Biodegradability of poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol)s and poly(tetramethylene glycol)

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers were prepared by melt polycondensation of dimethyl terephthalate and excess ethylene glycol with 10–40mol% (in feed) of poly(ethylene glycol) (E) and poly(tetramethylene glycol) (B), with molecular weight (MW) of E and B 200–7500 and 1000, respectively. The reduced specific viscosity of copolymers increased with increasing MW and content of polyglycol comonomer. The temperature of melting (T_m), cold crystallization and glass transition (T_g) decreased with the copolymerization. T_m depression of copolymers suggested that the E series copolymers are the block type at higher content of the comonomer. T_g was decreased below room temperature by the copolymerization, which affected the crystallinity and the density of copolymer films. Water absorption increased with increasing content of comonomer, and the increase was much higher for E1000 series films than B1000 series films. The biodegradability was estimated by weight loss of copolymer films in buffer solution with and without a lipase at 37°C. The weight loss was enhanced a little by the presence of a lipase, and increased abruptly at higher comonomer content, which was correlated to the water absorption and the concentration of ester linkages between PET and PEG segments. The weight loss of B series films was much lower than that of E series films. The abrupt increase of the weight loss by alkaline hydrolysis is almost consistent with that by biodegradation.     

Use of FTIR combined with forms of water to study the changes in hydrogen bonds during low-temperature heating of lignite

The changes in the hydrogen bonds (HBs) of three types of Indonesian lignite during low-temperature heating were investigated. The amount of water loss was determined by weighing the samples before and after heating in an oven. The changes in the number of the different types of HBs were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with types of water in lignite. The number of peak positions and absorption bands in each spectrum was determined by curve-fitting analysis with a Gaussian function. The quantified integrated area of aromatic hydrogen atoms was used to accurately investigate the changes in the HBs. The results show that at low temperatures (T ≤ 50°C), free water is mainly removed, and the HBs broken are those between free water molecules. However, at medium temperatures (50 <T ≤ 100°C), bound water is mainly removed. The number of HBs significantly changes because of the breaking of bound water molecule HBs and bound water cluster–carboxyl group HBs, and the formation of nonfreezable moisture HBs. At high temperatures (100 <T < 125°C), nonfreezable moisture can be released. The number of HBs changes as a result of competition between the removal of nonfreezable moisture and the increase in the number of carboxyl groups. At higher temperatures (T ≥ 125°C), the moisture remaining in lignite is thermal decomposition moisture. In addition, the rate of decomposition of carboxyl groups is higher than the rate of generation, which means that the number of HBs markedly decreases at higher temperatures.     

Identification and characterisation of a calcium carbonate-binding protein, blue mussel shell protein (BMSP), from the nacreous layer

The nacreous layer of molluscan shells consists of a highly organised, layered structure comprising calcium carbonate aragonite crystals, each surrounded by an organic matrix. In the Japanese pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, the Pif protein from the nacreous layer functions in aragonite binding, and plays a key role in nacre formation. Here, we investigated whether the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis also has a protein with similar functions in the nacreous layer. By using a calcium carbonate-binding assay, we identified the novel protein blue mussel shell protein (BMSP) 100 that can bind calcium carbonate crystals of both aragonite and calcite. When the entire sequence of a cDNA encoding BMSP 100 was determined, it was found that BMSP is a preproprotein consisting of a signal peptide and two proteins, BMSP 120 and BMSP 100. BMSP 120 contains four von Willebrand factor A (VWA) domains and one chitin-binding domain, thus suggesting that it has a role in maintaining structure within the matrix. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that BMSP 100 is present throughout the nacreous layer with dense localisation in the myostracum. Posttranslational modification analysis indicated that BMSP 100 is phosphorylated and glycosylated. These results suggest that there is a common molecular mechanism between P. fucata and M. galloprovincialis that underlies the nacreous layer formation.     

Effective delayed neutron fraction by Rossi-α method in accelerator-driven system experiments with 100 MeV protons at kyoto university critical assembly

In the accelerator-driven system (ADS), the effective delayed neutron fraction (β_eff) is a requisite for converting the subcriticality from dollar units to pcm units. To evaluate the accurate β_eff value in ADS, measurement of β_eff complements its calculation methodology and the nuclear data on delayed neutrons. Subcriticality measurements are carried out by the pulsed neutron source method in the Kyoto University Critical Assembly, and the neutron noise analyses are conducted by the Rossi-α method with the pulsed shape of the spallation neutron source. The value of β_eff is deduced with the combined use of measured subcriticality in dollar units and correction parameters by MCNP6.1 together with JENDL-4.0 and JENDL/HE-2007. A comparison between the calculated and the measured β_eff represents the acceptable accuracy within the subcriticality range of around k_eff = 0.93 in the ADS operations. Here, the applicability of the measurement methodology based on the Rossi-α method is demonstrated by varying the subcriticality.     

