The formation of graphene–titania hybrid films and their resistance change under ultraviolet irradiation

We report the fabrication of hybrid films of graphene and monolayer titania using a simple electrostatic self-assembly method. Ultraviolet (UV) responses of the hybrid films based on the graphene–titania structure were investigated. We observed that the resistance of the graphene–titania hybrid increased exponentially with UV irradiation time and decreased exponentially when UV was turned off. Time constants of the order of hundreds of seconds were identified and found to be sensitive to the gas environment of graphene. The UV response as well as the time constant is tunable by varying the number of titania layers. Our results confirmed that UV irradiation played a significant role in the resistance modulation of graphene as well as graphene–titania hybrid films.     

Conductive and flexible multi-walled carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane composites made with naphthalene/toluene mixture

Conventional conductive materials face challenges when utilizing them for flexible and wearable electronics and soft robotics. Carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane (CNT/PDMS) composites are a promising alternative to the conventional hard conductors because they are light and can realize large deformation. To date, well dispersion of CNTs into PDMS to increase conductivity while maintaining flexibility remains challenging. We aimed at developing highly electrically conductive and flexible multi-walled carbon nanotube/PDMS (MWCNT/PDMS) composites. To this end, we proposed a method to enhance the dispersion of MWCNTs into PDMS using naphthalene and toluene. Our results showed that the addition of naphthalene and toluene into the composites improved dispersion of the MWCNTs and increased the direct current (DC) electrical conductivity. We also found that the morphology of primary aggregates of the MWCNTs influenced the DC electrical conductivity of the composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48167.     

Preparations and tribological properties of soft-metal/DLC composite coatings by RF magnetron sputter using composite targets

This work reports the characteristics and tribological properties of both Ag/DLC nanocomposite coatings (RF-Ag-DLC) and Cu/DLC nanocomposite coatings (RF-Cu-DLC) with hydrogen-free DLC matrix deposited by RF magnetron sputtering using a concentric composite target (CCT). The CCT consisted of a C base target and metal tablet, and the tablet was located on the center of the base target concentrically where the etching rate by Ar ions is extremely low. By changing the diameter of Ag or Cu tablets in CCT, RF-Ag-DLC with an Ag concentration ranging from 6 to 65 at.% and RF-Cu-DLC with Cu concentration ranging from 7 to 75 at.% can be prepared. These coatings show a granular structure having Ag or Cu nano-crystals with a diameter ranging from 5 to 10 nm dispersed homogeneously in the hydrogen-free DLC matrix. The friction coefficient of DLC varied depending on the species and content of metal. The transition of the friction coefficient became stable when metal-rich tribofilms formed on the counterfaces.     

Laser brazing of a dissimilar joint of austenitic stainless steel and pure copper

In many industries, there are applications that require the joining of stainless steel and copper components; therefore, the welding of dissimilar stainless steel/copper joints is a common process. For this investigation, the optimal brazing conditions and suitable filler metals for laser brazing of stainless steel/copper lap joints were studied. Tensile shear force increases with increases in the laser spot diameter or in the laser irradiation angle, which is associated with increased bonding width; however, as bonding width approaches 2 mm, tensile shear force reaches a saturated value due to fracturing at the HAZ of the Cu base plate. In order to obtain joints with high tensile shear strength, laser brazing was optimized by using Cu–Si-based filler metal under the following conditions: laser power, 4 kW; spot diameter, 3 mm; laser irradiation angle, 80°; irradiation position shift, 0.6 mm; brazing speed, 0.30 m/min; and filler metal feed speed, 0.30 min. Concerning filler metals, it was found that the Ni–Cu type showed relatively large tensile shear force even at high welding speeds in comparison with those of the Cu–Si, Cu, Cu–Ni, Ni–Cu and Ni types, respectively.     

Scaling prospect of optically differential reconfigurable gate array VLSIs

Dynamic reconfigurable devices present new computational paradigms because programmable devices’ activity and performance can be improved dramatically by increasing its reconfiguration frequency. Therefore, this paper presents designs of optically differential reconfigurable gate array (ODRGA) VLSIs using 0.18 μm and 0.35 μm CMOS process technologies. Although they are a type of programmable gate array, they can be reconfigured optically in nanoseconds. This paper also discusses future scaling prospects of ODRGA-VLSIs.     

Synchronal measurement of flow structure and heat transfer of impingement jet

This paper will present the characteristics of flow behavior and thermal field of both free and
impingement jet issued from a circular orifice nozzle at Re=8900.The flow behavior of a single round
jet and impingement jet was observed by smoke flow visualization recorded by a high speed camera
using 5000 frame per second.Heat transfer coefficient on the impingement surface was measured by
means of infrared camera （TVS-8500,Avio） with a two-dimensional array of Indeum-Antimony （In Sb）
sensors varying in the separation distance between the nozzle and the target plate.The heat transfer
coefficient changes in time and spatial.Therefore,the root mean square distribution of the heat
transfer was obtained from the data.As a result,it was confirmed that the longitudinal vortex was
observed outside of the ring vortex,and then the longitudinal vortex was penetrated in the jet
flow.Moreover,the high value of root mean square of the heat transfer coefficient has spread radially
in stripy manner,which is caused as the results of the longitudinal vortexes flowing in the radial
direction on the impingement plate.     

Germanium recovery using polyphenol microspheres prepared by horseradish peroxidase reaction

BACKGROUND: The formation of polyphenol microspheres by the polymerization of 3‐methylcatechol was performed in a methanol/phosphate buffer solution using horseradish peroxidase (HRP), without the use of a surfactant or a water/oil interface, to be used for germanium recovery. RESULTS: The polyphenol microspheres were of diameter 1 mm. The functional group density of phenol group in the polymer was approximately 15 mol kg^?1 determined by the Folin‐Denis method. In batchwise experiments, the amount of germanium adsorbed was 0.23 mol kg^?1. CONCLUSION: Because germanium is a rare metal, a system for its recovery is required. Using the proposed system, continuous recovery of germanium can be achieved using multilayered microspheres. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry