Kinetics of volume expansion during infusion of Ringer’s solution based on two volume model

In this work mathematical models were developed to represent the kinetics of volume changes of fluid spaces associated with infusion of Ringer’s solution. During infusion of Ringer’s solution, the human body is assumed to be characterized by the two-fluid space model which has second volume space in addition to the first volume so that fluid exchanges between these two spaces are possible. Various infusion types were tested to accommodate different medical situations. Volunteers were given Ringer’s solution and the changes in blood hemoglobin were detected. From the comparison with experimental data, the two-fluid space model was found to represent adequately the kinetics of human volume expansion during infusion of Ringer’s solution.     

Characterization and physical properties of polymethylphenylsilsesquioxane (PMPSQ) and hydroxyl‐functionalized polystyrene (PS–OH) hybrids

Polymethylphenylsilsesquioxane (PMPSQ–OH) and trimethylsilyl end‐blocked PMPSQ (PMPSQ–EC) were prepared. The thermal decomposition behavior of these polymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and FT‐Raman spectroscopy. Hydroxyl‐functionalized polystyrene (PS–OH) was also prepared by anionic living polymerization. Thin hybrid films of PMPSQ/PS–OH with various blend ratios were obtained by spin‐coating on freshly cleaned glass. The surface morphology of the hybrid films was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In 80/20 PMPSQ/PS–OH hybrid film, the PS–OH component produced a very uniformly dispersed phase. This hybrid film contained small domains of PS–OH whose size ranged from 60 to 80 nm. As the content of PS–OH was increased, the domain morphology coarsened and phase inversion took place around 50 wt %. In the phase‐inversed system, the PMPSQ‐rich phase was uniformly distributed in the PS–OH‐rich continuous phase. In addition, temperature‐dependent dielectric properties of PMPSQ/PS–OH hybrids were investigated. Relaxation of the hybrids was observed with an increasing content of the PS–OH component due to the amorphous glass transition behavior of PS–OH. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2801–2812, 2003     

Dynamics of the wet-end section in paper mills

A model representing the wet-end section of a paper mill has been developed to characterize its dynamic behavior during the grade change. The model is based on the mass balance relationships written for the simplified wetend white water network. From the linearization of the dynamic model, higher-order Laplace transfer functions were obtained followed by the reduction procedure to give simple lower-order models in the form of 1^st-order or 2^nd-order plus dead times. The dynamic response of the wet-end is influenced both by the white water volume and by the level of wire retention. Effects of key manipulated variables such as the thick stock flow rate, the ash flow rate and the retention aid flow rate on the major controlled variables were analyzed by numerical simulations. The simple dynamic model developed in the present study can be effectively used in the operation and control. This paper is dedicated to Professor Se Ki Moon on the occasion of his retirement from Hanyang University.     

Biodegradability and mechanical properties of agro‐flour–filled polybutylene succinate biocomposites

The objective of this study was the production of rice husk flour (RHF) and wood flour (WF) filled polybutylene succinate (PBS) biocomposites as alternatives to cellulosic material filled conventional plastic (polyolefins) composites. PBS is one of the biodegradable polymers, made from the condensation reaction of 1,4‐butanediol and succinic acid that can be naturally degraded in the natural environment. We compared the mechanical properties between conventional plastics and agro‐flour–filled PBS biocomposites. We evaluated the biodegradability and mechanical properties of agro‐flour–filled PBS biocomposites according to the content and filler particle size of agro‐flour. As the agro‐flour loading was increased, the tensile and impact strength of the biocomposites decreased. As the filler particle size decreased, the tensile strength of the biocomposites increased but the impact strength decreased. The addition of agro‐flour to PBS produced a more rapid decrease in the tensile strength, notched Izod impact strength, and percentage weight loss of the biocomposites during the natural soil burial test. These results support the application of biocomposites as environmentally friendly materials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1513–1521, 2005     

The effect of two-layer cathode on the performance of the direct methanol fuel cell

To reduce the effect of methanol permeated from the anode, the structure of the cathode was modified from a single layer with Pt black catalyst to two-layer with PtRh black and Pt black catalysts, respectively. The current density of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) using the two-layer cathode was improved to 228 mA/cm^-2 compared to that (180 mA/cm^-2) of the DMFC using the single layer cathode at 0.3 V and 303 K. From the cyclic voltammograms (CVs), it is indicated that the amount of adsorbates on the metal catalyst in the two-layer cathode is less than that of adsorbates in the single layer cathode after methanol test. In addition, the adsorbates were removed very rapidly by electrochemical oxidation from the two-layer cathode. It is suggested fromex situ X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis that the d-electron vacancy of Pt atom in the two-layer cathode is not changed by the methanol test. Thus, Pt is not covered with the adsorbates, which agrees well with the results of CV.     

