Synthesis and characterization of a positive‐working,aqueous‐base‐developable photosensitive polyimide precursor

A positive‐working, aqueous‐base‐developable photosensitive polyimide precursor based on poly(amic ester)‐bearing phenolic hydroxyl groups and a diazonaphthoquinone photosensitive compound was developed. The poly(amic ester) was prepared from a direct polymerization of 2,2′‐bis‐(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane and bis(n‐butyl)ester of pyromellitic acid in the presence of phenylphosphonic dichloride as an activator. Subsequently, the thermal imidization of the poly(amic ester) precursor at 300°C produced the corresponding polyimide. The inherent viscosity of the precursor polymer was 0.23 dL/g. The cyclized polyimide showed a glass‐transition temperature at 356°C and a 5% weight loss at 474°C in nitrogen. The structures of the precursor polymer and the fully cyclized polymer were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H‐NMR. The photosensitive polyimide precursor containing 25 wt % diazonaphthoquinone photoactive compound showed a sensitivity of 150 mJ/cm² and a contrast of 1.65 in a 3 μm film with 1.25 wt % tetramethylammonium hydroxide developer. A pattern with a resolution of 10 μm was obtained from this composition. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 352–358, 2002     

The role of electrostatic interactions in the mechanism of peptide bond hydrolysis by a Ser-Lys catalytic dyad

General-base catalysis in the active site of serine proteasesis carried out by the imidazole side chain of a histidine. Duringformation of the transition state, an adjacent carboxylic acidgroup stabilizes the positive charge that forms on the general-basecatalyst and as a result contributes several orders of magnitudeto the catalytic efficiency of these enzymes. In the recentlydiscovered family of self-cleaving proteins exemplified by theLexA repressor of Escherichia coli, instead of the imidazoleof a histidine, the active-site general-base catalyst was foundto be the -amino of a lysine. The considerably higher capacityof the lysine side chain for proton acceptance raises interestingquestions concerning the role of electrostatic interactionsin the mechanism of proton transfer by this highly basic group.The negative charge elimination studies described here and theireffects on the k_max and pK of LexA self-cleavage are consistentwith a model in which electrostatic interactions between anacidic side chain and the general-base catalyst form a barrierto proton transfer. The implications are that the -amino group,unlike the imidazole group, is capable of effecting proton transferwithout the intervention of a countercharge.     

Damage zone development in PVC under a multiaxial tensile stress state

The irreversible deformation mechanisms of poly(vinyl chloride) with a semicircular notch under slow tensile loading have been studied as a function of sheet thickness. Initially, core yielding was observed in the optical microscope as two families of slip lines growing from the notch surface in the centre of the specimen. The size and shape of the core yielding zone could be described by plasticity analysis. A stress-whitened zone subsequently initiated near the tip of the slip line zone. The stress whitening was caused by 1 m voids that were visible in the scanning electron microscope. The mean stress for stress whitening was calculated to be 43.0±1.5 MPa by a plastic stress analysis of a pressure-dependent yield material. By assuming a constant mean stress along the boundary of the stress-whitened zone, the one-dimensional shift of the elastic stress distribution was obtained. At higher stresses, hinge shear and intersecting shear were observed for thick and thin sheet, respectively.     

脉冲涡流和电磁声换能器双探头无损检测

在许多情况下，只应用一种NDT技术存在不足，这就迫使NDT操作人员使用一种以上的技术以保证检测出危害被检物使用寿命或功能的缺陷。但分别实施多种技术的检测，就会延长检验时间。介绍了一种新的NDT设施，采用两种不同的非接触无损检测技术进行互补，即电磁声换能器（EMAT）和脉冲涡流（PEC）探头。检测结果表明，脉冲涡流和电磁声换能器因是非接触，所以可应用于材料生产过程中的自动在线检验，也可用于在役检验。     

Sulfidation behavior of Fe-25Cr-20Ni-1.5Al2O3 in simulated coal combustion/gasification environments

The effect of minor addition of -Al₂O₃ dispersoids on the sulfidation behavior of Fe-25Cr-20Ni was investigated over a range of pO₂, 1.13×10^–20 to 1.18×10 ****^–22 atm. at constant pS₂=1.22×10^–8 atm. Fe-25Cr-20Ni and Fe-25Cr-20Ni 1.5 Al₂O₃ with and without preformed oxide scales were exposed to bioxidant gas mixtures H₂/H₂O/H₂S/Ar at 700° C. Both isothermal and cyclic exposures were included. Scales were characterized by a combination of several surface analytical tools. A remarkable improvement in sulfidation resistance is observed in Fe-25Cr-20Ni-1.5Al₂O₃ under the conditions investigated here. This is attributed to the ability of the alloy to form and maintain a predominantly Cr₂O₃ scale with reduced Fe-diffusion and content. Possible scientific reasons for such improvement are discussed. The base alloy, Fe-25Cr-20Ni, fails to develop and retain such a Cr₂O₃ scale and undergoes sulfidation within a few minutes of exposure. The scale breakdown process by sulfidation is explained qualitatively. Experimental evidence suggests that sulfur in the environment enhances Fe-diffusion and content in the scale.     

