Polyethylene glycol as a robust, biocompatible encapsulant for two-stage treatment of food and beverage wastewater
Polyethylene glycol beads encapsulating anaerobic microbes developed for on-site food and beverage wastewater treatment.
Engineering↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “STIRRING”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Flow-driven enhancement of neodymium and dysprosium separation from aqueous solutions
Flow-induced non-equilibrium conditions yielded high-purity Dy precipitate from aqueous mixtures of NdCl 3 and DyCl 3 more quickly compared to conventional equilibrium stirred mixing.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Optimizing dicyandiamide pretreatment conditions for enhanced structure and electronic properties of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride
Graphitic carbon nitride, a polymeric semiconductor, possesses a distinctive electronic band structure and exceptional chemical stability, making it a highly promising material for various catalytic applications such as electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and photo-electrocatalysis. However, its practical applications remain limited due to its low active site density and poor electrical conductivity. In this study, to overcome such limitations, we have conducted a thorough investigation to explore the impact of dicyandiamide (DCDA) precursor pretreatment prior to thermal polymerization to graphitic carbon nitride. The DCDA precursor was subjected to various pretreatment methods including grinding using mortar and pestle, recrystallization through stirring or probe sonication after dissolving in deionized water, and freeze drying, prior to thermal polymerization at 550 °C for 2 hours. The structural and morphological properties of the catalysts prepared were compared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis while the electronic band gap properties were determined based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations for a set of crystalline systems having C/N ratios similar to those identified experimentally. In comparison to direct thermal polymerization, pretreated samples rendered the same product yield, diverse morphologies with flat or wrinkle structures, and reduced electrochemical resistance, making them suitable for use in various catalytic processes.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Tracking the reaction networks of acetaldehyde oxide and glyoxal oxide Criegee intermediates in the ozone-assisted oxidation reaction of crotonaldehyde
The reaction of unsaturated compounds with ozone (O 3 ) is recognized to lead to the formation of Criegee intermediates (CIs), which play a key role in controlling the atmospheric budget of hydroxyl radicals and secondary organic aerosols. The reaction network of two CIs with different functionality, i.e. acetaldehyde oxide (CH 3 CHOO) and glyoxal oxide (CHOCHOO) formed in the ozone-assisted oxidation reaction of crotanaldehyde (CA), is investigated over a temperature range between 390 K and 840 K in an atmospheric pressure jet-stirred reactor (JSR) at a residence time of 1.3 s, stoichiometry of 0.5 with a mixture of 1% crotonaldehyde, 10% O 2 , at an fixed ozone concentration of 1000 ppm and 89% Ar dilution. Molecular-beam mass spectrometry in conjunction with single photon tunable synchrotron vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) radiation is used to identify elusive intermediates by means of experimental photoionization energy scans and ab initio threshold energy calculations for isomer identification. Addition of ozone (1000 ppm) is observed to trigger the oxidation of CA already at 390 K, which is below the temperature where the oxidation reaction of CA was observed in the absence of ozone. The observed CA + O 3 product, C 4 H 6 O 4 , is found to be linked to a ketohydroperoxide (2-hydroperoxy-3-oxobutanal) resulting from the isomerization of the primary ozonide. Products corresponding to the CIs uni- and bi-molecular reactions were observed and identified. A network of CI reactions is identified in the temperature region below 600 K, characterized by CIs bimolecular reactions with species like aldehydes, i.e., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and crotonaldehyde and alkenes, i.e., ethene and propene. The region below 600 K is also characterized by the formation of important amounts of typical low-temperature oxidation products, such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), methyl hydroperoxide (CH 3 OOH), and ethyl hydroperoxide (C 2 H 5 OOH). Detection of additional oxygenated species such as alcohols, ketene, and aldehydes are indicative of multiple active oxidation routes. This study provides important information about the initial step involved in the CIs assisted oligomerization reactions in complex reactive environments where CIs with different functionalities are reacting simultaneously. It provides new mechanistic insights into ozone-assisted oxidation reactions of unsaturated aldehydes, which is critical for the development of improved atmospheric and combustion kinetics models.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Reactive CO 2 capture and mineralization of magnesium hydroxide to produce hydromagnesite with inherent solvent regeneration
