Hydrogenation mechanism in lanthanum-activated magnesium films

With density-functional theory, the dissociative chemisorptions and diffusion processes of hydrogen on both pure and La-doped Mg(0001) surfaces are studied. Calculation results show that the energy barrier obtained for hydrogen dissociation on the La-doped Mg(0001) surface is smaller due to back-donated bonding between molecular H₂ and doped La atom. The obtained diffusion barriers (0.8–0.22 eV) imply a fast motion of atomic H on La-doped Mg(0001) surface.     

A practical expected-value-approach model to assess the relevant procurement costs

As an improvement to a series of expected value approach models, this study presents a supplier portfolio decision model, rather than a number of suppliers decision model. The model assesses risks as costs, considers types of heterogeneity in a procurement process and links the assessed terms in the programming model with accounting concepts. The model is then confirmed by using a procurement decision case with real data. The analysis has several implications for modelling, application and practice. In the light of the counterexamples shown, some thoughts pertaining to procurement decisions in supply management are reconsidered.     

Synthesis and characterization of luminescent osmium(II) carbonyl complexes based on chelating dibenzoylmethanate and halide ligands

Octahedral Os(II) complexes 1-5 with formula [Os(CO)3X(dbm)] are prepared through utilization of both solid-state pyrolysis and ligand exchange reactions. These complexes exhibit prominent 3pi-pi* phosphorescence with unusually long lifetimes (29-64 micros) and high quantum yields (0.08-0.13).     

微分电位溶出分析法应用于金膜电极的研究

本文介绍将微分电位溶出分析法应用于金膜电极,建立了相应的理论体系和应用条件。可使用的金膜厚度在1.8×10~(-7)～4.3×10~(-7)cm范围。检测限较原法降低近两个数量极。用本法测定花生乳中的铜,回收率在94～102%间。     

Synthesis of hexagonal ZnO clubs with opposite faces of unequal dimensions for the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells

Novel sub-micro sized hexagonal clubs of ZnO (HC-ZnO), which are coated as a scattering layer (SL) for the photoanode of a DSSC, are synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the ZnO clubs show clear peaks corresponding to wurtzite crystal phase of ZnO. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images show that each club has two opposite hexagonal faces (parts) of unequal dimensions. High resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) image of a single ZnO club reveals that the ZnO is single crystalline and has wurtzite crystal structure; the image indicates a lattice spacing (d) of 0.26 nm; this is ascribed to the (002) planar spacing of the hexagonal ZnO. A solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of 3.36% is achieved for the cell with the double layer (DL) film, which is 16% higher than that of the cell with only transparent layer (TL) of commercial ZnO (2.89%) and far higher than that of the cell with SL (0.05%). The η of the cell with the DL (3.36%) could further be improved to 4.28% through the modification of the DL surface with TiO(x). Incident photo-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) curves, UV-vis absorption spectra, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) are also used to substantiate the results.     

A multigrid finite difference approach to steady flow between eccentric rotating cylinders

A simple finite difference scheme over a non‐uniform grid is proposed to solve the two‐dimensional, steady Navier–Stokes equations. Instead of the Newton method, a more straightforward line search algorithm is used to solve the resultant system of non‐linear equations. By adopting the multigrid methodology, a fast convergence is achieved, at least for low‐Reynolds number flow. This scheme is applied, in particular, to flow between eccentric rotating cylinders. The computed results are shown in good agreement with some analytic findings. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flopping phenomenon of flow behind two plates placed side-by-side normal to the flow direction

Experiments were made for the flow over two side-by-side normal plates for which the gap ratios are in the range 1.4–2.1 and the Teynolds numbers are at 6.6 × 10³ and 1.8 × 10⁴. At low gap ratios, i.e., 1.4–1.6. the gap flow appears always to be biased and flip-flops to the preferred side non-periodically with respect to time. As the gap ratio becomes larger, the percentage of time occupied by the gap flow in the biased state decreases and the non-biased state of the gap flow becomes prevalent. A comparison of the experimental results obtained under five free stream turbulence conditions further shows that the addition of artificial disturbance into the free stream promotes gap flow flopping at low gap ratios.     

On the hysteresis of vortex shedding in a periodically-varying flow

Efforts are made to explore the hysteresis characteristics of vortex shedding in a pipe flow, whose velocity varies periodically in time. Results obtained show that during acceleration of the flow, the vortex strength tends to be stronger, whereas during deceleration of the flow, the situation is reversed. As reconstructed from the velocity signals measured at a point in the flow field, the shed vortex arrays appear to possess uneven vortex strengths in response to periodically-varying incoming flows. Furthermore, in the hysteresis range, the streamwise spacings between the vortices appear to be unequal.     

Determining the hydrographic parameters of the surface of water from the image sequences of a CCD camera

Water surface fluctuations were analyzed using image sequences from a CCD (charge coupled device) camera. Both regular and irregular waves were used for the study. A transfer function is obtained by comparing the gray scales of the image and results of in-situ wave gauge array measurements. The effects of non-uniform illumination within the wave basin are imbedded in the transfer function. Thus, the obtained transfer function is directly applicable to all other areas of interests within the wave basin. Estimated wave heights are all in qualitative agreement with those obtained through direct measurements. It is shown that the averaged relative error between these two wave heights is less than 16%.