Standardization of investment casting process using modified binder hydrolysis

A full factorial 2³ matrix was designed to study the bending strength, permeability and hoop-stress of investment moulds. A novel method of ethyl-silicate hydrolysis; two-step hydrolysis, was used. The results indicate that the bending strength is directly proportional to the quantity of filler material in the slurry. Grain size of stucco material appears to exert the least effect on bending and hoop strength, whereas permeability increases slightly when coarser grain is used.     

Performance Prediction of an RCFB Incineration System

Incineration, in spite of being a costly option, is widely used for the treatment and disposal of solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes. Use of fluidized beds paved the way for less polluting incinerators. Circulating fluidized bed systems can burn low-heat-content watery wastes without (or with minimum) auxiliary fuel. Equations of heat transfer and heat balance for different zones of a recirculating fluidized bed (RCFB) incineration system are presented along with a computational procedure to predict the performance details of the system. The method presented is applied to compute the performance of an RCFB incineration system burning distillery spent wash. Results show that RCFB incinerators are capable of burning a spent wash of solids content considerably lower than 60%. The incineration units in operation at present concentrate spent wash to about 60% solids content in external evaporators for autogenous burning. This costly and difficult operation can be minimized by the use of RCFB for incineration.     

Micromechanical modeling of hybrid composites

The main aim of this work is to study the effective elastic modulus of hybrid composites through micromechanical modeling. The micromechanical framework based on the generalized method of cells has been employed for this study. The predictions based on the present model are compared with an assortment of experimental and other theoretical predictions. The effect of two types; sequential mode and mixed mode of filler additions on the effective elastic modulus of the hybrid composite are studied. Moreover, the effect of other microstructural parameters such as the concentration, shape and aspect ratio of fillers in altering the hybridization effects are also investigated.     

Predicting the dilution of plasma transferred arc hardfacing of stellite on carbon steel using response surface methodology

Control of dilution is important in hardfacing, where low dilution is typically desirable. At present, most fabrication industries use shielded metal are welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding and submerged are welding processes for hardfacing purposes. In these processes, the percentage of the dilution level is higher, ranging between 10% and 30%. In Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) hardfacing, a solidified metallurgical bond between the deposit and the substrate is obtained with minimum dilution (less than 10%). This paper highlights the application of response surface methodology to predict and optimize the percentage of the dilution of a cobalt-based hardfaced surface produced by the PTA process. Experiments were conducted based on a fully replicable five-factor, five-level central composite rotatable design and a mathematical model was developed using response surface methodology. Furthermore, the response surface methodology was used to optimize the process parameters that yield the lowest percentage of dilution.     

Production of phthalate esters by nuisance freshwater algae and cyanobacteria

Phthalate esters are widely distributed pollutants which originate from synthetic plasticizer and are known to act as toxicants as well as environmental pheromones in the aquatic ecosystems. From investigating sixteen species of freshwater algae and cyanobacteria we revealed that some of them were capable of producing either di(n-butyl)phthalate (DBP) or mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) or both. These phthalate esters would be released into the environment under stress conditions. The incubation of the cells in culture medium containing NaH¹³CO₃ confirmed that both phthalates were de novo synthesized by the studied cells. This study suggested that the nuisance freshwater micro-algae and cyanobacteria growing in eutrophic waters might affect the aquatic ecosystem via the production of these phthalate esters.     

Novel thermo‐responsive semi‐interpenetrating network microspheres of gellan gum‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) for controlled release of atenolol

Thermoresponsive microspheres of gellan gum‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), i.e., GG‐P(NIPAAm) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) have been prepared by ionic crosslinking and used to study the controlled release (CR) of atenolol (ATL), an antihypertensive drug. Interaction of the drug with polymers was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to confirm the polymorphism and molecular level dispersion of ATL. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated spherical nature and smooth surfaces of the microspheres with some debris attached on their surfaces. Mean particle size measured by laser light diffraction ranged between 34 and 76 μm. Equilibrium swelling performed at 25°C and 37°C in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer exhibited thermoresponsive nature of the polymers. In vitro drug release performed at 25°C and 37°C indicated temperature‐dependency of ATL release, which was extended up to 12 h. In vitro release profiles at both the temperatures confirmed thermoresponsive nature of the polymers giving pulsatile trends. The % cumulative release data have been fitted to an empirical equation to estimate transport parameters and to understand the nature of drug release. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

具有联网功能的家用设备

现在,人人都能使用互联网,它具有采集新闻和内容共享到实时通信多种多样的用途.这些活动主要通过个人计算机和智能手机实现,而在家里联网电视已开始担当这个角色.     

High Thermal Conductivity Polymer Composites Fabrication through Conventional and 3D Printing Processes: State-of-the-Art and Future Trends

The lifespan and the performance of flexible electronic devices and components are affected by the large accumulation of heat, and this problem must be addressed by thermally conductive polymer composite films. Therefore, the need for the development of high thermal conductivity nanocomposites has a strong role in various applications. In this article, the effect of different particle reinforcements such as single and hybrid form, coated and uncoated particles, and chemically treated particles on the thermal conductivity of various polymers are reviewed and the mechanism behind the improvement of the required properties are discussed. Furthermore, the role of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, compression molding, and 3D printing techniques in the production of high thermal conductivity polymer composites is detailed. Finally, the potential for future research is discussed, which can help researchers to work on the thermal properties enhancement for polymeric materials.