The Stokes equations with Fourier boundary conditions on a wall with asperities

We study the effect of the rugosity of a wall on the solution of the Stokes system complemented with Fourier boundary conditions. We consider the case of small periodic asperities of size ε. We prove that the velocity field, pressure and drag, respectively, converge to the velocity field, pressure and drag of a homogenized Stokes problem, where a different friction coefficient appears. This shows that, contrarily to the case of Dirichlet boundary conditions, rugosity is dominant here. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Global in time solutions for the Poiseuille flow of Oldroyd type in 3D domains

A Poiseuille flow in a 3D cylindrical domain is considered for a non-newtonian fluid of Oldroyd type. We prove existence (and uniqueness) of a global (in time) weak solution. Moreover, this weak solution is a strong solution when data are more regular. These results have already been obtained in the case of two concentrical cylinders ([3]). Now, we consider an extension to an unique cylinder. Then, a mixed parabolic-hyperbolic PDE's system appears but the parabolic equation is of degenerate type. The key of the proofs is to estimate in appropriate Sobolev weighted spaces (and to obtain strong convergence in weak norms by means of a Cauchy argument).

---

Sunto In questo lavoro viene considerato il moto di Poiseuille in un dominio cilindrico tridimensionale per un fluido non-Newtoniano tipo Oldroyd. Viene dimostrata l'esistenza e l'unicità di una soluzione debole, globale nel tempo. Inoltre, questa soluzione debole diviene forte quando i dati diventano più regolari. Questi risultati sono già noti nel caso del dominio tra due cilindri concentrici ([3]). Qui consideriamo l'estensione ad un unico cilindro. Si ottiene, in questo caso, un sistema di equazioni alle derivate parziali misto parabolico-iperbolico, dove l'equazione parabolica è però di tipo degenere. Il punto chiave delle dimostrazioni consiste nel fornire delle stime in un appropriato spazio di Sobolev pesato ed ottenere convergenza forte nelle norme deboli mediante un argomento alla Cauchy.

     

Selective catalytic reduction at quasi-perfect Pt(100) domains: a universal low-temperature pathway from nitrite to N2

The highly selective conversion of nitrite to N(2) at a quasi-perfect Pt(100) electrode in alkaline media was investigated with a particular emphasis on its structure sensitivity and its mechanism. High-quality (100) terraces are required to optimize the catalytic activity and steer the selectivity to N(2): defects of any symmetry dramatically reduce the N(2) evolution at [(100) × (110)] and [(100) × (111)] surfaces. On the other hand, nitrite reduction proves to be an additional example of the unique intrinsic ability of (100) surfaces to catalyze reactions involving bond breaking and successive bond formation. In the present case, (100) is able to reduce nitrite to NH(2,ads), which in a certain potential window combines with NO(ads) to give N(2) in a Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction. Our findings are similar to those for other processes generating N(2), from bacterial anoxic ammonia oxidation ("anammox") to the high-temperature NO + NH(3) reaction at Pt(100) crystals under ultra-high-vacuum conditions, thus suggesting that the combination of these two nitrogen-containing species is a universal (low-temperature) pathway to N(2). The advantages of this pathway over other N(2)-generating pathways are pointed out.     

Magnetic nanowire arrays in anodic alumina membranes: Rutherford backscattering characterization

Systematic study of magnetic nanowire arrays grown in anodic alumina membranes (AAM) has been done by means of Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). The AAM used as templates were morphologically characterized by using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), fast Fourier transform (FFT) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The highly ordered templates with a mean pore diameter size of 30 nanometers, a mean inter-pore spacing of 100 nm and lengths ranging from 4 to 180 microns were obtained through two-steps anodization process, and the Ni and Co nanowire arrays were grown by electrodeposition techniques. The main attention is addressed to Ni nanowire arrays. RBS results allowed us to determine the real depth profile of atomic composition of the obtained nanowire arrays. In addition, the RBS spectra fitting showed that the porosity increased from the top to the bottom of the samples. Two phenomenological models are proposed to understand the apparition of that secondary porosity and a linear relation between the total amount of electrodeposited Ni and the electrodeposition time was obtained. As an example, it is also reported the relation between RBS results and magnetic properties, such as coercive field and remanence/saturation magnetization ratio of the samples. Particularly, for Ni nanowires arrays obtained by using voltage pulses, it is demonstrated that the larger the nanowires, the higher the definition for easy axis parallel to the nanowire length is possible. PACS 82.80.Yc; 81.16-c; 75.75.+a     

Spectrophotometric determination of chloride in waters using a multisyringe flow injection system

A multisyringe flow injection system (MSFIA) with spectrophotometric detection is proposed as a fast, robust and low-reagent consumption system for the determination of chloride (Cl⁻) in waters. The system is based in the classic reaction of Cl⁻ with Fe³⁺ and Hg(SCN)₂, but due to the hazardous properties of this last reagent, the proposed methodology has been developed with the aim to minimize the consumption of this one, consuming less than 0.05 mg of Hg for a Cl⁻ determination, being the system of this type with the lowest Hg consumption. The linear working range was between 1 and 40 mg L⁻¹ Cl⁻ and the detection limit was 0.2 mg L⁻¹ Cl⁻. The repeatability (RSD) was 0.8% for a 10 mg L⁻¹ Cl⁻ solution, and the injection throughput was 130 h⁻¹. The proposed system is compared with other chloride monitoring flow systems, this comparison is realized with a point of view of the equilibrium between the obtained analytical features and produced residues toxicity. The proposed system was applied to the determination of Cl⁻ in mineral, tap and well water.     

Isobaric vapour–liquid equilibria for binary systems of 2-butanone with ethanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol at 20 and 101.3 kPa

Consistent isobaric vapour–liquid equilibrium data have been measured for 2-butanone + ethanol, 2-butanone + 1-propanol, and 2-butanone + 2-propanol at 20 and 101.3 kPa. The binary systems 2-butanone + ethanol and 2-butanone + 2-propanol present a minimum boiling azeotrope at both pressures, and show that the azeotropic compositions is strongly dependent on pressure. The equilibrium data were correlated using the Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC models for which the parameters are reported.     

Evidence of water reorientation on model electrocatalytic surfaces from nanosecond-laser-pulsed experiments

The behavior of water at the interface formed between a quasi-perfect Pt(111) single-crystal electrode and an aqueous electrolyte solution is studied by means of the laser-induced temperature jump method. This method is based on the use of nanosecond laser pulses to suddenly increase the temperature at the interface. The measurement of the response of the interface toward the laser heating under coulostatic conditions provides evidence on the net orientation of water at the interface. Especially interesting is the study of the effect on the interfacial water caused by the selective deposition of foreign metal adatoms, because these bimetallic systems usually exhibit appealing electrocatalytic properties. The T-jump methodology shows that the surface composition strongly affects the interaction of water with the surface. The most representative parameter to characterize this interaction is the potential where water reorientation occurs; this potential shifts in different directions, depending on the relative values of the electronegativity of the adatom and the substrate. These results are discussed in the light of available information about the effect of adatom deposition on the work function and the surface potential of the modified surface. Finally, some implications on the enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity are briefly discussed.