Fabrication, structural characterization, and applications of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of a poly(azo)urethane

The synthesis of a poly(azo)urethane by fixing CO2 in bis-epoxide followed by a polymerization reaction with an azodiamine is presented. Since isocyanate is not used in the process, it is termed clean method and the polymers obtained are named NIPUs (non-isocyanate polyurethanes). Langmuir films were formed at the air-water interface and were characterized by surface pressure vs mean molecular area per met unit (Pi-A) isotherms. The Langmuir monolayers were further studied by running stability tests and cycles of compression/expansion (possible hysteresis) and by varying the compression speed of the monolayer formation, the subphase temperature, and the solvents used to prepare the spreading polymer solutions. The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique was used to fabricate ultrathin films of a particular polymer (PAzoU). It is possible to grow homogeneous LB films of up to 15 layers as monitored using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Higher number of layers can be deposited when PAzoU is mixed with stearic acid, producing mixed LB films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering showed that the materials do not interact chemically in the mixed LB films. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micro-Raman technique (optical microscopy coupled to Raman spectrograph) revealed that mixed LB films present a phase separation distinguishable at micrometer or nanometer scale. Finally, mixed and neat LB films were successfully characterized using impedance spectroscopy at different temperatures, a property that may lead to future application as temperature sensors. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to correlate the data.

Low cost technology applied to thermometry of grains

Modern agriculture demands investments in technology that allows the farmers to improve productivity and quality of their products, aiming to establish themselves in a competitive market. However, the high costs of acquiring and maintaining such technology may be an inhibiting factor to its spread and acceptance, mainly to a large number of small grain Brazilian farmers, who need low cost innovative technological solutions, suitable for their financial reality. Starting from this premise, this paper presents the development of a low cost prototype for monitoring the temperature and humidity of grains stored in silos, and the economic implications of cost/benefit ratio of innovative applications of low cost technology in the process of thermometry of grains. The prototype was made of two electronic units, one for acquisition and another one for data reception, as well as software, which offered the farmers more precise information for the control of aeration. The data communication between the electronic units and the software was reliable and both were developed using low cost electronic components and free software tools. The developed system was considered as potentially viable to small grain Brazilian farmers; it can be used in any type of small silos. It provided reduction of costs of installation and maintenance and also offered an easy expansion system; besides the low cost of development when compared to similar products available in the Brazilian market.

Desenvolvimento de um sistema computacional para monitoramento de parâmetros físicos na área de irrigação, com base na plataforma labVIEW

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comportamento térmico de coberturas em camadas duplas e estudo da substituição da cama por piso plástico na qualidade do ar, desempenho e índice de lesões em frangos de corte

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Efeitos fotocrômico e termocrômico em ormosils dopados com azobenzenos

The sol-gel process and the wide variety of alkoxides commercially available have facilitated the processing of various Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials. In general, the hybrids are excellents matrix to incorporate organic or inorganic dopants that presents photochromic, thermochromic, and halochromic effects and in some cases photorefractive effects. The GPTS-TEOS hybrid matrix when deposited in the form of film is very resistant, adherent, has excellent transparency in visible region and allows to be doped with various azo-dye and metal salts of unusual oxidation states. One of the main characteristics of the azo-dyes when immersed in some hybrid matrix , is the capacity to isomerizes through group Azo (-N = N-) would can be commutated between the Cis (Z) and Trans (E) configurations by means of light or heat. Our goal was through the sol-gel process to prepare hybrid films of GPTS-TEOS doped with azo-dyes Methyl Red and Disperse Red 1, and characterize them optically. The characterizations are performed using techniques of UV / Vis spectroscopy, to identify changes in the absorption band of azo-dyes in the presence of optical pumping, (photochromic effects), in function of temperature (thermochromic effect). These properties are of wide scientific and technological interest because they will contribute to the confection Smart Windows (windows sensible to light), temperature sensors monitored optically and also in the recording of amplitude and phase diffraction gratings

O clima urbano em Alfredo Marcondes/SP: uma análise dos indicadores geoambientais

There are obvious changes that occur within the cities, experienced in synthesis for the degradation of the environment and especially the worsening quality of life. Even small cities, began to exhibit characteristics typical of an atmospheric climate. Thus, it becomes natural to analyze the characteristics of these spaces, unlike the medium and large cities, provide a detailed analysis of the peculiarities of intra-urban space in order to highlight what factors enhance or soften the formations of a typical urban climate distinct patterns of land use. The aim of this research from a geoenvironmental mapping of attributes (uses and land cover, vegetation and tree characteristics of buildings) while representing the dynamic City entertainment. Thus, we seek to inter-relate these indicators to analysis climate urban-rural and intra-urban applied to the city of Alfredo Marcondes / SP, a small town in order to identify a potential compromise climate conditions point to generate a specific climate. From this detailed analysis, we intend to give suggestions with the government to improve the comfort of that environment. For the data collection was organized a specific methodology for its collection, organization and representation and for the record of climatic data (temperature, wind speed and direction and cloud cover) were used mini-shelters weather with temperature sensors in fixed locations, and a temperature sensor attached on the side of a vehicle, 1.5 meters in height from the floor for 42 points perpassando selected in different intra-urban spaces... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Desenvolvimento de uma rede de sensores sem fio aplicada no monitoramento da variabilidade térmica em casas de vegetação

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Real-time multi-sensors measurement system with temperature effects compensation for impedance-based structural health monitoring

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Temperature on Piezoelectric Sensors for Impedance-Based Structural Health Monitoring

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

Grain size effect on the electrical response of SnO2 thin and thick film gas sensors

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

Transport and sensors properties of nanostructured antimony-doped tin oxide films

Tin oxide thin films doped with 7 mol% antimony oxide multilayer were prepared by the polymeric precursor method. Morphological characterization revealed films with round-shaped grains, nanometric size (similar to 13 nm), and low roughness. These films display high transmittance (similar to 80%) in the visible range of transmittance spectra, which is desirable for transparent conductive oxide films. Analysis on electrical resistivity versus temperature data showed two different conduction mechanisms toward the temperature range. The gas sensor properties measurement of the thicker thin film revealed good sensibility for the NOx. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impedance spectroscopy analysis of TiO(2) thin film gas sensors obtained from water-based anatase colloids

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

Structural and properties of nanocrystalline WO3/TiO2-based humidity sensors elements prepared by high energy activation

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

Characterization of the temperature, load and damage effects using piezoelectric transducer patches based on fuzzy clustering

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) denotes a system with the ability to detect and interpret adverse changes in a structure. One of the critical challenges for practical implementation of SHM system is the ability to detect damage under changing environmental conditions. This paper aims to characterize the temperature, load and damage effects in the sensor measurements obtained with piezoelectric transducer (PZT) patches. Data sets are collected on thin aluminum specimens under different environmental conditions and artificially induced damage states. The fuzzy clustering algorithm is used to organize the sensor measurements into a set of clusters, which can attribute the variation in sensor data due to temperature, load or any induced damage.

An easy method of preparing ozone gas sensors based on ZnO nanorods

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)