Dark Film Research Articles

Synthesis of carbon nanostructures from residual solids waste tires

AbstractThis article presents the results of the synthesis and morphological characterization of carbon nanostructures obtained from the decomposition of residual solid from waste tires (RSWT) in quartz tubes under reduced pressure (1.33 Pa) at 900°C for 15 min. The synthesis led to the formation of two phases, a fragmented solid black powder composed of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), onion‐type fullerenes, and spheres, and a very bright metallic dark film. Analysis by microscopy (SEM and TEM) showed that the MWCNTs had an average diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length greater than 100 nm while the diameter of the onion‐type fullerenes was found to be 8 nm. The nanospheres showed different diameters ranging from 500 nm to 1.5 μm, and some had a metallic core surrounded by layers of carbon. The infrared spectra of the nanotubes exhibited absorption bands at 1558 and 1458 cm−1, corresponding to CC and CC bonds, and signals at 3438 and 1080 cm−1 related to the OH and CO groups from oxidized graphite as it was identified in the dark film. The Raman spectra of the carbon nanostructures present D and G‐bands at 1331 and 1597 cm−1, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Aqueous, Room Temperature Electrochemical Deposition of Compact Si Films

We report room temperature deposition of compact Si films onto 6061 Al alloy from aqueous solutions containing 10 mM HF and 20 mM Na2SiF6 in 80 wt % formic acid (HCO2H) by a combination of galvanic and electroless deposition. Deposition for 30 h. yields a 7–10 m thick, dark grey Si thin film that does not change color upon exposure to air. Elemental analysis demonstrates that the as-deposited film contains 2–3 atom % Al, 4–5 atom % Cu, and 92–94 atom % Si. We believe that this is the first report of aqueous, room temperature deposition of thick, compact Si films. VC 2011 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3605307] All rights reserved.

Resgate vegetativo por alporquia de genótipos adultos de urucum (<i>Bixa orellana</i> L.)

Este trabalho teve por objetivos avaliar a técnica de alporquia visando ao resgate vegetativo de genótipos de urucum (Bixa orellana L.) e a obtenção de plantas fornecedoras de propágulos para processos de propagação clonal. Foram utilizadas dez plantas matrizes de urucum, com 12 anos de idade, obtidas partindo do cruzamento artificial entre os genótipos "Fruto Verde Piloso" X "Fruto Vermelho Liso". Os alporques foram realizados em ramos de 1 a 2 cm de diâmetro, utilizando-se como substrato uma mistura de vermiculita e musgo. Foi avaliado o efeito (1) do tipo de anelamento da casca dos ramos (total ou parcial), com 1 cm de comprimento, (2) do AIB (ácido indol-3-butírico a 0 e 4,92 mM) aplicado em papel filtro e (3) do tipo de proteção dos alporques (filmes plásticos transparente ou preto ou tecido tencel), no enraizamento de alporque dos dez genótipos. A técnica de alporquia proporcionou o enraizamento de ramos dos dez genótipos avaliados, com eficiência variável de 20 a 100%, havendo efeito do genótipo sobre a frequência de enraizamento. A sobrevivência desses alporques foi de 100% após o plantio quando estes foram produzidos com anelamento total, tratados com AIB e protegidos com plástico transparente. Em casa de vegetação os alporques desenvolveram ramos partindo da brotação de gemas caulinares constituindo estoques de explantes apropriados para serem utilizados como estacas ou como fontes de segmentos nodais para a propagação in vitro desta espécie.

Det ondes familieproblem – filmskaperen Michael Haneke

With the beautiful and dark film "The white ribbon", from 2009, the Austrian film director Michael Haneke consolidated his status as an international success. A central theme in his films is evilness and its roots. But just as important is his ambition to develop films where evil is not only portrayed, but where spectators are challenged to relate to their own ethical standards and their role as spectators. Haneke is a highly original filmmaker with his consistent search for a film aesthetic that stimulates ethical self-reflection and mentalizing. He partly succeeds in this quest.

