Study of Optical Glass Surfaces by Leaching with Nitric Acid: I, Polishing Lines

A study was made of the origin of fine lines that appeared on polished glass surfaces after leaching with nitric acid. The results were considered on the basis of theories of nonreflecting films and the polishing lines developed by hydrofluoric acid etching. The conclusions reached are compatible with the existence of deep fields of compression where the ionic exchange is enhanced.     

Comparison of the Elastic–Plastic Indentation Response of MgAl2O4, AlON,and AlN

Contact damage in the form of localized cracking and inelastic deformation is of concern in the utilization of ceramics and is often studied using hard indenters; an approach that has spawned the field of indentation mechanics. This approach was taken in the current work to study the penetration resistance at low strain rates of four candidate ceramic armor materials: MgAl₂O₄ with two grain sizes, AlON and AlN. Spherical indentation was chosen as this allows the elastic–plastic behavior to be studied and the indentation stress–strain curves to be determined. To further quantify these data, the elastic and plastic indentation work contributions were measured. On empirical grounds, it was postulated that the area under the indentation stress–strain curves, termed the indentation strain energy density, was related to the total indentation work could be used to quantify the penetration resistance. As a test of this hypothesis, it was shown that the total indentation work correlated with the strain energy density and acted over a volume similar to that of the stress field. A simple figure of merit, derived from the indentation strain energy density, was suggested as a means to quantify the penetration resistance of materials at low strain rates and to identify the material parameters that control this process.     

Impact of Ba2+ on Structure and Piezoelectric Properties of PMN–PZN–PNN–PT Ceramics Near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary

The effect of using Ba²⁺ to modify the structure and dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Pb_(1?x)Ba_x(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_m(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)_y(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)_nTi_zO₃(x = 0–0.15) ceramics near the morphotropic phase boundary has been investigated. It is found that increasing the content of Ba²⁺ leads to a sequence of structural transformations from heterophase state (tetragonal and pseudocubic phases) to a cubic state via an intermediate pseudocubic phase. The evolution of the dielectric and piezoelectric properties (sequences of transformations: normal ferroelectric →relaxor ferroelectric → paraelectric) is shown. It is stated that ceramics with x = 0.025–0.050 possess the optimal combination of functional parameters for use in low‐frequency receivers and actuators. They are characterized by high values of small‐signal and large‐signal piezoelectric coefficients d₃₃ of 621 pC/N and ~1500 m/V (at E = 5 kV/cm), respectively, and also by increased values of dielectric permittivity ε/ε₀ and tunability coefficient (К = [(ε/ε₀(E = 0) ? ε/ε₀(E≠0))/ε/ε₀(E = 0)]·100%), equal to ~7000 and ~80%, respectively (at E = 20 kV/cm). It is shown that for the creation of high‐power piezoelectric transducers it is necessary to use ceramics with x = 0.125, which differs with high values of the mechanical quality factor Q_m and ε/ε₀ (1406 and 10 890, respectively).     

Core–Sheath Wet Electrospinning of Nanoporous Polycaprolactone Microtubes to Mimic Fenestrated Capillaries

Formation of capillary vessel structures in scaffolds is critical for engineering various tissues and organs. Various biofabrication techniques are developed in recent years to create scaffolds integrated with perfusion channels. However, rapid fabrication of artificial capillary vessels (<10 µm) still remains challenging. In this study, a novel electrospinning approach is developed to fabricate nanoporous polycaprolactone microtubes as potential functional capillaries. The results show that ambient environment parameters and solution properties affect the pore formation and tube morphology. Porous microbeads, helical fibers, and microtubes were fabricated under different processing conditions. The optimal tubular structure is obtained with consistent viscosities between the core and the sheath solutions. The biomimetic nanoporous microtubes hold great potential for vascularization in tissue engineering.     

