Effects of fly ash in composites fabricated by injection molding

In this study, the effects of fly ash in composites fabricated by injection molding are examined. Taguchi design of experiment was first utilized to estimate the effects different injection molding conditions and content ratios of fly ash have on a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)‐fly ash composite. The results reveal that the content of fly ash is highly significant and contributive to the shrinkage ratio and bending strength. For these reasons, LLDPE and polypropylene (PP) composites with different size particles of fly ash were fabricated and the mechanical properties were investigated. The particle size was changed by grinding fly ash with a planetarium ball mill. The shrinkage ratio, bending strength and flexural modulus of LLDPE composites containing raw fly ash were found to improve. The shrinkage ratio and flexural modulus of PP composites containing ground fly ash were also found to improve. Homogenization analysis using the finite element method was then used to calculate the Von Mises stress distributions and homogenized elastic matrix of PP composites containing ground fly ash. The homogenized elastic matrix was used to validate the experimental flexural modulus. The results show that the homogenized elastic matrix is in good agreement with the experimental flexural modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A methodology for peak energy requirement considering actual variation of occupants’ behavior schedules

A novel methodology to accurately estimate the cooling demand in residential units is proposed, as a means of providing a better assessment of urban heat-island effects attributable to the use of residential air-conditioning units. The methodology integrates probabilistic variations in occupant behavior, which is shown to be a significant factor in estimated residential cooling requirements. The methodology consists of two key features. The first is an algorithm that generates short-term events that are likely to occur in a residential context, based on published data on occupant behavior. The second is a Monte Carlo approach to cooling load calculations based on stochastic variations in these short-term events and in the consequent likelihood of switching air-conditioning on or off.     

Characteristics of organic inverters using vertical- and lateral-type organic transistors

The characteristics of vertical-type organic static induction transistors (OSITs) were compared with those of lateral-type organic field effect transistors (OFETs). From these experiments, it was confirmed that the OSITs can operate at a voltage one order less than that required for OFETs. We also fabricated two types of organic inverter based on OSITs and OFETs and investigated their transfer characteristics. These results demonstrate that it is possible to decrease the operational voltage of organic inverters from ± 20 V to ± 2 V by using two OSITs with higher on/off ratios.     

ZEOLITE SYNTHESIS FROM PAPER SLUDGE ASH VIA ACID LEACHING

Paper sludge ash (PSA) typically has a low Si abundance and significant Ca content due to the presence of calcite fillers. Acid leaching with HCl was used to reduce the Ca content so that a zeolitic product with a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) could be synthesized. Zeolitic products were synthesized from raw ash and leached ash through reaction with 2.5 M NaOH solution at 80°C. In the case of the original ash without acid leaching, the concentration of Al in the alkali solution always exceeded that of Si during the synthesis, and hydroxysodalite with a low Si/Al ratio (1:1) was formed. In the case of the leached ash, the concentration of Si always exceeded that of Al during the synthesis, and zeolite-P with a higher Si/Al ratio (5:3) was formed. Hydroxysodalite and zeolite-P crystallization was saturated after 6 h of reaction, and the product from leached ash had a higher CEC (approximately 150 cmol/kg) than that from original ash (approximately 40 cmol/kg). Both the decrease in the Ca phase in the leached ash and the corresponding increase in the Si and Al amorphous phases play an important role in zeolite synthesis.     

