Laser ultrasonic receivers based on organic photorefractive polymer composites

We present two laser ultrasonic receivers based on organic photorefractive polymer composites with 2-[4-bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminobenzylidene]malononitrile (AODCST) or 2-dicyanomethylen-3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl-4-(4′-dihexylaminophenyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran nonlinear optical chromophores. Experimental results show sensitivities of the ultrasonic receivers of ~9.5 × 10^?8 nm (W/Hz)^0.5 for both composites, and a faster response time (~60 ms) for the AODCST-based laser ultrasonic receiver. We show that such LUS detectors are highly suitable for contactless thickness measurements of aluminum, steel sheets and defect detection with an accuracy of 100 μm.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new fluorescent macrocycles: A novel fluorescent chemosensor for zinc ion

Two new macrocyclic systems (L¹, L²) containing two emissive naphthalene were synthesized and characterized. The macrocycles were studied by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HMQC, DEPT, microanalysis and mass spectroscopy. The influence of metal cations Na⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺ on the spectroscopic properties of the macrocyclic systems in acetonitrile/DMF 9:1 (v/v) mixtures were investigated by means of absorption and emission spectrophotometry. The macrocycle L¹ was found to be as an effective fluorescence sensor for Zn²⁺ ions. Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions show the most effects on the fluorescence intensity of L².     

Preparation,heat treatment and photoluminescence properties of V-doped ZnO–SiO2–B2O3 glasses

Four glasses in ZnO–SiO₂–B₂O₃ ternary system were prepared by the melt quenching method with the objective of optimizing sub-nanosecond emission over the UV region of zinc borosilicate glasses used in superfast scintillators. The effect of vanadium addition and heat treatment on phase formation, microstructure and photoluminescence properties of the glasses was characterized by means of DTA, XRD, SEM and fluorescence spectrophotometer. Vanadium contributed to the near-band-edge emission in two ways, by introducing donor levels in the energy band of ZnO particles and by facilitating the precipitation of ZnO and willemite crystals. Furthermore, nucleation of willemite and zinc oxide phases, which are both the origins of the intense emission bands in the UV region, was facilitated with increasing either the time or temperature of heat treatments. Photoluminescence spectra showed the elimination of the visible emission band which is favorable in scintillating glasses.     

The numerical and experimental study of photon diffusion inside biological tissue using boundary integral method

In this study, the diffusion of photons in turbid media, like biological tissue has been studied. Due to scattering and absorption of photons in such media, the study of photon propagation in biological tissue is complicated. The several numerical methods have been presented to simulate the behavior of diffused photons. Recently, Boundary Integral Method (BIM) has been offered to simulate photon migration inside biological tissues. This method has advantage, e.g. lower computational time in compared with other numerical methods. In this study, the accuracy and precision of BIM compares with another numerical method like Monte Carlo technique and finite difference method, and also the calculated results obtained by BIM and Monte Carlo method evaluate with measured results. Furthermore, the effects of scattering and absorption coefficient of tissue on the measured signal are studied.     

Review of nanofluids for heat transfer applications

Research on nanofluids has progressed rapidly since its enhanced thermal conductivity was first repotted about a decade ago,though much controversy and inconsistency have been reported,and insufficient understanding of the formulation and mechanism of nanofluids further limits their applications.This work presents a critical review of research on heat transfer applications of nanofluids with the aim of identifying the limiting factors so as to push forward their further development.     

A new modification of false position method based on homotopy analysis method

A new modification of false position method for solving nonlinear equations is presented by applying homotopy analysis method （HAM）. Some numerical illustrations are given to show the efficiency of algorithm.     

Hardness and refractive index of Ca–Si–O–N glasses

Vickers hardness and refractive index was determined for Ca–Si–O–N glasses with 14.6–58 e/o N and 19–42 e/o Ca. By applying slow cooling rates, transparent glasses were obtained for compositions near Ca_9.94Si₁₀O_17.73N_8.14, while the majority of the glasses were opaque due to small inclusions of elemental Si and/or Ca-silicide. Determined glass densities varied between 2.80 and 3.25 g/cm³. Hardness was found to vary from 7.3 to 10.1 GPa at a load of 500 g and, respectively increase and decrease linearly with N and Ca content. The refractive index was found to increase linearly with N content from 1.62 to 1.95 and showed no significant dependence on Ca content.     

A mechanistic study on the synthesis of branched functional polyethylene through reactive co-polymer approach

The reactive co-polymer approach is one of the most promising techniques for the synthesis of functional polyolefins. Following this concept, 1-hexene and p-methylstyrene are co-polymerized in the presence of a generic Brookhart-type catalyst. The microstructures of the co-polymers imply the tendency of p-methylstyrene co-monomers to place at the end of the structural branches formed by the chain walking reaction. The molar masses of the co-polymers decrease, not only at higher levels of co-monomer but surprisingly by decreasing reaction temperature. A mechanism consisting of a highly stable η³ metal–benzyl intermediate, which is quantitatively approved by density functional theory calculations, can delicately justify all the aforementioned observations. A series of the produced co-polymers is selectively functionalized by maleic anhydride at the benzylic position of p-methylstyrene, under very mild reaction conditions. Such a reactive intermediate opens the path for the introduction of different types of functionalities in polyolefins. Namely, the grafted co-polymers were further functionalized by a triazole ring, which provides a transient supramolecular network through intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols to carbonyl compounds catalyzed by H3PW12O40/SiO2 under an O2 atmosphere

An efficient, selective and green procedure for the photocatalytic oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones has been achieved using silica-encapsulated H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ as a recyclable heterogeneous photocatalyst in acetonitrile under oxygen gas as the sole reoxidant of the catalyst.