This thesis is focused on diffusion of dyes in biopolymer-based hydrogels. These hydrogels are based on interaction between biopolymer-like electrolytes with oppositely charged surfactants. When polyelectrolytes interact with oppositely charged surfactants, micelle-like nano-containers can be formed. These nano-containers are able of binding hydrophobic compounds. In this study, combination of modified dextran (diethylaminoethyl dextran) with positive charge and oppositely charged sodium dodecylsulphate as surfactant was used for preparation of hydrogels. Next type of hydrogel was based on hyaluronan and positive charged surfactant Septonex (carbethoxypendecinium bromide). As a diffusion probes in hydrogels dyes Nile red and ATTO 488 were used. The diffusion of these dyes from aqeous solutions of NaCl or surfactants into hydrogels was monitored in time. Transport of dyes into structure of hydrogels was characterized by diffusion coefficients and structural parameters of hydrogels.

This thesis focuses on the measurement of diffusion coefficient of dialysis membrane. The first part describes possibilities of membrane modelling. Basic models, which allow us to determine the basic characteristics of dialysis membranes like permeability and diffusion coefficient, are described. Next chapter deals with basic types and properties of membranes. The main part focuses on making the experimental installation, which is used to simulate permeance of contrast agent, used in DCE-MRI, through dialysis membrane. The last theoretical chapter describes calculations used to estimate diffusion coefficient. Practical part of this thesis uses a designed experimental installation for estimation of diffusion coefficient for two contrast agents Gadovist® and Multihance®.

The main aim of this thesis is the utilization of simple diffusion techniques for the study on transport properties of copper ions in the systems containing humic acids with respect to the other parameters, which can affect the process (the structure of diffusion environment, the interactions between transported specie and diffusion matrices, selective blocking of binding sites of humic acids). The first part of experimental works was focused on characterization of studied materials (humic acids, humic sol and humic hydrogel). The main part of the thesis was dealing with the optimization of simple diffusion techniques, which were suitable for the study on transport of copper ions in matrices containing humic acids, taking into account the mutual interactions between studied components in the system. The obtained diffusion characteristics were compared to the data determined using sorption experiments. Consequently, the minor goal of the experimental works of this thesis was also the assessment of the influence of basic physico-chemical parameters of studied materials on transport phenomenon.

Presented diploma thesis focuses on the study of diffusion of cupric ions in humic acid gels. A total of fifth different standards of humic acids and one sample humic acid prepared from same source as in bachelor's thesis, on which this thesis continues, were used for preparation solutions of humic acids. Thereafter, these solutions were used for preparation of agarose hydrogels, which were necessary in following diffusion experiments. The objective of the work was to compare transport properties of humic standards between themselves and then compare standards with humic acid prepared from same source as in bachelor's thesis. Measure, which was used to determine the transport properties, was comparison of effective diffusion coefficients. Method of instantaneous planar source diffusion was used to compare them. This method was based monitoring temporal evolution of diffusion profiles of cupric ions in humic hydrogels. Copper ions were selected as diffusing medium because of their high affinity and strong bonds to humic acids.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Calcium phosphate-filled restorative materials were developed to provide calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO4) ions, which have been proposed to enhance remineralization of demineralized tooth structure. Recently, tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-filled restorative materials were introduced as an alternative to amorphous calcium phosphate. The TCP filler has a more crystalline structure than ACP and is therefore potentially stronger. The aim of the present study was to examine TCP-filled restorative resins at different concentration levels at different time intervals to characterize the concentrations of Ca and PO4 ions released, and to measure the water sorption (WS) of these resins. An in vitro study was conducted by formulating resin composite using TCP as the filler mixed with EBPADMA, HmDMA, and HEMA as the resin matrix. One-hundred- sixty samples were prepared, 40 samples of each filler concentration (30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, and 60 percent) by weight. From each filler concentration, 5 samples of each of the 8 time points (time intervals of 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d) were immersed in 100-ml deionized water. Calcium and PO4 ions were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and light spectroscopy, respectively. Water sorption (WS) was measured according to ISO 4049 specification and then the WS and the diffusion coefficient were calculated. The significance level was set at p = 0.001. The results indicated that Ca and PO4 ion release increased with increasing filler level at a rate faster than being linear. In addition, WS results were very high and failed to meet the ISO 4049 specification requirement. Diffusion coefficient results were also high. One-way ANOVA test for only 21-day data revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in filler level percent, and two-way ANOVA testing revealed that there is a statistically significant interaction between time and filler level percent on the Ca, PO4 released and WS. It can be concluded that the concentrations of Ca and PO4 released and WS were affected by composition of the monomers, filler level and type, dispersion, and the absence of coupling agent. Although this TCP-filled restorative material may release Ca and PO4, it cannot serve as a restorative material due to high WS values. Further study is needed to improve the material and evaluate its ability in promoting remineralization of the tooth structure in order for it to serve its purpose.

