Chemiluminescence Measurements Research Articles

Transportation behaviour of OH and H2O2 in plasma-treated water

Abstract The transportation of plasma-generated species through a liquid environment is a key step within the plasma-driven biocatalysis process, but is also of great importance for other systems with plasma-liquid interfaces. The aim of this study is to explore the transportation processes and lifetime of plasma-generated species in an aqueous solution. Therefore, a combination of experimental methods, reactive molecular dynamics simulations, and reaction-diffusion modelling was used. Experimentally, an atmospheric pressure plasma jet was used to treat an aqueous sample. Convective transport was visualized by particle image velocimetry in the plasma-treated water. Chemiluminescence measurements of OH were conducted by the use of luminol and 2D-UV-absorption spectroscopy was used to detect H2O2 in the plasma-treated water. The strength of convective transport was found to decrease with the gas flow rate through the jet, and at low gas flows, an effective diffusion coefficient for H2O2 could be calculated. OH was mainly present at the liquid surface under all treatments investigated.
The reactive molecular dynamics simulations form the basic model of an ideal system, where all transportation is purely diffusion-driven, and molecular diffusion coefficients can be calculated. The results of the MD simulations were compared with the experimental studies to gain a deeper understanding of the differences between the ideal and the real system. To bridge the gap between the time scales of the MD simulations and the experiments, a kinetic model was used to understand the spatio-temporal changes and the influence of transport mechanisms and reaction chemistry. For low flow rate cases good agreement between experimental measurements and kinetic modelling could be obtained when the experimentally measured effective diffusion coefficient was used as input to the model. The differences in the H2O2 concentration profiles in the liquid when using the molecular diffusion coefficient derived from MD and the effective diffusion coefficient from the experimental measurements are highlighted.

Dynamical study of the reaction of N+ ions with O2 neutrals

Abstract The ion-molecule reaction N+ + O2 has been investigated experimentally using crossed beam velocity map imaging in the collision energy range from 0.15 eV to 3.0 eV. From the differential scattering cross sections, information on the branching ratios, the electronic states and vibrational levels populated in the two product channels, O 2 + + N and NO+ + O, have been obtained. These data are compared with previous results obtained using a rotatable ion source setup developed many years ago at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Furthermore, a small fraction of NO+ products populate excited electronic states as observed in chemiluminescence measurements.

Automated chemiluminescent hair cortisol measurement and its association with acute myocardial infarction: a case-control study in Latin American adults

Automated chemiluminescent hair cortisol measurement and its association with acute myocardial infarction: a case-control study in Latin American adults

A detailed kinetic submechanism for OH* chemiluminescence in hydrocarbon combustion

Here, we propose a new physically consistent modeling scheme, JIHT-OHex(CxHy), that accurately predicts the formation and consumption of electronically excited chemiluminescent OH∗ molecules in hydrocarbon flames over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and mixture compositions. It incorporates (unchanged) our recent well-founded JIHT-OHex(H2) reaction submodel (Sharipov et al., 2024, Combust. Flame, 263, 113417), aimed at describing the OH∗ evolution in hydrogen oxidation, and contains a necessary set of elementary processes involving OH∗ and carbon-containing species with the rate constants that are based either on a critical review of known, sometimes conflicting literature data on the elementary reaction kinetics of OH∗ or, where necessary and appropriate, on semiempirical estimates. To improve the JIHT-OHex(CxHy) performance against a representative data set for the observed OH(A2Σ+→X2Π) chemiluminescent emission (near 309 nm) accompanying high-temperature oxidation of various (from C1 to C10) hydrocarbon-based mixtures that we aggregated at the preparatory stage of the work, the rate coefficients of reaction and quenching processes that the overall OH∗ kinetics is most sensitive to (or for which there is a particular scatter in the available kinetic data, if any) were jointly optimized within their theoretical expectations and experimental uncertainties. It is shown that our universal detailed OH∗ submechanism, which includes a much larger pool of elementary processes (32 reactions and 36 quenching partners) than previous essentially global models (consisting of only a few processes and tailored to specific mixtures and combustion conditions), clearly outperforms the competitors in terms of integral accuracy (when tested against the multitude of the collected OH∗ emission measurements). Accordingly, there is reason to believe, as exemplified for the conditions of the laminar premixed methane-air flame, that our detailed OH∗ submodel with physically realistic (to the extent possible) rate constants will perform adequately over a wider range of burning conditions and flow parameters than that for which it was validated and tuned.Novelty and significance statementAlthough it is widely accepted that UV chemiluminescent OH(A2Σ+−X2Π) emission as an optical signature of the combustion process as a whole and of the underlying chemistry offers unique diagnostic capabilities, in recent years, definitely insufficient attention has been paid to the development of the detailed reaction mechanisms for quantitative interpretation of the OH∗ chemiluminescence measurements in various burning environments. This is especially true for the oxidation of hydrocarbons. Indeed, the pertinent OH∗ models known to date are essentially global, meaning that they all contain a surprisingly small number of processes (in most cases, only a couple of OH∗-forming reactions are involved alongside the quenching processes) and their rate constants are adjusted to specific hydrocarbon-based mixtures and burning conditions. Accordingly, a revision of the current understanding of the OH∗ kinetics in the presence of hydrocarbons is highly desired; therefore, our detailed physically-based reaction mechanism, which comprises dozens of plausible pathways of OH∗ formation and depletion with realistic rate coefficients and thus is capable of simulating the OH∗ emission in hydrocarbon flames more accurately than previous models, is in itself a fundamentally significant and novel contribution to the practice of chemiluminescence modeling. No less importantly, the rate constant fits, recommended here, are also of independent interest in the context of excited-state chemistry.

