In situ optical variability and relationships in the Santa Barbara Channel: implications for remote sensing

Relationships and variability of bio-optical properties in coastal waters are investigated. Optical proxies indicate that these coastal waters are optically complex and highly variable and are categorized as follows: (1) relatively clear and dominated by high index of refraction, biogenic particles, (2) more turbid, consisting of mostly inorganic particles and little phytoplankton, (3) extremely turbid with high concentrations of inorganic particles, and (4) more turbid and dominated by biogenic particles. We present a method, alternative to traditional remote-sensing algorithms, of classifying coastal waters [the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM)] and utilize the SAM to successfully isolate plume conditions in time series of downwelling irradiance and total absorption coefficient. We conclude with a discussion of the use of the SAM for coastal management operations.     

Simultaneous measurements of individual ambient particle size, composition, effective density, and hygroscopicity

The interaction between atmospheric particles and water vapor impacts directly and significantly the effect that these particles exert on the atmosphere. The hygroscopicity of individual particles, which is a quantitative measure of their response to changes in relative humidity, is related to their internal compositions. To properly include atmospheric aerosols in any model requires knowledge of the relationship between particle size, composition, and hygroscopicity. Here we demonstrate the capability to conduct in real time the simultaneous measurements of individual ambient particle hygroscopic growth factors, densities, and compositions using a humidified tandem differential mobility analyzer that is coupled to an ultrasensitive single-particle mass spectrometer. We use as an example the class of particles that are composed of sulfate mixed with oxygenated organics to illustrate how multidimensional single-particle characterization can be extended to yield in addition quantitative information about the composition of individual particles. We show that the data provide the relative concentrations of organics and sulfates, the density of the two fractions, and particle hygroscopicity.     

Effect of hydrogen annealing on the composition and particle size of molybdenum nanopowders

We have studied the behavior of molybdenum nanopowder consisting of particles with an average size of 23.7 nm. The powder was prepared by hydrogen plasma reduction of molybdenum trioxide and contained considerable amounts of oxygen in the form of amorphous molybdenum oxides and hydroxides. Annealing in hydrogen for 1 h at temperatures from 300 to 1000°C is shown to cause crystallization of oxides, which then vaporize to form the volatile hydroxide MoO₂(OH)₂. Most of the oxygen is removed by annealing below 700°C. Starting at this temperature, particle growth is observed. The main mechanism behind the coagulation of molybdenum particles is vapor transport. Annealing at 1000°C for 30–50 min in hydrogen with a dew point of −5°C increases the particle size by about one order of magnitude.     

Influence of particle size and particle size distribution on toughening mechanisms in rubber-modified epoxies

The principal toughening mechanism of a substantially toughened, rubber-modified epoxy has again been shown to involve internal cavitation of the rubber particles and the subsequent formation of shear bands. Additional evidence supporting this sequence of events which provides a significant amount of toughness enhancement, is presented. However, in addition to this well-known mechanism, more subtle toughening mechanisms have been found in this work. Evidence for such mechanisms as crack deflection and particle bridging is shown under certain circumstances in rubber-modified epoxies. The occurrence of these toughening mechanisms appears to have a particle size dependence. Relatively large particles provide only a modest increase in fracture toughness by a particle bridging/crack deflection mechanism. In contrast, smaller particles provide a significant increase in toughness by cavitation-induced shear banding. A critical, minimum diameter for particles which act as bridging particles exists and this critical diameter appears to scale with the properties of the neat epoxy. Bimodal mixtures of epoxies containing small and large particles are also examined and no synergistic effects are observed.     

