MgO(111) Nanocatalyst for Biomass Conversion: A Study of Carbon Coating Effects on Catalyst Faceting and Performance

Short-rotation forestry is of interest to provide biomass for bioenergy and act as a carbon sink to mitigate global warming. The Poplar tree (Populus × xiaohei) is a fast-growing and high-yielding tree species in Northeast China. In this study, a total of 128 Populus × xiaohei trees from the Songnen Plain, Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China, were harvested. Several available independent variables, such as tree diameter at breast height (D), tree’s total height (H), crown width (CW), and crown length (CL), were differently combined to develop three additive biomass model systems and eight stem volume models for Populus × xiaohei tree. Variance explained within the three additive biomass model systems ranged from 83% to 98%, which was lowest for the foliage models, and highest for the stem biomass models. Similar findings were found in the stem volume models, in which the models explained more than 94% of the variance. The additional predictors, such as H, CL, or CW, evidently enhanced the model fitting and performance for the total and components biomass along with the stem volume models. Furthermore, the biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEFs) of the root (118.2 kg/m3), stem (380.2 kg/m3), branch (90.7 kg/m3), and foliage (31.2 kg/m3) were also calculated. The carbon concentrations of Populus × xiaohei in root, stem, branch, and foliage components were 45.98%, 47.74%, 48.32%, and 48.46%, respectively. Overall, the newly established models in this study provided complete and comprehensive tools for quantifying the biomass and stem volume of Populus × xiaohei, which might be essential to be specifically utilized in the Chinese National Forest Inventory.

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Mechanism for vacuum thermal stabilization of silver in graphite-like carbon coating and performance of electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance

Thin Solid Films ◽

10.1016/j.tsf.2019.137658 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 693 ◽

pp. 137658 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wenting Shao ◽

Bailing Jiang ◽

Jun Ma ◽

Fangyuan Yan

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Corrosion Resistance ◽

Carbon Coating ◽

Thermal Stabilization ◽

And Performance

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Ca-Histochemistry in slime mold plasmodia

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100081516 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 130-131

Author(s):

Ulrich Dierkes

Keyword(s):

Physarum Polycephalum ◽

Carbon Coating ◽

Freeze Drying ◽

Freeze Fracture ◽

Freeze Substitution ◽

Uranyl Acetate ◽

Slime Mold ◽

Staining Procedure ◽

Protoplasmic Streaming ◽

Intracellular Ca

Calcium is supposed to play an important role in the control of protoplasmic streaming in slime mold plasmodia. The motive force for protoplasmic streaming is generated by the interaction of actin and myosin. This contraction is supposed to be controlled by intracellular Ca-fluxes similar to the triggering system in skeleton muscle. The histochemical localisation of calcium however is problematic because of the possible diffusion artifacts especially in aquous media.To evaluate this problem calcium localisation was studied in small pieces of shock frozen (liquid propane at -189°C) plasmodial strands of Physarum polycephalum, which were further processed with 3 different methods: 1) freeze substitution in ethanol at -75°C, staining in 100% ethanol with 1% uranyl acetate, and embedding in styrene-methacrylate. For comparison the staining procedure was omitted in some preparations. 2)Freeze drying at about -95°C, followed by immersion with 100% ethanol containing 1% uranyl acetate, and embedding. 3) Freeze fracture, carbon coating and SEM investigation at temperatures below -100° C.

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Surface Structure in Microtomed Sections Caused by Glass and Diamond Knives

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100066334 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 456-457

Author(s):

J. Temple Black ◽

William G. Boldosser

Keyword(s):

