Investigation of electrochromic properties of poly(3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)dithieno[3,2-b;2′,3′-d]thiophene)

Electropolymerization of 3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)dithieno[3,2-b;2′,3′-d]thiophene BMPhDTT, having strong electron-donating methoxy groups, was performed, utilizing potentiodynamic method. The homopolymer was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy. Spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic properties of the homopolymer film were investigated and a PBMPhDTT/PEDOT device was constructed to understand its characteristics in detail. It was revealed that the potential range of 0.0–2.0 V is suitable for operating the device between yellow and blue colors. It indicated a good open circuit memory and stability.     

Amplify-and-Forward Cooperative OFDM with Multiple-Relays: Performance Analysis and Relay Selection Methods

In this paper, we investigate a cooperative system with multiple relays and amplify-and-forward relaying over frequency-selective channels. To extract the available multipath diversity, we employ orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with precoding. Through the derivation of pairwise error probability (PEP), we demonstrate that PEP is not a simple exponential function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), but it includes a term that involves some power of logarithm of the SNR. If that term is ignored, the diversity order is given by the summation of the channel length in the direct link and the minimum of channel lengths in each relaying link confirmed by simulation results. Based on the PEP expression, we also propose two relay selection strategies; one is on a per-subcarrier basis and the other is on an all-subcarrier basis. Our simulation results indicate that both strategies result in performance improvements although the per-subcarrier method performs better.     

Collaborative and Cognitive Network Platforms: Vision and Research Challenges

In this paper, we present a visionary concept referred to as Collaborative and Cognitive Network Platforms (CCNPs) as a future-proof solution for creating a dependable, self-organizing and self-managing communication substrate for effective ICT solutions to societal problems. CCNP creates a cooperative communication platform to support critical services across a range of business sectors. CCNP is based on the personal network (PN) technology which is an inherently cooperative environment prototyped in the Dutch Freeband PNP2008 and the European Union IST MAGNET projects. In CCNP, the cognitive control plane strives to exploit the resources to better satisfy the requirements of networked applications. CCNP facilitates collaboration inherently. Through cognition in the cognitive control plane, CCNP becomes a self-managed substrate. The self-managed substrate, in this paper, is defined as cognitive and collaborative middleware on which future applications run without user intervention. Endemic sensor networks may be incorporated into the CCNP concept to feed its cognitive control plane. In this paper, we present the CCNP concept and discuss the research challenges related to collaboration and cognition.     

The preparation of core–shell Al2O3/Ni composite powders by electroless plating

Core–shell nanostructured Ni-coated Al₂O₃ composite powders were synthesised by using the electroless plating method. The influence of the chemical components and powder concentration in the Ni coating was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that the concentration of the plating components plays an important role in the formation of core–shell Al₂O₃/Ni composite powders. The nickel content in the composite powders could be effectively controlled by adjusting the nickel chloride content and the concentration of NaH₂PO₂·H₂O in the plating solution. The nanostructure of the crystalline Ni coatings was observed to be very attractive for achieving good bonding between ceramic particles and matrices for composite production.     

Effects of UV-C Light Processing on Some Quality Characteristics of Grape Juices

White and red grape juices (GJs) were subjected to ultraviolet C (UV-C) light as a non-thermal preservation technology using a coiled tube UV-C reactor with nine lamps. The effects of UV-C light on microbial (total aerobic count and yeast and mould count) and some chemical quality characteristics (total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin and polymeric colour, etc.) of white and red GJs were investigated. The results were compared with control (untreated) and heat-treated juice samples. Single-pass UV-C treatment (12.6 J/mL) of white and red GJs resulted in 3.51 and 3.59 log reductions in total aerobic count and, 2.71 and 2.89 log reductions in yeast and mould counts, respectively. The microbial loads of both GJs were completely eliminated after two passes through the reactor (25.2 J/mL). After UV-C and heat treatments, there were no significant changes in antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, titratable acidity, soluble solids and pH of white and red GJs (P?>?0.05). The losses in monomeric anthocyanins were 6.1% and 8.7% after UV-C treatment of 12.6 and 25.2 J/mL doses, respectively. However, anthocyanin level of red GJ was significantly affected by the heat treatment with an 11.8% loss (P?<?0.05). The percent polymeric colour of the red GJ with heat treatment was significantly higher compared to the colour with the UV-C treatment.     

The production of β-SiAlON ceramics with low amounts of additive,at low sintering temperature

In the present work nano-sized powder of β-SiAlON was produced using a wet milling process. Different milling times and mediums (methyl ethyl keton, ethanol and toluene as solvents, polyethyleneglicol, oleic acid, sodium tripolyphosphate and polyvinylpyrrolidon as dispersants) were performed for the determination of the most efficient milling system. The powders were produced using a conventional process (the ball to powder ratio was 1:1.5, at 300 rpm, for 1.5 h) having a few hundred nanometer particle size, and these were used as standard powders in this study. The nano-sized β-SiAlON starting powders (<100 nm) were sintered at lower temperatures than that of the conventional powders. The amount of Y₂O₃ in powders (～130 nm), produced by high energy milling process, was fewer than conventional powders (5 wt.%). The results of the powder size, sintering behavior and mechanical properties of this sample were compared to those of the standard powder and its sintered sample. This sample, produced using the nano-powder, was investigated, and densified at 150 °C lower than that of the standard sample. Even though the amount of Y₂O₃ was decreased, the hardness of the samples was better than that of the standard sample.