Arenesulfonyl bromides: The second universal class of functional initiators for the metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methacrylates,acrylates, and styrenes

The metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate, n‐butyl acrylate, and styrene, initiated with p‐toluenesulfonyl bromide and phenoxybenzene‐4,4′‐disulfonyl bromide and catalyzed with CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) and various self‐regulated Cu‐based catalytic systems such as Cu₂O/bpy, Cu₂S/bpy, Cu₂Se/bpy, and Cu₂Te/bpy, is reported. Similarities and differences between the arenesulfonyl chloride and arenesulfonyl bromide initiators are discussed. The arenesulfonyl bromide initiators require reduced reaction times to produce polymers in high conversions under milder reaction conditions than the corresponding arenesulfonyl chloride initiators. At the same time, they exhibit 100% initiator efficiency and generate polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and functional chain ends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 319–330, 2005     

Spin wave spectrum of a magnonic crystal with an internally structured defect

We report a theoretical investigation of the spin wave spectrum of a magnonic crystal with a defect. The latter is considered as either a single or double layer with parameters (the values of the uniaxial anisotropy and/or layer thickness) different from those of the constituent layers of the magnonic crystal. It is shown that, depending upon the parameters of the defect, the spectrum may contain either one or several additional discrete (localized) modes within the magnonic band gaps, or even a mini-band of those.     

Detection of mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta using MRI

Mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta are rare cardiovascular lesions that carry the risk of potentially disastrous complications such as aortic rupture or widespread sepsis. Regardless of its location in the arterial system, this lesion carries a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis of mycotic pseudoaneurysm is paramount for optimizing the chances of surgical therapy. While imaging strategies of this lesion have included aortography, echocardiography, and computed tomography, the information gained from each of these individual studies may be acquired in a single MR imaging session. MRI offers the fundamental advantages of noninvasiveness, nonionization, and multiplanar imaging capabilities. Additionally, MRI provides excellent soft tissue contrast, a wide field of view, qualitative and quantitative flow analysis, and an independence of operator expertise or patient body habitus.     

Non-Contact Eddy Current Excitation Method for Vibration Testing

When a conductive material is subjected to a time changing magnetic field, eddy currents are induced in that structure. The eddy currents circulate inside the conductor resulting in a magnetic field that interacts with the applied field. The eddy current field is such that it opposes the change in flux resulting in a force between the source and conductor. The time changing magnetic field necessary to induce an electrometric force in the materials can be generated through a variety of different ways. In the present study, a permanent magnet will be mounted to the tip of an electromagnetic shaker such that the motion of the magnet relative to the structure will cause a time changing field and the formation of eddy currents. The actuator will be demonstrated to be beneficial due to its ability to apply actuation forces without contacting the structure. This study will show that the non-contact nature of the system eliminates mass loading and added stiffness which are downfalls of traditional excitation techniques. Additionally, it will be shown that the use of a non-contact device preserves the mode shapes of the structure, whereas a stinger results in distortions due to the added constraint. Using this concept, a model of the actuation system will be developed, allowing the beams response to be simulated. The actuation system will then be used to excite a cantilever beam to obtain the modal parameters without contacting the structure. The novel non-contact actuation system developed in this paper provides a new method performing vibration testing of on lightweight or flexible structures while preserving their dynamics.     

Site selection NMR study on electronic state in and near vortex core of YBa2Cu4O8

We report a site-selective ¹⁷O spin-lattice relaxation rate T₁⁻¹ in the vortex state of YBa₂Cu₄O₈. We found that T₁⁻¹ at the planar sites exhibits an unusual nonmonotonic NMR frequency dependence. Based on T₁⁻¹ in the vortex core region, we establish strong evidence that the local density of states within the vortex core is strongly reduced.     

Studies of degradation enhancement of polystyrene by flame retardant additives

Experimental methods as well as thermodynamic modeling techniques were utilized to explore potential gas and condensed-phase contributions of various flame retardant (FR) additives with polystyrene polymer. FR additives investigated include hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), triphenyl phosphine oxide (TPPO), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), triphenyl phosphine sulfide (TPPS), and sulfur. Flame studies of fundamental FR activity were also employed using molecular beam mass spectrometry analysis of FR active species directly in a flame system. The flame studies show direct evidence for active bromine (HBr, Br) species for HBCD and active phosphorous species (HPO₂, PO, PO₂ HPO₃) species for TPPO and TPP which provide high potential for gas-phase activity for these FR additives. Various experimental measurements were also done to assess the degradation species and the degree of degradation of polystyrene by the FR additives. These studies support enhanced degradation of the base polystyrene polymer by the FR additive as a major pathway for condensed FR activity for HBCD and sulfur FR additives. Phosphorous based structures appear to show little enhancement of polystyrene degradation.     

Causality study and numerical response of the magnetic permeability as a function of the frequency of ferrites using Kramers-Kronig relations

In this paper, the numerical treatment of magnetic loss of NiZn, MnZn, Ni₂Y, and NiZnCu ferrite and their composites, by using Krameres-Kronig relations, is investigated. The complex magnetic permeability spectra for ferromagnetic materials have been studied. Due to the principle of causality and time independence in the relation between magnetic induction B and magnetic field H, the real and the imaginary part of the complex magnetic permeability are mutually dependent, and the correlation is given by the Krameres-Kronig equations. Through them, it is possible to measure the real component of the complex magnetic permeability, assuming the real component is given, and by the Hilbert transform, the imaginary part of the magnetic permeability can be calculated. Magnetic circuit model has been studied theoretically, focusing on the model's poles in the complex plane to verify the principle of causality and the temporary independence.     

A 2‐fold Interpenetrated Framework based on Tetranuclear Heterometallic Cluster: Synthesis,Structure and Magnetic Properties

A 2‐fold parallel interpenetrated polymer, ZnCo(OH)(pheno)(p‐BDC)_1.5·H₂O ( 1 ) (pheno = phenanthrene‐9,10‐dione; p‐BDC = 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate) has been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis, ICP and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca and affords a three‐dimensional (3D) six‐connected α‐Po network. The magnetic behavior for 1 was studied in the temperature range of 1.8‐300 K.     

Long-term prediction of compressive creep development in expanded polystyrene

The results obtained in investigating the creep of expanded polystyrene (EPS) boards under compressive stress are presented. Power and exponential equations were used for describing creep compliance. It was found that the curves of creep compliance approximated by both equations adequately represent the research results, taking into account the scatter of the experimental data. Based on the calculation and empirical estimate of long-term creep of EPS under compressive stress σ_c=(0.25–0.45)σ_10%, its creep compliance was determined for a period of 10 years in the future. The dependence of on the density of polystyrene boards and the value of long-term compressive stress σ_c was established. The expected values of creep strain development in expanded polystyrene boards EPS 80–EPS 250 under constant compressive stress σ_c=(0.25–0.45)σ_10% are presented for the prediction period of 10 years. To obtain the expected creep values for any other period of time in the interval of 5T50 years, the values of should be multiplied by the empirical coefficient .