We construct a quasar extinction curve based on the blue and red composite quasar spectra of Richards et al. (2003) prepared from the SDSS survey. This extinction curve does not show any traces of the 2200Å feature characteristic of the Interstellar Medium, and this indicates that graphite grains are likely absent close to quasar nuclei. The extinction is best modeled by AC amorphous carbon grains, assuming a standard distribution of grain sizes (p = 3.5) but slightly larger minimum grain size (a min = 0.016µm) and lower maximum grain size (a min = 0.12µm) than the respective canonical values for the interstellar medium. The dust composition is thus similar to that of the dust in AGB stars. Since graphite grains form from amorphous carbon exposed to strong UV irradiation the results indicate that either the dust forms surprisingly far from the active nucleus or in a wind that leaves the nucleus quickly enough to avoid crystallization into graphite.

Novel polyphenylene–metal complexes with discotic, linear, and dendritic geometries are synthesized by using a facile approach consisting of reactions between Co2(CO)8 and ethynyl functionalities in dichloromethane. Various carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), including graphitic carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphitic carbon rods, and carbon–metal hybrid particles are obtained from the solid‐state pyrolysis of these complexes. The ultimate structures of the CNPs are found to be dependant on the structure and composition of the starting compounds. Precursors containing graphenes always result in graphitic CNTs in high yield, whereas dendritic precursors give rodlike carbon materials. Alternatively, linear oligo(arylethylene) precursors afford mostly carbon–metal hybrids with large amounts of amorphous carbon. Furthermore, the CNP structures could be controlled by adjusting the carbon/metal ratio, the type and position of the metal incorporated into the precursor, and the mode of pyrolysis. These results provide further chances toward understanding the mechanism of CNP formation.

OH radical in the corona discharge with pipe-nozzle-plate electrode has been diagnosed by optical emission spectroscopy. Spatial variations of OH radical emission in discharge gap have been measured. Relative intensity of OH radical emission spectroscopy increases with increasing water vapor flux injected into the reactor or intensity of electric field supported. In positive pulsed corona discharge, relative intensity is higher than that in positive DC corona discharge and lower than that in negative DC corona discharge. Strongest intensity of OH radical spectrum appears within the range of 5 mm near the discharge nozzleelectrode. In addition, it is proved that the efficiency of desulphurization from flue gas by pulsed corona discharge plasma processes can be improved when OH radical is produced in the reactor.

The paper describes in detail a rapid development system for vehicle electronic control systems by using real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) simulation technology. This system can be used in parallel with the development of a new vehicle electronic control product. Once desired simulation results are achieved from the real-time HiL simulator in laboratory environments, control system design can be verified by setting up the same configuration in the new product in-vehicle test. The correlation between HiL simulation results and vehicle field test data can thereby be evaluated. The feasibility and effectiveness of the rapid development system have been demonstrated through the development of a vehicle antilock braking system (ABS) control algorithm. A significant reduction in development cycle time and cost has been achieved with the aid of this powerful tool, and the effectiveness of the ABS algorithm has been validated in vehicle field tests. The proposed ideal and approach can also be applied to develop other control systems, such as a traction control system, a vehicle stability control system, etc.

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