Influence of the size and charge of nonstoichiometric silver sulfide nanoparticles on their interaction with blood cells

Silver sulfide (Ag₂S) nanoparticles synthesized using different precursors have been characterized by dynamic light scattering measurements and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In addition to Ag₂S nanoparticles, we have detected Ag₂S/Ag heterostructures. Using optical microscopy, we have examined interaction of the nanoparticles with red cells of peripheral blood. The results of the interaction have been shown to depend on the particle size and charge. A red cell solution containing large, negatively charged particles coagulated, whereas small, positively charged Ag₂S nanoparticles were concentrated around red cells.     

Influence of the mechanical properties of carbon steel on the hardening of rod blanks in upsetting

The influence of the mechanical properties of carbon steel on the hardening of rod blanks in the course of upsetting is studied experimentally.     

A terahertz scanning near-field optical microscope with an attenuated total internal reflection module

The first terahertz scanning near-field optical microscope with an attenuated total internal reflection module and a free-electron laser (FEL) as the radiation source was developed. A scanning system with positioning using a confocal sensor with chromatic coding and a surface-subwavelength probe touch sensor were developed and tested. A new technique for sensing the distance between the probe and a conducting surface via corona-discharge current measurement was developed. A specific lock-in system for detection of probe-scattered pulse-periodic radiation, which includes a hot-electron superconducting bolometer and an electronic signal-storage circuit, was developed to operate with the Novosibirsk terahertz FEL. All elements of the microscope were tested, and their working capacity was demonstrated. Experiments on the detection of microscope-probe-scattered terahertz radiation have been initiated.     

Low-temperature stages in the mechanochemical synthesis of gamma-lithium monoaluminate

Low-temperature (<500°C) stages in the synthesis of gamma-lithium monoaluminate through heat treatment of a mechanically activated mixture of aluminum hydroxide and lithium carbonate have been studied by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry in combination with mass spectrometry. The results demonstrate that heating the mixture to above 80–100°C is accompanied by the release of not only water (resulting from the decomposition of X-ray amorphous aluminum hydroxide) but also carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide originates from the reaction of the lithium carbonate with the products of X-ray amorphous aluminum hydroxide thermolysis.