Influence of electrolyte and anodic potentials on morphology of titania nanotubes

The effects of electrolyte and applied potentials on TiO₂ nanotube morphologies were investigated. The specific surface area of the TiO₂ nanotubes was measured to be 57 m²/g for titania nanotubes formed in HF, and 147 m²/g formed in organic electrolyte, respectively. The results of adsorption-desorption isotherms agree with the morphology of TiO₂ nanotubes. The length and average diameter of nanotubes were influenced by electrolyte and anodic potentials. The multilayered TiO₂ nanotube arrays can be fabricated by changing the electrolyte composition during anodization.     

Lamellar boundary alignment of DS-processed TiAl−W alloys by a solidification procedure

In this study, a β solidification procedure was used to align the lamellae in a Ti-47Al-2W (at.%) alloy parallel to the growth direction. The Bridgman technique and the floating zone process were used for directional solidification. The mechanical properties of the directionally solidified alloy were evaluated in tension at room temperature and at 800°C. At a growth rate of 30 mm/h (with the floating zone approach), the lamellae were well aligned parallel to the growth direction. The aligned lamellae yielded excellent room temperature tensile ductility. The tensile yield strength at 800°C was similar to that at room temperature. The orientation of the γ lamellar laths in the directionally solidified ingots, which were manufactured by means of a floating zone process, was identified with the aid of electron backscattered diffraction analysis. On the basis of this analysis, the preferred growth direction of the bcc-β dendrites that formed at high temperatures close to the melting point was inferred to be [001]_β at a growth rate of 30 mm/h and [111]_β at a growth rate of 90 mm/h.     

Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes using hemoglobin-based iron catalyst

Hemoglobin (Hb) was used as a catalyst for the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Hb was deposited onto a hydrophilic treated substrate by spin coating method. After oxidation at 800 °C, protein chains were decomposed and iron oxide nanoparticles remained with an average diameter of 2.29 nm. High quality SWCNTs were synthesized with an average diameter of 1.22 nm. The protein chains prevent iron atoms aggregation and so the size of the nanoparticles is smaller than that from ferritin-like proteins.     

Experimental study on self-excitations in nitrogen-diluted laminar lifted butane flames

Laminar lifted butane flames diluted with nitrogen have been investigated experimentally to determine distinctive self-excitation regimes in the flame stability maps and also to elucidate the individual self-excitation characteristics. Self-excitations of lift-off height are classified into five regimes in laminar free-jet lift-off butane flames diluted with nitrogen: a stationary lifted regime (regime I), a heat-loss-induced self-excitation (regime II), a buoyancy-induced self-excitation due to flame flicker as well as a heat-loss-induced self-excitation (III), a combined form of an oscillation prior to blow-out and a heat-loss-induced oscillation (regime IV), and a combined form of an buoyancy-induced self-excitation and a heat-loss-induced oscillation as well as an additional buoyancy-driven self-excitation due to flame flicker (regime V). Extremely low-frequency (<0.1 Hz) self-excitation is caused by conductive heat loss from the premixed wings to the trailing diffusion flame and can be explained by a proposed mechanism. It is also found that the flame oscillation prior to flame blow-out is also caused by buoyancy and also significantly affected by the conductive heat loss from the premixed wings to the trailing diffusion flame, thereby showing that the frequency with nozzle exit velocity increases in the triple-flame propagation mode and then decreases in the flame-front propagation mode. Characterization of the individual self-excitation mode is presented and also discussed with Strouhal numbers and its relevant parameters through the analysis of power spectrum for temporal variation of lift-off height.     

