Detailed large-signal dynamic modelling of DFB laser structures and comparison with experiment

This paper describes the first general large-signal dynamic multiple-mode laser model that incorporates all the main mechanisms known to influence the dynamic behaviour of DFB laser structures with the exception of thermal effects: longitudinal mode spatial hole burning, carrier transport effects, nonlinear gain, and laser and submount parasitics. The time evolution of the output power and wavelength of all modes is predicted, and full spectra can be plotted as a function of time. The model has been extended to include an approximation to the effects of propagation down dispersive fibre, thereby allowing the simulation of filtered received eye diagrams. Detailed comparison of the model with the experimental performance of 2×/8 DFB lasers has shown good agreement, allowing the performance to be optimized, particularly with respect to longitudinal hole burning and carrier transport. The model is also applied to gain-switched operation of 2×/8 DFB structures, fast pulsing of three-section /4 DFB lasers, and the dynamic behaviour of complex coupling coefficient DFB laser structures.     

In Situ Electrical Network Activation and Deactivation in Short Carbon Fiber Composites via 3D Printing

Prior studies on carbon-filler based, conductive polymer composites have mainly investigated how conductive filler morphology and concentration can tailor a material's electrical conductivity and overlooks the effects of filler alignment due to the difficulty to control and quickly quantify the filler alignment. Here, direct ink write 3D printing's unique ability is utilized to control carbon fiber alignment with a single process parameter, velocity ratio, to instantaneously activate or deactivate the electrical network in composites. Maximum electrical conductivity is achieved by randomly aligning carbon fibers that enhances the chance of direct fiber-to-fiber contact and, thus, activating the electrical network. However, aligning the fibers by increasing the velocity ratio disrupts the electrical network by minimizing fiber-to-fiber contact that resulted in a drastic decrease in electrical conductivity by as much as five orders of magnitude in both short and long carbon fiber composites. With this study, this study demonstrates that electrically conductive or insulative composites can be fabricated sequentially with a single ink. This novel ability to instantaneously control the electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced composites allow to directly embed conductive pathways into designs to 3D print multifunctional composites that are capable of localized heating and self-sensing.     

Size control of dendrimer-templated silica

One of the most significant challenges facing the biomimetic synthesis of materials is achieving the requisite level of dimensional and spatial control. Typical reaction conditions for biomimetic silica synthesis allow for continued growth and ripening leading to the formation of larger nanospheres on the order of 200-600 nm in diameter. Herein, we have used polyamidoamine and polypropylenimine dendrimers as templates to expand the reaction conditions of biogenic silica production to produce a more robust synthesis leading to size-selective precipitation of silica nanospheres. Through the use of defined concentrations of phosphate buffer and main group metal chloride salts, we have shown that the biomimetic silica growth process is controlled by cationic neutralization of the anionic silica nanosphere surface. Neutralization minimizes electrostatic repulsions, allowing for agglomerization and continued growth of nanospheres. By controlling these concentrations, we can selectively produce silica nanospheres of desired dimensions between 30 and 300 nm without adversely affecting the template's activity.     

Multi-residue method for the determination of chlorinated phenol metabolites in urine

Electron-capture-gas chromatographic (EC-GC) methods for the determination of chlorinated phenol metabolites of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in urine are presented. After extraction the sample was reacted with diazomethane to produce the methyl ether of each metabolite prior to determination by EC-GC. An acid alumina column was used for cleanup and separation of methylated phenols into groups. Average recoveries of greater than 80% were obtained from urine fortified with known amounts of the phenol metabolites under investigation. A level of 1 ppb¹ was established as minimum detection limit for each phenol metabolite. Previously unreported urinary metabolites of HCB and PCP were found as a result of a rat feeding study. Levels of chlorinated phenol residues from (a) human general population and (b) a worker occupationally exposed to PCP are also included.