Adsorption of n-Alkanes on Silicon Nitride Nanopowder

Adsorption properties of silicon nitride beads were investigated by the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method. Silicon nitride beads were obtained from a commercial nanopowder. Retentions of n -pentane, n -hexane, n -heptane, and n -octane were measured in the temperature range from 343 to 383 K, at zero surface coverage. Surface partition coefficients and the related thermodynamic functions (standard free energy changes, standard state enthalpy, and entropy changes) of the adsorption process were determined. The dispersive component of the surface free energy of silicon nitride, at investigated temperatures, was also calculated.     

A Comparison of Some Methods for the Determination of the Degree of Substitution of Carboxymethyl Starch

The degree of substitution (DS) markedly affects the properties of sodium carboxymethyl starch (Na‐CMS). In this work Na‐CMS samples with different DS starting from both potato and corn starch were synthesized in an ethanol/water mixture and their DS was determined using three methods: direct titration of the acid form of the carboxymethyl starch (H‐CMS), Cu salt precipitation and back titration. It was found that direct titration gave smaller DS values, while the Cu salt precipitation method gave higher DS values than the back titration method, which was found to be the most accurate. The values of the DS obtained by these methods were similar for lower DS while for higher values the discrepancy was more pronounced. Under the same experimental conditions the CMS obtained from corn starch had a higher DS than the one obtained from potato starch and on average, the discrepancies between the DS values obtained by the employed analytical methods were smaller for the CMS samples synthesized from corn starch.     

Leakage quantification of compressed air using ultrasound and infrared thermography

With the leakage elimination in compressed air systems, it is possible to save up to 40% of energy. With appropriate inspection and maintenance of compressed air systems, leakage elimination should be a routine. This paper describes and compares two different noncontact methods for compressed air leakage quantification, ultrasound and infrared thermography. The potentials and limitations of these technologies are analyzed, as well as the reliability and accuracy of results thus obtained. From the results presented in this paper, it can be concluded that thermography offers good results for the leakage quantification from the orifices greater than 1.0 mm and ultrasound should be used for leakage detection for all the dimensions of orifices, but for the quantification purposes only for smaller leaks. As a support for leakage quantification, we proposed diagrams of a leak flow as a function of sound level and as a function of detected temperature change.     

Calculation of excess molar volumes with different cubic equations of state and different mixing rules

The effects of the simple composition-dependent combining rules (conventional, Adachi-Sugie and van Laar-Stryjek-Vera-type) and Huron-Vidal-NRTL mixing rules and different cubic equations of state (Redlich-Kwong, Soave-Redlich-Kwong, Peng-Robinson and Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera) on excess molar volume correlation are examined. The results obtained for some asymmetric non-ideal mixtures indicate very good agreement between correlated and experimental data in all cases when Huron-Vidal-NRTL mixing rules are coupled with the Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera equation of state.     

Biocompatibility of mesoporous SBA-16/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite and dentin demineralized particles on human dental pulp stem cells

In the present work, a biomaterial (SBA-16/HA) based on the growth of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles within an organized silica structure SBA-16 (Santa Barbara Amorphous-16) was developed to evaluate its application to act as a porous microenvironment promoting attachment and viability of human dental pulp stem cells of healthy deciduous teeth (SHED). First, SHED were isolated and their phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry. The samples of SBA-16/HA were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectra detector (EDS). Afterward, cells were cultured in the eluates of the above-mentioned biomaterial aged for 24 hr, 7. and 14 days. Bio-Oss® and dentin particles are involved for comparison and cells are cultured in the eluates of these two materials also. Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium bromide assay-MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide assay) was used for the determination of cell viability. The results obtained by all aforementioned characterization methods of SBA-16/HA, revealed a uniform spherical mesoporous structure, an intrinsic characteristic of this material. This material displayed excellent biocompatibility on SHEDs, and even proliferative potential, indicating that SBA-16/HA could potentially serve as a suitable substrate for bone regeneration. Contrary to SBA-16/HA, dentin particles showed low cytotoxicity at all time points, compared to control and Bio-Oss®groups. Our results substantiate the idea that SBA-16/HA has a beneficial effect on SHEDs, thus paving the way toward developing new material for bone replacement.     

Synthesis of Spherical β-Silicon Carbide Particles by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis

Fine agglomerate-free spherical β-SiC powder was synthesized from a dispersion of colloidal silica, saccharose, and boric acid, by means of an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. Droplets of 2.2 μm were formed with an aerosol generator, operated at 2.5 MHz, and carried into a reaction furnace at 900°C with argon. Spherical X-ray amorphous gel particles of 1.1 μm were obtained. β-SiC particles with a mean diameter of 0.79 μm and spherical shape resulted when the SiC gel precursor particles were heated at 1500°C in argon.     

Intrinsic Equilibrium Constants of beta;-Silicon Carbide Obtained from Surface Charge Data

The surface charge behavior of β-SiC in KNO₃ electrolyte solutions is reported as a function of pH and ionic strength. The surface charge densities were obtained by potentiometric titration, and the point of zero charge of β-SiC was determined by the batch equilibration method. The intrinsic equilibrium constants, describing association-dissociation of surface groups, were calculated using the site-binding model.     

Research of rail traction shafts and axles fractures towards impact of service conditions and fatigue damage accumulation

Traction shafts and axles of railway vehicles are designed to be safe and reliable in normal service conditions. Accidental and unpredictable conditions including bad exploitation (rail tracks, maintenance and extreme long service life) make the probability of shaft and axle fracture realistic. This article contains the experience and analysis of the traction shafts and axles fractures and fracture processes. Research also shows service conditions with results presented in the form of service stress spectrums. Besides normal service conditions, the results also include unpredictable phenomenon such as natural torsion vibrations of the shaft and wheels caused by stick–slip processes at the moment of the set in motion of a full-loaded train or at the moment of braking. These vibrations create an extremely high level of torque which is the main cause of cracks initialization. The next part of the article contains the results of the traction shafts and axles endurance research. The results of testing are transformed using the results of calculation by the FE method and by statistical estimation of the failure probability distribution. The main part refers to the interaction (impact) of service stress probability and failure (endurance) probability, which leads to the traction shaft (axle) reliability definition. Using the established model, locomotive traction shaft reliability is calculated and analyzed. The final part of the article contains suggestions for the traction shafts (axles) failure prevention.