Dipping Solution Research Articles

Preparation of Hyflon AD/Polypropylene Blend Membrane for Artificial Lung.

A high-performance polypropylene hollow fiber membrane (PP-HFM) was prepared by using a binary environmentally friendly solvent of polypropylene as the raw material, adopting the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method, and adjusting the raw material ratio. The binary diluents were soybean oil (SO) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). The suitable SO/ATBC ratio of 7/3 was based on the size change of the L-L phase separation region in PP-SO/ATBC thermodynamic phase diagram. Through the characterization and comparison of the basic performance of PP-HFMs, it was found that with the increase of the diluent content in the raw materials, the micropores of outer surface of the PP-HFM became larger, and the cross section showed a sponge-like pore structure. The fluoropolymer, Hyflon ADx, was deposited on the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane using a physical modification method of solution dipping. After modification, the surface pore size of the Hyflon AD40L modified membranes decreased; the contact angle increased to around 107°; the surface energy decreased to 17 mN·m-1; and the surface roughness decreased to 17 nm. Hyflon AD40L/PP-HFMs also had more water resistance properties from the variation of wetting curve. For biocompatibility of the membrane, the adsorption capacity of the modified PP membrane for albumin decreased from approximately 1.2 mg·cm-2 to 1.0 mg·cm-2, and the adsorption of platelets decreased under fluorescence microscopy. The decrease in blood cells and protein adsorption in the blood prolonged the clotting time. In addition, the hemolysis rate of modified PP membrane was reduced to within the standard of 5%, and the cell survival rate of its precipitate was above 100%, which also indicated the excellent biocompatibility of fluoropolymer modified membrane. The improvement of hydrophobicity and blood compatibility makes Hyflon AD/PP-HFMs have the potential for application in membrane oxygenators.

Characterization of volatile compounds of Gök Üzüm raisins produced from grapes pre-treated with different dipping solutions

BackgroundRaisins contain a wide range of secondary metabolites, including volatile compounds that may contribute to the health benefits and preference of consumers. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies concerning the analysis of volatile compounds in raisin. The goal of this study was to compare volatile composition of Gök Üzüm (Vitis vinifera L.) raisins produced from grapes dried before the application of two pre-treatments solutions: wood ash (WA) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3).ResultsGök Üzüm raisins produced from grapes dipped into the WA solution presented higher contents of most of the studied volatile compounds (including the total contents of C6 compounds, alcohols, benzenoids, esters, aldehydes, terpenes and C13 norisoprenoids) and lower contents of (Z)-2-hexenol and 2-hexenoic acid than the raisins produced from grapes dipped into K2CO solutions. Gök Üzüm raisins were characterized by fruity, floral and grass aromas according to their odor activity values. Drying Gök Üzüm grapes after the treatment of WA solutions promotes a higher aromatic composition compared to K2CO solutions.ConclusionThese findings can greatly assist raisin producers in deciding which dipping solution to use before using a dipping solution to dry the grapes.Graphical

Changes in quality attributes of pulsed light treated dehydrated onion shreds during storage

Processing of dehydrated onion shreds involves contamination during peeling, chopping, and dehydration. Pre-treatments such as blanching, dipping and soaking in chemical solutions reduce the contamination prior to dehydration. Post dehydration treatments include thermal and non-thermal technologies. Hot water blanching in presence of CaCl2 as pre-treatment followed by pulsed light of 2208 ± 0.5 J·cm−2 (2100 V, 120 s) as post-dehydration treatment is employed. Further, the microbial quality and other attributes were assessed during the storage at 25, 30, and 37 °C. The population for aerobic mesophiles and yeasts & molds crossed 5 and 4 log CFU∙g−1, respectively after 30, 27, 19 days of storage at 25, 30, and 37 °C, respectively. Browning index, pyruvic acid, total phenols and flavonoids were most sensitive among the color parameters and bioactive compounds degraded during storage. After 30 days of storage at 25 °C, there was reduction of 82% in ascorbic acid, 39% in pyruvic acid, 93% in thiosulphinate, 50% in total phenolics, and 52% in total flavonoids content of the shreds. At 37 °C, the rate of bioactive degradation was higher and the retention in bioactives after 19 days was 24, 56, 35, 35, and 52% of ascorbic acid, pyruvic acid, thiosulphinate, total phenolics, and total flavonoids content, respectively. The pyruvic acid, ascorbic acid, phenolic and flavonoid content in the onion shreds degraded following first order kinetics, whereas thiosulphinates followed zero order degradation. The shelf-life of the pulsed light decontaminated dehydrated onion shreds was 30, 27, 19 days at 25, 30, and 37 °C, respectively. Pulsed light treatment is recommended for dehydrated onion shreds as an effective technology for microbial inactivation.

