Polymer films as indicator of hydrogen spillover through the gas phase

Films of poly-ε-caproamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were used for detection of hydrogen spillover through the gas phase. The hydrogen used in the experiments contained tritium activated by two procedures (W wire, 2000 K; 5% Pd/C, 335 K). The radioactivity of the films was recorded by classical and digital autoradiography and by liquid scintillation counting. Under the action of “hot” atoms generated on a W wire, the maximal specific radioactivity of the films, equal to 420, 415, and 330 mCi cm^–2 for PA, PE, and PET, respectively, was reached in 100 s. Preliminary thermalization of the atoms to a temperature of 77–335 K influenced the decrease in the film radioactivity differently. The effective activation energy of the reaction in the range 298–318 K was 21, 30, and 12.5 kJ mol–1 for PA. PE, and PET, respectively. Under the conditions of heating 5% Pd/C to 335 K for 25 min, the radioactivity of PA, PE, and PET was 1.6, 0.05, and 0.15 μCi cm^–2, respectively. The revealed difference in the radioactivity of the films suggests different mechanisms of the interaction of tritium with organic molecules at different activation methods.     

New frontiers: self-assembly and nanoelectronics

In the quest for new semiconductor materials and processes, researchers focus on self-assembly, a concept that draws from diverse disciplines like chemistry, biology, material science, and electrical engineering. The following areas are examined: information theory; thermodynamics, synergetics and self-assembly; ribosome based lithography; nanofabrication by self-assembly; molecular electronics; and smart matter     

Interaction between an electric-discharge vibration generator and the liquid metal in a ladle

A closed calculation scheme is proposed for investigating, in the axisymmetric case, the processing of liquid metals by means of a device whose operating principle is based on electric discharge in water. The liquid motion in the discharge chamber of the device, the strain of structural elements, and the propagation of disturbances in the liquid metal are described by equations of hydrodynamics and elasticity and the wave equation, respectively. The calculation scheme accounts for the possibility of cavitation development. It is shown that cavitation can arise virtually throughout the liquid metal volume as a result of a single electric discharge.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 11, pp. 78–82, November, 1991.     

Emerging research memory and logic technologies

The purpose of this article is to introduce a set of technology relevance or evaluation criteria and, based on these criteria, to offer a critical assessment of those technology entries for memory and logic being considered for post CMOS-scaling information processing. Additionally, charge-based nanoelectronic devices are discussed in this article separately from those approaches proposing use of a new means for data representation or "state variable." This separate discussion addresses an important question related to new charge-based information-processing approaches concerning the fundamental limits of an elemental switch (size, energy, speed, etc.).     

New Protective Coatings for Replacing Cadmium Coatings on Steel Parts

Works aimed at solving the problem of replacing toxic cadmium coatings used for protection of aircraft steel parts are reviewed. Numerous electrolytic alloys based on zinc and zinc-bearing coatings of the Colsil and Dacromet types are suggested for the purpose. A VIAM-designed coating based on a Zn – Sn alloy in combination with a modified phosphate coating is considered. It is shown that the protective properties of the combined coating are close to those of a cadmium coating, and the former is recommended for commercial use.     

IR-100 Research and training reactor

The design, physico-technical characteristics, and experimental capabilities are described for the IR-100 research reactor with a thermal output of I00 kW, which is intended for conducting scientific-research projects and also for training specialists in the field of atomic energy.Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 363–368, November, 1966.     

Structural changes in membranes of proliferating leukocytes L-41 as affected by low doses of ionizing radiation

The dose-dependent effects of gamma-radiation on the leucocyte cultures L-41 has been investigated. Irradiation by the dose of 0.25 Gy stimulates the cell proliferation while that by the doses of 1.0 and 2.0 Gy inhibits this process. In this dose range the radiohormesis effects characterizing structural organization of the probed membranes have been also registered for fluorescence parameters. The zone of qualitative transition of response of the cell membranes to radiation is individual for various effects. The action of radiation in the doses of 0.25 and 0.50 Gy induces a decrease of ANS fluorescence intensity and a decrease of membrane protein immersion in the lipid bilayer of leukocyte membranes. The values of these parameters rise at the doses of 1.0 and 2.0 Gy that reflects different directions of structural changes in various membrane regions. The irradiation in the range of 0.25-1.0 Gy induces the increase of microviscosity in deep regions of membrane lipid matrix while at the dose 2.0 Gy it causes its decrease. Radioactive radiation does not change the membrane protein conformation of leukocytes and polarity of lipid bilayer hydrophobic zones as recorded by fluorescent methods used.