scholarly journals EFFECTS OF BIO-BASED PLASTICIZERS, MADE FROM STARCH, ON THE PROPERTIES OF FRESH AND HARDENED METAKAOLIN-GEOPOLYMER MORTAR: BASIC INVESTIGATIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-427
Author(s):  
Adrian Tutal ◽  
Stephan Partschefeld ◽  
Jens Schneider ◽  
Andrea Osburg
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Charge Density ◽  
Linear Shrinkage ◽  
Specific Charge ◽  
Cementitious System ◽  
Metakaolin Geopolymer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Polycarboxylate Ether

AbstractConventional superplasticizers based on polycarboxylate ether (PCE) show an intolerance to clay minerals due to intercalation of their polyethylene glycol (PEG) side chains into the interlayers of the clay mineral. An intolerance to very basic media is also known. This makes PCE an unsuitable choice as a superplasticizer for geopolymers. Bio-based superplasticizers derived from starch showed comparable effects to PCE in a cementitious system. The aim of the present study was to determine if starch superplasticizers (SSPs) could be a suitable additive for geopolymers by carrying out basic investigations with respect to slump, hardening, compressive and flexural strength, shrinkage, and porosity. Four SSPs were synthesized, differing in charge polarity and specific charge density. Two conventional PCE superplasticizers, differing in terms of molecular structure, were also included in this study. The results revealed that SSPs improved the slump of a metakaolin-based geopolymer (MK-geopolymer) mortar while the PCE investigated showed no improvement. The impact of superplasticizers on early hardening (up to 72 h) was negligible. Less linear shrinkage over the course of 56 days was seen for all samples in comparison with the reference. Compressive strengths of SSP specimens tested after 7 and 28 days of curing were comparable to the reference, while PCE led to a decline. The SSPs had a small impact on porosity with a shift to the formation of more gel pores while PCE caused an increase in porosity. Throughout this research, SSPs were identified as promising superplasticizers for MK-geopolymer mortar and concrete.

The Impact of Bioconjugation on the Interfacial Activity of a Protein Biosurfactant

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossam H Tayeb ◽  
Marina Stienecker ◽  
Anton Middelberg ◽  
Frank Sainsbury
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Colloidal Stability ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽  
Industrial Processes ◽  
Parent Molecule ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Interfacial Activity ◽  
Surface Active ◽  
The Impact

Biosurfactants, are surface active molecules that can be produced by renewable, industrially scalable biologic processes. DAMP4, a designer biosurfactant, enables the modification of interfaces via genetic or chemical fusion to functional moieties. However, bioconjugation of addressable amines introduces heterogeneity that limits the precision of functionalization as well as the resolution of interfacial characterization. Here we designed DAMP4 variants with cysteine point mutations to allow for site-specific bioconjugation. The DAMP4 variants were shown to retain the structural stability and interfacial activity characteristic of the parent molecule, while permitting efficient and specific conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEGylation results in a considerable reduction on the interfacial activity of both single and double mutants. Comparison of conjugates with one or two conjugation sites shows that both the number of conjugates as well as the mass of conjugated material impacts the interfacial activity of DAMP4. As a result, the ability of DAMP4 variants with multiple PEG conjugates to impart colloidal stability on peptide-stabilized emulsions is reduced. We suggest that this is due to constraints on the structure of amphiphilic helices at the interface. Specific and efficient bioconjugation permits the exploration and investigation of the interfacial properties of designer protein biosurfactants with molecular precision. Our findings should therefore inform the design and modification of biosurfactants for their increasing use in industrial processes, and nutritional and pharmaceutical formulations.

scholarly journals Modified Gold Nanoparticles for Efficient Delivery of Betulinic Acid to Cancer Cell Mitochondria

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5072
Author(s):  
Olakunle Oladimeji ◽  
Jude Akinyelu ◽  
Aliscia Daniels ◽  
Moganavelli Singh
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Betulinic Acid ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Epigallocatechin Gallate ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Mitochondrial Targeting ◽  
The Impact

