Abstract: TiO2/Ag composite films were prepared by
incorporating Ag in the pores of mesoporous TiO2 films using a
photoreduction method. The Ag nanoparticle sizes were in a range of
3.66-38.56 nm. The TiO2/Ag composite films were characterized by
X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
transmission electron microscropy (TEM). The TiO2 films and
TiO2/Ag composite films were immersed in a 0.3 mM N719 dye
solution and characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The
TiO2/Ag/N719 composite film showed that an optimal size of Ag
nanoparticles was 19.12 nm and, hence, gave the maximum optical
absorption spectra. The improved absorption was due to surface
plasmon resonance induced by the Ag nanoparticles to enhance the
absorption coefficient of the dye.
Abstract: The paper discusses optimising work on a method of processing ceramic / metal composite coatings for various applications and is based on preliminary work on processing anodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The composite coating is manufactured by the electroless co-deposition of nickel and yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) simultaneously on to a ceramic substrate. The effect on coating characteristics of substrate surface treatments and electroless nickel bath parameters such as pH and agitation methods are also investigated. Characterisation of the resulting deposit by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) is also discussed.
Abstract: Cryo-electron microscopy (CEM) in combination with
single particle analysis (SPA) is a widely used technique for
elucidating structural details of macromolecular assemblies at closeto-
atomic resolutions. However, development of automated software
for SPA processing is still vital since thousands to millions of
individual particle images need to be processed. Here, we present our
workflow for automated particle picking. Our approach integrates
peak shape analysis to the classical correlation and an iterative
approach to separate macromolecules and background by
classification. This particle selection workflow furthermore provides
a robust means for SPA with little user interaction. Processing
simulated and experimental data assesses performance of the
presented tools.
Abstract: A method of collecting composition data and examining structural features of pearlite lamellae and the parent austenite at the growth interface in a 13wt. % manganese steel has been demonstrated with the use of Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). The combination of composition data and the structural features observed at the growth interface show that available theories of pearlite growth cannot explain all the observations.
Abstract: Homogeneous composites of alumina and zirconia
with a small amount of MgO (99%) were obtained for ZTA ceramic containing 0.05 wt% MgO in
1500 °C.
Abstract: The sequential morphologic changes of rabbit duodenal mucosa-submucosa were studied from primodial stage to birth in 15 fetuses and during the early days of life in 21 rabbit newborns till maturity using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Fetal rabbit duodenum develops from a simple tube of stratified epithelium to a tube containing villus and intervillus regions of simple columnar epithelium. By day 21 of gestation, the first rudimentary villi were appeared and by day 24 the first true villi were appeared. The Crypts of Lieberkuhn did not appear until birth. By the first day of postnatal life the duodenal glands appeared. The histological maturity of the rabbit small intestine occurred one month after birth. In conclusion, at all stages, the sequential morphologic changes of the rabbit small intestine developed to meet the structural and physiological demands during the fetal stage to be prepared to extra uterine life.
Abstract: the effects of refining and alkaline chemicals on potential of recycling bleached chemical pulp of bagasse were investigated in this study. Recycling was done until three times. Handsheet properties such as, apparent density, light scattering coefficient, tear index, burst index, breaking length, and fold number according to TAPPI standard were measured. Water retention value also was used to considering the treatments during recycling. Refining enhanced the strength of recycled pulp by increasing fiber flexibility and swelling ability, whereas by applying chemical treatment didn't observe any improvement. The morphology of recycled fiber was considered with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Abstract: In this study, ZnO nano rods and ZnO ultrafine particles were synthesized by Gel-casting method. The synthesized ZnO powder has a hexagonal zincite structure. The ZnO aggregates with rod-like morphology are typically 1.4 μm in length and 120 nm in diameter, which consist of many small nanocrystals with diameters of 10 nm. Longer wires connected by many hexahedral ZnO nanocrystals were obtained after calcinations at the temperature over 600° C.The crystalline structures and morphologies of the powder have been characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Scaning electron microscopy (SEM).The result shows that the different preparation conditions such as concentration H2O, calcinations time and calcinations temperature have a lot of influences upon the properties of nano ZnO powders, an increase in the temperature of the calcinations results in an increase of the grain size and also the increase of the calcinations time in high temperature makes the size of the grains bigger. The existences of extra watter prevent nano grains from improving like rod morphology. We have obtained the smallest grain size of ZnO powder by controlling the process conditions. Finally In a suitable condition, a novel nanostructure, namely bi-rod-like ZnO nano rods was found which is different from known ZnO nanostructures.
Abstract: Polymer-like organic thin films were deposited on both
aluminum alloy type 6061 and glass substrates at room temperature by
Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) methodusing
benzene and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) as precursor materials.
