Analysis of deuterium NMR spectra of probe chains diffusing in a stretched polybutadiene network

Polybutadiene network was swollen with short perdeuterated network-like chains (PBD). Deuterium NMR spectra of these probe chains are measured as the rubber matrix is uniaxially elongated. Due to the presence of two kinds of deuterons (methylene and ethylene) and two possible configurations of monomer units (cis and trans) in PBD chains, composite NMR spectra are observed and analysed. They evidence for different orientational behaviour of cis and trans units. ‘Rod-like’ motional behaviour of the trans units leads to higher degree of orientational order than for the cis units.     

Methodology for set-up planning automation of turned parts

This paper presents an automatic set-up planning module integrated in a CAPP system for rotational parts to be machined on a lathe. The developed system determines the possible set-up combinations that are necessary for a complete machining of the part as well as the order of each set-up and the surfaces to be used for clamping the part. The applied methodology takes into consideration constraints such as the geometry of both the stock and the final part, the geometry and the capacity of the chuck, and the part tolerances. In general, these constraints allow the system to obtain several valid solutions for clamping the part. Some criteria based on the clamping force and the value of tolerances have been considered in order to establish a preference order among these solutions. Finally, the analysis of linked tolerances and the tool approach direction to each surface determine the sets of surfaces to be machined within each set-up. An example part is used in the course of the paper to illustrate conveniently the methodology, and two additional case studies prove that this methodology is adequate for the solution of real cases.     

Extending MLPG primitive variable-based method for implementation in fluid flow and natural,forced and mixed convection heat transfer

The purpose of the current study is to empower the MLPG primitive variable-based method using the characteristic-based split (CBS) scheme to solve the laminar fluid flow and natural, forced, and mixed convection heat transfer at, respectively, higher Rayleigh, Reynolds and Peclet, and Reynolds and Grashof numbers than those that the MLPG approach has ever solved. In this work, the CBS scheme with unity test function is employed for discretization and the moving least square (MLS) method is used for interpolation. As some test cases, natural convection within a square cavity, forced convection by fluid flow over a bundle of tubes, and mixed convection within a lid-driven square cavity are solved by the proposed method. For verifications, the obtained results are compared with those of the conventional numerical methods in the literature. Being entirely meshless, strong in nature, and able to give accurate and stable results for the broadest range of laminar fluid flow involving any of the three modes of convection heat transfer, the proposed method shows to be a flexible and reliable technique which can replace many available meshfree methods in the literature.     

植物纤维单块土坯抗压试验研究

通过对同尺寸的单块素土坯及掺和麦秸秆的单块土坯的各向抗压试验获得了素土坯和掺和麦秸秆土坯的抗压强度及受力破坏形态,总结了单块土坯抗压试验的试验过程及试验现象。得到荷载—位移曲线后,评估掺和麦秸秆对土坯抗压承载能力的影响及得出了麦秸秆的最优掺量。掺和适量的麦秸秆能提高土坯的抗压强度及应变能力。从本试验研究得出的结果,为土坯砌体试验和土坯墙片试验提供基本力学性能数据。     

A second order sliding mode strategy for fault detection and fault-tolerant-control of a MEMS optical switch

Optical switches are widely used in telecommunication industry due to their many desirable characteristics. In this paper, robust fault detection and fault-tolerant-control (FTC) system for an uncertain nonlinear MEMS optical switch are presented. The design strategy is based on the second order sliding mode approach. A robust second order nonlinear sliding mode observer capable of filtering unwanted high frequencies due to unmodeled dynamics is used to generate quantities called the the residuals. The residuals are then used for the purpose of fault detection and alarm generation. Once an alarm is registered, a fault tolerant control strategy is employed. Two different fault-tolerant control strategies for the unhealthy system are considered. The first strategy is based on conventional sliding mode, while the second is based on a second order sliding mode theory. Robustness and convergence of the proposed schemes are proved using the second method of Lyapunov and the super-twisting algorithm. A comparative study is then performed to demonstrate the superior capability of second order sliding mode control strategy in fault accommodation. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed strategy for detection of faults, and subsequent control of the MEMS optical switch is illustrated through simulation studies.     

