Showing papers on "Particle published in 1994"

Pressure-driven flow of suspensions : simulation and theory

Abstract: Dynamic simulations of the pressure-driven flow in a channel of a non-Brownian suspension at zero Reynolds number were conducted using Stokesian Dynamics. The simulations are for a monolayer of identical particles as a function of the dimensionless channel width and the bulk particle concentration. Starting from a homogeneous dispersion, the particles gradually migrate towards the centre of the channel, resulting in an homogeneous concentration profile and a blunting of the particle velocity profile. The time for achieving steady state scales as (H/a)3a/[left angle bracket]u[right angle bracket], where H is the channel width, a the radii of the particles, and [left angle bracket]u[right angle bracket] the average suspension velocity in the channel. The concentration and velocity profiles determined from the simulations are in qualitative agreement with experiment. A model for suspension flow has been proposed in which macroscopic mass, momentum and energy balances are constructed and solved simultaneously. It is shown that the requirement that the suspension pressure be constant in directions perpendicular to the mean motion leads to particle migration and concentration variations in inhomogeneous flow. The concept of the suspension ‘temperature’ – a measure of the particle velocity fluctuations – is introduced in order to provide a nonlocal description of suspension behaviour. The results of this model for channel flow are in good agreement with the simulations.

Particle response and turbulence modification in fully developed channel flow

Abstract: The interactions between small dense particles and fluid turbulence have been investigated in a downflow fully developed channel in air. Particle velocities of, and fluid velocities in the presence of, 50 μm glass, 90 μm glass and 70 μm copper spherical beads were measured by laser Doppler anemometry, at particle mass loadings up to 80%. These particles were smaller than the Kolmogorov lengthscale of the flow and could respond to some but not all of the scales of turbulent motion. Streamwise mean particle velocity profiles were flatter than the mean fluid velocity profile, which was unmodified by particle loading. Particle velocity fluctuation intensities were larger than the unladen-fluid turbulence intensity in the streamwise direction but were smaller in the transverse direction. Fluid turbulence was attenuated by the addition of particles; the degree of attenuation increased with particle Stokes number, particle mass loading and distance from the wall. Turbulence was more strongly attenuated in the transverse than in the streamwise direction, because the turbulence energy is at higher frequencies in the transverse direction. Streamwise turbulence attenuation displayed a range of preferred frequencies where attenuation was strongest.

Template Synthesized Nanoscopic Gold Particles: Optical Spectra and the Effects of Particle Size and Shape

Abstract: : We have prepared nanoscopic gold cylinders of controlled radius and aspect ratio via electrodeposition of the metal within the pores of anodically- grown porous aluminum oxide membranes. The nanocylinder radii are determined by the pore dimensions of the host alumina which, in turn, depend on anodization conditions. The particle aspect ratios were controlled by varying the amount of Au deposited within the pores The optical spectra of the gold nanocylinder/ alumina composites exhibit strong absorption bands in the visible spectrum. The extinction maxima (Lambda max) values for gold particles approaching sphere-like geometry agree well with Mie Theory calculations. The blue shift of (Lambda max) as the particle aspect ratio is increased is in qualitative agreement with Maxwell-Garnett Theory. We propose a simple modification of Maxwell-Garnett Theory that addresses both size and shape effects. Nanometals, Nanomaterials, Maxwell-Garnett theory.

Preferential concentration of heavy particles in a turbulent channel flow

Abstract: An investigation of the instantaneous particle concentration at the centerline of a turbulent channel flow has been conducted. The concentration field was obtained by digitizing photographs of particles illuminated by a spanwise laser sheet and identifying individual particles. The resulting distribution was then compared to the expected distribution for the same number of particles randomly distributed throughout the volume. Significant departures from randomness have been found and the differences are strongly dependent on the time constants of the particles. Five different particle classes were investigated and the maximum departure from randomness was found when the ratio of the particle’s aerodynamic response time to the Kolmogorov time scale of the flow was approximately one. The length scales of the particle clusters were found to change with the particle size. The correlation dimension was used to produce a single parameter describing the degree of concentration regardless of the scale on which it occurs. The spacing between particle clusters was also investigated and found to be much larger than the scales on which concentration occurs.

