Bioleaching of copper from smelter dust in a series of airlift bioreactors

Bioleaching of copper from the flue dust of the Sarcheshmeh copper smelter has been investigated. A series of continuous tests were carried out in two-stages of airlift bioreactors inoculated with the acidophilic, iron and sulfur oxidizing bacteria, initially derived from acid mine drainage. The effects of different parameters such as pulp density, retention time and temperature on the mesophile bioleach performance of the copper sulfide rich dust were evaluated after pre-leaching with dilute acid. Pulp densities of 2% and 4% gave the same oxidation–reduction potential in both reactors. However, increasing the average pulp density to 7% generated an unstable oxidation–reduction potential in the first bioreactor at 34 °C. Overall copper extractions calculated for 2%, 4% and 7% pulp densities were 90%, 89% and 86% with mean retention times of 2.7, 4 and 5 days, respectively. The process is net acid consuming and has the potential for further development and feasibility studies.     

Microwave diagnosis of rubber compounds

The results of a study investigating the dielectric properties of rubber compounds and their constituents in the frequency range of 5 to 24 GHz are presented. A completely filled short circuited waveguide technique was used to conduct these dielectric measurements. The influence of carbon black content in rubber was investigated for carefully prepared rubber samples. The results showed that for all frequencies, the dielectric constant increases as a function of increasing carbon black content. The variation of dielectric constant values decreases as frequency increases. The presence of curatives in uncured rubber samples was also detected, which indicates the sensitivity of microwaves to the chemical reaction triggered by curatives     

Nanoscale conjugated-polymer light-emitting diodes

We use e-beam lithography to pattern an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode to create arrays of conjugated-polymer LEDs, each of which has a hole-injecting contact limited to 100 nm in diameter. Using optical microscopy, we estimate that the electroluminescence from a 100 nm diameter LED comes from a region characterized by a diameter of approximately 170 nm. This apparent broadening occurs due to current spreading within a PEDOT:PSS layer which was included to aid hole injection.     

Pantographing self adaptive gap elements

This paper develops a so-called pantographing self adative gap element type contact strategy. Due to the manner of formulation, the scheme has the capability to handle; large deformations in the contact zone; contact initiation in structure exhibiting either positive or indefinite stiffness characteristics; kinematic and material nonlinearity as well as; self adaptively adjusts load/time stepping. In this context, contact in pre and postbuckling structure can be treated. To illustrate the scheme, several benchmark problems are presented. These include contacting structure involving large deformation kinematics, inelastic behavior as well as pre and postbuckling stiffness characteristics.     

Study of crystal structure of (polyvinylidene fluoride/clay) nanocomposite films: Effect of process conditions and clay type

Three Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) different in molecular structure were used to produce nanocomposities films by cast extrusion with a particular emphasis on maximizing the β crystal phase content. The PVDF/clay compounding followed by cast film production was carried out through melt extrusion using a twin screw extruder equipped with a slit die. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that clay melt intercalation is almost similar for all three PVDFs. The XRD results also revealed that nanocomposite films from PVDF with branched chain structure (PVDFB) generated the greatest amount of β phase. FTIR spectroscopy measurements confirmed the XRD results but also revealed that significant stretching of the melt films at the die or rapid cooling would adversely affect the formation of β phase. The amount of β phase obtained based on nanoclay compounding was compared with that obtained from conventional method: stretching of molded PVDF film with initial α phase. Stretching of PVDF film at 60°C yielded pure β phase that means complete transformation of α to β. From mechanical properties, tensile tests were carried out on PVDF nanocomposite films to evaluate mechanical strength. PVDF with low molecular weight exhibited a very low strain at break while branched PVDF and high molecular weight PVDF could sustain more strain. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A theoretical study of the tautomerism kinetics of 4-amino-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one in the gas phase: NBO population and NICS analysis

