Microwave Spectroscopy as a Potential Tool for Color Grading Diamonds

A diamond’s color grading is a dominant property that determines its market value. Its color quality is dependent on the light transmittance through the diamond and is largely influenced by nitrogen contamination, which induces a yellow/brown tint within the diamond, as well as by structural defects in the crystal (in rare cases boron contamination results in a blue tint). Generally, spectroscopic instrumentation (in the infrared or UV–visible spectral range) is used in industry to measure polished and rough diamonds, but the results are not accurate enough for precise determination of color grade. Thus, new methods should be developed to determine the color grade of diamonds at longer wavelengths, such as microwave (MV). No difference exists between rough and polished diamonds regarding stray light when the MW frequency is used. Thus, several waveguides that cover a frequency range of 3.95–26.5 GHz, as well as suitable resonator mirrors, have been developed using transmission/reflection and resonator methods. A good correlation between the S12 parameter and the nitrogen contamination content was found using the transmission/reflection method. It was concluded that electromagnetic property measurements of diamonds in the MW frequency range can be used to determine their nitrogen content and color grading. The MW technique results were in good agreement with those obtained from the infrared spectra of diamonds.

The Effect of Dissolved Nitrogen on the Fatigue Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V

The effect of nitrogen additions on fatigue behavior has been examined in near-equiaxed, rolled Ti-6Al-4V bar. This is the first-time nitrogen content that has been systematically explored with respect to monotonic and cyclic properties in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy base composition. Nitrogen additions were found to increase the $$\beta $$ β -transus temperature and strength, but they decreased ductility, even in microstructures where some $$\beta $$ β phase remained. This carried across into both the low- and high cycle fatigue behavior; even small contents of 240 and 560 ppmwN caused reductions in both low cycle fatigue life and high cycle fatigue strength. In samples containing 240 and 560 ppmwN, a conventional striated fractographic appearance was observed, but a dramatic change to a macroscopically brittle fracture surface was observed at 1800 and 3600 ppmwN, but still with substantial evidence of plasticity at the microscale. Therefore, neither microstructure or fractographic examination, nor EDX-based compositional analysis in the electron microscope are necessarily a reliable indicator of an absence of deleterious nitrogen contamination. This is significant for the investigation of potentially nitrogen-contaminated surface-initiated cracks, either due to service or processing exposures.

Seasonal Groundwater Quality Status and Nitrogen Contamination in the Shallow Aquifer System of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

: The increasing concentration of nitrogen compounds in the groundwater is of a growing concern in terms of human health and groundwater quality. Although an excess of nitrogen compounds in the groundwater of the Kathmandu Valley has been reported, the seasonal variations of the fate of the nitrogen compounds and their relationships to the subsurface sediments are unknown. In this study, spatially distributed shallow dug well samples were collected during both the dry and wet seasons of 2016, and the nitrogen compound, chloride (Cl−), and iron (Fe2+) concentrations were analyzed. Two shallow dug wells and one deep tube well were monitored monthly for 2 years. Although NH4-N concentrations were similar in the clay-dominated areas during both seasons (1 and 0.9 mg-N/L), they were lower in the gravel-dominated areas during wet season (1.8 > 0.6 mg-N/L). The NO3-N concentration differed depending upon the soil type which increased during the wet season (clay 4.9 < 13.6 mg-N/L and gravel 2.5 < 6.8 mg-N/L). The Fe2+ concentration, however, was low during the wet season (clay 2.7 > 0.4 mg/L and gravel 2.8 > 0.3 mg/L). Long-term analysis showed higher fluctuation of nitrogen compounds in the gravel-bearing areas than in the clay-bearing areas.

Recent Development in Ammonia Stripping Process for Industrial Wastewater Treatment

It is noteworthy to highlight that ammonia nitrogen contamination in wastewater has been reported to pose a great threat to the environment. This conventional method of remediating ammonia nitrogen contamination in wastewater applies the packed bed tower technology. Nevertheless, this technology appears to pose several application issues. Over the years, researchers have tested various types of ammonia stripping process to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional ammonia stripping technology. Along this line, the present study highlights the recent development of ammonia stripping process for industrial wastewater treatment. In addition, this study reviews ammonia stripping application for varied types of industrial wastewater and several significant operating parameters. Furthermore, this paper discusses some issues related to the conventional ammonia stripper for industrial treatment application. Finally, this study explicates the future prospects of the ammonia stripping method. This review, hence, contributes by enhancing the ammonia stripping treatment efficiency and its application for industrial wastewater treatment.