Counting polymers moving through a single ion channel

Abstract: The change in conductance of a small electrolyte-filled capillary owing to the passage of sub-micrometre-sized particles has long been used for particle counting and sizing. A commercial device for such measurements, the Coulter counter, is able to detect particles of sizes down to several tenths of a micrometre. Nuclepore technology (in which pores are etched particle tracks) has extended the lower limit of size detection to 60-nm particles by using a capillary of diameter 0.45 micron (ref. 4). Here we show that natural channel-forming peptides incorporated into a bilayer lipid membrane can be used to detect the passage of single molecules with gyration radii as small as 5-15 A. From our experiments with alamethicin pores we infer both the average number and the diffusion coefficients of poly(ethylene glycol) molecules in the pore. Our approach provides a means of observing the statistics and mechanics of flexible polymers moving within the confines of precisely defined single-molecule structures.

Nanoparticles and microparticles of non-linear hydrophilic-hydrophobic multiblock copolymers

Abstract: Particles are provided that are not rapidly cleared from the blood stream by the macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system, and that can be modified to achieve variable release rates or to target specific cells or organs. The particles have a core of a multiblock copolymer formed by covalently linking a multifunctional compound with one or more hydrophobic polymers and one or more hydrophilic polymers, and contain a biologically active material. The terminal hydroxyl group of the poly(alkylene glycol) can be used to covalently attach onto the surface of the particles biologically active molecules, including antibodies targeted to specific cells or organs, or molecules affecting the charge, lipophilicity or hydrophilicity of the particle. The surface of the particle can also be modified by attaching biodegradable polymers of the same structure as those forming the core of the particles. The typical size of the particles is between 180 nm and 10,000 nm, preferably between 180 nm and 240 nm, although microparticles can also be formed as described herein. The particles can include magnetic particles or radiopaque materials for diagnostic imaging, biologically active molecules to be delivered to a site, or compounds for targeting the particles. The particles have a prolonged half-life in the blood compared to particles not containing poly(alkylene glycol) moieties on the surface.

Macrophage/particle interactions: Effect of size, composition and surface area

Abstract: Particulate wear-debris are detected in histiocytes/macrophages of granulomatous tissues adjacent to loose joint prostheses. Such cell-particle interactions have been simulated in vitro by challenging macrophages with particles dosed according to weight percent, volume percent, and number of particles. Each of these dosage methods has inherent shortcomings due to varying size and density of challenging particles of different compositions. In this study we challenged P388D1 macrophages with titania and polystyrene particles (< 2 microns), with dosage based on the ratio of the surface area of the particles to the surface area of the cells. The effect of size and composition on (1) the bone resorbing activity, (2) fibroblast proliferation, and (3) secretion of IL-1 and PGE2 was determined. Macrophage response to particulate debris appears to be dependent on particle size, composition, and dose as given by surface area ratio. P388D1 macrophages challenged with titania particles released IL-1, but did not stimulate fibroblasts. Inhibition of macrophage DNA synthesis at higher surface area ratios suggests cell damage or death. Particle-stimulated cells increased bone resorption up to 125% of controls but released only basal levels of PGE2. Macrophages stimulated by wear particles are expected to synthesize numerous factors affecting events in the bone-implant interface. Using the concept of surface area ratio allows us to study and compare such cellular responses to wear particles in a standardized manner.

Detailed Mechanism and Modeling of Soot Particle Formation

Abstract: A detailed chemical reaction model for the growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and soot particle nucleation and growth is presented. The model begins with fuel pyrolysis, followed by the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, their “planar” growth and coagulation into spherical particles, and finally, surface growth and oxidation of the particles. The surface processes are described in terms of elementary chemical reactions of surface active sites. The method of moments is used to express the mathematical formalism of the undergoing chemical and physical processes. A new submodel is presented which is capable of calculating the optical properties of an arbitrary ensemble of soot particles. Computer simulations with this model are in quantitative agreement with experimental results from several laminar premixed hydrocarbon flames. The model predicts the classical picture of soot particle inception and the classical description of soot particle structure.

