Non-linear density dependence of rotational line-broadening of HCl in dense argon

The rotational far-infrared spectra of HCl in argon at densities between 100 and 480 amagat and T = 162.5 K are presented. The observed density dependence of the width of the different rotational lines is non-linear and differs for high- and low-frequency lines. An Enskog correction to the collision frequency in the dense gas fails to account for the density dependence of the high rotational lines. It is argued that the many-body character of the relaxation mechanism should be taken into account. Comparison with the results of MD calculations on argon indicates that such an approach may explain the observed density dependence.     

Extraction of actinides in two-phase water-poly(ethylene glycol)—Salt systems in the presence of potassium phosphotungstate

Extraction of actinides has been examined in two-phase aqueous systems based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) from sulfate solutions in the presence of potassium phosphotungstate, which forms strong complexes with ions of tri- and tetravalent transuranium elements. Extraction of these complexes by aqueous PEG solution is complete in contrast to that of penta- and hexavalent actinides. Conditions have been chosen for the separation of actinides in different oxidation states.     

From Chaos to Ordering: New Studies in the Shannon Entropy of 2D Patterns

Properties of the Voronoi tessellations arising from random 2D distribution points are reported. We applied an iterative procedure to the Voronoi diagrams generated by a set of points randomly placed on the plane. The procedure implied dividing the edges of Voronoi cells into equal or random parts. The dividing points were then used to construct the following Voronoi diagram. Repeating this procedure led to a surprising effect of the positional ordering of Voronoi cells, reminiscent of the formation of lamellae and spherulites in linear semi-crystalline polymers and metallic glasses. Thus, we can conclude that by applying even a simple set of rules to a random set of seeds, we can introduce order into an initially disordered system. At the same time, the Shannon (Voronoi) entropy showed a tendency to attain values that are typical for completely random patterns; thus, the Shannon (Voronoi) entropy does not distinguish the short-range ordering. The Shannon entropy and the continuous measure of symmetry of the patterns demonstrated the distinct asymptotic behavior, while approaching the close saturation values with the increase in the number of iteration steps. The Shannon entropy grew with the number of iterations, whereas the continuous measure of symmetry of the same patterns demonstrated the opposite asymptotic behavior. The Shannon (Voronoi) entropy is not an unambiguous measure of order in the 2D patterns. The more symmetrical patterns may demonstrate the higher values of the Shannon entropy.     

Observation of a re-entrant isotropic phase in a pure disc-like liquid crystal

Abstract

We report the observation of an optically isotropic phase in the new disc-like mesogen 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexa(octadecanoyloxy)truxene. On cooling, this optically isotropic phase goes over into a nematic phase, while on heating a columnar phase grows in. To our knowledge this is the first example of a pure discotic mesogen exhibiting an isotropic phase below the temperature existence of a columnar phase. Our findings are supported by refractive index measurements of this compound as a function of temperature.     

Simple models for the diurnal cycle and convectively coupled waves

This paper presents a study of the diurnal cycle of tropical precipitation and its interaction with convectively coupled waves in the context of simple models with crude vertical resolution. One and two baroclinic mode models are tested in both the context of a one-column model and the context of a full spatial dependency that permits waves to propagate and interact with the diurnal cycle. It is found that a one baroclinic mode model is capable of reproducing a realistic diurnal cycle of tropical precipitation both over land and over the ocean provided an adequate switch function is used to mimic the congestus preconditioning mechanism that operates in the multicloud model of Khouider and Majda. However, a full two baroclinic mode multicloud model is needed to capture the interaction of convectively coupled tropical waves with the diurnal cycle. In a more conventional mass flux parameterization framework, both one and two baroclinic mode models fail to capture the diurnal cycle of tropical precipitation.     

Modeling the phase diagram of carbon

We determined the phase diagram involving diamond, graphite, and liquid carbon using a recently developed semiempirical potential. Using accurate free-energy calculations, we computed the solid-solid and solid-liquid phase boundaries for pressures and temperatures up to 400 GPa and 12 000 K, respectively. The graphite-diamond transition line that we computed is in good agreement with experimental data, confirming the accuracy of the employed empirical potential. On the basis of the computed slope of the graphite melting line, we rule out the hotly debated liquid-liquid phase transition of carbon. Our simulations allow us to give accurate estimates of the location of the diamond melting curve and of the graphite-diamond-liquid triple point.