Bending and free vibration analysis of shear deformable laminated composite beams by finite element method

In the present investigation a higher-order shear deformation theory and the conventional first-order theory are used to develop a finite element method to analyse accurately the bending and free vibration behaviour of laminated composite beams, using nine-noded isoparametric elements. The higher-order theory assumes all the displacement components, u, v and w, which contain variation up to a cubic power of z. The effects of various parameters such as fibre orientation, stacking sequence, span-to-thickness ratio and support condition on the non-dimensionalised deflections, stresses and fundamental frequencies are investigated. Cases where only the higher-order theory is likely to yield accurate results are highlighted.     

Acrylic acid–methyl methacrylate (2.5:7.5/2:8) enteric copolymer for colon targeted drug delivery

Enteric copolymers of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate (2.5:7.5 and 2:8) were prepared using tetrahydrofuran as solvent and AIBN as free radical initiator for colon targeting. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra of the copolymers showed absence of vinyl bond/protons present in the monomers suggesting successful polymerization. Flurbiprofen sodium microspheres (M1 and M2) made with the copolymers, by oil/oil solvent evaporation, were spherical, anionic (zeta potential –57.8 and –53.7 mV) and contained 5.47 and 5.89% drug. FTIR spectrum of microspheres showed peaks for aromatic C = C stretching and substituted benzene ring, indicating entrapment of flurbiprofen. PXRD revealed crystalline structure of flurbiprofen while copolymer and microspheres were amorphous. DSC thermograms showed a sharp melting endotherm of flurbiprofen sodium at 129.26°C against broad endotherms of copolymers and microspheres. The microspheres released 43 and 36% drug at pH 6.8 in 2 h and 99 and 96% at pH 7.4 in next 3–4 h.The microspheres did not adhere on gastric-mucosa at pH 1.2 but showed mucoadhesion time of 18 min and 9 min on intestinal mucosa at pH 6.8. Thus, the microspheres on oral administration, would release the drug in colon, suggesting the potential of the hemocompatible copolymers for pH dependent colon targeted drug delivery system.     

Azomesogens with 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene moiety

New mesogenic homologous series having an azo central linkage was synthesized by fixing a rigid 4-methyl phenyl azo group to resorcinol moiety. The terminal and lateral phenolic -OH groups were esterified, one by one, with 4-n-alkoxybenzoyl and acetyl group, respectively. All the twelve homologues synthesized exhibit mesomorphism. The methoxy ton-decyloxy andn-hexadecyloxy derivatives exhibit monotropic nematic mesophase whereas,n-dodecyloxy andn-tetradecyloxy derivatives exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The mesogenic properties of the present series was compared with those of other structurally related mesogenic series. Paper presented at the 5th National Seminar on Liquid Crystals, University of Jammu, Jammu, December 1997.     

A semiparametric model for compositional data analysis in presence of covariates on the simplex

Compositional data occur as natural realizations of multivariate observations comprising element proportions of some whole quantity. Such observations predominate in disciplines like geology, biology, ecology, economics and chemistry. Due to unit sum constraint on compositional data, specialized statistical methods are required for analyzing these data. Dirichlet distributions were originally used to study compositional data even though this family of distribution is not appropriate (see Aitchison, 1986) because of their extreme independence properties. Aitchison (1982) endeavored to provide a viable alternative to existing methods by employing Logistic Normal distribution to analyze such constrained data. However this family does not include the Dirichlet class and is therefore unable to address the issue of extreme independence. In this paper generalized Liouville family is investigated to model compositional data which includes covariates. This class permits distributions that admit negative or mixed correlation and also contains non-Dirichlet distributions with non-positive correlation and overcomes deficits in the Dirichlet class. Semiparametric Bayesian methods are proposed to estimate the probability density. Predictive distributions are used to assess performance of the model. The methods are illustrated on a real data set.     

Effect of Temperature on Hydraulic Parameters of Cable-In-Conduit-Conductor of SST-1

Stable operation of superconducting magnets depend critically on the balance of heat deposition rate versus heat extraction rate by the cryo-coolant. Thus, the mass flow rate of the coolant in case of force-flow cooled superconducting magnet with Cable-In-Co-nduit-Conductor (CICC) construction becomes an important factor for optimum stability of magnets. The Toroidal and Poloidal Field magnets of Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-1 (SST-1) is made of superconducting CICC with a void fraction of 40 %±2 %. For adequate cooling of magnets, supercritical helium at 4 bar and 4.5 K is forced-flown through the voids. Effect of temperature on mass flow rate and pressure drop in SST-1 CICC is studied in a 7 m long piece wound helically. The experimental friction factor of the CICC is also measured at different temperatures and flow rates and is compared with the standard Katheder equation and Tada equation. Also, based on the new findings obtained from the experimental results, the dimensionless Reynolds number has been slightly modified. This new number is used to propose a modified Katheder correlation for the friction factor in CICCs similar to that of SST-1.     

Corrosion failure of Zn–Al detonator housing

Some batches of detonator housings made up of Chromium plated Zn–Al alloy were found in an extensively cracked condition after few months of storage at room temperature. An analysis of the failure showed that the cracks were due to intergranular corrosion facilitated by segregation of lead at the grain boundaries. Improper chromium plating further aggravated the corrosion problem. This failure case emphasises the need for strict control of chemical composition for components made from Zn–Al alloy and the process of Cr plating of the components.     

Band gap tuning of ferroelectric PbTiO3 by Mo doping

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - Tuning the band gap of ferroelectric materials to visible region without reducing the polarization can provide an ideal photovoltaic...