Experimental analysis of liquid–gas interface at low Weber number: interface length and fractal dimension

The present paper reports an experimental investigation on atomizing liquid flows produced by simplified cavity nozzles. The Weber number being kept low, the sprays produced by these injectors depend on the liquid flow characteristics only, and more precisely, on the non-axial kinetic energy and of the turbulent kinetic energy at the nozzle exit. The investigation reported here concentrates on the characterization of liquid flows during atomization by measuring the spatial variation of the local interface length and of the local interface fractal dimension. Both parameters were found representative of the physics of atomization process: they depend on the characteristics of the flow issuing from the nozzle and they are related to the subsequent drop size distribution. The local interface length is representative of the amount of liquid–gas interface surface area, and is a function of both the non-axial and the turbulent kinetic energies at the nozzle exit. The fractal dimension is representative of the tortuosity of the liquid–gas interface and, as expected, is mainly related to the turbulent kinetic energy at the nozzle exit. As far as the drop size distribution is concerned, it is found that the local interface length at the instant of break-up determines a representative drop diameter of some kind, whereas the fractal dimension at the same instant controls the dispersion of the distribution.     

Elemental Analyses Using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of Geological Samples Fused with Li2B4O7 and Calibrated Without Matrix-Matched Standards

 Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used as a complementary technique to X-ray fluorescence (XRF), for multi-element analysis of geological samples fused with lithium-tetraborate Li₂B₄O₇). Different calibration strategies using external non-matrix matched reference materials were investigated. Various internal standards were tested, including the use of Li from the flux, and the use of the naturally occurring internal standards, Si or Ca. The use of a naturally occurring standard is not as efficient as this required a prior analysis of the samples using XRF. The obtained values for the analysis of geological reference materials were compared with consensus literature values, and satisfactory agreement was found. Laser pits, which were formed, had a diameter of 80 μm and 3–5 replicates on each fused disc were measured. The reproducibility of the method was better than 10% for concentrations above 1 μg/g and better than 15% for lower concentrations. The use of Li as the internal standard offers the possibility of multi-element determinations in geological samples, which have an unknown composition when the laser ablation analysis is carried out. However, using the calculated stoichiometric composition of the lithium-tetraborate for the calculation of the Li concentration leads to a constant deviation from the recommended values. Therefore, it was necessary to determine the Li concentration within each sample batch using at least one lithium tetraborate fused geological reference material. This resulting Li concentration in the beads was then used for all subsequent samples in a run. Limits of detection, reproducibility, deviation from reference values indicate the potential of LA-ICP-MS for such bulk analysis without matrix matched calibration standards.     

Recovering Invisible Signals by Two‐Field NMR Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies have benefited tremendously from the steady increase in the strength of magnetic fields. Spectacular improvements in both sensitivity and resolution have enabled the investigation of molecular systems of rising complexity. At very high fields, this progress may be jeopardized by line broadening, which is due to chemical exchange or relaxation by chemical shift anisotropy. In this work, we introduce a two‐field NMR spectrometer designed for both excitation and observation of nuclear spins in two distinct magnetic fields in a single experiment. NMR spectra of several small molecules as well as a protein were obtained, with two dimensions acquired at vastly different magnetic fields. Resonances of exchanging groups that are broadened beyond recognition at high field can be sharpened to narrow peaks in the low‐field dimension. Two‐field NMR spectroscopy enables the measurement of chemical shifts at optimal fields and the study of molecular systems that suffer from internal dynamics, and opens new avenues for NMR spectroscopy at very high magnetic fields.     

Les melanges polyester/poly(bromure de vinyle)

DSC measurements indicate that poly(vinyl bromide) (PVB) is miscible with several polyesters [poly(caprolactone), poly(valerolactone), poly(butylene adipate) and poly(hexamethylene sebacate)] but immiscible with others [poly(α-methyl-α-n-propyl-β-propiolactone), poly(α-methyl-α-ethyl-β-propiolactone) and poly(ethylene adipate (PEA)]. However, it is known that poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) is miscible with all these polyesters but PEA. The more limited degree of miscibility of PVB with polyesters, as compared with the case of PVC, is surprising in view of the similar properties of the bromine and chlorine atoms.     

