Radiation‐induced migration of additives in PVC‐based biomedical disposable devices. Part 1. Surface morphology by AFM and SEM/XEDS

Two different types of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) used for biomedical disposable devices—extruded and injection moulded—were studied in the non‐sterilized condition and after 25 and 50 kGy of beta irradiation. The polymer surfaces were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an x‐ray energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The inner surface of two parts of a venous line showed a different morphology according to their original formulation (for extrusion or injection moulding process) and reacted differently on sterilization with beta irradiation. Moulded parts were affected only slightly by the radiation step, whereas the variations were bigger for the extruded parts. In order to gain the best performances for the medical devices studied, the utmost care must be taken in the sterilization step, which should be optimized as well as the other steps of the manufacturing process. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermittency in the Slow Particle Emission During Hadron–Nucleus Interactions

The study of the angular distribution of slow particles during high energy hadron-nucleus interaction indicates that emission of slow particles takes place from a thermally non-equilibrated system. This evidence has come out from the presence of intermittency - a phenomenon that reveals a fractal structure and represents a self-similarity in the particle production process. Hence, this study highlights inadequacy of cascade-evaporation model and advocates the need of its refinement.     

ICP-AES测定钛基复合材料中镍、钕和铁的研究

采用ICP－AES法对钛基复合材料中的合金元素镍、钕、铁的测定进行了研究，着重进行了基体元素及待测元素镍、钕、铁之间干扰试验及各元素在测定浓度范围内的线性相关性试验，进行了酸度试验，测定了钛基复合材料中3种元素的含量，得到了较好的精密度和准确度。方法简便、可靠，获得满意的分析结果。     

InAs/GaAs (1 1 1)A heteroepitaxial systems

We studied the structural, electrical, and mechanical properties of an InAs thin film grown on GaAs (1 1 1)A substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. In contrast to conventionally used (0 0 1) surfaces, where Stranski–Krastanov growth dominates the highly mismatched heteroepitaxy, layer-by-layer growth of InAs can be established. One of the largest advantages of this unique heteroepitaxial system is that it provides a two-dimensional electron gas system in the near-surface region without the problem of electron depletion. We review the fundamental properties and applications of this unique heteroepitaxial system.     

Preparation and properties of homogeneous V2O5-SiO2 xerogel composite based on interpenetrating polymer network

In this paper, we report the conducting and electrochemical properties of a homogeneous V₂O₅-SiO₂ xerogel composite obtained from the simultaneous polymerization in both inorganic components (Si-O and V-O based polymers) forming an interpenetrating polymer network, where a mutual “solubility” due to cross-links and entanglements was observed. The presence of V₂O₅ inside the silica matrix has a strong effect on electrical conductivity; measurements showed room temperature conductivity almost 1000 times higher than what is found in the literature. In addition, the electrochemical behavior is quite similar to that found in V₂O₅ xerogel. Moreover, the effects of thermal treatment on the conducting and electrochemical properties were investigated. It was found that both properties were improved with no significant effect on V₂O₅ xerogel layered structure.     

Investigation of the Li1+xV3O8 electrode–organic electrolyte interface by scanning photoelectron microscopy

To investigate the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the Li_1+xV₃O₈ electrode surface in the thermodynamic stability range of the organic electrolyte, we applied scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) to a pristine electrode and to an electrode after ten cycles. The F K-edge absorption spectrum of the cycled electrode showed that LiF forms on the electrode surface during the lithium insertion–extraction process in the Li_1+xV₃O₈/Li cell. The photoelectron spectrum for the cycled electrode showed intense spectral features corresponding to Li 1s, F 2s, F 2p, and P 2p electron signals, whereas these spectral features were of negligible intensity for the pristine electrode. The above results give strong support for the formation of an SEI that consists of LiF and compounds containing phosphorus during operation of the battery. The SPEM images also revealed that the fluorine distribution on the surface of the cycled electrode was inhomogeneous.     

Theoretical Studies on the Si（001）-SiO2 Interface Structure

1 INTRODUCTION Silicon and its alloy have been widely applied in such fields as electronic industry, high-temperature structural ceramics, etc. In addition, the researches on silicon and its relevant materials greatly promote the rapid development of modern optics and infor- mation technology. Therefore, more and more at- tention is focused on the structure of silicon, oxide of silicon and the interfaces between silicon and metal or nonmetal. As an ideal passive film on the Si surface, S…     

A microspectroscopic study of the electronic homogeneity of ordered and disordered Sr2FeMoO6

Disordered Sr₂FeMoO₆ shows a drastic reduction in saturation magnetization compared to highly ordered samples, moreover magnetization as a function of the temperature for different disordered samples shows qualitatively different behaviours. We investigate the origin of such diversity by performing spatially resolved photoemission spectroscopy on various disordered samples. Our results establish that e_xtensive electronic inhomogeneity, arising most probably from an underlying chemical inhomogeneity in disordered samples, is responsible for the observed magnetic inhomogeneity. It is further pointed out that these inhomogeneities are connected with composition fluctuations of the type Sr₂Fe_1+x Mo_1-x O₆ with Fe-rich (x > 0) and Mo-rich (x < 0) regions. Dedicated to Prof J Gopalakrishnan on his 62nd birthday.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of methylaminocellulose

Homogeneously prepared tosylcelluloses (TC) with degrees of substitution (DS) of DS_Tos 0.1–1.8 were used as intermediates for the synthesis of methylaminocelluloses (MAC) by nucleophilic substitution with methylamine. TC with DS_Tos up to 1.1 were shown to be valuable intermediates for selective synthesis of MAC with DS_MA varying from 0.1 to approximately 1. No nucleophilic substitution was observed at higher DS_Tos. At the chosen reaction conditions (60 °C, 48 h) residual tosyl moieties remained unchanged and little hydrolysis took place. The samples obtained were characterized by means of elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy was found to be an efficient tool for quantification of DS_MA. Furthermore, the swelling behaviour in water was investigated and preliminary tests concerning the bilirubin adsorption capacity of MAC were carried out.