Heterogeneous thermochemical decomposition of a semi-transparent particle under high-flux irradiation: uniform versus non-uniform irradiation

The effects of a semi-transparent reacting particle irradiation are analysed using a transient combined heat transfer model. Direct uniform irradiation is found to be favourable for particle heating and decomposition, decreasing the total reaction time by a factor of 3.3 as compared to that for non-uniform irradiation. In both cases heat transfer from the surface to the reaction zone is the process limiting mechanism.     

Thermal and utility properties of amide clay modifying agents

This article presents the results of investigation into receiving amide modification agents of smectic clays, used as nanofillers in polymer nanocomposites. Prepared materials were obtained on the base of terephthalic and isophthalic acids and simple aliphatic amines. Such structure makes them good layered silicates modifying agents as well as makes them well affiliate to structure of polymers containing aromatic, carbonyl, amide, etc. groups. Obtained compounds were introduced into clays’ structure in protonated form, according to formulated method. Conducted research confirmed that the modification of montmorillonite clay (MMT) with received compounds had taken place. In order to establish that fact elementary analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used. Modificator molecules must display thermal resistance in full range of polymer processing temperatures. To investigate these properties the Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) of obtained compounds was carried out. These studies indicate that among the obtained compounds there were the ones with thermal stability over 523 K. Thermal resistance makes it possible for these substances to be used in poly(ethylene terephthalate) processing.     

On approximate mathematical modeling of the vapor–liquid coexistence curves by the Van der Waals equation of state and non-classical value of the critical exponent

Van der Waals equation of state as well as power laws and critical exponent theories are prototypes to study the cubic shape, asymmetries and “flatness” of the vapor–liquid equilibrium curves near the critical point. In this work we study two similar methods to determine the phase curves in analytical form, which differ from each other by simplicity of mathematical calculation. We analyze temperature dependence of the coexistence curves asymptotically close to the vapor–liquid critical point. We explain the novelty of our method with respect to the standard thermodynamic limit discussed in the literature. Therefore we show that the shape of the coexistence curves can strongly influence the accepted value of the critical exponent. The results of theoretical studies have been compared with the ones obtained by experimental methods.     

A Porous Sulfonated 2D Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework as a Robust Platform for Proton Conduction

By using the strategy of pre-assembly chlorosulfonation applied to a linker precursor, the first sulfonated zirconium metal–organic framework ( JUK-14 ) with two-dimensional (2D) structure, was synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the material is built of Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(COO)₈ oxoclusters, doubly 4-connected by angular dicarboxylates, and stacked in layers spaced 1.5 nm apart by the presence of sulfonic groups. JUK-14 exhibits excellent hydrothermal stability, permanent porosity confirmed by gas adsorption studies, and shows high (>10⁻⁴ S/cm) and low (<10⁻⁸ S/cm) proton conductivity under humidified and anhydrous conditions, respectively. Post-synthesis inclusion of imidazole improves the overall conductivity increasing it to 1.7×10⁻³ S/cm at 60 °C and 90 % relative humidity, and by 3 orders of magnitude at 160 °C. The combination of 2D porous nature with robustness of zirconium MOFs offers new opportunities for exploration of the material towards energy and environmental applications.     

On a nonlinear boundary value problem modeling corneal shape

In this paper we present some results concerning a boundary value problem for a nonlinear ordinary differential equation that was used before in modeling the topography of human cornea. These results generalize previously obtained theorems on existence and uniqueness. We show that our equation has a unique solution for all parameters and conditions that can arise in physical situation. In the second part of the article we derive some new estimates and approximate solutions. Numerical calculations verify that these approximations are very accurate.     

The investigation of femoroacetabular impingement using motion capture,FEM and multi-body simulations

In recent years, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has become increasingly common. As published in the literature, FAI is caused by an unphysiological contact between the proximal femur and the acetabular rim, which may lead to pain, limitation of movement, and damage of cartilage. In this paper, patient-specific finite element simulations of the movement of the hip based on gait motion data and MRI segmentation were conducted to check stresses of the acetabulum and femur, and additionally whether a bony contact is present or not. The study's findings show no bony contact between femur and acetabulum, which may lead to the hypothesis that the labrum and its deformation and/or the articular capsule are involved in the mechanism of FAI. In order to verify this hypothesis more simulations including labrum and capsule must be performed. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)