High-density gold nanowire arrays by lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition

Here we describe a new method for preparing multiple arrays of parallel gold nanowires with dimensions and separation down to 50 nm. This method uses photolithography to prepare an electrode consisting of a patterned nickel film on glass, onto which a gold and nickel nanowire array is sequentially electrodeposited. After the electrodeposition, the nickel is stripped away, leaving behind a gold nanowire array, with dimensions governed by the gold electrodeposition parameters, spacing determined by the nickel electrodeposition parameters, and overall placement and shape dictated by the photolithography.     

Chemical - Looping with oxygen uncoupling using Mn/Mg-based oxygen carriers - Oxygen release and reactivity with methane

Chemical-looping combustion with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) is a method for combustion of solid and gaseous fossil fuels, which enables easy separation of carbon dioxide from the gaseous product mixture. In contrast to the related chemical-looping combustion (CLC) technology where gaseous or gasified fuels react directly with oxygen carriers, CLOU processes require oxygen carrier materials to be able to release oxygen in the fuel reactor and to regenerate by re-oxidation in oxygen-rich atmosphere in the air reactor at elevated temperature. Oxygen uncoupling properties and reactivities for methane combustion of 12 oxygen carrier particles, produced from mixtures of manganese and magnesium oxides with optional addition of titanium dioxide or calcium hydroxide, are investigated in a quartz batch reactor at 810 °C, 850 °C, 900 °C and 950 °C. All investigated oxygen carriers have oxygen release characteristics. The addition of calcium hydroxide facilitates oxygen release and combustion of methane, whereas addition of titanium dioxide does not have a pronounced effect on either oxygen uncoupling or reactivity of the oxygen carrier. In general, particles with greater extent of oxygen release have superior methane combustion properties.     

Shear-induced 1-D alignment of alumina nanoparticles in coatings

Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to study shear-induced alignment of alumina and silica nanoparticles in two-component polyurethane clear coatings. 1-D strings of nanoparticles, formed in an extended pearl-necklace fashion were observed near the surfaces of cured films at nanoparticle volume fractions less than 0.05. This alignment is affected by the shear conditions of the application method. When applied by spraying, linear particle strings as long as 5 cm were observed in the direction of shear. Nanoparticle strings were also found, to a lesser extent, when coatings were applied by a drawdown method. The phenomenon was not observed in coatings applied with minimal shear. These particle string formations, in addition to affecting the performance of coatings, may have broader implications in the field of nanomaterials. Our literature searches so far have not uncovered reports of stable, 1-D nanoparticle arrangements with same degree of linearity produced under simple shear with compositions having very low particle loadings. Presented at the 2006 FutureCoat! conference, sponsored by the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, in New Orleans, LA, on November 1–3, 2006.     

Changes in Molecular Characteristics of Cereal Carbohydrates after Processing and Digestion

Different extraction, purification and digestion methods were used to investigate the molecular properties of carbohydrates in arabinoxylan and β-glucan concentrates, dietary fiber (DF) rich breads and ileum content of bread fed pigs. The breads studied were: a low DF wheat bread (WF), whole meal rye bread (GR), rye bread with kernels (RK), wheat bread supplemented with wheat arabinoxylan concentrate (AX) and wheat bread supplemented with oat β-glucan concentrate (BG). The weight average molecular weight (M_w) of extractable carbohydrates in β-glucan concentrate decreased eight-fold after inclusion in the BG bread when exposed to in vitro digestion, while the M_w of purified extractable carbohydrates in AX bread was reduced two-fold, and remained almost unaffected until reaching the terminal ileum of pigs. Similarly, the M_w of purified extractable carbohydrates in GR and RK bread was not significantly changed in the ileum. The AX bread resulted in the highest concentration of dissolved arabinoxylan in the ileum among all the breads that caused a substantial increased in ileal AX viscosity. Nevertheless, for none of the breads, the M_w of extractable carbohydrates was related neither to the bread extract nor ileal viscosity.     

Some considerations on equation of state and phase relations: Polymer solutions and blends

We review briefly the general assumptions underlying hole theories of the configurational thermodynamic functions for single and multiconstituent systems. From the original Simha-Somcynsky theory several important modifications have recently evolved. First, there is a revision of the combinatorial entropy originating from the mixing of segments and holes in the spirit of Huggins's theory. With consistent additional modifications of the configurational free energy, quantitatively significant consequences for certain aspects of phase equilibria can arise. Finally, allowance for nonrandom mixing of constituents species and holes has been made. We illustrate the theory's potentials first in terms of pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) data for high and low molar mass species and their miscible mixtures. The influence of PVT properties on the miscibility behavior of solutions and blends is examined next. Of particular concern are the connections between predictability of lower from upper mixing spinodals, pressure effects, and the binary interaction χ-function.     

n−3 fatty acids,heart rate variability,and sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of mortality in Western countries. Furthermore, SCD is often the first manifestation of coronary artery disease, making it difficult to prevent. Heart rate variability (HRV), which can be determined by extended recording of the heart rate by 24-h Holter monitoring, has been shown to be one of the best predictors of the risk of SCD. There is increasing evidence from animal experiments and clinical trials in humans that n?3 fatty acids reduce the risk of SCD. We have studied the effect of n?3 fatty acids on HRV and present data clearly showing that n?3 fatty acids increase HRV. This adds further to the hypothesis that an increased intake of n?3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of SCD.     

