Crosslinking of unsaturated polyester resins studied by low-resolution 1H-NMR spectroscopy

The curing behavior of five unsaturated polyester resins with different molar ratios of styrene to the double bonds in the polyester chain (MR) was investigated. The gel time was measured according to a standard method by the Society of the Plastic Industry (SPI) and by low-resolution pulse nuclear magnetic resonance (LRP-NMR). The gel and curing times decreased and the maximum temperature of the reaction increased when the MR was decreased. The proton mobilities and populations were measured by LRP-NMR. Three components could be seen in the crosslinking reaction: styrene (very mobile, T₂ ≅ 3 s), free polyester polymers (less mobile, T₂ ≅ 150 ms), and cured resin (immobile, T₂ ≅ 0.04 ms). The third component, cured resin, could be detected at the gel point. At this point, the proton mobilities of styrene and free polyester polymers were rapidly decreasing and the proton populations of the cured resin started to increase. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65: 77–83, 1997     

Elimination of the O-linked glycosylation site at Thr 104 results in the generation of a soluble human-transferrin receptor

The transferrin receptor (TfR) is the plasma membrane protein responsible for the binding and internalization of the major iron-transport protein, transferrin. The function of the single O-linked oligosaccharide near the transmembrane domain of the TfR at amino acid Thr 104 is unknown. To elucidate the effect of the O-linked carbohydrate on TfR function, the oligosaccharide was eliminated by replacing Thr 104 with Asp and the mutated cDNA was expressed in a cell line lacking endogenous TfR. Elimination of the oligosaccharide at Thr 104 results in a form of the receptor that is susceptible to cleavage. A 78-kD soluble TfR that can bind transferrin is released into the growth medium. The intact mutant TfR is not grossly altered in its structure and does not differ significantly from the wild-type human receptor in many respects: (1) It shows the same distribution between the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments; (2) the binding constant for transferrin is similar to that of the wild-type TfR; and (3) it is not rapidly degraded. Protein-sequence analysis of the soluble form indicates that the sequence begins at amino acid 101 of the intact receptor. This is the same cleavage site reported for a soluble form of normal receptor found in human serum. Substitution of Gly, Glu, or Met at position 104 also results in increased cleavage of the TfR and suggests that elimination of the O-linked carbohydrate at position 104 enhances the susceptibility of TfR to cleavage and may mimic a naturally occurring process previously described as being related to erythropoiesis.     

Organic Haptics: Intersection of Materials Chemistry and Tactile Perception

The goal of the field of haptics is to create technologies that manipulate the sense of touch. In virtual and augmented reality, haptic devices are for touch what loudspeakers and RGB displays are for hearing and vision. Haptic systems that utilize micromotors or other miniaturized mechanical devices (e.g., for vibration and pneumatic actuation) produce interesting effects, but are quite far from reproducing the feeling of real materials. They are especially deficient in recapitulating surface properties: fine texture, friction, viscoelasticity, tack, and softness. The central argument of this progress report is that in order to reproduce the feel of everyday objects, molecular control must be established over the properties of materials; ultimately, such control will enable the design of materials which can change these properties in real time. Stimuli‐responsive organic materials, such as polymers and composites, are a class of materials which can change their oxidation state, conductivity, shape, and rheological properties, and thus might be useful in future haptic technologies. Moreover, the use of such materials in research on tactile perception could help elucidate the limits of human tactile sensitivity. The work described represents the beginnings of this new area of inquiry, in which the defining approach is the marriage of materials science and psychology.     

Comparison of AVIRIS and Landsat ETM+ detection capabilities for burn severity

Our study compares data on burn severity collected from multi-temporal Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) with similar data from the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) using the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). Two AVIRIS and ETM+ data acquisitions recorded surface conditions immediately before the Hoover Fire began to spread rapidly and again the following year. Data were validated with 63 field plots using the Composite Burn Index (CBI). The relationship between spectral channels and burn severity was examined by comparing pre- and post-fire datasets. Based on the high burn severity comparison, AVIRIS channels 47 and 60 at wavelengths of 788 and 913 nm showed the greatest negative response to fire. Post-fire reflectance values decreased the most on average at those wavelengths, while channel 210 at 2370 nm showed the greatest positive response on average. Fire increased reflectance the most at that wavelength over the entire measured spectral range. Furthermore, channel 210 at 2370 nm exhibited the greatest variation in spectral response, suggesting potentially high information content for fire severity. Based on general remote sensing principles and the logic of variable spectral responses to fire, dNBR from both sensors should produce useful results in quantifying burn severity. The results verify the band-response relationships to burn severity as seen with ETM+ data and confirm the relationships by way of a distinctly different sensor system.     

A novel rheometer design for yield stress fluids

An inexpensive, rapid method for measuring the rheological properties of yield stress fluids is described and tested. The method uses an auger that does not rotate during measurements, and avoids material and instrument‐related difficulties, for example, wall slip and the presence of large particles, associated with yield stress fluids. The method can be used for many types of yield stress fluids, including concentrated lignocellulosic biomass. Sample preparation prior to measurement is minimal, reducing, or eliminating disruption of the sample. We show that measurements using this technique compare well with measurements obtained with a vane rheometer. A variation of the described method is proposed that would make it easier to measure time‐dependent rheological properties. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1523–1528, 2014