Negative frequency tuning of a carbon nanotube nano-electromechanical resonator

A suspended, doubly clamped single wall carbon nanotube is characterized as driven nano-electromechanical resonator at cryogenic temperatures. Electronically, the carbon nanotube displays small bandgap behaviour with Coulomb blockade oscillations in electron conduction and transparent contacts in hole conduction. We observe the driven mechanical resonance in dc-transport, including multiple higher harmonic responses. The data shows a distinct negative frequency tuning at finite applied gate voltage, enabling us to electrostatically decrease the resonance frequency to 75% of its maximum value. This is consistently explained via electrostatic softening of the mechanical mode.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; submitted for the IWEPNM 2013 conference proceeding

Effect of pretreatment on the performance of metal-contaminated fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts

Effects of both hydrogen and methane pretreatment on the performance of metal-contaminated equilibrium fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts from a refinery were investigated. Both hydrogen and methane pretreatment at 700°C were proven to be advantageous since the yields of hydrogen and coke from sour imported gas oil (SIHGO) cracking decrease while light cycle oil (LCO) and gasoline yields increase. The catalysts pretreated with hydrogen have shown slightly better improvement than the catalysts pretreated with methane. The decrease in the yields of hydrogen and coke was attributed to decrease in the dehydrogenation activity of vanadium oxides, which are present at high concentrations on the equilibrium FCC catalysts. This decrease in dehydrogenation activity after the pretreatment was also confirmed by low hydrogen-to-methane ratio. It was found that reduced vanadium has lower dehydrogenation activity since it produces less coke and hydrogen compared to oxidized vanadium. Hydrogen transfer reactions were evaluated by measuring C4 paraffin-to-C4 olefin ratios. Hydrogen transfer reactions decreased with increasing metal concentration. Both hydrogen and methane pretreatment caused the hydrogen transfer reactions to increase. Improved hydrogen transfer reactions caused an increase in the gasoline range products

Visualization of the equilibrium FCC catalyst surface by AFM and SEM-EDS

The deposition of metal contaminants (e.g., Ni, V, and Fe) from the hydrocarbon feed causes the deactivation of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst used in petroleum refining. It is very important to understand the changes in the morphology and chemical composition on the catalyst surface and how these structural and chemical changes affect the catalyst performance. In this research, metal-contaminated FCC catalysts from a commercial unit have been characterized using AFM together with SEM-EDS. The AFM images showed the surface pores as well as the features that surround the pore's entrance on the catalyst surface. Catalyst surface contains debris that appear as bright spots in AFM images. SEM-EDS results have shown the presence of iron in these bright spots. Fe enrichment at the catalyst particle surface was also confirmed by XPS analyses

Deformed Skyrme Crystals

The Skyrme crystal, a solution of the Skyrme model, is the lowest energy-per-charge configuration of skyrmions seen so far. Our numerical investigations show that, as the period in various space directions is changed, one obtains various other configurations, such as a double square wall, and parallel vortex-like solutions. We also show that there is a sudden "phase transition" between a Skyrme crystal and the charge 4 skyrmion with cubic symmetry as the period is gradually increased in all three space directions.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures. To be published in JHE

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE KINEMATICS AND KINETICS OF FORWARD AND BACKWARD HUMAN LOCOMOTION

Although common in occurrence one of the least studied modes of human motion is backward locomotion. Backward walking and jogging are currently being used as components of physical therapy for persons who have suffered trauma or submitted to surgery on the lower extremity or back as well as stroke patients. (Gray, 1985, Bates and McCaw, 1986; Kramer and Reid, 1981; Bates, Morrison, Hamill, 1984). Anecdotal reports of reduced noxious stress and beneficial proprioceptive stimulation have perpetuated the use of this form of physical therapy. Position specific sport training necessitates backward locomotion to engender efficient game performances. In numerous sport activities the defensive techniques employed entail retreating or "jockeying" maneuvers. Evasive offensive techniques likewise include backward travel. Some coaches and athletes are supplementing their conventional fitness training regimens with backwards running claiming enhanced hip extensor overloading with the resulting strength adaptation (Morton, 1985)

Rehabilitation of Mature Gas Fields in Romania: Success Through Integration of Management Processes and New Technology

Nature oil and gas fields are difficult to rehabilitate effectively because of the economics of declining production. Many fields are abandoned prematurely when their life could be prolonged significantly through application of new technology. Romgaz (a national exploration and production company) and Schlumberger (an integrated oilfield services company) developed a new business model to overcome these obstacles. The key to success of this model, which is being applied to gas fields in the Transylvanian basin of Romania, is the shared risk and shared reward for the two companies. Integrated management processes addressing the complete system from reservoir to wellbore to surface/transmission facilities and application of new technology (logging, perforation, etc.) have resulted in multifold increases in production