Equivalence Ratio-Driven Flame Response of an Industrial Premixed Burner: Experiments and Modeling

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the unsteady heat release rate response of premixed flames to equivalence ratio perturbations for an industrial premixed swirl-based burner. During this investigation, perfectly and technically premixed flames were acoustically forced via fuel/air mixture flow and air flow modulations, respectively, at the same operating conditions. From the resulting flame transfer functions (FTFs), measured using the multimicrophone method, the equivalence ratio driven FTF was isolated and extracted by removing the velocity driven component, i.e., the measured FTF from the perfectly premixed flame, from the technically premixed FTF with two novel extraction techniques. The results are compared with FTFs obtained directly in a previous experimental campaign where the fuel flow was acoustically forced, the resulting equivalence ratio fluctuations measured via an infrared absorption technique, and the heat release rate response to the forcing was quantified using chemiluminescence measurements. The results from both measurement approaches agreed well highlighting the validity of the techniques. Further, to understand the governing features of the equivalence ratio driven FTF, a physics-based analytical model following the G-equation approach was developed. The contributions from flame surface area, flame speed, and heat of reaction oscillations were modeled to describe the heat release rate dynamics. A limited number of physical parameters in the analytical model were anchored on one test condition, optimized and restricted to values, which were all physically reasonable, and were subsequently used for model predictions at other operating conditions. The FTF model predictions compared well with experimental data across a range of different operating conditions. Finally, the relative contributions from flame surface area, flame speed, and heat of reaction oscillations on the features of the FTFs were identified and explored.

Influence of momentum ratio on heat release rate and noise of co/counter-swirl non-premixed diluted CO/H2 flames

Understanding co/counter-swirl or twin-swirl flames remains challenging due to the complex interaction of two swirling streams. In the present study, we investigate the heat release features of non-premixed co/counter-swirl syngas/air flames and their’ influence on combustor noise in a ∼20 kW combustor using simultaneous high-speed OH*-chemiluminescence (5 kHz) and microphone measurement (50 kHz) by varying the momentum ratio (M) from 0.4 to 0.95. Furthermore, the velocity field is examined using a low-speed two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (2D-PIV, frequency = 7 Hz). For all studied momentum ratios, the frequency spectra of noise measurements for both co/counter-swirl flames consistently exhibit a dominant frequency (∼285 Hz), close to the fundamental axial mode of the combustor. A further analysis using spectrograms, phase spaces, and recurrence plots reveals intermittent patterns in noise measurements, featuring periodic (P) and aperiodic regions (A). In periodic regions (P), noise synchronizes with the global fluctuation of the heat release rate as observed in chemiluminescence. Along with global fluctuation, the chemiluminescence also reveals a rotational component of heat release rate with distinct frequencies for co and counter-swirl configurations. This rotational motion possibly originated from a precessing vortex core (PVC) as indicated by the zig-zag arrangements of vortices in the inner shear layer. Furthermore, the impact of M on global fluctuation and rotational motion has been investigated using the frequency spectrum of OH*-intensity and the distribution of peaks in noise measurement. The global fluctuation is found to be suppressed when M increases while the rotational component becomes prominent at higher M. Therefore, the study elucidates the co-existence of global fluctuation and rotational motion and how these motions evolve with the varying momentum ratio (M), thus enhancing the understanding of combustion characteristics of the complex twin-swirl (co/counter-swirl) flames.

