A solid polyelectrolyte to detect ethanol in hydrocarbons

An interpenetrating polymer network based on poly(glycidyl methacrylate), diethylenetriamine, poly(4-vinylpyridine) and 1,4-dibromobutane has been investigated as sensitive material to build a sensor for the detection of ethanol in hydrocarbons. Preliminary tests have been carried out by impedance spectroscopy in ethanol/cyclohexane mixtures. The sensor showed a measurement range between 5% and 100%, good reversibility and fast response time.     

An improved parallel compact scheme for domain-decoupled simulation of turbulence

An improved domain-decoupled compact scheme for first and second spatial derivatives is proposed for domain-decomposition-based parallel computational fluid dynamics. The method improves the accuracy of previously developed decoupled schemes and preserves the accuracy and bandwidth properties of fully coupled compact schemes, even for a very large degree of parallelism, and enables the Navier-Stokes equations to be solved independently on each processor. The scheme is analysed using Fourier analysis and error analysis, and tested on one-dimensional wave-packet propagation, a two-dimensional vortex convection problem, and in the direct numerical simulation of the three-dimensional Taylor-Green vortex problem and turbulent channel flow. Our results demonstrate the scheme's effectiveness in performing direct numerical simulation of turbulence in terms of accuracy and scalability.     

Conformational dynamics accompanying the proteolytic degradation of trimeric collagen I by collagenases

Collagenases are the principal enzymes responsible for the degradation of collagens during embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. However, the mechanism by which these enzymes disrupt the highly chemically and structurally stable collagen triple helix remains incompletely understood. We used a single-molecule magnetic tweezers assay to characterize the cleavage of heterotrimeric collagen I by both the human collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum. We observe that the application of 16 pN of force causes an 8-fold increase in collagen proteolysis rates by MMP-1 but does not affect cleavage rates by Clostridium collagenase. Quantitative analysis of these data allows us to infer the structural changes in collagen associated with proteolytic cleavage by both enzymes. Our data support a model in which MMP-1 cuts a transient, stretched conformation of its recognition site. In contrast, our findings suggest that Clostridium collagenase is able to cleave the fully wound collagen triple helix, accounting for its lack of force sensitivity and low sequence specificity. We observe that the cleavage of heterotrimeric collagen is less force sensitive than the proteolysis of a homotrimeric collagen model peptide, consistent with studies suggesting that the MMP-1 recognition site in heterotrimeric collagen I is partially unwound at equilibrium.     

Development of hybrid nanocomposites based on PLLA and low-field NMR characterization

Hybrid nanocomposite based on poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) employing silica (A200) and organophilic silica (R972), natural clay (NT-25) and two types of organoclay (S4 and S7) were prepared by the solution casting method. Each nanoparticle type was incorporated at two ratios (3 and 5%) relative to the polymer matrix. The nanocomposites formed were evaluated by X-ray, thermal resistance and molecular dynamic analysis, using proton spin-lattice relaxation time. The results showed that each nanoparticle type acted independently of the polymer/nanoparticle ratio in the new material. Both silica types promoted an increase in rigidity, due to the strong intermolecular forces. The natural clay did not cause any significant change in the molecular mobility of the nanocomposites, probably due to the non-affinity of the chemical structure. Therefore, both organoclays were better dispersed in the polymeric matrix, allowing good intermolecular interaction and, consequently, exfoliated and intercalated nanocomposites were formed.     

Enol ethers and acetals: acylation with dichloroacetyl,acetyl and benzoyl chloride in ionic liquid medium

Synthesis of 4-alkoxy-1,1-dichloro-3-alken-2-ones [CHCl₂C(O)C(R²)C(R¹)-OR, where R, R¹, R² = Et, H, H; Me, Me, H; Et, H, Me; Me, –(CH₂)₂–; Me, –(CH₂)₃–; Et, Et, H; Et, Bu, H; Et, i-Pr, H; Et, i-Bu, H; Me, Ph, H; Me, thien-2-yl, H] from acylation of enol ethers and acetals with dichloroacetyl chloride, in ionic liquid ([BMIM][BF₄] or [BMIM][PF₆]) is reported. The synthesis of alkenones [R³–C(O)C(R²)C(R¹)-OR], where R/R¹/R²/R³ = Et/H/H/Ph, t-Bu/H/H/Ph, Me/-(CH₂)₄/Ph, Me/-(CH₂)₄/Me] from the reaction of enol ethers with benzoyl chloride or acetyl chloride, in ionic liquid [BMIM][BF₄], is also reported. Last products are described for the first time.     

Ueber die Nachweisung des Holzgeistes

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Some Aspects of Designing Multirim Composite Flywheels

Approximate solutions are given for stresses in a flexible cylindrical interlayer connecting concentric, rigid, cylindrical rims subjected to three loading cases: (i) rotation about the axis of symmetry; (ii) in-plane translation of the rims relative to each other; (iii) out-of-plane rotation of the rims relative to each other. The solutions are important for the multiple filament-wound composite rims used in energy storage flywheels, where the elastomeric interlayer idea has been proposed as a means of preventing high radial tensile stresses, which would otherwise break down the rims at less than optimal speeds. The compliances associated with the second and third loading cases are also given, establishing a simple means of analysis of the critical vibration frequencies of multirim flywheel rotors.     

Performance evaluation of new plasticizers for stretch PVC films

Six stretch PVC films have been formulated to have Shore A hardness of approx. 80 and nominal thickness of 15 μm with the aim of evaluating the performance of plasticizers from renewable and non-renewable sources for stretch PVC films intended to be employed as packaging. The reference film was produced with DEHA and ESBO, while the other films were produced with conventional plasticizers (ATBC and Polyadipate), new plasticizers from renewable sources (Mixture of glycerin acetates and Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) or a plasticizer employed in toy and childcare applications (DEHT) as a third plasticizer. The films were evaluated as to their physical and mechanical properties (durometer hardness, tensile strength and elongation), IR spectroscopy and light transmission. The several plasticizers influenced the mechanical properties of the PVC films to different degrees. All films will probably show adequate performance when used in packaging applications. Nevertheless, the vegetable oil-based plasticizers showed better mechanical performance than the other plasticizers when compared to DEHA.     

Solutions multiples pour les écoulements tridimensionnels en rotationMultiple solutions for three-dimensional swirling flows

The symmetry-breaking in a swirling flow generated inside a cylindrical tank of aspect ratio h=1 by the rotation of one lid is studied numerically. Beyond a critical Reynolds number, the flow undergoes a bifurcation to three-dimensional solutions. The spatial and temporal behaviour on these branches are examined. To cite this article: E. Barbosa, O. Daube, C. R. Mecanique 330 (2002) 791–796.