Stabilized zirconia-based sensor utilizing SnO2-based sensing electrode with an integrated Cr2O3 catalyst layer for sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen

A highly selective hydrogen (H₂) sensor has been successfully developed by using an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based mixed-potential-type sensor utilizing SnO₂ (+30 wt.% YSZ) sensing electrode (SE) with an intermediate Al₂O₃ barrier layer which was coated with a catalyst layer of Cr₂O₃. The sensor utilizing SnO₂ (+30 wt.% YSZ)-SE was found to be capable of detecting H₂ and propene (C₃H₆) sensitively at 550 °C. In order to enhance the selectivity towards H₂, a selective C₃H₆ oxidation catalyst was employed to minimize unwanted responses caused by interfering gases. Among the examined metal oxides, Cr₂O₃ facilitated the selective oxidation of C₃H₆. However, the addition or lamination of Cr₂O₃ to SnO₂ (+30 wt.% YSZ)-SE was found to diminish the sensing responses to all examined gases. Therefore, an intermediate layer of Al₂O₃ was sandwiched between the SE layer and the catalyst layer to prevent the penetration of Cr₂O₃ particles into the SE layer. The sensor using SnO₂ (+30 wt.% YSZ)-SE coated with a catalyst layer of Cr₂O₃ as well as an intermediate layer of Al₂O₃ exhibited a sensitive response toward H₂, with only minor responses toward other examined gases at 550 °C under humid conditions (21 vol.% O₂ and 1.35 vol.% H₂O in N₂ balance). A linear relationship was observed between sensitivity and H₂ concentration in the range of 20–800 ppm on a logarithmic scale. The results of sensing performance evaluation and polarization curve measurements indicate that the sensing mechanism is based on the mixed-potential model.     

Overview of hydrogen production technologies from biogas and the applications in fuel cells

Traditionally, H₂ is a large-scale production by the reforming process of light hydrocarbons, mainly natural gas, used by the chemical industry. However, the reforming technologies currently used encounter numerous technical/scientific challenges, which depend on the quality of raw materials, the conversion efficiency and security needs for the integration of H₂ production, purification and use, among others. Biogas is a high-potential versatile raw material for reforming processes, which can be used as an alternative CH₄ source. The production of H₂ from renewable sources, such as biogas, helps to largely reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Within this context, the integration of biogas reforming processes and the activation of fuel cell using H₂ represent an important route for generating clean energy, with added high-energy efficiency. This work expounds a literature review of the biogas reforming technologies, emphasizing the types of fuel cells available, the advantages offered by each route and the main problems faced.     

Anisotropy of structural response of single crystal austenitic stainless steel to friction stir welding

The structural response of an austenitic stainless steel single crystal to friction stir welding (FSW) was examined. The microstructural changes induced by FSW were found to essentially vary around the rotating tool. This effect was attributed to variable orientation of the shear plane and shear direction inherent to the FSW process, which significantly influenced slip activity of the single crystal.     

Ion tracks and microstructures in barium titanate irradiated with swift heavy ions: A combined experimental and computational study

Tetragonally structured barium titanate (BaTiO₃) single crystals were irradiated using 635 MeV ²³⁸U⁺ ions to fluences of 1 × 10⁷, 5 × 10¹⁰ and 1.4 × 10¹² ions cm^?2 at room temperature. Irradiated samples were characterized using ion channeling, X-ray diffraction, helium ion microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the ion-entry spot on the surface has an amorphous core of up to ～10 nm in diameter, surrounded by a strained lattice structure. Satellite-like defects around smaller cores are also observed and are attributed to the imperfect epitaxial recrystallization of thermal-spike-induced amorphization. The critical value of the electronic stopping power for creating observable amorphous cores is determined to be ～22 keV nm^?1. Molecular dynamics simulations show an amorphous track of ～1.2 nm in radius under thermal energy deposition at 5 keV nm^?1; the radius increases to ～4.5 nm at 20 keV nm^?1. A linear fit of the core diameter as a function of the square root of the energy deposition rate suggests a reduction in the diameter by an average of ～8.4 nm due to thermal recrystallization if electron–phonon coupling efficiency of 100% is assumed. The simulation also reveals details of the bonding environments and shows different densities of the amorphous zones produced at different energy deposition rates.     

