Automatic Sampler Coupled with Flow Injection‐Chemiluminescence Detection to Monitor Particle/Natural Water Interactions

Abstract

An automatic sampler for natural waters under LabVIEW control is described. The sampler was integrated with an incubation system and coupled with a flow injection‐chemiluminescence detection system to study the dissolution of aerosol iron in seawater at environmentally relevant concentrations. Automated sampling of seawater was achieved using a peristaltic pump and a 10‐way distribution valve. The software allows full control of the sampler for both short (hours) and long term (days) dissolution kinetics. The environmental application of the sampler highlighted its reliability (short and extended temporal resolution), flexibility, ease of use and collection of contamination free samples.     

Rapid and Highly Sensitive Method for Protein Determination in Biological Samples with m‐Nitrophenylfluorone‐Mo(VI) Complex as a Spectral Probe

Abstract

A simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and selective method for detecting protein in biological samples has been developed, which is based on the interaction between protein and m‐nitrophenylfluorone‐Mo(VI) complex as a spectral probe. The optimum condition for the reaction is investigated. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) obeys Beer's law up to 10 µg · mL^?1, having a molar absorption coefficient of 8.51×10⁶ L · mol^?1 · cm^?1 at 535 nm. Many amino acids and metal ions do not interfere. The results of determination for biological samples are comparable to those obtained by the Bradford method. Meanwhile, the binding number is also determined.     

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometric Determination of Gadolinium in Urine Using Flow Injection On‐Line Sorption Preconcentration in a Knotted Reactor

Abstract

An on‐line gadolinium preconcentration and determination system, implemented with ultrasonic nebulization coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), associated with flow injection (FI) was studied. Gadolinium was retained as Gd‐2‐(5‐bromo‐2‐pyridilazo)‐5‐diethylaminophenol complex (Gd‐5‐Br‐PADAP) at pH 9.0, on the inner walls of the knotted reactor (KR). The collected analyte complexes were quantitatively eluted from the 200 cm KR with 30% (v/v) nitric acid. An enhancement factor of 255‐fold was obtained (17 for KR and 15 for USN). The detection limit (DL) value for the preconcentration of 15 mL of sample was 4.0 ng L^?1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.5%, calculated from the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for gadolinium was linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996 at levels near the detection limit up to at least 200 µg L^?1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of gadolinium in urine samples.     

Molecular lubricants for silicon‐based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS): a novel assembly strategy

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are poised to bring the next technology revolution. At present, many of these are fabricated from silicon using lithographic techniques developed in the microelectronics industry. Due to the large surface area to volume ratio on the micrometer scale, surface forces, such as adhesion and friction, are often detrimental to the fabrication and operation of MEMS devices. Thus, one of the key issues in MEMS is surface engineering to reduce adhesion and friction. Here, we present a general strategy for the efficient assembly of organic layers directly onto the silicon surface in both vacuum environment and solution phases via the robust Si–N or Si–O linkage. This is achieved by the reaction between an amine or alcohol functional group and a chlorinated Si surface. The resulting surface assemblies are thermally stable. Characterization by interfacial force microscope (IFM) reveals that these assemblies have very low surface energy and are mechanically stable. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of Halogen‐Specific Detector (XSDTM) for Trace Analysis of Chlorinated Fatty Acids in Fish

Abstract

The applicability of a halogen‐specific detector (XSD?, manufactured by OI Analytical) was evaluated for GC analysis of chlorinated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) that are present at trace levels in transesterified fish extract, a complex matrix consisting of similar but nonchlorinated compounds. A characteristic of the XSD working principle is that thermal electron emission, negative surface ionization and positive surface ionization are all operative in a concerted manner. While the XSD is not superior to other GC detectors in terms of signal‐to‐noise, its merit is in its high selectivity (10⁶) and low detection limit (2 pg Cl) for chlorinated fatty acids, and ease of operation and maintenance. Its reasonably wide linear range (up to 10 ng Cl) is desirable for trace analysis of chlorinated FAMEs. A major drawback of this detector is a certain degree of peak broadening and peak tailing of eluted compounds with concentrations larger than ～1 ng Cl/µL in the injected solution even though this value does not exceed the upper limit of the XSD linear range. Nevertheless, in trace analysis of chlorinated compounds, the concentrations of analytes are usually well below 1 ng Cl/µL. Parallel use of the XSD and a universal detector such as FID in gas chromatography is useful for optimizing operation conditions for trace analysis and simultaneously analyzing nonchlorinated major components.     

