59,796 research outputs found
Determination of a Definition of Solar Grade Silicon
A definition of solar grade silicon was determined by investigating the singular and the combined effect of the impurities usually found in metallurgical grade silicon on solar cell device performance. The impurity matrix was defined by Jet Propulsion Laboratory Technical Direction Memorandum. The initial work was focussed on standardizing the solar cell process and test procedure, growing baseline crystals, growing crystals contaminated with carbon, iron, nickel, zirconium, aluminum and vanadium, solar blank preparation, and material characterization
Cryogenic flux-concentrator
Flux concentrator has high primary to secondary coupling efficiency enabling it to produce high magnetic fields. The device provides versatility in pulse duration, magnetic field strengths and power sources
Spheromak formation and sustainment studies at the sustained spheromak physics experiment using high-speed imaging and magnetic diagnostics
A high-speed imaging system with shutter speeds as fast as 2 ns and double frame capability has been used to directly image the formation and evolution of the sustained spheromak physics experiment (SSPX) [E. B. Hooper et al., Nucl. Fusion 39, 863 (1999)]. Reproducible plasma features have been identified with this diagnostic and divided into three groups, according to the stage in the discharge at which they occur: (i) breakdown and ejection, (ii) sustainment, and (iii) decay. During the first stage, plasma descends into the flux conserver shortly after breakdown and a transient plasma column is formed. The column then rapidly bends and simultaneously becomes too dim to photograph a few microseconds after formation. It is conjectured here that this rapid bending precedes the transfer of toroidal to poloidal flux. During sustainment, a stable plasma column different from the transient one is observed. It has been possible to measure the column diameter and compare it to CORSICA [A. Tarditi et al., Contrib. Plasma Phys. 36, 132 (1996)], a magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium reconstruction code which showed good agreement with the measurements. Elongation and velocity measurements were made of cathode patterns also seen during this stage, possibly caused by pressure gradients or E×B drifts. The patterns elongate in a toroidal-only direction which depends on the magnetic-field polarity. During the decay stage the column diameter expands as the current ramps down, until it eventually dissolves into filaments. With the use of magnetic probes inserted in the gun region, an X point which moved axially depending on current level and toroidal mode number was observed in all the stages of the SSPX plasma discharge
Low cost solar array project 1: Silicon material
The low cost production of silicon by deposition of silicon from a hydrogen/chlorosilane mixture is described. Reactor design, reaction vessel support systems (physical support, power control and heaters, and temperature monitoring systems) and operation of the system are reviewed. Testing of four silicon deposition reactors is described, and test data and consequently derived data are given. An 18% conversion of trichlorosilane to silicon was achieved, but average conversion rates were lower than predicted due to incomplete removal of byproduct gases for recycling and silicon oxide/silicon polymer plugging of the gas outlet. Increasing the number of baffles inside the reaction vessel improved the conversion rate. Plans for further design and process improvements to correct the problems encountered are outlined
Collisions of small ice particles under microgravity conditions (II): Does the chemical composition of the ice change the collisional properties?