Valorization of multiple low value streams including CO 2 emissions and magnesium-hydroxide bearing mine tailings to produce magnesium carbonate through reactive CO 2 capture and mineralization provides a less explored opportunity to manage several gigatons of CO 2 emissions. To resolve the feasibility of converting magnesium hydroxide to magnesium carbonate through reactive CO 2 capture and mineralization, CO 2 capture solvents such as sodium glycinate are harnessed to capture CO 2 and react directly with Mg(OH) 2 to produce hydromagnesite (Mg 5 [(CO 3 )4(OH) 2 ]·4H 2 O). This approach eliminates the energy-intensive step of producing high purity CO 2 associated with regenerating the solvent, and redissolving CO 2 to produce magnesium carbonate. Interestingly, while temperatures below 50 °C facilitate CO 2 capture, the mineralization kinetics are slow. However, at higher temperatures, accelerated carbon mineralization is favored by the faster kinetics of Mg(OH) 2 dissolution and precipitation of magnesium carbonate. Reacting Mg(OH) 2 at 90 °C with 15 wt% solids in the presence of 2.5 M sodium glycinate after 3 hours under well-stirred conditions results in an extent of carbon mineralization of 75.5%. The theoretical maximum extent of carbon mineralization when hydromagnesite is formed is 80%. Pre-loading CO 2 on the solvent is also an effective approach to ensure that sufficient CO2 is available for reactive CO 2 capture and mineralization, particularly when dilute CO 2 and N 2 mixtures are used. Higher extents of carbon mineralization are associated with an increase in the particle size and a reduction in the cumulative pore volume. These insights unlock the feasibility of harnessing reactive CO 2 capture and mineralization as a pathway to convert magnesium-hydroxide bearing resources into industrially relevant magnesium carbonate products.
Reactive CO2↗
Abell 1430: A merging cluster with exceptional diffuse radio emission
Diffuse radio emission has been found in many galaxy clusters, predominantly in massive systems which are in the state of merging. The radio emission can usually be classified as relic or halo emission, which are believed to be related to merger shocks or volume-filling turbulence, respectively. Recent observations have revealed radio bridges for some pairs of very close galaxy clusters. The mechanisms that may allow one to explain the high specific density of relativistic electrons, which are necessary to explain the radio luminosity of these bridge regions, have been poorly explored until now. When inspecting the first data release of the LOFAR Two-Metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), we discovered diffuse radio emission in the galaxy cluster Abell 1430. Here, for this work, we aim to determine the dynamical state of the cluster and characterise the diffuse radio emission. We analysed the LoTSS data in detail and complemented them with recent Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array observations in the L-band. To study the dynamical state of the cluster, we analysed XMM-Newton data, Chandra data, and Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. Moreover, we compared our results to clusters extracted from THE THREE HUNDRED PROJECT cosmological simulation. We find that Abell 1430 consists of two components, namely A1430-A and A1430-B, with a mass ratio of about 2:1. The massive component shows diffuse radio emission which can be classified as radio halo which shows a low radio power at 1.4 GHz with respect to the mass of the cluster. Most interestingly, there is extended diffuse radio emission in the following dubbed as the ‘Pillow’ according to its morphology, which is apparently related to A1430-B and which is neither typical halo nor typical relic emission. The origin of this emission is puzzling. We speculate that the two components of Abell 1430 undergo an off-axis merger. In this scenario, A1430-B is moving towards the main cluster component and may have compressed and stirred the medium in the filament between the two cluster components. We have discovered evidence for diffuse radio emission related to the low-density intracluster or intergalactic medium in Abell 1430. To date, only a few examples of emission originating from such regions are known. These discoveries are crucial to constrain possible acceleration mechanisms which may allow us to explain the presence of relativistic electrons in these regions. In particular, our results indicate a spectral index of α 144 MHz 1.5 GHz = -1.4±0.5 for the Pillow. If upcoming observations confirm a slope as flat as -1.4 or even flatter, this would pose a challenge for the electron acceleration scenarios.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Quantum metrology with rotating matter waves in different geometries
