Optimization of soy-biodiesel combustion in a modern diesel engine

As global petroleum demand continues to increase, alternative fuel vehicles are becoming the focus of increasing attention. Biodiesel has emerged as an attractive alternative fuel option due to its domestic availability from renewable sources, its relative physical and chemical similarities to conventional diesel fuel, and its miscibility with conventional diesel. Biodiesel combustion in modern diesel engines does, however, generally result in higher fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions compared to diesel combustion due to fuel property differences including calorific value and oxygen content. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal engine decision-making for 100% soy-based biodiesel to accommodate fuel property differences via modulation of air-fuel ratio (AFR), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) fraction, fuel rail pressure, and start of main fuel injection pulse at over 150 different random combinations, each at four very different operating locations. Applying the nominal diesel settings to biodiesel combustion resulted in increases in NO_x at three of the four locations (up to 44%) and fuel consumption (11-20%) over the nominal diesel levels accompanied by substantial reductions in particulate matter (over 80%). The biodiesel optimal settings were defined as the parameter settings that produced comparable or lower NO_x, particulate matter (PM), and peak rate of change of in-cylinder pressure (peak dP/dt, a metric for noise) with respect to nominal diesel levels, while minimizing brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). At most of the operating locations, the optimal engine decision-making was clearly shifted to lower AFRs and higher EGR fractions in order to reduce the observed increases in NO_x at the nominal settings, and to more advanced timings in order to mitigate the observed increases in fuel consumption at the nominal settings. These optimal parameter combinations for biodiesel were able to reduce NO_x and noise levels below nominal diesel levels while largely maintaining the substantial PM reductions. These parameter combinations, however, had little (maximum 4% reduction) or no net impact on reducing the biodiesel fuel consumption penalty.     

Advances in the stabilization of flexible PVC by using a liquid calcium‐zinc technology

The global market for liquid mixed‐metal stabilizers is migrating toward heavy‐metal‐free products, Historically, these systems have not been performance and cost competitive. High efficiency calcium‐zinc stabilizers have the potential to replace heavy‐metal‐based products. The intrinsic value of non‐phenolic lubricating calcium intermediates and calcium‐zinc stabilizers is discussed.     

Conductivity Measurement Using Four Linear Electrodes Embedded Inside a Rectangular Sample

Using solid materials prepared by melting or sintering allows inert metal electrodes to be embedded inside the solid. The I–V relations for four linear electrodes embedded inside a rectangular sample are evaluated. Two cases are considered: (a) a sample with uniform electronic (electron/hole) conductivity and (b) the electron/hole partial current in a sample that is a mixed ionic-electronic conductor with a nonuniform electron/hole distribution. Equations are derived which allow the determination of the conductivity from four-electrode measurements if a pure electronic conductor is considered or if a mixed ionic-electronic conductor is considered with the ionic current being blocked.     

The effect of a polypropylene skin on the structure and properties of PE/PP dual layer pressure pipe

A new and growing family of polyethylene (PE)‐based pressure pipes have a polypropylene (PP) skin. The effect of the PP skin on the structure and properties of the core PE pipe was investigated by comparing the skinned pipe with an uncoated pipe made from the same PE material and with the same dimensions. The annealing effect introduced by the skin changed the PE core pipe density profile across the wall thickness, increasing density in the PE core pipe near to its outer surface. The density at the bore of the coated and the uncoated pipe was similar. The melting temperature and enthalpy of melting data from DSC agreed with the density profile results. The melting temperature of PE core pipe material close to the PP skin increased with increasing skin thickness. Residual stress assessment indicated that, as the PP skin thickness increased, the PE core pipe had a lower level of overall residual stress in the hoop direction. Long‐term hydrostatic strength (LTHS) tests were carried out and showed a higher strength for the coated pipe than the uncoated one. The observed structural changes have been used to explain the relative strength of these two PE pipes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of an Electric Field on the Burning Behavior of Solid Fuels and Propellants

An experimental study on the effects of an applied external electric field on the combustion behavior of solid fuels and solid propellants has been conducted. In an opposed flow burning configuration, application of an electric field was shown to extinguish a paraffin fuel and gaseous oxygen flame over a broad range of operating conditions. When subjected to the electric field, burning paraffin fuel strands were found to extinguish at various axial locations relative to the exit of the oxidizer gas jet. Extinguishment location was found to be a function of field strength as well as electrode surface area, while changes in polarity did not significantly alter the results. In addition, the combustion behaviors of two composite solid rocket propellants were studied while subjected to an external electric field. Both propellants were based on HTPB/AP combinations, with one propellant containing aluminum and the other being non‐aluminized. Application of an electric field to the composite solid rocket propellant strands demonstrated decreases in propellant burning rate under all operating conditions for both propellants including changes in polarity. The flame structure of the aluminized propellant was examined closely as the luminosity, flame length, and flame width varied significantly with field strength and burning location of the strand relative to the electrodes.     