(113) Hydrophilic Inflatable Penile Prothesis (HC-IPP) Discs Inoculated With Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria and Fungal Species Dipped in 0.05% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Irrigation Solution and Irrigated With the Device to Evaluate Real World Situations

Abstract Introduction Hydrophilic-coated implants have significantly decreased penile prosthesis infection (PPI) since their release in 2001. However, the microbial spectrum of PPI has significantly changed. Based on recent Next Generation Sequencing literature, gram negative and fungal species are now included in the three most common organisms isolated. The Titan (Coloplast, Minneapolis, MN, USA) implant enables surgeons to choose a dipping solution according to their local biogram and preference. Irrisept (Irrimax, Lawrenceville, GA, USA) is 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution and has an extensive profile for microbial kill, including many aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal species known to cause PPI. Objective Evaluate microbial reduction on HC-IPP material dipped and irrigated with 0.05% CHG irrigation device using a validated microbiological study design: microbial contamination with microbial reduction counts following treatment. Methods An In-Vitro evaluation of the ability of an irrigation device to reduce transient bacterial contamination from a Test Substrate - pre-cut discs prepared from a HC-IPP material. Seven common PPI microorganisms - Bacteroides fragilis (A TCC #25285), Candida albicans (A TCC #10231), Enterococcus faeca/is (A TCC #29212), Escherichia coli (A TCC #25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC #27853), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC #29213) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC #12228) were used for this evaluation. For each challenge species, three discs of the implant material (i.e., carriers) were pre-conditioned by immersion in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation, USP (Baseline Controls), and six discs were pre-conditioned by immersion in the test irrigation solution, (Irrisept®; Test Carriers). The pre-conditioned carriers were allowed to dry for approximately 10 minutes prior to contamination with a suspension of each test strain. Following a 2-to-3-minute drying period at room temperature, the three contaminated Baseline Carriers were evaluated for viable microbial recoveries. Three of the contaminated and dried Test Carriers were evaluated for viable microbial recoveries with no additional treatment (Pre- Rinse Test Carriers). The three remaining Test Carriers were evaluated following a rinsing procedure using 200cc of Wound Irrigation Device/Solution (Post-Rinse Test Carriers) at three time points, mimicking an in-vivo practice. Results Table 1 presents the Initial population (CFU/mL), Mean Baseline Control Recovery (normal saline log10) and the mean Post-Exposure Recovery (0.05% CHG log10), and Mean Post-Exposure Reduction (0.05% CHG log10) following three separate 150cc irrigations (one full bottle/disk with 0.05% CHG irrigation device. (lrrisept 450mL [Lot #21HDB982]). Conclusions Dipped and irrigated HC-IPP material discs with the irrigation device containing 0.05% CHG results in clinically significant log10 reductions in tested microbial strains. All previous studies on this subject matter have used zone of inhibition (ZOI) testing only. This microbiological methodology is superior as it is quantitative not qualitative, and can evaluate bactericidal, viricidal and fungicidal activity. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: Irrimax Corporation, Coloplast Corporation Clarification Industry funding only - investigator initiated and executed study Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast, Irrimax.

