HA/β-TCP plasma sprayed coatings on Ti substrate for biomedical applications

The present work focuses on the fabrication of βTCP (β-tricalcium phosphate) and HA/βTCP (hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate) composite coatings by plasma spraying. The starting powders were produced via solid-state method using 2 wt% MgO to stabilize βTCP phase. The synthesized powders were preliminarily granulated to be used by the plasma spray process. Coatings obtained on titanium substrates are uniform and well adherent but due to the high temperature and cooling rate typical for plasma spraying process, βTCP phase is almost totally transformed into the α allotrope. Thermal treatment at 800 °C allows the reconversion of the phase αTCP→ βTCP. It is therefore possible to produce coatings with tuneable dissolution properties by selecting the proper initial powder mixture and the specific thermal treatment.     

Multi purpose research reactor

At present Dhruva and Cirus reactors provide the majority of research reactor based facilities to cater to the various needs of a vast pool of researchers in the field of material sciences, physics, chemistry, bio sciences, research & development work for nuclear power plants and production of radio isotopes. With a view to further consolidate and expand the scope of research and development in nuclear and allied sciences, a new 20 MWt multi purpose research reactor is being designed. This paper describes some of the design features and safety aspects of this reactor.     

Oviposition Preference and Performance of a Specialist Herbivore Is Modulated by Natural Enemies,Larval Odors,and Immune Status

Journal of Chemical Ecology - Insect herbivores frequently must balance host plant quality and the risk of attack by their natural enemies when making oviposition decisions. Yet, which factor is...     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Application of Mesoporous Silica Functionalized with Alkyl‐Hydroperoxides

A variety of alkyl hydroperoxides such as tert‐butyl‐, tert‐octyl‐, 1‐cyclopentyl‐, 1‐cyclohexyl‐, 3,4‐disubstituted‐1‐cyclohexyl‐, n‐propyl, and n‐undecyl‐hydroperoxides have been functionalized onto ordered mesoporous silica, SBA‐15, from the corresponding covalently anchored synthons. All the tert‐hydroperoxides are prepared by autoxidation using molecular O₂ and an initiator, whereas other hydroperoxides are obtained by reaction with H₂O₂. For autoxidation, the use of a combination of an azoinitiator (AIBN) and N‐hydroxyphthalimide increased the hydroperoxide yield compared with using the azoinitiator alone. Synthons containing two or more tert‐ and sec‐hydrogens lead to higher peroxide yield compared to synthons with a single reactive site. Oxidation of Si–OH (silanol groups) with acidic H₂O₂ at low temperature produces Si–OOH. Reusability of these alkyl hydroperoxides is carried out by oxidation of alcohols obtained from the corresponding alkyl hydroperoxides using H₂O₂. Both the covalently anchored synthons and the resulting hydroperoxides are thoroughly characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, ¹³C cross‐polarized magic angle spinning NMR, TG/DTA, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, sorption, and surface area measurements. The quantification of the amount of alkyl hydroperoxide was carried out by iodometric titration using a thio solution. The hydroperoxides exhibit high activity for the epoxidation of styrene to styrene oxide and exhibit reasonably high efficiency for oxygen transfer.     

Ascorbic Acid-Assisted Eco-friendly Synthesis of NiCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanoparticles as an Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

We have synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles (NCO NPs) using an ascorbic acid-assisted co-precipitation method for the first time. When NCO NPs are used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the cell exhibits superior lithium storage properties, such as high capacity (700 mA h g^?1 after 300 cycles at 200 mA g^?1), excellent rate capabilities (applied current density range 100–1200 mA g^?1), and impressive cycling stability (at 1200 mA g^?1 up to 650 cycles). The enhanced electrochemical properties of NCO NPs are due to the nanometer dimensions which not only offers a smooth charge-transport pathway and short diffusion paths of the lithium ions but also adequate spaces for volume expansion during Li storage. Hence, this eco-friendly synthesis approach will provide a new strategy for the synthesis of various nanostructured metal oxide compounds, for energy conversion and storage systems applications.     

Crystal Structure and Improved Synthesis of 1‐(2H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)guanidium Nitrate

Energetic derivatives of tetrazoles are one of the key areas of research focus in pursuit of novel high energy materials, useful as propellants and explosives. Herein, the crystal structure and an improved synthetic procedure of 1‐(2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)guanidine ( 1 ) and its nitrate salt ( 2 ) are reported. The compounds were structurally characterized by spectroscopic (FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR) and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of tetrazolyl guanidium nitrate ( 2 ) was solved using low temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. 2 crystallized as its hemihydrate in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2, with a crystal density of 1.69 g cm⁻³. Thermal behavior and decomposition of the molecules were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Molar enthalpy of formation (Δ_fH^m) of compound 2 was back calculated from heat of combustion (Δ_cH⁰) value obtained experimentally using bomb calorimetric measurements. Lattice enthalpy of 1‐(2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)guanidium nitrate was directly calculated from measured crystal density using Jenkins equation. Preliminary ballistic parameters of the compound were predicted and compared with reported high nitrogen tetrazole derivatives.     

Outbreak of influenza in a neonatal intensive care unit

An outbreak of influenza A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2) involving five infants in a neonatal intensive care unit is described. The clinical signs and symptoms were indistinguishable from those seen in bacterial sepsis. There was no evidence of meningoencephalitis. All infants recovered without any sequelae.     

Effect of curing agents on some properties of a polysulfide sealant

The effect of curing agents on the properties of a polysulfide sealant composition was investigated. Commercially used curing agents, namely, lead dioxide, manganese dioxide, and ammonium dichromate, were selected for this study. It was established that curing agents affect joint strengths, stress–strain properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the sealant. Sealant cured with ammonium dichromate had highest shear bond strength, ultimate tensile strength, modulus, and thermal stability, whereas these properties were lowest for lead-dioxide-cured sealant. Peel bond strength and elongation at break were highest for lead-dioxide-cured sealant. The observed changes in properties were attributed to the difference in crosslink density of the cured sealant, produced by the curing agents. The curing agents have no appreciable effect on the fuel resistance of the polysulfide sealant.