This paper shows the technological development for manufacturing corner angle sections or cardboard. Its manufacture involves splicing sheets (liners) of different weight Kraft papers joined with white glue. The thickness and strength of each profile is determined by the amount of spliced leaves and paperweight. There are two types of finishing in the profile, which are: natural finish Kraft wrapping paper and the white paper envelope. The second one is used to print images or logos on the exterior face for advertising purposes. They can withstand bending stresses for supporting buckling in horizontal and vertical position. These profiles are mainly used for packaging, protect corners, transportation and storage. A machine for manufacturing specialized linear process to obtain the required thickness is used. In this article, the basic load of an angular profile is analyzed by the finite element method using ANSYS 14 ®. Mechanical design considerations based on the mechanics of composite materials and the theory of laminated beams are considered. With the results of this analysis, load capacities like bending, buckling and deformation profiles are obtained. Furthermore, a comparison of three thicknesses of angular profiles supporting the mentioned loads is also presented.

We report the development of a label-free biosensors based on DNA hybridization, using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). This study uses DNA sequences based on microRNA related with breast cancer. The biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing a self-assembled monolayer of single-stranded 23-mer oligonucleotide (ssDNA) via a thiol linker on gold work electrodes. Residual binding places were filled with 6 -mercaptohexanol (MCH). The electrode was electrochemicaly characterized in the presence of a redox system ferri/ferrocyanide. Different concentrations of complementary DNA sequence for hybridization were incubated; an increase of charge transfer resistance (Rct) was observed, used as sensor parameter and correlated with concentrations of complementary DNA sequence. A debate was presented on the effect of the MgCl2 influence on ssDNA immobilization solution.

We introduce a sensing element, “Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP),” which created by “Molecular Imprinted Technique.” However, the sensitivity of MIP’s based bio-sensors limits for practical applications due to the low sensitivity. To achieve a high sensitivity of MIP’s based sensors, the synthesis of “high affinity receptor or binding sites,” such as “monoclonal particles” is a key objective. In previous studies, affinity distribution plots indicated that “high affinity binding sites” were obtained when the number of binding sites per particle decreased. It means that smaller particles are expected to have higher affinity binding sites compared to larger particles. The result motivated us to produce small-sized MIP’s particles for the achievement of higher sensitivity. Microfluidic Synthesis has taken a great attention to synthesize small particles. However, the microfluidic synthesis gave us a difficulty, especially collections of MIP’s particles from the surface of PDMS-based microchannels due to a sticking problem. Thus, we employed a new approach, which can collect MIP’s particles without any sticking problem from the surface of the reactor. It is a photopatterned MIP’s system generated on the glass surface. We prepared a photomask with micro-sized patterns and then fabricate MIP’s particles on a glass surface by photopolymerization. Uniform MIP’s patterns were printed on the glass surface. The interface between the glass surface and the MIP’s pattern was observed by SEM. Micro-sized MIP’s particles were collected from the glass surface by scratching off the photocured MIP’s patterns.

Interest in next generation devices that integrate photonic and electronic functionality is focused on extending the capability of existing group IV material systems while maintaining compatibility with existing processing methods and procedures. One such class of materials which has been recently developed, Ge1-x-ySixSny ternary alloys, is being investigated for integrated Si photonics, solar cell materials, telecommunication applications, and for IR photodetectors. These alloys afford the opportunity to decouple the band gap energies and lattice constants over a wide range of values, potentially yielding direct and indirect character that can be coupled with a variety of different substrates dependent on composition.

In the present work, we report X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization of Ge1-x-ySixSny alloys grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GS-MBE) and investigate Ni- Ge1-x-ySiySny bilayer reactions with x-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface oxidation of samples stored in ambient conditions were measured with XPS. High resolution spectra showed chemical shifts of Ge, Si and Sn peaks consistent with Ge-O, Si-O and Sn-O bond formation. Depth profiling indicates a homogeneous composition throughout the bulk of the sample with surface oxidation confined to the top few nanometers. A highly tin-enriched layer was indicated at the surface of the material, while silicon was observed to be either enriched or depleted at the surface depending on the sample.

To study the interaction of the ternary with an ohmic contact commonly used in device fabrication processes today, nickel layers 30 nm thick were evaporated onto the alloys and were annealed in nitrogen up to 400 °C for periods as long as 1 hour. The XRD data show that the Ni2(Ge1-x-ySixSny) phase forms first followed by Ni(Ge1-x-ySixSny).

The existence of Pt7Cu ordering phase (intermetallic compound) was investigated by ab initio calculations and high voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) focusing on irradiation-induced ordering. The Pt7Cu ordering phase (cF32, prototype Ca7Ge) was predicted at 0 K through density functional theory (DFT), and using cluster expansion (CE) method and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation, the ordering temperature of fcc-based Pt7Cu ordering phase was estimated to be above room temperature. The formation of Pt7Cu ordering phase was confirmed by a short-time irradiation for 3.6×103 s at 600 K. MeV electron irradiation can reduce drastically the annealing time for the ordering in the Pt-Cu alloy system, indicating that the combination of the prediction by ab initio calculations and HVEM can offer the unique opportunity to investigate the existence of ordering phase in alloys.