20 kHz CH2O- and SO2-PLIF/OH*-Chemiluminescence Measurements on Blowoff in a Non-Premixed Swirling Flame under Fuel Mass Flow Rate Fluctuations

Blowoff limits are essential in establishing the combustor operating envelope. Hence, there is a great demand for practical aero-engines to extend the blowoff limits further. In this work, the behavior of non-premixed swirling flames under fuel flow rate oscillations was investigated experimentally close to its blowoff limits. The methane flame was stabilized on the axisymmetric bluff body and confined in a square quartz enclosure. External acoustic forcing at 400 Hz was applied to the fuel flow to induce a fuel mass flow rate fluctuation (FMFRF) with varying amplitudes. A high-speed burst-mode laser and cameras ran at 20 kHz for OH*-chemiluminescence (CL), CH2O-, and SO2-PLIF measurements, offering the visualization of the two-dimensional flame structure and heat release distribution, temporally and spatially. The results show that the effect of FMFRF is predominantly along the central axis without altering the time-averaged flame structure and blowoff transient. However, the blowoff limits are extended due to the enhanced temperature and longer residence time induced by FMFRF. This work allows us to explore the mechanism of flame instability further.

Experimental and numerical study of H[formula omitted] enrichment on swirl/bluff-body stabilized lean premixed n-butane/air flame

This study focused on the stabilization of lean premixed flames of n-butane/H2/air with swirl/bluff-body. The research explored four different hydrogen fractions (0, 20%, 40%, and 80%) at a constant equivalence ratio and Reynolds number. The turbulent reacting flow was resolved using a combination of Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) and Flamelet Generated Manifold (FGM) model. The velocity fields and reaction zones were obtained through Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and OH* chemiluminescence measurements respectively. H2 addition to n-butane significantly enhanced flame characteristics. The chemiluminescence imaging showed that the flame base became stronger with increasing hydrogen addition, reducing the risk of flame lift-off. Hydrogen addition not only increased the overall reaction rate but also changed the combustion intensity at the nozzle exit from weak to strong, which is crucial for flame stabilization. Interestingly, no flashback was observed even at 80% H2 addition to n-butane at the same level of power rating. The flow strain rate analysis of the PIV measurements showed that the inclusion of hydrogen skewed the strain rate probability density functions towards the positive side, indicating an increase in the burning rate. The results demonstrate a progressive increase in preferential diffusion of H2 from reactants to products as the H2 enrichment in the fuel rises and resulted in a more intense flame. Also, the present simulation results were validated with the PIV data, and they showed good agreement. Specifically, an 80% H2 blend exhibited a 16% peak enhancement in flame surface density compared to pure n-butane while concurrently reducing CO2 emissions by 23.2%. The incorporation of H2 also led to the increased vortex strength and strain rate within the flame.

Understanding the heat release fluctuations and combustion noise characteristics of non-premixed co/counter-swirl syngas flames at MILD conditions