A promising practical application of entanglement is metrology, where quantum states can be used to make measurements beyond the shot noise limit. Here we consider how metrology schemes could be realised using atomic Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) trapped in different potentials. In particular, we show that if a trapped BEC is rotated at just the right frequency, it can undergo a quantum phase transition characterised by large-scale entanglement spreading across the system. This simple process of stirring can generate interesting quantum states such as macroscopic superpositions of all the atoms flowing in opposite directions around a ring-shaped potential. We consider different trapping potentials and show how this leads to different entangled states. In particular, we find that by reducing the dimensionality of the system to one or two dimensions, it is possible to generate entangled states that are remarkably robust to the loss of atoms and so are ideally suited to precision measurement schemes.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Precipitation method for barium metaborate (BaB{sub 2}O{sub 4}) synthesis from borax solution
In this study, barium metaborate (BaB{sub 2}O{sub 4}, BMB) synthesis from the borax solution was carried out. BMB currently is used in production of ceramic glazes, luminophors, oxide cathodes as well as additives to pigments for aqueous emulsion paints and also β−BaB{sub 2}O{sub 4} single crystals are the best candidate for fabrication of solid-state UV lasers operating at a wavelength of 200 nm due to excellent nonlinear optical properties. In the present study, synthesis was carried out from the borax solution (Na{sub 2}B{sub 4}O{sub 7⋅}10H{sub 2}O, BDH) and barium chloride (BaCI{sub 2⋅}2H{sub 2}O, Ba) in the glass-batch reactor with stirring. The effect of, times (5-15 min), molar ratio [stoich.ration (1.0:2.0), 1.25:2.0, 1.5:2.0, 2.5:2:0, 3.0:2.0, 3.5:2.0,4.0:2.0, 5.0:2.0] and also crystallization time (2-6 hour) on the BMB yield (%) was investigated at 80 °C reaction temperature. It is found that, BMB precipitation synthesis with 90 % yield can be performed from 0.50 molar ration (BDH:Ba), under 80 °C, 15 minute, and 6 hours crystallization time. The structural properties of BMB powders were characterized by using XRD, FT-IR and DTA-TG instrumental analysis technique.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Laser-based characterization of nuclear fuel plates
Ensuring the integrity of fuel-clad and clad-clad bonding in nuclear fuels is important for safe reactor operation and assessment of fuel performance, yet the measurement of bond strengths in actual fuels has proved challenging. The laser shockwave technique (LST) originally developed to characterize structural adhesion in composites is being employed to characterize interface strength in a new type of plate fuel being developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). LST is a non-contact method that uses lasers for the generation and detection of large-amplitude acoustic waves and is well suited for application to both fresh and irradiated nuclear-fuel plates. This paper will report on initial characterization results obtained from fresh fuel plates manufactured by different processes, including hot isostatic pressing, friction stir welding, and hot rolling.
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
Post magnetic field annealing effect on magnetic and structural properties of Co{sub 80}Pt{sub 20} nanowires and nanotubes fabricated by electrochemical method
Highly ordered Co{sub 80}Pt{sub 20} nanowires (NWs) and nanotubes (NTs) have been synthesized by low cost DC electrochemical deposition method with constant stirring during the fabrication process in anodic aluminum oxide nano-templates with average pore diameter of about 200 nm. The structural and magnetic properties of nanostructures have been investigated before and after simple and magnetic field annealing. Magnetic field of 1 T has been applied during annealing process in the direction perpendicular to NWs and NTs axis. X-Ray Diffraction analysis shows face centered cubic (fcc) as the dominant phase for Co{sub 80}Pt{sub 20} NWs and post annealing led to better crystallinity with retained fcc phase. Furthermore, magnetic properties, including saturation magnetization (M{sub s}), squareness ratio (M{sub r}/M{sub s}), and coercivity (H{sub c}), have been investigated as a function of annealing temperature by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer.
