Novel antifoam for fermentation processes: fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon hybrid unsymmetrical bolaform surfactant

As foaming appears as a problem in chemical and fermentation processes that inhibits reactor performance, the eminence of a novel fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon unsymmetrical bolaform (FHUB: OH(CH2)11N+(C2H4)2(CH2)2(CF2)5CF3 I-) surfactant as an antifoaming agent as well as a foam-reducing agent was investigated and compared with other surfactants and a commercial antifoaming agent. The surface elasticity of FHUB was determined as 4 mN/m, indicating its high potential on thinning of the foam film. The interactions between FHUB and the microoganism were investigated in a model fermentation process related with an enzyme production by recombinant Escherichia coli, in V = 3.0 dm3 bioreactor systems with V(R) = 1.65 dm3 working volume at air inlet rate of Q(o)/V(R) = 0.5 dm3 dm(-3) min(-1) and agitation rate of N = 500 min(-1) oxygen transfer conditions, at T = 37 degrees C, pH(o) = 7.2, and C(FHUB) = 0 and 0.1 mM, in a glucose-based defined medium. As FHUB did not influence the metabolism, specific enzyme activity values obtained with and without FHUB were close to each other; however, because of the slight decrease in oxygen transfer coefficient, slightly lower volumetric enzyme activity and cell concentrations were obtained. However, when FHUB is compared with widely used silicon oil based Antifoam A, with the use of the FHUB, higher physical oxygen transfer coefficient (K(L)a) values are obtained. Moreover, as the amount required for the foam control is very low, minute changes in the working volume of the bioreactor were obtained indicating the high potential of the use of FHUB as an antifoaming agent as well as a foam-reducing agent.     

The Stability in Two Measures of Axially Compressed Elastic Cylinders

Two nonnegative integral functionals are taken as measures of deviation of the basic solution from a perturbed one. Sufficient conditions of stability in selected measures are obtained for the zero solution of the linearized equation of motion for isotropic elastic bodies acted upon by "dead" surface forces. The method of integral estimates is used to determine the critical values of the loading parameters. Such values are found for an axially compressed cylindrical body made of a standard material of the second order under various end conditions     

Effect of junction constraints on rubber elasticity in multiaxial states of stress

The strains obtained in an amorphous polymer network subject to multiaxial states of stress are calculated according to a recent molecular theory which takes account of constraints on junctions in real networks. Experimental measurements for biaxial states of stress, for pure shear superposed on tension, and for combined torsion and simple extension, are seen to compare favorably with the predictions of the theory.     

Impact of sourcing flexibility on the outsourcing of services under demand uncertainty

This paper investigates the relationship between market conditions and the value and use of sourcing flexibility for service processes. We develop and analyze a series of models, and we derive expressions for the optimal switching decision, the value of the option to outsource, the value of the option to backsource, and the probability and timing of switches between the alternative sources.     

Tunable THz wave absorption by graphene-assisted plasmonic metasurfaces based on metallic split ring resonators

Journal of Nanoparticle Research - La(Ni0.75W0.25)O3 perovskite oxide was prepared via the sol–gel Pechini route. The pure crystalline phase was verified via X-ray diffraction measurements...     

Dynamics of Miniature and High-Compliance Structures: Experimental Characterization and Modeling

Experimental Mechanics - The dynamic behavior of miniature and high-compliance structures is critical for their performance. However, their low stiffness and inertia bring significant challenges to...     

Experimental modal analysis for microelectromechanical systems

The structural dynamics behavior of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which include moving, overhung, and compliant subcomponents, plays a pivotal role in determining their performance and reliability. Traditionally, experimental modal analysis is used to characterize the dynamic behavior of structures, as well as to derive, validate, update, and correct analytical and numerical models. Due to their small size, however, conventional modal testing methods cannot be directly applied to microstructures. In this paper we provide an overview of modal testing techniques for microsystems. A particular experimental modal analysis methodology that includes base excitation via a piezoelectric shaker and measurement through a laser interferometer is then described and evaluated. A distinguishing characteristic of the methodology is its simplicity, including its simple setup and off-the-shelf components. The modal model is derived for the base excitation of microcantilever beams. The effectiveness of the methodology is illustrated through various experiments on polysilicon microcantilevers for different geometries and ambient pressures. Analysis of the damping data for different pressures has confirmed the well-documented fact that the structural damping in microsystems can be considerably less than damping arising from interaction with the ambient gases.     

An impact excitation system for repeatable,high-bandwidth modal testing of miniature structures

Miniature components and devices are increasingly seen in a myriad of applications. In general, the dynamic behavior of miniature devices is critical to their functionality and performance. However, modal testing of miniature structures poses many challenges. This paper presents a design and evaluation of an impact excitation system (IES) for repeatable, high-bandwidth, controlled-force modal testing of miniature structures. Furthermore, a dynamic model of the system is derived and experimentally validated to enable the identification of the system parameters that yield single-hit impacts with desired bandwidth and force magnitude. The system includes a small instrumented impact tip attached to a custom designed flexure-based body, an automated electromagnetic release mechanism, and various precision positioners. The excitation bandwidth and the impact force magnitude can be controlled by selecting the system parameters. The dynamic model of the system includes the structural dynamics of the flexure-based body, the electromagnetic force and the associated eddy-current damping, and the impact event. A validation study showed an excellent match between the model simulations and experiments in terms of impact force and bandwidth. The model is then used to create process maps that relate the system parameters to the number of hits (single vs. multiple), the impact force magnitudes and the excitation bandwidths. These process maps can be used to select system parameters or predict system response for a given set of parameters. A set of experiments is conducted to compare the performances of the IES and a (manual) miniature impact hammer. It is concluded that the IES significantly improves repeatability in terms of the impact bandwidth, location, and force magnitude, while providing a high excitation-bandwidth and excellent coherence values. The application of the IES is demonstrated through modal testing of a miniature contact-probe system.     

Surface Properties of Graphene Functionalized TiO2/nHA Hybrid Coatings Made on Ti6Al7Nb Alloys via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO)

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)-matrix coatings containing graphene nanosheets (GNS)-nHA were coated on Ti6Al7Nb alloys by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment for the improvement of their surface properties. Crystallographic properties, functional groups, and elemental analysis of coatings were characterized by XRD, ATR–FTIR, and EDS analysis. Surface morphological changes of the coated surfaces were investigated by AFM and SEM. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the coatings was examined by using the potentiodynamic scanning (PDS) tests under in-vitro conditions in simulated body fluid (SBF). The results showed that the GNS was successfully deposited in ceramic matrix coatings on Ti6Al7Nb alloys. Also, the microstructural observations revealed that the coatings have a porous and rough structure. The XRD and ATR–FTIR quantitative analysis have proved the appearance of HA and GNS in the coating layers. An increase in the coating thickness, surface hardness, and anatase/rutile transformation rate was determined, while the GNS ratio in the coating layers was increased. The microhardness of the nHA coating reinforced with 1.5 wt% GNS was measured at 862 HV, which was significantly higher than that of GNS-free (only nHA) coating (584 HV). The best in-vitro resistance to corrosion in SBF was observed in the nHA/1.5GNS wt% coating.