Correlation between Electrical Conductivity and Microwave Shielding Effectiveness of Natural Rubber Based Composites, Containing Different Hybrid Fillers Obtained by Impregnation Technology

The paper presents the synthesis and characterization of carbon black/silicone dioxide hybrid fillers obtained by an impregnation technology. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of the composites filled with carbon black/silicone dioxide hybrid fillers was measured in wide frequency range of 1 - 12 GHz. The dc and ac electrical conductivity of composites also have been investigated. The relationship between electrical (dc and ac) conductivity and shielding effectiveness was analyzed. A positive correlation was found between the absorptive shielding effectiveness and ac conductivity for composites comprising conductive carbon black/silica filler, when the filler loading is above the percolation threshold.

Physical-Chemical Characterization of Nanodispersed Powders Produced by a Plasma-Chemical Technique

This article presents a review on the physical-chemical properties and characteristics of plasma-chemically produced nanodispersed powders （NDP）, such as metals, oxides, nitrides, carbides, and catalysts. The plasma-chemical preparatior~ of the powders was carried out in thermal plasma （TP） created by means of high-current electric arcs, plasma jets, high-frequency （HF） discharges, etc. We also discuss certain properties and characteristics of the NDPs, which are determined largely by the conditions of preparation.

Natural Rubber Based Composites Comprising Different Types of Carbon-Silica Hybrid Fillers. Comparative Study on Their Electric, Dielectric and Microwave Properties, and Possible Applications

The paper presents a comparative study on the electric, dielectric and microwave properties of natural rubber based composites comprising dual phase fillers prepared from furnace carbon black or conductive carbon black with a different amount of silica. It has been established that, the specifics of the carbon phase have a marked strong effect upon the properties mentioned above. The interpenetration of the two filler phases and the grade of isolation of the conductive carbon phase by the dielectric one depend on the ratio between them. On the other hand, that leads to a change in all properties of the studied composites, which allows tailoring those characteristics.

Kinetic Dependences of Two-Stage Dilute Acid and Enzyme Hydrolysis of Paulownia tomentosa

The sugars potential ofPaulownia tomentosa is estimated by dilute acid pretreatment and cellulase hydrolysis. The kinetics of dilute （1%） sulfuric acid hydrolysis is studied at temperatures of 100 ℃, 120 ℃ and 130 ℃, while the kinetics of the subsequent enzyme hydrolysis is examined at a temperature of 50 ℃ and reaction time varied from 60 to 300 min using cellulase complex NS 50013 and β-glucosidase N S 50010. The reducing sugars formation is modeled as a pseudo-homogeneous first order reaction in view of the kinetics of dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The results obtained indicate that the reaction proceeds in an energetically homogeneous system （E = const） providing identical accessibility of the reagent to the hydrolyzing sites （A = const）. The enzyme hydrolysis kinetics follows heterogeneous catalytic mechanism. The process is described by an exponential kinetic equation, which is well recognised in case of processes on uniformly inhomogeneous surfaces. The current rate decreases significantly probably because of exhaustion of the available active sites on the surface and steric hindrances due to the presence of lignin. This investigation provides information of importance for the fermentation step of the bio-ethanol production process.

Laboratory Obtaining of Ferroalloy after Reduction of Oxides from Waste Product and Natural Resource

The Obrochishte deposit located in the Republic of Bulgaria has considerable reserves of relatively poor carbonate manganese ore. At the same time, in the country there are operative outputs for the production of sulphuric acid where vanadium catalyst is deactivated and discharged, polluting the environment. The utilization of these materials requires their consolidation to proper sizes with regard to the next processing, as the most suitable method for joint consolidation is agglomeration. The present work explores the preliminary calculations for obtaining agglomerate and obtaining an alloy with high and low carbon content, through carbothermic and aluminothermic agglomerate reduction.

