Organosulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous composites based on natural rubber and hexagonal mesoporous silica

This study is the first report on synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of propylsulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous composites based on natural rubber (NR) and hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS). In comparison with propylsulfonic acid-functionalized HMS (HMS-SO₃H), a series of NR/HMS-SO₃H composites were prepared via an in situ sol–gel process using tetrahydrofuran as the synthesis media. Tetraethylorthosilicate as the silica source, was simultaneously condensed with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane in a solution of NR followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide to achieve the mesoporous composites containing propylsulfonic acid groups. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ²⁹Si MAS nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy results verified that the silica surfaces of the NR/HMS-SO₃H composites were functionalized with propylsulfonic acid groups and covered with NR molecules. After the incorporation of NR and organo-functional group into HMS, the hexagonal mesostructure remained intact concomitantly with an increased framework wall thickness and unit cell size, as evidenced by the X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated a high interparticle porosity of NR/HMS-SO₃H composites. The textural properties of NR/HMS-SO₃H were affected by the amount of MPTMS loading to a smaller extent than that of HMS-SO₃H. NR/HMS-SO₃H exhibited higher hydrophobicity than HMS-SO₃H, as revealed by H₂O adsorption–desorption measurements. Moreover, the NR/HMS-SO₃H catalysts possessed a superior specific activity to HMS-SO₃H in the esterification of lauric acid with ethanol, resulting in a higher conversion level.     

Microstructure and Thermoelectric Properties of Dense YB<Subscript>22</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>N Samples Fabricated Through Spark Plasma Sintering

Dense samples of the higher boride YB₂₂C₂N have been fabricated through the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method with different sintering aids. YB₂₂C₂N is a representative of a series of newly discovered rare-earth borocarbonitrides, which may be the long-awaited n-type counterpart of boron carbide, “B₄C.” The effect of Si, SiC, Al, and TiC additions on the sintering process of YB₂₂C₂N has been studied. The best sintered bodies with densities higher than 90% of theoretical density were obtained by means of SPS at 1700°C. We show that the additive choice and pressure have an effect on grain size and density. An investigation of the effect of atmosphere on the sintering behavior has also been carried out. It was found that sinterability is enhanced under nitrogen atmosphere. Thermoelectric properties of the materials sintered with additives have been evaluated, and we discuss their dependences on the fabrication process route.     

Competitive adsorption of fibronectin and albumin on hydroxyapatite nanocrystals

Competitive adsorption of two-component solutions containing fibronectin (Fn) and albumin (Ab) on hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocrystals was analyzed in situ using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique. Adsorption of the one-component protein (Fn or Ab) and the two-component proteins adjusted to different molar ratios of Fn to Ab at a fixed Fn concentration was investigated. The frequency shift (Δf; Hz) and the dissipation energy shift (ΔD) were measured with the QCM-D technique, and the viscoelastic changes of adlayers were evaluated by the saturated ΔD/Δf value and the Voigt-based viscoelastic model. For the adsorption of the one-component protein, the Fn adlayer showed a larger mass and higher viscoelasticity than the Ab adlayer, indicating the higher affinity of Fn on HAp. For the adsorption of the two-component proteins, the viscoelastic properties of the adlayers became elastic with increase in Ab concentration, whereas the adsorption mass was similar to that of Fn in the one-component solution regardless of the Ab concentration. The specific binding mass of the Ab antibody to the adlayers increased with increase in Ab concentration, whereas that of the Fn antibody decreased. Therefore, Fn preferentially adsorbs on HAp and Ab subsequently interacts with the adlayers, indicating that the interfacial viscoelasticity of the adlayers was dominated by the interaction between Fn and Ab.     

Structure and formation of ant transportation networks

Many biological systems use extensive networks for the transport of resources and information. Ants are no exception. How do biological systems achieve efficient transportation networks in the absence of centralized control and without global knowledge of the environment? Here, we address this question by studying the formation and properties of inter-nest transportation networks in the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). We find that the formation of inter-nest networks depends on the number of ants involved in the construction process. When the number of ants is sufficient and networks do form, they tend to have short total length but a low level of robustness. These networks are topologically similar to either minimum spanning trees or Steiner networks. The process of network formation involves an initial construction of multiple links followed by a pruning process that reduces the number of trails. Our study thus illuminates the conditions under and the process by which minimal biological transport networks can be constructed.     

Simultaneous bipedal locomotion based on haptics for teleoperation

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a novel, simultaneous bipedal locomotion method using haptics for remote operation of biped robots. In general, traditional biped walking methods require very high computational power and advanced controllers to perform the required task. However, in this proposed method, a master exoskeleton attached to the human’s lower body is used to obtain the trajectory and haptic information to generate the trajectory of the slave biped robot in real time. Lateral motion of the center of mass of the biped is constrained in this experiment. Also, it is considered that no communication delay is presented in between the two systems in this experiment, and they are not discussed in this paper. Since a direct motion transmission is used in the proposed method, this method is quite straight forward and a simultaneous walking can be realized at the same time with high performance. Also, it does not require an exact dynamic model of the biped or specific method to plan the trajectory. The gait pattern of the biped is directly determined by that of the human. Also, the operator can feel the remote environment through the exoskeleton robot. Results obtained from the experiments validate the proposed method.     

