Switchable Plasmonic Metasurface Utilizing the Electro-Optic Kerr Effect of a Blue Phase Liquid Crystal

A switchable metasurface composed of plasmonic split ring resonators and a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal blue phase is developed. Owing to field-induced birefringence (electro-optic Kerr effect), the state of polarization of the incident near infrared radiation changes, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal. Thus, different resonant modes of the split ring resonators can be addressed and the transmission spectrum changes accordingly. In comparison with other liquid crystal phases, blue phases have several advantages. For example, they are optically isotropic in the field-off state, so that no alignment layer is required. The results of the present study indicate that the advantages of these mesophases can be utilized for switchable metasurfaces.     

Viscosity‐molecular weight relationship for cellulose solutions in either NMMO monohydrate or cuen

The intrinsic viscosities, [η], of nine cellulose samples, with molar masses from 50 × 10³ to 1 390 × 10³ were determined in the solvents NMMO*H₂O (N‐methyl morpholin N‐oxide hydrate) at 80°C and in cuen (copper II‐ethlenediamine) at 25°C. The evaluation of these results with respect to the Kuhn–Mark–Houwink relations shows that the data for NMMO*H₂O fall on the usual straight line in the double logarithmic plots only for M ≤ 158 10³; the corresponding [η]/M relation reads log ([η]/mL g⁻¹) = –1.465 + 0.735 log M. Beyond that molar mass [η] remains almost constant up to M ≈ 10⁶ and increases again thereafter. In contrast to NMMO*H₂O the cellulose solutions in cuen behave normal and the Kuhn–Mark–Houwink relation reads log ([η]/mL g⁻¹) = −1.185 + 0.735 log M. Possible reasons for the dissimilarities of the behavior of cellulose in these two solvents are being discussed. The comparison of three different methods for the determination of [η] from viscosity measurements at different polymer concentrations, c, demonstrates the advantages of plotting the natural logarithm of the relative viscosities as a function of c. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synchronous Motors with Cylindrical Rotors for the Petrochemical Industry

An important role is played by the compressor in the petrochemical industry. Typical high-speed compressor drivers are turbines and induction and synchronous motors. The cylindrical-rotor synchronous motor and its application as a high-speed compressor driver is discussed. Important tasks within the production processes of the petrochemical industry include gas liquefaction, compression, refrigeration, and heat recovery. Compressor drive systems constitute important components in plants for such processes. In the past, large high-speed radial and axial compressors were driven mainly by turbines, but in recent years electric motors have been used increasingly. In addition to lower plant costs, the advantages Include high operating efficiency, low pollution, and simpler handling and maintenance. The majority of drives are operating at constant speed, using a four-or six-pole motor with stepup gear. For large ratings, synchronous motors are preferred. For these a number of specific characteristics, such as electrically excited oscillating torques during asynchronous acceleration and special cooling conditions, must be considered. The urge for optimum operating characteristics has led to the development of the synchronous motor with laminated cylindrical rotor, derived from the two-pole turbine-driven generator. The design structure, the steady-state and dynamic operating characteristics, and the starting performance during asynchronous acceleration of such synchronous drive systems are the topics covered here. The theoretical background has been excluded from the normal text and is summarized in the Appendices.     

Hydroxyoctadecadienoic Acids Regulate Apoptosis in Human THP‐1 Cells in a PPARγ‐Dependent Manner

Macrophage apoptosis, a key process in atherogenesis, is regulated by oxidation products, including hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). These stable oxidation products of linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and activate PPARγ and GPR132. We investigated the mechanisms through which HODEs regulate apoptosis. The effect of HODEs on THP‐1 monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells were compared with other C18 fatty acids, LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA). The number of cells was reduced within 24 hours following treatment with 9‐HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM) and 13 HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM), and the equivalent cell viability was also decreased (p < 0.001). Both 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE (but not LA or ALA) markedly increased caspase‐3/7 activity (p < 0.001) in both monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells, with 9‐HODE the more potent. In addition, 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE both increased Annexin‐V labelling of cells (p < 0.001). There was no effect of LA, ALA, or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (1μM), but the effect of HODEs was replicated with apoptosis‐inducer camptothecin (10μM). Only 9‐HODE increased DNA fragmentation. The pro‐apoptotic effect of HODEs was blocked by the caspase inhibitor DEVD‐CHO. The PPARγ antagonist T0070907 further increased apoptosis, suggestive of the PPARγ‐regulated apoptotic effects induced by 9‐HODE. The use of siRNA for GPR132 showed no evidence that the effect of HODEs was mediated through this receptor. 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE are potent—and specific—regulators of apoptosis in THP‐1 cells. Their action is PPARγ‐dependent and independent of GPR132. Further studies to identify the signalling pathways through which HODEs increase apoptosis in macrophages may reveal novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.     

CFD Process Modeling of the Industrial Calcination of Diatomite

Calcination of diatomite is an expensive process frequently resulting in products with unpredictable structure. Alternatively, calcination in swirling flow is an energy‐saving option. Computational fluid dynamics modeling of an experimental calcination process unit is presented. Experimental results and systematic collection of process data were used to define boundary condition for steady‐state and transient simulation runs. The comparison of experimental and simulation results shows the complexity of the calcination process. The results can be used for further process optimization.     

