Influence of support properties on the sound radiated from the vibrations of rectangular plates

The control of the forced vibration response of structures through the optimal tuning of its supports is desirable in many applications. Tuning may enhance the dissipation of vibration energy within the supports, thereby reducing fatigue and structure-borne noise. Two different models were developed to calculate the optimal support stiffness that minimizes the velocity response of homogeneous plates. The first model, based on the wave propagation at the edge, yields a good first cut approximation of the optimal properties. The optimal viscous and viscoelastic support stiffness for minimal reflection at the edge was calculated. Maximum absorption of the incident waves occurs when the viscous support stiffness matches the characteristic mechanical impedances of the plate. The second model, based on the Rayleigh-Ritz method, yields more accurate estimates of the optimal support stiffness required to minimize the forced velocity response of the finite rectangular plate. The optimal support properties calculated from the two different methods were in good agreement. This suggested that the modal response of the plate is strongly influenced by the wave reflections at the edges. Finally, the effects of support properties on the sound radiated from the plate were investigated. The optimal support stiffness that minimizes the radiated sound power was found to be smaller than the value that minimizes the velocity response. The results show that both the velocity response and sound radiation are strongly influenced by dissipation of vibration energy at the edges, and demonstrate that support tuning can yield significant noise and vibration reduction.     

Metallization of U3O8via catalytic electrochemical reduction with Li2O in LiCl molten salt

The concept of a novel electrochemical reduction process for the treatment of spent nuclear fuels in Li₂O-LiCl molten salt was proposed and fresh tests using U₃O₈ powder were carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanism and verify the feasibility of the process. Electrolysis of Li₂O and reduction of U₃O₈ powder took place simultaneously at the cathode part of the electrolysis cell via a catalytic EC mechanism and the conversion of U₃O₈ to U metal was more than 99%. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combined intra-intermolecular criss-cross cycloaddition of a new fluorinated unsymmetrical allenylazine with alkynes

The reaction of a new fluorinated unsymmetrical allenylazine with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and phenylacetylene affords the combined intra-intermolecular criss-cross cycloaddition products, 2,3-disubstituted-1,10-diazatricyclo[5.2.1.0^4,10]deca-2,6-diene derivatives. The products contain three fused five-membered rings with two nitrogen atoms within an unsaturated heterocyclic system. The structures were assigned using 2D NMR correlations and in the case of the phenylacetylene adduct by X-ray structure analysis.     

Formation of p-type ZnO film on InP substrate by phosphor doping

ZnO thin film was initially deposited on InP substrate by radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering and the diffusion process was performed using the closed ampoule technique where Zn₃P₂ was used as the dopant source. To verify the junction formation of ZnO thin films, the electrical properties were measured, and the effects of Zn₃P₂ diffusion on ZnO thin films were investigated. It is observed that the electrical property of the film is changed from n-type to p-type by dopant diffusion effect. Based on the results, it is confirmed that ZnO thin films can be a potential candidate for ultraviolet (UV) optical devices.     

Brightness and decay time of Zn2SiO4:Mn phosphor particles with spherical shape and fine size

Green-light-emitting Zn₂SiO₄:Mn phosphor particles were synthesized by modified large-scale spray pyrolysis using a colloidal solution containing fumed silica particles. The particles had a fine size, filled morphology, spherical shape and non-aggregation characteristics even after post-treatment at 1150 °C. The luminescence characteristics of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn phosphor particles having spherical shape, such as brightness and decay time under VUV excitation light, were investigated as a function of Mn content. The luminescence intensity exhibits a maximum at 5 mol% Mn-doped powder. The decay time increases consistently with decreasing Mn content and more saturated color coordinates are obtained with the composition having 12 mol% Mn. As a consequence, the 10 mol% Mn-doped powder proved to provide a good combination of favorable luminance and acceptable decay time. The influence of post-treatment temperature on the decay time and photoluminescence characteristics of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn particles was also investigated. Particles post-treated at 1155 °C had the maximum photoluminescence intensity, which was identical to 113% that of the commercial product, and a comparable decay time of 5.8 ms. PACS 81.20.Rg; 78. 55.Hx; 78.40.Ha; 81.05.Hd; 81.40.Tv     

Synthesis and adsorption properties of gold nanoparticles within pores of surface‐functional porous polymer microspheres

Mesoporous polymer microspheres with gold (Au) nanoparticles inside their pores were prepared considering their surface functionality and porosity. The Au/polymer composite microspheres prepared were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. The results showed that the adsorption of Au nanoparticles could be increased by imparting the pore structure and surface‐functional groups into the supporting polymer microspheres (in this study, poly (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate‐co‐acrylonitrile) and poly (EGDMA‐co‐AN) system). Above all, from this study, it was established that the porosity of the polymer microspheres is the most important factor that determines the distribution and adsorption amount of face‐centered cubic (fcc) Au nanoparticles in the final products. Our study showed that the continuous adsorption of Au nanoparticles with the aid of the large surface area and surface interaction sites formed more favorably the Au/polymer composite microspheres. The BET measurements of Au/poly(EGDMA‐co‐AN) composite microspheres reveals that the adsorption of Au nanoparticles into the pores kept the pore structure intact and made it more porous. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5627–5635, 2004     

Electrochemical behavior of Li intercalation processes into a Li[NixLi(1/3−2x/3)Mn(2/3−x/3)]O2 cathode

Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ (X=0.17, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5) compounds are prepared by a simple combustion method. The Rietvelt analysis shows that these compounds could be classified as having the α-NaFeO₂ structure. The initial charge-discharge and irreversible capacity increases with the decrease of x in Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂. Indeed, Li[Ni_0.50Mn_0.50]O₂ compound shows relatively low initial discharge capacity of 200 mAh/g and large capacity loss during cycling, with Li[Ni_0.17Li_0.22Mn_0.61]O₂ and Li[Ni_0.25Li_0.17Mn₀.₅₈]O₂ compounds exhibit high initial discharge capacity over 245 mAh/g and stable cycle performance in the voltage range of 4.8 -2.0 V. On the other hand, XANES analysis shows that the oxidation state of Ni ion reversibly changes between Ni²⁺ and about Ni³⁺, while the oxidation state of Mn ion sustains Mn⁴⁺ during charge-discharge process. This result does not agree with the previously reported ‘electrochemistry model’ of Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂, in which Ni ion changes between Ni²⁺ and NI⁴⁺. Based on these results, we modified oxidation-state change of Mn and Ni ion during charge-discharge process.     

Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of homomorphisms in quasi-Banach algebras associated to the Pexiderized Cauchy functional equation

In this paper, we prove the Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of homomorphisms in quasi-Banach algebras associated to the Pexiderized Cauchy functional equation. This is applied to investigate homomorphisms between quasi-Banach algebras. The concept of Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability originated from Th.M. Rassias' stability theorem that appeared in his paper [Th.M. Rassias, On the stability of the linear mapping in Banach spaces, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 72 (1978) 297-300].     

Diagramme polythermique du systeme ternaire H2O—Al(NO3)3—Mg(NO3)2

The solid—liquid equilibria of the ternary system H₂O—Al(NO₃)₃—Mg(NO₃)₂ were studied at –30, –20, –10 and 0°C by using a synthetic method which allows to detemine all the characteristic points of isothermal sections. The stable solid phases which appear are respectively: ice, Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·9H₂O and Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Neither double salts nor mixed crystals are observed in the temperature and composition field studied. Polytherm diagram layout show two invariant transformations correspond with an eutectic point and a peritectic point.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.