Functional metal-porphyrazine derivatives and their polymers, 10. Secondary fuel cells based on oxygen reduction on platinum electrode modified by polymers and metal-phthalocyanines

Secondary fuel cells based on oxygen reduction of platinum electrode modified by polymers and metal-phthalocyanine (Mt = Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)) were studied. The discharge curves for the platinum electrode modified by poly(2-vinylpyridine) (or polystyrene) and Co-phthalocyanine in 30% KOH aqueous solution, for a 30 min charge at 500 μA, followed by a 100 μA discharge showed a stable plateau at about ?0.24 V SCE (Saturated Calomel Electrode). The open circuit voltage (vs. Zn) of the cell was 1.2 V, and the discharge capacity was of 46 A · h/kg. For this battery there was no significant decay in its characteristics after more than 30 charge-discharge cycles. In Mt-phthalocyanines, the values decreased in the order of Co(II) > Fe(III) > > Cu(II) > Ni(II). From a cyclic voltammogram for the electrode modified by the polymer and Co-Pc, the cathodic reactions were discussed.     

Abnormal metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids in diabetic glomeruli

Studies were done on changes in phospholipid content and fatty acid composition of phospholipids and on the role of the acylation pathway in synthesis of phospholipids in the development of abnormal fatty acid composition in the glomeruli of rats 2 and 10 mo after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. The proportions of individual phospholipids in the glomeruli of rats were not changed 2 mo after induction of diabetes, but the proportion of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) decreased and that of sphingomyelin increased 10 mo after induction of diabetes. In contrast, in liver the proportion of PE was increased and that of phosphatidylcholine was decreased. These results showed that changes of individual phospholipids in glomeruli were time-dependent and tissue-specific. Two mo after induction of diabetes, the main change in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of diabetic glomeruli was a decrease in arachidonic acid (AA); the main change in serum free fatty acids (FFA) was an increase in linoleic acid (LA) and a decrease in AA. Ten mo after induction of diabetes, the main changes in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of glomeruli were an increase in LA and a decrease in AA; the main change of the serum FFA composition was a decrease in AA. Thus, the fatty acid composition of glomerular phospholipids was not directly correlated to that of the serum in diabetic rats. Acyl-CoA synthetase and acyltransferase activities increased in diabetic glomeruli with either AA or LA as substrate, but activity toward LA increased more at 2 mo after induction of diabetes. Acyl-CoA synthetase activity increased in diabetic glomeruli with LA as substrate, but that did not change with AA as substrate at 10 mo after induction of diabetes. Furthermore, acyltransferase activity decreased in diabetic glomeruli with AA as substrate, although that did not change with LA as substrate at 10 mo after induction of diabetes.     

Immunohistochemical demonstration of 3,2''-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl DNA adduct formation in various organs of Syrian golden hamsters

We attempted to purify endogenous growth factors of chick embryonal retinal pigment epithelial cells from bovine neural retina. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and anion exchange column chromatography were used. Though only partially purification, bovine retinal extract had two effects, growth and transformation, on chick embryonal pigment epithelial cells. We think that these purified factors may be novel from the estimation of their molecular weight by gel filtration.     

Electronic structures and mechanical properties of boron and boron-rich crystals (Part 2)

The second part of this review treats the phase diagram of boron, because of the importance of the material research. A comparison of the phase stabilities of related crystals has been made and deducing general trends among them has been attempted, from which the reader could get useful insights for future development of superhard materials. The mechanical properties of boron and boron-rich crystals are then discussed as the basis of superhard materials. This area is the primary source, from which many controversies arose regarding the strong intericosahedral bonding. Through working on many examples for deformation, consistent interpretations are given.     

主链电荷型高分子与表面活性剂复合物的形成及结构研究

合成了主链带电荷的阳离子高分子聚N,N二甲十二烷基溴化铵（以下简单称12,12-ionene),研究了它与阳离子表面活性剂之间的相互作用及复合物的形成过程,研究结果表明,表面活性对高分子的吸附存在两种形式：一种是等化学量的1：1复合物沉淀的形成;另一种是非等化学量的可溶的复合物的形成,复合物的形成机理被认为活性剂与高分子间的静电相互作用和疏水性相互作用二者的协同,通过X射线衍射分析方法对复合物结构研究表明,复合物可形成规整的分子及超分子结构排列。     

