Remarkable effect of addition of In and Pb on the reduction of N2O by CO over SiO2 supported Pd catalysts

The effect of addition of In and Pb on the reduction of N₂O by CO was studied over SiO₂ supported Pd catalysts, using a closed gas circulation system as well as in-situ infrared spectroscopy. Formation of intermetallic compounds such as Pd_0.48In_0.52, Pd₃Pb and Pd₃Pb₂ was observed which caused a drastic enhancement of the rate of N₂ formation. The infrared spectroscopic analyses revealed a weakening of the adsorption strength of CO on Pd metal by the formation of intermetallic compounds, which is likely the main reason for the enhancement of the reaction rate. From a kinetic investigation as well as in situ FT-IR observation during the N₂O-CO reaction, a redox mechanism was proposed involving the oxidation of the surface by N₂O followed by its reduction by CO. Over Pd/SiO₂, the former process seems to be the rate limiting step because of the inhibition of N₂O activation by strongly adsorbed CO. By adding In or Pb, the rate limiting step shifted to the latter process, which resulted in a large enhancement in the rate of N₂ formation.     

Depth profiling study on the migration of tritium in titanium induced by deuterium-ion bombardment

A thin titanium layer with uniformly absorbed tritium (T/Ti ˜1.0) was bombarded by 390 keV D₃⁺ ions (130 keV per deuteron). Bombardment was performed at low (111 K) and room temperatures up to fluences of 5.9 × 10¹⁸ D/cm² and 3.0 × 10¹⁸ D/cm², respectively. Depth profiles of tritium up to a depth of 0.8 mg/cm² (˜1.8 μm) were measured and the change of the profile with fluence was investigated by means of the T(d, )n nuclear reaction. At both of the temperatures, a dip was formed on the depth profile of tritium at the depth around the projected range, indicating that the deuteron bombardment induced the migration of tritium against the concentration gradient. At the low temperature, the dip showed a gradual growth with fluence and saturation of the growth at the higher fluences, which could not be described by the existing model for isotope mixing. The spectrum of protons from the D(d, p)T reaction obtained in the same measurement suggested that the release of deuterium suddenly started at the final stage of the present bombardment. The dip formed at room temperature was larger than that at the low temperature. The migration of tritium induced by the bombardment is discussed on the basis of the experimental results obtained.     

Potical Energy Gap and Below Gap Optical Absorption of Fullerene Films Measured By Constant Photocurrent Method and Photothermal Deflection Spectroscopy

CPM spectra of the fullerene film was measured to obtain the below gap absorption. The optical energy gap E_o was obtained by using the Tauc's plots. E_o did not change so much with the intercalated impurities. The absorption due to intercalated impurities was found below 1.6eV.     

Study of charge storage behavior in metal-alumina-silicon dioxide-silicon(MAOS) field effect transistor

The basic characteristics and charge storage behavior of metal-alumina-silicon dioxide-silicon(MAOS) field effect transistors have been investigated as a function of the oxide thickness. The typical charge storage behaviors have also been measured on devices with SiO₂ films of 50 Å and Al₂O₃ films of 700 Å and the results are interpreted in terms of electron and hole transport processes across thin SiO₂ layer and electron injection from Al electrode by tunneling mechanism. In the MAOS structure, the shift of threshold voltage from initial state is within about 23 V and can be reversibly controlled, more than 10⁶-times at least, by alternate electric fields under suitable stressing condition. It is considered that the charge storage time is practically infinite at room temperature and of the order of 10⁶ hr at 150°C. The failure behaviors of device parameters under the repeated field stressing and cycles can be also accounted for in terms of electron accumulation within Al₂O₃ films and at interfaces between Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ films.     

Marked particle size and support effect of Pd catalysts upon the direct decomposition of nitric oxide

The catalytic behavior of beryllia-supported Pd catalyst for the direct decomposition of NO was compared with that of silica supported one. The TOF of NO decomposition was one order of magnitude larger in the case of Pd/BeO. Over Pd/SiO₂, the TOF was increased with the increase of the Pd particle size. On the contrary, over Pd/BeO smaller Pd particles exhibited higher TOF for NO decomposition suggesting some strong electronic or structural interaction between Pd and beryllia. TPD spectra of NO(a) over reduced catalysts indicated that NO was adsorbed on Pd/SiO₂ more strongly than on Pd/BeO, and dissociation of NO(a) was easier on the former catalyst. FT-IR spectra of adsorbed NO at room temperature followed by the evacuation at elevated temperatures confirmed this. TPD spectra of O₂ desorbed from oxidized surface indicated that adsorption strength of O(a) is one of the most important factors to determine the catalytic activity of NO decomposition over supported Pd catalysts.     

