Alkali oxide containing mesoporous bioactive glasses: Synthesis,characterization and in vitro bioactivity

We report, for the first time, the synthesis of sodium oxide containing mesoporous bioactive quaternary glasses and compared with two different mesoporous ternary silicate systems by modified sol–gel process. With the aid of three different glass systems, a systematic analysis has been made on phosphorous-bearing (P-bearing) and phosphorous-free (P-free) mesoporous bioactive glasses to investigate the role of phosphorus on in vitro bioactivity of various silicate glasses with constant alkali oxide content. The combined use of multiple analytical techniques XRD, FTIR, SEM, nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis before and after soaking in the SBF solution allowed us to establish strong correlation between composition, pore structure and bioactivity. We find that the P-bearing mesoporous glasses show the rapid hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) crystallization than P-free mesoporous glasses independent of calcium content. The present study reveals that the presence of phosphorous jointly with calcium in the bioactive glass system significantly enhances the rate of apatite formation as well as crystallization of apatite phase. Additionally, we find that a glass with sodium orthophosphate rich phase enhances the solubility when immersed in SBF and further accelerate the kinetics of apatite formation. The influences of the chemical composition and their superior textural properties on bioactivity are explained in terms of the unique structure of mesoporous bioactive glasses.     

Synthesis,spectral, and thermal characterization of photoreactive epoxy resin containing cycloalkanone moiety in the main chain

Dual functional epoxy resins were synthesized by solution polycondensation of 2,6‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy benzylidene)cyclohexanone and 2,5‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy benzylidene)cyclopentanone with epichlorohydrin. The synthesized epoxy resins were characterized systematically for their structure by UV, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal characterization of synthesized epoxy resins was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nitrogen atmosphere. The self extinguishing property of synthesized oligomers was studied by determining limiting oxygen index (LOI) values using Van Krevelen's equation. X‐ray analysis showed that the epoxy resins containing cyclopentanone have higher degree of crystallinity. The photoreactive property of the synthesized epoxy resins in solution and film states was investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The photocross‐linking proceeds through the dimerization of olefinic chromophore present in the main chain of the oligomer via 2π + 2π cycloaddition reaction. The influence of photoacid generator on the rate of photocross‐linking of epoxy resin was studied by FTIR. UV irradiation of the epoxy resin in presence of photoacid generator produces aromatic sulfonium cation radicals and aromatic radicals which initiate the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of oxirane ring. The photoreactivity studies of the oligomers by FTIR and DSC indicated the presence of dual functionality in the synthesized epoxy resins. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Detection and Segmentation of Cracks in Weld Images Using ANFIS Classification Method

Russian Journal of Nondestructive Testing - This paper proposes the detection and classifications of weld images for crack detection using image processing techniques. The proposed method consists...     

Performance of an inclined solar still with rectangular grooves and ridges

This work investigates the experimental performance of a new type inclined solar still with rectangular grooves and ridges in absorber plate. The still was fabricated and tested for various inclination angles of 25°, 30° and 35° facing south with absorber plate. Performances of the still were compared with different wick materials (Black cotton cloth, Jute cloth, and Waste cotton pieces) on the absorber plate. The effect of placing porous material (Clay pot) and energy storing material (Mild steel pieces) in the grooves were studied. The results demonstrate that 30° inclination is optimum which yielded 3.77 L/day production. Compared to different wick materials, black cotton cloth helps to achieve maximum productivity of 4.21 L/day. The addition of permeable materials and energy absorbing materials also enhances the distillate output to 4.27 L/day.     

