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The size distribution, band gap energy, and photoluminescence of silicon nanocrystals embedded in SiO2 have been measured by direct and independent methods. The size distribution is measured by coupling high-resolution and conventional electron microscopy in special imaging conditions. The band gap is calculated from photoluminescence excitation measurements and agrees with theoretical predictions. Their correlation allows us to report the experimental Stokes shift between absorption and emission, which is 0.26±0.03 eV, independent of average size. This is almost exactly twice the energy of the Si–O vibration (0.134 eV). These results suggest that the dominant emission is a fundamental transition spatially located at the Si–SiO2 interface with the assistance of a local Si–O vibration.

Abstract. Epidemiologic investigations of the Latin America cholera epidemic have repeatedly implicated untreated drinking water and water touched by hands during storage as important vehicles for disease transmission. To prevent such transmission, we provided a new narrow-mouthed, plastic, water storage vessel and 5% calcium hypochlorite solution for home disinfection of stored water to a Bolivian Aymara Indian community at risk for cholera. We evaluated acceptance of this intervention and its effect on water quality. Each of 42 families in the study obtained water from a household well; fecal coliform bacteria were found in water from 39 (93%) of 42 wells and 33 (79%) of 42 usual water storage vessels. One group of families received the special vessels and chlorine (group A), a second received only the special vessels (group B), and a third served as a control group (group C). Water samples collected every three weeks from group A special vessels had lower geometric mean fecal coliform colony counts (P < 0.0001) and lower geometric mean Escherichia coil colony counts (P < 0.0001) than water from group B or C vessels. Adequate levels of free chlorine persisted in these vessels for at least 5 hr. The special vessels and chlorine solution were well accepted and continued to be used for at least six months. Use of the vessel and chlorine solution produced drinking water from nonpotable sources that met World Health Organization standards for microbiologic quality.

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