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AbstractA hard X-ray pinhole camera system has been recently built at the HL-2A tokamak to measure the evolution of space-time distribution of fast electrons in the energy range of 20 to 200 keV. The camera is mainly composed of a fan-shaped detector array, an observation window, a pinhole mechanism, and a data processing system. The detector array consists of 21 CdTe detectors that are arranged in a poloidal section. The camera views the plasma perpendicularly through an observation window mounted in a horizontal port on the equatorial plane. The data processing is implemented by a fast spectrometry based on field-programmable gate array technology. The time and space resolution of the camera can reach 2 to 16 ms and 2 cm, respectively. During the HL-2A experiment campaign in 2018, measurements of fast electrons produced by lower hybrid waves using the camera were successfully performed. The performance of the camera and the first experimental results with some discussions are presented in this paper.

AbstractTritium (3H) has been increasingly researched when assessing the environmental impact of nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities because it is widely present in nuclear systems and can easily enter the environment. The first pebble-bed gas-cooled test reactor in China, the 10 MW high temperature gas-cooled test reactor (HTR-10), uses helium, graphite, and graphite spheres containing embedded tristructural-isotropic–coated particles as primary coolant, reflectors, and fuel elements, respectively. Several experiments that involved the 3H source term in HTR-10 were performed, and they measured the 3H specific activity and its distribution in the irradiated graphite spheres from the core, 3H activity concentration in the primary helium, 3H activity concentration during the regeneration of the molecular sieve adsorber in the helium purification system, and 3H amount in the gaseous effluent discharge from the stack. The experimental data were summarized and compared with the theoretical predictions. The balance diagram of the 3H source term in HTR-10 is introduced in this paper. Sensitivity analysis was performed to illustrate the effect of the 3He abundance in the primary helium and Li content in the graphite reflectors on the 3H activity concentration in the primary coolant of HTR-10. The interactions between graphite and different hydrogen isotopes (1H, 3H, 1H2, 1H3H, and 3H2) were investigated using first-principles calculations and the diffusion theory. The results indicated that molecular 3H tended to diffuse in graphite.

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We report a high-power two-crystal Ho:YAG slab laser. A maximum cw output power of 146.4 W at a wavelength of 2090.7 nm is achieved, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 66.0% and an optical efficiency of 61.2%. The beam quality factor is measured to be M2 < 2.2 at different output power levels. With an acousto-optic Q-switch, a maximum average output power of 141.3, 137.7 and 134.5 W are obtained at pulse repetition rates of 20, 30 and 50 kHz, respectively. Minimum pulse widths of 39 ns, 44 ns and 74 ns are achieved for the above pulse repetition rates.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are emerging carbonaceous photocatalysts, but the efficiency is unsatisfactory due to a narrow visible-light response and high electron-hole recombination. In this work, we fine-tuned the surface chemistry of CQDs via selectively substituting surface carbonyl group (C=O) with phenylhydrazine (PH). Such a modification optimized the conductivity and band structures of the derived products (CQDs-PH) with improved light absorption and separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, leading to boosted generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. In addition, the primary ROS are identified as superoxide radicals (O2•−) and holes, whereas O2•−are produced from CQDs-activated PMS rather than from dissolved oxygen. Theoretical calculations illustrate that the electrons and holes on CQDs are spatially separated due to the spontaneous surface polarization induced by PH functionalization. This study provides a feasible approach to enhancing the photocatalytic activity of CQDs for sustainable water decontamination.

Within this work, a two-component anti-corrosive epoxy primer formulation, Sigmacover™ 280, and its resulting films were prepared and evaluated. The optimum coating time following formulation was extended by adding an appropriate amount of solvent as a controlled thinner. The draw down coating method was identified to be a reproducible and a robust paint film deposition process. Gravimetric analysis, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and through-dry testing were used in the characterization of the curing and drying behavior of each applied primer film. The shortest time for achieving a through-dry state occurred with thinner films cured at the higher temperature, as seen in the film curing/drying. The minimum covercoating time and full cure time of the paint films, cured under the different conditions, were evaluated by means of its dryness, hardness, and curing state studies/characterization.