Activity and Stability of Ordered and Disordered Co‐Pt Alloys for Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells

Abstract: Co-Pt alloys were studied in detail by a corrosion test under phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) conditions on the well-defined crystallographic structures for a typical combination of the alloy catalysts used in PAFCs, examining the long-life stabilities of the structures and the catalytic activities for O[sub 2] electroreduction. The ordered (O) and disordered (D) alloys at the same particle sizes can be obtained by heat-treating the mother alloy in different temperature sequences. The O-alloy exhibits a specific activity 1.35 times higher than the D-alloy before the corrosion test, but shows less activity after the corrosion test, due to a higher degradation in the O-alloy activity as compared with that of the D-alloy. It was found that the Co atoms on particle surfaces of both alloys dissolved easily in the acid. This is followed by a second slow dissolution from inside the alloy particles probably due to the protective action by a monolayer thickness of Pt remaining on the alloy surfaces, but the loss of Co in the second stage dissolution for the O-alloy is higher by several percentage points compared to that of the D-alloy. It was also found that the Pt content does not change on the catalyst supportmore » even after 50 h of corrosion test, but the pure Pt phase is formed in the corrosion product, where the phase for the O-alloy grows faster than that for the D-alloy with corrosion time. Based on these results, obtained by chemical, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses, the corrosion for Pt alloy catalysts is clearly explained: after the dissolution of Co atoms in the first surface layer of alloys, both Co and Pt dissolve out simultaneously from small-size alloy particles and the Pt redeposits on the surfaces of large-size alloy particles. It is concluded that the D-alloy is preferable to the O-alloy from the viewpoint of the stabilities in the structure and the electrocatalytic activity.« less

Luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay: measurement of particle binding kinetics by chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A method for monitoring formation of latex particle pairs by chemiluminescence is described. Molecular oxygen is excited by a photosensitizer and an antenna dye that are dissolved in one of the particles. 1 delta gO2 diffuses to the second particle and initiates a high quantum yield chemiluminescent reaction of an olefin that is dissolved in it. The efficiency of 1 delta gO2 transfer between particles is approximately 3.5%. The technique permits real-time measurement of particle binding kinetics. Second-order rate constants increase with the number of receptor binding sites on the particles and approach diffusion control. By using antibody-coated particles, a homogeneous immunoassay capable of detecting approximately 4 amol of thyroid-stimulating hormone in 12 min was demonstrated. Single molecules of analyte produce particle heterodimers that are detected even when no larger aggregates are formed.

Charging of particles in a plasma

Abstract: Several models that predict the charge of particles in a plasma are reviewed. The simplest is based on orbit-limited probe theory. This basic model can be improved by adding several effects: charge reduction at high dust densities, electron emission, ion trapping and fluctuations. The charge is reduced at high dust densities, when a significant fraction of the charge in the plasma resides on the particles, depleting the plasma. Electron emission due to electron impact or ultraviolet exposure can cause a particle to have a positive charge, which has useful implications for plasma processing, since particles are confined in a discharge only if they have a negative charge. Ion trapping occurs due to ion-neutral collisions within the attractive Debye sphere of a negatively charged particle. Trapped ions reduce the net electric force on a particle. A particle's charge fluctuates because the currents collected from the plasma consist of discrete charges arriving at the particle at random intervals. The root mean square fractional fluctuation level varies as 0.5(N)- 12 / where (N)=(Q)/e is the mean number of electron charges on the particle.

