Zeeman-split mesoscopic transport through a normal-metal–quantum-dot–superconductor system with ac response

We have investigated the Zeeman-split mesoscopic transport through the normal-metal–quantum-dot–superconductor system applied with a microwave field. We employ BCS theory to describe the Hamiltonian of the superconducting lead. The time-averaged tunneling current formula is derived by using the Keldysh’s nonequilibrium Green-function technique in the Nambu representation. The multilevel quantum dot is considered for the noninteraction system in the calculations. The spin split Andreev reflection and photon-electron pumping behaviors are investigated in the presence of a Zeeman magnetic field. The resonant structure versus Zeeman energy and gate voltage is revealed. The Zeeman-split photon-assisted I-V characteristics are evaluated for the single-channel quantum-dot system. By adjusting the Zeeman magnetic field, we can obtain a large resonant tunneling current even if in the Andreev reflection regime. The current appears to have interesting structures versus Zeeman energy for the multichannel quantum-dot system associated with a different gate voltage. The negative and positive current appear in the symmetric forms by controlling the Zeeman field.published_or_final_versio

Coherent mesoscopic transport through a quantum-dot embedded carbon nanotube ring threaded with magnetic flux

We have investigated the coherent mesoscopic transport through a quantum-dot (QD) embedded carbon nanotube ring (CNR) by employing the nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) technique. The Landauer–Büttiker-like formula is presented to calculate the differential conductance and current–voltage characteristics. Due to the interference of the electrons transporting in the two paths of CNR, the resultant conductivity of electron through the system is determined by the compound concrete structure of CNR–QD system. The tunneling current appears quantum behavior obviously in the small region of source-drain bias. The conductance is adjusted by the gate voltage Vg and the magnetic flux φ. The reversal resonance has been displayed versus the gate voltage, and it is symmetric about Vg for the type I CNR, but it is asymmetric for the type II CNR. The phase inverse oscillations are also presented for the different types of CNRs.postprin

Mesoscopic transport through toroidal carbon nanotubes threaded with a THz magnetic flux

We have investigated the quantum transport through mesoscopic systems with a toroidal carbon nanotube coupled with two metal leads (N-TCN-N) threaded with an ac magnetic flux. The energy shifting takes place by applying the magnetic flux, and this shifting arises from both the dc and ac components of magnetic flux. The dc magnetic flux induces the periodic variation of energy gap E g of the TCN, and the ac magnetic flux component always increases the energy gap. As the photon energy is larger than the energy gap , the electrons in the valence band can jump to the conductance band at zero temperature, and the tunneling current appears for , ( ). The differential conductance and tunneling current display clear effect of ac flux by modifying the current oscillation structures. The photon-assisted tunneling current exhibits stair-like I-V characteristics, and it shows different behaviors for different TCN systems. The magnitude of the current is suppressed by the applied ac flux. We also present the time-dependent current evolution, which is contributed by the oscillating current components.postprin

Photon-assisted mesoscopic transport through a toroidal carbon nanotube coupled to normal metal leads

The mesoscopic transport through a toroidal carbon nanotube (TCN) system applied with ac fields to the electrodes has been investigated by employing the nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) technique. The Landauer–Büttiker-like formula is presented for numerical calculations of differential conductance and tunneling current. The conductance resonance takes place due to the electrons resonating in the quantum levels of TCN and side-band caused by the external ac fields. The photon-assisted transport can be observed both in conductance oscillation and current oscillation with respect to the magnetic flux. The side peaks and current suppressions are the main effect of photon absorption and emission in the transport procedure. The stair-like current–voltage characteristics are resulted from the quantum nature of TCN and applied microwave fields. The photon–electron pumping effect can be obtained by applying the microwave fields to the leads.postprin

Enhanced Coagulation of Titanium Tetrachloride Aided by the Modified Compound Bioflocculant

© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers. The compound bioflocculant (CBF) was modified by graft copolymerization of acrylic amide and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride, and the novel copolymer was denoted as MCBF. The effect of MCBF used as coagulant aid with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) was investigated for both high and low molecule weight natural organic matter (NOM) removal. Floc characteristics were studied using a laser diffraction particle-sizing device. Results indicated that the monomers were successfully grafted onto the CBF, and the molecule weight and zeta potential of CBF were greatly improved. The MCBF with TiCl4 exhibited synergistic effect by promoting NOM removal, especially at low TiCl4 doses. Additionally, using MCBF as a coagulant aid with TiCl4 can significantly increase the floc growth rate, size, strength, and broken-floc recoverability. The effect of MCBF on fractal dimension of flocs generated by TiCl4 depended on NOM properties. Both coagulation performance and floc properties were significantly affected by dosing sequence

