SPHERES, Jülich's high-flux neutron backscattering spectrometer at FRM II

SPHERES is a third-generation neutron backscattering spectrometer, located at the 20 MW German neutron source FRM II and operated by the Ju?lich Centre for Neutron Science. It offers an energy resolution (fwhm) better than 0.65 μeV, a dynamic range of ±?31 μeV, and a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 1750:1.     

Contribution of Solutes to Density Stratification in a Meromictic Lake (Waldsee/Germany)

Density differences are the key parameter for stratification stability. We used data from the iron-meromictic Waldsee, Germany, a lignite mine pit lake, to quantify the contribution of single solutes to water density and analyzed the density gradient. Iron meromictic lakes maintain their density gradient through chemical reactions. Hence, quantifying the contributions of separate solutes is essential for understanding the entire process. Based on solute concentrations and literature values of partial molal volumes, substance specific density contributions were quantitatively evaluated. Then, by direct measurements of the density of IHSS Waskish peat fulvic acid, we quantified the density contribution of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). While several solutes contributed to the density throughout the water column, only those substances that occurred at higher concentrations in the anoxic monimolimnion than in the oxic mixolimnion were crucial to sustaining the density difference between the two layers. In Waldsee, the density difference between monimolimnion and mixolimnion was attributed to dissolved Fe²⁺ (0.23?g/L, resulting in a 45?% of the density difference due to solutes) and to the carbonate system (HCO₃ ^?, about 0.16?g/L and CO₂, 0.03?g/L) while Ca²⁺ and DOC delivered only a small contribution. In summer, total density differences were dominated by temperature differences; during winter, solutes sustained meromixis. Finally, we present a complete list of specific density fractions for basically all of the density-relevant substances in fresh waters.     

Search for C60 Fullerene in Char Produced on a Norway Spruce by Lightning

Abstract

A search was made for C₆₀ fullerene by High Performance Liquid Chromatography in char formed on a Norway Spruce struck by lightning. Firm proof that C₆₀ occurs in the char was not obtained. However, the evidence showed the possible presence of 1 ppb C₆₀.     

Crystal nucleation and dendrite growth of metastable phases in undercooled melts

An undercooled melt possesses an enhanced free enthalpy that opens up the possibility to crystallize metastable crystalline solids in competition with their stable counterparts. Crystal nucleation selects the crystallographic phase whereas the growth dynamics controls microstructure evolution. We apply containerless processing techniques such as electromagnetic and electrostatic levitation to containerlesss undercool and solidify metallic melts. Owing to the complete avoidance of heterogeneous nucleation on container-walls a large undercooling range becomes accessible with the extra benefit that the freely suspended drop is direct accessible for in situ observation of crystallization far away from equilibrium. Results of investigations of maximum undercoolability on pure zirconium are presented showing the limit of maximum undercoolability set by the onset of homogeneous nucleation. Rapid dendrite growth is measured as a function of undercooling by a high-speed camera and analysed within extended theories of non-equilibrium solidification. In such both supersaturated solid solutions and disordered superlattice structure of intermetallics are formed at high growth velocities. A sharp interface theory of dendrite growth is capable to describe the non-equilibrium solidification phenomena during rapid crystallization of deeply undercooled melts. Eventually, anomalous growth behaviour of Al-rich Al–Ni alloys is presented, which may be caused by forced convection.     

Strength Recovery in a High-Strength Steel During Multiple Weld Thermal Simulations

BlastAlloy 160 (BA160) is a low-carbon martensitic steel strengthened by copper and M₂C precipitates. Heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructure evaluation of BA160 exhibited softening in samples subjected to the coarse-grained HAZ thermal simulations of this steel. This softening is partially attributed to dissolution of copper precipitates and metal carbides. After subjecting these coarse-grained HAZs to a second weld thermal cycle below the A _c1 temperature (at which austenite begins to form on heating), recovery of strength was observed. Atom-probe tomography and microhardness analyses correlated this strength recovery to re-precipitation of copper precipitates and metal carbides. A continuum model is proposed to rationalize strengthening and softening in the HAZ regions of BlastAlloy 160.