Software for Acquiring Image Data for PIV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wernet, Mark P.; Cheung, H. M.; Kressler, Brian

2003-01-01

PIV Acquisition (PIVACQ) is a computer program for acquisition of data for particle-image velocimetry (PIV). In the PIV system for which PIVACQ was developed, small particles entrained in a flow are illuminated with a sheet of light from a pulsed laser. The illuminated region is monitored by a charge-coupled-device camera that operates in conjunction with a data-acquisition system that includes a frame grabber and a counter-timer board, both installed in a single computer. The camera operates in "frame-straddle" mode where a pair of images can be obtained closely spaced in time (on the order of microseconds). The frame grabber acquires image data from the camera and stores the data in the computer memory. The counter/timer board triggers the camera and synchronizes the pulsing of the laser with acquisition of data from the camera. PIVPROC coordinates all of these functions and provides a graphical user interface, through which the user can control the PIV data-acquisition system. PIVACQ enables the user to acquire a sequence of single-exposure images, display the images, process the images, and then save the images to the computer hard drive. PIVACQ works in conjunction with the PIVPROC program which processes the images of particles into the velocity field in the illuminated plane.

Pulse-Shape Discrimination of Alpha Particles of Different Specific Energy-Loss With Parallel-Plate Avalanche Counters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakhostin, M.; Baba, M.

2014-06-01

Parallel-plate avalanche counters have long been recognized as timing detectors for heavily ionizing particles. However, these detectors suffer from a poor pulse-height resolution which limits their capability to discriminate between different ionizing particles. In this paper, a new approach for discriminating between charged particles of different specific energy-loss with avalanche counters is demonstrated. We show that the effect of the self-induced space-charge in parallel-plate avalanche counters leads to a strong correlation between the shape of output current pulses and the amount of primary ionization created by the incident charged particles. The correlation is then exploited for the discrimination of charged particles with different energy-losses in the detector. The experimental results obtained with α-particles from an 241Am α-source demonstrate a discrimination capability far beyond that achievable with the standard pulse-height discrimination method.

Behaviors of ellipsoidal micro-particles within a two-beam optical levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petkov, T.; Yang, M.; Ren, K. F.; Pouligny, B.; Loudet, J.-C.

2017-07-01

The two-beam levitator (TBL) is a standard optical setup made of a couple of counter-propagating beams. Note worthily, TBLs allow the manipulation and trapping of particles at long working distances. While much experience has been accumulated in the trapping of single spherical particles in TBLs, the behaviors of asymmetrical particles turn out to be more complex, and even surprising. Here, we report observations with prolate ellipsoidal polystyrene particles, with varying aspect ratio and ratio of the two beam powers. Generalizing the earlier work by Mihiretie et al. in single beam geometries [JQSRT 126, 61 (2013)], we observe that particles may be either static, or permanently oscillating, and that the two-beam geometry produces new particle responses: some of them are static, but non-symmetrical, while others correspond to new types of oscillations. A two-dimensional model based on ray-optics qualitatively accounts for these configurations and for the "primary" oscillations of the particles. Furthermore, levitation powers measured in the experiments are in fair agreement with those computed from GLMT (Generalized Lorentz Mie Theory), MLFMA (Multilevel Fast Multipole Algorithm) and approximate ray-optics methods.

Extinction cross section measurements for a single optically trapped particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cotterell, Michael I.; Preston, Thomas C.; Mason, Bernard J.; Orr-Ewing, Andrew J.; Reid, Jonathan P.

2015-08-01

Bessel beam (BB) optical traps have become widely used to confine single and multiple aerosol particles across a broad range of sizes, from a few microns to < 200 nm in radius. The radiation pressure force exerted by the core of a single, zeroth-order BB incident on a particle can be balanced by a counter-propagating gas flow, allowing a single particle to be trapped indefinitely. The pseudo non-diffracting nature of BBs enables particles to be confined over macroscopic distances along the BB core propagation length; the position of the particle along this length can be finely controlled by variation of the BB laser power. This latter property is exploited to optimize the particle position at the center of the TEM00 mode of a high finesse optical cavity, allowing cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) to be performed on single aerosol particles and their optical extinction cross section, σext, measured. Further, the variation in the light from the illuminating BB elastically scattered by the particle is recorded as a function of scattering angle. Such intensity distributions are fitted to Lorenz-Mie theory to determine the particle radius. The trends in σext with particle radius are modelled using cavity standing wave Mie simulations and a particle's varying refractive index with changing relative humidity is determined. We demonstrate σext measurements on individual sub-micrometer aerosol particles and determine the lowest limit in particle size that can be probed by this technique. The BB-CRDS method will play a key role in reducing the uncertainty associated with atmospheric aerosol radiative forcing, which remains among the largest uncertainties in climate modelling.

Integrated Sensor Systems for UAS

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

2. Optical particle counter 0.27 5.4 3. Pyranometer 0.17 ɘ.2 4. Temp. & relative humidity 0.05 ɘ.1 5. Data acquisition system 0.15 ɘ.2 6...payload volume showing sensor instrument installation. The insert shows the Manta exterior with the cloud droplet probe and pyranometer mounted on...Instrumentation Above- 2.7 Aethalometer cloud 14 Optical particle counter Up and down pyranometers Condensation particle counter In- 3.7

Real-time measurements of airborne biologic particles using fluorescent particle counter to evaluate microbial contamination: results of a comparative study in an operating theater.

PubMed

Dai, Chunyang; Zhang, Yan; Ma, Xiaoling; Yin, Meiling; Zheng, Haiyang; Gu, Xuejun; Xie, Shaoqing; Jia, Hengmin; Zhang, Liang; Zhang, Weijun

2015-01-01

Airborne bacterial contamination poses a risk for surgical site infection, and routine surveillance of airborne bacteria is important. Traditional methods for detecting airborne bacteria are time consuming and strenuous. Measurement of biologic particle concentrations using a fluorescent particle counter is a novel method for evaluating air quality. The current study was to determine whether the number of biologic particles detected by the fluorescent particle counter can be used to indicate airborne bacterial counts in operating rooms. The study was performed in an operating theater at a university hospital in Hefei, China. The number of airborne biologic particles every minute was quantified using a fluorescent particle counter. Microbiologic air sampling was performed every 30 minutes using an Andersen air sampler (Pusong Electronic Instruments, Changzhou, China). Correlations between the 2 different methods were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficients. A significant correlation was observed between biologic particle and bacterial counts (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.76), and the counting results from 2 methods both increased substantially between operations, corresponding with human movements in the operating room. Fluorescent particle counters show potential as important tools for monitoring bacterial contamination in operating theatres. Copyright © 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design of the aerosol sampling manifold for the Southern Great Plains site

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

Leifer, R.; Knuth, R.H.; Guggenheim, S.F.

1995-04-01

To meet the needs of the ARM program, the Environmental Measurements Laboratory (EML) has the responsibility to establish a surface aerosol measurements program at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Lamont, OK. At the present time, EML has scheduled installation of five instruments at SGP: a single wavelength nephelometer, an optical particle counter (OPC), a condensation particle counter (CPC), an optical absorption monitor (OAM), and an ozone monitor. ARM`s operating protocol requires that all the observational data be placed online and sent to the main computer facility in real time. EML currently maintains a computer file containing back trajectorymore » (BT) analyses for the SGP site. These trajectories are used to characterize air mass types as they pass over the site. EML is continuing to calculate and store the resulting trajectory analyses for future use by the ARM science team.« less

Micropipette as Coulter counter for submicron particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudzevich, Yauheni; Ordonez, Tony; Evans, Grant; Chow, Lee

2011-03-01

Coulter counter based on micropipette has been around for several decades. Typical commercial Coulter counter has a pore size of 20 μ m, and is designed to detect micron-size blood cells. In recent years, there are a lot of interests in using nanometer pore size Coulter counter to detect single molecule and to sequence DNA. Here we describe a simple nanoparticle counter based on pulled micropipettes with a diameter of 50 -- 500 nm. Borosilicate micropipettes with an initial outer diameter of 1.00 mm and inner diameter of 0.5 mm are used. After pulling, the micropipettes are fire polished and ultrasound cleaned. Chlorinated Ag/AgCl electrodes and 0.1 M of KCl solution are used. The ionic currents are measured using an Axopatch 200B amplifier in the voltage-clamp mode. Several types and sizes of nanoparticles are measured, including plain silica and polystyrene nanospheres. The results will be discussed in terms of pH values of the solution and concentrations of the nanoparticles. Financial support from National Science Foundation (NSF-0901361) is acknowledged.

Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter Instrument Handbook

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

Kuang, C.

2016-02-01

The Model 3776 Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (UCPC; pictured in Appendix A) is designed for researchers interested in airborne particles smaller than 20 nm. With sensitivity to particles down to 2.5 nm in diameter, this UCPC is ideally suited for atmospheric and climate research, particle formation and growth studies, combustion and engine exhaust research, and nanotechnology research.

Light Obscuration Particle Counter Fuel Contamination Limits

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-08

or up to 10 mg/L for product used as a diesel product for ground use (1). At a minimum free water and particulate by color (as specified in the...contamination is frequently used in the hydraulics/hydraulic fluid industry. In 1999 ISO adopted ISO 11171 Hydraulic fluid power — Calibration of automatic...particle counters for liquids, replacing ISO 4402, as an international standard for the calibration of liquid particle counters giving NIST

Size and composition distribution of fine particulate matter emitted from wood burning, meat charbroiling, and cigarettes

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

Kleeman, M.J.; Schauer, J.J.; Cass, G.R.

A dilution source sampling system is augmented to measure the size-distributed chemical composition of fine particle emissions from air pollution sources. Measurements are made using a laser optical particle counter (OPC), a differential mobility analyzer/condensation nucleus counter (DMA/CNC) combination, and a pair of microorifice uniform deposit impactors (MOUDIs). The sources tested with this system include wood smoke (pine, oak, eucalyptus), meat charbroiling, and cigarettes. The particle mass distributions from all wood smoke sources have a single mode that peaks at approximately 0.1--0.2 {micro}m particle diameter. The smoke from meat charbroiling shows a major peak in the particle mass distribution atmore » 0.1--0.2 {micro}m particle diameter, with some material present at larger particle sizes. Particle mass distributions from cigarettes peak between 0.3 and 0.4 {micro}m particle diameter. Chemical composition analysis reveals that particles emitted from the sources tested here are largely composed of organic compounds. Noticeable concentrations of elemental carbon are found in the particles emitted from wood burning. The size distributions of the trace species emissions from these sources also are presented, including data for Na, K, Ti, Fe, Br, Ru, Cl, Al, Zn, Ba, Sr, V, Mn, Sb, La, Ce, as well as sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium ion when present in statistically significant amounts. These data are intended for use with air quality models that seek to predict the size distribution of the chemical composition of atmospheric fine particles.« less

LOW ENERGY COUNTING CHAMBERS

DOEpatents

Hayes, P.M.

1960-02-16

A beta particle counter adapted to use an end window made of polyethylene terephthalate was designed. The extreme thinness of the film results in a correspondingly high transmission of incident low-energy beta particles by the window. As a consequence, the counting efficiency of the present counter is over 40% greater than counters using conventional mica end windows.

Characterizing physical properties and heterogeneous chemistry of single particles in air using optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Z.; Wang, C.; Pan, Y. L.; Videen, G.

2017-12-01

Heterogeneous reactions of solid particles in a gaseous environment are of increasing interest; however, most of the heterogeneous chemistry studies of airborne solids were conducted on particle ensembles. A close examination on the heterogeneous chemistry between single particles and gaseous-environment species is the key to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of hydroscopic growth, cloud nuclei condensation, secondary aerosol formation, etc., and reduce the uncertainty of models in radiative forcing, climate change, and atmospheric chemistry. We demonstrate an optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) system to study the heterogeneous chemistry of the solid particles in air at single-particle level. Compared to other single-particle techniques, optical trapping offers a non-invasive, flexible, and stable method to isolate single solid particle from substrates. Benefited from two counter-propagating hollow beams, the optical trapping configuration is adaptive to trap a variety of particles with different materials from inorganic substitution (carbon nanotubes, silica, etc.) to organic, dye-doped polymers and bioaerosols (spores, pollen, etc.), with different optical properties from transparent to strongly absorbing, with different sizes from sub-micrometers to tens of microns, or with distinct morphologies from loosely packed nanotubes to microspheres and irregular pollen grains. The particles in the optical trap may stay unchanged, surface degraded, or optically fragmented according to different laser intensity, and their physical and chemical properties are characterized by the Raman spectra and imaging system simultaneously. The Raman spectra is able to distinguish the chemical compositions of different particles, while the synchronized imaging system can resolve their physical properties (sizes, shapes, morphologies, etc.). The temporal behavior of the trapped particles also can be monitored by the OT-RS system at an indefinite time with a resolution from 10 ms to 5 min, which can be further applied to monitor the dynamics of heterogeneous reactions. The OT-RS system provides a flexible method to characterize and monitor the physical properties and heterogeneous chemistry of optically trapped solid particles in gaseous environment at single-particle level.

Evaluation of Particle Counter Technology for Detection of Fuel Contamination Detection Utilizing Advanced Aviation Forward Area Refueling System

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-24

8, Automatic Particle Counter, cleanliness, free water, Diesel 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT none 18. NUMBER OF...aircraft, or up to 10 mg/L for product used as a diesel product for ground use (1). Free water contamination (droplets) may appear as fine droplets or...published several methods and test procedures for the calibration and use of automatic particle counters. The transition of this technology to the fuel

Measurements of the evaporation and hygroscopic response of single fine-mode aerosol particles using a Bessel beam optical trap.

PubMed

Cotterell, Michael I; Mason, Bernard J; Carruthers, Antonia E; Walker, Jim S; Orr-Ewing, Andrew J; Reid, Jonathan P

2014-02-07

A single horizontally-propagating zeroth order Bessel laser beam with a counter-propagating gas flow was used to confine single fine-mode aerosol particles over extended periods of time, during which process measurements were performed. Particle sizes were measured by the analysis of the angular variation of light scattered at 532 nm by a particle in the Bessel beam, using either a probe beam at 405 nm or 633 nm. The vapour pressures of glycerol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol particles were determined to be 7.5 ± 2.6 mPa and 0.20 ± 0.02 mPa respectively. The lower volatility of hexanetriol allowed better definition of the trapping environment relative humidity profile over the measurement time period, thus higher precision measurements were obtained compared to those for glycerol. The size evolution of a hexanetriol particle, as well as its refractive index at wavelengths 532 nm and 405 nm, were determined by modelling its position along the Bessel beam propagation length while collecting phase functions with the 405 nm probe beam. Measurements of the hygroscopic growth of sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate have been performed on particles as small as 350 nm in radius, with growth curves well described by widely used equilibrium state models. These are the smallest particles for which single-particle hygroscopicity has been measured and represent the first measurements of hygroscopicity on fine mode and near-accumulation mode aerosols, the size regimes bearing the most atmospheric relevance in terms of loading, light extinction and scattering. Finally, the technique is contrasted with other single particle and ensemble methods, and limitations are assessed.

Quenching gas for detectors of charged particles

DOEpatents

Atac, M.

1974-01-22

Operation of detectors of charged particles such as wire counters and Geiger-Muller tubes is improved by filling the counters with a quenching-gas mixture of argon, isobutane and methylchloroform. (Official Gazette)

Chemical abundances of cosmic rays greater than 4.5 GV measured with a large area proportional counter-scintillation counter stack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lheureux, J.; Fan, C. Y.; Mainardi, R.; Gloeckler, G.

1974-01-01

A 6500 sq cm-ster cosmic-ray detector consisting of 12 gas counter trays sandwiched between two large-area circular scintillation counters was flown from Palestine, Texas in November 1972 to study the composition of primary particles greater than 1.5 GeV/nucleon in the charge range from 3 to 30. For each analyzed event, the particle trajectory was recorded, using four 20-wire proportional counter trays. Also recorded were the energy loss in each of the solid counters and the dE/dx losses in each of the 12 gas counters. The large dynamic range of the detector is established by operating six of the gas counters in the ionization mode. A description of the instrument and some preliminary results are given.

Chemical abundances of cosmic rays greater than 4.5 GV measured with a large area proportional counter-scintillation counter stack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lheureux, J.; Fan, C. Y.; Gloeckler, G.; Mainardi, R.

1973-01-01

A 6500 sq cm-ster cosmic ray detector consisting of twelve gas counter trays sandwiched between two large area circular scintillation counters was flown from Palestine, Texas in November of 1972 to study the composition of primary particles 1.5 GeV/nucleon in the charge range 3 to 30. For each analyzed event, a recording was made of (1) the particle trajectory using four 20 wire proportional counter trays, (2) the energy loss in each of the solid counters, and (3) the dE/dx losses in each of the twelve gas counters. The large dynamic range of the detector is established by operating six of the gas counters in the ionization mode. A description of the instrument and some preliminary results are given.

RADIOMETRIC EQUIPMENT ON SECOND SPACESHIP-SATELLITE

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

Papkov, S.F.; Pisarenko, N.F.; Savenko, I.A.

1961-01-01

Equipment installed on the second Soviet spaceshipsatellite to measure radiation and determine dose absorption is described. A scintillation counter recorded charged particles penetrating the skin of the spaceship and gamma quanta with energies exceeding 25 kev. Two CTC-5 gas-discharge counters also recorded charged particles, and, as the efficiency of gamma recording was low (below 10/sup -2/), a comparison of readings made it possible to evaluate the contribution of the charged particles and the gamma quanta, respectively, to the absorbed dose. A separate scintillation counter measured the energy flow of relatively soft charged particles. Electronic equipment was supplied with energy frommore » a 6( plus or minus 1)-v battery with power not over 0.5 w. A thorough check of the spaceship after its return to earth demonstrated that all the counters and electronie devices had retained their efficiency. A block diagram of the equipment is given. (OTS)« less

Optical waveguide loop for planar trapping of blood cells and microspheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahluwalia, Balpreet S.; Hellesø, Olav G.

2013-09-01

The evanescent field from a waveguide can be used to trap and propel a particle. An optical waveguide loop with an intentional gap at the center is used for planar transport and stable trapping of particles. The waveguide acts as a conveyor belt to trap and deliver spheres towards the gap. At the gap, the counter-diverging light fields hold the sphere at a fixed position. Numerical simulation based on the finite element method was performed in three dimensions using a computer cluster. The field distribution and optical forces for rib and strip waveguide designs are compared and discussed. The optical force on a single particle was computed for various positions of the particle in the gap. Simulation predicted stable trapping of particles in the gap. Depending on the gap separation (2-50 μm) a single or multiple spheres and red blood cells were trapped at the gap. Waveguides were made of tantalum pentaoxide material. The waveguides are only 180 nm thick and thus could be integrated with other functions on the chip.

GASEOUS SCINTILLATION COUNTER

DOEpatents

Eggler, C.; Huddleston, C.M.

1959-04-28

A gaseous excitation counter for detecting the presence amd measuring the energy of subatomic particles and electromagnetic radiation is described. The counter includes a gas-tight chamber filled with an elemental gas capable of producing ultra-violet excitation quanta when irradiated with subatomic particles and electromagnetic radiation. The gas has less than one in a thousand parts ultra-violet absorbing contamination. When nuclear radiation ps present the ultra-violet light produced by the gas strikes a fluorescent material within the counter, responsive to produce visible excitation quanta, and photo-sensitive counting means detect the visible emission.

Study and Fabrication of Super Low-Cost Solar Cell (SLC-SC) Based on Counter Electrode from Animal’s Bone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadlilah, D. R.; Fajar, M. N.; Aini, A. N.; Haqqiqi, R. I.; Wirawan, P. R.; Endarko

2018-04-01

The synthesized carbon from bones of chicken, cow, and fish with the calcination temperature at 450 and 600°C have been successfully fabricated for counter electrode in the Super Low-Cost Solar Cell (SLC-LC) based the structure of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC). The main proposed study was to fabricate SLC-SC and investigate the influence of the synthesized carbon from animal’s bone for counter electrode towards to photovoltaic performance of SLC-SC. X-Ray Diffraction and UV-Vis was used to characterize the phase and the optical properties of TiO2 as photoanode in SLC-SC. Meanwhile, the morphology and particle size distribution of the synthesized carbon in counter electrodes were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). The results showed that the TiO2 has anatase phase with the absorption wavelength of 300 to 550 nm. The calcination temperature for synthesizing of carbon could affect morphology and particle size distribution. The increasing temperature gave the effect more dense in morphology and increased the particle size of carbon in the counter electrode. Changes in morphology and particle size of carbon give effect to the performance of the SLC-SC where the increased morphology’s compact and particle size make decreased in the performance of the SLC-SC.

Fast scintillation counter system and performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sasaki, H.; Nishioka, A.; Ohmori, N.; Kusumose, M.; Nakatsuka, T.; Horiki, T.; Hatano, Y.

1985-01-01

An experimental study of the fast scintillation counter (FS) system to observe a shower disk structure at Mt. Norikura is described, especially the system performance and a pulse wave-form by a single charge particles. The photomultiplier tube (PT) pulse appears at the leading edge of the main pulse. To remove this PT-pulse from the main pulse, the frame of the scintillator vessel was changed. The fast triggering system was made to decrease the dead time which came from the use of the function of the self triggering of the storage oscilloscope (OSC). To provide a new field on the multi-parameter study of the cosmic ray showers, the system response of the FS system also improved as a result of many considerations.

LOAC (Light Optical Particle Counter): a new small aerosol counter with particle characterization capabilities for surface and airborne measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renard, Jean-Baptiste; Berthet, Gwenael; Jégou, Fabrice; Jeannot, Matthieu; Jourdain, Line; Dulac, François; Mallet, Marc; Dupont, Jean-Charles; Thaury, Claire; Tonnelier, Thierry; Verdier, Nicolas; Charpentier, Patrick

2013-04-01

The determination of the size distribution of tropospheric and stratospheric aerosols with conventional optical counters is difficult when different natures of particles are present (droplets, soot, mineral dust, secondary organic or mineral particles...). Also, a light and cheap aerosol counter that can be used at ground, onboard drones or launched under all kinds of atmospheric balloons can be very useful during specific events as volcanic plumes, desert dust transport or local pollution episodes. These goals can be achieved thanks to a new generation of aerosol counter, called LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter). The instrument was developed in the frame of a cooperation between French scientific laboratories (CNRS), the Environnement-SA and MeteoModem companies and the French Space Agency (CNES). LOAC is a small optical particle counter/sizer of ~250 grams, having a low electrical power consumption. The measurements are conducted at two scattering angles. The first one, at 12°, is used to determine the aerosol particle concentrations in 19 size classes within a diameter range of 0.3-100 micrometerers. At such an angle close to forward scattering, the signal is much more intense and the measurements are the least sensitive to the particle nature. The second angle is at 60°, where the scattered light is strongly dependent on the particle refractive index and thus on the nature of the aerosols. The ratio of the measurements at the two angles is used to discriminate between the different types of particles dominating the nature of the aerosol particles in the different size classes. The sensor particularly discriminates wet or liquid particles, soil dust and soot. Since 2011, we have operated LOAC in various environments (Arctic, Mediterranean, urban and peri-urban…) under different kinds of balloons including zero pressure stratospheric, tethered, drifting tropospheric, and meteorological sounding balloons. For the last case, the total weight of the gondola including the PTU sonde, transmission and batteries is below 1 kg. The results obtained during these flights and related campaigns such as the ground-based winter campaign Paris-Fog in Ile de France (fog life circle) and the Pre-ChArMEx/TRAQA summer campaign on the French Mediterranean coast will be presented, as well as future campaigns in which LOAC is involved, especially ChArMEx, (flights in the lower troposphere above the Mediterranean Sea), and Strateole (long duration flights in the tropical stratosphere). Balloon operation of LOAC will tentatively been shown during EGU.

Single particle fluorescence: a simple experimental approach to evaluate coincidence effects.

PubMed

Wu, Xihong; Omenetto, Nicoló; Smith, Benjamin W; Winefordner, James D

2007-07-01

Real-time characterization of the chemical and physical properties of individual aerosol particles is an important issue in environmental studies. A well-established way of accomplishing this task relies on the use of laser-induced fluorescence or laser ionization mass spectrometry. We describe here a simple approach aimed at experimentally verifying that single particles are indeed addressed. The approach has been tested with a system consisting of a series of aerodynamic lenses to form a beam of dye-doped particles aerosolized from a solution of known concentration with a medical nebulizer. Two independent spectral detection channels simultaneously measure the fluorescence signals generated in two different spectral regions by the passage of a mixture of two dye-doped particles through a focused laser beam in a vacuum chamber. Coincidence effects, arising from the simultaneous observation of both fluorescence emissions, can then be directly observed. Both dual-color fluorescence and pulse height distribution have been analyzed. As expected, the probability of single- or multiple-particle interaction strongly depends on the particle flux in the chamber, which is related to the concentration of particles in the nebulized solution. In our case, to achieve a two-particle coincidence smaller than 10%, a particle concentration lower than 1.2x10(5) particles/mL is required. Moreover, it was found that the experimental observations are in agreement with a simple mathematical model based on Poisson statistics. Although the results obtained refer to particle concentrations in solution, our approach can equally be applicable to experiments involving direct air sampling, provided that the number density of particles in air can be measured a priori, e.g., with a particle counter.

Evaluation of the filtration performance of NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators by photometric and number-based test methods.

PubMed

Rengasamy, Samy; Miller, Adam; Eimer, Benjamin C

2011-01-01

N95 particulate filtering facepiece respirators are certified by measuring penetration levels photometrically with a presumed severe case test method using charge neutralized NaCl aerosols at 85 L/min. However, penetration values obtained by photometric methods have not been compared with count-based methods using contemporary respirators composed of electrostatic filter media and challenged with both generated and ambient aerosols. To better understand the effects of key test parameters (e.g., particle charge, detection method), initial penetration levels for five N95 model filtering facepiece respirators were measured using NaCl aerosols with the aerosol challenge and test equipment employed in the NIOSH respirator certification method (photometric) and compared with an ultrafine condensation particle counter method (count based) for the same NaCl aerosols as well as for ambient room air particles. Penetrations using the NIOSH test method were several-fold less than the penetrations obtained by the ultrafine condensation particle counter for NaCl aerosols as well as for room particles indicating that penetration measurement based on particle counting offers a more difficult challenge than the photometric method, which lacks sensitivity for particles < 100 nm. All five N95 models showed the most penetrating particle size around 50 nm for room air particles with or without charge neutralization, and at 200 nm for singly charged NaCl monodisperse particles. Room air with fewer charged particles and an overwhelming number of neutral particles contributed to the most penetrating particle size in the 50 nm range, indicating that the charge state for the majority of test particles determines the MPPS. Data suggest that the NIOSH respirator certification protocol employing the photometric method may not be a more challenging aerosol test method. Filter penetrations can vary among workplaces with different particle size distributions, which suggests the need for the development of new or revised "more challenging" aerosol test methods for NIOSH certification of respirators.

Examination of a high resolution laser optical plankton counter and FlowCAM for measuring plankton concentration and size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kydd, Jocelyn; Rajakaruna, Harshana; Briski, Elizabeta; Bailey, Sarah

2018-03-01

Many commercial ships will soon begin to use treatment systems to manage their ballast water and reduce the global transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in accordance with upcoming International Maritime Organization regulations. As a result, rapid and accurate automated methods will be needed to monitoring compliance of ships' ballast water. We examined two automated particle counters for monitoring organisms ≥ 50 μm in minimum dimension: a High Resolution Laser Optical Plankton Counter (HR-LOPC), and a Flow Cytometer with digital imaging Microscope (FlowCAM), in comparison to traditional (manual) microscopy considering plankton concentration, size frequency distributions and particle size measurements. The automated tools tended to underestimate particle concentration compared to standard microscopy, but gave similar results in terms of relative abundance of individual taxa. For most taxa, particle size measurements generated by FlowCAM ABD (Area Based Diameter) were more similar to microscope measurements than were those by FlowCAM ESD (Equivalent Spherical Diameter), though there was a mismatch in size estimates for some organisms between the FlowCAM ABD and microscope due to orientation and complex morphology. When a single problematic taxon is very abundant, the resulting size frequency distribution curves can become skewed, as was observed with Asterionella in this study. In particular, special consideration is needed when utilizing automated tools to analyse samples containing colonial species. Re-analysis of the size frequency distributions with the removal of Asterionella from FlowCAM and microscope data resulted in more similar curves across methods with FlowCAM ABD having the best fit compared to the microscope, although microscope concentration estimates were still significantly higher than estimates from the other methods. The results of our study indicate that both automated tools can generate frequency distributions of particles that might be particularly useful if correction factors can be developed for known differences in well-studied aquatic ecosystems.

An efficient fluorescent single-particle position tracking system for long-term pulsed measurements of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kiho; Yun, Jiwon; Lee, Donghyuck; Kim, Dohun

2018-02-01

A simple and convenient design enables real-time three-dimensional position tracking of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. The system consists entirely of commercially available components (a single-photon counter, a high-speed digital-to-analog converter, a phase-sensitive detector-based feedback device, and a piezo stage), eliminating the need for custom programming or rigorous optimization processes. With a large input range of counters and trackers combined with high sensitivity of single-photon counting, high-speed position tracking (upper bound recovery time of 0.9 s upon 250 nm of step-like positional shift) not only of bright ensembles, but also of low-photon-collection-efficiency single to few NV centers (down to 103 s-1) is possible. The tracking requires position modulation of only 10 nm, which allows simultaneous position tracking and pulsed measurements in the long term. Therefore, this tracking system enables measuring a single-spin magnetic resonance and Rabi oscillations at a very high resolution even without photon collection optimization. The system is widely applicable to various fields related to NV center quantum manipulation research such as NV optical trapping, NV tracking in fluid dynamics, and biological sensing using NV centers inside a biological cell.

A mathematical model of the inline CMOS matrix sensor for investigation of particles in hydraulic liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kornilin, DV; Kudryavtsev, IA

2016-10-01

One of the most effective ways to diagnose the state of hydraulic system is an investigation of the particles in their liquids. The sizes of such particles range from 2 to 200 gm and their concentration and shape reveal important information about the current state of equipment and the necessity of maintenance. In-line automatic particle counters (APC), which are built into hydraulic system, are widely used for determination of particle size and concentration. These counters are based on a single photodiode and a light emitting diode (LED); however, samples of liquid are needed for analysis using microscope or industrial video camera in order to get information about particle shapes. The act of obtaining the sample leads to contamination by other particles from the air or from the sample tube, meaning that the results are usually corrupted. Using the CMOS or CCD matrix sensor without any lens for inline APC is the solution proposed by authors. In this case the matrix sensors are put into the liquid channel of the hydraulic system and illuminated by LED. This system could be stable in arduous conditions like high pressure and the vibration of the hydraulic system; however, the image or signal from that matrix sensor needs to be processed differently in comparison with the signal from microscope or industrial video camera because of relatively short distance between LED and sensor. This paper introduces mathematical model of a sensor with CMOS and LED, which can be built into hydraulic system. It is also provided a computational algorithm and results, which can be useful for calculation of particle sizes and shapes using the signal from the CMOS matrix sensor.

Size-segregated compositional analysis of aerosol particles collected in the European Arctic during the ACCACIA campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, G.; Jones, H. M.; Darbyshire, E.; Baustian, K. J.; McQuaid, J. B.; Bower, K. N.; Connolly, P. J.; Gallagher, M. W.; Choularton, T. W.

2016-03-01

Single-particle compositional analysis of filter samples collected on board the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146 aircraft is presented for six flights during the springtime Aerosol-Cloud Coupling and Climate Interactions in the Arctic (ACCACIA) campaign (March-April 2013). Scanning electron microscopy was utilised to derive size-segregated particle compositions and size distributions, and these were compared to corresponding data from wing-mounted optical particle counters. Reasonable agreement between the calculated number size distributions was found. Significant variability in composition was observed, with differing external and internal mixing identified, between air mass trajectory cases based on HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) analyses. Dominant particle classes were silicate-based dusts and sea salts, with particles notably rich in K and Ca detected in one case. Source regions varied from the Arctic Ocean and Greenland through to northern Russia and the European continent. Good agreement between the back trajectories was mirrored by comparable compositional trends between samples. Silicate dusts were identified in all cases, and the elemental composition of the dust was consistent for all samples except one. It is hypothesised that long-range, high-altitude transport was primarily responsible for this dust, with likely sources including the Asian arid regions.

Advanced Prop-fan Engine Technology (APET) single- and counter-rotation gearbox/pitch change mechanism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reynolds, C. N.

1985-01-01

The preliminary design of advanced technology (1992) turboprop engines for single-rotation prop-fans and conceptual designs of pitch change mechanisms for single- and counter-rotation prop-fan application are discussed. The single-rotation gearbox is a split path, in-line configuration. The counter-rotation gearbox is an in-line, differential planetary design. The pitch change mechanisms for both the single- and counter-rotation arrangements are rotary/hydraulic. The advanced technology single-rotation gearbox yields a 2.4 percent improvement in aircraft fuel burn and a one percent improvement in operating cost relative to a current technology gearbox. The 1992 counter-rotation gearbox is 15 percent lighter, 15 percent more reliable, 5 percent lower in cost, and 45 percent lower in maintenance cost than the 1992 single-rotation gearbox. The pitch controls are modular, accessible, and external.

Performance of the CAPRICE98 balloon-borne gas-RICH detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergström, D.; Boezio, M.; Carlson, P.; Francke, T.; Grinstein, S.; Weber, N.; Suffert, M.; Hof, M.; Kremer, J.; Menn, W.; Simon, M.; Stephens, S. A.; Ambriola, M.; Bellotti, R.; Cafagna, F.; Castellano, M.; Ciacio, F.; Circella, M.; De Marzo, C.; Finetti, N.; Papini, P.; Piccardi, S.; Spillantini, P.; Bartalucci, S.; Ricci, M.; Bidoli, V.; Casolino, M.; De Pascale, M. P.; Morselli, A.; Picozza, P.; Sparvoli, R.; Barbiellini, G.; Schiavon, P.; Vacchi, A.; Zampa, N.; Mitchell, J. W.; Ormes, J. F.; Streitmatter, R. E.; Bravar, U.; Stochaj, S. J.

2001-05-01

A RICH counter using a gas radiator of C 4F 10 and a photosensitive MWPC with pad readout has been developed, tested in particle beam at CERN and used in the CAPRICE98 balloon-borne experiment. The MWPC was operated with a TMAE and ethane mixture at atmospheric pressure and used a cathode pad plane to give an unambiguous image of the Cherenkov light. The induced signals in the pad plane were read out using the AMPLEX chip and CRAMS. The good efficiency of the Cherenkov light collection, the efficient detection of the weak signal from single UV photons together with a low noise level in the electronics of the RICH detector, resulted in a large number of detected photoelectrons per event. For β≃1 charge one particles, an average of 12 photoelectrons per event were detected. The reconstructed Cherenkov angle of 50 mrad for a β≃1 particle had a resolution of 1.2 mrad (rms). The RICH was flown with the CAPRICE98 magnetic spectrometer and was the first RICH counter ever used in a balloon-borne experiment capable of identifying charge one particles at energies above 5 GeV. The RICH provided an identification of cosmic ray antiprotons up to the highest energies ever studied (about 50 GeV of total energy). The spectrometer was flown on 28-29 May 1998 from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, USA.

Maritime Infrared Propagation: Particle Size Distribution Measurements Using a Helicopter-Borne Aerosol Counter.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

COUNTER by R. R. Allan S. Craig SUMMARY -Particle size distribution measurements were made on nine successive days in late August 1980 using a PMS FSSP-100...aerosol counter flown on a Wessex Mk 5 helicopter. In all, 14 flights were made giving data at two heights, 30 and 100 ft above the sea surface...aerosol content over deep water. It was a specific recommendation of TTCP-JAG9 that airborne aerosol measurements should be made in conjunction with al

Laboratory Evaluation of Light Obscuration Particle Counters used to Establish use Limits for Aviation Fuel

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

evaluation The major drawback to light obscuration particle counting is that the technology is unable to differentiate between solid particulate ...light obscuration particle counter technologies evaluated were able to properly measure solid particulate contamination and provide an indication of...undissolved water, Aqua-Glo, Particulate , Gravimetric 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT none 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 55 19a. NAME OF

Coherent properties of a tunable low-energy electron-matter-wave source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pooch, A.; Seidling, M.; Kerker, N.; Röpke, R.; Rembold, A.; Chang, W. T.; Hwang, I. S.; Stibor, A.

2018-01-01

A general challenge in various quantum experiments and applications is to develop suitable sources for coherent particles. In particular, recent progress in microscopy, interferometry, metrology, decoherence measurements, and chip-based applications rely on intensive, tunable, coherent sources for free low-energy electron-matter waves. In most cases, the electrons get field emitted from a metal nanotip, where its radius and geometry toward a counter electrode determines the field distribution and the emission voltage. A higher emission is often connected to faster electrons with smaller de Broglie wavelengths, requiring larger pattern magnification after matter-wave diffraction or interferometry. This can be prevented with a well-known setup consisting of two counter electrodes that allow independent setting of the beam intensity and velocity. However, it needs to be tested if the coherent properties of such a source are preserved after the acceleration and deceleration of the electrons. Here, we study the coherence of the beam in a biprism interferometer with a single atom tip electron field emitter if the particle velocity and wavelength varies after emission. With a Wien filter measurement and a contrast correlation analysis we demonstrate that the intensity of the source at a certain particle wavelength can be enhanced up to a factor of 6.4 without changing the transverse and longitudinal coherence of the electron beam. In addition, the energy width of the single atom tip emitter was measured to be 377 meV, corresponding to a longitudinal coherence length of 82 nm. The design has potential applications in interferometry, microscopy, and sensor technology.

The response of a scintillation counter below an emulsion chamber to heavy nucleus interactions in the chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burnett, T. H.; Dake, S.; Derrickson, J. H.; Fountain, W. F.; Fuki, M.; Gregory, J. C.; Hayashi, T.; Hayashi, T.; Holynski, R.; Iwai, J.;

Background in X-ray astronomy proportional counters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bower, C. R.; Dietz, K. L.; Ramsey, B. D.; Weisskopf, M. C.

1991-01-01

The authors report the results of an investigation into the nature of background events in proportional counters sensitive to X-ray photons having energy of less than 150 keV. Even with the use of thick shields composed of high-atomic-number material, a significant flux background in the detector's energy region can result from multiple Compton scattering in the mass surrounding the active region of the detector. The importance of the selection of detector components in the reduction of the background by more than an order of magnitude is emphasized. Experimental results are shown to agree qualitatively with Monte Carlo simulations. It is concluded that escape gating is a powerful means of determining the nature of background in flight detectors: the single/pair ratios reveal whether the detected events are charged particles or photons.

Characterization of three new condensation particle counters for sub-3 nm particle detection during the Helsinki CPC workshop: the ADI versatile water CPC, TSI 3777 nano enhancer and boosted TSI 3010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kangasluoma, Juha; Hering, Susanne; Picard, David; Lewis, Gregory; Enroth, Joonas; Korhonen, Frans; Kulmala, Markku; Sellegri, Karine; Attoui, Michel; Petäjä, Tuukka

2017-06-01

In this study we characterized the performance of three new particle counters able to detect particles smaller than 3 nm during the Helsinki condensation particle counter (CPC) workshop in summer 2016: the Aerosol Dynamics Inc. (ADI; Berkeley, USA) versatile water condensation particle counter (vWCPC), TSI 3777 nano enhancer (TSI Inc., Shoreview, USA) and modified and boosted TSI 3010-type CPC from Université Blaise Pascal called a B3010. The performance of all CPCs was first measured with charged tungsten oxide test particles at temperature settings which resulted in supersaturation low enough to not detect any ions produced by a radioactive source. Due to similar measured detection efficiencies, additional comparison between the 3777 and vWCPC were conducted using electrically neutral tungsten oxide test particles and with positively charged tetradodecylammonium bromide. Furthermore, the detection efficiencies of the 3777 and vWCPC were measured with boosted temperature settings yielding supersaturation which was at the onset of homogeneous nucleation for the 3777 or confined within the range of liquid water for the ADI vWCPC. Finally, CPC-specific tests were conducted to probe the response of the 3777 to various inlet flow relative humidities, of the B3010 to various inlet flow rates and of the vWCPC to various particle concentrations. For the 3777 and vWCPC the measured 50 % detection diameters (d50s) were in the range of 1.3-2.4 nm for the tungsten oxide particles, depending on the particle charging state and CPC temperature settings, between 2.5 and 3.3 nm for the organic test aerosol, and in the range of 3.2-3.4 nm for tungsten oxide for the B3010.

Single-ended counter-rotating radial turbine for space application

DOEpatents

Coomes, E.P.; Wilson, D.G.; Webb, B.J.; McCabe, S.J.

1987-05-13

A single-ended turbine with counter-rotating blades operating with sodium as the working fluid. The single-ended, counter-rotating feature of the turbine results in zero torque application to a space platform. Thus, maneuvering of the platform is not adversely affected by the turbine. 4 figs.

Particle Identification in Nuclear Emulsion by Measuring Multiple Coulomb Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Than Tint, Khin; Nakazawa, Kazuma; Yoshida, Junya; Kyaw Soe, Myint; Mishina, Akihiro; Kinbara, Shinji; Itoh, Hiroki; Endo, Yoko; Kobayashi, Hidetaka; E07 Collaboration

2014-09-01

We are developing particle identification techniques for single charged particles such as Xi, proton, K and π by measuring multiple Coulomb scattering in nuclear emulsion. Nuclear emulsion is the best three dimensional detector for double strangeness (S = -2) nuclear system. We expect to accumulate about 10000 Xi-minus stop events which produce double lambda hypernucleus in J-PARC E07 emulsion counter hybrid experiment. The purpose of this particle identification (PID) in nuclear emulsion is to purify Xi-minus stop events which gives information about production probability of double hypernucleus and branching ratio of decay mode. Amount of scattering parameterized as angular distribution and second difference is inversely proportional to the momentum of particle. We produced several thousands of various charged particle tracks in nuclear emulsion stack via Geant4 simulation. In this talk, PID with some measuring methods for multiple scattering will be discussed by comparing with simulation data and real Xi-minus stop events in KEK-E373 experiment.

RICH detectors: Analysis methods and their impact on physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Križan, Peter

2017-12-01

The paper discusses the importance of particle identification in particle physics experiments, and reviews the impact of ring imaging Cherenkov (RICH) counters in experiments that are currently running, or are under construction. Several analysis methods are discussed that are needed to calibrate a RICH counter, and to align its components with the rest of the detector. Finally, methods are reviewed on how to employ the collected data to efficiently separate one particle species from the other.

Comparison of aerosol volume size distributions retrieved from ground-based remote sensing measurements with those from an optical particle counter on the ground

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, B.; Choi, Y.; Ghim, Y.

2013-12-01

Both Cimel CE-318 sunphotometer and POM-02 skyradiometer were operated for around 15 months starting from March 2012 as a part of the DRAGON (Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Networks) campaign. These two instruments were collocated at the Hankuk_UFS (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies) site of AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork,) and the YGN (Yongin) site of SKYNET (SKYradiometer NETwork). We have also measured the particle concentration on the ground using an optical particle counter (Grimm Model 1.108) since the beginning of this year. The measurement site (37.02 °N, 127.16 °E, 167 m above sea level) is located about 35 km southeast of downtown Seoul. We compare the volume size distributions from sunphotometer, skyradiometer, and optical particle counter for the former part of this year. In the retrieval process, AERONET assumes 22 bins for 0.05-15 μm while SKYNET assumes 20 bins for 0.01-20 μm. The optical particle counter measures the particle number concentrations between 0.25 and 32 μm in 31 bins. Since the measurement intervals are different between instruments, we compare the distributions when the measurement time coincides within 5 minutes as well as mean distributions from the instruments. We examine the differences in mode radii and volume concentrations of fine and coarse mode aerosols between instruments.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging of optically levitated aerosol: a technique to quantitatively map the viscosity of suspended aerosol particles.

PubMed

Fitzgerald, C; Hosny, N A; Tong, H; Seville, P C; Gallimore, P J; Davidson, N M; Athanasiadis, A; Botchway, S W; Ward, A D; Kalberer, M; Kuimova, M K; Pope, F D

2016-08-21

We describe a technique to measure the viscosity of stably levitated single micron-sized aerosol particles. Particle levitation allows the aerosol phase to be probed in the absence of potentially artefact-causing surfaces. To achieve this feat, we combined two laser based techniques: optical trapping for aerosol particle levitation, using a counter-propagating laser beam configuration, and fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of molecular rotors for the measurement of viscosity within the particle. Unlike other techniques used to measure aerosol particle viscosity, this allows for the non-destructive probing of viscosity of aerosol particles without interference from surfaces. The well-described viscosity of sucrose aerosol, under a range of relative humidity conditions, is used to validate the technique. Furthermore we investigate a pharmaceutically-relevant mixture of sodium chloride and salbutamol sulphate under humidities representative of in vivo drug inhalation. Finally, we provide a methodology for incorporating molecular rotors into already levitated particles, thereby making the FLIM/optical trapping technique applicable to real world aerosol systems, such as atmospheric aerosols and those generated by pharmaceutical inhalers.

Pulse height response of an optical particle counter to monodisperse aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilmoth, R. G.; Grice, S. S.; Cuda, V.

1976-01-01

The pulse height response of a right angle scattering optical particle counter has been investigated using monodisperse aerosols of polystyrene latex spheres, di-octyl phthalate and methylene blue. The results confirm previous measurements for the variation of mean pulse height as a function of particle diameter and show good agreement with the relative response predicted by Mie scattering theory. Measured cumulative pulse height distributions were found to fit reasonably well to a log normal distribution with a minimum geometric standard deviation of about 1.4 for particle diameters greater than about 2 micrometers. The geometric standard deviation was found to increase significantly with decreasing particle diameter.

Air Proportional Counter

DOEpatents

Simpson, Jr, J A

1950-12-05

A multiple wire counter utilizing air at atmospheric pressure as the ionizing medium and having a window of a nylon sheet of less than 0.5 mil thickness coated with graphite. The window is permeable to alpha particles so that the counter is well adapted to surveying sources of alpha radiation.

Design, experimental analysis, and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulation of laboratory-scale counter-rotating vertical-axis turbines in marine environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doan, Minh; Padricelli, Claudrio; Obi, Shinnosuke; Totsuka, Yoshitaka

2017-11-01

We present the torque and power measurement of laboratory-scale counter-rotating vertical-axis hydrokinetic turbines, built around a magnetic hysteresis brake as the speed controller and a Hall-effect sensor as the rotational speed transducer. A couple of straight-three-bladed turbines were linked through a transmission of spur gears and timing pulleys and coupled to the electronic instrumentation via flexible shaft couplers. A total of 8 experiments in 2 configurations were conducted in the water channel facility (4-m long, 0.3-m wide, and 0.15-m deep). Power generation of the turbines (0.06-m rotor diameter) was measured and compared with that of single turbines of the same size. The wakes generated by these experiments were also measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) and numerically simulated by unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulation using OpenFOAM. Preliminary results from wake measurement indicated the mechanism of enhanced power production behind the counter-rotating configuration of vertical-axis turbines. Current address: Politecnico di Milano.

Calibration of the active radiation detector for Spacelab-One

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The flight models of the active radiation detector (ARD) for the ENV-01 environmental monitor were calibrated using gamma radiation. Measured sensitivities of the ion chambers were 6.1 + or - 0.3 micron rad per count for ARD S/N1, and 10.4 + or - 0.5 micron rad per count for ARD S/N2. Both were linear over the measured range 0.10 to 500 m/rad hour. The particle counters (proportional counters) were set to respond to approximately 85% of minimum ionizing particles of unit charge passing through them. These counters were also calibrated in the gamma field.

Performance study of various Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs): development of a methodology based on steady-state airborne DEHS particles and application to a series of handheld and stationary CPCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bau, Sébastien; Toussaint, André; Payet, Raphaël; Witschger, Olivier

2017-06-01

Strategies for measuring occupational exposure to aerosols composed of nanoparticles and/or ultrafine particles highlight the use of techniques for determining airborne-particle number concentration as well as number size distribution. The objective of the present work was to set up a system for conducting laboratory verification campaigns of condensation particle counters (CPCs). Providing intercomparison data as well as calibrating and checking CPCs are among the key elements in ensuring reliable laboratory or field measurement campaigns. For this purpose, the reproducible aerosol source “Calibration Tool”, initially developed by the Fraunhofer ITEM, was acquired by the Laboratory of Aerosol Metrology at INRS. As a first part of this study, a detailed characterization of the Calibration Tool developed at the laboratory is the subject of the parametric study presented here. The complete installation is named the “DCC” for “Device for Counter Check”. Used in combination with a reference counter, the DCC can now be used for routine laboratory measurements. Unlike that used for primary calibration of a CPC, the proposed protocol allows a wide range of number concentrations and particle sizes to be investigated and reproduced. The second part of this work involves comparison of the number concentrations measured by several models of CPC in parallel at the exit of a flow splitter, with respect to a reference.

Timing the Random and Anomalous Arrival of Particles in a Geiger Counter with GPS Devices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blanco, F.; La Rocca, P.; Riggi, F.; Riggi, S.

2008-01-01

The properties of the arrival time distribution of particles in a detector have been studied by the use of a small Geiger counter, with a GPS device to tag the event time. The experiment is intended to check the basic properties of the random arrival time distribution between successive events and to simulate the investigations carried out by…

Counter-propagating optical trapping system for size and refractive index measurement of microparticles.

PubMed

Flynn, Richard A; Shao, Bing; Chachisvilis, Mirianas; Ozkan, Mihrimah; Esener, Sadik C

2006-01-15

We propose and demonstrate a novel approach to measure the size and refractive index of microparticles based on two beam optical trapping, where forward scattered light is detected to give information about the particle. The counter-propagating optical trap measurement (COTM) system exploits the capability of optical traps to measure pico-Newton forces for microparticles' refractive index and size characterization. Different from the current best technique for microparticles' refractive index measurement, refractometry, a bulk technique requiring changing the fluid composition of the sample, our optical trap technique works with any transparent fluid and enables single particle analysis without the use of biological markers. A ray-optics model is used to explore the physical operation of the COTM system, predict system performance and aid system design. Experiments demonstrate the accuracy of refractive index measurement of Deltan=0.013 and size measurement of 3% of diameter with 2% standard deviation. Present performance is instrumentation limited, and a potential improvement by more than two orders of magnitude can be expected in the future. With further development in parallelism and miniaturization, the system offers advantages for cell manipulation and bioanalysis compatible with lab-on-a-chip systems.

A smart, intermittent driven particle sensor with an airflow change trigger using a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) cantilever

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Hidetoshi; Tomimatsu, Yutaka; Kobayashi, Takeshi; Isozaki, Akihiro; Itoh, Toshihiro; Maeda, Ryutaro; Matsumoto, Kiyoshi; Shimoyama, Isao

2014-02-01

This paper reports on a smart, intermittent driven particle sensor with an airflow trigger. A lead zirconate titanate cantilever functions as the trigger, which detects an airflow change without requiring a power supply to drive the sensing element. Because an airflow change indicates that the particle concentration has changed, the trigger switches the optical particle counter from sleep mode to active mode only when the particle concentration surrounding the sensor changes. The sensor power consumption in sleep mode is 100 times less than that in the active mode. Thus, this intermittent driven method significantly reduces the total power consumption of the particle sensor. In this paper, we fabricate a prototype of the particle sensor and demonstrate that the optical particle counter can be switched on by the fabricated trigger and thus that the particle concentration can be measured.

Evaluation of a low-cost optical particle counter (Alphasense OPC-N2) for ambient air monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crilley, Leigh R.; Shaw, Marvin; Pound, Ryan; Kramer, Louisa J.; Price, Robin; Young, Stuart; Lewis, Alastair C.; Pope, Francis D.

2018-02-01

A fast-growing area of research is the development of low-cost sensors for measuring air pollutants. The affordability and size of low-cost particle sensors makes them an attractive option for use in experiments requiring a number of instruments such as high-density spatial mapping. However, for these low-cost sensors to be useful for these types of studies their accuracy and precision need to be quantified. We evaluated the Alphasense OPC-N2, a promising low-cost miniature optical particle counter, for monitoring ambient airborne particles at typical urban background sites in the UK. The precision of the OPC-N2 was assessed by co-locating 14 instruments at a site to investigate the variation in measured concentrations. Comparison to two different reference optical particle counters as well as a TEOM-FDMS enabled the accuracy of the OPC-N2 to be evaluated. Comparison of the OPC-N2 to the reference optical instruments shows some limitations for measuring mass concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. The OPC-N2 demonstrated a significant positive artefact in measured particle mass during times of high ambient RH (> 85 %) and a calibration factor was developed based upon κ-Köhler theory, using average bulk particle aerosol hygroscopicity. Application of this RH correction factor resulted in the OPC-N2 measurements being within 33 % of the TEOM-FDMS, comparable to the agreement between a reference optical particle counter and the TEOM-FDMS (20 %). Inter-unit precision for the 14 OPC-N2 sensors of 22 ± 13 % for PM10 mass concentrations was observed. Overall, the OPC-N2 was found to accurately measure ambient airborne particle mass concentration provided they are (i) correctly calibrated and (ii) corrected for ambient RH. The level of precision demonstrated between multiple OPC-N2s suggests that they would be suitable devices for applications where the spatial variability in particle concentration was to be determined.

Laboratory Evaluation of Light Obscuration Particle Counters used to Establish use Limits for Aviation Fuel

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

markings are indicated, follow agency authorization procedures , e.g. RD/FRD, PROPIN, ITAR, etc. Include copyright information. 13. SUPPLEMENTARY...Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures ), as a final check of fuel to ensure aviation fuel is clear and bright before flight...Laboratories at the Detroit Arsenal. The online procedure for evaluating the light obscuration particle counters was modified from the concepts found

DOSIMETRIC MEASUREMENTS ON THE SECOND SOVIET SPACESHIP SATELLITE

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

Savenko, I.A.; Pisarenko, N.F.; Shavrin, P.I.

1963-02-01

Readings of counters placed inside Sputnik II are given for one portion of its trajectory. The readings were taken by a gas-discharge counter STS-5 and a NaI crystal scintillator counter that registered gamma quanta, charged particles with a 25-kev counting threshold, and the aggregate energy liberation of ionizing radiations in the crystal. (C.E.S.)

Chemical composition, mixing state, size and morphology of Ice nucleating particles at the Jungfraujoch research station, Switzerland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebert, Martin; Worringen, Annette; Kandler, Konrad; Weinbruch, Stephan; Schenk, Ludwig; Mertes, Stephan; Schmidt, Susan; Schneider, Johannes; Frank, Fabian; Nilius, Björn; Danielczok, Anja; Bingemer, Heinz

2014-05-01

An intense field campaign from the Ice Nuclei Research Unit (INUIT) was performed in January and February of 2013 at the High-Alpine Research Station Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l., Switzerland). Main goal was the assessment of microphysical and chemical properties of free-tropospheric ice-nucelating particles. The ice-nucleating particles were discriminated from the total aerosol with the 'Fast Ice Nucleation CHamber' (FINCH; University Frankfurt) and the 'Ice-Selective Inlet' (ISI, Paul Scherer Institute) followed by a pumped counter-stream virtual impactor. The separated ice-nucleating particles were then collected with a nozzle-type impactor. With the 'FRankfurt Ice nuclei Deposition freezinG Experiment' (FRIDGE), aerosol particles are sampled on a silicon wafer, which is than exposed to ice-activating conditions in a static diffusion chamber. The locations of the growing ice crystals are recorded for later analysis. Finally, with the ICE Counter-stream Virtual Impactor (ICE-CVI) atmospheric ice crystals are separated from the total aerosol and their water content is evaporated to retain the ice residual particles, which are then collected also by impactor sampling. All samples were analyzed in a high-resolution scanning electron microscope. By this method, for each particle its size, morphology, mixing-state and chemical composition is obtained. In total approximately 1700 ice nucleating particles were analyzed. Based on their chemical composition, the particles were classified into seven groups: silicates, metal oxides, Ca-rich particles, (aged) sea-salt, soot, sulphates and carbonaceous matter. Sea-salt is considered as artifact and is not regarded as ice nuclei here. The most frequent ice nucleating particles/ice residuals at the Jungfraujoch station are silicates > carbonaceous particles > metal oxides. Calcium-rich particles and soot play a minor role. Similar results are obtained by quasi-parallel measurements with an online single particle laser ablation mass spectrometer (ALABAMA). All the tested techniques for measuring ice nucleating particles perform similar from a chemical point of view within the range of their uncertainties and low counting statistics due to the low particle concentrations in free-tropospheric air. Thus, for the first time most of the existing ice nucleation measurement techniques could be compared side by side under real-world atmospheric conditions. Acknowledgment This project is founded by DFG project INUIT (FOR 1525)

Low-Cost Flexible Nano-Sulfide/Carbon Composite Counter Electrode for Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cell

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Cu2S nanocrystal particles were in situ deposited on graphite paper to prepare nano-sulfide/carbon composite counter electrode for CdS/CdSe quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC). By optimization of deposition time, photovoltaic conversion efficiency up to 3.08% was obtained. In the meantime, this composite counter electrode was superior to the commonly used Pt, Au and carbon counter electrodes. Electrochemical impedance spectra further confirmed that low charge transfer resistance at counter electrode/electrolyte interface was responsible for this, implied the potential application of this composite counter electrode in high-efficiency QDSC. PMID:20672135

Field Evaluation of Particle Counter Technology for Aviation Fuel Contamination Detection - Fort Rucker

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-20

Automatic Particle Counter, cleanliness, free water, Diesel 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT none 18. NUMBER OF PAGES...Governmental transfer receipts and 1.0 mg/L on issue to aircraft, or up to 10 mg/L for product used as a diesel product for ground use (1). Free...industry. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published several methods and test procedures for the calibration and use of

AUTOMATIC COUNTER

DOEpatents

Robinson, H.P.

1960-06-01

An automatic counter of alpha particle tracks recorded by a sensitive emulsion of a photographic plate is described. The counter includes a source of mcdulated dark-field illumination for developing light flashes from the recorded particle tracks as the photographic plate is automatically scanned in narrow strips. Photoelectric means convert the light flashes to proportional current pulses for application to an electronic counting circuit. Photoelectric means are further provided for developing a phase reference signal from the photographic plate in such a manner that signals arising from particle tracks not parallel to the edge of the plate are out of phase with the reference signal. The counting circuit includes provision for rejecting the out-of-phase signals resulting from unoriented tracks as well as signals resulting from spurious marks on the plate such as scratches, dust or grain clumpings, etc. The output of the circuit is hence indicative only of the tracks that would be counted by a human operator.

Non-destructive single-pass low-noise detection of ions in a beamline

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

Schmidt, Stefan; Institut für Kernchemie, Johannes Gutenberg–Universität Mainz, 55099 Mainz; Murböck, Tobias

2015-11-15

We have conceived, built, and operated a device for the non-destructive single-pass detection of charged particles in a beamline. The detector is based on the non-resonant pick-up and subsequent low-noise amplification of the image charges induced in a cylindrical electrode surrounding the particles’ beam path. The first stage of the amplification electronics is designed to be operated from room temperature down to liquid helium temperature. The device represents a non-destructive charge counter as well as a sensitive timing circuit. We present the concept and design details of the device. We have characterized its performance and show measurements with low-energy highlymore » charged ions (such as Ar{sup 13+}) passing through one of the electrodes of a cylindrical Penning trap. This work demonstrates a novel approach of non-destructive, low noise detection of charged particles which is, depending on the bunch structure, suitable, e.g., for ion traps, low-energy beamlines or accelerator transfer sections.« less

Breakdown of separability due to confinement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Man'ko, V. I.; Markovich, L. A.; Messina, A.

2017-12-01

A simple system of two particles in a bidimensional configurational space S is studied. The possibility of breaking in S the time-independent Schrodinger equation of the system into two separated one-dimensional one-body Schrodinger equations is assumed. In this paper, we focus on how the latter property is countered by imposing such boundary conditions as confinement to a limited region of S and/or restrictions on the joint coordinate probability density stemming from the sign-invariance condition of the relative coordinate (an impenetrability condition). Our investigation demonstrates the reducibility of the problem under scrutiny into that of a single particle living in a limited domain of its bidimensional configurational space. These general ideas are illustrated introducing the coordinates Xc and x of the center of mass of two particles and of the associated relative motion, respectively. The effects of the confinement and the impenetrability are then analyzed by studying with the help of an appropriate Green's function and the time evolution of the covariance of Xc and x. Moreover, to calculate the state of a single particle constrained within a square, a rhombus, a triangle and a rectangle, the Green's function expression in terms of Jacobi θ3-function is applied. All the results are illustrated by examples.

In situ single cell detection via microfluidic magnetic bead assay

PubMed Central

KC, Pawan; Zhang, Ge; Zhe, Jiang

2017-01-01

We present a single cell detection device based on magnetic bead assay and micro Coulter counters. This device consists of two successive micro Coulter counters, coupled with a high gradient magnetic field generated by an external magnet. The device can identify single cells in terms of the transit time difference of the cell through the two micro Coulter counters. Target cells are conjugated with magnetic beads via specific antibody and antigen binding. A target cell traveling through the two Coulter counters interacts with the magnetic field, and have a longer transit time at the 1st counter than that at the 2nd counter. In comparison, a non-target cell has no interaction with the magnetic field, and hence has nearly the same transit times through the two counters. Each cell passing through the two counters generates two consecutive voltage pulses one after the other; the pulse widths and magnitudes indicating the cell’s transit times through the counters and the cell’s size respectively. Thus, by measuring the pulse widths (transit times) of each cell through the two counters, each single target cell can be differentiated from non-target cells even if they have similar sizes. We experimentally proved that the target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and non-target rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) have significant different transit time distribution, from which we can determine the recognition regions for both cell groups quantitatively. We further demonstrated that within a mixed cell population of rASCs and HUVECs, HUVECs can be detected in situ and the measured HUVECs ratios agree well with the pre-set ratios. With the simple device structure and easy sample preparation, this method is expected to enable single cell detection in a continuous flow and can be applied to facilitate general cell detection applications such as stem cell identification and enumeration. PMID:28222140

In situ single cell detection via microfluidic magnetic bead assay.

PubMed

Liu, Fan; Kc, Pawan; Zhang, Ge; Zhe, Jiang

2017-01-01

We present a single cell detection device based on magnetic bead assay and micro Coulter counters. This device consists of two successive micro Coulter counters, coupled with a high gradient magnetic field generated by an external magnet. The device can identify single cells in terms of the transit time difference of the cell through the two micro Coulter counters. Target cells are conjugated with magnetic beads via specific antibody and antigen binding. A target cell traveling through the two Coulter counters interacts with the magnetic field, and have a longer transit time at the 1st counter than that at the 2nd counter. In comparison, a non-target cell has no interaction with the magnetic field, and hence has nearly the same transit times through the two counters. Each cell passing through the two counters generates two consecutive voltage pulses one after the other; the pulse widths and magnitudes indicating the cell's transit times through the counters and the cell's size respectively. Thus, by measuring the pulse widths (transit times) of each cell through the two counters, each single target cell can be differentiated from non-target cells even if they have similar sizes. We experimentally proved that the target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and non-target rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) have significant different transit time distribution, from which we can determine the recognition regions for both cell groups quantitatively. We further demonstrated that within a mixed cell population of rASCs and HUVECs, HUVECs can be detected in situ and the measured HUVECs ratios agree well with the pre-set ratios. With the simple device structure and easy sample preparation, this method is expected to enable single cell detection in a continuous flow and can be applied to facilitate general cell detection applications such as stem cell identification and enumeration.

Cloud Condensation Nuclei Particle Counter (CCN) Instrument Handbook

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

Uin, Janek

2016-04-01

The Cloud Condensation Nuclei Counter—CCN (Figure 1) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility instrument for measuring the concentration of aerosol particles that can act as cloud condensation nuclei [1, 2]. The CCN draws the sample aerosol through a column with thermodynamically unstable supersaturated water vapor that can condense onto aerosol particles. Particles that are activated, i.e., grown larger in this process, are counted (and sized) by an Optical Particle Counter (OPC). Thus, activated ambient aerosol particle number concentration as a function of supersaturation is measured. Models CCN-100 and CCN-200 differ only inmore » the number of humidifier columns and related subsystems: CCN-100 has one column and CCN-200 has two columns along with dual flow systems and electronics.« less

Response of a tissue equivalent proportional counter to neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Badhwar, G. D.; Robbins, D. E.; Gibbons, F.; Braby, L. A.

2002-01-01

The absorbed dose as a function of lineal energy was measured at the CERN-EC Reference-field Facility (CERF) using a 512-channel tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC), and neutron dose equivalent response evaluated. Although there are some differences, the measured dose equivalent is in agreement with that measured by the 16-channel HANDI tissue equivalent counter. Comparison of TEPC measurements with those made by a silicon solid-state detector for low linear energy transfer particles produced by the same beam, is presented. The measurements show that about 4% of dose equivalent is delivered by particles heavier than protons generated in the conducting tissue equivalent plastic. c2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Special-geometry proportional counters and techniques for detection of low-levels of X-rays and beta-particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, J. C.

1976-01-01

The use and sensitivity of the multiwire proportional counter to detect Kr-85 in ambient air are examined. Data also cover monitoring beta and X-ray emitting radio nuclides at low activity levels. Results show the counter to have excellent properties for monitoring Kr-85 down to 0.0004 pCi cu/cm.

Toward quantitative electrochemical measurements on the nanoscale by scanning probe microscopy: environmental and current spreading effects.

PubMed

Arruda, Thomas M; Kumar, Amit; Jesse, Stephen; Veith, Gabriel M; Tselev, Alexander; Baddorf, Arthur P; Balke, Nina; Kalinin, Sergei V

2013-09-24

The application of electric bias across tip-surface junctions in scanning probe microscopy can readily induce surface and bulk electrochemical processes that can be further detected though changes in surface topography, Faradaic or conductive currents, or electromechanical strain responses. However, the basic factors controlling tip-induced electrochemical processes, including the relationship between applied tip bias and the thermodynamics of local processes, remains largely unexplored. Using the model Li-ion reduction reaction on the surface in Li-ion conducting glass ceramic, we explore the factors controlling Li-metal formation and find surprisingly strong effects of atmosphere and back electrode composition on the process. We find that reaction processes are highly dependent on the nature of the counter electrode and environmental conditions. Using a nondepleting Li counter electrode, Li particles could grow significantly larger and faster than a depleting counter electrode. Significant Li ion depletion leads to the inability for further Li reduction. Time studies suggest that Li diffusion replenishes the vacant sites after ∼12 h. These studies suggest the feasibility of SPM-based quantitative electrochemical studies under proper environmental controls, extending the concepts of ultramicroelectrodes to the single-digit nanometer scale.

