Eu:CROPIS – “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglena gracilis</Emphasis>: Combined Regenerative Organic-food Production in Space” - A Space Experiment Testing Biological Life Support Systems Under Lunar And Martian Gravity

Human space exploration needs stable life support systems for the supply of oxygen, water and food for each human explorer due to long term missions. The most promising approach for building stable life support systems is a combination of physico-chemical and biological systems. These hybrid systems combine the reliability of physico-chemical and the sustainability of biological life support systems. Also the disadvantages, which are the finite resources of physico-chemical and the imperfect reliability of biological systems, are mutually balanced. To improve the reliability of biological life support systems, a combination of different biological systems may stabilize the whole approach during long term operations. The satellite mission Eu:CROPIS (Euglena gracilis: Combined Regenerative Organic-food Production In Space) is a testbed for investigating the behavior of combined biological life support systems under the influence of altered gravity, here, Lunar and Martian gravity. The core systems are a biological trickle filter for processing urine into a fertilizer solution via nitrification and Euglena gracilis, a photosynthetic protist which is able to produce oxygen and biomass while protecting the whole system against high ammonia concentrations.     

Rheological Behavior and Strength of Composite Systems of the Type “Aluminum or Its Alloy (Polymer)–Oxide Ceramics–Chromium Carbide”

Rheological methods are proposed and on their basis methods for calculating strength and load characteristics of composite systems of the type aluminum or its alloy (polymer)–oxide ceramics–chromium carbide have been developed. The rheological behavior of systems under their local loading has been considered. The results of the comparison between the calculated and experimental results have confirmed the adequacy of the developed models and methods. Allowable specific contact pressures of composite systems have been established.     

Effect of Microstructures on Corrosion Behavior of Nickel Coatings:(Ⅱ) Competitive Effect of Grain Size and Twins Density on Corrosion Behavior

Nanocrystalline nickel coatings with grain size of 50 nm were annealed in vacuum at 200°C and 400°C for 10 min.Their microstructures were investigated by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).And their corrosion behaviors were studied by means of polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS).The results showed that their grain size grew up to about 60 nm(200°C)and 500 nm(400°C),respectively.The specimen annealed at 200°C possessed higher density of twins in compared with the counterparts of as-deposited and annealed at 400°C.The normal grain size effect on the corrosion behavior was not observed.However,it was found that the corrosion resistance of the coating linearly changed with the density of twins.     

Dissolution Behavior of Undoped and Sn-Doped InAs in HNO3–HBr–CH3CH(OH)COOH

The dissolution of undoped and Sn-doped InAs in HNO₃–HBr–lactic acid solutions is studied. The results demonstrate that doping with Sn markedly reduces the dissolution rate of indium arsenide. Bromine-releasing solutions of the system studied can be used for various treatments of InAs and InAsSn.     

Modulation Transfer Function Measurement of Optical Systems in the Visible and Infra-red (5 to 20 μm) Range

The ACOFAM combines an optical method of frequency analysis with electronic data unit and display to obtain a fast and accurate measurement of the Modulation Transfer Function of lenses and complete systems in the visible range. Some extra devices are described in order to convert the standard ACOFAM to the infra-red spectral range (5–20 μm). Results of measurements on a 50 mm F/1 developed by the Optical Division of Engins MATRA are shown.     

Modeling of Heat and Mass Transfer in Systems of Radiation‐Evaporation Thermal Protection

Results of theoretical and experimental studies of models of different systems of radiationevaporation thermal protection are presented; the overalldimensionweight parameters of these systems and of systems of passive radiation thermal protection are compared.     

