Atomic force microscopy study of surface morphology change in spinel LiMn2O4: Possibility of direct observation of Jahn-Teller instability

Surface morphology in 3.5 × 3.5 μm² area of spinel LiMn₂O₄, which is a typical cathode material for Li ion secondary batteries, is studied using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a conductive probe. Negative bias voltage is applied to the probe to attract Li⁺ ions toward LiMn₂O₄ surface during the AFM observation. Before applying the voltage (0 V), the whole LiMn₂O₄ surface is covered with scale-shaped grains. Under the negative voltage of 5.5 V, electric current abruptly increases, indicating Li⁺ ionic conduction. Simultaneously, part of the scale-shaped grains expand and flatten. Jahn-Teller phase transition, which is induced by the repulsive interaction between the Mn-e_g and O-2p electrons in Li accumulated layer, is proposed as a possible origin of these results.     

Continuous flame oxidation in supercritical water

Abstract

Continuous flames have been observed in Supercritical water oxidation (scWO) of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), using a vertical continuous reactor with sapphire windows and a mixing nozzle. Two types of continuous flame were confirmed: the one was long pale blue colored and the other was red short cone shaped, changing blue to red at around air ratio 2.0. The flame was strongly influenced by IPA concentration, air ratio and design of the mixing nozzle. Results for decomposition of PA are presented for IPA concentrations ranging from 600 up to 28260 ppm as TOC and initial reactor temperatures, were mostly around 490°C, at 25 MPa. Decomposition rate at steady state was over 99.9%. Experimentally measured CO₂ and O₂ concentrations at the flue gas were in good agreement with theoretically calculated values. Even for low air ratio as 1.1, high decomposition rate without CO, NO, NO₂ was achieved.     

Defining the size and location of the slit in rainbow holography

A simple method is described for defining the size and location of the slit in a rainbow holography optical system in order to guarantee the optimal observation conditions of the reconstructed image. A brief explanation of the basic principles of rainbow holography is given and the projection of viewing slits and pseudoscopic, or orthoscopic, images is considered. An application of the method for afocal systems used in rainbow holography is presented.     

X射线能谱分析和金相分析确定仿银合金的成分、组织及工艺

两种仿银合金经x射线能谱分析其组分均为银锡合金,经半定量计算,两种合金的银,锡相对比均为28.6:71.4。用金相显微镜观察,合金(1)的组织为先凝固的固溶体∑相和(∑ Sn)共晶体的铸态组织。合金(2)的金相组织为加工态组织。     

X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of galvannealed coatings on steel

The formation of Fe–Zn intermetallic compounds, as relevant in the commercial product galvannealed steel sheet, was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and different methods of X-ray diffraction. A scanning electron microscope with high resolution was applied to investigate the layers of the galvannealed coating and its topography. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GID) was preferred over conventional Bragg–Brentano geometry for analysing thin crystalline layers because of its lower incidence angle α and its lower depth of information. Furthermore, in situ experiments at an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with an internal heating plate and at an X-ray diffractometer equipped with a high-temperature chamber were carried out. Thus, it was possible to investigate the phase evolution during heat treatment by X-ray diffraction and to display the growth of the ζ crystals in the ESEM.     

In-situ TEM observation of the evolution of helium bubbles in Mo during He+ irradiation and post-irradiation annealing

The evolution of helium bubbles in purity Mo was investigated by in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) during 30 keV He⁺ irradiation (at 673 K and 1173 K) and post-irradiation annealing (after 30 keV He⁺ irradiation with the fluence of 5.74×10¹⁶ He⁺/cm² at 673 K). Both He⁺ irradiation and subsequently annealing induced the initiation, aggregation, and growth of helium bubbles. Temperature had a significant effect on the initiation and evolution of helium bubbles. The higher the irradiation temperature was, the larger the bubble size at the same irradiation fluence would be. At 1173 K irradiation, helium bubbles nucleated and grew preferentially at grain boundaries and showed super large size, which would induce the formation of microcracks. At the same time, the geometry of helium bubbles changed from sphericity to polyhedron. The polyhedral bubbles preferred to grow in the shape bounded by {100} planes. After statistical analysis of the characteristic parameters of helium bubbles, the functions between the average size, number density of helium bubbles, swelling rate and irradiation damage were obtained. Meanwhile, an empirical formula for calculating the size of helium bubbles during the annealing was also provided.     

A microfluidic membrane chip for in situ fouling characterization

A new method for non-invasive in situ monitoring of a microfiltration process is described. In microfiltration systems, local information on the deposition characteristics can be used to determine the cake behavior during a filtration run. Typically, non-invasive methods of fouling study are restricted to specialized membranes, or require highly complex systems. This study employs the use of synthetic embedded channel membranes, with channels separated by a porous structure (active membrane). The characteristics of the active membrane have been analyzed. Deposition on the membrane surface can be observed and monitored optically across the width of the feed channel. This can be used to observe the liquid hydrodynamics in the channel as well as the local cake properties in time. In dead end filtration, it has been observed that with 6 μm particles, the cake initially deposits towards the end of the membrane. However, as filtration continues, the deposition changes with more local deposition towards the channel entrance, leading to a more homogeneous cake layer.     

电子探针在中药滑石质量检验中的应用

滑石是一种十分重要的中药矿物药,其质量检验对于人体健康和环境至关重要。本文提出的以电子探针为主、并辅以X光衍射分析等方法的滑石质量检验途径,是一次新的探索。正是由于电子探针可以同时进行高倍图像观察和定性定量分析,对滑石中的杂质分析灵敏度更好,其检测结果也更直观易懂。     

Optical and atomic force microscopic study on step bunching in BaB2O4 crystal growth

The formation of macrostep during high-temperature phase of barium meta-borate (α-BaB 2 O 4) single crystal growth has been investigated by both optical in-situ observation system and atomic force microscopy (AFM).The insitu observation results demonstrate that the critical linear size of growing facet exceeding the size that the macrostep generates is significantly anisotropic.The critical linear sizes are around 280 μm and 620 μm for {1010} and {1010} planes,respectively.AFM study illustrates that macrostep train with a height of 150 nm～200 nm is one typical morphological feature of the as-grown crystal surface.The riser of each macrostep consists of several straight and parallel sub-steps,indicating the occurrence of step bunching.Additionally,triangular sub-steps with heights of several nanometers on the treads of the macrosteps are found to be another typical feature of surface morphology,which implies a microscopically competitive bunching of sub-steps between various crystallographic orientations.     

暗能量:观测证据和理论研究

自1998年发现宇宙的加速膨胀以来,大量的天文观测显示宇宙中存在压强为负的暗能量成分.暗能量已经成为目前宇宙学和理论物理的最重要的研究课题之一.文章介绍了暗能量存在的天文观测证据和理论研究现状与展望.