Monte–Carlo Simulation of Ester Exchange Reactions in PET/PEN Blends

Monte–Carlo kinetic simulations are performed to study exchange reactions in PET/PEN blends. Chain distribution of the blend is simulated at various mixing conditions. The average length of PET and PEN repeating units decreases with increasing exchange reactions. Derivative of heat flow is modeled at T_g region during mixing. Two peaks are observed on the derivative of heat flow curve at the early stages of mixing, indicating formation of an immiscible blend. With increasing mixing time, miscibility between two phases increasea and the peaks converge toward each other and finally form a single peak. The Monte–Carlo simulation results are in fine agreement with experimental data obtained from different systems.

     

N.M.R. investigation of critical orientational order fluctuations below the nematic-isotropic transition in liquid crystals

The high-resolution infra-red spectrum of SiH₄ in the region 2101 cm^-1 to 2265 cm^-1 has been analysed. Most of the lines observed have been assigned to transitions of the v ₃ and v ₁ bands of the abundant isotopic species ²⁸SiH₄. The v ₁ band is formally forbidden in the infra-red, but a vibration-rotation interaction between v ₁ and v ₃ lends intensity to the v ₁ transitions. The spectrum has been fitted by diagonalizing the v ₃ = 1 and v ₁ = 1 hamiltonians coupled by the vibration-rotation interaction term. 500 transitions have been fitted with an overall standard deviation of 0·007 cm^-1, using only 15 adjustable parameters (ten in the v ₃ = 1 hamiltonian, four in the v ₁ = 1 hamiltonian, and one interaction coefficient). The calculated intensities are also in good agreement with experiment. Transitions of the other isotopic species ²⁹SiH₄ and ³⁰SiH₄ have also been observed, but these spectra have not been analysed in detail.     

Nanofilled Polypropylene/Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) Blends: A Morphological and Mechanical Properties Study

Polypropylene (PP) /poly(trimethylene terephthalate), (PTT), binary blends in the presence of two interfacial modifier as well as two organically modified nanoclay additives were studied in terms of mechanical and morphological characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the incompatibility of the system which was solved to some extent through incorporating the nanoclay as well as functional compatibilizers. An evaluation of the specimens via static mechanical tests in tensile mode gave credence to the assumption that the higher the PTT content, the higher the mechanical performance would be. Furthermore, the compatibilizer-containing blends not only exhibited higher toughness, but also possessed enhanced stiffness when a maleated compatibilizer was added. The tensile modulus was promoted further in the presence of clay nanoparticles; however, toughness was somewhat sacrificed. The Barentsen as well as Halpin-Tsai models were found to describe the binary blends modulus. The reinforcing impact of the nanoclay was exploited to a greater degree in the presence of the compatibilizer.     

Advances in the FDTD design and modeling of nano- and bio-photonics applications

In this paper we focus on the discussion of two recent unique applications of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation method to the design and modeling of advanced nano- and bio-photonic problems. The approach that is adopted here focuses on the potential of the FDTD methodology to address newly emerging problems and not so much on its mathematical formulation. We will first discuss the application of a traditional formulation of the FDTD approach to the modeling of sub-wavelength photonics structures. Next, a modified total/scattered field FDTD approach will be applied to the modeling of biophotonics applications including optical phase contrast microscope (OPCM) imaging of cells containing gold nanoparticles (NPs) as well as its potential application as a modality for in vivo flow cytometry configurations. The conclusion provides a justification for the selection of the two specific examples and summarizes some of the insights that could open the opportunity for the application of the FDTD approach in new research areas.     

Picosecond all-optical switching using nonlinear Mach–Zehnder with silicon subwavelength grating and photonic wire arms

We investigate the picosecond switching capabilities of a planar waveguide interferometric photonic device when used for all-optical wavelength conversion of one picosecond pulses. Our device comprises a subwavelength grating waveguide arm and a photonic wire waveguide arm in a Mach–Zehnder configuration, fabricated on the silicon-on-insulator material platform. No detrimental effects of pulse broadening for transient pulses were observed.     

Correction to: A sequential homotopy method for mathematical programming problems

Mathematical Programming - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10107-021-01668-5