BiFeO3 films on steel substrate by the citrate method

We deposited BiFeO₃ films on stainless steel substrates using a simple low-temperature wet-chemical route. Bismuth and iron nitrates were used as metal source and citric acid as chelating agent to prepare a water solution and deposit the film by dipping the steel substrate in the viscous solution. We have investigated the composition, crystallinity and structure of the BiFeO₃ film on steel by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, conventional and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The film deposited on the steel substrate has two sublayers: a very thin (about 100 nm) nanocrystalline layer, with crystallite size of few nanometers, and a thicker (below 1 μm) crystalline layer.     

Morphology of Single-Component Particles Produced by Spray Pyrolysis

ABSTRACT

This work is a review of the experimental results from the literature for single-component metal and simple metal-oxide particles. Criteria for correlating particle morphology, i.e., whether the particles are solid or hollow, with process parameters and material properties during spray pyrolysis are presented and compared with the data available in the literature. The materials were classified into two categories for which the precursor: (1) melts and (2) does not melt before chemical reaction takes place, and separate criteria were used for each category based on the work of Jayanthi et al. (1993) J. Aerosol Sci. 19:478. In systems where the precursor melts before chemical reaction occurs, e.g., decomposition of nitrates of Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, Pd, Mn, Cu, Sr, and Ag, the particle morphology is determined primarily by the densities and formula weights of the reactant and product compounds unless high temperature densification or puffing up of the particles due to gases evolved during the chemical reaction alter the morphology. In systems where the precursor undergoes nucleation to form a solid crust which does not melt before chemical reaction takes place, e.g., Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂, Al₂(SO₄)₃, Zr(C₂H₃O₂)₂, and Zn(C₂H₃O₂)₂, solubility and density of the precursor as well as the operating temperature are the main factors that affect the product particle morphology. Overall, particle morphologies predicted by the criteria were in agreement with experimental observations reported in the literature.     

Stocking wild adult Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus): An additional fish management tool

Stocking of largemouth bass is an important management tool for fish management. The stocking of hatchery‐produced fingerling or advanced‐fingerling bass to supplement bass year‐classes, however, has exhibited varying success. Utilizing a different approach, a multiyear stocking programme using wild adult largemouth bass was initiated at the Harris Chain of Lakes (3800 ha Lake Griffin; 1811 ha Lake Dora) in central Florida. Wild adult bass (24 781 fish), ranging in size from 200 mm total length (TL) to over 600 mm TL, were stocked in Lake Griffin (13 932 fish) and Lake Dora (10 849 fish). One month after stocking, the number of stocked bass caught in electrofishing catches in Lake Griffin and Lake Dora was ~10% and 22%, respectively. Estimates of mortality were similar to the native largemouth bass, although the movement of stocked fish into other connecting water bodies was extensive. For the Lake Griffin/Lake Dora stocking programme, bass were transferred at a cost of $10.09–19.89 per fish, depending on how the costs of the project are calculated ($250 000 for just the capture and transport of the fish vs. $492 775 for the total project). Considering only capture and transport costs, conservative benefit/cost ratio estimates would be $1.77/$1.00 spent for replacement and $1.85/$1.00 spent recreational costs, although the benefit/cost ratios could exceed $10/$1. Based on the present study, stocking wild adult largemouth bass is a cost‐effective tool for managing largemouth bass.     

A study of the rheological behavior of high‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane solutions

The viscosity behavior of various compositions of polymer electrolyte membrane solutions, which are later hydrolyzed into proton conducting membrane film for fuel cells, is characterized. Using the Carreau‐Yasuda model and time–temperature superposition, an empirical model relating the viscosity as a function of temperature and shear strain rate has been developed for several membrane solution compositions. It is observed that the viscosity of the non‐Newtonian membrane has a strong correlation to the membrane's inherent viscosity (a property determined during membrane synthesis). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Application of Semiochemicals to Assess the Biodiversity of Subcortical Insects following an Ecosystem Disturbance in a Sub-boreal Forest

