Mean wave propagation in a slab of one-dimensional discrete random medium

A study has been made of the propagation of time harmonic waves through a one-dimensional medium of discrete scatterers randomly positioned over a finite interval L. The random medium is modeled by a Poisson impulse process with density λ. The invariant imbedding procedure is employed to obtain a set of initial value stochastic differential equations for the field inside the medium and the reflection coefficient of the layer. By using the Markov properties of the Poisson impulse process. exact integro-differential equations of the Kolmogorov-Feller type are derived for the probability density function of the reflection coefficient and the field. When the concentration of the scatterers is low, a two variable perturbation method in small λ is used to obtain an approximate solution for the mean field. It is shown that this solution, which varies exponentially with respect to λL, agrees exactly with the mean field obtained by Feldy's approximate method.     

Copolymer Networks From Oligo(ε‐caprolactone) and n‐Butyl Acrylate Enable a Reversible Bidirectional Shape‐Memory Effect at Human Body Temperature

Exploiting the tremendous potential of the recently discovered reversible bidirectional shape‐memory effect (rbSME) for biomedical applications requires switching temperatures in the physiological range. The recent strategy is based on the reduction of the melting temperature range (ΔT _m) of the actuating oligo(ε‐caprolactone) (OCL) domains in copolymer networks from OCL and n‐butyl acrylate (BA), where the reversible effect can be adjusted to the human body temperature. In addition, it is investigated whether an rbSME in the temperature range close or even above T_m,offset (end of the melting transition) can be obtained. Two series of networks having mixtures of OCLs reveal broad ΔT_ms from 2 °C to 50 °C and from −10 °C to 37 °C, respectively. In cyclic, thermomechanical experiments the rbSME can be tailored to display pronounced actuation in a temperature interval between 20 °C and 37 °C. In this way, the application spectrum of the rbSME can be extended to biomedical applications.

     

Coordination chemistry of P, O-bidentate phosphinophenolates with Ga3+ and In3+

Novel complexes of Ga3+ and In3+ were synthesized with two hetero donor phosphinophenolate ligands (PO-, ortho-phenoxydiphenylphosphine; MePO-, 5-methyl-2-phenoxydiphenylphosphine). RPO-(R=H, Me) binds in a bidentate fashion through both the hard O and the soft P donor atoms to In3+, whereas, it only binds Ga3+ through the O donor. Electrochemical synthesis proved to be a practical synthetic approach to In2(PO)3Cl3, In(PO)3 and In(MePO)3. [In(MePO)(H2O)Cl2]2 and Ga(HPO)Cl3 were synthesized from MCl3(M=In and Ga, respectively). Both dimetallic indium complexes, [In(MePO)(H2O)Cl2]2 and In2(PO)3Cl3, incorporate phenolate oxygen atoms bridging the two metal ions. Each pair of In atoms are in a distorted octahedral geometry in each complex, with the former complex having a coordination sphere of PO3Cl2 for both indium metal ions and the latter showing a coordination sphere of PO3Cl2 for one indium and P2O3Cl for the other. Ga(HPO)Cl3 is a zwitterionic complex, with Ga having a OCl3 coordination core. All these complexes were fully characterized by a variety of techniques including X-ray crystallography.     

Electromagnetic properties and microwave absorbing characteristics of doped barium hexaferrite

M-type barium hexaferrite BaFe_12−x(Mn_0.5Cu_0.5Ti)_x/2O₁₉ (x varying from 0 to 3 in steps of 1) have been synthesized by the usual ceramic sintering method. The ferrite powders possess hexagonal shape and are well separated from one another. The powder of these ferrites were mixed with polyvinylchloride plasticizer to be converted in to a microwave absorbing composite. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), ac susceptometer, vibrating sample magnetometer, and vector network analyzer were used to analyze its structure, electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties. The results showed that, the magnetoplumbite structures for all the samples have been formed. The sample having higher magnetic susceptibility and coercivity exhibits a larger microwave absorbing ability. Also, the present investigation demonstrates that microwave absorber using BaFe_12−x (Mn_0.5Cu_0.5Ti)_x/2O₁₉ (x=2$x=2$ and 3)/polyvinylchloride can be fabricated for the applications over 15 GHz, with reflection loss more than −25 dB for specific frequencies, by controlling the molar ratio of the substituted ions.     

One-pot syntheses, coordination, and characterization of application-specific biodegradable ligand-polymers

Syntheses and chelation of tailored biodegradable polymers to rhenium for medicinal applications are described. A group of bifunctional ligand-initiators consisting of a chelating end for metal complexation and a hydroxyl end suitable to initiate polymerization was utilized in the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide. The resulting biodegradable ligand-polymers were equipped with a tridentate donor set to coordinate specific metal ions. All synthesized compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy, 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, confirming successful polymerization and coordination to the [Re(CO)(3)](+) core. The pliability of designing application-specific polymers with respect to the nature of the metal ion facilitates extending the application of these biodegradable polymers to early detection of diseases (imaging) and radiotherapy of cancers.     

The Role of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and MgO Additives on the Photoluminescence Properties of Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanoparticles

The current research addressed synthesizing and studying photoluminescence studies of β-Si₃N₄ nanoparticles. The effect of MgO and Y₂O₃ as the typical additives on photoluminescence behaviour was evaluated. The β-Si₃N₄ with MgO and Y₂O₃ additive specimens were fabricated by a solid state technique (ball-milled method). The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction technique, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman analysis. The results showed that after ball-milled process, hexagonal β-Si₃N₄ with MgO or Y₂O₃ as the additives with the size distribution of 45–50 nm was obtained. The optical properties of the as-synthesized product were also investigated by photoluminescence and diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The obtained results confirmed that employing MgO as an additive, in comparison to the Y₂O₃, could enhance emission properties in the synthesized silicon nitride nanoparticles. The obtained results also showed that MgO–Si₃N₄ pair acted as FRET system to enhance the emission intensity of β-Si₃N₄ nanoparticles.     

Formation and characterisation of NiAl‐Ti coating on nickel‐based superalloy B1900

Alumina‐former coatings have been known as the best surface engineering approach to combat high temperature corrosion in gas turbine industry. In this investigation, attempts have been made to obtain a titanium‐modified aluminide coating with improved protective properties. Modification has been achieved by introducing titanium in the coating composition by a two‐stage coating treatment; titanium coating and subsequent aluminising. The modified coatings were characterised and compared with simple aluminides by means of electron metallography, depth elemental profiling and x‐ray diffraction techniques. Experimental results indicated that pre‐titanising diffusion treatment is an effective route to modify chemical composition of simple aluminide coating. The final microstructure of the coating was β‐NiAl matrix with titanium‐bearing precipitates mainly distributed in near surface layers. The mechanism of the coating formation is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of carbon nanotubes on the corrosion and tribological behavior of electroless Ni-P-CNT composite coating

In this study, Ni-P-CNT composite coating was successfully deposited on the surface of copper by electroless plating. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the coatings. The wear behavior of the coatings was investigated using a pin-on-disk test rig and subsequently friction coefficient data were reported. The corrosion behavior of the Ni-P and Ni-P-CNT coated specimen were evaluated through polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution at the room temperature. The results indicated that the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the coating improved both tribological behavior and corrosion resistance. These improvements have been attributed to superior mechanical properties, unique topological structure and high chemical stability of nanotubes.