Development of a PDLLA-based stereolithography resin for making tissue engineering scaffolds

The use of porous structures as tissue engineering scaffolds imposes high demands on the pore architecture. Stereolithography is a rapid prototyping method based on photo-polymerisation, that can be utilised to make 3D constructs with high spatial control. In this study, biodegradable resins were developed that can find application in stereolithography. Poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) oligomers were synthesised and functionalised with methacrylate end-groups. By mixing the resulting macromers with a diluent, photo-initiator and inhibitor, lowviscosity resins were obtained that were photocrosslinked to yield stiff and strong degradable poly(lactide) networks. Also, porous scaffolds were fabricated on a stereolithography apparatus (SLA) from a nondegradable resin.

Predicting the localized surface plasmon resonances of spherical nanoparticles on substrate : electrostatic eigenmode method

We present experimental results that demonstrate that the wavelength of the fundamental localised surface plasmon resonance for spherical gold nanoparticles on glass can be predicted using a simple, one line analytical formula derived from the electrostatic eigenmode method. This allows the role of the substrate in lifting mode degeneracies to be determined, and the role of local environment refractive indices on the plasmon resonance to be investigated. The effect of adding silica to the casting solution in minimizing nanopaticle agglomeration is also discussed.

Characteristics of epoxy resin/SiO2 nanocomposite insulation : effects of plasma surface treatment on the nanoparticles

The present study compares the effects of two different material processing techniques on modifying hydrophilic SiO2 nanoparticles. In one method, the nanoparticles undergo plasma treatment by using a custom-developed atmospheric-pressure non-equilibrium plasma reactor. With the other method, they undergo chemical treatment which grafts silane groups onto their surface and turns them into hydrophobic. The treated nanoparticles are then used to synthesize epoxy resin-based nanocomposites for electrical insulation applications. Their characteristics are investigated and compared with the pure epoxy resin and nanocomposite fabricated with unmodified nanofillers counterparts. The dispersion features of the nanoparticles in the epoxy resin matrix are examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. All samples show evidence that the agglomerations are smaller than 30 nm in their diameters. This indicates good dispersion uniformity. The Weibull plot of breakdown strength and the recorded partial discharge (PD) events of the epoxy resin/plasma-treated hydrophilic SiO2 nanocomposite (ER/PTI) suggest that the plasma-treated specimen yields higher breakdown strength and lower PD magnitude as compared to the untreated ones. In contrast, surprisingly, lower breakdown strength is found for the nanocomposite made by the chemically treated hydrophobic particles, whereas the PD magnitude and PD numbers remain at a similar level as the plasma-treated ones.

Equilibrium and column studies of iron exchange with strong acid cation resin

The exchange of iron species from iron (III) chloride solutions with a strong acid cation resin has been investigated in relation to a variety of water and wastewater applications. A detailed equilibrium isotherm analysis was conducted wherein models such as Langmuir Vageler, Competitive Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin Astakhov, Sips and Brouers-Sotolongo were applied to the experimental data. An important conclusion was that both the bottle-point method and solution normality used to generate the ion exchange equilibrium information influenced which sorption model fitted the isotherm profiles optimally. Invariably, the calculated value for the maximum loading of iron on strong acid cation resin was substantially higher than the value of 47.1 g/kg of resin which would occur if one Fe3+ ion exchanged for three “H+” sites on the resin surface. Consequently, it was suggested that above pH 1, various iron complexes sorbed to the resin in a manner which required less than 3 sites per iron moiety. Column trials suggested that the iron loading was 86.6 g/kg of resin when 1342 mg/L Fe (III) ions in water were flowed at 31.7 bed volumes per hour. Regeneration with 5 to 10 % HCl solutions reclaimed approximately 90 % of exchange sites.

Ion exchange treatment of saline solutions using lanxess S108H strong acid cation resin

Common to many types of water and wastewater is the presence of sodium ions which can be removed by desalination technologies, such as reverse osmosis and ion exchange. The focus of this investigation was ion exchange as it potentially offered several advantages compared to competing methods. The equilibrium and column behaviour of a strong acid cation (SAC) resin was examined for the removal of sodium ions from aqueous sodium chloride solutions of varying normality as well as a coal seam gas water sample. The influence of the bottle-point method to generate the sorption isotherms was evaluated and data interpreted with the Langmuir Vageler, Competitive Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Astakhov models. With the constant concentration bottle point method, the predicted maximum exchange levels of sodium ions on the resin ranged from 61.7 to 67.5 g Na/kg resin. The general trend was that the lower the initial concentration of sodium ions in the solution, the lower the maximum capacity of the resin for sodium ions. In contrast, the constant mass bottle point method was found to be problematic in that the isotherm profiles may not be complete, if experimental parameters were not chosen carefully. Column studies supported the observations of the equilibrium studies, with maximum sodium loading of ca. 62.9 g Na/kg resin measured, which was in excellent agreement with the predictions of the data from the constant concentration bottle point method. Equilibria involving coal seam gas water were more complex due to the presence of sodium bicarbonate in solution, albeit the maximum loading capacity for sodium ions was in agreement with the results from the more simple sodium chloride solutions.

Effects of the filling process on the evolution of the mushy zone and macrosegregation in alloy casting

A numerical model of the entire casting process starting from the mould filling stage to complete solidification is presented. The model takes into consideration any phase change taking place during the filling process. A volume of fluid method is used for tracking the metal–air interface during filling and an enthalpy based macro-scale solidification model is used for the phase change process. The model is demonstrated for the case of filling and solidification of Pb–15 wt%Sn alloy in a side-cooled two-dimensional rectangular cavity, and the resulting evolution of a mushy region and macrosegregation are studied. The effects of process parameters related to filling, namely degree of melt superheat and filling velocity on macrosegregation in the cavity, are also investigated. Results show significant differences in the progress of the mushy zone and macrosegregation pattern between this analysis and conventional analysis without the filling effect.

The UPAL process: a direct method of preparing cast aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites

A direct method of preparing cast aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites using uncoated graphite particles is reported. The method consists of introducing and dispersing uncoated but suitably pretreated graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts, and casting the resulting composite melts in suitable permanent moulds. The optical pretreatment required for the dispersion of the uncoated graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts consists of heating the graphite particles to 400° C in air for 1 h just prior to their dispersion in the melts. The effects of alloying elements such as Si, Cu and Mg on the dispersability of pretreated graphite in molten aluminium have also been reported. It was found that additions of about 0.5% Mg or 5% Si significantly improve the dispersability of graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts as indicated by the high recoveries of graphite in the castings of these composites. It was also possible to disperse upto 3% graphite in LM 13 alloy melts and retain the graphite particles in a well distributed fashion in the castings using the pre-heat-treated graphite particles. The observations in this study have been related to the information presently available on wetting between graphite and molten aluminium in the presence of different elements and our own thermogravimetric analysis studies on graphite particles. Physical and mechanical properties of LM 13-3% graphite composite made using pre-heat-treated graphite powder, were found to be adequate for many applications, including pistons which have been successfully used in internal combustion engines.

Surface chemistry, dispersion behavior, and slip casting of Ti 3AlC2 suspensions

The surface chemistry and dispersion properties of aqueous Ti 3AlC2 suspension were studied in terms of hydrolysis, adsorption, electrokinetic, and rheological measurements. The Ti 3AlC2 particle had complex surface hydroxyl groups, such as ≡Ti-OH,=Al-OH, and -OTi-(OH)2, etc. The surface charging of the Ti3AlC2 particle and the ion environment of suspensions were governed by these surface groups, which thus strongly influenced the stability of Ti3AlC2 suspensions. PAA dispersant was added into the Ti3AlC2 suspension to depress the hydrolysis of the surface groups by the adsorption protection mechanism and to increase the stability of the suspension by the steric effect. Ti3AlC2 suspensions with 2.0 dwb% PAA had an excellent stability at pH=∼5 and presented the characteristics of Newtonian fluid. Based on the well-dispersed suspension, dense Ti3AlC2 materials were obtained by slip casting and after pressureless sintering. This work provides a feasible forming method for the engineering applications of MAX-phase ceramics, wherein complex shapes, large dimensions, or controlled microstructures are needed.

Epoxy resin chamber for high voltage breakdown studies in high vacuum

As the study of electrical breakdown phenomena in vacuum systems, gains more importance, a thorough understanding of the breakdown mechanism at high voltages necessitates a chamber for experimental studies. An epoxy-resin chamber has been constructed by casting ring sections which were joined together. The advantages of such a chamber over the conventional metal or glass chamber are given especially as regards the electric field configuration, high voltage lead-in, and the ease of construction. Special facilities can be incorporated while constructing the chamber which makes it more versatile; for example, in pre-breakdown current measurements, electron beam focusing studies, etc.

