Modification of oxidizing activity of Thiobacillus ferroxidans by some particulate solids

Different particulate solids such as glass powder, various types of activated carbon and bentonite suspended in Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cultures produce very different effects on the oxidizing activity of the microorganism. The atmospheric oxygen uptake by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in Warburg respirometer flasks containing 9K medium with ferrous sulfate as energy source and suspended bentonite is 2.8 times that in the absence of solids. The dissolution rate of pure pyrite in 250 cm³ shake flasks containing 9K medium and bentonite is considerably enhanced over that where the only solid phase is pyrite. Conversely, the oxidizing ability of the microorganism seems to be inhibited by all the activated carbons tested. The effect of ground glass seems to be related to its particle size distribution. Implications for the bioleaching of sulfide ores and coal pyrite are discussed in the light of current knowledge on the adsorption of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cells on solid surfaces.     

Alkaline fuel cells: contemporary advancement and limitations

ZeTek Power recently introduced mass manufacturable and cost effective alkaline fuel cells on the market. Today's research is focused on further improvement both in terms of performance increase and cost reduction. This research is classically performed using small (4 cm²) experimental electrodes in the half-cell configuration. This allows the primary electrochemical losses in an anode or cathode to be determined independently. Additional performance losses occur when one integrates large electrodes into a module of 24 cells and in a stack comprised of many modules. By comparing the performance of half-cell experiments to that of modules, these losses can be distinguished and addressed. The information thus obtained, both for the small electrodes and in up-scaling is vital if one is to identify the key areas in which improvement is possible and where to focus future research. Furthermore, the identification of the losses in a module and system allows us to predict the final performance from half-cell measurements of a new laboratory scale experimental electrode.     

Exploring single electrode reactions in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Utilising a pseudo-reference electrode in polymer electrolyte fuel cells allows for the separation of anodic and cathodic contributions to the entire cell impedance. Modelling the impedance responses by using equivalent circuits inhibits the investigation of kinetic parameters of the basic electrochemical reactions, which take place at single electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Therefore, we evaluate single electrode impedance measurements by a kinetic model, which is based on specific reaction pathways, either for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). As a consequence, it is possible to obtain kinetic parameters for the specific reaction of interest. Furthermore, the information gained from the single electrode impedance measurements and the kinetic model can give insight into single reactions steps. In particular, the ORR has to include a chemical step in the reaction pathway.     

Biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene sulfone by Arthrobacter sp. and studies with oxidized Illinois No. 6 coal

A bacterium identified as Arthrobacter sp. was grown on dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone as a sole source of sulfur, producing sulfite and sulfate. Sulfur in DBT sulfone (1.0 mM) was nearly quantitatively converted to sulfate by the organism. The organism could also use DBT sulfone as a sole source of carbon and energy. There was evidence for transient accumulation of benzoic acid in the culture medium after growth of the cells slowed. The DBT sulfoxide analogue 9-fluorenone was converted by resting cells to a product identified as 1,10-dihydroxy-1,10-dihydrofluoren-9-one, suggesting that DBT sulfone may be metabolized via an angular hydroxylation resulting in carbon- sulfur bond cleavage. This strain of Arthrobacter showed no ability to desulfurize oxidized Illinois No. 6 coal.     

Lithium/V6O13 cells using silica nanoparticle-based composite electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of Li/V₆O₁₃ cells is investigated at room temperature (22 °C) both in liquid electrolyte consisting of oligomeric poly(ethyleneglycol)dimethylether+lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonylimide) and composite electrolytes formed by blending the liquid electrolyte with silica nanoparticles (fumed silica). The addition of fumed silica yields a gel-like electrolyte that demonstrates the desirable property of suppressing lithium dendrite growth due to the rigidity and immobility of the electrolyte structure. The lithium/electrolyte interfacial resistance for composite gel electrolytes is less than that for the corresponding base-liquid electrolyte, and the charge-discharge cycle performance and electrochemical efficiency for the Li/V₆O₁₃ cell is significantly improved. The effect of fumed silica surface group on the electrochemical performance is discussed; the native hydrophilic silanol surface group appears better than fumed silica that is modified with a hydrophobic octyl surface moiety.     

Preparation of micro-patterned surfaces of Si-N-O films and their influence on adhesion behavior of endothelial cells

Microgrooves were prepared on Si(100) surface by photolithography and wet etching.Subsequently,Si-N-O films were deposited on the microgrooves by unbalanced magnetron sputtering(UBMS) and micro-patterned surfaces of Si-N-O films were obtained.The size of the micropatterns was measured by surface profilometer.The chemical composition of Si-N-O films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry(XPS) and the wettability of the micropatterned surfaces was evaluated by contact angle measurement.The beh...     

米曲霉在牛乳中最适生长条件的研究

利用米曲霉对牛乳进行发酵,通过单因子及正交试验以菌丝体干重为指标对其在牛乳中的生长进行了研究．结果表明：接种量为4％,装液量为30mL,摇床转速为180r／min时菌丝体干重可达到最大．此外测得最大菌丝体干重时的蛋白质分解率可达35．6％．     

五氯酚在厌氧生物体系中的降解及反馈作用

为探讨厌氧系统降解五氯酚(PCP)能力及PCP对厌氧系统的毒性影响,采用UASB反应器进行了PCP模拟污水连续流试验,考察了不同PCP浓度及负荷条件下系统对PCP和COD的降解去除规律,揭示了PCP对系统产酸相和产甲烷相影响状况.结果表明,在进水PCP含量从无到开始加入、PCP浓度提高以及PCP负荷提高3个冲击变化阶段,厌氧系统对PCP和COD的去除率均表现出先迅速降低后缓慢升高的变化趋势,运行稳定后PCP和COD的去除率分别达91.2%和83.5%以上.PCP对厌氧系统中微生物种群产生影响,使系统产酸菌由丁酸型菌群为主逐渐演替为丙酸型菌群为主,PCP对系统产甲烷菌活性产生明显抑制,甲烷产量由PCP加入前的12.1L/d降低至加入后的2.5L/d.     

Electrochemical and microstructural characterization of cyclic redox behaviour of SOFC anodes

The oxidation of Ni to NiO in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode will result in large bulk volume change, which may change the interfaces of the two phases in the anode cermet and thus may cause significant performance degradation. The reduction and oxidation (redox) of the Ni/YSZ cermet were studied at 800 ℃. Anodic polarization measurements were performed before and after redox cycles. The anode current density at an overpotential of 100 mV kept decreasing during the whole redox treatment. It decreased from 19.11 to 7.95 mA·cm-2 after two redox cycles. Anode supported unit cell was assembled for cell's discharge measurements. Cell performance declined after each redox cycle. The maximum power density decreased from 126.28 to 40.32 mW·cm-2 . The microstructural changes after redox cycling were recorded using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that after re-oxidation, the Ni gets coarse and has a higher porosity; the nickel network structure turns to be desultory.     

IMPROVEMENT ON FATIGUE LIFE OF ALLOY LY12CZ AFTER LASER RADIATION AND ITS DAMAGE EVOLUTION

The change of microstructure of fatigue specimens before and after laser radiation was studiedby transmission electron microscopy.The results show that the diameter of dislocation cell λtends to a constant at fatigue failure.Based on the principles of continuous damagemechanics,expressions of the fatigue damage criterion and processes of fatigue damage evolu-tion for L Y12CZ have been derived.