Chemical Interactions in Diboride-Reinforced Oxide-Matrix Composites

Thermochemical analyses of interfacial reactions in titanium, zirconium, and hafnium diboride reinforced oxidematrix composites have been carried out to evaluate the chemical compatibility. The chemical reactivity of these diborides with oxygen and the high volatility of B₂O₃( l ) at reduced oxygen pressures are concerns during processing and operating conditions. The thermochemical stability and the vaporization behavior of B₂O₃( l ) are discussed in terms of partial pressures of dominant gaseous species of the boron-oxygen system at 1700 and 2300 K. The TiB₂/ZrO₂ and TiB₂/HfO₂ systems are thermodynamically stable in a limited oxygen pressure range. The TiB₂/Al₂O₃ system is stable, but the reactions in this system may apparently be accompanied by formation of gaseous products (B₂O₃, AlO, Al₂O, and lower boron oxides) in the presence of elemental oxygen. These thermochemical considerations are very useful in evaluating the effectiveness of oxides as diffusion barrier coatings on diboride reinforcements.     

Electrical conductivity in iodine-doped ethyl cellulose

The electrical conductivity of solution-grown ethyl cellulose (EC) films, 5–30 μm thick, has been studied in the sandwich configuration (metal–EC–metal) as a function of iodine concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 wt% ratio. The studies were conducted in the temperature range 333–383 K, while the field was varied over the range (3.0–5.5) × 10⁴V/cm. Aluminium was used as the lower electrode, while the upper electrode was of Al, Ag, Cu, Au or Sn. Certain transient effects such as a large burst of current immediately after the application of field were observed. An attempt was made to identify the nature of the current by comparing the observed dependence on electric field, electrode material and temperature with the respective characteristic features of the existing theories of electrical conduction. The results show that the electrical conduction follows Ohm's law at lower fields, while at higher fields, space-charge limited current (SCLC) was observed. It was also found that Richardson–Schottky emission was responsible, to some extent, for the transport of charge carriers in the polymer. The conductivity of the films increased on doping with iodine. The dopant molecules are considered to act as additional trapping centes and provide links between the polymer molecules in the amorphous region, thus resulting in the formation of charge transfer complexes.     

One-step oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid

Liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexane with Co(III) catalyst and gaseous oxygen was found to be influenced by reaction temperature, catalyst concentration and the duration. Maximum adipic acid product selectivity (77%) with about 85% cyclohexane conversion was attained at 100°C using catalyst: cyclohexane molar ratio 0·08. Under these conditions more than 80% cyclohexane was converted in the first hour, although selectivity to adipic acid continued to increase for the next 5 h. Cyclohexyl acetate and cyclohexyl monoadipate were identified as important intermediates. This study supports the mechanism proposed by Schultz, J. G. D. and Opchenko, A., J. Org. Chem., 38 (21) (1973) 3729.     

Effect of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and TweenR80 on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Glibenclamide Tablet Formulations in Terms of BSL Lowering in Rabbits and Diabetic Human Volunteers

Glibenclamide has limited gastrointestinal absorption. Therefore, different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate and tween^R80 were included into the tablet formulations to increase the absorption of the drug and hence, to enhance the BSL lowering in rabbits and human volunteers suffering from maturity onset diabetes mellitus. It was found that the surfactants had enhanced both the rate and extent of BSL lowering in rabbits as well as in diabetic patients in higher concentrations present in the tablet formulations.     

