Interaction of Yttria with Uranium Fluoride Gases (UFn, n= 4, 6) at High Temperatures

The corrosion mechanism and microstructural characteristics of yttria (Y₂O₃) exposed to uranium hexafluoride (UF₄) and uranium tetrafluoride gases at temperatures above 900°C were investigated. Processed yttria samples were exposed for times ranging from 5 to 40 min. A weight increase was observed after each test exposure. An outer corrosion scale composed of UO₂ and YF₃, and an inner corrosion layer of YF₃, were observed following the UF₆ reaction at nearly 1200 K. During the UF₄ exposure, an outer layer containing a liquid mixture of fluoride, oxygen, yttrium, uranium compounds, a secondary reaction layer of UO₂ followed by an inner layer composed of a solution of Y₂O₃ and YF₃, possibly in the form of YOF inner layer, were observed. It was found that the corrosion process is controlled by the diffusion which is evidenced by the parabolic growth rate of the secondary layer. After completion of the solidification process, the formation of a eutectic region and dendrites were observed throughout the outer scale. In general, at temperatures above 1173 K, high corrosion rates were observed, and yttria did not appear to be a viable containment material for UF₄ and UF₆.     

Facile synthesis of reduced graphene oxide–gold nanohybrid for potential use in industrial waste-water treatment

Here, we report a facile approach, by the photochemical reduction technique, for in situ synthesis of Au-reduced graphene oxide (Au-RGO) nanohybrids, which demonstrate excellent adsorption capacities and recyclability for a broad range of dyes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data confirm the successful synthesis of Au-RGO nanohybrids. The effect of several experimental parameters (temperature and pH) variation can effectively control the dye adsorption capability. Furthermore, kinetic adsorption data reveal that the adsorption process follows a pseudo second-order model. The negative value of Gibbs free energy (ΔG⁰) confirms spontaneity while the positive enthalpy (ΔH⁰) indicates the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Picosecond resolved fluorescence technique unravels the excited state dynamical processes of dye molecules adsorbed on the Au-RGO surface. Time resolved fluorescence quenching of Rh123 after adsorption on Au-RGO nanohybrids indicates efficient energy transfer from Rh123 to Au nanoparticles. A prototype device has been fabricated using Au-RGO nanohybrids on a syringe filter (pore size: 0.220 μm) and the experimental data indicate efficient removal of dyes from waste water with high recyclability. The application of this nanohybrid may lead to the development of an efficient reusable adsorbent in portable water purification.     

Solid lipid nanoparticles of anticancer drug andrographolide: formulation,in vitro and in vivo studies

Diterpenoidal anti-cancer drug andrographolide (AD) was encapsulated into solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) because of poor aqueous solubility and high lipophilicity. AD-SLNs were prepared by solvent injection method and characterized for droplet size, surface morphology, zeta potential, etc. In vitro drug release was carried out by dialysis-membrane method. A pharmacokinetic study was performed by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS method to determine the maximum plasma concentration (C_max), area under the curve (AUC), etc. There was an improvement in C_max and AUC of AD-SLNs when compared with AD, thereby enhancing the bioavailability of AD. The t_max was increased than that of AD suspension, indicating the sustained release pattern of AD-SLNs. The antitumor activity was carried out on Balb/c mice showing better results with AD-SLNs as compared to AD. Thus, the AD-loaded SLNs would be useful for delivering poorly water-soluble AD with enhanced bioavailability and improved antitumor activity.     

Performance of molybdenum with UF4 at high temperatures as a wall material for space reactors

Thin 99.99 pct purity molybdenum (Mo) foils for use in gas core reactors have been tested in both liquid and gaseous uranium tetrafluoride (UF₄) at temperature ranges of 1500 to 2000 K under argon pressures approaching 600 torr for exposure times of 15 to 75 minutes. Weight change measurements have been performed before and after the experiments. Surface and cross-sectional analyses of the samples have been done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe (EMP), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The Mo container, which was exposed for nearly 9 hours to both liquid and gas phase UF₄, was also examined. No reaction or diffusion of uranium or fluorine has been found on the cross sections of the samples under the experimental conditions. These results indicate that molybdenum can be a candidate wall material in contact with UF₄ as used as a circulating fuel at ultrahigh temperatures.     

