High-resolution photoelastic pressure sensor using low-birefringence fiber

The effect of birefringence induced in a single-mode fiber by a lateral force has been applied to measure the absolute value of force or pressure with high resolution. A sensor configuration with an extended detecting surface has been investigated by means of calibrated weights. The sensor is sensitive to an incremental force of 2 x 10(-3) N, independently of the length of the fiber. The maximum force applied was 10 N/m of fiber length.     

High-temperature creep and structure investigation of nearly stoichiometric Fe3Si

Single crystals of nearly stoichiometric Fe₃Si were creep-deformed at temperatureT = 450 to 850° C and applied stress=40 to 250 MPa. While the temperature dependence of the steady-state creep rate of crystals with less than 25 at% Si can be described by an exponential function exp (–H _exp/kT), the Fe-26 at% Si samples show an exponential dependence only below 500° C and above 600° C. At intermediate temperatures the dependence is weak. It is suggested that in this intermediate range two phases exist. The experimental results are consistent with the assumption that the phase boundaries do not hinder dislocation movement, and that the disocation velocity in the two phases is different.     

Computergestützte Frühwarn- und Entscheidungssysteme

Zusammenfassung Die massive Bedrohung durch Nuklearwaffen, die den Supermächten die Möglichkeit zur Auslöschung allen Lebens auf der Erde geben, erfordert eine Entscheidungsfindung oftmals innerhalb weniger Minuten. Dies hat beide Seiten zum Aufbau von Frühwarn- und Entscheidungssystemen (FWES) veranlaßt, durch deren Einsatz ein atomarer Angriff noch innerhalb der Raketenflugzeit erkannt werden soll. In diesem FWES spielt die Verarbeitung und Weiterleitung von Informationen durch den Computer eine kriegsentscheidende Rolle: Die Informatik ist zu einer der wichtigsten Grundlagenwissenschaften in der Rüstungsforschung geworden. Dieser Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über die Funktionsweise computergestützter FWES und zeigt Fehlerquellen auf, die es möglich und sogar wahrscheinlich machen, daß eine Verkettung unglücklicher Umstände zu einem Nuklearkrieg aus Versehen führen kann.

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Liste der Abkürzungen ANMCC Alternate National Military Command Center - BMWES Ballistic Missile Early Warning System - CSS Communication System Segment - EMP Elektromagnetischer Puls - FWES Frühwarn- und Entscheidungssystem - ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile - JCS Joint Chief of Staff - NCS NORAD Computer System - NMCC National Military Command Center - NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command Center - PAC Pacific Command - PARCS Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System - SAC Strategic Air Command - SCC Space Computational Center - SLBM Submarine-launched Ballistic Missiles - WWMCCS World Wide Military Command and Control System     

Electrolytical fission at mercury cathodes of an NO single bond in ethers derived from 1-hydroxybenzo(d)-1,2,3-triazoles

The single NO bond in various ethers derived from 1-hydroxybenzo(d)-1,2,3-triazoles is reduced at mercury cathodes in a 2-electron process giving rise to the non-substituted benzotriazole and a corresponding primary alcohol. Controlled-potential electrolysis actually resulted in isolating the products of the above type eg benzotriazole and 2-piperidinoethanol. Cathodic reduction of non-substituted benzotriazole in acid media proceeds evidently via a chemical reaction between benzotriazole and hydrogen obtained by the catalytic reduction of hydrogen ions at the mercury electrode.     

Formation of Polymeric Lewis Acid–Lewis Base Complexes with Well-defined Organoboron Polymers

The binding of Lewis bases to organoboron polymeric Lewis acids has been studied and the parameters that determine the complexation equilibrium have been investigated, which include (i) the strength of the individual Lewis acids and Lewis bases, (ii) concentration, and (iii) temperature. While the strongly Lewis acidic borane polymers poly(4-bis(pentafluorophenyl)borylstyrene) (PS-BPf) and poly(4-(di-2-thienylboryl)styrene) (PS-BTh) form isolable complexes with strong Lewis bases such as 4-t-butylpyridine (^tPy), a temperature dependent equilibrium is established with weaker bases such as THF. Similarly, the weakly Lewis acidic boronate polymer poly(4-diethoxyborylstyrene) (PS-BOEt) undergoes a temperature dependent equilibrium with the strong Lewis base 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), while poly(4-pinacolatoborylstyrene) (PS-BPin) does not significantly bind to pyridine bases. Decomplexation of PS-BTh· ^t Py is achieved by treatment with the stronger Lewis acid, B(C₆F₅)₃, thereby confirming the reversible nature of the polymeric Lewis acid–base adducts. This paper is dedicated to Professor Ian Manners in gratitude of his guidance throughout the years and recognition of his scientific accomplishments     