Coulomb solids and low-frequency fluctuations in RF dusty plasmas

Abstract: The collective behaviour of weakly ionized RF dusty plasmas is investigated. Negatively charged SiO2 fine particles are generated and suspended in an SiH4/O2/Ar discharge. At high pressure (300 mTorr), the random fluctuations of the discharge and particle motions are suppressed. Coulomb solids with particle diameters from a few micrometres to a millimetre have been observed. At low pressure, the coupling between particles and the background plasma causes large-amplitude low-frequency fluctuations of the dusty plasma.

An experimental investigation of concentrated suspension flows in a rectangular channel

Abstract: An experimental adaptation of the well-known laser-Doppler anemometry technique is developed for measuring the velocity and concentration profiles in concentrated suspension flows. To circumvent the problem of optical turbidity, the refractive indices of the solid and liquid phases are closely matched. The residual turbidity, owing to small mismatches of the refractive indices, as well as impurities in the particles, allows a Doppler signal to be detected when a particle passes through the scattering volume. By counting the number of Doppler signals in a period of time, the local volume fraction is also measured. This new technique is utilized to study concentrated suspension flows in a rectangular channel. The general behaviour of the suspension is that the velocity profile is blunted while the concentration profile has a maximum near the centre. Comparisons are made with theoretical predictions based on the shear-induced particle migration theory.

Isolation and characterization of debris in membranes around total joint prostheses.

Abstract: Particles of wear debris have been implicated in osteolysis around and aseptic loosening of total joint prostheses, but the number and size distribution of particles present in periprosthetic tissues are unknown. A method of particle assay was developed, consisting of nitric-acid digestion of tissue followed by collection of particles, electronic quantitation, and parallel morphological and chemical characterization. Nitric acid had minimum deleterious effects on control samples of titanium, cobalt-chromium alloy, and polyethylene particles, as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electronic measurements of the sizes of the particles. Acid digestion of twelve control samples of tissue, including tissue rich in hemosiderin, resulted in particle counts that were no higher than that in the digestion solution background. Other digestion preparations, including hydrochloric acid and sodium hypophosphate, were not as effective as nitric acid. With the low size limit of detection of approximately 0.58 micrometer, particle analysis of tissue adjacent to twenty retrieved total joint implants indicated a range of concentration of 0.85 to 141.85 x 10(9) particles per gram of tissue (dry weight). Although a few particles of more than 100 micrometers were detected, the mode of particle diameter from each sample ranged from the lower limit of detection (approximately 0.58 micrometer) to 0.79 micrometer. The findings of morphological studies and x-ray spectroscopy of isolated particles corresponded with those of light microscopy of the fibrous membranes. These data indicate that most of the particles in implant membranes are smaller than the resolution of the light microscope and that tissue digestion is necessary for quantitation and characterization.

Particle nucleation and growth in a low-pressure argon-silane discharge

Abstract: The growth of particle size has been measured in a low-pressure argon-silane plasma using high-resolution transmission electronic microscopy. The results show that formation and growth of dust particles is an homogeneous process; the first generation size distribution is monodispersed; and the growth kinetics reveals a three-step process from molecular ions to large particles. Together with measurements of particle concentration obtained by laser light scattering, these measurements give a clear indication that the growth proceeds through three successive steps: (i) 'rapid' formation of crystalline clusters (as shown by dark-field high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) with concentrations of up to 1010 cm-3; (ii) formation of aggregates, of diameters up to 50 nm, by coagulation (during coagulation the particle concentration decreases dramatically); and (iii) growth of the particles with a constant concentration by surface deposition of SiHx radicals, whilst the numerical density remains constant. Laser-induced particle explosive evaporation has been performed using a XeCl (308 nm) laser. This experiment allowed detection of nanocrystallites and also the beginning of their coagulation and gave clear evidence of the temperature effect on particle formation.

