Needle Shape Research Articles

Synthesis and characterization of novel fulleropyrrolidine in P3HT blended bulk heterojunction solar cells

Synthesis of novel fullerene derived electron acceptors and characterization of their organic photovoltaic (OPV) properties is important for advancing fundamental knowledge towards developing next generation organic solar cells. We report the synthesis of a novel fulleropyrrolidine derivative C60-fused N-(3-methoxypropyl)-2-(carboxyethyl)-5-(4-cyanophenyl)fulleropyrrolidine (NCPF) by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction and characterization of NCPF by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MALDI-TOFMS, FT-IR, UV–Vis and CV. The synthesized NCPF fullerene derivative showed good solubility in common organic solvents such as chlorobenzene and 1,2 dichlorobenzene important for film formation, with optical absorbance and electronic properties comparable to PCBM. Optical micrographs of P3HT:PCBM thin films reveal formation of sparse, phase segregated needle shape PCBM micro-crystalline aggregates after 1 h of annealing at 150 °C whose length follows nucleation and growth kinetics over 24 h. In contrast, the P3HT:NCPF thin films exhibit homogeneity over 24 h, possibly due to weaker interparticle vanderWaals forces and/or stronger interactions with P3HT. This long term morphological stability of P3HT:NCPF is important for extended use in OPV applications. At an order of magnitude smaller scale, AFM of as cast and 10 min annealed at 150 °C P3HT:PCBM and P3HT:NCPF films reveal mostly smooth surfaces, with some NCPF cluster formation. Grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements of P3HT:NCPF films indicate an increase of P3HT crystallinity with thermal annealing, leading to improvement in device performance. Photovoltaic devices fabricated with the active layer of P3HT:NCPF and P3HT:PCBM sandwiched between ITO/PEDOT:PSS and Al layer showed comparable performance upon short term annealing.

Chemical vapor transport of chalcopyrite semiconductors: CuGaS2 and AgGaS2

Crystals of CuGaS2 and AgGaS2 with different isotopic compositions have been grown by chemical vapor transport (CVT) using iodine as the transport agent. Before performing the CVT growth, sulfur and copper were purified by sublimation and etching, respectively. 109Ag and the etched 71Ga isotopes were purified from oxides by vacuum annealing. Transparent yellow orange crystals of CuGaS2 and greenish yellow crystals of AgGaS2 were obtained in the shape of platelets, chunks, rods and needles in sizes of up to 8mm (CuGaS2) and 30mm (AgGaS2).These crystals were used to study their electronic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties. Higher excitonic states (n=2,3) were observed at low temperatures with wavelength-modulated reflectivity spectroscopy, thus proving an excellent surface and crystal quality. In addition, the experimentally determined non-monotonic temperature dependence of the excitonic energies can be well fitted by using two Bose–Einstein oscillators and their statistical factors, corresponding to characteristic acoustic and optical phonon frequencies. Isotopic shift of excitonic energies has also been successfully observed in these crystals.

3P1-A07 細胞操作を支援する二本指マイクロハンド用高機能エンドエフェクタの開発(バイオアセンブラ(2))

In the field of life science, techniques for micromanipulation in the micro area are indispensable. Operation with high accuracy and high efficiency is a significant burden on the operator. To solve this problem, a two-fingered microhand has been developed. The microhand operates two glass needles as end-effector like chopsticks, and manipulates cells with them. But the shape of glass needle is not the best for manipulating cells. In this paper, improved end-effector which replaces the glass needle is described. New design of end-effector is proposed and fabricated by semiconductor processes. Then we perform microbeads transporting experiment and indicate the usefulness of the end-effector.

A new sensor technology for 2D ultrasound-guided needle tracking.

2D Ultrasound (US) is becoming the preferred modality for image-guided interventions due to its low cost and portability. However, the main limitation is the limited visibility of surgical tools. We present a new sensor technology that can easily be embedded on needles that are used for US-guided interventions. Two different types of materials are proposed to be used as sensor--co-polymer and PZT. The co-polymer technology is particularly attractive due to its plasticity, allowing very thin depositions (10-20 μm) on a variety of needle shapes. Both sensors receive acoustic energy and convert it to an electrical signal. The precise location of the needle can then be estimated from this signal, to provide real-time feedback to the clinician. We evaluated the feasibility of this new technology using (i) a 4DOF robot in a water tank; (ii) extensive ex vivo experiments; and (iii) in vivo studies. Quantitative robotic studies indicated that the co-polymer is more robust and stable when compared to PZT. In quantitative experiments, the technology achieved a tracking accuracy of 0.14 ± 0.03mm, significantly superior to competing technologies. The technology also proved success in near-real clinical studies on tissue data. This sensor technology is non-disruptive of existing clinical workflows, highly accurate, and is cost-effective. Initial clinician feedback shows great potential for large scale clinical impact.