Intra-molecular mobility of holes along rod-like helical Si backbones in optically active polysilanes

Intra-molecular mobility of positive charge carriers in poly(n-hexyl-[S]-2-methylbutylsilane) (PHMBS) films doped with N,N′-bis(2,5-di-tert-buthylphenyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide (PDI) is studied by time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) measurements. PHMBS with optically active side chains has a rod-like tightly locked Si catenation with unlikely long persistence length compared with conventional dialkyl-substituted polysilanes. It was found that PDI is a suitable electron acceptor for PHMBS as it provides the high product of photo carrier generation yield ? as ～0.08% under an excitation at 355 nm. The efficient electron transfer reaction from PHMBS to PDI gives clear conductivity transients ascribed to the positive charges on the Si catenation of PHMBS by TRMC measurements. The estimated value of isotropic mobility along the tightly locked Si catenation is 0.36 cm² V^?1 s^?1, suggesting the presence of mobile holes on the backbones of PHMBS.     

Hole-injection properties of annealed polythiophene films to replace PEDOT–PSS in multilayered OLED systems

Hole-injection properties of annealed poly(alkoxy- and alkylthiophene) films in OLEDs were studied. Among them, annealed poly(3,3′-dihexyloxy-2,2′-bithiophene) (aPHOBT) film exhibited good hole-injection properties and a triple-layered OLED with the structure ITO/aPHOBT/PVK/Alq3/Mg–Ag (device I) showed much higher performance than a double-layered device without the aPHOBT layer (device II, ITO/PVK/Alq3/Mg–Ag). Device I was slightly inferior to a device having a PEDOT–PSS layer as the hole injector (device III, ITO/PEDOT– PSS/PVK/Alq3/Mg–Ag) in the low-intermediate region of the applied voltage (6–11 V), but gave comparable luminance to III when the applied voltage exceeded 11 V.     

Liquid-liquid extraction for efficient synthesis and separation by utilizing micro spaces

Enhancement of mass transfer between two phases and improvement of extraction efficiency are expected if features of micro spaces are adopted for a liquid-liquid two-phase process. In this work, three extraction operations, contact flow in a Y-shaped microchannel, segmented flow and emulsification, have been investigated. Extraction using segmented flow is dependent on mass transfer by molecular diffusion and its rate is enhanced by the internal circulation flow generated inside slugs. The extraction rate can be controlled precisely by adjusting operational parameters such as the flow rate and the flow rate ratio. Liquid-liquid two-phase separation can be achieved instantly. Thus, continuous operation of a process involving liquid-liquid extraction and then two-phase separation is expected to be possible. For extraction based on emulsification, rapid extraction is made possible owing to significant increase in the interfacial area. Though extraction itself is rapid, liquid-liquid separation may take a long time because coalescence of stable emulsions requires time. It is suitable for systems strongly requiring only rapid extraction. Advanced reaction-separation systems can be developed by combining the extraction operations, making full use of the characteristics of segmented flow or emulsification and the reaction.     

Microanalyses on the RuO2 Particle–Glass Matrix Interface in Thick-Film Resistors with Piezoresistive Effects

The piezoresistive mechanisms of composite thick films based on RuO₂ particles and both calcium-borosilicate and bismuth-borosilicate glass matrices were investigated by chemical and electrical microanalyses. The resistor based on bismuth-borosilicate glass showed higher sensitivity than that based on calcium-borosilicate glass. It was confirmed that the diffusion of ruthenium into glass affects the binding state of RuO₂ at the interface of the glass. Furthermore, an intermediate resistive layer is detected around the RuO₂ particle. These results suggest that the piezoresistive effect is related to a change in the electrical conductivity of the interfacial reaction layer caused by the diffusion of ruthenium into glass.     

Demonstrative drop tests of transport and storage full-scale canisters with high corrosion-resistant material

The concrete modular dry storage technologies are becoming widely used, aiming at better economic performances. With longer perspective, there are still key issues related to safety standards in operation and maintenance during storage and unloading/loading for transportation, long-term integrity of the storage components. On the other hands, due to the lack of the experimental studies related to tipping-over or drop event scenarios, it is very important to evaluate the characteristics of the behavior of the components, such as the multi-purpose canister (MPC) subjected to impact loads. Therefore, we executed the demonstration drop test program using double-lid welded MPCs, with the aim of obtaining basic data for regulating safety. This paper introduces the summary of our drop test program.