Effect of ammonium bisulphite and chloride on the pitting and stress corrosion cracking resistance of super duplex stainless steel pipes under combined internal pressure and axial tension

The financial support of Shell UK is acknowledged. The authors would like to thank the following technical staff, Stuart Herbert, Alistair Robertson for the machining of the mini pipes, Derek Logan, and Irene Brand for resolving several electrical issues and providing accessories, and Jim Gall for help with the test set‐up and prompt supply of tools and equipment.Peer reviewedPostprin

Study of microstructure of porous anodic alumina films formed in malonic acid in the wide range of aluminium anodizing voltages

In present paper the microstructure parameters of porous anodic alumina films formed by the anodizing of aluminum in the aqueous solution of malonic acid at different anodizing voltages was studied. The morphology of structured surface of aluminum film was studied using a scanning electron microscope after selective removal of anodic film. The results obtained for anodic films formed in malonic acid during anodizing in the range of 15-80 V allowed to determine that change in the interpore distance with the anodizing voltage is linear function with a slope of 1.45. The key conclusion was made that mechanical stress in anodic alumina layer is the main factor responsible for formation of the nanoporous structure of anodic alumina films

Monitoring of Electrode Temperature in Exothermic Electrochemical Process

In this paper the features of temperature control of aluminum electrode during the anodization are discussed. Temperature monitoring in this exothermic process is a necessary condition for obtaining a high ordered nanoporous structure. A new electrochemical cell with a Peltier device working in cooling or heating mode was proposed. Time dependences of the electrolyte and Peltier element temperatures without and during anodizing process were presented. The results demonstrated that the cell construction allows precise control of the electrode temperature

Obtaining, properties and application of nanoscale films of anodic titanium dioxide on Ti-Al films for perovskite solar cells

The modes of synthesis of TiO2 films with semiconducting properties by the method of electrochemical oxidation of Ti are proposed for use as an electronic transport layer of perovskite solar cells. To anodize the titanium film, the electrolyte based on a mixture of a 2 % aqueous solution of oxalic acid and a 1 % aqueous solution of sulfamic acids was used. The results obtained showed that Al and Ni have injection contacts to the anodic TiO2 films. Nanoscale titanium oxide films have low resistivity and rectilinear and symmetric I - V characteristic branches. Annealing of titanium oxide films leads to a significant decrease in the resistivity

Engineering of III-Nitride Semiconductors on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics

This work presents results in the feld of advanced substrate solutions in order to achieve high crystalline quality group-III nitrides based heterostructures for high frequency and power devices or for sensor applications. With that objective, Low Temperature Co-fred Ceramics has been used, as a noncrystalline substrate. Structures like these have never been developed before, and for economic reasons will represent a groundbreaking material in these felds of Electronic. In this sense, the report presents the characterization through various techniques of three series of specimens where GaN was deposited on this ceramic composite, using diferent bufer layers, and a singular metal-organic chemical vapor deposition related technique for low temperature deposition. Other single crystalline ceramic-based templates were also utilized as substrate materials, for comparison purposes

Short-term acclimation in adults does not predict offspring acclimation potential to hypoxia

Abstract The prevalence of hypoxic areas in coastal waters is predicted to increase and lead to reduced biodiversity. While the adult stages of many estuarine invertebrates can cope with short periods of hypoxia, it remains unclear whether that ability is present if animals are bred and reared under chronic hypoxia. We firstly investigated the effect of moderate, short-term environmental hypoxia (40% air saturation for one week) on metabolic performance in adults of an estuarine amphipod, and the fitness consequences of prolonged exposure. We then reared the offspring of hypoxia-exposed parents under hypoxia, and assessed their oxyregulatory ability under declining oxygen tensions as juveniles and adults. Adults from the parental generation were able to acclimate their metabolism to hypoxia after one week, employing mechanisms typically associated with prolonged exposure. Their progeny, however, did not develop the adult pattern of respiratory regulation when reared under chronic hypoxia, but instead exhibited a poorer oxyregulatory ability than their parents. We conclude that species apparently hypoxia-tolerant when tested in short-term experiments, could be physiologically compromised as adults if they develop under hypoxia. Consequently, we propose that the increased prevalence of hypoxia in coastal regions will have marked effects in some species currently considered hypoxia tolerant

Pore formation in highly ordered anodic alumina templates controlled by the rate of electrolyte stirring at the oxide surface

This paper presents the studies on the cooling of the aluminum surface during its anodization by controlling the rate of electrolyte stirring and its effect on the morphology of the nanoporous anodic films. The obtained data demonstrates the possibility to control the pore diameter during the anodizing process without changing the anodizing voltage and interpore distance. This allows a higher utilization factor of the anode oxide when it is used as a matrix to obtain metal nanowires

Characterization of Hofbauer cell polarization and VEGF localization in human term placenta from active and inactive pregnant individuals

Abstract Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is associated with parental and fetal health benefits; however, the mechanisms through which these benefits arise are yet to be fully understood. In healthy pregnancies Hofbauer cells (HBCs) comprise a heterogenous population containing CD206+ and CD206− phenotypes. In healthy pregnancies, CD206+ represent the majority, while dysregulations have been associated with pathological conditions. HBCs have also been identified as potential drivers of angiogenesis. As PA induces changes in macrophage polarization in non‐pregnant populations, this novel study examined the relationship between PA and HBC polarization and to identify which HBC phenotypes express VEGF. Participants were classified as active or inactive, and immunofluorescence cell‐labelling was used to quantify total HBCs, CD206+ HBCs, and the proportion of total HBCs expressing CD206. Immunofluorescent colocalization assessed which phenotypes expressed VEGF. Protein and mRNA expression of CD68 and CD206 were measured in term placenta tissue using Western blot and RT‐qPCR, respectively. Both CD206+ and CD206− HBCs expressed VEGF. The proportion of CD206+ HBCs was elevated in active individuals; however, CD206 protein expression was observed to be lower in active participants. Combined with a lack of significant differences in CD206 mRNA levels, these findings suggest potential PA‐mediated responses in HBC polarization and CD206 translational regulation