Low-noise operation of fluoride-based erbium-doped fiber amplifiers with (4)I(11/2)-level pumping

The low-noise operation of fluoride-based erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA's) is demonstrated with (4)I(11/2)-level pumping for what we believe to be the first time. A noise figure as low as 3.5 +/- 0.5 dB at 1550 nm is achieved by means of 970-nm pumping. It is shown that it is possible to construct fluoride-based EDFA's with a noise figure as low as that of silica-based EDFA's.     

TMSR白光中子源关键核数据实验进展

钍铀燃料循环核数据的精度和可靠性直接关系着钍基熔盐堆的安全性和经济性。目前大多数核数据都是基于铀钚燃料循环进行开发,若直接用在钍基熔盐堆上将会出现核设计不确定度较高的问题。为了提高钍基熔盐堆物理设计所需核数据的适用性,中国科学院上海应用物理研究所自行设计并建造了紧凑型的15 MeV电子加速器驱动的白光中子源(Photoneutron Source,PNS),用于开展钍铀燃料循环核数据的实验测量。该装置已通过技术验收,并进行了一系列关键核素的核数据测量,检验了现用核数据的可靠性,为相关核素的核数据评价与改进提供了基础实验数据。     

Transient Dynamics of Fluoride-Based High Concentration Erbium/Cerium Co-Doped Fiber Amplifier

We designed and evaluated a fluoride-based high concentration erbium/ cerium co-doped fiber amplifier. It is suitable for Metropolitan Area Networks due to faster transient, flatter (unfiltered) gain, smaller footprint and gain excursion than its silica-based counterpart.     

Steady state investigation on neutronics of a molten salt reactor considering the flow effect of fuel salt

The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR),one of the‘Generation Ⅳ'concepts,is a liquid-fuel reactor,which is different from the conventional reactors using solid fissile materials due to the flow effect of fuel salt.The study on its neutronice considering the fuel salt flow,which is the base of the thermal-hydraulic calculation and safety analysis,must be done.In this paper,the theoretical model on neutronics under steady condition for a single-liquid-fueled MSR is conducted and calculated by numerical method.The neutronics model consists of two group neutron diffusion equations for fast and thermal neutron fluxes,and balance equations for six-group delayed neutron precursors considering the flow effect of fuel salt. The spatial discretization of the above models is based on the finite volume method,and the discretization equations are computed by the source iteration method.The distributions of neutron fluxes and the distributions of the delayed neutron precursors in the core are obtained.The numerical calculated results show that,the fuel salt flow has little effect on the distribution of fast and thermal neutron fluxes and the effective multiplication factor;however,it affects the distribution of the delayed neutron precursors significantly,especially the long-lived one.In addition,it could be found that the delayed neutron precursors influence the nentronics slightly under the steady condition.     

Normally-off metamorphic AlInAs/AlInAs HEMTs on Si substrates grown by MOCVD

A combination of self-aligned fluoride-based plasma treatment and post-gate rapid thermal annealing was developed to fabricate a novel 120-nm T-shaped gate normally-off metamorphic Al0.49In0.51As/Ga0.47In0.53 As HEMT device on a Si substrate grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition(MOCVD). A shift of the threshold voltage, from-0.42 V to 0.11 V was obtained and the shift can be effectively adjusted by the process parameter of CF4 plasma treatment. Furthermore, a side benefit of reducing the leakage current of the device up to two orders of magnitude was also observed.E-mode transistors with 120 nm gate length own fTup to 160 GHz and fmax of 140 GHz. These characteristics imply the potential of the fluoride-based plasma treatment technology for the fabrication of monolithic enhancement/depletion-mode m HEMTs, which also encourage the massive production with this low-cost technology.     

Very early observations on fuel cells

It is often claimed that the German romantic natural philosopher J.W. Ritter (1776–1810) discovered an early version of the storage battery in 1803. A close friend of Ritter, the Danish natural philosopher H.C. Ørsted (1777– 1851), Fig. 1, played an important role in promoting this discovery. A closer look at the Ritter and Ørsted experiments, however, show that their storage cells worked as fuel cells during discharge. Even more remarkable is the fact that Ørsted gave the correct explanation of the observed effect.     

