Abstract: Mass, major ionic components (MICs) of PM2.5, and related gaseous pollutants (SO2, NOx, NH3, HNO2, and HNO3) were monitored over six locations of different anthropogenic influence (industrial, urban, suburban, and rural) in Belgium. SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, and Na+ were the primary ions of PM2.5 with averages diurnal concentrations ranging from 0.44.5, 0.37.6, 0.94.9, and 0.41.2 µg m-3, respectively. MICs formed 39% of PM2.5 on an average, but it could reach up to 8098%. The SO2, NO, NO2, HNO2, and HNO3 levels showed high seasonal and site-specific fluctuations. The NH3 levels were similar over all the sites (26 µg m-3), indicating its relation to the evenly distributed animal husbandry activities. The sulfur and nitrogen oxidation ratios for PM2.5 point towards a low-to-moderate formation of secondary sulfate and nitrate aerosols over five cities/towns, but their fairly intensive formation over the rural Wingene. Cluster analysis revealed the association of three groups of compounds in PM2.5: (i) NH4NO3, KNO3; (ii) Na2SO4; and (iii) MgCl2, CaCl2, MgF2, CaF2, corresponding to anthropogenic, sea-salt, and mixed (sea-salt + anthropogenic) aerosols, respectively. The neutralization and cation-to-anion ratios indicate that MICs of PM2.5 appeared mostly as (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 salts. Sea-salt input was maximal during winter reaching up to 12% of PM2.5. The overall average Cl-loss for sea-salt particles of PM2.5 at the six sites varied between 69 and 96% with an average of 87%. Principal component analysis revealed vehicular emission, coal/wood burning and animal farming as the dominating sources for the ionic components of PM2.5.

Abstract: In cultural heritage science, compositional data is traditionally obtained from works of art through the analysis of samples by means of various bench-top instruments (scanning electron microscope, Raman spectrometer, etc.). Alternatively, the object can be transported to a laboratory where it may be examined, usually by spectroscopic methods working in reflection mode. However, this paper describes how a complementary set of mobile and portable instruments was deployed in situ to gain a comprehensive view on the materials and related ageing compounds of an (almost) unmovable 15th-C polyptych, prior to and in preparation of the extraction of a limited number of samples. In line with the methodological approach discussed, PXRF was first employed as an efficient screening tool. The ensuing elemental data was supplemented by more specific information on both organic as inorganic materials supplied by reflection near- and mid-FTIR spectroscopy and fluorimetry. In completion, a limited number of diffraction patterns were collected with a mobile XRD instrument in order to identify the constituent crystalline phases in pigments, grounding materials and degradation products. In this way, it could be demonstrated how a rich array of colours was obtained by means of a limited palette of pigments: lead white, lead tin yellow, azurite, natural ultramarine, bone black, vermillion, madder lake, and a green copper-organo complex were detected and situated on the panels. Remarkably, next to chalk also gypsum was found in the ground layer(s) of this Western European easel painting. The relatively large surface of the background was covered with gold leaf; the analyses seem to point towards the labour-intensive water gilding technique. The versatility of this combination of analytical techniques was further illustrated by the accurate characterisation of degradation products affecting the readability and conservation of the painting: the overall presence of a calcium oxalate-based film of variable thickness was established. Nevertheless, further analysis of cross-sectioned samples was considered desirable in order to study the stratigraphy, to gain direct access to altered and sub-imposed layers and to allow highly detailed analysis of micrometric degradation products by state-of-the art techniques (i.e. synchrotron radiation).

Abstract: Nature of the mobility-gap states in amorphous Ge-rich Ge50Se50 was found to be related to homopolar Ge bonds in the chains/clusters of Ge atoms. Threshold switching material suffers Ge-Ge bond concentration drift during material ageing, which can explain the observed reliability of the aGe(50)Se(50) selector devices. Strong Ge-N bonds were introduced to alleviate the observed instability.

Abstract: Reversible macroscopic length changes in nanoporous structures can be achieved by applying electric potentials or by exposing them to different gases or liquids. Thus, these materials are interesting candidates for applications as sensors or actuators. Macroscopic length changes originate from microscopic changes of crystal lattice parameters. In this report, we show spatially resolved measurements of crystal lattice strain in dealloyed nanoporous gold. The results confirm theory by indicating a compression of the lattice along the axis of cylindrically shaped ligaments and an expansion in radial direction. Furthermore, we show that curved npAu surfaces show inward relaxation of the surface layer. [GRAPHICS] .

Abstract: In this work, a simple method to measure the indirect band gap of diamond with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is showed. The authors discuss the momentum space resolution achievable with EELS and the possibility of deliberately selecting specific transitions of interest. Based on a simple 2 parabolic band model of the band structure, the authors extend our predictions from the direct band gap case discussed in previous work, to the case of an indirect band gap. Finally, the authors point out the emerging possibility to partly reconstruct the band structure with EELS exploiting our simplified model of inelastic scattering and support it with experiments on diamond.

Abstract: The chemical composition of the plumes of seagoing ships was measured during a two week long measurement campaign in the port of Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland The Netherlands, in September 2009. Altogether, 497 ships were monitored and a statistical evaluation of emission factors (g kg−1 fuel) was provided. The concerned main atmospheric components were SO2, NO2, NOx and the aerosol particle number. In addition, the elemental and water-soluble ionic composition of the emitted particulate matter was determined. Emission factors were expressed as a function of ship type, power and crankshaft rotational speed. The average SO2 emission factor was found to be roughly half of what is allowed in sulphur emission control areas (16 vs. 30 g kg−1 fuel), and exceedances of this limit were rarely registered. A significant linear relationship was observed between the SO2 and particle number emission factors. The intercept of the regression line, 4.8 × 1015 (kg fuel)−1, gives the average number of particles formed during the burning of 1 kg zero sulphur content fuel, while the slope, 2 × 1018, provides the average number of particles formed with 1 kg sulphur burnt with the fuel. Water-soluble ionic composition analysis of the aerosol samples from the plumes showed that ~144 g of particulate sulphate was emitted from 1 kg sulphur burnt with the fuel. The mass median diameter of sulphate particles estimated from the measurements was ~42 nm.

Abstract: We propose a new method to measure atomic scale dynamics of nanoparticles from experimental high-resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. By using the so-called hidden Markov model, which explicitly models the possibility of structural changes, the number of atoms in each atomic column can be quantified over time. This newly proposed method outperforms the current atom-counting procedure and enables the determination of the probabilities and cross sections for surface diffusion. This method is therefore of great importance for revealing and quantifying the atomic structure when it evolves over time via adatom dynamics, surface diffusion, beam effects, or during in situ experiments.