1,965 research outputs found
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Polyamide 11-Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites: Preliminary Investigation
The objective of this research is to develop an improved polyamide 11 (PA11) polymer with
enhanced flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties for selective laser sintering
(SLS) rapid manufacturing. In the present study, a nanophase was introduced into polyamide 11
via twin screw extrusion. Arkema RilsanÂź polyamide 11 molding polymer pellets were used
with 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt% loadings of Arkemaâs GraphistrengthTM multi-wall carbon nanotubes
(MWNTs) to create a family of PA11-MWNT nanocomposites.
Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine
the degree and uniformity of dispersion. Injection molded test specimens were fabricated for
physical, thermal, mechanical properties, and flammability measurements. Thermal stability of
these polyamide 11-MWNT nanocomposites was examined by TGA. Mechanical properties such
as ultimate tensile strength, rupture tensile strength, and elongation at rupture were measured.
Flammability properties were also obtained using the UL 94 test method. All these different
methods and subsequent polymer characteristics are discussed in this paper.Mechanical Engineerin
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Intumescent Flame Retardant Polyamide 11 Nanocomposites
Current polyamide 11 and 12 are lacking in fire retardancy and high strength/high heat
resistance characteristics for a plethora of fabricated parts that are desired and required
for performance driven applications. The introduction of selected nanoparticles such as
surface modified montmorillonite (MMT) clay or carbon nanofibers (CNFs), combined
with a conventional intumescent flame retardant (FR) additive into the polyamide
11/polyamide 12 (PA11/PA12) by melt processing conditions has resulted in the
preparation of a family of intumescent polyamide nanocomposites. These intumescent
polyamide 11 and 12 nanocomposites exhibit enhanced polymer performance
characteristics, i.e., fire retardancy, high strength and high heat resistance and are
expected to expand the market opportunities for polyamide 11 and polyamide 12 polymer
manufacturers.
The objective of this research is to develop improved polyamide 11 and 12 polymers with
enhanced flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties for selective laser
sintering (SLS) rapid manufacturing (RM). In the present study, a nanophase was
introduced into the polyamide 11 and combining it with a conventional intumescent FR
additive via twin screw extrusion. Arkema RILSANÂź polyamide 11 molding polymer
pellets were examined with two types of nanoparticles: chemically modified
montmorillonite (MMT) organoclays, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs); and Clairantâs
ExolitÂź OP 1230 intumescent FR additive were used to create a family of FR
intumescent polyamide 11 nanocomposites.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine the degree of
nanoparticles dispersion. Injection molded specimens were fabricated for physical,
thermal, and flammability measurements. Thermal stability of these intumescent
polyamide 11 nanocomposites was examined by TGA. Flammability properties were
obtained using the Cone Calorimeter at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m
2
and UL 94
Test Method. Heat deflection temperatures (HDT) were also measured. TEM
micrographs, physical, thermal, and flammability properties are presented. FR
intumescent polyamide 11 nanocomposites properties are compared with polyamide 11
baseline polymer. Based on flammability and mechanical material performance, selective
polymers including polyamide 11 nanocomposites and control polyamide 11 will be
cryogenically ground into fine powders for SLS RM processing. SLS specimens will be
fabricated for thermal, flammability, and mechanical properties characterization.Mechanical Engineerin
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Flame Retardant Intumescent Polyamide 11 Nanocomposites â Further Study
The objective of this research is to develop improved polyamide 11 and 12 polymers with
enhanced flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties for selective laser sintering
(SLS) rapid manufacturing (RM). In the present study, a nanophase was introduced into the
polyamide 11 and combine with a conventional intumescent flame retardant (FR) additive via
twin screw extrusion. Arkema RilsanÂź polyamide 11 molding polymer pellets were used with
two types of nanoparticles such as: chemically modified montmorillonite (MMT) organoclays
and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Two types of Clariantâs ExolitÂź OP 1311 and 1312 intumescent
FR additives were used to generate a family of FR intumescent polyamide 11 nanocomposites
with anticipated synergism.Mechanical Engineerin
Comparison of chemical profiles and effectiveness between Erxian decoction and mixtures of decoctions of its individual herbs : a novel approach for identification of the standard chemicals
Acknowledgements This study was partially supported by grants from the Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research (Project Number 201211159146 and 201411159213), the University of Hong Kong. We thank Mr Keith Wong and Ms Cindy Lee for their technical assistances.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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Combustion and gasification characteristics of chars from four commercially significant coals of different rank. Final report
The combustion and gasification kinetics of four size graded coal chars were investigated experimentally in Combustion Engineering's Drop Tube Furnace System (DTFS). The chars were prepared in the DTFS from commercially significant coals representing a wide range of rank; these included a Pittsburgh No. 8 Seam hvAb coal, an Illinois No. 6 Seam hvCb coal, a Wyoming Sub C, and a Texas Lignite A. Additionally, a number of standard ASTM and special bench scale tests were performed on the coals and chars to characterize their physicochemical properties. Results showed that the lower rank coal chars were more reactive than the higher rank coal chars and that combustion reactions of chars were much faster than the corresponding gasification reactions. Fuel properties, temperature, and reactant gas partial pressure had a significant influence on both combustion and gasification, and particle size had a mild but discernible influence on gasification. Fuel reactivities were closely related to pore structure. Computer simulation of the combustion and gasification performances of the subject samples in the DTFS supported the experimental findings
Multi-Scale Simulation Modeling for Prevention and Public Health Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy and Sequelae
Diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) is an increasing public health priority in the
Australian Capital Territory, particularly due to its impact on risk for
developing Type 2 diabetes. While earlier diagnostic screening results in
greater capacity for early detection and treatment, such benefits must be
balanced with the greater demands this imposes on public health services. To
address such planning challenges, a multi-scale hybrid simulation model of DIP
was built to explore the interaction of risk factors and capture the dynamics
underlying the development of DIP. The impact of interventions on health
outcomes at the physiological, health service and population level is measured.
