Technical and economical assessment of energy-saving roof and wall construction in Thailand

This research assessed the economic impact and construction costs of buildings with solar chimneys in Thailand, called bioclimatic houses. A solar chimney uses a combination of air gaps between walls and roof, and effective ventilation to lower the indoor temperature and reduce the need for air conditioning. The study looked at small, medium, and large size houses and studied construction techniques, the materials used, and the time needed to build a residential structure. It also polled owners of bioclimatic houses about their satisfaction. The techniques employed in building bioclimatic houses take slightly longer and cost slightly more than those used in standard construction. However, the study found that bioclimatic houses use approximately 10–20% less electricity for air conditioning require less maintenance and have a payback period of 6–13 years, depending on the size. The lifespan of insulation material used in standard houses is about 20–25 years, while the lifespan of a solar chimney is about 40–50 years. The solar chimney concept can also be applied to standard houses with minimal renovation. The study found that this type of house was suitable for use in Thailand, and with increased consumer awareness, had a high probability for adoption.     

Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight polyaniline for organic electronic applications

High molecular weight polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized by a combined procedure incorporating various synthesis methods. Temperature and open circuit potential of the reaction mixture were collected to monitor the reaction progress. The polymer is characterized by various techniques including gel permeation chromatography, dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, and differential scanning calorimetry for elucidating the molecular architecture obtained by this method. As‐synthesized PANI was found to possess high molecular weight, reduced branching, reduced cross‐linking, and to predominantly consist of linear polymer chains. This polymer was also found to be more stable in solution form. J–V characteristics of as‐synthesized PANI films indicate a high current density which is due to increased free pathways and less traps for the charge transport to occur in PANI films. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Diamond as a scaffold for bone growth

Diamond is an attractive material for biomedical implants. In this work, we investigate its capacity as a bone scaffold. It is well established that the bioactivity of a material can be evaluated by examining its capacity to form apatite-like calcium phosphate phases on its surface when exposed to simulated body fluid. Accordingly, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) deposited by microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition were exposed to simulated body fluid and assessed for apatite growth when compared to the bulk silicon. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that both UNCD and PCD are capable of acting as a bone scaffold. The composition of deposited apatite suggests that UNCD and PCD are suitable for in vivo implantation with UNCD possible favoured in applications where rapid osseointegration is essential.     

Fighting Computer Crime with Software Risk Analysis

Executive management must have a sound basis for deciding how to control and protect business systems. The potential cost/risk of a system exposure must be quantified before an intelligent cost/benefit decision can be made. Risk analysis attempts to address this need by analyzing exposures in a systematic way. The authors describe one organization's application of risk analysis techniques to software systems.     

Evaluation of a robust, diimide-based, porous organic polymer (POP) as a high-capacity sorbent for representative chemical threats

A previously described porous organic polymer (NU-POP-1) was evaluated against four representative chemical threats: ammonia, cyanogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, and octane. Ammonia, cyanogen chloride, and sulfur dioxide are examples of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) spanning the range from highly basic to strong-acid forming substances, while octane is used to assess physical adsorption capacity. Experiments were carried out using a microbreakthrough test apparatus, which measures the adsorption capacity at saturation and gives an indication of the strength of adsorption. The NU-POP-1 material exhibited substantial removal capabilities against the majority of the toxic chemicals, with capacities as high as or better than an activated, impregnated carbon. The ability to remove the highly volatile toxic chemicals ammonia and cyanogen chloride was intriguing, as these chemicals typically require reactive moieities for removal. The present work presents a benchmark for toxic chemical removal, and future work will focus on incorporating functional groups targeting the toxic chemicals of interest.     

Access to Pediatric Neurologists - Will Telemedicine Close the Gap?

Many times both physicians and patients take for granted that they are qualified to treat certain ages and certain conditions. Neurological conditions are diagnosed and treated by neurologists, pediatric neurologists, and neurosurgeons. What is the difference and why does it matter? It is a balancing act of risk and benefit and the physician’s obligation to know her/his limitations. Telemedicine may play a key role in enabling a greater access to pediatric neurologists. If telemedicine becomes more available, then access even in more remote areas without child neurologists may be possible. As this article discusses, there may be certain limitations to using telemedicine, which is distinguishable from telehealth, in relation to pediatric neurology. This article examines the type of neurological physician that is the most appropriate; the availability of and access to pediatric neurologists; and the applicability of telemedicine to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric neurological conditions.     

Fe–As Bond-Dynamics Revealed from the Arsenic K-Edge EXAFS Studies of NdFeAsO1−x F x Iron-Pnictide Superconductors

Arsenic K-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy results of the NdFeAsO_1?x F _x (x=0 and 0.12) system at room temperature and 12 K are presented. The Fe–As bond seems to be hardly affected by doping and temperature. However, a careful analysis of the temperature dependence of the Fe–As bond mean-square relative displacements reveals a hardening of the Fe–As bond force constant in the superconductor compared to the NdFeAsO, revealing the distinct local lattice dynamics in the active iron-arsenic layer in governing the superconducting properties.     

Thread-Locking Adhesive Failure and a Unique Corrective Action

Thread-locking adhesives are commonly added to impart extra torque strength as well preventing screws from backing out during use. Many of these adhesives rely on anaerobic (oxygen free) conditions for curing. Often, if not properly cured, the locking compounds which are usually oily liquids, actually behave in a manner completely opposite of design and screws intended to be strengthened are in fact compromised beyond if no locking compound were present at all. Discussed herein is such an example in which, if a solution were not found to allow for curing of the locking compounds on assembled systems, over 2,000 costly sensor assemblies would have been scrapped. Fortunately, an unconventional solution was found.