Reef rocks typically have complex porosity, which requires advanced imaging techniques to be analyezed. This study investigates the pore network of a carbonate rock sample from the Zechstein Limestone (Ca1) Wielichowo Reef located on the Wolsztyn Ridge (Western Poland). The paperfocuses on factors constraining permeability. Using X-ray microtomography, two 3D pore diameter models were obtained based on the skeletonized connected pore mask. All skeleton points had diameters computed as twice the values derived from MATLAB ’s bwdist function, while the remaining voxel values were determined using Nearest Neighbor and Scat-tered Interpolant algorithms. It was shown that the rock has an irregular pore structure with a significant proportion of small pores of sizes around 0.2 mm. The bulk nitrogen gas permeability is low due to advanced calcite cementation and high level of fragmentation of bryozoan anceps which could not be continuously dissolved to ensure better pore space connectivity. Wherever larger bioclasts had been dissolved, greater pore diameters approaching 1 mm occurred. These findings highlight the utility of digital image analysis in reef rock research, with particular emphasis on its potential applications in CO2 storage or hydrocarbon exploitation-related risk assessment.
2
Dostęp do pełnego tekstu na zewnętrznej witrynie WWW
Introduction: Proper prediction of remaining lower limbs growth is crucial for determining the optimal timing of epiphysiodesis in patients with limb length discrepancies or the curvature occurred in knee joint occurred in children during rapid growth period. Several methods are commonly used in correction of such orthopedic problem. One of them is procedure of epiphysiodesis. The main goal of the study was to evaluate changes in the density of growth cartilage at the distal end of the thigh bone following epiphysiodesis, and to compare it with the cartilage density on the side without screw placement in the same limb, as well as with the contralateral side. Material and methods: The clinical study included 9 patients of both sexes (5 females and 4 males) who were treated at the Department and Clinic of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. Results: The regions of interest marked on the X-ray images from which the average pixel value have been derived. Conclusions: The conducted study demonstrated a statistically significant difference of over 50% the average pixel value between preoperative and postoperative measurements on the side where screws were placed (p = 0.01). Additionally, a significant difference of 50% was observed between the preoperative pixel value on the side designated for screw placement and the postoperative pixel value on the contralateral, non-operated side.
This work presents the design, characterisation, and measurement results of the silicon strip sensor readout circuit for X-ray applications. The key design goals were a noise level below 50 electrons rms, low power consumption (below 10 mW per channel) and a compact layout. The prototype integrated circuit was designed and fabricated in a 180 nm CMOS technology, incorporating eight charge-processing channels, biasing circuits, reset and baseline restoration logic, and a calibration system.
The paper presents an X-ray camera for testing moving objects. A typical application of such cameras is scanning products on an industrial production line. Currently, the most popular device detecting radiation in this type of camera consists of a pixel line based on scintillator detectors. Unfortunately, increasing its resolution automatically involves reducing the pixel size and reducing the signal-to-noise ratio. This is where the time domain integration method comes in handy, increasing the resolution without degrading the signal-to-noise ratio. The camera presented in this paper is based on an application-specific integrated circuit dedicated to this purpose. The application-specific integrated circuit core is a pixel matrix operating in a single-photon counting mode. Its architecture was designed to implement the time domain integration method and construct high-resolution cameras with a large scanning area. The article also describes the hardware and software of the application-specific integrated circuit readout system.
Neutron beams are employed in a multitude of applications, including neutron activation analysis, neutron radiography and tomography, nuclear waste assays, reactor start-up sources, studies of material response, geological analysis, calibration standards and cancer therapy. The global demand for access to neutron beams is increasing, necessitating the development of relatively simple, efficient and easy-to-use neutron sources to address the more complex challenges of scientific research and industrial application. One relatively readily available method is to use a linear electron accelerator to produce beams of fast neutrons. The neutron generator, comprising of an electron linear accelerator and a tungsten X-ray converter, is capable of producing a maximum neutron flux of 1.53·1010 n/s to 1.45·1013 n/s at electron energies of 10–50 MeV, with an average electron beam current of 120 miA, corresponding to an intensity of 7.5·1014 e/s. The results of the neutron generator modelling conducted with the FLUKA Monte-Carlo code are presented in this article for an equivalent incident beam power of 1.2–6.0 kW. The optimal tungsten converter thickness is proposed as a means of achieving the maximum neutron flux in all directions.
