Electron beam induced modifications in crystalline structure of polyvinylidene fluoride/nanoclay composites

PVDF/nanoclay nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixing method. The intercalated dispersion of the nanoclay in PVDF matrix was confirmed by XRD. According to FTIR, DSC and XRD results, the presence of nanoclay facilitated transition from α-to-β crystalline phase. Electron beam irradiation decreased the melting point of the nanocomposites. The decrease in melting point of the nanocomposites was about 11 °C at 500 kGy. The crystallinity of nanocomposites increased at an irradiation dose of 100 kGy and decreased at higher irradiation doses. The extent of crosslinking of the nanocomposites increased significantly with irradiation up to 300 kGy. The nanoclay intensified the increase in yield strength with irradiation doses up to 300 kGy. The combination of nanoclay and irradiation had a synergistic effect on the increase of yield strength.     

Effect of microencapsulation using soy protein isolate and gum arabic as wall material on red raspberry anthocyanin stability,characterization, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions

This study involves microencapsulation of anthocyanin extract (AC) from red raspberry using a freeze drying technique involving ultrasonication of soy protein isolate (SPI), gum arabic (AG), and their combination. Analyses included microcapsule properties, encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant capacity using the DPPH assay, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), color, thermal stability, stability during storage, morphology, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) ranged from 93.05% to 98.87% for all microcapsules. The morphology of microcapsules by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a broken glass shape, with mean size of microcapsules ranging from 21.07 ± 2.71 μm to 48.19 ± 2.33 μm using Mastersizer analyzer. A good relationship obtained between zeta potential (ZP) and FTIR spectrum indicated that there is a chemical cross linking interaction between wall material and core material. All microcapsules enhanced the thermal stability of AC in the temperature range 80–114 °C. Furthermore, AC retention (up to 48%) during storage at 37 °C for 60 days revealed that treatment H combination of SPI and AG was best. In addition, SPI and AG combination presented good release behavior under simulated gastrointestinal conditions compared with unencapsulated anthocyanin.     

Effect of ultrasound on the preparation of soy protein isolate-maltodextrin embedded hemp seed oil microcapsules and the establishment of oxidation kinetics models

In this study, microcapsules were prepared by spray drying and embedding hemp seed oil (HSO) with soy protein isolate (SPI) and maltodextrin (MD) as wall materials. The effect of ultrasonic power on the microstructure and characteristics of the composite emulsion and microcapsules was studied. Studies have shown that ultrasonic power has a significant impact on the stability of composite emulsions. The particle size of the composite emulsion after 450 W ultrasonic treatment was significantly lower than the particle size of the emulsion without the ultrasonic treatment. Through fluorescence microscopy observation, HSO was found to be successfully embedded in the wall materials to form an oil/water (O/W) composite emulsion. The spray-dried microcapsules showed a smooth spherical structure through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the particle size was 10.7 μm at 450 W. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis found that ultrasonic treatment would increase the degree of covalent bonding of the SPI-MD complex to a certain extent, thereby improving the stability and embedding effect of the microcapsules. Finally, oxidation kinetics models of HSO and HSO microcapsules were constructed and verified. The zero-order model of HSO microcapsules was found to have a higher degree of fit; after verification, the model can better reflect the quality changes of HSO microcapsules during storage.     

Self-healing coatings containing microcapsule

Effectiveness of epoxy resin filled microcapsules was investigated for healing of cracks generated in coatings. Microcapsules were prepared by in situ polymerization of urea-formaldehyde resin to form shell over epoxy resin droplets. Characteristics of these capsules were studied by 3D measuring laser microscope, particle size analyzer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to investigate their surface morphology, size distribution, chemical structure and thermal stability, respectively. The results indicate that microcapsules containing epoxy resins can be synthesized successfully. The size is around 100 μm. The rough outer surface of microcapsule is composed of agglomerated urea-formaldehyde nanoparticles. The size and surface morphology of microcapsule can be controlled by selecting different processing parameters. The microcapsules basically exhibit good storage stability at room temperature, and they are chemically stable before the heating temperature is up to approximately 200 °C. The model system of self-healing coating consists of epoxy resin matrix, 10 wt% microencapsulated healing agent, 2 wt% catalyst solution. The self-healing function of this coating system is evaluated through self-healing testing of damaged and healed coated steel samples.     