Phase Analysis and Thermal Stability of Hot Isostatically Pressed Zirconia–Hydroxyapatite Composites

Composites of zirconia and hydroxyapatite (OHAp) have been processed via hot isostatic pressing (HIP) or sintering in air. When the composites were sintered in air at a temperature of 950°C, decomposition of the OHAp to tricalcium phosphate occurred. Using the HIP technique, composites without any detectable degradation of the OHAp phase were produced at 1200°C. The reactivity between zirconia and OHAp was dependent on both the amount of water lost from OHAp and the geometry of the interaction. The phase composition of the materials prepared was evaluated from their powder X-ray diffraction patterns, and their microstructures were studied via electron microscopy.     

Observation of changing crystal orientations during grain coarsening

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of grain coarsening is important in controlling the properties of metals, which strongly depend on the microstructure that forms during the production process or during use at high temperature. Grain coarsening of austenite at 1273 K in a binary Fe-2 wt.% Mn alloy was studied using synchrotron radiation. Evolution of the volume, average crystallographic orientation and mosaicity of more than 2000 individual austenite grains was tracked during annealing. It was found that an approximately linear relationship exists between grain size and mosaicity, which means that orientation gradients are present in the grains. The orientation gradients remain constant during coarsening and consequently the character of grain boundaries changes during coarsening, affecting the coarsening rate. Furthermore, changes in the average orientation of grains during coarsening were observed. The changes could be understood by taking the observed orientation gradients and anisotropic movement of grain boundaries into account. Five basic modes of grain coarsening were deduced from the measurements, which include: anisotropic (I) and isotropic (II) growth (or shrinkage); movement of grain boundaries resulting in no change in volume but a change in shape (III); movement of grain boundaries resulting in no change in volume and mosaicity, but a change in crystallographic orientation (IV); no movement of grain boundaries (V).     

Active Oxidation of Liquid Silicon: Experimental Investigation of Kinetics

Small scale laboratory experiments on the oxidation of liquid silicon have reproduced important features of the industrial refining of liquid silicon: active oxidation led to the formation of amorphous silica spheres as a reaction product. The boundary condition for active oxidation in terms of maximum oxygen partial pressure in the bulk gas was found to lie between 2·10^?3 and 5·10^?3?atm at T?=?1,500?°C. The active oxidation of liquid silicon had linear kinetics, and the rate was proportional to bulk oxygen partial pressure and the square root of the linear gas flow rate, consistent with viscous flow mass transfer theory. Classical theory for unconstrained flow over a flat plate led to mass transfer rates for SiO_(g) which were 2–3 times slower than observed. However, computational fluid dynamic modeling to take into account the effects of reactor tube walls on flow patterns yielded satisfactory agreement with measured volatilization rates.     

AlMnFeSi合金退火过程中的微观组织及力学性能的演变

通过2种不同的均匀化热处理及随后的冷轧,使一种3xxx系模型合金获得不同尺寸和分布的弥散析出相,并使铝基体含有不同含量的Mn。系统研究不同均匀化热处理组织和冷轧变形量对退火过程中模型合金的回复与再结晶行为的影响。根据实验结果,绘制出弥散析出相和再结晶过程的相互作用时间-温度-转变曲线（TTT）。TTT曲线显示固溶体中Mn的含量和弥散析出相的颗粒密度对软化行为有强烈的影响。在再结晶退火过程中或再结晶退火之前析出的高密度、细小、弥散析出相显著阻碍软化过程,并形成粗大的再结晶组织。在没有细小、稠密的弥散相影响下的再结晶退火,可以获得均匀、细小的等轴晶。而且,弥散析出相对再结晶过程的阻碍作用取决于再结晶过程的持续时间和弥散析出相的数量。在持续时间长的再结晶过程中,细小、稠密的弥散相对再结晶有着强烈的影响,而在其他情况下影响则有限。不管再结晶过程中是否受到弥散相析出的影响,在再结晶退火之前已经存在于组织中的细小、稠密的弥散相（平均尺寸0.1μm）也会导致再结晶退火之后形成粗大的再结晶组织。