Bioinks are formulations of biomaterials and living cells, sometimes with growth factors or other biomolecules, while extrusion bioprinting is an emerging technique to apply or deposit these bioinks or biomaterial solutions to create three-dimensional (3D) constructs with architectures and mechanical/biological properties that mimic those of native human tissue or organs. Printed constructs have found wide application in tissue engineering for repair or treatment of tissue/organ injuries, as well as in vitro tissue modelling for testing or validating newly developed therapeutics and vaccines prior to their use in humans. Successful printing of constructs and their subsequent applications rely on the properties of the formulated bioinks, including the rheological, mechanical, and biological properties, as well as the selected printing process. This article critically reviews the latest developments in bioinks and biomaterial solutions for extrusion bioprinting, focusing on bioink synthesis and characterization, as well as the influence of bioink properties on the printing process. Key issues and challenges are also discussed along with recommendations for future research.

Minimally-invasive surgery of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be limited by poor tumor visualization with white light. We demonstrate systemic administration of a Cy5.5-labeled peptide specific for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to target HCC in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. We attached a compact imaging module to the proximal end of a medical laparoscope to collect near-infrared fluorescence and reflectance images concurrently at 15 frames/sec. We measured a mean target-to-background ratio of 2.99 ± 0.22 from 13 surgically exposed subcutaneous human HCC tumors in vivo in 5 mice. This integrated imaging methodology is promising to guide laparoscopic resection of HCC.

The 2014–2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa was the largest in history. The three most affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, have faced enormous challenges in controlling transmission and providing clinical care for patients with EVD. The Chinese government, in response to the requests of the WHO and the governments of the affected countries, responded rapidly by deploying Chinese military medical teams (CMMTs) to the areas struck by the deadly epidemic. A total of three CMMTs, comprising 115 military medical professionals, were rotationally deployed to Freetown, Sierra Leone to assist with infection prevention and control, clinical care and health promotion and training. Between 1 October 2014 and 22 March 2015, the CMMTs in Sierra Leone admitted and treated a total of 773 suspected and 285 confirmed EVD cases. Among the 285 confirmed cases, 146 (51.2%) patients survived after treatment. In addition, the CMMTs maintained the record of zero infections among healthcare workers and zero cross-infections between quarantined patients. In this manuscript, we aim to give an overview of the mission, and share our best practices experience on predeployment preparedness, EVD holding and treatment centre building and EVD case management.

A doubly Q-switched (DQS) Ho:LuAG laser resonantly pumped by a 1.91-μm laser was first presented with an acoustic-optic modulator (AOM) and a Cr^2+:ZnS saturable absorber. A comparison among the active Q-switched (AQS), passively Q-switched (PQS), and DQS laser performances was carried out. The maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 6 W with the central wavelength of 2100.65 nm was obtained at an incident pump power of 35.2 W. Compared with CW laser, the AQS, PQS, and DQS lasers shared the same central wavelength of 2098.34 nm under the same incident pump power. The central wavelength of the AQS and DQS lasers remained constant with the change of AOM repetition frequency (RF). When the incident pump power was 35.2 W and the AOM RF was 15 kHz, the DQS Ho:LuAG laser at a maximum RF of 2.13 kHz achieved the maximum average output power of 4.95 W. At the AOM RF of 10 kHz, the DQS Ho:LuAG laser achieved the shortest pulse width of 40.4 ns with the highest peak power of 61.5 kW. At an incident pump power of 35.2 W, the PQS Ho:LuAG laser obtained the shortest pulse width of 46.1 ns, corresponding to the RF of 2.25 kHz. Experiment results showed that the pulse width could be compressed effectively with a significant increase of peak power for a 2-μm DQS laser.

A diode pumped, injection-seeded Q-switched Er:YAG laser at 1645.2 nm is demonstrated. A single frequency Er:YAG monolithic nonplanar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser emitting at 1645.24 nm with a maximum output power of 500 mW is used as a seed laser. The seed laser output is injected into a bow-tie slave laser, obtaining stable single-frequency Q-switched operation of the Er:YAG laser. The maximum single-frequency Q-switched Er:YAG laser output energy is 2.9 mJ at 100 Hz with a pulse duration of 160 ns.

