Development of Monolithic Catalysts with Low Noble Metal Content for Diesel Vehicle Emission Control

Monolith washcoated catalysts with potential for diesel emission control have been developed. Two types of catalysts have been prepared for further study: (1) MnO _x supported on granulated -Al₂O₃, (2) MnO _x supported on cordierite monolith washcoated with -Al₂O₃. Both catalysts have been calcined at 500 and 900 °C and subsequently modified by doping with 0.1–1.0 wt% of Pt or Pd. The influence of the concentration of both manganese oxide (0–10 wt%) and noble metals Pt and Pd in the range 0–1.0 wt% on the catalytic activity in methane oxidation has been studied. Comparison of the catalytic activity of MnO _x /Al₂O₃ and MnO _x + Pt(Pd)/Al₂O₃ with that of a standard 1 wt%Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst shows the existence of a synergetic effect. This effect is more pronounced for the samples calcined at 900 °C. The developed monolithic catalysts MnO _x + Pt(Pd)/Al₂O₃ demonstrate higher activity and thermal stability (up to 900 °C) compared to the commercial monolithic catalyst (TWC's).     

Modification of oil palm empty fruit bunches with maleic anhydride: The effect on the tensile and dimensional stability properties of empty fruit bunch/polypropylene composites

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)‐filled polypropylene (PP) composites were produced. The EFB filler was chemically modified with maleic anhydride (MAH). The effects of the filler size and chemical modification of EFBs on the tensile and dimensional stability properties of EFB–PP composites were studied. The composites with MAH‐treated EFBs showed higher tensile strengths than those with untreated EFBs. This was attributed to the enhanced compatibility between the MAH‐treated EFBs and PP matrix, as shown in a scanning electron microscopy study. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed evidence of C?C and C?O bonds from MAH at 1630 and 1730 cm^?1, respectively. The MAH‐treated PP composites showed lower water absorption and thickness swelling than those with untreated EFBs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 827–835, 2003     

Application of pulse discharge sintering (PDS) technique to rapid synthesis of Ti3SiC2 from Ti/Si/C powders

To synthesize Ti₃SiC₂ samples, pulse discharge sintering (PDS) technique was utilized to sinter elemental powders of Ti/Si/C with stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric ratios in a temperature range of 1200–1500 °C. The results showed that high purity Ti₃SiC₂ could not be obtained from the Ti/Si/C powder with molar ratio of 3:1:2, and Ti₃SiC₂ preferred to form at relatively low sintering temperature for a short time. When 5Ti/2Si/3C and 3Ti/1.5Si/2C powders were sintered for 15 min, the TiC content was respectively decreased to 6.4 and 10 wt.% at 1250–1300 °C. The corresponding relative density of the samples sintered from 5Ti/2Si/3C powder was calculated to be as high as 99% at the temperature above 1300 °C. It is suggested that low-temperature rapid synthesis of Ti₃SiC₂ would be possible through the PDS technique, provided that the composition of the starting powders should be adjusted to be off-stoichiometric ratio from 3:1:2.     

Dynamic Modelling and Prediction of Cytotoxicity on Microelectronic cell Sensor Array

A real‐time cell electronic sensing (RT‐CES) system has been used for label‐free dynamic measurements of cell responses to toxicant. Cells are grown onto the surfaces of the microelectronic sensors. Changes in cell number expressed as cell index (CI) have been recorded on‐line as time series. The CI data are used for dynamic modelling or parameter estimation for cell cytotoxicity process. We consider two dynamic modelling approaches, namely data‐based system identification and first principle modelling. It is shown that data‐based system identification can provide a quick solution for the cytotoxicity dynamic models and is effective for short‐term predictions. It, however, can be poor for long‐term predictions, particularly if there is no output correction, i.e., when the model is used for simulation. In view of this, the first principle modelling approach by considering fundamental physical principles such as toxicant transport is explored. For long‐term prediction or simulation, the prediction performance for some of cytotoxicity process is dramatically improved using the models obtained from the latter approach. This happens only if the underlying mechanism is truly understood. Through several cytotoxicity modelling and validation studies, it is shown that the black box modelling and first principle modelling both should be considered in challenging modelling problems such as the cytotoxicity. Pros and cons of the two modelling approaches are discussed.     

