Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Leading Firms As Knowledge Gatekeepers In A Networked Environment, Deogratias Harorimana Mr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This chapter introduces the role of the knowledge gatekeeper as a mechanism by which knowledge is created and transferred in a networked environment. Knowledge creation and transfer are essential for building a knowledge based economy. The chapter considers obstacles that inhibit this process and argues that leading firms create a shared socio-cultural context that enables the condivision of tacit meanings and codification of knowledge. Leading firms act as gatekeepers of knowledge through the creation of shared virtual platforms. There will be a leading firm that connects several networks of clients and suppliers may not interact directly with one another, but …

Unsteady Nanoscale Thermal Transport Across A Solid-Fluid Interface, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Soumik Banerjee, Ishwar K. Puri

Ganesh Balasubramanian

We simulate unsteady nanoscale thermal transport at a solid-fluidinterface by placing cooler liquid-vapor Ar mixtures adjacent to warmer Fe walls. The equilibration of the system towards a uniform overall temperature is investigated using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations from which the heat flux is also determined explicitly. The Ar–Fe intermolecular interactions induce the migration of fluid atoms into quasicrystallineinterfacial layers adjacent to the walls, creating vacancies at the migration sites. This induces temperature discontinuities between the solidlikeinterfaces and their neighboring fluid molecules. The interfacial temperature difference and thus the heat flux decrease as the system equilibrates over time. The averaged interfacial …

Nanoporous Materials With Enhanced Hydrophilicity And High Water Capacity, Eng-Poh Ng, Svetlana Mintova

Eng-Poh Ng

The main types of nanoporous adsorbents for water are identified and described with emphasis on the mechanism of adsorption, modification, improvement of the water sorption capacity, possible regeneration, and stabilization. Among the three main groups of water sorbents, i.e. inorganic materials (zeolites, clays, silica), carbon based materials and organic polymers, the first one is described in details. The significance of their porosity, chemical and structural features relative to the water adsorptive properties of each inorganic type materials is reviewed. Important features for silicates, zeolites, aluminophosphates, mesoporous materials and clays are described, which define the interactions between the water and the …

Dielectric Relaxation Behaviour Of Glycine In Acqueous Solution Medium In The Microwave Frequency Region, Ajaya Kumar Kavala

Mr Ajaya Kumar Kavala

No abstract provided.

Quantum Transport In In0.75Ga0.25As Quantum Wires, P. J. Simmonds, F. Sfigakis, H. E. Beere, D. A. Ritchie, M. Pepper, D. Anderson, G. A.C. Jones

Paul J. Simmonds

In addition to quantized conductance plateaus at integer multiples of 2e²/h, the differential conductance G=dI/dV shows plateaus at 0.25(2e²/h) and 0.75(2e²/h) under applied source-drain bias in In_0.75Ga_0.25As quantum wires defined by insulated split gates. This observation is consistent with a spin-gap model for the 0.7 structure. Using a tilted magnetic field to induce Landau level crossings, the g factor was measured to be ~9 by the coincidence method. This material, with a mobility of 1.8×10⁵ cm …

Anisotropic Contraction In Forisomes: Simple Models Won't Fit, Winfried Peters, Michael Knoblauch, Stephen Warmann, William Pickard, Amy Shen

Winfried S. Peters

Nanoclay Reinforced Fibers And Nonwovens, Raghavendra R. Hegde Dr

Raghavendra R Hegde Dr

In this research, polypropylene fibers and nonwoven samples were produced with the commercial samples of nanoclay additives in semi-commercial processing machinery. Influence of two different types of nanoclay additives, at different add on levels on processing, structure and morphology of nonwovens is studied. The WAXD and DSC data showed some change in crystallinity and melting behavior indicating changes in the fiber morphology towards improved mechanical properties. Presence and extent of exfoliation of nanoclay in the polymer was verified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM image reveals intercalated and exfoliated morphology of nanocomposites. About 10 to 20 % increase in tensile …