The heat release fluctuations and combustion noise of co/counter-swirl non-premixed syngas (mixture of CO and H2) and air flames at moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) conditions has been investigated experimentally using simultaneous OH∗-chemiluminescence (5 kHz) and microphone measurements (50 kHz). Furthermore, the similarities and differences between co and counter-swirl flames are elucidated using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), spectrogram, and frequency distributions. At a high O2 concentration (21% by volume), noise measurements for both co/counter-swirl flames comprise both high-amplitude periodic and low-amplitude aperiodic oscillations, revealing signatures of intermittency. Interestingly, for periodic oscillations, the global luminosity (Ifluc) obtained from OH∗-chemiluminescence and noise (Pfluc) are found to be in phase, indicating a strong coupling between noise and heat-release rate. Moreover, POD modes indicate that the global heat release fluctuation occurring in the central region of the combustor is the source of these periodic fluctuations. Besides global fluctuation, the heat release region undergoes rotation around the combustor axis with differing frequencies for co and counter-swirl flames. Furthermore, the global fluctuation is found to be prominent for co-swirl flames, while precession motion is more pronounced in counter-swirl flames. When O2 is reduced to 13.13%, the combustion becomes stable, as suggested by low-amplitude aperiodic oscillations in the noise measurement. Heat release of co and counter-swirl flames respond differently to this reduction in O2 concentration. The precession motion remains unaffected for co-swirl flames upon O2 reduction. In contrast, precession motion alters significantly for counter-swirl. Regarding global fluctuations, low oxygen concentration suppresses all periodic fluctuations, mitigates noise, and Pfluc and Ifluc become entirely decoupled for both flames. Hence, the present study demonstrates for the first time the applicability of a low-oxygen dilution strategy in the context of co/counter-swirl flames for decoupling heat release and noise measurements. Furthermore, the study also indicates the varied response of complex co and counter-swirl flames to different oxygen concentrations.

Effect of mixing temperature on the dispersion and degradation behaviors of HDPE/UHMWPE blends

Abstract There is currently considerable interest in high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) blends as recyclable all-polyolefin materials with favorable mechanical properties that can be processed by continuous melt-mixing. Optimal mixing is required to improve the mechanical properties of polymer blends by ensuring their dispersibility and low degradation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of mixing temperature on the dispersion and degradation behaviors of HDPE/UHMWPE blends. Neat HDPE and a HDPE blend comprising 5 % UHMWPE were obtained by melt-mixing while changing the input energy in an internal batch mixer under a nitrogen atmosphere. The temperature of the mixer was set at 200 °C for neat HDPE, and at 180, 200, and 220 °C for the HDPE/UHMWPE blends. Optical microscopy and thermal analysis revealed that the dispersion of UHMWPE in HDPE was accelerated at higher mixing temperatures. However, in the high input energy range, mixing at 200 °C resulted in the most favorable dispersion. Gel permeation chromatography and rheological measurements suggested that chain scission and branching/crosslinking due to degradation were accelerated at higher mixing temperatures, even when mixing in a nitrogen atmosphere. Chemiluminescence measurements suggested that chain scission and branching/crosslinking were caused by an initial oxidation reaction. Furthermore, for the same input energy, the maximum shear stress increased as the mixing temperature decreased, but the mixing time and thermal history increased as the mixing temperature increased. The results suggest that in a blend comprising HDPE and UHMWPE, mixing at the molecular level due to high temperature and fine dispersion of UHMWPE due to shear stress proceed simultaneously. On the other hand, the results also confirmed that degradation was more influenced by the promotion of oxidation due to high temperatures and prolonged mixing than by shear stress.

Influence of AM Generated Burner Surface Roughness on NOx Emissions and Operability of Hydrogen-Rich Fuels

ABSTRACT The additive manufacturing (AM) technique enables the fabrication of advanced burner components to enhance the hydrogen capability of the existing gas turbines (GTs) and reduce the carbon footprints of the power generation sector. This technique produces rough surfaces that may require post-processing to maintain the desired functionality of a burner, particularly for hydrogen fuel with unique thermo-physical properties. This study, therefore, compared the stability of three swirlers of variable surface roughness manufactured using AM and traditional machining methods, with one of the AM swirler post-processed by grit-blasting. The comparison included a conventional benchmark (100% CH4), low carbon (23%volCH4/77%volH2) and zero carbon (100% H2) fuels across a range of equivalence ratios. Additionally, the study quantified the flame topology and emissions performance of the fuel blends for each swirler using high-speed OH* chemiluminescence and exhaust gas emissions measurements, respectively. The experimental investigation concluded that the AM-generated surface roughness within the considered range does not detrimentally impact NOX emissions and the stability of the fuel mix. However, the flame location was observed to be influenced by surface roughness and shifted more toward the vertical centerline of the burner with increased roughness. From the practical perspective, the results showed that post-manufacturing surface finishing offers negligible performance advantages, indicating potential cost reductions. It is recommended that further studies should investigate the influence of increased surface roughness on burner performance, as well as numerical modeling techniques which could provide an insight into when AM surfaces are likely to be more influential.

