Selective extraction of iron(III) from aqueous nitrate solution in the presence of cobalt(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) ions using bis(delta2-2-imidazolinyl)-5,5'-dioxime.

The feasibility of using bis(delta2-2-imidazolinyl)-5,5'-dioxime (H2L) for the selective extraction of iron(III) from aqueous solutions was investigated by employing an solvent-extraction technique. The extraction of iron(III) from an aqueous nitrate solution in the presence of metal ions, such as cobalt(II), copper(II) and nickel(II), was carried out using H2L in binary and multicomponent mixtures. Iron(III) extraction has been studied as a function of the pH, equilibrium time and extractant concentration. From the extracted complex species in the organic phase, iron(III) was stripped with 2 M HNO3, and later determined using atomic-absorption spectrometry. The extraction was found to significantly depend on the aqueous solution pH. The extraction of iron(III) with H2L increases with the pH value, reaching a maximum in the zone of pH 2.0, remaining constant between 2 and 3.5 and subsequently decreasing. The quantitative extraction of iron(III) with 5 x 10(-30 M H2L in toluene is observed at pH 2.0. H2L was found to react with iron(III) to form ligand complex having a composition of 1:2 (Fe:H2L).     

Schottky metal library for ZNO-based UV photodiode fabricated by the combinatorial ion beam-assisted deposition

A binary alloy Schottky barrier diode on zinc oxide (ZnO) was developed using the combinatorial ion beam-assisted deposition system. The compositional fraction of the binary alloy was continuously varied using the composition-spread technique, to control the Schottky barrier height. After metal deposition, patterned Schottky diodes were fabricated on a ZnO single-crystal substrate. Pt-Ru alloy was selected from the work function viewpoint. Our experiments showed that the compositional fraction of the Schottky binary alloys changed continuously as designed and the Schottky barrier heights measured by current-voltage (I-V) measurements increased with increasing Pt content. Maximum barrier height difference for ZnO was 137 meV. Using ion beam deposition in parallel with the combinatorial system showed that the Schottky barrier heights for ZnO can be controlled by binary metal alloying.     

Preparation of hollow beads of poly(styrene-co-divinyl benzene)

Two methods are described for the production of hollow beads by copolymerization of styrene and divinyl benzene. Characterization of the beads is described and growth mechanisms proposed.     

Alternating-current losses in two-layer superconducting cables consisting of second-generation superconductors coated by U-shaped ferromagnetic materials

Alternating-current losses in a two-layer superconducting cable, each layer being composed of 15 closely-spaced rectangular wires made up of second-generation superconductors when the ends of wires are coated by either a non-magnetic or strong ferromagnetic material having a U profile is numerically investigated. Computations are carried out through the finite-element method. The alternating-current losses do not increase significantly if the relative permeability of the coating is increased three orders of magnitude, provided that the current amplitude is less than half of the critical current in a superconducting wire. However, the losses are much higher for ferromagnetic coating if the amplitude of the applied current oscillating at 50 Hz is close to the critical current. The ferromagnetic coating is seen to accumulate the magnetic field lines normally on its surfaces, while the field lines are parallel to the long axes of the wires, leading to more significant flux penetration in the coated regions. This facilitates a uniform low-loss current flow in the uncoated regions of the wires. In contrast, coating with a non-magnetic material gives rise to a considerably smaller current flow in the uncoated regions, whereas the low-loss flow is maintained in the coated regions. Moreover, the current flows in opposite directions in the coated and uncoated regions, where the direction in each region is converse for the two materials.     

Synthesis and Comparison of Extraction Properties of p‐tert‐Butylcalix[n]arene Nitrile Derivatives for Selected Metals and Dichromate Anions

The article describes the syntheses and extraction properties of two p‐tert‐butylcalix[6]arene nitrile derivatives (3 and 4). The trinitrile derivative 3 has been synthesized from 5,11,17,23,29,35‐hexa‐tert‐butyl‐37,38,39,40,41,42‐hexahydroxycalix[6]arene 1. The compound 1 was directly converted to its hexanitrile derivative 4. In these syntheses, it was thought to explore the role of nitrile sites in the extraction of various metal cations and HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions. The liquid‐liquid extraction properties of 3 and 4 towards selected alkali/transition metal cations and HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions are reported. It has been observed that receptor 3 does not extract alkali/transition metal cations effectively, but shows affinity towards HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions at low pH. The compound 4 is an effective form for transferring Ni²⁺ selectively, while it shows poor transferring ability for HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions from an aqueous into a dichloromethane layer. It was observed that the cavity size of the calix[n]arenes and the cooperativity of the functionalities play important roles in two phase extraction systems.     

Composition spread metal thin film fabrication technique based on ion beam sputter deposition

A composition spread metal thin film fabrication technique based on ion beam sputter deposition method was developed. The technique enables us to fabricate any desired part or a complete binary/ternary composition spread metal thin films onto a single substrate by sequentially sputtering different target materials. Composition spread metal thin films can be deposited directly on a dielectric film in patterned electrode shape for C-V and I-V measurements. The system could be especially useful in the search for new multi-component metal gate materials.     

Occupational prolonged organic solvent exposure in shoemakers: brain MR spectroscopy findings

Our purpose was to investigate, by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, the metabolite changes in the brains of subjects in the shoemaking industry who had been chronically exposed to organic solvents. A total of 49 male subjects and 30 age-matched healthy volunteers underwent detailed neurological and psychiatric examinations. All subjects had long-echo [repetition time (TR) 2000 ms, echo time (TE) 136 ms] single-voxel MR spectroscopy. Voxels (15 x 15 x 15 mm(3)) were placed in the parietal white matter, thalamus, and basal ganglia. N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho)/Cr ratios were calculated. There was no significant difference between the study subjects and the control group in NAA/Cr ratios obtained from thalamus, basal ganglia, and parietal white matter. Cho/Cr ratios in thalamus, basal ganglia, and parietal white matter were found to be significantly increased compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between basal ganglia Cho/Cr ratio and duration of exposure (r = 0.63). MR spectroscopy should be performed to reveal metabolite changes and determine the degree of brain involvement in solvent-related industry workers.     

Absorption of short laser pulses on solid targets in the ultrarelativistic regime

We report the first direct measurements of total absorption of short laser pulses on solid targets in the ultrarelativistic regime. The data show an enhanced absorption at intensities above 10(20) W/cm(2), reaching 60% for near-normal incidence and 80%-90% for 45 degrees incidence. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that such high absorption is consistent with both interaction with preplasma and hole boring by the intense laser pulse. A large redshift in the second harmonic indicates a surface recession velocity of 0.035c.