Thermogravimetric studies of Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x superconductors

The synthesis conditions and oxygen stoichiometry were determined using a thermogravimetric analyser. The kinetics of oxygenation at different temperatures and at different atmospheres were studied. The oxygenation kinetics were found to be sensitive to porosity of the material. The appropriate oxygenation temperature was found to be 400 °C. For oxygenation temperatures below 400 °C, the oxygenation occurs by a nucleation and growth process, whereas for higher temperatures it is diffusion limited.     

Parameterized algorithms for feedback set problems and their duals in tournaments

The parameterized feedback vertex (arc) set problem is to find whether there are k vertices (arcs) in a given graph whose removal makes the graph acyclic. The parameterized complexity of this problem in general directed graphs is a long standing open problem. We investigate the problems on tournaments, a well studied class of directed graphs. We consider both weighted and unweighted versions.     

Variations in sintering kinetics and microstructure of alumina with chromium and molybdenum additions

Chromium and molybdenum were introduced into alumina through gel synthesis. Both elements are soluble in aluminium hydroxide and low-temperature (<1400°C) aluminium oxide. In the course of transformation from hydroxide to oxide, the evaporation-condensation of vapour phase (below 1000° C) causes shrinkage of the porous compact due to particle rearrangement and growth through capillary drag and adsorption. Subsequently, differences in agglomerate structure, grain growth, solute atmosphere and densification arise because of variations in the crystal lochemical behaviour of chromium and molybdenum. The solute atmospheres of chromia-vacancy and molybdenum metal reveal sub-grain boundaries and dislocations. In chromia-alumina solid solution these defects annihilate and contribute to densification (98%th) with increase in temperature to 1600° C. However, with further rise in temperature to 1700° C, the solid solution desinters to 85%th and creep cavities show transition from grain boundary to lattice creep. In Mo-Al₂O₃ composite the defects are locked by molybdenum solute, and as a result there is an insignificant increase in densification (30%th at 1600°C).     

Substitution and price elasticity estimates using inter-country pooled data in a translog cost model

Pooled data across several developing countries and the U. S. were used to estimate long-run substitution and price elasticities in a translog framework for the paper, iron and steel, and aggregate manufacturing industries. While the quality of the estimates varies across the several industry-specific models, the results suggest higher values for these elasticities than appear commonly used in integrated assessment models. Estimates of own-price elasticities of energy range from − 0.80 to − 1.76 and are comparable to estimates from previous econometric studies in the context of developed countries (− 0.77 to − 0.87). Substitution elasticities show wider variation across countries and industries. For energy and capital they range from − 1.96 to 9.80, for labor and energy from 2.61 to 7.11, and for energy and material from − 0.26 to 2.07.     

Hybrid finite-volume/transported PDF simulations of a partially premixed methane-air flame

A hybrid finite-volume (FV)/transported probability density function (PDF) method is used for the simulation of a partially premixed flame with detailed chemistry. The FV code is implemented to handle detailed chemistry implicitly with no subgrid closure. A partially premixed methane-air flame is simulated to illustrate the need for closure. The PDF scheme is then substituted to handle the species transport using a subgrid mixing model. The algorithmic modifications to the PDF code are discussed in the context of a generalized structured grid solution technique. A multi-step particle transport algorithm is used to eliminate grid dependence of the time step. A detailed chemistry mechanism (GRI-2.11) is handled using in situ adaptive tabulation. It is shown that with simple modifications, the Interaction by Exchange with the Mean mixing model is able to predict the flame quite accurately. Mean profiles and conditional means obtained using the 49-species GRI-2.11 and 53-species GRI-3.0 mechanisms and the 16-species Augmented Reduced Mechanism are compared with the experimental data from the Sandia D flame. It is shown that with the mixing model, good agreement with the experimental data is achieved. Also the effect of the value of the mechanical-to-scalar time-scale ratio used in the mixing model is analyzed. The effect of the model constants in the dissipation equation for the turbulence model and the effect of radiation on flame predictions are also discussed.     