Identification of Two Sex Pheromone Components of the Potato Aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas)

Females of the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae exhibit typical calling behavior, with virgin female oviparae raising their back legs off the substrate to release sex pheromone from glands on the tibia. Airborne collections from calling oviparae were analyzed by GC and GC-MS to determine if, like the majority of aphids examined to date, they produced (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol (1) and (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone (2). Both components were present and produced in ratios that varied with age from 4:1 to 2:1. The relative stereochemical configurations of these components were determined by GC-coinjection of the aphid-derived sample with synthetic standards on both HP-1 and DB-Wax GC columns. The absolute stereochemical configuration of the nepetalactol (determined from approximately 15 microg of material in an air entrainment sample) was determined as (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-1 by derivatization of the aphid sample with (S)-(+)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl chloride (Mosher's acid chloride) to generate a diastereoisomer that was compared to synthetic samples by NMR spectroscopy and GC. In bioassays in the wind tunnel, M. euphorbiae males responded to potato plants with oviparae but not to unattacked plants or those infested with parthenogenetically reproducing apterae. In no-choice laboratory bioassays, the same level of male response was observed to virgins and to the 3:1-5:1 synthetic blends of nepetalactol (1):nepetalactone (2). However, the time taken to reach the source was significantly less to virgin females than to the synthetic pheromone blends. In all cases, males walked rather than flew to the source. Males showed lower responses to a 1:1 synthetic mixture and did not respond to either of the components when presented alone. Under field conditions, few M. euphorbiae males were captured in traps baited with different ratios of the synthetic pheromone. Possible reasons for the different responses under laboratory and field conditions are discussed.     

The influence of delayed light curing on the degree of conversion and polymerization contraction stress in dual-cured resin luting agents

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of delayed photo-initiation on the polymerization contraction stress (PCS) and degree of conversion (DC) of a dual-cure resin-luting agent. Thirty-five disk (6 mm × 1 mm) samples (n = 10 each group) of dual cure resin luting agent for PCS assessment were fabricated and polymerized using two illuminated quartz rods. Based on the delay in photo-initiation, 30 disks were divided among six groups [group A-0 min (min) delay, group B-2 min, group C-4 min, group D-6 min, group E-8 min and group F-10 min]. A non-photoinitiated group (group G – chemical cure – n = 5) was included as control. The PCS for all specimens was assessed using a Tensometer. For DC evaluation thirty-five specimens were divided into seven groups with delays in photo-initiation (group H-0 min, group I-2 min, group J-4 min, group K-6 min, group L-8 min and group M-10 min, group N-chemical cure). DC was assessed using attenuated total reflectance spectroscopic technique. Statistical comparison among groups was performed using analysis of variance (α = 0.05). The maximum and minimum PCS and DC values with delayed photo-initiation was observed in group-C (3.34 MPa) & group-F (2.44 MPa); and group-M (0.78 MPa) and group-H (0.55 MPa) respectively. Chemically cured samples showed the least PCS (group-G, 1.94) and DC (group-N, 0.53) values in their respective categories. PCS significantly decreased with delayed photo-initiation. A significant increase in DC was noticed when photo-initiation was delayed in the dual cure resin luting agent.     

In Vivo Delivery and Activation of Masked Fluorogenic Hydrolase Substrates by Endogenous Hydrolases in C. elegans

Protein expression and localization are often studied in vivo by tagging molecules with green fluorescent protein (GFP), yet subtle changes in protein levels are not easily detected. To develop a sensitive in vivo method to amplify fluorescence signals and allow cell‐specific quantification of protein abundance changes, we sought to apply an enzyme‐activated cellular fluorescence system in vivo by delivering ester‐masked fluorophores to Caenorhabditis elegans neurons expressing porcine liver esterase (PLE). To aid uptake into sensory neuron membranes, we synthesized two novel fluorogenic hydrolase substrates with long hydrocarbon tails. Recombinant PLE activated these fluorophores in vitro. In vivo activation occurred in sensory neurons, along with potent activation in intestinal lysosomes quantifiable by imaging and microplate and partially attributable to gut esterase 1 (GES‐1) activity. These data demonstrate the promise of biorthogonal hydrolases and their fluorogenic substrates as in vivo neuronal imaging tools and for characterizing endogenous C. elegans hydrolase substrate specificities.     

Targeting tumour proliferation with a small-molecule inhibitor of AICAR transformylase homodimerization

Aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase/ inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC) is a bifunctional homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the last two steps of de novo purine biosynthesis. Homodimerization of ATIC, a protein–protein interaction with an interface of over 5000 Ų, is required for its aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) transformylase activity, with the active sites forming at the interface of the interacting proteins. Here, we report the development of a small‐molecule inhibitor of AICAR transformylase that functions by preventing the homodimerization of ATIC. The compound is derived from a previously reported cyclic hexapeptide inhibitor of AICAR transformylase (with a K_i of 17 μM ), identified by high‐throughput screening. The active motif of the cyclic peptide is identified as an arginine‐tyrosine dipeptide, a capped analogue of which inhibits AICAR transformylase with a K_i value of 84 μM . A library of nonnatural analogues of this dipeptide was designed, synthesized, and assayed. The most potent compound inhibits AICAR transformylase with a K_i value of 685 nM , a 25‐fold improvement in activity from the parent cyclic peptide. The potential for this AICAR transformylase inhibitor in cancer therapy was assessed by studying its effect on the proliferation of a model breast cancer cell line. Using a nonradioactive proliferation assay and live cell imaging, a dose‐dependent reduction in cell numbers and cell division rates was observed in cells treated with our ATIC dimerization inhibitor.     

Freeze-form extrusion fabrication of functionally graded materials

Presented in this paper is a novel additive manufacturing technology for making three-dimensional parts with functionally graded materials (FGMs), called Freeze-form Extrusion Fabrication (FEF). The system development included a triple-extruder mechanism, extruder modeling and control, pastes extrusion planning for desired composition gradients, and software coding for motion and extrusion control. The effectiveness of the developed FEF system was demonstrated first by fabricating limestone (CaCO₃) parts with graded colors and then by fabricating ‘green’ parts with graded compositions between alumina (Al₂O₃) and zirconia (ZrO₂). The fabricated part went through post-processing, and the sintered part was analyzed using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to determine its material compositions.