Surface modification of polyacrylonitrile staple fibers via alkaline hydrolysis for superabsorbent applications

The alkaline hydrolysis of polyacrylonitrile staple fibers was investigated for evaluation as superabsorbent materials. Studies were performed to analyze the hydrolysis of fibers and the quantification of the developed functional groups, such as carboxyl and amide groups as well as changes in the nitrile content by means of Micro‐ATR. Dyeing of the samples with methylene blue was carried out to monitor the carboxyl groups formed during the hydrolysis. A gradual decrease in the nitrile groups and built up of the carboxyl and the amide groups was observed during the hydrolysis. Microscopic investigation carried out to investigate the surface structure of hydrolyzed fibers. Hydrolysis led to surface nonhomogeneity and erosion that was dependent on the hydrolysis conditions. The fibers showed good water retention behavior, making them superabsorbent materials. The dyeing showed more intense coloration in the surface region of the modified fibers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3127–3133, 2004     

Ubiquitous computing and interaction

A short overview of the emerging field ubiquitous computing is given. It is argued, that this technology, characterized as highly distributed and interactive, requires a shift of focus from the traditional view of computer science as a domain of computable functions and turing machines (TM) to a cybernetic view of energy–signal–control cycles. This is accompanied by a reconsideration of interface-technology and the derivation of a new type of locally controlled signal to energy transformation based on the continuity of energy flow. It is shown how the concept of hyper-bonds could serve some requirements in this new field. Some applications in mixed reality and mechatronics are given and further perspectives for human–machine collaboration, human skills, and knowledge are presented.     

Biodistribution of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody E48 IgG and F(ab'')2 in patients with head and neck cancer

The amphibian pronephros is fated to die during early development. Pronephric cells undergo apoptosis and their function is replaced by the mesonephros, which becomes the functional kidney of the adult frog. Tadpoles of the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, were inoculated with a Lucké tumour herpesvirus (LTV) preparation. Most of the animals developed typical Lucké renal carcinomas at metamorphosis. Fewer developed carcinomas of the pronephric cell type. A pronephric carcinoma, rescued from apoptosis by the herpesvirus, was harvested from a post-metamorphic frog. The tumour was judged to be pronephric by its anatomical location (in the anterior part of the body) and because both mesonephric kidneys were intact and tumour-free upon removal of the tumour mass. A tumour fragment was fixed for histological examination, which confirmed that the tissue was a renal carcinoma. A further fragment was subjected to short-term culture in order to produce metaphase cells for cytogenetical analysis. Based upon silverstained nucleolar organizing region numbers, 14 of 15 metaphase cells were estimated to have the diploid number (2N = 26) of chromosomes and a karyotype was constructed which did not appear to differ from that of normal cells. A single cell was estimated to be tetraploid (4N = 52). This is the first report of chromosomes of a pronephric Lucké carcinoma. LTV replicates only in tumour tissue maintained in the cold. Because the frog in this study had been maintained in the laboratory at 22 degrees C for about 10 months, no viruses would have been detectable with electron microscopy. However, the presence of Lucké herpesvirus DNA was detected in tumour homogenates by polymerase chain reaction amplification of a 1.2 kbp Hind III restriction fragment of the LTV DNA. The presence of LTV DNA provided assurance that the rescued pronephric tumour was indeed a Lucké carcinoma.     

Thermobalance hydropyrolysis of a bituminous coal sample and its macerals vitrinite and exinite: structural analysis of the relevant tars

Thermobalance hydropyrolysis experiments are carried out on a highly volatile coal sample and its main macerals, vitrinite and exinite. The results are discussed according to the characterization of the tars using ultrasound solvent extractions, extrography, liquid chromatography, capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.     

Efficiency and degradation of a copper indium diselenide photovoltaic module and yearly output at a sunny site in Jordan

The present work mainly deals with the testing and modeling of a commercially-available copper indium diselenide (CIS) ST40 module from the former Siemens Solar Industries (SSI). For this purpose, a large quantity of current/voltage characteristics were measured in the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)’s photovoltaic test-facility under different cell temperatures, solar irradiation and air mass, AM, conditions. They were used to develop a semi-empirical efficiency model to correlate all measured data sets. The goal was to make available a model, allowing quick and accurate calculation of the performance of the CIS module under all relevant operating conditions.

For the undegraded state of the module, the efficiency model allowed us to deduce the efficiency at Standard Test Conditions, STC, and its temperature coefficient at STC, which were 11.58% and minus 0.050%/°C, respectively. The output of the undegraded module under STC was found to be 42.4 W, i.e., 6% higher than specified by the manufacturer (40 W). Furthermore, the efficiency does not decrease with increasing air mass. At a cell temperature of 25 °C and a relative air mass of 1.5, the module has a maximum in efficiency of 12.0% at an irradiance of about 650 W/m². This indicates that the series-resistance losses become significant at higher irradiances. Hence, improving the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) electrode on the front side of the cells might lead to a higher output at high irradiances.

Identical testing and modeling were repeated after having exposed the module to real weather conditions for one year. We found that the STC efficiency was reduced by 9.0%, from 11.58 down to 10.54%. The temperature coefficient of the efficiency had changed from minus 0.050 %/°C to minus 0.039%/°C. These results indicate possible chemical changes in the semiconductor film. The output of the module at STC was reduced by 9.0% from 42.4 W down to 38.6 W.

Using meteorological data from a sunny site in the South of Jordan (Al Qauwairah) and the efficiency model presented here allows us to predict the yearly electricity yield of the CIS module in that area. Prior to degradation, the yield was found to be 362 kWh/m² for the Sun-tracked module; and 265 kWh/m² for the fix-installed module (South-oriented, at an inclination angle of 30°). After degradation the corresponding yields were found to be 334 and 241 kWh/m²; meaning losses of 8.4% and 9.5%, respectively. (Note: all units of energy, kWh, are referred to the active cell area.) Having available efficiency models for other module types, similar predictions of the yield can be made, facilitating the comparisons of the yearly yields of different module types at the same site. This in turn allows selecting the best module type for a particular site.     

Zeolitic materials with hierarchical porous structures

During the past several years, different kinds of hierarchical structured zeolitic materials have been synthesized due to their highly attractive properties, such as superior mass/heat transfer characteristics, lower restriction of the diffusion of reactants in the mesopores, and low pressure drop. Our contribution provides general information regarding types and preparation methods of hierarchical zeolitic materials and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Thereafter, recent advances in the preparation and characterization of hierarchical zeolitic structures within the crystallites by post-synthetic treatment methods, such as dealumination or desilication; and structured devices by in situ and ex situ zeolite coatings on open-cellular ceramic foams as (non-reactive as well as reactive) supports are highlighted. Specific advantages of using hierarchical zeolitic catalysts/structures in selected catalytic reactions, such as benzene to phenol (BTOP) and methanol to olefins (MTO) are presented.     

Controlled Folding of 2D Au–Polymer Brush Composites into 3D Microstructures

Microscale, quasi‐2D Au–polymer brush composite objects are fabricated by a versatile, controllable process based on microcontact printing followed by brush growth and etching of the substrate. These objects fold into 3D microstructures in response to a stimulus: crosslinked poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) brushes fold on immersion in MeOH, and poly(methacryloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PMETAC) brushes fold on addition of salt. Microcages and microcontainers are fabricated. A multistep microcontact printing process is also used to create sheets of Au–PGMA bilayer lines linked by a PGMA film, which fold into cylindrical tubes. The bending of these objects can be predicted, and hence predefined during the synthesis process by controlling the parameters of the gold layer, and of the polymer brush.