Preparation of non-covalently functionalized graphene using 9-anthracene carboxylic acid

A simple way of achieving stable aqueous dispersion of graphene by non-covalent functionalization using 9-anthracene carboxylic acid has been successfully accomplished. Unlike in chemically reduced graphene, the C-sp(2) network of the graphene remains undistorted and therefore of superior quality. The non-covalent functionalization facilitates the exfoliation of graphite layers in a polarity controlled combination of media. A detailed exfoliation mechanism is proposed based on the controlled experiment and is supported by the data from UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction studies. Formation of monolayer graphene has been confirmed from Raman spectroscopy. The graphene based ultracapacitor shows a high value of specific capacitance (148 F g(-1)).     

Analyzing the Effects of Milling and Sintering Parameters on Crystalline Phase Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Al86Ni8Y6 and Al86Ni6Y4.5Co2La1.5 Amorphous Ribbons

In the present study, Al₈₆Ni₈Y₆ and Al₈₆Ni₆Y_4.5Co₂La_1.5 bulk amorphous nanocomposites were synthesized by spark plasma sintering of milled melt spun ribbon particles. The as-cast ribbons were of near amorphous nature with minute amount of FCC Al embedded in the amorphous matrix. Milling of the ribbons resulted in partial devitrification due to mechanical crystallization. The milled ribbon particles were sintered in the temperature and pressure range of 300-500 °C and 500-700 MPa, respectively. It was observed that nominal amount of amorphous phase was retained at 500 °C and 500 MPa. With increase in sintering pressure and decrease in sintering temperature, the amount of crystalline phase evolution decreased, and maximum amount of amorphous phase was retained at 300 °C and 700 MPa. The microstructure consisting of amorphous phase embedded with hard intermetallic phases led to increase in the nanohardness of Al₈₆Ni₈Y₆ and Al₈₆Ni₆Y_4.5Co₂La_1.5 as-cast ribbons from 3.26 ± 0.59 GPa and 3.81 ± 0.58 GPa to 6.06 ± 0.70 GPa and 6.14 ± 0.82 GPa, respectively, for the corresponding consolidated amorphous nanocomposite. Microhardness of the three and five component system bulk samples was 4.19 ± 0.13 GPa and 3.6 ± 0.13 GPa, respectively.     

Microstructure evolution of Al-Si-10Mg in direct metal laser sintering using phase-field modeling

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) has evolved as a popular technique in additive manufacturing, which produces metallic parts layer-by-layer by the application of laser power. DMLS is a rapid manufacturing process, and the properties of the build material depend on the sintering mechanism as well as the microstructure of the build material. Thus, the prediction of part microstructures during the process may be a key factor for process optimization. In addition, the process parameters play a crucial role in the microstructure evolution, and need to be controlled effectively. In this study, the microstructure evolution of Al-Si-10Mg alloy in DMLS process is studied with the help of the phase field modeling. A MATLAB code is used to solve the phase field equations, where the simulation parameters include temperature gradient, laser power and scan speed. From the simulation result, it is found that the temperature gradient plays a significant role in the evolution of microstructure with different process parameters. In a single-seed simulation, the growth of the dendritic structure increases with the increase in the temperature gradient. When considering multiple seeds, the increasing in temperature gradients leads to the formation of finer dendrites; however, with increasing time, the dendrites join and grain growth are seen to be controlled at the interface. The full text can be downloaded at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40436-018-0213-1     

Segmentation of breast lesion in DCE-MRI by multi-level thresholding using sine cosine algorithm with quasi opposition-based learning

Pattern Analysis and Applications - In recent times, the high prevalence of breast cancer in women has increased significantly. Breast cancer diagnosis and detection employing computerized...     

2D MRI registration using glowworm swarm optimization with partial opposition-based learning for brain tumor progression

Pattern Analysis and Applications - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) registration is important in detection, diagnosis, treatment planning, determining radiographic progression, functional studies,...     

Droplet splitting in multi-furcating microchannel: A three-dimensional numerical simulation study

