Studies on heat processing and storage of seer fish curry in retort pouches

Seer fish in curry medium packed in locally manufactured retort pouches, having a three‐layer configuration of thickness 12.5 µm polyester/12.5 µm aluminium foil/80 µm cast polypropylene was processed in a steam/air mixture over a pressure retort. About 210 g fish curry, having 110 g fish slices, was packed in a retort pouch of size 17 cm × 15.5 cm, each fitted with a thermocouple. Time–temperature data were collected during heat processing using an Ellab data recorder F_O and cook value integrator. The heat penetration characteristics were determined using a mathematical method. The f_h value was 25 min with a F_O value of 11.5 and cook value of 95 min. These samples remained in good condition for up to 24 months at room temperature. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐Preheating Processed Quasi‐2D Perovskites for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells

Although the hot‐casting (HC) technique is prevalent in developing preferred crystal orientation of quasi‐2D perovskite films, the difficulty of accurately controlling the thermal homogeneity of substrate is unfavorable for the reproducibility of device fabrication. Herein, a facile and effective non‐preheating (NP) film‐casting method is proposed to realize highly oriented quasi‐2D perovskite films by replacing the butylammonium (BA⁺) spacer partially with methylammonium (MA⁺) cation as (BA)_2?x(MA)_3+xPb₄I₁₃ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6). At the optimal x‐value of 0.4, the resultant quasi‐2D perovskite film possesses highly orientated crystals, associated with a dense morphology and uniform grain‐size distribution. Consequently, the (BA)_1.6(MA)_3.4Pb₄I₁₃‐based solar cells yield champion efficiencies of 15.44% with NP processing and 16.29% with HC processing, respectively. As expected, the HC‐processed device shows a poor performance reproducibility compared with that of the NP film‐casting method. Moreover, the unsealed device (x = 0.4) displays a better moisture stability with respect to the x = 0 stored in a 65% ± 5% relative humility chamber.     

Silicon Migration from High‐barrier Coated Multilayer Polymeric Films to Selected Food Simulants after Microwave Processing Treatments

The use of microwave (MW) technology for in‐package food sterilization and pasteurization has the potential for widespread use in the food industry. Because the use of MW technology requires that food be processed inside its packaging, the interaction between food and its packaging during processing must be studied to ensure package integrity as well as consumer safety. In this study, two commercially available multilayer films developed for retort sterilization were evaluated for their suitability to MW processing. Film A was composed of oriented nylon//coated polyethylene terephthalate//cast polypropylene (CPP); film B consisted of oriented nylon//coated nylon//CPP with overall oxygen transmission rates <0.2 cc/m². day. Silicon (Si) was a major component in the coated polyethylene terephthalate layer and food‐contact CPP layer. This study evaluated the influence of MW processing on Si migration from films into selected food‐simulating liquids (FSLs; water and 3% acetic acid) using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectroscopy, as compared with conventional thermal processing. This study also assessed migration of Si into FSL in terms of process temperature (70–123 °C) and time (18–34 min). A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer was used to evaluate the stability of the silicon–oxygen (Si–O) bonds in the metal‐oxide coated and food‐contact layer of the packaging film. Overall, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the level of Si migration from films to FSL and the stability of Si–O–Si bonds during MW processing as compared with the conventional thermal processing. However, we found that the final processing temperature and time had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on Si migration into the FSL. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Pasteurization and Retort Processing on Spectral Characteristics,Morphological, Thermal,Physico‐Mechanical,Barrier and Optical Properties of Nylon‐Based Food Packaging Materials

The effect of pasteurization and retort processing on spectral, morphological, thermal, physico‐mechanical, barrier and optical properties of three different packaging materials viz., PP/N6/PP, PET/N6/cPP and SiO_x‐PET/N6/cPP were studied. These packaging materials were packed with distilled water, which acted as a food simulant. Subsequently, these pouches were subjected to different thermal processing conditions such as pasteurization and retort processing. Both the processing techniques found to have retained the mechanical properties of all packaging materials. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of nylon‐based combinations were increased after processing. Gloss found to decrease invariably irrespective of the material and increases with the severity of the treatment. XRD diffractogram shows changes in crystal structure as a result of thermal processing, and SEM analysis shows the crystal fragmentation. Absorption of water by the amide group of nylon 6 was observed, which could be a reason for the increase in OTR and WVTR. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of PP‐based Nanopackaging on the Overall Quality and Shelf Life of Ready‐to‐eat Salami

