Ordering in colloidal systems

The role played by statistical mechanics in the ordering of colloidal systems is examined. This role is made explicit through a study of phase (order-disorder) transitions in 1, 2 and 3 dimensions which exist in the examples provided by clay plate, tobacco mossaic virus and latex sphere suspensions. Essentially the statement is that the extrapolation of DLVO theory which attributes stability to a balance between attractive and repulsive two-body forces is not always a panacea. The ideas of Langmuir and Onsager who dealt with statistical mechanics and repulsive forces and considered that attractive long-range forces are not always important are paramount for some systems and must be built into existing theories.     

Group IV organometal derivatives of pyridine. I—A 1H and 13C NMR investigation of trialkylmetal derivatives of pyridine

The proton and carbon-13 NMR spectra of thirteen trialkylmetal derivatives of pyridine, several of which were previously unknown, have been recorded and analysed. The proton NMR spectra show variations in proton chemical shifts but not in proton-proton coupling constants when the metal substituent is changed; the ring proton-metal coupling constants ⁿJ(M? H) in the tin and lead derivatives correspond closely with the corresponding proton-proton couplings ⁿJ(H? H) in pyridine. The carbon-13 chemical shifts of the carbons bound to the metal can apparently be correlated with the electron-donating ability of the trialkylmetal group. In the trimethylstannylpyridines the value of ¹J(Sn? C_ring) varies greatly with the position of the Me₃Sn group.     

The structure of the charge transfer complex in olefin quenching of benzophenone phosphorescence

The phosphorescence lifetimes of ω-alkenyl esters of p-benzophenone-carboxylic acid have been measured in dilute solution in degassed acetic acid solution. The lifetimes were extrapolated to infinite dilution. Intramolecular quenching was not very significant in benzophenone-4-CO₂(CH₂)_nCHCH₂ for n = 1, 2 or 4. For n = 9 the phosphorescence lifetime was found to be 2 μs compared to 70 μs for n = 1, 2. These results are interpreted to mean that the quenching complex has a specific geometric requirement with the CHCH₂ group approaching within a van der Waals distance of the ketone carbonyl group.     

Inherent problems in force measurement

A force sensor is ordinarily used as a part of a larger system such as a testing machine, test stand, weighing system or process-control system. When a force sensor is calibrated in a standards laboratory and then installed and used in a different system, there may be a significant shift in sensor response due to differences in many factors such as machine-sensor mechanical interaction, loading sequence, loading rate and environmental conditions. NBS research is directed toward establishing the magnitude of the errors due to these factors and developing methods for controlling these errors. Some initial results in the study of machinesensor interaction, hysteresis, thermoelastic effect and creep are discussed here. A long range objective is to enable users to make informed judgments about the adequacy of their own force measurements, based on an understanding of their own measurement process rather than a routine calibration at a standards laboratory.