Tm-Ho and Tm-Tb energy transfer in tellurite glass

In Tm³⁺-Ho³⁺- and Tm³⁺-Tb³⁺-doped tellurite glasses, the IR fluorescence spectra and the lifetimes of the upper ³H₄ and lower ³F₄ lasing levels for 1.47 μm of Tm³⁺ were measured. The non-exponential decay is fitted using the Inokuti-Hirayama equation. The energy-transfer parameter C_DA, critical ion distance R₀, lifetime and non-radiative energy-transfer efficiency η between donor and acceptor ions are compared. The quenching mechanism has been explained. Both Ho³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions reduce the lifetimes of the upper and lower lasing levels, with Tb³⁺ ions proving more efficient than the effects observed for Ho³⁺ ions. The optimised Tb₂O₃ concentration is about 1.0-1.5 wt%, which produced effective inversion and could be used for laser and amplifier applications.     

Identification and parameter estimation of a bilinear oscillator using Volterra series with harmonic probing

Identification of non-linear systems is mainly limited to polynomial form non-linearities. Among the non-polynomial forms, bilinear oscillator constitutes an important class of non-linear systems and it has been used for modeling of various physical systems, particularly for structural elements with a breathing crack. An identification procedure is presented here for the class of bilinear oscillator, using higher order FRFs derived from Volterra series under harmonic excitation. The procedure addresses the problem of both; identification of the non-linearity structure as well as estimation of the bilinear parameter, which can be correlated to the crack severity and structural degradation. The procedure is illustrated with numerical simulation and the estimation results indicate that even a weakly bilinear state introduced by a small crack size can be accurately identified and measured.     

Heat transfer mechanisms in poplar wood undergoing torrefaction

Torrefaction, a thermal treatment process of biomass, has been proved to improve biomass combustible properties. Torrefaction is defined as a thermochemical process in reduced oxygen condition and at temperature range from 200 to 300 °C for shorter residence time whereby energy yield is maximized, can be a bridging technology that can lead the conventional system (e.g. coal-fired plants) towards a sustainable energy system. In efforts to develop a commercial operable torrefaction reactor, the present study examines the minimum input condition at which biomass is torrefied and explores the heat transfer mechanisms during torrefaction in poplar wood samples. The heat transfer through the wood sample is numerically modeled and analyzed. Each poplar wood is torrefied at temperature of 250, 270, and 300 °C. The experimental study shows that the 270 °C-treatment can be deduced as the optimal input condition for torrefaction of poplar wood. A good understanding of heat transfer mechanisms can facilitate the upscaling and downscaling of torrefaction process equipment to fit the feedstock input criteria and can help to develop treatment input specifications that can maximize process efficiency.     

Manganese(III)-carboxylate binding: Chemistry and structure of a hydrated pyridinedicarboxylate

The reaction of Mn(CH₃COO)₃ 2H₂O with the carboxyl-rich ligand pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂L) in methanol affords a high-spin (S = 2) hydratedbis-complex. Structure determination has revealed the solid to be [Mn^III(H₂ L)(L)] [Mn^IIIL₂] 5H₂ O: space group P−1;Z = 2;a = 7.527(3)?³,b= 14.260(4)?,c = 16.080(6)?,α = 91.08(3)°,β = 103.58(3)°,γ= 105.41(3)° andV= 1611.2(10)?³. Each ligand is planar and is bonded in the tridentate O₂N fashion. The MnO₄N₂ coordination spheres show large distortions from octahedral symmetry. The lattice is stabilised by an extensive network of O…O hydrogen-bonding involving water molecules and carboxyl functions. Upon dissolution in water, protic redistribution occurs and the complex acts as the mono-basic acid Mn(HL)(L) (pK, 4.3 ±0.05). The deprotonated complex displays high metal reduction potentials: Mn^IVL₂-Mn^IIIL ₂ ⁻ , 1.05V; Mn^IIIL ₂ ⁻ Mn^IIL ₂ ²⁻ -, 0.28V vs. SCE     

Compressibility divergence and the finite temperature Mott transition

In the context of the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) of the Hubbard model, we study the behavior of the compressibility near the density driven Mott transition at finite temperatures. We demonstrate this divergence using DMFT and quantum Monte Carlo simulations in the one-band and the two-band Hubbard model. We supplement this result with considerations based on the Landau theory framework, and discuss the relevance of our results to the alpha-gamma end point in cerium.