Poly(<i>N</i>-Vinyl Pyrrolidone-<i>b</i>-Dimethylsiloxane) Electrospun Nanofibers: Preparation, Characterization and Biological Response

Here we report electrospinning of Poly(dimethylsiloxane-b-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PDMS-b-PVP) based fibrous scaffold materials. The morphology, thermal properties, surface composition, hydrophilicity and fibers formation with different PDMS and PVP chain lengths were determined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (RXD) water vapor uptake and water contact angle (WCA). The electrospinning parameters were controlled as well as fiber deposition area. The influence of polymer solution concentration on the morphology of electrospun fibers was also investigated. We checked out the applicability of the electrospun fibers for tissue engineering by the investigation of their capability to support fibroblast cell adhesion, cell growth and proliferation.

State of Pepsin and Acidic Protease in Solid Phase System and the Factors Increasing Their Destabilization

The adsorption state and catalytic properties of pepsin and acidic protease from microorganisms Asp. awamori and Asp. oryzae were studied in solid phase system （in presence of sorsilen, DEAE- and CM-cellulose）. According to the results, adsorption capacity and catalytic activity of enzymes depend on the physical nature of surface groups of the solid phase. Changing the stability of enzymes in the system with solid phase is observed even the adsorption bond is less stable （in the case of DEAE- and CM-cellulose in acidic media）. Injection to the medium ethanol, surfactants, sodium chloride and changing the temperature of the incubation medium could prevent the negative effects of the solid phases. When sorsilen is used as solid phase, pepsin and acidic protease from Asp. awamori suffer from high surface inactivation. Various surfactants influence adsorption state of enzymes differently. Non-ionic surfactants （Triton X-100） prevent adsorption and restore catalytic properties of enzymes.

Structure and Properties of Functionalized Porous Silica Hybrid Materials

Functionalized silica hybrid materials are extensively studied and applied materials in the field of science and technology. Functionalization is an approach, which allows for the application of organic components in the improvement of the design, properties and potential application of silicate materials. Silica hybrid materials, functionalized via incorporation of organic components (chitosan and methacrylic acid) were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The base silica structure of the hybrids was obtained via hydrolysis and condensation of the silicate precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate. The investigations of synthesized hybrids are focused on the influence of the nature and quantity of functional organic components on their final structures and properties. The structural characteristics of obtained hybrid materials were investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM and DTA/TG analysis. The obtained results presented the formation of amorphous porous structure and the organic components are evenly distributed into the silica network. The functional radicals of chitosan and methacrylic acid (amine, hydroxyl groups) exist in the hybrid structure as free reactive centers, as their quantity increases with increasing the organic amount. The swelling behavior in acidic and neutral solutions of the synthesized materials is investigated and the results presented, that the silicate materials exhibit hydrophilic character.

Complex Permittivity and Permeability Studies Viewing Antenna Applications of NBR-Based Composites Comprising Conductive Fillers

The work presents studies on the complex permittivity and permeability of composites based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber containing combinations of conductive fillers which include carbon black and nickel powder. The properties of those composites, containing each of the fillers at the same amount were compared. The permittivity and permeability values of the composites are influenced remarkably by their morphology and structure as well as by the morphological and structural specifics of both fillers. As electron scanning microscopy studies confirm, those parameters are predetermined by the nature of the composites studied—particle size, particles arrangement in the matrix and their tendency to clustering. Last but not least matrix-filler interface phenomena also impact the characteristics in question. The possibilities for applications of the composites in antennae have been studied, in particular, as substrates and insulating layers in flexible antennae for body centric communications (BCCs). The research results allow the conclusion that these materials can find such applications indeed. Composites of higher conductivity can be used where surface waves are generated to provide on-body communications, while composites of lower conductivity may be used for antennae that will be on the body of a person and will transmit to and receive from other antennas that are not on the body of the same person (off-body communications). It is clear that one can engineer the properties of antennae substrates at microwave frequencies by adjusting the filler content and the type of filler and thus control and tailor the antenna performance specific for a particular application.

