Casimir effect for a scalar field via Krein quantization

In this work, we present a rather simple method to study the Casimir effect on a spherical shell for a massless scalar field with Dirichlet boundary condition by applying the indefinite metric field (Krein) quantization technique. In this technique, the field operators are constructed from both negative and positive norm states. Having understood that negative norm states are un-physical, they are only used as a mathematical tool for renormalizing the theory and then one can get rid of them by imposing some proper physical conditions.     

Some fixed point theorems in convex metric spaces

The concept of a convex metric space was introduced by Takahashi [10]. He observed that it is possible to generalize fixed point theorems in Banach spaces. Subsequently, Machado [8], Itoh [5], Naimpally, Singh and Whitfield [9] and Beg and Azam [2], among others have studied fixed point theorems in convex metric spaces. This paper is a continuation of these investigations.     

Solar dryers as a promising drying technology: a comprehensive review

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Dryers are utilized in food industry and agriculture in order to extend the useful lifespan of corps. Thermal energy is required for water removal in...     

Optical and electrical properties of aluminum zinc oxide (AZO) nanostructured thin film deposited on polycarbonate substrate

Transparent polymer materials, due to their unique properties, such as light weight, optical transparency, and electrical and mechanical properties, have become very attractive as a replacement for inorganic glass substrates in a wide range of optoelectronic applications. In this research, aluminum zinc oxide nanostructured thin film was deposited on polycarbonate polymer substrates using a magnetron sputtering technique. The structure, morphology, and surface composition of the thin film were investigated by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The optical and electrical properties of the thin film were investigated by UV–VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, and four point probe method. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the aluminum zinc oxide thin film had a polycrystalline structure. The optical and electrical results indicated that the refractive index, band gap, and sheet resistance of the aluminum zinc oxide thin film were 1.8, 3.2 eV, and 265 Ω/sq, respectively.     

Composite of conducting polyaniline-isobutylated urea formaldehyde: Preparation and characterization

Composite of conductive polyaniline-isobutylated urea formaldehyde have been prepared by chemical oxidative emulsion polymerization of aniline in the presence of isobutylated urea formaldehyde resin (BUFR) in toluene-water solvents at room temperature. The mass loading of polyaniline was controlled by varying the BUFR/aniline charging ratio as well as oxidant (ammonium persulfate)/aniline molar ratio. Some factors capable of affecting the yield and conductivity of composite, such as amount of the oxidant, type of the dispersants (span-80 and span-20), and amount of resin and organic acid (para-toluene sulfonic acid) were investigated. The prepared composites were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

The importance of electron correlation in graphene and hydrogenated graphene

Local density approximation (LDA) and Green function effective Coulomb (GW) calculations are performed to investigate the effect of electronic correlations on the electronic properties of both graphene and graphane. The size of band gap in graphane increases from 3.7 eV in LDA to 4.9 eV in GW approximation. By calculating maximally localized Wannier wave functions, we evaluate the necessary integrals to get the Hubbard U and the exchange J interaction from first principles for both graphene and graphane. Our ab-initio estimates indicate that in the case of graphene, in addition to the hopping amplitude t ～ 2.8 eV giving rise to the Dirac nature of low lying excitations, the Hubbard U value of ～8.7 eV gives rise to a super-exchange strength of J _AFM ～ 3.5 eV. This value dominates over the direct (ferromagnetic) exchange value of J _FM ～ 1.6 eV. This brings substantial Mott-Heisenberg aspects into the problem of graphene. Moreover, similarly large values of the Hubbard and super-exchange strength in graphane suggests that the nature of gap in graphane has substantial Mott character.     

Static Headspace GC/MS Method for Determination of Methanol and Ethanol Contents,as the Degradation Markers of Solid Insulation Systems of Power Transformers

Methanol in insulating oil has been proposed as a new marker for condition assessment of the solid insulation system of power transformers. In the current work, as a first step of using the new marker, an analytical static headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method has been developed, optimized, and validated to measure methanol and ethanol contents in the insulating mineral oil. The analyzing setup consists of a 6890 N gas chromatograph equipped with a 5973 network mass spectrometer (MS) in the absence of a costly headspace autosampler, and the chromatography separation was performed on a 60 m × 320 µm × 0.5 µm VF-WAXms GC column. Calibration curves have been provided using several concentrations of the alcohols, and also limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and relative standard deviation percentage (RSD%) have been determined.     

Treated Rice Bran for Scavenging Cr(III) and Hg(II) from Acidic Solution

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency with which rice bran (treated or untreated) removes heavy metals, especially Cr(III) and Hg(II), from acidic solution. Sorption assays were done in shaken flasks in the presence of rice bran. Different experimental conditions such as pH, volume of solution, bran weight, particle size, exchange time and stirring time were improved. The efficiency of bran was studied before and after treatments. For treatment, solutions of acid, alkali and salt were used. The results show that after treating with 4 M sodium chloride solution, its efficiency in removal of Cr(III) and Hg(II) was improved. Kinetic measurements of chromium and mercury removal by bran have revealed that sorption equilibrium was obtained after 10 min of contact. Sorption experiments done with various granulometric fractions of rice bran have shown that this sorbent has the same efficiencies in meshes higher than 20. Further research is necessary in order to determine a mechanism for cations removal by the bran. It is mentioned that the process of making polished rice from brown rice discharges rice bran; therefore, it is very inexpensive, with a cost of 1/50 ? 1/40 of that of synthetic sorbent, and thus its use would significantly lower the cost of wastewater treatment.     

Thermotropic polyesters. 1: Synthesis, characterization and thermal transition of poly[4,4-bis(ω-alkoxy)biphenyl isophthalate]

A new homologous series of thermotropic polyesters has been synthesized by polycondensation reaction between isophthaloyl chloride and mesogenic diols 4,4^′-bis(ω-hydroxyalkoxy)biphenyl in which the spacer length is varied from 3 to 6 methylene units. The thermal behavior of the polymers has been characterized using polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The odd members exhibit a smectic C (S_C) phase in a narrow temperature interval, while the even members form a smectic A (S_A) phase in a broader temperature range. All of the obtained compounds were characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods.