Sensitivity of an anadically oxidized aluminium film on a surface acoustic wave sensor to humidity

The sensitivity, transient response and sensitivity mechanism of a surface acoustic wave humidity sensor using porous anodically oxidized aluminium (alumina) films as mechanical interfaces have been studied theoretically and experimentally. It is found that the sensitivity of alumina films of 1.0 μm thickness is -0.034 m/(s %RH) and is the same order as that of polyimide films. The transient response of alumina films to humidity is about one order faster than that of polyimide films. For the sensitivity mechanism, the phase-velocity change is attributed to the mechanical perturbation caused by the absorption of water molecules. The equivalent density change of alumina films between 0 and 100%RH is about 0.7%. In addition, the actual stiffness constants of alumina films are two orders less than those of bulk alumina.     

Carbonization of coals to produce anisotropic cokes. 1. Modifying activities of some additives in the co-carbonization of low-rank coals

Using low-rank coals, the modifying activities of some petroleum, coal tar and aromatic hydrocarbon additives have been examined to find procedures for their utilization in the preparation of blast furnace coke. Petroleum pitch, especially after hydrogenation, exhibited excellent modifying activity even with non-fusible coals. In contrast, the activity of coal tar was very limited with such coals. The napththenic component, revealed by n.m.r. of the additives, appears to be important in the co-carbonization by inducing fusibility and anisotropic development in such coals. Co-carbonization to recover the dehydrogenated additives was attempted. However, there was no development of the anisotropy in the resultant coke by dissolution of the coal particles although the coal particles were firmly fixed in the matrix. Acid-refluxing treatment of non-fusible coals was found to enhance their modification susceptibility, indicating that some of the acid-soluble mineral matter is important in the thermal depolymerization or fusion process of the coal.     

Properties of aqueous solutions of several salts of α,ω-alkanediol disulfates

Several salts of α,ω-sulfates, MO₃SO(CH₂)_n OSO₃M(n=12, 14, 16, 18, and M=Li, Na, and K) were prepared from the corresponding α,ω-alkane diols. The Krafft points of these α,ω-sulfates with common counterion as estimated by electroconductivity measurements increased with the increase of the hydrocarbon chain length, and the effect of the counterions on the Krafft points of the α,ω-sulfates with the same hydrocarbon chain length was in the order : Li<Na<K. Solutions of the α,ω-sulfates, except disodium dodecanediol disulfate, showed two break points corresponding to the first and second critical micelle concentration in each plot of the electroconductivity as a function of the concentration. The existence of the second break point suggested that another aggregation of rearrangement of the existing aggregates occurs in α,ω-sulfate solutions in addition to the usual micelle formation. The first and second break points of α,ω-sulfates with sodium counterion decreased logarithmically with increasing total number of methylene groups. The relationships were given as follows: log(first break point)=−0.138Nc−0.095; log(second break point)=−0.104Nc−0.251. The effect of the counterions upon the break points of α,ω-sulfates with the same hydrocarbon chain length was in accordance with their positions in the lyotropic series.     

Aspects of gasification and structure in cokes from coals

Cokes were prepared from nine coals of different rank and characterized by surface area measurement, reactivity to carbon dioxide at 1473K and Raman-laser spectroscopy. Rates of gasification of cokes on a unit surlface area basis (K¹ = g m^?2 min^?1) decreased with increasing rank of parent coal based on maximum oil reflectances. However rates of gasification could not be related to coke structure as measured by Raman-laser spectroscopy.     

Liquefaction of subbituminous coals under apparently non-hydrogenative conditions

Reactivities of several coals of different ranks have been examined in degrading extractions with aromatic solvents under apparently non-hydrogenative reaction conditions. Pyrene and A240 pitch liquefied the fusible coals in high yields and the slightly-fusible coals in moderate yields, indicating the importance of fusibility in such liquefaction processes. A240-LS pitch is a powerful solvent for slightly-fusible coals. Considerable amounts of pyridine- or THF-soluble fractions were produced especially with A240-LS pitch. A240 pitch is a better solvent than pyrene for some slightly-fusible coals. However, the extent of depolymerization of liquefied coal, pyridine- or THF-solubility, was definitely inferior. Yields of such fractions are higher for lower-rank coals. The mechanism of coal liquefaction under apparently non-hydrogenative conditions is discussed with emphasis on the stabilization of thermal fragments derived from the coal.     

