Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study of nano-alumina modified alkyd based waterborne coatings

A nano-composite coating was formed by dispersing nano-Al₂O₃ as pigments in different concentrations, to a specially developed alkyd based waterborne coating. The nano-Al₂O₃ based composite coatings were applied on mild steel substrate by dipping. The dispersion of particles in coating system was investigated by using SEM and AFM techniques. The effect of addition of these nano-pigments on the electrochemical behavior of the coating was investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that coating modified with higher concentration of nano-Al₂O₃ particles showed comparatively better performance as it was evident from pore resistance (R_p) and coating capacitance (C_c) values after 30 days of exposure. In general, the study showed an improvement in the corrosion resistance of the nano-particle modified coatings as compared to the neat coating, confirming the positive effect of nano-particle addition in coatings.     

Wild Brazilian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Seed Oil Methyl Esters as Biodiesel Fuel

Wild mustard (Brassica juncea L.) oil is evaluated as a feedstock for biodiesel production. Biodiesel was obtained in 94 wt.% yield by a standard transesterification procedure with methanol and sodium methoxide catalyst. Wild mustard oil had a high content of erucic (13(Z)-docosenoic; 45.7 wt.%) acid, with linoleic (9(Z),12(Z)-octadecadienoic; 14.2 wt.%) and linolenic (9(Z),12(Z),15(Z)-octadecatrienoic; 13.0 wt.%) acids comprising most of the remaining fatty acid profile. The cetane number, kinematic viscosity, and oxidative stability (Rancimat method) of the methyl esters was 61.1, 5.33 mm² s⁻¹ (40 °C) and 4.8 h (110 °C), respectively. The cloud, pour and cold filter plugging points were 4, −21 and −3 °C, respectively. Other properties such as acid value, lubricity, free and total glycerol content, iodine value, Gardner color, specific gravity, as well as sulfur and phosphorous contents were also determined and are discussed in light of biodiesel standards ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. Also reported are the properties and composition of wild mustard oil, along with identification of wild mustard collected in Brazil as Brassica juncea L. (2n = 36) as opposed to the currently accepted Sinapis arvensis L. (2n = 18) classification. In summary, wild mustard oil appears to be an acceptable feedstock for biodiesel production. Disclaimer: Product names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

A Redox‐Based Superoxide Generation System Using Quinone/Quinone Reductase

Superoxide (O₂^.?) generation in biological systems is achieved through some of the most complex enzymatic systems. Of these, only xanthine/xanthine oxidase has been used for in vitro biochemical studies. However, it suffers from limitations such as a lack of suitable heterologous expression system for xanthine oxidase and the irreversible consumption and low solubility of xanthine under physiological conditions. Herein, we report a redox‐based, enzyme‐catalyzed system, in which autoxidation of hydroquinone to quinone via semiquinone results in superoxide generation. Quinone is reduced back to hydroquinone by using the NfsB (oxygen‐insensitive nitroreductase) enzyme of Escherichia coli strain K‐12 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydride (NADPH; which is regenerated by using the glucose/glucose dehydrogenase system). This new system relies on quinones that can be recycled and have superior water solubility, as well as enzymes that are heterologously expressed. By using a variety of quinones and reaction conditions, along with a comparison of real‐time fluorescence, menadione has been identified as the optimal substrate for superoxide generation. The new redox‐based system presents a viable alternative for studying the biochemistry of superoxide under different physiological and pathological conditions.     

石膏板干墙系统与建筑防火

<正>轻钢龙骨石膏板隔墙和吊顶系统,统称石膏板干墙系统,凭借着其安装快速简便、可灵活造型、轻质、美观等特性已成为室内装修不可缺少的系统。其实,干墙系统除了这些优秀的装饰特性外还具备很强的建筑构件必备的保温隔热、隔声、吸声和防火等功能。     

Electrical resistivity as a measure of change of state in substrates: Design, development and validation of an automated system

Intrinsically smart structural composites are materials, which can perform function such as sensing strain, stress damage or temperature. Electrical resistance could potentially serve as an indicator of structural well-being or damage in the structure. To this end, the development of an automated resistance measurement system is desired. An automated nodal electrical resistance acquisition circuitry (NERAC) was designed, and interfaced to a laptop for measurement of electrical resistance/impedance from the substrate of interest. Measurements were carried out using DC/AC method with four-point probe technique. Baseline reading before damage was noted and compared with the resistance measured after damage. The device was calibrated and validated on three different substrates: PVDF samples, composite panels and smart concrete. Results conformed to previous work done on these substrates, validating the effective working of the NERAC device. Change of state of the substrate, after damage was assessed by measurement of resistance/impedance.     

Plasma effects in semiconducting nanowire growth

Three case studies are presented to show low-temperature plasma-specific effects in the solution of (i) effective control of nucleation and growth; (ii) environmental friendliness; and (iii) energy efficiency critical issues in semiconducting nanowire growth. The first case (related to (i) and (iii)) shows that in catalytic growth of Si nanowires, plasma-specific effects lead to a substantial increase in growth rates, decrease of the minimum nanowire thickness, and much faster nanowire nucleation at the same growth temperatures. For nucleation and growth of nanowires of the same thickness, much lower temperatures are required. In the second example (related to (ii)), we produce Si nanowire networks with controllable nanowire thickness, length, and area density without any catalyst or external supply of Si building material. This case is an environmentally-friendly alternative to the commonly used Si microfabrication based on a highly-toxic silane precursor gas. The third example is related to (iii) and demonstrates that ZnO nanowires can be synthesized in plasma-enhanced CVD at significantly lower process temperatures than in similar neutral gas-based processes and without compromising structural quality and performance of the nanowires. Our results are relevant to the development of next-generation nanoelectronic, optoelectronic, energy conversion and sensing devices based on semiconducting nanowires.     

Prediction of gel-time in the cure of unsaturated polyester resins: Phenomenological modeling vs. statistical analysis

A series of kinetic and rheological measurements were carried out using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a Rheometrics Dynamic Analyzer (RDA). The effects of temperature, inhibitor level, initiator level, and initiator type on the curing of unsaturated polyester resins were investigated. Two models based on the free radical polymerization mechanism were developed for predicting the time to reach liquid-solid transition. These models adapted a concept that gelation occurred at a critical radical concentration. The applicability of these models was compared to that of a statistical analysis.     

Prediction of residual stress distribution in plastic pipe extrusion

In thermoplastic pipe extrusion, the extrudate emerging from the die is typically sized and cooled from outside in a quench tank. This process causes quick solidification of the external layer, while the inner mass of molten material cools only gradually. The slow cooling and crystallization, and the associated shrinkage of this material, can lead to build-up of severe stresses in the final part that can affect the long term service performance. In this paper, a simple theoretical analysis of this process of residual stress build-up is presented. The pipe undergoing quenching is modeled as an annular cylinder of molten polymer being cooled at a controlled rate from outside. The overall stresses are derived numerically by adding up the stress contributions due to incremental advance of the solidification boundary. The results of the analysis are found to be in qualitative accord with the experimentally measured stress profiles in thermoplastic pipe.