From 2000 through 2003 we used semiochemical-baited traps in northeastern Minnesota, USA, to assess changes in assemblages of subcortical forest insects after a catastrophic wind storm in 1999 and subsequent (1999–2000) fuel-reduction activities (salvage-logging and prescribed-burning). We determined the regional efficacy of fifteen semiochemical blends (pheromones and kairomones) as attractants for target and non-target subcortical insect species (Coleoptera: Anthribidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Cleridae, Cucujidae, Curculionidae, Histeridae, Nemonychidae, Salpingidae, Scolytidae, Tenebrionidae, and Hymenoptera: Siricidae). During the four summers, we trapped 86,471 subcortical insects (143 species) in baited and unbaited Lindgren funnel traps, and 500 beetles (44 species) in baited and unbaited pitfall traps. We report 23 new state collection records of subcortical insects from Minnesota. Trap catches of subcortical insects were greatest in the wind-disturbed areas 2 years after the event, and declined thereafter. Similar trends were observed for subcortical insects in the burned areas. Both wind-disturbance and burning increased the subcortical insect species richness and diversity on the landscape. The subcortical insect species compositions of the salvaged and burned forest areas differed from those of the undisturbed and wind-disturbed areas. Trap catches of subcortical insects in response to semiochemical treatments also varied with year of sampling and land-area treatment. The greatest diversity of subcortical beetle species was in traps baited with attractants for the scolytids, Dendroctonus valens [(+)-α-pinene and (−)-β-pinene] and Dryocoetes spp. [exo-brevicomin and (−)-α-pinene], perhaps reflecting the generic nature of the baits. The most distinct species compositions were collected in response to the woodborer and Dendroctonus simplex baits, whereas the species compositions in traps with the D. valens and Dryocoetes spp. baits, and the unbaited funnel trap were the most similar. The variation in trap catch with time and across landscapes suggests that the responses of subcortical insects to semiochemicals are more complex than previously appreciated.     

Design optimization of functionally graded dental implant for bone remodeling

Despite a great success, one of the key issues facing in dental implantation clinic is a mismatch of mechanical properties between engineered and native biomaterials, which makes osseointegration and bone remodeling problematical. Functionally Graded Material (FGM) has been proposed as a potential upgrade to some conventional implant materials like titanium for selection in prosthetic dentistry. The idea of FGM dental implant is that the property would vary in a certain pattern to match the biomechanical characteristics required at different regions in the hosting bone. However, mating properties do not necessarily guarantee the best osseointegration and bone remodeling. No existing report has been available to develop an optimal design of FGM dental implant for promoting a long-term success. This paper aims to explore this critical issue by using the computational bone remodeling and design optimization. A buccal–lingual sectional model, which consists of a single unit implant and four other adjacent teeth, was constructed from computerized tomography (CT) scan images. Bone remodeling induced by use of various FGM dental implants is calculated over the period of 4 years. Based upon remodeling results, response surface method (RSM) is adopted to develop a multi-objective optimal design for FGM implantation FGM designs.     

Numerical modelling of a bromide-polysulphide redox flow battery. Part 2: Evaluation of a utility-scale system

Numerical modelling of redox flow battery (RFB) systems allows the technical and commercial performance of different designs to be predicted without costly lab, pilot and full-scale testing. A numerical model of a redox flow battery was used in conjunction with a simple cost model incorporating capital and operating costs to predict the technical and commercial performance of a 120 MWh/15 MW utility-scale polysulphide-bromine (PSB) storage plant for arbitrage applications. Based on 2006 prices, the system was predicted to make a net loss of 0.45 p kWh⁻¹ at an optimum current density of 500 A m⁻² and an energy efficiency of 64%. The system was predicted to become economic for arbitrage (assuming no further costs were incurred) if the rate constants of both electrolytes could be increased to 10⁻⁵ m s⁻¹, for example by using a suitable (low cost) electrocatalyst. The economic viability was found to be strongly sensitive to the costs of the electrochemical cells and the electrical energy price differential.     

