Alumina-supported catalysts for propane oxidative dehydrogenation from mixed VXM(6−X)O19 (M=W, Mo) hexametalate precursors

γ-Al₂O₃ supported vanadium oxides were modified by tungsten and molybdenum oxides in order to improve dispersion and selectivity towards olefins in propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Both vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum catalysts were obtained by adsorption of mixed isopolyanions (VW₅O₁₉⁵⁻, V₂W₄O₁₉⁴⁻, VMo₅O₁₉⁵⁻ and V₂Mo₄O₁₉⁴⁻) from aqueous solutions. The isopolyanion solutions were characterized by UV-Vis and ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Vanadium, vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum precursors and catalysts were also characterized by UV-Vis (diffuse reflectance) and solid state ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. An improved selectivity to propene in the presence of tungsten and molybdenum in VO_x/γ-Al₂O₃ was observed and attributed to dilution of vanadium by tungsten or molybdenum oxides on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface.     

Recovery of gold cyanide using inherently conducting polymers

Removal of gold from basic solutions containing [Au(CN)₂]^? has been demonstrated using the inherently conducting polymer polypyrrole. Polymers containing sulfonated aromatic dopants have been found to display a significant ability to remove gold from such solutions. Experiments performed in solutions containing both gold and copper cyanide complexes indicate that the recovery process is not highly selective. However, the polypyrroles used display significantly faster rates of gold recovery than activated carbon. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nondegenerate Phase-Locking of a Semiconductor Laser by Sideband Injection

A semiconductor laser rate equation theory is presented that describes sideband injection locking under both weak optical injection and current modulation. By simultaneous optical injection and current modulation, control of both the phase and the frequency of a semiconductor laser is demonstrated. The phase-locked semiconductor laser operates at a different frequency to the optical injection source, with a frequency-difference given by the current modulation frequency. This method can be used to produce broadband sources, such as those producing ultrashort pulses and those required for coherent control, or to create high-frequency electronic oscillator sources with phase control by interference beating     

Scientific and artistic investigation of multi-dimensional fractals on the AT & T pixel machine

The pipelined architecture and parallel organization of the AT&T Pixel Machine image computer are described and demonstrated with applications for the visualization of multidimensional fractals, particularly linear fractals and quaternion/ stacked Julia sets. Techniques for pushing the Pixel Machine to its peak abilities are described and apply to more recent parallel image computers as well.     

Revising deductive knowledge and stereotypical knowledge in a student model

A user/student model must be revised when new information about the user/student is obtained. But a sophisticated user/student model is a complex structure that contains different types of knowledge. Different techniques may be needed for revising different types of knowledge. This paper presents a student model maintenance system (SMMS) which deals with revision of two important types of knowledge in student models: deductive knowledge and stereotypical knowledge. In the SMMS, deductive knowledge is represented by justified beliefs. Its revision is accomplished by a combination of techniques involving reason maintenance and formal diagnosis. Stereotypical knowledge is represented in the Default Package Network (DPN). The DPN is a knowledge partitioning hierarchy in which each node contains concepts in a sub-domain. Revision of stereotypical knowledge is realized by propagating new information through the DPN to change default packages (stereotypes) of the nodes in the DPN. A revision of deductive knowledge may trigger a revision of stereotypical knowledge, which results in a desirable student model in which the two types of knowledge exist harmoniously.     

Studies of elemental distributions within discrete coal macerals: Use of secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Secondary ion mass spectrometry has been used to measure qualitatively the distributions of many trace and minor elements within some well-characterized coal macerals: vitrinite, fusinite and exinite. Complementary information was obtained by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Within the vitrinite specimens studied, a widely-dispersed largely inorganic aluminosilicate phase was identified, which contained a number of other trace elements. By contrast, within the organic-rich phase of this macerai, titanium was detected in a very even distribution; this suggests that some titanium may be bonded in an organic complex. The fusinite was shown to contain elevated concentrations of calcium, magnesium and fluorine, dispersed over a large portion of the maceral. The high fluorine content could be identified as an organo-fluoro compound using XPS. Exinite was found to contain lower concentrations of most elements, compared to other macerals. The organic composition of this maceral was significantly different from that of surrounding macerals; this could be seen from the enhanced emission of the C₂H₂-secondary ion and images of this ion thus clearly outlined the position of such macerals.