Laser pulse induced bumps in chalcogenide phase change films

Formation of bumps in chalcogenide phase change thin films during the laser writing process is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The process involves basically fast heating and quenching stages. Circular bumps are formed after cooling, and the shape and size of the bumps depend on various parameters such as temperatures, laser power, beam size, laser pulse duration, etc. In extreme cases, holes are formed at the apex of the bumps. To understand the bumps and their formation is of great interest for data storage. In the present work, a theoretical model is established for the formation process, and the geometric characters of the formed bumps can be analytically and quantitatively evaluated from various parameters involved in the formation. Simulations based on the analytic solution are carried out taking Ag8In14Sb55Te23 as an example. The results are verified with experimental observations of the bumps. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

Synthesis and HIV-1 integrase inhibition activity of some N-arylindoles

Eight simple N-arylindoles were designed, synthesized and evaluated as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 integrase inhibitors in vitro for the first time. Among these compounds, 3b, 3e and 3g demonstrated significant anti-HIV-1 integrase activity. Espe

普鲁士兰及其混合价态类似物薄膜修饰电极研究

普鲁士兰（PB）是由高自旋Fe~(3+/2+)和与CN基配位的低自旋Fe~(III/II)组成的难溶盐，化学式为Fe_4~(3+)[Fe~(II)(CN)_6]_3或KFe~(3+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6。其中的Fe~(3+/2+)及Fe~(III/II)均可被其他过渡金属取代，形成与PB结构类似的形如M'M"(CN)_6~((n_1+n_2-6)+)（其中n_1，n_2分别为过渡金属元素M'和M"所带电荷数）的混合价六氰化物或相应的碱金属(M~+)复盐，M_x~+M'[M"(CN)_6]_y，统称为PB类似物。PB及其混合价态类似物薄膜修饰电极最显著的特征是其电色效应，即在电位扫描或电位阶跃作用下，经过电化学氧化还原呈现不同的颜色，可期望用于显示器件。PB薄膜修饰电极在KCl溶液中进行循环伏安（CV）扫描时呈现面对氧化还原峰，其峰电位(E_m=1/2(E_(pa)+E_(pc)))分别为0.20及0.90V(V_s. SCE，除特别注明外，以下电位值均相对于SCE而言），分别相应于高自旋Fe~(3+/2+)及低自旋Fe~(III/II)的氧化还原。电位（E）小于0.2V时呈现白色，0.2V0.9V时呈现绿色。文献报道的PB薄膜修饰电极在KCl溶液中可稳定地经历0.6V--0.2V之间的CV扫描，但在经历电位正达1.0V的扫描时很不稳定，最多不超过20周薄膜就损环。关于PB薄膜电化学氧化还原过程中涉及的平衡离子的在种类因而电化学反应方程式的写法，不同研究者观点不同，又都缺乏可靠的实验依据；对电积于基体电极上的PB薄膜的晶体结构缺乏直接的实验证据，有关数据均引自早期对PB化合物本体的测定结果。本文用电化学方法在Pt和玻璃碳基体上制备出更稳定的PB薄膜修饰电极，除可稳定地经历0.6V--0.2V内的CV扫描外，并可经历0.6V-1.1V之间连续一千周以上电位扫描；提出了PB薄膜电化学氧化还原过程中电子转移的多层模型；系统地研究了制备条件、薄膜厚度及支持电解质溶液PH值对电极伏安行为的影响；通过红外光谱（IR)及x-射线衍射法的表面表征证实了电积法牢固接着在电极表面的兰色电活性薄膜确实为PB；x－射线衍射实验直接确定了电积PB薄膜的晶体结构为面心立方结构，晶胞常数为10.2A。基于所制备PB薄膜修饰电极在较宽电位范围内经历电氧化时稳定性的提高，研究了多种支持电解质阳离子和阴离子对PB薄膜电化学行为的影响，表明PB薄膜在电化学氧化还原过程中只伴随有阳离子的穿透，与共存阴离子无关；阳离子中除K~+、NH_4~+、C_s~+外，Na~+离子也可穿透薄膜。相应的电化学反应为：PB薄膜还原KFe~(3+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6+e~-+K~+<->K_2Fe~(2+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6PB薄膜氧化KFe~(3+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6-xe~--xK~+<->[Fe~(3+)Fe~(III)(CN)_6]_x[KFe~(3+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6]_(1-x)其中01.06V(Vs. Ag/Ag~+)时呈兰色，相应的电化学反应为：0.90V处的峰MV~(3+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6+H_2O+M~+<->M_2VO~(2+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6+e~-+2H~+0.98V处的峰M_2VO~(2+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6+H_2O<->M_2(VO_2H)~+Fe~(III)(CN)_6+e~-+H~+1.06V处的峰M_2(VO_2H)~+Fe~(III)(CN)_6<->M_2(VO_2)~+FE~(III)(CN)_6+e~-+H~+总反应MV~(3+)Fe~(II)(CN)_6+2H_2O+M~+<->M_2(VO_2)~+Fe~(III)(CN)_6+3e~-+4H~+（其中M~+为支持电解质金属阳离子）。薄膜在CV扫描过程中极为稳定，10~3周扫描后峰电流仅有很小减低。与PB薄膜修饰电极类似，氧化还原过程与阴离子无关，不同点在于除金属阳离子外过程中还涉及H~+离子的穿透以维持电中性，而且此薄膜修饰电极在Li~+离子溶液中同样极为稳定。本文用计时电位法对PB薄膜修饰电极及六氰亚铁钒薄膜修饰电极进行了研究，测得电子在两种薄膜中的表现扩散系数分别为2.2*10~(-10)cm~2·S~(-1)及1.3*10~(-9)cm~2·S~(-1)。本文还制备及研究了六氰亚铁铜薄膜修饰电极，研究了该修饰电极及PB薄膜修饰电极对抗坏血酸氧化及H_2O_2还原的电催化效应。

