Measurement of residual stress using linearly integrated GMR sensor arrays

Tubular-type transmission towers have several advantages, but could be compromised if welding defects from the construction process are not found during deployment. This research derived an equation that illustrates how a change in stress accompanied with mechanical deformation triggered a change in distribution of magnetic flux density. Furthermore, it verified experimentally that a change in distribution of magnetic flux density occurred due to a change in stress at the welding zone. Using this principle, this research proposes a system to measure residual stress occurred in the welding zone of tubular-type transmission tower. The ultrasound examination results were compared and the result showed that ultrasound signals revealed defects in a place where sudden distribution of magnetic flux density was presented. However, when a number of welding defects occurred across the large area, the distribution of magnetic flux density may not change due to the alleviating effect of the stress concentration.     

Combustion properties and desulfurization of high sulfur containing Indian and Nepali coals using lime-based products

Many brick industries and industrial boilers in South Asia use high sulfur containing coal as the major fuel. The combustion of these coals leads to serious environmental pollution and health problems. The SO2 emissions from the combustion of coal can be captured by adding lime-based desulfurizing agents (DSA) to the coal briquettes. The physical and combustion characteristics of some Indian (Bihar, Assam) and Nepali (Dang, Abidhara, Lignite) coal have been studied. The process of desulfurization of these coals was investigated using calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate as DSA. Calcium carbonate is more efficient in char combustion than volatile combustion, whereas calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxides are efficient as DSA in both char and volatile combustion. For most of the coals the desulfurization efficiencies are over 80% in case of Ca(OH)2 and NaOH for molar ratios of DSA to sulfur (Ca/S) of 2 and 3. For the same Ca/S ratios the desulfurization efficiency is about 75% when calcium carbonate is used. Use of calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide as DSA in coal briquettes could be an efficient and economical way to control the pollution from the use of high sulfur containing coals used in brick industries in Nepal and South Asia.     

Electrospinning of polystyrene/dicyanopyrazine-linked porphyrin nanofibers

We have fabricated fluorescing polystyrene/dicyanopyrazine-linked porphyrin (PS/4-TDCPP) nanofibers using the electrospinning technique. UV-vis spectroscopy shows a strong Soret band and two relatively weak Q bands from the PS/4-TDCPP films and fibers, and reveals that the 4-TDCPP molecules are homogeneously dispersed in the films and fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals the effect of solvent and collecting distance on the morphology of the electro-spun PS/4-TDCPP fibers. Fibers spun from a 50% dimethlyformamide (DMF), 50% methylethylketone (MEK) solution have ultra-fine structures with an average diameter of 300 nm. In the case of fibers from pure DMF and DMF:MEK (1:3) solutions, beads are formed along the length of the fibers. Variation of the collecting distance from 20 to 30 cm does not induce significant differences in the morphology of the electro-spun PS/4-TDCPP fibers. However, at a collecting distance of 15 cm, many beads are formed along the fibers. Acid-sensing capability of the PS/4-TDCPP fibers is demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy.     

Micro-contact printing of polydiacetylene liposomes using hydrophilic stamps

Micron-sized polydiacetylene (PDA) liposome patterns have been fabricated on titanium (Ti) substrates using a micro-contact printing (micro-CP) technique. Two types of stamps (PDMS and agarose) and inking methods ("soaking" and "dropping") are used for micro-CP, and we compare their effect on the morphology of the PDA patterns. The size and morphology of the patterned PDA liposomes are analysized by optical and fluorescence microscopies and atomic force microscopy (AFM). When the agarose stamp is inked by the "dropping" method, PDA patterns are most efficiently transferred to the Ti substrate. However, the thickness of the transferred PDA patterns is not homogeneous, with the edge of the transferred pattern being thicker than its center. In contrast, when the PDMS stamp is used for micro-CP, the center of the pattern is thicker than the edge. Red fluorescence patterns are readily obtained by heat treatment of the PDA-immobilized solid substrate. The intensity of the fluorescence of the samples is consistent with the results of optical microscopy and AFM experiments.     

Electrospinning of porphyrin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers and their acid vapor sensing capability

Fluorescing 5,10,15,20-terakis(1-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin tetra(p-toluenesulfonate) (TMPyP)-embedded and -coated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers were fabricated by using the electrospinning technique. To improve nonpolar solvent solubility of TMPyP/PVA nanofibers, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as a cross-linking agent. UV-vis spectroscopy showed a strong Q band and two relatively weak Soret bands from the TMPyP/PVA nanofibers, and revealed that the TMPyP molecules were homogeneously loaded to the fibers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the electrospun nanofibers had ultrafine structures with an average diameter of ca. 250 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the compositional structure of TMPyP/PVA/TEOS nanofibers and revealed the relative coverage of TMPyP molecules on the surface of TMPyP-embedded and TMPyP-coated PVA/TEOS fibers. For the comparison of the acid vapor sensitivity, TMPyP-embedded PVA/TEOS films, and TMPyP-embedded PVA/TEOS fibers, TMPyP-coated PVA/TEOS fibers were exposed to 1N nitric-acid vapor for 20-60 seconds. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that TMPyP-coated PVA/TEOS nanofibers exhibited better acid-sensing capability than TMPyP-embedded PVA/TEOS nanofibers and films.     