Impact of Aluminium and Titanium Additives on Ignition and Combustion in Boron-Loaded Gelled Jet A-1 Fuel

ABSTRACT A high-energy metal has been identified as a possible supplementary energy source for liquid fuel, which can be used to fuel volume-limited propulsive devices. However, the stability of metal particles in liquid fuel is a significant disadvantage, which can be overcome by suspending the particles in the gel fuel network. Boron’s (B) high energy density makes it a potential choice as fuel or energetic fuel additive for propulsion systems. However, the combustion of boron particles is challenging due to a native oxide layer on the boron particle surface that acts as an inhibitor. The influences of aluminum and titanium addition into the gel fuel containing boron particles have been investigated in the present study to understand whether Al or Ti positively enhances the ignition and combustion of boron particles. A droplet combustion study was conducted for gel fuel samples containing boron, boron-aluminum, and boron-titanium combinations. The key analyses include the feature of droplet diameter regression, the effect of Al/Ti additive on the ignition delay of boron particles through spectroscopic analysis, combustion of boron particles through chemiluminescence measurement of intermediate species of boron combustion (BO2) and flame imaging, and analysis of combustion residues. The obtained results and corresponding analyses suggest that the addition of Al particles improves the ignition of boron. In contrast, Ti particles significantly enhance the combustion of boron particles loaded in gel fuel.

Dynamical Systems Characterisation and Reduced Order Modelling of Thermoacoustics in a Lean Direct Injection (LDI) Hydrogen Combustor

Abstract In this study, the thermoacoustic instabilities of partially premixed hydrogen flames in a lean direct injection (LDI) multi-cluster combustor are characterised using dynamical systems theory. The combustor is operated at a range of bulk velocities (30 - 90 m/s) and equivalence ratios(0.2-0.6), and time-resolved pressure oscillations and integrated OH* chemiluminescence measurements were taken. The thermoacoustic system reveals a variety of dynamical states in pressure such as period-1 Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) with a single characteristic frequency, period-2 LCO with two characteristic frequencies, intermittent, quasi-periodic and chaotic states as either bulk velocity or equivalence ratio is varied. At a bulk velocity of 30 m/s, as the equivalence ratio is gradually decreased from 0.6 to 0.2, the dynamical behaviour follows a sequence from an intermittent state to a period-1 LCO, then to a quasi-periodic state, and eventually reaches a chaotic state. As the equivalence ratio is decreased for a bulk velocity of 60 m/s, the pressure oscillations evolve from a period-2 LCO to quasi-periodic state before flame blows off. The emergence of period-2 and quasi-periodic states indicates the presence of strong non-linear interactions among the cavity acoustic modes. The emergence of period-2 and quasi-periodic states indicates strong non-linear interactions among the cavity acoustic modes. These modes and their spatial behaviour are investigated using a Helmholtz solver, showing that hydrogen flames can excite a wide range of cavity acoustic modes

Chemiluminescence method for evaluating photooxidative degradation of dispensed drugs: a potential new drug information tool

BackgroundDispensed drugs stored by patients are often in single-dose packages (SDPs) or are crushed and mixed after being removed from a press-through package (PTP) sheet. Information on their stability is extremely limited. To address this, we explored using chemiluminescence (CL) measurements to detect oxidative degradation.MethodsEight amlodipine, 14 telmisartan, and two warfarin preparations were used as specimens. These preparations were stored at room temperature under various conditions, after which CL was measured. Cellopoly packaging paper was used for SDP. Three light conditions were used (Condition A: darkness, Condition B: indoor diffused light (approximately 400 lx), and Condition C: exposure to 4,000 lx). CL cumulative light output was measured every minute under nitrogen gas conduction and with a sample chamber temperature of 150 °C, for a maximum of 10 min. Luminescence images were obtained simultaneously with the CL measurements.ResultsCL was observed on light-exposed tablet surfaces. For each preparation, an increase in the CL value was observed with the duration of light exposure. In the same preparation with the same exposure time, CL tended to be higher in the order of Condition A < B < C. Moreover, CL increased even when no changes in color were observed by the naked eye. A comparison between preparations with the same main ingredients showed differences in the rate of increase in CL with exposure, and each was found to show a different reactivity to light.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to visually capture the surface oxidation of tablets exposed to light using the CL method. The CL values, thought to be derived from photooxidation, increased with exposure of tablets and powders to light after SDP. This method can sensitively assess drug degradation due to photooxidation. Further research is needed to establish a CL method for assessing the stability of preparations in clinical settings.