熔融氯化物电解制备NdFe、DyFe和DyAl合金的研究

本文对电解熔融氯化物制备稀土金属钕及钕铁、镝铁合金的电极过程及镝在镝铝合金中的扩散系数，用氯化物熔体电解制备钕铁合金的电解工艺，进行了系统研究。利用线性扫描伏安法（LSV）和计时电位法研究了Nd~(3+)，Dy~(3+)在等摩尔Kcl-NaCl熔体中，在Mo, Fe, Pt三种不同电极上的电极过程；还研究了在可耗铁电极上，电解制备NdFe合金的电解工艺；测定了Dy~(3+)在该熔体中的扩散系数及Dy原子在Al-Dy合金中的扩散系数。研究结果表明，Nd~(3+)在Mo电极上的反应接近于扩散控制的反应。为不可逆过程。反应是一步完成的，转移系数α为0.8。计时电位法证明，Nd同熔体具有较强烈地作用。Nd~(3+)在Fe电极上的反应二步进行。首先是Nd的析出，立即与Fe合金化生成NdFe合金。经X-射线衍射分析证明，合金组成为Nd_2Fe。由于合金化的结果，使Nd~(3+)的析出电位向正方向飘移。第二步反应是由于有大量的Nd析出，Nd向Fe电极内部的扩散已不足以使析出的Nd与Fe合金化，造成纯Nd的析出。由于Nd沉积在电极表面上，活度逐渐趋向于1，故Nd~(3+)的析出电位又向负方向飘移。由于合金化，反应的全过程为不可逆的，αn为0.55～0.65。NdFe合金电解工艺的研究表明，利用体系NdCl_3-Kcl·NaCl-LiF是合适的。LiF的加入有助于溶解电解质中的水不溶物，降低熔体的粘度。浓度和温度对合金化影响较大。深度过高，则有大量纯Nd析出。由于Nd同熔体作用强烈，对电解不利。浓度太低，则金属Na易析出导致电流效率降低。温度高，有利于合金化；但合金中Nd的含量过高且电解质挥发严重；并且Nd同熔体的作用更强烈了。控制电解温度在750～800 ℃，有利于形成合金。我们得到最佳电解工艺条件为：当温度在750～760 ℃时；电流密度在10～13安培/厘米~2；NdCl_3浓度为30%(wt)时，电流效率达最大值为56%。利用LSV和计时电位法对Dy~(3+)在Mo电极上的电极过程进行研究的结果表明，Dy~(3+)在Mo电极上的反应为一步生成金属的反应。反应是扩散控制的可逆过程。反应式为Dy~(3+) + 3e = Dy。利用扫描电镜进一步证实了这个结果。计时电位法测得了Dy~(3+)在该熔体中的扩散系数D与温度下的关系为LgD = 1.65 - 7376/T ± 0.34。同Nd比较，Dy同熔体的作用不很强烈。Dy~(3+)在Mo电极上的电极过程很好地符合可逆反应的规律。LSV方法研究Dy~(3+)在Pt，Fe电极上的电极过程表明，Dy~(3+)在Pt电极上的反应分二步进行。第一步反应为扩散控制的可逆反应。用卷积积分计算出第一步反应的转移电子数为1。与利用扩散方程计算的结果一致。所以，Dy~(3+)在Pt电极上的反应为，Dy~(3+) + e = Dy~(2+) ，Dy~(2+) + 2e = Dy。Dy~(3+)在Fe电极上的反应为不可逆过程。反应为一步还原为金属的反应。阳极溶解伏安曲线表明，Dy在低于800 ℃不与Fe形成合金。在Fe为电极制备DyFe合金，电解温度选择在900 ℃左右为宜。利用阳极计时电位法测定了Dy在Al-Dy合金中的扩散系数。结果表明，Dy在合金内部向合金表面的扩散为阳极溶解反应的控制步骤。测得扩散系数同温度的关系为LgD = 5.81 - 10662/T ± 0.51。(700～850 ℃)扩散活化能为204.1 kJ/mole。较高的活化能说明Dy在Al-Dy合金中的扩散相当困难。

