Iron–cobalt nanocrystalline alloy supported on a cubic mesostructured silica matrix: FeCo/SBA-16 porous nanocomposites

A series of novel nanocomposites constituted of FeCo nanoparticles dispersed in an ordered cubic Im3m mesoporous silica matrix (SBA-16) have been successfully synthesized using the wet impregnation method. SBA-16, prepared using the non-ionic Pluronic 127 triblock copolymer as a structure-directing agent, is an excellent support for catalytic nanoparticles because of its peculiar three-dimensional cage-like structure, high surface area, thick walls, and high thermal stability. Low-angle X-ray diffraction, N₂ physisorption, and transmission electron microscopy analyses show that after metal loading, calcination at 500 °C, and reduction in H₂ flux at 800 °C, the nanocomposites retain the well-ordered structure of the matrix with cubic symmetry of pores. FeCo alloy nanoparticles with spherical shape and narrow size distribution (4–8 nm) are homogeneoulsy distributed throughout the matrix and they seem in a large extent to be allocated inside the pores.     

Nano organic carbon and soot in turbulent non-premixed ethylene flames

Spectral optical techniques are combined to characterise the distribution of large-molecule soot precursors, nanoparticles of organic carbon, and soot in two turbulent non-premixed ethylene flames with differing residence times. Laser-induced fluorescence, laser-induced incandescence and light scattering are used to define distributions across the particle size distribution. From the scattering and laser-induced emission measurements it appears that two classes of particles are formed. The first ones are preferentially formed in the fuel-rich region of the flame closer to the nozzle, have sizes of the order of few nanometers but are not fully solid particles, because the constituent molecules still maintain their individual identity exhibiting strong broadband fluorescence in the UV. The second class of particles constituted by solid particles, with sizes of the order of tens of nanometers are able to absorb a sufficient number of photons to be heated to incandescent temperatures. These larger particles are formed at larger residence times in the flame since they are the result of slow growth processes such as coagulation or carbonization. The flames are also modeled in order to produce mixture fraction maps. A new discovery is that nanoparticles of organic carbon concentration, unlike soot, does correlate well with mixture fraction, independent of position in the flame. This is likely to be a significant benefit to future modelling of soot inception processes in turbulent non-premixed flames.     

Numbers,scale and symbols: the public understanding of nanotechnology

Nanotechnology will be an increasing part of the everyday lives of most people in the world. There is a general recognition that few people understand the implications of the technology, the technology itself or even the definition of the word. This lack of understanding stems from a lack of knowledge about science in general but more specifically difficulty in grasping the size scale and symbolism of nanotechnology. A potential key to informing the general public is establishing the ability to comprehend the scale of nanotechnology. Transitioning from the macro to the nanoscale seems to require an ability to comprehend scales of one-billion. Scaling is a skill not common in most individuals and tests of their ability to extrapolate size based upon scaling a common object demonstrates that most individuals cannot scale to the extent needed to make the transition to nanoscale. Symbolism is another important vehicle to providing the general public with a basis to understand the concepts of nanotechnology. With increasing age, individuals are able to draw representations of atomic scale objects, but these tend to be iconic and the different representations not easily translated. Ball and stick models are most recognized by the public, which provides an opportunity to present not only useful symbolism but also a reference point for the atomic scale.     

Theoretical diagnostic and prediction of physical properties of quaternary InGaAsP compound using artificial neural networks optimized by the Levenberg Maquardt algorithm

The quaternaries \(In_{1 - x} Ga_{x} As_{y} P_{1 - y}\) are the main promising elements for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. The adjustment of their physical parameters is assumed by the change of the molar fraction \(x\) and \(y\). These parameters can be affected by the variation of temperature and pressure. To make the theoretical diagnosis of these materials, it is fundamental to know the energy gap ‘\(\varvec{E}_{\varvec{g}}\)’ and the lattice parameter ‘\(a\)’, over a wide range of chemical compositions \(0 \le x \le 0.47\) and \(0 \le y \le 1\), at different temperatures and pressures. We show that by using the Artificial Neural Network method optimized by the Levenberg Maquardt algorithm ANN-LM, it is possible to obtain results very close to the experiment. The scatter plot and error calculation show that the ANN-LM model provides more accurate values of the lattice parameter than those calculated by Vegard’s law. On the other hand, the energy gap values \(Eg (x, y, T)\) estimated, using the ANN-LM model, proved to be close to the experimental values that those calculated by the empirical equations. In addition, the ANN-LM method allowed us to estimate with great accuracy the values of the energy gap at different temperatures and pressures \(Eg (P, T)\). Our work provides crucial information on the physical properties of the quaternary without the use of approximations, and without taking into account the hypothesis of a perfect agreement between \(InGaAsP\) and \(InP\) substrate.     

The Fluorescence Properties and Lifetime Study of G-quadruplexes Single- and Double-labeled with Pyrene

We report steady state fluorescence and lifetime emission studies of d(GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG) (TBA) and d(GGGTTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGG) (Htelom) oligonucleotides labeled with pyrene through a 3-aminopropyl linker. Such G-rich sequences are able to self-assemble into G-quadruplexes, especially in the presence of specific cations like potassium. A comparative studies with single- and double-labeled G-quadruplexes were carried out. For each probe we have measured fluorescence decays for emission wavelength of 390 and 480 nm in the varying concentration of potassium ion. We have calculated average lifetimes <τ> for every system as well as the fractional distribution α_i of emitting species.     

A study of void size growth in nonequilibrium stochastic systems of point defects

We study properties of voids growth dynamics in a stochastic system of point defects insolids under nonequilibrium conditions (sustained irradiation). It is shown thatfluctuations of defect production rate (external noise) increase the critical void radiuscomparing to a deterministic system. An automodel regime of void size growth in astochastic system is studied in detail. Considering a homogeneous system, it is found thatexternal noise does not change the universality of the void size distribution function;the mean void size evolves according to classical nucleation theory. The noise increasesthe mean void size and spreads the void size distribution. Studying dynamics of spatiallyextended systems it was shown that vacancies remaining in a matrix phase are able toorganize into vacancy enriched domains due to an instability caused by an elastic latticedeformation. It is shown that dynamics of voids growth is defined by void sinks strengthwith void size growth exponent varying from 1/3 up to 1/2.