Perylene derivative sensitized multi-walled carbon nanotube thin film

Perylene-sensitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PV-MWNT) have been prepared by a π-stacking between nanotubes and perylene derivatives, N,N′-diphenyl glyoxaline-3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid diacidamide (PV). The resultant nanocomposites have been characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent spectra. Long range ordering can be observed in the form of PV-MWNT via π-stacking by TEM. Red-shift in the optical spectra consisting of the UV-vis absorption and PL spectra with the attraction of PV on the surface of the MWNTs were observed. The evident quenching in PL spectra of PV-MWNT was ascribed to the absorption and transfer of recombination energy by MWNT. Photosensitivity spectra demonstrated an increasing photocurrent in the ultraviolet region and a broadening photosensitivity in the red spectral region for solar cells based on PV-MWNT.     

Unconventional Field Dependence of Magnetoresistance of (TMTSF)2ClO4 Studied by 46-T Pulsed Magnetic Field System

A new TTP donor, Me-DH-TTP (2-methyl-5-(1,3-dithiolan-2-yliden)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene), was designed to realize a system with large on-site Coulomb repulsion as compared with the previously known bis-fused type TTP donors. Probably as a consequence, (Me-DH-TTP)₂AsF₆ exhibits semiconducting behavior from room temperature to liquid helium temperature. By increasing pressure, metallic behavior appears below 300 K, and with distinct metal-insulator (M-I) transition up to 2.2 GPa. This M-I transition suddenly disappears beyond 2.5 GPa, and metallic state is stabilized down to 2.6 K. We discuss the possibility of quantum critical point around 2.4 GPa.     

Electronic conduction and breakdown in liquid helium and liquid neon

New data of the electronic properties of liquid helium and liquid neon are discussed with respect to their relevance for the initiation of electric breakdown. It is concluded that under ideal conditions the cathode plays a decisive role in the initiation of the breakdown process. It is speculated that a Townsend type breakdown mechanism is absent in the liquid phase of these elements.     

On the Logical Foundations of Compound Predicate Formulae for Legal Knowledge Representation

In order to represent legal knowledge adequately, it is vital to create a formal device that can freely construct an individual concept directly from a predicate expression. For this purpose, a Compound Predicate Formula (CPF) is formulated for use in legal expert systems. In this paper, we willattempt to explain the nature of CPFs by rigorous logical foundation, i.e., establishing their syntax and semantics precisely through the use of appropriate examples. We note the advantages of our system over other such systems and discuss the significance of CPFs with regard to the formalization of legal reasonings using examples from the United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods.     

Micro machining for control of wettability with surface topography

A micro fabrication is presented to manufacture hydrophobic surfaces with micro-scale structures. Hydrophobicity is controlled with the shape and the alignment of micro pillars in the structure. The structures are manufactured in large areas at high production rates in the following processes: (1) the structure is fabricated on a tool by focused ion beam sputtering; (2) the reverse structure is formed on a metal plate by incremental stamping using the structured tool; and (3) the structure is transferred onto plastic plates by molding. A consecutive stamping is also proposed to fabricate several structures on a surface accurately with a structured tool, in which the moving pitch of the structured tool is numerically controlled. The effect of the surface topography on hydrophobicity is discussed with measuring contact angles on the structured surfaces in the water droplet tests. Hydrophobicity on the plastic plate is associated with the solid fraction on the structured surface based on the Cassie–Baxter model. A larger contact angle is observed for a smaller solid fraction of the surface.     

The Effect of Air Foam Inclusion on the Permeability and Absorption Properties of Light Weight Soil

Cement-treated clay with air foam, which is called Super Geo-Material (SGM), was developed to utilize dredged clay in an effective way. As SGM is mainly used at levels below the ground water table, water permeability and absorption properties of SGM will affect the durability of the material. In this research, the changes in SGM permeability and absorption as functions of the air foam fraction were investigated. First, permeability tests with triaxial apparatus and constant rate of consolidation tests were conducted on samples containing less than 10% of air foam by volume. From the results, air foam was found to be an impermeable medium in SGM. Secondly, a series of permeability tests and absorption tests were conducted for the SGM with different fractions of air foam while observing the specimen with a micro focus X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scanner. The results showed that the permeability of SGM increased dramatically due to the appearance of interior water channels when the air foam fraction exceeded 30% by volume. The density distribution change and water absorbed zones of the specimens during absorption tests were estimated using the X-ray CT data. From these results, the air in the SGM was found to be progressively substituted with water from the surface to the inside of the specimen and the substituted zone expanded as it made its way to the specimen interior. The expansion velocity of the substituted zone was not affected by the coefficient of permeability but by the fraction of the air in the specimen.     