Numerical simulation on magnetic flux leakage evaluation at high speed

High-speed non-destructive inspection (NDI) systems using magnetic flux leakage method (MFL) is in great demand in online metal inspection and defect characterisation, especially in pipeline and rail track inspection. For MFL systems at high speed measurement, in addition to magnetic flux, eddy currents exist in metal specimen because of the relative movement between the probe and specimen. These currents alter the profile of electromagnetic field, which increases difficulty in signal interpretation and defect characterization. In this paper, eddy currents generated by high speed movement and their characterisation in high-speed MFL inspection systems were investigated by using numerical simulations. Besides, the MFL signals from high speed MFL measurement against defect depth were examined.     

Remediating Theatre in a Digital Proscenium

The paper examines and evaluates the transposition of live theatre performance into a digital multimedia environment utilising QuickTime (or equivalent) movie software for use on standard PCs. Writers such as Brenda Laurel have discussed the close correspondences between theatre and computers, and CD-ROM authoring software such as Director clearly adopts theatrical paradigms and terminology. The differences between attending a performance in a theatre and viewing a recording on a computer screen are outlined, and how these two experiences differ in what is expected from the audience/user. The distortions inherent in any video recording of a theatre event are explored, with particular reference to differentials in performance scale. The flickering, low-r esolution picture typifying video playback on CD-ROMs is then argued to be a positive virtue in the remediation of theatrical footage, and far preferable to full-screen video recordings. A number of reasons are proposed which explore ideas around documentary realism, visual and aesthetic convention, totemic fetishisation, and Brecht's alienation theory. It is suggested that the small-window digital movie placed within the larger multimedia screen where other graphical codes and images can co-exist and interact with the video footage, creates a dual proscenium that is poetic, evocative, and inherently theatrical.     

Increased biogas production in a wastewater treatment plant by anaerobic co-digestion of fruit and vegetable waste and sewer sludge - a full scale study

Anaerobic digestion is a well established technology for the reduction of organic matter and stabilization of wastewater. Biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, is produced as a useful by-product of the process. Current solid waste management at the city of Prince George is focused on disposal of waste and not on energy recovery. Co-digestion of fresh fruit and vegetable waste with sewer sludge can improve biogas yield by increasing the load of biodegradable material. A six week full-scale project co-digesting almost 15,000 kg of supermarket waste was completed. Average daily biogas production was found to be significantly higher than in previous years. Digester operation remained stable over the course of the study as indicated by the consistently low volatile acids-to-alkalinity ratio. Undigested organic material was visible in centrifuged sludge suggesting that the waste should have been added to the primary digester to prevent short circuiting and to increase the hydraulic retention time of the freshly added waste.     

Development of an operational fitness test for the Royal Air Force

Since 2002, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has been working towards developing role-related physical tests for use as an operational fitness test (OFT). The purpose of this study was to establish reliability of the OFT (comprising four tests), investigate gym-based tests as predictors of performance and establish performance standards. Fifty-eight RAF personnel performed the OFT on three occasions. A separate cohort carried out fitness and anthropometric tests before performing the OFT, by way of establishing performance predictors. Documented evidence and views of an expert panel were used to determine OFT standards. Reliability ranged from moderate to good for three tests, with one test (Dig) showing poor reliability. The 95% limits of agreement for the prediction models ranged from good to poor (6.7-34.2%). The prediction models were not sufficiently accurate to estimate confidently OFT performance, but could be used as a guide to quantify likely outcome and training needs.     

Design and fabrication of an electrochemically actuated microvalve

A microfluidic valve based on electrochemical (ECM) actuation was designed, fabricated using UV-LIGA microfabrication technologies. The valve consists of an ECM actuator, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane and a micro chamber. The flow channels and chamber are made of cured SU-8 polymer. The hydrogen gas bubbles were generated in the valve microchamber with Pt black electrodes (coated with platinum nanoparticles) and filled with 1 M of NaCl solution. The nano particles coated on the working electrode helps to boost the surface-to-volume ratio of the electrode for faster reversible electrolysis and faster valve operation. To test the functionality of the microvalve, a simple micropump based on ECM principle was also integrated in the system to deliver a microscopic volume of fluid through the valve. The experimental results have showed that an approximately 300 μm deflection of valve membrane was achieved by applying a bias voltage of ?1.5 V across the electrodes. The pressure in the valve chamber was estimated to be about 200 KPa. Experimental results proved that the valve can be easily operated by controlling the electrical signals supplied to the ECM actuators.