Effect of Calcium Lactate, 4-Hexyl Resorcinol and Vacuum Packing on Physico-chemical, Sensory and Microbiological Qualities of Minimally Processed Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits are very susceptible to pericarp browning which adversely affects consumer acceptability even though the aril portion remains in excellent condition. Litchi arils (litchis) were treated with a solution containing 0–2% (w/v) calcium lactate (CL), 0–0.02% (w/v) 4‐hexyl resorcinol (4‐HR) and 1% potassium sorbate. The pH of solution was adjusted to 4.0 with citric acid. Treated litchis were packed in polystyrene trays, over‐wrapped with polypropylene film, vacuum‐packed (0, 47409.3, 94831.9 Pa) and stored at 4 ± 2 °C. Drip losses, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), sensory attributes and microbiological quality of stored samples were estimated. A four‐factor, three‐level experimental design (D₆ Hokes design) with 19 experiments was chosen. Mathematical models were developed to analyse and predict the effect of CL, 4‐HR, in‐package vacuum and storage time on the responses. TSS, pH and sensory scores decreased significantly (P 0.01), whereas drip losses and microbial count increased significantly (P 0.01) with time. Drip loss was significantly (P 0.1) reduced by addition of CL. 4‐HR prevented browning and changes in colour score during storage were significantly less. Vacuum in packages exerted significant (P 0.01) effect over pH, TSS, sensory and microbiological qualities of minimally processed litchis.     

Thermogravimetry and wide angle X-ray diffraction study on the structure of irradiated and thermally treated kodar film

The degradation behaviour of Kodar [poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethyl-eneterephthalate)] was investigated in air using thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis and wide angle X-ray diffraction studies. The rates of crystallization and degradation were influenced by thermal exposure and polychromatic irradiation (Λ > 290 nm) for different time intervals. The crystallinity changes (X_c%) and activation energies (ΔE) for the systems have been determined.     

Preparation,structural elucidation,molecular weight determination,and molecular recognition of first‐ and second‐tier dendrimer molecules

1,3,5‐Triglyceratetriazine [first tier (G₁)] and tri(1,3,5‐triglycerate) triazine [second tier (G₂)] dendrimers were prepared with 1,3,5‐trichlorotriazine and sodium glycerate in a 1 : 3 mass ratio in an ethanolic medium.G₁ and G₂ were amorphous, white, solid substances. Their structures were elucidated with IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR, and their thermal stability was studied with thermogravimetric analysis. The activation energy was calculated with the Freeman–Carroll model. Densities, viscosities, and surface tensions for 0.01–0.08 mol/kg aqueous solutions increased at 0.01 mol/kg for sodium glycerate, 1,3,5‐trichlorotriazine, 1,3,5‐triazine triglycerate chloride, G₁, and G₂. These values were measured at 298.15 K. The apparent molal volume, reduced viscosity, and inherent viscosity were calculated from the densities and viscosities, respectively. The data were regressed for the limiting densities, limiting apparent molal volumes, intrinsic viscosities, limiting inherent viscosities, and limiting surface tensions for solute–solvent interactions. The positive limiting apparent molal volume values were noted in the order of G₂ > 1,3,5‐triazine triglycerate chloride > G₁ > 1,3,5‐trichlorotriazine > sodium glycerate, with weaker hydrophilic intermolecular interactions of G₂. The higher intrinsic viscosity and limiting inherent viscosity values for G₂ implied stronger G₂–H₂O hydrophilic interactions, and the higher limiting apparent molal volume of G₂ indicated slightly higher dynamic conformational changes in comparison with G₁, with stronger structural activities. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Component fatty acids of Cladosporium herbarum fat

Cladosporium herbarum grown as a surface culture in a chemically defined medium of sucrose and inorganic salts gave a high yield of fat (29.2%). The component acids of this fat have been found to be palmitic (34.2%); oleic (15.9%); linoleic (34.2%) and linolenic (15.7%). The combined proportion of linoleic and linolenic acids being about 50 per cent, the fat will be of great value for the manufacture of oil-modified resins as the films produced by such resins do not become yellow with age.     

A scheduling decision aid in glass fiber manufacturing

A decision aid for scheduling production in glass fiber manufacturing industry is described. The methodology combines a linear programming (LP) optimization model with a heuristic model. The LP model determines production goals; the heuristic model then uses the LP output to incorporate system-specific constraints in developing processing sequences.     

Hierarchical clustering and routing protocol to ensure scalability and reliability in large-scale wireless sensor networks

The Journal of Supercomputing - Cluster-based routing protocols have been proven efficient in prolonging the life cycle of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Periodic and multi-hop clustering are the...