Preparation and characterization of novel poly(glycidyl methacrylate) beads carrying amidoxime groups

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) beads with an average size of 350 μm were synthesized by suspension polymerization technique. The PGMA beads were first modified with iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN). Then, the IDAN‐modified beads were subsequently modified by hydroxylamine. The IDAN modification and the conversion of the nitrile groups to amidoxime were followed by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The surface morphology and thermal behavior of the PGMA and its modified forms were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques, further confirming modification and amidoximation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Series resistance determination of Au/Polypyrrole/p-Si/Al structure by current–voltage measurements at low temperatures

The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Polypyrrole(PPy)/p-Si/Al structure have been investigated as a function of temperature. A modified Norde function combined with conventional forward I–V method has been used to extract the junction parameters including the ideality factor, barrier height and series resistance. Norde function has been compared with the Cheung functions and it has been seen that there is a good agreement with both method for the barrier height values. However, the values of series resistance have very different especially towards to the lower temperatures. This is attributed to non-ideal I–V characteristics of the Au/PPy/p-Si/Al structure and non-pure Thermionic emission theory due to the low temperature effects.     

Increasing single-lap joint strength by adherend curvature-induced residual stresses

Single-lap joint (SLJ) geometry is the most widely used type of adhesive joint geometry. In this joint, peel stresses occur at the overlap ends due to load eccentricity and the presence of shear-free adhesive termination surfaces. These peel stresses, along with the transverse tensile stresses which occur along the overlap longitudinal axes, and adhesive shear stresses, ultimately cause joint failure. Obviously, reductions in these stresses should result in higher joint strength and increased load capacity. To this end, we exploited elastic spring-back capability of (steel) metal adherends by initially forming curved segments of varying arc lengths and radii at overlap ends. These adherends with curved-end sections were then bonded in single-lap configuration, simply by applying sufficient bonding pressure to elastically flatten the curved segments to result in typically flat overlap sections subsequent to adhesive cure and the removal of bonding pressure. Since the elastic adherend overlap ends tend to revert back to their initial curved form, they exert compressive residual stresses on the adhesive layer in the overlap end regions. We determined that the compressive residual stresses induced in this fashion considerably increased the load capacity of SLJs subjected to tension.     

Effect of tempering temperature and microstructure on the corrosion behavior of a tempered steel

In this study, a tempered martensitic matrix was obtained in a low carbon steel, by applying austenization, quenching and tempering heat treatments. After austenization at 1000°C for 30 minutes, steel samples were quenched in water and then tempered at 200, 540 and 600°C for 30 minutes. Hardness measurements were done and then immersion tests were carried out in a 3.5 wt % NaCl solution for periods ranging between 1–7 days. Weight losses of the samples were determined after each immersion period and microstructural studies were performed on the corroded surfaces. Corrosion rates were calculated using weight loss data and verified by potentiodynamic tests. Results revealed that corrosion behavior of the experimental steels was directly affected by tempering temperature, hardness and microstructure.     

Investigation of micro-milling process parameters for surface roughness and milling depth

The main objective of this study is to investigate the micro-milling performance of the AISI H13 with different process parameters namely laser power, scan speed, frequency, and fill spacing using 30W fiber laser marking machine and to find the optimal operation conditions for minimum surface roughness and maximum milling depth. The 108 different combinations occurred with the interaction of each level of the parameters used in this study. Therefore, the main contribution of this paper to the related literature is that it produces new evidence regarding the effects of the multi-scan times on both surface roughness and milling depth. The experimental results are showed that 0.03?mm of fill spacing, the highest scan speed (800?mm/s), lowest frequency (20?kHz), and laser power (60%) produced better surface roughness, which is 1.75???m. The deeper cavity on the geometry is obtained under the experimental combination as 200?mm/s of scan speed, 0.02?mm of fill spacing, 60% of laser power, and 40?kHz of frequency, which is 195???m. The regression analysis was used to develop a mathematical model and determine the effect of process parameters on the surface roughness and milling depth. The results of subsequent tests verifies regression models.     

Influence of pH on recombinant human growth hormone production by Pichia pastoris

BACKGROUND: Effect of pH on recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) production by Pichia pastoris hGH‐Mut⁺ was investigated at pH = 4.2, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0. RESULTS: The highest cell concentration was obtained at pH = 6.0 with 53 g L^?1, while the highest rhGH concentration was attained at pH = 5.0 as 0.27 g L^?1. Total protease secretion increased with increase in pH and with the cultivation time. Oxygen uptake rate increased with increasing pH up to pH = 6.0, having the maximum value, 37 mmol m^?3 s^?1, at pH = 5.5. K_La values were similar at all the conditions, having a maximum value of 0.14 s^?1 at pH = 5.0. Taking the final rhGH concentration into account, the most favourable pH was 5.0; where AOX1 expression level showed a similar trend to AOX activity profiles, having the highest value of 9.4 × 10¹⁰ copy mg^?1 CDW at t = 15 h; in parallel to AOX1 expression profile, hGH expression level increased until t = 15 h, with the highest value of 4.0 × 10¹⁰ copy mg^?1 CDW, where a sharp increase in rhGH concentration was obtained. The expression levels of pep4, prb1 and prc1 genes, responsible from the production of proteinase A, proteinase B and, carboxypeptidase Y, were parallel to each other. CONCLUSION: Since it was shown that pH is a crucial operating parameter in fermentation processes using P. pastoris, keeping pH constant at its determined optimum value, pH = 5.0, during the bioprocess is vital in terms of recombinant protein production. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Crude oil import policy of Turkey: Historical analysis of determinants and implications since 1968

Turkey is one of the most energy import dependent countries in the world, suffering deeply from the economic and strategic burdens of oil importation. Our purpose is to determine the factors behind the crude oil import policy of Turkey and to measure their contribution to a well-organized import strategy. We implemented a principle component analysis to construct an Oil Import Vulnerability Index (OIVI) based on four factors, which are crude oil import dependency of primary energy consumption, crude oil import bill as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), non-diversification of import sources, and share of oil in total energy import. The contribution of these factors to the OIVI is found to be approximately equal. While an overall deterioration in the OIVI has been observed during periods of increasing oil prices, better diversification of oil import sources has lead to significant improvements. We suggest Turkish policy-makers implement sound policies, emphasizing diversification of crude oil import sources and reduction of the share of crude oil in primary energy imports to increase energy supply security. This study has also demonstrated that it is possible to construct an index representing crude oil vulnerability caused by import dependency.     

Mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete containing mineral admixtures under different curing regimes

Mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, and toughness) of reactive powder concrete (RPC) produced with class-C fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were investigated under different curing conditions (standard, autoclave and steam curing) in this study. Test results indicate that, compressive strength of RPC increased considerably after steam and autoclaving compared to the standard curing. On the other hand, it was observed that steam and autoclave curing decreased the flexural strength and toughness. Increasing the GGBFS and/or FA content improved the toughness of RPC under all curing regimes considerably. Furthermore, SEM micrographs revealed dense microstructure of RPC.