Simultaneous reduction of particulate matter and NOx emissions using 4-way catalyzed filtration systems

The next generation of diesel emission control devices includes 4-way catalyzed filtration systems (4WCFS) consisting of both NOx and diesel particulate matter (DPM) control. A methodology was developed to simultaneously evaluate the NOx and DPM control performance of miniature 4WCFS made from acicular mullite, an advanced ceramic material (ACM), that were challenged with diesel exhaust. The impact of catalyst loading and substrate porosity on catalytic performance of the NOx trap was evaluated. Simultaneously with NOx measurements, the real-time solid particle filtration performance of catalyst-coated standard and high porosity filters was determined for steady-state and regenerative conditions. The use of high porosity ACM 4-way catalyzed filtration systems reduced NOx by 99% and solid and total particulate matter by 95% when averaged over 10 regeneration cycles. A "regeneration cycle" refers to an oxidizing ("lean") exhaust condition followed by a reducing ("rich") exhaust condition resulting in NOx storage and NOx reduction (i.e., trap "regeneration"), respectively. Standard porosity ACM 4-way catalyzed filtration systems reduced NOx by 60-75% and exhibited 99.9% filtration efficiency. The rich/lean cycling used to regenerate the filter had almost no impact on solid particle filtration efficiency but impacted NOx control. Cycling resulted in the formation of very low concentrations of semivolatile nucleation mode particles for some 4WCFS formulations. Overall, 4WCFS show promise for significantly reducing diesel emissions into the atmosphere in a single control device. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Performance of joints in reinforced concrete slabs for two-way spanning action

A series of tests on filigree slab joints was performed with the aim of assessing whether such joints can be reliably used in the construction of two-way spanning reinforced concrete slabs. The test results were compared with code requirements. Adequate joint performance is shown to be achievable when the joints are appropriately detailed. Further research is recommended for the formulation of a more generic understanding when the design parameters are varied from those studied in this work.

A new way of uniform splitting of the optical power by directional coupling between the photonic crystal waveguides

Directional coupler can be constructed by putting multiple photonic crystal waveguides together. The propagation of the optical field entering this system symmetrically was analysed numerically according to self-imaging principle. On the basis of this structure, ultracompact multiway beam splitter was designed and the ones with three and four output channels were discussed in details as examples. By simply tuning the effective refractive index of two dielectric rods in the coupler symmetrically to induce the redistribution of the power of the optical field, uniform or free splitting can be achieved. Compared with the reported results, this way is simpler, more feasible and more efficient and has extensive practical value in future photonic integrated circuits.

A convenient way of determining the ferromagnetic transition temperature of metallic (Ga,Mn)As

We have studied magnetic and transport properties of insulating and metallic (Ga,Mn)As layers before and after annealing. A dramatic increase of the ferromagnetic transition temperature T-C by postgrowth annealing has been realized in both insulating and metallic (Ga,Mn)As. The as-grown insulating (Ga,Mn)As can be turned into metallic by the low-temperature annealing. For all the metallic (Ga,Mn)As, a characteristic feature in the temperature dependence of sheet resistance appears around T-C. This phenomenon may provide a simple and more convenient method to determine the T-C of metallic (Ga,Mn)As compared with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurement. Moreover, the T-C of the metallic (Ga,Mn)As obtained by this way is in good agreement with that measured by a SQUID magnetometer. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

New way to enhance the uniformity of self-organized InAs quantum dots

Growth interruption was introduced after the deposition of GaAs cap layer, which is thinner than the mean height of Quantum dots. Uniformity of quantum dots has been enhanced because the full width of half maximum of photoluminescence decrease from 80meV to 27meV in these samples as the interruption time increasing from 0 to 120 second. Meanwhile, we have observed that the peak position of photoluminescence is a function of interruption time. This effect can be used to control the energy level of quantum dots. The phenomena mentioned above can be attributed to the diffusion of In atoms from the top of InAs islands to the top of GaAs cap layer caused by the difference of surface energies between InAs and GaAs.

An analysis of the performance of a new high-speed single-way analog switch

This paper introduces a new highspeed single-way analog switch which has both highspeed high-resolution mono-direction analog transmission gate function and high-speed digital logic gate function with normal bipolar technology. The analysis of static and transient switching performances as an analog transmission gate is emphasized in the paper. In order to reduce the plug-in effect on high-speed high-resolution systems, an optimum design scheme is also given. This scheme is to achieve accelerated dynamic response with very low bias power dissipation. The analysis of PSPICE simulation as well as the circuit test results confirms the feasibility of the scheme. Now, the circuit has been applied effectively to the designs of novel highspeed A/D and D/A converters.

A one-way MOS analog switch

In this paper, a one-way NMOS analog switch featuring a low plug-in consumption is presented. The performances of analog switch, especially the performances of source follower are simulated under different conditions with PSPICE. Simulation results and factors affecting the deviation between input and output are analyzed, some advice on how to reduce the deviation between input and output is given. Ar the end of the paper, voltage relationship between input and output of the analog switch is obtained. Function of first degree, Vout = kVin + V0, is used to approximate the voltage relationship. The simulation results anti the value achieved from the approximation equation are given as well.

New way to enhance the uniformity of self-organized InAs quantum dots

Growth interruption was introduced after the deposition of GaAs cap layer, which is thinner than the mean height of Quantum dots. Uniformity of quantum dots has been enhanced because the full width of half maximum of photoluminescence decrease from 80meV to 27meV in these samples as the interruption time increasing from 0 to 120 second. Meanwhile, we have observed that the peak position of photoluminescence is a function of interruption time. This effect can be used to control the energy level of quantum dots. The phenomena mentioned above can be attributed to the diffusion of In atoms from the top of InAs islands to the top of GaAs cap layer caused by the difference of surface energies between InAs and GaAs.

Possible way to synthesize superheavy element Z=117

Within the framework of the dinuclear system model, the production of superheavy element Z = 117 in possible projectile-target combinations is analysed systematically. The calculated results show that the production cross sections are strongly dependent on the reaction systems. Optimal combinations, corresponding excitation energies and evaporation channels are proposed, such as the isotopes Bk-248,Bk-249 in Ca-48 induced reactions in 3n evaporation channels and the reactions Sc-45+Cm-246,Cm-248 in 3n and 4n channels, and the system V-51+Pu-244 in 3n channel.