The Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscope with open sample space observes dynamic phenomena in liquid or gas

Although conventional electron microscopy (EM) requires samples to be in vacuum, most chemical and physical reactions occur in liquid or gas. The Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscope (ASEM) can observe dynamic phenomena in liquid or gas under atmospheric pressure in real time. An electron-permeable window made of pressure-resistant 100 nm-thick silicon nitride (SiN) film, set into the bottom of the open ASEM sample dish, allows an electron beam to be projected from underneath the sample. A detector positioned below captures backscattered electrons. Using the ASEM, we observed the radiation-induced self-organization process of particles, as well as phenomena accompanying volume change, including evaporation-induced crystallization. Using the electrochemical ASEM dish, we observed tree-like electrochemical depositions on the cathode. In silver nitrate solution, we observed silver depositions near the cathode forming incidental internal voids. The heated ASEM dish allowed observation of patterns of contrast in melting and solidifying solder. Finally, to demonstrate its applicability for monitoring and control of industrial processes, silver paste and solder paste were examined at high throughput. High resolution, imaging speed, flexibility, adaptability, and ease of use facilitate the observation of previously difficult-to-image phenomena, and make the ASEM applicable to various fields.     

应用发泡点分析仪分析胎面胶硫化过程中的温度不饱和度与热扩散系数

以载重子午线轮胎胎面胶为例,应用发泡点分析仪(BPA)测试和计算胶料温度不饱和度及扩散系数,探讨BPA的测试原理和方法。结果表明,热扩散系数与热源温度无关,而与加热时间和厚度相关。应用BPA对胶料进行硫化分析,有助于硫化工艺设计和生产控制。     

Lower Irritation Potential of Laureth‐3 Carboxylate Amino Acid Salt

Sodium laureth sulfate and amino acid type surfactants have been categorized as low‐skin irritation chemicals based on results of previous skin irritation tests. However, detergent‐induced skin irritation still occurs. Detergents with a low‐skin irritation effect are required, since the number of cosmetics for sensitive skin has increased. Therefore, an in vitro method of testing the safety of cosmetics for sensitive skin is required. Skin irritation by anionic surfactants was investigated to determine the effect of laureth‐3 carboxylate (polyoxyethylene lauryl carboxymethyl ether) amino acid salt on skin irritation. In addition, sodium laureth sulfate and amino acid type surfactants, regarded as low‐irritation surfactants, were also tested for skin irritation. The skin irritation effect of laureth‐3 carboxylate lysine salt (Surfactant 1 ), sodium laureth sulfate (Surfactant 2 ), and sodium N‐lauroyl glutamate (Surfactant 3 ) were investigated using a reconstructed human cultured epidermal model, LabCyte EPI‐MODEL24 6D. Cell viabilities of cultured epidermal cells exposed to Surfactant 1 (5.0 % aq.), Surfactant 2 , and Surfactant 3 were 82.0, 45.0 and 19.1 %, respectively. There were significant differences in cell viability upon exposure to 5.0 % aqueous test solutions of the three test chemicals. The results of the current investigation indicate that Surfactant 1 has a low skin‐irritation effect.     

加速器质谱测量129I方法的改进

在筑波大学的12UD串列加速器上开发了一套改进的129I加速器质谱(AMS)测量方法,包括在120°磁铁后安装了一副自行设计制作有静电偏转板,有效改善了对127I束流和129I计数的测量;采用97MoO2分子导航束稳定加速器端电压,加速器的端电压能稳定在几天内不超过0.1%,结合二次剥离,取得了满意的测量效果.用该方法测得AgI试剂样品的本底水平为7.83×10-13.对129I/127I比值范围为(4.92～0.28)×10-10的一系列样品的测量不确定度在7%以下,准确度较前有所提高.     

Solvent- and Light-Sensitive AIEE-Active Azo Dye: From Spherical to 1D and 2D Assemblies

Fluorescent molecular assembly systems provide an exciting platform for creating stimuli-responsive nano- and microstructured materials with optical, electronic, and sensing functions. To understand the relationship between (i) the plausible molecular structures preferentially adopted depending on the solvent polarity (such as N,N-dimethylformamide [DMF], tetrahydrofuran [THF], and toluene), (ii) the resulting spectroscopic features, and (iii) self-assembled nano-, micro-, and macrostructures, we chose a sterically crowded triangular azo dye (3Bu) composed of a polar molecular core and three peripheral biphenyl wings. The chromophore changed the solution color from yellow to pink-red depending on the solvent polarity. In a yellow DMF solution, a considerable amount of the twisted azo form could be kept stable with the help of favorable intermolecular interactions with the solvent molecules. By varying the concentration of the DMF solution, the morphology of self-assembled structures was transformed from nanoparticles to micrometer-sized one-dimensional (1D) structures such as sticks and fibers. In a pink-red toluene solution, the periphery of the central ring became more planar. The resulting significant amount of the keto-hydrazone tautomer grew into micro- and millimeter-sized 1D structures. Interestingly, when THF-H₂O (1:1) mixtures were stored at a low temperature, elongated fibers were stacked sideways and eventually developed into anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) sheets. Notably, subsequent exposure of visible-light-irradiated sphere samples to solvent vapor resulted in reversible fluorescence off↔on switching accompanied by morphological restoration. These findings suggest that rational selection of organic dyes, solvents, and light is important for developing reusable fluorescent materials.     

Specification of individual variation in luminous efficiency for brightness

Principal component analysis was applied to spectral luminous efficiencies determined by the heterochromatic brightness matching by 51 and 70 observers for the field size. 2° and 10°, respectively, which were used to derive the CIE V_b,2(Λ) and V_b,10(Λ). Four principal components were found to explain the individual variation. the two deviation indices were introduced by slightly modifying the first and second principal scores and they were effectively used to specify individual variations and to predict the spectral luminous efficiency curve. Equations were derived to predict these two deviation indices as functions of luminous efficiencies at two wavelengths, 460 and 640 nm in the case of 2° field and 470 and 630 mm in 10° field. the luminous efficiency curves thus predicted by the two deviation indices fitted very nicely to the experimentally determined luminous efficiency curves of all the observers. A way to utilize the deviation indices in practice where observers play an important role is proposed to avoid some confusion that may take place because of individual variation.     

Oxygen potential measurements of Am0.5Pu0.5O2−x by EMF method

The dependence of the oxygen potentials on oxygen non-stoichiometry and temperature of Am_0.5Pu_0.5O_2−x has been obtained by the electromotive force (EMF) method with the cell: (Pt) air |Zr(Ca)O_2−x| Am_0.5Pu_0.5O_2−x (Pt). The x value of Am_0.5Pu_0.5O_2−x was changed at 1333 K over 0.02 < x ? 0.25 by the coulomb titration method. The temperature dependence of the oxygen potential was also measured over the range of 1173-1333 K. It was found that the oxygen potential decreased from −80 to −360 kJ mol⁻¹ with increasing x from 0.021 to 0.22 at 1333 K and that it remained almost constant at −360 kJmol⁻¹ around x = 0.23. It was concluded that Am_0.5Pu_0.5O_2−x should be composed of the single fluorite-type phase over 0.02 < x ? 0.22 and the mixed phases of fluorite-type and (Am, Pu)₉O₁₆ at around x = 0.23.