Plastic Deformation ◽

Epoxy Resin ◽

Carbon Coating ◽

Surface Damage ◽

Body Angle ◽

Normal Manner ◽

Bottom Side ◽

Cutting Direction ◽

Made In ◽

Diamond Knife

Ultramicrotomy produces plastic deformation in the surfaces of microtomed TEM specimens which can not generally be observed unless special preparations are made. In this study, a typical biological composite of tissue (infundibular thoracic attachment) infiltrated in the normal manner with an embedding epoxy resin (Epon 812 in a 60/40 mixture) was microtomed with glass and diamond knives, both with 45 degree body angle. Sectioning was done in Portor Blum Mt-2 and Mt-1 microtomes. Sections were collected on formvar coated grids so that both the top side and the bottom side of the sections could be examined. Sections were then placed in a vacuum evaporator and self-shadowed with carbon. Some were chromium shadowed at a 30 degree angle. The sections were then examined in a Phillips 300 TEM at 60kv.Carbon coating (C) or carbon coating with chrom shadowing (C-Ch) makes in effect, single stage replicas of the surfaces of the sections and thus allows the damage in the surfaces to be observable in the TEM. Figure 1 (see key to figures) shows the bottom side of a diamond knife section, carbon self-shadowed and chrom shadowed perpendicular to the cutting direction. Very fine knife marks and surface damage can be observed.

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Transmission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Analysis with the Siemens ELMISKOP 101

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100095509 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 450-451

Author(s):

H. M. Thieringer

Keyword(s):

Objective Lens ◽

Transmission Microscopy ◽

Image Recording ◽

Mode Of Operation ◽

Scanning Transmission ◽

Electron Microscopes ◽

And Performance ◽

Convergent Beam ◽

Ray Path ◽

Beam Diffraction

It has repeatedly been show that with conventional electron microscopes very fine electron probes can be produced, therefore allowing various micro-techniques such as micro recording, X-ray microanalysis and convergent beam diffraction. In this paper the function and performance of an SIEMENS ELMISKOP 101 used as a scanning transmission microscope (STEM) is described. This mode of operation has some advantages over the conventional transmission microscopy (CTEM) especially for the observation of thick specimen, in spite of somewhat longer image recording times.Fig.1 shows schematically the ray path and the additional electronics of an ELMISKOP 101 working as a STEM. With a point-cathode, and using condensor I and the objective lens as a demagnifying system, an electron probe with a half-width ob about 25 Å and a typical current of 5.10-11 amp at 100 kV can be obtained in the back focal plane of the objective lens.

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Angular Resolved Electron Spectroscopy with Parallel Recording

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100135459 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 370-371

Author(s):

Huang Min ◽

P.S. Flora ◽

C.J. Harland ◽

J.A. Venables

Keyword(s):

Electron Spectroscopy ◽

Low Voltage ◽

Solid Angle ◽

Detection System ◽

Voltage Electron ◽

Cylindrical Mirror ◽

Inner Radius ◽

Channel Plate ◽

And Performance ◽

Type Detector

A cylindrical mirror analyser (CMA) has been built with a parallel recording detection system. It is being used for angular resolved electron spectroscopy (ARES) within a SEM. The CMA has been optimised for imaging applications; the inner cylinder contains a magnetically focused and scanned, 30kV, SEM electron-optical column. The CMA has a large inner radius (50.8mm) and a large collection solid angle (Ω > 1sterad). An energy resolution (ΔE/E) of 1-2% has been achieved. The design and performance of the combination SEM/CMA instrument has been described previously and the CMA and detector system has been used for low voltage electron spectroscopy. Here we discuss the use of the CMA for ARES and present some preliminary results.The CMA has been designed for an axis-to-ring focus and uses an annular type detector. This detector consists of a channel-plate/YAG/mirror assembly which is optically coupled to either a photomultiplier for spectroscopy or a TV camera for parallel detection.

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Specimen Preparation for Clinical Applications of X-Ray Microanalysis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100135241 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 328-329

Author(s):

J.D. Shelburne ◽

G.M. Roomans

Keyword(s):

Carbon Coating ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Point Of View ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Sweat Test ◽

Specimen Preparation ◽

Tissue Preparation ◽

X Ray ◽

Gallbladder Stones ◽

Clinical Problems

Proper preparative procedures are a prerequisite for the validity of the results of x-ray microanalysis of biological tissue. Clinical applications of x-ray microanalysis are often concerned with diagnostic problems and the results may have profound practical significance for the patient. From this point of view it is especially important that specimen preparation for clinical applications is carried out correctly.Some clinical problems require very little tissue preparation. Hair, nails, and kidney and gallbladder stones may be examined and analyzed after carbon coating. High levels of zinc or copper in hair may be indicative of dermatological or systemic diseases. Nail clippings may be analyzed (as an alternative to the more conventional sweat test) to confirm a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. X-ray microanalysis in combination with scanning electron microscopy has been shown to be the most reliable method for the identification of the components of kidney or gallbladder stones.A quantitatively very important clinical application of x-ray microanalysis is the identification and quantification of asbestos and other exogenous particles in lung.

