All-on-Chip Concurrent Measurements of the Static Magnetization and of the Electron Spin Resonance with Microcantilevers

A large variety of the samples of novel magnetic materials, which are of high interest due to their exotic properties, are only available in very small sizes. In some cases, it is not possible to synthesize large single crystals; in other cases, the small size itself is the key prerequisite to manifest a specifically interesting property of the material. The smallness of a sample rises a problem of the detection of the static magnetic response and of the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal. To overcome this problem, we propose to use a cantilever-based (torque-detected) setup with the capability of a simultaneous measurement of ESR and static magnetization. This setup offers a high sensitivity and the ability to acquire along with the ESR signal the components of the magnetization tensor in a single experimental run. Here, we present the working principle of this setup, as well as the estimate of its sensitivity from the measurements on the standard Co Tutton salt sample.

Bioremediation potential of a halophilic bacterium Chromohalobacter salexigens EG1QL3: exopolysaccharide production, crude oil degradation, and heavy metal tolerance

Based on biochemical and phylogenetic analyses, isolated from a salt sample from Lake Qarun (Egypt) a halophilic strain EG1QL3 was identified as Chromohalobacter salexigens. The abilities of EG1QL3 to produce an extracellular polysaccharide, degrade oil, and resist to heavy metals were revealed.

Origin and Evolution of Gas in Salt Beds of a Potash Mine

In order to better understand both the fixation and migration of gases in evaporites, investigations were performed in five horizontal boreholes drilled in an underground potash seam. One of the five boreholes was pressurised with Ar and the pressure signal and chemical gas composition were then monitored in the other holes. A further gas sample from a separate borehole was characterised for the chemical composition and for noble gas and carbon isotopic compositions to conclude on the origin and evolution of the gas in the salt rocks. Additionally, in order to determine the total gas amount in the salt rocks, a potash-bearing salt sample was dissolved in water and from the mass of 1 kg salt sample, 9 cm(STP)3 gas was liberated. Due to the relatively large permeability of the disturbed salt rocks (4×10-17 to 4×10-18 m2), which is about 3–4 orders of magnitude higher than in undisturbed salt rocks, we assume that the migration of injected Ar most likely takes place along micro-cracks produced during the mining process. The geogenic gas concentrations found in the observation holes correlate directly to the Ar concentration, suggesting that they were stripped from the rocks in between the holes. According to the He-isotopes (0.092 Ra), a small contribution of mantle gas can be found in the geogenic salt gas. The δ13CCO2-isotopic composition (−7.8 ‰ to 6.7 ‰) indicates a magmatic source, whereas 13C∕12C of CH4 (−22.2 ‰ to −21.3 ‰) is typical for a thermogenic gas. We assume that CO2 and CH4 are related to volcanic activity, where they isotopically equilibrated at temperatures of 513 to 519 ∘C about 15–16 Ma ago.

The Cutting Resistance of Rock Salt in Function of Temperature

Currently over then 16 percent of the total worldwide salt production is excavated in underground mines. Salt deposits often lie at great depths up to 1000 m, where the temperature of the surrounding rocks reaches 50°C and even exceeds it. A large part of it is exploited using mechanical methods, mainly with the use of road headers and continuous miners. When excavating salt rock, the cutters of the road header mining head come into contact with the rock. This generate friction and in consequence a rise in temperature. In AGH University of Science and Technology the laboratory tests were carried out to determine the effect of temperature on cutting resistance and selected mechanical properties of rock salt. On the special laboratory test stand the rock salt sample was cutted at three different temperatures - 20, 50 and 80°C. The cuttability index and the side chipping angle were measured for each temperature. Additionally the same tests were performed in the case of salt sample after cooling to room temperature. The selected mechanical parameters of rock salt - compressive, tensile and shear strength were also measured for the same temperature values. The obtained results were compared and described in the paper.

Formation of nanoscale sodium dodecahydro-closo- dodecaborate Na2[B12H12] on silicate matrix surface

The method of nanoscaled sodium dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate Na2[B12H12] synthesis is presented. The composite is heated to 200°C to yield the desired product, forming with the introduction of triethyl- ammonium salt [Et3NH]2[B12H12] into the silicate matrix of a sodium liquid glass. The morphology and phase composition of the synthesized sample are studied through SEM and X-ray diffraction methods, in comparison to those of a standard salt sample Na2[B12H12]. Based on the obtained data, the sample under study is an amorphous composite, on the surface of which nanoscale crystals of Na2[B12H12] form.

