Minimising oil droplet size using ultrasonic emulsification

The efficient production of nanoemulsions, with oil droplet sizes of less than 100 nm would facilitate the inclusion of oil soluble bio-active agents into a range of water based foods. Small droplet sizes lead to transparent emulsions so that product appearance is not altered by the addition of an oil phase. In this paper, we demonstrate that it is possible to create remarkably small transparent O/W nanoemulsions with average diameters as low as 40 nm from sunflower oil. This is achieved using ultrasound or high shear homogenization and a surfactant/co-surfactant/oil system that is well optimised. The minimum droplet size of 40 nm, was only obtained when both droplet deformability (surfactant design) and the applied shear (equipment geometry) were optimal. The time required to achieve the minimum droplet size was also clearly affected by the equipment configuration. Results at atmospheric pressure fitted an expected exponential relationship with the total energy density. However, we found that this relationship changes when an overpressure of up to 400 kPa is applied to the sonication vessel, leading to more efficient emulsion production. Oil stability is unaffected by the sonication process.     

Experimental studies on droplet characteristics in a microfluidic flow focusing droplet generator: effect of continuous phase on droplet encapsulation

The European Physical Journal E - Interaction of cytoskeletal filaments, motor proteins, and crosslinking proteins drives important cellular processes such as cell division and cell movement....     

Particle size effect on phase and magnetic properties of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles

Polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles are hi-tech materials with ample applications in the field of biomedicine for the treatment of cancer and targeted drug delivery. In this study, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction of FeCl₂ solution with sodium borohydride and coated with amine-terminated polyethylene glycol (aPEG). By varying the concentration of the reactants, the particle size and the crystallinity of the particles were varied. The particle size was found to increase from 6 to 20 nm and the structure becomes amorphous-like with increase in the molar concentration of the reactant. The magnetization at 1 T field (M_1T) for all samples is > 45 emu/g while the coercivity is in the range of 100-350 Oe. When the ethanol-suspended particles are subjected to an alternating magnetic field of 4 Oe at 500 kHz, the temperature is increased to a maximum normalized temperature (3.8 °C/mg) with decreasing particle size.     

Scattering properties of aqueous suspensions with absorbing dispersed phase

Scattering matrices of aqueous suspensions of copper oxide and graphite the particles of which are characterized by strong absorption at a wavelength of 0.63 μm have been measured in the scattering angle range of 10°–155°. The results of the measurements are compared with calculation data for axially symmetric scatterers (ellipsoids of revolution and cylinders). It is shown that, if the size parameter equals 4–6, even under conditions of strong radiation absorption by particles of the dispersive medium, deviation of their shape from axial symmetry has an effect on the scattering properties of the medium.     

超疏水表面液滴的振动特性及其与液滴体积的关系

超疏水表面液滴的振动特性与接触线的移动、液滴体积、基底振幅等因素密切相关.本文在基底振幅较小且恒定的条件下,研究了超疏水表面液滴的共振振幅、模式区间、共振频率等振动特性及其与液滴体积(20—500μL)的关系.此外,将基于一般性疏水表面建立的Noblin共振频率计算模型应用于超疏水表面,并提出虚驻点的概念,借此对模...     

Errors in ultrasonic scatterer size estimates due to phase and amplitude aberration

Current ultrasonic scatterer size estimation methods assume that acoustic propagation is free of distortion due to large-scale variations in medium attenuation and sound speed. However, it has been demonstrated that under certain conditions in medical applications, medium inhomogeneities can cause significant field aberrations that lead to B-mode image artifacts. These same aberrations may be responsible for errors in size estimates and parametric images of scatterer size. This work derives theoretical expressions for the error in backscatter coefficient and size estimates as a function of statistical parameters that quantify phase and amplitude aberration, assuming a Gaussian spatial autocorrelation function. Results exhibit agreement with simulations for the limited region of parameter space considered. For large values of aberration decorrelation lengths relative to aberration standard deviations, phase aberration errors appear to be minimal, while amplitude aberration errors remain significant. Implications of the results for accurate backscatter and size estimation are discussed. In particular, backscatter filters are suggested as a method for error correction. Limitations of the theory are also addressed. The approach, approximations, and assumptions used in the derivation are most appropriate when the aberrating structures are relatively large, and the region containing the inhomogeneities is offset from the insonifying transducer.     

