Adhesion-Delamination Mechanics of a Prestressed Circular Film Adhered onto a Rigid Substrate

A thin circular film clamped at the periphery is adhered to the planar surface of a rigid cylindrical punch. An external tensile load is applied to the punch, causing the film to delaminate from the substrate and the circular contact edge to contract. The film spontaneously separates from the punch, or pulls off, when the contact radius reduces to a range between 0.1758 and 0.3651 of the film radius, depending on the magnitude of the residual membrane stress. The mechanical delamination process is derived by a thermodynamic energy balance based on a coupled interfacial adhesion and residual membrane stress. The theoretical model has significant implications in nanoforce measurement, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) comprising active moveable films, and biological cell adhesion.     

Heat capacity of copolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride

The heat capacities of two copolymers of chlorotrifluorethylene and vinylidene fluoride, one 30:70 mol % and the other 44:56 mol % in composition, were measured in an adiabatic calorimeter from 80 to 340 K. The glass-transition points T_g observed at 256 and 269 K for the 30:70 and 44:56 samples, respectively, closely agree with the prediction of the theory of Flory and Fox; the accompanying jump of heat capacities at these points was found to be 2.2 cal/K ‘per bead’ for both samples, in fair agreement with the ‘constant ΔC_p rule’. A small peak was observed immediately above T_g, and interpreted as a time-dependent effect arising from the lack of equilibrium in the region. The data of the heat capacities were analysed in detail in the framework of the Tarasov model and the principle of additivity, and were found to agree well ( 1–3%) with theory up to the respective glass-transition points in all cases, thus giving support to the validity of the previously published segmental values of heat capacity and of characteristic temperature θ₁.     

Decolorization of organic dyes on Pilkington Activ™ photocatalytic glass

The air–solid photocatalytic degradation of organic dye films Acid Blue 9 (AB9) and Reactive Black 5 (RBk5) is studied on Pilkington Activ™ glass. The Activ™ glass comprises of a colorless TiO₂ layer deposited on clear glass. The Activ™ glass is characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Using AFM, the TiO₂ average agglomerate particle size is 95 nm, with an apparent TiO₂ thickness of 12 nm. The XRD results indicate the anatase phase of TiO₂, with a calculated crystallite size of 18 nm.

Dyes AB9 and RBk5 are deposited in a liquid film and dried on the Activ™ glass to test for photodecolorization in air, using eight UVA blacklight-blue fluorescent lamps with an average UVA irradiance of 1.4 mW/cm². A novel horizontal coat method is used for dye deposition, minimizing the amount of solution used while forming a fairly uniform dye layer. About 35–75 monolayers of dye are placed on the Activ™ glass, with a covered area of 7–10 cm². Dye degradation is observed visually and via UV–vis spectroscopy.

The kinetics of photodecolorization satisfactorily fit a two-step series reaction model, indicating that the dye degrades to a single colored intermediate compound before reaching its final colorless product(s). Each reaction step follows a simple irreversible first-order reaction rate form. The average k₁ is 0.017 and 0.021 min⁻¹ for AB9 and RBk5, respectively, and the corresponding average k₂ is 2.0 × 10⁻³ and 1.5 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹. Variable light intensity experiments reveal a p = 0.44 ± 0.02 exponent dependency of initial decolorization rate on the UV irradiance. Solar experiments are conducted outdoors with an average temperature, water vapor density, and UVA irradiance of 30.8 °C, 6.4 g water/m³ dry air, and 1.5 mW/cm², respectively. For AB9, the average solar k₁ is 0.041 min⁻¹ and k₂ is 5.7 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(amide–imide)s based on N,N′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐oxydiphthalimide,p‐aminobenzoic acid and various aromatic diamines

A new diimide–diacid monomer, N,N′‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4′‐oxydiphthalimide (I), was prepared by azeotropic condensation of 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and p‐aminobenzoic acid (p‐ABA) at a 1:2 molar ratio in a polar solvent mixed with toluene. A series of poly(amide–imide)s (PAI, III_a–m) was synthesized from the diimide–diacid I (or I′, diacid chloride of I) and various aromatic diamines by direct polycondensation (or low temperature polycondensation) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. It was found that only III_k–m having a meta‐structure at two terminals of the diamine could afford good quality, creasable films by solution‐casting; other PAIs III using diamine with para‐linkage at terminals were insoluble and crystalline; though III_g–i contained the soluble group of the diamine moieties, their solvent‐cast films were brittle. In order to improve their to solubility and film quality, copoly(amide–imide)s (Co‐PAIs) based on I and mixtures of p‐ABA and aromatic diamines were synthesized. When on equimolar of p‐ABA (m = 1) was mixed, most of Co‐PAIs IV had improved solubility and high inherent viscosities in the range 0.9–1.5 dl g^?1; however, their films were still brittle. With m = 3, series V was obtained, and all members exhibited high toughness. The solubility, film‐forming ability, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the resultant poly(amide–imide)s were investigated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sex attractants for Geometrid and Noctuid moths