Investigations on conical lean turbulent premixed hydrogenated natural gas flames

Hydrogen's ability to enhance carbon neutrality in combustion processes puts forward the use of hydrogenated fuels, both in the form of fuel and an energy carrier as a potential decarbonization solution. However, because of the nature of hydrogen, blending it with hydrocarbons causes crucial structural changes in the flame structure, including higher flame propagation velocities and higher flame temperatures, decreased instantaneous flame thickness, and increased risks of flame flashback and an increasing potential of NOx emissions due to higher flame temperatures. These attributes encourage a thorough examination of hydrogenated blends of hydrocarbon fuels. Using lean premixed fuels is another technique to achieve efficient and cleaner combustion. However, due to the problem of flame instability in lean premixed combustion, forecasting the design points in terms of flame attributes is critical for better combustor designs.In this study, conical (Bunsen type) lean premixed turbulent flames of hydrogenated natural gas-air mixtures are experimentally studied. Through chemiluminescence measurements of the OH* and CH* radicals and laser-induced Mie scattering, lean natural gas-air premixed flames are examined with subsequently increasing hydrogen addition rates up to 20% by volume and keeping the premixture velocity constant. The obtained data is utilized for exploring the dynamics of the turbulent flame front. The main turbulent premixed flame parameters we identified relate to the instantaneous and average topology of the flame such as the turbulent flame brush thickness and flame height. We also inferred global combustion parameters like the turbulent flame propagation speed from the experimental findings.

The flame macrostructure and thermoacoustic instability in a centrally staged burner operating in different pilot stage equivalence ratios

The main focus of this paper is to discover the link between flame macrostructure and thermoacoustic instability in a centrally staged swirl burner. In practical combustors, the flow rate in the pilot stage is much smaller than that in the main stage. However, the modification in the pilot stage could alter the flame macrostructure while maintaining a similar total flow rate. Therefore, the thermoacoustic instability was examined at different flame macrostructures by varying the pilot stage equivalence ratio under identical main stage inlet conditions. High-frequency planar laser measurements and chemiluminescence measurement were conducted to enhance spatial and temporal accuracy, providing a more comprehensive understanding of thermoacoustic instability. Two different flame macrostructures, S-type and I-type flames, were identified based on the preheating zone distribution. They exhibit distinct thermoacoustic instabilities, with the I-type flames demonstrating more intense instability than S-type flames. The results indicate that the variation of flame macrostructure influences the coupling of flame heat release and flow field. Specifically, the preheating zone and heat release of I-type flames exhibit greater sensitivity to flow field fluctuations, resulting in a more intense and complex fluctuation of the flame. This discrepancy leads to variations in thermoacoustic instability intensity, as well as the changes in the phase coupling between heat release and acoustic pressure, which in turn impact the total Rayleigh index. Meanwhile, significant differences exist in the distribution pattern and range of flow field fluctuations between I-type and S-type flames.

Preparation and Application of Time-Resolved Fluorescent Nanospheres (TRFNs) for Immunochromatography of Ferritin

Time-resolved fluorescent nanospheres (TRFNs) are polymer nanospheres with special functional groups on the surface loaded with rare earth complexes which emit fluorescence when irradiated by ultraviolet light. TRFNs offer spherical morphology, homogeneity, good dispersity, large specific surface area, easy chemical modification, high loading capacity and good biocompatibility. The rare earth complexes possess unique properties that render them highly sensitive and capable of effectively excluding unspecific fluorescence. Hence, they constitute an excellent labeling material for the time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic assay (TRFIA). The developed method has a linear response to ferritin from 6 to 1000 ng/mL with a detection limit of 3.5 ng/mL, good reproducibility, and good accuracy compared with commercial chemiluminescence measurements of serum. These results suggest that the reported TRFN has utility for time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic assays.

