Metallic diffusion measured by a modified Knudsen technique

Diffusion coefficient of a metal in high temperature system is determined. From the measurement of the weight loss from a Knudsen cell, the vapor pressure of the escaping species can be calculated. If the only way this species can enter the Knudsen cell is by diffusion through a foil, the weight loss is diffusion flux

Diffusion measurements using a modified Knudsen technique

Diffusion flux and vapor pressure for escaping gas from measurement of steady state weight loss of Knudsen cel

Electrochemical interaction between graphite and molten salts to produce nanotubes, nanoparticles, graphene and nanodiamonds

The electrochemical interaction between graphite and molten salts to produce carbon nanostructures is reviewed. It is demonstrated that, depending on the conditions, it is possible to electrochemically convert graphite in molten salts to either carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes, metal filled carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes, graphene or nanodiamonds. The application of metal filled carbon nanotubes as anodes in lithium ion batteries is reviewed. Surprisingly, this method of preparation is relatively simple and very similar to the mass production of aluminium in molten sodium aluminium fluoride-alumina mixtures, which is performed economically on a tonnage scale, indicating that it may be possible to apply it for the production of novel carbon nanostructures.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9340-

Alpha/beta and gamma interferons are induced by infection with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus in vivo

In contrast to the results of previous in vitro studies, experimental infection of calves with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (ncpBVDV) was found to induce strong alpha/beta and gamma interferon responses in gnotobiotic animals. These responses were associated with depressed levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in serum. The results of this study indicate that the immunosuppression caused by ncpBVDV is not associated with low interferon responses or elevated levels of TGF-β

Low CO/CO₂ ratios of comet 67P measured at the Abydos landing site by the <i>Ptolemy</i> mass spectrometer

Comets are generally considered to contain the best-preserved material from the beginning of our planetary system, although the mechanism of their formation and subsequent evolution are still poorly understood. Here we report the direct in situ measurement of H2O, CO, and CO2 by the Ptolemy mass spectrometer onboard the Philae lander, part of the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission, at the Abydos site of the Jupiter-family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. A CO/CO2 ratio of around 0.07 ± 0.04 is found at the surface of the comet, a value substantially lower than the one measured by ROSINA in the coma. Such a major difference is a potential indication of heterogeneity of the nucleus and not of changes in the CO/CO2 ratio of the coma with radial distance

The Impact of Digital Platforms on News and Journalistic Content

The report was commissioned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as part of its Digital Platforms Inquiry. The inquiry has been described as a world-leading investigation into the effects of digital search engines, social media platforms and other digital content aggregation platforms on competition in media and advertising services markets. To assist the ACCC, the CMT was commissioned to research aspects concerning news and journalistic content. This included the function of journalism, effects of technology and how to consider quality and choice

Niobium based intermetallics as a source of high-current/high-magnetic field superconductors

The article is focused on low temperature intermetallic A15 superconducting wires development for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, NMR, and Nuclear Magnetic Imaging, MRI, magnets and also on cryogen-free magnets. There are many other applications which would benefit from new development such as future Large Hadron Collider to be built from A15 intermetallic conductors. This paper highlights the current status of development of the niobium based intermetallics with special attention to Nb 3 (Al 1-x, Ge x). Discussion is focused on the materials science aspects of conductor manufacture, such as b-phase (A15) formation, with particular emphasis on the maximisation of the superconducting parameters, such as critical current density, Jc, critical temperature, Tc, and upper critical field, Hc2 . Many successful manufacturing techniques of the potential niobium-aluminide intermetallic superconducting conductors, such as solid-state processing, liquid-solid processing, rapid heating/cooling processes, are described, compared and assessed. Special emphasis has been laid on conditions under which the Jc (B) peak effect occurs in some of the Nb3(Al,Ge) wires. A novel electrodeoxidizing method developed in Cambridge whereby the alloys and intermetallics are produced cheaply making all superconducting electromagnetic devices, using low cost LTCs, more cost effective is presented.This new technique has potential to revolutionise the existing superconducting industry enabling reduction of cost orders of magnitude.Comment: Paper presented at EUCAS'01 conference, Copenhagen, 26-30 August 200