Ionic conductivity of highly deproteinized natural rubber having various amount of epoxy group mixed with lithium salt

Ionic conductivity of highly deproteinized natural rubber having various amount of epoxy group (LEDPNR) mixed with lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt was investigated through impedance analysis with respect to salt concentration, glass transition temperature and epoxy group content. The LEDPNR was prepared from depolymerization of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex, which was prepared by deproteinization of natural rubber latex with proteolytic enzyme and surfactant followed by epoxidation with fresh peracetic acid. The resulting LEDPNR was found to have 10–57 mol% epoxy group, low M_n and low T_g. The conductivity of LEDPNR/LiTFSI mixture was dependent on LiTFSI salt concentration and glass transition temperature (T_g). The highest ionic conductivity versus salt concentration for the mixtures was found to be due to amount of effective carrier ion and the highest mobility of segment of LEDPNR at a suitable LiTFSI concentration. The ionic conductivity of LEDPNR/LiTFSI mixtures was further dependent on epoxy group content.     

On the use of Pd filters on proton conducting SOFC ceramics

Ceramic proton conductors are materials which conduct protons under an applied electric field and permit the construction of a SOFC in analogy to the oxygen ion conductor 8YSZ. Such protonic ceramic fuel cells have been labelled PCFCs to distinguish them from the standard SOFCs. PCFCs have several advantages when compared with standard SOFCs. First, there is no water contamination of the fuel gas. Second, the protonic conductivity may be higher in the intermediate temperature range (550 to 700 °C). Also, the activation energy for proton migration is much lower than that of oxygen ion conduction. In addition, internal reforming is also possible permitting the use of natural gas. An intriguing possibility is the use of palladium filters on the fuel side which only permit the diffusion of protons to the filter-electrolyte interface. This may reduce undesirable mixing of the fuel and the oxygen on either side of the electrolyte. In this work, it is shown that the entry of protons from the Pd into the ceramic conductor is straightforward. Prototype test PCFCs are shown to operate as required. To test the Pd - ceramic proton conductor system a study was undertaken using Pd tubes which were coated with thin layers of the proton conducting ceramics. When flushing the tube insides with hydrogen and exposing the outsides to air, Nernst voltages of such electrochemical cells could be recorded as a function of temperature. The present rather preliminary work, however, was hampered by leakage of the thin film HTPC's. Thus, the theoretical Nernst voltages were not attained. Paper presented at the 9th EuroConference on Ionics, Ixia, Rhodes, Greece, Sept. 15 – 21, 2002.     

The effect of core and lanthanide ion dopants in sodium fluoride-based nanocrystals on phagocytic activity of human blood leukocytes

Sodium fluoride-based β-NaLnF4 nanoparticles (NPs) doped with lanthanide ions are promising materials for application as luminescent markers in bio-imaging. In this work, the effect of NPs doped with yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd), europium (Eu), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb) and terbium (Tb) ions on phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes and the respiratory burst was examined. The surface functionalization of <10-nm NPs was performed according to our variation of patent pending ligand exchange method that resulted in meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) molecules on their surface. Y-core-based NCs were doped with Eu ions, which enabled them to be excited with UV light wavelengths. Cultures of human peripheral blood (n = 8) were in vitro treated with five different concentrations of eight NPs for 24 h. In summary, neither type of nanoparticles is found toxic with respect to conducted test; however, some cause toxic effects (they have statistically significant deviations compared to reference) in some selected doses tested. Both core types of NPs (Y-core and Gd-core) impaired the phagocytic activity of monocytes the strongest, having minimal or none whatsoever influence on granulocytes and respiratory burst of phagocytic cells. The lowest toxicity was observed in Gd-core, Yb, Tm dopants and near-infrared nanoparticles. Clear dose-dependent effect of NPs on phagocytic activity of leukocytes and respiratory burst of cells was observed for limited number of samples.     

Effects of magnesium salt concentrations on B-DNA overstretching transition

In this study, we use optical tweezers to investigate the ionic effects of magnesium salt solutions on the overstretching transition of single B-DNA molecules. The experimental data are compared with those in sodium salt solutions. The overstretching transition force increases when the NaCl or MgCl₂ salt concentration increases. Magnesium cations have much stronger effects on the overstretching transition force than sodium cations. For both NaCl and MgCl₂ salt solutions, the overstretching transition force is linear with the natural logarithm of salt concentration, which confirms the theory proposed in previous paper. The modified ZZO model is applied to study the electrostatic contribution of magnesium salt solutions to the overstretching transition of single B-DNA molecules. The consistency between the experimental data and analytical results shows that the modified ZZO model can simulate the transition behavior of single B-DNA molecules in different NaCl and MgCl₂ salt solutions.     

