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Measurement of the zeta potential of planar surfaces with a rotating disk

The technique of the rotating disk was used to measure the zeta potential of planar surface of different materials, like minerals, polymeric materials, and films of paints and particles. This technique is simple and reliable from the experimental point of view. The results are discussed concerning the principles of the technique, the rheological characteristics and the applications of these materials.

The optical absorption of gamma irradiated and heat-treated natural quartz

Quartz with aluminum as impurity absorbs energy from ionizing radiation and modifies its color. Colorless quartz becomes smoky or dark smoky (morion quartz) when exposed to gamma rays. By heat-treatment, smoky quartz may become successively greenish, yellowish, or brownish as the irradiation dose increases. Natural, colorless quartz is routinely colored by irradiation with gamma rays and heat-treatment for jewelry production. The color formation in natural quartz through this procedure is explained based on EPR, UV-VIS, and IR studies of irradiated and irradiated and heat-treated samples. Smoky quartz shows absorption bands in the visible region and a strong EPR signal. After heat-treatment it shows absorption bands in the near UV region with extensions into the visible region and a weak EPR signal. The intensity of the absorption bands is proportional to the irradiation dose. These changes of color are explained by the model of Itoh, Stoneham, and Stoneham. [AlSi O4 /h+]0 centers are produced by irradiation, causing the EPR signal and the absorption bands in the visible region. [AlSi O4]- centers are created from [AlSi O4 /h+]0 centers by heat-treatment. They cannot cause an EPR signal and have absorption bands in the near UV region with extensions into the visible region. The highest concentration of [AlSi O4]- centers occurs when the charge compensators have medium mobility. Lithium should give the best condition for color formation. Sodium (low mobility) and hydrogen (high mobility) should make smoky quartz colorless after heat-treatment.

Infrared and chemical characterization of natural amethysts and prasiolites colored by irradiation

The infrared bands of amethyst and prasiolite samples from different origins were correlated to the trace elements contents. Amethysts have an iron content greater than 20 ppm and a low content of sodium and potassium. Prasiolites have an aluminum content greater than 120 ppm and a higher overall trace elements content, which accounts for a strong absorption between 3200 and 3600 cm-1. Colorless samples of quartz that become amethysts and prasiolites after irradiation have infrared spectra at room temperature with a broad band at 3441 cm-1 and a sharp band at 3595 cm-1. The broad band splits in several bands at low temperatures that are related to AlSi and FeSi. The color of amethysts and prasiolites are assigned to [AlSiO4/h+]o and [FeSiO4/h+]o centers formed by the exposure to ionizing irradiation and to the influence of lattice distortions due to the content of iron as a substitute for silicon and a high content of trace elements of large ionic radius like potassium.

Backgrounds for the Industrial Use of Black Tourmaline Based on Its Crystal Structure Characteristics

The industrial use of black tourmaline is based on the pyroelectricity, emission of far infrared radiation, adsorption of ions, release of negative air ions, and influence on biologic activity. The crystal structure of schorl was analyzed through a virtual three dimensional hard ball model and related to these properties. Explanations for the pyroelectricity, emission of far infrared radiation, adsorption of ions, and release of negative air ions are given based on the crystal structure characteristics.

Determination of the potential for extrinsic color development in natural colorless quartz

Abstract Colorless natural quartz can develop many extrinsic colors after exposure to ionizing radiation and heat due to trace elements such as aluminum, iron, hydrogen, lithium, and sodium. The infrared spectrum of colorless natural quartz is correlated to the development of these colors, because the bands between 3200 and 3600 cm-1 are related to the presence of trace elements. The colors produced by γ-ray or electron beam irradiation are caused by displacements of electrons in the quartz lattice and can be bleached by ultraviolet irradiation. Colors produced by irradiation and additional heating, however, are resistant to ultraviolet rays, probably due to Li+ diffusion. The infrared spectra of colorless natural quartz crystals can be used to identify the crystals’ potential for color development by irradiation and heating. At room temperature, all natural colorless samples of alpha quartz show bands at 2499, 2600, 2677, 2771, 2935, and 3063 cm-1. The samples that do not develop color after irradiation also show bands at 3202 and 3304 cm-1. The samples that become grayish to black after irradiation show three additional bands at 3381, 3433, and 3483 cm-1. This last band is related to the development of the colors greenish yellow, yellow, or brown (citrine) after irradiation and heating. The samples that become grayish olive green after irradiation and olive green after additional heating show a pair of bands at 3404 and 3510 cm-1 in addition to the former bands noted. The samples that become violet (amethyst) or green (prasiolite) after irradiation, or sky blue after irradiation plus heating show a broad band at ~3441 cm-1 and a band at 3585 cm-1.

Ostwald ripening: an approach with dynamical systems

This approach assumes three functions independently acting on a set of microparticles. The first one, w1, concerns re-distribution of mass to decrease the surface energy. The second one, w2, concerns re-distribution of mass to increase the entropy of the microparticle set. The third one, w3, is a further re-distribution of mass that vanishes a microparticle. Once vanished, its mass is distributed among its neighbors. w1 and w3 release energy, whereas w2 absorbs energy. Part of the energy released should be available to sustain w2. The action frequency of w1, w2, and w3, the amount of mass exchanged in each iteraction, the fraction of released energy available to sustain w2, and the size of a vanishing microparticle can be varied. As the dynamical system formed by w1, w2, and w3 act on an initial microparticle set, it is observed an evolution resembling the Ostwald ripening concerning steady-state size distribution and microparticle growth.

Identificação de quartzos incolores para joalheria

Colorless quartz are irradiated and heat-treated to become greenish, yellowish, and brownish for the jewelry industry. Only a small fraction of natural, colorless quartz can develop colors through this process. The identification of this quartz is made through irradiation and heat-treatment tests on representative samples. The samples are sent to irradiators and then heat-treated. These tests are not fast enough for the needs of the semiprecious dealers. A new test is presented, that avoids irradiation and heat-treatment. It can identify samples with potential to develop colors in a few minutes. If a portable infrared spectrophotometer is available, it can be performed in field.

Digital characterization of the renal glomeruli by the Saltykov method

The characterization of the glomerular structure by the Saltykov method employing an image analyzer is described. The method presented allows the analyst to quantitatively evaluate the morphology of the renal glomeruli. Sample preparation, digitization, image processing and analysis are also described and illustrated. The resulting volumetric glomeruli distribution is presented. As expected, the size distribution shows that the glomeruli present high sphericity and volumes in a narrow range of values.

Estimativa da dose do quartzo natural irradiado pela termoluminescência

A major problem of natural quartz dealers is to control the irradiation doses applyed to their samples. We observed that the dosis is linearly proportional to the temperature where the beginning of the thermoluminescente can be seen with naked eyes. A reliable and simple procedure is offered to the dealers to control the doses applied to natural quartz.

Síntese e caracterização de matrizes porosas de hidroxiapatita para aplicação como fontes radioativas em braquiterapia

Porous ceramic materials based on calcium phosphate compounds (CPC) have been studied aiming at different biomedical applications such as implants, drug delivery systems and radioactive sources for brachytherapy. Two kinds of hydroxyapatite (HAp) powders and their ceramic bodies were characterized by a combination of different techniques (X-rays diffraction and fluorescence, infrared spectrophotometry, BET method, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy) to evaluate their physico-chemical and microstructural characteristics in terms of chemical composition, segregated phases, microstructure, porosity, and chemical and thermal stability. The results revealed that these systems presented potential for use as porous biodegradable radioactive sources able to be loaded with a wide range of radionuclides for cancer treatment by the brachytherapy technique.