Improving the interfacial shear strength of polypropylene/carbon fiber nonwoven composite by three different methods

This paper introduces three different methods to improve the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of PP/CF nonwoven composites: (A) mixing maleic anhydride-grafted-PP (MAPP) powder into polypropylene/carbon fiber (PP/CF) nonwoven preform, (B) grafting MAPP onto polydopamine-coated-CF (PCF) utilizing esterification reaction, and (C) coating ethylene–glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA) copolymer onto CF through solution dipping. First, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results over modified CFs show that the MAPP and E-GMA were delivered onto CF. Surface Chemistry analysis validated the esterification between MAPP and PCF. Second, the tensile test and SEM observation of composites’ tensile fracture region confirmed the improved interfacial adhesion. Tensile strength was improved by 42.5%, 44.6%, and 49.8% by Method A, B, and C, respectively. Finally, the Bowyer-Bader methodology estimated the IFSS improvement of 352%, 161%, and 136% produced by Method A, B, and C, respectively.

A study on coating of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose incorporated with a nano-emulsion of Piper betel leaf essential oil to enhance shelf-life and improve postharvest quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Edible coating films derived from essential oils effectively preserve farm produce, especially fruits and vegetables, and the technology is widely prevalent in improving their shelf life. The present study aimed to reduce the post-harvest loss and extend the shelf life of tomatoes using edible coatings based on Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) containing Piper betel leaf essential oil nano-emulsion as an antibacterial and bioactive compound. It also aimed for optimal extraction of essential oils (EO) from Piper betel leaves which contain various medicinal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant compounds such as chavibetol, eugenol, and other compounds. The essential oils were extracted, and nano-emulsion was prepared by a low-energy emulsification method and incorporated into edible HPMC composite to determine whether the edible coatings of the nano-emulsion of Piper betel leaf could delay the changes that lead to deterioration of the fruit. Results showed that the coatings delayed 5 % changes in color, 8% weight loss, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, soluble solids concentration, lycopene, and decay percentage, compared to uncoated control fruits. It was inferred that tomatoes that were coated with 15% nano-emulsion containing dipping solution showed a significant increase in the shelf life of tomatoes up to 8 days. Therefore, it is suggested to use HPMC containing the Piper betel oil nano-emulsion as an edible coating, extending the shelf-life of tomato fruits post-harvest.

3D Graphene Oxide-Polyethylenimine Scaffolds for Cardiac Tissue Engineering.

The development of novel three-dimensional (3D) nanomaterials combining high biocompatibility, precise mechanical characteristics, electrical conductivity, and controlled pore size to enable cell and nutrient permeation is highly sought after for cardiac tissue engineering applications including repair of damaged heart tissues following myocardial infarction and heart failure. Such unique characteristics can collectively be found in hybrid, highly porous tridimensional scaffolds based on chemically functionalized graphene oxide (GO). By exploiting the rich reactivity of the GO's basal epoxydic and edge carboxylate moieties when interacting, respectively, with NH2 and NH3+ groups of linear polyethylenimines (PEIs), 3D architectures with variable thickness and porosity can be manufactured, making use of the layer-by-layer technique through the subsequent dipping in GO and PEI aqueous solutions, thereby attaining enhanced compositional and structural control. The elasticity modulus of the hybrid material is found to depend on scaffold's thickness, with the lowest value of 13 GPa obtained in samples containing the highest number of alternating layers. Thanks to the amino-rich composition of the hybrid and the established biocompatibility of GO, the scaffolds do not exhibit cytotoxicity; they promote cardiac muscle HL-1 cell adhesion and growth without interfering with the cell morphology and increasing cardiac markers such as Connexin-43 and Nkx 2.5. Our novel strategy for scaffold preparation thus overcomes the drawbacks associated with the limited processability of pristine graphene and low GO conductivity, and it enables the production of biocompatible 3D GO scaffolds covalently functionalized with amino-based spacers, which is advantageous for cardiac tissue engineering applications. In particular, they displayed a significant increase in the number of gap junctions compared to HL-1 cultured on CTRL substrates, which render them key components for repairing damaged heart tissues as well as being used for 3D in vitro cardiac modeling investigations.

