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Morphological Properties (morphological + property)
Selected AbstractsIn-Line Monitoring of Vinyl Chloride Suspension Polymerization with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, 1 , Analysis of Morphological PropertiesMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010João Miguel de Faria Jr. Abstract It is demonstrated that during suspension polymerizations it is possible to monitor morphological characteristics of PVC resins such as bulk density, cold plasticizer absorption and average particle diameter in-line and in real time using NIR spectroscopy. NIR spectra are obtained at different experimental conditions, showing that the spectra are sensitive to changes in the PVC properties. Standard mathematical procedures (partial least squares regression) are used to build empirical models and correlate the morphological properties with the obtained NIR spectra, allowing for monitoring of the PVC morphology in-line and in real time. [source] Poly(vinyltriethoxysilane) modified MWCNT/polyimide nanocomposites,Preparation, morphological, mechanical, and electrical propertiesJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 3 2008Siu-Ming Yuen Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified by vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) via free radical reaction has been prepared (poly (vinyltriethoxysilane) modified MWCNTs, PVTES-MWCNT). Precursor of polyimide, polyamic acid has been synthesized by reacting 4,4,-oxydianiline with 3,3,,4,4,-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride. PVTES-MWCNT were then mixed with polyamic acid and heated to 300 °C to form CNT/polyimide composite. During the imidization processes, the silanes on CNT surface reacted with each other and may be connected together by covalent bond (SiOSi). The PVTES-MWCNT was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PVTES-MWCNT/polyimide composites were analyzed by CP/MAS solid state 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Morphological properties of the PVTES-MWCNT/polyimide composites were investigated by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Electrical conductivity increased dramatically comparing to the unmodified MWCNT/polyimide composites. Mechanical properties of nanocomposite were enhanced significantly by PVTES-MWCNT. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 803,816, 2008 [source] Morphological properties of isolated galaxies vs. isolation criteriaASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Issue 9-10 2009I.B. Vavilova Abstract We studied the morphological properties of isolated galaxies samples in dependence on the isolation parameter and properties of primary catalogs. With this aim we identified the samples of single and isolated galaxies from SDSS DR5 (Single and QIsol) with the 3D Voronoi tessellation method (Elyiv et al. 2009). We found that in comparison with other samples of isolated galaxies, the QIsol sample contains an excess of late-type galaxies, especially with a low luminosity and BCG/Im/Irr morphology. We also showed that the fractions of early type galaxies in QIsol SDSS DR5 sample and samples 2MIG (Karachentseva et al. 2010) and CIG (Karachentseva et al. 1973; Hernandez-Toledo et al. 2008) are in a good agreement (16,19 %), but Allam's (Allam et al. 2005) and Prada's (Prada et al. 2003) SDSS DR1 samples show a higher excess of the early type galaxies that can be explained by the selection criteria and morphology definition method. We found a weak relation between isolation parameter and color index for the Single sample that may indicate that even in the low dense environment the morphology density relation is observed. We conclude that morphological properties of the resulting sample of isolated galaxies are highly dependent on the primary catalogue from which the galaxies were selected. Moreover, the selection criterion is also important but plays a secondary role in the resulting morphological content, color indices distribution and other parameters of the isolated galaxy samples. Only four galaxies are common in the 2MIG, QIsol, and CIG samples, namely UGC5184, UGC6121, UGC8495, and UGC9598, that allows to consider them as really most isolated galaxies (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Light scattering in the C57BL/6 mouse lensACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2007Linda M. Meyer Abstract. Purpose:, To characterize inherent light scattering in the C57BL/6 mouse lens. Methods:, Lenses from 20 6-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were extracted from freshly enucleated globes and microsurgically cleaned of remnants of the ciliary body. Lens light scattering was measured quantitatively with a light dissemination meter (LDM). Morphological properties of the mouse lenses were documented using grid- and dark-field illumination photography. Analysis of variance was performed to establish variance for animals, variance between left and right eyes and variance for measurements. Results:, Average inherent light scattering in the C57BL/6 mouse lens is 0.16 ± 0.02 tEDC (transformed equivalent diazepam concentration). The mean size of a mouse lens at 6 weeks is 1.9 mm in diameter. Two lenses featured pre-existing cortical lens opacities. Variance for animals was assessed to be 7.9 10, 4 tEDC2, variance for measurements was 1.6 10, 4 tEDC2, and variance between left and right eyes was 8.8 10, 4 