Relationships among particle number, surface area, and respirable mass concentrations in automotive engine manufacturing.

PubMed

Heitbrink, William A; Evans, Douglas E; Ku, Bon Ki; Maynard, Andrew D; Slavin, Thomas J; Peters, Thomas M

2009-01-01

This study investigated the relationships between particle number, surface area, and respirable mass concentration measured simultaneously in a foundry and an automotive engine machining and assembly center. Aerosol concentrations were measured throughout each plant with a condensation particle counter for number concentration, a diffusion charger for active surface area concentration, and an optical particle counter for respirable mass concentration. At selected locations, particle size distributions were characterized with the optical particle counter and an electrical low pressure impactor. Statistical analyses showed that active surface area concentration was correlated with ultrafine particle number concentration and weakly correlated with respirable mass concentration. Correlation between number and active surface area concentration was stronger during winter (R2 = 0.6 for both plants) than in the summer (R2 = 0.38 and 0.36 for the foundry and engine plant respectively). The stronger correlation in winter was attributed to use of direct-fire gas fired heaters that produced substantial numbers of ultrafine particles with a modal diameter between 0.007 and 0.023 mu m. These correlations support findings obtained through theoretical analysis. Such analysis predicts that active surface area increasingly underestimates geometric surface area with increasing particle size, particularly for particles larger than 100 nm. Thus, a stronger correlation between particle number concentration and active surface area concentration is expected in the presence of high concentrations of ultrafine particles. In general, active surface area concentration may be a concentration metric that is distinct from particle number concentration and respirable mass concentration. For future health effects or toxicological studies involving nano-materials or ultrafine aerosols, this finding needs to be considered, as exposure metrics may influence data interpretation.

Low-speed wind-tunnel tests of single- and counter-rotation propellers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunham, D. M.; Gentry, G. L., Jr.; Coe, P. L., Jr.

1986-01-01

A low-speed (Mach 0 to 0.3) wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the basic performance, force and moment characteristics, and flow-field velocities of single- and counter-rotation propellers. Compared with the eight-blade single-rotation propeller, a four- by four- (4 x 4) blade counter-rotation propeller with the same blade design produced substantially higher thrust coefficients for the same blade angles and advance ratios. The results further indicated that ingestion of the wake from a supporting pylon for a pusher configuration produced no significant change in the propeller thrust performance for either the single- or counter-rotation propellers. A two-component laser velocimeter (LV) system was used to make detailed measurements of the propeller flow fields. Results show increasing slipstream velocities with increasing blade angle and decreasing advance ratio. Flow-field measurements for the counter-rotation propeller show that the rear propeller turned the flow in the opposite direction from the front propeller and, therefore, could eliminate the swirl component of velocity, as would be expected.

LOAC: a small aerosol optical counter/sizer for ground-based and balloon measurements of the size distribution and nature of atmospheric particles - Part 2: First results from balloon and unmanned aerial vehicle flights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renard, Jean-Baptiste; Dulac, François; Berthet, Gwenaël; Lurton, Thibaut; Vignelles, Damien; Jégou, Fabrice; Tonnelier, Thierry; Jeannot, Matthieu; Couté, Benoit; Akiki, Rony; Verdier, Nicolas; Mallet, Marc; Gensdarmes, François; Charpentier, Patrick; Mesmin, Samuel; Duverger, Vincent; Dupont, Jean-Charles; Elias, Thierry; Crenn, Vincent; Sciare, Jean; Zieger, Paul; Salter, Matthew; Roberts, Tjarda; Giacomoni, Jérôme; Gobbi, Matthieu; Hamonou, Eric; Olafsson, Haraldur; Dagsson-Waldhauserova, Pavla; Camy-Peyret, Claude; Mazel, Christophe; Décamps, Thierry; Piringer, Martin; Surcin, Jérémy; Daugeron, Daniel

2016-08-01

In the companion (Part I) paper, we have described and evaluated a new versatile optical particle counter/sizer named LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter), based on scattering measurements at angles of 12 and 60°. That allows for some typology identification of particles (droplets, carbonaceous, salts, and mineral dust) in addition to size-segregated counting in a large diameter range from 0.2 µm up to possibly more than 100 µm depending on sampling conditions (Renard et al., 2016). Its capabilities overpass those of preceding optical particle counters (OPCs) allowing the characterization of all kind of aerosols from submicronic-sized absorbing carbonaceous particles in polluted air to very coarse particles (> 10-20 µm in diameter) in desert dust plumes or fog and clouds. LOAC's light and compact design allows measurements under all kinds of balloons, on-board unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and at ground level. We illustrate here the first LOAC airborne results obtained from a UAV and a variety of scientific balloons. The UAV was deployed in a peri-urban environment near Bordeaux in France. Balloon operations include (i) tethered balloons deployed in urban environments in Vienna (Austria) and Paris (France), (ii) pressurized balloons drifting in the lower troposphere over the western Mediterranean (during the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment - ChArMEx campaigns), (iii) meteorological sounding balloons launched in the western Mediterranean region (ChArMEx) and from Aire-sur-l'Adour in south-western France (VOLTAIRE-LOAC campaign). More focus is put on measurements performed in the Mediterranean during (ChArMEx) and especially during African dust transport events to illustrate the original capability of balloon-borne LOAC to monitor in situ coarse mineral dust particles. In particular, LOAC has detected unexpected large particles in desert sand plumes.

LOAC: a small aerosol optical counter/sizer for ground-based and balloon measurements of the size distribution and nature of atmospheric particles - Part 2: First results from balloon and unmanned aerial vehicle flights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renard, J.-B.; Dulac, F.; Berthet, G.; Lurton, T.; Vignelles, D.; Jégou, F.; Tonnelier, T.; Thaury, C.; Jeannot, M.; Couté, B.; Akiki, R.; Verdier, N.; Mallet, M.; Gensdarmes, F.; Charpentier, P.; Mesmin, S.; Duverger, V.; Dupont, J. C.; Elias, T.; Crenn, V.; Sciare, J.; Giacomoni, J.; Gobbi, M.; Hamonou, E.; Olafsson, H.; Dagsson-Waldhauserova, P.; Camy-Peyret, C.; Mazel, C.; Décamps, T.; Piringer, M.; Surcin, J.; Daugeron, D.

2015-09-01

In the companion paper (Renard et al., 2015), we have described and evaluated a new versatile optical particle counter/sizer named LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter) based on scattering measurements at angles of 12 and 60° that allows some topology identification of particles (droplets, carbonaceous, salts, and mineral dust) in addition to size segregated counting in a large diameter range from 0.2 up to possibly more than 100 μm depending on sampling conditions. Its capabilities overpass those of preceding optical particle counters (OPCs) allowing the characterization of all kind of aerosols from submicronic-sized absorbing carbonaceous particles in polluted air to very coarse particles (> 10-20 μm in diameter) in desert dust plumes or fog and clouds. LOAC's light and compact design allows measurements under all kinds of balloons, on-board unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and at ground level. We illustrate here the first LOAC airborne results obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a variety of scientific balloons. The UAV was deployed in a peri-urban environment near Bordeaux in France. Balloon operations include (i) tethered balloons deployed in urban environments in Vienna (Austria) and Paris (France), (ii) pressurized balloons drifting in the lower troposphere over the western Mediterranean (during the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment - ChArMEx campaigns), (iii) meteorological sounding balloons launched in the western Mediterranean region (ChArMEx) and from Aire-sur-l'Adour in south-western France (VOLTAIRE-LOAC campaign). More focus is put on measurements performed in the Mediterranean during (ChArMEx) and especially during African dust transport events to illustrate the original capability of balloon-borne LOAC to monitor in situ coarse mineral dust particles. In particular, LOAC has detected unexpected large particles in desert sand plumes.

LOAC: a small aerosol optical counter/sizer for ground-based and balloon measurements of the size distribution and nature of atmospheric particles - Part 2: First results from balloon and unmanned aerial vehicle flights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renard, J.-B.; Dulac, F.; Berthet, G.; Lurton, T.; Vignelle, D.; Jégou, F.; Tonnelier, T.; Thaury, C.; Jeannot, M.; Couté, B.; Akiki, R.; Mineau, J.-L.; Verdier, N.; Mallet, M.; Gensdarmes, F.; Charpentier, P.; Mesmin, S.; Duverger, V.; Dupont, J.-C.; Elias, T.; Crenn, V.; Sciare, J.; Giacomoni, J.; Gobbi, M.; Hamonou, E.; Olafsson, H.; Dagsson-Waldhauserova, P.; Camy-Peyret, C.; Mazel, C.; Décamps, T.; Piringer, M.; Surcin, J.; Daugeron, D.

2015-01-01

In a companion (Part 1) paper (Renard et al., 2015), we have described and evaluated a new versatile optical particle counter/sizer named LOAC (Light Optical Aerosols Counter) based on scattering measurements at angles of 12 and 60°. that allows some speciation of particles (droplets, carbonaceous, salts, and mineral dust) in addition to size segregated counting in a large diameter range from 0.2 up to possibly more than 100 μm depending on sampling conditions. Its capabilities overwhelm those of preceding optical particle counters (OPCs) allowing the characterization of all kind of aerosols from submicronic-sized absorbing carbonaceous particles in polluted air to very coarse particles (> 10-20 μm in diameter) in desert dust plumes or fog and clouds. LOAC light and compact design allows measurements under all kinds of balloons, on-board unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and at ground level. We illustrate here the first LOAC airborne results obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a variety of scientific balloons. The UAV was deployed in a peri-urban environment near Bordeaux in France. Balloon operations include (i) tethered balloons deployed in urban environments in Wien (Austria) and Paris (France), (ii) pressurized balloons drifting in the lower troposphere over the western Mediterranean (during the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment - ChArMEx campaigns), (iii) meteorological sounding balloons launched in the western Mediterranean region (ChArMEx) and from Aire-sur-l'Adour in south-western France (VOLTAIRE-LOAC campaign). More focus is put on measurements performed in the Mediterranean during (ChArMEx) and especially during African dust transport events to illustrate the original capability of balloon-borne LOAC to monitor in situ coarse mineral dust particles. In particular, LOAC has detected unexpected large particles in desert sand plumes.

Evaluation of Particle Counter Technology for Detection of Fuel Contamination Detection Utilizing Fuel System Supply Point

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-19

product used as a diesel product for ground use (1). Free water contamination (droplets) may appear as fine droplets or slugs of water in the fuel...methods and test procedures for the calibration and use of automatic particle counters. The transition of this technology to the fuel industry is...UNCLASSIFIED 6 UNCLASSIFIED Receipt Vehicle Fuel Tank Fuel Injector Aviation Fuel DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Parker 18

DIRC Dreams: Research Directions for the Next Generation of Internally Reflected Imaging Counters

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

Ratcliff, Blair N.

1999-08-17

Some conceptual design features of the total internally reflecting,imaging Cherenkov counter (DIRC) are described. Limits of the DIRC approach to particle identification, and a few features of alternative DIRC designs, are briefly explored.

Minimizing Concentration Effects in Water-Based, Laminar-Flow Condensation Particle Counters

PubMed Central

Lewis, Gregory S.; Hering, Susanne V.

2013-01-01

Concentration effects in water condensation systems, such as used in the water-based condensation particle counter, are explored through numeric modeling and direct measurements. Modeling shows that the condensation heat release and vapor depletion associated with particle activation and growth lowers the peak supersaturation. At higher number concentrations, the diameter of the droplets formed is smaller, and the threshold particle size for activation is higher. This occurs in both cylindrical and parallel plate geometries. For water-based systems we find that condensational heat release is more important than is vapor depletion. We also find that concentration effects can be minimized through use of smaller tube diameters, or more closely spaced parallel plates. Experimental measurements of droplet diameter confirm modeling results. PMID:24436507

Acoustic tweezing of particles using decaying opposing travelling surface acoustic waves (DOTSAW).

PubMed

Ng, Jia Wei; Devendran, Citsabehsan; Neild, Adrian

2017-10-11

Surface acoustic waves offer a versatile and biocompatible method of manipulating the location of suspended particles or cells within microfluidic systems. The most common approach uses the interference of identical frequency, counter propagating travelling waves to generate a standing surface acoustic wave, in which particles migrate a distance less than half the acoustic wavelength to their nearest pressure node. The result is the formation of a periodic pattern of particles. Subsequent displacement of this pattern, the prerequisite for tweezing, can be achieved by translation of the standing wave, and with it the pressure nodes; this requires changing either the frequency of the pair of waves, or their relative phase. Here, in contrast, we examine the use of two counterpropagating traveling waves of different frequency. The non-linearity of the acoustic forces used to manipulate particles, means that a small frequency difference between the two waves creates a substantially different force field, which offers significant advantages. Firstly, this approach creates a much longer range force field, in which migration takes place across multiple wavelengths, and causes particles to be gathered together in a single trapping site. Secondly, the location of this single trapping site can be controlled by the relative amplitude of the two waves, requiring simply an attenuation of one of the electrical drive signals. Using this approach, we show that by controlling the powers of the opposing incoherent waves, 5 μm particles can be migrated laterally across a fluid flow to defined locations with an accuracy of ±10 μm.

High-temperature synthesis of silica particles by the chloride method in the regime of counter flow jet quenching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kartaev, E. V.; Emel'kin, V. A.; Aul'chenko, S. M.

2017-10-01

The experimental and numerical investigations of synthesis of silica (SiO2) nanoparticles from premixed gaseous silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) and oxygen of dry air in the high-temperature nitrogen flow of plasma-chemical reactor have been carried out. The regime of counter flow jet quenching of high-temperature heterogeneous flow has been utilized. The latter provided a rapid cooling of silica particles under nonequilibrium conditions with substantial temperature gradients. Synthesized silica particles were amorphous, with surface-average size being about 28 nm. The results of numerical calculations are found to agree qualitatively with experimental data.

Intercomparisons of Lidar Backscatter Measurements and In-situ Data from GLOBE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chudamani, S.; Spinhirne, James D.

1992-01-01

The Global Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) took place during Nov. 1989 and May - Jun. 1990 and involved flight surveys of the Pacific region by the NASA DC-8 aircraft. The experimental instruments were lidars operating at wavelengths ranging from the visible to the thermal infrared and various optical particle counters for in-situ measurements. The primary motivation for GLOBE was the development of spaceborne wind sensing lidar. This paper will concern a comparison of direct backscatter measurements and backscatter calculated from particle counter data. Of special interest is that the particle measurements provided data on composition, and thus refractive index variation may be included in the analysis.

Effect of angular inflow on the vibratory response of a counter-rotating propeller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turnberg, J. E.; Brown, P. C.

1985-01-01

This report presents the results of a propeller vibratory stress survey on the Fairey Gannet aircraft aimed at giving an assessment of the difference in vibratory response between single and counter-rotating propeller operation in angular inflow. The survey showed that counter-rotating operation of the propeller had the effect of increasing the IP response of the rear propeller by approximately 25 percent over comparable single-rotation operation while counter-rotating operation did not significantly influence the IP response of the front propeller.

Marginal instability threshold condition of the aperiodic ordinary mode in equal-mass plasmas

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

Vafin, S.; Schlickeiser, R.; Yoon, P. H.

The purely growing ordinary (O) mode instability for counter-streaming bi-Maxwellian plasma particle distribution functions has recently received renewed attention due to its importance for the solar wind plasma. Here, the analytical marginal instability condition is derived for magnetized plasmas consisting of equal-mass charged particles, distributed in counter-streams with equal temperatures. The equal-mass composition assumption enormously facilitates the theoretical analysis due to the equality of the values of the electron and positron (positive and negative ion) plasma and gyrofrequencies. The existence of a new instability domain of the O-mode at small plasma beta values is confirmed, when the parallel counter-stream freemore » energy exceeds the perpendicular bi-Maxwellian free energy.« less

In situ measurement of particulate number density and size distribution from an aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briehl, D.

1974-01-01

Commercial particulate measuring instruments were flown aboard the NASA Convair 990. A condensation nuclei monitor was utilized to measure particles larger than approximately 0.003 micrometers in diameter. A specially designed pressurization system was used with this counter so that the sample could be fed into the monitor at cabin altitude pressure. A near-forward light scattering counter was used to measure the number and size distribution particles in the size range from 0.5 to 5 micrometers and greater in diameter.

Search for 1/3e and 2/3e charged quarks in the cosmic radiation at 2750-m altitude.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cox, A. J.; Beauchamp, W. T.; Bowen, T.; Kalbach, R. M.

1972-01-01

A scintillation counter telescope consisting of eight liquid scintillation counters and four wide-gap spark chambers was used to search for particles with electric charge 1/3e and 2/3e in cosmic rays at 2750 m above sea level. No such particles were detected during the 1500-hr experimental run. Upper limits on the vertical fluxes are established, and estimates of the corresponding sea-level fluxes are made for comparison with previous results.

Dynamic Monitoring of Cleanroom Fallout Using an Air Particle Counter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Radford

2011-01-01

The particle fallout limitations and periodic allocations for the James Webb Space Telescope are very stringent. Standard prediction methods are complicated by non-linearity and monitoring methods that are insufficiently responsive. A method for dynamically predicting the particle fallout in a cleanroom using air particle counter data was determined by numerical correlation. This method provides a simple linear correlation to both time and air quality, which can be monitored in real time. The summation of effects provides the program better understanding of the cleanliness and assists in the planning of future activities. Definition of fallout rates within a cleanroom during assembly and integration of contamination-sensitive hardware, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, is essential for budgeting purposes. Balancing the activity levels for assembly and test with the particle accumulation rate is paramount. The current approach to predicting particle fallout in a cleanroom assumes a constant air quality based on the rated class of a cleanroom, with adjustments for projected work or exposure times. Actual cleanroom class can also depend on the number of personnel present and the type of activities. A linear correlation of air quality and normalized particle fallout was determined numerically. An air particle counter (standard cleanroom equipment) can be used to monitor the air quality on a real-time basis and determine the "class" of the cleanroom (per FED-STD-209 or ISO-14644). The correlation function provides an area coverage coefficient per class-hour of exposure. The prediction of particle accumulations provides scheduling inputs for activity levels and cleanroom class requirements.

Onsite aerosol measurements for various engineered nanomaterials at industrial manufacturing plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2011-07-01

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

Microfluidic CODES: a scalable multiplexed electronic sensor for orthogonal detection of particles in microfluidic channels.

PubMed

Liu, Ruxiu; Wang, Ningquan; Kamili, Farhan; Sarioglu, A Fatih

2016-04-21

Numerous biophysical and biochemical assays rely on spatial manipulation of particles/cells as they are processed on lab-on-a-chip devices. Analysis of spatially distributed particles on these devices typically requires microscopy negating the cost and size advantages of microfluidic assays. In this paper, we introduce a scalable electronic sensor technology, called microfluidic CODES, that utilizes resistive pulse sensing to orthogonally detect particles in multiple microfluidic channels from a single electrical output. Combining the techniques from telecommunications and microfluidics, we route three coplanar electrodes on a glass substrate to create multiple Coulter counters producing distinct orthogonal digital codes when they detect particles. We specifically design a digital code set using the mathematical principles of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) telecommunication networks and can decode signals from different microfluidic channels with >90% accuracy through computation even if these signals overlap. As a proof of principle, we use this technology to detect human ovarian cancer cells in four different microfluidic channels fabricated using soft lithography. Microfluidic CODES offers a simple, all-electronic interface that is well suited to create integrated, low-cost lab-on-a-chip devices for cell- or particle-based assays in resource-limited settings.

Exploring the variability of aerosol particle composition in the Arctic: a study from the springtime ACCACIA campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, G.; Jones, H. M.; Darbyshire, E.; Baustian, K. J.; McQuaid, J. B.; Bower, K. N.; Connolly, P. J.; Gallagher, M. W.; Choularton, T. W.

2015-10-01

Single-particle compositional analysis of filter samples collected on-board the FAAM BAe-146 aircraft is presented for six flights during the springtime Aerosol-Cloud Coupling and Climate Interactions in the Arctic (ACCACIA) campaign (March-April 2013). Scanning electron microscopy was utilised to derive size distributions and size-segregated particle compositions. These data were compared to corresponding data from wing-mounted optical particle counters and reasonable agreement between the calculated number size distributions was found. Significant variability in composition was observed, with differing external and internal mixing identified, between air mass trajectory cases based on HYSPLIT analyses. Dominant particle classes were silicate-based dusts and sea salts, with particles notably rich in K and Ca detected in one case. Source regions varied from the Arctic Ocean and Greenland through to northern Russia and the European continent. Good agreement between the back trajectories was mirrored by comparable compositional trends between samples. Silicate dusts were identified in all cases, and the elemental composition of the dust was consistent for all samples except one. It is hypothesised that long-range, high-altitude transport was primarily responsible for this dust, with likely sources including the Asian arid regions.

Aerosol Number Size Distribution and Type Classification from 4-Year Polarization Optical Particle Counter (POPC) Measurements at Urban-Mountain Site in Seoul

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, H. J.; Kim, S. W.; Kobayashi, H.; Nishizawa, T.

2017-12-01

The Polarization Optical Particle Counter (POPC), unlike general OPCs, has the advantage capable of classifying the aerosol types (e.g., dust, anthropogenic pollution), because it measures particle number, size and depolarization ratio (DPR; the sphericity information of single particle) for 4 size bins with diameter (0.5-1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-10 μm). In this study, we investigate the temporal variations of particle number and volume size distributions with DPR values and classify aerosol types such as dust, anthropogenic pollution, from 4-year (2013-2016) POPC data at Seoul National University campus in Seoul, Korea. Coarse mode particles from 5-10 μm with relatively high DPR values (0.25-0.3) were distinctly appeared in in both spring (March-May) and winter (December-February) due to frequent transport of Asian dust particles. In summer (June -August), however, both aerosol number concentration and DPR value were decreased in all size bins due to the influences of relatively clean maritime airmass and frequent precipitations. In autumn (September - November), the particle number concentration in all size bins was the lowest. To classify the aerosol types, we investigate particle number and volume size distributions and DPR value for clean, dust-dominant and anthropogenic pollution-dominant cases, which were selected by PM10, PM2.5 mass concentrations and its ratio, because those parameters are clearly different among aerosol types (Kobayashi et al., 2014, Pan et al., 2016). Non-spherical coarse mode particles (Dp > 2.5 μm, 0.1 < DPR < 0.6) were dominantly observed during the dust-dominant period, while both spherical fine mode and coarse mode particles (Dp < 1 μm and Dp = 2-4 μm, DPR < 0.1) were dominantly appeared during the pollution event. The aerosol type classifications with these criteria values were successfully applied to the extreme Asian dust event from February 22 to 24, 2015. The results showed that pollution-dominant airmass preceded by the appearance of a major mineral dust plume. Co-located aerosol lidar measurements also revealed that spherical pollution particles were observed near the surface prior to a major plume of non-spherical mineral dust.

Liquid Scintillation Counting - Packard Triple-Label Calibration

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

Torretto, P. A.

2017-03-23

The Radiological Measurements Laboratory (RML) maintains and operates nine Packard Liquid Scintillation Counters (LSCs). These counters were obtained through various sources and were generally purchased as 2500, 2700 or 3100 series counters. In 2004/2005 the software and firmware on the counters were upgraded. The counters are now designated as 3100 series counters running the Quantasmart software package. Thus, a single procedure can be used to calibrate and operate the Packard LSCs.

A new method for detection of distant supernova neutrino bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cline, D.; Fenyves, E.; Foshe, T.; Fuller, G.; Meyer, B.; Wilson, J.

1990-03-01

The feasibility of astrophysical neutrino detectors is studied, which is based on the detection of neutrons produced in neutrino-nucleus inelastic scattering events. Collective nuclear effects greatly enhancing the relevant interaction cross sections over those of single particle interactions are discussed. These effects can help to reduce the mass required for neutrino detectors. An example of a simple detector based on CaCO3 neutrino targets and BF3 neutron counters is presented. Neutron background limitations are discussed and the possibility of forming a coincidence between neutrino detectors and future gravity wave detectors is also considered.

Saddle-node bifurcation to jammed state for quasi-one-dimensional counter-chemotactic flow.

PubMed

Fujii, Masashi; Awazu, Akinori; Nishimori, Hiraku

2010-07-01

The transition of a counter-chemotactic particle flow from a free-flow state to a jammed state in a quasi-one-dimensional path is investigated. One of the characteristic features of such a flow is that the constituent particles spontaneously form a cluster that blocks the path, called a path-blocking cluster (PBC), and causes a jammed state when the particle density is greater than a threshold value. Near the threshold value, the PBC occasionally collapses on itself to recover the free flow. In other words, the time evolution of the size of the PBC governs the flux of a counter-chemotactic flow. In this Rapid Communication, on the basis of numerical results of a stochastic cellular automata (SCA) model, we introduce a Langevin equation model for the size evolution of the PBC that reproduces the qualitative characteristics of the SCA model. The results suggest that the emergence of the jammed state in a quasi-one-dimensional counterflow is caused by a saddle-node bifurcation.

Turbulent particle transport as a function of toroidal rotation in DIII-D H-mode plasmas

DOE PAGES

Wang, Xin; Mordijck, Saskia; Zeng, Lei; ...

2016-03-01

In this paper we show how changes in toroidal rotation, by controlling the injected torque, affect particle transport and confinement. The toroidal rotation is altered using the co- and counter neutral beam injection (NBI) in low collisionality H-mode plasmas on DIII-D with dominant electron cyclotron heating (ECH). We find that there is no correlation between the toroidal rotation shear and the inverse density gradient, which is observed on AUG whenmore » $${{T}_{\\text{e}}}/{{T}_{\\text{i}}}$$ is varied using ECH (Angioni et al 2011 Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 215003). In DIII-D, we find that in a discharge with balanced torque injection, the $$E\\times B$$ shear is smaller than the linear gyrokinetic growth rate for small $${{k}_{\\theta}}{{\\rho}_{s}}$$ for $$\\rho =0.6$$ –0.85. This results in lower particle confinement. In the co- and counter- injected discharges the $$E\\times B$$ shear is larger or close to the linear growth rate at the plasma edge and both configurations have higher particle confinement. In order to measure particle transport, we use a small periodic perturbative gas puff. This gas puff perturbs the density profiles and allows us to extract the perturbed diffusion and inward pinch coefficients. We observe a strong increase in the inward particle pinch in the counter-torque injected plasma. Lastly, the calculated quasi-linear particle flux, nor the linear growth rates using TGLF agree with experimental observations.« less

13. EQUIPMENT USED IN CLEAN ROOM (102), INCLUDING ROYCO PARTICLE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

13. EQUIPMENT USED IN CLEAN ROOM (102), INCLUDING ROYCO PARTICLE COUNTER (LEFT) AND STEREOSCOPE FOR MANUAL PARTICLE COUNTING (RIGHT) - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Vehicle Support Building, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

Raman Lidar Measurements of Aerosol Extinction and Backscattering. Report 2; Derivation of Aerosol Real Refractive Index, Single-Scattering Albedo, and Humidification Factor using Raman Lidar and Aircraft Size Distribution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferrare, R. A.; Melfi, S. H.; Whiteman, D. N.; Evans, K. D.; Poellot, M.; Kaufman, Y. J.

1998-01-01

Aerosol backscattering and extinction profiles measured by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL) during the remote cloud sensing (RCS) intensive operations period (IOP) at the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) southern Great Plains (SGP) site during two nights in April 1994 are discussed. These profiles are shown to be consistent with the simultaneous aerosol size distribution measurements made by a PCASP (Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe) optical particle counter flown on the University of North Dakota Citation aircraft. We describe a technique which uses both lidar and PCASP measurements to derive the dependence of particle size on relative humidity, the aerosol real refractive index n, and estimate the effective single-scattering albedo Omega(sub 0). Values of n ranged between 1.4-1.5 (dry) and 1.37-1.47 (wet); Omega(sub 0) varied between 0.7 and 1.0. The single-scattering albedo derived from this technique is sensitive to the manner in which absorbing particles are represented in the aerosol mixture; representing the absorbing particles as an internal mixture rather than the external mixture assumed here results in generally higher values of Omega(sub 0). The lidar measurements indicate that the change in particle size with relative humidity as measured by the PCASP can be represented in the form discussed by Hattel with the exponent gamma = 0.3 + or - 0.05. The variations in aerosol optical and physical characteristics captured in the lidar and aircraft size distribution measurements are discussed in the context of the meteorological conditions observed during the experiment.

Raman lidar measurements of aerosol extinction and backscattering: 2. Derivation of aerosol real refractive index, single-scattering albedo, and humidification factor using Raman lidar and aircraft size distribution measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrare, R. A.; Melfi, S. H.; Whiteman, D. N.; Evans, K. D.; Poellot, M.; Kaufman, Y. J.

1998-08-01

Aerosol backscattering and extinction profiles measured by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL) during the remote cloud sensing (RCS) intensive operations period (IOP) at the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) southern Great Plains (SGP) site during two nights in April 1994 are discussed. These profiles are shown to be consistent with the simultaneous aerosol size distribution measurements made by a PCASP (Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe) optical particle counter flown on the University of North Dakota Citation aircraft. We describe a technique which uses both lidar and PCASP measurements to derive the dependence of particle size on relative humidity, the aerosol real refractive index n, and estimate the effective single-scattering albedo ω0. Values of n ranged between 1.4-1.5 (dry) and 1.37-1.47 (wet); ω0 varied between 0.7 and 1.0. The single-scattering albedo derived from this technique is sensitive to the manner in which absorbing particles are represented in the aerosol mixture; representing the absorbing particles as an internal mixture rather than the external mixture assumed here results in generally higher values of ω0. The lidar measurements indicate that the change in particle size with relative humidity as measured by the PCASP can be represented in the form discussed by Hanel [1976] with the exponent γ = 0.3 ± 0.05. The variations in aerosol optical and physical characteristics captured in the lidar and aircraft size distribution measurements are discussed in the context of the meteorological conditions observed during the experiment.

The 3 DLE instrument on ATS-5. [plasma electron counter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deforest, S. E.

1973-01-01

The performance and operation of the DLE plasma electron counter on board the ATS 5 are described. Two methods of data presentation, microfilm line plots and spectrograms, are discussed along with plasma dynamics, plasma flow velocity, electrostatic charging, and wave-particle interactions.

Method for enhancing selectivity and recovery in the fractional flotation of particles in a flotation column

DOEpatents

Klunder, Edgar B [Bethel Park, PA

2011-08-09

The method relates to particle separation from a feed stream. The feed stream is injected directly into the froth zone of a vertical flotation column in the presence of a counter-current reflux stream. A froth breaker generates a reflux stream and a concentrate stream, and the reflux stream is injected into the froth zone to mix with the interstitial liquid between bubbles in the froth zone. Counter-current flow between the plurality of bubbles and the interstitial liquid facilitates the attachment of higher hydrophobicity particles to bubble surfaces as lower hydrophobicity particles detach. The height of the feed stream injection and the reflux ratio may be varied in order to optimize the concentrate or tailing stream recoveries desired based on existing operating conditions.

Self ordering threshold and superradiant backscattering to slow a fast gas beam in a ring cavity with counter propagating pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maes, C.; Asbóth, J. K.; Ritsch, H.

2007-05-01

We study the dynamics of a fast gaseous beam in a high Q ring cavity counter propagating a strong pump laser with large detuning from any particle optical resonance. As spontaneous emission is strongly suppressed the particles can be treated as polarizable point masses forming a dynamic moving mirror. Above a threshold intensity the particles exhibit spatial periodic ordering enhancing collective coherent backscattering which decelerates the beam. Based on a linear stability analysis in their accelerated rest frame we derive analytic bounds for the intensity threshold of this selforganization as a function of particle number, average velocity, kinetic temperature, pump detuning and resonator linewidth. The analytical results agree well with time dependent simulations of the N-particle motion including field damping and spontaneous emission noise. Our results give conditions which may be easily evaluated for stopping and cooling a fast molecular beam.

Self ordering threshold and superradiant backscattering to slow a fast gas beam in a ring cavity with counter propagating pump.

PubMed

Maes, C; Asbóth, J K; Ritsch, H

2007-05-14

We study the dynamics of a fast gaseous beam in a high Q ring cavity counter propagating a strong pump laser with large detuning from any particle optical resonance. As spontaneous emission is strongly suppressed the particles can be treated as polarizable point masses forming a dynamic moving mirror. Above a threshold intensity the particles exhibit spatial periodic ordering enhancing collective coherent backscattering which decelerates the beam. Based on a linear stability analysis in their accelerated rest frame we derive analytic bounds for the intensity threshold of this selforganization as a function of particle number, average velocity, kinetic temperature, pump detuning and resonator linewidth. The analytical results agree well with time dependent simulations of the N-particle motion including field damping and spontaneous emission noise. Our results give conditions which may be easily evaluated for stopping and cooling a fast molecular beam.

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

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

1983-01-01

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

Study on Radiation Condition in DAMPE Orbit by Analyzing the Engineering Data of BGO Calorimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Changqing; Liu, Shubin; Zhang, Yunlong; Ma, Siyuan

2016-07-01

The DAMPE (DArk Matter Particle Explorer) is a scientific satellite which was successfully launched into a 500 Km sun-synchronous orbit, on December 17th, 2015, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of China. The major scientific objectives of the DAMPE mission are primary cosmic ray, gamma ray astronomy and dark matter particles, by observing high energy primary cosmic rays, especially positrons/electrons and gamma rays with an energy range from 5 GeV to 10 TeV. The BGO calorimeter is a critical sub-detector of DAMPE payload, for measuring the energy of cosmic particles, distinguishing positrons/electrons and gamma rays from hadron background, and providing trigger information. It utilizes 308 BGO (Bismuth Germanate Oxide) crystal logs with the size of 2.5cm*2.5cm*60cm for each log, to form a total absorption electromagnetic calorimeter. All the BGO logs are stacked in 14 layers, with each layer consisting of 22 BGO crystal logs and each log is viewed by two Hamamatsu R5610A PMTs (photomultiplier tubes), from both sides respectively. In order to achieve a large dynamic range, each PMT base incorporates a three dynode (2, 5, 8) pick off, which results in 616 PMTs and 1848 signal channels. The readout electronics system, which consists of 16 FEE (Front End Electronics) modules, was developed. Its main functions are based on the Flash-based FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) chip and low power, 32-channel VA160 and VATA160 ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) for precisely measuring the charge of PMT signals and providing "hit" signals as well. The hit signals are sent to the trigger module of PDPU (Payload Data Process Unit) and the hit rates of each layer is real-timely recorded by counters and packed into the engineering data, which directly reflect the flux of particles which fly into or pass through the detectors. In order to mitigate the SEU (Single Event Upset) effect in radioactive space environment, certain protecting methods, such as TMR (Triple Modular Redundancy) and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) for some critical registers in FPGA logic was adopted. To mitigate the SEL (Single Event Latch-up) effect for the ASICs chips, a protecting solution by monitoring the current of VA160/VATA160 chips are applied. All the SEU and SEL events are recorded by counters and transmitted to ground station in the form of engineering data. The information of hit rates, and the SEU and SEL counters in the engineering data can be used to evaluate the radiation condition and its variations in DAMPE orbit. The preliminary results are introduced in this paper, which is based on the engineering data in the first six months after launching.

Development of a Bioaerosol single particle detector (BIO IN) for the Fast Ice Nucleus CHamber FINCH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bundke, U.; Reimann, B.; Nillius, B.; Jaenicke, R.; Bingemer, H.

2010-02-01

In this work we present the setup and first tests of our new BIO IN detector. This detector was constructed to classify atmospheric ice nuclei (IN) for their biological content. It is designed to be coupled to the Fast Ice Nucleus CHamber FINCH. If one particle acts as an ice nucleus, it will be at least partly covered with ice at the end of the development section of the FINCH chamber. The device combines an auto-fluorescence detector and a circular depolarization detector for simultaneous detection of biological material and discrimination between water droplets, ice crystals and non activated large aerosol particles. The excitation of biological material with UV light and analysis of auto-fluorescence is a common principle used for flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy and imaging. The detection of auto-fluorescence of airborne single particles demands some more experimental effort. However, expensive commercial sensors are available for special purposes, e.g. size distribution measurements. But these sensors will not fit the specifications needed for the FINCH IN counter (e.g. high sample flow of up 10 LPM). The newly developed -low cost- BIO IN sensor uses a single high-power UV LED for the electronic excitation instead of much more expensive UV lasers. Other key advantages of the new sensor are the low weight, compact size, and the little effect on the aerosol sample, which allows it to be coupled with other instruments for further analysis. The instrument will be flown on one of the first missions of the new German research aircraft "HALO" (High Altitude and LOng range).

Review of the Microdosimetric Studies for High-Energy Charged Particle Beams Using a Tissue-Equivalent Proportional Counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuda, Shuichi; Sato, Tatsuhiko; Ogawa, Tatsuhiko; Sasaki, Shinichi

Lineal energy (y) distributions were measured for various types of charged particles such as protons and iron, with kinetic energies of up to 500 MeV/u, via the use of a wall-less tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC). Radial dependencies of y distributions were also experimentally evaluated to investigate the track structures of protons, carbon, and iron beams. This paper reviews a series of measured data using the aforementioned TEPC as well as assesses the systematic verification of a microdosimetric calculation model of a y distribution incorporated into the particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS) and associated track structure models.

Novel concept for neutron detection: proportional counter filled with 10B nanoparticle aerosol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amaro, F. D.; Monteiro, C. M. B.; Dos Santos, J. M. F.; Antognini, A.

2017-02-01

The high neutron detection efficiency, good gamma-ray discrimination and non-toxicity of 3He made of proportional counters filled with this gas the obvious choice for neutron detection, particularly in radiation portal monitors (RPM), used to control the illicit transport of nuclear material, of which neutron detectors are key components. 3He is very rare and during the last decade this gas has become increasingly difficult to acquire. With the exception of BF3, which is toxic, no other gas can be used for neutron detection in proportional counters. We present an alternative where the 3He atoms are replaced by nanoparticles made of another neutron sensitive material, 10B. The particles are dispersed in a gaseous volume, forming an aerosol with neutron sensitive properties. A proportional counter filled with such aerosol was exposed to a thermal neutron beam and the recorded response indicates that the neutrons have interacted with the particles in the aerosol. This original technique, which transforms a standard proportional gas mixture into a neutron sensitive aerosol, is a breakthrough in the field of radiation detection and has the potential to become an alternative to the use of 3He in proportional counters.

Experimental Study on Ultrafine Particle Removal Performance of Portable Air Cleaners with Different Filters in an Office Room

PubMed Central

Ma, Huan; Shen, Henggen; Shui, Tiantian; Li, Qing; Zhou, Liuke

2016-01-01

Size- and time-dependent aerodynamic behaviors of indoor particles, including PM1.0, were evaluated in a school office in order to test the performance of air-cleaning devices using different filters. In-situ real-time measurements were taken using an optical particle counter. The filtration characteristics of filter media, including single-pass efficiency, volume and effectiveness, were evaluated and analyzed. The electret filter (EE) medium shows better initial removal efficiency than the high efficiency (HE) medium in the 0.3–3.5 μm particle size range, while under the same face velocity, the filtration resistance of the HE medium is several times higher than that of the EE medium. During service life testing, the efficiency of the EE medium decreased to 60% with a total purifying air flow of 25 × 104 m3/m2. The resistance curve rose slightly before the efficiency reached the bottom, and then increased almost exponentially. The single-pass efficiency of portable air cleaner (PAC) with the pre-filter (PR) or the active carbon granule filter (CF) was relatively poor. While PAC with the pre-filter and the high efficiency filter (PR&HE) showed maximum single-pass efficiency for PM1.0 (88.6%), PAC with the HE was the most effective at removing PM1.0. The enhancement of PR with HE and electret filters augmented the single-pass efficiency, but lessened the airflow rate and effectiveness. Combined with PR, the decay constant of large-sized particles could be greater than for PACs without PR. Without regard to the lifetime, the electret filters performed better with respect to resource saving and purification improvement. A most penetrating particle size range (MPPS: 0.4–0.65 μm) exists in both HE and electret filters; the MPPS tends to become larger after HE and electret filters are combined with PR. These results serve to provide a better understanding of the indoor particle removal performance of PACs when combined with different kinds of filters in school office buildings. PMID:26742055

Frequency-tuned microwave photon counter based on a superconductive quantum interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shnyrkov, V. I.; Yangcao, Wu; Soroka, A. A.; Turutanov, O. G.; Lyakhno, V. Yu.

2018-03-01

Various types of single-photon counters operating in infrared, ultraviolet, and optical wavelength ranges are successfully used to study electromagnetic fields, analyze radiation sources, and solve problems in quantum informatics. However, their operating principles become ineffective at millimeter band, S-band, and ultra-high frequency bands of wavelengths due to the decrease in quantum energy by 4-5 orders of magnitude. Josephson circuits with discrete Hamiltonians and qubits are a good foundation for the construction of single-photon counters at these frequencies. This paper presents a frequency-tuned microwave photon counter based on a single-junction superconducting quantum interferometer and flux qutrit. The control pulse converts the interferometer into a two-level system for resonance absorption of photons. Decay of the photon-induced excited state changes the magnetic flux in the interferometer, which is measured by a SQUID magnetometer. Schemes for recording the magnetic flux using a DC SQUID or ideal parametric detector, based on a qutrit with high-frequency excitation, are discussed. It is shown that the counter consisting of an interferometer with a Josephson junction and a parametric detector demonstrates high performance and is capable of detecting single photons in a microwave band.

An investigation of high-multiplicity gamma events in pp collisions with c.m. energies between 22 and 62 GeV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dell, G. F.; Uto, H.; Yuan, L. C. L.; Amaldi, E.; Beneventano, M.; Borgia, B.; Pistilli, P.; Sestili, I.; Dooher, J.

1976-01-01

An experiment was conducted at the CERN intersecting storage rings using colliding proton beams to investigate high-multiplicity gamma-ray events. The objective of the study was to reveal certain features of multiple pion production as well as other possible mechanisms of gamma-ray production. The detector system consisted of ten planes of spark chambers, three scintillation counter hodoscopes and two arrays of lead-glass Cerenkov counters, the first array containing 16 counters and the second, 60 counters. The event trigger was obtained from the Cerenkov counters, and the energies in all the Cerenkov counters after trigger, as well as the information on all the charged particles given by the scintillation counters and spark chambers were recorded on magnetic tape. The relationship between the number of gamma-rays per event and the number of Cerenkov counters triggered by a neutral secondary was established by means of a Monte Carlo calculation.

Thermally Deposited Palladium-Tungsten Carbide and Platinum-Tungsten Carbide Counter Electrodes for a High Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on Organic T-/T₂ Electrolyte.

PubMed

Towannang, Madsakorn; Thiangkaew, Anongnad; Maiaugree, Wasan; Ratchaphonsaenwong, Kunthaya; Jarernboon, Wirat; Pimanpang, Samuk; Amornkitbamrung, Vittaya

2018-02-01

Tungsten carbide (WC) particles (~1 μm) were dispersed in DI water and dropped onto conductive glass. The resulting WC films were used as dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) counter electrodes. The performance of the WC DSSC based on the organic thiolate/disulfide (T-/T2) electrolyte was ~0.78%. The cell efficiency was greatly improved after decorating palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles on WC particles with a promising efficiency of ~2.15% for Pd-WC DSSC and ~4.62% for Pt-WC DSSC. The efficiency improvement of the composited (Pd-WC and Pt-WC) cells is attributed to co-functioning catalysts, the large electrode interfacial area and a low charge-transfer resistance at the electrolyte/counter electrode interface.

Coarsening dynamics of binary liquids with active rotation.

PubMed

Sabrina, Syeda; Spellings, Matthew; Glotzer, Sharon C; Bishop, Kyle J M

2015-11-21

Active matter comprised of many self-driven units can exhibit emergent collective behaviors such as pattern formation and phase separation in both biological (e.g., mussel beds) and synthetic (e.g., colloidal swimmers) systems. While these behaviors are increasingly well understood for ensembles of linearly self-propelled "particles", less is known about the collective behaviors of active rotating particles where energy input at the particle level gives rise to rotational particle motion. A recent simulation study revealed that active rotation can induce phase separation in mixtures of counter-rotating particles in 2D. In contrast to that of linearly self-propelled particles, the phase separation of counter-rotating fluids is accompanied by steady convective flows that originate at the fluid-fluid interface. Here, we investigate the influence of these flows on the coarsening dynamics of actively rotating binary liquids using a phenomenological, hydrodynamic model that combines a Cahn-Hilliard equation for the fluid composition with a Navier-Stokes equation for the fluid velocity. The effect of active rotation is introduced though an additional force within the Navier-Stokes equations that arises due to gradients in the concentrations of clockwise and counter-clockwise rotating particles. Depending on the strength of active rotation and that of frictional interactions with the stationary surroundings, we observe and explain new dynamical behaviors such as "active coarsening" via self-generated flows as well as the emergence of self-propelled "vortex doublets". We confirm that many of the qualitative behaviors identified by the continuum model can also be found in discrete, particle-based simulations of actively rotating liquids. Our results highlight further opportunities for achieving complex dissipative structures in active materials subject to distributed actuation.

Radiation detectors and sources enhanced with micro/nanotechnology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitney, Chad Michael

The ongoing threat of nuclear terrorism presents major challenges to maintaining national security. Currently, only a small percentage of the cargo containers that enter America are searched for fissionable bomb making materials. This work reports on a multi-channel radiation detection platform enabled with nanoparticles that is capable of detecting and discriminating all types of radiation emitted from fissionable bomb making materials. Typical Geiger counters are limited to detecting only beta and gamma radiation. The micro-Geiger counter reported here detects all species of radiation including beta particles, gamma/X-rays, alpha particles, and neutrons. The multi-species detecting micro-Geiger counter contains a hermetically sealed and electrically biased fill gas. Impinging radiation interacts with tailored nanoparticles to release secondary charged particles that ionize the fill gas. The ionized particles collect on respectively biased electrodes resulting in a characteristic electrical pulse. Pulse height spectroscopy and radiation energy binning techniques can then be used to analyze the pulses to determine the specific radiation isotope. The ideal voltage range of operation for energy discrimination was found to be in the proportional region at 1000VDC. In this region, specific pulse heights for different radiation species resulted. The amplification region strength which determines the device sensitivity to radiation energy can be tuned with the electrode separation distance. Considerable improvements in count rates were achieved by using the charge conversion nanoparticles with the highest cross sections for particular radiation species. The addition of tungsten nanoparticles to the microGeiger counter enabled the device to be four times more efficient at detecting low level beta particles with a dose rate of 3.2uR/hr (micro-Roentgen per hour) and just under three times more efficient than an off the shelf Geiger counter. The addition of lead nanoparticles enabled the gamma/X-ray microGeiger counter channel to be 28 times more efficient at detecting low level gamma rays with a dose rate of 10uR/hr when compared to a device without nanoparticles. The addition of 10B nanoparticles enabled the neutron microGeiger counter channel to be 17 times more efficient at detecting neutrons. The device achieved a neutron count rate of 9,866 counts per minute when compared to a BF3 tube which resulted in a count rate of 9,000 counts per minute. By using a novel micro-injection ceramic molding and low temperature (950°C) silver paste metallizing process, the batch fabrication of essentially disposable micro-devices can be achieved. This novel fabrication technique was then applied to a MEMS neutron gun and water spectroscopy device that also utilizes the high voltage/temperature insulating packaging.

Multimodal flow visualization and optimization of pneumatic blood pump for sorbent hemodialysis system.

PubMed

Shu, Fangjun; Parks, Robert; Maholtz, John; Ash, Steven; Antaki, James F

2009-04-01

Renal Solutions Allient Sorbent Hemodialysis System utilizes a two-chambered pneumatic pump (Pulsar Blood Pump, Renal Solutions, Inc., Warrendale, PA, USA) to avoid limitations associated with peristaltic pumping systems. Single-needle access is enabled by counter-pulsing the two pump chambers, thereby obviating compliance chambers or blood reservoirs. Each chamber propels 20 cc per pulse of 3 s (dual access) or 6 s (single access) duration, corresponding to a peak Reynolds number of approximately 8000 (based on inlet velocity and chamber diameter). A multimodal series of flow visualization studies (tracer particle, dye washout, and dye erosion) was conducted on a sequence of pump designs with varying port locations and diaphragms to improve the geometry with respect to risk of thrombogenesis. Experiments were conducted in a simplified flow loop using occluders to simulate flow resistance induced by tubing and dialyzer. Tracer visualization revealed flow patterns and qualitatively indicated turbulence intensity. Dye washout identified dwell volume and areas of flow stagnation for each design. Dye erosion results indicated the effectiveness and homogeneity of surface washing. Compared to a centered inlet which resulted in a fluid jet that produced two counter-rotating vortices, a tangential inlet introduced a single vortex, and kept the flow laminar. It also provided better surface washing on the pump inner surface. However, a tangential outlet did not present as much benefit as expected. On the contrary, it created a sharp defection to the flow when transiting from filling to ejection.

Catching Cosmic Rays with a DSLR

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sibbernsen, Kendra

2010-01-01

Cosmic rays are high-energy particles from outer space that continually strike the Earth's atmosphere and produce cascades of secondary particles, which reach the surface of the Earth, mainly in the form of muons. These particles can be detected with scintillator detectors, Geiger counters, cloud chambers, and also can be recorded with commonly…

Derivation and use of simple relationships between aerodynamic and optical particle measurements

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A simple relationship, referred to as a mass conversion factor (MCF), is presented to convert optically based particle measurements to mass concentration. It is calculated from filter-based samples and optical particle counter (OPC) data on a daily or sample period basis. The MCF allows for greater ...

In situ measurements of desert dust particles above the western Mediterranean Sea with the balloon-borne Light Optical Aerosol Counter/sizer (LOAC) during the ChArMEx campaign of summer 2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renard, Jean-Baptiste; Dulac, François; Durand, Pierre; Bourgeois, Quentin; Denjean, Cyrielle; Vignelles, Damien; Couté, Benoit; Jeannot, Matthieu; Verdier, Nicolas; Mallet, Marc

2018-03-01

Mineral dust from arid areas is a major component of global aerosol and has strong interactions with climate and biogeochemistry. As part of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx) to investigate atmospheric chemistry and its impacts in the Mediterranean region, an intensive field campaign was performed from mid-June to early August 2013 in the western basin including in situ balloon-borne aerosol measurements with the light optical aerosol counter (LOAC). LOAC is a counter/sizer that provides the aerosol concentrations in 19 size classes between 0.2 and 100 µm, and an indication of the nature of the particles based on dual-angle scattering measurements. A total of 27 LOAC flights were conducted mainly from Minorca Island (Balearic Islands, Spain) but also from Ile du Levant off Hyères city (SE France) under 17 light dilatable balloons (meteorological sounding balloons) and 10 boundary layer pressurised balloons (quasi-Lagrangian balloons). The purpose was to document the vertical extent of the plume and the time evolution of the concentrations at constant altitude (air density) by in situ observations. LOAC measurements are in agreement with ground-based measurements (lidar, photometer), aircraft measurements (counters), and satellite measurements (CALIOP) in the case of fair spatial and temporal coincidences. LOAC has often detected three modes in the dust particle volume size distributions fitted by lognormal laws at roughly 0.2, 4 and 30 µm in modal diameter. Thanks to the high sensitivity of LOAC, particles larger than 40 µm were observed, with concentrations up to about 10-4 cm-3. Such large particles were lifted several days before and their persistence after transport over long distances is in conflict with calculations of dust sedimentation. We did not observe any significant evolution of the size distribution during the transport from quasi-Lagrangian flights, even for the longest ones ( ˜ 1 day). Finally, the presence of charged particles is inferred from the LOAC measurements and we speculate that electrical forces might counteract gravitational settling of the coarse particles.

Robert Hofstadter, Electron Scattering, the Structure of the Nucleons, and

Science.gov Websites

, Electron Scattering, the Structure of the Nucleons, and Scintillation Counters Resources with Additional -point particles and therefore possessed structure. For this work Hofstadter was awarded the Nobel Prize structure of the nucleons, and scintillation counters is available in electronic documents and on the Web

Aerosol optical properties inferred from in-situ and path-averaged measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Binsbergen, Sven A.; Grossmann, Peter; Cohen, Leo H.; van Eijk, Alexander M. J.; Stein, Karin U.

2017-09-01

This paper compares in-situ and path-averaged measurements of the electro-optical transmission, with emphasis on aerosol effects. The in-situ sensors consisted of optical particle counters (OPC) and a visibility meter, the path-averaged data was provided by a 7-wavelength transmissometer (MSRT) and a scintillometer (BLS). Data was collected at a test site in Northern Germany. A retrieval algorithm was developed to infer characteristics of the aerosol size distribution (Junge approximation) from the MSRT data. A comparison of the various sensors suggests that the optical particle counters are over-optimistic in their estimate of the transmission.

An experiment to study the nuclear component of primary cosmic rays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paul, J. M.; Verma, S. D.

1971-01-01

An apparatus has been designed and is being fabricated to study the charge composition, fluxes, and energy spectra of light nuclei in the energy region from 1 GeV to 100 GeV. The apparatus essentially consists of an array of a large number of particle detectors operated in coincidence and serving as a charged particle telescope. A mosaic silicon semiconductor detector, a plastic scintillation counter and a lucite Cerenkov detector are used to measure the charges of the incident nuclei. Two one-inch thick CsI detectors are used to study low energy particles. An ionization spectrometer is utilized to measure primary energies in the 1 to 100 GeV energy interval. A gas Cerenkov counter is being designed to distinguish between electrons and protons. It is planned to calibrate the apparatus at an accelerator using particles of known energy.

Compact toroid injection fueling in a large field-reversed configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asai, T.; Matsumoto, T.; Roche, T.; Allfrey, I.; Gota, H.; Sekiguchi, J.; Edo, T.; Garate, E.; Takahashi, Ts.; Binderbauer, M.; Tajima, T.

2017-07-01

A repetitively driven compact toroid (CT) injector has been developed for the large field-reversed configuration (FRC) facility of the C-2/C-2U, primarily for particle refueling. A CT is formed and injected by a magnetized coaxial plasma gun (MCPG) exclusively developed for the C-2/C-2U FRC. To refuel the particles of long-lived FRCs, multiple CT injections are required. Thus, a multi-stage discharge circuit was developed for a multi-pulsed CT injection. The drive frequency of this system can be adjusted up to 1 kHz and the number of CT shots per injector is two; the system can be further upgraded for a larger number of injection pulses. The developed MCPG can achieve a supersonic ejection velocity in the range of ~100 km s-1. The key plasma parameters of electron density, electron temperature and the number of particles are ~5  ×  1021 m-3, ~30 eV and 0.5-1.0  ×  1019, respectively. In this project, single- and double-pulsed counter CT injection fueling were conducted on the C-2/C-2U facility by two CT injectors. The CT injectors were mounted 1 m apart in the vicinity of the mid-plane. To avoid disruptive perturbation on the FRC, the CT injectors were operated at the lower limit of the particle inventory. The experiments demonstrated successful refueling with a significant density build-up of 20-30% of the FRC particle inventory per single CT injection without any deleterious effects on the C-2/C-2U FRC.

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

PubMed

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

2012-06-21

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

Development of Labview based data acquisition and multichannel analyzer software for radioactive particle tracking system

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

Rahman, Nur Aira Abd, E-mail: nur-aira@nuclearmalaysia.gov.my; Yussup, Nolida; Ibrahim, Maslina Bt. Mohd

2015-04-29

A DAQ (data acquisition) software called RPTv2.0 has been developed for Radioactive Particle Tracking System in Malaysian Nuclear Agency. RPTv2.0 that features scanning control GUI, data acquisition from 12-channel counter via RS-232 interface, and multichannel analyzer (MCA). This software is fully developed on National Instruments Labview 8.6 platform. Ludlum Model 4612 Counter is used to count the signals from the scintillation detectors while a host computer is used to send control parameters, acquire and display data, and compute results. Each detector channel consists of independent high voltage control, threshold or sensitivity value and window settings. The counter is configured withmore » a host board and twelve slave boards. The host board collects the counts from each slave board and communicates with the computer via RS-232 data interface.« less

An instrument to measure the spectrum of cosmic ray iron and other nuclei to above 100 GeV-nucleon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arens, J. F.; Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Ormes, J. F.; Siohan, F.; Schmidt, W. K. H.; Simon, M.; Spiegelhauer, H.

1978-01-01

A balloon-borne detector system for extending the study of cosmic ray composition to the energy region beyond 100 GeV/nucleon is described. The instrument incorporates an ionization calorimeter and a gas Cherenkov counter filled with freon for the determination of energies, and a charge module, consisting of scintillation and a lucite Cherenkov counter, for determining the charge of the incoming particle. The scintillators were utilized to determine the position of the incoming particle in addition to its charge. The characteristics of these detectors with respect to resolution, and the methods employed in laboratory calibration, cross-checks with flight data and actual performance in the flights are described in detail. Monte Carlo simulation of the ionization calorimeter and comparison of the response of the calorimeter and gas Cherenkov counter for complex nuclei was used to convert the observed calorimeter signal to absolute energy in a consistent manner.

Neutron counter based on beryllium activation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bienkowska, B.; Prokopowicz, R.; Scholz, M.; Kaczmarczyk, J.; Igielski, A.; Karpinski, L.; Paducha, M.; Pytel, K.

2014-08-01

The fusion reaction occurring in DD plasma is followed by emission of 2.45 MeV neutrons, which carry out information about fusion reaction rate and plasma parameters and properties as well. Neutron activation of beryllium has been chosen for detection of DD fusion neutrons. The cross-section for reaction 9Be(n, α)6He has a useful threshold near 1 MeV, which means that undesirable multiple-scattered neutrons do not undergo that reaction and therefore are not recorded. The product of the reaction, 6He, decays with half-life T1/2 = 0.807 s emitting β- particles which are easy to detect. Large area gas sealed proportional detector has been chosen as a counter of β-particles leaving activated beryllium plate. The plate with optimized dimensions adjoins the proportional counter entrance window. Such set-up is also equipped with appropriate electronic components and forms beryllium neutron activation counter. The neutron flux density on beryllium plate can be determined from the number of counts. The proper calibration procedure needs to be performed, therefore, to establish such relation. The measurements with the use of known β-source have been done. In order to determine the detector response function such experiment have been modeled by means of MCNP5-the Monte Carlo transport code. It allowed proper application of the results of transport calculations of β- particles emitted from radioactive 6He and reaching proportional detector active volume. In order to test the counter system and measuring procedure a number of experiments have been performed on PF devices. The experimental conditions have been simulated by means of MCNP5. The correctness of simulation outcome have been proved by measurements with known radioactive neutron source. The results of the DD fusion neutron measurements have been compared with other neutron diagnostics.

Detection near 1-nm with a laminar-flow, water-based condensation particle counter

DOE PAGES

Hering, Susanne V.; Lewis, Gregory S.; Spielman, Steven R.; ...

2016-11-18

Presented is a laminar-flow, water-based condensation particle counter capable of particle detection near 1 nm. This instrument employs a three-stage, laminar-flow growth tube with a “moderator” stage that reduces the temperature and water content of the output flow without reducing the peak supersaturation, and makes feasible operation at the large temperature differences necessary for achieving high supersaturations. The instrument has an aerosol flow of 0.3 L/min, and does not use a filtered sheath flow. It is referred to as a “versatile” water condensation particle counter, or vWCPC, as operating temperatures can be adjusted in accordance with the cut-point desired. Whenmore » operated with wall temperatures of ~2°C, >90°C, and ~22°C for the three stages, respectively, the vWCPC detects particles generated from a heated nichrome wire with a 50% efficiency cut-point near 1.6 nm mobility diameter. At these operating temperatures, it also detects 10–20% of large molecular ions formed from passing filtered ambient air through a bipolar ion source. Decreasing the temperature difference between the first two stages, with the first and second stages operated at 10 and 90°C, respectively, essentially eliminates the response to charger ions, and raises the 50% efficiency cut-point for the nichrome wire particles to 1.9 nm mobility diameter. Here, the time response, as measured by rapid removal of an inlet filter, yields a characteristic time constant of 195 ms.« less

Comparisons of LET distributions measured in low-earth orbit using tissue-equivalent proportional counters and the position-sensitive silicon-detector telescope (RRMD-III)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doke, T.; Hayashi, T.; Borak, T. B.; Chatterjee, A. (Principal Investigator)

2001-01-01

Determinations of the LET distribution, phi(L), of charged particles within a spacecraft in low-Earth orbit have been made. One method used a cylindrical tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC), with the assumption that for each measured event, lineal energy, y, is equal to LET and thus phi(L) = phi(y). The other was based on the direct measurement of LETs for individual particles using a charged-particle telescope consisting of position-sensitive silicon detectors called RRMD-III. There were differences of up to a factor of 10 between estimates of phi(L) using the two methods on the same mission. This caused estimates of quality factor to vary by a factor of two between the two methods.

MicroMED: a dust particle counter for the characterization of airborne dust close to the surface of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cozzolino, Fabio; Esposito, Francesca; Molfese, Cesare; Cortecchia, Fausto; Saggin, Bortolino; D'amato, Francesco

2015-04-01

Monitoring of airborne dust is very important in planetary climatology. Indeed, dust absorbs and scatter solar and thermal radiation, severely affecting atmospheric thermal structure, balance and dynamics (in terms of circulations). Wind-driven blowing of sand and dust is also responsible for shaping planetary surfaces through the formation of sand dunes and ripples, the erosion of rocks, and the creation and transport of soil particles. Dust is permanently present in the atmosphere of Mars and its amount varies with seasons. During regional or global dust storms, more than 80% of the incoming sunlight is absorbed by dust causing an intense atmospheric heating. Airborne dust is therefore a crucial climate component on Mars which impacts atmospheric circulations at all scales. Main dust parameters influencing the atmosphere heating are size distribution, abundance, albedo, single scattering phase function, imaginary part of the index of refraction. Moreover, major improvements of Mars climate models require, in addition to the standard meteorological parameters, quantitative information about dust lifting, transport and removal mechanisms. In this context, two major quantities need to be measured for the dust source to be understood: surface flux and granulometry. While many observations have constrained the size distribution of the dust haze seen from the orbit, it is still not known what the primary airborne dust (e.g. the recently lifted dust) is made of, size-wise. MicroMED has been designed to fill this gap. It will measure the abundance and size distribution of dust, not in the atmospheric column, but close to the surface, where dust is lifted, so to be able to monitor dust injection into the atmosphere. This has never been performed in Mars and other planets exploration. MicroMED is an Optical Particle Counter, analyzing light scattered from single dust particles to measure their size and abundance. A proper fluid-dynamic system, including a pump and a sampling head, allows the sampling of Martian atmosphere with embedded dust. The captured dust grains are detected by an Optical System and then ejected into the atmosphere. MicroMED is a miniaturization of the instrument MEDUSA, developed for the Humboldt payload of the ExoMars mission. An Elegant Breadboard has been developed and tested and successfully demonstrates the instrument performances. The design and performance test results will be discussed.

Determination of polar stratospheric cloud particle refractive indices by use of in situ optical measurements and T-matrix calculations.

PubMed

Scarchilli, Claudio; Adriani, Alberto; Cairo, Francesco; Di Donfrancesco, Guido; Buontempo, Carlo; Snels, Marcel; Moriconi, Maria Luisa; Deshler, Terry; Larsen, Niels; Luo, Beiping; Mauersberger, Konrad; Ovarlez, Joelle; Rosen, Jim; Schreiner, Jochen

2005-06-01

A new algorithm to infer structural parameters such as refractive index and asphericity of cloud particles has been developed by use of in situ observations taken by a laser backscattersonde and an optical particle counter during balloon stratospheric flights. All three main particles, liquid, ice, and a no-ice solid (NAT, nitric acid trihydrate) of polar stratospheric clouds, were observed during two winter flights performed from Kiruna, Sweden. The technique is based on use of the T-matrix code developed for aspherical particles to calculate the backscattering coefficient and particle depolarizing properties on the basis of size distribution and concentration measurements. The results of the calculations are compared with observations to estimated refractive indices and particle asphericity. The method has also been used in cases when the liquid and solid phases coexist with comparable influence on the optical behavior of the cloud to estimate refractive indices. The main results prove that the index of refraction for NAT particles is in the range of 1.37-1.45 at 532 nm. Such particles would be slightly prolate spheroids. The calculated refractive indices for liquid and ice particles are 1.51-1.55 and 1.31-1.33, respectively. The results for solid particles confirm previous measurements taken in Antarctica during 1992 and obtained by a comparison of lidar and optical particle counter data.

Improved photocurrent of a poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-ClO₄⁻/TiO₂ thin film-modified counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Sakurai, Sho; Kawamata, Yuka; Takahashi, Masashi; Kobayashi, Koichi

2011-01-01

We prepared a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-ClO₄⁻-supported TiO₂ thin-film electrode as a counter electrode on a transparent conductive oxide glass electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using a combination of sol-gel and electropolymerization methods. The photocurrent-voltage characteristics indicate that DSSCs with PEDOT-ClO₄⁻/TiO₂ thin-film counter electrodes had a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency similar to that of PEDOT-ClO₄⁻/TiO₂ particle composite-film electrodes. Furthermore, it was found that the photocurrent was increased by attaching a reflector to the opposite side of the transparent counter electrode.

The response of a spherical tissue-equivalent proportional counter to iron particles from 200-1000 MeV/nucleon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gersey, B. B.; Borak, T. B.; Guetersloh, S. B.; Zeitlin, C.; Miller, J.; Heilbronn, L.; Murakami, T.; Iwata, Y.; Chatterjee, A. (Principal Investigator)

2002-01-01

The radiation environment on board the space shuttle and the International Space Station includes high-Z and high-energy (HZE) particles that are part of the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) spectrum. Iron-56 particles are considered to be one of the most biologically important parts of the GCR spectrum. Tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) are used as active dosimeters on manned space flights. These TEPCs are further used to determine the average quality factor for each space mission. A TEPC simulating a 1-microm-diameter sphere of tissue was exposed as part of a particle spectrometer to (56)Fe particles at energies from 200-1000 MeV/nucleon. The response of TEPCs in terms of mean lineal energy, y(F), and dose mean lineal energy, y(D), as well as the energy deposited at different impact parameters through the detector was determined for six different incident energies of (56)Fe particles in this energy range. Calculations determined that charged-particle equilibrium was achieved for each of the six experiments. Energy depositions at different impact parameters were calculated using a radial dose distribution model, and the results were compared to experimental data.

