X-ray diffraction studies of electrochemical graphite intercalation compounds of ionic liquids

Electrochemical intercalation studies are used to characterize a series of ionic liquids composed of a variety of cationic and anionic species. Electrochemically, the ionic liquids are characterized by cyclic voltammograms and charge–discharge experiments for the intercalation and de-intercalation of the various cationic and anionic species into graphite. X-ray structure analysis is also performed to determine the relationship between the electrochemical behaviour of the ionic liquids, and the formation of intercalated graphitic compounds. Two different types of imidazolium cations are studied, specifically the di- and trisubstituted imidazolium. These cations are paired with the following anions: tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, bis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide, nitrate and hydrogen sulfate. Results indicate stronger intercalation chemistry for the trisubstituted imidazoliums, correlating with the greater charge–discharge efficiencies found for these types of ionic liquids. Many of the anions exhibit very poor charge–discharge efficiencies, correlating to very poorly formed graphite intercalates. The exception to this is the hydrogen sulfate intercalate, which had low charge–discharge efficiencies but formed a well defined graphite intercalate. Only the imide based anions exhibited both high charge–discharge efficiencies and the formation of a clearly defined graphite intercalate.     

An evaluation model for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) acceptance in residential buildings

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in residential buildings is examined from the prospect of an occupant's acceptance in four aspects: thermal comfort, indoor air quality, noise level and illumination level. Based on the evaluations by 125 occupants living in 32 typical residential apartments in Hong Kong, this study proposes empirical expressions to approximate the overall IEQ acceptance with respect to four contributors, namely operative temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, equivalent noise level and illumination level, via a multivariate logistic regression model. A range of IEQ acceptances for regular residential conditions is determined and the dependence of the predicted overall IEQ acceptance on the variations of the contributors is discussed. The proposed overall IEQ acceptance can be used as a quantitative assessment criterion for similar residential environments where an occupant's evaluation is expected.     

2-羟基-3-氯丙磺酸钠的合成及结构表征

以环氧氟丙烷为原料,以亚硫酸氢钠和亚硫酸钠为混合磺化剂合成2-羟基-3-氯丙磺酸钠,探讨了磺化剂种类及摩尔比、反应温度,反应时间对产率的影响.结果表明,最佳反应条件为:NaHSO_3与环氧氯丙烷的摩尔比为1:15:1,磺化剂Na_2SO_3与NaHSO_3的摩尔比为0.20:0.62,反应2 h,产率70.8%.产物的熔点为253～254℃.并通过红外光谱、核磁、质谱等方法对产物进行了结构表征.     

Behaviour of composite cellular steel — Concrete beams at elevated temperatures

The behaviour of composite cellular floor beams is becoming important as such members are increasingly used in multistorey buildings. In the event of fire, this issue becomes increasingly critical, particularly for exposed steelwork. In a fire situation, a composite beam has a much higher perimeter area exposed to fire in its lower web-flange section than in the upper web-flange section, and so the temperature distribution across a composite beam is usually non-uniform. The reduction in fire of the strength and stiffness of the material properties of the perforated steel beam, as well as differential thermal expansion, therefore becomes an important influence on the overall behaviour of the composite beam. The objective of this research is to enhance the level of understanding of the generic behaviour of composite cellular floor beams in fire conditions. In this paper, three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models of composite cellular floor beams have been developed, taking into consideration the influence of the changes in material properties with temperature. Experimental data from furnace tests on cellular composite floor beams obtained from previous research work has been used to validate the FE models. An analytical model based on existing design guides is also presented in this paper. It is concluded that finite element analysis results are in good agreement with the experimental data, and all the failure modes have been accurately predicted. The proposed simplified analytical methods show reasonable agreement with the test and FE results, and are always conservative.     

Charge transfer through DNA: A selective electrochemical DNA biosensor

The charge-transfer properties of DNA duplexes are exploited to produce a fast, simple, sensitive, and selective DNA biosensor by exposing the DNA recognition interface to a sample containing target DNA and the redox-active intercalator, anthraquinonemonosulfonic acid (AQMS). Electrochemistry from electron transfer through the DNA to AQMS intercalated into DNA duplexes can be differentiated from electrochemistry due to direct access of the AQMS to the electrode surface due to the difference in the environment of the AQMS giving a shift in the potential at which the molecule is reduced. The ability to distinguish between the two electrochemical signals enables DNA hybridization to be monitored in real time. This in situ detection scheme has good selectivity, being able to differentiate between a complementary target DNA sequence and one containing either C-A or G-A single-base mismatches. The concentration detection limit of the biosensor is 0.5 nM (1 pmol) with an assay time of 1 h. The fact that the end user is only required to simultaneously add the sample containing the target DNA and AQMS gives a DNA biosensor that is highly compatible with PCR on chip technologies.     

