Elastically Induced Coexistence of Surface Reconstructions

Scanning tunneling microscopy of Sb-capped GaAs shows the coexistence of different surface reconstructions. The majority of the surface consists of an α2(2×4) reconstruction typically observed for GaAs(001) surfaces. At step edges, an α(4×3) reconstruction, common for GaSb(001), is observed. We argue that strain couples the surface reconstruction to the film morphology. Density functional theory calculations show that the (2×4) reconstruction is stabilized in GaSb films when the lattice parameter is constrained to that of GaAs, as happens in the middle of a terrace, while the (4×3) reconstruction is stabilized when the lattice parameter is allowed to relax toward that of GaSb at step edges. This result confirms the importance of elastic relaxation in the coexistence of surface reconstructions

Lateral composition modulation in short period superlattices: The role of growth mode

The role of the growth mode on lateral composition modulation is studied in short period superlattices of AlAs/InAs and GaAs/InAs. Reflection high energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy are used to monitor the growth mode and the quality of the interfaces. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy indicates that samples that grow via the layer-by-layer growth mode do not exhibit lateral composition modulation and the superlattice structure is well defined. Lateral composition modulation forms when roughening occurs during growth. However, too much roughening, i.e., three-dimensional island nucleation destroys the regularity of the composition modulation in both the lateral and vertical directions. These results are in general agreement with theoretical predictions. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70098/2/APPLAB-79-25-4118-1.pd

Surface reconstructions of In-enriched InGaAs alloys

The atomic structure of In0.81Ga0.19As/InPIn0.81Ga0.19As/InP alloy layers was examined using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. The (2×3) reconstruction observed during growth by reflection high-energy electron diffraction represents a combination of surface structures, including a β2(2×4) commonly observed on GaAs(001) and InAs(001) surfaces, and a disordered (4×3) that is unique to alloy systems. The proposed (4×3) structure is comprised of both anion and cation dimers. Empty and filled states images show that the features reverse contrast with sample bias, in agreement with the model. © 2003 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70065/2/APPLAB-83-7-1361-1.pd

Photoluminescence Studies of Lateral Composition Modulated Short-Period AlAs/InAs Superlattices

We present low temperature photoluminescence data for a series of spontaneous lateral composition modulation in (AlAs){sub m}/(InAs){sub n} short period superlattices on InP with differing average lattice constants, i.e., varying global strain. The low temperature photoluminescence peak energies were found to be much lower than the corresponding energy expected for the equivalent In{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}As alloy. The bandgap energy reductions are found to approach 500 meV and this reduction is found to correlated with the strength of the composition modulation wave amplitude

Influence of Neonatal Hypothyroidism on Hepatic Gene Expression and Lipid Metabolism in Adulthood

Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development in mammals. Congenital-neonatal hypothyroidism (CH) has a profound impact on physiology, but its specific influence in liver is less understood. Here, we studied how CH influences the liver gene expression program in adulthood. Pregnant rats were given the antithyroid drug methimazole (MMI) from GD12 until PND30 to induce CH in male offspring. Growth defects due to CH were evident as reductions in body weight and tail length from the second week of life. Once the MMI treatment was discontinued, the feed efficiency increased in CH, and this was accompanied by significant catch-up growth. On PND80, significant reductions in body mass, tail length, and circulating IGF-I levels remained in CH rats. Conversely, the mRNA levels of known GH target genes were significantly upregulated. The serum levels of thyroid hormones, cholesterol, and triglycerides showed no significant differences. In contrast, CH rats showed significant changes in the expression of hepatic genes involved in lipid metabolism, including an increased transcription of PPARα and a reduced expression of genes involved in fatty acid and cholesterol uptake, cellular sterol efflux, triglyceride assembly, bile acid synthesis, and lipogenesis. These changes were associated with a decrease of intrahepatic lipids. Finally, CH rats responded to the onset of hypothyroidism in adulthood with a reduction of serum fatty acids and hepatic cholesteryl esters and to T3 replacement with an enhanced activation of malic enzyme. In summary, we provide in vivo evidence that neonatal hypothyroidism influences the hepatic transcriptional program and tissue sensitivity to hormone treatment in adulthood. This highlights the critical role that a euthyroid state during development plays on normal liver physiology in adulthood

Material characteristics and methodology for condition assessment of selected new-generation steels for elements of boilers with supercritical working parameters

