Generation of powerful filaments at a long distance using adaptive optics

Because of its extraordinary properties (intensity clamping, white light source, km long plasma channels), filamentation represents an ideal candidate for remote sensing. However, the promising generation of filaments at long distances for such purposes remains an issue.

We propose a specially designed focusing telescope to properly deliver the laser pulses at long distance and generate powerful filaments. The telescope includes a deformable mirror (DM) that corrects the wavefront’s aberrations working in a closed loop system with a wavefront sensor (WFS). Using this setup we are able to generate extraordinarily strong nitrogen signals at a distance as far as 90 m using 40 mJ laser pulses. Compared to the chirped based filament control technique, we believe that an appropriate control of the reservoir like what we have achieved will contribute to reduce the energy of the required laser pulses and at the same time, the cost of the required laser system.     

Solution processable polyamides containing thiazole units and thioether linkages with high optical transparency,high refractive index,and low birefringence

A series of new organic‐soluble polyamides (PAs) bearing flexible thioether linkages and heteroaromatic thiazole units were synthesized from a novel thioether‐bridged diamine monomer (DA) and various commercially available aromatic dicarboxylic acids (1–5) via a direct polycondensation method. The resulting polymers were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.41–0.80 dL g^?1. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, exhibited good solubility and could be easily dissolved in amide‐type polar aprotic solvents and even dissolved in less polar solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran, pyridine, and acetone). They showed excellent thermal stability with glass transition temperatures between 207 and 239 °C and 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 424 °C in nitrogen and 469 °C in air atmosphere. The optical transmittances of the PA films at 450 nm were higher than 85% for the thickness of ～10 μm. The combination of the thiazole moieties and flexible thioether linkages provided PAs with high average refractive indices (n_av) of 1.7414–1.7542 and low birefringences (Δn) of 0.0061–0.0087 at 632.8 nm. In particular, the n_av of PA‐5 derived from DA and 2,2′‐dithiodibenzoic acid exhibited the highest refractive index (1.7542) in the high refractive index PAs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3505–3515     

Preparation,mechanical properties,and in vitro biocompatibility of novel nanocomposites based on polyhexamethylene carbonate fumarate and nanohydroxyapatite

In the current study a new biodegradable nanocomposite based on poly hexamethylene carbonate fumarate (PHMCF) and nano‐sized hydroxyapatite (nano‐HA) has been developed. A silane coupling agent γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane, was used to achieve a good interfacial adhesion between nano‐HA and PHMCF matrix. PHMCF with different nano‐HA contents were characterized using dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and hardness test. The effect of frequency on storage modulus, glass transition temperature (T_g) and the damping were investigated. In vitro cytotoxicity and proliferation were performed using G292 cell lines by MTT assay. The addition of nano‐HA resulted in an increment on the storage modulus and decrement on the damping. Along with improvement in mechanical properties of composites, the addition of nano‐HA resulted in enhanced cell proliferation. Following these results, the newly developed nano‐PHMCF composite scaffold may be considered for bone tissue engineering applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pressurized fluid extraction of essential oil from Lavandula hybrida using a modified supercritical fluid extractor and a central composite design for optimization

Essential oil components were extracted from lavandin (Lavandula hybrida) flowers using pressurized fluid extraction. A central composite design was used to optimize the effective extraction variables. The chemical composition of extracted samples was analyzed by a gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector column. For achieving 100% extraction yield, the temperature, pressure, extraction time, and the solvent flow rate were adjusted at 90.6°C, 63 bar, 30.4 min, and 0.2 mL/min, respectively. The results showed that pressurized fluid extraction is a practical technique for separation of constituents such as 1,8-cineole (8.1%), linalool (34.1%), linalyl acetate (30.5%), and camphor (7.3%) from lavandin to be applied in the food, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and natural biocides industries.     

Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau equation under Hartmann ring-shaped potential

We solve the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau (DKP) equation in the presence of Hartmann ring-shaped potential in (3+1)-dimensional space-time. We obtain the energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions by the Nikiforov-Uvarov (NU) method.     

Theta functions,modular invariance,and strings

We use Quillen's theorem and algebraic geometry to investigate the modular transformation properties of some quantities of interest in string theory. In particular, we show that the spin structure dependence of the chiral Dirac determinant on a Riemann surface is given by Riemann's theta function. We use this result to investigate the modular invariance of multiloop heterotic string amplitudes.     

Thermogravimetry of deposited caustic soda used as a flame-retardant for cotton fabric

We have investigated the effect of caustic soda as a nondurable finish on the flammability of 100% cotton fabric (plain 180 g m^?2). On the contrary to the mercerization, during the impregnation process, no tension was applied. In order to attain the alkali cellulose onto the fabric, the subsequent neutralization was not followed. Each bunches of fabrics were dipped into individual aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide, followed by means of squeeze rolls and drying at 110°C. After conditioning nightlong, by using our ‘vertical flame test’ the optimum add-on values to impart flame-retardancy into cotton fabric was determined as 1.3 g sodium hydroxide per 100 g fabric. Thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) of pure cotton, treated cotton with sodium hydroxide at its optimum efficiency to impart flame-retardancy into the fabric was fulfilled and the obtained curves were compared and commented. The effectiveness of this hydroxide is attributed to the heat dissipation by the remaining material in the consumed ash. The results obtained are in favour of ‘dust or wall effect theory’ and also gas dilution theory.     

The scattering of P-waves by a piezoelectric particle with FGPM interfacial layers in a polymer matrix

Propagation of P-wave in an unbounded elastic polymer medium which contains a set of nested concentric spherical piezoelectric inhomogeneities is formulated. The polymer matrix is made of Epoxy and is isotropic; each phase of the inhomogeneity is made of a different piezoelectric material and is radially polarized and has spherical isotropy. Note that the individual phases are homogeneous, and all interfaces are perfectly bonded. The scattered displacement and electric potentials in the matrix are expressed in terms of spherical wave vector functions and Legendre functions, respectively. The transmitted displacement and electric potentials within each phase of the piezoelectric particle are expressed in terms of Legendre functions. The equations of motion and electrostatics in each phase of the piezoelectric inhomogeneity lead to a system of coupled second order differential equations, which is solved using the generalized Frobenius series. The present theory is extended to the case where the core of the inhomogeneity is made of PZT-4 and its coating is made of functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) whose microstructural composition varies smoothly from PZT-4 at the core–coating interface to Epoxy at the coating–matrix interface. The effects of different types of variation in the electro-mechanical properties of FGPM on scattering cross-section and other electro-mechanical fields are addressed. The present theory is valid for arbitrary coating thickness, and arbitrary frequencies.