Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Knowledge of the grades of valuable elements and their variation is rarely sufficient for geometallurgy. Minerals define not only the value of the deposit, but also the method of extraction and concentration. A number of methods for obtaining mineral grades were evaluated with a focus on geometallurgical applicability, precision and trueness. For geometallurgical program, the number of samples to be analyzed is huge, therefore a method for obtaining mineral grades needs to be cost-efficient, relatively fast, and reliable. Scanning electron microscopy based automated mineralogy is generally regarded as the most reliable method for analyzing mineral grades. However, the method is time demanding and expensive. Quantitative X-ray diffraction has a relatively high detection limit, 0.5%, while the method is not suitable for some base and precious metal ores, but still provides significant details on gangue mineral grades. The usage of the element to mineral conversion has been limited to simple mineralogy because the number of minerals is limited by the number of elements analyzed. This study investigates a new method for the estimation of mineral grades applicable for geometallurgy by combining both quantitative X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement and the element to mineral conversion method. The proposed method not only delivers the required turnover for geometallurgy, but also overcomes the shortcomings if XRD or EMC is used alone.

In the case of a severe reactor accident, knowledge of the coolant level and the state of the core, including the progress of a possible core melt, would be of crucial interest. In such a scenario, the in-core instrumentation will most likely not be available. In this work, we explore the possibility of using the ex-core neutron detectors to gain information about the state of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) inventory for a light water reactor. These detectors, which are typically implemented as ionization chambers, are located inside the biological shield and might still be operational during a severe accident. Stationary Monte Carlo calculations using the radiation transport code MCNP were performed to simulate the transport of neutrons outside the RPV and the reactions of the ionization chambers. These detector signals are computed for different model reactor states which might occur during a severe accident with core meltdown. The reactor model is based on data from a typical German Pressurized Water Reactor.
The results indicate that a change in coolant level should be detectable. Due to the core’s neutron self-shielding, deformations in the inner core region, such as the formation of a cavity, do not yield different signal rates in the ex-core neutron chambers. Changes not confined to the centre of the core, such as the relocation of corium into the lower head, re detectable by their change in the ionization chambers’ reaction rates.

The success future continuous wave (CW) linear accelerators (LINAC) depend strongly on the development of appropriate sources. Thus, high brightness electron injectors for CW operation with megahertz pulse repetition rates and high bunch charges up to 1 nC are a hot topic of contemporary accelerator research and development. Present state-of-the-art CW photo electron sources are limited to a medium acceleration field; DC guns because of high-voltage discharge and normal conducting RF (NCRF) guns because of the dissipated power that scales with the square of the surface magnetic field (P~H²). Thus, in both cases the beam quality as well as the maximum extractable bunch charge is limited.
To get rid of these limitations the SRF gun concept is merging the well-established NCRF gun technology with the superconductivity. The resulting saving on dissipated power allows comparable high acceleration fields in continuous wave operation and thus high brightness and high average current at the same time. The talk will concentrate on the most advance electron source of this kind, the ELBE 3.5 cell SRF gun of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. Beside a historical classification and an overview on different design concepts, recent results as well as future challenges are discussed.

The Aeroball measurement system (AMS) is an important in-core instrumentation in German pressurized water reactors. Therefore it is essential to know the possible uncertainties of this system. One is the lack of knowledge of the positions of balls in the guide tubes. The position changes can be up to 7 mm. Since the neutron flux distribution is not constant across the guide tubes, different reaction rates can result from the displacements. Both fuel assembly and full core calculations were carried out with the Monte Carlo code MCNP5. Differences in the reaction rates of up to 2% could be determined. In the most cases, differences are only up to 0.5%. The results were hardly influenced by burnup and boron concentration in the water moderator. For fuel assemblies containing gadolinium as a burnable poison a more pronounced reduction could be observed in the direction towards the gadolinium fuel rods. Overall it was found that the AMS measurement values are very robust with regard to possible variations of ball positions.

Argillaceous rock is one option for hosting radioactive waste repositories in deep geological formations in Germany. Furthermore, clays are considered as backfill material in a variety of nuclear repository types. While South German clay deposits have ionic strengths below 0.5 mol kg^-1, the ionic strengths found in North German clay deposits can be as high as 4.5 mol kg^-1. Radionuclide retention by clays at such high ionic strengths is rarely investigated and therefore dealt with in the present work.
Montmorillonite serves as model clay in uranium sorption experiments. NaCl is used as background electrolyte. The sorption data generated in the experiments are then processed with surface complexation models to generate thermodynamic formation constants.

Underground, low-background accelerator-based experiments are an important tool to study nu- clear reactions directly at energies relevant for astrophysical processes. This technique has been developed and proven at the 0.4 MV LUNA accelerator in the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, shielded from cosmic rays by 1400 m of rock. However, the nuclear reactions of helium and car- bon burning and the neutron source reactions for the astrophysical s-process require higher beam energies. The same is true for the study of solar fusion reactions. Therefore, the NuPECC long range plan for nuclear physics in Europe strongly recommends the installation of one or more higher-energy underground accelerators.
Detailed background studies have shown that the Felsenkeller shallow-underground laboratory in Dresden, with a rock overburden of 45 m, has very low background in γ -ray detectors typical for nuclear astrophysics experiments when an additional active shield is used to veto the remaining muon flux.
A used 5 MV pelletron tandem with 250 μ A upcharge current and external sputter ion source is currently being refurbished for installation in Felsenkeller. Work on an additional radio-frequency ion source on the high voltage terminal is underway. The project is fully funded, and the installa- tion of the accelerator in the Felsenkeller laboratory is expected for the near future.

Today computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is widely used in industrial companies, research institutes and technical safety organizations to supplement the design and analysis of diverse technical components and large systems. Such numerical programs are applied to better understand complex fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena. In the last decades there is an increasing interest in the nuclear community to utilize such advanced programs for the evaluation of different nuclear reactor safety issues, where traditional analysis tools show deficiencies. Within the FP7 European project THINS (Thermal Hydraulics of Innovative Nuclear Systems), CFD and coupled 1D-3D thermal–hydraulic simulations are being carried out. These are dedicated to the analysis of the thermal–hydraulics of gas, liquid metal and supercritical water cooled reactors. Such concepts utilize innovative fluids, which have different properties from the ones used in the current nuclear reactors. In order to improve the thermal–hydraulic predictions of their behavior, CFD development, application and validation activities are performed within THINS. This overview paper highlights some of the CFD related work within the European project.

The effect of the radial position on the main transition velocities in bubble columns has not been reported in the literature hitherto. In this work, the information entropies IE were extracted in a new way from local gas holdup fluctuations measured by a wire-mesh sensor at different radial positions in both small (0.15 m in ID) and large (0.4 m in ID) bubble columns. On the basis of well-defined local minima in the IE profiles, the transition velocities Utrans at the different radial positions were identified successfully. It was found that in the small column the first transition velocity Utrans,1 (corresponding to the end of the gas maldistribution regime) was somewhat lower in the center of the column as compared to the wall. In the large column, the Utrans,1 value in the center was somewhat higher than the one at the wall. The second transition velocity Utrans,2 (corresponding to the onset of the churn-turbulent regime) in the small column was slightly higher at the core of the column. In the large column, the Utrans,2 value was changing constantly from UG=0.089 m/s to 0.101 m/s and vice versa. The IE results showed that only at the fifth radial position in the small column and at the third and fourth radial positions in the large column there was a division of the transition regime into first and second transition sub-regimes.

Ion beam therapy promises enhanced tumour coverage compared to conventional radiotherapy, but particle range uncertainties significantly blunt the achievable precision. Experimental tools for range verification in real-time are not yet available in clinical routine. The prompt gamma ray timing method has been recently proposed as an alternative to collimated imaging systems. The detection times of prompt gamma rays encode essential information about the depth-dose profile thanks to the measurable transit time of ions through matter. In a collaboration between OncoRay, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf and IBA, the first test at a clinical proton accelerator (Westdeutsches Protonentherapiezentrum Essen, Germany) with several detectors and phantoms is performed. The robustness of the method against background and stability of the beam bunch time profile is explored, and the bunch time spread is characterized for different proton energies. For a beam spot with hundred million protons and a single detector, range differences of five millimetres in defined heterogeneous targets are identified by numerical comparison of the spectrum shape. For higher statistics, range shifts down to two millimetres are detectable. A proton bunch monitor, higher detector throughput and quantitative range retrieval are the upcoming steps towards a clinically applicable prototype. In conclusion, the experimental results highlight the prospects of this straightforward verification method at a clinical pencil beam and settle this novel approach as a promising alternative in the field of in vivo dosimetry.

Des simulations numériques de l’écoulement à bulles dans un mélangeur Kenic ont été effectuées par ANSYS-CFX.14 en utilisant le modèle eulérien à deux fluides mono-dispersés. Une prédiction fiable de la structure de l'écoulement et le comportement des bulles à l'intérieur des éléments du mélangeur est l'objectif de ce travail. Le modèle résout les équations de Reynolds Navier- Stocks en régime stationnaire à trois dimensions pour la phase liquide et gazeuse. Le modèle de la turbulence SST a été considéré pour traiter l'aspect turbulent de l'écoulement. Un nouveau terme source dans les équations de la turbulence permet de considérer l'influence des bulles sur le champ turbulent de l'écoulement. Ce nouveau terme a été développé et validé précédemment pour deux cas simples d’écoulement en conduite et d’une colonne à bulles. Les résultats de la simulation sont comparés aux mesures expérimentales obtenues par la technique de tomographie à rayons X. Les paramètres les plus sensibles du modèle ont été identifiés dans cette étude. La distribution de l’air présente une agglomération importante des bulles au niveau du dernier segment du mélangeur indépendamment de la taille des bulles. Cependant on ne dispose pas de mesures de la fraction volumique d’air au niveau de cette position. Une recommandation pour investiguer expérimentalement cette région et d'autres perspectives on été dégagées dans cette étude.

The method for predicting countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) and its uncertainty in an actual pressurizer surge line of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) using 1/10-scale air–water experimental data, one-dimensional (1D) computations, and three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations was proposed. As one step of the prediction method, 3D numerical simulations were carried out for countercurrent air–water flows in a 1/10-scale model of the pressurizer surge line to evaluate capability of the 3D simulation method and decide uncertainty of CCFL characteristics evaluated for the 1/10-scale model. The model consisted of a vertical pipe, a vertical elbow, and a slightly inclined pipe with elbows. In the actual 1/10-scale experiment, air supplied into the lower tank flowed upward to the upper tank and water supplied into the upper tank gravitationally flowed downward to the lower tank through the pressurizer surge line. In the 3D simulation, however, water was supplied from the wall surface of the vertical pipe to avoid effects of flooding at the upper end (the 3D simulation largely underestimated falling water flow rates at the upper end). Then, the flow pattern in the slightly inclined pipe was successfully reproduced, and the simulated CCFL values for the inclination angle of θ = 0.6 deg (slope of 1/100) agreed well with the experimental CCFL data. The uncertainty among air–water experiments, 1D computations, and 3D simulations for the 1/10-scale model was dC = +- 0.015 for the CCFL constant of C = 0.50. The effects of θ (θ = 0; 1.0 deg) on CCFL characteristics were simulated and discussed.

The Opalinus clay layer of the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (Switzerland) is one potential host rock tested for nuclear waste disposal [1]. Bacteria indigenous to such subterranean environments can affect the speciation and hence the mobility of actinides [2]. Thus various investigations [3-7] documented the manifold impact of bacteria on the speciation of plutonium.
Recently, we studied the interaction between Pu and Sporomusa sp. MT-2.99 cells at pH 6.1 with and without adding an electron donor (10 mM Na-pyruvate). This bacterium was isolated from Mont Terri Opalinus clay core samples. At pH 6.1, a moderate to strong impact of Sporomusa sp. cells on the Pu speciation was observed. In contrast to the electron donor free experiments, a clear enrichment of Pu(III) in the biomass (bioreduction) was observed in the presence of 10 mM Na-pyruvate. However, more information is necessary to understand the Pu interaction mechanism in the electron donor free experiments, i.e. the influence of biomass on the reduction of Pu(VI) in the biomass suspensions. In the present study, our focus lies on an improved understanding of the pH-dependent Pu redox chemistry in 0.1 M NaClO4 with and without Sporomusa sp. MT-2.99 cells. The pH range was extended to 3, 4, and 7.
The time-dependent Pu concentrations measured in the supernatants were successfully fitted with bi-exponential decay functions and the time-dependent Pu oxidation state distributions by using mono-exponential decay or growth functions. Redox potential measurements indicated that the cells generated reducing conditions. This ability is pH-dependent. A clear pH influence on both the amount of accumulated Pu and on the interaction process with the biomass could be proven.

Acknowledgement
The authors thank the BMWi for financial support (contract no.: 02E10618 and 02E10971), Velina Bachvarova and Sonja Selenska-Pobell for isolation and Monika Dudek for cultivation of the strain, as well as the BGR for providing the clay samples.