Optimized multilayer coating using layer-by-layer assembly method for excellent oxygen barrier of poly(lactic acid) based film

Layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) of trilayer coatings of polyelectrolytes and nanoclays (NC) were produced on poly(lactic acid) based (PLAb) films. The focus of this study was on the optimization of the wetting properties of the PLAb substrate, and the adhesion properties of the prepared coating. Coatings produced by an optimized method, by combining UVC-treatment of the substrate and adjusting surface tension of the coating solutions, were compared to coatings made by typically used water-based solutions. Even though LbL-coatings with a high adhesion strength to its substrate is of outmost importance for most applications, this is often not evaluated. In this study, the adhesion of the coatings on the PLAb substrate was assessed using the cross-cut test according to ISO 2409, in which the adhesion is classified on a scale between 0 and 5, where a lower number reflects better adhesion. The coating prepared by the optimized procedure was categorized as class 0, while the control film was classified as 4. These results reveal the importance of the optimization of both the surface free energy of the substrate, and the surface tension of the dipping solutions. The surface morphology and roughness properties of the optimized films were further investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal optical microscopy (COM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), showing a uniform distribution of NC on the substrate with increasing number of trilayers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the homogenous surface composition of polyelectrolytes and NC. Finally, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) decreased considerably (by 99.7%), from 97.2 cc/(m2·day) for pristine PLAb substrate to 0.3 cc/(m2·day) for the 20-trilayer coated substrate.

Novel low pressure drop and easy regeneration ceramic whisker membrane for submicron particulate matter filtration

Aiming to efficiently remove submicron particulate matter (PM), a low pressure drop ceramic whisker membrane was prepared via precursor solution dip coating followed by high temperature firing. Aluminum nitrate 9-Hydrate and boric acid were used as the precursors for the formation of aluminum borate. A highly porous film comprising interconnected single phase 9Al2O3·2B2O3 whiskers of high aspect ratio, was successfully formed on an alumina support. Flue gas filtration tests indicated that as-fabricated ceramic whisker membrane exhibited outstanding filtration performance. More than 95 % PM in 0.3–1 µm was removed by using the as-prepared ceramic whisker membrane, and the pressure drop after three rounds of back blow regeneration remained stably at approximate only 1.3 times of the air pressure drop. This work provided a feasible approach to the preparation of a novel ceramic membrane with low pressure drop, and a novel strategy for high efficiency removal of submicron PM.

Properties enhancement of poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) biocomposites by incorporating surface-modified wheat straw flour: Effect of pretreatment methods

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) biocomposites filled with wheat straw flour (WSF) were enhanced through modifying WSF surface by pretreatments, i.e., alkali solution (NaOH 1–7 wt%) dipping, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane solution (APTES 0.5–2 wt%) soaking, or NaOH+APTES synergistic impregnation. The WSF was characterized by microscopy, spectroscopy, diffractometry, thermogravimetry, and wetting. Through different levels of surface etching effect or grafting functional groups, all the pretreatments removed unstable, amorphous substances on WSF, obtaining higher crystallinity by 2–12 %, degradation temperature by 57–83 °C, and lower water contact angle by 7–24°. Compression-molded WSF/PHB biocomposites were examined by mechanical tests, microscopy (fracture morphology), water absorption, calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. Above pretreatments boosted mechanical-, moisture-, and heat-resistances of composites, owing to stronger interfacial interaction of PHB with surface-modified WSF, and the improved physicochemical properties of WSF itself. Alkali treatment worked better in raising mechanical, waterproof behaviors, while silane induced higher temperature for phase transition, decomposition. Enhancement achieved by alkali+silane could surpassed both single treatments. The best outcome occurred in 3 wt% NaOH + 0.5 wt% APTES, which increased strength (flexural, tensile, and impact), modulus (flexural, tensile) by 22–40 % and 14–23 %, respectively, decreased 300 h-water absorption by 18 %, and rose melting, degradation temperatures by 2 and 23 °C, respectively, showing new potential for construction-related application.

