Improving the transmission efficiency in eight-channel all optical demultiplexers

Photonic Network Communications - In order to improve the transmission efficiency in eight-channel optical demultiplexers, we are going to use novel resonant cavities for performing the wavelength...     

Carbon nanotube and its applications in textile industry – A review

One of the major components of nanotechnology is Carbon nanotube (CNT) that can have a length-to-diameter ratio more than 1,000,000. They are used in several fields in material science, due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties, which are anisotropic. Different techniques have been developed to produce CNT. They have good potential for applications in various technological areas such as nanoelectronic, biotechnology, material science, polymer, composite, and textile industries. In this paper, recent researches on application of CNT in textile industry are reviewed. Treatment of textiles with CNT leads to the production of a wide variety of conductive textiles with different electrical properties. The wear performances of fabrics apply with CNT to open the potentiality of producing composite materials for conventional and innovative applications, ranging from conventional apparel and sportswear to protective clothing, heating equipment, automotive textiles, building covering, geo-textiles, biomedical textiles, etc.     

Noble metal (Pd, Ru, Rh, Pt, Au, Ag) doped graphene hybrids for electrocatalysis

Metal decorated graphene materials are highly important for catalysis. In this work, noble metal doped-graphene hybrids were prepared by a simple and scalable method. The thermal reductions of metal doped-graphite oxide precursors were carried out in nitrogen and hydrogen atmospheres and the effects of these atmospheres as well as the metal components on the characteristics and catalytic capabilities of the hybrid materials were studied. The hybrids exfoliated in nitrogen atmosphere contained a higher amount of oxygen-containing groups and lower density of defects on their surfaces than hybrids exfoliated in hydrogen atmosphere. The metals significantly affected the electrochemical behavior and catalysis of compounds that are important in energy production and storage and in electrochemical sensing. Research in the field of energy storage and production, electrochemical sensing and biosensing as well as biomedical devices can take advantage of the properties and catalytic capabilities of the metal doped graphene hybrids.     

Confined Bubble‐Propelled Microswimmers in Capillaries: Wall Effect,Fuel Deprivation,and Exhaust Product Excess

Self‐propelled autonomous nano/microswimmers are at the forefront of materials science. These swimmers are expected to operate in highly confined environments, such as between the grains of soil or in the capillaries of the human organism. To date, little attention is paid to the problem that in such a confined environment the fuel powering catalytic nano/microswimmers can be exhausted quickly and the space can be polluted with the product of the catalytic reaction. In addition, the motion of the nano/microswimmers may be influenced by the confinement. These issues are addressed here, showing the influence of the size of the capillary and length of the micromotor on the motion and the influence of the depletion of the fuel and excess of the exhaust products. Theoretical modeling is provided as well to bring further insight into the observations. This article shows challenges that these systems face and stimulates research to overcome them.     

Improve Solubility and Bioavailability of Silver Sulfadiazine via Formation of Inclusion Complex by Cyclodextrin

Supramolecular nanocontainers of cyclodextrins (α-CD or β-CD)/silver sulfadiazine (SSD) were prepared by inclusion complex (IC) forming between CDs and SSD at various conditions (at room temperature and under sonic energy). Obtained nanocontainers were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX and FTIR. Formation of inclusion complex was confirmed via significant differences between FTIR and XRD spectra of pure compounds with respect to those of the complexes. EDX analysis indicated the homogenous distribution of Ag nanoparticles in the nanocontainers. Solubility, bioavailability and in vitro dissolution of obtained SSD nanocontainers were compared with pure SSD and results show that by encapsulation of SSD, solubility improved and its release is controllable. Solubility and bioavailability of β-CD/SSD is higher than α-CD/SSD, which is related bigger β-CD cavity that can entrap a higher number of SSD molecules.     

Impact of Silicon Foliar Application on the Growth and Physiological Traits of Carthamus tinctorius L. Exposed to Salt Stress

Silicon - Althought safflower is a tolerant crop against many environmental stresses, but its yield and performance reduce under stress. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of...     

Effects of metal source in metal substitution of lithium manganese oxide spinel

Usefulness of W substitution for improvement of battery performance of LiMn₂O₄ cathode was investigated. Small amounts of tungsten were incorporated into LiMn₂O₄ spinel instead of available Mn. For this purpose, two sources of tungsten (metallic W or WO₃) were examined. W concentration and source have significant influence on both morphology and electrochemical behavior of W-substituted LiMn₂O₄ spinels. W substitution of LiMn₂O₄ spinel can lead to the formation of uniform spinel particles and improved battery performance. Cyclic voltammetric behaviors of the samples were examined in an aqueous solution, and Li diffusion process was investigated for different cases. The best case was the LiW_0.01Mn_1.99O₄ spinel prepared from metallic W powder, as exhibits excellent rate capability, but better cycleability was observed for the LiW_0.01Mn_1.99O₄ spinel prepared from WO₃. This means that because of significant influence of the dopant source, this parameter should be chosen in respect with the desire improvement.     

Lithium perchlorate promoted highly regioselective ring opening of epoxides under solvent-free conditions

A simple and efficient synthesis of diol diesters, protected chlorohydrins, chlorohydrins and β-hydroxy azides with acetyl or benzoyl, TMSN₃ and TMSCl groups has been achieved by ring opening of epoxides with acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride or benzoyl chloride and TMSN₃ using catalytic amount of lithium perchlorate under solvent-free conditions. All reactions proceeded in short times and afforded the corresponding products in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. LiClO₄ shows enhanced reactivity for the ring opening of epoxides under solvent-free conditions, therefore, reducing the reaction times dramatically and improved the yields and amount of catalyst.