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Application Field (application + field)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Engineering	45%
Polymers and Materials Science	18%

Selected Abstracts

CONTROLLING PHOSPHORUS IN RUNOFF FROM LONG TERM DAIRY WASTE APPLICATION FIELDS,

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 5 2004
Anne M.S. McFarland
ABSTRACT: Phosphorus (P) in runoff from long term animal waste application fields can contribute to accelerated eutrophication of surface waters. Manure when applied at nitrogen (N) agronomic rates generally increases soil P concentrations, which can increase runoff of soluble P. Along the North Bosque River in central Texas, dairy waste application fields are identified as the most controllable nonpoint source of soluble P in a total maximum daily load. To evaluate P reduction practices for fields high in soil extractable P, edge-of-field runoff was measured from paired plots of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)/ winter wheat (Triticum spp.). Plots (about 0.4 ha) received manure at P agronomic rates following Texas permit guidelines and commercial N during the pretreatment period. During the post-treatment period, control plots continued to receive manure at P agronomic rates and commercial N. Treatment plots received only commercial N during the post-treatment period. Use of only commercial N on soils with high extractable P levels significantly decreased P loadings in edge-of-field runoff by at least 40 percent, but runoff concentrations sometimes increased. No notable changes in extractable soil P concentrations were observed after five years of monitoring due to drought conditions limiting forage uptake and removal. [source]

Cover Picture: Spectroscopic and Photophysical Properties of a Highly Derivatized C60 Fullerol (Adv. Funct.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2006
Mater.
Abstract The photo-oxidative stress in aqueous milieus can readily be generated in the presence of newly synthesized highly derivatized fullerenes (fullerols) reported in the Full Paper by Vileno and co-workers on p.,120. Their basic structural and photophysical properties were characterized using a range of methods, including X-ray photoelectron and IR spectroscopies, and electron spin resonance. Moreover, a significant drop of the local stiffness of a living cell was monitored using atomic force microscopy. This cell softening was attributed to the early effects of the photo-oxidative stress. Hydroxylated C60 molecules, also called fullerols, are a class of water-soluble fullerenes. Here we report the synthesis in acidic conditions of a highly derivatized fullerol (up to 36 carbons per C60 are oxidized). Spectroscopic investigations (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared absorption) highlight the coexistence of both acidic and basic forms for the hydroxyl addends of derivatized C60. pH titrimetry reveals that, at millimolar concentrations, only ten protons per fullerol molecule are labile. Such a low value, as compared to 36 hydroxyl groups, is explained by the formation of clusters. A UV-vis absorption study performed over a large range of concentrations also points to the aggregation phenomenon. Moreover, this study shows that the clusters of fullerols appear at relatively low (micromolar) concentrations. An electron spin resonance (ESR) study, based on the attack of singlet oxygen (1,g) on 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol (TMP-OH), has proved the potential of hydroxylated C60 for performing efficient generation of singlet oxygen in aqueous solution. ESR measurements, which allow detection and quantification of 1,g, have also revealed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The yield of generation of 1,g and ROS is strongly correlated to the concentration of fullerol, thus also pointing to the aggregation of fullerol molecules. Exposing glioblastoma cells to oxidative stress in the presence of hydroxylated C60 and visible light has also been performed. Atomic force microscopy is used to monitor the relevant diminishment of the Young's modulus values for cells exposed to the oxidative stress. These results point to a possible application field of fullerols for performing bio-oxidations. [source]

Prediction of concentrated flow width in ephemeral gully channels

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 10 2002
J. Nachtergaele
Abstract Empirical prediction equations of the form W = aQb have been reported for rills and rivers, but not for ephemeral gullies. In this study six experimental data sets are used to establish a relationship between channel width (W, m) and flow discharge (Q, m3 s,1) for ephemeral gullies formed on cropland. The resulting regression equation (W = 2·51 Q0·412; R2 = 0·72; n = 67) predicts observed channel width reasonably well. Owing to logistic limitations related to the respective experimental set ups, only relatively small runoff discharges (i.e. Q < 0·02 m3s,1) were covered. Using field data, where measured ephemeral gully channel width was attributed to a calculated peak runoff discharge on sealed cropland, the application field of the regression equation was extended towards larger discharges (i.e. 5 × 10,4m3s,1 < Q < 0·1 m3s,1). Comparing W,Q relationships for concentrated flow channels revealed that the discharge exponent (b) varies from 0·3 for rills over 0·4 for gullies to 0·5 for rivers. This shift in b may be the result of: (i) differences in flow shear stress distribution over the wetted perimeter between rills, gullies and rivers, (ii) a decrease in probability of a channel formed in soil material with uniform erosion resistance from rills over gullies to rivers and (iii) a decrease in average surface slope from rills over gullies to rivers. The proposed W,Q equation for ephemeral gullies is valid for (sealed) cropland with no significant change in erosion resistance with depth. Two examples illustrate limitations of the W,Q approach. In a first example, vertical erosion is hindered by a frozen subsoil. The second example relates to a typical summer situation where the soil moisture profile of an agricultural field makes the top 0·02 m five times more erodible than the underlying soil material. For both cases observed W values are larger than those predicted by the established channel width equation for concentrated flow on cropland. For the frozen soils the equation W = 3·17 Q0·368 (R2 = 0·78; n = 617) was established, but for the summer soils no equation could be established. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Bifurcation modeling in geomaterials: From the second-order work criterion to spectral analyses

