Free vibration of functionally graded spatial curved beams

A formulation for the free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) spatial curved beams is presented by taking into account the effects of thickness-curvature. The governing equation is based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and Ritz method is employed to obtain the natural frequencies. The curved beams presented are in the form of the cylindrical helical spring. The material distribution is in the direction of the curvature of the curved beam. The results for isotropic planar curved beams are validated with the known data in the literature. The effects of helix pitch angle, number of turns and boundary conditions on frequency parameters of spatial curved beams are investigated.     

A new Schiff's base ligand immobilized agarose membrane optical sensor for selective monitoring of mercury ion

A highly selective optical sensor was developed for the Hg(2+) determination by chemical immobilization of 2-[(2-sulfanylphenyl)ethanimidoyl]phenol (L), on an agarose membrane. Spectrophotometric studies of complex formation between the Schiff's base ligand L and Hg(2+), Sr(2+), Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Al(3+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Co(2+) and Ag(+) metal ions in methanol solution indicated a substantially larger stability constant for the mercury ion complex. Consequently, the Schiff's base L was used as an appropriate ionophore for the preparation of a selective Hg(2+) optical sensor, by its immobilization on a transparent agarose film. A distinct color change, from yellow to green-blue, was observed by contacting the sensing membrane with Hg(2+) ions at pH 4.5. The effects of pH, ionophore concentration, ionic strength and reaction time on the immobilization of L were studied. A linear relationship was observed between the membrane absorbance at 650 nm and Hg(2+) concentrations in a range from 1×10(-2) to 1×10(-5) mol L(-1) with a detection limit (3σ) of 1×10(-6) mol L(-1). No significant interference from 100 times concentrations of a number of potentially interfering ions was detected for the mercury ion determination. The optical sensor was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in amalgam alloy and spiked water samples.     

Investigation of factors affecting synthesis of polyvinyl butyral by Taguchi method

Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) was prepared by condensation reaction of butyral with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in aqueous phase containing an acid as a catalyst and an emulsifying agent. Properties of the polymer were a function of the relative amounts of the three randomly distributed units of acetal, acetate and vinyl alcohol groups, and the molecular weight. In this work, some effective factors in synthesis of PVB have been investigated by Taguchi method. The percent of the acetalization has been determined according to the ASTM D1396, and the polymer was characterized by IR, TG, and DTG techniques. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Electron Beam-Induced "Nanocalcination" of Boehmite Nanostrips to Mesoporous α-Alumina Phase

Phase transformation of boehmite (AlOOH) nanostrips to α-Al₂O₃ nanolaces was investigated under electron beam irradiation of a 200 keV transmission electron microscope (TEM). X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the powder consisted of boehmite phase before the electron exposure, while selected area electron diffraction patterns demonstrated the formation of stable α-alumina phase after bombardment with high-energy electrons. The in situ TEM observations revealed that the initial morphology remained unchanged while a lace-like mesostructure of α-alumina was developed.     

Dual‐energy CT imaging of nasopharyngeal cancer cells using multifunctional gold nanoparticles

The purpose of this study is to measure the concentration of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attached to folic acid through cysteamin as the linker (FA‐Cys‐AuNPs) and AuNPs in KB human nasopharyngeal cancer cells using dual‐energy CT (DECT). In this study, nanoparticles with a size of ∼15 nm were synthesized and characterised using UV‐Vis, TEM, FTIR and ICP‐OES analyses. The non‐toxicity of nanoparticles was confirmed by MTT assay under various concentrations (40– 100 µg/ml) and incubation times (6, 12 and 24 h). To develop an algorithm for revealing different concentrations of AuNPs in cells, a corresponding physical phantom filled with 0.5 ml vials containing FA‐Cys‐AuNPs was used. The CT scan was performed at two energy levels (80 and 140 kVp). One feature of DECT is material decomposition, which allows separation and identification of different elements. The values obtained from the DECT algorithm were compared with values quantitatively measured by ICP‐OES. Cells were also incubated with AuNPs and FA‐Cys‐AuNPs at different concentrations and incubation times. Subsequently, by increasing the incubation time in the presence of FA‐Cys‐AuNPs, in comparison with AuNPs, DECT pixels were increased. Thus, FA‐Cys‐AuNPs could be a suitable candidate for targeted contrast agent in DECT molecular imaging of nasopharyngeal cancer cells.Inspec keywords: biomedical materials, phantoms, nanoparticles, computerised tomography, nanomedicine, cancer, toxicology, nanofabrication, gold, cellular biophysics, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectraOther keywords: Au, time 24.0 hour, time 12.0 hour, time 6.0 hour, head cancer cells, DECT molecular imaging, DECT algorithm, material decomposition, physical phantom, MTT assay, ICP‐OES analyses, FTIR spectra, TEM, UV‐vis spectrophotometry, cysteamin, folic acid, gold nanoparticle concentration, nasopharyngeal cancer cells, dual‐energy CT imaging, neck cancer cells, KB human nasopharyngeal cancer cells, multifunctional gold nanoparticles     

Nanocomposites based on polycarbonate/poly (butylene terephthalate) blends effects of distribution and type of nanoclay on morphological behavior

Polycarbonate/poly (butylene terephthalate) (PC/PBT) is an example of an immiscible/(partially miscible) binary polymer blend with a wide range of applications. In some applications, the low stiffness limits the end uses of this blend and can be improved by the incorporation of nanoparticles. Nanocomposites based on PC/PBT and three types of commercial layered silicate were prepared via melt processing by using an internal mixer. The three types of organoclay were Cloisite 15A, Cloisite 20A, and Cloisite 30B. The main aim of the work focused on the morphology behavior and the determination of the location of the organoclays in the polymeric phases. The wetting coefficient based on Young's equation was evaluated in order to predict the distribution of organoclays in the polymeric phases by considering the temperature effect. The results revealed that the three types of organoclay were located in the PBT phase, while the results from transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed a contradiction for Cloisite 30B that was attributable mainly to thermal degradation of this type of nanoparticle during melt processing. Morphological studies showed that intercalated morphology for nanocomposites containing Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 15A led to significant enhancement of the transesterification reaction, while de‐intercalation occurred for samples including Cloisite 30B. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:203‐212, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Optimization of chemical activation of cotton fabrics for activated carbon fabrics production using response surface methodology

Abstract

The preparation of activated carbon fabric (ACF) from cotton fabric treated with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). Experimental activation variables including; impregnation ratio, heating rate, activation temperature, and activation time were optimized based on the responses evaluated (adsorption capacity, yield of the produced ACF). The operation conditions for obtaining the ACFs with the highest the adsorption capacity and process yield were proposed. Optimized conditions were: impregnation ratio of 2, heating rate of 7.5 °C min^?1, the activation temperature of 500 °C, and the activation time of 30 min. The ACFs produced under optimized conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX). The surface area and pore volume of carbon nanostructures were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherm at 77 °K using BET method. The obtained results showed that the produced ACFs have developed porous structure, fabric shape, BET surface area (690 m²/g) and total pore volume (0.3216 cm³/g), and well-preserved fibers integrity.