Banana-shaped mesogens: a new homologous series of compounds exhibiting the B7 mesophase

The synthesis and characterization of a new homologous series of compounds, the 2-cyano-1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4-n-alkoxyphenyliminomethyl)benzoates] derived from 2-cyanoresorcinol is reported. All the compounds are enantiotropic mesogens and exhibit the fascinating B₇ mesophase. The characterization of the mesophase was performed using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical studies.     

Numerical simulations of a filament in a flowing soap film

Experiments concerning the properties of soap films have recently been carried out and these systems have been proposed as experimental versions of theoretical two‐dimensional liquids. A silk filament introduced into a flowing soap film, was seen to demonstrate various stable modes, and these were, namely, a mode in which the filament oscillates and one in which the filament is stationary and aligns with the flow of the liquid. The system could be forced from the oscillatory mode into the non‐ oscillatory mode by varying the length of the filament. In this article we use numerical and computational techniques in order to simulate the strongly coupled behaviour of the filament and the fluid. Preliminary results are presented for the specific case in which the filament is seen to oscillate continuously for the duration of our simulation. We also find that the filament oscillations are strongly suppressed when we reduce the effective length of the filament. We believe that these results are reminiscent of the different oscillatory and non‐oscillatory modes observed in experiment. The numerical solutions show that, in contrast to experiment, vortices are created at the leading edge of the filament and are preferentially grown in the curvature of the filament and are eventually released from the trailing edge of the filament. In a similar manner to oscillating hydrofoils, it seems that the oscillating filaments are in a minimal energy state, extracting sufficient energy from the fluid to oscillate. In comparing numerical and experimental results it is possible that the soap film does have an effect on the fluid flow especially in the boundary layer where surface tension forces are large. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A numerical and experimental investigation of the interactions between a non‐uniform planar array of incompressible free jets

The interaction between multiple incompressible air jets has been studied numerically and experimentally. The numerical predictions have been first validated using experimental data for a single jet configuration. The spreading features of five unequal jets in the configuration of one larger central jet surrounded by four smaller equi‐distant jets, have been studied, for different lateral spacing ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 and a central jet Reynolds number of 1.24×105 (corresponding to a Mach number of 0.16). Flow of five equal jets has also been simulated, for the sake of comparison. The jet interactions commence at an axial distance of about 3–4 diameters and complete by an axial distance of about 10 diameters for the lowest spacing ratio of 1.5. For larger spacing ratios, the length required for the start and completion of jet interaction increase. Peripheral jets bend more towards the central jet and merge at a smaller distance, when their sizes are smaller than that of the central jet. The entrainment ratio for multiple jets is higher than that for a single jet. Excellent agreement is observed between the experimental data and theoretical predictions for both mean flow field and turbulent quantities, at regions away from the jet inlet. The potential core length and initial jet development, however, are not predicted very accurately due to differences in the assumed and actual velocity profiles at the jet inlet. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photochemical attachment of polymers on planar surfaces with a covalently anchored monolayer of a novel naphthyl ketone photochemical radical generator

A monolayer of covalently anchored, novel, binaphthyl ketone is used as a surface‐confined photochemical radical generator (PRG) for anchoring a variety of polymers to silicon surfaces. The precursor PRG is synthesized by the application of a facile and novel method for the oxidation of sterically hindered benzylic hydrocarbons to carbonyl compounds. Oxidation was carried out with a stoichiometric amount of potassium peroxydisulfate, in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper sulfate in an acetonitrile/water mixture. The PRG synthesized is characterized by ¹H NMR, UV, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The covalently attached monolayers are characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and water contact angle measurements. The method developed is applicable to the preparation of a monolayer of a variety of polymers on a wide range of substrates carrying surface hydroxyl groups. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5413–5423, 2004     

Photopolymerization of 1,6‐hexanedioldiacrylate initiated by three‐component systems based on N‐arylphthalimides