MA‐NOTMP: A Triazacyclononane Trimethylphosphinate Based Bifunctional Chelator for Gallium Radiolabelling of Biomolecules

In the past few years, gallium‐68 has demonstrated significant potential as a radioisotope for positron emission tomography (PET), and the optimization of chelators for gallium coordination is a major goal in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. Methylaminotriazacyclononane trimethylphosphinate (MA‐NOTMP), a new C‐functionalized triazacyclononane derivative with phosphinate pendant arms, presents excellent coordination properties for ⁶⁸Ga (low ligand concentration, labelling at low pH even at room temperature). A “ready‐to‐be‐grafted” bifunctional chelating agent (p‐NCS‐Bz‐MA‐NOTMP) was prepared to allow ⁶⁸Ga labelling of sensitive biological vectors. Conjugation to a bombesin_(7–14) derivative was performed, and preliminary in vitro experiments demonstrated the potential of MA‐NOTMP in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. This new chelator is therefore of major interest for labelling sensitive biomolecules, and further in vivo experiments will soon be performed.     

High-Temperature Hall Measurements on BaSnO3Ceramics

Simultaneous Hall and conductivity measurements were performed in situ between 650° and 1050°C on n-type semiconducting BaSnO₃ceramics. The variation of the Hall mobility and the Hall carrier density as a function of oxygen partial pressure between 10² and 10⁵ Pa and of temperature was investigated. At temperatures below 900°C the conductivity exhibits a dependence on temperature and oxygen partial pressure which is mainly determined by variations of the Hall mobility. Above 900°C most of the significant dependence is due to a variation in carrier density. Furthermore, a simple defect model assuming doubly ionized oxygen vacancies and acceptor impurities is discussed for BaSnO₃.     

Crystal Structure Determination and Mutagenesis Analysis of the Ene Reductase NCR

The crystal structure of the “ene” nicotinamide‐dependent cyclohexenone reductase (NCR) from Zymomonas mobilis (PDB ID: 4A3U) has been determined in complex with acetate ion, FMN, and nicotinamide, to a resolution of 1.95 Å. To study the activity and enantioselectivity of this enzyme in the bioreduction of activated α,β‐unsaturated alkenes, the rational design methods site‐ and loop‐directed mutagenesis were applied. Based on a multiple sequence alignment of various members of the Old Yellow Enzyme family, eight single‐residue variants were generated and investigated in asymmetric bioreduction. Furthermore, a structural alignment of various ene reductases predicted four surface loop regions that are located near the entrance of the active site. Four NCR loop variants, derived from loop‐swapping experiments with OYE1 from Saccharomyces pastorianus, were analysed for bioreduction. The three enzyme variants, P245Q, D337Y and F314Y, displayed increased activity compared to wild‐type NCR towards the set of substrates tested. The active‐site mutation Y177A demonstrated a clear influence on the enantioselectivity. The loop‐swapping variants retained reduction efficiency, but demonstrated decreased enzyme activity compared with the wild‐type NCR ene reductase enzyme.     

Flammability of layered silicate epoxy nanocomposites combined with low‐melting inorganic ceepree glass

Tetraphenylphosphonium modified layered silicate epoxy nanocomposite (EP/TPPMMT) combined with low‐melting silicate glass, Ceepree (CP) is investigated by thermal analysis, flammability tests and cone calorimeter at different heat fluxes. Adding CP and TPPMMT does not change the pyrolysis apart from increasing inorganic residue. The total heat evolved (THE) is changed insignificantly, as neither relevant additional carbonaceous charring nor flame inhibition occurs. However, flame retardancy is clearly observed due to an inorganic‐carbonaceous surface protection layer. The peak heat released rate (PHRR) is reduced by around 32–42% when 5 wt% TPPMMT is added, and 51–63% when 10 wt% CP is added. PHRR reduction less than expected is observed when both additives are combined. The reduction is greater than that achieved by using TPPMMT but less than when only CP is used. The morphology of fire residue is investigated by scanning electron microscope on different length scales and turns out to be the key to understanding the efficiency of flame retardancy. The fire residue of EP/CP shows a layered structure, whereas separated columns limit the barrier properties for EP/5%TPPMMT on the micrometer scale. Columns dominating the fire residue structure of EP/5%TPPMMT/10%CP deteriorate the fire retardancy, whereas a more integral structure at the top of the residue causes the improvement over EP/5%TPPMMT. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Homogeneous nucleation and mesophase formation in glassy isotactic polypropylene

Differential fast scanning chip calorimetry has been employed to study nucleation/ordering during annealing the glass of quenched isotactic polypropylene. Initially non-ordered samples were annealed below the glass transition temperature for different periods of time, and the change of structure during isothermal annealing was then analyzed by monitoring the exchange of latent heat on heating. Primary result of this work is the proof of homogeneous nucleation of ordering and mesophase formation in the glassy state. It is suggested that only local non-cooperative mobility of molecular segments is required to form small, ordered domains, and that the classical nucleation theory, which restricts nucleation of the crystallization/ordering process of polymers to temperatures between the equilibrium melting temperature and the glass transition temperature, needs modification.