Plasmonic and photonic scattering and near fields of nanoparticles

We theoretically compare the scattering and near field of nanoparticles from different types of materials, each characterized by specific optical properties that determine the interaction with light: metals with their free charge carriers giving rise to plasmon resonances, dielectrics showing zero absorption in wide wavelength ranges, and semiconductors combining the two beforehand mentioned properties plus a band gap. Our simulations are based on Mie theory and on full 3D calculations of Maxwell’s equations with the finite element method. Scattering and absorption cross sections, their division into the different order electric and magnetic modes, electromagnetic near field distributions around the nanoparticles at various wavelengths as well as angular distributions of the scattered light were investigated. The combined information from these calculations will give guidelines for choosing adequate nanoparticles when aiming at certain scattering properties. With a special focus on the integration into thin film solar cells, we will evaluate our results.     

Development of a detailed kinetic model for gasoline surrogate fuels

A detailed chemical kinetic model to describe the autoignition of gasoline surrogate fuels is presented consisting of the fuels iso-octane, n-heptane, toluene, diisobutylene and ethanol. Model predictions have been compared with shock tube ignition delay time data for surrogates of gasoline over practical ranges of temperature and pressure, and the model has been found to be sensitive to both changes in temperature and pressure. Moreover, the model can qualitatively predict the observed synergistic and antagonistic non-linear blending behaviour in motor octane number (MON) for different combinations of primary reference fuels (PRFs) and non-PRFs by correlating calculated autoignition delay times from peak pressures and temperatures in the MON test to experimental MON values. The reasons for the blending behaviour are interpreted in terms autoignition chemistry.     

Effect of Heat Treatment on Antioxidant Capacity and Flavor Volatiles of Mead

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat processing on the antioxidant capacity of mead (honey wine). Soy and buckwheat honey musts were subjected to 2 heat treatments and fermented into wine. Total phenolic concentration was determined. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) phenolic profiling was performed on the methanol fraction of Amberlite extraction. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Changes in volatile components were evaluated by headspace-solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (H-SPME/GC-MS). ORAC values of experimental meads (3.62 m M Trolox equivalent) were comparable to those of commercial white wine (3.66 m M Trolox equivalent). No significant difference in antioxidant capacity due to heat treatment or honey type was observed. There was no difference in total phenolics between heat treatments in buckwheat mead; however, soy mead made from high-heated must had significantly greater phenolic concentration than the gently heated mead (α= 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity by ORAC ( r = 0.9077; P < 0.0001). HPLC analysis of phenolic profiles in the methanol fractions of Amberlite extraction of the meads indicated significantly higher levels of certain phenolics as a result of the high-heat process in buckwheat mead, but not in soy mead. Differences in volatile components that potentially impact flavor were noted between high and low heat treatments. Results of this study suggest dramatic heat treatments that are often avoided because their flavor impact in mead production have the potential to alter the antioxidant capacity of mead by changing phenolic profiles.     

A numerical and experimental investigation of simulated explosions inside a flow network

We will discuss the computer code EVENT, which can predict gas-dynamic transients in a flow network subjected to a simulated explosion. We also will present the results of an experiment using a real flow system that is injected with a high-pressure gas. The results from the code calculations and experiments are compared using a flow parameter such as pressure. We conclude that the numerical result matches the physical experiment quite closely.