Identifying Important Differences in Mass Spectra Generated by Secondary ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF–SIMS) in a Tribochemical Study

In order to better understand the lubricating properties of diesel fuel, species that were present on tribological surfaces were investigated using secondary ion time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF–SIMS). Traditionally, only certain species that are expected to be present at the interface are investigated and their presence or absence is used to make conclusions regarding the mechanism of lubrication. In this work, an alternative and complementary approach to data analysis and interpretation is proposed, previously demonstrated for TOF–SIMS and based on multivariate analysis methods, where the mass spectral data are investigated more comprehensively. The main objective was to interpret variation within and between different areas of a tested surface and ultimately to contribute to the understanding of the tribochemical reactions that occur at the interface. The validity of this approach was confirmed when the palmitate ion (which would normally be targeted) was shown to contribute significantly (together with other ions) to chemical differences between scratched and unscratched areas of the surface.     

Sorption and Preconcentration of Vanadium,Chromium, Manganese,and Lead on Silica Gel Modified with (3‐Mercaptopropyl) Trimethoxysilane

Abstract

3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, (CH₃O)₃SiCH₂CH₂CH₂SH, loaded on silica gel was used as a preconcentration sorbent for V, Cr, Mn and Pb prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spetrometry (GFAAS). Surface characteristics and surface area of the silica gel before and after chemical modification were determined by elemental analysis. The retention and recovery of the analyte elements were studied by applying batch and column techniques. The experimental parameters, such as the effect of pH of the sample, shaking time in batch technique, flow rate of the eluent, the concentration of acid solution in the column section, and the amount of silica on retention and elution have been investigated. All elements were quantitatively (≥90%) recovered in the batch technique with R.S.D. values of 3.0 for vanadium, 1.8 for chromium, 1.7 for manganese, and 0.4 for lead. The same recoveries were obtained in the column techniques for all elements, while manganese in sea water could not be succesfully recovered. Detection limits of the method for vanadium, chromium, manganese, and lead are 1.1, 1.4, 1.3, and 0.8 ng, respectively.     

Robust H ∞ sliding mode control with pole placement for a fluid power electrohydraulic actuator (EHA) system

In this paper, we exploit the sliding mode control problem for a fluid power electrohydraulic actuator (EHA) system. To characterize the nonlinearity of the friction, the EHA system is modeled as a linear system with a system uncertainty. Practically, it is assumed that the system is also subject to the load disturbance and the external noise. An integral sliding mode controller is proposed to design. The advanced techniques such as the H _∞ control and the regional pole placement are employed to derive the optimal feedback gain which can be calculated by solving a necessary and sufficient condition in the form of linear matrix inequality. A sliding mode control law is developed such that the sliding mode reaching law is satisfied. Simulation and comparison results show the effectiveness of the proposed design method.     

Construction and Evaluation of a Low Cost Interface for the Determination of Elemental Speciation by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (GC‐ICP‐MS)

Abstract

The construction and evaluation of a low cost, easily demountable interface to couple capillary gas chromatography to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection is described. Using this interface, the capillary column can be maintained at a high temperature through to the tip of the torch injector using a transfer line heated by a combination of hot argon and electrical resistance. The interface is suitable for analytes with boiling points up to 230°C, allowing for the analysis of low and high boiling analytes in a single injection. The system was evaluated by the determination of the butyltin species in a marine sediment CRM using conventional calibration with tripropyltin dichloride as the internal standard and the measurement of methylmercury in a tuna fish CRM via species‐specific isotope dilution analysis. Detailed information on the design and construction of the interface are included to facilitate its construction and use by other workers.     

