Building Bridges with Water-The Floating Waterbridge
This paper describes the investigation of a fascinating physical phenomenon called the “floating water bridge”. Despite the fact that water is undoubtedly the most important chemical substance on earth, it is practically ubiquitous and it still represents one of the best explored substances, still not all characteristics are well-understood. There are some phenomena like the “floating water bridge”, which cannot be explained. If high voltage is applied to two beakers, which are arranged close to each other and which are filled with deionized water, a connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge. For the experiment discussed in this paper, two beakers with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 80 mm are filled with triply deionized water. Platinum electrodes are submerged in the center of the beakers, one set to ground potential (anode), the other one on high voltage, up to 25 kV dc. Within the scope of this work, an experimental setup was developed, which enables measuring and demonstrating the most important parameters like voltage, current, length and temperature of the water bridge as well as the mass transfer between the beakers. In addition the correlation between the different parameters and the influence on the water bridge could be estimated. Once the beakers are separated, the bridge remains stable for several hours up to a length of 2.5 cm. With platinum electrodes and no electrolysis observed, a small current (≈300µA), a mass flow from anode to cathode and forces were measured. Pictures, taken with an infrared camera and a new developed method to record "infrared-videos", enabled to visualize the heat flow in the water bridge. Furthermore the conversion of energy and the dependence of charge and mass transfer could be estimated roughly. In the course of the investigations it was also tried to prove the water bridge with other liquids like castor oil, olive oil, a mixture of glycol and water as well as tap water - for some of them for the first time. Supplementary the experimental setup was varied by using different electrodes with different sizes and different material as well as beakers of different sizes and materials. In addition, a qualitative explanation was developed. The results of this work enable a better understanding of the floating water bridge and provide a basis for further research as well as for development of future practical applications. One of these applications could be an improved waste water treatment process.
探討以最經濟的方式偵測低濃度溶液之金屬離子
A novel technology for detection of trace concentration of ions at ppb level was developed. The detection limit of this method can be reached to 1ppb. The Wheatstone bridge usually be used for determination the concentration of metal ion, the major disadvantage of this technique is the precision too low. Atom absorption spectroscopy is better for monitoring trace metal ion, but the cost of instrument is too expensive. In this study, the oscilloscope was used to modify the Wheatstone bridge Circuit. The difference between the voltages of two connection points of Wheatstone bridge was used to estimate the concentration of ions. The amplification system was used in this method to improve the limit to detect ion from 10 ppm to 10ppb. The parameters of measurement including types of probe, match of Wheatstone bridge resistances, parameters of input signal and electrolysis in solution were also being studied. 本研究主要是發展一個富有創新且經濟的ppb ( parts per billion ; 10-9)級,微濃度金屬離子量策技術,目前本實驗設計已可以達到 ppb的偵測極限,尤其本方法不僅能夠應用於定量,尚可做定性偵測。簡易的溶液濃度技術常使用惠司通電橋的方法,但這個方法的缺點在於精確度較低,而另外常用的儀器是原子吸收光譜儀,卻價格高昂。因此,我們回頭對惠司通電橋的技術作改良和創新技術。首先,最重要的新技術是對示波器的改良。示波器被用來量測惠司通電橋的電位,我們比較電橋上兩特定點的電位來判斷濃度,當兩個點的電位相同時代表溶液電阻和控制電阻相同。但當輸入信號的電壓太強時,示波器上並無法判別細微的電位變化,因此造成量測的精度不高。本組設計新的電路用以放大在高強度訊號的波形細微變化,成功將測量極限由 10 ppm推進到 ppb。另外關於此設計中的各種參數,包括探針類型、惠司通電路的電阻匹配、輸入訊號之強度頻率、電極間電容效應及溶液中可能發生的電解效應等,都有精確的探討。最後的設計結果將是創新且有別於以往的設計概念。