Ultrasonic atomization: effect of liquid phase properties

Experiments have been conducted to understand the mechanism by which the ultrasonic vibration at the gas liquid interface causes the atomization of liquid. For this purpose, aqueous solutions having different viscosities and liquids showing Newtonian (aqueous solution of glycerin) and non-Newtonian behavior (aqueous solution of sodium salt of carboxy methyl cellulose) were employed. It has been found that the average droplet size produced by the pseudo-plastic liquid is less than that produced by the viscous Newtonian liquid having viscosity equal to zero-shear rate viscosity of the shear thinning liquid. The droplet size was found to increase initially with an increase in the viscosity up to a certain threshold viscosity after which the droplet size was found to decrease again. Also droplet size distribution is found to be more compact (uniform sizes) with an increasing viscosity of the atomizing liquid. The presence of the cavitation and its effect on the atomization has been semi quantitatively confirmed using energy balance and by the measurement of the droplet ejection velocities and validated on the basis of the decomposition of the aqueous KI solution. A correlation has been proposed for the prediction of droplet size for aqueous Newtonian fluids and fluids showing non-Newtonian behavior based on the dimensionless numbers incorporating the operating parameters of the ultrasonic atomizer and the liquid phase physico-chemical properties.     

The effect of particle size on first-order solid-solid phase transitions

A detailed equilibrium thermodynamic treatment of the first-order transition of a small solid article from one ordered phase to another is presented. This leads automatically to the conclusion that a change in phase transition temperature with particle size is to be expected, with the smaller the particle the bigger the change. Further consideration of the possible observation of such a change leads to the supposition that substantial superheating and supercooling of such phase transitions are likely to occur and should indeed be clearly observable.     

Antimony thin-film transport properties and size effect

Antimony thin films were vacuum deposited on glass substrates at room temperature. X-ray structural studies were performed. The thickness dependence of both the de electrical resistivity and the Hall coefficient were earried out at room temperature over a thickness range from 29 nm to 216 nm. The type of conduction, the concentration and the mobility of charge carriers were revealed.Analysis incorporating the electrical resistivity and the Hall effect data has led to the determination of the specular and non-specular size-effect parameters. Parameters such as the bulk resistivity ( ₀), bulk mean free path ( ₀), grain-boundary transmission coefficient (t), external surface parameters (U), surface scattering factor (p) and grain-boundary parameter (V), were all evaluated without using any adjusting parameters.Beside the background contribution to the film resistivity, an estimation of the contribution of the surface and grain-boundary to the film resistivity was also carried out.     

Determination of physicochemical properties of diacylglycerol oil at high pressure by means of ultrasonic methods

The purpose of the paper is to address, using ultrasonic methods, the impact of temperature and pressure on the physicochemical properties of liquids on the example of diacylglycerol (DAG) oil. The paper presents measurements of sound velocity, density and volume of DAG oil sample in the pressure range from atmospheric pressure up to 0.6 GPa and at temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °C.     

Selective properties of volume phase holograms in photorefractive crystals

The paper deals with the selective properties (both angular and spectral) of volume phase holograms in birefringent and cubic optically active photorefractive crystals. It is shown that in birefringent crystals of LiNbO₃ type, the spectral selectivity of the grating depends remarkably on the type of diffraction (isotropic or anisotropic) and the polarization of the reconstructing plane light wave. In cubic optically active crystals the peculiarities of diffraction reveal themselves in a fine structure of differently polarized peaks in the Bragg maximum that can be easily observed, in particular in Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ samples with a thickness d ≈ 8 mm.     

Self-motion of an oil droplet: a simple physicochemical model of active Brownian motion

The self-motion of an oil droplet in an aqueous phase on a glass surface is reported. The aqueous phase contains a cationic surfactant, which tends to be adsorbed onto the glass surface. The oil droplet contains potassium iodide and iodine, which prefers to make an ion pair with the cationic surfactant. Since the ion pair is soluble in the oil droplet, dissolution of the surfactant into the oil droplet is promoted, i.e., the system is far from equilibrium with regard to surfactant concentration. The oil droplet is self-driven in a reactive manner by the spatial gradient of the glass surface tension. We discuss the intrinsic nature of this self-motion by developing a simple mathematical model that incorporates adsorption and desorption of the surfactant on the glass surface. Using this mathematical model we were able to construct an equation of motion that reproduces the observed self-motion of an oil droplet. This equation describes active Brownian motion. Theoretical considerations were used to predict the generation of the regular mode of oil-droplet motion, which was subsequently confirmed by experiments.     

Surface effect on the size evolution of surface plasmon resonances of Ag and Au nanoparticles dispersed within mesoporous silica

The optical absorption has been investigated for silver and gold nanoparticles dispersed within the pores of monolithic mesoporous silica after annealing at different temperatures. It has been shown that with reduction of the particle size, the surface plasmon resonance position blue-shifts first and then red-shifts for silver/silica samples, but only red-shifts for gold/silica samples. This size evolution of the resonance is completely different from that previously reported for fully embedded particles. Based on the interaction of the particle surface with ambient air and the porosity at the particle/matrix interface, we present a multi-layer core/shell model and assume that the chemical adsorption of gas molecules from the air on the free surface of nanoparticles within the pores is mainly responsible for the observed size evolution of the resonance.     

