Modeling of the Crosstalk Phenomenon by Bilateral Coupling of the Non-Stationary Maxwell Equations and the Circuit Equations

In this paper, we introduce a general modeling approach for the crosstalk phenomenon within electro-magnetic systems. We model the phenomenon by bilateral coupling of two sets of differential equations, namely non-stationary Maxwell equations and circuit equations. Considering these two sets of equations as input-output systems, the bilateral coupling approach connects the output of one system to the input of the other system and conversely, via coupling and re-coupling relations. The coupling of these two sets leads to a set of partial differential-algebraic equations modeling the crosstalk phenomenon. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Rheological behavior of suspensions of modified and unmodified cellulose nanocrystals in dimethyl sulfoxide

The rheological behavior of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and modified CNC (mCNC) suspensions in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was investigated. The efficiency of the surface modification of CNCs by grafting an organic acid chloride to produce hydrophobic CNCs has been verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thermal degradation temperature of the mCNCs was found to be 165 versus 275 °C for CNCs. The CNC suspensions in DMSO at 70 °C underwent gelation at very low concentration (1 wt%) after 1 day. The network formation was temperature sensitive and did not occur at room temperature. For gels containing 3 wt% CNCs, the complex viscosity at 70 °C increased by almost four decades after 1 day. For the mCNCs in DMSO, a weak gel was formed from the first day and temperature did not affect the gelation. Finally, the effect of adding 10 wt% of polylactide (PLA) to the solvent on the rheological properties of CNC and mCNC suspensions was investigated. The properties of suspensions containing 1.9 wt% CNCs and mCNCs increased during the first and second days, and PLA did not prevent gel formation. However, the reduced viscosity and storage modulus of the CNC and mCNC gels with PLA were lower than those of samples without PLA.     

Rheological,morphological and mechanical properties of flax fiber polypropylene composites: influence of compatibilizers

In this work, the rheological, mechanical and morphological properties of flax fiber polypropylene composites were investigated. The effect of incorporating a polypropylene grafted acrylic acid or a polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride on these properties has been studied as well. According to scanning electron microscopic observations and tensile tests, the addition of a compatibilizer improved the interfacial adhesion between the flax fibers and the polymer matrix. The tensile modulus of composite containing 30 wt% flax fibers was improved by 200 % and the tensile strength improved by 60 % in comparison with the neat PP. Plasticizing effect of the compatibilizers as a result of their lower melt flow index was also shown to decrease the rheological properties of the composites, even though the effect was not pronounced on the mechanical properties.     

Optimization of Fatty Acid Determination in Selected Fish and Microalgal Oils

The use of ten fatty acid methyl ester reference standards coupled with a detailed quantification method was shown to significantly optimize the fatty acid determination of selected fish and microalgal oils when compared to methods that use only one reference standard (C19:0 or C23:0) as a relative response factor. When using the mixture of ten reference standards after transesterifying oils with NaOH/BF₃, determination of total fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid improved by an average of 7.3, 11.5 and 8.4%, respectively. Furthermore, improvements of 13.9, 18.9 and 6.8% of total fatty acids, EPA and DHA, respectively, were obtained when using the mixture of reference standards for fatty acid determination after directly extracting and transesterifying oil contained in microalgal cells with a mixture of methanol, HCl and chloroform. Fatty acid methyl ester standards dissolved in isooctane showed <5% variability throughout 130 days of stability testing when stored at ?20 °C. The optimized method can be used for improving the quantification of fatty acids in both oils (fish and microalgal oils) and dry microalgal cells.     

Modeling of the Crosstalk Phenomenon within Electro-Magnetic Systems from a Differential-Algebraic Equations Point of View

In this paper, we consider modeling of the crosstalk phenomenon in electro-magnetic systems and, in particular, in electrical circuit where electrical devices such as inductors, capacitors, and resistors are located closely together. In principle, we model the crosstalk phenomenon by bilateral coupling of two fundamental components: Electro-magnetic induction and dynamical behavior of the electrical circuit. First, in order to describe the electro-magnetic induction the Maxwell equations are presented. Then, to prescribe dynamical behavior of the circuit we introduce the modified nodal analysis system which is derived by the circuit equations. Finally suitable coupling relations will be outlined. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

One‐Pot Four‐Component Synthesis of Thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines via Sequential Gewald/Cyclocondensation Reactions

A one‐pot four‐component synthesis of thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines via sequential Gewald/cyclocondensation reactions is described. 2‐Aminothiophene‐3‐carbonitriles obtained from the Gewald reaction between cyclic ketones, malononitrile, and sulfur underwent a condensation? cyclization reaction with benzonitriles under solvent‐free conditions to afford the title compounds in excellent yields.