Engineering microfluidic papers: effect of fiber source and paper sheet properties on capillary-driven fluid flow

In the present study, we introduce a novel approach to control and modulate fluid transport inside microfluidic papers using lab-engineered paper sheets. Lab-sheets consisting of different fiber sources (eucalyptus sulfate and cotton linters pulp) and varying porosities were designed and further modified with small millimeter-scaled channels using hydrophobic barriers consisting of fiber-attached, hydrophobic polymers. The capillary-driven transport of an aqueous solution was monitored visually, and the influence of parameters such as fiber source, paper grammage, and channel width on the flow rates through the channel was investigated. The experimental results were compared with those obtained with commercially available filter papers. Our findings suggest that accurate control of fluid transport processes with standard filter papers is complex. Additionally, if the channel width is smaller than the mean fiber length, flow rates become dependent on the geometric parameters of the channel because of the formation of dead-end pores at the hydrophobic barriers. Finally, control of the paper sheets porosity, by varying the fiber density of the lab-made paper, affords the fabrication of chemically identical sheets whereby capillary flow is largely influenced and can be modulated accordingly by simple papermaking processes.     

Structures and electronic properties of surface/edges of nanodiamond and nanographite

The structure, electronic and magnetic properties of nanodiamond and nanographite/nanographene are investigated. Detonation nanodiamond particles that are covered with amorphous graphitic composites are hydrothermally treated to remove the graphitic surface composites and to terminate the surface carbon atoms with hydrogen. The number of localized spins of dangling bonds and the hydrogen concentration increase upon the increase in the hydrothermal treatment time up to 40 h. Above 40 h, both drop discontinuously, a surface structural reconstruction was suggested. The creation of dangling bonds and an incomplete hydrogenation of the surface carbon atoms destabilize the surface, resulting in the structural reconstruction. Nanodiamond particles are thermally converted to nanographite/nanographene. A single nanographene sheet is successfully prepared by heat-treating nanodiamond particles. The edge of graphene sheet with its edge carbon atoms being hydrogen-terminated is investigated by UHV-STM/STS. Zigzag edges are found to have non-bonding π-state of edge origin, in good agreement with theoretical prediction.     

Manifold Learning: Generalization Ability and Tangent Proximity

One of the ultimate goals of Manifold Learning (ML) is to reconstruct an unknown nonlinear low-dimensional Data Manifold (DM) embedded in a high-dimensional observation space from a given set of data points sampled from the manifold. We derive asymptotic expansion and local lower and upper bounds for the maximum reconstruction error in a small neighborhood of an arbitrary point. The expansion and bounds are defined in terms of the distance between tangent spaces to the original DM and the Reconstructed Manifold (RM) at the selected point and its reconstructed value, respectively. We propose an amplification of the ML, called Tangent Bundle ML, in which proximity is required not only between the DM and RM but also between their tangent spaces. We present a new geometrically motivated Grassman & Stiefel Eigenmaps algorithm that solves this problem and gives a new solution for the ML also.     

Algorithms for Quantum Branching Programs Based on Fingerprinting

In the paper, we develop a method for constructing quantum algorithms for computing Boolean functions by quantum ordered read-once branching programs (quantum OBDDs). Our method is based on ˉngerprinting technique and representation of Boolean functions by their characteristic polynomials. We use circuit notation for branching programs for desired algorithms presentation. For several known functions our approach provides optimal QOBDDs. Namely we consider such functions as MODm, EQn, Palindromen, and PERMn (testing whether given Boolean matrix is the Permutation Matrix). We also propose a generalization of our method and apply it to the Boolean variant of the Hidden Subgroup Problem.     

Oxidation of pyrite in coal to magnetite

When bituminous coal is heated in an inert atmosphere (He) containing small amounts of oxygen at 393–455 °C, pyrite (FeS₂) in coal is partially converted to magnetite (Fe₃0₄). The maximum amount of Fe₃0₄ formed during the time of heating corresponds to 5–20% of the total pyrite present, depending on the coal sample. The magnetite forms as an outer crust on the pyrite grains. The fact that the magnetic properties of the pyrite grains are substantially increased by the magnetite crust suggests that pyrite can be separated from coal by use of a low magnetic field. In a laboratory test, 75% removal is obtained by means of a 500 Oe magnet on three samples, and 60% on a fourth sample.     