Advances in nanomedicine have seen the adaptation of nanoparticles (NPs) for subcellular delivery for enhanced therapeutic impact and reduced side effects. The pivotal role of the mitochondria in apoptosis and their potential as a target in cancers enables selective induction of cancer cell death. In this study, we examined the mitochondrial targeted delivery of betulinic acid (BA) by the mitochondriotropic TPP+-functionalized epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-capped gold NPs (AuNPs), comparing the impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly-L-lysine-graft-polyethylene glycol (PLL-g-PEG) copolymer on delivery efficacy. This included the assessment of their cellular uptake, mitochondrial localization and efficacy as therapeutic delivery platforms for BA in the human Caco-2, HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. These mitochondrial-targeted nanocomplexes demonstrated significant inhibition of cancer cell growth, with targeted nanocomplexes recording IC50 values in the range of 3.12–13.2 µM compared to that of the free BA (9.74–36.31 µM) in vitro, demonstrating the merit of mitochondrial targeting. Their mechanisms of action implicated high amplitude mitochondrial depolarization, caspases 3/7 activation, with an associated arrest at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. This nano-delivery system is a potentially viable platform for mitochondrial-targeted delivery of BA and highlights mitochondrial targeting as an option in cancer therapy.

A novel recycled polyethylene terephthalate/polyamide 11 (rPET/PA11) thermoplastic blend

2021 ◽  
pp. 147776062110010
Author(s):  
Zahid Iqbal Khan ◽  
Zurina Binti Mohamad ◽  
Abdul Razak Bin Rahmat ◽  
Unsia Habib ◽  
Nur Amira Sahirah Binti Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Impact Strength ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Polyethylene Terephthalate ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Polyamide 11 ◽  
Recycled Polyethylene ◽  
Twin Screw ◽  
Electron Microscopy Analysis ◽  
The Impact

This work explores a novel blend of recycled polyethylene terephthalate/polyamide 11 (rPET/PA11). The blend of rPET/PA11 was introduced to enhance the mechanical properties of rPET at various ratios. The work’s main advantage was to utilize rPET in thermoplastic form for various applications. Three different ratios, i.e. 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of PA11 blend samples, were prepared using a twin-screw extruder and injection moulding machine. The mechanical properties were examined in terms of tensile, flexural and impact strength. The tensile strength of rPET was improved more than 50%, while the increase in tensile strain was observed 42.5% with the addition of 20 wt.% of PA11. The improved properties of the blend were also confirmed by the flexural strength of the blends. The flexural strength was increased from 27.9 MPa to 48 MPa with the addition of 30 wt.% PA11. The flexural strain of rPET was found to be 1.1%. However, with the addition of 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of PA11, the flexural strain was noticed as 1.7, 2.1, and 3.9% respectively. The impact strength of rPET/PA11 at 20 wt.% PA11 was upsurged from 110.53 to 147.12 J/m. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a dispersed PA11 domain in a continuous rPET matrix morphology of the blends. This work practical implication would lead to utilization of rPET in automobile, packaging, and various industries.

scholarly journals A modified SEIR model to predict the behavior of the early stage in coronavirus and coronavirus-like outbreaks

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Angulo ◽  
José M. Ramírez ◽  
Dany De Cecchis ◽  
Juan Primera ◽  
Henry Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Seir Model ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Probable Site ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCOVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that emerged in China at the end of 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic is the first known pandemic caused by a coronavirus, namely, the new and emerging SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In the present work, we present simulations of the initial outbreak of this new coronavirus using a modified transmission rate SEIR model that takes into account the impact of government actions and the perception of risk by individuals in reaction to the proportion of fatal cases. The parameters related to these effects were fitted to the number of infected cases in the 33 provinces of China. The data for Hubei Province, the probable site of origin of the current pandemic, were considered as a particular case for the simulation and showed that the theoretical model reproduces the behavior of the data, thus indicating the importance of combining government actions and individual risk perceptions when the proportion of fatal cases is greater than $$4\%$$ 4 % . The results show that the adjusted model reproduces the behavior of the data quite well for some provinces, suggesting that the spread of the disease differs when different actions are evaluated. The proposed model could help to predict outbreaks of viruses with a biological and molecular structure similar to that of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Gravitational polarization of the quantum vacuum caused by two point-like bodies