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Contrary to popular opinion we have to accept that not every significant enrichment of rare-earth-elements (REE) in the earth’s crust is economically and ecologically exploitable. Deposits of heavy rare earth elements are of particular interest. A further critical point is the knowledge in which phases the elements of interest, ecotoxical as well as deleterious elements are concentrated. This information must be complemented by the determination of grain size and possible intergrowths of mineral phases. These are typical geometallurgical analytical tasks routinely performed by methods of automated mineralogy, like MLA or QEMSCAN. The newly established High-Speed PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) set-up at HZDR combines the capabilities of electron beam based devices with fast determination of trace elements. On the basis of qualitative studies of the distribution of REE in REE-mineralizations as well as in different REE-minerals like bastnaesite, monazite and xenotim we will prove the importance of this innovative concept for geometallurgical research.

How does a protein respond to infrared excitation? Our aim was to induce a specific non-thermal conformational change of a protein by infrared laser excitation. The fluorescence intensity of an intrinsically fluorescent protein, LSS-mOrange was monitored upon irradiation with a free electron laser at two of its IR absorption peaks (11.36/9.56 microns) and at a wavelength (9.06 microns) where the protein has no absorption. The irradiation at the absorption peaks caused a reversible fluorescence intensity increase on the sec-min timescale.

In the framework of a research project concerning the brittle fracture resistance of “old” civil steel structures, mechanical and fracture mechanics parameters are determined on specimens from such structural steels. The specimens were sampled from steel structures erected between the years 1904 and 1930. The main focus was on fracture toughness testing according to the Master Curve (MC) approach according to the test standard ASTM E1921. Except one steel all fracture toughness values followed the Master Curve description and gave valid T0 values. The dataset was characterised as inhomogeneous and the MC based evaluation approaches of the SINTAP procedure characterising the brittle fraction of a dataset had to be applied.

Reactor pressure vessel (RPV) multilayer welding seams welded by submerged arc welding show an inhomogeneous welding bead structure. It raises concern whether evaluation of non-uniform material is not amenable to the statistical analysis methods on which the Master Curve approach is based. Particularly with regard to weld metal it can be expected that the cleavage fracture toughness is strongly influenced by the orientation of the Charpy size SE(B) specimen. The T L oriented SE(B) specimen (axis axial and crack propagation in circumferential direction) comprises of various welding beads along the crack front whereas in a L S specimen (axis axial and crack propagation through the thickness) the crack tip is located in one welding bead with an approximately uniform structure.
The paper summarises fracture toughness results measured on welding seams of decommissioned and non-commissioned RPVs of WWER type nuclear reactors and the non-commissioned Biblis-C RPV. Specimens of T L and T S orientation were tested. The results show, that in general the cleavage fracture toughness values, KJc-1T, follow the Master Curve description. However, the number of KJc-1T data outside the 2% and 98% tolerance bounds are more than predicted by the underlying model, which indicates non-uniform material.
There is a large variation in the evaluated through thickness T0 values of the investigated multilayer beltline welding seams. Within the sampling range of the surveillance specimens, T0 values vary with a span of 30 to about 60 K depending on the applied welding technology. The fracture toughness strongly depends on the intrinsic weld bead structure. Hence, the position of the fatigue crack tip of the pre-cracked SE(B) specimen at the multilayer welding seam is crucial and defines the cleavage fracture toughness. Modified Master Curve based evaluation procedures like the MC based approach of the SINTAP procedure were applied to get fracture toughness values which are representative for the most brittle fraction the test series.
Despite of the pronounced non-homogeneity of the micro-structure along the crack front of T L specimens, crack initiation sites are randomly distributed along the crack front. This means that one of the basic assumptions in ASTM E1921, i.e. the uniform distribution of initiation sites, is fulfilled also for the T L specimens from the multilayer weld metal.

Geometallurgy is an emerging field of research that has the aim to quantify compositional variability of ores contained in a deposit. Relevant parameter spaces to be considered include geochemistry, mineralogy, metal deportment and microfabric. These quantitative parameters need to be integrated with macroscopic geological and technical characteristics to define so-called geometallurgical domains, i.e., portions of an ore body that will exhibit similar beneficiation characteristics. This knowledge may then be used to optimize mining schedules and beneficiation routes, to optimize resource and energy efficiency, to maximize product quality and to minimize environmental impact. The value of developing a geometallurgical model is obvious for ore bodies that are either complex and/or of low grade. Important examples include PGE and Au deposits as well polymetallic base metal deposits. In accordance there are a number of case studies for such ore deposit types readily available in literature.

Iron ore deposits are, at least at first sight, not at all complex. In the last four decades very few deposit types have dominated the global supply of iron ore. High-grade iron ore deposits hosted by Precambrian iron formations clearly dominate, as these are often able to produce a direct shipping lump ore (DSO with > 60 wt%) Fe by simple crushing, screening and desliming. In fact, these deposits form the world’s largest virtually monomineralic ore bodies, not uncommonly reaching billions of tons of ore in size. Other deposit types that contribute significantly to the worlds iron ore supply are metamorphosed iron formation deposits (often referred to as taconites), Kiruna-type magnetite-apatite deposits and Robe River-type deposits. Magnetite deposits hosted by mafic/ultramafic intrusive complexes are increasingly gaining economic significance. Common to these deposit types are high concentrations of iron (≥ 50 wt.% Fe, but note that taconite only contains about 35 wt. % Fe) and uniform ore mineralogy, with only hematite, magnetite, and goethite of any significance.

The question thus arises what value geometallurgy may add to the utilization of iron ore deposits. In fact, a number of tangible benefits are being realized by taking this approach. Ore bodies that do not produce DSO require grinding followed by magnetic separation and/or flotation. Pellets need to be produced from the concentrate in order to have a saleable product. To assure that stringent quality requirements by the customer steel mills are being met consistently requires detailed knowledge of ore and gangue mineralogy – and its spatial variability across the ore body. Variations in gangue mineralogy, in particular, will determine concentrations of deleterious elements (Si, Ti, Al, P, S and alkali elments), whereas ore mineralogy will determine the suitability of beneficiation unit operations. Even if mineral assemblages remain uniform, relative proportions and microfabric relations (e.g., mineral grain sizes, intergrowth) will determine comminution and liberation characteristics, thus determining comminution energy requirements.

In the far-field of a repository, complexation with dissolved humic matter can be crucial in controlling the mobility of actinides in case of their release [1, 2]. For transport modeling, all interactions in the system metal / humic substance / solid surface are presumed to be dynamic equilibrium processes where association and dissociation run permanently. For metal-humic complexes, however, there are indications of a growing resistance to dissociation over time [3-7]. It is thus questionable whether full reversibility is actually given for this interaction. So far, the existence of a dynamic equilibrium has never been proven. In this study, the isotope exchange principle was employed to gain direct insight into the inner dynamics of the complexation equilibrium, including kinetic stabilization phenomena.

Purified humic acids were contacted with terbium(III) as an analogue of trivalent actinides. The systems contained the radioisotope ¹⁶⁰Tb at a very small amount, whereas concentrations of non-radioactive ¹⁵⁹Tb were varied at a high level, covering a binding isotherm up to the state of saturation. Owing to the high metal loads, flocculation of humic colloids generates a solid-liquid system where adsorbed amounts of ¹⁶⁰Tb can be determined by radiometric analysis of the supernatant. ¹⁵⁹Tb and ¹⁶⁰Tb were introduced simultaneously or consecutively (¹⁵⁹Tb followed by ¹⁶⁰Tb or vice versa). Contact times with both isotopes were varied within a range of 3 months.

In a first series of experiments, ¹⁶⁰Tb was contacted with humic acid that had been pre-equilibrated with ¹⁵⁹Tb at a range of concentrations.
Adsorbed amounts of ¹⁶⁰Tb were found to be equal to those obtained if both isotopes were introduced at the same time, i.e., the radioisotope represented the solid-liquid distribution of total Tb throughout the binding isotherm, including the plateau region where all available binding sites are occupied. Obviously, there is a permanent exchange of free and humic-bound Tb – evidence of a dynamic equilibrium. The rate of exchange was very high, regardless of how long ¹⁵⁹Tb and humic acid had been in contact prior to the addition of ¹⁶⁰Tb. There were no indications of stabilization processes.

Completely different results were obtained if the small amount of ¹⁶⁰Tb (strictly, [¹⁶⁰Tb]Tb) was added first, followed by saturation with non-radioactive ¹⁵⁹Tb. For representing the solid-liquid distribution of total Tb in a dynamic equilibrium, the radioisotope was expected to be partly desorbed since the bound fraction of total Tb is lower in the plateau region of the binding isotherm. Desorption occurred in fact, but at much lower rates than those observed for the equilibration process in the reverse procedure. Moreover, the rates proved to be dependent on the time of pre-equilibration with ¹⁶⁰Tb (increasing hindrance of desorption). The existence of kinetic stabilization processes was thus substantiated. Evidently, they are confined to the most reactive sites, occupied by the radiolabeled fraction of Tb.

Fitting the time-dependent course of isotope exchange according to first-order kinetics was only successful if at least two components with different rate constants were assumed, suggesting that the very small fraction of sites occupied by [¹⁶⁰Tb]Tb (~ 1/10^6) is still only partly affected by the slow exchange kinetics (~ 1/3 slow component).
Nonetheless, this is of relevance since just such extremely low metal loads are to be considered. Extrapolating the fits indicates that it takes up to 2 years until equilibrium is attained. This is, however, a short period compared to the time scale to be covered in predictive transport models. Very low flow velocities must be taken into account.
Therefore, metal exchange between humic carriers and mineral surfaces cannot be neglected, notwithstanding the observed stabilization process since complexation is not restricted in its reversibility.

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One-dimensional (1D) sensitivity computations were carried out for air-water countercurrent flows in a 1/15-scale model of the hot leg and a 1/10-scale model of the pressurizer surge line in a pressurized water reactor to generalize the prediction method for countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) characteristics in slightly inclined pipes with elbows. In the 1D model, the wall friction coefficient fwG of single-phase gas flows was used. The interfacial drag coefficient of fi = 0.03, an appropriate adjustment factor of NwL = 6 for the wall friction coefficient fwL of single-phase liquid flows (NwG = 1 for fwG of single-phase gas flows) and an appropriate adjustment factor of Nde = 6 for the pressure loss coefficient ζe of elbows in single-phase flows were determined to give good agreement between the computed and measured CCFL characteristics. The adjusted factors were used to compute and then discuss effects of the inclination angle and diameter on CCFL characteristics.

Rare earth element (REE) recycling remains low at 1%, despite significant uncertainties related to future supply and demand and EU 2020 energy efficiency objectives. We use a global production network framework of REE flows from mine to REE phosphors in energy-efficient lamps to illustrate the potential of closed-loop recycling for secondary supply under different scenarios of primary supply and forecasted demand for LEDs, CFLs and LFLs. We find that different End-of-Life Recycling Rate scenarios for REE secondary supply range between meeting forecasted REE demand and filling primary supply gaps, and competing with primary supply. Our argument centres on diversifying REE sourcing with recycling and the choice between primary and secondary supply. We stress that secondary REE phosphor supply requires further policy support for lamp collection and a discussion of the value of REE phosphor recycling which underlies its economic feasibility.

Renewable energy technologies are indispensable in order to limit the CO2 emissions while the worldwide energy demand is steadily growing. Efficient energy storage systems will be required for renewable energy sources which are not available continuously, e.g. wind and solar energy. Chemical energy storage in the form of hydrogen offers a very high energy density in contrast to other systems such as thermal or mechanical energy storage and is therefore one of the most promising candidates for a long-term energy storage. An important technique to convert electric energy from a wind turbine or solar panel into chemical energy is the electrolysis of water, where hydrogen and oxygen gas is generated. However, low efficiencies of about 60 % for typical water electrolyzers are a significant drawback of this technique (Pletcher and Li (2011)). These low efficiencies are partly the result of hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles, which evolve at the electrodes of the electrolyzer and reduce its free area available for the chemical reaction and increase the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte. Therefore, the efficiency of water electrolysis can be improved by an accelerated removal of the hydrogen gas bubbles from the electrode surface (Fern ́ andez et al (2014), Koza et al (2011)). One method that has been found to be effective in this regard is the use of forced convection.
Forced convection can be generated by simple stirring or more elegantly by body forces. A method that has been a subject of recent studies is the application of magnetic fields (Koza et al (2011), Monzon and Coey (2014), Weier and Landgraf (2013)). The superposition of a magnetic field with the electric field, which is is already present during the electrolysis of water, gives rise to body forces acting directly in the electrolyte, i.e. the so-called Lorentz force. The Lorentz force has its largest value at the wall and decreases exponentially with the distance from the electrode. The advantage of this force distribution is the large shear generated directly in the vicinity of the wall. Due to the viscosity of the fluid also the bulk flow is strongly influenced. At present, there have been only few experimental studies on the effect of Lorentz forces on bubble growth and on the fluid dynamics of the two-phase flow at gas-evolving electrodes (Weier and Landgraf (2013)).
Especially the characterization of the near-wall region is essential to understand the influence of the strong shear on the bubble detachment and the interaction of the bubble driven and Lorentz force driven flow.
In order to investigate both the near-wall and the bulk flow, experiments with advanced measuring and evaluation techniques have been carried out in an undivided electrolysis cell with and without the application of magnetic fields. Bubble trajectories and the velocity field of the surrounding electrolyte were measured simultaneously for this purpose. Fluorescent tracer particles and a laser light illumination were used to measure fluid velocities in the electrolyte. A background illumination with a different wavelength was used to measure the size and trajectory of bubbles by means of shadowgraphy. Bubble shadow and tracer particle images were captured simultaneously by two sCMOS cameras with two different wavelength filters to separate both signals. Fluid velocities were evaluated using particle image velocimetry (PIV) as well as particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). It turned out that the PIV results obtained near the electrode, where high velocity gradients occur, were substantially biased as the result of the high void fraction and the associated light absorption in this region.
However, the knowledge of the near-wall fluid velocities and its gradients is essential as they influence the detachment of bubbles from the electrode. In contrast to correlation based evaluation methods as PIV, particle tracking techniques do not depend on the particle image intensity itself but on the ability to detect particles and track them correctly. For this reason, different image filters were applied to enhance the particle images for a more reliable particle detection. More importantly, a sophisticated tracking algorithm proposed by Ohmi and Li (2000) and adapted by Cierpka et al (2013) was used, which takes the similar movement of neighboring particles into account and thus helps to avoid spurious vectors resulting from particle images which were undetectable in one of two consecutive frames. This approach allows for more precise measurements closer to the electrode as exemplified in Fig.1a). This way, the influence of Lorentz forces on the near-wall velocity distribution was investigated. It will be shown in the final paper that Lorentz forces lead to a significant acceleration close the electrode, especially for higher electric current densities (see Fig.1b)). In addition to the velocity fields, the bubble trajectories were of interest. Therefore, multiple image filters were applied on the bubble shadow images to obtain discernible bubble images. A simple PTV algorithm was used to determine the size and trajectory of bubbles. It will be shown that most of the large rising bubbles have path oscillations and can have a significant impact on the near-wall fluid velocities and mass transfer to the electrode.
The full article will give detailed information on how to extract proper data for the presented experiment with the help of the aforementioned tracking algorithm and will discuss the limits of this approach. The velocity fields obtained with PTV will be compared to those determined with PIV for different current densities with and without the application of Lorentz forces. Moreover, the size and trajectrories of bubbles with path oscillations and their impact on the velocity field and velocity fluctuations will be shown for some exemplary cases.

