Passivation of Carbon Steel Using Intelligent Epoxy Paint

This paper presents the production of an epoxy paint associated with a determined concentration of PAni emeraldine base binder, in order to increase dispersion of PAni polymer chains in the paint allow physical contact between PAni chains, the electrolytic medium, and the metal of interest. The coating called Intelligent Epoxy Paint (IEP) seeks to potentialize the electrolytic capacity of PAni to produce passivation, differentiated research which uses PAni in oxidized and conductive form as paint pigment that needs high PAni concentrations. The physicochemical characterization and morphological presented results that indicate the preservation of the desirable properties of PAni in order to make the passivation process possible. The electrochemical tests showed the passivation and/or maintenance of the passivation of the metal of interest, without the need to apply an external current.

Chromatographic Investigations of Purple Archaeological Bio-Material Pigments Used as Biblical Dyes

ABSTRACTThis article discusses recent scientific research performed by the author in understanding the composition of archaeological purple pigments and dyes from molluskan sources, which were primarily used for the dyeing of royal and priestly textiles, as also cited in the Bible. Towards this end, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been applied to the qualitative and quantitative multi-component fingerprinting of purple pigments extracted from various Muricidae mollusks inhabiting the Mediterranean waters. The results show that the colorants in these purple pigments belong to three chemical groups: the indigoids (of major importance), the indirubinoids, and the isatinoids. Application of this analytical method to purple pigments and dyes on archaeological artifacts from the ancient Near and Middle East has lead to a number of breakthroughs and discoveries made by this laboratory. These include the following: decipherment of the optimal method by which the ancients practiced purple-dyeing by completely natural means; first HPLC analysis of a raw unprocessed purple archaeological snail pigment and the resulting identification of a dibrominated indirubin in this pigment; discovery of the purple pigment as the sole paint pigment on a 2,500 royal marble jar from the Persian King Darius I; and the discovery that a 2,000 year old miniscule fabric found atop the Judean Desert palatial fortress of Masada belonged to the royal purple mantle of King Herod I and is the first Biblical Argaman dye found in ancient Israel.

Clearing the Way: Using Turbines to Reclaim or Remediate Acid Mine Drainage

Pennsylvania has a long history of coal mining. Unfortunately, it has left many scars. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) is looking at the potential of using micro hydro turbines in acid mine drainage streams. They hope to make it profitable for business to "clean-up" the streams by providing seed money to initiate the hydro turbine projects. It is believed that businesses can profit from both the energy created by the turbines and the extraction of the acid mine drainage (AMD) minerals. The minerals and concentrations vary with each stream. Some possess precious metals, others contain minerals that are used in paint pigment, and still others are being researched for use in powder metallurgy. The paper outlines an undergraduate research project done at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The study is to create a comprehensive diagnostic spreadsheet to be used by the PA DEP to determine viable economical turbines based on waterway conditions. The study has parallel phases: one addressing issues related to turbine parameters and a second dealing with waterway variables. Also to be discussed in the paper is the use of the project as an undergraduate research study for technology students. For students interested in research or graduate school, it is immensely important to introduce them to research. By guiding them through the process they are better prepared for their future.