Nitric oxide-releasing photocrosslinked chitosan cryogels

The highly porous morphology of chitosan cryogels, with submicrometric-sized pore cell walls, provides a large surface area which leads to fast water absorption and elevated swelling degrees. These characteristics are crucial for the applications of nitric oxide (NO) releasing biomaterials, in which the release of NO is triggered by the hydration of the material. In the present study, we report the development of chitosan cryogels (CS) with a porous structure of interconnected cells, with wall thicknesses in the range of 340–881 nm, capable of releasing NO triggered by the rapid hydration process. This property was obtained using an innovative strategy based on the functionalization of CS with two previously synthesized S-nitrosothiols: S-nitrosothioglycolic acid (TGA(SNO)) and S-nitrosomercaptosuccinic acid (MSA(SNO)). For this purpose, CS was previously methacrylated with glycidyl methacrylate and subsequently submitted to photocrosslinking and freeze-drying processes. The photocrosslinked hydrogels thus obtained were then functionalized with TGA(SNO) and MSA(SNO) in reactions mediated by carbodiimide. After functionalization, the hydrogels were frozen and freeze-dried to obtain porous S-nitrosated chitosan cryogels with high swelling capacities. Through chemiluminescence measurements, we demonstrated that CS-TGA(SNO) and CS-MSA(SNO) cryogels spontaneously release NO upon water absorption at rates of 3.34 × 10−2 nmol mg−1 min−1 and 1.27 × 10−1 nmol mg−1 min−1, respectively, opening new perspectives for the use of CS as a platform for localized NO delivery in biomedical applications.

Influence of swirl intensity on combustion dynamics and emissions in an ammonia-enriched methane/air combustor

Ammonia (NH3) has been widely considered as a promising carbon-free energy and hydrogen carrier for various applications. The large-scale direct utilization of NH3 as fuel in gas turbine engines is currently attracting significant interest, with strong focuses on improving the efficiency and stability of the system and reducing the emissions of pollutants. The present study experimentally examined the impacts of swirl intensity on combustion stability and emissions in an NH3-enriched premixed swirl-stabilized CH4/air combustor under a wide range of equivalence ratios. Simultaneous high-speed OH* chemiluminescence and particle image velocimetry measurements suggested that increasing swirl intensity resulted in more compact flame shapes and expanded the recirculation zone, which promoted flame stability at higher NH3 ratios. However, under specified conditions, enhancing swirl intensity could increase the instability frequency and amplitude of pressure oscillations. The flame dynamics exhibited different behaviors depending on the swirl intensity. At high swirl intensity, the flames underwent high-frequency, small-amplitude periodic motion. At low swirl intensity, the flames oscillated axially with large amplitude and low frequency. For flow dynamics, the stability of the vortex at high swirl intensity contrasted with the periodic vortex shedding at low swirl intensity. Furthermore, the two-dimensional Rayleigh index indicated that the dominant positive thermoacoustic coupling regions were located near the flame shear layers and flame tail at low and high swirl intensities, respectively. Finally, the experimental results showed that swirl intensity affected pollutant emissions by influencing the temperature of combustion chamber and gas mixing efficiency. The pathway of fuel-type NOx was found to be dominant in the NOx emission of the NH3/CH4/air flames.

Determination of Capillary Blood TSH and Free Thyroxine Levels Using Digital Immunoassay.

The remote performance of thyroid function blood tests is complicated because it requires blood collection. To compare TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) levels between capillary and venous blood and assess the adequacy of measuring each value in capillary blood. This prospective intervention study was conducted at Ito Hospital and was based on the clinical research method. The participants were 5 healthy female volunteers and 50 patients (41 females and 9 males) between the ages of 23 and 81 years. To measure TSH and FT4 levels in capillary and venous blood, a digital immunoassay (d-IA) method capable of measuring trace samples was used. Chemiluminescence measurements were used as controls. Values obtained for each assay system were compared using Spearman's correlation analysis. Capillary blood was collected using an autologous device (TAP II; not approved in Japan). Capillary plasma volume obtained using TAP II was 125 µL or more in 26 cases, 25 µL to 124 µL in 24 cases, and less than 25 µL in 5 cases. Strong correlations were noted in the TSH and FT4 levels between capillary and venous blood, with correlation coefficients of rs = 0.99 and rs = 0.97, respectively. Capillary TSH and FT4 levels strongly correlate with venous blood values. Trace samples can be used in high-precision d-IA methods. These results may promote telemedicine in assessing thyroid function.