Role of interfacial potential in coagulation of cuprammonium cellulose solution

The electric potential, copper ion flux, and ammonia flux across the interface of cuprammonium cellulose solution (CCS) and various 1.0 equiv/Lelectrolyte solutions (ES) at 25°C were measured. The interfacial potentials were strongly negative (–10 to –35 mV) with H₂SO_4, HCI, and (NH₄)₂SO₄ as ES, weakly positive (6 to 8 mV) with NaCl, KCl, LiCl, CsCL, and RbCl as ES, and strongly positive (19 to 34 mV) with KOH and NaOH as ES, generally showing values similar to the diffusion potentials for electrolyte solutions comprising ions of the same absolute charge. The ammonia flux (about 1 X 10^-4 mol/cm₂/s) was relatively unaffected by the interfacial potential, but the copper ion flux was clearly dependent on it. These results, together with the observed rates of CCS coagulation, indicate that the mechanism of the coagulation was largely determined by the interfacial potential, with strongly negative potential gradients accelerating the Cu²⁺ flux into the ES and CCS coagulation proceeding rapidly by Cu²⁺ removal, strongly positive potential gradients accelerating the Na⁺ flux into the CCS and coagulation proceeding rapidly via the formation of cellulose-Na⁺ complex, and the absence of a strong potential gradient capable of accelerating the ion flux resulting in slow coagulation by ammonia removal. It may therefore be possible to control the interfacial potential and the ion flux by the ES composition, and thus to influence the structure of regenerated cellulosic fibers and membranes. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanism of Catalytic Effects on AMMO/HMX Composite Propellants Combustion Rates

Thermal decomposition and the burning properties of AMMO/HMX propellants have been investigated. The heat generated by the AMMO decomposition initiated and accelerated the thermal decomposition of HMX, and the reaction between decomposed AMMO and HMX depended upon the heating rate. The rate determining step of the reaction path was different in higher and lower heating rate conditions. 2,2-bis(ethylferrocenyl)propane (CFe) and copper chromite (CuC) significantly altered the mechanisms of the thermal decomposition and the burning properties. CFe showed an increase in burning rate with a slight increase in burning rate exponent. However, CuC yielded high values for the burning rate exponent. The combined additive yielded the highest burning rate with the lowest burning rate exponent. The influence of CuC on the burning rate exponent disappeared by the combination with CFe. Though CFe and the combination additive improved the ignitability of the propellants, the propellant with CuC was difficult to ignite because of the relatively small quantity of heat feedback and/or heat released by the decomposition.     

Coordinate-Based Evaluation of Two Dimensional Artefact Calibration Value as the Reference Standards for Coordinate Measuring Machines

Two dimensional standards are important materials which are used in the calibration and the verification of coordinate measuring machines. In several countries, the national metrology institutes or accredit laboratories provide the calibration services of the two dimensional standards such as ball plates, hole plates and grid plates. The metrological equivalence of the measurement standards among the calibration providers is validated through the key comparison program. In the previous key comparison for a ball plate and a hole plate, the equivalences among the participants’ calibration results were verified on the distances between the No. 1 ball/hole (i.e., the origins of the workpiece coordinates) and other balls/holes on the plates respectively. The essential measurands of the two dimensional standards are the coordinates of the feature points, however, the measurement equivalences on them have not been verified. In this study, the authors propose the coordinates-based evaluation of the reference values and their uncertainty in two dimensional standard calibration comparison.     

A fast method for the determination of the efficiency coefficient of bare CR-39 detector

A fast and simple method for the determination of the efficiency coefficient (η) of bare CR-39 detector is presented and discussed. The efficiency coefficient of bare CR-39 detector is then calculated by different ways and the obtained values are found to be comparable to each other. The average value of η of bare CR-39 is found to be 0.20 ± 0.01 tracks cm⁻² day⁻¹ per Bq m⁻³.     

Fabrication of silicon nitride nanoceramics—Powder preparation and sintering: A review

Fine-grained silicon nitride ceramics were investigated mainly for their high-strain-rate plasticity. The preparation and densification of fine silicon nitride powder were reviewed. Commercial sub-micrometer powder was used as raw powder in the “as-received” state and then used after being ground and undergoing classification operation. Chemical vapor deposition and plasma processes were used for fabricating nanopowder because a further reduction in grain size caused by grinding had limitations. More recently, nanopowder has also been obtained by high-energy milling. This process in principle is the same as conventional planetary milling. For densification, primarily hot pressing was performed, although a similar process known as spark plasma sintering (SPS) has also recently been used. One of the advantages of SPS is its high heating rate. The high heating rate is advantageous because it reduces sintering time, achieving densification without grain growth. We prepared silicon nitride nanopowder by high-energy milling and then obtained nanoceramics by densifying the nanopowder by SPS.