Influence of structural sealant joints on the blast performance of laminated glass panels

This paper investigates the influence of structural sealant joints on the blast performance of laminated glass (LG) panels, using a comprehensive numerical procedure. A parametric study was carried out by varying the width, thickness and the Young’s modulus (E) of the structural silicone sealant joints and the behavior of the LG panel was studied under two different blast loads. Results show that these parameters influence the blast response of LG panels, especially under the higher blast load. Sealant joints that are thicker, have smaller widths and lower E values increase the flexibility at the supports and hence increase the energy absorption of the LG panel while reducing the support reactions. Results also confirmed that sealant joints designed according to current standards perform well under blast loads. Modeling techniques presented in this paper could be used to complement and supplement the guidance in existing design standards. The new information generated in this paper will contribute towards safer and more economical designs of entire facade systems including window glazing, frames and supporting structures.

Electrochemical mechanism of eugenol at a Cu doped gold nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode and its analytical application in food samples

A simple one-step electrodeposition method was used to construct a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which has been modified with Cu doped gold nanoparticles (GNPs), i.e. a Cu@AuNPs/GCE. This electrode was characterized with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The eugenol was electrocatalytically oxidized at the Cu@AuNPs/GCE. At this electrode, in comparison with the behavior at the GCE alone, the corresponding oxidation peak current was enhanced and the shift of the oxidation potentials to lower values was observed. Electrochemical behavior of eugenol at the Cu@AuNPs/GCE was investigated with the use of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique, and additionally, in order to confirm the electrochemical reaction mechanism for o-methoxy phenols, CVs for catechol, guaiacol and vanillin were investigated consecutively. Based on this work, an electrochemical reaction mechanism for o-methoxy phenols was suggested, and in addition, the above Cu@AuNPs/GCE was successfully employed for the analysis of eugenol in food samples.

Electrophoretic deposition of Ti3Si(Al)C2 from aqueous suspension

Ti3Si(Al)C2 films were electrophoretically deposited at 3 V on indium-tin-oxide (ITO) conductive glass from Ti3Si(Al) C2 aqueous suspension with 1 vol% solid loading at pH 9 in the absence of any dispersant. The surface morphology, cross section microstructure, and preferred orientation of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The as-deposited Ti3Si(Al)C 2 films exhibited (00l) preferred orientation and the thickness can be controlled by the deposition-drying-deposition method. These results demonstrate that electrophoretic deposition is a simple and feasible method to prepare MAX-phases green films at room temperature.

Nano-confined synthesis of highly ordered mesoporous carbon and its performance as electrode material for electrochemical behavior of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and dopamine

Highly ordered mesoporous carbon (MC) has been synthesized from sucrose, a non-toxic and costeffective source of carbon. X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm and transmission electron micrograph (TEM) were used to characterize the MC. The XRD patterns show the formation of highly ordered mesoporous structures of SBA15 and mesoporous carbon. The N2 adsorptiondesorption isotherms suggest that the MC exhibits a narrow pore-size distribution with high surface area of 1559 m2/g. The potential application of MC as a novel electrode material was investigated using cyclic voltammetry for riboflavin (vitamin B2) and dopamine. MC-modified glassy carbon electrode (MC/GC) shows increase in peak current compared to GC electrode in potassium ferricyanide which clearly suggest that MC/GC possesses larger electrode area (1.8 fold) compared with bare GC electrode. The electrocatalytic behavior of MC/GC was investigated towards the oxidation of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and dopamine using cyclic voltammetry which show larger oxidation current compared to unmodified electrode and thus MC/GC may have the potential to be used as a chemically modified electrode.