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 9 2009
F. Prunier
Abstract The present paper investigates bifurcation analysis based on the second-order work criterion, in the framework of rate-independent constitutive models and rate-independent boundary-value problems. The approach applies mainly to nonassociated materials such as soils, rocks, and concretes. The bifurcation analysis usually performed at the material point level is extended to quasi-static boundary-value problems, by considering the stiffness matrix arising from finite element discretization. Lyapunov's definition of stability (Annales de la faculté des sciences de Toulouse 1907; 9:203,274), as well as definitions of bifurcation criteria (Rice's localization criterion (Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Fourteenth IUTAM Congress, Amsterdam, 1976; 207,220) and the plasticity limit criterion are revived in order to clarify the application field of the second-order work criterion and to contrast these criteria. The first part of this paper analyses the second-order work criterion at the material point level. The bifurcation domain is presented in the 3D stress space as well as 3D cones of unstable loading directions for an incrementally nonlinear constitutive model. The relevance of this criterion, when the nonlinear constitutive model is expressed in the classical form (d, = Md,) or in the dual form (d, = Nd,), is discussed. In the second part, the analysis is extended to the boundary-value problems in quasi-static conditions. Nonlinear finite element computations are performed and the global tangent stiffness matrix is analyzed. For several examples, the eigenvector associated with the first vanishing eigenvalue of the symmetrical part of the stiffness matrix gives an accurate estimation of the failure mode in the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous boundary-value problem. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

MMICs time-domain electrical physical simulator adapted to the parallel computation

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL MODELLING: ELECTRONIC NETWORKS, DEVICES AND FIELDS, Issue 3 2009
A. El Moussati
Abstract The programming method used to adapt an existing time-domain electrical circuit simulator to the parallel computation is presented. The originality of the simulator results in the semiconductor device numerical physical modeling. Thus, the organization of the existing software, initially developed to be run on a monoprocessor sequential Unix workstation, is firstly detailed. Accounting for specifications at once regarding the effort necessary to modify the software, the wished simulator application field and the constraints resulting from the available computer, two levels of parallelization have been pointed out and implemented by means of the message passing interface parallel programming tool. As an illustration, some results concerning the simulation of a microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC), especially a 2,40,GHz HEMT transistor cascode stage distributed amplifier, are presented. Circuits of increasing complexity have been considered. The evaluation of the sequential/parallel computation ratio demonstrates that significant gains can be expected from the parallel computation opening the way to analysis of the operation of MMICs of mean complexity by means of a numerical physical approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Optoelectronic properties of transparent p-type semiconductor CuxS thin films

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010
P. Parreira
Abstract Nowadays, among the available transparent semiconductors for device use, the great majority (if not all) have n-type conductivity. The fabrication of a transparent p-type semiconductor with good optoelectronic properties (comparable to those of n-type: InOx, ITO, ZnOx or FTO) would significantly broaden the application field of thin films. However, until now no material has yet presented all the required properties. Cu2S is a p-type narrow-band-gap material with an average optical transmittance of about 60% in the visible range for 50,nm thick films. However, due to its high conductivity at room temperature, 10,nm in thickness seems to be appropriate for device use. Cu2S thin films with 10,nm in thickness have an optical visible transmittance of about 85% rendering them as very good candidates for transparent p-type semiconductors. In this work CuxS thin films were deposited on alkali-free (AF) glass by thermal evaporation. The objective was not only the determination of its optoelectronic properties but also the feasibility of an active layer in a p-type thin film transistor. In our CuxS thin films, p-type high conductivity with a total visible transmittance of about 50% have been achieved. [source]