This work investigates the splitting of a droplet in a multi-furcating microfluidic channel for a two-phase system employing 3D simulation. The simulations were performed using an explicit volume of fluid (VOF) method and have been validated using experimental data taken from the literature. The width ratio of the branch channel to the main channel is set to 0.25 for five branches of the multi-furcating microchannel, as it is the width ratio at which multiple splitting takes place. Simulations have been carried out at different oil velocities (V_o) ranging from 0.12 to 0.22 m/s and at different water velocities (V_w) ranging from 0.002 to 0.10 m/s. Oil fraction data in the main channel has been recorded and compared with the homogenous model. The average difference between the homogeneous model and the 3D simulations is 22.68%. Analysis of dimensionless droplet length in ±0°, ± 40°, and 90° branch channels has been done. α (length of the droplet in branch channel/width of the main channel) increases up to a flow rate ratio of 0.38, and then decreases, whereas β (length of the droplet in the main channel/width of the main channel) increases with an increase in flow rate ratio. A flow pattern map has been developed to identify the various droplet breakup regimes at the junction. Frequency (counts per unit time) of droplet generation increases with capillary number for all the branch channels except for the 0° branch channel, where the regime is that the droplet passes through three branch channels. The volume distribution ratio (λ) decreases at first, then increases with an increase in capillary number for 0°:90° and 40°:90° angle branch channels for the regime where the droplet passes through five branch channels. For the regime where the droplet passes through three branch channels, the trend is likely linear with λ = 0.3 ± 0.04. The dimensionless mother droplet length increases with an increase in capillary number for V_o = 0.13 and 0.16 m/s, but for V_o = 0.19 and 0.22 m/s, the dimensionless mother droplet length becomes constant after capillary number = 0.26 and 0.30 respectively. The droplet breakup time (t) for regime (a), where the droplet passes through three branch channels, is 0.002 s; for regime (b), where the droplet passes through five branch channels, it is 0.001 s; and for regime (c), where multi-furcation and coalescence of the droplet occurs, it is 0.0005 s. Multiple splitting is a topic covered in this paper that can be applied to upcoming microfluidic platform-based devices.     

Development of highly conductive hybrid Ni-biocarbon-based polyvinyl alcohol composites for microwave shielding properties

In this study a highly flexible microwave shielding material was fabricated by solution casting method utilizing Nickel and biocarbon particles in PVA matrix and characterized for mechanical, magnetic, and microwave shielding properties. The main aim of this study was to prove the significant role of magnetic particles in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding along with conductive particles. The results show that the addition of Ni-biocarbon hybrid particle increases the shielding properties up to 56.5 dB at 20 GHz. The magnetic permeability increased gradually with the inclusion of Ni particles with a highest magnetization, coercivity, and retentivity of 1250 E⁻⁶ emu, −9000 G, and 1100 E⁻⁶ emu. Similarly the mechanical results show that adding biocarbon enhances the composite's mechanical properties. A highest tensile strength, tear strength, elongation, and hardness are noted as 38, 168 MPa, 18.4%, and 36 Shore-D. Comparatively, the hardness and elongation% of composite designations contains 3 and 5 vol% of hybrid particles have increased by 9% and 26%, respectively, in comparison to composite containing only 5 vol% of biocarbon with PVA. Scanning electron microscope fractography indicates biocarbon particles reduce voids and improve adhesion. These flexible EMI shielding composites could be used in telecommunication and other wave transmitting devices in engineering applications.     

Conservative management of a lymphocele that formed shortly after creation of an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis

Patients with end-stage renal disease require to establish vascular access for regular hemodialysis. The creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is usually a safe procedure; however, there could be complications such as bleeding, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, thrombosis, infection, and steal syndrome. A rare complication of such vascular manipulation could be formation of lymphocele. We present a case of a 67-year-old man who presented with a progressively enlarging mass 12 days after the surgery for AVF creation at the site of surgery in the right upper arm. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a fluid-filled cystic structure measuring about 4.2 × 3.6 × 1.9 cm under the skin just above the anastomosis. The fluid was aspirated using ultrasound-guided fluoroscopy that relieved the swelling. The analysis of aspirate suggested the cyst to be a lymphocele. The mass re-enlarged to its previous size in the next 3 days. While under observation for signs of complication, regular intermittent compression and a low-fat diet completely resolved the lymphocele over the subsequent 3 months. The less common occurrence of such lymphocele post AVF creation needs to be evaluated for its potential for complication, in the absence of which the lymphocele is amenable to conservative management using regular intermittent compression and low-fat oral diet.     

Transformation of Contact‐Explosives Primary Amines and Iodine(III) into a Successful Chemical Reaction under Solvent‐Free Ball Milling Conditions

Any synthetic transformation using contact‐explosives primary amines and hypervalent iodine(III) (phenyliodine diacetate) in constrained media (extreme conditions) is practically impossible. Herein, we report a method of controlling the explosion into a successful chemical reaction using the acid‐salt NaHSO₄. As a proof‐of‐concept, we considered mechanochemical (ball‐milling) cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction for the amidation of aldehydes via C H activation. An isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) study was helpful to understand the enthalpy changes during the reactions before and after addition of NaHSO₄.