Increasing the corrosion resistance of low-alloy and carbon steels for automobile construction by optimizing the metallurgical technology

It is shown that the corrosion resistance of automobile sheet can be improved by ensuring that steels of this type have a low content of corrosion-active nonmetallic inclusions (CANI). The main mechanisms responsible for the formation of CANI in automobile sheet have been established, and recommendations have been developed to reduce their concentration in this product • optimize the deoxidation processes that are used by ensuring that the proportions of the additions made to the steel are consistent with the composition of the ladle slag and that certain key temperature-time parameters of these processes are maintained • control the composition of the ladle slag to prevent the formation of solid phases in the slag and their transfer to the metal; certain conditions must also be observed in the argon blow and the introduction of the addtions. Use of the above recommendations to make automobile sheet and tube steels cleaner with respect to their content of CANI and thus help optimize out-of-furnace treatments at metallurgical and pipe plants will make it possible to improve the corrosion resistance of metal products used in automotive manufacturing. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 2, pp. 45–48, February, 2006.     

Use of flavour profile and consumer panels to determine differences between local water supplies and desalinated seawater.

The San Diego County Water Authority of California has initiated planning for coastal desalination facilities to augment their water supplies. Integration of the different water qualities from these facilities into existing pipelines must be achieved. This investigation determined whether, and to what degree, consumers can discriminate between desalinated seawater and imported water supplies and how these investigations can contribute to decision making regarding the need for construction of facilities to blend such supplies prior to delivery. Based upon the results of the flavour profile analysis panel and the consumer evaluation sessions, it was concluded that free chlorine versus chloramine disinfection or different concentrations of disinfectants did not significantly affect consumer perception of the taste and odour of desalinated seawater or blends with Colorado River water and State project water. Consumers were able to discern between desalinated seawater and imported water, preferring imported water when forced to make a choice. However, the investigators did not believe that the difference in consumer perception was significant enough to warrant special blending facilities to mitigate the relatively minor aesthetic quality differences between imported water supplies and desalinated seawater.     

Wide-band fiber optic signal processor

Operation of a 16-tap fiber-optic delay line configured as a bandpass filter with a fundamental frequency of 2.0 GHz over the frequency range from 0 to 12.5 GHz is discussed. Equal tap weights and spacings were used to facilitate comparison of experimental and predicted results. More than 10¹¹ analog multiplications per second are performed in this relatively simple signal processing system. Other processors for performing functions such as matched filtering and correlation can be implemented by appropriate choice of the mirror reflectances and fiber lengths     

Beta-lactamase-producing mutants of Streptococcus cremoris

Penicillin-resistant mutants were isolated for six strains of Streptococcus cremoris used in commercial Cheddar cheese manufacture after treatment with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The resistant mutants had an elevated minimal growth inhibitory concentration, 2.5 micrograms (4.13 units)/ml, for penicillin G and other beta-lactam antibiotics as compared with the penicillin-susceptible parent strains, which were each sensitive to .05 micrograms (.08 units)/ml. Penicillin resistance was due to the production of beta-lactamase. Plasmid DNA was not demonstrated in partially purified lysates of four mutants. Mutants had normal cellular morphology but altered phage sensitivity patterns. All except one strain were able to support complete phage adsorption. Resistance was retained after 20 passages in absence of penicillin.     

Development of sealing compositions with nanostructure iron-based fillers

The possibility of utilizing nanopowders of iron and Fe-Co-Ni produced bu a thermochemical method in the fabrication of sealing composition materials is investigated. It is established that such hermetic sealing composition materials function reliably under extremal conditions and guarantee elevated strength of adhesion to the surface of the metal and high corrosion and temperature stability. __________ Translated from Poroshkaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(448), pp. 112–117, March–April, 2006.     

Construction of transmission lines above valuable standing timber

Problems with the construction of transmission lines above a forest are examined. Construction of lines above standing timber makes it possible to shorten the length of the route, eliminate the clearing of a continuous swath along the line, and reduce the volume of in-service work. To implement this solution, it is necessary to introduce changes and supplements to existing regulatory technical documents. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 10, October 2007, pp. 48–51.     

Optimization of metal-based multilayers for transparent heat mirrors

Multilayer calculations by conventional matrix methods for dielectricum/noble metal/dielectricum systems on glass have been performed. The aim has been to maximize the integrated parameters for solar transmission, T_sol, and transmission of visible light, T_eye We have found that Ag is superior for maximizing the transmittance over the narrow visible wavelength range owing to the low internal absorptance. When solar energy transmission is considered multilayers based on Au are the best choice for metal film thicknesses above 15 nm. For thinner films, Ag is still to be preferred.