The Effect of Metallic Addition on Mechanical Property of Aluminum (LM6) Alloy

This article investigates the effects of addition of alloying element on the impact toughness of as-cast aluminum (LM6) alloy. Presence of 0.1 wt.% Cr increases the toughness up to 38%. In fact the sharp tips Fe intermetallics which have needle shape act as stress raisers with a general reduction of the ductility and ultimate tensile strength. On the other hand by increasing the Cr content in the base alloy the size distribution of the compounds becomes more spread. Therefore addition of Cr improves toughness impact by two mechanisms. First eliminating harmful β-intermetallics and second providing microstructure with more spread particles.

Effect of Hardfacing Consumables on Ballistic Performance of Q&T Steel Joints

Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of hardfacing consumables on ballistic performance of armour grade quenched and tempered (QT above and below which austenitic stainless steel (SS) layers were deposited on both sides of the hardfaced interlayer. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process were used to deposite all (hardfaced layer and SS layers) layers. The fabricated joints were evaluated for its ballistic performance, and the results were compared with respect to depth of penetration (DOP) on weld metal and heat-affected zone (HAZ) locations. From the ballistic test results, it was observed that both the joints successfully stopped the bullet penetration at weld center line. Of the two joints, the joint made with CrC hardfaced interlayer (CAHA) offered better ballistic resistance at weld metal. This is because its hardness is higher due to the presence of primary carbides of needle shape, polyhedral shape and eutectic matrix containing a mixture of γ + M 7 C 3 carbides in the CrC hardfaced interlayer. The scattering hardness level in the WC interlayer, the matrix decomposition resulted lower hardness and the co-existence of δ ferrite in the interface between hardfacing and SS root/SS cap could be attributed to the inferior ballistic resistance of the joint made with WC hardfaced interlayer (WAHA joint).

Effect of nAl(OH)3 on thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of millable polyurethane (MPU) rubber

Aluminium hydroxide nanoparticles [nAl(OH)3] were synthesized using continuous ultrasonic cavitation technique. The size and shape of synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, which was found to be ~55 nm in diameter with needle shape. Millable polyurethane (MPU) rubber nanocomposites were prepared with nAl(OH)3 as a filler (0.5–2.5 wt% loading) using two-roll mill and moulded on compression moulding machine. Dicumyl peroxide was used as a curing agent. Mechanical property and abrasion resistance was determined using universal testing machine (UTM) and abrasion resistance tester, respectively. Physical (hardness and swelling index) and thermal (flammability and stability) properties were also studied on shore A hardness tester, flammability tester and thermo gravimetric analyzer, respectively. The extent of dispersion of nAl(OH)3 in MPU matrix was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). MPU rubber:nAl(OH)3 nanocomposites show improved mechanical, physical and thermal properties compared to pristine MPU composite. This dramatic improvement in properties was due to very small grain size of nAl(OH)3, which facilitates uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within the chains of MPU rubber. This improvement in properties were up to 2 wt% and decreases subsequently (2.5 wt%) due to agglomeration. nAl(OH)3 behaves like an ordinary filler at higher wt% loading.

The 3D printing of gelatin methacrylamide cell-laden tissue-engineered constructs with high cell viability

In the present study, we report on the combined efforts of material chemistry, engineering and biology as a systemic approach for the fabrication of high viability 3D printed macroporous gelatin methacrylamide constructs. First, we propose the use and optimization of VA-086 as a photo-initiator with enhanced biocompatibility compared to the conventional Irgacure 2959. Second, a parametric study on the printing of gelatins was performed in order to characterize and compare construct architectures. Hereby, the influence of the hydrogel building block concentration, the printing temperature, the printing pressure, the printing speed, and the cell density were analyzed in depth. As a result, scaffolds could be designed having a 100% interconnected pore network in the gelatin concentration range of 10–20 w/v%. In the last part, the fabrication of cell-laden scaffolds was studied, whereby the application for tissue engineering was tested by encapsulation of the hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). Printing pressure and needle shape was revealed to impact the overall cell viability. Mechanically stable cell-laden gelatin methacrylamide scaffolds with high cell viability (>97%) could be printed.

