Non-equilibrium solute partitioning in a laser re-melted Al–Li–Cu alloy

Aluminum–lithium alloy AA2199 was rapidly solidified through the application of a laser re-melting process to determine the relationship between laser pulse energy and microsegregation during solidification. It was determined that laser pulse energies of the order of 0.125–0.5 J s resulted in a fine cellular solidification structure. Through comparison of the measured cell spacing with that predicted by the Kurz–Giovanola–Trivedi (KGT) model it was possible to estimate that solidification front velocities (SFV) of between 3 and 25 cm s^?1 occurred during solidification. The SFV calculated from the KGT model was then input into the continuous growth model for solute trapping developed by Aziz to predict the deviation from equilibrium partitioning during solidification for all pulse energy levels employed. The chemical profile of lithium within the re-melted samples was measured using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and compared with that expected for equilibrium segregation. Measurement of the lattice parameter via X-ray diffraction revealed that the solute trapping phenomenon resulted in the formation of a super-saturated solid solution, as is evident through a reduction of the lattice parameter from 4.0485 Å for the starting material to 4.0399 Å in the material re-melted with a pulse energy of 0.125 J.     

A beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase from Helicobacter pylori is an efficient and versatile biocatalyst displaying a novel activity for thioglycoside synthesis

Helicobacter pylori is a highly persistent and common pathogen in humans. It is the causative agent of chronic gastritis and its further stages. HP0826 is the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of the LPS O-chain backbone of H. pylori. Though it was first cloned nearly a decade ago, there are surprisingly limited data about the characteristics of HP0826, especially given its prominent role in H. pylori pathogenicity. We here demonstrate that HP0826 is a highly efficient and promiscuous biocatalyst. We have exploited two novel enzymatic activities for the quantitative synthesis of the thiodisaccharide Gal-beta-S-1,4-GlcNAc-pNP as well as Gal-beta-1,4-Man-pNP. We further show that Neisseria meningitidis beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases LgtB can be used as an equally efficient catalyst in the latter reaction. Thiodisaccharides have been extensively used in structural biology but can also have therapeutic uses. The Gal-beta-1,4-Man linkage is found in the Leishmania species LPG backbone disaccharide repeats and cap, which have been associated with vector binding in Leishmaniasis.     

Thermal stability and oxidation behavior of Al-containing nanocrystalline powders produced by cryomilling

Al-containing nanostructured coatings provide excellent protection from high temperature corrosion. Aluminum oxide scales generally provide better oxidation resistance and yield lower oxidation rates than other oxide scale compositions. In this study, nanocrystalline 316L stainless steel containing 6 wt.% Al was synthesized using cryogenic milling (cryomilling). Complete alloying was obtained after 32 h of milling and the average grain size was found to be 7 nm. High temperature thermal stability and oxidation kinetics of the alloyed powders were examined. The powder demonstrated good grain growth stability at 500 °C, at which point, the powders had been heat treated for 120 h and the average grain size was found to be 11.4 nm. The oxidation kinetics of the powder were studied for 48 h at 500, 800, and 1,000 °C, respectively. For comparison, conventional 316LSS powder was also tested. Nanocrystalline 316LSS-6 wt.% Al showed lower weight gain than the conventional 316LSS powders. During the oxidation of nanocrystalline 316LSS-6 wt. % Al at 500 °C, protective aluminum oxide scale formed at the surface. At 800 °C and 1,000 °C, most of the nanocrystalline 316LSS-6 wt.% Al particles showed completed outer aluminum oxide scale. However, at 800 and 1,000 °C, some particles showed growth of chromium oxide scale underneath the aluminum oxide scale. In those samples, Al depletion was also observed due to a non-homogenous distribution of Al during cryomilling. The activation energy of the oxidation reaction was calculated and was found to be affected by the enhancement of the grain boundary diffusion in nanostructured particles.     

Interphase power controller with voltage injection

This paper introduces a new family of interphase power controllers (IPC) based on the principle of voltage injection commonly used in phase-shifting transformers (PST). The voltage injection IPC exhibits power (active and reactive) control characteristics similar to previously defined IPCs and retains their inherent qualities: passive control, short circuit limitation and voltage decoupling. It also provides more flexibility for the adjustment of the operating point. Two promising topologies are described in more detail. One of them offers the potential of retrofitting existing phase-shifting transformers into full-fledged IPCs. The application of the IPCs is in flexible AC transmission systems     

Determination of optical purity of substituted β-lactones

An octakis (3-O-butyryl-2,6-di-O-pentyl)--cyclodextrin capillary gas chromatographic column was used to determine the optical purity of seven different -lactones, having substituents in - or -position, and DL-lactide. The resolving power varied from one lactone to another. The optical purity values determined by GC were in agreement with those obtained from NMR spectroscopy or optical rotation.     