Uranium as a major component in nuclear waste can form various mineral phases in mainly two oxidation states: +IV and +VI. For the modelling of different chemical aspects of a nuclear waste repository in salt rock, a thermodynamic database including Pitzer parameters for all relevant aqueous species is necessary. The latest THEREDA (Thermodynamic Reference Database) data release (no. 9) enables the modelling of uranium species in high saline solutions. The amount of dissolved oxygen is an important parameter for the description of redox-sensitive systems like U(IV)/ U(VI) in aqueous solution, namely when geochemical speciation codes and associated thermodynamic databases directly use oxygen as reaction partner for redox reactions. The O₂ solubility’s in aqueous solutions according to the reaction O₂(g) ↔ O₂(aq) follows Henry’s law (Henry’s law constant K_H expressed in mol/kg·101.35 kPa). The respective constant as well as a new set of Pitzer parameters for the solubility in solutions of the oceanic salt system (Na, K, Mg, Ca / Cl, SO₄, HCO₃/CO₃ - H₂O(l)) was deduced from data sets collected by IUPAC.

This study aimed at in vivo visualization of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by optical imaging using a representative compound of a class of autofluorescent 2,3-diaryl-substituted indole-based selective COX-2 inhibitors (2,3-diaryl-indole coxibs). COX-2 was successfully visualized in mice models with phorbol myristate ester (TPA)-induced inflammation or bearing xenografted human melanoma cells by 2-[4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-indole (C1). COX-2 protein expression in both TPA-induced inflammatory sites and human melanoma xenografts was confirmed by immunoblotting. Control experiments using surrogate markers, sham injections, and non-COX-2 expressing melanoma cells further confirmed specificity of tissue association of C1. The merging of therapeutic and diagnostic properties of 2,3-diaryl-indole coxibs may widen the range of applications of COX-2-targeted treatment, e.g., for in situ-guided surgery and ex vivo diagnostics.

Proton and ion beam therapies become increasingly relevant in radiation therapy. To fully exploit the potential of this irradiation technique and to achieve maximum target volume conformality, the verification of particle ranges is highly desirable. Many research activities focus on the measurement of the spatial distributions of prompt gamma rays emitted during irradiation. A passively collimating knife-edge slit camera is a promising option to perform such measurements. In former publications, the feasibility of accurate detection of proton range shifts in homogeneous targets could be shown with such a camera. We present slit camera measurements of prompt gamma depth profiles in inhomogeneous targets. From real treatment plans and their underlying CTs, representative beam paths are selected and assembled as one-dimensional inhomogeneous targets built from tissue equivalent materials. These phantoms have been irradiated with monoenergetic proton pencil beams. The accuracy of range deviation estimation as well as the detectability of range shifts is investigated in different scenarios. In most cases, range deviations can be detected within less than 2 mm. In close vicinity to low-density regions, range detection is challenging. In particular, a minimum beam penetration depth of 7 mm beyond a cavity is required for reliable detection of a cavity filling with the present setup. Dedicated data post-processing methods may be capable of overcoming this limitation.

In mountainous areas, some naturally dammed lakes that have formed behind large landslides or glacier-derived debris can remain intact and trap large water bodies over hundreds to several thousands of years. Sudden failure of such natural dams, however, may trigger catastrophic outburst flooding with often substantial geomorphic consequences for downstream river reaches. In this context we investigate Pleistocene to Holocene lake-level fluctuations along the western outlet of the world’s second-largest mountain lake Issyk Kul in the northern Kyrgyz Tien Shan. Specifically, we explore whether the alternating phases of lake closure and external drainage, which was manifested by sedimentary deposits, bathymetric, and geochemical data, were associated with catastrophic outbursts or whether lake-level changes were solely driven by the longer-term effects of climate and basin hydrology. We compute exposure ages from cosmogenic ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al of three large (~4 m) boulders to constrain the timing of potential outburst floods at the outlet of the Boam Gorge where it leaves the mountain belt and debouches onto the Chu Basin, downstream of former spillways from Issyk Kul. We used boulder dimensions to constrain hydraulic palaeo-flood models based on flow competence analysis of different flood scenarios. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of one or more catastrophic lake outbursts, and compatible with palaeo-lake levels reconstructed from lacustrine sediment stacks upstream. We further report ¹⁰Be ages from six depth profiles on terraces at the outlet of the Boam Gorge and the Chon Kemin valley in order to put into context the potential geomorphic work of such outburst floods with the longer-term incision history of the gorge.

For the samples taken from the void region of the CZ silicon crystal grown with the same solidification condition and different thermal histories after the solidification, we measure the magnitude S of the elastic softening which is proportional to the concentration of the single vacancies [V], For these samples, we also measure the size distribution of the void density by using the infrared lightscattering tomography, to evaluate the concentration [Vc] of the vacancies consumed for the void formation. From these two experiments, we find a sum rale [Vc] + a S= C, where C depends only on the solidification condition and is independent of the thermal history after the solidification. This enables us to find the conservation rale of the vacancies [Vc] + [V] = C. The value of the proportionality constant a in the relation [V] = a S is determined. Demonstration of determining the absolute values of [V] from the measured S is given. An estimate is made for the value of the quadrupole-strain coupling constant.

High energy lasers are a unique tool to create high pressure states above 10 Mbar at ns time scales, which allow to study material properties under these extreme conditions. These conditions are, for example, comparable with planetary cores, where material properties play an important role for the properties and evolution of a planet. The rapid compression allows also to study dynamic effects of phase transitions as compression times are comparable to relaxation times. We will present recent results of laser compression of iron reaching conditions of so called “super-Earth” cores. A description of the compression schemes as well as present and future diagnostics is presented. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

An evaluation of the cone-shaped pickup performance as a part of the high bandwidth bunch arrival-time monitors (BAMs) for a low charge sub-10 fs arrival-time measurements is presented. Three sets of pickups are installed at the free electron laser FLASH at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, the quasi-cw SRF accelerator ELBE at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and the SwissFEL injector test facility at Paul Scherrer Institute. Measurements and simulations are in good agreement and the pickups fulfill the design specifications. Utilizing the high bandwidth BAM with the cone-shaped pickups, an improvement of the signal slope by a factor of 10 is demonstrated at ELBE compared to the BAM with a low bandwidth.

We present the dynamics of bulk electron heating and ionization in ultra-short relativistic laser plasmas interactions. In order to connect the plasma dynamics seen in simulations with experiments we also discuss the role of in-situ synthetic Scattering Images that mimic experimental diagnostics.

The photochemistry of a gold(I) thiocyanate complex has been investigated to determine the coordination structure in both the solid and liquid states. The coordination geometries of the supramolecular [Au(SCN)2]n complex and the concomitant exciplex have mainly been analyzed by crystallographic analysis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Au-S bond distance and Au···Au separation of the compound in the S0 ground state and in the T1 phosphorescent excited state (λex = 340 nm) were compared. Upon irradiation with UV light, the excimeric interactions were enhanced, resulting in a contraction of the AuI···AuI aurophilic distance by 0.0113(4) Å. A broad luminescence spectrum was observed for the one-dimensional chain suprastructure. The time-resolved luminescence spectra indicated the entity of several oligomeric species in the crude liquid without neutral solvent molecules. In addition, EXAFS spectroscopy exhibited a slight change in the nearest Au-S distance due to the photo-switched transformation. The deformation of the (Au---Au)* exciplexes was not apparently promoted in the liquid state with the asymmetrical imidazoium cations having a non-local charge distribution in the present observation.

In order to understand the separation mechanism of metals in chemical processes, the chemical species formed in the processes should be characterised particularly on a molecular level. Structural characterisation is of particular importance to understand the interaction between the metal of interest and separating reagents (i.e. ligands), which would be also beneficial to further improve the efficiency of separation processes and/or to develop new separation ligands. This talk will cover the application of X-ray-based characterisation techniques (single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)) to the separation chemistry of nuclear-related elements, such as actinides (An) or strontium (Sr).

Single crystals of congruently and incongruently melting oxides have been grown by the optical floating zone (OFZ) and traveling solvent floating zone techniques. Both relatively low-cost methods work especially well for oxides melting above the maximum operating temperature of conventional crucibles or that were previously impossible to grow due to crucible oxidation or reaction of the melt with the crucible material. For incongruently melting oxides, solvents with experimentally determined composition allow for creation of practical steady state conditions. This extends the range of materials that now can be crystallized in oxidizing, reducing, and neutral atmospheres and elevated pressure. Distribution of dopants is relatively uniform.

The important problems of zone stabilization and its dependence on the conditions applied are discussed from the experimental point of view. Basic characterization of the grown crystals and most characteristic defects is presented. An extensive list of oxide crystals grown by the OFZ method is included.

Floating zone crystal growth with radio frequency (RF) heating is an important technique for the preparation of single bulk crystals. The absence of any crucible is advantageous for the growth of single crystals of reactive materials with high melting points. The melt convection driven by the induction heating and the heat radiation from the surface leads usually to a solid–liquid interface being concave toward the solid phase outer rim. These concave parts inhibit the growth of single crystals over the whole cross-section. The concave solid–liquid interface can be prevented by a two-phase inductor that melts the material but also stirs it in a certain way. The basic design of this two-phase inductor is given, and its application for the growth of industrially relevant single crystals of RuAl and TiAl intermetallic compounds as well as interesting compounds for research such as antiferromagnetic Heusler MnSi compounds or biocompatible TiNb alloys is described.

The physical vapour deposition of transition metals with carbon leads to the formation of metal nano-clusters or nanocrystalline metallic carbides embedded in a carbon matrix. Interstitial carbides are very stable at high temperature, have high melting points and possess a high reflectivity. In contrast, carbon: transition metal nanocomposites can show optical selective properties such as good absorptance in the visible with high reflectance in the infrared. These properties make them very attractive for applications were high temperature resistant materials with selective optical properties are required.
In this study, Carbon: transition metal nanocomposites were grown using a physical vapour deposition system incorporating two pulsed filtered cathodic arc sources, one provided with a graphite cathode and the other with a metal cathode (Zr, V and Mo). The metal content in the composite was controlled by adjusting the ICarbon/IMetal pulse ration between the two sources, and determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA). Comprehensive structure characterization was carried out using a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Optical characterization has been done using both with ellipsometry and spectrophotometer measurements in order to obtain the optical constants and the reflectance spectra of the samples.
Together with experimental characterization, the computer program CODE is used to simulate the reflectance spectra of different carbon: transition metal films. Bruggeman effective medium theory was used to average the dielectric functions of the two components which compose the film. According to our simulations, the resulting reflectance of the nanocomposite films is strongly affected by the same metal content, independently if it results in metallic nano-clusters or nanocrystalline metallic carbides. Simulated spectra were compared with the measured reflectance of the deposited films obtaining good agreement between simulations and experimental results.

Environmental characterization of optical and structural properties of thin films continues to be a challenging task. To understand the failure mechanism in high temperature thin film applications, it is crucial to understand how material properties change with temperature. An accurate knowledge of the variation of the dielectric function of thin films and its relation to compositional and microstructural changes could help to prevent failures. This article presents an environmental in-situ characterization methodology that combines the study of the optical constants in an environmental chamber by spectroscopic ellipsometry, with compositional depth profile analysis using ion beam analysis techniques and a structure analysis by Raman spectroscopy. The main novelty of this methodology is that all analytical techniques are carried out sequentially in a multi-chamber cluster tool without sample exposure to undefined atmospheres. Carbon-titanium metal thin film had been studied following the described characterization methodology.

