A technique for production of nanocrystalline cellulose with a narrow size distribution

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose. A differential centrifugation technique was studied to obtain NCC whiskers with a narrow size distribution. It was shown that the volume of NCC in different fractions had an inverse relationship with relative centrifugal force (RCF). The length of NCC whiskers was also fractionized by differential RCF. The aspect ratio of NCC in different fractions had a relatively narrow range. This technique provides an easy way of producing NCC whiskers with a narrow size distribution.     

Comparison of different methods to measure contact angles of soil colloids

We compared five different methods, static sessile drop, dynamic sessile drop, Wilhelmy plate, thin-layer wicking, and column wicking, to determine the contact angle of colloids typical for soils and sediments. The colloids (smectite, kaolinite, illite, goethite, hematite) were chosen to represent 1:1 and 2:1 layered aluminosilicate clays and sesquioxides, and were either obtained in pure form or synthesized in our laboratory. Colloids were deposited as thin films on glass slides, and then used for contact angle measurements using three different test liquids (water, formamide, diiodomethane). The colloidal films could be categorized into three types: (1) films without pores and with polar-liquid interactions (smectite), (2) films with pores and with polar-liquid interactions (kaolinite, illite, goethite), and (3) films without pores and no polar-liquid interactions (hematite). The static and dynamic sessile drop methods yielded the most consistent contact angles. For porous films, the contact angles decreased with time, and we consider the initial contact angle to be the most accurate. The differences in contact angles among the different methods were large and varied considerably: the most consistent contact angles were obtained for kaolinite with water, and illite with diiodomethane (contact angles were within 3 degrees); but mostly the differences ranged from 10 degrees to 40 degrees among the different methods. The thin-layer and column wicking methods were the least consistent methods.     

Er∶Yb∶YCOB晶体制备及其激光二极管抽运激光特性

研究了Er∶Yb∶YCa4O(BO3)3(简称Er∶Yb∶YCOB)的多晶制备和单晶生长,用提拉法生长出光学质量优良的Er∶Yb∶YCOB单晶,测量了其吸收光谱和荧光光谱,分析了其能级和泵浦原理,并进行了以激光二极管为抽运源的激光试验,实现了Er∶Yb∶YCOB晶体的在1.55μm附近110mW的激光输出,且斜效率达18.9;.     

Multi-scale magnetic resonance measurements and validation of Discrete Element Model simulations

This short review describes the capabilities of magnetic resonance (MR) to image opaque single- and two-phase granular systems, such as rotating cylinders and gas-fluidized beds operated in different fluidization regimes. The unique capability of MR to not only image the solids’ distribution (voidage) but also the velocity of the particulate phase is clearly shown. It is demonstrated that MR can provide measurements over different length and time scales. With the MR equipment used for the studies summarized here, temporal and spatial scales range from sub-millisecond to hours and from a few hundred micrometres to a few centimetres, respectively. Besides providing crucial data required for an improved understanding of the underlying physics of granular flows, multi-scale MR measurements were also used to validate numerical simulations of granular systems. It is shown that predictions of time-averaged properties, such as voidage and velocity of the particulate phase, made using the Discrete Element Model agree very well with MR measurements.     

Enhancement of mass spectrometric detection of LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 by derivatization

Several acylating reagents are synthesized and used to introduce quatemary phosphonium or ammonium or ternary sulfonium functions into a simple model of a peptido leukotriene (PLT). One of these reagents was selected for further study with LTE₄, LTD₄, and LTC₄. We demonstrate that acylation of the free amine function of PLTs to produce the 5-triphenylphosphoniumvaleryl-amide (TPPV) derivatives enhances chemical stabilities and significantly increases responses in fast-atom bombardment and continuous-flow liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (CF-LSIMS) relative to the native PLTs. With high-performance liquid chromatography inlet to CF-LSIMS, we demonstrate the facile detection in selected ion monitoring of the TPPV derivative of 3 pg of LTD₄.     

Energy deposition during electron-induced dissociation

We report studies of the internal energy deposited during activation of mass-selected ions through electron-ion collisions. Characteristic fragmentations of the molecular ion of limonene and W(CO) ^n/+ (n = 1–6) indicate that electron-induced dissociation in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer proceeds via multiple collisions and that the average internal energy deposited during the activation process can be selected to be similar to that associated with electron-impact ionization. Control of the degree of ion excitation through selection of the electron energy, flux, and interaction time with the ions of interest is demonstrated, and advantages of this promising activation technique are discussed.     

Anomalous curving of Arrhenius plots for data obtained from electro-thermal vaporization at atmospheric pressure

Arrhenius plots are often used in electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETA-AAS) to obtain activation energies (E_a) of vaporization processes. However, these plots are often nonlinear, and the exact cause of the curvature is not clear. This phenomenon has been attributed to multiple generation functions, diffusion of atoms through the graphite walls, changes in the size of the generating particles, changes in the surface coverage and interferences of the removal function with the supply function. This paper examines several other possibilities using computer simulations on a micro-computer. These possibilities include the effects of diffusion, errors in the assumed order of the reaction and small systematic errors. These can create curving very similar to that observed in typical ETA-AAS and should be considered before assigning the curvature to other chemical or physical properties of the system.     

The synthesis and evaluation of unsymmetrical dimeric X-ray contrast agents

Novel dimeric iodinated contrast agents with low osmolality have been prepared and evaluated with the aim of improving the already good safety profile of such agents. The aim of low osmolality was achieved, and the viscosity of these dimeric agents was also found to be beneficially lower than current dimeric agents in clinical use.     

Total axle load effects on soil compaction

Theoretical and applied research has shown that the pressure at a point in the subsurface soil is a function of both the surface unit pressure and the extent of the area over which it is applied (total load). Thirty years ago, most of the soil compaction from vehicle traffic was in the plow layer and was removed by normal cultural practices. As equipment has increased in size and mass, machine designers have increased tire sizes to keep the soil surface unit pressure relatively constant. However, the increase in total axle loads is believed to have caused an increase in compaction at any given depth in the soil profile, resulting in significant compaction in the subsoil.Two tires of different sizes, a standard agricultural tire and a flotation tire were used to support equal loads. Soil pressures were measured at three depths in the soil profile directly beneath each of the tires. Two soils were used and each was prepared first in a uniform density profile, and then they were prepared with a simulated traffic pan (layer of higher density) at a depth of approximately 30 cm.Results showed that the presence of a traffic pan in the soil profile caused higher soil pressures above the pan and lower pressures below it than was the case for a uniform soil profile. The soil contact surface of the flotation tire was approximately 22% greater than the agricultural tire. The greater contact surface did reduce soil pressures at the soil surface, of course, but the total axle load was still the dominant factor in the 18–50 cm-depth range used in this study.