The magnetooptic Kerr effect has been applied in the case of non - oriented steel where small and the desoriented grains have long discuraged any domain observations. With aid of newly developed method of magnetisation measurement the flux distribution in limited areas has been analysed. Through careful investigation along the hysteresis loop and images taken at two orthogonal sample orientation interesting local informations have been gathered but no magnetic features quantifiable in terms of the overall material performances.

Manganese sulfide (MnS), as one of transition metal sulfides, can be used as an alternative anode electrode material in lithium-ion batteries on account of its high theoretical specific capacity (616 mAh g−1) and low redox potential (0.74 V). It is a challenge to use MnS as commercial electrode material owing to its huge volume variation and low electronic conductivity. Hence, we propose a novel strategy to optimize the application of MnS viaone-step annealing process, which embeds MnS nanosheets into N-doped biomass carbon layers (α/γ-MnS@NC). This strategy utilizes the strong adsorption ability of Auriculariato capture the chemical reagent ingredients and uses Auriculariaas carbon source to get biomass carbon layers. Various characterizations demonstrate that MnS combined with carbon skeleton through C–S–Mn bonds. The α/γ-MnS@NC displays excellent electrochemical performance: high reversible capacity of 1042 mAh g−1, excellent rate capability (685 mAh g−1 at 2.0 A g−1), and stable cycle performance after 1000 cycles. The assembled α/γ-MnS@NC//LiFePO4and α/γ-MnS@NC//LiCoO2full cells deliver high energy density of 300.2 Wh kg−1and 400.2 Wh kg−1, respectively.

Objective: To investigate serum and sputum cytokine profiles in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).Methods: Clinical characteristics, blood and sputum samples were collected from asthma (n = 37) and COPD (n = 36) patients, and healthy subjects (n = 39). Cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and inflammation antibody array; levels were analysed according to smoking status and presence of eosinophilia in the airways of COPD/asthma patients, and compared with those in healthy subjects.Results: ELISA revealed a significant difference in the expression of only a few cytokines in the COPD versus asthma groups, and in both patient groups compared with healthy subjects. The antibody array showed greater differentiation in inflammatory mediators. In the subphenotype analysis, the differential expression of cytokines was more significant between eosinophilic and noneosinophilic airway inflammation than between asthma and COPD, according to both the ELISA and antibody array. There was little difference in cytokine expression between smoking and nonsmoking subgroups.Conclusions: Differential expression of inflammatory mediators is present between patients with COPD or asthma, and eosinophilic or noneosinophilic airway inflammation, and contributes to understanding the cytokine network of airway inflammation.

The mechanisms of heat generation and heat dissipation of tire are first discussed, and the heat generation capacity and the heat dissipation capacity per unit time are obtained through the analysis of both tire contact pressure distribution and heat dissipation method. Then,according to heat balance condition of tire, the theory model of the steady-state surface temperature of tire is established based on tire temperature field tests. Finally, the effects of speed, load, and tire pressure on the steady-state surface temperature of tire are analysed. The results show that the established model of the steady-state surface temperature of rolling tire is feasible, and the results can reflect the thermal conditions of tire, and therefore provides a theoretical foundation to predict the steady-state surface temperature for various types of tires under different driving conditions.

With an increase in the use of advanced high strength steels in vehicle architectures, materials joining issues have become increasingly important. Among the various joining methods, adhesive bonding is increasingly used in automobile manufacturing. Successful implementation of adhesive bonding to improve structural crashworthiness and reduce vehicle weight requires the knowledge of issues related not only to processing but also to joint performance. In this study, the impact strength of adhesive bonded high strength steel joints is evaluated with the split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB) technique. The influences of loading speed and thickness of the steels on the shear strength of the joints were examined. Comparative quasi-static lap shear tests were also conducted on a tensile testing machine. Test results showed that strength and energy absorption of bonded steel joints increase with loading speed, and is greatly affected by the thickness of the steels. As the loading rates are increased to 1100 s–1(i.e. 20 m s–1), bonded 0·75 mm thick DP600 steel shows a 152% increase in strength and an 83% increase in energy absorption when compared to its quasi-static values. Examination of the impact tested specimens showed the failure mode changes from coarse cohesive mode to fine cohesive mode with increasing loading speed. The results from this study will provide the information for a better understanding of impact failure mechanisms of adhesive bonded high strength steels.

