Control of Oxidation State of Eu Ions in Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2 Glasses

Glasses doped with well‐controlled Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions have attracted considerable interest due to the possibility of tuning the wavelength range of the emitted light from violet to red by using their ⁵D₀→⁷F_j and 5d–4f electron transitions. Glasses were prepared to dope Eu³⁺ ions in a Na₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ system, and the changes in the valence state of Eu³⁺ ions and the glass structure surrounding the Eu atoms during heating under H₂ atmosphere were investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy, and ²⁷Al magic‐angle spinning solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The reduction behavior of Eu³⁺ ions was dependent on the Al/Na molar ratio of the glass. For Al/Na < 1, the Al³⁺ ions formed the AlO₄ network structure accompanied by the Na⁺ ions as charge compensators; the Eu³⁺ ions occupied the interstitial positions in the SiO₄ network structure and were not reduced even under heating in H₂ gas. On the other hand, in the glasses containing Al₂O₃ with the Al/Na ratio exceeding unity, the Eu³⁺ ions commenced to be coordinated by the AlO₄ units in addition to the SiO₄ network structure. When heated in H₂ gas, H₂ gas molecules reacted with the AlO₄ units surrounding Eu³⁺ ions to form AlO₆ units terminated with OH bonds, and reduced Eu³⁺ ions to Eu²⁺ via the extracted electrons.     

Dry season water allocation in the Chao Phraya River basin,Thailand

This study examines the recent quantitative characteristics of dry season water allocation in the Chao Phraya River basin, Thailand. Previous studies have focused on inequitable allocation, where the highest priority is given to the domestic water sector and uneven irrigation water variability exists among projects in the delta. This study uses a statistical test and panel data analysis to confirm that the characteristics highlighted in previous studies remain accurate, and it discusses the source of these characteristics in order to understand the issues in water allocation in the Chao Phraya River delta.     

Acceleration of the Rate of Silver Nanoparticle Formation Using Microbubbles in a Sonochemical Process

The effect of the addition of microbubbles on the formation of silver nanoparticles produced in an ultrasonic radiation-mediated process was investigated. The addition of microbubbles with an area-based median diameter of 26.0?µm and a bubble volume density of 0.18?cm³/L significantly increased the silver nanoparticle formation rate during the sonochemical process. The size distribution of the silver nanoparticles was largely unaffected by the addition of the microbubbles. The influence of changes in the microbubble volume density on the formation of the silver nanoparticles was also investigated; it was confirmed that the rate of formation of the silver nanoparticles increased moderately with increasing volume density. The gradient in absorption spectra was approximately 30 times larger for the case when microbubbles (median diameter: 28.3?µm) were added at 0.74?cm³/L, compared with the case without microbubbles. The results suggested that the microbubbles provided reaction sites similar to cavitation bubbles in the ultrasonic reaction.     

Optimal operation of cogeneration system coordinated by aggregator for providing the demand and supply regulation capacity

Recent growth of renewable energy generations with natural variability, such as photovoltaic generation and wind turbine generation, would make the demand and supply control in a whole power system more difficult, and therefore, alternatives for demand and supply regulation resources would be required. The authors focus on cogeneration system (CGS) as one of regulation resources. In order to procure adequate volume of regulation capability, an aggregator coordinates a number of CGSs efficiently and flexibly considering the wide variety of electricity/thermal demands of CGS owners. This paper proposes a novel optimal operation strategy of CGS coordinated by the aggregator considering the energy balance and operation cost of individual CGS owner. This paper also demonstrates the availability of CGSs for regulation capability by numerical case studies in which the actual consumption profile is employed.     

Single-particle-diagnosis approach: An efficient strategy for discovering new nitride phosphors

Discovery of novel phosphors is extremely important to target the ever change of the solid state lighting technology. In this paper, we present a high-speed way to discover new phosphors, namely single-particle-diagnosis approach. This approach is based on investigating the crystal structure and luminescence of a tiny single crystal, without the necessity of the growth of large-size single crystals or the preparation of single phase powder samples. The concept of the approach and some new nitride phosphors explored by this approach are shown in this paper.     

