Abstract: A model for an atmospheric pressure inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is developed which allows rather easy extension to a variable number of species and ionisation degrees. This encompasses an easy calculation of transport parameters for mixtures, ionisation and heat capacity. The ICP is modeled in an axisymmetric geometry, taking into account the gas streaming into a flowing ambient gas. A mixture of argon and helium is applied in the injector gas stream as it is often done in laser ablation ICP spectrometry. The results show a strong influence of the added helium on the center of the ICP, which is important for chemical analysis. The length of the central channel is significantly increased and the temperature inside is significantly higher than in the case of pure argon. This means that higher gas volume flow rates can be applied by addition of helium compared to the use of pure argon. This has the advantage that the gas velocity in the transport system towards the ICP can be increased, which allows shorter washout-times. Consequently, shorter measurement times can be achieved, e.g. for spatial mapping analyses in laser ablation ICP spectrometry. Furthermore, the higher temperature and the longer effective plasma length will increase the maximum size of droplets or particles injected into the ICP that are completely evaporated at the detection site. Thus, we expect an increase of the analytical performance of the ICP by helium addition to the injector gas.

Abstract: Gas discharge plasmas are used for a wide range of applications. To improve our understanding about gas discharges, which is necessary to obtain good results in the various application fields, we perform numerical modelling of gas discharge plasmas. Various kinds of modelling approaches, for various types of gas discharges, are being used in our group. In this paper, some examples of this modelling work are outlined. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: FeMnC and FeMnSiAl TWIP steels deformed under the same conditions exhibit different work-hardening rates. The present study investigates the microstructure of plastically deformed FeMnC and FeMnSiAl samples, particularly the internal structure of the mechanically generated twins and their topology at the grain scale. Twins in the FeMnC steel are finer and full of sessile dislocations, rendering this material distinctly stronger with an improved work-hardening rate.

Abstract: Ultrathin graphene films find their use as advantageous support for nano- and biomaterials investigations. Thin film causes a very slight deterioration to measured signals, thus providing more details of the object's structure at nanoscale. The ultimate thinness of graphene works in the best way for this purpose. However, obtaining suspended thin film of a large-area, which is convenient for applications, is often a relatively complicated and time-consuming task. Here we present a one-step 1-min technique for synthesis of an extremely thin (about 1-2 nm) continuous film suspended over cells of a conventional copper grid (50-400 mu m mesh). This technique enables us to acquire a large-area film which is water-resistant, stable in organic solvents and can act as a support when studying nanoparticles or biomaterials. Moreover, the very mechanism of the film formation can be interesting from the point of view of other applications of ultrathin graphene oxide papers. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma, connected to a mass spectrometer interface, is computationally investigated. The effect of pressure behind the sampler, injector gas flow rate, auxiliary gas flow rate, and applied power is studied. There seems to be an optimum range of injector gas flow rate for each setup which guaranties the presence and also a proper length of the central channel in the torch. Moreover, our modeling results show that for any specific purpose, it is possible to control that either only the central gas flow passes through the sampler orifice or that it is accompanied by the auxiliary gas flow. It was also found that depending on geometry, the variation of outgoing gas flow rate is much less than the variation of the injector gas flow rate and this causes a slightly higher pressure inside the torch. The general effect of increasing the applied power is a rise in the plasma temperature, which results in a higher ionization in the coil region. However, the negative effect is reducing the length of the cool central channel which is important to transfer the sample substances to the sampler. Using a proper applied power can enhance the efficiency of the system. Indeed, by changing the gas path lines, the power can control which flow (i.e., only from injector gas or also from the auxiliary gas) goes to the sampler orifice. Finally, as also reported from experiments in literature, the pressure behind the sampler has no dramatic effect on the plasma characteristics.

Abstract: The Zener tunneling current flowing through a biased, abrupt p-n junction embedded in a cylindrical silicon nanowire is calculated. As the band gap becomes indirect for sufficiently thick wires, Zener tunneling and its related transitions between the valence and conduction bands are mediated by short-wavelength phonons interacting with mobile electrons. Therefore, not only the high electric field governing the electrons in the space-charge region but also the transverse acoustic (TA) and transverse optical (TO) phonons have to be incorporated in the expression for the tunneling current. The latter is also affected by carrier confinement in the radial direction and therefore we have solved the Schrodinger and Poisson equations self-consistently within the effective mass approximation for both conduction and valence band electrons. We predict that the tunneling current exhibits a pronounced dependence on the wire radius, particularly in the high-bias regime. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Ag/ZnO nanocomposites were developed by a plasma-assisted approach. The adopted strategy exploits the advantages of Plasma Enhanced-Chemical Vapor Deposition (PE-CVD) for the growth of columnar ZnO arrays on Si(100) and Al2O3 substrates, in synergy with the infiltration power of the Radio Frequency (RF)-sputtering technique for the subsequent dispersion of different amounts of Ag nanoparticles (NPs). The resulting composites, both as-prepared and after annealing in air, were thoroughly characterized with particular attention on their morphological organization, structure and composition. For the first time, the above systems have been used as catalysts in the production of hydrogen by photo-reforming of alcoholic solutions, yielding a stable H2 evolution even by the sole use of simulated solar radiation. In addition, Ag/ZnO nanocomposites presented an excellent response in the gas-phase detection of H2, opening attractive perspectives for advanced technological applications.

Abstract: Low-temperature growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been claimed to provide a route towards chiral-selective growth, enabling a host of applications. In this contribution, we employ reactive molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate how plasma-based deposition allows such low-temperature growth. We first show how ion bombardment during the growth affects the carbon dissolution and precipitation process. We then continue to demonstrate how a narrow ion energy window allows CNT growth at 500 K. Finally, we also show how CNTs in contrast cannot be grown in thermal CVD at this low temperature, but only at high temperature, in agreement with experimental data. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Exfoliated graphite samples (EG) with different bulk densities were prepared by the exfoliation of expandable graphite under a thermal shock regime. As a conductive filler, EG has been incorporated successfully into the coal tar pitch matrix by mechanical mixing. The conducting behavior of the composite was interpreted based on the percolation theory. The percolation threshold of the EG/pitch conducting composites at room temperature was as low as 1.5 wt% and did not depend on the bulk density of the EG used. By means of thermogravimetry the improvement of thermal stability of the composites in comparison with pure pitches was detected. The phenomenon was ascribed to heat shielding effect of the EG particles evidenced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods are widely used to investigate wind flow and dispersion in urban environments. Validation with field experiments that represent the full complexity of the problem should be performed to assess the predictive capabilities of the computations. In this context it will be necessary to quantify the effect of uncertainties in simulations of the full-scale problem. The present study aims at quantifying the uncertainty related to the variability in the inflow boundary conditions for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations of the flow in downtown Oklahoma City to address validation with the Joint Urban 2003 field measurements. Three uncertain inflow parameters were defined: the wind speed and wind direction at a reference height, and the aerodynamic roughness in the logarithmic velocity inlet profile. An ensemble of 729 RANS simulations were performed to determine the polynomial chaos expansion coefficients that define the response surfaces for the velocity magnitude and direction at 13 field measurement stations, and the results are compared to the experimental data. For the velocity magnitude the mean experimental velocity magnitude is encompassed within the 95% confidence interval for the magnitudes predicted by the Uncertainty Quantification study in all stations. For the velocity direction this holds in 11 out of 13 locations. The study demonstrates the significant potential of applying advanced uncertainty quantification methods to address validation with field measurements and to develop a more realistic approach to the definition of inflow boundary conditions in atmospheric CFD simulations. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.