Fabrication and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)/CaCu3Ti4O12 composites

Composites comprising Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) and CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) via melt mixing followed by hot pressing were fabricated. These were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, thermo gravimetric, scanning electron microscopy, and Impedance analyzer for their structural, morphology, and dielectric properties. Composites were found to have better thermal stability than that of pure PMMA. The composite, with 38 Vol % of CCTO (in PMMA), exhibited remarkably low dielectric loss at high frequencies and the low frequency relaxation is attributed to the space charge polarization/MWS effect. Theoretical models were employed to rationalize the dielectric behavior of these composites. At higher temperatures, the relaxation peak shifts to higher frequencies, due to the merging of both β and α relaxations into a single dielectric dispersion peak. The AC conductivity in the high frequency region was attributed to the electronic polarization. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:551–558, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermal Expansion of Alkaline‐Doped Lanthanum Ferrite Near the Néel Temperature

The thermal expansion and magnetic behaviors of divalent, alkaline‐doped lanthanum ferrites (La_0.9M_0.1FeO₃, M=Ca, Sr, Ba) were assessed using a combination of dilatometry, magnetometry, time‐of‐flight neutron diffraction, and high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction. Néel temperatures were determined through vibrating sample magnetometry and correlated well with changes in thermal expansion behavior observed during both dilatometry and X‐ray diffraction. The Néel temperatures observed for pure, Ca‐doped, Sr‐doped, and Ba‐doped lanthanum ferrites were 471°C, 351°C, 465°C, and 466°C, respectively. The effect of divalent substitutions on the magnetic behavior are attributed to charge compensation mechanisms and structural changes in the material.     

Carbon nanotubes/amorphous carbon composites as high-power negative electrodes in lithium ion capacitors

A nitrogen-rich carbon nanotubes/amorphous carbon (CNT/C) composite was prepared by carbonising a CNT/polyaniline (PANI) composite, and characterised. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the composite retained a mesoporous CNT structure as its backbone, whilst the nitrogen-rich PANI-derived carbon formed a thin amorphous coating on the CNT surface. Electrochemical characterisation of the CNT/C composite indicated that it had nearly double the reversible Li⁺ intercalation capacity (390 vs. 219 mAh g^?1) and 39 % less irreversible capacity (622 vs. 1,015 mAh g^?1) than the pristine CNT. The CNT/C composite showed exceptionally high rate capability with a de-intercalation capacity of 81 mAh g^?1 at a very high charge/discharge rate of 60 C (time taken for charge or discharge is 1 min) (1 C = 1 h charge or discharge), whereas the pristine CNT delivered 53 mAh g^?1 at this C-rate. By comparison, the rate capabilities of conventional graphite (N3 and SLP30) were very poor above 5 C (~17 mAh g^?1 at 5 C). Both the pristine CNT and CNT/C composite showed an excellent cyclability at 1 C charge/discharge over 600 cycles. The CNT/C composite maintained a fairly stable capacity of ~200 mAh g^?1 after 600 cycles, whilst the commercial graphite showed a steady and significant decrease in de-intercalation capacity; reaching <70 mAh g^?1 after 600 cycles.     

Brassica Plant Responses to Mild Herbivore Stress Elicited by Two Specialist Insects from Different Feeding Guilds

Compensation growth and chemical defense are two components of plant defense strategy against herbivores. In this study, compensation growth and the response of primary and secondary metabolites were investigated in Brassica rapa plants subjected to infestation by two herbivores from contrasting feeding guilds, the phloem-feeding aphid Brevicoryne brassicae and the leaf-feeding caterpillar Pieris brassicae. These specialist herbivores were used at two different densities and allowed to feed for seven days on a young caged leaf. Changes in growth rates were assessed for total leaf area and bulb mass, whereas changes in primary and secondary metabolites were evaluated in young and mature leaves, roots, and bulbs. Mild stress by caterpillars on young plants enhanced mean bulb mass and elicited a contrasting regulation of aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates in the leaves. In contrast, mild stress by aphids enhanced leaf growth and increased glucosinolate concentrations in the bulb, the most important storage organ of B. rapa. A similar mild stress by either herbivore to older plants did not alter plant growth parameters or concentrations of the metabolites analyzed. In conclusion, Brassica plant growth was either maintained or enhanced under mild herbivore stress, and defense patterns differed strongly in response to herbivore type and plant development stage. These results have implications for the understanding of plasticity in plant defenses against herbivores and for the management of Brassica rapa in agroecosystems.     