Study on cross-section clad profile in coaxial single-pass cladding with a low-power laser

In this paper, a model of cross-section clad profile on the substrate in coaxial single-pass cladding with a low-power laser was studied. The static model of powder mass concentration distribution at cold-stream conditions was defined as a Gaussian function. In coaxial single-pass cladding with a low-power laser, since the influence of surface tension, gravity and gas flow on the clad bead could be neglected, the cross-section profile of the clad bead deposited by a low-power laser on the substrate was dominated by the powder concentration at each point on the pool and the time when the material was liquid at this point. The height of each point on the cross-section clad profile was defined as a definite integration of a Gaussian function from the moment at which the melt pool was just arriving at the point to the moment at which the point left the melt pool. In the presented experiment, powder of Steel 63 (at 0.63 wt% C) was deposited on a substrate of Steel 20 (at 0.20 wt% C) at the laser power of 135 W. The experimental results testified the model.     

Enhancement of biogas production from individually or co-digested green algae Cheatomorpha linum using ultrasound and ozonation treated biochar

This paper proposes the use of modified biochar, derived from Sawdust (SD) biomass using sonication (SSDB) and Ozonation (OSDB) processes, as an additive for biogas production from green algae Cheatomorpha linum (C. linum) either individually or co-digested with natural diet for rotifer culture (S. parkel). Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR), thermal-gravimetric (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were used to characterize the generated biochar. Ultrasound (US) specific energy, dose, intensity and dissolved ozone (O₃) concentration were also calculated. FTIR analyses proved the capability of US and ozonation treatment of biochar to enhance the biogas production process. The kinetic model proposed fits successfully with the data of the experimental work and the modified Gompertz models that had the maximum R² value of 0.993 for 150 mg/L of OSDB. The results of this work confirmed the significant impact of US and ozonation processes on the use of biochar as an additive in biogas production. The highest biogas outputs 1059 mL/g VS and 1054 mL/g VS) were achieved when 50 mg of SSDB and 150 mg of OSDB were added to C. linum co-digested with S. parkle.     

Perfusion parameters derived from MRI for preoperative prediction of IDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation status in glioblastomas

PurposeTo investigate the feasibility for preoperative prediction of IDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation status in glioblastomas(GBMs) by intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM) and dynamic susceptibility contrast(DSC).MethodsPreoperative IVIM and DSC images of 71 patients(IDH mutation:45, IDH wildtype: 26; MGMT methylation: 31, MGMT unmethylation:40) with glioblastomas were analyzed retrospectively. Perfusion parameters including microcirculation perfusion coefficient(D*), perfusion fraction(f), cerebral blood volume(CBV) and cerebral blood flow(CBF) were measured. Corrected perfusion parameters containing corrected perfusion coefficient(ADC_perf) and simplified perfusion fraction(SPF) were from the simplified IVIM with 3 b values. Correlations among parameters were analyzed by Spearman correlation. All parameters were compared with Mann-Whitney U test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was analyzed.ResultsThe IVIM parameters showed merely moderate correlations with CBV and showed no correlation with CBF. IDH mutation GBMs showed lower D*, ADC_perf, SPF, CBV and higher f than IDH wildtype GBMs(all p < 0.05). D* was the independent predictor for IDH mutation with the highest AUC of 0.912(95%CI: 0.821–0.966). The D*, ADC_perf, SPF and CBV of MGMT promoter methylation GBMs were lower than unmethylation GBMs while f was higher(all p < 0.05). Multivariate model showed the highest prediction efficacy for MGMT promoter methylation with an AUC of 0.915(95%CI: 0.824–0.968). The CBF was not useful in distinguishing IDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation status(p = 0.055, 0.215).ConclusionIDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation status in GBMs can be assessed effectively by IVIM and DSC. Besides, D* was the independent predictor of IDH mutation status.     