Puccinia striiformisf.sp. tritici(PST), a basidiomycota responsible for wheat yellow rust, has a strict clonal behavior and a low genetic diversity in European and Australian populations. On the other hand high diversity has been reported in Chinese populations. Moreover it is thought that in China yellow rust epidemics start recurrently from the western highlands where over-summering occurs. To compare PST genetic diversity in this area to the one described in France seven AFLP primer combinations were used to analyze a sample of 160 isolates collected in 2001 in five counties of Gansu Province. The AFLP data revealed 40 polymorphic bands, discriminating 139 AFLP genotypes. Linkage disequilibrium and phylogeographic analyses support the hypothesis of a reproductive mode that is not strictly clonal. In this regard Chinese isolates from Gansu strongly contrast with the European studies using the same markers. Genetic diversity of this 1 y sampling in Gansu is found to be seven times higher than the one observed in France over 20 y and exhibits lower linkage disequilibrium. The effective population size of the French sample was estimated to be 1000 times smaller than the Gansu population. These results support the hypothesis of large population size as well as the occurrence of genetic recombination, while the importance of Gansu as a main over-summering area requires assessment through larger scale studies.

We demonstrate a continuous-wave (cw) and actively Q-switched Er : YAG ceramic laser resonantly dual-end-pumped by a 1532 nm fibre-coupled laser diode. A maximum cw output power of 1.48 W at 1645.3 nm is obtained at an absorbed pump power of 12.72 W, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 19.2%. In the Q-switched regime the maximum pulse energy of 0.84 mJ is reached at a pulse repetition rate of 100 Hz, pulse duration of 48.03 ns and absorbed pump power of 10.51 W.

ZnSe nanobelts and nanowires have been simultaneously synthesized by a closed-space vapor transport technique without using any carrier gas. The products are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It is shown that the nanobelts and nanowires are 50−90 nm in thickness or diameter and hundreds of micrometers in length. Structure analysis indicates that the nanowires take the zinc blende structure, while the nanobelts are single crystalline or bicrystalline wurtzite phase. The as-synthesized products exhibit rich Raman modes and a strong near-band-edge luminescence peak centered at 476 nm. The nanobelts and nanowires grow via a vapor−solid mechanism mediated by a polycrystalline ZnSe film.

Litchi fruit were treated with 10 mL/L ethylene (C2H4), 0.1% cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and 1 mL/L 1-methylcyclopropene, respectively, packed individually in closed but vented containers, and then stored at ambient temperature (28?33C). The effects of these treatments on the browning, energy metabolism and disease incidence of the fruit were investigated. Treatment with C2H4 enhanced the activities of polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Ethylene also increased the accumulation of ADP and AMP, but decreased energy charge in fruit peel. Cobalt chloride treatment had an inhibitory effect on increases of peroxidase activity, ATP:ADP ratio, energy charge and ATP, ADP and AMP. Browning index was reduced by 8.4 and 10.4% and disease index was reduced by 10.7 and 12.7% in CoCl2 and 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruit, respectively, suggesting a relationship between energy metabolism, browning and disease index.

Abstract Small bud tips of 1–3 mm in length were taken from multiple shoot clumps that derived from immature inflorescence cultures of beet as recipient for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and transgenic plants were obtained from eight genotypes. The optimal genetic transformation protocol was established as followed: the buds were immersed in Agrobacterium suspension of OD600 =0.3–0.5 for 5–10 min, with vacuum infiltration (0.3–0.5 × 105 Pa) or supplemented with 0.01% Silwet L-77, co-cultured for 2–4 days and followed by 10-day culture on medium containing 100 mg l−1 cefotaxime, then the buds were selected on medium containing 10 mg l−1 hygromycin B for three consecutive generations. The percentage of hygromycin-resistant buds after three selections varied from 13.3 to 30.6% with genotypes. The results of PCR and further Southern blotting of genomic DNA of hygromycin-resistant buds or plants showed that the exogenous hpt and AtNHX1 gene had been integrated into the genomes of some transformed buds or plants. The transgenic buds or plants with AtNHX1 gene encoding Na+/H+ antiport on the vacuole membrane of Arabidopsis showed improved salt-tolerance than the controls. AtNHX1gene inherited in some transgenic lines as Mendelian segregation. This result revealed that it was feasible to improve salt-tolerance of beets by the introduction of AtNHX1 gene into cultured buds.