A total of 1% nanoclay containing polypropylene (PP)‐nanocomposite and 1% nanoclay plus 5% poly‐beta‐pinene (PβP) containing PP‐active‐nanocomposite materials were produced and tested for packaging of sliced salami. The sliced salami was packaged using both nanofilms and multilayer film of PP/PA/EVOH/PE under vacuum, modified atmosphere packaging under 50% CO₂ and 50% N₂ and air and stored at 4 °C for 90 days. During storage, headspace gas composition; microbial, physical and chemical analyses; and sensory evaluation were performed. The antimicrobial effect of PβP containing nanomaterial was pronounced under vacuum, and no bacterial growth was observed for 75 days. An a* value decreased notably in all applications during storage and preserved best by the multilayered material under vacuum and high CO₂. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were 0.63 mg MDA/kg after the processing and gradually increased at all applications during increased storage. TBARS values of all vacuum applications were lower than that of modified atmosphere packaging applications. Rancid taste development was determined by sensory panelists when TBARS values were higher than 0.80 mg MDA/kg on the 90th day. There was no significant moisture loss, and no increase in hardness was determined during the whole storage time. The longest shelf life was 75 days for the sliced salami under vacuum and high CO₂ using the multilayer material. PβP containing nanomaterial provided 50 days of shelf life under vacuum, which is commercially considerable. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low‐Voltage Photodetectors with High Responsivity Based on Solution‐Processed Micrometer‐Scale All‐Inorganic Perovskite Nanoplatelets

All‐inorganic photodetectors based on scattered CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets with lateral dimension as large as 10 µm are fabricated, and the CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets are solution processed governed by a newly developed ion‐exchange soldering mechanism. Under illumination of a 442 nm laser, the photoresponsivity of photodetectors based on these scattered CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets is as high as 34 A W^?1, which is the largest value reported from all‐inorganic perovskite photodetectors with an external driven voltage as small as 1.5 V. Moreover, the rise and fall times are 0.6 and 0.9 ms, respectively, which are comparable to most of the state‐of‐the‐art all‐inorganic perovskite‐based photodetectors. All the material synthesis and device characterization are conducted at room temperature in ambient air. This work demonstrates that the solution‐processed large CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets are attractive candidates to be applied in low‐voltage, low‐cost, ultra highly integrated optoelectronic devices.     

Highly Efficient p‐i‐n Perovskite Solar Cells Utilizing Novel Low‐Temperature Solution‐Processed Hole Transport Materials with Linear π‐Conjugated Structure

Alternative low‐temperature solution‐processed hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) without dopant are critical for highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, two novel small molecule HTMs with linear π‐conjugated structure, 4,4′‐bis(4‐(di‐p‐toyl)aminostyryl)biphenyl (TPASBP) and 1,4′‐bis(4‐(di‐p‐toyl)aminostyryl)benzene (TPASB), are applied as hole‐transporting layer (HTL) by low‐temperature (sub‐100 °C) solution‐processed method in p‐i‐n PSCs. Compared with standard poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) HTL, both TPASBP and TPASB HTLs can promote the growth of perovskite (CH₃NH₃PbI₃) film consisting of large grains and less grain boundaries. Furthermore, the hole extraction at HTL/CH₃NH₃PbI₃ interface and the hole transport in HTL are also more efficient under the conditions of using TPASBP or TPASB as HTL. Hence, the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs is dramatically enhanced, leading to the high efficiencies of 17.4% and 17.6% for the PSCs using TPASBP and TPASB as HTL, respectively, which are ≈40% higher than that of the standard PSC using PEDOT:PSS HTL.     

Seed‐Assisted Growth for Low‐Temperature‐Processed All‐Inorganic CsPbIBr2 Solar Cells with Efficiency over 10%

All‐inorganic CsPbIBr₂ perovskite has recently received growing attention due to its balanced band gap and excellent environmental stability. However, the requirement of high‐temperature processing limits its application in flexible devices. Herein, a low‐temperature seed‐assisted growth (SAG) method for high‐quality CsPbIBr₂ perovskite films through reducing the crystallization temperature by introducing methylammonium halides (MAX, X = I, Br, Cl) is demonstrated. The mechanism is attributed to MA cation based perovskite seeds, which act as nuclei lowering the formation energy of CsPbIBr₂ during the annealing treatment. It is found that methylammonium bromide treated perovskite (Pvsk‐Br) film fabricated at low temperature (150 °C) shows micrometer‐sized grains and superior charge dynamic properties, delivering a device with an efficiency of 10.47%. Furthermore, an efficiency of 11.1% is achieved for a device based on high‐temperature (250 °C) processed Pvsk‐Br film via the SAG method, which presents the highest reported efficiency for inorganic CsPbIBr₂ solar cells thus far.     