半干旱区沙质草地关键生态系统过程对水肥添加的响应

制约半干旱区生态系统恢复的主要因素是什么？一直是生态学界争论的问题，水分或养分或二者的联合限制是现存的3种观点，但是利用野外实验结合生态化学计量比，分析和判断半干旱区自然生态系统生产力恢复的限制因子还未见报道。 本论文以科尔沁沙地东南缘退耕后自然恢复的沙质草地为研究对象，通过析因设计的水、氮、磷添加实验，研究与碳循环、氮循环、磷循环等有关的生态系统关键过程，及其对人为干扰（灌溉和施肥）及全球变化（气候变化和氮沉降）的响应。从2004年到2005年采用3因素2水平析因设计进行水（0, 80mm）、氮（0, 20 g N m-2 yr-1）、磷（0, 10 g P2O5 m-2 yr-1）添加实验。2005年增加了0、2.5、5、7.5、10、30、40 g N m-2 yr-1的氮梯度添加实验。通过两年的实验，得出主要结论如下： 1）该沙质草地生态系统生产力主要受氮素养分的限制，水分与磷素并不是主要限制因素。施氮量达到7.5 g N m-2 yr-1时生物量明显提高，当氮素添加量达到40 g N m-2 yr-1时，生产力最高为1607.3 g m-2，但是并未找出氮肥添加量的上限。禾本科生物量与Shannon-Wiener多样性指数间呈指数负相关，拟合方程为：y = 1318.3e-0.2421x（R2 = 0.6887）。 2）添加水增加了土壤CO2排放速率，而施氮肥的影响并不明显。在较干旱的年份（降水量低于450 mm）干旱期（4月15日-6月15日）添加磷肥明显抑制了土壤呼吸，而在较湿润的年份（降水量高于450 mm）干旱期添加磷肥则显著增加了土壤呼吸。土壤呼吸与表层0-10 cm土壤含水量存在显著的正相关关系；土壤呼吸与土壤温度之间呈显著的指数正相关（R2 = 0.6798），拟合方程为：y = 0.1832e0.1299x。 3）氮素添加对半干旱区沙质草地生态系统氮有效性具有明显的增强作用，可提高土壤氮的矿化速率。该沙质草生态系统土壤有效氮主要由NO3--N组成，并具有明显的季节变化，NH4+-N和NO3--N含量在表层0-10 cm有高于10-20 cm的趋势。植物地上部分和凋落物的C:N比极低。土壤全量的C:N比明显受添加水的影响，与氮、磷添加无关。 4）添加磷素改善了半干旱区沙质草地生态系统土壤磷的有效性，添加氮和水则没有影响。0-10 cm层土壤相对有效磷有高于10-20 cm层的趋势，这说明土壤中的有效磷淋溶作用不强或者是植物主要利用了表土层10 cm以下的土壤有效磷。第一次提出P:N比的概念，利用相对有效磷和相对矿质氮的比值作为土壤相对P:N比，相对P:N比与生物量、ANPP、非禾本科ANPP之间呈显著的线性相关关系。相对P:N比与生物量的线性负相关程度最高，拟合方程为：y = -52.333x + 1356.2（R2 = 0.7263）。 5）水、肥添加对该沙质草地土壤含水量的影响并不显著，不同处理之间以及相同处理的不同层次之间土壤含水量的差异主要源自土壤的空间异质性。根据2005年4-7月的土壤含水量的方差分析结果，可以将表层0-10 cm划分为多变层，10-30 cm划分为过渡层，30-100 cm划分为稳变层。单独添加磷肥或水磷结合可以显著降低白草的蒸腾速率，而且添加磷肥可以抵消添加氮肥所导致的蒸腾速率增加。 6）添加水提高了物种丰富度和均匀度，而施氮肥降低了物种丰富度和均匀度，施磷肥也相应地增加了物种丰富度和均匀度，但幅度不大。本项研究的结果不支持单调上升格局，多样性与生产力呈负相关关系，单调下降和单峰关系两种格局都存在。10-20 cm土层相对矿质氮与物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener指数、Shannon-Wiener均匀度指数均呈显著的负相关关系。物种丰富度与土壤相对矿质氮之间负相关关系最显著，可以用幂函数进行拟合方程：y = 348.58x-2.1236（n = 8; R2 = 0.8576）。 综合以上的研究结果，建议适量施用氮肥，加速退化沙质草地生态系统生产力的恢复；干旱年份辅以磷肥，以降低温室气体的排放速率。

