Surface modification of activated carbon fabric with ozone. Part 3: Thermochemical aspects and electron spin resonance

It is shown that the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of water desorption from activated carbon fabric (ACF) surfaces having different degrees of oxidation, is a valid alternative to immersion calorimetry in determining the desorption/adsorption energy of an adsorbate on the oxidized ACF surfaces. Processing the DSC endotherm relative to water desorption through the Clausius-Clapeyron equation it is possible to calculate either the water desorption energy from the oxidized ACF surfaces and also the hydrogen bond energy through which the water molecules are bound to the oxidized ACF surface. The DSC analysis of the ozonized ACF has revealed that secondary ozonides and peroxides are formed together with other oxygenated groups on the ACF surface, and were detected through an exothermal transition with two peaks at 118°C and 142°C with the measured decomposition enthalpy directly proportional to the degree of oxidation of the ACF surface. The ESR analysis on pristine ACF has revealed the presence of clustered paramagnetic centers. The reaction of the ACF with ozone greatly enhances the ESR signal since more free radicals are formed on the surface mainly in the form of oxygen-centered peroxide-type.     

Shear bond strength tests of zirconia veneering ceramics after chipping repair

All ceramic systems are replacing the classical metal–ceramic crowns in dental practice. Zirconium dioxide (zirconia) core associated with veneering ceramic provides both good mechanical and aesthetic properties of prosthetic restorations. However, such zirconia crowns may be affected by defects of adaptation, too tight contacts in the proximal area and fissures of the ceramic veneer. The latter produces chipping; this requires a reattachment, therefore a second burning of the zirconia–ceramic interface. Such an additional procedure may affect the mechanical resistance of the ceramic veneer and the bond between the zirconia core and the ceramic veneer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations of this shear bond strength (SB) between the zirconia core and the ceramic veneer, as produced by the first set of complete burning procedures and by the second correction burning of the dental restorations. Thirty-three zirconia discs were veneered with ceramic material and the SB was evaluated for each sample. Each ceramic cylinder detached from the zirconia was bonded on the core through a new layer of dentin and another burning procedure; the SB was tested again. The results of the two SB tests were compared; the statistical analysis concluded that there is an approximately 10% decrease of the resistance after the second burning. Also, the spread of the values for each test showed the high impact of the human factor on such dental restorations. In all the tests, the weakest area proved to be the interface between the zirconia core and the layered ceramics.     

Characterization of surface roughness of Pt Schottky contacts on quaternary n-Al0.08In0.08Ga0.84N thin film assessed by atomic force microscopy and fractal analysis

The purpose of this study was to analyze surface topography of Pt Schottky contacts on quaternary n-Al_0.08In_0.08Ga_0.84N thin film. To understand how the effect of temperature changes the layers surface, the surface topography was characterized through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fractal analysis. Pt Schottky contacts grown on nanostructure Al_0.08In_0.08Ga_0.84N thin film grown by molecular beam epitaxy technique on sapphire substrate at annealing temperatures range of 300–500 °C were used. AFM analysis was performed in contact mode, on square areas of 10 × 10 μm², by using a Nanosurf Easyscan 2 AFM system. Detailed surface characterization of the surface topography was obtained using statistical parameters of 3D surface roughness, according with ISO 25178-2: 2012, provided by the AFM software. The results revealed that the high quality Schottky contact with the Schottky barrier heights and ideality factor of 0.76 and 1.03 respectively can be obtained under 30 min annealing at 400 °C in N₂ ambience. The surface roughness of Pt Schottky contacts on quaternary n-Al_0.08In_0.08Ga_0.84N thin film revealed a fractal structure at nanometer scale. Results obtained by fractal analysis confirm the relationship between the value of the fractal dimension and the statistical surface roughness parameters. AFM and fractal analysis are accurate tools that may assist manufacturers in developing Pt Schottky contacts on quaternary n-Al_0.08In_0.08Ga_0.84N thin film with optimal surface characteristics and provides different yet complementary information to that offered by traditional surface statistical parameters.     

Picture-Hanging Puzzles

We show how to hang a picture by wrapping rope around n nails, making a polynomial number of twists, such that the picture falls whenever any k out of the n nails get removed, and the picture remains hanging when fewer than k nails get removed. This construction makes for some fun mathematical magic performances. More generally, we characterize the possible Boolean functions characterizing when the picture falls in terms of which nails get removed as all monotone Boolean functions. This construction requires an exponential number of twists in the worst case, but exponential complexity is almost always necessary for general functions.     

Adaptive backstepping flight control for a mini‐UAV

The paper presents the design of a mini‐unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attitude controller using the backstepping method. Starting from the nonlinear dynamic equations of the mini‐UAV, by using the backstepping method, the authors of this paper obtained the expressions of the elevator, rudder, and aileron deflections, which stabilize the UAV at each moment to the desired values of the attitude angles. The attitude controller controls the attitude angles, the angular rates, the angular accelerations, and other variables describing the UAV longitudinal and lateral motions. The designed controller has been implemented in Matlab/Simulink environment, and its effectiveness has been tested with a campaign of numerical simulations using data from the UAV flight tests. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical deposition of bioactive coatings on Ti and Ti-6Al-4V surfaces

Passivating coatings of brushite (CaHPO₄·2H₂O) were obtained on Ti and Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy substrates by cathodic polarization. After soaking in Ringer's solution for 48 h brushite was transformed to hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) as confirmed by XRD, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical cyclic polarization curves of the coated biomaterials obtained in Ringer's solution at pH values of 7.1 and 8.91 as well as in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) at pH value of 7.4 show a nobler behavior than of the uncoated biomaterials. The coated biomaterials had lower corrosion rates than the uncoated biomaterials suggesting a protective character of the hydroxyapatite coating. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) revealed capacitive behavior, owing to the protective, very resistant layer, the thickness of which increased with soaking time. The coated biomaterials presented higher electropositive open circuit potentials compared to the uncoated biomaterials as result of the protective effect of the coating. The morphology of the coatings changed with soaking time as the coatings became denser, smoother and better adhering. Hence such coatings may provide favorable structure for cell adhesion and proliferation.     

Improving chill control in iron powder treated slightly hypereutectic grey cast irons

Recent studies revealed that in eutectic to slightly hypereutectic grey irons (CE = 4.3%-4.5%) the presence of austenite dendrites provides an opportunity to improve the cast iron properties, as a high number of eutectic cells are "reinforced" by austenite dendrites. An iron powder addition proved to be important by promoting dendritic austenite in hypereutectic irons, but was accompanied by adverse effect on the characteristics of potential nuclei for graphite. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the solidification pattern of these irons. Chill wedges with different cooling moduli (CM = 0.11 - 0.43 cm) were poured in resin bonded sand and metal moulds.Relative clear / mottled / total chill measurement criteria were applied. Iron powder additions led to a higher chill tendency, while single inoculation showed the strongest graphitizing effect. The various double treatments show an intermediate position, but the inoculant added after iron powder appears to be the most effective in reducing base iron chill tendency, for all cooling moduli and chill evaluation parameters. This performance reflects the improved properties of (Mn,X)S polygonal compounds as nucleation sites for graphite, especially in resin bonded sand mould castings. Both austenite and graphite nucleation benefit from a double addition of iron powder + inoculant,with positive effect on the final structure and chill tendency.