Phase state stabilization of ammonium nitrate for creating an oxidizing agent for smokeless gas-generating formulations yielding no toxic combustion products

Methods for phase stabilization of ammonium nitrate were sought for in order to considerably expand the application area of this oxidizing agent in various-purpose self-combustible formulations, including that in a new generation of gas-generating formulations for automobile air bags. New methods for stabilization of ammonium nitrate were studied and, in particular, a search was made for organic compounds that can stabilize ammonium nitrate even at their low content. The mechanism of phase state stabilization of ammonium nitrate by compounds of this kind was examined.     

Gas adsorption in mcm-41 porous silicas dynamic measurements using sans

The European Physical Journal E - The isothermal gas adsorption of two hexane isomers (n-hexane and cyclohexane) in the mesopores of MCM-41 silica have been investigated by small angle neutron...     

Correlation of modified crack tip opening distance with heat input to the heat affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels

Investigated is the dependency of the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) on the local microstructure of the heat affected zone in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) microalloyed steel. Since the initiation of the crack tip location could not be controlled in fatigue, any possible correlation between heat iput in welding and fracture toughness could be smeared. Modified CTOD data are defined; they show that the fracture resistance of the weld joint decreased as the heat input increased.     

Loss and non-linearity saturation effects on the bistability of non-linear distributed feedback structures

We investigate theoretically the effects of optical absorption and saturation of the non-linear index of refraction on the bistability of non-linear distributed feedback structures (NLDFBs). By assuming that the Kerr non-linearity saturates in an exponential fashion, we obtain for the first time closed-form expressions for the so-called self-phase and cross-phase modulation terms. Our investigation shows that both absorption and, in particular, saturation significantly affect the bistable properties of this structure and in many cases eliminate this response completely. In some cases, however, saturation alters the NLDFB's transfer characteristics in a potentially useful manner. We find that weak levels of saturation may increase the contrast ratio between the intensities of the high and low bistable states. At increasing levels of saturation, where bistability is no longer observed, we find regimes where the NLDFB structure could possibly be used for optical amplification. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Singularities in cascade models of the Euler equation

The formation of singularities in the three-dimensional Euler equation is investigated. This is done by restricting the number of Fourier modes to a set which allows only for local interactions in wave number space. Starting from an initial large-scale energy distribution, the energy rushes towards smaller scales, forming a universal front independent of initial conditions. The front results in a singularity of the vorticity in finite time, and has scaling form as function of the time difference from the singularity. Using a simplified model, we compute the values of the exponents and the shape of the front analytically. The results are in good agreement with numerical simulations.     

FEM study of palladium and molybdenum clusters on an alumina covered field emitter

Palladium and molybdenum polycrystalline layers (clusters) have been deposited in a stainless steel UHV system onto a layer of alumina (Al₂O₃). This layer has been prepared by high temperature oxidation of an aluminium layer. The interaction of this system with nitrogen has been investigated at room temperature by an FEM technique. Under these conditions nitrogen spillover from molybdenum to palladium has been observed.     

Hydroxyl ion conduction in ytterbium-doped strontium cerate at T<580 K in H2O/air atmosphere

Open circuit voltage (OCV) measurements in H₂O/air concentration cells at T<580 K using Yb-doped SrCeO₃ electrolyte indicate that under these conditions, protons are transported through the electrolyte as -ve ions, possibly as hydroxyl (OH⁻) ions. The H⁺ ionic transport, which is generally reported, becomes the dominant mode for H₂O/air concentration cells at temperatures greater than 750 K or when H₂O/air electrodes are replaced by H₂/Ar, and the anomalous OCV sign disappears. The combination of low temperature and the presence of hydrogen and oxygen as provided by the H₂O/air system appears to be necessary for the postulated hydroxyl ion electrode reactions to take place. In addition to OCV measurements, results from impedance spectroscopy are used to provide evidence in support of the suggested hydroxyl ion mode of protonic transport under the specified conditions. These findings are directly relevant in the development of novel humidity sensors in the temperature range 450–580K and is reported in a separate paper in this conference. Paper presented at the 3rd Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Teulada, Sardinia, Italy, Sept. 15–22, 1996