Corrosion and Grounding Systems

Corrosion that occurs in the presence of dissimilar metals in the same electrolyte, or same metal in different electrolytes, or in different concentrations of the same electrolyte, has caused numerous problems in operating electric systems. This corrosion is the result of a potential difference existing between two surfaces which forces an electric current to flow. This effect is often ignored or overlooked in electrical grounding design, with the premise that electrical system protection will be hampered by the incorporation of corrosion protection. By careful design, however, both sets of requirements can be met. Some of the principles that determine corrosion and how these conditions exist in underground systems of cement plants are reviewed. The principles of grounding design are analyzed and suggestions to improve the design to minimize corrosion are discussed.     

Microstructural study of a high-strength stress-corrosion resistant 7075 aluminium alloy

A heat-treatment procedure providing for enhanced stress-corrosion cracking resistance without any sacrifice of yield strength in 7075 aluminium alloy is investigated using transmission electron microscopy. It is suggested that the heat treatment (known as retrogression and re-ageing) provides for large grain-boundary precipitates and coherent matrix precipitates. The latter provides for the high strength levels while the grainboundary precipitates provide for enhanced stress-corrosion cracking resistance. A hydrogen embrittlement mechanism of stress-corrosion cracking is assigned to this alloy system.     

Role of free cadmium and selenium ions in the potential mechanism for the enhancement of photoluminescence of CdSe quantum dots under ultraviolet irradiation

The present study describes an enhancement of the photoluminescence of CdSe quantum dots under long-term ultraviolet irradiation in organic solvents. The photoenhancement effect followed multiexponential kinetics and was found to depend on several factors: intensity of ultraviolet light, polarity of the solvent, presence of capping agents on the nanocrystal surface, and presence of free Cd and Se ions in the solution. High intensity ultraviolet irradiation provoked a rapid enhancement of the photoluminescence of CdSe nanocrystals, reaching the maximum with subsequent photoluminescence decay. Low-intensity ultraviolet irradiation provoked a comparatively slow enhancement of the photoluminescence of CdSe nanocrystals, reaching saturation after 5-6 hours of irradiation in organic solvents (butanol and chloroform). The photoenhancement effect was reversible or irreversible depending on the additional ingredients. The role of free Cd and Se in these processes was clarified. The results are discussed in the context of ultraviolet induced liberation of free Cd and Se ions from the nanocrystal surface and their hypothetical reversible deposition with trapping of the surface holes and influencing the efficiency of radiative versus nonradiative exciton decay during the enhancement of photoluminescence.     

Heat transport in nematic MBBA

Thermal conductivity data on nematic p-methoxy benzylidene-p-n-butylaniline (MBBA) measured in a parallel plate type cell are reported. The results show an apparent, interesting effect of the gap between the plates on the thermal conductivity.     

Phase transformations in a wrought Co-Cr-Mo-C alloy

The effect of heat treatment on microstructure has been studied in a Co-Cr-Mo-C alloy using transmission electron microscopy. Isothermal aging treatments at 750 °C were found to promote a two stage fcc → hcp transformation, coincident with a discontinuous precipitation of M₂₃C₆ carbides. The variation in morphology of the carbides associated with the fcc → hcp transition is discussed in terms of the nature of the fcc/hcp interface.     

Uncoated, broad fluorescent, and size-homogeneous CdSe quantum dots for bioanalyses

In the present study, we describe the synthesis of highly luminescent uncoated water-soluble CdSe quantum dots (QDs) possessing the following characteristics: approximately 2 nm in diameter, with very good size distribution (in 95% homodispersed) accompanied by a broad-band photoluminescent spectrum. The synthetic procedure is simple, is conducted at room temperature, in the absence of the most popular coordinating ligands (as TOPO or HDA), and is highly reproducible. The obtained CdSe core QDs possessed a comparatively long fluorescence half-life (approximately 30-90 ns, depending on the emission wavelength) detected by time-resolved spectroscopy. These QDs were further conjugated with antibodies and applied in several biochemical analyses.     

Reliability of Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting-Diode Arrays With Amorphous Silicon Thin-Film Transistor Backplanes on Clear Plastic

We have fabricated active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) test arrays on an optically clear high-temperature flexible plastic substrate at process temperatures as high as 285 degC using amorphous silicon thin-film transistors (a-Si TFTs). The substrate transparency allows for the operation of AMOLED pixels as bottom-emission devices, and the improved stability of the a-Si TFTs processed at higher temperatures significantly improves the reliability of the light emission over time.     

Variable Beam Width Selection for Improving the Throughput of IEEE 802.11ad Wireless LAN in the Contention Based Access Period

The hybrid MAC protocol specified by IEEE 802.11ad for millimeter wave wireless LANs consist of carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) during the contention based access periods (CBAPs) and TDMA during the service periods. To provide channel access during CBAP, the coverage area around the access point (AP) can be divided into several quasi omni (QO) beam levels. When uplink channel access during CBAP is considered, every directional multigigabit station residing within a QO level uses CSMA/CA protocol for getting the transmission opportunity. With equal beam width receive QO levels at the AP, we present an analytical model to compute the uplink throughput of the network in the CBAP, by closely following the 802.11ad MAC protocol specifications. We demonstrate that PHY layer MCS (modulation and coding scheme) dependent adaptive selection of QO levels can improve the throughput performance. In the second part of the paper, we consider that PCP/AP can have at most three radios, each tuned to operate in non-overlapping frequency bands as specified by 802.11ad PHY. We establish that such an arrangement can lead to concurrent transmissions in the network and improve the uplink throughput performance.     

Nanomaterial Patterning in 3D Printing

The synergistic integration of nanomaterials with 3D printing technologies can enable the creation of architecture and devices with an unprecedented level of functional integration. In particular, a multiscale 3D printing approach can seamlessly interweave nanomaterials with diverse classes of materials to impart, program, or modulate a wide range of functional properties in an otherwise passive 3D printed object. However, achieving such multiscale integration is challenging as it requires the ability to pattern, organize, or assemble nanomaterials in a 3D printing process. This review highlights the latest advances in the integration of nanomaterials with 3D printing, achieved by leveraging mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, or thermal phenomena. Ultimately, it is envisioned that such approaches can enable the creation of multifunctional constructs and devices that cannot be fabricated with conventional manufacturing approaches.     

Information‐driven robotic sampling in the coastal ocean

Efficient sampling of coastal ocean processes, especially mechanisms such as upwelling and internal waves and their influence on primary production, is critical for understanding our changing oceans. Coupling robotic sampling with ocean models provides an effective approach to adaptively sample such features. We present methods that capitalize on information from ocean models and in situ measurements, using Gaussian process modeling and objective functions, allowing sampling efforts to be concentrated to regions with high scientific interest. We demonstrate how to combine and correlate marine data from autonomous underwater vehicles, model forecasts, remote sensing satellite, buoy, and ship‐based measurements, as a means to cross‐validate and improve ocean model accuracy, in addition to resolving upper water‐column interactions. Our work is focused on the west coast of Mid‐Norway where significant influx of Atlantic Water produces a rich and complex physical–biological coupling, which is hard to measure and characterize due to the harsh environmental conditions. Results from both simulation and full‐scale sea trials are presented.