Of particular central significance in the model is a compartmental model
representing the underlying physiological regulation of glycemic status based
on beta-cell dynamics and insulin resistance. The model also simulated the
dynamics of continuous BMI evolution, glycemic status change during pregnancy
and diabetes classification driven by the individual-level physiological model.
We further modeled public health service pathways providing diagnosis and care
for DIP to explore the optimization of resource use during service delivery.
The model was extensively calibrated against empirical data.Comment: 10 pages, SBP-BRiMS 201
Probing structural relaxation in complex fluids by critical fluctuations
Complex fluids, such as polymer solutions and blends, colloids and gels, are
of growing interest in fundamental and applied soft-condensed-matter science. A
common feature of all such systems is the presence of a mesoscopic structural
length scale intermediate between atomic and macroscopic scales. This
mesoscopic structure of complex fluids is often fragile and sensitive to
external perturbations. Complex fluids are frequently viscoelastic (showing a
combination of viscous and elastic behaviour) with their dynamic response
depending on the time and length scales. Recently, non-invasive methods to
infer the rheological response of complex fluids have gained popularity through
the technique of microrheology, where the diffusion of probe spheres in a
viscoelastic fluid is monitored with the aid of light scattering or microscopy.
Here we propose an alternative to traditional microrheology that does not
require doping of probe particles in the fluid (which can sometimes drastically
alter the molecular environment). Instead, our proposed method makes use of the
phenomenon of "avoided crossing" between modes associated with the structural
relaxation and critical fluctuations that are spontaneously generated in the
system.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Sun-as-a-star Study of an X-class Solar Flare with Spectroscopic Observations of CHASE
Sun-as-a-star spectroscopic characteristics of solar flares can be used as a
benchmark for the detection and analyses of stellar flares. Here, we study the
Sun-as-a-star properties of an X1.0 solar flare using high-resolution
spectroscopic data obtained by the Chinese Solar Explorer
(CHASE). A noise reduction algorithm based on discrete Fourier transformation
is first employed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the space-integral
spectrum with a focus on its typical characteristics. For
the flare of interest, we find that the average profile
displays a strong emission at the line center and an obvious line broadening.
It also presents a clear red asymmetry, corresponding to a redshift velocity of
around that slightly decreases with time,
consistent with previous results. Furthermore, we study how the size of the
space-integral region affects the characteristics of the flare Sun-as-a-star
profile. It is found that although the redshift velocity
calculated from the profile remains unchanged, the
detectability of the characteristics weakens as the space-integral region
becomes large. An upper limit for the size of the target region where the red
asymmetry is detectable is estimated. It is also found that the intensity in
profiles, measured by the equivalent widths of the spectra,
are significantly underestimated if the spectra are further
averaged in the time domain
Targeted online liquid chromatography electron capture dissociation mass spectrometry for the localization of sites of in vivo phosphorylation in human Sprouty2
We demonstrate a strategy employing collision-induced dissociation for phosphopeptide discovery, followed by targeted electron capture dissociation (ECD) for site localization. The high mass accuracy and low background noise of the ECD mass spectra allow facile sequencing of coeluting isobaric phosphopeptides, with up to two isobaric phosphopeptides sequenced from a single mass spectrum. In contrast to the previously described neutral loss of dependent ECD method, targeted ECD allows analysis of both phosphotyrosine peptides and lower abundance phosphopeptides. The approach was applied to phosphorylation analysis of human Sprouty2, a regulator of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Fifteen sites of phosphorylation were identified, 11 of which are novel
Using allocative efficiency analysis to inform health benefits package design for progressing towards Universal Health Coverage: Proof-of-concept studies in countries seeking decision support
Background: Countries are increasingly defining health benefits packages (HBPs) as a way of progressing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Resources for health are commonly constrained, so it is imperative to allocate funds as efficiently as possible. We conducted allocative efficiency analyses using the Health Interventions Prioritization tool (HIPtool) to estimate the cost and impact of potential HBPs in three countries. These analyses explore the usefulness of allocative efficiency analysis and HIPtool in particular, in contributing to priority setting discussions. /
Methods and findings: HIPtool is an open-access and open-source allocative efficiency modelling tool. It is preloaded with publicly available data, including data on the 218 cost-effective interventions comprising the Essential UHC package identified in the 3rd Edition of Disease Control Priorities, and global burden of disease data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. For these analyses, the data were adapted to the health systems of Armenia, CĂŽte dâIvoire and Zimbabwe. Local data replaced global data where possible. Optimized resource allocations were then estimated using the optimization algorithm. In Armenia, optimized spending on UHC interventions could avert 26% more disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), but even highly cost-effective interventions are not funded without an increase in the current health budget. In CĂŽte dâIvoire, surgical interventions, maternal and child health and health promotion interventions are scaled up under optimized spending with an estimated 22% increase in DALYs avertedâmostly at the primary care level. In Zimbabwe, the estimated gain was even higher at 49% of additional DALYs averted through optimized spending. /
Conclusions: HIPtool applications can assist discussions around spending prioritization, HBP design and primary health care transformation. The analyses provided actionable policy recommendations regarding spending allocations across specific delivery platforms, disease programs and interventions. Resource constraints exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic increase the need for formal planning of resource allocation to maximize health benefits
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