Photo-actuating structures inspired by the chemical sensing and signal transmission observed in sun-tracking leaves have recently been proposed by Dicker et al. The proposed light tracking structures are complex, multicomponent material systems, principally composed of a reversible photoacid or base, combined with a pH responsive hydrogel actuator. New modelling and characterization approaches for pH responsive hydrogels are presented in order to facilitate the development of the proposed structures. The model employs Donnan equilibrium for the prediction of hydrogel swelling in systems where the pH change is a variable resulting from the equilibrium interaction of all free and fixed (hydrogel) species. The model allows for the fast analysis of a variety of combinations of material parameters, allowing for the design space for the proposed photo-actuating structures to be quickly established. In addition, experimental examination of the swelling of a polyether-based polyurethane and poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating network hydrogel is presented. The experiment involves simultaneously performing a titration of the hydrogel, and undertaking digital image correlation (DIC) to determine the hydrogel’s state of swelling. DIC allows for the recording of the hydrogel’s state of swelling with previously unattained levels of resolution. Experimental results provide both model material properties, and a means for model validation.

The indentation hardness and yield strength of various wurtzite-structured semiconductors, such as AlN, GaN, InN, and ZnO, were summarized together with those of 6H-SiC. From analysis of the data, the activation energy for motion of an individual dislocation was deduced to be 2–2.7 and 0.7–1.2 eV in GaN and ZnO, respectively, and the evaluated activation energy for dislocation motion showed a dependence on the dislocation energy in the minimum length. The results were evaluated in terms of homology and the basic mechanism of the dislocation process. Dislocation motion is thought to be primarily controlled by the atomic bonding character of the semiconductors.

The superstructures of different morphology (superlattices and supercrystals) are obtained by self-organization of lead sulfide quantum dots (QDs) on a substrate. In contrast to the SAXS patterns of isolated QDs in solutions, the X-ray intensity from ordered superstructures is modulated by the interference from the QDs in SLs or SCs leading to occurrence of the intense peaks at small scattering angles. By indexing the peaks in the SAXS patterns it is concluded that QD SLs are close-packed QD ensembles with the lattice parameter close to the dot diameter and QD SCs have primitive orthorhombic crystal lattice. Absorption and photoluminescence bands of superstructures are also analyzed.

This research focuses on defining the design principles that integrate passive-system thinking into the built environment with the goal of mitigating building energy usage by self-regulating the heat gain/loss at level of building envelopes. In collaboration with TAKTL, a company that developed and uses advanced Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) integrated with mold design and manufacturing of architectural elements, our research targets how specific manipulation of UHPC surface area in combination with self-regulating thermochromic response can improve building’s energy performance. By coupling the adaptive color response with surface geometry we can suggest new passive sustainable solutions that would mitigate the energy usage with no additional energy input; purely through designing the form and color adaptation for UHPC concrete Trombe wall components integrated within building façade systems. This paper outlines the first part - the thermal behavior in response to surface geometry. Such comprehensive knowledge not only enhances the possibilities within architectural design, but becomes an effective strategy in self-regulating the heat gain/loss at the building surface level, while reducing the need for mechanical building systems.

Important to the development of dye-sensitized solar cells is the longevity and photo-conversion efficiency of the dye. To improve cost effectiveness, dyes of superior thermal and chemical stability are desirable to extend device performance. In this study, we examine a series of peripherally fluorinated Zinc-Phthalocyanines (FxZnPc). Introduction of chemically inert fluorine and isopropyl fluoroalkyl groups on the periphery of the Pc improve the dye stability and allow for tunable photo-physical properties. Additionally, introduction of the bulky isopropyl fluoroalkyl groups help mitigate molecular aggregation in thin films which is known to be detrimental to maintaining the desired photo-physical properties of the surface coating. Using molecular dynamics and first principles modeling, various substituent effects on surface adhesion and aggregation over TiO2 surfaces are characterized for both symmetric and asymmetric substitution.

In here we depict the morphogenesis and associated properties of TiO2-based macroscopic fibers designed for the photodecomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOC). We employed a continuous industrially scalable extrusion-based process making the use of hybrid sols of amorphous titania nanoparticles, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and occasionally latex nanoparticles. This process allowed for the continuous generation of hybrid TiO2/latex/PVA or TiO2/PVA macroscopic fibers. Upon thermal treatment, biphasic porous fibers are obtained containing the anatase phase of TiO2 with 10-15% of brookite. These fibers, which can be manufactured under several hundred meter of length, are offering significantly improved phototocatalytic efficiency now comparable to the commercial Quartzel®PCO photocatalyst for gas-phase acetone mineralization.

