On the existence of positive solutions for a class of singular boundary value problems

In this paper, by the use of a fixed point theorem, many new necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions in C[0,1]∩C¹[0,1]∩C²(0,1) or C[0,1]∩C²(0,1) are presented for singular superlinear and sublinear second-order boundary value problems. Singularities at t=0, t=1 will be discussed.     

Investigation on crosslinking behaviors of NBR/PVC filled with anhydrous copper sulfate particles by dynamic mechanical analysis

Crosslinking behaviors of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) alloy, filled with anhydrous copper sulfate (CuSO₄) particles, were investigated for the first time by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) under hetero and isothermal modes, respectively. In the heterothermal testing, (NBR/PVC)/CuSO₄ compound showed two marked increases in the storage modulus (E′), corresponding to coordination crosslinking of NBR-CuSO₄ and self-crosslinking of NBR and PVC respectively. During the isothermal testing, a dramatic increase in E′ was found at the initial stage while that of original NBR/PVC alloy was not detected. The marked increase in E′ of (NBR/PVC)/CuSO₄ compound was mainly due to the crosslinking induced by coordination between  CN and Cu²⁺. The increasing extent of E′ increased with the rise of CuSO₄ content, suggesting the formation of a greater number of crosslinks. Moreover, the activation energy (E_a) of crosslinking process was about 139 kJ/mol. In this work, fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) and equilibrium swelling method were also performed for the characterization of the compound. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 41–51, 2007     

L-functions of second-order cusp forms

We discuss equivalent definitions of holomorphic second-order cusp forms and prove bounds on their Fourier coefficients. We also introduce their associated L-functions, prove functional equations for twisted versions of these L-functions and establish a criterion for a Dirichlet series to originate from a second order form. In the last section we investigate the effect of adding an assumption of periodicity to this criterion. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification Primary—11F12, 11F66 G. Mason: Research supported in part by NSF Grant DMS 0245225. C. O’Sullivan: Research supported in part by PSC CUNY Research Award No. 65453-00 34.     

Mechanical analysis on rocket propellants

The mechanical properties of solid rocket propellants are very important for good functioning of rocket motors. During use and storage the mechanical properties of rocket propellants are changing, due to chemical and mechanical influences such as thermal reactions, oxidation reactions or vibrations. These influences can result in malfunctioning, leading to an unwanted explosion of the rocket motor. Most of modern rocket propellants consist of a polymer matrix (i.e. HTPB) filled with a crystalline material (i.e. AP, AN). However, the more conventional double base propellants consist of a solid gel matrix with additives, such as stabilizers. Both materials show a mechanical behaviour, quite similar to that of general polymers. To describe the material behaviour of both propellants a linear visco-elastic theory is often used to describe the mechanical behaviour for small deformations. Because the time-temperature dependency is also valid for these materials a mastercurve can be constituted. With this mastercurve the response properties (stiffness) under extreme conditions can be determined. At TNO-PML a mastercurve of a double base propellant was constituted using dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) and compared with a mastercurve reduced from conventional (static) stress relaxation tests. The mechanical properties of this double base propellant determined by DMA were compared with conventional (quasi-static) tensile test results. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Water absorption of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A/1,3-bisaminomethylcyclohexane (DGEBA/1,3-BAC) epoxy resin system

The diffusive and dynamic mechanical behavior of the DGEBA/1,3-BAC epoxy resin system was studied during water absorption. The diffusion of water was investigated at 100% relative humidity, by immersion of specimens in water at 60, 80 and 100°C. In all absorption experiments, water diffusion followed Fick's law. Diffusion coefficients and saturated water concentrations are given for these temperatures. The activation energy for diffusion was determined from the relationship between the diffusion coefficient and the reciprocal of the absolute temperature. The value obtained was 31.2 kJ mol^–1. Dynamic mechanical analysis of samples immersed in 100°C water and with various water contents showed both a shift of T_g, defined by thetan peak, to lower temperatures and a slight decrease in the dynamic modulus in the presence of water. These effects are probably a result of plasticization.This work was supported by the Xunta de Galicia through grant XUGA-17201A92.     

Dynamic stability of carbonyl ylides

The non- and fluorine-substituted singlet carbonyl ylides are studied by using ab initio MCSCF calculations. The thermodynamic stability of the carbonyl ylides and the intramolecular stability to isomerization or fragmentation reaction coordinates is demonstrated in terms of the topological structure of the ab initio potential energy surfaces. The allylic resonance is found to be dynamically unstable, considering out-of-plane vibrational mode. The instability is studied by the symmetries of the low-lying excitations out of the MCSCF wave function.     

Thermoanalytische Charakterisierung Strahlengehärteter Polymerfilme

Thermo-oxidative and thermo-mechanical stabilities of radiation-cured acrylates and epoxides were examined by TG, DMA and DSC.The polymeric trifunctional acrylates PETIA, TMPTA and THEIC displayed the highest temperatures of onset of degradation. The high crosslinking density of the films resulted in an almost temperature-independent complex E-modulus, as measured by DMA. With increasing degree of ethoxylation or propoxylation of the monomers, decreases in thermal stability and strength were found. For difunctional polymeric acrylates and epoxides, the glass transition temperature was measured.The average degree of curing of UV-cured epoxy films can be determined from the temperature of the maximum in the loss modulus (E_max.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The application of the concept of reaction layer to the study of electrode processes coupled with the second-order chemical reactions at microelectrodes under steady-state conditions

Under steady-state conditions, the current equations of the second-order EC, ECE and DISPI reactions at microdisk, microspherical and microring electrodes are derived with the aid of the concept of the reaction layer. The conditions under which these equations would be valid are also discussed. Using these equations, methods to determine the kinetic parameters for the second-order EC, ECE and DISPI reactions are presented. The reduction of 2,6-diphenyl-pyrylium cation and oxidation of triphenylamine were investigated as examples of the second-order EC and ECE reactions.     

Complexation of an acrylic resin by tertiary amines: synthesis and characterisation of new binders for antifouling paints

Antifouling coatings are the most reliable way to prevent biofouling of immersed surfaces. As concerning the high toxicity of organotin paints, the tendency is the development of coatings, which do not present environmental risks. In this work, we prepare binders from modification of acrylic copolymers containing free carboxylic acid groups. Biocides chosen are tertiary ammonium salts; alkyl chain substituents with different length are considered. The chemical modifications of resins are carried out via a single step reaction. Modification extents are monitored through proton nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis and the modified resins are characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature of the acrylate systems is assessed by dynamical mechanical analysis (pin point method) and compared with data obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. The erosion and antifouling properties of the binders are followed during an exposure to marine environment by a visual observation.