Guayule natural rubber composites: impact of fillers on their cure characteristics,dynamic and mechanical behavior

Guayule natural rubber (GNR) is an alternative resource of Hevea natural rubber (HNR) with 99.9% cis content in its 1,4-polyisoprene chemical backbone. In this study, compounds were formulated independently with four different reinforcing fillers such as carbon black (HAF), precipitated silica (VN3), fume silica (FUM) and nanofly ash (NFA) for the advancement of GNR based products. The cure characteristic, dynamic-mechanical performance and mechanical properties of GNR composite were studied with the reinforcing effect of different fillers on GNR. The cure characteristic results demonstrated that HAF and FUM silica filled compounds had more processing safety than VN3 and NFA filled compounds. Viscoelastic parameters of the vulcanizates were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis to estimate the glass transition characteristics and dynamic behavior. The higher storage modulus of FUM silica vulcanizate was an indication of superior filler reinforcing nature and improved rolling resistance than other filled systems. Additionally, HRTEM analysis also proved the better filler dispersion ability of FUM silica in GNR matrix. The mechanical properties were studied with a variation of each filler loading of 8, 16, and 32 phr in GNR vulcanizates. The tensile strength of each filled system increased with an increase of filler content from 8 to 32 phr. In comparison, FUM silica GNR vulcanizates exhibited better mechanical properties, therefore, it was considered as a better structure-performance composite than those of HAF, VN3 and NFA filled composites.

     

Association of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) with age of puberty among children living near a chemical plant

Animal studies suggest that perfluorocarbons (PFCs) may alter sexual maturation. Relationships of human PFC exposure with puberty are not clear. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate whether perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were associated with indicators of sexual maturation in a 2005-2006 survey of residents with PFOA water contamination from the Mid-Ohio Valley. Participants were 3076 boys and 2931 girls aged 8-18 years. They were classified as having reached puberty based on either hormone levels (total >50 ng/dL and free >5 pg/mL testosterone in boys and estradiol >20 pg/mL in girls) or onset of menarche. We estimated the odds of having reached puberty classified by these criteria and the fitted median age of reaching puberty in relation to serum PFOA and PFOS concentrations measured when puberty status was assigned. For boys, there was a relationship of reduced odds of reached puberty (raised testosterone) with increasing PFOS (delay of 190 days between the highest and lowest quartile). For girls, higher concentrations of PFOA or PFOS were associated with reduced odds of postmenarche (130 and 138 days of delay, respectively). In conclusion, our study showed a later age of puberty in this population correlated with PFC concentrations.     

Oxy-CO2 reforming of methane to syngas over CoOx/MgO/SA-5205 catalyst

The oxy-CO₂ methane reforming reaction (OCRM) has been investigated over CoO_x supported on a MgO precoated highly macroporous silica–alumina catalyst carrier (SA-5205) at different reaction temperatures (700–900 °C), O₂/CH₄ ratios (0.3–0.45) and space velocites (20,000–100,000 cc/g/h). The reaction temperature had a profound influence on the OCRM performance over the CoO/MgO/SA-5205 catalyst; the methane conversion, CO₂ conversion and H₂ selectivity increased while the H₂/CO ratio decreased markedly with increasing reaction temperature. While the O₂/CH₄ ratio did not strongly affect the CH₄ and CO₂ conversion and H₂ selectivity, it had an intense influence on the H₂/CO ratio. The CH₄ and CO₂ conversion and the H₂ selectivity decreased while the H₂/CO increased with increasing space velocity. The O₂/CH₄ ratio and the reaction temperature could be used to manipulate the heat of the reaction for the OCRM process. Depending on the O₂/CH₄ ratio and temperature the OCRM process could be operated in a mildly exothermic, thermal neutral or mildly endothermic mode. The OCRM reaction became almost thermoneutral at an OCRM reaction temperature of 850 °C, O₂/CH₄ ratio of 0.45 and space velocity of 46,000 cc/g/h. The CH₄ conversion and H₂ selectivity over the CoO/MgO/SA-5205 catalyst corresponding to thermoneutral conditions were excellent: 95% and 97%, respectively with a H₂/CO ratio of 1.8.     

Enhanced Phase Stability and Photoluminescence of Eu3+ Modified t-ZrO2 Nanoparticles

Tetragonal ( t ) ZrO₂ nanoparticles have been obtained by a partial Eu³⁺→Zr⁴⁺ substitution, synthesized using a simple oxalate method at a moderate temperature of 650°C in air. The Eu³⁺ additive, 2 mol% used according to the optimal photoluminescence (PL), gives small crystallites of the sample. On raising the temperature further, the average crystallite size D grows slowly from 16 nm to a value as big as 49 nm at 1200°C. The Eu³⁺: t -ZrO₂ nanoparticles have a wide PL spectrum at room temperature in the visible to near-IR regions (550–730 nm) in the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (Eu³⁺), J =1–4, electronic transitions. The intensity of the ⁵D₀→⁷F₄ group is as large as that of the characteristic ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ group of the spectrum in the forced electric-dipole allowed transitions. The enhanced t -ZrO₂ phase stability and wide PL can be attributed to the combined effects of an amorphous Eu³⁺-rich surface and part of the Eu³⁺ doping of ZrO₂ of small crystallites.     