New Evidences of Behavioral Mechanism for Discrimination and Orientation of the Orb-web Spider, Nepi
由於結網性蜘蛛視覺不靈敏,如何在網上藉振動進行獵捕,這是長久以來頗令科學家困惑的難題,當周遭環境各種振源觸網時,首先會產生不同振盪,蜘蛛是否藉由這些振盪得知獵物資訊?如何迅速準確的定位?又有那些決策條件影響蜘蛛的捕獵行為?更特別的,為何蜘蛛在捕獵過程中會“扯網”?本研究以台灣最大型結網性蜘蛛-人面蜘蛛為研究對象,並設計出一套非接觸式的測量方法,就上述謎題作深入的探討後,成功的解開人面蜘蛛的捕獵機制。簡單來說,其機制分為兩大系統:(1)當獵物擾動不明顯,人面蜘蛛會立即扯網,藉有無產生阻尼振盪,以判斷有無獵物存在;在阻尼振盪產生時,蜘蛛將感知其中具有最大阻尼振盪之放射絲為獵物所在方向,而振盪週期長短,係蜘蛛用以判斷獵物遠近之有效因素。(2)當振源明顯時,蜘蛛直接判斷各種擾動的振幅大小、頻率高低、波形模式、振源質量輕重,決定是否啟動捕獵或逃離反應,並在反應前先行定位,亦即以步足腳勾偵測並比較各放射絲之振盪大小,以振盪最大之放射絲為獵物方向,其次藉由第二對步足之位移所產生之準光角,判斷獵物之遠近。蜘蛛正確的將獵物定位後,會以適當的速度往前衝,一口咬住獵物,以蛛絲重重包裹後,拖往網中央並進行吸食。 Giant wood spider, Nephila pilipes, is the biggest orb web spider in Taiwan. The mature N. pilipes may even grow to exceed 5 cm body length. While waiting for the prey, its giant body hangs quietly on the hub of the web. Owing to its ineffective vision and sense of smell, the spider depends almost on detecting the vibration signal of the struggling of web cause by the struggling prey. When various kinds of sources from the environment contact the web, they will generate various types of vibrations which cause the spider to judge whether they represent danger, prey, or irrelevant signals. Our results suggest that if the disturbance is obvious, through discriminating the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, the spider will make a decision whether to attack or escape immediately. Yet, before any decision is made, it will need to locate the source of vibration. For example, it will locate prey correctly by comparing the vibration transmitted from the radiating strings. The radiating strings that transmitted the largest vibration are where the prey is entangled. The displacement of the second pair of legs will generate a quasi visual angle which enables it to comprehend the distance of prey. When the vibration signal is obscure, it will jerk the radiating string immediately. After jerking it, if there is damping oscillation on the web, then the spider can judge the location of the prey. When there is damping oscillation, the radiating string that transmitted the greatest damping oscillation is where the prey is entangled. Furthermore, the frequency of damping oscillation helps the spider to judge the distance of the prey. After locating the prey correctly, N. pilipes approaches the prey fast, wraps it with silk then drags the prey to the hub to feed.\r
Synthesis and Characterization of Niobium Nitride Nanowires
This project aims to explore the potential of inexpensive in-situ deposition of niobium nitride nanowires to improve electrical conductivity. Transition metal nitrides are well known for attributes such as superconductivity, high melting point, simple structure as well as excellent electrical and thermal conductivities. In particular, niobium nitride possesses exceptional hardness and high reflectivity, as well as being a stable field emitter, making it well suited to applications as a cold cathode material. Niobium nitrides are formed by the uptake of nitrogen by niobium. This is achieved by the exothermic formation of an interstitial solid solution of nitrogen atoms in the bcc lattice of the niobium. Existing research has established the possibility of preparing niobium nitride by heating niobium in nitrogen or ammonia over a range of temperatures, by heating niobium pentaoxide and carbon in the presence of nitrogen as well as by chemical vapor deposition of other niobium compounds, nitrogen or hydrogen. For the purpose of this study, a two-step process was used for synthesis. The