Hydration of isoprene

Interaction of isoprene with water in the liquid phase at elevated temperatures and pressures was studied in the presence of orthophosphoric acid as a catalyst. The products formed and their stability and transformations were determined. The composition of the compounds formed upon treatment of 3-methyl-2-butenol-1 with acids is revised.     

Simultaneous measurement of static and kinetic friction of ZnO nanowires in situ with a scanning electron microscope

A novel method for in situ measurement of the static and kinetic friction is developed and demonstrated for zinc oxide nanowires (NWs) on oxidised silicon wafers. The experiments are performed inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a nanomanipulator with an atomic force microscope tip as a probe. NWs are pushed by the tip from one end until complete displacement is achieved, while NW bending is monitored by the SEM. The elastic bending profile of a NW during the manipulation process is used to calculate the static and kinetic friction forces.     

The temperature distribution in a flat conductive disk heated by a direct current

The problem of the steady-state temperature distribution in a flat conductive disk that is heated by a direct current was investigated. An analytical solution was obtained and limiting cases corresponding to different mechanisms of heat transfer were examined. It was determined that the peak value of the temperature and its distribution in such a disk are strongly governed by the ratio of the heat transfer coefficient to the coefficient of heat conductivity. High values of this ratio correspond to a highly non-uniform distribution of temperature (a hot spot). Low values correspond to a smooth decrease in temperature from the center to the boundaries of the conductor.