Charge Transfer Mechanisms In Electrospinning, Jonathan J. Stanger

Jonathan J Stanger

Electrospinning is a method of producing nano structured material from a polymer solution or melt using high strength electric fields. It is a process that has yet to find extensive industrial application yet shows promise if obstacles such as low rate of production overcome perhaps by more complete theoretical modelling. This work examines the effects of adding an ionic salt to a solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) in water. The direct effect was an increase the charge density and electric current. It was found that an increase in charge density decreases the mass deposition rate and forms a thinner initial jet. …

Removal Of Organic Dyes From Industrial Wastewaters Using Uv/H2o2, Uv/H2o2/Fe (Ii), Uv/H2o2/Fe (Iii) Processes (Persian Paper), Mir Saeed Seyed Dorraji

Mir saeed Seyed Dorraji

UV/H2O2, UV/H2O2/Fe (II) and UV/H2O2/Fe (III) processes are very effective in removing pollutants from wastewater and can be used for treatment of dyestuff units wastewaters. In this study, Rhodamine B was used as a typical organic dye. Rhodamine B has found wide applications in wax, leather, and paper industries. The results from this study showed that this dye was degradable in the presence of hydrogen peroxide under UV-C irradiation (30W mercury light) and Photo-Fenton process. The dye was resistant to UV irradiation. In the absence of UV irradiation, the decolorization efficiency was very negligible in the presence of hydrogen. Theeffects …

Supercritical Water Oxidation Process And Its Application In Treatment Of Industrial Wastewater (Persian Paper), N. Daneshvar, S. Aber, Mir Saeed Seyed Dorraji, M. Zarei, M. H. Rasoulifard

Mir saeed Seyed Dorraji

In the last two decades, supercritical water has become an interesting medium for chemistry. One of its most investigated applications is the oxidative treatment of aqueous wastes containing organic compound in the so-called “supercritical water oxidation”. In this technology, supercritical water acts as a non-polar solvent. Consequently, even non-polar organic compounds and gases like oxygen become completely miscible with the supercritical fluid. During the supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) process, the organic compounds react completely with oxidant –mostly oxygen- in a single phase reaction forming CO2 and H2O. The hetero-atoms present in the organic wastes are transformed into the mineral acids. …

Do R&D Programs Of Different Government Levels Overlap In The European Union?, Andrea Fernandez-Ribas, Isabel Busom

Andrea Fernandez-Ribas

Multiple levels of government currently design and implement research and innovation programs both in the US and in Europe. Empirical analysis of interdependencies among programs has not been fully explored, however. Our contribution is a first step in understanding potential complementarities across R&D programs. Using a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms, we study the determinants of firms’ participation in national and in European level research programs and test for differences across programs. Our results suggest that firms’ participation in European and national R&D programs is largely driven by different factors. We interpret these results as suggesting that, ex-post, there is …

Estimating Local Greenhouse Gas Emissions - A Case Study On A Portuguese Municipality, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

This paper describes the study that led to the development of a carbon dioxide emissions matrix for the Oeiras municipality, one of the largest Portuguese municipalities, located in the metropolitan area of Lisbon. This matrix takes into account the Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Emissions, due an increase of electricity demand in buildings as well as solid and liquid wastes treatment, from the domestic and services sectors. Using emission factors that were calculated from the relationship between the electricity produced and amount of treated wastes, the GHG emissions in the Oeiras municipality, were estimated for a time series of 6 years (1998 …

Dynamic Simulation Of Co2 Absorption From Post Combustion Gases, João Gomes

João F Gomes

CO2 capture from combustion flue gases is currently an issue of main interest due to the high taxes being imposed on industrial companies as a measure to achieve CO2 emissions abatement. CO2 capture can be efficiently achieved by gas absorption using amines, namely Monoethanolamine (MEA). Based on henrys law, validated with previously published experimental work, this study considers the development of a dynamic model of an absorption column for post combustion CO2 capture. A dynamic model of the temperature swing de-absorption process was developed with the integration of both models for absorption and de-absorption (with the introduction of heat exchangers, …