Influence of composition and particle size on spin dynamics and thermodynamic properties of magnetoresistive perovskites

The thermodynamic behavior and spin dynamics of the colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) perovskites of general formula La(1-x)(A)xMn(1-y)(B)yO3 (where A is an alkaline earth, and B = Al, In) have been studied in order to evidence the effect of composition and the influence of nanocrystallinity on the thermodynamic and magnetic characteristics. By using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the behavior of the exchange coupling integral (J) between Mn spins and the polaron activation energy (Ea) have been investigated. The thermodynamic properties represented by the relative partial molar free energies, enthalpies and entropies of oxygen dissolution in the perovskite phase, as well as the equilibrium partial pressures of oxygen have been obtained by using solid electrolyte electrochemical cells method. The influence of the oxygen stoichiometry change on the thermodynamic properties was examined using the data obtained by a coulometric titration technique coupled with measurements of the electromotive force (EMF). The results were correlated with the average Mn valence values as determined by redox titration. The properties of the rare-earth manganites are strongly affected by the A- and B-site substitution and by the oxygen nonstoichiometry. New features related to the modifications in properties connected with the nanocrystalline state were evidenced. The correlation existing between the magnetic and thermodynamic characteristics were discussed in relation to significant changes in the overall concentration of defects.     

Examining the importance of the particle size effect in inhalation dose assessment for short-term radiological events

In this research work, the question of how important the particle size effect is in assessing radiological impact from a short-term radiological dispersal device incident is examined. A computer model, called puff particle size-dependent inhalation dose assessment (PIDA), was developed to support the task. The PIDA code is composed of submodels for atmospheric transport, dry deposition, resuspension, human exposure and dose analysis, with the particle size effect explicitly described in all of the submodels. The time-dependent nature of contaminant transport in the atmosphere during a short-term radiological incident was described by using a three-dimensional dispersion and one-dimensional advection Gaussian puff model. The results from the PIDA code were found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data from the Prairie Grass Project under various stability conditions and also with the calculation results from the CALPUFF code. The use of the PIDA code to examine the particle size effect in a short-term radiological incident showed that the particle size is one of the key parameters that contribute to the uncertainty of the estimated inhalation dose. The results also indicated that ignoring the particle size effect typically results in a conservative estimate of inhalation dose. In this regard, the use of an appropriately selected fixed value for particle size could be acceptable for a conservative estimate.     

Religious Attitudes and Beliefs Among Japanese Americans: King County,Washington and Santa Clara County,California

The beliefs and attitudes on religion and religiosity within the Japanese American population in the continental United States is a relatively unexplored topic, A 1998–2000 study of randomly sampled, face-to-face interviews with 344 Japanese Americans was conducted in King County, Washington, and Santa Clara, California. The study included six questions relevant to religious attitudes and beliefs with analysis offered concerning the differences and similarities with data obtained from fifty-years of study in Japan and Japanese American religiosity. Such differences included having a personal faith and the degree to which Christianity is a notable part of Japanese American life. Conversely, the persistence of Buddhism among Japanese Americans was another striking finding. Japanese Americans exhibit today, across the age ranges, through the generations and between genders, a high rate of personal religious belief, attendance at Christian and Buddhist churches and temples and a high level of agreement concerning the importance of religious attitudes.

     

Influence of particle size and particle size distribution on MICA filled nylon 6 composite

Particulate reinforced thermoplastic composites are designed to improve the properties and to lower the overall cost of engineering plastics. In this study the effects of particle size and particle size distribution on the properties of mica filled nylon-6 was investigated. Composites of nylon-6 with varying concentrations (viz. 5 to 40 wt%) of mica were prepared by twin screw extrusion. The composite showed improved mechanical, thermal as well dielectric properties on addition of filler.     

Effect of the particle size ratio on the structural properties of granular mixtures with discrete particle size distribution

In this study, the discrete element method was used to examine the structural properties and geometric anisotropy of polydisperse granular packings with discrete uniform particle size distributions. Confined uniaxial compression was applied to granular mixtures with different particle size fractions. The particle size fraction (class) was defined as the fraction of the sample composed of particles with a certain size. The threshold value of number of particle size fractions (i.e., the value above which structural properties of assemblies remain constant) was determined. The effect of heterogeneity in particle size on the critical value of number of particle size fractions was investigated for packings with different ratios between diameters of the largest and smallest grains. The threshold number of particle size classes decreased from five to three as the diameter ratio between the largest and smallest grains increased. Regardless of the diameter ratio, the critical number of particle size fractions (above which the packing density and coordination number of the granular mixtures remained constant) was determined to be five. The study has also shown an increase in packing density of binary mixtures with particle size ratio increasing up to 2.5, which was followed by decrease in density of mixtures with larger particle size ratios, which has not so far been reported in the literature.     

