Investigation of the phase separation of PNIPAM using infrared spectroscopy together with multivariate data analysis

The use of vibrational spectroscopy to investigate complex structural changes in polymers yields chemically rich data, but interpretation can be challenging and subtle but meaningful spectral changes may be missed through visual inspection alone. Multivariate analysis is an efficient approach to gain an oversight of small but systematic spectral differences anywhere within the spectra, providing further insight into structural changes and associated transformation mechanisms. In this study, the novel analytical approach of infrared spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis and Gaussian peak fitting was used to investigate the structural changes in aqueous solutions of a polymer, using poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) in the atactic form and with controlled tacticity as a model system. Subtle spectral changes associated with the dehydration and phase separation upon heating included peak shifts, an area ratio change of the amide I band to the amide II band and formation of a new peak in the amide I band were efficiently detected. Dehydration and phase separation of PNIPAM occurred in two temperature ranges, one for the atactic and one for isotactic rich part, both involving a complex re-organization of the hydrogen bonds and change of the hydration layer. The changes agreed with existing results from other techniques, and new insights were gained into the effect of controlled tacticity on phase transformation behaviour. The study demonstrates that infrared spectroscopy combined with the multivariate analytical method principal component analysis and Gaussian peak fitting is an efficient approach to probing structural change in polymers during heating. The simplicity of the presented approach could find excellent use in analysing and understanding the molecular environment of a range of stimuli-responsive polymers, for instance block or grafted types of polymers, as well as those with controlled tacticity.     

Electrical capacitance tomography as a monitoring tool for high-shear mixing and granulation

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) was utilized for monitoring of high-shear mixing and high-shear granulation processes. A finite element method (FEM)-based reconstruction algorithm was utilized to take into account the specific geometrical characteristics of the experimental set-up. Two-dimensional ECT tomograms, mixing index curves and permittivity fractions were computed based on the measurements, and their suitability in the analysis of the processes was assessed. It was found that the different mixing processes and the different granulation processes could be analyzed based on these quantities.     

Application of cognitive robotics in disassembly of products

Disassembly is a critical step to increase the value of end-of-life (EOL) products and to reduce the environmental footprint. Despite worldwide efforts, disassembly is still performed manually due to the uncertainty associated with the quality and the quantity of the returned EOL products. In this paper, a cognitive robotics based system is proposed to address this problem. The system is equipped with four cognitive functions: reasoning, execution monitoring, learning and revision. The proposed system is tested using LCD screens. The results show that the system is flexible enough to deal with any product models without prior information.     

The effects of lead on the electrochemical and adhesion behavior of zinc electrodeposits

The presence of excessive lead in zinc sulfate electrolytes can lead to problems related to both processing efficiency and the properties of the metal produced. For example, poor adhesion can occur in electrogalvanized steel when it is heated in the temperature range of 215 °C to 280 °C if lead is present in the deposit. The duration of heating necessary to induce the peeling of the zinc was found to be dependent on the temperature, time, and concentration of lead in the electrolyte and the plating parameters. The presence of lead slowed the formation of the intermetallic, and the peeling occurred between the zinc and the iron-zinc intermetallic layer. In order to gain a better fundamental understanding of the role of lead, rotating disc electrodes were used to measure the diffusion coefficient of lead in the zinc sulfate electrolyte. The experimentally determined mass transport data on lead can be used as an aid to set an acceptable limit of lead allowable in the electrolyte or to evaluate the electrochemical characteristics of an electrolytic zinc system. By the addition of strontium carbonate to the plating solution followed by filtration, the lead concentration in the electrolyte could be reduced to an acceptable level, preventing the poor adhesion on heating.     

CORRELATIONS FOR ESTIMATING THE DIFFUSIVITIES OF NITROUS OXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF DIETHANOLAMINE AND N-METHYLDIETHANOLAMINE AND THE SOLUTION DENSITIES AND VISCOSITIES

Experimentally measured diffusion coefficients of nitrous oxide in water, aqueous solutions of diethanolamine, aqueous solutions of N-methyldiethanolamine, and aqueous blends of diethanolamine and N-methyldiethanolamine have been used to arrive at a modified Stokes-Einstein correlation by using nonlinear least-squares filling. The average deviation of this correlation from the experimentally measured diffusion coefficients is about 13%. Comparisons are also made to the estimated diffusivities of nitrous oxide in the amine solutions which are obtained from the Wilke-Chang and Hayduk-Minhas correlations. The average deviations of the Wilke-Chang and Hayduk-Minhas correlations from the measured values are about 13% and 19%, respectively. Correlations were also presented for estimating the solution densities and viscosities. Predicted values for the solution densities and viscosities from these correlations deviate from experimentally measured values on average by 1.2% and 4.8% respectively.     

