Evolution of Surface Morphology with Introduction of Stacking Faults in Zeolites

This paper sets out to try to determine some of the nanoscopic details of template action in zeolites. The problem has been addressed by monitoring the effects of competitive templating using, in particular, atomic force microscopy and high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy. Using these techniques, it is possible to determine the subtle crystal growth changes that occur as a result of altering the concentration of these competitive templating agents. This work concerns the two important intergrowth systems MFI–MEL and FAU–EMT. It was found that some organic templating agents provide much greater structure‐directing specificity. So much so in the case of the MFI–MEL system that a 2 mol % doping with the highly specific tetrapropylammonium cation drastically changes the fundamental growth processes. Furthermore, the effect of template crowding is shown to reduce specificity. This work shows how extensive frustrated intergrowth structures can still be accommodated within a nominal zeolite single crystal.     

Hypervalent Iodine Oxidation of Trimethylsilyl Ketene Acetals: A Convenient Route to α-Methoxylation of Esters and Lactones

Hypervalent iodine oxidation of trimethylsilyl ketene acetals of esters and lactones using iodosobenzene in methanol affords the corresponding α-methoxylated carbonyl compounds in good yields.

     

A study of the plasticity in the vortex matter across the second magnetization peak in a YBCO crystal via measurements of minor hysteresis loops

Results of an investigation of the path dependence of the critical current density J _c due to the plastic deformation of the flux line lattice in a weakly pinned YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) crystal for H‖c are reported. The procedure of minor hysteresis loops has been used to explore the path dependence of J _c and the metastability effects. Contrary to the behavior observed in low T _c systems. in YBCO it is found that at low temperatures, the multivaluedness in J _c(H) could persist beyond the notional peak field H _p, at which the anomalous variation in J _c(H) reaches its maximum value.     

Pulverization of the flux line lattice, the phase coexistence and the spinodal temperature of the order—disorder transition in a weakly pinned crystal of Yb3Rh4Sn13

We have studied metastability effects pertaining to the peak effect (PE) in critical current density (J _c) via isofield scans in AC susceptibility measurements in a weakly pinned single crystal of Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃ (T _c(0) ≈ 7.6 K). The order-disorder transition in this specimen proceeds in a multi-step manner. The phase coexistence regime between the onset temperature of the PE and the spinodal temperature (where metastability effects cease) seems to comprise two parts, where ordered and disordered regions dominate the bulk behavior, respectively. The PE line in the vortex phase diagram is argued to terminate at the low field end at a critical point in the elastic (Bragg) glass phase.     

Pulse shape analysis of second harmonic and difference-frequency generation

A computer model has been used to investigate the pulse shape evolution of interacting waves during second harmonic generation and difference-frequency generation processes. Using general assumption and coupled equations theory we describe in detail the back and forth energy transfer in connection with pulse shape. Two type of phase-match (modal phase-match and quasi-phase-match) with experimental relevance are discussed. In the case of quasi-phase-match uniform and chirped grating are discussed. The connection of the model with material properties and non-linear optical (NLO) strength is presented. The proposed model have allowed us to derive the essential feature of pulse shaping and compressing that rely on NLO process only.     

Development of injectable high molecular weight hyaluronic acid hydrogels for cartilage regeneration

The study focuses on developing hyaluronic acid (1200 kilo Dalton) hydrogels for cartilage regeneration. In spite of being highly biocompatible; a large amount of water absorption and easily degrading nature restricts the use of hyaluronic acid in the field of tissue regeneration. This can be rectified by crosslinking hyaluronic acid with a crosslinking agent such as divinyl sulfone; which results in a biocompatible hydrogel with superior rheological properties. Different amounts of divinyl sulfone have been used for crosslinking hyaluronic acid to get three types of hydrogels with differing properties. Swelling studies, rheology analysis, enzymatic degradation and scanning electron microscopic analysis were conducted on all the different types of hydrogels prepared. Viscoelastic properties of the hydrogel were analyzed so that a hydrogel with better elastic property and stability is obtained. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the HA hydrogels. The cytotoxicity testing was conducted to prove the non-toxic nature of the hydrogels and cell culture studies using adipose mesenchymal stem cells showed better adhesion and proliferation properties in all the three hydrogels. Thus hyaluronic acid hydrogel makes a promising material for cartilage regeneration.     

Linear viscoelastic behavior of copper phthalocyanine dispersions used in printing inks

In this paper we describe the linear viscoelastic properties of copper phthalocyanine (CuPCN) dispersions that are used in the manufacturing of offset lithographic printing inks. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the primary pigment particles are rod-like and have sizes in the range of 10 to 300 nm. Steady shear measurements show that the dispersions are Newtonian at a pigment volume fraction of 0.073 and become increasingly shear thinning as the pigment volume fraction is increased. The strong shear-thinning nature of these dispersions can be attributed to the highly flocculated nature of the dispersions, which is due to interparticle attractions. The structural complexity of the dispersions also results in an unexpected linear viscoelastic response. While at low frequencies (0.1 and 1.0 Hz) the ex tent of the linear region decreases with increasing pigment concentration, at a higher frequency (10 Hz) the extent of the linear region increases with increasing pigment concentration. This increase in the linear region with increasing pigment concentration suggests that at higher frequencies the dispersion is less brittle, and that the rheological behavior is dominated by intra-aggregate associations. In addition, frequency sweeps show that the dispersions behave like a viscoelastic liquid at low pigment concentrations. However, at higher pigment concentrations (yet significantly lower than the maximum packing fraction) the dispersions behave like a cross-linking polymer at its gel point.