Na/beta-alumina/NaAlCl4, Cl2/C circulating cell

A study was made of a high specific energy battery based on a sodium negative electrode and a chlorine positive electrode with molten AlCl3-NaCl electrolyte and a solid beta alumina separator. The basic performance of a Na beta-alumina NaAlCl4, Cl2/C circulating cell at 200 C was demonstrated. This cell can be started at 150 C. The use of melting sodium chloroaluminate electrolyte overcomes some of the material problems associated with the high working temperatures of present molten salt systems, such as Na/S and LiAl/FeS, and retains the advantages of high energy density and relatively efficient electrode processes. Preliminary investigations were conducted on a sodium-chlorine static cell, material compability, electrode design, wetting, and theoretical calculations to assure a better chance of success before assembling a Na/Cl2 circulating cell. Mathematical models provide a theoretical explanation for the performance of the NaCl2 battery. The results of mathematical models match the experimental results very well. According to the result of the mathematical modeling, an output at 180 mA/sq cm and 3.2 V can be obtained with optimized cell design

UV femtosecond laser inscribes a 300 nm period nanostructure in a pure fused silica

We report on the first recording of a periodic structure of ∼150 nm pitch in a permanently moving sample of a pure fused silica using the tightly focused, 82 nJ, 267 nm, 300 fs, 1 kHz laser pulses. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd

Demonstration of inscription and ablation of phase masks for the production of 1st, 2nd and 3rd order FBG gratings using a femtosecond laser

We present to the best of our knowledge the first example of femtosecond laser inscription/ablation of phase/amplitude masks for the demonstrated purpose of inscribing Bragg gratings in optical fibers. We show that the utilization of a femtosecond laser for the mask production allows for great flexibility in controlling the mask period. The masks are used to produce 1st, 2nd and 3rd order fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in SMF-28. The work demonstrates the proof of concept and flexibility for the use of femtosecond lasers for the rapid prototyping of complex and reproducible mask structures. Our inscription studies are augmented by considerations of three-beam interference effects that occur as a result of the strong zeroth-order component that is present in addition to higher-order diffraction components

Palaeoecological study of South Milton Ley, South Devon

1. Attend South Milton Ley and obtain 6 sediment cores from 3 different areas of the ley to investigate the impact of discharges from the sewage treatment works (STW). 2. From each of the 3 locations, extrude one master core at appropriate intervals and describe its stratigraphy. 3. From each of the 3 locations, measure the dry weight and organic matter content of selected levels of the master core. 4. Date the master core from each of the 3 locations to provide a chronology of the ley sediments using radiometric dating methods and/or spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs). 5. Analyse the diatom assemblages in five to ten samples from selected depths of each master core. 6. Apply a diatom-phosphorus transfer function to the diatom assemblages of each master core to reconstruct total phosphorus concentrations and in turn determine the nutrient loading history of the ley. 7. Produce a summary report of the findings

Two-axis bend measurement with Bragg gratings in multicore optical fiber

We describe what is to our knowledge the first use of fiber Bragg gratings written into three separate cores of a multicore fiber for two-axis curvature measurement. The gratings act as independent, but isothermal, fiber strain gauges for which local curvature determines the difference in strain between cores, permitting temperature-independent bend measurement. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America

Using novel palaeolimnological techniques to define lake conservation objectives (Phase 1)

This is the final report to Natural England on Contract No: SAE03/02/054 ‘Using novel palaeolimnological techniques to define lake conservation objectives’. The primary objective of this project is to use existing and recently developed palaeoecological techniques to define reference conditions and assess the condition of selected SSSIs in England, and thereby to assist in the setting of conservation objectives and management goals. The eight selected sites are Aqualate Mere, Hawes Water (Silverdale), Cunswick Tarn, Over Water, Sunbiggin Tarn, Malham Tarn, Semer Water and Hornsea Mere. The project is divided into four main tasks with Task 1 essentially involving the collection, processing and dating of cores from the study sites. To date only the latter has been funded and this report describes the outputs of this task

The Energy Expenditure of Recreational Ballroom Dance

International Journal of Exercise Science 7(3) : 228-235, 2014. The popularity of recreational ballroom dancing has increased dramatically in recent years. Yet, relatively little information is known regarding the physiological demands of ballroom dancing. The purpose of this study was to determine the energy requirements for recreational ballroom dancing. 24 participants volunteered including 12 women (mean ± SD: 21 ± 3 yrs, 165.8 ± 7.4 cm, 56.8 ± 11.1 kg) and 12 men (23 ± 1 yr, 175.5 ± 8.4 cm, 78.1 ± 15.6 kg). Gas exchange was recorded using a portable metabolic system during a series of five ballroom dances: Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha-Cha, and Swing. Each song was four minutes in duration, separated by a two minute rest period, totaling 30 minutes of testing. The intensity of each dance in metabolic equivalents (METs) is: Waltz = 5.3 ± 1.3, Foxtrot = 5.3 ± 1.5, Cha-Cha = 6.4 ± 1.6 and Swing = 7.1 ± 1.6 and 6.9 ± 1.7. Mean energy cost for the 30 minutes of testing was 5.88 ±1.7 kilocalories (kcal•min-1), 6.12 ± 1.2 METs. Mean energy cost and months of recreational dance experience were not significantly related (R2 = 0.04, p = 0.35). Energy expenditure of the follow partner was significantly related to the energy expenditure of the lead partner (R2 = 0.52, p \u3c0.01). Finally, this study validates the intensity of recreational ballroom dance as matching the criteria established by the American College of Sports Medicine for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing the risk of chronic diseases

Palaeoecological study of seven mesotrophic lochs

This is the final report to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage on the ‘Palaeoecological study of seven mesotrophic lochs’. The aim of the project was to employ multi-proxy palaeoecological methods (diatoms, Cladocera, plant macrofossils) to define reference conditions and to assess ecological changes in the seven lochs over approximately the last 100-150 years and hence to provide valuable information to assist with the development of environmental improvement plans for these sites. The study sites were Tangy Loch, Loch Nan Gad, Loch a Phuill, Loch Flemington, Monk Myre, White Loch and Monzievaird. These are all sites of high conservation interest currently or having once supported the biodiversity priority species Najas flexilis (slender naiad) or Potamogeton rutilis (Shetland pondweed)

Micro-holographic methods for sub-micrometer grating fabrication in fused silica with UV femtosecond laser

The optical layouts incorporating binary phase diffractive grating and a standard micro-objective were used for femtosecond microfabrication of periodical structures in fused silica. Two beams, generated in Talbot type interferometer, interfered on a surface and in the bulk of the sample. The method suggested allows better control over the transverse size of the grating pitch, and thus control the reflection strength of the waveguide or fibre grating. We present the examples of direct inscription of the sub-micrometer periodical structures using a 267 nm femtosecond laser radiation

Using a task-based approach in evaluating the usability of BoBIs in an e-book environment

This paper reports on a usability evaluation of BoBIs (Back-of-the-book Indexes) as searching and browsing tools in an e-book environment. This study employed a task-based approach and within-subject design. The retrieval performance of a BoBI was compared with a ToC and Full-Text Search tool in terms of their respective effectiveness and efficiency for finding information in e-books. The results demonstrated that a BoBI was significantly more efficient (faster) and useful compared to a ToC or Full-Text Search tool for finding information in an e-book environment