Chemical synthesis and electrochemical analysis of nickel cobaltite nanostructures for supercapacitor applications

Nickel cobaltite (NiCo₂O₄) films containing nanorods and nanoflakes are synthesized on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates by a chemical bath deposition method and calcination process at 300 °C for 3 h. The NiCo₂O₄/ITO films are used as electrodes for supercapacitor applications, and electrochemical properties of the NiCo₂O₄ nanostructures are examined by cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge experiments. NiCo₂O₄ nanorods exhibit the largest specific capacitance, with a value of 490 F g⁻¹at energy and power densities of 45 Wh kg⁻¹ and 2 kW kg⁻¹, respectively. This is significantly better than the performance of NiCo₂O₄ nanoflakes. Cycle-life tests show that the specific capacitance of NiCo₂O₄ is stable even after 1000 cycles, indicating its high potential for supercapacitor applications. The low cost and environmental friendliness of NiCo₂O₄ nanorods, coupled with its high supercapacitor performance, offer advantages over other transition metal oxides used for supercapacitors.     

Simultaneous Oxidization of NOx and SO2 by a New Non-thermal Plasma Reactor Enhanced by Catalyst and Additive

The non-thermal plasma as one of the most promising technologies for removing NOx and SO2 has attrm~ted much attention. In this study, a new plasma reactor combined with catalyst and additive was developed to effectively oxidize and remove NOx and SO2 in the flue gas. The experimental results showed that TiO2 could improve the oxidation efficiency of SO2 in the case of applying plasma while having a negative effect on the oxidation process of NO and NOx. With the addition of NH3, the oxidation rates of NOx, NO and SO2 were slightly increased. However, the effect of adding NH3 on NOx oxidation was negative when the temperature was above 200℃.     

Drop-on-demand printing of carbon black ink by electrohydrodynamic jet printing

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing is a technique using electric fields to eject inks through nozzle apertures. EHD jet printing is very attractive due to its non-contacting nature and compatibility with diverse materials and substrates. In this research, we have fabricated micron-sized dot arrays and line patterns with carbon black ink on Si wafer substrates using EHD jet printing. The effect of operating conditions such as applied voltage, working distance and stage speed on the size and shape of the jetted patterns and jetting cycles is investigated by using optical microscope, high speed camera and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We have also demonstrated the drop-on-demand feature of the EHD jet printing system by patterning carbon black ink lines with various widths and dot arrays with desired diameters and spacing by controlling the operating conditions.     

Denitrification mechanism of NaOH in the presence of carbon

We tested a mixture of NaOH and carbon and found it to react rapidly with NO gas, thus demonstrating a promising new method of flue gas denitrification (FGD). We determined the reaction products: gas phases were analyzed by GC-MS and NOx meter, and solid residues were analyzed by X-ray diffusion (XRD) and chemical analysis. The reaction process was clearly divided into two stages. In the first stage, the reaction proceeded extremely rapidly, with NO almost completely removed. The mechanism describing this stage consists of a series of reactions of NaOH and NO in the presence of carbon. The main conversion of sodium in this stage is proposed to be: NaOH-->NaNO3 (and NaNO2)-->Na2O2-Na2CO3. The pyrolysis of NaNO3 was examined and carbon was found to have the ability to reduce NOx emission during this process. In the second stage, NO reduction proceeds slowly and stabilizes at a constant value. The mechanism behind this stage is considered to be the reaction of carbon with NO in the presence of Na2-CO3 as catalyst. Quantitative study of the reaction system demonstrated that the total amount of denitrified NO is proportional to the amount of carbon and that the denitrified NO in the first stage is proportional to the amount of NaOH.     

Direct-patterning of porphyrin dot arrays and lines using electrohydrodynamic jet printing

In this research, we have fabricated micron-sized patterns of porphyrins on silicon substrates using an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing technique. Optical and fluorescence microscopies have been used to examine the shape and fluorescence property of porphyrin patterns. The morphology of the porphyrin patterns printed with variously formulated porphyrin inks and the effects of applied voltage, working distance, and substrate properties on the morphology of patterns were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We have also demonstrated the acid-vapor sensing capability of the porphyrins by exposing the porphyrin patterns on Si substrates to nitric acid vapor.