Laser-induced fluorescence measurement of the ion-energy-distribution function in a collisionless reconnection experiment

Observations in space and laboratory plasmas suggest magnetic reconnection as a mechanism for ion heating and formation of non-Maxwellian ion velocity distribution functions (IVDF). Laser-induced fluorescence measurements of the IVDF parallel to the X line of a periodically driven reconnection experiment are presented. A time-resolved analysis yields the evolution of the IVDF within a reconnection cycle. It is shown that reconnection causes a strong increase of the ion temperature, where the strongest increase is found at the maximum reconnection rate. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that ion heating is a consequence of the in-plane electric field that forms around the X line in response to reconnection.     

Dual mode model for mixed gas permeation of CO2, H2, and N2 through a dry chitosan membrane

Dry chitosan is an excellent candidate for facilitated transport membranes that can be utilized in industrial applications, such as fuel cell operations and other purification processes. This article is the first to report temperature effects on transport properties of CO₂, H₂, and N₂ in a gas mixture typical of such applications. At a feed pressure of 1.5 atm, CO₂ permeabilities increased (0.381–26.1 barrers) at temperatures of 20–150 °C with decreasing CO₂/N₂ (19.7–4.55) and CO₂/H₂ (3.14–1.71) separation factors. The pressure effect on solubilities and permeabilities were fitted to the extended dual mode model and its corresponding mixed gas permeation model. The dual mode and transport parameters, the sorption heats and the activation energies of Henry's and Langmuir's regimes and their pre‐exponential parameters were determined. The Langmuir's capacity constants were utilized to estimate chitosan's glass transition temperature (CO₂: 172 °C, N₂: 175 °C, and H₂: 171 °C). The activation energies of diffusion in the Henry's law and Langmuir regimes were dependent on the collision diameter of the gases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2620–2631, 2007     

Evaluation of ultrasonic bubble detectors in vitro using calibrated microbubbles at selected velocities.

Two standard Doppler ultrasonic devices, currently used for detecting bubbles in vivo, have been evaluated and compared in vitro using carefully calibrated uniform micro-bubbles rising at terminal velocity through a static aqueous medium. Two unexpected findings were observed: (a) the focal length of the transducer apparently decreases for smaller bubble sizes, and (b) a significant horizontal convection current was produced by one of the instruments. When the medium was in motion, it was found that the sensitivity varied markedly with bubble velocity, varying from a minimum detectable diameter of 40 mum at 55 cm/sec to 170 mum at 20 cm/sec. These findings are discussed with regard to the limitations of the Doppler technique for monitoring gas emboli in vivo and as an early warning for decompression sickness in divers.     

Secondary ion yields produced by keV atomic and polyatomic ion impacts on a self-assembled monolayer surface

A suite of keV polyatomic or 'cluster' projectiles was used to bombard unoxidized and oxidized self-assembled monolayer surfaces. Negative secondary ion yields, collected at the limit of single ion impacts, were measured and compared for both molecular and fragment ions. In contrast to targets that are orders of magnitude thicker than the penetration range of the primary ions, secondary ion yields from polyatomic projectile impacts on self-assembled monolayers show little to no enhancement when compared with monatomic projectiles at the same velocity. This unusual trend is most likely due to the structural arrangement and bonding characteristics of the monolayer molecules with the Au(111). Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal Degradation and Flammability Properties of Poly(propylene)/Carbon Nanotube Composites

Nanocomposites based on poly(propylene) and multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (up to 2 vol.‐%) were melt blended, yielding a good dispersion of nanotubes without using any organic treatment or additional additives. Carbon nanotubes are found to significantly enhance the thermal stability of poly(propylene) in nitrogen at high temperatures. Specifically, the nanotube additive greatly reduced the heat release rate of poly(propylene). They are found to be at least as effective a flame‐retardant as clay/poly(propylene) nanocomposites.