tEDC2. The tolerance limit for non-pathological light scattering was determined to 0.26 tEDC. No significant difference in light scattering between left and right mouse lenses was found. The minimum number of C57BL/6 mice required for detection of a 10% experimentally induced change in light scattering intensity was estimated to be 50 for independent group experiments and 25 for paired design experiments. Conclusions:, The C57BL/6 mouse is a suitable animal in which to conduct experiments on light scattering or cataractogenesis with high precision at reasonable sample sizes. Before including C57BL/6 mice into a study on cataractogenesis, pre-existing lens opacities such as congenital cataract must be excluded. [source] The impact of SiC substrate treatment on the heteroepitaxial growth of GaN by plasma assisted MBECRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 10-11 2005A. S. Brown Abstract We report on the impact of the preparation of the Si-face 4H-SiC(0001)Si substrate using a Ga flash-off process on the epitaxial growth of GaN by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The nucleation, as well as the resultant structural and morphological properties of GaN grown directly on 4H-SiC(0001)Si are strongly influenced by the chemical and morphological modifications of the SiC surface induced by the Ga flash-off process. Herein we describe the impact of the specific concentration of Ga incident on the surface (quantified in terms of monolayer (ML) coverage): of 0.5 ML, 1ML and 2ML. The residual oxygen at the SiC surface, unintentional SiC nitridation and the formation of cubic GaN grains during the initial nucleation stage, are all reduced when a 2 ML Ga flash is used. All of the above factors result in structural improvement of the GaN epitaxial layers. The correlation between the SiC surface modification, the initial nucleation stage, and the GaN epitaxial layer structural quality has been articulated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry data. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Homoepitaxy of ZnTe on (100) oriented substrates: Technology issues and MOVPE growth aspectsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 10-11 2005M. Traversa Abstract The metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy of ZnTe on single crystal (100)ZnTe:P wafers is reported. The technological steps to prepare a substrate surface suitable for the high quality homoepitaxy of ZnTe are identified and optimised in terms of structural and morphological properties of overgrown epilayers. Removal of ,7 µm of material from the ZnTe:P wafers by chemical etching in 1% Br2 -methanol solution proved necessary to achieve a sufficiently smooth and homogeneous surface; in-situ H2 heat treatment of the wafers at 350°C immediately before growth ensures optimal desorption of residual oxides, allowing epilayer crystalline quality comparable to the substrate. However, the structure of epilayers degrades for growth temperatures (TG) above 350 °C due to the occurrence of stacking faults (SFs) within ,200-300 nm from the epilayer-substrate interface. Accordingly, the epilayer band-edge luminescence vanishes below 350 nm, indicating a worsening of the material radiative efficiency in very thin epilayers. The epilayer surface morphology is the result of a complex interplay between SF nucleation and Te:Zn ad-atom stoichiometry during growth. Almost featureless morphologies are obtained for growth at 350 °C, i.e. under nearly stoichiometric surface conditions. Pyramid-like hillocks develop instead for TG , 360 °C, corresponding to Te-rich surface conditions, their density rapidly increasing up to around 9 × 106 cm,2 at TG = 400 °C. Hillocks occur in close pairs on the epilayer surface, their nucleation being strongly reduced if a thin ZnTe buffer layer is grown at low (325 °C) temperature, i.e. if SFs do not occur at the epilayer-substrate interface. This demonstrates that hillocks form as a result of three-dimensional growth around partial dislocations pairs bounding SFs, the phenomenon being driven by Te ad-atoms experiencing a Schwoebel potential barrier at the surface step edges around the dislocations. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Electrophysiological and morphological characterization of dentate astrocytes in the hippocampusDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Masako Isokawa Abstract We studied electrophysiological and morphological properties of astrocytes in the dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampus in slices. Intracellular application of Lucifer yellow revealed two types of morphology: one with a long process extruding from the cell body, and the other with numerous short processes surrounding the cell body. Their electrophysiological properties were either passive, that is, no detectable voltage-dependent conductance, or complex, with Na+/K+ currents similar to those reported in the Ammon's horn astrocytes. We did not find any morphological correlate to the types of electrophysiological profile or dye coupling. Chelation of cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i) by BAPTA increased the incidence of detecting a low Na+ conductance and transient outward K+ currents. However, an inwardly rectifying K+ current (Kir), a hallmark of differentiated CA1/3 astrocytes, was not a representative K+ -current in the complex dentate astrocytes, suggesting that these astrocytes could retain an immature form of K-currents. Dentate astrocytes may possess a distinct current profile that is different from those in CA1/3 Ammon's horn. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005 [source] Hollow Cathode Gas Flow Sputtering of NixAly Coatings on Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo: Mechanical Properties and Microstructures,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2009Andreas Kohns A W-TiB2 -multilayer erosion resistant coating with a NixAly bond coat deposited by hollow cathode gas flow sputtering is under development for Ti6246 aero engine compressor blades. Blade vibrations in service can produce cracks in the coating propagating into the substrate and reducing the high-cycle fatigue strength of the component. It is assumed, that this effect can be diminished by adapting the mechanical and morphological properties of the NixAly bond coat. In this context, process parameter variations are performed and discussed. [source] Analytical Modelling of the Radiative Properties of Metallic Foams: Contribution of X-Ray TomographyADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 4 2008M. Loretz Two metallic foams exhibiting a similar porosity but different cell sizes have been characterized using X-ray tomography. The images have been processed and analysed to retrieve the morphological properties required for the calculation of the radiative properties such as the extinction coefficient. The multiple possibilities of using the X-ray tomography method rather than conventional optical methods like SEM have been quantified. The extinction coefficient has then been determined from two approaches. First, the resulting morphological properties have been used as the input data of the conventional independent scattering theory. A special emphasis is put on the determination of morphological properties and their influence on the results. In the second approach, an original method is also proposed in order to determine the extinction coefficient of highly porous open cell metal foams, from the tomographic images and without any calculation or hypothesis. Results show a good agreement with the extinction coefficient obtained from experimental measurements. Our novel method enables to reduce uncertainties considerably. [source] Interaction of Zoospores of the Green Alga Ulva with Bioinspired Micro- and Nanostructured Surfaces Prepared by Polyelectrolyte Layer-by-Layer Self-AssemblyADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2010Xinyu Cao Abstract The interaction of spores of Ulva with bioinspired structured surfaces in the nanometer,micrometer size range is investigated using a series of coatings with systematically varying morphology and chemistry, which allows separation of the contributions of morphology and surface chemistry to settlement (attachment) and adhesion strength. Structured surfaces are prepared by layer-by-layer spray-coating deposition of polyelectrolytes. By changing the pH during application of oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid) and polyethylenimine polyelectrolytes, the surface structures are systematically varied, which allows the influence of morphology on the biological response to be determined. In order to discriminate morphological from chemical effects, surfaces are chemically modified with poly(ethylene glycol) and tridecafluoroctyltriethoxysilane. This chemical modification changes the water contact angles while the influence of the morphology is retained. The lowest level of settlement is observed for structures of the order 2,µm. All surfaces are characterized with respect to their wettability, chemical composition, and morphological properties by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. [source] An evaluation of actual and simulated smoke propertiesFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 2 2005Jill Suo-Anttila Abstract Federal regulations require that aircraft cargo compartment smoke detection systems be certified by testing their operation in flight. For safety reasons, only simulated smoke sources are permitted in these certification tests. To provide insight into smoke detection certification in cargo compartments, this research investigates the morphology, transport and optical properties of actual and simulated smoke sources. Experimental data show the morphology of the particulate in smoke from flaming fires is considerably different from simulated smoke. Although the detection of smoldering fires is important as well, only a qualitative assessment and comparison of smoldering sources was possible; therefore, efforts were concentrated on the quantitative comparison of smoke from flaming fires and smoke generators. The particulate for all three different flaming fires was solid with similar morphological properties. Simulated smoke was composed of relatively large liquid droplets, and considerably different size droplets can be produced using a single machine. Transport behavior modeling showed that both the actual and simulated smoke particulates are sufficiently small to follow the overall gas flow. However, actual smoke transport will be buoyancy driven due to the increased temperature, while the simulated smoke temperature is typically low and the release may be momentum driven. The morphology of the actual and simulated smoke were then used to calculate their optical properties. In contrast to the actual smoke from a flaming fire, which is dominated by absorption, all of the extinction for the simulated smoke is due to scattering. This difference could have an impact on detection criteria and hence the alarm time for photoelectic smoke detectors since they alarm based on the scattering properties of the smoke. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene- co -bithiophene) (F8T2)ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 6 2009Peter A. Levermore Abstract A study of the optical properties of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene- co -bithiophene) (F8T2) is reported, identifying this polymer as one that possesses a desirable combination of charge transport and light emission properties. The optical and morphological properties of a series of polymer blends with F8T2 dispersed in poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) are described and almost pure-green emission from light emitting diodes (LEDs) based thereon is demonstrated. High luminance green electroluminescence from LEDs using only a thin film of F8T2 for emission is also reported. The latter demonstration for a polymer previously primarily of interest for effective charge transport constitutes an important step in the development of emissive materials for applications where a union of efficient light emission and effective charge transport is required. [source] Hierarchical model of the population dynamics of hippocampal dentate granule cellsHIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 5 2002G.A. Chauvet Abstract A hierarchical modeling approach is used as the basis for a mathematical representation of the population activity of hippocampal dentate granule cells. Using neural field equations, the variation in time and space of dentate granule cell activity is derived from the summed synaptic potential and summed action potential responses of a population of granule cells evoked by monosynaptic excitatory input from entorhinal cortical afferents. In this formulation of the problem, we have considered a two-level hierarchy: the synapses of entorhinal cortical axons define the first level of organization, and dentate granule cells, which include these synapses, define the second, higher level of organization. The model is specified by two state field variables, for membrane potential and for synaptic efficacy, respectively, with both evolving according to different time scales. The two state field variables introduce new parameters, physiological and anatomical, which characterize the dentate from the point of view of neuronal and synaptic populations: (1) a set of geometrical constraints corresponding to the morphological properties of granule cells and anatomical characteristics of entorhinal-dentate connections; and (2) a set of neuronal parameters corresponding to physiological mechanisms. Assuming no interaction between granule cells, i.e., neither ephaptic nor synaptic coupling, the model is shown to be mathematically tractable and allows solution of the field equations leading to the determination of activity. This treatment leads to the definition of two state variables, volume of stimulated synapses and firing time, which describe observed activity. Numerical simulations are used to investigate the populational characterization of the dentate by individual parameters: (1) the relationship between the conditions of stimulation of active perforant path fibers, e.g., stimulating intensity, and activity in the granule cell layer; and (2) the influence of geometry on the generation of activity, i.e., the influence of neuron density and synaptic density-connectivity. As an example application of the model, the granule cell population spike is reconstructed and compared with experimental data. Hippocampus 2002;12:698,712. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Development of sustainable resource-based nanostructured polyaniline/castor oil polyurethane compositesADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Sharif Ahmad Abstract Processibility is one of the important requirements for the commercial utilization of conducting polymers. Studies on composites and blends based on nano polyaniline (PANI) dispersions have become the subject of scientific curiosity with regard to their morphology, stability, and electron transport properties. In general, polymer nanocomposites are made by dispersing inorganic or organic nanoparticles into either a conventional thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. The present study reports the synthesis of nanostructured MO-PANI and castor oil polyurethane (COPU),based composites. The effect of loading of nanostructured MO-PANI in COPU on the spectral, physicochemical and morphological properties has been analyzed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 28:26,31, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20143 [source] Polyamide 66 binary and ternary nanocomposites: Mechanical and morphological propertiesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010Miray Mert Abstract Polyamide 66 (PA 66)/impact modifier blends and polyamide/organoclay binary and PA 66/organoclay/impact modifier ternary nanocomposites were prepared by the melt-compounding method, and the effects of the mixing sequences on the morphology and mechanical and flow properties were investigated. Lotader AX8840 and Lotader AX8900 were used as impact modifiers. The concentrations of the impact modifiers and the organoclay (Cloisite 25A) were maintained at 2 and 5 wt %, respectively. Both the binary and ternary