Completeness for intersection classes

An intersection representation of a graph is a function gf mapping vertices to sets such that for any u ≠ v, u is adjacent to v iff gf(u) ∩ gf(v) ≠ . The intersection class defined by a set of sets ∑ is the set of all graphs having an intersection representation using sets from ∑. Interval graphs and chordal graphs are well-studied examples of intersection classes.

This paper introduces the notion of completeness for intersection classes. That is, determining precisely what restrictions can be made on the allowable sets without losing the power to represent any graph in the intersection class. The solution to this problem is presented for the chordal graphs.     

Inducing gas flow and swirl in tubes using ionic wind from corona discharges

Air induction and rotation about the axis of a vertical tube is generated by an assembly of corona discharges between pinpoints and earthed electrodes, which induces a swirling ionic wind. The mechanism is elucidated and the geometrical configuration of the electric field lines of force is optimised by studying the deposition of charged particles on the earth electrodes, by numerical modelling of a simplified geometry and ultimately by maximising the measured tangential velocities. Upward convective flows of up to a litre per second are provided by an additional ionic wind pump at the base of the tube. With assemblies of up to three layers of six points each, tangential velocities of up to 3.3 m/s (≈900 rpm) are attained at the periphery, as recorded by small Pitot tubes. The concept, developed particularly for microgravity environments, appears suitable for adding a substantial centrifugal contribution to the operation of electrostatic precipitators and as a basis for further progress on electrical field-controlled burners.     

Determination of different oxygen transport mechanisms and measurement of the oxygen ion conductivity of Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x

By undertaking AC electrochemical impedance experiments on yttria stabilised zirconia electrolytes with polished Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x electrodes, the activation energy for oxygen ion transport within the bulk of Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x, in air, over the temperature range 823 K–1043 K, was determined to be 1.50 ± 0.05 eV. At 1000 K the oxygen ionic conductivity was calculated to be around one order of magnitude lower than that in yttria stabilised zirconia. Typical calculated values were σ=5×10⁻⁵ (ω cm)⁻¹ and 6×10⁻³ (ω cm)⁻¹ at the respective temperatures 823 K and 1043 K. By employing a similar cell but with Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x paste electrodes, oxygen transfer between the Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7−x and the electrolyte was found to occur via a surface diffusional processes. Over the temperature range 873 K–1098 K, in air, the activation energy for in-diffusion at the surface was found to be 1.4±0.1 eV and that for out-diffusion at the surface to be 1.76±0.05 eV.     

A note on Ki-perfect graphs

Ki-perfect graphs are a special instance of F - G perfect graphs, where F and G are fixed graphs with F a partial subgraph of G. Given S, a collection of G-subgraphs of graph K, an F - G cover of S is a set of T of F-subgraphs of K such that each subgraph in S contains as a subgraph a member of T. An F - G packing of S is a subcollection S′? S such that no two subgraphs in S′ have an F-subgraph in common. K is F - G perfect if for all such S, the minimum cardinality of an F - G cover of S equals the maximum cardinality of an F - G packing of S. Thus K_i-perfect graphs are precisely K_i-1 - K_i perfect graphs. We develop a hypergraph characterization of F - G perfect graphs that leads to an alternate proof of previous results on K_i-perfect graphs as well as to a characterization of F - G perfect graphs for other instances of F and G.     

EFFECT OF VERTICAL BAFFLES ON PARTICLE MIXING AND DRYING IN FLUIDIZED BEDS OF GROUP D PARTICLES

This study reports the effect of vertical baffles on the group D powder mixing and drying characteristics in a batch fluidized bed dryer. Results obtained in this study showed that operating the fluidized bed dryer with vertical baffles gave better particle mixing. This is due to the fact that the vertical baffles acted to limit the growth of small bubbles into large bubbles and the small bubbles caused more vigorous mixing in the bed of particles before finally erupting at the bed surface. Thus, insertion of vertical baffles is a useful way to process group D particles in a fluidized bed, especially when the fluidized bed is large.     

Measurement and modeling on hydrodynamic forces and deformation of an air bubble approaching a solid sphere in liquids

The interaction between bubbles and solid surfaces is central to a broad range of industrial and biological processes. Various experimental techniques have been developed to measure the interactions of bubbles approaching solids in a liquid. A main challenge is to accurately and reliably control the relative motion over a wide range of hydrodynamic conditions and at the same time to determine the interaction forces, bubble–solid separation and bubble deformation. Existing experimental methods are able to focus only on one of the aspects of this problem, mostly for bubbles and particles with characteristic dimensions either below 100 μm or above 1 cm. As a result, either the interfacial deformations are measured directly with the forces being inferred from a model, or the forces are measured directly with the deformations to be deduced from the theory. The recently developed integrated thin film drainage apparatus (ITFDA) filled the gap of intermediate bubble/particle size ranges that are commonly encountered in mineral and oil recovery applications. Equipped with side-view digital cameras along with a bimorph cantilever as force sensor and speaker diaphragm as the driver for bubble to approach a solid sphere, the ITFDA has the capacity to measure simultaneously and independently the forces and interfacial deformations as a bubble approaches a solid sphere in a liquid. Coupled with the thin liquid film drainage modeling, the ITFDA measurement allows the critical role of surface tension, fluid viscosity and bubble approach speed in determining bubble deformation (profile) and hydrodynamic forces to be elucidated. Here we compare the available methods of studying bubble–solid interactions and demonstrate unique features and advantages of the ITFDA for measuring both forces and bubble deformations in systems of Reynolds numbers as high as 10. The consistency and accuracy of such measurement are tested against the well established Stokes–Reynolds–Young–Laplace model. The potential to use the design principles of the ITFDA for fundamental and developmental research is demonstrated.     

Hybrid fluorescent nanoparticles from quantum dots coupled to cellulose nanocrystals

Carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were decorated with CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) using a carbodiimide chemistry coupling approach. The one-step covalent modification was supported by nanoscale imaging, which showed QDs clustered on and around the CNCs after coupling. The QD–CNC hybrid nanoparticles remained colloidally stable in aqueous suspension and were fluorescent, exhibiting the broad excitation and narrow emission profile characteristic of the QDs. QD–CNCs in nanocomposite films imparted strong fluorescence within CNC-compatible matrices at relatively low loadings (0.15 nmol QDs/g of dry film), without altering the overall physical properties or self-assembly of the CNCs. The hybrid QD–CNCs may find applications in nanoparticle tracking, bio-imaging, optical/sensing devices, and anti-counterfeit technologies.     

Electrodeposited lead dioxide coatings

Lead dioxide coatings on inert substrates such as titanium and carbon now offer new opportunities for a material known for 150 years. It is now recognised that electrodeposition allows the preparation of stable coatings with different phase structures and a wide range of surface morphologies. In addition, substantial modification to the physical properties and catalytic activities of the coatings are possible through doping and the fabrication of nanostructured deposits or composites. In addition to applications as a cheap anode material in electrochemical technology, lead dioxide coatings provide unique possibilities for probing the dependence of catalytic activity on layer composition and structure (critical review, 256 references).     

Effect of gold oxide in measurements of colloidal force

Atomic force microscopy, contact-angle, and spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were employed to investigate the presence and properties of gold oxide on the surface of gold metal. It was found that, in agreement with available literature, unoxidized gold surfaces were hydrophobic, whereas oxidation rendered the surface highly hydrophilic. The oxide could be removed with ethanol or base but appeared to be stable over long periods in water or salt solutions between pH 3 and 7. After oxidation, the oxide layer thickness, determined using ellipsometry, was consistent with an approximate monolayer of Au-O bonds at the gold surface. The presence of gold oxide was found to alter significantly the electrical double-layer characteristics of the gold surface below pH 6 and may explain the apparent inconsistencies in observed force behavior where gold is employed as well as aiding in design of future microfluidic systems which incorporate gold as a coating.