Incommensurate Phase in Λ-cobalt (III) Sepulchrate Trinitrate Governed by Highly Competitive N−H⋅⋅⋅O and C−H⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bond Networks**

Phase transitions in molecular crystals are often determined by intermolecular interactions. The cage complex of [Co(C₁₂H₃₀N₈)]³⁺ ⋅ 3 NO₃⁻ is reported to undergo a disorder-order phase transition at T_c1 ≈133 K upon cooling. Temperature-dependent neutron and synchrotron diffraction experiments revealed satellite reflections in addition to main reflections in the diffraction patterns below T_c1. The modulation wave vector varies as function of temperature and locks in at T_c3≈98 K. Here, we demonstrate that the crystal symmetry lowers from hexagonal to monoclinic in the incommensurately modulated phases in T_c1<T<T_c3. Distinctive levels of competitions: trade-off between longer N−H⋅⋅⋅O and shorter C−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds; steric constraints to dense C−H⋅⋅⋅O bonds give rise to pronounced modulation of the basic structure. Severely frustrated crystal packing in the incommensurate phase is precursor to optimal balance of intermolecular interactions in the lock-in phase.     

Comprehensive Characterization of Shredded Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Material

Herein we report on an analytical study of dry-shredded lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials with unknown composition. Samples from an industrial recycling process were analyzed concerning the elemental composition and (organic) compound speciation. Deep understanding of the base material for LIB recycling was obtained by identification and analysis of transition metal stoichiometry, current collector metals, base electrolyte and electrolyte additive residues, aging marker molecules and polymer binder fingerprints. For reversed engineering purposes, the main electrode and electrolyte chemistries were traced back to pristine materials. Furthermore, possible lifetime application and accompanied aging was evaluated based on target analysis on characteristic molecules described in literature. With this, the reported analytics provided precious information for value estimation of the undefined spent batteries and enabled tailored recycling process deliberations. The comprehensive feedstock characterization shown in this work paves the way for targeted process control in LIB recycling processes.     

Polycations Stabilised by Borosulfates: [Au3Cl4][B(S2O7)2] and the One-Dimensional Metal [Au2Cl4][B(S2O7)2](SO3)

(SO₄)-rich silicate analogue borosulfates are able to stabilise cationic cluster-like and chain-like aggregates. Single crystals of [Au₃Cl₄][B(S₂O₇)₂] and [Au₂Cl₄][B(S₂O₇)₂](SO₃) were obtained by solvothermal reaction with SO₃, and the electronic properties were investigated by means of density functional theory–based calculations. [Au₃Cl₄][B(S₂O₇)₂] exhibits a cluster-like cation, and the cationic gold-chloride strands in [Au₂Cl₄][B(S₂O₇)₂](SO₃) are found to resemble one-dimensional metallic wires. This is confirmed by polarisation microscopy.     

Formation of cellulose microspheres and nanocrystals from mildly carboxylated fibers

Cellulose - The ultrastructure of mildly carboxylated swollen tracheids from which cellulose microspheres and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were formed was investigated. A mild etherification of...     

Analysis methodology for 3C-PIV data of rotary wing vortices

3C-PIV data from tip vortices of either fixed-wing or rotating wing experiments are challenging from an analysis point of view. Model motion, vortex wander, spurious vectors, periodic and aperiodic effects, turbulence, and other disturbing effects are all present in the data. In most cases the vortices are not measured perpendicular to their axis as well. Engineers need time-averaged properties from the vortex in the vortex axis system for a proper modelization within simulation codes. This article describes the methods needed to deal with all the mentioned problem areas, including the conditional averaging and rotation into the vortex axis system. The methods are validated by using numerically generated vortex vector fields, and finally applied to experimental data from a hover condition of a model rotor.     

An automatic and interactive large-deformation measurement system based on image processing

This paper describes an image-processing-based measurement system by which an automatic large deformation characterization and interactive force control can be realized. The system is provided by a servo-controlled CCD camera and a PC-based frame grabber. A tracking procedure based on the location of a target point is employed for guiding the camera movement. It is intended to monitor the local deformation in a relatively small moving area containing small globules. The globule positions are then used to determine the surface deformation characteristics. In this system, the momentary principal strains being computed online are immediately used to control the applied force. As an illustration, the present system is applied for observing a long-term homogeneous large deformation in SI-rubber specimens being subjected to a constant uniaxial true stress. Four solid, minuscule, relatively undeformable polystyrene globules are used as markers. A true stress control algorithm is developed based on the isotropy assumption in which the transverse area normal to the loading direction becomes determinable from the surface deformation data. It can be stated that the maximum speed of the true stress control is mainly related to the speed of image processing and analysis, which in turn is related to the chosen number of globules and the performance of the PC used. By using four globules, the true stress readjustment could be accomplished for roughly every 4 s. For a large-strain deformation of SI-rubber, it appears that the isotropy assumption is acceptable, since the resulting mean difference between out-of-plane contraction and in-plane contraction is restricted to about±8 percent.     