Three‐component photoinitiators comprised of an N‐arylphthalimide, a diarylketone, and a tertiary amine were investigated for their initiation efficiency of acrylate polymerization. The use of an electron‐deficient N‐arylphthalimide resulted in a greater acrylate polymerization rate than an electron‐rich N‐arylphthalimide. Triplet energies of each N‐arylphthalimide, determined from their phosphorescence spectra, and the respective rate constants for triplet quenching by the N‐arylphthalimide derivatives (acquired via laser flash photolysis) indicated that an electron–proton transfer from an intermediate radical species to the N‐arylphthalimide (not energy transfer from triplet sensitization) is responsible for generating the initiating radicals under the conditions and species concentrations used for polymerization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4009–4015, 2004     

Dendrimers as scaffolds for multifunctional reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer agents: Syntheses and polymerization

The synthesis and characterization of novel first‐ and second‐generation true dendritic reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents carrying 6 or 12 pendant 3‐benzylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanylpropionic acid RAFT end groups with Z‐group architecture based on 1,1,1‐hydroxyphenyl ethane and trimethylolpropane cores are described in detail. The multifunctional dendritic RAFT agents have been used to prepare star polymers of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) and polystyrene (PS) of narrow polydispersities (1.4 < polydispersity index < 1.1 for PBA and 1.5 < polydispersity index < 1.3 for PS) via bulk free‐radical polymerization at 60 °C. The novel dendrimer‐based multifunctional RAFT agents effect an efficient living polymerization process, as evidenced by the linear evolution of the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) with the monomer–polymer conversion, yielding star polymers with molecular weights of up to M_n = 160,000 g mol^?1 for PBA (based on a linear PBA calibration) and up to M_n = 70,000 g mol^?1 for PS (based on a linear PS calibration). A structural change in the chemical nature of the dendritic core (i.e., 1,1,1‐hydroxyphenyl ethane vs trimethylolpropane) has no influence on the observed molecular weight distributions. The star‐shaped structure of the generated polymers has been confirmed through the cleavage of the pendant arms off the core of the star‐shaped polymeric materials. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5877–5890, 2004     

Strain hardening of polycarbonate in the glassy state: Influence of temperature and molecular weight

This study is concerned with the temperature and molecular weight dependence of the strain-hardening behavior of polycarbonate. It is shown that the strain-hardening modulus reduces with increasing temperature and decreasing molecular weight. This result is interpreted in terms of temperature accelerated relaxation of the entanglement network. Moreover, it is shown that frozen-in orientations, induced by homogeneous deformations above the glass transition temperature, lead to anisotropic yield behavior that can be fully rationalized (and modelled) in terms of a superimposed stress contribution of the prestrained network. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2041–2049, 2004     

Standardization of BSE rapid test performances and experiences gathered during the implementation of large-scale testing

The accumulation of pathological prion protein is used as a diagnostic marker for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. According to European Union (EU) regulations cattle older than 30 months of age (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain by national law >24 months) and slaughtered for human consumption must be tested by using rapid tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Likewise fallen stock and clinically affected animals must be tested. This article gives a short overview of the incidence of BSE in Europe. The diagnostic hierarchy, i.e., the officially approved methodology for the confirmation of suspect rapid test cases, and the organization of the numerous laboratories involved in this large-scale testing for BSE are described. Special emphasis is given to necessary quality control measures currently in place for BSE rapid testing laboratories and to measures intended to assure a consistent performance of the commercially available rapid test kits.Presented at BERM-9—Ninth International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, 15–19 June 2003, Berlin, Germany.     

Completely biodegradable composites of poly(propylene carbonate) and short,lignocellulose fiber Hildegardia populifolia

The composites of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) reinforced with short Hildegardia populifolia natural fiber were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. The mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphologies of the composites were studied via static and dynamic mechanical measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. Static tensile tests showed that the stiffness and tensile strength of the composites increased with an increasing fiber content. However, the elongation at break and the energy to break decreased dramatically with the addition of short fiber. The relationship between the experimental results and the compatibility or interaction between the PPC matrix and fiber was correlated. SEM observations indicated good interfacial contact between the short fiber and PPC matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the introduction of short Hildegardia populifolia fiber led to a slightly improved thermooxidative stability of PPC. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 666–675, 2004