Cr2O3 nanoparticles: A promising candidate to improve the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Ni-Co alloy coatings

This study was aimed to assess the effects of reinforcement nanoparticles content, on the microstructural features, mechanical properties, and corrosion-related properties of Ni-Co-Cr₂O₃ nanocomposite coatings. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were employed in order to evaluate the microstructural features and chemical composition of the nanocomposites. Moreover, the microhardness tester and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) tests coupled with potentiodynamic polarization measurements were used to investigate the mechanical and corrosion-related properties, respectively. Results demonstrate that albeit the volume fraction of cobalt in coating, average particle size, Cr₂O₃ nanoparticle content in coating, and microstructural features are of prime significance in determining the mentioned properties of the nanocomposite coatings, Co content is more important. Actually, Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles serve as suitable nucleation sites for Co particles deposition throughout the microstructure. Thus, combined actions of Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles incorporation and their optimal content ensures the nucleation of high population of Co particles, which significantly contributes to the improvement in the properties. The Ni-Co-8.9 wt%Cr₂O₃ nanocomposite coating exhibits the superior mechanical and corrosion-related properties.     

Theoretical modeling of thermal stress imposed by selective permeation membranes reinforced with graphene oxide

The main purpose of the present work is to study the thermal stress imposed by selective permeation hydrogel‐filled nonwoven membranes (SPHM) in various environmental conditions, including cold, moderate and hot, in view of high and low wearer activity levels. In addition, graphene oxide (GO) has been used in the matrix structure of SPHM to reduce thermal stress. Hence, a mathematical model is proposed to study one‐dimensional heat transfer through SPHM reinforced with GO. Heat transfer equation was solved using the differential quadrature method and the resulting model was verified by experiments using a dynamic heat transfer simulation apparatus. It was observed that SPHM causes a significant thermal stress, especially in hot environments, and high activity level due to the low thermal conductivity of hydrogels. The results also showed that an increase in the GO content from 0.1% up to 0.5% leads to an increase in thermal conductivity up to 85% of blank SPHM without GO. Therefore, SPHM reinforced with GO is a promising candidate for protective clothing, especially in hot environments. Also, the mathematical model can be useful in predicting thermal stress for designing SPHM‐based PCs in various environmental conditions and activity levels. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44752.     

Integrated Index for Assessment of Vulnerability to Drought,Case Study: Zayandehrood River Basin,Iran

Drought is an extended period of deficient precipitation that causes damage to crops and reducing their performance, causes temporary scarcity of water for human/livestock consumption. Over the years, various indices have been proposed to identify onset, characterize and quantify the attributes of meteorological, hydrological and agricultural drought by various researchers. Because of the spatial and temporal variability and multiple impacts of drought, it is necessary to develop an integrated index for assessment of vulnerability of this natural phenomenon. The aim of this paper is presenting an integrated index for assessment of vulnerability to drought using multiple factors which includes hydrological, meteorological, land use and other factors. Spatial information of various factors was categorized in to various sub-classes and maps were prepared in spatial domain using Geographic Information System (GIS). This study has been carried out in the Zayandehrood River basin located in west-central Iran with semi-arid region. Due to continue droughts at recent decade, this area has been chosen as a case study. The long-term climate data (1991–2011) used for assessment. The results show that Zayandehrood River basin has experienced 11 dry years, 4 normal years, and 6 wet years in the 21 years. The results have been validated with intensive field surveys.     

Improving the quality of surface in the polishing process with the magnetic abrasive powder polishing using a high-frequency induction heating source on CNC table

In this research, polishing flat surfaces has been done by using a completely new and innovative method. In this method, rotary magnetic tool that carry magnetic abrasive powders, is placed in a very strong thermal induction field, and magnetic rotary tool frequently change its direction from clockwise (CW) to counterclockwise (CCW) and CCW to CW. The frequency of changing rotation direction is an important parameter of this innovation method. The intended pieces for polishing operations have been placed on a synchronic two-axis Cartesian CNC table, and the gap between rotary magnetic tool and the sheet surface can be controlled by a power transmission screw operating in the direction of the vertical axis. Several experiments have proved high performance of the new proposed method in the process of polishing.     

