Structure–property relationship of HTPB-based propellants. III. Optimization trials with varying levels of diol–triol contents

A systematic study has been conducted on a composite solid propellant formulation using hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) prepolymer with varying molecular weights and hydroxyl values. Fairly extensive regions of resin parameters have been studied. Contours of important propellant properties have been laid down. In this set of experiments, varying levels of diol and triol contents were used at two different NCO/OH ratios to arrive at the optimum level needed for different grades of HTPB resin. It is seen that different grades of HTPB resin require varying levels of diol–triol contents to give similar properties for the end product. Also, for the best performance, varying the diol–triol ratio at the optimum level of the diol–triol content is necessary. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A Green Metal–Organic Framework-Cyclodextrin MOF: A Novel Multifunctional Material Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Highly Efficient Mechanical Energy Harvesting

The naturally available cyclodextrin has opened up a wide range of research avenues because of its superior characteristics such as being non-toxic, biocompatible, and edible. The cyclodextrin is the green multifunctional material that can add to the triboelectric series and extend its self-powered applications. The ultrasonic synthesized cyclodextrin metal–organic framework (CD-MOF) designed using sodium as a metal ion and cyclodextrin as a ligand for the triboelectric nanogenerator is reported. The various detailed characterizations of the CD-MOFs give an insight into the properties of the synthesized material. The Kelvin probe force microscopy suggests three types of CD-MOFs, exhibiting a positive potential. As per the surface potential, the output of the various CD-MOF based TENG is varied as alpha CD MOF/Teflon > gamma CD-MOF/Teflon > beta CD-MOF/Teflon. The alpha CD MOF/Teflon TENG produces an electrical output of 152 V, 1.2 μA, and 14.3 nC, respectively. The fabricated device output is utilized for powering numerous low-power electronics through a capacitor and bridge rectifier circuit. The multiunit Z-shaped TENG device is attached to various surfaces such as the shoe heel and the backside of the school bag, and the corresponding energy harvesting response is demonstrated.     

Solar photocatalytic decolorization of synthetic dye solution using pilot scale slurry type falling film reactor

Ag deposited TiO₂ was prepared by simple chemical reduction method and its photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated for the decolorization of methylene blue dye using pilot scale slurry type falling film reactors (FFR) under sunlight. The characterization of the prepared catalysts by XRD, TEM, EDAX, DRS and PL confirmed that silver, which acts as electron trap, was deposited over the TiO₂ surface. The operational parameters, such as catalyst loading, concentration of the dye solution, pH of the slurry, addition of oxidizing agents and effect of different substrates, were optimized. The photocatalytic efficiency of Ag deposited TiO₂ increased two-fold times than pure TiO₂ and the maximum decolorization of dye was observed under acidic conditions. The reaction rate significantly increased with the addition of oxidizing agent H₂O₂. The ceramic tile as well as double skin reactor have higher photocatalytic efficiency than glass as substrate. In addition, Ag-deposited TiO₂ photocatalyst could be easily recovered by simple sedimentation process and reused for repeated experimental cycles with more than 95% decolorization efficiency.     

Effect of temperature on the rheological behavior of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene propellant slurry

Hydroxyl terminated polybutadine (HTPB) based composite solid propellants have gained prominence in advanced missiles and launch vehicles including the Space Shuttle's Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) motor (1). To achieve a blow-hole free well performing casting, the knowledge of the processability characteristics and rheological behavior of the propellant slurry are of vital interest. In our earlier communication (2) we had discussed the effect of compositional aspects, namely solid loading, oxidizer particle size distribution, and aluminum content on the rheology of HTPB propellant. For an optimized solid loading with corresponding oxidizer particle size distribution and aluminium content, the effect of temperature on the processability and the pot life are studied and reported in this paper. This study establishes the fact that the HTPB slurry shows a complex rheological behavior having thixotropy and yield stress. The thixotropic index and yield stress show minimum values at an optimum temperature. This optimum temperature shifts to lower values as time elapses. Activation energies have been calculated for the cure reaction based on yield stress and viscosity. It is observed that the activation energy values reach asymptotic levels after about three hours of curative addition.     

