Absorption of NO in aqueous solutions of KMnO4

The absorption of NO in aqueous solutions of KMnO₄ and aqueous mixed solutions of KMnO₄ and NaOH was carried out using a batch stirred vessel w     

Gas permeability of NH3‐plasma‐treated poly(methyl methacrylate) membranes

The effect of NH₃ plasma treatment on glassy poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membranes on the diffusion process for penetrant gases (CO₂, O₂, and N₂) was investigated from mean permeability data. The mean permeability coefficient for CO₂ definitely depended on the upstream pressure, whereas those for O₂ and N₂ remained constant regardless of the upstream pressure. For O₂ transport, the permeability increased a little with increasing treatment power, and for N₂ transport, it was not affected by the treatment power. For CO₂ transport, NH₃ plasma treatment promoted the transport of Langmuir mode, presumably through an increased Langmuir capacity constant for CO₂. NH₃ plasma treatment for PMMA membranes resulted in an increase in the separation factor of CO₂ relative to N₂ and in the permeability to CO₂. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1068–1072, 2003     

Inversion domain network stabilization and spinel phase suppression in ZnO

The development of inversion domain networks consisting of basal‐plane and pyramidal‐plane inversion domain boundary (b‐IDB and p‐IDB) interfaces within grains in Sn‐Al dual‐doped ZnO (Zn_0.98Sn_0.01Al_0.01O) polycrystalline ceramics has been confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. The atomic structure of the b‐IDB and p‐IDB interfaces has been analyzed using atomic‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The localization of Sn and Al at the respective sites of the b‐IDBs and p‐IDBs was confirmed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. In contrast to Sn or Al single‐dopant addition to ZnO, which results in the formation of spinel phase precipitates without the development of inversion domain networks, Sn‐Al dual‐doping caused the suppression of spinel phase formation and the formation of monophasic inversion domain networks composed of RMO₃(ZnO)_n homologous phase compound members, where R and M represent dopants substituting at the b‐IDB and p‐IDB sites, with a general formula of SnAlO₃(ZnO)_n. The results of this study demonstrate that the formation of inversion domain networks in ZnO‐based ceramics can be stabilized via multiple‐dopant addition. This finding has potential implications for the modification of the bulk or nanoscale properties based on the choice of the specific dopants, R and M, the control of the ratio R:M and the value of n in the RMO₃(ZnO)_n homologous phase compound members constituting the inversion domain networks.     

Inversion domain boundaries in Mn and Al dual‐doped ZnO: Atomic structure and electronic properties

The atomic and electronic structures of inversion domain boundaries in Mn‐Al dual‐doped ZnO (Zn_0.89Mn_0.1Al_0.01O) have been investigated. Using atomic‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, a head‐to‐head c‐axis configuration and cation stacking sequence of αβαβ|γ|αβαβ along the c‐axis were observed at the basal‐plane inversion domain boundary. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy revealed significant localization of Mn and minor localization of Al at the basal‐plane inversion domain boundary. Based on experimental findings, a Mn‐doped basal‐plane inversion domain boundary slab model was constructed and refined by first principles calculations. The model is in agreement with atomic‐resolution images. The local electronic density of states of the slab model basal‐plane inversion domain boundary shows a hybridization of the Mn d and O p states within the valence band and localized Mn d states in the conduction band. The thermoelectric properties of Zn_0.99?xMn_xAl_0.01O ceramics have been reported in a previous work. In this work, the effects of inversion domain boundaries on the thermoelectric properties are discussed. In comparison to Zn_0.99?xMn_xAl_0.01O ceramics with x≤0.05, inversion domain boundaries in Zn_0.89Mn_0.1Al_0.01O caused thermal and electrical conductivity reduction due to interface scattering of phonons and electrons. The Seebeck coefficient increased, suggesting electron filtering at inversion domain boundaries.     

Separation of CO2 by 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol aqueous solution in microporous hydrophobie hollow fiber contained liquid membrane

The absorption of CO₂ from a mixture of CO₂/N₂ gas was carried out using a flat-stirred vessel and the polytetrafluoroethylene hollow fiber contained aqueous 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) solution. The reaction of CO₂ with AMP was confirmed to be a second order reversible reaction with fast-reaction region. The mass transfer resistance in the membrane side obtained from the comparison of the measured absorption rates of CO₂ in a hollow fiber contained liquid membrane with a flat-stirred vessel corresponded to about 90% of overall-mass-transfer resistance. The mass transfer coefficient of hollow fiber phase could be evaluated, which was independent of CO₂ loading.     

