Development of sample holder for in situ neutron measurement of hydrogen absorbing alloy

We developed a sample holder for in situ measurement of hydrogen absorbing alloy. In order to prevent the hydrogen absorption by vanadium, copper is coated with 2 μm thickness on inner surface of the vanadium holder. The effect of copper coating and the performance of the holder were evaluated by neutron diffraction and PDF profiles. The lattice parameters a and c of La₂Ni₇ with Ce₂Ni₇-type structure were refined as 0.505921(4) and 2.468608(4) nm by Rietveld analysis. The Cu-Cu correlation peak around r = 0.255 nm was not observed in the PDF profile. Thus the holder is useful for in situ measurement of hydrogen absorbing alloy. The diffraction and PDF profiles of La₂Ni₇D_x (0 < x < 10.5) were collected using a deuterium pressure of 3.7 MPa, and the changes of crystal and local structures were clearly observed.     

Spatial and angular distribution of light incident on coatings using Mie-scattering Monte Carlo simulations

Eight liquid emollients (mineral oil, sunflower oil, squalane, decyl-oleate, isopropyl-myristate, octyldodecanol, dimethicone, and cyclomethicone) were characterized by instrumental and sensory methods and evaluated to determine the relationship between sensory and instrumental measures. Sensory analysis was carried out by a panel of 14 assessors, who evaluated the following attributes: difficulty of spreading, gloss, residue, stickiness, slipperiness, softness, and oiliness. The physicochemical properties measured were spreadability (at 1½ and 1 min), viscosity, and superficial tension. Data collected were statistically analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), and linear partial least squares regression analysis (PLS). In consideration of their physicochemical characteristics, the studied emollients were sorted into three groups, in which the silicones distinctly separate from the rest. Sensory characteristics enabled the discrimination of four groups of emollients where, besides the two silicones, isopropyl myristate was also differentiated. PLS revealed that emollient sensory attributes could be well predicted by instrumental measurements.     

Sediment core record of global fallout and Bikini close-in fallout Pu in Sagami Bay, Western Northwest Pacific margin

The total 239-240Pu activity and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio in the sediments in Sagami Bay of the western Northwest Pacific margin were investigated using ICP-MS with a shield torch system. 239+240Pu inventories in the examined sediment cores were found to be much higher than those predicted from atmospheric global fallout (42 MBq/km2) at the same latitude. In addition, elevated 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios ranging from 0.22 to 0.28 were observed in the sediment samples. On the basis of the vertical profiles of 239+240Pu and characterized 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in a sediment core collected in the center of Sagami Bay, we identified two distinct sources of fallout Pu in the bay: the global stratospheric fallout with characteristic 240Pu/239Pu ratio of 0.18 and the transported close-in fallout derived from Bikini and Enewetak surface nuclear weapon test series in the 1950s. We propose that the Pu transportation was mainly due to oceanic processes (for example, through the North Equatorial Current and the Kuroshio Current). Using a two fallout end-member model, we find that the contribution of Bikini close-in fallout Pu ranged from 44 to 59% in Sagami Bay sediments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that Pu contamination, which originated from Bikini and Enewetak nuclear weapon test series in the 1950s, has extended westwards as far as the Japanese coast.     

Aroma Profile of Myrrh and Its Thermal Variation

The authors examined the thermal change in the aroma profile of myrrh. The fresh odor of raw myrrh and its hexane extract depended on the amount of （E）-13-ocimene. Myrrh was extracted with hexane to avoid inducing changes in the constituents and odor. The main constituent, （E）-L3-ocimene （group A; low boiling point）, and the other constituents （group B; high boiling point） of the hexane extract were separated by bulb-to-bulb distillation. The constituents of groups A and B were analyzed over time by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and the odors were evaluated. Myrrh＇s odor depended on both the amount of thermally unstable （E）-[3-ocimene, which contributed to the fresh odor, and the constituents of group B （thermally stable）, which contributed to the myrrh-like odor. Six compounds （c~-santalene, （Z）-a-bisabolene, c~-bergamotene, （E）-ct-santalal, c~-photosantalol and campherenol） were isolated from group B. No individual group B component had a myrrh-like odor, although the combined odor of group B was myrrh like. The authors demonstrated that the aroma profile of myrrh depends on the thermal instability of （E）-~-ocimene and a combination of six thermally stable terpenes with similar molecular structures.     

