Reversible Transformation and Elastic Anisotropy in Mg-ZrO2

Mechanical loading of polycrystalline ZrO₂ ceramics causes reversible, out-of-plane distortions at free surfaces that are parallel to the direction of applied stress. These distortions have been measured using optical interference microscopy, and the separate contributions due to elastic anisotropy and reversible mantensitic tranformation have been identified.     

Strain relaxation in SiGe due to process induced defects and their subsequent annealing behavior

Ion implantation and reactive ion etching are known to create defects in silicon which get cured during subsequent annealing operations. In this paper we have reported the annealing behavior of phosphorus implanted into strained SiGe layer at room temperature. The implantation was performed at 155 KeV with a dose of 1×10¹⁴/cm². Post implantation annealing was performed at 600, 700, 800 and 900°C for 10 s in a rapid thermal process furnace. Annealing behavior of defects generated as a consequence of dry etching is also reported. RTP annealing on reactive ion etching (RIE) etched samples were performed at 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C. I–V, C–V and DLTS measurements hint towards the presence of permanent dislocation loops created as a consequence of RIE and implantation causing strain relaxation.     

Interrelation among flaw resistance, K-curve behavior and thermal shock strength degradation in ceramics. I. Theoretical considerations

This paper presents a new concept by which both the K^R-curve behavior and thermal shock strength degradation of a ceramic material can be predicted simultaneously by applying the ‘Vickers Indentation Strength in Bending (ISB)’ method.     

Cerebellar stimulation as an unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning.

Implanted rabbits with chronic stimulating electrodes in white matter underlying lobule HVI of the cerebellar cortex. Stimulation elicited movements of the face or neck and, when paired with a tone CS, produced learning comparable to that seen with peripheral unconditioned stimulus/stimuli (UCS). CS-alone trials produced extinction. Reinstatement of paired trials produced reacquisition with savings. Additional groups received either explicitly or randomly unpaired CS–UCS trials before paired conditioning. Low-frequency responding during these sessions indicated that the paired training results were associative and not due to pseudoconditioning or sensitization. Explicitly unpaired sessions retarded learning on subsequent paired trials compared with groups that received either randomly unpaired or no CS–UCS preexposure. These results are interpreted in terms of the role of the cerebellum and associated pathways in classical conditioning of motor responses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dispersion of nanoplatelets of graphite on PMMA matrix by in situ polymerisation technique

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/expanded graphite (PMMA/EG) composites were prepared by the incorporation of EG in various proportions (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) with PMMA by in situ polymerisation technique. The polymer composites were characterised by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopies. The structural property of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was studied by X-ray diffraction. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of synthesised composites were taken in order to study their morphological properties. The conductivity of composites was measured as function of EG concentration. It was found that conductivity of composites gradually increased with the increase in EG loading. Oxygen permeability of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was calculated and it was found that the property was reduced substantially with rise of EG proportion. The thermal stability of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was improved by dispersion of EG with PMMA matrix.     

Biomechanics of oral mucosa

The prevalence of prosthodontic treatment has been well recognized, and the need is continuously increasing with the ageing population. While the oral mucosa plays a critical role in the treatment outcome, the associated biomechanics is not yet fully understood. Using the literature available, this paper provides a critical review on four aspects of mucosal biomechanics, including static, dynamic, volumetric and interactive responses, which are interpreted by its elasticity, viscosity/permeability, apparent Poisson''s ratio and friction coefficient, respectively. Both empirical studies and numerical models are analysed and compared to gain anatomical and physiological insights. Furthermore, the clinical applications of such biomechanical knowledge on the mucosa are explored to address some critical concerns, including stimuli for tissue remodelling (interstitial hydrostatic pressure), pressure–pain thresholds, tissue displaceability and residual bone resorption. Through this review, the state of the art in mucosal biomechanics and their clinical implications are discussed for future research interests, including clinical applications, computational modelling, design optimization and prosthetic fabrication.     

Low noise wide bandgap SiC based IMPATT diodes at sub-millimeter wave frequencies and at high temperature

We have presented a comparative account of the high frequency prospective as well as noise behaviors of wide-bandgap 4H-SiC and 6H-SiC based on different structures of IMPATT diodes at sub-millimeter-wave frequencies up to 2.18 THz. The computer simulation study establishes the feasibility of the SiC based IMPATT diode as a high power density terahertz source. The most significant feature lies in the noise behavior of the SiC IMPATT diodes. It is noticed that the 6H-SiC DDR diode shows the least noise measure of 26.1 dB as compared to that of other structures. Further, it is noticed that the noise measure of the SiC IMPATT diode is less at a higher operating frequency compared to that at a lower operating frequency.     

Nano boron nitride laminated poly(ethyl methacrylate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films imprinted with silver nanoparticles as gas barrier and bacteria resistant packaging materials

Herein, nano boron nitride (BN) laminated poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite films are fabricated by using a simple in situ polymerization technique with incorporation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Structural investigations of PEMA/PVA/Ag@BN nanocomposite thin films are carried out by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction analysis, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. The change in morphology of PEMA/PVA matrix due to the reinforcement of BN platelets are identified by electron microscopic studies. The unique tortuous paths are achieved by the dispersion of BN platelets by which gas penetration is restricted with enhancing the barrier properties of the material by 6.5 folds at 5 wt% BN content as compared with neat PEMA/PVA. Acid and alkali resistant along with biodegradability behavior of as-synthesized nanocomposites are studied. From limiting oxygen index (LOI) results, it is found that the prepared materials are fire retardant in nature owing to effective reinforcement of BN layers. Antibacterial activities of PEMA/PVA/Ag@BN nanocomposite are studied by Xanthomonas citri or axonopodis pv. Citri, Escherichia coli, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae because of Ag NPs reinforcement. The substantial improvements in gas barrier, fire retardant, and antibacterial properties enable the materials for packaging application.