The effect of heat treatment on superconductivity of Zn‐doped YBa2Cu3‐xZnxO7‐y

YBa₂Cu_3‐xZn_xO_7‐y compounds with x = 0, 0.05, 0.15, and 0.30 have been synthesized by standard solid state reaction method. The crystal structure, lattice parameters, and oxygen content are not changed by the substitution of Zn for Cu since both valence state and ionic radius are almost identical for Zn and Cu elements in YBa₂Cu_3‐xZn_xO_7‐y. However, the superconducting transition temperature T_c decreases with the increase of Zn content, reflecting the T_c‐suppression effect of Zn substitution. Heat treatment experiments indicate that the heat treatment at low temperature is beneficial to improve the superconductivity of the sample. But T_c decreases with the increase of annealing temperature when the treatment temperature is above 300°C, and finally the superconductivity disappears at approximately 920°C, 700°C and 550°C for the samples with x = 0.0, 0.05 and 0.15, respectively. Our experiments indicate that the superconductivity of the sample with higher Zn content is more sensitive to the oxygen content, and a small decrease in the oxygen content can lead to a considerable decrease of T_c.     

Heat penetration characteristics and shelf‐life studies of mushrooms in brine processed in retort pouches

White button mushrooms were washed, blanched and cut longitudinally into two halves. 100 g mushroom halves was placed into each retort pouch and 90 ml hot brine (2% salt, 0.1% citric acid) was added. Retort pouches (105 µm thick) had an outer polyester layer (12.5 µm), a middle aluminium layer (12.5 µm) and an inner cast polypropylene layer (80 µm); pouch size was 20 × 16 cm, seal size 10 mm and lip size 4 mm. Pouches were fixed with thermocouples for recording the core temperature of the mushroom pieces, using a data recorder and a computer. After sealing and over‐pressure retorting at F₀ = 9.6, the pouches were stored at the ambient conditions. The heat penetration parameters were calculated. The heating curve obtained was logarithmic in nature. Sensory evaluation of mushroom curry prepared from the stored mushrooms showed that the product had high acceptability (7.9 on a scale of 10) which reduced very slightly (to 7.5) during storage for 12 months. No deformity, leakage or spoilage was noticed and the product remained sterile and acceptable even after 12 months of storage at the ambient conditions (20–30°C). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In‐situ‐Sauerstoffmesszellen für den Einsatz im Vakuum. In‐situ oxygen sensors for the use in vacuum

The use of galvanic cells with oxide‐ion‐conducting solid electrolytes as sensors in vacuum allows to measure directly the oxygen partial pressure deciding for redox processes at the surface of workpieces during heat treatments. The oxygen exists either as a free molecular gaseous component or in the thermodynamic equilibrium with other gases. The bases of the known gas potentiometry are valid also in vacuum. Reducing gases are indicated in redoxquotients as Q_H = p(H₂O)/p(H₂). For the technique of measurements with solid electrolytes in vacuum special requirements arise. Probes with air reference electrode are already offered commercially. A solid reference electrode formed with Cu and Cu₂O was tested now in the range of pressure from 1 to 10^‐7 bar. It is usable at sensor temperatures between 400 and 650 centigrades. Important disturbances by oxygen permeability of the solid electrolyte were not observed in this temperature range. Changes of the composition of rest gases in vacuum, often arising as a result of wall reactions are indicated by alterations of p(O₂) or Q_H respectively. The accuracy of measurements is improved by consideration of temperature differences between the electrodes.     

Adaptive Fabrication of a Flexible Electrode by Optically Self‐Selected Interfacial Adhesion and Its Application to Highly Transparent and Conductive Film

A novel adaptive electrode fabrication method using optically self‐selected interfacial adhesion between a laser‐processed metal layer and polymer film is introduced to fabricate cost‐effectively a high‐resolution arbitrary electrode with high conductivity. The quality is close to that from vacuum deposition on a highly heat sensitive polymer film, with active response to various design requirements. A highly conductive metal film (resistivity: 3.6 μΩ cm) below a 5 μm line width with a uniform stepwise profile and mirror surface quality (R_rms: 5–6 nm) is fabricated on a cheap polymer film with a heat resistance limit of below 100 °C. Severe durability tests are successfully completed without using any adhesion promoters. Finally, a highly transparent and conductive electrode with a transparency above 95% and sheet resistance of less than 10 Ω sq^?1 is fabricated on a polymer film and on glass by using this method. These results can help realize a potential high‐throughput, low‐cost, solution‐processable replacement for transparent conductive oxides.     

