High-resolution terahertz reflective imaging and image restoration

We present a high-resolution terahertz (THz) reflective imaging system, operating at 2.52 THz, that employs a continuous-wave THz gas laser and a pyroelectric detector. The spatial resolution was evaluated from the system's modulation transfer function and tested by scanning a series of resolution targets. To further improve the image quality, Lucy-Richardson method was adopted to restore the scanning result. With the scanning spot profile measured using knife edge method, a satisfying restoration result can be obtained. Finally, the system's performance was observed by imaging some different test objects.     

Free-standing TiO(2) nanotube arrays made by anodic oxidation and ultrasonic splitting

A facile and green method was employed to prepare large-scale free-standing TiO(2) nanotube (TNT) arrays, in which as-anodized TiO(2) nanotube films prepared in organic electrolytes with thickness ranging from seven to tens of micrometers were then ultrasonicated in a mix solution of ethanol and water. By controlling the ratio of ethanol to water, the time and the power of ultrasonication, large-scale free-standing TiO(2) nanotube arrays without any crack could be detached from the Ti substrates. Hydrogen sensing results demonstrated that the free-standing TNT film is more sensitive than a film with Ti substrates when exposed to 1000?ppm hydrogen ambient.     

One-step synthesis of silver nanoparticles at the air-water interface using different methods

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in a one-step process at the air-AgNO(3) aqueous solution interface under Langmuir monolayers of 5,10,15,20-tetra-4-oxy(2-stearic acid) phenyl porphyrin (TSPP) at room temperature by using different methods including UV-light irradiation, ambient light irradiation, and formaldehyde gas reduction. It was found that parallel aligned one-dimensional (1D) chains composed of discrete silver nanoparticles with the size of 3-5?nm were formed under UV-light irradiation for a short time, while large areas of uniform silver spherical nanoparticles were formed under natural daylight illumination for several days or by formaldehyde gas treatment for several hours. The average size of the spherical nanoparticles ranges from 6.88 ± 0.46 to 11.10 ± 1.47?nm, depending on the experimental conditions. The 1D chains formed under UV-light irradiation result from the templating effect of parallel aligned linear supramolecular arrays formed by TSPP at the air-water interface, and rapid nucleation and growth of the nanoparticles. The formation of the uniform silver nanoparticles under daylight illumination or by formaldehyde gas treatment, however, should be ascribed to a kinetically controlled growth process of the nanoparticles.     

Design and implementation of high frequency ultrasound pulsed-wave Doppler using FPGA

The development of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based pulsed-wave Doppler processing approach in pure digital domain is reported in this paper. After the ultrasound signals are digitized, directional Doppler frequency shifts are obtained with a digital-down converter followed by a low-pass filter. A Doppler spectrum is then calculated using the complex fast Fourier transform core inside the FPGA. In this approach, a pulsed-wave Doppler implementation core with reconfigurable and real-time processing capability is achieved.     

Effect of a High Magnetic Field on the Shape of the γ' Precipitates in Cast Nickel-based Superalloy K52

The shape change of the γ' precipitates of cast Ni-based superalloy K52 after aging treatment under a high magnetic field was investigated.The results show that duplex γ' precipitates are present in the γ matrix after aging treatment with or without the magnetic field.One is the coarse particles with average size of 500 nm; the other is fine spherical γ' precipitates with average of 100 nm in diameter.The application of a 10T magnetic field only results in the shape of the coarse γ' particles changing from spherical to cuboidal when the alloys subjected to the same heat treatments.This shape change was mainly discussed based on the strain energy increase caused by the difference in magnetostriction between the γ matrix and γ' precipitates.The fine γ'particles still keep spherical.Further TEM observations shows that a number of γ particles in nano-scale precipitate in the coarse γ' particles in the specimens treated without the magnetic field.In addition, it was found that the magnetic field caused the decrease of the hardness in the alloy, and the hardness was associated with the field direction.     