Quantitative force and dissipation measurements in liquids using piezo-excited atomic force microscopy: a unifying theory

The use of a piezoelectric element (acoustic excitation) to vibrate the base of microcantilevers is a popular method for dynamic atomic force microscopy. In air or vacuum, the base motion is so small (relative to tip motion) that it can be neglected. However, in liquid environments the base motion can be large and cannot be neglected. Yet it cannot be directly observed in most AFMs. Therefore, in liquids, quantitative force and energy dissipation spectroscopy with acoustic AFM relies on theoretical formulae and models to estimate the magnitude of the base motion. However, such formulae can be inaccurate due to several effects. For example, a significant component of the piezo excitation does not mechanically excite the cantilever but rather transmits acoustic waves through the surrounding liquid, which in turn indirectly excites the cantilever. Moreover, resonances of the piezo, chip and holder can obscure the true cantilever dynamics even in well-designed liquid cells. Although some groups have tried to overcome these limitations (either by theory modification or better design of piezos and liquid cells), it is generally accepted that acoustic excitation is unsuitable for quantitative force and dissipation spectroscopy in liquids. In this paper the authors present a careful study of the base motion and excitation forces and propose a method by which quantitative analysis is in fact possible, thus opening this popular method for quantitative force and dissipation spectroscopy using dynamic AFM in liquids. This method is validated by experiments in water on mica using a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer, which can measure the actual base motion. Finally, the method is demonstrated by using small-amplitude dynamic AFM to extract the force gradients and dissipation on solvation shells of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) molecules on mica.     

Design of single peptides for self-assembled conduction channels

Self-assembly of peptides provides the possibility of achieving relatively long range order on surfaces. These ordered peptides can also form channels that can be used as conduction channels. In the past, studies were focused on electron conduction through the secondary structure and amine bond of peptides and these restrict conduction of electrons over a short range (a few nanometers). In this work, we demonstrate the realization of electron conduction over a longer range of a few hundred nanometers via π-π stacking of the phenyl groups in the tyrosine residue of a single peptide. The peptide used in this work was designed with a phenyl ring for π-π stacking at one end and a carboxylic group at the other end for binding to aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) treated silicon wafer. The distance between the peptides is controlled by a disulfide bond formed between neighboring cysteine residue and also by the amine groups of aminopropyltriethoxysilane. We demonstrate that the self-assembled peptide is conducting in the dry state over hundreds of nanometers, realizing the possibility of using peptide as a molecular wire.     

Photocatalytic production of hydrogen from electrodeposited film and sacrificial electron donors

A new approach to combining a p-type semiconductor photocathode with sacrificial electron donors in the anode compartment in a two-compartment cell is described for photocatalytic hydrogen production. This approach is demonstrated for electrodeposited p-Cu₂O film supported on a transparent conducting oxide substrate. The oxide semiconductor surface was photochemically modified in situ with an ultra-thin Ni layer prior to use. A variety of organic and organometallic electron donors was screened by cyclic voltammetry, and the optimal candidate was hydroquinone at pH 10. Importantly, no photocurrents were measured at zero bias voltage in the two-compartment cell in the absence of an electron donor, signaling that water photosplitting is not feasible with p-Cu₂O. Methyl viologen (MV²⁺) was effective as an electron relay in the photocathode chamber as shown by in situ spectroscopic monitoring of the MV⁺ radical cations. Finally, practical perspectives of this new approach and value-added options for combining it with pollutant destruction are described.     

Modelling of mode-I stable crack growth under hydrogen assisted stress corrosion cracking

The paper presents a new strategy based on combined analytical and finite element (FE) solution to hydrogen assisted stress corrosion crack growth. The diffusion process is solved analytically through both one-and two-dimensional modelling. These solutions are adopted with two-dimensional FE based cohesive zone model of crack extension study. The results fit well with published experimental data and show improvement over the predictions by full FE approach. The new solution approach helps to reduce time required for simulation/computation. The study has produced a relationship between concentration dependent reduction in cohesive strength and plastic strain rate.