Thermodynamics of iron-aluminum alloys at 1573 K

The activities of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) were measured in Fe-Al alloys at 1573 K using the ion-current-ratio technique in a high-temperature Knudsen cell mass spectrometer. The Fe-Al solutions exhibited negative deviations from ideality over the entire composition range. The activity coefficientsγ _Fe, andγ _A1 are given by the following equations as a function of mole fraction (x _Fe,x _Al): 1 $$\begin{gathered} 0< \chi _{A1}< 0.4 \hfill \\ ln \gamma _{Fe} = - 4.511 ( \pm 0.008)\chi _{A1}^2 \hfill \\ ln \gamma _{A1} = - 4.462 ( \pm 0.029)\chi _{Fe}^2 + 0.325( \pm 0.013) \hfill \\ 0.6< \chi _{A1}< 1.0 \hfill \\ ln \gamma _{Fe} = - 4.065 ( \pm 0.006)\chi _{A1}^2 + 0.099( \pm 0.003) \hfill \\ ln \gamma _{A1} = - 4.092 ( \pm 0.026)\chi _{Fe}^2 + 0.002( \pm 0.001) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ The results showed good agreement with those obtained from previous investigations at other temperatures by extrapolation of the activity data to 1573 K.     

Weak coupling theory of phonon linewidths in a two-dimensional lattice above a liquid helium substrate

The one-ripplon-n-phonon contributions to the linewidths of lattice resonances have been calculated by first-order perturbation theory to all ordersn in a weak coupling theory. Approximations are made in the expressions for the ripplon-phonon coupled mode coordinates and frequencies which limit the quantitive application of the theory to areal densities 10⁷ cm^–2. A maximum in the linewidth as a function of temperature is predicted which results from the cutoff of scattering from ripplons of large wave vector by the Debye-Waller factor.This work was supported by NSF grant DMR-79-20833.     

Sex Differences and Individual Differences in Cognitive Performance and Their Relationship to Endogenous Gonadal Hormones and Gonadotropins.

Sexually dimorphic cognitive performance in men (n=42) and women (n=42) was related to testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormone binding globulin, measured in 10-ml blood samples collected between 0900 and 1030 and, among women, during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Significant sex differences favored men on spatial tasks (Mental Rotation and Judgment of Line Orientation) and on an inhibition task and favored women on a verbal task (category fluency). However, there were no significant relationships between any of the hormones and cognitive performance, suggesting that there are few, if any, consistent, substantial relationships between endogenous, nonfluctuating levels of gonadal hormones or gonadotropins and these cognitive abilities in men or women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Studies of dielectric and electrical properties of a new type of complex tungsten bronze electroceramics

A polycrystalline ceramic with a new type of complex tungsten-bronze type structure, having a general formula K₂Ba₂Nd₂Ti₄Nb₄W₂O₃₀ has been prepared using a high temperature solid-state reaction route after optimizing the calcinations conditions on the basis of thermal analysis results. The material has been characterized by different experimental techniques. The formation of the compound has been confirmed using X-ray diffraction analysis. Dielectric properties (ε_r and tanδ) of the compound as a function of temperature at different frequencies have been carried out. Temperature dependence of dielectric constant indicates the presence of ferroelectric phase transition well above the room temperature. Complex impedance spectroscopic analysis has been carried out as a function of frequency at different temperatures to establish some correlation between the microstructure and electrical properties of the material. The nature of frequency dependence of ac conductivity obeys the Jonscher’s power law. The dc conductivity calculated from the ac conductivity spectrum shows the negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior like a semiconductor.     

Optimization of Cellulase Production from Isolated Cellulolytic Bacterium: Comparison between Genetic Algorithms,Simulated Annealing,and Response Surface Methodology

The present study discusses optimization of cellulase production from isolated cellulolytic bacterium. A simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is proposed for optimization of these processes to achieve the desired production goal. The approach was compared to the use of evolutionary algorithms, i.e., genetic algorithms (GAs) and response surface methodology (RSM). Ochrobactrum haematophilum was identified as the isolated bacteria. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) concentration, yeast extract, pH, and incubation temperature were the significant factors screened by Plackett–Burman design and further optimized using a central composite design. The optimum values obtained were CMC concentration = 4.76% (w/v), yeast extract = 2.03% (w/v), pH = 6.3, and temperature = 44.2°C. Carboxy methyl cellulase (CMCase) activity at these values was experimentally determined to be 3.55 ± 0.16 U/ml, which was 2.8 times than the unoptimized system (1.23 U/ml). The growth-associated and non-growth-associated Leudeking–Piret constants, α and β, were respectively determined to be 0.3943 and 0.0105. The Michaelis–Menten constants, V_max and K_m, were determined to be 0.67 µmol/min and 2.42 mg CMC/ml, respectively. The variable-sized SA seems to be the best alternative, outperforming the GAs, showing a fast convergence and low variability among the several runs for optimized production cellulose recovery. The SA models are found to be capable of better predictions of cellulase production. The results of the SA-based RSM model indicate that it is much more robust and accurate in estimating the values of dependent variables when compared with the GA-based RSM models and only RSM models.     

Dielectric and impedance spectroscopy of barium orthovanadate ceramics

Barium orthovanadate (Ba₃V₂O₈), a derivative of perovskite family has been prepared using a mixed-oxide technique. The room temperature X-ray diffraction analysis has confirmed the formation of a single phase compound in trigonal crystal structure. The study of microstructure by scanning electron microscopy shows that the compound has well defined grains, distributed uniformly throughout the surface. The studies of dielectric parameters (ε_r and tan δ) of the compound as a function of temperature at three different frequencies (100, 500, 1,000 kHz) exhibit that they are almost temperature independent at low and medium temperature ranges. Detailed studies of impedance and related parameters exhibit that the electrical properties of the material are strongly dependent on temperature, and bear a good correlation with its microstructures. The bulk resistance, evaluated from complex impedance spectra, is found to be decreasing with rise in temperature. It shows that the material has negative temperature co-efficient of resistance similar to that of semiconductors. The same behaviour has also been observed in the study of I–V characteristics of the material. The complex electric modulus analysis indicates the possibility of hopping conduction mechanism in the system with non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation. The nature of variation of dc conductivity with temperature confirms the Arrhenius behavior of the material. The ac conductivity spectra show a typical signature of an ionic conducting system, and are found to obey Jonscher’s universal power law.     

Robust resource targeting in continuous and batch process

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Water is considered a significant resource in process industries. It is essential for planners to target and optimize the use of water as an external...