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
Synthesis and characterization of [BMIM]bromide using microwave-assisted organic synthesis method and its application for dissolution of palm empty fruit bunch
The decrease of cellulose crystallinity index of palm empty fruit bunch is crucial for the next application of cellulose as raw material for various biofuel and its derivatives. The aim of this research is to decrease the cellulose crystallinity index of palm empty fruit bunch using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazoliumbromide or [BMIM] bromide which has been synthesized using Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis (MAOS) method. Conventional reaction method has also been carried out to synthesize [BMIM]bromide for comparison as well. The characterization of synthesized product using FTIR, {sup 1}H-NMR, {sup 13}C-NMR and LC-MS showed that these reactions have been carried out successfully. The results showed that MAOS method is up to 90% faster in producing [BMIM]bromide compare to the conventional method. The application of [BMIM]bromide for dissolution of palm empty fruit bunch showed that cellulose and lignin could be extracted using stirring process for 20 hours. The decrease of cellulose crystallinity index and its morphology changes were identified using FTIR and Scanning Electron Microscope.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Defect study in molecular beam epitaxy-grown HgCdTe films with activated and unactivated arsenic
A defect study was performed on molecular beam epitaxy-grown HgCdTe films in situ doped with arsenic. Doping was performed from either effusion cell or cracker cell, and studied were both as-grown samples and samples subjected to arsenic activation annealing. Electrical properties of the films were investigated with the use of ion milling as a means of “stirring” defects in the material. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the most efficient incorporation of electrically active arsenic occurs at the cracking zone temperature of 700 °C. Interaction between arsenic and tellurium during the growth was observed and is discussed in the paper.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
A comparative study of structural and optical properties of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanocrystals for photovotaic applications
The Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) nanocrystals were successfully synthesized by hot injection method. The synthesized nanocrystals were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–visible spectrometer. X-ray diffraction studies reveal polycrystalline films exhibiting kesterite structures with preferential orientation along (112) direction. From UV studies revealed that the CZTS nanocrystals band gap was tuned between 1.6 eV (for 1 hour, stirring) and 1.4 eV (for 2 hours stirrer) and its compared, structural and optical properties of CZTS by density functional theory based on Wien2K (FP-LAPW) simulation employing a combined Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson (TB-MBJ) potential with scissor corrections. From this calculation, it was found that the compound is in direct nature. The estimated lattice constant and bandgap value is in good agreement with earlier reported results. The optical band-gap energy of the CZTS nanocrystals is 1.4 eV, which is quite close to the optimum value for solar cell.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Preparation of polyaniline/sodium alanate hybrid using a spray-drying process
Nowadays, hydrogen is highly interesting as an energy source, in particular in the automotive field. In fact, hydrogen is attractive as a fuel because it prevents air pollution and greenhouse emissions. One of the main problems with the utilization of hydrogen as a fuel is its on-board storage. The purpouse of this work was to develop a new hybrid material consisting of a polyaniline matrix with sodium alanate (NaAlH{sub 4}) using a spray-drying process. The polyaniline used for this experiment was synthesized by following a well-established method for the synthesis of the emeraldine base form of polyaniline using dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid as dopant. Micro particles of polyaniline/sodium alanate hybrids with 30 and 50 wt% of sodium alanate were prepared by using a spray-drying technique. Dilute solutions of polyaniline/sodium alanate were first prepared, 10g of the solid materials were mixed with 350 ml of toluene under stirring at room temperature for 24h and the solutions were dried using spray-dryer (Büchi, Switzerland) with 115°C of an inlet temperature. The hybrids were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of sodium alanate decreased the glass transition temperature of the hybrids when compared to neat polyaniline. FT-IR spectrum analysis was performed to identify the bonding environment of the synthesized material and was observed that simply physically mixture occurred between polyaniline and sodium alanate. The SEM images of the hybrids showed the formation of microspheres with sodium alanate dispersed in the polymer matrix.