Male moths belonging to 17 species of Geometridae and nine species of Noctuidae were captured in traps baited with synthetic chemicals as part of a field screening program. The compounds tested were the C₁₈-C₂₂ homologs of: (1) (3Z,6Z,9Z)-triene hydrocarbons; (2) mixtures containing equal quantities of (3Z,6Z)-cis-9,10-expoxydienes, (3Z,92Z)-cis-6,7-epoxydienes, and (6Z,9Z)-cis-3,4-epoxydienes; (3) (3Z,6Z)-9S,10R-epoxydienes; (4) (3Z,6Z)-9R,10S-epoxydienes; and (5) (3Z,6Z,9Z,11E)-nonadecatetraene. Field captures and electroantennographic assays revealed a high degree of specificity in the responses of many species to the synthetic chemicals. In several species the ability of males to discriminate between the 9S,10R and 9R,10S enantiomers of the monoepoxydiene isomers was clearly shown. Synergists and inhibitors were discovered for several of the reported attractants, some of which were not previously known to have semiochemical activity. The geometrid moths captured includedEpirrhoe sperryi (Herbulot),Mesoleuca ruficillata (Guenée),Triphosa haesitata (Guenée),Metanema inatomaria (Guenée),Prochoerodes transversata (Drury),Cabera erythemaria (Guenée),Synaxis jubararia (Hulst),Dysstroma brunneata ethela (Hulst),Eulithes testata (Linnaeus),Sicya macularia (Harris),Xanthorhoe iduata (Guenée),X. abrasaria aquilonaria (Herrich-Schäffer),X. munitata (Hübner),Itame loricaria (Eversmann),Eupithecia annulata (Hulst),E. rovocastaliata (Packard) andE. satyrata dodata (Taylor). The noctuid moths captured includedBleptina caradrinalis (Guenée),Idia américalis (Guenée),I. aemula (Hübner),Rivula propinqualis (Guenée),Lomanaltes eductalis (Walker),Spargaloma sexpunctata (Grote),Caenurgina distincta (Neumuller),Euclidia cuspidea (Hübner), andZale duplicata (Bethune). Six of the nine noctuid species captured belong to three subfamilies for which sex attractants had not been reported previously. Details for the stereospecific synthesis of (3Z,6Z)-cis-9,10-epoxydienes are also reported.Issued as NRCC No. 24314.     

Measurement of intrinsic rates for homogeneous gas‐phase reactions at high temperatures

A coiled quartz tubular reactor has been designed to measure the intrinsic reaction kinetics for homogeneous reactions at high temperatures up to 1100°C. Actual gas residence times were less than 100 ms. A simple and well‐studied test reaction (i.e., the decomposition of nitrous oxide, N₂O), with published intrinsic kinetics, was used to verify the operation of the experimental reactor. For this system, Peclet numbers (Pe = uL/DL) computed from experimental conversion data were greater than 1000, indicating that the plug flow assumption could be used with this reactor system to determine intrinsic rate expressions with errors of less than 5% for the conditions studied.     

Synthesis and dielectric properties of polystyrene‐clay nanocomposite materials

Polystyrene‐clay nanocomposite (PsCN) materials were synthesized and their properties of crystallinity, thermal behavior, and dielectric characteristics were investigated. A polymerizable cationic surfactant, [2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]triphenylphonium bromide, was used for the intercalation of montmorillonite (MMT). The organophilic MMT was prepared by Na⁺‐exchanged MMT and ammonium cations of a cationic surfactant in an aqueous medium. Organophilic styrene monomers were intercalated into the interlayer regions of organophilic clay hosts followed by a free‐radical polymerization. Exfoliation to 2 wt % MMT in the polystyrene (PS) matrix was achieved as revealed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were also studied. The dielectric properties of PsCNs in the form of film with clay loading from 1.0 to 5.0 wt % were measured under frequencies of 100 Hz–1 MHz at 25–70°C. A decreased dielectric constant and low dielectric loss were observed for PsCN materials. The dielectric response at low frequency that originated from dipole orientation was suppressed due to the intercalation of clay materials. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1368–1373, 2004     

Investigation of microstructure of laser cladding Ni-WC layer on Al-Si alloy

A plasma-sprayed Ni-WC layer was deposited on an Al-Si cast alloy surface, and then it was further melted by a 5 kW CO₂ laser. The microstructure and chemical composition of the laser-melted zone were investigated, and the microhardness in different parts was measured. Experimental results showed that the chemical composition of the sample was not uniform. Compositional segregation in the laser-melted zone was found. Some amorphous structure appeared in the nickel-rich locations after laser melting. Owing to the thermal effect of the laser scanning, an intermediate-phase Ni₃Al segregated from this region and formed Ni₃Al grains and amorphous grains. Some WC particles melted in the matrix, and chromium carbide Cr2;|C6 and (Cr,W)C separated during the cooling process. The highest microhardness (1027HV) was found in the high-nickel region.     

A computational study of strain inhomogeneity in wire drawing

Inhomogeneous plastic deformation that develops during wire-drawing, and its impact on the drawing force, are investigated with a computational method. The effects of critical parameters, including die angle, area reduction, friction coefficient, and material hardening are sorted out, and the accuracy of certain simple formulas presented in the literature is assessed. The results suggest that the redundant strains (strains beyond those necessary for area reduction) are dependent principally on the die angle and area reduction; the interfacial friction and the strain hardening tend to have little influence on the strains. In addition, the impact of spatial inhomogeneity in hardness induced by strain hardening from prior passes is investigated.     

Spatial navigation model based on chaotic attractor networks

We present a model of spatial navigation based on the non-convergent dynamics of brain activity. The system includes a hippocampal module that processes global spatial information and a cortical module that deals with local sensory information. We test the model using several spatial navigation paradigms: goal finding, shortcutting and detouring. Computer simulations show that the performance of the agent qualitatively matches that of animals and related models. This new approach provides a novel interpretation of how the brain accomplishes spatial navigation.