In the last decades thin film technology has led to a vast increase in the variety of fabricated magnetic nano- and microstructures with desired shape, size and properties. Usually flat substrates are used to grow structures. Recently, a study on magnetic thin films with perpendicular anisotropy on curved substrates, for instance on silica spheres [1], has shown that the film curvature enormously influences the magnetic properties. In contrast to structures on flat substrates those so-called magnetic caps exhibit a spatial change of the magnetic easy axis and a film thickness variation across the cap. These features extend the possibilities in tailoring the magnetic specifications such as the magnetic anisotropy [2,3] and coercivity [1,4] or magnetization reversal process [1,2,5]. This complex structure geometry, however, leads to difficulties in characterizing the magnetic properties of the caps using standard techniques: In the case of micrometer-sized structures magnetic imaging methods suffer, for example, from beam deflection or the huge structure height due to the surface curvature.
We will present our results on 4.5µm and 0.33µm sized magnetic caps consisting of [Co(0.28nm)/Pd(0.9nm)]x8-multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. First, we concentrate on the interior materials’ properties by studying the magnetic switching process of the cap in external fields and the spin dynamics. Second, the stray field is investigated, which determines the cap’s interaction with the environment.
The magnetization reversal in micron-sized caps has been studied by both, superconducting quantum interference device and magnetic force microscopy, for two distinct directions of an externally applied magnetic field: normal and parallel to the substrate surface. We observe clear deviations from curves measured for the flat film: The caps also show a hysteretic behavior with a very small coercivity of 150Oe in the field parallel to the substrate surface. In the normal field there is no abrupt switching as known from the flat film, but a continuous, two-step like reversal. The origin of the switching features is investigated with in-field and remanent MFM. We will present the magnetic reversal as a multi-step process across the different regions of the cap. In the parallel field two different nucleation processes during the magnetization switching have been observed: a ring nucleation, which is also mentioned in [2], and isolated domain nucleation.
The dynamic properties of the [Co/Pd]-caps have been investigated with ferromagnetic resonance. Due to the small particle size the use of conventional FMR setups does not allow single particle detection. Therefore we prepared micron sized resonators using electron beam lithography [6]. The angular dependence of the FMR modes is investigated. The results are compared with FMR measurements on geometrically similar permalloy caps with in-plane magnetic anisotropy.
The curvature-induced spatial modulation of the magnetic anisotropy further leads to a complicated stray field around the cap. So far, micromagnetic simulations [2] have been carried out to calculate the spin distribution giving rise to the stray field. Here we experimentally visualize the magnetic stray field of 0.33 µm particles by off-axis electron holography (figure 2, left). This technique provides access to the projected in-plane component of the magnetic induction by reconstructing the phase shift of the electron wave when passing through the magnetic stray field of the sample [7]. The projected stray field can be obtained by the gradual rotation of the cap. In contrast to standard measurements on flat samples, for magnetic caps the interpretation of the electron holograms is not straightforward since the stray field is not constant along the electron path. Therefore, we compare the experimentally obtained results with the outcome of micromagnetic simulations performed with the finite element based simulation software SpinFlow 3D (figure 2, right). The qualitative agreement proves the reliability of the simulation.

The microscopic interactions between atomic magnetic moments determine the macroscopic magnetic properties of matter. For strongly correlated magnetic systems the local spin configuration plays a key role. High relaxation times, however, make direct investigations of dynamic processes such as crystallization very difficult. Here, we present an artificial spin system of magnetic colloids, which are often discussed as potential mesoscopic model systems for condensed matter. The very low relaxation rates of interacting colloids enable the visualization of phase transitions or crystallization processes by video microscopy. The used colloids have a predened net magnetic moment, as analogue to the atomic spin. These micromagnets show a quasiantiferromagnetic interaction. They form two-dimensional hexagonal clusters with a spin configuration similar to the 120° antiferromagnetic Neel state in the cluster center and strong deviations along the edges. The cluster size emerged as critical parameter for the occurrence of spin defects. Dur-ing the cluster growth the total magnetization of the system increased in discrete steps. Further we obtained a linear increase of the inverse spin pair correlation for particles in the center. The influence of an external constant or uctuating magnetic field is investigated as control tool for cluster growth and defect formation.

Moderne Werkstoffe sind bei vielen Anwendungen extremenUmgebungsbedingungen ausgesetzt. Dazu zählen hohe und tiefe Temperaturen bzw. große Temperaturschwankungen, die teilweise in Verbindung mit korrosiven oder reaktiven Atmosphären oder hohen mechanischen Belastungen auftreten. Sie stellen hohe Anforderungen an die Beständigkeit und Stabilität der verwendeten Werkstoffe. Als Beispiele seien solarselektive Absorber, Komponenten des Antriebsstranges von Verbrennungsmotoren und Rotoren von Turboladern und Turbinen genannt. Die Gewährleistung der Werkstofffunktionalität über die gesamte Lebensdauer erfordert neue Konzepte der Analyse und Prüfung. Dazu wurde am 6MV Ionenbeschleuniger des HZDR mit Fördermitteln des Impuls- und Vernetzungsfonds des Präsidenten der HGF sowie des KFSI ein Cluster-Tool zur in situ Modifizierung und Analyse von Werkstoffen bei Temperaturen von bis zu 1000°C, unter korrosiven Atmosphären und mechanischem Verschleiß aufgebaut.
Kernbestandteil des Cluster-Tools ist eine zentrale Hochvakuum (HV)-Probenaufnahme- und Transferkammer. Diese ist mit weiteren HV-Kammern verbunden, in denen die sequentielle Probensynthese und -modifizierung, die Element- und Strukturanalytik und die optische Charakterisierung erfolgt, ohne das Vakuum zu brechen und die Werkstoffe undefinierten Umgebungsbedingungen auszusetzen. In allen Kammern besteht die Möglichkeit, in situ Heizexperimente bei Temperaturen von bis zu 1000°C durchzuführen. Die mit dem 6MV Tandem-Ionenbeschleuniger verbundene Kammer zur Ionenstrahlanalytik ermöglicht die Untersuchung der Elementzusammensetzung durch Rutherford Rückstreuung und Nuklearer Reaktionsanalyse. Die Schichtzusammensetzung kann bis in eine Tiefe von ca. 1μm auf bis zu 10 nm genau bestimmt werden. Bei Hochtemperaturuntersuchungen reduziert sich die Tiefenauflösung auf etwa 25 nm. Zur strukturellen Charakterisierung der Proben dient ein fasergekoppeltes Ramanspektrometer an der Analysenkammer des Cluster-Tools, dessen Probenkopf über eine Kamera auch die visuelle Beurteilung der Proben ermöglicht. Die Untersuchung der optischen Eigenschaften und deren Abhängigkeit von Temperatur und Atmosphäre erfolgt durch spektroskopische Ellipsometrie in einer Umweltkammer, in der korrosive Umgebungen simuliert werden können. Für 2015 ist die Installation eines in situ Tribometers in Vorbereitung, mit dem das Reib- und Verschleißverhalten von Werkstoffen unter definierten Atmosphären untersucht werden kann.
Zusammengefasst entsteht mit dem Cluster-Tool am 6 MV Ionenbeschleuniger des HZDR ein Messplatz zur umfassenden in situ Modifizierung und Analyse von Werkstoffen, mit Hilfe dessen komplexe Probenbehandlungsprotokolle unter extremen Umgebungsbedingungen bearbeitet werden können.

Recently, the fundamental and nanoscale understanding of complex phenomena in both, materials research and the life sciences, has witnessed considerable progress. However, elucidating the underlying complex mechanisms, often governed by disentangled degrees of freedom such as lattice, spin, orbit, charge for solids or conformation, electric potentials and ligands for proteins, has remained an experimental challenge. . Techniques that allow for distinguishing between different contributions to these processes by their spectral and/or temporal responses and/or by their characteristic lenght scales are hence urgently required.
In this paper we demonstrate the application of scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) as a novel nano-probe for tracking transient states of matter. We introduce a sideband-demodulation technique that allows for probing exclusively the stimuli-induced change of near-field optical properties. We exemplify this development by probing the transient decay of an electron-hole plasma generated in SiGe thin films through near-infrared laser pulses. This method can universally be applied to optically track ultrafast/-slow transient processes over the whole spectral range from UV to THz frequencies.

In recent years the potential of slow highly charged ions (HCI) as tools for nanostructuring purposes has received considerable attention and a wide range of material classes, from insulating ionic crystals, polymers and ultrathin films, to semiconducting and conducting substrates have been investigated regarding their response to individual HCI impact. For the majority of investigated materials, however, consistent theoretical modeling to supplement with experimental evidence and to satisfactorily explain the complete physical process from ion approach and impact to the formation of an individual nanostructure is still lacking. CaF2, from both an experimental and theoretical point of view, might be considered the most thoroughly investigated material. Combining results from numerous studies has allowed for the generation of a "phase diagram" for nanostructuring of CaF2 in dependence of ion beam parameters. This paves the way for a first unified picture, as implications from this phase diagram should be applicable to similar materials as well.

In-plane anisotropic ground states are ubiquitous in correlated solids such as pnictides1, cuprates2 and manganites3. They arise naturally from doping Mott insulators4 and compete with phases such as superconductivity5. However, strong coupling between lattice, charge, orbital and spin degrees of freedom results in simultaneous ordering of multiple parameters, masking the mechanism that drives the anisotropy6. We demonstrate that orbital domains in a manganite can be oriented by the polarization of an external pulsed THz light field. The THz control field non-resonantly couples to electrons, indicating that Coulomb interactions are the primary driving factor for the orbital order. Field control is explained by a simple Hubbard model that shows the force on the domain originates from the Coulomb interaction. Our results demonstrate the key role played by charge localization in driving orbital order in manganites and show how THz can be utilized in new ways to understand and manipulate anisotropic phases in a broad range of correlated materials.

We performed in-situ annealing investigations of 250 nm Fe60Al40 thin films. The magnetic properties of disorderd Fe60Al40 thin films change from the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state du to annealing. No conclusive discussion of that phase transtion as a function of the open volume defects exists in the literature. First results on the Fe60Al40 annealing driven magnetic phase transition between the ferromagnetic A1 phase and the paramagnetic B2 phase as a function of the open volume defects will be shown. The magnetization of the film after each annealing step indicates its progress reflecting chemical ordering of the alloy and dinishing of ferromagnetism [1]. Fig. 1 shows the temperature dependence of the positron annihilation spectorscopy (PAS) S-parameter indicating the open volume defects evolution during annealing. The defects are very stable with respect to annealing and do not directly relate to the change of magnetic properties. Our results indicate that Fe60Al40 could be a promising candidate for Hydrogen storage due to a large amount of stable defects. Through hybridisation the electronic structure can be modified, combined with a local lattice distortion. Hydrogen can therefore be viewed as a tool to modify the electronic structure, allowing tuning of the magnetic properties as a consequence.
For the in-situ annealing we have utilized a unique high vacuum system combining material evaporation and ion beam modification with positron annihilation spectroscopy. The system has been developed and installed in the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The system is capable to perform Doppler broadening spectroscopy as well as resistometry and provides a monoenergetic positron beam pre-accelerated in the range of 80 eV to 35 keV thus enabling sample depth profiling.

A unique high vacuum system combining material evaporation and ion beam modication with positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) has been developed and installed in the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The in-situ system is capable to perform Doppler broadening spectroscopy as well as resistometry (4 point probe). It is an end station of the Slow-Positron System of Rossendorf (SPONSOR) that provides a mono-energetic positron beam pre-accelerated in the range of 80 eV to 35 keV thus enabling sample depth proling. The main focus of studies is the in-situ modication (during growth, ion irradiation, cooling/annealing) and the analysis of open volume defects and the chemical environment in thin lms of, e.g., memristive oxides or metal alloys. First results on the FeAl ion irradiation/annealing driven magnetic phase transition between the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic state as a function of the open volume defects will be shown. The project is nanced by the Impuls- und Vernetzungsfonds of the Helmholtz Association (code VH-VI-442).

A unique high vacuum system combining material evaporation and ion beam modication with positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) has been developed and installed in the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The in-situ system is capable to perform Doppler broadening spectroscopy as well as resistometry (4 point probe). It is an end station of the Slow-Positron System of Rossendorf (SPONSOR) that provides a mono-energetic positron beam pre-accelerated in the range of 80 eV to 35 keV thus enabling sample depth proling. The main focus of studies is the in-situ modication (during growth, ion irradiation, cooling/annealing) and the analysis of open volume defects and the chemical environment in thin lms of, e.g., memristive oxides or metal alloys. First results on the FeAl ion irradiation/annealing driven magnetic phase transition between the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic state as a function of the open volume defects will be shown. The project is nanced by the Impuls- und Vernetzungsfonds of the Helmholtz Association (code VH-VI-442).