A new approach to combretastatin D2

A concise and convergent route to combretastatin D2 is described together with some preliminary biological data.     

Oxidation behaviour of SiC coatings

Amorphous silicon carbide (SiC) films were deposited on silicon substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The films were oxidized in air in the temperature range 400–900 °C and for times from 1 to 16 h. Neutron reflectivity measurements provided information on the thickness, density and roughness of the SiC and on the formed SiO₂ layers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the bond structure of the formed SiO₂ and changes in the bonding of SiC after exposure at the oxidation temperature. The surface morphology of the oxidized films was characterized by atomic force microscopy measurements. The oxidation kinetics is initially fast and as the SiO₂ layer is formed it slows down. The SiC consumption varies linearly with time at all oxidation temperatures. Exposure of the SiC at the oxidation temperature affects its density and to some degree its bond structure, while the formed SiO₂ has density and bond structure as that formed by oxidation of Si under the same conditions. PACS  66.30.Ny; 68.47.Gh; 68.55.J-     

Near infrared diode laser spectroscopy of C2H2, H2O, CO2 and their isotopologues and the application to TDLAS, a tunable diode laser spectrometer for the martian PHOBOS-GRUNT space mission

A near-infrared tunable diode laser spectrometer called TDLAS has been developed that combines telecommunication-type as well as new-generation antimonide laser diodes to measure C₂H₂, H₂O, CO₂ and their isotopologues in the near infrared. This sensor is devoted to the in situ analysis of the soil of the Martian satellite PHOBOS, within the framework of the Russian space mission PHOBOS-GRUNT. In the first part of the paper, we report accurate spectroscopic measurements of C₂H₂ and ¹³C¹²CH₂ near 1.533 μm, of H₂O and CO₂ at 2.682 μm and of the isotopologues ¹³C¹⁶O₂ and ¹⁶O¹²C¹⁸O near 2.041 μm and H₂ ¹⁷O, H₂ ¹⁸O and HDO near 2.642 μm. The achieved line strengths are thoroughly compared to data from molecular databases or from former experimental determinations. In the second part of the paper, we describe the TDLAS spectrometer for the PHOBOS-GRUNT mission.     

Telecom-grade fiber laser-based difference-frequency generation and ppb-level detection of benzene vapor in air around 3 μm

We report on the development of a field deployable compact laser instrument tunable over ∼232 cm⁻¹ from 3.16 to 3.41 μm (2932.5–3164.5 cm⁻¹) for chemical species monitoring at the ppb-level. The laser instrument is based on widely tunable continuous-wave difference-frequency generation (DFG), pumped by two telecom-grade fiber lasers. DFG power of ∼0.3 mW near 3.3 μm with a spectral purity of ∼3.3 MHz was achieved by using moderate pumping powers: 408 mW at 1062 nm and 636 mW at 1570 nm. Spectroscopic performance of the developed DFG-based instrument was evaluated with direct absorption spectra of ethylene at 3.23 μm (∼3094.31 cm⁻¹). Absorption spectra of vapor-phase benzene near 3.28 μm (∼3043.82 cm⁻¹) were recorded with Doppler-limited resolution. Line intensities of the most intense absorption lines of the ν ₁₂ band near 3043.8 cm⁻¹ were determined to support development of sensitive mid-infrared trace gas detection of benzene vapor in the atmosphere. Detection of benzene vapor in air at different concentration levels has been performed for the first time using multi-pass cell enhanced direct absorption spectroscopy at ∼3.28 μm with a minimum detectable concentration of 50 ppb (1σ).     

[18F]CuCF3: A [18F]Trifluoromethylating Agent for Arylboronic Acids and Aryl Iodides

Positron emission tomography has emerged as the leading method for medical imaging with fluorine‐18 as the most widely used radioactive isotope. Here we report a semi‐automated method for the preparation of valuable [¹⁸F]trifluoromethylcopper, as well as its use for the radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]trifluoromethylarenes and heteroarenes. Mild conditions of [¹⁸F]trifluoromethylation make this method particularly useful for the radiosynthesis of pharmacologically relevant [¹⁸F]trifluoromethylarenes and heteroarenes.