Creep crack initiation and growth in AISI 316 (N) weld – FEM and experiments

Abstract

There are two aspects of the creep crack growth behaviour, namely, the crack initiation and the crack propagation. An incubation period is often observed prior to the onset of creep crack growth. In this study, creep crack initiation and propagation in pre-cracked compact tension (CT) specimens of a 316 (N) stainless steel weld at T = 550 and 625°C under static loading is investigated. Both the crack initiation time and the crack growth rate are measured as a function of fracture parameter C*. It is shown that it is possible to correlate the creep crack initiation time with the C* parameter. It is also shown that the creep crack growth rate can be correlated with the C* integral. Additionally, finite element analyses by using the ANSYS software have been performed at one test condition (T=625°C) in order to estimate numerically the crack mouth opening displacement rate history for a propagating crack using the node release technique. When the FEM results are compared with the experimental data, the results show a very satisfactory prediction capability.     

Applicability of Doppler weather radar based rainfall data for runoff estimation in Indian watersheds – A case study of Chennai basin

Traditionally, India has been vulnerable to various hazards such as floods, droughts and cyclones. About 8% of the total Indian landmass is prone to cyclones. A number of Doppler weather radars are installed in India and their products are utilized for weather predictions and detection of cyclones approaching the Indian coast. Radar-based hydrological studies in various countries have proven that computation of runoff using radar rainfall data could outperform rain gauge network measurements. There are no reported studies on their utilization for hydrological modelling and/or flood-related studies in Indian river basins. A comparison study between Doppler weather radar (DWR) derived rainfall data and the conventional rain gauge data was carried out with hourly inputs at one of the watersheds of Chennai basin, Tamil Nadu, India using HEC-HMS model. The model calibration and validation were performed by comparing the simulated outflow with the observed daily outflow data. The calibrated model was used to predict runoff from two post-monsoon cyclonic storm events with hourly inputs. It was noticed that the discrepancy in the runoff volume was small, but the difference in the peak flow was substantial. Additionally, there was a variation at the time to peak flow using daily and hourly inputs. The results show that the use of radar data may be optional for runoff volume estimation for the watersheds with sufficient rain gauge density, but highly desirable for peak flow and time to peak estimation. Therefore, the DWR derived rainfall data is a promising input for runoff estimation, especially in urban flood modelling.     

Human–Cyber–Physical Systems (HCPSs) in the Context of New-Generation Intelligent Manufacturing

An intelligent manufacturing system is a composite intelligent system comprising humans, cyber systems, and physical systems with the aim of achieving specific manufacturing goals at an optimized level. This kind of intelligent system is called a human–cyber–physical system (HCPS). In terms of technology, HCPSs can both reveal technological principles and form the technological architecture for intelligent manufacturing. It can be concluded that the essence of intelligent manufacturing is to design, construct, and apply HCPSs in various cases and at different levels. With advances in information technology, intelligent manufacturing has passed through the stages of digital manufacturing and digital-networked manufacturing, and is evolving toward new-generation intelligent manufacturing (NGIM). NGIM is characterized by the in-depth integration of new-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology (i.e., enabling technology) with advanced manufacturing technology (i.e., root technology); it is the core driving force of the new industrial revolution. In this study, the evolutionary footprint of intelligent manufacturing is reviewed from the perspective of HCPSs, and the implications, characteristics, technical frame, and key technologies of HCPSs for NGIM are then discussed in depth. Finally, an outlook of the major challenges of HCPSs for NGIM is proposed.     

Follow the (Industry) Money – The Impact of Science Networks and Industry-to-University Contracts on Academic Patenting in Nanotechnology and Biotechnology

We investigated the factors influencing an academic's propensity to patent and the quality of patenting in nanotechnology and biotechnology. We found that a university researcher is more likely to be listed as an inventor of a patented innovation, regardless of the assignee, if he receives private funding, has a fairly high level of cliquishness in the scientific network and has shown a prior capacity to successfully collaborate with industry, a concept that we named innovation loops. Furthermore, citation rate and number of claims, which are used to represent patent quality, are influenced by factors similar to those explaining patent quantity.     