Temperature Distribution in Resin Impregnated Paper Insulation for Transformer Bushings

The overall reliability of a power transformer depends to a great extent on the sound operation of the bushings thereof. Oil impregnated paper (OIP) insulated bushings have been in use for a long time now. In many situations, it becomes necessary to avoid OIP insulation in bushings. In the recent past, a new technological breakthrough has been achieved whereby the OIP is replaced by epoxy resin impregnated crepe paper (RIP) insulation. This new system has several advantages over OIP and has now become the insulation of choice. However, its long time thermal and electrical performance need to be carefully assessed. This paper reports the results of a study of temperature distribution in the body of insulation, based on the ac conductivity of RIP insulation. A method of computing the maximum thermal voltage of this system is also given.

Synthesis of two designed hairpin peptides on a newly developed 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDODA)-crosslinked polystyrene resin

Synthesis of two designed hairpin peptides on 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate crosslinked polystyrene support using the standard solid phase methodology is described. Both the peptides are obtained in high yield and purity. The new polymeric system is an ideal support for the synthesis of hairpin peptides, which is a very difficult task by the solid phase method.

Mechanical properties of Nylon-6/LDPE blends containing an epoxy resin compatibilizer

Binary and ternary blends of nylon-6/low density polyethylene (nylon-6/LDPE) and Nylon-6/LDPE/poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) were prepared by melt mixing. The blends exhibit two phase morphology with LDPE dispersed in the form of spherical domains in the nylon-6 matrix. The mechanical properties of the blends were measured by standard methods. It is shown that the use of the epoxy copolymer as a compatibilizer improves the impact strength of the blend as compared to nylon-6, which is attributed to better stress transfer across the interface due to the compatibilizer. The data for each mechanical property were also fitted into a best fit model equation and the method of steepest ascent was applied to arrive at the optimum composition of the blend for that property.

Cobalt-doped ZnO nanowires on quartz: Synthesis by simple chemical method and characterization

The synthesis of cobalt-doped ZnO nanowires is achieved using a simple, metal salt decomposition growth technique. A sequence of drop casting on a quartz substrate held at 100 degrees C and annealing results in the growth of nanowires of average (modal) length similar to 200 nm and diameter of 15 +/- 4 nm and consequently an aspect ratio of similar to 13. A variation in the synthesis process, where the solution of mixed salts is deposited on the substrate at 25 degrees C, yields a grainy film structure which constitutes a useful comparator case. X-ray diffraction shows a preferred 0001] growth direction for the nanowires while a small unit cell volume contraction for Co-doped samples and data from Raman spectroscopy indicate incorporation of the Co dopant into the lattice; neither technique shows explicit evidence of cobalt oxides. Also the nanowire samples display excellent optical transmission across the entire visible range, as well as strong photoluminescence (exciton emission) in the near UV, centered at 3.25 eV. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Model for the Temperature Distribution in Resin Impregnated Paper Bushings

Resin impregnated paper (RIP) is a relatively new insulation system recommended for the use in transformer bushings. In the recent past, RIP has acquired prominence as insulation in bushings, over conventional oil impregnated paper (OIP), in view of its overwhelming advantages the more important among them being low dielectric loss and possibility for positioning the bushing at any desired angle over the transformer. In addition, the fact that such systems do not pose problems of fire hazard is counted as a very important consideration. The disadvantage of RIP compared to OIP, however, is its much higher cost and involved manufacturing process. The temperature rise in RIP bushings under normal operating conditions is seen to be a difficult parameter to control in view of the limited options for effective cooling. It is therefore essential to take serious note of this aspect, to arrest rapid deterioration of bushing. The degradation of dry-type insulation such as RIP is often due to thermal stress. The long time performance thereof, depends strongly, on the maximum operating temperature. With this in view, the Authors have developed a theoretical model and computational method to study the temperature distribution in the body of insulation. The Authors consider that the basis for the model as being the temperature and electric stress aided AC conductivity. The ensuing heat balance (continuity) equations in 2-D cylindrical geometry are treated as a Dirichelet-Neumann boundary value problem.

Synthesis of self-light-scattering wrinkle structured ZnO photoanode by sol-gel method for dye-sensitized solar cells

A special morphological zinc oxide (ZnO) photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated by simple sol-gel drop casting technique. This film shows a wrinkled structure resembling the roots of banyan tree, which acts as an effective self scattering layer for harvesting more visible light and offers an easy transport path for photo-injected electrons. These ZnO electrode of low thickness (similar to 5 mu m) gained an enhanced short-circuit current density of 6.15 mA/cm(2), open-circuit voltage of 0.67 V, fill factor of 0.47 and overall conversion efficiency of 1.97 % under 1 sun illumination. This shows a high conversion efficiency and a superior performance than that of ZnO nanoparticle-based photoanode (eta similar to 1.13 %) of high thickness (similar to 8 mu m).