Superconductivity in W-containing diamond-like nanocomposite films

Superconductivity in a tungsten-containing carbon-oxide film was reported. The film with 500 nm thickness was deposited onto polycrystalline silicon oxides using chemical vapor deposition and the co-sputtering of a tungsten metal target. The bonding state of the carbon atoms and the macroscopic and microscopic crystal structure of the film were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements. From the experimental results, we determined that this film essentially had an amorphous structure. The temperature dependence on resistivity was measured in the temperature range of 2–300 K. Resistive superconducting transition was observed at 3.8 K. The dc magnetizations were measured in the temperature range of 1.8–6.5 K. The diamagnetism resulting from a superconductive state was observed below 3.75 K, which is consistent with a resistive superconducting transition. It is thought that the finite sized clusters of the different superconductive transition temperatures cooperatively produce a macroscopic superconducting phenomenon.     

Numerical analysis of particle mixing in a rotating fluidized bed

This paper describes the numerical analysis of particle mixing in a rotating fluidized bed (RFB). A two-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupling model were proposed to analyze the radial particle mixing in the RFB. Spherical polyethylene particles (Geldart group B particles) were used as model particles under the assumptions that they were cohesionless and mono-disperse with their diameter of 0.5 mm.The validity of the proposed model was confirmed by the comparison between the calculated degree of particle mixing and the experimental one, which was obtained by measuring the lightness of the recorded image taken by a high-speed video camera. Effects of the operating parameters (gas velocity, centrifugal acceleration, particle bed height, and vessel radius) on the radial particle mixing rate were numerically analyzed. The radial particle mixing rate was found to be strongly affected by the bubble characteristics, especially by the bubble size. The mathematical model for the rate coefficient of particle mixing as functions of operating parameters was empirically proposed. The radial particle mixing rate in a RFB could be well correlated by the three dimensionless numbers: dimensionless acceleration (Ac), bubble Froude number (Fr_b), and dimensionless radius on the surface of particle bed (β_s).     

Extraction of Trivalent Rare Earths and Minor Actinides from Nitric Acid with N,N,N’,N’-Tetradodecyldiglycolamide (TDdDGA) by Using Mixer-Settler Extractors in a Hot Cell

Single-stage batch experiments to reveal the extraction properties of N,N,N’,N’-tetradodecyldiglycolamide (TDdDGA) for Y, La, Eu, Nd, and Am in nitric acid were carried out. The distribution ratios of Y, Eu, Nd, and Am exceeded 10 when the nitric acid concentration was 1–2 mol/dm³ (M), and the distribution ratio of La was 5.5 when the nitric acid concentration was 2 M. A continuous counter-current experiment using 0.1 M TDdDGA diluted with n-dodecane was performed using mixer-settler extractors installed in a hot cell. Nitric acid with a concentration of 2.1 M containing minor actinides (MAs: Am and Cm), rare earths (REs: Y, La, Nd, and Eu), and other fission products (Sr, Cs, Zr, Mo, Ru, Rh, and Pd) was fed to the extractor. TDdDGA effectively extracted MAs and REs from the feed, while other fission products were barely extracted. The extracted MAs and REs were back-extracted by bringing them in contact with 0.02 M nitric acid, and they were collected as the MA–RE fraction. The results indicated that more than 98% of Am and Cm in the feed were recovered in the MA–RE fraction. The proportions of Y, La, Nd, and Eu in the MA–RE fraction were 94.0%, 99.9%, 99.9%, and 86.9%, respectively.     

A comparative numerical study of hybrid-stabilized argon–water electric arc

The paper presents numerical simulations of the discharge and the near-outlet regions of the hybrid-stabilized argon–water electric arc. Two different numerical methods for solving the set of conservative equations for the continuity, momentum and energy have been applied. The major difference between the results using the two methods occurs in the temperature distribution in arc fringes within the discharge chamber. This fact influences the potential drop, overpressure, reabsorption of radiation and arc efficiency. It is shown that the radial profiles of temperature at the exit nozzle are less influenced by different temperature distribution within the discharge chamber. Comparison with chosen experimental temperature profiles shows very good agreement.     