Magnesium, being lightweight, offers potential to be developed into extensive structural applications. The transportation segment has particular interest in Mg and Mg alloy for applications where reduced vehicle weight is proportional to increased fuel efficiency. Aluminum and zinc are two of the most common alloying elements in commercial Mg alloys. They improve the physical properties of Mg through solid solution strengthening and precipitation hardening. Diffusion plays a key role in the kinetics of and microstructural development during solidification and heat treatment. However, there is limited diffusion data available for Mg and Mg alloys. In particular, because Al is monoisotopic, tracer diffusion data is not available. Interdiffusion of Mg solid solution with Zn also does not exist in literature. The diffusional interaction of Al and Zn in Mg solid solution at temperatures ranging from 623 – 723K was examined using solid-to-solid diffusion couple method. The objective of this thesis is two-fold: first, is the examination of interdiffusion in the Mg solid solution phase of the binary Mg-Al and Mg-Zn systems; second, is to explore non-conventional analytical methods to determine impurity diffusion coefficients. The quality of diffusion bonding was examined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, and concentration profiles were determined using electron probe microanalysis with pure standards and ZAF matrix correction. Analytical methods of concentration profiles based on Boltzmann-Matano analysis for binary alloys are presented along with compositional dependent interdiffusion coefficients. As the iv concentration of Al or Zn approaches the dilute ends, an analytical approach based on the Hall method was employed to estimate the impurity diffusion coefficients. Zinc was observed to diffuse faster than Al, and in fact, the impurity diffusion coefficient of Al was smaller than the self-diffusion coefficient of Mg. In the Mg solid solution with Al, interdiffusion coefficients increased by an order of magnitude with an increase in Al concentration. Activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the average effective interdiffusion coefficient in Mg solid solution with Al was determined to be 186.8 KJ/mole and 7.69 x 10-1 m2/sec. On the other hand, in the Mg solid solution with Zn, interdiffusion coefficients did not vary significantly as a function of Zn concentration. Activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the average effective interdiffusion coefficient in Mg solid solution with Zn was determined to be 129.5 KJ/mole and 2.67 x 10-4 m2/sec. Impurity diffusion coefficients of Al in Mg was determined to have activation energy and pre-exponential factor of 144.1 KJ/mole and 1.61 x 10-4 m2/sec. Impurity diffusion coefficients of Zn in Mg was determined to have activation energy and preexponential factor of 109.8 KJ/mole and 1.03 x 10-5 m2/sec. Temperature and compositiondependence of interdiffusion coefficients and impurity diffusion coefficients are examined with respect to reported values in literature, thermodynamic factor, Φ, diffusion mechanisms in hexagonal close packed structure, and experimental uncertainty

Rare earth and actinide metals, critical to security, medicine, and the economy, have been processed through methods such as solvent extraction and electrorefining. To minimize radiological waste and improve yield, a 'chloride volatility' process--also known as the chlorination and volatilization process (CVP)--has been proposed and demonstrated for processing rare earths. The process takes advantage of the low vapor pressure of rare earth chlorides (<700 >°C), CaCl2 was added to LaCl3 to lower the melting temperature. LaCl3 electrochemical behavior has not previously been studied in CaCl2. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were applied to LaCl3 salts in CaCl2-LiCl and CaCl2 to study the metal ion behavior. Various electrode materials were compared at low CV scan rates (s-1) to determine compatibility with chlorine gas evolution. Experiments of eutectic LaCl3-CaCl2 were performed and analyzed to determine the efficacy of chlorine gas generation via electrolysis for the CVP. Through galvanostatic electrolysis, oxidation of chloride ions and subsequent chlorination of rare earth was demonstrated, with cerium chosen as the representative rare earth metal. Through a quadrupole mass spectrometer plumbed in line with the electrolytic cell, the quality of the generated gas was analyzed.

