Ion-conductive properties of mesoporous silica-filled composite polymer electrolytes

We have synthesized mesoporous silica (MPSi) as a novel type of inorganic filler for polyether-based electrolytes and have characterized the effect of addition on ionic conduction. Both poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and PMEO composites filled with MPSi showed higher ionic conductivity than the original and the composites filled with particle silica (pSiO₂). It was considered that the increase is caused by the difference in the surface area between MPSi and pSiO₂. In the PEO composites, the addition of MPSi gave rise to the reduction of crystal PEO and crystalline complex domains. The glass transition temperature of the PMEO composites increased with the addition of the MPSi, in spite that the conductivity increased with increasing the filler contents. It has been suggested that the Lewis acid-base interactions between ions, ether chains and filler surface strongly affect on the ionic conduction in the composite electrolytes.     

Deformation of Alumina Droplets on Micro-Patterned Substrates Under Plasma Spraying Conditions

The deformation of plasma-sprayed alumina droplets of 35-55 μm diameter d with an impact velocity of around 90 m/s has been investigated over various micro-patterned substrates with an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.5 μm. On a line-and-space pattern, droplets exhibited elliptical splats extending in the direction perpendicular to the line, when the normalized pattern spacing λ (= x/d) was 0.1-0.3, where x is the pattern spacing. The fingering of the splats was also caused by a concave pattern as well as by a convex pattern and the number of fingers significantly increased at λ = 0.2. In addition, holes suggesting air entrapment were observed off center in the bottom side of each splat by approximately 1.5 times the radius of the droplets, regardless of the pattern. These results suggest the importance of the surface design of substrate on the micrometer scale in plasma spraying.     

Kinetics and photoeffects of oxidation and reduction of hexaamminecobalt complex in alkaline media

Cyclic voltammograms of hexaamminecobalt complex have been measured in high pH solutions. The spectroscopic result suggested that hydroamminecobalt complex adsorbed on the electrode surface during cathodic polarization, and this species grew to form cobalt hydroxide after a long time of electrolysis. In the anodic process, the reaction orders for pH and NH₃ were both |1|. Based on these results, the reaction mechanism has been discussed.The effect of light on the electrode process has been studied by irradiating with ultraviolet light of the 254 nm mercury resonance line. It has been indicated that the hydroxoammine complex is decomposed to cobalt hydroxide and free ligand under light.     

Characteristics of a nitrogen-jet system in KUR-ISOL

The basic characteristics of a N₂-jet system coupled with a surface-ionization type ion source have been investigated at KUR-ISOL. The yields of transported activities and ionized ions have been measured under various conditions for both the He- and N₂-jets. The effects of N₂ gas upon the ionization and skimmer efficiency have been investigated. It was found that N₂ gas has almost no effect upon the ionization efficiency, but causes poorer skimmer efficiency than He gas owing to the large opening angle of aerosol particles at the outlet of a capillary. A mixture of He and N₂ gases was also tested.     

Posttreatment effects on pore size distribution of loeb-sourirajan-type modified cellulose acetate ultrathin membranes

The nitrogen gas adsorption isotherms at ?195°C on modified cellulose acetate ultrathin membranes were measured, and the surface area of the pores was determined by the method employed by Cranston and Inkley. A relationship between reverse osmosis characteristics and the mean pore radius was correlated, and it was observed that any method (such as longer evaporation period, heat treatment, or reduction of swelling agent) reducing the mean pore radius to below 20–22 Å improves membrane characteristics of reverse osmosis separation significantly.     

11 GHz and 12 GHz multiwatt internal matching for power GaAs f.e.t.s

Multiwatt internal-matching techniques for multichip power GaAs f.e.t.s at 11 GHz and 12 GHz bands have been developed, adopting a lumped-element input circuit and a semidistributed output circuit. The internally matched device for the 11 GHz band exhibits 4 W power output with 3.4 dB associated gain, and the 12 GHz device 3.6 W power output with 3 dB associated gain.     

Model evaluation of CO2 reduction technologies in the Asia-pacific region

Global warming is one of the most serious issues in today's world. Various innovative technologies have been proposed for the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the mitigation of global warming. They include (1) the WENET project, inaugurated in 1993 by the government of Japan, in which electricity produced by photovoltaic systems in vast areas such as the Sahara Desert, or by hydropower systems, is converted to hydrogen for transport to demand sites, and (2) Steinberg's Hydrocarb process, in which fossil fuels and biomass are coprocessed to produce carbon and methanol. While Japan is resource-poor, it is located relatively close to Southeast Asia and Australia, which are large regions with abundant solar energy. This paper describes an investigation of the prospects for the adoption of these innovative technologies by Japan and surrounding resource regions in the next 30 to 40 years. An optimizing energy model is developed for the purpose, and the simulation results provide several interesting suggestions regarding Japan's future strategy for combatting global warming.