Polarisation transformer on Ti:LiNbO3 with reset-free optical operation for heterodyne/homodyne receivers

Experimental results for an integrated-optical state-of-polarisation (SOP) controller device on Ti:LiNbO3 for continuous broadband optical operation, with small temperature sensitivity and the possibility of integration with polarisation- insensitive directional couplers, are presented.     

Inter-operability and reusability: the science of annotation

Annotating linguistic data has become a major field of interest, both for supplying the necessary data for machine learning approaches to NLP applications, and as a research issue in its own right. This comprises issues of technical formats, tools, and methodologies of annotation. We provide a brief overview of these notions and then introduce the papers assembled in this special issue.     

Processing of High-Density Submicrometer Al2O3 for New Applications

Sintered corundum components with submicrometer grain sizes exhibit properties which enable numerous new applications. Wet powder processing is developed to associate minimum grain sizes at highest densities with the lowest population of macrodefects. A closest ratio of powder particle size and sintered grain size is important for obtaining most fine-grained microstructures. This target was approached best by using powders with particle sizes in the range of 100–200 nm rather than with smaller nanoparticles.     

Flüssig/Flüssig-Extraktion: Einsatzgebiete und Lösungsmittel-Auswahl

Liquid/liquid extraction: Applications and choice of solvent . The significance of liquid/liquid extraction has been steadily increasing in recent years as more and more stringent demands are made on the purity, availability, and environmental safety of chemical products. The use and success of this separation process are critically dependent upon the choice of the right extraction agent. Whereas solvent choice was previously mainly empirical, it is now possible to establish the suitability of a given solvent with the aid of molecular-thermodynamic data. This is demonstrated for the extraction of aromatic compounds. The article closes with an account of the formation and stability of emulsions.     

Uric Acid: The Sperm-Release Pheromone of the Marine Polychaete Platynereis dumerilii

In the marine polychaete, Platynereis dumerilii, reproductive behavior in the two sexes is synchronized by the consecutive discharge of male and female sex-specific pheromones. After the female releases the eggs into the free water column, immediate fertilization is achieved by several males circling around the eggs emitting sperm clouds. We report the isolation and identification of the sperm-release pheromone present in the coelomic fluid of sexually mature females. Each step in isolation was guided by bioassay. Isolation methods included extraction and solvent partitioning and separation methods included ultrafiltration and high-performance liquid chromatography. Uric acid was identified as the sperm-release pheromone that is discharged by the female with release of the eggs. The threshold concentration for sperm release by males was determined as 0.6 M.     

Hochreines Monosilan für die Elektronikindustrie – Synthese,Reinigung und Charakterisierung

High-purity monosilane for the electronics industry – Synthesis, purification, characterization. Monosilane is used in the electronics industry in the production of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of amorphous silicon devices such as solar cells, photocopier drums, and flat TV screens. The first German production unit for high purity monosilane gas which came on stream in 1987 is presented. The gas produced in a molten salt process is purified to highest quality and analyzed.     

Untersuchung des einflusses molekularer parameter auf morphologie und eigenschaften von polyethylenen niedriger dichte

Based on the example of PE-LD grades and on model substances obtained by preparative fractionation (fractions in the molecular weight range M?_w = 1.2 ? 390·10⁴ g/mol), comprehensive investigations regarding the problems of structure/properties have been carried out. The correlations of M?_w with 15 physical and application technological perameters have been investigated taking into account the reaction mechanism during the manufacturing of PE-LD in the tubular and agitated autoclave reactor, resulting in the formation of so-called primary structure perameters M?_n, M?_w, molar mass distribution, short chain branching and long chain branching. For the interpretation of the results, among other factors, also the morphological conditions have been taken into consideration, which in connection with the molecular parameters reveal — for specific M?_w-ranges — strong changes and saturation ranges, resp., for the physical and application technological properties.     

Stationäre Chemische Energieumwandlung als Herausforderungen für den Verfahrensingenieur

Meeting future energy demands with more efficient, lower emission, and safe energy technologies has top priority in the medium term. Consumer-friendly energy concepts, integrated into regional and supraregional energy supply structures, represent further elements. These will make important contributions to resource-conserving and environmentally compatible power supplies utilizing local energy sources including renewable resources. Supplying energy to large areas involves additional tasks, from compensation of large amounts of fluctuating energy to the transport of fluctuating energy to the transport of renewable energy over long distances. Solar dish, parabolic section, and tower power generating plant have considerable economic and CO₂-reduction potential in sunny countries, such as in the Mediterranean region, However, the costs of solar-thermal electricity generation have to be reduced by a factor of 1.5 to 2. Fuel cell systems can attain particular significance as efficient low-emission energy conversion systems in power plant and automative engineering once their technical and economic potential can be realized.