Crosslinking network of bio‐based bis‐functional epoxides derived from trans‐limonene oxide

The thiol‐ene reaction between trans‐limonene oxide (trans‐LO) and ethane‐1,2‐dithiol in the presence of triethylborane affords a bio‐based bis‐functional epoxide (bis‐trans‐LO). The crosslinking reaction of bis‐trans‐LO with branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI; M_n = 600; BPEI₆₀₀) at a feed ratio of bis‐trans‐LO/BPEI₆₀₀ = 57/43 (wt/wt) yields the corresponding network polymer with T_d10 (10% thermal decomposition temperature) of 304.7 °C in 98% yield. In contrast, negligible amounts of network polymer are obtained by the reaction of bis‐LO (bis‐functional epoxide derived from cis and trans‐LO) and BPEI₆₀₀ regardless of the feed ratio. The mechanical strengths as measured by direct tensile tests of the network polymers derived from bis‐trans‐LO and BPEI_600,1800 (M_n = 600 and 1800) were approximately 16 and 11 times higher than that of bis‐LO and BPEI₁₈₀₀, respectively. The tensile shear strengths of the metal‐to‐metal adhesive bonds induced by bis‐trans‐LO and BPEI_600,1800 were 9.5 and 14.1 MPa, respectively. DMA revealed that the storage modulus of the network polymer derived from bis‐trans‐LO and BPEI₁₈₀₀ in the rubber region was higher than that of the material prepared from bis‐LO and BPEI₁₈₀₀, indicating higher crosslink density of the bis‐trans‐LO/BPEI₁₈₀₀ system. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2466–2473     

Analysis method of the angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory activity based on micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

A micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method was developed for estimating the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity by separating the hippuric acid liberated in the ACE reaction mixture in the presence of an inhibitor, captopril. The hippuric acid was successfully separated and detected by MEKC with a 25 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate solution in a 25 mM phosphate-50 mM borate buffer at pH 7.0; the total analysis took about 5 min. A good linear relationship was observed between the inhibitor and the peak area of hippuric acid release. No significant difference in the ACE inhibitory activity (IC50) of captopril (an antihypertensive medicine) or autolyzed-mushrooms (functional foods) was observed between the conventional method and the MEKC method. The MEKC method was found to be a useful technique for a rapid assay of the ACE inhibitory activity.     

Multimode optical fiber demultiplexer-star coupler using a single gradient-index-rod lens and a multi-facet grating

An optical fiber multi-function device consisting of a single gradient-index-rod lens and a multi-facet blazed reflection grating is proposed to simultaneously realize functions of wavelength demultiplexing and optical signal distribution in a multimode optical fiber transmission system. We analyzed the demultiplexing characteristics and the tolerance of optical components using the ray trace method. This device can realize not only low loss optical signal distribution but also offers improved demultiplexing characteristics in comparison with the previously proposed demultiplexer-multiposition switch. The following characteristics are expected from the design using commercially available optical components: a working band of 0.64–0.88 μm, channel separation of 34–36 nm, 3 dB bandwidth of 27–28 nm, channel cross-talk of less than - 40 dB and minimum excess insertion loss of 0.9–2.1 dB.     

THE DESIGNS OF HIGH EFFICIENCY LAUNCHER OF QUASI-OPTICAL MODE CONVERTER FOR HIGH POWER GYROTRONS

A high efficiency launcher of quasi-optical (QO) mode converters for high power gyrotrons have been designed and tested. A helical cut launcher radiates the RF power via its straight cut onto the first phase correcting mirror. The launchers have been optimized for the TE_31.8 mode at 170 GHz and TE_22.6 mode at 110 GHz by numerically optimizing a launcher surface. The helical cut of the launcher has been optimized by taking the taper angle into account. Further more, the amplitude of the surface perturbation have been optimized for improved focusing in order to reduce the diffraction losses at the helical cut. Low power measurement shows a good agreement with the design. High efficiency characteristics of the design have also been calculated on the assumption of frequency downshift due to the thermal expansion of the cavity and stepwise frequency tuning by changing the operating mode. Besides, the possibility of high efficiency launcher for higher mode is discussed, and these results give the prospect to high efficiency long pulse gyrotrons.     

Effect of annealing on structure and permeability of poly [(l-trimethylsilyl)-l-propyne]

The permeability of annealed poly (l-(trimethylsilyl)-l-propyne) was studied from the viewpoint of structural information obtained from x-ray diffraction and density. The sample cast from benzene solution had low density (0.82 g/cm³) and high permeability, whereas the annealed sample had a higher density (0.88 g/cm³) and permeability lower by two orders of magnitude. The smaller-angle x-ray diffraction peak for each sample, which was likely to reflect the distance between intermolecular chains, increased in intensity and shifted toward higher angle, corresponding to the change of the density with annealing. The logarithmic oxygen permeability was proportional to the density, namely the free volume fraction correlated with the diffusion coefficient and controlled by annealing and swelling by alcohols.     

Group symmetry in tensor categories and duality for orbifolds

A duality for orbifolds is presented as an application of group extensions in tensor categories.