Visible light-operated saccharide–O2 biofuel cell based on the photosensitization of chlorophyll derivative on TiO2 film

The visible light-operated saccharide–O₂ biofuel cell consisting of zinc chlorin-e₆ (ZnChl-e₆) adsorbed on nanocrystalline TiO₂ layer coated onto optical transparent conductive glass electrode (OTE) as an anode, platinum-coated OTE as a cathode, and the fuel solution containing sucrose as a saccharide, invertase, glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and NAD⁺ is studied as a new type biofuel cell. The short-circuit photocurrent (I_SC) and the open-circuit photovoltage (V_OC) of this cell are 9.0 μA cm⁻² and 415 mV, respectively. The peaks in the photocurrent action spectrum of this cell are observed at 400 and 800 nm and the incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) values at 400 and 800 nm are estimated to be ca. 17.3% and 10.6%. Thus, a new type of visible light-operated saccharide–O₂ biofuel cell with the visible and near IR photosensitization of ZnChl-e₆ molecules on nanocrystalline TiO₂ film electrode is accomplished.     

Method of hologram multiplexing by use of a fiber bundle with rotary movement

A simple method of rotating an optical fiber bundle is presented to apply the random-pattern referencing scheme to hologram multiplexing. In the theoretical study, a dependence of the diffraction efficiency on the number of spatial frequencies in the reference pattern is estimated with the Bragg diffraction theory. In the experiment, hologram multiplexing is performed in which 30 holograms are recorded in a LiNbO3 crystal and are read out by rotating a fiber bundle. The result shows that this simple approach enables us to perform the hologram multiplexing and also contributes to the building of a compact optical setup.     

Liquefaction of Red Pine Wood,Pinus densiflora,Biomass Using Peg-400-Blended Crude Glycerol for Biopolyol and Biopolyurethane Production

Red pine wood, Pinus densiflora, biomass was liquefied through liquefaction using a solvent mixture of crude glycerol and PEG-400 with a sulfuric acid catalyst. The liquefaction process parameters of crude glycerol/PEG-400 blending ratio, biomass loading, acid loading, reaction temperature, and reaction time were optimized. Biopolyol with 61.9% biomass conversion was produced at 170°C within 1 h using a co-solvent of crude glycerol and PEG-400 (5/5, w/w), 15% biomass loading, and 3% sulfuric acid loading. The biopolyol possessed a 4.2 mg KOH/g acid number and 892.4 mg KOH/g hydroxyl number. Polyurethane foam was successfully synthesized from the liquefied red pine wood biomass with toluene diisocyanate. The synthesis of biopolyurethane derived from red pine wood biopolyol was confirmed with FT-IR.     

Lipid classes,fatty acid composition and triacylglycerol molecular species in the kernels of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) seeds

The lipids extracted from the kernels of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) seeds of three cultivars were classified by thin layer chromatography into six fractions: steryl esters (SEs, 0.5–1.2%), triacylglycerols (TAGs, 92.7–93.4%), free fatty acids (FFAs, 2.9–3.5%), sn‐1,3‐diacylglycerols (1,3‐DAGs, 0.4–0.9%), sn‐1,2‐diacylglycerols (1,2‐DAGs, 0.7–0.9%) and phospholipids (PLs, 1.5%). Fatty acids derivatised as methyl esters were analysed by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection. Molecular species and fatty acid distributions of TAGs, isolated from the total lipids in the kernels, were analysed by a combination of argentation thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography. A modified argentation TLC procedure, developed to optimise the separation of the complex mixture of total TAGs, provided 11 different groups of TAGs, based on both the degree of unsaturation and the total chain length of fatty acid groups. With a few exceptions, SM₂ (5.8–20.1%), S₂D (8.8–11.2%), M₃ (6.7–24.8%), SMD (6.8–16.7%), M₂D (16.7–23.6%), SD₂ (4.6–15.1%) and MD₂ (4.9–18.6%) were the main TAG components. These results suggest that there are significant differences (P < 0.05) not only in fatty acid distributions of acyl lipids but also in molecular species of TAGs among the three cultivars. The differences in pumpkin cultivars could be appreciable, based on the distribution of molecular species in TAGs. However, pumpkin seed kernels could be utilised successfully as a source of edible oils for human consumption. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mechanical and wetting properties of epoxy resins: Amine-containing epoxy-terminated siloxane oligomer with or without reductant