Visualization of the role of the gas-water interface on the fate and transport of colloids in porous media

Abstract: This paper exposes the significant role played by the gas-water interface in the fate and transport of colloids in porous media and also introduces a micromodel method to allow direct visualization of colloid behavior in pore networks. The gas-water interface was created by trapping air in the pore space. Various types of latex and clay particles, as well as bacteria, were studied. The results suggest that the gas-water interface sorbs not only hydrophobic but also hydrophilic particles. The degree of sorption is controlled by particle surface hydrophobicity, solution ionic strength, and particle charge sign. Sorption increases with increasing particle hydrophobicity and solution ionic strength, while positively charged particles have a very strong affinity for the gas-water interface. The sorption on the gas-water interface is essentially irreversible, in that the capillary free energy provides a large attractive force to hold particles on the gas-water interface after its rupture. These findings reveal a mechanism of vadose zone transport: A static gas-water interface behaves as a sorbent phase retarding the transport of particulate contaminants. The visualization method developed in this research is very useful for the investigation of particulate contaminant behavior and interface-related transport, especially in the context of bioremediation. 32 refs., 8more » figs., 1 tab.« less

Synthesis of Monodispersed Silica Powders. II. Controlled Growth Reaction and Continuous Production Process.

Abstract: The present paper will describe the preparation of monodispersed silica particles by a controlled growth process. This procedure has several advantages compared with the original Stober (batch) process. A simple calculation allows seeds of a given size to be grown exactly to a pre-set final particle size. Spherical and exceptional monodispersed particles of up to 3·6 μm in diameter and a very high (particle) mass fraction of up to 10 vol.% silica could be prepared by this process. Moreover, a simple tube reactor is shown, which allows those particles to be produced on a continuous basis.

Effective elastic moduli of two-phase composites containing randomly dispersed spherical inhomogeneities

Abstract: Based on the general micromechanical framework proposed in a companion paper, effective elastic moduli of two-phase composites containing randomly dispersedspherical inhomogeneities are investigated in this paper. At variance with existing micromechanical pairwise interaction models (accurate up to the second-order in particle volume fraction ϕ), the proposed approximate, probabilistic pairwise particle interaction formulationcoupled with the general ensemble-volume averaged field equations leads to a novel, higher-order (in ϕ), and accurate method for the prediction of effective elastic moduli of two-phase composites containing randomly located spherical particles. The relevant ensemble integrals in the proposed formulation are absolutely convergent due to a “renormalization” procedure employed in a companion paper. In accordance with the analogy between the effective shear modulus of an incompressible elastic composite with randomly dispersed rigid spheres and the effective shear viscosity of a colloidal dispersion with randomly dispersed rigid spheres (at high shear rates), the proposed ensemble-micromechanical approach is extended to predict effective shear viscosities of colloidal dispersions at the high-shear limit. Comparisons with experimental data, classical variational bounds, improved three-point bounds, the second-order particle interaction model, and other micromechanical models are also presented. It is observed that significant improvement in predictive capability for two-phase composites with randomly dispersed spheres can be achieved by using the proposed method.

On particle adhesion and removal mechanisms in turbulent flows

Abstract: Particle removal mechanisms in a turbulent flow are examined and two models which are based on the structure of turbulence near wall flow are described. The theory of critical moment, along with the sliding detachment models, is used, and the effects of the near-wall coherent vortices, as well as turbulence burst/inrush phenomena, are included. The down sweep flow patterns are modeled as viscous stagnation point flows. The hydrodynamic force and torque acting on a spherical particle attached to a wall are used in the model developments. For different adhesion models, the minimum critical shear velocities for removing particles of different sizes are evaluated. The model predictions are compared with the available data and discussed.

Dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate: Mechanism of particle formation

Abstract: The mechanism for the formation of micron-size polymer particles in the dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate was investigated by applying dynamic light scattering to monitor the evolution of the average particle size in the early stages of the polymerization. In addition, the contributions of physically adsorbed stabilizer and graft copolymer were evaluated by measuring the bound, unbound (adsorbed), and free stabilizer, and by determining the amount of added stabilizer required in seeded dispersion polymerizations. Twenty nanometer particles (termed nuclei) were the smallest particles detected and are considered to be formed by aggregation of growing polymer chains precipitating from solution as they exceed their critical chain length. Aggregation of these nuclei with themselves and their aggregates continues until mature and stable particles are formed. This occurs when sufficient stabilizer occupies the particle surface which includes both the polymeric stabilizer [poly(vinylpyrrolidone)] and its graft copolymer which is created in situ. The effects of process variables are discussed based on this mechanistic picture of the dispersion polymerization process. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A Novel Combustor Based on Chemical-Looping Reactions and Its Reaction Kinetics

Abstract: A novel combustor based on controlled chemical-looping reactions without flame differs from the traditional combustor, in which the fuel is in direct contact with air. It allows CO2 to be easily recovered and promises advanced-level thermal efficiency for power generation. Promising results of laboratory experiments with the novel combustor are presented here. We found that NiO particles mixed with YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) have very good properties with respect to oxidation rate, conversion, and physical strength. Especially, the rate of oxidation of Ni particles is increased significantly. The effects of YSZ content in the particle, the reaction temperature, the particle size, and the water vapor concentration were examined by studying the kinetic behavior of reactions. These promising results revealed high potential for applying chemical-looping combustion in a power-generation plant.

A Comparison of Particle-Particle, Particle-Mesh and Ewald Methods for Calculating Electrostatic Interactions in Periodic Molecular Systems

Abstract: We compare the Particle-Particle Particle-Mesh (PPPM) and Ewald methods for calculating electrostatic interactions in periodic molecular systems. A brief comparison of the theories shows that the methods are very similar differing mainly in the technique which is used to perform the “k-space” or mesh calculation. Because the PPPM utilizes the highly efficient numerical Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method it requires significantly less computational effort than the Ewald method and scales almost linearly with system size.

Biodegradable injectable particles for imaging

Abstract: Injectable nanoparticles or microparticles are provided that are not rapidly cleared from the blood stream by the macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system, and that can be modified as necessary to achieve variable release rates or to target specific cells or organs as desired. The terminal hydroxyl group of the poly(alkylene glycol) can be used to covalently attach onto the surface of the injectable particles biologically active molecules, including antibodies targeted to specific cells or organs, or molecules affecting the charge, lipophilicity or hydrophilicity of the particle. The surface of the particle can also be modified by attaching biodegradable polymers of the same structure as those forming the core of the injectable particles. The injectable particles include magnetic particles or radioopaque materials for diagnostic imaging.

Methods for fine particle formation

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for forming fine particles of a desired substance comprising dissolving said substance in a fluid such as water to form a solution and mixing the solution with a second fluid such as supercritical carbon dioxide which becomes a gas upon rapid pressure release, and with which the first fluid is at least partially immiscible, and releasing the pressure to form an air-borne dispersion or aerosol comprising particles having an average diameter between about 0.1 and about 6.5 μm.

Polystyrene-poly (ethylene glycol) (PS-PEG2000) particles as model systems for site specific drug delivery. 2. The effect of PEG surface density on the in vitro cell interaction and in vivo biodistribution.

Abstract: The effect of differing densities of poly (ethylene glycol-2000) (PEG2000) at the particle surface of polystyrene-poly (ethylene glycol-2000) (PS-PEG2000) particles was assessed in terms of hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and the in vitro and in vivo behaviour of the particles. The particles, with different surface densities of PEG, were prepared by varying the copolymerizing reaction of styrene with a PEG macromonomer. There is a clear relationship between the surface density of PEG as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface hydrophobicity as assessed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Similarly, the interaction of the particles with non-parenchymal liver cells in in vitro studies was shown to decrease as the surface density of PEG increases. The in vivo study investigating the biodistribution of the PS-PEG particles after intravenous injection into rats reveals that a relationship exists between the surface density of PEG and the extent to which the particles remain in the circulation, avoiding recognition by the reticuloendothelial system. Particles with the higher surface densities show increased circulatory times which compared well with data for particles prepared with the surface adsorbed PEO-PPO block copolymer, Poloxamine 908.