6
Dostęp do pełnego tekstu na zewnętrznej witrynie WWW
In this research work, Mg30-Al25-Ti25-Li15-Si5 lightweight high-entropy alloys (LWHEAs) were synthesized via mechanical alloying (MA) with different milling times of 0, 5, 10, and 20 h. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of MAed powders exhibited the formation of intermetallic phases (Mg2Si and Al12Mg17) and nanocrystalline structures with prolonged milling times, enhancing diffusion, lattice strain, and grain refinement. Scanning electron microscopy powder surface morphology, EDAX analyses, and elemental mapping were examined to confirm the structural refinement and uniform elemental distribution, though lithium detection remained challenging. Further, based on XRD results, peak broadening models (Scherrer, Williamson–Hall, and size–strain plot) were employed to estimate the crystallite size and lattice strain, with the Williamson–Hall model showing the highest accuracy. Compaction studies at room and high temperatures (275 and 550°C) with pressures up to 200 MPa demonstrated improved densification and mechanical integrity, attributed to the phase formation and structural refinement during milling. A relative density of 94.42% was achieved at 200 MPa and 550°C in the 20 h MAed sample due to improved atomic diffusion-driven densification, grain-boundary diffusion, and decreased work-hardening effect. The nanocrystalline nature, refined grain morphology, and enhanced densification emphasize the potential of Mg30-Al25-Ti25-Li15-Si5LWHEAs for lightweight structural applications in aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing industries.
The X-ray imaging systems dedicated for X-ray spectroscopy, based on a semiconductor strip sensors have been recently an important research topic. The most important research objective is working towards improvement of the spectroscopic and position resolution features [1]-[3]. In spectroscopic applications the short strip silicon detectors are widely used due to their relatively small capacitance and leakage current. Using strip pitch below 75 μm enables achievement of high spatial resolution. In this work, the analysis and design of the read-out electronics for the short silicon strip detectors are presented. The Charge Sensitive Amplifier (CSA) is optimized for the detector capacitance of about 1.5 pF, and the shaping amplifier default peaking time is about 1 μs (controlled by the sets of switches). To achieve the lowest possible noise level, the sources of noise in a radiation imaging system both internal (related to the front-end electronics itself), as well as external, were considered [4]. We target the noise level below 40 el. rms, considering low power consumption (a few mW) and limited channel area. To increase the speed of incoming hits processing, the continuous-time resistive CSA feedback together with a digital feedback reset are included. The prototype integrated circuit comprises of 8 charge processing channels, biasing circuits, reset and base-line restoration logic, and a calibration circuit.
Celem niniejszego artykułu był opis możliwości badań materiałów krystalicznych i amorficznych oraz metod wytwarzania przy zastosowaniu aparatury znajdującej się na wyposażeniu Katedry Fizyki. Występujące różnice, a także podobieństwa przedstawiono na podstawie metod wytwarzania materiałów, a także przeprowadzonych badań z użyciem dyfraktometru rentgenowskiego (XRD) i magnetometru wibracyjnego (VSM).
EN
The aim of this article was to describe the possibilities of testing crystalline and amorphous materials, as well as production methods, using the equipment at the Department of Physics. Differences, as well as similarities, are presented on the basis of the materials' manufacturing methods and the tests carried out using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and a vibrating magnetometer (VSM).