The impact of ship motion bubbly flow was emulated using as well simulator to expose flow structure changes emerging in bubble columns relevant to offshore floating applications. Roll, roll+pitch, yaw, heave and sway were implemented at various frequencies and changes in bubbly flow resulting from the imposed motions were monitored for the first time by means of a dual capacitance wire mesh sensor to measure local gas holdup and velocity. Visualizations of the two-phase flow revealed that roll, roll+pitch, and high-frequency sway were the most impactful in terms of bubble zigzag and swirl, and bubble-clustering and segregation due to vessel dynamic inclinations. As a consequence of the se motions, lateral migration of bubbles and their clustering enhanced liquid recirculation and local streamwise gas velocity. Compared to static vertical bubble column, bubbly flow pattern was barely altered by yaw and low-frequency sway except the heave displacements which tended to slow down the bubble rise.

Nanostructure formation by single impacts of slow highly charged ions can be associated with high density of electronic excitations at the impact points of the ions. Experimental results show that depending on the target material these electronic excitations may lead to very large desorption yields in the order of a few 1000 atoms per ion or the formation of nanohillocks at the impact site. Even in ultra-thin insulating membranes the formation of nanometer sized pores are observed after ion impact. In this paper we show recent results on nanostructure formation by highly charged ions and compare these to structures and single defects observed after intense electron and light ion irradiation on ionic crystals and Graphene. Additional data on energy loss, charge exchange and secondary electron emission of highly charged ions clearly show that the ion's charge state dominate the defect formation at the surface.

In laser wakefield electron acceleration a high intensity ultrashort laser pulse drives plasma density waves, inducing a high accelerating field gradient (~GV/m) which can accelerate electrons to high energies within a very short distance.
For the development of secondary radiation sources, the maximization of the bunch charge is important. For this reason we investigate the beam-loading effect at the self-injected highly nonlinear regime. Beam-loading deteriorates the accelerating field structure and limits the maximum bunch charge.
Supported by intensive Particle-in-Cell code simulations run on a GPU-cluster (using the PIConGPU code), we aim on developing a stable high peak current (hundreds of kA) electron source.

The adsorption of tetravalent thorium on the muscovite mica (001) basal plane was studied by resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity (RAXR), crystal truncation rods (CTR) and alpha spectrometry in the presence of perchlorate background electrolytes LiClO4, NaClO4, and KClO4 ([Th(IV)] = 0.1mM, I = 0.1 M or 0.01 M, pH = 3.3 ± 0.3). RAXR data show strong influence of the background electrolyte on the sorption behavior of the actinide. No significant Th adsorption was observed in 0.1 M NaClO4, i.e., the Th coverage θ(Th), the number of Th per unit cell area of the muscovite surface (AUC = 46.72 Ų), was ≤0.01 Th/AUC, whereas limited uptake (θ(Th) ~ 0.04 Th/AUC) was detected at a lower ionic strength (I = 0.01 M). These results are in stark contrast to the behavior of Th in 0.1 M NaCl which showed a coverage of 0.4 Th/AUC (Schmidt et al., 2012a). Th uptake was also influenced by the electrolyte cation. Weak adsorption was observed in 0.1M KClO4 (θ(Th) ~ 0.07 Th/AUC) similar to the results in NaClO4 at lower ionic strength. In contrast, strong adsorption was found in 0.1 M LiClO4 , with θ(Th) = 4.9 Th/AUC, a ~10-fold increase compared with that previously reported in NaCl. These differences are confirmed independently by alpha spectrometry, which shows no measurable coverage of Th in 0.1 M NaClO4 background in contrast to a large coverage of 1.6 Th/AUC in 0.1 M LiClO4. Alpha spectrometry cannot be obtained in situ, but sample preparation requires several washing steps that may affect Th(IV) sorption, RAXR, however, is considered to reflect the in situ sorption structure. The CTR/RAXR analyses show the sorption structure consisting of two types of broadly distributed Th species centered at 4.1 Å and 29 Å distance from the interface. Neither the very large distribution height of the second species nor the high coverage can be explained with (hydrated) ionic adsorption, suggesting that the enhanced uptake is presumably due to the formation and sorption of Th nanoparticles.

In laser wakefield electron acceleration a high intensity ultrashort laser pulse drives plasma density waves, inducing a high accelerating field gradient (~GV/m) which can accelerate electrons to high energies within a very short distance.
For the development of secondary radiation sources, the maximization of the bunch charge is important. For this reason we investigate the beam-loading effect at the self-injected highly nonlinear regime. Beam-loading deteriorates the accelerating field structure and limits the maximum bunch charge.

The detailed 3D calculation of a boron slug transient with neutronics/thermal hydraulics coupled systems has been a highly demanding and difficult exercise because of the trouble coupling with boron transport models. Within subproject 3 of the FP7 European Project NURISP, two neutron kinetics codes, COBAYA3 and DYN3D, coupled with the thermal hydraulics code FLICA4 in the NURESIM platform were employed to simulate boron dilution transients.
Three transients were defined in the project, involving increasing volumes of diluted water entering the core inlet, to test the adequacy of the coupling between the codes. This paper contains the results obtained with COBAYA3/FLICA4 and DYN3D/FLICA4 couplings for the PWR boron dilution benchmark defined. Additionally, results from the coupled codes DYN3D/FLOCAL are applied for further verification in some cases.
A thorough sensitivity study of the solutions accuracy to the time step and the axial mesh size was performed, and optimal options applicable to all three boron slugs were obtained. The results verify the applicability of the implemented couplings to this type of problems accurately, where peak powers reached can be very high during short periods after which the reactor stabilizes at a few per cent of the nominal power.

A tunable source of intense ultra-short hard X ray pulses represents a novel tool for the structural analysis of complex systems with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. At Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) we demonstrated the principle of such a light source (PHOENIX – Photon Electron collider for Narrow bandwidth Intense X-Rays) by colliding picosecond electron bunches from the ELBE linear accelerator with counter-propagating femtosecond laser pulses from the 150 TW Draco Ti:Sapphire laser system. The generated narrowband X rays are highly collimated and can be reliably adjusted by tuning the electron energy. A complete spectral characterization of this source is performed with high angular and energy resolution. These intensive studies provide predictive capability for the future high brightness hard X ray source PHOENIX and potential gamma-ray sources suited to an application.

While a piece of pure Copper on a ceramic substrate was inductively melted by 9 to 18 kHz AC magnetic field with axial magnetic DC field superimposed, the liquid metal stably semi-levitated in the expected “conical” free surface shape. The diameter of the liquid metal at the basis was 30 mm, the volume – more than 20 cm3. Replacing the ceramic substrate with a Glassy Carbon, which was not wetted by the molten Copper, caused instability of the semi-levitated Copper droplet. In the absence of the DC field severe chaotic instabilities of the liquid metal shape occurred, causing splashes and uncontrolled contact with crucible walls. When axial DC magnetic field with induction 0.35 T was superimposed the liquid metal droplet exhibited harmonic azimuthal wave deformation of the free surface. Higher frequencies lead to smaller characteristic wavelength. Transverse DC magnetic field direction suppressed the travelling wave deformations of the droplet shape. Stabilizing effect of the DC magnetic field during induction melting has been shown for axial, transverse and 45 degree direction magnetic field. These results experimentally demonstrate the possibilities to improve the stability of levitated metal volumes by superimposed DC magnetic field.

An overview on liquid metal modelling experiments is presented for the steel casting process. Particular attention is given to the recent developments on measuring techniques for liquid metal flows, including the perspectives for measurements in real steel melts.

A brief summary is given on measurements in metal melts developed at HZDR. Melt velocities can be measured by local electromagnetic probes, ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry and by the Contactless Inductive Flow Tomography (CIFT). The latter is fully contactless and offers a possibility for an online monitoring of the melt flow. We report on first test measurements with CIFT at Czochralski facilities for Si growth. Regarding the details of solidification and the occurrence of inclusions, we present results on X-ray visualizations of alloy solidification. They allowed to demonstrate for metal alloys the formation of freckles driven by the mesoscopic melt convection ahead of the solidification front. For the magnetic melt control we present results of model experiments on the reduction of buoyant temperature oscillations using a rotating magnetic field. Related studies were performed for cylindrical melt volumes and a Cz-like configuration. The melt flow in the float-zone process can be efficiently influenced by a so-called magnetic two-phase stirrer. Its principle and related growth results for intermetallic compounds will be presented.

Progress towards laser wakefield acceleration with external injection is presented.

A tunable source of intense ultra-short hard X ray pulses represents a novel tool for the structural analysis of complex systems with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. At Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) we demonstrated the principle of such a light source (PHOENIX – Photon Electron collider for Narrow bandwidth Intense X-Rays) by colliding picosecond electron bunches from the ELBE linear accelerator with counter-propagating femtosecond laser pulses from the 150 TW Draco Ti:Sapphire laser system. The generated narrowband X rays are highly collimated and can be reliably adjusted by tuning the electron energy. A complete spectral characterization of this source is performed with high angular and energy resolution. These intensive studies provide predictive capability for the future high brightness hard X ray source PHOENIX and potential gamma-ray sources suited to an application.

An overview on fluid dynamics research activities is given, including multiphase and magnetohydrodynamic flows and the related computational fluid dynamics.

The concept of laser-driven plasma-based electron acceleration is reviewed. This lecture will be started by description of plasmas and its characteristics then follows with electron injection and acceleration. In the end, recent progress in the field will be highlighted.

Research activities at HZDR on the measurement and magnetic field control of melt flows in crystal growth processes are summarized. Examples are given for the tailored control by magnetic fields of Czochralski, Vertical-Gradient-Freeze as well as Float-Zone growth processes.

Alternating magnetic fields produce well-defined flow-independent body forces in electrically conducting media. This property is used to construct a laboratory analogue of the Fiedler chamber with a room-temperature liquid metal as working fluid. A continuously applied rotating magnetic field (RMF) provides the source of the angular momentum. A pulse of a much stronger travelling magnetic field drives a converging flow at the metal surface, which focuses this angular momentum towards the axis of the container. The resulting vortex is studied experimentally and numerically. In a certain range of the ratio of both driving actions the axial velocity changes its direction in the vortex core, resembling the subsidence in an eye of a tropical cyclone or a large tornado. During the initial deterministic spin-up stage (T. Vogt et al., JFM 736, 2013, pp. 641) the vortex is well described by axisymmetric direct numerical simulation. Being strong enough the flow develops a funnel-shaped surface depression that enables visual observation of the vortex structure. As the RMF strength is increased the eyewall diameter grows until it breaks down to multiple vortices. A number of further observed similarities to tornado-like vortices will be discussed.

Development of advanced x-ray sources based on laser-Thomson scattering mechanism is becoming important pushed by a strong demand for ultrashort hard x-ray pulses, which can serve as a novel tool for structural analysis of complex systems with unprecendented temporal and spatial resolution. The spectral shape and bandwidth of this x-ray beam is the result from the interplay between interacting electron and laser beam parameters. We present high resolution angle and energy resolved measurements on the x-ray photon distribution generated by colliding picosecond electron bunches from the ELBE linear accelerator with counter-propagating laser pulses from the 150 TW DRACO Ti:Sapphire laser system. The measured data and an ab-initio comparison with the 3D radiation code CLARA enable us to reveal parameter influences and correlation of both interacting beams. We conclude that in the low laser intensity interaction regime the electron angular distribution and the laser bandwidth, as in the case of ultrashort laser pulses, give a strong influence to the x-ray spectral shape and bandwidth. We also show the x-ray spectral broadening as the laser intensity increases indicating nonlinear interaction on the scattering process. Controlling these parameters is necessary for designing future Thomson x-ray sources with a specific bandwidth suited to an application.

Measurements for rising single bubbles were performed in a cuboid benchmark experiment filled with the liquid metal GaInSn. Data was acquired by two different ultrasound techniques simultaneously, which are Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry (UDV) and Ultrasound Transit Time Technique (UTTT). The focus was on the influence of a horizontal magnetic field on the bubble behavior.

This contribution aims to give a basic overview over the latest results regarding the production of resonances in dierent collision systems. The results were extracted with help of the HADES experiment which is a multipurpose detector located at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum, Darmstadt. The main points discussed here are: the properties of the strange resonances Λ(1405) and Σ(1385), the role of Δ’s as a source of pions in the final state, production dynamics reflected in form of differential cross sections, and the role of the Φ meson as a source for K^- particles.

An accurate prediction of benefit for some types of ore may require not just the ore grade, but a whole compositional characterization of the estimates, that is, its full mineral composition, including waste composition and nuisance elements. An example is Nickel laterite ores, where Ni/Co content must be complemented by estimates of many other elements, as these might have a notable impact on ore processing.
Estimates are often obtained with (co)kriging or co-simulation. However, geostatistics applied to compositional data may yield spurious and inconsistent results because of the constant sum constraint. The log-ratio approach avoids such problems. Like anamorphosis, it proposes a three-step procedure: (1) data are mapped to a set of log ratios of components, for example the additive log-ratio transformation (alr); (2) transformed scores are modelled with an appropriate fully multivariate geostatistical toolbox (e.g. direct/cross-variograms and cokriging or co-simulation); and (3) results are back-transformed to the original units. Some practical aspects may make the application of this technique difficult: the assumption of Gaussianity and the high dimensionality of the compositions combined with the need for using multivariate methods. This contribution compares several ways of treating compositional data (combining anamorphosisnormal score transformation, logratio transformations, and minimum maximummax autocorrelation decomposition) with respect to their ability to generate sensible simulations. The various approaches considered are illustrated with a Nickel laterite data set for which 10 variables are available. Both theoretical considerations and illustration results suggest that the best combination is (log)ratio-anamorphosisnormal score transform-MAF, in this order. The factors so obtained are closer to Gaussian, approximately spatially decorrelated and can be simulated independently. Simulations can later be recombined to alr-simulations, which in turn may be converted back to point compositions. The resulting simulated compositions are compared with a full Gaussian co-simulation of the raw data. The logratio methodsy show a reasonable to good reproduction of mean values and distribution of the data set and by construction honour the total sum constraint, in contrast to the simulations based on the raw data for which the total sums fluctuate strongly.

