Calibration of Thermocouples and Infrared Radiation Thermometers by Comparison to Radiation Thermometry

The National Metrology Institute of Spain (CEM) has designed, characterized, and set-up its new system to calibrate thermocouples and infrared radiation thermometers up to 1600 °C by comparison to radiation thermometry. This system is based on a MoSi₂ three-zone furnace with a graphite blackbody comparator. Two interchangeable alumina tubes with different structures are used for thermocouples and radiation thermometer calibrations. The reference temperature of the calibration is determined by a standard radiation thermometer. Normally, this is used at CEM to disseminate the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) in the radiation range, and it refers to the Cu fixed point. Several noble metal thermocouples and infrared radiation thermometers with a central wavelength near 900 nm have been calibrated, and their uncertainty budgets have been obtained.     

Allelopathic potential ofAmbrosia cumanensis H.B.K. (Compositae) in a tropical zone of Mexico

Several experiments were carried out to confirm the allelopathic potential ofAmbrosia cumanensis H.B.K. (Compositae) in a tropical zone of Mexico. The aqueous extracts of leaves and roots inhibited growth of several species used in bioassays. The wash-water of the leaves inhibited some species and stimulated others. The aqueous solutions of soil, in reference to those collected in July, were significant in their general inhibitory action. Decomposition of leaves and roots, in pots where several species were growing, was highly inhibitory to some of the seedlings; microorganisms have a major role in this process.     

Novel Heterogenized Palladium(II) Complexes Anchored to Polymer Matrices Functionalized with Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane Moieties

The synthesis and structural characterization of a novel bidentate ligand such as bis(diphenylphosphino) methane bound to a cross-linked styrene/divinylbenzene resin and to linear poly(styrene) are reported. Moreover, the anchoring of palladium acetate to the above polymeric ligands is described and the structure of the heterogenized palladium(II) complexes obtained is proposed.     

Intermediate moisture food for elder people based on a legume: soybeans, mixture with calcium

An intermediate moisture food (IMF), has been developed in our laboratory for elder people, over 60 years. The IMF is based on a cereal: legume mixture with calcium and flavour, it supplies proteins, carbohydrates and vegetable oils; as well as, high energetic density (3.22 cal/g) and covers up to 51% of calcium needed. It can be easily consumed as a tasty and soft food. It has a water activity of 0.80, for it can be stored at room conditions. It is very likely that IMF becomes a good alternative to improve and vary elder peoples diet.     

Thermal Effects on the Gas Transmission Properties of Ionomers Used in Food Packaging Applications

Polyethylene-based ionomers, due to the presence of ionic aggregates, display a time-dependent crystalline morphology if submitted to thermal treatments. As a consequence gas permeability, which is strongly affected by physical morphology, is also found to be time dependent in previously thermally treated ionomer samples. The effect of sample exposure at 65°C and of successive ageing at 35°C on gas transmission properties of three different ethylene– acrylic acid ionomers (characterized by a different amount of acrylic acid groups, percentage of neutralization and type of counterions) has been investigated. In particular the changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities due to thermal treatments at 65°C and subsequent ageing at 35°C have been monitored. X-Ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry have been used to elucidate these changes in transport properties.