Radiocarbon (14C) diurnal variations in fine particles at sites downwind from Tokyo, Japan in summer

The radiocarbon ((14)C) of total carbon (TC) in atmospheric fine particles was measured at 6 h or 12 h intervals at two sites, 50 and 100 km downwind from Tokyo, Japan (Kisai and Maebashi) in summer 2007. The percent modern carbon (pMC) showed clear diurnal variations with minimums in the daytime. The mean pMC values at Maebashi were 28 ± 7 in the daytime and 45 ± 16 at night (37 ± 15 for the overall period). Those at Kisai were 26 ± 9 in the daytime and 44 ± 8 at night (37 ± 12 for the overall period). This data indicates that fossil sources were major contributors to the daytime TC, while fossil and modern sources had comparable contributions to nighttime TC in the suburban areas. At both sites, the concentration of fossil carbon as well as O(3) and the estimated secondary organic carbon increased in the daytime. These results suggest that fossil sources around Tokyo contributed significantly to the high daytime concentration of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) at the two suburban sites. A comparison of pMC and the ratio of elemental carbon/TC from our particulate samples with those from three end-member sources corroborates the dominant role of fossil SOA in the daytime.     

Relativistic MR-MP calculations of the energy levels and transition probabilities in Ni- to Kr-like Pt ions

Ni- to Kr-like Pt ions have been studied by relativistic multi-reference Møller–Plesset many-body perturbation theory calculations. Energy levels and lifetimes of low-lying excited states within the n=4$n=4$ complex are reported for each ion. Wavelengths and transition probabilities for the strongest electric-dipole transitions are compared with available experimental data. Synthetic radiative spectra are shown for various wavelength regions.     

A real-time inspection system using a terahertz technique to detect microleak defects in the seal of flexible plastic packages

A method to detect production faults in flexible plastic packages with the use of terahertz radiation is presented. Relying on the large difference between the absorption coefficients of plastic and water (for water-filled channel defects) and on the refraction index difference between plastic and air (for air-filled channel defects), our technique consists of focusing and scanning a terahertz beam on the sealed area of the package, followed by detection of the transmitted signal. Compared with previous methods, such as visual and ultrasound inspection, our technique can be applied to optically opaque packages and does not require immersion in a matching liquid. We tested our system on defects that we fabricated as water-filled and air-filled channels imbedded in polyethylene films, with diameters in the range of 10 to 100 microm. The detection limit (the minimum size of a detectable defect) depends on the conveying speed; this relationship was determined and analyzed. The results show that our system has the potential for application in an actual production line for real-time inspection.     

Programmable self-assembly of metal ions inside artificial DNA duplexes

The ultimate bottom-up approach for the construction of functional nanosystems requires the precise arrangement of atoms and molecules in three dimensions. DNA is currently one of the most prominent molecules able to self-assemble into complex networks and is therefore regarded as the 'silicon of the nano-world'. Metals and metal ions, in contrast, are the atomic building-blocks needed in such materials to establish functions such as electrical conductivity or magnetism. Here we report a new concept, which efficiently combines metal ions and DNA. The DNA structure is used as a matrix to program robustly the complexation of different metal ions under precise control with regard to element, number and composition.     

Impact of NOx reduction on long-term ozone trends in an urban atmosphere

We investigated the relationships between ambient O(3) concentrations and the concentrations of its precursors, NO(x) and NMHC, in Osaka, Japan. The levels of O(x)' (where [O(x)']=[O(3)]+[NO(2)]-0.1x[NO(x)] where the last term accounts for primary emissions of NO(2)) were uniform within the city even in the photochemically active season. We suggested that NO oxidation by peroxy radicals was a minor contributor, and that oxidation of locally emitted NO by background O(3) in the city was the primary control on NO(2) concentrations. Ozone concentrations increased linearly from 1985 to 2002 at a rate of 0.6 ppbv/yr, even though O(x)' concentrations remained constant after the mid 1990s. The trend for O(x)' concentrations could not be explained in terms of an increase in local O(3) production, and the trend was found to reflect background O(3) concentrations in Japan. There was a clear relationship between the NO(2)/O(x)' ratio and NO(x) concentration: the ratio decreased with decreasing NO(x) concentration. As a consequence, O(3) increased with decreasing NO(x) concentration. The reduction of NO(x) emissions was deemed to be an important factor for the recent trend of increasing O(3) concentrations in Osaka City.