Effect of geometrical imperfections on swelling-induced buckling patterns in gel films with a square lattice of holes

In this study, we investigate the effect of geometrical imperfections on swelling-induced buckling patterns in gel films with a square lattice of holes. Finite element analysis is performed using the inhomogeneous field theory of polymeric gels in equilibrium proposed by Hong et al. (2009). Periodic units consisting of 2 × 2 and 10 × 10 unit cells are analyzed under a generalized plane strain assumption. Geometrical imperfections are introduced using randomly oriented elliptical holes. The 2 × 2 unit cells show that the resulting buckling patterns are sensitive to imperfections; three different buckling patterns are obtained, and the most dominant one is the diamond plate pattern observed in experiments, which cannot be described using the model without imperfections. The 10 × 10 unit cells reveal that random imperfections are responsible for inducing homogeneous transformation into the diamond plate pattern. Furthermore, domain wall formation is simulated using a 10 × 10 unit cell model containing two elliptic holes.     

Oxidative dimerization of aromatic amines using tBuOI: entry to unsymmetric aromatic azo compounds

It's all the hype: An oxidative dimerization reaction of aromatic amines utilizing tert-butyl hypoiodite (tBuOI) under mild reaction conditions leads to aromatic azo compounds. The method allows access to unsymmetric aromatic azo compounds, which are difficult to prepare by conventional synthetic methods, in a selective manner.     

Study of multiple-stacking growth of 1.55 μm InAs columnar quantum dots with modulated tensile-strained InGaAsP barrier layers

An investigation was performed of columnar InAs quantum dots (CQDs) with modulated tensile-strained InGaAsP barriers in which the amount of tensile strain in the upper parts was higher than in the lower parts, the dots being deposited on an InP substrate grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The smaller tensile strain of the barrier layers in the lower parts made the photoluminescence (PL) wavelength longer while the larger tensile strain of the barrier layers in the upper parts increased the strain compensation of the CQDs. Compared to CQDs with uniformly tensile-strained barriers, 1.55 μm emission was obtained at a higher average strain of barrier layers. By utilizing modulated tensile-strained barriers, triple-stacking of 12-fold CQDs with a PL wavelength of 1.55 μm using 30-nm-thick spacer layers was achieved with good crystallinity, indicating suitability for fabrication of high density CQDs.     

Spatial competition and collaboration networks

We model the formation of collaboration networks among firms that are located in a circular city as a two-stage game. In the first stage, the firms form collaboration links, and in the second stage, they engage in price competition. If two firms form a link, their production costs in the second stage are reduced. The second stage is a generalization of Salop??s (Bell J Econ 10(1):141?C156, 1979) circular city model. We provide a complete characterization of equilibrium prices of the model. We show that a firm prefers forming a link with a more distant firm if the cost-reducing effects are the same. We discuss the stability and social efficiency of the collaboration networks. When link costs are small, there is no conflict between efficiency and stability of networks. When link costs are significant, there is a conflict between efficiency and stability of networks. We also examine the average distances between linked firms.     

Fast screening for antioxidant properties of flavonoids from Pterogyne nitens using electrochemical methods

A fast, low-cost, convenient, and especially sensitive voltammetric screening approach for the study of the antioxidant properties of isoquercitrin and pedalitin from Pterogyne nitens is suggested in this work. These flavonoids were investigated for their redox properties using cyclic voltammetry in nonaqueous media using N,N-dimethylformamide and tetrabutylammonium tetrafluorborate as the supporting electrolyte, a glassy carbon working electrode, A6(see symbol in text)AgCI reference electrode, and Pt bare wire counter electrode. The comparative analysis of the activity of rutin has also been carried out. Moreover, combining HPLC with an electrochemical detector allowed qualitative and quantitative detection of micromolecules (e.g., isoquercitrin and pedalitin) that showed antioxidant activities. These results were then correlated to the inhibition of beta-carotene bleaching determined by TLC autographic assay and to structural features of the flavonoids.     

Buckling behavior of Kelvin open-cell foams under [0 0 1], [0 1 1] and [1 1 1] compressive loads

This paper describes buckling modes and stresses of elastic Kelvin open-cell foams subjected to [0 0 1], [0 1 1] and [1 1 1] uniaxial compressions. Cubic unit cells and cell aggregates in model foams are analyzed using a homogenization theory of the updated Lagrangian type. The analysis is performed on the assumption that the struts in foams have a non-uniform distribution of cross-sectional areas as observed experimentally. The relative density is changed to range from 0.005 to 0.05. It is thus found that long wavelength buckling and macroscopic instability primarily occur under [0 0 1] and [0 1 1] compressions, with only short wavelength buckling under [1 1 1] compression. The primary buckling stresses under the three compressions are fairly close to one another and almost satisfy the Gibson–Ashby relation established to fit experiments. By also performing the analysis based on the uniformity of strut cross-sectional areas, it is shown that the non-uniformity of cross-sectional areas is an important factor for the buckling behavior of open-cell foams.     

Effects of the drawing form and draw ratio on the fiber structure and mechanical properties of CO2-laser-heated-drawn poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers

The structure, mechanical properties, and thermomechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers obtained by laser-heated drawing were investigated in terms of their dependence on the draw ratio and feed speed and the differences between neck-drawn fibers and flow-drawn fibers. The long period at a draw ratio of 6.0 reached 19.0 nm, notably larger than at lower ratios, whereas the tilting angle of the laminar structure was constant at about 60°, regardless of the draw ratio. A maximum value of 15.0 GPa was attained for the initial modulus, and 1.07 GPa was attained for the tensile strength. A higher tensile strength orientation-induced crystallized fiber at the same initial modulus was obtained from higher molecular weight PET. The relationship between the compliance and molecular orientation of the amorphous phase was studied with a series model of crystalline and amorphous phases. The results revealed that, in the high-draw-ratio fibers, the compliance of the amorphous phase decreased with the draw ratio at a higher rate than indicated by extrapolation to intrinsic values. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 79–90, 2004