A novel magneto‐impedance sensor model based on the zeros of Bessel functions

Nowadays, the design of magneto‐impedance (MI) sensors requires the development of lumped circuit models that can be simulated through equivalent impedance circuits relied on Bessel functions. A new impedance model based on Senani's equivalent using the zeros of Bessel functions is developed in this paper. The model allows to describe the impedance as a transfer function that can be easily synthesized by means of current conveyor circuits and passive elements. The mathematical representation was verified under simulation of transfer functions involving different number of poles and zeros. Moreover, the model has been verified using SPICE simulations and measurement results from a fabricated prototype demonstrating its scope and validity. Finally, a study of finite tracking errors of CCIIs used in the implementation of magneto‐impedance sensor has been realized. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of nitriding on corrosion resistance of martensitic X17CrNi16‐2 stainless steel

Nitriding increases surface hardness and improves wear resistance of stainless steels. However, nitriding can sometimes reduce their corrosion resistance. In this paper, the influence of nitriding on the corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steel was investigated. Plasma nitriding at 440 °C and 525 °C and salt bath nitrocarburizing were carried out on X17CrNi16‐2 stainless steel. Microhardness profiles of the obtained nitrided layers were examined. Phase composition analysis and quantitative depth profile analysis of the nitrided layers were preformed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and glow‐discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD‐OES), respectively. Corrosion behaviour was evaluated by immersion test in 1% HCl, salt spray test in 5% NaCl and electrochemical corrosion tests in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution. Results show that salt bath nitrocarburizing, as well as plasma nitriding at low temperature, increased microhardness without significantly reducing corrosion resistance. Plasma nitriding at a higher temperature increased the corrosion tendency of the X17CrNi16‐2 steel.     

A new biobased plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) based on epoxidized cottonseed oil

The use of epoxidized cottonseed oil as plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) was studied. The plasticizer content was set to 70 phr and the optimum isothermal curing conditions were studied in the temperature range comprised between 160 and 220 °C with varying curing times in the 7.5–17.5 min range. The influence of the curing conditions on overall performance of cured plastisols was followed by the evolution of mechanical properties (tensile tests with measurements of tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus), change in color, surface changes of fractured samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal transitions by differential scanning calorimetry, and migration in n‐hexane. The optimum mechanical features of cured plastisols are obtained for curing temperatures in the 190–220 °C range. For these curing conditions, fractography analysis by SEM gives evidences of full curing process as no PVC particles and free plasticizer can be found. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43642.     

Thermo‐responsive polyurethane hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(caprolactone): Physico‐chemical and mechanical properties

In this work, we present the synthesis and characterization of chemically crosslinked polyurethanes (PU) composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(caprolactone) diol (PCL‐diol), as hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments respectively, poly(caprolactone) triol (PCL‐triol), to induce hydrolysable crosslinks, and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). The syntheses were performed at 45 °C, resulting in polyurethanes with different PEG/PCL‐diol/PCL‐triol mass fractions. All the PUs are able to crystallize and their thermal properties depend on the global composition. The water uptake capacities of the PU increase as the PEG amount increases. The water into hydrogels is present in different environments, as bounded, bulk and free water. The PU hydrogels are thermo‐responsive, presenting a negative dependence of the water uptake with the temperature for PEG rich networks, which gradually changes to a positive behavior as the amount of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) segments increases. However, the water uptake capacity changes continuously without an abrupt transition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the hydrogel morphology after lyophilization revealed a porous structure. Mechanical compression tests revealed that the hydrogels present good resilience and low recovery hysteresis when they are subject to cycles of compression–decompression. In addition, the mechanical properties of the hydrogels varies with the composition and crosslinking density, and therefore with the water uptake capacity. The PU properties can be tuned to fit for different applications, such as biomedical applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43573.     

