Analysis of nanoindentation response of diatom frustules

Diatom frustules have been suggested for numerous nanotechnological applications. Experimental studies using nanoindenter have shown that the hardness and the stiffness of the frustules vary with location of indentation. To gain further insight, a computational framework has been developed where the Berkovich nanoindentation experiments were simulated by a rigid-deformable contact process. Three different approaches that provide progressively increasing level of understanding of the deformation behavior of frustules were adopted. The differences in the mechanical responses of the frustule due to variation of indentation location, size of pores, and distribution of pores were analyzed. It has been found that the effective stiffness of the frustule is linearly related to the porosity level and does not depend on the frustule size or its pore architecture. It has been shown that a 3D porous shell computational model is more appropriate to simulate the experimentally obtained mechanical response of diatom frustules.     

Structure and photoconductive properties of dip-deposited SnS and SnS2 thin films and their conversion to tin dioxide by annealing in air

SnS and SnS₂ thin films have been prepared by the dip technique. In this technique, a substrate was dipped into an alcoholic solution of the corresponding chloride and thiourea and then withdrawn vertically at a controlled speed, and finally baked in a high temperature furnace at atmospheric condition. XRD and SEM data suggest that good quality SnS and SnS₂ films are obtained at a baking temperature of 300 and 360°C, respectively. Values of band gap for SnS and SnS₂ obtained from spectral response of photoconductivity are 1.4 and 2.4 eV, respectively. The indirect allowed band gap values for SnS₂ film obtained from optical absorption measurements are 1.95 and 2.05 eV. Open-air annealing of both SnS and SnS₂ films at 400°C converts them to transparent conducting SnO₂.     

Improvement in anodes used in Hall-Héroult cells

 After nearly 100 years of aluminum production with the Hall-Héroult cell, major innovations are being considered, mainly in the materials of construction and the electrodes. This article presents a brief review of some of the innovations made in anode materials. Such improvements lead to better cell efficiencies and environmental benefits; and open the door for improved cell designs hithertofore not possible with available cell materials. Received: 17 November 1998 / Accepted: 19 March 1999     

Energy simulation approach to air-conditioning system evaluation

This paper deals with the energy simulation approach in evaluating some of the commonly employed air-conditioning systems for high-rise office buildings. These systems are evaluated on the basis of their thermal comfort performance and energy efficiency. It is found that the Two Pipe Induction Unit System (TPIUS) performs the best and is the most energy efficient, followed by the Variable Air Volume System (VAVS). The thermal comfort performance of Packaged Variable Air Volume System (PVAVS) and the Constant Air Volume System (CAVS) is less preferred among all systems studied and they also appear to be the least energy efficient.     

Biodegradable film. IV. Printability study on biodegradable film

A starch‐based biodegradable (BD) low density polyethylene (LDPE) film can be directly printable without any corona treatment, unlike virgin LDPE film. Such a film shows poor adhesion and nail scratch resistance of the ink on the printed area of the film. In order to increase the adhesion and nail scratch resistance of the ink on the printed BD film, grafting of acrylonitrile onto the BD film is carried out. The polyacrylonitrile grafted BD film shows better adhesion, nail scratch resistance, and printability. The printability of the polyacrylonitrile grafted BD film is comparable to the conventional corona treated LDPE film. The extent of printability is a function of the surface smoothness, as well as the optimum percentage of grafting on the biodegradable film. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1273–1277, 2001     

Experimental study on laboratory scale Totalized Hydrogen Energy Utilization System using wind power data

The renewable energy source like wind energy generates electric power with intermittent nature. Hydrogen energy system can help to solve the fluctuation problem of the wind power. Totalized Hydrogen Energy Utilization System (THEUS) consists of a Unitized Reversible Fuel Cell (URFC), a hydrogen storage tank, and other auxiliary components. Wind power is inherently variable; the URFC will be subjected to a dynamic input power profile in water electrolyzer mode operation. This paper describes the THEUS operation and performance at different variations in intermittent wind power. The performance of the THEUS was evaluated in water electrolyzer and fuel cell mode operation. The stack efficiency, system efficiency, and system efficiency including heat output from the URFC were presented at each operation. The total efficiency of the URFC and THEUS were also investigated. The maximum total efficiency of the URFC and THEUS were 53% and 66%, respectively.     

Effect of thermal conditioning on the initiation threshold of secondary high-explosives

While most performance metrics of high-explosive (HE) based devices like detonation velocity, detonation pressure, and energy output are expected to degrade over time, the evolution of initiation threshold appears less clear, with claims of both increasing and decreasing trends in threshold having been made in the literature. This work analyzes D-optimally designed sequential binary test data for a few thermally conditioned porous-powder and polymer-bonded HE initiator systems using a Bayesian likelihood method employing the probit regression model. We find that in most cases the initiation threshold decreases (i. e., sensitivity increases) upon accelerated thermal conditioning. However, such results are nuanced and influenced by factors like the contact area of initiating stimulus, HE characteristics like density and specific surface area, as well as possible thermally induced changes to other materials and interfaces involved.     

Antimony polymers. III. Flame retardant behavior of chloroprene and natural rubber vulcanizates with antimony polymer

The antimony-containing polymer of bisphenol-A (BPA) and triphenyl antimony dinitrate was used as a flame retardant (FR) for chloroprene rubber (CR) and natural rubber (NR). The flame retardancy of this additive was monitored by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements of the rubber vulcanizates and compared with that for antimony trioxide used as a FR additive. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the vulcanizates has also been studied. A structure flammability relationship has been established. The effect of this FR additive on physical properties of the vulcanizates undergoing heat aging and solvent leaching has also been evaluated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 927–935, 1998     

A new rigid rodlike colored poly(amide hydrazide): Thermal,optical anisotropic,and mechanical behavior

A new aromatic all-para oriented poly(amide hydrazide) containing an azo group in the main chain was prepared by reacting a symmetric diamine containing a preformed hydrazide group, viz., N,N′-bis(4-aminobenzoyl)hydrazine (BABH), with 4,4′-azobenzoyl chloride (ADBC). The thermal behavior of the polymer was studied by TGA and DSC in air and nitrogen. Films of the polymer were prepared by two processes, viz., wet and dry processes, by using its solution in DMAc containing LiCl. The optical anisotropy, surface morphology, and tensile properties of the films were studied. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1211–1215, 1997