A study on N2O catalytic decomposition over Co/MgO catalysts

Different oxide supported cobalt catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method and tested for the decomposition of nitrous oxide. Co/MgO with cobalt loading of 15% showed the best activity and a 100% N(2)O conversion was obtained at temperatures higher than 700 K. The active phase of cobalt species in Co/MgO catalysts was Co(3)O(4) highly dispersed in the matrices of MgO, based on XRD and XPS results as well as the kinetic analysis. The existence of NO, O(2) and H(2)O in reaction system showed different negative effects on N(2)O decomposition. Nevertheless, a 100% N(2)O conversion could be achieved at 800 K under simulated conditions of tail gas from nitric acid plant. Moreover, Co/MgO catalyst exhibited quite good durability and no obvious activity loss was observed in the 100 h stability test.     

Spatio-temporal dynamics of nutrients in the upper Han River basin, China

The upper Han River basin with an area of approximately 95,000 km(2), is the water source area of the Middle Route of China's South to North Water Transfer Project. Thus, water quality in the basin's river network is of great importance. Nutrients including dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), NO(3)(-)-N, NH(4)(+)-N, and dissolved phosphorus (DP) were analyzed in 41 sites during the period of 2005-2006. Cluster analysis (CA), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and general linear models (GLM) were performed to explore their spatio-temporal variations in the basin. The results revealed that the DIN, NO(3)(-)-N and NH(4)(+)-N increased over the 2 year study period, and their concentrations in the wet season was higher than those in the dry season. The seasonal variation in nitrogen was strongly associated with seasonal pattern of precipitation and there was a negative relationship between DP concentration and river flow. Cluster analysis indicated high nutrient contents in the urban and agricultural production areas. The research will help articulate water resource management strategy for the interbasin water transfer project.     

Permselectivity, Sensitivity, and Amperometric pH Sensing at Thioctic Acid Monolayer Microelectrodes

Gold fiber thioctic acid (TA) monolayer (thickness of ～8 ?) ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) have been fabricated and characterized. Gold fibers were acid etched in order to produce monolayers that can act as high-quality permselective membranes. The selectivity and sensitivity of the TA monolayer UMEs compares favorably to that of TA monolayers prepared on Au vacuum deposited on large (～1 cm(2) area) single-crystal silicon wafers. The results obtained here illustrate selectivity of the monolayer electrodes to electroinactive electrolyte anions, which participate indirectly in the electrode reaction, in addition to the previously established selectivity to electroactive cations and anions. The permselectivity of the monolayer to electrolyte anions can result in lower than expected steady-state currents at the monolayer UMEs, at the reaction potentials of fast-reacting analytes, and at high overpotentials for kinetically slow probes. Application of TA UMEs to amperometric pH sensing is also described in the determination of the pK(a) of TA at the monolayer surface. The method is compared with other methods of monolayer pK(a) measurements.     

High-resolution capillary isoelectric focusing-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for hemoglobin variants analysis

On-line capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF)-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS) as a two-dimensional separation system is employed for high-resolution analysis of hemoglobin variants A, C, S, and F. The effects of moving ionic boundary inside the CIEF capillary and MS scan rate on the separation resolution and mass detection of hemoglobin variants are investigated. The formation of a moving ionic boundary due to the replacement of background electrolyte counterions with sheath liquid counterions can be minimized by combining cathodic mobilization with a gravity-induced hydrodynamic flow. Hemoglobin variants F and A, with a pI difference of 0.05 pH unit, are almost baseline resolved and identified in CIEF-ESIMS. The concentration detection limit for each hemoglobin variant is in the range of 10(-)(8) M, comparable to that obtained in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using silver staining. Initial preconcentration during the focusing step and the use of single-ion monitoring scan mode are responsible for improving detection limits.     

Measurement error caused by speckle noise in heterodyne and quasi-heterodyne holographic interferometry

In heterodyne and quasi-heterodyne holographic interferometry, the measuring accuracy is limited by speckle noise. It is important to know the relation between measurement accuracy and speckle noise in both theory and application. This problem has been discussed in the past under the assumption that the speckle noise produces only a small measuring error. However, this assumption is not reasonable in practice. The effect of speckle noise on the measurement accuracy is analyzed by the use of a general statistical method. The results obtained reveal the general relation between the measuring accuracy and system parameters, and thus constitute important guidelines to the application of these techniques.