Prediction of survival and progression in glioblastoma patients using temporal perfusion changes during radiochemotherapy

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate changes in structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to the RANO criteria and perfusion- and permeability related metrics derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE) and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC) during radiochemotherapy for prediction of progression and survival in glioblastoma.MethodsTwenty-three glioblastoma patients underwent biweekly structural and perfusion MRI before, during, and two weeks after a six weeks course of radiochemotherapy. Temporal trends of tumor volume and the perfusion-derived parameters cerebral blood volume (CBV) and blood flow (CBF) from DSC and DCE, in addition to contrast agent capillary transfer constant (K^trans) from DCE, were assessed. The patients were separated in two groups by median survival and differences between the two groups explored. Clinical- and MRI metrics were investigated using univariate and multivariate survival analysis and a predictive survival index was generated.ResultsMedian survival was 19.2 months. A significant decrease in contrast-enhancing tumor size and CBV and CBF in both DCE- and DSC-derived parameters was seen during and two weeks past radiochemotherapy (p < 0.05). A 10%/30% increase in K^trans/CBF two weeks after finishing radiochemotherapy resulted in significant shorter survival (13.9/16.8 vs. 31.5/33.1 months; p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed an index using change in K^trans and relative CBV from DSC significantly corresponding with survival time in months (r² = 0.843; p < 0.001).ConclusionsSignificant temporal changes are evident during radiochemotherapy in tumor size (after two weeks) and perfusion-weighted MRI-derived parameters (after four weeks) in glioblastoma patients. While DCE-based metrics showed most promise for early survival prediction, a multiparametric combination of both DCE- and DSC-derived metrics gave additional information.     

Peroxide-based route assisted with inverse microemulsion process to well-dispersed Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> nanocrystals

Well-dispersed bismuth titanate (BIT) nanocrystals with an average size ranged from 3 to 60 nm were synthesized via a peroxide-based route assisted with an inverse microemulsion process. The crystallite size and lattice parameter of BIT upon variable-temperature were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particle size was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal decomposition behaviour of Ti-peroxy and BIT gel and crystallization kinetics of BIT nanocrystals were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry (DSC/TG) and Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Analysis of nonisothermal DSC data yielded a value of 220.84 ± 2.73 KJ/mol and 2.25 ± 0.26 for the activation energy of crystallization (E _a) and the Avrami exponent (n), respectively.     

New Mg0.5CoxZn0.5−xFe2O4 nano-ferrites: Structural elucidation and electromagnetic behavior evaluation

In this work cobalt substituted magnesium zinc nanocrystalline spinel ferrites having general formula Mg_0.5Co_xZn_0.5−xFe₂O₄ where x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 were synthesized using micro-emulsion technique. The Co substituted samples annealed at 700 °C and characterized by various characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dielectric measurements and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD analysis confirmed single phase spinel structure and the crystalline size calculated by Scherrer's formula found to be in 21.38–45.5 nm range. The lattice constant decreases as substitution of Co is increased. The decrease in lattice constant is attributed to the smaller ionic radius of cobalt as compared to zinc ion. The FTIR spectra reveled two prominent frequency bands in the wave number range 400–600 cm⁻¹ which confirm the cubic spinel structure and completion of chemical reaction. The dielectric parameters were observed to decrease with the increased Co contents. The peaking behavior was observed beyond 1.8 GHz. The frequency dependent dielectric properties of all these nanomaterials have been explained qualitatively in accordance with Koop's phenomenological theory. Magnetic studies revealed that the coercivity (H_c) attains maximum value of 818 Oe at ∼21 nm. The increasing trend of magnetic parameters (coercivity and retentivity) is consistent with crystallinity. The crystallite size is small enough to attain considerable signal to noise ratio in high density recording media. The optimized magnetic parameters suggest that the material with composition Mg_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ may have potential applications in high density recording media.     

Electrical conductivity,optical properties and mechanical stability of 3, 4, 9, 10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhidride based organic semiconductor

The 3, 4, 9, 10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) doped polymer films were prepared with Polypyrrole (PPy) and Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers by solution-casting. The change in structure and chemical composition of samples was identified by XRD and FTIR respectively. The UV–visible spectroscopy demonstrates the optical characteristics and band gap properties of sample. The homogeneous morphology of sample for higher wt% of PTCDA was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrate the decrease in melting temperature (T_m) and degree of crystallinity (χ_c%) of polymeric organic semiconductor. The mechanical property demonstrates the high tensile strength and improved plasticity nature. Impedance spectroscopy was evaluated to determine the conductivity response of polymeric organic semiconductor. The highest DC conductivity (2.08×10⁻³ S/m) was obtained for 10 wt% of PTCDA at 140 °C. The decrease in activation energy (E_a) represents the non-Debye process and was evaluated from the slope of ln σ_dc vs. 10³/T plot.     

