Amorphization of graphite flakes in gray cast iron under tribological load

A gray cast iron disc, which had been submitted to a heavy duty automotive brake test, was examined with energy filtered transmission electron microscopy. A graphite flake in a convenient angular position showed the shear interaction of graphite layers with the iron matrix in nano-scale resolution. Atomic layers of graphite were wedged into the ferritic bulk, allowing the entrance of oxygen and the subsequent formation of magnetite. The exfoliated few-layer graphene batches deformed heavily when forced into the matrix. When Raman spectra from the disc surface, which show distinctive carbonaceous bands, were compared with Raman spectra from graphite subjected to deformation in a shaker mill with different milling times, it could be seen that the shear stress on the brake surface was much more effective to induce disorder than the milling, where compressive and impact forces had been additionally exerted on the sample. During shear load the high anisotropy of elastic modulus in the graphite crystalline structure and the low adhesion between graphite basal planes allowed the exfoliation of wrinkled few-layer grapheme batches, causing the formation of more defect related Raman bands than the mechanical stress during high-energy milling

Experimental determination of cross sections for K-shell ionization by electron impact for C, O, Al, Si, and Ti

Cross sections for K-shell ionization by electron impact were determined from films of Al, Si, and Ti and their oxides deposited on carbon substrates, for incident energies between 2.5 and 25 keV. The spectral processing of the x-ray emission spectra took into account corrections due to the presence of a spontaneous oxide layer formed on the monoelemental films and to the supporting material. CarbonK-shell ionization cross sections were determined from the contribution of the substrate to the measured spectra, while for oxygen, data from the three oxide films were taken. The mass thickness of the coatings was characterized by x-ray reflectivity. The results obtained were compared with other experimental data sets, semiempirical approaches, and theoretical models

Análise de distribuição de concentrações em fitas de cuco

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Non-ohmic behavior of metal-insulator granular thin films in low-field regime (eDV kBT)

Non-ohmic behavior is not expected in metal–insulator granular systems in a low-field regime. There is no model to explain this behavior, even though it has been reported in several metalinsulator granular thin films (Fe-Al2O3, Co-Al2O3, and Ti-SiO2). In this paper, we show additional experimental results of Fe-SiO2 granular films and propose an explanation for the electrical properties of all above mentioned systems, based on Mott variable range hopping. The experimental results show that the localization length increases and the electrical resistance decreases with the increase of electrical potential or current. The non-ohmic behavior of the resistance and the increase of the localization length with increasing current are explained by the activation of new pathways for electrons in granular thin films that contain variable grain sizes and/or have different distances between grains

A Técnica de Difração de Elétrons Retro-Espalhados (EBSD) em Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura (MEV) e sua Aplicação no Estudo de Rochas Deformadas

The electron backscattered diffraction technique in the scanning electron microscope (EBSD/SEM) is based on the diffraction of a high-energy electron beam by the crystalline structure of a given material, in all possible directions within the sample. Some of the diffracted electrons escape from the specimen with virtually the same initial energy, interact with a phosphorescent screen and the generated EBSP pattern can be picked up with a low-luminosity charge couple device (CCD) camera. These patterns can be indexed using pre-determined patterns for a large variety of minerals, which allows the determination of complete orientation of each single mineral within an aggregate. In this paper we briefly discuss the physical aspects related to the diffraction of an electron beam by crystalline matter and how the EBSP patterns are generated. We also present a short introduction of the necessary instruments to acquire EBSD data, as well as the calibration procedures, acquisition and indexing software of EBSPs. The pitfalls of the technique and possible error sources are also discussed with examples. Considering the scarce availability of literature on geological sample preparation, the polishing method of silicate-rich rocks for EBSP is described in detail in the last part of this paper.The electron backscattered diffraction technique in the scanning electron microscope (EBSD/SEM) is based on the diffraction of a high-energy electron beam by the crystalline structure of a given material, in all possible directions within the sample. Some of the diffracted electrons escape from the specimen with virtually the same initial energy, interact with a phosphorescent screen and the generated EBSP pattern can be picked up with a low-luminosity charge couple device (CCD) camera. These patterns can be indexed using pre-determined patterns for a large variety of minerals, which allows the determination of complete orientation of each single mineral within an aggregate. In this paper we briefly discuss the physical aspects related to the diffraction of an electron beam by crystalline matter and how the EBSP patterns are generated. We also present a short introduction of the necessary instruments to acquire EBSD data, as well as the calibration procedures, acquisition and indexing software of EBSPs. The pitfalls of the technique and possible error sources are also discussed with examples. Considering the scarce availability of literature on geological sample preparation, the polishing method of silicate-rich rocks for EBSP is described in detail in the last part of this paper