Modeling and experimental demonstration of ultracompact multiwavelength distributed Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot fiber lasers

This work presents a complete model for the design and optimization of multiwavelength distributed Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot (DFP) fiber lasers that are made by superimposing two chirped fiber Bragg gratings in a photosensitive codoped erbium-ytterbium (Er-Yb) fiber. The model is based on a matrix formulation of coupled-mode equations taking into account the chirped grating superstructure and including a spectrally resolved gain medium. The performed analysis reveals that the signal power of each channel is strongly localized near a minimum of the superstructured-grating envelope. As a consequence, the overlap between the power distributions in neighboring cavities is small, thus reducing the effect of cross-gain saturation and allowing a high number of channels in a short piece of fiber. The simulations also show how the saturation of the cross-relaxation mechanism between ytterbium and erbium leads to flat output spectra without the need for an additional equalization scheme such as a complex grating apodization profile. Furthermore, to validate the theoretical model, we present the experimental realization and characterization of a multiwavelength laser emitting in a single-mode and single-polarization over 16 wavelengths spaced by 50 GHz and with a total output power of 52 mW.     

HEP Applications and Their Experience with the Use of DataGrid Middleware

An overview is presented of the characteristics of HEP computing and its mapping to the Grid paradigm. This is followed by a synopsis of the main experiences and lessons learned by HEP experiments in their use of DataGrid middleware using both the EDG application testbed and the LCG production service. Particular reference is made to experiment data challenges, and a forward look is given to necessary developments in the framework of the EGEE project.     

Microstructure and Tribology of Spark Plasma Sintered Fe–Cr–B Metamorphic Alloy Powder

The spark plasma sintering (SPS) process was used to fabricate a bulk Fe–Cr–B alloy (known as Armacor M) from gas-atomized powders. The purpose of this work is to study the microstructure, hardness and tribology of this sintered bulk alloy. Post microstructure and mechanical characterizations were performed to investigate the effects of wear on the microstructure and mechanical properties. Microstructural analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed that SPS successfully produced a fully dense bulk material containing 67 vol.% Cr_1.65Fe_0.35B_0.96 particles dispersed in 33 vol.% solid solution matrix consisting of Fe, Cr and Si. Using nanoindentation, the hardness of the Cr_1.65Fe_0.35B_0.96 particles and the matrix was found to be 24 and 6 GPa, respectively. From microindentation, the bulk hardness of the sintered alloy was 9.7 GPa (991 HV). Dry sliding wear testing under mild conditions (i.e., initial Hertzian mean contact pressure of 280 MPa) was conducted against a stainless steel pin. The steady state coefficient of friction against Armacor M was about 0.82. The wear of Armacor M proceeded primarily by adhesive and mild oxidative wear. The wear volume for Armacor M was 80% less than that of carbon steel and its wear rate was 5.53 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹.     

Comparison Between Micrometer- and Nano-Scale Glass Composites for Sealing Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The present study compares the feasibility of controlling the properties of a glass composite seal by adding nano- or micron-scale yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powders to a borate glass used for sealing electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The crystallization of the glass composites was found to be independent of the volume fraction of added YSZ, for both sizes of the additive. The variation of the flow properties of both composite seals was measured using a wettability test, and an increase of the contact angle was observed when the volume fraction of additives was increased. The major factor found to decrease spreading of the glass composite was the additive particle size, where shape retention was observed for the nanometer (nm)-YSZ composites while spreading of the micrometer (μm)-YSZ composites was observed under the same testing conditions. Examination of the microstructure showed that initially the Ba-containing glass reacted with YSZ to form a BaZrO₃ compound. Long-time exposure at 800°C caused a large reduction in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), which can be explained by increased formation of BaZrO₃ and further change in glass composition. This change in CTE occurs rapidly for the nm-YSZ composites, which is not observed for the μm-YSZ composites. However, the adverse reactions occurring between the additives and the glass matrix were found to reduce the CTE of the glass composites to a value lower than the recommended limit for a system used for sealing SOFCs.