Topography of ion-etched Corning 7059 glass

Topographs of Corning 7059 glass, developed by 7Kv, 70A Ar⁺ irradiation from a hollow anode ion gun were investigated. Two forms of surface topography were observed: lens-shaped cavities and waves. These are discussed in terms of measured sputtering yield against incidence angle relation or beam divergence. Practical applications in specimen preparation for transmission electron microscopy and glass homogeneity testing are suggested.     

The Tribology of PS212 Coatings and PM212 Composites for the Lubrication of Titanium 6A1-4V Components of a Stirling Engine Space Power System

The Stirling space power machine incorporates a linear alternator to generate electrical power. The alternator is a reciprocating device that is driven by a solar or nuclear-powered Stirling engine. The power piston and cylinder are made of titanium 6A1–4V (Ti6–4) alloy, and are designed to be lubricated by a hydrodynamically-generated gas film. Rubbing occurs during starts and stops and there is the possibility of an occasional high speed rub. Since titanium is known to have a severe galling tendency in sliding contacts, a “backup,” self-lubricating coating on the cylinder and/or the piston is needed. This report describes the results of a research program to study the lubrication of Ti6–4 with the following chromium carbide based materials: plasma-sprayed PS212 coatings and sintered PM212 counterfaces. Program objectives are to achieve adherent coatings on Ti6–4 and to measure the friction and wear characteristics of the following sliding combinations under conditions simulative of the Stirling-driven space power linear alternator: Ti6–4/Ti6–4 baseline, Ti6–4/PS212-coated Ti6–4, and PS212-coated Ti6–4/PM212.     

Proton exchange membranes for fuel cells operated at medium temperatures: Materials and experimental techniques

Given the energy problem that our society is facing, interest has been growing in the so-called hydrogen economy. In this system, fuel cells play an essential part. This paper gives an overview of the different materials currently thought to be potential proton exchange membrane materials for fuel cells operated at medium temperatures (100-200 °C). This includes perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes like Nafion® but Institut Laue-Langevin, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, BP 156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, Franceese materials will be given. The most frequently used experimental techniques to study the morphology of these membrane materials and their proton conduction mechanisms and water transport will be reviewed and presented. The aim of this review is double: to help scientists and science managers not yet in this field to easily gain an overview of the state-of-the-art membrane materials and the experimental techniques used to study them; and to give insight to scientists already carrying out research on membrane materials on how to extend their research either on other materials or with other experimental techniques.     

A microporous and high surface area active carbon obtained by the heat-treatment of chitosan

A method is described for converting chitosan into a high surface area and porous active carbon using a Na₂CO₃ solution impregnated into a partly depolymerized, protonated and water soaked chitosan. The wet chitosan paste is heat treated and transformed into a nonporous solid i.e. a carbon-rich matrix with uniformly suspended Na₂CO₃ nanocrystallites. Subsequent HCl etching opens cavities in the matrix due to the removal of the Na₂CO₃. The active carbon is high surface area (above 400 m²/g), microporous (below 1 nm) and nitrogen-rich (above 6% atomic).     

The engineering aspects of automated prepreg layup: History,present and future

Highly consistent quality and cost-effective manufacture of advanced composites can be achieved through automation. It may therefore open up new markets and applications for composite products in aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, and consumer goods. Automated Tape Laying (ATL) and Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) are the two main technologies used to automate the layup of prepreg. The historical development and past research of both technologies is reviewed; with an emphasis on past issues in application and capability as well as their solution, including both thermoset and thermoplastic material layup. It is shown that past developments have moved away from simply emulating manual layup into the now unique layup procedures for ATL, and into the current AFP technology base. The state of the art for both technologies is discussed and current gaps in the understanding of both processes highlighted. From this, future research needs and developments are derived and discussed.     

Analysis of the solvent diffusion in glassy polymer films using a set inversion method

Within the framework of solvent diffusion in glassy polymers, this paper concerns an experimental study of toluene sorption and desorption in P(MMA/nBMA) copolymer films. Gravimetric experiments (quartz microbalance) are performed in a pressure and temperature controlled chamber. Coupling between solvent diffusion and viscoelastic relaxation is taken into account through the time-dependent solubility model, based on the Fick diffusion equation inside the film and a time variable boundary condition at the film/vapor interface. Viscoelastic relaxation is described by a first order model or by a stretched exponential. In the present paper, a special focus is given on the set inversion method used to analyze the data and to derive well-defined uncertainty intervals upon each determined quantity, taking all the uncertainties on the weight measurements into account. We find that the mutual diffusion coefficient strongly decreases in the glassy state, of about two orders of magnitude for a 0.05 decrease in the solvent weight fraction.     