Synthesis of Nanohole‐Structured Single‐Crystalline Platinum Nanosheets Using Surfactant‐Liquid‐Crystals and their Electrochemical Characterization

Nanohole‐structured single‐crystalline Pt nanosheets have been synthesized by the borohydride reduction of Na₂PtCl₆ confined to the lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) with or without nonaethylene‐glycol (C₁₂EO₉). The Pt nanosheets of around 4–10 nm in central thickness and up to 500 nm or above in diameter have a number of hexagonal‐shaped nanoholes ∼1.8 nm wide. High‐resolution electron microscope images of the nanosheets showed atomic fringes with a spacing of 0.22 nm indicating that the nanosheets are crystallographically continuous through the nanoholed and non‐holed areas. The inner‐angle distributions for the hexagonal nanoholes indicate that the six sides of the nanoholes are walled with each two Pt (111), Pt (1 1) and Pt (010) planes. The formation mechanism of nanoholed Pt nanosheets is discussed on the basis of structural and compositional data for the resulting solids and their precursory LLCs, with the aid of similar nanohole growth observed for a Tween 80 free but oleic acid‐incorporated system. It is also demonstrated that the nanoholed Pt nanostructures loaded on carbon exhibit fairly high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction and a high performance as a cathode material for polymer‐electrolyte fuel cells, along with their extremely high thermostability revealed through the effect of electron‐irradiation.     

Effect of collision angle on particle-particle adhesion of colliding particles through liquid droplet

In wet granulation processes, a particle adhesion mediated by a liquid bridge is one of the quite important phenomena. In an actual process, the liquid bridge shows dynamic motion due to continuous motion of the particles. Therefore, understanding of the particle adhesion phenomenon by a dynamic liquid bridge is essential to adequately and precisely control wet granulation processes. This study presents a direct numerical simulation of the particle–particle adhesion by a dynamic liquid bridge. Collision of a dry particle and a wet particle was simulated at various collision angles. In particular, translational and rotational motions of the particle at different collision angles were discussed through comparison with a conventional static liquid bridge force model. As a result, it was found that both translational and rotational motions were largely different between simulation results of the direct numerical simulation and static liquid bridge force model, especially at the tangential collision. To understand these results, we focused on the rotational behavior of the particle and deformation of the liquid bridge. It was concluded that the non-slip behavior of the liquid bridge on the particle surface is a key phenomenon for the particle-particle adhesion by the dynamic liquid bridge at the tangential collision.     

Calculating accumulations

Theaccumulation strategy consists of generalizing a function over an algebraic data structure by inclusion of an extra parameter, anaccumulating parameter, for reusing and propagating intermediate results. However, there remain two major difficulties in this accumulation strategy. One is to determinewhere andwhen to generalize the original function. The other, surprisingly not yet receiving its worthy consideration, is how to manipulate accumulations. To overcome these difficulties, we propose to formulate accumulations ashigher order catamorphisms, and provide several general transformation rules for calculating accumulations (i.e., finding and manipulating accumulations) bycalculation-based (rather than a search-based) program transformation methods. Some examples are given for illustration. Zhenjiang Hu, Dr.Eng.: He is an Assistant Professor in Information Engineering at the University of Tokyo. He received his BS and MS in Computer Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1988 and 1990 respectively, and his Dr. Eng. degree in Information Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 1996. His current research concerns programming languages, functional programming, program transformation, and parallel processing. Hideya Iwasaki, Dr.Eng.: He is an Associate Professor in Information Engineering at the University of Tokyo. He received the M.E. degree in 1985, the Dr. Eng. degree in 1988 from the University of Tokyo. His research interests are list processing languages, functional languages, parallel processing, and constructive algorithmics. Masato Takeichi, Dr.Eng.: He is Professor in Mathematical Engineering and Information Engineering at the University of Tokyo since 1993. After graduation from the University of Tokyo, he joined the faculty at the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo before he went back to work at the University of Tokyo in 1987. His research concerns the design and implementation of functional programming languages, and calculational program transformation systems.     

Carbon-supported growth of cross-linked platinum nanowires by surfactant templating and their elecrochemical characterization

Platinum/carbon (Pt/C) composite materials were prepared by the hydrazine reduction of H2PtCl6 confined to a mixed surfactant lytropic liquid crystal (LC)/C mixture with varying amounts of water. The reaction at relatively low water contents successfully yielded cross-linked Pt nanowires with wire-widths of 2-5 nm. The novel Pt nanostructure is believed to be from poorly hydrated hexagonal domains formed together with layered domains by the phase separation of the precursory LC mixture in the presence of carbon. Electrochemical measurements using cyclic volutammetry and membrane electrode assemblies revealed that the cross-linked nanowired Pt/C composite exhibits fairly high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction, as well as a high performance as the cathode material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.