Silane treatment of magnetite filler and its effect on the properties of magnetite-filled epoxy thin-film composites

Surface modification of magnetite by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane coupling agent (3APTES) at different percentages (5, 10, and 20 wt%) with variable treatment times (3, 5, and 7 h) was performed. The effects of these two variables on the properties of magnetite-filled epoxy thin-film composite were investigated. Treated composites exhibited higher saturation magnetization, storage modulus and T _g than untreated composites. Increasing 3APTES amount associated with increasing treatment time improved both the interfacial adhesion of magnetite filler matrix and the properties of treated composites. However, using a comparison system at a fixed treatment time, the system treated with a higher concentration of 3APTES exhibited lower saturation magnetization than that treated with a lower concentration. This result can be attributed to the thick coating on the filler surface that acted as a non-magnetic mass to the total sample volume and subsequently reduced the magnetization efficiency.     

Drying dynamics of polymers films by an interferometric technique

We analyze a simple laser reflectivity measurement as a tool to monitor the drying kinetics of transparent polymer films. The reflectivity signal of a laser beam at normal incidence shows oscillations due to interference arising from multiple reflection of the laser light within the drying film. We develop a model to interpret the reflectivity curves in terms of time evolving refractive indices at the top and bottom of the film. We present results of the drying kinetics of transparent alkyd films on a glass substrate of high refractive index. Data shows a clear hallmark indicating the evolution of the crosslinking process. From the reflectivity curves, the time evolution of the refractive indices at the top and bottom is obtained. Assuming a linear-gradient of the refractive index along the depth of the film the average refractive index and consequently the film thickness as a function of time are estimated. Clear features in the time evolution of the refractive indices and thickness, correlate well with qualitative “dust”, “touch” and “fingerprint” drying times. Additionally, we present some preliminary results for water based latex binders, where scattering of light is present, showing that this simple optical technique could be extended for studying latex film formation.     

Mitigation of Soot Deposition in Exhaust Gas Recirculation Coolers Using a Spiral Insert

In diesel engines, the emission of nitrogen oxides can profoundly be controlled by using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers. Nevertheless, the deposition of unwanted materials, in form of primarily particulate matter and hydrocarbons, causes a major hurdle to the durability of such devices. In this study, a novel technique, i.e., a spiral insert, has been developed to mitigate particulate fouling in tubular EGR coolers. It is made of a helical rotating blade which is inserted inside the tubes of EGR coolers, and it rotates around its axis under the force of entering gas flow. As the blade rotates, it wipes out the deposit. An EGR experimental setup has also been used to examine how effective the spiral insert is in suppressing particulate fouling for two different gas velocities with and without using the insert. With no insert, the deposition was severe, fast, and continuous. For the latter, though, it was first very slow, and second, the fouling resistance was four times lower to that of no insert. No sign of any deposit was also observed on the insert after fouling runs. Despite the promising results, the insert requires further development so it can rotate at the low gas velocities.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Effect of the Inside Placement of Electrically Conductive Beads on Electric Field Uniformity in a Microwave Applicator

Non-uniform heating is a major issue in microwave applications, mainly due to inherently uneven distribution of electromagnetic energy in the microwave applicator. In this work, our aim is to improve electric field distribution uniformity by utilizing microwave reflection from electrically conductive beads placed in the microwave oven. The effects of position, size, and number of electrically conductive beads on the electric field distribution were numerically investigated, and validated through water-load experiments in the cavity. It is found that uniform electric field distribution was realized to some extent by appropriate placement of electrically conductive beads; meanwhile, average electric field intensity in the microwave oven was increased.     

Drones for Transmission Infrastructure Inspection and Mapping Improve Efficiency

When most industry professionals think about drones, they envision a small, toy-like object with multiple blades hovering around their infrastructure, recklessly maneuvering for the pilot's enjoyment, or worse, for nefarious reasons. Often the thought immediately conjured up is of damaged electrical transmission lines or poles, damaged pipelines, gas leaks, or worse. Instead, they should envision cost savings, improved understanding of asset health, and increased safety and compliance. Energy companies, utilities, and others have already adopted the use of these unmanned aircraft, with the use of these aircraft and their sensors continuing to steadily increase to more accurately understand infrastructure and to do so in three-dimensional space.