Phase Separation in Binary Fluid Mixtures with Continuously Ramped Temperature

We consider the demixing of a binary fluid mixture, under gravity, which is steadily driven into a two phase region by slowly ramping the temperature. We assume, as a first approximation, that the system remains spatially isothermal, and examine the interplay of two competing nonlinearities. One of these arises because the supersaturation is greatest far from the meniscus, creating inversion of the density which can lead to fluid motion; although isothermal, this is somewhat like the Benard problem (a single-phase fluid heated from below). The other is the intrinsic diffusive instability which results either in nucleation or in spinodal decomposition at large supersaturations. Experimental results on a simple binary mixture show interesting oscillations in heat capacity and optical properties for a wide range of ramp parameters. We argue that these oscillations arise under conditions where both nonlinearities are important

Textile Design in the Marketplace

INTRODUCTION:As textile historians we are trained to observe physical evidence — materials, structures, methods of applying surface decoration and patterns. In brief, we deal with design. Despite our design focus, we frequently seek to explain differences within the context- of art historical research. Our conclusions, like those of the art historian, often focus on attribution and connoisseurship, rather than contributing to an understanding of textiles as cultural or economic indicators. Although the academic study of design dates from the mid-19th century, only in recent years has this study moved from considerations of styling. Within the last three decades the critical examination of design objects and processes have given rise to the nascent discipline of design history. Increasingly design is viewed as the material embodiment of social and economic values. It is examined in light of the interrelationships that exist among the design process, marketing, distribution, customer satisfaction, and factors of supply and demand. In this context, design is viewed as evidence for the complicated means of managing the activities of daily life. Those who use design in effect make choices about technology, aesthetics, function, market trends, even about our notions of progress, when creating the objects and processes for others. The user, in fact, has only two choices: to acquire the product or to reject it. DESIGN HISTORY MODEL FOR TRADE TEXTILES:The study of trade textiles compels us to consider the marketplace. Regardless of their place in time or the nature of their production, trade textiles embody an economic imperative. They were created as commodities to be bartered or sold. Only after the market transaction occurs, do the actual objects assume meaning through usage or association. Take, for example a seventeenth-century embroidered bed cover made in China for the Spanish market. To the producer the product existed solely for financial gain. To the user, its meaning as a status possession was based on prestige, embodying notions of taste, exotic appeal, cost, rarity. Its meaning as an artifact for the contemporary textile curator is based on age, survival, the history of ownership and technique. The marketplace is a point of transfer. Transfer is both physical and intellectual; it is based on a contract between buyer and seller. If a contract does not exist, negotiation breaks down and trade does not take place. In some sense this contract is embodied in the bill of sale. Yet, the contract is infinitely more complex. It consists of a number of interrelated factors and influences

Non-classical state engineering for quantum networks

[no abstract

Experimental entanglement distribution by separable states

The distribution of entanglement between macroscopically separated parties represents a crucial protocol for future quantum information networks. Surprisingly, it has been theoretically shown that two distant systems can be entangled by sending a third mediating system that is not entangled with either of them. Such a possibility seems to contradict the intuition that to distribute entanglement, the transmitted system always needs to be entangled with the sender. Here, we experimentally distribute entanglement by exchanging a subsystem and successfully prove that this subsystem is not entangled with either of the two parties. Our implementation relies on the preparation of a specific three-mode Gaussian state containing thermal noise that demolishes the entanglement in two of the three bipartite splittings. After transmission of a separable mode this noise can be removed by quantum interference. Our work demonstrates an unexpected variant of entanglement distribution and improves the understanding necessary to engineer multipartite quantum information networks.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

In situ observation of single-molecule surface reactions from low to high affinities

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordUnderstanding reactions occurring between ligand molecules and nanomaterial surfaces is essential in the field of nanoscience. The conventional methods for characterizing such surface-based reactions allow only for the analysis of the end product of a reaction, although the reaction path proceeds through the transient interaction of reactants and with kinetics dependent on environmental parameters. Here we study single molecule reaction kinetics associated with gold nanoparticle surfaces in an aqueous medium by utilizing whispering-gallery-mode microcavity sensors. Our approach resolves transient as well as permanent interaction kinetics of ligand molecules at the nanoparticle interface in situ, over a broad range of affinities and even under conditions where no net product is formed. This enables us to monitor and characterize reactions during the entire procedure of a bottom-up surface modification, ranging from the deposition of ligands to the confirmation of their functionality. We demonstrate this prospect by studying surface reaction kinetics with respect to the species of ligand head groups, tethered molecules, and inhibitors in addition to subsequent bio-specific reactions between tethered molecules and analytes.Max Planck Societ