08 HYDROGEN↗
Cellular morphology of organic-inorganic hybrid foams based on alkali alumino-silicate matrix
Organic-inorganic hybrid foams based on an alkali alumino-silicate matrix were prepared by using different foaming methods. Initially, the synthesis of an inorganic matrix by using aluminosilicate particles, activated through a sodium silicate solution, was performed at room temperature. Subsequently the viscous paste was foamed by using three different methods. In the first method, gaseous hydrogen produced by the oxidization of Si powder in an alkaline media, was used as blowing agent to generate gas bubbles in the paste. In the second method, the porous structure was generated by mixing the paste with a “meringue” type of foam previously prepared by whipping, under vigorous stirring, a water solution containing vegetal proteins as surfactants. In the third method, a combination of these two methods was employed. The foamed systems were consolidated for 24 hours at 40°C and then characterized by FTIR, X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests. Low density foams (∼500 Kg/m{sup 3}) with good cellular structure and mechanical properties were obtained by combining the “meringue” approach with the use of the chemical blowing agent based on Si.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
The link between shocks, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasmas
Global hybrid (electron fluid, kinetic ions) and fully kinetic simulations of the magnetosphere have been used to show surprising interconnection between shocks, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection. In particular, collisionless shocks with their reflected ions that can get upstream before retransmission can generate previously unforeseen phenomena in the post shocked flows: (i) formation of reconnecting current sheets and magnetic islands with sizes up to tens of ion inertial length. (ii) Generation of large scale low frequency electromagnetic waves that are compressed and amplified as they cross the shock. These “wavefronts” maintain their integrity for tens of ion cyclotron times but eventually disrupt and dissipate their energy. (iii) Rippling of the shock front, which can in turn lead to formation of fast collimated jets extending to hundreds of ion inertial lengths downstream of the shock. The jets, which have high dynamical pressure, “stir” the downstream region, creating large scale disturbances such as vortices, sunward flows, and can trigger flux ropes along the magnetopause. This phenomenology closes the loop between shocks, turbulence, and magnetic reconnection in ways previously unrealized. These interconnections appear generic for the collisionless plasmas typical of space and are expected even at planar shocks, although they will also occur at curved shocks as occur at planets or around ejecta.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Chemomechanical oscillations in a responsive gel induced by an autocatalytic reaction
In this article, we investigate dynamic behaviors of a gel layer attached to a rigid substrate and submerged in a continuous stirred tank reactor. With a continuous feed of fresh reactants in the reactor, the concentrations of reactants stay constant on the surface of the gel layer. However, the concentrations of reactants inside the gel are inhomogeneous and vary with time, which are determined by the diffusion and chemical reactions of the reactants. Additionally, both monotonic and oscillatory swelling-shrinking dynamics are predicted in the gel if the swelling capability of the gel depends on the concentration of a reactant. Based on autocatalytic reaction, kinetic model, and nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory of gels, in this article, we investigate the effect of the thickness of the gel layer, lateral prestretches in the gel and the initial concentrations of reactants in the gel on its dynamic behaviors. We have also calculated the evolution of the swelling force that the gel layer exerts on its constrained substrate. The results of this article may find potential applications in using responsive gels to make chemo-mechanical sensors, actuators, biomimetic devices, and even drug delivery systems.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Synthesis of novel symmetrical macrocycle via oxidative homocoupling of bisalkyne
A novel symmetrical macrocycle has been synthesised via oxidative homocoupling of bisalkyne, diprop-2-ynyl pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate mediated by copper (I) iodide (CuI) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). The precursor compound was synthesised from 2,6-pyridine dicarbonyl dichloride and propargyl alcohol in the presence of triethylamine. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and further purified via column chromatograpy with 76% yield. Single crystal for X-ray study was obtained by recrystallization from acetone. Subsequently, a symmetrical macrocycle was synthesised from oxidative homocoupling of precursor compound in open atmosphere. The crude product was purified by column chromatography to furnish macrocycle compound with 5% yield. Both compounds were characterised by IR, {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR and mass spectral techniques. The unusual conformation of the bisalkyne and twisted conformation of designed macrocycle has influence the percentage yield. This has been studied thoroughly by X-ray crystallography and electronic structure calculations.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