Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Cathode Grade on Sludge Formation at the Cathode Block-Aluminum Interface of Hall–Héroult Cells

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - The presence of resistive sludge on the cathode surface in Hall–Héroult cells can increase the aluminum production costs and reduces cell...     

DNA detection with a water-gated organic field-effect transistor

A DNA sensor based on a water-gated organic field-effect transistor is described. The semiconductor is poly [3-(5-carboxypentyl)thiophene-2,5-diyl] onto which DNA probes are covalently grafted via NHS/EDC chemistry. Clear changes in the output characteristic of the device are observed upon DNA immobilization and after DNA hybridization. Experimental data point out the importance of the electrolyte Debye length that can screen negative DNA charges and impede transduction. For this reason, deionized water was used in order to increase the Debye length up to several hundreds of nanometers. In this case, a decrease in the off current was observed upon hybridization, whereas no significant change occurred when using saline solutions.     

Cathodic Wear by Delamination of the Al4C3 Layer During Aluminium Electrolysis

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - In aluminium reduction cells, an electrochemical reaction occurs between the molten electrolyte film below the aluminium pad and the carbon cathode...