Advanced resonance self-shielding method for gray resonance treatment in lattice physics code GALAXY

A new resonance self-shielding method based on the equivalence theory is developed for general application to the lattice physics calculations. The present scope includes commercial light water reactor (LWR) design applications which require both calculation accuracy and calculation speed. In order to develop the new method, all the calculation processes from cross-section library preparation to effective cross-section generation are reviewed and reframed by adopting the current enhanced methodologies for lattice calculations. The new method is composed of the following four key methods: (1) cross-section library generation method with a polynomial hyperbolic tangent formulation, (2) resonance self-shielding method based on the multi-term rational approximation for general lattice geometry and gray resonance absorbers, (3) spatially dependent gray resonance self-shielding method for generation of intra-pellet power profile and (4) integrated reaction rate preservation method between the multi-group and the ultra-fine-group calculations. From the various verifications and validations, applicability of the present resonance treatment is totally confirmed. As a result, the new resonance self-shielding method is established, not only by extension of a past concentrated effort in the reactor physics research field, but also by unification of newly developed unique and challenging techniques for practical application to the lattice physics calculations.     

Leaching test of gamma-emitting Cs,Ru, Zr,and U from neutron-irradiated UO2/ZrO2 solid solutions in non-filtered surface seawater

The leaching behaviors of gamma-ray radionuclides, Cs-137, Ru-103, and Zr-95, produced by neutron irradiation of UO₂/ZrO₂ solid solutions, in real surface seawater were investigated under atmospheric conditions. The fraction of radionuclide inventory leached in the seawater was in the order of Cs > Ru (～U) ? Zr, indicating that the fraction was significantly affected by the chemical state of the radionuclides. However, the amount of soluble nuclides was proportional to that of uranium regardless of whether the solid solutions were prepared under an oxidative or reductive environment. A tiny fraction of Ru was filtered out by a 3 kDa nominal molecular weight cut-off filter after the 160 d leaching test, suggesting a different behavior from its ionic form, but Cs and U did not form a colloid-like species in seawater.     

Effects of electric field and poling on the mode I energy release rate in cracked piezoelectric ceramics at cryogenic temperatures

We discuss the mode I energy release rate of a rectangular piezoelectric material with a crack under electromechanical loading at cryogenic temperatures. A crack was created normal or parallel to the poling direction, and electric fields were applied parallel or normal to the poling. A plane strain finite element analysis was carried out, and the effects of electric field and localized polarization switching on the energy release rate were discussed for the piezoelectric ceramics at cryogenic temperatures.     

Selection of a pull production control system in multi-stage production processes

In this paper, we conduct an analytical comparison of three pull production control systems: Kanban, CONWIP and Base-stock in multi-stage production processes. First, we compare the three control systems in a multi-stage serial production process. Then, we compare them in multi-stage assembly production processes, and present guidelines that allow us to select the best system. As a result, we show which structural parameters decide the superiority of one control scheme to the others, and how they are related. A key for superiority is a configuration of parameters, such as processing times and number of cards employed in the system. We show that there is no general superiority amongst the analysed concepts. Finally, we verify the effect of variability on the system performance, and generalise the analytical results of deterministic cases by conducting numerical experiments.     

Hydroxy Radical,Hexanal, and Decadienal Generation by Autocatalysts in Autoxidation of Linoleate Alone and with Eleostearate

The formation of hydroxy radicals, hexanal, and 2,4-decadienal was demonstrated from the autocatalytic dimer peroxide which had been reported by us in autoxidizing linoleate (Morita and Tokita in Lipids 41:91-95, 2006). Then, autoxidizing linoleate containing eleostearate was investigated for new autocatalytic substances. The substances obtained were identified as peroxide-linked polymers consisting of both linoleate- and eleostearate-origin units with one hydroperoxy group, and also revealed activity of hydroxy-radical generation. The background of this study is as follows: the above paper reported this autocatalytic dimer peroxide as one of the real radical generators in linoleate autoxidation; this is a peroxide-linked dimer consisting of two linoleate moieties with two hydroperoxy groups, and was much more important than the main-product hydroperoxide in autocatalytic radical supply; its proposed decomposition mechanism has suggested the generation of hydroxy radicals, hexanal, and 2,4-decadienal; on the other hand, analogy to the formation mechanism of this dimer peroxide has predicted the formation of similar polymeric products from conjugated polyene components in lipids. In this study, these two predictions were successfully verified and a discussion is presented in connection with them.