Browsing by Subject "iron oxide"
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Item Iron oxide nanoparticles as a contrast agent for thermoacoustic tomography(2009-06-02) Keho, Aaron LopezAn exogenous contrast agent has been developed to enhance the contrast achievable in Thermoacoustic Tomography (TAT). TAT utilizes the penetration depth of microwave energy while producing high resolution images through acoustic waves. A sample irradiated by a microwave source expands due to thermoelastic expansion. The acoustic wave created by this expansion is recorded by an ultrasonic transducer. The water content in biological samples poses an obstacle, as it is the primary absorber of microwave radiation. The addition of an exogenous contrast agent improves image quality by more effectively converting microwave energy to heat. The use of iron oxide nanoparticles in MRI applications has been explored but super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have benefits in microwave applications, as well. Through ferromagnetic resonance, SPION samples more effectively convert microwave energy into heat. This transduction to heat creates significantly larger thermoacoustic waves than water, alone. Characterization of the SPION samples is executed through TAT, TEM, XPS, EDS, and a vector network analyzer with a dielectric probe kit. Onedimensional and phantom model imaging with an iron oxide nanoparticle contrast agent provide a two-fold improvement in contrast at current system configurations. Further enhancement is possible through adjustments to the nanoparticles and TAT system.Item The role of iron oxyhydroxides in phosphorus chemistry of some East Texas forest soils(Texas A&M University, 2006-10-30) Hass, AmirForest soil phosphorus (P) chemical behavior was evaluated in some mid-rotation fertilized loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in East Texas, that differed in their site drainage characteristics. Forest floor mass and carbon content in the forest floor were determined. Total P (PT) in the forest floor, and total and Mehlich-1 P and citratedithionite (CD) and acid ammonium-oxalate (AAO) extractable P, Al, Fe, and Mn within the mineral soil upper 100 cm were determined. Colorimetric determination of AAOand CD-extractable P by the molybdenum blue ascorbic acid method, without the use of pre-digestion, was assessed by an automated continuous flow injection system. Phosphorus distribution between different operationally defined solid phases and its relationships with CD and AAO extractable Mn, Al, Fe among depth, site, drainage class and treatment were evaluated. Soil P forms were highly correlated with iron oxides across sites, drainage classes, treatments, and depth intervals with significant differences in P content and distribution in the soil profile and solid phases among drainage classes. Soil P distribution patterns differed among drainage classes, yet it followed the distribution of the iron oxides. Iron oxide??????s role as a sink for soil P was higher in the well-drained compared to the poorly drained sites. Amorphous phases of iron oxides were higher in the poorly drained sites and dominated the role of iron oxides as a sink for P under the poor drainage conditions. Fertilization resulted in significantly higher forest floor mass, P content in the forest floor, and total P (PT) and CD-extractable P (Pd) in the soils?????? upper 10 cm. The treatment effect on P in the forest floor, and on PT and Pd in the upper 10 cm of the mineral soil was equivalent to 6, 19, and 11% of the applied P, respectively. AAO-extractable P was highly correlated with Mehlich-1 P in the fertilized plots. Treatment and site drainage class effects on P accumulation in the different solid phases in the mineral soil and in the forest floor and the potential contribution of these pools to P availability in subsequent rotations, following clearcutting, are discussed.