Experiments on the turbulent shear flow in a turn-around duct(I)—The mean flow characteristics

The Complex turbulent water flow in a strongly curved turn-around duct has been studied. The turn-around duct had an aspect ratio of 10∶1 and the ratio of the channel height to the mean radius was 1.0. Extensive measurements throughout the curved duct including wall static pressures and mean velocities were made using Laser Doppler Velocimeter for a Reynolds number of 210,000 based on the height of the channel and the average velocity. Analytical calculations of the potential flow were made using Green’s function and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Based on the turbulence mechanism and stability consideration, a simplified physical model for the outer layer near the start, of the turn along the inner convex wall was hypothesized. This physical model leads to a system of non-linear equations represented in orthogonal curvilinear coordinates. These equations were solved numerically using an iteration method. Comparison of the measured data with the calculated values reveals that the present flow shows the characteristics of an inertial dominated, developing curved flow. The outer layer in a quasi-laminar flow was governed by inviscid-rotational motion. The numerical solution for this region was verified by comparing the calculated and measured flow results. Near the turn exit along the inner wall, a large flow reversal was observed. Spanwise measurements showed that the present turn-around duct flow was approximately two-dimensional. The local mean velocity profiles in the turn for different flow rates were similar when normalized by the average velocity.     

Comparison of Leakage Performance in Three Types of Gas Annular Seals Operating at a High Temperature (300°C)

Adequate sealing in rotating machinery reduces secondary leakage and results in more efficient and stable systems. Labyrinth seals are most common, although brush seals are popular in specialized applications. The hybrid brush seal (HBS) is a novel design that adds to the bristle brush matrix a number of cantilever pads that rest on the rotor surface. Upon shaft rotation the pads lift due to the generation of a hydrodynamic gas film, and the brushes effectively seal an upstream pressure. Hence, the HBS has no wear and no local thermal distortion effects. This article presents measurements of leakage versus pressure differential obtained in a three-tooth labyrinth, a conventional brush seal, and a hybrid brush seal for operation at high temperature (300°C) and with shaft surface speeds to 26 m/s. The measurements demonstrate that the HBS leaks ～ 31% less than a standard brush seal and is significantly better (～ 68%) than a similarly sized labyrinth seal. As temperature increases, the labyrinth seal leakage decreases because its clearance changes due to the thermal growth of the components. The HBS, on the other hand, shows leakage that is nearly insensitive to air inlet temperature. The measurements demonstrate HBS as a reliable seal technology for use in gas turbines, for example.     

Discussion on “Laboratory investigation of the discharge coefficient of flow in arced labyrinth weirs with triangular plans” by Monjezi et al. (2018)

One of the critical issues in designing laboratory experiments is considering the scale effects. This paper is a discussion on Monjezi et al.'s [1] paper, which violated the presented criteria for a significant part of their experimental tests. Discussers also suggested appropriate equations to modify the results obtained from experimental tests. In addition, the necessity of a comparative analysis is discussed in the present paper.     

Retraction notice to: “Characteristics of recursive backstepping algorithm and active damping of oscillations in feedback linearization for electromechanical system with extended stability analysis and perturbation rejection” [ISA Trans. 64C (2016) 365-372]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted by agreement between the authors and the Editor-in-Chief. A request by the authors to add additional authors to the paper after publication resulted in an agreement to retract the paper by the Authors and Editor-in-Chief.     

A small Raman laser based on a KGd(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> : Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Crystal (λ=1.538 µm) with passive resonator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis> switching

Generation properties of a Raman laser based on a KGd(WO₄)₂ : Nd³⁺ crystal and operating in a mode of passive resonator Q switching by a YAG : V³⁺ crystal at a wavelength safe for human eyes is studied. A small laser with a mass of 35 g, operating over a wide temperature range at a wavelength of 1.54 µm and an output energy of >6 mJ, has been created on the basis of these studies.__________Translated from Pribory i Tekhnika Eksperimenta, No. 2, 2005, pp. 112–113.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Ustimenko, Zabotin.