TY - JOUR A1 - Hu, Neng A1 - Lin, Li A1 - Metwalli, Ezzeldin A1 - Bießmann, Lorenz A1 - Philipp, Martine A1 - Hildebrand, Viet A1 - Laschewsky, André A1 - Papadakis, Christine M. A1 - Cubitt, Robert A1 - Zhong, Qi A1 - Müller-Buschbaum, Peter T1 - Kinetics of water transfer between the LCST and UCST thermoresponsive blocks in diblock copolymer thin films monitored by in situ neutron reflectivity JF - Advanced materials interfaces N2 - The kinetics of water transfer between the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and upper critical solution temperature (UCST) thermoresponsive blocks in about 10 nm thin films of a diblock copolymer is monitored by in situ neutron reflectivity. The UCST-exhibiting block in the copolymer consists of the zwitterionic poly(4((3-methacrylamidopropyl)dimethylammonio)butane-1-sulfonate), abbreviated as PSBP. The LCST-exhibiting block consists of the nonionic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), abbreviated as PNIPAM. The as-prepared PSBP80-b-PNIPAM(400) films feature a three-layer structure, i.e., PNIPAM, mixed PNIPAM and PSBP, and PSBP. Both blocks have similar transition temperatures (TTs), namely around 32 degrees C for PNIPAM, and around 35 degrees C for PSBP, and with a two-step heating protocol (20 degrees C to 40 degrees C and 40 degrees C to 80 degrees C), both TTs are passed. The response to such a thermal stimulus turns out to be complex. Besides a three-step process (shrinkage, rearrangement, and reswelling), a continuous transfer of D2O from the PNIPAM to the PSBP block is observed. Due to the existence of both, LCST and UCST blocks in the PSBP80-b-PNIPAM(400 )film, the water transfer from the contracting PNIPAM, and mixed layers to the expanding PSBP layer occurs. Thus, the hydration kinetics and thermal response differ markedly from a thermoresponsive polymer film with a single LCST transition. KW - block copolymer KW - dual thermoresponsive KW - kinetic water transfer KW - neutron KW - reflectivity KW - thin film Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201913 SN - 2196-7350 VL - 10 IS - 3 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weimar, Jannis A1 - Köhli, Markus A1 - Budach, Christian A1 - Schmidt, Ulrich T1 - Large-scale boron-lined neutron detection systems as a 3He alternative for Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing JF - Frontiers in water N2 - Cosmic-Ray neutron sensors are widely used to determine soil moisture on the hectare scale. Precise measurements, especially in the case of mobile application, demand for neutron detectors with high counting rates and high signal-to-noise ratios. For a long time Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) instruments have relied on He-3 as an efficient neutron converter. Its ongoing scarcity demands for technological solutions using alternative converters, which are Li-6 and B-10. Recent developments lead to a modular neutron detector consisting of several B-10-lined proportional counter tubes, which feature high counting rates via its large surface area. The modularity allows for individual shieldings of different segments within the detector featuring the capability of gaining spectral information about the detected neutrons. This opens the possibility for active signal correction, especially useful when applied to mobile measurements, where the influence of constantly changing near-field to the overall signal should be corrected. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio could be increased by combining pulse height and pulse length spectra to discriminate between neutrons and other environmental radiation. This novel detector therefore combines high-selective counting electronics with large-scale instrumentation technology. KW - CRNS KW - neutron KW - detector KW - soil moisture KW - readout electronics KW - boron-10 KW - helium-3 alternative Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2020.00016 SN - 2624-9375 VL - 2 PB - Frontiers Media CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mishurova, Tatiana A1 - Sydow, Benjamin A1 - Thiede, Tobias A1 - Sizova, Irina A1 - Ulbricht, Alexander A1 - Bambach, Markus A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Residual stress and microstructure of a Ti-6Al-4V Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing hybrid demonstrator JF - Metals N2 - Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) features high deposition rates and, thus, allows production of large components that are relevant for aerospace applications. However, a lot of aerospace parts are currently produced by forging or machining alone to ensure fast production and to obtain good mechanical properties; the use of these conventional process routes causes high tooling and material costs. A hybrid approach (a combination of forging and WAAM) allows making production more efficient. In this fashion, further structural or functional features can be built in any direction without using additional tools for every part. By using a combination of forging basic geometries with one tool set and adding the functional features by means of WAAM, the tool costs and material waste can be reduced compared to either completely forged or machined parts. One of the factors influencing the structural integrity of additively manufactured parts are (high) residual stresses, generated during the build process. In this study, the triaxial residual stress profiles in a hybrid WAAM part are reported, as determined by neutron diffraction. The analysis is complemented by microstructural investigations, showing a gradient of microstructure (shape and size of grains) along the part height. The highest residual stresses were found in the transition zone (between WAAM and forged part). The total stress range showed to be lower than expected for WAAM components. This could be explained by the thermal history of the component. KW - residual stress KW - WAAM KW - Ti-6Al-4V KW - additive manufacturing KW - neutron KW - diffraction KW - hybrid manufacturing Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/met10060701 SN - 2075-4701 VL - 10 IS - 6 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER -