A Liquid Silazane Precursor To Silicon Nitride

The reaction of dichlorosilane, H₂SiCl₂, with gaseous NH₃ in dichloromethane or diethyl ether solution results in the formation of a silazane oil containing silicon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in good yield. This ammonolysis product can be pyrolyzed in an N₂ atmosphere (temperature to 1150°C) to give α-Si₃N₄ in ∼70% yield. The ceramic product formed has a relatively porous, fine-grained microstructure with some cracks and blisters.     

Numerical simulation of crack deflection and penetration at an interface in a bi-material under dynamic loading by time-domain boundary element method

The hybrid time-domain boundary element method (BEM), together with the multi-region technique, is applied to simulate the dynamic process of crack deflection/ penetration at an interface in a bi-material. The whole bi-material is divided into two regions along the interface. The traditional displacement boundary integral equations (BIEs) are employed with respect to the exterior boundaries; meanwhile, the non-hypersingular traction BIEs are used with respect to the part of the crack in the matrix. Crack propagation along the interface is numerically modelled by releasing the nodes in the front of the moving crack tip and crack propagation in the matrix is modeled by adding new elements of constant length to the moving crack tip. The dynamic behaviours of the crack deflection/penetration at an interface, propagation in the matrix or along the interface and kinking out off the interface, are controlled by criteria developed from the quasi-static ones. The numerical results of the crack growth trajectory for different inclined interface and bonded strength are computed and compared with the corresponding experimental results. Agreement between numerical and experimental results implies that the present time-domain BEM can provide a simulation for the dynamic propagation and deflection of a crack in a bi-material.     

Synthesis and characterization of the first fluorescent nonpeptide NPY Y1 receptor antagonist

Cyanine-5-labelled neuropeptide Y (NPY) was demonstrated to be an ideal universal fluorescent ligand for the combined investigation of NPY Y(1), Y(2) and Y(5) receptors. With respect to improved stability, detection of receptor subtypes in cells and tissues, and prevention of receptor internalization, small nonpeptidic fluorescent antagonists should be superior. Here we present a set of four fluorescent nonpeptide NPY Y(1) receptor (Y(1)R) antagonists. The highest affinity was obtained by labelling an N(G)-(6-aminohexanoyl)argininamide derived from the Y(1)R antagonist BIBP 3226, with Py-1, a small pyrylium dye. The fluorescent pyridinium-type Y(1)R antagonist, compound 4 had K(i) values of 29 nM and 2.7 nM, which were determined by radioligand binding and flow cytometry under equilibrium conditions, respectively; 4 had a K(b) value of 0.6 nM (Ca(2+) assay). The large Stoke's shift (541 vs. 615 nm) in buffer (PBS, pH 7.4) in the presence of 1% BSA and the red emission (quantum yield 56%) are advantageous with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio. The new probe was successfully used in fluorescence-based binding experiments evaluated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy; this demonstrates the potential of pyrylium dyes for the preparation of fluorescent ligands that are applicable for the study of G protein-coupled receptors on living cells.     

AC impedance modelling study on porous electrodes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells using an agglomerate model

A one-dimensional model of the PEM fuel cell cathode is developed to analyse ac impedance spectra and polarisation curves. The porous gas diffusion electrode is assumed to consist of a network of dispersed catalyst (Pt/C) forming spherically shaped agglomerated zones that are filled with electrolyte. The coupled differential equation system describes: ternary gas diffusion in the backing (O₂,N₂${\text{O}}_2\text{,}{\text{N}}_2$, water vapour), Fickian diffusion and Tafel kinetics for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) inside the agglomerates, proton migration with ohmic losses and double-layer charging in the electrode. Measurements are made of a temperature-controlled fuel cell with a geometric area of 1.4 cm ×$\times$ 1.4 cm. Lateral homogeneity is ensured by using a high stoichiometry of _λmin${\lambda }_{\text{min}}$. The model predicts the behaviour of measured polarisation curves and impedance spectra. It is found that a better humidification of the electrode leads to a higher volumetric double-layer capacity. The catalyst layer resistance shows the same behaviour depending on the humidification as the membrane resistance. Model parameters, e.g. Tafel slope, ionic resistance and agglomerate radius are varied. A sensitivity analysis of the model parameters is conducted.     