Przedstawiono wybrane wyniki badań uzyskane w projekcie rozwojowym pt. „Ocena zachowania się i prognoza długotrwałej pracy stali nowej generacji na elementy kotłów eksploatowanych powyżej temperatury granicznej”, w zakresie oceny zachowania się pod wpływem działania temperatury i naprężenia w czasie i zaproponowania sposobu prognozowania trwałości eksploatacyjnej i stopnia wyczerpania stali nowej generacji dla energetyki. Publikacja jest pierwszą częścią opracowania, które zawiera charakterystyki materiałowe wybranych elementów krytycznych przegrzewaczy pary kotła o parametrach nadkrytycznych (ciśnienie do 28,5 MPa; temperatura do 620oC) przeznaczonych do pracy w warunkach pełzania wykonanych z wysokochromowych stali martenzytycznych o zawartości 9 i 12% Cr w gatunkach X10CrMoVNb9-1 (P91) i X12CrCoWVNb12-2-2 (VM12SHC) oraz austenitycznej stali chromowo-niklowej w gatunku X10CrNiCuNb18-9-3 (Super 304H). Opracowane charakterystyki materiałowe oraz metodologia oceny stanu materiału i stopnia jego wyczerpania posłużyły do budowy modeli zjawiska pełzania badanych stali. Zbudowane modele zjawiska pełzania wraz z zaproponowaną analizą numeryczną posłużyły do opracowania sposobu wyznaczania trwałości eksploatacyjnej elementów o zróżnicowanej geometrii przeznaczonych do pracy w części ciśnieniowej kotłów o parametrach nadkrytycznych. Uzyskane wyniki w obszarze tych zagadnień zostały omówione w oddzielnej publikacji [1]. W przedstawionej części opracowania, na podstawie wyników skróconych i długotrwałych prób pełzania o maks. czasie do ok. 25 tys. godzin, wyznaczono trwałość. Ponadto sporządzono parametryczne krzywe Larsona-Millera wytrzymałości na pełzanie. Wyznaczono prędkość pełzania w stanie ustalonym oraz określono czas do końca drugiego okresu pełzania dla wybranych parametrów temperaturowo-naprężeniowych. Zbudowano zależności udziału drugiego okresu pełzania w czasie do zerwania oraz prędkości pełzania od naprężenia w stałej temperaturze. Zweryfikowano przydatność oceny stopnia wyczerpania metodą wykorzystującą regułę ułamków trwałości. Przeprowadzono ocenę wpływu odstawień i uruchomień instalacji na trwałość eksploatacyjną materiału badanych elementów przegrzewacza pary na podstawie prób cyklicznego pełzania. Dokonano oceny wpływu zmian w mikrostrukturze i składzie fazowym wydzieleń na obniżanie się odporności na pełzania. W oparciu o opracowane charakterystyki materiałowe zaproponowano metodologię oceny stanu materiału i jego stopnia wyczerpania (zmiany obrazu mikrostruktury, zmiany składu fazowego wydzieleń, model ewolucji mikrostruktury, klasyfikacja mikrostruktury) oraz narzędzia do jego oceny.This paper presents selected investigation results obtained in the development project “The assessment of behaviour and forecast about long-term operation of new-generation steel for components of boilers operated above limit temperature” with regard to assessment of its behaviour under the influence of temperature and stress in time and proposal of the method for forecasting about life time and exhaustion extent of new-generation steels for the power industry. The publication is the first part of the study, which includes material characteristics for selected critical elements of steam superheaters of boiler with supercritical parameters (pressure up to 28.5 MPa; temperature up to 620oC) designed for operation under creep conditions, made from high-chromium martensitic steels containing 9 and 12% of Cr – grades X10CrMoVNb9-1 (P91) and X12CrCoWVNb12-2-2 (VM12SHC), and austenitic chromium-nickel steel – grade X10CrNiCuNb18-9-3 (Super 304H). The developed material characteristics and methodology for the assessment of material condition and its exhaustion extent were used to build creep effect models for the examined steels. These models along with proposed numerical analysis were used to develop the method for determination of life time of elements with different geometry intended for operation in the pressure part of boilers with supercritical parameters. The obtained results in the area of these issues were discussed in a separate publication [1]. In this part of the study, the life time was determined based on the results of abridged and long-term creep tests of max 25 thousand hours. In addition, the Larson-Miller parametric creep strength curves were plotted. The steadystate creep rate and time to the end of the secondary creep were determined for selected temperature and stress parameters. The relationships of the share of secondary creep in the time to rupture and creep rate to stress at constant temperature were built. The suitability of the exhaustion extent assessment using the life-time fractures rule was verified. The assessment of the influence of shut-downs and start-ups of the plant on life time of the material of examined steam superheater elements based on cyclic creep tests was made. The assessment of the impact of changes in the microstructure and phase composition of precipitates on reduction in creep resistance was made. Based on the developed material characteristics, the methodology for the assessment of material condition and exhaustion extent (changes in the image of microstructure, changes in phase composition of precipitates, microstructure evolution model, microstructure classification) and the assessment tools were proposed