The tautomerization reactions of the 4-amino-6-methyl-3-thioxo-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-one studied by means of M06-2x and CBS-QB3 theoretical methods. The measured energy profiles are complemented with kinetic rate coefficients calculations using transition state theory (TST). In line with the optimized tautomers geometries using the CBS-QB3 method, the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis reveals that the stabilization energies of non-bonding LP(e)_S8 to the σ*_N2–C3 antibonding orbitals increase from tautomers 1 to 2. Furthermore, the delocalization energies of LP(e)_S8→σ*_N2–C3 could explain the increase of LP(e)_S8 non-bonding orbitals occupancies in the tautomers 1 and 2 (2?>?1). The increase of LP(e)_S8→σ*_N2–C3 delocalizations could fairly explicate the kinetics of tautomeric pathways 1 and 2 (k_2?>?k₁). Moreover, the HOMO–LUMO energy gap is increased parallel with the decreasing of activation energy barriers. NBO results also show that the kinetics of these processes controlled using LP→σ* resonance energies. Furthermore, nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indices show the calculated reaction and energy barriers are involved by changes in aromaticity characters as well as electron transfer from LP(e)_S8 to σ*_N2–C3 orbitals, thus these reactions are controlled from both thermodynamic and kinetic viewpoints by the changes aromaticity characters.     

Improving the functionality of biodegradable food packaging materials via porous nanomaterials

Non-biodegradability and disposal problems are the major challenges associated with synthetic plastic packaging. This review article discusses a new generation of biodegradable active and smart packaging based on porous nanomaterials (PNMs), which maintains the quality and freshness of food products while meeting biodegradability requirements. PNMs have recently gained significant attention in the field of food packaging due to their large surface area, peculiar structures, functional flexibility, and thermal stability. We present for the first time the recently published literature on the incorporation of various PNMs into renewable materials to develop advanced, environmentally friendly, and high-quality packaging technology. Various emerging packaging technologies are discussed in this review, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, it provides general information about PNMs, their characterization, and fabrication methods. It also briefly describes the effects of different PNMs on the functionality of biopolymeric films. Furthermore, we examined how smart packaging loaded with PNMs can improve food shelf life and reduce food waste. The results indicate that PNMs play a critical role in improving the antimicrobial, thermal, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of natural packaging materials. These tailor-made materials can simultaneously extend the shelf life of food while reducing plastic usage and food waste.     

A comparative study on citrate sol-gel and combustion synthesis methods of CoAl2O4 spinel

CoAl₂O₄ spinel was successfully synthesized by combustion synthesis method using glycine and urea by 1:1 molar ratio as fuels and sol-gel process using citric acid as a chelating agent. The as-synthesized powders were calcined at desired temperatures to obtain CoAl₂O₄ spinel as a single phase. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, and differential thermal analysis results revealed that the formation of CoAl₂O₄ spinel in combustion method needs 300°C higher temperatures than those of sol-gel. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis results revealed that “sol-gel spinel” had nanometric particle size which was smaller than those of “combustion spinel.” Temperature programed reduction with hydrogen and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results declared that there was a little residual cobalt oxide in combustion spinel while there is no oxide resided in “sol-gel spinel.” Consequently, the sol-gel method has more benefit in synthesizing spinel with sulfate precursors than combustion.     

Introducing the energy efficiency map of lithium‐ion batteries

The charge, discharge, and total energy efficiencies of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are formulated based on the irreversible heat generated in LIBs, and the basics of the energy efficiency map of these batteries are established. This map consists of several constant energy efficiency curves in a graph, where the x‐axis is the battery capacity and the y‐axis is the battery charge/discharge rate (C‐rate). In order to introduce the energy efficiency map, the efficiency maps of typical LIB families with graphite/LiCoO₂, graphite/LiFePO₄, and graphite/LiMn₂O₄ anode/cathode are generated and illustrated in this paper. The methods of usage and applications of the developed efficiency map are also described. To show the application of the efficiency map, the effects of fast charging, nominal capacity, and chemistry of typical LIB families on their energy efficiency are studied using the generated maps. It is shown how energy saving can be achieved via energy efficiency maps. Overall, the energy efficiency map is introduced as a useful tool for engineers and researchers to choose LIBs with higher energy efficiency for any targeted applications. The developed map can be also used by energy systems designers to obtain accurate efficiency of LIBs when they incorporate these batteries into their energy systems.