nanocomposites displayed high tensile strength and Young's modulus values compared to the PA 66/impact modifier blends. Decreases occurred in the strength and stiffness of the binary nanocomposites upon incorporation of the elastomeric materials into the polymeric matrix. In general, the mixing sequence in which all three ingredients were added simultaneously and extruded twice (the All-S mixing sequence) exhibited the most enhanced mechanical properties in comparison with the mixing sequences in which two of the components were extruded in the first extrusion step and the third ingredient was added in the second extrusion step. The mechanical test results were in accordance with the organoclay dispersion. The impact strength was highly affected by the elastomeric domain sizes, interdomain distances, interfacial interactions, and organoclay delamination. The smallest elastomeric domain size was obtained for the All-S mixing sequence, whereas the elastomeric domain sizes of the other mixing sequences were quite close to each other. Drastic variations were not observed between the melt viscosities of the ternary nanocomposites prepared with different mixing sequences. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Composites of rigid polyurethane foam and cellulose fiber residueJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010M. C. Silva Abstract Rigid polyurethane composite foams were prepared with cellulose fibers as a filler. The cellulose fibers were an industrial residue of blanched cellulose pulp production. The influence of the cellulose fiber concentration on the structural, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the foams was investigated. We also studied the influence of the cellulose fibers on the foam's resistance to fungal attack by placing a suspension of known fungus in contact with the surface of the foam and following the morphological evolution as a function of time (for 60 days). The increase in the cellulose filler concentration in the foams, up to 16% w/w with respect to the polyol, changed their properties as follows: (1) the cell size decreased, (2) the thermooxidative stability and mechanical properties remained approximately constant, (3) the thermal conductivity decreased slightly, and (4) fungal growth was observed. Therefore, a cellulosic fibrous industrial residue was rationally valorized as a filler in classical rigid polyurethane foams; this yielded materials with mechanical resistance and a susceptibility to fungi in a wet environment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Mechanical and morphological properties for sandwich composites of wood/PVC and glass fiber/PVC layersJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Narudol Mongkollapkit Abstract This work manufactured sandwich composites from glass fiber/poly(vinyl chloride) (GF/PVC) and wood/PVC layers, and their mechanical and morphological properties of the composites in three GF orientation angles were assessed. The effects of K value (or viscosity index) of PVC and Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) loading were of our interests. The GF/PVC was used as core layer whereas wood/PVC was the cover layers. The experimental results indicated that PVC with low K value was recommended for the GF/PVC core layer for fabrication of GF/WPVC sandwich composites. The improvement of PVC diffusion at the interface between the GF and the PVC core layer was obtained when using PVC with K value of 58. This was because it could prevent de-lamination between composite layers which would lead to higher mechanical properties of the sandwich composites, except for the tensile modulus. The sandwich composites with 0° GF orientation possessed relatively much higher mechanical properties as compared with those with 45° and 90° GF orientations, especially for the impact strength. Low mechanical properties of the sandwich composites with 45° and 90° GF orientation angles could be overcome by incorporation of DOP plasticizer into the GF/PVC core layer with the recommended DOP loadings of 5,10 parts per hundred by weight of PVC components. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Direct fluorination of Twaron fiber and investigation of mechanical thermal and morphological properties of high density polyethylene and Twaron fiber compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008J. Maity Abstract Composites consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with randomly oriented chopped Twaron fibers (both fluorinated and nonfluorinated) show a significant increase in mechanical and thermal properties. To increase the better fiber matrix adhesion, the Twaron fiber is surface fluorinated using elemental fluorine. The surface of the Twaron fiber becomes very rough and the diameter of Twaron fiber increases from , 12 to 14 ,m after fluorination. The composites were prepared using solution method to overcome the damage of the fiber. The tensile strength and the Young's modulus increases with increasing fiber content. The tensile strength and modulus of modified fiber (fluorinated Twaron fiber) composites is much higher than nonmodified fiber composites indicating that there is better mechanical interlocking between the modified fiber and the matrix. Thermal properties obtained from DSC and DTA-TG analysis of the fluorinated fiber composites are also improved. Contact angle measurements, as well as the surface energy measurements, indicate that the composites are