2016 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Precise real-time measuring gadolinium concentration in water
| Project/Area Number |
15K17638
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
マルティ.マグロ ルイス 東京大学, 宇宙線研究所, 特任助教 (60706787)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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| Keywords | gadolinium / concentration / measurement |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The project was divided in two parts: 1-improvement of the current methods (measurement with an atomic absorption spectrometer) and 2-development of a new method using the magnetic properties of gadolinium.
The first part has been successfully completed. It was developed as planed and tested. After several designs of the platform we finally found a good one. The two materials that we tested (tantalum and tungsten) released very good results. From our current experience tantalum is better for the production of the platform while tungsten has a longer lifetime.
With the second part however, we encountered more difficulties than expected. I got in our laboratory most of the necessary equipment for the tests we need to proceed (if it works this will be purchased with the grant). I started with simple versions of that tests as it is a new field for me and hope this leads to the successful conclusion of this second part of the project too.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
For the second part of the project we realised that very expensive equipment was required for our tests. However, since we are not sure this will actually work and it would need all the grant, I searched in our laboratory the necessary equipment to conduct them. I could find the most expensive component and could borrow it (realising this problem and finding the equipment took quite some time). Once I realised I could perform these tests I started the building the other parts.
Further delay has been added in this process because this is a new field for me.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
With the needed equipment for the tests we are starting them now. Since the construction of band-pass filters is new for me, I am trying first with more simple set-ups in order to learn the basic principles I will need for the final set-up. The idea is to build a first filter (already done) and test it (on-going). Then refine the filters up to the needed quality factor for our case.
As a backup, I searched for possible companies with commercial products that may perform the same measurement. This option is left to the end because these products do not include desired features: continuous concentration measurement and easy and fast measurements.
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| Causes of Carryover |
I did not want to use the remaining grant for expensive equipment that may not work in the end for our measurements (vector network analyser, VNA) and then being left with no other possibility to achieve my goal. Instead, I searched within different groups in our laboratory and was able to borrow it.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
If the band-pass filter method works then I plan to buy the borrowed equipment (VNA among others). This equipment is rather expensive and is basically the remaining grant.
If it does not work and the band-pass filter method proofs to be not fitted for the measurement then I will proceed with the less desired option of buying an existing commercial product if within the reach of this grant.
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