Improvement of a Two-step Method for Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells via Modification of a Metal Halide Template and Dipping Conditions

We report an improved two-step method for the development of highly efficient organometal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The improvement of the two-step method has been achieved with the modification of the metal halide template and the controlling of the dipping solution temperature. With a single cation methylammonium lead iodide PSC fabricated via a modified PbI2 template and the dipping solution temperature of 70 °C, we have accomplished a PCE of 17.14% enhanced from the conventional two-step methods.

High-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB) enhances drying behavior of red pepper via altering cellular structure, pectin profile and water state

In order to exploring a feasible pretreatment technology of red pepper, an emerging thermal pretreatment technology namely high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB) was employed and its effect on drying behavior and related mechanisms were explored through analyzing the ultrastructure, the contents and composition of cell wall pectins, water state of red pepper during the blanching process under blanching temperature of 110 °C and relative humidity of 35%–40% for various exposure times ranging from 0 to 150 s. Results indicated HHAIB can extensively reduce the drying time from 11 h for the un-blanched samples to 8 h for the samples blanched for 90 s. In addition, HHAIB reduced the products' hardness by 8.19%–47.91% compared to the untreated samples. The cellular structure and water state experienced a significant alternation with the increasing blanching time. The content of water-soluble pectin (WSP) increased, while the contents of chelate-soluble pectin (CSP) and sodium‑carbonate-soluble pectin (NSP) decreased during the blanching process. Overall, HHAIB treatment is a promising blanching technology for red pepper as it can accelerate the drying process through softening tissue and altering the ultrastructure and moisture binding state. Industrial practiceDrying is one of the most frequently used methods for red pepper preservation as it can effectively reduce the moisture content so as to hinder the growth and reproduction of microorganisms and the moisture-mediated deteriorative reactions. While the existence of waxy hydrophobic layer covered the surface of red pepper results in long drying time and poor products' quality. In industrial practice chemical dipping is often used to remove the wax layer and enhance the drying rate of red pepper. However, the chemical residues can trigger food safety issues and how to deal with the highly corrosive chemical dipping solution is also a challenge. Therefore, it is very tempting for industry to explore innovative pretreatment for red pepper drying. The current work indicated that HHAIB is a promising alternative technology to replace the chemical dipping method as it extensively enhances the drying process of red pepper.

Post Harvest Treatments and Shelf Life of Some Tropical Fruit

Fruits are perishable horticultural crops grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. It is a richest source of micro nutrients and phyto chemicals that contributed a significant role in human health. Mango, avocado, papaya, guava and pine apple are popular and economically important tropical fruits due to their essential nutritional properties and appreciated eating quality. However, in developing countries, upto 50% of those fruits are lost after harvest due to improper post-harvest handling practices. Edible coating, dip in calcium chloride solution, hot water treatment and drying are easily applicable post harvest treatments used in the preservation of such tropical fruits. Shelf life of mangoes coated using edible coating material can be extended up to 18 days without rotting and developing unpleasant-flavour relative to coated guava, papaya, avocado and pine apple fruits. Dipping harvested fruits in various concentration of calcium chloride solution exhibited different storage life. Consequently, mango fruits treated with 10% of calcium chloride solution preserved for 30 days at 12°C and 85-90% relative humidity. Guava fruits treated by hot water at 45oC for 3 minute lasts upto 31 days under room temperature. In this review maximum shelf life up to 9 months was found for Avocado fruit dried using freeze drying method.