Mechanism of Nanovoid Formation at the ZnO–Glass Interface in Planar Multilayered Structures of AlOx–ZnO–Glass

Functional porous materials require easy fabrication methods with controllability of a wide range of pore size and its density for practical applications including optical devices. The Kirkendall effect based on unbalanced material diffusion provides such a possibility in conjunction with material configurations of multilayers. This study reports a formation of nanoscale pores within ZnO films in planar multilayered structures of Al₂O₃–ZnO‐aluminosilicate glass and demonstrates the mechanism of forming relatively large nanopores in ZnO near the ZnO–glass interface via stress‐promoted Kirkendall diffusion. Experimental characterizations supported by atomic simulation reveal that an enhanced in‐plane tensile stress in the ZnO films with increasing the thickness of the neighboring Al₂O₃ films can promote the diffusivity of the Zn atoms and the pore growth in the ZnO films. The pore size and location in the intermediate ZnO layer of the Al₂O₃–ZnO–glass is alterable by simply selecting the thickness of the Al₂O₃ layer. Promoted diffusion of the Zn atoms enables to fabricate porous planar ZnO films with pore sizes up to a few hundred nm with an enhanced light scattering ability. These findings offer a promising route to produce porous planar films through in‐depth understanding of diffusivity enhancement in glass–metal oxide couples.     

Phase Evolution of SiO2–Al2O3–ZnO–CaO–ZrO2–TiO2‐Based Glass with Added Y‐PSZ Particles

Yttria partially stabilized zirconia Y‐PSZ/glass‐ceramic composites were prepared by reaction sintering using powder mixtures of a SiO₂–Al₂O₃–ZnO–CaO–ZrO₂–TiO₂‐based glass and yttria partially stabilized zirconia (Y‐PSZ). The glass crystallized during sintering at temperatures of 1173, 1273, and 1373 K to give a glass‐ceramic matrix for high‐temperature protecting coatings. With the increasing firing time, the added zirconia reacted with the base glass and a glass‐ceramic material with dispersed zircon particles was prepared in situ. Furthermore, the added zirconia changed the crystallization behavior of the base glass, affecting the shape, amount, and distribution of zircon in the microstructure. The bipyramid‐like zircon grains with imbedded residual zirconia particles turned out to have two growth mechanisms: the inward growth and the outward growth, and its rapid growth was mainly dominated by the later one. For comparison, the referenced glass‐ceramic was prepared by sintering using exclusive glass granules and its crystallization behavior at 1173–1373 K was examined as well. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the crystallization behavior of the base glass and the phase evolution of the Y‐PSZ/glass‐ceramic composites.     

Interactions Between Micron-sized Glass Particles and Poly(dimethyl siloxane) in the Absence and Presence of Applied Load

A technique using a scanning electron microscope to view a fine particle in contact with a flat substrate whilst under load and during its removal is described. The particle is attached to an atomic force microscope cantilever so that the magnitude of the load can be estimated directly from the imaged deflection. Interactions between 5 to 60 μm spherical glass particles and cross-linked poly(dimethyl siloxane) were studied in the presence and absence of load. W_A was estimated to be 74 mJ/m² from the size of the contact area in the absence of load. Using highly flexible cantilevers to apply load resulted in large shear displacements and forces, which distorted the contact area and assisted in particle removal. These shear effects were eliminated by using a more rigid cantilever to measure a normal pull-off force for which the interface toughness, G_c , exceeded 950 mJ/m². The large adhesion hysteresis indicated the presence of chemical bonding, presumed to occur between silanol and siloxane groups. The mode of particle detachment varied significantly with the choice of cantilever, showing evidence of both cohesive failure and interfacial crack propagation. The relevance of these results to the interpretation of AFM data is discussed.     

Classification of Fine Particles Using the Hydrodynamic Forces in the Boundary Layer of a Membrane

The wet classification of particles < 10 μm is a complex process that has been researched for many years. In this study, the usage of a modified cross‐flow filtration process as a classification process was investigated. With this process, particles in a fine micrometer range can be separated from suspensions. The upper particle size is dependent on hydrodynamic forces. The experimental results were compared with different hydrodynamic force models to predict upper size. The influence of the permeate flux and the particle concentration in the feed on the upper particle size is studied.     

A Stable Chemical SUMO1–Ubc9 Conjugate Specifically Binds as a Thioester Mimic to the RanBP2–E3 Ligase Complex

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐like (Ubl) modifiers such as SUMO are conjugated to substrate proteins by E1, E2, and E3 enzymes. In the presence of an E3 ligase, the E2～Ubl thioester intermediate becomes highly activated and is prone to chemical decomposition, thus making biochemical and structural studies difficult. Here we explored a stable chemical conjugate of the E2 enzyme from the SUMO pathway, Ubc9, with its modifier SUMO1 as a structural analogue of the Ubc9～SUMO1 thioester intermediate, by introducing a triazole linkage by biorthogonal click chemistry. The chemical conjugate proved stable against proteolytic cleavage, in contrast to a Ubc9–SUMO1 isopeptide analogue obtained by auto‐SUMOylation. Triazole‐linked Ubc9–SUMO1 bound specifically to the preassembled E3 ligase complex RanBP2/RanGAP1*SUMO1/Ubc9, thus suggesting that it is a suitable thioester mimic. We anticipate interesting prospects for its use as a research tool to study protein complexes involving E2 and E3 enzymes.     

The Free Volume Contribution to the Optical Clarity of a High Nitrile Plastic

Although the high optical clarity exhibited by a high nitrile plastic is desirable for packaging of food and beverages, exposure of the high nitrile molded articles to water at elevated temperatures causes the plastic to become hazy and the optical clarity is substantially reduced. Containers used for food and beverage packaging are sometimes exposed to water at elevated temperatures. For example, the containers are washed with hot water preparatory to being filled with product and are also exposed to water at elevated temperatures if pasteurization or sterilization of the packaged product is required after the container is filled.     

Adhesion Mechanisms of Polyurethanes to Glass Surfaces. III. Investigation of Possible Physico-Chemical Interactions at the Interphase

Surface free energies of polyurethanes made from toluene diisocyanate and 1, 4 butanediol-based hard segments and caprolactone polyol-based soft segments were calculated using additive functions. Good agreement was found between the calculated values based on additive functions and the calculated values based on contact angle measurements. The phase-separated polyurethanes were found to have a higher polar surface free energy component (γ^P). This was linked to the preferential segregation of butanediol/butanediol-derived moieties to the polyurethane surfaces due to phase separation. The adhesion values of these polyurethanes to soda-lime glass were correlated with their respective γ^P values and a linear relationship was found. It was also shown that the adhesion values of the low γ^P polyurethanes improved substantially when the glass surfaces were coated with a thin layer of butanediol prior to the bonding. The modulus of the interphase region rich in butanediol was evaluated. Although a modulus increase was found at the interface, this increase was found to play a secondary role in the adhesion. The chemical interactions at the polyurethane/glass interphase were investigated by pre-treating the glass surfaces with methyl-trimethoxysilane and trimethylchlorosilane prior to adhesion testing. The adhesion data showed no significant difference between the uncoated and the silane-treated glass substrates. Based on this experimental evidence, the possibility of any covalent or ionic bonding at the polyurethane/glass interphase was assumed negligible. It was determined that the mechanism of adhesion between the polyurethanes and the glass surface could be through the formation of an interphase region in which hydrogen bonding between the butanediol-rich interphase region and the hydroxylated glass surface plays a key role.     

