The 'Conceptual Change In Science' project

Abstract This paper outlines the work of the Conceptual Change in Science project, funded as part of the ESRC InTER programme. The aims of this research project are to clarify and describe the process of change in learners' conceptual understandings of natural phenomena. The domain of reasoning selected for study is that of mechanics. Computer software which may be useful in exploring and developing pupils' reasoning and promoting conceptual change in this domain is being developed and evaluated. The group that is carrying out the research is based at the Universities of Leeds, Glasgow and the Open University.     

NiCoFe/C cathode electrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells

A direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC), which is less prone to ethanol crossover, is reported. The cell consists of PtRu/C catalyst as the anode, Nafion^® 117 membrane, and Ni–Co–Fe (NCF) composite catalyst as the cathode. The NCF catalyst was synthesized by mixing Ni, Co, and Fe complexes into a polymer matrix (melamine-formaldehyde resins), followed by heating the mixture at 800 °C under inert atmosphere. TEM and EDX experiments suggest that the NCF catalyst has alloy structures of Ni, Co and Fe. The catalytic activity of the NCF catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was compared with that of commercially available Pt/C (CAP) catalyst at different ethanol concentrations. The decrease in open circuit voltage (V_oc) of the DEFC equipped with the NCF catalysts was less than that of CAP catalyst at higher ethanol concentrations. The NCF catalyst was less prone to ethanol oxidation at cathode even when ethanol crossover occurred through the Nafion^®117 film, which prevents voltage drop at the cathode. However, the CAP catalyst did oxidize ethanol at the cathode and caused a decrease in voltage at higher ethanol concentrations.     

Direct synthesis and catalytic performance of ultralarge pore GaSBA-15 mesoporous molecular sieves with high gallium content

Mesoporous GaSBA-15 molecular sieves with different n_Si/n_Ga ratios have been directly synthesized using Pluronic 123 triblock polymer as a structure-directing agent by pH-adjusting method. The mesoporous materials have been characterized using ICP-AES, XRD, N₂ adsorption, ⁷¹Ga-MAS NMR, SEM and TEM. ICP-AES studies show a high amount of gallium incorporation on the silica pore walls. The structural and textural properties of calcined GaSBA-15 are characterized by XRD and N₂ adsorption. ⁷¹Ga MAS NMR results demonstrate that a high amount of tetrahedral-gallium could be substituted for Si in the framework of SBA-15. TEM and FE-SEM images show the uniform pore diameter and rope-like hexagonal mesoporous structure of GaSBA-15. These GaSBA-15 materials have been used as catalysts for vapour-phase t-butylation of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (DHB) for selective synthesis of 4-t-butylcatechol (4-TBC) under different reaction conditions. GaSBA-15(10) gave the highest 93.2% conversion of DHB and 95.7% selectivity of 4-TBC as compared with other GaSBA-15 catalysts.     

直接斜率波前复原算法的控制效果分析

建立自适应光学系统功率谱抑制函数的概念，分析了采用直接斜率波前复原算法的自适应当光学系统的控制效果，理论分析与６１单元自适应光学系统上的实验结果表明，直接斜率波前复原算法将导致控制效果下降。     

佛尔哈德法测定氯化除汞上清液中的氯量

控制pH4-6，用锌粉还原氯化除汞上清液中的汞（Ⅱ）离子，取置换后液加入过量的硝酸银标准溶液，以硫酸铁铵溶液作指示剂，用硫氰酸钾标准滴定溶液滴定来测定氯量。该方法的检出限：0．25mg／100mL，回收率：98％-101％。     

利用Visual C＋＋和Direct3D设计雷达显示器

利用Visual C＋＋和Direct3D对某雷达显示器的实现过程作了详细论述,包括数据采集、PPI型显示器、A型显示器、B型显示器、余晖显示、航迹显示等。通过试验证明,采用Direct3D绘图方式比采用GDI绘图方式效果好,更适用于数据处理量大、天线扫描速度快的雷达显示器。     

Pervaporation performance analysis and prediction—using a hybrid solution-diffusion and pore-flow model

A hybrid mathematic model for pervaporation is proposed which incorporates the concepts of solution-diffusion model and pore model. The model allows performance prediction as well as the establishment of the internal concentration and pressure profiles within the membrane. The model parameters specific to the particular membrane and mixture system are determined using liquid sorption and pervaporation experimental data. The model is experimentally examined using ethanol–water mixtures and poly(dimethyl siloxane)–poly(vinyldiene fluoride) (PDMS–PVDF) composite membranes. The characteristics of flux and separation factor predicted using the model are in fair agreement with the experimental data under various feed concentrations and downstream pressures for different membrane arrangements, including single-layer, reverse single-layer and double-layer PDMS–PVDF composite membranes. Internal profiles of pressure, concentration and component mole fraction can be established using the model. Concentration polarization phenomena for ethanol and water are located at membrane interfaces and vapor–liquid interfaces, respectively. Performances of several different membrane designs are compared using the model.     

Influence of the composition of the binder and the carbonation on the zeta potential values of hardened cementitious materials

Electroosmotic experiments have been carried out on eight different mixes of hardened cementitious matrixes including concrete, mortar and pastes, different types of binders, carbonated and non-carbonated specimens and different test conditions. From these trials, the zeta potential values have been determined and the optimum experimental parameters and devices have been established. In addition, the influence of the composition of the binder on the zeta potential has been quantified indicating that higher amounts of Al₂O₃ in the binder lead to higher positive values of zeta potential, while the SiO₂ acts just on the opposite side. This has been explained in terms of the different i.e.p. (isoelectric point) for both oxides. Concerning the influence of carbonation, it increases the absolute value of the zeta potential toward more negative values; this behaviour has been attributed to the influence of the specifically adsorbed Ca²⁺ in the negative sites of the surface in the non-carbonated samples.     

Thermodynamic assessment of MCl–YCl3 (M=Na,K, Rb,Cs) systems

Thermodynamic properties and phase diagrams of the MCl–YCl₃ (M=Na, K, Rb, Cs) systems were reassessed by using the CALPHAD method with the latest phase diagram data. A two-sublattice ionic solution model (M⁺)_P(Cl⁻, ${\mathrm{YCL}}_6^{3-}$, YCl₃)_Q reflecting the ionic behavior of the components was adopted to describe the liquid phase in the systems. A new set of optimized model parameters was found, and the calculated phase diagrams and enthalpies of mixing have good agreement with experimental data. The calculated liquidus near to YCl₃ side agrees much better with experimental data compared with previous work. In consideration of high and low temperature modifications as well as stability of intermediate compounds, Gibbs energies of formation of these compounds evaluated in the present work are more reasonable.     

A simple method to solve the forward displacement analysis of the general six-legged parallel manipulator

In this work a simple method to solve the forward displacement analysis of the general 6-6 fully parallel manipulator is applied. The method is based on generating closure equations upon the unknown coordinates of three points embedded to the moving platform. The method is easy to follow and it is available for both, planar and three-dimensional moving platforms. Numerical examples are included with the purpose to show the application of the method.