Effects of absorbed water on the interfacial fracture between two layers of unsaturated polyester and glass

The effects of absorbed water on the interfacial fracture resistance between two layers of unsaturated polyester (UP) and glass of the bilayer specimen were evaluated by measuring a load for producing the fracture by inserting a razor blade into the interface. The specimens were subjected to the cyclic absorption-desorption and the continuous absorption processes of water. The load to initiate the interfacial fracture was markedly lowered by the early absorption process for short period, and then gradually reduced with increasing cycle or period of water absorption, although it slightly recovered after the first great reduction when the specimens were subjected to the soaking process at lower temperatures. The micro-FTIR (ATR) analyses of the detached surface of the UP resin from the glass plate revealed that the water is accumulated in the resin at the interface in the cluster, showing the concentration to increase with increases both in the temperature of environmental water and in the water-soaking period. The IR analyses also demonstrated the hydrolysis reaction to take place on the detached resin surface of specimen exposed to water at high temperature. Thus the accumulated water at the interface may remain and promote the interfacial degradation even under the drying process by various mechanisms like the hydrolysis reaction in hot water environment.     

Changes in chemical state and local structure of green rust by addition of copper sulphate ions

The X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were used for characterising the effect of the addition of copper sulphate ions on the chemical state and local structure of hydrosulphate green rust (GR). Fe K edge XANES spectra showed that Fe(II) in GR was partially oxidised by the addition of the copper sulphate solution. Cu K edge XANES spectra showed that the copper sulphate ions in the GR suspension were reduced to zero charge copper. Radial structural functions indicated that the structure of GR comprised edge sharing of FeO₆ octahedral units, which was changed by the oxidation of Fe(II). In addition, it was found that the GR was partially oxidised to α-FeOOH by the addition of copper ions.     

Influence of morphology on photo‐degradation of low density polyethylene films

The effect of the morphology on photo‐degradation was investigated for low‐density polyethylene materials. For this purpose, films with different degrees of crystallinity and different degrees of orientation were prepared. For all the films, photodegradation was promoted at 336K for 12 days using a weather meter. The following results were obtained. There existed an induction period before degradation or chain scission. The induction period was longer for stretched films than for un‐stretched ones. Also, the rate of degradation became lower for stretched films. However, both the induction period and the rate of degradation hardly changed with heat‐treatment condition, that is, the degree of crystallinity. In the induction period, the density changed in a complicated manner. This complicated change must be due to the change in the molecular aggregation state of the amorphous phase. The rheological and GPC measurements indicated that photo‐degradation causes the lowering of molecular weight and the increase in higher molecular weight fraction, and consequently the broadening of molecular weight distribution. The lowering of molecular weight may be caused by chain scission and the increase in higher molecular weight fraction by the formation of crosslinks.     

Recent progress of high performance polymer OLED and OPV materials for organic printed electronics

The development of organic printed electronics has been expanding to a variety of applications and is expected to bring innovations to our future life. Along with this trend, high performance organic materials with cost-efficient fabrication processes and specific features such as thin, light weight, bendable, and low power consumption are required. A variety of organic materials have been investigated in the development of this field. The basic guidelines for material design and the recent progress of polymer-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) are reported.     

Amino acid components of lees in salmon fish sauce are tyrosine and phenylalanine

We report that the lees in salmon fish sauce consist of Tyr and Phe. The concentration of free l-Tyr (2.0 mM) was almost same as the saturated concentration (2.4 mM) in water at 20°C. This result shows that lees are formed by Tyr precipitation due to its saturation in the sauce.     

Antifungal activity of bark extracts of deciduous trees

Acetone extracts from the bark of 51 different deciduous tree species were investigated to determine their antifungal activity against plant pathogenic and wood decay fungi. In general, the deciduous trees showed only weak activities. The genusMagnolia, especiallyM. Obovata, however had potent antifungal activity.     

Function of aluminum in crystal structure of rare earth–Mg–Ni hydrogen-absorbing alloy and deterioration mechanism of Nd0.9Mg0.1Ni3.5 and Nd0.9Mg0.1Ni3.3Al0.2 alloys

We investigated in detail the effect of incorporating Al in the crystal structure of rare earth–Mg–Ni hydrogen-absorbing alloys, which were developed as candidate materials for the metal hydride (MH) negative electrode in commercial Ni–MH batteries, using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Partially substituting the Ni part with Al changes the lattice parameter of the major A₂B₇ phase, eliminating a mismatch between the AB₂ units and the AB₅ units. The change of the lattice parameter in the alloy leads to good hydrogen reversibility and good durability. Furthermore, we observed the alloy after 30 hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles using a scanning transmission electron microscope image. Consequently, we found that the surface layer of the Nd_0.9Mg_0.1Ni_3.5 alloy had an amorphous state, while the surface layer of the Nd_0.9Mg_0.1Ni_3.3Al_0.2 alloy did not. We confirmed that the deterioration mechanism of the Nd_0.9Mg_0.1Ni_3.3Al_0.2 alloy was due to partial expansion of the AB₂ unit along the c-axis; the local area of deterioration expanded during the cycling period.     

Spatial pattern of Japanese manufacturing industry in four ASEAN countries

Foreign investment by means of equity participation of foreign firms in local firms contributes to local industrial development through transfer of technology and through leveraging capital requirements. During the last two decades the nature of foreign equity participation in firms and the location of FDI in four ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, referred to hereafter as the ASEAN-4 countries) has undergone a significant transition. From 1980-1994, the Japanese manufacturing industry was the major foreign industrial investor in the ASEAN-4 countries. The spatial pattern of equity investment and employment generation has been very different among regions in the ASEAN-4 countries. Using the Theil index we estimate disparity in employment generation and equity investment within and between regions of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines in the context of each country's socio-economic geography and economic development characteristics.Received: 21 May 2002, Accepted: 14 May 2003, JEL Classification: F21, N950, R12The authors would like to thank two anonymous referees for their valuable comments on an earlier draft of this research note.