Dynamics of whistler spheromaks in magnetized plasmas

Recent laboratory experiments [Stenzel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 095004 (2006)10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.095004] have demonstrated interesting phenomena of propagating nonlinear whistler structures (spheromaks) and stationary field-reversed configurations, whose magnetic fields exceed the ambient magnetic field strength. Our objective here is to present simulation studies for these nonlinear whistler structures based on the three-dimensional nonlinear electron magnetohydrodynamic equations. The robustness and longevity of the propagating whistler spheromaks found in the experiments are confirmed numerically. Varying the toroidal field of the spheromak in the initial conditions, we find that the polarity and the amplitude of the toroidal field determine the propagation direction and speed of the spheromak. Our simulation results are in excellent agreement with those observed in the laboratory experiments.     

Temperature-dependent crystal structure of the isopropanol clathrate of Dianin's compound

The title compound undergoes two order-disorder transitions between 15 and 299 K, dictated by ordering of the guest molecules in the host cages, and resulting in three related crystal structures. We anticipate behaviour of this kind to be widespread, and speculate that the concept of "the crystal structure" for individual Dianin's clathrates may be elusive.     

The Site‐Assembly Determines Catalytic Activity of Nanoparticles

Heterogeneous catalysts are often designed as metal nanoparticles supported on oxide surfaces. Here, the relation between particle morphology and reaction kinetics is investigated by scaling relation kinetic Monte Carlo simulations using CO oxidation over Pt nanoparticles as a model reaction. We find that different particle morphologies result in vastly different catalytic activities. The activity is strongly affected by kinetic couplings between sites, and a wide site distribution generally enhances the activity. The present study highlights the role of site‐assemblies as a concept that, in addition to isolated active sites, can be used to understand catalytic reactions over nanoparticles.     

Advanced control and modeling of deposition processes

During the last decade, striking improvements could be achieved for the precise control of deposition processes in optical coating technology. For example, as a consequence of enormous progresses in measure- ment and computer technology, direct optical monitoring in a broad spectral range can be considered as a common tool in many production environments nowadays. Besides the development of the corresponding hardware and measurement channels, advanced approaches for the evaluation of the acquired data and new multiple sensor monitoring strategies moved into the focus of modern research on the way towards de- terministic deposition techniques. In this context, also innovative concepts for the simulation of deposition processes to forecast the result for a specified coating design and automatic online correction algorithms gained of importance to reduce the risk of failure in coating production. The present contribution will be dedicated to selected aspects in this field, especially addressing broad band optical monitoring systems. A short review on examples for existing hardware configurations and software tools will be presented illus- trating the advantages of modern process control techniques. Novel approaches based on the modeling of thin film growth are discussed as an additional strategy to improve the predictability of coating processes.     

On the application of a single‐crystal κ‐diffractometer and a CCD area detector for studies of thin films

A multipurpose six‐axis κ‐diffractometer, together with the brilliance of the ESRF light source and a CCD area detector, has been explored for studying epitaxial relations and crystallinity in thin film systems. The geometrical flexibility of the six‐axis goniometer allows measurement of a large volume in reciprocal space, providing an in‐depth understanding of sample crystal relationships. By a set of examples of LaAlO₃ thin films deposited by the atomic layer deposition technique, the possibilities of the set‐up are presented. A fast panoramic scan provides determination of the crystal orientation matrices, prior to more thorough inspection of single Bragg nodes. Such information, in addition to a broadening analysis of families of single reflections, is shown to correlate well with the crystallinity, crystallite size, strain and epitaxial relationships in the thin films. The proposed set‐up offers fast and easy sample mounting and alignment, along with crucial information on key features of the thin film structures.     

Application of microbioreactors in fermentation process development: a review

Biotechnology process development involves strain testing and improvement steps aimed at increasing yields and productivity. This necessitates the high-throughput screening of many potential strain candidates, a task currently mainly performed in shake flasks or microtiter plates. However, these methods have some drawbacks, such as the low data density (usually only end-point measurements) and the lack of control over cultivation conditions in standard shake flasks. Microbioreactors can offer the flexibility and controllability of bench-scale reactors and thus deliver results that are more comparable to large-scale fermentations, but with the additional advantages of small size, availability of online cultivation data and the potential for automation. Current microbioreactor technology is analyzed in this review paper, focusing on its industrial applicability, and directions for future research are presented.     

Exceptions and counterexamples: Understanding Abel's comment on Cauchy's Theorem

It may seem odd that Abel, a protagonist of Cauchy's new rigor, spoke of “exceptions” when he criticized Cauchy's theorem on the continuity of sums of continuous functions. However, when interpreted contextually, exceptions appear as both valid and viable entities in the early 19th century. First, Abel's use of the term “exception” and the role of the exception in his binomial paper is documented and analyzed. Second, it is suggested how Abel may have acquainted himself with the exception and his use of it in a process denoted critical revision is discussed. Finally, an interpretation of Abel's exception is given that identifies it as a representative example of a more general transition in the understanding of mathematical objects that took place during the period. With this interpretation, exceptions find their place in a fundamental transition during the early 19th century from a formal approach to analysis toward a more conceptual one.