On the numerical characteristics of an inverse solution for three-term radiative transfer

Certain numerical characteristics of an inverse formulation for three-term scattering radiative transfer are investigated. Specifically, approximate solutions to the direct problem are constructed by the F_N and Monte Carlo methods, allowing approximation of the various surface angular moments and related quantities needed for the inverse calculation. Several numerical schemes are employed in order of demonstrate the computational characteristics for some specific phase functions. The numerical results indicate that the single-scatter albedo can be calculated fairly consistently and accurately, but higher order coefficients of the scattering law are more difficult to obtain by this method.     

Recommendations for reporting thermal analysis data

Recommendations for reporting of thermal analysis data relating to differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and thermomechanical analysis were developed some two decades ago. Since that time there have been significant changes in the techniques, as well as a greater understanding of the effect of experimental variables on the results obtained from thermonalytical experiments. This paper reports on a preliminary review of the Recommendations by the Task Group established by the ICTAC Committee on Standardization to undertake their revision. Particular attention has been paid to the properties of the sample; control of the instrument variables; and the data acquisition and manipulation by computers.     

Ultrasonic pretreatment of corn slurry for saccharification: A comparison of batch and continuous systems

The effects of ultrasound on corn slurry saccharification yield and particle size distribution was studied in both batch and continuous-flow ultrasonic systems operating at a frequency of 20 kHz. Ground corn slurry (28% w/v) was prepared and sonicated in batches at various amplitudes (192–320 μm_{peak-to-peak (p–p)}) for 20 or 40 s using a catenoidal horn. Continuous flow experiments were conducted by pumping corn slurry at various flow rates (10–28 l/min) through an ultrasonic reactor at constant amplitude of 12 μm_p–p. The reactor was equipped with a donut shaped horn. After ultrasonic treatment, commercial alpha- and gluco-amylases (STARGEN^TM 001) were added to the samples, and liquefaction and saccharification proceeded for 3 h. The sonicated samples were found to yield 2–3 times more reducing sugars than unsonicated controls. Although the continuous flow treatments released less reducing sugar compared to the batch systems, the continuous flow process was more energy efficient. The reduction of particle size due to sonication was approximately proportional to the dissipated ultrasonic energy regardless of the type of system used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were also used to observe the disruption of corn particles after sonication. Overall, the study suggests that both batch and continuous ultrasonication enhanced saccharification yields and reduced the particle size of corn slurry. However, due to the large volume involve in full scale processes, an ultrasonic continuous system is recommended.     

Do hydroxyl radical-water clusters, OH(H2O)n, n = 1-5, exist in the atmosphere?

It has been speculated that the presence of OH(H2O)n clusters in the troposphere could have significant effects on the solar absorption balance and the reactivity of the hydroxyl radical. We have used the G3 and G3B3 model chemistries to model the structures and predict the frequencies of hydroxyl radical/water clusters containing one to five water molecules. The reaction between hydroxyl radical clusters and methane was examined as a function of water cluster size to gain an understanding of how cluster size affects the hydroxyl radical reactivity.     

Ortho effect in the Bergman cyclization: electronic and steric effects in hydrogen abstraction by 1-substituted naphthalene 5,8-diradicals

We present a detailed theoretical study of geometries, electronic structure, and energies of transition states and intermediates completing the full Bergman cycloaromatization pathway of ortho-substituted enediynes with a focus on polar and steric contributions to the kinetics and thermodynamics of hydrogen abstraction. This study provides a rare unambiguous example of remote substitution that affects reactivity of a neutral reactive intermediate through an sigma framework.     

Calculus demonstrations using MATLAB

The note discusses ways in which technology can be used in the calculus learning process. In particular, five MATLAB programs are detailed for use by instructors or students that demonstrate important concepts in introductory calculus: Newton's method, differentiation and integration. Two of the programs are animated. The programs and the graphical user interface have been specifically designed to help the student understand the processes behind these important introductory concepts. Each program has a series of demonstrations that show unusual, difficult or important cases.     

Large Eddy Simulations of a piloted lean premix jet flame using finite-rate chemistry

A Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model capable of accurately representing finite-rate chemistry effects in turbulent premixed combustion is presented. The LES computations use finite-rate chemistry and implicit LES combustion modelling to simulate an experimentally well-documented lean-premixed jet flame stabilized by a stoichiometric pilot. The validity of the implicit LES assumption is discussed and criteria are expressed in terms of subgrid scale Damköhler and Karlovitz numbers. Simulation results are compared to experimental data for velocity, temperature and species mass fractions of CH₄, CO and OH. The simulation results highlight the validity and capability of the present approach for the flame and in general the combustion regime examined. A sensitivity analysis to the choice of the finite-rate chemistry mechanism is reported, this analysis indicates that the one and two-step global reaction mechanisms evaluated fail to capture the reaction layer with sufficient accuracy, while a 20-species skeletal mechanism reproduces the experimental observations accurately including the key finite-rate chemistry indicators CO and OH. The LES results are shown to be grid insensitive and that the grid resolution within the bounds examined is far less important compared to the sensitivity of the finite-rate chemistry representation. The results are analyzed in terms of the flame dynamics and it is shown that intense small scale mixing (high Karlovitz number) between the pilot and the jet is an important mechanism for the stabilization of the flame.     

Light-emitting diodes with semiconductor nanocrystals

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals are promising luminophores for creating a new generation of electroluminescence devices. Research on semiconductor nanocrystal based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has made remarkable advances in just one decade: the external quantum efficiency has improved by over two orders of magnitude and highly saturated color emission is now the norm. Although the device efficiencies are still more than an order of magnitude lower than those of the purely organic LEDs there are potential advantages associated with nanocrystal-based devices, such as a spectrally pure emission color, which will certainly merit future research. Further developments of nanocrystal-based LEDs will be improving material stability, understanding and controlling chemical and physical phenomena at the interfaces, and optimizing charge injection and charge transport.