Aggregation and microenvironmental properties of gemini and conventional mixed surfactants systems: A fluorometric study

Aggregation behavior of cationic gemini (hexanediyl-1,5-bis(dimethylcettylammonium bromide) (16-5-16)) surfactant with conventional single chain surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) were studied with the help of fluorescence measurements. Fluorescence probe is a proficient technique for examining the surfactant-surfactant interaction and aggregation. The micelle aggregation number (N _agg) was measured using steady-state fluorescence quenching method. The micelle aggregation numbers of binary combinations fall between those of constituent surfactants. The micropolarity (I ₁/I ₃), binding constant (K _sv) and dielectric constant (D _exp) of mixed systems were determined from the ratio of peaks intensity in the pyrene fluorescence spectrum. The I ₁/I ₃ values were found to be more than >1, showing more polar environment around pyrene in the mixed micelle as compared to the pure micelles.     

Mechanical and Thermal Properties Enhancement of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Halloysite Nanocomposites by Maleic-Anhydride Functionalized Rubber

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/halloysite composites were prepared using melt compounding followed by compression molding. Maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS-g-MAH) was used to toughen the PLA composites. The mechanical properties of the PLA composites were studied through tensile, flexural, and impact tests. The thermal properties were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The fracture surfaces of the composites were assessed by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The impact strength and thermal properties of the PLA/halloysite composites were increased by addition of SEBS-g-MAH.     

Indentation studies on 〈1 0 0〉, 〈0 0 1〉 and 〈1 0 1〉 face of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) single crystals: A novel nonlinear optical material

In the present work, Vickers microhardness measurements were carried out on different faces i.e. (1 0 0), (0 0 1) and (1 0 1) of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) single crystals grown by slow evaporation solution technique at room temperature in the load ranging from 0.2 to 2 N. The obtained results show that the load independent hardness values are 0.8, 0.7 and 0.66 GPa, respectively at different faces of ADP crystal. From the crack length measurements, the fracture toughness values (K_c) was estimated using Evans and Anstis model and the present studies suggest that Evans model is more relevant when compared to Anstis model. The load variation of some mechanical properties viz. brittle index number (B_i) and yield strength (σ_y) for ADP have also been calculated for the first time.     

Spatially Homogeneous Bianchi Type V Cosmological Model in the Scale-Covariant Theory of Gravitation

We discuss spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type-V spacetime filled with a perfect fluid in the framework of the seale-covariant theory of gravitation proposed by Canuto et al. By applying the law of variation for Hubble＇s parameter, exact solutions of the field equations are obtained, which correspond to the model of the universe having a big-bang type singularity at the initial time t = 0. The cosmological model, evolving from the initial singularity, expands with power-law expansion and gives essentially an empty space for a large time. The physical and dynamical properties of the model are also discussed.     

Performance improvement of spectral amplitude coding-optical code division multiple access systems using NAND detection with enhanced double weight code

The bit-error rate (BER) performance of the spectral amplitude coding-optical code division multiple access (SACOCDMA) system has been investigated by using NAND subtraction detection technique with enhanced double weight (EDW) code. The EDW code is the enhanced version of double weight (DW) code family where the code weight is any odd number and greater than one with ideal cross-correlation. In order to evaluate the performance of the system, we used mathematical analysis extensively along with the simulation experiment. The evaluation results obtained using the NAND subtraction detection technique was compared with those obtained using the complementary detection technique for the same number of active users. The comparison results revealed that the BER performance of the system using NAND subtraction detection technique has greatly been improved as compared to the complementary technique.     

Mixed Convection Boundary-Layer Flow Along a Vertical Cylinder Embedded in a Porous Medium Filled by a Nanofluid

The steady mixed convection boundary-layer flow on a vertical circular cylinder embedded in a porous medium filled by a nanofluid is studied for both cases of a heated and a cooled cylinder. The governing system of partial differential equations is reduced to ordinary differential equations by assuming that the surface temperature of the cylinder and the velocity of the external (inviscid) flow vary linearly with the axial distance x measured from the leading edge. Solutions of the resulting ordinary differential equations for the flow and heat transfer characteristics are evaluated numerically for various values of the governing parameters, namely the nanoparticle volume fraction ${\phi}$ , the mixed convection or buoyancy parameter ?? and the curvature parameter ??. Results are presented for the specific case of copper nanoparticles. A critical value ?? _c of ?? with ?? _c <?0 is found, with the values of | ?? _c| increasing as the curvature parameter ?? or nanoparticle volume fraction ${\phi}$ is increased. Dual solutions are seen for all values of ?? >??? _c for both aiding, ?? >?0 and opposing, ?? <?0, flows. Asymptotic solutions are also determined for both the free convection limit ${(\lambda \gg 1)}$ and for large curvature parameter ${(\gamma \gg 1)}$ .     

Influence of Macro-pores on DNAPL Migration in Double-Porosity Soil Using Light Transmission Visualization Method

Double porosity is a substantial microstructure characteristic in a wide range of geomaterials. It is a natural phenomenon that can be found in many types of soil, and it can result from biological, chemical or mechanical damage. In this paper, the influence of macro-pores on dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) migration in double-porosity medium was investigated using light transmission visualization technique. Three experiments were carried out in two-dimensional flow chambers filled with a double-porosity medium composed of a mixture of local sand and sintered kaolin clay spheres arranged in a periodic manner. In each experiment, a different volumetric fraction of macro-pores and micropores was used. Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was used to simulate DNAPL, and it was dyed using Oil-Red-O for better visualization. A predetermined amount of PCE was injected into the flow chambers and this amount was re-calculated using image analysis. A very strong correlation was found between the PCE amount injected and the amount calculated from image analysis in each experiment. The experiment was repeated by filling the flow chamber with silica sand to represent single-porosity medium. The results show that the macro-pores have a considerable effect on the PCE migration in double-porosity soil as the PCE movement was the fastest in the third experiment which contained the largest macro-pores volume. The accuracy of the method was validated using statistical analysis. The results show a slight difference between the means of the three experiments, indicating that the method is viable for monitoring NAPL migration in double-porosity medium under different volumetric fractions of macro-pores and micropores.