Guided electromagnetic waves in anisotropic media

Summary The propagation of guided waves in anisotropic media has recently become of interest in two fields, viz. in the interpretation of ferromagnetic resonance experiments and in the construction of microwave fourpoles which violate the reciprocity relation. In both cases we are faced with the solution of Maxwell's equations in a volume which is enclosed by perfectly conducting walls and which is completely or partially filled with a medium whose magnetic permeability is described by a second order tensor. An account is given here of some work, both theoretical and experimental, on this subject. Chapter I is an introduction, containing a short survey of the theory of guided waves in isotropic media and of the problems arising in anisotropic media, together with a historical synopsis. Chapter II gives a general formulation of the theory of guided waves in anisotropic media, comprising the existing theories, and also deals with some new applications. In Chapter III a cavity technique for measuring Faraday rotations is described which has several advantages over older techniques. In Chapter IV experimental results obtained for the series of Ferroxcubes IVA, B, C, D, E are collected. Chapter V finally deals with the physical interpretation of these results. In particular the experimental data are compared with Rado's theory of the permeability tensor in non-saturated ferromagnetics.     

A torsional creep apparatus

Summary This paper describes a torsional creep apparatus for the determination of the creep compliance in shear as a function of time. The instrument is suitable for the measurement of compliances below 5·10^–8 m²/N, in the time range between 1 and 10⁵ seconds. Within five minutes and with an accuracy of 1 C, the temperature of the specimen can be adjusted to any value between –175 and –200 C. From the torsional creep measurements can be calculated the dynamic shear modulus and the corresponding damping. The lowest damping, determined in this way, is several times 10^–3.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Apparat zur Messung des Torsions-Kriechverhaltens wird beschrieben. Das Instrument ist zur Bestimmung von Nachgiebigkeiten kleiner als 5·10^–5 m²/N im Zeitbereich zwischen 1 und 10⁵ Sekunden geeignet. Die Temperatur der Probe läßt sich innerhalb 5 Minuten und mit einer Genauigkeit von 1 C auf jeden Wert zwischen –175 und –200 C einstellen. Aus der gemessenen Kriechfunktion können der dynamische Schubmodul und die dynamische Dämpfung berechnet werden. Eine untere Grenze für die Dämpfung, die man auf diese Weise noch bestimmen kann, ist einige Male 10^–3.

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The work was partly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, Washington, D. C., under contract number N 62558-3884.     

The molecular spectrum of beta-thalassemia and abnormal hemoglobins in the allochthonous and autochthonous dutch population

The prevalence at birth of hemoglobin defects in the autochthonous North-European population is low. However, the long immigration and colonial history of the Netherlands has resulted in a group of about 1-2 million 'autochthonous' inhabitants, with Asian, South-European or African ancestors, in whom a moderate birth prevalence of globin gene mutations can be expected. Furthermore, at least 10% of the Dutch population consists of recent immigrants from different countries with high birth prevalence of hemoglobinopathies. Because of the endogamous partner choice, which is prevalent in this population, the risk for homozygous progeny remains elevated. At least 100,000 carriers of hemoglobinopathies of recent allochthonous origin are present in the Netherlands, and the number of homozygous children is rising. Prevention by prenatal diagnosis requires a suitable protocol and knowledge about the molecular defects present in the country. Therefore we have analyzed a large number of patients and carriers, both at the hematological and at the DNA level. Our survey revealed 47 different beta-thalassemia determinants, characterized on 223 independent chromosomes from individuals of different ethnic origins. As expected, the most prevalent mutations were largely represented. The cd39 (C-->T) mutation was found in 70% of the immigrants from Morocco, Sardinia and other Central-West-Mediterranean regions while the IVS-I-110 (G-->A) was prevalent in the East-Mediterranean populations. The IVS-I-5 (G-->C) mutation was found in 45% of the patients of Indonesian origin. We also registered 308 independent chromosomes with common structural defects (HbS, HbC, HbE, Hb Lepore, Hb Constant Spring and HbD Punjab) and 33 chromosomes with 19 different, less frequent, rare or very rare mutants. Seven structural mutants were described for the first time and published separately. Furthermore, 139 independent chromosomes with deletional and nondeletional alpha-thalassemia defects were characterized.     

On aspects of damping for a vertical beam with a tuned mass damper at the top

In this paper, the wind-induced, horizontal vibrations of a vertical Euler–Bernoulli beam will be considered. At the top of the beam, a tuned mass damper (TMD) has been installed. The horizontal vibrations can be described by an initial-boundary value problem. Perturbation methods will be applied to construct approximations of the solutions of the initial-boundary value problem, and it will be shown that the TMD uniformly damps the oscillation modes of the beam. In the analysis, it will be assumed that damping, wind-force, and gravity effects are small but not negligible.