Influence of Post Hot Isostatic Pressing on the Microstructural Development and Critical Current Density of YBa2Cu3O7-x

Samples of nearly theoretical density are produced by post hot isostatic pressing (post-HIP) of presintered YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x using argon as the pressure medium. The hot isostatically pressed samples show improved values for critical current density at 77 K. Experimental aspects of post-HIP are described, and microstructural development of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x during sintering and post-HIP is discussed.     

Production of carotenoids by Rhodotorula glutinis MT-5 in submerged fermentation using the extract from waste loquat kernels as substrate

BACKGROUND: The aim of present study was to investigate the feasibility of the hydrolysate extracts from waste loquat kernels as substrate in submerged culture of yeast Rhodotorula glutinis MT‐5 for carotenoid production. RESULTS: Loquat kernel was found to have high protein (22.5%) and total carbohydrate (71.2%) contents. Dried and powdered loquat kernels were subjected to acid hydrolysis with 2 mol L^?1 HCl. The hydrolysate obtained was used for the preparation of loquat kernel extract and detoxified loquat kernel extract. The detoxification of hydrolysate was performed with Ca(OH)₂. Among the 10 R. glutinis isolates, the MT‐5 was found to be best in order to produce carotenoid using the extract as substrate. Production media prepared with detoxified loquat kernel extract or loquat kernel extract gave maximum biomass concentrations of 12.64 and 11.37 g L^?1, and maximum carotenoid concentrations of 72.36 and 62.73 mg L^?1, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study has provided effective processes for the conversion of waste material of plant origin to the extracts which are very rich in term of total fermentable sugar. The practicability of the extracts as fermentation substrate was proven in carotenoid production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on use of this waste material as a substrate in yeast fermentations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hydrothermal gasification of olive mill wastewater as a biomass source in supercritical water

In this study, the hydrothermal gasification of biomass in supercritical water is investigated. The work is of peculiar value since a real biomass, olive mill wastewater (OMW), is used instead of model biomass compounds. OMW is a by-product obtained during olive oil production, which has a complex nature characterized by a high content of organic compounds and polyphenols. The high content of organics makes OMW a desirable biomass candidate as an energy source. The hydrothermal gasification experiments for OMW were conducted with five different reaction temperatures (400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 °C) and five different reaction times (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 s), under a pressure of 25 MPa. The gaseous products are mainly composed of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and C₁-C₄ hydrocarbons, such as methane, ethane, propane and propylene. Maximum amount of the gas product obtained is 7.71 mL per mL OMW at a reaction temperature of 550 °C, with a reaction time of 30 s. The gas product composition is 9.23% for hydrogen, 34.84% for methane, 4.04% for ethane, 0.84% for propane, 0.83% for propylene, 49.34% for carbon dioxide, and 0.88% for minor components such as n-butane, i-butane, 1-butene, i-butene, t-2-butene, 1,3-butadiene and nitrogen at this reaction conditions.     

Heterogeneous photo-Fenton oxidation of reactive azo dye solutions using iron exchanged zeolite as a catalyst

The heterogeneous photo-Fenton-type oxidation of reactive azo dye solutions has been investigated in a quartz batch reactor using artificial UVA as a light source. Fe-exchanged zeolite has been used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the process. The effect of various process variables on decolorization performance of the process was evaluated by examining temperature, pH, H₂O₂ dosage, catalyst loading, initial dye concentration and light intensity. The optimal operational parameters were found as follows: 35 °C, pH as solution pH 5.2, 15 mmol H₂O₂ dosage, 1 g/L catalyst loading. Stability and reuse of the catalyst were also tested. Mineralization and comparison with homogenous photo-Fenton process were evaluated by analyzing color removal and total organic carbon (TOC) values.     

Luminescence of colloidal CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles: high sensitivity to solvent phase transitions

We investigate nanosecond photoluminescence processes in colloidal core/shell CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles dissolved in water and found strong sensitivity of luminescence to the solvent state. Several pronounced changes have been observed in the narrow temperature interval near the water melting point. First of all, the luminescence intensity substantially (approximately 50%) increases near the transition. In a large temperature scale, the energy peak of the photoluminescence decreases with temperature due to temperature dependence of the energy gap. Near the melting point, the peak shows N-type dependence with the maximal changes of approximately 30 meV. The line width increases with temperature and also shows N-type dependence near the melting point. The observed effects are associated with the reconstruction of ligands near the ice/water phase transition.     

