Peculiar electric properties of polarized layer in alkaline silicate glasses

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) was applied to study polarization phenomena in alkaline silicate glasses, in particular, properties and structure of subsurface (anodic) polarized layers forming in poling with deposited film electrodes of different structures. A model of poled glasses which does not contradict experimental data is proposed. In accordance with the model, a poled glass is presented as two resistor-capacitor circuits in a series connection, one of which is the polarized layer and another is the rest of the sample. It is found that the electric properties of the layers essentially depend on the structure of the anodic electrode used in glass poling. It is also shown that the dielectric response of poled glass samples is mainly determined by the electric properties of the submicron polarized layers and this gives an opportunity to reveal specific properties of the layers rather than ones of the glass sample bulk. Revealed temperature dependence of DC conductivity of the polarized layers obeys Arrhenius's law, and determining activation energy does not depend on the electrode. Finally, it is noted that today above-mentioned information about polarized layers can be obtained only by BDS.     

Mechanical Properties of an Fe‐Based SAM2×5‐630 Metallic Glass Matrix Composite with Tungsten Particle Additions

We present the role of tungsten additions on the mechanical properties of a Fe‐based structural amorphous metal (SAM2×5‐630) containing crystalline tungsten. Matrix cracking by microindentation is inhibited by the addition of tungsten and indicates that tungsten improves the fracture toughness. Response surfaces from nanoindentation arrays indicate that the hardness and modulus of the matrix phase are increased by tungsten additions. Bulk composites with 30 vol% tungsten subjected to 4‐point flexure exhibited brittle fracture behavior and the characteristic strength and Weibull modulus were 165 and 8.7 MPa, respectively. The addition of tungsten did not cause devitrification of the matrix phase.     

Two-Stage Ozonation – Adsorption Purification of Ground Water from Trichloroethylene and Tetrachloroethylene with Application of Commercial Carbon Adsorbents

ABSTRACT

The aim of the research is to choose the most efficient adsorbent for two-stage ozone-sorption purification of groundwater containing both trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) between three carbon sorbents produced in Russia (AUT-M, CAUSORB-221, and AG-3). Sorption isotherms of TCE and PCE on AUT-M and CAUSORB-221 at 296 K were fitted by the Freundlich equation. The better TCE and PCE sorption ability of AUT-M in comparison with CAUSORB – 221 and AG-3 was demonstrated.

The optimum parameters for ozonation and sorption stages of groundwater purification from TCE and PCE are elucidated using laboratory and pilot-plant scales. Prolonged test of this technology for purification of ground demonstrated that the higher achievable efficiency of destruction with ozone is 94% for TCE and 38% for PCE. Ozonation-sorption treatment of groundwater allows one to achieve TCE and PCE removal efficiency of 96-97% and 92-94% correspondingly. The most efficient carbon sorbent is microporous carbon fiber AUT-M. Using this sorbent, TCE and PCE concentrations in treated water decrease below the MPC level (5 μg/L) adopted in Russia. It is concluded that the combination of ozonation with sorption of residual contaminants by carbon sorbents is a promising way for the purification of waters containing chlorinated contaminants.     

Gd-Bi-M-Ce-O (M = Cu,Zr, Ni,Co, Mn) ceria-based solid solutions for low temperature CO oxidation

Ceria based solid solutions doped by Gd, Bi, and the third dopant were synthesized by the co-precipitation method with ultrasonic treatment, followed by calcination at the temperature of 500°С. Characterization of the synthesized nanosystems by XRD, TEM, TG, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XPS was carried out. It is shown that all obtained powders of solid solutions crystallized into a cubic structure of the fluorite type, with an average particle size of 5–15 nm. The samples had a mesoporous structure of the pore diameter of 2–5 nm. The catalytic activity of Gd-Bi-M-Ce-O (M = Cu, Zr, Ni, Co, Mn) solid solutions was carried out. The catalyst Gd_0.05Bi_0.15Mn_0.20Ce_0.60O₂ has the lowest oxidation temperature.     