Adhesion Mechanisms of Polyurethanes to Glass Surfaces. III. Investigation of Possible Physico-Chemical Interactions at the Interphase

Surface free energies of polyurethanes made from toluene diisocyanate and 1, 4 butanediol-based hard segments and caprolactone polyol-based soft segments were calculated using additive functions. Good agreement was found between the calculated values based on additive functions and the calculated values based on contact angle measurements. The phase-separated polyurethanes were found to have a higher polar surface free energy component (γ^P). This was linked to the preferential segregation of butanediol/butanediol-derived moieties to the polyurethane surfaces due to phase separation. The adhesion values of these polyurethanes to soda-lime glass were correlated with their respective γ^P values and a linear relationship was found. It was also shown that the adhesion values of the low γ^P polyurethanes improved substantially when the glass surfaces were coated with a thin layer of butanediol prior to the bonding. The modulus of the interphase region rich in butanediol was evaluated. Although a modulus increase was found at the interface, this increase was found to play a secondary role in the adhesion. The chemical interactions at the polyurethane/glass interphase were investigated by pre-treating the glass surfaces with methyl-trimethoxysilane and trimethylchlorosilane prior to adhesion testing. The adhesion data showed no significant difference between the uncoated and the silane-treated glass substrates. Based on this experimental evidence, the possibility of any covalent or ionic bonding at the polyurethane/glass interphase was assumed negligible. It was determined that the mechanism of adhesion between the polyurethanes and the glass surface could be through the formation of an interphase region in which hydrogen bonding between the butanediol-rich interphase region and the hydroxylated glass surface plays a key role.     

The Development of Fibers That Mimic the Core–Sheath and Spindle‐Knot Morphology of Artificial Silk Using Microfluidic Devices

Spider and silkworm produce diverse silk fibers from spinning dopes through smart spinnerets. Spider's capture silk is composed of core thread and periodic spindle‐knots, while silkworm silk consists of fibroin core and sericin outer layer. To mimic the morphologies of natural heterostructured silks, artificial fibers are dry‐spun using a multichannel microfluidic chip, served with a highly viscous core solution of regenerated silk fibroin and low viscosity sheath solution of sericin. Silk fibers with core–sheath, groove, and spindle‐knot structures are obtained by controlling the flow rates and viscosities of the two microfluids depending on the laminar flow, Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, or Plateau–Rayleigh instability.     

A Versatile Endoribonuclease Mimic Made of DNA: Characteristics and Applications of the 8–17 RNA‐Cleaving DNAzyme

Enzymes play a crucial role in all living organisms by accelerating the rates of a myriad of biochemical reactions that are necessary to sustain life. Although the vast majority of known enzymes are made of protein, in recent years it has become increasingly apparent that other molecular formats, like nucleic acids, can also serve in this capacity. DNAzymes (also known as deoxyribozymes) are synthetic enzymes made of short, single strands of deoxyribonucleic acid. These DNA‐based enzymes offer the prospect of significant commercial utility, because they are exceptionally stable and can be produced very easily and inexpensively. The study of one particular DNAzyme, known as “8–17”, has enhanced our understanding of DNAzyme‐mediated catalysis. Moreover, the function of 8–17 has been regarded with special importance because it can catalyze sequence‐specific cleavage of RNA, a reaction that has broad implications in biotechnology and biomedical fields. In this review, we explore the creation, characterization, and application of the 8–17 RNA‐cleaving DNAzyme.     

Preparation and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Quantum-Sized CuCl-Doped Silica Glass by the Sol–Gel Process

The sol–gel process has been applied successfully to the preparation of small-sized CuCl-doped silica glass with a significant quantum-sized effect. Gel synthesized by the hydrolysis of a complex solution of Si(OC₂H₅)₄ and CuCl with an HCl catalyst is heated to 900°C to form fine, cubic CuCl crystals. Above 700°C, absorption peaks observed at ∼370 and ∼380 nm are attributed to the excitation of confined Z_1,2 and Z₃ excitons, respectively, in the CuCl microcrystals. As the size of the CuCl crystals decreases, exciton energy shifts to the higher-energy side. The resonant third-order nonlinear susceptibility at 77 K is 1.1 × 10⁻⁸ esu, which originates from the enhancement by the quantum-sized effect of the exciton.     