Optimization of drilling parameters on surface roughness in drilling of AISI 1045 using response surface methodology and genetic algorithm

Modeling and optimization of cutting parameters are one of the most important elements in machining processes. The present study focused on the influence machining parameters on the surface roughness obtained in drilling of AISI 1045. The matrices of test conditions consisted of cutting speed, feed rate, and cutting environment. A mathematical prediction model of the surface roughness was developed using response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of drilling parameters on the surface roughness were evaluated and optimum machining conditions for minimizing the surface roughness were determined using RSM and genetic algorithm. As a result, the predicted and measured values were quite close, which indicates that the developed model can be effectively used to predict the surface roughness. The given model could be utilized to select the level of drilling parameters. A noticeable saving in machining time and product cost can be obtained by using this model.     

Erythromycin residue in honey from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey

Honey samples, collected from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey, were analysed for erythromycin residues by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode (LC–ESI–MS). Fifty samples, comprising chestnut, pine, linden and multi-flower honeys, were collected directly from hives and analyzed. The limit of detection and quantification were 6 and 20 ng g^?1, respectively, and recovery ranged from 85 to 89%. Four of the honey samples (8%) were found to be contaminated with erythromycin residues at concentrations ranging from 50 to 1776 ng g^?1. An erythromycin-fortified cake feeding assay was also performed in a defined hive to test the transfer of erythromycin residue to the honey matrix. In this test hive, the residue level in the honey, 3 months after dosing, was approximately 28 ng g^?1.     

Self-assembly of highly charged polyelectrolyte complexes with superior proton conductivity and methanol barrier properties for fuel cells

The paper is concerned with the formation of Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly of highly charged polyvinyl sulfate potassium salt (PVS) and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) on Nafion membrane to obtain the multilayered composite membranes with both high proton conductivity and methanol blocking properties. Also, the influences of the salt addition to the polyelectrolyte solutions on membrane selectivity (proton conductivity/methanol permeability) are discussed in terms of controlled layer thickness and charge density.The deposition of the self-assembly of PAH/PVS is confirmed by SEM analysis and it is observed that the polyelectrolyte layers growth on each side of Nafion membrane regularly. (PAH/PVS)₁₀-Na⁺ and (PAH/PVS)₁₀-H⁺ with 1.0 M NaCl provide 55.1 and 43.0% reduction in lower methanol permittivity in comparison to pristine Nafion, respectively, while the proton conductivities are 12.4 and 78.3 mS cm⁻¹. Promisingly, it is found that the membrane selectivity values (Φ) of all multilayered composite membranes in H⁺ form are much higher than those of Na⁺ form and perfluorosulfonated ionomers reported in the literature. These encouraging results indicate that composite membranes having both superior proton conductivity and improved methanol barrier properties can be prepared from highly charged polyelectrolytes including salt for fuel cell applications.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Allylic Alkylations of Ketone Enolates

Lithium and magnesium enolates of cyclohexanone undergo palladium‐catalyzed allylic alkylations under mild conditions. Diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity are observed when the diphenyl‐ and dimethyl‐substituted allylic substrates 1a and 1b are reacted with cyclohexanone or ethyl mesityl ketone. The lithium enolates of cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone and α‐tetralone lead to the alkylations products 12 – 14 in an enantioselective manner. Axially chiral biphenyl‐ and binaphthyl‐bisphosphanes provide high enantioselectivity and/or diastereoselectivity. In the case of the lithium enolates, the presence of lithium chloride is also crucial to reactivity and stereoselectivity. The stereochemical outcome of the allylic alkylation of cyclohexanone and acetophenone has been investigated by the palladium‐catalyzed reaction of their lithium enolates with the cis/trans isomeric alkenes (Z)‐ 18 and (E)‐ 19 . It turns out that the preformed, non‐stabilized enolates attack π‐allyl‐palladium complexes generated in situ from the face opposite to the noble metal thus following the stereochemical pathway of soft, stabilized carbanions.