Condensation heat transfer and flow pattern inside a herringbone-type micro-fin tubeTransfert de chaleur lors de la condensation et configuration de l'écoulement à l'intérieur d'un tube à microailettes à chevrons

Condensation heat transfer and pressure drop of R410A and R22 in a newly proposed herringbone-type micro-fin tube are measured and compared to those of a helical micro-fin tube and a smooth tube. The heat transfer coefficient of the herringbone micro-fin tube is higher than that of the helical micro-fin tube in the high mass velocity region, while it has slightly lower value in the low mass velocity region. Pressure drop of the herringbone micro-fin tube is, however, higher than that of the helical micro-fin tube. Flow patterns of the herringbone micro-fin tube are observed and the heat transfer enhancement mechanism is discussed. The heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of the helical micro-fin tube is predicted well with previously proposed correlations, while those of the herringbone-type micro-fin tube has higher value than the predicted values. Preliminary correlations for the pressure drop and the heat transfer coefficient are proposed for the herringbone micro-fin tube.     

The composition of furan fatty acids in the crayfish

Capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the sterol ester fatty acid methyl esters of the crayfish hepatopancreas revealed the presence of at least 30 kinds of unusual furan fatty acids (F acids), which accounted for 28.49% of the total sterol ester fatty acids. On the other hand, only small amounts were found in triacylglycerols (0.5%) and phospholipids (0.7%). Among the F acids, 17 acids were the hitherto unknown ones, the major component being 12,15-epoxy-13,14-dimethyleicosa-12,14-dienoic acid (F₆) (41.83% of the total F acids). These novel acids possessed chain lengths of C₁₂ to C₂₂, with the largest concentration at C₂₀ (45.38%), C₁₈ (41.97%) and C₁₆ (10.35%). Odd-numbered F acids also were found, though in a very small amount (0.4%). In the living things other than the crayfish, the longest chain F acid (C₂₄) was detected in the sterol ester of the carp hepatopancreas. The bullfrog, an amphibian, and the turtle, a reptilian, were found to have F acids as well in their livers. Olefinic furan fatty acids, which were detected by GC-MS, were found to have resulted during the analytical process from cyclodehydration of the diketo-ene formed by autoxidation of the F acids.     

Thermochemical and thermophysical properties of minor actinide compounds

Burning or transmutation of minor actinides (MA: Np, Am, Cm) that are classified as the high-level radioactive waste in the current nuclear fuel cycle is an option for the advanced nuclear fuel cycle. Although the thermochemical and thermophysical properties of minor actinide compounds are essential for the design of MA-bearing fuels and analysis of their behavior, the experimental data on minor actinide compounds are limited. To support the research and development of the MA-bearing fuels, the property measurements were carried out on minor actinide nitrides and oxides. The lattice parameters and their thermal expansions were measured by high-temperature X-ray diffractometry. The specific heat capacities were measured by drop calorimetry and the thermal diffusivities by laser-flash method. The thermal conductivities were determined by the specific heat capacities, thermal diffusivities and densities. The oxygen potentials were measured by electromotive force method.     

Metal cluster complex primary ion beam source for secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)

To develop a solution-type ion beam source utilizing a wide variety of metal cluster complexes that are stable only in organic solvents, we have investigated an electrospray method for transferring ions from solutions to gas phase. As initial experiments, we have studied electrospray characteristics of ethanol solutions containing a room-temperature molten salt (i.e., an ionic liquid) and acetic acid as alternatives to solutions of metal cluster complexes. In electrospray experiments, we used a stainless-steel capillary with an inner diameter of 30 μm. Experimental results showed that electrosprayed currents increased with applied voltage in both positive-ion and negative-ion modes. In addition to positive currents, stable negative currents were also confirmed to be produced. Current exceeding 250 nA was produced at 2 kV with a flow rate of 2 μL/min at a concentration of 1 × 10⁻³ mol/L. It was confirmed that several nA out of electrosprayed currents were delivered through an orifice (120 μm internal diameter) into a vacuum chamber. Experimental results indicate that the electrospray method seems to be applicable to an ion beam source for utilizing massive metal cluster complexes in solutions.     

Preparation of carbon alloy catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells from nitrogen-containing rigid-rod polymers

‘Carbon Alloy Catalysts’ (CAC), non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), were prepared from various kinds of nitrogen-containing rigid-rod aromatic polymers, polyimides, polyamides and azoles, by carbonization at 900 °C under nitrogen flow. The catalytic activity for ORR was evaluated by the onset potential, which was taken at a current density of −2 μA cm⁻². Carbonized polymers having high nitrogen content showed higher onset potential. In particular, CACs derived from azole (Az5) had an onset potential of 0.8 V, despite being was prepared without any metals.     

Crack-Healing Behavior Under Stress of Mullite/Silicon Carbide Ceramics and the Resultant Fatigue Strength

Mullite/SiC composite ceramics were sintered and subjected to three-point bending of specimens made according to the appropriate JIS standard. A semicircular surface crack 100 to 250 μm in diameter was made on each specimen. We systematically studied crack-healing behavior and cyclic- and static-fatigue strengths at room temperature and 1000°C (crack-healing temperature) by using three types of specimens (smooth, cracked, and crack-healed). The main conclusions are as follows: (i) mullite/SiC composite ceramics have the ability to heal after cracking; (ii) crack-healed specimens exhibited higher static and fatigue strengths than those of smooth specimens, which was caused by crack-healing; (iii) a sample crack-healed at 1000°C had a high fatigue strength at 1000°C; and (iv) mullite/SiC ceramics can heal a crack under stress at 1000°C, and this behavior was considered using crack-driving force and crack-healing force, qualitatively.