To investigate the mechanisms leading to sustained thermoacoustic oscillations in swirl flames, a gas turbine model combustor was equipped with an optically accessible combustion chamber allowing the application of various laser techniques. The flame investigated was a swirled CH4/air diffusion flame (thermal power 10 kW, global equivalence ratio φ = 0.75) at atmospheric pressure which exhibited self-excited thermoacoustic oscillations at a frequency of 290 Hz. In separate experiments, the flow velocities were measured by laser Doppler velocimetry, the flame structures and heat release rates by planar laser-induced fluorescence of CH and by OH chemiluminescence, and the joint probability density functions of the major species concentrations, mixture fraction, and temperature by laser Raman scattering. All measurements were performed in a phase-locked mode, i.e., triggered with respect to the oscillating pressure level measured by a microphone. The results revealed large periodic variations of all measured quantities and showed that the heat release rate was correlated with the degree of mixing of hot products with unburned fuel/air mixtures before ignition. The thermal expansion of the reacting gases had, in turn, a strong influence on the flow field and induced a periodic motion of the inner and outer recirculation zones. The combination of all results yielded a deeper understanding of the events sustaining the oscillations in the flame under investigation. The results also represent a data base that can be used for the validation and improvement of CFD codes.

A series of novel nanosized π-conjugated molecules based on both truxene and porphyrin moieties with high fluorescence quantum yields have been prepared via the Suzuki cross-coupling and the Lindsey reactions. The investigation of optical properties demonstrates that various aryl groups as the antenna efficiently enhance the intramolecular and intermolecular energy transfer. These nanosized macromolecules emitting intense red light might be good candidates for photonic and electronic devices.

To detect the local polarity such as the N-terminal domain of a protein molecule, 3-(4-chloro-6-hydrazino-1,3,5-triazinylamino)-7-(dimethylamino)-2-methylphenazine has been designed and synthesized as a polarity-sensitive fluorescent probe by using an s-triazine ring as a backbone, neutral red and hydrazine as a polarity-sensitive fluorophore, and a labeling group, respectively. The fluorescence properties of the probe have been characterized. The probe has the following features:  (1) stable in various solvents; (2) the long-wavelength emission of > 550 nm that can avoid the interferences of the background fluorescence shorter than 500 nm from common biomacromolecules; and (3) the maximum emission wavelength (λem) sensitive to solvent polarity only but not to pH and temperature. The hydrazino group in such a probe reacts readily with an active carbonyl produced by transamination of a protein molecule, leading to N-terminal specific attachment of the fluorophore and thereby allowing the monitoring of local polarity. With this probe, the polarity of the N-terminal domain in both native and heat-denatured α-lactalbumin has been first determined, which corresponds to that with a dielectric constant of about 16, and the hydrophobic core near the N-terminus is found to be conservative for heating. The present strategy may provide a general method to study the local environmental changes of a protein molecule under different denaturation conditions. Keywords: analytical methods • local polarity detection • fluorescent probe • N-terminal specific labeling • α-lactalbumin

A mesoporous TiO2precursor has been prepared by the hydrothermal condensation of tetrabutyltitanate in presence of an alkylamine template by three different methods. The surfactants were removed from as-synthesized TiO2by calcination and solvent extraction methods. A potential photocatalyst, predominantly present as an anatase phase, was produced in the latter case. The samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, low-temperature N2adsorption-desorption measurement and solid state UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of all TiO2samples were compared using the degradation of phenol as a probe reaction.

