Rhizobium trifolii capsular polysaccharide: a novel biopolymer with striking physical properties

The physical properties of the capsular polysaccharide of Rhizobium Trifolii (CPS) were investigated. Viscosity measurements provided information about the hydrodynamic volume of single coils, the perturbation of solvent flow and the shear-thinning behaviour of concentrated solutions. Changes in chain geometry and the development of an intermolecular network as a function of temperature were monitored using the techniques of optical rotation and dynamic oscillation. Finally, analysis of calorimetric thermograms elucidated the type of interactions between CPS and the bacterial levan. Overall, the Rhizobium polysaccharide was found to form thermally-reversible gels at an extremely low 'minimum critical gelling concentration' (c_o∼ 0.35gl^-1). At temperatures above the gel melting point (∼ 48°C), however, the compact polymer coils entangled at comparatively high concentrations (about 60 times higher than c_o). In the presence of a highly branched levan, the thermal stability of ordered CPS structures increased as a consequence of thermodynamic incompatibility between the two polymers.     

Danish and Norwegian wind industry: The relationship between policy instruments, innovation and diffusion

This article compares the role of policy instruments in stimulating long-term technological change in Danish and Norwegian wind industry. It concludes that although predictability has periodically been low, Denmark's broad portfolio of policies and measures has been well adapted to the different stages in the development of its wind industry. This has contributed to a high degree of innovation, successful establishment in niche markets, high degree of diffusion and establishment of domestic and international mass markets, and—in recent years—an increasingly successful replacement of senescent technology with new. The motivation of Norway's wind energy policies and measures—at least up until the late 1990s—has been to increase power supply rather than to stimulate industrial development and technological change. Policies and measures have been weaker than in Denmark; have been less stable over time; and stimulated the demand side much less. They have not sufficiently covered the wind industry's perceived needs on different stages in the development of new technology, and have not sufficiently stimulated continuous improvement, learning and new product development (dynamic efficiency) in industry. This has been part of the reason why there has been only a limited extent of innovation and diffusion of wind technology in Norway.     

Preparation and characterization of polyurethane microcapsules containing n‐octadecane with styrene‐maleic anhydride as a surfactant by interfacial polycondensation

A series of polyurethane microcapsules containing a phase change material (PCM) of n‐octadecane was successfully synthesized by an interfacial polymerization in aqueous styrene‐maleic anhydride (SMA) dispersion with diethylene triamine (DETA) as a chain extender reacting with toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI). The average diameter of microPCMs is in the range of 5–10 μm under the stirring speed of 3000–4000 rpm. Optical and SEM morphologies of microPCMs had ensured that the shell was regularly fabricated with the influence of SMA. FTIR results confirmed that the shell material was polyurethane and the SMA chains associated on core material reacted with TDI forming a part of shell material. The shell thickness was decreasing in the range of 0.31–0.55 μm with the molar ratio of DETA/TDI from 0.84 to 1.35 and the weight of core material increasing from 40 to 80% (wt %). By controlling the weight ratio of PCM as 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% in microPCMs, it was found using DSC that the T_m and T_c of microPCMs were in the range of 29.8–31.0^oC and 21.1–22.0°C and an obvious phase change had been achieved nearly the same temperature range of that of PCM. The results from release curves of microPCM samples prepared by 1.4, 1.7, and 2.0 g of SMA indicated the release properties were affected by the amount of the dispersant, which attributed to the emulsion effect and shell polymerization structure. The above results suggest that the shell structure of microPCMs can be controlled and the properties of microPCMs determined by shell will perform proper practical usage. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4996–5006, 2006     

Instability due to Viscosity Stratification Downstream of a Centerline Injector

A common injector geometry upstream of a static mixer is the centerline injector. A flow instability can arise due to viscosity differences between the injected core‐flow and the outer co‐flow. This instability can adversely affect the effectiveness of the mixing operation. An experimental investigation of miscible viscosity‐stratified flow in a circular geometry was performed using Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The experimental results for the stable region agree with the analytical results. The unstable region exhibits different modes depending on the viscosity ratio, volume flux ratio, and Reynolds number. The modes include wavy core‐flow with fissures and wavy core‐flow with core breakup. The time‐averaged experiment velocity profiles for the unstable core indicate a broadening of the jet at the centerline, which is consistent with the LIF visualization.     