Robuste und abstimmbare Schalldämpfer in der Abluft von Fertigungs‐ und Heizungsanlagen

Durable and tunable silencers in the exhaust air of manufacturing and heating systems. The requirements for silencers, which are used as secondary noise control devices in exhaust ducts, are particularly high in industrial plants (e. g. paper and mineral fiber production, painting plants) as well as power stations and combined heat and power stations. This is caused by the load of the exhaust gas flow with residual substances, which clog the surfaces of the silencers and reduce their efficiency. High flow rates, temperatures and humidity are further influences, which may affect the service live of the silencers. Additionally, high attenuation at low frequencies is required, as the sound sources (fans, compressors, turbines and engines) exhibit high contributions in this range. Conventional silencers lead to uneconomic solutions under these conditions. This problem is treated here and silencer developments are presented that are durable and tunable with respect to the specific need and frequency range. The operating principle and the construction of the silencers, which consist of panel, cavity and active resonators, are described. Its space and money saving employment are demonstrated with examples realized already in practice. These include the employment of the so‐called Angular Stack Silencer and Cleanable Reactive Silencer as resonators in plants for the paper production and power stations. The employment of active resonators is demonstrated in heating systems. New developments of resistant absorber materials and durable acoustically reacting covers give a survey of innovative solutions.     

Biological degradation of EDTA: Reaction kinetics and technical approach

The microbial mineralization of EDTA in waste water by a mixed culture was studied with suspended and immobilized cells. Efficient degradation of EDTA could be achieved, though the chelator is stated not to be biodegradable. A complete set of kinetic parameters was determined that enables the modelling of EDTA degradation and, related to this, bacterial growth, ammonium release, maintenance requirement as well as oxygen uptake. In order to obtain important technical scale-up parameters, the microorganisms were immobilized on different carrier particles and employed in continuously operated three-phase airlift-loop reactors. The reactors could be operated at a dilution rate up to D=1·2 h⁻¹ (D≪μ_max) that, at an EDTA concentration of 450 mg dm⁻³, led to EDTA degradation rates up to 12·8 kg m⁻³ day⁻¹. The extent of EDTA deg-radation remained constant at 95–99% with increasing values of D. Achieved kinetic parameters of the biofilm systems were compared with those which were obtained from experiments with suspended cells. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

The SPL1 tRNA splicing gene of Candida maltosa and Candida albicans

The tRNA splicing gene SPL1-1 has been cloned and sequenced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Kolman and Soll, 1993). Sequence adjacent to the LEU2 gene in Candida maltosa showed some homology to the SPL1-1 gene of S. cerevisiae. This work describes the sequencing of the SPL1 tRNA splicing genes from C. maltosa and C. albicans and the analysis of these genes. Comparison of these sequences and the relationship observed between the LEU2 and SPL1 genes in these yeasts suggests that there may be some synteny amongst various species of yeasts. The coding region of the C. maltosa SPL1 region described in this work differs from previously described partial sequences in that it is a complete uninterrupted open reading frame. Two strains of C. maltosa were each shown to contain different alleles, one uninterrupted open reading frame and one disrupted open reading frame. The sequences have been deposited in the GenBank/EMBL data libraries under Accession Numbers X72940, AF000115, AF000116, AF000117, AF000118, AF000119 and AF000120. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Platinum‐Catalysed Hydrosilylation of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Esters

Different Pt(IV), Pt(II) and Pt(0) catalysts were screened for the hydrosilylation of fatty acid esters containing terminal as well as internal double bonds. The reaction of terminally unsaturated fatty acid esters proceeded smoothly with short reaction times for nearly all examined catalysts, whereas Pt(IV) species and Pt(II) or Pt(0) species with labile ligands were sufficiently active in the reaction of internally unsaturated compounds. For methyl linoleate, a conjugation of the two internal double bonds before the hydrosilylation was observed. The reaction was carried out in substance as well as in solvent systems permitting a catalyst recycling and reuse. In these systems, however, hydrogenation and double bond isomerisation were found as side reactions.