Heat-induced Egg White Gels as Affected by pH

The functional properties of heat-induced egg white gels were investigated at five pH values. Textural characteristics were determined using the Instron Universal Machine. Hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness, chewiness, and fracturability were maximum at pH 11. Hunter L values were maximum at pH 5 and 7. Microstructure studied with electron microscopy was distinctly different at the five pH values. Alkaline gels showed a fine ordered network that might have contributed to excellent textural characteristics. Water-holding capacity (WHC) was high at alkaline pH, but decreased with addition of 2-mercaptoethanol, suggesting that disulfide bonds were important in egg white gels. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) improved WHC at pH 7 and 9. No significant correlation was observed between textural profiles and WHC.     

Polymer Surface Treatment by Atmospheric Pressure Low Temperature Surface Discharge Plasma： Its Characteristics and Comparison with Low Pressure Oxygen Plasma Treatment

The polymer treatment with a low-temperature plasma jet generated on the atmospheric pressure surface discharge （SD） plasma is performed. The change of the surface property over time, in comparison with low pressure oxygen （O2） plasma treatment, is examined. As one compares the treatment by atmospheric pressure plasma to that by the low pressure O2 plasma of PS （polystyrene） the treatment effects were almost in complete agreement. However, when the atmospheric pressure plasma was used for PP（polypropylene）, it produced remarkable hydrophilic effects.     

Modelling the effects of surface finish on fatigue limit in austenitic stainless steels

Existing short fatigue crack models have been reviewed to determine the most suitable fatigue model to analyse the effect of the surface finish on the fatigue limit of Type 304 austenitic stainless steels. A mechanistic model firstly proposed by Navarro and Rios (N‐R model) was selected as the most suitable generic model, because the model can include the effects of surface finishing parameters such as surface roughness and residual stress depth profile on the fatigue limit. The N‐R model has been implemented for fatigue specimens with various surface finishing conditions, and the effect of the surface finish on the fatigue limit was simulated. The material/surface properties required for the implementation were fully characterized by experiments. The applicability of the model to this study was also discussed. It is concluded that a development of the model would be required for proper prediction of the surface effects on fatigue in austenitic stainless steels.     

Influence of Additive Gas on Electrical and Optical Characteristics of Non-equilibrium Atmospheric Pressure Argon Plasma Jet

Electrical and optical properties of an argon plasma jet were characterized. In particular, effects of an additive gas, namely nitrogen or oxygen, on these prop...     

Study on Rotary Loop Flow Controller for the Next‐Generation Distribution System

This paper describes two types of rotary loop flow controller, one is series type and the other is unified power flow controller (UPFC) type. Both of them can maintain the suitable voltage level of distribution system even with a large and uneven penetration of distributed generation. The configurations of proposed controllers are essentially same as wound rotor induction machine with no slip rings. The proposed controllers are less costly, more efficient, and more tolerant to overvoltages/currents as compared to power electronics‐type controllers. Further, UPFC‐type rotary loop flow controller has additional advantages like relatively smaller capability and ability to control reactive power than the series type of rotary loop flow controller. The proper functioning of the proposed controllers is confirmed through simulations and experiments.     

High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE) Surface Treatment Using an RF Capacitive Atmospheric Pressure Cold Ar Plasma Jet

In this study,a high-density polyethylene（HDPE,5-mm-thick,0.95 g/cm3） surface was treated using an RF capacitive atmospheric pressure cold Ar plasma jet.By using this Ar plasma jet,a hydrophilic HDPE surface was formed during the plasma treatment.In particular, the effects of an additive gas（N₂ or O2） on the HDPE surface treatment were investigated in detail.It was shown that the addition of N2 or O2 gas had an important influence on the HDPE surface treatment.Compared to pure Ar plasma treatment,a lower value of water contact angle （WCA） was obtained when a trace of N2 or O2 gas was added.It was also found that besides the quantities of active species in the plasma jet,the treatment temperature played an important role in the HDPE surface treatment.This is because surface molecular motion is not negligible when the treatment temperature is close to the melting point of the polymer.