Sign-Changing Solutions and Multiple Solutions Theorems for Semilinear Elliptic Boundary Value Problems with a Reaction Term Nonzero at Zero

In this paper, we use the ordinary differential equation theory of Banach spaces and minimax theory, in particular, the local mountain pass lemma to study asymptotically linear and superlinear elliptic boundary value problems with a reaction term nonzero at zero, and get new multiple solutions and sign-changing solutions theorems. Moreover, the sign-changing solutions change sign exactly once under some conditions.     

Field analysis based on the smoothly deformed Bragg fiber

A new kind of smoothly deformed Bragg fiber structure has been proposed in this paper, and the mode field characteristics about this fiber have been analyzed. By comparing the field at different coordinates along the propagation direction, the evolution of the field for the elliptical transverse faces and the circular one is obtained. The method has also been used to detect the behavior of the elliptical Gaussian beam. This research method can be used to analyze the thermal deformation of fiber.     

Statistical dynamics of early river networks

Based on local erosion rule and fluctuations in rainfall, geology and parameters of a river channel, a generalized Langevin equation is proposed to describe the random prolongation of a river channel. This equation is transformed into the Fokker–Plank equation to follow the early evolution of a river network and the variation of probability distribution of channel lengths. The general solution of the equation is in the product form of two terms. One term is in power form and the other is in exponent form. This distribution shows a complete history of a river network evolving from its infancy to “adulthood”). The infancy is characterized by the Gaussian distribution of the channel lengths, while the adulthood is marked by a power law distribution of the channel lengths. The variation of the distribution from the Gaussian to the power law displays a gradual developing progress of the river network. The distribution of basin areas is obtained by means of Hack’s law. These provide us with new understandings towards river networks.     

Plasma treatment of carbon fibers: Non-equilibrium dynamic adsorption and its effect on the mechanical properties of RTM fabricated composites

The effect of oxygen plasma treatment on the non-equilibrium dynamic adsorption of the carbon fabric reinforcements in RTM process was studied. 5-Dimethylamino-1-naphthalene-sulfonylchloride (DNS-Cl) was attached to the curing agent to study the change of curing agent content in the epoxy resin matrix. Steady state fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) analysis was used to study this changes in the epoxy resin at the inlet and outlet of the RTM mould, and XPS was used to study the chemical changes on the carbon fiber surfaces introduced by plasma treatment. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexural strength were also measured to study the effects of this non-equilibrium dynamic adsorption progress on the mechanical properties of the end products. FS analysis shows that the curing agent adsorbed onto the fiber surface preferentially for untreated carbon fiber, the curing agent content in the resin matrix maintain unchanged after plasma treatment for 3 min and 5 min, but after oxygen plasma treatment for 7 min, the epoxy resin adsorbed onto the fiber surface preferentially. XPS analysis indicated that the oxygen plasma treatment successfully increased some polar functional groups concentration on the carbon fiber surfaces, this changes on the carbon fiber surfaces can change the adsorption ability of carbon fiber to the resin and curing agent. The mechanical properties of the composites were correlated to this results.     

Chiral separation of (R,S)-2-phenyl-1-propanol through cellulose acetate butyrate membranes

As the cellulose acetate butyrate possessed multichiral carbon atoms in its molecular structure unit, enantioselective membrane was prepared using cellulose acetate butyrate as membrane material. The flux and permselective properties of membrane using aqueous solutions of (R,S)-2-phenyl-1-propanol as feed solution was studied. The top surface and cross-section morphology of the resulting membranes were examined by scanning electron microscopy. When the membrane was prepared with 15 wt.% cellulose acetate butyrate and 20 wt.% DMF in the casting solution, and the operating pressure and feed concentration of racemate were 2 kgf/cm² and 5 mmol/L, respectively, over 98% of enantiomeric excess (e.e.) was obtained. This is a report, for the first time, that the cellulose acetate butyrate is used as optical resolution membrane material for isolating the optical isomers of (R,S)-2-phenyl-1-propanol.     

Effects of air dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment time on surface properties of PBO fiber

In this paper, the effects of air dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment time on surface properties of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber were investigated. The surface characteristics of PBO fiber before and after the plasma treatments were analyzed by dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). DCA measurements indicated that the surface wettability of PBO fiber was improved significantly by increasing the fiber surface free energy via air DBD plasma treatments. The results were confirmed by the improvement of adhesion of a kind of thermoplastic resin to PBO fiber which was observed by SEM, showing that more resin was adhering evenly to the fiber surface. AFM measurement revealed that the surface topography of PBO fiber became more complicated and the surface roughness was greatly enhanced after the plasma treatments, and XPS analysis showed that some new polar groups (e.g. OCO) were introduced on plasma treated PBO fiber surface. The results of this study also showed that the surface properties of PBO fiber changed with the elongation of plasma treatment time.