Disorders and oxygen vacancies in p-type Sn2B2O7 (B = Nb,Ta): Role of the B-site element

Sn₂Nb_2−xTa_xO₇ (x = 0.0–2.0) with pyrochlore structure is a promising material for p-type oxide semiconductors. A systematic study of its Nb/Ta ratio indicated that the hole–generation efficiency of the Nb end (Sn₂Nb₂O₇) was an order of magnitude lower than that of the Ta end (Sn₂Ta₂O₇). Although this occurs due to differences in oxygen-vacancy formation, the origins of the hole–generation efficiencies remain unclear due to limited information on local and global crystal-structure disorders in pyrochlore Sn₂Nb₂O₇ and Sn₂Ta₂O₇. In this study, the crystal structures of Sn₂B₂O₇ (B = Nb, Ta), composed of BO₆ octahedra and Sn₄O tetrahedra, were investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. A detailed investigation of the local and global crystal structures indicated a larger amount of disorder in the Sn₄O tetrahedra in Sn₂Nb₂O₇ compared to Sn₂Ta₂O₇; disorder in the BO₆ octahedra occurred only in Sn₂Ta₂O₇. This study indicates that an appropriate selection of the B-site element is vital for suppressing defect and disorder formation in Sn₄O tetrahedra and subsequently improving the hole–carrier–generation efficiency.     

Purification and properties of a low-molecular-weight phytase from Cladosporium sp. FP-1

A fungus producing high levels of phytase was isolated from air and identified as Cladosporium sp. The phytase production was stimulated by phytate in the medium used. The maximum production of phytase (108 U/ml) occurred in a medium containing 1.0 g of phytate per 100 ml. The phytase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Based on SDS-PAGE analysis, the molecular weight of the purified phytase was calculated to be approximately 32.6 kDa, and the narrow protein band indicated that this phytase is not glycosylated. The phytase has an optimum pH of 3.5, and an optimum temperature of 40 degrees C. The phytase activity was stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol, and inhibited by Ba2+, Pb2+, iodoacetate, p-chloromercuribenzoate and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The phytase displayed high affinity for phytate and the Km was 15.2+/-3.1 microM. NMR analyses (1D and 2D) indicated that the end hydrolysis product of phytate was myo-inositol 1,2,5-triphosphate.     

Computer simulation study on the atomic structure of semiconductor heterostructures

The atomic and electronic structures of semiconductor heterostructures (including steps, misfit dislocations and interface disorder) are investigated by using the tight-binding (TB) electronic theory. Atomic structures of misfit dislocations both edge type 1/21 1 0(0 0 1) and 60° dislocations in the wide gap II–VI semiconductor heterostructures, like ZnSe/GaAs(0 0 1) systems are calculated by the TB molecular dynamics method. It is shown that the deep gap states associated with the misfit dislocations are influenced quite significantly by the atomistic configurations of the interface. The path probability method is also applied to study the influence of the interface disorder on the electronic properties of the semiconductor heterostructures.     

Adjustable coupled two-cavity allpass filter for dispersion slopecompensation of optical fibres

The filter gives variable compensation between -2.0 and -15.5 ps ³ over a bandwidth between 3.6 and 1.2 nm, respectively. The filter performance agrees quite well with that predicted by existing theory     

Effect of simultaneous surface modification process on wear resistance of martensitic stainless steel

In order to improve the wear resistance of martensitic stainless steel, a surface treatment system was developed that combines high-frequency induction heating (IH) with fine particle peening (FPP). In this system, a compressed air spray from the FPP nozzle rapidly cools the specimen surface, which is heated by the IH system. The specimen surface can be simultaneously modified by work hardening and quenching. Vickers hardness and retained austenite measurements were conducted to characterize the surface-modified layer generated by the developed process. Surface microstructures were also observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The process created a surface with a high hardness and an extremely fine-grained microstructure. The fine-grained microstructure was generated by dynamic recrystallization. The process reduced the amount of retained austenite in the surface layer because it increased the precipitated chromium carbide content. Reciprocating sliding wear tests were conducted to evaluate the wear resistance of the surface. The specimen modified by the developed process exhibited higher wear resistance than specimens that had only been quenched. This implies that the developed simultaneous process can significantly improve the wear resistance of steel surfaces.     

New monitoring approach for metabolic dynamics in microbial ecosystems using stable-isotope-labeling technologies

We have developed a new approach for monitoring the metabolic dynamics in microbial ecosystems using a combination of DNA fingerprinting and metabolome analysis based on stable-isotope-labeling technologies. Stable-isotope probing of DNA (DNA-SIP) has been used previously for the evaluation of cross-feeding in microbial communities. For the development and validation of our monitoring approach, fecal microbiota were analyzed with stable-isotope-labeled glucose used as the sole carbon source. In order to link the metabolic information and the microbial variability, we performed metabolic–microbial correlation analysis based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiles and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprints, which successfully identified the glucose-utilizing bacteria and their related extracellular metabolites. Moreover, our approach revealed information regarding the carbon flux, in that the “first” wave of extracellular metabolites secreted by the glucose-utilizing bacteria were incorporated into the “secondary” group of substrate-utilizing bacteria, and that this “secondary” group further produced their own secondary metabolized substrates. Thus, this approach is a powerful tool for monitoring the metabolic dynamics in microbial ecosystems and allows for the tracking of the carbon flux within a microbial community.     

Fundamental welding R&D results for manufacturing vacuum vessel of JT-60SA

The real vacuum vessel (VV) manufacturing of JT-60SA has started since November 2009 at Toshiba. Prior to starting manufacturing, fundamental welding R&Ds had been performed by three stages. In the first stage, primary tests for screening welding method were performed. In the second stage, the trial welding for 1 m-long straight and curved double shell samples were conducted. The dependences of welding quality and distortion on the welding conditions, such as arc voltage and current, setting accuracy, welding sequence, and the shape of grooves were studied. In addition, welding condition with low heat input was explored. In the last stage, fabrication sequence was confirmed and established by the trial manufacturing of the 20° upper half mock-up [1]. This paper presents the R&D results obtained in the first and second stages.