669 research outputs found
Front motion in an type reaction-diffusion process: Effects of an electric field
We study the effects of an external electric field on both the motion of the
reaction zone and the spatial distribution of the reaction product, , in an
irreversible reaction-diffusion process. The electrolytes
and are initially separated in space
and the ion-dynamics is described by reaction-diffusion equations obeying local
electroneutrality. Without an electric field, the reaction zone moves
diffusively leaving behind a constant concentration of -s. In the presence
of an electric field which drives the reagents towards the reaction zone, we
find that the reaction zone still moves diffusively but with a diffusion
coefficient which slightly decreases with increasing field. The important
electric field effect is that the concentration of -s is no longer constant
but increases linearly in the direction of the motion of the front. The case of
an electric field of reversed polarity is also discussed and it is found that
the motion of the front has a diffusive, as well as a drift component. The
concentration of -s decreases in the direction of the motion of the front,
up to the complete extinction of the reaction. Possible applications of the
above results to the understanding of the formation of Liesegang patterns in an
electric field is briefly outlined.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phy
Liesegang patterns : Studies on the width law
The so-called "width law" for Liesegang patterns, which states that the
positions x_n and widths w_n of bands verify the relation x_n \sim w_n^{\alpha}
for some \alpha>0, is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. We
provide experimental data exhibiting good evidence for values of \alpha close
to 1. The value \alpha=1 is supported by theoretical arguments based on a
generic model of reaction-diffusion.Comment: 7 pages, RevTeX, two columns, 5 figure
Formation of Liesegang patterns: Simulations using a kinetic Ising model
A kinetic Ising model description of Liesegang phenomena is studied using
Monte Carlo simulations. The model takes into account thermal fluctuations,
contains noise in the chemical reactions, and its control parameters are
experimentally accessible. We find that noisy, irregular precipitation takes
place in dimension d=2 while, depending on the values of the control
parameters, either irregular patterns or precipitation bands satisfying the
regular spacing law emerge in d=3.Comment: 7 pages, 8 ps figures, RevTe
Derivation of the Matalon-Packter law for Liesegang patterns
Theoretical models of the Liesegang phenomena are studied and simple
expressions for the spacing coefficients characterizing the patterns are
derived. The emphasis is on displaying the explicit dependences on the
concentrations of the inner- and the outer-electrolytes. Competing theories
(ion-product supersaturation, nucleation and droplet growth, induced sol-
coagulation) are treated with the aim of finding the distinguishing features of
the theories. The predictions are compared with experiments and the results
suggest that the induced sol-coagulation theory is the best candidate for
describing the experimental observations embodied in the Matalon-Packter law.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, RevTe
Phase separation of binary fluids with dynamic temperature
Phase separation of binary fluids quenched by contact with cold external
walls is considered. Navier-Stokes, convection-diffusion, and energy equations
are solved by lattice Boltzmann method coupled with finite-difference schemes.
At high viscosity, different morphologies are observed by varying the thermal
diffusivity. In the range of thermal diffusivities with domains growing
parallel to the walls, temperature and phase separation fronts propagate
towards the inner of the system with power-law behavior. At low viscosity
hydrodynamics favors rounded shapes, and complex patterns with different
lengthscales appear. Off-symmetrical systems behave similarly but with more
ordered configurations.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E, 11 figures, best quality
figures available on reques
Crossbred Sows Fed a Western Diet during Pre-Gestation, Gestation, Lactation, and Post-Lactation Periods Develop Signs of Lean Metabolic Syndrome That Are Partially Attenuated by Spirulina Supplementation
Excessive dietary intake of fats and sugars ("Western diet", WD) is one of the leading causes of obesity. The consumption of the microalga Arthrospira platensis (spirulina, Sp) is increasing due to its presumed health benefits. Both WD and Sp are also consumed by pregnant and breastfeeding women. This study investigated if gestating and lactating domestic pigs are an appropriate model for WD-induced metabolic disturbances similar to those observed in humans and if Sp supplementation may attenuate any of these adverse effects. Pigs were fed a WD high in fat, sugars, and cholesterol or a control diet. Half of the animals per diet group were supplemented with 20 g Sp per day. The WD did not increase body weight or adipose tissue accumulation but led to metabolic impairments such as higher cholesterol concentration in plasma, lower IGF1 plasma levels, and signs of hepatic damage compared to the control group. Spirulina supplementation could not reduce all the metabolic impairments observed in WD-fed animals. These findings indicate limited suitability of gestating and lactating domestic pigs as a model for WD but a certain potential of low-dose Sp supplementation to partially attenuate negative WD effects
Liesegang patterns: Effect of dissociation of the invading electrolyte
The effect of dissociation of the invading electrolyte on the formation of
Liesegang bands is investigated. We find, using organic compounds with known
dissociation constants, that the spacing coefficient, 1+p, that characterizes
the position of the n-th band as x_n ~ (1+p)^n, decreases with increasing
dissociation constant, K_d. Theoretical arguments are developed to explain
these experimental findings and to calculate explicitly the K_d dependence of
1+p.Comment: RevTex, 8 pages, 3 eps figure
Band Formation during Gaseous Diffusion in Aerogels
We study experimentally how gaseous HCl and NH_3 diffuse from opposite sides
of and react in silica aerogel rods with porosity of 92 % and average pore size
of about 50 nm. The reaction leads to solid NH_4Cl, which is deposited in thin
sheet-like structures. We present a numerical study of the phenomenon. Due to
the difference in boundary conditions between this system and those usually
studied, we find the sheet-like structures in the aerogel to differ
significantly from older studies. The influence of random nucleation centers
and inhomogeneities in the aerogel is studied numerically.Comment: 7 pages RevTex and 8 figures. Figs. 4-8 in Postscript, Figs. 1-3 on
request from author
Formation of Liesegang patterns: A spinodal decomposition scenario
Spinodal decomposition in the presence of a moving particle source is
proposed as a mechanism for the formation of Liesegang bands. This mechanism
yields a sequence of band positions x_n that obeys the spacing law
x_n~Q(1+p)^n. The dependence of the parameters p and Q on the initial
concentration of the reagents is determined and we find that the functional
form of p is in agreement with the experimentally observed Matalon-Packter law.Comment: RevTex, 4 pages, 4 eps figure
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