Design and Management of Building＇s Resources

The developed modem control systems and buildings management resource systems would be effective if they are based on previously established optimal conditions during the building design. This is one of the key issues for a responsible architecture. The focus of this paper is on sustainable design methods and techniques for saving resources and their management throughout the building lifecycle. The main subject of the present article is the characteristics of these methods and their fundamental role in sustainable resource management during the building operation. The results which are based on conducted case studies of European and international practice in the construction of sustainable buildings are implemented here. Key features of a comprehensive approach for design and construction are outlined via comparative analysis, as well as various systems for the evaluation of sustainability for already constructed buildings. The mostly used criteria and indicators for sustainability are systematized, including those related to resource consumption. By analyzing a specific example, the role of sustainable design methods is justified as an important prerequisite for effective management of building resources in the process building maintenance. According to the conducted studies, during the longest life cycle period of a building, by implementation of control systems and resource management of building, the costs are successfully optimized. Specific directions that prove the effectiveness of such systems are systematized in the paper. Innovative approaches, complex methods and measures for design and management of buildings resources are presented as results of this study.     

西九文化区

正OMA发展西九文化区,必须面对一项挑战:将一个盛载政府极大抱负,以及持分者多元利益的超大型多用途项目,转化成一个既有趣又严肃、既有规划又允许即兴、既中国化又国际化的文化区。这个文化区规模庞大,但不失亲密融洽的感觉;富地标性,但十分谦和;容易理解,却能带来惊喜。为避免造成过分冲击,OMA采纳了一种每个香港市民都熟悉的建筑类型作为方案的发展     

Natural Silk Film for Magnesium Protection: Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Interaction and Self‐Healing Effect

Biodegradable implants are required in order to provide successful treatment of injuries. Temporary magnesium‐based implants with particular properties are needed in cases when it is desirable not only to maintain vital activity, but also to initiate the self‐healing process of damaged bones or tissues as well. Unfortunately, the use of magnesium alloys is limited due to the fast biodegradability of the applied material. The aim of this research is to improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys by sonochemical treatment in silk solution followed by additional layer‐by‐layer deposition of natural silk on the magnesium surface. The sonication process is carried out at a frequency of 20 kHz during 5–10 min, while the duration of the silk layer deposition is 15 min. The corrosion behavior of magnesium substrates modified by natural silk layer‐by‐layer assembly is studied. Magnesium substrates sonochemically treated in silk solution demonstrate three times better corrosion resistance compared to control samples sonochemically treated in water. Additional deposition of a silk layer enhances obtained corrosion resistance by 18 times, resulting in a 54‐fold increase overall.     

Formic Acid Production Via Methane Peroxide Oxidation Over Oxalic Acid Activated Fe-MFI Catalysts

Topics in Catalysis - The process of synthesis of formic acid via partial peroxide oxidation of methane over Fe-MFI zeolites, as well as the influence of the catalyst activation by oxalic acid on...     

A package to work with linear partial differential operators

The paper describes package LPDO, which is designed for work with linear partial differential operators with symbolic coefficients in the computer algebra system MAPLE. In addition to basic procedures (operator creation, determination, modification, and various simplifications of their coefficients, as well as algebraic operations on them), it implements generating systems of gauge invariants for separate operators and operator pairs, the Laplace transformation method (not related to the integral Laplace method), procedures returning necessary and sufficient conditions for factoring third-order operators in the plane into compositions of operators of one or another form in terms of invariants, and several procedures related to the Darboux transformations.     

Kinetic characterization of the deproteinization of trabecular and cortical bovine femur bones

The present study proposes an interpretation of the mechanism of bone deproteinization. Cortical and trabecular bovine femur bones were deproteinized using 6% NaOCl (37, 50, 60 °C). The kinetic parameters (rate constant and activation energy) were calculated, and the surface area of each type of bone was considered. A statistical analysis of the rate constants shows that cortical bone deproteinizes at a lower rate than trabecular. The activation energy is higher for trabecular than cortical bone, and no significant differences are found in the protein concentration values for both bones. Therefore, although trabecular bone deproteinizes at a higher rate than cortical, trabecular bone requires more energy for the deproteinization reaction to take place. Considering that both types of bones are constituted by mineral, protein, and water; the present work shows that the individual inner matrix architecture of trabecular and cortical bones, along with characteristics such as the mineral concentration and its bonding with collagen fibers, may be the responsible factors that control protein depletion.