Properties of hydroxyapatite/zirconium oxide nanocomposites

Effects of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanoparticles additive on the microstructure and physical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) were investigated. The HA powder was derived from natural bovine bone by a sequence of thermal processes. The composites containing nanoparticles of ZrO₂ (0.2–1.0 vol%) were fabricated by a solid-state reaction mixed oxide method. All samples showed traces of HA, beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) phases while the x≥0.1 samples also showed ZrO₂ phase. Amount of β-TCP and α-TCP phases tend to decrease with ZrO₂. The additive inhibited grain growth as a result of a decrease in grain size. However, the x=0.2 sample exhibited higher hardness value which is consistent with the density data. In addition, bioactivity test suggested that the additive promoted an apatite forming with the values of Ca/P close to the value obtained from HA.     

Effects of barium zirconium titanate on the properties of β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramics

In the present work, a new composite between β-tricalcium phosphate (a bioceramic material) and barium zirconium titanate (a ferroelectric material) were fabricated. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powder was synthesized from egg shells while barium zirconium titanate powder was synthesized from metal oxide powders. The composites were fabricated by a solid-state reaction method. Effects of barium zirconium titanate on many properties of the composites were investigated. Barium zirconium titanate additive improves the electrical properties of the composites such as dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. Furthermore, the mechanical properties, such as hardness are improved by the additive. In-vitro bioactivity test suggests that β-tricalcium phosphate has a higher apatite forming ability as compared to the BZT. The obtained results indicate that the composites are a promising biomaterial candidate.     

Preparation of polybenzoxazine foam and its transformation to carbon foam

An organic foam derived from a new type of phenolic resin, namely polybenzoxazine, was successfully prepared with a noncomplex and economical foaming method by using azodicarbonamide (AZD) as a foaming agent. The influence of foam density on the physical and mechanical properties of the foams was studied. All resulting polybenzoxazine foams and carbon foams exhibit a tailorable uniform microstructure. Polybenzoxazine foams showed a density in the range of 273–407 kg/m³, and a compressive strength and a compressive modulus in the range of 5.2–12.4 MPa and 268–681 MPa, respectively. The foam density not only affects the physical and mechanical properties, but also affects the deformation response of the foam. In addition, the polybenzoxazine foam was further transformed into carbon foam by carbonization at 800 °C under an inert atmosphere, and its properties were examined.     

Effects of NiO nanoparticles on the magnetic properties and diffuse phase transition of BZT/NiO composites

A new composite system, Ba(Zr_0.07Ti_0.93)O₃ (BZT93) ceramic/NiO nanoparticles, was fabricated to investigate the effect of NiO nanoparticles on the properties of these composites. M-H hysteresis loops showed an improvement in the magnetic behavior for higher NiO content samples plus modified ferroelectric properties. However, the 1 vol.% samples showed the optimum ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. Examination of the dielectric spectra showed that the NiO additive promoted a diffuse phase transition, and the two phase transition temperatures, as observed for BZT93, merged into a single phase transition temperature for the composite samples.     

Experimental and numerical study on heat transfer enhancement in a channel with Z-shaped baffles

The influence of baffle turbulators on heat transfer augmentation in a rectangular channel has been investigated experimentally and numerically. In the experiment, the baffles are placed in a zigzag shape (Z-shaped baffle) aligned in series on the isothermal-fluxed top wall, similar to the absorber plate of a solar air heater channel. The aim at using the Z-baffles is to create co-rotating vortex flows having a significant influence on the flow turbulence intensity leading to higher heat transfer enhancement in the tested channel. Effects of the Z-baffle height and pitch spacing length are examined to find the optimum thermal performance for the Reynolds number from 4400 to 20,400. The Z-baffles inclined to 45° relative to the main flow direction are characterized at three baffle- to channel-height ratios (e/H = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and baffle pitch ratios (P/H = 1.5, 2 and 3). The experimental results show a significant effect of the presence of the Z-baffle on the heat transfer rate and friction loss over the smooth channel with no baffle. The Nusselt number, friction factor and thermal performance enhancement factor for the in-phase 45° Z-baffles are found to be considerably higher than those for the out-phase 45° Z-baffle at a similar operating condition. The in-phase 45° Z-baffle with larger e/H provides higher heat transfer and friction loss than the one with smaller e/H while the shorter pitch length yields the higher Nu, f and TEF than the larger one. The numerical work is also conducted to investigate the flow friction and heat transfer behaviors in the channel mounted with the 45° Z-baffles, and the numerical results are found in good agreement with experimental data.     

Fabrication and properties of tricalcium phosphate/barium hexaferrite composites

Beta-tricalcium phosphate based composites containing particles of barium hexaferrite were fabricated. The beta-tricalcium phosphate fine powder was synthesized from egg shell and Ca₂P₂O₇ by a solid-state reaction technique. Effects of barium hexaferrite additive (0–3 vol%) on the properties of the composites were investigated. All samples showed a main phase of β-tricalcium phosphate, characterized by X-ray diffraction technique. The additive inhibited grain growth, but enhanced hardness of the composites. M–H hysteresis loops also showed an improvement in the magnetic behavior for higher barium hexaferrite content samples. However, in vitro bioactivity test indicated that the 2 vol% sample may be suitable for biological applications.     

Artocarpus lakoocha heartwood extract as a novel cosmetic ingredient: evaluation of the in vitro anti-tyrosinase and in vivo skin whitening activities

The heartwood extract of Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. was evaluated for the in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activity and the in vivo melanin-reducing efficacy in human volunteers. The IC(50) of the extract and oxyresveratrol, its major active ingredient, against mushroom tyrosinase was determined to be 0.76 and 0.83 mug mL(-1), respectively. The extract dissolved in propylene glycol was subsequently tested in female volunteers using a parallel clinical trial with self-control (n = 20 per group). The first group received the 0.25% w/v A. lakoocha solution as the test solution, whereas the second and the third group, respectively, received 0.25% licorice extract and 3% kojic acid as the reference solutions in the same solvent. The subjects in each group twice daily applied the test (or reference) solution in one of her upper arm, whereas the remaining arm was treated with only propylene glycol (self-control) for 12 weeks. The melanin content of each application site was measured using Mexameter every week and calculated as % reduction in melanin content relative to the initial melanin value (% whitening). The value of % whitening was then compared between the product-treated and the propylene glycol-treated arms within the same subject using paired t-test (alpha = 0.05). The A. lakoocha extract was the most effective agent, giving the shortest onset of significant whitening effect after only 4 weeks of application (P < 0.05), followed by 3% kojic acid (6 weeks) and 0.25% licorice extract (10 weeks). The effect also increased with time with maximum whitening observed at week 12 for A. lakoocha extract. When the extract was formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion, its whitening efficacy was further enhanced. Daily application of 0.1% w/w A. lakoocha lotion to the upper arms (n = 25) and cheeks (n = 15) of volunteers produced significant whitening over the lotion base after 2 and 3 weeks, respectively (P < 0.05). Thus, the preliminary study suggested that the heartwood extract of A. lakoocha may have a promising potential for use as an effective and economical skin-whitening agent.