The manganese induced magnetic, electrical, and structural modification in InMnP epilayers, prepared by Mn ion implantation and pulsed laser annealing, are investigated in the following work. All samples exhibit clear hysteresis loops and strong spin polarization at the Fermi level. The degree of magnetization, the Curie temperature, and the spin polarization depend on the Mn concentration. The bright-field transmission electron micrographs show that InP samples become almost amorphous after Mn implantation but recrystallize after pulsed laser annealing. We did not observe an insulator-metal transition in InMnP up to a Mn concentration of 5 at. %. Instead all InMnP samples show insulating characteristics up to the lowest measured temperature. Magnetoresistance results obtained at low temperatures support the hopping conduction mechanism in InMnP. We find that the Mn impurity band remains detached from the valence band in InMnP up to 5 at. % Mn doping. Our findings indicate that the local environment of Mn ions in InP is similar to GaMnAs, GaMnP, and InMnAs; however, the electrical properties of these Mn implanted III-V compounds are different. This is one of the consequences of the different Mn binding energy in these compounds.

The Tayler instability is a kink type instability which appears when an axial current in a cylinder crosses a certain critical value. It has been discussed as a main ingredient of the Tayler-Spruit stellar dynamo model, but may also play a role as a size-limiting factor in large-scale liquid metal batteries. We discuss several theoretical aspects and the first experimental evidence of the Tayler instability in liquid metals.

The DRESDYN project at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf is intended as a platform for large-scale liquid sodium experiments on dynamo action and magnetically triggered flow instabilities. We report on the progress of the building construction, and on the design status of the precession driven dynamo experiment. Special focus is laid on new theoretical and experimental results on the magnetorotational and Tayler instability, and on the consequences for the planned liquid sodium experiment for the combined study of those instabilities. Some very recent results of a small-scale spherical Couette experiment with an applied axial magnetic field are also discussed.

The DRESDYN project is new platform for a variety of liquid sodium experiments, comprising a large-scale precession driven dynamo experiment and a combined set-up for investigating different versions of the magnetorotational instability and the Tayler instability. We sketch the history of previous liquid metal experiments on cosmic magnetic field, and outline the status of preparations for the various facilities planned in the framework of DRESDYN.

A mid-infrared oscillator FEL has been commissioned at the Fritz-Haber-Institut. The accelerator consists of a thermionic gridded gun, a subharmonic buncher and two S-band standing-wave copper structures. It provides a final electron energy adjustable from 15 to 50 MeV, low longitudinal (<50 keV-ps) and transverse emittance (<20 PI mm-mrad), at more than 200 pC bunch charge with a micro-pulse repetition rate of 1 GHz and a macro-pulse length of up to 15 µs. Pulsed radiation with up to 50 mJ macro-pulse energy at about 0.5% FWHM bandwidth is routinely produced in the wavelength range from 4 to 48 µm. Regular user operation started in Nov. 2013 with 6 user stations. These include, for instance, spectroscopy of bio-molecules (peptides and small proteins), which are conformer selected or embedded in superfluid helium nano-droplets at 0.4 K, as well as vibrational spectroscopy of mass-selected metal-oxide clusters and protonated water clusters in the gas phase.

The ELBE user facility located at the Helmhotz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf operates a superconducting electron linear accelerator , which provides short (picosecond) electron bunches with energies up to 35 MeV at a 13 MHz repetition rate. Here we discuss the basic parameters of the ELBE Center and the experimental opportunities at the facility.

Detection and quantification of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in complex environmental or biological media is a major challenge since NP concentrations are generally expected to be low compared to elemental background levels. This study presents three different options for radiolabeling of commercial titania NP (TiO₂-NP, AEROXIDE® P25, Evonik Industries, mean diameter 21 nm) for particle detection, localization and tracing under various experimental conditions. The radiolabeling procedures ensure stability and consistency of important particle properties such as size and morphology. For the first time, detection (and quantification) limits for TiO₂-NPs in concentrations as low as 0.5 ng/L can be realized.

The no carrier added (NCA) radionuclide ^197(m)Hg is accessible through proton induced nuclear reactions on gold.The decay properties of both simultaneous produced nuclea risomers ^197mHg and ¹⁹⁷Hg like convenient half life, low energy gamma radiations for imaging, Auger and conversion electrons for therapy are combined with unique chemical and physical properties of mercury and its compounds. Gold as a monoisotopic element has a natural abundance of 100% ¹⁹⁷Au superseding expensive enrichment for the target material. Additionally, the high thermal conductivity of gold enables high beam current irradiations. For separation of target material a liquid–liquid extraction method was applied.

Der Vortrag erläutert anhand von drei Leitfragen (Ziele von KIC, Synergien zur nationalen Forschung und aktuelle Entwicklungen) Wissens- und Innovationsgemeinschaften im Allgemeinen und geht im Besondere auf das geplante KIC Rohstoffe ein. Mit dem KIC Rohstoffe sollen die Ziele "vom Labor in den Markt", "vom Studenten zum Unternehmer" und "von der Idee zum Produkt" auf den Rohstoffsektor übertragen werden. Dabei wird die gesamte Kette von der Erkundung bis zum Recycling berücksichtigt. Für deutsche Wissenschaftler gibt es zahlreiche Synergiemöglichkeiten angesichts eines europäischen Netzwerks aus fast 120 Partnern aus den Bereichen Forschung, Bildung und Industrie. Das KIC beschäftigt sich insbesondere mit der Rohstoffverfügbarkeit in Europa, der Substitution kritischer Rohstoffe und der Nachhaltigkeit in der gesamten Kette der Rohstoffindustrie.

Froth flotation is a separation process which plays a major role in the mining industry. It is essentially employed to recover a vast array of different valuable commodities such as rare earth minerals essential to the manufacture of high-tech products. Owing to its simplicity, the process is also widely used for the de-inking of recycled paper fibres and for the removal of pollutants from waste water. The flotation process essentially relies on the attachment of solid particles on the surface of gas bubbles immersed in water. The present study seeks to investigate the effect of the particle shape on the attachment mechanism. Using an in-house optical micro-bubble sensor the approach, the sliding and the adhesion of micron milled glass fibres on the surface of a stationary air bubble immersed in stagnant water is thoroughly investigated. The translational and rotational velocities were measured for fibres of various aspect ratios. The results are compared with a theoretical model and with experimental data obtained with spherical glass beads. It is found that the fibre orientation during the sliding motion largely depends on the collision area. Upon collision near the upstream pole of the gas bubble the major axis of the fibre aligns with the local bubble surface (tangential fibre alignment). If collision occurs at least 30° further downstream only head of the fibre is in contact with the gas–liquid interface (radial fibre alignment).

A new setup for kinematically complete reaction experiments for beams of radioactive nuclei far from the valley of stability is under construction at FAIR Darmstadt, Germany. NeuLAND, a highly efficient (>90%) neutron time of flight detector made of fast plastic scintillators is included in the setup. In order to reach proper resolution in the reconstructed energy spectrum, a time resolution of sigma < 150 ps is required. Using the ELBE picosecond electron beam as a time reference, it is currently being studied whether semiconductor-based photosensors (SiPMs) can be used for the readout of the NeuLAND scintillator bars.

The spin-up of a concentrated vortex in a liquid metal cylinder with a free surface is considered experimentally. The vortex is driven by two flow independent magnetic body forces. A continuously applied rotating magnetic field provides the source of the angular momentum. A pulse of about one order of magnitude stronger travelling magnetic field drives a converging flow that temporarily focuses this angular momentum towards the axis of the container. A highly concentrated vortex forms that produces a funnel-shaped surface depression. In this study we have used some modified settings for the UDV device in order to detect the vertical position of the free surface along the beam line. The main modification was a reduction of the echo detection sensitivity. In this way the echo from microscopic particles was blinded out. Instead, only the position of the strong echo from the free surface was detected and recorded. We explore experimentally the duration, the depth and the conditions of formation of this funnel.

The advent of intense coherent hard x-ray sources based on free electron lasers have opened a new era of ultrafast science. Facilities such as FLASH, LCLS, SACLA, and the under-construction European XFEL, will enable time and spatially resolved probing of atomic, molecular, chemical, biological and plasma dynamics, on the scale of fs and nm. Here we present theoretical concepts to make use of coherent x-ray scattering to probe ultra-intense laser-driven plasmas. In addition, status of the HIBEF User Consortium at the European XFEL will be presented.

The ²²Ne(p,γ)²³Na reaction takes part in the neon-sodium cycle of hydrogen burning. This cycle is active in asymptotic giant branch stars as well as in novae and contributes to the nucleosythesis of neon and sodium isotopes. In order to reduce the uncertainties in the predicted nucleosynthesis yields, new experimental efforts to measure the ²²Ne(p,γ)²³Na cross section directly at the astrophysically relevant energies are needed.

The seminar talk will report on the recently concluded first phase of the ²²Ne(p,γ)²³Na experiment at LUNA. Using a windowless, isotopically enriched ²²Ne gas target and two high-purity germanium detectors, selected, previously unobserved low-energy resonances were studied. The preliminary results will be summarized, and an outlook on the second phase of the experiment with a 4pi summing detector will be given.

It is well known, that for conventional froth flotation techniques the processing of ultrafine mineral particles is generally inefficient and results in rather low-grade concentrates and relatively high losses of valuable minerals. Therefore, the investigation of other possible methods, which can selectively separate such fine particle systems effectively, is of considerable interest.
In this study, the application of two-liquid flotation, a flotation-related process using oil droplets instead of air bubbles, is investigated as a possible processing strategy for the separation of ultrafine particle systems. The investigation involves the testing of the two-liquid flotation technique as simple laboratory-scale batch trials and moreover, the up-scaling to a semi-continuous process by using a modified lab scale flotation column. Magnetite and quartz particles, with particle sizes below 10 μm respectively, as academic mineral mixture and iso-octane and water as the two immiscible liquid phases are chosen for the experiments. To manipulate the wettability of the magnetite particles as well as the interfacial tension of the oil/water interfaces, surface active reagents of fatty acid basis are introduced in the system. The selectivity of the process is characterized by determining the removal of magnetite particles from the aqueous suspension through selective accumulation at the oil/water interface or extraction into the oil phase, respectively. Operational parameters including pH of the aqueous suspension, additional electrolyte addition and surfactant type as well as dosage are varied in order to maximize the efficiency and stability of the process.

The genesis of unconvential Zr-Nb-REE deposits is still under discussion. The mineralization of the Khalzan Buregte and surrounding massifs in western Mongolia is introduced as a case study. We present data showing that the enrichment of valuable elements is mainly due to multistage metasomatic alteration, although the primary contents are quite high as well. The theory of secondary enrichment is also widened on other deposits in the Erzgebirge mountains, Saxony/Germany for comparison.

A key requirement for underground nuclear astrophysics experiments is the very low background level in germanium detectors. The reference for these purposes is the world’s so far only underground accelerator laboratory for nuclear astrophysics, LUNA. LUNA is located deep underground in the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, shielded from cosmic rays by 1400m of rock. The background at LUNA was studied in detail using an escape-suppressed Clover-type HPGe detector [1]. Exactly the same detector was subsequently transported to the Felsenkeller underground laboratory in Dresden, shielded by 45m of rock, and the background was shown to be only a factor of three higher than at LUNA when comparing the escape-suppressed spectra, with interesting consequences for underground nuclear astrophysics [2]. As the next step of a systematic study of the effects of a combination of active and passive shielding on the cosmic ray induced background, this detector has recently been brought to the "Reiche Zeche" mine in Freiberg, Germany, shielded by 150m of rock.
The data available with one and the same actively shielded HPGe detector at the Earth's surface and below 45, 150, and 1400m of rock allow getting a general understanding of the effects of active shielding with depth.
– Supported by the Helmholtz Association (HGF) through the Nuclear Astrophysics Virtual Institute (HGF VH-VI-417).

[1] T. Szücs et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 44, 513 (2010).
[2] T. Szücs et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 48, 8 (2012).

The stable nucleus 15N is the mirror of the astrophysically important 15O, the product of the slowest reaction in the hydrogen burning CNO cycle, which therefore determine the production rate of the cycle.
Most of the 15N level widths below the nucleon emission thresholds are known from just one nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) measurement published more than 30 years ago, with limited precision in some cases [1]. A recent experiment with the AGATA demonstrator array aimed to determine level widths using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) in 15O and 15N populated in the 14N + 2H reaction. In order to set a benchmark value for the upcoming AGATA demonstrator data, the widths of several 15N levels have been studied with high precision using the bremsstrahlung facility gELBE [2] at the electron accelerator of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). The precision of our new dataset are on a 10% level for the weak transitions, which have 60% and 100% error bars in the old dataset. The preliminary data seem to confirm the earlier NRF data.