more wettable and is maximum for fluorinated fiber composites i.e., surface energy for fluorinated fiber composites is highest. Crystallinity is also higher for fluorinated fiber composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 [source] Mechanical and morphological properties of organic,inorganic, hybrid, clay-filled, and cyanate ester/siloxane toughened epoxy nanocompositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007S. Nagendiran Abstract Organic,inorganic hybrids involving cyanate ester and hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HTPDMS) modified diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA; epoxy resin) filled with organomodified clay [montmorillonite (MMT)] nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization and compared with unfilled-clay macrocomposites. The epoxy-organomodified MMT clay nanocomposites were prepared by the homogeneous dispersion of various percentages (1,5%), and the resulting homogeneous epoxy/clay hybrids were modified with 10% HTPDMS and ,-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a coupling agent in the presence of a tin catalyst. The siliconized epoxy/clay prepolymer was further modified separately with 10% of three different types of cyanate esters, namely, 4,4,-dicyanato-2,2,-diphenylpropane, 1,1,-bis(3-methyl-4-cyanatophenyl) cyclohexane, and 1,3-dicyanato benzene, and cured with diaminodiphenylmethane as a curing agent. The reactions during the curing process between the epoxy, siloxane, and cyanate were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the glass-transition temperatures of the clay-filled hybrid epoxy systems were lower than that of neat epoxy. The data obtained from mechanical studies implied that there was a significant improvement in the strength and modulus by the nanoscale reinforcement of organomodified MMT clay with the matrix resin. The morphologies of the siloxane-containing, hybrid epoxy/clay systems showed heterogeneous character due to the partial incompatibility of HTPDMS. The exfoliation of the organoclay was ascertained from X-ray diffraction patterns. The increase in the percentage of organomodified MMT clay up to 5 wt % led to a significant improvement in the mechanical properties and an insignificant decrease in the glass-transition temperature versus the unfilled-clay systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] Properties of nanocomposites based on maleate-vinyl ether donor,acceptor UV-curable systemsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Neena Ravindran Abstract UV-curable nanocomposites based on donor,acceptor crosslinking chemistry were prepared containing organically modified montmorillonites. The coatings were characterized for thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that nanocomposites were formed in all samples. Results showed that an increase in the percentage of clay caused an increased modulus and glass-transition temperature. It was also seen that tensile modulus showed dramatic improvement when compared with the unmodified polyester sample. Real time IR kinetic data showed that higher conversions were obtained at higher clay loadings. Pendulum hardness values and tensile modulus values showed different trends in properties depending on the combination of polymer matrix and organomodification. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] Mechanical, flow, and morphological properties of talc- and kaolin-filled polypropylene hybrid compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007M. B. Abu Bakar Abstract Polypropylene (PP) hybrid composites have been produced by compounding two types of mineral fillers, viz., talc and kaolin with PP copolymer using a twin screw extruder. The PP hybrid composite was injection-molded into dumbbell specimen for tensile, flexural, and impact properties characterizations. MFI and SEM studies were used to characterize the flow and morphological properties of the PP hybrid composites. The result shows that most of the hybrid composites showed a significant decrease in flow, tensile, flexural, and impact properties compared with the single filler-filled PP composites. However, a hybridization effect was seen for the PPT20K10 hybrid composites, through the synergistic coalescence of positive characteristics from 20 wt % of talc and 10 wt % of kaolin. This hybrid formulation have given an economically advantageous material with the mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact) comparable to those of the talc-filled PP composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 434,441, 2007 [source] Thermal and mechanical properties of uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blendsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2007H. A. Khonakdar Abstract Uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked binary blends of low- and high-density polyethylene (PE), with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), were prepared by a melt-mixing process using 0,3 wt % tert -butyl cumyl peroxide (BCUP). The uncrosslinked blends revealed two distinct unchanged melting peaks corresponding to the individual components of the blends, but with a reduced overall degree of crystallinity. The crosslinking further reduced crystallinity, but enhanced compatibility between EVA and polyethylene, with LDPE being more compatible than HDPE. Blended with 20 wt % EVA, the EVA melting peak was almost disappeared after the addition of BCUP, and only