Peculiarities in thermal evolution of precipitated amorphous calcium phosphates with an initial Ca/P ratio of 1:1

Thermal evolution of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) powder from a fast nitrate synthesis with a Ca/P ratio of 1:1 were studied in the range of 20–980?°C. The powder consisted of amorphous dicalcium phosphate anhydrate (CaHPO₄) after heating to 200?°C. CaHPO₄ gradually condensed to amorphous calcium pyrophosphate Ca₂P₂O₇ (CPP) between 200 to 620?°C. Amorphous CPP crystallized at 620–740?°C to a metastable polymorph α′-CPP of the high-temperature phase α-CPP and β-CPP. The α′-CPP/ β-CPP phase ratio reached a maximum at 800?°C (60?wt% α′-CPP/40?wt% β-CPP), and α′-CPP gradually transformed to β-CPP at a higher temperature. Some β-TCP occurred at 900?°C, so that a three-phasic mixture was obtained in the powder heated to 980?°C. The occurrence of metastable α′-CPP is attributed to Ostwald’s step rule, and a mechanism for β-TCP formation is proposed. The advantages of prospective biomaterials from these powders are discussed.     

Formation of a Network Structure in the Gaseous Reduction of Magnetite Doped with Alumina

Reduction of un-doped magnetite is developed topochemically with the formation of a dense iron shell. However, the reduction of alumina-doped magnetite to wüstite proceeds with the formation of a network-like structure which consists of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical plates of wüstite. Reduction of magnetite includes the conversion of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ and the movement of iron cations from the tetrahedral sites on the {400} and {220} planes of magnetite to the octahedral sites on the {200} planes of wüstite. Alumina has a negligibly small solubility in wüstite. In the reduction of magnetite doped with Al₂O₃, rejected Al³⁺ cations from wüstite diffuse to the magnetite–hercynite solid solution. Enrichment of the Fe₃O₄–FeAl₂O₄ solution with alumina in the vicinity of the reduction interface restricts the growth of {220} planes of wüstite and nucleation of {220} planes adjusted to the existing planes, preventing the merging of wüstite plates during the reduction process. Reduction of magnetite from the magnetite–hercynite solid solution practically stops when the Al³⁺ content at the interface approaches the solubility limit. Wüstite in the separated plates is reduced further to iron.     

Diffusion of clusters down (1 1 1) aluminum islands

The key factor determining nucleation processes and faceting in homoepitaxial growth as well as texture competition is the mobility of adatoms and small clusters across step edges and facets. Using a combination of molecular dynamics and ab initio calculations, we investigate the mechanisms of small clusters (dimer and trimer) diffusion down the aluminum (1 1 1) surface. In this paper we report results of molecular dynamics studies. Our study shows that the clusters dissociate at the step-edge of compact islands. As a result, the clusters diffuse down the step by an exchange mechanism with a small or medium Schwoebel barrier. The mechanism of this down-diffusion/dissociation is discussed and the corresponding energetics are calculated using the molecular statics method. We find a large anisotropy between the barriers at the two types of 1 1 0 oriented steps.     

Compact Modules for Wireless Communication Systems in the E-Band (71–76 GHz)

The millimeter-wave spectrum above 70 GHz provides a cost-effective solution to increase the wireless communications data rates by increasing the carrier wave frequencies. We report on the development of two key components of a wireless transmission system, a high-speed photodiode (HS-PD) and a Schottky Barrier Diode (SBD). Both components operate uncooled, a key issue in the development of compact modules. On the transmitter side, an improved design of the HS-PD allows it to deliver an output RF power exceeding 0 dBm (1 mW). On the receiver side, we present the design process and achieved results on the development of a compact direct envelope detection receiver based on a quasi-optical SDB module. Different resonant (meander dipole) and broadband (Log-Spiral and Log-Periodic) planar antenna solutions are designed, matching the antenna and Schottky diode impedances at high frequency. Impedance matching at baseband is also provided by means of an impedance transition to a 50 Ohm output. From this comparison, we demonstrate the excellent performance of the broadband antennas over the entire E-band by setting up a short-range wireless link transmitting a 1 Gbps data signal.     

The Meissner-Ochsenfeld effect as a possible tool to control anisotropy of thermal conductivity and pinning strength of type II superconductors

This paper proposes the Meissner-Ochsenfeld effect as a possible tool for quality control of type II superconductors (SC). Visual or optical inspection of the levitation process allows rough determination of the anisotropy of thermal conductivity and of the pinning strength of type II SC material, in a materials quality control. An assembly of permanent (e.g. NdFeB) or electromagnets and a flat cryostat allowing visual or optical inspection would be required. The method is demonstrated by numerically simulating the field cooling process of a superconducting cylindrical pellet and of a coated conductor.     

Hydrothermal transformations of organic matter of low permeability rocks from domanic formation of the romashkino oil field

Abstract

The oil generating potential of Domanic rocks from Dankov–Lebedyan horizon of the Zelenogorsk area of Romashkino oil field was evaluated by Rock-Eval pyrolysis technique. The result of given method depends on the content, composition, and thermal stability of organic matter in rocks. During hydrothermal processes, the distinctive conversion behavior of organic matter at temperatures of 200°С, 250°С, 300°С, and 350°С in CO₂ environment was revealed. The yield of obtained aquathermolysis products and their quality were evaluated. The results of the studies suggest that low-permeability carbonate rocks of the Dankov–Lebedyan horizon contain productive beds with content of C_org 1.89–3.03%, which when developed using thermal methods, can become an additional source of liquid hydrocarbons.     

Shape optimization for drag reduction in linked bodies using evolution strategies

We present results from the shape optimization of linked bodies for drag reduction in simulations of incompressible flow at moderate Reynolds numbers. The optimization relies on the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) and the flow simulations use vortex methods with the Brinkman penalization to enforce boundary conditions in complex bodies. We exploit the inherent parallelism of CMA-ES, by implementing a multi-host framework which allows for the distribution of the expensive cost function evaluations across parallel architectures, without being limited to one computing facility. This study repeats in silico for the first time Ingo Rechenberg’s pioneering wind tunnel experiments for drag reduction that led to the inception of evolution strategies. The simulations confirm that the results of these experimental studies indicate a flat plate is not the optimal solution for drag reduction in linked bodies. We present the vorticity field of the flow and identify the governing mechanisms for this drag reduction by the slightly corrugated linked plate configuration.     

Eigen electromagnetic oscillations in the waveguide-dielectric resonator with two-layer filling

The method of the solution problem on the eigen oscillations spectrum of electromagnetic field in the waveguide-dielectric resonator with the two-layer dielectric element was presented. The numerical calculations of the resonance frequencies for theHE ₁₁₁-,E ₀₁₁- andH ₀₁₁-oscillations types in the investigated structure were performed. The calculation results were correlated with experimental data.