Coulometric methods for uranium and plutonium determination

Data on coulometric methods for U and Pu determination in various nuclear materials are presented, analyzed, and summarized. Coulometric determination methods at controlled current and controlled potential are considered. The main principles of the U and Pu determination procedures based on the use of the UO₂ ²⁺/U⁴⁺, Pu⁴⁺/Pu³⁺, and PuO₂ ²⁺/Pu⁴⁺ redox couples are presented. Various methodical factors influencing the error of the U and Pu determination, such as sample weight; supporting electrolyte composition; oxidation and reduction potentials; current; electrode material, shape, and activation procedure; impurity elements, etc., are discussed. Procedures for joint coulometric determination of U and Pu are considered separately. The main methods used by the authors for eliminating the mutual effect of U and Pu in their joint determination are described.     

Heat and Particle Transport in the Initial Phase of Ohmic Discharges in the Globus-M Spherical Tokamak

Technical Physics Letters - The results of experiments and simulations of the transport of heat and particles in the Globus-M spherical tokamak are presented. Investigations were carried out in the...     

Microstructural analysis of fusion and heat affected zones in electron beam welded ALLVAC 718PLUS™ superalloy

The fusion zone and heat affected zone (HAZ) microstructures of electron beam welded superalloy 718PLUS™ (718 Plus) that has been newly developed by ATI ALLVAC were examined. The microsegregation pattern during solidification of the fusion zone indicated that while Fe, Co, W, and Cr segregated to the core of the gamma dendrites, Nb, Ti, and Al were extensively rejected into the interdendritic liquid. Electron diffraction and X-ray microanalysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the fusion zone showed that the major secondary phases that formed from the interdendritic liquid were gamma/MC type carbide eutectic and gamma/Laves eutectic constituents. HAZ microstructure showed partially melted zone immediately adjacent to the fusion zone and intergranular microfissuring associated with resolidified products which suggested that HAZ cracking in this alloy occurred by liquation cracking. Microstructural examination of the HAZ using analytical scanning electron microscope showed resolidified gamma/Laves eutectic on the cracked and backfilled grain boundaries. Fine resolidified MC type carbide particles were also observed in the HAZ. Causes of grain boundary liquation were identified and the solidification of intergranular liquid in the HAZ was discussed.     

A theoretical study of the impact of magnetic field of Hall current on the parameters of a high-current vacuum-arc discharge

It is demonstrated that the magnetic field of Hall current in a short high-current vacuum-arc discharge significantly distorts the external axial magnetic field and affects the distribution of current density in the discharge gap. This effect decreases with increasing external magnetic field, with decreasing arc current, and with decreasing ratio of the length of discharge gap to its transverse dimension. A 2D magnetohydrodynamic mathematical model is used to calculate the discharge parameters for different values of induction of external magnetic field. The calculation results are compared with similar results obtained using a 1.5D model in which the impact made by magnetic field of Hall current is ignored. It is inferred that the simpler 1.5D model may be employed in calculations of parameters of vacuum arc in a wide range of variation of arc current and of induction of external magnetic field.     

Solid-state reactions in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The formation mechanisms of Li _x Na_{1 ?x} Ta _y Nb_{1 ? y} O₃ perovskite solid solutions in the Li₂CO₃-Na₂CO₃-Nb₂O₅-Ta₂O₅ system have been studied by x-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry at temperatures from 300 to 1100°C. The results indicate that the synthesis of Li _x Na_{1 ? x} Ta _y Nb_{1 ? y} O₃ solid solutions involves a complex sequence of consecutive and parallel solid-state reactions. An optimized synthesis procedure for Li _x Na_{1 ? x} Ta _y Nb_{1 ? y} O₃ solid solutions is proposed.     

How nanoparticles encapsulating fluorophores allow a double detection of biomolecules by localized surface plasmon resonance and luminescence

The paper shows how polysiloxane particles encapsulating fluorophores can be successfully used to detect biotin-streptavidin binding by two types of technique. After functionalization of the particles by streptavidin, the fixation of the biomolecule can indeed be detected by a shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance of the biotinylated gold dots used as substrate and by the luminescence of the fluorophores evidenced by scanning near-field optical microscopy. The development of particles allowing such a double detection opens a route for increasing the reliability of biological detection and for multi-labelling strategies crossing both detection principles.     

Processing of Rare-Earth Elements from Loparite

Distribution of REEs and Th in extraction from chloride solutions with primary carboxylic acids C₇-C₉, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and a crude mixture of higher branched carboxylic acids was studied. Thorium can be separated by extraction with carboxylic acids. The decay products were recommended to be precipitated after extraction of REEs. The radioactivity of loparite processing products considerably decreases with time.__________Translated from Radiokhimiya, Vol. 47, No. 1, 2005, pp. 77–79.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Lebedev, Rudenko.     

‘Green’ composites Part 1: Characterization of flax fabric and glutaraldehyde modified soy protein concentrate composites

Fully biodegradable, environment friendly ‘green’ composites were prepared using glutaraldehyde (GA) modified soy protein concentrate (MSPC-G) and flax fabric. Soy protein concentrate (SPC) polymer has low tensile properties, poor moisture resistance and is brittle. SPC polymer with 15% glycerin, as an external plasticizer, exhibited fracture stress and Young's modulus of 17 and 368 MPa, respectively. SPC polymer was cross-linked with GA to increase its tensile properties and improve its processability as a resin to manufacture flax fabric-reinforced composites. GA reacts with the free amine groups in SPC to form crosslinks. MSPC-G showed 20% increase in fracture stress and 35% increase in Young's modulus as well as improved moisture resistance compared to SPC. Besides the mechanical properties, MSPC-G was also characterized for its thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties.Composite laminates, approximately 1 mm thick, were made using flax fabric and MSPC-G polymer. Composite specimens were prepared with two different orientations, namely, 0° or 90°. The laminates exhibited a Young's modulus of 1.01 and 1.26 GPa in the longitudinal and transverse directions, respectively. The experimental values were compared with the theoretical predictions using pcGINA^© software and showed good agreement. The composite specimens also showed good adhesion between flax fabric and MSPC-G resin.