Mechanism of formation of C2-oxygenated compounds from CO + H2 reaction over SiO2-supported Rh catalysts

The mechanism of acetaldehyde and ethanol formation from the CO + H₂ reaction below atmospheric pressure has been investigated by combining infrared spectroscopic measurement and ¹³CO and C¹⁸O isotopic tracer studies with reaction kinetics. The rates of acetaldehyde and ethanol formation are markedly dependent on the nature of metal precursors employed. The addition of sodium cations depresses the total catalytic activity, while the selectivity for ethanol is increased by the addition of manganese cations. From the behavior of surface species under reaction conditions, it is concluded that acetaldehyde is formed through the following two steps: (i) CO insertion into C₁ species which are reaction intermediates for not only hydrocarbons but also for the methyl group in acetaldehyde, and (ii) subsequent formation of acetate ions whose one oxygen atom is supplied from the support, finally producing acetaldehyde. Differences in ¹⁸O distribution in acetaldehyde and ethanol during the C¹⁸O + H₂ reaction indicate that ethanol is not produced via direct hydrogenation of acetaldehyde.     

Development of a 275-kV liquid cooling-type gas-insulated transformer

Construction of 275-kV and 500-kV substations in densely populated areas is thought to be necessary in the future to maintain a stable supply of electricity. The use of gas-insulated transformers is now considered for substations because such transformers are non-flammable and nonexplosive. Since the completion of the 77-kV gas-insulated transformer in 1979, we have continued research to develop gas-insulated transformers applicable to a higher voltage level up to 500 kV. As the results of the research, 275-kV, 300-MVA a liquid cooling-type gas-insulated transformer has been developed.     

Simultaneous detection of near-field topographic and fluorescence images of human chromosomes via scanning near-field optical/atomic-force microscopy (SNOAM)

Scanning near-field optical/atomic-force microscopy (SNOAM) provided us with simultaneous topographical and optical images of human chromosomes using a sharp and bent optical fiber as a near-field optical probe. Native chromosomes were spread out onto a coverslip using the surface-spreading whole-mount method. The SNOAM system does not need pretreatment of samples such as metal coating or chemical immobilization. Near-field topographic and fluorescence images provided useful information on native chromosome structure.     

Computer-controlled microcirculatory support system for endothelial cell culture and shearing

Endothelial cells (ECs) lining the inner lumen of blood vessels are continuously subjected to hemodynamic shear stress, which is known to modify EC morphology and biological activity. This paper describes a self-contained microcirculatory EC culture system that efficiently studies such effects of shear stress on EC alignment and elongation in vitro. The culture system is composed of elastomeric microfluidic cell shearing chambers interfaced with computer-controlled movement of piezoelectric pins on a refreshable Braille display. The flow rate is varied by design of channels that allow for movement of different volumes of fluid per variable-speed pump stroke. The integrated microfluidic valving and pumping system allowed primary EC seeding and differential shearing in multiple compartments to be performed on a single chip. The microfluidic flows caused ECs to align and elongate significantly in the direction of flow according to their exposed levels of shear stress. This microfluidic system overcomes the small flow rates and the inefficiencies of previously described microfluidic and macroscopic systems respectively to conveniently perform parallel studies of EC response to shear stress.     

Development of a frequency-detuned interferometer as a prototype experiment for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors

We report on our prototype experiment that uses a 4-m detuned resonant sideband extraction interferometer with suspended mirrors, which has almost the same configuration as the next-generation, gravitational-wave detectors. We have developed a new control scheme and have succeeded in the operation of such an interferometer with suspended mirrors for the first time ever as far as we know. We believe that this is the first such instrument that can see the radiation pressure signal enhancement, which can improve the sensitivity of next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.