Rapid detection of single bacteria in unprocessed blood using Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digital Detection

PubMed Central

Kang, Dong-Ku; Ali, M. Monsur; Zhang, Kaixiang; Huang, Susan S.; Peterson, Ellena; Digman, Michelle A.; Gratton, Enrico; Zhao, Weian

2014-01-01

Blood stream infection or sepsis is a major health problem worldwide, with extremely high mortality, which is partly due to the inability to rapidly detect and identify bacteria in the early stages of infection. Here we present a new technology termed ‘Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digital Detection’ (IC 3D) that can selectively detect bacteria directly from milliliters of diluted blood at single-cell sensitivity in a one-step, culture- and amplification-free process within 1.5–4 h. The IC 3D integrates real-time, DNAzyme-based sensors, droplet microencapsulation and a high-throughput 3D particle counter system. Using Escherichia coli as a target, we demonstrate that the IC 3D can provide absolute quantification of both stock and clinical isolates of E. coli in spiked blood within a broad range of extremely low concentration from 1 to 10,000 bacteria per ml with exceptional robustness and limit of detection in the single digit regime. PMID:25391809

Saharan Dust Particle Size And Concentration Distribution In Central Ghana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sunnu, A. K.

2010-12-01

A.K. Sunnu*, G. M. Afeti* and F. Resch+ *Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi, Ghana. E-mail: albertsunnu@yahoo.com +Laboratoire Lepi, ISITV-Université du Sud Toulon-Var, 83162 La Valette cedex, France E-mail: resch@univ-tln.fr Keywords: Atmospheric aerosol; Saharan dust; Particle size distributions; Particle concentrations. Abstract The Saharan dust that is transported and deposited over many countries in the West African atmospheric environment (5°N), every year, during the months of November to March, known locally as the Harmattan season, have been studied over a 13-year period, between 1996 and 2009, using a location at Kumasi in central Ghana (6° 40'N, 1° 34'W) as the reference geographical point. The suspended Saharan dust particles were sampled by an optical particle counter, and the particle size distributions and concentrations were analysed. The counter gives the total dust loads as number of particles per unit volume of air. The optical particle counter used did not discriminate the smoke fractions (due to spontaneous bush fires during the dry season) from the Saharan dust. Within the particle size range measured (0.5 μm-25 μm.), the average inter-annual mean particle diameter, number and mass concentrations during the northern winter months of January and February were determined. The average daily number concentrations ranged from 15 particles/cm3 to 63 particles/cm3 with an average of 31 particles/cm3. The average daily mass concentrations ranged from 122 μg/m3 to 1344 μg/m3 with an average of 532 μg/m3. The measured particle concentrations outside the winter period were consistently less than 10 cm-3. The overall dust mean particle diameter, analyzed from the peak representative Harmattan periods over the 13-year period, ranged from 0.89 μm to 2.43 μm with an average of 1.5 μm ± 0.5. The particle size distributions exhibited the typical distribution pattern for atmospheric aerosols with a coarse mode diameter situated at about 3.5 μm. The experimental results reported in this study will be important in validating satellite based observations and simulation models of the African dust plume towards the Gulf of Guinea during winter.

The measurement of ultrafine particles: A pilot study using a portable particle counting technique to measure generated particles during a micromachining process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handy, Rodney G.; Jackson, Mark J.; Robinson, Grant M.; Lafreniere, Michael D.

2006-04-01

The accurate measurement of airborne particles in the nanometer range is a challenging task. Because several studies have linked exposures to airborne ultrafine particles to elevated human health risks, the need to assess the concentrations of particles in the workplace that are below 100 nm in diameter is imperative. Several different techniques for monitoring nanoparticles are now available, and others are currently being tested for their merit. Laboratory condensation particle counters (CPC), field-portable CPC, nanometer differential mobility analyzers, electron microscopy, and other novel and experimental approaches to measuring nanoparticles have been recently used in investigations. The first part of this article gives an overview of these techniques, and provides the advantages and disadvantages for each. The second part of this article introduces a portable technique, coupling two particle measurement devices that are capable of characterizing microscale and nanoscale particles in the field environment. Specifically, this pilot study involved the use of a direct-reading CPC and a laser particle counter to measure airborne concentrations of ultrafine particles during a laboratory machining process. The measurements were evaluated in real time, and subsequently, decisions regarding human exposure could be made in an efficient and effective manner. Along with the results from this study, further research efforts in related areas are discussed.

Effect of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) and toluene on SO2 photooxidation, nucleation and growth: A smog chamber study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Kangwei; Chen, Linghong; White, Stephen J.; Han, Ke; Lv, Biao; Bao, Kaiji; Wu, Xuecheng; Gao, Xiang; Azzi, Merched; Cen, Kefa

2017-08-01

The formation and growth of new particles has recently been shown to have a significant influence on Chinese haze pollution, and sulfuric acid has long been recognized as a major contributor to new particle formation. In this study, four comparison groups of experiments related to SO2 photooxidation, as well as aerosol nucleation and growth, have been conducted in the CAPS-ZJU (Complex Air Pollution Study-Zhejiang University) smog chamber. These were conducted either under SO2/NOx or SO2/toluene gas-phase environments in the absence of seed particles. During aerosol nucleation and growth process, several physical properties such as mass, size and effective density were measured simultaneously by Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Differential Mobility Analyzer-Aerosol Particle Mass Analyzer-Condensation Particle Counter (DMA-APM-CPC). The effective density of new particles decreased from 1.8 to 1.35 g/cm3 as the particle size increased from 20 to 65 nm. The single particle mass showed good power-law relationship with mobility diameter, with an average mass-mobility exponent of 2.885. A new algorithm and a reference density of 1.38 g/cm3 based on size-resolved single particle mass (SPM) were proposed to calculate the mass concentration of new particles. Two methods based on Log Normal and Max Concentration were applied to derive particle growth rate (GR), and data merging from both methods was implemented to decrease calculation uncertainty. Meanwhile, both continuous nucleation and inhibition of further growth in sub-20 nm size range were observed in different experiments depending on composition, and possible reasons were analyzed. The presence of NO was found to suppress nucleation and subsequent aerosol growth; while the presence of NO2 or toluene promoted it. It was concluded that decreasing NOx (NO or NO2) or increasing toluene may promote SO2 photooxidation, nucleation and subsequent aerosol growth, all of which is significant for deeper understanding of complex air pollution in China.

Operation of the Airmodus A11 nano Condensation Nucleus Counter at various inlet pressures and various operation temperatures, and design of a new inlet system

DOE PAGES

Kangasluoma, Juha; Franchin, Alessandro; Duplissy, Jonahtan; ...

2016-07-14

Measuring sub-3 nm particles outside of controlled laboratory conditions is a challenging task, as many of the instruments are operated at their limits and are subject to changing ambient conditions. In this study, we advance the current understanding of the operation of the Airmodus A11 nano Condensation Nucleus Counter (nCNC), which consists of an A10 Particle Size Magnifier (PSM) and an A20 Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The effect of the inlet line pressure on the measured particle concentration was measured, and two separate regions inside the A10, where supersaturation of working fluid can take place, were identified. The possibility ofmore » varying the lower cut-off diameter of the nCNC was investigated; by scanning the growth tube temperature, the range of the lower cut-off was extended from 1–2.5 to 1–6 nm. Here we present a new inlet system, which allows automated measurement of the background concentration of homogeneously nucleated droplets, minimizes the diffusion losses in the sampling line and is equipped with an electrostatic filter to remove ions smaller than approximately 4.5 nm. Lastly, our view of the guidelines for the optimal use of the Airmodus nCNC is provided.« less

Operation of the Airmodus A11 nano Condensation Nucleus Counter at various inlet pressures and various operation temperatures, and design of a new inlet system

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

Kangasluoma, Juha; Franchin, Alessandro; Duplissy, Jonahtan

Measuring sub-3 nm particles outside of controlled laboratory conditions is a challenging task, as many of the instruments are operated at their limits and are subject to changing ambient conditions. In this study, we advance the current understanding of the operation of the Airmodus A11 nano Condensation Nucleus Counter (nCNC), which consists of an A10 Particle Size Magnifier (PSM) and an A20 Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The effect of the inlet line pressure on the measured particle concentration was measured, and two separate regions inside the A10, where supersaturation of working fluid can take place, were identified. The possibility ofmore » varying the lower cut-off diameter of the nCNC was investigated; by scanning the growth tube temperature, the range of the lower cut-off was extended from 1–2.5 to 1–6 nm. Here we present a new inlet system, which allows automated measurement of the background concentration of homogeneously nucleated droplets, minimizes the diffusion losses in the sampling line and is equipped with an electrostatic filter to remove ions smaller than approximately 4.5 nm. Lastly, our view of the guidelines for the optimal use of the Airmodus nCNC is provided.« less

Low-cost wind tunnel for aerosol inhalation studies.

PubMed

Chung, I P; Dunn-Rankin, D; Phalen, R F; Oldham, M J

1992-04-01

A low-cost wind tunnel for aerosol studies has been designed, constructed, and evaluated for aerosol uniformity with 2- and 0.46-micron particles. A commercial nebulizer was used to produce the suspended test particles, and a custom-made, four-hole injector was used to introduce the aerosol into the wind tunnel. A commercially available optical particle counter measured the particle concentration. Performance tests of the velocity profile and particle concentration distribution at two flow rates showed that the system performs well for small particles.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SPRAY BOOTH FILTER SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

EPA Science Inventory

The paper summarizes results of research conducted to determine the capability of various dry paint overspray arrestor systems to capture particles as small as about 1 micrometer in surface diameter. The testing used on optical particle counter to determine the concentration of p...

Optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy of solid particles.

PubMed

Rkiouak, L; Tang, M J; Camp, J C J; McGregor, J; Watson, I M; Cox, R A; Kalberer, M; Ward, A D; Pope, F D

2014-06-21

The heterogeneous interactions of gas molecules on solid particles are crucial in many areas of science, engineering and technology. Such interactions play a critical role in atmospheric chemistry and in heterogeneous catalysis, a key technology in the energy and chemical industries. Investigating heterogeneous interactions upon single levitated particles can provide significant insight into these important processes. Various methodologies exist for levitating micron sized particles including: optical, electrical and acoustic techniques. Prior to this study, the optical levitation of solid micron scale particles has proved difficult to achieve over timescales relevant to the above applications. In this work, a new vertically configured counter propagating dual beam optical trap was optimized to levitate a range of solid particles in air. Silica (SiO2), α-alumina (Al2O3), titania (TiO2) and polystyrene were stably trapped with a high trapping efficiency (Q = 0.42). The longest stable trapping experiment was conducted continuously for 24 hours, and there are no obvious constraints on trapping time beyond this period. Therefore, the methodology described in this paper should be of major benefit to various research communities. The strength of the new technique is demonstrated by the simultaneous levitation and spectroscopic interrogation of silica particles by Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the adsorption of water upon silica was investigated under controlled relative humidity environments. Furthermore, the collision and coagulation behaviour of silica particles with microdroplets of sulphuric acid was followed using both optical imaging and Raman spectroscopy.

Investigating evaporation of melting ice particles within a bin melting layer model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neumann, Andrea J.

Single column models have been used to help develop algorithms for remote sensing retrievals. Assumptions in the single-column models may affect the assumptions of the remote sensing retrievals. Studies of the melting layer that use single column models often assume environments that are near or at water saturation. This study investigates the effects of evaporation upon melting particles to determine whether the assumption of negligible mass loss still holds within subsaturated melting layers. A single column, melting layer model is modified to include the effects of sublimation and evaporation upon the particles. Other changes to the model include switching the order in which the model loops over particle sizes and model layers; including a particle sedimentation scheme; adding aggregation, accretion, and collision and coalescence processes; allowing environmental variables such as the water vapor diffusivity and the Schmidt number to vary with the changes in the environment; adding explicitly calculated particle temperature, changing the particle terminal velocity parameterization; and using a newly-derived effective density-dimensional relationship for use in particle mass calculations. Simulations of idealized melting layer environments show that significant mass loss due to evaporation during melting is possible within subsaturated environments. Short melting distances, accelerating particle fall speeds, and short melting times help constrain the amount of mass lost due to evaporation while melting is occurring, even in subsaturated profiles. Sublimation prior to melting can also be a significant source of mass loss. The trends shown on the particle scale also appear in the bulk distribution parameters such as rainfall rate and ice water content. Simulations incorporating observed melting layer environments show that significant mass loss due to evaporation during the melting process is possible under certain environmental conditions. A profile such as the first melting layer profile on 10 May 2011 from the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) that is neither too saturated nor too subsaturated is possible and shows considerable mass loss for all particle sizes. Most melting layer profiles sampled during MC3E were too saturated for more than a dozen or two of the smallest particle sizes to experience significant mass loss. The aggregation, accretion, and collision and coalescence processes also countered significant mass loss at the largest particles sizes because these particles are efficient at collecting smaller particles due to their relative large sweep-out area. From these results, it appears that the assumption of negligible mass loss due to evaporation while melting is occurring is not always valid. Studies that use large, low-density snowflakes and high RH environments can safely use the assumption of negligible mass loss. Studies that use small ice particles or low RH environments (RH less than about 80%) cannot use the assumption of negligible mass loss due to evaporation. Retrieval algorithms may be overestimating surface precipitation rates and intensities in subsaturated environments due to the assumptions of negligible mass loss while melting and near-saturated melting layer environments.

Atmosphere and water quality monitoring on Space Station Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niu, William

1990-01-01

In Space Station Freedom air and water will be supplied in closed loop systems. The monitoring of air and water qualities will ensure the crew health for the long mission duration. The Atmosphere Composition Monitor consists of the following major instruments: (1) a single focusing mass spectrometer to monitor major air constituents and control the oxygen/nitrogen addition for the Space Station; (2) a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer to detect trace contaminants; (3) a non-dispersive infrared spectrometer to determine carbon monoxide concentration; and (4) a laser particle counter for measuring particulates in the air. An overview of the design and development concepts for the air and water quality monitors is presented.

Time-resolved brightness measurements by streaking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torrance, Joshua S.; Speirs, Rory W.; McCulloch, Andrew J.; Scholten, Robert E.

2018-03-01

Brightness is a key figure of merit for charged particle beams, and time-resolved brightness measurements can elucidate the processes involved in beam creation and manipulation. Here we report on a simple, robust, and widely applicable method for the measurement of beam brightness with temporal resolution by streaking one-dimensional pepperpots, and demonstrate the technique to characterize electron bunches produced from a cold-atom electron source. We demonstrate brightness measurements with 145 ps temporal resolution and a minimum resolvable emittance of 40 nm rad. This technique provides an efficient method of exploring source parameters and will prove useful for examining the efficacy of techniques to counter space-charge expansion, a critical hurdle to achieving single-shot imaging of atomic scale targets.

Modeling visibility in the Paso del Norte (PDN) Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medina Calderon, Richard

Poor visibility is a subject of growing public concern throughout the U.S, and an active area of research. Its societal impacts on air quality, aviation transport and traffic are significant. Aerosols play a fundamental role in the attenuation of solar radiation, and also affect visibility. The scattering and extinction coefficients of aerosol particles in the Paso del Norte Region have been calculated using the T- matrix model in conjunction with a laser particle counter. Inter-comparison of the model's results of the scattering and absorption coefficients against the corresponding data from a Photoacustic extinctiometer instrument (which measures in-situ absorption and scattering coefficients of aerosol particles) shows excellent agreement. In addition, the volume-weighted method is used to determine the composite index of refraction which is representative of the aerosols for the Paso del Norte Region to obtain information of the type of aerosol particles present in the Region. The Single Scattering Albedo has also been retrieved using this methodology to obtain further insight into the type of aerosols present on a given day. Finally, the Koschmieder equation has been used to calculate the visual range or visibility, and was correlated with the PM2.5 and PM10 particle concentration present in the Region. Our methodology will allow a better understanding of the size and type of aerosol particles that are most detrimental to the visibility for the Paso Del Norte Region.

A Dynamic Approach to Monitoring Particle Fallout in a Cleanroom Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Radford L., III

2010-01-01

This slide presentation discusses a mathematical model to monitor particle fallout in a cleanroom. "Cleanliness levels" do not lead to increases with regards to cleanroom type or time because the levels are not linear. Activity level, impacts the cleanroom class. The numerical method presented leads to a simple Class-hour formulation, that allows for dynamic monitoring of the particle using a standard air particle counter.

Passive Optical Locking Techniques for Diode Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Quan

1995-01-01

Most current diode-based nonlinear frequency converters utilize electronic frequency locking techniques. However, this type of locking technique typically involves very complex electronics, and suffers the 'power-drop' problem. This dissertation is devoted to the development of an all-optical passive locking technique that locks the diode laser frequency to the external cavity resonance stably without using any kind of electronic servo. The amplitude noise problem associated with the strong optical locking has been studied. Single-mode operation of a passively locked single-stripe diode with an amplitude stability better than 1% has been achieved. This passive optical locking technique applies to broad-area diodes as well as single-stripe diodes, and can be easily used to generate blue light. A schematic of a milliwatt level blue laser based on the single-stripe diode locking technique has been proposed. A 120 mW 467 nm blue laser has been built using the tapered amplifier locking technique. In addition to diode-based blue lasers, this passive locking technique has applications in nonlinear frequency conversions, resonant spectroscopy, particle counter devices, telecommunications, and medical devices.

Comparison of the DiSCmini aerosol monitor to a handheld condensation particle counter and a scanning mobility particle sizer for submicrometer sodium chloride and metal aerosols

PubMed Central

Mills, Jessica B.; Park, Jae Hong; Peters, Thomas M.

2016-01-01

We evaluated the robust, lightweight DiSCmini (DM) aerosol monitor for its ability to measure the concentration and mean diameter of submicrometer aerosols. Tests were conducted with monodispersed and polydispersed aerosols composed of two particle types (sodium chloride, NaCl, and spark generated metal particles, which simulate particles found in welding fume) at three different steady-state concentration ranges (Low, <103; Medium, 103–104; and High, >104 particles/cm3). Particle number concentration, lung deposited surface area (LDSA) concentration, and mean size measured with the DM were compared to those measured with reference instruments, a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and a handheld condensation particle counter (CPC). Particle number concentrations measured with the DM were within 21% of those measured by reference instruments for polydisperse aerosols. Poorer agreement was observed for monodispersed aerosols (±35% for most tests and +130% for 300-nm NaCl). LDSA concentrations measured by the DM were 96% to 155% of those estimated with the SMPS. The geometric mean diameters measured with the DM were within 30% of those measured with the SMPS for monodispersed aerosols and within 25% for polydispersed aerosols (except for the case when the aerosol contained a substantial number of particles larger than 300 nm). The accuracy of the DM is reasonable for particles smaller than 300 nm but caution should be exercised when particles larger than 300 nm are present. PMID:23473056

Networked Workstations and Parallel Processing Utilizing Functional Languages

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-01

program . This frees the programmer to concentrate on what the program is to do, not how the program is...traditional ’von Neumann’ architecture uses a timer based (e.g., the program counter), sequentially pro- grammed, single processor approach to problem...traditional ’von Neumann’ architecture uses a timer based (e.g., the program counter), sequentially programmed , single processor approach to

Determining size-specific emission factors for environmental tobacco smoke particles

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

Klepeis, Neil E.; Apte, Michael G.; Gundel, Lara A.

Because size is a major controlling factor for indoor airborne particle behavior, human particle exposure assessments will benefit from improved knowledge of size-specific particle emissions. We report a method of inferring size-specific mass emission factors for indoor sources that makes use of an indoor aerosol dynamics model, measured particle concentration time series data, and an optimization routine. This approach provides--in addition to estimates of the emissions size distribution and integrated emission factors--estimates of deposition rate, an enhanced understanding of particle dynamics, and information about model performance. We applied the method to size-specific environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) particle concentrations measured everymore » minute with an 8-channel optical particle counter (PMS-LASAIR; 0.1-2+ micrometer diameters) and every 10 or 30 min with a 34-channel differential mobility particle sizer (TSI-DMPS; 0.01-1+ micrometer diameters) after a single cigarette or cigar was machine-smoked inside a low air-exchange-rate 20 m{sup 3} chamber. The aerosol dynamics model provided good fits to observed concentrations when using optimized values of mass emission rate and deposition rate for each particle size range as input. Small discrepancies observed in the first 1-2 hours after smoking are likely due to the effect of particle evaporation, a process neglected by the model. Size-specific ETS particle emission factors were fit with log-normal distributions, yielding an average mass median diameter of 0.2 micrometers and an average geometric standard deviation of 2.3 with no systematic differences between cigars and cigarettes. The equivalent total particle emission rate, obtained integrating each size distribution, was 0.2-0.7 mg/min for cigars and 0.7-0.9 mg/min for cigarettes.« less

Navy Field Evaluation of Particle Counter Technology for Aviation Fuel Contamination Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-06

Naval Ship’s Technical Manual NAVAIR ... ………………………………………………………Naval Air Systems Command RSD ...6. Relative Standard Deviation of >4 µm Particle Count The high RSD between particle counts of the same sediment and free water concentrations are

On-chip particle trapping and manipulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leake, Kaelyn Danielle

The ability to control and manipulate the world around us is human nature. Humans and our ancestors have used tools for millions of years. Only in recent years have we been able to control objects at such small levels. In order to understand the world around us it is frequently necessary to interact with the biological world. Optical trapping and manipulation offer a non-invasive way to move, sort and interact with particles and cells to see how they react to the world around them. Optical tweezers are ideal in their abilities but they require large, non-portable, and expensive setups limiting how and where we can use them. A cheap portable platform is required in order to have optical manipulation reach its full potential. On-chip technology offers a great solution to this challenge. We focused on the Liquid-Core Anti-Resonant Reflecting Optical Waveguide (liquid-core ARROW) for our work. The ARROW is an ideal platform, which has anti-resonant layers which allow light to be guided in liquids, allowing for particles to easily be manipulated. It is manufactured using standard silicon manufacturing techniques making it easy to produce. The planner design makes it easy to integrate with other technologies. Initially I worked to improve the ARROW chip by reducing the intersection losses and by reducing the fluorescence and background on the ARROW chip. The ARROW chip has already been used to trap and push particles along its channel but here I introduce several new methods of particle trapping and manipulation on the ARROW chip. Traditional two beam traps use two counter propagating beams. A trapping scheme that uses two orthogonal beams which counter to first instinct allow for trapping at their intersection is introduced. This scheme is thoroughly predicted and analyzed using realistic conditions. Simulations of this method were done using a program which looks at both the fluidics and optical sources to model complex situations. These simulations were also used to model and predict a sorting method which combines fluid flow with a single optical source to automatically sort dielectric particles by size in waveguide networks. These simulations were shown to be accurate when repeated on-chip. Lastly I introduce a particle trapping technique that uses Multimode Interference(MMI) patterns in order to trap multiple particles at once. The location of the traps can be adjusted as can the number of trapping location by changing the input wavelength. By changing the wavelength back and forth between two values this MMI can be used to pass a particle down the channel like a conveyor belt.

Construction of silica aerogel radiator system for Belle II RICH Counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adachi, I.; Dolenec, R.; Hataya, K.; Iori, S.; Iwata, S.; Kakuno, H.; Kataura, R.; Kawai, H.; Kindo, H.; Kobayashi, T.; Korpar, S.; Križan, P.; Kumita, T.; Mrvar, M.; Nishida, S.; Ogawa, K.; Ogawa, S.; Pestotnik, R.; Šantelj, L.; Sumiyoshi, T.; Tabata, M.; Yonenaga, M.; Yusa, Y.

2017-12-01

We have developed a RICH counter as a new forward particle identification device for the Belle II experiment. As a Cherenkov radiator in this counter, a dual aerogel layer combination consisting of two refractive indicies, n=1.045 and 1.055, is employed. Mass production of these aerogel tiles has been done during 2013-2014 with new method improved by Chiba group. Optical qualities for them have been examined. The refractive indices of the obtained tiles were found to be in good agreement with our expectations, and the transparencies were high enough to be used for the RICH radiator.

Vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes as low-cost and high electrocatalytic counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Dong, Pei; Pint, Cary L; Hainey, Mel; Mirri, Francesca; Zhan, Yongjie; Zhang, Jing; Pasquali, Matteo; Hauge, Robert H; Verduzco, Rafael; Jiang, Mian; Lin, Hong; Lou, Jun

2011-08-01

A novel dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) structure using vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VASWCNTs) as the counter electrode has been developed. In this design, the VASWCNTs serve as a stable high surface area and highly active electrocatalytic counter-electrode that could be a promising alternative to the conventional Pt analogue. Utilizing a scalable dry transfer approach to form a VASWCNTs conductive electrode, the DSSCs with various lengths of VASWCNTs were studied. VASWCNTs-DSSC with 34 μm original length was found to be the optimal choice in the present study. The highest conversion efficiencies of VASWCNTs-DSSC achieved 5.5%, which rivals that of the reference Pt DSSC. From the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, it shows that the new DSSC offers lower interface resistance between the electrolyte and the counter electrode. This reproducible work emphasizes the promise of VASWCNTs as efficient and stable counter electrode materials in DSSC device design, especially taking into account the low-cost merit of this promising material.

High Electrocatalytic Activity of Vertically Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes towards Sulfide Redox Shuttles.

PubMed

Hao, Feng; Dong, Pei; Zhang, Jing; Zhang, Yongchang; Loya, Phillip E; Hauge, Robert H; Li, Jianbao; Lou, Jun; Lin, Hong

2012-01-01

Vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VASWCNTs) have been successfully transferred onto transparent conducting oxide glass and implemented as efficient low-cost, platinum-free counter electrode in sulfide -mediated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), featuring notably improved electrocatalytic activity toward thiolate/disulfide redox shuttle over conventional Pt counter electrodes. Impressively, device with VASWCNTs counter electrode demonstrates a high fill factor of 0.68 and power conversion efficiency up to 5.25%, which is significantly higher than 0.56 and 3.49% for that with a conventional Pt electrode. Moreover, VASWCNTs counter electrode produces a charge transfer resistance of only 21.22 Ω towards aqueous polysulfide electrolyte commonly applied in quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), which is several orders of magnitude lower than that of a typical Pt electrode. Therefore, VASWCNTs counter electrodes are believed to be a versatile candidate for further improvement of the power conversion efficiency of other iodine-free redox couple based DSCs and polysulfide electrolyte based QDSCs.

Results on nucleon life-time from the Kolar gold field experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishnaswamy, M. R.; Menon, M. G. K.; Mondal, N. K.; Narasimham, V. S.; Sreekantan, B. V.; Hayashi, Y.; Ito, N.; Kawakami, S.; Miyake, S.

1985-01-01

The KGF nucleon decay experiment has been in operation since October 1980 with a 140 ton calorimetric detector at a depth of 2.3 Km underground. The detector comprises 34 layers of proportional counters arranged in an orthogonal geometry with 12 mm thick iron plates in between successive layers. The proportional counters are made up of square (10 x 10 square centimeters) iron plates of wall thickness 2.3 mm. Each of the 1600 counters is instrumented to provide data on ionization, DE/dx and arrival time. The visible energy of a particle is determined to an accuracy of approximately 20% from the ionization and range of its track. The end point ionization of a stopping track provides the direction of motion as well as the nature of the particle (mu/pi,k,p). Decay of mu is recorded with an overall efficiency of only 20% in view of the thickness of 13 g/square centimeters between successive layers.

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

Garimella, Sarvesh; Kristensen, Thomas Bjerring; Ignatius, Karolina

The SPectrometer for Ice Nuclei (SPIN) is a commercially available ice nucleating particle (INP) counter manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies in Boulder, CO. The SPIN is a continuous flow diffusion chamber with parallel plate geometry based on the Zurich Ice Nucleation Chamber and the Portable Ice Nucleation Chamber. This study presents a standard description for using the SPIN instrument and also highlights methods to analyze measurements in more advanced ways. It characterizes and describes the behavior of the SPIN chamber, reports data from laboratory measurements, and quantifies uncertainties associated with the measurements. Experiments with ammonium sulfate are used to investigatemore » homogeneous freezing of deliquesced haze droplets and droplet breakthrough. Experiments with kaolinite, NX illite, and silver iodide are used to investigate heterogeneous ice nucleation. SPIN nucleation results are compared to those from the literature. A machine learning approach for analyzing depolarization data from the SPIN optical particle counter is also presented (as an advanced use). Altogether, we report that the SPIN is able to reproduce previous INP counter measurements.« less

Gold nanoparticle decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Kaniyoor, Adarsh; Ramaprabhu, Sundara

2012-11-01

A novel counter electrode material for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) composed of nanostructured Au particles decorated on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWNTs) is demonstrated for the first time. MWNTs synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique are purified and functionalized by treating with concentrated acids. Au nanoparticles are decorated on f-MWNTs by a rapid and facile microwave assisted polyol reduction method. The materials are characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The DSSC fabricated with Au/f-MWNTs based counter electrode shows enhanced power conversion efficiency (eta) of 4.9% under AM 1.5G simulated solar radiation. In comparison, the reference DSSCs fabricated with f-MWNTs and Pt counter electrodes show eta of 2.1% and 4.5%. This high performance of Au/f-MWNTs counter electrode is investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry studies.

Trapping of Individual Airborne Absorbing Particles Using a Counterflow Nozzle and Photophoretic Trap for Continuous Sampling and Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-19

particles from air. The key parts of the system are a conical photophoretic optical trap and a counter-flow coaxial-double- nozzle that concentrates and then...distribution is unlimited. Trapping of individual airborne absorbing particles using a counterflow nozzle and photophoretic trap for continuous...airborne absorbing particles using a counterflow nozzle and photophoretic trap for continuous sampling and analysis Report Title We describe an

Accelerator Science: Collider vs. Fixed Target

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

Lincoln, Don

Particle physics experiments employ high energy particle accelerators to make their measurements. However there are many kinds of particle accelerators with many interesting techniques. One important dichotomy is whether one takes a particle beam and have it hit a stationary target of atoms, or whether one takes two counter rotating beams of particles and smashes them together head on. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains the pros and cons of these two powerful methods of exploring the rules of the universe.

Accelerator Science: Collider vs. Fixed Target

ScienceCinema

Lincoln, Don

2018-01-16

Particle physics experiments employ high energy particle accelerators to make their measurements. However there are many kinds of particle accelerators with many interesting techniques. One important dichotomy is whether one takes a particle beam and have it hit a stationary target of atoms, or whether one takes two counter rotating beams of particles and smashes them together head on. In this video, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln explains the pros and cons of these two powerful methods of exploring the rules of the universe.

Single particle measurements of the chemical composition of cirrus ice residue during CRYSTAL-FACE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cziczo, D. J.; Murphy, D. M.; Hudson, P. K.; Thomson, D. S.

2004-02-01

The first real-time, in situ, investigation of the chemical composition of the residue of cirrus ice crystals was performed during July 2002. This study was undertaken on a NASA WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft as part of CRYSTAL-FACE, a field campaign which sought to further our understanding of the relation of clouds, water vapor, and climate by characterizing, among other parameters, anvil cirrus formed about the Florida peninsula. A counter flow virtual impactor (CVI) was used to separate cirrus ice from the unactivated interstitial aerosol particles and evaporate condensed-phase water. Residual material, on a crystal-by-crystal basis, was subsequently analyzed using the NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory's Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) instrument. Sampling was performed from 5 to 15 km altitude and from 12° to 28° north latitude within cirrus originating over land and ocean. Chemical composition measurements provided several important results. Sea salt was often incorporated into cirrus, consistent with homogeneous ice formation by aerosol particles from the marine boundary layer. Size measurements showed that large particles preferentially froze over smaller ones. Meteoritic material was found within ice crystals, indicative of a relation between stratospheric aerosol particles and tropospheric clouds. Mineral dust was the dominant residue observed in clouds formed during a dust transport event from the Sahara, consistent with a heterogeneous freezing mechanism. These results show that chemical composition and size are important determinants of which aerosol particles form cirrus ice crystals.

Resuspension of ash after the 2014 phreatic eruption at Ontake volcano, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miwa, Takahiro; Nagai, Masashi; Kawaguchi, Ryohei

2018-02-01

We determined the resuspension process of an ash deposit after the phreatic eruption of September 27th, 2014 at Ontake volcano, Japan, by analyzing the time series data of particle concentrations obtained using an optical particle counter and the characteristics of an ash sample. The time series of particle concentration was obtained by an optical particle counter installed 11 km from the volcano from September 21st to October 19th, 2014. The time series contains counts of dust particles (ash and soil), pollen, and water drops, and was corrected to calculate the concentration of dust particles based on a polarization factor reflecting the optical anisotropy of particles. The dust concentration was compared with the time series of wind velocity. The dust concentration was high and the correlation coefficient with wind velocity was positive from September 28th to October 2nd. Grain-size analysis of an ash sample confirmed that the ash deposit contains abundant very fine particles (< 30 μm). Simple theoretical calculations revealed that the daily peaks of the moderate wind (a few m/s at 10 m above the ground surface) were comparable with the threshold wind velocity for resuspension of an unconsolidated deposit with a wide range of particle densities. These results demonstrate that moderate wind drove the resuspension of an ash deposit containing abundant fine particles produced by the phreatic eruption. Histogram of polarization factors of each species experimentally obtained. The N is the number of analyzed particles.

Using a Particle Counter to Inform the Creation of Similar Exposure Groups and Sampling Protocols in a Structural Steel Fabrication Facility

PubMed Central

Mino, James

2017-01-01

The objective of this project was to create similar exposure groups (SEGs) for occupational monitoring in a structural steel fabrication facility. Qualitative SEG formation involved worksite observation, interviews, and audits of materials and procedures. These were supplemented with preliminary task-based shop survey data collected using a condensation particle counter. A total of six SEGs were formed, with recommendations for occupational exposure sampling for five groups, as well as ambient sampling recommendations to address areas on the operational floor found to have higher particle concentrations. The combination of direct reading device data and qualitative SEG formation techniques is a valuable approach, as it contains both the monetary and temporal costs of worksite exposure monitoring. This approach also provides an empowering in-house analysis of potentially problematic areas, and results in the streamlining of occupational exposure assessment. PMID:29168761

Neutron counter based on beryllium activation

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

Bienkowska, B.; Prokopowicz, R.; Kaczmarczyk, J.

2014-08-21

The fusion reaction occurring in DD plasma is followed by emission of 2.45 MeV neutrons, which carry out information about fusion reaction rate and plasma parameters and properties as well. Neutron activation of beryllium has been chosen for detection of DD fusion neutrons. The cross-section for reaction {sup 9}Be(n, α){sup 6}He has a useful threshold near 1 MeV, which means that undesirable multiple-scattered neutrons do not undergo that reaction and therefore are not recorded. The product of the reaction, {sup 6}He, decays with half-life T{sub 1/2} = 0.807 s emitting β{sup −} particles which are easy to detect. Large areamore » gas sealed proportional detector has been chosen as a counter of β–particles leaving activated beryllium plate. The plate with optimized dimensions adjoins the proportional counter entrance window. Such set-up is also equipped with appropriate electronic components and forms beryllium neutron activation counter. The neutron flux density on beryllium plate can be determined from the number of counts. The proper calibration procedure needs to be performed, therefore, to establish such relation. The measurements with the use of known β–source have been done. In order to determine the detector response function such experiment have been modeled by means of MCNP5–the Monte Carlo transport code. It allowed proper application of the results of transport calculations of β{sup −} particles emitted from radioactive {sup 6}He and reaching proportional detector active volume. In order to test the counter system and measuring procedure a number of experiments have been performed on PF devices. The experimental conditions have been simulated by means of MCNP5. The correctness of simulation outcome have been proved by measurements with known radioactive neutron source. The results of the DD fusion neutron measurements have been compared with other neutron diagnostics.« less

Evolution of Some Particle Detectors Based On the Discharge in Gases

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Charpak, G.

1969-11-19

Summary of the properties of some of the detectors that are commonly used in counter experiments to localize charged particles, and which are based on discharge in gases under the influence of electric fields and some basic facts of gaseous amplification in homogeneous and inhomogeneous fields.

Results on the Performance of a Broad Band Focussing Cherenkov Counter

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Cester, R.; Fitch, V. L.; Montag, A.; Sherman, S.; Webb, R. C.; Witherell, M. S.

1980-01-01

The field of ring imaging (broad band differential) Cherenkov detectors has become a very active area of interest in detector development at several high energy physics laboratories. Our group has previously reported on a method of Cherenkov ring imaging for a counter with large momentum and angular acceptance using standard photo multipliers. Recently, we have applied this technique to the design of a set of Cherenkov counters for use in a particle search experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL). This new detector operates over the range 0.998 < ..beta.. < 1.000 in velocity with a delta..beta.. approx. 2 x 10{sup -4}. The acceptance in angle is +- 14 mrad in the horizontal and +- 28 mrad in the vertical. We report here on the performance of this counter.

Cloud condensation nucleus counter by impactor sampling technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohtake, T.

1981-01-01

Unlike typical CCN counters, this device counts the numbers of water droplets condensed on aerosol particles sampled on a microcover glass at various different relative humidities. The relative humidities ranged from 75 percent to a calculated value of 110 percent. A schematic of the apparatus is shown. The individual CCN can be identified in an optical micrograph and scanning electron micrograph and may be inspected for their chemical composition later.

FIRE_AX_SOF_ARAT_FLT

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2015-11-25

... Microwave Radiometer Optical Counter Platinum Resistance Pyranometer Pyrgeometer Variable Capacitance ... Parameters:  Aerosol Particle Properties Air Temperature Cloud Liquid Water Deiced Temperature Dew Point Doppler ...

STUDY OF THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE BY MEANS OF THE COSMOS 3 AND COSMOS 5 SATELLITES. 2. SOFT PARTICLES

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

Krasovskii, V.I.; Gal'perin, Yu.I.; Dzhordzhio, N.V.

1963-01-01

Geoactive particle research was conducted during the Cosmos 3 and Cosmos 5 orbital flights. The existence of currents of electrons and positive ions in the upper ionosphere having energies that are relatively low but greater than thermal is postulated. This was concluded from fluxes detected by the two types of particle counters used. a sensor formed of a fluorescent screen and photomultiplier, which was biased negatively and also shielded with Al foil so as to register only electrons above 40 ev and positive ions whose free path exceeded the foil thickness (e.g., protons of the order of 200 kev), andmore » an ion trap which registered electrons of 5 kev or more and positive ions. The trap counters showed repeated instances of anisotropic positive ion flow in a direction normal to the geomagnetic force lines; the fact that no simultaneous indications appeared in the indicator screen type counters suggests that these were soft'' positive ions; if protons, their energy would be less than 200 kev. This conclusion is supported by the fact that when the satellite had turned 180 deg the indicator counters in turn registered particles not sensed by the ion traps, which were evidently electrons below 5 kev. lt was concluded that there are areas which exhibit local current flow, in which positive ion energies are estimated to be several dozen ev and average density is 10/sup 8/ ion/cm/sup 2//sec/ster. These areas are in the 200- to 600-km region and tend to remain at the same earth latitudes for prolonged periods, sometimes as much as 9 hours. Additional observations were made of some highenergy particles, particularly those registered in the South Atlantic geomagnetic anomaly. It was concluded that these particles were electrons, estimated at between 50 kev and 1 Mev and at an omnidirectional density of 5 x 10/sup 7//cm/sup 2//sec. The possibility of spurious effects caused by the fields of on-board transmitting antennas, principally that of the telemetry transmitter, was rejected since no difference in electron count was noted whether the transmitters were on or off. The intensity and anisotropy of recorded electron currents agreed with earlier data from the 1958 Sputnik and from the U. S. Injun'' rocket of 1961. (AID)« less

Particle Number Concentrations for HI-SCALE Field Campaign Report

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

Hering, Susanne V

In support of the Holistic Interactions of Shallow Clouds, Aerosols, and Ecosystems (HI-SCALE) project to study new particle formation in the atmosphere, a pair of custom water condensation particle counters were provided to the second intensive field campaign, from mid-August through mid-September 2017, at the U.S. Department of Energy Southern Great Plains Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility observatory. These custom instruments were developed by Aerosol Dynamics, Inc. (Hering et al. 2017) to detect particles into the nanometer size range. Referred to as “versatile water condensation particle counter (vWCPC)”, they are water-based, laminar-flow condensational growth instruments whose lower particlemore » size threshold can be set based on user-selected operating temperatures. For HI-SCALE, the vWCPCs were configured to measure airborne particle number concentrations in the size range from approximately 2nm to 2μm. Both were installed in the particle sizing system operated by Chongai Kuang of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). One of these was operated in parallel to a TSI Model 3776, upstream of the mobility particle sizing system, to measure total ambient particle concentrations. The airborne particle concentration data from this “total particle number vWCPC” (Ntot-vWCPC) system has been reported to the ARM database. The data are reported with one-second resolution. The second vWCPC was operated in parallel with the BNL diethylene glycol instrument to count particles downstream of a separate differential mobility size analyzer. Data from this “DMA-vWCPC” system was logged by BNL, and will eventually be provided by that laboratory.« less

Laser heating tunability by off-resonant irradiation of gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Hormeño, Silvia; Gregorio-Godoy, Paula; Pérez-Juste, Jorge; Liz-Marzán, Luis M; Juárez, Beatriz H; Arias-Gonzalez, J Ricardo

2014-01-29

Temperature changes in the vicinity of a single absorptive nanostructure caused by local heating have strong implications in technologies such as integrated electronics or biomedicine. Herein, the temperature changes in the vicinity of a single optically trapped spherical Au nanoparticle encapsulated in a thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) shell (Au@pNIPAM) are studied in detail. Individual beads are trapped in a counter-propagating optical tweezers setup at various laser powers, which allows the overall particle size to be tuned through the phase transition of the thermo-responsive shell. The experimentally obtained sizes measured at different irradiation powers are compared with average size values obtained by dynamic light scattering (DLS) from an ensemble of beads at different temperatures. The size range and the tendency to shrink upon increasing the laser power in the optical trap or by increasing the temperature for DLS agree with reasonable accuracy for both approaches. Discrepancies are evaluated by means of simple models accounting for variations in the thermal conductivity of the polymer, the viscosity of the aqueous solution and the absorption cross section of the coated Au nanoparticle. These results show that these parameters must be taken into account when considering local laser heating experiments in aqueous solution at the nanoscale. Analysis of the stability of the Au@pNIPAM particles in the trap is also theoretically carried out for different particle sizes. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A 41 ps ASIC time-to-digital converter for physics experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russo, Stefano; Petra, Nicola; De Caro, Davide; Barbarino, Giancarlo; Strollo, Antonio G. M.

2011-12-01

We present a novel Time-to-Digital (TDC) converter for physics experiments. Proposed TDC is based on a synchronous counter and an asynchronous fine interpolator. The fine part of the measurement is obtained using NORA inverters that provide improved resolution. A prototype IC was fabricated in 180 nm CMOS technology. Experimental measurements show that proposed TDC features 41 ps resolution associated with 0.35LSB differential non-linearity, 0.77LSB integral non-linearity and a negligible single shot precision. The whole dynamic range is equal to 18 μs. The proposed TDC is designed using a flash architecture that reduces dead time. Data reported in the paper show that our design is well suited for present and future particle physics experiments.

Status of Beam Line Detectors for the BigRIPS Fragment Separator at RIKEN RI Beam Factory: Issues on High Rates and Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Yuki; Fukuda, Naoki; Takeda, Hiroyuki; Kameda, Daisuke; Suzuki, Hiroshi; Shimizu, Yohei; Ahn, DeukSoon; Murai, Daichi; Inabe, Naohito; Shimaoka, Takehiro; Tsubota, Masakatsu; Kaneko, Junichi H.; Chayahara, Akiyoshi; Umezawa, Hitoshi; Shikata, Shinichi; Kumagai, Hidekazu; Murakami, Hiroyuki; Sato, Hiromi; Yoshida, Koichi; Kubo, Toshiyuki

A multiple sampling ionization chamber (MUSIC) and parallel-plate avalanche counters (PPACs) were installed within the superconducting in-flight separator, named BigRIPS, at the RIKEN Nishina Center for particle identification of RI beams. The MUSIC detector showed negligible charge collection inefficiency from recombination of electrons and ions, up to a 99-kcps incidence rate for high-energy heavy ions. For the PPAC detectors, the electrical discharge durability for incident heavy ions was improved by changing the electrode material. Finally, we designed a single crystal diamond detector, which is under development for TOF measurements of high-energy heavy ions, that has a very fast response time (pulse width <1 ns).

Forward shower counters for diffractive physics at the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albrow, Michael; Collins, Paula; Penzo, Aldo

2014-11-01

The LHC detectors have incomplete angular coverage in the forward direction, for example in the region 6 ≲ |η| ≲ 8, which can be improved with the addition of simple scintillation counters around the beam pipes about 50 m to 120 m from the intersection point. These counters detect showers created by particles hitting the beam pipes and nearby material. The absence of signals in these counters in low pileup conditions is an indication of a forward rapidity gap as a signature of diffraction. In addition, they can be used to detect hadrons from low mass diffractive excitations of the proton, not accompanied by a leading proton but adjacent to a rapidity gap over (e.g.) 3 ≲ |η| ≲ 6. Such a set of forward shower counters, originally used at CDF, was used in CMS (FSC) for high-β* running with TOTEM during LHC Run-1. During LS1 the CMS FSC system is being upgraded for future low pileup runs. A similar system, called HERSCHEL is being installed in LHCb. ALICE is implementing scintillation counters, ADA and ADC, with 4.5 ≲ |η| ≲ 6.4.

Comparison of two quantitative fit-test methods using N95 filtering facepiece respirators.

PubMed

Sietsema, Margaret; Brosseau, Lisa M

2016-08-01

Current regulations require annual fit testing before an employee can wear a respirator during work activities. The goal of this research is to determine whether respirator fit measured with two TSI Portacount instruments simultaneously sampling ambient particle concentrations inside and outside of the respirator facepiece is similar to fit measured during an ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter quantitative fit test. Sixteen subjects (ten female; six male) were recruited for a range of facial sizes. Each subject donned an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, completed two fit tests in random order (ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter quantitative fit test and two-instrument real-time fit test) without removing or adjusting the respirator between tests. Fit tests were compared using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. The real-time two-instrument method fit factors were similar to those measured with the single-instrument quantitative fit test. The first four exercises were highly correlated (r > 0.7) between the two protocols. Respirator fit was altered during the talking or grimace exercise, both of which involve facial movements that could dislodge the facepiece. Our analyses suggest that the new real-time two-instrument methodology can be used in future studies to evaluate fit before and during work activities.

FIRE_AX_UW_DSCRT

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2015-11-25

... Analyzer IR CO2 Analyzer Optical Counter Platinum Resistance Spectrometer Spatial Coverage:  (32.34, ... Diameter Particle Number Concentration Potential Temperature Sulfate Sulfur Dioxide Temperature Order Data:  ...

Aircraft measurements of trace gases and particles near the tropopause

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falconer, P.; Pratt, R.; Detwiler, A.; Chen, C. S.; Hogan, A.; Bernard, S.; Krebschull, K.; Winters, W.

1983-01-01

Research activities which were performed using atmospheric constituent data obtained by the NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program are described. The characteristics of the particle size spectrum in various meteorological settings from a special collection of GASP data are surveyed. The relationship between humidity and cloud particles is analyzed. Climatological and case studies of tropical ozone distributions measured on a large number of flights are reported. Particle counter calibrations are discussed as well as the comparison of GASP particle data in the upper troposphere with other measurements at lower altitudes over the Pacific Ocean.

Atomic Particle Detection, Understanding the Atom Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hellman, Hal

This booklet is one of the booklets in the "Understanding the Atom Series" published by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission for high school science teachers and their students. The instruments used to detect both particles and electromagnetic radiation that emerge from the nucleus are described. The counters reviewed include ionization chambers,…

Compact cosmic ray detector for unattended atmospheric ionization monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aplin, K. L.; Harrison, R. G.

2010-12-01

Two vertical cosmic ray telescopes for atmospheric cosmic ray ionization event detection are compared. Counter A, designed for low power remote use, was deployed in the Welsh mountains; its event rate increased with altitude as expected from atmospheric cosmic ray absorption. Independently, Counter B's event rate was found to vary with incoming particle acceptance angle. Simultaneous co-located comparison of both telescopes exposed to atmospheric ionization showed a linear relationship between their event rates.

Particle Count Limits Recommendation for Aviation Fuel

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-05

Particle Counter Methodology • Particle counts are taken utilizing calibration methodologies and standardized cleanliness code ratings – ISO 11171 – ISO...Limits Receipt Vehicle Fuel Tank Fuel Injector Aviation Fuel DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Parker 18/16/13 14/10/7 Pamas / Parker / Particle Solutions 19/17...12 U.S. DOD 19/17/14/13* Diesel Fuel World Wide Fuel Charter 5th 18/16/13 DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Caterpillar 18/16/13 Detroit Diesel 18/16/13 MTU

New particle formation at ground level and in the vertical column over the Barcelona area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minguillón, M. C.; Brines, M.; Pérez, N.; Reche, C.; Pandolfi, M.; Fonseca, A. S.; Amato, F.; Alastuey, A.; Lyasota, A.; Codina, B.; Lee, H.-K.; Eun, H.-R.; Ahn, K.-H.; Querol, X.

2015-10-01

The vertical profiles (up to 975 m a.s.l.) of ultrafine and micronic particles across the planetary boundary layer and the free troposphere over a Mediterranean urban environment were investigated. Measurements were carried out using a tethered balloon equipped with a miniaturized condensation particle counter, a miniaturized optical particle counter, a micro-aethalometer, a rotating impactor, and meteorological instrumentation. Simultaneous ground measurements were carried out at an urban and a regional background site. New particle formation episodes initiating in the urban area were observed under high insolation conditions. The precursors were emitted by the city and urban photochemically-activated nucleation occurred both at high atmospheric levels (tens to hundreds of meters) and at ground level. The new particle formation at ground level was limited by the high particulate matter concentrations recorded during the morning traffic rush hours that increase the condensation sink and prevent new particle formation, and therefore restricted to midday and early afternoon. The aloft new particle formation occurred earlier as the thermally ascending polluted air mass was diluted. The regional background was only affected from midday and early afternoon when sea and mountain breezes transported the urban air mass after particle growth. These events are different from most new particle formation events described in literature, characterized by a regionally originated nucleation, starting early in the morning in the regional background and persisting with a subsequent growth during a long period. An idealized and simplified model of the spatial and time occurrence of these two types of new particle formation episodes into, around and over the city was elaborated.

Gaseous and Particulate Content of Laser Hair Removal Plume.

PubMed

Chuang, Gary S; Farinelli, William; Christiani, David C; Herrick, Robert F; Lee, Norman C Y; Avram, Mathew M

2016-12-01

Potentially harmful chemicals are released when tissues are vaporized. Laser hair removal (LHR) causes heating and often vaporization of hairs, producing both a signature malodorous plume and visible particulates. To characterize the chemical composition and quantify the ultrafine particle content of the plume generated during LHR. In the laser center of a large academic hospital, discarded terminal hairs from the trunk and extremities were collected from 2 adult volunteers. The hair samples were sealed in glass gas chromatography chambers and treated with a laser. The laser plume was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). During LHR treatment, two 6-L negative pressure canisters were used to capture 30 seconds of laser plume, and a portable condensation particle counter was used to measure ultrafine particulates (<1 µm). Ultrafine particle concentrations were measured within the treatment room, within the waiting room, and outside the building. The chemical content of the laser plume was analyzed with GC-MS and screened for aerosolized toxins using Environmental Protection Agency-certified methods. The ambient concentration of ultrafine particles during LHR was measured by condensation particle counters. Analysis with GC-MS identified 377 chemical compounds. Sixty-two of these compounds, of which 13 are known or suspected carcinogens and more than 20 are known environmental toxins, exhibited strong absorption peaks. During LHR, the portable condensation particle counters documented an 8-fold increase compared with the ambient room baseline level of ultrafine particle concentrations (ambient room baseline, 15 300 particles per cubic centimeter [ppc]; LHR with smoke evacuator, 129 376 ppc), even when a smoke evacuator was in close proximity (5.0 cm) to the procedure site. When the smoke evacuator was turned off for 30 seconds, there was a more than 26-fold increase in particulate count compared with ambient baseline levels (ambient baseline, 15 300 ppc; LHR without smoke evacuator for 30 seconds, 435 888 ppc). These findings establish the concern that the burning-hair plume often present during LHR should be considered a biohazard, warranting the use of smoke evacuators, good ventilation, and respiratory protection, especially for health care workers with prolonged exposure to LHR plume.

Particle Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grupen, Claus; Shwartz, Boris

2011-09-01

Preface to the first edition; Preface to the second edition; Introduction; 1. Interactions of particles and radiation with matter; 2. Characteristic properties of detectors; 3. Units of radiation measurements and radiation sources; 4. Accelerators; 5. Main physical phenomena used for particle detection and basic counter types; 6. Historical track detectors; 7. Track detectors; 8. Calorimetry; 9. Particle identification; 10. Neutrino detectors; 11. Momentum measurement and muon detection; 12. Ageing and radiation effects; 13. Example of a general-purpose detector: Belle; 14. Electronics; 15. Data analysis; 16. Applications of particle detectors outside particle physics; 17. Glossary; 18. Solutions; 19. Resumé; Appendixes; Index.

A logarithmic detection system suitable for a 4π array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westfall, G. D.; Yurkon, J. E.; van der Plicht, J.; Koenig, Z. M.; Jacak, B. V.; Fox, R.; Crawley, G. M.; Maier, M. R.; Hasselquist, B. E.; Tickle, R. S.; Horn, D.

1985-08-01

A low pressure multiwire proportional counter, a Bragg curve counter, and an array of CaF2/plastic scintillator telescopes have been developed in a geometry suitable for close packing into a 4π detector designed to study nucleus-nucleus reactions at 100-200 MeV/nucleon. The multiwire counter is hexagonal in shape and gives X-Y position information using resistive charge division from nichrome-coated stretched polypropylene foils. The Bragg curve counter is a hexagonal pyramid with the charge taken from a Frisch gridded anode. A field shaping grid gives the Bragg curve counter a radial field. The scintillator telescopes are shaped as truncated triangular pyramids such that when stacked together they form a truncated hexagonal pyramid. The light signal of the CaF2-plastic combination is read with one phototube using a phoswich technique to separate the ΔE signal from the E signal. The entire system has been tested so far for particles with 1 <= Z <= 18 and gives good position, charge, and time resolution.

Investigation of Removal Capacities of Biofilters for Airborne Viable Micro-Organisms

PubMed Central

Soret, Rémi; Fanlo, Jean-Louis; Malhautier, Luc; Geiger, Philippe; Bayle, Sandrine

2018-01-01

New emerging issues appears regarding the possible aerosolization of micro-organisms from biofilters to the ambient air. Traditional bioaerosol sampling and cultural methods used in literature offer relative efficiencies. In this study, a new method revolving around a particle counter capable of detecting total and viable particles in real time was used. This counter (BioTrak 9510-BD) uses laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technology to determine the biological nature of the particle. The concentration of viable particles was measured on two semi-industrial pilot scale biofilters in order to estimate the Removal Efficiency in viable particles (REvp) in stable conditions and to examine the influence of pollutant feeding and relative humidification of the gaseous effluent on the REvp. The REvp of biofilters reached near 80% and highlighted both the stability of that removal and the statistical equivalence between two identical biofilters. Pollutant deprivation periods of 12 h, 48 h and 30 days were shown to have no influence on the biofilters’ removal capacity, demonstrating the robustness and adaptation capacities of the flora. In contrast, a 90-day famine period turned the biofilters into emitters of viable particles. Finally, the humidification of the effluent was shown to negatively influence the removal capacity for viable particles, as drying off the air was shown to increase the REvp from 60 to 85%. PMID:29562709

Development of a low background liquid scintillation counter for a shallow underground laboratory

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

Erchinger, Jennifer L.; Aalseth, Craig E.; Bernacki, Bruce E.

2015-08-20

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has recently opened a shallow underground laboratory intended for measurement of lowconcentration levels of radioactive isotopes in samples collected from the environment. The development of a low-background liquid scintillation counter is currently underway to further augment the measurement capabilities within this underground laboratory. Liquid scintillation counting is especially useful for measuring charged particle (e.g., B, a) emitting isotopes with no (orvery weak) gamma-ray yields. The combination of high-efficiency detection of charged particle emission in a liquid scintillation cocktail coupled with the low-background environment of an appropriately-designed shield located in a clean underground laboratory provides the opportunitymore » for increased-sensitivity measurements of a range of isotopes. To take advantage of the 35-meter water-equivalent overburden of the underground laboratory, a series of simulations have evaluated the instrumental shield design requirements to assess the possible background rate achievable. This report presents the design and background evaluation for a shallow underground, low background liquid scintillation counter design for sample measurements.« less

Pyrolysis of cassava rhizome in a counter-rotating twin screw reactor unit.

PubMed

Sirijanusorn, Somsak; Sriprateep, Keartisak; Pattiya, Adisak

2013-07-01

A counter-rotating twin screw reactor unit was investigated for its behaviour in the pyrolysis of cassava rhizome biomass. Several parameters such as pyrolysis temperature in the range of 500-700°C, biomass particle size of <0.6mm, the use of sand as heat transfer medium, nitrogen flow rate of 4-10 L/min and nitrogen pressure of 1-3 bar were thoroughly examined. It was found that the pyrolysis temperature of 550°C could maximise the bio-oil yield (50 wt.%). The other optimum parameters for maximising the bio-oil yield were the biomass particle size of 0.250-0.425 mm, the nitrogen flow rate of 4 L/min and the nitrogen pressure of 2 bar. The use of the heat transfer medium could increase the bio-oil yield to a certain extent. Moreover, the water content of bio-oil produced with the counter-rotating twin screw reactor was relatively low, whereas the solids content was relatively high, compared to some other reactor configurations. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The SPectrometer for Ice Nuclei (SPIN): An instrument to investigate ice nucleation

DOE PAGES

Garimella, Sarvesh; Kristensen, Thomas Bjerring; Ignatius, Karolina; ...

2016-07-06

The SPectrometer for Ice Nuclei (SPIN) is a commercially available ice nucleating particle (INP) counter manufactured by Droplet Measurement Technologies in Boulder, CO. The SPIN is a continuous flow diffusion chamber with parallel plate geometry based on the Zurich Ice Nucleation Chamber and the Portable Ice Nucleation Chamber. This study presents a standard description for using the SPIN instrument and also highlights methods to analyze measurements in more advanced ways. It characterizes and describes the behavior of the SPIN chamber, reports data from laboratory measurements, and quantifies uncertainties associated with the measurements. Experiments with ammonium sulfate are used to investigatemore » homogeneous freezing of deliquesced haze droplets and droplet breakthrough. Experiments with kaolinite, NX illite, and silver iodide are used to investigate heterogeneous ice nucleation. SPIN nucleation results are compared to those from the literature. A machine learning approach for analyzing depolarization data from the SPIN optical particle counter is also presented (as an advanced use). Altogether, we report that the SPIN is able to reproduce previous INP counter measurements.« less

Exposure assessment and heart rate variability monitoring in workers handling titanium dioxide particles: a pilot study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichihara, Sahoko; Li, Weihua; Omura, Seiichi; Fujitani, Yuji; Liu, Ying; Wang, Qiangyi; Hiraku, Yusuke; Hisanaga, Naomi; Wakai, Kenji; Ding, Xuncheng; Kobayashi, Takahiro; Ichihara, Gaku

2016-03-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles are used for surface coating and in a variety of products such as inks, fibers, food, and cosmetics. The present study investigated possible respiratory and cardiovascular effects of TiO2 particles in workers exposed to this particle at high concentration in a factory in China. The diameter of particles collected on filters was measured by scanning electron microscopy. Real-time size-dependent particle number concentration was monitored in the nostrils of four workers using condensation particle counter and optical particle counter. Electrocardiogram was recorded using Holter monitors for the same four workers to record heart rate variability. Sixteen workers underwent assessment of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Mass-based individual exposure levels were also measured with personal cascade impactors. The primary particle diameter ranged from 46 to 562 nm. Analysis of covariance of the pooled data of the four workers showed that number of particles with a diameter <300 nm was associated positively with total number of N-N and negatively with total number of increase or decrease in successive RR intervals greater than 50 ms (RR50+/-) or percentage of RR 50+/- that were parameters of parasympathetic function. The total mass concentration was 9.58-30.8 mg/m3 during work, but significantly less before work (0.36 mg/m3). The clear abnormality in respiratory function was not observed in sixteen workers who had worked for 10 months to 13 years in the factory. The study showed that exposure to particles with a diameter <300 nm might affect HRV in workers handling TiO2 particles. The results highlight the need to investigate the possible impact of exposure to nano-scaled particles on the autonomic nervous system.

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

Ratcliff, Blair N

Some conceptual design features of the total internally reflecting,imaging Cherenkov counter (DIRC) are described. Limits of the DIRC approach to particle identification, and a few features of alternative DIRC designs, are briefly explored.

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

Ratcliff, Blair N

Some general conceptual design features of total internally reflecting, imaging Cherenkov counters (DIRCs) are described. Limits of the DIRC approach to particle identification and a few features of alternative DIRC designs are briefly explored.

He Did What?: The role of diagnosticity in revising implicit evaluations

PubMed Central

Cone, Jeremy; Ferguson, Melissa J.

2015-01-01

Research suggests that implicit evaluations are relatively insensitive to single instances of new, countervailing information that contradicts prior learning. In six experiments, however, we identify the critical role of the perceived diagnosticity of that new information: counter-attitudinal information that is deemed highly diagnostic of the target's true nature leads to a complete reversal of the previous implicit evaluation. Experiments 1a and 1b establish this effect by showing that newly-formed implicit evaluations are reversed minutes later with exposure to a single piece of highly diagnostic information. Experiment 2 demonstrates a valence asymmetry in participants’ likelihood of exhibiting rapid reversals of newly formed positive versus negative implicit evaluations. Experiment 3 provides evidence that a target must be personally responsible for the counter-attitudinal behavior and not merely incidentally associated with a negative act. Experiment 4 shows that participants exhibit revision only when they judge the target's counter-attitudinal behavior as offensive and thus diagnostic of his character. Experiment 5 demonstrates the behavioral implications of newly-revised implicit evaluations. These studies show that newly-formed implicit evaluations can be completely overturned through deliberative considerations about a single piece of counter-attitudinal information. PMID:25365037

Field Evaluation of Particle Counter Technology for Aviation Fuel Contamination Detection - Fort Campbell

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-06

Counter, cleanliness, free water, Diesel 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT none 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 31 19a. NAME OF...L for Intra-Governmental transfer receipts and 1.0 mg/L on issue to aircraft, or up to 10 mg/L for product used as a diesel product for ground use...hydraulic fluid industry. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published several methods and test procedures for the calibration and

PROTON HEATING IN SOLAR WIND COMPRESSIBLE TURBULENCE WITH COLLISIONS BETWEEN COUNTER-PROPAGATING WAVES

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

He, Jiansen; Tu, Chuanyi; Wang, Linghua

Magnetohydronamic turbulence is believed to play a crucial role in heating laboratory, space, and astrophysical plasmas. However, the precise connection between the turbulent fluctuations and the particle kinetics has not yet been established. Here we present clear evidence of plasma turbulence heating based on diagnosed wave features and proton velocity distributions from solar wind measurements by the Wind spacecraft. For the first time, we can report the simultaneous observation of counter-propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves in the solar wind turbulence. As opposed to the traditional paradigm with counter-propagating Alfvén waves (AWs), anti-sunward AWs are encountered by sunward slow magnetosonic waves (SMWs) inmore » this new type of solar wind compressible turbulence. The counter-propagating AWs and SWs correspond, respectively, to the dominant and sub-dominant populations of the imbalanced Elsässer variables. Nonlinear interactions between the AWs and SMWs are inferred from the non-orthogonality between the possible oscillation direction of one wave and the possible propagation direction of the other. The associated protons are revealed to exhibit bi-directional asymmetric beams in their velocity distributions: sunward beams appear in short, narrow patterns and anti-sunward in broad extended tails. It is suggested that multiple types of wave–particle interactions, i.e., cyclotron and Landau resonances with AWs and SMWs at kinetic scales, are taking place to jointly heat the protons perpendicular and in parallel.« less

Electron Calorimeter Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, James H.

2008-01-01

Boron loaded scintillators are suitable for measuring secondary neutrons produced by high-energy particles: protons & electrons Neutron flux can be used to discriminate hadron and electro-magnetic particles Combined effectiveness of all e/p discriminators techniques employedTBD Only moderate improvement in detection efficiency for B-10 concentrations >few% in thick moderators Bottom scintillator might serve as cascade penetration counter (TBC)

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

Kuang, C; Artaxo, P; Martin, S

Aerosol nucleation and initial growth were investigated during the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon) 2014/15 campaign. Aerosol sampling occurred during the wet and dry seasons of 2014, and took place at the T3 measurement site, downwind of the city of Manaus, Brazil. Characterization of the aerosol size distribution from 10 to 500 nm was accomplished through the deployment of a conventional Scanning Mobility Particle Spectrometer (SMPS) and a fine condensation particle counter (> 10 nm). In order to directly measure aerosol nucleation and initial growth, a Nano SMPS (1.5-20 nm) was also deployed, consisting of a condensation particle counter-based electrical mobilitymore » spectrometer that was modified for the detection of sub-3 nm aerosol. Measurements of the aerosol size distribution from 1.5 nm to 10 nm were obtained during the first observational period, and from 3 nm to 15 nm during the second observational period. Routine, stable measurement in this size range was complicated due to persistent water condensation in the Nano SMPS and diffusional transport losses« less

Improved solution of the lidar equation utilizing particle counter measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaeger, H.; Hofmann, D. J.; Jaeger, H.; Hofmann, D. J.

