Multiple Wavelength Extinction Technique for Particle Characterization in Dense Particle Clouds

In utilizing the advantages of extinction measurements in micron and especially submicron particle characterization, the properties of a multiple wavelength extinction technique have been the subject of extended theoretical studies. Furthermore, an experimental set-up was designed which provides high flexibility owing to its modular design. The performance of the technique described is demonstrated by a large variety of applications in aerosol and combustion research and in large-scale industrial systems. It was found to be a reliable tool in characterizing dense particulate systems.     

The effect of vibrational bond stretching on rotational inelastic electron-molecule scattering

Differential cross sections for state-to-state rotationally inelastic electron-Na₂ scattering, with the molecule being in the vibrational levelv′'=31, are measured at a collision energy of 150 eV. Angular momentum transfer of up to Δj=26 is observed, which is even more than previously obtained for the vibrational ground statev′'=0. Good agreement is found with theoretical results from a spectator scattering model. This work, in general, elucidates the role of vibrational excitation in collision dynamics under vibrationally sudden conditions.     

A simple and versatile PSA system for heavy metal determinations

An easy to build potentiometric stripping analysis system for heavy metal determinations (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) is described which reaches good sensitivity and precision. Main components are an IBM compatible computer, an ADDA-conversion card and two selfmade electrodes, so it can be realized for one tenth of the price of complete commercial systems. A graphite pencil lead covered with a Hg-film is used as working electrode and a Ag/AgCl electrode as a combined reference/counter electrode. Reproducibility and calibration measurements are reported, heavy metal determinations on soil samples are compared with AAS results.     

Phase-field approach to fracture for finite-deformation contact problems

The present contribution deals with a variationally consistent Mortar contact algorithm applied to a phase-field fracture approach for finite deformations, see [4]. A phase-field approach to fracture allows for the numerical simulation of complex fracture patterns for three dimensional problems, extended recently to finite deformations (see [2] for more details). In a nutshell, the phase-field approach relies on a regularization of the sharp (fracture-) interface. In order to improve the accuracy, a fourth-order Cahn-Hilliard phase-field equation is considered, requiring global C¹ continuity (see [1]), which will be dealt with using an isogeometrical analysis (IGA) framework. Additionally, a newly developed hierarchical refinement scheme is applied to resolve for local physical phenomena e.g. the contact zone (see [3] for more details). The Mortar method is a modern and very accurate numerical method to implement contact boundaries. This approach can be extended in a straightforward manner to transient phase-field fracture problems. The performance of the proposed methods will be examined in a representative numerical example. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Experimental-based material parameter identification of oocytes

In comparison to other eukaryotic cells, mammalian oocytes are characterised by a relative high diameter allowing in turn a straightforward micromechanical testing to study their mechanical properties. The structure of mammalian oocytes is characterised by the so-called zona pellucida (ZP), a thick glycoprotein layer, surrounding the cells interior, the ooplasm. In contrast to other cells, where the load is mainly carried by inner cell structures, in case of oocytes a huge amount of external loads is carried by the ZP. Aim of this work is the determination of the mechanical properties of oocytes. Therefore, a micromechanical setup has been developed and installed on a microscope. Beside the determination of the force-strain relation during loading, the deformation of the oocytes has been recorded optically, too. Both, the force-strain curves and the optical recordings build the basis for a proper parameter identification technique based on the inverse finite element method. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photostability of 4,4′‐Dihydroxythioindigo,a Mimetic of Indigo

The photochemical properties of indigo, a widely used industrial dye, has attracted both experimentalists and theoreticians from the beginning. Especially the high photostability of indigo has been the subject of intensive research. Recently, it was proposed that after photoexcitation an intramolecular proton transfer followed by a nonradiative relaxation to the ground state promote photostability. In indigo the hydrogen bond and the proton transfer occur between the opposing hemiindigo parts. Here, we provide experimental and theoretical evidence that a hydrogen transfer within one hemiindigo or hemithioindigo part is sufficient to attain photostability. This concept can serve as an interesting strategy towards new photostable dyes for the visible part of the spectrum.     

New aspects of the luminescence of magnesiumtitanate part I: Activation with chromium

Mg₂TiO₄:Cr³⁺ annealed at 560°C shows luminescence properties which differ considerably from those of the unannealed phosphor used so far. In both cases the regular Cr³⁺ ions only absorb the irradiated energy transferring it radiationless to the real luminescence centres, but the annealed phosphor reveals a new spectrum consisting of a few sharp lines. The radiance of the single lines can be influenced by powdering, which in connection with the annealing effect shows that the centres of both types of phosphors consist of clusters of lattice defects and octahedrally coordinated Cr³⁺ ions. These clusters or associates form themselves by thermal diffusion during the annealing process. Furthermore criteria have been found showing that the R lines do not come from only one but from two Cr³⁺ ions situated in non-equivalent lattice sites.     

Kinetic performance limits of constant pressure versus constant flow rate gradient elution separations. Part I: theory

We report on a general theoretical assessment of the potential kinetic advantages of running LC gradient elution separations in the constant-pressure mode instead of in the customarily used constant-flow rate mode. Analytical calculations as well as numerical simulation results are presented. It is shown that, provided both modes are run with the same volume-based gradient program, the constant-pressure mode can potentially offer an identical separation selectivity (except from some small differences induced by the difference in pressure and viscous heating trajectory), but in a significantly shorter time. For a gradient running between 5 and 95% of organic modifier, the decrease in analysis time can be expected to be of the order of some 20% for both water–methanol and water–acetonitrile gradients, and only weakly depending on the value of V_G/V₀ (or equivalently t_G/t₀). Obviously, the gain will be smaller when the start and end composition lie closer to the viscosity maximum of the considered water-organic modifier system. The assumptions underlying the obtained results (no effects of pressure and temperature on the viscosity or retention coefficient) are critically reviewed, and can be inferred to only have a small effect on the general conclusions. It is also shown that, under the adopted assumptions, the kinetic plot theory also holds for operations where the flow rate varies with the time, as is the case for constant-pressure operation. Comparing both operation modes in a kinetic plot representing the maximal peak capacity versus time, it is theoretically predicted here that both modes can be expected to perform equally well in the fully C-term dominated regime (where H varies linearly with the flow rate), while the constant pressure mode is advantageous for all lower flow rates. Near the optimal flow rate, and for linear gradients running from 5 to 95% organic modifier, time gains of the order of some 20% can be expected (or 25–30% when accounting for the fact that the constant pressure mode can be run without having to leave a pressure safety margin of 5–10% as is needed in the constant flow rate mode).