Effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical properties, water vapour permeability and sorption isotherms of gelatin-based films

Proteins contain hydrophilic groups, which can bind to water molecules through hydrogen bridges, resulting in water vapour adsorption. An increase in the degree of cross-linking can be a method to improve the cohesiveness force and functional properties of protein-based films. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of chemical treatment of gelatin with formaldehyde and glyoxal on the mechanical properties, water vapour permeability (WVP) and water vapour sorption characteristics of gelatin-based films. Films were produced using gelatin, with and without chemical treatment. The formaldehyde treatments caused a significant increase in the tensile strength and a reduction in the WVP of films. The Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer and Halsey models could be used to model the sorption isotherms of films. It was observed that an increase in temperature produced a decrease in water sorption, and the chemical modifications did not affect the monolayer moisture content. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of mechanical, physical and thermal performance of cement-based tiles reinforced with vegetable fibers

The objective of this work was to analyze mechanical, physical and thermal performance of roofing tiles produced with several formulations of cement-based matrices reinforced with sisal and eucalyptus fibers. The physical properties of the tiles were more influenced by the fiber content of the composite than by the type of reinforcement. The type of the fiber was the main variable for the achievement of the best results of mechanical properties. Exposure to tropical climate has caused a severe reduction in the mechanical properties of the composites. After approximately four months of age under external weathering the toughness of the vegetable fiber-cement fell to 53-68% of the initial toughness at 28 days of age. The thermal performance showed that roofing tiles reinforced with vegetable fiber are acceptable as substitutes of asbestos-cement sheets. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Survey of Fungal Contamination on Books in Public Libraries with Mechanical and Natural Ventilation

Libraries are very propitious environments for the growth of fungi. The great concentration of organic material available for these microorganisms, and often with the lack of adequate ventilation or climate control, would favour this situation. This study was conducted in 2003 to determine the predominant genera of fungi in public libraries by a survey of fungi contaminating the upper surface of books, with and without air conditioning in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the winter and summer, during the respective periods with high and low levels of airborne fungi in that city. Six libraries were chosen, located on the campus of the University of Sao Paulo, three of them with air conditioning and the other three with natural ventilation. In these six libraries, 31 genera of fungi were identified in total. The genera and frequency of contaminant fungi recovered differed significantly between the libraries with and without air conditioning and in the samples collected in the summer as opposed to the winter. Cladosporium was the most frequent in the libraries with and without air conditioning, and in the winter. Aspergillus was isolated more often in the summer.

Mechanical analysis of infant carrying in hominoids

In all higher nonhuman primates, species survival depends upon safe carrying of infants clinging to body hair of adults. In this work, measurements of mechanical properties of ape hair (gibbon, orangutan, and gorilla) are presented, focusing on constraints for safe infant carrying. Results of hair tensile properties are shown to be species-dependent. Analysis of the mechanics of the mounting position, typical of heavier infant carrying among African apes, shows that both clinging and friction are necessary to carry heavy infants. As a consequence, a required relationship between infant weight, hair-hair friction coefficient, and body angle exists. The hair-hair friction coefficient is measured using natural ape skin samples, and dependence on load and humidity is analyzed. Numerical evaluation of the equilibrium constraint is in agreement with the knuckle-walking quadruped position of African apes. Bipedality is clearly incompatible with the usual clinging and mounting pattern of infant carrying, requiring a revision of models of hominization in relation to the divergence between apes and hominins. These results suggest that safe carrying of heavy infants justify the emergence of biped form of locomotion. Ways to test this possibility are foreseen here.

New mechanical samples positioning system for irradiations on a radial channel at nuclear research reactor in a full-power continuous operation

This paper describes a new mechanical samples positioning system that allows the safe placement and removal of biological samples for prolonged irradiation, in a nuclear reactor during full-power continuous operation. Also presented herein the materials of construction and operating principles. Additionally, this sample positioning system is compared with an existing pneumatic and automated transfer system, already available at the research reactors. The system consists of a mechanical arm with a claw, which can deliver the samples for irradiations without reactor shutdown. It was installed in the lEA-R1 research reactor at Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN), Sao Paulo, Brazil, and for the past 5 years, the system has successfully operated and allowed the conducting of important experiments. As a result of its introduction, the facility has been in a position to positively respond to the increased demand in studies of biology, medicine, physics, engineering, detector/dosimeter calibrations, etc. It is one example of the appropriated technologies that save energy and resources. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electronic properties of liquid hydrogen fluoride: A sequential quantum mechanical/Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics approach

