The nitrogen pentoxide dissociation equilibrium

The third-law method is used to assess the authenticity of available equilibrium constants for the thermal dissociation of N₂O₅ ? NO₂ + NO₃. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Experimental investigation of the aquatic propulsion caused by localised flexural wave propagation in immersed wedges and plates

This paper describes the results of the experimental verification of the idea of wave-like aquatic propulsion of autonomous and man-inhabited vessels first published about 10 years ago by one of the present authors (V.V.K.). The idea is based on employing the unique type of localised flexural elastic waves propagating along edges of wedge-like structures immersed in water (wedge elastic waves). Such wedge-like structures supporting localised elastic waves can be attached like fish fins to a body of a small ship or a submarine and used for their propulsion. The proposed principle of employing localised flexural waves as a source of aquatic propulsion has been biologically inspired by the specific swimming mode used in nature by stingrays. To verify the idea experimentally, the first working prototype of a small catamaran using the above-mentioned wave-like propulsion via the attached rubber keel has been build and tested in Loughborough University. The tests have been carried out in two phases, in a water tank and then in open water. The test results have shown that the catamaran was propelled very efficiently and could achieve the speed of 36 cm/s, i.e., about one vehicle length per second, thus demonstrating that the idea of wave-like propulsion of small man-inhabited craft is viable. The reported proof of the viability of this idea may open new opportunities for marine craft propulsion, which can have far reaching implications.     

Amino acid analysis by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection: application to nanolitre-volume biological samples from Arabidopsis thaliana and Myzus persicae

Amino acids were derivatised with 4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazol (NBD-F), separated by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), and detected by argon-ion (488 nm) laser-induced fluorescence. The optimised MEKC background electrolyte conditions were: 40 mM sodium cholate, 5 mM beta-cyclodextrin in 20 mM aqueous borate buffer, pH 9.1, with 7% v/v acetonitrile. Using these conditions, 19 amino acids were separated within 17 min. The limits of detection were in the range of 7.6-42.2 pmol/mL and limits of quantitation from 0.05-0.14 nmol/mL. The method was systematically validated for injection volume error, migration time variation, calibration linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery. Nanolitre volume samples of phloem sap of individual sieve element cells from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana and honeydew from the aphid Myzus persicae were directly analysed with this method. Quantitative amino acid concentrations in these two biological matrices were profiled for the first time. This method is particularly important because it allows the complete profile of the amino acids obtained from individual phloem elements, allowing cell to cell and plant to plant variation to be quantified, which to date has not been possible with Arabidopsis thaliana.     

The variation method and the algebraic eigenvalue problem

The generalized algebraic eigenvalue problem ( A ? λ B )x = 0 arises in the use of the variation method in quantum mechanics. If, within the limitations of the computer word-length, the basis set used to expand the trial wave function is linearly dependent, the matrix B becomes singular. Three different algorithms designed to deal with this difficulty have been investigated, paying special attention to the problem of identifying which members of the basis set are effectively linearly dependent. The advantages and limitations of each method are discussed.     

Biomimetic cycloaddition approach to tropolone natural products via a tropolone ortho-quinone methide

[reaction: see text] A study toward a possible biomimetic hetero Diels-Alder reaction is reported between humulene and a novel tropolone ortho-quinone methide. A suitable tropolone ortho-quinone methide precursor has been prepared from 3-methyl-2-furoate. Heating the ortho-quinone methide precursor gave a tropolone ortho-quinone methide, which in the presence of humulene underwent a hetero Diels-Alder reaction to give a deoxy analogue of epolone B.     

Bragg scattering as a probe of atomic wave functions and quantum phase transitions in optical lattices

We have observed Bragg scattering of photons from quantum degenerate ^{87}Rb atoms in a three-dimensional optical lattice. Bragg scattered light directly probes the microscopic crystal structure and atomic wave function whose position and momentum width is Heisenberg limited. The spatial coherence of the wave function leads to revivals in the Bragg scattered light due to the atomic Talbot effect. The decay of revivals across the superfluid to Mott insulator transition indicates the loss of superfluid coherence.     

Base drag effects on maximum lift-to-drag ratio airfoils at moderate supersonic speeds

Maximum lift-to-drag ratio airfoils at moderate supersonic speeds are determined using Ackeret's linear theory for the forebody pressure coefficient and Chapman's experimental results for the base pressure coefficient. Two cases are investigated for both laminar flow and turbulent flow: (i) given length and thickness and (ii) given length and enclosed area.For case (i), it is shown that the maximum lift-to-drag ratio airfoil is identical with the minimum drag airfoil. Furthermore, for turbulent flow and given Mach number and Reynolds number, two critical values of the thickness ratio exist, ₁ and ₂. For ₁, the optimum airfoil is a diamond shape with a closed trailing edge and exhibits maximum thickness at midchord; for ₁₂, the optimum airfoil is a diamond shape with a blunt trailing edge and exhibits maximum thickness between midchord and the trailing edge; finally, for ₂, the optimum airfoil is a wedge and exhibits maximum thickness at the trailing edge.For case (ii), it is shown that the maximum lift-to-drag ratio is identical with the minimum drag airfoil. Furthermore, for turbulent flow and given Mach number and Reynolds number, a critical value (A/l ²)₁ of the enclosed area ratio exists. ForA/l ²(A/l ²)₁, the optimum airfoil is biconvex with a closed trailing edge and exhibits maximum thickness at midchord; forA/l ²(A/l ²)₁, the optimum airfoil is biconvex with a blunt trailing edge and exhibits maximum thickness between midchord and the trailing edge.This research, supported by the Office of Scientific Research, Office of Aerospace Research, United States Air Force, Grant No. AF-AFOSR-828-67, is a condensed version of the investigations described in Refs. 1–2. The author would like to thank Dr. Angelo Miele for suggesting the problem and helpful discussions.     

Torsion pendulum automation by a single microcomputer

A new automated torsional pendulum is described. It uses a single photocell for the measurement of the period of oscillation and the logarithmic decrement. Data acquisition, data processing and temperature control are all performed by a single microcomputer. The result is that the instrument can be produced and operated more cheaply than before.The principles behind the design, the method of determining the shape factor, the calibration procedure and the software are discussed. Examples are given to illustrate the use of this instrument. A practical limitation is that the loss tangent should not exceed about 3.