Near-infrared spectroscopy for on-line monitoring of lube base oil processes

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been utilized for monitoring the pour point of the lube base oil (LBO) process. Using partial least-squares (PLS) regression, necessary spectral features were successfully extracted and correlated to the reference pour-point data. In a preliminary laboratory feasibility study, it was found that PLS calibration performance was largely governed by the accuracy of the reference pour-point analysis. The same NIR spectroscopic methodology was moved to monitor the pour point continuously in an on-line manner. At this time, the NIR spectrometer was calibrated with the existing on-line pour-point analyzer, which was more accurate. In comparison with the on-line pour-point analyzer, NIR spectroscopy provided faster and more repeatable analytical data. With the help of NIR analysis, LBO process variations during product switch can be detected earlier, and necessary process-control strategy can be applied to improve the process efficiency.     

Metal-Insulator Transition and Cu K-Edge XANES Studies for Pr1.85Ce0.15CuO4+δ High-Tc Superconductors

Metal-insulator transition near oxygen content parameter –0.018 was observed for electron-doped Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO₄₊ (–0.0030.03) cuprates. Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) studies with nearly identical threshold edge energy E₀ of 8980.8 eV indicate a Cu formal valence smaller than 2 for all samples, which is consistent with the estimated Cu valence of 1.84 for 20.5 K superconductor Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO_3.997 and 1.91 for Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO_4.03 insulator. The XANES spectrum reflects the Cu 3d ⁿ character where low energy peak A ₁ reflects the 3d ¹⁰ configuration of Cu(I) oxidation state and A ₂ peak reflects the 3d¹⁰ ( for a oxygen ligand hole) configuration for Cu(II) oxidation state. The variation of energy separation E(A ₂–A ₁) is consistent with the observed metal-insulator transition, increases sharply from 2.42 eV for Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO_4.018 insulator to 2.74 eV for 15 K underdoped superconductor Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO_4.015.     

CSL-200B系列微机线路保护装置改造方案的研究

针对CSL-200B系列微机线路保护的设计缺陷，从保护的基本原理、二次回路、操作灵活性、安全性和可靠性等方面进行了分析，找出了CSL-200B系列微机线路保护装置的缺陷，提出并实施了改进措施，实际检验结果表明了改造方案的有效性。     

Soil surface illumination at micro-relief scale and soil BRDF data collected by a hyperspectral camera

The results of the paper draw attention to the fact that the hyperspectral image of soil surface at micro-relief scale may display variation in the soil spectral shape due to illumination conditions of the surface. The image of an extremely rough cultivated soil surface, very deeply ploughed, was obtained by a hyperspectral camera, in the range of 0.4–1.0 μm with 0.67–0.74 nm spectral resolution. It was found that the soil reflectance spectra of the studied surface, illuminated by the direct sunbeams, are clearly convex with distinct absorption features. Furthermore, the soil normalized reflectance spectra were used to distinguish the subtlety of the analysed shaded soil spectra shape. They show that depressions caused by the absorption features of O₂ and H₂O, contained in the atmosphere above directly illuminated soil fragments, transform into peaks, if the same soil is deeply shaded.     

Approximating the average daily surface albedo with respect to soil roughness and latitude

The present study explores the diurnal variations in blue-sky albedo (α) of soils under clear sky conditions with respect to surface roughness. Three roughness levels of ploughed and unploughed soil surfaces, developed from the same loessial material, were examined. The relation between α of the surfaces and the solar zenith angle, determined during the experiment, enabled us to predict the diurnal α variation of the surfaces throughout the year at a given latitude, between 75° S and 75° N. The optimal time (T _O) for measuring the soil albedo by an instantaneous observation was considered as the best represented time for the daily averaged value within an error lower than ±2%. It was found that the T _O, falling at different times depending on the soil surface roughness, limits the possibilities of data achievement by remote-sensing satellites along one of their sun-synchronous orbits.     

Simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks of epoxy and N-phenylmaleimide-styrene copolymers

Ductile thermoplastic N-phenylmaleimide-styrene copolymers (PMS) have been introduced into diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (epoxy) by a simultaneous polymerization technique. The tensile strength and fracture toughness increased with increasing PMS content and reached a maximum value at a PMS/epoxy ratio of about 20/80 (w/w). The mechanical properties decreased significantly beyond that ratio, because of phase inversion.     

Low crosstalk 4 × 4 TiLiNbO3optical switch with permanently attached polarization maintaining fiber array

Several low crosstalk 4 × 4 crossbar optical switch arrays have been fabricated for use atlambda = 1.3 mum. Each array consists of 16 independently functioning directional coupler switches. We describe the typical device performance characteristics. The average insertion loss is 5.2 dB. Crosstalk levels routinely measured < -35 dB. The voltage required to operate the device is ≈ 13 V. The inputs to one of the device arrays were permanently attached to four laser transmitters using lensed polarization maintaining fiber at the laser end and an array of polarization maintaining fibers at the device end.     

Flexural properties of sawdust reinforced phenolic composites: Pilot study

The advantageous properties of sawdust and phenolic resins were combined by making sawdust reinforced phenolic composites with different percentages by weight of sawdust. The sawdust was divided into three grades in accordance with its particulate size. Garamite and propylene glycol were added individually and together to enhance the flexural properties of the composites obtained. Without any garamite and propylene glycol, it was discovered that the best flexural properties of the composites were obtained when the percentage by weight of sawdust (<300 μm) is up to 15%. Beyond this, the flexural properties dropped significantly; in addition, the fluidity of the composite was very low and the mixture was not suitable for casting. In general, the flexural modulus of the composites decreases with an increase in sawdust content, i.e., they are more elastic but their maximum flexural strain does not improve. Garamite was therefore added to improve the maximum flexural strains of the composites and this was successful. The addition of propylene glycol makes the composite more plastic. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Formation of interfacial brittle phases sigma phase and IMC in hybrid titanium-to-stainless steel joint

The microstructures of the brazed joints for commercially pure Ti and stainless steel were investigated by the applications of various filler alloys including Ag-, Ti-, Zr- and Ni-based alloys. Generally, the dissimilar joints between Ti and stainless steel were dominated by the Ti-based intermetallic compounds (IMCs), e.g. (Ti, Zr)2(Fe, Ni), TiFe, TiCu, and Ti2(Fe, Ni), due to a significant dissolution of Ti from the base metal. The (Fe-Cr) σ phase was also observed near the stainless steel due to a segregation of Cr into the interface region. This research demonstrates empirically that the brittleness of the Ti and stainless steel joint can not be avoided only by applying single braze alloy or single insert metal, and thus an introduction of additional suitable interlayer between the filler alloy and the base metal is necessary to prevent the brittleness of the joint.