Rapid erasing of wettability patterns based on TiO2-PDMS composite films

TiO₂-polydimethylsiloxane (TiO₂-PDMS) composite films are prepared using the sol–gel method from a Ti(OBu)₄–benzoylacetone solution containing PDMS. The prepared films are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. Structural changes in the films after UV irradiation are confirmed by UV–vis absorption experiments, which show that an absorption band characteristic of the benzoylacetonate chelate rings disappears. This finding is ascribed to structural changes associated with the dissociation of the chelate rings. The IR spectra of the thin films exhibit a broad absorption band after UV irradiation, indicating that a Ti–O–Ti network forms in the thin film. Contact angles are measured for the TiO₂-PDMS thin films, showing wettability conversion from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic states by irradiation with oxygen plasma for 1 s. This phenomenon is explained by XPS experiments which reveal that the number of carbon atoms decreases, whereas the number of oxygen atoms increases on the surface of the TiO₂-PDMS composite films. Finally, hydrophobic–superhydrophilic patterns are fabricated based on a patterned TiO₂-PDMS composite film. The film displays a rapid change to superhydrophilicity over the whole film surface upon plasma irradiation for 1 s, which means that the wettability patterns are rapidly erasable.     

A near-field-sensing transceiver for intrabody communication based on the electrooptic effect

This paper describes a near-field-sensing transceiver for intrabody communication, in which the human body is the transmission medium. The key component of the transceiver is an electric-field sensor implemented with an electrooptic crystal and laser light. This sensor is suitable for detection of the small and unstable electric fields produced by the human body because it has extremely high input impedance. This transceiver enables IEEE 802.3 half-duplex communication of 10 Mb/s through a person's body in an operating range of about 150 cm between the hands. The packet error rate of 0.04% is obtained at packet size of 1070 octet. This paper explains the configuration and performance of the transceiver and presents results of a communication test.     

Enhanced production of rat interleukin-8 by in vitro and in vivo infections with influenza A NWS virus

We investigated the interleukin-8 (IL-8)-producing activity of influenza A NWS virus in cultured rat kidney NRK-52E cells and a rat influenza model. The production of rat IL-8 increased significantly in the virus-infected cells but not in UV-inactivated virus- or split-product-treated cells. The increase in IL-8 production could be detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage of infected rats. These data suggest that infectious virus has the potential to accelerate the production of IL-8 in cultured cells and in vivo in airway-lining cells.     

Application and development of synthetic polymer membranes. VI. Pervaporation of aqueous ethanol solution through quaternized poly[3-(N′,N′-dimethyl) aminopropylacrylamide-co-acrylonitrile] membranes

Membranes obtained from polymers, quaternized poly[3-(N′,N′-dimethyl) aminopropylacrylamide-co-acrylonitrile]s, showed selective separation of water from aqueous ethanol solution by pervaporation. The separation factor toward water reached over 15,000. Membrane performance showed a good correlation to membrane polarity. Differential scanning calorimetric melting endotherms of the water-swollen membranes were studied to clarify the state of water in the membranes. The results suggested that there are two states of water in the membrane: bound and free. The higher the fraction of bound water in the membrane, clearly, the more preferentially was water permeated.     

Preliminary spectrum shifter design for intermediate energy nuclear data benchmark experiments with DT neutrons

Integral benchmark experiments with DT neutrons are not always sufficient for nuclear data benchmarking in the MeV region, below 10 MeV. A neutron spectrum shifter, which will be placed between a sample and a DT neutron source, is effective to moderate DT neutrons incident to the sample. In order to estimate effects of the spectrum shifter, the ratio of the contribution of 14 MeV neutrons in the leakage neutron and gamma-ray spectra was calculated with MCNP-4C for an experimental configuration at FNS of JAEA, Japan. The calculations were carried out for a Li₂TiO₃ sample with a Be, D₂O, or ⁷LiD spectrum shifter. It was found out that the Be shifter was superior to others and the Be shifter was effective to decrease the contribution of 14 MeV neutrons especially for secondary gamma-ray spectrum measurements.     

Stress distribution in a segmented coating film on metal fibre under tensile loading

When a coating film on a metal fibre or wire is brittle, it exhibits multiple-fracture under loading. In order to describe the exerted tensile stress on the segments of a coating film as a function of the distance from the end of the segments and as a function of applied stress, a new approximate calculation method is presented, assuming that the interfacial bonding strength is high enough and no interfacial debonding occurs. Using the present calculation method, effects of geometrical factors such as fibre diameter, thickness of coating film and length of segment as well as those of mechanical factors such as Young's modulus, shear modulus and the yield stress of the fibre and the coating film on the exerted tensile stress on the segments and also on the exerted shear stress at the interface are described in a quantitative manner.     

Dielectric relaxation of polyorganophosphazenes

Dielectric relaxation spectra of poly(bis-trifluoroethoxy phosphazene) (PBFP), poly(bis-n-propoxy phosphazene) (PBPP), and poly(bis-n-propylamino phosphazene) (PBPAP) were measured in wide temperature and frequency regions, and the -relaxation caused by micro-Brownian motion of segments in the rubbery state and the -relaxation due to the local motions of the polymer in the glassy region were observed. The dielectric spectra of PBFP at temperatures higher than the rubbery region exhibited a mesophase transition at 358 K. From conformation analysis according to the two-site model, it has been elucidated that the mechanism for -relaxation of these samples is hindered internal rotation of the side groups.     

Chemical Modification of Novel Alkyne-Containing Polymers Obtained by Radical Polymerization of Conjugated Enynes

Summary Alkyne-containing polymers, obtained by the radical polymerization of 4-substituted conjugated enynes (CH₂=CH—CC—R: R—= Ph— and n-Bu—), were subjected to polymer reactions through their alkyne moieties. That is, the radical addition of a thiol fragment, the hydrosilylation, and reduction via the hydroalumination were carried out to give polymers bearing alkenyl sulfide, alkenylsilane, and alkene moieties, respectively.     

Photocatalytic inactivation and removal of algae with TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated materials

The capabilities of TiO₂-coated materials for the inactivation and removal of algae were investigated. As supports for TiO₂, non-woven fabric and Ni foam were chosen. To evaluate the ability of noble metal cocatalyst additions to facilitate the photocatalytic algal inhibition of TiO₂-coated materials, Pd nanoparticles were deposited on non-woven fabric-supported TiO₂ by photoelectrochemical deposition. The fabric-supported Pd/TiO₂ showed higher inhibition activity for algal growth compared to the fabric-supported TiO₂ without Pd. In addition, Ni foam-supported TiO₂ also showed high inhibition activity, both in laboratory-scale tests and open-air tests. Therefore, TiO₂-coated materials with suitable coating methods such as the use of cocatalysts or large surface area can substantially inhibit algal growth. The ability of the TiO₂-coated materials to inhibit algae correlated well with their activity for the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue, suggesting a nonspecific mechanism in the breakdown of cellular structures.