In this paper a novel synthetic route of pure MFe2O4 (M = Mg, Co, and Ni) spinel ferrites is reported. The key feature of this method is using a single molecular precursor. The pure spinel ferrites can be obtained by calcination of tailored hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of the type [M1-X-YFe²⁺YFe³⁺X(OH)2]^X+(SO4^2-)X/2·mH2O (M = Mg, Co, and Ni) precursors at 900 °C for 2 h, in which the molar ratio of M²⁺/(Fe²⁺ + Fe³⁺) is adjusted to the same value as that in single spinel ferrite itself. The structural characteristics of the as-synthesized LDHs and their resulting calcined products are obtained by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The saturation magnetizations of the materials produced by calcinations of LDHs are higher than those of the spinel ferrites produced by the conventional ceramic and wet chemical routes, although the compositions of the materials are similar. The major advantage of the new method is that it affords uniform distribution of all metal cations on an atomic level in the LDH precursors; hence, the formation of spinel ferrites starting from the LDHs requires a much lower temperature and shorter time, leading to a lower chance of side-reactions occurring.

As-synthesized MCM-48 was modified via silylation with Cl−Si(CH3)3. The resulting silylated MCM-48 possesses a well-ordered long-range structure, a narrow distribution of nanosized pore diameters, a high mesoporous volume, a large specific surface area, and, most significantly, a hydrophobic surface. A nanocomposite structure based on silylated MCM-48 and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) has been prepared through both in situ polymerization and incorporation of preformed polymer. Characterization by FT-IR, XRD, and N2 adsorption−desorption techniques indicates the latter method is more effective than the in situ polymerization method. The composites obtained by addition of the PVAc/silylated MCM-48 particles to a PVAc matrix have significantly enhanced mechanical performance, including toughness and elasticity, when compared with PVAc itself or with composites derived from PVAc and pure silylated MCM-48 or precipitated silica.

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In particle formation, the method can be just as important as the chemical reaction involved. A new method of synthesizing hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of the type [Mg1-xAlx(OH)2]^x+(CO3^2-)x/2·yH2O (x = 1.7−3.3) is reported. The key features of this method are a very rapid mixing and nucleation process in a colloid mill followed by a separate aging process. The properties of the resulting LDHs are compared with those of materials produced using the conventional coprecipitation process at constant pH. The compositions and structural parameters of the materials synthesized using the two routes are very similar, although the crystallinity is slightly higher for the LDHs produced using the new method. The thermal behavior of the materials synthesized using the two routes is also similar. The major advantage of the new method is that it affords smaller crystallites with a higher aspect ratio, having a very narrow distribution of crystallite size. In the conventional coprecipitation process at constant pH, the mixing process takes considerable time such that nuclei formed at the beginning of the process have a much longer time to undergo crystal growth than those formed at the end of the process. The consequence is that a wide dispersion of crystallite sizes is obtained. In the colloid mill process, however, the mixing and nucleation are complete in a very short time and are followed by a separate aging process. Furthermore, we suggest that the extreme forces to which the nucleation mixture is subjected in the colloid mill prevent aggregation of the nuclei and result in the nuclei having a uniform small size. When the resulting mixture is aged in a separate process, well-formed crystallites with a similarly narrow range of diameters result.

At present, there would appear to be no literature dealing with the prediction of width variation either by analytical or numerical methods during the breakdown passes in the commercial hot rolling of aluminium alloys. Since this lateral flow may promote many rolling defects, particularly edge cracking, this would appear to be an important technical feature. It is clear that an understanding of these factors, which play a dominant role in this deformation mode, should increase yield and efficiency. In this communication, initial slabs with concave, convex and straight edge profiles are simulated by a commercial finite element analysis program and results compared with experimental data derived both from laboratory and industrial rolling data. The computed results are in good agreement with the measured data. Some severe discrepancies between laboratory and industrial rolling are highlighted and discussed.

Bistable nanoscale switches have been assembled using nanowires and redox active molecules as building blocks. The nanodevices consist of nanowire field-effect transistors (NW-FET) functionalized with redox active molecules, where the redox species can store charges and thereby maintain the NW-FETs in either a logic on or off state with high or low channel conductance, respectively. Single NW and crossed NW-FET devices have been assembled and shown to switch reversibly as two- and three-terminal devices. Individual NW devices with on/off ratios exceeding 10⁴ and retention times in excess of 20 min, and integrated arrays in which devices are independently addressable, have been assembled. The characteristics of the molecule-gated NW-FET devices suggest that they could serve as key elements in a range of nanoelectronics applications, including nonvolatile memory and programmable logic array.

