Microwave Hydrothermally Synthesized Nanocrystalline Co-Zn Ferrites

Co-Zn ferrite nano-powder was synthesized using the Microwave- Hydrothermal (M-H) method. The powder was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The densification of nanoferrites was done using two methods: a) conventional and b) microwave sintering. Electrical and magnetic properties of the sintered samples were measured at room temperature. Electrical properties such as dielectric constant (?'), dissipation factor (D), initial permeability (μ_i) and quality factor (Q) were measured over a wide frequency range (10 kHz to 1 MHz). The Curie temperature has been determined from the permeability versus temperature plots. It was found that the enhanced electrical and magnetic properties were observed for microwave sintered samples.     

A new method for evaluating sulfur dioxide tolerance of certain trees

The paper proposes a new method for evaluating the tolerance of trees to SO₂ pollution stress, and grouping plants as indicators and controllers by tolerance index values. The index is calculated by a new arithmetic formula. The developed model is useful in identifying tolerant and susceptible plants to SO₂.     

Effect of Transition Metals on Polysialic Acid Structure and Functions

Polysialic acid (PSA) is one of the most abundant glycopolymer present in embryonic brain, and it is known to be involved in key roles such as plasticity in the central nervous system, cell adhesion, migration and localization of neurotrophins. However, in adult brain, its expression is quite low. The exception to this is in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) brain, where significantly increased levels of polysilylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM) have been reported. Here, we confirm the role of PSA as a metal chelator, allowing it to decrease cytotoxicity caused by high levels of transition metals, commonly found in AD brain, and as a regulator of cell behavior. UV‐visible (UV‐vis) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) techniques were used to investigate the assembly of PSA–metals complexes. These PSA–metal complexes exhibited less toxicity compared to free metal ions, and in particular, the PSA–Cu²⁺ complex synergistically promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.     

Effects of the geometric orientations of the nozzle exit on the breakup of free liquid jet

Free liquid jets are produced through various geometric orientations of the nozzle exit. The breakup lengths of liquid jets under various geometric orientations of the nozzle exit were studied. Images of jets were captured using a high-speed camera with a maximum frame rate of 1000 frames per second and were analyzed to determine the dynamics between jets and breakup lengths. The breakup length of jets changes with the cut angle of the nozzle exit. In addition, adding polymer reduces the effect of the cut angle of the nozzle exit on the breakup length for an entire range of velocities. The effect of the cut angle on breakup length is predominant for aqueous solutions with surfactants. This work provides motivation for further computational research to study jet dynamics in a partially covered nozzle exit, such as the case in which the boundary conditions near the nozzle opening is more complex with the cut angle and its vertex position, which directly reflects liquid jet dynamics.     

Parameter optimization of friction stir welding of cryorolled AA2219 alloy using artificial neural network modeling with genetic algorithm

In this paper, parameter optimization of FSW of cryorolled AA2219 alloy was carried out to obtain defect free weld joint with maximum weld strength. To achieve this, artificial neural network (ANN) was used to model the relationship between the input parameters and the mechanical and corrosion properties (output) of the weld joints. The optimal FSW parameters were determined by genetic algorithm (GA). The feasible solution of the GA was tool rotational speed of 1005 rpm, tool travel speed of 20 mm/min and tool tilt angle of 3°. The feasible parameter was used to weld and check the ability of the parameter to produce better weld joint than the L₉ orthogonal array parameters. The weld, subjected to the confirmation test, was investigated by means of metallurgical, mechanical, and corrosion testing. This process reduces the costs associated with trial runs to obtain optimal parameters and also the production cost of the cryorolled (CR) plate which is high.     

HCFC22-based absorption cooling systems,part III: Effects of different absorbers and condenser temperatures

Generally in a vapour absorption refrigeration system (VARS) heat rejection temperatures at absorber (T_a) and condenser (T_c) are taken to be equal. However, different temperatures can exist when the cooling water flows in series through the two components. Under such situations, it is essential to know which of T_a and T_c has greater influence on the performance of the VARS. Here the influence of different T_a and T_c on the performance of a single-stage VARS working with HCFC22 as a refrigerant and three organic solvents, namely DMA, DMF and DEMTEG, as absorbents is studied. Results are obtained over a wide range of operating temperatures. To improve the performance of HCFC22-based VARS, results reveal that (i) the cooling water in parallel pipe connections should be used at low values of temperatures at evaporator, cooling water and heat source, and (ii) cooling water should first flow through condenser and then through the absorber when evaporator and heat source temperatures are high over the complete range of cooling water temperatures. COP_th is more sensitive to T_c than to T_a.     

Moisture diffusion through (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide ‐ Indian bentonite)/(vinylester) nanocomposites in artificial seawater and demineralized water

This paper compares the moisture diffusion properties of organomodified (Indian Bentonite nanoclay)/vinylester containing different amounts of nanoclay on exposure to demineralized water and artificial seawater at room temperature. Moisture uptake behavior of (Indian Bentonite)/vinylester was investigated and compared with that of neat vinylester. Addition of 5 wt% nanoclay decreased the diffusivity and permeability of vinylester in artificial seawater medium, but these diffusion parameters increased in demineralized water medium. Degradation in glass transition temperature and microhardness of the nanocomposites were much greater in specimens aged in demineralized water than in those in artificial seawater medium. Moisture diffusion behavior of the specimens was analyzed by Fick's law and the Langmuir model. The aged specimens were chemically analyzed by using infrared spectroscopy after aging for 146 days. A significant amount of leached organic species was detected in the demineralized water–aged specimens but the same was absent in those aged in artificial seawater. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:441–451, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Orientation and Grain Boundary Microstructure of Alumina in Al/Al2O3 Composites Produced by Reactive Metal Penetration

The orientation and grain boundary microstructure of alumina in reactive metal penetration Al/Al₂O₃ composites are studied using orientation imaging microscopy and the results are compared with those of sintered polycrystalline Al₂O₃. The interconnected Al₂O₃ in the composite material is separated by Σ3 boundaries (twins) with a 60° rotation around the [0001] direction. A high frequency (∼100%) of Σ3 coincidence boundaries in composite alumina is remarkable since only ∼12% of boundaries in a sintered polycrystalline Al₂O₃ are of special nature. The coincidence boundaries in the in situ alumina grow in a coherent and faceted manner.