Structure of Framework Aluminum Lewis Sites and Perturbed Aluminum Atoms in Zeolites as Determined by 27Al{1H} REDOR (3Q) MAS NMR Spectroscopy and DFT/Molecular Mechanics

Zeolites are highly important heterogeneous catalysts. Besides Brønsted SiOHAl acid sites, also framework Al_FR Lewis acid sites are often found in their H‐forms. The formation of Al_FR Lewis sites in zeolites is a key issue regarding their selectivity in acid‐catalyzed reactions. The local structures of Al_FR Lewis sites in dehydrated zeolites and their precursors—“perturbed” Al_FR atoms in hydrated zeolites—were studied by high‐resolution MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and DFT/MM calculations. Perturbed framework Al atoms correspond to (SiO)₃AlOH groups and are characterized by a broad ²⁷Al NMR resonance (δ_i=59–62 ppm, C_Q=5 MHz, and η=0.3–0.4) with a shoulder at 40 ppm in the ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectrum. Dehydroxylation of (SiO)₃AlOH occurs at mild temperatures and leads to the formation of Al_FR Lewis sites tricoordinated to the zeolite framework. Al atoms of these (SiO)₃Al Lewis sites exhibit an extremely broad ²⁷Al NMR resonance (δ_i≈67 ppm, C_Q≈20 MHz, and η≈0.1).     

Shear dependence of viscosity for perfluoropolyether fluids

The shear dependence of the bulk viscosities of two structurally different types of perfluoropolyether fluids was determined by two different techniques. The first involved direct measurement in a high shear Couette viscometer, the second utilized the time-temperature superposition principle to establish master curves from viscosity determinations at low shear rates and temperature; the results are comparable. Both fluids begin to show non-Newtonian behavior at shear rates above 10,000 s^–1.     

CVM modeling of the square Ising lattice with one next-nearest-neighbor interaction

As an analysis of the development of first-order behavior in two-dimensional Ising lattices, the square lattice with antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor interactions and a ferromagnetic next-nearest-neighbor interaction in the (11) direction has been modeled. The phase diagram was calculated for a range of interaction parameters and imposed fields; the calculations were performed using the cluster variation method (CVM). Analysis of the calculations suggests that no first-order behavior is developed in this system, so that higher dimensionality or connectivities are required before such behavior is developed.     

National ionizing radiation secondary laboratory system

Over the past ten years, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has, through its Office of Radiation Measurement, developed a national program for Secondary Laboratories. These Secondary Laboratories provide the necessary calibrations and quality assurance testing to support and affirm the caliber of the measurements in the areas they serve. The areas that are in the program include State Radiation Protection, Personnel Dosimetry, Survey Instrument Calibration, High-Level Dosimetry, Radiation Therapy, Bioassay, Survey Instrument Testing, Ionizing Radiation, Environmental Radioactivity, Radioactivity Standards, and Radon.     

An aperiodic set of 13 Wang tiles

A new aperiodic tile set containing only 13 tiles over 5 colors is presented. Its construction is based on a recent technique developed by Kari. The tilings simulate the behavior of sequential machines that multiply real numbers in balanced representations by real constants.