Location-Aided Handover in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

The concept of being always online, regardless of the time and place, has been one of the hot topics in the commercial and scientific forums during the last years. The term itself is not solidly defined, however it is often used to refer to user's ability to get the same services via changing variety of underlying networks. In order to really work, this kind of multiaccess in heterogeneous networks still requires research, technological achievements and even compromises. The key to successfully implement the multiaccess is vertical handover that allows the application services to be seamlessly transferred between different networks.     

Investigation of non-Newtonian flow characterization and rheology of heavy crude oil

The heavy crude oil exhibits a non-Newtonian shear thinning behavior over the examined shear rate. The viscosity of the heavy crude oil decreases about 15.6% when the temperature increased from 30 to 60°C. Heavy crude oil was blended with the aqueous solution of surfactant and saline water in different volumetric proportions of NaCl, and Na₂CO₃ solution mixtures. The addition of 50% of the mixture to the heavy crude oil causes a strong reduction in the viscosity, about 67.5% at 60°C. The heavy crude oil fits the Power law model since it has the lowest average absolute percent error of 0.0291. The flow behavior index of the heavy crude oil reaches a value of 0.9305 at a temperature of 30°C and it increases to 0.9373 when the temperature raises 60°C, while the consistence coefficient decreases from 2.8811 to 2.3558.     

Rigorous Full-Wave Analysis of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna on Suspended and Composite Substrates

In this paper, Galerkin’s method in the Fourier transform domain is applied to the determination of the resonant frequencies and half-power bandwidth of rectangular microstrip patch on composite and suspended substrates. Using Galerkin’s method in solving the integral equation numerically, the complex resonant frequency of the microstrip antenna on suspended and composite substrates is studied with sinusoidal functions as basis functions, which show fast numerical convergence. The validity of the solution is tested by comparison of the computed results with experimental data. Finally, numerical results for the effects of suspended and composite substrates on the resonant frequency and half-power bandwidth are also presented.     

Motorcycle riding under the influence of alcohol: Results from the SARTRE-4 survey

Riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol is a dangerous activity, especially considering the high vulnerability of motorcyclists. The present research investigates the factors that affect the declared frequency of drink-riding among motorcyclists in Europe and explores regional differences. Data were collected from the SARTRE-4 (Social Attitudes to Road Traffic Risk in Europe) survey, which was conducted in 19 countries. A total sample of 4483 motorcyclists was interviewed by using a face-to-face questionnaire. The data were analyzed by means of multilevel ordered logit models. The results revealed significant regional differences (between Northern, Eastern and Southern European countries) in drink-riding frequencies in Europe. In general, declared drinking and riding were positively associated with gender (males), increased exposure, underestimation of risk, friends’ behaviour, past accidents and alcohol ticket experience. On the other hand, it was negatively associated with underestimation of the amount of alcohol allowed before driving, and support for more severe penalties.     

Influence of sintering temperature on secondary phases formation and microwave dielectric properties of Ca2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramics

Ca₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ dielectric ceramics prepared by conventional solid-state ceramic route was investigated. Phase composition and microwave dielectric properties were measured using XRD and Vector network analyzer, respectively. XRD analysis of the calcined and sintered samples revealed the formation of CeO₂ and another unidentified phase (that vanished at ? 1400 °C) as secondary phases along with the parent Ca₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ phase. The amount of the parent Ca₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ phase increased with increasing sintering temperature from 1350 °C to 1450 °C accompanied by a decrease in the apparent density. The density decreased but ? _r and Q _u f _o increased with sintering temperature. An ? _r ～ 81.5, Q _u f _o ～ 5915 GHz and τ _f ～ 219 GHz were achieved for the sample sintered at 1450 °C.