Epoxidizable Fatty Amide–Phenol Conjugates

This paper reports the synthesis of a series of novel compounds where carboxylic acids have been linked to a phenol through amidomethyl units. For instance, one, two, or three fatty acids have been selectively appended to the phenol in yields above 75%. The fatty acid used was oleic acid, which was subsequently epoxidized. Other functional groups, such as amino acids, can be incorporated in these compounds. Examples of monomers that are suitable for polymerization were also prepared: one acrylamide, one styrene derivative, and two types of AB₂ diamino acids, all of which contain oleic units that are sites for epoxidation and crosslinking. Fatty acid aryl ethers were prepared using hydroxy fatty acids. These molecules are intended to serve as augmented analogues of epoxidized vegetable oil. Their amide groups should lead to intermolecular aggregation through hydrogen bonding, and the option to covalently include other functional groups may permit tuning of the macroscopic materials properties of films, coatings, or solids constructed from them.     

Photo‐induced Charge Transfer and Relaxation of Persistent Charge Carriers in Polymer/Nanocrystal Composites for Applications in Hybrid Solar Cells

The photo‐induced charge transfer and the dynamics of persistent charge carriers in blends of semiconducting polymers and nanocrystals are investigated. Regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is used as the electron donor material, while the acceptor moiety is established by CdSe nanocrystals (nc‐CdSe) prepared via colloidal synthesis. As a reference system, organic blends of P3HT and [6,6]‐phenyl C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are studied as well. The light‐induced charge transfer between P3HT and the acceptor materials is studied by photoluminescence (PL), photo‐induced absorption (PIA) and light‐induced electron spin resonance spectroscopy (LESR). Compared to neat P3HT samples, both systems show an intensified formation of polarons in the polymer upon photo‐excitation, pointing out successful separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Additionally, relaxation of the persistent charge carriers is investigated, and significant differences are found between the hybrid composite and the purely organic system. While relaxation, reflected in the transient signal decay of the polaron signal, is fast in the organic system, the hybrid blends exhibit long‐term persistence. The appearance of a second, slow recombination channel indicates the existence of deep trap states in the hybrid system, which leads to the capture of a large fraction of charge carriers. A change of polymer conformation due to the presence of nc‐CdSe is revealed by low temperature LESR measurements and microwave saturation techniques. The impact of the different recombination behavior on the photovoltaic efficiency of both systems is discussed.     

Origin of Gas Porosity in Gold-Based Alloys Cast in Calcium Sulfate-Bonded Investment and Influence of Metal Oxide Acid–Base Properties on Calcium Sulfate Thermal Stability

The origin of gas-porosity in gold-based alloys produced via lost-wax casting in CaSO₄-bonded investment has been identified using a combination of microanalytical and thermal techniques. The occurrence of gas-porosity is related to the thermal decomposition of CaSO₄, which, with SiO₂, constitutes the investment material and decomposes at a temperature very close to the casting temperature of some typical gold alloys used for jewelry production. The thermal reaction generates SO₂, leading to gas-porosity and, therefore, to defective products. Furthermore, the results show the detrimental effect of thermal decomposition caused by the presence of ZnO, Cu₂O, CuO, NiO, and Ag₂O formed on the surface of the gold-based alloy during air melting or casting. Therefore, the solid-state thermal decomposition of CaSO₄ in the presence of other ceramic oxides has been investigated and found to be related to their surface acid–base properties, measured as isoelectric points on the solid surface.     

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE AUSTRIAN 200 kWp-PHOTOVOLTAIC-ROOFTOP PROGRAMME

Between 1992 and 1994 a 200 kWp-rooftop programme to promote small grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) systems was conducted in Austria. Within this programme about 100 PV systems with an average capacity of 2.28 kWp were installed. This paper investigates the socio-economic aspects of this programme and the prospects for a further dissemination of this technology. The major conclusions of this investigation are as follows: (1) The motives to invest in a PV system are: (i) environmental protection; (ii) an alternative to nuclear power; (iii) technical interest. Yet, it is also important that the public supports this purchase by means providing subsidies. (2) The purchase of a PV system leads to different changes in consumer behaviour. Consumers with low initial consumption increased their electricity demand slightly, while the majority of consumers with high initial electricity demand saved electricity. (3) The financial incentives in the programme were not optimally designed. With the same amount of total subsidies it would have been possible to promote more PV systems. (4) The key factors for a further dissemination of PV systems are: (i) financial incentives; (ii) a reduction of the investment costs; (iii) increase in reliability; (iv) distribution of information; (v) enhancement of environmental awareness.     

Glycerol as a carbon source for lipase production by the fungus rhizopus delemar

The ability of the fungus Rhizopus delemar to synthesize lipase (glycerol ester hydrolase, E.C. 3.1.1.3) when grown on glycerol as the prime carbon source was investigated. Glucose, glycerol and olive oil all supported fungal growth and lipase production. Maximum net and specific lipase activities obtained in glycerol were greater than those obtained in glucose and olive oil, and were reached earlier and maintained longer during growth. In glucose media, lipase activity did not appear until the glucose had been consumed. Differences in lipase activity between glycerol and glucose media were not due to pH‐mediated lipase inactivation. In both glucose and glycerol media the appearance of lipolytic activity coincided with the appearance of lipase polypeptide. The data are consistent with the postulate that lipase synthesis is subject to catabolite repression by glucose. These studies identify a simple, single‐phase medium for lipase production and establish the utility of glycerol for amplifying enzyme levels.     