Analysis of Acceleration Effect in Data Dissemination in Vehicular Networks Using Rateless Codes

Mobility models of nodes have an important role in the evaluation of data dissemination protocols in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). Many recent researches have used the constant velocity mobility models while vehicles have acceleration and their speeds change as they move. Because of the dynamic nature of VANETs, the network changes from a densely connected to the sparsely connected environment in a short time. In sparsely connected networks, it is said that vehicles move in clusters. In this paper, the constant acceleration mobility calculations for the sparsely connected network and its characteristics have been presented. These characteristics are usable for the evaluation of the data dissemination protocols in VANETs. The results show that acceleration affects the number of viewed clusters during the trip and the number of vehicles within a cluster. In fact, acceleration has a significant impact on the network sparsely connection. This matter shows that the appropriate data dissemination protocol should be used to study the acceleration effect which is applicable in sparse networks. The analysis in this research provides the necessary background for better understanding and accurate calculations for the evaluation of data dissemination in VANETs.     

Learning Automata Based Face-Aware Mobicast

Target tracking is one of the most popular applications of the wireless sensor networks. It can be accomplished using different approaches and algorithms, one of which is the spatiotemporal multicast protocol, called “mobicast”. In this protocol, it is assumed that the area around the moving target, called the delivery zone, is known at any given time during the operation of the network. The aim of the protocol is to awake sensor nodes, which will be within the delivery zone in the near future, to be prepared for tracking the approaching moving target. In this paper, we propose a novel mobicast algorithm, aiming at reducing the number of awakened sensor nodes. To this end, we equipped every sensor node with a learning automaton, which helps the node in determining the sensor nodes it must awaken. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, several experiments have been conducted. The results have shown that the proposed algorithm can significantly outperform other existing algorithms such as forward-zone constrained and FAR in terms of energy consumption, number of active nodes, number of exchanged packets and slack time.     

Elastic Properties of an Epoxy - Aluminum Interphase Measured Using an Acoustic Microscope

The interphase region in an epoxy - aluminum adhesive bond has been micromechanically characterized using a new acoustic microscope which employs a coupling fluid with a low speed of sound. A V(z) curve fitting method was used to calculate the property profiles across the interphase. The interphase region appeared to have shear and longitudinal wave speeds which were, on average, 14% and 11% larger than those of the bulk adhesive, respectively. The average interphase density was 5.5% smaller than the bulk density. The results were in conformity with a previous microscopic and nano-indentation study on the same adhesive system.     

Catalytic determination of traces of oxalic acid in vegetables and water samples using a novel optode

A new optode has been introduced for determination of oxalic acid. The optode sensing reagent is Victoria blue 4R which is immobilized on triacetylcellulose membrane. This reagent could be oxidized by dichromate in acidic media resulting in decoloration of the membrane. Oxalic acid has a strong catalytic effect on this reaction. The difference in absorbance of the immobilized form of Victoria blue 4R at 615 nm between uncatalyzed and catalyzed reactions (ΔA) is directly proportional to the concentration of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can be determined in the concentration range of 2–180 μg ml⁻¹. The effect of different possible interfering species has been examined and was shown that the optode has a very good selectivity. The optode has been applied for the determination of oxalic acid in different real samples such as spinach, beet root, mushroom and river water with excellent recoveries.     

Identification of the corrosion products formed on copper in sulfur containing environments

Tarnishing layers grown on copper exposed to air contaminated by traces of sulfur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide were detected by a coulometric and characterized by a chemical method. Depending on the nature of the corrosive gas, or on the use of a gas mixture, it was found that sulfate, sulfide, oxides or a mixed oxide-sulfide compound could be formed in these conditions. The same tarnishing products were found, either in hydrogen sulfide or in a sulfur dioxide + hydrogen sulfide mixture, and the same linear growth law of the copper (I) sulfide was also found, within the limits of the duration of the corrosion test, in the two gaseous environments.     

The Effect of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes on Solubility of Methane in Water

In this research, the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NTs) on dissolution of methane in water have been investigated. The tests were performed in a 370 CC vessel at pressures 3 and 5 bar and temperatures of 1–5°C. The solution volume was 300 CC. For any solution data of vessel pressure versus time and the total absorption capacity were collected. NTs were dispersed in water by using the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution with a concentration of 1 wt% and applying ultrasonic agitation for 25 min. Utilization of 0.1 wt% SDS at a pressure of 3 bar reduced the dissolution capacity, while at the pressure of 5 bar a negligible increase was observed. Dissolution capacity increased up to 5.26% by using of NT along with SDS at the pressure of 5 bar and low temperatures. Utilization of SDS, NT, and their mixtures improved the pressure reduction slope of methane at low temperatures.