Image-Based Mechanical Balancing of Reservoir Volumes During Benchtop Flow Battery Operation

The long-term maintenance of stable redox-flow-battery performance requires a strategy to manage dynamic volume imbalances between electrolyte reservoirs. Even with ion-selective membranes as separators, bulk liquid exchange can occur within the reactor because of pressure differences across its positive and negative chambers. Disproportionation chemistries, wherein both electrolyte reservoirs have identical composition in the discharged state, tolerate species crossover reversibly. These make possible the use of low-cost porous separators, but such materials are more hydraulically permeable. Here we propose an approach to mitigate reservoir imbalance, using the nonaqueous vanadium acetylacetonate disproportionation chemistry as a test platform. We demonstrate a benchtop-scale control scheme, which relies on a camera that monitors reservoir volumes linked to a microcontroller that regulates the differential flowrate between flow streams. The balancing apparatus introduces no extra wetted components and enables real-time measurements of intra-cycle imbalance due to electroosmosis. All software and firmware is made available for community use.

Mechanical Property Comparison of Ni–Cr–Mo Alloys Fabricated via One Conventional and Two New Digital Manufacturing Techniques

This study compared the microstructures and mechanical properties of nickel–chromium–molybdenum (Ni–Cr–Mo) alloys prepared from a single alloy with an identical composition using two new digital processes (selective laser melting (SLM) and soft metal milling (SMM)) and conventional lost-wax casting (LWC). Disc specimens were used to study the microstructures via various analytical methods, while dumbbell-shaped specimens were subjected to tension to determine the mechanical properties (n = 6). The SLM and SMM alloys showed a higher number of large and small pores, respectively, than the LWC alloy. A face-centered cubic (γ)-phased matrix was indexed for all three resultant alloys. The SLM and SMM alloys also showed more homogeneously distributed elements and finer grains (in particular, ultrafine grains in the SLM alloy) when compared to the LWC alloy. Meanwhile, the LWC alloy showed a statistically higher yield strength than the other two alloys (p < 0.001). Notwithstanding, all three resultant Ni–Cr–Mo alloys satisfied the ISO 22674 standard criteria for type 5 materials (yield strength: >500 MPa; percentage elongation: >2%; and elastic modulus: >150 GPa).

Application of Biomarkers and Oil Fingerprinting for Genetic Classification of Oil and Prediction of Petroleum Migration Pathways of Aryskum Downfold of South-Torgay Depression

This article presents the results of fingerprinting and biomarker analysis of 254 oil samples derived from 11 different fields and structures in Aryskum downfold of the South-Torgay depression for genetic classification of oils and prediction of petroleum migration pathways. According to the oil fingerprinting results based on patented Shell technology, 12 groups of oils were found: oils in reservoirs of central part of Nuraly field form the first group, while oils in the producing horizons of Western Nuraly, Southern Khayrgeldy, Akshabulak East and fluvial beds of Central Akshabulak fields form the second group. The oils related to the third group were found in the wells exploiting producing horizon I in the north dome of Central Akshabulak, while the oils from wells penetrating lower producing horizons(III-IV-V) of Central Akshabulak, upper producing horizons in South dome of Central Akshabulak and of all producing horizons of the north dome of Akshabulak South constitute the fourth group. The fifth group includes only one oil sample of different genesis from well № 37, which penetrates the paleo-channel №13 at South Akshabulak. The genetic difference of this oil from other oils was also confirmed by its biomarker composition. Most of oil fingerprinting star plots in Aksay field are identical and form the sixth group, although the seventh group comprises only one oil № 47 in Aksay. Sample set with №8 was discovered in the pay zones of Taur field and well № 75, exploiting the same horizon in the northern part of Aksay. The ninth oil group was identified in cretaceous producing layers of the Khairgeldy South-West field and Jurassic beds of the Khargeldy North field, while the identical composition of the cretaceous oil from the Khairgeldy North and Khairgeldy fields forms the tenth group. The last eleventh group includes oil from well №. 12 on South-west Khairgeldy, although it has some similarities with Taur oils. For 20 oil samples was carried out biomarker analysis, according to the results of which all studied oils were formed in terrigenous (shaly) OM, deposited in lacustrine environment. Oils from central Nuraly are more thermally mature and lighter in density than those from western Nuraly. Oils of Akshabulak East are thermally less mature than oils of Central Akshabulak and Akshabulak South despite its deeper deposition. Based on the performed analysis, in the conclusion were presented 5 prospective hydrocarbon accumulation zones for increasing hydrocarbon reserves in the future. But the results of the performed studies provide valuable information only when integrated with confirmed geological and seismic data.

