Magnetic field spatial Fourier analysis: A new opportunity for high resolution current localization

Magnetic microscopy has proven its usefulness throughout the years. It allows current localization with a certain degree of precision by using an inversion algorithm to invert the Biot–Savart law. The goal is to obtain the current distribution once the magnetic field is given. However, in order to obtain a stable solution, the magnetic data is severely low-pass filtered in the spatial Fourier domain, and some important information is lost. In this paper, the contribution given by the different spatial frequencies was studied: it was demonstrated how this information can be used to obtain additional information regarding the position of the currents. A comparative study between the theoretical approach and the application to the measurements is also shown.     

Thermal stability of SiC Schottky diode anode and cathode metalisations after 1000 h at 350 °C

The thermal stability of two commercially available silicon carbide Schottky diode types has been evaluated following a 1000 h non-biased storage test under vacuum at 350 °C. The Ti-based Schottky (Anode) contact shows excellent stability over the duration of the test with less than 5% change in either extracted Schottky barrier height or ideality values. The Al die attach metalisation on the anode also shows no evidence of degradation after the test. However, a considerable change in series resistance was observed for both diode types, with up to a factor of 100 measured for one of the diodes. The primary early failure mode is related to degradation of the NiAg Ohmic (cathode) die attach metalisation. Demixing of the NiAg alloy, leading to Ag agglomeration is proposed to be the underlying degradation mechanism involved resulting in delamination of the die attach metalisation and the corresponding series resistance increase.     

Transparent ceramics for high-energy laser systems

We demonstrate that transparent magnesium aluminate spinel ceramic possesses excellent thermo-optical properties, a record low absorption loss of 6 ppm/cm, and superior ruggedness which position it as a prime candidate for an exit window aperture for high energy laser systems, especially in hostile environments. We also demonstrate lasing with an efficiency of about 45% in transparent Yb³⁺:Y₂O₃ ceramic made by hot pressing high purity submicron co-precipitated powder. This paves the way forward for high power solid state lasers exploiting hosts with higher thermal conductivity than YAG.     

Model for transient behavior of pulse tube cryocooler

This article describes an investigation of the transient behavior of a small (2.0 W at 85 K) pulse tube cryocooler operating at 120 Hz with an average pressure of 3.5 MPa, capable of relatively fast cool-down from ambient to about 60 K. In a series of experiments, the cold end temperature was measured as a function of time in a complete cool-down and subsequent warm-up cycle, with no heat load and different quantities of excess mass at the cold end. A transient heat transfer model was developed, that considers the effects of the cooling power extracted at the cold end and that of the heat gain at the warm end on the cool-down time. The heat gain factor was calculated from warm-up data, and found to be approximately the same for all experiments. Using the same model with cool-down data enables a determination of both the gross and net cooling power as functions of time, but more importantly – as functions of the cold end temperature. An expression was derived for the cold end temperature as a function of time for any amount of excess mass, including zero. The cool-down time of the “lean” cryocooler (with no excess mass) was found to be less than 50 s.This cool-down/warm-up method for evaluating the cooling power of a cryocooler seems simpler than steady-state experiments with a heater simulating load at the cold end. Use of the heat transfer model with data from one or two good experiments conducted in the above manner, can yield both the gross and net cooling powers of a cryocooler as functions of the cold end temperature, and allow the determination of cool-down time with any amount of excess thermal mass. While the net cooling power during cool-down differs somewhat from that under steady-state operation, the former can serve as a good measure for the latter.     

Review of high temperature thermochemical properties and application in phase-field modelling of incipient melting in defective fuel

In a defective fuel element, fuel oxidation may occur that may affect the thermal performance of the fuel element thereby increasing the potential for centreline melting. A review of UO_2+x material properties is presented, and methods of extrapolation to melting conditions are, where necessary, recommended based on mechanistic considerations and self-consistency among the properties. These properties are implemented in a phase-field model derived through the theory of irreversible processes to simulate coupled heat and mass transport in the presence of a dynamic, non-congruent phase change. Simulation results are presented for centreline melting in operational, defective nuclear fuel showing that centreline melting is a self-regulating process.     

In Situ Characterization of Lattice Structure Evolution during Phase Transformation of Zr‐2.5Nb

The α–β phase transformation behavior of Zr‐2.5Nb (in mass%) has been characterized in real time during an in situ neutron diffraction experiment. The Zr‐2.5Nb material in the current study consists, at room temperature, of α‐Zr phase (hcp) and two β phases (bcc), a Nb rich β‐Nb phase and retained, Zr rich, β‐Zr(Nb) phase. It is suggested that this is related to a quench off the equilibrium solubility of Nb atoms in the Zr bcc unit cells. Vegard's law combined with thermal expansion is applied to calculate the composition of the β‐phase, which is compared with the phase diagram, revealing the system's kinetic behavior for approaching equilibrium.     

Colloidal Stability & Conformational Changes in β-Lactoglobulin: Unfolding to Self-Assembly

A detailed understanding of the mechanism of unfolding, aggregation, and associated rheological changes is developed in this study for β-Lactoglobulin at different pH values through concomitant measurements utilizing dynamic light scattering (DLS), optical microrheology, Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The diffusion interaction parameter k_D emerges as an accurate predictor of colloidal stability for this protein consistent with observed aggregation trends and rheology. Drastic aggregation and gelation were observed at pH 5.5. Under this condition, the protein’s secondary and tertiary structures changed simultaneously. At higher pH (7.0 and 8.5), oligomerizaton with no gel formation occurred. For these solutions, tertiary structure and secondary structure transitions were sequential. The low frequency Raman data, which is a good indicator of hydrogen bonding and structuring in water, has been shown to exhibit a strong correlation with the rheological evolution with temperature. This study has, for the first time, demonstrated that this low frequency Raman data, in conjunction with the DSC endotherm, can be been utilized to deconvolve protein unfolding and aggregation/gelation. These findings can have important implications for the development of protein-based biotherapeutics, where the formulation viscosity, aggregation, and stability strongly affects efficacy or in foods where protein structuring is critical for functional and sensory performance.     

Estimating person-to-person variability in VOC emissions from personal care products used during showering

An increasing fraction of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions come from the domestic use of solvents, contained within myriad commonplace consumer products. Emission rates are often poorly characterized and depend significantly on individual behavior and specific product formulation and usage. Time-concentration profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) arising from the use of a representative selection of personal care products (PCPs) during showering are generated, and person-to-person variability in emissions calculated. A panel of 18 participants used a standardized set of products, dosages, and application times during showering in a controlled indoor bathroom setting. Proton transfer mass spectrometry was used to measure the in-room VOC evolution of limonene (representing the sum of monoterpenes), benzyl alcohol, and ethanol. The release of VOCs had reproducible patterns between users, but noticeable variations in absolute peak concentrations, despite identical amounts of material being used. The amounts of VOC emitted to air for one showering activity were as follows: limonene (1.77 mg ± 42%), benzyl alcohol (1.07 mg ± 41%), and ethanol (0.33 mg ± 78%). Real-world emissions to air were between 1.3 and 11 times lower than bottom-up estimates based on dynamic headspace measurements of product emissions rates, likely a result of PCPs being washed away before VOC evaporation could occur.