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No description available.

[ES] Los niveles de presión acústica experimentados por las naves espaciales y las lanzaderas durante las fases iniciales del lanzamiento (ignición de motores y despegue) pueden ser muy significativos para estructuras ligeras y cargas externas y apéndices, como paneles solares y antenas. En este contexto, el fondo del canal de evacuación de gases actúa como un espejo desde el punto de vista acústico, y devuelve la energía liberada directamente al cohete y a las estructuras que transporta. Esta gran cantidad de energía puede poner en riesgo algunas misiones de lanzamiento, con las consecuencias económicas y de seguridad que ello conlleva. A pesar de esto, existe todavía poco conocimiento sobre las características de las fuentes y el comportamiento de las instalaciones de suelo en referencia a la dispersión, difusión y absorción del sonido. En este contexto se desarrollará el objetivo principal de esta Tesis, cuyo propósito es el diseño y optimización de un prototipo de sistema basado en un array de resonadores de Helmholtz para maximizar la absorción y dispersión del sonido y, por tanto, mitigar los niveles de presión sonora generados en estos eventos en el contexto aeroespacial. Los trabajos de esta Tesis se llevan a cabo en el marco del contrato Networking/Partnership Initiative de la Agencia Espacial Europea. / [CA] Els nivells de pressió acústica experimentats pels vehicles espacials durant les fases inicials del llançament (ignició de motors i enlairament) són extremadament elevats i poden afectar significativament a estructures lleugeres transportades, com panells solars i antenes. L'intens soroll generat per les fonts primàries, el motor i el raig, es veu reforçat per la reflexió en el fons del canal d'evacuació de gasos, que actua com un mirall des del punt de vista acústic, i retorna l'energia alliberada directament al coet i a les estructures que transporta. Aquesta gran quantitat d'energia pot posar en risc algunes missions de llançament, amb les conseqüències econòmiques i de seguretat que això comporta. Tot i la rellevància d'aquest problema, el coneixement sobre les característiques de les fonts, el comportament de les instal·lacions de sòl en referència a la dispersió, difusió i absorció del so, i les possibles mesures per mitigar l'impacte és encara escàs. En aquest context es desenvoluparà l'objectiu principal d'aquesta Tesi, el propòsit de la qual és el disseny i optimització d'un prototip de sistema basat en una matriu de ressonadors de Helmholtz per maximitzar l'absorció i dispersió del so a nivell de terra i, d'aquesta manera, mitigar els nivells de pressió sonora generats en aquests esdeveniments en el context aeroespacial. Els treballs d'aquesta Tesi s'han dut a terme en el marc del contracte Networking/Partnership Initiative 441-2015 de l'Agència Espacial Europea. / [EN] The sound pressure levels experienced by space vehicles during the initial stages of launch (engine ignition and lift-off) are extremely high and can significantly affect light transported structures, such as solar panels and antennas. The intense sound generated by the primary sources, the engine and the jet, is reinforced by the reflection at the bottom of the gas evacuation channel, which acts as a mirror from the acoustic point of view, and returns the energy released directly to the rocket and the structures it carries. This large amount of energy can put some launch missions at risk, with the economic and security consequences that this entails. Despite the relevance of this problem, knowledge about the characteristics of the sources, the behavior of ground facilities in reference to the dispersion, diffusion and absorption of sound, and the possible measures to mitigate the impact is still scarce. In this context, the main objective of this thesis will be developed. The purpose of this work is the design and optimization of a prototype system based on an array of Helmholtz resonators to maximize the absorption and dispersion of sound at ground level and, in this way, mitigate the sound pressure levels generated in these events in the aerospace context. The work of this thesis has been carried out within the framework of the Networking/Partnership Initiative contract 441-2015 of the European Space Agency. / None of the work presented here could have been possible without the funding provided by the European Space Agency. In this institution, I want to specially thank Julián Santiago (who sadly passed away in December 2018) and Ivan Ngan, both from the Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, for their help to make this project possible. / Herrero Durá, I. (2020). Acoustic noise reduction methods for the launch pad [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/146650