Structure-property relationship of HTPB-based propellants. I. Effect of hydroxyl value of HTPB resin

Composite propellants based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadience (HTPB) resin are the most common contemporary solid propellants for launch vehicle and missile applications. A series of HTPB resins, manufactured by free-radical polymerisation using a peroxide initiator, with varying molecular weights and hydroxyl values, was used in propellant formulation experiments with a view to studying the resin production variables and their influence on the resultant propellant properties. It is seen that HTPB resins with a wide range of hydroxyl values could be effectively utilized in propellant formulations. Also, propellants with higher strain capability and chain flexibility could be produced from lower hydroxyl value resins. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A philosophical study of human–artefact interaction

This paper focuses on a critical intersection between philosophy of technology and cognitive archaeology with an objective in view. These two rapidly developing disciplines intersect on the problem of characterizing the dynamic relationship between human beings and technical artefacts. The intricacies of human–artefact relation have been a source of curiosity and contemplation for philosophers of technology since 1970s. In contrast, the cognitive archaeologists’ interest in interpreting the exact nature of the interaction between human cognitive system and material culture is relatively recent. The central objective of this paper is to show why the cognitive archaeologists’ account of the relation between human cognition and material culture as exemplified by the classical-phenomenological example of the blind person’s use of a stick needs to be critically reviewed in the light of philosophical-(post)-phenomenological research and new empirical findings on tool use and prosthesis. There are three sections in this paper. In the first section, certain distinctive features of cognitive archaeology, which are important for the following discussion, are mentioned in brief. The second section consists of an exposition of Don Ihde’s account of embodiment relations—typical examples of which include the blind person’s use of a stick—with particular emphasis on the aspect of what Ihde calls “quasi-transparency”. Possible reasons behind the cognitive archaeologists’ indifference to the said aspect are pointed out. In the third section, the difficulties involved in analysing the case of the blind person’s stick are discussed in the light of recent empirical research on bodily extension (by means of artefacts) and prosthesis (incorporation of artefacts into the body). The paper ends with some critical comments on the cognitive archaeologists’ interpretation of the relation between the blind person and his stick and explains why their interpretation requires revision in view of current findings on tool use and prosthesis.     

A New Extraction Method for the Determination of Oxytocin in Milk by Enzyme Immune Assay or High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Validation by Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

There has been a controversy regarding the use of exogenous oxytocin (OT) in milking cattle which may have toxicological consequences during nonphysiological exposure. In the present study, a new sensitive extraction method for OT was developed followed by enzyme immune assay (EIA) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The extraction of OT in milk involves two steps: (1) TCA precipitation of milk proteins and (2) solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup process. Without these steps, analysis of OT in milk was not possible. Utilizing EIA as a quantitative tool the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 7.74 and 10.3 pg?ml^?1, precision in terms of intra- and interday coefficient of variation was below 13 % (%RSD, N?=?8), while percent recoveries were between 85 and 92 %. Utilizing UV-HPLC, the LOD, LOQ, precision, and recovery values were found to be 4.1 ng?ml^?1, 9.8 ng?ml^?1, 2–10 %, and 84–91 %, respectively. OT was found to be stable against adverse temperature (up to 100 °C) and pH (2 to 10) and simulated gastric fluid digestibility assay. Four milk samples collected from the market were analyzed, which showed that TCA precipitation and SPE steps are mandatory and the results were validated by LC-MS showing mass ion peak at 1 kD.     

Sonochemical assisted synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of Fe3+ doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor

Fe³⁺ doped ZnO nanopowder has been synthesized by sonochemical assistance and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. The structure, surface morphologies and optical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence spectrometer (PL) and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. XRD reveals that Fe³⁺ ions enter into ZnO lattices without any secondary phases. SEM micrographs of prepared sample show that surface is rough and stone like structure with different sizes. PL studies of Fe³⁺ doped ZnO nanopowder exhibits ultraviolet and blue emission bands. Magnetometric measurements (vibrating sample magnetometer) indicate ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. This observation is further confirmed by the EPR spectrum of Fe³⁺ doped ZnO at room temperature.     

Physicochemical Studies on Interaction Behavior of Potato Starch Filled Low Density Polyethylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride and Low Density Polyethylene Biodegradable Composite Sheets

Study presents compatibility behavior of polar group potato starch and non-polar LDPE using 50%, 0.5% maleated LDPE. The aim was to improve intermolecular interaction between two different types of moieties (LDPE and Potato Starch). Samples were prepared by mixing potato starch (upto 30% by weight) with LDPE and LDPE-grafted maleic anhydride in a single step twin screw extruder having vent zone. XRD and DSC results suggested that maleic-anhydride group of LDPE helped the interaction with starch and brought two chemical moieties closer to each other. FTIR results also strongly supported new bond formation between two chemical moieties.     

Detecting design patterns: a hybrid approach based on graph matching and static analysis

Information Technology and Management - Knowledge and understanding about system design are very important for the development and maintenance of any software system due to certain deadlines and...