Reflexions On The Use Of Renewable Power Sources And Nuclear Energy In Portugal, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

This paper analyses the current energy balance of Portugal, considering the actual sources which are mainly traditional fossil fuels, hydroelectric power and renewables. Other potential sources are discussed also and taken into consideration in view of the previewed evolution of the country in energetic terms. Among these, nuclear power, once regarded as an option, is now being re-considered. This paper also sums up the main issues to be considered in a future debate on the subject.

Alpo-18 Seed Layers And Films By Secondary Growth, Lubomira Tosheva, Eng-Poh Ng, Svetlana Mintova, Manfred Holzl, Till H. Metzger, Aidan M. Doyle

Eng-Poh Ng

AlPO-18 layers were prepared on Si wafers via spin-coating or the Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) method using nanosized crystals. Multilayers were deposited by spin-coating, whereas the seeds assembled by the LB technique were monolayers. The seeded layers were not stable upon secondary growth under microwave radiation, and no films were formed on the supports. Dense AlPO-18 films could be obtained by secondary growth after stabilization of the seed layers by adding prehydrolyzed tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) to the colloidal AlPO-18 suspension prior to support seeding. The stabilized seed layers and the grown AlPO-18 films were stable. The structure and the morphology of the films …

Near-Monodisperse Ni−Cu Bimetallic Nanocrystals Of Variable Composition: Controlled Synthesis And Catalytic Activity For H2 Generation, Yawen Zhang, Wenyu Huang, Susan E. Habas, John N. Kuhn, Michael E. Grass, Yusuke Yamada, Peidong Yang, Gabor A. Somorjai

Wenyu Huang

Near-monodisperse Ni1−xCux (x = 0.2−0.8) bimetallic nanocrystals were synthesized by a one-pot thermolysis approach in oleylamine/1-octadecene, using metal acetylacetonates as precursors. The nanocrystals form large-area 2D superlattices, and display a catalytic synergistic effect in the hydrolysis of NaBH4 to generate H2 at x = 0.5 in a strongly basic medium. The Ni0.5Cu0.5 nanocrystals show the lowest activation energy, and also exhibit the highest H2 generation rate at 298 K.

Structure Sensitivity Of Carbon−Nitrogen Ring Opening: Impact Of Platinum Particle Size From Below 1 To 5 Nm Upon Pyrrole Hydrogenation Product Selectivity Over Monodisperse Platinum Nanoparticles Loaded Onto Mesoporous Silica, John N. Kuhn, Wenyu Huang, Chia-Kuang Tsung, Yawen Zhang, Gabor A. Somorjai

Wenyu Huang

Well-defined platinum nanoparticles between 0.8 and 5.0 nm were prepared using dendrimer and polymer capping agents and supported onto mesoporous SBA-15 silica. Using these model catalysts, pyrrole hydrogenation was demonstrated to be structure sensitive because ring opening occurred more easily over larger particles compared to smaller ones. The phenomenon is caused by surface roughness or electronic effects that change with particle size.

Dendrimer Templated Synthesis Of One Nanometer Rh And Pt Particles Supported On Mesoporous Silica: Catalytic Activity For Ethylene And Pyrrole Hydrogenation, Wenyu Huang, John N. Kuhn, Chia-Kuang Tsung, Yawen Zhang, Susan E. Habas, Peidong Yang, Gabor A. Somorrjai