Modelling the evolution of particle size distribution during nucleation,growth and coarsening

Abstract

A model, based on the numerical framework of Kampmann and Wagner, has been developed to predict the evolution of particle size distribution (PSD) during the decomposition of supersaturated solid solutions by nucleation, growth, and coarsening. During the early stages of transformation, where nucleation and growth are dominant, the PSD shape is predicted to be constantly evolving. Only during the latter stages of transformation, when coarsening becomes dominant, does the PSD tend towards a steady state shape, which closely matches that expected from classical coarsening theory. It is also predicted that as the PSD evolves, a transient double peak forms and then decays. The physical basis of this double peak has been investigated and the effect of supersaturation on its formation has been predicted.     

尘埃粒子计数器全粒径范围内计数效率的校准

为实现对尘埃粒子计数器全粒径范围内的计数效率校准,分别对尘埃粒子计数器(OPC)-凝结核粒子计数器(CPC)-气溶胶静电计(FCAE)的逐级溯源方法和光学显微镜计数方法进行技术研究,建立一套完整的校准方法和装置。结果表明:装置具有很好的溯源性,能保证国内关于尘埃粒子计数器计数效率的计量技术的准确性。     

Slurry erosion of metallics,polymers, and ceramics: particle size effects

Abstract

One of the least well understood areas in the study of erosion by solid particles is the effect of particle size. Erosion is generally assumed to be independent of particle size above a critical value. However, there is evidence that this pattern is dependent on the process conditions. In the present study, the effect of particle size was investigated for different classes of materials, which included two pure metals, an alloy, a ceramic, and a polymer. The apparatus used was an impinging jet. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterise the degradation following erosion. The results showed that the erosion rate peaked at intermediate particle sizes, for some of the materials studied. However, the particle size at which the peak occurred changed as a function of target and particle properties. Such observations were explained in terms of the combined effects of particle, target, and fluid flow parameters on the erosion mechanisms of the different materials.     

Effect of lognormal particle size distributions on particle spreading in additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) has attracted much attention worldwide in various applications due to its convenience and flexibility to rapidly fabricate products, which is a key advantage compared to the traditional subtractive manufacturing. This discrete element method (DEM) study focusses on the impact of particle polydispersity during the particle spreading process on parameters that affect the quality of the final product, like packing and bed surface roughness. The particle systems include four lognormal particle size distribution (PSD) widths, which are benchmarked against the monodisperse system with the same mean particle diameter. The results reveal that: (i) the solid volume fraction of the initial packed particle bed in the delivery chamber increases then plateaus as the PSD width increases; (ii) regardless of PSD width, the solid volume fraction of the particle bed increases with spreading layer height before compression, but decreases with layer height after compression; (iii) the bed surface roughness increases with PSD width or layer height both before and after the compression of the spreading layer; (iv) the extent of increase in solid volume fraction during compression is correlated with the extent of decrease in bed surface roughness; and (v) the broader PSDs exhibit larger fluctuations of solid volume fraction of the particle bed and bed surface roughness due to greater variability in the arrangement of particles of different sizes. The results here have important implications on the design and operation of particle-based AM systems.     

