Increasing the dielectric breakdown strength of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films using a coated polyaniline layer

The dielectric strength of films made from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) coated with a thin layer of polyaniline (PANI) was studied. The PANI layer was deposited on the PET films by the 'in situ' chemical polymerization method. The PANI layer of the PANI/PET films was undoped in NH4OH 0.1 M solution and re-doped with aqueous HCl solution under different pH values varying from 1 to 10. Electric breakdown measurements were performed by applying a voltage ramp and the results showed a dependence of the dielectric strength on the pH of the doping solution due to the changes in the electrical conductivity of the PANI layer. The dielectric strength of PET/PANI films treated under higher pH conditions showed an electric strength about 30% larger than the PET films, since it leads to a non-conductive PANI layer.

Influence of simultaneous addition of MnO2 and CoO on properties of SnO2-based ceramics

This paper reports on a study of the: effect of replacing CoO by MnO2 on the sintering and electrical propel-ties of the 98.95% SnO2 + (1 - x)% CoO + x% MnO2 + 0.05% Ta2O5 system. All the samples were compacted into pellets and sintered at 1300 degrees C for 1 h, when they reached densities of about 98% of the theoretical density. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed no other detectable phases other than SnO2. Current-voltage characterization indicated varistor behavior in the systems. The non-linear coefficient (alpha) and breakdown electric field (Eb) increased as the amount of MnO2 was increased. The results are explained in terms of an electric barrier modification, due to the presence of adsorbed negative oxygen species at the grain boundary inter face. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of atmosphere on the electrical properties of TiO2-SnO2 varistor systems

This work illustrates the advancement of research on TiO2-based electroceramics. In this work will be presented that the addition of different dopants, as well as thermal treatments at oxidizing and inert atmosphere, influences of the densification, the mean grain size and the electrical properties of the TiO2-based varistor ceramics. Dopants like Ta2O5, Nb2O5, and Cr2O3 have an especial role in the barrier formation at the grain boundary in the TiO2 varistors, increasing the nonlinear coefficient and decreasing the breakdown electric field. The influence of Cr'(Ti) is to increase the O' and O'(2) adsorption at the grain boundary interface and to promote a decrease in the conductivity by donating electrons to O-2 adsorbed at the grain boundary. In this paper, TiO2 and (Sn,Ti)O-2-based studies of polycrystalline ceramics, which show a non-linear I-V electrical response typical of low voltage varistor systems are also presented. All these systems are potentially promising for varistor applications. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Characteristics of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for Material Treatment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Leakage current, ferroelectric and structural properties in Pb(1-x)Ba(x)TiO(3) thin films prepared by chemical route

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The effect of TiO(2) on the microstructural and electrical properties of low voltage varistor based on (Sn,Ti)O(2) ceramics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Clay-Reinforced Polymeric Nanocomposites

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Selective Ablation of the Androgen Receptor in Mouse Sertoli Cells Affects Sertoli Cell Maturation, Barrier Formation and Cytoskeletal Development

The observation that mice with a selective ablation of the androgen receptor (AR) in Sertoli cells (SC) (SCARKO mice) display a complete block in meiosis supports the contention that SC play a pivotal role in the control of germ cell development by androgens. To delineate the physiological and molecular mechanism responsible for this control, we compared tubular development in pubertal SCARKO mice and littermate controls. Particular attention was paid to differences in SC maturation, SC barrier formation and cytoskeletal organization and to the molecular mediators potentially involved. Functional analysis of SC barrier development by hypertonic perfusion and lanthanum permeation techniques and immunohistochemical analysis of junction formation showed that SCARKO mice still attempt to produce a barrier separating basal and adluminal compartment but that barrier formation is delayed and defective. Defective barrier formation was accompanied by disturbances in SC nuclear maturation (immature shape, absence of prominent, tripartite nucleoli) and SC polarization (aberrant positioning of SC nuclei and cytoskeletal elements such as vimentin). Quantitative RT-PCR was used to study the transcript levels of genes potentially related to the described phenomena between day 8 and 35. Differences in the expression of SC genes known to play a role in junction formation could be shown from day 8 for Cldn11, from day 15 for Cldn3 and Espn, from day 20 for Cdh2 and Jam3 and from day 35 for ZO-1. Marked differences were also noted in the transcript levels of several genes that are also related to cell adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics but that have not yet been studied in SC (Actn3, Ank3, Anxa9, Scin, Emb, Mpzl2). It is concluded that absence of a functional AR in SC impedes the remodeling of testicular tubules expected at the onset of spermatogenesis and interferes with the creation of the specific environment needed for germ cell development.

Theory of electrical characteristics for metal-oxide-insulator Schottky barrier and metal-insulator-metal structures

The metal-insulator or metal-amorphous semiconductor blocking contact is still not well understood. Here, the intimate metal-insulator and metal-oxide-insulator contact are discussed. Further, the steady-state characteristics of metal-oxide-insulator-metal structures are also discussed. Oxide is an insulator with wider energy band gap (about 50 Å thick). A uniform energetic distribution of impurities is considered in addition to impurities at a single energy level inside the surface charge region at the oxide-insulator interface. Analytical expressions are presented for electrical potential, field, thickness of the depletion region, capacitance, and charge accumulated in the surface charge region. The electrical characteristics are compared with reference to relative densities of two types of impurities. ln I is proportional to the square root of applied potential if energetically distributed impurities are relatively important. However, distribution of the electrical potential is quite complicated. In general energetically distributed impurities can considerably change the electrical characteristics of these structures.