Microwave Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) in a bell jar reactor. A mixture of methane and hydrogen (CH4/H2) was decomposed over Ni catalyst previously deposited on Si-wafer by thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) technology. The growth parameters were optimized to obtain dense arrays of nanotubes and were found to be: hydrogen flow rate of 90 sccm;methane flow rate of 10 sccm;oxygen flow rate of 1 sccm;substrate temperature of 1123 K;total pressure of 10 mbar and microwave power of 342 Watt. Results are summarized and significant main factors and their interactions were identified. In addition a computational study of nanotubes growth rate was conducted using a gas phase reaction mechanism and surface nanotube formation model. Simulations were performed to determine the gas phase fields for temperature and species concentration as well as the surface-species coverage and carbon nanotubes growth rate. A kinetic mechanism which consists of 13 gas species, 43 gas reactions and 17 surface reactions has been used in the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent. A comparison of simulated and experimental growth rate is presented in this paper. Simulation results agreed favorably with experimental data.

The Role of Nanodispersed Nitrides in the Sintering of Silicon Nitride Ceramics

The synthesis of ceramics based on silicon nitride using nanopowders of TiN and Si3N4 as additives was studied. The ceramic compositions were pressurelessly sintered under ni- trogen atmosphere at different temperatures （1550℃, 1650℃ and 1750℃） with a heating rate of 10℃/min and a holding time of 2 h. The nanodispersed nitrides （NDN） were produced by electric-arc plasma synthesis and characterized. The ceramic composites obtained with nanoparticles of 1wt% to 5wt% TiN and 20wt% Si3N4 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, atom force microscopy （AFM） and energy-dispersive spectrometry （EDX）. The effect of the addition of nanodispersed powders on the mechanical properties and microstructure of Si3N4 ceramics was investigated.

A Comparative Study of the Phase Distribution in Carbon-Silica Hybrid Fillers for Rubber Obtained by Different Methods

Different types of carbon-silica fillers were prepared via pyrolysis-cum-water vapor of waste green tires tread and impregnation method. Dual phase fillers have been characterized by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) or STEM-EDX. Phase distribution in hybrid fillers for rubber was investigated. The results achieved show that the conditions of obtaining influence the distribution and the location of the phases in the carbon-silica hybrid fillers as well as their most essential characteristics including specific area, oil absorption number, iodine adsorption number, ash content and others.

Improvement of the Conjugate Heat Transfer in High Temperature Chamber Furnaces for Firing of Ceramic Ware

The firing of ceramic ware in chamber furnaces is a transient multiphysical process,including turbulence combustion and fluid flow in the gas space,convective and radiation heat transfer from the flue gases to the furnace walls and ceramic ware,surface to surface radiation between the solid surfaces and conduction heat transfer in combination with endothermic or exothermic processes in the ceramic body.Models and conceptions for numerical analysis of that conjugate heat transfer(CHT)in such thermal aggregates are developed.They are validated on the base of information,obtained by in situ measurements at a furnace for firing of technical ceramic.Non-uniform thermal and fluid flow fields in the furnace space that cause problems in the surrounding walls and wastes at the ceramic ware are ascertained in it.An impossibility to improve the furnace operation at the existing construction and combustion installation is established.A variant for reconstruction of the furnace is investigated numerically.It includes changes of the number,power and topology of the burners and different arrangement of the ceramic ware in the furnace space.Uniform temperature fields and reduction of the specific fuel consumption at the suggested configuration of the thermal aggregate are established.

Matrices Associated with Moving Least-Squares Approximation and Corresponding Inequalities

In this article, some properties of matrices of moving least-squares approximation have been proven. The used technique is based on known inequalities for singular-values of matrices. Some inequalities for the norm of coefficients-vector of the linear approximation have been proven.

Mass Synthesis in Polyol of Tailored Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Photovoltaic Applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles with different sizes and shapes have been synthesized in polyol using a bottom-up approach. We have studied the scale-up of the process to massively produce high quality nanoparticles of controlled size and shape. The scale-up strategy required the effective mixing of reagents using either axial or radial mixing configurations and was experimentally validated by comparing structural properties of particles obtained in a small and a large size reactor. In addition, the flow patterns in these reactors have been calculated using three-dimensional turbulent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Our results indicate a strong connection between the flow patterns, as obtained by CFD simulations, and the size and shape of the particles. Actually, our pilot scale reactor allowed producing sample aliquots of ~50 grams with nanoparticle sizes ranging from 8 nm to 600 nm and aspect ratio varying from 1 (nanospheres) to 20 (nanorods). After their synthesis, these two nanoparticle classes have been tested as building blocks in D149-dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The measured power conversion efficiency (PCE) was 4.66% for nanorods shaped particles and 4.21% for nanospheres. These values were significantly higher than the 3.90% PCE obtained with commercial Degussa VP20 ZnO nanoparticles.