Structural tuning of wide‐gap chalcopyrite CuGaSe2 thin films and highly efficient solar cells: differences from narrow‐gap Cu(In,Ga)Se2

Simultaneous realization of high values of open circuit voltage (V_oc), fill factor (FF), and energy conversion efficiency (η) in wide‐gap CuGaSe₂ (CGS) solar cells has long been one of the most challenging issues in the realm of chalcopyrite photovoltaics. In this communication, structural tuning of CGS thin films by means of controlling the amount of Se flux used during CGS film growth and improvements in solar cell performance (V_oc > 0.9 V, FF > 0.7, and η > 10%) are demonstrated. Systematic variations in CGS film properties with the Se flux and correlation with device properties are shown. The unique CGS thin‐film growth kinetics, which are different from narrow‐gap Cu(In,Ga)Se₂, are also presented and discussed. This development of double digit efficiency for CGS solar cells opens a new frontier for the broad application of a new class of chalcopyrite‐based devices. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic etching of {100}-oriented diamond coating with Fe, Co, Ni, and Pt nanoparticles under hydrogen

Etching of a highly {100}-oriented diamond coating, {100}HODC, with hydrogen gas using Fe, Co, Ni, and Pt nanoparticles as a catalyst was examined at high temperatures over 700 °C by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The metal atoms vacuum-evaporated onto the {100}HODC formed nanoparticles themselves when heated at high temperatures; e.g. 700 °C, in a flowing gas mixture of H₂ (10%) + N₂ (90%). At 800 °C, short nano-channels and etch pits holding metal nanoparticles were formed by Fe, Co, and Ni. The shapes of the Co and Ni nanoparticles in the etch pits were affected by the shape of the etch pits; reversed pyramidal shape. On the other hand, the top view of the Fe nanoparticles embedded in the etch pits showed a distorted round shape, probably due to the formation of something such as iron carbide, while the carbon content was unknown. Apparently, etching of the {100}HODC by Pt nanoparticles was observed after the treatment at 1000 °C. The difference in the catalytic etching behavior among these metal particles, the potential etching mechanism of diamonds with hydrogen by metal nanoparticles, probably as melted metal nanoparticles, and the formation mechanism of vacant etch pits were discussed.     

Temperature dependence and fracture criterion of mixed mode I/II fracture toughness of phenolic resin for friction material

In this study, the temperature dependence of the mixed‐mode fracture toughness of the phenolic resin for friction materials is investigated. For pure mode I, the fracture toughness decreases as the temperature increases, and it increases again after showing its minimum value. For pure mode II, the fracture toughness shows a similar trend but has its minimum value at a higher temperature. The temperature dependence of the mixed‐mode fracture toughness varies depending on the mode mixity, which is attributed to the different sensitivity to the relaxation phenomenon. At room temperature, as the fracture toughness for pure mode I and II are almost the same, the fracture locus shows a circular arc. At elevated temperatures, the locus becomes smaller and noncircular. At high temperature, the fracture locus shows an elliptical arc, where the fracture toughness for pure mode II is smaller than that for mode I. An empirical fracture criterion based on the time‐temperature dependence of the resin is proposed, and the proposed method successfully predicts the fracture toughness under various conditions of the temperature, time, and mode mixity. The crack initiation angles, on the other hand, are almost consistent regardless of the temperature, which agree with the maximum hoop stress theory. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Dependence of Lanthanide-Ion Binding Performance on HDEHP Concentration in HDEHP Impregnation to Porous Sheet

An octadecylamino-group-introduced polymer chain grafted onto a porous sheet was impregnated with bis(2-ethylhexyl)hydrogen phosphate (HDEHP). A mixture of HDEHP and ethanol of various HDEHP concentrations was used for the impregnation. The porous sheet into which a C₁₈H₃₇NH group was introduced was immersed in HDEHP/ethanol solution before ethanol evaporation. The liquid permeability of a cartridge charged with the HDEHP-impregnated porous sheet in disk form prepared in 50 (v/v)% HDEHP/ethanol solution was 96% that of the starting-porous-disk-packed cartridge. The equilibrium binding capacity of the HDEHP-impregnated porous disk for yttrium ions was 0.32 mol per kg of the disk. In addition, the HDEHP-impregnated-porous-disc-packed cartridge was found to be applicable to the preconcentration of trace amounts of lanthanides in a multielement solution prior to their measurement by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.     

Surface modification of contact lenses using adsorption of ethylene oxide branched copolymers

To examine methods for reducing the amount of adsorbed protein on the surface of contact lenses during use, cationic copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) units were synthesized and evaluated as surface modifiers. Poly(ethylene oxide) graft‐branched copolymers of composition 70 mol % dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DM) and 30 mol % methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate (Mp0G; p = 2, 4, 9; the average number of the ethylene oxide units) were obtained using nonionic monomers containing poly(ethylene oxide) units. The copolymers very efficiently prevented protein adsorption on a contact lens. Contact angle measurements showed that immersion in tear fluid made the lens surface hydrophobic because of adsorption of proteins with hydrophobic residues. The copolymer pretreatment made the lens surface hydrophilic, even after dipping in artificial tear fluid. These results suggest that adsorption of the poly(ethylene oxide) branched copolymer on the contact lens would make the lens surface hydrophilic and prevent protein adsorption. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013