The surface and physical properties of plasma-polymerized organic
thin films were investigated at different r.f. powers. The effects of
benzene/argon ratio on the properties of plasma polymerized benzene
films were also investigated. It is found that using benzene alone
results in a non-coherent and non-adherent powdery deposited
material. The chemical structure and surface properties of the asgrown
plasma polymerized thin films were analyzed on glass
substrates with FTIR and contact angle measurements. FTIR spectra
of benzene deposited film indicated that the benzene rings are
preserved when increasing benzene ratio and/or decreasing r.f.
powers. FTIR spectra of HMDSO deposited films indicated an
increase of the hydrogen concentration and a decrease of the oxygen
concentration with the increase of r.f. power. The contact angle (θ) of
the films prepared from benzene was found to increase by about 43%
as benzene ratio increases from 10% to 20%. θ was then found to
decrease to the original value (51°) when the benzene ratio increases
to 100%. The contact angle, θ, for both benzene and HMDSO
deposited films were found to increase with r.f. power. This signifies
that the plasma polymerized organic films have substantially low
surface energy as the r.f power increases. The corrosion resistance of
aluminum alloy substrate both bare and covered with plasma
polymerized thin films was carried out by potentiodynamic
polarization measurements in standard 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution at
room temperature. The results indicate that the benzene and HMDSO
deposited films are suitable for protection of the aluminum substrate
against corrosion. The changes in the processing parameters seem to
have a strong influence on the film protective ability. Surface
roughness of films deposited on aluminum alloy substrate was
investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM
images indicate that the surface roughness of benzene deposited films
increase with decreasing the benzene ratio. SEM images of benzene
and HMDSO deposited films indicate that the surface roughness
decreases with increasing r.f. power. Studying the above parameters
indicate that the films produced are suitable for specific practical
applications.
Abstract: Soursop (Anona muricata) is one of the underutilized tropical fruits containing nutrients, particularly dietary fibre and antioxidant properties that are beneficial to human health. This objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of matured soursop pulp flour (SPF) to be substituted with high-protein wheat flour in bread. Bread formulation was substituted with different levels of SPF (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%). The effect on physicochemical properties and sensory attributes were evaluated. Higher substitution level of SPF resulted in significantly higher (p
Abstract: This study fabricates p-type Ni1−xO:Li/n-Si heterojunction solar cells (P+/n HJSCs) by using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and investigates the effect of substrate temperature on photovoltaic cell properties. Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, four point probe, and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared discover the optoelectrical properties of p-Ni1-xO thin films. The results show that p-Ni1-xO thin films deposited at 300 oC has the highest grain size (22.4 nm), average visible transmittance (~42%), and electrical resistivity (2.7 Ωcm). However, the conversion efficiency of cell is shown only 2.33% which is lower than the cell (3.39%) fabricated at room temperature. This result can be mainly attributed to interfacial layer thickness (SiOx) reduces from 2.35 nm to 1.70 nm, as verified by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.
Abstract: In this research, the main aim is to investigate the
antimicrobial effectiveness of ammonyx solutions finishing on
Sweatshirt Sport with immersion method. 60 Male healthy subjects
(football player) participated in this study. They were dressed in a
Sweatshirt for 14 days and some microbes found on them were
investigated. The antimicrobial effect of different ammonyx
solutions(1/100, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 v/v solutions of Ammonyx)
on the identified microbes was studied by the zone inhabitation
method in vitro. In the next step the Sweatshirt Sports were treated
with the same different solutions of ammonyx and the antimicrobial
effectiveness was assessed by colony count method in different times
and the results were compared whit untreated ones. Some mechanical
properties of treated cotton/polyester yarn that used in Sweatshirt
Sport were measured after 30 days and were compared with
untreated one. Finally after finishing, scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) was used to compare the surfaces of the finished and
unfinished specimens. The results showed the presence of five
pathogenic microbes on Sweatshirt Sports such as Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus, Mucor and Candida. The
inhalation time for treated on Sweatshirt Sports improved. The
amount of colony growth on treated clothes reduced considerably
and moreover the mechanical tests results showed no significant
deterioration effect of studies properties in comparison to the
untreated yarn. The visual examination of the SEM indicated that the
antimicrobial treatments were applied usefully to fabrics.
Abstract: In this paper, the application of thermal spray
coatings in high speed shafts by a revolution up to 23000 RPM
has been studied. Gas compressor shafts are worn in contact
zone with journal therefore will be undersized. Wear
mechanisms of compressor shaft were identified. The
predominant wear mechanism is abrasion wear. The worn
surface was coated by hard WC-Co cermets using high
velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) after preparation. The shafts were in
satisfactory service in 8000h period. The metallurgical and
Tribological studies has been made on the worn and coated
shaft using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and X-ray diffraction.
Abstract: Pyritisation halos are identified in weathering crusts and unconsolidated formations at five locations within large fault structure of the Urals’ eastern slope. Electron microscopy reveals the presence of inclusions and growths on pyrite faces – normally on cubic pyrite with striations, or combinations of cubes and other forms. Following neogenesis types are established: native elements and intermetallic compounds (including gold and silver), halogenides, sulphides, sulfosalts, tellurides, sulphotellurides,
selenides, tungstates, sulphates, phosphates, carbon-based substances. Direct relationship is noted between amount and diversity of such mineral phases, and proximity to and scale of ore-grade mineralization. Gold and silver, both in native form and within tellurides, presence of lead (galena, native lead), native tungsten, and, possibly, molybdenite and sulfosalts can indicate gold-bearing formations. First find of native tungsten in the Urals is for the first time – in crystallised and druse-like form. Link is suggested between unusual mineralization and “reducing” hydrothermal fluids from deep-seated faults at later stages of Urals’ reactivation.