Determination of δ(18)O and δ(15)N in Nitrate

The analyses of both O and N isotopic compositions of nitrate have many potential applications in studies of nitrate sources and reactions in hydrology, oceanography, and atmospheric chemistry, but simple and precise methods for these analyses have yet to be developed. Testing of a new method involving reaction of potassium nitrate with catalyzed graphite (C + Pd + Au) at 520 °C resulted in quantitative recovery of N and O from nitrate as free CO(2), K(2)CO(3), and N(2). The δ(18)O values of nitrate reference materials were obtained by analyzing both the CO(2) and K(2)CO(3) from catalyzed graphite combustion. Provisional values of δ(18)O(VSMOW) for the internationally distributed KNO(3) reference materials IAEA-N3 and USGS-32 were both equal to +22.7 ± 0.5‰. Because the fraction of free CO(2) and the isotopic fractionation factor between CO(2) and K(2)CO(3) were constant in the combustion products, the δ(18)O value of KNO(3) could be calculated from measurements of the δ(18)O of free CO(2). Thus, δ(18)O(KNO)((3)) = aδ(18)O(free)(?)(CO)((2)) - b, where a and b were equal to 0.9967 and 3.3, respectively, for the specific conditions of the experiments. The catalyzed graphite combustion method can be used to determine δ(18)O of KNO(3) from measurements of δ(18)O of free CO(2) with reproducibility on the order of ±0.2‰ or better if local reference materials are prepared and analyzed with the samples. Reproducibility of δ(15)N was ±0.1‰ after trace amounts of CO were removed.     

Quantum Phases of Excitons and Their Detections in Electron-Hole Semiconductor Bilayer Systems

There have been extensive experimental search for possible exciton superfluid in semiconductor electron-hole bilayer (EHBL) systems below liquid Helium temperature. Here we construct a quantum Ginsburg-Landau theory to study the quantum phases and transitions in EHBL. We propose that in the dilute limit as distance is increased, there is a first order transition from the excitonic superfluid (ESF) to the excitonic supersolid (ESS) driven by the collapsing of a roton minimum, then a 2nd order transition from the ESS to excitonic normal solid. We show the latter transition is in the same universality class of superfluid to Mott transition in a rigid lattice. We then study novel elementary low energy excitations inside the ESS. We find that there are two “supersolidon” longitudinal modes (one upper branch and one lower branch) inside the ESS, while the transverse mode in the ESS stays the same as that inside a exciton normal solid (ENS). We also work out various experimental signatures of these novel elementary excitations by evaluating the Debye-Waller factor, density-density correlation, specific heat and vortex-vertex interactions. For the meta-stable supersolid generated by photon pumping, we show that several unique features of the photoluminescent can be used to detect the metastable ESS state generated by photon pumping without any ambiguity.     

Self-diffusion of poly (ethylene oxide) – modified paclitaxel in dilute aqueous solutions

In order to make the hydrophobic anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel watersoluble, it was coupled to highly uniform poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) with the molar mass M_w = 5,000 g/mol with a self-immolating succinate linker. The concentration and temperature dependence of the unrestricted molecular mobility of the molecules (long-time self-diffusion) in homogeneous aqueous (D₂O) solution was studied by gradient field NMR around body temperature in the highly dilute region. The concentration dependence of the friction coefficient, and the self-diffusion coefficient is unexpectedly strong and probably caused by peculiarities of the shape and/or the flexibility of the molecules rather than their size. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. W. S. Veeman, Gerhard-Mercator-University, Duisburg, on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Studies of microstructural changes upon retrogression and reaging (RRA) treatment to 8090 Al – Li – Cu – Mg – Zr alloy

Abstract

Microstructural changes upon retrogression, and retrogression and reaging (RRA) treatment to 8090 Al – Li – Cu – Mg – Zr alloy in the peak aged (T8) temper have been studied by XRD and TEM. The variation of hardness with retrogression, and retrogression and reaging (RRA) has been measured to assess RRA behaviour. XRD studies exhibited all the phases that would be expected in the system. Retrogression primarily caused dissolution of matrix strengthening δ' precipitates in the solution. Reaging the retrogressed state caused reprecipitation of the δ' precipitates in the matrix. Retrogression and reaging (RRA) treatments retained the strength of the conventional peak aged temper, but TEM observations revealed some microstructural changes, such as growth of δ', T₁ and S' phases, reduction of the dislocation densities, and generation of more dislocation loops and helices.     