车用小型液化天然气燃料罐及其关键技术研究

随着世界资源和环境问题的日益突出,以天然气作为汽车代用燃料的技术越来越受到人们的重视.液化天然气汽车(LNGV)是天然气汽车的一个重要发展方向,同时该技术对LNG燃料罐提出了更高的要求.本文对目前液化天然气汽车的发展现状、小型车用LNG燃料罐的结构、功能以及国内外LNG燃料罐的技术基础进行了总结,重点介绍了近年来世界车用天然气燃料罐的关键技术.     

Novel solid acid fuel cell based on a superprotonic conductor Tl3H(SO4)2

We have fabricated a fuel cell based on a superprotonic conductor, a Tl₃H(SO₄)₂ crystal, and have measured the electrical properties of this fuel cell. It is found that the open-circuit voltage in the fuel cell based on the Tl₃H(SO₄)₂ crystal increases by supplying H₂ fuel gas and typically becomes 0.83 V. Moreover, we have observed that the cell voltage decreases with increasing current density, as observed in fuel cells such as proton exchange membrane fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell, etc. These results indicate that it is possible to use the Tl₃H(SO₄)₂ crystal as the electrolyte of a solid acid fuel cell. In addition, we suggest that the selection of the electrode and the preparation of the very thin electrolyte are extremely important to achieve high-efficiency of power generation of this fuel cell.     

基于中国散裂中子源反角白光中子束线的天然锂中子全截面测量

锂是熔盐堆燃料载体盐的主要材料之一,其中子核反应截面数据是熔盐堆芯中子物理设计及堆芯长期安全运行中的重要基础数据.本工作基于中国散裂中子源反角白光中子束线(CSNS Back-n)飞行时间谱仪,利用中子全截面测量谱仪(NTOX),采用透射法测量了天然锂中子全截面.实验中,中子飞行距离约为76.0 m,采用15.0 mm和8.00 mm两种厚度的天然锂金属样品,在0.4 e V—20 Me V中子能量范围内测得了统计计数较好的中子全截面.特别是在ke V及以下能区增补了实验数据,为锂的核数据评价工作提供了更加丰富和可靠的实验数据.在此基础上,采用1/v律和R矩阵理论对Me V以下能区的新测量数据进行了理论分析,获得了7Li和6Li在260 ke V能量附近的中子共振参数.     

Electrochemical performance of ceria-gadolinia electrolyte based direct carbon fuel cells

A direct carbon fuel cell offers a high efficiency alternative to traditional coal fired electrical power plants. In this paper, the electrochemical performance of electrolyte supported button cells with Gd₂O₃-doped CeO₂ (CGO) electrolyte is reported over the temperature range 600 to 800 °C with solid carbon as a fuel and He/CO₂ as the purge gases in the fuel chamber. The electrochemical characterisation of the cells was carried out by the Galvanostatic Current Interruption (GCI) technique and measuring V-I and P-I curves. Power densities over 50 mWcm^-2 have been demonstrated using carbon black as the fuel. Results indicate that at low temperatures around 600 °C, the direct electrochemical oxidation of carbon takes place. However, at higher temperatures (800 °C) both direct electrochemical oxidation and the reverse Boudouard reaction take place leading to some loss in fuel cell thermodynamic efficiency and reduced fuel utilisation due to the in-situ production of CO. In order to avoid reverse Boudouard reaction whilst maximising performance, an operating temperature of around 700 °C appears optimal. Further, the electrochemical performance of fuel cells has been compared for graphite and carbon black fuels. It was found that graphitic carbon fuel is electrochemically less reactive than relatively amorphous carbon black fuel in the DCFC when tested under similar conditions.     

钍基熔盐堆新型栅格设计与优化

利用上海核工院自主开发的SONG/TANG-MSR程序系统,通过大量的方案筛选,在熔盐燃料成分、慢化剂材料以及栅格结构等方面对钍基熔盐堆（TMSR）栅格进行设计优化。提出采用无铍熔盐作为燃料,以提高重核（ThF4, UF4）溶解度;采用氧化铍（BeO）作为慢化剂,从而提高中子经济性;创新性地采用熔盐燃料与慢化剂隔离的SiC包壳管设计,保持堆芯结构的稳定性和抗辐照性能。对优化后的栅格设计计算结果表明:新型的熔盐堆栅格设计具有很高的增殖比并保持负功率系数,从而满足下一代核能系统可持续性和安全性要求。     

The procedure and results of calculations of the equilibrium isotopic composition of a demonstration subcritical molten salt reactor

A subcritical molten salt reactor with an external neutron source is studied computationally as a facility for incineration and transmutation of minor actinides from spent nuclear fuel of reactors of VVER-1000 type and for producing ²³³U from ²³²Th. The reactor configuration is chosen, the requirements to be imposed on the external neutron source are formulated, and the equilibrium isotopic composition of heavy nuclides and the key parameters of the fuel cycle are calculated.     

