Crystal structure and fluorescence spectrum of 3Y2O3, WO3: Eu3+

A structural study of the rhombohedral compound 3Y₂O₃, WO₃ doped with Europium was carried out. The fluorescence spectrum of Eu³⁺ was measured in the frequency range 12500–25000 cm^?1. Transitions from the excited state 5D₀ to the Stark components of the five lowest 7F_J (J=0,1,2,3,4) states were observed. The analysis revealed that the rare earth ion is within a crystal field of C₁ symmetry. We found values for the B^k_q parameters which give a good agreement between the observed and calculated levels.     

Comparaison de deux types d'écoulements (tangentiel plan et tourbillonnaire) dans des modules d'ultrafiltration. Influence de la contrainte pariétale

This work consists of evaluating the performances of a new membrance separation process: an annular, swirling, decaying flow induced by a tangential inlet. For this purpose, we have compared the permeation flux obtained in swirling flow with that of a crossflow. We ultrafiltered a model suspension of bentonite in order to compare the performances of the two modules for different operating conditions. Parameters such as flow rate, Reynolds number and wall velocity gradient were studied, and this last one appears to be a significant hydrodynamic parameter to compare the performances of the two configurations. Indeed, this parameter takes into account the flow field nature and, more precisely, the shear stress at the membrane surface. Improvement of the permeation flux induced by the swirling, decaying flow in comparison with that observed in cross‐flow can reach more than 30% under specific conditions. The study of the energy consumption of these two cells allows us to confirm the interest of the swirling, decaying flow in order to design new types of membrane separation modules.     

Characterization of fine grain Ba0.995Y0.005TiO3 ceramics obtained from gel-precursor nanopowder

Using an acetate-alkoxide sol-gel route in which the precursors are barium acetate, yttrium isopropoxide and titanium diisopropoxide bis-acetylacetonate, we prepared a ferroelectric material with the formula: Ba1-xYxTiO3, x = 0.005. SEM analysis showed a polymeric microstructure of the gel due to the chelated titanium alkoxide precursor used as starting materials. The evolution of the structure and microstructure of the precursor gel heated at temperatures up to 1000 degrees C was studied by various techniques. The powder obtained by heating the gel at 1100 degrees C presented a homogeneous structure consisting of submicronic particles (approximately 200 nm). XRD and SAED analyses revealed that Ba0.995Y0.005TiO3 nanocrystals of about 5-10 nm appeared at 600 degrees C, together with BaCO3. The presence of barium carbonate was identified also by IR spectroscopy and thermal analyses. The ceramics obtained from the as-prepared powder presented good dielectric properties (capacitance = 840 pF/dielectric constant = 3860 and dielectric loss (tandelta) = 0.078 at Curie temperatures of 120-121 degrees C).     

Ocean transparency from space: Validation of algorithms estimating Secchi depth using MERIS, MODIS and SeaWiFS data

Ocean transparency, often measured using Secchi disk, is a useful index of water quality or productivity and is used in many environmental studies. The spaceborne ocean color sensors provide synoptic and regular radiometric data and can be used for applying environmental policies if the data is converted into relevant biogeochemical properties. We adapted and developed semi-analytical and empirical algorithms to estimate the Secchi depth from satellite ocean color data in both coastal and oceanic waters. The development of the algorithms is based on the use of a comprehensive in situ bio-optical dataset. The algorithms are validated using an extensive set of coincident satellite estimates and in situ measurements of the Secchi depth (so-called matchups). More than 400 matchups are compiled for the MERIS, MODIS and SeaWiFS sensors. The comparison between Secchi depth retrievals from remote sensing data and in situ measurements yields determination coefficients (R²) between 0.50 and 0.73, depending on the sensor and algorithm. The type II linear regression slopes and intercepts vary between 0.95 and 1.46, and between − 0.8 and 6.2 m, respectively. While semi-analytical algorithms provide the most promising results on in situ data, the empirical one proves to be more robust on remote sensing data because it is less sensitive to error due to erroneous atmospheric corrections. Using ocean color archives, one can derive maps of ocean transparency for different areas. Our climatology of the Secchi depth based on ocean color for the transition zone between the North Sea and Baltic Sea is compared to an historical dataset.     

Pursuit evasion game with costly information

In this paper we study a pursuit evasion game in which information is costly. The pursuer has to pay, i.e. lose some time, whenever he wants information on the evader's position. Therefore the capture will be done in successive stages. The pursuer gets information, then moves using an open loop control, and so on. We characterize the setC ₁ of the initial states that the pursuer can capture in one stage whatever the evader does. This set is taken as a new target for an other stage. In this way we characterize the setC _n of the initial states the pursuer can capture inn stages in the worst case. We also give a pursuer's strategy that minimizes the total duration of the game, as opposed to the number of stages.This research has been supported in part by the French Direction des Recherches et Etudes Techniques (DRET).     

Conception assistée par ordinateur de circuits millimétriques incluant des discontinuités de type ligne à ailettes

Single and complex fin line discontinuities are precisely computed by means of the modal analysis combined with the spectral domain approach. Validity of the results is established by measurements of the scattering parameters of symmetrical configurations including these discontinuities in a «back to back» arrangement. Frequency dependent equivalent networks are derived and they can be used as data base in circuit simulation programs.     

Nitrogen-substituted TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: investigation on the photocatalytic activity in the visible light range

Nitrogen-doped titanium oxides are attractive materials for the degradation of organic pollutants in water due to their photocatalytic activity in the visible light range. The evolution of the photocatalytic properties was studied on a number of TiO _x N _y powder samples where x varied from 2 to 0 (TiO₂ to TiN) through increasing the nitrogen content (y = 0–1). X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed that an anatase type TiO _x N _y was obtained at low nitrogen contents (<2 wt%). With increasing nitrogen content a structural transition from anatase to cubic TiN was observed. Electron spin resonance measurements of the TiO _x N _y samples confirmed the presence of unpaired electrons and defects for the TiO _x N _y materials with low nitrogen content (<2 wt%). The photo-induced activity of the TiO _x N _y materials was evaluated under VIS illumination of solutions containing methylene blue as an organic probe. The TiO _x N _y samples exhibited an improved photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination compared to TiO₂ at nitrogen levels lower than 2 wt%. A photocatalytic activity could not be detected at nitrogen levels higher than 10 wt% and after conversion of the TiO _x N _y into the cubic phase. Optimum photocatalytic activity in the visible range can be achieved at nitrogen levels lower than 2 wt% for TiO _x N _y materials.