A barrier method for constrained nonlinear optimization using a modified Hopfield network

The ability of neural networks to realize some complex nonlinear function makes them attractive for system identification. This paper describes a novel barrier method using artificial neural networks to solve robust parameter estimation problems for nonlinear model with unknown-but-bounded errors and uncertainties. This problem can be represented by a typical constrained optimization problem. More specifically, a modified Hopfield network is developed and its internal parameters are computed using the valid-subspace technique. These parameters guarantee the network convergence to the equilibrium points. A solution for the robust estimation problem with unknown-but-bounded error corresponds to an equilibrium point of the network. Simulation results are presented as an illustration of the proposed approach.

Experimental peri-implant tissue breakdown around different dental implant surfaces: Clinical and radiographic evaluation in dogs

Purpose: Tissue reactions to 4 different implant surfaces were evaluated in regard to the development and progression of ligature-induced peri-implantitis. Materials and Methods: In 6 male mongrel dogs, a total of 36 dental implants with different surfaces (9 titanium plasma-sprayed, 9 hydroxyapatite-coated, 9 acid-etched, and 9 commercially pure titanium) were placed 3 months after mandibular premolar extraction. After 3 months with optimal plaque control, abutment connection was performed. Forty-five days later, cotton ligatures were placed around the implants to induce peri-implantitis. At baseline and 20, 40, and 60 days after placement, the presence of plaque, peri-implant mucosal redness, bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, mobility, vertical bone loss, and horizontal bone loss were assessed. Results: The results did not show significant differences among the surfaces for any parameter during the study (P > .05). All surfaces were equally susceptible to ligature-induced peri-implantitis over time (P < .001). Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between width of keratinized tissue and vertical bone loss (r 2 = 0.81; P = .014) and between mobility and vertical bone loss (r 2 = 0.66; P = .04), both for the titanium plasma-sprayed surface. Discussion and Conclusions: The present data suggest that all surfaces were equally susceptible to experimental peri-implantitis after a 60-day period.

Modified barrier method for optimal power flow problem

In this paper is presented a new approach for optimal power flow problem. This approach is based on the modified barrier function and the primal-dual logarithmic barrier method. A Lagrangian function is associated with the modified problem. The first-order necessary conditions for optimality are fulfilled by Newton's method, and by updating the barrier terms. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been examined by solving the Brazilian 53-bus, IEEE118-bus and IEEE162-bus systems.

Bone healing in surgically created defects treated with either bioactive glass particles, a calcium sulfate barrier, or a combination of both materials: A histological and histometric study in rat tibias

Objective: The purpose of this study was to histologically analyze the influence of bioactive glass and/or a calcium sulfate barrier on bone healing in surgically created defects in rat tibias. Material and methods: Sixty-four rats were divided into 4 groups: C (control), CS (calcium sulfate), BG (bioactive glass), and BG/CS (bioactive glass/calcium sulfate). A surgical defect was created in the tibia of each animal. In Group CS, a calcium sulfate barrier was placed to cover the defect. In Group BG the defect was filled with bioactive glass. In Group BG/CS, it was filled with bioactive glass and protected by a barrier of calcium sulfate. Animals were sacrificed at 10 or 30 days post-operative. The formation of new bone in the cortical area of the defect was evaluated histomorphometrically. Results: At 10 days post-operative, Group C presented significantly more bone formation than Groups CS, BG, or BG/CS. No statistically significant differences were found between the experimental groups. At 30 days post-operative, Group C demonstrated significantly more bone formation than the experimental groups. Groups CS and BG/CS showed significantly more bone formation than Group BG. No statistically significant differences were found between Group CS and BG/CS. Conclusions: (a) the control groups had significantly more bone formation than the experimental groups; (b) at 10 days post-operative, no significant differences were found between any of the experimental groups; and (c) at 30 days post-operative, the groups with a calcium sulfate barrier had significantly more bone formation than the group that used bioactive glass only. Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2005.

Autogenous bone graft with or without a calcium sulfate barrier in the treatment of class II furcation defects: A histologic and histometric study in dogs

Background: The purpose of this study was to histologically evaluate the healing of surgically created Class II furcation defects treated using an autogenous bone (AB) graft with or without a calcium sulfate (CS) barrier. Methods: The second, third, and fourth mandibular premolars (P2, P3, and P4) of six mongrel dogs were used in this study. Class II furcation defects (5 mm in height × 2 mm in depth) were surgically created and immediately treated. Teeth were randomly divided into three groups: group C (control), in which the defect was filled with blood clot; group AB, in which the defect was filled with AB graft; and group AB/CS, in which the defect was filled with AB graft and covered by a CS barrier. Elaps were repositioned to cover all defects. The animals were euthanized 90 days post-surgery. Mesio-distal serial sections were obtained and stained with either hematoxylin and eosin or Masson's trichrome. Histometric, using image-analysis software, and histologic analyses were performed. Linear and area measurements of periodontal healing were evaluated and calculated as a percentage of the original defect. Percentage data were transformed into arccosine for statistical analysis (analysis of variance; P<0.05). Results: Periodontal regeneration in the three groups was similar. Regeneration of bone and connective tissue in the furcation defects was incomplete in most of the specimens. Statistically significant differences were not found in any of the evaluated parameters among the groups. Conclusion: Periodontal healing was similar using surgical debridement alone, AB graft, or AB graft with a CS barrier in the treatment of Class II furcation defects.