Effect of Dy-Co on physical and magnetic properties of X-type hexaferrites (Ba2−xDyxCu2Fe28−yCoyO46)

Sol–gel method is used to make a sequence of Barium based “X-type hexagonal ferrite (X-HF)” Ba_2−xDy_xCu₂Fe_28 −yCo_yO₄₆. “X-type hexagonal ferrites” with concentrations of “x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.06, 0.1 and y = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5” are taken and the substitution impact of trivalent Dy³⁺ and divalent Co²⁺ is observed on the physical and magnetic properties of X-HFs. The XRD result, the refinement of which is accomplished using CelRef software validates the existence of pure single phase in these ferrites. Morphological structure of the crystal grains is calculated using electron microscopy and it is found that the grain has varying size in the range of 0.75–1.001 mm. FTIR analysis is done with and without the sintering process to examine the changes relevant to the structure and the chemistry of the material and the phases existed in the material. Thermogravimetric analyzer is used to measure the TGA and DSC quantities. All FTIR, DSC, and TGA results show that they are in good harmony with the results outcomes from XRD. “Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM)” is used to quantify the magnetic properties of the sample under observation. It is observed that with an increase in the concentration of Dy-Co, M_r (Remanence) value decreases this could be reasoned by spin canting effect. The value of coercivity (H_c) changes from 317 to 158 G which follows the inverse relation between grain size and coercivity. The future use of the material may be in the microwave absorption devices.     

Impact of ethylene carbonate on electrical properties of PVA/(NH4)2SO4/H2SO4 proton-conductive membrane

A new proton-conductive membrane (PCM) based on poly (vinyl alcohol) and ammonium sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄ complexed with sulfuric acid and plasticized with ethylene carbonate (EC) at different weight percent were prepared by casting technique. The structural properties of these electrolyte films were examined by XRD studies. The XRD patterns of all the prepared polymer electrolytes reveal the amorphous nature of the films. ac conductivity and dielectric spectra of the electrolyte were studied with changing EC content from weight 0.00 to 0.75 g. A maximum conductivity of 7.3 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ has been achieved at ambient temperature for PCM containing 0.25 g of ethylene carbonate. The electrical conductivity σ, dielectric constant ε′ and dielectric loss ε″ of PCM in frequency range (100 Hz to 100 KHz), and temperature range (300–400 K) were carried out. Measurement of transference number was carried out to investigate the nature of charge transport in these polymer electrolyte films using Wagner’s polarization technique. Transport number data showed that the charge transport in these polymer electrolyte systems was predominantly due to ions. The electrolyte with the highest electrical conductivity was used in the fabrication of a solid-state electrochemical cell with the configuration (Mg/PCM/PbO₂). Various cell parameters ldensity, and current density were determined. The fabricated cells gave capacity of 650 μAh and have an internal resistance of 11.6 kΩ.     

Low temperature plasma production of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon thin films

The hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin films were produced by capacitively-coupled plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique at low substrate temperatures (T_s ≈ 40–200 °C). Firstly, for particular growth parameters, the lowest stable T_s was determined to avoid temperature fluctuations during the film deposition. The influence of the T_s on the structural and optical properties of the films was investigated by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV–visible transmittance/reflectance and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies. Also, the films deposited at the center of the PECVD electrode and those around the edge of the PECVD electrode were compared within each deposition cycle. The XRD and UV–visible reflectance analyses reveal the nanocrystalline phase for the films grown at the edge at all T_s and for the center films only at 200 °C. The crystallinity fraction and lateral dark conductivity decrease with lowered T_s. FTIR analyses were used to track the hydrogen content, void fraction and amorphous matrix volume fraction within the films. The optical constants obtained from the UV–visible transmittance spectroscopy were correlated well with the FTIR results. Finally, the optimal T_s was concluded for the application of the produced nc-Si:H in silicon-based thin film devices on plastic substrates.     

