HR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Authentication of Olive Oil Quality

The present work is a preliminary study to settle the optimum experimental conditions and data processing for accomplishing the strategies established by the Action Plan for the EU olive oil sector. The objectives of the work were: a) to monitor the evolution of extra virgin olive oil exposed to indirect solar light in transparent glass bottles during four months; b) to identify spectral differences between edible and lampant virgin olive oil by applying high resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HR-NMR) Spectroscopy. Pr esent study could contribute to determine the date of minimum storage, their optimum conditions, and to properly characterize olive oil.

Synchrotron X-ray photoabsorption spectroscopy of plasmas

Theoretical X-ray opacities are used in numerous radiative transfer simulations of plasmas at different temperatures and densities, for example astrophysics, fusion, metrology and EUV and X-rays radiation sources. However, there are only a reduced number of laboratories working on the validation of those theoretical results empirically, in particular for high temperature plasmas (mayor que 1eV). One of those limitations comes from the use of broad band EUV- X ray sources to illuminate the plasma which, among other issues, present low reproducibility and repetition rate [1]. Synchrotron radiation facilities are a more appropriate radiation source in that sense, since they provide tunable, reproducible and high resolution photons. Only their ?low? photon intensity for these experiments has prevented researchers to use it for this purpose. However, as new synchrotron facilities improve their photon fluxes, this limitation not longer holds [2]. This work evaluates the experimental requirements to use third generation synchrotron radiation sources for the empirical measurement of opacities of plasmas, proposing a pausible experimental set-up to carry them out. Properties of the laser or discharge generated plasmas to be studied with synchrotron radiation will be discussed in terms of their maximum temperatures, densities and temporal evolution. It will be concluded that there are encouraging reasons to pursue these kind of experiments which will provide with an appropriate benchmark for theoretical opacities

Preliminary approach to neutron instrument selecction at ESSB-Bilbao based on experience at ISIS molecular spectroscopy group

Collaborative efforts between the Neutronics and Target Design Group at the Instituto de Fusión Nuclear and the Molecular Spectroscopy Group at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source date back to 2012 in the context of the ESS-Bilbao project. The rationale for these joint activities was twofold, namely: to assess the realm of applicability of the low-energy neutron source proposed by ESS-Bilbao - for details; and to explore instrument capabilities for pulsed-neutron techniques in the range 0.05-3 ms, a time range where ESS-Bilbao and ISIS could offer a significant degree of synergy and complementarity. As part of this collaboration, J.P. de Vicente has spent a three-month period within the ISIS Molecular Spectroscopy Group, to gain hands-on experience on the practical aspects of neutron-instrument design and the requisite neutron-transport simulations. To date, these activities have resulted in a joint MEng thesis as well as a number of publications and contributions to national and international conferences. Building upon these previous works, the primary aim of this report is to provide a self-contained discussion of general criteria for instrument selection at ESS-Bilbao, the first accelerator-driven, low-energy neutron source designed in Spain. To this end, Chapter 1 provides a brief overview of the current design parameters of the accelerator and target station. Neutron moderation is covered in Chapter 2, where we take a closer look at two possible target-moderator-reflector configurations and pay special attention to the spectral and temporal characteristics of the resulting neutron pulses. This discussion provides a necessary starting point to assess the operation of ESSB in short- and long-pulse modes. These considerations are further explored in Chapter 3, dealing with the primary characteristics of ESS-Bilbao as a short- or long-pulse facility in terms of accessible dynamic range and spectral resolution. Other practical aspects including background suppression and the use of fast choppers are also discussed. The guiding principles introduced in the first three chapters are put to use in Chapter 4 where we analyse in some detail the capabilities of a small-angle scattering instrument, as well as how specific scientific requirements can be mapped onto the optimal use of ESS-Bilbao for condensed-matter research. Part 2 of the report contains additional supporting documentation, including a description of the ESSB McStas component, a detailed characterisation of moderator response and neutron pulses, and estimates ofparameters associated with the design and operation of neutron choppers. In closing this brief foreword, we wish to thank both ESS-Bilbao and ISIS for their continuing encouragement and support along the way.

Non-Destructive Identification of Woolly Peaches combining Mechanical Impact Response and NIR Spectroscopy.

Woolliness (mealiness in other fruits) is a negative attribute of peach sensory texture that is a physiological disorder associated with inadequate cold storage. It is characterised by lack of crispness and juiciness without variation in the tissue water content (Harker and Hallet, 1992). Many attempts have been made to develop destructive instrumental procedures to detect mealiness and woolliness. Non-destructive procedures attempted include using nuclear magnetic resonance (Sonego et al., 1995). However, this technique has economical limitations and is not practical at present. Non-destructive impact tests and NIR are non-destructive techniques which have been used to assess internal characteristics of fruits (Chen and Sun, 1991). The objective of this study was to develop a novel non-destructive procedure to identify woolly peaches by combining impact and NIR approaches.