Vacuum freeze-drying of frozen wet papers was investigated experimentally. A freeze-drying facility was built to study the process by monitoring the various physical parameters (pressure, sample temperature, heater temperature, water content of the sample and cold panel temperature). A simple phenomenological model was developed to explain experimental results. The values of the physical parameters were optimized to make the process cost effective.

A handheld x-ray spectrometer has been realized and tested. The purpose of the device is to measure the thickness of coated samples in the range of 1 -1500 nm in an industrial environment. Accuracy of ϳ3% has been achieved in this range with a measurement time of 1 min. Automated software has been implemented to allow utilization by a nonspecialist operator. An automated calibration procedure, based on measurements of reference samples, is used.

Gamma-ray attenuation is used to measure cryogenic mixture density. Parameters are optimized for specific space application. A simple error formula is established. The feasibility of the measurement is demonstrated. An automatic measurement device is built.

No abstract

No abstract