Biohydrogen using leachate from an industrial waste landfill as inoculum

Since hydrogen is a renewable energy source, biohydrogen has been researched in recent years. However, there is little data on hydrogen fermentation by a leachate from a waste landfill as inoculum. We investigated hydrogen production using a leachate from an industrial waste landfill in Kanagawa prefecture. The results showed no methane gas production and the leachate was a suitable inoculum for hydrogen fermentation. The maximum H₂ yield was 2.67 mol of H₂ per mol of carbohydrate added, obtained at 30 °C and initial pH 7. The acetate and butyrate production was significant when the H₂ yield was higher. The oxidation–reduction potential analysis of the culture suggested that hydrogen-producing bacteria in the leachate were facultatively anaerobic. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed hydrogen-producing bacteria comprised bacilli of about 2 μm in length.     

Flow Characteristics of Metal with Phase Transformation and Prediction of Its Microstructure

We propose a flow-stress characteristic of SUS430F steel that takes in account the effects of temperature, strain rate and their deformation history. In the framework of this characteristic, the history effects of strain rate and temperature are estimated through the plastic strain energy stored. The formulated characteristic () may be shown as a function of temperature (), strain rate ((), and the stored energy W or the reference stress (_st). The energy is stored through plastic deformation and released during annealing process. The energy is also referred by the yield flow stress (_st), which is measured under the reference condition. The discussion on the characteristic is extended to the material at high temperature (1073–1473 K) with the + gamma phase of a given phase ratio. The equilibrium ratio of ()- or ()-phase at a given temperature can be estimated on the basis of an equilibrium phase diagram. In order to introduce the flow-stress characteristic with phase transformation using the proposed formulation, we also analyze the phase transformation rate from () to + with temperature elevation, and from () to > + in the cooling process on the basis of the time–temperature–transformation diagram that includes the quenching process as well. The flow stress characteristic and phase ratio are estimated simultaneously for a hot forging process.     

紫外线杀菌的原理和最新应用

1紫外线杀菌的原理介绍 1.1紫外线杀菌原理 紫外线用于消毒、杀菌已经很多年了,细菌的细胞中含有细菌的遗传信息核酸DNA和RNA,当核酸被紫外线照射时会大量地吸收紫外光,从而就会在体内形成一部分的间二氮杂苯(主要构成为蛋白酶)和间二氮杂苯的异构体.这种物质会使细菌自身的新陈代谢机能出现障碍,并且会导致细菌的遗传性出现问题,而持续的紫外线照射,最后就会导致因为上述原因所造成的细菌群体的死亡.此外,紫外光除了杀菌的用途外,也可用于让微生物降低自身的"活动性",有些细菌在可见光的照射下是比较活跃的,我们称之为"光恢复"特性,也就是说,在波长为300～500nm的可见光下,细菌自身有一种光恢复酶素会让细菌种群变得很活跃,自身会大量繁殖.所以,当需要控制这种细菌的数量及种群时,则可以考虑用微弱的紫外线进行照射,将细菌的数量控制在一定范围之内.     

Observations of xenon gas-treated barley cells in solution by atomic force microscopy

Barley cells cut from a sprout were exposed to either air or high-pressure xenon gas for 3 days and the surface of those cells was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to examine the effect of the gas treatment. This method enabled the direct observation of the fresh surface of the barley cells in solution at high resolution. The cuticle layer was preserved on the primary cell wall of 0.48 MPa xenon gas-treated barley cells, while air-treated barley cells lost the cuticle layer from the primary cell wall. These findings indicate that the high-pressure xenon gas treatment is effective to preserve the cuticle layer attached to the primary cell wall. AFM is a powerful tool for the observation of the surface structure of living plant cells in solution.