Characterization of Crude and Partially Purified Lipase from Geotrichum candidum Obtained with Different Nitrogen Sources

Lipases from Geotrichum candidum were produced in two different medium: A = 12 % (w/v) clarified corn steep liquor (CCSL) + 0.6 % (w/v) soybean oil (SO) and B = 3.5 % (w/v) yeast hydrolysate (YH) + 0.7 % (w/v) SO. Lipases were partially purified from both media by hydrophobic interaction chromatography using 3.0 mol L^?1 of NaCl as mobile phase, and they were characterized in the crude and partially purified forms. The recovery of lipase activity from CCSL and YH via HIC were 96 and 94.3 %, and the purification factors were 44.3 and 86.7‐fold, respectively. All evaluated lipases had similar optimum pH (7.0–7.7), but, for the CCSL crude lipase, optimum temperature (47 °C) was 10 °C higher than others lipases evaluated. CCSL crude lipase possessed a higher thermo stability than YH crude lipase, e.g., at 37 °C (pH 7.0) the half‐life of CCSL crude lipase was 19.25 h and at pH 8.0 (30 °C) the half‐life was 48 h, which are five and ten times higher than with YH crude lipase, respectively. On the other hand, the YH crude lipase possessed a higher catalytic constant (k_cat = 2.3 min^?1) but with almost the same catalytic efficiency (K_m/k_cat = 32.12 mg mL min^?1) in relation to CCSL crude lipase. The lipases differ in biocatalytic properties between substrates, suggesting that the two lipases can be employed for different applications.     

Effect of Tempering on the Oxidation Behaviour of a Roll-Grade High-Speed Steel During Thermal Cycling

Oxidation of Metals - The oxidation characteristics of a roll-grade high-speed steel with different tempering heat treatments were studied under thermal cycling conditions at 650 °C...     

Co‐optimization of SnS absorber and Zn(O,S) buffer materials for improved solar cells

Thin‐film solar cells consisting of earth‐abundant and non‐toxic materials were made from pulsed chemical vapor deposition (pulsed‐CVD) of SnS as the p‐type absorber layer and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Zn(O,S) as the n‐type buffer layer. The effects of deposition temperature and annealing conditions of the SnS absorber layer were studied for solar cells with a structure of Mo/SnS/Zn(O,S)/ZnO/ITO. Solar cells were further optimized by varying the stoichiometry of Zn(O,S) and the annealing conditions of SnS. Post‐deposition annealing in pure hydrogen sulfide improved crystallinity and increased the carrier mobility by one order of magnitude, and a power conversion efficiency up to 2.9% was achieved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strength improvements in toughened epoxy composites using surface treated GnPs

Nanographitic materials are gaining enormous interest as a new class of reinforcement for nanocomposites, promising revolutionary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. However, the progress has been quite limited especially in terms of mechanical properties. Here we report a significant leap, >2× increases in tensile strength and modulus of an epoxy composite using surface treated graphite nanoplatelets (GnPs). This corroborated by increases in Tgs as well as the presence of oxygen‐functionalized groups verified by XPS, suggest improved distribution and chemical interaction at the filler‐to‐matrix interface. Toughness values also showed increases with concentration, without compromising the strength or failure strain. However, if solvent levels during degassing were not reduced sufficiently, negligible contributions to strength and stiffness were observed with GnP loading. Subsequent elevated temperature treatments increased the strength of the composite due to cure enhancement of the matrix material, yet did not provide mechanical enhancements due to the incorporation of the filler. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40802.     

The effect of surface treatment on graphite nanoplatelets used in fiber reinforced composites

Atmospheric plasma treatment (APT) was used to surface‐activate graphite nanoplatelets (GnP) as well as highly graphitic P100 fibers used to manufacture composites. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed an increase in the O/C ratio of the treated surfaces when using either CO or O₂ as the active gas, whereas CO exhibited less damage to the treated reinforcement carbon material. APT of P100 fibers resulted in a 75% increase in composite tensile strength when compared to composites using untreated fibers. Surface treatment of GnPs also resulted in GnP/epoxy composites with significantly higher glass transition temperatures (Tg's) and 50% higher flexural strengths than those with no surface treatment because of stronger particle‐to‐resin coupling, which was also evidenced by the fracture surfaces. The effect of GnP loading concentration and plasma treatment duration was also evaluated on the tensile strength of fiber‐reinforced composites. The addition of untreated GnP filler resulted in a decrease in strength up to the 1% loading. However, higher loading conditions resulted in a 20% improvement because of GnP orientation effects. Fracture surfaces suggest that the fibers provided a mechanism for the GnPs to orient themselves parallel to the fiber axis, developing an oriented matrix microstructure that contributes to added crack deflection. Incorporating surface‐treated GnPs in these composites resulted in tensile strengths that were as high as 50% stronger than the untreated systems for all loading conditions. Increased GnP‐to‐matrix bonding as well as enhanced orientation of the GnPs resulted in multifunctional composites with improved mechanical performance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014 , 131, 39994.