Quantum trapping conditions for three-level atom flying through bimodal cavity field

A new trapping effect of a three-level atom in interaction with a bimodal cavity field is proposed. This problem consists of the possibility for realization of initially separated states of an atom and an electromagnetic field after interaction. The quantum properties of a bimodal field, which satisfy the reversible conditions for the atom flying through the cavity, were studied.     

Effect of SEBS on morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of PP/organoclay nanocomposites

A simultaneously increase in stiffness and toughness is needed for improving polypropylene (PP) competitiveness in automotive industry. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of styrene-(ethylene-co-butylene)-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) on mechanical and thermal properties of PP, in the presence and the absence of nanoclay. The amount of SEBS in PP was ranged to obtain the matrix with the most favorable stiffness–toughness balance. For this purpose, SEBS domain size and distribution in PP/SEBS blends was determined by means of atomic force microscopy and correlated with mechanical properties. The influence of SEBS on the crystalline structure of PP in PP/organoclay nanocomposites was investigated by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, a synergistic effect of SEBS and nanoclay being pointed out. Moreover large improvement in the impact strength (almost 22 times) was obtained in the case of SEBS-containing nanocomposite in comparison with the composite without SEBS.     

Guided Molecular Assembly on a Locally Reactive 2D Material

Atomically precise engineering of the position of molecular adsorbates on surfaces of 2D materials is key to their development in applications ranging from catalysis to single‐molecule spintronics. Here, stable room‐temperature templating of individual molecules with localized electronic states on the surface of a locally reactive 2D material, silicene grown on ZrB₂, is demonstrated. Using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory, it is shown that the binding of iron phthalocyanine (FePc) molecules is mediated via the strong chemisorption of the central Fe atom to the sp³‐like dangling bond of Si atoms in the linear silicene domain boundaries. Since the planar Pc ligand couples to the Fe atom mostly through the in‐plane d orbitals, localized electronic states resembling those of the free molecule can be resolved. Furthermore, rotation of the molecule is restrained because of charge rearrangement induced by the bonding. These results highlight how nanoscale changes can induce reactivity in 2D materials, which can provide unique surface interactions for enabling novel forms of guided molecular assembly.     

Thermal behavior and molecular simulation of liquid crystalline polymers containing a pentamethylenic spacer

The paper presents a study concerning the thermal stability and molecular simulation of some aromatic polyethers, containing a pentamethylenic spacer. The polymers were synthesised using a phase transfer catalysis technique, starting from 1,5-dichoropentane and different bisphenols: 4,4^′-dihidroxyazobenzene, 4,4^′-dihidroxydiphenyl and bisphenol A. For the investigated polymers the molecular simulation was performed prior the synthesis in order to predict the possibility of liquid crystalline behavior. Molecular simulation was also used as a complementary analysis method for a better understanding of the thermal behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis, in static air atmosphere, with a heating rate of 10 °C/min, was used. Cerius² and Hyperchem programs were used to perform the molecular simulations. All the polymers present a good thermostability with weight loss being up to 300 °C. The kinetic characteristics suggest a complex degradation mechanism, based on successive reactions. The inter-chain interaction estimated using the polar surface and the chain conformation do not significantly influence the polymer thermostabilities. A comparison between simulated and experimental values of the isotropisation temperature and temperature corresponding to 50% weight loss was performed.     

Plasticized poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) with improved melt processing and balanced properties

The widespread application of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) in the food packaging and biomedical fields has been hindered by its high brittleness, slow crystallization, poor thermal stability, and narrow processing window. To overcome these limitations, a mixture of biodegradable and biocompatible plasticizers was used to modify PHB. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), acetyl tributyl citrate, poly(ethylene glycol) 4000 (PEG4000), and poly(ethylene glycol) 6000 (PEG6000) were tested to improve PHB melt processing and to achieve balanced thermal and mechanical properties. These plasticizers increased the flexibility and decreased the melt viscosity, improving the processability. The tensile strength was maintained within the limit of experimental error for ESO and decreased slightly (6–7%) for the other plasticizers. PEG6000 and ESO delayed the decomposition process of PHB. The plasticizers did not hinder the crystallization, and poly(ethylene glycol)s increased the crystallinity. The change in the interplanar distance and crystallite size, correlated with lamellar stack dimensions, gave more information on the plasticizers' effects in PHB. The blend with 5 wt % ESO was considered suitable for the fabrication of marketable PHB films. This study showed that it is possible to tailor the rheological, thermal, and mechanical behavior of a commercial PHB through the addition of a second plasticizer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44810.     

Technological solution to profile and generate the teeth of central gear for precessional gear drives

The transmission based on precessional gear pairs, mostly used for rotation speed reduction, has some important advantages relative to the common gear drives, such as the capability to produce very low transmission ratios, or the high loading capacity/dimensions ratio (due to the fact that all the teeth of a precessional gear pair are simultaneously in contact during its functioning). One among the likeliest constructive solutions for the precessional gear pair uses a satellite built with conical rollers. However, its practical use is restricted by the difficulty to realize the central gear teeth machining without using special and relative complicated devices. This paper introduces a technological substitutive profile for the central gear tooth, which enables the use of a simpler and more productive method for working it, without bringing major negative consequences regarding the teeth contact correctness or the drive loading capacity. The profile was found by analyzing the contact surface and the pressure angle evolution during the contact between conjugate teeth. The paper also presents technological solutions to generate the new tooth profile by milling it with a disk-tool or an end-mill cutter, together with methods to profile the required tools.     

Mechanical Behavior and Microstructural Development of 6063-T1 Aluminum Alloy Processed by Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP): Die Channel Angle Influence

A commercial 6063-T1 aluminum alloy was investigated in this study. The specimens were processed for six, seven, and eight equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) passes using three die channel angles: 90°, 100°, and 110°, respectively (maintaining approximately the same value for the accumulated equivalent strain in each case). After ECAP, samples were cut from each specimen and were prepared for metallographic analysis and mechanical testing. The microstructures of the ECAP treated and as-received material were investigated using both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the optimum ECAP die has a channel angle of 90°; the microstructure was more refined and homogeneous and second-phase particles were smaller as the die channel angle value decreased. All samples (ECAP processed and as-received) were also mechanically investigated in compression and microhardness tests. The maximum effect was observed when the 90° ECAP die was used, and significant total increases in ultimate compressive strength, yield strength, compression modulus, and microhardness were recorded compared to the as-received material. Also, it was shown that if the die channel angle value increases, then all the above mentioned mechanical properties decrease.     

Azo-polysiloxanes as new supports for cell cultures

The paper introduces a new class of materials with azo-polysiloxanic structure bearing the property to generate nano-structured surfaces by laser irradiation. The ability to modulate the optical response of the film, through a modification of the polymer chemical structure, has been investigated. The azo-materials were tested for their ability to support cell adhesion and growth, with very promising results. A future use of these materials as growth support in cell cultures is of great interest, due to an easy, one step-method to generate the surface relief grating and to the possibility to introduce a large range of chemical modifications due to the presence of the chlorobenzyl groups in the polymeric side-chain.