• Supported by the Helmholtz Association (HGF) through the Nuclear Astrophysics Virtual Institute (HGF VH-VI-417).

[1] R. Moreh et al., Phys. Rev. C 23, 988 (1981).
[2] R. Schwengner et al., Nucl. Inst. Meth. A 555, 211 (2005).

A key requirement for underground nuclear astrophysics experiments is the very low background level in germanium detectors underground. The reference for these purposes is the world’s so far only underground accelerator laboratory for nuclear astrophysics, LUNA. LUNA is located deep underground in the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, shielded from cosmic rays by 1400 m of rock. The background at LUNA was studied in detail using an escape-suppressed Clover-type HPGe detector [1]. Exactly the same detector was subsequently transported to the Felsenkeller underground laboratory in Dresden, shielded by 45 m of rock, and the background was shown to be only a factor of three higher than at LUNA when comparing the escape-suppressed spectra, with interesting consequences for underground nuclear astrophysics [2]. As the next step of a systematic study of the effects of a combination of active and passive shielding on the cosmic ray induced background, this detector is now being brought to the "Reiche Zeche" mine in Freiberg/Sachsen, shielded by 150 m of rock. The data from the Freiberg measurement will be shown and discussed. – Supported by the Helmholtz Association (HGF) through the Nuclear Astrophysics Virtual Institute (HGF VH-VI-417).

[1] T. Szücs et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 44, 513 (2010)
[2] T. Szücs et al., Eur. Phys. J. A 48, 8 (2012)

The stable nucleus 15N is the mirror of the astrophysically important 15O, compound nucleus of the leading reaction of the Bethe-Weizsäcker cycle of hydrogen burning. Most of the 15N level widths below the neutron and proton emission thresholds are known from just one nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) measurement published more than 30 years ago, with unsatisfactory precision on some cases [1]. A recent experiment with the AGATA demonstrator array aimed to determine level widths with the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) in 15O and 15N populated in 14N + 2H reaction. In order to set a benchmark value for the upcoming AGATA demonstrator data, the widths of several 15N levels are being studied using the bremsstrahlung facility γELBE at the electron accelerator of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). The γELBE experiment and its preliminary results will be presented. – Supported by the Helmholtz Association (HGF) through the Nuclear Astrophysics Virtual Institute (HGF VH-VI-417).

[1] R. Moreh et al., Physical Review C 23, 988 (1981)

The very low background level is a key requirement for underground nuclear astrophysics experiments. The reference for these purposes is the world’s so far only underground accelerator laboratory for nuclear astrophysics, LUNA. LUNA is located deep underground in the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, shielded from cosmic rays by 1400m of rock.
This talk presents the need and the advantages of an underground setting. It covers also new findings, regarding active shielding at underground settings, leading to have the possibility to perform nuclear astrophysics experiments with sufficient precision also at shallow underground.
Finally the recent nuclear astrophysics related experiments performed at the surface, at LUNA, and at different underground depths will be presented.

Since some years, there is a worldwide trend to move towards “higher-fidelity” simulation techniques in reactor analysis. One of the main objectives of the research in this area is to enhance the prediction capability of the computations used for safety demonstration of the current LWR nuclear power plants through the dynamic 3D coupling of the codes simulating the different physics of the problem into a common multi-physic simulation scheme.
In this context, the NURESAFE European project aims at delivering to the European stakeholders an advanced and reliable software capacity usable for safety analysis needs of present and future LWR reactors and developing a high level of expertise in Europe in the proper use of the most recent simulation tools including uncertainty assessment to quantify the margins toward feared phenomena occurring during an accident. This software capacity is based on the NURESIM European simulation platform created during FP6 NURESIM project which includes advanced core physics, two-phase thermal-hydraulics, fuel modeling and multi-scale and multi-physics features together with sensitivity and uncertainty tools. These physics are fully integrated into the platform in order to provide a standardized state-of-the-art code system to support safety analysis of current and evolving LWRs.

We have developed a simple process to fabricate on a bioplatform patterns of nanoparticles of a molecule-based magnet. Nanoparticles of the ferromagnetic Prussian blue derivative CsxNi[Cr(CN)6] were orderly deposited onto S-layers of Lysinibacillus sphaericus, forming a dense carpet of nanoparticles following the square lattice (p4) pattern of the biotemplate. These results are encouraging to extend this approach by focusing on molecule-based magnets patterned into domains with controlled shapes and positions on a biosurface.

Ultra-short flashes of THz light with low quantum energies of a few meV, but strong electric or magnetic field transients have recently been employed to prepare various fascinating nonequilibrium states in matter. Here we present a new class of sources based on superradiant enhancement of radiation from relativistic ultra-short electron bunches in a compact electron accelerator that we believe will revolutionize experiments in this field. Our prototype source generates high-field THz pulses at unprecedented repetition rates up to the MHz regime. We demonstrate parameters that already exceed state of the art laser-based sources by more than 2 orders of magnitude. The parameters are scalable and once operational at their design parameters this type of sources will provide 1 MV/cm electric fields and magnetic fields in the few 100 mT regime at repetition rates of few 100 kHz.

Many useful physical and chemical methods have been developed to modify and functionalize surfaces of different materials. These techniques allow a broad variety of surface modifications ranging from nanostructuring, implanting ions over hydrophilization and hydrophobization to immobilization of functional molecules. Nevertheless, for some applications also biology offers interesting alternatives. Examples therefore are so called surface layer (S-layer) proteins. These self-assembling proteins form nanostructured lattices with different symmetries, provide regular arranged pores with defined size and possess different kinds of regular arranged functional groups. One of their intrinsic properties is to provide a physiological environment and to stabilize coupled biofunctional molecules. Additionally, S-layers from isolates recovered from heavy metal contaminated environments have outstanding metal binding properties and are highly stable. By combining S-layers with a layer-by-layer technique different materials can be furnished with such coatings.
The produced biohybrid materials can be directly used as selective metal filter material or can be further modified. The S-layer coatings are perfect templates for the production and immobilization of regular arranged precious metal nanoparticles (e.g. Pd, Pt, Au) with defined sizes and for the immobilization of commercially available nanoparticles. Thusly immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles (P25) show a higher catalytic activity compared to same amounts of suspended TiO2 nanoparticles. Incidentally, formed reactive oxygen species do not affect the S-layer support. As S-layers in nature act as immobilization matrix for exoenzymes, these biohybrid materials can also be modified with dyes and biofunctional molecules. Combining these last two, a new generation of biosensors can be developed.
These four examples demonstrate the S-layer technology platform possess a high potential for materials science and industrial application.

Übersicht zur r³ Fördermaßnahme (Präsentation auf PIUS Länderkonferenz)

A benchmark analysis was launched within the Work Package on Core Safety of the EU FP7 cross-cutting project supporting the European Sustainable Industrial Initiative (ESNII), named ESNII+, aimed at providing a quantitative estimation of the uncertainties affecting the calculation of both core static neutronic parameters and safety coefficients of a Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) low-void-effect core similar to the one considered for the Advanced Sodium Technological Reactor for Industrial Demonstration (ASTRID). Established deterministic and stochastic neutronic codes, as well as different nuclear data libraries, were employed by eight European organizations to perform a complete core characterization, with the ultimate goal to achieve consensus on computational methods and associated databases to be employed for advanced-design SFRs safety analyses. The comparison of the results obtained by the participating institutions provided quantitative information about capabilities and limitations of the different approaches, and about library effects, by highlighting the sensitivity of safety parameters to both computational techniques and nuclear data. Selected results of the first phase of the benchmark are presented and analyzed, along with a discussion of the planned R&D activities needed to improve the present benchmark status.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the colloidal probe mode allow for the first time the direct measurement of particle interactions. Thus, it is the direct way to evaluate the adhesion of particles to surfaces or to each other. With the direct measurement it is significantly easier to quantify the effect of changing surface properties on the interaction forces. Several surface properties influence the interaction forces like surface roughness, local chemical composition (e.g. adsorbed surfactants), electrostatic charge and surface energies.
Phase contrast AFM
The non-contact mode of AFM also allows characterizing the composition of a heterogeneous surface like that of a nano-composite material, with a high resolution, which is comparable to TEM. For this method, it is not necessary to prepare translucent samples, but only to minimize the surface roughness, e.g. by polishing to avoid a secondary signal.
Colloidal Probe AFM (dry)
The colloidal probe provides the real adhesion effects taking into account both the roughness of the substrate as well as that of the particle.
Colloidal Probe AFM (wet - liquid cell)
The colloidal probe measurements in the liquid phase allow quantifying the surface modification due to adsorption from the aqueous phase to the substrate, or to the particle at the cantilever itself. This adsorption of surfactants like modifiers or flotation collectors becomes visible as well as an interaction of the surface with one component of a water-alcohol mixture. The detection of nano-bubbles, which are one source of strong hydrophobic interactions, is also possible.

Der Heterokoagulationsprozess Flotation ist eines der bedeutendsten Verfahren in der Aufbereitungstechnik und ein Schwerpunkt der Forschung am Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie. Die Trennung basiert auf den unterschiedlichen Benetzbarkeiten von suspendierten (Mineral)partikeln, die zumeist durch selektiv adsorbierende amphiphile Moleküle beeinflusst werden. Häufig wurden in der Flotationsforschung für die Benetzungsbeschreibung die Kontaktwinkel zu Wasser herangezogen und mit dem Flotationsausbringen korreliert. Eine fundamentalere Charakterisierung der Mineraloberfläche basiert auf der Bestimmung der spezifischen freien Oberflächenenergien, die zusammen mit den spezifischen freien Oberflächenenergien von Wasser die Benetzung über die Young-Gleichung beschreiben. Die Inverse Gas Chromatographie (iGC) ist eine geeignete Methode die spezifischen freien Oberflächenenergieanteile und deren Verteilung an Partikelsystemen zu bestimmen. Jedoch erfolgt diese Messung an trockenen Pulverschüttungen und nicht an suspendierten Partikeln. Um den Einfluss von oberflächenaktiven Flotationsreagenzien auf die Flotierbarkeit und damit korrelierend auf die Oberflächenenergien zu bestimmen ist es daher notwendig die Art und Weise der Probenpräparation für die iGC nach Konditionierung mit Flotationsreagenzien in Wasser zu untersuchen.
In dieser Arbeit werden die Minerale Quartz (SiO2), Apatit (Ca5[F,(PO4)3]) und Magnetit (Fe3O4) auf ihre Flotierbarkeit und Oberflächenenergie für unterschiedliche Probenpräparationen untersucht sowie der Einfluss der ionischen Sammler Natriumoleat (kationisch) und Dodecyl Ammonium Acetat (anionisch), welche chemi- bzw. physisorbieren aufgezeigt. Es wird diskutiert, welcher Parameter der spezifischen freien OberIflächenenergien (und deren Verteilung) am ehesten die Hydrophobizität beschreibt und somit einen wichtigen Einfluss auf die Flotierbarkeit eines Mineralpartikels beinhaltet, also mit dem Flotationsausbringen der Mikroflotation korreliert.

A lecture was given to school students (~ ages 16 - 18) about the industrial importance of certain trace elements occurring in different raw materials, and the methods used to study their behaviour in the related geological systems.

Spätestens seit dem Patent der Gebrüder Bessel aus Dresden von 1877 nutzt man die Anhaftung hydrophober Partikel an Gasblasen in der Flotation, einer Heterokoagulationstrennung, technologisch aus, um Partikelgemische auf Basis ihrer chemisch veränderlichen Benetzungseigenschaften voneinander zu trennen. Ein wesentlicher Mikroprozess ist hierbei der Anlagerungsvorgang, bestimmt durch das Wechselwirkungspotential zwischen einem Partikel und einer Gasblase. Die klassische DLVO Wechselwirkungstheorie beinhaltet für diese Partner nur repulsive Terme, d.h. abstoßende Doppelschichtwechselwirkungen und abstoßende van der Waals Wechselwirkungen durch eine negative Hamaker-Konstante. Über die Physik der zwingend notwendigen, weil prozessbestimmenden, weit reichenden, anziehenden Wechselwirkungskomponente ist man sich in der Literatur noch nicht einig. Viele Wissenschaftler sehen feinste Gasdomänen auf hydrophoben Oberflächen, oft als Nanobubbles oder Micropancakes bezeichnet, als Vermittler von weit reichenden kapillaren Anziehungskräften. Andere sehen eine weit reichende Wasserstrukturstörung an hydrophoben Oberflächen als Ursache für eine somit entropisch begründete Anziehung.
Am Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie werden atomare Gesamtwechselwirkungen zwischen unterschiedlich benetzenden Oberflächen (z. B. Mineralen) und hydrophoben Modellpartikeln in Lösung mit Hilfe der Partikelsonden Rasterkraftmikroskopie analysiert. Mit diesen Untersuchungen soll es später möglich werden, die Flotierbarkeit von Mineralen in Erzschliffen als Funktion der physikalisch chemischen Variablen direkt zu untersuchen. Zudem wird ein Beitrag geleistet um die noch stark diskutierten Mechanismen der Anhaftung hydrophober Partikel an Gasblasen letztlich zu klären. Am Poster wird der aktuelle Forschungsstand kurz reflektiert, die Methode der Partikelsonden Rasterkraftmikroskopie vorgestellt und experimentell verifiziert an den Mineralen Magnetit und Quarz unter Einwirkung unterschiedlicher ionaktiver Sammler im Vergleich zu Mikroflotationsuntersuchungen an der Hallimond-Röhre.

