Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate using triethylamine-nitrobenzene complex as photoinitiator

Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate in bulk and in solution at 40° using triethylamine nitrobenzene (TEA-NB) complex as photoinitiator was studied kinetically. Initiator order x, given by the relation R_pα([TEA][NB])^x, was 0.28 for [TEA][NB] < 25 × 10 ^?8 mol² · l^?2; for higher values of [TEA][NB], x was practically zero. Monomer order was 1.1 in benzene and pyridine but much less than unity (0.65–0.70) in carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. Kinetic analysis indicated that the initiation process was monomer and solvent dependent. The halomethane solvents enhanced the polymerization rate through their active participation in the initiation or radical-generation steps. End-group analysis indicated incorporation of basic (amino) end-groups in the polymers. The kinetic non-ideality was explained on the basis of significant initiator-dependent termination through primary radicals or via degradative transfer to initiator.     

Corrections to coupled Hartree–Fock theory: the rearrangement effect

In this communication we discuss a method of incorporating corrections to the coupled Hartree–Fock (CHF ) formalism by introducing the so-called “rearrangement effect.” In this we take account of the relaxation of the core orbitals when excitations from a starting Hartree–Fock wave function occur. The magnitude of this correction numerically is found to be quite significant for the polarizabilities of two-electron atomic systems, results for which are reported.     

Spot test for ruthenium(3) andp-phenylenediamine

Summary Para- phenylenediamine gives a spot test for ruthenium(3). Conversely, ruthenram(3) may be used for the detection ofp- phenylenediamine. The test forp- phenylenediamine is very sensitive and almost specific.

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Zusammenfassung p-Phenylendiamine eignet sich als Reagens für Ruthenium(3) und umgekehrt ist Ruthenium(3) ein sehr empfindliches und beinahe spezifisches Reagens fürp-Phenylendiamin.

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Résumé La para-phénylènediamine permet l'analyse à la touche du ruthénium-III. Réciproquement, on peut utiliser le ruthénium-III pour détecter lap-phénylènediamine. L'essai pour lap-phénylènediamine est très sensible et à peu près spécifique.

     

Response of an Algal Consortium to Diesel under Varying Culture Conditions

A diesel-tolerant sessile freshwater algal consortium obtained from the vicinity of Powai Lake (Mumbai, India) was cultured in the laboratory. The presence of diesel in batch cultures enhanced the maximum specific growth rate of the algal consortium. With decrease in light–dark (L:D) cycle from 20:4 to 4:20 h, the chlorophyll-a levels decreased; however, the removal of diesel was found to be maximum at L:D of 18:6 h with 37.6% degradation over and above controls. In addition to growth in the form of green clumps, white floating biomass was found surrounding the diesel droplets on the surface. This culture predominated at the least L:D ratio of 4:20 h. Studies confirmed the ability of the floating organisms to grow heterotrophically in the dark utilizing diesel as carbon source and also in the presence of light in a medium devoid of organic carbon sources.     

Driven diffusive system: A study on large n limit

We study the generalized n component model of a driven diffusive system with annealed random drive in the large n limit. This non-equilibrium model also describes conserved order parameter dynamics of an equilibrium model of ferromagnets with dipolar interaction. In this limit, at zero temperature a saddle point approximation becomes exact. The length scale in the direction transverse to the driving field acquires an additional logarithmic correction in this limit. Received 24 January 2000 and Received in final form 29 May 2000     

Polymer microcantilever biochemical sensors with integrated polymer composites for electrical detection

Micro fabricated sensors based on nanomechanical motion with piezoresistive electrical readout have become a promising biochemical sensing tool. The conventional microcantilever materials are mostly silicon-based. The sensitivity of the sensor depends on Young's modulus of the structural material, thickness of the cantilever as well as on the gauge factor of the piezoresistor. UV patternable polymers such as SU-8 have a very low Young's modulus compared to the silicon-based materials. Polymer cantilevers with a piezoresistive material having a large gauge factor and a lower Young's modulus are therefore highly suited for sensing applications. In this work, a spin coatable and photopatternable mixture of carbon black (CB) and SU-8, with proper dispersion characteristics, has been demonstrated as a piezoresistive thin film for polymer microcantilevers. Results on percolation experiments of SU-8/CB composite and fabrication of piezoresistive SU-8 microcantilevers using this composite are presented. With our controlled dispersion experiments, we could get a uniform piezoresistive thin film of thickness less than 1.2 μm and resistivity of 2.7 Ω cm using 10 wt% of CB in SU-8. The overall thickness of the SU-8/composite/SU-8 is approximately 3 μm. We further present results on the electromechanical characterization and biofunctionalization of the cantilever structures for biochemical sensing applications. These cantilevers show a deflection sensitivity of 0.55 ppm/nm. Since the surface stress sensitivity is 4.1 × 10⁻³ [N/m]⁻¹, these cantilevers can well be used for detection of protein markers for pathological applications.