Characterization of a Be(p,xn) neutron source for fission yields measurements

We report on measurements performed at The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) to characterize a proton-neutron converter for independent fission yield studies at the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP facility (Jyv\"askyl\"a, Finland). A 30 MeV proton beam impinged on a 5 mm water-cooled Beryllium target. Two independent experimental techniques have been used to measure the neutron spectrum: a Time of Flight (TOF) system used to estimate the high-energy contribution, and a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer able to provide precise results from thermal energies up to 20 MeV. An overlap between the energy regions covered by the two systems will permit a cross-check of the results from the different techniques. In this paper, the measurement and analysis techniques will be presented together with some preliminary results.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, also submitted as proceedings of the International Conference on Nuclear Data for Science and Technology 201

Auctions for Renewable Energy Support II - First insights and results of the Horizon2020 project AURES II

This is the final version. Available from Funcas via the link in this recordThe Horizon2020 project AURES II aims at ensuring the effective implementation of auctions for renewable energies in the EU Member States (MS). In recent years, auction schemes for the allocation of support for renewable electricity sources (RES) have been advancing rapidly across Europe. Auctions are considered to have brought down support levels and increased planning capability for RES deployment and state budgets. In some unfortunate cases, they have, however, also resulted in delayed or unrealised projects and increased uncertainty for project developers. A variety of auction designs are still being tested and introduced in EU MS, as well as foreseen by European legislation. Therefore, there is still a need for further assessment and improvement of national auction design and implementation to ensure the future success of RES auctions in Europe. Applying different qualitative and quantitative methods in the various work packages (WPs), the AURES II project partners have already drafted and published a large number of reports and studies. This article aims at comprehensively presenting these results and provide a first overview.European Union Horizon 202

Corrosion Protection Effect of Chitosan on the Performance Characteristics of A6063 Alloy

This article outlines the behaviour of water-soluble chitosan as an effective inhibitor on aluminium alloy in 3.65% NaCl at room temperature. The inhibitive ability of water-soluble chitosan was examined using electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization techniques, mass loss measurements and computational studies. The outcome of the experiment reveals that chitosan inhibited aluminium alloy in sodium chloride solution exhibits better corrosion protection than the uninhibited because chitosan nanoparticles minimize the ingression of chloride ion into the active sites of aluminium alloy by forming thin film on its surface. The losses in mass by the inhibited aluminium alloy were found to reduce as the concentration of chitosan increases. Results obtained showed that chitosan could offer inhibition efficiency above 70%. Polarization curve demonstrated that chitosan in 3.65% NaCl at room temperature acted as a mixed-type inhibitor. Adsorption of chitosan nanoparticles on the aluminium alloy was found to follow Langmuir adsorption isotherm with correlation regression coefficient (R2 ) value of 0.9961

Nouvelles officielles des armées combinées du Champ de bataille le 21. Avril / 3. May 1813

NOUVELLES OFFICIELLES DES ARMÉES COMBINÉES DU CHAMP DE BATAILLE LE 21. AVRIL / 3. MAY 1813 Nouvelles officielles des armées combinées du Champ de bataille le 21. Avril / 3. May 1813 ([1]) Text ([1]) Officieller Bericht der verbündeten Armeen, gegeben von der Wahlstatt den 21. April / 3. May 1813 ([1]

Micro-optical prototyping of a surface acoustic wave-based point-of-care coagulation assay and first application in anticoagulated patients

Objective: Clinicians demand for methods to monitor effects of direct anticoagulants in the emergency setting. We recently described a coagulation assay based on surface acoustic waves (SAW) technology, which quantifies anticoagulant effects by image processing. Here we describe the first step in miniaturizing this laboratory method and provide a portable prototype that contains the optical illumination and automatic on-board image processing. Methods: A device about the size of a shoebox was realized that contains the SAW-chip, the signal generator, the LED illumination, as well as the necessary lenses, aperture, and CCD sensor. The microspheres in the blood were mixed by SAW, and the movement of the micro spheres was quantified by on-board image processing. Upon contact with activation induced coagulation, this movement ceases, and coagulation times were measured and compared to the manual methods obtained by standard fluorescent microscopy. A major advantage of our method is the low amount of blood (~ 6 μL) necessary for testing. Results: Results from the prototype correlated accurately with manual methods (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.9644). SAW-induced clotting time under anticoagulant treatment with dabigatran or rivaroxaban was well correlated with physicochemically determined plasma concentrations of these DOACs in anticoagulated patients. Compared to manual alignment of the chip under the fluorescence microscope, the prototype had a lower coefficient of variation. Conclusions: The last evolution step towards a point-of-care (POC)-device would be the development of a cartridge (containing calcium chloride and fluorescent label) such that a drop of blood can be introduced into the reaction vessel by a fluid actuator system

Target thickness dependence of the Be(p,xn) neutron energy spectrum

We report on the current status of the analysis of an experiment performed at The Svedberg Laboratory, with the aim of investigating the produced neutron field by Be(p,xn) converters of three different thicknesses with a 30 MeV proton beam. The neutron energy spectra were measured with the Time of Flight technique using a BC-501 liquid scintillator with good n-γ Pulse Shape Discrimination properties, while the detected events were recorded simultaneously by two Data AcQuisition systems. In this paper, we present the experimental setup, the analysis technique and some preliminary results