benefits of a two-step process over direct ammonolysis are apparent, from the greater degree of freedom pertaining to parameter determination. Additionally, characterization of niobium pentaoxide nanowires synthesize under similar conditions is also made possible by terminating the reaction earlier. NbN nanowires were synthesized by annealing niobium pentaoxide nanowires at 850 oC for 2 hours. Subsequent characterization was done using Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The presence of NbN nanowires via the conversion of Nb2O5 was ascertained by the absence of sharp peaks at 1000 cm-1 for Raman Spectroscopy and XRD plots. Field emission (FE) properties and electrical properties of NbN nanowires were then measured. NbN nanowires were found to have a high turn-on voltage, stable and relatively good field emission characteristics, demonstrating its potential as a cold cathode material. No current saturation was observed for an applied electric field of 0 to 6.0 V/ μm (5). This suggests a low degree of contact resistance for nanowires produced by this method of annealing, since the passage of electrons is not obstructed. Hence there will only be a small voltage drop between the SiO2 substrate and NbN nanowires. Samples containing NbN nanowires were dislodged by ultrasound to form an aqueous suspension of nanowires. A drop of suspension was dripped onto gold-finger substrates, and current-voltage (I-V) measurements of resultant nanowire bridges were taken. NbN nanowire bridges display Ohmic properties, in comparison with Nb2O5 nanowires that are semiconducting. Nanowire bridges obtained by heat-drying were denser and had better electrical properties than those obtained by evaporation to dryness. NbN nanowire bridges display Ohmic properties, in comparison with Nb2O5 nanowires that are semiconducting. Further work would include varying the cooling processes to observe any changes or deformation. Additionally, niobium nitride nanowires can be hybridized with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A more in-depth comparison between niobium oxide and niobium nitride nanowires is also proposed, along with exploration of the nitrification of other transition metals.
The unknown gene interacts with dll , abdA,Ubx
We operated the misexpression screen between the EP lines and the pattern lines with the genotypes of eq1>dll, eq1>abdA, eq1>Ubx, eq1-GAL4, ey-GAL4 or dpp-GAL4. After the screening, we found that five of these 1,800 strains of filial generation had special phenotypes. It had shorter antennae and defects in the anterior equatorial region of eyes. We used plasmid rescue and IPCR to sequence the certain target gene, and found that it was escargot, abbreviated as esg. To identify when, where and how the overexpression of escargot induces such phenotype, we operated the staining of eye-antenna disc in third-instar larval period of wild type, eq> esg×UAS-GFP and eq>GFP with anti-dll, anti-caspase3 and anti-esg. The result shows that escargot cannot be detected before puparium formation. But the expression of dll, a gene controls the eye development, was reduced in the eye disc. We except the overexpression cause the defect of distal antennae and the anterior equatorial region of eyes mainly in the 3-day-long pupal life.我們用異位表現法篩選出和eq1>dll、eq1>abdA、eq1>Ubx、eq1-GAL4、ey-GAL4或dpp-GAL4 這些pattern lines有交互作用的EP lines。在這1800種的果蠅子代品系中,有五種具有特殊的性 狀。它們具有觸角短化以及複眼前緣中央區有缺刻的現象(形成心型眼)。我們使用質體救援 法以及IPCR的方法來定序這段未知基因序列,發現這是一個叫做escargot的基因(簡稱esg)。 為了了解過分表現此基因會造成何種分子影響,以至於產生此種性狀,因此我們使用 anti-dll 、anti-caspase3 和anti-esg 進行野生型、eq>esg×UAS-GFP 和eq>GFP 三齡幼蟲的 eye-antenna disc的螢光免疫染色。結果在幼蟲成蛹前都沒有偵測到esg的表現現象;不過在eye disc中,控制眼睛發育的基因dll的表現有被抑制的現象。因此我們推測過分表現esg的過程因 該是發生在為其短短三天的蛹期。也就是說,這種表型應該是在化蛹後形成。