Effect of Acetic Acid as Catalyst on the Properties of Epoxy Foam

In this study, the effect of acetic acid used as catalyst in promoting the decomposition rate of blowing agent (sodium bicarbonate) in epoxy foam was done. Hard epoxy foam was produced using mechanical mixing technique. Epoxy foam has been tested with adding acetic acid at 5 phr and different content of sodium bicarbonate which are 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 phr, respectively. The effect of acetic acid on the viscosity, density, mechanical properties, and dielectric constant has been studied. The results were compared between with and without acetic acid in the system. Viscosity reading was increased with increasing the content of sodium bicarbonate due to the rapid production of bubbles that created porosity in the structure of epoxy foam. The addition of acetic acid is able to reduce the dielectric constant. In overall, the density, flexural strength and modulus dropped for the epoxy foam with acetic acid as compared to that of without acetic acid.     

Catalytic Etherification of Glycerol to Diglycerol Over Heterogeneous Calcium-Based Mixed-Oxide Catalyst: Reusability and Stability

The activities of different heterogeneous alkaline-earth metal oxide catalysts and mixed-metal oxide catalysts were investigated. Glycerol etherification was carried out at 250°C in a three-necked glass reactor vessel at atmospheric pressure. In a typical experiment, 50 g of anhydrous glycerol was loaded into the reactor. Then, 2 wt.% of catalyst was added to the reactor. The reactor was then heated to the appropriate reaction temperature in nitrogen atmosphere under continuous stirring. The heterogeneous CaO catalyst showed the highest catalytic conversion (72%) compared with other alkaline-earth metal oxides, with a diglycerol yield of 19%. The highest glycerol conversion of 96% and diglycerol yield of 52% were observed for the mixed-metal oxide catalyst (Ca_1.6Al_0.4La_0.6O₃). Reusability and stability of this catalyst were tested. The ICP-AES analysis was performed to confirm the leaching of the metal species in the liquid phase of the reaction mixture.     

THE INFLUENCE OF MOISTURE ON THE COMBUSTION OF WOOD

A new three-dimensional (3-D) field model for enclosure fire growth has been developed by CSIRO and UNSW, Australia. The model includes the coupling of gas-phase combustion and the pyrolysis of wood. It has been used to predict the flame spread and fire development in a room witha rear timber wall and a propane burner. A parametric study of the effects of the moisture content of the timber on the flame spread and development of the fire in a room is described. The computed results compare satisfactorily with measurements from a fire test carefully conducted in a room.     

A BUBBLE MECHANISTIC MODEL FOR SUBCOOLED BOILING FLOW PREDICTIONS

Population balance equations combined with a three-dimensional two-fluid model are employed to predict subcooled boiling flow at low pressure in a vertical annular channel. The MUSIG (Multiple-Size-Group) model implemented in CFX4.4 is extended to account for the wall nucleation and condensation in the subcooled boiling regime. Comparison of model predictions against local measurements is made for the void fraction, bubble Sauter diameter, interfacial area concentration, bubble population density, and gas and liquid velocities covering a range of different mass and heat fluxes and inlet subcooling temperatures. Good agreement is achieved with the local radial void fraction, bubble Sauter diameter, interfacial area concentration, bubble population density, and liquid velocity profiles against measurements. However, further improvement is needed for the accurate prediction of the vapor velocity using the present bubble mechanistic model. A proposal to include an algebraic slip model to account for bubble separation in the MUSIG boiling model is presented.     

探讨采用绿色和非绿色模塑料封装的功率MOSFET器件之性能

绿色指令推动半导体厂家在其微电子产品封装中摒弃氧化锑、阻燃剂及卤代化合物之类的环境有害物质,然而人们可能担心,绿色封装中的新化学材料有可能影响半导体器件的性能.本文中通过热压应力测试对采用绿色和非绿色环氧模塑料(EMC)封装的功率晶体管的性能进行了评测.实验表明,绿色器件的电气和物理性能都优于非绿色器件.     

Selective growth of InAs quantum dots by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

We report results of both strain-driven surface segregation of indium from InGaAs thin films as well as selective area epitaxy of InAs quantum dots using these films. InAs segregation from an underlying InGaAs film allows for preferential growth of quantum dots when additional InAs is deposited. By using standard lithography techniques, a two-step selective growth process for quantum dots is achieved. Furthermore, by utilizing self-assembled nanostructures as a template, selective growth of coalesced wires and dots with 100-nm feature sizes are realized.     

Properties evaluation and fabrication of green clay reformulated from water sludge

Water sludge from Sungai Dua Penang fresh water processing plant has been successfully converted into functional pottery clay with improved physicochemical behavior and properties. Water sludge was generally made of kaolinite mineral that consisted of silica and alumina. At 7 h of milling duration, water sludge demonstrated a narrow particle size distribution at the size range of 107–150 µm. Water sludge owned a specific surface area of 27 m²/g with 8.8 nm (diameter) pore size and 0.05 cm³/g pore volume. Plasticity of clay body increased when clay formulation involved fine particles, e.g. water sludge or bentonite, which promote water adsorption ability. Fine particles with large surface area and better compaction also explained the enhanced hardness of pottery clay. The incorporation of clay minerals such as bentonite and sodium silicate into the formulation has facilitated metals immobilization within the clay body. Final clay product has a terra cotta color and performed a uniform shrinkage without obvious fracture. The fabrication of pottery wares from water sludge with minimized metals leakage has not only higher reutilize value but also a cost effective green method for handling waste and environmental issues.     

An Efficient Path Planning and Control Algorithm for RUAV’s in Unknown and Cluttered Environments

This paper presents an efficient planning and execution algorithm for the navigation of an autonomous rotary wing UAV (RUAV) manoeuvering in an unknown and cluttered environment. A Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) variant is used for the generation of a collision free path and linear Model Predictive Control(MPC) is applied to follow this path. The guidance errors are mapped to the states of the linear MPC structure by using the nonlinear kinematic equations. The proposed path planning algorithm considers the run time of the planning stage explicitly and generates a continuous curvature path whenever replanning occurs. Simulation results show that the RUAV with the proposed methodology successfully achieves autonomous navigation regardless of its lack of prior information about the environment.     

HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND OPTIMIZATION DESIGN OF EFFICIENT AXIAL-FLOW BLAST WITH LOW NOISE AND ENERGY SAVING

Based on the demand on efficient axial-flow blast with low noise and energy saving, a blade was designed through the application of the unequal work distribution principle and the exponential twisted camber was used to shape blades. Then, the hydrodynamic characteristics of blades were studied and the strengths and vibrations of blades and hydrodynamic noise of blast were analyzed. Furthermore, the software of optimization design of axial-flow blast was developed. Finally, the HMF-T40No.20 axial-flow blast used in large textile conditioner system of cotton spinning industry was designed, which could meet the required total safety and environmental requirements as the corresponding test demonstrates. The study is beneficial to designing axial-flow blast.