A presentation was given to school students (~ ages 16 - 18) on some aspects of trace elements occurring in different kinds of raw materials, their industrial importance, the uncertainties about their geological behaviour, and the methods used to study their occurrence and distribution in geological systems.

Deutschland ist eine der am höchsten technologisierten Industrienationen der Welt und liegt mit einem Rohstoffverbrauch von 200 kg pro Kopf und Tag ebenfalls mit an der Spitze [1]. Das Umweltbundesamt hat jedoch aus diesem Grund im Jahr 2012 nicht nur auf die damit verbundenen Umweltschäden hingewiesen sondern nachdrücklich fest-gestellt, dass Deutschland in der Zukunft sparsamer mit seinen Ressourcen umgehen muss. Anderenfalls wird es in der Zukunft aufgrund wachsender Rohstoffpreise seine weltweite Führungsrolle verlieren [1]. Die modernen High-Tech-Produkte wie Smart-phones, Tablet-PCs und LEDs aber insbesondere auch „grüne“ Technologien wie So-larzellen, Elektromotoren und Windkraftanlagen sind alle eng mit dem Verbrauch selte-ner Metalle wie Gallium, Germanium und Indium sowie den sogenannten seltenen Er-den verknüpft [2,3]. Im Zuge des wirtschaftlichen Aufschwungs der Schwellenländer nimmt jedoch der Rohstoffbedarf weltweit rasant zu. Eine herausragende Rolle spielt dabei China, da sich dort über 97 % der weltweiten Förderstätten für seltene Erden befinden [1]. Aufgrund des wachsenden Eigenbedarfs hat China jedoch den Export seltener Erden bereits zwischen 2009 und 2012 um 38 % reduziert, Tendenz steigend [seltene Erden]. Gleichzeitig wird prognostiziert, dass sich der weltweite Bedarf bspw. an Neodym und Dysprosium in den nächsten 25 Jahren um ca. 700 und 2600 % stei-gern wird [4]. Dabei ist der Preis für eine Tonne Neodym, wie sie bspw. für die Herstel-lung des Elektromagneten eines leistungsstarken, getriebelosen Offshore-Windrades benötigt wird, zwischen 2005 und 2012 bereits von 25.000 auf rund 700.000 US-Dollar gestiegen [3]. Zwar werden auch heute noch neue, reichhaltige Lagerstätten entdeckt, wie zum Beispiel durch japanische Forscher im Pazifik im Jahre 2013, jedoch ist die Gewinnung speziell in großen Tiefen auf offenem Meer mit großen Problemen verbun-den [3].
Diese Faktoren haben in den letzten Jahren zu einem Umdenken in der Ressourcen-politik geführt. So wurde von der Bundesregierung im Jahre 2011 das Helmholtz-Institut für Ressourcentechnologie in Freiberg gegründet, mit dem Ziel neue Technolo-gien zu entwickeln, welche eine effizientere Bereitstellung und Nutzung mineralischer und metallischer Rohstoffe ermöglichen [2]. Das Hauptziel der Forschung liegt sowohl in der Nutzbarmachung komplexer Erze, wie sie auch in Deutschland lagern, deren Aufbereitung mit bisherigen Technologien jedoch nicht wirtschaftlich ist, als auch in der Entwicklung effizienter Recyclingmethoden für verbrauchte Rohstoffe [2]. Eine bedeu-tende Rolle nimmt dabei die Weiterentwicklung von Flotationstechniken, speziell auch der Kolonnenflotation, ein.
Seit Beginn der achtziger Jahre wurden insbesondere zur Nachanreicherung zuneh-mend Flotationskolonnen anstelle von Flotationszellen eingesetzt [5]. Diese zeichnen sich durch ein verbessertes Wertstoffausbringen und Anreicherungsvermögen, niedri-gere Anschaffungs- und Betriebskosten, geringeren Verschleiß und geminderten Platzbedarf aus [6].
Die heute geforderten Aufbereitungsziele erfordern in der Regel eine Zerkleinerung des Materials in den Feinstkornbereich. Klassische Schaumflotation versagt jedoch ab Korngrößen von x < 20 zunehmend [7]. Eine Lösung dieses Problems kann in der Anwendung der sogenannten Flüssig-Flüssig-Flotation in Flotationskolonnen liegen. Dabei wird anstelle von Luft eine organische Phase zur Flotation eingesetzt.
Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich daher mit der Konzeptionierung, dem Bau und dem Einfahren einer Versuchsanlage für Schaum- und Flüssig-Flüssig-Flotation. Weiterhin werden Grundlagenuntersuchungen, welche für einführende Flotationstests an der neuen Kolonne benötigt wurden, beschrieben.

The German government has decided for the nuclear phase out, but a decision on a strategy for the management of the highly radioactive waste is not defined yet. Partitioning and Transmutation (P&T) could be considered as a technological option for the management of highly radioactive waste, therefore a wide study has been conducted. In this group objectives for P&T and the boundary conditions of the phase out have been discussed. The fulfillment of the given objectives is analyzed using simulations of molten salt reactors with fast neutron spectrum. It is shown that the efficient transmutation of all existing transuranium isotopes would be possible in a time frame of about 60 years using three reactors and a twofold life cycle consisting of a transmuter operation and a deep burn phase. A basic insight for the optimization of the time duration of the deep burn phase is given. Further on a detailed balance of different isotopic inventories is given to allow a deeper understanding of the processes during transmutation and the effect of modelling and simulation is investigated based on three different modelling strategies and two different code versions.

Die selektive Extraktion von hydrophobisierten Partikeln in einer Tropfensäule ist eine Heterokoagulationstrennung, wie die Flotation. Dieser neuartige Prozess soll als Erweiterung der Flotation, insbesondere für Partikel kleiner 10 µm dienen.
In dieser Masterarbeit ist die bestehende Tropfensäule am Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik der TU Bergakademie Freiberg zu erweitern, sodass die Tropfen mit einer kamerabasierten Methode im einfachen und doppelten Kreislauf als Funktion der Zeit und unter Berücksichtigung von grenzflächenaktiven Substanzen quantifiziert werden können. Hierfür wird ein Messfenster konzipiert und in die bestehende Anlage integriert. Es soll gezeigt werden, wie die Prozessregime die Tropfendispersität über der Zeit beeinflussen.
Des Weiteren wird die selektive Trennung von Magnetit und Quarz als akademisches Stoffsystem im Scheidetrichter untersucht. Hierfür sind die natürlichen Minerale auf eine mittlere Partikelgröße von 10 µm zu konfektionieren. Als Ergebnis der Trennung im Scheidetrichter unter Variation der hydrophobisierenden Substanzen (Fettsäuren für Magnetit, bzw. Amine für Quarz), sowie von Reglern (pH Wert ändernd) wird das erfolgreichste Reagenzregime auf erste Versuche für Trennungen in der Tropfensäule zum Ende der Arbeit übernommen und untersucht. Zudem wird das natürliche Magnetit in separaten Versuchen ersetzt mit synthetischen gefällten Magnetit Nanopartikeln.
Die Untersuchungen erfolgen am Institut MVTAT in Kooperation mit dem Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie des Helmholtz-Zentrums Dresden-Rossendorf.

Bei der Herstellung moderner elektronischer Produkte sind Erze mit Seltenen Erden unverzichtbar. Ein Beispiel hierfür ist eudialythaltiges Erz, welches das chemische Element Yttrium beinhaltet. Yttrium wird z.B bei der Produktion von Leuchtstoffen, Laserkristallen, Keramiken für Zündkerzen und Lambda-Sonden verwendet. Daneben wird es zur Steigerung der Festigkeit in einigen Legierungen genutzt. Der Anteil an Yttrium im Eudialyt-Mineral ist sehr gering. Eudialyt selbst ist außerdem stark in anderen silikatischen Mineralen verwachsen. Zudem ähneln diese silikatischen Minerale aufgrund ihrer chemischen Struktur dem Eudialyt. Die Gewinnung und Anreicherung dieses Wertstoffes aus dem Erz ist daher eine Herausforderung für die Aufbereitungsindustrie. Eine Dichtesortierung ist aufgrund der ähnlichen Dichten der einzelnen Minerale nicht möglich. Zurzeit untersucht man zwei Trennverfahren hinsichtlich ihrer Brauchbarkeit: Magnetscheidung und Flotation. Bei der Flotation spielen die Wechselwirkungen zwischen den einzelnen Mineralen und den zugesetzten Reagenzien eine entscheidende Rolle. Letztere bieten Ansatzmöglichkeiten für eine Steuerung der Flotation. Daher werden auch gegenwärtig immer wieder neue Reagenzien entwickelt und damit neue flotative Verfahren geschaffen. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit ist die Aufbereitung eines eudialythaltigen Erzes aus Norra Kärr in Schweden mit Hilfe der Flotation zu untersuchen. Dabei wird der Einfluss von verschiedenen Reagenzien, der sogenannten Sammler und Drücker, auf die Anreicherung der einzelnen Bestandteile des Aufgabegutes analysiert.Weiterhin werden die Flotationsergebnisse von entschlammten und nicht entschlammten Proben verglichen. Die Versuche finden sowohl in saurem als auch in basischem Milieu statt. Die Zusammensetzung des Aufgabegutes und der Konzentrate wird mit Hilfe der Röntgendiffraktometrie ermittelt.

Seit Jahrzehnten steigt die Nachfrage nach Rohstoffen und die Anforderung aus diesen einen Wertstoff möglichst rein anzureichern. Durch die zunehmende Rohstoffknappheit werden längst sekundäre Rohstoffquellen genutzt, aber auch primäre Quellen, in welchen der Wertstoff nur zu geringen Anteilen und in sehr hohen Verwachsungsgraden vorkommt. Für den Aufbereitungsprozess ist es von Nöten den Rohstoff so weit aufzuschließen, dass der Wertstoff getrennt von dem Bergematerial vorliegt. Bei einem stark verwachsenen Material entsteht dadurch ein hoher Anteil an Feingut, welches in nachgeschalteten Sortierprozessen Probleme bereitet.
Etabliert zur Feinstgutaufbereitung sind die Verfahren der Heterokoagulationstrennung, in denen Berge- und Wertstoffmaterial auf Grund verschiedener physikalischer Eigenschaften sortiert werden [1], [2], [3].
Die Schaumflotation ist der am häufigsten angewandte Prozess, wobei Partikel mit einem Durchmesser zwischen 5 und 5000 mm flotiert werden können [4]. Am effizientesten werden Partikel im Größenbereich zwischen 10 mm und 100 mm [5], [6], [7] erfasst. Damit kann in diesem Größenbereich eine hohe Produktqualität erzielt werden.
Partikel, die kleiner als 10 mm sind, bereiten im Flotationsprozess Probleme und wurden darum meist vor der Flotation abgetrennt. Der darin enthaltene Wertstoff kann somit nicht gewonnen werden.
Um auch die im Feinstanteil vorkommenden Rohstoffe nutzbar zu machen, wurde für einige Anwendungen der Schaumflotationsprozess modifiziert.
Beispielsweise wurde die Flüssig-Flüssig-Flotation entwickelt, bei der die feinen Feststoffpartikel anstatt mit Luftblasen, mit einer zweiten fluiden, mit Wasser nicht mischbare Phase koagulieren. Dies kann den Trennerfolg im Aufbereitungsprozess verbessern.
Noch setzten sich diese Prozesse in der großtechnischen Aufbereitung nicht durch, unter anderem da sie kostenintensiv sind und der Einsatz von Öl umweltproblematisch ist. Des Weiteren entsteht im Verlauf der Flüssig-Flüssig-Flotation eine Emulsion, die durch die feinen Partikel stabilisiert wird. Ein Sortierprozess ist erfolgreich, wenn es gelingt die Feststoffpartikel selektiv auszutragen und die entstehende Emulsion zu brechen. Erst dann liegen die Wertstoffpartikel getrennt von den fluiden Phasen und dem Bergematerial vor.
Um weiterhin den Rohstoffbedarf decken zu können, sollten sich Bemühungen darauf richten, diese Verfahren zu optimieren, um sie in der Aufbereitung hoch aufgeschlossener Rohstoffe einsetzen zu können.
Diese Arbeit handelt von partikelstabilisierten Emulsionen, die in einem Flüssig-Flüssig-Flotationsprozess entstehen. Mineralisches Magnetit und Quarz mit einer Partikelgröße dP,80 < 10 mm [8] werden eingesetzt und lagern sich im Versuchsverlauf an Öltropfen, die in Wasser dispergiert sind und stabilisieren diese. Die so entstehenden Emulsionen werden von der wässrigen Phase getrennt und Untersuchungen zu Phasenzusammensetzung sowie Stabilität der Emulsionen durchgeführt.
Dies soll dazu beitragen, Erkenntnisse zu deren Handhabung und Destabilisierung zu erhalten und somit auf lange Sicht die Anwendbarkeit der ölbasierten Flotationsprozesse zu ermöglichen [2], [3], [6], [8], [9].