Analysis of long crack lines in paper webs

A differential cluster variation method (DCVM) is proposed for analysis of spinoidal decomposition in alloys. In this method, lattice symmetry operations in the presence of an infinitesimal composition gradient are utilized to deduce the connection equations for the correlation functions and to reduce the number of independent variables in the cluster variation analysis. Application of the method is made to calculate the gradient energy coefficient in the Cahn-Hilliard free energy function and the fastest growing wavelength for spinodal decomposition in Al-Li alloys. It is shown that the gradient coefficient of congruently ordered Al-Li alloys is much larger than that of the disordered system. In such an alloy system, the calculated fastest growing wavelength is approximately 10 nm, which is an order of magnitude larger than the experimentally observed domain size. This may provide a theoretical explanation why spinodal decomposition after a congruent ordering is dominated by the antiphase boundaries.Received: 17 November 2003, Published online: 2 April 2004PACS: 64.75. + g Solubility, segregation, and mixing; phase separation - 81.30.-t Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations - 05.70.Ln Nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics     

Nucleon-antinucleon bound states in a quark rearrangement model

The possibility of deeply-bound $\text{N}\text{N}$ states is studied in a quark rearrangement annihilation plus a meson-exchange potential model. It is shown that very narrow (Γ ～- 1–10 MeV) bound states may be possible even forL = 0 with binding energies varying up to $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>B</mtext>}}\text{?- 800–900}\text{MeV}$ in the proposed scheme. E_B is, however, very dependent on the details of the short-range treatment of the meson-exchange part. A reasonable agreement with the present controversial data can be obtained.     

Shot-noise-driven escape in hysteretic Josephson junctions

We have measured the influence of shot noise on hysteretic Josephson junctions initially in the macroscopic quantum tunneling regime. The escape threshold current into the resistive state decreases monotonically with increasing average current through the scattering conductor, which is another tunnel junction. Escape is predominantly determined by excitation due to the wideband shot noise. This process is equivalent to thermal activation (TA) over the barrier at effective temperatures up to about 4 times the critical temperature of the superconductor. The presented TA model is in excellent agreement with the experimental results.     

Boron nitride nanotube-based amphiphilic hybrid nanomaterials for superior encapsulation of hydrophobic cargos

We report an organic-inorganic hybrid core-shell nanomaterial obtained by conjugation of an amphiphilic monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymer to hydroxylated boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The extent of copolymer grafting reached 64% w/w, an exceptionally high value. The hybrid materials exhibit excellent physical stability in water and an outstanding loading capacity (31.3% w/w) for curcumin, a hydrophobic drug. Moreover, they present good compatibility with the Caco2 cell line, a model of intestinal epithelium. Our findings demonstrate the potential of multifunctional hybrid BNNTs to serve as a platform for complex amphiphilic nanoparticle architectures with improved features.     

Thermogravimetric Study of Volatile Precursors For Chemical Thin Film Deposition. Estimation of vapor pressures and source temperatures

Normal pressure thermogravimetry (TG) measurements were used to study the sublimation behavior of several volatile metal compounds, used as metal precursors in thin film fabrication by chemical vapor phase methods, like atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The results indicated that dynamic TG measurements may be used to find correct source temperatures to be used in an ALD reactor: a good correlation between the source temperatures used in ALD and temperatures corresponding to mass losses of 10 and 50% in TG was verified. It was also found that isothermal TG measurements offer a simple way for the vapor pressure measurements which otherwise are not trivial for solids with only moderate volatility. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the orientation probability distribution of flexible fibres in a contracting channel flow

The development of fibre orientation distribution in a plane contracting channel flow is investigated with combining experiments and modelling. A dilute suspension of flexible wood fibres is used in the experiments. The salient feature of the suspension is the flexibility of the fibres. To model the fibre orientation probability distribution (FOPD) a diffusion–convection equation is used. The effect of random motion, in this case turbulence, is considered with translational and rotational diffusion coefficients. In addition to providing the inlet conditions, experiments are used to determine the rotational diffusion coefficient for the model. The work addresses the problems related to the above mentioned modelling method and combines the experiments and modelling in order to understand the mechanisms affecting the development of fibre orientation.     

Optical multi-sensor for simultaneous measurement of absorbance,turbidity, and fluorescence of a liquid

We have built a novel optical multi-sensor apparatus (MSA) for the measurement of light absorption, scattering and fluorescence either separately or simultaneous from a liquid. From the measured data it is possible to calculate different optical properties of liquid samples, such as absorbance and turbidity. The MSA is a portable device which is an advantage considering different field applications. The MSA was tested in laboratory conditions using well-known reference liquids. Data obtained with the MSA were compared with data obtained with a commercial spectrophotometer, fluorometer and a nephelometer, respectively. Relatively good correlations between the data of MSA and the three commercial devices were found. It is proposed that MSA is a potential device for monitoring changes of process liquids and liquid products in industry.     

Synthesis of copolymer-stabilized silver nanoparticles for coating materials

Silver ions being less toxic than silver nanoparticles, a more safe material can be obtained to be used as antimicrobial coating. This can be achieved by using thiol chemistry and covalently attach the silver nanoparticles in the coating. Our aim is to produce a coating having antimicrobial properties of silver ions but with the silver nanoparticles firmly attached in the coating. Here, we present a way to produce silver nanoparticles that can be used as a component in a coating or as such to produce an antimicrobial coating. The silver nanoparticles presented here are stabilized by a copolymer (poly(butyl acrylate–methyl methacrylate)) that is soft and has well-known good film-producing properties. The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer radical polymerization technique used to prepare the polymers provides conveniently a thiol group for effective binding of the silver nanoparticles to the polymers and thus to the coating.     

A miniature closed‐circle flow cell for high photon flux X‐ray scattering experiments

A closed‐circle miniature flow cell for high X‐ray photon flux experiments on radiation‐sensitive liquid samples is presented. The compact cell is made from highly inert material and the flow is induced by a rotating magnetic stir bar, which acts as a centrifugal pump inside the cell. The cell is ideal for radiation‐sensitive yet precious or hazardous liquid samples, such as concentrated acids or bases. As a demonstration of the cell's capabilities, X‐ray Raman scattering spectroscopy data on the oxygen K‐edge of liquid water under ambient conditions are presented.     

Relativistic contributions to single and double core electron ionization energies of noble gases

We have performed relativistic calculations of single and double core 1s hole states of the noble gas atoms in order to explore the relativistic corrections and their additivity to the ionization potentials. Our study unravels the interplay of progression of relaxation, dominating in the single and double ionization potentials of the light elements, versus relativistic one-electron effects and quantum electrodynamic effects, which dominate toward the heavy end. The degree of direct relative additivity of the relativistic corrections for the single electron ionization potentials to the double electron ionization potentials is found to gradually improve toward the heavy elements. The Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian is found to predict a scaling ratio of ～4 for the relaxation induced relativistic energies between double and single ionization. Z-scaling of the computed quantities were obtained by fitting to power law. The effects of nuclear size and form were also investigated and found to be small. The results indicate that accurate predictions of double core hole ionization potentials can now be made for elements across the full periodic table.