A multipoint study of a substorm occurring on 7 December, 1992, and its theoretical implications

On 7 December 1992, a moderate substorm was observed by a variety of satellites and ground-based instruments. Ionospheric flows were monitored near dusk by the Goose Bay HF radar and near midnight by the EISCAT radar. The observed flows are compared here with magnetometer observations by the IMAGE array in Scandinavia and the two Greenland chains, the auroral distribution observed by Freja and the substorm cycle observations by the SABRE radar, the SAMNET magnetometer array and LANL geosynchronous satellites. Data from Galileo Earth-encounter II are used to estimate the IMF B-z component. The data presented show that the substorm onset electrojet at midnight was confined to closed field lines equatorward of the preexisting convection reversal boundaries observed in the dusk and midnight regions. No evidence of substantial closure of open flux was detected following this substorm onset. Indeed the convection reversal boundary on the duskside continued to expand equatorward after onset due to the continued presence of strong southward IMF, such that growth and expansion phase features were simultaneously present. Clear indications of closure of open flux were not observed until a subsequent substorm intensification 25 min after the initial onset. After this time, the substorm auroral bulge in the nightside hours propagated well poleward of the pre-existing convection reversal boundary, and strong flow perturbations were observed by the Goose Bay radar, indicative of flows driven by reconnection in the tail.

EISCAT observations of unusual flows in the morning sector associated with weak substorm activity

A discussion is given of plasma flows in the dawn and nightside high-latitude ionospheric regions during substorms occurring on a contracted auroral oval, as observed using the EISCAT CP-4-A experiment. Supporting data from the PACE radar, Greenland magnetometer chain, SAMNET magnetometers and geostationary satellites are compared to the EISCAT observations. On 4 October 1989 a weak substorm with initial expansion phase onset signatures at 0030 UT, resulted in the convection reversal boundary observed by EISCAT (at \sim0415 MLT) contracting rapidly poleward, causing a band of elevated ionospheric ion temperatures and a localised plasma density depletion. This polar cap contraction event is shown to be associated with various substorm signatures; Pi2 pulsations at mid-latitudes, magnetic bays in the midnight sector and particle injections at geosynchronous orbit. A similar event was observed on the following day around 0230 UT (\sim0515 MLT) with the unusual and significant difference that two convection reversals were observed, both contracting poleward. We show that this feature is not an ionospheric signature of two active reconnection neutral lines as predicted by the near-Earth neutral model before the plasmoid is “pinched off”, and present two alternative explanations in terms of (1) viscous and lobe circulation cells and (2) polar cap contraction during northward IMF. The voltage associated with the anti-sunward flow between the reversals reaches a maximum of 13 kV during the substorm expansion phase. This suggests it to be associated with the polar cap contraction and caused by the reconnection of open flux in the geomagnetic tail which has mimicked “viscous-like” momentum transfer across the magnetopause.

Thermoelectric properties of TiS2 mechanically alloyed compounds

Bulk polycrystalline samples in the series Ti1−xNbxS2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.075) were prepared using mechanical alloying synthesis and spark plasma sintering. X-ray diffraction analysis coupled with high resolution transmission electron microscopy indicates the formation of trigonal TiS2 by high energy ball-milling. The as-synthesized particles consist of pseudo-ordered TiS2 domains of around 20–50 nm, joined by bent atomic planes. This bottom-up approach leads, after spark plasma sintering, to homogeneous solid solutions, with a niobium solubility limit of x = 0.075. Microstructural observations evidence the formation of small crystallites in the bulk compounds with a high density of stacking faults. The large grain boundary concentration coupled with the presence of planar defects, leads to a substantial decrease in the thermal conductivity to 1.8 W/mK at 700 K. This enables the figure of merit to reach ZT = 0.3 at 700 K for x = 0.05, despite the lower electron mobility in mechanically alloyed samples due to small crystallite/grain size and structural defects.