Wood‐fiber/high‐density‐polyethylene composites: Coupling agent performance

The coupling efficiency of seven coupling agents in wood–polymer composites (WPC) was investigated in this study. The improvement on the interfacial bonding strength, flexural modulus, and other mechanical properties of the resultant wood fiber/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was mainly related to the coupling agent type, function groups, molecular weight, concentration, and chain structure. As a coupling agent, maleated polyethylene (MAPE) had a better performance in WPC than oxidized polyethylene (OPE) and pure polyethylene (PPE) because of its stronger interfacial bonding. A combination of the acid number, molecular weight, and concentration of coupling agents had a significant effect on the interfacial bonding in WPC. The coupling agents with a high molecular weight, moderate acid number, and low concentration level were preferred to improve interfacial adhesion in WPC. The backbone structure of coupling agents also affected the interfacial bonding strength. Compared with the untreated composites, modified composites improved the interfacial bonding strength by 140% on maximum and the flexural storage modulus by 29%. According to the statistical analysis, 226D and 100D were the best of the seven coupling agents. The coupling agent performance was illustrated with the brush, switch, and amorphous structures. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 93–102, 2005     

Synthesis and properties of some 9,10-dihydro-7H-imidazo[1,2-b]benz[d,e]isoquinolin-7-one derivatives

The various routes of synthesis of some methoxy- and acetylamino-9,10-dihydro-7H-imidazo[1,2-b]benz[d,e]isoquinolin-7-one derivatives are described. The mixtures of geometric isomers obtained were separated and the chemical constitution of individual isomers was confirmed by the u.v., i.r., n.m.r. and mass spectroscopy. The fluorescence properties of individual isomers were also determined.     

Antibacterial Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) Complexes of Thiadiazoles Schiff Bases

Schiff bases were obtained by condensation of 2-amino-l,3,4-thiadiazole with 5-substituted-salicylaldehydes which were further used to obtain complexes of the type [M(L)(2)]Cl(2), where M=Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) or Zn(II). The new compounds described here have been characterized by physical, spectral and analytical data, and have been screened for antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial potency of these Schiff bases increased upon chelation/complexation, against the tested bacterial species, opening new aproaches in the fight against antibiotic resistant strains.     

Rheological properties of poly(vinyl chloride) / epoxidized natural rubber blends. Part II: The effect of processing variables

The effect of processing variables on the rheological properties of PVC/ENR blends was investigated. The role of crosslinking in determining the flow behavior of blends was also examined by means of dynamically cured blends. It was found that PVC/ENR blends yield melts that are power law fluids. The flow of the melts improves with an increase in temperature and shear rate. However, the introduction of crosslinks reverses this trend, although under more rigorous conditions, the influence of crosslinks is superseded, and subsequently, flow becomes shear rate and temperature dependent. PVC/ENR systems also manifested elastic phenomena. The dependence of the elastic phenomena such as die swell and melt fracture on L/D ratio of the die was demonstrated.     

网格环境下基于传输代价的副本优化策略*

在深入分析影响副本策略性能的各种因素的基础上,将多种因素和传输代价联系起来进行建模,提出一种副本优化策略。优化策略基于传输代价,综合考虑文件访问次数、大小、存在时间等多种因素,并充分利用文件访问次数的集合特征,提供了一个动态、全局的副本管理方法。在网格仿真器OptorSim中对基于传输代价的优化策略进行了实现和评估分析。实验分析证明,优化后的副本策略较现有策略有明显优势。     

弹性介质中框架结构的有限元计算分析(英文)

文章提出了一种考虑剪切变形,由经典弯杆理论发展形成的在弹性介质中框架结构的有限元计算方法.