Edge of Danger: electric light and the negotiation of public and private domestic space in Philip Johnson's Glass and Guest House

In the first half of the twentieth century the dematerializing of boundaries between enclosure and exposure problematized traditional expectations of the domestic environment. At the same time, as a space of escalating technological control, the modern domestic interior also offered new potential to redefine the meaning and means of habitation. The inherent tension between these opposing forces is particularly evident in the introduction of new electric lighting technology and applications into the modern domestic interior in the mid-twentieth century. Addressing this nexus of technology and domestic psychology, this article examines the critical role of electric lighting in regulating and framing both the public and private occupation of Philip Johnson's New Canaan estate. Exploring the dialectically paired transparent Glass House and opaque Guest House, this study illustrates how Johnson employed electric light to negotiate the visual environment of the estate as well as to help sustain a highly aestheticized domestic lifestyle. Contextualized within the existing literature, this analysis provides a more nuanced understanding of the New Canaan estate as an expression of Johnson's interests as a designer as well as a subversion of traditional suburban conventions.

Illuminating the glass box: The lighting designs of Richard Kelly

A promotional brochure celebrating the completion of the Seagram Building in spring 1957 features on its cover intense portraits of seven men bisected by a single line of bold text that asks, “Who are these Men?” The answer appears on the next page: “They Dreamed of a Tower of Light” (Figures 1, 2). Each photograph is reproduced with the respective man’s name and project credit: architects, Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson; associate architect, Eli Jacques Kahn; electrical contractor, Harry F. Fischbach; lighting consultant, Richard Kelly; and electrical engineer, Clifton E. Smith. To the right, a rendering of the new Seagram Tower anchors the composition, standing luminous against a star-speckled night sky; its glass walls and bronze mullions are transformed into a gossamer skin that reveals the tower’s structural skeleton. Lightolier, the contract lighting manufacturer, produced the brochure to promote its role in the lighting of the Seagram Building, but Lightolier’s promotional copy was not far from the truth.

The Edge of Danger: artificial lighting and the dialectics of domestic occupation in Philip Johnson's Glass and Guest Houses

In the first half of the twentieth century the dematerializing of boundaries between enclosure and exposure problematized traditional acts of “occupation” and understandings of the domestic environment. As a space of escalating technological control, the modern domestic interior offered new potential to re-define the meaning and means of habitation. This shift is clearly expressed in the transformation of electric lighting technology and applications for the modern interior in the mid-twentieth century. Addressing these issues, this paper examines the critical role of electric lighting in regulating and framing both the public and private occupation of Philip Johnson’s New Canaan estate. Exploring the dialectically paired transparent Glass House and opaque Guest House (both 1949), this study illustrates how Johnson employed artificial light to control the visual environment of the estate as well as to aestheticize the performance of domestic space. Looking closely at the use of artificial light to create emotive effects as well as to intensify the experience of occupation, this revisiting of the iconic Glass House and lesser-known Guest House provides a more complex understanding of Johnson’s work and the means with which he inhabited his own architecture. Calling attention to the importance of Johnson serving as both architect and client, and his particular interest in exploring the new potential of architectural lighting in this period, this paper investigates Johnson’s use of electric light to support architectural narratives, maintain visual order and control, and to suit the nuanced desires of domestic occupation.

Synergistic crystal facet engineering and structural control of WO3 films exhibiting unprecedented photoelectrochemical performance

WO3 nanoplate arrays with (002) oriented facets grown on fluorine doped SnO2 (FTO) glass substrates are tailored by tuning the precursor solution via a facile hydrothermal method. A 2-step hydrothermal method leads to the preferential growth of WO3 film with enriched (002) facets, which exhibits extraordinary photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance with a remarkable photocurrent density of 3.7 mA cm–2 at 1.23 V vs. revisable hydrogen electrode (RHE) under AM 1.5 G illumination without the use of any cocatalyst, corresponding to ~93% of the theoretical photocurrent of WO3. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations together with experimental studies reveal that the enhanced photocatalytic activity and better photo-stability of the WO3 films are attributed to the synergistic effect of highly reactive (002) facet and nanoplate structure which facilitates the photo–induced charge carrier separation and suppresses the formation of peroxo-species. Without the use of oxygen evolution cocatalysts, the excellent PEC performance, demonstrated in this work, by simply tuning crystal facets and nanostructure of pristine WO3 films may open up new opportunities in designing high performance photoanodes for PEC water splitting.