The electronic properties of liquid hydrogen fluoride (HF) were investigated by carrying out sequential quantum mechanics/Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics. The structure of the liquid is in good agreement with recent experimental information. Emphasis was placed on the analysis of polarisation effects, dynamic polarisability and electronic excitations in liquid HF. Our results indicate an increase in liquid phase of the dipole moment (similar to 0.5 D) and isotropic polarisability (5%) relative to their gas-phase values. Our best estimate for the first vertical excitation energy in liquid HF indicates a blue-shift of 0.4 +/- 0.2 eV relative to that of the gas-phase monomer (10.4 eV). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Elastomeric Composites Based on Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer Rubber and Conducting Polymer-Modified Carbon Black

Thermally stable elastomeric composites based on ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and conducting polymer-modified carbon black (CPMCB) additives were produced by casting and crosslinked by compression molding. CPMCB represent a novel thermally stable conductive compound made via ""in situ"" deposition of intrinsically conducting polymers (ICP) such as polyaniline or polypyrrole on carbon black particles. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the composites are thermally stable with no appreciable degradation at ca. 300 degrees C. Incorporating CPMCB has been found to be advantageous to the processing of composites, as the presence of ICP lead to a better distribution of the filler within the rubber matrix, as confirmed by morphological analysis. These materials have a percolation threshold range of 5-10 phr depending on the formulation and electrical dc conductivity values in the range of 1 x 10(-3) to 1 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) above the percolation threshold. A less pronounced reinforcing effect was observed in composites produced with ICP-modified additives in relation to those produced only with carbon black. The results obtained in this study show the feasibility of this method for producing stable, electrically conducting composites with elastomeric characteristics. POLYM. COMPOS., 30:897-906, 2009. (C) 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers

The low-lying electronic states of BeP: a reliable and accurate quantum mechanical prediction

A very high level of theoretical treatment (complete active space self-consistent field CASSCF/MRCI/aug-cc-pV5Z) was used to characterize the spectroscopic properties of a manifold of quartet and doublet states of the species BeP, as yet experimentally unknown. Potential energy curves for 11 electronic states were obtained, as well as the associated vibrational energy levels, and a whole set of spectroscopic constants. Dipole moment functions and vibrationally averaged dipole moments were also evaluated. Similarities and differences between BeN and BeP were analysed along with the isovalent SiB species. The molecule BeP has a X (4)Sigma(-) ground state, with an equilibrium bond distance of 2.073 angstrom, and a harmonic frequency of 516.2 cm(-1); it is followed closely by the states (2)Pi (R(e) = 2.081 angstrom, omega(e) = 639.6 cm(-1)) and (2)Sigma(-) (R(e) = 2.074 angstrom, omega(e) = 536.5 cm(-1)), at 502 and 1976 cm(-1), respectively. The other quartets investigated, A (4)Pi (R(e) = 1.991 angstrom, omega(e) = 555.3 cm(-1)) and B (4)Sigma(-) (R(e) = 2.758 angstrom, omega(e) = 292.2 cm(-1)) lie at 13 291 and 24 394 cm(-1), respectively. The remaining doublets ((2)Delta, (2)Sigma(+)(2) and (2)Pi(3)) all fall below 28 000 cm(-1). Avoided crossings between the (2)Sigma(+) states and between the (2)Pi states add an extra complexity to this manifold of states.

Crosslinking of Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) in the Coating of Cotton Yarn

Coating of cotton yarn is employed in the textile industry to increase the mechanical resistance of the yarns and resistance to vibration, friction, impact, and elongation, which are some of the forces to which the yarn is subjected during the weaving process. The main objective of this study is to investigate the usage of a synthetic hydrophilic polymer, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP), to coat 100% cotton textile yarn, aiming to give the yarn a temporary mechanical resistance. For the improvement of the mechanical resistance of the yarn, the following crosslinking processes of PVP were investigated: UV-C (ultraviolet) radiation, the Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions, and sensitized UV-C radiation. The influence of each crosslinking process was determined through tensile testing of the coated yarns. The results indicated that the best crosslinking process employed was UV-C radiation; increasing the mechanical resistance of the yarn up to 44% if compared with the pure cotton yarn, that is, without polymeric coating and crosslinking. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 51:445-453, 2011. (C) 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers

Self-reinforced composites obtained by the partial oxypropylation of cellulose fibers. 2. Effect of catalyst on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties

This work describes the partial oxypropylation of filter paper cellulose fibers, employing two different basic catalyst, viz., potassium hydroxide and 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane, to activate the hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide and thus provide the anionic initiation sites for the ""grafting-from"" polymerization of propylene oxide. The success of this chemical modification was assessed by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and contact angle measurements. The study of the role of the catalyst employed on the extent of the modification and on the mechanical properties of the ensuing composites, after hot pressing, showed that both the Bronsted and the Lewis base gave satisfactory results, without any marked difference.