大港油田官109-1断块稠油油藏碱/表面活性剂吞吐采油技术

大港油田官109-1断块稠油油藏的油井由于井筒、近井地带发生原油有机沉积,储层原油流动性差,采用多种方法都不能正常生产。为此研制了一种碱性解堵液,用于油井化学吞吐。该解堵液为复配碱和抗硬剂等添加剂的10%两性木质素表面活性剂溶液,能使玻璃片表面由亲油变强亲水,在石英上的接触角为6°(稀释至1/2和1/4浓度时为11°和12°),与羊大站原油间的界面张力为1.75×10-3~3.18×10-3mN/m。该解堵液与黏度1~50 Pa.s的不同区块稠油按体积比1∶1混合形成的乳状液,60℃、175 s-1黏度为2~6 mPa.s,在配液水矿化度高达6000mg/L以上或钙镁离子浓度高达250 mg/L时,该解堵液仍能保持对稠油的乳化降黏能力。该解堵液从实验岩心中驱出的原油量比地层水多75%,驱出液为乳状液。通过一个井例介绍了化学吞吐工艺:先用一种降黏解堵液对油井进行预处理,清洗油管、炮眼及近井地带,再注入碱性解堵液(该井例中为500 m3),注入时间约15小时,然后开井生产。2000年2月至2002年6月在16口新投产井实施化学吞吐(第一轮次),15口井有效,其中2口井先后转注水,其余13口井到2005年底仍继续产油。图1表6参5。     

辐射对血液流变效应的研究及动物全身照射后全血粘度的变化规律

本文结果表明经一次大剂量全身照射后的机体血液流变的主要特性为全血表观粘度先高粘后低粘的双向性变化,从照后第一天起即升高。随着放射病病程的发展,在早期有一个高粘峰,其峰均值比照前升高47.80％。但因不同动物、不同剂量、不同均速,不同血源而变化不同。     

影响聚合物段塞流变性因素的研究

本文针对我国表面活性剂/聚合物驱油的实际,研究了石油磺酸盐(PS)、正丁醇(R_4OH)和矿化水对水解聚丙烯酰胺(HPAM)溶液流变性的影响。结果表明,PS对HPAM溶液流变性的影响与介质的矿化度有关:非矿化水介质中,PS对HPAM溶液性质的影响类似于无机盐,能降低HPAM溶液的表现粘度(η_α)和稠度系数(k);当系统中含有一定浓度矿化水时,PS却能升高系统的η_α和k值,降低流型指数(n),使系统的非牛顿性增强。在含有PS和矿化水的HPAM系统中加入R_4OH,系统的η_α和k值会有所增加。     

Synthesis of Nearly Monodisperse Iron Oxide and Oxyhydroxide Nanocrystals

Uniform magnetite, hematite, and goethite nanocrystals were prepared through an attractive method based on an oleic acid/alcohol/water system. By adjusting the synthetic parameters (base concentration, alcohol content, categories of alcohols, etc.), the controlled synthesis of uniform magnetite, hematite, and goethite nanocrystals can be easily achieved. Detailed investigations on the effect of the experimental parameters on the morphology of the final products and the phase transitions among the magnetite, hematite, and goethite phases were carried out. Finally, a method of doping other metal ions into magnetite was developed and the magnetic properties of magnetite doped with different metal elements were studied.     

The 'Conceptual Change In Science' project

Abstract This paper outlines the work of the Conceptual Change in Science project, funded as part of the ESRC InTER programme. The aims of this research project are to clarify and describe the process of change in learners' conceptual understandings of natural phenomena. The domain of reasoning selected for study is that of mechanics. Computer software which may be useful in exploring and developing pupils' reasoning and promoting conceptual change in this domain is being developed and evaluated. The group that is carrying out the research is based at the Universities of Leeds, Glasgow and the Open University.     

基于过程能力指数的刀具寿命研究

利用Glejser检验方法拟舍出刀具磨损过程残差模型，在此基础上，计算换刀时刻的过程能力指数，并且根据企业所要求的最低过程能力指数，计算刀具的质量寿命，提出将刀具的切削寿命和质量寿命结合起来进行换刀决策的方法。