Superhydrophilic stability enhancement of RF co-sputtered Ti xSi 1− xO 2 thin films in dark

Ti x Si 1− x O 2 compound thin-film systems were deposited by reactive RF magnetron co-sputtering technique. The effect of Ti concentration on the hydrophilicity of Ti x Si 1− x O 2 compound thin films was studied and it was shown that the films with Ti 0.6Si 0.4O 2 composition possess the best hydrophilic property among all the grown samples. Surface ratio and average roughness of the thin films were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface chemical states and stoichiometry of the films were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, XPS revealed that the amount of Ti–O–Si bonds in nanometer depth from the surface of the Ti 0.6Si 0.4O 2 films was the maximum, which resulted in the most stable superhydrophilic property. According to XRD data analysis for the pure TiO 2 films, the polycrystalline anatase phase was formed with an average grain size of about 15 nm. Moreover, amorphous phase was also formed for the Ti x Si 1− x O 2 compound systems due to presence of silicon in the films. Finally, optical properties of the films such as transmission, reflection and band gap energy were investigated using UV–vis spectrophotometry. It was found that the transmittance of the films was decreased with increasing Ti concentration in the films.

Adsorption states of protium and deuterium in redeposited polymer hydrocarbon films from a T-10 tokamak

Free redeposited hydrocarbon films (flakes) with a high content of deuterium and hydrogen formed in the T-10 tokamak operating at the Russian Research Centre (RRC) “Kurchatov Institute” are studied using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. According to the XRD data, the films contain scattering elements with dimensions of about 1 nm and weakly ordered structures. The TDS curves for D2 (H2) consisting of two groups of peaks at 450–800 and 900–1000 K turn out to be sufficiently similar to the spectra of nanographite obtained by milling graphite mechanically. Two main adsorption states with activation energies of ≈0.65 and ≈1.25 eV/N corresponding to hopping diffusion and resonance mechanisms, respectively, were discovered. The difference between the IR spectra of reddish-gold and dark-brown films is due to both a weaker degree of C-H hybridization of dark films and their disordered carbon network whose ends are connected to CD2,3 fragments.

The body in the dark: body, sexuality and trauma in perestroika cinema

The paper analyses the role of the body and sexuality in perestroika chernukha cinema—a. bleak and dark film trend that became synonymous with the message of hopelessness of the post-Soviet cinema. Chernukha's ‘indulgence’ in sexuality, bodily excesses and violence was often described in terms of cheap sensationalism and naturalist thematics. The chernukha message, however, could be seen as more complex by looking at the junction of history, body and trauma in the films. The article adopts the notion of affective body derived from Gilles Deleuze's philosophy of affect, and investigates the dynamics of trauma and melancholy in chernukha. The hypothesis is that the sensationalist and unrestricted discourse of sexuality and the body found in many perestroika films in fact reproduces traumatic anxieties and the inability to move beyond historical inscriptions of the Soviet era. As such, chernukha cinema emerges not only as a traumatic representation, contained within a given film, but also it becomes the enactment and living-through of the trauma of the 1990s. The article examines in detail Little Vera (Malen'kaia Vera, Pichul, 1989) and provides examples from other films.

IR laser ablative degradation of poly(phenylene ether-sulfone): Deposition of films containing ether, sulfone, sulfoxide and sulfide groups

Pulsed infrared laser-induced ablation of poly(1,4-phenylene ether-sulfone) (PES) results in the extrusion of SO 2, CO and hydrocarbon molecules and allows deposition of dark solid paramagnetic carbonaceous films that were analysed by FTIR, UV, XP, Raman and EPR spectroscopy and by electron microscopy and revealed as poor in S and containing CO, SO 2, –SO– and C–S–C units. The films show pronounced conjugation of sp 2-C atoms and their EPR spectra are sensitive function of the presence of molecular oxygen. The laser process differs from the conventional pyrolysis of PES which yields SO 2 and phenol as major volatile products and a carbonaceous char.