Abstract: The Iranian bentonite was first characterized by
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Inductively Coupled Plasma
mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray
Diffraction (XRD) and BET. The bentonite was then treated
thermally between 150°C-250°C at 15min, 45min and 90min and
also was activated chemically with different concentration of
sulphuric acid (3N, 5N and 10N). Although the results of thermal
activated-bentonite didn-t show any considerable changes in specific
surface area and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), but the results of
chemical treated bentonite demonstrated that such properties have
been improved by acid activation process.
Abstract: Titanium alloys like Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo (Ti-
6246) are widely used in aerospace applications. Component
manufacturing, however, is difficult and expensive as their
machinability is extremely poor. A thorough understanding of the
chip formation process is needed to improve related metal cutting
operations.In the current study, orthogonal cutting experiments have
been performed and theresulting chips were analyzed by optical
microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.Chips from aTi-
6246ingot were produced at different cutting speeds and cutting
depths. During the experiments, depending of the cutting conditions,
continuous or segmented chips were formed. Narrow, highly
deformed and grain oriented zones, the so-called shear zone,
separated individual segments. Different material properties have
been measured in the shear zones and the segments.
Abstract: In this work we investigated the behavior of methane
hydrates dispersed in crude oils from different fields at temperatures
below 0°C. In case of crude oil emulsion the size of water droplets is
in the range of 50e100"m. The size of hydrate particles formed from
droplets is the same. The self-preservation is not expected in this
field. However, the self-preservation of hydrates with the size of
particles 24±18"m (electron microscopy data) in suspensions is
observed. Similar results were obtained for four different kinds of
crude oil and model system such as asphaltenes, resins and wax in ndecane.
This result can allow developing effective methods to prevent
the formation and elimination of gas-hydrate plugs in pipelines under
low temperature conditions (e. g. in Eastern Siberia). There is a
prospective to use experiment results for working out the technology
of associated petroleum gas recovery.
Abstract: The gustatory system allows animals to distinguish
varieties of food and affects greatly the consumption of food, hence
the health and growth of animals. In the current study, we
investigated the histogenesis of vallate papillae (VLP) in the rabbit
tongue using light and scanning electron microscopy. Samples were
obtained from rabbit embryos at the embryonic days 16-30 (E16-30),
and from newborns until maturity; 6 months. At E16, the first
primordia of vallate papillae were observed as small pits on the
surface epithelium of the tongue-s root. At E18, the caudal part was
prominent with loose mesenchymal tissue core; meanwhile the rostral
part of the papilla was remained as a thick mass of epithelial cells. At
E20-24, the side epithelium formed the primitive annular groove. At
E26, the primitive taste buds appeared only at the papillary surface
and reached their maturity by E28. The annular groove started to
appear at E26 became more defined at E28. The definitive vallate
papillae with substantial number of apparently mature taste buds
were observed by the end of the second week. We conclude that the
vallate papillae develop early and mature during the early postnatal
life.
Abstract: A biosensor based on glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized onto nanoparticles zirconium oxide with polyethylene nanocomposite for glucose monitoring has been designed. The CTAB/PEG/ZrO2/GOx nanocomposite was deposited onto screen printed carbon paste (SPCE) electrode via spin coating technique. The properties of CTAB/PEG/ZrO2/GOx were study using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SPE modified with the CTAB/PEG/ZrO2/GOx showed electrocatalytical response to the oxidation of glucose when ferrocene carboxaldehyde was used as an artificial redox mediator, which was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Several parameters such as working potential, effect of pH and effect of ZrO2/PEG layers that governed the analytical performance of the biosensor, have been studied. The biosensor was applied to detect glucose with a linear range of 0.4 to 2.0 mmol L−1 with good repetability and reproducibility.
Abstract: Antimicrobial (AM) starch-based films were
developed by incorporating chitosan and lauric acid as antimicrobial
agent into starch-based film. Chitosan has wide range of applications
as a biomaterial, but barriers still exist to its broader use due to its
physical and chemical limitations. In this work, a series of
starch/chitosan (SC) blend films containing 8% of lauric acid was
prepared by casting method. The structure of the film was
characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Xray
diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
The results indicated that there were strong interactions were present
between the hydroxyl groups of starch and the amino groups of
chitosan resulting in a good miscibility between starch and chitosan
in the blend films. Physical properties and optical properties of the
AM starch-based film were evaluated. The AM starch-based films
incorporated with chitosan and lauric acid showed an improvement in
water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and addition of starch
content provided more transparent films while the yellowness of the
film attributed to the higher chitosan content. The improvement in
water barrier properties was mainly attributed to the hydrophobicity
of lauric acid and optimum chitosan or starch content. AM starch
based film also showed excellent oxygen barrier. Obtaining films
with good oxygen permeability would be an indication of the
potential use of these antimicrobial packaging as a natural packaging
and an alternative packaging to the synthetic polymer to protect food
from oxidation reactions