Determination of particle size distributions and the degree of dispersion in nanocomposites

Objective of this study was the investigation of measurement techniques to determine the quality of the dispersion process of nanoparticles in polymer composites. In order to prepare the matrix suspension, alumina nanoparticles were dispersed applying shear mixing techniques in a high performance laboratory kneader. The product quality in liquid state was determined by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and centrifugal sedimentation analysis (CSA). However, particle measurements in carrier fluids like epoxy resin are complex and challenging. Measuring values like particle size distribution and grade of homogeneousness are strongly influenced by the sample preparation and adjustments of the measuring device. Within this study the machine settings and the formulation was analysed systematically. Hereby an identification of the key parameters and an optimisation of the measuring process were possible. Additionally, the composite was cured and analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally all measuring techniques were evaluated and compared among each other. Thus, DLS is the fastest method to measure spherically particles in the liquid matrix, CSA allows a certain deviation from the spherical shape and SEM gives a qualitative impression of the final particle size in cured composite condition.     

Estimation of particle size distribution from cross-sectional particle diameter on the cutting plane

To control highly functional sintered materials, it is necessary to evaluate particle size segregation within materials. In the present study, a new method for estimating particle size distribution is proposed; this method considers the occurrence probability of the cutting diameter. The proper particle size distribution in a particle bed was estimated by calculating a matrix consisting of the occurrence probability and the distribution of particle diameters measured on a cutting plane. The estimated particle size distribution was smoothed using the Phillips–Twomey method. A cavity-filling simulation was carried out to verify the validity of the proposed method using the Distinct Element Method. The particle size distribution estimated by this method correlated well with the actual particle size distribution. The effect of particle size distributions with various geometrical standard deviations on the accuracy of estimated values was also investigated. The accuracy increased as the geometric standard deviation increased, and there was an optimum particle size bin number for a specific particle distribution. It was found that a large bin number and a large number of measured particles were required to obtain a higher accuracy for narrow size distributions.     

Effect of particle size ratio and contribution of particle size fractions on micromechanics of uniaxially compressed binary sphere mixtures

This paper is an extension of the recent work of Wi?cek (Granul Matter 18:42, 2016), wherein geometrical parameters of binary granular mixtures with various particle size ratio and contribution of the particle size fractions were investigated. In this study, a micromechanics of binary mixtures with various ratio of the diameter of small and large spheres and contribution of small particles was analyzed using discrete element simulations of confined uniaxial compression. The study addressed contact normal orientation distributions, global and partial contact force distributions and pressure distribution in packings of frictional spheres. Additionally, the effect of particle size ratio and contribution of particle size fractions on energy dissipation in granular mixtures was investigated. The particle size ratio in binary packings was chosen to prevent small particles from percolating through bedding. The bimodality of mixtures was found to have a strong effect on distribution of contact normal orientation and distribution of normal contact forces in binary mixtures. Stress transfer in binary packing was also determined by both, particle size ratio and volume fraction of small particles. Dissipation of energy was higher in mixtures with higher particle size ratios and decreased with increasing contribution of small spheres in system.     

Effect of four different size reduction methods on the particle size,solubility enhancement and physical stability of nicergoline nanocrystals

Nicergoline, a poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredient, possesses vaso-active properties which causes peripheral and central vasodilatation. In this study, nanocrystals of nicergoline were prepared in an aqueous solution of polysorbate 80 (nanosuspension) by using four different laboratory scale size reduction techniques: high pressure homogenization (HPH), bead milling (BM) and combination techniques (high pressure homogenization followed by bead milling HPH?+?BM, and bead milling followed by high pressure homogenization BM?+?HPH). Nanocrystals were investigated regarding to their mean particles size, zeta potential and particle dissolution. A short term physical stability study on nanocrystals stored at three different temperatures (4,?20 and 40?°C) was performed to evaluate the tendency to change in particle size, aggregation and zeta potential. The size reduction technique and the process parameters like milling time, number of homogenization cycles and pressure greatly affected the size of nanocrystals. Among the techniques used, the combination techniques showed superior and consistent particle size reduction compared to the other two methods, HPH?+?BM and BM?+?HPH giving nanocrystals of a mean particle size of 260 and 353?nm, respectively. The particle dissolution was increased for any nanocrystals samples, but it was particularly increased by HPH and combination techniques. Independently to the production method, nicergoline nanocrystals showed slight increase in particle size over the time, but remained below 500?nm at 20?°C and refrigeration conditions.