재배양식에 따른 무화과 역병의 발생 및 친환경적 방제

무화과 역병의 친환경적 방제를 위해서 2002년에 우리나라 남부지방의 51개의 무화과 과원에서 과원의 재배 양식에 따라 무화과 역병 발생정도를 조사하고, 토양피복재 종류에 따른 역병발병 경감 효과와 아인산염의 방제효과를 구명하였다. 노지 포장에서는 이병과율이 33.3%인 반면 비가림 시설에서는 7.5%, 비닐하우스에서는 전혀 발생하지 않았다. 재식거리 <TEX>$2m{\times}2m,\;2m{\times}3m,\;3m{\times}4m$</TEX> 34.6%, 35.7%, 27%의 발병과율을 나타냈다. 피복재 종류별 병 발생억제 효과는 보릿짚에서 2002년과 2003년에 1.8%와 3.8%인 반면, 무처리에서 각각 42.1%와 48.0%의 발병과율을 보였다. 흑색부직포는 각각 4.8%와 12.0%로 흑색폴리에틸렌 필름의 11.2%와 26.2% 보다 적게 발병하였다. 1,000ppm의 아인산염을 발병 초부터 10일 간격으로 3회 경엽살포할 경우 2003년과 2004년에 각각 3.0%와 2.0%의 발병과율을 보인 반면 무처리는 각각 45.9%와 39.3% 발병하였다. For the eco-friendly control of fruit rot of fig, disease incidences according to the cultural practices at 51 fig orchards in south coast area of Korea were surveyed in 2002, and the effect of soil mulch and potassium phosphonate on fruit rot of fig was evaluated from 2002 to 2004. Diseased fruits of fig orchards of open field, rain shading, and vinyl house were 33.3%, 7.5%, and 0%, respectively. Diseased fruits were rated at 34.6%, 35.7%, and 27% as the tree spacing of <TEX>$2m{\times}2m,\;2m{\times}3m,\;and\;3m{\times}4m$</TEX>, respectively. Among the soil mulching materials, barley straw showed disease incidence of 1.8% and 3.5% of diseased fruits compared to 42.1% and 48% of no mulching in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Diseased fruits in dark paper film mulching were recorded at 4.8% and 12% in 2002 and 2003, respectively, which were lower than those in dark polyethylene film mulching at 11.2% and 26.2%. When potassium phosphonate(1,000 ppm) was sprayed 3 times with 10 days intervals from the beginning of disease occurrence, disease incidences were rated at 3.0% and 2.0% in 2003 and 2004, respectively, which were much lower than those of control at 45.9 % and 39.3%.

Water Vapor Permeability, Mechanical Properties and Antioxidant Effect of Mexican Oregano–Soy Based Edible Films

Water-soluble extracts from Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) were incorporated into soy protein isolate (SPI) films. Water vapor permeability, mechanical properties, and antioxidant ability were evaluated. All the extracts were capable of scavenging DPPH radicals in a concentration-dependent fashion; the IC50 values were obtained. Oregano extracts were incorporated into SPI films plasticized with sorbitol, glycerol, and glycerol-sorbitol 1:1. The addition of the extracts resulted in an increase in the water vapor permeability values and provided a dark reddish film appearance. Changes in tensile strength as well as elongation values were observed. The oregano SPI films exhibited antioxidant properties in a concentration-dependent fashion.

Study of environmental degradation of silver surface

AbstractTo evaluate the evolution of a dark film formation on silver surface objects, several coupons were catalogued and place inside a museum, located in an urban area. The changes on these samples were measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry, in periods of months. This technique allows the reduction of the coupons exposure time, in several months, due to its high sensitivity to surface modifications, with acceptable results for the evaluation of its degradation. The thicknesses of the degradation layers and the optical properties of silver oxide, chloride and sulphide reference samples were determined using a mixture of Tauc‐Lorentz and Drude models. The composition of the silver corrosion layer was determined by fitting the layer using a Bruggeman Effective Medium Approximation (BEMA) of the three products plus voids. It was found that the thickness of the layer depends in the placement of the coupons, namely, inside or outside displayers. The average film thickness after 6 months was of 180 Å and 280 Å, inside and outside the displayers, respectively. The main compounds found in the layers were the silver chlorides and sulphides, which composition changed with the thickness of the layer, and the exposition time. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Investigations of adsorption states of protium and deuterium in redeposited carbon flakes formed in tokamak T-10

This work reports thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses on free standing redeposited hydrocarbon films (flakes) with a high deuterium to hydrogen isotopic ratio, produced in the T-10 tokamak in the Kurchatov Institute. XRD pattern showed that the carbon flakes differ substantially from graphite and are non-crystalline. The TDS D2(H2) curves consist of two groups of peaks (450–800K and 900–1000K), and appeared to be rather similar to those obtained for a mechanically milled nanostructured graphite. As a result, two main adsorption states with activation energies of about 0.65 and 1.25eV/H were found, implying a hopping diffusion and a resonance mechanism, respectively. The IR spectral differences between reddish-gold and dark-brown flakes showed a less degree of C–H hybridization for dark films and a disordered carbon network, to which the CD2,3 end-groups are connected.

New conducting pyrrole–thiophene co-polymer from an oligomer precursor: electrochemical characterisation

A new oligomer of N,N′-bis(2-pyrrolyl methylene)-3,4-dicyano-2,5-diaminothiophene possessing cyano-substituted thiophene and pyrrole residues linked together by azomethine groups was used for the electrochemical polymerisation of conducting films. The approach used for the oligomer design favours inter-chain interactions through hydrogen bonding and negative charge stability through the cyano substitute thiophene. The oligomer was successfully electropolymerised at 0.67 V vs Ag+/Ag from 0.1M tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF4)/acetonitrile as a dark blue film on the surface of platinum electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to investigate the redox behaviour of the films. The electrically conducting polymer showed p-doping/neutralisation behaviour. The effect of different electrolytes such as TBABF4, tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAClO4), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) and sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) on the redox switching and the stability of the polymer films was investigated. Infrared and UV-vis spectra of oligomer and polymers are presented. The evolution of the film growing process is shown by UV-vis spectroscopy.

Structural and magnetic characterization of Fe 0.3Ti 0.7O 2−δ films obtained by pulsed laser deposition

We present a study of crystalline structure, local environment around the magnetic atoms and magnetic behaviour of Fe 0.3Ti 0.7O 2− δ films, produced by Pulsed Laser Deposition, as a function of oxygen pressure and substrate temperature. Dark films were obtained by deposition at low O 2 pressure (between 2×10 −3 and 10 −2 Pa). These films are ferromagnetic with coercivities around 0.03–0.04 T. Fe atoms are found to be predominantly metallic Fe. Transparent films were obtained when deposition was performed at high O 2 pressure (between 4 and 20 Pa). Fe atoms are mainly in +3 valence state. These films have a component magnetically ordered probably corresponding to α-Fe(Ti) 2O 3 and a paramagnetic one attributed to Fe substituted anatase. After a thermal treatment Fe changes to +2 valence state and α-Fe(Ti) 2O 3 orders in the ilmenite phase increasing ten times the saturation magnetization of the magnetically ordered (hysteretic) component.

Uncovering the causes of unnecessary repeated medical imaging examinations, or part of, in two hospital departments

AbstractA study was undertaken to identify the causes of unnecessary repeated medical imaging examinations. The repeat analysis study investigated repeated medical imaging examinations at two medium sized hospitals in Sydney, Australia. The analytical part of the study was conducted jointly by a radiologist and a radiographer. Overall there were 9.3% and 7.2% of total films repeated respectively at the two hospital sites. Unnecessary repeats were found to have been caused by numerous factors including: poor technical judgement, the adoption of unconventional techniques, non availability of radiologist for advice, patient movement or motion, equipment mishandling, disorganised practice and poor supervision of students. At both of the sites, senior radiographers were associated with 70.2% and 84.5% respectively of dark and light film errors, and 59.7% and 85.5% respectively of the repeated cases had students' involvement. On the other hand, junior radiographers were involved with 70.3% and 86.1 % respectively of positioning errors.It was recommended that major changes be introduced to radiographer practice including, quality control, radiological techniques, training, supervision and continuing professional development. It was also recommended that the radiologist takes a more active role in future guidance and training of radiographers.

Novel positive‐working aqueous‐base developable photosensitive polyimide precursors based on diazonaphthoquinone‐capped polyamic esters

AbstractNovel positive‐working aqueous‐base developable photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) precursors based on partially diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ)‐capped polyamic esters bearing phenolic hydroxyl groups and a DNQ photosensitive compound (PIC‐3) were developed. The partially DNQ capped polyamic esters were prepared from an esterification reaction of 1,2‐naphthoquinone diazide‐5‐sulfonyl chloride with the polyamic esters. The partially DNQ capped polyamic esters decreased the dark film loss effectively in the aqueous‐base developer and were able to make thicker film resists compared to the uncapped polyamic esters. The 25 mol % DNQ‐capped BisAPAF–PMDA polyamic ester and BisAPAF–ODPA polyamic ester containing 25 wt % PIC‐3 photosensitive compound showed a sensitivity of 176 and 185 mJ/cm2, and a contrast of 1.68 and 1.02, respectively, in a 3‐μm film with 1.25 wt % tetramethylammonium hydroxide developer. A pattern with a resolution of 5 μm was obtained from both PSPI precursor compositions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2293–2300, 2003

