Effects of silver nanoparticles on thermal properties of DBSA-doped polyaniline/PVC blends

Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA)-doped polyaniline (PAND) has been synthesized by redoping (PANDR) and aqueous polymerization (PANDA) methods. Silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the PANDR/tetrahydrofuran solution (PANDS) and then mixed with poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) solution to prepare PANDS/PVC nanocomposites. In the present study, effects of silver nanoparticles on thermal properties of PAND/PVC blends have been investigated by employing thermal gravimetric analysis and heat flow microcalorimetry techniques. From these results it has been observed that the thermal stability of blends have increased by increasing the concentration of PAND in blends and nanocomposites. Addition of silver nanoparticles has suppressed the dehydrochlorination process and evolution/degradation of DBSA in PANDS/PVC nanocomposites. Presence of silver nanoparticles in PAND/PVC nanocomposites has reduced the mobility of PANI chains which in turn inhibited the transfer of free radicals formed during degradation of PAND and PVC through inter-chain reactions; hence, degradation process has been slowed down and thermal stability has been improved. Embedment of silver nanoparticles has reduced thermal weight loss corresponding to polymer degradation step and attains lower heat flow level in inert atmosphere for nanocomposites in contrast to those with no nanoparticles, thereby further improving thermal stability of nanocomposites. The heats of oxidation measured for blends and nanocomposites were independent of PAND/PVC blends composition.     

Superconducting Properties of Ag and Sb Substitution on Low-Density YBa2Cu3O δ Superconductor

The effects of silver (Ag) and antimony (Sb) substitution on low-density YBa₂Cu₃O _δ (YBCO) superconductor were investigated. Two series of sample with a nominal composition of YBa_2?x Ag _x Cu₃O _δ and YBa_2?x Sb _x Cu₃O _δ where x=0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 were synthesized and characterized. All Ag-doped samples showed metallic behavior at the normal state and T _C?onset was found at 90 K. T _C?zero decreased as the Ag concentration increased. Optimum Ag concentration was achieved at x=0.20 where T _C?zero has the highest value of 87 K and J _C at 70 K is 16.50 A/cm². For Sb-doped case with x≤0.30, the samples showed metallic behavior above T _C?onset while semiconducting behavior was shown for x≥0.40. The optimum Sb concentration was achieved at x=0.15 where T _C?zero is 85 K and J _C value measured at 70 K is 2.75 A/cm². T _C?onset and T _C?zero were found to decrease toward higher Sb concentration. The crystallographic structure transformed to tetragonal in Sb-doped samples of x≥0.30 while other samples remain orthorhombic.     

An acidic ionic liquid-conventional alkali-catalyzed biodiesel production process

A study was undertaken to prepare biodiesel via two-step process using ionic liquid as first step catalyst due to the unsuitability of using the straight alkaline-catalyzed transesterification of high FFA presented in crude palm oil (CPO). In the first step, esterification of the FFA presented in the CPO was carried out using butylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (BIMHSO₄), in which the acid value was reduced from 6.93 to 1.02mg KOH/g and then, KOH-catalyzed transesterification was applied. The conversion rate of FFA attained 85.3% when 4.8 wt% of BIMHSO₄ was applied to the reaction system containing methanol to CPO ratio of 12: 1 reacted at 170 °C for 150min. The final yield in 97.3% revealed that the process proposed in this study could lead to an excellent biodiesel meeting the ASTM requirements. Furthermore, this new two-step catalysis process could solve the old conventional catalysis process drawbacks.     

Laser machining of different diameter holes in alumina ceramic: Thermal stress analysis

Laser machining of different diameter holes into alumina tiles is carried out. Temperature and stress fields are predicted by using the finite element code. Surface temperature and residual stress predictions are validated through the thermocouple data and X-ray diffraction measurements. Morphological changes in the cutting section are examined by incorporating optical and scanning electron microscopes. It is found that the predictions of surface temperature and the residual stress formed at the cut section agree well with the experimental findings. In general, cut sections are free from large asperities; however, local dross attachments at the kerf edge and crack network formation at the kerf surface are observed.     

Characterization of Ceramic Foam Filters Used for Liquid Metal Filtration

In the current study, the morphology including tortuosity, and the permeability of 50-mm thick commercially available 30, 40, 50, and 80 pores per inch (PPI) alumina ceramic foam filters (CFFs) have been investigated. Measurements have been taken of cell (pore), window, and strut sizes, porosity, tortuosity, and liquid permeability. Water velocities from ~0.015 to 0.77 m/s have been used to derive both first-order (Darcy) and second-order (Non-Darcy) terms for being used with the Forchheimer equation. Measurements were made using 49-mm “straight through” and 101-mm diameter “expanding flow field” designs. Results from the two designs are compared with calculations made using COMSOL 4.2a^® 2D axial symmetric finite element modeling (FEM), as a function of velocity and filter PPI. Permeability results are correlated using directly measurable parameters and compared with the previously published results. Development of improved wall sealing (49 mm) and elimination of wall effects (101 mm) have led to a high level of agreement between experimental, analytic, and FEM methods (±0 to 7 pct on predicted pressure drop) for both types of experiments. Tortuosity has been determined by two inductive methods, one using cold-solidified samples at 60 kHz and the other using liquid metal at 50 Hz, giving comparable results.     

The influence of industrial policy and national systems of innovation on emerging economy suppliers’ learning capability

This paper links the industrial policy and national systems of innovation literature to the investigation of learning capabilities of suppliers in the context of the automotive parts industry of Pakistan. Drawing data from 50 Pakistani autoparts suppliers, the findings suggest that industrial policy has been helpful in creating a local parts supply base and facilitating the entry of Japanese assemblers in the market. However, the implementation of the policy has been weak, and it is an arduous journey for the local suppliers to develop ambidextrous (exploratory and exploitative) learning capabilities. The findings also indicate that where local training and support from R&D institutions are weak, networking alone with foreign multinationals is not sufficient on its own to develop exploratory learning capabilities of local suppliers. This paper shows the importance of creating national–provincial institutions offering learning and skills development aimed towards innovation.     

Performance evaluation and implementation complexity analysis framework for ZF based linear massive MIMO detection

Wireless Networks - This paper discusses a framework for algorithm-architecture synergy for (1) performance evaluation and (2) FPGA implementation complexity analysis of linear massive MIMO...     

Extraction optimisation,antioxidant activity and inhibition on α-amylase and pancreatic lipase of polyphenols from the seeds of Syzygium cumini

The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal extraction conditions of polyphenols from Syzygium cumini seeds by response surface methodology and investigate their antioxidant activity and inhibition on α-amylase and pancreatic lipase. As results, the optimal extraction conditions in the ultrasonic extraction process which maximised total polyphenols content, minimised the IC₅₀ values of α-amylase and pancreatic lipase were determined as follows: extraction time 60 min, ethanol concentration 63% and solvent/solid ratio 44 mL g⁻¹. The main phenolic compounds in partially purified fraction of Syzygium cumini seeds were catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, gallic, 5-caffeoylquinic, caffeic and ferulic acids. In addition, the partially purified fraction inhibited 87.66 ± 5.55 and 86.61 ± 3.15% of α-amylase and pancreatic lipase, respectively. The results suggested that Syzygium cumini seeds could be explored as a natural antioxidant and could be used as a source of highly antidiabetic and anti-obesity bioactive compounds.