Detection of autocatalytic decomposition behavior of energetic materials using APTAC

Characterization of autocatalytic decomposition reactions is important for the safe handling and storage of energetic materials. Isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been widely used to detect autocatalytic decomposition of energetic materials. However, isothermal DSC tests are time consuming and the choice of experimental temperature is crucial. This paper shows that an automatic pressure tracking calorimeter (APTAC) can be a reliable and efficient screening tool for the identification of autocatalytic decomposition behavior of energetic materials. Hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN) is an important member of the hydroxylamine family. High concentrations of HAN are used as liquid propellants, and low concentrations of HAN are used primarily in the nuclear industry for decontamination of equipment. Because of its instability and autocatalytic decomposition behavior, HAN has been involved in several incidents.     

Herstellung von 1, 3-Diketonen und von Nitro-diketonen durch (1:1)-Acylierungen von Lithiumenolaten mit Acylchloriden

Preparation of 1,3-Diketones and of Nitro-diketones by (1:1)-Acylation of Lithium Enolates with Acyl Chlorides Slow addition of precooled solutions of lithium enolates in THF (Fig. 1) to solutions of equimolar amounts of acyl chlorides in the same solvent at temperatures between ? 80 and ? 100° furnishes 1, 3-diketones in acceptable to good yields (Tables 1?3). Even 3-nitropropionyl and 4-nitrobutyryl chloride can be employed for the (1:1)-acylation of enolates to give the synthetically useful 5- and 6-nitro-1, 3-diketones 13 and 25 , respectively. The scope and the limitations of this method of preparing 1, 3-diketones are given and are compared with alternative methods.     

Pulse advancement and delay in an integrated-optical two-port ring-resonator circuit: direct experimental observations

We report experimental observations of the negative-group-velocity (v(g)) phenomenon in an integrated-optical two-port ring-resonator circuit. We demonstrate that when the v(g) is negative, the (main) peak of output pulse appears earlier than the peak of a reference pulse, while for a positive v(g), the situation is the other way around. We observed that a pulse splitting phenomenon occurs in the neighborhood of the critical-coupling point. This pulse splitting limits the maximum achievable delay and advancement of a single device as well as facilitating a smooth transition from highly advanced to highly delayed pulse, and vice versa, across the critical-coupling point.     

Current-induced embrittlement of atomic wires

Recent experiments suggest that gold single-atom contacts and atomic chains break at applied voltages of 1 to 2 V. In order to understand why current flow affects these defect-free conductors, we have calculated the current-induced forces on atoms in a Au chain between two Au electrodes. These forces are not by themselves sufficient to rupture the chain. However, the current reduces the work to break the chain, which results in a dramatic increase in the probability of thermally activated spontaneous fracture of the chain. This current-induced embrittlement poses a fundamental limit to the current-carrying capacity of atomic wires.