A novel positive photosensitive polybenzoxazole based on a tetrahydropyranyl (THP) protected polyhydroxyamide

A new positive working, aqueous base developable photosensitive polybenzoxazole (PBO) precursor composition based on a partially tetrahydropyranyl (THP) protected PBO precursor and a Bisphenol A based 1,2-naphthoquinone diazide-4-sulfonate (DNQ-4) photosensitive compound has been developed. The polymer was prepared from a low temperature polymerization of 2 , 2'-bis-(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (BisAPAF) and isophthaloyl chloride (IC), followed by reacting with 3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyran in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate as a catalyst. The photosensitive PBO precursor containing 20wt % DNQ-4 photosensitive compound showed a sensitivity of 221 mJ/cm2 and a contrast of 1.44 in a 3 μm film with a 0.6wt % tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) developer. A pattern with a resolution of 10 μm was obtained from this composition. The novel PBO precursor photosensitive composition showed a significant improvement in dark film loss after development, which can and could be used to make a thick film resist.

Micro-Raman spectroscopy study of surface transformations induced by excimer laser irradiation of TiO 2

Pressed disks of TiO 2 powder particles (≈1 μm in size) have been irradiated with a pulsed KrF (248 nm) excimer laser source at fluences between 0.1 and 1 J cm −2. Surface films (1.5–2 μm thick) have been studied by Raman microprobe spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The Raman study reveals a three-layer structure for the irradiated anatase powders. A dark layer of reduced oxide is sandwiched between a top coating of molten/resolidified rutile and an underlying defective, slightly oxygen-deficient mixed-phase of rutile and anatase. AFM measurements indicate that a smooth surface layer coexisting with the initial rough grain morphology gradually appears with increasing fluence. At low fluence, anatase is reduced in a dark film and further transformed into rutile. At intermediate fluence, a shiny coating of resolidified stoichiometric rutile forms on the dark film. It gets thicker as the fluence increases while darkening of the sublayer intensifies up to a maximum of approximately 700 mJ cm −2. At high fluence, however, melting and re-oxidation (and eventually ablation) prevail over reduction; the whole layer turns into a greyish crust of mostly resolidified rutile in non-ablated regions. A physico-chemical mechanism is proposed to explain the in-depth distribution of the various components as a function of fluence.

Bio-film formation on stainless steels Part 2. The role of seasonal changes, seawater composition and surface roughness

Bio-film formation on type 254 SMO stainless steel in Arabian Gulfwater was followed by measuring the variation of the open circuit potentials of test coupons under a variety of conditions. The time-potential curves exhibited two plateaus corresponding to oxide thickening and later to bio film development. The rate of film formation was found to depend on the ambient seawater temperature, which varied with the season. The reduction of the biological activity of the water through additions of pre-boiled and cooled seawater resulted in the retardation of bio-film formation and in the shift of the final steady-state potential towards less positive values. Similar behaviour was obtained when concentrating seawater by the addition of solid salt. The simultaneous reduction of biological activity and of salt content resulted. The characteristics ofthe formed bio-film depend on the nature ofthe metal surfaces. Smooth surfaces allowed the development of thin clear films while thicker dark films formed on coarse rough surfaces. These were usually associated with the growth of worm-like structures, initiating crevice and pitting corrosion.

Corrosion control using regenerative biofilms (CCURB) on brass in different media

The corrosion behavior of cartridge brass (UNS C26000) exposed to artificial seawater (AS) and Luria Bertani (LB) medium has been studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Tests were performed in sterile media and in the presence of a Bacillus subtilis bacterial biofilm. Additional tests were performed in the presence of a B. subtilis bacterial biofilm that produced polyaspartate or a B. licheniformis biofilm that produced γ-polyglutamate. A significant reduction of corrosion rates and an ennoblement of the corrosion potential were observed in both media in the presence of the biofilms. Samples exposed in the presence of biofilms remained untarnished and unattacked for time periods exceeding one week, while samples exposed in the sterile solutions were covered with a dark film of corrosion products.