Quantum Henry gas solubility optimization algorithm for global optimization

Engineering with Computers - In this article, the lightweight design problems of Timoshenko composite beams with and without considering the uncertainties of input data (i.e., the geometry of beam,...     

Attaining optimal dyeability and tensile properties of polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends with a special cubic mixture experimental design

In this investigation, we attempted to enhance the dyeability of polypropylene (PP) with disperse dyestuffs without adversely affecting its tensile properties. To this end, a special cubic experimental design was used to predict the effect of variations in the properties of a tricomponent mixture composed of PP, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) on the dyeability and tensile properties of the resultant polymer blend. The results illustrate that there seemed to be critical PET content, above which the blend's dye uptake tended to remain constant, but the tensile properties were adversely affected. Further analysis of the results indicated that the PP/PET/PP‐g‐MA blends in which the PET and PP‐g‐MA contents were in the range 10–15 and 4–5 wt %, respectively, gave maximal dye uptake and desirable tensile properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles from Natural Teeth

Russian Journal of Nondestructive Testing - Hydroxyapatite is the most important bio ceramic, due to its structure and chemical composition which is similar to bone and teeth. In this study,...     

On the Melt Rheological Behavior and Microstructure of Nanoclay-Filled Polyethylene/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (PE/EVA) Blend

Correlation of rheological response with microstructure and also the tensile mechanical properties of nanoclay-filled polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate blends were studied. From transmission electron microscopy observations, the same clay localization within polyethylene- and ethylene vinyl acetate-rich blends was revealed. However, a better clay dispersion in the ethylene vinyl acetate-rich blend was found by analyzing the changes in the linear viscoelastic rheological properties discussed by the fractional Zener model and the power law expression. The clay influences on the tensile properties of polyethylene- and ethylene vinyl acetate-rich blends were in good agreement with its microstructure, implied by the rheological studies.     

Rapid and efficient diazotization and diazo coupling reactions on silica sulfuric acid under solvent-free conditions

A convenient, rapid, one-pot method for the synthesis of azo dyes has been developed by the sequential diazotization–diazo coupling of aromatic amines with NaNO₂, silica sulfuric acid and coupling agents under solvent-free conditions at room temperature. Using this method, several types of aromatic amine, containing electron-withdrawing groups as well as electron-donating groups, were rapidly converted to the corresponding azo dyes in good yield. The ensuing aryldiazonium salts supported on silica sulfuric acid (aryl diazonium silica sulfates), ArN₂^+?OSO₃–SiO₂, were sufficiently stable to be kept at room temperature in the dry state. The use of mild reaction conditions and an inexpensive procedure are further advantages of this method.     

Effects of high‐energy electron beam on low‐density polyethylene materials containing EVA

A series of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends with different amounts of ethylene–vinyl–acetate (EVA) was prepared and irradiated with 10 MeV electron beam in the range of 0–250 kGy at room temperature in air. EVA was used as a compatibilizer and softener in four different amounts: 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt %, based on polyethylene (PE). The crosslinking of the samples was studied on the basis of gel‐content measurements as well as some thermal and mechanical properties of the specimens. The results indicated that the LDPE and LDPE–EVA blends could be crosslinked by a high‐energy electron beam, of which their thermal and mechanical properties changed effectively, however, because of EVA content of the polymer; the blends were more sensitive to lower doses of radiation. These studies were carried out to obtain a suitable compound for heat‐shrinkable tubes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1049–1052, 2004     

A new approach to investigate relationships between certain instrumentally measured appearance parameters and their visually perceived equivalents in the automotive industry

Appearance control has continuously been a major challenge to the automotive industry. In order to implement a consistent control on the appearance of automotive finishes, objective measurement of various appearance attributes such as gloss, distinctness of image, orange peel, etc., is indispensable to the automotive manufacturers. In the present study, attempts were made to find the correlation between visually perceived and instrumentally measured appearance of achromatic automotive finishes. To this end, three physical scales of appearance attributes, namely specular gloss, distinctness of image, and orange peel were prepared using a series of metallic black, metallic gray, metallic silver, and solid white automotive finishes. The samples were visually evaluated by a panel of 16 observers, by utilizing an also prepared lightness scale, in a light cabinet having a 45/0 illumination/observation geometry. The innovative use of a common lightness scale in the present study showed that there is a surprisingly good correlation between instrumentally measured specular gloss, distinctness of image, and Wave scan LW and Wd parameters, and the corresponding visually evaluated data at the four investigated achromatic levels.     

Integration of analytic hierarchy process and data envelopment analysis for assessment and optimization of personnel productivity in a large industrial bank

This paper presents an integration of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for assessment and optimization of personnel productivity in a large private bank. In this algorithm the effective personnel operation indicators are evaluated by the management which is usually in qualitative forms and converted to quantitative forms by using AHP. Then, the ranking and efficiency of the organization will be assessed and optimized by DEA. Principal components analysis (PCA) and numeral taxonomy (NT) are applied to verify and validate the ranking results of the DEA method. We applied this algorithm in various branches of the Bank of Industry and Mine in Iran. The proposed framework may be used to study and optimize personnel productivity in large banks. This is the first study that integrated DEA and AHP for optimization of personnel productivity in large banks based on both qualitative and quantitative indicators.     

Investigation of the preparation methodologies of Pd-Cu single atom alloy catalysts for selective hydrogenation of acetylene

Galvanic replacement, co-impregnation and sequential impregnation have been employed to prepare Pd-Cu bimetallic catalysts with less than 1 wt-% Cu and ca. 0.03 wt-% Pd for selective hydrogenation of acetylene in excess ethylene. High angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and H₂ chemisorption results confirmed that Pd-Cu single-atom alloy structures were constructed in all three bimetallic catalysts. Catalytic tests indicated that when the conversion of acetylene was above 99%, the selectivity of ethylene of these three single atom alloy catalysts was still more than 73%. Furthermore, the single atom alloy catalyst prepared by sequential incipient wetness impregnation was found to have the best stability among the three procedures used.     

Correlation between Young’s modulus and impregnation quality of epoxy-impregnated SWCNT buckypaper

Carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets, also known as buckypaper, have high potential for structural applications due to their high volume fraction of CNT, the strongest and stiffest materials known. In this work, two different techniques, one based on positive pressure and another based on vacuum infiltration, are utilized to impregnate single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) buckypaper sheets of 50–70 μm in thickness, resulting in a Young’s modulus of up to 15.4 GPa. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the vacuum-based technique results in more effective impregnation of the buckypaper than the positive pressure technique. Thermogravimetry analysis of vacuum-impregnated specimens indicated a void content ranging from 5% to 32%. An advanced Mori–Tanaka-based micromechanics technique is also utilized to predict the effect of SWCNT volume fraction and void content on Young’s modulus of nanocomposites. These calculations suggest a higher void content of around 40% for the vacuum-impregnated composites.