Effect of mechanical coating with Ni and Ni-5% Al on the structure and electrochemical properties of the Mg-50% Ni alloy

The Mg-Ni metastable alloys (with amorphous or nanocrystalline structures) are promising candidates for anode application in nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries due to its large hydrogen absorbing capacity, low weight, availability, and relative low price. In spite of these interesting features, improvement on the cycle life performance must be achieved to allow its application in commercial products. In the present paper, the effect of mechanical coating of a Mg-50 at.% Ni alloy with Ni and Ni-5 at.% Al on the structure, powder morphology, and electrochemical properties is investigated. The coating additives, Mg-Ni alloy and resulting nanocomposites (i.e., Mg-Ni alloy + additive) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The Mg-Ni alloy and nanocomposites were submitted to galvanostatic cycles of charge and discharge to evaluate their electrode performances. The mechanical coating with Ni and Ni-5% Al increased the maximum discharge capacity of the Mg-Ni alloy from of 221 to 257 and 273 mA h g(-1), respectively. Improvement on the cycle life performance was also achieved by mechanical coating.

Mechanical, thermal and morphological characterization of polypropylene/biodegradable polyester blends with additives

The (bio)degradation of polyolefins can be accelerated by modifying the level of crystallinity or by incorporation of carbonyl groups by adding pro-oxidants to masterbatches or through exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. In this work we sought to improve the degradation of PP by adding cobalt, calcium or magnesium stearate to Ecoflex(R), PP or Ecoflex(R)/PP blends. The effect of the pro-oxidants on biodegradability was assessed by examining the mechanical properties and fluidity of the polymers. PP had higher values for tensile strength at break and Young`s modulus than Ecoflex(R), and the latter had little influence on the properties of PP in Ecoflex(R)/PP blends. However, the presence of pro-oxidants (except for calcium) reduced these properties. All of the pro-oxidants enhanced the fluidity of PP, a phenomenon that facilitated polymer degradation at high temperatures. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Postpolymerization as a Function of the Storage Time of Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate/2,2-Bis[4-(2-Hydroxy-3-Methacryloxy-Prop-1-Oxy)-Phenyl]-propane Bisphenyl-alpha-Glycidyl Ether Dimethacrylate Copolymers Used in Dental Resins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the storage time on the thermal properties of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate/2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxy-prop-1-oxy)-phenyl]propane bisphenyl-alpha-glycidyl ether dimethacrylate (TB) copolymers used in formulations of dental resins after photopolymerization. The TB copolymers were prepared by photopolymerization with an Ultrablue IS light-emitting diode, stored in the dark for 160 days at 37 degrees C, and characterized with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection. DSC curves indicated the presence of an exothermic peak, confirming that the reaction was not completed during the photopolymerization process. This exothermic peak became smaller as a function of the storage time and was shifted at higher temperatures. In DMA studies, a plot of the loss tangent versus the temperature initially showed the presence of two well-defined peaks. The presence of both peaks confirmed the presence of residual monomers that were not converted during the photopolymerization process. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 679-684, 2009

Movements and mechanical stresses in gas-filled flat plate solar collectors

Sealed gas filled flat plate solar collectors will have stresses in the material since volume and pressure varies in the gas when the temperature changes. Several geometries were analyzed and it could be seen that it is possible reducing the stresses and improve the safety factor of the weakest point in the construction by using larger area and/or reducing the distance between glass and absorber and/or change width and height relationship so the tubes are getting longer. Further it could be shown that the safety factor won't always get improved with reinforcements. It is so because when an already strong part of the collector gets reinforced it will expose weaker parts for higher stresses. The finite element method was used for finding out the stresses.

Mechanical and tribological properties of PVD-coated cemented carbide as evaluated by a new multi-pass scratch testing method

A new test method based on multipass scratch testing has been developed for evaluating the mechanical and tribological properties of thin, hard coatings. The proposed test method uses a pin-on-disc tribometer and during testing a Rockwell C diamond stylus is used as the “pin” and loaded against the rotating coated sample. The influence of normal load on the number of cycles to coating damage is investigated and the resulting coating damage mechanisms are evaluated by posttest scanning electron microscopy. The present study presents the test method by evaluating the performance of Ti0.86Si0.14N, Ti0.34Al0.66N, and (Al0.7Cr0.3)2O3 coatings deposited by cathodic arc evaporation on cemented carbide inserts. The results show that the test method is quick, simple, and reproducible and can preferably be used to obtain relevant data concerning the fatigue, wear, chipping, and spalling characteristics of different coating-substrate composites. The test method can be used as a virtually nondestructive test and, for example, be used to evaluate the fatigue and wear resistance as well as the cohesive and adhesive interfacial strength of coated cemented carbide inserts prior to cutting tests.