BF<Subscript>3</Subscript>OEt<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coinitiated cationic polymerization of cyclopentadiene in the presence of water at room temperature

The cationic polymerization of cyclopentadiene (CPD) with 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol (1)/BF₃OEt₂ initiating system in CH₂Cl₂:CH₃CN 4:1 (v/v) mixture at room temperature and in the presence of water ([H₂O]/[BF₃OEt₂] up to 8) is reported. The number-average molecular weights of obtained polymers increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion or initial monomer concentration (M _n ≤ 4,000 g mol⁻¹) in agreement with calculated values, and were inversely proportional to initiator concentration. Polymer MWDs were relatively narrow (M _w/M _n = 1.4–1.7) up to 60% of monomer conversion. It was also shown that regioselectivity of CPD polymerization with 1/BF₃OEt₂ initiating system did not depend significantly on water, monomer, or initiator concentration (1,4-structures content was nearly 60% in all cases).     

Optical particle sizing in backscatter

Several possibilities for the use of elastic light scattering in the backscatter range (scattering angle theta(s) > 140 deg) for determination of size, velocity, and refractive index of spherical particles are investigated. First the phase Doppler technique is considered. Numerical simulations of light scattering with the Lorenz-Mie theory are used to show that the phase Doppler technique is unsuitable for such backscatter configurations, except for special measurement conditions. The time-shift (or pulse-displacement) technique is then considered by use of the Fourier-Lorenz-Mie theory. Simulations show that up to four fractional signals can be obtained by use of the technique in backscatter, corresponding to the scattering order or modes: surface wave (long path), reflection, second-order refraction (inner path), and a mixture of second-order refraction (outer path) and surface wave (short path). Signal characteristics as a function of particle size, refractive index, and particle ellipticity are studied. Suggestions for a practical measurement instrument are put forward.     

Novel initiating system based on AlCl3 etherate for quasiliving cationic polymerization of styrene

Summary Quasiliving cationic polymerization of styrene was obtained in the system 2-phenyl-2-propano-/AlCl₃·OBu₂/Bu₂O in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and n-hexane (55:45 viv) at -15 °C. The molecular weights of the polymers (M_n) increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion. However, the experimental M_ns are essentially higher than theoretical ones, indicating that slow initiation relative to propagation takes place. The molecular weight distributions were broad (M_w/M_n2.5), probably due to the slow initiation and slow exchange between reversibly terminated and propagating species.     

Fabrication of advanced Bragg gratings with complex apodization profiles by use of the polarization control method

The polarization control method offers a flexible, robust, and low-cost route for the parallel fabrication of gratings with complex apodization profiles including several discrete phase shifts and chirp. The performance of several test gratings is evaluated in terms of their spectral response and compared with theoretical predictions. Short gratings with sidelobe-suppression levels in excess of 32 dB and transmission dips lower than 80 dB have been realized. Finally, most of the devices fabricated by the polarization control method show comparable quality to gratings manufactured by far more complex methods.     

Evanescent and propagating fields of a strongly focused beam

Evanescent- and propagating-field distributions from a strongly-focused-wave beam with subwavelength waist w(a) < lambda as a function of polar angle and distance are investigated. Exact amplitudes and intensities of evanescent E(ev) and propagating E(p) fields, including interference terms, are presented both in near- and far-field regions. It is shown that the amplitude of E(ev) decays as exp(-r/w(a)) in the near-field region and that evanescent waves do not contribute to the far field in the forward direction as they do in the transverse directions theta = pi/2, even though the oscillating evanescent field of the same strength but opposite in sign to the propagating field exists in the transverse plane.     

Some Characteristic Features of Formation of Ceramics Based on Composite Powders SiC ― Si3N4 ― Si2N2O

We have studied the characteristic features of synthesis of composite powders SiC Si₃N₄ Si₂N₂O. We have investigated processes involving hot pressing of these powders without activating additives and a protective atmosphere. We consider the mechanical properties of ceramics obtained on the basis of these composite powders.     

Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulent Reacting Mixing of Liquids in a Coaxial Jet Mixer

Large eddy simulation is used to investigate passive and reactive scalar mixing at high Reynolds Re and Schmidt Sc numbers in order to prove capability of the LES‐SGS micromixing approaches based on the eddy dissipation and DQMOM‐IEM models properly simulating liquid reacting flows. Simulations were performed for a fast neutralization reaction in a confined jet reactor. The mean profiles for passive scalar agree well with measurements. It was shown that the most contribution to the scalar variance is made by large scale motions whereas the contribution of fine scales smaller than typical inertial range scales is negligible. Thus, the existing LES models are capable of predicting the scalar variance at large Sc numbers. The results obtained for reactive transport revealed discrepancies in the determination of micromixing rate and product concentration. A special study was performed to investigate the dynamics of fine structures using locally refined box embedded into global grid. Typical statistical properties of fine structures were reproduced numerically.     

Drop Tower Experiments on Non-isothermal Reorientation of Cryogenic Liquids

Capillary driven surface oscillations of liquid argon (T_sat = 87.3 K at 1,013 hPa) have been investigated in a partly filled right circular cylinder under non-isothermal boundary conditions. The oscillations take place during the reorientation from the normal gravity surface position towards a new position upon step reduction of gravity. The situation is similar to the end of thrust in a rocket tank when the cold propellant moves along the warmer tank wall driven by capillary forces. The aim was to investigate the influence of the temperature difference between the slightly subcooled cryogenic liquid and the superheated cylinder wall on the oscillations and their characteristics in a single-component, two-phase system. Axial wall temperature gradients of averaged 0.15 K/mm ? 1.93 K/mm above the normal gravity surface position were implemented. A general dependence of the reorientation behavior on the gradient value was observed, concerning the apparent contact line behavior, the frequency and damping of the oscillations of the free surface center point, and the apparent contact angle. The behavior of the ullage pressure was found to follow the behavior of the contact line.     

Towards processible poly(pyrrol-2-ylsquaraines)

Summary In an attempt to produce a processible poly(pyrrol-2-ylsquaraine) by forming a copolymer of poly(pyrrol-2-ylsquaraine) with polymethylmethacrylate, two synthetic routes were utilised. The first included forming the polysquaraine and then polymerising the attached methacrylate groups to form the desired product and the second proceeded via the preformed methacrylate polymer, containing N-alkylpyrrole side chains, which was then condensed with squaric acid. Difficulties arose in the first route when the polysquaraine product was found to be insoluble, hence preventing any further polymerisation but partial solubility during the second procedure did allow bissquaraines to be formed and, as a consequence, the resultant product exhibited fluorescent properties. Yet the desired processible poly(pyrrol-2-ylsquaraine) was not achieved. Received: 30 October 1997/Revised version: 22 January 1998/Accepted: 23 January 1998