Static and time-dependent properties of polymer gels around the volume phase transition

Recent progress in the study of the volume phase transition of polymer gels is reviewed. The phenomenological theories of swelling equilibrium and phase transition of gels are summarized, and some basic experimental results on poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) gels are compared with the prediction from these theories. Special attention is paid to the elastic properties of the gel network near the volume phase transition. The effect of external stresses on the swelling and the phase transition is analyzed. Some anomalous and unique characteristics revealed in NIPA gels such as shape- and size-dependent swelling and phase transition properties, curious phase coexistence, and domain structure are presented. Experimental results on some time-dependent phenomena such as phase separation, spinodal decomposition, and pattern formation are also presented and discussed. Some problems inherent to gels from biological bodies are briefly discussed.     

Transport in dispersed ionic conductors: Effect of insulating particle size

Dispersed ionic conductors are random mixtures of a solid salt, e.g. AgI, LiI, with fine particles of an insulating second phase, like Al₂O₃ or SiO₂. These composites can show a dramatic increase in ionic conductivity compared to the pure homogeneous system. Generally, this observation is attributed to an increased conductivity along the internal interface between the conducting salt and the insulating material. In this work a three-component random resistor network (RRN) model for dispersed ionic conductors is reviewed. In the model, the ionic conductor is represented by normally conducting bonds, the insulating material by non-conducting bonds and the interface between the two phases by highly conducting bonds. A special feature of the model is the existence of two critical concentrations of the insulating phase, p′_c and p″_c , for interface percolation and bulk conduction, respectively, where critical transport properties corresponding to conductor/superconductor and conductor/insulator networks are predicted. The model describes satisfactorily the dependence on composition of the conductivity and activation energy of dispersed ionic conductors. Furthermore, the observed effect on the conductivity of the size of dispersed particles can be described qualitatively well by a generalized version of the RRN model, which in addition predicts a sensitive dependence of the critical thresholds on particle size. Non-universality features in the critical exponents for the conductivity are also discussed within a continuum percolation analog of the model.     

The effect of grain size on the dispersion of the volume plasmon in Al-Mg-alloys

Dispersion measurements on the volume plasmon in fine dispersed Al-Mg-alloys of the two phase α + β structure show one or two plasmon peaks, depending on wavector k. The relative intensities of the two peaks are k-dependent.     

Fe2O3 nanoparticles dispersed unsaturated polyester resin based nanocomposites: effect of gamma radiation on mechanical properties

ABSTRACT

In this work, unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix based nanocomposite was fabricated using synthesized Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle as reinforcement and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as curing agent by solution casting method. The Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel method and the formation of nanoparticle was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, Energy dispersive spectrometry analysis. Interactions between metal oxide nanoparticles and polymer molecules in fabricated nanocomposite were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis. Pure UPR and Fe₂O₃/UPR composite were irradiated with various gamma radiation doses (0–15?kGy). At the 0?kGy (without radiation), the nanoparticles loaded composite showed better mechanical properties (increased in tensile strength and Young’s modulus and decreased in elongation) compared to that of pure UPR sheet. At the 5?kGy radiation dose, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus were further increased; whereas, the elongation was decreased in both samples.     

Nonlinear optical properties in a nanoring: quantum size and magnetic field effect

We have studied the nonlinear optical absorption and the nonlinear optical rectification of an exciton in a nanoring in the presence of magnetic flux. The calculation results show that one can control the properties of nonlinear optical absorption and nonlinear optical rectification of a nanoring by tuning the outer and inner radius. Moreover, we find that the nonlinear optical properties of a nanoring can be modulated by the magnetic flux through the nanoring.     

The effect of thermal aging and color pigments on the Egyptian linen properties evaluated by physicochemical methods

Archaeologists in Egypt discovered ancient colored textiles in great quantities in comparison with the analogous uncolored ones. Furthermore, the latter are far more deteriorated. Most research investigations into archaeological linen have been concerned with manufacture, restoration, and conservation but little information is available about the properties of the fibers, and particularly their chemical and physical properties after dyeing with natural dyes or painted with pigments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the physicochemical properties of Egyptian linen textiles coloring with a variety of pigments used in painting in ancient times after thermally aged to get linen samples which are similar as possible to the ancient linen textiles. The evaluations were based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and tensile strength, and elongation measurements. Results showed that beyond cosmetic reasons, colored textiles did indeed play a role as protecting agents affecting strength and reducing thermal deterioration. Specifically, in the molecular level, pigments under study seem to interact to cellulose and lignin compounds of the aged linen while in the macroscopic level tensile and elongation parameters are altered. Electron microscopy confirms that pigment particles are deposited on and between the fibers’ surfaces.