1986-01-01

The extraction of particle backscattering from incoherent lidar measurements poses some problems. In the case of measurements of the stratospheric aerosol layer the solution of the lidar equation is based on two assumptions which are necessary to normalize the measured signal and to correct it with the two-way transmission of the laser pulse. Normalization and transmission are tackled by adding the information contained in aerosol particle counter measurements of the University of Wyoming to the ruby lidar measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Calculated backscattering from height levels above 25 km for the El Chichon period will be compared with lidar measurements and necessary corrections. The calculated backscatter-to-extinction ratios are compared to those, which were derived from a comparison of published extinction values to measured lidar backscattering at Garmisch. These ratios were used to calculate the Garmisch lidar returns. For the period 4 to 12 months after the El Chichon eruption a backscater-to-extinction ratio of 0.026 1/sr was applied with smaller values before and after that time.

Inert gas clearance from tissue by co-currently and counter-currently arranged microvessels

PubMed Central

Lu, Y.; Michel, C. C.

2012-01-01

To elucidate the clearance of dissolved inert gas from tissues, we have developed numerical models of gas transport in a cylindrical block of tissue supplied by one or two capillaries. With two capillaries, attention is given to the effects of co-current and counter-current flow on tissue gas clearance. Clearance by counter-current flow is compared with clearance by a single capillary or by two co-currently arranged capillaries. Effects of the blood velocity, solubility, and diffusivity of the gas in the tissue are investigated using parameters with physiological values. It is found that under the conditions investigated, almost identical clearances are achieved by a single capillary as by a co-current pair when the total flow per tissue volume in each unit is the same (i.e., flow velocity in the single capillary is twice that in each co-current vessel). For both co-current and counter-current arrangements, approximate linear relations exist between the tissue gas clearance rate and tissue blood perfusion rate. However, the counter-current arrangement of capillaries results in less-efficient clearance of the inert gas from tissues. Furthermore, this difference in efficiency increases at higher blood flow rates. At a given blood flow, the simple conduction-capacitance model, which has been used to estimate tissue blood perfusion rate from inert gas clearance, underestimates gas clearance rates predicted by the numerical models for single vessel or for two vessels with co-current flow. This difference is accounted for in discussion, which also considers the choice of parameters and possible effects of microvascular architecture on the interpretation of tissue inert gas clearance. PMID:22604885

PC based graphic display real-time particle beam uniformity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huebner, M. A.; Malone, C. J.; Smith, L. S.; Soli, G. A.

1989-01-01

A technique has been developed to support the study of the effects of cosmic rays on integrated circuits. The system is designed to determine the particle distribution across the surface of an integrated circuit accurately while the circuit is bombarded by a particle beam. The system uses photomultiplier tubes, an octal discriminator, a computer-controlled NIM quad counter, and an IBM PC. It provides real-time operator feedback for fast beam tuning and monitors momentary fluctuations in the particle beam. The hardware, software, and system performance are described.

Airborne Atmospheric Aerosol Measurement System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, K.; Park, Y.; Eun, H.; Lee, H.

2015-12-01

It is important to understand the atmospheric aerosols compositions and size distributions since they greatly affect the environment and human health. Particles in the convection layer have been a great concern in global climate changes. To understand these characteristics satellite, aircraft, and radio sonde measurement methods have usually been used. An aircraft aerosol sampling using a filter and/or impactor was the method commonly used (Jay, 2003). However, the flight speed particle sampling had some technical limitations (Hermann, 2001). Moreover, the flight legal limit, altitude, prohibited airspace, flight time, and cost was another demerit. To overcome some of these restrictions, Tethered Balloon Package System (T.B.P.S.) and Recoverable Sonde System(R.S.S.) were developed with a very light optical particle counter (OPC), impactor, and condensation particle counter (CPC). Not only does it collect and measure atmospheric aerosols depending on altitudes, but it also monitors the atmospheric conditions, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, pressure, GPS data, during the measurement (Eun, 2013). In this research, atmospheric aerosol measurement using T.B.P.S. in Ansan area is performed and the measurement results will be presented. The system can also be mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and create an aerial particle concentration map. Finally, we will present measurement data using Tethered Balloon Package System (T.B.P.S.) and R.S.S (Recoverable Sonde System).

Model of separation performance of bilinear gradients in scanning format counter-flow gradient electrofocusing techniques.

PubMed

Shameli, Seyed Mostafa; Glawdel, Tomasz; Ren, Carolyn L

2015-03-01

Counter-flow gradient electrofocusing allows the simultaneous concentration and separation of analytes by generating a gradient in the total velocity of each analyte that is the sum of its electrophoretic velocity and the bulk counter-flow velocity. In the scanning format, the bulk counter-flow velocity is varying with time so that a number of analytes with large differences in electrophoretic mobility can be sequentially focused and passed by a single detection point. Studies have shown that nonlinear (such as a bilinear) velocity gradients along the separation channel can improve both peak capacity and separation resolution simultaneously, which cannot be realized by using a single linear gradient. Developing an effective separation system based on the scanning counter-flow nonlinear gradient electrofocusing technique usually requires extensive experimental and numerical efforts, which can be reduced significantly with the help of analytical models for design optimization and guiding experimental studies. Therefore, this study focuses on developing an analytical model to evaluate the separation performance of scanning counter-flow bilinear gradient electrofocusing methods. In particular, this model allows a bilinear gradient and a scanning rate to be optimized for the desired separation performance. The results based on this model indicate that any bilinear gradient provides a higher separation resolution (up to 100%) compared to the linear case. This model is validated by numerical studies. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Measurements of Intensive Aerosol Optical Properties During TexAQS II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atkinson, D. B.; Radney, J. G.; Wright, M. E.

2007-12-01

Time-resolved measurements of the bulk extensive aerosol optical properties - particle extinction coefficient (bext) and particle scattering coefficient (bscat) - and particle number concentrations were made as part of the six-week TRAMP experiment during the TexAQS II (2006) study. These measurements were done at a nominal surface site (the roof of an 18 story building) on the University of Houston campus near downtown Houston, Texas. Our ground-based tandem cavity ring-down transmissometer/nephelometer instrument (CRDT/N) provided the aerosol optical property measurements. A commercial Condensation Particle Counter (TSI 3007) was used to measure the number concentrations during part of the study period. The optical data was used to construct the intensive aerosol optical properties single scattering albedo ω0 at 532 nm and the Angstrom exponent for extinction between 532 nm and 1064 nm. Recent validation studies of size- selected laboratory generated aerosols are presented to illustrate the soundness of this approach using our instrument. The Angstrom exponent is compared to values from other instruments operating in the area and is found to be a characteristic of the regional air mass under some conditions. Size distributions measured during the study were used to create a new empirical adjustment to scattering measured by the Radiance Research nephelometer, resulting in improved results for particle absorption coefficient and single scattering albedo. The study average value of ω0(532 nm) = 0.78 is lower than expected from comparable field studies and even lower values are experienced during the study. Possible causes of this discrepancy are examined and the utility of using the current version of the CRDT/N instrument to measure the key radiative property ω0 is assessed. Observed episodes of rapid increases in particle number concentration with little corresponding growth in the optical properties can presumably be used to signal the occurrence of particle nucleation or growth via gas-phase condensation. These results may be confirmed by other data taken during the TRAMP experiment. These results will be discussed in the context of aerosol effects on regional and larger scale climate.

Cell diameter measurements obtained with a handheld cell counter could be used as a surrogate marker of G2/M arrest and apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines exposed to SN-38

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

Tahara, Makiko; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi; Inoue, Takeshi

2013-05-17

Highlights: •Chemo-sensitivity to SN-38 was assayed by the automated cell counter. •Colon cancer cell line, HCT116 cells were more sensitive to SN-38 than HT29 cells. •Increase of cell size reflects G2/M arrest. •Appearance of small particles indicates cell apoptosis. -- Abstract: In vitro assessment of chemosensitivity are important for experiments evaluating cancer therapies. The Scepter 2.0 cell counter, an automated handheld device based on the Coulter principle of impedance-based particle detection, enables the accurate discrimination of cell populations according to cell size and volume. In this study, the effects of SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan, on the colon cancermore » cell lines HCT116 and HT29 were evaluated using this device. The cell count data obtained with the Scepter counter were compared with those obtained with the {sup 3}H-thymidine uptake assay, which has been used to measure cell proliferation in many previous studies. In addition, we examined whether the changes in the size distributions of these cells reflected alterations in the frequency of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis induced by SN-38 treatment. In our experiments using the Scepter 2.0 cell counter, the cell counts were demonstrated to be accurate and reproducible measure and alterations of cell diameter reflected G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Our data show that easy-to-use cell counting tools can be utilized to evaluate the cell-killing effects of novel treatments on cancer cells in vitro.« less

The performance and the characterization of laser ablation aerosol particle time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LAAP-ToF-MS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gemayel, Rachel; Hellebust, Stig; Temime-Roussel, Brice; Hayeck, Nathalie; Van Elteren, Johannes T.; Wortham, Henri; Gligorovski, Sasho

2016-05-01

Hyphenated laser ablation-mass spectrometry instruments have been recognized as useful analytical tools for the detection and chemical characterization of aerosol particles. Here we describe the performances of a laser ablation aerosol particle time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LAAP-ToF-MS) which was designed for aerodynamic particle sizing using two 405 nm scattering lasers and characterization of the chemical composition of single aerosol particle via ablation/ionization by a 193 nm excimer laser and detection in a bipolar time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a mass resolving power of m/Δm > 600.

We describe a laboratory based optimization strategy for the development of an analytical methodology for characterization of atmospheric particles using the LAAP-ToF-MS instrument in combination with a particle generator, a differential mobility analyzer and an optical particle counter. We investigated the influence of particle number concentration, particle size and particle composition on the detection efficiency. The detection efficiency is a product of the scattering efficiency of the laser diodes and the ionization efficiency or hit rate of the excimer laser. The scattering efficiency was found to vary between 0.6 and 1.9 % with an average of 1.1 %; the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 17.0 %. The hit rate exhibited good repeatability with an average value of 63 % and an RSD of 18 %. In addition to laboratory tests, the LAAP-ToF-MS was used to sample ambient air during a period of 6 days at the campus of Aix-Marseille University, situated in the city center of Marseille, France. The optimized LAAP-ToF-MS methodology enables high temporal resolution measurements of the chemical composition of ambient particles, provides new insights into environmental science, and a new investigative tool for atmospheric chemistry and physics, aerosol science and health impact studies.

Application of particle size distributions to total particulate stack samples to estimate PM2.5 and PM10 emission factors for agricultural sources

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Particle size distributions (PSD) have long been used to more accurately estimate the PM10 fraction of total particulate matter (PM) stack samples taken from agricultural sources. These PSD analyses were typically conducted using a Coulter Counter with 50 micrometer aperture tube. With recent increa...

Particle identification at an asymmetric B Factory

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

Coyle, P.; Eigen, G.; Hitlin, D.

1991-09-01

Particle identification systems are an important component of any detector at a high-luminosity, asymmetric B Factory. In particular, excellent hadron identification is required to probe CP violation in B{sup 0} decays to CP eigenstates. The particle identification systems discussed below also provide help in separating leptons from hadrons at low momenta. We begin this chapter with a discussion of the physics motivation for providing particle identification, the inherent limitations due to interactions and decays in flight, and the requirements for hermiticity and angular coverage. A special feature of an asymmetric B Factory is the resulting asymmetry in the momentum distributionmore » as a function of polar angle; this will also be quantified and discussed. In the next section the three primary candidates, time-of-flight (TOF), energy loss (dE/dx), and Cerenkov counters, both ring-imaging and threshold, will be briefly described and evaluated. Following this, one of the candidates, a long-drift Cerenkov ring-imaging device, is described in detail to provide a reference design. Design considerations for a fast RICH are then described. A detailed discussion of aerogel threshold counter designs and associated R D conclude the chapter. 56 refs., 64 figs., 13 tabs.« less

Spatial Variability of CCN Sized Aerosol Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asmi, A.; Väänänen, R.

2014-12-01

The computational limitations restrict the grid size used in GCM models, and for many cloud types they are too large when compared to the scale of the cloud formation processes. Several parameterizations for e.g. convective cloud formation exist, but information on spatial subgrid variation of the cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) sized aerosol concentration is not known. We quantify this variation as a function of the spatial scale by using datasets from airborne aerosol measurement campaigns around the world including EUCAARI LONGREX, ATAR, INCA, INDOEX, CLAIRE, PEGASOS and several regional airborne campaigns in Finland. The typical shapes of the distributions are analyzed. When possible, we use information obtained by CCN counters. In some other cases, we use particle size distribution measured by for example SMPS to get approximated CCN concentration. Other instruments used include optical particle counters or condensational particle counters. When using the GCM models, the CCN concentration used for each the grid-box is often considered to be either flat, or as an arithmetic mean of the concentration inside the grid-box. However, the aircraft data shows that the concentration values are often lognormal distributed. This, combined with the subgrid variations in the land use and atmospheric properties, might cause that the aerosol-cloud interactions calculated by using mean values to vary significantly from the true effects both temporary and spatially. This, in turn, can cause non-linear bias into the GCMs. We calculate the CCN aerosol concentration distribution as a function of different spatial scales. The measurements allow us to study the variation of these distributions within from hundreds of meters up to hundreds of kilometers. This is used to quantify the potential error when mean values are used in GCMs.

Counter-Rotatable Fan Gas Turbine Engine with Axial Flow Positive Displacement Worm Gas Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giffin, Rollin George (Inventor); Murrow, Kurt David (Inventor); Fakunle, Oladapo (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A counter-rotatable fan turbine engine includes a counter-rotatable fan section, a worm gas generator, and a low pressure turbine to power the counter-rotatable fan section. The low pressure turbine maybe counter-rotatable or have a single direction of rotation in which case it powers the counter-rotatable fan section through a gearbox. The gas generator has inner and outer bodies having offset inner and outer axes extending through first, second, and third sections of a core assembly. At least one of the bodies is rotatable about its axis. The inner and outer bodies have intermeshed inner and outer helical blades wound about the inner and outer axes and extending radially outwardly and inwardly respectively. The helical blades have first, second, and third twist slopes in the first, second, and third sections respectively. A combustor section extends through at least a portion of the second section.

GEIGER-MULLER TYPE COUNTER TUBE

DOEpatents

Fowler, I.L.; Watt, L.A.K.

1959-12-15

A single counter tube capable of responding to a wide range of intensities is described. The counter tube comprises a tubular cathode and an anode extending centrally of the cathode. The spacing between the outer surface of the anode and the inner surface of the cathode is varied along the length of the tube to provide different counting volumes in adjacent portions of the tube. A large counting volume in one portion adjacent to a low-energy absorption window gives adequate sensitivity for measuring lowintensity radiation, while a smaller volume with close electrode spacing is provided in the counter to make possible measurement of intense garnma radiation fields.

Disruption of current filaments and isotropization of magnetic field in counter-streaming plasmas

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

Fiuza, Frederico

We study the stability of current filaments produced by the Weibel, or current filamentation, instability in weakly magnetized counter-streaming plasmas. It is shown that a resonance exists between the current-carrying ions and a longitudinal drift-kink mode that strongly deforms and eventually breaks the current filaments. Analytical estimates of the wavelength, growth rate and saturation level of the resonant mode are derived and validated by three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Furthermore, self-consistent simulations of counter-streaming plasmas indicate that this drift-kink mode is dominant in the slow down of the flows and in the isotropization of the magnetic field, playing an important role inmore » the formation of collision less shocks.« less

Oil-Water Flow Investigations using Planar-Laser Induced Fluorescence and Particle Velocimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibarra, Roberto; Matar, Omar K.; Markides, Christos N.

2017-11-01

The study of the complex behaviour of immiscible liquid-liquid flow in pipes requires the implementation of advanced measurement techniques in order to extract detailed in situ information. Laser-based diagnostic techniques allow the extraction of high-resolution space- and time resolve phase and velocity information, which aims to improve the fundamental understanding of these flows and to validate closure relations for advanced multiphase flow models. This work shows a novel simultaneous planar-laser induced fluorescence and particle velocimetry in stratified oil-water flows using two laser light sheets at two different wavelengths for fluids with different refractive indices at horizontal and upward pipe inclinations (<5°) in stratified flow conditions (i.e. separated layers). Complex flow structures are extracted from 2-D instantaneous velocity fields, which are strongly dependent on the pipe inclination at low velocities. The analysis of mean wall-normal velocity profiles and velocity fluctuations suggests the presence of single- and counter-rotating vortices in the azimuthal direction, especially in the oil layer, which can be attributed to the influence of the interfacial waves. Funding from BP, and the TMF Consortium is gratefully acknowledged.

Tomography of a displacement photon counter for discrimination of single-rail optical qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izumi, Shuro; Neergaard-Nielsen, Jonas S.; Andersen, Ulrik L.

2018-04-01

We investigate the performance of a detection strategy composed of a displacement operation and a photon counter, which is known as a beneficial tool in optical coherent communications, to the quantum state discrimination of the two superpositions of vacuum and single photon states corresponding to the {\\hat{σ }}x eigenstates in the single-rail encoding of photonic qubits. We experimentally characterize the detection strategy in vacuum-single photon two-dimensional space using quantum detector tomography and evaluate the achievable discrimination error probability from the reconstructed measurement operators. We furthermore derive the minimum error rate obtainable with Gaussian transformations and homodyne detection. Our proof-of-principle experiment shows that the proposed scheme can achieve a discrimination error surpassing homodyne detection.

Ultrasonic Remove of Particle Aggregation in Carbon Based Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

PubMed

Yang, Pan; Hu, Zi-Jun; Lin, Hong; Lai, Xin-Chun; Zhao, Xiao-Chong; Yang, Li-Jun

2018-06-01

Low-cost carbon materials (carbon black and graphite power) were applied as substitution of platinum (Pt) in counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Three fabrication methods, such as ball-milled, pulp-refined, and ultrasonic-crushed, were applied to remove the particle aggregation in the carbon pastes. Then the carbon based pastes were printed on fluorine-doped transparent conducting oxide (FTO) glasses, used as the CEs for DSSCs. Under illumination of 100 mW/cm2, DSSCs with ultrasonic-crushed CEs (U-CEs) show an energy conversion efficiency of 3.57%, which reach to 65.38% of that with conventional sputtered platinum CEs (5.46%). In addition, U-CEs exhibit a higher catalytic activity and a faster charge transfer rate toward the reduction of I-3 to I-.

Identification of 210Pb and 210Po in the bulk of copper samples with a low-background alpha particle counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, K.; Hiraide, K.; Ichimura, K.; Kishimoto, Y.; Kobayashi, K.; Kobayashi, M.; Moriyama, S.; Nakahata, M.; Norita, T.; Ogawa, H.; Sato, K.; Sekiya, H.; Takachio, O.; Takeda, A.; Tasaka, S.; Yamashita, M.; Yang, B. S.; Kim, N. Y.; Kim, Y. D.; Itow, Y.; Kanzawa, K.; Kegasa, R.; Masuda, K.; Takiya, H.; Fushimi, K.; Kanzaki, G.; Martens, K.; Suzuki, Y.; Xu, B. D.; Fujita, R.; Hosokawa, K.; Miuchi, K.; Oka, N.; Takeuchi, Y.; Kim, Y. H.; Lee, K. B.; Lee, M. K.; Fukuda, Y.; Miyasaka, M.; Nishijima, K.; Nakamura, S.

2018-03-01

We established a method to assay 210Pb and 210Po contaminations in the bulk of copper samples using a low-background alpha particle counter. The achieved sensitivity for the 210Pb and 210Po contaminations reaches a few mBq/kg. Due to this high sensitivity, the 210Pb and 210Po contaminations in oxygen free copper bulk were identified and measured for the first time. The 210Pb contaminations of our oxygen free copper samples were 17-40 mBq/kg. Based on our investigation of copper samples in each production step, the 210Pb in oxygen free copper was understood to be a small residual of an electrolysis process. This method to measure bulk contaminations of 210Pb and 210Po could be applied to other materials.

Identification of 210Pb and 210Po in the bulk of copper samples with a low-background alpha particle counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Kazuyoshi

2018-01-01

We established a method to assay 210Pb and 210Po contaminations in the bulk of copper samples using a low-background alpha particle counter. The achieved sensitivity for the 210Pb and 210Po contaminations reaches a few mBq/kg. Due to this high sensitivity, the 210Pb and 210Po contaminations in oxygen free copper bulk were identified and measured for the first time. The 210Pb contaminations of our oxygen free copper samples were 17-40 mBq/kg. Based on our investigation of copper samples in each production step, the 210Pb in oxygen free copper was understood to be a small residual of an electrolysis process. This method to measure bulk contaminations of 210Pb and 210Po could be applied to other materials.

Boundary conditions on the plasma emitter surface in the presence of a particle counter flow: I. Ion emitter

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

Astrelin, V. T., E-mail: V.T.Astrelin@inp.nsk.su; Kotelnikov, I. A.

Emission of positively charged ions from a plasma emitter irradiated by a counterpropagating electron beam is studied theoretically. A bipolar diode with a plasma emitter in which the ion temperature is lower than the electron temperature and the counter electron flow is extracted from the ion collector is calculated in the one-dimensional model. An analog of Bohm’s criterion for ion emission in the presence of a counterpropagating electron beam is derived. The limiting density of the counterpropagating beam in a bipolar diode operating in the space-charge-limited-emission regime is calculated. The full set of boundary conditions on the plasma emitter surfacemore » that are required for operation of the high-current optics module in numerical codes used to simulate charged particle sources is formulated.« less

Character of energy flow in air shower core

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mizushima, K.; Asakimori, K.; Maeda, T.; Kameda, T.; Misaki, Y.

1985-01-01

Energy per charged particle near the core of air showers was measured by 9 energy flow detectors, which were the combination of Cerenkov counters and scintillators. Energy per particle of each detector was normalized to energy at 2m from the core. The following results were obtained as to the energy flow: (1) integral frequency distribution of mean energy per particle (averaged over 9 detectors) is composed of two groups separated distinctly; and (2) showers contained in one group show an anisotropy of arrival direction.

Modeling and simulation of a counter-rotating turbine system for underwater vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xinping; Dang, Jianjun

2016-12-01

The structure of a counter-rotating turbine of an underwater vehicle is designed by adding the counter-rotating second-stage turbine disk after the conventional single-stage turbine. The available kinetic energy and the absorption power of the auxiliary system are calculated at different working conditions, and the results show that the power of the main engine and auxiliary system at the counter-rotating turbine system matches well with each other. The experimental simulation of the lubricating oil loop, fuel loop, and seawater loop are completed right before the technology scheme of the counter-rotating turbine system is proposed. The simulation results indicate that the hydraulic transmission system can satisfy the requirements for an underwater vehicle running at a steady sailing or variable working conditions.

Pollution in the Summertime Canadian High Arctic observed during NETCARE 2014: Investigation of origin and composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Köllner, Franziska; Schneider, Johannes; Bozem, Heiko; Hoor, Peter; Willis, Megan; Burkart, Julia; Leaitch, Richard; Abbatt, Jon; Herber, Andreas; Borrmann, Stephan

2015-04-01

The clean and sensitive Arctic atmosphere is influenced by transport of air masses from lower latitudes that bring pollution in the form of aerosol particles and trace gases into the Arctic regions. However, the transport processes causing such pollution events are yet not sufficiently well understood. Here we report on results from the aircraft campaign NETCARE 2014 that took place in July 2014 in Resolute Bay, Nunavut (Canada) as part of the "Network on Climate and Aerosols: Addressing Key Uncertainties in Remote Canadian Environment" (NETCARE). These airborne measurements add to only a very few of such measurements conducted in the Arctic during the summertime. The instrumentation on board the research aircraft Polar 6 (operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research) included a large set of physico-chemical aerosol analysis instruments, several trace gas measurements and basic meteorological parameters. Here we focus on observed pollution events that caused elevated trace gas and aerosol concentrations in the summertime Canadian High Arctic between 50 and 3500 m. In order to better understand the chemical composition and the origin of those polluted air masses, we use single particle aerosol composition obtained using the Aircraft-based Laser Ablation Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (ALABAMA), combined with aerosol size distributions and number concentrations from an Optical Particle Counter as well as trace gas measurements of CO and CO2. CO and CO2 are important tracers to study pollution events, which are connected to anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic combustion processes, respectively biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion. The ALABAMA provides a detailed single particle aerosol composition analysis from which we identify different particle types like soot-, biomass burning-, organics-, diesel exhaust- and metallic particles. The measurements were compared to Lagrangian models like FLEXPART and LAGRANTO to find the pollution sources and transport pathways of the respective plumes into the Arctic. First results indicate a strong influence of biomass burning originating in the Northwest Territories several days before the measurements above Resolute Bay. This long range transport was associated with cyclonic activities of a prevailing low pressure system. Trace gas measurements as well as particle concentrations and sizes show an enhancement in the plume region around 2 km. The particles in this pollution plume were composed of soot, nitrate, cyanide and levoglucosan, confirming biomass burning as particle source.

Integral neutron kerma coefficient ratios for silicon, iron, and oxygen to carbon on the energy range from 15 to 30 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda, Juan Gustavo

2001-07-01

Kerma coefficient ratios are reported for carbon to oxygen, silicon, and iron in the energy range of 15 to 30 MeV. The determination was done by measuring dose to the gas of proportional counters exposed to a well characterized neutron field. The measured dose in the proportional counter gas was then converted to dose in the proportional counter wall material applying Bragg-Gray theory. The proportional counters were made of the material of interest. The oxygen measurement was done by irradiating simultaneously zirconium and zirconium oxide proportional counters and substracting the dose to the zirconium from the zirconium oxide. Neutrons were generated with the UW Tandem Accelerator. The reaction 3H(d, n)4 He provided our neutron source which consisted of monoenergetic neutrons. Neutron spectra measurements were carried out for the 27.3 MeV neutron energy. This was necessary because of the presence of contaminating breakup neutrons at this energy. The spectra were measured with a pulse beam time-of-flight spectrometer and a NE-213 liquid scintillator. The dose conversion factor r is reported for carbon, oxygen, silicon, iron, zirconium, and zirconium oxide relative to TE-propane gas at neutron energies of 20, 23 and 27 MeV. The factor r, which relates the dose to the gas to that of the proportional counter through the Bragg-Gray theory, was calculated from angle integrated differential cross sections. This required a calculation of the initial energy spectra as well as the differential secondary charged particle energy spectra and for the first time a complete treatment of all heavy ions is considered. Furthermore, as the conditions required to apply the Bragg-Gray theory are difficult to satisfy (infinitesimal cavity), we report the calculation of the dose conversion factor r for the finite cavity case for carbon/TE-gas in order to test the validity of the application of the theory to this type of applications. We found that the two conditions of the Bragg-Gray theory are violated: the differential secondary charged particle spectrum is perturbed by the presence of the cavity and that the dose absorbed in the cavity is not enteraly deposited by the particles crossing it. However, these changes in the spectra and the dose deposition are not very sensitive to the conversion factor r because this factor only reflects the ratio of these changes. Our results are found to be in agreement, within the uncertainty associated to the determination, with previous published values when comparable data exits.

One-Pot Solvothermal in Situ Growth of 1D Single-Crystalline NiSe on Ni Foil as Efficient and Stable Transparent Conductive Oxide Free Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

PubMed

Bao, Chao; Li, Faxin; Wang, Jiali; Sun, Panpan; Huang, Niu; Sun, Yihua; Fang, Liang; Wang, Lei; Sun, Xiaohua

2016-12-07

One-dimensional single-crystal nanostructural nickel selenides were successfully in situ grown on metal nickel foils by two simple one-step solvothermal methods, which formed NiSe/Ni counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The nickel foil acted as the nickel source in the reaction process, a supporting substrate, and an electron transport "speedway". Electrochemical testing indicated that the top 1D single-crystal NiSe exhibited prominent electrocatalytic activity for I 3 - reduction. Due to the metallic conductivity of Ni substrate and the outstanding electrocatalytic activity of single-crystal NiSe, the DSSC based on a NiSe/Ni CE exhibited higher fill factor (FF) and larger short-circuit current density (J sc ) than the DSSC based on Pt/FTO CE. The corresponding power conversion efficiency (6.75%) outperformed that of the latter (6.18%). Moreover, the NiSe/Ni CEs also showed excellent electrochemical stability in the I - /I 3 - redox electrolyte. These findings indicated that single-crystal NiSe in situ grown on Ni substrate was a potential candidate to replace Pt/TCO as a cheap and highly efficient counter electrode of DSSC.

Chemical aging of single and multicomponent biomass burning aerosol surrogate-particles by OH: Implications for cloud condensation nucleus activity

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

Thalman, R.; Thalman, R.; Wang, J.

Multiphase OH and O₃ oxidation reactions with atmospheric organic aerosol (OA) can influence particle physicochemical properties including composition, morphology, and lifetime. Chemical aging of initially insoluble or low soluble single-component OA by OH and O₃ can increase their water-solubility and hygroscopicity, making them more active as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and susceptible to wet deposition. However, an outstanding problem is whether the effects of chemical aging on their CCN activity are preserved when mixed with other organic or inorganic compounds exhibiting greater water-solubility. In this work, the CCN activity of laboratory-generated biomass burning aerosol (BBA) surrogate-particles exposed to OH andmore » O₃ is evaluated by determining the hygroscopicity parameter, κ, as a function of particle type, mixing state, and OH/O₃ exposure applying a CCN counter (CCNc) coupled to an aerosol flow reactor (AFR). Levoglucosan (LEV), 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (MNC), and potassium sulfate (KS) serve as representative BBA compounds that exhibit different hygroscopicity, water solubility, chemical functionalities, and reactivity with OH radicals, and thus exemplify the complexity of mixed inorganic/organic aerosol in the atmosphere. The CCN activities of all of the particles were unaffected by O₃ exposure. Following exposure to OH, κ of MNC was enhanced by an order of magnitude, from 0.009 to ~0.1, indicating that chemically-aged MNC particles are better CCN and more prone to wet deposition than pure MNC particles. No significant enhancement in κ was observed for pure LEV particles following OH exposure. κ of the internally-mixed particles was not affected by OH oxidation. Furthermore, the CCN activity of OH exposed MNC-coated KS particles is similar to the OH unexposed atomized 1:1 by mass MNC: KS binary-component particles. Our results strongly suggest that when OA is dominated by water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) or inorganic ions, chemical aging has no significant impact on OA hygroscopicity. The organic compounds exhibiting low solubility behave as if they are infinitely soluble when mixed with a sufficient amount of water-soluble compounds. At and beyond this point, the particles' CCN activity is governed entirely by the water-soluble fraction and not influenced by the oxidized organic fraction. Our results have important implications for heterogeneous oxidation and its impact on cloud formation given that atmospheric aerosol is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds exhibiting a wide-range of solubilities.« less

Chemical aging of single and multicomponent biomass burning aerosol surrogate-particles by OH: Implications for cloud condensation nucleus activity

DOE PAGES

Thalman, R.; Thalman, R.; Wang, J.; ...

2015-03-06

Multiphase OH and O₃ oxidation reactions with atmospheric organic aerosol (OA) can influence particle physicochemical properties including composition, morphology, and lifetime. Chemical aging of initially insoluble or low soluble single-component OA by OH and O₃ can increase their water-solubility and hygroscopicity, making them more active as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and susceptible to wet deposition. However, an outstanding problem is whether the effects of chemical aging on their CCN activity are preserved when mixed with other organic or inorganic compounds exhibiting greater water-solubility. In this work, the CCN activity of laboratory-generated biomass burning aerosol (BBA) surrogate-particles exposed to OH andmore » O₃ is evaluated by determining the hygroscopicity parameter, κ, as a function of particle type, mixing state, and OH/O₃ exposure applying a CCN counter (CCNc) coupled to an aerosol flow reactor (AFR). Levoglucosan (LEV), 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (MNC), and potassium sulfate (KS) serve as representative BBA compounds that exhibit different hygroscopicity, water solubility, chemical functionalities, and reactivity with OH radicals, and thus exemplify the complexity of mixed inorganic/organic aerosol in the atmosphere. The CCN activities of all of the particles were unaffected by O₃ exposure. Following exposure to OH, κ of MNC was enhanced by an order of magnitude, from 0.009 to ~0.1, indicating that chemically-aged MNC particles are better CCN and more prone to wet deposition than pure MNC particles. No significant enhancement in κ was observed for pure LEV particles following OH exposure. κ of the internally-mixed particles was not affected by OH oxidation. Furthermore, the CCN activity of OH exposed MNC-coated KS particles is similar to the OH unexposed atomized 1:1 by mass MNC: KS binary-component particles. Our results strongly suggest that when OA is dominated by water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) or inorganic ions, chemical aging has no significant impact on OA hygroscopicity. The organic compounds exhibiting low solubility behave as if they are infinitely soluble when mixed with a sufficient amount of water-soluble compounds. At and beyond this point, the particles' CCN activity is governed entirely by the water-soluble fraction and not influenced by the oxidized organic fraction. Our results have important implications for heterogeneous oxidation and its impact on cloud formation given that atmospheric aerosol is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds exhibiting a wide-range of solubilities.« less

Excitation of Accelerating Plasma Waves by Counter-Propagating Laser Beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shvets, Gennady

2001-10-01

The conventional approach to exciting high phase velocity waves in plasmas is to employ a laser pulse moving in the direction of the desired particle acceleration. Photon downshifting then causes the momentum transfer to the plasma and wave excitiation. We describe a novel approach to plasma wake excitation, colliding-beam accelerator (CBA), which involves the photon exchange between the long and short counter-propagating laser beams. Depending on frequency detuning Δ ω between beams and duration τL of the short pulse, there are two approaches to CBA. First approach assumes (τL ≈ 2/ω_p). Photons exchanged between the beams deposit their recoil momentum in the plasma driving the plasma wake. Frequency detuning between the beams determines the direction of the photon exchange, thereby controlling the phase of the plasma wake. This phase control can be used for reversing the slippage of the accelerated particles with respect to the wake ^1. It can also be used for developing an injector/pulse compressor for the particles of either sign (electrons or positrons)^2. In the second approach, one utilizes a longer pulse with τL >> ω_p-1, which is detuned by Δ ω ~ 2 ωp from the counter-propagating beam. While the parametric excitation of plasma waves by the electromagnetic beatwave at 2 ωp of two co-propagating lasers was first predicted by Rosenbluth and Liu in 1972, we realized, for the first time, that the two excitation beams can be counter-propagating^4. The advantages of using this geometry (lower threshold laser intensity, insensitivity to plasma inhomogeneity) will be explained, and the results of the numerical simulations presented. footnotetext[1]G. Shvets, N. J. Fisch, A. Pukhov, and J. Meyer-ter-Vehn, Phys. Rev. E 60, 2218 (1999). footnotetext[2]G. Shvets, N. J. Fisch, and A. Pukhov, 28, 1194 (2000). footnotetext[5]G. Shvets and N. J. Fisch, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3328 (2001).

Inhalation exposure during spray application and subsequent sanding of a wood sealant containing zinc oxide nanoparticles.

PubMed

Cooper, Michael R; West, Gavin H; Burrelli, Leonard G; Dresser, Daniel; Griffin, Kelsey N; Segrave, Alan M; Perrenoud, Jon; Lippy, Bruce E

2017-07-01

Nano-enabled construction products have entered into commerce. There are concerns about the safety of manufactured nanomaterials, and exposure assessments are needed for a more complete understanding of risk. This study assessed potential inhalation exposure to ZnO nanoparticles during spray application and power sanding of a commercially available wood sealant and evaluated the effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation in reducing exposure. A tradesperson performed the spraying and sanding inside an environmentally-controlled chamber. Dust control methods during sanding were compared. Filter-based sampling, electron microscopy, and real-time particle counters provided measures of exposure. Airborne nanoparticles above background levels were detected by particle counters for all exposure scenarios. Nanoparticle number concentrations and particle size distributions were similar for sanding of treated versus untreated wood. Very few unbound nanoparticles were detected in aerosol samples via electron microscopy, rather nano-sized ZnO was contained within, or on the surface of larger airborne particles. Whether the presence of nanoscale ZnO in these aerosols affects toxicity merits further investigation. Mass-based exposure measurements were below the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit for Zn, although there are no established exposure limits for nanoscale ZnO. Local exhaust ventilation was effective, reducing airborne nanoparticle number concentrations by up to 92% and reducing personal exposure to total dust by at least 80% in terms of mass. Given the discrepancies between the particle count data and electron microscopy observations, the chemical identity of the airborne nanoparticles detected by the particle counters remains uncertain. Prior studies attributed the main source of nanoparticle emissions during sanding to copper nanoparticles generated from electric sander motors. Potentially contrary results are presented suggesting the sander motor may not have been the primary source of nanoparticle emissions in this study. Further research is needed to understand potential risks faced by construction workers exposed to mixed aerosols containing manufactured nanomaterials. Until these risks are better understood, this study demonstrates that engineering controls can reduce exposure to manufactured nanomaterials; doing so may be prudent for protecting worker health.

Laser velocimetry: A state-of-the-art overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stevenson, W. H.

1982-01-01

General systems design and optical and signal processing requirements for laser velocimetric measurement of flows are reviewed. Bias errors which occur in measurements using burst (counter) processors are discussed and particle seeding requirements are suggested.

76 FR 35669 - Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Request for Data and Information...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-17

... of sunscreen active ingredients and propellants? What are typical particle size distributions for... risks associated with inhalation of sunscreen active ingredients and propellants?), we request...

Collision of large dust particles with Suisei spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uesugi, K.

1986-12-01

The spacecraft Suisei encountered Halley's comet at 13:05:49 UT on March 8, 1986. The closest approach distance to the comet was 151,000 km and during the time of closest approach, Suisei was hit twice by dust particles which were believed to come from the comet nucleus. Although Suisei has no dust counter or detector, the mass of these particles can be estimated by the analysis of attitude change of the spin-stabilized spacecraft perturbed by the collisions. The result shows that the minimum weight of the first particle should be several milligram and second one was several ten micrograms.

Monte Carlo Simulations Comparing the Response of a Novel Hemispherical Tepc to Existing Spherical and Cylindrical Tepcs for Neutron Monitoring and Dosimetry.

PubMed

Broughton, David P; Waker, Anthony J

2017-05-01

Neutron dosimetry in reactor fields is currently mainly conducted with unwieldy flux monitors. Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counters (TEPCs) have been shown to have the potential to improve the accuracy of neutron dosimetry in these fields, and Multi-Element Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counters (METEPCs) could reduce the size of instrumentation required to do so. Complexity of current METEPC designs has inhibited their use beyond research. This work proposes a novel hemispherical counter with a wireless anode ball in place of the traditional anode wire as a possible solution for simplifying manufacturing. The hemispherical METEPC element was analyzed as a single TEPC to first demonstrate the potential of this new design by evaluating its performance relative to the reference spherical TEPC design and a single element from a cylindrical METEPC. Energy deposition simulations were conducted using the Monte Carlo code PHITS for both monoenergetic 2.5 MeV neutrons and the neutron energy spectrum of Cf-D2O moderated. In these neutron fields, the hemispherical counter appears to be a good alternative to the reference spherical geometry, performing slightly better than the cylindrical counter, which tends to underrespond to H*(10) for the lower neutron energies of the Cf-D2O moderated field. These computational results are promising, and if follow-up experimental work demonstrates the hemispherical counter works as anticipated, it will be ready to be incorporated into an METEPC design.

[The study and manufacture of spinning counter for experimental animals].

PubMed

Qi, X P; Zhou, C; Liu, F J; Chen, Z; Jiang, L; Yan, Z

1997-09-01

The single-chip microcomputer technique is used in the present study of spinning counter, which has 4 observation tunnels, the spinning behave of four experiment animals can be recorded at same time. The function of this instrument has four selections according to different experiment, and the recording data can be compute processed.

Liquid argon scintillation light studies in LArIAT

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

Kryczynski, Pawel

2016-10-12

The LArIAT experiment is using its Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) in the second run of data-taking at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. The goal of the experiment is to study the response of LArTPCs to charged particles of energies relevant for planned neutrino experiments. In addition, it will help to develop and evaluate the performance of the simulation, analysis, and reconstruction software used in other LAr neutrino experiments. Particles from a tertiary beam detected by LArIAT (mainly protons, pions and muons) are identified using a set of beamline detectors, including Wire Chambers, Time of Flight counters and Cherenkovmore » counters, as well as a simplified sampling detector used to detect muons. In its effort towards augmenting LArTPC technology for other neutrino experiments, LArIAT also takes advantage of the scintillating capabilities of LAr and is testing the possibility of using the light signal to help reconstruct calorimetric information and particle ID. In this report, we present results from these studies of the scintillation light signal to evaluate detector performance and calorimetry.« less

The design of a small flow optical sensor of particle counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhan, Yongbo; zhang, Jianwei; Zeng, Jianxiong; Li, Bin; Chen, Lu

2018-01-01

Based on the principle of Mie scattering, we design a small flow optical sensor of particle counter. Firstly, laser illumination system was simulated and designed by ZEMAX optical design software, and the uniform light intensity of photosensitive area was obtained. The gas circuit structure was also designed according to the related theory of fluid mechanics. Then, the method of combining with MIST scattering calculation software and geometric modeling was firstly used to design spherical reflection system, on the basis of the formula of object-image distance. Finally, the test was conducted after the optical sensor placed in self-designed pre-amplification and high-speed processing circuit. The test results show that the counting efficiency of 0.3 μm gear is above 70%, 0.5 μm gear and 1.0 μm gear are both reached more than 90%, and the dispersion coefficient of each gear is very nearly the same, compared with the standard machine of Kanomax 3886 under the particle spraying flow of 2.5SCFH, 3.0SCFH, 3.5SCFH.

4-GHz counters bring synthesizers up to speed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, F.; Miller, R.

1984-06-01

The availability of digital IC counters built on GaAs makes direct frequency division in microwave synthesizers possible. Four GHz is the highest clock rate achievable in production designs. These devices have the ability to drive TTL/CMOS logic, and the counter can be connected directly to single-chip frequency synthesizers controllers. A complete microwave sythesizer is formed by two chips and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The advantages of GaAs are discussed along with flip-flop basics, aspects of device fabrication, and the characteristics of GaAs MESAFETs. Attention is given to a GaAs prescaler usable for direct conversion, four kinds of flip-flops in a divide-by-two mode, and seven-stage binary ripple counters.

High energy cosmic ray iron spectrum experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arens, J. F.; Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.; Ormes, J. F.; Schmidt, W. K. H.; Simon, M.; Spiegelhauer, H.

1978-01-01

An instrument containing a gas Cerenkov counter and an iron ionization spectrometer was constructed in order to measure the cosmic-ray iron spectrum to 300 GeV/nucleon. Trajectories of particles were determined by entopistic or position-determining scintillator systems. The geometric factors with and without the gas Cerenkov counter were 0.3 and 0.6 sq m-ster, respectively. The instrument was successfully flown in June 1976 without the spectrometer and in October 1976 with the spectrometer from Palestine, Texas. The June flight yielded 14.5 h of data; the October flight, 25 h.

Predicting the dry deposition of atmospheric aerosol particles onto forests using a size-resolved multi-layer second-order closure model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, C.; Launianen, S.; Gronholm, T.; Katul, G. G.

2013-12-01

Biological aerosol particles are now receiving significant attention given their role in air quality, climate change, and spreading of allergens and other communicable diseases. A major uncertainty in their quantification is associated with complex transport processes governing their generation and removal inside canopies. It has been known for some time now that the commonly used first-order closure to link mean concentration gradients with turbulent fluxes is problematic. The presence of a mean counter-gradient momentum transport in an open trunk space exemplifies such failure. Here, instead of employing K-theory, a size-resolved second-order multilayer model for dry particle deposition is proposed. The starting point of the proposed model is a particle flux budget in which the production, transport, and dissipation terms are modeled. Because these terms require higher-order velocity statistics, this flux budget is coupled with a conventional second-order closure scheme for the flow field within the canopy sub-layer. The failure of conventional K-theory for particle fluxes are explicitly linked to the onset of a mean counter or zero - gradient flow attributed to a significant particle flux transport term. The relative importance of these terms in the particle flux budget and their effects on the foliage particle collection terms for also discussed for each particle size. The proposed model is evaluated against published multi-level measurements of sized-resolved particle fluxes and mean concentration profiles collected within and above a tall Scots pine forest in Hyytiala, Southern Finland. The main findings are that (1) first-order closure schemes may be still plausible for modeling particle deposition velocity, especially in the particle size range smaller than 1 μm when the turbulent particle diffusivity is estimated from higher order flow statistics; (2) the mechanisms leading to the increased trend of particle deposition velocity with increasing friction velocity differ for different particle sizes and different levels (i.e. above and below the canopy); (3) the partitioning of particle deposition onto foliage and forest floor appears insensitive to friction velocity for particles smaller than 100 nm, but decreases with increasing friction velocity for particles large than 100 nm.

New Particle Formation in the Tropical UTLS Near Costa Rica: Contrast January and February with June and August

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, J. C.; Saad, M. S.; Axisa, D.

2017-12-01

Aerosol size distributions were measured in the 4 nm to 1000 nm diameter range from the NASA WB-57 aircraft based in Costa Rica from 2004 through 2007. The measurements were made with the Nuclei Mode Aerosol Size Spectrometer (NMASS) and the Focused Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer (FCAS). The NMASS consists of 5 condensation particle counters (CPCs) each operated with a different supersaturation of the working fluid (FC-43). Therefore each CPC has a different lower size cut off. The size cutoffs are near 4nm 8nm, 16 nm, 32nm and 50nm in diameter. The FCAS is an optical particle counter that detects and sizes particles in the 100 to 1000 nm diameter range. By considering counting statistics, it is possible to identify those time intervals during which the counts in the 4 nm channel exceeded the counts in the 8 nm channel. Thus it is possible to clearly identify when there are particles in the 4 to 8 nm diameter range present in the size distribution. These particles have a short lifetime due to coagulation and their presence is taken to be evidence of recent new particle formation (NPF). The measurements made in January-February are contrasted with measurements made in June and August and differences are seen in the frequency with which NPF occurred. We examine the roles of air mass origin as determined by back trajectories, pre-existing aerosol surface area, atmospheric motions and trace gas concentrations in contributing to this difference.

On the marginal instability threshold condition of the aperiodic ordinary mode

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

Schlickeiser, R.; Yoon, P. H.; School of Space Research, Kyung Hee University, Yongin

2014-07-15

The purely growing ordinary (O) mode instability has recently received renewed attention owing to its potential applicability to the solar wind plasma. Here, an analytical marginal instability condition is derived for counter-streaming bi-Maxwellian plasma particle distribution functions. The derived marginal instability condition as a function of the temperature anisotropy and plasma beta agrees remarkably well with the numerically determined instability condition. The existence of a new instability domain of the O-mode at small plasma beta values is confirmed with the leading A∝β{sub ∥}{sup −1}-dependence, if the counter-stream parameter P{sub e} exceeds a critical value. At small plasma beta values atmore » large enough counter-stream parameter, the O-mode also operates for temperature anisotropies A = T{sub ⊥}/T{sub ∥} > 1 even larger than unity, as the parallel counter-stream free energy exceeds the perpendicular bi-Maxwellian free energy.« less

The function and response of an improved stratospheric condensation nucleus counter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, J. C.; Hyun, J. H.; Blackshear, E. D.

1983-01-01

An improved condensation nucleus counter (CNC) for use in the stratosphere is described. The University of Minnesota CNC (UMCNC) has a sequential saturator and condenser and uses n-butyl alcohol as the working fluid. The use of a coaxial saturator flow, with aerosol in the center and filtered, alcohol-laden air around it, speeds the response of this instrument and improves its stability as pressure changes. The counting efficiency has been studied as a function of particle size and pressure. The UMCNC provides an accurate measure of submicron aerosol concentration as long as the number distribution is not dominated by sub-0.02 micron diameter aerosol. The response of the UMCNC is compared with that of other stratospheric condensation nucleus counters, and the results of a (near) comparison with a balloon-borne condensation nucleus counter are presented. The UMCNC has operated 14 times on a NASA U-2 aircraft at altitudes from 8 to 21.5 km.

Electrokinetic Analysis of Cell Translocation in Low-Cost Microfluidic Cytometry for Tumor Cell Detection and Enumeration.

PubMed

Guo, Jinhong; Pui, Tze Sian; Ban, Yong-Ling; Rahman, Abdur Rub Abdur; Kang, Yuejun

2013-12-01

Conventional Coulter counters have been introduced as an important tool in biological cell assays since several decades ago. Recently, the emerging portable Coulter counter has demonstrated its merits in point of care diagnostics, such as on chip detection and enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTC). The working principle is based on the cell translocation time and amplitude of electrical current change that the cell induces. In this paper, we provide an analysis of a Coulter counter that evaluates the hydrodynamic and electrokinetic properties of polystyrene microparticles in a microfluidic channel. The hydrodynamic force and electrokinetic force are concurrently analyzed to determine the translocation time and the electrical current pulses induced by the particles. Finally, we characterize the chip performance for CTC detection. The experimental results validate the numerical analysis of the microfluidic chip. The presented model can provide critical insight and guidance for developing micro-Coulter counter for point of care prognosis.

Chemical aging of single and multicomponent biomass burning aerosol surrogate particles by OH: implications for cloud condensation nucleus activity

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

Slade, J. H.; Thalman, R.; Wang, J.

Multiphase OH and O 3 oxidation reactions with atmospheric organic aerosol (OA) can influence particle physicochemical properties including composition, morphology, and lifetime. Chemical aging of initially insoluble or low-soluble single-component OA by OH and O 3 can increase their water solubility and hygroscopicity, making them more active as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and susceptible to wet deposition. However, an outstanding problem is whether the effects of chemical aging on their CCN activity are preserved when mixed with other organic or inorganic compounds exhibiting greater water solubility. In this work, the CCN activity of laboratory-generated biomass burning aerosol (BBA) surrogate particlesmore » exposed to OH and O 3 is evaluated by determining the hygroscopicity parameter, κ, as a function of particle type, mixing state, and OH and O 3 exposure applying a CCN counter (CCNc) coupled to an aerosol flow reactor (AFR). Levoglucosan (LEV), 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (MNC), and potassium sulfate (KS) serve as representative BBA compounds that exhibit different hygroscopicity, water solubility, chemical functionalities, and reactivity with OH radicals, and thus exemplify the complexity of mixed inorganic/organic aerosol in the atmosphere. The CCN activities of all of the particles were unaffected by O 3 exposure. Following exposure to OH, κ of MNC was enhanced by an order of magnitude, from 0.009 to ~ 0.1, indicating that chemically aged MNC particles are better CCN and more prone to wet deposition than pure MNC particles. No significant enhancement in κ was observed for pure LEV particles following OH exposure. κ of the internally mixed particles was not affected by OH oxidation. Furthermore, the CCN activity of OH-exposed MNC-coated KS particles is similar to the OH unexposed atomized 1 : 1 by mass MNC : KS binary-component particles. Our results strongly suggest that when OA is dominated by water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) or inorganic ions, chemical aging has no significant impact on OA hygroscopicity. The organic compounds exhibiting low solubility behave as if they are infinitely soluble when mixed with a sufficient number of water-soluble compounds. At and beyond this point, the particles' CCN activity is governed entirely by the water-soluble fraction and is not influenced by the oxidized organic fraction. Our results have important implications for heterogeneous oxidation and its impact on cloud formation given that atmospheric aerosol is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds exhibiting a wide range of solubilities.« less

Chemical aging of single and multicomponent biomass burning aerosol surrogate particles by OH: implications for cloud condensation nucleus activity

DOE PAGES

Slade, J. H.; Thalman, R.; Wang, J.; ...

2015-09-14

Multiphase OH and O 3 oxidation reactions with atmospheric organic aerosol (OA) can influence particle physicochemical properties including composition, morphology, and lifetime. Chemical aging of initially insoluble or low-soluble single-component OA by OH and O 3 can increase their water solubility and hygroscopicity, making them more active as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and susceptible to wet deposition. However, an outstanding problem is whether the effects of chemical aging on their CCN activity are preserved when mixed with other organic or inorganic compounds exhibiting greater water solubility. In this work, the CCN activity of laboratory-generated biomass burning aerosol (BBA) surrogate particlesmore » exposed to OH and O 3 is evaluated by determining the hygroscopicity parameter, κ, as a function of particle type, mixing state, and OH and O 3 exposure applying a CCN counter (CCNc) coupled to an aerosol flow reactor (AFR). Levoglucosan (LEV), 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (MNC), and potassium sulfate (KS) serve as representative BBA compounds that exhibit different hygroscopicity, water solubility, chemical functionalities, and reactivity with OH radicals, and thus exemplify the complexity of mixed inorganic/organic aerosol in the atmosphere. The CCN activities of all of the particles were unaffected by O 3 exposure. Following exposure to OH, κ of MNC was enhanced by an order of magnitude, from 0.009 to ~ 0.1, indicating that chemically aged MNC particles are better CCN and more prone to wet deposition than pure MNC particles. No significant enhancement in κ was observed for pure LEV particles following OH exposure. κ of the internally mixed particles was not affected by OH oxidation. Furthermore, the CCN activity of OH-exposed MNC-coated KS particles is similar to the OH unexposed atomized 1 : 1 by mass MNC : KS binary-component particles. Our results strongly suggest that when OA is dominated by water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) or inorganic ions, chemical aging has no significant impact on OA hygroscopicity. The organic compounds exhibiting low solubility behave as if they are infinitely soluble when mixed with a sufficient number of water-soluble compounds. At and beyond this point, the particles' CCN activity is governed entirely by the water-soluble fraction and is not influenced by the oxidized organic fraction. Our results have important implications for heterogeneous oxidation and its impact on cloud formation given that atmospheric aerosol is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds exhibiting a wide range of solubilities.« less

Secondary Vortex Structures in Vortex Generator Induced Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velte, Clara; Okulov, Valery; Hansen, Martin

2010-11-01

Passive rectangular vane actuators can induce a longitudinal vortex that redistributes the momentum in the boundary layer to control the flow. Recent experiments [1] as well as previous studies [2] have shown that a secondary vortex of opposite sign is generated along with the primary one, supposedly from local separation of the boundary layer due to the primary vortex. 2D flow visualizations of a vortex in the vicinity of a boundary support this hypothesis [3]. These secondary vortices are studied for various configurations -- single generator, counter- and co-rotating cascades. The objective is to study their removal through cancelation in cascades using Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry and flow visualization.[4pt] [1] Velte, Hansen and Okulov, J. Fluid Mech. 619, 2009.[0pt] [2] Zhang, Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 21 2000.[0pt] [3] Harris, Miller and Williamson, APS abstract 2009.

In-situ and path-averaged measurements of aerosol optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Binsbergen, Sven A.; Grossmann, Peter; February, Faith J.; Cohen, Leo H.; van Eijk, Alexander M. J.; Stein, Karin U.

2017-09-01

This paper compares in-situ and path-averaged measurements of the electro-optical transmission, with emphasis on aerosol effects. The in-situ sensors consisted of optical particle counters (OPC), the path-averaged data was provided by a 7-wavelength transmissometer (MSRT) and scintillometers (BLS). Data were collected at two sites: a homogeneous test site in Northern Germany, and over the inhomogeneous False Bay near Cape Town, South Africa. A retrieval algorithm was developed to infer characteristics of the aerosol size distribution (Junge approximation) from the MSRT data. A comparison of the various sensors suggests that the optical particle counters are over optimistic in their estimate of the transmission. For the homogeneous test site, in-situ and path-averaged sensors yield similar results. For the inhomogeneous test site, sensors may react differently or temporally separated to meteorological events such as a change in wind speed and/or direction.

Technology and benefits of aircraft counter rotation propellers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strack, W. C.; Knip, G.; Weisbrich, A. L.; Godston, J.; Bradley, E.

1981-01-01

Results are reported of a NASA sponsored analytical investigation into the merits of advanced counter rotation propellers for Mach 0.80 commercial transport application. Propeller and gearbox performance, acoustics, vibration characteristics, weight, cost and maintenance requirements for a variety of design parameters and special features were considered. Fuel savings in the neighborhood of 8 percent relative to single rotation configurations are feasible through swirl recovery and lighter gearboxes. This is the net gain which includes a 5 percent acoustic treatment weight penalty to offset the broader frequency spectrum noise produced by counter rotation blading.

Characterization of particle exposure in ferrochromium and stainless steel production.

PubMed

Järvelä, Merja; Huvinen, Markku; Viitanen, Anna-Kaisa; Kanerva, Tomi; Vanhala, Esa; Uitti, Jukka; Koivisto, Antti J; Junttila, Sakari; Luukkonen, Ritva; Tuomi, Timo

2016-07-01

This study describes workers' exposure to fine and ultrafine particles in the production chain of ferrochromium and stainless steel during sintering, ferrochromium smelting, stainless steel melting, and hot and cold rolling operations. Workers' personal exposure to inhalable dust was assessed using IOM sampler with a cellulose acetate filter (AAWP, diameter 25 mm; Millipore, Bedford, MA). Filter sampling methods were used to measure particle mass concentrations in fixed locations. Particle number concentrations and size distributions were examined using an SMPS+C sequential mobile particle sizer and counter (series 5.400, Grimm Aerosol Technik, Ainring, Germany), and a hand-held condensation particle counter (CPC, model 3007, TSI Incorporated, MN). The structure and elemental composition of particles were analyzed using TEM-EDXA (TEM: JEM-1220, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan; EDXA: Noran System Six, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Madison,WI). Workers' personal exposure to inhalable dust averaged 1.87, 1.40, 2.34, 0.30, and 0.17 mg m(-3) in sintering plant, ferrochromium smelter, stainless steel melting shop, hot rolling mill, and the cold rolling mill, respectively. Particle number concentrations measured using SMPS+C varied from 58 × 10(3) to 662 × 10(3) cm(-3) in the production areas, whereas concentrations measured using SMPS+C and CPC3007 in control rooms ranged from 24 × 10(3) to 243 × 10(3) cm(-3) and 5.1 × 10(3) to 97 × 10(3) cm(-3), respectively. The elemental composition and the structure of particles in different production phases varied. In the cold-rolling mill non-process particles were abundant. In other sites, chromium and iron originating from ore and recycled steel scrap were the most common elements in the particles studied. Particle mass concentrations were at the same level as that reported earlier. However, particle number measurements showed a high amount of ultrafine particles, especially in sintering, alloy smelting and melting, and tapping operations. Particle number concentration and size distribution measurements provide important information regarding exposure to ultrafine particles, which cannot be seen in particle mass measurements.

Purification of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes by spiral counter-current chromatography.

PubMed

Knight, Martha; Lazo-Portugal, Rodrigo; Ahn, Saeyoung Nate; Stefansson, Steingrimur

2017-02-03

Over the last decade man-made carbon nanostructures have shown great promise in electronic applications, but they are produced as very heterogeneous mixtures with different properties so the achievement of a significant commercial application has been elusive. The dimensions of single-wall carbon nanotubes are generally a nanometer wide, up to hundreds of microns long and the carbon nanotubes have anisotropic structures. They are processed to have shorter lengths but they need to be sorted by diameter and chirality. Thus counter-current chromatography methods developed for large molecules are applied to separate these compounds. A modified mixer-settler spiral CCC rotor made with 3 D printed disks was used with a polyethylene glycol-dextran 2-phase solvent system and a surfactant gradient to purify the major species in a commercial preparation. We isolated the semi-conducting single walled carbon nanotube chiral species identified by UV spectral analysis. The further development of spiral counter-current chromatography instrumentation and methods will enable the scalable purification of carbon nanotubes useful for the next generation electronics. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reevaluation of pollen quantitation by an automatic pollen counter.

PubMed

Muradil, Mutarifu; Okamoto, Yoshitaka; Yonekura, Syuji; Chazono, Hideaki; Hisamitsu, Minako; Horiguchi, Shigetoshi; Hanazawa, Toyoyuki; Takahashi, Yukie; Yokota, Kunihiko; Okumura, Satoshi

2010-01-01

Accurate and detailed pollen monitoring is useful for selection of medication and for allergen avoidance in patients with allergic rhinitis. Burkard and Durham pollen samplers are commonly used, but are labor and time intensive. In contrast, automatic pollen counters allow simple real-time pollen counting; however, these instruments have difficulty in distinguishing pollen from small nonpollen airborne particles. Misidentification and underestimation rates for an automatic pollen counter were examined to improve the accuracy of the pollen count. The characteristics of the automatic pollen counter were determined in a chamber study with exposure to cedar pollens or soil grains. The cedar pollen counts were monitored in 2006 and 2007, and compared with those from a Durham sampler. The pollen counts from the automatic counter showed a good correlation (r > 0.7) with those from the Durham sampler when pollen dispersal was high, but a poor correlation (r < 0.5) when pollen dispersal was low. The new correction method, which took into account the misidentification and underestimation, improved this correlation to r > 0.7 during the pollen season. The accuracy of automatic pollen counting can be improved using a correction to include rates of underestimation and misidentification in a particular geographical area.

PULSE COUNTER

DOEpatents

Trumbo, D.E.

1959-02-10

A transistorized pulse-counting circuit adapted for use with nuclear radiation detecting detecting devices to provide a small, light weight portable counter is reported. The small size and low power requirements of the transistor are of particular value in this instance. The circuit provides an adjustable count scale with a single transistor which is triggered by the accumulated charge on a storage capacitor.

Global Particle Size Distributions: Measurements during the Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brock, C. A.; Williamson, C.; Kupc, A.; Froyd, K. D.; Richardson, M.; Weinzierl, B.; Dollner, M.; Schuh, H.; Erdesz, F.

2016-12-01

The Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) project is a three-year NASA-sponsored program to map the spatial and temporal distribution of greenhouse gases, reactive species, and aerosol particles from the Arctic to the Antarctic. In situ measurements are being made on the NASA DC-8 research aircraft, which will make four global circumnavigations of the Earth over the mid-Pacific and mid-Atlantic Oceans while continuously profiling between 0.2 and 13 km altitude. In situ microphysical measurements will provide an unique and unprecedented dataset of aerosol particle size distributions between 0.004 and 50 µm diameter. This unbiased, representative dataset allows investigation of new particle formation in the remote troposphere, placing strong observational constraints on the chemical and physical mechanisms that govern particle formation and growth to cloud-active sizes. Particles from 0.004 to 0.055 µm are measured with 10 condensation particle counters. Particles with diameters from 0.06 to 1.0 µm are measured with one-second resolution using two ultra-high sensitivity aerosol size spectrometers (UHSASes). A laser aerosol spectrometer (LAS) measures particle size distributions between 0.12 and 10 µm in diameter. Finally, a cloud, aerosol and precipitation spectrometer (CAPS) underwing optical spectrometer probe sizes ambient particles with diameters from 0.5 to 50 µm and images and sizes precipitation-sized particles. Additional particle instruments on the payload include a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer and a single particle laser-ablation aerosol mass spectrometer. The instruments are calibrated in the laboratory and on the aircraft. Calibrations are checked in flight by introducing four sizes of polystyrene latex (PSL) microspheres into the sampling inlet. The CAPS probe is calibrated using PSL and glass microspheres that are aspirated into the sample volume. Comparisons between the instruments and checks with the calibration aerosol indicate flight performance within uncertainties expected from laboratory calibrations. Analysis of data from the first ATom circuit in August 2016 shows high concentrations of newly formed particles in the tropical middle and upper troposphere and Arctic lower troposphere.

Lidar Ice nuclei estimates and how they relate with airborne in-situ measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinou, Eleni; Amiridis, Vassilis; Ansmann, Albert; Nenes, Athanasios; Balis, Dimitris; Schrod, Jann; Binietoglou, Ioannis; Solomos, Stavros; Mamali, Dimitra; Engelmann, Ronny; Baars, Holger; Kottas, Michael; Tsekeri, Alexandra; Proestakis, Emmanouil; Kokkalis, Panagiotis; Goloub, Philippe; Cvetkovic, Bojan; Nichovic, Slobodan; Mamouri, Rodanthi; Pikridas, Michael; Stavroulas, Iasonas; Keleshis, Christos; Sciare, Jean

2018-04-01

By means of available ice nucleating particle (INP) parameterization schemes we compute profiles of dust INP number concentration utilizing Polly-XT and CALIPSO lidar observations during the INUIT-BACCHUS-ACTRIS 2016 campaign. The polarization-lidar photometer networking (POLIPHON) method is used to separate dust and non-dust aerosol backscatter, extinction, mass concentration, particle number concentration (for particles with radius > 250 nm) and surface area concentration. The INP final products are compared with aerosol samples collected from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and analyzed using the ice nucleus counter FRIDGE.

PROCEEDINGS: ADVANCES IN PARTICLE SAMPLING AND MEASUREMENT (ASHEVILLE, NC, MAY 1978)

EPA Science Inventory

The proceedings consist of 17 papers on improved instruments and techniques for sampling and measuring particulate emissions and aerosols; e.g., cascade impactors, cyclone collectors, and diffusion-battery/nuclei-counter combinations. Transmissometers and instruments for measurin...

Preparing nuclei from cells in monolayer cultures suitable for counting and for following synchronized cells through the cell cycle.

PubMed

Butler, W B

1984-08-15

A procedure is described for preparing nuclei from cells in monolayer culture so that they may be counted using an electronic particle counter. It takes only 10 to 15 min, and consists of swelling the cells in hypotonic buffer and then lysing them with the quaternary ammonium salt, ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium bromide. The cells are completely lysed, yielding a suspension of clean single nuclei which is stable, free of debris, and easily counted. The method was developed for a cell line of epithelial origin (MCF-7), which is often difficult to trypsinize to single cells. It works equally well at all cell densities up to and beyond confluence, and has been used with a variety of cells in culture, including 3T3 cells, bovine macrophages, rat mammary epithelial cells, mouse mammary tumor cell lines, and human fibroblasts. The size of the nuclei produced by this procedure is related to their DNA content, and the method is thus suitable for following cultures of synchronized cells through the cell cycle, and for performing differential counts of cells with substantial differences in DNA content.

Demonstration of slow light propagation in an optical fiber under dual pump light with co-propagation and counter-propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Wei; Liu, Jianjun; Wang, Yuda; Yang, Yujing; Gao, Yuan; Lv, Pin; Jiang, Qiuli

2018-04-01

In this paper, a general theory of coherent population oscillation effect in an Er3+ -doped fiber under the dual-frequency pumping laser with counter-propagation and co-propagation at room temperature is presented. Using the numerical simulation, in case of dual frequency light waves (1480 nm and 980 nm) with co-propagation and counter-propagation, we analyze the effect of the pump optical power ratio (M) on the group speed of light. The group velocity of light can be varied with the change of M. We research the time delay and fractional delay in an Er3+-doped fiber under the dual-frequency pumping laser with counter-propagation and co-propagation. Compared to the methods of the single pumping, the larger time delay can be got by using the technique of dual-frequency laser pumped fiber with co-propagation and counter-propagation.

