Nucleation and growth of Pd clusters in mordenite

The nucleation and growth of Pd clusters in mordenite were investigated using in situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of absorbed CO. Calcination of [Pd(NH₃)₄]²⁺-exchanged mordenite at 350°C in O₂ results in decomposition of the amine complex and formation of square-planar Pd²⁺ oxo species within the mordenite pores. Reduction of these species at 150°C in H₂ yields Pd clusters with an average nuclearity of 3. On an average two 2.22 Å Pd-O bonds are associated with each Pd₃ cluster; we infer that this interaction serves to anchor the clusters within the pores. After reduction at 150°C, the FTIR spectrum of irreversibly adsorbed CO is indicative of a mixture of Pd⁺, Pd^δ+, and Pd⁰ carbonyl species. Reduction at 350°C produces larger intrazeolitic Pd clusters (average nuclearity of 6) that exhibit only a weak interaction with the mordenite, as evidenced by their facile aggregation in the presence of CO at 30°C. Reduction at 450°C yields large 20 Å Pd clusters that we infer are located on external mordenite surfaces or locally disrupt the intracrystalline structure.     

The ILTP Problem Library for Intuitionistic Logic

The Intuitionistic Logic Theorem Proving (ILTP) library provides a platform for testing and benchmarking automated theorem proving (ATP) systems for intuitionistic propositional and first-order logic. It includes about 2,800 problems in a standardized syntax from 24 problem domains. For each problem an intuitionistic status and difficulty rating were obtained by running comprehensive tests of currently available intuitionistic ATP systems on all problems in the library. Thus, for the first time, the testing and evaluation of ATP systems for intuitionistic logic have been put on a firm basis.     

Industrial on-line texture determination in rolled steel strips

In the manufacture of sheet metal, it is ofgreat importance that the quality should be homogeneous over the entire length of a strip. This can only be monitored using a continuous, on-line measuring method. A new X-ray transmission measuring technique has been developed for the nondestructive determination of texture-dependent technological data of rolled strip. It can be applied on-line for both hot and cold rolled metal strip, especially steel strip. The paper describes the measuring principle and gives information on the application for measuring ther _m -values and the earing-values of cold rolled steel strip. With the data from these values, the user can control the deep drawing characteristics of his strips. The extension of the basic measuring principle to a condition-free determination system will be demonstrated with its application for measuring texture dependent technological data of hot and cold rolled steel strip. Long term experience at Hoesch Stahl AG, typical results measured over the total strip length, integration in quality assurance systems, questions of maintenance, etc. will be discussed.     

The tensile strength of moist limestone powder. Measurements by different apparatuses

The tensile strength of finely divided limestone was measured with the compaction cell of Shinohara and Tanaka and the Warren Spring Laboratory sliding plate apparatus. Results are presented in terms of the void fraction of the sample and moistrue content. Comparison of the two sets of results showed that the measured tensile strength depends on the particular properties of the apparatus. The observed discrepancies reinforce Schubert's conclusion that the sliding plate apparatus is only suitable when the tensile strength can be extrapolated to zero sample height.     

Towards automated diffraction tomography. Part II--Cell parameter determination

Automated diffraction tomography (ADT) allows the collection of three-dimensional (3d) diffraction data sets from crystals down to a size of only few nanometres. Imaging is done in STEM mode, and diffraction data are collected with quasi-parallel beam nanoelectron diffraction (NED). Here, we present a set of developed processing steps necessary for automatic unit-cell parameter determination from the collected 3d diffraction data. Cell parameter determination is done via extraction of peak positions from a recorded data set (called the data reduction path) followed by subsequent cluster analysis of difference vectors. The procedure of lattice parameter determination is presented in detail for a beam-sensitive organic material. Independently, we demonstrate a potential (called the full integration path) based on 3d reconstruction of the reciprocal space visualising special structural features of materials such as partial disorder. Furthermore, we describe new features implemented into the acquisition part.     

Ice-Front Propagation Monitoring in Tissue by the use of Visible-Light Spectroscopy

For demonstrating that visible-light spectroscopy can be used for ice-front detection within freezing tissue, proton magnetic resonance images were correlated to time-evolving transmittance spectra as an ice front progressed across a tissue sample. The experimental apparatus was designed to be compatible with magnetic resonance imaging, to produce one-dimensional freezing, and to allow both reflectance and transillumination emitter-detector configurations about a normally progressing planar ice front in chicken muscle. This demonstration has potentially important medical applications in cryopreservation (freezing of biological materials for preservation) and cryosurgery (destruction of tissue by freezing).     

New strategies for economic optimal membrane fouling control based on dynamic optimization

Results of fundamental research demonstrate that the dynamics of longterm membrane fouling is affected by the applied settings of operation variables. As a consequence, the operation efficiency will be improved by the application of optimal trajectories of the operation variables. For both a precipitation model and a gel layer model specific trajectories are calculated by dynamic optimization and utilization of an objective function based on the cash flow of the operation. The relevance of dynamically optimal operations is demonstrated by a comparison with statically optimal operations where the optimal constant values of operation variables are applied. For a case study on reverse osmosis of cheese whey (precipitation model), the cash flow rises by up to 25% as a result of improved membrane performance (10%) and reduced energy costs (26%), while for gel layer fouling significant energy savings can be realized (35–55%).     

Electronic Transport Properties of Ensembles of Perylene‐Substituted Poly‐isocyanopeptide Arrays

The electronic transport properties of stacks of perylene‐bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) chromophores, covalently fixed to the side arms of rigid, helical polyisocyanopeptides, are studied using thin‐film transistors. In device architectures where the transistor channel lengths are somewhat greater than the average polymer chain length, carrier mobilities of order 10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at 350 K are found, which are limited by inter‐chain transport processes. The influence of π–π interactions on the material properties is studied by using PDIs with and without bulky substituents in the bay area. In order to attain a deeper understanding of both the electronic and the electronic‐transport properties of these systems, studies of self‐assembly on surfaces are combined with electronic characterization using Kelvin probe force microscopy, and also a theoretical study of electronic coupling. The use of a rigid polymer backbone as a scaffold to achieve a full control over the position and orientation of functional groups is of general applicability and interest in the design of building blocks for technologically important functional materials, as well as in more fundamental studies of chromophoric interactions.     

Macromolecular Scaffolding: The Relationship Between Nanoscale Architecture and Function in Multichromophoric Arrays for Organic Electronics

The optimization of the electronic properties of molecular materials based on optically or electrically active organic building blocks requires a fine‐tuning of their self‐assembly properties at surfaces. Such a fine‐tuning can be obtained on a scale up to 10 nm by mastering principles of supramolecular chemistry, i.e., by using suitably designed molecules interacting via pre‐programmed noncovalent forces. The control and fine‐tuning on a greater length scale is more difficult and challenging. This Research News highlights recent results we obtained on a new class of macromolecules that possess a very rigid backbone and side chains that point away from this backbone. Each side chain contains an organic semiconducting moiety, whose position and electronic interaction with neighboring moieties are dictated by the central macromolecular scaffold. A combined experimental and theoretical approach has made it possible to unravel the physical and chemical properties of this system across multiple length scales. The (opto)electronic properties of the new functional architectures have been explored by constructing prototypes of field‐effect transistors and solar cells, thereby providing direct insight into the relationship between architecture and function.