RF CMOS technology for MMIC

This paper presents a high performance RF CMOS technology with a complete portfolio of RF and base band components for single-chip systems. Using an optimized 0.13 μm CMOS topology, f_T of 86 GHz and f_max of 73 GHz are obtained, in addition to a NF_min of 1.5 dB without ground-shielded signal pad. The high-Q accumulation-mode and diode varactors are optimized to perform a high tuning range of 47% and 25%, respectively. Inductors with a quality factor of 18 at 1.7 nH are obtained using copper interconnect, while capacitors with high unit capacitance and quality factor are fabricated with metal-insulator-metal structures. Finally, a deep n-well isolation is adopted to suppress the interblock coupling noise penetrating through substrate by 40 and 25 dB at 0.1 and 2.4 GHz, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that CMOS technology can provide a complete solution for single-chip wireless systems.     

Simulation of Nitrogen and Oxygen Spectra Emitted from High Density Hot Plasma

The expected emission spectra of nitrogen and oxygen high density plasma have been studied for different conditions. Expected nitrogen and oxygen plasma spectra at certain electron temperature range have been plotted. Suitable electron temperature ranges for nitrogen and oxygen plasma soft X-ray emission and extreme ultraviolet emission have been investigated. Numerical experiments confirm the possibility of developing nitrogen and oxygen plasma focus as a powerful X-ray radiation source for water-window X-ray microscopy, by selecting the working gas pressure, choosing corresponding design and operating parameters of the device. We have illustrated that the results obtained from XRAYFIL simulation could be used to provide spectroscopic information of the plasma focus simulated by Lee model.     

Blind detection of vascular sources and territories using random vessel encoded arterial spin labeling

Object  

The goal of this work is to use vessel encoded arterial spin labeling (VEASL) methods to detect feeding arteries without prior knowledge of their positions, and map the vascular territory of each.     

磁控共溅射GaAs/SiO2细小纳米颗粒镶嵌材料的结构和非线性光学性质

应用磁控共溅射技术和后退火方法制备了GaAs/SiO2纳米颗粒镶嵌薄膜,并分别应用原子力显微镜、X射线衍射和卢瑟福背散射实验来观测薄膜的形貌、相结构和化学组分.结果表明GaAs纳米颗粒的平均直径很小(约为1.5～3.2nm),且均匀地分布于SiO2之中,薄膜中的GaAs和SiO2组分都符合化学计量关系.应用脉冲激光高斯光束对薄膜的光学非线性进行了Z扫描测试和分析.结果表明,薄膜的三阶光学非线性折射率系数和非线性吸收系数都由于量子限制效应而大大地增强,在非共振条件下,它们分别约为4×10-12m2/W和2×10-5m/W,在准共振的条件下,它们分别约为2×10-11m2/W和-1×10-4m/W.     

Development of a pressure control system for brace treatment of scoliosis

Bracing is a common nonsurgical treatment for scoliosis, but its effectiveness has been debated. Some clinical studies have shown efficacy of brace treatment is correlated to how the brace has been worn. The more often the patients wear their braces to the prescribed tightness as well as the prescribed length of wear each day, the better the treatment outcome. A system of four wireless pressure control devices was developed to understand brace wear-time and regulate a target pressure range at the brace-body interface. Each pressure control device could function independently and be embedded in the brace at key pressure areas. Such a system could improve the quality of brace wear-making the treatment more effective and refining our understanding of the three-pressure-point brace treatment concept during daily activities. This paper reports the system development and validation. The system was tested on four healthy subjects for 2 h without pressure regulation and 2 h with regulation. The results show that the pressure regulation doubled the time spent in a desired pressure range on average (from 31% to 62%). Brace-wear time was logged correctly. The system was also validated through a seven-day continuous test, and a fully charged battery could run for 30 days without requiring recharge.