Context: Understanding the collisional properties of ice is important for
understanding both the early stages of planet formation and the evolution of
planetary ring systems. Simple chemicals such as methanol and formic acid are
known to be present in cold protostellar regions alongside the dominant water
ice; they are also likely to be incorporated into planets which form in
protoplanetary disks, and planetary ring systems. However, the effect of the
chemical composition of the ice on its collisional properties has not yet been
studied. Aims: Collisions of 1.5 cm ice spheres composed of pure crystalline
water ice, water with 5% methanol, and water with 5% formic acid were
investigated to determine the effect of the ice composition on the collisional
outcomes. Methods: The collisions were conducted in a dedicated experimental
instrument, operated under microgravity conditions, at relative particle impact
velocities between 0.01 and 0.19 m s^-1, temperatures between 131 and 160 K and
a pressure of around 10^-5 mbar. Results: A range of coefficients of
restitution were found, with no correlation between this and the chemical
composition, relative impact velocity, or temperature. Conclusions: We conclude
that the chemical composition of the ice (at the level of 95% water ice and 5%
methanol or formic acid) does not affect the collisional properties at these
temperatures and pressures due to the inability of surface wetting to take
place. At a level of 5% methanol or formic acid, the structure is likely to be
dominated by crystalline water ice, leading to no change in collisional
properties. The surface roughness of the particles is the dominant factor in
explaining the range of coefficients of restitution
Generalized Haldane Equation and Fluctuation Theorem in the Steady State Cycle Kinetics of Single Enzymes
Enyzme kinetics are cyclic. We study a Markov renewal process model of
single-enzyme turnover in nonequilibrium steady-state (NESS) with sustained
concentrations for substrates and products. We show that the forward and
backward cycle times have idential non-exponential distributions:
\QQ_+(t)=\QQ_-(t). This equation generalizes the Haldane relation in
reversible enzyme kinetics. In terms of the probabilities for the forward
() and backward () cycles, is shown to be the
chemical driving force of the NESS, . More interestingly, the moment
generating function of the stochastic number of substrate cycle ,
follows the fluctuation theorem in the form of
Kurchan-Lebowitz-Spohn-type symmetry. When $\lambda$ = $\Delta\mu/k_BT$, we
obtain the Jarzynski-Hatano-Sasa-type equality:
1 for all , where is the fluctuating chemical work
done for sustaining the NESS. This theory suggests possible methods to
experimentally determine the nonequilibrium driving force {\it in situ} from
turnover data via single-molecule enzymology.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Pressure-tuned First-order Phase Transition and Accompanying Resistivity Anomaly in CeZn_{1-\delta}Sb_{2}
The Kondo lattice system CeZn_{0.66}Sb_{2} is studied by the electrical
resistivity and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements at several pressures.
At P=0 kbar, ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic transitions appear at 3.6 and
0.8 K, respectively. The electrical resistivity at T_N dramatically changes
from the Fisher-Langer type (ferromagnetic like) to the Suzaki-Mori type near
17 kbar, i.e., from a positive divergence to a negative divergence in the
temperature derivative of the resistivity. The pressure-induced SM type
anomaly, which shows thermal hysteresis, is easily suppressed by small magnetic
field (1.9 kOe for 19.8 kbar), indicating a weakly first-order nature of the
transition. By subtracting a low-pressure data set, we directly compare the
resistivity anomaly with the SM theory without any assumption on backgrounds,
where the negative divergence in d\rho/dT is ascribed to enhanced critical
fluctuations in the presence of superzone gaps.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures; journal-ref adde
Kinetics of natural aging in Al-Mg-Si alloys studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
The process of natural aging in pure ternary Al-Mg-Si alloys was studied by
positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy in real time in order to clarify
the sequence and kinetics of clustering and precipitation. It was found that
natural aging takes place in at least five stages in these alloys, four of
which were directly observed. This is interpreted as the result of complex
interactions between vacancies and solute atoms or clusters. One of the early
stages of positron lifetime evolution coincides with a clustering process
observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and involves the formation
of a positron trap with \sim 0.200 ns lifetime. In later stages, a positron
trap with a higher lifetime develops in coincidence with the DSC signal of a
second clustering reaction. Mg governs both the kinetics and the lifetime
change in this stage. Within the first 10 min after quenching, a period of
nearly constant positron lifetime was found for those Mg-rich alloys that later
show an insufficient hardness response to artificial aging, the so-called
"negative effect." The various processes observed could be described by two
effective activation energies that were found by varying the aging temperature
from 10 to 37\degree C.Comment: arXiv admin note: same as v2, to correct mistaken v
Ecological and physical characteristics of the Te Awa O Katapaki Stream, Flagstaff, Waikato
1. The fish, macroinvertebrates, aquatic vegetation, and water quality indicate that the Te Awa O Katapaki Stream is an unpolluted, pastureland stream that is typical of the Waikato region.
2. The stream has very high nutrient concentrations that probably result from the dairy farming upstream.
3. The fish fauna is dominated by the native shortfinned eels. The presence of the migratory common smelt indicates that swimming fish species also have free access to the stream from the Waikato River.
4. Fish of high conservation value, such as giant or banded kokopu (Galaxias argenteus or G. fasciatus) were absent, which is predictable given the warm, unshaded nature of the stream.
5. Fish and invertebrates would soon recolonise the restored stream following any work in the streambed
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