The mechanical and wetting properties of the diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and bisphenol F (DGEBF) with epoxy-terminated siloxane oligomers (ETSO) were investigated to examine their durabilities as anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) resins. The mechanical properties were improved by decreasing the ETSO content due to the high cross-linking density resulting from the short-chain length of ETSO-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). To obtain good wettability in both systems, a short-chain reductant (butanoic acid, BA) was added. DGEBF produced enhancement in the wetting angle compared to that of DGEBA due to its low viscosity. DGEBF can be considered an eco-friendly material in this process since it does not require the use of other chemicals, such as a diluent. Therefore, DGEBF/ETSO-DDM with reductant constitutes a suitable system for favorable environmental processing.     

Dispersion, hybrid interconnection and heat dissipation properties of functionalized carbon nanotubes in epoxy composites for electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs)

Different types of MWNTs/epoxy composites were prepared with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF) and bisphenol A (DGEBA) used as epoxy resins. MWNTs were functionalized to enhance the properties of epoxy composites by treatment with strong acids (acid-treated MWNTs, a-MWNTs) followed by m-phenylenediamine grafting (amine grafted MWNTs, m-MWNTs). Raw, a-, and m-MWNTs were dispersed in DGEBF or DGEBA to a concentration of 1 wt.%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis verified the effectiveness of acid treatment and confirmed the amine-functionalization of the MWNTs. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surface of the epoxy matrix showed that chemical functionalization improves compatibility between the epoxy and MWNTs. Good dispersion of MWNTs leads to the improvement in coalescence and pull strength in the quad flat package (QFP) test. Further, the thermal conductivity of MWNTs/epoxy composites was higher than that of pure epoxy resins. In particular, the m-MWNT/epoxy composite has the best heat dissipation properties, due to the formation of an effective network for heat flow.     

Characterization of magnetite-organic complex nanoparticles by metal-reducing bacteria

Magnetite nanoparticles exhibit clear technological potential for biomedical applications. The objectives of this study were to synthesize magnetite-organic complex nanoparticles through the use of metal-reducing bacteria and characterize the mineralogical and surface chemical properties of these nanoparticles as well as to test their potential applications in biomedical technology with regards to their protein immobilization capacity. The microbially formed magnetite nanoparticles had a size of around 10 nm with a spherical shape and were coated with organics containing an abundance of reactive carboxyl groups without any chemical process for functionalizing them. These microbial processes may lead to a simple preparation of functional magnetite-organic complex nanoparticles which have benefits for biomedical applications.     

Analysis of the Approach on Usability and Ergonomics in Handling and Transporting Packaging

The purpose of this research is to explore the principle of the man-object relationship to identify the issues shown when handling packaging and emphasizing the usability aspect. For that, the theoretical reference of the research involves the analysis of the parameters according to the aspects that involve the use interactions of packaging in agreement with the definition and scientific concepts of ergonomics, allied to the development of product projects, discussing forms, handling, load transportation and the support of the product. Therefore, improperly handling of the packaging may cause damages to the products and even potential accidents. Coding and decoding are significant to facilitate the use recognition within the individual＇s repertoire. The packaging, within the macro-ergonomics universe, may be the object of ergonomics, whose contribution to solve problems is related to labor activities, by dealing with packaging, transportation and load resulting from the man-object interaction. The incorrect identification of information may lead to problems of interpretation and misuse, from the handling to the disposal of packaging. For this reason, this research suggests the adjustment of the man-object interface which may lead users to make mistakes regarding use and important choices, through adequate handling actions.