Search

In this study, we investigated an unusual natural Mn oxide hollandite-group mineral from the Kohare Mine, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, that has predominantly water molecules in the tunnels, with K, Na, Ca, and Ba. The specimens are labeled as type manjiroite, but our analyses show that Na is not the dominant tunnel species, nor is it even the primary tunnel cation, suggesting either an error in the original analyses or significant compositional variation within samples from the type locality. Chemical analyses, X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis measurements combined with Rietveld refinement results using synchrotron X‑ray powder diffraction data suggest the chemical formula: (K 0.19 Na 0.17 Ca 0.03 Ba 0.01 H 2 O 1.60 ) ( Mn 5.02 4 + Mn 2.82 3 + Al 0.14 Fe 0.02 ) O 13.47 (OH) 2.53. $\left({{\text{K}}_{0.19}}\text{N}{{\text{a}}_{0.17}}\text{C}{{\text{a}}_{0.03}}\text{B}{{\text{a}}_{0.01}}{{\text{H}}_{2}}{{\text{O}}_{1.60}} \right)\left(\text{Mn}_{5.02}^{4+}\text{Mn}_{2.82}^{3+}\text{A}{{\text{l}}_{0.14}}\text{F}{{\text{e}}_{0.02}} \right){{\text{O}}_{13.47}}{{(\text{OH})}_{2.53}}.$ Our analyses indicate that water is the primary tunnel species, and although water has been reported as a component in natural hollandites, this is the first detailed study of the crystal structure and dehydration behavior of a natural hydrous hollandite with water as the predominant tunnel species. This work underscores the rarity of natural Na-rich hollandite phases and focuses new attention on the role of hydrous components of hollandite-like phases in determining their capacities to exchange or accommodate various cations, such as Li+, Na+, Ba2+, Pb2+, and K+ in natural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) will realize the new kilogram by the X-ray crystal density (XRCD) method using a 28Si-enriched sphere. This article describes an accurate thickness measurement of a surface layer on the Si sphere by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We focused on the effect of crystal orientation of the core sphere on thickness determination by XPS. The changes in the intensities of the Si core sphere and a surface oxide along the main crystallographic directions were first investigated. The variations in intensities were enhanced, resulting in a large variation in thickness. By avoiding the lines of longitude of crystallographic planes with low plane indices, the uncertainty of the thickness of the oxide layer (OL) was reduced. The structure of the carbonaceous layer (CL), including ethanol and hydrocarbon sublayers on the sphere, was also investigated, and the average thickness and uncertainty budget were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new definition of the kilogram based on the Planck constant was implemented in May 2019. The National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) will realize the new kilogram by the X-ray crystal density method using a 28Si-enriched sphere. An international comparison of the realizations of the new kilogram by national metrology institutes was organized. As a participant in the comparison, the NMIJ realized the kilogram by the volume measurement and surface characterization of a 28Si-enriched sphere. Details of the measurement results and the uncertainty evaluation of the realization are described. The comparison of the realization results with previous realization results in 2016 is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interdigitated electrode (IDE) capacitive humidity sensor fabricated on a silicon substrate was used to investigate sensing materials, which proved to be an ultrahigh‐sensitivity humidity sensor. A sensing layer combination (SLC) between vertically aligned ZnO nanorods and optimal graphene oxide (GO) was prepared on the device and was tested as a humidity sensor. X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) exhibited crystallized wurtzite structure of ZnO nanorods and transmission electron microscope (TEM) shown perfectly indexed hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure dots position correspondence. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to analyze ZnO nanorods/GO morphologies. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) clearly exhibited GO presence and hydrophilic functional groups (carboxyl, epoxy, and hydroxyl), respectively. The SLC prominently demonstrated ultrahigh sensitivity (up to 196.95% or 1.97 times from commercial sensor; HS1101, Humirel) and linear responses behavior with 0.96 for coefficient of determination. The device sensitivity obviously improved as steps of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% RH at values of 1.09, 1.41, 1.51, 1.65, 1.80, and 1.91 times, respectively. The device also exhibited fast response (25 s) and short recovery times (17 s). Its hysteresis (6.58%) manifestly improved to 1.84 times. Moreover, repeatability and long‐term ability of the device demonstrated high accuracy (range ±0.37pF) and durability. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, has been developing a materials data platform linked with a materials data repository system for rapid new material searching using materials informatics. Data conversion from raw data to a human-legible/machine-readable data file is one of the key preparation techniques prior to data analysis, where the converted data file should include metainformation. The tools developed by the authors can convert raw data to a structured data package that consists of mandatory and measurement-characterization metadata, primary and raw parameters, and formatted numerical data (FND). The FND are expressed as a matrix type with robust flexibility. This flexibility is achieved by applying the data analysis architecture of schema-on-read, not schema-on-write based on de jure standards, such as ISO documents. The primary parameters are carefully selected from raw parameters, and their vocabularies are transformed from instrument-dependent terms to general terms that everyone can readily understand. The converted data are linked with, for example, specimen information, process information, specimen handling records, and the electronic laboratory notebook. Using this raw-to-repository (R2R) conversion flow, the authors demonstrated that they can generate and store interoperable data files of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra and depth profiles, powder x-ray diffraction patterns, (scanning) transmission electron microscope images, transmission electron diffraction patterns, electron energy-loss spectroscopy spectra, and calculated electron inelastic mean free path data. Linking measurement data to other required information ensures experimentally repeatable, replicable, and reproducible results. The mandatory and characterization metadata are used for quick electronic searching, and primary and raw parameters are convenient for setting up measurement conditions and useful for reproducibility/replicability and replicability/repeatability, respectively. The FND are human legible and machine readable using parser software, leading to a long lifetime of data utilization. The authors also developed a system to allow the semiautomatic data transfer from an instrument-controlling personal computer (PC) isolated from the communication network by adopting a Wi-Fi-capable secure digital card's scripting capability while keeping the PC offline. They are developing further software for on-demand data manipulation after R2R data conversion. To date, it has been possible to perform XPS peak separation using an automated information compression technique without any a priori assumption. By combining R2R conversion with a high-throughput data collection system and automated data analysis routine, highly reproducible data acquisition and data analysis could be achieved, where human interaction is minimized. At this early stage, the authors demonstrate automated peak separation processing for XPS C 1s and O 1s narrow spectra of polyethylene terephthalate with very high reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies pointed out that allergic diseases have increased during the Asian dust storm event (ADSE) in Japan. Daily observations and the atmospheric concentrations of yellow sand (YS) aerosol have been increasing. In this study, YS samples collected from three sites of Japan during ADSE in 2009–2010 were used. The particles were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray fluorescence—energy dispersive spectrometer (XRF-EDS). We investigate ability of YS extract on enhancing the chemical mediator release and cytokine production from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. The dust particles at Fukuoka and Tsukuba were abundant in aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), potassium (K) and titan (Ti) than those at Naha. Concentration of the trace endotoxin and Cryptomeria japonica pollen allergen (Cry j 1) were measured in YS extract. After exposure of RBL-2H3 cells to YS extract, the β-hexosaminidase (β-hex) release, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production were enhanced in RBL-2H3 cells. This process depends on endotoxin, Cry j 1 and other allergen present in the YS extract. YS water extract also show a strong cytotoxic effect on the cells. This data suggest that low levels of endotoxin and Cry j 1 in YS may cause allergy during the ADSE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cooperative research program between JAERI and universities using the first wall tiles was initiated in 2001 to elucidate the plasma–wall interactions in JT-60U. Various studies have been intensively performed from 2001 to 2002. Major research results obtained in these years were reviewed. Main topics are as follows: (1) Tritium areal distribution on plasma facing graphite tiles was measured by using tritium imaging plate technique and a combustion method. the results were compared to the simulation results for triton orbits, (2) erosion depth and deposition thickness were measured poloidally by using dial gauge and SEM on a set of W-shaped divertor tiles, (3) distribution of hydrogen isotopes and the chemical status of carbon in the divertor region were evaluated by SIMS and XPS, (4) release behavior of tritium from graphite tile samples was studied using thermal desorption, and (5) tritium degassing characteristics in tokamak exhaust were investigated by cleaning discharges. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]