Tailoring of Surfaces with Ultrathin Layers for Controlled Binding of Biopolymers and Adhesion and Guidance of Cells

Various strategies are described for the bio-functionalization of solid substrates by design of interfacial architectures. The first approach is based on the self-assembly process of long-chain thiol molecules from solution to a (noble) metal surface. If some of these building blocks carry a binding site (ligand) for proteins (receptors, antibodies, etc.) the metal surface can be tailored for maximum specific binding while simultaneously minimizing nonspecific adsorption. The second concept is based on polymers that are covalently attached to (oxide) surfaces. The preparation of these (end-) grafted functional polymers involves either the binding of preformed macromolecules to corresponding sites at the surface of the support or the recently introduced “grafting-from” method, by which an initiator molecule is first covalently bound to the surface and then activated — either by heat or light — in the presence of suitable monomer units such that a polymer chain grows from the solid/solution interface. Finally, the functionalization of patterned surfaces by peptide chains that mimic the binding domains of cell adhesion proteins is summarized. It is demonstrated that not only the selective adhesion of neuronal cells can then be controlled, but also their development with the outgrowth of dendrites and axons.     

Evaluation of UF and RO in a cellulose saccharification process

The applications of membrane separation within the bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials to ethanol are studied, and this paper reports on cellulolytic enzyme recovery, and reduction of the product inhibition. The conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose to hexoses and pentoses is carried out in a laboratory scale UF-membrane reactor, and the sugars, which have an inhibiting effect on the enzymes, are continuously removed with the permeate. By optimizing the space velocity, the enzyme inhibition is minimized and the rate of hydrolysis is significantly increased.The recovery of the enzymes has also been investigated with regard to their mechanical stability and adsorption on the substrate. Prior to enzymatic hydrolysis, the raw material is subjected to a pretreatment to make the cellulose more accessible to the enzymes, and the effect of the pretreatment can easily be evaluated in the UF-membrane reactor.As a result of the continuous removal of products formed in the hydrolysis, the permeate has a low content of fermentable sugars, and to give the optimal conditions for the fermentation a concentration step is needed. Different RO-membranes are tested in a laboratory scale batch cell to be able to choose a membrane material, fit for filtration in larger modules.     

A new method for measuring the transfer of oxygen in liquids. MeasurementS of oxygen transfer from bubbles in water and in water + 1-butanol

At the base of a column of liquid 20 cm in diameter and well over 1 m in height, oxygen bubbles of constant volume were formed and released with a frequency of approximately one bubble per second. Measurements were carried out on bubbles with volumes ranging from 0·2 to 2 cm³. The mass transfer per bubble was determined by measuring the increase in oxygen concentration of the liquid phase with an oxygen electrode and counting the number of bubbles. The results were reproducible within 3 per cent, and it is probable that still better results are attainable with this method.The measurements were initially performed in distilled water to test the apparatus. Later, water—butanol mixtures were employed in order to determine the influence of butanol on the mass transfer. The results of the latter experiments have been checked with a theory published previously [23, 24]. Theory and results appear to be in satisfactory agreement.     

Oligomerization of phenyl glycidyl ether in the presence of ZnCl2

Summary In the presence of ZnCl₂ phenyl glycidyl ether reacts to different products owing to the ring-opening reaction of the oxirane and the cleavage of the ether bond. Using HPLC and offline mass spectrometry most of the reaction products could be identified.A reaction scheme and the supposed reaction mechanism were described involving the formation of chlorine — containing oligomers and low molecular weight by — products resulting from the cleavage of the ether bond of the monomer. Conclusions were drawn for original polyfunctional epoxy resin systems.