多击响应的三层阳极丝位置灵敏探测器及其信号重整

最新发展起来的三层延迟线阳极,即Hexanode与标准的螺旋状延迟线(HDL)阳极相比,对多击事件有较好的响应能力．它与一对微通道板组合在一起构成的位置灵敏探测器能够响应同时或短时间间隔内到达探测器的多个粒子,并给出粒子的全部动量信息．针对Hexanode在响应多个同时或短时间间隔内到达的粒子时出现的信号丢失问题,自行编写了一个信号重整程序．经过此程序的处理后,多击响应位置灵敏探测器的死时间只存在于两个粒子同时到达探测器的同一位置时(在一定时间及位置范围内)．在最近完成的使用Hexanode探测器的近阈值e+He→3e+He++中,获得了很好的结果．

Multi-electron processes in 4.15-11.08 keV/u(13)C(6+) on argon collisions

The relative partial cross sections for C-13(6+)-Ar collisions at 4.15-11.08 keV/u incident energy are measured. The cross-section ratios sigma(2E)/sigma(SC), sigma(3E)/sigma(SC), sigma(4E)/sigma(SC) and sigma(5E)/sigma(SC) are approximately the constants of 0.51 +/- 0.05, 0.20 +/- 0.03, 0.06 +/- 0.03 and 0.02 +/- 0.01 in this region. The significance of the multi-electron process in highly charged ions (HCIs) with argon collisions is demonstrated (sigma(ME)/sigma(SC) as high as 0.79 +/- 0.06). In multi-electron processes, it is shown that transfer ionization is dominant while pure electron capture is weak and negligible. For all reaction channels, the cross-sections are independent of the incident energy in the present energy region, which is in agreement with the static characteristic of classic models, i.e. the molecular Coulomb over-the-barrier model (MCBM), the extended classical over-the-barrier (ECBM) and the semiempirical scaling laws (SL). The result is compared with these classical models and with our previous work of C-13(6+)-Ne collisions

Synthesis and characterization of novel neutral nickel complexes bearing fluorinated salicylaidiminato ligands and their catalytic behavior for vinylic polymerization of norbornene

A series of salicylaldimine-based neutral Ni(II) complexes (3a-j) [ArN = CH(C6H40)]Ni(PPh3)Ph [3a,Ar = C6H5; 3b,Ar = C6H4F(o); 3c, Ar = C6H4F(m); 3d, Ar = C6H4F(p); 3e, Ar = C6H3F2(2,4); 3f, Ar = C6H3F2(2,5); 3g, Ar = C6H3F2(2,6); 3h, Ar = C6H3F2(3,5); 3i, Ar = C6H2F3(3,4,5); 3j, Ar = C6H5] have been synthesized in good yield, and the structures of complexes 3a and 3i have been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Using modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, these neutral Ni(II) complexes exhibited high catalytic activities for the vinylic polymerization of norbornene.