M41S materials are prepared by in situ assembly of inorganic precursors and organic template and can be viewed as nanocomposites of the siliceous phase and organic surfactant. Calcination of these precursors gives the M41S materials that have been used to prepare novel nanocomposite structures, in which the organic phase inside the nano-sized pores is isolated by the nano-sized inorganic pore walls. The nanocomposite structures can be formed by in situ polymerization of monomers inside the channels. Polymerization of ethylene takes place inside the nano-sized pores, producing the desired nanocomposite structure. The resulting polyethylene was found to be a mixture of crystalline and amorphous phases.

Crystalline samples of α-zirconium phosphate, (α-ZrP, α-Zr(HPO4)2·H2O) have been prepared by decomposition of zirconium fluoride complexes in the presence of phosphoric acid under a variety of conditions. The crystallinity and morphology have been shown to depend on a number of factors including the F−/Zr4+ratio, the concentration of Zr4+ions, the material of the reaction vessel and the reaction temperature. Under conditions of rapid precipitation small plate-like crystals of α-ZrP are produced whereas under conditions of slow crystallisation larger crystals with a lower aspect ratio are formed. The relative intensities of the d002, d110and d112reflections observed by X-ray powder diffraction show a correlation with the crystal morphology as determined by SEM. The intercalation reaction of 4-(methylmercapto)aniline with different samples of α-ZrP under a variety of conditions has been studied. Incomplete intercalation is observed in each case, with the extent of intercalation depending on both the morphology of the α-ZrP and the reaction conditions. The intercalated amine has been shown to exist as a mixture of protonated cations and neutral molecules.

Field effect transistors (FETs) based on individual GaN nanowires (NWs) have been fabricated. Gate-dependent electrical transport measurements show that the GaN NWs are n-type and that the conductance of NW−FETs can be modulated by more than 3 orders of magnitude. Electron mobilities determined for the GaN NW FETs, which were estimated from the transconductance, were as high as 650 cm²/V·s. These mobilities are comparable to or larger than thin film materials with similar carrier concentration and thus demonstrate the high quality of these NW building blocks and their potential for nanoscale electronics. In addition, p−n junctions have been assembled in high yield from p-type Si, and these n-type GaN NWs and their potential applications are discussed.

A model was developed for predicting the stiffness degradation of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), with ply configuration [0 m /±θ n ] S , induced by matrix cracking under in-plane tension. The model assumes that the cracks in off-axis plies are uniformly distributed and a damage variable D is defined. Based on the theory of fracture mechanics, the elastic moduli of cracked matrix are obtained and indicated by the damage variable D , then the reduction of elastic moduli of laminates caused by the matrix cracks was studied. Comparison with experimental values for the glass/epoxy [90 3 /0] S , [0/90] S and [0/±45] S laminates shows good agreement with the theoretical prediction given by the presented model.

We demonstrate that stable microwave-coupled atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium plasmas (APNEPs) can be formed under a wide variety of gas and flow-rate conditions. Furthermore, these plasmas can be effectively used to remove surface contamination and chemically modify polymer surfaces. These chemical changes, generally oxidation and crosslinking, enhance the surface properties of the materials such as surface energy. Comparisons between vacuum plasma and atmospheric plasma treatment strongly indicate that much of the vacuum-plasma literature is pertinent to APNEP, thereby providing assistance with understanding the nature of APNEP-induced reactions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 95–109, 2002

This paper is intended to give the non-specialist engineer a flavour of how Eurocode 8 works, how it should be used and the principal issues for design. The paper is principally based on the draft for development that was issued for public comment in several parts between 1994 and 1996, and some more recent revisions. It is not a detailed account of the code and the reader is referred to the code for detailed information. The paper describes the design principles for various classes of structures and makes comment and provides insight into a number of particular issues of particular interest to the authors.