Nanocrystalline Powders Based on ZrO2 for Biomedical Applications and Power Engineering

An 80 mass% ZrO₂ ― 20 mass% Al₂O₃ powder was produced using a complex method which integrates sol-gel technology and hydrothermal synthesis. The specific surface areas of the powder varied from 39 to 5.3 m²/g depending on the thermal treatment conditions. Metastable F-ZrO₂ formed after powder annealing at 400°C. The phase transformation F-ZrO₂ → T-ZrO₂ (traces of M-ZrO₂) occurred under powder thermal treatment from 700 to 1000°C. Only Θ-Al₂O₃ was detected under experimental conditions. The powder was characterized by sintering activity. Operating the processes under powder thermal treatment in the ZrO₂ ― Y₂O₃ ― CeO₂ ― Al₂O₃ system will allow one to produce a variety of ceramic microstructures from fine-grained to “self-reinforced.” These powders can be used in manufacturing surgical cutting tools as well as in ceramic passive bioimplants and solid electrolytes for fuel elements.     

Portable BΔ-12HΦM and BΔ-12HΦΠ eddy-current flaw detectors

The scope of application, specific features of design and operation, and the main technical characteristics of portable BΔ-12HΦM and BΔ-12HΦΠ eddy-current flaw detectors are considered.     

Diffusion Interaction during Preparation of Nanocrystalline Powders in the System ZrO2-Y2O3

The properties of ZrO₂ - 3 mole% Y₂O₃ nanocrystalline powder prepared by diffusion impregnation are studied. The original nanocrystalline powder of M-ZrO₂ is prepared with hydrothermal treatment of aqueous zirconium hydroxychloride solution by different regimes. It is found that after diffusion impregnation for all of the powders with yttrium oxide two solid solutions are formed (F-ZrO₂ and M-ZrO₂) in mixture. It is established that the morphological features typical for the original powders are retained. The efficiency of diffusion impregnation is determined by the slightly-agglomerated powder with a high degree of crystallinity.__________Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4(442), pp. 3–11, March–April, 2005.     

Investigation into the long-term strength of rocks under loading with a constant rate

The test data are presented for tensile and compressive strength of some rocks depending on the rate of loading by three-point bending and then uniaxial rigid compression. The constants of Zhurkov’s kinetic equation of durability are determined for the tested rocks. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 6, pp. 37–44, November–December, 2007.     

Photoluminescence decay rate of silicon nanoparticles modified with gold nanoislands

We investigated plasmon-assisted enhancement of emission from silicon nanoparticles (ncs-Si) embedded into porous SiO _x matrix in the 500- to 820-nm wavelength range. In the presence in the near-surface region of gold nanoisland film, ncs-Si exhibited up to twofold luminescence enhancement at emission frequencies that correspond to the plasmon resonance frequency of Au nanoparticles. Enhancement of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity was attributed to coupling with the localized surface plasmons (LSPs) excited in Au nanoparticles and to increase in the radiative decay rate of ncs-Si. It has been shown that spontaneous emission decay rate of ncs-Si modified by thin Au film over the wide emission spectral range was accelerated. The emission decay rate distribution was determined by fitting the experimental decay curves to the stretched exponential model. The observed increase of the PL decay rate distribution width for the Au-coated nc-Si-SiO _x sample in comparison with the uncoated one was explained by fluctuations in the surface-plasmon excitation rate.

PACS

78. 67. Bf; 78.55.-m     

Time-temperature superposition and the controlling role of solvation in the viscoelastic properties of polyaniline thin films

Comprehensive exploration of the viscoelastic properties of polyaniline films exposed to aqueous perchloric acid has been made as a function of applied potential (E), temperature (T), and mechanical oscillation frequency (f = ω/2π) using high-frequency acoustic wave resonators. The outcomes are expressed in terms of storage and loss shear modulus signatures, G'(E, T, ω) and G″(E, T, ω). Surprisingly, these are barely sensitive to potential, through which both polymer charge and solvation are manipulated, and only modestly sensitive to temperature. In contrast, the response to timescale is dramatic. Using the principle of time-temperature superposition, G' and G″ at different temperatures and frequencies (time scales) can each be placed on master relaxation curves. Models developed for mechanical properties of bulk polymers at low frequency were applied to these thin film responses at high frequency. These include the Williams-Landel-Ferry model, the activation model, and the Rouse-Zimm model based, respectively, on concepts of free volume, thermal activation, and relaxation. Each of the models could be applied with physically reasonable outcomes in terms of the relevant parameters (thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition temperature, and activation enthalpy). G' and G″ values are correlated with solvent content. The enthalpy change for solvent entry is small, positive and relatively independent of polymer charge state, all of which contrast sharply with the behavior of thiophene-based conducting polymers in organic solvents.     

"环保酒精"——粮食转化酒精及饲料产品的综合技术

俄罗斯有150多家酒精工厂,工厂平均年产量1万t左右,主要原料为大麦、小麦、玉米和黑麦等。俄罗斯食品生物技术科学研究所是俄罗斯研究酒精生产、酶制剂和酵母的权威机构,该所开发的酒精生产工艺在世界上处于领先地位。其主要技术成果包括:65～80℃低温蒸煮,双酶法糖化,28～38℃中高温快速浓醪发酵,蒸馏废水回用等项技术;其中机械涡流均质是一项有效的节能技术,可节约能耗20%左右。