Dislocation decoration and raft formation in irradiated materials

Experimental observations of dislocation decoration with self-interstitial atom (SIA) clusters and of SIA cluster rafts are analysed to establish the mechanisms controlling these phenomena in bcc metals. The elastic interaction between SIA clusters, and between clusters and dislocations is included in kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations of damage evolution in irradiated bcc metals. The results indicate that SIA clusters, which normally migrate by 1D glide, rotate due to their elastic interactions, and that this rotation is necessary to explain experimentally-observed dislocation decoration and raft formation in neutron-irradiated pure iron. The critical dose for raft formation in iron is shown to depend on the intrinsic glide/rotation characteristics of SIA clusters. The model is compared with experimental observations for the evolution of defect cluster densities (sessile SIA clusters and nano-voids), dislocation decoration characteristics and the conditions for raft formation.     

Enantioselective one-pot three-component synthesis of propargylamines catalyzed by copper(I)–pyridine bis-(oxazoline) complexes

A one-pot three-component coupling of aldehydes and amines in presence of terminal alkynes has been efficiently catalyzed by copper (I) complex of i-Pr-pybox-diPh 2b or s-Bu-pybox-diPh 2c. The process is simple and allows the synthesis of various propargylamines in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and in higher yields. The nature of the substituents attached to imines plays a vital role on the enantioselectivities obtained. The presence of gem-diphenyl group at C-5 position and secondary alkyl substituents at the C-4 chiral center of the oxazoline rings of the chiral ligands was found to be crucial for higher enantioselectivities. A transition state model involving π–π stacking is also proposed for the stereochemical outcome.     

Synthesis of mixed cyclotriveratrylenes

Cyclotriveratrylenes containing one benzene ring and two indole rings linked through N1 and C2 can be prepared by acid-catalysed reactions of formaldehyde and aryl aldehydes with 1,2-di-(1-indolylmethyl)benzene compounds.     

Studies on testing and evaluation of platinum plated titanium electrode for production of uranous nitrate

Partitioning of plutonium from uranium is an important step in the reprocessing of spent fuel by PUREX process of solvent extraction using 30% TBP-dodecane. This is achieved by selectively reducing the Pu in solution to least extractable trivalent state by uranous nitrate as the reductant. The latter is conventionally produced by electrolytic reduction of uranyl ion in presence of hydrazine nitrate as uranous nitrate stabilizer using Pt-coated titanium as the anode. The anode plating wears out after period of operation thus affecting the process efficiency and hence the quality control testing of platinum plated electrode becomes important. This article describes the use of Beta backscattering method with strontium-90 radioisotope as non-destructive testing tool for measuring the coating thickness of the sample Ti electrode. The surface characteristics and coating morphology were also examined by scanning electron microscope and the micrographs are presented.     

Optimization of experimental conditions for composite biodiesel production from transesterification of mixed oils of Jatropha and Pongamia

India is looking at the renewable alternative sources of energy to reduce its dependence on import of crude oil. As India imports 70?% of the crude oil, the country has been greatly affected by increasing cost and uncertainty. Biodiesel fuel derived by the two step acid transesterification of mixed non-edible oils from Jatropha curcas and Pongamia (karanja) can meet the requirements of diesel fuel in the coming years. In the present study, different proportions of Methanol, Sodium hydroxide, variation of Reaction time, Sulfuric acid and Reaction Temperature were adopted in order to optimize the experimental conditions for maximum biodiesel yield. The preliminary studies revealed that biodiesel yield varied widely in the range of 75–95?% using the laboratory scale reactor. The average yield of 95?% was obtained. The fuel and chemical properties of biodiesel, namely kinematic viscosity, specific gravity, density, flash point, fire point, calorific value, pH, acid value, iodine value, sulfur content, water content, glycerin content and sulfated ash values were found to be within the limits suggested by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 15607: 2005). The optimum combination of Methanol, Sodium hydroxide, Sulfuric acid, Reaction Time and Reaction Temperature are established.     

Easy-to-fabricate high efficiency silicon nanowires solar cell modified by CdTe and zinc tetraphenyl porphyrin nanostructures

Liquid junction solar cell (LJSC) with vertically silicon nanowires (SiNWs) as the primary photosensitizer,co-sensitized with luminescent and narrow gap CdTe na...     

Multiple scattering of gamma rays in water,concrete and sand

The transmitted photon spectra of¹³³Ba,²²Na,¹³⁷Cs,⁵⁴Mn and⁶⁰Co point sources are measured through different thicknesses of water, concrete and sand. The multiple-scatter peaks observed in these materials at 60, 90 and 100 keV energies respectively are found to be independent of incident photon energy and thickness of the medium.