The origin of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) may influence their persistence, mobility and determine the extent to which they pose a threat to the soil environment. Therefore, the research objective of this study was to obtain information on the origin of nine PTEs present in the soil at two Natura 2000 protected areas. The second objective was to test the usability of three popular soil indices in assessing soil pollution in the study area. The research was carried out in two forested areas belonging to the Natura 2000 network of European protected areas, located in the Cieszyn region (southern Poland) on the Polish-Czech border. The research involved the analysis of the distribution of elements in topsoil cores (to 30 cm depth), based on high-resolution measurements obtained from a combination of soil magnetometry and portable XRF spectrometer (pXRF). Measurement of the vertical distribution of volume magnetic susceptibility (κ) along the core was performed using a Bartington MS2C sensor and the analysis of PTE contents using an Explorer 7000 XRF spectrometer. Based on the obtained results, three popular geochemical indices of soil contamination with metals and metalloids were calculated: geo-accumulation index (Igeo), single pollution index (PI), and enrichment index (EF). Research has shown that the use of a pXRF spectrometer allows for the assessment of the distribution of PTEs in the soil profile with high accuracy, as well as a precise determination of the source of these elements and tracking the migration of pollutants deep into the soil profile. The peak of magnetic susceptibility values in the upper part of the profile strongly correlated with the contents of Pb, As and Zn, which confirmed the anthropogenic origin of these PTEs in the soil in both study areas. The distribution pattern of most of the remaining studied elements (Ti, V, Cr, Co, and Ni) in the soil profile and the analysis of geochemical indicators (Igeo, PI and EF) indicated their lithogenic and/or pedogenic origin. The use of a pXRF spectrometer allows the assessment of the distribution of PTEs in the soil profile with high measurement resolution and enables precise determination of the source of elements, tracking the migration of pollutants down the soil profile. The combination of soil magnetometry and pXRF, supported by the analysis of geochemical indicators, has proven to be a very effective tool in examining soil contamination and environmental site assessment.
Kontrola ładunków stanowi kluczowy element bezpieczeństwa wewnętrznego, a większość systemów wykorzystuje akceleratory liniowe jako źródła promieniowania rentgenowskiego. W ostatnich latach inspekcja ładunków stała się istotnym obszarem zastosowań akceleratorów elektronowych. Rosnąca ilość transportowanych towarów, wraz z ryzykiem przemytu i ataków terrorystycznych, napędza rozwój zaawansowanych metod inspekcji cargo. Systemy skanowania rentgenowskiego, oparte na akceleratorach liniowych, stanowią podstawę kontroli ładunków. Proces inspekcji polega na kierowaniu wiązki promieniowania rentgenowskiego, generowanej w wyniku interakcji elektronów z konwerterem wykonanym z materiałów o wysokiej liczbie atomowej. Detektory rejestrują osłabione promieniowanie, tworząc szczegółowy obraz kontrolowanego ładunku. Zaawansowane systemy wykorzystują skanowanie dwuenergetyczne, które umożliwia rozróżnianie materiałów na podstawie ich liczby atomowej. Najnowsze osiągnięcia technologiczne koncentrują się na szybkim skanowaniu, wysokiej przepustowości oraz identyfikacji materiałów niebezpiecznych.
EN
Cargo inspection is a key element of internal security, with most systems utilizing linear accelerators as sources of X-ray radiation. In recent years, cargo inspection has become a significant application area for electron accelerators. The increasing volume of transported goods, along with the risks of smuggling and terrorist attacks, drive the development of advanced cargo inspection methods. X-ray scanning systems, based on linear accelerators, are fundamental to cargo inspection. The inspection process involves directing an X-ray beam generated by electron interaction with high-Z material converters. Detectors capture the attenuated radiation to generate detailed cargo images. Advanced systems employ dual-energy scanning to differentiate between materials based on their atomic numbers. Recent technological advancements focus on rapid scanning, high throughput, and hazardous material identification. Dual-energy systems, capable of alternating high and low X-ray energies, enhance material discrimination.
W artykule przedstawiono koncepcję oraz rozwój prototypowego systemu ARCIS - adaptacyjnego systemu rentgenowskiej inspekcji cargo dla kolei, umożliwiającego radiograficzne obrazowanie z rozróżnianiem materiałów przy prędkościach zgodnych z normalnym ruchem towarowym. System ARCIS przezwycięża ograniczenia konwencjonalnych technologii dwuenenergetycznych, takie jak brak nakładania energii w tej samej warstwie przy dużej prędkości skanowania, niska rozdzielczość przy szybkim przesuwie oraz wysokie dawki promieniowania środowiskowego wynikające ze sztywnego trybu pracy. ARCIS wykorzystuje akcelerator liniowy generujący pakiety krótkich impulsów promieniowania rentgenowskiego o rosnącej energii (2-9 MeV) oraz macierze detektorów scyntylacyjno-czerenkowskich z dynamiczną kontrolą czułości SiPM. Adaptacyjne sterowanie źródłem promieniowania w czasie rzeczywistym, oparte na sprzężeniu zwrotnym z systemu detekcji, umożliwia optymalizację energii wiązki względem gęstości inspekcyjnego ładunku. Zaprojektowany system oferuje znacznie większą przepustowość, lepszą głębokość penetracji i wyższą rozdzielczość w porównaniu do klasycznych rozwiązań.
