Micromechanical photothermal spectroscopy of trace gases using functionalized polymers

We demonstrate a novel method to spectroscopically detect and identify trace gases. Micromechanical photothermal spectroscopy (MPS) with functionalized sorbent materials provides trace gas spectra in an optical interaction length of only a few micrometers. We use microcavity interferometry to read out displacements as low as 25 fm/√Hz, heating as low as 200 pW/√Hz, and analyte concentrations as low as 65 parts-per-billion for the nerve agent simulant DMMP. MPS integrated with functional materials represents an important new tool in chip-scale optical sensing.     

Technique for detecting changes in fluorescence lifetime by means of optoelectronic circuit auto-oscillation

We present a new, simple, inexpensive, and highly precise approach to excited-state fluorescence-lifetime-based measurements. The detection system consists of a closed-loop optoelectronic arrangement containing a radio frequency resonance amplifier, a fluorescence excitation light source, a fiber-optic delay line, and a photodetector. The system exhibits auto-oscillations in the form of intensity modulation. The oscillation frequency varies with the modulation phase shift of the fluorescent light. This frequency is used as the detection parameter, which is advantageous because frequency may be measured easily, inexpensively, and with high precision. This technique is well suited for chemical or biosensor applications.     

Dirac Operators with Singular Potentials Supported on Unbounded Surfaces in $$\mathbb{R}^{3}$$

Functional Analysis and Its Applications - We consider the self-adjointness and essential spectrum of 3D Dirac operators with bounded variable magnetic and electrostatic potentials and with...     

Reactive nitrogen species produced in water by non-equilibrium plasma increase plant growth rate and nutritional yield

Water quality, mineralization, and chemical composition, particularly pH and nitrogen compounds each, play a crucial role in plant development and growth. Treatment of water with non-equilibrium discharges results in the change of its properties and chemical composition, which in turn may affect plant growth process and subsequently agriculture produce quality. Both thermal and non-thermal discharges generated in air or in water produce a number of reactive neutral and charged species, electric fields, and ultraviolet radiation. Plasma treatment of water results in significant change of its properties like pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), conductivity, and concentration of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). Here we report the results of an experimental study of the effect of water treated with different atmospheric plasmas on germination, growth rates, and overall nutritional value of various plants. In the study we have used three types of plasmas: thermal spark discharge, gliding arc discharge, and transferred arc discharge. It is shown that the effects of these plasmas on chemical composition of various types of water are qualitatively different. Non-thermal gliding arc discharge plasma results in lower (acidic) pH, and production of significant amount of oxidizing species (e.g. H₂O₂). Gliding arc discharge also causes significant acidification of water, but it is accompanied by production of reactive nitrogen species (NO, NO₂^? and NO₃^?). Spark discharge treatment results in neutral or higher (basic) pH depending on initial water composition, and production of RNS.     

Tin diselenide quantum-sized island films

Island films based on the intermediate phases forming in Ge-Se and Sn-Se systems are prepared by the incongruent evaporation of film structures of a Sn_{1 − x} Se _x composition. The surface morphology of these structures is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of growth conditions on the size distribution of islands is established.     

A study of primary nucleation of calcium oxalate monohydrate: I‐Effect of supersaturation

There are various organic and inorganic constituents in kidney stones. Among them, calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is the primary inorganic constituent of kidney stones. However, the mechanisms of formation of kidney stones are not well understood. In this regard, a basic study is carried out for better understanding of nucleation, crystal growth and/or aggregation of formed COM crystals. The primary nucleation of calcium oxalate monohydrate is studied at the laboratory scale using turbidity measurements. Calcium chloride and potassium oxalate solutions are mixed and then added to a Turbidimeter tube for continuous recording of turbidity. Induction time (time to induce formation of detectable crystals) is estimated from time‐turbidity graphs. The effect of some urinary species, such as oxalate and calcium, on nucleation and crystallization characteristics of COM is determined by particle size distribution analysis, measuring weight of crystals and calculation of relative supersaturation. The classical nucleation theory is applied at high supersaturation ratios (SR) ranging from 1.6 to 2.2. The results indicate that nucleation rate increases with increasing supersaturation ratio from 0.81 × 10²⁸ nuclei/cm³.sec at 1.6 SR, to 18.02 × 10²⁸ nuclei/cm³.sec at 2.2 SR. On the other hand, free energy change and radius of critical nucleus are decreased as supersaturation ratio is increased. The nucleation rates are higher than those reported in literature. Such discrepancy is discussed on the bases of differences in experimental techniques. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Techniques for bounding the convergence rate of genetic algorithms

The main purpose of the present paper is the study of computational aspects, and primarily the convergence rate, of genetic algorithms (GAs). Despite the fact that such algorithms are widely used in practice, little is known so far about their theoretical properties, and in particular about their long‐term behavior. This situation is perhaps not too surprising, given the inherent hardness of analyzing nonlinear dynamical systems, and the complexity of the problems to which GAs are usually applied. In the present paper we concentrate on a number of very simple and natural systems of this sort, and show that at least for these systems the analysis can be properly carried out. Various properties and tight quantitative bounds on the long‐term behavior of such systems are established. It is our hope that the techniques developed for analyzing these simple systems prove to be applicable to a wider range of genetic algorithms, and contribute to the development of the mathematical foundations of this promising optimization method. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 14, 111–138, 1999     

Analyzing the density fluctuation effect on molecular distributions in small drops

The characteristics of a vapor-liquid interface are calculated using the lattice gas model applied to the analysis of the states of metastable supersaturated vapor, depending on the size of a liquid drop and the system temperature. The interaction of molecules is considered in a quasi-chemical approximation describing the effects of direct correlations of nearby molecules. It is found that considering the density fluctuation increases the drop radius, corresponding to the condition of the generation of a new phase.     

Sol-Gel Particulate Float Process to Make Vitreous Silica Bodies

Particulate sol-gel technology uses larger particles than that of alkoxide-derived gels and provides larger pore sizes in the gelled object. This allows relatively rapid drying and fabrication of large rods or tubular shapes. However, the formation of more complex or flat shapes, which require extensive surface contact with a mold, is more difficult. The shrinkage during drying, with the significantly greater stress of surface friction due to adhesion, frequently leads to cracking.We have demonstrated a solution to this problem by floating the gel on the surface of a dense liquid. Dry silica panels up to 28 × 40 × 0.7 cm³ were prepared in this way. The use of patterning molds allowed the fabrication of more sophisticated shapes. These bodies were sintered to transparent vitreous silica articles of near net dimensions.