Single-crystal diamond microneedles shaped at growth stage

Abstract Single-crystal diamond microneedles were extracted from (001) textured polycrystalline films. The films were produced using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from a CH 4 /H 2 gas mixture activated by a direct current discharge. The as-grown textured polycrystalline CVD films consist of pyramid-shaped micrometer size diamond crystallites embedded into a nanodiamond ballas-like material. The less ordered fraction of the CVD film material was removed selectively using thermal oxidation. A dependence of the diamond needle shape on the CVD and the oxidation process parameters was revealed via a computer simulation and experimental studies. Ability for mass production of the diamond microneedles of different shapes was demonstrated. The needles are suitable for various applications from microcutting tools to quantum information processing.

Microstructure and Hardness of Cu-Zn-Si-Al-Sn Brasses with Antimony Addition

The objective of this work is to study the effect of antimony on as-cast microstructures and hardness of dual phase brassed. The studied compositions consisted of 56Cu-(42-X)Zn-1Si-0.5Al-0.5Sn-(X)Sb with varied antimony content in the range of 0.5-2.0 wt%. The alloys were prepared by melting pure elements using an induction furnace in graphite crucible at the temperature about 1,200 °C. The chemical composition of each alloy has been analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Microstructures of the as-cast ingots were investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy including the chemical analysis of the phase determined by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The obtained results suggested that the microstructures of as-cast ingots exhibited the beta-gamma dual phases. The beta phase was the matrix and the gamma phase extended along the grain boundary. The increase in antimony content increased the gamma phase and enhanced the hardness. Moreover, the antimony addition 2 wt% created the intermetallic compound (IMC) phase like a needle shape. The EDS analysis of IMC displayed 12.35 wt% antimony.

W 및 Ti 박막 위에서 나노결정질 다이아몬드의 성장 거동

The growth behavior of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) film has been studied for three different substrates, i.e. bare Si wafer, 1 thick W and Ti films deposited on Si wafer by DC sputter. The surface roughness values of the substrates measured by AFM were Si ) > W () > Ti (). During deposition in the microwave plasma CVD system, NCD particles were formed and evolved to film. For the first 0.5h, the values of NCD particle density were measured as Si Si > Ti. In the case of W substrate, NCD particles were coalesced and evolved to the film in the short time of 0.5 h, which could be attributed to the fact that the diffusion of carbon species on W substrate was fast. The slower diffusion of carbon on Si substrate is believed to be the reason for slower film growth than on W substrate. The surface of Ti substrate was observed as a vertically aligned needle shape. The NCD particle formed on the top of a Ti needle should be coalesced with the particle on the nearby needle by carbon diffusion. In this case, the diffusion length is longer than that of Si or W substrate which shows a relatively flat surface. This results in a slow growth rate of NCD on Ti substrate. As deposition time is prolonged, NCD particles grow with carbon species attached from the plasma and coalesce with nearby particles, leaving many voids in NCD/Ti interface. The low adhesion of NCD films on Ti substrate is related to the void structure of NCD/Ti interface.

