Influence of processing conditions on the thermal decomposition of SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> precursors

The present work investigates the influence of milling and calcination atmosphere on the thermal decomposition of SrTiO3 powder precursors. Both pure and neodymium-modified SrTiO3 samples were studied. Milling did not significantly influence numerical mass loss value, but reduced the number of decomposition steps, modifying the profiles of the TG and DTA curves. On the other hand, milling increases the amount of energy liberated by the system upon combustion of organic matter. It was also observed that the milling process, associated to the calcination in an oxygen atmosphere, considerably decreases the amount of organic matter and increases the final mass loss temperature.     

FePd melt-spun ribbons and nanowires: Fabrication and magneto-structural properties

Fe-30%Pd alloys in ribbon and nanowire geometry have been prepared. Ribbon samples were produced by the melt-spinning technique in the Ar environment. FePd nanowires, having about 35 nm in diameter, 105 nm inter-nanowires distance and around 4 μm in length, were synthesized into nanoporous anodic alumina membranes as templates. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis of ribbons shows an average atomic composition of Fe (73.2%) and Pd (26.8%). The X-ray diffraction at RT analysis was performed on both surfaces, free and wheel side, of the melt-spun ribbon. It shows the coexistence of two phases: fct and bct FePd, but with differences between both surfaces consisting the existence of Fe oxides (Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄) and a textured 200 reflection in the free side. Heating and cooling thermomagnetic curves exhibit a reversible behaviour from RT to 720 K, but around 770 K a clear irreversible transformation takes place.     

Low coercive field and conducting nanocomposite formed by Fe3O4 and poly(thiophene)

Magnetite and poly(thiophene) composites have been produced by in situ monomer oxidation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of Fe₃O₄ as particle agglomerates ranging from 15 to ca. 54 nm in size. Transmission electron micrographs (TEMs) revealed a face-to-face structure in both the pure magnetite and the nanocomposite. Typical superparamagnetic (ferrimagnetic) curves have been observed, whereas the relatively weak magnetic field employed in measurement, 200 Oe, was sufficient to split the curves completely. Zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) curves coincide only above room temperature, indicating that the characteristic blocking temperature (T_B) for superparamagnetic particles in this assembly is above room temperature.     

Mean distance of closest approach of ions: Lithium salts in aqueous solutions

Numerical values for the mean distance of closest approach of ions, “a”, for lithium salts in aqueous solutions are presented and discussed. These values were obtained from both experimental activity and diffusion coefficients, and estimated by using different theoretical approaches.     

A New Extraction and Purification Methodology of Bowman-Birk Inhibitors from Seeds and Germinated Seeds of Macrotyloma axillare

The Macrotyloma axillare Bowman-Birk inhibitors from seeds and germinated seeds (120 h) were purified by an alternative methodology and revealed the presence of different contents of inhibitors for each treatment. Mass analyses of inhibitors, from seeds and germinated seeds, showed masses of about 7 and 8 kDa. The 120 h-germinated seed fractions presented higher activity isoforms than seeds without treatment.

     

A value for mixed action-set games

We extend the Aumann-Shapley value to mixed action-set games, i.e., multilevel TU games where there are simultaneously two types of players: discrete players that possess a finite number of activity levels in which they can join a coalition, and continuous players that possess a continuum of levels. Received February 1999/Final version October 2000