Structure-property relationships in polycaprolactone-polyurethanes

The structure-property relationships of polycaprolactone-based segmented polyurethanes were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD), dynamic mechanical, and stress-strain testing. The materials studied varied in hard-segment type [4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate/butanediol (MDI/BD) or 4,4′-dicyclohexyl methane diisocyanate/butanediol (H₁₂MDI/BD)], soft-segment molecular weight (830 or 2000 MW polycaprolactone), hard-segment content (23–77% by weight), and thermal history. The materials with aromatic (MDI/BD) hard segments had semicrystalline hard-segment domains, while the materials with aliphatic (H₁₂MDI/BD) hard segment had mostly amorphous domains. Materials with the shorter polycaprolactone soft segment (830 MW) exhibited thermal and mechanical behavior which indicated a considerable degree of hard- and soft-segment compatibility. The materials which contained a 2000-MW polycaprolactone soft segment exhibited better-defined microphase separation. SAXS was used to characterize the microphase structure of each system. The effects of hard-segment content and soft-segment molecular weight were similar for the aromatic (MDI) and aliphatic (H₁₂MDI) hard-segment-based block copolymers. Changing the hard segment from aromatic to aliphatic gave materials with larger interfacial area and slightly higher tensile strength. A range of morphologies between isolated hard domains in a rubbery matrix and isolated rubbery domains in a hard matrix was observed.     

A generalization of Lagrange's method of undetermined multipliers using zero-zone functionals

A unifying zero-zone function concept extends the Lagrange method of undetermined multipliers to treat both equality and inequality subsidiary conditions. The mathematical formulation is general for restrained function extremization in algebra.     

CPN−1 coupled to gauge fields: Mean field theory and monte carlo results

We define a two parameter lattice field theory which interpolates between the O (2N) Heisenberg model, pure U(1) gauge theory, and a lattice version of the CP^N?1 model. The phase diagram in space-time dimension d=4 is obtained by Monte Carlo simulation on a 4⁴ lattice, and the nature of the phases is discussed in mean field approximation.     

Convex polyhedra of doubly stochastic matrices—IV

Basic geometrical properties of general convex polyhedra of doubly stochastic matrices are investigated. The faces of such polyhedra are characterized, and their dimensions and facets are determined. A connection between bounded faces of doubly stochastic polyhedra and faces of transportation polytopes is established, and it is shown that there exists an absolute bound for the number of extreme points of d-dimensional bounded faces of these polyhedra.     

pH-Controlled assembly and disassembly of a cryptand/paraquat [2]pseudorotaxane

Strong complexation between a pyridine-containing cryptand and paraquat can be reversibly switched off (and back on) by adding acid (and then base).     

Synthesis and characterization of the first trimetallic nitride templated pyrrolidino endohedral metallofullerenes

New pyrrolidino derivatives of both diamagnetic and paramagnetic trimetallic nitride templated endohedral metallofullerenes were synthesized by the Prato reaction, isolated and characterized by means of MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies.     

Configuration space Faddeev calculations

The triton ground-state wave function calculated using the Reid soft-core potential is displayed in configuration space. Both the S-state and D-state Schrödinger wave function components and the Faddeev amplitudes from which they are constructed are plotted. Specific features resulting from the tensor nature of the two-body force and from the strong short-range repulsion of the potential are discussed. Comparisons with corresponding functions generated by the Malfliet-Tjon s-wave potential model are made. Several intuitive features of the Schrödinger wave function are discussed.