A Subgrid-Scale Model for Turbulent Flow in Porous Media

Transport in Porous Media - Given the analogy between the filtered equations of large eddy simulation and volume-averaged Navier–Stokes equations in porous media, a subgrid-scale model is...     

Density of states in the conduction band of some rare earth oxides

The results of a systematic investigation of the intensity distribution near the short wavelength limit of the continuous X-ray spectrum for the most common rare earth oxides are reported. Anomalies in the band structure of some oxides have been observed and are discussed in terms of localized energy levels in the forbidden band due to the existence of colour centres. This implies that the physical properties of pure compounds strongly depend on the precise experimental conditions of preparation.     

Nanoparticle-based pseudostationary phases in CEC: a breakthrough in protein analysis?

This review focuses on major trends in nanoparticle-based pseudostationary phase (PSP) CEC since the publication of our previous reviews within nanoparticle-based CEC [Nilsson, C., et al., Electrophoresis 2006, 27, 76-83; Nilsson, C., et al., J. Chromatogr. A 2007, 1168, 212-224.]. Special attention is given to the development toward protein analysis, which is driven by the strong emergence of protein drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, we discuss the development in coupling different detection techniques with nanoparticle-based PSP CEC, which were originally predicted to be particularly cumbersome. However, at present, direct UV, LIF and ESI-MS have been used without any severe complications. Different types of nanoparticles used as PSP during the period include gold nanoparticles, carbon nanostructures and lipid-based nanoparticles. New materials (for example, different types of carbon nanostructures and self assembled lipid-based nanostructures) are a strong driving force for development in separation science. Finally, future trends in nanoparticles-based CEC are envisioned.     

X-ray isochromats of some rare earth elements

Recordings of the isochromat curves of the rare earth elements 64 Gd to 71 Lu have been made by means of a high vacuum spectrometer provided with a bent topaz crystal. The information concerning the density of statesN(E) near the Fermi limit is compared with that deduced from specific heat measurements. The results obtained from the isochromat curves are rather constant, which on account of the atomic configuration in these elements is expected. An observed anomaly in the band structure of Tb metal is discussed. The appearance of this anomaly indicates that a rigid band model is not applicable to some of the actual elements.     

High sensitivity gas spectroscopy of porous, highly scattering solids

We present minimalistic and cost-efficient instrumentation employing tunable diode laser gas spectroscopy for the characterization of porous and highly scattering solids. The sensitivity reaches 3 x 10(-6) (absorption fraction), and the improvement with respect to previous work in this field is a factor of 10. We also provide the first characterization of the interference phenomenon encountered in high-resolution spectroscopy of turbid samples. Revealing that severe optical interference originates from the samples, we discuss important implications for system design. In addition, we introduce tracking coils and sample rotation as new and efficient tools for interference suppression. The great value of the approach is illustrated in an application addressing structural properties of pharmaceutical materials.     

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis for analysis of the ethanol consumption biomarker phosphatidylethanol

Nonaqueous CE (NACE) methodology was developed for the separation and determination of phosphatidylethanol (Peth), a new biomarker of ethanol intake. Peth is an abnormal phospholipid formed in cell membranes only in the presence of ethanol, via the transphosphatidylation reaction of phospholipase D. The NACE separation medium consisted of 80 mM ammonium acetate in 50% ACN, 33% 2-propanol, 12% hexane and 5% methanol. A stacking effect was obtained by reducing the concentration of ammonium acetate in the separation medium for all injected samples. The LOD was estimated to 1 microM (5.6 fmol) of Peth with conventional UV detection, equalling 0.4 micromol/L blood. Peth was successfully determined in extracts of human blood samples. Separation of Peth from other blood lipids in the lipid extract sample was performed in 5 min. The method facilitates smaller sample volumes and performs about ten times faster compared to earlier chromatographical methods.     

Aggregation of nanosized colloidal silica in the presence of various alkali cations investigated by the electrospray technique

The slow aggregation process of a concentrated silica dispersion (Bindzil 40/220) in the presence of alkali chlorides (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl, and CsCl) was investigated by means of mobility measurements. At intervals during the aggregation, particles and aggregates were transferred from the liquid phase to the gas phase via electrospray (ES) and subsequently size selected and counted using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). This method enables the acquisition of particle and aggregate size distributions with a time resolution of minutes. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the method has been applied to study the process of colloidal aggregation. The obtained results indicate that, independent of the type of counterion, a sufficient dilution of the formed gel will cause the particles to redisperse. Hence, the silica particles are, at least initially, reversibly aggregated. The reversibility of the aggregation indicates additional non-DLVO repulsive steric interactions that are likely due to the presence of a gel layer at the surface. The size of the disintegrating aggregates was monitored as a function of the time after dilution. It was found that the most stable aggregates were formed by the ions that adsorb most strongly on the particle surface. This attractive effect was ascribed to an ion-ion correlation interaction.