2021 ◽  
Vol 503 (4) ◽  
pp. 5091-5099
Author(s):  
Dragan Slavkov Hajdukovic ◽  
Sergej Walter
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Solar System ◽  
Charge Density ◽  
Numerical Method ◽  
Quantum Vacuum ◽  
Body System ◽  
Complex Fluid ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Gravitational Charge

ABSTRACT In a recent paper, quantum vacuum was considered as a source of gravity, and the simplest, phenomenon, the gravitational polarization of the quantum vacuum by an immersed point-like body, was studied. In this paper, we have derived the effective gravitational charge density of the quantum vacuum, caused by two immersed point-like bodies. Among others, the obtained result proves that quantum vacuum can have regions with a negative effective gravitational charge density. Hence, quantum vacuum, the ‘ocean’ in which all matter of the Universe is immersed, acts as a complex fluid with a very variable gravitational charge density that might include both positive and negative densities; a crucial prediction that can be tested within the Solar system. In the general case of ${N \ge {\rm{3}}}$ point-like bodies, immersed in the quantum vacuum, the analytical solutions are not possible, and the use of numerical methods is inevitable. The key point is that an appropriate numerical method, for the calculation of the effective gravitational charge density of the quantum vacuum induced by N immersed bodies, might be crucial in description of galaxies, without the involvement of dark matter or a modification of gravity. The development of such a valuable numerical method, is not possible, without a previous (and in this study achieved) understanding of the impact of a two-body system.

Mechanical Response of Porous Copper Manufactured by Lost Carbonate Sintering Process

2007 ◽  
Vol 539-543 ◽  
pp. 1863-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.F. Tao ◽  
Li Ping Zhang ◽  
Y.Y. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Relative Density ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Compaction Pressure ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Energy Absorption Capacity ◽  
Three Point Bending ◽  
Porous Copper ◽  
The Impact

This paper investigated the mechanical response of porous copper manufactured by LCS under three-point bending and Charpy impact conditions. The effects of the compaction pressure and K2CO3 particle size used in producing the porous copper samples and the relative density of the samples were studied. The apparent modulus, flexural strength and energy absorption capacity in three-point bending tests increased exponentially with increasing relative density. The impact strength was not markedly sensitive to relative density and had values within 7 – 9 kJ/m2 for the relative densities in the range 0.17 – 0.31. The amount of energy absorbed by a porous copper sample in the impact test was much higher than that absorbed in the three-point bending test, impling that loading strain rate had a significant effect on the deformation mechanisms. Increasing compaction pressure and increasing K2CO3 particle size resulted in significant increases in the flexural strength and the bending energy absorption capacity, both owing to the reduced sintering defects.

scholarly journals Effect of microwave disinfection on physical and mechanical properties of acrylic resins

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Leonardo Xediek Consant ◽  
Erica Brenoe Vieira ◽  
Marcelo Ferraz Mesquita ◽  
Wilson Batista Mendes ◽  
João Neudenir Arioli-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Hardness Test ◽  
Knoop Hardness ◽  
Microwave Energy ◽  
Bending Test ◽  
Acrylic Resins ◽  
Strength Tests ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluated the effect of microwave energy on the hardness, impact strength and flexural strength of the Clássico, Onda-Cryl and QC-20 acrylic resins. Aluminum die were embedded in metallic or plastic flasks with type III dental stone, in accordance with the traditional packing technique. A mixing powder/liquid ratio was used according to the manufacturer's instructions. After polymerization in water batch at 74ºC for 9 h, boiling water for 20 min or microwave energy at 900 W for 10 min, the specimens were deflasked after flask cooling at room temperature, and submitted to finishing. Specimens non-disinfected and disinfected by microwave irradiation were submitted to hardness, impact and flexural strength tests. Each specimen was immersed in distilled water and disinfected in a microwave oven calibrated to 650 W for 3 min. Knoop hardness test was performed with 25 g load for 10 s, impact test was carried out using the Charpy system with 40 kpcm, and 3-point bending test with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. Data were submitted to statistical analysis by ANOVA and Tukey's test (?=0.05). Disinfection by microwave energy decreased the hardness of Clássico and Onda-Cryl acrylic resins, but no effect was observed on the impact and flexural strength of all tested resins.