340,350 nm GaN-free UV-LEDs

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003
T. Nishida
Abstract Light extraction from AlGaN-based ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) is described. The device structure is free from a GaN binary layer for the suppression of the reabsorption of the UV emission in the GaN layer. The UV extraction becomes six times higher when compared with that of the normal structure consisting of a GaN buffer layer. The highest external quantum efficiencies of 350- and 340-nm LEDs are 2.2 and 1.7%, respectively. The maximum output powers are 8.6 and 5.5 mW at injection currents of less than 150 mA. We also investigated the potential of combining the 350-nm UV-LED with a mixture of plural fluorescence materials for the application field of lighting. This combination can provide ideal lighting equipment that offers high colour rendering, steady colour, and no glare even with changes of intensity and illumination angle. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]

Improving the direct-methods sign-unconstrained S-FFT algorithm.

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 6 2009

In order to extend the application field of the direct-methods S-FFT phase-refinement algorithm to density functions with positive and negative peaks, the equal-sign constraint was removed from its definition by combining ,2 with an appropriate density function mask [Rius & Frontera (2008). Acta Cryst. A64, 670,674]. This generalized algorithm (S2 -FFT) was shown to be highly effective for crystal structures with at least one moderate scatterer in the unit cell but less effective when applied to structures with only light scatterers. To increase the success rate in this second case, the mask has been improved and the convergence rate of S2 -FFT has been investigated. Finally, a closely related but simpler phase-refinement function (Sm) combining , (instead of ,2) with a new mask is introduced. For simple cases at least this can also treat density peaks in the absence of the equal-sign constraint. [source]

Novel Isoelectric Precipitation of Proteins in a Pressurized Carbon Dioxide-Water-Ethanol System

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2004
Xiang-Ming Qi
A novel isoelectric precipitation of proteins in a pressurized carbon dioxide,water,ethanol system was developed where carbon dioxide was used as a volatile acid. The pH,pressure curves of the system with the absence and presence of proteins were investigated. By introducing the pressurized carbon dioxide to a solution containing protein, the pH value in the solution was decreased to the isoelectric region of the model protein BSA. Addition of ethanol could lower the buffer capacity of the protein, which made the precipitation concentration of protein go beyond the limits in a system without ethanol and well exploited the application field of the technique. In addition, ethanol in solution played the role of aiding precipitation in the process. Another model protein, hen egg white lysozyme, was also studied but could not be precipitated in the above system. All of these phenomena prove that isoelectric precipitation is the key point in the pressurized carbon dioxide,water,ethanol system. [source]

Cost-Efficient Metal,Ceramic Composites,Novel Foam-Preforms, Casting Processes and Characterisation,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 3 2010
Gisela Standke
Because of their dissatisfactory cost-performance ratio metal matrix composites (MMCs) are still not established in industry, although they show improved properties compared to pure metals in some application fields. The present paper describes the development of enhanced MMCs based on silicon carbide (SiC) foams made by the Schwartzwalder process. Therefore, foams with cell sizes of 30, 45 and 60,ppi based on pressure less sintered SiC (SSiC) were developed. They were coated with layers of coarse SiC particles, which form a rough strut surface. The ceramic content of the foams could be increased to values of 20,30,mass%. Additionally, foam preforms based on clay-bonded SiC (as they are known from molten metal infiltration) were tested. The preforms were infiltrated with aluminium alloys AlSi9Cu3 and AlSi7Mg0.6 and cast iron EN-GJSA-XNiCr35-5-2 and EN-GJL-250. For aluminium alloys high pressure die casting (HPC) as well as gravity casting was applied, whereas iron was only infiltrated by gravity casting. For HPC an excellent interlocking of metal and preform was observed because of the microporosity of the rough surface of the SSiC foam struts. By the use of gravity casting preform cells up to 45,ppi could be well infiltrated. Microporosity in the ceramic coating and the typical hollow struts of the foams did not show metal infiltration. Even by use of moderate ceramic volume fractions pressure-infiltrated aluminium matrix composites showed a high specific stiffness of up to E/,,=,42,GPa,cm3,g,1 compared to conventional Al or Mg alloys (E/,,=,25,27,GPa,cm3,g,1). Ceramic foam based MMCs produced by pressure less casting showed no advantages in mechanical properties compared to pure metals. Nevertheless it can be expected that they can provide improved wear resistance and lower thermal expansion coefficients. [source]