Synthesis,spectral, and thermal characterization of photosensitive poly(ether–ester)s containing α,β‐unsaturated ketone moieties in the main chain derived from 2,6‐bis[4‐(3‐hydroxypropyloxy)‐3‐methoxybenzylidene]cyclohexanone

A series of photosensitive poly(ether–ester)s containing α,β‐unsaturated ketone moieties in the main chain were synthesized from 2,6‐bis[4‐(3‐hydroxypropyloxy)‐3‐methoxybenzylidene]cyclohexanone (BHPMBCH) and aliphatic and aromatic diacid chlorides. The diol precursor, BHPMBCH, was synthesized from 2,6‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone and 3‐bromo‐1‐propanol. The solubility of the polymers was tested in various solvents. The intrinsic viscosity of the synthesized polymers, determined by an Oswald viscometer, was found to be 0.06–0.80 g/dL. The molecular structures of the monomer and polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectral analyses. The thermal properties were studied with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The thermogravimetric analysis data revealed that the polymers were stable up to 220°C and started degrading thereafter. The thermal stability initially increased with increasing spacer length and then decreased due to negative effects of the spacer. The self‐extinguishing properties of the synthesized polymers were studied by the determination of the limiting oxygen index values with Van Krevelen's equation. In addition, the photocrosslinking properties of the polymer chain were studied with UV spectroscopy, and we observed that the rate of photocrosslinking increased significantly with increasing methylene carbon chain length of the acid spacer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Crystalline alumina films prepared by nebulized spray pyrolysis

Crystalline alumina films have been successfully deposited on Si(100) and amorphous silica substrates by the nebulized spray pyrolysis technique. The surface morphology of the films has been studied by various microscopic techniques. The films exhibit satisfactory microhardness and frequency independent capacitance.     

Structural and optical properties of γ-alumina thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Preparation of γ-alumina thin films by pulsed laser deposition from a sintered α-alumina target is investigated. The films were deposited on (100) silicon substrates at 973 K with varying oxygen partial pressures in the range 2.0 × 10⁻⁵-3.5 × 10^− 1 mbar. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the films were polycrystalline γ-Al₂O₃ with cubic structure. The films prepared in the oxygen partial pressure range 2.0 × 10^− 5-3.5 × 10^− 2 mbar contained nanocrystals of sizes in the range 10-16 nm, and became amorphous at pressures > 3.5 × 10^− 1 mbar. Topography of the films was examined by atomic force microscopy using contact mode and it showed the formation of nanostructures. The root-mean square surface roughness of the film prepared at 2.0 × 10^− 5 mbar and 3.5 × 10^− 1 mbar were 1.4 nm and 3.5 nm, respectively. The thickness and optical properties were studied using ellipsometry in the energy range 1.5-5.5 eV for three different angles of incidence. The refractive index was found to decrease from 1.81 to 1.73 with the increase of oxygen partial pressures from 2.0 × 10^− 5 to 3.5 × 10^− 2 mbar. The variation in the refractive index has been found to be influenced by the microstructure of the films obtained as a function of oxygen partial pressure.     

Experimental study on spiral flow passive solar water heater

This study presents the experimental analysis of spiral flow flat plate collector passive solar water heater. A solar water heater was fabricated with spiral shaped copper water tube fixed on the flat plate aluminium absorber plate. The experiments were conducted at Kovilpatti (9°10′ N, 77°52′ E), India, during summer. Variations in exit water temperature and efficiency of the system were studied for different mass flow rates. Around 2 pm, the system reached the maximum efficiency point. The maximum efficiency of the system was 65.98% at 0.015 kg/s mass flow with exit water temperature of 95°C when the ambient temperature was 36°C.     

Three-dimensional sodium phosphinates derived from a bis-functionalized phosphinic acid

The synthesis and crystal structures of two three-dimensional sodium phosphinates are reported. While [Na₂{(CH₂OH)₂PO₂}₂(H₂O)]_n (1) is formed from the direct reaction of bis(hydroxylmethyl)phosphinic acid with NaOH, the addition of 1,10-phenanthroline to the above reaction mixture results in the formation of [Na₂{(CH₂OH)₂PO₂}₂]_n (2). The basic structural unit of the 3D polymeric networks in both 1 and 2 is a dimeric Na₂L₂ moiety. In case of 1, these units are interconnected through coordination via phosphoryl and alcoholic oxygen atoms to eventually result in a three-dimensional network. However in the case of 2, only the phosphoryl oxygen is responsible for gluing the Na₂L₂ dimeric units into a three-dimensional framework.