Wingtip mounted, counter-rotating proprotor for tiltwing aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wechsler, James K. (Inventor); Rutherford, John W. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A tiltwing aircraft, capable of in-flight conversion between a hover and forward cruise mode, employs a counter-rotating proprotor arrangement which permits a significantly increased cruise efficiency without sacrificing either the size of the conversion envelope or the wing efficiency. A benefit in hover is also provided because of the lower effective disk loading for the counter-rotating proprotor, as opposed to a single rotation proprotor of the same diameter. At least one proprotor is provided on each wing section, preferably mounted on the wingtip, with each proprotor having two counter-rotating blade rows. Each blade row has a plurality of blades which are relatively stiff-in-plane and are mounted such that cyclic pitch adjustments may be made for hover control during flight.

Argument structure hierarchy system and method for facilitating analysis and decision-making processes

DOEpatents

Janssen, Terry

2000-01-01

A system and method for facilitating decision-making comprising a computer program causing linkage of data representing a plurality of argument structure units into a hierarchical argument structure. Each argument structure unit comprises data corresponding to a hypothesis and its corresponding counter-hypothesis, data corresponding to grounds that provide a basis for inference of the hypothesis or its corresponding counter-hypothesis, data corresponding to a warrant linking the grounds to the hypothesis or its corresponding counter-hypothesis, and data corresponding to backing that certifies the warrant. The hierarchical argument structure comprises a top level argument structure unit and a plurality of subordinate level argument structure units. Each of the plurality of subordinate argument structure units comprises at least a portion of the grounds of the argument structure unit to which it is subordinate. Program code located on each of a plurality of remote computers accepts input from one of a plurality of contributors. Each input comprises data corresponding to an argument structure unit in the hierarchical argument structure and supports the hypothesis or its corresponding counter-hypothesis. A second programming code is adapted to combine the inputs into a single hierarchical argument structure. A third computer program code is responsive to the second computer program code and is adapted to represent a degree of support for the hypothesis and its corresponding counter-hypothesis in the single hierarchical argument structure.

Particles from a Diesel ship engine: Mixing state on the nano scale and cloud condensation abilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieke, K. I.; Rosenørn, T.; Fuglsang, K.; Frederiksen, T.; Butcher, A. C.; King, S. M.; Bilde, M.

2012-04-01

Transport by ship plays an important role in global logistics. Current international policy initiatives by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are taken to reduce emissions from ship propulsion systems (NO and SO, primarily). However, particulate emissions (e.g. soot) from ships are yet not regulated by legislations. To date, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the global and local effects of the particulate matter emitted from ships at sea. Particles may influence the climate through their direct effects (scattering and absorption of long and shortwave radiation) and indirectly through formation of clouds. Many studies have been carried out estimating the mass and particle number from ship emissions (e.g. Petzold et al. 2008), many of them in test rig studies (e.g. Kasper et al. 2007). It is shown that particulate emissions vary with engine load and chemical composition of fuels. Only a few studies have been carried out to characterize the chemical composition and cloud-nucleating ability of the particulate matter (e.g. Corbett et al. 1997). In most cases, the cloud-nucleating ability of emission particles is estimated from number size distribution. We applied measurements to characterize particulate emissions from a MAN B&W Low Speed engine on test bed. A unique data set was obtained through the use of a scanning mobility particle sizing system (SMPS), combined with a cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) counter and a thermodenuder - all behind a dilution system. In addition, impactor samples were taken on nickel grids with carbon foil for use in an electron microscope (EM) to characterize the mineral phase and mixing state of the particles. The engine was operated at a series of different load conditions and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system was applied. Measurements were carried out before and after the EGR system respectively. Our observations show significant changes in number size distribution and CCN activity with varying conditions. Results of transmission electron microscopy revealed salt condensates of nanometer size attached to soot particles. High resolution structural analysis of single particles shows that three different phases (graphitic soot, crystalline salt and amorphous condensed organic matter) may be present in the same particle volume. A closure between CCN activation curves, EM samples, and SMPS size distribution will be presented and used to identify climate active parts in single particles. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation for support through the NaKIM project (www.nakim.dk).

Does Your Optical Particle Counter Measure What You Think it Does? Calibration and Refractive Index Correction Methods.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, Phil; Dean, Angela; Williams, Paul; Dorsey, James; Minikin, Andreas; Pickering, Martyn; Petzold, Andreas

2013-04-01

Optical Particle Counters (OPCs) are the de-facto standard for in-situ measurements of airborne aerosol size distributions and small cloud particles over a wide size range. This is particularly the case on airborne platforms where fast response is important. OPCs measure scattered light from individual particles and generally bin particles according to the measured peak amount of light scattered (the OPC's response). Most manufacturers provide a table along with their instrument which indicates the particle diameters which represent the edges of each bin. It is important to correct the particle size reported by OPCs for the refractive index of the particles being measured, which is often not the same as for those used during calibration. However, the OPC's response is not a monotonic function of particle diameter and obvious problems occur when refractive index corrections are attempted, but multiple diameters correspond to the same OPC response. Here we recommend that OPCs are calibrated in terms of particle scattering cross section as this is a monotonic (usually linear) function of an OPC's response. We present a method for converting a bin's boundaries in terms of scattering cross section into a bin centre and bin width in terms of diameter for any aerosol species for which the scattering properties are known. The relationship between diameter and scattering cross section can be arbitrarily complex and does not need to be monotonic; it can be based on Mie-Lorenz theory or any other scattering theory. Software has been provided on the Sourceforge open source repository for scientific users to implement such methods in their own measurement and calibration routines. As a case study data is presented showing data from Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (PCASP) and a Cloud Droplet Probe (CDP) calibrated using polystyrene latex spheres and glass beads before being deployed as part of the Fennec project to measure airborne dust in the inaccessible regions of the Sahara.

BRL Particle Sizing Interferometer

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

satisfy the counting constraints required for entry into the ■ Histogran Counter. ACQUISITION TIME -~ The tiwe which elapsed during data acquistion ...weighted population (i.e., Measured population tines the weighting factor) of a bin in the particle size histogran acquistion . Does not include data...1000.0 40.0 3000 1 ZING FROM PSI OMHZ M MHZ MHZ V. VOLTS PED HZ ODE ON PAD ZCD=3.7 ADJUST OFF; IRIG HISTOGRAM E:ET 42.0 CLOCK

Calibration of Knollenberg FSSP Light-Scattering Counters for Measurement of Cloud Droplets

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

1979. 93. Kennedy, Bruce W., Arthur Kinghorn, and B. R. Hixon, "Engineering Flight Tests of Range Meteorological Sounding System Radiosonde," ASL-TR...spore particles (some of which are shown in figure 6)... 22 A-I. Schematic of the FSSP-100 optical system ........................... 27 A-2. FSSP...atmospheric cloud. (This device is manufactured by Particle Measurement Systems , Boulder, Colorado.) As droplets flow through an illumi- nated volume

Surgical smoke control with local exhaust ventilation: Experimental study.

PubMed

Lee, Taekhee; Soo, Jhy-Charm; LeBouf, Ryan F; Burns, Dru; Schwegler-Berry, Diane; Kashon, Michael; Bowers, Jay; Harper, Martin

2018-04-01

This experimental study aimed to evaluate airborne particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from surgical smoke when a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system is in place. Surgical smoke was generated from human tissue in an unoccupied operating room using an electrocautery surgical device for 15 min with 3 different test settings: (1) without LEV control; (2) control with a wall irrigation suction unit with an in-line ultra-low penetration air filter; and (3) control with a smoke evacuation system. Flow rate of LEVs was approximately 35 L/min and suction was maintained within 5 cm of electrocautery interaction site. A total of 6 experiments were conducted. Particle number and mass concentrations were measured using direct reading instruments including a condensation particle counter (CPC), a light-scattering laser photometer (DustTrak DRX), a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), and a viable particle counter. Selected VOCs were collected using evacuated canisters using grab, personal and area sampling techniques. The largest average particle and VOCs concentrations were found in the absence of LEV control followed by LEV controls. Average ratios of LEV controls to without LEV control ranged 0.24-0.33 (CPC), 0.28-0.39 (SMPS), 0.14-0.31 (DustTrak DRX), and 0.26-0.55 (APS). Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were dominant in the canister samples. Acetaldehyde, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, hexane, styrene, and toluene were detected but at lower concentrations (<500 μg/m 3 ) and concentrations of the VOCs were much less than the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit values. Utilization of the LEVs for surgical smoke control can significantly reduce but not completely eliminate airborne particles and VOCs.

Estimation of surface area concentration of workplace incidental nanoparticles based on number and mass concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, J. Y.; Ramachandran, G.; Raynor, P. C.; Kim, S. W.

2011-10-01

Surface area was estimated by three different methods using number and/or mass concentrations obtained from either two or three instruments that are commonly used in the field. The estimated surface area concentrations were compared with reference surface area concentrations (SAREF) calculated from the particle size distributions obtained from a scanning mobility particle sizer and an optical particle counter (OPC). The first estimation method (SAPSD) used particle size distribution measured by a condensation particle counter (CPC) and an OPC. The second method (SAINV1) used an inversion routine based on PM1.0, PM2.5, and number concentrations to reconstruct assumed lognormal size distributions by minimizing the difference between measurements and calculated values. The third method (SAINV2) utilized a simpler inversion method that used PM1.0 and number concentrations to construct a lognormal size distribution with an assumed value of geometric standard deviation. All estimated surface area concentrations were calculated from the reconstructed size distributions. These methods were evaluated using particle measurements obtained in a restaurant, an aluminum die-casting factory, and a diesel engine laboratory. SAPSD was 0.7-1.8 times higher and SAINV1 and SAINV2 were 2.2-8 times higher than SAREF in the restaurant and diesel engine laboratory. In the die casting facility, all estimated surface area concentrations were lower than SAREF. However, the estimated surface area concentration using all three methods had qualitatively similar exposure trends and rankings to those using SAREF within a workplace. This study suggests that surface area concentration estimation based on particle size distribution (SAPSD) is a more accurate and convenient method to estimate surface area concentrations than estimation methods using inversion routines and may be feasible to use for classifying exposure groups and identifying exposure trends.

Design and construction of a testbed for the application of real volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajökull and Grimsvötn eruptions to microgas turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Konradin; Fischer, Christian; Lange, Martin; Schulz, Uwe; Naraparaju, Ravisankar; Kramer, Dietmar

2017-04-01

It is well known that volcanic ash clouds emitted from erupting volcanoes pose a considerable threat to the aviation. The volcanic ash particles can damage the turbine blades and their thermal barrier coatings as well as the bearings of the turbine. For a detailed investigation of this damaging effect a testbed was designed and constructed, which allowed to study the damaging effects of real volcanic ash to an especially for these investigations modified microgas turbine. The use of this microgas turbine had the advantage that it delivers near reality conditions, using kerosene and operating at similar temperatures as big turbines, but at a very cost effective level. The testbed consisted out of a disperser for the real volcanic ash and all the equipment needed to control the micro gas turbine. Moreover, in front and behind the microgas turbine the concentration and the distribution of the volcanic ash were measured online by optical particle counters (OPCs). The particle concentration and size distribution of the volcanic ash particles in the intake in front of the microgas turbine was measured by an optical particle counter (OPC) combined with an isokinetic intake. Behind the microgas turbine in the exhaust gas additionally to the measurement with a second OPC ash particles were caught with an impactor, in order to enable the later analysis with an electron microscope concerning the morphology to verify possible melting processes of the ash particles. This testbed is of high importance as it allows detailed investigations of the impact of volcanic ash to jet turbines and appropriate countermeasures.

Deployment of ARM Aerial Facility Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer Field Campaign Report

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

Wang, Jian

2016-09-01

Atmospheric aerosols influence global climate by scattering and absorbing sunlight (direct effects) and by changing the microphysical structure, lifetime, and coverage of clouds (indirect effects). While it is widely accepted that aerosol indirect effects cool the Earth-atmosphere system by increasing cloud reflectivity and coverage, the magnitudes of the indirect effects are poorly quantified. One key aerosol property for understanding aerosol indirect effects is the ability of aerosol particles to form cloud droplets at atmospheric relevant supersaturations—i.e., cloud condensation Nuclei (CCN) activity. For particles consisting of typical atmospheric inorganic compounds, their CCN activity is well understood and can be effectively predictedmore » using Köhler theory based on physicochemical properties of the solute, such as its mass, molar volume, and activity coefficient. However, atmospheric aerosols often consist of hundreds of organic species, which can contribute ~20-90% to the total fine aerosol mass. Depending on their properties, organic species can significantly influence the ability of aerosol particles to act as CCN and form cloud droplets. This project focuses on the CCN activity of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) compounds formed from key biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under representative conditions, and the relationship between the hygroscopicity and composition of organic aerosols. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility Aerial Facility (AAF) scanning mobility particles sizer (SMPS) was deployed during a ~ 2-week intensive measurement campaign, taking place February 10-February 23, 2016 at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Environmental Simulation Chamber. The SMPS was operated with a CCN counter (CCNc). Aerosol particles were first classified by the differential mobility analyzer inside the SMPS; the classified aerosol will then be simultaneously characterized by a condensation particle counter (CPC) (part of the SMPS) and the CCNc.« less

Programmable Pulser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumann, Eric; Merolla, Anthony

1988-01-01

User controls number of clock pulses to prevent burnout. New digital programmable pulser circuit in three formats; freely running, counted, and single pulse. Operates at frequencies up to 5 MHz, with no special consideration given to layout of components or to terminations. Pulser based on sequential circuit with four states and binary counter with appropriate decoding logic. Number of programmable pulses increased beyond 127 by addition of another counter and decoding logic. For very large pulse counts and/or very high frequencies, use synchronous counters to avoid errors caused by propagation delays. Invaluable tool for initial verification or diagnosis of digital or digitally controlled circuity.

Self-organizing plasma behavior in multiple grid IEC fusion devices for propulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGuire, Thomas; Dietrich, Carl; Sedwick, Raymond

2004-11-01

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement, IEC, of charged particles for the purpose of producing fusion energy is a low mass alternative to more traditional magnetic and inertial confinement fusion schemes. Experimental fusion production and energy efficiency in IEC devices to date has been hindered by confinement limitations. Analysis of the major loss mechanisms suggests that the low pressure beam-beam interaction regime holds the most promise for improved efficiency operation. Numerical simulation of multiple grid schemes shows greatly increased confinement times over contemporary single grid designs by electrostatic focusing of the ion beams. An analytical model of this focusing is presented. With the increased confinement, beams self-organize from a uniform condition into bunches that oscillate at the bounce frequency. The bunches from neighboring beams are then observed to synchronize with each other. Analysis of the anisotropic collisional dynamics responsible for the synchronization is presented. The importance of focusing and density on the beam dynamics are examined. Further, this synchronization appears to modify the particle distribution so as to maintain the non-maxwellian, beam-like energy profile within a bunch. The ability of synchronization to modify and counter-act the thermalization process is examined analytically at the 2-body interaction level and as a conglomeration of particles via numerical simulation. Detailed description of the experiment under development at MIT to investigate the synchronization phenomenon is presented.

Ghost imaging with atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khakimov, R. I.; Henson, B. M.; Shin, D. K.; Hodgman, S. S.; Dall, R. G.; Baldwin, K. G. H.; Truscott, A. G.

2016-12-01

Ghost imaging is a counter-intuitive phenomenon—first realized in quantum optics—that enables the image of a two-dimensional object (mask) to be reconstructed using the spatio-temporal properties of a beam of particles with which it never interacts. Typically, two beams of correlated photons are used: one passes through the mask to a single-pixel (bucket) detector while the spatial profile of the other is measured by a high-resolution (multi-pixel) detector. The second beam never interacts with the mask. Neither detector can reconstruct the mask independently, but temporal cross-correlation between the two beams can be used to recover a ‘ghost’ image. Here we report the realization of ghost imaging using massive particles instead of photons. In our experiment, the two beams are formed by correlated pairs of ultracold, metastable helium atoms, which originate from s-wave scattering of two colliding Bose-Einstein condensates. We use higher-order Kapitza-Dirac scattering to generate a large number of correlated atom pairs, enabling the creation of a clear ghost image with submillimetre resolution. Future extensions of our technique could lead to the realization of ghost interference, and enable tests of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen entanglement and Bell’s inequalities with atoms.

Natural Hazards of the Space Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Steven W.; Kross, Dennis A. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are subject to numerous environmental hazards. Here I'll briefly discuss three environment factors that pose acute threats to the survival of spacecraft systems and crew: atmospheric drag, impacts by meteoroids and orbital debris, and ionizing radiation. Atmospheric drag continuously opposes the orbital motion of a satellite, causing the orbit to decay. This decay will lead to reentry if not countered by reboost maneuvers. Orbital debris is a by-product of man's activities in space, and consists of objects ranging in size from miniscule paint chips to spent rocket stages and dead satellites. Ionizing radiation experienced in LEO has several components: geomagnetically trapped protons and electrons (Van Allen belts); energetic solar particles; galactic cosmic rays; and albedo neutrons. These particles can have several types of prompt harmful effects on equipment and crew, from single-event upsets, latchup, and burnout of electronics, to lethal doses to crew.All three types of prompt threat show some dependence on the solar activity cycle. Atmospheric drag mitigation and large debris avoidance require propulsive maneuvers. M/OD and ionizing radiation require some form of shielding for crew and sensitive equipment. Limiting exposure time is a mitigation technique for ionizing radiation and meteor streams.

Electron residual energy due to stochastic heating in field-ionized plasma

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

Khalilzadeh, Elnaz; The Plasma Physics and Fusion Research School, Tehran; Yazdanpanah, Jam, E-mail: jamal.yazdan@gmail.com

2015-11-15

The electron residual energy originated from the stochastic heating in under-dense field-ionized plasma is investigated here. Initially, the optical response of plasma is modeled by using two counter-propagating electromagnetic waves. In this case, the solution of motion equation of a single electron indicates that by including the ionization, the electron with higher residual energy compared with that without ionization could be obtained. In agreement with chaotic nature of the motion, it is found that the electron residual energy will be significantly changed by applying a minor change in the initial conditions. Extensive kinetic 1D-3V particle-in-cell simulations have been performed inmore » order to resolve full plasma reactions. In this way, two different regimes of plasma behavior are observed by varying the pulse length. The results indicate that the amplitude of scattered fields in a proper long pulse length is high enough to act as a second counter-propagating wave and trigger the stochastic electron motion. On the contrary, the analyses of intensity spectrum reveal the fact that the dominant scattering mechanism tends to Thomson rather than Raman scattering by increasing the pulse length. A covariant formalism is used to describe the plasma heating so that it enables us to measure electron temperature inside and outside of the pulse region.« less

Impact of dynamic distribution of floc particles on flocculation effect.

PubMed

Nan, Jun; He, Weipeng; Song, Xinin; Li, Guibai

2009-01-01

Polyaluminum chloride (PAC) was used as coagulant and suspended particles in kaolin water. Online instruments including turbidimeter and particle counter were used to monitor the flocculation process. An evaluation model for demonstrating the impact on the flocculation effect was established based on the multiple linear regression analysis method. The parameter of the index weight of channels quantitatively described how the variation of floc particle population in different size ranges cause the decrement of turbidity. The study showed that the floc particles in different size ranges contributed differently to the decrease of turbidity and that the index weight of channel could excellently indicate the impact degree of floc particles dynamic distribution on flocculation effect. Therefore, the parameter may significantly benefit the development of coagulation and sedimentation techniques as well as the optimal coagulant selection.

Particle Size Distributions Measured in the B757 Engine Plume During EXCAVATE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Terry; Penko, Paul; Rivera, Monica; Culler, Steve

2005-01-01

The Experiment to Characterize Aircraft Volatile Aerosols and Trace Species Emissions (EXCAVATE) took place at NASA Langley Research Center during January 2002. This ground based study was conducted to examine the role of fuel sulfur content on particulate emissions. Size distributions as a function of engine operating conditions were measured in the exhaust plume of a B-757 at four downstream axial locations (1 m, 10 m, 25 m and 35 m). The engine was run on JP-5 with three different sulfur concentrations, 810 ppm, 1050 ppm, 1820 ppm; and was operated over a range of power settings from idle to near-full power. Zalabsky differential-mobility analyzers DMAS), Met One condensation-nuclei counters (CNCs), and a TSI 3022 condensation-particle counter (CPC) were used to measure the size distributions. The total number-count (particle concentration), number-based Emissions Index (EInumber) and mass-based Emissions Index (E1-J increased with fuel sulfur-content and engine pressure ratio (EPR). Count Mean Diameter (Ch4D) also increased with EPR yet remained fairly constant with fuel sulfur-content for a fixed location in the exhaust plume. Also the mode and CMD both increased with distance in the plume.

CCN activity of thermodenuded aerosol particles downwind of the Sacramento area urban plume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiranuma, N.; Cziczo, D. J.; Nelson, D.; Zhang, Q.; Setyan, A.; Song, C.; Shrivastava, M.; Shilling, J. E.

2010-12-01

This study focuses on the characterization of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) properties of aerosol particles measured during the Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) near Sacramento, CA in June 2010. Supersaturation-dependant CCN activity (0.07 - 0.5% supersaturation) was measured with DMT CCN counters at two locations; one near the city center (T0) and the other in Cool, CA, a small town located ~40 kilometers downwind of the urban plume in the Sierra Nevada foothills (T1). The T1 CCN counter was operated behind a thermodenuder to study volatility-dependant CCN activity of the urban aerosol plume as it was transported into the biogenically influenced foothills. Preliminary analysis indicated that activated fraction was inversely proportional to the thermodenuder temperature, suggesting that the more-volatile fraction of the aerosol might have played an important role in the CCN activity of the aerosol. The relationship between the chemical composition and CCN activity of the aerosol will be discussed. The physical and chemical transformations of particles aged in the foothills as well as the diurnal profiles of CCN both at T0 and T1 will also be discussed for the transport event of 15 June 2010.

Physical and chemical properties of ice residuals during the 2013 and 2014 CLACE campaigns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kupiszewski, Piotr; Weingartner, Ernest; Vochezer, Paul; Hammer, Emanuel; Gysel, Martin; Färber, Raphael; Fuchs, Claudia; Schnaiter, Martin; Baltensperger, Urs; Schmidt, Susan; Schneider, Johannes; Bigi, Alessandro; Toprak, Emre; Linke, Claudia; Klimach, Thomas

2014-05-01

The shortcomings in our understanding and, thus, representation of aerosol-cloud interactions are one of the major sources of uncertainty in climate model projections. Among the poorly understood processes is mixed-phase cloud formation via heterogeneous nucleation, and the subsequent spatial and temporal evolution of such clouds. Cloud glaciation augments precipitation formation, resulting in decreased cloud cover and lifetime, and affects cloud radiative properties. Meanwhile, the physical and chemical properties of atmospherically relevant ice nuclei (IN), the sub-population of aerosol particles which enable heterogeneous nucleation, are not well known. Extraction of ice residuals (IR) in mixed-phase clouds is a difficult task, requiring separation of the few small, freshly formed ice crystals (the IR within such crystals can be deemed representative of the original IN) not only from interstitial particles, but also from the numerous supercooled droplets which have aerodynamic diameters similar to those of the ice crystals. In order to address the difficulties with ice crystal sampling and IR extraction in mixed-phase clouds, the new Ice Selective Inlet (ISI) has been designed and deployed at the Jungfraujoch field site. Small ice crystals are selectively sampled via the inlet with simultaneous counting, sizing and imaging of hydrometeors contained in the cloud by a set of optical particle spectrometers, namely Welas optical particle counters (OPC) and a Particle Phase Discriminator (PPD). The heart of the ISI is a droplet evaporation unit with ice-covered inner walls, resulting in removal of droplets using the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process, while transmitting a relatively high fraction of small ice crystals. The ISI was deployed in the winters of 2013 and 2014 at the high alpine Jungfraujoch site (3580 m.a.s.l) during the intensive CLACE field campaigns. The measurements focused on analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of IR and the microphysical properties of mixed-phase clouds. A host of aerosol instrumentation was deployed downstream of the ISI, including a Grimm OPC and a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) for number size distribution measurements, as well as a single particle mass spectrometer (ALABAMA; 2013 only), single particle soot photometers (SP2) and a Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS-4) for analysis of the chemical composition, with particular focus on the content of black carbon (BC) and biological particles in IR. Corresponding instrumentation sampled through a total aerosol inlet. By comparing observations from the ISI with those from the total inlet the characteristics of ice residuals relative to the total aerosol could be established. First results from these analyses will be presented.

Timecourse of mirror and counter-mirror effects measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation

PubMed Central

Cavallo, Andrea; Heyes, Cecilia; Becchio, Cristina; Bird, Geoffrey

2014-01-01

The human mirror system has been the subject of much research over the past two decades, but little is known about the timecourse of mirror responses. In addition, it is unclear whether mirror and counter-mirror effects follow the same timecourse. We used single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate the timecourse of mirror and counter-mirror responses in the human brain. Experiment 1 demonstrated that mirror responses can be measured from around 200 ms after observed action onset. Experiment 2 demonstrated significant effects of counter-mirror sensorimotor training at all timepoints at which a mirror response was found in Experiment 1 (i.e. from 200 ms onward), indicating that mirror and counter-mirror responses follow the same timecourse. By suggesting similarly direct routes for mirror and counter-mirror responses, these results support the associative account of mirror neuron origins whereby mirror responses arise as a result of correlated sensorimotor experience during development. More generally, they contribute to theorizing regarding mirror neuron function by providing some constraints on how quickly mirror responses can influence social cognition. PMID:23709352

Use of a Chamber to Comprehensively Characterise Emissions and Subsequent Processes from a Light-Duty Diesel Engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allan, J. D.; Alfarra, M. R. R.; Whitehead, J.; McFiggans, G.; Kong, S.; Harrison, R. M.; Alam, M. S.; Hamilton, J. F.; Pereira, K. L.; Holmes, R. E.

2014-12-01

Around 1 in 3 light duty vehicles in the UK use diesel engines, meaning that on-road emissions of particulates, NOx and VOCs and subsequent chemical processes are substantially different to countries where gasoline engines dominate. As part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Com-Part project, emissions from a diesel engine dynamometer rig representative of the EURO 4 standard were studied. The exhaust was passed to the Manchester aerosol chamber, which consists of an 18 m3 teflon bag and by injecting a sample of exhaust fumes into filtered and chemically scrubbed air, a controllable dilution can be performed and the sample held in situ for analysis by a suite of instruments. The system also allows the injection of other chemicals (e.g. ozone, additional VOCs) and the initiation of photochemistry using a bank of halogen bulbs and a filtered Xe arc lamp to simulate solar light. Because a large volume of dilute emissions can be held for a period of hours, this permits a wide range of instrumentation to be used and relatively slow processes studied. Furthermore, because the bag is collapsible, the entire particulate contents can be collected on a filter for offline analysis. Aerosol microphysical properties are studied using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Centrifugal Particle Mass Analyser (CPMA); aerosol composition using a Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS), Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2), Sunset Laboratories OC EC analyser and offline gas- and high performance liquid chromatography (employing advanced mass spectrometry such as ion trap and fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance); VOCs using comprehensive 2D gas chromatography; aerosol optical properties using a Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift Single Scattering Albedo monitor (CAPS-PMSSA), 3 wavelength Photoacoustic Soot Spectrometer (PASS-3) and Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP); particle hygroscopcity using a Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyser (HTDMA) and monodisperse Cloud Condensation Nuclei counter (CCN); and measurements of ozone, NOx and CO2. Here we present the first results, where we explored the trends as a function of engine speed, load, exhaust treatment (an oxidizing catalytic converter), dilution factor and exposure to light.

Numerical simulation of turbulent flow affected by vortex generators in straight channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souckova, Natalie; Simurda, David; Uruba, Vaclav

2012-04-01

The presented work is the next step after several experimental examinations of the vortex generator (VG) influence on flow separation occurring on a model of the NACA 63A421 airfoil with a deflected simple flap. The other purpose of this simulation is to obtain beneficial information that can be utilized for the preparation of the experimental investigation of the same configuration using Particle image Velocimetry method (PIV) in the future. The numerical simulation was performed for one single pair and two pairs of low-profile VGs of the same size, whose heights were smaller than the boundary layer thickness. The rectangular vane type VGs in such configuration, which generates counter-rotating vortices, was examined. The behaviour of vortices produced by VG pair or pairs in several positions downstream the VGs is investigated and will be used as a background of the measurement.

VLF wave injections from the ground

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helliwell, R. A.

1983-01-01

Experiments on wave-particle interactions using VLF whistler-mode waves injected into the magnetosphere from Antartica are described. The injected signals are single-frequency coherent waves whose amplitudes and frequencies may be changed slowly with time, or else two or more coherent wave trains transmitted simultaneously to determine the nature of the response to multifrequency excitation. The waves may be amplified 30 dB or more and may trigger intense emissions having bandwidths that vary from a few to several hundred Hertz. In most cases significant growth and triggering occur only when the driving signal is essentially monochromatic (bandwidth 10 Hz). If two frequencies are transmitted simultaneously the signal at the lower frequency tends to be suppressed by 20 dB or more. These results are interpreted in terms of a feedback interaction between the waves and counter-streaming cyclotron resonant electrons in a region several hundred wavelengths long, centered on the magnetic equator.

Characterization of indoor sources of fine and ultrafine particles: a study conducted in a full-scale chamber.

PubMed

Afshari, A; Matson, U; Ekberg, L E

2005-04-01

Humans and their activities are known to generate considerable amounts of particulate matter indoors. Some of the activities are cooking, smoking and cleaning. In this study 13 different particle sources were for the first time examined in a 32 m3 full-scale chamber with an air change rate of 1.7 +/- 0.1/h. Two different instruments, a condensation particle counter (CPC) and an optical particle counter (OPC) were used to quantitatively determine ultrafine and fine particle emissions, respectively. The CPC measures particles from 0.02 microm to larger than 1.0 microm. The OPC was adjusted to measure particle concentrations in eight fractions between 0.3 and 1.0 microm. The sources were cigarette side-stream smoke, pure wax candles, scented candles, a vacuum cleaner, an air-freshener spray, a flat iron (with and without steam) on a cotton sheet, electric radiators, an electric stove, a gas stove, and frying meat. The cigarette burning, frying meat, air freshener spray and gas stove showed a particle size distribution that changed over time towards larger particles. In most of the experiments the maximum concentration was reached within a few minutes. Typically, the increase of the particle concentration immediately after activation of the source was more rapid than the decay of the concentration observed after deactivation of the source. The highest observed concentration of ultrafine particles was approximately 241,000 particles/cm3 and originated from the combustion of pure wax candles. The weakest generation of ultrafine particles (1.17 x 10(7) particles per second) was observed when ironing without steam on a cotton sheet, which resulted in a concentration of 550 particles/cm3 in the chamber air. The highest generation rate (1.47 x 10(10) particles per second) was observed in the radiator test. Humans and their activities are known to generate substantial amounts of particulate matter indoors and potentially they can have a strong influence on short-term exposure. In this study a quantitative determination of the emissions of fine and ultrafine particles from different indoor sources was performed. The aim is a better understanding of the origin and fate of indoor particles. The results may be useful for Indoor Air Quality models.

Undergraduate Single Mothers' Experiences in Postsecondary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beeler, Sydney

2016-01-01

Using Astin's (1993) College Impact Model, this chapter explores the current literature as it relates to single mothers in undergraduate postsecondary education. The chapter looks at the ways that undergraduates who are single mothers are counter to the "ideal-student" norms. Policy and best-practice recommendations conclude the chapter.

POCKET $beta$ AND $gamma$ RADIOMETER (in Russian)

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

Markelov, V.V.; Lushikhin, A.M.; Nikoforov, V.I.

A pocket BETA and gamma rate meter was designed by the Academy of Medical Sciences of U.S.S.R. for detecting gamma radiation of 0.25 to 2 Mev and for BETA particles of 0 to 50 and 0 to 500 particles/cm/sup 2/sec, with energies of 0.5 to 2 Mev. Measurements of BETA particles are made through the hack wall opening in the appuratus. The opening is closed durtng the recording of gamma radiation, which permits differentiation between the BETA and gamma radiation. The accuracy of the counter is within plus or minus 15%. (R.V.J.)

Correction coil cable

DOEpatents

Wang, S.T.

1994-11-01

A wire cable assembly adapted for the winding of electrical coils is taught. A primary intended use is for use in particle tube assemblies for the Superconducting Super Collider. The correction coil cables have wires collected in wire array with a center rib sandwiched therebetween to form a core assembly. The core assembly is surrounded by an assembly housing having an inner spiral wrap and a counter wound outer spiral wrap. An alternate embodiment of the invention is rolled into a keystoned shape to improve radial alignment of the correction coil cable on a particle tube in a particle tube assembly. 7 figs.

Quantitative basis for component factors of gas flow proportional counting efficiencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nichols, Michael C.

This dissertation investigates the counting efficiency calibration of a gas flow proportional counter with beta-particle emitters in order to (1) determine by measurements and simulation the values of the component factors of beta-particle counting efficiency for a proportional counter, (2) compare the simulation results and measured counting efficiencies, and (3) determine the uncertainty of the simulation and measurements. Monte Carlo simulation results by the MCNP5 code were compared with measured counting efficiencies as a function of sample thickness for 14C, 89Sr, 90Sr, and 90Y. The Monte Carlo model simulated strontium carbonate with areal thicknesses from 0.1 to 35 mg cm-2. The samples were precipitated as strontium carbonate with areal thicknesses from 3 to 33 mg cm-2 , mounted on membrane filters, and counted on a low background gas flow proportional counter. The estimated fractional standard deviation was 2--4% (except 6% for 14C) for efficiency measurements of the radionuclides. The Monte Carlo simulations have uncertainties estimated to be 5 to 6 percent for carbon-14 and 2.4 percent for strontium-89, strontium-90, and yttrium-90. The curves of simulated counting efficiency vs. sample areal thickness agreed within 3% of the curves of best fit drawn through the 25--49 measured points for each of the four radionuclides. Contributions from this research include development of uncertainty budgets for the analytical processes; evaluation of alternative methods for determining chemical yield critical to the measurement process; correcting a bias found in the MCNP normalization of beta spectra histogram; clarifying the interpretation of the commonly used ICRU beta-particle spectra for use by MCNP; and evaluation of instrument parameters as applied to the simulation model to obtain estimates of the counting efficiency from simulated pulse height tallies.

Condensation-nuclei (Aitken Particle) measurement system used in NASA global atmospheric sampling program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nyland, T. W.

1979-01-01

The condensation-nuclei (Aitken particle) measuring system used in the NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program is described. Included in the paper is a description of the condensation-nuclei monitor sensor, the pressurization system, and the Pollack-counter calibration system used to support the CN measurement. The monitor has a measurement range to 1000 CN/cm cubed and a noise level equivalent to 5 CN/cm cubed at flight altitudes between 6 and 13 km.

HILT - A heavy ion large area proportional counter telescope for solar and anomalous cosmic rays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klecker, Berndt; Hovestadt, Dietrich; Scholer, M.; Arbinger, H.; Ertl, M.; Kaestle, H.; Kuenneth, E.; Laeverenz, P.; Seidenschwang, E.; Blake, J. B.

1993-01-01

The HILT sensor has been designed to measure heavy ion elemental abundances, energy spectra, and direction of incidence in the mass range from He to Fe and in the energy range 4 to 250 MeV/nucleon. With its large geometric factor of 60 sq cm sr the sensor is optimized to provide compositional and spectral measurements for low intensity cosmic rays (i.e. for small solar energetic particle events and for the anomalous component of cosmic rays). The instrument combines a large area ion drift chamber-proportional counter system with two arrays of 16 Li-drift solid state detectors and 16 CsI crystals. The multi dE/dx-E technique provides a low background mass and energy determination. The sensor also measures particle direction. Combining these measurements with the information on the spacecraft position and attitude in the low-altitude polar orbit, it will be possible to infer the ionic charge of the ions from the local cutoff of the Earth's magnetic field. The ionic charge in this energy range is of particular interest because it provides unique clues to the origin of these particles and has not been investigated systematically so far. Together with the other instruments on board SAMPEX (LEICA, MAST, and PET), a comprehensive measurement of the entire solar and anomalous particle population will be achieved.

NanoString nCounter® Approach in Breast Cancer: A Comparative Analysis with Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, In Situ Hybridization, and Immunohistochemistry.

PubMed

Hyeon, Jiyeon; Cho, Soo Youn; Hong, Min Eui; Kang, So Young; Do, Ingu; Im, Young Hyuck; Cho, Eun Yoon

2017-09-01

Accurate testing for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is essential for breast cancer treatment. At present, immunohistochemistry (IHC)/florescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are widely accepted as the standard testing methods. To investigate the value of NanoString nCounter®, we performed its comparative analysis with IHC/FISH and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for the assessment of ER, PR, and HER2. Data on IHC/FISH results for ER, PR, and HER2 in 240 patients from a single tertiary hospital in Korea were collected and compared with NanoString nCounter® and qRT-PCR results at a single institution. Expression levels for each gene using NanoString nCounter® showed good correlation with the corresponding data for protein expression by IHC ( p <0.001) and gene amplification status for HER2 ( p <0.001). Comparisons between gene expression and IHC data showed good overall agreement with a high area under the curve (AUC) for ESR1 /ER (AUC=0.939), PgR /PR (AUC=0.796), and HER2 /HER2 (AUC=0.989) ( p <0.001). The quantification of ER , PgR , and HER2 mRNA expression with NanoString nCounter® may be a viable alternative to conventional IHC/FISH methods.

Focal-surface detector for heavy ions

DOEpatents

Erskine, John R.; Braid, Thomas H.; Stoltzfus, Joseph C.

1979-01-01

A detector of the properties of individual charged particles in a beam includes a gridded ionization chamber, a cathode, a plurality of resistive-wire proportional counters, a plurality of anode sections, and means for controlling the composition and pressure of gas in the chamber. Signals generated in response to the passage of charged particles can be processed to identify the energy of the particles, their loss of energy per unit distance in an absorber, and their angle of incidence. In conjunction with a magnetic spectrograph, the signals can be used to identify particles and their state of charge. The detector is especially useful for analyzing beams of heavy ions, defined as ions of atomic mass greater than 10 atomic mass units.

PLASMA EMISSION BY COUNTER-STREAMING ELECTRON BEAMS

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

Ziebell, L. F.; Petruzzellis, L. T.; Gaelzer, R.

2016-02-10

The radiation emission mechanism responsible for both type-II and type-III solar radio bursts is commonly accepted as plasma emission. Recently Ganse et al. suggested that type-II radio bursts may be enhanced when the electron foreshock geometry of a coronal mass ejection contains a double hump structure. They reasoned that the counter-streaming electron beams that exist between the double shocks may enhance the nonlinear coalescence interaction, thereby giving rise to more efficient generation of radiation. Ganse et al. employed a particle-in-cell simulation to study such a scenario. The present paper revisits the same problem with EM weak turbulence theory, and showmore » that the fundamental (F) emission is not greatly affected by the presence of counter-streaming beams, but the harmonic (H) emission becomes somewhat more effective when the two beams are present. The present finding is thus complementary to the work by Ganse et al.« less

Formation and interaction of multiple coherent phase space structures in plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakad, Amar; Kakad, Bharati; Omura, Yoshiharu

2017-06-01

The head-on collision of multiple counter-propagating coherent phase space structures associated with the ion acoustic solitary waves (IASWs) in plasmas composed of hot electrons and cold ions is studied here by using one-dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulation. The chains of counter-propagating IASWs are generated in the plasma by injecting the Gaussian perturbations in the equilibrium electron and ion densities. The head-on collisions of the counter-propagating electron and ion phase space structures associated with IASWs are allowed by considering the periodic boundary condition in the simulation. Our simulation shows that the phase space structures are less significantly affected by their collision with each other. They emerge out from each other by retaining their characteristics, so that they follow soliton type behavior. We also find that the electrons trapped within these IASW potentials are accelerated, while the ions are decelerated during the course of their collisions.

Screening materials with the XIA UltraLo alpha particle counter at Southern Methodist University

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

Nakib, M. Z.; Cooley, J.; Kara, B.

2013-08-08

Southern Methodist University houses one of five existing commercially available UltraLo 1800 production model alpha counters made by XIA LLC. The instrument has an electron drift chamber with a 707 cm{sup 2} or 1800 cm{sup 2} counting region which is determined by selecting the inner electrode size. The SMU team operating this device is part of the SuperCDMS screening working group, and uses the alpha counter to study the background rates from the decay of radon in materials used to construct the SuperCDMS experiment. We have studied four acrylic samples obtained from the MiniCLEAN direct dark matter search with themore » XIA instrument demonstrating its utility in low background experiments by investigating the plate-out of {sup 210}Pb and comparing the effectiveness of cleaning procedures in removing {sup 222}Rn progenies from the samples.« less

The PANDA DIRC detectors at FAIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, C.; Ali, A.; Belias, A.; Dzhygadlo, R.; Gerhardt, A.; Götzen, K.; Kalicy, G.; Krebs, M.; Lehmann, D.; Nerling, F.; Patsyuk, M.; Peters, K.; Schepers, G.; Schmitt, L.; Schwiening, J.; Traxler, M.; Zühlsdorf, M.; Böhm, M.; Britting, A.; Eyrich, W.; Lehmann, A.; Pfaffinger, M.; Uhlig, F.; Düren, M.; Etzelmüller, E.; Föhl, K.; Hayrapetyan, A.; Kreutzfeld, K.; Kröck, B.; Merle, O.; Rieke, J.; Schmidt, M.; Wasem, T.; Achenbach, P.; Cardinali, M.; Hoek, M.; Lauth, W.; Schlimme, S.; Sfienti, C.; Thiel, M.; Allison, L.; Hyde, C.

2017-07-01

The PANDA detector at the international accelerator Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Europe (FAIR) addresses fundamental questions of hadron physics. An excellent hadronic particle identification (PID) will be accomplished by two DIRC (Detection of Internally Reflected Cherenkov light) counters in the target spectrometer. The design for the barrel region covering polar angles between 22o to 140o is based on the successful BABAR DIRC with several key improvements, such as fast photon timing and a compact imaging region. The novel Endcap Disc DIRC will cover the smaller forward angles between 5o (10o) to 22o in the vertical (horizontal) direction. Both DIRC counters will use lifetime-enhanced microchannel plate PMTs for photon detection in combination with fast readout electronics. Geant4 simulations and tests with several prototypes at various beam facilities have been used to evaluate the designs and validate the expected PID performance of both PANDA DIRC counters.

Lineal energy calibration of mini tissue-equivalent gas-proportional counters (TEPC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conte, V.; Moro, D.; Grosswendt, B.; Colautti, P.

2013-07-01

Mini TEPCs are cylindrical gas proportional counters of 1 mm or less of sensitive volume diameter. The lineal energy calibration of these tiny counters can be performed with an external gamma-ray source. However, to do that, first a method to get a simple and precise spectral mark has to be found and then the keV/μm value of this mark. A precise method (less than 1% of uncertainty) to identify this markis described here, and the lineal energy value of this mark has been measured for different simulated site sizes by using a 137Cs gamma source and a cylindrical TEPC equipped with a precision internal 244Cm alpha-particle source, and filled with propane-based tissue-equivalent gas mixture. Mini TEPCs can be calibrated in terms of lineal energy, by exposing them to 137Cesium sources, with an overall uncertainty of about 5%.

Proportional Counter Calibration and Analysis for 12C + p Resonance Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Austin; Rogachev, Grigory; Uberseder, Ethan; Hooker, Josh; Koshchiy, Yevgen

2014-09-01

Light exotic nuclei provide a unique opportunity to test the predictions of modern ab initio theoretical calculations near the drip line. In ab initio approaches, nuclear structure is described starting from bare nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions. Calculations are very heavy and can only be performed for the lightest nuclei (A < 16). Experimental information on the structure of light exotic nuclei is crucial to determine the validity of these calculations and to fix the parameters for the three-nucleon forces. Resonance scattering with rare isotope beams is a very effective tool to study spectroscopy of nuclei near the drip line. A new setup was developed at the Cyclotron Institute for effective resonance scattering measurements. The setup includes ionization chamber, silicon array, and an array of proportional counters. The proportional counter array, consisting of 8 anode wires arranged in a parallel cellular grid, is used for particle identification and to track the positioning of light recoils. The main objective of this project was to test the performance and perform position calibration of this proportional counter array. The test was done using 12C beam. The excitation function for 12C + p elastic scattering was measured and calibration of the proportional counter was performed using known resonances in 13N. The method of calibration, including solid angle calculations, normalization corrections, and position calibration will be presented. Light exotic nuclei provide a unique opportunity to test the predictions of modern ab initio theoretical calculations near the drip line. In ab initio approaches, nuclear structure is described starting from bare nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon interactions. Calculations are very heavy and can only be performed for the lightest nuclei (A < 16). Experimental information on the structure of light exotic nuclei is crucial to determine the validity of these calculations and to fix the parameters for the three-nucleon forces. Resonance scattering with rare isotope beams is a very effective tool to study spectroscopy of nuclei near the drip line. A new setup was developed at the Cyclotron Institute for effective resonance scattering measurements. The setup includes ionization chamber, silicon array, and an array of proportional counters. The proportional counter array, consisting of 8 anode wires arranged in a parallel cellular grid, is used for particle identification and to track the positioning of light recoils. The main objective of this project was to test the performance and perform position calibration of this proportional counter array. The test was done using 12C beam. The excitation function for 12C + p elastic scattering was measured and calibration of the proportional counter was performed using known resonances in 13N. The method of calibration, including solid angle calculations, normalization corrections, and position calibration will be presented. Funded by DOE and NSF-REU Program; Grant No. PHY-1263281.

Observations of Interference between Portable Particle Counters and NOx Monitors

EPA Science Inventory

Studies in environmental exposure science have developed a preference for smaller devices that can be easily co-located without need for gas standards, such as those instruments utilized in the Near-road Exposures and Effects from Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS). One operatio...

Calibration methodology for proportional counters applied to yield measurements of a neutron burst.

PubMed

Tarifeño-Saldivia, Ariel; Mayer, Roberto E; Pavez, Cristian; Soto, Leopoldo

2014-01-01

This paper introduces a methodology for the yield measurement of a neutron burst using neutron proportional counters. This methodology is to be applied when single neutron events cannot be resolved in time by nuclear standard electronics, or when a continuous current cannot be measured at the output of the counter. The methodology is based on the calibration of the counter in pulse mode, and the use of a statistical model to estimate the number of detected events from the accumulated charge resulting from the detection of the burst of neutrons. The model is developed and presented in full detail. For the measurement of fast neutron yields generated from plasma focus experiments using a moderated proportional counter, the implementation of the methodology is herein discussed. An experimental verification of the accuracy of the methodology is presented. An improvement of more than one order of magnitude in the accuracy of the detection system is obtained by using this methodology with respect to previous calibration methods.

Non-genetic individuality in Escherichia coli motor switching

PubMed Central

Mora, Thierry; Bai, Fan; Che, Yong-Suk; Minamino, Tohru; Namba, Keiichi; Wingreen, Ned S.

2011-01-01

By analyzing 30-minute, high-resolution recordings of single E. coli flagellar motors in the physiological regime, we show that two main properties of motor switching —the mean clockwise and mean counter-clockwise interval durations— vary significantly. When we represent these quantities on a two-dimensional plot for several cells, the data does not fall on a one-dimensional curve, as expected with a single control parameter, but instead spreads in two dimensions, pointing to motor individuality. The largest variations are in the mean counter-clockwise interval, and are attributable to variations in the concentration of the internal signaling molecule CheY-P. In contrast, variations in the mean clockwise interval are interpreted in terms of motor individuality. We argue that the sensitivity of the mean counter-clockwise interval to fluctuations in CheY-P is consistent with an optimal strategy of run and tumble. The concomittent variability in mean run length may allow populations of cells to better survive in rapidly changing environments by “hedging their bets”. PMID:21422514

ECCM Scheme against Interrupted Sampling Repeater Jammer Based on Parameter-Adjusted Waveform Design

PubMed Central

Wei, Zhenhua; Peng, Bo; Shen, Rui

2018-01-01

Interrupted sampling repeater jamming (ISRJ) is an effective way of deceiving coherent radar sensors, especially for linear frequency modulated (LFM) radar. In this paper, for a simplified scenario with a single jammer, we propose a dynamic electronic counter-counter measure (ECCM) scheme based on jammer parameter estimation and transmitted signal design. Firstly, the LFM waveform is transmitted to estimate the main jamming parameters by investigating the discontinuousness of the ISRJ’s time-frequency (TF) characteristics. Then, a parameter-adjusted intra-pulse frequency coded signal, whose ISRJ signal after matched filtering only forms a single false target, is designed adaptively according to the estimated parameters, i.e., sampling interval, sampling duration and repeater times. Ultimately, for typical jamming scenes with different jamming signal ratio (JSR) and duty cycle, we propose two particular ISRJ suppression approaches. Simulation results validate the effective performance of the proposed scheme for countering the ISRJ, and the trade-off relationship between the two approaches is demonstrated. PMID:29642508

Water-based condensation particle counters comparison near a major freeway with significant heavy-duty diesel traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Eon S.; Polidori, Andrea; Koch, Michael; Fine, Philip M.; Mehadi, Ahmed; Hammond, Donald; Wright, Jeffery N.; Miguel, Antonio. H.; Ayala, Alberto; Zhu, Yifang

2013-04-01

This study compares the instrumental performance of three TSI water-based condensation particle counter (WCPC) models measuring particle number concentrations in close proximity (15 m) to a major freeway that has a significant level of heavy-duty diesel traffic. The study focuses on examining instrument biases and performance differences by different WCPC models under realistic field operational conditions. Three TSI models (3781, 3783, and 3785) were operated for one month in triplicate (nine units in total) in parallel with two sets of Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) spectrometers for the concurrent measurement of particle size distributions. Inter-model bias under different wind directions were first evaluated using 1-min raw data. Although all three WCPC models agreed well in upwind conditions (lower particle number concentrations, in the range of 103-104 particles cm-3), the three models' responses were significantly different under downwind conditions (higher particle number concentrations, above 104 particles cm-3). In an effort to increase inter-model linear correlations, we evaluated the results of using longer averaging time intervals. An averaging time of at least 15 min was found to achieve R2 values of 0.96 or higher when comparing all three models. Similar results were observed for intra-model comparisons for each of the three models. This strong linear relationship helped identify instrument bias related to particle number concentrations and particle size distributions. The TSI 3783 produced the highest particle counts, followed by TSI 3785, which reported 11% lower during downwind conditions than TSI 3783. TSI 3781 recorded particle number concentrations that were 24% lower than those observed by TSI 3783 during downwind condition. We found that TSI 3781 underestimated particles with a count median diameter less than 45 nm. Although the particle size dependency of instrument performance was found the most significant in TSI 3781, both models 3783 and 3785 showed somewhat size dependency. In addition, within each tested WCPC model, one unit was found to count significantly different and be more sensitive to particle size than the other two. Finally, exponential regression analysis was used to numerically quantify instrumental inter-model bias. Correction equations are proposed to adjust the TSI 3781 and 3785 data to the most recent model TSI 3783.

Use of the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) as a pre-filter for ice nucleation measurements: effect of particle mixing state and determination of SP2 conditions to fully vaporize refractory black carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schill, Gregory P.; DeMott, Paul J.; Levin, Ezra J. T.; Kreidenweis, Sonia M.

2018-05-01

Ice nucleation is a fundamental atmospheric process that impacts precipitation, cloud lifetimes, and climate. Challenges remain to identify and quantify the compositions and sources of ice-nucleating particles (INPs). Assessment of the role of black carbon (BC) as an INP is particularly important due to its anthropogenic sources and abundance at upper-tropospheric cloud levels. The role of BC as an INP, however, is unclear. This is, in part, driven by a lack of techniques that directly determine the contribution of refractory BC (rBC) to INP concentrations. One previously developed technique to measure this contribution uses the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) as a pre-filter to an online ice-nucleating particle counter. In this technique, rBC particles are selectively heated to their vaporization temperature in the SP2 cavity by a 1064 nm laser. From previous work, however, it is unclear under what SP2 conditions, if any, the original rBC particles were fully vaporized. Furthermore, previous work also left questions about the effect of the SP2 laser on the ice-nucleating properties of several INP proxies and their mixtures with rBC.To answer these questions, we sampled the exhaust of an SP2 with a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer and a Continuous Flow Diffusion Chamber. Using Aquadag® as an rBC proxy, the effect of several SP2 instrument parameters on the size distribution and physical properties of particles in rBC SP2 exhaust were explored. We found that a high SP2 laser power (930 nW/(220 nm PSL)) is required to fully vaporize a ˜ 0.76 fg rBC particle. We also found that the exhaust particle size distribution is minimally affected by the SP2 sheath-to-sample ratio; the size of the original rBC particle, however, greatly influences the size distribution of the SP2 exhaust. The effect of the SP2 laser on the ice nucleation efficiency of Snomax®, NX-illite, and Suwannee River Fulvic Acid was studied; these particles acted as proxies for biological, illite-rich mineral dust, and brown carbon INPs, respectively. The original size distribution and ice nucleation efficiency of all non-rBC proxies were unaffected by the SP2 laser. Furthermore, the ice nucleation efficiencies of all proxies were not affected when externally mixed with rBC. These proxies, however, always show a reduction in ice-nucleating ability when internally mixed with rBC. We end this work with recommendations for users who wish to use the SP2 as a pre-filter to remove large rBC particles from an aerosol stream.

Preliminary investigation of a water-based method for fast integrating mobility spectrometry

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

Spielman, Steven R.; Hering, Susanne V.; Kuang, Chongai

A water-based condensational growth channel was developed for imaging mobility-separated particles within a parallel plate separation channel of the Fast Integrated Mobility Spectrometer (FIMS). Reported are initial tests of that system, in which the alcohol condenser of the FIMS was replaced by a water-based condensational growth channel. Tests with monodispersed sodium chloride aerosol verify that the water-condensational growth maintained the laminar flow, while providing sufficient growth for particle imaging. Particle positions mapped onto particle mobility, in accordance with theoretical expectations. Particles ranging in size from 12 nm to 100 nm were counted with the same efficiency as with a butanol-based ultrafine particlemore » counter, once inlet and line losses were taken into account.« less

Preliminary investigation of a water-based method for fast integrating mobility spectrometry

DOE PAGES

Spielman, Steven R.; Hering, Susanne V.; Kuang, Chongai; ...

2017-06-06

A water-based condensational growth channel was developed for imaging mobility-separated particles within a parallel plate separation channel of the Fast Integrated Mobility Spectrometer (FIMS). Reported are initial tests of that system, in which the alcohol condenser of the FIMS was replaced by a water-based condensational growth channel. Tests with monodispersed sodium chloride aerosol verify that the water-condensational growth maintained the laminar flow, while providing sufficient growth for particle imaging. Particle positions mapped onto particle mobility, in accordance with theoretical expectations. Particles ranging in size from 12 nm to 100 nm were counted with the same efficiency as with a butanol-based ultrafine particlemore » counter, once inlet and line losses were taken into account.« less

The Remote Detection of Alpha-Radioactive Nucleus Decay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurkovskiy, Boris; Miroshnichenko, Vladimir; Onishchenko, Evgeny; Simakov, Andrey; Streil, Thomas

Results of the new device design for the alpha-radiation remote detection are presented. Negative ions from the alpha particle tracks are detected by the discharge wire counter opened to air. Ion clusters being transferred from the particle tracks to the detector volume by an air flux. The detector works in a counting mode that provides sharp selectivity and accuracy of measurements. The basic parameters of the device are: detecting distance -0.5 m; measurement time -30 s; the square sensitivity -0.05 Bq/cm2.

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

Chianelli, Russell R.; Castillo, Karina; Gupta, Vipin

Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises a photovoltaic device that comprises a first electrically conductive layer comprising a photo-sensitized electrode; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution comprising at least one asphaltene fraction, wherein the metal-oxide particles are optionally dispersed in a surfactant; and a second electrically conductive layer comprising a counter-electrode, wherein the second electrically conductive layer comprises one or more conductive elements comprising carbon, graphite, soot, carbon allotropes or any combinations thereof.

Physical properties of five grain dust types.

PubMed Central

Parnell, C B; Jones, D D; Rutherford, R D; Goforth, K J

1986-01-01

Physical properties of grain dust derived from five grain types (soybean, rice, corn, wheat, and sorghum) were measured and reported. The grain dusts were obtained from dust collection systems of terminal grain handling facilities and were assumed to be representative of grain dust generated during the handling process. The physical properties reported were as follows: particle size distributions and surface area measurements using a Coulter Counter Model TAII; percent dust fractions less than 100 micron of whole dust; bulk density; particle density; and ash content. PMID:3709482

Evaluation of the Alphasense Optical Particle Counter (OPC-N2) and the Grimm Portable Aerosol Spectrometer (PAS-1.108)

PubMed Central

Sousan, Sinan; Koehler, Kirsten; Hallett, Laura; Peters, Thomas M.

2017-01-01

We compared the performance of a low-cost (∼$500), compact optical particle counter (OPC, OPC-N2, Alphasense) to another OPC (PAS-1.108, Grimm Technologies) and reference instruments. We measured the detection efficiency of the OPCs by size from 0.5 to 5 μm for monodispersed, polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres. We then compared number and mass concentrations measured with the OPCs to those measured with reference instruments for three aerosols: salt, welding fume and Arizona road dust. The OPC-N2 detection efficiency for monodispersed was similar to the PAS-1.108 for particles larger than 0.8 μm (minimum of 79% at 1 μm and maximum of 101% at 3 μm). For 0.5-μm particles, the detection efficiency of OPCN2 was underestimated at 78%, whereas PAS-1.108 overestimated concentrations by 183%. The mass concentrations from the OPCs were linear (r ≥ 0.97) with those from the reference instruments for all aerosols, although the slope and intercept were different. The mass concentrations were overestimated for dust (OPC-N2, slope = 1.6; PAS-1.108, slope = 2.7) and underestimated for welding fume (OPC-N2, slope = 0.05; PAS-1.108, slope = 0.4). The coefficient of variation (CV, precision) for OPC-N2 for all experiments was between 4.2% and 16%. These findings suggest that, given site-specific calibrations, the OPC-N2 can provide number and mass concentrations similar to the PAS-1.108 for particles larger than 1 μm. PMID:28871213

Evaluation of the Alphasense Optical Particle Counter (OPC-N2) and the Grimm Portable Aerosol Spectrometer (PAS-1.108).

PubMed

Sousan, Sinan; Koehler, Kirsten; Hallett, Laura; Peters, Thomas M

2016-01-01

We compared the performance of a low-cost (∼$500), compact optical particle counter (OPC, OPC-N2, Alphasense) to another OPC (PAS-1.108, Grimm Technologies) and reference instruments. We measured the detection efficiency of the OPCs by size from 0.5 to 5 μm for monodispersed, polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres. We then compared number and mass concentrations measured with the OPCs to those measured with reference instruments for three aerosols: salt, welding fume and Arizona road dust. The OPC-N2 detection efficiency for monodispersed was similar to the PAS-1.108 for particles larger than 0.8 μm (minimum of 79% at 1 μm and maximum of 101% at 3 μm). For 0.5-μm particles, the detection efficiency of OPCN2 was underestimated at 78%, whereas PAS-1.108 overestimated concentrations by 183%. The mass concentrations from the OPCs were linear (r ≥ 0.97) with those from the reference instruments for all aerosols, although the slope and intercept were different. The mass concentrations were overestimated for dust (OPC-N2, slope = 1.6; PAS-1.108, slope = 2.7) and underestimated for welding fume (OPC-N2, slope = 0.05; PAS-1.108, slope = 0.4). The coefficient of variation (CV, precision) for OPC-N2 for all experiments was between 4.2% and 16%. These findings suggest that, given site-specific calibrations, the OPC-N2 can provide number and mass concentrations similar to the PAS-1.108 for particles larger than 1 μm.

Aqueye+: a new ultrafast single photon counter for optical high time resolution astrophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zampieri, L.; Naletto, G.; Barbieri, C.; Verroi, E.; Barbieri, M.; Ceribella, G.; D'Alessandro, M.; Farisato, G.; Di Paola, A.; Zoccarato, P.

2015-05-01

Aqueye+ is a new ultrafast optical single photon counter, based on single photon avalanche photodiodes (SPAD) and a 4- fold split-pupil concept. It is a completely revisited version of its predecessor, Aqueye, successfully mounted at the 182 cm Copernicus telescope in Asiago. Here we will present the new technological features implemented on Aqueye+, namely a state of the art timing system, a dedicated and optimized optical train, a high sensitivity and high frame rate field camera and remote control, which will give Aqueye plus much superior performances with respect to its predecessor, unparalleled by any other existing fast photometer. The instrument will host also an optical vorticity module to achieve high performance astronomical coronography and a real time acquisition of atmospheric seeing unit. The present paper describes the instrument and its first performances.

Biomass Burning Emissions of Black Carbon from African Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aiken, A. C.; Leone, O.; Nitschke, K. L.; Dubey, M. K.; Carrico, C.; Springston, S. R.; Sedlacek, A. J., III; Watson, T. B.; Kuang, C.; Uin, J.; McMeeking, G. R.; DeMott, P. J.; Kreidenweis, S. M.; Robinson, A. L.; Yokelson, R. J.; Zuidema, P.

2016-12-01

Biomass burning (BB) emissions are a large source of carbon to the atmosphere via particles and gas phase species. Carbonaceous aerosols are emitted along with gas-phase carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) that can be used to determine particulate emission ratios and modified combustion efficiencies. Black carbon (BC) aerosols are potentially underestimated in global models and are considered to be one of the most important global warming factors behind CO2. Half or more BC in the atmosphere is from BB, estimated at 6-9 Tg/yr (IPCC, 5AR) and contributing up to 0.6 W/m2 atmospheric warming (Bond et al., 2013). With a potential rise in drought and extreme events in the future due to climate change, these numbers are expected to increase. For this reason, we focus on BC and organic carbon aerosol species that are emitted from forest fires and compare their emission ratios, physical and optical properties to those from controlled laboratory studies of single-source BB fuels to understand BB carbonaceous aerosols in the atmosphere. We investigate BC in concentrated BB plumes as sampled from the new U.S. DOE ARM Program campaign, Layered Atlantic Smoke Interactions with Clouds (LASIC). The ARM Aerosol Mobile Facility 1 (AMF1) and Mobile Aerosol Observing System (MAOS) are currently located on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, located midway between Angola and Brazil. The location was chosen for sampling maximum aerosol outflow from Africa. The far-field aged BC from LASIC is compared to BC from indoor generation from single-source fuels, e.g. African grass, sampled during Fire Lab At Missoula Experiments IV (FLAME-IV). BC is measured with a single-particle soot photometer (SP2) alongside numerous supporting instrumentation, e.g. particle counters, CO and CO2 detectors, aerosol scattering and absorption measurements, etc. FLAME-IV includes both direct emissions and well-mixed aerosol samples that have undergone dilution, cooling, and condensation. BC physical and optical properties change as particles are transported in the atmosphere due to oxidation, coagulation, and condensation which is observed in the laboratory BC data. Laboratory BC emissions and emission ratios are compared with those from LASIC to improve model treatment of BB BC emissions and aging in global climate models.

Timecourse of mirror and counter-mirror effects measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation.

PubMed

Cavallo, Andrea; Heyes, Cecilia; Becchio, Cristina; Bird, Geoffrey; Catmur, Caroline

2014-08-01

The human mirror system has been the subject of much research over the past two decades, but little is known about the timecourse of mirror responses. In addition, it is unclear whether mirror and counter-mirror effects follow the same timecourse. We used single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate the timecourse of mirror and counter-mirror responses in the human brain. Experiment 1 demonstrated that mirror responses can be measured from around 200 ms after observed action onset. Experiment 2 demonstrated significant effects of counter-mirror sensorimotor training at all timepoints at which a mirror response was found in Experiment 1 (i.e. from 200 ms onward), indicating that mirror and counter-mirror responses follow the same timecourse. By suggesting similarly direct routes for mirror and counter-mirror responses, these results support the associative account of mirror neuron origins whereby mirror responses arise as a result of correlated sensorimotor experience during development. More generally, they contribute to theorizing regarding mirror neuron function by providing some constraints on how quickly mirror responses can influence social cognition. © The Author (2013). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Ion mobility analysis of lipoproteins

DOEpatents

Benner, W Henry [Danville, CA; Krauss, Ronald M [Berkeley, CA; Blanche, Patricia J [Berkeley, CA

2007-08-21

A medical diagnostic method and instrumentation system for analyzing noncovalently bonded agglomerated biological particles is described. The method and system comprises: a method of preparation for the biological particles; an electrospray generator; an alpha particle radiation source; a differential mobility analyzer; a particle counter; and data acquisition and analysis means. The medical device is useful for the assessment of human diseases, such as cardiac disease risk and hyperlipidemia, by rapid quantitative analysis of lipoprotein fraction densities. Initially, purification procedures are described to reduce an initial blood sample to an analytical input to the instrument. The measured sizes from the analytical sample are correlated with densities, resulting in a spectrum of lipoprotein densities. The lipoprotein density distribution can then be used to characterize cardiac and other lipid-related health risks.

Aerosol preparation of intact lipoproteins

DOEpatents

Benner, W Henry [Danville, CA; Krauss, Ronald M [Berkeley, CA; Blanche, Patricia J [Berkeley, CA

2012-01-17

A medical diagnostic method and instrumentation system for analyzing noncovalently bonded agglomerated biological particles is described. The method and system comprises: a method of preparation for the biological particles; an electrospray generator; an alpha particle radiation source; a differential mobility analyzer; a particle counter; and data acquisition and analysis means. The medical device is useful for the assessment of human diseases, such as cardiac disease risk and hyperlipidemia, by rapid quantitative analysis of lipoprotein fraction densities. Initially, purification procedures are described to reduce an initial blood sample to an analytical input to the instrument. The measured sizes from the analytical sample are correlated with densities, resulting in a spectrum of lipoprotein densities. The lipoprotein density distribution can then be used to characterize cardiac and other lipid-related health risks.

Characterization and mapping of very fine particles in an engine machining and assembly facility.

