Cr-Ge-Si Alloys for High-Temperature Structural Applications: Microstructural Evolution

The microstructural evolution of Cr-Si_1?x -Ge _x (0 < x < 15 at. pct) alloys was studied (in annealed state). The quasi-isothermal section of the ternary diagram was assessed by quantitative EPMA analysis. Morphology, phase formation, chemical distribution, and indentation hardness of the alloys were investigated as a function of Ge/Si ratio. The microstructure of all studied alloys consisted of Cr_ss solid solution and A15 Cr₃X intermetallic phases. Substitution of Si by Ge strongly altered the microstructure by transforming the morphology from a lamellar eutectic Cr-Cr₃Si system toward a peritectic one with dispersed Cr_ss phase in A15 matrix. EPMA chemical distribution maps and X-ray diffraction results prove the mutual solubility of Si and Ge in A15 phase by forming Cr₃(Si,Ge) as a complex A15 structure with Cr₃(Si_1?x Ge _x ) composition. Precipitates of the intermetallic phase within the Cr_ss phase was observed in Ge-alloyed samples. Indentation hardness results showed that upon Si-Ge substitution the hardness of both phases was reduced. However, Si substitution by Ge had a stronger influence on the hardness of the solid solution phase than on the intermetallic phase.     

A kit formulation for preparation of [(111)In]In-DTPA-folate, a folate-receptor-targeted radiopharmaceutical

A kit formulation has been developed for convenient, routine compounding of (111)In-labeled In(III)-DTPA-Folate, an investigational radiopharmaceutical for targeting tumor-associated folate receptors. The kit consists of the DTPA-Folate conjugate in sodium citrate solution, from which [(111)In]In-DTPA-Folate can be rapidly and reliably compounded by the addition of aqueous [(111)In]In(III)-chloride.     

Magnetic field enhanced press-filtration

The proposed hybrid process represents a new application of a magnetic field which directly influences a classical press filtration. The new technology offers high potential in the field of magnetic pigment production and iron oxide processing as well as bio-separation with functionalized magnetic particles. Especially in the field of fine-scale particulate product systems high specific cake resistances result in slow cake building and dewatering kinetics, which leads to economic inefficiency.Experimental and theoretical investigations show that the magnetic field has strong influence on cake building. Two major effects were observed: (I) In inhomogeneous magnetic fields magnetic particles experience a magnetic force counter directed to the pressure force, that results in slow down of cake formation; (II) Interparticle magnetic forces lead to structured cake formation.This gives on one hand the possibility to uncouple fluid and magnetic particle motion to force a cake built-up in designated location of the filter chamber. The result is a big increase of the overall filtrate mass flow and therefore an improvement of filtration kinetics. On the other hand due to the particle's magnetization including the formation of an attracting north and south-pole chainlike agglomerates can be observed. This leads to a “structured” cake building and therefore higher permeability.This work will show the effect of a superposed magnetic field on press filtration of ferromagnetic iron oxide particles (Fe₃O₄) in a lab-scale filter press.     

FLAG: a flexible layout generator for analog MOS transistors

This paper describes a flexible MOS transistor layout generator which draws optimal layouts whatever the W and L dimensions. The drawing methodology is based on the use of small elementary parts, called bricks, which are placed side by side inside a user-specified boundary. The generated transistors may allow diffusion merging along whichever sides the user wishes and may have a global rectilinear shape. The internal structure of these cells may also be chosen by the designer so that it is well suited to his application. Transistors developed using this generator have been tested, and have been used to build a simple operational amplifier.     

System architecture for semantic annotation and adaptation in content sharing environments

This paper describes a system architecture, which enables the automatic semantic annotation and adaptation of multimedia content in context-aware content sharing environments. The discussed architecture is the result of research done in the EU FP6 IST INTERMEDIA project. Generating a common vision on user-centric multimedia services in shared content environments to provide users with content personalized to their user preferences and usage environment is one of the objectives of the project. The work presented in this paper describes how media formats with their related metadata are automatically annotated and dynamically adapted. Based on the architecture, a full-featured demonstrator is built.