We present a novel method to build a coarse-grained (CG) model based on the Mori-Zwanzig (MZ) formalism that reproduces kinetics. Our approach leads to the computation of a generalized Langevin equation (GLE), which includes the memory kernel and the fluctuation that are consistent with brute force molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our CG model based on the MZ formalism successfully reproduces kinetics, i.e. the distribution of first passage times (FPT) and velocity autocorrelation functions (VACF), for alanine dipeptide. In addition, we show that the memory part of the CG model of GLE is essential to reproduce kinetics. In other words, the Markovian model fails to reproduce brute force MD results, whereas the GLE model succeeds.

Resistive memory materials and devices (often called memristors) are an area of intense research, with metal/metal oxide/metal resistive elements a prominent example of such devices. Electroforming (the formation of a conductive filament in the metal oxide layer) represents one of the often necessary steps of resistive memory device fabrication that results in large and poorly controlled variability in device performance. In this contribution we present a numerical investigation of the electroforming process. In our model, drift and Ficks and Soret diffusion processes are responsible for movement of vacancies in the oxide material. Simulations predict filament formation and qualitatively agreed with a reduction of the forming voltage in structures with a top electrode. The forming and switching results of the study are compared with numerical simulations and show a possible pathway toward more repeatable and controllable resistive memory devices.

Preparation of a sigma-CrFe single-phase specimen was achieved by arc melting of pure Fe and Cr, cold rolling, and subsequent annealing at 973 K or 1073 K in vacuum. Cold rolling before annealing is effective for the annealing-induced formation of sigma-CrFe from the bcc solid-solution phase. The phase stability and the structural change from sigma-CrFe to a bcc solid-solution phase under fast electron irradiation were investigated by in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation in the temperature range between 22 K and 473 K by using an ultra-high voltage electron microscope (UHVEM). The phase transition of sigma-CrFe by fast electron irradiation was found to occur at a particular temperature.

In fission based nuclear reactors, uranium dioxide fuel is subject to an intense neutron environment that drives the fission chain reaction. In this process, fission fragments will be produced with an energy reaching 1 MeV/amu. These fragments will initially lose energy through inelastic interactions resulting in excitations of the electronic structure. The excitations subsequently transfer energy to the atomic lattice through electron-phonon (e-p) coupling resulting in a thermal spike which may enhance mobility of fuel atoms. Consequently, the enhanced mobility resulting from fission energy deposition is expected to promote annealing of lattice defects such as ion tracks. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of uranium dioxide were performed using the LAMMPS code to investigate the effects of fission enhanced mobility on ion tracks formed in the fuel. The MD model was composed of 10×60×60 unit cells, 432000 atoms, and used a Buckingham potential to describe interatomic interactions. A two-temperature model was used to capture the process of fission energy deposition in the electronic subsystem and its transfer to the atomic lattice through e-p coupling. Previous MD simulations demonstrated that fission-enhanced diffusion became more pronounced as the electronic system behavior was varied from metal-like to insulator-like, i.e., increasing the e-p coupling strength. In the present MD simulations, the annealing of an existing ion track (radius nearly 3.0 nm) due to the interaction with 18 keV/nm and 22 keV/nm fission fragments was observed. For a metal-like system (weak e-p coupling), it was found that the track persisted with a radius of nearly 3.0 nm. For an insulator-like system (strong e-p coupling), it was found that the track can be reduced significantly in size approaching a radius of 1.4 nm.

Deterioration of concrete structures, together with corrosion of reinforcing steel due to the action of microorganisms, is known as Microbiologically Induced Corrosion of Concrete (MICC). The activity of microorganisms can initiate and further accelerate both steel corrosion and cement-based matrix degradation in reinforced concrete structures. The mechanism is related to initial surface colonization and further bio-products (and aggressive substance respectively) penetration into the bulk concrete matrix, reaching the reinforcement level. Common knowledge is that bio-deterioration-related infrastructure degradation, maintenance and repair have a significant economic impact worldwide. However, due to the complexity of all related mechanisms, a durable and feasible solution is still to be achieved for the engineering practice. This paper briefly points out main bio-degradation related mechanisms for concrete, steel and reinforced concrete structures and presents results on the electrochemical response of carbon steel in simulated environment under biotic and abiotic conditions.

According to the reports of Z.E. Horvath et al [1] and Liu Yun-quan et al [5], carbon nanotubes can be synthesized by spray pyrolysis from different carbon sources (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, cyclohexane, toluene and acrylonitrile) and several metallocene catalysts (ferrocene, cobaltocene and nickelocene). This paper describes two different existing methods for growth of carbon nanotubes and the influence of applied parameters (oven temperature, synthesis time, catalyst concentration, carrier gas flow and solution flow) on the CNT's morphology. Also, a possible influence of number of carbons in carbon sources and structures of their compounds (linear or aromatic) on properties of formed carbon nanotubes. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were applied for characterization of obtained materials.