EN
This paper presents the concept and development of the ARCIS prototype - an adaptive X-ray rail cargo inspection system that enables radiographic imaging with material discrimination at speeds compatible with regular freight train operation. The ARCIS system overcomes the limitations of conventional dual-energy technologies, such as the lack of overlapping energy in the same image layer at high scan speeds, low resolution during rapid motion, and high environmental radiation doses resulting from fixedenergy operation. ARCIS utilizes a linear accelerator generating packets of short X-ray pulses with increasing energy (2-9 MeV) and scintillation-Cherenkov detector arrays with dynamic SiPM responsivity control. Adaptive real-time control of the X-ray source, based on feedback from the detection system, allows for beam energy optimization relative to the density of the inspected cargo. The designed system provides significantly higher throughput, improved penetration depth, and enhanced image resolution compared to classical solutions.
Adaptacyjny System Inspekcji Ładunków Kolejowych ARCIS oparty jest na metodzie wieloenergetycznej, wykorzystującej narastający pakiet energetyczny krótkich impulsów promieniowania X. System stosuje źródło promieniowania o narastającej energii w postaci pakietów krótkich (~400 ns) impulsów promieniowania X, nowy typ szybkich detektorów rentgenowskich oraz szybkie przetwarzanie sygnałów z detektorów do inteligentnego sterowania linakiem. System umożliwia skanowanie z rozróżnianiem materiałów przy prędkościach do 45 km/h. Prototyp detektora i elementy akwizycji danych systemu ARCIS zostały przetestowane w Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC). Zakres dynamiczny systemu detektorów pozwala na rozróżnianie grubości od 5 do 250 mm równoważnika stali w materiałach testowych o różnej liczbie Z. Pomiary z dodatkowymi absorberami stalowymi wskazały, że głębokość penetracji osiągnęła 400 mm. Oprócz prostych wzorców schodkowych wygenerowano także obrazy małych obiektów o wysokiej częstotliwości przestrzennej (gęstości detali) , w celu zademonstrowania rozdzielczości obrazowania prototypowego detektora ARCIS.
EN
The Adaptive Railroad Cargo Inspection System (ARCIS) is based on a multi-energy method utilizing a ramped energy packet of short x-ray pulses. The system employs a ramped-energy x-ray source producing packets of short (~400 ns) pulses, a new type of fast x-ray detectors, and rapid signal processing for intelligent linac control. The system enables material discrimination (MD) scanning at speeds of up to 45 km/h. A prototype detector and data acquisition components of the ARCIS system were tested at the Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC). The dynamic range of the detector system allows for thickness discrimination from 5 to 250 mm steel equivalent in test materials with varying atomic numbers (Z). Measurements with additional steel absorbers indicated a penetration depth of up to 400 mm. In addition to simple step wedge phantoms, images of small highspatial-frequency (high-detail-density) objects were also generated to demonstrate the imaging resolution of the ARCIS prototype detector.