水灰比对大掺量塑料砂浆力学及收缩性能影响研究

减小水泥基材料水灰比,提高胶凝材料含量是提高大掺量塑料砂浆力学性能的重要途径,然而,提高胶凝材料含量对大掺量塑料砂浆收缩性能的影响也不容忽视.使用PP塑料等体积替代20％砂子,研究不同水灰比对大掺量塑料砂浆物理性质、力学和收缩性能的影响.结果表明,减小水灰比可有效地补偿大掺量塑料砂浆力学强度,水灰比越小,则抗折强度和抗压强度均越高,近似呈线性关系.此外,水灰比越小,塑料砂浆微结构越密实,孔隙率较低,吸水率越小,密度越大.然而,水灰比越小,自收缩越大,干缩通常也越大.结合试验结果,优选水灰比为0.3或0.4.     

Normal‐Relaxor‐Diffuse Ferroelectric Phase Transition and Electrical Properties of Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 Solid Solution Ceramics Near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary

Perovskite‐type xBi(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–(0.56 ? x)PbZrO₃–0.44PbTiO₃ (xBMT–PZ–PT) ternary solid solution ceramics were synthesized via a conventional solid‐state reaction method. The phase transition behaviors, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were investigated as a function of the BMT content. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the tetragonality of xBMT–PZ–PT was enhanced with increasing the BMT content, and a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and tetragonal phases was identified approximately in the composition of x = 0.08. In addition, the dielectric diffuseness and frequency dispersion behavior were induced with the addition of BMT and a normal‐relaxor‐diffuse ferroelectric transformation was observed from the PZ‐rich side to the BMT‐rich side. The electrical properties of xBMT–PZ–PT ceramics exhibit obviously compositional dependence. The x = 0.08 composition not only possessed the optimum properties with ε^T₃₃/ε₀ = 1450, Q_m = 69, d₃₃ = 390 pC/N, k_p = 0.46, P_r = 30 μC/cm², E_c = 1.4 kV/mm, T_c = 325°C, and a strain of 0.174% (d₃₃^* = 436 pm/V) under an electric field of 4 kV/mm as a result of the coexistence of two ferroelectric phases near the MPB, but also owned a good thermal‐depolarization behavior with a d₃₃ value of >315 pC/N up to 290°C and a frequency‐insensitive strain behavior.     

Separation of Submicron Particles in Packed Columns – Optimization and Scale-up of the Process

Particle enlargement by heterogeneous condensation and – based on it – separation of submicron particles in packed columns of technical scale are investigated. The activation of submicron particles and droplet growth by heterogeneous condensation is briefly described. Calculations of the droplet growth are performed and compared with experimental results. The enlargement and the separation of submicron particles by cascading packed columns trickled with water which is alternately colder or warmer than the gas is experimentally studied in a technical scale pilot plant consisting of three packed columns with a diameter of 300 mm. Droplet size distributions are measured by means of an optical particle sizer at the outlet of the columns. In order to optimize the separation process, the influence of different parameters on the separation of the submicron particles is investigated. These are the gas and the water temperature, the gas and the water flow rate, and the particle concentration. Moreover, the supersaturation of the air stream in the column is calculated by means of a rate-based nonequilibrium process model as a function of different parameters.     

Fabrication of Carbohydrate Surfaces by Using Nonderivatised Oligosaccharides,and their Application to Measuring the Assembly of Sugar–Protein Complexes

This way up . Dual polarisation interferometry was used to design and characterise a surface on which the orientation and density of immobilised carbohydrates was suitable for studying their interactions with proteins. Lactoferrin was shown to adopt two orientations: “end‐on” or “side‐on”, while for FGF‐2 a single monolayer of protein was observed. The new surface can be used to elucidate the binding of proteins to carbohydrates and the geometry of the complexes, a frequently controversial area.