PubMed

Heitbrink, William A; Evans, Douglas E; Peters, Thomas M; Slavin, Thomas J

2007-05-01

Very fine particle number and mass concentrations were mapped in an engine machining and assembly facility in the winter and summer. A condensation particle counter (CPC) was used to measure particle number concentrations in the 0.01 microm to 1 microm range, and an optical particle counter (OPC) was used to measure particle number concentrations in 15 channels between 0.3 microm and 20 microm. The OPC measurements were used to estimate the respirable mass concentration. Very fine particle number concentrations were estimated by subtracting the OPC particle number concentrations from 0.3 microm to 1 microm from the CPC number concentrations. At specific locations during the summer visit, an electrical low pressure impactor was used to measure particle size distribution from 0.07 microm to 10 microm in 12 channels. The geometric mean ratio of respirable mass concentration estimated from the OPC to the gravimetrically measured mass concentration was 0.66 with a geometric standard deviation of 1.5. Very fine particle number concentrations in winter were substantially greater where direct-fire natural gas heaters were operated (7.5 x 10(5) particles/cm(3)) than where steam was used for heat (3 x 10(5) particles/cm(3)). During summer when heaters were off, the very fine particle number concentrations were below 10(5) particles/cm(3), regardless of location. Elevated very fine particle number concentrations were associated with machining operations with poor enclosures. Whereas respirable mass concentrations did not vary noticeably with season, they were greater in areas with poorly fitting enclosures (0.12 mg/m(3)) than in areas where state-of-the-art enclosures were used (0.03 mg/m(3)). These differences were attributed to metalworking fluid mist that escaped from poorly fitting enclosures. Particles generated from direct-fire natural gas heater operation were very small, with a number size distribution modal diameter of less than 0.023 microm. Aerosols generated by machining operations had number size distributions modes in the 0.023 microm to 0.1 microm range. However, multiple modes in the mass size distributions estimated from OPC measurements occurred in the 2-20 microm range. Although elevated, very fine particle concentrations and respirable mass concentrations were both associated with poorly enclosed machining operations; the operation of the direct-fire natural gas heaters resulted in the greatest very fine particle concentrations without elevating the respirable mass concentration. These results suggest that respirable mass concentration may not be an adequate indicator for very fine particle exposure.

Multi-Pixel Photon Counters for Optofluidic Characterization of Particles and Microalgae

PubMed Central

Asrar, Pouya; Sucur, Marta; Hashemi, Nastaran

2015-01-01

We have developed an optofluidic biosensor to study microscale particles and different species of microalgae. The system is comprised of a microchannel with a set of chevron-shaped grooves. The chevrons allows for hydrodynamic focusing of the core stream in the center using a sheath fluid. The device is equipped with a new generation of highly sensitive photodetectors, multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC), with high gain values and an extremely small footprint. Two different sizes of high intensity fluorescent microspheres and three different species of algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain 21 gr, Chlamydomonas suppressor, and Chlorella sorokiniana) were studied. The forward scattering emissions generated by samples passing through the interrogation region were carried through a multimode fiber, located in 135 degree with respect to the excitation fiber, and detected by a MPPC. The signal outputs obtained from each sample were collected using a data acquisition system and utilized for further statistical analysis. Larger particles or cells demonstrated larger peak height and width, and consequently larger peak area. The average signal output (integral of the peak) for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain 21 gr, Chlamydomonas suppressor, and Chlorella sorokiniana falls between the values found for the 3.2 and 10.2 μm beads. Different types of algae were also successfully characterized. PMID:26075506

Stratosphere aerosol and cloud measurements at McMurdo Station Antarctica during the spring of 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofmann, D. J.; Rosen, J. M.; Harder, J. W.

1988-01-01

Measurements of stratospheric aerosols with balloonborne optical particle counters on 6 occasions at McMurdo Station (78 deg S) in the spring of 1986 indicated subsidence of the stratospheric sulfate layer during the time that the ozone hole was forming (Hofmann et al., 1988). Since dynamic models of ozone depletion involving upwelling in the spring polar vortex would suggest the opposite, we repeated the measurements with an increased frequency (about one sounding per week) in 1987. During 3 of the aerosol soundings in 1986, temperatures in the 15 to 20 km range were low enough (less than 80 C) for HNO3 to co-condense with water according to several theories of polar stratospheric cloud formation. However, particles were not observed with the characteristic size suggested by theory (approx. 0.5 microns). For this reason, it was proposed that polar stratospheric clouds may predominantly consist of large (approx. 5 to 50 microns) ice crystals at very low (approx. 10 sup 4- 10 sup 3 cm cubed) concentrations (Rosen et al., 1988). The particle counter employed would be relatively insensitive to these low concentrations. With the increased frequency of soundings in 1987, and adding additional size discrimination in the 1 to 2 micron region, this hypothesis could be verified if suitably low temperatures were encountered.

Browsing Through Closed Books: Evaluation of Preprocessing Methods for Page Extraction of a 3-D CT Book Volume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stromer, D.; Christlein, V.; Schön, T.; Holub, W.; Maier, A.

2017-09-01

It is often the case that a document can not be opened, page-turned or touched anymore due to damages caused by aging processes, moisture or fire. To counter this, special imaging systems can be used. One of our earlier work revealed that a common 3-D X-ray micro-CT scanner is well suited for imaging and reconstructing historical documents written with iron gall ink - an ink consisting of metallic particles. We acquired a volume of a self-made book without opening or page-turning with a single 3-D scan. However, when investigating the reconstructed volume, we faced the problem of a proper automatic extraction of single pages within the volume in an acceptable time without losing information of the writings. Within this work, we evaluate different appropriate pre-processing methods with respect to computation time and accuracy which are decisive for a proper extraction of book pages from the reconstructed X-ray volume and the subsequent ink identification. The different methods were tested for an extreme case with low resolution, noisy input data and wavy pages. Finally, we present results of the page extraction after applying the evaluated methods.

Frontend electronics for high-precision single photo-electron timing using FPGA-TDCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardinali, M.; Dzyhgadlo, R.; Gerhardt, A.; Götzen, K.; Hohler, R.; Kalicy, G.; Kumawat, H.; Lehmann, D.; Lewandowski, B.; Patsyuk, M.; Peters, K.; Schepers, G.; Schmitt, L.; Schwarz, C.; Schwiening, J.; Traxler, M.; Ugur, C.; Zühlsdorf, M.; Dodokhov, V. Kh.; Britting, A.; Eyrich, W.; Lehmann, A.; Uhlig, F.; Düren, M.; Föhl, K.; Hayrapetyan, A.; Kröck, B.; Merle, O.; Rieke, J.; Cowie, E.; Keri, T.; Montgomery, R.; Rosner, G.; Achenbach, P.; Corell, O.; Ferretti Bondy, M. I.; Hoek, M.; Lauth, W.; Rosner, C.; Sfienti, C.; Thiel, M.; Bühler, P.; Gruber, L.; Marton, J.; Suzuki, K.

2014-12-01

The next generation of high-luminosity experiments requires excellent particle identification detectors which calls for Imaging Cherenkov counters with fast electronics to cope with the expected hit rates. A Barrel DIRC will be used in the central region of the Target Spectrometer of the planned PANDA experiment at FAIR. A single photo-electron timing resolution of better than 100 ps is required by the Barrel DIRC to disentangle the complicated patterns created on the image plane. R&D studies have been performed to provide a design based on the TRB3 readout using FPGA-TDCs with a precision better than 20 ps RMS and custom frontend electronics with high-bandwidth pre-amplifiers and fast discriminators. The discriminators also provide time-over-threshold information thus enabling walk corrections to improve the timing resolution. Two types of frontend electronics cards optimised for reading out 64-channel PHOTONIS Planacon MCP-PMTs were tested: one based on the NINO ASIC and the other, called PADIWA, on FPGA discriminators. Promising results were obtained in a full characterisation using a fast laser setup and in a test experiment at MAMI, Mainz, with a small scale DIRC prototype.

Reaction πN → ππN near threshold

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

Frlez, Emil

1993-11-01

The LAMPF E1179 experiment used the π 0 spectrometer and an array of charged particle range counters to detect and record π +π 0, π 0p, and π +π 0p coincidences following the reaction π +p → π 0π +p near threshold. The total cross sections for single pion production were measured at the incident pion kinetic energies 190, 200, 220, 240, and 260 MeV. Absolute normalizations were fixed by measuring π +p elastic scattering at 260 MeV. A detailed analysis of the π 0 detection efficiency was performed using cosmic ray calibrations and pion single charge exchange measurements with a 30 MeV π - beam. All published data on πN → ππN, including our results, are simultaneously fitted to yield a common chiral symmetry breaking parameter ξ =-0.25±0.10. The threshold matrix element |α 0(π 0π +p)| determined by linear extrapolation yields the value of the s-wave isospin-2 ππ scattering length αmore » $$2\\atop{0}$$(ππ) = -0.041±0.003 m$$-1\\atop{π}$$ -1, within the framework of soft-pion theory.« less

The difference in age of the two counter-rotating stellar disks of the spiral galaxy NGC 4138

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pizzella, A.; Morelli, L.; Corsini, E. M.; Dalla Bontà, E.; Coccato, L.; Sanjana, G.

2014-10-01

Context. Galaxies accrete material from the environment through acquisitions and mergers. These processes contribute to the galaxy assembly and leave their fingerprints on the galactic morphology, internal kinematics of gas and stars, and stellar populations. Aims: The Sa spiral NGC 4138 is known to host two counter-rotating stellar disks, with the ionized gas co-rotating with one of them. We measured the kinematics and properties of the two counter-rotating stellar populations to constrain their formation scenario. Methods: A spectroscopic decomposition of the observed major-axis spectrum was performed to disentangle the relative contribution of the two counter-rotating stellar and one ionized-gas components. The line-strength indices of the two counter-rotating stellar components were measured and modeled with single stellar population models that account for the α/Fe overabundance. Results: The counter-rotating stellar population is younger, marginally more metal poor, and more α-enhanced than the main stellar component. The younger stellar component is also associated with a star-forming ring. Conclusions: The different properties of the counter-rotating stellar components of NGC 4138 rule out the idea that they formed because of bar dissolution. Our findings support the results of numerical simulations in which the counter-rotating component assembled from gas accreted on retrograde orbits from the environment or from the retrograde merging with a gas-rich dwarf galaxy. Based on observation carried out at the Galileo 1.22 m telescope at Padua University.

Single Aerosol Particle Studies Using Optical Trapping Raman And Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Z.; Wang, C.; Pan, Y. L.; Videen, G.

2017-12-01

Due to the physical and chemical complexity of aerosol particles and the interdisciplinary nature of aerosol science that involves physics, chemistry, and biology, our knowledge of aerosol particles is rather incomplete; our current understanding of aerosol particles is limited by averaged (over size, composition, shape, and orientation) and/or ensemble (over time, size, and multi-particles) measurements. Physically, single aerosol particles are the fundamental units of any large aerosol ensembles. Chemically, single aerosol particles carry individual chemical components (properties and constituents) in particle ensemble processes. Therefore, the study of single aerosol particles can bridge the gap between aerosol ensembles and bulk/surface properties and provide a hierarchical progression from a simple benchmark single-component system to a mixed-phase multicomponent system. A single aerosol particle can be an effective reactor to study heterogeneous surface chemistry in multiple phases. Latest technological advances provide exciting new opportunities to study single aerosol particles and to further develop single aerosol particle instrumentation. We present updates on our recent studies of single aerosol particles optically trapped in air using the optical-trapping Raman and cavity ringdown spectroscopy.

Simple chemical synthesis of novel ZnO nanostructures: Role of counter ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pudukudy, Manoj; Yaakob, Zahira

2014-04-01

This article reports the synthesis, characterisation and photocatalytic activity of novel ZnO nanostructures prepared via the thermal decomposition of hydrozincite. Hydrozincites were obtained by the conventional precipitation route using different zinc salts such as acetate, nitrate, chloride and sulphate. The effect of counter ions (CH3COO-, Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-) on the structural, textural, morphological and optical properties was investigated. Various characterisations depicted the active role of counter ions in the properties of ZnO. Hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with fine crystalline size was obvious from the XRD results, irrespective of the counter ions. Electron microscopic images indicated the role of counter ions in the surface and internal morphology of ZnO nanomaterials. Special coral like agglomerated morphology of elongated particles with high porosity was observed for the ZnO prepared from acetate precursor. Spherical, elongated and irregular shaped bigger lumps of ZnO nanoparticles with various novel morphologies were resulted for the sulphate, nitrate and chloride precursors respectively. Highly ordered porous micro disc like morphology was noted for the ZnO samples prepared from the sulphate and nitrate salts. Photoluminescence spectra showed the characteristic blue and green emission bands, depicting the presence of large crystal defects and high oxygen vacancies in the samples. Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared ZnO catalysts was examined by the degradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation. Degradation results indicated their substantial activity with respect to the counter ions. ZnO prepared from the acetate precursor showed highest photoactivity due to its high surface area, special morphology and high oxygen vacancies.

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

Uin, Janek

The Brechtel Manufacturing Inc. (BMI) Humidified Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (HT-DMA Model 3002) (Brechtel and Kreidenweis 2000a,b, Henning et al. 2005, Xerxes et al. 2014) measures how aerosol particles of different initial dry sizes grow or shrink when exposed to changing relative humidity (RH) conditions. It uses two different mobility analyzers (DMA) and a humidification system to make the measurements. One DMA selects a narrow size range of dry aerosol particles, which are exposed to varying RH conditions in the humidification system. The second (humidified) DMA scans the particle size distribution output from the humidification system. Scanning a wide rangemore » of particle sizes enables the second DMA to measure changes in size or growth factor (growth factor = humidified size/dry size), due to water uptake by the particles. A Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) downstream of the second DMA counts particles as a function of selected size in order to obtain the number size distribution of particles exposed to different RH conditions.« less

Compact Tissue-equivalent Proportional Counter for Deep Space Human Missions.

PubMed

Straume, T; Braby, L A; Borak, T B; Lusby, T; Warner, D W; Perez-Nunez, D

2015-10-01

Effects on human health from the complex radiation environment in deep space have not been measured and can only be simulated here on Earth using experimental systems and beams of radiations produced by accelerators, usually one beam at a time. This makes it particularly important to develop instruments that can be used on deep-space missions to measure quantities that are known to be relatable to the biological effectiveness of space radiation. Tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) are such instruments. Unfortunately, present TEPCs are too large and power intensive to be used beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Here, the authors describe a prototype of a compact TEPC designed for deep space applications with the capability to detect both ambient galactic cosmic rays and intense solar particle event radiation. The device employs an approach that permits real-time determination of yD (and thus quality factor) using a single detector. This was accomplished by assigning sequential sampling intervals as detectors “1” and “2” and requiring the intervals to be brief compared to the change in dose rate. Tests with g rays show that the prototype instrument maintains linear response over the wide dose-rate range expected in space with an accuracy of better than 5% for dose rates above 3 mGy h(-1). Measurements of yD for 200 MeV n(-1) carbon ions were better than 10%. Limited tests with fission spectrum neutrons show absorbed dose-rate accuracy better than 15%.

Compact Tissue-equivalent Proportional Counter for Deep Space Human Missions

PubMed Central

Straume, T.; Braby, L.A.; Borak, T.B.; Lusby, T.; Warner, D.W.; Perez-Nunez, D.

2015-01-01

Abstract Effects on human health from the complex radiation environment in deep space have not been measured and can only be simulated here on Earth using experimental systems and beams of radiations produced by accelerators, usually one beam at a time. This makes it particularly important to develop instruments that can be used on deep-space missions to measure quantities that are known to be relatable to the biological effectiveness of space radiation. Tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) are such instruments. Unfortunately, present TEPCs are too large and power intensive to be used beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Here, the authors describe a prototype of a compact TEPC designed for deep space applications with the capability to detect both ambient galactic cosmic rays and intense solar particle event radiation. The device employs an approach that permits real-time determination of (and thus quality factor) using a single detector. This was accomplished by assigning sequential sampling intervals as detectors “1” and “2” and requiring the intervals to be brief compared to the change in dose rate. Tests with γ rays show that the prototype instrument maintains linear response over the wide dose-rate range expected in space with an accuracy of better than 5% for dose rates above 3 mGy h−1. Measurements of for 200 MeV n−1 carbon ions were better than 10%. Limited tests with fission spectrum neutrons show absorbed dose-rate accuracy better than 15%. PMID:26313585

A program to study antiprotons in the cosmic rays: Arizona collaboration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowen, Theodore

1987-01-01

The Low Energy AntiProton (LEAP) experiment was designed to measure the primary antiproton flux in the 200 MeV to 1 GeV kinetic energy range. A superconducting magnetic spectrometer, a time-of-flight (TOF) detector, and a Cherenkov counter are the main components of LEAP. An additional scintillation detector was designed and constructed to detect the passage of particles through the bottom of the Cherenkov counter. The LEAP package was launched on August 22, 1987, and enjoyed a 27 hour flight, with 23 hours of data at high altitude. Preliminary plans for data analysis include using the Micro-Vax at the University of Arizona for data reduction of the Cherenkov and S2 signals.

Mixing-height measurement by lidar, particle counter, and rawinsonde in the Williamette Valley, Oregon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccormick, M. P.; Melfi, S. H.; Olsson, L. E.; Tuft, W. L.; Elliott, W. P.; Egami, R.

1972-01-01

The feasibility of using laser radar (lidar) to measure the spatial distribution of aerosols and water vapor in the earth's mixing or boundary layer is shown. From these data the important parameter of actual mixing height was determined, that is, the maximum height to which particulate pollutants actually mix. Data are shown for simultaneous lidar, rawinsonde, and aircraft-mounted condensation nuclei counter and temperature measurements. The synoptic meteorology is also presented. The Williamette Valley, Oregon, was chosen for the measurements because of its unique combination of meteorology, terrain, and pollutant source, along with an ongoing Oregon State University study of the natural ventilation of this valley.

Counter-rotating cavity solitons in a silicon nitride microresonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Chaitanya; Klenner, Alexander; Okawachi, Yoshitomo; Yu, Mengjie; Luke, Kevin; Ji, Xingchen; Lipson, Michal; Gaeta, Alexander L.

2018-02-01

We demonstrate the generation of counter-rotating cavity solitons in a silicon nitride microresonator using a fixed, single-frequency laser. We demonstrate a dual 3-soliton state with a difference in the repetition rates of the soliton trains that can be tuned by varying the ratio of pump powers in the two directions. Such a system enables a highly compact, tunable dual comb source that can be used for applications such as spectroscopy and distance ranging.

Determining the unique refractive index properties of solid polystyrene aerosol using broadband Mie scattering from optically trapped beads.

PubMed

Jones, Stephanie H; King, Martin D; Ward, Andrew D

2013-12-21

A method is described to measure the refractive index dispersion with wavelength of optically trapped solid particles in air. Knowledge of the refraction properties of solid particles is critical for the study of aerosol; both in the laboratory and in the atmosphere for climate studies. Single micron-sized polystyrene beads were optically trapped in air using a vertically aligned counter-propagating configuration of focussed laser beams. Each bead was illuminated using white light from a broadband light emitting diode (LED) and elastic scattering within the bead was collected onto a spectrograph. The resulting Mie spectra were analysed to accurately determine polystyrene bead radii to ±0.4 nm and values of the refractive index to ±0.0005 over a wavelength range of 480-700 nm. We demonstrate that optical trapping combined with elastic scattering can be used to both accurately size polystyrene beads suspended in air and determine their wavelength dependent refractive index. The refractive index dispersions are in close agreement with reported values for polystyrene beads in aqueous dispersion. Our results also demonstrate a variation in the refractive index of polystyrene, from bead to bead, in a commercial sample. The measured variation highlights that care must be taken when using polystyrene beads as a calibration aerosol.

Effect of gas-liquid flow pattern and microbial diversity analysis of a pilot-scale biotrickling filter for anoxic biogas desulfurization.

PubMed

Almenglo, Fernando; Bezerra, Tercia; Lafuente, Javier; Gabriel, David; Ramírez, Martín; Cantero, Domingo

2016-08-01

Hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas was studied under anoxic conditions in a pilot-scale biotrickling filter operated under counter- and co-current gas-liquid flow patterns. The best performance was found under counter-current conditions (maximum elimination capacity of 140 gS m(-3) h(-1)). Nevertheless, switching conditions between co- and counter-current flow lead to a favorable redistribution of biomass and elemental sulfur along the bed height. Moreover, elemental sulfur was oxidized to sulfate when the feeding biogas was disconnected and the supply of nitrate (electron acceptor) was maintained. Removal of elemental sulfur was important to prevent clogging in the packed bed and, thereby, to increase the lifespan of the packed bed between maintenance episodes. The larger elemental sulfur removal rate during shutdowns was 59.1 gS m(-3) h(-1). Tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing was used to study the diversity of bacteria under co-current flow pattern with liquid recirculation and counter-current mode with a single-pass flow of the liquid phase. The main desulfurizing bacteria were Sedimenticola while significant role of heterotrophic, opportunistic species was envisaged. Remarkable differences between communities were found when a single-pass flow of industrial water was fed to the biotrickling filter. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prophage-mediated defense against viral attack and viral counter-defense

PubMed Central

Dedrick, Rebekah M.; Jacobs-Sera, Deborah; Guerrero Bustamante, Carlos A.; Garlena, Rebecca A.; Mavrich, Travis N.; Pope, Welkin H.; Reyes, Juan C Cervantes; Russell, Daniel A.; Adair, Tamarah; Alvey, Richard; Bonilla, J. Alfred; Bricker, Jerald S.; Brown, Bryony R.; Byrnes, Deanna; Cresawn, Steven G.; Davis, William B.; Dickson, Leon A.; Edgington, Nicholas P.; Findley, Ann M.; Golebiewska, Urszula; Grose, Julianne H.; Hayes, Cory F.; Hughes, Lee E.; Hutchison, Keith W.; Isern, Sharon; Johnson, Allison A.; Kenna, Margaret A.; Klyczek, Karen K.; Mageeney, Catherine M.; Michael, Scott F.; Molloy, Sally D.; Montgomery, Matthew T.; Neitzel, James; Page, Shallee T.; Pizzorno, Marie C.; Poxleitner, Marianne K.; Rinehart, Claire A.; Robinson, Courtney J.; Rubin, Michael R.; Teyim, Joseph N.; Vazquez, Edwin; Ware, Vassie C.; Washington, Jacqueline; Hatfull, Graham F.

2017-01-01

Temperate phages are common and prophages are abundant residents of sequenced bacterial genomes. Mycobacteriophages are viruses infecting mycobacterial hosts including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis, encompass substantial genetic diversity, and are commonly temperate. Characterization of ten Cluster N temperate mycobacteriophages reveals at least five distinct prophage-expressed viral defense systems that interfere with infection of lytic and temperate phages that are either closely-related (homotypic defense) or unrelated (heterotypic defense). Target specificity is unpredictable, ranging from a single target phage to one-third of those tested. The defense systems include a single-subunit restriction system, a heterotypic exclusion system, and a predicted (p)ppGpp synthetase, which blocks lytic phage growth, promotes bacterial survival, and enables efficient lysogeny. The predicted (p)ppGpp synthetase coded by the Phrann prophage defends against phage Tweety infection, but Tweety codes for a tetrapeptide repeat protein, gp54, that acts as a highly effective counter-defense system. Prophage-mediated viral defense offers an efficient mechanism for bacterial success in host-virus dynamics, and counter-defense promotes phage co-evolution. PMID:28067906

Measurement of the volume growth rate of single budding yeast with the MOSFET-based microfluidic Coulter counter

PubMed Central

Sun, Jiashu; Stowers, Chris C.; Boczko, Erik M.

2012-01-01

We report on measurements of the volume growth rate of ten individual budding yeast cells using a recently developed MOSFET-based microfluidic Coulter counter. The MOSFET-based microfluidic Coulter counter is very sensitive, provides signals that are immune from the baseline drift, and can work with cell culture media of complex composition. These desirable features allow us to directly measure the volume growth rate of single cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae LYH3865 strain budding yeast in YNB culture media over a whole cell cycle. Results indicate that all budding yeast follow a sigmoid volume growth profile with reduced growth rates at the initial stage before the bud emerges and the final stage after the daughter gets mature. Analysis of the data indicates that even though all piecewise linear, Gomperitz, and Hill’s function models can fit the global growth profile equally well, the data strongly support local exponential growth phenomenon. Accurate volume growth measurements are important for applications in systems biology where quantitative parameters are required for modeling and simulation. PMID:20717618

Measurement of the volume growth rate of single budding yeast with the MOSFET-based microfluidic Coulter counter.

PubMed

Sun, Jiashu; Stowers, Chris C; Boczko, Erik M; Li, Deyu

2010-11-07

We report on measurements of the volume growth rate of ten individual budding yeast cells using a recently developed MOSFET-based microfluidic Coulter counter. The MOSFET-based microfluidic Coulter counter is very sensitive, provides signals that are immune from the baseline drift, and can work with cell culture media of complex composition. These desirable features allow us to directly measure the volume growth rate of single cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae LYH3865 strain budding yeast in YNB culture media over a whole cell cycle. Results indicate that all budding yeast follow a sigmoid volume growth profile with reduced growth rates at the initial stage before the bud emerges and the final stage after the daughter gets mature. Analysis of the data indicates that even though all piecewise linear, Gomperitz, and Hill's function models can fit the global growth profile equally well, the data strongly support local exponential growth phenomenon. Accurate volume growth measurements are important for applications in systems biology where quantitative parameters are required for modeling and simulation.

A Graphene Composite Material with Single Cobalt Active Sites: A Highly Efficient Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

PubMed

Cui, Xiaoju; Xiao, Jianping; Wu, Yihui; Du, Peipei; Si, Rui; Yang, Huaixin; Tian, Huanfang; Li, Jianqi; Zhang, Wen-Hua; Deng, Dehui; Bao, Xinhe

2016-06-01

The design of catalysts that are both highly active and stable is always challenging. Herein, we report that the incorporation of single metal active sites attached to the nitrogen atoms in the basal plane of graphene leads to composite materials with superior activity and stability when used as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A series of composite materials based on different metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) were synthesized and characterized. Electrochemical measurements revealed that CoN4 /GN is a highly active and stable counter electrode for the interconversion of the redox couple I(-) /I3 (-) . DFT calculations revealed that the superior properties of CoN4 /GN are due to the appropriate adsorption energy of iodine on the confined Co sites, leading to a good balance between adsorption and desorption processes. Its superior electrochemical performance was further confirmed by fabricating DSSCs with CoN4  /GN electrodes, which displayed a better power conversion efficiency than the Pt counterpart. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

ELECTROSTATIC SURFACE STRUCTURES OF COAL AND MINERAL PARTICLES

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

NONE

It is the purpose of this research to study electrostatic charging mechanisms related to electrostatic beneficiation of coal with the goal of improving models of separation and the design of electrostatic separators. Areas addressed in this technical progress report are (a) electrostatic beneficiation of Pittsburgh #8 coal powders as a function of grind size and processing atmosphere; (b) the use of fluorescent micro-spheres to probe the charge distribution on the surfaces of coal particles; (c) the use of electrostatic beneficiation to recover unburned carbon from flyash; (d) the development of research instruments for investigation of charging properties of coal. Pittsburghmore » #8 powders were beneficiated as a function of grind size and under three atmosphere conditions: fresh ground in air , after 24 hours of air exposure, or under N2 atmosphere. The feed and processed powders were analyzed by a variety of methods including moisture, ash, total sulfur, and pyritic sulfur content. Mass distribution and cumulative charge of the processed powders were also measured. Fresh ground coal performed the best in electrostatic beneficiation. Results are compared with those of similar studies conducted on Pittsburgh #8 powders last year (April 1, 1997 to September 30, 1997). Polystyrene latex spheres were charged and deposited onto coal particles that had been passed through the electrostatic separator and collected onto insulating filters. The observations suggest bipolar charging of individual particles and patches of charge on the particles which may be associated with particular maceral types or with mineral inclusions. A preliminary investigation was performed on eletrostatic separation of unburned carbon particles from flyash. Approximately 25% of the flyash acquired positive charge in the copper tribocharger. This compares with 75% of fresh ground coal. The negatively charged material had a slightly reduced ash content suggesting some enrichment of carbonaceous material. There was also evidence that the carbon is present at a higher ratio in larger particles than in small particles. An ultraviolet photoelectron counter for use in ambient atmosphere is nearing completion. The counter will be used to measure work functions of different maceral and mineral types in the coal matrix. A Particle Image Analyzer for measuring size and charge of airborne particles is also under contruction and its current status is presented. A charged, monodisperse, droplet generator is also being constructed for calibration of the Particle Image Analyzer and other airborne particle analyzers in our labs.« less

A miniature particle counter LOAC under meteorological balloon for the survey of stratospheric aerosols - comparison with other datasets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vignelles, Damien; Berthet, Bwenael; Renard, Jean-Baptiste; Rieger, Landon; Bourassa, Adam; Vernier, Jean-Paul; Taha, Ghassan; Khaykin, Sergey; Lurton, Thibaut; Jegou, Fabrice; Couté, Benoît; Duverger, Vincent

2017-04-01

Stratospheric aerosols contribute to the terrestrial radiative budget during large eruptive events but also during volcanic quiescent periods (Kremser et al. 2016). The survey of background stratospheric aerosols, especially in the middle stratosphere, is challenging due to extreme experimental conditions and low particle concentration. Furthermore, during periods of low volcanic activity, origins and optical properties of aerosols in the middle and high stratosphere are not well defined yet (Neely et al. 2011). We propose to study the capabilities of a new miniature particle counter called LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter), light enough to be carried under meteorological balloons, whichensure a very good frequency of flights and designed to be able to measure and discriminate between several main aerosol types. The LOAC miniature particle counter has been initially designed for balloon-borne tropospheric studies (Renard et al. 2016).Metrological performances of the LOAC instrument have been determined in the laboratory and during balloon flights. Principal limitations of the use of LOAC in the stratosphere areinduced by the temperature variations and the influence of cosmic rays. A detection threshold has been determined in the laboratory to be of 0.8 particule.cm-3 in terms of concentration which also limits the use of LOAC in the stratosphere where aerosol concentrations during volcanic quiescent periods may be lower than this limit. Since June 2013, more than 100 hundred LOAC instruments have been launched under meteorological balloons during the ChArMEx and Voltaire-LOAC field campaigns. This dataset has been studied and compared to satellite records such as OSIRIS, OMPS, and CALIOPbut also to ground-based lidar data (NDACC lidar OHP) and outputs from the WACCM/CARMA model. Results show that large variations in stratospheric aerosols are well defined by satellite but less visible in LOAC records. Instrumental LOAC limitations in the stratosphere can explain some of the difference between remote sensing methods and in-situ measurements but suggest also that local variations in the stratospheric aerosol contents may exist during volcanic quiescent periods. Flights made through the Calbucoplume in stratosphere during the summer 2015 show that LOAC can describe distribution in size and particle concentrations in a perturbed lower stratosphere. In the stratosphere free of volcanic influence, an integration time of 10 minutes shows better results. Kremser et al. (2016) Stratospheric aerosol—Observations, processes, and impact on climate. Rev. Geophys. 54, 2015RG000511. doi:10.1002/2015RG000511 Neely, R.R., English, J.M., Toon, O.B., Solomon, S., Mills, M., Thayer, J.P., 2011. Implications of extinction due to meteoritic smoke in the upper stratosphere: EXTINCTION DUE TO METEORITIC SMOKE. Geophys. Res. Lett. 38, doi:10.1029/2011GL049865 Renard et al. (2016) LOAC: a small aerosol optical sounter/sizer for ground-based and balloon measurements AMT. 9, 1721-1742. doi:10.5194/amt-9-1724-2016

Ambient and laboratory measurements of ice nuclei and their biological faction with the Fast Ice Nuclei CHamber FINCH-HALO using the new 405nm Version of the BIO-IN Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bundke, U.; Nillius, B.; Bingemer, H.; Curtius, J.

2012-04-01

We have designed the BIO-IN detector as part of the ice nucleus counter FINCH (Fast Ice Nuclei CHamber counter) to distinguish activated Ice Nuclei (IN) ice crystals from water droplets (CCN) (Bundke et al. 2008) and their fraction of biological origin (Bundke 2010). The modified BIO-IN sensor illuminates an aerosol stream with a 405 nm laser, replacing a 365nm LED of the original BIO IN design. Particles will scatter the light and those of biological origin will show intrinsic fluorescence emissions by excitation of mainly Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2. The incident laser light is circularly polarized by introducing a quarter-wave-plate. The circular depolarization ratio (p44/p11) of the scattering matrix is measured in the backward direction by two photomultipliers at 110° scattering angle using a combination of quarter-wave-plate and a beam splitting cube to analyze the two circular polarization components. The detection limit was lowered towards particle size of about 400nm diameter (non activated particles). It is now possible to calculate the activated fraction of IN of biological origin with respect to all biological particles measured with one detector. The performance of the sensor will be demonstrated showing the circular- depolarization properties of different test aerosol, dust samples, volcanic ashes as well as different biological particles. Measurements on the mountain Puy de Dôme of IN number concentration of ambient air, as well as measurements at the AIDA facility in Karlsruhe of the IN activation curves from different bacteria are shown. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the German Research Foundation, Grant: BU 1432/3-2 BU 1432/4-1

First passage times for a tracer particle in single file diffusion and fractional Brownian motion.

PubMed

Sanders, Lloyd P; Ambjörnsson, Tobias

2012-05-07

We investigate the full functional form of the first passage time density (FPTD) of a tracer particle in a single-file diffusion (SFD) system whose population is: (i) homogeneous, i.e., all particles having the same diffusion constant and (ii) heterogeneous, with diffusion constants drawn from a heavy-tailed power-law distribution. In parallel, the full FPTD for fractional Brownian motion [fBm-defined by the Hurst parameter, H ∈ (0, 1)] is studied, of interest here as fBm and SFD systems belong to the same universality class. Extensive stochastic (non-Markovian) SFD and fBm simulations are performed and compared to two analytical Markovian techniques: the method of images approximation (MIA) and the Willemski-Fixman approximation (WFA). We find that the MIA cannot approximate well any temporal scale of the SFD FPTD. Our exact inversion of the Willemski-Fixman integral equation captures the long-time power-law exponent, when H ≥ 1/3, as predicted by Molchan [Commun. Math. Phys. 205, 97 (1999)] for fBm. When H < 1/3, which includes homogeneous SFD (H = 1/4), and heterogeneous SFD (H < 1/4), the WFA fails to agree with any temporal scale of the simulations and Molchan's long-time result. SFD systems are compared to their fBm counter parts; and in the homogeneous system both scaled FPTDs agree on all temporal scales including also, the result by Molchan, thus affirming that SFD and fBm dynamics belong to the same universality class. In the heterogeneous case SFD and fBm results for heterogeneity-averaged FPTDs agree in the asymptotic time limit. The non-averaged heterogeneous SFD systems display a lack of self-averaging. An exponential with a power-law argument, multiplied by a power-law pre-factor is shown to describe well the FPTD for all times for homogeneous SFD and sub-diffusive fBm systems.

Airborne Aerosol in Situ Measurements during TCAP: A Closure Study of Total Scattering

DOE PAGES

Kassianov, Evgueni I.; Berg, Larry K.; Pekour, Mikhail S.; ...

2015-07-31

We present here a framework for calculating the total scattering of both non-absorbing and absorbing aerosol at ambient conditions from aircraft data. The synergistically employed aircraft data involve aerosol microphysical, chemical, and optical components and ambient relative humidity measurements. Our framework is developed emphasizing the explicit use of the complementary chemical composition data for estimating the complex refractive index (RI) of particles, and thus obtaining improved ambient size spectra derived from Optical Particle Counter (OPC) measurements. The feasibility of our framework for improved calculations of total aerosol scattering is demonstrated for different ambient conditions with a wide range of relativemore » humidities (from 5 to 80%) using three types of data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) G-1 aircraft during the recent Two-Column Aerosol Project (TCAP). Namely, these three types of data employed are: (1) size distributions measured by an Ultra High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS; 0.06-1 µm), a Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer (PCASP; 0.1-3 µm) and a Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer (CAS; 0.6- >10 µm), (2) chemical composition data measured by an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS; 0.06-0.6 µm) and a Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2; 0.06-0.6 µm), and (3) the dry total scattering coefficient measured by a TSI integrating nephelometer at three wavelengths (0.45, 0.55, 0.7 µm) and scattering enhancement factor measured with a humidification system at three RHs (near 45%, 65% and 90%) at a single wavelength (0.525 µm). We demonstrate that good agreement (~10% on average) between the observed and calculated scattering at these three wavelengths can be obtained using the best available chemical composition data for the RI-based correction of the OPC-derived size spectra. We also demonstrate that ignoring the RI-based correction and using non-representative RI values can cause a substantial underestimation (~40% on average) and overestimation (~35% on average) of the calculated total scattering, respectively.« less

Heterogeneous freezing of droplets with immersed surface modified mineral dust particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Susan

2010-05-01

In the framework of the international measurement campaign FROST II (FReezing Of duST), the heterogeneous freezing of droplets with an immersed surface modified size-segregated mineral dust particles was investigated at LACIS (Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator, Stratmann et al. 2004). The following measurements were done: LACIS, CFDC (Continuous Flow thermal gradient Diffusion Chamber, Rogers (1988)) and FINCH (Fast Ice Nucleus Chamber Counter, Bundke et al (2008)) were used to analyze the immersion freezing behavior of the treated Arizona Test Dust (ATD) particles at different temperature regimes. The ability to act as IN (Ice Nucleus) in the deposition nucleation mode was quantified by the PINC (Portable Ice Nucleation Chamber) and the CFDC instrument. AMS (Aerosol Mass Spectrometers, e.g. Schneider et al. (2005)) and ATOFMS (Aerosol Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer) measurements were applied to determine particle composition. The hygroscopic growth and the critical super-saturations needed for droplet activation were determined by means of an H-TDMA (Humidity-Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer) and CCN counter (Cloud Condensation Nucleus counter, Droplet Measurement Technologies, Roberts and Nenes (2005)). The 300 nm ATD particles were chemically and physically treated by coating with sulphuric acid (H2SO4, three different coating thicknesses) and ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) or by thermal treatment with a thermodenuder operating at 250°C. The H2SO4 coating modified the particles by reacting with particle material, forming soluble sulfates and therefore changing surface properties. AMS showed free H2SO4 only for thick H2SO4 coatings. In the heated section of the thermodenuder coating materials were evaporated partly and the surface properties of the particles were additionally altered. Uncoated particles and those coated with thin coatings of H2SO4, showed almost no hygroscopic growth. Particles coated with thicker coatings of H2SO4 and of (NH4)2SO4 grew noticeably above 95% relative humidity. All investigated particles were found to activate at atmospherically relevant super-saturations. All kinds of treatment lower the IN-ability, whereas the deposition nucleation was more sensitive to treatments than the immersion freezing mode. Considering the immersion freezing behavior, pure ATD particles and particles coated with thin coatings of H2SO4 were more efficient IN, than particles with thick H2SO4 or (NH4)2SO4 coatings. Thermal treatments of the particles led to further decrease of the IN capability except for particles coated with (NH4)2SO4, where the heating did not effect the immersion freezing behavior likely due to their already reduced IN ability. In order to specify the temperature-dependent immersion freezing, two parameterization based on either stochastic or singular hypothesis were performed. From both theoretical approaches it can be concluded that the treatments lead to particle surface modifications lowering the nucleation efficiency. References: Bundke, U., B. Nillius, et al. (2008), The fast Ice Nucleus chamber FINCH, Atmospheric Research 90(2-4): 180-186. Rader, D. J. and P. H. McMurry (1986), Application of the Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer to studies of droplet growth or evaporation, J. Aerosol Sci., Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 771-787. Roberts, G., and A. Nenes (2005), A continuous-flow streamwise thermal-gradient CCN chamber for atmospheric measurements, Aerosol Sci. Technol., 39, 206-221. Schneider, J., N. Hock, S. Weimer, S. Borrmann, U. Kirchner, R. Vogt, and V. Scheer (2005), Nucleation particles in Diesel exhaust: Composition inferred from in situ mass spectrometric analysis, Environ. Sci. Technol., 39, 6153-6161. Rogers,D .C. (1988), Developmenot f a continuousflow thermal gradient diffusion chamber for ice nucleation studies. Atmospheric Research, 22, 149-181. Stratmann, F., A. Kiselev, S. Wurzler, M. Wendisch, J. Heintzenberg, R. J. Charlson, K. Diehl, H. Wex, and S. Schmidt (2004), Laboratory studies and numerical simulations of cloud droplet formation under realistic super-saturation conditions, J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 21, 876-887.

The boiling point of stratospheric aerosols.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rosen, J. M.

1971-01-01

A photoelectric particle counter was used for the measurement of aerosol boiling points. The operational principle involves raising the temperature of the aerosol by vigorously heating a portion of the intake tube. At or above the boiling point, the particles disintegrate rather quickly, and a noticeable effect on the size distribution and concentration is observed. Stratospheric aerosols appear to have the same volatility as a solution of 75% sulfuric acid. Chemical analysis of the aerosols indicates that there are other substances present, but that the sulfate radical is apparently the major constituent.

Army Demonstration of Light Obscuration Particle Counters for Monitoring Aviation Fuel Contamination

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-07

Hydraulic industry has utilized this technology for decades and created a mature process •Hydraulic industry has developed recognized calibration ...Vehicle Fuel Tank Fuel Injector Aviation Fuel DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Parker 18/16/13 14/10/7 Pamas/Parker/Particle Solutions 19/17/12 U.S. Army 19...17/14/13* Diesel Fuel World Wide Fuel Charter 4th 18/16/13 DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Bosch/Cummins 18/16/13 Donaldson 22/21/18 14/13/11 12/9/6 P ll

GAS-PHASE AND PARTICULATE EMISSIONS DURING APPLICATION OF A WATER-BASED CLEANER WITH A HAND-PUMP SPRAYER

EPA Science Inventory

The paper gives results of tests in a controlled environment test room to measure concentrations of 2-butoxyethanol and particles during application of a cleaner to realistic surfaces (counter tops, glass, walls). (NOTE: Users of water-based cleaners applied with hand-pump spray...

Study of muons near shower cores at sea level using the E594 neutrino detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodman, J. A.; Gupta, S. C.; Freudenreich, H.; Sivaprasad, K.; Tonwar, S. C.; Yodh, G. B.; Ellsworth, R. W.; Goodman, M. C.; Bogert, D.; Burnstein, R.

1985-01-01

The E594 neutrino detector has been used to study the lateral distribution of muons of energy 3 GeV near shower cores. The detector consists of a 340 ton fine grain calorimeter with 400,000 cells of flash chamber and dimensions of 3.7 m x 20 m x 3.7 m (height). The average density in the calorimeter is 1.4 gm/sq cm, and the average Z is 21. The detector was triggered by four 0.6 sq m scintillators placed immediately on the top of the calorimeter. The trigger required at least two of these four counters. The accompanying extensive air showers (EAS) was sampled by 14 scintillation counters located up to 15 m from the calorimeter. Several off line cuts have been applied to the data. Demanding five particles in at least two of the trigger detectors, a total of 20 particles in all of them together, and an arrival angle for the shower 450 deg reduced the data sample to 11053 events. Of these in 4869 cases, a computer algorithm found at least three muons in the calorimeter.

Injection of Compact Torus into the HIST spherical torus plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugawara, M.; Katsumoto, S.; Kikuchi, Y.; Fukumoto, N.; Nagata, M.

2006-10-01

The three-dimensional interaction of a spheromak-like compact torus (CT) plasma with spherical torus (ST) plasmas has been experimentally studied to understand magnetic reconnection, helicity current drive, particle fuelling and Alfvén wave excitation [1]. We have examined how the sign of helicity (Co-HI and Counter-HI) of the injected CT influences on the ST plasmas on HIST [2]. The dynamics of the CT have been identified to be significantly different between the both injection cases. Time-frequency analysis shows that the fluctuation induced in the co-HI case has the maximum spectral amplitude at around 300 -- 400 kHz that may indicate the magnetic reconnection. In this case, the CT particle is released quickly at a periphery region, but on the other hand, for the counter-HI case, the CT could penetrate deeply into the core region as accompanied by Alfvén wave due to no magnetic reconnection. [1] M. Nagata, et al., Nucl. Fusion 45, 1056 (2005) [2] M. Nagata, et al., Physics of Plasmas 10, 2932 (2003)

Multi-Instrument Manager Tool for Data Acquisition and Merging of Optical and Electrical Mobility Size Distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tritscher, Torsten; Koched, Amine; Han, Hee-Siew; Filimundi, Eric; Johnson, Tim; Elzey, Sherrie; Avenido, Aaron; Kykal, Carsten; Bischof, Oliver F.

2015-05-01

Electrical mobility classification (EC) followed by Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) detection is the technique combined in Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers(SMPS) to retrieve nanoparticle size distributions in the range from 2.5 nm to 1 μm. The detectable size range of SMPS systems can be extended by the addition of an Optical Particle Sizer(OPS) that covers larger sizes from 300 nm to 10 μm. This optical sizing method reports an optical equivalent diameter, which is often different from the electrical mobility diameter measured by the standard SMPS technique. Multi-Instrument Manager (MIMTM) software developed by TSI incorporates algorithms that facilitate merging SMPS data sets with data based on optical equivalent diameter to compile single, wide-range size distributions. Here we present MIM 2.0, the next-generation of the data merging tool that offers many advanced features for data merging and post-processing. MIM 2.0 allows direct data acquisition with OPS and NanoScan SMPS instruments to retrieve real-time particle size distributions from 10 nm to 10 μm, which we show in a case study at a fireplace. The merged data can be adjusted using one of the merging options, which automatically determines an overall aerosol effective refractive index. As a result an indirect and average characterization of aerosol optical and shape properties is possible. The merging tool allows several pre-settings, data averaging and adjustments, as well as the export of data sets and fitted graphs. MIM 2.0 also features several post-processing options for SMPS data and differences can be visualized in a multi-peak sample over a narrow size range.

Determining the risk of cardiovascular disease using ion mobility of lipoproteins

DOEpatents

Benner, W. Henry; Krauss, Ronald M.; Blanche, Patricia J.

2010-05-11

A medical diagnostic method and instrumentation system for analyzing noncovalently bonded agglomerated biological particles is described. The method and system comprises: a method of preparation for the biological particles; an electrospray generator; an alpha particle radiation source; a differential mobility analyzer; a particle counter; and data acquisition and analysis means. The medical device is useful for the assessment of human diseases, such as cardiac disease risk and hyperlipidemia, by rapid quantitative analysis of lipoprotein fraction densities. Initially, purification procedures are described to reduce an initial blood sample to an analytical input to the instrument. The measured sizes from the analytical sample are correlated with densities, resulting in a spectrum of lipoprotein densities. The lipoprotein density distribution can then be used to characterize cardiac and other lipid-related health risks.

Elemental abundances of cosmic rays with Z 33 as measured on HEAO-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newport, B. J.; Stone, E. C.; Waddington, C. J.; Binns, W. R.; Garrard, T. L.; Israel, M. H.; Klarmann, J.

1985-01-01

The Heavy Nuclei Experiment on (HEAO-3) high energy astronomy observatory 3 uses a combination of ion chambers and a Cerenkov counter. During analysis, each particle is assigned two parameters, Z sub c and Z sub i, proportional to the square roots of the Cerenkov and mean ionization signals respectively. Because the ionization signal is double valued, a unique assignment of particle charge, Z, is not possible in general. Previous work was limited to particles of either high rigidity or low energy, for which a unique charge assignment was possible, although those subsets contain less than 50% of the total number of particles observed. The maximum likelihood technique was used to determine abundances for the complete data set from approx. 1.5 to approx. 80 GeV/amu.

LECTURES ON PHYSICS, BIOPHYSICS, AND CHEMISTRY FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS GIVEN AT THE ERNEST O. LAWRENCE RADIATION LABORATORY, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, JUNE-AUGUST 1959

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

Calhoon, E.C.; Starring, P.W. eds.

1959-08-01

Lectures given at the Ernest 0. Lawrence Radiation Laboratory on physics, biophysics, and chemistry for high school science teachers are presented. Topics covered include a mathematics review, atomic physics, nuclear physics, solid-state physics, elementary particles, antiparticies, design of experiments, high-energy particle accelerators, survey of particle detectors, emulsion as a particle detector, counters used in high-energy physics, bubble chambers, computer programming, chromatography, the transuranium elements, health physics, photosynthesis, the chemistry and physics of virus, the biology of virus, lipoproteins and heart disease, origin and evolution of the solar system, the role of space satellites in gathering astronomical data, and radiation andmore » life in space. (M.C.G.)« less

The Use of Index-Matched Beads in Optical Particle Counters

PubMed Central

Hu, Zhishang; Ripple, Dean C

2014-01-01

In this paper, we demonstrate the use of 2-pyridinemethanol (2P) aqueous solutions as a refractive index matching liquid. The high refractive index and low viscosity of 2P-water mixtures enables refractive index matching of beads that cannot be index matched with glycerol-water or sucrose-water solutions, such as silica beads that have the refractive index of bulk fused silica or of polymethylmethacrylate beads. Suspensions of beads in a nearly index-matching liquid are a useful tool to understand the response of particle counting instruments to particles of low optical contrast, such as aggregated protein particles. Data from flow imaging and light obscuration instruments are presented for bead diameters ranging from 6 µm to 69 µm, in a matrix liquid spanning the point of matched refractive index. PMID:26601049

Laser guidance of mesoscale particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Underdown, Frank Hartman, Jr.

Mesoscale particles are guided and trapped in hollow optical fibers using radiation pressure forces. Laser light from a 0.4W, 780nm diode laser is guided in a low- loss fiber mode and used to generate the guidance forces. Laser scattering and absorption forces propels particles along the fiber and polarization gradient forces attract them to the fiber's axial center. Using two counter propagating laser beams, inside the fiber, particles can be trapped in three dimensions. Measuring the spring constant of the trap gives the gradient force. This dissertation describes Rayleigh and Mie scattering models for calculating guidance forces. Calculated forces as a function of particle size and composition (i.e. dielectric, semiconductor, and metals) will be presented. For example, under typical experimental conditions 100nm Au particles are guided by a 2 × 10-14 N propulsive force in a water filled fiber. In comparison, the measured force, obtained from the particle's velocity and Stokes' law, is 7.98 × 10-14 N.

Kinematic and stellar population properties of the counter-rotating components in the S0 galaxy NGC 1366

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morelli, L.; Pizzella, A.; Coccato, L.; Corsini, E. M.; Dalla Bontà, E.; Buson, L. M.; Ivanov, V. D.; Pagotto, I.; Pompei, E.; Rocco, M.

2017-04-01

Context. Many disk galaxies host two extended stellar components that rotate in opposite directions. The analysis of the stellar populations of the counter-rotating components provides constraints on the environmental and internal processes that drive their formation. Aims: The S0 NGC 1366 in the Fornax cluster is known to host a stellar component that is kinematically decoupled from the main body of the galaxy. Here we successfully separated the two counter-rotating stellar components to independently measure the kinematics and properties of their stellar populations. Methods: We performed a spectroscopic decomposition of the spectrum obtained along the galaxy major axis and separated the relative contribution of the two counter-rotating stellar components and of the ionized-gas component. We measured the line-strength indices of the two counter-rotating stellar components and modeled each of them with single stellar population models that account for the α/Fe overabundance. Results: We found that the counter-rotating stellar component is younger, has nearly the same metallicity, and is less α/Fe enhanced than the corotating component. Unlike most of the counter-rotating galaxies, the ionized gas detected in NGC 1366 is neither associated with the counter-rotating stellar component nor with the main galaxy body. On the contrary, it has a disordered distribution and a disturbed kinematics with multiple velocity components observed along the minor axis of the galaxy. Conclusions: The different properties of the counter-rotating stellar components and the kinematic peculiarities of the ionized gas suggest that NGC 1366 is at an intermediate stage of the acquisition process, building the counter-rotating components with some gas clouds still falling onto the galaxy. Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the La Silla-Paranal Observatory under programmes 075.B-0794 and 077.B-0767.

Influence of firebed temperature on inorganic particle emissions in a residential wood pellet boiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrig, Matthias; Jaeger, Dirk; Pelz, Stefan K.; Weissinger, Alexander; Groll, Andreas; Thorwarth, Harald; Haslinger, Walter

2016-07-01

The temperature-dependent release of inorganic elements is the first step of the main formation pathway of particle emissions in automatically fired biomass burners. To investigate this step, a residential pellet boiler with an underfeed-burner was equipped with a direct firebed cooling. This test setup enabled decreased firebed temperatures without affecting further parameters like air flow rates or oxygen content in the firebed. A reduction of particle emissions in PM1-fraction at activated firebed cooling was found by impactor measurement and by optical particle counter. The affected particles were found in the size range <0.3 μm and have been composed mainly of potassium chloride (KCl). The chemical analysis of PM1 and boiler ash showed no statistically significant differences due to the firebed cooling. Therefore, our results indicate that the direct firebed cooling influenced the release of potassium (K) without affecting other chemical reactions.

The origin of low mass particles within and beyond the dust coma envelopes of Comet Halley

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simpson, J. A.; Rabinowitz, D.; Tuzzolino, A. J.; Ksanfomality, L. V.; Sagdeev, R. Z.

1987-01-01

Measurements from the Dust Counter and Mass Analyzer (DUCMA) instruments on VEGA-1 and -2 revealed unexpected fluxes of low mass (up to 10 to the minus 13th power g) dust particles at very great distances from the nucleus (300,000 to 600,000 km). These particles are detected in clusters (10 sec duration), preceded and followed by relatively long time intervals during which no dust is detected. This cluster phenomenon also occurs inside the envelope boundaries. Clusters of low mass particles are intermixed with the overall dust distribution throughout the coma. The clusters account for many of the short-term small-scale intensity enhancements previously ascribed to microjets in the coma. The origin of these clusters appears to be emission from the nucleus of large conglomerates which disintegrate in the coma to yield clusters of discrete, small particles continuing outward to the distant coma.

Measurements of underlying-event properties using neutral and charged particles in pp collisions at $$\\sqrt{s}=900$$ GeV and $$\\sqrt{s}=7$$ TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

DOE PAGES

Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; Abdallah, J.; ...

2011-05-10

We present first measurements of charged and neutral particle-flow correlations in pp collisions using the ATLAS calorimeters. Data were collected in 2009 and 2010 at centre-of-mass energies of 900 GeV and 7 TeV. Events were selected using a minimum-bias trigger which required a charged particle in scintillation counters on either side of the interaction point. Particle flows, sensitive to the underlying event, are measured using clusters of energy in the ATLAS calorimeters, taking advantage of their fine granularity. No Monte Carlo generator used in this analysis can accurately describe the measurements. The results are independent of those based on chargedmore » particles measured by the ATLAS tracking systems and can be used to constrain the parameters of Monte Carlo generators.« less

Message passing with a limited number of DMA byte counters

DOEpatents

Blocksome, Michael [Rochester, MN; Chen, Dong [Croton on Hudson, NY; Giampapa, Mark E [Irvington, NY; Heidelberger, Philip [Cortlandt Manor, NY; Kumar, Sameer [White Plains, NY; Parker, Jeffrey J [Rochester, MN

2011-10-04

A method for passing messages in a parallel computer system constructed as a plurality of compute nodes interconnected as a network where each compute node includes a DMA engine but includes only a limited number of byte counters for tracking a number of bytes that are sent or received by the DMA engine, where the byte counters may be used in shared counter or exclusive counter modes of operation. The method includes using rendezvous protocol, a source compute node deterministically sending a request to send (RTS) message with a single RTS descriptor using an exclusive injection counter to track both the RTS message and message data to be sent in association with the RTS message, to a destination compute node such that the RTS descriptor indicates to the destination compute node that the message data will be adaptively routed to the destination node. Using one DMA FIFO at the source compute node, the RTS descriptors are maintained for rendezvous messages destined for the destination compute node to ensure proper message data ordering thereat. Using a reception counter at a DMA engine, the destination compute node tracks reception of the RTS and associated message data and sends a clear to send (CTS) message to the source node in a rendezvous protocol form of a remote get to accept the RTS message and message data and processing the remote get (CTS) by the source compute node DMA engine to provide the message data to be sent.

Turbulent flow in a partially filled pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ng, Henry; Cregan, Hope; Dodds, Jonathan; Poole, Robert; Dennis, David

2017-11-01

Turbulent flow in a pressure driven pipe running partially full has been investigated using high-speed 2D-3C Stereoscopic Particle Imaging Velocimetry. With the field-of-view spanning the entire pipe cross section we are able to reconstruct the full three dimensional quasi-instantaneous flow field by invoking Taylor's hypothesis. The measurements were carried out over a range of flow depths at a constant Reynolds number based on hydraulic diameter and bulk velocity of Re = 32 , 000 . In agreement with previous studies, the ``velocity dip'' phenomenon, whereby the location of the maximum streamwise velocity occurs below the free surface was observed. A mean flow secondary current is observed near the free surface with each of the counter-rotating rollers filling the half-width of the pipe. Unlike fully turbulent flow in a rectangular open channel or pressurized square duct flow where the secondary flow cells appear in pairs about a corner bisector, the mean secondary motion observed here manifests only as a single pair of vortices mirrored about the pipe vertical centreline.

A Comparison of Mechanical Parameters Between the Counter Movement Jump and Drop Jump in Biathletes

PubMed Central

Król, Henryk; Mynarski, Władysław

2012-01-01

The main objective of the study was to determine to what degree higher muscular activity, achieved by increased load in the extension phase (eccentric muscle action) of the vertical jump, affects the efficiency of the vertical jump. Sixteen elite biathletes participated in this investigation. The biathletes performed tests that consisted of five, single “maximal” vertical jumps (counter movement jump – CMJ) and five, single vertical jumps, in which the task was to touch a bar placed over the jumping biathletes (specific task counter movement jump – SCMJ). Then, they performed five, single drop jumps from an elevation of 0.4m (DJ). Ground reaction forces were registered using the KISTLER 9182C force platform. MVJ software was used for signal processing (Król, 1999) and enabling calculations for kinematic and kinetic parameters of the subject’s jump movements (on-line system). The results indicate that only height of the jump (h) and mean power (Pmean) during the takeoff are statistically significant. Both h and Pmean are higher in the DJ. The results of this study may indicate that elite biathletes are well adapted to eccentric work of the lower limbs, thus reaching greater values of power during the drop jump. These neuromuscular adaptive changes may allow for a more dynamic and efficient running technique. PMID:23487157

Single column comprehensive analysis of pharmaceutical preparations using dual-injection mixed-mode (ion-exchange and reversed-phase) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Kazarian, Artaches A; Taylor, Mark R; Haddad, Paul R; Nesterenko, Pavel N; Paull, Brett

2013-12-01

The comprehensive separation and detection of hydrophobic and hydrophilic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), their counter-ions (organic, inorganic) and excipients, using a single mixed-mode chromatographic column, and a dual injection approach is presented. Using a mixed-mode Thermo Fisher Acclaim Trinity P1 column, APIs, their counter-ions and possible degradants were first separated using a combination of anion-exchange, cation-exchange and hydrophobic interactions, using a mobile phase consisting of a dual organic modifier/salt concentration gradient. A complementary method was also developed using the same column for the separation of hydrophilic bulk excipients, using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) under high organic solvent mobile phase conditions. These two methods were then combined within a single gradient run using dual sample injection, with the first injection at the start of the applied gradient (mixed-mode retention of solutes), followed by a second sample injection at the end of the gradient (HILIC retention of solutes). Detection using both ultraviolet absorbance and refractive index enabled the sensitive detection of APIs and UV-absorbing counter-ions, together with quantitative determination of bulk excipients. The developed approach was applied successfully to the analysis of a dry powder inhalers (Flixotide(®), Spiriva(®)), enabling comprehensive quantification of all APIs and excipients in the sample. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pinatubo Aerosol Evolution: Using Composite Data Sets to Build the Global- to Micro-Scale Picture and Assess Consistency of Different Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, P. B.; Pueschel, R. F.; Livingston, J. M.; Bergstrom, R.; Hamill, P.

1994-01-01

This paper brings together experimental evidence required to build realistic models of the global evolution of physical, chemical, and optical properties of the aerosol resulting from the 1991 Pinatubo volcanic eruption. Such models are needed to compute the effects of the aerosol on atmospheric chemistry, dynamics, radiation, and temperature. Whereas there is now a large and growing body of post-Pinatubo measurements by a variety of techniques, some results are in conflict, and a self-consistent, unified picture is needed, along with an assessment of remaining uncertainties. This paper examines data from photometers, radiometers, impactors, optical counters/sizers, and lidars operated on the ground, aircraft, balloons, and spacecraft. Example data sources include: - Tracking sunphotometers and lidars at Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) and on the DC-8 - Particle spectrometers and wire impactors on the ER-2 and DC-8 - Dustsondes (particle counters/sizers on balloons) - SAGE II, SAM II, AVHRR, CLAES, and ISAMS sensors on a variety of satellites. We assess the mutual consistency of these disparate data sets and recommend 'consensus" properties and uncertainties in the process of developing a composite data set. Recommended properties include the spatial and temporal evolution of particle chemical composition, shape, wavelength and temperature-dependent refractive index, size distribution, and optical depth spectra. Supporting references are cited and representative data shown.

Pinatubo Aerosol Evolution: Using Composite Data Sets to Build the Global- To Micro-Scale Picture and Assess Consistency of Different Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Philip B.; Pueschel, R. F.; Livingston, J. M.; Bergstrom, R.; Hamill, P.; Lawless, James G. (Technical Monitor)

1994-01-01

This paper brings together experimental evidence required to build realistic models of the global evolution of physical, chemical, and optical properties of the aerosol resulting from the 1991 Pinatubo volcanic eruption. Such models are needed to compute the effects of the aerosol on atmospheric chemistry, dynamics, radiation, and temperature. Whereas there is now a large and crowing body of post-Pinatubo measurements by a variety of techniques, some results are in conflict, and a self-consistent, unified picture is needed, along with an assessment of remaining uncertainties. This paper examines, data from photometers, radiometers, impactors, optical counter/sizers, and lidars operated on the ground, aircraft, balloons, and spacecraft. Example data sources include: (1) Tracking sunphotometers and lidars at Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) and on the DC-8. (2) Particle spectrometers and wire impactors on the ER-2 and DC-8. (3) Dustsondes (particle counter/sizers on balloons). and (3) SAGE II, SAM II, AVHRR, CLAES, and ISAMS sensors on a variety of satellites. We assess the mutual consistency of these disparate data sets and recommend 'consensus' properties and uncertainties in the process of developing a composite data set. Recommended properties include the spatial and temporal evolution of particle chemical composition, shape, wavelength-and temperature-dependent refractive index, size distribution, and optical depth spectra. Supporting references are cited and representative data shown.

Spatial fragment distribution from a therapeutic pencil-like carbon beam in water.

PubMed

Matsufuji, Naruhiro; Komori, Masataka; Sasaki, Hitomi; Akiu, Kengo; Ogawa, Masako; Fukumura, Akifumi; Urakabe, Eriko; Inaniwa, Taku; Nishio, Teiji; Kohno, Toshiyuki; Kanai, Tatsuaki

2005-07-21

The latest heavy ion therapy tends to require information about the spatial distribution of the quality of radiation in a patient's body in order to make the best use of any potential advantage of swift heavy ions for the therapeutic treatment of a tumour. The deflection of incident particles is described well by Molière's multiple-scattering theory of primary particles; however, the deflection of projectile fragments is not yet thoroughly understood. This paper reports on our investigation of the spatial distribution of fragments produced from a therapeutic carbon beam through nuclear reactions in thick water. A DeltaE-E counter telescope system, composed of a plastic scintillator, a gas-flow proportional counter and a BGO scintillator, was rotated around a water target in order to measure the spatial distribution of the radiation quality. The results revealed that the observed deflection of fragment particles exceeded the multiple scattering effect estimated by Molière's theory. However, the difference can be sufficiently accounted for by considering one term involved in the multiple-scattering formula; this term corresponds to a lateral 'kick' at the point of production of the fragment. This kick is successfully explained as a transfer of the intra-nucleus Fermi momentum of a projectile to the fragment; the extent of the kick obeys the expectation derived from the Goldhaber model.

Direct Reading Particle Counters: Calibration Verification and Multiple Instrument Agreement via Bump Testing

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

Jankovic, John; Zontek, Tracy L.; Ogle, Burton R.

We examined the calibration records of two direct reading instruments designated as condensation particle counters in order to determine the number of times they were found to be out of tolerance at annual manufacturer's recalibration. For both instruments were found to be out of tolerance more times than within tolerance. And, it was concluded that annual calibration alone was insufficient to provide operational confidence in an instrument's response. Thus, a method based on subsequent agreement with data gathered from a newly calibrated instrument was developed to confirm operational readiness between annual calibrations, hereafter referred to as bump testing. The methodmore » consists of measuring source particles produced by a gas grille spark igniter in a gallon-size jar. Sampling from this chamber with a newly calibrated instrument to determine the calibrated response over the particle concentration range of interest serves as a reference. Agreement between this reference response and subsequent responses at later dates implies that the instrument is performing as it was at the time of calibration. Side-by-side sampling allows the level of agreement between two or more instruments to be determined. This is useful when simultaneously collected data are compared for differences, i.e., background with process aerosol concentrations. A reference set of data was obtained using the spark igniter. The generation system was found to be reproducible and suitable to form the basis of calibration verification. Finally, the bump test is simple enough to be performed periodically throughout the calibration year or prior to field monitoring.« less

Direct Reading Particle Counters: Calibration Verification and Multiple Instrument Agreement via Bump Testing

DOE PAGES

Jankovic, John; Zontek, Tracy L.; Ogle, Burton R.; ...