Formulation of fermentation media from flour-rich waste streams for microbial lipid production by Lipomyces starkeyi

Flour-rich waste (FRW) and by-product streams generated by bakery, confectionery and wheat milling plants could be employed as the sole raw materials for generic fermentation media production, suitable for microbial oil synthesis. Wheat milling by-products were used in solid state fermentations (SSF) of Aspergillus awamori for the production of crude enzymes, mainly glucoamylase and protease. Enzyme-rich SSF solids were subsequently employed for hydrolysis of FRW streams into nutrient-rich fermentation media. Batch hydrolytic experiments using FRW concentrations up to 205 g/L resulted in higher than 90%(w/w) starch to glucose conversion yields and 40% (w/w) total Kjeldahl nitrogen to free amino nitro-gen conversion yields. Starch to glucose conversion yields of 98.2, 86.1 and 73.4% (w/w) were achieved when initial FRW concentrations of 235, 300 and 350 g/L were employed in fed-batch hydrolytic experiments, respectively. Crude hydrolysates were used as fermentation media in shake flask cultures with the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi DSM 70296 reaching a total dry weight of 30.5 g/L with a microbial oil content of 40.4% (w/w), higher than that achieved in synthetic media. Fed-batch bioreactor cultures led to a total dry weight of 109.8 g/L with a microbial oil content of 57.8% (w/w) and productivity of 0.4 g/L/h.

Influence of heavy rare earth ions substitution on microstructure and magnetism of nanocrystalline magnetite

In this work we report results on the influence of heavy rare earth ions substitution on microstructure and magnetism of nanocrystalline magnetite. A series of Fe(2.85)RE(0.15)O(4) (RE = Gd, Dy, Ho, Tm and Yb) samples have been prepared by high energy ball milling. Structure/microstructure investigations of two selected samples Fe(2.85)Gd(0.15)O(4) and Fe(2.85)Tm(0.15)O(4), represent an extension of the previously published results on Fe(3)O(4)/gamma-Fe(2)O(3), Fe(2.85)Y(0.15)O(4) and Fe(2.55)In(0.45)O(4) [Z. Cvejic, S. Rakic, A. Kremenovic, B. Antic, C. Jovalekic. Ph. Colomban, Sol. State Sciences 8 (2006) 908], while magnetic characterization has been done for all the samples. Crystallite/particle size and strain determined by X-ray diffractometry and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the nanostructured nature of the mechanosynthesized materials. X-ray powder diffraction was used to analyze anisotropic line broadening effects through the Rietveld method. The size anisotropy was found to be small while strain anisotropy was large, indicating nonuniform distribution of deffects in the presence of Gd and Tm in the crystal structure. Superparamagnetic(SPM) behavior at room temperature was observed for all samples studied. The Y-substituted Fe(3)O(4) had the largest He and the lowest M(S). We discuss the changes in magnetic properties in relation to their magnetic anisotropy and microstructure. High field irreversibility (H>20kOe) in ZFC/FC magnetization versus temperature indicates the existence of high magnetocrystalline and/or strain induced anisotropy. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of pH on the production of dispersed Bi4Ge3O12 nanoparticles by combustion synthesis

This paper reports the production of bismuth germanate ceramic scintillator (Bi4Ge3O12) by combustion synthesis (SHS) method, focusing on the influence of the synthesis parameters on the crystalline phases and agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The synthesis and sintering conditions were investigated through thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction as function of temperature, dilatometry and scanning electron microscopy. Well-dispersed Bi4Ge3O12 powder was accomplished by the combustion of the initial solution at pH 9, followed by low temperature calcination and milling. Sintered ceramics presented relative density of 98% and single crystalline Bi4Ge3O12 phase. The luminescent properties of the ceramics were investigated by photo- and radio- luminescence measurements and reproduced the typical Bi4Ge3O12 single-crystal spectra when excited with UV, beta and X-rays. The sintered ceramics presented light output of 4.4 x 10(3) photons/McV. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Electrophoretic deposition of Ba0.77Ca0.23TiO3 nanopowders

Ba0.77Ca0.23TiO3 (BCT23) nanometric powders, synthesized by the modified Pechini method, were used as precursor to produce thick films (50-130 mu m) employing the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. The BCT23 powder presented a single crystalline phase with an average particle size and a crystallite size of similar to 60 nm and similar to 20 nm, respectively, when calcined at 800 degrees C/2h. BCT23 thick films were deposited on platinum substrates starting from different suspensions prepared by dispersion of the powder into: isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or a mixture of acetylacetone (Acac) and ethanol (EtOH) (1:1, volumetric ratio). A milling process was used to deagglomerate the powders in order to increase the suspension stability and improving the deposition. Dense and crack free thick films with uniform microstructure were obtained after sintering at 1300 degrees C/2 h from Acac+EtOH solution. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acoustic condition monitoring for cold metal forming

