Electric field-assisted and field-depressed segregation of reactive metals to the bonding interface in braze alloy joining

Segregation of reactive metals at the bonding interface has been observed in various ceramic and/or metal joints bonded with reactive metal-bearing braze alloys. When a d.c. of 20 mAcm⁻² is applied to the ceramic/braze/ceramic system at a brazing temperature of, say, 1373 K, the electric field assists the segregation at the braze-ceramic interface on the cathode side and suppresses the segregation at the interface on the anode side. This may imply that reactive metal atoms in the braze can migrate as a cation. E.m.f. measurement on the ceramic (AIN or ZrB₂)-metal foil systems with increasing temperature shows that a negative e.m.f. to the ceramic pole appears from about 900 K for AIN and from 500 K for ZrB₂, as does the thermally stimulated current in polymers. These temperatures coincide well with those where the electrical conductivity of AIN and ZrB₂, respectively, begins to increase with increasing temperature. Therefore, it is considered that the polarization of the ceramics may take place and assist the migration, and consequently segregation, of reactive metals in braze alloys to the braze-ceramic interface during brazing.     

Construction of a brain–machine hybrid system to evaluate adaptability of an insect

Insects perform adaptive behavior according to changing environmental conditions using comparatively small brains. Because adaptability is generated through the relationship among brain, body and environment, it is necessary to examine how a brain works under these conditions. In this study, to understand neural processing involved in adaptive behavior, we constructed a brain–machine hybrid system using motor signals related to the steering behavior of the male silkworm moth for controlling a two-wheeled mobile robot. We developed this hybrid system according to the following steps. (1) We selected steering signals corresponding to walking direction that were activated during neck swinging induced by optic flow and pheromone stimuli. (2) To control a robot by neural activity, we implemented a spike-behavior conversion rule such that frequency of the left and right neck motor neurons’ spikes was linearly converted into rotation of the wheels. (3) For electrophysiological multi-unit recordings on a robot, we developed small amplifiers. Using this hybrid system, we could observe the programmed behavioral pattern and orientation toward a pheromone source. Moreover, we compared the orientation behavior of moths and that of the hybrid system at different pheromone stimulus frequencies. From these experiments, we concluded that we could reconstruct silkworm moth behavior on the hybrid system.     

Electro-oxidation of dimethyl ether on Pt/C and PtMe/C catalysts in sulfuric acid

The electro-oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) on PtMe/Cs (Me = Ru, Sn, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, and W) and Pt/C electro-catalysts were investigated in an aqueous half-cell, and compared to the methanol oxidation. The addition of a second metal enhanced the tolerance of Pt to the poisonous species during the DME oxidation reaction (DOR). The PtRu/C electro-catalyst showed the best electro-catalytic activity and the highest tolerance to the poisonous species in the low over-potential range (<0.55 V, 50 °C) among the binary electro-catalysts and the Pt/C, but at the higher potential (>ca. 0.55 V, 50 °C), the Pt/C behaved better than PtRu/C. The apparent activation energy for the DOR decreased in the order: PtRu/C (57 kJ mol⁻¹) > Pt₃Sn/C (48 kJ mol⁻¹) ≈ Pt/C (46 kJ mol⁻¹). On the other hand, the activation energy for the MOR showed a different turn, decreased in the following order: Pt/C (43 kJ mol⁻¹) > Pt₃Sn/C (35 kJ mol⁻¹) ≈ PtRu/C (34 kJ mol⁻¹). The temperature dependence of the DOR was greater than that of the oxidation of methanol (MOR) on the PtRu/C.     

Hypotensive effect of a sweetpotato protein digest in spontaneously hypertensive rats and purification of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides

We have investigated angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity in an enzyme digest of sweetpotato protein, the antihypertensive effect of the digest in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and the identification of an ACE inhibitory peptide. Protein was prepared from squeezed juice of sweetpotato by isoelectric focusing precipitation. Three kinds of proteases were selected for effective protein digestion. The digest, sweetpotato peptide (SPP), exhibited strong ACE inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 18.2 μg/ml). SPP was orally administered by gavage to SHR at a dose of 100 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg. The systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure were measured at 0 (before administration), 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after administration. A dose-dependent decrease in systolic blood pressure in SHR was observed after oral administration of SPP. Significant differences between SPP-administered rats and control rats were observed 4 and 8 h after administration in the 500 mg/kg-administered group and 8 h after administration in the 100 mg/kg-administered group. Diastolic blood pressure also decreased in the SPP-administered groups, although the difference between SPP-administered rats and control rats was not significant. These results suggest that SPP may be useful in the prevention or treatment of hypertension. Peptides with ACE inhibitory activity were purified from SPP by absorption chromatography and preparative HPLC using an ODS column. The amino acid sequences of isolated peptides were I-T-P, I-I-P, G-Q-Y and S-T-Y-Q-T; their ACE inhibitory activities (IC₅₀) were 9.5 μM, 80.8 μM, 52.3 μM and 300.4 μM, respectively. In conclusion, I-T-P is a novel, strong ACE inhibitory peptide.     

