Gusztáv Áron Szíki

Obsidian provenance studies of Transylvania's Neolithic tools using PIXE, micro-PIXE and XRF

Abstract Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass, which was widely used for prehistoric stone tools and traded over long distances. In the case of Transylvania (the north-western part of Romania), the sources of the prehistoric tools are supposed to be Tokaj Mountains, Greek islands, Armenia and Turkish-Asia Minor. We used PIXE and XRF to analyse various obsidian tools from the above sources. The two-dimensional scatter plots of Ti/Mn versus Rb/Zr and Ba/Ce versus Y/Zr were considered as source indicators. On the basis of these classifications, the majority of the Transylvanias obsidian prehistoric tools were determined as coming from either Hungarian or Slovakian Tokaj Mountains.

Investigation of incrusted pottery found in the territory of Hungary by micro-PIXE method

Abstract Incrusted pottery samples from the territory of Hungary were analyzed by micro-PIXE technique. Measurements were executed on the front and back side of the samples and inside the incrustations too. We succeeded to group the pottery from different regions and periods by the composition of the ornament. It was concluded that the elemental composition of the ornament may be characteristic to the provenance of the pottery. In case of samples from Vors-Mariaasszonysziget the presence of a kind of grit in the incrustations with high calcium and phosphorus content was established. The material of the grit is presumably bone. Samples from other archaeological localities can be described by incrustations with different compositions. Incrustations in the samples from Balatonfuzo are presumably composed of limestone (CaCO 3 ), from Baradla cave (Aggtelek) probably of white clay paste (kaolinite). It was also concluded that the red color of the ornaments of some sample from Baradla cave is caused by hematite.

On the determination of nitrogen in carbon matrix by deuteron induced gamma-ray emission technique

The systematic study of the experimental conditions affecting the minimum detection limit attainable by the deuteron induced gamma-ray emission (DIGE) method in the case of nitrogen determination in carbon matrix is presented. An optimal experimental set-up has been realized with the use of plate glass linings of the transport tube and chamber close to the target and using copper diaphragms for shaping the beam. The necessity of the reduction of electronic pile-up and the cosmic background is also discussed. The best detection limit obtained was 130 μg/g. A comparison with other analytical methods has been made.

Computer program for the calculation of the performance parameters of electromobiles

Abstract The presented computer program is capable of calculating the performance parameters of electromobiles from the technical parameters of their machine parts. Reached speed and covered distance within a given period of time and also the top speed of the vehicles can be calculated. Moreover, the optimal values of the technical parameters (such as the optimal gear ratio in the chain drive) can be determined indirectly. Thus the program is a useful help for designers of electromobiles and also a useful tool to predict the performance of a given model in the competition.