Polymer creep in a static magnetic field

By noting changes in the color of samples in a polarization microscope with varying degree of birefringence, the effect of a weak static magnetic fields (2 and 4 kOe) on molecules of glassy polymers has been observed. Variations in the nonmonotonicity of the rate of discontinuous creep at +18° were studied interferometrically. It is shown that the abruptness of the deformation jumps varies in a magnetic field, where this abruptness is assumed to be due to the existence of strong physical junctions between the kinetic units of deformation. The reactivity of the polymers to the magnetic field stands in satisfactory correspondence with their magnetic susceptibilities. Results show that such nonmagnetic materials as glassy polymers can noticeably alter their deformational properties in response to the action of magnetic fields. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1690–1692 (September 1997)     

Weierstrass Points and Regular Maps

It was shown by G. A. Jones and the first author in [8] that underlying any map on a compact orientable surface S there is a natural complex structure making S into a Riemann surface. In this paper we consider regular maps and enquire about the Weierstrass points on the underlying Riemann surface. We are particularly interested to know when these are geometric, i.e. whether they lie at vertices, face-centres or edge-centres of the map.     

Distribution of melamine in polyester–melamine surface coatings cured under nonisothermal conditions

The influence of experimental cure parameters on the diffusion of reactive species in polyester–melamine thermoset coatings during curing has been investigated with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared. The diffusion of melamine plays a vital role in the curing process and, therefore, in the ultimate properties of coatings. At a low (<20%) hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM) crosslinker concentration, the matrix composition is uniform, but at high HMMM concentrations, excess HMMM rapidly segregates to the air–coating interface. The rate of migration is governed by the difference in the surface free energies of polyester and HMMM and the concentration gradient of HMMM between the bulk and the surface. An increased rate of energy absorption also increases the rate of migration of HMMM to the surface. A physical model has been proposed to explain this surface segregation phenomenon in terms of cocondensation and self‐condensation reactions. It suggests that an appropriate amount of melamine can be segregated on the surface and allowed to self‐condense to form a desired thickness of a melamine topcoat through the control of the binder composition and cure conditions. This technique can be implemented to apply a melamine topcoat during cure. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 83–91, 2004     

Feasibility Exploration of Laser‐based Techniques for Characterization of a Flashing Jet

Two‐phase flows hold an interest in many areas of science and engineering. In the safety field, one such topic is the accidental release of flammable and toxic pressure‐liquefied gases. In case of such a release, a flashing vapor explosion takes place resulting in a very dense two‐phase cloud. If the released substance is flammable, this cloud can be combustible and can lead to deflagration or detonation. For understanding the source processes of flashing and risk assessment, data related to cloud characteristics (i.e. droplet size, velocity etc.) is needed especially in the near region of the release. Due to the non‐equilibrium nature of the near field regions accurate data measurement is not possible with intrusive techniques. Therefore, laser‐based optical techniques (like Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Particle Tracking Velocimetry and Sizing (PTVS), Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) etc.) present the only possibility to obtain information for particle diameter and velocity evolution in this harsh environment.     

Characterization of high-order harmonic radiation on femtosecond and attosecond time scales

We characterize the temporal structure of high-order harmonic radiation on both the femtosecond and attosecond time scales. The harmonic emission is characterized by mixed-color two-photon ionization with an infrared femtosecond laser using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer where both pump and probe arms travel completely separate paths. In a first experiment, we measure the duration and chirp of individual harmonics. In a second experiment, we resolve, for the first time with this type of setup, the attosecond beating of several harmonics generated under conditions similar to the first experiment. We suggest that the results of both measurements can be combined to determine the full attosecond time structure of the harmonic emission. PACS 32.80.Rm; 42.65.Ky     

Influence of preparation method on SrMoO4 impurity content and magnetotransport properties of double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 polycrystals

The magnetic and electric properties of the Sr₂FeMoO₆ compound produced under different preparation conditions were studied. Depending on the preparation condition, a strong variation in the nonmagnetic SrMoO₄ impurity content was found, which in turn determined the metallic or semiconducting behavior of the resistivity of the Sr₂FeMoO₆ compound. There was also evidence that SrMoO₄ played a crucial role in modifying the low magnetic field intergrain tunneling magnetoresistance in Sr₂FeMoO₆. In addition, we have established a simple method to prepare the single phase Sr₂FeMoO₆ polycrystals.     

Mineral and chemical compositions and structure-sorption properties of bottom sediments as the basic components of enterosorbents and application materials

The mineral and chemical compositions, as well as some structure-sorption characteristics were determined for clay minerals selected for examination. The integrated coefficients of contamination of bottom sediments with each of the toxicant metals (Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn) were calculated. The minerals examined presumably can be used in medicine as efficient application materials, cosmetic agents, and sorbents (enterosorbents).     

Approximate method of calculating stresses in a rectangular plate locally loaded by a harmonic force

From double trigonometric series for bending moments the slowly converging components are picked out. When the loading facets are small compared with the width of the plate, they are approximately summed by the analytical method. This simplifies substantially the calculation of bending moments and stresses in the zone of small loading facets compared with the usual expansion with respect to the natural vibration forms.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika, No. 20, pp. 84–88, 1989.     

A comparative study of the silent discharge treatment of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers

Dielectric barrier air discharge treatment of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polystyrene, and polyisoprene substrates has been characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The relative reactivities of these polymers towards silent discharge oxidation are rationalized in terms of ozone molecules interacting with an excited surface. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.