Synthesis of minerals using alternative energy sources

A technology for the synthesis of synthetic minerals (using the example of spinels) using a low-temperature plasma flame is developed. The diagnostic properties of spinels are identified.     

Continuous stimulated emission at T=293 K from separate-confinement heterostructure diode lasers with one layer of InAs quantum dots grown on vicinal GaAs(bd001) surfaces misoriented in the [010] direction in the active region

The electroluminescence and stimulated emission of lasers with one layer of InAs quantum dots (QD’s) grown in a single molecular-beam epitaxial process on vicinal GaAs(001) surfaces misoriented in the direction [010] by 2, 4 and 6° are investigated. It is discovered that an increase in the misorientation angle leads to a blue shift and a decrease in the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the electroluminescence spectrum. This effect is attributed to a decrease in the size of the quantum dots and improvement in their size uniformity. A strong dependence of the threshold current density on the width of the spontaneous luminescence spectrum is discovered. The room-temperature threshold current density of the lasers with one layer of quantum dots and the spontaneous luminescence spectrum having the smallest FWHM (54 meV) equals 210 A/cm². Fiz. Tekh. Poluprovodn. 32, 1482–1486 (December 1998)     

Simultaneous a posteriori detection and identification of a predetermined number of quasi-periodic fragments in a sequence based on their segments

An a posteriori (off-line) approach to the simultaneous detection and identification of quasi-periodic fragments in a numerical sequence using their segments is analyzed. The solution of the problem is proposed for the case when the number of the desired fragments is known. The following assumptions are made. (i) Each desired fragment of the numerical sequence coincides with an element of the given alphabet of the reference sequences that have equal lengths (i.e., number of elements). (ii) Only a segment (part) of the desired fragment can be processed; unprocessable parts of the fragment are interpreted as lost data. (iii) The numbers of the elements in the sequence that correspond to the beginning of the desired fragment and the boundaries of the segment in the fragment represent deterministic (rather than random) quantities; the boundaries of the segments are different for different fragments; and the desired fragments are quasi-periodic in the sequence. (iv) Gaussian uncorrelated noise impedes the observation of the sequence that contains quasi-periodic segments of the reference sequences. It is demonstrated that the essence of the problem under study lies in the verification of a set of hypotheses on the mean value of a random Gaussian vector (the power of this set exponentially increases with an increase in the dimension of the vector—the sequence length). An effective a posteriori algorithm that provides for maximum-likelihood detection and identification is validated. The estimates of the time and space complexity are related to the parameters of the problem. The results of the numerical simulation are presented. This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 03-01-00036 and 06-01-00058. Aleksandr V. Kel’manov. Born April 25, 1952. Graduated from Izhevsk State Technical University in 1974. Received candidate’s degree in 1980 and doctoral degree in 1994. Leading researcher of the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientific interests: mathematical methods for pattern recognition; discrete optimization; effective algorithms for the analysis and recognition of random sequences; algorithms for the solution of applied problems; and methods and algorithms for the processing, recognition, and synthesis of voice signals. Author of more than 120 papers. Sergei A. Khamidullin. Born March 28, 1952. Graduated from Novosibirsk State University in 1974. Received candidate’s degree in 1997. Senior researcher of the Sobolev Institute of Mathematics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientific interests: mathematical methods for pattern recognition; discrete optimization; effective algorithms for the analysis and recognition of random sequences; algorithms for the solution of applied problems; and methods and algorithms for the processing, recognition, and synthesis of voice signals. Author of more than 80 papers.     

The effect of charge relaxation on the electromagnetic radiation of an oscillating charged viscous drop

A dispersion equation for the capillary oscillations of a charged drop of incompressible liquid possessing a finite electric conductivity is derived with an allowance for the energy lost as a result of the electromagnetic wave emission. The magnitude of the electromagnetic radiation losses of the oscillating drop linearly increases with the electric conductivity and the surface mobility of charge carriers.     

Effect of pulse duration and size of interelectrode interval on electric-spark spraying. I. Effect of pulse duration and size of interelectrode interval on rate of electric-spark transfer

The influence exerted by electric-spark spraying on the kinetics of mass transfer and the physicomechanical properties of coatings is investigated. It is shown that electric-spark spraying is determined by the dynamic properties of the cathode jets, which depend on the electrical parameters of the spark discharge, the size of the interelectrode interval, and the physical properties of the coatings, which vary during spraying.     

The effect of Cu-rich sub-layer on the increased corrosion resistance of Cu-xZn alloys in chloride containing borate buffer

The electrochemical behaviour of Cu-xZn alloys, as well as their constituent metals, in a borate buffer containing chloride ions in the molar range from 0.01 to 1 M are studied. Characteristics of these materials under anodic polarization are compared and the composition and morphology of the corrosion products formed in the course of polarization experiment are analysed by SEM and EDS. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance measurements are used for characterization of the surface layers formed on Cu, Zn and Cu-40Zn alloy during 2-h immersion at E_oc in a borate buffer containing two different concentrations of chloride ions. New aspects of the behaviour of brass under E_oc condition are revealed. The improved corrosion resistance of brass in chloride media, if compared to zinc metal, is attributed to a Cu-rich layer formed by the selective dissolution of zinc. Based on the results, a structural model describing the improved corrosion resistance of Cu-40Zn alloy with respect to Zn metal is proposed.     

Heat losses in a tunnel kiln for brick firing

The results of experimental studies of heat losses via the enclosing structures of an operating brick-firing kiln using a thermal imager are described. __________ Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 4, pp. 24–25, April, 2006.     

Thixomolded magnesium alloys: Strategic product innovation in automobiles

The research on magnesium alloys for structural lightweight applications is today at an embryonic stage, but these alloys offer great potential. Thixomolding of magnesium alloys for automotive applications is promising since the process can be used to manufacture net-shape parts cost-effectively and with high reliability and repeatability.     

Upgrading of a reliable water supply system at the Kola nuclear power plant for service life extension

Measures taken to develop and put into operation three new exterior channels for emergency process water with two additional 60VTs pumping units, which remain operational even during an earthquake and were installed in the second block pumping station, are described. In addition, the three existing 12NDS horizontal pumping units were used as a basis to develop a third channel for the emergency process water. Above-ground water ducts with thermal insulation and heating systems to prevent freezing during the anticipation state, which is the constant state of the emergency system, were laid. As a result of upgrading with the development of three channels, the emergency process water feeding reached an adequately safe level of reliability. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 100, No. 3, pp. 173–177, March, 2006.