Polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal polymers (PDLCPs). Morphology of the LCP droplets

“Synthetic blends” of a flexible polymer forming the matrix and a liquid-crystalline polymer (LCP) forming the dispersed phase have been prepared by transesterification of PET with a mixture of sebacic acid (S), 4,4′-diacetoxybiphenyl (B) and 4-acetoxybenzoic acid (H) in the mole ratio 1:1:2. A change of the synthesis conditions causes marked variations of the chemical composition and the morphology of the phases. The SEM investigation of the inner morphology of the LCP droplets of blends consisting of two phases with fairly different aromatic content has shown that the LCP macromolecules are aligned tangentially at the matrix surface boundary, and that the nematic director configuration is toroidal. When the two phases have closer chemical composition, and are therefore supposed to possess improved mutual compatibility, a perpendicular anchoring of the LCP fibrils to the matrix cavity surface, and an axial configuration of the nematic director, are observed. The expected effect of the nematic configuration of the LCP droplets on their ability to deform into fibrils under appropriate flow conditions is preliminarily discussed.     

Correction to: Exploration of photoreduction ability of reduced graphene oxide–cadmium sulphide heteronanostructures and their intensified activities against harmful microbes

Journal of Materials Science -     

Interface‐Assisted Sign Inversion of Magnetoresistance in Spin Valves Based on Novel Lanthanide Quinoline Molecules

Molecules are proposed to be an efficient medium to host spin‐polarized carriers, due to their weak spin relaxation mechanisms. While relatively long spin lifetimes are measured in molecular devices, the most promising route toward device functionalization is to use the chemical versatility of molecules to achieve a deterministic control and manipulation of the electron spin. Here, by combining magnetotransport experiments with element‐specific X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, this study shows the ability of molecules to modify spin‐dependent properties at the interface level via metal–molecule hybridization pathways. In particular, it is described how the formation of hybrid states determines the spin polarization at the relevant spin valve interfaces, allowing the control of macroscopic device parameters such as the sign and magnitude of the magnetoresistance. These results consolidate the application of the spinterface concept in a fully functional device platform.     

冻融循环下CFRP-混凝土的粘结强度

对于采用纤维增强复合材料加固的混凝土结构,粘结面是关键问题。粘结面与混凝土、组合结构、粘结剂的力学和物理性能以及混凝土的表面处理密切相关。土木工程应用中的一个重要课题是恶劣环境下粘结面的耐久性问题。首次对试件进行冻融循环下剥离试验,以研究粘结长度和环境的关系。首先探讨了环境条件对粘结长度的影响,最后,试验数据与意大利CNR DT200/2004标准中的设计公式结果进行比较并提出建议。     

Fatty acid composition of certified organic,conventional and omega-3 eggs

The objective of this study was to compare the fatty acid composition of commercially available conventional, certified organic, and omega-3 eggs. Egg components were assessed, and the fatty acid composition of yolk lipids was determined by gas chromatography. Organic egg yolk contained a higher percentage of palmitic and stearic acids than did conventional yolk (P < 0.05) with no differences observed in the monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions. Compared with organic and conventional eggs, omega-3 egg yolk contained lower percentages of myristic and palmitic acids, and higher omega-3 fatty acids. In a sub-analysis of conventional egg types, the percent of stearic acid in “cage” egg yolk was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of “barn-laid” and “free-range” eggs. “Cage” eggs had a significantly lower percentage (P < 0.05) of arachidonic acid than had “barn-laid” eggs. Consumption of omega-3 eggs has the potential to confer health benefits through the increase in intake of omega-3 fatty acids. With regard to organic or conventional methods of production, the small differences in saturated fatty acids observed in the present study are unlikely to have any significant metabolic effect on the consumer.     

A Petri net based protection monitoring system for distribution networks with distributed generation

Connection of distributed generation (DG) essentially changes distribution network operation and creates a range of well-documented effects varying voltage levels and short circuit currents. Among others, DG can alter protection system operations in distribution networks, leading to failure of reclosing, disconnection of healthy feeder or prevention of protection operation. This paper proposes a procedure, based on Petri nets and supported by a centralized monitoring architecture for monitoring failures of the protection systems in radial distribution networks. Some case studies applied to a real Italian distribution network proved the effectiveness of the proposed procedure that can therefore represent an effective solution to improve distribution systems reliability in presence of DG.     

A comprehensive stochastic energy management system in reconfigurable microgrids

This paper addresses the joint stochastic energy and reserve scheduling problem in microgrids (MGs). The established approach proposes a novel high‐performance energy management system (EMS) making use of automatically controlled switches (ACSs). Accordingly, besides the optimal scheduling of active elements namely distributed generations (DGs) and responsive loads (RLs), the optimal topology of the network for each of the scheduling intervals is determined as well. Likewise, the effects of the reconfiguration process in probable variations of the scheduled energy patterns in DGs, RLs, and grid purchases are thoroughly assessed to highlight the alterations in unallocated capacities of these resources. Moreover, the uncertainties associated with both the load and wind speed forecasting errors are suitably accommodated through the reserve allocations. The proposed optimization procedure is formulated as a mixed‐integer non‐linear problem and resolved using a genetic algorithm (GA). The effectiveness of the projected framework is verified utilizing a typical MG, and the obtained numerical results are discussed in depth. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.