Adsorption of Metformin on Graphene Nanoribbons and Application in Treatment of Oral Cancer Using Photothermal Energy

Graphene nanoribbons are thin sheets of graphene showing exclusive characteristics such as better drug-loading capacity, adsorption on mammalian cells, greater surface area, and light-absorbing ability. The current research work is to develop metformin-adsorbed carboxyl-functionalized oxidized graphene nanoribbons and utilize drug repurposing for the treatment of oral cancer by activating photo-thermal radiation therapy. The nanoribbons are formulated by Hummer's method and evaluated for several characterization parameters like ATR- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), topology, in vitro efficacy, ex vivo and in vitro cell line studies. The ATR-FTIR spectrum of formulated nanoribbons shows distinctive peak at 3370 cm⁻¹ ( N H group) of metformin. The DSC specifies the incidence of steep endothermic crests at 235 °C ( C NH₃). The in vitro and ex vivo drug release studies show enhanced drug release in acidic pH (6.4) than physiological pH (7.4) with photothermal radiation. The in vitro cell line studies are processed via two-way ANOVA that exhibits 67.74 ± 0.03% of % inhibition in presence of photothermal radiation. The study demonstrates higher inhibition of cancerous cells at lower concentration of drug and photothermal therapy in comparison to plain drug. The characteristic feature of graphene is used to develop targeted drug delivery system against the oral cancerous cells.     

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of functional compound from mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf using response surface methodology and effect of microencapsulation by spray drying on quality of optimized extract

This study aimed to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) condition of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) using response surface methodology and to microencapsulate MLE by spray drying using different coating materials and ratios of coating material and MLE. The extraction results showed that MLE from condition of 60 °C (X₁, temperature), 30 min (X₂, time) and 60% v/v (X₃, ethanol concentration) exhibited the highest bioactive compound and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assay). Based on this optimal condition, MLE was further encapsulated by spray drying. It was found that MLE encapsulated with resistant maltodextrin at ratio of MLE and resistant maltodextrin 1:1 (w/w) showed the highest encapsulation yield (%) and encapsulation efficiency (%). Water solubility, moisture content and water activity were non-significant (p > 0.05) among the microcapsules. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that the types of coating material affected their microstructures and microcapsules prepared by resistant maltodextrin as coating material had a spherical shape, smooth surface and less shrinkage than microcapsules prepared by maltodextrin and gum arabic which had rough surfaces. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained from microcapsule prepared by gum arabic at ratio of MLE and gam arabic 1:2 (w/w). In conclusion, optimal condition from UAE and encapsulation by spray drying suggest the critical potential for production of functional food with improved bioactive compound stability and maximized antioxidant activity.     

Correlation between iodide dosimetry and terephthalic acid dosimetry to evaluate the reactive radical production due to the acoustic cavitation activity

Acoustic cavitation plays an important role in sonochemical processes and the rate of sonochemical reaction is influenced by sonication parameters. There are several methods to evaluate cavitation activity such as chemical dosimetry. In this study, to comparison between iodide dosimetry and terephthalic acid dosimetry, efficacy of sonication parameters in reactive radical production has been considered by iodide and terephthalic acid dosimetries. For this purpose, efficacy of different exposure parameters on cavitations production by 1 MHz ultrasound has been studied. The absorbance of KI dosimeter was measured by spectrophotometer and the fluorescence of terephthalic acid dosimeter was measured using spectrofluorometer after sonication. The result of experiments related to sonication time and intensity showed that with increasing time of sonication or intensity, the absorbance is increased. It has been shown that the absorbance for continuous mode is remarkably higher than for pulsing mode (p-value < 0.05). Also results show that with increasing the duty cycles of pulsed field, the inertial cavitation activity is increased. With compensation of sonication time or intensity in different duty cycles, no significant absorbance difference were observed unless 20% duty cycle. A significant correlation between the absorbance and fluorescence intensities (count) at different intensity (R = 0.971), different sonication time (R = 0.999) and different duty cycle (R = 0.967) were observed (p-value < 0.05). It is concluded that the sonication parameters having important influences on reactive radical production. These results suggest that there is a correlation between iodide dosimetry and terephthalic acid dosimetry to examine the acoustic cavitation activity in ultrasound field.     

