Synthesis and characterisation of a submicrometre silicon carbide powder

A beta-silicon carbide powder with a surface area of 30m²g^?l and a mean particle size of < 1μm was produced from the thermal conversion of silicon resin in an atmosphere of hydrogen. The amount of product increased with increasing iron content (0–2.1 wt%) and firing temperature (1200–1500°C). Chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and i.r. absorption spectrometry were used to follow the conversion reaction.     

Constriction resistance at high signal frequencies

This paper describes the dependence of constriction resistance on signal frequency. This dependence was calculated for circular constrictions ranging in diameter from 10 to 100 /spl mu/m, and for frequencies ranging from dc to 1 GHz. The results indicate that the magnitude of constriction resistance does not deviate appreciably from values predicted by Holm's classical analytical expression, as long as the skin depth is large compared with the constriction radius. For skin depths that are much smaller than the constriction radius, constriction resistance decreases with increasing frequency to an apparent limiting value independent of the constriction radius. At high frequencies, constriction resistance constitutes only one of two components of the total connection resistance measured in practice. The second component of connection resistance is determined by details of the geometry and dimensions of the contact interface, and increases with signal frequency.     

Further studies on polyamides from bisacid a2

Earlier work on the low temperature solution polyamidation of bisacid A2 has raised a number of structural problems. Work carried out more recently showed that the problem of apparent nonisostoichiometry could be reasonably satisfactorily explained. The present paper reports the synthesis and investigates the properties of a further series of polyamides based upon Bisacid A2. More importantly, however, a detailed characterization and evaluation of the new polymers with respect to their structures is presented. This enabled us to compare the various structures in the light of the experimental evidence provided by a number of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, solution behavior, molecular weight, and thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties. Some work was also done on the effect of incorporating a small amount of a trifunctional monomer into the polyamide system.     

Dynamics of hydrated iron(II) cations in nafion polymer membranes

Mössbauer studies of Fe²⁺ in water-soaked nafion polymer membranes in the temperature range between 90 K and 250 K have been performed. Above a critical temperature (～ 180 K) the spectra exhibit both elastic narrow absorption lines and quasielastic broad lines. These spectra are typical of bounded diffusion phenomena observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy in macromolecular systems like haemoglobin, myoglobin and ferritin. Similar spectral shapes have been observed by quasielastic neutron scattering from water in nafion membranes. Within 50 K above the critical temperature the total Mössbauer absorption area decreases by an order of magnitude whereas the narrow absorption line decreases by two orders of magnitude. The results are interpreted in terms of bounded diffusive motion of the iron. Using a model based on overdamped harmonically bound Brownian motion, the essential parameters of the iron motion can be derived as a function of temperature. The iron motion most probably reflects the motion of a large Fe²⁺ complex, e.g. Fe(H₂O)²⁺₆, which is attached to the polymer side chains via the sulphonic group.     

Radiation safety of a population inhabiting the area where a nuclear facility is situated

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 67, No. 2, pp. 81–83, August, 1989.     

Fine-line conductor manufacturing using drop-on demand PZT printingtechnology

An emerging selective metallization process to fabricate fine-line conductors based on drop-on-demand (DOD) ink jet printing and novel nano-particle fluid suspensions (NPFS) was studied. The suspensions consist of 1-10 nm silver or gold particulates that are homogeneously suspended in an organic carrier. A piezo-electric droplet generator driven by a bipolar voltage signal is used to dispense 50-70 μm diameter droplets traveling at 1-3 m/s before impacting a compliant polyimide substrate. The deposit/substrate composite is subsequently processed at 300°C for 15 min to allow for complete evaporation of the carrier and for sintering of the nano-particles, thereby yielding a finished circuit interconnect. Test vehicles created using this technique exhibit features as fine as 120 μm wide and 1 μm thick with resistivities on the order of 3.5×10^-5 Ωcm. The circuitry performed well under environmental conditioning. As expected, repeatability of circuitry fabrication showed sensitivity to the generation of steady, satellite-free droplets. In an effort to generate droplets consistently, it is essential to develop a strong fundamental understanding of the correlation between device excitation parameters and dispensed fluid properties, and to resolve the microrheological behavior of the NPFS when flowing through the droplet generator     

Scrubbing Hydrogen Sulfide from Gases. A Rational Approach

Worsening of the environmental situation in many regions of Russia in recent decades is to a great degree due to production and refining of oil and gas with a high hydrogen sulfide content. Industrial methods of utilization of hydrogen sulfide are extremely irrational: it is either burned in flares or used for production of sulfur whose quality and quantity pose new problems related to its use.