Anisotropy of the electric transport properties of decagonal Al–Cu–Co(Fe) quasicrystals

The method of growth from a melt solution was used to obtain iron-alloyed (0.08 at %) Al–Cu–Co single crystals with a decagonal symmetry. The temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity in magnetic fields of 0–18 T were measured using samples oriented in the periodic direction (ρ_p(T)) and in the quasi-periodic plane (ρ_q(T)). A strong anisotropy of the resistivity was observed; the ρ_p(T) curve is linear, whereas the ρ_q(T) curve is approximated well by a second-order polynomial. A strong anisotropy of the magnetoresistance was also observed; a positive magnetoresistance Δρ/ρ ~ 10^–3 for the current flowing in the quasiperiodic plane; and a weak (close to zero) negative magnetoresistance for the current flowing along the periodic direction.     

A comparative study of thermal and hydraulic autofrettage

Thermal autofrettage is a potential process to generate beneficial compressive residual stresses at and around the inner wall of a thickwalled cylinder for increasing its pressure carrying capacity. Due to its simplicity and inexpensive arrangement, it can compete with the conventional hydraulic autofrettage process. In this work, a comparative study of the thermal autofrettage and the hydraulic autofrettage is carried out. As the thermal autofrettage does not require hydraulic power pack, the process is more economical than the hydraulic autofrettage. The thermal autofrettage process is also studied for the thick-walled cylindrical vessels subjected to high thermal gradient with or without pressure and is compared with the hydraulic autofrettage. Comparison shows that for cylinders subjected to high thermal gradient without pressure, the thermal autofrettage is superior to the hydraulic autofrettage.     

Geothermal use of an Alpine aquifer—Davos pilot study

Grundwasser - Topographically induced Alpine regional groundwater flow systems below the unconsolidated valley fillings constitute a substantial unused geothermal resource. Within the...     

Specific Energy Prediction for Circular Diamond Saw in Cutting Different Types of Rocks Using Multivariable Linear Regression Analysis

Circular diamond saw performance is affected by a variety of factors. The principal factors requiring consideration when predicting cutting rates are the type and operating features of a diamond saw and the rock characteristics. The laboratory experimental tests are carried out on three groups of rocks (16 types) cut with the help of three types of diamond disk saws with different feed rates and cutting depths at constant peripheral velocity. The quantitative determinations of a wide range of textural, mechanical, and intact properties of rocks are also made. The relationship between the specific cutting energy SE _cut of the sawblade operating parameters and rock properties is established. Applying multivariable linear regression analysis, the predictive model of SE _cut is developed based on the rock property data. Models verified by statistical tests prove their practical validity. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 3, pp. 56–80, May–June, 2005.     

Understanding the binder chemistry,microstructure, and physical properties of volcanic ash phosphate geopolymer binder

This work aims to assess the influence of the chemical composition of the binder resulting from the reaction of phosphoric acid and volcanic ash on its final characteristics. Six initial compositions of volcanic ash phosphate geopolymer with molar ratios Fe/P of 0.27, 0.5, 0.54, 0.81, 1, and 1.5 were designed by adding various dosages of phosphoric acid to volcanic ash. The results show that the hardening time increases with the decrease of molar ratios Fe/P. An excess of phosphoric acid leads to an unstable binder that is partially destroyed with the aging of the binder. The volcanic ash phosphate geopolymer with molar ratios of Fe/P = 0.5–0.54 has the optimum compressive strength (49–53 MPa at 90 days), the lowest water absorption (8.8-9.5 wt.%) as well as porosity (18–19.6 vol.%). The main binder is a porous phase of ferro-silico-aluminophosphate. Secondary phases were also identified in some mixes including ferro-aluminophosphate and magnesium phosphate.     

PVA/Gd2O3@Zno Nanocomposite Films as New Uv-Blockers: Structure and Optical Revelations

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Herein we have synthesised Gadolinium oxide doped Zinc oxide (Gd2O3@ZnO) by solution combustion method and incorporated it as a...     

Microstructure and Mechanical Property Correlation of Mg-Si Alloys

Silicon - The present work aims at understanding the microstructure and mechanical property correlation of hypo (Mg-0.5, 0.7, 1.15 wt% Si) and hyper (Mg-2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 wt% Si) eutectic binary...     

Creep Properties of 9Cr and 14Cr ODS Tubes Tested by Inner Gas Pressure

Oxide-dispersion strengthened steels are promising materials for extreme service conditions including nuclear reactors core. In service conditions, nuclear fuel claddings are exposed to the fission gas pressure at temperatures about 700 °C. This paper presents novel results on ODS creep properties from a round robin of inner gas pressure creep test. A gas pressure creep test, simulating fission gas loading, was designed and achieved by four different European teams. Lifetime and specific behavior of ODS steel tube are prospected. Based on a mechanical clamping achieving gas tightness, short length tubes samples are tested by different laboratories. In situ laser measurements exhibit the radial expansion of ODS steel tubes before failure. Post-mortem, geometrical characterizations are performed to determine hoop strains at failure. A consistent creep lifetime is observed by all the teams even with slightly different testing apparatus and clamping systems. Under inner gas pressure, ODS steels exhibit a typical failure by leakage associated to a very small radial expansion. This behavior results from a brutal failure (burst) without evidence of tertiary creep stage. This failure mode of ODS cladding in creep conditions is consistently observed on all samples of the study. Inner gas pressure creep tests were compared, for the first time, by four European laboratories on ODS steel tube. This technique, simulating the fission gas pressure loading, is applied on small and mechanically clamped samples. This technique shows a remarkable consistency between the different laboratories results and demonstrates to be efficient for ODS steel cladding tube qualification. The results show a correlation between the creep properties and the microstructure.

     

Electrochemical copper (II) sensor based on chitosan covered gold nanoparticles

This study outlines a new sensing platform based on glassy carbon electrodes modified by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the determination of heavy metal. A glassy carbon electrode was modified by chitosan stabilized AuNPs. AuNPs were prepared by reducing gold salt with a polysaccharide chitosan. Here, chitosan acted as a reducing/stabilizing agent. The AuNPs were characterized with UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Chitosan covered AuNPs were immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode for the determination of Cu (II) in aqueous solutions. The electrochemical determination of Cu (II) ions was performed using the differential pulse voltammetry technique. Some parameters for Cu (II) determination, such as pH, preconcentration time and electrolysis potential of Cu (II), were optimized. The detection limit was calculated as 5 × 10^?9 mol L^?1 by means of the 3:1 current-to-noise ratio. The interference of Cr(III), Fe(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Mg(II), Zn(II), Ba(II) ions was investigated and showed a negligible effect on the electrode response. Recovery studies were carried out using tap water.