Stishovite and post-stishovite polymorphs of silica in the shergotty meteorite: their nature,petrographic settings versus theoretical predictions and relevance to Earth's mantle

The Shergotty meteorite contains three dense silica polymorphs in distinct petrographic settings: (1) two post-stishovite SiO₂ polymorphs in individual multiphase grains coexisting with glass with nearly labradorite composition, and (2) large individual stishovite grains in shock-melt pockets which also contain the new CAS phase (Calcium-aluminosilicate; CaAl₄Si₂O₁₁; [Phys Earth Planet Interiors 97 (1996) 97; Geophys Abstract 5(2003)] and hollandite structured plagioclase composition. Prismatic and wedge-shaped grains of the original accessory tridymite (or cristobalite) in the Shergotty meteorite were densified during a major impact event on the Shergottite–Nakhlite–Chaissingite (SNC) parent body and inverted either to (1) multiphase assemblages of several post-stishovite polymorphs depicting prominent tweed pattern or to (2) Large homogeneous stishovite grains in melt pockets. In the first setting we identified an orthorhombic and a monoclinic post-stishovite silica polymorph, respectively. TEM investigations of a grain containing the orthorhombic polymorph revealed an α-PbO₂ like phase that could be assigned to either Pnc2 (with the cell parameters: a=4.55±0.01 Å, b=4.16±0.03 Å, c=5.11±0,04 Å), or Pbcn space group and dense SiO₂ glass. The X-ray diffraction pattern from a second grain revealed a polymorph with a monoclinic lattice with the space group P21/c, that is related to the baddeleyite (ZrO₂) structure with the cell parameters: a=4.375(1) Å, b=4.584(1) Å, c=4.708(1) Å, β=99.97(3), ρ=4.30(2) g/cm³. TEM-SAED pattern of this grain revealed the presence of the α-PbO₂-like SiO₂ polymorph, stishovite, secondary cristobalite, and dense silica glass. The coexistence of several high-density polymorphs and dense silica glass in the same grain suggests that several post-stishovite phases were formed during the shock event in Shergotty. Some of these polymorphs were highly unstable and vitrified, presumably in the decompression stage. Based on diamond anvil experiments on cristobalite a peak shock pressure in excess of 40 GPa could be deduced. The petrographic setting and texture of the single stishovite grains in the melt pockets is different. The mono-phase individual grains occur exclusively as large (>10 μm) rounded objects inside melt pockets together with hollandite structured plagioclase composition and the new CAS phase [1]. Stishovite in melt pockets is barren of any sign of a tweed pattern and contains no silica glass. This suggests that the mechanisms of phase transitions were different in the two lithologies. Stishovite in the melt pockets probably did not form by a retrograde transformation from a post-stishovite polymorph.     

Structural,electrical, and transport number studies of AgI-doped silver borotellurite fast ion conducting glass system

Silver ion conducting glass system composed of xAgI–(100???x)[0.444 Ag₂SO₄–0.555 (0.4TeO₂–0.6B₂O₃)] has been prepared by melt quenching method for x?=?0 to 80 in step of 10. XRD, DSC, FTIR, and SEM were carried out to understand some structural properties of prepared samples. XRD and DSC studies of the samples with x?≤?60 show predominantly glassy nature. Electrical parameters and activation energies of all the samples were evaluated by complex impedance analysis and Arrhenius plots of DC conductivity, respectively. Carrier concentration, mobility, inter-ionic distance, and ionic conductivity of samples were measured and discussed. It is observed that the conductivity varies with increasing the temperature and composition. The highest conductivity (1.8?×?10^?1 S cm^?1) and ionic current (8.33 μA) is observed for =?50 sample at room temperature; hence, it can be used as best electrolyte material for solid-state battery application.     

Destruction of polylactic acid microcapsules under ultrasound irradiation

Hollow microcapsules have been considered for potential applications as drug or gene carriers. This paper describes an investigation into the mechanical properties of microcapsules with a biocompatible polylactic acid (PLA) shell that can be destroyed using ultrasound irradiation. The microcapsules had a radius of 1 to 25 μm and a shell thickness of 100 nm to 3 μm, and their response to ultrasound pulses with a center frequency of 700 kHz to 2 MHz was investigated. It was found that approximately 50% of capsules with a radius of 20 μm were destroyed using pulses with a pressure amplitude of 50 kPa and a frequency of 700 kHz, which is close to the resonance frequency of the capsules.