Characterization of Cu2ZnSn(SSe)4 monograin powders by FE-SEM

The design and synthesis of high-efficiency materials to convert solar to electrical energy is an increasingly important research field. Within the photovoltaic technologies, crystalline Si have an 80% share while the remaining 20% are mostly thin film solar cells based on Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) and CdTe. However, the cost, the abundance and the environmental impact of the elemental components cannot be neglected. For these reasons, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) and their solid solutions CZTSSe has attracted much attention recently since they can provide the development of cost competitive solar cells. The CZTS-based solar cells consist of earth abundant and relatively inexpensive elements and represent an environmentally friendly alternative compared to the above mentioned systems. The energy conversion efficiency of the CZTS-based solar cells has increased from 0.66% in 1996 to 11.1% recently.The present work shows preliminary results that are related to the characterization of CZTSSe monograin powders by scanning electron microscopy. High purity metal compounds, S and Se powders were used as precursors for the synthesis of the Cu2ZnSn(SSe)4 monograin powders. The precursor powders were mixed to the desired composition and, additionally, KI was added as a flux material. Afterwards, the powders were blended in a mixer and encapsulated in quartz ampoules. The blended powders were degassed under dynamic vacuum at room temperature, sealed and annealed isothermally between 700 ºC and 780 ºC for a time ranging between 44 h and 136 h. After synthesis the flux material was removed with deionized water and the powders were sieved into several fractions. The morphology, microstructure and chemical composition of the synthesized powders was obtained with a Philips XL30 field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped with a backscattered electron (BSE) detector and an integrated EDAX energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis system.The typical morphology obtained for the CZTSSe powders can be seen in Figure 1. Basically, the particles show a polyhedral morphology with some of them showing a needle shape, i.e. a large shape factor (L/D>>1). Moreover, it was also observed a slight increase of the median particle size with the increase of the synthesis temperature. Due to the complexity of the synthesis of CZTSSe monograins, the formation of binary or ternary phases is a common feature. A very good control over the synthesis parameters is then required not only to obtain the desired phase but also to have a tight control over the stoichiometry of the material. Taking this into account, SEM/BSE observations and EDS analysis are two powerful techniques for evaluate the degree of the compositional homogeneity of the CZTSSe monograins. Figure 2 puts in evidence the degree of the homogeneity of the CZTSSe monograins in relation to their size. Overall, and independently of the synthesis conditions, the powder particles consisted predominantly of CZTSSe monograins and, in a much smaller extent, of particles having a ZnS or ZnS(Se) core coated by a CZTSSe layer. The presence of undesired phases occurred more frequently in the larger powder particles (> 100 µm) and the degree of homogeneity was lower for the powders synthesized at lower temperature and for a shorter time. However, when the EDS results obtained for CZTSSe monograins belonging to different size fractions are compared no major variations in the content of the five elements can be inferred.

Environmental and sequence stratigraphic implications of anhydrite textures: A case from the Lower Triassic of the Central Persian Gulf

The Lower Triassic Kangan Formation in the Persian Gulf (South Pars Gas Field) and its adjacent areas are composed of carbonate–evaporite sequences. These sediments were deposited in a shallow marine homoclinal ramp. Study of the anhydrite-bearing intervals shows various structures and textures. The anhydrite structures are mainly bedded, massive, chicken-wire and nodular type and the main textures are felted, sparse crystal, needle shape, lath shape, equant and fibrous. Pervasive and poikilotopic cement together with replacement and porphyroblastic gypsum are accounted as the most common diagenetic features in anhydrite. Evaluation of anhydrite occurrences and features support both primary and secondary formations. The nodular to chicken-wire anhydrite formed under synsedimentary sabkha conditions, whereas anhydrite cements occurred during the late stages of diagenesis (shallow burial stage). Massive to bedded anhydrite could have been formed under subaqueous conditions or originated by coalescing and continued growth of anhydrite nodules in the sabkha zone. Anhydrite fabrics impose a significant control on the reservoir quality of the Kangan carbonates at the South Pars Gas Field. Thick massive and bedded anhydrite could have been formed as an intraformational seals and anhydrite cements occluded pore spaces and reduced the poroperm values. The sequence stratigraphic analysis revealed two depositional sequences in the studied intervals, which are composed of TST and HST. Investigation of anhydrite throughout depositional sequences indicates a change in the content and style of anhydrite texture. Anhydrite content (volume) decreases upward through transgressive system tract (sea-level rise) whereas, it enhances during highstand system tract (sea-level fall). Pervasive and poikilotopic anhydrite cements together with replacement by anhydrite are prevalent features during transgressive and early highstand system tract. At the late HST, with a progradational stacking pattern, anhydrite value increases and felted, radial, equant, crystalline and mosaic texture are the most common anhydrite fabrics. Sequence boundaries that indicate maximum sea level fall and exposure of successions are marked by the broad anhydrite deposits with massive to bedded and chicken-wire structures and various textures that located in late HST package. There is an unambiguous relationship between the microfacies associations, the evaporite textures, and the sea-level fluctuations. This relationship could lead to a predictable pattern that can be of use as a general guide for the sequence stratigraphic interpretations in the area.