Wenyu Huang

Monodisperse rhodium (Rh) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles as small as ∼1 nm were synthesized within a fourth generation polyaminoamide (PAMAM) dendrimer, a hyperbranched polymer, in aqueous solution and immobilized by depositing onto a high-surface-area SBA-15 mesoporous support. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the as-synthesized Rh and Pt nanoparticles were mostly oxidized. Catalytic activity of the SBA-15 supported Rh and Pt nanoparticles was studied with ethylene hydrogenation at 273 and 293 K in 10 torr of ethylene and 100 torr of H2 after reduction (76 torr of H2 mixed with 690 torr of He) at different temperatures. Catalysts were active without …

Highly Selective Synthesis Of Catalytically Active Monodisperse Rhodium Nanocubes, Yawen Zhang, Michael E. Grass, John N. Kuhn, Feng Tao, Susan E. Habas, Wenyu Huang, Peidong Yang, Gabor A. Somorjai

Wenyu Huang

Monodisperse sub-10 nm Rh nanocubes were synthesized with high selectivity (>85%) by a seedless polyol method. The {100} faces of the Rh NCs were effectively stabilized by chemically adsorbed Br− ions from trimethyl(tetradecyl)ammonium bromide (TTAB). This simple one-step polyol route can be readily applied to the preparation of Pt and Pd nanocubes. Moreover, the organic molecules of PVP and TTAB that encapsulated the Rh nanocubes did not prevent catalytic activity for pyrrole hydrogenation and CO oxidation.

Influence Of Reaction With Xef2 On Surface Adhesion Of Al And Al2o3 Surfaces, Tianfu Zhang, Jeong Park, Wenyu Huang, Gabor A. Somoraji

Wenyu Huang

The change in surfaceadhesion after fluorination of Al and Al2O3surfaces using XeF2 was investigated with atomic force microscopy. The chemical interaction between XeF2 and Al and Al2O3surfaces was studied by in situx-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Fresh Al and Al2O3surfaces were obtained by etching top silicon layers of Si∕Al and Si∕Al2O3 with XeF2. The surfaceadhesion and chemical composition were measured after the exposure to air or annealing (at 200°C under vacuum). The correlation between the adhesion force increase and presence of AlF3 on the surface was revealed.

Time-Resolved Investigation Of The Acoustic Vibration Of A Single Gold Nanoprism Pair, J. Burgin, P. Langot, N. Del Fatti, F. Vallee, Wenyu Huang, M.A. El-Sayed

Wenyu Huang

The acoustic vibration of single gold nanoprism pairs on a glass substrate has been investigated in the time-domain combining a spatial modulation spectroscopy microscope with a high-sensitivity femtosecond pump−probe setup. Three modes were observed and ascribed to two in-plane and one out-of-plane vibration of the nanoprisms forming the pair, in agreement with a theoretical analysis. The periods of the two former modes with similar nature show weak (about 10%) and well correlated pair to pair fluctuations that can be unambiguously ascribed to variation of the prism geometry. In contrast, strong fluctuations, by almost a factor of 6, of the mode …

Sub-Two Nanometer Single Crystal Au Nanowires, Ziyang Huo, Chia-Kuang Tsung, Wenyu Huang, Xiaofeng Zhang, Peidong Yang

Wenyu Huang

Ultrathin single crystal Au nanowires with diameter of ∼1.6 nm and length of few micrometers were synthesized with high yield by simply mixing HAuCl4 and oleylamine at room temperature. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that all of these nanowires are single crystalline and grew along the [111] direction. The valency evolution of the gold species during the synthesis was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which showed a clear Au3+ → Au+ → Au stepwise reduction at different reaction stages. Small angle X-ray scattering and small-angle X-ray diffraction suggest mesostructure formation upon HAuCl4 and oleylamine mixing. The slow in …

Morphologies And Kinetics Of A Dewetting Ultrathin Solid Film, Mikhail Khenner

Mikhail Khenner

The surface evolution model based on geometric partial differential equation is used to numerically study the kinetics of dewetting and dynamic morphologies for the localized pinhole defect in the surface of the ultrathin solid film with the strongly anisotropic surface energy. Depending on parameters such as the initial depth and width of the pinole, the strength of the attractive substrate potential and the strength of the surface energy anisotropy, the pinhole may either extend to the substrate and thus rupture the film, or evolve to the quasiequilibrium shape while the rest of the film surface undergoes phase separation into a …