Preparation and Luminescent Properties of Eu^3＋ Doped Calcium Phosphate Nanocrystalline

The nanocrystalline Eu^3＋ doped calcium phosphate was prepared by calcining precursors, which were got by precipitation method combined with ultrasound treatment and some polysaccharide. The existence of Eu^3＋ inhibited the reaction of Na^＋ ion and SO4^2- radical with apatite and resulted in the transformation of HAP to β- TCP by replacing the calcium ions. The strongest excitation peak was at 393 nm, and other lower peaks were at 361 nm, 375 nm, 381 nm, 418nm. The strongest emission spectrum appeared at about 618nm. The emission peak （579 nm） showed that Eu^3＋ ions distributed on Ca^2＋ sites of the apatitic structure.     

Das Sperrmanagement im neuen deutschen Personalausweis

Dieser Artikel beschreibt im Detail die datenschutzfreundliche Ausgestaltung des Sperrmanagements, wie es im neuen deutschen Personalausweis zum Einsatz kommt.     

Combined nonenzymatic-enzymatic method for the synthesis of simple alkyl fatty acid esters from soapstock

Soapstock (SS) is a by-product of the extraction of oilseeds to produce edible oils. Annual U.S. production exceeds one-half million tons. A representative sample of SS consists of 45.1% water, 10.0% free fatty acids, 10.1% triglycerides, 1.8% diglycerides, 3.6% phosphatidylethanolamine, 2.2% phosphatidylinositol, 2.7% phosphatidylcholine, 14.0% solvent-insolubles and 10.5% other material, which was not characterized. A process has been developed that sequentially employs a nonenzymatic and an enzymatic step to convert the lipid-linked and the free fatty acids of SS to the esters of monohydric alcohols. The first step of the process employed alcohol and potassium hydroxide to transesterify the glyceride-and phosphoglyceride-linked fatty acids of the substrate. Because water inhibited the reaction, it was necessary that the SS be dried before use. Nonetheless, even with some batches of SS with water contents below 1% (weight basis), ester hydrolysis accompanied esterification. Each of five examined simple primary alcohols participated effectively in the transesterification reaction, which proceeded rapidly at room temperature and was essentially complete within 1 h. The average ratio of transesterification to hydrolysis in four examined small primary alcohols was 4:1. However, in methanol this value was 99:1 due to the virtual absence of hydrolysis. Significant transesterification by a secondary alcohol (isopropanol) did not occur at room temperature. The minimum effective molar ratio of alcohol to lipid-linked fatty acids was 20:1. The minimum effective concentration of KOH was between 0.10 and 0.15N. The efficiency of the transesterification reaction exceeded 90% of theoretical maximum. The second step of the process involves lipase-mediated esterification of the free fatty acids in the preparation that are not esterified by the alkaline transesterfication. Of four lipase preparations examined (Novo Lipozyme IM 20 and SP435, and Amano PS30 and CE), only SP-435 catalyzed significant esterification of the free fatty acids. The reaction was not catalyzed by heat-denatured enzyme. In the pH range between 6 and 13.5, the enzyme reaction proceeded best at pH 6, although also well at pH 7. The optimal water concentration was 0.70% (vol/vol). At an enzyme dosage of 1.1% (weight basis, relative to the dry weight of SS present) under optimal conditions and at 42°C, 63% of the free fatty acids in a post-alcoholysis mixture were enzymatically esterified. The addition of molecular sieves did not increase esterification, which was probably retarded by the high viscosities of the reactions. Under the optimal conditions identified here, the degree of conversion of the fatty acids in SS to simple alkyl esters by the combined reaction scheme was 81%. Opportunities exist for further optimization of these reactions.     

Aluminium alloys in sulfuric acid Part II: Aluminium-oxygen cells

Aluminium alloys were tested in Al/O₂ cells with strongly acidic electrolytes containing minor amounts of chloride ions. The faradaic efficiency, the maximum discharge capacity and the peak power of various Al/O₂ cells were evaluated. The temperature dependence of the faradaic efficiency was measured for an Al/O₂ cell over the temperature range from 15 to 50°C. With a zinc-containing aluminium alloy, a faradaic efficiency of 84% and a cell voltage of 1.6 V at open circuit and 0.7 V at 100 mA cm^–2 could be reached. The highest peak power 120 mW cm^–2, was obtained with an Al-Zn/Sn alloy. On the basis of the solubility of the anode products in the electrolyte, a limiting specific energy of 70 Wh kg^–1 was estimated. The cell voltage depends on the Al-alloys and on the catalyst used in the oxygen electrode. The cell voltage could be increased by about 200 mV when replacing the Pt-catalysed oxygen electrode with a noble-metal-free (CoCAA/DCD) electrode.