Kinetics of heavy metal vaporization from model wastes in a fluidized bed

Metal vaporization experiments were carried out in an atmospheric fluidized bed to study the influence of operating conditions on the extent of heavy metal (HM) release in fumes from municipal solid waste incinerators. Modelwastes spiked with compounds of Pb, Cd, and Zn were used. The parameters studied were temperature, treatment duration, matrix of the model waste (mineral and organic), HM initial speciation, and gas composition (N2, air, air + HCl, gas mixture simulating the incinerators). The extent of vaporization was measured by solid sample analysis and on-line analysis of the gaseous effluent, after customization of the ICP technique for gas analysis. The results indicate the metal vaporization rate is very high initially and then slows. The results with mineral matrices give the decreasing order of volatility Cd > Pb > Zn, but in industrial incinerators Zn volatilizes slightly more than Pb. Temperature (especially for porous alumina) and mineral matrix have a strong influence on the HM vaporization, but HCl concentration and HM initial speciation do not. The gas composition and the initial metal concentration are significant parameters. The matrix influence clearly denoted the mass transfer limitations in the vaporization process from mineral matrix.     

Discrimination of aerial deposition sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran downwind from a pulp mill near Ketchikan, Alaska

Drinking water is supplied by individual roof-catchment systems for homes and businesses near a dissolving sulfite pulp mill (now closed) located just north of Ketchikan in southeast Alaska. This study was conducted to determine if polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) found in the sediments of the roof-catchment cisterns resulted from historical deposition of stack emissions from the pulp mill's multi-fuel power boilers. Fly ash from the power boilers had maximum total PCDD/F concentrations of 3.08 x 10(5)-3.10 x 10(6) ng/kg, which resulted from combustion of bleach plant wastewater sludge and saltwater-soaked wood waste. Cistern sediments had maximum total PCDD/F concentrations of 7.71 x 10(4) ng/kg. Potential sources of PCDDs/Fs in the cistern sediments were considered to be automobile exhaust, heating oil combustion, and private trash burning as well as pulp mill boiler emissions. Discriminant analysis was used to analyze differences between profiles of tetra through octa homologue classes of PCDDs/ Fs (defined as proportional contributions to total concentration) from different source terms. Homologue profiles of potential sources from Ketchikan included in this analysis were fly ash collected from the mill's power boilers and soils collected from background areas (areas with similar PCDD/F sources as the residences [e.g., auto exhaust and burn barrels] near the mill but beyond the zone of aerial deposition of emissions from the mill). Profiles for emissions from automobile exhaust, fertilizers, oil heating, residential trash burning, and residential wood heating were also included in the source "training" data set (for the discriminant analysis) using data from published literature. The classification rules developed from the discriminant analysis were applied to the following test media sampled at Ketchikan: roof-catchment cistern sediments and soils collected from areas in the vicinity of the mill's power boilers (i.e., nearby residential or commercial [developed] areas, on the mill property, and nearby forestlands). The homologue profiles of cistern sediment and nearby developed area soil samples were similar to background soils, whereas the profiles for the forestland soil samples (influenced by emissions from the mill but not other anthropogenic sources) closely matched the fly ash pattern. The homologue profiles of the emission sources from published data were more similar to one another than either background soils or fly ash. Soil samples from the mill property were classified as members of all source groups. On the basis of these analyses, the composition of PCDDs/Fs detected in the cistern sediments is typical of Ketchikan background conditions and not reflective of mill emissions.     

Rheological characterization of yellow grease and poultry fat

The rheological properties of yellow grease and poultry fat and their liquid density at 25.0°C were experimentally determined. Dynamic viscosities of these industrial recycled fat products were measured for shear rates of 0.65 to 32.34 s⁻¹ at temperatures of 15.6 to 71.1°C. The resulting measurements were fitted to a power law model to obtain values for the consistency coefficient and the flow behavior index. The data was also fit to Andrade's equation to relate viscosity to temperature. These results indicated pseudoplastic flow behavior for both products, with increasing non-Newtonian behavior at higher temperatures and shear rates.