Effect of Filler Compositions on the Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Filled Polyester Composite

2014 ◽  
Vol 879 ◽  
pp. 90-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rahman Noor Leha ◽  
Nor Amalina Nordin
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Impact Test ◽  
Compression Molding ◽  
Engineering Applications ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Polyester Composite ◽  
Bamboo Powder ◽  
Flexural Tests ◽  
The Impact

Biocomposite from bamboo powder was fabricated by compression molding technique. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of bamboo compounded with epoxy with different ratio. Tensile and flexural tests were done to characterize its mechanical properties. It was observed that the strength of bamboo-polyester was increased with increasing amount of bamboo powder. The tensile and flexural strength shows the highest value at 25 wt.% bamboo. However, the impact test shows the maximum value at 20 wt.% bamboo powder. These results exhibit the bamboo-polyester can be a good candidate to be used in many engineering applications

scholarly journals Impact of molecular structure on secondary organic aerosol formation from aromatic hydrocarbon photooxidation under low NO<sub><i>x</i></sub> conditions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Li ◽  
P. Tang ◽  
S. Nakao ◽  
D. R. Cocker III
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbon ◽  
Chain Length ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Ortho Position ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The molecular structure of volatile organic compounds (VOC) determines their oxidation pathway, directly impacting secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. This study comprehensively investigates the impact of molecular structure on SOA formation from the photooxidation of twelve different eight to nine carbon aromatic hydrocarbons under low NOx conditions. The effects of the alkyl substitute number, location, carbon chain length and branching structure on the photooxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons are demonstrated by analyzing SOA yield, chemical composition and physical properties. Aromatic hydrocarbons, categorized into five groups, show a yield order of ortho (o-xylene and o-ethyltoluene) > one substitute (ethylbenzene, propylbenzene and isopropylbenzene) > meta (m-xylene and m-ethyltoluene) > three substitute (trimethylbenzenes) > para (p-xylene and p-ethyltoluene). SOA yields of aromatic hydrocarbon photooxidation do not monotonically decrease when increasing alkyl substitute number. The ortho position promotes SOA formation while the para position suppresses aromatic oxidation and SOA formation. Observed SOA chemical composition and volatility confirm that higher yield is associated with further oxidation. SOA chemical composition also suggests that aromatic oxidation increases with increasing alkyl substitute chain length and branching structure. Further, carbon dilution theory developed by Li et al. (2015a) is extended in this study to serve as a standard method to determine the extent of oxidation of an alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon.

Effect of SiO2 Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Low Velocity Impact Properties of Epoxy/Glass Composites

2016 ◽  
Vol 838 ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
Michał Landowski ◽  
Krystyna Imielińska
Keyword(s):  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Energy Absorption ◽  
Impact Energy ◽  
Epoxy Matrix ◽  
Low Velocity Impact ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Nanoparticle Suspension ◽  
Impact Properties ◽  
Velocity Impact ◽  
The Impact

Flexural strength and low velocity impact properties were investigated in terms of possibile improvements due to epoxy matrix modification by SiO2 nanoparticles (1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%wt.) in glass/epoxy laminates formed using hand lay-up method. The matrix resin was Hexion L285 (DGEBA) with Nanopox A410 - SiO2 (20 nm) nanoparticle suspension in the base epoxy resin (DGEBA) supplied by Evonic. Modification of epoxy matrix by variable concentrations of nanoSiO2 does not offer significant improvements in the flexural strength σg, Young’s modulus E and interlaminar shear strength for 1% 3% and 5% nanoSiO2 and for 7% a slight drop (up to ca. 15-20%) was found. Low energy (1J) impact resistance of nanocomposites represented by peak load in dynamic impact characteristics was not changed for nanocompoosites compared to the unmodified material. However at higher impact energy (3J) nanoparticles appear to slightly improve the impact energy absorption for 3% and 5%. The absence or minor improvements in the mechanical behaviour of nanocomposites is due to the failure mechanisms associated with hand layup fabrication technique: (i.e. rapid crack propagation across the extensive resin pockets and numerous pores and voids) which dominate the nanoparticle-dependent crack energy absorption mechanisms (microvoids formation and deformation).

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