Sensitivity optimization of PRESAGE polyurethane based dosimeter

A new class of three-dimensional dosimeter (PRESAGE) has recently emerged, that consists of an optically clear polyurethane matrix containing a leuco dye and a free radical initiator. The dye exhibits a radiochromic response when exposed to ionizing radiation, changing color in proportion to the radiation dose. In this work we investigate and characterize the sensitivity of this new dosimeter by changing the portion of these two materials in the feature. Our results show considerable improvement in both dosimeter sensitivity and dose response stability by changing the percents of leuco dye and free radical initiator to approach to an optimum value.     

Precursor decomposition and nucleation kinetics during platelike apatite synthesis

Self-organization of calcium and phosphorus precursors in solution containing acetic acid and ethylene glycol produces a nanosized lamellar acetate-phosphonate hybrid containing two acetate and one phosphonate components. The lamellar morphology of the hybrid precursor is responsible the formation of platelike apatite product after thermal treatment at or above 400 degrees C. However a preliminary preheating stage (300 degrees C, 24 h) is crucial in determining the morphology of the apatite. Activation energy measurements by nonisothermal thermogravimetric analysis show that decomposition of the hybrid precursor involves at least two steps. Among the three components, it appears that the calcium acetate bidentate chelate component is stable below or at 300 degrees C. However, the calcium phosphonate and calcium acetate monodentate components are decomposed at this temperature. Above 360 degrees C, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopic data reveal the decomposition of more stable calcium acetate bidentate chelate. It is evident that the bond rupture of the bidentate calcium acetate species in the precursor results in the start of crystalline apatite formation but the other components must be decomposed by heating prior to this critical step in order to produce platelike apatite.     

Chemical synthesis of tungsten-copper nanocomposite powder

In this study homogeneous powders of CuWO₄ and WO₃ was produced from ammonium para-tungstate (APT) and copper nitrate. Then, the product was used to prepare nano-sized W-Cu powder. Hence, a mixture of ammonium paratungstate and copper nitrate with predetermined weight proportion was made in distilled water, while the content of the beaker was being stirred at a certain speed to reach the desired composition of W-20 wt % Cu. Mixture was heated to 80–100°C for 6 h. Also, pH range was adjusted at about 3–4. The mixture was then evaporated and dried in the air. To reach W-Cu composite powder, the precursor powders burned out at 520°C for 2 h in the air to form W-Cu oxide powder and then were ball milled and reduced in H₂ atmosphere to convert it into W-Cu composite powder. The resulting powders were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis techniques. The results showed that homogeneous powders of W-Cu with particle size of around 100 nm and a nearly spherical shape could be obtained by this process. Each particle include smaller parts with size of around 20–30 nm.     

Detection of copper(II) sulfate’s uniformity and its thermal behavior in flammability of cotton fabric

Blue vitriol (copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate), CuSO₄·5H₂O has been chosen and investigated for its effectiveness as a flame-retardant, when impregnated into cotton fabric (cotton with a plain structure; woven 180 g m⁻², with 22 numbers of yarns per 10 mm). Using the vertical flame test, the extent of resistance to burning of the specimens has been determined. The impregnation was accomplished via dipping and stirring of bone-dried, weighed fabrics into the individual and suitable concentrations of the salt at room temperature. Afterwards the samples were squeeze rolled and dried horizontally at 110°C for 30 min in an oven and cooled in a desiccator and reweighed with an analytical precision. They were then kept under ordinary conditions overnight prior the fulfillment of the vertical flame test. The efficient quantities of the aforesaid salt expressed in g per 100 g dry fabric have been determined in an average figure of 12.75%. Estimation of uniformity in a selected sample was carried out via a spectrophotometer and results are in favor of the heterogeneous distribution of the salt in the fabric’s middle sectors. However initial and final parts of specimen showed to be rather uniformed. Thermogravimetric analysis of the pure cotton and the treated ones with insufficient and effective amounts of the salt were fulfilled and their thermograms were compared and commented. The results obtained for the effect of copper(II) sulfate comply with ‘The Dust or Wall Effect Theory’. This action is also assigned to the condensed phase retardation.     

Asymptotic mass degeneracies in conformal field theories

By applying a method of Hardy and Ramanujan to characters of rational conformal field theories, we find an asymptotic expansion for degeneracy of states in the limit of large mass which isexact for strings propagating in more than two uncompactified space-time dimensions. Moreover we explore how the rationality of the conformal theory is reflected in the degeneracy of states. We also consider the one loop partition function for strings, restricted to physical states, for arbitrary (irrational) conformal theories, and obtain an asymptotic expansion for it in the limit that the torus degenerates. This expansion depends only on the spectrum of (physical and unphysical) relevant operators in the theory. We see how rationality is consistent with the smoothness of mass degeneracies as a function of moduli.     

Promoter effect on the CO2-H2O formation during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on iron-based catalysts

The effects of Mg, La and Ca promoters on primary and secondary CO_2 and H_2O formation pathways during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on precipitated Fe/Cu/SiO_2 catalysts are investigated. The chemisorbed oxygen atoms in the primary pathway formed in the CO dissociation steps reacted with co-adsorbed hydrogen or carbon monoxide to produce H_2O and CO_2 , respectively. The secondary pathway was the water-gas shift reaction. The results indicated that the CO_2 production led to an increase in both primary and secondary pathways, and H_2 O production decreased when surface basicity of the catalyst increased in the order Ca >Mg >La.     

A homotopy analysis method for limit cycle of the van der Pol oscillator with delayed amplitude limiting

In this work, a powerful analytical method, called Liao’s homotopy analysis method is used to study the limit cycle of a two-dimensional nonlinear dynamical system, namely the van der Pol oscillator with delayed amplitude limiting. It is shown that the solutions are valid for a wide range of variation of the system parameters. Comparison of the obtained solutions with those achieved by numerical solutions and by other perturbation techniques shows that the utilized method is effective and convenient to solve this type of problems with the desired order of approximation.