Modeling spectral properties of transparent matrix composites containing core-shell nanoparticles

Optical properties of transparent matrix composites containing metal nanoparticles coated with an oxide shell were numerically simulated based on the Aden-Kerker theory applicable for concentric spheres. Using pentaerythritol tetranitrate composites (containing Al/Al2O3 nanoparticles) as an example, the linear scattering and absorption coefficients as well as the total reflectance and transmittance and collimated beam transmittance were shown to be determined by the sample thickness, the nanoparticle radius, the mass fraction of nanoparticles, and mass fraction of the oxide in the nanoparticles. An approach to determining the said parameters based on the comparison of the calculated spectral dependencies of the reflectance and transmittance with the experimental ones was suggested. The nanoparticle radius was determined with the minimum error (of about 2 – 3 %), while the nanoparticle mass fraction and oxide mass fraction were weak parameters determined with a 25 % error.

Algorithms and uncertainties for the determination of multispectral irradiance components and aerosol optical depth from a shipborne rotating shadowband radiometer

The 19-channel rotating shadowband radiometer GUVis-3511 built by Biospherical Instruments provides automated shipborne measurements of the direct, diffuse and global spectral irradiance components without a requirement for platform stabilization. Several direct sun products, including spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth, Ångström exponent and precipitable water, can be derived from these observations. The individual steps of the data analysis are described, and the different sources of uncertainty are discussed. The total uncertainty of the observed direct beam transmittances is estimated to be about 4 % for most channels within a 95 % confidence interval for shipborne operation. The calibration is identified as the dominating contribution to the total uncertainty. A comparison of direct beam transmittance with those obtained from a Cimel sunphotometer at a land site and a manually operated Microtops II sunphotometer on a ship is presented. Measurements deviate by less than 3 and 4 % on land and on ship, respectively, for most channels and in agreement with our previous uncertainty estimate. These numbers demonstrate that the instrument is well suited for shipborne operation, and the applied methods for motion correction work accurately. Based on spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth can be retrieved with an uncertainty of 0.02 for all channels within a 95 % confidence interval. The different methods to account for Rayleigh scattering and gas absorption in our scheme and in the Aerosol Robotic Network processing for Cimel sunphotometers lead to minor deviations. Relying on the cross calibration of the 940 nm water vapor channel with the Cimel sunphotometer, the column amount of precipitable water can be estimated with an uncertainty of ±0.034 cm.

Ship borne rotating shadow band radiometer observations for the determination of multi spectral irradiance components and direct sun products for aerosol

The 19 channel rotating shadow band radiometer GUVis-3511 built by Biospherical Instruments is introduced as an instrument which is able to provide automated ship borne measurements of the direct, diffuse and global spectral irradiance components without a requirement for stabilization. Several direct sun products, including spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth, Angström exponent, and precipitable water can be derived from these observations. The individual steps of the data analysis are described, and the different sources of uncertainty are discussed. The total uncertainty of the observed direct beam transmittances is estimated to be 4.24 % at 95 % CI for ship borne operation. The calibration is identified as the dominating contribution to the total uncertainty. A comparison of direct beam transmittance with those obtained from a Cimel sun photometer at a land site and a manually operated Microtops II sun photometer on a ship is presented, yielding relative deviations of less than 3 % and 4 % on land and on ship, respectively, for most channels and in agreement with our previous uncertainty estimate. These numbers demonstrate that the instrument is well suited for ship borne operation, and the applied methods for motion correction work accurately. Based on spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth at 510 nm can be retrieved with an uncertainty of 0.0032 for a 95 % CI. Only minor deviations occur due to the different methods used for estimating Rayleigh scattering and gas absorption optical depths, as implemented by AERONET and in our processing. Relying on the cross-calibration of the 940 nm water vapor channel with the Cimel sun photometer, the column amount of precipitable water has been estimated with an uncertainty of +−0.034 cm. More research is needed to estimate the accuracy of the instrument for low sun (solar zenith angles larger than 70°) and during periods with strong swell.

The Study of New Type of Double Metal Nanofluids Suspension Stability

This paper made two types metal nanoparticles whose laws of motion had bigger different into ethylene glycol became a new type of double metals nanofluids coolant, and through theoretical analysis and experimental observations to research the different of aggregation properties with single metal nanofluids coolant. Research results of theoretical analysis showed that particles motion laws were the important element of nanoparticle aggregation, because of differences in movement, as the same conditions, double metals nanoparticles had the advantage of aggregation number and equivalent diameter of poly group better than single metal nanoparticles. Experimental results showed that through light beam transmittance test, we knew that the transmitting light degree of homogeneity of double metal nanofluids coolant was better than single metal nanofluids coolants; through contrast TME photos, we got nanoparticle aggregation state of three types of metal nanoparticles, and knew the otherness of nanoparticle aggregation state between double metal nanoparticles and Cu nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles. This paper provides a scientific attempt to solve nanoparticles aggregation.