Some Factors Influencing the Dielectric Properties of Natural Rubber Composites Containing Different Carbon Nanostructures

Natural rubber based composites containing different carbon nanofillers (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)) at different concentrations have been prepared. Their dielectric properties (dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss) have been studied in the 1 - 12 GHz frequency range. Some factors (electromagnetic field frequency, fillers concentration, fillers intrinsic structure) influencing the dielectric behavior of the composites have been investigated. The dielectric properties of the developed natural rubber composites containing conductive fillers (fullerenes, CNTs, GNPs) indicate that these composites can be used as broadband microwave absorbing materials.

An overview of separation by magnetically stabilized beds:State-of-the-art and potential applications

This article deals with problems relevant to implementation of magnetically stabilized beds （MSB） as separation devices. The main issues discussed are： bed mechanics, bed structure, possibilities to create controllable filter media, etc. As examples several separation techniques are discussed： dust filtration-magnetic and non-magnetic, ion-exchange, copper cementation, yeast filtration from biological liquids, particle separation by density and magnetic properties, dangerous wastes removal. Only key publications will be quoted that provide a basis for further reading and study and relevant information.

Crystallization in the Three-Component Systems Rb₂SO_4-MSO_4-H₂O (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) at 298 K

The crystallization in the three-component systems Rb2SO4-MSO4-H2O (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) is studied by the method of isothermal decrease of supersaturation. It has been established that isostructural double compounds, Rb2M(SO4)2·6H2O (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), , crystallize from the ternary solutions within wide concentration ranges. The infrared spectra are discussed with respect to the normal vibrations of the sulfate ions and water molecules. The unit-cell group theoretical treatment of the double salts is presented. The extent of energetic distortions of guest ions (about 2 mol%) matrix-isolated in the respective selenates, (M' = K, Rb,;M" = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), is commented.

Elastomer Composites with Enhanced Ice Grip Based on Renewable Resources

Slips and falls on icy surfaces can cause serious injuries of people. The primary risk factor for slipping incidents is undoubtedly the decreased friction coefficient between the shoe sole and the ice or snow surface. Nowadays environmental protection has been gaining significance and becoming highly important for the various innovation strategies. In rubber industry the concept of environmental protection is more often associated with the maximum use of elastomers and ingredients from renewable sources in the manufacture of rubber products. The aim of this work is to investigate the possibilities of using elastomers and ingredients from renewable sources—epoxidized natural rubber, silica obtained by rice husks incineration and microcrystalline cellulose—as fillers and rapeseed oil as a process additive in compositions, intended for the manufacture of soles for winter footwear having an increased coefficient of friction to icy surfaces. The tribological tests based on the coefficient of friction evaluated the adhesion of the composites to the icy surfaces at different temperatures. The complex evaluation of developed composites revealed those containing microcrystalline cellulose and biogenic amorphous silica at a 1:1 ratio as the most suitable for making footwear soles because of the best combination of physicо-mechanical properties and coefficient of friction.

EXTERNAL-LOOP AIRLIFT MAGNETICALLY STABILIZED BED--MINIMUM STABILIZATION AND FLUIDIZATION CONDITIONS

Experimental study of an airlift with a magnetically stabilized bed in the riser bottom has been performed. External magnetic field allows easy control of magnetized bed structure and liquid circulation rate. Minimum stabilization and fluidization conditions have been determined experimentally and by a three-line graphical method. Semi-empirical data correlations of sections of the experimental curves have been performed. Scaling relationships known from non-magnetic airlift are applicable too, but with the assumption that the magnetic field affects the loop friction coefficient only.