbon that range in 14C abundance. In order to assess the fidelity of 14C abundances in natural porewater DOC oxidized by thermal sulfate reduction, we oxidized porewater DOC samples collected from the central floor of the Santa Monica Basin, California Borderland, using both this method and UV irradiation (the latter carried out at the Druffel laboratory, University of California Irvine). The fMC values obtained by the two methods agreed within error. Carbon yields from the two methods also agreed closely. These findings show that thermal sulfate reduction may be a promising method to oxidize small, concentrated marine DOC samples for 14C analysis.

Dynamic Weakening (Extinction) of Simple Hydrocarbon-air Counterflow Diffusion Flames by Oscillatory Inflows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellett, G.; Kabaria, A.; Panigrahi, B.; Sammons, K.; Convery, J.; Wilson, L.

2005-01-01

This study of laminar non-premixed HC-air flames used an Oscillatory-input Opposed Jet Burner (OOJB) system developed from a previously well-characterized 7.2-mm Pyrex-nozzle OJB system. Over 600 dynamic Flame Strength (FS) measurements were obtained on unanchored (free-floating) laminar Counterflow Diffusion Flames (CFDF's). Flames were stabilized using plug inflows having steady-plus-sinusoidal axial velocities of varied magnitude, frequency, f, up to 1600 Hz, and phase angle from 0 (most data) to 360 degrees. Dynamic FS is defined as the maximum average air input velocity (U(sub air), at nozzle exit) a CFDF can sustain before strain-induced extinction occurs due to prescribed oscillatory peak-to-peak velocity inputs superimposed on steady inputs. Initially, dynamic flame extinction data were obtained at low f, and were supported by 25-120 Hz Hot-Wire cold-flow velocity data at nozzle exits. Later, expanded extinction data were supported by 4-1600 Hz Probe Microphone (PM) pk/pk P data at nozzle exits. The PM data were first obtained without flows, and later with cold stagnating flows, which better represent speaker-diaphragm dynamics during runs. The PM approach enabled characterizations of Dynamic Flame Weakening (DFW) of CFDF's from 8 to 1600 Hz. DFW was defined as % decrease in FS per Pascal of pk/pk P oscillation, namely, DFW = - 100 d(U(sub air) / U(sub air),0Hz) / d(pkpk P). The linear normalization with respect to acoustic pressure magnitude (and steady state (SS) FS) led to a DFW unaffected by strong internal resonances. For the C2H4/N2-air system, from 8 to 20 Hz, DFW is constant at 8.52 plus or minus 0.20 (% weakening)/Pa. This reflects a quasi-steady flame response to an acoustically induced dU(sub air)/dP. Also, it is surprisingly independent of C2H4/N2 mole fraction due to normalization by SS FS. From 20 to approximately 150 Hz, the C2H4/N2 air-flames weakened progressively less, with an inflection at approximately 70 Hz, and became asymptotically insensitive (DFW approximately 0) at approximately 300 Hz, which continued to 1600 Hz. The DFW of CH4-air flames followed a similar pattern, but showed much greater weakening than C2H4/N2-air flames; i.e., the quasi-steady DFW (8 to approximately 15 Hz) was 44.3 %/Pa, or approximately 5x larger, even though the 0 Hz (SS) FS was only 3.0 x smaller. The quasi-steady DFW's of C3H8-air and C2H6-air were intermediate at 34.8 and 20.9 %Pa, respectively. The DFW profiles of all four fuels, at various frequencies, correlated well but non-linearly with respective SS FS's. Notably, the DFW profile for C3H8 air fell more rapidly in the range greater than 15 to 60 Hz, compared with the 1- and 2-carbon fuels. This may indicate a shift in chemical kinetics, and/or O2 transport to a flame that moved closer to the fuel-side. In conclusion, Dynamic Flame Weakening limits appear significant and unique for each fuel, and correlate closely, but non-linearly, with Steady-State Flame Strengths at any given frequency. For reasons unknown, the dynamic flames didn't weaken more at intermediate frequencies (e.g., at 20-50 Hz) than they did at low frequencies (less than 15 Hz), where quasi-steady weakening appears to dominate. Quasi-steady flame weakening ostensibly represents a transient input strain rate maximum that just exceeds the steady-state strain-rate-limited extinction limit for a few cycles. Clearly, further detailed mechanistic understanding is needed in the fall-off region.