Theoretical prediction of Grüneisen parameter for bulk metallic glasses

The Grüneisen parameter (γ) is of considerable importance to Earth scientists because it sets limitations on the thermo elastic properties of the lower mantle and core. However, there are several formulations of the Grüneisen parameter in frequent use which not only give different values for Grüneisen parameter at ambient pressure but also predict a varying dependence of Grüneisen parameter as a function of compression. The Grüneisen parameter is directly related to the equation of state (EOS), yet it is often the case that both the form of and the EOS are chosen independently of each other and somewhat arbitrarily. In this paper we have assessed some of the more common definitions of the Grüneisen parameter and the EOS's, and have applied them to test the validity of EOS for six different bulk metallic glasses.     

Study of Temperature Dependence of Electrode–Glass Ceramic Interface Using Impedance Spectroscopy

The electrical behavior of strontium titanate borosilicate glass ceramics (SrO.TiO₂- 2SiO₂.B₂O₃) with additives K₂O, La₂O₃, CoO and Nb₂O₅ was studied by using Impedance Spectroscopy as a function of temperature and composition. An equivalent circuit model having three parallel RC's connected in series with a capacitor C₄ could represent the data well. By comparing the complex modulus plots with simulated ones and looking at the values of the time constants these RC's were attributed to represent crystalline, glassy and glass-crystal interface regions of the glass- ceramic whereas C₄ represented the glass-ceramic sample and contact electrode interface. When the glass ceramic sample contained only SrTiO₃ crystalline phase and the remaining glassy matrix, the interface capacitance showed an Arrhenius type of nature with an activation energy (0.11 ± 0.04) eV and when the glass- ceramic sample contained number of crystalline phases no clear cut trend appeared. These findings are useful in selecting suitable electrodes for applications as well as in deciding upon experimental techniques for measurement of dielectric constants of materials.     

Effect of roughness height ratio in V down perforated baffle roughness on thermohydraulic performance of solar air heater: an experimental study

A substantial improvement in the thermal performance of solar air heater is found by using roughness on the underside of the absorber plate. In the present investigation, the effect of relative roughness height of roughness element on the thermohydraulic performance of solar air heaters is carried out. The range of roughness and flow parameters for the investigation are relative roughness height (e/H): 0.285–0.6, relative roughness pitch (P/e): 2, angle of attack (α): 60°, open area ratio (β): 12% and Reynolds number (Re): 3800–19,000. The relative roughness height of 0.285 is thermohydraulically better in comparison to other relative roughness heights. The results show that the V down perforated baffles is thermohydraulically better than the solid baffles.     

Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of carbon nanotubes containing segmented polyurethane elastomer

Nanocomposites of the segmented polyurethane (SPU) elastomer with different concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been prepared. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to visualize the surface morphology and distribution of the nanotubes inside the matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry has been utilized to investigate the effects of MWCNTs on the crystallization characteristics of the SPU by collecting data at four cooling rates namely 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min in the temperature range between 200°C to ambient. The results reveal that MWCNTs act as effective nucleating agent for crystallization of the hard segment of SPU and advance the onset and peak temperatures of crystallization by 38 and 23°C, respectively. The associated enthalpy and extent of crystallization are also increased by 34%. Different crystallization kinetic parameters have been calculated using both modified Avrami and combined Ozawa‐Avrami models to suggest a three dimensional growth of crystallization of SPU and its nanocomposites. The activation energy has been calculated using Kissinger method, which indicates that activation energy decreases with increasing concentration of MWCNTs. The calorimetric results have further been correlated with thermomechanical analysis and glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites corresponding to soft segment is found to increase by 20°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1248–1258, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thiol Redox and pKa Properties of Mycothiol,the Predominant Low‐Molecular‐Weight Thiol Cofactor in the Actinomycetes

The thiol pK_a and standard redox potential of mycothiol, the major low‐molecular‐weight thiol cofactor in the actinomycetes, are reported. The measured standard redox potential reveals substantial discrepancies in one or more of the other previously measured intracellular parameters that are relevant to mycothiol redox biochemistry.     

Visible Light Photocatalysis on Magnetically Recyclable Fe3O4/Cu2O Nanostructures

Catalysis Letters - Magnetically recyclable visible light photocatalysts for the degradation of critical organic pollutants are an urgent industrial requirement. Nonetheless, one component...     

Bioprocess Scale-up for Acetohydroxamic Acid Production by Hyperactive Acyltransferase of Immobilized Rhodococcus Pyridinivorans

Catalysis Letters - In this study, Rhodococcus pyridinivorans cells containing hyperactive acyltransferase was immobilized on various macromolecules based-polymeric matrices and used to improve...     

A Novel Approach to Model Threshold Voltage and Subthreshold Current of Graded-Doped Junctionless-Gate-All-Around (GD-JL-GAA) MOSFETs

Silicon - This present article interprets the analytical models of central channel potential, the threshold voltage, and subthreshold current for Graded-Doped Junctionless-Gate-All-Around...     

Green Nanocomposites of Natural Rubber/ Olivine Nanosilica: Viscoelastic,Mechanical, Transport and Thermal Characterizations

Silicon - Nanosilica was synthesized from a low cost raw material, olivine by a more sustainable and cost effective method. The pure nanosilica obtained was amorphous in nature with a surface area...