Isolation and identification of phosphate‐solubilizing microorganisms and distribution of orthophosphate in different seasons from sewage‐fed East Kolkata Wetland

This study focused on isolation and identification of possible phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB ) from the sewage‐fed East Kolkata Wetland (EKWL ), a prospective water resource for pisciculture. In addition, different limnological parameters have been correlated with orthophosphate and seasonal variations. PSB have been isolated in Pikovskaya medium and identified morphologically and biochemically and finally analysed by 16S rDNA gene sequence. Limnological studies involving temperature (potentiometric), pH (potentiometric), dissolved oxygen (iodometric), ammonia‐nitrogen (spectrophotometric) and orthophosphate (spectrophotometric) concentrations were conducted. The results of this study established the presence of Bacillus megaterium , a potential PSB in EKWL . The activity of B. megaterium is also supported by the seasonal orthophosphate variations. The changes in concentration of other limnological parameters were also prominent. The water quality parameters of temperature (r  = 0.886), dissolved oxygen (r  = 0.729) and ammonia‐nitrogen (r  = 0.396) concentrations exhibited a positive correlation with orthophosphate and a negative correlation with pH (r  = ?0.699). The B. megaterium obtained in this study, exhibited a significant alteration in regard to orthophosphate content and relationships with other factors. Further experiment on the soluble phosphorus solubilization potential of B. megaterium revealed the biological availability of phosphorus was increased by threefold after 120 hr of incubation, with the decreasing pH value, although the phytase activity was 0.419 U/ml. PSB have a vital function in plant nutrition in supplying phosphate, essential nutrients and its uptake results in appropriate functioning and metabolism of different aquatic plants and organisms. PSB are competent biofertilizer to amplify aquaculture production for sustainable development.     

A comparative study of walking‐induced dust resuspension using a consistent test mechanism

Human walking influences indoor air quality mainly by resuspending dust particles settled on the floor. This study characterized walking‐induced particle resuspension as a function of flooring type, relative humidity (RH), surface dust loading, and particle size using a consistent resuspension mechanism. Five types of flooring, including hardwood, vinyl, high‐density cut pile carpet, low‐density cut pile carpet, and high‐density loop carpet, were tested with two levels of RH (40% and 70%) and surface dust loading (2 and 8 g/m²), respectively. Resuspension fraction r_a (fraction of surface dust resuspended per step) for house dust was found to be varied from 10^?7 to 10^?4 (particle size: 0.4–10 µm). Results showed that for particles at 0.4–3.0 µm, the difference in resuspension fraction between carpets and hard floorings was not significant. For particles at 3.0–10.0 µm, carpets exhibited higher resuspension fractions compared with hard floorings. Increased RH level enhanced resuspension on high‐density cut pile carpet, whereas the opposite effect was observed on hard floorings. Higher surface dust loading was associated with lower resuspension fractions on carpets, while on hard floorings the effect of surface dust loading varied with different RH levels.     

Analysis of a Localized Fire in a 3-D Tunnel Using a Hybrid Solver: Lattice Boltzmann Method,Finite-Volume Method,and Fully Explicit Upwind Scheme

A localized fire in a 3-D tunnel is analyzed by solving a combined-mode natural-convection and radiation problem. Nonlocal thermal equilibrium between air and smoke is considered. Separate energy equations are used for the two species. The density and temperature fields required for the solution of the energy equation are computed using the lattice Boltzmann method. The finite-volume method is used to compute radiative information. The energy equations are solved using the fully explicit upwind scheme. The Boussinesq approximation is used to account for the buoyancy effect. Effects of the scattering albedo, the convection-radiation parameter, and the wall emissivities on temperature profiles in the tunnel have been studied.     

A production-recycling-inventory model with learning effect

This paper develops an integrated production-recycling system over a finite time horizon. Here, the dynamic demand is satisfied by production and recycling. The used units are bought back and then either recycled or disposed of which are not repairable. The used units are collected continuously from the customers. Recycling products can be used as new products which are sold again. The rate of production and disposal are assumed to be function of time. The setup cost is reduced over time due to “Learning curve” effect. The optimum results are presented both in tabular form and graphically.     

Experimental and FE analysis of submerged arc weld induced residual stress and angular deformation of single and double sided fillet welded joint

Submerged arc welding is well-known for its very high deposition rate and thus the capability to join very high thickness metal pieces in large structural applications. Fillet joints are mostly used in structural applications which can be extensively seen in shipbuilding, bridge construction, house buildings, automobile or any other large structures. Thermal stresses generates in a fusion welded joint due to high temperature gradient, which is the cause of the residual stresses upon cooling followed by the angular deformation and failure of the welded structure. As an effect of the thermal gradient, the induced longitudinal, transverse residual stress & angular distortion can vary in single sided and double sided submerged arc welded fillet joints, during designing & manufacturing welded structures which should be taken into account. The main objective of this paper is to quantify the amount of residual stresses and angular deformation in a fillet welding joint. An elasto-plastic thermomechanical model has been developed for predicting residual stresses. A comparison of the residual stress and angular deformation between single and double sided fillet weld joint has been made. The simulation results reveal that the amount of residual stress present in the single sided fillet weld is more and unbalanced in both side of the center of weld line compared to the double sided fillet weld and the predicted results have been matched with the experiments as well as published literatures.