Photoalignment dynamics of azo dyes series with different coordination metals

There are many photoaligned azo dyes that can be used for orientation of liquid crystals in various display devices. However, the structure of these compounds needs to be optimized to increase the rate of the process of molecule photoalignment, as well as to spread the application of these compounds. The main coordination metal that presents in the molecules of azo dyes is sodium derivatives. The use of other alkali metals remains an open question. We used quantum‐chemical computation methods and reversible intermolecular bonding model to determine the effect of metal coordination on the velocity of photoalignment. The theoretical predictions were experimentally verified using sodium, potassium, lithium, and cesium salts of the model azo dye synthesized by us. We conclude that potassium azo derivatives are the fastest, ceteris paribus.     

Control policies for an industrial acetylene hydrogenation reactor

This paper addresses the problem of finding optimal operational policies for an acetylene reactor for day to day operation. A lumped parameter model based on four main reactions is developed and used to examine the effects of the reactor manipulated variables on key reaction parameters. An optimal and a sub-optimal operational policy which minimize the ethylene loss over time are formulated and the solution techniques are presented. The results indicate that the reactor model is in good agreement with industrial plant data. The performance of the optimal control policy is very similar to the performance of the sub-optimal control policy. However, the sub-optimal formulation, while retaining the dominant features of the optimal response, reduces the computational requirements. Finally, some issues concerning the real-time implementation of an advanced acetylene reactor control scheme are presented. These include the estimation of the optimum regeneration cycle, a recursive model update algorithm, the process optimizer and their overall coordination. A preliminary analysis of the benefits associated with the advanced control scheme suggests a considerable reduction in the yearly ethylene loss.     

Study of hemocompatibility and endothelial cell interaction of tecoflex-based electrospun vascular grafts

Abstract

Ensuring long-term functioning and efficient endothelialization of small diameter vascular grafts (VG) is an urgent task of tissue engineering. A solution may be to use electrospun VGs prepared from blends polyurethane with gelatin and/or bivalirudin. Here, properties of 3D matrices were explored by SEM, contact angle measurements and IR spectroscopy, and their interaction with blood and endothelial cells was studied. Introduction of gelatin into matrices enhanced adhesion and proliferation of endotheliocytes and enabled adhesion of platelets, whereas bivalirudin inhibited platelet adhesion while having no negative effect on the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells.     

An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy study of the influence of positive plate compression on the electrochemical behaviour of lead-acid batteries

This study has developed an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method for the in situ investigation of the influence of positive plate compression on the electrochemical behaviour of lead-acid batteries during charge/discharge cycling. The EIS data for a fully charged and fully discharged battery are internally consistent with the expected kinetics of a battery in the opposite states of charge, and demonstrate that EIS measurements may be recorded with a high level of reproducibility. Furthermore, this study has necessitated the development of a special cell incorporating horizontally orientated battery plates that can be subjected to elevated pressure through the stacking of lead bricks on top of the cell, as well as a physically robust reference electrode system that can withstand the application of pressure. For this purpose, a platinum-wire pseudo-reference electrode has been developed, and has been shown to exhibit sufficient electrode stability over the period of an EIS recording, enabling the measurement of reproducible and meaningful EIS data. Additionally, the influence of positive plate compression on the behaviour of the lead-acid battery has been investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Clearly, the experimental data show that plate compression enhances significantly the kinetics and concomitant performance of the lead-acid battery, and this is related to the enhanced reactivity of the active material, as rationalized by using the agglomeration-of-spheres (AOS) model.     

Characterization of polymer‐layered silicate (clay) nanocomposites by transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction: A comparative study

Several polymer‐layered silicate (clay) nanocomposites (PLSNs) were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD) in an effort to characterize the nanoscale dispersion of the layered silicate. The PLSNs investigated included thermoset (cyanate esters) and thermoplastic polymers (polystyrene, nylon 6, and polypropylene‐g‐maleic anhydride). The results of this study reveal that the overall nanoscale dispersion of the clay in the polymer is best described by TEM, especially when mixed morphologies are present. XRD is useful for the measurement of d‐spacings in intercalated systems but cannot always observe low clay loadings (<5%) or be used as a method to identify an exfoliated nanocomposite where no XRD peaks are present (constituting a negative result). Most importantly, the study showed that XRD is not a stand‐alone technique, and it should be used in conjunction with TEM. Our studies suggest that new definitions, or a clarification of existing definitions, are needed to properly describe the diversity of PLSN nanostructures seen in various materials. Published 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1329–1338, 2003