Iodine levels in brands of salt on the markets of Accra, Ghana

Introduction: The analysis sought to verify the presence or otherwise and the concentration levels of iodine in the claimed iodated salts on the Ghanaian market.Methods: Eleven (11) most patronized brands of salts, including both local and foreign brands and the raw-pellet salt (crystallized directly from sea water), were obtained from popular shops and markets in Accra. These were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively by titrimetry, involving the iodate-iodide reaction in acid medium that generates molecular iodine (IO3- + I-+ 6H+ → I2 + 3H2O). Results: The iodine content (in ppm) at retail, recorded for the samples are as follows: Sample A (25.4), B (51.8), C (52.9), D (45.5), E (25.4), F (75.1), G (28.6), H (0), I (13.7), J (34.9) and K (16.9). No iodine was observed in the raw-pellet salt (sample H) crystallized directly from sea water, in contrast to the long-held belief that it contains natural iodine. Furthermore, all samples analyzed did not meet the concentration levels indicated on their labels and did not meet the Ghana Standard Authority’s standard. Conclusion: Only samples B and C were close to the Ghana Standard Authority’s specification. The Ghana Standard Authority’s standard of 100ppm at production and 50ppm at retail may be too high or, probably, the salt iodination companies are not adhering to the rules. The authors therefore recommend that the regulatory authorities (The Food and Drugs Authority and The Ghana Standard Authority) regularize their regulatory activities and educate the public appropriately. Funding: The study was self-funded by the researchers/authors.Keywords: Iodated salts; analysis; iodine levels.

Photosensitizer Using Visible Light: An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment Utilizing an Affordable Photocatalytic Reactor

In this experiment, the visible light reactive photosensitizer (PS) derived from chlorophyllin sodium copper salt has been synthesized via a simple synthetic route. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of the pharmaceutical compound Diclofenac Potassium available as Voltfast sachets under visible light irradiation was demonstrated by comparing the photocatalytic decomposition of Diclofenac Potassium in the presence and absence of the new synthesized visible light photosensitizer under the same photocatalytic conditions. Based on the experimental results, higher activity was achieved for the sample composed of the new synthesized visible light photosensitizer. The photosensitized sample using the new derivative of chlorophyllin sodium copper salt exhibited approximately 21 times higher rate when compared with that of Chlorophyllin sodium copper salt sample. This photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the enhanced visible light harvesting of the new derivative of Chlorophyllin sodium copper salt.

ANALYSIS OF IODINE CONTENT IN TABLE SALT

Iodine is essential nutrients for human body. It is needed by thyroid gland to produce thyroxine hormone. Human body cannot produce iodine by itself. There are some sources of iodine in food such as seafood, milk, egg, fruit and vegetable that can be consumed to fulfill the daily needs. Table salt is one of iodine’s source that routinely consumed, based on SNI No. 3556:2010, it has to be fortified by potassium iodate of 30-80 ppm. Lack of iodine intake will lead a disorder called Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) which generally manifested as mumps. In this research, the analysis of iodate content in table salt was done by formation of blue I2-starch complex. The several optimum conditions showed for this measurement such as maximum wavelength, type and concentration of acid, and complex stability time. Based on commercial table salt sample analysis, showed that only 50% of our sample contain suitable amount of iodine while the others contains lower or almost no iodine. Keyword; table salt, iodine, iodate, I2-starch complex

Halarchaeum grantii sp. nov., a moderately acidophilic haloarchaeon isolated from a commercial salt sample

Three moderately acidophilic, halophilic archaeal strains, MH1-243-3T, MH1-243-5 and MH1-243-6, were isolated from a commercial salt sample made from seawater in Okinawa, Japan. Cells of the three strains were pleomorphic and stained Gram-negative. Colonies of the strains were orange–red-pigmented. Strain MH1-243-3T was able to grow at 15–27 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 24 °C), at pH 4.5–6.5 (pH 5.5) and at 35–50 °C (45 °C). Strains MH1-243-5 and MH1-243-6 grew within slightly different ranges (shown in text). The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three strains were identical, and the closest phylogenetic relative was Halarchaeum salinum MH1-34-1T with 97.0 % similarity. The rpoB′ gene sequences of the three strains were also identical, and the closest phylogenetic relative was Halarchaeum acidiphilum JCM 16109T with 92.0 % similarity. The DNA G+C content of MH1-243-3T, MH1-243-5 and MH1-243-6 was 65.2 mol%. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness amongst the three strains were 84.1–99.8 %, while that between MH1-243-3T and H. salinum MH1-34-1T was 30.6 % and 31.6 % (reciprocally), and those between MH1-243-3T and type strains of other species in the genus Halarchaeum were 42.3–29.4 %. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the isolates should represent a novel species of the genus Halarchaeum, for which the name Halarchaeum grantii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MH1-243-3T ( = JCM 19585T = KCTC 4142T), isolated from commercial sea salt produced in Okinawa, Japan. MH1-243-5 ( = JCM 19586) and MH1-243-6 ( = JCM 18422) are additional strains of the species.