The core Planar Cell Polarity gene, Vangl2, maintains apical-basal organisation of the corneal epithelium

This work was performed under Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) research grant BB/J015237/1 to JMC. DAP was funded by an Anatomical Society PhD Studentship whose support is gratefully acknowledged. ASF was funded by a BBSRC DTG PhD Studentship. We thank staff at the Medical Research Facility and Aberdeen Microscopy Services for technical assistance.Peer reviewedPostprin

Concentrating underground brine by FO process: Influence of membrane types and spacer on membrane scaling

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. Forward osmosis (FO) is a low energy process when recovery of the draw solutes is not necessary. This study focused on the performance of the FO process for concentrating underground brine (UGB) with saturated sodium chloride as draw solution (DS) using two membranes: commercialized flat sheet cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane and tailor-made thin film composite (TFC) FO membrane. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis indicate that, majority of the scaling components were calcium sulfate and sodium chloride crystals formed both through surface and bulk crystallization. The spacer in the FO test cell also promoted scaling. Without spacer, a sharp flux decline of TFC membrane occurred at a higher concentration factor while no sharp flux drop was observed for CTA membrane. It was hypothesized that the rough TFC membrane surface may initiate nucleation and aggregation of the crystals in the active surface, and eventually resulting in scaling

Coagulation performance and floc characteristics of polytitanium tetrachloride and titanium tetrachloride compared with ferric chloride for coal mining wastewater treatment

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. Abstract The production and discharge of large volumes of wastewater during coal mining activities are one of the major environmental issues in Australia. Therefore, it is crucial to develop and optimise effective treatment processes for the safe disposal of coal mining wastewater (CMWW). In this study, we investigated the performance of a recently developed polytitanium tetrachloride (PTC) coagulant and compared with the performance of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and the commonly used ferric chloride (FeCl3) coagulant for the treatment of CMWW from one of the coal mining sites in Australia. The use of Ti-based coagulants is particularly attractive for the CMWW treatment due to the advantage of being able to recycle the sludge to produce functional titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst; unlike the flocs formed using conventional coagulants, which need to be disposed in landfill sites. The results showed that both PTC and TiCl4 performed better than FeCl3 in terms of turbidity, UV254 and inorganic compounds (e.g. aluminium, copper or zinc) removal, however, PTC performed poorly in terms of dissolved organic carbon removal (i.e. less than 10%). While charge neutralisation and bridging adsorption were the main coagulation mechanisms identified for TiCl4 treatment; sweep coagulation and bridging adsorption seemed to play a more important role for both PTC and FeCl3 treatments. The flocs formed by PTC coagulation achieved the largest floc size of around 900 μm with the highest floc growth rate. Both Ti-based coagulants (i.e., PTC and TiCl4) showed higher strength factor than FeCl3, while TiCl4 coagulant yielded the flocs with the highest recovery factor. This study indicates that Ti-based coagulants are effective and promising coagulants for the treatment of CMWW

Dehydration of forward osmosis membranes in treating high salinity wastewaters: Performance and implications

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. Forward osmosis (FO) is a promising technique for desalinating high salinity wastewaters, and membrane performance is critical for its successful application. In this work, the dehydration of FO membranes was demonstrated for both commercial cellulose triacetate and tailor-made thin-film composite membranes. A significant loss of FO flux was observed after membrane dehydration, but the pure water permeability and rejection properties remained about the same. Dehydrated membrane showed opaque/white spots on the initially homogeneous membrane. Once dehydrated, a membrane with a much lower water flux will be resulting in. It was demonstrated that when the active skin layer was in contact with the saline solution before the support layer was brought into contact with an aqueous solution, membrane dehydration took place. The dehydration was ascribed to osmosis gradient across the active layer that caused water flow from membrane support layer to the active layer, resulting in support dehydration. The dehydrated membrane could be rewetted again by low surface tension liquid or reverse osmosis, illustrating that membrane dehydration is reversible. Precaution should be addressed when operating large FO system to prevent the membrane dehydration for high salinity water treatment