Corrosion Behaviors of Zirconia Refractory by CaO–SiO2–MgO–CaF2 Slag

In this work the corrosion behaviors of zirconia refractory (partially MgO-stabilized zirconia) was investigated in CaO–SiO₂–MgO–CaF₂ slag with varying CaF₂ content at 1873 K. To figure out the corrosion mechanism, the characteristics of present slag at high temperature were examined in terms of melting temperature and vaporization behaviors. Corrosion experiment and melting temperature measurement were carried out by heating microscope (HM) and the vaporization phenomenon was investigated by thermo gravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry. After experiment, the corroded interfaces of zirconia refractory by slag were analyzed by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis. With an addition of CaF₂, three different layers were formed at the interface of slag and zirconia refractory. Furthermore, the corrosion behaviors of zirconia refractory were found to be continuously accelerated with an increase of CaF₂ which facilitated the dissolution of intermediate compound. On the other hand, melting temperature of CaO–SiO₂–MgO–CaF₂ slag showed no continuous decrease with an increase of CaF₂. Also, considerable vaporization of fluoride gas was occurred in high CaF₂ containing slag during HM experiment which might cause a gradual change of slag composition and also environmental pollution. From the results, present study suggested that a proper amount of CaF₂ should be added when it is used for enhancing refining capacity of slag in order not to cause any severe damage of zirconia-based refractory by slag.     

Characteristics analysis of the developed surface modification technologies to improve the anti-corrosion performances for offshore equipments

In this study, we carried out the characteristics analysis and experiment research of the developed technologies based on surface modifications to enhance the anti-corrosion performance of offshore equipments. The developed technologies are the dipping method to generate super-hydrophilic surface which is then treated to be super-hydrophobic using chemical deposition and lubricant impregnation, and the spray coating method to generate super-hydrophobic surface. It is well-known that the super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic surfaces have good anti-corrosion performance. However, the mechanical properties should be maintained. We have verified the anticorrosion performance through the salt spray test and the measuring contact angle. And, we have evaluated the mechanical characteristics such as hardness. As the results, the dipping and the spray coating methods improved the anti-corrosion performance maintaining its mechanical properties at the same coating thickness of about 80 nm.

     

Performance of FCCI barrier foils for U-Zr-X metallic fuel

Diffusion couple tests of U-Zr or U-Zr-Ce alloys vs. ferritic martensitic steels such as HT9 or T91 were carried out in order to evaluate the performance of the diffusion barrier candidates. Elemental metal foils of Zr, Nb, Ti, Mo, Ta, V and Cr were very effective in inhibiting interdiffusion between these fuels and steels. Eutectic melting between the fuels and steels was not observed in any of the diffusion couples using these diffusion barrier foils at annealing temperatures up to 800 °C. Among the metallic foils evaluated in this study, V and Cr exhibited the most promising performances as a diffusion barrier material for eliminating the fuel cladding chemical interaction problem. However, Zr, Nb and Ti showed an active interaction with the fuel mainly due to the large U solubility.     

Measurement of neutron total cross-section and resonance parameters of xenon

We measured the neutron total cross-sections of natural xenon in the neutron energy region from 0.1 to 40 eV by using the time-of-flight method at the Pohang neutron facility, which consists of an electron linear accelerator, a water-cooled tantalum target with a water moderator, and a 12-m long time-of-flight path. A ⁶Li-ZnS(Ag) scintillator with a diameter of 12.5 cm and a thickness of 1.6 cm was used as a neutron detector. Notch filters composed of Co, In, Cd were used to estimate the background level and to calculate the neutron flight path length. The present measurement was compared with the existing experimental and the evaluated data. The resonance parameters of Xe isotopes were obtained from the transmission ratio by using the SAMMY code and were compared with other previous results.     

A new method of two-phase pressure drop calculation with a correction factor to compensate expected errors

Ten methods of the total two-phase pressure drop prediction based on five existing models and correlations have been examined for their accuracy and applicability to pressurized water reactor conditions. These methods were tested against 209 experimental local and bulk boiling conditions. All the data were subdivided into 14 subsets based on the property and flow conditions; each correlation was evaluated for different ranges of pressure, mass velocity and quality, and best performing models were identified for each data subsets. In addition, a new method is proposed to calculate the total two-phase pressure drop using the best performing correlation for a specific property range and a correction factor to compensate the predicted error of the selected correlation. The recommended new method fits all the available pressure drop data within ±11% at a 95% confidence level compared with ±25% for the existing correlations.     

Resveratrol analogue,HS-1793, inhibits inflammatory mediator release from macrophages by interfering with the TLR4 mediated NF-κB activation

Food Science and Biotechnology - Resveratrol is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, high-dose resveratrol is required for optimal anti-inflammatory effects. HS-1793 is a derivative...