Materials for global carbon dioxide recycling

CO₂ emissions, which induce global warming, increase with the development of economic activity. It is impossible to decrease the CO₂ emissions by suppression of the economic activity. Global CO₂ recycling can solve this problem. The global CO₂ recycling consists of three district: The electricity is generated by solar cells on deserts. At desert coasts, the electricity is used for H₂ production by seawater electrolysis and H₂ is used for CH₄ production by the reaction with CO₂. CH₄ which is the main component of liquefied natural gas is liquefied and transported to energy consuming districts where CO₂ is recovered, liquefied and transported to the desert coasts. A CO₂ recycling plant for substantiation of our idea has been built on the roof of the Institute for Materials Research in 1996. Key materials necessary for the global CO₂ recycling are the anode and cathode for seawater electrolysis and the catalyst for CO₂ conversion. All of them have been tailored by us. They have very high activity and selectivity for necessary reactions in addition to excellent durability. A pilot plant consisting of minimum units in an industrial scale is going to be built in three years.     

An integrated procedure for three‐dimensional structural analysis with the finite cover method

In this paper an integrated procedure for three‐dimensional (3D) structural analyses with the finite cover method (FCM) is introduced. In the pre‐process of this procedure, the geometry of a structure is modelled by 3D‐CAD, followed by digitization to have the corresponding voxel model, and then the structure is covered by a union of mathematical covers, namely a mathematical mesh independently generated for approximation purposes. Since the mesh topology in the FCM does not need to conform to the physical boundaries of the structure, the mesh can be regular and structured. Thus, the numerical analysis procedure is free from the difficulties mesh generation typically poses and, in this sense, enables us to realize the mesh‐free analysis. After formulating the FCM with interface elements for the static equilibrium state of a structure, we detail the procedure of the finite cover modelling, including the geometry modelling with 3D‐CAD and the identification of the geometry covered by a regular mesh for numerical integration. Prior to full 3D modelling and analysis, we present a simple numerical example to confirm the equivalence of the performance of the FCM and that of the standard finite element method (FEM). Finally, representative numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed analysis procedure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Water‐Soluble Mechanochromic Luminescent Pyrene Derivative Exhibiting Recovery of the Initial Photoluminescence Color in a High‐Humidity Environment

Switching of the luminescence properties of molecular materials in response to mechanical stimulation is of fundamental interest and also has a range of potential applications. Herein, a water‐soluble mechanochromic luminescent pyrene derivative having two hydrophilic dendrons is reported. This pyrene derivative is the first example of a mechanochromic luminescent organic compound that responds to relative humidity. Mechanical stimulation (grinding) of this pyrene derivative in the solid state results in a change of the photoluminescence from yellow to green. Subsequent exposure to water vapor induces recovery of the initial yellow photoluminescence. The color change is reversible through at least ten cycles. It is also demonstrated that this compound can be applied as a mechano‐sensing material in frictional wear testing for grease, owing to its immiscibility in non‐polar solvents and its non‐crystalline behavior. Transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope observations of samples prepared from dilute aqueous solutions of the pyrene derivative on suitable substrates, together with dynamic light scattering measurements for the compound in aqueous solution, indicate that this amphiphilic dumbbell‐shaped molecule forms micelles in water.     

Fabrication of Functionally Graded SiO2‐Mo Material by Centrifugation and Floc‐Casting of Highly Concentrated Slurry

To fabricate functionally graded materials, a highly concentrated slurry of SiO₂‐Mo system was prepared and centrifugal force was applied in an attempt to achieve a graded composition. Subsequently, we formed a homogeneous green body with compositional gradation by floc‐casting at 80°C, which was then fired at 1750°C for 10 min in Ar. The sintered body had compositional ratios of SiO₂ and Mo as well as electrical conductivities that changed gradually along the direction of centrifugal force. The results demonstrate that centrifugation and control of slurry characteristics such as flocculation are effective in fabricating functionally graded SiO₂‐Mo materials.     

Modifying ability of Ql-free coal-tar pitch to develop optical anisotropy in co-carbonizations

Carbonization properties of a Ql-free coal-tar pitch (CTP-ASM) prepared by selective precipitation were studied to evaluate it as a source for needle-coke. Its modifying ability for production of needlecoke in co-carbonizations with principal carbonizing substances which gave cokes of mozaic texture in single carbonizations was estimated by changing mixing ratios. The shape and size of the anisotropic optical texture in the co-carbonized coke were measured by point counting. CTP-ASM and Ashland A240, of eight additives, had the highest modifying ability in the co-carbonizations with Khafji vacuum residue. Both contained ca. 6% benzene-insolubles (Bl), and had f_a values of ≈0.9. Other additives of either lower or higher Bl or f_a showed less modifying ability. The modifying susceptibility of principal carbonizing substances varies with their structure and properties. Based on a systematic investigation of co-carbonizations the compatibility between a principal carbonizing substance and an additive is discussed from a viewpoint of their structural parameters.