WE-G-WAB-01: Real-Time Catheter Tracking and Visualization in MR-Guided Brachytherapy

Purpose: The challenge of catheter-tip visualization for interstitial needle placement in gynecologic brachytherapy remains unmet. We evaluate an approach to actively track tip locations and visualize catheter trajectories and surrounding soft-tissue in real-time during an intervention. The methods include development of clinical needles with magnetic resonance (MR) tracked microcoils, an MR tracking and rapid imaging sequence and integration with a graphical workstation for visualization. Methods: An active tracking device was built based on a commercial catheter which consists of a hollow tube and a central needle with microcoils at the distal end. An MR tracking sequence was developed (isotropic resolution: 0.6 mm, frame rate: 40 updates/sec). It runs continuously during navigation or interleaves with real-time imaging (3 frames/sec), where image position/orientation are automatically set to provide visualization of anatomy around the catheter. The catheter-tip position/orientation was passed to the workstation for visualization. Needle shapes were superimposed on pre-acquired high-resolution images or on the intra-procedural images. Results: MR-guided catheter placement procedures were conducted in a gel phantom and an animal model. High-resolution 3D MR scans were acquired and loaded into the workstation for navigation. During insertion, the catheter tips were visualized advancing on a 3D anatomic model and on assigned planes. Real-time imaging with slice continuously updating at the instantaneous tip positions was also performed. Both methods served well to guide catheter placement. After insertion, complete catheter trajectories were rendered by recording tip positions as needles were pulled out and overlaid on the images, to support treatment planning. Conclusion: We demonstrated the feasibility of active catheter tracking and visualization in MR-guided brachytherapy. This will facilitate accurate and time-efficient catheter insertion by providing on-line identification of catheter position, and visualization of anatomy ahead of the catheter tip. This enables identifying preferential paths to target locations, and reduces the risk to critical organs. Funding sources: NIH P41 EB015898; AHA 10SDG261039

Characterization of Secondary Metabolites from the Raphides of Calcium Oxalate Contained in Three Araceae Family Plants Using Laser Microdissection and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole/Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry

The dried stem tubers of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit, P. pedatisecta Schott and Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume from the Araceae family are used as Chinese medicines, namely Banxia, Zhangye Banxia and Shui Banxia, respectively. They have been reported to have a strong irritative effect on mucosa. Previous studies have indicated that the pure raphides of calcium oxalate contained in the stem tubers of three plants have attributed to this strong irritation. However, the processed products of the stem tubers of P. ternata, including Fabanxia, Qingbanxia and Jiangbanxia, have been found to have no irritative effects on mucosa. Currently, the secondary metabolites from the raphides of calcium oxalate contained in the stem tubers of P. ternata with its processed products, P. pedatisecta and T. flagelliforme were analyzed by means of laser microdissection and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/ time of flight-mass spectrometry. The results indicate that the stem tubers of P. ternata P. pedatisecta and T. flagelliforme mainly contain amino acids, fatty acids, cyclic dipeptides and alkaloids. The secondary metabolite profile of the stem tuber of P. ternata was different from those of its processed products, Fabanxia, Qingbanxia and Jiangbanxia. However, the secondary metabolites from their raphides of calcium oxalate all contained beta-sitosterol, sitosterol palmitate, trigonelline, octadecenoic acid, pedatisectine A and thymidine. The raphides of calcium oxalate from P. ternata, P. pedatisecta and T. flagelliforme do not include any specific irritants. The results indicated that the irritation induced by raphides of calcium oxalate of three Araceae family plants is not relevant to the secondary metabolites but relates to the special needle shape.

Characterization of Magnesium‐Doped Hydroxyapatite Prepared by Sol‐Gel Process

Pure and doped hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystalline powders (Ca10‐xMgx(PO4)6OH2) were synthesized using sol‐gel process. For this, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, and phosphorous pentoxide were used as precursors for Ca, Mg, and P, respectively. Calculated amounts of magnesium ions (Mg+2) especially from 0 to 10% (molar ratio) were incorporated as dopant into the calcium sol solution. The structure and morphology of the gels obtained after mixing the phosphorous and (calcium + magnesium) sol solution were different, and their condensations in time depend on the quantities of magnesium added. The several powders resulting from the gels dried and sintered at 500°C for 1 h were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Additionally, their agglomeration, morphology, and particle size were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The specific surface area of each sample was measured by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) gas adsorption technique. The results of XRD, FTIR, and ICP values ranged between 0.45 and 2.11 mg/L indicated that the magnesium added in the calcium solution was incorporated in the lattice structure of HA so prepared, while those obtained by SEM and TEM confirmed the influence of Mg on their morphology (needle and irregular shape) and crystallite size, which is about 30–60 nm. The as‐prepared powders had a specific surface area ranged between 6.37 and 27.60 m2/g.

Impact of gypsum supersaturated solution on surface properties of silica and sphalerite minerals

In some sulphide mineral flotation operations, the process water contains high concentrations of calcium and sulphate ions that exceed the solubility limit of gypsum. It has been speculated that the gypsum supersaturated process water would lead to precipitation of gypsum which could coat on mineral surfaces by either nucleation or coagulation, resulting in reduced flotation recovery and selectivity. In this study, a laboratory prepared gypsum supersaturated solution is used to represent the gypsum supersaturated process water, the effect of gypsum supersaturated solution on the surface properties of silica and sphalerite minerals was investigated using zeta potential distribution measurements, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Our results show that silica and sphalerite minerals carry identical surface charge (−10mV of zeta potential) in the gypsum supersaturated solution at pH 10 although they are charged differently in simple electrolyte solution at the same pH. Needle shape gypsum precipitates are found in both silica and sphalerite minerals systems conditioned with gypsum supersaturated solution. The gypsum precipitates do not grow on the minerals surfaces but form in the bulk gypsum supersaturated solution. The heterocoagulation between the examined minerals and gypsum particles is insignificant in the gypsum supersaturated solution. It is the high calcium concentration in the gypsum supersaturated solution that has significant effect on the surface properties of silica and sphalerite minerals. The zeta potentials of silica and sphalerite in a 800ppm calcium solution (similar to the calcium concentration in the gypsum supersaturated solution) are similar to those measured in the gypsum supersaturated solutions. Both silica and sphalerite minerals surfaces are indiscriminately coated with calcium. The surface coating of calcium results in the identical surfaces between silica and sphalerite minerals, and ultimately causes problems for the flotation separation of silica and sphalerite.

One-Dimensional Al4O4C Ceramics: A New Type of Blue Light Emitter

Ceramic Al4O4C, which has few active functions, has been used as an additive in carbon-containing refractory materials to improve their oxidation resistance and thermal properties. Herein, the crystal and electronic structures of this novel material were systematically investigated for opto-electrical applications, which revealed interesting fluorescence features via photoluminescence (PL) and cathode luminescence (CL). When a 325 nm laser was focused on one end of a single Al4O4C needle, the entire needle was illuminated by the blue emission, which implies that this material exhibits excellent waveguide properties. Interestingly, the thin end exhibited the highest light intensity even though the excited region was located at the thick end. We believe the reason for this observed behaviour is related to the excellent waveguide behaviour as well as to the needle shape, which induces this intriguing blue-light convergence effect. Ab initio calculations demonstrated that the emission light emanates from the interband transition.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe–Mn based alloys after sub-rapid solidification

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the microstructure and the mechanical properties of Fe–(11, 13 and 17)wt.% Mn alloys prepared by using sub-rapid solidification technique. X-ray diffraction showed that α′-martensite with body-centered cubic structure was the major phase formed in the Fe–11wt.% Mn sample, while ε-martensite with hexagonal close-packed structure apparently appeared when Mn content reached to 13wt.% and its volume percentage increased with the Mn content. The ε-martensite has needle shape and band structure in the Fe–Mn alloy. Mechanical property tests showed that the yield strength decreased while elongation increased as Mn content increased from 11wt.% to 17wt.%. The tensile strength of Fe–13wt.% Mn sample was found to be the highest among all samples. Addition of 0.14wt.% carbon could increase tensile strength and elongation of Fe–11wt.% Mn alloy while decrease its yield strength.

The simulation of electrostatics elimination effect influenced by the cross-section shape of discharge needles

In this paper, the electrostatics elimination effect influenced by the cross-section shape of discharge needles in a tube was studied. Firstly, the electrostatics elimination effect was discussed according to the spatial distribution of the electric field. Secondly, the electric field generated by the needles with cross-section of triangle and quadrangle was simulated by finite element method and then compared with the electric field generated by rounded cross-section needles. The results show that the electric field intensity generated by needles of different cross-section decreases in the following sequence: triangle,quadrangle and rounded shape. The needle with triangle cross-section generated the strongest electric field in the direction of tube axis, and the average value of electric field intensity is 12.6% larger than that of the rounded cross-section. So the needles with triangle cross-section are best to the elimination of electrostatics in pipelines.