Main chain and segmental dynamics of semi interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyisoprene and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Main chain and segmental dynamics of polyisoprene (PI) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chains in semi IPNs were systematically studied over a wide range of temperatures (above and below T_g of both polymers) as a function of composition, crosslink density, and molecular weight. The immiscible polymers retained most of its characteristic molecular motion; however, the semi IPN synthesis resulted in dramatic changes in the motional behavior of both polymers due to the molecular level interpenetration between two polymer chains. ESR spin probe method was found to be sensitive to the concentration changes of PMMA in semi IPNs. Low temperature spectra showed the characteristics of rigid limit spectra, and in the range of 293-373 K, complex spectra were obtained with the slow component mostly arising out of the PMMA rich regions and fast component from the PI phase. We found that the rigid PMMA chains closely interpenetrated into the highly mobile PI network imparts motional restriction in nearby PI chains, and the highly mobile PI chains induce some degree of flexibility in highly rigid PMMA chains. Molecular level interchain mixing was found to be more efficient at a PMMA concentration of 35 wt.%. Moreover, the strong interphase formed in the above mentioned semi IPN contributed to the large slow component in the ESR spectra at higher temperature. The shape of the spectra along with the data obtained from the simulations of spectra was correlated to the morphology of the semi IPNs. The correlation time measurement detected the motional region associated with the glass transition of PI and PMMA, and these regions were found to follow the same pattern of shifts in α-relaxation of PI and PMMA observed in DMA analysis. Activation energies associated with the T_g regions were also calculated. T_50G was found to correlate with the T_g of PMMA, and the volume of polymer segments undergoing glass transitional motion was calculated to be 1.7 nm³. C-13 T_1ρ measurements of PMMA carbons indicate that the molecular level interactions were strong in semi IPN irrespective of the immiscible nature of polymers. The motional characteristics of H atoms attached to carbon atoms in both polymers were analyzed using 2D WISE NMR. Main relaxations of both components shifted inward, and both SEM and TEM analysis showed the development of a nanometer - sized morphology in the case of highly crosslinked semi IPN.     

Surface plasmon resonance and electrical properties of RF: magnetron sputtered carbon–nickel composite films at different annealing temperatures

In this work, the optical absorption spectra of carbon–nickel films annealed at different temperatures(300–1000 °C) with a special emphasis on the surface plasmon resonance(SPR) were investigated. The films were grown on quartz substrates by radio-frequency(RF)magnetron co-sputtering at room temperature with a deposition time of 600 s. The optical absorption peaks due to the SPR of Ni particle are observed in the wavelength range of 300–330 nm. With annealing temperature increasing up to 500 °C due to the increase in Ni particle size, the intensity of the SPR peaks increases, but weakens with annealing temperature increasing over 500 °C. The Ni nanoparticle size, the dielectric function of carbon matrix(ε_m) and the plasma frequency of the free electrons(ω_p) at500 °C have the maximum values of 21.63 nm, 0.471 and5.26 9 10~(15)s~(-1), respectively. The absorption peak shows a redshift trend up to 500 °C and then turn to blueshift with annealing temperature increasing over 500 °C. These observations are in a good agreement with the electrical measurements in temperature range of 15–520 K and the Maxwell–Garnett(M–G) effective medium theory(EMT).     

Quaternary structure regulates hemin dissociation from human hemoglobin

Rate constants for hemin dissociation from the alpha and beta subunits of native and recombinant human hemoglobins were measured as a function of protein concentration at pH 7.0, 37 degrees C, using H64Y/V68F apomyoglobin as a hemin acceptor reagent. Hemin dissociation rates were also measured for native isolated alpha and beta chains and for recombinant hemoglobin tetramers stabilized by alpha subunit fusion. The rate constant for hemin dissociation from beta subunits in native hemoglobin increases from 1.5 h-1 in tetramers at high protein concentration to 15 h-1 in dimers at low concentrations. The rate of hemin dissociation from alpha subunits in native hemoglobin is significantly smaller (0.3-0.6 h-1) and shows little dependence on protein concentration. Recombinant hemoglobins containing a fused di-alpha subunit remain tetrameric under all concentrations and show rates of hemin loss similar to those observed for wild-type and native hemoglobin at high protein concentration. Rates of hemin dissociation from monomeric alpha and beta chains are much greater, 12 and 40 h-1, respectively, at pH 7, 37 degrees C. Aggregation of monomers to form alpha1beta1 dimers greatly stabilizes bound hemin in alpha chains, decreasing its rate of hemin loss approximately 20-fold. In contrast, dimer formation has little stabilizing effect on hemin binding to beta subunits. A significant reduction in the rate of hemin loss from beta subunits does occur after formation of the alpha1beta2 interface in tetrameric hemoglobin. These results suggest that native human hemoglobin may have evolved to lose heme rapidly after red cell lysis, allowing the prosthetic group to be removed by serum albumin and apohemopexin.     

Investigation on the thermal and crystallization behavior of high density polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends and their composites

The properties of a blend containing a crystallizable component depend largely on the extent of crystallinity and the crystallization behavior of that component in presence of the other. Here, the semi crystalline high density polyethylene (HDPE) is blended with the amorphous elastomer, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (nitrile rubber or NBR) and we focus mainly on the crystallinity of HDPE/NBR immiscible blends and its variation in the presence of compatibilizer and filler. The effect of blend ratio, compatibilizer concentration, dynamic vulcanization, and filler incorporation were carefully evaluated from the crystallinity measurements using differential scanning calorimeter and the basic aim of this work lies in tuning these conditions. This study allows the elucidation of the influence of crosslink density in regulating the crystallinity of thermoplastic elastomer blends. The scanning electron micrographs provide blend morphology from which the reduced domain size and the influence of NBR particles as heterogeneous nuclei for crystallization are evidenced especially at 5% compatibilizer concentration. The crystallinity of blends was observed to be high at 30 phr carbon black filler addition. Finally, the thermal stability of blends and their composites are also addressed and correlated with the crystallization effect. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1203–1210, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers