[en] Uranium nitride microspheres were fabricated by internal gelation and carbothermic reduction. The influence of the thermal treatment and the reaction atmosphere on the chemical composition and the structural parameter of the spheres were systematically investigated. Hogh density (> 95% TD) spheres of 800 μ m diameter were obtained by reacting in argon-hydeogen followed by nitrogen-hydrogen. Porous spheres with a distinct pore and grain structure and low crushing strength as feed for pellets have been fabricated in nitrogen and nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere. Special emphasis was put on a reliable determination of nitrogen and on X-ray diffraction for the chemical composition and on the correlation of the crushing strength to structural parameters. (orig.)

[en] The basic principle of the SMAL (Super-resolution Microsphere Amplifying Lens) imaging technology that we invented has its roots in the SMON (Submerged Microsphere Optical Nanoscope) pioneering work. SMAL is a novel objective lens whose front lens assembly contains a microsphere and is replaceable. We built a nanoscope prototype with nano XYZ scanning capability, which integrates a SMAL objective lens, allowing us to achieve super resolution imaging (70 nm – 90 nm). We have resolved large area scans (200 µm x 200 µm) by contactless sample scanning. (paper)

[en] Polydisperse, non-porous microspheres are required with well-defined aerodynamic properties to determine if enhanced settling of micron-sized aerosol particles occurs in the presence of larger particles (gravitational agglomeration). Glass spheres with claimed unimodal narrow distributions were evaluated using a TSI Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS33B). The size fractions containing particles in the range from 1 to 5 μm aerodynamic diameter were truly unimodal, but the fractions which were supposed to consist solely of particles larger than 5 μm aerodynamic diameter contained a significant proportion of submicron particles. (author)

No abstract available

[en] We review recent experiments on the formation of finite systems of charged microspheres in dusty plasmas. There, finite arrangements of these dust clusters can be studied in different geometries ranging from 1D to 3D. The structure and the mode dynamics in these systems will be discussed.

[en] Short communication

[en] Topological properties are more general than metrical ones. They are related physically with what can happen, and the metrical ones with how can happen. If all what can happen is not identified, the explanation of how things happen will be difficult. In most cases this problem is not faced, because the topological properties of a physical system are not modified. But this is not case of sintering, where its description based only on metrical properties may be complex. In this paper, the topological structures and transformations observed during sintering are identified with the help of very simple ideas and used to explain a complex sintering case of (Th,5%U)O sub(2) microspheres. (author)

[en] A new method of fabricating electrophoretic display sheet was developed utilizing a photolithographic process. In this method, stripe-type barrier ribs with height of 50-80 μm and gap between ribs of 100-150 μm were patterned on the transparent electrode substrate by photolithographic process using a negative-type photoresist. Microspheres dispersed in UV curable monomer system were closely packed into the spaces between the barrier ribs. After laminating the upper ITO film, the resulting sheet was UV-irradiated to give an electrophoretic display panel with uniform packing of microspheres

[en] Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is used for the treatment of patients with liver tumors, especially for those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases from various primary tumors. Currently this innovative treatment concept is recommended when established state-of-the-art treatment regimes have failed and tumor progression is noted or if the treatment has to be abandoned because of intolerable toxic effects. For SIRT small biocompatible microspheres (SIR-Spheres ^registered) are labelled with the radioactive isotope 90Yttrium, a pure beta emitter, and are superselectively infused into the hepatic arteries. The microspheres are collected in the precapillary vessels in and surrounding the tumor. The beta radiation of 90Yttrium has an average penetration in tissue of approximately 2.5 mm and results in very high doses of radiation being selectively targeted to metastases providing protection to the surrounding healthy liver tissue. In this paper we review the results of SIRT in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer, breast cancer, neuroendocrine tumors and primary liver cancer (HCC). (orig.)

No abstract available