DNA as grabbers and steerers of quantum emitters

Abstract The chemically synthesizable quantum emitters such as quantum dots (QDs), fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs), and organic fluorescent dyes can be integrated with an easy-to-craft quantum nanophotonic device, which would be readily developed by non-lithographic solution process. As a representative example, the solution dipping or casting of such soft quantum emitters on a flat metal layer and subsequent drop-casting of plasmonic nanoparticles can afford the quantum emitter-coupled plasmonic nanocavity (referred to as a nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPoM) cavity), allowing us for exploiting various quantum mechanical behaviors of light–matter interactions such as quantum electrodynamics (QED), strong coupling (e.g., Rabi splitting), and quantum mirage. This versatile, yet effective soft quantum nanophotonics would be further benefitted from a deterministic control over the positions and orientations of each individual quantum emitter, particularly at the molecule level of resolution. In this review, we will argue that DNA nanotechnology can provide a gold vista toward this end. A collective set of exotic characteristics of DNA molecules, including Watson-Crick complementarity and helical morphology, enables reliable grabbing of quantum emitters at the on-demand position and steering of their directors at the single molecular level. More critically, the recent advances in large-scale integration of DNA origami have pushed the reliance on the distinctly well-formed single device to the regime of the ultra-scale device arrays, which is critical for promoting the practically immediate applications of such soft quantum nanophotonics.

Tribological properties of dopamine-modified dimple textured surfaces filled with PTFE

PTFE-filled textured surfaces were impregnated with the dopamine dipping solution to improve their tribological performances. Ball-on-disc wear experiments were conducted to compare tribological properties of three surfaces: the textured surface, filled textured surface and modified filled textured surface. The worn surfaces, wear debris, and shedding areas of the PTFE were measured, and shear strength between the PTFE block and medium carbon steel after impregnation modification was analysed. Experimental results showed that compared with textured surfaces, filled textured surfaces and modified filled textured surfaces had lower friction coefficient values and cross-sectional areas of wear scars. Compared with the filled textured surface, the modified filled textured surface reduces filled gaps by 63.5% and the shedding ratio of the PTFE within dimples by 63.2%. The research results demonstrate that tribological performances of the filled textured surface can improve after impregnation modification. Polydopamine can react to covalent-noncovalent interaction with PTFE and medium carbon steel. Polydopamine acts as a binder to improve the bonding strength between the PTFE and the inner wall of dimples. Polydopamine can reduce the shedding ratio of the PTFE and maintain the antifriction function of the PTFE in dimples.

Study on formulation and preparation technology of the composite cellulose-based enteric capsule shells

Objective To study the new formulation and technology of composite cellulose-based enteric capsule shell with one-time dipping molding without organic solvent. Methods Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate-55S (Hp55S) was used as the main film-forming material, agar as gelling agent, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as disintegrating regulator. The preparation technology was as follows: ① Hp55S was dissolved in dilute ammonia solution with pH of 10 ∼ 11 at room temperature to obtain transparent Hp55S solution. ② The mixture of HPMC, KCl, and Tween-80 was fully dispersed in the agar solution at 90 ∼ 100 °C and cooled to 50 ∼ 55 °C under continuous stirring to obtain a transparent agar/HPMC solution. ③The Hp55S solution was heated to 50 ∼ 55 °C and poured into the agar/HPMC solution and stirred evenly to obtain the composite cellulose solution, which was kept at 50 ∼ 55 °C for standby. ④The composite cellulose-based enteric capsule shells were prepared by dipping, spinning, drying, stripping and trimming, and joining. Results The composite cellulose-based enteric capsule shell prepared according to this formula and process met the quality requirements of ‘enterosoluble vacant capsules’ in Chinese Pharmacopeia. Conclusion Compared with the traditional formula and preparation technology of enteric capsule shell, the product is a plant type enteric capsule shell, no organic solvent is used in the formula, and the forming steps of multiple dipping solution is not used in the process. The advantages of this study are that the production steps are simplified, the production process is environmentally friendly, and the production cost is reduced.