Integrated FEM/BEM approach to the dynamic and acoustic analysis of plate structures

An integrated finite element/boundary element method approach to the prediction of the interior acoustic radiation of open ended box structures is presented. Dynamic response of the structure is predicted in terms of the nodal displacements under sinusoidal point force excitation using the finite element method. Theoretical results obtained in terms of frequency response functions are verified using the results from tests performed on a box structure. The interior acoustic field is then examined by the boundary element method using the boundary conditions obtained from the finite element analysis. Sound pressure levels produced inside the structure are calculated and the results are compared with the experimental measurements.     

Iterative reconstruction and statistical optimization for thenondestructive assay of distributed gamma source in a large nuclearwaste container

An iterative reconstruction and statistical optimization method for the nondestructive assay of total source activity of distributed gamma source in a large nuclear waste container is presented. Multiple detectors positioned as closely as possible to the waste barrel are used to measure the emerging radiation field from the distributed radiation source. The source distribution is reconstructed by using the conjugate gradient with nonnegative constraint method or maximum likelihood expectation method based on measured detector responses. Total source activity is estimated by examining the error bond and its associated confidence level. These are determined statistically by performing a large number of numerical experiments involving the counting statistics, the nonuniformity of source distribution, and the heterogeneous density of the self-absorbing medium. Using the conjugate gradient with nonnegative constraint method (CGNN) and maximum likelihood expectation maximum method (MLEM) methods the authors compare results of total activity estimation     

Differential Polarization Nonlinear Optical Microscopy with Adaptive Optics Controlled Multiplexed Beams

Differential polarization nonlinear optical microscopy has the potential to become an indispensable tool for structural investigations of ordered biological assemblies and microcrystalline aggregates. Their microscopic organization can be probed through fast and sensitive measurements of nonlinear optical signal anisotropy, which can be achieved with microscopic spatial resolution by using time-multiplexed pulsed laser beams with perpendicular polarization orientations and photon-counting detection electronics for signal demultiplexing. In addition, deformable membrane mirrors can be used to correct for optical aberrations in the microscope and simultaneously optimize beam overlap using a genetic algorithm. The beam overlap can be achieved with better accuracy than diffraction limited point-spread function, which allows to perform polarization-resolved measurements on the pixel-by-pixel basis. We describe a newly developed differential polarization microscope and present applications of the differential microscopy technique for structural studies of collagen and cellulose. Both, second harmonic generation, and fluorescence-detected nonlinear absorption anisotropy are used in these investigations. It is shown that the orientation and structural properties of the fibers in biological tissue can be deduced and that the orientation of fluorescent molecules (Congo Red), which label the fibers, can be determined. Differential polarization microscopy sidesteps common issues such as photobleaching and sample movement. Due to tens of megahertz alternating polarization of excitation pulses fast data acquisition can be conveniently applied to measure changes in the nonlinear signal anisotropy in dynamically changing in vivo structures.     

Design of Rupture Strength of Side Blocks in Elevated Steel Girder Bridges with Elastomeric Bearings

Elastomeric rubber bearings with side blocks have been extensively used as a seismic response-control device in steel girder bridges in Japan. In real scenarios, the behavior of the girder bridges with elastomeric bearings are usually complex because of the complex mechanism by which the seismically induced inertia forces at concrete deck transmits to the girder bearings. Therefore, it is important to carry out seismic response analysis of a whole bridge system considering the interaction between different structural components in order to check the performance of the side blocks during an event of severe earthquakes. The objectives of the present study are to develop a detailed three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of an elevated girder bridge system and to propose a design rupture strength for the side blocks. The FE-model is constructed based on an existing plate girder bridge considering the effect of concrete slab, girders, stiffeners, rubber bearing, pier and the damage control by the side blocks. A sequence of seismic response analysis is then performed using four different rupture forces of the side blocks by considering the Level-2 design earthquake, the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The analytical investigation reveals that the side blocks should be designed to withstand a horizontal force of at least 1200 kN in order to prevent the rupture of the side blocks and to mitigate damage of bridge piers. Moreover, the damage to the critical parts of bridge superstructure can be mitigated by strengthening the side blocks. Based on the analysis results, a retrofit plan to strengthen the side blocks of existing girder bridges is proposed.

     

用模糊逻辑控制(ABS)系统改善制动性能和方向稳定性

ABS系统设计了一简单有效的模糊逻辑控制,可改善汽车制动时的制动性能,以及在均匀和不均匀(μ-分离表面)的摩擦表面上的转向制动的机动性。该系统由前后两工作控制器组成。第一控制器工作于纵向滑动,第二控制器负责车辆侧向滑动控制。在非线性轮胎特性的四轮非线性车辆模型上实行模糊逻辑控制。同时与没有模糊逻辑控制ABS系统的车辆模型比较,评估控制器性能。