Isotope signature and elemental characteristics of subsurface formations around deep-laying coal seams probed by means of atomic and nuclear-based techniques.

A systematic investigation on the isotopic and elemental signature, for both stable and radioactive elements, and mineral contents was performed to examine the characteristics of subsurface formations collected at different depths between 3.962 km and 4.115 km around deep-laying coal seams located under the Marmarica plateau in Egypt. Concentrations of major and minor oxides (Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, SO3, K2O, CaO, TiO2, MnO, ΣFeO + Fe2O3, SrO, ZrO2, and BaO) were determined by X-ray fluorescence and dependencies among these concentrations revealed the type and sort of the formations. Organic contents were determined by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate the variation of the CO/CC bonding ratio with depth. Rare earth elements (REE), specifically Y, Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry while actinoids were detected by the radioactive decay of its daughter nuclei. The results showed a high trapping of REE elements and actinoids in layers above the coal seams which indicates the occurrence of aqueous flow followed by possible sorption in these layers. The mobility of the fluid was investigated using the process radioactive decay series between Ra226 and Ac228 from one side and their daughters from the other side.

Experimental yield and evaluation of proton induced reactions for neutron production and synthesis of beryllium-7 using lithium compounds as target material.

We had investigated the nuclear processes occur during nuclear reactions of protons with lithium containing targets. Experimental measurements were undertaken to obtain the thick-target yield of 7Be and infer upon the neutron production. Three candidate target materials having the chemical compositions LiF, LiBO2, and Li2B4O7 were used. The 7Be yield was probed using its 477 keV day γ-line while the neutron yield was probed using 63Cu(n,γ)64Cu. The 7Be and neutron yields were found different among the different compositions. Discussion on the details of Li (p,n) reactions and decay of exit channels are given and evaluated in order to explain the difference in yield among different target compositions and evaluate the nominal value of yield. Based on experimental results and evaluation, accumulation of 7Be in the target material limits its operation time for neutron production. The LiF targets gave the highest 7Be yield compared to water soluble LiBO2 and Li2B4O7. Neutron production may be undertaken with LiF target as well as lithium metaborate target with special attention to the target operation time.

Power density measurements to optimize AC plasma jet operation in blood coagulation.

In this paper, the plasma power density and corresponding plasma dose of a low-cost air non-thermal plasma jet (ANPJ) device are estimated at different axial distances from the nozzle. This estimation is achieved by measuring the voltage and current at the substrate using diagnostic techniques that can be easily made in laboratory; thin wire and dielectric probe, respectively. This device uses a compressed air as input gas instead of the relatively-expensive, large-sized and heavy weighed tanks of Ar or He gases. The calculated plasma dose is found to be very low and allows the presented device to be used in biomedical applications (especially blood coagulation). While plasma active species and charged-particles are found to be the most effective on blood coagulation formation, both air flow and UV, individually, do not have any effect. Moreover, optimal conditions for accelerating blood coagulation are studied. Results showed that, the power density at the substrate is shown to be decreased with increasing the distance from the nozzle. In addition, both distances from nozzle and air flow rate play an important role in accelerating blood coagulation process. Finally, this device is efficient, small-sized, safe enough, of low cost and, hence, has its chances to be wide spread as a first aid and in ambulance.