BPSCCO Superconductor with Addition of Ag2O Synthesized Under Electrical Field

Ag₂O-doped (1.2% wt.) nitrate freeze-dried powders (Bi : Pb : Sr : Ca : Cu = 1.7 : 0.3 : 2 : 2.5 : 3.5) were processed under an external electrical field and 17.5 MPa pressure at 800°C, for 4 min in vacuum. Final heat treatments (HT) were applied at 835–850°C for 70 h. in air (Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂CaCu₂O _x (2212-phase) was formed by electrical field processing in just 4 min. Electrical field application enhanced (Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O _y (2223-phase) formation during final HT. Ag₂O additions to field sintered BSCCO ceramics increased the amount of 2223-phase and the zero resistance critical temperature (T _e(R=0)) by 4 k.     

Room‐Temperature Solution‐Synthesized p‐Type Copper(I) Iodide Semiconductors for Transparent Thin‐Film Transistors and Complementary Electronics

Here, room‐temperature solution‐processed inorganic p‐type copper iodide (CuI) thin‐film transistors (TFTs) are reported for the first time. The spin‐coated 5 nm thick CuI film has average hole mobility (µ_FE) of 0.44 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and on/off current ratio of 5 × 10². Furthermore, µ_FE increases to 1.93 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and operating voltage significantly reduces from 60 to 5 V by using a high permittivity ZrO₂ dielectric layer replacing traditional SiO₂. Transparent complementary inverters composed of p‐type CuI and n‐type indium gallium zinc oxide TFTs are demonstrated with clear inverting characteristics and voltage gain over 4. These outcomes provide effective approaches for solution‐processed inorganic p‐type semiconductor inks and related electronics.     

Sol‐gel derived C‐SiC composites for re‐entry structures

Composites of carbon fibers, fabrics, or their precursors as reinforcement, and sol‐gel‐derived silicon carbide as matrix, have been developed, aiming at high‐temperature stable ceramics that can be utilized for re‐entry structures. These composites are produced via the sol‐gel process, starting with a sol‐gel reaction of a mixture of silane precursors. The sol‐gel‐derived resin is cast onto the reinforcement fibers/fabrics mat (carbon or its precursors) to produce a ‘green’ composite that is being cured. The ‘green’ composite is converted into a C‐SiC composite via a gradual heat‐pressure process under inert atmosphere, during which the organic substituents on the silicon atoms undergo internal oxidative pyrolysis via the schematic reaction: (SiRO_3/2)_n → SiC + CO₂ + H₂O The composition of the resultant silicon‐oxi‐carbide is tailorable via modifying the composition of the sol‐gel reactants. The reinforcement, when made of carbon precursors, is converted into carbon during the heat‐and‐pressure processing as well. The C‐SiC composites thus derived exhibit superior thermal stability and comparable thermal conductivity, combined with good mechanical strength features and failure resistance, which render them greatly applicable for re‐entry shielding, heat‐exchange pipes, and the like.     

Lattice distortion energy spectra of as-grown bismuth thin films and their thickness dependence

Bismuth thin films of various thicknesses between 15 nm and 350 nm were vacuum deposited at room temperature on to glass substrates, immediately after which they were twice heat treated at a uniform rate. During the heat treatment, the resistance changes were monitored and, using these data, the initial lattice distortion energy spectra of as-grown bismuth thin films have been evaluated. It is found that the defects have preferential activation energy values around 1.06 eV, 1.14 eV and 1.32 ev. It is also found that F ₀ (E) dE oscillates with thickness, which is attributed to the quantum size effect.     

