Integral equation formulation for buoyancy-driven convection problems

An integral equation formulation for buoyancy-driven convection problems is developed and illustrated. Buoyancy-driven convection in a bounded cylindrical geometry with a free surface is studied for a range of aspect ratios and Nusselt numbers. The critical Rayleigh number, the nature of the cellular motion, and the heat transfer enhancement are computed using linear theory. Green's functions are used to convert the linear problem into linear Fredholm integral equations. Theorems are proved which establish the properties of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the linear integral operator which appears in these equations.     

Gas transport in TiO2 nanoparticle-filled poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were dispersed via solution processing in poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) to form nanocomposite films. Nanoparticle dispersion was investigated using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. At low-particle loadings, nanoparticles were dispersed individually and in nanoscale aggregates. At high-particle loadings, some nanoparticles formed micron-sized aggregates. The gas transport and density exhibited a strong dependence on nanoparticle loading. At low-TiO₂ loadings, the composite density was similar to or slightly higher than that predicted by a two-phase additive model. However, at particle loadings exceeding approximately 7 nominal vol.%, the density was markedly lower than predicted, suggesting that the particles induced the creation of void space within the nanocomposite. For example, when the TiO₂ nominal volume fraction was 0.35, the polymer/particle composite density was 40% lower than expected based on a two-phase additive model for density. At low-nanoparticle loading, light gas permeability was lower than that of the unfilled polymer. At higher nanoparticle loadings, light gas permeability (i.e., CO₂, N₂, and CH₄) increased to more than four times higher than in unfilled PTMSP. At most, selectivity changed only slightly with particle loading.     

Permanently oriented antibody immobilization for digoxin determination with a flow-through fluoroimmunosensor

This paper reports a new flow-through fluoroimmunosensor, the function of which is based on antibodies immobilized on an inmunoreactor of controlled-pore glass (CPG), for determination of digoxin, used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and artery disease. The immunosensor has a detection limit of 1.20 microg L(-1) and provides high reproducibility (RSD=4.5% for a concentration of 0.0025 mg L(-1), and RSD=6.7% for 0.01 mg L(-1)). The optimum working concentration range was found to be 1.2 x 10(-3)-4.0 x 10(-2) mg L(-1). The lifetime of the immunosensor was about 50 immunoassays; if stored unused its lifetime can be extended to three months. A sample speed of about 10-12 samples per hour can be attained. Possible interference from substances with structures similar to digoxin (morphine, heroin, tebaine, codeine, pentazocine and narcotine) was investigated. No cross-reactivity was seen at the highest digoxin: interferent ratio studied (1:100). The proposed fluoroimmunosensor was successfully used to determine digoxin concentrations in human serum samples.     

The phase relationship among compounds Ba1+xFe2S4

The dependence of composition of the phases Ba_1+xFe₂S₄ on sulfur vapor pressure and starting composition was investigated at 650, 747, and 800°C. The infinitely adaptive series Ba_1+xFe₂S₄ spans the compositions 0.072 ≤ x ≤ 0.142. The value of x decreases as the sulfur vapor pressure increases at a given temperature. Varying the ratio of $\text{Ba}\text{Fe}$ in the starting mixture has no effect on the Ba_1+xFe₂S₄-sulfur fugacity relationship. The phase BaFe₂S₄ is not part of the infinitely adaptive series.     

Crystal chemistry of the BaNbS system: A layer structure of approximate composition Ba2NbS4(S2)0.5

Black platy crystals from the product of a reaction mixture of 6BaS : 3Nb : 7S reacted at 1000°C were hexagonal with a = 6.909(4) Å, c = 49.25(2) Å, $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}\text{, Z = 10}$. A pronounced subcell with a = 6.91Å, c = 5.5 Å indicated that this was a layer structure consisting of stacking of close-packed BaS₃ layers. Three dimensional X-ray diffraction data were collected from a single crystal using monochromatized MoKα radiation. From the 1535 measured reflections, 782 unique structure amplitudes were obtained of which 608 greater than 2σ(F) were used to solve the structure. The final R = 0.1065, ωR = 0.0793; for 91 reflections with l = 9n, R = 0.0397 and for the 517 reflections l ≠ 9n, R = 0.138. The structure is based on the stacking of close-packed BaS₃ layers with the sequence CBDBABDBC BCDCACDCB, where D designates a disordered layer. The disordered layers contain two crystallographically independent Ba with partial site occupancies and disordered S₂ and S ions. Nb occupy octahedral interstices and form two different arrangements; a unit consisting of 3 face-sharing octahedra and a unit of 2 face-sharing octahedra. These octahedral units are separated by the disordered layers. The NbNb distances in the chain of 3 are 3.29 Å and they are 3.57 Å in the double unit.     

Crystal structure and Mössbauer spectroscopy of Y2SrFeCuO6.5, a double layer perovskite intergrowth phase

The crystal structure of Y₂SrFeCuO_6.5 was determined from single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies. M_r = 488.81, orthorhombic, Ibam, a = 5.4036(8)[5.4149(1)] Å, b = 10.702(1)[10.7244(1)] Å, c = 20.250(2)[20.2799(2)] Å; values in square brackets are neutron data. V = 1171.0(4), Z = 8, D_x = 5.544 g cm⁻³, λ = 0.71069 Å, μ = 345.1 cm⁻¹, R = 0.048 for 567 observed reflections. The Fe/Cu atoms occupy randomly the approximate center of oxygen pyramids. The pyramids share the apical oxygen and articulate laterally by corner sharing of oxygen to form a double pyramidal layer perpendicular to c. The pyramidal slabs are separated by double layers of Y that are in 7-fold coordination to oxygen, forming a defect fluorite unit. Mössbauer spectra indicate a unique iron environment and magnetic ordering at about 265 K. The paramagnetic phase coexists with the magnetic phase over an approximate temperature range 300-263 K, characteristic of magnetic ordering in 2-D magnetic structures. The isomer shift, 0.26, and quadrupole splitting, 0.56 mm sec⁻¹, are consistent with Fe³⁺ in 5-fold coordination and H_int values also indicate classic high spin Fe³⁺. The average Y---O bond length is 2.331(6) Å and Sr is in a dodecahedral environment in which, however, two oxygen atoms at the corners of the cube are missing. The average Sr---O bond length is 2.793(10) Å. The structure is derived from the Ruddlesden-Popper phase Sr_n+1Ti_nO_3n+1 with n = 2.