The Engraving «Burning Bush, View of the Monastery of St. Catherine, Sinai» is a Unique Masterpiece from The Moscow Theological Academy Museum

Цель данной статьи - максимально раскрыть уникальность и своеобразие ксилографии «Неопалимая Купина, вид монастыря св. Екатерины. Синай» из собрания Музея Московской духовной академии. В результате сравнительного анализа известных нам собраний по базам каталогов греческой гравюры и в работе непосредственно с фондами было выявлено всего несколько поздних оттисков идентичной композиции созданных на Синае, что говорит о редкости этого произведения. На основании гравюроведческого анализа оттиска были высказаны предположения о возможной датировке листа. Автором предпринята попытка всестороннего описания памятника, его истории, изобразительных и технических особенностей изготовления, атрибуции, истории бытования, семантики образа и иконографии сюжета. Во второй части статьи был сделан подробный иконографический анализ ксилографии с подбором круга родственных памятников. Сюжет гравюры-кислографии был подвергнут семантическому анализу с учетом исследований искусствоведов и богословов, изучавших символику образа «Неопалимой купины». Дополнительно проводился поиск цитат по электронной базе данных греческих текстов с целью выявить самые ранние упоминания и толкования святых отцов о чуде Неопалимой Купины. Памятник вписан в ряд родственных образцов, участвовавших в генезисе иконографии сюжета, которая оказалась традиционной для византийского искусства с добавлением оригинальных «местных» включений, таких как вид Синайского монастыря, изображения синайских святых. Удалось подтвердить уникальность единственного в российских собраниях листа, не встречающегося в других мировых коллекциях по древности оттиска. The purpose of this article is to reveal as much as possible the uniqueness and originality of the woodcut «Burning Bush, view of the monastery of St. Catherine. Sinai» from the collection of the Museum of the Moscow Theological Academy. As a result of a comparative analysis of the most famous collections based on catalogs of Greek engravings and on work directly with the funds, were revealed only a few late prints of an identical composition created at Sinai, which indicates the rarity of this work. Based on the engraving analysis of the print, assumptions were made about the possible dating of the engraving.The author tried to comprehensively describe the monument, its history, pictorial and technical features of manufacturing, attribution, history of existence, semantics of the image and iconography of the plot. In the second part of the article was made a detailed iconographic analysis of woodcuts with a selection of a range of related monuments.The plot of the engraving-xylography was subjected to a semantic analysis considering the researches of art historians and theologians who studied the symbolism of the image of the Burning Bush. Additionally, a search was carried out for citations in the electronic database of Greek texts in order to identify the earliest mentions and interpretations of the Holy Fathers about the miracle of the Burning Bush.The masterpiece is inscribed in a number of related samples that participated in the genesis of the iconography of the plot, which turned out to be traditional for Byzantine art with the addition of original «local» inclusions, such as the view of the Sinai monastery, images of Sinai saints. It was possible to confirm the uniqueness of the only sheet in the Russian collections, which is not found in other world collections due to the antiquity of the print.

Effect of Formulation Parameter on Dissolution Rate of Flurbiprofen Using Liquisolid Compact

Attempts were made to improve solubility and the liquisolid technology dissolving of medication flurbiprofen. Liquisolid pill was developed utilizing transcutol-HP, polyethylene glycol 400, Avecil PH 102 carrier material and Aerosil 200 layer coating material. Suitable excipient amounts were determined to produce liquisolid powder using a mathematical model. On the other hand, flurbiprofen tablet with the identical composition, directly compressed, was manufactured for comparison without the addition of any unvolatile solvent. Both powder combination characterizations and after-compression tablets were evaluated. The pure drug and physical combination, and chosen liquisolid tablets were studied in order to exclude interacting with the differentional scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that transcutol is the ideal solvent with a solubility of 260±3.9 mg/ml in flurbiprofen. All formula developed were determined to be flowable within the specified limitations. The transcutol-like liquidsolid tablet formula of 35 percent w/w flurbiprofen and carrier to coating ratio of 10 was the most acceptable for the disintegration time, the tablet weight and other approved tablet characteristics. DSC thermographs demonstrated the development of a solid flurbiprofen amorphic solid solution for both the physical blend of the chosen liquisolid system and its tablets. The lack of chemicals interaction in medication and other components of the formula was demonstrated by the retention of all flurbiprofen characteristic peaks in all FTIR spectra. As an option to enhance solubility and dissolve flurbiprofen, which has a poor water solubility, liquisolid tablet has been evaluated.