2015-01-27

We examined the calibration records of two direct reading instruments designated as condensation particle counters in order to determine the number of times they were found to be out of tolerance at annual manufacturer's recalibration. For both instruments were found to be out of tolerance more times than within tolerance. And, it was concluded that annual calibration alone was insufficient to provide operational confidence in an instrument's response. Thus, a method based on subsequent agreement with data gathered from a newly calibrated instrument was developed to confirm operational readiness between annual calibrations, hereafter referred to as bump testing. The methodmore » consists of measuring source particles produced by a gas grille spark igniter in a gallon-size jar. Sampling from this chamber with a newly calibrated instrument to determine the calibrated response over the particle concentration range of interest serves as a reference. Agreement between this reference response and subsequent responses at later dates implies that the instrument is performing as it was at the time of calibration. Side-by-side sampling allows the level of agreement between two or more instruments to be determined. This is useful when simultaneously collected data are compared for differences, i.e., background with process aerosol concentrations. A reference set of data was obtained using the spark igniter. The generation system was found to be reproducible and suitable to form the basis of calibration verification. Finally, the bump test is simple enough to be performed periodically throughout the calibration year or prior to field monitoring.« less

Monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells based on graphene-modified mesoscopic carbon-counter electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rong, Yaoguang; Han, Hongwei

2013-01-01

A monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on graphene-modified mesoscopic carbon-counter electrode is developed. A TiO2-working electrode layer, ZrO2 spacer layer, and carbon counter electrode layer were constructed on a single conducting glass substrate by screen printing. The quasi-solid-state polymer gel electrolyte employed a polymer composite as the gelator, and effectively infiltrated the porous layers. Fabricated with normal carbon-counter electrode (NC-CE) containing graphite and carbon black, the DSSC had a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.09% with the fill factor of 0.63 at 100 mW cm-2 AM1.5 illumination. When the NC-CE was modified with graphene sheets, the PCE and fill factor were enhanced to 6.27% and 0.71, respectively. This improvement indicates excellent conductivity and high electrocatalytic activity of the graphene sheets, which have been considered as a promising platinum-free electrode material for DSSCs.

What you see is not what you catch: a comparison of concurrently collected net, Optical Plankton Counter, and Shadowed Image Particle Profiling Evaluation Recorder data from the northeast Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Remsen, Andrew; Hopkins, Thomas L.; Samson, Scott

2004-01-01

Zooplankton and suspended particles were sampled in the upper 100 m of the Gulf of Mexico with the High Resolution Sampler. This towed-platform can concurrently sample zooplankton with plankton nets, an Optical Plankton Counter (OPC) and the Shadowed Image Particle Profiling and Evaluation Recorder (SIPPER), a zooplankton imaging system. This allowed for direct comparison of mesozooplankton abundance, biomass, taxonomic composition and size distributions between simultaneously collected net samples, OPC data, and digital imagery. While the net data were numerically and taxonomically similar to that of previous studies in the region, analysis of the SIPPER imagery revealed that nets significantly underestimated larvacean, doliolid, protoctist and cnidarian/ctenophore abundance by 300%, 379%, 522% and 1200%, respectively. The inefficiency of the nets in sampling the fragile and gelatinous zooplankton groups led to a dry-weight biomass estimate less than half that of the SIPPER total and suggests that this component of the zooplankton assemblage is more important than previously determined for this region. Additionally, using the SIPPER data we determined that more than 29% of all mesozooplankton-sized particles occurred within 4 mm of another particle and therefore would not be separately counted by the OPC. This suggests that coincident counting is a major problem for the OPC even at the low zooplankton abundances encountered in low latitude oligotrophic systems like the Gulf. Furthermore, we found that the colonial cyanobacterium Trichodesmium was the most abundant recognizable organism in the SIPPER dataset, while it was difficult to quantify with the nets. For these reasons, the traditional method of using net samples to ground truth OPC data would not be adequate in describing the particle assemblage described here. Consequently we suggest that in situ imaging sensors be included in any comprehensive study of mesozooplankton.

Radar, target and ranging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1984-09-01

This Test Operations Procedure (TOP) provides conventional test methods employing conventional test instrumentation for testing conventional radars. Single tests and subtests designed to test radar components, transmitters, receivers, antennas, etc., and system performance are conducted with single item instruments such as meters, generators, attenuators, counters, oscillators, plotters, etc., and with adequate land areas for conducting field tests.

Computation of NLO processes involving heavy quarks using Loop-Tree Duality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Driencourt-Mangin, Félix

2017-03-01

We present a new method to compute higher-order corrections to physical cross-sections, at Next-to-Leading Order and beyond. This method, based on the Loop Tree Duality, leads to locally integrable expressions in four dimensions. By introducing a physically motivated momentum mapping between the momenta involved in the real and the virtual contributions, infrared singularities naturally cancel at integrand level, without the need to introduce subtraction counter-terms. Ultraviolet singularities are dealt with by using dual representations of suitable counter-terms, with some subtleties regarding the self-energy contributions. As an example, we apply this method to compute the 1 → 2 decay rate in the context of a scalar toy model with massive particles.

Two-Scale Ion Meandering Caused by the Polarization Electric Field During Asymmetric Reconnection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Shan; Chen, Li-Jen; Hesse, Michael; Bessho, Naoki; Gershman, Daniel J.; Dorelli, John; Giles, Barbara L.; Torbert, Roy B.; Pollock, Craig J.; Strangeway, Robert;

Electric field-driven, magnetically-stabilized ferro-emulsion phase contactor

DOEpatents

Scott, T.C.

1990-07-17

Methods and systems are disclosed for interfacial surface area contact between a dispersed phase liquid and a continuous phase liquid in counter-current flow for purposes such as solvent extraction. Initial droplets of a dispersed phase liquid material containing ferromagnetic particles functioning as a packing'' are introduced to a counter-current flow of the continuous phase. A high intensity pulsed electric field is applied so as to shatter the initial droplets into a ferromagnetic emulsion comprising many smaller daughter droplets having a greater combined total surface area than that of the initial droplets in contact with the continuous phase material. A magnetic field is applied to control the position of the ferromagnetic emulsion for enhanced coalescence of the daughter droplets into larger reformed droplets. 2 figs.

Electric field-driven, magnetically-stabilized ferro-emulsion phase contactor

DOEpatents

Scott, Timothy C.

1990-01-01

Methods and systems for interfacial surface area contact between a dispersed phase liquid and a continuous phase liquid in counter-current flow for purposes such as solvent extraction. Initial droplets of a dispersed phase liquid material containing ferromagnetic particles functioning as a "packing" are introduced to a counter-current flow of the continuous phase. A high intensity pulsed electric field is applied so as to shatter the initial droplets into a ferromagnetic emulsion comprising many smaller daughter droplets having a greater combined total surface area than that of the initial droplets in contact with the continuous phase material. A magnetic field is applied to control the position of the ferromagnetic emulsion for enhanced coalescence of the daughter droplets into larger reformed droplets.

Two-scale ion meandering caused by the polarization electric field during asymmetric reconnection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shan; Chen, Li-Jen; Hesse, Michael; Bessho, Naoki; Gershman, Daniel J.; Dorelli, John; Giles, Barbara; Torbert, Roy B.; Pollock, Craig J.; Strangeway, Robert; Ergun, Robert E.; Burch, James L.; Avanov, Levon; Lavraud, Benoit; Moore, Thomas E.; Saito, Yoshifumi

2016-08-01

Ion velocity distribution functions (VDFs) from a particle-in-cell simulation of asymmetric reconnection are investigated to reveal a two-scale structure of the ion diffusion region (IDR). Ions bouncing in the inner IDR are trapped mainly by the electric field normal to the current sheet (N direction), while those reaching the outer IDR are turned back mainly by the magnetic force. The resulting inner layer VDFs have counter-streaming populations along N with decreasing counter-streaming speeds away from the midplane while maintaining the out-of-plane speed, and the outer layer VDFs exhibit crescent shapes toward the out-of-plane direction. Observations of the above VDF features and the normal electric fields provide evidence for the two-scale meandering motion.

Overview of balloon-borne aerosol measurements with the aerosol counter LOAC, with focus on the ChArMEx 2013 campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dulac, François; Renard, Jean-Baptiste

LOAC (Light Optical Aerosol Counter) is a new small optical particle counter/sizer of 250 grams designed to fly under all kinds of balloons. The measurements are conducted at two scattering angles: the first one, at 12°, is used to determine the aerosol particle concentrations in 19 size classes within a diameter range of 0.2-100 mm; the second angle, at 60°, is used to discriminate between different types of particles dominating different size classes. The sensor particularly discriminates wet or liquid particles, mineral dust, soot carbon particles and salts. Comparisons with measurements from other sensors at the surface are shown. We shall give a quick review of balloon-borne experiences since 2011 with LOAC under all kinds of balloons including tethered, sounding, open stratospheric, and new boundary-layer pressurized drifting balloons (BLBP) from CNES. Observation domains include the atmospheric surface layer, the boundary layer, the free troposphere and the lower stratosphere up to more than 35 km in altitude. Operations encompass a variety of environments including the Arctic (Reykjavik, Island, and Kiruna, Sweden), Brazil (Sao Paolo), the western Mediterranean Basin, southwestern France, peri-urban (Ile de France) and urban areas (Paris and Vienna). Results from the various campaigns will be illustrated including the study of fog events, urban aerosols, Saharan dust transport over France, stratospheric soot... Emphasis will be put on the ChArMEx campaign (the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment) performed in summer 2013 in the Mediterranean basin: 19 LOAC flights have been performed under meteorological balloons and 12 under low altitude drifting balloons, most of them from Minorca Island (Spain) in June and early July and others from Levant Island (south of France) in late July and early August. Most of the flights were coupled with ozone concentration measurements (see presentation by F. Gheusi et al.). LOAC balloons were especially, but not only, dedicated to study the various Saharan dust events that occurred during the campaign. In particular, a series of flights were conducted every 12 hours during the 15-19 June dust event. Forest fire smoke from North America was also sampled in late June over Minorca, as well as anthropogenic polluted layers in various occasions. LOAC data are used to identify the various turbid layers with the help of coincident lidar and sun photometer remote sensing measurements in Menorca and air mass trajectories. The sounding flights allow one to determine the vertical extent of the various aerosol layers, and to follow the particle size distribution and the concentration evolution along the vertical. The low altitude drifting balloons, which stayed roughly at constant altitude between 350 and 3330 m up to more than 25 h, allow us to study the time-evolution of the aerosol concentrations in the same air mass. Under both balloon types, LOAC has detected larges particles up to 30 mum in diameter. The flights drifting within dust layers indicate that there is a relatively stable particle size distribution during transport over the sea, with no clear sedimentation loss of large particles.

Light-Absorbing Aerosol during NASA GRIP: Overview of Observations in the Free Troposphere and Associated with Tropical Storm Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziemba, L. D.; Beyersdorf, A. J.; Chen, G.; Corr, C. A.; Craig, L.; Dhaniyala, S.; Dibb, J. E.; Hudgins, C. H.; Ismail, S.; Latham, T.; Nenes, A.; Thornhill, K. L.; Winstead, E.; Anderson, B. E.

2010-12-01

Aerosols play a significant role in regulating Earth’s climate. Absorbing aerosols typically constitute a small fraction of ambient particle mass but can contribute significantly to direct and indirect climate forcing depending on size, mixing state, concentration, chemical composition, and vertical and spatial distribution. Aerosols may also significantly affect tropical storm/hurricane dynamics through direct light absorption and activation as cloud nuclei. An extensive suite of instrumentation measuring aerosol chemical, physical, and optical properties was deployed aboard the NASA DC-8 to characterize aerosol during the NASA GRIP (Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes; August-September 2010) mission. The majority of flight time was spent at high altitude (greater than 9 km) and thus much of the sampling was done in the free troposphere, including extensive sampling in the vicinity of tropical storm systems and more diffuse cirrus clouds. With operations based in Fort Lauderdale, FL and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, a large geographic region was sampled including much of the Gulf of Mexico and tropical Atlantic Ocean. Observations are reported for light-absorbing carbon aerosol (mainly black carbon, BC) primarily using a single particle soot photometer (SP2). The SP2 employs single-particle laser-induced incandescence to provide a mass-specific measurement not subject to scattering interference that is optimal for the low concentration environments like those encountered during GRIP. BC mass concentrations, 100-500 nm size distributions, and mixing state (i.e. coating thickness of scattering material) are presented. Total and sub-micron aerosol absorption coefficients (principally from BC and dust aerosol) are reported using a particle soot absorption photometer (PSAP) along with comparisons with calculated absorption coefficients derived from SP2 observations in various conditions. In addition, dust aerosol is specifically identified using optical and aerodynamic size distributions obtained from an optical particle counter (OPC) and aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), respectively, as well as by filter-based analyses of chemical composition. BC and dust concentrations, size distribution, and optical properties are reported for clear-sky conditions and in the regions surrounding tropical storms to better understand the radial and vertical distribution of light-absorbing aerosol associated with hurricanes. Observations during GRIP are compared to an extensive characterization of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) made during the 2006 NAMMA (NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses) mission to assess changes in concentration and aerosol size distribution during transport and cloud interaction.

Cloud Condensation Nuclei in Cumulus Humilis - Selected Case Study During the CHAPS Campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, X.; Berg, L. K.; Berkowitz, C. M.; Alexander, M. L.; Lee, Y.; Laskin, A.; Ogren, J. A.; Andrews, B.

2009-12-01

The Cumulus Humilis Aerosol Processing Study (CHAPS) provided a unique opportunity to study aerosol and cloud processing. Clouds play an active role in the processing and cycling of atmospheric constituents. Gases and particles can partition to cloud droplets by absorption and condensation as well as activation and pact scavenging. The Department of Energy (DOE) G-1 aircraft was used as one of the main platforms in CHAPS. Flight tracks were designed and implemented to characterize freshly emitted aerosols on cloud top and cloud base as well as with cloud, i.e., cumulus humilis (or fair-weather cumulus), in the vicinity of Oklahoma City. Measurements of interstitial aerosols and residuals of activated condensation cloud nuclei were conducted simultaneously. The interstitial aerosols were determined downstream of an isokinetic inlet; and the activated particles downstream of a counter-flow virtual impactor (CVI). The sampling line to the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer was switched between the isokinetic inlet and the CVI to allow characterization of interstitial particles out of clouds in contrast to particles activated in clouds. Trace gases including ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and a series of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were also measured as were key meteorological state parameters including liquid water content, cloud drop size, and dew point temperature were measured. This work will focus on studying CCN properties in cumulus humilis. Several approaches will be taken. The first is single particle analysis of particles collected by the Time-Resolved Aerosol Sampler (TRAC) by SEM/TEM coupled with EDX. We will specifically look into differences in particle properties such as chemical composition and morphology between activated and interstitial ones. The second analysis will link in situ measurements with the snap shots observations by TRAC. For instance, by looking into the characteristic m/z obtained by AMS vs. CO or isoprene, one can gain more insight into the role of primary and secondary organic aerosols in CCNs and background aerosols. Combined with observations of cloud properties, an improved picture of CCN activation in cumulus humilis can be made.

CELiS (Compact Eyesafe Lidar System), a portable 1.5 μm elastic lidar system for rapid aerosol concentration measurement: Part 2, Retrieval of Particulate Matter Concentration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, K. D.; Bird, A. W.; Wojcik, M.; Lemon, R.; Hatfield, J.

2014-12-01

An elastic backscatter light detection and ranging (Lidar) system emits a laser pulse and measures the return signal from molecules and particles along the path. It has been shown that particulate matter mass concentrations (PM) can be retrieved from Lidar data using multiple wavelengths. In this paper we describe a technique that allows for semi-quantitative PM determination under a set of guiding assumptions using only one laser wavelength. The Space Dynamics Laboratory has designed an eye-safe (1.5 μm) single wavelength elastic Lidar system called CELiS (Compact Eye-safe Lidar System), which is described in a companion paper, to which this technique is applied. Data utilized in the PM retrieval include the Lidar return signal, ambient temperature, ambient humidity, barometric pressure, particle size distribution, particle chemical composition, and PM measurements. Particle size distribution is measured with an optical particle counter. PM is measured with filter-based measurements. Chemical composition is determined through multiple analyses on exposed filter samples. Particle measurements are made both inside and outside of the plume of interest and collocated with the lidar beam for calibration. The meteorological and particle measurements are used to estimate the total extinction (σ) and backscatter (β) for background and plume aerosols. These σ and β values are used in conjunction with the lidar return signal in an inversion technique based on that of Klett (1985, Appl. Opt., 1638-1643). Variable σ/β ratios over the lidar beam path are used to estimate the values of σ and β at each lidar bin. A relationship between β and PM mass concentrations at calibration points is developed, which then allows the β values derived over the lidar beam path to be converted to PM. A PM-calibrated, scanning Lidar system like CELiS can be used to investigate PM concentrations and emissions over a large volume, a task that is very difficult to accomplish with typical PM sensors.

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

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, James Charles

1994-01-01

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

Exposure to ultrafine particles in asphalt work.

PubMed

Elihn, Karine; Ulvestad, Bente; Hetland, Siri; Wallen, Anna; Randem, Britt Grethe

2008-12-01

An epidemiologic study has demonstrated that asphalt workers show increased loss of lung function and an increase of biomarkers of inflammation over the asphalt paving season. The aim of this study was to investigate which possible agent(s) causes the inflammatory reaction, with emphasis on ultrafine particles. The workers' exposure to total dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and NO(2) was determined by personal sampling. Exposure to ultrafine particles was measured by means of particle counters and scanning mobility particle sizer mounted on a van following the paving machine. The fractions of organic and elemental carbon were determined. Asphalt paving workers were exposed to ultrafine particles with medium concentration of about 3.4 x 10(4)/cm(3). Ultrafine particles at the paving site originated mainly from asphalt paving activities and traffic exhaust; most seemed to originate from asphalt fumes. Oil mist exceeded occupational limits on some occasions. Diesel particulate matter was measured as elemental carbon, which was low, around 3 microg/m(3). NO(2) and total dust did not exceed limits. Asphalt pavers were exposed to relatively high concentrations of ultrafine particles throughout their working day, with possible adverse health effects.

Method and apparatus for removing coarse unentrained char particles from the second stage of a two-stage coal gasifier

DOEpatents

Donath, Ernest E.

1976-01-01

A method and apparatus for removing oversized, unentrained char particles from a two-stage coal gasification process so as to prevent clogging or plugging of the communicating passage between the two gasification stages. In the first stage of the process, recycled process char passes upwardly while reacting with steam and oxygen to yield a first stage synthesis gas containing hydrogen and oxides of carbon. In the second stage, the synthesis gas passes upwardly with coal and steam which react to yield partially gasified char entrained in a second stage product gas containing methane, hydrogen, and oxides of carbon. Agglomerated char particles, which result from caking coal particles in the second stage and are too heavy to be entrained in the second stage product gas, are removed through an outlet in the bottom of the second stage, the particles being separated from smaller char particles by a counter-current of steam injected into the outlet.

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

Pähtz, Thomas, E-mail: 0012136@zju.edu.cn; State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, 310012 Hangzhou; Durán, Orencio

Here, we compare two extreme regimes of non-suspended fluid-mediated particle transport, transport in light and heavy fluids (“saltation” and “bedload,” respectively), regarding their particle fluctuation energy balance. From direct numerical simulations, we surprisingly find that the ratio between collisional and fluid drag dissipation of fluctuation energy is significantly larger in saltation than in bedload, even though the contribution of interparticle collisions to transport of momentum and energy is much smaller in saltation due to the low concentration of particles in the transport layer. We conclude that the much higher frequency of high-energy particle-bed impacts (“splash”) in saltation is the causemore » for this counter-intuitive behavior. Moreover, from a comparison of these simulations to particle tracking velocimetry measurements which we performed in a wind tunnel under steady transport of fine and coarse sand, we find that turbulent fluctuations of the flow produce particle fluctuation energy at an unexpectedly high rate in saltation even under conditions for which the effects of turbulence are usually believed to be small.« less

Observations of condensation nuclei in the 1987 airborne Antarctic ozone experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

1988-01-01

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

Method of assessing a lipid-related health risk based on ion mobility analysis of lipoproteins

DOEpatents

Benner, W. Henry; Krauss, Ronald M.; Blanche, Patricia J.

2010-12-14

A medical diagnostic method and instrumentation system for analyzing noncovalently bonded agglomerated biological particles is described. The method and system comprises: a method of preparation for the biological particles; an electrospray generator; an alpha particle radiation source; a differential mobility analyzer; a particle counter; and data acquisition and analysis means. The medical device is useful for the assessment of human diseases, such as cardiac disease risk and hyperlipidemia, by rapid quantitative analysis of lipoprotein fraction densities. Initially, purification procedures are described to reduce an initial blood sample to an analytical input to the instrument. The measured sizes from the analytical sample are correlated with densities, resulting in a spectrum of lipoprotein densities. The lipoprotein density distribution can then be used to characterize cardiac and other lipid-related health risks.

Study of TiO2 particles size, dyes, and catalyst to improve the performance of DSSC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saehana, Sahrul; Darsikin, Muslimin

2016-02-01

This study reports effort to improve performance of solar cells by using various natural dyes in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). We applied three kind of natural dye, i.e, black rice dye, cactus dye and dragon fruit dye. We found that performance of DSSC which employ black rice dye was higher than other natural dyes. It is because the wider spectrum wavelength of black rice dyes. Its performance also compared with rhutenium dye (N719). Effect of TiO2 particle to DSSC performance was also investigated. It was concluded that smaller TiO2 particle size will increase the performance of DSSC solar cells. It was because the smaller particle size (high surface area) will load more dye. In addition, we also demonstrated the use of graphite from lead pencil as counter electrode.

Evaluation of AirMSPI photopolarimetric retrievals of smoke properties with in-situ observations collected during the ImPACT-PM field campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalashnikova, O. V.; Garay, M. J.; Xu, F.; Seidel, F.; Diner, D. J.; Seinfeld, J.; Bates, K. H.; Kong, W.; Kenseth, C.; Cappa, C. D.

2017-12-01

We introduce and evaluate an approach for obtaining closure between in situ and polarimetric remote sensing observations of smoke properties obtained during the collocated CIRPAS Twin Otter and ER-2 aircraft measurements of the Lebec fire event on July 8, 2016. We investigate the utility of multi-angle, spectropolarimetric remote sensing imagery to evaluate the relative contribution of organics, non-organic and black carbon particles to smoke particulate composition. The remote sensing data were collected during the Imaging Polarimetric and Characterization of Tropospheric Particular Matter (ImPACT-PM) field campaign by the Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI), which flew on NASA's high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. The ImPACT-PM field campaign was a joint JPL/Caltech effort to combine measurements from the Terra Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), AirMSPI, in situ airborne measurements, and a chemical transport model to validate remote sensing retrievals of different types of airborne particulate matter with a particular emphasis on carbonaceous aerosols. The in-situ aerosol data were collected with a suite of Caltech instruments on board the CIRPAS Twin Otter aircraft and included the Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS), the Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA), and the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP-2). The CIRPAS Twin Otter aircraft was also equipped with the Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP), nephelometer, a particle counter, and meteorological sensors. We found that the multi-angle polarimetric observations are capable of fire particulate emission monitoring by particle type as inferred from the in-situ airborne measurements. Modeling of retrieval sensitivities show that the characterization of black carbon is the most challenging. The work aims at evaluating multi-angle, spectropolarimetric capabilities for particulate matter characterization in support of the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA) satellite investigation, which is currently in development under NASA's third Earth Venture Instrument Program.

RADIATION HAZARD

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

Savenko, I.A.; Pisarenko, N.F.; Shavrin, P.I.

1961-01-01

Analysis of data obtained by Sputnik V (August 19, 1961) at about 320 km made it possible to delineate the position of the radiation belts and to estimate the amount of radiation hazard present. Scintillation counter data show that the radiation in the belts is anisotropic and that the energy flux under a layer of matter of 2 x 10/sup -3/ g cm/sup -2/ is 10/sup 10/ ev cm/sup -2/ sec/sup -1/. The mean energy released per quantum in the scintillation counter crystal is computed at 2.0 x 10/sup 5/ ev and the intensity of electrons in the outer beltmore » at 5 x 10/sup 4/ particles cm/sup -2/ sec/sup -1/. The radiation dosage absorbed inside Sputnik V was determined by dividing the amount of energy liberated in the sodium iodide crystal of the scinitillation counter by the weight of the crystal (36.4 g) without the need of a detailed examination of the composition and spectrum of the radiation. A dosage value of 7 mrad/24 hr was obtained; in terms of the RBE (relative biological effect) of the cosmic charged particles this amounted to 5O mrem/24 hr. This dosage is considered relatively safe for astronauts during flights along trajectories similar to that of Sputnik V when the sun is quiet. Solar flares, however, could bring about an increase in radiation. Owing to latitude and longitude effects and the specifi distribution of radiation at this height, the dosage per orbit ranged from 0.35 to 0.70 mrad. (OTS)« less

Carbonate counter pump stimulated by natural iron fertilization in the Polar Frontal Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salter, Ian; Schiebel, Ralf; Ziveri, Patrizia; Movellan, Aurore; Lampitt, Richard; Wolff, George A.

2014-12-01

The production of organic carbon in the ocean's surface and its subsequent downward export transfers carbon dioxide to the deep ocean. This CO2 drawdown is countered by the biological precipitation of carbonate, followed by sinking of particulate inorganic carbon, which is a source of carbon dioxide to the surface ocean, and hence the atmosphere over 100-1,000 year timescales. The net transfer of CO2 to the deep ocean is therefore dependent on the relative amount of organic and inorganic carbon in sinking particles. In the Southern Ocean, iron fertilization has been shown to increase the export of organic carbon, but it is unclear to what degree this effect is compensated by the export of inorganic carbon. Here we assess the composition of sinking particles collected from sediment traps located in the Polar Frontal Zone of the Southern Ocean. We find that in high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll regions that are characterized by naturally high iron concentrations, fluxes of both organic and inorganic carbon are higher than in regions with no iron fertilization. However, the excess flux of inorganic carbon is greater than that of organic carbon. We estimate that the production and flux of carbonate in naturally iron-fertilized waters reduces the overall amount of CO2 transferred to the deep ocean by 6-32%, compared to 1-4% at the non-fertilized site. We suggest that an increased export of organic carbon, stimulated by iron availability in the glacial sub-Antarctic oceans, may have been accompanied by a strengthened carbonate counter pump.

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network Control for a Class of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

PubMed Central

Sakhre, Vandana; Jain, Sanjeev; Sapkal, Vilas S.; Agarwal, Dev P.

2015-01-01

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network (FCPN) controller design is developed, for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems. In this process, the weight connecting between the instar and outstar, that is, input-hidden and hidden-output layer, respectively, is adjusted by using Fuzzy Competitive Learning (FCL). FCL paradigm adopts the principle of learning, which is used to calculate Best Matched Node (BMN) which is proposed. This strategy offers a robust control of nonlinear dynamical systems. FCPN is compared with the existing network like Dynamic Network (DN) and Back Propagation Network (BPN) on the basis of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Best Fit Rate (BFR), and so forth. It envisages that the proposed FCPN gives better results than DN and BPN. The effectiveness of the proposed FCPN algorithms is demonstrated through simulations of four nonlinear dynamical systems and multiple input and single output (MISO) and a single input and single output (SISO) gas furnace Box-Jenkins time series data. PMID:26366169

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network Control for a Class of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems.

PubMed

Sakhre, Vandana; Jain, Sanjeev; Sapkal, Vilas S; Agarwal, Dev P

2015-01-01

Fuzzy Counter Propagation Neural Network (FCPN) controller design is developed, for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems. In this process, the weight connecting between the instar and outstar, that is, input-hidden and hidden-output layer, respectively, is adjusted by using Fuzzy Competitive Learning (FCL). FCL paradigm adopts the principle of learning, which is used to calculate Best Matched Node (BMN) which is proposed. This strategy offers a robust control of nonlinear dynamical systems. FCPN is compared with the existing network like Dynamic Network (DN) and Back Propagation Network (BPN) on the basis of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Best Fit Rate (BFR), and so forth. It envisages that the proposed FCPN gives better results than DN and BPN. The effectiveness of the proposed FCPN algorithms is demonstrated through simulations of four nonlinear dynamical systems and multiple input and single output (MISO) and a single input and single output (SISO) gas furnace Box-Jenkins time series data.

Correction coil cable

DOEpatents

Wang, Sou-Tien

1994-11-01

A wire cable assembly (10, 310) adapted for the winding of electrical coils is taught. A primary intended use is for use in particle tube assemblies (532) for the superconducting super collider. The correction coil cables (10, 310) have wires (14, 314) collected in wire arrays (12, 312) with a center rib (16, 316) sandwiched therebetween to form a core assembly (18, 318 ). The core assembly (18, 318) is surrounded by an assembly housing (20, 320) having an inner spiral wrap (22, 322) and a counter wound outer spiral wrap (24, 324). An alternate embodiment (410) of the invention is rolled into a keystoned shape to improve radial alignment of the correction coil cable (410) on a particle tube (733) in a particle tube assembly (732).

Cherenkov and Scintillation Properties of Cubic Zirconium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christl, M.J.; Adams, J.H.; Parnell, T.A.; Kuznetsov, E.N.

2008-01-01

Cubic zirconium (CZ) is a high index of refraction (n =2.17) material that we have investigated for Cherenkov counter applications. Laboratory and proton accelerator tests of an 18cc sample of CZ show that the expected fast Cherenkov response is accompanied by a longer scintillation component that can be separated by pulse shaping. This presents the possibility of novel particle spectrometers which exploits both properties of CZ. Other high index materials being examined for Cherenkov applications will be discussed. Results from laboratory tests and an accelerator exposure will be presented and a potential application in solar energetic particle instruments will be discussed

Isotachophoresis system having larger-diameter channels flowing into channels with reduced diameter and with selectable counter-flow

DOEpatents

Mariella, Jr., Raymond P.

2018-03-06

An isotachophoresis system for separating a sample containing particles into discrete packets including a flow channel, the flow channel having a large diameter section and a small diameter section; a negative electrode operably connected to the flow channel; a positive electrode operably connected to the flow channel; a leading carrier fluid in the flow channel; a trailing carrier fluid in the flow channel; and a control for separating the particles in the sample into discrete packets using the leading carrier fluid, the trailing carrier fluid, the large diameter section, and the small diameter section.

Counting particles emitted by stratospheric aircraft and measuring size of particles emitted by stratospheric aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, James Charles

1994-01-01

The ER-2 condensation nuclei counter (CNC) has been modified to reduce the diffusive losses of particles within the instrument. These changes have been successful in improving the counting efficiency of small particles at low pressures. Two techniques for measuring the size distributions of particles with diameters less than 0.17 micrometers have been evaluated. Both of these methods, the differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and the diffusion battery, have fundamental problems that limit their usefulness for stratospheric applications. We cannot recommend either for this application. Newly developed, alternative methods for measuring small particles include inertial separation with a low-loss critical orifice and thin-plate impactor device. This technique is now used to collect particles in the multisample aerosol collector housed in the ER-2 CNC-2, and shows some promise for particle size measurements when coupled with a CNC as a counting device. The modified focused-cavity aerosol spectrometer (FCAS) can determine the size distribution of particles with ambient diameters as small as about 0.07 micrometers. Data from this instrument indicates the presence of a nuclei mode when CNC-2 indicates high concentrations of particles, but cannot resolve important parameters of the distribution.

Effects of filtration temperature, humic acid level and alum dose on cryptosporidium sized particle breakthrough.

PubMed

Xu, G R; Fitzpatrick, C S B; Deng, L Y

2006-01-01

Recent Cryptosporidium outbreaks have highlighted concerns about filter efficiency and especially particle breakthrough. Understanding the causes of breakthrough is essential, as the parasite cannot be destroyed by conventional disinfection with chlorine. Particle breakthrough depends on many factors. This research aims to investigate the influence of temperature, humic acid (HA) level and chemical dosing on particle breakthrough in filtration. A series of temperatures were set at 5 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C; humic acid level was 5 mg L(-1). Each was combined with a series of Al doses. A laser particle counter was used to assess the particle breakthrough online. Turbidity, zeta potential, and UV254 absorption were measured before and after filtration. The results showed that particle breakthrough was influenced significantly by temperature, humic acid and dosing. Particle breakthrough occurred earlier at lower temperature, while at higher temperature it was reduced at the same coagulant dose. With coagulants, even at low dose, particle breakthrough was significantly reduced. With HA 5 mg L(-1), particle breakthrough was earlier and the amount was much larger than without HA even at high temperature. There was an optimal dose in filtration and it was well correlated with zeta potential.

Snow particles extracted from X-ray computed microtomography imagery and their single-scattering properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishimoto, Hiroshi; Adachi, Satoru; Yamaguchi, Satoru; Tanikawa, Tomonori; Aoki, Teruo; Masuda, Kazuhiko

2018-04-01

Sizes and shapes of snow particles were determined from X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) images, and their single-scattering properties were calculated at visible and near-infrared wavelengths using a Geometrical Optics Method (GOM). We analyzed seven snow samples including fresh and aged artificial snow and natural snow obtained from field samples. Individual snow particles were numerically extracted, and the shape of each snow particle was defined by applying a rendering method. The size distribution and specific surface area distribution were estimated from the geometrical properties of the snow particles, and an effective particle radius was derived for each snow sample. The GOM calculations at wavelengths of 0.532 and 1.242 μm revealed that the realistic snow particles had similar scattering phase functions as those of previously modeled irregular shaped particles. Furthermore, distinct dendritic particles had a characteristic scattering phase function and asymmetry factor. The single-scattering properties of particles of effective radius reff were compared with the size-averaged single-scattering properties. We found that the particles of reff could be used as representative particles for calculating the average single-scattering properties of the snow. Furthermore, the single-scattering properties of the micro-CT particles were compared to those of particle shape models using our current snow retrieval algorithm. For the single-scattering phase function, the results of the micro-CT particles were consistent with those of a conceptual two-shape model. However, the particle size dependence differed for the single-scattering albedo and asymmetry factor.

Magnetic dipolar ordering and hysteresis of geometrically defined nanoparticle clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kure, Mathias; Beleggia, Marco; Frandsen, Cathrine

2017-10-01

Magnetic nanoparticle clusters have several biomedical and engineering applications, and revealing the basic interplay between particle configuration and magnetic properties is important for tuning the clusters for specific uses. Here, we consider the nanoparticles as macrospins and use computer simulations to determine their magnetic configuration when placed at the vertices of various polyhedra. We find that magnetic dipoles of equal magnitude arrange in flux-closed vortices on a layer basis, giving the structures a null remanent magnetic moment. Assigning a toroidal moment to each layer, we find that the geometrical arrangement, i.e., "triangular packing" vs. "square packing," of the moments in the adjacent layer determines whether the flux-closed layers are ferrotoroidal (co-rotating vortices) or antiferrotoroidal (counter-rotating vortices). Interestingly, upon adding a single magnetic moment at the center of the polyhedra, the central moment relaxes along one of the principal axes and induces partial alignment of the surrounding moments. The resulting net moment is up to nearly four times that of the single moment added. Furthermore, we model quasi-static hysteresis loops for structures with and without a central moment. We find that a central moment ensures an opening of the hysteresis loop, and the resultant loop areas are typically many-fold larger compared to the same structure without a central moment.

Adjustable vector Airy light-sheet single optical tweezers: negative radiation forces on a subwavelength spheroid and spin torque reversal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitri, Farid G.

2018-01-01

Generalized solutions of vector Airy light-sheets, adjustable per their derivative order m, are introduced stemming from the Lorenz gauge condition and Maxwell's equations using the angular spectrum decomposition method. The Cartesian components of the incident radiated electric, magnetic and time-averaged Poynting vector fields in free space (excluding evanescent waves) are determined and computed with particular emphasis on the derivative order of the Airy light-sheet and the polarization on the magnetic vector potential forming the beam. Negative transverse time-averaged Poynting vector components can arise, while the longitudinal counterparts are always positive. Moreover, the analysis is extended to compute the optical radiation force and spin torque vector components on a lossless dielectric prolate subwavelength spheroid in the framework of the electric dipole approximation. The results show that negative forces and spin torques sign reversal arise depending on the derivative order of the beam, the polarization of the magnetic vector potential, and the orientation of the subwavelength prolate spheroid in space. The spin torque sign reversal suggests that counter-clockwise or clockwise rotations around the center of mass of the subwavelength spheroid can occur. The results find useful applications in single Airy light-sheet tweezers, particle manipulation, handling, and rotation applications to name a few examples.

Cryogenic readout for multiple VUV4 Multi-Pixel Photon Counters in liquid xenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Giovanni, A.

2018-03-01

This work concerned the preliminary tests and characterization of a cryogenic preamplifier board for an array made of 16 S13370-3050CN (VUV4 family) Multi-Pixel Photon Counters manufactured by Hamamatsu and operated at liquid xenon temperature. The proposed prototype is based on the use of the Analog Devices AD8011 current feedback operational amplifier. The detector allows for single photon detection, making this device a promising choice for the future generation of neutrino and dark matter detectors based on liquid xenon targets.

Simultaneous measurement of tritium and radiocarbon by ultra-low-background proportional counting

DOE PAGES

Mace, Emily; Aalseth, Craig; Alexander, Tom; ...

2016-12-21

Use of ultra-low-background capabilities at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory provide enhanced sensitivity for measurement of low-activity sources of tritium and radiocarbon using proportional counters. Tritium levels are nearly back to pre-nuclear test backgrounds (~2-8 TU in rainwater), which can complicate their dual measurement with radiocarbon due to overlap in the beta decay spectra. In this paper, we present results of single-isotope proportional counter measurements used to analyze a dual-isotope methane sample synthesized from ~120 mg of H 2O and present sensitivity results.

In-situ measurements of ice nucleating particles with FINCH (Fast Ice Nucleus Chamber)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohl, Rebecca; Frank, Fabian; Curtius, Joachim; Rose, Diana

2017-04-01

Ice nucleating particles (INPs), which are a small fraction of the total aerosol population, are capable of triggering ice formation under atmospheric conditions. Since INPs play an important role for the radiative properties of clouds as well as for the formation of precipitation it is important to get quantitative information on the ice activity of various atmospheric aerosol species. With the Fast Ice Nucleus Chamber (FINCH; Bundke et al., 2008) the number concentration of INP is determined at different freezing temperatures and supersaturations. In contrast to other commonly used INP counters, i.e., continuous flow diffusion chambers (CFDCs, DeMott et al., 2011), in FINCH the supersaturation is reached by mixing the sample flow of ambient aerosol with a warm moist as well as a cold dry airflow. By changing the flow rates and temperatures of the individual airflows the freezing temperature (down to -50°C) and supersaturation (up to above water saturation) can be varied relatively quickly. Particles that are ice active at the prescribed freezing temperature and supersaturation grow to crystals and are counted by a home-built optical particle counter (OPC) mounted below the chamber (Bundke et al., 2010). FINCH was operated during the four-week INUIT-BACCHUS-ACTRIS field campaign in Cyprus in April 2016. The measuring site was the location of the Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory (CAO) at Agia Marina Xyliatou, which is typically influenced by dust from the Sahara and the Middle East, an aerosol that is known to have relatively good ice nucleating ability. First results from this campaign will be presented. Acknowledgements: The authors thank the entire INUIT-BACCHUS-ACTRIS campaign team for their cooperation and support. The INUIT-2 project is financed by the German Research Foundation DFG (FOR 1525). The INUIT-Cyprus campaign is a cooperation with the EU-funded project BACCHUS and is also funded by ACTRIS-TNA. References: Bundke, U., Nillius, B., Jaenicke, R., Wetter, T., Klein, H., and Bingemer, H.: The fast Ice Nucleus chamber FINCH, Atmos. Res., 90, 180-186, 10.1016/j.atmosres.2008.02.008, 2008. Bundke, U., Reimann, B., Nillius, B., Jaenicke, R., and Bingemer, H.: Development of a Bioaerosol single particle detector (BIO IN) for the Fast Ice Nucleus CHamber FINCH, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 3, 263-271, doi:10.5194/amt-3-263-2010, 2010. DeMott, P. J., Moehler, O., Stetzer, O., Vali, G., Levin, Z., Petters, M. D., Murakami, M., Leisner, T., Bundke, U., Klein, H., Kanji, Z. A., Cotton, R., Jones, H., Benz, S., Brinkmann, M., Rzesanke, D., Saathoff, H., Nicolet, M., Saito, A., Nillius, B., Bingemer, H., Abbatt, J., Ardon, K., Ganor, E., Georgakopoulos, D. G., and Saunders, C.: Resurgence in ice nuclei measurement research, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 92, 1623-1635, 10.1175/bams-d-10-3119.1, 2011.

Platinum-Free Counter Electrode Comprised of Metal-Organic-Framework (MOF)-Derived Cobalt Sulfide Nanoparticles for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

PubMed Central

Hsu, Shao-Hui; Li, Chun-Ting; Chien, Heng-Ta; Salunkhe, Rahul R.; Suzuki, Norihiro; Yamauchi, Yusuke; Ho, Kuo-Chuan; Wu, Kevin C.-W.

2014-01-01

We fabricated a highly efficient (with a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of 8.1%) Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The counter electrode was made of cobalt sulfide (CoS) nanoparticles synthesized via surfactant-assisted preparation of a metal organic framework, ZIF-67, with controllable particle sizes (50 to 320 nm) and subsequent oxidation and sulfide conversion. In contrast to conventional Pt counter electrodes, the synthesized CoS nanoparticles exhibited higher external surface areas and roughness factors, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) element mapping, and electrochemical analysis. Incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) results showed an increase in the open circuit voltage (VOC) and a decrease in the short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) for CoS-based DSSCs compared to Pt-based DSSCs, resulting in a similar power conversion efficiency. The CoS-based DSSC fabricated in the study show great potential for economically friendly production of Pt-free DSSCs. PMID:25382139

Multipass rotary shear comminution process to produce corn stover particles

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

Dooley, James H; Lanning, David N

A process of comminution of corn stover having a grain direction to produce a mixture of corn stover, by feeding the corn stover in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction one or more times through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of corn stover travel.

Enhancement of the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell with multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole composite counter electrodes prepared by electrophoresis/electrochemical polymerization

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

Luo, Jun; Niu, Hai-jun; Wen, Hai-lin

2013-03-15

Graphical abstract: The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PPy CE reached 3.78%. Compared with a reference DSSC using single MWCNT film CE with efficiency of 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency was increased by 41.04%. Highlights: ► MWCNT/PPy composite film prepared by electrodeposition layer by layer was used as counter electrode in DSSC. ► The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC was 3.78% by employing the composite film. ► The energy conversion efficiency increased by 41.04% compared with efficiency of 2.68% by using the single MWCNT film. ► We analyzed the mechanism and influence factor ofmore » electron transfer in the composite electrode by EIS. - Abstract: For the purpose of replacing the precious Pt counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with higher energy conversion efficiency, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypyrrole (PPy) double layers film counter electrode (CE) was fabricated by electrophoresis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) layer by layer. Atom force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) demonstrated the morphologies of the composite electrode and Raman spectroscopy verified the PPy had come into being. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PPy CE reached 3.78%. Compared with a reference DSSC using single MWCNT film CE with efficiency of 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency was increased by 41.04%. The result of impedance showed that the charge transfer resistance R{sub ct} of the MWCNT/PPy CE had the lowest value compared to that of MWCNT or PPy electrode. These results indicate that the composite film with high conductivity, high active surface area, and good catalytic properties for I{sub 3}{sup −} reduction can potentially be used as the CE in a high-performance DSSC.« less

Spectral CT data acquisition with Medipix3.1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, M. F.; Nik, S. J.; Procz, S.; Pichotka, M.; Bell, S. T.; Bateman, C. J.; Doesburg, R. M. N.; De Ruiter, N.; Chernoglazov, A. I.; Panta, R. K.; Butler, A. P. H.; Butler, P. H.

2013-10-01

This paper describes the acquisition of spectral CT images using the Medipix3.1 in spectroscopic mode, in which the chip combines 2 × 2 pixel clusters to increase the number of energy thresholds and counters from 2 to 8. During preliminary measurements, it was observed that the temperature, DAC and equalisation stability of the Medipix3.1 outperformed the Medipix3.0, while maintaining similar imaging quality. In this paper, the Medipix3.1 chips were assembled in a quad (2 × 2) layout, with the four ASICs bump-bonded to a silicon semiconductor doped as an np-junction diode. To demonstrate the biological imaging quality that is possible with the Medipix3.1, an image of a mouse injected with gold nano-particle contrast agent was obtained. CT acquisition in spectroscopic mode was enabled and examined by imaging a customised phantom containing multiple contrast agents and biological materials. These acquisitions showed a limitation of imaging performance depending on the counter used. Despite this, identification of multiple materials in the phantom was demonstrated using an in-house material decomposition algorithm. Furthermore, gold nano-particles were separated from biological tissues and bones within the mouse by means of image rendering.

Dust Measurements by the Student Dust Counter (SDC) onboard the New Horizons Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, David; Horanyi, Mihaly; Poppe, Andrew

The Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter (VSDC) on the New Horizons spacecraft is a dust impact detector designed to map the interplanetary dust distribution along the trajectory of the New Horizons spacecraft as it traverses our solar system. VSDC is the first student built instrument on a deep space mission and is currently operated by a small group of undergraduate and graduate students at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado. VSDC is based on permanently polarized thin plastic film sensors that generate an electrical signal when an impacting dust particle penetrates them. The total surface area is about 0.1 square meters and the detection threshold is about 1 micron in radius. By the time of this meeting (7/2008), VSDC will have operated for about 500 days, covering an approximate distance of 1.2 to 10.5 AU. In this talk, we will briefly review the VSDC instrument, including the in-flight calibrations and tests. We will report on the measured spatial and size distribution of interplanetary dust particles before and after the New Horizons encounter with Jupiter. These data will also be compared to earlier measurements by Ulysses, Galileo and Cassini.

Evaluation of SAGE II and Balloon-Borne Stratospheric Aerosol Measurements: Evaluation of Aerosol Measurements from SAGE II, HALOE, and Balloonborne Optical Particle Counters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hervig, Mark; Deshler, Terry; Moddrea, G. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Stratospheric aerosol measurements from the University of Wyoming balloonborne optical particle counters (OPCs), the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II, and the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) were compared in the period 1982-2000, when measurements were available. The OPCs measure aerosol size distributions, and HALOE multiwavelength (2.45-5.26 micrometers) extinction measurements can be used to retrieve aerosol size distributions. Aerosol extinctions at the SAGE II wavelengths (0.386-1.02 micrometers) were computed from these size distributions and compared to SAGE II measurements. In addition, surface areas derived from all three experiments were compared. While the overall impression from these results is encouraging, the agreement can change with latitude, altitude, time, and parameter. In the broadest sense, these comparisons fall into two categories: high aerosol loading (volcanic periods) and low aerosol loading (background periods and altitudes above 25 km). When the aerosol amount was low, SAGE II and HALOE extinctions were higher than the OPC estimates, while the SAGE II surface areas were lower than HALOE and the OPCS. Under high loading conditions all three instruments mutually agree to within 50%.

Routine single particle CryoEM sample and grid characterization by tomography

PubMed Central

Noble, Alex J; Brasch, Julia; Chase, Jillian; Acharya, Priyamvada; Tan, Yong Zi; Zhang, Zhening; Kim, Laura Y; Scapin, Giovanna; Rapp, Micah; Eng, Edward T; Rice, William J; Cheng, Anchi; Negro, Carl J; Shapiro, Lawrence; Kwong, Peter D; Jeruzalmi, David; des Georges, Amedee; Potter, Clinton S

2018-01-01

Single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) is often performed under the assumption that particles are not adsorbed to the air-water interfaces and in thin, vitreous ice. In this study, we performed fiducial-less tomography on over 50 different cryoEM grid/sample preparations to determine the particle distribution within the ice and the overall geometry of the ice in grid holes. Surprisingly, by studying particles in holes in 3D from over 1000 tomograms, we have determined that the vast majority of particles (approximately 90%) are adsorbed to an air-water interface. The implications of this observation are wide-ranging, with potential ramifications regarding protein denaturation, conformational change, and preferred orientation. We also show that fiducial-less cryo-electron tomography on single particle grids may be used to determine ice thickness, optimal single particle collection areas and strategies, particle heterogeneity, and de novo models for template picking and single particle alignment. PMID:29809143

A water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS) with enhanced dynamic size range

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

Pinterich, Tamara; Spielman, Steven R.; Hering, Susanne

We developed a water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS) with enhanced dynamic size range. The WFIMS builds on two established technologies: the fast integrated mobility spectrometer and laminar flow water-based condensation methodology. Inside WFIMS, particles of differing electrical mobility are separated in a drift tube and subsequently enlarged through water condensation. Particle size and concentration are measured via digital imaging at a frame rate of 10 Hz. When we measure particles of different mobilities simultaneously, the WFIMS resolves particle diameters ranging from 8 to 580 nm within 1 s or less. The performance of WFIMS was characterized with differential mobilitymore » analyzer (DMA) classified (NH 4) 2SO 2 particles with diameters ranging from 8 to 265 nm. The mean particle diameters measured by WFIMS were found to be in excellent agreement with DMA centroid diameters. Furthermore, detection efficiency of WFIMS was characterized using a condensation particle counter as a reference and is nearly 100% for particles with diameter greater than 8 nm. In general, measured and simulated WFIMS mobility resolutions are in good agreement. But, some deviations are observed at low particle mobilities, likely due to the non-idealities of the WFIMS electric field.« less

A water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS) with enhanced dynamic size range

DOE PAGES

Pinterich, Tamara; Spielman, Steven R.; Hering, Susanne; ...

2017-06-08

We developed a water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS) with enhanced dynamic size range. The WFIMS builds on two established technologies: the fast integrated mobility spectrometer and laminar flow water-based condensation methodology. Inside WFIMS, particles of differing electrical mobility are separated in a drift tube and subsequently enlarged through water condensation. Particle size and concentration are measured via digital imaging at a frame rate of 10 Hz. When we measure particles of different mobilities simultaneously, the WFIMS resolves particle diameters ranging from 8 to 580 nm within 1 s or less. The performance of WFIMS was characterized with differential mobilitymore » analyzer (DMA) classified (NH 4) 2SO 2 particles with diameters ranging from 8 to 265 nm. The mean particle diameters measured by WFIMS were found to be in excellent agreement with DMA centroid diameters. Furthermore, detection efficiency of WFIMS was characterized using a condensation particle counter as a reference and is nearly 100% for particles with diameter greater than 8 nm. In general, measured and simulated WFIMS mobility resolutions are in good agreement. But, some deviations are observed at low particle mobilities, likely due to the non-idealities of the WFIMS electric field.« less

Balloon-borne measurements of aerosol, condensation nuclei, and cloud particles in the stratosphere at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, during the spring of 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofmann, D. J.; Rosen, J. M.; Harder, J. W.; Hereford, J. V.

1989-01-01

Measurements of the vertical profile of particles with condensation nuclei counters and eight channel aerosol detectors at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in 1987 verified observations made in 1986 concerning the absence of upwelling in the polar vortex and the presence of a condensation nuclei layer in conjunction with the ozone hole region. New observations of a bimodal aerosol size distribution, consisting of a large-particle mode mixed in with the small-particle sulfate mode, at temperatures below -79 C are consistent with the presence of nitric acid-water particles at low concentrations. Higher concentrations of large particles were observed in association with nacreous clouds. An unusual particle layer which contained enhanced concentrations of both the small-particle (sulfate) mode and the large-particle (nitric acid) mode was detected at temperatures below -85 C, suggesting simultaneous nucleation and growth phenomena. The vortex condensation nuclei layer was observed to form at the same time as the ozone hole, indicating that formation of the layer is triggered by photochemical processes and may be important in controlling ozone depletion above 22 km.

Laser velocimetry applied to transonic and supersonic aerodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, D. A.; Bachalo, W. D.; Moddaress, D.

1976-01-01

As a further demonstration of the capabilities of laser velocity in compressible aerodynamics, measurements obtained in a Mach 2.9 separated turbulent boundary layer and in the transonic flow past a two-dimensional airfoil section are presented and compared to data realized by conventional techniques. In the separated-flow study, the comparisons were made against pitot-static pressure data. Agreement in mean velocities was realized where the pressure measurements could be considered reliable; however, in regions of instantaneous reverse velocities, the laser results were found to be consistent with the physics of the flow whereas the pressure data were not. The laser data obtained in regions of extremely high turbulence suggest that velocity biasing does not occur if the particle occurrence rate is low relative to the turbulent fluctuation rate. Streamwise turbulence intensities are also presented. In the transonic airfoil study, velocity measurements obtained immediately outside the upper surface boundary layer of a 6-inch chord MACA 64A010 airfoil are compared to edge velocities inferred from surface pressure measurements. For free-stream Mach numbers of 0.6 and 0.8, the agreement in results was very good. Dual scatter optical arrangements in conjunction with a single particle, counter-type signal processor were employed in these investigations. Half-micron-diameter polystyrene spheres and naturally occurring condensed oil vapor acted as light scatterers in the two respective flows. Bragg-cell frequency shifting was utilized in the separated flow study.

Charged patchy particle models in explicit salt: Ion distributions, electrostatic potentials, and effective interactions.

PubMed

Yigit, Cemil; Heyda, Jan; Dzubiella, Joachim

2015-08-14

We introduce a set of charged patchy particle models (CPPMs) in order to systematically study the influence of electrostatic charge patchiness and multipolarity on macromolecular interactions by means of implicit-solvent, explicit-ion Langevin dynamics simulations employing the Gromacs software. We consider well-defined zero-, one-, and two-patched spherical globules each of the same net charge and (nanometer) size which are composed of discrete atoms. The studied mono- and multipole moments of the CPPMs are comparable to those of globular proteins with similar size. We first characterize ion distributions and electrostatic potentials around a single CPPM. Although angle-resolved radial distribution functions reveal the expected local accumulation and depletion of counter- and co-ions around the patches, respectively, the orientation-averaged electrostatic potential shows only a small variation among the various CPPMs due to space charge cancellations. Furthermore, we study the orientation-averaged potential of mean force (PMF), the number of accumulated ions on the patches, as well as the CPPM orientations along the center-to-center distance of a pair of CPPMs. We compare the PMFs to the classical Derjaguin-Verwey-Landau-Overbeek theory and previously introduced orientation-averaged Debye-Hückel pair potentials including dipolar interactions. Our simulations confirm the adequacy of the theories in their respective regimes of validity, while low salt concentrations and large multipolar interactions remain a challenge for tractable theoretical descriptions.

Reliability of the one-crossing approximation in describing the Mott transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vildosola, V.; Pourovskii, L. V.; Manuel, L. O.; Roura-Bas, P.

2015-12-01

We assess the reliability of the one-crossing approximation (OCA) approach in a quantitative description of the Mott transition in the framework of the dynamical mean field theory (DMFT). The OCA approach has been applied in conjunction with DMFT to a number of heavy-fermion, actinide, transition metal compounds and nanoscale systems. However, several recent studies in the framework of impurity models pointed out serious deficiencies of OCA and raised questions regarding its reliability. Here we consider a single band Hubbard model on the Bethe lattice at finite temperatures and compare the results of OCA to those of a numerically exact quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) method. The temperature-local repulsion U phase diagram for the particle-hole symmetric case obtained by OCA is in good agreement with that of QMC, with the metal-insulator transition captured very well. We find, however, that the insulator to metal transition is shifted to higher values of U and, simultaneously, correlations in the metallic phase are significantly overestimated. This counter-intuitive behaviour is due to simultaneous underestimations of the Kondo scale in the metallic phase and the size of the insulating gap. We trace the underestimation of the insulating gap to that of the second moment of the high-frequency expansion of the impurity spectral density. Calculations of the system away from the particle-hole symmetric case are also presented and discussed.

Boundary Conditions for Diffusion-Mediated Processes within Linear Nanopores: Exact Treatment of Coupling to an Equilibrated External Fluid

DOE PAGES

Garcia, Andres; Evans, James W.

2017-04-03

In this paper, we consider a variety of diffusion-mediated processes occurring within linear nanopores, but which involve coupling to an equilibrated external fluid through adsorption and desorption. By determining adsorption and desorption rates through a set of tailored simulations, and by exploiting a spatial Markov property of the models, we develop a formulation for performing efficient pore-only simulations of these processes. Coupling to the external fluid is described exactly through appropriate nontrivial boundary conditions at the pore openings. This formalism is applied to analyze the following: (i) tracer counter permeation (TCP) where different labeled particles adsorb into opposite ends ofmore » the pore and establish a nonequilibrium steady state; (ii) tracer exchange (TE) with exchange of differently labeled particles within and outside the pore; (iii) catalytic conversion reactions where a reactant in the external fluid adsorbs into the pore and converts to a product which may desorb. The TCP analysis also generates a position-dependent generalized tracer diffusion coefficient, the form of which controls behavior in the TE and catalytic conversion processes. We focus on the regime of single-file diffusion within the pore which produces the strongest correlations and largest deviations from mean-field type behavior. Finally, behavior is quantified precisely via kinetic Monte Carlo simulations but is also captured with appropriate analytic treatments.« less

An overview of the Ice Nuclei Research Unit Jungfraujoch/Cloud and Aerosol Characterization Experiment 2013 (INUIT-JFJ/CLACE-2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Johannes

2014-05-01

Ice formation in mixed phase tropospheric clouds is an essential prerequisite for the formation of precipitation at mid-latitudes. Ice formation at temperatures warmer than -35°C is only possible via heterogeneous ice nucleation, but up to now the exact pathways of heterogeneous ice formation are not sufficiently well understood. The research unit INUIT (Ice NUcleation research unIT), funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG FOR 1525) has been established in 2012 with the objective to investigate heterogeneous ice nucleation by combination of laboratory studies, model calculation and field experiments. The main field campaign of the INUIT project (INUIT-JFJ) was conducted at the High Alpine Research Station Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps, 3580 m asl) during January and February 2013, in collaboration with several international partners in the framework of CLACE2013. The instrumentation included a large set of aerosol chemical and physical analysis instruments (particle counters, particle sizers, particle mass spectrometers, cloud condensation nuclei counters, ice nucleus counters etc.), that were operated inside the Sphinx laboratory and sampled in mixed phase clouds through two ice selective inlets (Ice-CVI, ISI) as well as through a total aerosol inlet that was used for out-of-cloud aerosol measurements. Besides the on-line measurements, also samples for off-line analysis (ESEM, STXM) have been taken in and out of clouds. Furthermore, several cloud microphysics instruments were operated outside the Sphinx laboratory. First results indicate that a large fraction of ice residues sampled from mixed phase clouds contain organic material, but also mineral dust. Soot and lead were not found to be enriched in ice residues. The concentration of heterogeneous ice nuclei was found to be variable (ranging between < 1 and > 100 per liter) and to be strongly dependent on the operating conditions of the respective IN counter. The number size distribution of ice residues appears to show a bimodal distribution with a smaller mode having a modal diameter around 200 nm and a coarse mode at around 2 µm. During the cloud events evaluated so far, agreement between the number concentration of ice residues sampled through the Ice-CVI and the measured concentration of small ice crystals measured outside the laboratory could be achieved. The shape of small ice crystals was found to be mainly irregular. We acknowledge the International Foundation High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat (HFSJG), the help of the custodians at the Jungfraujoch station, and the funding by DFG (FOR 1525) and the federal state Hessen ("LOEWE-Schwerpunkt AmbiProbe").

Gravitational properties of light: The emission of counter-propagating laser pulses from an atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rätzel, Dennis; Wilkens, Martin; Menzel, Ralf

2017-04-01

The gravitational field of a laser pulse, although not detectable at the moment, has a special feature which continues to attract attention; cause and effect propagate with the same speed, the speed of light. One particular result of this feature is that the gravitational field of an emitted laser pulse and the gravitational effect of the emitter's energy-momentum change are intimately entangled. In this article, a specific example of an emission process is considered: An atom, modeled as a point mass, emits two counter-propagating pulses. The corresponding curvature and the effect on massive and massless test particles is discussed. A comparison is made with the metric corresponding to a spherically symmetric massive object that isotropically emits radiation; the Vaidya metric.

[Low level alpha activity measurements with pulse shape discrimination--application to the determination of alpha-nuclides in environmental samples].

PubMed

Satoh, K; Noguchi, M; Higuchi, H; Kitamura, K

1984-12-01

Liquid scintillation counting of alpha rays with pulse shape discrimination was applied to the analysis of 226Ra and 239+240Pu in environmental samples and of alpha-emitters in/on a filter paper. The instrument used in this study was either a specially designed detector or a commercial liquid scintillation counter with an automatic sample changer, both of which were connected to the pulse shape discrimination circuit. The background counting rate in alpha energy region of 5-7 MeV was 0.01 or 0.04 cpm/MeV, respectively. The figure of merit indicating the resolving power for alpha- and beta-particles in time spectrum was found to be 5.7 for the commercial liquid scintillation counter.

Eddy covariance measurements of sea spray particles over the Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norris, S.; Brooks, I.; de Leeuw, G.; Smith, M. H.; Moeman, M.; Lingard, J.

2007-09-01

Most estimates of sea spray aerosol source functions have used indirect means to infer the rate of production as a function of wind speed. Only recently has the technology become available to make high frequency measurements of aerosol concentration suitable for direct eddy correlation determination of the particle flux. This was accomplished in this study by combining a newly developed fast aerosol particle counter with an ultrasonic anemometer which allowed for eddy covariance measurements of size-segregated particle fluxes. The aerosol instrument is the Compact Lightweight Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (CLASP) - capable of measuring 8-channel size spectra for mean radii between 0.15 and 0.35 μm at 10 Hz. The first successful measurements were made during the WASFAB (Waves, Air Sea Fluxes, Aerosol and Bubbles) field campaign in October 2005 in Duck (NC, USA). The method and results are presented and comparisons are made with recent sea spray source functions from the literature.

Photophoretic levitation of engineered aerosols for geoengineering

PubMed Central

Keith, David W.

2010-01-01

Aerosols could be injected into the upper atmosphere to engineer the climate by scattering incident sunlight so as to produce a cooling tendency that may mitigate the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Analysis of climate engineering has focused on sulfate aerosols. Here I examine the possibility that engineered nanoparticles could exploit photophoretic forces, enabling more control over particle distribution and lifetime than is possible with sulfates, perhaps allowing climate engineering to be accomplished with fewer side effects. The use of electrostatic or magnetic materials enables a class of photophoretic forces not found in nature. Photophoretic levitation could loft particles above the stratosphere, reducing their capacity to interfere with ozone chemistry; and, by increasing particle lifetimes, it would reduce the need for continual replenishment of the aerosol. Moreover, particles might be engineered to drift poleward enabling albedo modification to be tailored to counter polar warming while minimizing the impact on equatorial climates. PMID:20823254

Photophoretic levitation of engineered aerosols for geoengineering.

PubMed

Keith, David W

2010-09-21

Aerosols could be injected into the upper atmosphere to engineer the climate by scattering incident sunlight so as to produce a cooling tendency that may mitigate the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Analysis of climate engineering has focused on sulfate aerosols. Here I examine the possibility that engineered nanoparticles could exploit photophoretic forces, enabling more control over particle distribution and lifetime than is possible with sulfates, perhaps allowing climate engineering to be accomplished with fewer side effects. The use of electrostatic or magnetic materials enables a class of photophoretic forces not found in nature. Photophoretic levitation could loft particles above the stratosphere, reducing their capacity to interfere with ozone chemistry; and, by increasing particle lifetimes, it would reduce the need for continual replenishment of the aerosol. Moreover, particles might be engineered to drift poleward enabling albedo modification to be tailored to counter polar warming while minimizing the impact on equatorial climates.

The invariant statistical rule of aerosol scattering pulse signal modulated by random noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Zhen-gang; Bian, Bao-Min; Yang, Juan; Peng, Gang; Li, Zhen-hua

2010-11-01

A model of the random background noise acting on particle signals is established to study the impact of the background noise of the photoelectric sensor in the laser airborne particle counter on the statistical character of the aerosol scattering pulse signals. The results show that the noises broaden the statistical distribution of the particle's measurement. Further numerical research shows that the output of the signal amplitude still has the same distribution when the airborne particle with the lognormal distribution was modulated by random noise which has lognormal distribution. Namely it follows the statistics law of invariance. Based on this model, the background noise of photoelectric sensor and the counting distributions of random signal for aerosol's scattering pulse are obtained and analyzed by using a high-speed data acquisition card PCI-9812. It is found that the experiment results and simulation results are well consistent.

A study of the radiation environment on board the space shuttle flight STS-57

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Badhwar, G. D.; Atwell, W.; Benton, E. V.; Frank, A. L.; Keegan, R. P.; Dudkin, V. E.; Karpov, O. N.; Potapov, V.; Akopova, A. B.; Magradze, N. V.

1995-01-01

A joint NASA-Russian study of the radiation environment inside a SPACEHAB 2 locker on space shuttle flight STS-57 was conducted. The shuttle flew in a nearly circular orbit of 28.5 deg inclination and 462 km altitude. The locker carried a charged particle spectrometer, a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC), and two area passive detectors consisting of combined NASA plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTD's) and thermoluminescent detectors (TLD's), and Russian nuclear emulsions, PNTD's, and TLD's. All the detector systems were shielded by the same shuttle mass distribution. This makes possible a direct comparison of the various dose measurement techniques. In addition, measurements of the neutron energy spectrum were made using the proton recoil technique. The results show good agreement between the integral LET spectrum of the combined galactic and trapped particles using the tissue equivalent proportional counter and track detectors between about 15 keV/micron and 200 keV/micron. The LET spectrum determined from nuclear emulsions was systematically lower by about 50%, possibly due to emulsion fading. The results show that the TEPC measured an absorbed dose 20% higher than TLD's, due primarily to an increased TEPC response to neutrons and a low sensitivity of TLD's to high LET particles under normal processing techniques. There is a significant flux of high energy neutrons that is currently not taken into consideration in dose equivalent calculations. The results of the analysis of the spectrometer data will be reported separately.

Single file diffusion into a semi-infinite tube.

PubMed

Farrell, Spencer G; Brown, Aidan I; Rutenberg, Andrew D

2015-11-23

We investigate single file diffusion (SFD) of large particles entering a semi-infinite tube, such as luminal diffusion of proteins into microtubules or flagella. While single-file effects have no impact on the evolution of particle density, we report significant single-file effects for individually tracked tracer particle motion. Both exact and approximate ordering statistics of particles entering semi-infinite tubes agree well with our stochastic simulations. Considering initially empty semi-infinite tubes, with particles entering at one end starting from an initial time t = 0, tracked particles are initially super-diffusive after entering the system, but asymptotically diffusive at later times. For finite time intervals, the ratio of the net displacement of individual single-file particles to the average displacement of untracked particles is reduced at early times and enhanced at later times. When each particle is numbered, from the first to enter (n = 1) to the most recent (n = N), we find good scaling collapse of this distance ratio for all n. Experimental techniques that track individual particles, or local groups of particles, such as photo-activation or photobleaching of fluorescently tagged proteins, should be able to observe these single-file effects. However, biological phenomena that depend on local concentration, such as flagellar extension or luminal enzymatic activity, should not exhibit single-file effects.

Monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells based on graphene modified mesoscopic carbon counter electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rong, Yaoguang; Li, Xiong; Liu, Guanghui; Wang, Heng; Ku, Zhiliang; Xu, Mi; Liu, Linfeng; Hu, Min; Yang, Ying; Han, Hongwei

2013-03-01

We have developed a monolithic quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on graphene modified mesoscopic carbon counter electrode (GC-CE), which offers a promising prospect for commercial applications. Based on the design of a triple layer structure, the TiO2 working electrode layer, ZrO2 spacer layer and carbon counter electrode (CE) layer are constructed on a single conducting glass substrate by screen-printing. The quasi-solid-state polymer gel electrolyte employs a polymer composite as the gelator and could effectively infiltrate into the porous layers. Fabricated with normal carbon counter electrode (NC-CE) containing graphite and carbon black, the device shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.09% with the fill factor (FF) of 0.63 at 100 mW cm-2 AM1.5 illumination. When the NC-CE is modified with graphene sheets, the PCE and FF could be enhanced to 6.27% and 0.71, respectively. This improvement indicates excellent conductivity and high electrocatalytic activity of the graphene sheets, which have been considered as a promising platinum-free electrode material for DSSCs.

Particle emissions from diesel passenger cars equipped with a particle trap in comparison to other technologies.

PubMed

Mohr, Martin; Forss, Anna-Maria; Lehmann, Urs

2006-04-01

Tail pipe particle emissions of passenger cars, with different engine and aftertreatment technologies, were determined with special focus on diesel engines equipped with a particle filter. The particle number measurements were performed, during transient tests, using a condensation particle counter. The measurement procedure complied with the draft Swiss ordinance, which is based on the findings of the UN/ECE particulate measurement program. In addition, particle mass emissions were measured by the legislated and a modified filter method. The results demonstrate the high efficiency of diesel particle filters (DPFs) in curtailing nonvolatile particle emissions over the entire size range. Higher emissions were observed during short periods of DPF regeneration and immediately afterward, when a soot cake has not yet formed on the filter surface. The gasoline vehicles exhibited higher emissions than the DPF equipped diesel vehicles but with a large variation depending on the technology and driving conditions. Although particle measurements were carried out during DPF regeneration, it was impossible to quantify their contribution to the overall emissions, due to the wide variation in intensity and frequency of regeneration. The numbers counting method demonstrated its clear superiority in sensitivity to the mass measurement. The results strongly suggest the application of the particle number counting to quantify future low tailpipe emissions.

Controlling the Growth and Catalytic Activity of Platinum Nanoparticles Using Peptide and Polymer Ligands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forbes, Lauren Marie

Heterogeneous catalysts have widespread industrial applications. Platinum nanomaterials in particular, due to their particularly high electrocatalytic activity and durability, are used to catalyze a wide variety of reactions, including oxygen reduction, which is frequently used as the cathode reaction in fuel cells. As platinum is a very expensive material, a high priority in fuel cell research is the exploration of less expensive, more efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We demonstrate here the use of phage display to identify peptides that bind to Pt (100) which were then used to synthesize platinum cubes in solution. However, while the peptides were able to control particle growth, the bio-synthesized Pt particles showed extremely poor activity when tested for ORR. This could be attributed to peptide coverage on the surface or strong interactions between particular amino acids and the metal that are detrimental for catalysis. To investigate this further, we decided to investigate the role of individual amino acids on Pt nanocrystal synthesis and catalysis. For this, we conjugated the R-groups of single amino acids to polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains. Through this work we have determined that the identity of the amino acid R-group is important in both the synthesis and the catalytic activity of the particles. For Pt nanoparticle synthesis, we found that the hydrophobicity of the functional groups affected their ability to interact well with the particles during nucleation and growth, and thus only the hydrophilic functional groups were capable of mediating the synthesis to produce well-defined faceted particles. With respect to ORR, we found distinct trends that showed that the inclusion of certain amino acids could significantly enhance catalysis---even at high polymer loadings. This work presents evidence that counters the common conception that organic capping ligands decrease catalytic activity; in fact activity may actually be improved over bare metal through judicious choice and design of ligands that inhibit Pt oxidation and control chain packing at the Pt surface. Therefore, it may be possible to have ligands on a nanoparticle surface that allow the particles to be well-dispersed on an electrode surface, while simultaneously enhancing catalysis.

Characterization of exposure to byproducts from firing lead-free frangible ammunition in an enclosed, ventilated firing range.

PubMed

Grabinski, Christin M; Methner, Mark M; Jackson, Jerimiah M; Moore, Alexander L; Flory, Laura E; Tilly, Trevor; Hussain, Saber M; Ott, Darrin K

2017-06-01

U.S. Air Force small arms firing ranges began using copper-based, lead-free frangible ammunition in the early 2000s due to environmental and health concerns related to the use of lead-based ammunition. Exposure assessments at these firing ranges have routinely detected chemicals and metals in amounts much lower than their mass-based occupational exposure limits, yet, instructors report work-related health concerns including respiratory distress, nausea, and headache. The objective of this study at one firing range was to characterize the aerosol emissions produced by weapons during firing events and evaluate the ventilation system's effectiveness in controlling instructor exposure to these emissions. The ventilation system was assessed by measuring the range static air pressure differential and the air velocity at the firing line. Air flow patterns were near the firing line. Instructor exposure was sampled using a filter-based air sampling method for metals and a wearable, real-time ultrafine particle counter. Area air sampling was simultaneously performed to characterize the particle size distribution, morphology, and composition. In the instructor's breathing zone, the airborne mass concentration of copper was low (range = <1 µg/m 3 to 16 µg/m 3 ), yet the ultrafine (nanoscale) particle number concentration increased substantially during each firing event. Ultrafine particles contained some copper and were complex in morphology and composition. The ventilation assessment found that the average velocity across all shooting lanes was acceptable compared to the recommended guideline (20% of the ideal 0.38 m/s (75 ft/min). However, uniform, downrange airflow pattern requirements were not met. These results suggest that the mass-based occupational exposure limits, as applied to this environment, may not be protective enough to eliminate health complaints reported by instructors whose full-time job involves training personnel on weapons that fire lead-free frangible ammunition. Using an ultrafine particle counter appears to be an alternative method of assessing ventilation effectiveness in removing ultrafine particulate produced during firing events.

A new high transmission inlet for the Caltech nano-RDMA for size distribution measurements of sub-3 nm ions at ambient concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franchin, A.; Downard, A. J.; Kangasluoma, J.; Nieminen, T.; Lehtipalo, K.; Steiner, G.; Manninen, H. E.; Petäjä, T.; Flagan, R. C.; Kulmala, M.

2015-06-01

Reliable and reproducible measurements of atmospheric aerosol particle number size distributions below 10 nm require optimized classification instruments with high particle transmission efficiency. Almost all DMAs have an unfavorable potential gradient at the outlet (e.g. long column, Vienna type) or at the inlet (nano-radial DMA). This feature prevents them from achieving a good transmission efficiency for the smallest nanoparticles. We developed a new high transmission inlet for the Caltech nano-radial DMA (nRDMA) that increases the transmission efficiency to 12 % for ions as small as 1.3 nm in mobility equivalent diameter (corresponding to 1.2 × 10-4 m2 V-1 s-1 in electrical mobility). We successfully deployed the nRDMA, equipped with the new inlet, in chamber measurements, using a Particle Size Magnifier (PSM) and a booster Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) as a counter. With this setup, we were able to measure size distributions of ions between 1.3 and 6 nm, corresponding to a mobility range from 1.2 × 10-4 to 5.8 × 10-6 m2 V-1 s-1. The system was modeled, tested in the laboratory and used to measure negative ions at ambient concentrations in the CLOUD 7 measurement campaign at CERN. We achieved a higher size resolution than techniques currently used in field measurements, and maintained a good transmission efficiency at moderate inlet and sheath air flows (2.5 and 30 LPM, respectively). In this paper, by measuring size distribution at high size resolution down to 1.3 nm, we extend the limit of the current technology. The current setup is limited to ion measurements. However, we envision that future research focused on the charging mechanisms could extend the technique to measure neutral aerosol particles as well, so that it will be possible to measure size distributions of ambient aerosols from 1 nm to 1 μm.

SiC-based Photo-detectors for UV, VUV, EUV and Soft X-ray Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yan, Feng

2006-01-01

A viewgraph presentation describing an ideal Silicon Carbide detector for ultraviolet, vacuum ultraviolet, extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray detection is shown. The topics include: 1) An ideal photo-detector; 2) Dark current density of SiC photodiodes at room temperature; 3) Dark current in SiC detectors; 4) Resistive and capacitive feedback trans-impedance amplifier; 5) Avalanche gain; 6) Excess noise; 7) SNR in single photon counting mode; 8) Structure of SiC single photon counting APD and testing structure; 9) Single photon counting waveform and testing circuit; 10) Amplitude of SiC single photon counter; 11) Dark count of SiC APD photon counters; 12) Temperature-dependence of dark count rate; 13) Reduce the dark count rate by reducing the breakdown electric field; 14) Spectrum range for SiC detectors; 15) QE curves of Pt/4H-SiC photodiodes; 16) QE curve of SiC; 17) QE curves of SiC photodiode vs. penetration depth; 18) Visible rejection of SiC photodiodes; 19) Advantages of SiC photodiodes; 20) Competitors of SiC detectors; 21) Extraterrestrial solar spectra; 22) Visible-blind EUV detection; 23) Terrestrial solar spectra; and 24) Less than 1KeV soft x-ray detection.

Comminution process to produce wood particles of uniform size and shape with disrupted grain structure from veneer

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

Dooley, James H.; Lanning, David N.

Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W.times.H dimensions definemore » a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.« less

A computer controlled signal preprocessor for laser fringe anemometer applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oberle, Lawrence G.

1987-01-01

The operation of most commercially available laser fringe anemometer (LFA) counter-processors assumes that adjustments are made to the signal processing independent of the computer used for reducing the data acquired. Not only does the researcher desire a record of these parameters attached to the data acquired, but changes in flow conditions generally require that these settings be changed to improve data quality. Because of this limitation, on-line modification of the data acquisition parameters can be difficult and time consuming. A computer-controlled signal preprocessor has been developed which makes possible this optimization of the photomultiplier signal as a normal part of the data acquisition process. It allows computer control of the filter selection, signal gain, and photo-multiplier voltage. The raw signal from the photomultiplier tube is input to the preprocessor which, under the control of a digital computer, filters the signal and amplifies it to an acceptable level. The counter-processor used at Lewis Research Center generates the particle interarrival times, as well as the time-of-flight of the particle through the probe volume. The signal preprocessor allows computer control of the acquisition of these data.Through the preprocessor, the computer also can control the hand shaking signals for the interface between itself and the counter-processor. Finally, the signal preprocessor splits the pedestal from the signal before filtering, and monitors the photo-multiplier dc current, sends a signal proportional to this current to the computer through an analog to digital converter, and provides an alarm if the current exceeds a predefined maximum. Complete drawings and explanations are provided in the text as well as a sample interface program for use with the data acquisition software.

Surgical smoke and ultrafine particles

PubMed Central

Brüske-Hohlfeld, Irene; Preissler, Gerhard; Jauch, Karl-Walter; Pitz, Mike; Nowak, Dennis; Peters, Annette; Wichmann, H-Erich

2008-01-01

Background Electrocautery, laser tissue ablation, and ultrasonic scalpel tissue dissection all generate a 'surgical smoke' containing ultrafine (<100 nm) and accumulation mode particles (< 1 μm). Epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown that exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with adverse cardiovascular and respiratory health effects. Methods To measure the amount of generated particulates in 'surgical smoke' during different surgical procedures and to quantify the particle number concentration for operation room personnel a condensation particle counter (CPC, model 3007, TSI Inc.) was applied. Results Electro-cauterization and argon plasma tissue coagulation induced the production of very high number concentration (> 100000 cm-3) of particles in the diameter range of 10 nm to 1 μm. The peak concentration was confined to the immediate local surrounding of the production side. In the presence of a very efficient air conditioning system the increment and decrement of ultrafine particle occurrence was a matter of seconds, with accumulation of lower particle number concentrations in the operation room for only a few minutes. Conclusion Our investigation showed a short term very high exposure to ultrafine particles for surgeons and close assisting operating personnel – alternating with longer periods of low exposure. PMID:19055750

Direct comparison of extinction coefficients derived from Mie-scattering lidar and number concentrations of particles, subjective weather report in Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimizu, Atsushi; Sugimoto, Nobuo; Matsui, Ichiro; Nishizawa, Tomoaki

2015-03-01

Two components of the lidar extinction coefficient, the dust extinction and the spherical particles extinction, were obtained from observations made by the National Institute for Environmental Studies lidar network in Japan. These two extinctions were compared with the number concentration of particles measured by an optical particle counter, and with subjective weather reports recorded at the nearest meteorological observatories. The dust extinction corresponded well with the number concentration of large particles with diameters as great as 5 μm and during dry conditions with the number concentration of particles larger than 2 μm. The relationship between the spherical particle extinction and the number of small particles was nearly constant under all conditions. Asian dust was sometimes reported by meteorological observatories in the period of lower dust extinction. This indicates contradicting relationship between human-eye based reports and optical characteristics observed by lidars in some cases. The most consistent results between lidar observation and meteorological reports were obtained in dry mist conditions, in which lidars exhibited higher spherical extinction as expected by the definition of the atmospheric phenomenon of dry mist or haze.

Exposure to ultrafine particles in hospitality venues with partial smoking bans.

PubMed

Neuberger, Manfred; Moshammer, Hanns; Schietz, Armin

2013-01-01

Fine particles in hospitality venues with insufficient smoking bans indicate health risks from passive smoking. In a random sample of Viennese inns (restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and discotheques) effects of partial smoking bans on indoor air quality were examined by measurement of count, size and chargeable surface of ultrafine particles (UFPs) sized 10-300 nm, simultaneously with mass of particles sized 300-2500 nm (PM2.5). Air samples were taken in 134 rooms unannounced during busy hours and analyzed by a diffusion size classifier and an optical particle counter. Highest number concentrations of particles were found in smoking venues and smoking rooms (median 66,011 pt/cm(3)). Even non-smoking rooms adjacent to smoking rooms were highly contaminated (median 25,973 pt/cm(3)), compared with non-smoking venues (median 7408 pt/cm(3)). The particle number concentration was significantly correlated with the fine particle mass (P<0.001). We conclude that the existing tobacco law in Austria is ineffective to protect customers in non-smoking rooms of hospitality premises. Health protection of non-smoking guests and employees from risky UFP concentration is insufficient, even in rooms labeled "non-smoking". Partial smoking bans with separation of smoking rooms failed.

Numerical experiments with flows of elongated granules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elrod, Harold G.; Brewe, David E.

1992-01-01

Theory and numerical results are given for a program simulating two dimensional granular flow (1) between two infinite, counter-moving, parallel, roughened walls, and (2) for an infinitely wide slider. Each granule is simulated by a central repulsive force field ratcheted with force restitution factor to introduce dissipation. Transmission of angular momentum between particles occurs via Coulomb friction. The effect of granular hardness is explored. Gaps from 7 to 28 particle diameters are investigated, with solid fractions ranging from 0.2 to 0.9. Among features observed are: slip flow at boundaries, coagulation at high densities, and gross fluctuation in surface stress. A videotape has been prepared to demonstrate the foregoing effects.

Nucleus-nucleus interactions between 20 and 65 GeV per nucleon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burnett, T. H.; Derrickson, J. H.; Fountain, W. F.; Meegan, C. A.; Parnell, T. A.; Roberts, F. E.; Watts, J. W.; Oda, H.; Takahashi, Y.; Jones, W. V.

1987-01-01

A hybrid electronic-counter/emulsion-chamber instrument was exposed to high-energy cosmic rays on a balloon. The data on 105 nucleus-nucleus collisions in the energy range 20-65 GeV/nucleon and for incident nuclear charges Zp in the range of 22 to 28 are presented. Inclusive characteristics of particle production on different targets (plastic, emulsion, and lead) are shown and compared with models based on the superposition of nucleon-nucleus interactions. Features of a subset of the more central collisions with a plastic target and some characteristics of individual events with the highest multiplicity of produced particles are described.

Quantification of pressure sensitive adhesive, residual ink, and other colored process contaminants using dye and color image analysis

Treesearch

Roy R. Rosenberger; Carl J. Houtman

2000-01-01

The USPS Image Analysis (IA) protocol recommends the use of hydrophobic dyes to develop contrast between pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) particles and cellulosic fibers before using a dirt counter to detect all contaminants that have contrast with the handsheet background. Unless the sample contains no contaminants other than those of interest, two measurement steps...

Effects of Langmuir Circulations on the Plankton

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-30

remains the same as stated previously for this project. I wish to establish whether the plankton is affected by Langmuir Circulations (LCs). LCs are wind...particles from Optical Plankton Counter data) variables. This also has proved fruitful and has yielded results (below) different than those I originally...complement the standard, depth-integrated estimates of zooplankton abundance from bongo net deployments. This is proving to be a significant

A high-throughput AO/PI-based cell concentration and viability detection method using the Celigo image cytometry.

PubMed

Chan, Leo Li-Ying; Smith, Tim; Kumph, Kendra A; Kuksin, Dmitry; Kessel, Sarah; Déry, Olivier; Cribbes, Scott; Lai, Ning; Qiu, Jean

2016-10-01

To ensure cell-based assays are performed properly, both cell concentration and viability have to be determined so that the data can be normalized to generate meaningful and comparable results. Cell-based assays performed in immuno-oncology, toxicology, or bioprocessing research often require measuring of multiple samples and conditions, thus the current automated cell counter that uses single disposable counting slides is not practical for high-throughput screening assays. In the recent years, a plate-based image cytometry system has been developed for high-throughput biomolecular screening assays. In this work, we demonstrate a high-throughput AO/PI-based cell concentration and viability method using the Celigo image cytometer. First, we validate the method by comparing directly to Cellometer automated cell counter. Next, cell concentration dynamic range, viability dynamic range, and consistency are determined. The high-throughput AO/PI method described here allows for 96-well to 384-well plate samples to be analyzed in less than 7 min, which greatly reduces the time required for the single sample-based automated cell counter. In addition, this method can improve the efficiency for high-throughput screening assays, where multiple cell counts and viability measurements are needed prior to performing assays such as flow cytometry, ELISA, or simply plating cells for cell culture.

Contribution from indoor sources to particle number and mass concentrations in residential houses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Congrong; Morawska, Lidia; Hitchins, Jane; Gilbert, Dale

As part of a large study investigating indoor air in residential houses in Brisbane, Australia, the purpose of this work was to quantify emission characteristics of indoor particle sources in 15 houses. Submicrometer particle number and approximation of PM 2.5 concentrations were measured simultaneously for more than 48 h in the kitchen of all the houses by using a condensation particle counter (CPC) and a photometer (DustTrak), respectively. In addition, characterizations of particles resulting from cooking conducted in an identical way in all the houses were measured by using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) and a DustTrak. All the events of elevated particle concentrations were linked to indoor activities using house occupants diary entries, and catalogued into 21 different types of indoor activities. This enabled quantification of the effect of indoor sources on indoor particle concentrations as well as quantification of emission rates from the sources. For example, the study found that frying, grilling, stove use, toasting, cooking pizza, cooking, candle vaporizing eucalyptus oil and fan heater use, could elevate the indoor submicrometer particle number concentration levels by more than five times, while PM 2.5 concentrations could be up to 3, 30 and 90 times higher than the background levels during smoking, frying and grilling, respectively.

Volatile properties of particles emitted by compressed natural gas and diesel buses during steady-state and transient driving modes.

PubMed

Jayaratne, E R; Meyer, N K; Ristovski, Z D; Morawska, L

2012-01-03

Volatile properties of particle emissions from four compressed natural gas (CNG) and four diesel buses were investigated under steady-state and transient driving modes on a chassis dynamometer. The exhaust was diluted utilizing a full-flow continuous volume sampling system and passed through a thermodenuder at controlled temperature. Particle number concentration and size distribution were measured with a condensation particle counter and a scanning mobility particle sizer, respectively. We show that while almost all the particles emitted by the CNG buses were in the nanoparticle size range, at least 85% and 98% were removed at 100 and 250 °C, respectively. Closer analysis of the volatility of particles emitted during transient cycles showed that volatilization began at around 40 °C, with the majority occurring by 80 °C. Particles produced during hard acceleration from rest exhibited lower volatility than those produced during other times of the cycle. On the basis of our results and the observation of ash deposits on the walls of the tailpipes, we suggest that these nonvolatile particles were composed mostly of ash from lubricating oil. Heating the diesel bus emissions to 100 °C removed ultrafine particle numbers by 69-82% when a nucleation mode was present and just 18% when it was not.

Energetic-particle-modified global Alfvén eigenmodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lestz, J. B.; Belova, E. V.; Gorelenkov, N. N.

2018-04-01

Fully self-consistent hybrid MHD/particle simulations reveal strong energetic particle modifications to sub-cyclotron global Alfvén eigenmodes (GAEs) in low-aspect ratio, NSTX-like conditions. Key parameters defining the fast ion distribution function—the normalized injection velocity v0/vA and central pitch—are varied in order to study their influence on the characteristics of the excited modes. It is found that the frequency of the most unstable mode changes significantly and continuously with beam parameters, in accordance with the Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonances which drive the modes, and depending most substantially on v0/vA . This unexpected result is present for both counter-propagating GAEs, which are routinely excited in NSTX, and high frequency co-GAEs, which have not been previously studied. Large changes in frequency without clear corresponding changes in the mode structure are signatures of an energetic particle mode, referred to here as an energetic-particle-modified GAE. Additional simulations conducted for a fixed MHD equilibrium demonstrate that the GAE frequency shift cannot be explained by the equilibrium changes due to energetic particle effects.

Energetic-particle-modified global Alfven eigenmodes

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

Lestz, J. B.; Belova, E. V.; Gorelenkov, N. N.

Fully self-consistent hybrid MHD/particle simulations reveal strong energetic particle modifications to sub-cyclotron global Alfvén eigenmodes (GAEs) in low-aspect ratio, NSTX-like conditions. Key parameters defining the fast ion distribution function—the normalized injection velocity v 0/v A and central pitch—are varied in order to study their influence on the characteristics of the excited modes. It is found that the frequency of the most unstable mode changes significantly and continuously with beam parameters, in accordance with the Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonances which drive the modes, and depending most substantially on v 0/v A. This unexpected result is present for both counter-propagating GAEs, which aremore » routinely excited in NSTX, and high frequency co-GAEs, which have not been previously studied. Large changes in frequency without clear corresponding changes in the mode structure are signatures of an energetic particle mode, referred to here as an energetic-particle-modified GAE. In conclusion, additional simulations conducted for a fixed MHD equilibrium demonstrate that the GAE frequency shift cannot be explained by the equilibrium changes due to energetic particle effects.« less

Energetic-particle-modified global Alfven eigenmodes

DOE PAGES

Lestz, J. B.; Belova, E. V.; Gorelenkov, N. N.

2018-04-30

Fully self-consistent hybrid MHD/particle simulations reveal strong energetic particle modifications to sub-cyclotron global Alfvén eigenmodes (GAEs) in low-aspect ratio, NSTX-like conditions. Key parameters defining the fast ion distribution function—the normalized injection velocity v 0/v A and central pitch—are varied in order to study their influence on the characteristics of the excited modes. It is found that the frequency of the most unstable mode changes significantly and continuously with beam parameters, in accordance with the Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonances which drive the modes, and depending most substantially on v 0/v A. This unexpected result is present for both counter-propagating GAEs, which aremore » routinely excited in NSTX, and high frequency co-GAEs, which have not been previously studied. Large changes in frequency without clear corresponding changes in the mode structure are signatures of an energetic particle mode, referred to here as an energetic-particle-modified GAE. In conclusion, additional simulations conducted for a fixed MHD equilibrium demonstrate that the GAE frequency shift cannot be explained by the equilibrium changes due to energetic particle effects.« less

Hygroscopic properties of atmospheric particles emitted during wintertime biomass burning episodes in Athens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Psichoudaki, Magda; Nenes, Athanasios; Florou, Kalliopi; Kaltsonoudis, Christos; Pandis, Spyros N.

2018-04-01

This study explores the Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) activity of atmospheric particles during intense biomass burning periods in an urban environment. During a one-month campaign in the center of Athens, Greece, a CCN counter coupled with a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and a high resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-AMS) were used to measure the size-resolved CCN activity and composition of the atmospheric aerosols. During the day, the organic fraction of the particles was more than 50%, reaching almost 80% at night, when the fireplaces were used. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis revealed 4 factors with biomass burning being the dominant source after 18:00 until the early morning. The CCN-based overall hygroscopicity parameter κ ranged from 0.15 to 0.25. During the night, when the biomass burning organic aerosol (bbOA) dominated, the hygroscopicity parameter for the mixed organic/inorganic particles was on average 0.16. The hygroscopicity of the biomass-burning organic particles was 0.09, while the corresponding average value for all organic particulate matter during the campaign was 0.12.

Counter-rotating propeller noise directivity and trends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Block, P. J. W.; Klatte, R. J.; Druez, P. M.

1986-01-01

The effects of power loading on the far field noise spectra and directivity of counter-rotating propellers (CRP) were studied using a model scale SR-2 propeller in a low-speed anechoic wind tunnel. Approximately 264 far field noise measurements were obtained for each CRP configuration (pusher and tractor) and operating conditions covering from 30 to 140 deg to the flight direction and up to 340 deg circumferentially. Data indicated that the CRP tractor produced higher levels in the second and third harmonics which propagated axially; in effect, the noise exposure time increased over that of a single single-rotation propeller. The effects of pylon-to-propeller spacing, type of pylon attachment and reduced rear-blade row radius are considered and it is found that the 0.3 chord radial pylon produces less additional noise than the 0.1 chord radial pylon and that the 0.2 chord tangential pylon is the quietest pusher configuration.

The effects of installation on single- and counter-rotation propeller noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Block, P. J. W.

1984-01-01

In order to understand the effects of installation on propeller noise, numerous measurements are required to define the directivity of the noise as well as the level. An experimental study was designed to map the noise radiation pattern for various single-rotation propeller (SRP) and counter-rotation propeller (CRP) installations covering + or 60 deg from the propeller disk plane and + or - 60 deg laterally. Configurations that were considered included an SRP at angle of attack and in tractor and pusher operations and a CRP. A first principles linear theory was validated for the SRP tractor operation over the angle range mentioned above. The increases in noise that arise from an unsteady loading operation such as an SRP pusher or CRP exceed 15 dB and depend on the observer location. In particular, the majority of the additional noise appears to radiate in the axial directions.

Low-speed stability and control characteristics of a transport model with aft-fuselage-mounted advanced turboprops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Applin, Z. T.; Coe, P. L., Jr.

1986-01-01

A limited experimental investigation was conducted in the Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel to explore the effects of aft-fuselage-mounted advanced turboprop installations on the low-speed stability and control characteristics of a representative transport aircraft in a landing configuration. In general, the experimental results indicate that the longitudinal and lateral-directional stability characteristics for the aft-fuselage-mounted single-rotation tractor and counter-rotation pusher propeller configurations tested during this investigation are acceptable aerodynamically. For the single-rotation tractor configuration, the propeller-induced aerodynamics are significantly influenced by the interaction of the propeller slipstream with the pylon and nacelle. The stability characteristics for the counter-rotation pusher configuration are strongly influenced by propeller normal forces. The longitudinal and directional control effectiveness, engine-out characteristics, and ground effects are also presented. In addition, a tabulated presentation of all aerodynamic data presented in this report is included as an appendix.

Hot-Electron Photon Counters for Detecting Terahertz Photons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karasik, Boris; Sergeyev, Andrei

2005-01-01

A document proposes the development of hot-electron photon counters (HEPCs) for detecting terahertz photons in spaceborne far-infrared astronomical instruments. These would be superconducting- transition-edge devices: they would contain superconducting bridges that would have such low heat capacities that single terahertz photons would cause transient increases in their electron temperatures through the superconducting- transition range, thereby yielding measurable increases in electrical resistance. Single devices or imaging arrays of the devices would be fabricated as submicron-sized bridges made from films of disordered Ti (which has a superconducting- transition temperature of .0.35 K) between Nb contacts on bulk silicon or sapphire substrates. In operation, these devices would be cooled to a temperature of .0.3 K. The proposed devices would cost less to fabricate and operate, relative to integrating bolometers of equal sensitivity, which must be operated at a temperature of approx. = 0.1 K.

Cryogenic readout for multiple VUV4 Multi-Pixel Photon Counters in liquid xenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arneodo, F.; Benabderrahmane, M. L.; Bruno, G.; Conicella, V.; Di Giovanni, A.; Fawwaz, O.; Messina, M.; Candela, A.; Franchi, G.

2018-06-01

We present the performances and characterization of an array made of S13370-3050CN (VUV4 generation) Multi-Pixel Photon Counters manufactured by Hamamatsu and equipped with a low power consumption preamplifier operating at liquid xenon temperature (∼ 175 K). The electronics is designed for the readout of a matrix of maximum dimension of 8 × 8 individual photosensors and it is based on a single operational amplifier. The detector prototype presented in this paper utilizes the Analog Devices AD8011 current feedback operational amplifier, but other models can be used depending on the application. A biasing correction circuit has been implemented for the gain equalization of photosensors operating at different voltages. The results show single photon detection capability making this device a promising choice for future generation of large scale dark matter detectors based on liquid xenon, such as DARWIN.

OPERATION SUNBEAM, SHOT SMALL BOY. Project Officer’s Report. Project 2.9. Fallout Collection and Gross Sample Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-01

concepts for large scale radiological defense operations. 2. 212 CP 2 PR0c J 2.1 PLAJWU This project participated in the single shotp A Boy, fired on a...inch diameter by 3 inch high NaI scintilla- tion counter taking sample tubes up to 1-1/4 inches in diameter. -The crystal was mounted on an W type...inch high Nal scin- tillation counter. The crystal -source distance was 8-3/4 inches. Shielding consisted of a lead cylinder 2 inches thick, 7 inches

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

Mace, Emily; Aalseth, Craig; Alexander, Tom

Use of ultra-low-background capabilities at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory provide enhanced sensitivity for measurement of low-activity sources of tritium and radiocarbon using proportional counters. Tritium levels are nearly back to pre-nuclear test backgrounds (~2-8 TU in rainwater), which can complicate their dual measurement with radiocarbon due to overlap in the isotope’s respective energy spectra. This activity makes direct dual-isotope measurements challenging without additional chemistry to concentrate the tritium in a sample. We present results of single-isotope proportional counter measurements used to analyze a dual-isotope methane sample synthesized from ~120 mg of H2O and present sensitivity results.

Simultaneous measurement of tritium and radiocarbon by ultra-low-background proportional counting.

PubMed

Mace, Emily; Aalseth, Craig; Alexander, Tom; Back, Henning; Day, Anthony; Hoppe, Eric; Keillor, Martin; Moran, Jim; Overman, Cory; Panisko, Mark; Seifert, Allen

2017-08-01

Use of ultra-low-background capabilities at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory provide enhanced sensitivity for measurement of low-activity sources of tritium and radiocarbon using proportional counters. Tritium levels are nearly back to pre-nuclear test backgrounds (~2-8 TU in rainwater), which can complicate their dual measurement with radiocarbon due to overlap in the beta decay spectra. We present results of single-isotope proportional counter measurements used to analyze a dual-isotope methane sample synthesized from ~120mg of H 2 O and present sensitivity results. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural tailoring of counter rotation propfans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Kenneth W.; Hopkins, D. A.

1989-01-01

The STAT program was designed for the optimization of single rotation, tractor propfan designs. New propfan designs, however, generally consist of two counter rotating propfan rotors. STAT is constructed to contain two levels of analysis. An interior loop, consisting of accurate, efficient approximate analyses, is used to perform the primary propfan optimization. Once an optimum design has been obtained, a series of refined analyses are conducted. These analyses, while too computer time expensive for the optimization loop, are of sufficient accuracy to validate the optimized design. Should the design prove to be unacceptable, provisions are made for recalibration of the approximate analyses, for subsequent reoptimization.

Single particle electrochemical sensors and methods of utilization

DOEpatents

Schoeniger, Joseph [Oakland, CA; Flounders, Albert W [Berkeley, CA; Hughes, Robert C [Albuquerque, NM; Ricco, Antonio J [Los Gatos, CA; Wally, Karl [Lafayette, CA; Kravitz, Stanley H [Placitas, NM; Janek, Richard P [Oakland, CA

2006-04-04

The present invention discloses an electrochemical device for detecting single particles, and methods for using such a device to achieve high sensitivity for detecting particles such as bacteria, viruses, aggregates, immuno-complexes, molecules, or ionic species. The device provides for affinity-based electrochemical detection of particles with single-particle sensitivity. The disclosed device and methods are based on microelectrodes with surface-attached, affinity ligands (e.g., antibodies, combinatorial peptides, glycolipids) that bind selectively to some target particle species. The electrodes electrolyze chemical species present in the particle-containing solution, and particle interaction with a sensor element modulates its electrolytic activity. The devices may be used individually, employed as sensors, used in arrays for a single specific type of particle or for a range of particle types, or configured into arrays of sensors having both these attributes.

Fully printable transparent monolithic solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with mesoscopic indium tin oxide counter electrode.

PubMed

Yang, Ying; Ri, Kwangho; Rong, Yaoguang; Liu, Linfeng; Liu, Tongfa; Hu, Min; Li, Xiong; Han, Hongwei

2014-09-07

We present a new transparent monolithic mesoscopic solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell based on trilamellar films of mesoscopic TiO2 nanocrystalline photoanode, a ZrO2 insulating layer and an indium tin oxide counter electrode (ITO-CE), which were screen-printed layer by layer on a single substrate. When the thickness of the ITO-CE was optimized to 2.1 μm, this very simple and fully printable solid-state DSSC with D102 dye and spiro-OMeTAD hole transport materials presents efficiencies of 1.73% when irradiated from the front side and 1.06% when irradiated from the rear side under a standard simulated sunlight condition (AM 1.5 Global, 100 mW cm(-2)). Higher parameters could be expected with a better transparent mesoscopic counter electrode and hole conductor for the printable monolithic mesoscopic solid-state DSSC.

Aerosol Abundances and Optical Characteristics in the Pacific Basin Free Troposphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

1994-01-01

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

Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage

DOE PAGES

Martinek, Janna; Wendelin, Timothy; Ma, Zhiwen

2018-04-05

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can provide dispatchable power with a thermal energy storage capability for increased renewable-energy grid penetration. Particle-based CSP systems permit higher temperatures, and thus, potentially higher solar-to-electric efficiency than state-of-the-art molten-salt heat-transfer systems. This paper describes a detailed numerical analysis framework for estimating the performance of a novel, geometrically complex, enclosed particle receiver design. The receiver configuration uses arrays of small tubular absorbers to collect and subsequently transfer solar energy to a flowing particulate medium. The enclosed nature of the receiver design renders it amenable to either an inert heat-transfer medium, or a reactive heat-transfer medium that requires a controllable ambient environment. The numerical analysis framework described in this study is demonstrated for the case of thermal reduction of CaCr 0.1Mn 0.9O 3-more » $$\\delta$$ for thermochemical energy storage. The modeling strategy consists of Monte Carlo ray tracing for absorbed solar-energy distributions from a surround heliostat field, computational fluid dynamics modeling of small-scale local tubular arrays, surrogate response surfaces that approximately capture simulated tubular array performance, a quasi-two-dimensional reduced-order description of counter-flow reactive solids and purge gas, and a radiative exchange model applied to embedded-cavity structures at the size scale of the full receiver. In this work we apply the numerical analysis strategy to a single receiver configuration, but the framework can be generically applicable to alternative enclosed designs. In conclusion, we assess sensitivity of receiver performance to surface optical properties, heat-transfer coefficients, solids outlet temperature, and purge-gas feed rates, and discuss the significance of model assumptions and results for future receiver development.« less

Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage

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

Martinek, Janna; Wendelin, Timothy; Ma, Zhiwen

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can provide dispatchable power with a thermal energy storage capability for increased renewable-energy grid penetration. Particle-based CSP systems permit higher temperatures, and thus, potentially higher solar-to-electric efficiency than state-of-the-art molten-salt heat-transfer systems. This paper describes a detailed numerical analysis framework for estimating the performance of a novel, geometrically complex, enclosed particle receiver design. The receiver configuration uses arrays of small tubular absorbers to collect and subsequently transfer solar energy to a flowing particulate medium. The enclosed nature of the receiver design renders it amenable to either an inert heat-transfer medium, or a reactive heat-transfer medium that requires a controllable ambient environment. The numerical analysis framework described in this study is demonstrated for the case of thermal reduction of CaCr 0.1Mn 0.9O 3-more » $$\\delta$$ for thermochemical energy storage. The modeling strategy consists of Monte Carlo ray tracing for absorbed solar-energy distributions from a surround heliostat field, computational fluid dynamics modeling of small-scale local tubular arrays, surrogate response surfaces that approximately capture simulated tubular array performance, a quasi-two-dimensional reduced-order description of counter-flow reactive solids and purge gas, and a radiative exchange model applied to embedded-cavity structures at the size scale of the full receiver. In this work we apply the numerical analysis strategy to a single receiver configuration, but the framework can be generically applicable to alternative enclosed designs. In conclusion, we assess sensitivity of receiver performance to surface optical properties, heat-transfer coefficients, solids outlet temperature, and purge-gas feed rates, and discuss the significance of model assumptions and results for future receiver development.« less

Testing a Poisson Counter Model for Visual Identification of Briefly Presented, Mutually Confusable Single Stimuli in Pure Accuracy Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kyllingsbaek, Soren; Markussen, Bo; Bundesen, Claus

2012-01-01

The authors propose and test a simple model of the time course of visual identification of briefly presented, mutually confusable single stimuli in pure accuracy tasks. The model implies that during stimulus analysis, tentative categorizations that stimulus i belongs to category j are made at a constant Poisson rate, v(i, j). The analysis is…

Single particle mass spectral signatures from vehicle exhaust particles and the source apportionment of on-line PM2.5 by single particle aerosol mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yang, Jian; Ma, Shexia; Gao, Bo; Li, Xiaoying; Zhang, Yanjun; Cai, Jing; Li, Mei; Yao, Ling'ai; Huang, Bo; Zheng, Mei

2017-09-01

In order to accurately apportion the many distinct types of individual particles observed, it is necessary to characterize fingerprints of individual particles emitted directly from known sources. In this study, single particle mass spectral signatures from vehicle exhaust particles in a tunnel were performed. These data were used to evaluate particle signatures in a real-world PM 2.5 apportionment study. The dominant chemical type originating from average positive and negative mass spectra for vehicle exhaust particles are EC species. Four distinct particle types describe the majority of particles emitted by vehicle exhaust particles in this tunnel. Each particle class is labeled according to the most significant chemical features in both average positive and negative mass spectral signatures, including ECOC, NaK, Metal and PAHs species. A single particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) was also employed during the winter of 2013 in Guangzhou to determine both the size and chemical composition of individual atmospheric particles, with vacuum aerodynamic diameter (d va ) in the size range of 0.2-2μm. A total of 487,570 particles were chemically analyzed with positive and negative ion mass spectra and a large set of single particle mass spectra was collected and analyzed in order to identify the speciation. According to the typical tracer ions from different source types and classification by the ART-2a algorithm which uses source fingerprints for apportioning ambient particles, the major sources of single particles were simulated. Coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, and secondary ion were the most abundant particle sources, contributing 28.5%, 17.8%, and 18.2%, respectively. The fraction with vehicle exhaust species particles decreased slightly with particle size in the condensation mode particles. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Two CMOS gate arrays for the EPACT experiment

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

Winkert, G.

1992-08-01

Two semicustom CMOS digital gate arrays are described in this paper which have been developed for the Energetic Particles: Acceleration, Composition, and Transport (EPACT) experiment. The first device, the 'Event Counters: 16 by 24-bit' (EC1624), implements sixteen 24-bit ripple counters and has flexible counting and readout options. The second device, the 'Serial Transmitter/Receiver' (SXR), is a multi-personality chip that can be used at either end of a serial, synchronous communications data link. It can be configured as a master in a central control unit, or as one of many slaves within remote assemblies. Together a network of SXRs allows formore » commanding and verification of distributed control signals. Both gate arrays are radiation hardened and qualified for space flight use. The architecture of each chip is presented and the benefits to the experiment summarized.« less

Marginal instability threshold of magnetosonic waves in kappa distributed plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashir, M. F.; Manzoor, M. Z.; Ilie, R.; Yoon, P. H.; Miasli, M. S.

2017-12-01

The dispersion relation of magnetosonic wave is studied taking the non-extensive anisotropic counter-streaming distribution which follows the Tsallis statistics. The effects of non-extensivity parameter (q), counter-streaming parameter (P) and the wave-particle interaction is analyzed on the growth rate and the marginal instability threshold condition of Magnetosonic (MS) mode to provide the possible explanation of different regions the Bale-diagram obtained from the solar wind data at 1 AU as represented by the temperature anisotropy ( ) vs plasma beta ( ) solar wind data plot. It is shown that the most of the regions of Bale-diagram is bounded by the MS instability under different condition and best fitted by the non-extesnive distribution. The results for the bi-kappa distribution and bi- Maxwellian distribution are also obtained in the limits and respectively.

Design of a portable dose rate detector based on a double Geiger-Mueller counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Peng; Tang, Xiao-Bin; Gong, Pin; Huang, Xi; Wen, Liang-Sheng; Han, Zhen-Yang; He, Jian-Ping

2018-01-01

A portable dose rate detector was designed to monitor radioactive pollution and radioactive environments. The portable dose detector can measure background radiation levels (0.1 μSv/h) to nuclear accident radiation levels (>10 Sv/h). Both automatic switch technology of a double Geiger-Mueller counter and time-to-count technology were adopted to broaden the measurement range of the instrument. Global positioning systems and the 3G telecommunication protocol were installed to prevent radiation damage to the human body. In addition, the Monte Carlo N-Particle code was used to design the thin layer of metal for energy compensation, which was used to flatten energy response The portable dose rate detector has been calibrated by the standard radiation field method, and it can be used alone or in combination with additional radiation detectors.

Magnetic anisotropy of nickel nanorods and the mechanical torque in an elastic environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schopphoven, C.; Tschöpe, A.

2018-03-01

Nickel nanorods with average length L=340~nm and diameter D=20~nm were prepared by the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO)-template method, processed to a colloidal dispersion and embedded in a gelatine hydrogel matrix at low volume fraction φ ≤slant 10-4 . The large aspect ratio of these single-domain particles gives rise to a high magnetic shape anisotropy in combination with a significant anisotropic optical polarizability. The magnetic anisotropy enables exertion of a torque on nanorods without contact by applying a homogeneous magnetic field. In response, the nanorods rotate by an angle which is determined by the balance between the magnetic torque and the mechanical counter torque, caused by the elastic deformation of the surrounding matrix. This rotation was experimentally detected using optical transmission of linearly polarized light. We used the combination of magnetization and torque-driven rotation measurements to evaluate an adapted Stoner-Wohlfarth model of the orientation- and field-dependent magnetic torque on Ni nanorods in an elastic environment as base for optimization of torque-driven magnetic actuators.

Investigation of Self Triggered Cosmic Ray Detectors using Silicon Photomultiplier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knox, Adrian; Niduaza, Rommel; Hernandez, Victor; Ruiz, Daniel; Ramos, Daniel; Fan, Sewan; Fatuzzo, Laura; Ritt, Stefan

2015-04-01

The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) is a highly sensitive light detector capable of measuring single photons. It costs a fraction of the photomultiplier tube and operates slightly above the breakdown voltage. At this conference we describe our investigation of SiPM, the multipixel photon counters (MPPC) from Hamamatsu as readout detectors for plastic scintillators working for detecting cosmic ray particles. Our setup consists of scintillator sheets embedded with blue to green wavelength shifting fibers optically coupled to MPPCs to detect scintillating light. Four detector assemblies would be constructed and arranged to work in self triggered mode. Using custom matching tee boxes, the amplified MPPC signals are fed to discriminators with threshold set to give a reasonable coincidence count rate. Moreover, the detector waveforms are digitized using a 5 Giga Samples per second waveform digitizer, the DRS4, and triggered with the coincidence logic to capture the MPPC waveforms. Offline analysis of the digitized waveforms is accomplished using the CERN package PAW and results of our experiments and the data analysis would also be discussed. US Department of Education Title V Grant Number PO31S090007.

Dynamic fracture behavior of single and contacting Poly(methyl methacrylate) particles

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

Parab, Niranjan D.; Guo, Zherui; Hudspeth, Matthew C.

Fracture behaviors of single, two, and multiple contacting spherical Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were recorded using high speed synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging. A miniaturized Kolsky bar setup was used to apply dynamic compressive loading on the PMMA particles. In both single and two particle experiments, cracking initiated near the center of the particles and propagated towards the contacts. The crack bifurcated near the contact points for single particle experiments, thus forming conical fragments. The crack bifurcation and subsequent conical fragment formation was observed only at the particle-particle contact for two particle experiments. The particles were observed to fracturemore » in hemispherical fragments normal to the contact plane in the multiparticle experiments. The observed failure mechanisms strongly suggest that the maximum tensile stress near the center of the particle is the critical parameter governing fracture of the particles. Moreover, the compressive stress under the contact areas led to the bifurcation and subsequent conical fragment formation.« less

Dynamic fracture behavior of single and contacting Poly(methyl methacrylate) particles

DOE PAGES

Parab, Niranjan D.; Guo, Zherui; Hudspeth, Matthew C.; ...

2017-09-19

Fracture behaviors of single, two, and multiple contacting spherical Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were recorded using high speed synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging. A miniaturized Kolsky bar setup was used to apply dynamic compressive loading on the PMMA particles. In both single and two particle experiments, cracking initiated near the center of the particles and propagated towards the contacts. The crack bifurcated near the contact points for single particle experiments, thus forming conical fragments. The crack bifurcation and subsequent conical fragment formation was observed only at the particle-particle contact for two particle experiments. The particles were observed to fracturemore » in hemispherical fragments normal to the contact plane in the multiparticle experiments. The observed failure mechanisms strongly suggest that the maximum tensile stress near the center of the particle is the critical parameter governing fracture of the particles. Moreover, the compressive stress under the contact areas led to the bifurcation and subsequent conical fragment formation.« less

47 CFR 2.1505 - Test instrumentation and equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... instrument is to be DC coupled and capable of manually triggered single sweeps. (d) Frequency counter. A... frequency. (e) Signal generator. A calibrated signal generator with an output of at least 75 mW at 121.5 and...

Characterizing temporal changes of agricultural particulate matter number concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Docekal, G. P.; Mahmood, R.; Larkin, G. P.; Silva, P. J.

2017-12-01

It is widely accepted among literature that particulate matter (PM) are of detriment to human health and the environment as a whole. These effects can vary depending on the particle size. This study examines PM size distributions and number concentrations at a poultry house. Despite much literature on PM concentrations at agricultural facilities, few studies have looked at the size distribution of particles at such facilities from the nucleation up through the coarse mode. Two optical particle counters (OPCs) were placed, one inside of a chicken house, and one on the outside of an exhaust fan to determine particle size distributions. In addition, a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) sampled poultry house particles to give sizing information from a full size range of 10 nm - 20 mm. The data collected show several different types of events where observed size distributions changed. While some of these are due to expected dust generation events producing coarse mode particles, others suggest particle nucleation and accumulation events at the smaller size ranges that also occurred. The data suggest that agricultural facilities have an impact one the presence of PM in the environment beyond just generation of coarse mode dust. Data for different types of size distribution changes observed will be discussed.

Clinical studies of sweat rate reduction by an over-the-counter soft-solid antiperspirant and comparison with a prescription antiperspirant product in male panelists.

PubMed

Swaile, D F; Elstun, L T; Benzing, K W

2012-03-01

Individuals with axillary hyperhidrosis have much higher than average sweat rates and are often prescribed anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)) solutions. Topical application of these solutions can be irritating to the skin, resulting in poor compliance and lower than desired efficacy. Demonstrate the efficacy of an over the counter "clinical strength" soft-solid antiperspirant using a night time application regimen and compare to a prescription aluminum chloride (6.5%) antiperspirant using male panelists. Gravimetric hot room efficacy testing (100 F and 35% Humidity) was performed comparing an over the counter soft-solid antiperspirant to placebo in a single test. Two separate gravimetric tests were placed comparing a prescription aluminum chloride (6.5%) antiperspirant to the same soft solid product using an intent to treat model. Skin irritation was assessed daily by a trained grader. Placebo testing resulted in 85% of panelists having a reduction in sweating rate greater than 50%. Comparison testing showed the over the counter soft solid reduced sweat rate by an average of 34% better than the prescription product while resulting significantly less skin irritation. Over the counter "clinical strength" soft-solid antiperspirants can be considered as an alternative treatment to aluminum chloride antiperspirants for the treatment of heavy sweating. © 2012 The Author. BJD © 2012 British Association of Dermatologists.

Solid-state Image Sensor with Focal-plane Digital Photon-counting Pixel Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fossum, Eric R.; Pain, Bedabrata

1997-01-01

A solid-state focal-plane imaging system comprises an NxN array of high gain. low-noise unit cells. each unit cell being connected to a different one of photovoltaic detector diodes, one for each unit cell, interspersed in the array for ultra low level image detection and a plurality of digital counters coupled to the outputs of the unit cell by a multiplexer(either a separate counter for each unit cell or a row of N of counters time shared with N rows of digital counters). Each unit cell includes two self-biasing cascode amplifiers in cascade for a high charge-to-voltage conversion gain (greater than 1mV/e(-)) and an electronic switch to reset input capacitance to a reference potential in order to be able to discriminate detection of an incident photon by the photoelectron (e(-))generated in the detector diode at the input of the first cascode amplifier in order to count incident photons individually in a digital counter connected to the output of the second cascade amplifier. Reseting the input capacitance and initiating self-biasing of the amplifiers occurs every clock cycle of an integratng period to enable ultralow light level image detection by the may of photovoltaic detector diodes under such ultralow light level conditions that the photon flux will statistically provide only a single photon at a time incident on anyone detector diode during any clock cycle.

Microfabricated particle focusing device

DOEpatents

Ravula, Surendra K.; Arrington, Christian L.; Sigman, Jennifer K.; Branch, Darren W.; Brener, Igal; Clem, Paul G.; James, Conrad D.; Hill, Martyn; Boltryk, Rosemary June

2013-04-23

A microfabricated particle focusing device comprises an acoustic portion to preconcentrate particles over large spatial dimensions into particle streams and a dielectrophoretic portion for finer particle focusing into single-file columns. The device can be used for high throughput assays for which it is necessary to isolate and investigate small bundles of particles and single particles.

Comparison of Three Real-Time Measurement Methods for Airborne Ultrafine Particles in the Silicon Alloy Industry.

PubMed

Kero, Ida Teresia; Jørgensen, Rikke Bramming

2016-09-01

The aim of this study was to compare the applicability and the correlation between three commercially available instruments capable of detection, quantification, and characterization of ultrafine airborne particulate matter in the industrial setting of a tapping area in a silicon alloy production plant. The number concentration of ultrafine particles was evaluated using an Electric Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI(TM)), a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS(TM)), and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The results are discussed in terms of particle size distribution and temporal variations linked to process operations. The instruments show excellent temporal covariation and the correlation between the FMPS and ELPI is good. The advantage of the FMPS is the excellent time- and size resolution of the results. The main advantage of the ELPI is the possibility to collect size-fractionated samples of the dust for subsequent analysis by, for example, electron microscopy. The CPC does not provide information about the particle size distribution and its correlation to the other two instruments is somewhat poor. Nonetheless, the CPC gives basic, real-time information about the ultrafine particle concentration and can therefore be used for source identification.

Comparison of Three Real-Time Measurement Methods for Airborne Ultrafine Particles in the Silicon Alloy Industry

PubMed Central

Kero, Ida Teresia; Jørgensen, Rikke Bramming

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to compare the applicability and the correlation between three commercially available instruments capable of detection, quantification, and characterization of ultrafine airborne particulate matter in the industrial setting of a tapping area in a silicon alloy production plant. The number concentration of ultrafine particles was evaluated using an Electric Low Pressure Impactor (ELPITM), a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPSTM), and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The results are discussed in terms of particle size distribution and temporal variations linked to process operations. The instruments show excellent temporal covariation and the correlation between the FMPS and ELPI is good. The advantage of the FMPS is the excellent time- and size resolution of the results. The main advantage of the ELPI is the possibility to collect size-fractionated samples of the dust for subsequent analysis by, for example, electron microscopy. The CPC does not provide information about the particle size distribution and its correlation to the other two instruments is somewhat poor. Nonetheless, the CPC gives basic, real-time information about the ultrafine particle concentration and can therefore be used for source identification. PMID:27598180

Nonlinear Evolution of Counter-Propagating Whistler Mode Waves Excited by Anisotropic Electrons Within the Equatorial Source Region: 1-D PIC Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Huayue; Gao, Xinliang; Lu, Quanming; Sun, Jicheng; Wang, Shui

2018-02-01

Nonlinear physical processes related to whistler mode waves are attracting more and more attention for their significant role in reshaping whistler mode spectra in the Earth's magnetosphere. Using a 1-D particle-in-cell simulation model, we have investigated the nonlinear evolution of parallel counter-propagating whistler mode waves excited by anisotropic electrons within the equatorial source region. In our simulations, after the linear phase of whistler mode instability, the strong electrostatic standing structures along the background magnetic field will be formed, resulting from the coupling between excited counter-propagating whistler mode waves. The wave numbers of electrostatic standing structures are about twice those of whistler mode waves generated by anisotropic hot electrons. Moreover, these electrostatic standing structures can further be coupled with either parallel or antiparallel propagating whistler mode waves to excite high-k modes in this plasma system. Compared with excited whistler mode waves, these high-k modes typically have 3 times wave number, same frequency, and about 2 orders of magnitude smaller amplitude. Our study may provide a fresh view on the evolution of whistler mode waves within their equatorial source regions in the Earth's magnetosphere.

Monte Carlo track structure for radiation biology and space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikjoo, H.; Uehara, S.; Khvostunov, I. G.; Cucinotta, F. A.; Wilson, W. E.; Goodhead, D. T.

2001-01-01

Over the past two decades event by event Monte Carlo track structure codes have increasingly been used for biophysical modelling and radiotherapy. Advent of these codes has helped to shed light on many aspects of microdosimetry and mechanism of damage by ionising radiation in the cell. These codes have continuously been modified to include new improved cross sections and computational techniques. This paper provides a summary of input data for ionizations, excitations and elastic scattering cross sections for event by event Monte Carlo track structure simulations for electrons and ions in the form of parametric equations, which makes it easy to reproduce the data. Stopping power and radial distribution of dose are presented for ions and compared with experimental data. A model is described for simulation of full slowing down of proton tracks in water in the range 1 keV to 1 MeV. Modelling and calculations are presented for the response of a TEPC proportional counter irradiated with 5 MeV alpha-particles. Distributions are presented for the wall and wall-less counters. Data shows contribution of indirect effects to the lineal energy distribution for the wall counters responses even at such a low ion energy.

Methods for forming particles from single source precursors

DOEpatents

Fox, Robert V [Idaho Falls, ID; Rodriguez, Rene G [Pocatello, ID; Pak, Joshua [Pocatello, ID

2011-08-23

Single source precursors are subjected to carbon dioxide to form particles of material. The carbon dioxide may be in a supercritical state. Single source precursors also may be subjected to supercritical fluids other than supercritical carbon dioxide to form particles of material. The methods may be used to form nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the methods are used to form chalcopyrite materials. Devices such as, for example, semiconductor devices may be fabricated that include such particles. Methods of forming semiconductor devices include subjecting single source precursors to carbon dioxide to form particles of semiconductor material, and establishing electrical contact between the particles and an electrode.

Single particle characterization using a light scattering module coupled to a time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cross, E. S.; Onasch, T. B.; Canagaratna, M.; Jayne, J. T.; Kimmel, J.; Yu, X.-Y.; Alexander, M. L.; Worsnop, D. R.; Davidovits, P.

2008-12-01

We present the first single particle results obtained using an Aerodyne time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer coupled with a light scattering module (LS-ToF-AMS). The instrument was deployed at the T1 ground site approximately 40 km northeast of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) as part of the MILAGRO field study in March of 2006. The instrument was operated as a standard AMS from 12-30 March, acquiring average chemical composition and size distributions for the ambient aerosol, and in single particle mode from 27-30 March. Over a 75-h sampling period, 12 853 single particle mass spectra were optically triggered, saved, and analyzed. The correlated optical and chemical detection allowed detailed examination of single particle collection and quantification within the LS-ToF-AMS. The single particle data enabled the mixing states of the ambient aerosol to be characterized within the context of the size-resolved ensemble chemical information. The particulate mixing states were examined as a function of sampling time and most of the particles were found to be internal mixtures containing many of the organic and inorganic species identified in the ensemble analysis. The single particle mass spectra were deconvolved, using techniques developed for ensemble AMS data analysis, into HOA, OOA, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4, and NH4Cl fractions. Average single particle mass and chemistry measurements are shown to be in agreement with ensemble MS and PTOF measurements. While a significant fraction of ambient particles were internal mixtures of varying degrees, single particle measurements of chemical composition allowed the identification of time periods during which the ambient ensemble was externally mixed. In some cases the chemical composition of the particles suggested a likely source. Throughout the full sampling period, the ambient ensemble was an external mixture of combustion-generated HOA particles from local sources (e.g. traffic), with number concentrations peaking during morning rush hour (04:00-08:00 LT) each day, and more processed particles of mixed composition from nonspecific sources. From 09:00-12:00 LT all particles within the ambient ensemble, including the locally produced HOA particles, became coated with NH4NO3 due to photochemical production of HNO3. The number concentration of externally mixed HOA particles remained low during daylight hours. Throughout the afternoon the OOA component dominated the organic fraction of the single particles, likely due to secondary organic aerosol formation and condensation. Single particle mass fractions of (NH4)2SO4 were lowest during the day and highest during the night. In one instance, gas-to-particle condensation of (NH4)2SO4 was observed on all measured particles within a strong SO2 plume arriving at T1 from the northwest. Particles with high NH4Cl mass fractions were identified during early morning periods. A limited number of particles (~5% of the total number) with mass spectral features characteristic of biomass burning were also identified.

A cloud/particle model of the interstellar medium - Galactic spiral structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levinson, F. H.; Roberts, W. W., Jr.

1981-01-01

A cloud/particle model for gas flow in galaxies is developed that incorporates cloud-cloud collisions and supernovae as dominant local processes. Cloud-cloud collisions are the main means of dissipation. To counter this dissipation and maintain local dispersion, supernova explosions in the medium administer radial snowplow pushes to all nearby clouds. The causal link between these processes is that cloud-cloud collisions will form stars and that these stars will rapidly become supernovae. The cloud/particle model is tested and used to investigate the gas dynamics and spiral structures in galaxies where these assumptions may be reasonable. Particular attention is given to whether large-scale galactic shock waves, which are thought to underlie the regular well-delineated spiral structure in some galaxies, form and persist in a cloud-supernova dominated interstellar medium; this question is answered in the affirmative.

Comminution process to produce engineered wood particles of uniform size and shape with disrupted grain structure from veneer

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

Dooley, James H; Lanning, David N

Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) substantially equal to the veneer thickness (Tv) and aligned normal to Wmore » and L, wherein the W.times.H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.« less

Solid-State Gas Sensors: Sensor System Challenges in the Civil Security Domain.

PubMed

Müller, Gerhard; Hackner, Angelika; Beer, Sebastian; Göbel, Johann

2016-01-20

The detection of military high explosives and illicit drugs presents problems of paramount importance in the fields of counter terrorism and criminal investigation. Effectively dealing with such threats requires hand-portable, mobile and affordable instruments. The paper shows that solid-state gas sensors can contribute to the development of such instruments provided the sensors are incorporated into integrated sensor systems, which acquire the target substances in the form of particle residue from suspect objects and which process the collected residue through a sequence of particle sampling, solid-vapor conversion, vapor detection and signal treatment steps. Considering sensor systems with metal oxide gas sensors at the backend, it is demonstrated that significant gains in sensitivity, selectivity and speed of response can be attained when the threat substances are sampled in particle as opposed to vapor form.

Solid-State Gas Sensors: Sensor System Challenges in the Civil Security Domain

PubMed Central

Müller, Gerhard; Hackner, Angelika; Beer, Sebastian; Göbel, Johann

2016-01-01

The detection of military high explosives and illicit drugs presents problems of paramount importance in the fields of counter terrorism and criminal investigation. Effectively dealing with such threats requires hand-portable, mobile and affordable instruments. The paper shows that solid-state gas sensors can contribute to the development of such instruments provided the sensors are incorporated into integrated sensor systems, which acquire the target substances in the form of particle residue from suspect objects and which process the collected residue through a sequence of particle sampling, solid-vapor conversion, vapor detection and signal treatment steps. Considering sensor systems with metal oxide gas sensors at the backend, it is demonstrated that significant gains in sensitivity, selectivity and speed of response can be attained when the threat substances are sampled in particle as opposed to vapor form. PMID:28787865

Measurements of condensation nuclei in the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition - Observations of particle production in the polar vortex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, J. C.; Stolzenburg, M. R.; Clark, W. E.; Loewenstein, M.; Ferry, G. V.; Chan, K. R.

1990-01-01

The ER-2 Condensation Nucleus Counter (ER-2 CNC) was operated in the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) in January and February 1989. The ER-2 CNC measures the mixing ratio of particles, CN, with diameters from approximately 0.02 to approximately 1 micron. The spatial distribution of CN in the Arctic polar vortex was found to resemble that measured in the Antarctic in the Spring of 1987. The vertical profile of CN in the vortex was lowered by subsidence. At altitudes above the minimum in the CN mixing ratio profile, CN mixing ratios correlated negatively with that of N2O, demonstrating new particle production. CN serve as nuclei in the formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) and the concentration of CN can affect PSC properties.

Optical Design Considerations for Efficient Light Collection from Liquid Scintillation Counters

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

Bernacki, Bruce E.; Douglas, Matthew; Erchinger, Jennifer L.

2015-01-01

Liquid scintillation counters measure charged particle-emitting radioactive isotopes and are used for environmental studies, nuclear chemistry, and life science. Alpha and beta emissions arising from the material under study interact with the scintillation cocktail to produce light. The prototypical liquid scintillation counter employs low-level photon-counting detectors to measure the arrival of the scintillation light produced as a result of the dissolved material under study interacting with the scintillation cocktail. For reliable operation the counting instrument must convey the scintillation light to the detectors efficiently and predictably. Current best practices employ the use of two or more detectors for coincidence processingmore » to discriminate true scintillation events from background events due to instrumental effects such as photomultiplier tube dark rates, tube flashing, or other light emission not generated in the scintillation cocktail vial. In low background liquid scintillation counters additional attention is paid to shielding the scintillation cocktail from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) present in the laboratory and within the instruments construction materials. Low background design is generally at odds with optimal light collection. This study presents the evolution of a light collection design for liquid scintillation counting in a low background shield. The basic approach to achieve both good light collection and a low background measurement is described. The baseline signals arising from the scintillation vial are modeled and methods to efficiently collect scintillation light are presented as part of the development of a customized low-background, high sensitivity liquid scintillation counting system.« less

Development and Testing of Scintillating Detectors for the Muon g-2 Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez, Benjamin; Diamond, Edward; Sblendorio, Alec; Gray, Frederick

2016-09-01

The precise value of the muon's anomalous magnetic moment that was measured at Brookhaven National Laboratory E821 differed by more than three standard deviations from predictions of the Standard Model. The Muon g-2 Experiment at Fermilab will attain a more precise measurement by a factor of three by observing the muon spin precession frequency in a magnetic field. This improved measurement could lead to evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. A thin-scintillator entrance (T0) counter prototype is being tested for possible use in the experiment to determine the intensity and temporal profile of the beam as it is injected into the muon storage ring. The counter is also being evaluated to determine whether it can monitor undesired particles that arrive after the main beam pulse. The unique design of the entrance counter uses a silicon photomultiplier to read the light output from a scintillator. The progress of the design of the T0 entrance counter along with the results of light output tests from a beta source and the SLAC high-energy electron beam are the primary foci of this presentation. The status of scintillating fiber harp beam monitor detectors that will also be used in the g-2 Experiment to detect the position and width of the muon beam will also be presented. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHY-1505887.

Semiconductor projectile impact detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shriver, E. L. (Inventor)

1977-01-01

A semiconductor projectile impact detector is described for use in determining micrometeorite presence, as well as its flux and energy comprising a photovoltaic cell which generates a voltage according to the light and heat emitted by the micrometeorites upon impact. A counter and peak amplitude measuring device were used to indicate the number of particules which strike the surface of the cell as well as the kinetic energy of each of the particles.

A Computational Model for Observation in Quantum Mechanics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-16

Interferometer experiment ............. 17 2.3 The EPR Paradox experiment ................. 22 3 The Computational Model, an Overview 28 4 Implementation 34...40 4.4 Code for the EPR paradox experiment ............... 46 4.5 Code for the double slit interferometer experiment ..... .. 50 5 Conclusions 59 A...particle run counter to fact. The EPR paradox experiment (see section 2.3) is hard to resolve with this class of models, collectively called hidden

Balloon-Borne Aerosol Particle Counter Measurements Made in Wintertime at Grafenwoehr, West Germany.

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-06-01

n ~~t * 4* M S.0* ’W i’’ C1t LI J L N C.4 P- L ’ .:.-- t..4w f~ PO1Jt C4a ~ I)..4C t-N.O tt. MCJ WIJt .’ L) IC,,1" MI’) (.4~tt I’l.Ii I It C M M Inr"M

Improved gaseous leak detector

DOEpatents

Juravic, F.E. Jr.

1983-10-06

In a short path length mass-spectrometer type of helium leak detector wherein the helium trace gas is ionized, accelerated and deflected onto a particle counter, an arrangement is provided for converting the detector to neon leak detection. The magnetic field of the deflection system is lowered so as to bring the nonlinear fringe area of the magnetic field across the ion path, thereby increasing the amount of deflection of the heavier neon ions.