Effect of Polymer Dispersant Structure on Electrosteric Interaction and Dense Alumina Suspension Behavior

The present paper reports on research on the effect of molecular structure of polymer dispersants on the relationship between the electrosteric interaction of dispersants on solid surfaces and the viscosity of suspensions. Ammonium polyacrylate with different hydrophilic to hydrophobic ratios ( m:n ) was prepared and added to dense Al₂O₃ suspensions (40 vol%). The steric interactions and adsorbed structures of dispersants on Al₂O₃ powders were examined under an atomic force microscope (AFM). An optimum hydrophilic to hydrophobic group ratio, which was obtained from the maximum repulsive force and the minimum viscosity of suspension, was determined at m :n = 3:7. The changing mechanism of the adsorbed structure and the steric interaction of dispersants and the suspension viscosity by the hydrophilic to hydrophobic molecular ratio were discussed by comparing the experimental force curve and DLVO theory.     

The ac superposition method,a new hot‐line diagnostic method for 6‐kV XLPE power cables

Water trees are the most hazardous factor affecting the life of XLPE distribution cables and the major cause of insulation failure. It is well known that insulation failure causes stoppages in electrical service and requires extensive repair work. Up to now, deterioration of cable insulation has been diagnosed mainly by the dc leakage current method. However, application of this method for diagnostic measurements requires interruption of electrical service. Several types of hot‐line diagnostic methods (including the dc component current and dc superposition methods) were developed to detect water tree deterioration. However, these methods have some shortcomings, such as being subject to effects of stray currents and the accuracy of measurements not being sufficiently high. Therefore, we have attempted to develop a new hot‐line diagnostic method. We investigated whether the signals produced by superposition of voltages of various frequencies to the cover layer of energized cables were correlated with deterioration by the water treeing. As a result, we found that a deterioration signal of 1 Hz was observed when we superposed an ac voltage (commercial frequency × 2 +1 Hz) on the cover layer of cable where the water tree had occurred in the insulation. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 130(2): 49–58, 2000     

Investigation of the voltage life of mica-alumina composite insulation at high temperatures

Experiments and investigations were carried out on the voltage life of a bar-coil model with a nickel-plated copper conductor covered with mica-alumina composite insulation at a temperature range of 550–850 °C. Diffusion of copper into the insulation layer was observed on the specimens aged for a long period. Insulation with mica paper gave faster diffusion speed and shorter voltage life than insulation with mica flake. The diffusion speed became higher with an increase in temperature. The ac current gradually increased with aging time and increased rapidly just before breakdown. There was the relationship I = aEⁿ (a, n: constants) between ac current I and applied stress E, and n was approximately equal to 1 in the region where thermal unbalance did not occur. Arrhenius's law held in the relationship between ac current and aging time. Therefore, the breakdown mechanism might be that the effective insulation thickness decreased due to copper diffusion into the insulation layer and the ac current increased gradually until thermal breakdown in the last stage. If copper diffuses into the insulation layer, even with no voltage application, the aging time required to decrease the breakdown voltage to a certain level (the voltage life) obeys Arrhenius's law. If the voltage life is dominated by diffusion into the insulation layer, the activation energy for voltage life in the aging test becomes twice that for diffusion, both with and without voltage application. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 129(4): 24–31, 1999     

Cryogenic optical measurements of 12-segment-bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composite mirror with support mechanism

A 720 mm diameter 12-segment-bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composite mirror has been fabricated and tested at cryogenic temperatures. Interferometric measurements show significant cryogenic deformation of the C/SiC composite mirror, which is well reproduced by a model analysis with measured properties of the bonded segments. It is concluded that the deformation is due mostly to variation in coefficients of thermal expansion among segments. In parallel, a 4-degree-of-freedom ball-bearing support mechanism has been developed for cryogenic applications. The C/SiC composite mirror was mounted on an aluminum base plate with the support mechanism and tested again. Cryogenic deformation of the mirror attributed to thermal contraction of the aluminum base plate via the support mechanism is highly reduced by the support, confirming that the newly developed support mechanism is promising for its future application to large-aperture cooled space telescopes.     

RF sources for ITER Ion Cyclotron H&CD system

The Ion Cyclotron Heating and Current Drive (IC H&CD) system for ITER will provide 20 MW to the plasma. The associated Radio Frequency (RF) source system has to be compliant with all operation modes foreseen in that frame. Their specifications are fully described in this paper and constraints on IC RF source components are detailed, in particular concerning the final stage tube of the amplifier. Results of tests performed under a collaborative work at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) facility are presented. Consequences on the procurement process by ITER India (II) are deduced.