Influence of hydrothermal activity on the mineralogical-petrophysical properties of an atypical doleritic reservoir rock : a case study of the Gabes Gulf (north Africa, Tunisia)

The Gabes Gulf located in the South Mediterranean Sea (Southeastern part of Tunisia) is a prolific petroleum-producing area with several oil and gas fields and it's the subject of significant discoveries. The area is affected by intense tectonic events and several stages of hydrothermal activities. During drilling at the MX area in NE of the Gabes Gulf, a magmatic intrusion has been encountered within a reservoir rock (i.e., Douleb Formation). The objectives of the present study are (1) to investigate the impact of the hydrothermal activities on this magmatic intrusion and (2) to characterize the potential modifications in its mineralogy and petro-physical properties that can affect the migration/accumulation of hydrocarbons. To do so we combine optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, micro-Raman spectroscopy, electron microprobe analyses, and petro-physical measurements. Our results show that the initial magmatic intrusion (dolerite) is composed mainly of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine. Based on petrographic observations, this intrusion subjected to several stages of hydrothermal fluid alterations that modified the primary texture and mineralogy. Albite, calcite, ankerite, dolomite, pyrite, quartz, anatase, kaolinite, and chlorite are the main secondary mineral products. During this alteration process, carbonates, pyrite, and quartz precipitated in vesicles, forming amygdules structure with enveloped zones indicating a fluctuation of fluid chemistry during their formation. In addition, petrographic observations indicate an interaction between feldspars exsolution and metasomatic processes in the studied area. The dissolution mechanisms, as well as the textural modifications in the dolerite induced by the hydrothermal activity, are underlined by the presence of spherulites, pores, and micropores. Such modifications significantly improved the porosity of the dolerite body. Conversely, the new mineralization that filled the fractures and micro-fractures, have reduced the inter-pore connections, and thus reduced its permeability. The present work demonstrates the important role of hydrothermal activity on the petro-physical properties of magmatic intrusions and how it could facilitate the migration/accumulation of hydrocarbons. Our results open the door for further investigations to check the potential presence of hydrocarbons within this doleritic intrusion

High performance biocatalyst based on β-D-galactosidase immobilized on mesoporous silica/titania/chitosan material

A new support for the immobilization of β-D-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis was developed, consisting of mesoporous silica/titania with a chitosan coating. This support presents a high available surface area and adequate pore size for optimizing the immobilization efficiency of the enzyme and, furthermore, maintaining its activity. The obtained supported biocatalyst was applied in enzyme hydrolytic activity tests with o-NPG, showing high activity 1223 Ug 1, excellent efficiency (74%), and activity recovery (54%). Tests of lactose hydrolysis in a continuous flow reactor showed that during 14 days operation, the biocatalyst maintained full enzymatic activity. In a batch system, after 15 cycles, it retained approximately 90% of its initial catalytic activity and attained full conversion of the lactose 100% (±12%). Additionally, with the use of the mesoporous silica/titania support, the biocatalyst presented no deformation and fragmentation, in both systems, demonstrating high operational stability and appropriate properties for applications in food manufacturing

The Role of Stimulus Salience and Attentional Capture Across the Neural Hierarchy in a Stop-Signal Task

Inhibitory motor control is a core function of cognitive control. Evidence from diverse experimental approaches has linked this function to a mostly right-lateralized network of cortical and subcortical areas, wherein a signal from the frontal cortex to the basal ganglia is believed to trigger motor-response cancellation. Recently, however, it has been recognized that in the context of typical motor-control paradigms those processes related to actual response inhibition and those related to the attentional processing of the relevant stimuli are highly interrelated and thus difficult to distinguish. Here, we used fMRI and a modified Stop-signal task to specifically examine the role of perceptual and attentional processes triggered by the different stimuli in such tasks, thus seeking to further distinguish other cognitive processes that may precede or otherwise accompany the implementation of response inhibition. In order to establish which brain areas respond to sensory stimulation differences by rare Stop-stimuli, as well as to the associated attentional capture that these may trigger irrespective of their task-relevance, we compared brain activity evoked by Stop-trials to that evoked by Go-trials in task blocks where Stop-stimuli were to be ignored. In addition, region-of-interest analyses comparing the responses to these task-irrelevant Stop-trials, with those to typical relevant Stop-trials, identified separable activity profiles as a function of the task-relevance of the Stop-signal. While occipital areas were mostly blind to the task-relevance of Stop-stimuli, activity in temporo-parietal areas dissociated between task-irrelevant and task-relevant ones. Activity profiles in frontal areas, in turn, were activated mainly by task-relevant Stop-trials, presumably reflecting a combination of triggered top-down attentional influences and inhibitory motor-control processes