Instanton Sector of Correlated Electron Systems as the Origin of Populated Pseudo-gap and Flat “Band” Behavior: Analytic Solution

Finite temperature instantons between meta-stable vacua of correlated electronic system are solved analytically for quasi one-dimensional Hubbard model. The instantons produce dynamic symmetry breaking and connect metallic state with the dual vacua: superconducting (SC) and spin-density wave (SDW) states. The instantons spread along the Matsubara’s imaginary time and possess the structure similar to the coordinate-space solitonic lattices previously discovered in quasi one-dimensional Peierls model. On the microscopic level the inter-vacua excursion is described by mutual transformations between the “resonating quartets” of the couples of electron–hole and Cooper pairs. Spectral properties of the electrons in the “instantonic crystal” reveal pseudo-gap (PG) behavior, with finite fermionic density of states in the center of the PG and “flat-band” outside of it. Analytically derived inverse temperature scaling of the pseudo-gap and the densities of the SC and SDW condensates is discussed in the context of ARPES and STM data in high-T_c cuprates.     

Preparation of Diamond in the Graphite–M (M = Sn,Pb) Binary Systems: Synthesis and Structural Defects

Inorganic Materials - Diamond has been synthesized in the graphite–Sn and graphite–Pb systems at pressures from 8 to 9 GPa and temperatures above 1500 and 2000°C, respectively. The...     

Effect of Microstructures on Corrosion Behavior of Nickel Coatings:(Ⅰ) Abnormal Grain Size Effect on Corrosion Behavior

Nickel coatings with different microstructures were synthesized by pulse jet electrodeposition technique.Their morphology and microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The corrosion property of the coatings was studied by using polarization,electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS),potential of zero free charge(PZFC) measurements and Mott-Schottky(M-S) relationship.The results showed that the coating with grain size of 50 nm possessed higher corrosion resistance than that with grain size of 10 nm.This abnormal behavior may be related to the existence of nanoscale twins in the coatings and the lower concentration of acceptor in the passive films.     

Growth of zinc peroxide (ZnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction – SILAR – technique

Zinc peroxide, ZnO₂, thin films were grown by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique at room temperature and normal pressure. The thin films were grown on glass, quartz, silicon, on poly(vinyl chloride) and polycarbonate substrates. The precursors used for ZnO₂ films were diluted aqueous solutions of ZnCl₂ complexed with ethylenediamine for cation and H₂O₂ for anion constituent of the film. The zinc peroxide film could be decomposed to zinc oxide by annealing in air or in vacuum. The as-grown films were polycrystalline, or amorphous and the annealed films were amorphous on all substrate materials. According to scanning electron microscopy images the films were uniform and homogeneous. The films were also characterized by UV spectroscopy.     

Frequency-Domain Laser Ultrasound (FDLU) Non-destructive Evaluation of Stress–Strain Behavior in an Aluminum Alloy

The evaluation of the stress–strain state of metallic materials is an important problem in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). Prolonged cyclic loading or overloading will lead to permanent changes of material strength in an inconspicuous manner that poses threat to the safety of structures, components and products. This research focuses on gauging the mechanical strength of metallic alloys through the application of frequency-domain laser ultrasound (FDLU) based on a continuous-wave diode laser source. The goal is to develop industrial NDT procedures for fatigue monitoring in metallic substrates and coatings so that the technique can be used for mechanical strength assessment. A small-scale, non-commercial rig was fabricated to hold the sample and conduct tensile FDLU testing in parallel with an adhesive strain gauge affixed on the tested sample for independent measurement of the applied stress. Harmonic modulation and lock-in detection were used to investigate the LU signal sensitivity to the stress–strain state of ordinary aluminum alloy samples. A 1 MHz focused piezoelectric transducer was used to detect the LU signal. During the tensile procedure, both amplitude and phase signals exhibited good repeatability and sensitivity to the increasing stress–strain within the elastic regime. Signals beyond the elastic limit also revealed significant change patterns.