Electromodulated reflectance study of self-assembled Ge/Si quantum dots

We perform an electroreflectance spectroscopy of Ge/Si self-assembled quantum dots in the near-infrared and in the mid-infrared spectral range. Up to three optical transitions are observed. The low-energy resonance is proposed to correspond to a band-to-continuum hole transition in the Ge valence band. The other two modulation signals are attributed to the spatially direct transitions between the electrons confined in the L and Δ(4) valleys of the Ge conduction band, and the localized hole states at the Γ point.     

Catalytic Conversion of Bioethanol to Ethylene

Dehydration of bioethanol to ethylene has been investigated on supported cerium-containing catalysts and with additives of lanthanum. It was established that the modification of the 3% Ce/γ-Al2O3 catalyst by lanthanum increases catalyst dispersion, thereby increasing yield of the main product ethylene. The highest yield of ethylene is observed on the CeLa/γ/-A12O3 catalyst under optimal conditions （space velocity： 6,000 hl, bioethanol concentration： 21.7 g/m3 and T = 400℃）.     

Experimental Evaluation of Food-Grade Semi-Refined Carrageenan Toxicity

The safety of food additives E407 and E407a has raised concerns in the scientific community. Thus, this study aims to assess the local and systemic toxic effects of the common food additive E407a in rats orally exposed to it for two weeks. Complex evaluations of the effects of semi-refined carrageenan (E407a) on rats upon oral exposure were performed. Local effects of E407a on the intestine were analyzed using routine histological stains and CD68 immunostaining. Furthermore, circulating levels of inflammatory markers were assessed. A fluorescent probe O1O (2- (2′-OH-phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole) was used for evaluating the state of leukocyte cell membranes. Cell death modes of leukocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry using Annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin D staining. Oral administration of the common food additive E407a was found to be associated with altered small and large intestinal morphology, infiltration of the lamina propria in the small intestine with macrophages (CD68⁺ cells), high systemic levels of inflammation markers, and changes in the lipid order of the phospholipid bilayer in the cell membranes of leukocytes, alongside the activation of their apoptosis. Our findings suggest that oral exposure to E407a through rats results in the development of intestinal inflammation.     

Interaction of ceria and ytterbia in air within temperature range 1500 – 600 °C

Phase equilibria and structure transformations in the CeO₂–Yb₂O₃ system have been studied in air within the temperature range 1500 - 600 °C in the full concentration range using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and petrography methods. It was established that the system is characterized by the formation of solid solutions on the basis of cubic modification of Yb₂O₃ (C- type) and fluorite CeO₂ (F- type) separated by two-phase (F + C) region. The systematic study that covered whole composition range excluded formation of new phases. Solubility limits and concentration dependences of lattice parameters were determined for the phases forming in the system.     

Basic sites on the surface of oxide catalysts responsible for oxidative methane coupling

The basic sites of various oxide catalysts for the oxidative dimerisation of methane were studied by FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed molecular probes (chloroform and CO₂). The methods used are compared and the advantage of CO₂ as probe for specifying the basic sites is demonstrated. The strengths of the basic sites were seen to correlate with the spectral parameters of the surface carbonates. Differences in spectral responses of carbonates are attributed to the different states of oxygen participating in their formation. The concentration of the strongest sites was estimated. A study of the catalytic activity of this system indicates that the system's activity in oxidative methane coupling depends on the presence and concentration of strong basic sites on the catalyst surface.     

Hard Alloy WC – 24% Ni Obtained in the Solid Phase from Ultrafine WC, NiO, and C Powders. Part 1. Density and Structure of Specimens

We have studied the density and structure of specimens of the alloy WC – 24 mass% Ni, obtained by combining into one step the processes of synthesis of the metallic phase and compaction of the ultrafine mixture of WC – Ni powders by high-energy pressing and sintering. We have established that reduction of nickel monoxide by carbon occurs at temperatures of 650-750°C and does not affect the shrinkage process which in the case of sintering begins only at a temperature of 1050°C. High-energy pressing of briquettes sintered at the indicated temperature reduces their porosity from 30-25% down to 8-4%. Specimens of porosity <1% can be obtained by pressing at 1150°C or 1050°C in the case of triple pressing. Raising the temperature at which the briquettes are heated is accompanied by enlargement of the pores together with a decrease in the total porosity, but at temperatures of 1300°C (sintering) and 1250°C (pressing), the pore dimensions are sharply reduced. The high density of the specimens pressed at low temperature does not provide low electrical resistance, which suggests the presence of weakly connected boundaries. When the specimens are sintered and pressed in the solid phase, we observe the growth of tungsten carbide particles. It is most rapid at 1150-1250°C, while at 1050°C the particle growth process slows down. Reduction of the metal oxide when the powders are heated promotes formation of structure in the higher temperature range.     

Effect of high-density current electropulsing on corrosion cracking of titanium aluminide intermetallic

The effect of electropulsing on the corrosion cracking of titanium aluminide produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis has been investigated. The electropulsing treatment led to improved corrosion resistance in sodium fluoride solution and also eliminated corrosion cracking at the α₂/γ interface during corrosion in a solution of nitric and hydrofluoric acids. This behavior was attributed to thermal and athermal effects resulting from electropulsing and leading to the interaction of conduction electrons with the defect structure. The effect of magnetic field accompanying electropusling on depinning of dislocations also has been discussed. Support for this is provided on the basis of X-ray diffraction analysis and microhardness testing.     

Flat coil-based tunnel diode oscillator enabling to detect the real shape of the superconductive transition curve and capable of imaging the properties of HTSC films with high spatial resolution

Owing to a pick-up coil's flat design, relatively low MHz-range operation frequency, and six orders relative resolution a flat coil-based tunnel diode oscillator has advantages, compared to all other methods. They become crucial in studies with thin high-T_c superconductivity (HTSC) materials (with small signals), especially at the start of the Cooper pairs’ formation. Due to this the superconductivity precursor ‘paramagnetic’ effect was detected recently in YBaCuO films at N/S transition. It precedes Meissner ejection and specifies details of the shape of the transition curve. We discuss the influence of the currents on this effect, and the relationship between the quality of the material and the shape of the effect. A new imaging device has also been created based on this test method (using a focused He–Ne laser beam as a probing signal), capable of imaging the properties of HTSC films with 3 μm spatial resolution. The method is based on detection of the inductance and Q-factor value changes of a single-layer flat coil, placed at the face of the sample. This leads to frequency and/or amplitude changes of the stable oscillator. The test device enabled 2D-mapping of the grain structure of a bridge-shaped YBaCuO film. Basically, the method is capable of imaging 2D-current distribution in thin HTS with sub-μm spatial-resolution, using non-bolometric response. However, the achieved resolution 3 μm of a bolometric nature (in a given device with 3.5 mm-size coil) by no means is limited by the abilities of the method, but mainly, it depends on how narrowly it is possible to focus the probing beam, while the own resolution of a present flat coil-based technique is better than 0.1 μm, and can be improved essentially by reducing the coil size.