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Novel epoxy/anhydride alternatives for biological electron microscopy: Physical and performance characteristis of embed 812 and LX 112 in combination with NSA/NMA/DMAE

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100156985 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 1000-1001

Author(s):

Joe A. Mascorro ◽

Gerald S. Kirby

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Succinic Anhydride ◽

Volume Flow Rate ◽

Mass Density ◽

Uranyl Acetate ◽

Volume Flow ◽

Base Resin ◽

And Performance ◽

Acid Anhydrides

Embedding media based upon an epoxy resin of choice and the acid anhydrides dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA), nadic methyl anhydride (NMA), and catalyzed by the tertiary amine 2,4,6-Tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol (DMP-30) are widely used in biological electron microscopy. These media possess a viscosity character that can impair tissue infiltration, particularly if original Epon 812 is utilized as the base resin. Other resins that are considerably less viscous than Epon 812 now are available as replacements. Likewise, nonenyl succinic anhydride (NSA) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) are more fluid than their counterparts DDSA and DMP- 30 commonly used in earlier formulations. This work utilizes novel epoxy and anhydride combinations in order to produce embedding media with desirable flow rate and viscosity parameters that, in turn, would allow the medium to optimally infiltrate tissues. Specifically, embeding media based on EmBed 812 or LX 112 with NSA (in place of DDSA) and DMAE (replacing DMP-30), with NMA remaining constant, are formulated and offered as alternatives for routine biological work.Individual epoxy resins (Table I) or complete embedding media (Tables II-III) were tested for flow rate and viscosity. The novel media were further examined for their ability to infilftrate tissues, polymerize, sectioning and staining character, as well as strength and stability to the electron beam and column vacuum. For physical comparisons, a volume (9 ml) of either resin or media was aspirated into a capillary viscocimeter oriented vertically. The material was then allowed to flow out freely under the influence of gravity and the flow time necessary for the volume to exit was recored (Col B,C; Tables). In addition, the volume flow rate (ml flowing/second; Col D, Tables) was measured. Viscosity (n) could then be determined by using the Hagen-Poiseville relation for laminar flow, n = c.p/Q, where c = a geometric constant from an instrument calibration with water, p = mass density, and Q = volume flow rate. Mass weight and density of the materials were determined as well (Col F,G; Tables). Infiltration schedules utilized were short (1/2 hr 1:1, 3 hrs full resin), intermediate (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) , or long (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) in total time. Polymerization schedules ranging from 15 hrs (overnight) through 24, 36, or 48 hrs were tested. Sections demonstrating gold interference colors were collected on unsupported 200- 300 mesh grids and stained sequentially with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.

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Trace nanoanalysis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100172437 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 940-941

Author(s):

D. E. Newbury ◽

R. D. Leapman

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry ◽

Detection Efficiency ◽

Volume Element ◽

And Performance ◽

Trace Constituents ◽

Secondary Ion ◽

Concentration Levels ◽

Structure Properties

Trace constituents, which can be very loosely defined as those present at concentration levels below 1 percent, often exert influence on structure, properties, and performance far greater than what might be estimated from their proportion alone. Defining the role of trace constituents in the microstructure, or indeed even determining their location, makes great demands on the available array of microanalytical tools. These demands become increasingly more challenging as the dimensions of the volume element to be probed become smaller. For example, a cubic volume element of silicon with an edge dimension of 1 micrometer contains approximately 5×1010 atoms. High performance secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be used to measure trace constituents to levels of hundreds of parts per billion from such a volume element (e. g., detection of at least 100 atoms to give 10% reproducibility with an overall detection efficiency of 1%, considering ionization, transmission, and counting).

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