Non-conventional solid state fuel cells: Materials & technology

Investigation of “Non-conventional material” for fuel cells, such as oxide-salt-ceramic composites and ceria based or perovskite oxides with different dopants, leads to a much lower fuel cell operating temperature compared to conventional high temperature, ∼1000 °C, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which provides the new possibilities for facilitating SOFC commercialisation. This work is essentially an effort to develop new types of solid oxide ion and proton fuel cells (SOFC and SPFC) at fairly low temperatures, <800 °C, or intermediate temperature, 400 to 800 °C. The conventional high temperature SOFCs using yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) materials, and low temperature SPFCs (<200 °C) using polymer membrane electrolytes have complex material and system problems from either special high temperature requests or expensive technology and reforming systems. This research is intended to provide materials and technology along new routes for so-called non-conventional fuel cell systems, to facilitate solid state fuel cell cmmercialisation. The fuel cell research on these non-conventional systems is promising. This paper, based on recent achievements in research on materials and technology, summaries the developnt of material systems and new fuel cell devices regarding their potential marketability in the near future. Paper presented at the 3rd Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Teulada, Sardinia, Italy, Sept. 15–22, 1996     

Recent studies on radiation induced F-center and colloid particle formation in synthetic NaCI and natural rock salt

Radiation induced F-center and Na metal colloid formation have been studied, at temperatures between 100 and 350°C, in melt growth synthetic NaCl crystals and natural rock salt samples, using equipment for making optical measurements during 1–3 MeV electron irradiation. In both types of NaCl the damage formation kinetics are qualitatively similar. However, there are large quantitative differences which depend on irradiation temperature, dose rate, total dose, inherent strain, strain applied prior to irradiation and other factors. Natural rock salt samples from different localities exhibit markedly different radiation induced colloid formation rates. An extrapolation of the current data to the doses expected in radioactive waste depositories indicate that natural salt immediately adjacent to the planned waste canisters could develop between 0.1 and 50 percent colloidal sodium in 50 to 400 years.     

新型钍基熔盐堆堆芯方案及燃耗分析

采用自主开发的SONG/TANG-MSR栅格/堆芯分析程序对新型钍基熔盐堆（TMSR）进行堆芯布置与燃耗分析计算。根据前期的栅格分析相关工作,TMSR采用了无铍（BeF2）燃料熔盐、氧化铍慢化剂以及碳化硅包壳,并在组件栅格初步优化分析的基础上,通过全堆芯计算对熔盐栅格进一步优化和分析,给出了堆芯三区布置方案。该方案具有较高的增殖比,负的功率系数,以及较平的温度分布。根据该堆芯方案,在考虑熔盐在线处理情况下进行了熔盐燃耗计算分析。结果表明,堆芯具有较高的增殖比、较短的倍增时间以及长期稳定运行能力。新型的钍基熔盐设计大大提高了增殖性能,同时又确保堆芯具有足够的安全性能。     

Proton-conducting I-Carrageenan-based biopolymer electrolyte for fuel cell application

The essential part of electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells and batteries, is the polymer electrolyte with good mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability. The search for a new proton-conducting membrane with easy processability, non-toxic, and low-cost has been growing rapidly. The bio-based polymer electrolytes are now receiving much attention due to the green environment. Among the commercially available biopolymers, iota-Carrageenan (I-Carrageenan) is one of the biopolymer with good film-forming nature and with good mechanical stability. I-Carrageenan-based biopolymer membranes doped with ammonium bromide (NH₄Br) have been prepared using solution-casting technique, and distilled water is used as a solvent. The prepared I-Carrageenan-based biopolymer membranes have been characterized using FTIR, XRD, and AC impedance techniques. The complexation between the polymer and salt has been revealed by FTIR. The increase in the amorphous nature of the film due to the addition of salt has been confirmed by XRD. From AC impedance technique, the conductivity of pure I-Carrageenan has been found to be 1.46 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm. The addition of different wt% of NH₄Br increases the conductivity and reaches the highest value of 1.08 × 10⁻³ S/cm for 20% NH₄Br, and the conductivity decreases on further addition of NH₄Br due to the formation of ion aggregates.