Physical characteristics of sweet potato pulp/polycaprolactone blends

Sweet potato pulp (SSP) obtained as a by‐product from starch extraction was blended with polycaprolactone (PCL) to prepare a biodegradable plastic material. In the blends, PCL was used as a reinforcing agent. The SPP/PCL blends were prepared by compression‐molding under high temperature and pressure, at different SPP/PCL ratios, and the mechanical properties of the molded specimens were tested. Matrix structure and thermal properties were measured by using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Mechanical properties (tensile and flexural properties) were also measured to find the most suitable ratio in a SSP/PCL blend. During compression molding of the SPP/PCL blends under high pressure and temperature, chemical reaction occurred between SPP and PCL, and thus, thermal stability and mechanical strength of the blends increased and water uptake decreased. Also, by increasing the PCL content in the blend, the matrix in the blend became more homogeneous, and consequently, mechanical strength of the molded specimen increased. At 7/3 or 6/4 weight ratio of SSP/PCL, water uptake of the molded specimen became substantially less than that at 8/2. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 861–866, 2004     

Updating the trusted connection of re-organized computing resource under the automated system management platform

The High-Performance Computing (HPC) is an infrastructure to support various research fields. The research using HPC requires big storage for large-scale of raw data and the huge computing resources to analyze. The consolidated operations of the computing center for supporting various researches using HPC are a very effective organization. The consolidated operations are able to increase the utilization. The computing center has to be re-organized continuously in order to support the various fields of research effectively and flexibly. Re-organization to reuse the limited resources enforces the update of the information for verification of the computing resources after the re-allocation of computing resources and the re-distribution of trusted connection between computing resources. Consequently, to maintain effective research support we need automated resource re-organization environment. In this paper, we build an automated update of the trusted connection for re-organized computing resource using puppet which is automated system management platform. Finally, we provide a unified verification point and efficient environment for the re-allocation and re-organization of the integrated computing center.     

Flaw-Tolerance and R-Curve Behavior of Liquid-Phase-Sintered Silicon Carbides with Different Microstructures

β-SiC powder containing 6 wt% A1₂O₃ and 4 wt% Y₂O₃ as sintering additives was pressureless sintered at 2000°C for 1 h (AYE-SiC) and 3 h (AYP-SiC). AYE-SiC consisted of an equiaxed grain structure and AYP-SiC exhibited a micro-structure with platelike grains as a result of grain growth related to β→α phase transformation during sintering, R -curve behavior and flaw tolerance for these silicon carbides were evaluated by the indentation-strength technique. For comparison, the R -curve behavior of conventional sintered, boron- and carbon-doped SiC (SS-SiC) was evaluated. AYE-SiC and AYP-SiC exhibited rising R -curve behavior with toughening exponents of m = 0.042 and m = 0.135, respectively. AYP-SiC exhibited better flaw tolerance and more sharply rising R -curve behavior than AYE-SiC. The more sharply rising R -curve behavior and the better flaw tolerance of AYP-SiC were attributed mainly to grain bridging of crack faces by platelike grains. Because of the high degree of transgranular fracture, SS-SiC exhibited a flat R -curve despite a microstructural feature with platelike grains.     

Mechanical, thermal and ablative properties of interply continuous/spun hybrid carbon composites

The mechanical and thermal properties of interply hybrid carbon fiber (continuous and spun fabric)/phenolic composite materials have been studied. Hybrid carbon/phenolic composites (hybrid CP) with continuous carbon fabric of high tensile, flexural strength and spun carbon fabric of better interlaminar shear strength and lower thermal conductivity are investigated in terms of mechanical properties as well as thermal properties.Through hybridization, tensile strength and modulus of spun type carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites (spun CP) increased by approximately 28% and 20%, respectively. Hybrid CP also exhibits better interlaminar shear strength than continuous carbon fabric/phenolic composites (continuous CP).The in-plane thermal conductivity of hybrid CP is 4-8% lower than that of continuous CP. As continuous filament type carbon fiber volume fraction increases, the transversal thermal conductivity of hybrid CP decreases.The erosion rate and insulation index were examined using torch test. Spun CP has a higher insulation index than continuous CP and hybrid CP over the entire temperature range. Hybrid CP with higher content of spun fabric exhibits higher insulation index as well as lower erosion rate.     

Preparation and properties of polyimide/silica hybrid composites based on polymer‐modified colloidal silica

A new type of polyimide/silica (PI/SiO₂) hybrid composite films was prepared by blending polymer‐modified colloidal silica with the semiflexible polyimide. Polyimide was solution‐imidized at higher temperature than the glass transition temperature (T_g) using 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA). The morphological observation on the prepared hybrid films by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pointed to the existence of miscible organic–inorganic phase, which resulted in improved mechanical properties compared with pure PI. The incorporation of the silica structures in the PI matrix also increased both T_g and thermal stability of the resulting films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2053–2061, 2006