Anatase Sol Prepared from Peroxotitanium Complex Aqueous Solution Containing Niobium or Vanadium

Niobium- or vanadium-doped anatase sols were prepared by hydrothermal treatment of 0.1 mol/dm³ peroxotitanium complex aqueous solutions dissolving 0–10 mol% niobium or vanadium at 100°C for 8 h. Niobium-doping caused the increase of lattice constants of anatase and the shape change of anatase crystal from spindle-like to cubic-like structure, but no change of the optical absorbance. Vanadium-doping caused the decrease of lattice constant of c -axis, the miniaturization of anatase crystal and the increase of optical absorbance at the wavelength from 350–700 nm.     

A semantic modeling approach for image retrieval by content

We introduce a semantic data model to capture the hierarchical, spatial, temporal, and evolutionary semantics of images in pictorial databases. This model mimics the user's conceptual view of the image content, providing the framework and guidelines for preprocessing to extract image features. Based on the model constructs, a spatial evolutionary query language (SEQL), which provides direct image object manipulation capabilities, is presented. With semantic information captured in the model, spatial evolutionary queries are answered efficiently. Using an object-oriented platform, a prototype medical-image management system was implemented at UCLA to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.     

Design of one-dimensional ferromagnet based on polyacetylene chain

As a model for organic ferromagnetism in a one-dimensional system, substituted polyacetylenes are re-considered on the basis of the molecular orbital (MO) and the crystal orbital (CO) methods. The semiempirical MO calculations with configuration interaction for the dimer model show that the exchange interaction on poly[(4-oxyphenyl)acetylene] (1) is negative in spite of Ovchinnikov's prediction, due to the direct interaction between the adjacent pendant spins. On the other hand, it is shown that a polyacetylene chain with phenoxy radicals as pendants on every other active site can become a one-dimensional feromagnet. Moreover, the CO calculations by means of the unrestricted Hartree-Fock method give a theoretical background for the realization of a ground state with macroscopic spin alignment on the improved model chain.     

Multi‐layered flat‐surface micro‐optical components directly molded on an LCD panel

Abstract— We have developed a process to fabricate optical components, such as a lens, prism, or diffuser, directly on to a glass substrate. Processes include precision mastering by diamond cutting and multi‐layer photopolymer (2P) molding to realize flat surfaces and the integration of multiple components with an alignment within a few micrometers.     

Characterization of microspherical semi-transparent solar cells and modules

Microspherical solar cells and modules have been fabricated. The spherical nature of these semi-transparent devices allows the microspherical cells to harvest both directly incident and diffuse components of sunlight thereby improving the solar energy conversion efficiency. Indoor and outdoor characterizations of these three dimensional semi-transparent cells and modules are carried out using a Lambertian reflector in order to assess the maximum efficiency of the devices. In the absence of the reflector the cell efficiency is 13.5% under standard illumination (100 mW cm⁻², A.M. 1.5, 25 °C). However, this is significantly enhanced in the presence of the reflector. Microspherical modules with the reflector are directly compared to similar semi-transparent modules comprised of traditional planar devices, in outdoor tests at low light intensity (2.5–25 mW cm⁻²) to further demonstrate the benefits of the design particularly at low angle of incident radiation.     

A knowledge-based approach for retrieving images by content

A knowledge based approach is introduced for retrieving images by content. It supports the answering of conceptual image queries involving similar-to predicates, spatial semantic operators, and references to conceptual terms. Interested objects in the images are represented by contours segmented from images. Image content such as shapes and spatial relationships are derived from object contours according to domain specific image knowledge. A three layered model is proposed for integrating image representations, extracted image features, and image semantics. With such a model, images can be retrieved based on the features and content specified in the queries. The knowledge based query processing is based on a query relaxation technique. The image features are classified by an automatic clustering algorithm and represented by Type Abstraction Hierarchies (TAHs) for knowledge based query processing. Since the features selected for TAH generation are based on context and user profile, and the TAHs can be generated automatically by a clustering algorithm from the feature database, our proposed image retrieval approach is scalable and context sensitive. The performance of the proposed knowledge based query processing is also discussed     

High-Temperature Fracture Mechanism of Low-Ca-Doped Silicon Nitride

High-purity Si₃N₄ (with 2.5 wt% glassy SiO₂) doped with 0 to 450 at.ppm of Ca was prepared as a model system to investigate the effects of grain-boundary segregants on fracture phenomenology at 1400°C. Subcritical crack-growth (SCG) resistance as well as creep resistance was degraded significantly by the presence of a small amount of Ca. The internal friction of the doped materials exhibited the superposition of a grain-boundary relaxation peak and a high-temperature background, and the apparent viscosity of the grain-boundary film was determined from the peak. Based on these experimental data, the fracture mechanism at 1400°C was divided into three regions: "brittle," SCG, and creep failure as a function of both external strain rate and Ca concentration, C _Ca. From the investigation of the C _Ca dependence of the critical strain rate for the transition from "brittle" to SCG fractures, the SCG phenomenon is suggested to be triggered by small-scale, grain-boundary sliding. The C _Ca dependence of "steady-state" creep rate was far from the theoretical dependence of diffusional creep via a solution-precipitation mechanism. The discrepancy was interpreted to be due to the presence of an impurity-insensitive creep component. This component may correspond to the lowest limit of the tensile creep rate in Si₃N₄ polycrystalline materials containing intergranular glassy-SiO₂ film.     

Hydrolysis of human horny cells by alkaline protease: Morphological observation of the process

The interaction of highly purified alkaline protease fromBacillus sp. KSM-K16 with the horny cells of human skin contained in skin grime was directly visualized by electron microscopy. It became clear that the protease first penetrates the horny cells and then adsorbs, mainly onto the internal structure of the cells at the initial stage of hydrolysis, and directly hydrolyzes the keratin filaments, though the marginal band surrounding them retains its original shape. Then, hydrolysate produced from the keratin filaments flows out of the cell, and early in the hydrolysis process keratin filaments decrease and then disappear, leaving a marginal band, i.e., the cell turns to a hollow state. As a result, the remaining marginal band loses support from inside the cell, thus promoting cleavage and dispersion. Until this stage in the protease reaction, the remarkable liberation of hydrolysis products as water-soluble protein does not occur.     

Temperature Dependence of Young's Modulus and Internal Friction in Alumina, Silicon Nitride, and Partially Stabilized Zirconia Ceramics

The temperature dependence of Young's modulus and internal friction (Q⁻¹)in alumina, silicon nitride, and partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) ceramics was studied. Little change in Q⁻¹ was found for alumina, whereas Q⁻¹ for silicon nitride ceramics increased above 700°C. The Q⁻¹ of Y-PSZ increased markedly with increasing temperature up to a peak at ∼200°C.