The Chemistry of the Noncrystalline State

This article sets out to describe and account for the chemical and physical consequences of the presence of gross disorder in solids. Knowledge of the structure of such disordered materials is an obvious prerequisite to a further understanding of other properties and behavior, and our current knowledge of the structure of various noncrystalline systems is discussed together with the experimental techniques which need to be employed in order to obtain such information. The so-called glass transition, which takes place as a liquid is supercooled below the crystallization temperature, is discussed in terms of the various models which have been proposed to account for this phenomenon. The effect of noncrystallinity on electronic properties is also discussed, and we highlight new developments in the understanding of electron localization and transport processes. Finally, two applications of amorphous solids are considered in some detail: optical fibers for use in communication networks and “superionic” glasses for possible use in solid-state batteries.     

高温等离子体中固体弹丸消融过程的研究

本文求得了弹丸消融过程的自洽解析解。结果表明:Parks的弹丸消融理论需要修正;弹丸消融速率由消融物云和表面蒸发层共同控制;入射电子通过消融物云时慢化效应并不显著;消融物离开弹丸表面时一般呈部分电离态;聚变堆条件下,弹丸表面可能会出现激波。     

金属氢的高压合成机理

 从氢原子间及氢分子间的相互作用入手，提出了固体氢中氢分子在高压作用下解离为氢原子，并以氢原子相互结合成金属氢的微观转化过程的机理。用这样的转化机理，可以解释毛河光等关于固体氢的拉曼光谱频率随高压变化规律的实验结果。     

Electron scattering from an assembly of point scatterers in the presence of a quantizing magnetic field

Summary We have studied the scattering of electrons by a structured target in the presence of a quantizing static magnetic field, under the assumption that the presence of the field does not affect the behaviour of the massive target nuclei, but it influences only the motion of the incident electrons. In this case, the electron motion in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field is confined within a typical distance given by the cyclotron radius ρ₀=(cℏ/|e|B)^1/2, that for particular values of the intensity of the magnetic field can be comparable with the distance between two scattering centres. The known field-free interference conditions are modified, depending both on the energy of the incident particle and on the intensity and the direction of the magnetic field. The general case of a three-dimensional scattering array has been derived in detail. Numerical results are given for the case of two scattering centres in perpendicular geometry. To speed up publication, the authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Continuing value in firm valuation by the discounted cash flow model

The discounted cash flow model, like other firm valuation models, proceeds in two periods. For each year in the explicit forecast period, there is an individual forecast of free cash flow. On the other hand, all of the years in the post-horizon period are represented through one single continuing value formula, being the steady-state value of the firm’s productive assets at the horizon. Continuing value is typically derived by applying the Gordon formula to a simple extrapolation of free cash flow at the end of the explicit forecast period. This paper examines the components of continuing value, in particular capital expenditures and tax savings due to depreciation of property, plant and equipment (PPE). The estimation of two somewhat elusive parameters related to capital expenditures, equipment economic life and capital intensity, is discussed. A further analysis indicates that a substantial part of continuing value derives from cash flow associated with already acquired equipment. Also, the error resulting from assuming steady-state rather than lumpy capital expenditures is identified. Implementation issues relating to the explicit forecast period are also commented on.     

Non-linear ground state representations and sharp Hardy inequalities

We determine the sharp constant in the Hardy inequality for fractional Sobolev spaces. To do so, we develop a non-linear and non-local version of the ground state representation, which even yields a remainder term. From the sharp Hardy inequality we deduce the sharp constant in a Sobolev embedding which is optimal in the Lorentz scale. In the appendix, we characterize the cases of equality in the rearrangement inequality in fractional Sobolev spaces.     

SiO2 Xerogel: A Suitable Inert Support for Microbial Growth

A silica xerogel was prepared at pH 2 by the hydrolysis-condensation reactions of the sol-gel method. Silica xerogel was used as a support for the growth of two filamentous fungi: Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642 and Phanerochaete chrysosporium A594. In both cases, an apparent abundant mycelia growth (5.5 mg biomass/g dry xerogel and 4.7 mg biomass/g dry xerogel respectively) was observed. A phase of rapid consumption of glucose which lasted until 96 h of culture with sugar consumption rate of 0.075 mg sugar/g support h and 0.042 mg sugar/g support h respectively, was also observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a superficial colonisation of both strains even in the occasional imperfections and crevices of the xerogel. This novel application of sol-gel metallic oxide systems suggests the potential use of an inert and versatile support which could be valuable, for example for solid state fermentation fundamental studies.