Interpersonal complementarity and appeasement in relationships with initiators of childhood psychosocial trauma.

Childhood psychosocial trauma (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse) influences perceptions and expectations about interpersonal relations. This study tests the hypothesis that these influences can be assessed through measurement of interpersonal complementarity. Self-reports of perceptions of relationships with childhood abuse initiators are examined for a clinical sample of 20 dissociative disorder patients (aged 19–52 yrs) using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior. Patient ratings of their relationships with abuse initiators showed marked deviations from complementarity. Substantial appeasement of the abuser was also indicated in the ratings. Implications for psychotherapy of abuse victims are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of intermolecular interactions on the properties of carbon nanotubes

This study is aiming at theoretical and experimental confirmations of the deposition of oligothiophene dyes (OT) on structurally and chemically diverse surfaces of carbon materials, especially carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This study is a contribution to the wide search and design of novel hybrid materials for light-sensitive (dye solar cells) and light-emitting (LEDs) structures. The obtained materials containing OTs embedded in the pores of a carbon matrix were analysed by means of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques as well as low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen, together with an investigation of the surface area by the BET method. Confocal microscopy was employed to confirm the immobilization of oligomers on the surface of CNTs. Raman spectra, XRD and HTEM microscopies allowed to judge the quality of the carbonaceous material and to compare the test material before and after the introduction of OT. Additionally, the elemental content and elemental surface species were determined by means of XPS and combustion elemental analyses. The explanation of thiophene; 2,2\(^\prime \):5\(^\prime \),2\({^{\prime \prime }}\)-terthiophene and \(\alpha \)-sexithiophene molecular interactions with single wall armchair CNTs was supported by theoretical calculations. In computational investigations, CNTs were modelled by tubules of different sizes, lengths and hydrogenated open ends.     

Analyses of circRNA Expression throughout the Light-Dark Cycle Reveal a Strong Regulation of Cdr1as,Associated with Light Entrainment in the SCN

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of relatively stable RNA molecules that are highly expressed in animal brains. Many circRNAs have been associated with CNS disorders accompanied by an aberrant wake-sleep cycle. However, the regulation of circRNAs in brain homeostasis over daily light-dark (LD) cycles has not been characterized. Here, we aim to quantify the daily expression changes of circRNAs in physiological conditions in healthy adult animals. Using newly generated and public RNA-Seq data, we monitored circRNA expression throughout the 12:12 h LD cycle in various mouse brain regions. We identified that Cdr1as, a conserved circRNA that regulates synaptic transmission, is highly expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master circadian pacemaker. Despite its high stability, Cdr1as has a very dynamic expression in the SCN throughout the LD cycle, as well as a significant regulation in the hippocampus following the entry into the dark phase. Computational integration of different public datasets predicted that Cdr1as is important for regulating light entrainment in the SCN. We hypothesize that the expression changes of Cdr1as in the SCN, particularly during the dark phase, are associated with light-induced phase shifts. Importantly, our work revises the current beliefs about natural circRNA stability and suggests that the time component must be considered when studying circRNA regulation.     

Hybrid catalyst containing nano-sized LaMnO3 and carbon black for high yield and selective ketonization of n-butanol

An attempt has been made to synthesize a two-component hybrid material for highly selective catalytic ketonization of n-butanol. The perovskite-type oxide nano-crystallites were synthesized in the presence of carbon black particles by thermal transformation of equimolar mixture of lanthanum and manganese hydroxides into the perovskite-type oxide. The two-component material was tested as a catalyst for unconventional conversion of n-butanol to heptanone-4. The catalyst exhibited very high selectivity and yield towards the products, despite low content of LaMnO₃ in the two-component material (less than 10% by weight). The low oxide content led to the reduction of the cost of catalyst fabrication and is compensated by its high dispersion (grains ca. 20-30 nm in diameter) providing high conversion and yield comparable to pure-oxide catalysts. Catalyst fabrication is simple and environment friendly since it does not require organic solvents and excess amount of heavy metals (La and Mn).