Waste from tofu production contains high ammonia levels in the form of ammonium, which can pollute the environment when discharged without prior treatment. Using natural zeolite as an adsorbent in treating ammonium contained in tofu waste is expected to effectively reduce the ammonium content, as natural zeolite has a high adsorption capacity. This research aims to analyze the ability of natural zeolite from Bayah, Indonesia, as an adsorbent in reducing ammonium content in tofu waste by integrating factors that influence the adsorption process such as adsorbent dose, stirring speed, adsorbent particle size, and contact time, to obtain optimal adsorption operating conditions. To achieve the research objectives, observations were conducted over a wide range: adsorbent sizes of 40–100 mesh, adsorbent mass of 1–5 grams/100 ml waste, stirring speeds of 400 and 600 rpm, and contact time of 60 minutes. The research results show that reducing the adsorbent size (40–100 mesh) and increasing the adsorbent dose (1–5 grams) has a positive impact on improving the percentage of ammonium removal achieved, but increasing the stirring speed (from 400 to 700 rpm) has the opposite effect, resulting in a decrease in the percentage of ammonium removal produced. Optimum conditions obtained at a mass of 5 grams, zeolite size of 100 mesh, and stirring speed of 400 rpm for 60 minutes, resulting in an ammonium removal percentage of 70.13%. The results of this research show that the use of natural zeolite has good prospects as an adsorbent in tofu waste treatment, although it still needs to be improved so that the percentage of ammonium removal approaches 100%.
The publication presents data on the removal of heavy metals by energy crops Miscanthus giganteus L. and Phalaris arundinacea L. when grown on technologically polluted soils. The yield of Miscanthus giganteus averaged 16.96 t/ha over the two years of research, and that of Falaris arundinacea - 4.38 t/ha, respectively. The nature of heavy metal accumulation by energy plants depended on the type of crop and its productivity during the years of cultivation. The concentration of all heavy metals in the phytomass of energy crops did not exceed the threshold limit value (TLV), except for zinc in miscanthus giganteus plants (by 9-11 mg/kg). Compared to the years of the study, in the second year of cultivation, the coefficient of heavy metal absorption by plants increased significantly compared to the first year due to an increase in the vegetative mass of plants. On average, in 2021-2023, the energy crops Phalaris arundinacea and Miscanthus x giganteus removed a significant amount of heavy metals from 1 ha of soil. It has been proven that energy crops such as Phalaris arundinacea and Miscanthus x giganteus contribute to the purification of technologically contaminated soils from heavy metals, and their products can be used further as biofuels and for other purposes, as the content of toxicants in their phytomass does not exceed the TLV.
A detailed analysis of the four commercial stationary phases often applied in liquid chromatography was performed using the following: SEM-EDS techniques and specific surface area and porosity analysis methods (multipoint BET, BJH, DH and DFT). The SEM-EDS results confirmed that the main component of all adsorbents examined is silica (SiO₂), while differences in oxygen content indicate varied approaches to surface modification, ranging from the strongly hydrophilic phase of TSK Gel Amide-80 to the hydrophobic Nucleodur C18 Gravity. Besides, the presence of trace amounts of metals may influence the additional analyte-adsorbent interaction of different nature. A comparison of specific adsorbent surface area data obtained using the multipoint BET method with the manufacturers values revealed significant discrepancies in the cases of TSK Gel Amide 80 and Nucleodur C18 Gravity, which may be the result of differences in pore accessibility and measurement methods. However, the Eurospher II 100-5 HILIC and Purospher STAR NH₂ phases showed good agreement with the manufacturers data. The porous structure of the phase studied shows significant differences: TSK Gel Amide 80 is characterized by mesopores with a uniform distribution, which favor the retention of larger molecules; Eurospher II 100-5 HILIC is microporous and selective for small, polar analytes; Nucleodur C18 Gravity has a structure typical of reversed phase materials; and Purospher STAR NH₂ exhibits the highest porosity, which favors the retention of large molecules, although it can also lead to the retention of undesirable analytes.
The paper analyzes the effect of time slots on the correctness of packet delivery for selected Media Access Control protocols of WSN (Wireless Sensor Networks) like B-MAC, X-MAC, and L-MAC. In the study, reliability, and power consumption were used as indicators of the quality of the protocol variant. The length of the time slot was shown to affect the consumption of energy resources of the nodes. For all network sizes considered, it was shown that the best results were achieved by the LMAC protocol, which also proved to be the most energy-efficient with a low ratio of energy resource consumption.
The primary aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive comparative evaluation of implicit and explicit finite element solution methodologies employed in structural analysis. This research examines the characteristics and performance differences between these two approaches, using two diverse case studies as illustrative examples. The FEM solution was performed nonlinearly by defining the linear elastic and plasticity properties of the material. The first case study focuses on a three-point bending test of a beam subjected to a slow deformation rate, while the second case study examines the damage mechanics of a pressure vessel experiencing a high deformation rate. It was found that the implicit solution method operates under the premise that displacement is independent of time, allowing for a more stable analysis in certain scenarios. On the other hand, the explicit method inherently incorporates time as a variable, making displacement a function of time. Once a solid understanding of the system's response is established, transitioning to explicit methods for more dynamic scenarios can lead to a more comprehensive and effective resolution of complex engineering problems. By carefully selecting the appropriate analysis method based on the specific characteristics of the loading conditions and the nature of the forces involved, engineers can optimize their simulations and enhance the reliability of their results.
18
Dostęp do pełnego tekstu na zewnętrznej witrynie WWW
This study explores how the addition of copper (Cu) addition impacts the microstructural and thermal properties of shape memory alloys (SMAs), specifically TiNiPd alloys. Two compositions, 0Cu and 10Cu, were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Optical Microscopy (OM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). SEM revealed second-phase precipitates distributed along grain boundaries in both alloys, with sizes ranging from 0.9 to 2.9 μm; however, Cu addition reduced precipitate density without affecting size. The grain size increased significantly from 12.5 μm in 0Cu to 17.5 μm in 10Cu, attributed to decreased nickel content and reduced pinning effects of precipitates. Aging at 600°C and 700°C further influenced precipitate behavior and transformation temperatures, with Cu-containing alloys demonstrating enhanced thermal characteristics. DSC analysis indicated significant increases in transformation temperatures and decreased thermal hysteresis with Cu addition. These results highlight the promise of Cu as a viable substitute for Ni in enhancing the properties of TiNiPd SMAs.
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to understand how representatives of different generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z) view organizational leadership in the context of the challenges posed by Industry 4.0. The authors want to assess whether there are common leadership qualities valued by all generations, despite differences based on generational affiliation. Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire aimed at people involved in decision-making processes in Polish companies. The analysis was based on descriptive statistics, which made it possible to assess the responses and compare the results among selected generational groups. Findings: The results indicate different approaches to leadership depending on generational affiliation. All generations agreed that leadership is crucial, but differ in their priorities. Baby Boomers value leader adaptation, Generation X emphasizes values, Generation Y focuses on success, and Generation Z focuses on diverse leadership competencies. Research limitations/implications: The survey is limited to Polish organizations, which may affect the generalizability of the results to other countries. The sample is small, especially for Generation Z, which may limit a fuller understanding of their perspectives. Originality/value: The article provides unique findings on the differences and similarities in leadership perceptions among the four generations. It points to the need for a flexible management approach that takes into account specific generational needs in the era of Industry 4.0.
Purpose: This paper explores the drivers for employee motivation in the IT sector in Poland. Specifically, it focuses on differences in what motivates employees belonging to generations X, Y and Z. Design/methodology/approach: This study, rooted in existing international literature around the topic of employee motivation, draws on 16 semi-structured interviews performed in May and June 2023 with senior managers and human resources representatives working in IT sector in Poland. The data was analysed using MAXQDA software. Findings: The findings of the qualitative section of this study are conformant with previous research from other sectors that the major motivation factors are finance and growth possibilities, when it comes to IT sector in Poland. However, it stresses that for the finance induced motivation boost to last it needs to be combined with growth. Also, generational differences between motivation factors were identified. The findings indicate to managers that motivation factors such as finance should not be treated in separation, but they should be accompanied by an adequate increase in responsibility and that for various generations different forms of employment could facilitate the motivating process. Research limitations/implications: The conclusions were formulated taking into account the sample’s limitations. The qualitative study was limited to the group of 16 respondents who despite having experience from multiple companies, at the time of the interviews worked for the same company: Atos Group. Therefore, this research can encourage further reflection on employee motivation in the IT sector. Originality/value: The systematic literature review indicated that the subject of employee motivation factors had not been undertaken in the context of Polish IT sector specificity.
JavaScript jest wyłączony w Twojej przeglądarce internetowej. Włącz go, a następnie odśwież stronę, aby móc w pełni z niej korzystać.