Enhanced Stability Of A Dewetting Thin Liquid Film In A Single-Frequency Vibration Field, Sergey Shklyaev, Mikhail Khenner, Alexei Alabuzhev

Mikhail Khenner

Dynamics of a thin dewetting liquid film on a vertically oscillating substrate is considered. We assume moderate vibration frequency and large (compared to the mean film thickness) vibration amplitude. Using the lubrication approximation and the averaging method, we formulate the coupled sets of equations governing the pulsatile and the averaged fluid flows in the film, and then derive the nonlinear amplitude equation for the averaged film thickness. We show that there exists a window in the frequency-amplitude domain where the parametric and shear-flow instabilities of the pulsatile flow do not emerge. As a consequence, in this window the averaged description …

Atomistic Simulation Of Energetic And Entropic Elasticity In Short-Chain Polyethylenes, David Keffer, T. C. Ionescu, V. G. Mavrantzas, B. J. Edwards

David Keffer

The thermodynamical aspects of polymeric liquids subjected to uniaxial elongational flow are examined using atomistically detailed nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, attention is paid to the energetic effects, in addition to the entropic ones, which occur under conditions of extreme deformation. Atomistic nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulations of linear polyethylene systems, ranging in molecular length from C₂₄ to C₇₈ and for temperatures from 300 to 450 K, demonstrate clear contributions of energetic effects to the elasticity of the system. These are manifested in a conformationally dependent heat capacity, which is significant under large deformations. Violations of the hypothesis …

Energetic And Entropic Elasticity Of Nonisothermal Flowing Polymers: Experiment, Theory, And Simulation, David Keffer, T. C. Ionescu, B. J. Edwards, V. G. Mavrantzas

David Keffer

The thermodynamical aspects of polymeric liquids subjected to nonisothermal flow are examined from the complementary perspectives of theory, experiment, and simulation. In particular, attention is paid to the energetic effects, in addition to the entropic ones, that occur under conditions of extreme deformation. Comparisons of experimental measurements of the temperature rise generated under elongational flow at high strain rates with macroscopic finite element simulations offer clear evidence of the persistence and importance of energetic effects under severe deformation. The performance of various forms of the temperature equation are evaluated with regard to experiment, and it is concluded that the standard …

Environmentally Benign Synthesis Of Nanosized Aluminophosphate Enhanced By Microwave Heating, Eng-Poh Ng, Luc Delmotte, Svetlana Mintova

Eng-Poh Ng

The problem addressed with our paper is on the efficient utilization of reacting materials for enhanced syntheses of nanosized aluminophosphate molecular sieve by microwave heating, and decreasing or almost eliminating the related waste. The synthesis procedure deals with the environmental issues concerning the future manufacture re-use and disposal of non-reacted chemicals associated with the production of nanosized aluminophosphate. Nanosized AlPO-18 has been prepared by a multicycle synthesis approach via re-using non-reacted compounds from precursor suspensions with minimal requirement of chemical compensation after recovering of crystalline nanoparticles from each step. This approach is implied as environmentally benign and results in almost …

Emissions Of Polyciclic Aromatic Hidrocarbons And Polyciclic Carbonyl Bifenils From Electric Arc Furnaces, João F. Gomes

João F Gomes

This paper describes work done in order to determine the emissions of highly toxic organic micropollutants from electric arc furnaces used in the production of carbon steel from scrap. The study will be allowing to derive relationships between the levels of airborne micropollutants and the operational parameters of the production process so that an abatement of pollution could be achieved. By using the European standard method CEN 1948 for dioxin like compounds sampling and measurement, it was possible to determine the characteristic fingerprint of micropollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PCBs emitted by this particular stationary source.