Ethylene polymerization by (alpha-diimine)nickel(II) complexes bearing different substituents on para-position of imines activated with MMAO

A series of (alpha-diimine)nickel(II) complexes [ArN = C(Nap)C = NAr]NiBr2 (Nap = 1,8-naphthdiyl, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3, 3a; Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 3b; Ar = 2,6-Me-2-4-tBuC(6)H(2), 3c; Ar 2,6-Me-2-4-BrC6H2, 3d; Ar = 2,6-Me-2-4-ClC6H2, 3e; Ar 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3), 3f; Ar = 2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2), 3g; Ar = 2,6-iPr-4-BrC6H2, 3h) have been synthesized, characterized, and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO).

Synthesis and characterization of the titanium complexes bearing two regioisomeric trifluoromethyl-containing enaminoketonato ligands and their behavior in ethylene polymerization

A series of new titanium complexes bearing two regioisomeric trifluoromethyl-containing enaminoketonato ligands (3a-h and 6a-h), [PhN=CRCHC(CF3)O](2)TiCl2 (3a, R = Me; 3b, R = n-C5H11; 3c, R = i-Pr; 3d, R = Cy; 3e, R = t-Bu; 3f, R = CH=CHPh; 3g, R = Et; 3h, R = n-C11H23) and [PhN=C(CF3)CHC(R)O](2)TiCl2 (6a, R = Ph; 6b, R = n-C5H11; 6c, R = i-Pr; 6d, R = Cy; 6e, R = t-Bu; 6f, R = CH=CHPh; 6g, R = CHPh2; 6h, R = CF3) have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures analyses suggest that complexes 3c-e and 6c-d all adopt a distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. Complexes 3c, 3d and 6c display a cis-configuration of the two chlorine atoms around the titanium center, while complex 6d shows a trans-configuration of the two chlorine atoms. Especially, the configurational isomers (cis and trans) of complex 3e were identified both in solution and in the solid state by NMR and X-ray analyses. With modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, all the complexes are active towards ethylene polymerization, and produce high molecular weight polymers.

T-Muurolol Sesquiterpenes from the Marine Streptomyces sp M491 and Revision of the Configuration of Previously Reported Amorphanes

Two new sesquiterpenes, 15-hydroxy-T-muurolol (3d) and 11,15-dihydroxy-T-muurolol (3e), along with the plant cadinenes T-muurolol (3f) and 3 alpha-hydroxy-T-muurolol (3g), were isolated from the marine-derived Streptomyces sp. M491. Their absolute configuration was established via NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography of 3-oxo-T-muurolol (3a), which was reisolated from this strain. In addition, the absolute configuration of further sesquiterpenes previously reported from this strain was revised. These products were tested for their cytotoxicity against 37 human tumor cell lines using the MTT method. Only 3d was cytotoxic against a range of human tumor cell lines with a mean IC50 of 6.7 mu g/mL.

北黄海表层沉积物粒度分布特征及其对沉积环境的指示

本文基于北黄海1140个表层沉积物样品的粒度分析结果，来探讨沉积物粒度组成、分布特征与物源和水动力环境的关系。结果表明，研究区底质类型主要有泥、粉砂、砂质粉砂、粉砂质砂、砂五种类型，少数站位含有砾石。砾石则主要分布在长山列岛附近海域、大连湾口及其东南近海；砂主要分布在123.3°E以东的海域和长山列岛附近海域；粉砂主要分布在研究区的西南部和大连湾外海；粘土的含量较低，含量大于30%的区域仅分布在研究区的西南部，大于16%的区域有向北和东北延伸的趋势，在大连湾至广鹿岛近海沉积物粘土含量也大于16%。 根据对沉积物粒度各粒级的因子分析结果,结合沉积物的Folk分类和Pejrup分类,将北黄海划分成五个主要沉积环境分区，分别受山东半岛沿岸流、黄海暖流、强潮流场、长山列岛和辽东沿岸流控制。北黄海中西部沉积物主要受山东半岛沿岸流影响，经过本区的黄海暖流限制了山东半岛沿岸流携带的细粒物质向东和向北的扩散和运移，研究区东部沉积作用的主控因素是潮流，长山列岛中部海域受附近岛屿剥蚀物影响，大连湾外海受辽东半岛沿岸流控制。研究区西南部细粒沉积物的粒度分布具有不均匀性和南北不对称性，其形成主要受控于山东半岛沿岸流和黄海暖流及其相互作用，潮流可能也起一定作用。

