Imaging biofilm in porous media using X-ray computed microtomography

In this study, a new technique for three-dimensional imaging of biofilm within porous media using X-ray computed microtomography is presented. Due to the similarity in X-ray absorption coefficients for the porous media (plastic), biofilm and aqueous phase, an X-ray contrast agent is required to image biofilm within the experimental matrix using X-ray computed tomography. The presented technique utilizes a medical suspension of barium sulphate to differentiate between the aqueous phase and the biofilm. Potassium iodide is added to the suspension to aid in delineation between the biofilm and the experimental porous medium. The iodide readily diffuses into the biofilm while the barium sulphate suspension remains in the aqueous phase. This allows for effective differentiation of the three phases within the experimental systems utilized in this study. The behaviour of the two contrast agents, in particular of the barium sulphate, is addressed by comparing two-dimensional images of biofilm within a pore network obtained by (1) optical visualization and (2) X-ray absorption radiography. We show that the contrast mixture provides contrast between the biofilm, the aqueous-phase and the solid-phase (beads). The imaging method is then applied to two three-dimensional packed-bead columns within which biofilm was grown. Examples of reconstructed images are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the method. Limitations and applications of the technique are discussed. A key benefit, associated with the presented method, is that it captures a substantial amount of information regarding the topology of the pore-scale transport processes. For example, the quantification of changes in porous media effective parameters, such as dispersion or permeability, induced by biofilm growth, is possible using specific upscaling techniques and numerical analysis. We emphasize that the results presented here serve as a first test of this novel approach; issues with accurate segmentation of the images, optimal concentrations of contrast agents and the potential need for use of synchrotron radiation sources need to be addressed before the method can be used for precise quantitative analysis of biofilm geometry in porous media.     

Two-level noise generator for the 0.05 to 3.5 GHz frequency range

Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 8, pp. 46–47, August, 1989.     

高合金化Al-Zn-Mg-Cu系7049A合金的连续冷却析出图

研究了所有有技术价值的冷却速率范围内7049A铝合金的析出行为。冷却速率从接近平衡冷却时的慢速条件变化到形成完全超饱和固溶体的高速率,跨越了7个数量级（0．0005到5000K／s）。7049A铝合金连续冷却析出行为采用差热分析（DSC）、扫描电镜（SEM）和维氏硬度测量相结合的方法记录。冷却速率在0．0005到4K／s时,对高合金化、高强度和高淬火敏感性的变形铝合金7049A从固溶温度下的淬火析出行为采用传统的DSC方法研究。在此冷却速率范围内,至少观察到了两个放热反应：一个是在很窄的温度区间430～450℃内的高温反应;另外一个是最低到200℃且范围很宽的低温反应。这两个反应的强度随着冷却速率的增高而降低。采用快速差热分析（DFSC）和差分再加热方法（DRM）对合金淬火冷却速率从慢速到数千K／s时的析出行为进行了研究。该合金不析出沉淀相时的临界淬火速率为100～300K／s。     

Reduction of MoO3 by Zn: Reducer migration phenomena

Self-sustaining reduction of MoO₃ by zinc was investigated. To optimize process parameters thermodynamic analysis was performed. It was shown that zinc migration from the reacting zone takes place at definite conditions. Experimental parameters (e.g. sample density and diameter and gas pressure) influencing on process conditions and product characteristics were revealed. Molybdenum powder with 0.1–1 μm particle size was produced at the optimal conditions. Oxidation onset of obtained powder was found to be 250 °C.     

Method of Parametric Optimization of Nonlinear Continuous Systems of Joint Estimation and Control

Journal of Computer and Systems Sciences International - A synthesis problem for the optimal control on average of a bunch of trajectories of a nonlinear deterministic dynamic system that...