Influence of Ingot and Powder Metallurgy Production Route on the Tensile Creep Behavior of Mo–9Si–8B Alloys with Additions of Al and Ge

Refractory metals and their alloys show potential for high temperature applications, due to the elevated melting points often paired with very good creep resistance. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) as well as arc‐melting is used here to prepare quaternary and quinternary Mo–9Si–8B–xAl–yGe (x is 0 or 2; y is 0 or 2, all numbers in at%) samples. All samples consist of a Mo solid solution (Mo_ss) and two intermetallic phases: Mo₃Si (A15) and Mo₅SiB₂ (T2). Aluminum and germanium reduce the melting point and slightly decrease the density of the material. The specimens are homogenized and coarsened by a subsequent heat‐treatment in vacuum at 1850 °C for 24 h. The resulting microstructure is investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) analysis. A vacuum creep testing device for small tensile creep specimens is presented. It is heated by graphite radiation heaters usable up to 1500 °C in vacuum of 2 · 10^‐4 Pa with an oil diffusion pump. Tensile creep tests are performed at 1250 °C and stresses from 50 MPa up to 250 MPa. Specimens produced by ingot metallurgy feature superior creep properties compared to powder metallurgy samples.     

Effective Carrier‐Concentration Tuning of SnO2 Quantum Dot Electron‐Selective Layers for High‐Performance Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

The carrier concentration of the electron‐selective layer (ESL) and hole‐selective layer can significantly affect the performance of organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a facile yet effective two‐step method, i.e., room‐temperature colloidal synthesis and low‐temperature removal of additive (thiourea), to control the carrier concentration of SnO₂ quantum dot (QD) ESLs to achieve high‐performance PSCs is developed. By optimizing the electron density of SnO₂ QD ESLs, a champion stabilized power output of 20.32% for the planar PSCs using triple cation perovskite absorber and 19.73% for those using CH₃NH₃PbI₃ absorber is achieved. The superior uniformity of low‐temperature processed SnO₂ QD ESLs also enables the fabrication of ≈19% efficiency PSCs with an aperture area of 1.0 cm² and 16.97% efficiency flexible device. The results demonstrate the promise of carrier‐concentration‐controlled SnO₂ QD ESLs for fabricating stable, efficient, reproducible, large‐scale, and flexible planar PSCs.     

Physically Based Fatigue Assessment of the Nodular Cast Iron ASTM 80‐55‐06 (EN‐GJS‐600) at Different Testing Frequencies

For the fatigue assessment of the nodular cast iron ASTM 80‐55‐06 (EN‐GJS‐600) stress‐controlled fatigue tests were performed at testing frequencies of f = 5 and 150 Hz. Mechanical (f = 5 Hz), temperature, electrical resistance, and frequency (f = 150 Hz) measurements during cyclic loading provide the possibility to get detailed information about fatigue processes like cyclic hardening or graphite‐matrix debonding. Temperature measurements are well suitable to evaluate the influence of the testing frequency on the cyclic deformation behavior. Increasing testing frequencies result in higher values of the change in temperature caused by the increasing heat dissipation per second. On the basis of the measured data from only three fatigue tests the fatigue life calculation method “PHYBAL_LIT” (Load Increase Tests) can be applied on the investigated cast iron. Woehler (S–N) curves calculated for testing frequencies of 5 and 150 Hz yield an excellent accordance with conventionally determined ones. The application of this short‐time procedure leads to enormous scientific and economic advantages.     

The First 2D Homochiral Lead Iodide Perovskite Ferroelectrics: [R‐ and S‐1‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)ethylammonium]2PbI4

2D organic–inorganic lead iodide perovskites have recently received tremendous attention as promising light absorbers for solar cells, due to their excellent optoelectronic properties, structural tunability, and environmental stability. However, although great efforts have been made, no 2D lead iodide perovskites have been discovered as ferroelectrics, in which the ferroelectricity may improve the photovoltaic performance. Here, by incorporating homochiral cations, 2D lead iodide perovskite ferroelectrics [R‐1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)ethylammonium]₂PbI₄ and [S‐1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)ethylammonium]₂PbI₄ are successfully obtained. The vibrational circular dichroism spectra and crystal structural analysis reveal their homochirality. They both crystalize in a polar space group P1 at room temperature, and undergo a 422F1 type ferroelectric phase transition with transition temperature as high as 483 and 473.2 K, respectively, showing a multiaxial ferroelectric nature. They also possess semiconductor characteristics with a direct bandgap of 2.34 eV. Nevertheless, their racemic analogue adopts a centrosymmetric space group P2₁/c at room temperature, exhibiting no high‐temperature phase transition. The homochirality in 2D lead iodide perovskites facilitates crystallization in polar space groups. This finding indicates an effective way to design high‐performance 2D lead iodide perovskite ferroelectrics with great application prospects.