Evaluating a behavioral demand response trial in Japan: evidence from the summer of 2013

This paper presents results from a behavioral demand response trial targeted to both grid and residential peak hours, in which weekly feedback via paper-based reports, real-time feedback via an in-home display, 30-minute tiered rate, and email prompts are adopted to almost 230 residential customers of a condominium in Funabashi, a city located in Greater Tokyo. Through a randomized experiment, we find that the peak saving impact during grid peak hours (1–4 pm, weekdays only) was 11.6 %, given that all the four interventions provided all at once. In addition, the results show that the variation in peak saving effects by household characteristics exists, and the variation differs among packages of peak saving interventions. Furthermore, we analyzed how much informational elements in weekly reports are considered as useful by residential customers. These results suggest that feedback-based approaches for peak saving can promote households’ energy conservation behavior.     

Measurement method using coupled transmission lines for voltage transients on the distribution line

It is well known that voltage transients are caused by the operation of switchgears in a power system. The voltage transients travel along the power line as a traveling wave, and cause malfunction of electrical devices, communication systems, and the operational error of a control system. The voltage transients at the making operation of switchgear were examined to obtain the fundamental data for considering the immunity of communication systems used on a power system. However, it was difficult to observe the voltage transients using the potential transformer and the capacitance potential device because the transients were very rapid. Therefore, a measurement method using the coupled transmission line system is proposed to measure the high-speed and high-voltage transients, and the actual experimental results on the 6.9-kV power system are presented. This method enables the measurement of high-speed voltage transients in out of contact with the power system.     

Preparation method for supported metal catalysts using w/o microemulsion: Study on immobilization conditions of metal particles by hydrolysis of alkoxide

It was previously found that the silica-supported rhodium catalyst prepared using water-in-oil microemulsion had rhodium particles partly, or wholly, embedded in silica. In this work, consequently, we investigated the effect of hydrolysis conditions of tetraethylorthosilicate, employed as the source of silica, on the atomic ratio of surface rhodium in contact with the gas phase, to total surface rhodium of nanoparticles. This ratio is denoted as R in this paper. R became higher when the catalyst was prepared under the following hydrolysis conditions: a shorter hydrolysis time and a smaller amount of tetraethylorthosilicate. On the other hand, R showed the minimum value when the water content in the preparation solution was 33 vol%. From these results, it is demonstrated that it was important to form silica as early as possible in hydrolysis of TEOS in order to increase R values. In addition, the effect of R on the catalytic behavior in CO hydrogenation was investigated. At R values below 30%, the turnover frequencies increased with a decrease in R.     

Frequency spectra of the arc current due to opening electriccontracts in air

Frequency spectra of the electromagnetic noise due to arc current caused by Ag contacts upon opening in air at atmospheric pressure are described. To take into consideration the fast transients and high-frequency discharge phenomena at the contacts, a distributed constant model consisting of relay contacts and a coaxial distributed constant line is introduced. An experiment carried out under conditions of low circuit current (3.84 A) and low source voltage (48 V) is reported. The results indicate that the frequency spectra of the arc currents depends on the length and terminal conditions of the line connected to the contacts     

Influence of sputtering power on oxygen reduction reaction activity of zirconium oxides prepared by radio frequency reactive sputtering

Zirconium oxides (ZrO_2−x) have been investigated as new cathodes for direct methanol fuel cells without platinum. ZrO_2−x films were prepared using a radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at RF powers from 75 to 175 W. The influence of the RF power on the catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and properties of the ZrO_2−x films were examined. The ORR activity of the ZrO_2−x catalyst increased with the RF power in the range we studied. The onset potential for ORR over ZrO_2−x deposited at 175 W was 0.88 V vs RHE. In addition, the relationship between the ORR activity and the composition, crystallinity, electric conductivity, as well as the ionization potential has been investigated. The zirconium oxide with an oxygen defected state and the higher electric conductivity showed the higher ORR activity, and the electrocatalytic activity for ORR increased with the decreasing in the ionization potential of the ZrO_2−x catalyst.