One of the most important objectives of cold metal forming research is to develop techniques that enable better manufacturing efficiencies. Within this monitoring of tooling condition is vital to providing high quality manufacturing. The objective of this research is to determine the signature derived from Acoustic Emission (AE) sensors, in order to establish the current condition of a machine tool, as applied to bolt-making. From here we aim to develop and implement an on-line condition monitoring tool for the cold forming process. A review of the literature has shown that much research into AE has been successfully applied in metal cutting operations; such as milling, drilling and turning, but little research has been done related to metal forming. This appears to be due to the complexity of obtaining consistent signals using Acoustic Emission systems, because the presence of noise in many forms. This paper will detail many of the AE signals acquired and analysed through our research. The extensive results indicate this form of condition monitoring is not suitable for metal forming in its current configuration. Further tests are proposed to enable such research to move forward, so a condition monitoring system can be established.

High-precision five-axis machine for high-speed material processing using linear motors and parallel-serial kinematics

The paper describes some details of the mechanical and kinematics design of a five-axis mechanism. The design has been utilized to physically realize an industrial-scale five-axis milling machine that can carry a three KW spindle. However, the mechanism could be utilized in other material processing and factory automation applications. The mechanism has five rectilinear joints/axes. Two of these axes are arranged traditionally, i.e. in series, and the other three axes utilize the concept of parallel kinematics. This combination results in a design that allows three translational and two rotational two-mode degrees of freedom (DOFs). The design provides speed, accuracy and cost advantages over traditional five-axis machines. All axes are actuated using linear motors.

Composition dependency of the glass forming ability (GFA) in Mg—Ni—Si system by mechanical alloying

The pure elemental powder mixtures with the compositions of Mg₆₅Ni_xSi₃₅−_x (x = 10, 20, 25, 33 at.%) were subject to high-energy ball mill, and the structures of the mixtures at different intervals of milling were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The compositional dependency of the glass forming ability (GFA) in Mg–Ni–Si system was evaluated based on the experimental results and the theoretical calculation. The compositional dependency of GFA in Mg–Ni–Si system can be understood well by comparing the enthalpies of the crystalline and amorphous phases based on the Miedema's theory for the formation enthalpy of alloys. Increasing the Ni/Mg ratio and/or decreasing Si content can improve the amorphous formability. The calculation results might be of great help in optimising the composition with high GFA in Mg–Ni–Si system.

Microstructure evolution of TI-SN-NB alloy prepared by mechanical alloying

In the present study, Ti-16Sn-4Nb alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying (MA). Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to characterise the phase transformation and the microstructure evolution. Results indicated that ball milling to 8 h led to the formation of a supersaturated hcp α-Ti and partial amorphous phase due to the solid solution of Sn and Nb into Ti lattice. The microstructure of the bulk sintered Ti-16Sn-4Nb alloy samples made from the powders at shorter ball milling times, i.e. 20 min- 2 h, exhibited a primary α surrounded by a Widmanstätten structure (transformed β); while in the samples made from the powders at longer ball milling times, i.e. 5- 10 h, the alloy evolved to a microstructure with a disordered and fine β phase dispersed homogeneously within the α matrix. These results contribute to the understanding of the microstructure evolution in alloys of this type prepared by powder metallurgy.

TiNi shape memory alloy foams synthesized by spacer sintering and their properties

Titanium (Ti) and nickel (Ni) elemental powders were blened by ball milling and the ball milled powders were employed to fabricate NiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) foams by space sintering. Effect of ball milling time on phase constitutes of the sintered TiNi alloy foams was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.Scanning election microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the porous structure, and compressive tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties of the foams. Results indicate the porosities of the TiNi alloy foams can be controlled by using the spacer sincering method, and the porosities show a significant effect on the mechanical prperties and shape memory effect (SME).

Nucleation and growth of carbon nanotubes in a mechano-thermal process

Separate nucleation and growth processes of carbon nanotubes were found in a mechano-thermal method in which carbon nanotubes are produced by first mechanical milling of graphite powder at room temperature and subsequent thermal annealing up to 1400 °C. The ball-milled graphite contains nucleation structures (nanosized metal particles and deformed (0 0 2) layers containing pentagons), and disordered carbon as a free carbon atom source. The subsequent annealing activates the growth of two types of multi-walled nanotubes in the absence of carbon vapor. Thin nanotubes (diameter <20 nm) are formed via crystallization of the disordered carbon with the preferred formation of the (0 0 2) basal planes. Thick nanotubes (diameter >20 nm) are formed through a metal catalytic solution–precipitation process (solid–liquid–solid). In both cases, carbon nanotubes grew out from disordered carbon particles with closed tips.