A new halogenated biindole and a new apo-carotenone from green alga Chaetomorpha basiretorsa Setchell

A new halogenated biindole and a new apo-carotenone have been isolated from the ethanolic extract of the green alga Chaetomorpha basiretorsa Sethcell. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR technique, their structures have been elucidated as 4,4'-dichloro-5,5'-dibromo-7,7'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bi-1H-indole and 1'S*,4R*-8-(4'-hydroxy-2',6',6'-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)-6-methyloct-3E,5E,7E-trien-2-one, respectively.

塔里木地块奥陶纪古地磁新结果及其构造意义

The Tarim Block is located between the Tianshan Mountains in the north and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the south and is one of three major Precambrian cratonic blocks of China. Obviously, the Paleozoic paleogeographic position and tectonic evolution for the Tarim Block are very important not only for the study of the formation and evolution of the Altaids, but also for the investigation of the distributions of Paleozoic marine oil and gas in the Tarim Basin. According to the distributions of Paleozoic strata and suface outcrops in the Tarim Block, the Aksu-Keping-Bachu area in the northwestern part of the Tarim Block were selected for Ordovician paleomagnetic studies. A total of 432 drill-core samples form 44 sampling sites were collected and the samples comprise mainly limestones, argillaceous limestones and argillaceous sandstones Based on systematic study of rock magnetism and paleomagnetism, all the samples could be divided into two types: the predominant magnetic minerals of the first type are hematite and subordinate magnetite. For the specimens from this type, characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) could generally be isolated by demagnetization temperatures larger than 600℃; we assigned this ChRM as component A; whilst magnetite is the predominant magnetic mineral of the second type; progressive demagnetization yielded another ChRM (component B) with unblocking temperatures of 550-570℃. The component A obtained from the majority of Ordovician specimens has dual polarity and a negative fold test result; we interpreted it as a remagnetization component acquired during the Cenozoic period. The component B can only be isolated from some Middle-Late Ordovician specimens with unique normal polarity, and has a positive fold test result at 95% confidence. The corresponding paleomagnetic pole of this characteristic component is at 40.7°S, 183.3°E with dp/dm = 4.8°/6.9° and is in great difference with the available post-Late Paleozoic paleopoles for the Tarim Block, indicating that the characteristic component B could be primary magnetization acquired in the formation of the rocks. The new Ordovician paleomagnetic result shows that the Tarim Block was located in the low- to intermediate- latitude regions of the Southern Hemisphere during the Middle-Late Ordovician period, and is very likely to situate, together with the South China Block, in the western margin of the Australian-Antarctic continents of East Gondwana. However, it may have experienced a large northward drift and clockwise rotation after the Middle-Late Ordovician period, which resulted in the separation of the Tarim Block from the East Gondwanaland and subsequent crossing of the paleo-equator; by the Late Carboniferous period the Tarim Block may have accreted to the southern margin of the Altaids.

A comprehensive comparison of fuel options for fuel cell vehicles in China

Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) offer the potential of ultra-low emissions combined with high efficiency. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells being developed for vehicles require hydrogen as a fuel. Due to the various pathways of hydrogen generation, both onboard and off-board, the question about which fuel option is the most competitive for fuel cell vehicles is of great current interest. In this paper, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) model was made to conduct a comprehensive study of the energy, environmental, and economic (3E) impacts of FCVs from well to wheel (WTW). In view of the special energy structure of China and the timeframe, 10 vehicle/fuel systems are chosen as the study projects. The results show that methanol is the most suitable fuel to serve as the ideal hydrogen source for fuel cell vehicles in the timeframe and geographic regions of this study. On the other hand, gasoline and pure hydrogen can also play a role in short-term and regional applications, especially for local demonstrations of FCV fleets. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.