Mineralization of 3D Osteogenic Model Based on Gelatin-Dextran Hybrid Hydrogel Scaffold Bioengineered with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Multiparametric Evaluation

Gelatin–dextran hydrogel scaffolds (G-PEG-Dx) were evaluated for their ability to activate the bone marrow human mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-hMSCs) towards mineralization. G-PEG-Dx1 and G-PEG-Dx2, with identical composition but different architecture, were seeded with BM-hMSCs in presence of fetal bovine serum or human platelet lysate (hPL) with or without osteogenic medium. G-PEG-Dx1, characterized by a lower degree of crosslinking and larger pores, was able to induce a better cell colonization than G-PEG-Dx2. At day 28, G-PEG-Dx2, with hPL and osteogenic factors, was more efficient than G-PEG-Dx1 in inducing mineralization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy showed that extracellular matrix produced by BM-hMSCs and calcium-positive mineralization were present along the backbone of the G-PEG-Dx2, even though it was colonized to a lesser degree by hMSCs than G-PEG-Dx1. These findings were confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), detecting distinct lipidomic signatures that were associated with the different degree of scaffold mineralization. Our data show that the architecture and morphology of G-PEG-Dx2 is determinant and better than that of G-PEG-Dx1 in promoting a faster mineralization, suggesting a more favorable and active role for improving bone repair.

Production of target cathodes from composite silicides for applying protective coatings using casting and deformation technologies

The article discusses the results of manufacturing multicomponent consumable cathodes of vacuum electric arc evaporation plants. To obtain ingots of complex silicide as a raw material for the manufacture of target cathodes, it is proposed to use induction melting of pure metal charge materials in an argon atmosphere.The method made it possible to obtain ingots of complex silicide with a composition close to the calculated one and a density of at least 93 %. Further forming of the cathode takes place when controlling the powder fractions by their percentage ratio with a pressing force of at least 50 tons. The results obtained are compared with the SHS method of manufacturing cathodes of identical composition.

Structural and Catalytic Characterization of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 Nanofibers for Application in Direct Methane Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anodes

In the present work, structural and catalytic characterization was performed on La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 (LSM) nanofibers. The LSM nanofibers were obtained using the electrospinning technique. For comparison, LSM powders with identical composition were characterized as well. The LSM powders were prepared through a self-combustion citrate-based procedure. SEM, EDX, XRD, and BET investigations were carried out on both LSM nanofibers and powders, pointing out the different structural features. The LSM nanofibers showed a higher surface area than the LSM powders and a lower presence of strontium oxide on the surface. Results of the H2-Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) tests showed evidence of a higher reactivity of the nanofibers compared to the powders. The catalytic characterization was performed utilizing a methane oxidation activity test, revealing a better catalytic performance of the LSM nanofibers: at 800 °C. The methane conversion achieved with the LSM nanofibers was 73%, which compared well with the 50% obtained with powders at 900 °C.

Manufacturing of Liposomes: A Direct Comparison of Extrusion and Microfluidics Protocols

Liposomal formulations are frequently used for oral, topical, or parenteral drug administration. However, liposome manufacturing and industrial scale-up remains a challenge, in particular if it comes to the preparation of liposome populations with a homogenous size distribution. Therefore, extrusion through filter membranes with defined pore size is traditionally used during the preparation of small unilamellar liposomes. Microfluidics is considered to be an alternative manufacturing method. Lipids, solvents and excipients are thereby passively mixed using a microfluidics device. While the microfluidic approach is highly scalable, most of the traditional liposome preparation protocols rely on extrusion. It was therefore the aim of the present study to compare liposomal formulations with identical composition, which were prepared using either extrusion or microfluidics protocols. Liposomal formulations produced by both methods were analyzed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) to compare size, polydispersity, and ζ-potential. Our results indicate significant differences between liposomal preparations obtained using the two manufacturing methods. We conclude that the two preparation methods should not be used interchangeably.<br>