Portable and Automatic Mössbauer Analysis

A portable Mössbauer spectrometer, developed for extraterrestrial applications, opens up new industrial applications of MBS. But for industrial applications, an available tool for fast data analysis is also required, and it should be easy to handle. The analysis of Mössbauer spectra and their parameters is a barrier for the popularity of this wide-applicable spectroscopic technique in industry. Based on experience, the analysis of a Mössbauer spectrum is time-consuming and requires the dedication of a specialist. However, the analysis of Mössbauer spectra, from the fitting to the identification of the sample phases, can be faster using by genetic algorithms, fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks. Industrial applications are very specific ones and the data analysis can be performed using these algorithms. In combination with an automatic analysis, the Mössbauer spectrometer can be used as a probe instrument which covers the main industrial needs for an on-line monitoring of its products, processes and case studies. Some of these real industrial applications will be discussed.     

Electrical and pyrometric measurements of the decay of the anodetemperature after interruption of high-current vacuum arcs andcomparison with computations

Vacuum arcs of up to 20-kA peak current were investigated. The surface temperature of the anode area melted during the anode spot mode was determined by pyrometry and the evaluation of thermionic currents. The measurements confirm the computations of heating and cooling of the anode, taking into account heat conduction melting/solidification, and evaporation. Pyrometrically obtained temperatures agree well with theory. This gives confidence in the heat conduction model and also shows that the boiling temperature was reached during arcing. Another method evaluates currents of a milliampere value after arcs of several kiloamperes and postarc currents of amperes. Experimental observation (e.g., loading of the shield surrounding the contacts) and theoretical analysis of the interfering effects support the idea that the currents measured are due to thermionic emission     

Differing Coordination Modes of (O‐Alkyl)‐p‐Ethoxyphenyldithiophosphonato Ligands in Copper(I), Silver(I) and Gold(I) Triphenylphosphine Complexes

The three (O‐methyl)‐p‐ethoxyphenyldithiophosphonato triphenylphosphine complexes of copper, silver and gold, [(Ph₃P)_nM{S₂P(OMe)C₆H₄OEt‐p}] (M = Cu, n = 2; M = Ag, Au, n = 1) investigated structurally by X‐ray diffraction exhibit remarkable structural differences. The copper compound is a four‐coordinate chelate monomer with Cu–S 2.4417(6) and 2.5048(6) Å; P–Cu–S 104.24(2)–114.01(2)°; Cu–S–P 82.49(3)° and 80.85(2)°. The silver compound is a cyclic dimer with bridging dithiophosphonato ligands and three‐coordinate silver atoms [Ag–S 2.5371(5) and 2.6867(5) Å; P–Ag–S 122.88(2)° and 122.17(2)°; Ag–S–P 89.32(2)° and 103.56(2)°]. The gold compound is monomeric with linear dicoordinate gold [Au–S 2.3218(6) Å; P–Au–S 177.72(2)°, Au–S–P 100.97(3)°].     

Students discussing mathematics in small-group interactions: opportunities for discursive negotiation processes focused on contentious mathematical issues

Small-group discussions involving students and their teacher that focus on meanings constructed during the mathematics lessons or solutions to problems produced in these lessons offer great potential for debate and argument. An analysis of the epistemological nature of knowledge can give deeper insight, to gain a better understanding of the emerging discontinuities in argumentations, negotiations, and clarifications about contentious meaning differences that arise. In most cases mathematical interactions between students and a teacher about contentions are very fragile and seem to be handled more or less directly—by side-stepping to another topic or by resolving via the teacher’s authority, for example. Therefore, the maintenance of such negotiation processes in mathematics teaching is a specific challenge for students and the teacher. The type of closure of these processes seems to be related to the emerging maintenance processes. In this paper, small-group discussions are interpretatively analyzed in the three steps “Initiation—Maintenance—Closing” with the focus on fundamental (dialogical) learning.     

Sequencing and scheduling for filling lines in dairy production

We consider an integrated sequencing and scheduling problem arising at filling lines in dairy industry. Even when a processing sequence is decided, still a scheduling problem has to be solved for the sequence. This incorporates typical side constraints as they occur also in other sequencing problems in practice. Previously, we proposed a framework for general sequencing and scheduling problems: A genetic algorithm is utilized for the sequencing, incorporating a problem specific algorithm for the fixed-sequence scheduling. In this paper, we investigate how this approach performs for filling lines. Based on insights into structural properties of the problem, we propose different scheduling algorithms. In cooperation with Sachsenmilch GmbH, the algorithm was implemented for their bottleneck filling line, and evaluated in an extensive computational study. For the real data from production, our algorithm computes almost optimal solutions. However, as a surprising result, our simple greedy algorithms outperform the more elaborate ones in many aspects, showing interesting directions for future research.     

Quantitative nanoscopic impedance measurements on silver-ion conducting glasses using atomic force microscopy combined with impedance spectroscopy

Nanoscopic impedance measurements were carried out on silver ion conducting glasses by coupling an impedance spectrometer with an atomic force microscope. When ac voltages were applied to a conducting AFM tip being in contact with the glass surface, silver nanoparticles were formed during the cathodic half cycle, which were not completely reoxidized in the anodic half cycle. We describe two protocols allowing for a controlled particle growth. The electrochemical oxidation/reduction processes led to low tip/sample interfacial impedances, and the formed silver particles acted as nanoelectrodes sensing the spreading resistance of the glass below the particles. We made a quantitative check of the spreading resistance formula under the assumption that spreading of the electric field is governed by the lateral diameter of the particles and found good agreement between the mean value of the local conductivities obtained at different tip positions and the macroscopic conductivity.     

A variable effluent splitter for simultaneous sniffing-MS-monitoring

Summary A variable effluent splitter for simultaneous sniffing-MS or (FID, FDP)-MS monitoring is described. The performance of the system is documented by an application to trace analysis of relevant passion-fruit flavour compounds.     

A new high-precision stress finite element for analysis of shell structures

A new high-precision finite element for analysis of shell structures is presented. It is derived from a slightly generalized equilibrium principle. Accordingly both stresses and displacements are obtained as primary result of analysis. At the assembly level the element has 45 degrees of freedom, all of them generalized displacements. For the price of some additional computational effort on the elemental level of analysis the proposed element is believed to gain certain advantages over the recently developed high-precision displacement elements. Thin as well as thick shell structures of arbitrary shape and loading can be equally analyzed. Engineering accuracy is attained with only very few elements. A variety of numerical examples demonstrates the applicability of the new element to all kinds of situations occuring in practice. A review of the existing high-precision shell elements is also included.