Effects of nano‐ and micro‐fillers and processing parameters on injection‐molded microcellular composites

The effects of submicron core‐shell rubber (CSR) particles, nanoclay fillers, and molding parameters on the mechanical properties and cell structure of injection‐molded microcellular polyamide‐6 (PA6) composites were studied. The experimental results of PA6 nanocomposites with 5.0 and 7.5 wt% nanoclay loadings and of CSR‐modified PA6 composites with 0.5 and 3.1 wt% CSR loadings were compared to their neat resin counterparts. This study found that nanoclay was more efficient in promoting a smaller cell size, larger cell density, and higher tensile strength for microcellular injection molding parts. A higher nanoclay loading led to more brittle behavior for microcellular parts. It was found that a proper amount of CSR particles could be added to the microcellular injection‐molded PA6 to reduce the cell size, increase the cell density, and enhance the toughness of the molded part. However, CSR particles were less effective cell nucleation agents as compared to nanoclay for producing desirable cell structures, and a higher CSR loading was found to have diminishing effects on the process and on the properties of the parts. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:773–788, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Surface chemistry and kinetics of the hydrolysis of isocyanic acid on anatase

In order to meet the stricter NO_x and particulate emission limits for commercial vehicles, the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with urea is currently seen having the highest potential. The conversion of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide consists of two consecutive reactions, in which isocyanic acid is an intermediate that is hydrolyzed over TiO₂. The intrinsic kinetics and the surface chemistry for this reaction are explored. Up to a temperature of 132 °C the reaction was in the intrinsic kinetic regime (E_A = 73 kJ/mol), while at higher temperatures the reaction was limited by pore and external diffusion constraints, respectively. In the presence of NO, NH₃ and NO₂, the catalytic activity was negatively influenced, increasing in severity in the sequence mentioned indicating that nitrates formed from NO₂ were most effective in blocking cations and anions of TiO₂. IR spectroscopy indicates that dissociative adsorption of HNCO on TiO₂ forms Ti–NCO and hydrogen bonded OH species. In the presence of water, isocyanic acid was so rapidly hydrolyzed that only adsorbed ammonia was observed on the catalyst surface. The presence of NO, NH₃ and NO₂ retards hydrolysis leading to the appearance of isocyanate species on the surface.     

Ribosome display of mammalian receptor domains

Many mammalian receptor domains, among them a large number of potential therapeutic target proteins, are highly aggregation-prone upon heterologous expression in bacteria. This severely limits functional studies of such receptor domains and also their engineering towards improved properties. One of these proteins is the Nogoreceptor, which plays a central role in mediating the inhibition of axon growth and functional recovery after injury of the adult mammalian central nervous system. We show here that the ligand binding domain of the Nogoreceptor folds to an active conformation in ternary ribosomal complexes, as formed in ribosome display. In these complexes the receptor is still connected, via a C-terminal tether, to the peptidyl tRNA in the ribosome and the mRNA also stays connected. The ribosome prevents aggregation of the protein, which aggregates as soon as the release from the ribosome is triggered. In contrast, no active receptor was observed in phage display, where aggregation appears to prevent incorporation of the protein into the phage coat. This strategy sets the stage for rapidly studying defined mutations of such aggregation-prone receptors in vitro and to improve their properties by in vitro evolution using the ribosome display technology.     

Elastic properties of adhesive polymers. II. Polymer films and bond lines by means of nanoindentation

Seven different polymers used frequently as adhesives and/or matrix polymers in wood, wood composites, and natural fiber‐reinforced composites were studied by uniaxial tensile tests and nanoindentation. It was shown that the elastic modulus, the hardness, the creep factor, and the elastic‐, plastic‐, and viscoelastic work of indentation of the seven different polymers is essentially the same regardless whether the polymers were tested in the form of pure films or in situ, i.e., in an adhesive bond line with spruce wood. An excellent correlation was found between the elastic modulus measured by tensile tests and the elastic modulus measured by nanoindentation. In spite of the good correlation, the elastic modulus measured by nanoindentation is significantly higher than the elastic modulus measured by tensile tests. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:1234–1239, 2006     

Temporal and spatial dynamics of surface run‐off from Lake Basaka catchment (Ethiopia) using SCS‐CN model coupled with remote sensing and GIS

The Lake Basaka catchment (Ethiopia) has undergone a significant land use–land cover (LULC) change and lake level rise over the past five decades. Significant quantities of water and sediment flow annually into the lake through erosion processes. An appropriate method of estimating the surface run‐off from such ungauged and dynamic catchment is extremely important for delineating sensitive areas (based on run‐off responses) to be protected and for development of suitable measures to reduce run‐off and associated soil loss. Reliable prediction of run‐off, however, is very difficult and time‐consuming for catchments such as that of Lake Basaka. The present study estimated the dynamics of surface (direct) run‐off using the NRCS‐CN model in ArcGIS, assisted by remote sensing and ancillary data. The results indicated the Lake Basaka catchment experienced significant temporal and spatial variability in its run‐off responses, depending on the rainfall (amount and distribution) pattern and LULC changes. A significant run‐off increase occurred after 1973, consistent with significant LULC changes and lake level increments occurring after that period. A reduced vegetation cover also resulted in increased run‐off coefficient of the lake catchment from 0.11 in the 1970s to 0.23 in the 2000s, indicating the important need to consider possible future LULC evolution when forecasting the lake catchment run‐off behaviour.     

Hydroisomerization of Renewable and Fossil n-Alkanes over Bifunctional Dealuminated ZSM-5 Catalysts

The hydroisomerization of two long-chain n-alkane mixtures was investigated over bifunctional Pt/H-ZSM-5 catalysts before and after dealumination of preshaped zeolite/binder pellets. The hydroisomerization over the dealuminated catalysts leads to more isomers and less cracking products. Consequently, higher ratios of multi- to mono-branched isomerization products are formed as expected for large- rather than medium-pore zeolites. This indicates a higher availability of space in the vicinity of the active sites and provides an attractive route to make medium-pore zeolites suitable for upgrading higher boiling hydrocarbon feeds.     

Recovery of Phosphoric Acid from Spent Petrochemical Catalysts

Petrochemical catalysts are widely used in the industry. For the production of cumene, zeolite-based catalysts containing phosphoric acid are applied. Over the time, coking deactivates the surface, and the catalyst has to be exchanged and disposed of. Different process approaches for recycling the phosphoric acid-containing catalysts were investigated. Related preliminary investigations have shown that calcination of the used catalyst is necessary prior to reprocessing. By digesting the catalyst with hydrofluoric acid, ∼96 % phosphate was recovered. However, this process is very costly in terms of process technology. More promising is digestion by basic or acidic routes. Several options are possible here, and digestion with H₃PO₄ proved to be particularly suitable. Here, phosphate yields reached up to 98.8 %, with a positive balance of economic efficiency at the same time. The catalyst can be produced and recycled in the same plant with the same reagents, what constitutes a major breakthrough towards sustainability in industrial catalysis.     

Segmentation of the fascia lata and reproducible quantification of intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) of the thigh

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - To develop a precise semi-automated segmentation of the fascia lata (FL) of the thigh to quantify IMAT volume in T1w MR images and...     

Pressure-infiltration processing of reinforced aluminum

Pressure infiltration of liquid metal is one of the most important processing routes for the production of aluminum-matrix composites having a self-supporting reinforcement phase. This article briefly examines the physical phenomena governing infiltration processes, to present practical guidelines derived from their analysis for optimization of the process and the materials produced. Engineering aspects that are pertinent to infiltration techniques, including preform preparation, process configurations, flow control, and innovative processes, are summarized.