Present status of the Liquid Breeder Validation Module for IFMIF

One of the objectives of IFMIF (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility), as stated in its specifications, is the validation of breeder blanket concepts for DEMO design. The so-called Liquid Breeder Validation Module (LBVM) will be used in IFMIF to perform experiments under irradiation on functional materials related to liquid breeder concepts for future fusion reactors. This module, not considered in previous IFMIF design phases, is currently under design by CIEMAT in the framework of the IFMIF/EVEDA project.In this paper, the present status of the design of the LBVM is presented.     

Ni/Carbon Hybrid Prepared by Hydrothermal Carbonization and Thermal Treatment as Support for PtRu Nanoparticles for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Ni/Carbon was prepared in two steps:initially cellulose as carbon source and NiCI₂·6H20 as catalyst of the carbonization process were submitted to hydrothermal treatment at 200℃and further to thermal treatment at 900℃under argon atmosphere.The obtained material contains Ni nanoparticles with face-centered cubic （fcc） structure dispersed on amorphous carbon with graphitic domains.PtRu/C electrocatalysts（carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles） were prepared by an alcohol-reduction process using Ni/Carbon as support.The materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.X-ray diffraction,transmission electron microscopy and tested as anodes in single direct methanol fuel cell（DMFC）.The performances of PtRu/C electrocatalysts using Ni/Carbon as support were superior to those obtained for FtRu/C using commercial carbon black Vulcan XC72 as support.     

Ursolic acid and its esters: occurrence in cranberries and other Vaccinium fruit and effects on matrix metalloproteinase activity in DU145 prostate tumor cells

BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid and its cis‐ and trans‐3‐O‐p‐hydroxycinnamoyl esters have been identified as constituents of American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), which inhibit tumor cell proliferation. Since the compounds may contribute to berry anticancer properties, their content in cranberries, selected cranberry products, and three other Vaccinium species (V. oxycoccus, V. vitis‐idaea and V. angustifolium) was determined by liquid chromatography‐mass spectroscopy. The ability of these compounds to inhibit growth in a panel of tumor cell lines and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity associated with tumor invasion and metastasis was determined in DU145 prostate tumor cells. RESULTS: The highest content of ursolic acid and esters was found in V. macrocarpon berries (0.460–1.090 g ursolic acid and 0.040–0.160 g each ester kg^?1 fresh weight). V. vitis‐idaea and V. angustifolium contained ursolic acid (0.230–0.260 g kg^?1), but the esters were not detected. V. oxycoccus was lowest (0.129 g ursolic acid and esters per kg). Ursolic acid content was highest in cranberry products prepared from whole fruit. Ursolic acid and its esters inhibited tumor cell growth at micromolar concentrations, and inhibited MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity at concentrations below those previously reported for cranberry polyphenolics. CONCLUSION: Cranberries (V. macrocarpon) were the best source of ursolic acid and its esters among the fruit and products tested. These compounds may limit prostate carcinogenesis through matrix metalloproteinase inhibition. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Particulate carbon in precipitation at European background sites

The particulate carbon content of precipitation was investigated in samples collected at five background sites located over a west-east European transect, from the Azores, in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, to the Hungarian plain, in central Europe. Sampling was performed on an event basis and the particulate carbon (elemental carbon, EC, and water insoluble organic carbon, WIOC) content was concentrated on quartz filters for the subsequent analysis by a thermal optical method in order to separate the EC and WIOC fractions. The average EC concentrations range from low values at the Azores (2.8±4.3 μg C L^?1) and at the high mountain site of Sonnblick (5.2±3.7 μg C L^?1) to high values at the more inland sites of Schauinsland (28±38 μg C L^?1) and K-Puszta (24±24 μg C L^?1). The average WIOC concentrations range from 98±56 μg C L^?1 at the coastal site of Aveiro and 113±78 μg C L^?1 at the Azores to 358±194 μg C L^?1 at the continental site of K-Puszta. These results are discussed in terms of factors affecting the spatial distribution of particulate carbon, such as emissions from surrounding areas and prevalent meteorological conditions. EC is found to be a minor contributor to total particulate carbon present in rain and snow samples (from 2.5% to 15%). This is particularly true at the remotes sites, where the EC contribution to total particulate carbon is <6.5%, consistent with a negligible impact of anthropogenic combustions locally. The EC and WIOC scavenging ratios were estimated and compared with those of sulfate, also evaluated at the same sampling sites. The results indicated that EC is removed from the atmosphere by wet deposition less efficiently than WIOC, and in turn this species is removed less efficiently than sulfate.     

Copolymerization of methyl- and buthylmethacrylate with electron-donor N-(2-hydroxyethyl)carbazolyl methacrylate and electron-acceptor (β-hydroxyethyl)-3,5-dinitrobenzoyl methacrylate

Summary The radical copolymerization of methyl- and butyl methacrylates with an electrondonor monomer: N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-carbazolyl methacrylate and an electron-acceptor monomer: (β-hydroxyethyl)-3,5-dinitrobenzoyl-methacrylate respectively, in dioxane at 60°C was investigated. The reactivity ratios of the binary systems were computed by using the Kelen-Tüd?s method. The azeothropic compositions were established according to the respective copolymerization diagrams.     

A zeolite with interconnected 8-, 10- and 12-ring pores and its unique catalytic selectivity

One of the major goals in catalysis is to improve the capabilities of microporous materials. This can be accomplished by synthesizing new zeolites with controlled pore architectures. In particular, zeolites containing channels of different sizes in the same structure are desirable. Here, we report a zeolite containing fully interconnected 8-, 10- and 12-membered-ring pores, synthesized by combining the structure-directing effect of the organic 1,5-bis-(methylpyrrolidinium)-pentane and the framework isomorphic substitution of germanium for silicon. Analysis of the crystal structure determined by direct methods from synchrotron powder diffraction data reveals 16 independent tetrahedrally coordinated atoms. This thermally and hydrothermally stable zeolite structure, when synthesized in its acidic form by incorporating aluminium in the framework, presents unique catalytic shape-selectivity effects derived from its particular pore topology.     

Effectiveness of cement-based systems for stabilization and solidification of spent pot liner inorganic fraction

Approximately 7000 t of spent pot liner (SPL) wastes are generated annually from activities associated with Alumi;nio Brasileiro S.A. (ALBRAS) plant located at Barcarena, Pará state, Brazil. The inorganic fraction of SPL contains high level of toxic compounds like cyanide and fluoride; its safe disposal has been the subject of serious discussions in Brazil. This study evaluated the option of a cement-based stabilization/solidification system as an effective means for safe disposal of SPL inorganic fraction in the field. The studies were carried out with concrete hexagonal blocks manufactured with a constant mass of 10% (w/w) of waste, 20% (w/w) of cement, and varied percentages of water, coarse aggregate, sand, and additives. The concrete matrices porosity and compressive strength were controlled by using microsilica (MS) and superplaticizer (SP). The results showed an average pH values for the SPL inorganic fraction and fragmented blocks of 10.2 and 11.1, respectively. Mixing the waste with concrete ingredients the solidification/stabilization effectiveness for the leachable cyanides and fluorides were of 59.33 and 57.95%, respectively. The results showed that the water/cement (W/C) ratio reduction through superplasticizer addition improved the compressive strength and the required value of 35 MPa was reached with blocks manufactured with 10 and 15% (weight of cement) of microsilica, after 28 days of curing time.