the corresponding PE melting point was observed at a lowered temperature. But blended with 40% EVA, two peaks still existed with a slight shift toward lower temperatures. Changes of mechanical properties with blending ratio, crosslinking, and temperature had been dominated by the extent of crystallinity, crosslinking degree, and morphology of the blend. A good correlation was observed between elongation-at-break and morphological properties. The blends with higher level of compatibility showed less deviation from the additive rule of mixtures. The deviation became more pronounced for HDPE/EVA blends in the phase inversion region, while an opposite trend was observed for LDPE/EVA blends with co-continuous morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3261,3270, 2007 [source] Genetically Based Influences on the Site-Specific Regulation of Trabecular and Cortical Bone Morphology,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004Stefan Judex Abstract The degree of site-specificity by which genes influence bone quantity and architecture was investigated in the femur of three strains of mice. Morphological indices were highly dependent on both genetic makeup as well as anatomical location showing that the assessment of bone structure from a single site cannot be extrapolated to other sites even within a single bone. Introduction: The identification of genes responsible for establishing peak BMD will yield critical information on the regulation of bone quantity and quality. Whereas such knowledge may eventually uncover novel molecular drug targets or enable the identification of individuals at risk of osteoporosis, the site-specificity by which putative genotypes cause low or high bone mass (and effective bone morphology) is essentially unknown. Materials and Methods: ,CT was used to determine morphological and microarchitectural features of the femora harvested from three genetically distinct strains of 4-month-old female mice, each with distinct skeletal mass (low: C57BL/6J [B6], medium: BALB/cByJ [BALB], high: C3H/HeJ [C3H]). Two trabecular regions (distal epiphysis and metaphysis) were considered in addition to four cortical regions within the metaphysis and diaphysis. Results and Conclusions: Comparing morphological properties of the different trabecular and cortical femoral regions between the three strains of mice, it was apparent that high or low values of specific parameters of bone morphology could not be consistently attributed to the same genetic strain. Trabecular metaphyseal bone volume, for instance, was 385% larger in C3H mice than in B6 mice, yet the two strains displayed similar bone volume fractions in the epiphysis. Similarly, BALB mice had 48% more trabecular bone than C3H mice in the epiphysis, but there were no strain-specific differences in cortical bone area at the diaphysis. These data suggest that the genetic control of bone mass and morphology, even within a given bone, is highly site-specific and that a comprehensive search for genes that are indicative of bone quantity and quality may also have to occur on a very site-specific basis. [source] Role of Silica Properties in the Polymerisation of Ethylene Using Supported Metallocene CatalystsMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 1 2010Virginie F. Tisse Abstract The role of certain morphological properties of different silica used as supports for metallocene catalysts was investigated in order to quantify their eventual influence on the kinetics of ethylene polymerisation in heptane slurry, as well as on the polymer properties. It was shown that there is no clear link between porosity and observed activity with some highly porous silica producing relatively inactive supported catalysts. It was further shown that within a batch of silica, the particle size had a significant impact on observed kinetics. While it appears that there is possibly some diffusion resistance encountered in the larger particles, it was also shown that prolonged contact between the support and the alkylating agent could increase reaction rates in the larger particles. [source] In-Line Monitoring of Vinyl Chloride Suspension Polymerization with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, 1 , Analysis of Morphological PropertiesMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010João Miguel de Faria Jr. Abstract It is demonstrated that during suspension polymerizations it is possible to monitor morphological characteristics of PVC resins such as bulk density, cold plasticizer absorption and average particle diameter in-line and in real time using NIR spectroscopy. NIR spectra are obtained at different experimental conditions, showing that the spectra are sensitive to changes in the PVC properties. Standard mathematical procedures (partial least squares regression) are used to build empirical models and correlate the morphological properties with the obtained NIR spectra, allowing for monitoring of the PVC morphology in-line and in real time. [source] Establishment of Rat Lymphatic Endothelial Cell LineMICROCIRCULATION, Issue 2 2003Risuke Mizuno ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the present study was to establish a rat lymphatic endothelial cell line and then to investigate the morphological and immunohistochemical properties of the cells. Methods: The lymphatic endothelial cells of rat thoracic ducts were isolated enzymatically by trypsin digestion and were cultured in endothelium growth medium (EGM)-2 in an atmosphere of low oxygen (5% O2, 5% CO2, and 90% N2) or high oxygen (21% O2, 5% CO2, and 74% N2). Results: The number of the cells cultured in the low-oxygen atmosphere was significantly larger than that obtained in the high-oxygen atmosphere. The cultured cells in the low-oxygen atmosphere showed a monolayer with uniform cobblestone appearance, suggesting the morphological properties of endothelial cells. Factor VIII-related antigen and cell surface carbohydrates (i.e., D-galactose , and D- N -acetylgalactosamine ,) were found on the lymphatic cultured cells. The phagocytosis of 1,1-diocadecyl1-3,3,3,,3,-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein also was observed in the cultured cells. The cytoskeleton protein F-actin was located on the plasma membrane of the cultured cells as circumferential thin bundles and in the cytoplasma as filamentous bundles. Conclusions: The present study indicates that the choice of EGM-2 as a culture medium and the hypoxic atmosphere (,5%) enabled us to establish rat lymphatic endothelial cell line. [source] On the mechanism of conductivity enhancement and work function control in PEDOT:PSS film through UV-light treatmentPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010Abderrafia Moujoud Abstract In this work, we study the effect of UV light on the work function of PEDOT:PSS films. The authors found that UV irradiation lead to an increase in the work function. Several devices with UV exposed and unexposed PEDOT:PSS were fabricated and measured. The current,voltage characteristics have been obtained for ITO/PEDOT:PSS/InZnO samples. We found that UV irradiated devices show better electrical characteristics and lead to Ohmic contact. The trend in device performance was explained by the observed changes in the work function of the PEDOT:PSS layer. The change in the work function was measured by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The structural and morphological properties of PEDOT:PSS films with and without UV treatment were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. The change in the work function of PEDOT:PSS is mainly due to the surface conformational change. The stability of devices with and without UV treatment has been investigated under normal environmental conditions. Electrical properties of the devices have been studied over a period of 30 and 60 days. The stability tests show that devices with UV treatment are more stable that those without UV treatment. [source] Designing the Si(100) conversion into SiC(100) by GePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 2 2010Richard Nader Abstract The deposition of Germanium (Ge) prior to the conversion of Si(100) into 3C-SiC(100) results in changes of the structure and surface morphology of the formed silicon carbide layer. First of all it reduces the thickness of the 3C-SiC layer grown during the conversion process and therefore the probability of voids formation. Secondly, it increases the nucleation density of the formed 3C-SiC nuclei and therefore, decreases the grain size at Ge coverages below two monolayers. These affect the roughness of the SiC surface positively by modifying the width of the SiC-Si interface. If the Ge coverages exceed two monolayers the structural and morphological properties begin to degrade. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Form, symmetry and packing of biomacromolecules.ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 3 2010The aim of this paper is to relate morphological properties of single biomacromolecules based on molecular enclosing forms indexed by an appropriate form lattice to the symmetry of the crystal where the molecules are periodically packed. Similar to the way in which the `molécule intégrante' of Haüy permitted a molecular interpretation of the law of rational indices of crystal growth forms, alternative molecular enclosing forms, indexed by a so-called packing lattice, allow one to bridge the gap between form and crystal lattices. In this first part, selected tutorial examples illustrate the validity of the approach and the crystallographic compatibility between molecular and crystal structures. In particular, integral molecular lattices are shown to imply the observed axial ratios between crystal lattice parameters, leading sometimes to surprising results, like a cubic crystal lattice with a unit cell having a trigonal molecular filling with hexagonal enclosing form. [source] Growth of Fe doped semi-insulating GaN on sapphire and 4H-SiC by MOCVDPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 6 2006M. Rudzi Abstract We report a study of iron doped GaN layers grown on sapphire and SiC by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) using ferrocene as the Fe precursor. The influence of iron doping on the electrical, structural and morphological properties of the GaN layers was studied. A resistivity of 6x103 ,cm and higher was achieved in contrast to 3 ,cm for the undoped film. Defect selective etching showed that Fe doping increases the threading dislocation (TD) density which might be responsible for the increase in resistivity. A turn-on, turn-off effect is described and a memory effect which is responsible for a decrease of the surface quality of the samples. In situ annealing of the susceptor and the use of a clean liner after each growth run helps to reduce this effect and maintain the good quality of GaN layers. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||