Mechanism of boron tribromide electroreduction

This study was carried out to investigate the electrochemical behavior of boron tribromide in dimethlyformamide. The reduction of the compound was found to follow a CE mechanism. The kinetic parameters and the diffusion coefficient were calculated by the use of ultramicrodisc electrodes and chronoamperometry. The number of electrons transferred was found to be 2 by rotating disc and ultramicro disc electrodes and 3 by coulometry. These results are in good accordance with those obtained from molten boron salts. This study is important in regard to electrochemical boronizing at low temperatures.     

Cement composites with limestone dust and different grades of wood sawdust

This paper presents a parametric experimental study which investigates the potential use of limestone powder wastes (LPW) and wood sawdust wastes (WSW) combination for producing a lightweight composite as a building material. Some of the physical and mechanical properties of brick materials having various levels of LPW and WSW with different particle sizes are investigated. The obtained compressive strength, flexural strength, unit weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and water absorption values satisfy the relevant international standards. The results show the effect of high level replacement of WSW with LPW does not exhibit a sudden brittle fracture even beyond the failure loads, indicates high energy absorption capacity, reduce the unit weight dramatically and introduce a smoother surface compared to the current bricks in the market. It shows a potential to be used for walls, wooden board substitute, alternative to the concrete blocks, ceiling panels, sound barrier panels, absorption materials, etc. Recycling of unmanaged WSW and LPW as new brick material supplements appears to be viable solution not only to the environmental problem but also to the problem of the economic design of buildings.     

Topology optimization and seismic collapse assessment of shape memory alloy (SMA)-braced frames: Effectiveness of Fe-based SMAs

This paper presents a seismic topology optimization study of steel braced frames with shape memory alloy (SMA) braces. Optimal SMA-braced frames (SMA-BFs) with either Fe-based SMA or NiTi braces are determined in a performance-based seismic design context. The topology optimization is performed on 5- and 10-story SMA-BFs considering the placement, length, and cross-sectional area of SMA bracing members. Geometric, strength, and performance-based design constraints are considered in the optimization. The seismic response and collapse safety of topologically optimal SMA-BFs are assessed according to the FEMA P695 methodology. A comparative study on the optimal SMA-BFs is also presented in terms of total relative cost, collapse capacity, and peak and residual story drift. The results demonstrate that Fe-based SMA-BFs exhibit higher collapse capacity and more uniform distribution of lateral displacement over the frame height while being more cost-effective than NiTi braced frames. In addition to a lower unit price compared to NiTi, Fe-based SMAs reduce SMA material usage. In frames with Fe-based SMA braces, the SMA usage is reduced by up to 80%. The results highlight the need for using SMAs with larger recoverable strains.     

A Study on the New Empirical Cross Section Formulae for (γ, p) Reactions at 20 ± 1 MeV Incident Energy

In this study, we have investigated theoretical cross sections of (γ, p) reactions at 20?±?1 MeV for the photon incident energy and then we have obtained two new empirical formulae for 40?≤?A?≤?108 and for the even Z-even N target nuclei including new fitting parameters. These new empirical formulae depending on the asymmetry parameters (s?=?(N???Z)/A) were determined by using the least squares approximation fitting method to the available experimental cross section data taken from EXFOR. The results have been compared with the experimental data and found to be well in agreement.     

The influences of glucose on corrosion behaviour of copper in chloride solution

Glucose is an organic molecule whose characteristics are corrosion inhibitors. The adsorption and inhibitory effect of glucose on copper surfaces in alkaline (pH 8.0) Chloride solutions were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data obtained indicate that glucose behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor by physically adsorbing onto copper surfaces according to the Langmuir isotherm. The inhibition activity of glucose increases with increasing the concentration of glucose.     

A methodology for predicting regional freight traffic in developing countries

The prime concern of transportation planners in developing countries is how to collect and transfer data into models as simple and as effective as possible and obtain solutions in the shortest time.

In this study, a methodology which utilizes multivariate statistical analysis techniques for travel estimation is presented. The two simple and convenient techniques namely Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis, are used for the evaluation of available data. The traffic demand is expressed as a function of principal components which are determined independently as a small set of variables to represent total system variability. A stepwise regression analysis is carried out to derive the traffic demand‐principal component relationship. The proposed methodology is then applied to Southeastern Anatolia Regional Development Project in Turkey.     

Energy and exergy analyses of thin layer drying of mulberry in a forced solar dryer

This paper is concerned with the energy and exergy analyses of the thin layer drying process of mulberry via forced solar dryer. Using the first law of thermodynamics, energy analysis was carried out to estimate the ratios of energy utilization and the amounts of energy gain from the solar air collector. However, exergy analysis was accomplished to determine exergy losses during the drying process by applying the second law of thermodynamics. The drying experiments were conducted at different five drying mass flow rate varied between 0.014 kg/s and 0.036 kg/s. The effects of inlet air velocity and drying time on both energy and exergy were studied. The main values of energy utilization ratio were found to be as 55.2%, 32.19%, 29.2%, 21.5% and 20.5% for the five different drying mass flow rate ranged between 0.014 kg/s and 0.036 kg/s. The main values of exergy loss were found to be as 10.82 W, 6.41 W, 4.92 W, 4.06 W and 2.65 W with the drying mass flow rate varied between 0.014 kg/s and 0.036 kg/s. It was concluded that both energy utilization ratio and exergy loss decreased with increasing drying mass flow rate while the exergetic efficiency increased.     

Pressurised solvent extraction of policosanol from wheat straw,germ and bran

Policosanols (PCs) are a group of long chain aliphatic alcohols that have been reported to have low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering properties. Wheat is a good source of these compounds. This study examined the effect of solvent type and temperature on extract yields and PC content and composition in the extracts. Wheat germ, straw and bran samples were extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, n-hexane and ethanol at various temperatures ranging from 80 to 125 °C.