Hydrophobic Tagged Dihydrofolate Reductase for Creating Misfolded Glycoprotein Mimetics

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), nascent glycoproteins that have not acquired the native conformation are either repaired or sorted for degradation by specific quality‐control systems composed by various proteins. Among them, UDP‐glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT) serves as a folding sensor in the ER. However, the molecular mechanism of its recognition remains obscure. This study used pseudo‐misfolded glycoproteins, comprising a modified dihydrofolate reductase with artificial pyrene–cysteine moiety on the protein surface (pDHFR) and Man₉GlcNAc₂‐methotrexate (M9‐MTX). All five M9‐MTX/pDHFR complexes, with a pyrene group at different positions, were found to be good substrates of UGGT, irrespective of the site of pyrene modification. These results suggest UGGT's mode of substrate recognition is fuzzy, thus allowing various glycoproteins to be accommodated in the folding cycle.     

Preparation of bismuth nanowire encased in quartz template for Hall measurements using focused ion beam processing

ABSTRACT: Forming electrodes on opposite sides of an individual bismuth nanowire was attempted to prepare for Hall measurements. Although a 1-mm-long bismuth nanowire which is completely covered with a quartz template has been successfully fabricated to prevent oxidation, it is very difficult to attach Hall electrodes on the opposite sides of the nanowire due to the quartz covering. One side of the cylindrical quartz template was removed by polishing without exposure of the nanowire to the atmosphere; the thickness between the polished template surface and the nanowire was estimated to be several micrometers. Focused ion beam processing was successfully employed to expose both surfaces of the nanowire under high vacuum by removing part of the quartz template. A carbon thin film was then deposited in situ on the wire surface to fabricate an electrical contact on the bismuth nanowire sample. Furthermore, the energy dispersive X-ray analysis was performed to the area processed by focused ion beam, and the bismuth component of the nanowire was successfully detected. It was confirmed that the focused ion beam processing was applicable to attach electrodes to bismuth nanowire for Hall measurement.     

On the electrochemical activation of alkali-treated soft carbon for advanced electrochemical capacitors

The electrochemical activation process of the so-called “alkali-treated soft carbon” (ASC) has been examined in organic electrolyte solutions. SEM observation demonstrated that the edge plane of graphene structure of the ASC particle becomes rough after the activation, and XRD measurements indicated that the average lattice constant of graphene stacking in ASC increases after the activation process. Ex-situ ⁷Li NMR measurements proved that the insertion of cation (Li⁺) into the pore structure of ASC is associated with the activation process in the electrolyte dissolving Li salt. The pore-size distribution determined from N₂-gas adsorption for ASC electrodes before and after the electrochemical activation indicates that the pore structure becomes developed after the electrochemical polarization, especially in the pore-diameter range of 2–10 nm. A schematic model of the activation process has been presented, which includes electrochemical insertion of ions into the inside of the ASC.     

Effect of Vacuum Heat Treatment on Electron-Beam-Irradiation-Cured Polycarbosilane Fibers

Electron-beam-cured polycarbosilane fibers were heat-treated at 673–1773 K in a tube evacuated to 1.3 × 10⁻¹ Pa and then exposed at 1873 K in argon. The effect of vacuum heat treatment on improving the high-temperature stability of low-oxygen SiC fibers was investigated by examining gas evolution, grain growth, surface composition, tensile strength, and morphology. The fibers heat-treated at <1173 K lost strength, because of the vigorous generation of residual hydrogen. A minute amount of oxygen in the atmosphere caused the active oxidation of SiC during heat treatment at >1673 K, resulting in severe strength degradation for the as-heat-treated fibers. Vacuum heat treatment at 1573 K provided the best characteristics in low-oxygen SiC fibers.