No abstract

Iron nanoparticles were synthesized in situ within the channels of a microchannel glass by differentially pumping across the plate in conjunction with plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The microchannel glass was mounted on a custom designed differentially pumped sample holder, which produced 10 Torr of differential pressure across the 5 μm channels. The iron precursor was ferrocene [(C5H5)2–Fe]. The composition and structure of the nanoparticles was determined by electron diffraction to be Fe3O4, where oxidation of the nanoparticles occurred upon exposure to air. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of nanoparticles ranging in size from 150 to 960 nm, which are formed from smaller nanoparticles on the order of 5–10 nm. The large nanoparticles (150–960 nm) grow independently of one another and are largely freestanding within the channels, i.e., they are not highly attached to the channel walls or agglomerated. The magnetic signature of the large nanoparticles is consistent with ferrimagnetic Fe3O4. The magnetic hysteresis loops of the particles are reminiscent of superparamagnetic behavior, which would suggest that the magnetic coupling between the 5 and 10 nm nanoparticles is weak. A model for nanoparticle formation based on plasma suspension of the Fe nanoparticles inside the glass channels is proposed.

Seed coatings improve germination and offer higher crop yields through a blend of active ingredients (such as insecticides and fungicides), polymers, waxes, fillers, and pigments. To reach their full potential, fundamental formulation challenges bridging structure and function need to be addressed. In some instances, during industrialvolume packing and transportation, coated seeds do not flow well through elevators, conveyers, and applicators, which may reduce yield and add cost. In this work, we illustrate a combinatorial chemical imaging approach to study seed coatings at the microscale to link chemical and physical properties responsible for low seed flowability. The local chemical composition was examined using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and at comparable length scales, the local adhesive properties were examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) force volume mapping. The link between the chemical and the adhesive properties was established by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). The correlative multimodal imaging approach developed here utilizing AFM force volume mapping, ToF-SIMS chemical mapping, and data analytics offers a path for linking function with localized chemistry when investigating multicomponent soft material systems.

British Coal is developing a process for the production of transport fuels from coal and has built a pilot plant at Point of Ayr, in North Wales, to test its technical feasibility. The project is supported by the European Commission, the UK department of Energy, Ruhrkohle Oel und Gas, and Amoco. Among the project objectives is the preparation of reliable cost estimates for the production of coal‐derived liquids. These provide an economic basis for further process development. This paper contains a description of the probabilistic risk assessment model, using discounted cash flow techniques, developed to assess the economic viability of commercial scale operation. An example is given that shows that a straightforward application of the current technology has a reasonable probability of being viable by the year 2015. However, this result is necessarily dependent on many assumptions, including, for example, future oil and coal prices.

No abstract