Viscosity master curves and predictions of phenolic resin solutions through early aging

Dipping in solutions of phenolic resins is a common practice in obtaining various composite materials. One key control requirement is to identify the degree of aging of resin solutions in the dip tank, which would age inevitably through time. This work systemically studies the early aging of resin solutions, accompanied by the increase of molecular weights, viscosity, and glass transition temperature. Using rheological methods, this work formulates equations relating the viscosity, aging time, aging temperature, and measurement temperature, and provides a master surface. The aging time – aging temperature superposition is also validated. Based on the shifting factor, the unmeasurable slow aging around room temperature can now be predicted. During the early stage of aging, the glass transition temperature of the solution increases significantly. We propose a “viscosity-temperature index”, for instance, the ratio of viscosities at 0 and 30 °C. It can significantly reduce the error due to solution density, concentration, and viscosity measurement, and can be determined by a low-cost Brookfield-like viscometer near the production line. Combing the universal master curve of the viscosity-temperature index, now we can conveniently and precisely identify the aging degree of phenolic resin solutions.

Blue Phosphorescence of Standard Cut Flower Carnation

An experiment was conducted to quantify luminescence of white cut flower carnations after exposure to blue glow-in-the-dark powder. Powder was applied to the flowers as either dip (3, 6, or 9 g) or spray (3, 6, or 9 g) solutions in 240 mL of water for 4 seconds plus a control. Stem fresh weight, relative stem fresh weight, flower diameter, and overall solution absorption were greatest on day 4. Only the 6-g dip or spray had greater average flower quality ratings than the control, indicating reduced vase life, but there was no difference among powder treatments. Phosphorescence is possible with fluorescent light, but ultraviolet light increased the flower mean brightness an average of 75% across all treatments. No treatment differences were observed for the flower mean brightness with ultraviolet light, except on day 9; however, greater powder rates without ultraviolet light in general resulted in greater brightness.

A Facile Way to Modify Polyester Fabric to Enhance the Adhesion Behavior to Rubber

Due to the extremely inert surface of polyester (PET) fabric, a toxic and traditional resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) dipping solution is always necessary in the rubber composite industry. Unfortunately, other effective methods for fabric surface treatment are in urgent need to improve the poor bonding interface between the fabric and the rubber matrix. In our study, a facile way to modify PET fabric was developed. Specifically, the fabric was treated by an alkaline solution and a coupling agent with magnetic agitation. Afterwards, the treated fabric/rubber composites were prepared through a co-vulcanization process. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the surface chemical composition of the modified fabrics. The adhesion behavior was analyzed by the peel test. The results showed that the fabric surface was successfully grafted with a coupling agent, and the peel strength reached 9.8 N/mm after KH550 treatment, which was an increase if 32% compared with that of the original fabric/rubber composite. In addition, the vulcanization rate and interfacial fracture mechanism are also researched.

Study of activation energy and moisture diffusivity of various dipping solutions of ivy gourd using solar dryer.

The study is aimed to enhance the shelf life of ivy gourd through the solar drying method in open, forced, and natural convection mode. Ivy gourd is treated as the primary agent to prepare medicines and the stems, leaves and flowers are used to cure diseases related to diabetics, ulcer and skin. The normal shelf life is 2-3days and it can be increased up to 6months with an effective drying process. The experiment is intended to find the best drying process among the open, natural, and forced convection mode with an initial dipping method with ascorbic acid, lemon juice, sugar solution, honey solutions individually, and a control sample (without dipping). A 3kg sample of ivy gourd is dipped in 10g/L of each of the solutions and it is used for the three drying processes individually. The obtained results are indicating that the forced convection method for ascorbic acid is best among the other drying method, with the highest moisture diffusivity is 7.88 × 10-8 m2/s and the lowest activation energy of 21.12kJ/mol. The lemon juice sample is found to have better sensory appeal in terms of colour (darkness) and shrinkage followed by honey, ascorbic acid, and control sample, whereas the honey-dipped sample offers a better taste followed by lemon juice-dipped samples, control, and ascorbic acid-dipped samples, respectively. The influence of dipping solution and drying mechanisms on the functionalities of drying are discussed with suitable illustrations.