Wearable Technologies,Portable Architectures and the Vicissitudes of the Space Between

The omnipresence of the iPod and mobile phone has ensured portable and wearable technologies' highly privileged position in contemporary society. They are at the top of the pile where conspicuous consumption is concerned - you only have to visit an Apple store on a Saturday afternoon to witness the degree to which this highly sought-after gadgetry has become subject to consumer frenzy and speculation. Here, Despina Papadopoulos reviews the particular social and cultural impact of wearable devices. She also welcomes in a new generation of interactive designers who are investigating the human and emotional potential of emergent technologies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of electrochemical copolymerization conditions of 3‐methylthiophene and biphenyl on the morphology and nanomechanical properties of the films

The aim of this work is to synthesize novel 3‐methylthiophene (3MTh)/biphenyl (Biph) copolymer films by electropolymerization and study their mechanical properties through nanoindentation. The morphology, the chemical structure as well as the electrical conductivity of the copolymer films depended strongly on the electropolymerization conditions. It was found that the polymer deposition follow an instantaneous, two‐dimensional nucleation and growth mechanism leading to homogenous films. The copolymer films had higher Young modulus and nanohardness than poly(3‐methylthiophene) (3PMTh), indicating that the incorporation of Biph units within the P3MTh chain leads to a more densely packed structure and a more brittle polymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42575.     

Thermal analysis as an aid to monomer plant design

The thermal data needed for the design of heat transfer equipment and distillation columns for the manufacture of a new vinyl monomer, diacetone acrylamide, were rapidly and effectively provided by differential scanning calorimetry. A method has been developed for determining the effects of inhibitors and metals on the polymerization of the vinyl monomer. The latter was an aid in the selection of materials of construction. DSC was used to determine the total inhibitor concentration in the monomer. Selection of inhibitors was facilitated by information derived from thermal analysis.     

Quantification of the functional groups present at the surface of plasma polymers deposited from propylamine,allylamine, and propargylamine

The surface chemistry of plasma-deposited films created from amine-functionalized saturated (propylamine) and unsaturated (allylamine and propargylamine) precursors has been investigated by high-energy resolution XPS, chemical derivatization, elemental analysis, and HREELS.XPS results show that nitrogen-rich deposits are obtained from unsaturated precursors at low power or at high power in the postdischarge region. Quantitative information on the chemical groups in the polymers is obtained by simulating the XPS C1s and N1s core levels and by performing derivatization reactions. The proportion of primary amine functions deduced from tagging reactions with pentafluorobenzaldehyde in the liquid phase and with 4-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde in the vapor phase varies between 10 and 33%. These groups are converted into imine (more than 50%) in polypropylamine and polyallylamine, while imine and nitrile functions were found in polypropargylamine. HREELS has allowed us to distinguish between different nitrogen-containing functionalities present at the extreme surface of the polymers. The comparison of the HREELS and TIR spectra shows that the chemical composition at the extreme surface of the samples is representative of that of the bulk. To explain the conversion of the chemical groups in the plasma, polymerization mechanisms are proposed for each of the monomers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Fast and effective characterization for classification and similarity searches of 2D and 3D spatial region data

We propose a method for characterizing spatial region data. The method efficiently constructs a k-dimensional feature vector using concentric spheres in 3D (circles in 2D) radiating out of a region's center of mass. These signatures capture structural and internal volume properties. We evaluate our approach by performing experiments on classification and similarity searches, using artificial and real datasets. To generate artificial regions we introduce a region growth model. Similarity searches on artificial data demonstrate that our technique, although straightforward, compares favorably to mathematical morphology, while being two orders of magnitude faster. Experiments with real datasets show its effectiveness and general applicability.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of the ability to monofunctionalize polymer surfaces by low energy atomic bombardment

Low energy atomic bombardment is designed to limit the potentially reactive species to the atoms which are present in a radiofrequency (r.f.) plasma discharge. This might give the ability to monofunctionalize surfaces for specific applications such as biocompatibility. Bombardment of polystyrene and poly(trans)isoprene with nitrogen atoms does not result in the incorporation of any heteroatoms at the polymer surface. Other attempts were made on poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate) without any results, even though the samples had been activated by argon ion bombardment; the thermalized atoms seem to have insufficient energy to functionalize these polymers. In contrast, ion bombardment performed with low energy nitrogen ions (500–1500eV) is able to incorporate a majority of amine functions. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Storage stability and ageing effect of biodiesel blends treated with different antioxidants

This study investigates the impact of various synthetic phenolic antioxidants on the oxidation stability of biodiesel blends with the employment of the modified Rancimat method. The experimental results revealed that an improvement in oxidation stability could be achieved with all antioxidants tested. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA) displayed the lowest effectiveness in neat biodiesel, whereas their use in biodiesel blends showed a greater stabilizing potential. Propyl gallate (PG) and pyrogallol (PA) additives showed the strongest effectiveness in both the neat biodiesel and the biodiesel blends. During a naturally ageing process of the biodiesel blends which was conducted for a period of 10 weeks, samples were taken every 2 weeks to measure the oxidation stability, kinematic viscosity and acid value. This process was designed in such manner to simulate the ageing of an automotive biofuel stored in the fuel tank of a vehicle. The results showed a sharp decrease in fuel stability over time. Although limited effects were observed in viscosity, the acid value was significantly increased over time. The addition of antioxidants resulted in some increases in viscosity and acid value of the biodiesel blends.     

Inhibitor selection for vinyl monomers by differential scanning calorimetry

Inhibitors to prevent vinyl polymerization were selected rapidly and effectively by differential scanning calorimetry. The autopolymerization temperature (APT) and the relative polymerization rate constants were used to define the type and amount of inhibitor necessary to prevent polymerization of acrylic esters and acrylamides. The APT was also used to determine the amount of inhibitor in a vinyl monomer. The rate of polymerization and storage stability of vinyl monomers were determined by these methods.     

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Residential Water Efficiency Initiatives in England: Influencing Factors and Policy Implications

Water Resources Management - Providers of municipal water supply services worldwide are facing pressure from climate change and increasing water demand due to growing populations and lifestyle...