properties of Na2O in Nasicon solid solution, Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12

The thermodynamic activity of sodium oxide (Na2O) in the Nasicon solid solution series, Na1+xZr2SixO12, has been measured in the temperature range 700–1100 K using solid state galvanic cells: Pt|CO2 + O2|Na2CO3?Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12?(Y2O3)ZrO2?In + In2O3|Ta, Pt for 1 = ? = 2.5, and Pt?CO2 + O2?Na2CO3?ß-alumina?Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12?Ar + O2?Pt for x = 0, 0.5, 2.5, and 3. The former cell, where the Nasicon solid solution is used as an electrolyte along with yttria-stabilized zirconia, is well suited for Nasicon compositions with high ionic conductivity. In the latter cell, ß-alumina is used as an electrolyte and the Nasicon solid solution forms an electrode. The chemical potential of Na2O is found to increase monotonically with x at constant temperature. The partial entropy of Na2O decreases continuously with x. However, the partial enthalpy exhibits a maximum at x = 2. This suggests that the binding energy is minimum at the composition where ionic conductivity and cell volume have maximum values.

Medium access control schemes for local area networks with multiple priority function

This paper deals with the development and performance evaluation of three modified versions of a scheme proposed for medium access control in local area networks. The original scheme implements a collision-free and fair medium arbitration by using a control wire in conjunction with a data bus. The modifications suggested in this paper are intended to realize the multiple priority function in local area networks.

A thermogravimetric study of the oxidative growth of Al2O3/Al alloy composites

The oxidation of liquid Al–Mg–Si alloys at 900–1400 °C was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The development of a semi-protective surface layer of MgO/MgAl2O4 allows the continuous formation of an Al2O3-matrix composite containing an interpenetrating network of metal microchannels at 1000–1350 °C. An initial incubation period precedes bulk oxidation, wherein Al2O3 grows from a near-surface alloy layer by reaction of oxygen supplied by the dissolution of the surface oxides and Al supplied from a bulk alloy reservoir through the microchannel network. The typical oxidation rate during bulk growth displays an initial acceleration followed by a parabolic deceleration in a regime apparently limited by Al transport to the near-surface layer. Both regimes may be influenced by the Si content in this layer, which rises due to preferential Al and Mg oxidation. The growth rates increase with temperature to a maximum at ~1300 °C, with a nominal activation energy of 270 kJ/mole for an Al-2.85 wt. % Mg-5.4 wt. % Si alloy in O2 at furnace temperatures of 1000–1300 °C. An oscillatory rate regime observed at 1000–1075 °C resulted in a banded structure of varying Al2O3-to-metal volume fraction.