Study of a proton exchange membrane fuel cells catalyst subjected to anodic operating conditions, by synchrotron-based scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) and high lateral-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

In this paper we report an investigation of the degradation of the Pt/C electrocatalyst of an anodic membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) after 1000 h of operation in a laboratory single-cell PEMFC, using synchrotron-based space-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. This study is complemented by the analysis of a pristine MEA and reference materials, as well as by electrochemical measurements, SEM imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDX). Catalyst ageing correlates with a corrugation of morphology, as observed by SEM and scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM), corresponding to Pt nanoparticle agglomeration. Moreover - on the basis of high lateral resolution SPEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and EDX analyses, - we found that, after operation, Pt is transported onto the fibres of the gas-diffusion layer (GDL). Space-resolved XPS shows a peak shift of the Pt 4f_7/2 level to higher and lower binding energies with respect to Pt(1 1 1) and pristine Pt black, respectively, corresponding to nanocrystallinity in the first case and agglomeration in the second one. No oxidised Pt was found in any location of the anodically used MEA.     

Covalent attachment of gold nanoparticles to DNA templates

Functionalized gold nanoparticles have been covalently bound to internal, modified sites on double-stranded DNA. Gold nanoparticles coated with mercaptosuccinic acid or thioctic acid were bound to amino-modified thymine bases on double-stranded DNA. Visible absorption spectra, gel electrophoresis, and atomic force microscopy were used to analyze the products. Thiol groups were added to one end of the gold/nanoparticle product, which was then attached to a gold surface. This method has the potential to allow controlled placement of particles with subnanometer precision and to allow attachment of the product to fixed contacts for nanodevice fabrication.     

A rotating ball inlet for on-line MALDI mass spectrometry

The rotating ball inlet (ROBIN) is presented in a new design for on-line matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS). This method uses a capillary to deliver a matrix and analyte solution to the surface of a rotating ball upon which MALDI is carried out. The ball is in contact with a polymer gasket surrounding the capillary. Sample adhering to the surface of the ball is dragged past the gasket into the vacuum of the mass spectrometer where it is irradiated by a pulsed UV laser, and the resulting ions are mass-separated in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The mechanical sample introduction prevents clogging of the vacuum interface by matrix crystals or frozen solvent. Preliminary results from flow injection analysis (FIA) suggest that the new interface does not introduce a significant peak-tailing or memory effect. The system is capable of 20-30 h of continuous operation with a flow rate of 2 microL/min before cleaning of the ball is needed. With the prototype inlet, concentration detection limits are at the low micromolar level.     

Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled lithium niobate with 1-w average output power

We report on a rugged all-solid-state laser source of near-IR radiation in the range of 1461-1601 nm based on a high-power Nd:YVO(4) laser that is mode locked by a semiconductor saturable Bragg reflector as the pump source of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator with a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. The system produces 34-ps pulses with a high repetition rate of 235 MHz and an average output power of 1 W. The relatively long pulses lead to wide cavity detuning tolerances. The comparatively narrow spectral bandwidth of <15 GHz is suitable for applications such as pollutant detection.     

The sun as a test source for boresight calibration of microwave antennas

Although the diameter of the sun at microwavelengths is a little over half a degree, the sun can be used for establishing, say between 3 and 30 cm, the pointing corrections (boresight calibration) of microwave antennas, with high precision. There is, however, a discrepancy between the position of the microwave sun on any given day and the position of the center of the solar disc as tabulated in [16]. Over the period 1966-1969 this discrepancy had an rms value of 1.6' east-west and 1.2' north-south and a range of 11.4' east-west and 9.2' north-south. These conclusions are based on sun maps, made at 9.1 cm with an antenna having a beamwidth of approximately 3', which are published regularly. From such a map the microwave centroid can be determined with an error less than 1'. In the absence of such a map, the centroid can be estimated to within 2' or slightly better by taking account of optical data such as sunspots or plages. The correction on any one day is strongly correlated with that of the day before, but the correlation is small after about 5 days. The correlation returns in part after 27 days.     

Pleasant activities and depression.

Examined the relationship between engaging in pleasant activities and mood as a function of age, sex, and diagnostic group. 90 male and female Ss, evenly divided into 3 age groups (18-29, 30-49, and 50 and over) and 3 diagnostic groups (depressed, nondepressed psychiatric, and normal controls) completed activity schedules and mood ratings for 30 consecutive days. Correlation with mood was obtained for total number of pleasant activities engaged in as well as for individual activities. Results indicate that (a) a substantial and significant relationship existed between mood level and number of pleasant activities engaged in for all groups, (b) psychiatric controls and Ss aged 30-49 had a significantly larger number of mood correlated items, and (c) depressed Ss engaged in fewer pleasant activities. Activities and events frequently associated with mood were categorized into 3 groups: incompatible affects, ego supportive, and social interaction. Treatment implications are discussed. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diffusion von Silizium,Phosphor, Schwefel und Mangan in flüssigem Eisen

Zusammenhang zwischen Diffusion und Aktivität. Messung der Diffusionskoeffizienten von Silizium, Phosphor, Schwefel und Mangan in flüssigem Eisen sowie in kohlenstoffgesättigtem, flüssigem Eisen. Angabe der Konzentrationsabhängigkeit und der Temperaturabhängigkeit der ermittelten Diffusionskoeffizienten.     

Metal oxide-based monolithic complementary metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor microsystem

A fully integrated gas sensor microsystem is presented, which comprises for the first time a micro hot plate as well as advanced analog and digital circuitry on a single chip. The micro hot plate is coated with a nanocrystalline SnO2 thick film. The sensor chip is produced in an industrial 0.8-microm CMOS process with subsequent micromachining steps. A novel circular micro hot plate, which is 500 x 500 microm(2) in size, features an excellent temperature homogeneity of +/-2% over the heated area (300-microm diameter) and a high thermal efficiency of 6.0 degrees C/mW. A robust prototype package was developed, which relies on standard microelectronic packaging methods. Apart from a microcontroller board for managing chip communication and providing power supply and reference signals, no additional measurement equipment is needed. The on-chip digital temperature controller can accurately adjust the membrane temperature between 170 and 300 degrees C with an error of +/-2 degrees C. The on-chip logarithmic converter covers a wide measurement range between 1 kOmega and 10 MOmega. CO concentrations in the sub-parts-per-million range are detectable, and a resolution of +/-0.1 ppm CO was achieved, which renders the sensor capable of measuring CO concentrations at threshold levels.